Bethesda Shalom: Recent Episodes
Bethesda Shalom
Bethesda Shalom, "House of Mercy and Peace". A small independent Bible believing Church located in Wolverhampton, England; endeavouring to hold fast to truth and stand fast in love by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
James 1:5-8
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 10th August 2026.
Exodus 14:13-14
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 2nd August 2026.
A word of encouragement from Brother Jason Wright. I trust that the Lord will cause your eyes to be lifted to all that awaits us in Christ in the new creation to come.
Colossians 4:7-18
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 19th July 2026.
Philippians 1:21-25
May the Lord bless you through this timely Word from Brother Ryan Schiavo.
Colossians 4:5-6
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 28th June 2026.
Colossians 4:3-4
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 21st June 2026.
Colossians 4:2
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 14th June 2026.
Colossians 3:22 – 4:1
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 8th June 2026.
Colossians 3:20-21
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 31st May 2026.
Colossians 3:18-19
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 24th May 2026.
Colossians 3:18-19
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 17th May 2026.
Colossians 3:17
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 26th May 2026.
Colossians 3:16b
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 19th April 2026.
Judges 1
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 12th April 2026.
Judges 1
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 12th April 2026.
Part 11
According to Oneness Pentecostals, one cannot be saved unless they have repented, been baptised in Jesus' name, and filled with the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues. Once a person has acted in faith by obeying these three steps, can they have assurance of salvation in the future life? The sad reality is no. There is a fourth component necessary for salvation, which the Jesus Name Pentecostal must continue to abide in. You ask, what is this fourth component? It is found in Hebrews Chapter 12, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).
At face value, there is nothing wrong with Heb. 12:14. The Bible is clear that the unrighteous shall not enter the kingdom of God. But what about a woman wearing make-up? Would she be deemed unholy for doing so? What about if a woman were to wear a pair of trousers tailored for women? Would she be in breach of Deuteronomy 22:5, which forbids the sin of cross-dressing? Can a woman cut her hair? Can she wear a gold necklace? For Oneness Pentecostals, holiness includes abstaining from worldliness, which they understand as practising the things mentioned above. In this final teaching, we define true biblical holiness and contrast it with the false holiness standards of Oneness Pentecostalism, which they maintain are obligatory if a person is ever to see the Lord. Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/11_Salvation_and_Holiness.pdf
Colossians 3:16a
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 5th March 2026.
Part 10
Within mainstream Christianity, denominations differ in their understanding of what constitutes the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the initial evidence of receiving such. Some teach that the baptism of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by the witness of tongues, is not a gift that is in continuation. Despite these disagreements, this debate is an in-house one amongst the family of God on various sides of the orthodox spectrum. However, when discussing these issues with an Oneness Pentecostal, even if one were to lay aside the theological gulf that separates them in relation to the doctrine of the Trinity and the alleged saving efficacy of water baptism in Jesus' name, there would be enough error in what Jesus Name Pentecostals believe regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit to designate them a cult.
In this teaching, we explore the error of Oneness Pentecostals regarding their belief that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation, evidenced by the speaking in tongues. Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/10_Baptism_in_the_Holy_Spirit.pdf
Colossians 3:15
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 29th March 2026.
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 22nd March 2026.
Part 9
For Jesus Name Pentecostals, except that a person is baptised in water, they cannot have their sins forgiven, since they believe that it is at baptism that God washes away the sins of the believer. Oneness Pentecostals are not alone in this; other cults, including the Church of Christ, believe the same, as also do the Roman Catholic Church. What distinguishes Jesus Name Pentecostals from other groups is their belief that baptism is effective only when it is performed in the name of Jesus. What evidence is there in the Word of God for such a belief? What about the Great Commission, where Jesus commanded the disciples to baptise in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
Consideration shall be given in this ninth teaching part, and the evidence put forward by the Oneness Pentecostals shall be weighed in the balance.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/9_Baptism_in_Jesus_Name.pdf
Colossians 3:12-13
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 8th March 2026.
Part 8
The doctrine of justification by faith is one of the great pillars of the Christian Church. Justification by faith explains the means by which God not only remits sins but credits to the bankrupt account of man His perfect righteousness on the grounds of faith alone, apart from any works, including water baptism. Oneness Pentecostals, on the other hand, maintain that water baptism is a necessary component for salvation and that without it, one cannot be born again. Jesus Name Pentecostals teach that it is through water baptism that a man's sins are forgiven. Is this what the New Testament epistles teach? What about those few verses in the Gospels and the Book of Acts which seem to teach that water baptism is necessary for salvation?
All of these questions and more shall be addressed in this teaching, and in conclusion, it shall be shown that while water baptism should always follow salvation, it does not contribute to it.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/8_Is_Baptism_Necessary_for_Salvation.pdf
Colossians 3:5-11
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 1st March 2026.
Part 7
When one encounters a suspected cult member, one of the surest ways to ascertain whether they are sound in faith is to ask a simple but effective question: What must I do to be saved? If the answer to this question is not that of Paul and Silas, then one can be almost certain that one is speaking to a cult member. How did Paul and Silas answer the Philippian jailer? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). No matter the cult, every last one will deny that salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. When one asks a Jesus Name Pentecostal, "What must I do to be saved?" It should come as no surprise that they cannot answer as Paul and Silas since they are a cult.
For Oneness Pentecostals, salvation is not as simple as placing faith in Jesus Christ. Other components are also required, including repentance, baptism in Jesus name, receiving the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of speaking in tongues and holiness of life.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/7_What_Must_I_Do_to_Be_Saved.pdf
Colossians 3:1-4
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 22nd February 2026.
- Shadows of the Trinity in the Old - Paul M. Williams
Part 6
The charge is often put to Christians that the doctrine of the Trinity is a New Testament perversion that is nowhere present in the pages of the Old Testament. This claim, however, is false and does not stand up to the biblical standards of scrutiny. Christians concede that the doctrine of the Trinity is brought into full light only in the New Testament dispensation of the gospel. However, one would be terribly mistaken to think that there are no foreshadowings of this doctrine in the Old Testament Scriptures. What has been revealed in the New was concealed in the Old, and what was concealed in the Old has been revealed in the New.
This sixth teaching shall aim to provide evidence to show that the doctrine of the Trinity is present in type within the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/6_Shadows_of_the_Trinity_in_the_Old.pdf
Colossians 2:16-23
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 15th February 2026.
Part 5
When engaging with an Oneness Pentecostal, as with all cults, they have their favourite go-to passages that they hope will prove their case for the particular doctrine they are seeking to substantiate. Admittedly, as one gives ear to their arguments, they appear at first to be convincing. Obscure texts and isolated verses are lifted out of context; difficult verses to understand are presented as though they support the erroneous heresies being propagated. The man standing on the Word of God ought never to be afraid of the cultist. No matter how convincing his opponents' arguments may be against the historical position of orthodoxy, the man standing opposite has been labelled a heretic for a reason. He is a heretic because he has deviated from the straight path and turned aside to damnable doctrines against the clear testimony of Holy Scripture.
When dealing with the nature of God, Oneness Pentecostals have several passages that they hope to use for their own advantage. This fifth teaching aims to discover what these are and to offer a sound exegesis of the passages to refute the error of the Oneness understanding.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/4_The_Doctrine_of_the_Trinity_Pt._2.pdf
Colossians 2:10-15
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 8th February 2026.
Part 4
In attempting to interpret passages in the Bible which clearly point to a distinction in the persons of the Father and the Son, Oneness Pentecostals obfuscate the meaning of these passages by making an artificial distinction between Jesus' human nature and His divine nature.
In responding to this position, one cannot do so without referring to early Church history. Does Jesus have a dual nature such that His divine self-consciousness can be distinguished from His human self-consciousness? When Jesus forgave sins, calmed the storm, and cast out devils, did He do so as God but not as man? When Jesus grew weary, hungered and thirsted, did he do so as man but not as God? These questions and more shall be discussed in relation to the doctrine of the incarnation in this fourth teaching.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/4_The_Doctrine_of_the_Trinity_Pt._2.pdf
Colossians 2:1-9
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 1st February, 2026.
Part 3
The doctrine of God as it relates to the nature of His being is no small matter. The first three centuries of Church history were consumed with this central issue. In the second and third centuries, men like Praxeas and Sabellius argued that God was singular not only in being but also in person. Sabellius taught that, like an actor wearing different masks on stage, God likewise assumed different modes at different times to manifest Himself to man. In the Old Testament, God assumed the role of a Father; in the incarnation, the role of a Son, and in regeneration, the role of the Holy Spirit. Modalistic Monarchianism was soundly defeated in the early centuries of the Church; yet, over the last one hundred years, this ancient heresy has resurfaced amongst those identifying themselves as Oneness Pentecostals.
In this third teaching part, we begin to examine the Biblical evidence for the doctrine of the Trinity while at the same time looking at early Church history and those heresies which confounded the persons of the Godhead.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/3_The_Doctrine_of_the_Trinity_Pt_1.pdf
Colossians 1:24-29
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 25th January, 2026.
Part 2
No movement ever existed in a vacuum. From revolutions to reformations, whether political, social or religious, no movement ever begun in a vacuum. Each was a product of their times, and it is no different when tracing the origins of the modern Oneness Pentecostal movement. It too has a beginning that arose out of Classical Pentecostalism in the early 20th Century.
However, the heresies espoused by Oneness Pentecostals as they relate to the nature of God are not new. Their denial of the Trinity in favour of a modalistic view of God did not have its origins in the 20th Century but in the 3rd Century, as shall be demonstrated in this second teaching part, examining the history of Oneness Pentecostals.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/2__History_of_Oneness_Pentecostals.pdf
Colossians 1:23
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 18th January, 2026.
Part 1
On the surface, Oneness Pentecostals have many similarities to mainstream Pentecostals, and that is what makes them so dangerous. They affirm the deity of Jesus Christ, they believe in the continuing gifts of the Holy Spirit, they believe the Bible to be the inspired and infallible word of God, they believe in the literal Second Coming of Jesus Christ, they believe in the final judgment of the wicked and in a literal hell. On the surface, one would not find a great deal of disagreement; YET four main fundamental beliefs set them apart from orthodox Biblical Christianity.
This first teaching part examines, by way of introduction, these four fundamental differences.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/1_Introduction_to_Oneness_Pentecostals.pdf
Colossians 1:20-22
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 12th January, 2026.
Colossians 1:15-19
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 4th December, 2026.
James 1:14
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, New Year's Eve, Wednesday 31st December, 2025.
Colossians 1:14
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 28th December, 2025.
Colossians 1:12-13
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 21st December, 2025.
Colossians 1:7-12
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 14th December, 2025.
Colossians 1:1-6
A series of expository sermons, walking through the Book of Colossians. Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 7th December, 2025.
Part 8
Whenever one asks a member of a cult whether they have absolute and full assurance of salvation, ninety-nine times out of a hundred, one will be met first with a stutter followed by the answer, "I hope so!" The reason for this is that cults cannot offer their members assurance of salvation, because salvation depends on remaining a member, since there is no salvation outside that particular group. This is true of Jehovah's Witnesses, Roman Catholics, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The topic of focus in this final teaching part is two-fold. Before one can understand how a member of the LDS Church qualifies for salvation, it is essential to ask the question, What is salvation?
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/8_The_Doctrine_of_Salvation.pdf
1 Jn. 1:1-4
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 24th November, 2025.
Part 7
When one is dealing with a cult, there are always two main areas where the scope of the target is aimed. Attacking either one of these is enough to designate a group a cult, but more commonly, one will find that the cults delight in destroying both. What are these two areas of repeated attack? The person of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No cult will ever discard the name of Jesus, as the devil seeks through subtilty to catch the unsuspected soul off guard. Muslims have a Jesus, Jehovah's Witnesses have a Jesus, the Roman Catholic Church has a Jesus, and so do the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The question is not whether they have a Jesus but which Jesus. Do they have the real Jesus of Holy Scripture?
How is one to determine whether the Jesus Christ of Mormonism is the Jesus Christ of Scripture? How is one to know whether the Jesus Christ of the LDS Church is the genuine Jesus or a counterfeit imposter? The only way of ascertaining this is by examining LDS doctrine as it relates to Jesus Christ, they profess. In this seventh teaching part, careful examination shall be given to see if the Mormon Jesus is the biblical Jesus.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/7_The_Doctrine_of_Christ.pdf
1 Jn. 1:1-4
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 16th November, 2025.
Download the audio for this sermon (mp3) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/1_John_Pt1.mp3
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1 Jn. 1:1-4
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 9th November, 2025.
Mark 5:25-34
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 2nd November, 2025.
Part 6
When a Christian is asked to explain why heaven will be heaven for him, it does not take him long to give his answer. Heaven will be heaven because God is there! Yet, when a Mormon is asked to explain the hope that they have in Christ, their whole concept of eternity is fashioned by the doctrine of Exaltation, namely the belief that man might one day become a god, possessing all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge.
For the Bible believing Christian, the leap from man to God is an eternal gulf that can never be spanned. Man will never be God for the simple reason that God is the creator and man is the created. However, in an ever-evolving universe, Mormons believe that God the Father was once a man who, through specific actions, achieved exaltation himself. If such a formidable feat were possible for God, then the Mormon hope is that it is also possible through Christ for them. The purpose of this sixth teaching is to understand the Mormon position and examine such claims in light of Holy Scripture.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/6_The_Doctrine_of_Man_.pdf
Matthew 14:28-30
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 25th October, 2025.
Part 5
Of the many teachings contained in the Bible, there is one teaching that the Bible is unequivocal about and absolute in its declaration: there is but one true and living God. Monotheism oozes out of every page of God's sacred record in both the Old and New Testaments. Orthodoxy demands that the adherent of Christianity hold to the belief in the existence of only one God!! Every prophet from Moses through to Jesus taught that there was but one God. At first glance, it appears that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are on the same page. However, as one begins to dig beneath the surface of its conventional publicity statements, one discovers layer after layer of heresy from the denial of the Trinity to the human anatomy of God the Father.
If one is to understand the Mormon hope as it relates to eternity, one must first understand the particular God whom they serve.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/5_The_Doctrine_of_God.pdf
Proverbs 16:9
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, England, Sunday 19th October, 2025.
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
Part 4
The Mormon Church claim that over the centuries, the Bible has suffered the loss of many plain and precious parts. They believe that the most reliable way to measure the accuracy of the biblical text is not by comparing the many translations available today, but by comparing the Bible with the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the measuring stick for truth, and according to Joseph Smith, it is the most correct of any book on earth. That is a very bold claim!
As we continue to examine the Book of Mormon, consideration shall be given to its historical reliability. What artefacts (if any) have archaeologists unearthed to support the historicity of the Book of Mormon? How does one explain the historical errors contained within it? How did whole portions of the 1769 King James Bible make their way into the Book of Mormon if the gold plates from which the book claimed to be translated predate the King James Bible by more than a millennium? These questions and more are answered in this fourth teaching on Mormonism. Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/4_The_Book_of_Mormon_Pt_2.pdf
Genesis 6:9
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, Sunday 12th October, 2025.
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Part 3
The Book of Mormon is just under one and a half times larger than the New Testament. It comprises 15 books, which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say were written by Nephite prophets. The LDS Church believes that whilst the Bible documents the events of God’s chosen people, Israel in the Eastern Hemisphere, the Book of Mormon documents the lives of the Israelites inhabiting the Western Hemisphere, namely the ancient Americas. Interestingly, much of what the LDS Church believes doctrinally is not actually found in the Book of Mormon but in the other writings of Joseph Smith: Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. Despite this, Joseph Smith said of the Book of Mormon:
“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than any other book.”
Joseph Smith was known for making bold statements, and the quote above is surely numbered among them. As with any claim, it ought to be able to withstand scrutiny and examination. In this teaching, the Book of Mormon will be held to the standard of modern science to see if indeed it is the most correct book on earth. Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/3_The_Book_of_Mormon_Pt_1.pdf
Revelation 2:24-25
Preached in the Sanctuary of Bethesda Shalom, Sunday 5th October, 2025.
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Matthew 28:1-10
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Part 2
Like every movement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a beginning, a period of development, and a time of stability. The LDS Church has typically been separated into three distinctive periods.
- “Early History” under the leadership of Joseph Smith, Jr. 2. “Pioneering era” under the leadership of Brigham Young. 3. “Modern Era” beginning around the turn of the 20th century
The purpose of this second teaching part is to explore this history. To understand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today, one must first understand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it began and developed. The Church makes great claims for itself and prides itself on outlandish doctrines which run counter to the Word of God. It had a founding prophet who claimed to be visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son, along with a whole host of biblical characters who have long departed from this world – John the Baptist, Peter, James and John. It claims to have restored the fullness of the lost Gospel, even though it was never lost. It has three additional books of authority besides the King James Bible -- The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. This is more sources of extra-biblical revelation than any other cult. Such claims call for a thorough examination, and what better way to begin to do this than to start at the beginning.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/2_History_of_Mormonism.pdf
Luke 9:51
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.
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1 Samuel 3:10
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth
Part 1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a cult whose membership is twice the size of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. As of December 2024, the official membership of the LDS Church stands at 17.5 million. By far, the largest proportion of this amount – nearly 7 million (40%) is located in the founding country of the United States of America, with some 2.2 million living in the State of Utah. Excluding the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the second-largest Christian cult in the world with a global presence in more than 160 countries. It has 80,000 active missionaries on every mission field of the planet. It boasts more than 200 Temples worldwide, with a further 60 currently under construction and 114 more announced for future building. According to the independent research group, The Widow’s Mite, the Mormon Church received an estimated $8 billion in tithes and offerings in 2024. It is estimated that over the course of the same year, its wealth increased by $28 billion, with a significant portion of this growth coming from investments. This took the total assets in 2024 to an estimated $293 billion, making the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints one of the richest religious organisations in the world.
In this introductory teaching part, we begin to examine the core teachings and practices of Mormonism. What you shall discover will shock you.
1 Kings 18:21
The title of this morning’s sermon is a very searching one; one that demands an honest and forthright answer. It calls aloud to the lukewarm fence-sitter to get off the fence; it beckons the double-minded to depart from his unstable ways and to make a solid stand for Christ. It pleads with those living in the murky shadows of the twilight dawn to step out into the morning light. It forces one's hand if you like to make a decision — for me, or against me? In or out? — HOW LONG HALT YE!! If ever such a cry needed to be heard in the hour in which we live, it would be this cry. If ever men were to be awakened out of their slumber so as to be brought to their senses, I can think of no better question that should be put to them than that which Elijah confronted the nation with in his day — HOW LONG HALT YE?
Luke 18:1-8
Sometimes there's a delay in the place of answered prayer. This sermon explores some of the reasons why this may be the case. While waiting on God, we must never lose sight of His omnipotence. We ought always to intermingle with our prayers the faith of expectation!
Acts 11:26
This sermon is an urgent call to discipleship. May God both challenge you and encourage you to go on with Jesus, NO TURNING BACK!
Brother Ryan preaches the Word of God passionately, touching on the social and moral issues of the day with great poignancy. May the Lord minister to you through this sermon.
For more sermons from Ryan, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/@lastdayspulpitministry8796
1 Corinthians 15:9-13
What kind of father fails ever to discipline his son? What kind of mother lets her children grow wild without ever pruning them? The world calls this love, but the Word of God says, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Prov. 13:24).
In this fourteenth and last teaching part in the Church series, we turn our attention to the topic of Church discipline. When the Church gives the green light to professing believers living in willful sin, it fails to convey the correct message from God. God is not okay with His people sinning, and His Church need to communicate the same for the purity of the Body and the restoration of the sinner.
Acts 20:28
Mention the word leadership today, and you’re bound to be met with a mixture of varied responses ranging from the largely pessimistic to the nominally optimistic! Stick the word “Church” in front of “leadership” and any trace of optimism there was speedily vanishes away!! Try as one may to dress things up and paint a positive picture, when many hear the words “Church leadership”, they are left with a bitter taste in their mouth! I wish I could say that such ill feelings are misguided and misjudged, but I can’t. It is with good reason that Church Leadership over the last few decades has received such a bad rap.
In this 13th sermon part, we turn our attention to see what God has to say in His Word about Church leadership. It’s time to bring the standard back into leadership.
Ephesians 4:11
There is a plague today that is infesting the Western Evangelical Church and greatly harming the Ekklesia. It’s this notion of individualism — that I can be a dismembered member of Christ’s Body and still somehow function in ministry. You’ll search the pages of the New Testament in vain to find such a pattern! In every place you see ministry, you will see members connected to the Body!! The gifts are given to the BODY — a local assembly of committed individuals/believers. Different gifts are given to different members within that local assembly for the profit of the whole BODY. This whole idea that one can be dismembered from a local assembly and yet be serving in “ministry” is a farce, and nowhere is this travesty more seen than in the field of evangelism!!
John 4:28
May the Lord bless you through His servant Jason. There is something for everyone in this timely sermon.
1 Corinthians 12:31
The Church of Jesus Christ is first and foremost a spiritual body of believers who have had a supernatural encounter with the Living God, and through the new birth have been grafted into Christ’s spiritual body. Jesus Christ is the spiritual head, and from Him flows down to each member, every spiritual blessing and spiritual gift needed for the sound nourishment and spiritual growth of the entire body. These spiritual gifts are not mere niceties that make for a cosy addition; instead, they are crucial components required for the spiritual building of Christ’s Church.
In this eleventh teaching part, we examine the proper attitude that is required to excel in these gifts for the blessing of the Body.
Acts 20:33-35
Does God bless His people financially? ABSOLUTELY!! But the immediate question that must arise following this answer is What for? Why does God bless His people financially? So that we might be a giving people!! This attitude ought to be at the heart of our giving in the Church.
Ephesians 5:19-21
So much of what is deemed as corporate worship today is so bereft of any substance! Could it be that we lack so much zeal and passion in our worship because our theology is so meagre? In other words, our view of God is so pathetically small? Why worship God? BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY!!! Is that not a good place to start? May God minister to you through this ninth sermon part in a series looking at the Church.
This sermon was preached at the West Midlands Messianic Testimony Rally 2025.
A look at the godly King Jehoshaphat with lessons applied.
https://www.messianictestimony.com/
Acts 2:42
If one takes a cursory look through the first few chapters of the Book of Acts, one will see that prayer permeates its pages. The Church of Jesus Christ was birthed in prayer and sustained in prayer!! She was at her most radiant when she was found on bended knee. She was never more clothed in grace than when she talked with her God!!! That first Church of Pentecost Jerusalem knew something of the power of prayer that the Church today knows nothing of!!
This sermon is a call for the Church of Jesus Christ to return to the place of prayer and supplication.
Acts 2:42
As well as the Lord’s Supper being a place of tremendous remembrance, it is also a place of immense self-examination. In this teaching part, we rediscover the importance of the Lord’s Supper and refute in part the false doctrine of transubstantiation.
Hebrews 10:23-25
So many of the New Testament exhortations calling the child of God to humility and love, forbearance and kindness, forgiveness and patience can only be carried out if one is found in fellowship as part of a local assembly. God has designed the Church and placed you as a member to perfect you in sanctification. As the saying goes, iron sharpens iron, and friction, when brought to the cross, begets holiness!
Acts 2:42
The mindset of so many when coming to the house of God is WHAT AM I GOING TO GET OUT OF IT, when instead the mindset ought to be, WHAT ARE OTHERS GOING TO GET OUT OF ME!! That’s a different proposition altogether, and these sentiments lie at the root of true Christian fellowship!! The Greek word for “fellowship” is the Word KOINONIA. Being translated, it means a common sharing together/communion. Koinonia is not one-way traffic; it involves mutual participation between two or more parties. One can think of Koinonia as a bring and share!! I’ll bring the sandwiches and you bring the salad, I’ll bring the rice and you bring the meat; I’ll bring the drinks and you bring the cups!! When we gather as the Body of Christ, it ought to resemble a picnic, and I don’t just mean food. I mean a sharing of one's life!!
Let us then see what Koinonia looked like in the first Church.
Acts 2:42
Mention the word doctrine today in the vast majority of congregations up and down the length of this nation, and you will be met with suspicion on the one hand and scorn on the other. From my observations, the appetite of so many within the professing Church towards doctrine is like that of children towards sprouts! Mom and Dad know that they’re good for their little darlings, but their little darlings have no stomach for them! Give us baked beans, fries, tomato ketchup and pizza, anything so long as it is not green!! The Apostle Paul warned some 2000 years ago that this would become the heart’s attitude of God’s people towards sound doctrine.
In this fourth sermon part, we examine the place of doctrine in the Church.
Acts 2:42
Mention the word doctrine today in the vast majority of congregations up and down the length of this nation, and you will be met with suspicion on the one hand and scorn on the other. From my observations, the appetite of so many within the professing Church towards doctrine is like that of children towards sprouts! Mom and Dad know that they’re good for their little darlings, but their little darlings have no stomach for them! Give us baked beans, fries, tomato ketchup and pizza, anything so long as it is not green!! The Apostle Paul warned some 2000 years ago that this would become the heart’s attitude of God’s people towards sound doctrine.
In this fourth sermon part, we examine the place of doctrine in the Church.
Ephesians 4:1-6
Having laid the foundation for the unity of the Church in the previous sermon, we focus in this sermon on the functional unity of the Body. Why so much division in the Body of Christ? Why so much discord? At the heart of the problem lies the root sin of pride.
Part 10
In concluding this series on the Seventh-day Adventist Church, examination is given to some of the common heresies shared among the sister cults that emerged from the broader Adventist movement in the mid-nineteenth century, arising from the failed predictions of William Miller, including Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christadelphians. In this teaching, these common doctrinal heresies shall be explored and briefly refuted.
To wrap up this series, consideration shall be given to the different positions within Adventism, namely the traditionalists vs. the progressives. Which side of the fence does the Adventist Church fall on today, and in the final analysis, is Seventh-day Adventism a cult?
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/10_Common_Cult_Heresies.pdf
John 10:16
In this second part of the series, we explore the riches of the mystery of the Church of Jesus Christ. That Gentiles should come to the knowledge of the Saviour was foretold by the Prophets of old. But how it would be possible for Jew and Gentile to be united in one body in Messiah was a mystery hidden from ages past, but has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Come with us as we explore this fascinating mystery!
Part 9
It has been well said that the only distinctive doctrine of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the doctrine of the Investigative Judgment. This doctrine lies at the heart of Adventism and is woven into the fabric of how the Adventist Church views atonement. In short, the doctrine of the Investigative Judgment teaches that in 1844, Jesus Christ began a work of judgment, examining the records of all professing believers to determine their worthiness to obtain heaven. When one asks what is the standard by which they shall be judged, the answer is returned, the law of God! According to Ellen G. White: “All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life.”
The doctrine of the Investigative Judgment is a damnable doctrine as it not only adds law to grace and works to faith, but it denies the finished work of the cross since it maintains that from 1844, Christ entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a work of investigative judgment, which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin (SDA Fundamental Belief 24). How can there be a final phase of atonement when Calvary WAS the final atonement? We shall explore this at length in this teaching, along with the infamous Sanctuary doctrine.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/9_The_Investigative_Judgment.pdf
Hebrews 10:24-25
We are living at a time in history where anything that is of long-standing tradition is being called into question. Renewed calls go forth on every hand, calling for change. Out with the old and in with the new is the resounding cry of this post-modernist generation. Whether it’s marriage, the family home, politics or education, that which once served our forefathers for eons is being re-examined in light of new-fangled philosophies offered by the so-called experts of our day. Sadly, as one looks to the Church, it follows suit, having an insatiable itch for that which is new. In an age where Church attendance in the West is in decline, and atheism, secularism, and New Age spirituality are on the rise, we are told that unless the Church becomes relevant to this youth-driven generation, then it will disappear from society and die from old age.
In this first part of a series examining the Church (Ekklesia), we seek to answer the question, “What” or “Who” is the Church of Jesus Christ?
Part 8
When asking a well-versed Christian, “Is there anything forbidden for a Christian to eat?” they will immediately answer with a resounding “no,” then follow up with a few qualifying comments, turning to key passages in the New Testament, such as Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 and 10. When the same question is asked to a Seventh-day Adventist, they will respond with a resounding “yes” before turning to key passages in the Old Testament, such as Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Who is right? Both appeal to the Bible, yet only one can do so using the Bible as the sole authority for determining the truth. Adventists are in a very precarious position since whether they admit it or not, in one hand they hold the Old Testament and in the other, the writings of Ellen G. White. When asked what their source of authority is for determining all matters of faith and doctrine, they will respond by saying the Bible and God’s infallible interpreter, the Spirit of Prophecy.
The purpose of this teaching is to examine what Seventh-day Adventists teach concerning diet and to see if it aligns with what the New Testament teaches.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Have you ever heard of an athlete on the field with a sack of potatoes bound to his back? Why would an athlete be so foolish to do a thing like that? It’s unheard of, and yet, as I look around the stadium of Christendom, some believers are doing this very thing, and they wonder why they’re out of spiritual breath a few laps into the race! Brothers and Sisters, could it be that they’re carrying too much weight?
This sermon is an exhortation to lay aside every weight and to run the race set before us!!
John 2:1-11
Some say that being a Christian is complicated. However, it is we who complicate matters. Mary the mother of Jesus summed up the secret of following the Lord when in her last recorded words she said, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (Jn. 2:5)
Part 7
As one combs the pages of the New Testament Epistles, one will find that nine of the ten commandments written on tablets of stone are also explicitly prohibited by the New Testament writers except for one, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8). Ironically, the only commandment of the ten, not brought across into the new, is the commandment which Seventh-day Adventists major on the most.
To understand why the Seventh-day Adventist Church places such emphasis on the seventh day, one has to first understand the emphasis placed upon this day by its prophet, Ellen G. White. In this teaching, we shall take an in-depth look at what Mrs White and the Adventist Church teach regarding the continuing biding nature of the Sabbath and ask ourselves whether it is the same as what the Bible teaches.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/7_Should_Christians__Keep_the_Sabbath.pdf
Mark 11:1-9
Brother Stephen from the Lifeboat Fellowship bears the burden of the Lord with a message of challenge, conviction and hope! Whom the Lord sets free is free indeed!!
Part 6
According to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, love for Jesus Christ is manifested by one’s obedience to the Ten Commandments; without obedience to these commandments, no man shall enter the kingdom of heaven. The goal of this teaching is to establish what commandments Jesus had in mind when He said, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love” (Jn. 15:10).
In addition to answering this question, consideration shall be given to arguments raised by Seventh-day Adventists to support their claim for the continuing binding nature of the Ten Commandments.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/6_Answering_Adventist_Arguments_for_Law.pdf
Hebrews 4:14-16
So much of contemporary Christianity is built on hype, but the problem with hype is that it gets you nowhere because hype has no foundation. God has given us three-quarters of a million words of solid text upon which to base our confidence so that our faith is not found flapping in the wind. In this sermon, we consider Jesus as our High Priest and the promise that is given us to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find help in times of need.
Exodus 15:11
If ever there was an aspect of God’s character that desperately needs to be rediscovered among the ranks of Evangelicalism in our day, it is the holiness of God!! We’ve lost the fear of God in the house of God because we’ve no comprehension of the holiness of God! We’ve grown accustomed to the familiar because we’ve lost the sense of reverence and awe in the handling of the things of God. Can I remind you that the God with whom we have to do is HOLY? He does not fall into the category of the common — He CAN’T! He’s totally and utterly removed from every created thing in the universe, including the universe itself, because He’s altogether of a different KIND!! Humans belong to the humans kind and animals, the animal kind; there is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars — there is the glory of the angelic host, and then there is the glory of God!!! Tell me, what other “kind” can we place in the category of God? HE EXISTS IN A CATEGORY ALL OF HIS OWN!!! “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Ex. 15:11).
Part 4
Many of the misconceptions surrounding the question of this teaching arise from a failure to rightly understand the nature of a covenant. When the children of Israel said, “…All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient” (Ex. 24:7), the ALL consisted of far more commandments than only ten. The children of Israel committed themselves to the keeping of some 613 commandments, all of which were binding upon them. Furthermore, as one reads the passage in Exodus 24, one very quickly realises that at Mount Sinai, the Israelites were not simply agreeing to keep a set of laws; they were entering into a covenant with Yahweh, their God, that involved the sprinkling of blood.
As one reaches the end of the Book of Malachi in a Christian Bible, one passes from one covenant to another - a New Covenant not instituted with the blood of animals, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. By the bringing in of a new covenant, the first, by definition, has become old and has been made obsolete. Once one understands this, the answer to the question, “Is the Law Binding Upon Believers” becomes an oxymoron, and the Adventist case for the continuation of the Ten Commandments is dismissed. Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/4_Is_the_Law_Binding_Upon_Christians.pdf
Psalm 23
There are times when God calls His people to pass through the valley. Passing through the valley of the shadow of death is never easy but can I say with absolute conviction, that Jesus hasn’t left you to walk alone!! The final words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Matthew are these: “… and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Mt. 28:20). It’s one thing knowing this with the head, but it’s another thing intermingling this truth with faith!! Many people have a head full of knowledge but a heart void of experience! This sermon is a challenge to the Body of Christ for vital reality in the realm of faith and to experience the fullness of the grace of God.
Part 3
Ellen G. White had over 2000 visions during her lifetime and the content of those visions resulted in over 100,000 pages of writings which the Seventh-day Adventist Church consider to be inspired by the Holy Spirit and a continuing and authoritative source of truth. Ellen White claimed that her visions and writings were not simply expressions of her ideas, but originated from God.
What do you call a prophet who prophesies things that don’t come to pass? What do you call someone who steals from others' works while trying to pass them off as writings inspired by God? In this teaching, further investigation is given to Mrs White’s prophecies and writings to determine whether or not she was a prophet called by God. Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/3_Was_Ellen_G_White_a_Prophet.pdf
Part 2
The Seventh-day Adventist Church arose out of the Great Millerite Disappointment of 1844. The nineteenth century saw a literal explosion in the number of cults and religious groups springing up in the United States. Early on in Adventist history, Ellen G. White stamped her mark as a prophet, claiming to receive visions from God which guided and shaped the movement.
Without Ellen G. White, there is no Seventh-day Adventism. In this teaching we take a look at the early beginnings of Seventh-day Adventism and in particular, the nature of Mrs White’s visions and the substance of her writings. What does make of someone who teaches others one thing regarding the eating of meat, while at the same time eating meat herself? I shall allow the evidence to speak for itself.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/2_Ellen_G_White_and_Adventist_History.pdf
Philippians 2:19-24
This sermon is an urgent call to Christian love!
The clip following the sermon is from a message called "Something is wrong" by itinerate preacher Richard Owen Roberts of International Awakening Ministries.
Part 1
In 2023, the Seventh-day Adventist Church saw more additions to its membership than any year since its founding in 1863. In 1961 the Seventh-day Adventist Church had a global membership of about a million. Today they have a membership of more than 22.7 million, meeting in more than 100,000 Churches, spanning some 215 countries worldwide. Without question, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is one of the fastest-growing organisations in the world vastly outnumbering the global membership of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
When one goes to the official website of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to look at their statement of ‘Fundamental Beliefs’; upon first glance, one finds nothing of real concern. They believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures, the doctrine of the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, substitutionary atonement and salvation by faith as a gift of God’s grace. However, Seventh-day Adventists are adept at saying one thing out of one side of their mouth while taking it back out of the other. In continuing to explore what else is included in their Fundamental Beliefs, emerging cracks begin to appear, which when further investigated reveal a rupture in the foundations! In this introductory teaching, we shall discover what Seventh-day Adventists believe and why they are classified as a cult.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/1_An_Introduction_to_Seventh_day_Adventism.pdf
1 Peter 1:13-16
J. C. Ryle was the 1st Anglican Bishop of Liverpool. In his classic book titled, “Holiness”, he wrote the words. “He who supposes that Jesus Christ only lived and died and rose again in order to provide justification and forgiveness of sins for His people, has yet much to learn. Whether he knows it or not, he is dishonouring our blessed Lord, and making Him only a half Saviour. The Lord Jesus has undertaken everything that His people’s souls require; not only to deliver them from the guilt of their sins by His atoning death, but from the dominion of their sins, by placing in their hearts the Holy Spirit; not only to justify them, but also to sanctify them”.
In this second and final sermon part, we examine the command to holiness and the means to holiness. As we move from the classroom of theory onto the field of experience, may the Lord bless you!
Exodus 39:30-31
Whenever the topic of holiness is brought up in the company of Christians, it is guaranteed to provoke one of two responses, either uneasiness or delight! Now granted, those feelings of uneasiness may be down to the fact that a professing believer is not living as they ought; maybe they are living in secret sin and know that by preaching such a topic as holiness, they will be disturbed. Then, there are those who love Jesus dearly, but have been scarred by those who preached to them a form of holiness “so-called” which was nothing more than evangelical legalism!
As we approach this sacred subject, rather than jump straight into the practical, I want to begin with the concept! So many err in their understanding of holiness because they fail to comprehend what holiness even is. Let us then first understand what holiness is.
Luke 15:1-2
If one was to stop you and to ask, “What is God like?”, I wonder what answer you’d give? What attribute would come first to mind? Would it be God’s holiness or omnipotence? His omniscience or His omnipresence? You ask me, “What is God like?”. What attribute comes first to mind when thinking about His person? I return my answer at once; GOD IS LOVE! Without question, this is His crowning attribute without which we would all be damned forever.
In this sermon, we look at the heart of God our heavenly Father. May the Lord bless and encourage you.
Romans 8:14
There’s one feature of the Holy Spirit’s leading that I’ve learned from experience, one that is widely attested to in the Sacred record, and that is the spontaneity of His leading!!! When the Holy Spirit speaks to His people and desires to lead them, it will always require faith to respond!! In the moment of suddenness, we are given a window of time to obey. #1. We must recognise the voice of the Holy Spirit, #2. We must be willing to sacrifice, #3. We must step out in faith!!
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
It is the earnest desire, to lay before you the certain and definite hope of the Christian. Assurances like this cannot be found in this world due to its transient state of temporariness. Search high and low, with diligence and scrutiny, but O man, your search will be in vain. When Adam fell through willful disobedience, mankind was plunged into sin and death. God in His infinite love and mercy has sought to reverse this curse in redeeming a people back unto Himself through His beloved Son.
In this sermon, we set forth the first and second installment of this most glorious work and consider what will be when Our Blessed Saviour appears in glory to change these vile bodies so as to be fashioned like unto His!
1 Kings 17:1-6
It’s not until you step out of a situation, that looking back, you’re able to see it really for it was! When you’re in a smoke-filled room, it’s hard to see the smoke, but exit the room and peer back in through the glass and you’ll be astonished at how you ever could have been in such an environment and not have. As I look around and survey the spiritual landscape of the nation, I have to conclude that we are living in the midst of a spiritual famine that few are even aware we’re in. Churches are closing by the week of and the British landscape is changing. Brethren, it is my conviction that unless God in His mercy sends another revival —an awakening, the likes of which this nation has not witnessed since the days of Wesley, the flickering light of present-day Christianity may soon be extinguished from these British Isles. Now I acknowledge that God will always have a remnant—7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal, but Brother/Sister, where is the grief over the fact that the city once set on a hill has been removed, and the candle which once stood on a candlestick has been placed under a bushel!
This sermon is a heart-cry, for another heaven-sent revival and a warning to those who have been placed in sound fellowships at this present time of famine, to not forsake where God has placed them, but to be grateful for the bread He has provided.
Psalm 32:1-5
If we are to move forward in our walk with Jesus in the year ahead, we must learn to deal honestly with God as His Spirit comes in searching power to discover the true nature of our hearts. William Gurnall that old Puritan put it well when he said, “Sincerity is that property to which pardoning mercy is annexed. True, indeed, it is that Christ covers all our sins and failings; but it is only the sincere soul over which he will cast his skirt”. C.H. Spurgeon said, “The lesson from the whole is this: be honest. Sinner, may God make you honest. Do not deceive yourself. Make a clean breast of it before God. Have an honest religion, or have none at all. Have a religion of the heart, or else have none. Put aside the mere vestment and garment of piety, and let your soul be right within. Be honest”.
This sermon calls for a frank and full confession so that we might receive full forgiveness!
Proverbs 22:3
It’s one thing for an unsaved man to be a fool, but for a Christian to be counted as a fool? It’s a great shame and a reproach and ought never to be! He has the internal light of the Holy Spirit and the external light of the Word!
This sermon is an exhortation to the acquisition of wisdom. “O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart” (Prov. 8:5).
Judges 8:29-35
If there’s one thing to take away from history, it’s that good things never last!! If this is true of history in general, it is certainly true of revival history. Where the blessing of God has been poured out upon a people in special seasons of refreshing, it seems only ever to be short-lived before alas the tide of evil comes back in and the people return to bathe again in the insidious waters of iniquity. While the man of God was alive, the people served the LORD, but when Gideon was taken out of the way, the “...children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god” (vs. 33). They went from revival to ruin in a single generation! They went back to the pool of vomit from which God delivered them. My dear people, I wish I could say that this was an isolated phenomenon never to be repeated, but even in my short life as a Christian, I have seen so many return again to feast upon the mess from which Christ delivered them only years prior! They forget what life was like in the prison of sin, they forget the chains that bound them and the cruelties that attended their path!
In this final sermon part, looking at the life of Gideon, a warning is sounded for God’s children to keep themselves from idols!
Part 13
Every cult without exception denies the doctrine of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Although they may utilise concepts such as grace and faith, what is written outside the box is never what’s inside. In the world of cults, grace becomes synonymous with payment because when everything has been said and done, the cult member is working to earn salvation. At the very best Jesus died on the cross to give mankind the possibility of obtaining salvation. He has merely opened the narrow gate but now it’s left to those who would obtain it to labour. It is for this reason that whether Jehovah’s Witness or Seventh-day Adventist; whether Mormon or Roman Catholic, when the question is put to them; “If you die tonight, do you have 100% assurance that you are saved”? The answer that one will be met with again and again is; “I can’t say for sure, it’s up to God”. With this one simple question and the answer returned, the futility of the cult's works-based system of salvation is revealed for what it is, vanity of vanities!!
There is a world of difference between what the Bible teaches about how a man is saved, and what the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society teaches. In this final teaching part, these differences shall be discovered and the way of truth exposed.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/13_The_Way_of_Salvation.pdf
Judges 8:22-28
The secret to obtaining heaven’s revival blessing; the key to unlocking heaven’s grace is humility. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:6). But when God exalts a man, it’s then when things have the potential to go desperately wrong. My greatest fear is not this side of the victory, it’s what happens on the other side — after God has given the victory.
In this first of two sermons, we examine the warning against making idols of God’s blessings.
Part 12
Anyone who has had any interaction with a Jehovah’s Witness will know that it doesn’t take long for the topic of the 144,000 to arise. There is almost an obsession with this number. In sharing personal testimony with the Witness at the door of how one came to be a child of God by grace through faith – the adoption as children, the sealing of the Holy Spirit, the heavenly calling and the heavenly hope, one will discover upon the face of the Witness a look of pity. “Oh, they say, you’re talking about the 144,000, not the great crowd It’s the 140,000 who have the heavenly hope, the great crowd have only an earthly hope! Only 144,000 have been adopted as children. Theirs is the seal of the Holy Spirit, the heavenly calling, to them alone belongs the heavenly hope!” If one has never heard these sentiments expressed, one may be taken aback! “The great crowd? 144,000? I remember reading somewhere in Revelation about a great crowd that no man could number in Revelation Chapter 7. But if my memory serves me right, they were standing before the throne of God in heaven? If they have an earthly hope as you say, what are they doing in heaven? Regarding the 144,000; Revelation 7, says that they are literal Israelites and Revelation 14 that they are virgins. Are these the 144,000 that you refer to with the heavenly hope? I’m confused!!” In this teaching, all shall be revealed and brought into the light of God’s Word.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/12_The_144000.pdf
Judges 8:4-28
Following the awesome victory that God gave into the hands of Gideon His servant – 135,000 Midianites lay dead. Not content with this victory over the host, Midian pursued the 15,000 that remained and slew them dead. The two Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, were the last two enemies to be destroyed.
This sermon is a plea from God for the same zeal to be enacted on behalf of His people toward sin. We must deal thoroughly and decisively with sin in our lives until every last Midianite is slain. Let us heed the command of God and go up to the fight in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.
Part 11
If one has ever been greeted by a Jehovah’s Witness at the door, after the short and brief courtesies of “Hello, my name is… etc.”, the conversation will inevitably begin with a question like; “What do you think of all the wars in the world today?” or, “Do you think the world is a nice place to live in with all the evil that is in it?”. These questions are leading and are designed to provoke a response of sympathy from the hearer. From this point on, the Witness at the door will proceed to tell of a coming kingdom of peace on earth where wars will cease, and death will be no more. For Jehovah’s Witnesses, Paradise Earth is what the Millennial will be for Christians, except for a few major differences. Firstly, Paradise Earth in Watch Tower eschatology is not restricted to a thousand years but is forever! Secondly, and more importantly, Jesus will be nowhere present on Paradise Earth, He will be in heaven with Jehovah and the angels, governing over the affairs of the earth with the 144,000! I have a question for Jehovah’s Witness: "How can paradise be paradise without Jesus being there?”. Furthermore, what about the new heaven and the new earth which the Bible speaks of, along with the new Jerusalem wherein shall dwell the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb forever, and the Saints shall come in through the city gates? These things along with more shall be the focus of this eleventh teaching part as the beliefs of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society are compared with the Bible.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/11_Paradise_Earth.pdf
Judges 7:24-25
The world has always been obsessed with outward boast and human glory. Sadly, much of the Western Church is on par with this thinking. If a man has charisma and can hold an audience captive with stories and personal anecdotes, we make him a minister! The pulpits up and down the length and breadth of this country are full of such men. They look more like action men than they do God’s men. It’s not what a man is on the pulpit that counts so much as what he is off it! Character my friends is where it’s at!
How a man conducts himself amid conflict says a lot about his character. Leaders are called to be peacemakers. Having beheld Gideon the man, in this sermon, we behold Gideon the peacemaker. Through one man’s leadership, a nation is spared from civil war. I pray the Lord ministers to your heart through Gideon’s example.
Part 10
Jehovah’s Witnesses have long been a cult that has aggressively opposed the doctrine of hell, as can be seen in their literature and publications. Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, was himself an ardent opponent of this doctrine, as has been every presiding president over Jehovah’s organisation since. Though beginning within the ranks of conservative orthodoxy, by the time Russell had outgrown his teens, he had left both Presbyterianism and Congregationalism because he could not reconcile the idea of a loving and merciful God sending billions to an eternal hell. To this day, after nearly a century and a half, Russell’s disciples continue to hold to his beliefs and teachings.
In this teaching, we examine the beliefs of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society as they relate to the doctrine of hell and contrast this with what the Bible teaches.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/10_The_Doctrine_of_Hell.pdf
Judges 7:15-23
The Western Church in this hour wants method and process. If the Church down the road marches around the walls AND God gives them the victory, we write a book on it “How to take a city for God!” But in the valley on the borders of Moab, God had His people dig ditches!! In the wilderness of Tekoa, the people praised the Lord! At the Red Sea, He had them stand still! On the hilltop in Rephidim, Moses held up his hand to God! Friends, you can’t make a method out of this, our eyes must be towards the LORD!!!
Oh the that God might perform a work in this hour as He did in the days of Gideon. A work that our only boast may be in the Lord saying; by His right hand and by His holy arm has He gotten Himself the victory!
Part 9
When one begins collating the teachings of the Christian cults, it’s no coincidence that there are many shared common beliefs that the Church has long rejected as heretical. The doctrine in question in this ninth teaching part is no different. While it may not be on the same damnable par as the rejection of the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ or the personhood of the Holy Spirit; to deny the immortality of the soul is a false teaching and one that must be strongly repudiated. It should come as no surprise to learn that the Watch Tower along with its siblings – Seventh-day Adventists and Christadelphians, reject the belief in the immortality of the soul. What is surprising is that increasingly, Evangelicals are choosing to adopt the same position as the cults regarding this doctrine.
In this teaching, the doctrine of the immortality of the soul is defined and the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses are examined and refuted from the Word of God.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/9_The_Immortality_of_the_Soul.pdf
Judges 7:9-15
If God is going to get the glory from your life, it is going to require that we trust Him!!! There’s no escaping this reality!! When the call of God comes to service, it never comes in a neatly packaged parcel with a cute sticky label on the front. We want all the I’s dotted and the T’s crossed. We want it safe and predictable, secure and tested, but that’s not how it works. God called Gideon to a work above his natural ability and out of his human capabilities. At every single step along the way, he was a man pressed out of measure and therefore completely reliant upon God. In the two previous signs given to Gideon as a means of encouragement, they came about at the request of Gideon!! Gideon was the instigator! However, in the passage before us, without so much as a request on the part of Gideon, God takes the initiative to offer him a third sign as further proof on top of the further proof he had already given him — GIDEON, I’M WITH YOU FOR GOOD!!!
Part 8
So far, the studies in this series have largely focused on the person of Jesus Christ. Whilst Jehovah’s Witnesses are monotheistic in belief, they are aggressively antitrinitarian in expression. They, like us, believe in one eternal God. The point of divergence comes however when they maintain that the singular being of God is without a plurality of persons. The doctrine of the Trinity affirms that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society denies this truth and attacks this position throughout its written literature.
The purpose of this teaching is to address the heresy of the Watch Tower as it relates to the person of the Holy Spirit. Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the person of the Holy Spirit and instead teach that the Holy Spirit is God’s active force. Journey with us as we examine this heresy in light of Biblical truth.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/8_The_Person_of_the_Holy_Sprit.pdf
Judges 7:1-8
If I were to ask why you so desire a move of God in this hour I wonder what you would say? When I speak of a move of God, I mean a heaven-sent revival that would turn the hearts of compromising lukewarm Christians back to God in fervent zeal and ardent love. I mean a heaven-sent revival that would awaken the sleeping dead and sweep whole multitudes of lost sinners from this town and beyond, into the Kingdom of God. The Pastor wants God to send revival so that His dwindling Church can be filled! The evangelist wants God to send revival so that he can tell of the great numbers that came to Christ under his ministry.
But you Pastor, I’m not a minister. I don’t care for those things just mentioned, I want God to send revival so that my backslidden husband can return to the Lord and my wayward son could get saved! Now granted, your motivation is radically different from the ego-maniac ministers just mentioned, but it still falls short of the only fitting answer to be given, as to why God should send revival. Why should God send a revival? FOR HIS GLORY!!!
Part 7
The long-anticipated event in the calendar of the Christian Church is not Christmas or Easter, but the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Paul writing to Titus, refers to this event as “…that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:13). Peter refers to this day as “…the day of the Lord” (2 Pet. 3:10), while Jesus calls it “…that day” (Mt. 24:36). Whatever name one wishes to call it by, the fact that Jesus is coming again is the clear testimony of Holy Scripture. What if a group started teaching that Jesus had already come but no one saw Him? Would you believe it? How could you refute such a claim from the Word of God?
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus came spiritually in 1914. They claim it was an invisible coming despite Jesus stating that His coming would be in the clouds in great glory (Mt. 24:64). How does one get around such a clear statement as “ Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Rev. 1:7)? We shall consider these questions along with others in this seventh teaching part. Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/7_Did_Jesus_Return_in_1914.pdf
Judges 6:33-40
The men God sets His hand upon for use aren’t supermen; they’re human men like you and me, fraught with human weakness and marred by many insecurities. Any good biography worth its salt will not only describe the mighty feats of the man it purports to represent but also his frailty.
When the Spirit of the LORD comes upon a man/when the anointing of God is resting upon God’s servant, He ministers in a power and an anointing that cannot be explained apart from the language of the supernatural!! It’s not His strength it’s not His power, it’s not his grace, it’s not His ability, IT’S GOD’S! It’s God’s strength, it’s God’s power, it’s God’s grace, its God’s ability!! We look and think, what a man but we’ve got it all wrong!! Rather, we ought to say, what a God!!! In this fourth part of the sermon series, we consider Gideon the man!
Judges 6:33-40
The men God sets His hand upon for use aren’t supermen; they’re human men like you and me, fraught with human weakness and marred by many insecurities. Any good biography worth its salt will not only describe the mighty feats of the man it purports to represent but also his frailty.
When the Spirit of the LORD comes upon a man/when the anointing of God is resting upon God’s servant, He ministers in a power and an anointing that cannot be explained apart from the language of the supernatural!! It’s not His strength it’s not His power, it’s not his grace, it’s not His ability, IT’S GOD’S! It’s God’s strength, it’s God’s power, it’s God’s grace, its God’s ability!! We look and think, what a man but we’ve got it all wrong!! Rather, we ought to say, what a God!!! In this fourth part of the sermon series, we consider Gideon the man!
Part 6
The dictionary definition of the word resurrection is “the act of bringing someone back to life”. Resurrection is not resuscitation. When someone is resuscitated, they are brought back to life very soon after death. Resurrection, however, is bringing again to life after the person has been legally pronounced dead. In both cases, the bringing back to life involves a physical body. A resurrection without a body is nonsense. Imagine if when Lazarus was raised from the dead, one party claimed to see him alive while the women were seen carrying his corpse away. Rumours might well surface of seeing the "spirit" of Lazarus but everyone would agree, that Lazarus is dead since a resurrection requires a bringing again to life of the body. Jehovah's Witnesses have a very strange dilemma facing them. On one hand, they teach that Jesus was raised from the dead, but on the other hand, they teach that Jehovah destroyed His body! Whatever spin one may desire to put on this, one is left with the same problem, a supposed resurrection without a body!
In this sixth teaching part, we examine the Watch Tower's teachings regarding Jesus's resurrection and compare them with what is taught in the Bible.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/6_The_Bodily_Resurrection_of_Jesus.pdf
Judges 6:25-32
Before Gideon could reform a nation, he had to first reform his house!! The altar of Baal MUST come down and an altar for Yahweh be established!! See where revival begins! Admittedly, this is a costly ask — it always is with God. Can I encourage you — PAY THE PRICE AND GO THROUGH WITH GOD, it will be the best thing you ever do!!!
Part 5
To deny the deity of Jesus Christ is to be left with a question of paramount importance that demands an answer. If Jesus is not God, then who is He? The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society have their answer to this question as do the Muslims and the New Agers. However, when one looks at the alternatives being offered, it becomes deplorable. Heretics think that by robbing Christ of His place in the Triune Godhead and stripping Him of His deity, they automatically disqualify themselves from needing to provide a rigorous argument for their claim. When one puts the question to Jehovah’s Witnesses, “Who was Jesus Christ before coming to earth” the answer that they will give is Michael the Archangel. In the absence of any meaningful biblical support, we shall weigh this claim against a mountain of evidence to the contrary and demonstrate that Jesus is none other than God.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/5_Is_Jesus_Michael_the_Archangel.pdf
Judges 6:7-24
When circumstances sink so miserably low, we grow accustomed to it and can’t see how things can ever change. WE FORGET!!! Every revival has begun from the place of low ebbs!! Moses didn’t come on a fluffy cloud with a bolt of lightning to deliver Israel. Where did God find him? In a place of low ebb, his people were oppressed and enslaved by the Egyptians! In the days of Gideon, it was the same. The Midianites were instruments of humility to turn the hearts of His wayward people back to Him. When Israel cried out to God, God raised up a deliverer! From whence did God find this man? In the palaces of power and influence? On the contrary; God found His instrument of revival by the winepress, threshing a handful of wheat and hiding in fear. Men love to look on the outward appearance, but have yet to look where God’s eyes are found – on the heart!
This sermon is an encouragement for believers. It matters not how incapable you may feel you are. God has a work for you to do in His power!
Part 4
Whenever the doctrine of the Trinity comes under enemy fire, it is a direct assault upon the persons of the Godhead and thus a direct assault on God Himself. The Apostle John understood this when in his day he contended earnestly for the verity of the Christian faith against an early form of Gnosticism called Docetism. John shot it straight and made no bones, saying, “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also” (1 Jn. 2:23). Meddle with the Son and you meddle with the Father; deny a cardinal tenet of Christ’s nature, and you lose the Father in the process! You cannot have it both ways and yet the irony is, the cults insist you can. Whether it be Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, or Christadelphians, each attack the deity of the Son of God, stripping Him of His eternal glory while at the same time insisting that they still have the Father! Concerning the person of Christ, Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus is a created spirit not differing in substance to an angel. They believe and teach that there was a time when the blessed Son of God was not!
In part 4 of this teaching series, we confront this error and present Biblical evidence proving the deity of Christ.
Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/4_The_Deity_of_Christ.pdf
Judges 6:1-12
When a generation loses touch with God and the favour of the Lord is taken away, the next generation coming after will have to start all over again! I don’t know if you’ve ever had the experience of demolishing a wall. I’m no builder, but I know for sure that it took whoever built the wall a whole lot longer to build it than it did for the person smashing it down. My dear people, look around and see; you don’t need me to tell you that we are living in days of great spiritual declension. This land of ours that once enjoyed regular seasons of refreshing and harvest blessing has for some time now been crippled in the grip of a dearth.
As we begin this series, looking at the life of Gideon, we begin with the sin of God’s people and His remedial judgements. What was true in the days of Israel, is true in our day. This is a call for the Church to seek the face of God in humility, prayer, and repentance if perhaps the Lord might turn His face again towards His people.
Psalms 62:1-8
Deliverance is not always instantaneous. Sometimes there is delay, and it’s in those seasons of waiting that if we’re not careful, we can lose hope!! This sermon is an encouragement to the Body of Christ NOT TO LOSE HOPE IN THE WAITING!! Hope is not a throw of a dice, there’s no chance with God. He doesn’t deal with probabilities, HE IS GOD OMNIPOTENT!
Part 3
Jehovah’s Witnesses, like all true Christians of every denomination, are monotheistic in their expression of belief. They, like us, believe in one eternal God. The point of divergence comes however when they maintain that the singular being of God is without a plurality of persons. The doctrine of the Trinity affirms that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society deny this truth and aggressively attacks this position in its written literature.
In this teaching, we take to task the literature of the Watch Tower and counter its heretical claims with Biblical truth. For Jehovah’s Witnesses, the name of God which it maintains is Jehovah is everything. But is His name Jehovah? Does history bear this out? How should the divine name of God (Tetragrammaton) be transliterated? What if, from the Watch Tower’s own Bible, one could prove that Jesus is Jehovah? We endeavour to answer all these questions, proving conclusively that Jesus Christ is God.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/3._Doctrine_of_the_Trinity.pdf
Proverbs 21:22
There are many names given to us in the Holy Scriptures to describe the enemy of our souls. Before ever Satan was revealed as a dragon, he was first revealed as a serpent. That’s why in Revelation 12:9 we read, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him”. Note the title given to him by John, “that old serpent”. How old? As old as sin itself!! I don’t know how long the enemy planned and schemed the ruinous, murderous downfall of mankind, but within minutes, he had executed his plan to perfection!! How did he do it? As a dragon? That would have been too obvious!! So he came into the garden as a serpent. Hear the Word of God your hearts and take note!!
Part 2
As one traces the history of the beginnings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, two names are indispensable to the formation and development of this cult: Charles Taze Russell and his successor, Joseph Franklin Rutherford. In the 1830s, a Baptist minister from New York by the name of William Miller began sharing his new-found belief, that Jesus Christ was going to return around the year 1843. This belief began to gain momentum across denominations, and by 1840 it had become a nationwide campaign. This was the birth of what became known as Adventism and it was from this influence that the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society would emerge.
In this teaching, we examine the history of the Watch Tower cult from its beginnings until the present day. We review some of its teachings that have changed during this period and critique its peculiar version of the Bible, the New World Translation.
Download PDF notes:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/2_History_of_Jehovahs_Witnesses.pdf
1 Peter 3:3-8
The word “joy” appears in some sixty verses in the New Testament of the KJB, and that’s not including the 40 additional occurrences of the same root derivatives “joyful”, “joyfully”, “joyfulness” “joying”, “joyous” and “rejoice”. This simple three-letter word “joy” is like buried treasure, everyone’s searching to find it but they're looking in all the wrong places! The world you see deals in what is called “fool’s gold”. To the naked eye, it bears some resemblance to the real thing, but when you run it through a few simple tests, it’s shown to be a fraud! Happiness is just like this; a superficial counterfeit for joy. You say, what’s the difference? Happiness is, the agreeable feeling of pleasure that one experiences when circumstances work in one's favour!! When circumstances are not working in one’s favour? Then you have the opposite of happiness, sorrow!! Christ has a better way for His people, which is the way of JOY!!
Part 1
As of 2023, there are approximately 8.8 million Jehovah’s Witnesses globally, spread across 239 countries. Between September 2022 and August 2023, 1.8 billion hours were spent in the field of service publishing the news of Jehovah’s Kingdom with an average of 7.3 million Bible studies being conducted each month. If you compare this with the average amount of hours spent in outreach by Evangelicals, it is shameful on the part of us who profess to have the truth. Concerning missionary zeal, one cannot fault Jehovah’s Witnesses for their witnessing endeavours – it’s in their DNA. What do they have to show for all of this effort? Last year saw just short of 270,000 people baptised into the dedication of Jehovah’s service. That’s just over a quarter of a million people, won over to a cult!
In this introductory teaching, we peel back the veneer of the exterior to uncover what Jehovah's Witnesses believe and teach.
Download PDF notes:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/1._Introduction_to_Jehovahs_Witnesses.pdf
2 Chronicles 34:14-21
I lament the deplorable days of biblical ignorance that pervades so much of the professing Church today Ministers in God’s pulpit without a Word from God because they don’t know the Word of God themselves — blind leaders of the blind! Can I suggest to you, that it’s not through lack of education that men’s knowledge of the Bible is so meagre in this hour, literacy rates in the Western World are better than they’ve ever been in the history of the English-speaking world? Nor is it through want of material, the tramp on the street has better access to the Word of God today than most of history has ever had. We’ve translations coming out of our nostrils, Bible Apps galore...NO the problem facing the Christian is not one of lack of opportunity, but one of desire and appetite. He delights in the things he enjoys doing most. Don’t get me wrong, he’ll give a precursory glance over a verse or two just before hopping into bed, but dig into the Bible? No thank you, I’ll leave that to Pastor! The problem is, the Pastor’s not digging in either! Where have all the pulpits gone, where giants of old once stood trembling to deliver a burning word from heaven because it first burned in their hearts?
Brothers and Sisters, it is TIME to get back to the Word of God!
The 19th Century has been rightly identified as the cults' spawning ground. Many of the major cults with us today were born at the later end of the 19th century, which saw a literal explosion of false prophets and teachers carried through to the last century. Joseph Smith, Charles T. Russell, and Ellen G. White are just a handful of such false teachers and prophets to rise out of the 19th Century – The cults that they forged and founded; namely Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Seventh Day Adventists have influenced millions for the cause of Satan!! Jesus warned His disciples when asked about the sign of His coming and the end of the world, saying ”…many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many” (Mat. 24:11). In this teaching, we look at the definition of what constitutes a cult. We look at the warnings given in the Bible of the rise of such groups who would secretly bring in damnable heresies. We look too at the emotional and psychological strongholds that cults have on their victims.
Download PDF notes
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/An_Introduction_to_the_Cults.pdf
Matthew 21:28-32
In commenting upon James 1:22-25, Albert Barnes noted the following which we must take to heart:
“It is implied here, that by merely hearing the word but not doing it, they would deceive their own souls. The nature of this deception was this, that they would imagine that that was all which was required, whereas the main thing was that they should be obedient. If a man supposes that by a mere punctual attendance on preaching, or a respectful attention to it, he has done all that is required of him, he is laboring under a most gross self-deception. And yet there are multitudes who seem to imagine that they have done all that is demanded of them when they have heard attentively the word preached. Of its influence on their lives, and its claims to obedience, they are utterly regardless”.
May the Lord move your heart to action through the hearing of this sermon so as not to be a hearer only, but a doer of His Word.
Dr. David Donovan brings an update on the precious work of New Foundations, a medical mission to the Niger Delta. Following the update, David brings a word from Scripture to the hearts of God’s people.
Proverbs 14:14
Adam Clarke in his famous commentary, asks the question: “Who is the backslider?”, he then answers it in three points: 1. The man who once walked in the ways of religion, but has withdrawn from them. 2. The man who once fought manfully against the world, the devil, and the flesh; but has retreated from the battle, or joined the enemy. 3. The man who once belonged to the congregation of the saints, but is now removed from them, and is set down in the synagogue of Satan”
This sermon is a warning against drifting and an exhortation to recover again the ground lost in our Christian walk.
Mark 15:21-47
If I was to say to you the words, “Carmen Christi”, there’s probably very few of you if any, who would understand what I’m on about. “Carmen Christi” is Latin, which being interpreted means “Hymn to Christ”. Now while you most likely are unfamiliar with the language, you ought be very familiar with the content. You may better know this hymn as Philippians 2:5-11. It is believed by scholars and historians that this passage in Paul’s letter to the Philippians pre-existed Paul’s letter itself in that it was an old Christian hymn rich in theological beauty! One author wrote: “The Church which sang this hymn proclaimed for the first time the three 'epochs' in the existence of Christ: he is hailed and confessed first as pre-existent, then as incarnate and humiliated and finally as triumphant”. Now, whatever its historical background, one cannot cast their eyes upon this text of Scripture without being deeply impacted. It’s theological depth is almost unrivalled, it’s Christological content is scarcely without comparison.
Join us as we survey the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, first from earth’s prospective and then from heaven’s.
Matthew 27:24-26
First before the Jewish courts and then before the Roman courts — they lied point blank and accused Him to His face. Twice accused falsely? Nay thrice!! Before Herod also, “...the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him” (Lk.23:10). What would you have done? What would have I? Surely we would have been quick and ready to plead our case and prove our innocence, but not the lowly Galilean. In the presence of His enemies, HE HELD HIS PEACE! This is so alien to us and yet, to this end we have been called to suffer and to follow His example.
Matthew 26:36-46
It is my conviction, that it is in Gethsemane more than in any other place, that light is cast upon the full humanity of God our Saviour, Jesus Christ. In Bethlehem we see His birth, in Gethsemane we see His travail of His soul; in the manger we hear the cries of the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes but in the garden we hear the groans of the anguish of agonising prayer. Consider with me, the great sorrows that His soul endured that night. If the name Gethsemane (Lit. oil press), means anything historically, it was for this hour that it was named!
This message is a call for God’s people to watch and pray in the hour of their vulnerability.
John 6:60-69
When our Lord walked the earth, some 2000 years ago, without apology, He laid down the cost to any potential would-be disciple!! You see, it’s one thing to have intent and it’s another thing to follow through on that intent with an well-informed decision. Both of these together will carry a man a long way, but these alone will never keep the disciple in the day of trouble. There has to be something MORE!!! What’s the more you ask? A decision wrought in conviction born out of divine revelation.
Hebrews 12:1-2
I’ve watched a number of races in my time from 100m to 10,000m. I’ve seen runners fall unexpectedly and get back up to win gold! I’ve seen runners have their dreams shattered by an injury mid-way through the race — I’ve seen them get back up and hobble the final lap to cross the finish line. For sure, I’ve seen disappointments and setbacks on the track, but there’s one thing that I’ve never yet witnessed and that is a runner running back to the starting line!! Yet what is considered an absurdity in the natural is sadly a common reality in the spiritual. I see Christian athletes turning back all the time. Running in the wrong direction!!
This sermon is a call to self-denial, to pick the cross and to follow Christ!
2 Timothy 2:3-4
No amount of preparation or training can fully prepare a soldier for war. He’ll see and experience things on that battlefield that no college classroom or training expedition can ever replicate! In the classroom, he’ll learn about tactical strategies and the theory of war; on the training expeditions, he’ll be given the necessary tools and skills to equip him for combat. But when the first shot is fired in a real life battle scenario, there’s no training or simulation that can adequately foresee how someone will react. It’s one thing being in a mock exercise, your fellow soldiers are not trying to kill you! On the battlefield, there’s an enemy that’s shooting to kill!!
This sermon is a call to battle! A call to stand firm as a soldier of Jesus Christ. May you be mightily encouraged!!
1 Samuel 16:1-7
Of all the many things that God can do that we humans cannot, the one that I have been pondering this week in preparing for this sermon is the omniscience of God! Man is limited in his knowledge, he has present knowledge and past knowledge based on what he can and has observed and experienced around Him. Much of this knowledge I dare say, he’s gleaned from other men. God on the other hand has limitless knowledge — He knows all things past, present and future. No one has ever had to teach God anything, He has all knowledge! He doesn’t have to take a stab in the dark based on mathematical probabilities as to what may be, He has absolute foreknowledge of every single thing that will ever happen under the sun.
As one ponders the omniscience of Almighty God, it ought to both sober us and to encourage us. May this sermon be a means of both to your dear soul.
Hebrews 5:12
The clear command and expectation for us as believers, is that having been saved, we ought to grow up unto a place of Christian maturity! What does Christian maturity look like? In part, it looks like maturity in our understanding of doctrine! This is no small matter. Paul rebuked the Hebrew believers because he had truths to impart to them concerning the person of Christ that they were not able to receive due to their immaturity!! One cannot blame a child for not being able to understand adult concepts, it’s not their fault, they’re a child. However, this is not Paul’s complaint. Paul’s complaint is this; “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Heb. 5:12).
1 Peter 5:7
In Peter’s first epistle, he writes; “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”. One might ask the question, how do I throw my care upon the Lord? Of course, the language here is metaphorical! Peter doesn’t mean that we are to physically do this, that would be an impossibility. His language is figurative. We are to cast our care/burdens upon Him by committing them into His care by faith. We are to TRUST Him with our fears and anxieties, and when we do that, we don’t have to be anxious anymore because Father has got them. He cares for me!!! Oh, we’re awfully good at casting “some” of our cares upon Him, but that is not what the text says. It says for us to cast ALL our care upon Him — IT’S ALL OR NOTHING!!!! We are to cast all our care upon Him and to LEAVE them upon Him!!!
Psalm 94:17-18
Hear the Word of God to your heart and take comfort O ye saints of His! Maybe you’ve never been to rock bottom avenue, but when you get there and every crutch of support has been taken away such that you’re left with only one option, to cast yourself upon the mercy of God and to make Him your support; then, you’ll be able to say as the Psalmist said; “Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up" (Ps. 94:17-18).
John 12:20-26
Many will gladly come to receive of the benefits of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice so long as it doesn’t require any sacrifice on their part. They’ll gladly own Him as their Saviour but deny Him the right to be Lord. As I understand the language of the New Testament, the full name of our Saviour is not Jesus Christ — there’s a inseparable title that’s missing! Do you know what it is? Mr. Jesus Christ? Sir Jesus Christ? “LORD” Jesus Christ!! “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9). Oh to hear confessions on this wise again!! It’s the only confession that saves!!
1 Corinthians 13
Dr. David Donovan brings an update on the precious work of New Foundations, a medical mission to the Niger Delta. Following the update, David brings a word from Scripture to the hearts of God’s people.
Of all the chapters in the NT, Romans 6-8a, are amongst the most misunderstood. Yet, when properly understood, these same three chapters become some of the most liberating in all the Word of God! For so many professing Christians, Romans chapter 7 offers a supporting crutch for them to continue living in sin — after all, didn’t Paul struggle in the battle against sin, failing miserably every time? “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do” (Rom. 7:19). If that was the personal testimony of the mighty Apostle Paul, what chance this side of eternity have I got?!
In this second sermon part, we seek to shed valuable light on this misunderstood chapter and to bring forth the liberation of Romans chapter 8!
The doctrine of justification by faith (the imputed righteousness of Christ) is the cardinal pillar upon which Christianity stands. Take this pillar away, and the whole faith comes crashing down in ruin. Positionally, we stand righteousness before a holy God, not on the basis of our works (plural), but because of HIS work (singular), and our faith in that finished work, and in His son the Lord Jesus Christ whom He raised form the dead! Now for many Christians, this is where it begins and ends. Ask the average Christian what the difference is between them and those who know not the Lord and you will be told; “The only difference between us and them, is we’re forgiven and they are not!” In this first part of a two-part sermon series, we shall examine this statement and seek to understand the life-changing truths contained in Romans 6.
Isaiah 31:1
If I was to ask you this morning to tell me where the strength of the Church lies at this critical juncture in history, I wonder what you’d say? Ah, I know what you’d like to say, you’d like to say the strength of the Church lies in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! However, if the Evangelical Church in Britain was to answer this question by her actions alone, I fear that it would contradict this answer entirely. They tell me, actions speak louder than words and I’m inclined to believe it. It’s not so much what we say that counts as a pose to what we do. I remember vividly that when my son was a baby, before ever he could speak a word of English, when he wanted the attention of his daddy and mommy he had ways and means of getting it A cry from the heart spoke a thousand word!! Yet as I survey the Evangelical landscape of the Church this present hour; as I put my ear to the ground, I listen in vain to hear the same heartfelt cry! The first Church was birthed in prayer and the last century Church is dying through lack it!!
This sermon is a call to seek the Lord! “There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength” (Ps. 33:16-17)
Psalm 78:23-32
I’ve had the joy over the years of tasting a number of delicious world cuisines. Greek and Italian, Chinese and Cantonese, Indian and Himalayan, Jamaican and of course English — the flavours and the tastes are enough to make your mouth water! Yet of all the dishes I’ve ever had the privilege of eating, there’s one dish that to date I’ve yet to try, and that’s angels’ food. You say what!? Angels’ food! I’ve never seen a restaurant serving that on the menu! No, and I don’t suppose you ever will. But did you know that for 40 years straight, heavenly corn was freshly served on a daily basis to the Israelites every single morning except for on the Sabbath? Man did eat angels’ food. Israel had it made! You’d think so, wouldn’t you? The problem was, they didn’t quite see things that way. Novelty wears thin quickly you know, and when it does, it inevitably gives way to familiarity which in turn breeds contempt!!
This sermon is a challenging message to the Body of Christ not to despise the Word of God. In an hour of great spiritual famine, in that place where the true bread of heaven is being served, be content there to feed. Don’t be like the Israelites who, through the lust of the flesh, abhorred the manna and longed again for the food of Egypt.
Luke 19:11-27
We have great need to remember that we no longer belong in this world, we are citizens of another Kingdom. We live in an age and a generation where living is all about living for me! My ambitions, my dreams, my desires! We’re so taken up with self and self’s things.
Yet, when we get our hearts right, we’ll get our priorities right; and when we get our priorities right, the fruit of the Master’s basket will once again be full!! It WILL come at cost and it will also come at a loss. Are you ready and willing to pay that price?
1 Kings 13:1-10
As one peruses the pages of the New Testament, there stands on record a clear and visible warning to believers against the dangers of deception. When asked by His disciples, “...what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world” (Mt. 24:3); before ever our Lord made mention of wars and rumours of wars, before ever He spoke of famines, pestilences and earthquakes in diverse places, He first gave warning against the dangers of deception.
In a day of great spiritual deception, we need more now than ever to be vigilant against the smooth infiltration of imposters into the Body of Christ. May this sermon serve as a reminder and a warning for us to take heed.
Ephesians 4:31-32
Relationships matter! How I treat my fellow man has direct bearing upon my personal relationship with God. The two are not mutually exclusive. It’s not just me, God and forget everyone else. Yet surprisingly, this is often how many Christians think. Husbands can verbally abuse their wives and then turn up to the throne of grace like nothing ever happened. Brethren, it doesn’t work like that, how I treat my wife is directly related to how God treats me. Have you not read? “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered (1 Pt. 3:7). My dear people, this is just one example of many.
This sermon is an exhortation to tenderness of heart; “… be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Eph. 4:32).
1 Kings 17:1-5
Suddenly, without announcement or herald, one of the greatest prophets to ever have been born entered into the national arena like a thunder bolt! No record is supplied us of his birth and as to his departure from this world, he was taken up into heaven while still alive! Like Melchisedec coming before him, he was “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life” (Heb. 7:3). Here before us in 1 Kings 17:1, the prophet Elijah hastily makes his public debut. There’s no time for airs and graces — bypassing the common man, he heads straight for the spiritual White House of Israel for an appointment with the King!! Now you know the rules Elijah, don’t upset the king — yet the prophet of God knows no such rule, that is if he wants to live up to his calling!! When a prophet turned up at the door of the royal palace, he wasn't usually bearing glad tidings of peace!
Join us as we walk through a portrait of the life of this man of God.
James 2:14-26
Two farmers got down on their knees to pray. One lived on the east of the village and the other on the west. The farmer living in the east of the village longed so much for it to rain — it hadn’t rained for months! The crops were perishing and the livestock was famished. He prayed, “O God, I believe with all my heart that you are going to send rain on Monday!!” News travelled fast of this farmer’s praying efforts and it reached the ears of the farmer living on the other side of the village. Ordinarily, he would have been the first to join his fellow farmer in prayer for he longed to see rain also; only on this occasion there was a problem. Monday he had planned a great celebration, “...by all means let it rain on Tuesday or Wednesday or Friday — any day except for Monday or the planned celebration will be a washout!” Thus he got down on his knees and prayed, “O God, I believe with all my heart that you won’t send rain on Monday!!” Allow me please if I may, to ask a question; which farmer had his prayer answered? If I were to ask that question in the vast majority of Christian circles, do you know what answer I would get? The farmer with the most faith! Now on the surface, this might well seem to be a good and proper answer, but it’s only half the picture, and if left incomplete, it is an unbiblical answer!
In this sermon, we look at the Biblical nature of true faith.
Psalm 46:1-3
They tell me, that Christianity is for weaklings; men with no courage or backbone. “Christianity is for those who need a crutch, but as for me and my house, we’ll stand in our own strength!” There are two things that I want to address in the comments I just made. On both counts, you find the remarks to be erroneous — flawed on every hand. In addressing the first point, “Christianity is for weaklings; men with no courage nor backbone”. A precursory glance through the history of the first 300 years of Christianity will serve to amend such talk in an instant. Far from being a religion of comfortability, those early believers were systematically persecuted, first by their countrymen and later by the Romans. Bound by conviction, endued with power from on high; thousands upon thousands of courageous men, women and children embraced martyrdom, counting not their lives dear unto themselves that they might finish their course with joy!!
This sermon is a word of encouragement for those enduring persecution and affliction. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah” (Ps. 46:1-3).
Isaiah 61:11
Imagine a United Kingdom where there was no Spring; a Britain where instead of four seasons, we only had three — Summer, Autumn and Winter!! How would the landscape of our beautiful country be changed? Well, I’m no climate expert, but I do know from observation; that in summer, the sun comes out and temperatures are at their hottest; the birds are singing and trees are bearing fruit. The days are long and the nights are warm!! Then comes the cooler chill of autumn’s dawn. Gradually the landscape begins to change and that which was previously thriving beneath the summer’s sun begins to die. The crisp autumn air soon makes way for the bite of winter’s frost and by mid-winter, everything is well and truly dead! As winter draws to a close having stripped all things bare, what next? Well ordinarily, we’d have spring, but remember, for the moment, we’ve imaginatively axed spring from the seasonal cycle! From where shall the new life come?
When spring comes and God visits His people with a season of refreshing, death gives way to life and the spiritual landscape once more teams with new life!! How we desperately need such a visitation from the Lord! May this final sermon part stir your hearts to seek the face of God for a heaven-sent revival!
Acts 2:1-4
The word suddenly is an awesome word!! Forty-one times it appears in the KJV. It’s a word of wonder, of surprise and amazement! At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Their backs were bloody, beaten black and blue, yet they held a prayer meeting and got so full of the Holy Ghost that they burst forth into songs of praises unto God!!! “And suddenly (without premeditation, God showed up) there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed” (Acts 16:26). As the wonderful events of that midnight hour died down, the best was yet to come - the jailor and his house were saved and baptised!
This sermon is about the suddenness of revival! Here we are labouring in prayer — Lord, will we ever break through!? Praying Saints, I want to encourage you, KEEP PRAYING — God will come through! You say, Brother Paul, how will He come through? Suddenly when you least expect it, in the midnight hour, the break will come!
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
My dear people, there is a price to be paid for revival — it’s a painful affair! Duncan Campbell put it this way; “If you want revival, get right with God. If you are not prepared to bring the "last piece," for God's sake stop talking about revival, your talking and praying is but the laughing-stock of devils. It is about time we got into the grips of reality”. The Welsh revival of 1904-05 began with a young man seeking the face of God by the name of Evan Roberts. For over a decade he had prayed in private for God to send a revival to Wales. At the age of 26, Evan attended a meeting at which a preacher named Seth Joshua prayed these famous words, “Lord, bend us”. As Roberts heard these words, the Holy Spirit pressed Him sore and said, “That’s what you need”. Upon bended knees, with tears streaming down his face, Evan Roberts cried aloud, “Bend me, bend me!!”. That same year, God used Evan Roberts as an instrument of revival, as God swept into Wales.
You say, Lord, send revival — Brother, don’t ever pray these words unless you’re willing for God to begin with you!!
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
Without question, even on a precursory level, as one picks up the history books and begins to read the accounts of past revival, you will be met with a common pattern again and again. Before the sound of the mighty rushing wind, the prayers of God’s people were heard! “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:1-2). What were they doing gathered together with one accord in one place? The same thing they were doing previous to this, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14). The first business of the first Church of Jesus Christ was prayer!! Quite literally, the Church was birthed in prayer. When they hit upon hard times, they didn’t gather to deliberate and strategise, they held a prayer meeting and poured out their hearts to God!
Search the history books and show me revival which was not preceded by prayer, I know of none! May God be pleased to stir your hearts through this third sermon part to the end that you might seek His face in prayer to see a heaven sent revival in our day.
Acts 2:37-38
Before every divine visitation, God begins to awaken the consciences of His people first to the possibility of revival, and secondly to the need for revival. How can a thirst for revival begin in the hearts of God’s people unless there is a conviction that such a work of God is even for today? Perhaps the greatest hindrance to God sending revival amongst the so-called remnant Church in this land is the sin of unbelief. Simply put, we do not believe that such a work of revival is possible today. Just mention the word “revival” and with a disheartened look of disapproval, you will be pointed to the headline news which daily announces the moral and spiritual decadence of our nation. But look, Biblically and historically, revival has always come out of moral lows. When God’s people get burdened over the spiritual rot in their own lives and the lives of those around them, then they begin to cry out to God if perhaps He might do something about it!!!
This sermon is part 2 of a 3-part mini-series, looking at revival.
Acts 2:37-38
My dear Brothers and Sisters, you don’t need me to tell you that we are living in a dry and thirsty land! A land that once flowed with milk and honey is now a barren wasteland. Once the Church of Jesus Christ stood as a bastion of faithfulness and a pillar of truth decrying the spiritual bankruptcy of a fallen world. Once it stood as a blazing lighthouse, warning the wicked of their pending danger, guiding them into the Gospel harbour of saving grace. But now? Now it has made the world its bed-fellow, drinking from the same polluted cisterns, and eating from the same soiled troughs. Rather than it being the “ekklesia” - the salt and light of the earth, the Church of Jesus Christ has joined hands with the world and is marching in sync to the same humdrum tune. Horatius Bonar - that great Scottish light; in a day when giants still roamed the land, summed it up so well when he said; “I looked for the Church and I found it in the world; I looked for the world and I found it in the Church”. If that could be said 150 years ago, what can be said of this generation? Let’s just be honest, spiritual indifference plagues the Church! The Word of God has been side-stepped, the prayer meetings abandoned, the pursuit of holiness replaced with the pursuit of pleasure, and godly discipline has given way to entertainment. Where’s the brokenness? Where’s the mourning? Where’s the sorrow over sin? My dear people, I ask you in earnest, what are we to do? By what means shall we recover to ourselves this dying corpse? Without hesitation I tell you; there’s only one hope for this backslidden nation and the dying Church that lingers within it. REVIVAL!!
This sermon is part 1 of a 3-part mini-series, looking at revival.
Luke 15:11-32
Jason Wright brings an expository exposition of a parable that is so well-known to all of us. May the Lord bless you as you hear the heart of our Heavenly Father!
Exodus 40:33-38
If I were to ask you to tell me what the single greatest glory was attending the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness, I wonder what answer you would give? Would it be the miraculous wonders — fresh manna by morning; the rock which was clave in two? Would it be the glory of the gold which adorned the holy furniture in the tent of the congregation? Would it be the precious stones that decorated Aaron’s breastplate or the two that rested upon his shoulders? I’ve no doubt that each of these glories were wonders to behold, yet the glory that I have in mind exceeds the splendour of each of these as heaven exceeds the glory of the earth!! You say, Brother, tell me, what is in your opinion, the single greatest glory that for 40 years attended the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness? Without question, it was the pillar of cloud that led them by day and the pillar of fire that led them by night! Brothers and Sisters, the single greatest glory that attended the children of Israel in their wandering journeyings was the very presence of God in their midst, leading them in the way that they should go!
Tell me, in this dispensation of grace has anything changed? Doth not He that led His people then, still lead His people now? Ah, the visible column of cloud and fire might no longer be visible but does that mean that He no longer leads His people? He leads, the question is, will His people obey?
Philippians 3:12-15
As each of you begins this New Year, I wonder this morning how much of 2023 you’ve allowed to stick? How much of last year has come across as unwanted baggage into this year? Do you know that for many a soul, their future has been mapped already for them by events that lie in the past? The child who all their life was told, you’ll amount to nothing finds that those wretched words follow them into adulthood!! The infant that falls from a tree and breaks a leg, in their later years rediscovers that old injury as it returns to bite with vengeance!! I’m no skeptic, but the facts on this one speak for themselves!! To a large extent tomorrow’s future is shaped by yesterday's past; this year by the years preceding it, Brethren, if we’re not careful, we can become victims of past failings, prisoners of yesterday’s woes — serving a sentence that we’ve allowed to be imposed upon us when the text of this Holy Book states that Christ came to set us free!
This sermon is a call to leave the past behind and to reach forward to those things that lie before!
Jeremiah 5:31
Many today are happy to live in an echo chamber where the only narrative they ever encounter is the one they want to hear. You all know what an echo chamber is, don’t you? Have you ever shouted from inside a cave? What do you hear back? More of the same!! That’s an echo chamber, and Brethren, if we’re not careful we can find ourselves living in one!!
This sermon is an earnest call for Christians to walk in truth and reality with God. As I begin a New Year, the desire of my heart more than ever is that I might deal honestly with the One who deals honestly with me!! Lord, if my heart’s not right, I want to know!!! If my heart’s motivations are jaded, Lord reprove me! If I’m veering off track, show me O Lord!!!
Hebrews 4:12
Once upon a time the preacher hastened fearlessly to climb the stairs of the pulpit, burdened with a message from heaven, armed in hand with a open Bible. Book, chapter and verse was his modus operandi and for the unction of God He pleaded!! Brothers and Sisters, it is the last part of this statement that has become my soul’s burden over the last number of years — O for the unction of God upon the Word!!! It is simply not enough to have the letter of the Word, we need the Word and the Spirit. The preaching of God’s Word in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit. Paul understood this and saw the mighty effects of it in Thessalonica. What does he say? “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power (Lit. force), and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake” (1 Thess. 1:5).
This sermon is a plea to surrender! A call to yield! “Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts”
Overcoming the Fear of Man – Paul M. Williams
Proverbs 29:25
There are over 500 recognised phobias in our world today For the most part, the fears that we experience as we walk through life are not good. Rather than serving to be of benefit to us, they serve to be a hindrance. Of all the fears I could list that are common to man, there is one fear in particular that has proved to be his downfall repeatedly. You say, Brother Paul, what is this fear? It is the fear of man!!! King Solomon writing some 3000 years ago put it like this; “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe” (Prov. 29:25).
In this sermon, we look at how to overcome the fear of man.
Genesis 12:1-4
It would seem on paper that man has more time on his hands than ever he had since time began. Please don’t misunderstand me, there are no more hours in a day — the same 24 that have always been are the same 24 available today — yet the sheer amount of what can be accomplished in a single hour is breathtaking!! One study concluded that modern technology is saving the average man, two weeks each year!! Despite all the innovations and successes in technological breakthroughs, give a man an extra hour you can guarantee, he’ll find something to do with it and thus what you find is rather than becoming less busy, society becomes more busy.
On every hand, I find myself having to fight to preserve what matters most in life. There are ONLY 24 hours in a day and if you have not got a priority for what matters most in your life you will be swallowed up by the system and spat out ruined!
Genesis 12:1-4
As I look back over the 23 years that I’ve had the privilege of walking with the Lord, every major turn in the road of my life, has been marked by the call of God. Before ever I knew the Lord and at every junction since coming to saving faith in Him He hath called and faith’s obedience has met that call!!!
In this sermon, Paul shares his testimony of God’s call and faith’s obedience.
Shared at Lifeboat Fellowship (10/12/23) - Sunday (pm)
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Being raised in 21st-century Britain, I’ve never had the painful displeasure of attending a slave market. Yet in the days of the Roman Empire in the first century AD, it would have been commonplace. Under Roman law, slaves were regarded as the personal property of their masters, to be bought, sold, and mistreated at will. They had no rights of their own, no privileges to their name, they could not so much as own a piece of property, nor enter into a contract with their fellow man; they could not legally marry should they see a bride. If the truth be told, slaves were the lowest class of society, and even freed criminals had more rights than them.
Having painted this despairing picture, I want to invite you to come with me for a moment in the imagination of your mind, to the slave market where once you stood on the blocks for sale. Maimed and stained by the vice of sin, bound by the shackles of iniquity — a thoroughbred reprobate of whom the placard which hangs about your necks reads “NOT WORTHY OF PURCHASE”. The punters press in around as the bidding begins. “Who will give me 50 denarii” (bear in mind, the average price of an unskilled slave in those days was around 500 denarii). Silence… “Who will give me 40?” Silence… “Okay, someone start me at 20, surely he is worth 20 denarii” As the punters draw away and the crowds thin out, suddenly a man appears of royal descent. “I’ll have him!!”, the man exclaims. As he draws near to the blocks I notice, he has no coins with which to make His purchase, but in His hands instead, two bleeding wounds. “With what means will you make payment for the slave?” With outstretched hands, the answer comes, “WITH ROYAL BLOOD!!” “I have given my life a ransom that this slave might go FREE!!!”.
Shared at Lifeboat Fellowship (10/12/23) - Sunday (am)
John 10:22-23
The Intertestamental period dated from the prophet Malachi’s time (about 400 BC) to the preaching of John the Baptist (about AD 25) has been called the silent years. God is never silent! A lot happened in these 400 years. In this teaching, we are going to explore one amazing event – The Feast of Dedication – in which we will discover who the Shammash of God is and where you and I fit in.
Isaiah 66:1-2
If I were to ask you to tell of the kind of man/woman who wins favour with God, I wonder what you’d say? I know full well of the kind that wins favour with the world — give a man a bit of money and prestige and see how rapidly his circle of friends increases. But can I say; that which catches the eye of the world and that which turns the head of God are not the same — they’re poles apart. Is not the answer in the text that is before us? “...to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Is.66:2).
Matthew 21:42
From the moment that I got saved, some 23 years ago, I had a God-given burden that I could not extinguish, for my life to be used by God!! I figured that for 20 years, I had given myself in full-time service to do the devil’s bidding; how now, that I’m a born-again Christian could I give the True and Living God anything less? Every fiber of my being cried forth, “Lord use me!! Get the glory of my life this side of eternity!
Yet in the face of a barren landscape the voice of my own reasoning would say, but how? There was nothing of any outward brilliance to commend itself to God, nothing to lend itself by way of encouragement. All I had was a burden that I could not rid myself of. Do you want to know what the balm was that soothed my soul in those early years? The means that God used to inject faith into my spiritual bloodstream? It was the examples given in this Book of the men that God used. Ah, man has his criteria of selection, but listen, those whom the world passes over are God’s chosen vessels; those whom men reject as unworthy are God’s unlikely candidates!
Acts 12:1-5
When the people of God begin to pray, God begins to move! This, my dear friends, is an indisputable fact of history to which the Scriptures provide undeniable testimony.
In this sermon, example after example is laid bare, demonstrating that God responds to the prayers of His people. Whether, Moses, Abraham, Hannah, Elisha, Hezekiah, or Elijah, they prayed unto God and were heard!! May this be an impetus to stir us to prayer so as to lay hold on God in this desperate hour and to see Him come through!!
1 Samuel 3:10
I would argue that the single greatest tool the Devil has used to pervert a whole generation in this century and the latter half of the last has been the power of mass media — Film, music, radio, television, and now the internet. What was previously confined to the abominable opera houses and disgusting theatre halls is now aired en-mass 24-7/365 click-and-demand across the world!! So immoral and harmful is the content, as a child of God, you daren’t cast your eyes upon it, not lend an ear to hear. Every value contrary to the Word of God is lauded and celebrated, promoted, and embraced, not only by the artists themselves but by their millions of fans and followers whom they’ve managed to hoodwink by the truckload!
My dear people, can I ask, what are you setting before your eyes in the name of entertainment? The films you sit down to watch? The dramas and the soaps? The women’s magazines? David purposed in his heart; “ I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes” (Ps. 101:3). Will you say the same?
1 Samuel 3:10
No man who upon hearing the voice of God, ever lived to regret the day He answered the call!! My phone rings all the time and sometimes I regret answering it. An unidentified number appears on the screen — it’s a local number, and you think, I’d better answer it, only to discover two seconds in that it’s a national telesales company masquerading behind a local area code!! WHY DID I ANSWER THE CALL? Brothers and Sisters, such words might indeed be uttered when man is calling, but never a soul lived to regret answering the call of God!! There are times that I have to say also, that I have lived to regret heeding the voice of man. Sometimes those voices are well intentioned — counsel that means me well, but it’s not God’s council and thus there’s only one inevitable outcome — disappointment and regret!! Ah, many a man upon hearing the voice of his closest kin regretted the day he ever gave heed, but no man — and I mean NO MAN — ever lived to regret the day He answered the call of God!!
This sermon in its simplest form is a call to obedience!
2 Kings 4:38-41
You’ve all heard the expression, “One bad apple spoils the barrel”; the origin of this idiom dates all the way back to the 1300’s. According to one source, the bad apple metaphor was first recorded in 1340 in the form of an English proverb, “A rotten apple quickly infects its neighbor”. There is a Biblical counterpart to this idiom which goes like this; “...a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Cor. 5:6).
In this sermon, an urgent call goes forth for us to make search for any traces of leaven in our lives. With God’s help and grace, I pray that this sermon will be of help to your soul.
Luke 10:38-42
Do you have a quiet place with Jesus your Lord? You’ve placed priorities on things — they may be good things/noble things/godly things but have they become a distraction in your life? Are they taking you away from that one thing that is needful — sitting at the feet of Jesus? In the busyness and clutter of life, can you hear the Master calling you aside to spend time alone with Him? May God minister to your heart through this sermon.
Matthew 14:22-33
For the third consecutive week, I have the privilege of ascending the stairs of this pulpit to bring a word in season on how to stand in the midst of trial!! Brothers and Sisters, believe me when I say, it was not my planned intention to labour this point, but as I waited upon the Lord as to what He would have me to say, I felt Him call to my remembrance another facet of suffering that I had been thinking hard upon but for the moment had forgotten.
Brothers and Sisters, God is speaking to His people!! Through the trials that we are passing through; God is at work, refining us so that we might be able to stand, not only in the present hour, but in the coming days ahead. But you say, Pastor, it’s hard and I’m weary!! The battle is fierce, the pressure intense, and the fire is hot; what am I to do? If I’m honest, I feel like I’m going under!! Brother/Sister, it is my heart’s desire to encourage you this morning — hold on!! You’re not going under!!!! The word of encouragement to your heart is — KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS!!!
1 Peter 3:3-7
As painful as it is to undergo trial — to be put into the furnace of affliction — It’s the only way by which one’s faith might be tried!! A man can boast all day about his faith; it is not until he is placed into the fire that one will see the quality of his faith! Far from diminishing faith, fire will always purify a man’s faith!
It was the Roman philosopher and historian, Pliny the Elder who wrote: “GOLD is the only thing that loses no substance by the action of fire. Indeed as a matter of fact it improves in quality the more often it is fired, and fire serves as a test of its goodness....”
Mark 4:35-42
“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side” (Mk. 4:35). Note the circumstances of the hour. The evening had come upon them after what must have been a long drawn-out day. Jesus waits until the evening, when darkness is fast approaching, to put to His disciples His desire — “...Let us pass over unto the other side”. Jesus immediately takes His disciples from the classroom of academic learning to the classroom of application. First the theory then the practical!! Note, that the academic learning takes place close to shore, in a safe and controlled environment, but the practical lesson is going to take place out at sea, amidst the volatile atmosphere of a storm!!
Some of us want a trialless Christianity; a Christianity free from trouble, but listen, if the Lord while upon the earth led His disciples into conflict, how shall the risen ascended Saviour not even now, lead His people into the same? But fear not, the One who bids you pass over says “…Let us pass over”.
Psalm 51:6
For many within the remnant Church, love of truth is all about acquiring factual knowledge. As long as every doctrinal t is crossed, and every theological i dotted, all is well!! Yet, in the verse before us in this sermon, David prays to God, “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom” (Ps. 51:6). The truth that David here speaks of is not the pursuit of academic truth but the desire for sincerity and honesty of the heart! Are you a person in whom there is no guile? May the Lord minister through this sermon.
Proverbs 9:10
Woe betide the man or woman that dispenses of the knowledge of God. We live in an era in the evangelical Church where experience trumps knowledge! Everyone wants to experience God!! Away with boring theology (they say) — let it perish with the seminaries!! Give us a fresh encounter!! Let us feel God!! Let us experience His divine touch!! I’m all for experiencing God, but again I go down on record to say, “THEOLOGY MATTERS”. How you understand God will determine how you relate to Him!! What you know about God will affect how you live for God.
In this sermon, we look at two of God’s divine attributes and how through the knowledge of God it ought to move us to fear.
James 1:5-8
Behold the man who wavers in his faith. James likens him to the sea's great waves on a stormy day, driven by the wind and tossed (Jms. 1:6). Contrast this with the stillness of those same waters on a calm summer evening. What’s the difference? Stability!! Albert Barnes in commentating upon James 1:5-8, states the following:
“The wave of the sea has no stability. It is at the mercy of every wind and seems to be driven and tossed every way. So he that comes to God with unsettled convictions and hopes, is liable to be driven about by every new feeling that may spring up in the mind. At one moment, hope and faith impel him to come to God; then the mind is at once filled with uncertainty and doubt, and the soul is agitated and restless as the ocean”.
If you find a man who is unstable in the area of prayer and faith, you will find a man who is unstable everywhere! The burden of this sermon is for God’s children to put away from them the double mind. This sermon is a call to serve the Lord with singleness of mind, with wholeness of heart, in all sincerity and truth.
Acts 20:33-35
Ministry properly defined has nothing to do with being a preacher. It identifies not the words spoken, but the act of service involved, and this can be transposed across the board — waiting on tables, opening a door for another, prayer, giving (the list is endless). “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:4-8). Can I say; that the giving of our Lord’s life was not only the greatest act of love ever known, it was the greatest act of service!
This sermon is an appeal to servanthood!
Session 7 of 7
The Sanctuary Conference 2023@Cloverley Hall
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Keith Malcomson: www.limerickcitychurch.com/
Session 6 of 7
The Sanctuary Conference 2023@Cloverley Hall
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Paul M. Williams: www.bethesdashalom.org/
Session 5 of 7
The Sanctuary Conference 2023@Cloverley Hall
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Keith Malcomson: www.limerickcitychurch.com/
Session 4 of 7
The Sanctuary Conference 2023@Cloverley Hall
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Stephen Riddell: www.lifeboatfellowship.com/
Session 3 of 7
The Sanctuary Conference 2023@Cloverley Hall
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Paul M. Williams: www.bethesdashalom.org/
Session 2 of 7
The Sanctuary Conference 2023@Cloverley Hall
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Keith Malcomson: www.limerickcitychurch.com/
Session 1 of 7
The Sanctuary Conference 2023@Cloverley Hall
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Stephen Riddell: www.lifeboatfellowship.com/
Jason brings a critical teaching to the Body of Christ focussing on the cross of Jesus Christ. May you be mightily blessed in understanding more about this foundational doctrine that can never be exhausted.
Daniel 11:32
Stephen Riddell is an elder at The Lifeboat Fellowship, Dungannon, N. Ireland.
Stephen challenges believers of the critical need to know God in these Last Days. I trust that the Lord shall minister to your heart through this word given in season.
1 Corinthians 13
Of all the passages in the New Testament Scriptures, none are more sublime in poetical beauty that the words found in the thirteenth chapter of Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians. Hebrews the seventh chapter is known for its great typology; Romans the third chapter for its brilliance in logical reasoning. The second chapter of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians is known for its rich eschatology and the eleventh chapter of Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians for its moving biographical content. I could go on...the sheer genius of the Holy Bible is a wonder too great to fully comprehend. Is it any wonder that the best-selling book of all time is THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE!! Not Charles Dickens nor William Shakespeare; not Agatha Christie nor Enid Blyton. To this day, the Bible still holds the Guinness Book of Records for the best-selling book of all time at a whopping 5 billion and counting!!
In this sermon, we explore the great commandment given us by our Lord to love one another. It is easy for a man to say, “I love you”, but on what grounds does he assume this to be the case? Let us examine the characteristics of love as outlined in the thirteenth chapter of Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians and we shall see whether the love we have is the agape love of God.
Ephesians 5:15-16
As Christians, we are not always wise in the way that we walk — we live in the land of hindsight — always picking up the broken pieces! We naively walk into many landmines; we allow ourselves to be found in compromising situations because of a lack of foresight!!
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Prov. 23:3)
This sermon is an exhortation to the Christian to walk circumspectly, as wise and not as fools; redeeming the time for the days are evil.
Philippians 2:5-11
I fear that in our present day, we have lost the cutting edge of Christianity. The Kingdom of God no longer stands in juxtaposition to the Kingdom of Darkness — the contrasting properties of black and white have been fused into a murky grey — light and darkness into a twilight blue — we’ve lost the radical nature of conversion. I want to say without apology, when light meets with darkness, there can only be one winner, “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (Jn. 1:5).
One of the radical elements of true conversion when set in contrast with a false convert is that as it relates to the human will. Pre-Christ I lived for ME. Post-Christ I now live for HIM! Still one will, but a 180-degree shift in orientation! We have a dilemma in modern-day Christianity which goes something like this; “I can live for me and for Thee”, and I want TO SAY on the authority of God’s Word, YOU CAN’T!!!! Tell me, can you say as our Lord said, “...My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (Jn. 4:34)?
Jeremiah 10:1-6
Dr. David Donovan and his wife Shirley head up a medical mission to the Niger Delta called New Foundations. In this teaching, David shares from the Word of God on a hugely important topic - The Greatness of God.
1 Kings 18:17-20
The single greatest need of the present hour and any hour is for God to break through into the midst of His people!! It’s one thing for a man to break through — he’s had breakthroughs in all manner of varying contexts. Gunpowder in the 10th century, the compass in the 12th. The steam engine in 1712, and Refrigeration in the 1850s. The airplane in 1903, Penicillin in 1928, the Internet in the 1960s — friends, the list could go on!! I don’t doubt and nor do I limit the many ingenious breakthroughs on the part of man — but none can compare to what takes place when God breaks through!! When God breaks through, no one can stay His hand; when God breaks through, it’s like the walls of a dam giving way — who can stand against the mighty deluge?
This sermon is an exhortation to seek the face of God for authentic fire in this desperate hour of apostasy.
Hebrews 6:1-3
There are only two places in all of Sacred Scripture, where the phrase “dead works” appears. The first is in Hebrews 6:1; “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God (Heb. 6:1). The second comes later on in the ninth chapter of the very same epistle, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14). There have been various different opinions offered by commentators as to what this phrase “dead works” might mean, ranging from the absurd to the reasonable, to what I believe is the correct interpretation.
In this sermon, we explore the meaning of the phrase “repentance from dead works” and exhort believers to a true and living faith springing out of love for Christ!!
Colossians 3:1-5
There’s not a one of us that has not heard the familiar saying, “Where the rubber meets the road”. In all manner of varying contexts, this idiom speaks sounds aloud its truth. I think of the Olympian — the 100 m sprinter. Four long years he has poured his life into training — six hours a day, six days a week; what he eats and drinks, what time he goes to sleep, what time he rises again; his whole life is one of complete discipline in order to run a 10-second race. All that training and discipline is good and well — it’s indispensable; but how many know, it is in the race where the rubber meets the road?! Medals are not won in the gym but on the track! Take the soldier. He never stops training and preparing for war, but again, how many know, wars are not fought and won on the field of training but on the field of battle?! Many a well-trained army had it won on paper only to find that when it came for the rubber to meet the road, they were outsmarted, outfought, and lost the battle miserably!!! In other words, it’s one thing to have theory/textbook principles and it’s another thing to convert that knowledge into experimental practice!! One does not equal the other!! Yet there are some today who fancy that because they are well-taught and well-trained in theology, even at an academic level, this makes them experts in Christianity.
The call and the challenge of this sermon is for the rubber of our theology to meet the road of our experience.
Psalm 63:1-2
“A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” (Ps. 63:1).
David’s present physical environment was a perfect picture of how he felt inwardly. Apart from the presence of God in exile — the Ark being left behind in Zion, David purposed with all his heart to not lose the vital reality of his relationship with God!! His soul longed for God! He longed to be in the presence of His God in the tent of His dwelling place.
I don’t know about you, but as a pilgrim walking through this world, I feel so often that I’m treading through a wilderness land. All around me, consumerism flaunts and struts its pomp! The glittering lights, the frills, and the trinkets. I feel like a man in exile — outside the city walls of Zion!! The cares of this life and the business of the day which beckons us on every hand, if we’re not careful, can leave us spiritually parched (I speak for myself). This sermon is a call to return to the fountainhead of life. Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (Jn. 7:37).
Isaiah 53:3
Brother Ryan brings a strong word from the heart of God of the cost of following the Lord Jesus. He speaks to the current moral climate of our day and calls the Church of Jesus Christ to repentance and obedience.
For more information about the Ministry of Ryan please visit here:
https://www.youtube.com/@lastdayspulpitministry8796
Romans 11:11-14
“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy” (Romans 11:11).
One commentator, commentating on the above said this: “It is a matter for profound regret that just as Israel refused to accept this salvation when it was offered to them, so the Gentiles have all too often refused to make Israel envious. Instead of showing to God’s ancient people the attractiveness of the Christian way, Christians have characteristically treated the Jews with hatred, prejudice, persecution, malice, and all uncharitableness. Christians should not take this passage calmly”.
Christian, it is our solemn duty, not only to take the gospel to the Jew first by word, through the proclamation of the gospel (Rom. 1:16); it is also our solemn duty to provoke them to jealousy by the gospel of our lives! What did Jesus say?
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 5:14-16).
Well, the focus of Jewish mission has been the word of the Gospel, but if the vessel through which that word comes contradicts the glory being offered, then the one will be the undoing of the other! Will you rise to the challenge and allow the Lord to make you one such tool of provocation through which the glory of His grace and salvation might shine?
This message was shared at the Messianic Testimony West Midlands Rally, in June 2023. For more information about the Ministry of Messianic Testimony to the Jewish people, please visit here:
https://www.messianictestimony.com/
Psalm 127:1
“Trowel and hammer, saw and plane are instruments of vanity unless the Lord be the Master-builder”. Charles Spurgeon goes on to say: “Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Around the wall the sentinels pace with constant step; but yet the city is betrayed unless the unsleeping Watcher is with them. We are not safe because of watchmen if Jehovah refuses to watch over us. Even if the guards are wakeful, and do their duty, still the place may be surprised if God be not there. “I, the Lord, do keep it,” is better than an army of sleepless guards. Note that the Psalmist does not bid the builder cease from labouring, nor suggest that watchmen should neglect their duty, nor that men should show their trust in God by doing nothing: nay, he supposes that they will do all that they can do, and then he forbids their fixing their trust in what they have done, and assures them that all creature effort will be in vain unless the Creator puts forth his power, to render second causes effectual”
Let him that hath an ear, hear.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Brethren, the longer I journey in this Christian walk, the more I’m made to feel my need for grace. What is grace simply defined? The kindness of God! God’s favourable countenance towards those that can’t help themselves! Brothers and sisters, EVER I want to fall within this category!! Now I understand that to the world, weakness is a BAD thing — a thing to be avoided, something to be scorned and ridiculed. From a child up, we’re told to stand firm, stick out our chests, and fight our way through life!! But as one comes to Christ and allows the Word of God to renew their thinking, and the Holy Spirit to transform their mind, one comes to the place of glorying in weakness.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
Daniel 7:25
When the enemy encounters a Christian standing in the armour of God, he knows full well that he can’t just bring him down. He’s too strong!! “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:10-11). What’s he going to do? He will attempt to wear out the Saints of God. If the city is too strong to conquer in one swift effort, wear it down over a sustained period and then go up and take it!!!
Leviticus 25:20-22
When God asks us to trust Him, seldom is it ever convenient for us to do so. As human beings we like things to be smooth and pain-free; we don’t cope too well with being inconvenienced. “So long as what’s being asked of me doesn't threaten my comfort, then I’m happy to consider it”. But when God comes asking in a matter requiring my obedience, nine times out of ten it will come at a personal inconvenience to me. You say, Pastor, why does it have to be on this wise? Why can’t God make it easier for us? My simple answer is...God wants us to trust Him!!!
Revelation 21:1-7
One day there shall be a new heaven and earth, where the sea shall be no more. One day there shall come down from God out of heaven, a new Jerusalem prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. One day a great voice shall be heard out of heaven saying, “...Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Rev. 21:3). One day God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes and there shall be no more crying or sorrow! One day there shall be no more death, neither shall there be any more pain for these former things/earthly things shall pass away. Oh Brothers and Sisters, what precious things shall be ours one day!!
Matthew 11:28-30
It’s been rightly said, the devil makes work for idle hands, but did you know the devil can be just as much in business as he is in idleness? If he can’t get you one way, he’ll get you another way, and one of his most disguised weapons is placing upon the backs of well-meaning Christians, the burden of false guilt! A true burden from the Lord is a burden to be given back to God in prayer. It has an outflow/release value through which the pressure can be eased. By way of contrast; a false burden has no outflow, it’s a pressure cooker if you like without the release valve!! It is a counterfeit — it’s not a genuine article. It sometimes feels like the real, but alas, it soon reveals itself to be a fraud. The pressure is seemingly there, but upon inspection, instead of a pure conviction, the pressure/burden is tainted with accusatory blame and wave after wave of false guilt. One quickly realises, this is not the life-giving conviction of God the Holy Ghost but rather the life-sucking condemnation of the devil!!
May this sermon be of help to those weighed down with false guilt.
Exodus 32:26
The question posed by the title of this sermon is one of great importance. There are many questions a man can be asked and understandably, there’s an order of importance to each one. “What do you want to eat for dinner?” is a valid question, and whilst it is meaningful, i.e. we do have some feelings about how we answer, we wouldn’t consider the question to be critical. Compare that with other questions, like, “Who do you want to marry?”, or “Who do you want to include in your will”, and I think you get the point I’m trying to make. In enquiring of the Lord, what it was that He would have me to bring to share with you, I have not been able to shake from my thinking a question that has gone round and round in my mind. You say, what’s the question? In six words I give it to you; “Who Is on the LORD’S side?”.
1 Peter 3:7
One of the chief reasons why prayer has been abandoned en masse amongst the assembly of God is because of unbelief. God’s people, whether they want to admit it or not, do not believe in a God who answers prayer; and because of this the prayer closets are empty and the corporate prayer meetings have long been forsaken!! As one looks at the weekly calendar of Church activities, one will find every sort of meeting going, from Zumba through to tiny tots, but to see any serious coming together for the purpose of prayer, one will generally look in vain to find even the slightest whiff.
This sermon is not aimed at the prayerless but at the praying. In it, I ask the question; “Why do the prayers of God’s people largely go unanswered?” In answer to it, I present five Biblical reasons, hindrances to answered prayer.
Acts 12:1-5
It is with joy, I am able to enclose this month's featured sermon, titled "Only God Could Have Done It!". May it be a blessing to your soul. What farmer sows the precious seed, never expecting to reap a harvest? What fisherman goes out to sea, casting out his nets but never expecting to receive a catch? On the contrary, a vineyard is planted in hope of new wine, and the foundations are laid in the hope of a building being raised. Could you imagine a man going out to find gold with the predetermined mindset of finding only a rusty bit of old tin? Could you imagine a beggar, sitting by the roadside fully persuaded that by the end of the day, he’d be no better off? Why, he wouldn’t bother leaving his shack, he’d give up the ghost there and then! No one operates like this, even in the worst of environments, hope, no matter how small, keeps the souls of men from fainting! If it is thus in the world, why is it that when it comes to prayer, so many of God’s people have cast off this enduring quality? Why is prayer wholly wanting amongst those who profess faith in Christ? No one would be so brash to admit it, but if the truth be told, God’s people don’t pray because deep down they don’t believe in a God that answers prayer. This sermon is an exhortation to seek the Lord in prayer, and having prayed, to keep praying until God comes through! May you be encouraged to lay hold on God and in so doing, receive as your reward the thing sought.
Matthew 26:41
No one ever plans to go adrift, just like no one ever plans to get lost! Nine times out of ten, it happens through complacency and lack of watchfulness. We take our eye off the ball, we lose sight of the dangers of the environment we’re in, and before long, it suddenly dawns upon us that we’ve lost our way!
In this sermon, a warning shot is fired across the bow, warning the Church against spiritual drift.
Romans 6:14
What strongholds are you pulling down at present in your life? Does sin reign unchecked in your life? Are you gaining mastery over sinful lusts and passions, or are they gaining mastery over you? Does sin have dominion over you or do you have dominion over sin?
Brothers and Sisters, we must vow to fight! We’re in a war and as God said to Cain, “...sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Gen. 4:7). You say, but Brother, the sinful desires are so strong, I can barely resist the pull towards evil! I hear you! But can I ask you this question, which man are you feeding? The carnal man or the spiritual man? Your flesh or your spirit? There’s a principle that holds true, “...whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). If I sow a field full of tares/weeds, then it should be of no surprise if when I come back after several months, the field is overgrown with weeds!! I’m not going to find a healthy crop of wheat Maize, for that to happen, I need to sow the right kind of seed.
1 Corinthians 4:20
The desperate need of the Church in this perilous hour is not to discover another five-step program for Church growth. See where the arm of the flesh has gotten the Bride of Christ, she looks just like the world!! Where is the cutting distinction? Where is the Kingdom of God in the midst of her? Where is the unfettered reign of Christ and the overflow of His Spirit? Instead, we’ve exchanged divine power for earthly power; God’s wisdom for man’s wisdom, and the saddest thing about it is, God’s people don’t know it any other way!! They’re happy to have it so!! The number one question that should be being asked is not, “How can we get people back into Church; but how can we get God back in!!” FRIENDS, WE NEED GOD!! We need urgently to recover again the power of the Kingdom of Heaven, “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (1 Cor. 4:20).
As Jason walks you through the Scriptures, may the Lord richly bless you as you learn about sanctification.
Matthew 25:14-30
Which one of us doesn’t like to hear the words “well done”? Whether from a boss at work, or a family member in the home; those two simple words spoken in sincerity mean so much! Who doesn’t like to be encouraged? Children especially rejoice to hear the words “well done” — as a former teacher, I can vouch for that first-hand and as a daddy, I can say the same. When you tell a little one “well done”, and you say it with heartfelt meaning, watch their tiny faces respond as they beam from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat! There’s something about the human race, it matters not how old we are, there’s a God-given trait within our DNA, a desire deep inside to please others in a job well done.
This sermon is an appeal to Christian service—a call to faithfulness in the talents entrusted to us by the Lord.
Session 4 of 4
The Sanctuary Day Conference 2023
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Stephen Riddell: https://www.lifeboatfellowship.com/
Session 3 of 4
The Sanctuary Day Conference 2023
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Paul M. Williams: www.bethesdashalom.org/
Session 2 of 4
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Stephen Riddell: https://www.lifeboatfellowship.com/
Session 1 of 4
Click below for more information about The Sanctuary Conference: www.sanctuaryconference.org
Listen to other sermons by Paul M. Williams: www.bethesdashalom.org/
Hebrews 11:5-6
Stephen Riddell brings a Holy Spirit anointed word on what it means to walk with God.
Stephen is an elder at The Lifeboat Fellowship, Dungannon, N. Ireland. It was our privilege to have Stephen bring the Word of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 20
The account contained in 2 Chronicles 20 concerns a certain king named Jehoshaphat; a godly king, who though not perfect, was a man of tremendous faith who feared the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David. Throughout his 25-year reign as the King of Judah, Jehoshaphat witnessed firsthand, the supernatural hand of God in delivering him out of a number of precarious situations in which his life was placed in great jeopardy. Here stands an account of one such deliverance that I trust shall be a challenge and an encouragement to you.
I want to present to you three lessons in faith. #1. FAITH’S TRIAL, #2. FAITH’S ANSWER, and #3. FAITH’S REWARD
2 Kings 5:13
If there’s one thing that I came to learn quickly as a newborn babe in Christ, it was this: it’s not everything that God asks of us, we’re going to understand. In fact, many times, what God asks seems foolish when brought to the bar of natural reasoning. There are many reasons why God sets things up this way, not least for the testing of faith and for the glory of His name. Faith forever stands diametrically opposed to sight as north stands opposed to south and east to west. Sight believes because it sees, but faith believes because God said it! “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).
In this sermon, I endeavour to set before you, three accounts of where God’s people were instructed by God to do things that on face value seemed foolish and against all human logic. Their faith and obedience are an inspiration for us all and in every case, the Lord worked in miraculous power to bring to naught the wisdom of men.
1 John 2:15-17
They tell us, “...nothing’s built to last”. It’s not always that I agree with what “they” like to tell us, but in this instance, they’re spot on!! I like walking, and at odd times my path leads me into farming land. I love standing by the gate and looking out at the wheat fields, the ripened heads swaying in the wind. Upon my journey, I sometimes see an old clapped-out tractor with a rusty plough lying amidst the undergrowth. Immediately my mind begins to wonder, “...there was a day when this tractor ploughed these fields and this plough didn’t have a spot of rust upon it. One day when the tractor’s engine was started for the first time, its brand-new coat of paint shone with pride. I wonder how many sat in its seat? I wonder are they still alive?” You, know there’s something about history that fascinates me but there’s one thing about history that forever holds true — what was, no longer is, and what it shall one day no longer be.
This sermon is an appeal to flee from covetousness and to escape the spirit of materialism which plagues this generation. Jesus offers to give to all who would come to Him, water to drink, the likes of which a soul would never thirst again!!
Hebrews 11:1-3
If there were just two words that I would have you take away with you so as to keep in memory, it would be these two words, “BY FAITH”. No less than 16 times within the 40 verses that span the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews; the words, “By faith” appear. Beginning with Abel, the son of Adam, the names of men and women are chronicled and the mighty victories that they wrought by faith are held in review for our remembrance. Abel, Enoch and Noah. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob. Joseph, Moses and the Gentile harlot Rehab. All had one thing in common, one thing that wrote their name in the book, they believed God!!
Brothers and Sisters, I can think of no greater experience as a Christian than when God asks you to stand this side of faith and to trust Him. Against all odds, against everything that the natural eye would say otherwise. To take God at His Word and to simply say, “God I believe you and I’m going to trust you”, is the story of the heroes and heroines of the faith!!
Soul-Ties
It is believed by those within the deliverance movement that it is possible for a person's soul to be spiritually knitted/bonded/glued/tied to another person’s soul such that one takes on the personality traits of the one they are apparently soul-tied to. It is believed that there are godly soul ties that are from God and ungodly soul-soul ties that are demonic.
One of the main areas of focus, when it comes to the teaching of soul ties, is ungodly soul ties formed through immoral sexual relationships. Like two sheets of card being glued together such that when they are separated, bits of the card being separated remains bonded to the other piece; in the same way, it is believed that when two souls come together in the act of fornication, a part of that person’s soul remains bonded to yours and yours to theirs. One can only imagine the effects of this being multiplied ten times over. Thus the aim of deliverance becomes about breaking ungodly soul-ties and restoring one’s fragmented soul back into one piece so as to allow for the worship of God with all one’s heart and soul. The teaching of soul ties is very dangerous and I would go as far as to call it heretical. In this eleventh and final teaching part, we look at this teaching and examine it critically from the Word of God.
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1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
If I was to ask the vast majority of professing believers, what it was that Jesus accomplished upon the cross. Without hesitation, the overwhelming response would be, “He died that sins might be forgiven”, to that I say amen!! But if I was to probe a little further by asking the second time, “what was it that Jesus accomplished upon the cross”, for the most part, I would be greeted by blank faces. The Church in our hour regrettably, has chosen to focus only on that one aspect of the cross — sins forgiven — and the conclusion that it has drawn from this, though it would never say it is this: “The only difference between the world and the Christian is this; the Christian has been forgiven of their sins whereas the world has not?” In other words, when it boils down to Christian living, there isn’t really any radical difference between the child of God and the child of wrath. But friends, the Bible that I hold in my hand rejects this darkened reasoning. What saith the Apostle? “...Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:1-2). Not only did Jesus die to save us from the penalty of sin, but He also died to save us from the power of sin.
In this sermon, we move from the category of sins general, to focus on sin specific, namely the sin of sexual immorality. Let us heed the warnings given to us in God’s Word.
Blessings and Curses Pt. 3
The generation that welcomed Derek Prince with open arms, sucking up his new-fangled teachings regarding blessings and curses, failed to hold him to account to the standard of the Bible. God’s people were only too happy to sit at the feet of the guru and to be spoon-fed! Where were the Pastors warning their flocks? Where were the watchmen lifting up their voices?
We see a huge resurgence in our day of the toxic teachings of Derek Prince as it relates to blessings and curses, fuelled to a large degree by his online presence on social media platforms like YouTube. The only way in which this generation shall escape the error of the last is if they stop blindly following “Men of God” and instead begin following the “Word of God”. In this tenth teaching part, we conclude our studies of what Derek Prince taught concerning blessings and curses. We take another look at the wide spectrum of curses that a Christian can apparently be under and examine Biblically, the supposed steps needed to be taken in order to pass from curse to blessing and to then remain in blessing. What is the proper understanding of Christ’s finished work on the cross versus that of what deliverance ministers teach? How does one claim the blessing of Abraham? What is meant by the verse in Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us”? Stay tuned to find out.
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2 Peter 1:1-12
Doctrine matters! Foundations matter! Everyone wants to build but if there are no foundations upon which to build, the building’s not going to stand. We must begin with foundational matters/those great positional truths of Scripture - they are anchors to our soul. But we must never allow ourselves to settle there. We must be poured out into the vessel of experience. Too many Christians have remained for too long settled on their lees, living in the realm of the positional and never coming down to the land of the experiential.
In this sermon, we look at the glorious truths that Peter furnishes for us and the exhortation which follows to live in the reality of this.
Part 9
The Bible is full of commandments from God with attached blessings to them. Conversely, there are other verses in the Old Testament with attached curses. With that in mind, it might well be said, “What’s the need for this teaching? Blessings and curses are Biblical.” However, as one compares what Derek Prince teaches, to that which Holy Scripture teaches, there are fundamental and major differences. As one looks in the Old Testament at the theme of blessings and curses one will find that it exists in the framework of covenant relationship. In Deuteronomy 28 (and the parallel passage in Leviticus 26), God lays before His covenant people Israel, a number of blessings and many more curses, conditional upon their obedience or disobedience respectively. What would you think, if one was to take the covenantal blessings and curses given to Israel and use them as a universal framework for all mankind today? That’s precisely what Derek Prince does.
In this ninth teaching part, we look at a list of blessings and curses drawn up by the late Derek Prince and ask the crucial question, “Can a Christian be cursed?” Are generational curses operative in the life of the blood-bought children of God? What about the common saying, “No curse without a cause?” We provide Biblical answers to each of these questions in this ninth teaching part.
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Matthew 24:1-5
As nears our Lord’s return, the Word of God tells us that widespread deception will mark the generation that shall witness the Second Coming of Christ. When the disciples asked our Lord saying, “...Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Mt. 24:3). The first words out of Jesus’ mouth were, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (vs. 4). Of all the many things He could have said, and of all the many things He went ¬on to say; first thing’s first, He warns the disciples against deception; “Take heed that no man deceive you”.
As a Pastor/shepherd, I see so many of God’s people in this late hour, wandering hither and thither, “...scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd”. Brothers and Sisters, I want to be straight with you, this is no hour for wandering about, there are prowling wolves out there waiting for their dinner, and guess what’s on the menu? You got it...SHEEP!! If there’s one thing I’ve learned not to do as a Christian, that is to ignore the warnings given to me in the Word of God. When God warns us, He warns us for a reason and He says, "TAKE HEED" because there are genuine consequences for not doing so! Part of our being ready for when Christ comes is being found in truth. Not only must we be found abiding in holiness when He comes; but we must also be found abiding in the truth!
Part 8
In the introduction to a book written by Derek Prince, titled, “Blessing or Curse”, one is met by the following words. “In the 1970s Derek Prince began to unfold for believers an astonishing, life-changing teaching from the Bible that few people had ever heard. It was a thoroughly scriptural and God-blessed message about blessings and curses. This startling revelation—which he would continue to develop and gain spiritual insight about over the next three decades—has profoundly influenced several generations of theologians and preachers. More importantly, it has provided a simple key to a better life for hundreds of thousands of Christians all over the world”.
Just as in the 1960s, when Dr. Prince began unfolding for believers a message about deliverance that few people had ever heard, so in 70’s he began doing the same again but this time from the standpoint of blessings and curses. In this teaching, we begin to examine this strange and peculiar teaching through the lens of Holy Scripture. Far from it being rooted in the word of God, we shall discover that what Derek Prince taught concerning the laws that govern blessings and curses and the vehicle through which they come, namely words, is not only unbiblical but has its origins firmly rooted in the world of the Occult!
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Psalm 61:1-4
As one walks through this fallen world, it seems that pain and sorrows are the appointed lot of man. Sinners and Saint alike taste of these bitter waters, but the added comfort for the child of God is the knowledge, that whatever trials are traced upon his dial, they are done so by the Son of love. Be this as it may, God’s people do not always recognise it as so. In times of great calamity, rather than looking to the Lord, they can draw away from Him
This sermon is an encouragement to those enduring hardship to look to the Lord! “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Ps. 61:1-2).
Part 7
As one examines the various techniques employed within the deliverance ministry, it becomes quickly obvious that they are greatly wanting in terms of Biblical support. Where in the Bible do we see Jesus leading the demonised in a prayer for deliverance at the end of which they begin expelling demons themselves? Where do we see Jesus conducting mass deliverance services? Not only are these practices non-existent, the Word of God contradicts them! Jesus cast out demons in the power of the Holy Spirit and by the Word of His authority. The Gospels inform us that He ministered to individuals, one by one, though they thronged him in great numbers.
According to leading proponents within the deliverance movement, believers have been given authority by Jesus Christ to cast demons out of themselves. Where in the Bible do we see the demon-possessed delivering themselves? In this seventh teaching part, we shall continue to peel back the layers of this harmful movement and bring its teachings to the judgment bar of God’s Word.
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2 Kings 5:1
There’s nothing like sitting before an open Bible, with an open heart, asking that the Lord might breathe upon the text and illuminate one’s understanding. Ah, to have those rhema moments where the text of Scripture seems to leap from the page, where the Word of God is comprehended from His Spirit to our spirit, there’s nothing that compares like unto it.
Fasten your seatbelt, as we go for a ride through chapter 5 of the Book of Second Kings to learn lessons from the life of Naaman the Syrian.
Part 6
We have spent considerable time exploring the realm of deliverance ministry – a movement impacting the lives of millions of Christians worldwide. In the last teaching part, we examined the teaching of Dr. Derek Prince and Frank Hammond as it relates to how demons “supposedly” enter a person. In this sixth teaching part, we want to look at how they “supposedly” leave.
We shall first undertake a brief survey of the New Testament to see how Jesus and the disciples cast out demons. Having done this, we shall then turn our attention to look at how leaders within the deliverance movement cast out demons. You are going to see that the two stand poles apart and the biblical evidence supporting the “expelling” of demons (as they maintain), is non-existent. You are going to have to make a choice, whether to stand on the side of man’s word or to stand on the side of God’s Word.
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Revelation 22:7-15
Many have endeavoured through the ages to predict the date of Christ’s Second Coming. In the 1830s, a Baptist minister from New York by the name of William Miller began publicly sharing his newfound belief, that Jesus Christ was going to return around the year 1843. This belief began to gain momentum across denominations, and by 1840 it had become a nationwide campaign with between 50,000 and 100,000 followers. This growing group was dubbed ‘The Millerites’. When 1843 passed without Jesus coming, one of William Miller’s followers, a preacher by the name of Samuel Snow, pinpointed an exact date for the Lord’s return — October 22, 1844. Such was the expectation and hope placed in the October 22 1844 date that many of those devout Millerites cast in everything, giving away all their possessions. If my dates are correct, today marks the beginning of a new year, January 1st, 2023, and what do you know? Jesus hasn’t come back yet!! When October 22 1844 came and went without the Lord coming, William Miller’s followers were left devastated, their hopes dashed into pieces!! Many were left to pick up the pieces and begin the painful process of rebuilding their lives from scratch. This event became known as the ‘Great Disappointment’.
If the Millerites had cared to consult the Bible, it would have saved them a great deal of disappointment! What did Jesus say? “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Mt. 24:36). Though we know not the day nor the hour, we can know the season. All around the signposts of prophecy declare the soon return of Jesus Christ. It is one thing to read the signs and another to allow these signs to move us to readiness to meet the Lord. A cry goes forth from the heart of God, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready”.
Part 5
As we have begun peeling back the veil of deliverance to see the teachings that lie beneath, there’s one thing that has been striking to discover, and that is the all-consuming nature of the movement. According to the deliverance practitioners, there is no Christian outside the scope of needing deliverance.
Having looked at the list of the identifying characteristic hallmarks of supposed demonisation in the last teaching part, we turn our attention in this teaching to ask the question, “How do Demons Enter?”. As we explore this question by comparing Scripture with what leading figures within the movement teach, namely Derek Prince and Frank Hammond, what you will discover will both shock and horrify you.
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1 Timothy 2:1-6
A presentation of the Gospel!
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time”.
Part 4
If you were tasked with answering the question, “…how do I know if I have a demon”? How would you respond? In the case of the Gadarene Demoniac, you wouldn’t even need to be a Christian to spot something was seriously wrong with the man. “Normal” people don’t live naked among the tombs, screaming and cutting themselves with stones. “Normal” people don’t speak in the second person plural! Admittedly, this is an extreme case, but I want to submit, those in the Bible possessed with demons are known to be, not only by themselves but by those coming into contact with them.
Why do I take the time to point out the patently obvious? Those within the deliverance movement would have us understand that the vast majority of believers in Jesus have demons in them, but the problem is, they know it not! If this is the case, the question that follows is, how is one to identify whether or not they have a demon from which they need deliverance? It is this question that is the focus of this fourth teaching part.
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2 Samuel 11:1
There’s something inherent within the heart of man; an instinct that he carries with him from birth. If tasked with the mission of travelling from A to B to C, if there’s a route that will take him straight from A to C, he's sure to find it out! It’s the lazy postman syndrome, rather than go up the path and down the next, he cuts straight across the lawn, much to the annoyance of the resident whose garden it is! Go to a rectangular field and look for the public right of way. Seldom is it ever the two paths forming a right angle, it’s usually always the diagonal distance right through. Now in this particular instance, mathematically speaking, it is always profitable to cut the corner. But what about the spiritual? What happens when God’s people begin cutting corners in matters of holiness? Tragedy always follows in its wake.
In this sermon, we look at the fall of King David and try to lessons for us today.
Part 3
We have spent the last two teachings introducing the topic of deliverance ministry and the key architects who helped shape and fashion it in its formative years in the early 1960s and 70s. Due to the anecdotal nature of the movement, it is impossible to speak with one united voice for all the leading figures within it. However, what we are able to do is examine the teachings of two of the founding fathers of the movement, Dr. Derek Prince and Mr. Frank Hammond. I think it would be fair to say, no two other people have done more to shape and influence the deliverance ministry movement than these two individuals. Frank Hammond, for his legendary book “Pigs in the Parlor”, and Derek Prince, for his pioneering efforts in this field long before Frank Hammond ever got involved in the deliverance ministry.
It may be that as you have heard the teachings thus far critiquing deliverance, you have asked yourself the question, how on earth can Christians get sucked in by this. How as a Christian, can I be demon possessed and not know it until some so-called minister came and told me so? Surely, if I were possessed by a demon, I would know it! How is it even possible for a Christian to be possessed by the Holy Spirit and at the same time by an evil spirit, and if so, where is the Biblical evidence to support this? It is my aim in this third teaching part to answer these questions in the hope that we can better understand the deliverance movement so as to bring its teaching into the light of the Holy Scripture and expose the error which I believe is deeply damaging the lives of God’s people.
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https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/3__Breaking_Down_the_Walls.pdf
1 Samuel 16:6-7
Imagine for a moment, if upon awaking out of sleep, you were caught up to the third heaven beholding things indescribable, and hearing words unspeakable, “...which it is not lawful for a man to utter”. Suddenly, you find yourself before a throne and glancing upward, you see one seated upon the throne, high and lifted up. “...he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone” (Rev. 4:3). Oh, what a scene most glorious! A voice is heard coming from around the throne, “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?” (Is. 40:13-14). By this point you’re on your face, prostrate before the majesty of God, when suddenly a voice is heard; “Let him be His counsellor”. Terror grips your soul and before you can even think, another sounds aloud, “What shall he counsel?”, to which he gives answer, “Have him choose from among the children of men, a vessel of service unto the LORD”. Tell me this morning, how would you counsel?
In this sermon, we look at the qualities of the vessel God chooses for service in His house.
Part 2 – Derek Prince
Derek was born into a military family in Bangalore, India in 1915. At the age of 13, Derek won a scholarship to the prestigious Eton College, England where he studied Greek and Latin. From Eton, he progressed to Cambridge University where he furthered his understanding of languages, graduating with first-class honours in Classical Tripos (a course studying Greek and Latin languages, culture, and history). Academically, Derek Prince was a brilliant man, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned over time it’s this; brilliance in one area of expertise does not make you brilliant in every field of expertise. No one can question the academic background of Dr. Derek Prince, but when it comes to his revelations and ideas on demonology, it is shocking! So much of what Dr. Prince has to say about this topic is purely anecdotal, it is his experiences, his encounters. When he does turn to the text of Scripture in an effort to support what he is saying, his exegesis at the best of times leaves little to be desired.
In this teaching, I don’t want so much to examine the teachings of Derek Prince as it relates to deliverance but to look at Derek Prince the man, and the personal journey which led him into the deliverance ministry.
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James 4:14
James, writing under the inspiration of God, asks his audience a question —and by extension, to us also, “For what is your life?” Everyman thinketh in his heart, though he may not say it, LONG…PLENTEOUS...OF GREAT LENGTH!!!! But what saith James? “It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away”. Selah!! Job puts it this way, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days...He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not” (Job 14:1-2). “Behold (saith David), thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah” (Ps. 39:5).
Tell me Christian, what are you living for, or can I put it this way, WHO are you living for? Oh that each one us might say, “For me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21).
Part 1 – An Introduction to Deliverance Ministry
There exists today a growing movement that is making vast inroads into the lives of many who profess faith in Jesus. This movement goes by the name of “Deliverance Ministry” and is prevalent most, within Pentecostal and Charismatic circles. Proponents of this movement take for their modus operandi, isolated incidents recorded in the Gospels – like the woman with the spirit of infirmity, and the mute man possessed with a devil – to build a case for this being a normative experience in the life of every Christian. Those holding to this teaching believe that the majority of sin, sickness, and disease in the life of a believer is a result of them having demons. Want to get free from your toothache? Cast out the demon of toothache! Suffering from long-term depression? You need deliverance…get the demon of migraine cast out of you and you’ll be right as rain! Struggling with lust? I discern that you have a demon of lust and if you ever want to stand a fighting chance of being free from that sin, you need that demon casting out!
If this movement was relegated to a few hundred people, one might readily write it off as some crazy fringe movement. However, a quick search on YouTube reveals this not to be the case. Videos abound on deliverance with hundreds of thousands of hits per video.
In this first teaching part, we seek to bring a basic overview of the deliverance ministry and introduce some of its founding fathers.
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https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/1_An_Introduction_to_Deliverance_Ministry.pdf
Proverbs 12:15
You’ve all heard the saying, “Feelings come, and feelings go” — how true this maxim is!! I thank God for the gift of feeling, our emotions are given to us by our Creator. It was never God’s design to make robots. I don’t know if you ever noticed, but robots don’t have feelings — they do what they’re programmed to do. You can drive a robot off a cliff and you’re never going here it complain! Humans on the other hand are made to feel. When we’re sad, we cry, when happy, we laugh!! When in love, we don’t reach for the Oxford dictionary to search for a definition, every fiber of our being experiences it!! Now, whilst feelings can be a tremendous blessing to us, they can also be a great curse. Many a man acted rashly in a moment of hot temper based on feeling, only to regret it on the morrow in the cool light of a new day. We can think of all types of thoughts which in turn induce all manner of feelings, but we can be totally wrong in our thinking!! Only a fool allows his life to be governed by his feelings.
In this sermon, we look at feelings, decisions, and the desperate need for godly counsel.
Genesis 1:1-3
It is upon my heart to speak to you about the spiritual stirrings of God amidst unfavourable times of spiritual depression!! Is this not an apt topic for the crisis hour in which we find ourselves? As I look around, after the natural eye, I don’t find much encouragement outwardly to commend much hope to my soul. As a nation, spiritually, we’re not in a good place — darkness covers the face of the deep, and by all natural reasoning, it seems that the light has been extinguished, never to rise upon the land again!! Yet, as one traces the moving of the Spirit in the history of the pages of God’s Word, one sees time and again, where darkness abounded, the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the deep and God said, let there be light and there was light!!
It is my firm conviction, that God is at work, stirring the hearts of His people to pray because it is His desire to move again in revival power!
David Donovan brings a very powerful word on the primary need for godliness! May the Lord greatly minister to your heart.
For more information about the ministry of New Foundations, please visit: https://newfoundations.org.uk/
Luke 22:31-34
On 3 September 1939, France declared war on Germany following the German invasion of Poland. Between 10 May and 22 June 1940, in a six-week lightning campaign, Germany’s armed forces overran Holland, Belgium, and Luxemburg, humiliating the British and defeating the French. During the fighting, the British, French, and Belgium forces had been pushed back to the French Port of Dunkirk. Hundreds of thousands of allied troops were left stranded on the beaches of Dunkirk, surrounded by massive German armies consisting of many more troops and tanks — it seemed an almost foregone conclusion. Knowing the peril of the moment, on May 24th, 1940, King George VI addressed the British nation, calling for a national day of prayer! On that self-same day, for reasons still unknown, Hitler suddenly and unexpectedly commanded the advancing Panzer tanks to halt, giving the allied forces 3 invaluable days of reprieve. On May 26th, 1940 the nation of Britain went to prayer committing their cause to Almighty God, imploring Him for divine intervention! Millions across the British Isles filed into Churches, and in some quarters, chapels were filled to overflowing. Now what happened next cannot be humanly explained. For the next nine days, some 338,000 troops were evacuated from the port and beaches of Dunkirk right in the face of the Germans! The allied forces may have lost the battle at Dunkirk but they went on to win the war!!
This sermon is an encouragement to those who may have lost battles in this Christian fight. You may have lost a battle, but you have not lost the war! There’s a work that God has for you to do. The time for licking your wounds is over and it’s time again to join the fight.
Luke 6:27-36
In his classic commentary on the Bible, Adam Clarke writes concerning mercy: “A merciful or compassionate man easily forgets injuries; pardons them without being solicited; and does not permit repeated returns of ingratitude to deter him from doing good, even to the unthankful and the unholy”. Can I ask you? Are you merciful? Do you extend mercy towards those who wrong you? I understand all about justice and principles, “...they’ve done this to me and so why should I show them kindness in return?” Dear soul, allow mercy to have its work in you, and you’ll soon be extending the hand of grace!! Hear the words of Jesus Christ, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Lk. 6:36).
Acts 23:23-24
When we think of the life of the Apostle Paul, many of us if we’re not careful, can have a distorted view of how things really were for this man of God. We look at the self-professed Apostles of today and by comparison, they live like superstars. From the very start, the Lord gave word to Ananias, “...Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake” (Acts 9:15-16). How would you fancy a call like that? Paul didn’t shrink away from this calling but embraced it!
This sermon is a call to embrace the cross of Jesus Christ. There are no coincidences with God. “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
Genesis 14:14
One of the most ancient strategies of war is that of ambush. As one looks a little closer at what is entailed in an ambush, two key ingredients will come up again and again — surprise and concealment! One dictionary defines ambush as “an act of hiding, waiting for others to appear, and then suddenly attacking them”. One of the hardest things to respond to is an ambush, you simply don’t see it coming!!! You’re caught left-field when your guard is down when you least suspect it, and inevitably, you’re fighting from the disadvantage of recovery. We have a common foe who is not unaccustomed to this mode of war. Satan is a dirty fighter and we must learn how to stand our ground on the day of his special assault. Play the man, stand firm in the fight, and see what God will do!
James 1:5-8
There are many things in life that a man seeks after, much by a way of desire that his soul longs for. Some seek after riches, while others seek fame; some seek after happiness, and others peace of mind; some seek after freedom and others find fulfilment in family. May I ask you, what it is that you seek after? What is that prized possession that your heart goes a longing for?
I think of a man by the name of King Solomon. If ever a man had riches, it was he, if ever a man had a reputation, he was unequalled! Yet, for all his many qualities, none were comparable to that one defining quality of wisdom that singularly set this king apart! Would you have the wisdom to know what to do in any given situation? Would you have the understanding to discern between good and evil? “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (Jms. 1:5)
Hebrews 13:1
Here we are again, revisiting a topic that I know each one of you are only too familiar with. You say, Preacher, isn’t there something else we can study besides this matter of love? Is there not some other treasure that you can unearth for us from Holy Writ? Brother, that’s like saying, we’ve had enough of you mining for gold, isn’t there something else you can unearth, like silver or tin, or a lump of iron or copper? Well, I can, but you do realise that these other metals whilst important are not to be compared with the precious worth of gold? As pertaining to that first commandment of importance, that “…royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Jms. 2:8), it has no equal...no rival by which to compare. It stands in a league of its own, chief among the metals!
Of all the many aspects of love, one could choose to look at, in this sermon we choose to look at the continuation of love seen in the exhortation given to the Hebrews, “Let brotherly love continue”.
1 Corinthians 1:1
In this sermon, three points are raised pertaining to the would-be Christian Worker that are indispensable if one would work for Jesus Christ. #1. The nature of the Christian worker, #2. The call of the Christian worker and #3. The labour of the Christian worker. May you prayerfully consider each of these points and examine your life in the light of them.
Matthew 11:28-30
On 6 February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the first ever British monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee. Seven months after celebrating this epic event, she departed from this world. Tomorrow (Monday 19th September 2022), the body of Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest next to her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh in the King George VI Memorial Chapel inside the walls of Windsor Castle. Her state funeral will be attended by more than 2000 official guests, including hundreds of heads of state and foreign dignitaries, spanning the Commonwealth and beyond. It is expected that more than 4 billion people from around the world will watch the state funeral live, smashing the record for the most-watched broadcast of all time. Now while there will be millions turning up in London to show their support, and billions tuning in across the world to watch it via broadcast, one thing is for sure, there won’t be anywhere near that number of people present inside Westminster Abbey! Attendance to the Abbey this Monday is by Royal invitation only! Now whilst this royal invite is restricted to a few thousand, the invitation that I want to draw to your attention this morning is unrestricted! It too is a Royal invitation, albeit not from the potentates of this world. The King who extends the Royal invitation before us this morning is unrivaled in majesty, unlimited in power and His reign knows no end of days. You say, what is the invitation? It is an invitation to come!! Who will take Him up on this invite?
Exodus 23:23-33
I’ll never forget the words of the late Vance Havner, that mighty prophet of a bygone era; though he hath since passed into glory, his witty words have been left unto us as gold and precious stones. He said this, “When the Lord's white sheep become dirty grey, all the black sheep feel more comfortable”. We are living in a day where sin is tolerated in the personal lives of God’s people and excused from the pulpit in every quarter.
Are you tolerating things in your life that you know you shouldn’t? Sins which God has shone light upon and yet you won’t put them out of your lives!! Have you let the Canaanites live in the land — the Hivite, and the Hittite, when the clear command of God was to destroy them!?
2 Timothy 2:20-21
As one looks within the Body of Christ today at large, no matter which direction one casts their sight to look, one thing very readily becomes apparent, namely this, want of vessels for the service of the King! Where are the vessels of honour? Where are the vessels of use? It’s not any vessel that is of use to God but, “...a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use”. Even the very standards of the world would allow for the same. What diplomat sitting at the table of royalty, has food served to them on paper plates? Why the best bone china is kept in reserve for such an occasion! Which guest attending a state banquet, is served wine in plastic beakers? Rather, the best glassware is brought out for such regal events.
Are you one such vessel of use? A vessel unto honour, meet for the Master’s use? May the Lord minister to your heart and prepare you as such for His glory!
Session 7 of 7
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Session 7 of 7
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Session 6 of 7
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Pastor Jason Wright brings a timely Word in season to the Body of Christ concerning the Rechabites. Though this is a historical account, it is saturated in meaning and application for the New Covenant believer.
Pastor Jason Wright brings a timely Word in season to the Body of Christ concerning the Rechabites. Though this is a historical account, it is saturated in meaning and application for the New Covenant believer.
Luke 22:24-27
The world today would tell us, that it is the lesser who serves the greater. Jesus takes the economy of the world and flips it on its head by saying, “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth” (Lk. 22:27).
Have you a servant's heart? Have you a heart to serve? Do you count it a privilege to serve others, or is the privilege the other way around, when others serve you? When there is a need in front of you, what’s your response? Someone else will sort it, or do you count it your responsibility and privilege to try to meet that need? I see many within the Body of Christ at large clamouring for positions and gifts, but what for, if they have not first learnt the rudimentary ABCs of Christian service? Position in the Church is NOT for honour, but for SERVICE!!!
2 Kings 2:1-14
Dr. David Donovan and his wife Shirley head up a medical mission to the Niger Delta called New Foundations. David shares about the work of New Foundations and intermingles this with a timely message from the Word of God. I pray that the Lord uses this message to bless your heart!
2 Kings 2:1-14
Dr. David Donovan and his wife Shirley head up a medical mission to the Niger Delta called New Foundations. David shares about the work of New Foundations and intermingles this with a timely message from the Word of God. I pray that the Lord uses this message to bless your heart!
Mark 12:28-34
Concerning the Old Mosaic Covenant, Jewish tradition puts the total number of commandments at 613. 248 positive commandments to DO, and 365 negative commandments NOT to do. Although various Rabbinic scholars have sought to compile a list of these commands, there have been slight disagreements on their precise number due to technicalities.
When asked by a Scribe, which is the greatest commandment, our Lord did not begin with "do this and don’t do that", but on the contrary, He proceeded to give the Shema. “Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord”. Having established the unity of God, what is to be our reasonable response to the worship of this One, True, Supreme Being? “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).
Psalm 127:1
Before the invention of the engine, there were only two ways to power a sea vessel; by human power or by nature’s power. You could row a boat or sail a boat!! Without a doubt, rowing involves far more effort on the part of man than does sailing. Those oars must be pulled through the waters at speed enough to create a drag that propels the boat forward. Stop rowing and the boat stops with it! On the other hand, a sailing boat is oarless, and the means by which it is propelled is not by hand, but by the wind. The art of sailing is setting the sail to the wind!!
The Western Church functions today like a rowing boat. Its source of propulsion is based upon the principle of human power. Rowing strength is the model upon which it is founded. Oh, how we need a divine interruption into the mundane affairs of Churchianity! How we need so desperately to see the utter futility of our endless Church activities in the absence of the presence of God the Holy Ghost!!! Oh, how we need the fresh wind of revival to blow again amidst us that we might set our sails to the wind. Do it again Lord!
Jeremiah 17:5-8
I don’t know if you’ve ever had the pleasurable experience of tracing the path of a river as it meanders through the iconic English countryside. It is a sight to behold. The ’S’ curved bends of the river as it winds its way round hill and gully. The flowing currents, sometimes gentle, sometimes fierce. The exposed banks of the river with their clayey substrate. All makes for a most tranquil experience amidst the dragonflies and bees! But with that said, this picturesque scene is not complete without mention of the mighty trees that hug the river's course. If you know anything about trees, you will know that beneath the surface of the soil there lies an extensive root system. Oftentimes, the tree’s roots will spread as wide as the tree is tall. It’s through these roots that the tree will absorb the vast majority of its water intake and it’s through these roots that stability is offered to the tree.
A tree with no roots is a dead tree! A tree with shallow roots is a vulnerable tree! But a tree with good strong roots is a healthy tree!! It is the will of God for all of His children to grow up unto maturity and to become as mighty oaks. May this sermon be of edification to you, to this end.
Galatians 5:1
Part 1 of 2
Having asked the question last week, “Which Covenant?”, and having answered it conclusively with authority from the Word of God; I want now in this second teaching part, to go on to look at the nature of this New Covenant as it pertains to justification and sanctification.
When one understands the true nature of the Old Covenant as contrasted with that of the New, how could anyone ever want to go back? “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1).
Part 1 of 2 I stand as a watchman to lift my voice in warning, against a movement that is fast growing in momentum across the evangelical world. Some call it Hebrew Roots, others call it Torah Observant Christianity — call it what you like, the overriding emphasis is the same. They tell us that the Gentile Church has been infected with Greek culture and needs desperately to return to its Jewish roots from whence it came!! When asked what this “returning to its Jewish roots” looks like, one is speedily pointed to Moses and told that in order to be a faithful follower of Yeshua, you must keep Torah! Dietary Laws, Sabbath Laws, the Feasts and Festivals; if we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, then we must do so as Torah observing Christians!
When everything has been said and done, the golden question that every professing believer in Jesus Messiah must answer is this; “Which Covenant are you Under?”. To whom will you pledge your allegiance, Moses or Jesus Christ? You cannot serve both!
Rebecca Cranch shares a powerful and moving testimony of God's faithfulness in the birth of her precious son Tobias!
2 Samuel 21:15-22
As I look at the spiritual condition of the Church in this country, I’ve no other way to explain it, except to say that we’re in a spiritual crisis. As you turn on the news this evening, the headlines sound loud and clear, there’s a coming global famine, and we must prepare for it!! Headlines like this, make us sit up and take note, yet what if I was to tell you that we are already in the midst of a famine, right here in Great Britain. You say what!! I didn’t know that!! I ate breakfast this morning, and I have a lovely dinner in the fridge waiting for me when I get home! Now of course, when I speak of famine, I’m not speaking of famine for bread, I speak of famine of hearing the Word of the LORD!!
This sermon is a call and a challenge for leadership to rise up in this hour and be counted for the Lord. It’s no time for cowardice, God is looking for men of courage.
1 Kings 18:36-39
It’s commonly been said, “God helps those who help themselves”. Without a doubt, this is one the most oft-quoted phrases that many are fond of repeating, but did you know, it‘s nowhere to be found in the Bible? All around us, we witness the sobering reality of spiritual dearth across the nation, both in the Church and out. The Church resolves to pull itself up by their proverbial bootstraps; we’ll be alright she says, but Brethren, it’s too late in the hour for such fanciful thinking, the need is too great! We need God!! “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” (Ps. 18:6).
The question posed in this featured sermon is this: “When Do We Need Revival?”. The question is answered in three points; the Church of Jesus Christ needs revival when #1. It has lost the fear of God, #2. It has lost the power of God, and #3. It has lost the call of God. May the Lord graciously minister in each one of our lives, as we give ourselves to seek His face for mercy.
Galatians 5:1
I stand as a watchman to lift my voice in warning, against a movement that is fast growing in momentum across the evangelical world. Some call it Hebrew Roots, others call it Torah Observant Christianity — call it what you like, the overriding emphasis is the same. They tell us that the Gentile Church has been infected with Greek culture and needs desperately to return to its Jewish roots from whence it came!! When asked what this “returning to its Jewish roots” looks like, one is speedily pointed to Moses and told that in order to be a faithful follower of Yeshua, you must keep Torah! Dietary Laws, Sabbath Laws, the Feasts and Festivals; if we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, then we must do so as Torah observing Christians!
When everything has been said and done, the golden question that every professing believer in Jesus Messiah must answer is this; “Which Covenant are you Under?”. To whom will you pledge your allegiance, Moses or Jesus Christ? You cannot serve both!!
Philippians 2:1-11
There are some things in this life that can only be truly understood by divine revelation. No amount of seeing will ever see, and no matter how many times one might hear a thing proclaimed, it’s not until the penny drops that one really hears for the very first time!! I do not think that one can begin to comprehend, Calvary’s dying love, without the aid of divine revelation, given them by God.
In this sermon, we attempt by God’s grace to walk through the first eleven verses of Philippians and to behold the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ. In light of the depth of such humility, an exhortation is given to s, to walk in the same.
Acts 3:19
Why is it that so many who name the name of Jesus Christ, can’t ever seem to break free from the cycle of “struggle”; never coming to a place of spiritual maturity in their lives, never seeming to be able to overcome the besetting sins that have so easily entangle them for years?
At the heart of the issue lies a life that is un-surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and until one turns in full repentance, one will never know the taste of victory.
Genesis 21:1-8
Patience is one of those virtues that we all speak about, but none of us really like to experience it. It’s a bit like “saving”, who likes to save when you can spend! Well similarly, who likes to have to endure the pain of waiting when you can have it now!! The whole of Western consumerism is built on this model— if you want it now, you can have it now!!
Solomon wrote, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Prov. 13:12). Why does God then delay? Does He not want His children happy? Our Heavenly Father is of greater substance than that! He cares for more than our mere happiness, it is character that God’s after!! He wants to work in us the precious virtue of patience so that we might stand complete in Him by faith!
Genesis 3:1-7
Faith is to undergird our whole Christian experience, without it, we cannot function!! There is an enemy of our souls who well knows this fact. You don’t need me to tell you that we are in a spiritual battle — we feel its effects hourly!! As believers in Christ, we are not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices, lest he should gain an advantage over us (2 Cor. 2:11).
One of Satan’s modes of attack is to sow seeds of doubt into the mind of the Christian so as to take from under our feet, our ground of confidence in God. By looking at three examples in the Bible, we learn more about this scheme of assault and how we are to overcome it!
Mark 4:23
Four pastors were discussing the merits of the various translations of the Bible. One liked a particular version best because of its simple, beautiful English. Another preferred a more scholarly edition because it was closer to the original Hebrew and Greek. Still another liked a contemporary version because of its up-to-date vocabulary. The fourth minister was silent for a moment, then said, “I like my mother’s translation best.” Surprised, the other three men said they didn’t know his mother had translated the Bible. “Yes,” he replied. “She translated it into life, and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw.
Let him that has an ear to hear, hear.
Numbers 13:26-33
How many know that the God of history, is the same God of the present? God is known by His attributes - those characteristics and qualities which define His person and nature. For some, studying these divine attributes is nothing more than an academic exercise. Instead of the knowledge of the Holy impacting the life, for many, it merely impacts the head. Friends, God reveals Himself to us, not because He has an inferiority complex, but in order that we might know Him and in so doing draw near to Him in full assurance of faith.
In this featured sermon, we look at two of God’s attributes, namely, His omnipotence and His faithfulness. Please rest assured, this shall be no dull exercise. As we turn to look at the account of the twelve spies and the bringing up of their report to the people, we shall see that while the overwhelming majority saw only danger; two were able by faith to see past the danger unto the promised blessing because they were fully persuaded in the nature of the God who had said go up! May this sermon both challenged and encouraged you to trust the Lord so as never to retreat.
2 Chronicles 36:14-20
One of the fundamental ways by which we can know the nature and the character of God is by the attributes which He has chosen to reveal about Himself in Holy Scripture. These attributes define His person —His eternality, his sovereignty, his omnipotence and omniscience, and His spiritual and triune nature. These very attributes define His character —His love, His grace, His holiness; His justice and righteousness; His faithfulness and mercy.
In this sermon, we look at two cardinal attributes of God, namely His mercy and His wrath. May the Lord be pleased to open the understanding of our eyes to see Him in His true glory and majesty.
Hebrews 3:12-13 The little phrase, “take heed”, appears more than 50 times in the Word of God. It may only be a tiny phrase consisting of two words but boy does it pack a punch and fire a shot across the bows. It is a phrase of warning; a sound of alarm; like a bell ringing or the town crier heralding FIRE!!, so the words “take heed” call immediately to arrest one’s attention. When one sees the words BEWARE, DANGER AHEAD, it is only a fool who chooses to ignore them to his own destruction.
In this sermon, a strong warning goes forth to those who name the name of Jesus Christ. Play with sin to your ruin! God is calling, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts!
Revelation 2:1-7
The Church in Ephesus was a Church that was in declension in regards to love. They had departed from that they once knew in glowing fervour and had grown cold in that most vital of areas. The heat of the battle had done something to them. All that contention against the false had jaded their glow of love. Simply put, their love had grown cold in Jesus because they had lost that vital love relation with Him!! Oh, Brethren, if this can happen in a marriage, it can happen with the Lord. We grow estranged. Other things come in, we stop spending devotional time with Him and before we know it, we’re going through the religious motions. What effect do you think it will have on other relationships? Cold here...cold everywhere!!!! Brethren, it is our God-given responsibility to love others, but we can’t love as we ought without the Lord!!
Matthew 26:17-25
Imagine being seated around the table on the night of the Last Supper with the twelve. As you’re enjoying some last and final moments together with the Lord, Jesus suddenly turns and interjects these words, “...Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me”. You try to compose yourself — who’s He talking to? Has an unwanted guest snuck in among us? Looking around, you realise, no, it’s only us—the twelve. We who have been His companions for the last 3½ years. We ate together, drank together, and slept together under the same canopy of night. We seldom ever left his side, how could it be that one of us should now betray him?
Having no idea or suspicion as to who the Lord could possibly be pointing to, they began each of them to point the finger at themselves! Oh, Brethren, we have a great need in this deceitful and perilous hour, to put the spotlight on ourselves and to ask the Lord this question in earnest. “Lord, is it I?”
1 Thessalonians 5:25
Some of the most profound and sublime truths in life are not found in the abundance of paragraphs, but in the trimmed leanness of a single sentence. Take for instance the sentence, “I love you” — it’s not rocket science, you don’t need a degree to understand its meaning, and yet it speaks a thousand words. How about, “I’m sorry” — two words strung together in three syllables, taking a single second to say, and yet how much irreversible damage could have been prevented if someone would only have stood up to say these elementary words, “I’m sorry”. How many wars could have been averted? How many innocent lives could have been saved from premature death?
In this sermon, we take just four words at the close of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians as the subject matter for consideration. Four words, don’t seem like a lot, but as we shall see, the strength and power of these words are life-changing!
Isaiah 40:1-2
Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament Scriptures, and one of the most quoted books, second only to that of Psalms. It has been referred to by scholars as a miniature Bible. There are 66 Books in the Bible, and there are 66 chapters in the Book of Isaiah. There are two divisions in the Bible, and there are two divisions in the Book of Isaiah. The first part of the Bible (OT) is comprised of 39 Books, and the second (NT) is comprised of 27 Books. The Book of Isaiah? Ditto...39 chapters in the first division (1-39), 27 chapters in the second (40-66).
It is my heart to walk you through just one chapter — the first of the second great division, Isaiah chapter 40. As we walk together through this chapter, you will see that the central theme so prevalent in the second half of this Book —hope, the future restoration of Israel, salvation through her Messiah, is here found in this single opening chapter. It is my hope that we might fix our eyes on God so as to be encouraged.
Nehemiah 4:1-6
When God begins to stir the hearts of His people to a work that He has determined to do, you can be sure of one thing; the devil will also stir the hearts of his own subjects to rise up in opposition against it. There’s scarcely a work that God has ever set about to do, that has not gone without such opposition. In the days of Nehemiah, God was at work in the rebuilding of the city walls and sure to form, Sanballat and his men opposed the work with one objective in mind, the hinder the work and to cause it to stop.
This sermon is an encouragement to all who are part of living work in this last hour. The work of God shall be opposed, and you too shall suffer blows from the enemy, but be of good courage, the Lord is with you in the work for good, and he shall bring it to completion!!
Hebrews 12:1-2
A man’s sickness is known by his symptoms. The symptom is not the sickness, but rather, the symptom is the indicator of the sickness present. As I look around at the Church of Jesus Christ in the West, I don’t know any other way to say it, I see a sick Church. You say, Brother, judge not, and I say, Brother, how can I not when the symptoms are staring me in the face!! When a man’s temperature is registering 42 degrees C on the thermometer and his face as pale as a sheet, I’m not waiting to ask him how he feels, I’m calling the doctor!!
In like manner, when you see a Church that has lost its appetite for doctrine/teaching, it is symptomatic of a Church that is sick with sin!! This sermon is a call for the purity of the Body of Christ.
Psalms 57:1
If I was to task a man with the arduous job of naming the greatest hymn ever written, I’m sure that opinions would abound. Take, for instance, Charles Wesley; it has been calculated that he wrote no fewer than 6000 hymns during his lifetime. Of these 6000, many are in agreement in concluding that the greatest of these (and arguably they would say, the greatest hymn ever written) is the hymn, “Jesus, Lover of my Soul”. No one is quite certain as to the events that led Charles to pen these words. One story tells how that on one Atlantic crossing, as Charles returned to England, a frightening storm arose at sea. Just as it seemed that the ship would go down, threatening to take all on board with it, a frightened bird flew into Wesley’s cabin through an open window and sought safety and protection in the folds of his coat!
Jesus, Lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high:
hide me, O my Savior, hide,
till the storm of life be past;
safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me!
All my trust on thee is stayed;
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.
Matthew 24:3-14
Some view the Christian race as a 100 m dash. On your marks…get set…go!!! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and it's over! However, as one looks in the text of Holy Scripture, one quickly discovers that the Christian race is no 100m dash, but a marathon of lasting endurance! In this sermon, we look at two indispensables that are necessary for Christian perseverance. There’s a race to run dear Christian; let us run the race with endurance so as to finish!
1 John 2:12-14
What man plants a sapling, who upon his return ten years later, does not expect to find a fruit-yielding tree? Imagine the horror at discovering that the bendy sapling is no further on in its progression as in the day it was first planted. If it is an apple tree or a pear tree, we’d expect that tree to have come to maturity, and the sign of its maturity would be the beautiful fruit hanging from every branch. As it is in the natural, so it also ought to be in the spiritual!! Tell me, is the maturing of your spiritual man in proportion to the length of years you’ve walked with the Lord? It is the heart of our Lord to see His children go on to spiritual maturity, growing from little children to young men, to fathers.
Let us prepare our hearts as to what we will do with what is said in this heart-searching sermon.
1 John 1:5-7
There’s something about light — its piercing rays of glory, its all-pervading brilliance, is no match for the darkened shadows cast by nature's night. I find that for so many, though they name the name of Christ, they are content to live in the bluey shades of the twilight hours when Christ is calling them into the brightness of daylight. Neither hot nor cold, neither wicked nor good — they’re content to pitch their tent in no man's land between the borders of heaven and hell. As I look at the Bible, I don’t see any shades of grey, just life, and death, light, and darkness, day and night. If this is so, why then do we allow for shades of grey in our lives? This is a call to walk in the light!!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
The athlete on the field of games is not passive. There’s no passivity about him — see him on the starting line, he’s not passive; he is thinking through the race before him, he’s focussed. Everything about the life of an athlete is disciplined. You name the sport, and I’ll show you an Olympian that’s under the rule of discipline. What he eats, what he drinks, what time he lies down to sleep, what time he rises up again; the intense training schedule for the space of four years, in season and out of season. The Apostle Paul draws on this powerful and well-known imagery to make his point. How run ye, O Christian?
2 Chronicles 26:1-5
When God brings His people from one season into another, they must give careful attention and purposeful thought as to how they intend to meet this new environment. I’ve come to learn over the years that change for some, while it ought to have been the best thing to have ever come their way; proved at last to be their undoing!
A man can begin in the lowly shadows of obscurity, and behold as he rises through the ranks of success, he can find at last, he’s not the man he was at the first. Success has gotten to his head; prosperity has clouded his vision, fogged his thinking, and corrupted his mind. I find that a man needs to be on guard at all times, but none more so than in the midst of blessing.
Luke 9:51
Many are waiting upon God in the place of prayer, and one day, God is going to answer. On the day of His answering, the day of waiting has come to end, and the time for action has now come! Play the man Christian soldier, God shall not fail thee!! When God says GO, it’s no time to procrastinate, it’s time to act!
Proverbs 29:25
When you’re standing at the crossroads of life and you don’t know what to do. Far from being at a place of loss, the child of God is afforded an opportunity to enquire of the Lord. “If any man lacks wisdom (James says), let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him”. Brothers and Sisters, in the presence of fear and uncertainty, will you enquire at the mouth of the Lord? He has something to say about your circumstance if you would but seek Him, and when He speaks, be sure to obey, and He will lead you through!
Matthew 9:37-38
In November of last year, thousands of care workers up and down the UK were forced out of their jobs in a sector which as it stands is already facing a daunting shortage of more than 100,000 workers. The care sector is not alone in this crisis. The NHS is facing the same problem. According to the latest NHS figures, 85,000 of its staff have still not had a Covid vaccine and a further 40,000+ have only had the first of two required jabs. All face immediate dismissal on 31st March on this year, from a sector which is also facing at present, a 100,000 staff shortfall. But it’s not just healthcare. Last month, the Education Secretary, called for ex-teachers to come out of retirement to help bridge the gap of staff illnesses in schools across the UK. Staff shortages are spreading to almost every part of the economy, ranging from haulage to hospitality.
While this world’s workforce is in short supply, the Kingdom of Heaven’s workforce is also in the same. If God was to put out an advertisement, nailing it to every Church door across this land, do you want to know what it would say? Two words; “SHORT STAFFED”. Underneath the headline caption, would be the reference Mt. 9:37-38. “...The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest”.
Acts 2:41-47
We live in a world where we’re continually told that change is good. Whether it be the political sphere or the workplace environment; education or the arts — to remain constant and the same is deemed to be a failure. I remember as a teacher, working in secondary education, it was frowned upon if you stayed too long teaching in the same school. It was an unspoken rule that every five years or so you were supposed to move on by means of promotion — climbing the career ladder of success, jumping from one school to another. I thank God Brethren, that some things in life are constant and never changing. I thank God that He is unchanging in His nature and that His Holy Word is also unchanging.
In this sermon, we look at the four great unchanging pillars of the Church of Jesus Christ that ought to characterise its coming together in every generation – The Word of God, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers.
Romans 6:1-14
What soldier is armed with an ornamental sword, to take to the field of battle? Outwardly, it appears shiny behold, but when drawn from its sheath the soldier finds the blade is blunt! So many Christians, arm themselves with the great positional statements of Holy Scripture, and yet when asked to see the evidence of such truths in the life of their experience, they are unable to furnish the proof.
This sermon is a challenge calling for the rubber of our theology to meet the road of our experience!
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Just this past week, I was enjoying a moment, reading a book when I came across a statement that beautifully ministered to my heart. It involves a Pastor and a particular lady who came forward in one of his meetings. I’ll allow the Pastor to tell it in his own words: “She was somewhat timid and quiet, and she brought with her another lady for moral support. She said, “Brother...would you please pray that I will be bold and confident? I answered her request by saying “No. I will not.” Oh, I said it in a loving and gentle way, and then I explained why. I said, “Listen, God has given you a gift, and you don’t realize what that gift is. The gift is weakness, and as long as you recognize your weakness, it will drive you to God. But if I pray, and all of a sudden you have confidence and boldness in yourself, you will not need God’s help anymore.” Two days later she came to me in that conference, took me by the hand, and said, “Brother...thank you. Nobody has ever told me that my weakness is a gift, and now that I understand it, I can honestly say it’s driven me to God”.
May God speak to your heart through this sermon!
Acts 2:1-4
God’s ways are never discernable by sight! So many desire that God would speak while the conditions appear favourable. But this is not how it works. While Sarah was yet barren, God said to Abraham, “I will make of thee a great nation” (Gen. 12:2). While Elizabeth was yet barren and past the age of childbearing, the angel said to Zachariah, “Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John” (Lk. 1:13).
This sermon is an encouragement and a call for the Body of Christ to place their trust in the God who cannot fail. Delay is inevitable, but if God has spoken, He will surely bring it to pass. Let us not lose heart, we serve a God of the suddenly. Let us trust Him and as we trust Him, let us wait in hope for that which we do not yet see. As we hope, let us also pray and prepare ourselves for the day of God’s sudden visitation!
Colossians 3:15
We live in a generation where a growing disregard for basic manners is fast becoming the norm. One can teach a youngster the practice of good etiquette — “Don’t speak with your mouth full”, “Don’t interrupt a conversation”, “Knock before you enter” — the P’s and Q’s — yes please, no thank you, excuse me. All of these we can and should teach our children; yet I find, for all our instructing regarding the letter of etiquette, we cannot impart the spirit of it.
The children of God ought to be the most grateful people on planet earth; yet, if I was to ask how much time is spent, in us thanking God for the gracious benefits bestowed upon us, the answer would be sorrowful. This sermon is a teaching and exhortation to thanksgiving. May you be challenged, changed, and edified.
Ephesians 4:1-6
This world that we presently call home; this fading temporary abode, is a world that stands fiercely divided. Now, of course, I don’t refer to the physical landmass we call planet earth, I speak of the people who populate it. On every hand as one beholds, one sees division and schism — person against person, tribe against tribe, kingdom against kingdom and, nation against nation. Despite the efforts of global diplomacy and political treaties, there’s one thing that man will never legislate, and that is true lasting peace.
While a world stands divided, the Church of Jesus Christ is called to be united!! For what did our Lord Jesus pray in that great high priestly prayer on the eve of His crucifixion? “That they all may be divided?” No!! “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (Jn. 17:21).
Jeremiah 12:1-5
The year was 1944 when the Communist party seized power in Romania. Literally overnight, a million Russian troops poured onto the soil of Romania. In what was heralded as the “freeing” of Romania, saw instead, women raped, shops looted, men robbed and murdered. Christians were imprisoned, tortured, kidnapped, and murdered for possessing the same faith as you and I. Romania, which had formerly been dubbed “the granary of Europe”, became a starvation camp. Yet despite this, in the years leading up to this brutal persecution, God in His faithfulness had been preparing His people for the horrors of the Communist Regime through the afflictions of the Nazi backed “Iron Guard” who too persecuted Christians in the run-up to the Communist takeover of Romania.
A Christian Pastor, writing of his experiences during this said this: “My wife and I were arrested several times, beaten, and hauled before Nazi judges. The Nazi terror was great, but only a taste of what was to come under the Communists. My son, Mihai, had to assume a non-Jewish name to prevent his death. But these Nazi times had one great advantage. They taught us that physical beatings could be endured, and that the human spirit with God's help can survive horrible tortures. They taught us the technique of secret Christian work, which was a preparation for a far worse ordeal to come; an ordeal that was just before us”. I want to tell you Brothers and Sisters; before God asks His people to sit the final exam, He first enters them for the mock. God prepares His people Saints of God — He prepares us for battle in the school of His training.
Deuteronomy 8:1-6
Horatio Spafford was a Presbyterian layman from Chicago and was a successful lawyer and businessman. Humanly speaking, this man had everything going for him. He loved the Lord and was happily married with five beautiful children. However, things were about to take a drastic and sudden turn, in a series of events reminiscent of the life of Job. Spafford had heavily invested in real estate along Lake Michigan’s shoreline but in the great Chicago Fire of 1871, he tragically lost everything! If that wasn’t bad enough, shortly before this, he lost his only son to scarlet fever at the tender age of four. With a grieving wife, Horatio Spafford decided to send her and their four daughters across to England where he planned imminently to join them. In 1873, his family boarded the S.S Ville du Havre and set sail for England; but as the ship crossed the Atlantic Ocean, tragedy struck when the ship collided with another sea vessel. Within just 12 minutes the ship had sunk taking the lives of 226 of her passengers. When survivors finally reached dry land, Horatio Spafford received a telegram from Cardiff, Wales. It was from his precious wife Anna; the first two words read; “Saved alone...”. As Horatio journeyed to meet his grieving wife, the captain, aware of the tragedy, invited Spafford to join him in the cockpit, pointing out to him the location where he believed the ship had sunk. With this, Horatio rushed off to his room where he penned the words to a poem by the name of “Ville du Havre”. We know the name of that poem today as the hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul”.
So many I find are content to serve the Lord and to speak well in good times when the wind is blowing in a favourable direction. But woe if that wind should suddenly change course; as changes the wind so changes their speech. It is here perhaps most of us all, where the Lord wants to try the substance and quality of our hearts. Will we still be a people of one voice speaking the same things out of season as in season? Can we say in the midst of trial, it is well with my soul?
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
There is a war that has been raging for the last two-thousand years. On one side stand the Saints of God — the army of the Church of Jesus Christ; and on the other side, principalities, and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. If one was to stop the average person in the street and to tell them of this mighty conflict, they would most likely laugh you to scorn. Yet the child of God knows all too well, the reality of this mighty conflict.
In this sermon, we seek to expose the varying methods of the assaults of the devil, in particular, his lying slanders through which he wages war against our minds. I pray that this sermon will be of help to you in this battle.
Romans 5:20-21
I find increasingly of late that cardinal and principal doctrines of the Christian faith are being called into question, not (I might add) from those outside the fold, but on the contrary, from those who claim to be inside the fold. Long established doctrines of the most immanent importance are simply being brushed aside and labelled as questionable. One such doctrine that is being brushed aside as take it or leave it, is the doctrine of original sin. The increasing denial of this doctrine among professing Christians is increasing and as believers, we must be absolutely clear about what this doctrine is and why it is a fundamental and non-negotiable element to our faith.
2 Peter 3:1-15
From way back when and from days of old, there have been scoffers and mockers that have made it their duty of responsibility to poke fun at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. “You Christians have been saying that Jesus is coming back since supposedly He left the first time!!” “Two thousand years have passed and where is the promise of His coming?” “Grandad Mack said He was coming in his day and his relatives before him said exactly the same...where is He? All things continue as they have from the beginning of time!!” You’d think that such people had read the Second Epistle of Peter for that’s exactly what he said they’d say!
This sermon is an urgent call for preparation. Jesus is coming back. When He comes, will you be found of Him in peace?
Pastor Jason Wright brings a thought-provoking and sobering word. Much to chew upon and to take heed.
1 Peter 5:7
In 1740, Charles Wesley penned the words to the timeless hymn, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”. Without question, he had in his mind the words of the sweet psalmist David when he fled from Saul in the cave. “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast” (Ps. 57:1). The first two verses of Wesley’s hymn read as follows:
-
Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high;
hide me, O my Savior, hide,
till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last! -
Other refuge have I none;
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.
We are living in an age of mounting pressure, not least for the Christian. All around we are beset with many cares and vexing thoughts. How are we to bear up under this pressure? What are we to do with all our cares and anxieties? Peter instructs us: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”. I trust that this sermon will offer to you much comfort and encouragement, as you set your heart to serve the Lord amidst a troubled world.
1 Peter 2:2-3
A lot can be gleaned from newborn babies that teach the children of God what it is to hunger and thirst. Peter, instructs believers, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). In the natural, newborn babes have an insatiable thirst and hunger for milk. Peter is saying that this ought to characterise the appetite of the believer in Christ! Have you an appetite for the Word of God? Have you strong cravings, not only to behold it but also to consume it? May God bring each one of us onto higher ground and revive in us an insatiable hunger for His Word.
Mark 10:46-52
Christianity is no passive religion. You don’t get to be an idle bystander while others around you participate. Each and every one of us is called to step into this arena of faith personally, and to walk with God for ourselves; to experience His covenant blessings, to taste of His goodness such that we can appeal to others first-hand (not on the basis of hearsay or another man’s testimony), and say, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Ps. 34:8).
Ephesians 1:13-14
Seldom does the child of God really ponder the eternal treasure laid up for them in heaven. In this sermon, we endeavour to set forth this blessed hope and in so doing, call the Christian to take his eyes from off this world and to put them on the eternal glory to come!
Proverbs 23:22-26
If there’s one Last Days characteristic that has come swiftly upon Western society over the last 60-70 years, it is the flippant and widespread rebellion of children against their parents. It is almost an accepted norm that when children turn teenagers, the relationship between them and their parents breaks down. It used to be that the most important unit in the life a young person was their family. Families are God given institutions of grace. Conduits of His love which provide for children safety and nurture. As Christians, do we not endeavour to raise our children in the fear and discipline of the Lord and to communicate to them in word and deed, the love of Christ. Children are supposed to be among the happiest people on the earth and when they are in the confines of a loving family unit, they generally are! Satan is well aware of this and seeks on every hand to destroy our young ones. How does he do this? He seeks to destroy the family unit!!
This sermon is a call to Fathers and mothers to gain the hearts of their children. It is call by our heavenly Father also, to His children, saying, “Give me your heart”.
Hosea 14
As one reads through the Prophets, whether Major or Minor, Pre-exilic or Post, one is met with a single voice that is unanimous in its cry, certain in its proclamation, and absolute in its conclusion. Though Israel lies presently in a state of unbelief, far away from their God on account of their iniquities; a cry sounds forth from the pages of this precious book that what is at present, shall not always be!!
We look in this sermon at God’s promise of spiritual restoration for the Jewish people at the end of time when Messiah shall come the second time.
1 Corinthians 10:13-14
On every hand, the Christian soldier wars and battles; seldom does he ever get to have a day off. His prime enemies are really two-fold in number, the flesh, and the devil. One must quickly learn to recognise both foes if one is to successfully stand against them so as to secure the victory.
God has promised His children that they are not alone in their hour of temptation. He will not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able to bear, but will with the temptation make a way to escape.
Hebrews 11:6
The writer of Hebrews tells us that “…without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”. One writer, commentating upon this verse said this: “These two elements seem most simple, but, alas, how many professing Christians act as if God were not living; and how many others, though seeking after Him, are not expecting from Him as Rewarder!”.
This sermon is both an encouragement and a challenge. There is simply no other way to walk with God so as to please Him than by faith. The one approaching unto God must be fully persuaded that not only is God able to do what He said he would do; but that He is also willing. We must be convinced not only of God’s power but also of His goodness!
1 Kings 8:27-29
Pastor Jason Wright brings a very timely and relevant message to the Body of Christ. So many are content to accept the status quo, but for those with eyes to see, God is at work in our day! Pastor Jason endeavours to make the biblical link between God’s restoration and His goodness!
Isaiah 6:8-13
Brother Ryan brings a very strong word from the Lord. May you be both challenged and encouraged!
Isaiah 40:31
As human beings, I’ve come to learn that we share a trait that’s common to every one of us. Some perhaps are a little better at this than others, but I’ve come to find at length that the proverb of Solomon is true: “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Prov. 13:12). Who likes to wait? Children I find are worse at this than adults, but then most adults never grow up from this childhood trait. “Mommy, can I have...can I have!” “Daddy, I want...I want!” Have you noticed how closely behind each request, the other follows on its heels? The little darlings try every which way possible to get our attention, and if persistent asking doesn’t work, then there’s always the waterworks!!
As believers in Jesus Christ, we must abandon “self-will” in favour of “God’s will”. This sermon is a strong call to the Body of Christ to learn what it means to wait upon the Lord and in waiting, to pray; not my will, but Thine be done!
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 14)
When one holds the Bible in their hand, one ought to have an immediate sense of feel for what he/she is reading. The Book of Proverbs for instance, is immediately recognisable as being literature of wisdom. The Book of Psalms as poetry. The Gospels as historical and biographical; the epistles as written letters. The thundering “Thus saith the LORD’s” mark out the books of prophecy and the “Thou shalt not’s”, the books of Law. Just as these books have distinguishing factors that serve to identify their type, so it is also when it comes to the Apocalyptic Books - they are instantly recognisable. Both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation carry the hallmarks of apocalyptic literature. Imagery and symbolism pervade the books and the visions and dreams found within, concern themselves with the rise of fall of future empires, not least penultimately, the coming kingdom of the antichrist and the overthrow of this kingdom in the final coming kingdom of Messiah.
In this teaching, we endeavour to equip the student of Scripture with some helpful hints and tips that we trust will enable them to begin the process of interpreting the books of Daniel and Revelation. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying and by the grace of God, light shall be shone into obscurity.
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Proverbs 12:18
As a believer in Jesus Christ, do you still possess the sweetness of the Lord? You’ll note, I said “still”, and that’s because every one of us that are truly Christian have a day and an hour when we were born the second time from above. Just as a certain day marks our physical birth, so a certain day marks our spiritual birth. Do you remember that glad moment, in the hour of your coming to Christ when the light of heavens glory filled your heart? When the love of Christ melted your being, and the love of God was shed abroad in your hearts? What went wrong, from whence did you begin to lose the sweet aroma of His being? I trust that this message will be of help in returning you to your first love.
Proverbs 12:18
It takes just as much physical strength to speak a word in kindness as it does to speak a word in spite; just as much physical effort, to utter a word of encouragement as it does a word of discouragement. The same duration of time is taken, the same linguistical abilities employed, and yet, if we were to take a tally — I fear that there would perhaps be more marks on the side of negative than on the side of positive; more “For’s” on the side of discouragement, than there would be on the side of encouragement. Oh, my dear Brothers and Sisters, this ought not to be!! The cry of the heart of this sermon is, “Lord, make me an encourager!”
Isaiah 61:1
In the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, not everyone welcomed Him. The religious leaders despised Him and could not understand why He would eat with sinners and dine with the publicans. They were of far greater purity to condescend to men of such disrepute. But you see, it was these for whom Christ came. Not for the righteous (those who are well) — they have no need of a doctor and hence do not seek for one. But He came for sinners that they might be made whole!!
Nehemiah 1-6
Pastor John bears his heart with tears for the sad state of the nation and the desperate need for a sovereign move of God in our day. By drawing on the principles laid forth in Nehemiah, John sets before us precious nuggets of truth that we would do well to ponder and apply. May God see fir to richly use this timely and prophetic word for the glory of His holy name and for the blessing of His people.
Habakkuk 3:2
Shared at the Dedication of Bethesda Shalom – 24/07/21
As we witness first-hand in our day, the grievous state of decline in this nation of Great Britain is a state most sorry to behold. The speed at which morality is crumbling away before our very eyes leave us without words to fully articulate the peril of the present hour. I find that in life, it’s far easier and quicker to destroy than it is to erect; to pull down than it is to build up!! Spiritually, we’re sliding into Sodom and plunging into Gomorrah; and while the world travails the broad road to destruction, the professing Church of Jesus Christ has veered off the narrow path and has found its way down to vanity fair! Oh!! do some decry this sad state of affairs and I not join them in lifting up my voice? Do others lament this midnight hour and I not also grieve with them! The hour is late, and the need is desperate.
A heart cry goes forth for God to visit His people in revival. There’s simply no other alternative. God…in wrath, remember mercy!!
Isaiah 42:1-7
There are a number of passages in the Book of Isaiah that have come to be known as the “servant passages”. Some scholars put the number at four, others at five; but what binds each of them together, is their description of Messiah in His lowly mission. There are many titles given to our Lord Jesus in the Bible that speak of His glory and majesty, titles that speak of His power and dominion. Yet, the focus of this sermon is not found in these descriptions, but rather is found in that title which serves well to depict the lowly Lord, namely that of a servant!
Ezra 7:1-10
Ezra was a man of great influence in his day and one who possessed great knowledge of the Word of God. Talk about knowledge? Look no further than the man Ezra, he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses! Talk about pedigree and class? Look no further than the man Ezra, he was a priest of the sons of Aaron! Talk about honour and esteem? The glories of the scribe in his day eclipsed those of the priest! Yet…there was one distinguishing factor that singled this scribe out from among all the other scribes of his day. Not only was Ezra a ready scribe who prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord so as to teach in Israel its statutes and judgments. Ezra set his heart to do it!!!
Ephesians 4:1-6
In John 17, Jesus prayed that “…they all may be one”. He was of course referring to the true Church - those who would come to believe in Him through the Word of the Apostles. This reality has been made possible via the new birth. When one is born again of the Spirit of God, they are grafted into the spiritual Body of Jesus Christ. This is a concrete fact that cannot be disputed. Yet, the great challenge that faces every one of us who names the name of Jesus Christ, is the practical outworking of this reality in a functional, living experience. How does the Body of Christ bring the abstract in line with the concrete? All is brought to light in God’s precious Word!
Genesis 4:7
No soldier goes to the field of battle not knowing the enemy against which he must fight. The Christian wears the badge of many titles—the badge of a son, the badge of a servant; the badge of a disciple and the badge of a friend. The badge of priest and king, yea also of saint and elect. Yet, amidst this decoration of honorary attire, there’s one badge that I left off to mention, which without, his uniform would be incomplete. What badge is this to which I refer? It is the badge of a soldier — a soldier of Jesus Christ!!
Tell me of the foe against which you war? Tell me of the hardships endured on account of this warfare? Where are your scars, where are your victories? Where are our medals of honour...where are your stripes? What is the foe to which I refer? “...sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Gen. 4:7).
Joshua 3:5
No true move of God has ever begun without it first being preceded by prayer. Yet, a praying people prevailed with God in prayer because they were a sanctified people! This message is a clarion call to the Church of Jesus Christ. God is calling for a holy people. It’s time now for God’s children, to put away sin from their midst and prepare their hearts to seek the Lord!! “Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you” (Josh. 3:5).
Note: This is the first sermon ever preached in Bethesda Shalom, formerly known as Providence Baptist Chapel.
Joshua 3:1-4
When one door closes and another opens, it is always a day mixed with both sorrow and joy, and yesterday was no exception. I say sorrow, not because of regret but because the door that is closing leaves behind with it an era that has now come to an end and as one looks back, the memories abound! Memories of God’s faithful dealings, His divine providence, and keeping hand of grace. His faithful provision and steadfast promises which all the way hath proven to be yea and amen! To run a course appointed you by God and to have Him close the door and in its place to open another is a thing to be most cherished. So many bail out on God before the time, but to run the course and to finish the race and then to have God move you on unto things better still; is to have the calm repose and restful assurance that we are right where He would have us to be!!!
This is the last sermon ever preached in the Chapel of Royal School Wolverhampton. We reflect on how the Lord has led us thus far and prepare ourselves for Him bringing us into our new place of meeting. Two things are apparent, the Lord has gone before us and we must seek to follow after in the spirit of earnest prayer!
Revelation 2:1-7
When the glory of God rests upon a servant of God, it is a thing most glorious to behold. There are many great wonders in the world, but none are so wonderful as this. If that be so, then what of the opposite? What of the contrary? If the glory of God resting upon a servant of God is a thing most glorious to behold; then what if that glory was to depart? What if this anointing was to leave? What if favour was to pass no more across the threshold of the stable door? Oh, by reason of the former glory, this must surely be a thing most sorrowful to behold!! It is one thing when the glory of God departs from a person, but what, when the glory departs from a people? The Church in the West is in dire straits. Every week, another Church closes its doors for good; the glory of God departed. We can blame in on Covid and x, y and z; yet the Bible tells us that it is Jesus who removes the candlestick when His Church refuses to repent. This is a sobering reality that we must consider, may the Lord give us the grace to do so.
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 13)
Of all the different literary genres found within the Bible, by far the most unique, is that of prophecy. Where the historical books document history, those books falling under the category of Prophecy have an extra layer to them which documents the future! Who can claim to speak with authority on things that are yet to happen? The best historian can comment on what has past, and to a degree, he can predict what he may think to happen in the future based on past cycles; but at best it is a prediction with much uncertainty attached to it. When it comes however to the predictions made in the Bible, these are not based on a critical examination of data; they are based on “thus saith the LORD”.
In this thirteenth teaching part, we give a basic overview of the Books of Prophecy and offer helps that will aid in their interpretation and application. As part of a teaching series looking at Biblical interpretation, we look holistically at the nature of the books of prophecy themselves, as a pose to the individual prophecies contained within them. We seek to understand the historical setting in which they were written in the hope that one will see the common pattern running throughout.
1 Chronicles 17:1-15
There’s a burning passion that I cannot shake from my being; two things that so grip my heart. #1. the swiftness in which life is passing us by and #2. Our response to this. What is your response to the passing glory of this life and the speed at which it appears for a moment before vanishing away? What are your priorities? Where do your concerns lie? Simply put, for what reason are you living, and for whose glory? Is it for God’s or for your own? His Kingdom or your kingdom? His house or your house? His business or your business? His honour or your honour? I figure that with the few measly years allotted to us, we may as well burn out for Jesus!!! We’ll not regret it for a second, the moment we step out into eternity!
2 Samuel 22
It is no accident that the Psalm contained in 2 Samuel 22 is pretty much a word-for-word repetition of Psalm 18! An accident? Certainly not! When God speaks once, we have reason to listen; but when He speaks twice, we’d better pay attention! We take a look at this precious and much-loved Psalm and in so doing, discover the many testimonies of David declaring the mighty Deliverer with whom he had to do! Oh, that we might come to know His faithful mercies bountifully in our own lives and experiences.
Matthew 12:1-8
Misguided zeal is a dangerous thing and nowhere perhaps is this zeal more deadly than when framed within a religious context. There is no underestimating what man will do for God, and the devil knows this, which is why it is his vehicle of choice so commonly used to insight men to injure his neighbour. What saith our Lord? What is the end of all divine commandments? “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mt. 22:36-39).
1 Corinthians 15:58
On July 8th, 1741, a man by the name of Jonathan Edwards preached what has been dubbed, the greatest sermon to have ever been preached on American soil. The sermon was titled, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. Nothing was spared the hearers, as Edwards expounded to his sleepy listeners, the certain fiery punishment that awaited the unbelievers and their desperate need to flee to the Saviour for refuge! As believers in Christ, we rejoice in Christ for His saving grace wherewith we have been gloriously saved from such an end. However, in light of the coming resurrection when Christ shall burst the heavens and come back for His own, we are not to be found idle.
This sermon is an exhortation for us in Christ to be busy in the work of the Lord until He comes. For those unsure of their call, it’s time to seek the Lord. For those who know their call and yet are slumbering, it is a wake-up call to arise so as to set the hand to the plough!
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 12)
It has often been said; “If it’s in the Bible, then I believe it!!” Whilst I understand the sentiments of what is seeking to expressed by such a statement, the statement is only as good as one’s interpretation of the text. If one misinterprets a portion of Scripture due to poor exegesis, then what one thinks they understand God to be saying, is not actually what He has said. To then apply this to one’s life to miss the mark and to end in error.
In this second part of a two-part teaching, we look at three unique books that have caused problems for some in their interpretation due to the difficult nature of their composition and structure. We endeavour by the grace of God to shed some light in these Books, namely Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Solomon.
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Luke 7:36-50
When we think of religion, we tend to have this idea in our minds that those who are the most zealous in their efforts to apply religious principles; these are they who love God the most. I want to say, nothing could be further from the truth! Some of the meanest and cruelest people down through millennia’s ages are those who were the most fanatical in their cause for religion! What we need is not more religion, but more love for the Saviour! May God so help us to love the Lord Jesus Christ with a greater affection.
Colossians 3:1-15
As Christians, we must never tire of saying “No!” A decisive “No!” with firm conviction has delivered many a Christian pilgrim from the peril of danger and saved his soul from many a calamity. We must first and foremost say “No!” to sin!!! To deny the flesh its fill is never an easy thing. It has strong desires and burning passions that demand to be satisfied. It cries out in the daytime and the night seasons; “I’m hungry”! But the Christian who has walked for any length of time with the Lord knows that to yield to its demands is to play with fire. We MUST give due diligence here and watch over our souls. Is sin creeping in? Have we slackened? Have we loosened the reigns? It’s one thing to start out of the blocks, but it takes a different kind of athlete to stay the course and finish the race. God is calling us to finish well!!
Matthew 7:1-5
It’s been well said, that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones (and how true this proverb is). There’s something about the fallen state of humanity whereby man finds it so easy (almost effortless) to point out the faults in others, and yet; finds it so hard to see those same faults in himself. No sooner than he points the finger, there are three fingers pointing back at him! How swift we are to dish out criticism, yet how slow we are to eat from that same plate! How skilled we are at murmuring and complaining about the hairline cracks we see in others when if the truth be told, we’ve crumbling joints in our own foundation but are too blind to see it because we’re always got our eyes on others people.
This sermon is a call and an exhortation for mercy in our judgment of one another in light of the judgment seat of Christ.
Proverbs 3:5-6
There are some proverbs that remain in our thinking more than others; some that seem to leave a greater lasting impression in our hearts than others. None perhaps have left their indelible mark upon the hearts of God’s people than Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.
In this sermon, we bring these verses to the forefront and endeavour to behold the treasures of this precious jewel. This world is full of care and trouble, but the child of God has been called to place their trust wholeheartedly in the Lord! Will we not see what God will do, if we but look to Him?
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 11)
When one thinks of wisdom, what thoughts come to mind? What images fill the head? The response of the Christian to such questions will inevitably differ from those outside the faith. The most up-to-date entry in the Cambridge online dictionary defines wisdom as: “The ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments”. The Biblical definition of wisdom whilst not contradicting this, begins from an entirely different premise from where the world begins. The world begins from a worldview that excludes the God of Holy Scripture; whereas the Biblical definition of wisdom begins and ends with God (Prov. 9:10).
There are five books in the Bible that have been rightly identified as belonging to the Wisdom Literature. These include Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. In this first teaching part of two, we begin exploring this wisdom and endeavour to offer practical helps to enable one to better interpret the Book of Proverbs in order to understand the great wealth of wisdom that is contained in this precious book.
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Matthew 13:1-9
J.C Ryle said of this parable; “The four kinds of hearts it describes are to be found in every assembly which hears the word. These circumstances should make us always read the parable with a deep sense of its importance. We should say to ourselves as we read it: “This concerns me. My heart is to be seen this parable. I, too, am here”. Well said, Brother Ryle!!
The child of God ever runs the dangerous possibility of becoming overfamiliar with those texts which he hears the most. The Parable of the Sower is perhaps at the forefront of this list. May we listen to this sermon with ears and eyes afresh and in so doing, may God grant us to see the soil condition of our hearts.
Jeremiah 8:20
What woeful words greet us; what mournful landscape is hung before our eyes, sketched by the son of Hilkiah, otherwise known as the weeping prophet! “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. It’s one thing to pronounce judgment and it’s another thing to do so with streaming eyes. Jeremiah didn't earn his epithet without warrant; as goes the name, as goes the man! “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jer. 9:1). The false prophets spoke words of flattering ease and comfort, but the true prophets called God’s people to repentance and foretold of coming judgment.
As we look across our nation and to the Church that is within it, will there not a voice arise to cry out to Living God if perhaps He might mercy and stand on God’s Word? “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14).
Psalm 23
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” — coming from the pen of shepherd!! It is no coincidence that the latter words “...I shall not want” should follow fast on the heels of the former “The LORD is my shepherd”. The two are intrinsically linked together and the latter proceeds out of the former. It is because the LORD is a shepherd, that the sheep under His watchful care shall lack for nothing!! While the shepherd is near, the sheep have nothing to worry about!! You see, the shepherds of the middle east were different from those we’re perhaps accustomed to in the West. Here in England, we frequently see sheep grazing freely on the rolling hills with no shepherd in sight and without a seeming care in the world! But in Biblical times, in ancient Israel, this would have proven fatal! It was the shepherd’s chief duty to watch over his flock in order to protect them from predators.
In his sermon, we look at the Good Shepherd and take comfort from that 23rd Psalm which down through the ages has proven to be a balm of consolation for countless millions.
James 1:22-25
Which specialist army unit deploys an inconsistent marksman to take out an enemy target? Which coach puts forward an inconsistent striker to take the deciding penalty? Yet, if we’re honest with ourselves (and I’m speaking of things pertaining to our Christian walk), we leave far too much margin for error in our lives. Inconsistencies which ought to be consistencies, variables which ought to be constants; and yet, when I open the Word of God, I don’t see these margins of error being left us for waver. Instead, I see imperatives (instructional commands) where the expectation is for full compliance!
This sermon is an exhortation for believers to lay hold on God and to press through into a life of consistency.
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 10)
The first recorded song sung in the Bible was the Song of Moses and the last recorded song that will one day be sung is also the song of Moses (Rev. 15:3). Did you know that there are some 185 songs recorded in Holy Scripture, most of which are found in the Book of Psalms? If you were God, would you choose to include in your collection of books, a book solely consisting of songs? Would you choose to make this book the largest book in your collection of books and would you have it contain the longest chapter? What does all of this tell us? It clearly sends a message, telling us that songs are important to God! It has been calculated that there are 283 direct quotations from the Tanakh (Old Testament) found in the New Testament. Did you know that the greatest number of quotes coming from any one book is the Book of Psalms!
One cannot overestimate the role that David played in bringing structured praise into the House of God. In the days of the Tabernacle of Moses, there was no designated place for the worship of God via song and music in the instructions given to Moses on the Mount. However, in the instructions given by David for the construction of the Temple praise and worship played a prominent part. In this tenth teaching part, we take a look at this fascinating book and provide some practical helps that will enable us to better interpret it.
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2 Samuel 23:8-39
As one surveys the annals of history, down through the corridors of time, one will find that history polluted and stained by war. Bloodshed has left its indelible mark upon the human race, the horrors of battle recorded by those who never lived to tell their story in person. If there’s one thing that history bears witness to, it’s this, war is not a thing to be desired!! However, having said that, there is something about the environment of war that is able to accomplish something that a pre-war environment simply cannot do. Brothers and Sisters, it is in the climate of war where heroes are born!! A pre-war generation of peace is known by its cowards, and the generation of war, by its heroes!
This sermon is a heart cry for men to rise up in this critical hour and to give themselves to the fight!! A Church in retreat will never do. Is there one who would say with the shepherd boy David “Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine” (1 Sam. 17:32)? May the Lord see fit to do such a work of restoration in our day.
Ezekiel 24:15-27
Brother Ryan comes with a very strong and timely word to the Body of Christ. Drawing from the life and example of Ezekiel, Ryan brings a practical application to believers in relation to the value we place on our lives and this world.
Who will pick up their cross in this critical hour and live wholeheartedly for Jesus Christ?
John 2:13-17
The question being asked in this sermon is a question that every Christian must answer honestly before God; Where lies the treasure of your heart? In just three words, our Lord would have us remember; “Remember Lot’s wife” (Lk. 17:32). Her heart was still at home in Sodom, and though her feet were going through the motions of exiting the confines of that wicked city, she brought Sodom out with her! Let me ask you, do you feel at home in this world or are you just passing through?
This sermon is a call for a people to rise up in this day of great evil, wherein it appears, the glory of God is departing from these shores. Is there a soul who of whom it could be said; the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up? Who will give themselves to the Father’s business in order that we might see the Kingdom of God advancing in our day? Even so, Lord may it be!
Revelation 3:7-8
Here before us in the third chapter of the Book of Revelation, is a Church, to whom our Lord had nothing by way of rebuke to bring. That was of course, not the case for the vast majority of the Churches that He addressed in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. In my reckoning, there were only two out of the seven Churches addressed, for which our Lord had nothing bad to say and both these Churches shared something precious in common that I believe was key in contributing to this. You say, Brother, what was it? Both found themselves in the midst of persecution and tribulation, amidst great difficulty and affliction for representing the name of Jesus Christ. Both were WEAK in their own natural strength. Whatever we may think of persecution, and whatever discomfort we may feel at the thought of having to go through afflictions and trials —one thing is for sure...IT DOES US GOOD!!
Maybe you’re going through a particular trial of incredible difficulty and you feel as though you can’t go on. Be encouraged dear soul, the God we serve is the God of the little strength Christian. There is grace in abundance to help you through if you will but call upon the Lord.
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 9)
The last two decades have seen a steady stream of teaching into the Christian Church with a major emphasis on the need for the return to the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. The argument goes as follows: the first Church was Jewish in culture and practice and so what went wrong? What went wrong (they’ll say) is that the Church veered from its Hebrew roots and allowed the influence of Greek philosophy to Hellenise a faith that was once deeply Jewish and what we have been left with a paganised Christianity that is need of desperate reformation! Thus, the general consensus of those belonging to the Hebrew Roots Movement will be an insistence on a return back to Torah observance as a way of life, since this was (they’ll argue) the life that Jesus, the disciples, and the early Church practiced. This includes Sabbath observance (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), abstaining from the consumption of unclean animals (pork, prawns, etc.), observance of the Jewish Feasts, and in some cases, even the practice of male circumcision! The long and short of it (no matter how it may be dressed up) is this; unless you keep the Law of Moses, you cannot be truly saved!
In this teaching, we endeavour to understand what the Torah (the Law) is and in so doing, offer some help on how to interpret it and bring the proper application in light of the New Covenant. This will then lead us to answer the crucial question; are we obliged as New Testament believers, to keep the Law of Moses?
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1 Corinthians 10:1-14
Exhortation abound in the Word of God, calling believers to stand! “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13). “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1). “…my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord…” (Phil. 4:1), and so we could go on!
In this sermon, a great warning is given for the believers to stand guard against a mind inflated with pride. By looking at the example of Israel’s disobedience and the subsequent judgment that came as a result of this, the believer in Christ I warned so as not to follow suit. May the Lord speak to each one of us.
Matthew 4:1-11
The saying goes; “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t”, and to this, the Word of God agrees. What saith the Apostle Paul when instructing the Corinthian Church to forgive a brother who had once been caught in a grievous sin but had now been brought to true repentance and remorse over the same? “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11). Ah, such a statement presupposes many things. In the first, it presupposes that there is such a being as Satan, and in the second, it presupposes the possibility that Satan can gain an advantage over us, though we name the name of Jesus Christ! Brothers and Sisters, there’s no two ways about it, we must be on guard and stand ready to overcome in the day of Satan’s special assault.
In this sermon, we take a look at the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, and in so doing, we learn valuable lessons that serve as aids to help us to overcome when we too shall be tempted by the devil.
Isaiah 36
David brings a very timely word to the Body of Christ that draws from the godly life of King Hezekiah. When Sennacherib came up against the defenced cities of Judah, taking them captive; he set his face towards Jerusalem and sent a messenger to Hezekiah to strike fear into the armies of Judah. How did Hezekiah respond in such an hour of trial? Where did he turn and in whom did place his trust?
May God speak to our hearts through this word so as to grant us understanding in knowing how to respond in times of trial.
Isaiah 6:1-9
Brothers and Sisters, I don’t know about you, but I carry in my heart a great burden as I witness first-hand the departing of a generation of Christian workers who in their day troubled the kingdom of darkness and wrought many mighty victories for the kingdom of light! These were men and women of commitment, sold to the cause of the advancement of the kingdom of God; men and women of sacrifice, men and women of faith and courage, who knew what it was to walk with their Lord. These were disciplined souls whose personal business mattered less to them than did the business of their Master who they served with wholeness of heart in sincerity, in obedience, and love. I know that they have gone ahead of us into glory—far better it is for them; but for us who are left behind and more importantly, for the Body of Christ as a whole; their passing is our great loss and we’re far the worse off for not having them still with us!! Now it ought to be that in the passing of a great soul, rising in their shadows are found others mounting up on eagles’ wings; seeking to build where one left off and to further to the work that they began. Yet, when I look to see the ones rising up to fill their shoes, I look in vain!
This sermon is a call and a cry, for Christian men and women to purpose in their hearts to give themselves wholly unto the Lord so as to live for Him in absolute devotion! When we do this, then I believe that we will witness again the sending forth of labourers in our day. Who will give themselves to the Master? Is there one?
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 8)
It seems an absurd question to ask, how one should read historical narrative since we do it intuitively all the time. In picking up a biography to read or a story in the newspaper, we are naturally handling material that would rightly be defined as historical narrative and yet we do it effortlessly without thinking. We pay close attention to the facts and the details - the dates and names, the places and characters. We all know the difference between facts and fiction and handle both accordingly. No one for a minute would take a novel like Alice and Wonderland and read it as they would a WW2 journal. One is fact and one is fiction. Whilst we can be inspired and entertained by fiction - learning very many valuable lessons - it is still at the end of the day fiction – it’s made-up, it’s not a faithful representation of historical fact but instead concerns itself with imaginary people and imaginary events. I’m sad to say, there are some, most notably those in liberal circles, who approach the Bible in this way. God creating the earth in six days! A global flood! Noah and the Ark! Jonah and a great fish! Virgin birth! Resurrection from the dead! Miracles and healings! Far from being taken as fact, at best these are embellishments to enhance the narrative and at worst fanciful stories (myths and legends) made up by the imaginations of men.
In this teaching, we look at the historicity of the Bible. Rather than giving a definitive how-to, we seek to give some cautionary pointers in approaching the historical narratives contained in the Bible and to clearly set out what these narratives are and are not. It is my hope that in doing this, it will help guard against the misuse of these passages and set a firm foundation upon which we may learn from the history recorded in the Bible so as to serve the Lord better in our day.
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Luke 2:25-35
The great predicament of man, is his pride and rebellion; stubbornness is what keeps Him from serving God—He can have it no other way than his own. Simply put, He refuses to have a God that will meddle with His affairs, and until that man is first broken, he will rise in newness of life. You know, the Church today has lost sight of the first and only ever presents to man the last. Come to Christ and see what He will do for you!! Yet, they do not tell them that entrance into this Kingdom is through a door of brokenness! “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder” (Mt. 21:44). Tell me dear soul, have you known it on this wise? Do you know what it is to fall on that rock? May we indeed fall upon that rock that in falling we might rise again in newness of life.
Luke 18:1-8
Any true sportsman knows fully well that there’s more to winning than merely turning up! Turning up is the easy part; it’s the parts that the cheering fans don’t see that differentiates the winners from the losers. Persistent and relentless discipline; those countless hours spent in training. When those of their peers were free to do as they please—eating what they will and going where they would—the future champion in the making is not! Burdened with a fervent passion to succeed, against all odds and at all costs, he pushes his natural man to limits, exacting from his mortal body seeming impossibilities so as to win the prize.
With the self-same analogy, the Church of Jesus Christ must everywhere be given, not only to prayer but persistent prayer! If we would see the power of God in our day at work, let us give ourselves to this end and see what the Almighty will do!
John 1:35-42
Oh to see the Son of God in all His glory! To comprehend His majesty; to fathom His deity. John declares; "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (Jn. 1:1). Adding to this, he then makes this staggering statement; " And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (Jn. 1:14). Peter writes, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Pet. 1:16); and John again states: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life" (1 Jn. 1:1).
This sermon is an exhortation that having found the Messiah we would be moved to tell and to bring others to HIM also!
1 Corinthians 6:13b - 20
We face a battle in our day to remain clean in the sight of God in respect to sexual purity. Young people live in a generation where immorality has become the new morality. Adultery in the professing Church of Jesus Christ has reached an all-time high and every month it seems a scandal breaks of another minister caught in the headlights of this evil. I have need only to mention that word beginning with “p”, derived in part from the Greek word “porneia” and who can deny, that there has not been an epidemic of this evil that has literally swept across the world by the aid of advancements in technology, most notably, the internet
This sermon is a sober warning and a plea for all who name the name of Jesus Christ to flee fornication and to render their vessels in sanctification to the Lord.
1 Kings 17:1-6
It’s not until you step out of a situation, that looking back, you’re able to see it really for it was! When you’re in a smoke-filled room, it’s hard to see the smoke, but exit the room and peer back in through the glass and you’ll be astonished at how you ever could have been in such an environment and not have. As I look around and survey the spiritual landscape of the nation, I have to conclude that we are living in the midst of a spiritual famine that few are even aware we’re in. Churches are closing by the week of and the British landscape is changing. Brethren, it is my conviction that unless God in His mercy sends another revival —an awakening, the likes of which this nation has not witnessed since the days of Wesley, the flickering light of present-day Christianity may soon be extinguished from these British Isles. Now I acknowledge that God will always have a remnant—7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal, but Brother/Sister, where is the grief over the fact that the city once set on a hill has been removed, and the candle which once stood on a candlestick has been placed under a bushel!
This sermon is a heart-cry, for another heaven-sent revival and a warning to those who have been placed in sound fellowships at this present time of famine, to not forsake where God has placed them, but to be grateful for the bread He has provided.
Mark 5:35-36
Here we are again this Lord’s Day morning, back on the subject of faith! Ah, but I say, Brother/Sister, can we ever tire of receiving what we need? As food is to the stomach and petrol is to the engine, so faith is to the spiritual life of the believer, the vehicle through which he gains unlimited access to the marvellous and never-ending treasure stores of grace, without which he cannot live! Can we ever tire of speaking about faith? Can we ever exhaust its riches? There’s not a day, not even a waking hour that you and I are not called upon to exercise it! Faith is indispensable to the child of God; “...by it the elders obtained a good report” (Heb. 11:2) and by it, we hope also to obtain likewise in our generation, proving the God of our Fathers to be the same yesterday, today and forever!
A strong exhortation sounds forth, calling the children of God to glorify the Lord in taking Him at His word. Even in the face of apparent setback and disappointment, God is saying, be not afraid, only believe!
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 7)
God has always emphasised that which is important through repetition, He did in with the Law by giving Israel in effect, four complimentary books of the Law (Exodus – Deuteronomy), and He does it again in the New, giving to His people four complimentary books of the Gospels. As one reads through the Gospels, one will notice that whilst they are very similar and alike, they are not exactly the same. Some things that appear in one book, for example, will not appear in another. How are we to harmonise the apparent discrepancies and contradictions that appear between them? Can something be said in two different ways and yet at the same time, both ways be correct? What also of the parables? Are we free to interpret them as we wish? Is it okay to use allegory when seeking to interpret them?
In this second and final teaching part exploring the Gospels, we provide some answers to the above questions as we continue our studies looking at how to harmonise the Gospels and interpret the parables of Jesus.
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Romans 12:1-2
The Williams household dates all the way back to 1896 (it’s an old Victorian terraced) and take it from me, there are one or two loose floorboards that without fail, every time you walk over them, you’re greeted by the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Creak! Now please don’t misunderstand me; these defects are not foundational — Mr. and Mrs. Creak aren’t threatening to undermine the structural integrity of my house, they just like to talk a lot (and I can live with that!). But you see, that’s probably why I never take the trouble to nail them down! Who wants to be bothered with taking up the carpet to nail a single plank, then have to put it all back down again? Thus, I choose to live at peace with the Creaks and let them get on with their creaking!
My dear soul, there’s a spiritual lesson to all of this. Could it be that some of us have adopted the same nonchalant attitude when it comes to nailing down the loose planks in our lives (bad attitudes, a loose tongue, a heated temper)! Rather than going through all the trouble of fetching up the carpet to address the matter and nail things for good, we instead choose to live with it. You may well choose to tolerate it, but God does not and He’s asking us to take proactive steps to nail those loose planks so as to come on to the ground of perfection.
Galatians 6:9-10
Idioms in the English language abound and our everyday conversation is littered with them. One such saying is, “Once bitten, twice shy”. If anyone has ever been bitten by a dog, you’ll know full well the sentiments being expressed. Simply put, if someone has a bad experience and is hurt doing a particular thing, the second time around, they’re much weary and less inclined to do the same again! Dogs are one thing and people are another. The royal command of love instructs us as Christians, to never lose the love of God towards all mankind. Loving our friends is easy, but loving those who’ve hurt us much, can at times be incredibly difficult.
May the Lord speak to each heart as the call to not grow weary in well-doing goes forth.
Exodus 36:1-7
It could appear at first sight that the title of this sermon is a contradiction in terms. What has grace to do with doing? I thought grace and works were diametrically opposed as light is to darkness and darkness is to light? In terms of salvation, this most certainly is the case; but when it comes to the call of grace to Christian ministry, there is a labouring on the part of man under the grace which God supplies.
This sermon is a challenge and call to faithfulness in the sphere of Christian service. May God be pleased to take this sermon and speak into your heart in this most vital matter.
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 6)
As one opens the New Testament, one is immediately confronted in succession by four books that each bear the title “The Gospel According to…”. The Gospel According to Matthew, The Gospel According to Mark, The Gospel According to Luke, and The Gospel According to John. Though these books comprise only four of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, they make up just under half of the New Testament (46%) due to their word content. God could have given us just one Gospel, but instead, He chose in His wisdom to give us four, which tells us that what is contained in these accounts is of tremendous significance.
In this first part of our studies in the Gospels, we seek to bridge the gap of distance that sometimes separates the reader from being able to rightly understand and interpret the accounts. The first two matters that we shall explore in this teaching is that of the historical and cultural separation and the Law.
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Luke 12:1-12
As the days wind on and the seasons become increasingly more difficult, we are going to need ever more to rely upon the succouring aid of the Holy Spirit! God didn’t mean for us to struggle through limping and hobbling in our own depleted strength, He provided supernatural means by which we might get through with a power that is not our own and a strength that has been given us by Him.
The true Church of Jesus Christ shall find encouragement and strength to stand in the hour of her persecution and shall speak as witnesses with words given her by the Holy Spirit. May we have the privilege of knowing this precious truth not only in word but experience also.
Romans 10:1-4
Christianity is not for good men, nor is for the noble and the upright—that’s what they’ll become if Christ saves them, but before that glorious event, “...foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another”. How is such a one to ever climb out of the cesspit of his iniquity and to set his hands on the rungs of the latter up to heaven and when he gets there to present his sin-stained pitiful state before the presence of the Holy God before whom angels dare to cast their sight? Either God gives us in mercy what we do not possess, namely righteousness, or we’re doomed for all eternity!! What saith “euangelion”? “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10)
Psalm 60:12
The secret of the strength of Israel has always been the God of Israel! Name one victory that ever came to this tiny nation and the hand of God was not it? You cannot do it!!! When Israel was right with their God, one plus God was the majority! But when they were not right, the Almighty allowed their enemies to prevail against them that they might turn back to Him!
In this sermon, we look at the many great triumphs in the history of this little nation as God undertook, again and again, to fight on their behalf. In light of the current COVID crisis, why is it that so many of God’s people are hiding out in fear; confounded, and full of dismay? Why are the doors of the Churches largely bolted and the pulpits mute at this hour of testing? May the people of God arise and put their trust in the Lord so as to say with those of old; through God, we shall do valiantly!
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
It is the earnest desire, to lay before you the certain and definite hope of the Christian. Assurances like this cannot be found in this world due to its transient state of temporariness. Search high and low, with diligence and scrutiny, but O man, your search will be in vain. When Adam fell through willful disobedience, mankind was plunged into sin and death. God in His infinite love and mercy has sought to reverse this curse in redeeming a people back unto Himself through His beloved Son.
In this sermon, we set forth the first and second installment of this most glorious work and consider what will be when Our Blessed Saviour appears in glory to change these vile bodies so as to be fashioned like unto His!
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 5)
Having examined some of the key principles for interpreting the New Testament Epistles in the last teaching session, we seek in this teaching to put these principles into practice.
Join us as we take an exegetical walk through the first four chapters of Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians, covering the first major theme – Divisions in the Church. By studying the Epistle in this way, it allows us to give a practical example of the effectiveness of studying the Epistles thematically and will hopefully allow us to see how the verses and chapters connect with each other as part of this wider theme.
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Luke 3:1-12
If I could summarise in a word, and encapsulate in essence, the singular cry of God’s prophet, it would be the word “repent”. This messenger of God was sent by God on a divine mission; he was to be His mouthpiece; he was to be God’s agent to effect change in the hearts of the straying multitudes. He was never called to win popularity contests, in fact, he was for the most part hated and rejected, persecuted, and killed by the very ones to whom he was sent. He confronted the sins of the children of Israel and charged them with breaking God’s laws! He pronounced judgments and spoke of coming calamity. At the heart of his message was a cry of repentance for a wayward people to return back to God in order that they might be healed!!
The burden of this sermon is twofold. First, to show the importance of repentance and second, to discover the nature of repentance. May the Lord bring us all to a place of true repentance!
Isaiah 40:6-8
As one looks around the world in which one finds himself, admittedly, he has to confess that all about him, he sees the brilliance of man’s ingenuity. Yet, in beholding man’s brilliance, one cannot escape the notice of the finite passing of his little day on earth!
This sermon is a reminder of the steadfast nature of God’s enduring Word. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever!!
John 3: 1-7
When we think of the great historic doctrines of the Christian faith—in particular, those that fall under the broader umbrella of “Soteriology” (the study of salvation), seated in their midst must surely be the glorious doctrine of Regeneration. In the days of Popish pomp and rule, it was the doctrine of Justification that was heralded and championed by the Reformers. Rome had for a millennium, hoodwinked the masses under a false system of works, masquerading as grace. The Reformers said NO!! Man is not justified in the sight of God by human achievement—he’ll never work his way to heaven; the only way he’ll ever get there is by the grace of God alone, through faith alone apart from human merit.
In this our day, it is the doctrine of regeneration that so desperately needs to be rediscovered and heralded from every pulpit in the land. For many, becoming a Christian is nothing more than joining a Church and having one’s name inscribed on a roll call of membership. I’ve known people, near and dear to me who called themselves Christians because they were made wet with water; yet when I looked for visible fruits of life, I found none! What saith the Lord Jesus Christ? “Ye must be born again” (Jn. 3:7).
1 Samuel 15:16-17
Nothing (I believe) so moves the heart of our Heavenly Father more than humility. Consider with me, a verse found in Isaiah 57. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Is. 57:15). Like a magnet pulled with force towards a lump of rusty iron, it readily passes by the gold and the silver (it’s unattracted by them); so our God is drawn towards humility.
In this sermon, we survey the lives of those whom God had called and used, and we note the downfall of some, who though pride fell from their former standing. May we every sense our need for God and in His lifting up of our position, let us remain in a place of humility.
Hebrews 12:11
I’ve come to find at length, that there are multitudes of Jonah’s in the land of the living today, occupying the pews and the pulpits of many a church building. There in bodily presence at least, but as pertaining to their true spiritual condition, they’re on the run from God! God has His finger on a matter in their lives that they are simply not willing to deal with. Since God is a Father of love, He delights in the discipline of His children, but as children, we don’t take too kindly to being disciplined.
This sermon is an exhortation and encouragement to believers, to endure in trial under the loving discipline of their heavenly Father. If we are sons and daughters of the Most-High, then we will not be without His chastening hand of God in our lives. The Word goes forth, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Heb. 12:5-6). Will we be in subjection to that Father of spirits that we might live?
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 4)
When we speak of an epistle, we mean by this a letter. The English word for epistle comes from the Greek word “epistolē” which means a written message. There are 21 such Epistles found within the Bible which comprise a third of the whole New Testament. The New Testament Epistles are vital to the Believer in Christ because they contain the doctrines which he/she is to live by!
In this teaching, we examine some of the key principles for interpreting the New Testament Epistles.
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Romans 1:9-11
In the closing chapter of the Book of Acts, we learn that Paul was placed under house arrest for two years in the city of Rome while awaiting trial at the Court of Caesar. No longer being able to be with those he so loved, he was compelled instead to write to them from his place of imprisonment, exhorting and encouraging them in the faith. The letters that he wrote during this time of imprisonment are called the prison letters of Paul. There are four of them in number — Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and the tiny letter to Philemon. In all four Epistles, Paul speaks of his chains for Jesus Christ. For now, Paul’s travelling journeys were curtailed, but his ministry of prayer was not! What he could no longer do in person, he could do via proxy by means of prayer!! You see, the heart of Paul was not only to plant Churches but to see those Churches blossoming. Paul’s business was not only the saving of souls but the discipling of those same souls unto maturity! Thus, to this end, he gave himself to prayer that the Churches he so loved might be established in the faith.
Matthew 13:44
The Parables of the Kingdom are among some of the finest parables given by our Lord in all that He spoke. The Jewish people of His day looked for a kingdom that was coming in power and a king ruling on a physical throne in a physical location. The King had indeed come into their midst bringing with Him a kingdom of power, yet this kingdom was one that was to be established in the hearts of men!
This sermon takes a look at these kingdom parables and in particular, the Parable of the Hidden Treasure. May the Lord stir our hearts and may we meet Him again with passion and zeal, reviving our first-love love for Jesus our King!!
John 14:1-3
Pastor Jason Wright delivers a very timely word, straight from the Bible, relating to the need in this perilous hour for every believer to have an upper room in their life. A time where we can draw away from the many voices to hear from God.
May you be encouraged by this much-needed message.
Luke 22:31-34
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the title of this morning’s sermon is a message straight out of a motivational handbook; you’ll be pleased to know it’s not!!
This sermon offers a word of hope to those who have failed the Lord through sin and who are struggling to come back. By looking at Peter’s denial and subsequent restoration, we can find great comfort in the compassionate mercies of God. The same Saviour who restored Peter, can and will restore us if we would but only come to Him.
Matthew 25:1-13
In this sermon, we examine the Parable of the Ten Virgins and in so doing find that there are those who are going to be ready when the Lord returns to collect His bride, and those who are not going to be ready! Getting ready for the Second Coming of the Lord is not something that we can prepare for when He comes, we must be prepared for when He comes.
May the Lord speak to each one of us on this matter of preparedness.
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 3)
In deciding to translate the Bible from one language to another, two questions must lie at the heart of the translation process. #1, Accuracy and #2, Readability. On one hand, one wants a translation that is as accurate and as close to the original languages as possible while at the same time being readable. You may be thinking, why are we discussing Bible translations in a study looking at how to better interpret the Bible? Isn’t the Bible just the Bible? It is, but as will be demonstrated, one can make use of a range of different translations of the Bible in order to make better sense of the Bible.
In this third teaching part, we explore the various translations available to the student of God’s word and the pros and cons of each.
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Acts 21:1-15
From the very inception of Paul’s call to faith, there on that dusty Damascene road; this former persecutor of those who followed the Way was himself shown by the Lord “...how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:16). The legacy of this man’s life was nothing short of faithfulness unto the Lord. He was sold out to Christ with a one-track mind to finish the course appointed him.
During his third missionary journey, Paul received a number of prophetic warnings from multiple sources, all confirming the same thing that bonds and afflictions awaited him upon his return to Jerusalem. Many pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem so as to spare him from the danger that awaited him there. Paul’s response was decisive and final…he’d purposed to go up to Jerusalem and to there finish the course appointed Him by the Lord! May the Lord grant us such faithful unswerving conviction to ever do what is right by our God no matter what the cost!
Matthew 6:25-34
Some things I find in life are easier said than done. As human beings, we’re generally better at giving advice than we are at taking it! How many times have we heard the saying (and no doubt probably said it ourselves), “What’s the point in worrying? It won’t change anything...”, and yet we continue right on worrying! What is worry but a manifestation of fear on account of uncertainty?
In this sermon, we dig into the Scriptures and allow the Word of God to generate faith by looking at the great providential hand of God towards His children. What have we to fear, if God be for us? Let us cast our cares upon Him and bring our burdens to the Lord in prayer, finding in place of worry, a place of sweet relief.
Matthew 14:23
Could it be that corporate prayer is so lacking in the Church today because God’s people have not first been found in private prayer? It is my conviction and that also of the Scriptures; God’s people ought to have an appetite for prayer. I say appetite because it’s not a laborious thing. Is it laborious to eat? If you’ve no taste buds...ye.! But God has given us a wonderful pallet so that we can enjoy the many tastes and flavours, so that even though we must eat, we want to eat, and the whole experience is a most enjoyable one!! Tell me, have you an appetite for prayer? There is much instruction in the New Testament concerning praying for others; if we care enough for others, we’ll pray enough for others. Yet private prayer is much more than a list of names and needs. Prayer is personal and as such, when you and I go into our closets and shut the door, the most intimate exchange ought to take place in fellowship with God as we bear the secrets of our hearts to our heavenly Father, aided by the help of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord stir our hearts to get alone from the business of this world and to spend time with Him in prayer.
Nehemiah 9:1-3
In Nehemiah’s day, the children of Israel did something that is seldom is heard today – they confessed their sins to God. Yet in their confession, they did not attempt to apportion blame to another, but rather, they owned responsibility for their sin and ascribe greatness to God in His chastening hand of judgment!! The true mark of sincere and genuine confession is the absence of excuses and if the bedrock of confession is faulty, then repentance upon which it rests will also be faulty and no true fruit will follow. May God help us to get a hold on the heart of true confession, that we might return again to Him in true repentance.
1 Kings 21:1-16
Where the fear of God is absent from among the people of God, there you will find a breeding ground for every wicked sin. It may begin as a soggy marsh, but it will end in a sewer of running evil!! “Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD (to the false prophets who bolstered Israel in their sins), and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD” (Jer. 23:23-24).
This sermon is an exhortation for the Body Christ to return again to a healthy fear of God, not least in our treatment of others. The God who sees, will not hold those guiltless who destroy His people with their evil deeds—He shall exact their mangled bodies at their hands. May God have mercy in bringing a people to repentance.
Nehemiah 8:1-12
The word joy appears in some sixty verses in the New Testament of the King James Bible and that’s withstanding the variant occurrences of the same root word such as “joyful”, “joyfully”, “joyfulness” “joying”, “joyous” and “rejoice”. This simple three-letter word is like buried treasure, everyone searching to find it but their looking in the wrong places!
True biblical joy can be distinguished from happiness in one crucial area, namely, happiness is dependent upon favourable circumstances whereas joy is not! In this sermon, the exhortation is given for those who name the name of Christ to examine themselves to see if what they have is the joy of the Lord which is our strength.
Genesis 15:1-6
As one dear brother said to me not so long ago, “You can’t have faith on the other side of the fence”, you can only have it on this side of the promise! Once the promise has materialised into its physical reality, faith has done its work and there’s no longer need for it!
It seems that as we go on in this Christian walk, God takes us up to every increasing cliff heights, and as we stand at the precipice looking down at the sheer drop beneath us, we hear the voice of God saying jump, with the full assurance of faith that as we do, He will bear us up with eagles wings and perform that which He said He would! In this sermon, we follow the journey of faith in the life of Abraham and take great encouragement for our souls. What God did for him; he can do for us!
Hebrews 4:13
When we consider the greatness of the God with whom we have to do; my dear friends, one cannot begin to grasp the magnitude of this colossal task.
In this sermon, we explore some of the glorious attributes of God in order to discover the greatness of the God with whom we have to do. Having done this, we then look to see the nature of this glorious God. Where else can such a discovery be made that as one lifts their eyes to Calvary? It is here that one beholds both the holiness of God and the love of God. It is this God I commend to you.
James 1:1-4
To the natural mind suffering and tribulation are concepts that run counter opposite to joy. How possibly can discomfort, pain, and suffering exist in the same sentence as rejoice? Yet, in a number of places in the New Testament, the child of God is exhorted to rejoice in the midst of their suffering! How is this possible? Why is this exhortation given?
In this sermon, we seek to provide a biblical answer to the above questions and look intently at the role of tribulation in the proving and perfecting of Christian faith.
John 6:1-14
When one thinks of the men and women that God has used over the millennia; if one was to look after the outward appearance with the eyes of human wisdom, who would have picked them? Yet, the great and glorious reality is that God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weak things to confound the mighty. Is it not true that “…the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner” (1 Pet. 2:7)?
In this sermon, we look at the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand and as we do, we come to understand that God does not need our natural gifts and talents in order to work a work in our day. God simply asks that we give to him the little that we have, the five loaves and two fishes, that He might work a miracle to the blessing of many and to the glory of His mighty name!
2 Timothy 4:1-4
There are some verses of Holy Scripture that by their very nature are weightier than others. The passage that comes before us in this sermon is surely one such weighty giant and one of the great go-to passages of every preacher. Worn are its pages through frequent visiting, for it is here where he gets his instructions from the Almighty and the royal commandment to preach the Word!
In an age where the Word of God is so seldom preached as it once was, in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. The exhortation is given in this sermon of the need again for such anointed preaching that God might in His mercy see fit to visit a people with great stirrings and awakening in this desperate hour of need.
Matthew 4:13-17
As we look around at the state of a world that is stooped in darkness, and a Church that is fast asleep in this generation, one could be forgiven for thinking that all hope has long faded! For many of God’s remnant, things are waxing worse and the Lord’s coming is imminent. Brethren, I don’t disagree!! We are living right at the end…yet this does not preclude the mercy of God to bring one last awakening and revival in this hour of tremendous need.
In this sermon, we contrast the mercy of God against a mindset that delights in judgment. We conclude by looking at a brief synopsis of the last 150 years of Judah’s history and in so doing conclude, there’s still hope yet that God might awaken a sleeping Church and bring a lost and dying world unto Himself in great numbers! O Lord, do it again!!
Ephesians 4:31-32
So many in the earth begin life as bubbling happy youngsters, not a care in the world, unaware of the big bad world that they’re about to enter! Yet, by the time they’ve reached their 30’s and 40’s, that youthful optimism has pretty much been blown out of the water and aged cynicism has begun to set in. Naivety has given way to suspicion and by the time they reach their later years, full-blown pessimism has pretty much taken over every thought. As a Christian, I don’t ever want to become a cynic let alone a pessimist! Yet, as the years pass so also do the offences committed against us. The challenge facing every one of us as believers is to not allow our hearts to become hard so as to lose the tenderness.
This sermon digs into the Word of God and presents to the believer, the grace and power that is in Christ which allows us to overcome the sins of resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness.
Joshua 6:1-2
When I think of the wasted hours spent deliberating and calculating, reasoning and second-guessing how God is going to do what He said He would do; it is of great grief. When everything has been said and done, what was it for? It was all for nothing! When God is going to something, He doesn’t need our advice or counsel; He doesn’t come knocking at our door for a plan of action! He will do what He will do, and the quicker that we settle that matter in our hearts is the more speedily one will come to enjoy the blessed rest that comes from simply trusting!!!
We need at times to be reminded of the facts—the world is His and the fulness thereof; the cattle on a thousand hills and every beast of the forest belongs to Him; what have we that He hath need of, or what can we give to Him that He does not already own? Oh God, forgive me for pigeonholing you into a tiny weeny space when your fulness fills the whole universe!! It’s not my business dear soul, and nor is it yours, to work out how God is going to do what He said He would do. That’s His business, and when we leave the matters of “how-to” for God “to do”, He’ll never cease to amaze us!!
Romans 8:12-13
There are many sermons that I’ve had the privilege of preaching over the years, but none perhaps is more important than the subject matter contained in this one. I fear that in the day in which we’re living, when one mentions the cross of the Lord Jesus, one’s mind readily runs upon the ornate cross, you know...the 9ct gold one hanging from a chain, replete with diamond studs; rather than a rugged wooden one stained with blood! It seems that the Church in our day and the world at large, have no stomach for a crucified Saviour, impaled to a bloody cross. In the first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul writes; “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). In what respect, is the preaching of the cross to us who are saved, the power of God? It is this question that I would like to consider in this sermon and to furnish an answer on two main fronts. First, the cross of Jesus Christ is the power of God to deal with the guilt of sin. Second, the cross of Jesus Christ is the power of God to deal with the dominion of sin.
It is my heart's desire that God would open many eyes to these two truths so that we might know in rich experience, the power of the cross of Jesus Christ in our lives!!
Mark 6:45-53
There’s a propensity that is common to man; a saying that is often heard, and although we might not necessarily verbalise it with the words of our mouth, we nonetheless declare it loud and clear, by our actions. You say, what is this saying and what is this propensity common to man? It is summed up in this one single phrase, “I’ve got it!”
Oh, that we might come to understand in truth that we "Don’t got it", and that the only way to live this Christian life is in utter dependency upon the Saviour as we walk a closer walk with Him!
Jonah 3
Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah, and Paul; all shared a common trait that in their day was seldom seen amongst their contemporaries. Each of these men knew the mercy of God in their generation and as such were intercessors! Would to God that such men would resurface in the day in which we live. I am shocked and grieved at the type of remarks I hear being made by professing born-again believers who supposedly belong to the remnant stable when it comes to the talk of revival. Nothing is sure to get their fangs showing than when one speaks of revival and awakening!! Ah! They say...that’s nonsense! Great Britain has out-sinned its day of mercy! In the days of Whitfield and Wesley, the sins of Great Britain were grave and shocking; yet, God saw fit to bring a national awakening to this nation. Oh, that God would do it again!
In this sermon, we behold the mercy of God toward a wicked city called Nineveh and the hot displeasure of a prophet by the name Jonah who rather than see God extend mercy, would rather Him have judged that city. May God deal with our hearts and give us hearts like unto His, full of compassion and mercy!
Matthew 25:1-13
When suddenly comes, there’s usually very little time if any, to prepare ourselves for its swift advance. By very definition, “suddenly” carries with it an air of unexpectedness and yet at the same time, its approach is not without discernable signs for those with eyes to see. On 25th January 2019, a mining dam that sat above Brumadinho—a large town in southeast Brazil, suddenly collapsed, unleashing a tidal wave of waste and mud that engulfed homes, businesses, and residents in its path. It killed more than 250 people and has been dubbed one of the deadliest mining accidents in Brazilian history. Though this disaster ensued suddenly and without warning, experts say that it wasn’t a surprise. All the elements of a potential catastrophe had been present, and the warning signs overlooked for years!
Amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic, God is speaking to His people and calling them to get ready for His soon return! This is no time to slumber and no time to give heed to baseless conspiracy theories. It’s time to set our eyes towards the heavens and to ensure that we are found with oil in reserve. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (Rev. 16:15).
Ephesians 5:14-18
There’s a season under heaven for every opportunity afforded unto man; an open door which for a moment remains open to him, before suddenly it closes. What was available on Sunday evening may no longer be available come Monday morning. There’s something about God-ordained moments for which there exists no rewind button and no command to undo. God happenstances that seem to come so sparsely—perhaps every half a decade or so, where all of heaven appears to go out of its way to assist the Almighty in orchestrating the perfect set-up, placing before us an open door and beckoning us to enter through.
Without a doubt, we are living in unprecedented times of change with Covid-19 in our midst. It is my earnest conviction that we the Church of Jesus Christ find ourselves on the earth for such a time as this. There has been afforded us in the providence of God, an open door through which to enter which shall not always be open to us. It’s time for the Church to wake up and to cast off the old garment of sin. It’s time for the Church to cloth itself in righteousness and to seek the Lord.
1 Chronicles 12:32
This week has been a week like no other I’ve ever witnessed in my forty years alive on planet earth. Coronavirus touched down and pandemonium struck. Media hype fueled mass panic buying, where every man and his family headed towards the supermarkets in an effort to stock their cupboards to overflowing. Stock markets across the world continue to be hammered with losses amounting to billions being slashed off the value of some of the world's most prestigious companies. Thursday saw the biggest one-day decline in the FTSE 100 since 1987 and Wednesday witnessed the pound plunge to its lowest level in 30 years!
Every day has seen escalating measures being announced by the UK government as it has tried desperately to stem the growth of this virus which has now claimed the lives of more than 200 British citizens and more than 10,000 globally. On Tuesday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a whopping £350 billion bailout and by Friday, he’d effectively put the whole British economy on life support. With fears that we’re just beginning to see the rise in coronavirus infections, at the start of the week the government introduced social distancing measures and by the end of the week pubs, bars, restaurants, and gyms were told to close. My dear Brothers and Sisters, all of this has shocked me and all of this has greatly moved my heart. However, I want to say with great sorrow and sadness; nothing that I’ve thus far mentioned has vexed and grieved my heart more than what I’ve witnessed take place this week by Church leaders in this country, as one after another closed the doors of their Churches until further notice!
This sermon is a desperate plea for the Pastors of Christ’s flock to seek the face of the Lord for a way forward in this hour of tremendous need. Where are the sons of Issachar who in their day, understood the right thing for Israel to do at the right time? Will the Church rise to its call or will it sleep through this present crisis only to awake to find that there’s nothing left?
J.C. Ryle said; "We may love money without having it, just as we may have money without loving it." Paul the apostle said; “…godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). In a world that is ever pushing for greater material gain and status, as believers in Christ, we are warned not to make these things our pursuit. Paul bore record of those who beginning well in the faith, later erred from the faith, piercing themselves through with many sorrows on account of coveting after money.
This sermon is an encouragement, but also a word of warning. Let us be content in the circumstances which God has placed us. Let us not desire things which God has not apportioned for us. May we be able to learn the secret of contentment that we can say with Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 2)
It will never do to be hearers of the word only and not doers of it; James makes this very clear (Jms 1:22). Yet at the same time, to be a doer of the word without first hearing what is being asked is to walk in ignorance. How many, armed with good intentions and loaded with zeal have gone out of the starting blocks with pace, only to be later disqualified because they were in breach of the rules. You cannot compete in a race without obeying the rules and you cannot obey the rules unless you first know what those rules are. Thus, it is incumbent upon us as students of the Word of God, to rightly divide (Grk. to cut straight) the word of truth that we might not be ashamed (2 Tim. 2:15).
If the Bible was a single book, composed by a single contemporary author, that would be one thing. If we had any questions or doubts about the meaning of what is written, we could simply ask the author. What happens when you have a book written by upwards of forty different authors, across a number of continents with the earliest of these writing some 3500 years ago? In this second teaching part, we explore the role of dictionaries and commentaries in serving to better aid our study of the Bible, especially when bridging the gulf of history and culture.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
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2 Chronicles 18:31
When we speak of the grace of God - that kind and favourable disposition towards the undeserving to them good - is it any wonder that our minds run back so readily with ease, to the blood-stained cross of Calvary? There we beheld a demonstration of God’s love that forever shall resound! Yet, with that said, the grace of God cannot be relegated to 2000 years ago but MUST be brought into the here and now. When we speak of God’s grace, we’re speaking about an attribute that belongs to God — this is who He is!!
In this sermon, we offer a number of golden keys to answered prayer before asking the question; on what grounds does God answer prayer? In the final analysis, we are brought to the conclusion that it by HIS GRACE that He sees fit to grant the petition of our hearts! Oh, that we might come to God with this understanding, apart from human merit.
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
When God put to Satan the question, “Hast thou considered my servant Job” (Job 1:8), Satan did not say, who is he? Instead, he engaged with the question and responded by saying; “Doth Job fear God for nought?” (Job 1:9). It appears from this verse that this righteous man was well known to the prince of darkness. Have you ever considered that your name is also known to the armies of hell? This puts a whole new dimension on spiritual warfare. Having not just one scheme but many, Paul instructs us to “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). Satan’s wiles not only involve the planned assault of the individual believer but the planned assault of the Church body collectively. There is one particular weapon in Satan’s arsenal through which is able to destroy a local Church more quickly than we can ever know! The great deception of this sin lies in its seeming harmlessness. This vice comes so readily to us as humans and it appears so justified in its complaint. If Satan can find a willing vessel here, then he’s found a true ally to aid him in his assault against the Body of Christ. What is this sin to which I refer? It is the sin of murmuring.
Exhortation and warning sound aloud in this sermon; exposing the subtle danger of the sin of murmuring and calling the people of God to exercise restraint. When God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, they reasoned as they left their fleshpots behind that they were heading for a land flowing with milk and honey, and they were…but just not yet! First, they had to go on a journey into the desert so what was in their hearts might be exposed. Each and every time an apparent problem arose, the people murmured. They failed to see the loving hand of God guiding them, working in them a far greater weight of glory than merely satisfying their carnal appetites. Let us learn from Israel’s example so as not to murmur and let us not allow ourselves to be used of the devil to aid him in the destruction of the Church for which Christ died.
1 Corinthians 13
You cannot have opened the Bible long, before in every book, you’re confronted with the royal command, calling us on to fervent love! The New Testament epistles spare no end of space in urging us to fill up this command and there’s not a single New Testament epistle that does not contain some exhortation on love!! Amongst the many beautiful chapters in the Bible, must surely be found the thirteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Outside the life and example of our Saviour, there’s no clearer setting forth of the attributes of love than is found in this chapter.
In this sermon, we place our focus on just one of the fifteen attributes; love thinks no evil. May the Lord speak to all of our hearts on this greatly important aspect of love.
Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 1)
As one opens the Bible, one quickly comes to discover that what they hold in their hand is not a single book, but a volume of ancient literature (some 66 books). In fact, there are some 780, 000+ words all found sitting within a careful and purposeful grammatical structure with the oldest sections being more than 3 ½ thousand years in age and the most recent, 2000 years! There are many different ways in which God could have communicated his will to mankind; he could have appeared at a given location every fifty years to speak to man in person or sent an angel to speak on his behalf. Instead, God in His sovereign wisdom has chosen to communicate His message to mankind through the medium of written language.
In this first teaching part, we ask the question; “Why do we need to interpret the Bible?” As soon as one begins to read any literature, the need for interpretation comes immediately into play!! This not only applies to the Bible, but all pieces of literature, because the underlying question that inevitably will arise is; “What does that mean?” You cannot escape this question, and as soon as one asks this question, one by default has moved into the realm of interpretation. The aim of all true Bible study is to uncover the plain meaning of the text so as to arrive at the proper understanding of truth. Having understood what God’s Word was to those first receiving it, we are then in a position to correctly apply the Word of God to our lives.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
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1 Peter 5:5-6
There are things in this Christian walk that are greatly to be desired, and then there are those things that are indispensable. Love, holiness, faith, and love…these are precious virtues that are not desirables to be added to the list of Christian attributes – these are absolutes!! Added to this list is also found the like precious virtue of humility.
In this sermon, we ponder at length the exhortation found in 1 Peter 5:5-6. We there discover that two different attitudes on the part of man, summon two radically different actions on the part of God. “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble”. Which attitude of heart will you choose to walk in?
James 1:22-25
I have come to realise that a man can be in love with the concept of holiness and make the fatal error of equating form with substance!! He thinks that because he has the form, he has the substance! Ever do we need to be on guard against this kind of self-deception! What saith the half-brother of our Lord? “…be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (Jms. 1:22). To hear only and to do nothing about it is to deceive ourselves! Having good intentions and the words to along with it are not the same thing as having the actions to back it up.
The challenge goes forth with strength in this sermon to put rubber to the road and to enter into a life of holiness!!
Matthew 7:13-14
Sometimes as Christians, we can forget that our Lord not only said that the gate was strait; He said also that the way was narrow which leads to life eternal! Not only a narrow entrance, but a confined path also to traverse; and on account this He said that they’d be few that ever find it!!
This sermon is aimed at two groups of people, of which everyone finds themselves belonging to one. Group number 1, are those yet to enter through the strait/narrow gate. They’ve seen its gloried from a distance and have approached unto it for further inquiry; yet, they’ve still to cross over its threshold. Group number 2 are those who having crossed the threshold of the narrow gate, onto the narrow way, have yet to finish the journey and to cross the threshold into life. May the Lord speak to each heart!
Revelation 22
Some 33 parts on and some 65+ thousand words later, we finally come to the final teaching part in our Revelation series. With the old earth passed away, and the former heaven gone forever, John saw a new heaven and a new earth, and the holy city—the New Jerusalem—coming down from God out of heaven. In chapter 21, John described this glorious city, and in the first part of chapter 22, he continues to do the same. There’s no escaping the parallels that exist between the first paradise in Eden, and this second paradise. What was lost in the curse has now at the end, been restored, not only to an equal state but to one far exceeding it in every degree!
The chapter concludes with a series of warnings. The end is at hand and the Lord instructs His Church. “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Rev. 22:20-21).
Matthew 10:27-33
We read in Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe”. Man is prone on every side to fear, not least in the face of pending danger. God’s desire is that we would not be overcome by fear, but rather that we would trust Him!
This sermon is an exhortation for the blood-bought children of God, to place their total confidence in the Lord. Where faith toward God abounds, fear has no resting place; but where fear abounds, we can be assured, faith is wanting! “Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there”.
Luke 23:35-43
The people and the rulers, the soldiers and the criminal —each one hurled their abuse and insults with guided precision—it was open season on the Son of Man. In the eyes of the mob who had gathered to express their contempt of Jesus, the suffering spectacle which hung before them was proof positive that this man was getting all that He deserved of God’s righteous indignation. What were they to make of a suffering King? In truth…not much! However, amongst the taunts and the sneers, a voice of penitence was heard from one of the criminals being crucified alongside Jesus and a plea so profound; “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom”.
In this sermon, we endeavour to unpack this statement to see the priceless treasure revealed therein. We then close by asking the question, what are we doing with the light that God has shone into our hearts. May the Lord speak to each one of us.
Revelation 21
Every book has a start and a finish; a beginning and an ending. The Book of Revelation is no exception to this rule and as we begin part 32 of our studies, we cross yet another milestone in our journey through this book. No longer are we going up the mountain...having reached the peak, we’re now descending on the other side of the Jordan, heading towards the finish line. With the New Jerusalem firmly in our sights, we can pick up the pace and encourage ourselves that it was all worth it! The cross, the battle, the war, the struggle; captivities and martyrdoms...all that is now behind us and eternities glories have opened up their arms to receive us in the Lord!
In this teaching, we gain an insight into what is in store for believers in the new heavens and new earth along with the new Jerusalem.
Psalm 85:6
As Christians, we’re never stationary for very long; we’re either moving closer to the Lord or further away from Him. We all experience flutterings from time to time along the way, but it’s over those protracted seasons of drift where we suddenly realise that our love has grown cold, and our standards have fallen. O that the Lord might revive us and kindle again a sacred flame on the mean altar of our hearts in order that we might live wholly and only for Him!!
Psalm 90:2
Men in this life, give themselves to the numbering of many things. The rich man numbers his pounds and the poor man his pennies; the farmer numbers his cattle and the shepherd numbers his sheep. Whatsoever is valuable to a man, that will he number so as not to allow so much as a crumb to fall to the ground in waste. As we begin not only a new year but a new decade, what have you made it a priority to number?
Time is of the essence and our lives are on countdown. Life is so short and eternity is but a breath away. As we move into this New Year, may the cry of our hearts be, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
Revelation 20:7-15
Upon the return of Jesus, His glorious appearing shall bring to an end this current Church age which has spanned the last two millennia, and a new age will begin, lasting for half that time. The question that we want to answer in part 31 is this; what happens after once the thousand years have come to their end? What we have recorded in the pages of Scripture is very brief, to say the least—much of it remains a mystery yet to be revealed at the Coming of our Lord. That said, a large portion of the little that we have been given is found in what now remains of the last three closing chapters of Revelation (ch. 20-22).
In this teaching, we explore two main themes, the Gog and Magog war followed by the great white throne judgment.
John 6:48-69
We’ve got to come to the realisation and acceptance (even in our comfortable 21st Century Western surroundings), that it’s not when everything is going well that our faith is refined; it’s in the fires of affliction! It’s here where our faith is tested and refined!! Dear soul, when you first put your hand in His and told the Lord that you would follow Him wheresoever he goes, you may not have fully realised all what that would entail. So many make a snap decision to follow the Lord based on the prospect of good times ahead, but I seem to remember the Lord instructing us that there’s a cross to bear and he that would seek to save his life shall lose it! Nowhere perhaps is the temptation to save one’s life more keenly felt that when found in the midst of trial—when all that can be shaken will be shaken. We must settle this matter now and determine in our hearts that come high water or low, we’re not turning back from following the Lord!
James 3:10-12
It’s not until you squeeze a fruit, that one discovers its true taste! On the surface, the grapefruit and the orange both look alike, in size and in shape; however, upon closer inspection one quickly discovers that they’re radically opposite when it comes to taste! One is bitter, and the other is sweet. It’s not until we’re squeezed that we find out what’s really inside us, not least by the words that issue forth from our mouths. When you’re squeezed, what comes out? Is it bitter or is it sweet?
In this sermon, we learn the pattern of meekness from the perfect example of Jesus. May the Lord minister to each heart and use this sermon to provoke us onto perfection.
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Of all the many sins that abounded in the Corinthian Church, there was one sin in particular that Paul felt the need to first address. It wasn’t their toleration of false teachers, nor was that one had his father’s wife while the Church allowed this evil to reign unchecked in their midst! It wasn’t Brother taking Brother to court or drunkenness at the Lord’s table. Paul gets onto these things in due course. However, the very first thing he addressed was the divisions and contentions that existed among them on account of the carnal preferring of one leader over and against another.
In some circles of the so-called remnant Church today, whole ministries exist as personality cults to set one faction against the other! YouTube has become awash with this type of evil. Brother shooting down Brother over the smallest technical matter of doctrine. When Christians do this one to another, it is bad enough, but when ministers of Christ take to social media to vent their petty squabbles for all the world to see—I make no reservations in saying that his is a work of the flesh and is a sin against Christ and His Church! This sermon is a warning to the Body of Christ, to be on guard and not to get caught up with divisive factions.
Revelation 20:1-6
When the disciples asked Jesus; “...Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6), what did they mean? If one was to ask such a question today in the vast majority of the theological colleges across the Western world, one would receive an answer that would be far from adequate in explaining the true nature of the disciple’s inquiry. You see, for many today, the concept of a millennial kingdom does not even figure into their eschatological thinking. For the amillennialist, the future kingdom of God is the present kingdom of God, and any hope of a golden age of righteousness and peace upon the earth is certainly not realised in some distant event, but in the last 2000 years of Church history as the gospel has been being preached in all the world. For the postmillennialist, they would acknowledge a coming golden era of some arbitrary length, but they would argue that this “millennium” of triumphalism will be ushered in by the Church and not the Lord Jesus at His Coming! Both groups would undoubtedly, deny that God has any future purposes for Israel during this time, which runs totally contrary to what the disciples thought when putting the question to Jesus, “...Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
In this teaching, we examine the position of premillennialism in light of Revelation 20:1-6, and try to understand the role of the Church and the place of Israel in this coming future kingdom, over which shall rule Messiah at His Second Coming.
Acts 9:1-6
If ever there was an example (outside of the life of our Saviour), of single-minded devotion to the high calling of God, it was the life of Paul the Apostle!! While many today are busy about their own business, Paul was busy about His Masters. From the moment of his conversion, a cry arose in his heart, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”. Brothers and Sisters, when a man or a woman asks a question like this, there’s no knowing how God will answer it!!
This sermon is a call to Christian ministry…a call to the service of the Saviour in the service of others! Who will respond? Who is willing to count the cost? Who is willing this day to say, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? May the Lord be glorified in raising up a people of service in this day in which we live.
Ephesians 4:17-32
There are some Christians who never mention the name of our adversary, for fear of giving him undue attention. You’ve all heard I’m sure, the well-meaning sentiments of a dear soul that has said in their enthusiasm; “I don’t give HIM any glory by even mentioning his name!”. Now I do understand the thinking behind such a statement, but the question is, is it Biblical? I was a teacher for a number of years, and when a pupil was playing the fool in class—seeking for attention and would-be followers—I usually didn’t give them the satisfaction of playing their game by bringing “undue attention” to them. Instead, I would choose at times to employ the strategy of “ignorance”, and sure enough, they soon got tired of the show when they saw that they were not getting the crowd they’d hoped for! However, what if, that pupil was to pull out a knife, am I still going to play dumb? It’s one thing to have an irritant in the class, and quite another to have a potential murderer!! The Bible doesn’t portray the devil as an irritant (far from it!!). Jesus called him a “murderer” in Jn. 8:44, and identified him as the “wicked one” in Mt. 13:19. Peter tells us that he’s a “roaring lion”, roaming about, seeking whom he may devour! (1 Pet. 5:8).
It is imperative that we understand the wiles of our enemy and prepare ourselves for the day of his attack in order that we might not give him any place!
Revelation 19:11-21
All that has gone before us in past chapters, is preparing us for the one pinnacle, supreme event that is to appear in this chapter, namely the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The single greatest event in history without exception, to which the prophets of old bore witness, was Messiah’s first coming. The single greatest event to take place after this, to which again, the prophets of old bore witness, is Messiah’s Second Coming! It is for this momentous event, that all of nature and history awaits, not least those of us called and chosen in Him!
In this twenty-ninth teaching part, we look at this fascinating topic and its timing. Come, Lord Jesus, Maranatha!
The Father’s Pruning Shears – Paul M. Williams
John 15:1-6
On a traditional vine that has been trained, there is a main with thick horizontal branches coming off from the trunk. All along the branches, at regular intervals are knuckles (spurs), out of which grow pencil-like stems called canes. It is on these canes that the grapes will grow; however, grapes will only grow on canes that are one year old which means there is a need for pruning every single season to remove the old wood. It’s been said that grapevines are probably pruned more extensively and more aggressively than any other crop. When farmers prune, they remove the majority of wood produced the previous season – up to 90 percent is pruned away!! Last year’s season of fresh long canes (of many feet) will be trimmed right back to several inches and the older canes bearing the fruit which grew the season before that (i.e. those that are now two years old) are completely removed from the branch! As one walked by at pruning season, the untrained eye would think that a massacre had taken place! Heaps of old cane lies strewn along the floor in mounts and the poor plant looks barren — from a distance, all one can see is a trunk and branches! Yet to the trained eye, the job has been well-done in order that the branches might go on to bring forth more fruit!!
Jesus said that He is the True Vine, we are the branches and His Father is the husbandman. Without the Father’s pruning in our lives, (the trials and afflictions that He allows to come upon us), we would reach a ceiling in our spiritual lives. It is not the Father’s will that we should be diminished in fruit and so He prunes us that we might bear more fruit!!
Matthew 23:25-28
I’m sure that you’ve heard of the cat with nine lives – so the old English proverb goes, “For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays". One news story reported how that a cat in the US city of Boston survived a fall from a 19-storey window, only bruising her chest! It’s one thing to talk with lightness about the nine proverbial lives of the kitty, but the man with two lives, is no joking matter – multitudes of Churches up and down the land are plagued by this blight. As one understands correctly the title of this sermon; the man with two lives has nothing whatsoever to do with the concept of staying alive, but instead, speaks of duplicity, of feigned living, of hypocrisy and two-facedness.
In this featured sermon, we look at the lives of the Scribes and Pharisees and in so doing, we discover the nature of their hypocrisy. This is a very searching and challenging sermon, yet one that is most needful if we are to really go on with the Lord. May God give us grace to be honest before Him, that we might be found sincere in our worship of Him.
Revelation 19:1-10
A heard is cry coming from heaven; “...the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready”. This, to the Western mind, seems strange language upon first sight. In what sense are we to understand this seeming conundrum? How can the Church be identified as the wife of Christ before the marriage? In order to understand this, we must understand marriage in the context of Jewish culture. In this 28th teaching part, we turn our attention to this great marriage supper and the need for the bride of Christ to make herself ready for her Bridegroom’s coming!
Isaiah 26:3
The Christian soldier is never stationary in His efforts to hold the ground of victory taken for Christ in His life. He knows full well, that yesterday’s victories could well turn to tomorrow’s defeat. We are in a war and this is no time for lightness, nor is it time to be found sleeping at the post of duty. The Word of God charges us to take to arm us for the fight, the whole armour of God that we might be able to withstand in the evil day of Satan’s special assault! Of all the armoury listed in that great chapter of the epistle to the Ephesians, there’s one piece of the armour that is distinguished from the rest “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph. 6:16).
This sermon is an exhortation to faith! An exhortation to not allow the lies of the enemy to penetrate our minds. God has promised to keep those in perfect peace, whose mind are stayed on Him, because they have placed their trust in the Lord!!
1 Corinthians 13
Of all the many attributes of love, the one element that I have chosen to focus on in this sermon is the selflessness of love!! Well, I could have picked any one of the other colossal pinnacles to climb—the longsuffering of love or the kindness of love; the courtesy of love or the humility of love—any one of these would have been more than a well-served meal and would have satisfied to the full our spiritual appetites. Yet, it is this one aspect of love; this one pinnacle amongst the mountain range, that I want in this sermon to explore. “Charity...seeketh not her own”.
Revelation 18
“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen”. The thought of it!! The unthinkable has taken place!! In one hour, her judgment has come and the great city which once ruled over nations has fallen from her height of prominence and now has become the habitation of devils and every foul spirit.
In this eighteenth chapter, we explore the fall of this great city and reflect upon its sudden ruin.
Numbers 13:26-33
When we first came to the Lord, we didn’t understand everything, but what we did know was that we were being drawn by the Holy Spirit to Jesus Christ, to place our utter dependence and trust in Him; no more to live for self and sin, but instead to live for Christ in righteousness The though was paralyzing—all we’d ever lived and known, in one moment was to be forsaken! Ah, but the time came when you crossed the bridge and found it to be a solid one!! You met with the Lord and tasted of His goodness and faithfulness! This was the beginning of a journey; one of faith and trust, and as you trace the years that you’ve now walked with the Saviour; there have been seasons since when God has brought you to the valley of seeming impossibility, and has said again, will you trust me?
Leviticus 25:1-7
There’s much emphasis in our day amongst certain circles regarding the observance of weekly sabbath. In the first half of this sermon, we address this issue and ask the question; are Christians obliged to keep the Law?
In the second half of this sermon, we turn to place our focus on the title, “God’s Provision in Man’s Obedience”. For six years God said for the Israelites to work the land – to sow, to reap, to gather and to prune. But in the seventh year, God said that they were to cease from their labour and allow the land a sabbath’s year of rest. Naturally, this flags up the question, if they were not allowed to sow or to reap, then what would they eat? Besides eating the produce that grew naturally of itself, God told the Israelites that if they would obey Him, then on the sixth year, He would bring produce in such abundance, that it would last them for three years!!! Brethren, this speaks to us today. If we will obey God in that which He has spoken, then He will meet our needs in supplying to us in abundance, blessings from His hands.
Revelation 17
We have mention made for the first time in Revelation, of a great whore who sits upon many waters. Arrayed in purple and scarlet, decked with gold, precious stones and pearls, she is being carried along by the beast of Revelation 13. Written upon her forehead is a number of names and John saw the woman drunk with the blood of the Saints. Who is this woman and why is she depicted in this way? What is her relationship to the beast and why is she counted as a harlot? All of these questions and others besides, we endeavour to answer in this teaching part as we look at the imagery of the woman and the beast she is sat upon.
Psalm 130:3-4
There are many ways to look upon a masterpiece of art. Each angle seems to shed a new perspective, as differing tones and hews are brought into fresh view with every studious stare. Far greater than any piece of art is the splendour of Almighty God—His many attributes leave a pause for wonder as man tries with his finite mind, to grasp after Him who is eternal!
Of all the attributes, there’s one attribute that holds a special place in my heart, for I know what manner of man I was, and even now after tasting of eternal life, how great a debtor daily I still am! What is this attribute? It is the mercy of God! “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Having been shown such great mercy by God, what manner of people ought we the children of God now to be? A people full of mercy towards others! How ready are you to forgive another who has wronged you? How willing are you to extend mercy? In the passing of judgment upon others, how much of it is mixed with mercy? May the Lord search all our hearts and bring us to place of greater mercy.
Galatians 6:9
Jesus was clear when he said, that one of the characteristics of the last days is that the love of the most is going to wax cold on account of the increase in evil. What temperature is your heart registering in the measure of love? In the measure of kindness? In the measure of mercy? In the measure of compassion? In the measure of forgiveness? How soft are our hearts — are they like a tender piece of fresh chicken or are like a hardened piece of steak that has been left out in the sun? What a challenge, to keep them soft and tender in the days in which we’re living.
My precious Brethren, I want to exhort you as much as I want to exhort myself this morning; “...brethren, be not weary in well doing” (2 Thess. 2:13) —do not lose heart, do not lose courage, do not become faint in doing well!! “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).
Revelation 16
I believe that key to rightly dividing the book of Revelation, is to recognise that the events recorded in this book can be broadly divided into two parallel blocks — chapters 4 through to 11 forming the first block, and chapters 12 through to 20 forming the second block. When one understands that these two blocks of Scripture are complementary in nature—that is, they run parallel to one another covering the same period of time in the Tribulation—one is then able to rightly divide the book of Revelation making sense of its chronology and the events that happen within it.
In this teaching, we endeavour to compare side-by-side, the trumpet judgments of Revelation 8, 9 and 11, with the vial judgments of chapter 16. In doing this, we discover that whilst there are slight discrepancies between the two accounts, the overwhelming similarities between the two necessitate that they are referring to the same event. Take a listen and decide for yourself.
Hebrews 3:7-19
The conscience of man has been likened by some to a living organ. Like all organs, the conscience has a primary function; the primary function of the heart is to pump blood around the body, the kidneys remove waste products and excess fluids from the body; the liver helps break down food in digestion and rids the body of toxins. The primary function of the conscience is to sound to man objective and unaltering morality so as to point him in the way of righteousness. There are many similarities between a conscience and an organ, and perhaps chief among them is the ability to render corrupt and ineffective, that once-living organ through repeated abuse! Paul referred to a people who had seared their consciences. You say, how does one sear their conscience? Simple, just keep sinning against your better conscience, keep on ignoring its accusing voice and it will eventually cease to work!!
It’s one thing to harden one’s heart against his conscience, but what happens when a man hardens his heart against the voice of God! What happens, when God the Holy Spirit brings conviction to bear in such a palpable and overwhelming manner such that you know that you know this is the voice of God and yet you choose to continue on in the sin God’s convicting you of? What happens, when God brings His written Word to bear in your hearts shedding revelatory light such that the cloak of sin is blown away and your sin is laid bare before you, and yet, you make excuses and take again the cloak of sin? I tell you what happens...God the Holy Spirit is grieved; the conscience is wounded and the heart is hardened. A word of warning goes out in this sermon, “Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts…”.
Matthew 18:19-20
It never ceases to amaze me, how our great and awesome God takes the nothings of this world to confound and bring to naught the somethings of this world! God took a man by the name of Gideon and with 300 men, defeated the mighty army of the Midianites. God took a nothing man by the name of Abraham—an idolater from a far-away land—and made of him a great nation through which to bless the world!! God takes a nothing shepherd boy by the name of David and makes him a king!! God takes a Christian persecuting Pharisee by the name of Saul and made him an apostle of Jesus Christ. Biblical history proves that without a shadow of a doubt, the few with God make up the majority!
This sermon is an exhortation for the Body of Christ not to despise the day of small beginnings. Where two or three are gathered together, there the Lord is in the midst! Will we not give ourselves wholeheartedly to prayer; even the small meetings where few are present, as though there was a thousand present and see what God will do!!
Revelation 15
John sees in vision, a sign in heaven, great and marvellous. Seven angels coming out of the temple in heaven having the seven last plagues. To these seven are given seven golden vials full of the wrath of Almighty God. This chapter serves as an introduction to what will take place in chapter 16 as the seven bowls of God’s wrath are poured out upon the earth.
2 Corinthians 5:7-15
A word of warning and exhortation is given regarding the coming day when all believers shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ! In light of this awesome day, what manner of people ought we to be? How ought we to be spending our time? What ought to be our priorities? The cry of Brian's heart is that we might not stand on that day with regrets of what could have been, if only we had lived in light of eternity.
Matthew 14:13-21
A great Word of encouragement is brought forth in this sermon by Brother Brian. In the days in which we are living, God is calling His people to feed those who He brings across our path. Yet, are we the people of God prepared to carry the compassion of the Lord for those who He died for? Are we willing to be inconvenienced? Are we willing to be broken that He might fill us and use us for the glory of His name?
2 Samuel 9:1-8
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, t'was blind but now I see. What does it mean to be in wonder of the grace of God? His saving mercy; His saving grace! Those who have this wonder and who are in awe of God’s grace, will follow Him and won’t turn back!
Hebrews 10:23-25
Is the Church of Jesus Christ necessary for one’s sanctification? Perhaps this is something that you’ve not before considered and so understandably, you may need time to ponder this pertinent question. I say pertinent, because we are living in a day where there is a small but increasing number of Christians, whose attitude towards the local visible Church Body is one of disdain and scorn. Content they are to stay at home and to find their fellowship in the world of virtual reality. This my friends will never do!!
From the Churches inception, those whom the Lord added to His Church, met together, and it is the coming together with other believers – skin touching skin– that we grow in holiness as we learn to forbear with one another in love, forgiving one another as Christ forgave us. At what cost are you prepared to be found in such sanctifying fellowship? May God give us ears to hear.
Haggai 2
Having seen the wonder of God’s greatness, Brian now turns to share on the wonder of God’s glory!! Even the sun in all its brilliance; the stars in their glory; do not compare to the glory and the majesty of the One who brought them into existence in a moment!
Oh, that God would come again and reveal His glory in revival! God is willing, but the question is, are we? Who is willing to carry this burden of revival, which at its centre has to do with the very glory of God?
Hebrews 5:8 – 6:3
It is my firm conviction, based on the evidence and testimony of Scripture, that God in every age and in every generation, is calling His people up to higher ground, and that the work of sanctification; that work whereby we are being fashioned by the Holy Spirit into the image and likeness of the Lord as we yield our lives to Him is an ongoing one which shall not reach its conclusion until the coming of the Lord.
God is wanting to raise up a people of spiritual maturity; a people such that He can trust with Christian service in the field of battle! As one surveys the length and breadth of the land, one has to ask; where are the spiritual giants of yesteryear? God is calling His people up higher in these last days that we might be fitted and prepared for ministry. Will we heed that call?
Hebrews 12:1-2
The clear and uncompromising call of Scripture is an exhortation, calling the people of God unto holiness! Praise God for the many victories won over besetting sins and the great gains made thus far. Yet, could it be, that God is saying to you and I; there is still something amiss in your life that I’m calling you to perfect. Something still lacking which I’m calling you to address.
My Brother, my Sister; the Word God is this; DO NOT SETTLE FOR “ALMOST HOLY” WHEN GOD IS CALLING YOU TO “BE HOLY”.
Philippians 2:5-11
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8).
When one ponders such an unthinkable act of humility, Jesus Christ – very God of very God – humbling Himself in being clothed in humanity and coming down to earth to die the death of a criminal upon a rugged cross; how can we not humble ourselves before Him? Why is it that so often, pride will keep us from saying sorry? May the Lord grant us much grace to take to heart what Brian shares.
John 3:16-21
There’s something wonderful about the sun (S-U-N); its sheer power and brilliance in casting forth its rays; reaching every inch it seems of the earth’s surface. Yet do you know, there are some places that even this great light can’t reach—chasms which burrow deep beneath the earth’s surface—their steep and rocky sides shielding out the light. The deeper that chasm goes, the greater the darkness becomes! Do you know, I’ve found that the human heart is not too dissimilar; like that great chasm, it is adept at concealing itself from the searching rays of the SON (S-O-N).
This sermon is a call for the people of God to prepare their hearts as to how they intend to hear from God. It is a call for willingness on the behalf of us, to step into the light of God’s searching truth, in order that we might be brought up to higher ground.
Isaiah 40:9
How amazing are the wonders of our great and gracious God!!! Beyond our comprehension and thinking. In this opening message, Brian sets before us, the awesome wonder of God’s greatness and calls the Body of Christ to place their faith in HIM!!
Mark 4:35-41
There is coming a day when all that will be shaken, will be shaken. The Church of Jesus Christ is going to go through a very turbulent time in the days ahead and a great testing will distinguish between those who are truly for the Lord and those who are not. It is imperative that the Bride of Christ is found abiding in faith, hope and love; these three shall remain, but the greatest of these is love.
1 Peter 2:3-8
Brian brings a very moving message on the preciousness of Christ. Amongst the varied fruit of a true believer, this one distinguishing mark must be present. Is Jesus Christ precious to your heart, and if not then why not?
Matthew 26:36-45
According to NHS data, there has been a 28% increase in the number of hospital admissions for stress and anxiety in the past decade. Between, 2017 and 2018, there were 595,000 cases reported in the UK relating to work-based stress. However, it’s not just in the workplace, everywhere one look’s, people are under pressure. In one of the biggest surveys into the impact of stress; the results showed that three in four Britons have at least on one occasion over the last year (2018), been so stressed that they have felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. Undoubtedly, much of this stress and anxiety I’m sure can be alleviated by slowing down the pace but the fact of the matter is, some of it cannot be helped.
Where pressure increases, there must be an avenue for that pressure to escape; and the God-given means for the child of God, to bear the burdens given us by God is prayer!
Matthew 6:7-13
It seems that almost every other month, another Christian in the position of leadership, jumps to a social media platform to announce to the world that they’re stepping down from ministry due to some moral failing; or in the case of the last two months, that they’re abandoning the faith altogether! Apostasy has always existed in the ranks of the fold and exhortations abound in the New Testament, calling us as believers to perseverance! What you ask, is the secret of enduring faith and victory? In one word, humility!! “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:6-8).
Indeed, we are charged with the task with taking to arm us for the fight, the whole armour of God; but we must never forget who it is that is on our side, fighting for us. Our Lord instructed us to pray “…lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Mt. 6:13). This petition can so easily be overlooked at times and it is the purpose of this sermon to bring it back into fresh view. Will we not encourage ourselves in the Lord, to know that “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13)?
Zechariah 4:6-9
So often in our theology, we begin with man first and forget that the opening words before ever mention is made of man is; “In the beginning God…” God is the great first cause of all things. By Him and through His Word, the whole universe was brought into existence.
How often do we really seek counsel from the Lord for direction at life’s crossroads? How often do we consult Him and enquire of His counsel? In this sermon, we really bring home the need for a Word from God in season. God is faithful and delights in revealing His will! For the soul that seeks Him, standing on His promises; that soul shall never be disappointed. It matters not the mountain that stands before you; if God has spoken into the situation, what He has said, He will do! The question is, will we believe the Word of the Lord?
Revelation 14
We come in this teaching to our first interlude since beginning the second section of the Book of Revelation. This is a very quick-paced chapter, full of various visions. A lot of ground is covered in just twenty verses. First, we are met again, with that special group of Jewish men; 144,000 Messianic believers, gathered on Mount Sion with the Lamb. Next, John sees, three heralding angels, proceeding one another, each with a different cry. Finally, we are met with a vision pertaining to the end harvest - the gathering together for the day judgment both of the righteous and the wicked.
May God help us as we study this chapter, to make sense of what is written.
2 Chronicles 14
It seems that the hardest thing to get Christians to do today is to pray, and because there is no individual prayer life there is no corporate prayer life! The prayer closets of the average Christian are perpetually vacant and the Church prayer meeting has long been abandoned. I don’t know about you, but for me, this send’s the strongest possible message. If actions could speak (and they do); they would say in short; “WE DON’T NEED GOD!!”. What is prayer but in its simplest essence, making our requests known unto God. Yet here’s the irony; the man who does not feel his need, will not pray his need. The great urgency of the day is not to convince Christians to pray, but to convince them of their need to pray!!!
This sermon is a clarion call, for the Church to again discover the greatest weapon ever given it…prayer! In this day of great peril, who will be willing again to seek the Lord in prayer? Let us do so, not only individually, but also corporately, that we might see the hand of God again amongst us, doing exploits for His glorious name! We can do ALL things through prayer, and NOTHING without it.
Matthew 16:13-18
Pastor Jason from Bourne Evangelical Church brings a very timely word from the Lord in season. Using the promise that Jesus made to build His Church, He shows how God is still at work in the land, raising up a faithful remnant for the glory of His name. Those who want to do things their own way find themselves in apostasy as Church after Church across this land closes its doors for good. Yet, those who want to do things God’s way—faithfully preaching His Word and standing on it, are finding that God is still the same, mighty to raise up a testimony of His true Church in the earth!! Do it again O Lord, do it again!!
To find out more about Pastor Jason Wright, please visit here:
https://www.bourneevangelical.org/
Revelation 13:11-18
We come in this twenty-second teaching part to a second beast which John saw coming up out of the earth. Who is this second beast, and what shall be his function and office? How does his activity correlate to the person of the first beast? What is the image that John beheld, speaking and causing as many as would not worship the image to be killed? Then there’s mention made of a mark, which all men shall be made to receive and without which no man might buy or sell unless they have this mark. What is the number of his name and the wisdom needed for understanding? We discuss all of these questions in this teaching and turn to the Scriptures to shed precious light on the answers.
1 Samuel 22:1-3
“The world’s greatest men usually enter incognito. The tough youngsters who gathered in Jesse’s back yard of a summer afternoon to play the ancient equivalent of piggy-move-up would not have shoved Jesse’s youngest boy around quite so freely if they had had a touch of second sight to let them see that they were taking liberties with the greatest king Israel was ever to know. But their blindness made possible many a glorious day of fun for the boys in the neighborhood...Such are the ways of God when He prepares His saints and heroes: He leaves them unrecognized by the world until the day of their “showing unto Israel””.
– A.W Tozer
1 Samuel 7:1-13
As Christians, we ought never to lose the living testimony of a Living God in our midst! The increasingly secular world in which we live declares that God is dead and as such, derides anyone who would dare to come out in the public square and declare that Jesus is real and living! The great danger in our day is that we can become so PC that we’ve nothing left of a Christian testimony whereby God can be glorified! We must resist this temptation to “fit-in”. Has not the Lord been good to us? Has He not by His mighty arm delivered us again and again out of many dangers? When we had no one else to turn to, was not the Lord our rock?
As we dig into 1 Samuel 7, we see that while Israel walked with the Lord, they had a testimony of His mighty deliverance; but when they turned their hearts from Him to serve idols, then was this testimony lost. This is a call to return unto the Lord with wholeness of heart that we might see again in our midst, a living testimony of a Living God.
Revelation 13:1-10
I cannot stress enough, the importance and the significance of the chapter that is before us tonight, in better aiding our understanding of the nature, role, and function of the antichrist in his hour of power during the Great Tribulation. It is important to point out, that John does not stand in isolation in the things he sees. The prophet Daniel, some 600 years before, foresaw similar events. He too saw beasts rising out of the sea, the fourth being diverse from the others that came before it, having ten horns. Both the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation, due to their nature and the similarities of the material found within them, have been labelled as apocalyptic. God in his wisdom has given us two such books so that by reading both in tandem, we would arrive at a fuller understanding of eschatology. By understanding the one, it better aids our understanding of the other; and it is for this reason that we are going to be spending quite a bit of time this evening studying the book of Daniel, in particular, chapter 7. If we can understand the prophetic imagery of Daniel chapter 7 and its fulfillment in light of history, then by applying the same principles of interpretation, we can open up with accuracy, the imagery of Revelation 13, as it pertains to events that are yet future.
Matthew 16:24-25
When you purpose with all your heart that you are going to walk through this life with the single determination at every juncture to say, YES to the will of God and NO to the will of man! Get ready, for a life of misunderstanding; judgment, criticism, and persecution. To walk with God friends at times is to tread a lonely path of obscurity, and we have to settle it in our heart from the onset that we will seek only the smile and approval of God! If this was the path the Master went; should not the servant tread it still? Who will say YES to the Master? YES to Your way and No to Mine?
Matthew 24:1-13
This is a sermon that will both challenge and equip believers to get ready for the Lord’s return. It is by no means exhaustive, but key principles and commands are passionately given in order to help prepare the Bride of Christ to make it through in these last days.
This sermon was delivered at Israel and Prophecy. For more information, visit:
www.israelandprophecy.org
Pastor John brings a very timely word for the purpose of equipping the Saints to get ready for the Lord’s return. Drawing from the Scriptures, John contrasts those who were ready at the first coming of the Lord with those who were not and in so doing shows those who will be ready and those who won’t at His second coming.
This sermon was delivered at Israel and Prophecy. For more information, visit:
www.israelandprophecy.org
2 Timothy 4:1-5
It is the responsibility of the minister of God to be ready to preach the word, in season and out of season; when people want to hear it and when they don’t. The man of God must settle this in his heart, ever before he thinks of getting into the pulpit. He is not there to entertain the sheep, but rather, to reprove, rebuke and exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine. Why? “...the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
This sermon is an exhortation all Christians alike, not to shy away from the spotlight of God’s Word, but rather to be ready to place oneself at all seasons, into the searching rays of God’s eternal truth!!
Revelation 12
There are some that maintain, that the book of Revelation is so full of imagery that no sense can be made of any of it. I admit, that the book is full of imagery, but I add that that imagery is not random but specific and deliberate for those with eyes to see! Who is this woman, clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet and upon her head twelve stars? Who is this red dragon, who makes war with the remnant of her seed? What is this war in heaven and why does the dragon persecute the woman, who brought forth the man child?
In this teaching, we answer these questions and endeavour to unpack this difficult chapter and to understand it in light of end times events. May the Lord shine light upon His word?
Romans 1:16
As one surveys the last two thousand years of Church history, one will see that sadly, anti-Semitism has plagued its ranks at every juncture, hiding beneath the thinly clad veneer of theology so-called. Replacement theology—the belief that the Church has replaced national Israel (the Jewish people) in becoming the new inheritors of the promises given specifically to Israel in the Tanakh—has caused an arrogance to arise in the Christian Church (comprising largely of Gentile believers) of which the Apostle Paul warned against in the eleventh chapter of the book of Romans; “Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee” (Rom. 11:18).
In this sermon teaching, the biblical foundation is laid and the mandate given us by God’s word, to take the gospel into all the world, first to the Jewish people and then to the Gentile. May God give us again a burden for Jewish mission!
This sermon was shared at the 2019 Messianic Testimony West Midlands Rally. For further information and to support the work of Messianic Testimony, please visit:
https://www.messianictestimony.com/
Hebrews 4:16
Which one of us, having been redeemed to God, by the blood of the Lamb; having been enlightened and having tasted of the heavenly gift; having been made partakers of the Holy Ghost, tasting the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, cannot upon hearing such precious words, well up with joy? Sinners, saved by grace, whose only plea was God be merciful to me a sinner! Having now been forgiven, cleansed, washed and sanctified, I want to ask you, by what power (in whose power) do you now go on to live this Christian life? By what strength; in whose might? I fear that there are some, who having been forgiven of much, bolt out the blocks like lightening, soaring in the steam of their own zeal; but alas, a year in and some of these poor souls come stuttering to a standstill—they’re out of fuel!!
Perhaps you’re saying, Brother, I don’t know how much longer I can go on; I’m tired, I’m weary and I’m losing heart! I think I hear the word of the Lord speaking forth from this book...can you hear it? Its voice is sure, it’s word, certain; “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6). Precious one, have you come yet to learn the secret of this Christian life; that it’s not for the strong and the mighty but for the weak, who though God shall do valiantly! O to grace how great a debtor!!
1 John 3:1
Every single one of us who name the name of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour has a past do we not? A past that was stained deep by sin; we were on the highway to ruin!! Such were some you wrote Paul to the Corinthian Church. Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of themselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners. How could it be that the Holy One who inhabits eternity should shed His beams of love around us? How can it be that we could be objects of His love and come into an inheritance as children of God? This is a wonder beyond words and the statement, “For God so loved the word”, an enigma that we’ll never fully come to the bottom of. Thank you, Jesus, for loving me!
Revelation 11
We are met in this chapter for the first time, explicit mention made of the beast. Until now, not a single mention of this character has been made by name; everything that we have said about him, we have done so by inference. Before Revelation 11, the word “beast” in reference to the Antichrist is nowhere to be found; yet after Revelation 11; the word “beast” in reference to the Antichrist occurs no less than 36 times.
In this teaching, we begin to look at little closer at the beast along with the two witnesses. Who are these two witnesses and what is their purpose? We shall answer these questions along with others as we explore this eleventh chapter of Revelation.
Colossians 4:2
Extraordinary intervention, calls for extraordinary praise!! I’m sure that we can all relate to this—times in our lives where the mighty hand of God has intervened in our hopeless situation and has prevailed, giving to us a testimony! Praise God for such times and how our hearts overflow with the sound of thanksgiving!! Yet, I find, that what is heard in times of great victory, is seldom ever heard in the ordinary mundane affairs of everyday life. It seems here where we can be so shortsighted and fail so often to see the hand of God at work in what we would deem to be the ’lesser things of life’. Brethren, I am challenged in my own life in this matter. Each new day, when I awake, 1600 people in the UK did not make it to see another day—thank you God for waking me up this morning!! Thank you, Lord, for waking my children and my spouse; thank you for sparing my unsaved loved from the horrors of an eternal hell!! Thank you for a roof above my head, when hundreds of thousands sleep rough on the streets of Britain. Thank you for your faithful provisions—food and clothing—things we so take for granted when almost half the world’s population struggle to meet basic needs.
May this sermon stir our hearts unto thankfulness to our great God for all that He has done for us.
Proverbs 3:5
David brings a message that has at its core, absolute surrender to God!
“…In Scotland once I was in a company where we were talking about the condition of Christ's Church, and what the great need of the Church and of believers is, and there was in our company a godly worker who has much to do in training workers, and I asked him what he would say was the great need of the Church, and the message that ought to be preached. He answered very quietly and simply and determinedly "Absolute surrender to God is the one thing." – Andrew Murray
David Donovan, along with his wife Shirley, are the founders of a medical mission to the people of the Niger Delta called New Foundations.
To find out more about New Foundations, please visit:
https://newfoundations.org.uk/
Genesis 3:1-7
If you name the name of Jesus Christ and are found a fellow citizen in His heavenly Kingdom, then you can be assured of one thing, though all may seem calm and well. Do not be fooled; there is a vicious enemy that wars against your soul 24-7, 365 days of the week; a ferocious and tenacious foe that rests not day and night along with his band of minions, plotting your very downfall. See the many warnings given us in God’s Holy Word, calling us to be a people of watchfulness and exhorting us to prayer.
In this sermon, we discover the secrets of Satan’s wiles in the area of temptation so that we might remain firm and steadfast in the hour of his testing.
Revelation 10
Six angels have given sound to their trumpets; two great woes have been brought upon humanity by the hand of God with the most devastating effects. One trumpet has yet to sound, the seventh and the last; the third and final woe. Just as there was an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, so we have here, another interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets.
John beholds in a vision a mighty angel, coming down from heaven with a little book open book in his hand. We explore the events of this interesting chapter and as we do, we look a little closer at the topic of angels.
Luke 10:38-42
We increasingly live in a culture where responsibility is shirked, duties are neglected, and it’s far easier to blame everyone else for why things are in the mess they are. For all of man’s advancements, in the field of science and medicine, technology and industry; for all of his increase financially; it seems that he’s the worse for it! Never have we known so many divorces, so many suicides, and so many people depressed. Yet the sad reality is when one looks at the faces of many professing Christians, the same expressions of hopelessness that is seen in the world, is seen in them. Where is our joy in the Holy Spirit?
This sermon is an exhortation and an encouragement for us to return as Christians back to the simplicity of sitting at the feet of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
The longer that I’m alive and the longer that I continue in service to the Lord, is the more that I’ve come to realise, you can’t please everyone!! What will be pleasing to one, will inevitably be the cause of displeasure to another and what will serve to light a smile on one face will no doubt serve to put a frown on another. Of course, as a Christian, we’re mandated to let our light shine before men that in seeing our good works, they might give praise to God. “In all things (writes Paul to Titus) shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” (Tit. 2:7-8). But what happens when after we have done this, we are still yet the target of men’s judgment and criticism? Then, we must seek the approval and good pleasure of God alone by faithful obedience to that which He has called each of us to do!
In this sermon, we take a walk through the corridors of the Corinthian Church and in so doing, we see that carnality was alive and well! One man esteemed Paul the greatest and another Apollos. Yet when everything was said and done, Paul said: “Who…is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?" (1 Cor. 3:5). There was one thing central in Paul’s mind; one motivating factor that kept him going. It was not his popularity status before men, but the fact that one day he would stand before the judgment seat of Christ in whose presence, every man's work will be made manifest by fire! In light of this, it ought to be a small thing to every one of us that we should be judged by men! May God give us the courage to go on in the face of discouragement and criticism!
Revelation 9
Four blasts of the trumpet have gone before us; four pronouncements of God’s judgment aimed at the earth in which men are indirectly affected by the catastrophic impact each judgment brings with it. Three great woes now await the inhabitants of the earth. In a manner reminiscent of the days of Moses in which the kingdom of Egypt was judged by ten plagues which befell it; so, in a similar fashion, God begins at the end to do that which He began to do at the start of the Exodus.
In this seventeenth teaching part, we look into the terrifying trumpet judgments of trumpets five and six.
Romans 8:12-28
The world as we know only too well, have a counterfeit joy called happiness, which of course is purely circumstantial and contingent upon events. Christ’s joy, on the other hand, is not mere happiness per se, but a far deeper depth of treasure unmined by this passing world. One man put it this way; “Joy is the deep-down sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who knows all is well between himself and the Lord”. There’s no way of getting around this fact; joy comes to the believer as a direct consequence of a conscious union between God and men, through the person of Jesus Christ. Circumstances come and go like the wind, but Christ abiding in the hearts of His people by the indwelling Holy Spirit is a fixed constant that is not subject to change!
In this sermon, we shall learn the secret of Christian joy and how this joy might remain in us.
Romans 8:12-28
Pastor John shares a very heartfelt message from the Book of Romans, encouraging believers to hold fast in suffering. Oftentimes, when going through trials, one is prone to look at the immediate and in so doing, we fail to see the bigger picture of what God is actually doing; working in us a far greater weight of eternal glory. May the Lord encourage you!
Shared at Israel and Prophecy meeting. For more information, visit:
www.israelandprophecy.org
Matthew 28:19-20
The last words of our Lord, recorded by Matthew, were not, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”; the last words of our Lord were; “...and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world”.
My Brothers and Sisters, take these words to heart!! Let them be the meditation of your thoughts. No matter what we go through as believers; no matter how great the offences and how bitter the disappointments; Jesus has promised that He’ll never leave us, nor forsake us, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6).
Shared at Israel and Prophecy meeting. For more information, visit:
www.israelandprophecy.org
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am. Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever, I am”. We could go, singing the songs of Zion; forever grateful, for His great redeeming love which has been lavished upon us abundantly!! When I think of my awful past and the manner of my former conduct; the things committed in secret of which I am now ashamed; there are no words to explain why I a former child of hell should be found a child of God, saving for the great grace and mighty love of God!
In this sermon, we focus on the wonder of the saving grace and give glory for where God has taken us from.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am. Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever, I am”. We could go, singing the songs of Zion; forever grateful, for His great redeeming love which has been lavished upon us abundantly!! When I think of my awful past and the manner of my former conduct; the things committed in secret of which I am now ashamed; there are no words to explain why I a former child of hell should be found a child of God, saving for the great grace and mighty love of God!
In this sermon, we focus on the wonder of the saving grace and give glory for where God has taken us from.
Revelation 8
Following the brief interlude of chapter 7, we rejoin again the events of the seven seals, which has been the central theme of Revelation, since chapter 5. Six seals have thus far been opened, revealing dark and terrible days ahead, which shall take place upon the earth on a global scale.
Seven angels assigned with a staggering mission. To each is given a trumpet which when blown brings forth the next wave of God’s wrath!! We examine in this teaching the first four of these seven trumpet judgments.
Luke 8:41-56
No Christian has ever been rightly designated as such, without first having in them the seed of faith. Yet friends, having faith in God; trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ is not a once and for all done thing. Faith is not a one-time decision, but a continuation of ongoing decisions as we choose to place our trust and confidence in God and His Son. Anyone who has walked for some time with the Lord, knows only too well that it’s a walk that is full of many obstacles and trials that have been in some cases designed and in other cases permitted, in order to cause our faith not only to work but also to be strengthened.
In this sermon, we look at a number of examples in the Gospels, where it seemed all hope at been removed. Yet, in every case, though the situation seemed hopeless, it served as an opportunity to prove the power of God through faith!
Genesis 5:18-27
The greatest privilege ever to have been afforded to mankind is not the freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. It is not the right to a prompt and fair trial by jury and nor is it the right to vote. These are all fantastic privileges that for the most part, we in the West take for granted; but I want to say Brethren, that a man can have all of these and yet miss the very purpose for which he was born into this world. In the twenty-second verse of this fifth chapter of Genesis, we are confronted with these staggering words; “And Enoch walked with God”.
I want to ask…what does it mean to walk with God? I submit you cannot give a reasonable answer without the use of the word relationship. Enoch walked with God i.e. Enoch had a relationship with God and this would have involved at its heart, fellowship.
Revelation 7
We come again in this teaching to another interlude (the second of a number that is found scattered throughout the Book of Revelation). Chapters 4 and 5 both served as an interlude to bridge the gap between the events following the letters to the Seven Churches, in order to prepare the reader for the opening of the Seven Seals in chapter 6. Six seals have thus far been opened, with the seventh seal yet still to be opened. Seals 1-5 had as their focus, Antichrist and his wrath upon the earth. Seals 6 & 7 by way of contrast, have as their focus, God and His wrath upon the earth which is poured out upon rebellious man and the 666 Antichrist system. This seventh chapter that is before us this evening (the gap-stop) serves then as an interlude which will allow for commentary on two events before rejoining the seal events of chapter 8 which record the opening of the seventh and final seal, and the terrifying trumpet judgments that issue forth out of it.
What then are these two events contained within this interlude? Firstly, a group of a special class of people, numbering 144,000 who shall be on the earth during this time of Great Tribulation. Secondly, a great multitude of Saints in heaven which no man can number who have come out of Great Tribulation. In this teaching, we look at both and try to understand what is taking place.
James 3:1-12
Admittedly, there are many things in this life that can be feigned, not least those matters relating to spirituality. There are 101 different ways that I can give to you the impression that I’m “holy” and yet beneath the façade of public prayer, evangelistic zeal, generosity and commitment to religious duties, can be a rotten heart that’s a million miles away from God. All the above could just be one big cover up for what I really lack, namely a real, living, vital relationship with Jesus Christ!! Yet, there exists a member in the anatomy of the self-styled religionist that will give him away every time thus showing what manner of man he is in regards to personal holiness. He may at first give it the big talk, but just let him keep on talking and soon enough he will reveal what manner of man he really is by what comes out of His mouth. By a man’s words shall he be justified and by a man’s words he shall be condemned.
This sermon is a loving reminder of the pressing need to set a watch over the words of our mouth. It has been given to you and me to make war with this flesh and to bring our base nature to the cross, each and every time it seeks to exert its authority. It is only by doing this, that we shall master this unruly member through the life given us in Christ!
Genesis 12:1-5
You’ve all heard the expression, “Patience is a virtue”. The studious school teacher reminds the student of this and the loving parent the child. So much truth is contained in this tiny phrase, and when we educate our young in this precious lesson, we’re really trying to teach them that being able to wait for something without becoming frustrated is a valuable character trait to have. Yet, as one grows in age, I find that one never seems to grow out of this so-called trait of adolescence, it’s just that we adults become more adept at hiding it. Let’s be honest; impatience plagues the human race and when we’ really set our hearts on something; not being able to realise the instant materialising of that desire, is a thing most vexing to us! “I WANT IT NOW!!” is the general sentiments of the many and when faced with the prospect of a hindering obstacle, two choices confront us; either we can seek to force the issue or we can humble ourselves and wait!!
As we trace the life of Abraham’s journeying, we see a God who has promised and a God who is faithful to perform that which He has spoken. Don’t lose heart Brethren, wait upon God and He shall bring His promise to pass!
Daniel 3:13-18Of all the things that money can buy in this life, it cannot buy you conviction. There’s something about this rare commodity that is priceless…something about this precious asset that speaks greater volume than a thousand words could ever tell! To see a man clothed in integrity and girt about with conviction; is a thing most glorious to behold. Such a one has as his moral compass, the Word of God and though all of nature demands of him to lay down his convictions, he will never do so, because the light he has, he knows, has been given him by God!!
This sermon is an exhortation for the people of God to gain conviction from the Almighty so as to stand courageously for the Lord in this perilous time. The Apostles stood firm in the face of threatenings, when opposed by the religious elite and continued speaking those things they’d been given. Esther was called to stand valiantly in her day and by doing so, she secured the lives of her country people. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, resisted the command of Nebuchadnezzar, choosing to fear God than man. O God, make us a people of conviction!!
Revelation 6:9-17
At the opening of the fifth seal, the wrath of Antichrist is poured out upon believers in Jesus Christ. John beholds under the altar, the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. This is a time of tremendous persecution upon the righteous, who are willing to give their lives to the very end. A cry is heard ascending from under that heavenly altar, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” The answer to their petition is soon to be realised at the opening sixth seal as the Day of the LORD approached upon the ungodly. Satan has had his time to exercise his wrath and not it is God’s turn to execute His wrath.
Hebrews 10:32-39
Anyone who has walked with the Lord for long enough, knows full well, that there are seasons to this Christian life—I mean, it’s not all smiles and hi-fives! Living in England, we observe well, the changing patterns of nature as the bleak months of winter give way to the fresh life of budding spring. The lengthened days of summer bright with their glorious rays, alas must come to an end as the green vegetation retreats and the golden brown of autumn fills the landscape. Brethren, whatever way you look at it, we cannot avoid trial and affliction in this Christian life; we’ve a cross to bear that’s part and parcel of being called a disciple of Jesus Christ.
This sermon is an encouragement to believers who find themselves in a season of affliction and distress. In all of your tribulation, Satan is after one thing and so is God. Satan is after your faith to destroy it, but God is after your faith to strengthen it!! Don’t lose heart Christian soldier…No matter how fierce the trial, no matter how great the battle, THERE CAN BE NO TURNING BACK!
Matthew 5:10-12
As we come to this eight and final beatitude, it appears at first sight to be a contradiction in terms. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake…” How can it be, that the words “blessed” and “persecuted” could ever appear in the same sentence? Doesn’t persecution involve pain and suffering; torment and affliction? Aren’t these bad and to be avoided at all costs? So, our Western mind theorises because we’re so used to a Christianity that’s crossless. Yet for the vast majority of believers today who find themselves living in Communist countries or in Muslim countries, they know firsthand the meaning of the words; “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mt. 16:24).
The secret of the blessing lies in the second part of the verse; “…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. There are two senses in which I believe the idea of the kingdom of heaven being “theirs” is to be understood. One points to the here and now and the other to the kingdom which is to come at the appearing of our Blessed Saviour. May the Lord bless this teaching to your heart and prepare you to stand for the coming storm.
Before turning to examine the first four seals, the ground must be prepared in order to give one a framework in which to make sense of these tremendous events. That which shall take place at the opening of these seals all pertain to a future period of time yet to come, known as Daniel’s seventieth week. At that time, according to the prophet Daniel, a peace treaty will be signed between the Jewish people and their enemies, marking the start of the Tribulation period. Mid-way into these seven years, the man of Sin will break the terms of the covenant and set up the abomination of desolations in the holy place. The following 3½ years will be characterised by a great tribulation, such as the world has never seen and will come to its close at the Second Coming of the Lord.
In this teaching, we explore the first four seals.
Matthew 5:9
The longer that I walk with the Lord, the more I realise that I’m not an island. Must I walk with the Lord alone, absolutely!! But my personal walk with the Saviour is for the purpose of a corporate walk with the Body of Christ to which I am a member. The time that I spend alone with the Saviour in fellowship, is fitting and preparing me for the fellowship that I am to spend with others! My relationship vertically is not in isolation to my relationship horizontally. The two are not mutually exclusive but rather are interdependent. I’m only as good to the Body of Christ as I am rightly related to God but...I’m only as rightly related to God as I am rightly related to the Brethren!
This sermon is a call for the Body of Christ to strive to be peacemakers. One of the great themes of salvation is reconciliation. We have peace with God through the blood of His dear Son. How much more should we now pursue peace with all men?
Matthew 5:8
I’ve found that a man will study theology all day so long as nothing is required of Him that will disturb the stagnant waters of the heart. Someone once told me of a minister who when pressed on the matter of the quality of his personal devotional life to God, he refused to give an answer. Business was his cover and when backed into a corner and forced to give an answer, he slumped into a chair and said; “...the reason why I won’t get alone with God is because I’m scared of what He might say to me!!”. THIS MY FRIENDS IS THE HEART OF THE MATTER!! I fear that in many quarters of the so-called remnant Church, the sheep run frantically to and fro from one conference to the next; amassing to themselves much truth after the head kind. Yet, these same people are not willing to get alone with God and to expose themselves to convicting light of God the Holy Ghost!!
The easiest way for me to explain what I believe is meant in part by “Blessed are the pure in heart” is this. Happy (in a most favourable condition) is the man or the woman who will get alone with God in the secret place and say with the Psalmist David; “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139:23-24). Purity of heart has everything to do with honesty. Is there one who would say; “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart” (Ps. 26:2)?
Revelation 5
Two whole chapters are given us by the Apostle John in order to prepare the reader for the awesome events that are to follow, when in chapter 6 a scroll is opened which sets in motion a series of cataclysmic events known as the Tribulation period which culminate in the closing out of this present age and the bringing in of the Messianic Age. Chapter 4 prepared us for what we have now come to in chapter 5, and chapter 5 will prepare us for the opening of the seals in chapter 6. Chapter 4 was a chapter of magnificent worship around the throne of God and in the chapter before us, this scene of heavenly worship is set to intensify as One is found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals.
Matthew 5:7
I’ve found generally, that in times of peace, man is much more the ready to cast judgment upon his neighbour and throw stones at his fellow man. From his seat of comfort and safety, he peeks his haughty head over his proud shoulder to peer down on those beneath him. “Thank God” he say’s that I am not as other men are. You say, I’d never say that...ah friend, you might not say it in so many words but I tell you, these sentiments express many a prideful heart that is only too quick to get the magnifying glass out to remove the speck out of their Brother’s eye when they’ve a beam 10 inches thick in their own!
Hear the fifth beatitude stated plainly in our hearing and answer me this; what is the attitude of your heart when it comes to this attribute of mercy? “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy”. Seeing that we ourselves hope to receive mercy in abundance from the Lord, it is incumbent upon us that we show mercy to others. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32).
Matthew 5:6
There are some things that you cannot give to a man in this life, and one of those things is an appetite. You can set a plate of food before a man sick with an illness and he’s no stomach for it, even it be his favourite meal! In fact, rather than crave the food, he’s repulsed by it...and you know, when we open the door to sin in our lives and we allow worry and unbelief to consume us; when we go wondering in our hearts after the world’s possessions; do you know what happens? The hunger and thirst for righteousness in our lives are quenched.
Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness? “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled”. What a promise!!! We can have as much righteousness as we have the appetite for!! Oh God, what is hindering me from moving forward? What is stopping me from climbing higher? God is always wanting to take His people up higher, the question is, are we willing?
Revelation 4
We move on in this eleventh teaching to survey an awesome sight. John hears the voice like a trumpet, calling him to come up hither, where he beholds the throne of God surrounded by a company of celestial beings, worshipping the One who sits upon the throne whose appearance is like unto a jasper and sardine stone!
O how feeble are our praises by comparison! How little worth we ascribe to God by our praise! How conditional is it dependent upon our feelings and emotions. Brethren, the LORD is worthy to be praised!!!!
Matthew 5:5
There are some characteristics which heap upon the man or woman possessing them, all the scorn and derision of a society which maintains that weakness is a thing most to be pitied! Yet our Lord dared to run counter to it all when He declared a blessing upon the head of the one who would pursue the way of meekness!! Perhaps in no other area is the demonstration of the power of Christianity tried and tested before men so as to prove the genuineness of its profession than in the area of meekness. Win the battleground here and we’re on our way to securing victory!!
No-one ever set forth in more splendorous array, this glorious virtue than the man Christ Jesus!! In this sermon we move from the gates of Jerusalem to the garden; then to the house of Caiaphas before moving to the courts of Pilate. Our final destination…Calvary!! At every step our Lord evidenced meekness in the face of His accusers and having led the way now commands us to walk in the same! In this life it has been given us to tread the pathway of meekness, but in the age to come, we shall rule and reign with Christ if we faint not. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth”.
Revelation 3:14-22
When one thinks of the Seven Churches of Revelation, the Church perhaps that comes more readily to mind than any other is the Church in Laodicea. History records that where Laodicea was situated geographically, it lay along a great river and in the centre of where three great roads converged. This commercial advantage made Laodicea a city of tremendous wealth and prosperity, so much so that in the early 1st century AD when a devastating earthquake hit, when offer was made by the Roman Emperor to help build back the wasted city, the Laodiceans refused, saying that they preferred to rebuild their ruined city by their own means. It was the affluent condition of the Church in that locale which proved to be its great downfall, as it measured its spiritual prosperity by its physical prosperity. Thinking themselves, rich, increased with goods and need of nothing; our Lord said on the contrary, they were poor, wretched, blind and miserable!
This letter is a warning to us all, not least those of us who live in the West. Moderate, indifferent, lukewarm Christianity will never do! God is calling His people back to Himself, to a fervent, all-out, fanatical, single-minded and single-hearted walk. May God grant us grace to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church!
Matthew 5:4
Perhaps of all of the beatitudes, this second one, is at first glance, one that fallen man could perhaps go along with; that is until he understands the reason for the mourning! “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted”. Who doesn’t like to be comforted when heavy–laden and grieved of heart? When some great ill afflicts the human soul? The loss of a precious family member, news of some terrible illness; a miscarriage of justice, betrayal by one you thought was a friend? It is on account of these things and others besides, that a man will mourn and will find to himself relief from the comfort of a friend. I dare say, that some would even seek for relief in God. However, it is my firm conviction that the mourning to which Jesus has so clearly in mind, is that mourning on account of sin!
Men will mourn for many things, but one thing they seldom will ever mourn is their sins!! O glad day, when upon learning the condition of our blackened hearts by the tender working of the Holy Spirit, we began to mourn our sins!! However, it is not only upon becoming a believer that we mourn our sins; as we journey through this life ever sensing our pilgrim status in this world, is it not the case that we continue to mourn our sinful flesh, looking for that final day in which we shall be forever comforted by our Lord? Do not lose heart in the battle Saints against sin; we shall reap soon if we faint not.
Matthew 5:3
This sermon is the first in a series of eight sermons preaching through the beatitudes. You will notice that the word ‘beatitude’ has a single ‘t’ rather than a double as in ‘beattitude’. This is because, in Latin, ‘beatitudo’ means “a state of blessedness”. In fact, the word beatitude means “supreme blessedness” which is why each of the eight beatitudes begins with the word ‘Blessed’. Here before us then, stand a number of statements spoken by our Lord, that offer to men supreme happiness, well-being, and prosperity if they are found in such condition!
In the first of this eight-part series, we will examine the nature of what it means to be poor in spirit and the great blessings that attend the soul that truly senses moment by moment, their absolute need for the Saviour! “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.
I find it no coincidence that the only two Churches of which our Lord had nothing indicting to say, both found themselves in the midst of the purging fires of persecution! Twenty-eight miles south-east of Sardis lay the city of Philadelphia. Its natural geography served well to illustrate the robustness of the Church residing in this city as one of bearing up under trial. Philadelphia lay on the edge of a great plain which was nick-named the “Burnt Land” on account of the frequent volcanic activity in the area. Yet, what one would deem to be a curse, another would deem a blessing, since because of this activity, Philadelphia was one of the most fertile areas in the world bringing to it great prosperity, not least through its world-famous wines, produced from the grapes which grew on this plain. Again, this serves as an analogy to illustrate the irony of persecution, that what one would deem surely to result in the obliteration of Christianity via the volcanic fires of persecution, proves only to be conducive to the fertile ground upon which the Church flourishes, exporting its fruits the world over!!!
In this teaching, we explore the goodness and sovereignty of God, in light of persecution. Here was a Church in Philadelphia having little strength, who had kept Jesus’ word and had not denied His name!! Our Lord’s exhortation to this faithful Church was to hold fast what they had until His coming.
1 Samuel 25:1-35
There are many things in this life which seem to come easier to us than others. Eating (for example) comes more readily to heart than cooking; spending than saving; resting than working. I well could add to this list another entry; obstinacy comes more readily to heart and easier to our sinful flesh that apologising to a Brother or Sister that we have wronged through our bad attitude! How naturally does it come to first justify ourselves along the lines of, “they deserved it!!”; how much the more enticing is it to allow offense and so-called “justified” anger to pump through our veins than we bow our stubborn hearts and turn to our Brother and say, “I’m sorry...I was wrong!”
As we enter a new year; this sermon is an exhortation for us where possible, to make things right with our fellow brother or sister. May we be the first to the mark to say; I’m sorry…I was wrong!
James 3:13-18
The world in which we live in is full of war and bloodshed. If history could count the total number of lives lost through this weapon of mass destruction, there would not be room on a conventional calculator to display all the digits! For all of fallen man’s efforts in trying to secure peace, history informs us that man is not able to live at peace with his neighbour!!
It’s one thing for the world to behave in this manner, but what are we to say when Christians behave like this? In the thirteenth verse of James chapter 3, a question is put; “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?” The answer is given, “…let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom”. It is this wisdom that James describes as coming from above on account of its peaceable fruit that is contrasted with the wisdom descending from below which is earthly, sensual and devilish, tending to confusion and every evil work. May we be found in these last days walking in peace as the children of God!
Revelation 3:1-6
It’s amazing how so much can change over time! If one was to visit Sardis in Western Turkey today, one would be greeted by a vast array of ruins; the crumbling shells of what was once a magnificent and illustrious city. Seven hundred years before this letter was penned by John, Sardis stood as one of the greatest cities in the world! Sardis was THE celebrated capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia and was also of great importance in the era of the Persians and also the Romans. Yet sadly, when one looks for this eminence and splendour today, one looks in vain; all is but a faded memory of a bye-gone day, Sardis’ former glory now confined to the pages of antiquity, its ruins serve as a testimony of what once was!
The sad reality of the matter is that the passing glory of this ancient city was reflected by a Church which was found in it. Once this Church excelled in spiritually and godliness; yet, by the time our Lord addressed them, they had retained the name but had lost the reality of what earned them that name in the first place. “...thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead”. There is much that we can learn from the Church in Sardis and the words that our Lord spoke to them; may God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit saith.
1 Corinthians 13
End-days prophecy...Israel...hermeneutics/exegesis, Greek and Hebrew; for many who identify themselves as belonging to the “remnant Church”, they pride themselves on their great learnedness in these areas. Yet, as I observe with these two eyes, when I look to find this superior knowledge being matched with a superior life (character, fruit, godliness); I look in vain!! Am I missing something here? I thought that Christianity was about fruit as well as doctrine, in fact James tells me categorically that if I’m a hearer of the word and yet not a doer of the word then I’m deceived (Jms. 1:22).
This sermon is a call to the people of God; right doctrine alone will never cut it!!! It’s high time that God people set the arrow to the mark of love! Use the term “remnant Christian” all day long but if it’s not this type of remnant Christianity, then Brother, Sister for all our talk of remnant doctrine and remnant truth, we’ve missed the bullseye and the mark to which all truth tends, namely to remnant love!!
2 Samuel 20:8-13
I wonder, how many of us as Christians live in light of the coming judgment. How many of us walk in the shadow of this reality. Paul a thoroughly saved and blood washed man, in light of the judgment seat of Christ, sought to live and labour in such a way so as to be blameless, commending himself in the sight of God and before the consciences of men. My Brother, my Sister, when I look today in the professing Church of Christ, I see so little fear of God in the hearts of His people. Where is the fear of God in light of the judgment seat of Christ? Take just one area...Look at the way in which Christians treat one another, the callousness, the skullduggery and treachery. The bitter envying and strife, the false slander and assignation of character which all has its origins from the Prince of darkness, ascending from the pit of hell!! Who will take stock and recall to mind the terrifying words of our Lord who said “...That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Mt. 12:36). Who will remember the words of Jesus who said, “...whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Mt. 18:6). These are serious words that we must give due consideration of!!
I tell you my Brother, there ought to be a holy fear and reverence for the fact that one day we are going to have to give a personal account to Jesus Christ as to how we have spent our lives. This must and has to filter down into the reality of how we treat one another for which we shall MOST certainly give account!! We look in this sermon at the life of Joab and conclude with this; YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT!
Revelation 2:18-29
When one mentions the Church at Thyatira, what thoughts come readily to mind? Good thoughts or bad thoughts? If we’re honest, we’d have to concede ’bad’ thoughts’! How bad? Jezebel, false prophetess, Idolatry, fornication, foods sacrificed to idols, great tribulation, killing, sickness and death!! Yet, in keeping with the usual custom of our Lord, before He brings rebuke, He first brings commendation. Can anything good come out of Thyatira you ask? Absolutely!! “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first”.
That said, the Lord had a few things against His people which though few in number, was by no means a small matter! “I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols”. We’ve much to learn from this Church and in this teaching we touch on many practical points that serve to forewarn and arm us.
Lamentations 3:21-23
There’s a chorus that well sums up the sentiments of this sermon message: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh Lord, Great is Thy faithfulness”. Although the chorus proclaims “Great is Thy faithfulness Oh Lord”, some if they were honest would have to change the words to “Small is Thy faithfulness”. You say how so? When you and I fall short in our personal lives in the area of sin, and miss the mark of the expected moral standard to which as Christians we are called to walk, how long does it take for us to recover and to come back into the love and friendship of Jesus Christ? Once godly sorrow has done its work to bring us to a place of true repentance, what then? Then we must look in unswerving faith and confidence to the crucified risen Saviour who stands with arms outstretched wide to receive us back into His presence!!
One can have a grasp theologically on the concept of forgiveness of sins, but without the personal ingredient of “faith”, the experience of forgiveness (a conscience which is at peace) will never be a reality but instead, hanging over your head will be a cloud of condemnation and doubt. Oh that we might rise up and draw near to our God in full assurance of faith and find for our souls a sweet relief!
Ephesians 5:18
Though as Christians our citizenship is rooted firmly in heaven, we nonetheless for the time being have a dual residency, being found also with our feet on planet earth. It is for this reason that the New Testament is full exhortation, urging us on to personal holiness. “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Drunkenness is a terrible blight upon any society that has given itself over to liquor; yet I want to suggest that there’s a far more subtle form of intoxication that is engulfing the masses in our day, namely that of the corrupting influences of modern media. How many sway under the spirit of this age, drunk with the propaganda of filth that’s literally flooded into our homes via the satellite airwaves. It’s time that we got sober, had an old fashioned cleanout and got rid of some of that old leaven from out of our homes!!
Brother, Sister, have you oil in your lamp? Are you filled with Holy Spirit? Show me a man yielded to God in absolute obedience; show me a woman that’s shut up with God in the closet in prayer and the study of His Word; show me one that is taking careful watch over their soul, cultivating holiness in the fear of God; and I’ll show you a man or a woman that is filled with the Spirit!!!! May God help us to light a fire in our bosom that will never go out!!
Revelation 2:12-17
The ancient city of Pergamos had been for three hundred years, a capital city in that locale. Like that of Ephesus and Smyrna, Pergamos was a famous centre of religious worship and among the Greek deities worshipped by the Pergamenes was the revered Asklepios.
There were some in Pergamos who had remained faithful under trial, suffering much at the hand of the wicked one and yet had not denied their Lord. Others however had turned aside to the false doctrine of Balaam, eating things sacrificed to idols and committing fornication. There’s a lot to be learned from this Church, both from their commendation and their rebuke. By God’s grace we shall explore practically and theologically these precious lessons.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Pastor Paul brings a very stirring message to awaken the Church from a spirit of complacency in our day. Things never begin out in this way but as one generation passes another takes its place, the fervency and the vision which once characterised the former gives place to apathy and by the time one the third generation comes, already the rot of backsliding compromise has set in. We are called to awaken from the spirit of complacency, to return back to our first love and to set our homes in order.
Matthew 8:5-13
A sad reality that haunts our present day is that Christianity has been reduced to nothing more than a simple formula through which if a person can regurgitate a few words, giving mental assent to a few facts, then he’s admitted into this comfortable religion we call Christianity and promised the treasures of eternal life. What does this “comfortable” religion look like? Well...let’s just say, you’d never know that the people professing it were any different from the world if it were not for the fact that they went by the name of Christian!!!! Yet, here’s the thing...as we trace the history of the first century Church, they were not always called Christians; they were called Christians first in Antioch. What were they then known as before Antioch? “...the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”. Hence we see, the name “Christian”, and the word “disciple” are synonymous!!
This sermon is a call for the rubber on the Christian wheels to meet the road. Who sits on the throne of your heart? Who is the supreme ruler of your life? Who’s pulling the strings? Who’s calling the shots? In short; are you a man under authority?
Revelation 2:8-11
Of all seven epistles addressed to the Churches in Asia, the letter to the Church in Smyrna is by far the shortest. In just four verses, all that the Lord had to say was said! Smyrna was a Church that found itself amidst much tribulation and upon seeing their plight, Jesus sought to encourage them to hold fast and to prepare for an even greater period of persecution that was to follow.
There is much that can be learned from this epistle that we would do well to take heed. May God give us much grace in the days ahead so as to not only prepare for persecution but also to endure it.
Proverbs 3:5-6
There’s a thought that so grips my heart, subconsciously hanging over my head like an appointment. What is this thought you ask? It’s this...my personal accountability to God for what I have done with the time He has given to me whilst on this earth. It is this...the purpose for which I expended my life; the reason for which I lived and moved and had my being; to what end and to whose glory did I spend this little passing moment called life.
This sermon is a challenge and an exhortation for the Body of Christ to press into the will of God. Who will enquire of the Lord and seek out His will for every area of their lives? May God grant us much grace that when our Lord appears, we would not stand before Him empty handed. May we be able to say that we were busy about our Masters business!
Acts 17:16-32
We are living in a post-modern generation where a new breed of thinking has invaded the imaginations of men's hearts and minds. Once upon a time, there existed something called objective truth which in turn set the parameters for objective morality. God was that objective truth and His Holy Word the moral standard which was brought to bear upon the consciences of men. God the creator dictated to man the created, what was right and what was wrong and the consciences of men bore testimony and approval. But now, we are seeing an altogether different scenario taking shape before our eyes, where man is fast becoming answerable to no one. science, we’re told has now explained away God and if there is no God and man is just an advanced ape with no God-given conscience, then it naturally follows that man is free on his upward journey of evolution to define his own truth and in turn his own morality without the baggage of accountability.
The call goes out in this sermon without reservation; REPENT!! God is one day going to judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom he hath appointed. In that day the secrets of men’s hearts will be laid bare and no stone will be left unturned. Justice cries aloud to have its fill and unrighteousness will not be left unpunished but mercy cries louder, DO NOT GIVE THEM WHAT THEY DESERVE!! Hell opens wide its mouth to receive you but the arms of God are open even wider to receive you if you are willing to first repent and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus that you might be saved!! What will you do?
Revelation 2:1-7
Ephesus was a city of tremendous importance and was by far the greatest city in Asia. Commercially it was unrivalled and was the wealthiest being surpassed by very few cities of that day. Being situated at the mouth of an important river, Ephesus commanded the trade of that region and was dubbed “The Vanity Fair of the Ancient World”. Politically, it too was a city of great importance earning for itself the name “Supreme Metropolis of Asia”, and of course religiously, it held a place of incredible prominence being the centre of the worship of Artemis aka Diana and the temple situated in that city was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. To this city dared to come the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!
Around the year AD 52, a Church in Ephesus was founded and a decade later, around the year AD 62, Paul wrote his epistle to this same Church. In the passing of some three plus decades Jesus Christ now addresses this Church and though He had much good to commend them for; their labour and patience in exposing false doctrine and rooting out false teachers, He nonetheless had something against them, namely that they had left their first love!!
Every one of us has known at some point in our lives, the blessing of having the precious companionship of a good friend. Admittedly, acquaintances are very easy to come by but a good friend, a trustworthy and well-worn friend, a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, is hard to come by and when one finds such a friend, one finds a friend indeed!!
Whether we have any such friends or none at all, for the blood-bought child of God, we have a true friend and companion in Jesus Christ. Well we could speak of Jesus Christ our Saviour, rightly we could make much of Jesus Christ our Lord, but amongst these nouns surely ought to be found, Jesus Christ our friend!! Earthly friends will fail you and even companions as close as husband and wife will inevitably fail one another, but there is a friend, a trusted companion who cleaves to us through thick and thin, one who calls us friends!!
John 15:4-5
There’s a verse in Sacred Scripture that is the very engine of the Christian life, the very fountain of life, from which all spiritual vitality arises. You see, there are many today that have reduced Christianity to nothing more than a neatly packed formula; a convenient list containing few dos and a few don’ts! Is Christianity simply about following the example left us by our Lord? Are Christians nothing more than a human parrot left in our own strength to imitate the life of Christ? I say with resounding passion, NO!! What saith Paul? “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).
The secret of the Christian life is found in our spiritual union with Jesus Christ. From start to finish and everything in between, Christianity is about a relationship with the Triune God of Holy Scripture!! Whether it be sanctification, Christian character or Christian service, there shall be no abiding or lasting fruit unless it be found arising out of an intimate union with Jesus Christ maintained and sustained by faith.
Revelation 1:9-20
The four Gospel accounts record for us the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Mention is made of His birth and great detail is given to his ministry of some 3½ years, culminating in His death, burial and resurrection. Following His resurrection, Jesus showed Himself alive for 40 days by many infallible proofs being seen of the Apostles and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom until the time in which He was taken up to heaven.
We have very little recorded in the New Testament of the words of Jesus Christ following His ascension. However, it’s not until we come to the final book in the Bible that we have a detailed description of the risen ascended Son of God and the words spoken by Him to His Churches. This therefore if for no other reason, makes the Book of Revelation a very unique book in the Bible. In this teaching, we examine this first vision of John who beholds the risen, ascended Christ!
1 Samuel 14:1-23
The Church of Jesus Christ in this our nation finds itself at this late hour in a terrible squalor. On every hand, her enemies seem altogether to be prospering and yet the professing Body of Jesus Christ lies impoverished, weak and feeble. Every wicked thing proceeding from the prince of darkness seems to be having its heyday whilst Christianity is being seen off in embarrassment out the book door. Brothers and Sisters, I don’t know how you feel about this, but on a personal level my heart is grieved at this sad state of affairs; saddened by what ought never to be. As I look in my New Testament I don’t see a Church subjugated by the forces of evil, nor do I see a Church that has assimilated itself into the dying corpse of this world. No!! A Church triumphant is what I see, that Church about which Christ our Lord said “...the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18).
This sermon is a call to action! A call for the Body of Christ to believe God for better things in this critical hour and to move out and to wipe the reproach from the face of our Saviour!
Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Pet. 4:7-8; 1 Thess. 3:12-13
Pastor John brings a very timely and much needed message to the “remnant” church. Simply put, it is not enough that we strive in these last days for the purity of true doctrine if we do understand that part of such truth is obedience to the command of our Lord to love one another. The great tragedy of so many churches that would consider themselves “sound” in doctrine, is that they are absolutely deficient in the area of love. This my friends will never do!!
As we see the last days drawing in upon us, we must not forsake the gathering together of ourselves as is the custom of some, but rather, we must exhort one another to love and good works, even as we see the day of our Lord approaching. May the Lord challenge His people through this sermon.
Revelation 1:4-8
What a greeting, packed with plenty of punch and pace!! The Apostle John, writing by the Spirit of God brings a glorious triune greeting to the Seven Churches from God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! Particular emphasis is laid upon the wonderful person of the Son. What titles are given Him, “the faithful witness”, “the first begotten of the dead” and “the prince of the kings of the earth”.
In this teaching, we expound these beautiful titles before turning to the doxology given by John. In every which way, there is no escaping it, this teaching brings to light the very glory and the honour of our blessed Saviour, the Lord of lords and the King of kings!!
Ephesians 6:10-18
There’s not a single person who having named the name of Jesus Christ does not now find themselves in a spiritual war; wrestling not against flesh and blood but “...against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). It is for this reason that in the very next verse Paul exhorts us to take to ourselves “...the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13). Passivity in the Christian battle will never do!! There is no such thing as a conscientious objector in this battle against spiritual wickedness.
This sermon is a call for the Christian soldier to take to arm them for the fight, the whole armour of God. It’s high time that God’s people stood their ground in Christ and stopped falling prey to the evil schemes of the enemy. It’s one thing to be ignorant of Satan’s cunning strategies of war, but when light has been shone on his antics and what was previously obscured has now been set in plain view, there’s no excuse for our continual succumbing. There’s some who have shown the back to Satan for too long now and God this day is calling them to play the man!!
Revelation 1:1-3
In this first teaching part, we set the scene by giving an introduction. In an age where so many have closed this book of Revelation and dismissed it as irrelevant and too hard to understand; it is with the utmost privilege that we embark on this journey, studying, and teaching through this amazing book. For what reason was this Revelation given by God? “…to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass” (Rev. 1:1). For the one willing to read, hear and obey the words of this prophecy, there is the assurance of a promised blessing!! May God help us to remain faithful to His Word!
Acts 16:13-34
Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and thrown in prison. Even at the midnight hour they are praying and singing praises to the LORD, when SUDDENLY the LORD comes and shakes the prison with an earthquake! Don’t be absent when you ought to be expecting. Don’t be playing when you ought to be praying. Don’t be sighing when you ought to be singing. And don’t be silent when you ought to be speaking. Get ready for GOD to come SUDDENLY!
You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here:
https://brianlongpreaching.com/
James 1:5-8
Faith that does not waiver has at least 5 characteristics for sure, F-A-I-T-H. F-FOCUS on the faithfulness of GOD. Let us fix our eyes on JESUS! A-ACTIVE OBEDIENCE. Faith without works/obedience is dead! I-INTIMACY with GOD. Do you know HIM or just know about HIM? T-TENACITY. Faith that will not waiver is tenacious in prayer! H-HEARING. Without the WORD of GOD all we have is presumption. But standing on the promises of God we shall not waiver!
You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here:
https://brianlongpreaching.com/
Acts 27
You are called to be God’s provision to others in the storm. We are called to STAND, SERVE, SPEAK, and SUPPLICATE in the midst of the storm! The apostle Paul did just that, and 276 shipwrecked prisoners were saved from perishing. We are called to do the same in the coming storm!
You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here:
https://brianlongpreaching.com/
John 12:20-33
The prayer for every occasion is, FATHER GLORIFY THY NAME! Here is a prayer we should always pray. GOD has answered this prayer and will answer it again. This is a call to not only pray the prayer, but to follow JESUS the way of the cross so that HE can answer the prayer in you! The way of the cross is the way of love! Love never seeks its own and without love we are just sounding brass and tinkling cymbals!
You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here:
https://brianlongpreaching.com/
Isaiah 42:3
A message on personal revival and restoration. The LORD longs to breathe upon the smoking flax, fanning it into flame! But, this requires absolute surrender! Or maybe you are a bruised reed? The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The LORD is moved with compassion for HIS people and will restore us. But, we must get honest, repent of all sin, and resolve to trust the LORD come what may.
You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here:
https://brianlongpreaching.com/
2 Chronicles 7:14
There’s no two ways about it, the annals of history bear conclusive testimony to the fact that no revival has first come without there first being a concerted effort by God’s people in prayer! Humility and prayer go hand in hand like bread and butter. The proud man does not pray and will not pray; why? He genuinely senses no need for God in his life! Yet, before God sends a revival, He burdens His people and sets them a-praying!! Yet; if God’s people are going to seek His face in prayer for a heaven-sent revival out of a God-given burden, then they must be willing to get serious with God in the area of personal holiness!! No more compromise!! The door of sin in our lives must be shut!!!
Will we not believe God in our day for a revival? It’s time to seek the Lord Brethren, until He comes again to visit His people. Away with unbelief, the call goes out for all true believers to unite together in prayer to the purposed end that God might send again revival into our midst!
Ezekiel 37:1-10
The days are dark and the hour is critical. Is it too late for revival? When all hope is gone, and we are brought to the end of ourselves, face to face with impossibility, GOD so often shows up in awesome power! The LORD looks for a man of faith upon whom HE can place HIS hand. Here is a call to return to the old paths of prophetic preaching and earnest prayer. May GOD breathe upon HIS people once again in a mighty revival of the preaching of the WORD of the LORD, and the moving of the SPIRIT of the LORD! But, how long before we BELIEVE the LORD to do such a work?
You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here:
https://brianlongpreaching.com/
Acts 2:37-47
There are five key distinctives/characteristics that authenticate true revival; #1, conviction of sin; #2, repentance from sin; #3, confession of sin; #4, restoration on account of sin; and #5, the conversion of sinners. Note that each of these characteristics of true revival deals a deathly blow to sin!! There’s no escaping this biblically or historically. Any revival that supposes itself to be such where sin is not the focus of the Spirit’s dealings in returning a people back to the Lordship, authority and worship of God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son is NOT revival!!
In part two of this two-part sermon, we address the final three key distinctives; confession of sin, restoration on account of sin and the conversion of sinners.
Acts 2:37-47
There are five key distinctives/characteristics that authenticate true revival; #1, conviction of sin; #2, repentance from sin; #3, confession of sin; #4, restoration owing to sin; and #5, the conversion of sinners. Note that each of these characteristics of true revival deals a deathly blow to sin!! There’s no escaping this biblically or historically. Any revival that supposes itself to be such where sin is not the focus of the Spirit’s dealings in returning a people back to the Lordship, authority and worship of God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son is NOT revival!!
In part one of this two-part sermon, we address the first two key distinctives; conviction of sin and repentance from sin.
1 Peter 1:13-16
We are in desperate need of a revival of true holiness! Its high time the people of GOD obey this commandment from the LORD, “BE YE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY!” How? Brother Brian shares and acrostic that the LORD had recently given him H-O-L-Y. H-Hunger, O-Obedience, L-Looking unto JESUS, and Y-Yielding to the HOLY SPIRIT!
You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here:
https://brianlongpreaching.com/
Psalm 85:1-7
We are living in a dry and thirsty land! A land which once flowed with milk and honey is now a barren wasteland. An unthinkable thing has taken place in the assemblies of Laodicea, the Lord of glory is outside His own Church, knocking to come back in!! A cry goes forth “The Philistines be upon thee…” and a Church waking out of its sleep arises to go out as at other times, not knowing that the LORD has departed!!
By what means shall the Church recover itself in this our day? Without hesitation I tell you; there’s only one hope for this backslidden nation and the dying Church that lingers within it? REVIVAL!!
Romans 13:11-12
This is a clarion call for the Church of JESUS CHRIST to awake out of spiritual slumber! Why? Because it is OUR TIME, it is WAR TIME, and it is time to WORK while it is still day. The primary work and the primary weapon is……PRAYER! There is a strong call for the people of God to give themselves to prayer in this message.
You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here:
https://brianlongpreaching.com/
Psalm 20
Well, we could sum up, in just seven words, the weight of so many of our self-inflicted ills; “...ye have not, because ye ask not”. (Jms. 4:2). We find ourselves living in an age of tremendous prosperity; of comfort and ease; a season where it appears that in the Western world no one lacks for anything. Outwardly; materially, we are filthy rich, yet inwardly; spiritually, we are poverty stricken! Such is the temptation to find our comfort and take our ease in this world. Where is our confidence truly found? Is it found in God or in our material surroundings?
This sermon is a heartfelt call for the people of God to sense again their pressing need for God in everything and to cry out to the only one who can sustain His people in this critical hour. Oh, that we might discover again the secret place of prayer!
James 2:12-13
Great has been the mercy of God towards every one of us who find ourselves a new creation in Christ Jesus. Great was the wrath of God upon us and fierce was the pending judgment which hung above our heads. There was not one of us that was righteous; not one of us that was deserving of God’s mercy. Yet, while we were still sinners, Christ in His love died for the ungodly. In light of this great mercy which has been demonstrated towards us; what ought to be the attitude of our hearts towards our fellow human in the same? Surely it ought to be, to extend mercy in like manner. Yet sadly some, though they themselves have been forgiven of much, are simply unwilling to forgive their neighbour a far lesser debt.
The challenge goes out in this sermon for those who name the name of Jesus Christ, to speak and to act in a way as those desiring to be judged by the law of liberty. By the standard of judgment that we have judged others, and to the degree in which we have forgiven those who have wronged us; to the same degree will God exercise mercy towards us in forgiving our sins. “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee…” (Ps. 130:3-4). Go then and do likewise…
Joshua 3:1-5
As human beings, I tend to find generally, that we don’t deal too well with change. If you’re anything like me, once something has been laid, I don’t like disturbing it too much thereafter. “Do a job right the first time (so the saying goes), and it won’t need re-doing again a second”. Yet, in my experience, I’ve found that it doesn’t always work that way in life and that there are times when through unexpected circumstances, we are shaken from our complacency and forced to move out onto new ground. One thinks of that persecuted Pilgrim sect known as the English Separatist Church, who in the early 1600’s, were forced to flee England to the Netherlands to find a better home. From the Netherlands, again through the difficulty of circumstances, they planned to relocate to pastures new. In September 1620, some 100 people, many of them seeking religious freedom in the New World, set sail from England on board the Mayflower, landing two months later on the shores of present-day Massachusetts; the rest from there is history. No, friends, change is never usually welcomed; never usually embraced with open arms; much rather we’d prefer to remain settled on our lees and get on with things as we’ve always known them; but more often than not, a prod here and a prod there brings one into unanticipated blessing!
Nowhere perhaps is this more true than in our Christian walk. Whether we see it or not, the Christian life is a journey! God Almighty is at the wheel of the helm, turning the ship at will. The cost to follow God is everything and where He leads His children must follow!!
Part 24 – What Is Church Leadership?
Mention the words church leadership today and you’re bound to be greeted with a mixture of different responses ranging from the pessimistic, to the mundane, to the optimistic. Sadly, it is not without good reason that church leadership has gotten a bad rap over the last few decades. What is one to say when secular news outlets expose nationally the money racketing scams of some of the wealthiest Evangelical pastors in the US? When I say wealthy, how much are we talking about; hundreds; thousands; hundreds of thousands? How about tens of millions and in the case of one pastor by the name of Kenneth Copeland, a self-confessed billionaire! The world and indeed many outside the Mega-Church scene, look on in horror at this catastrophe of justice and cry out, how can a minister/servant of God, appointed by God to serve the people in Christ’s stead, profit off them to the tune of millions of dollars? Naturally, this is a scandal and an outrage!! Then there is the growing epidemic of Evangelical pastors being caught out in gross sexual immorality and being exposed nationally for an on-looking world to see? No wonder then, when one mentions the words church leadership eyebrows are raised. As a result of all these abuses, along with many more not mentioned, many of the poor sheep of Christ’s have had enough and have vowed to never enter a Church building again. Instead, they choose to meet at home with small groups of believers without the added burden of being under these types of pastors.
It is crucial in this final teaching part that we take a look biblically at the function and appointment of church leadership and what the proper response is to be of those who sit under their authority.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/24_What_Is_Church_Leadership.pdf
James 4:1-10
The longer I tread the pathway of this Christian life, is the more that I realise just who’s carrying who. In my younger days, the fiery zeal of passion blazed the way and the steam engine of human strength and ingenuity set the wheels in motion. I was God’s handyman, lending God my helping hand, not realising that there was a fountain of grace full and free from which I could exchange my wearisome labours for His abounding grace. It had not dawned upon me, though I knew it after the head...the cattle on a thousand hills belong to God, what could I add besides that which He already owns? “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Is. 66:1-2).
The message going forth in this sermon is a call to humility! Would you to receive of God’s sustaining strength in place of your tired and wearied labours? Would you to know of His compassionate favour? Would you to taste of His sweet and tender mercies; to know in place of ashes, beauty; in place of mourning, the oil of joy; in place of the spirit of heaviness, the garment of praise? Would you to know the secret of strength with God? Down into the dust of the ground we must go and there to kiss goodbye to our own wisdom and power; there to bury our pride on the sacred ground of humility!!
Isaiah 45:22-23
There are some Christians who hearts it seems are failing in these days on account of the great evil of our day. 365 days a year 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, news outlets pump news around the globe. What type of news are we talking about, good news? The herald of Christ’s glorious appearing? News that the beast and the false prophet have a certain appointing unto destruction? News that in sounding of the seventh trumpet, the mystery of God should be finished, and “...The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:5)? Is it this type of news we hear? Is it this type of truth that Christians generally are consuming themselves with? In my experience, no!! 24-7-365 the news generally that Christians are filling themselves with is bad news and on account of this, as well as the world’s hearts failing them for fear of looking after those things that are coming upon the earth, Christians hearts are failing them also for fear, on account of the constant barrage of evil report which they are willingly subjecting themselves to.
The invitation and call that goes forth in this sermon for God’s people to start looking up!! It is only by allowing the Word of God to be the foundation upon which our faith rests that we shall find in Christ the grace to put into perspective the difficult days that lie ahead. May we be found with our eyes on Jesus and not on the world!
Psalm 133
Will we not look hard and steadfast in amazement at a sight so seldom seen in a world where vexation and conflict seem to abound on every hand? From the very dawn of time, friction and strife has marred the family of God’s creation; Cain and Abel; Sarah and Hagar; Isaac and Ishmael; Jacob and Esau; Joseph and his siblings; Moses and his kindred; David and Eliab; Hannah and Peninnah and so the list could go on through time. Even in the days that our Lord walked the earth, His own brothers after the flesh did not believe in Him (Jn. 7:5). Yet, as a glimmering light shining forth into a sin filled world, the words of the sweet Psalmist David cast their rays of hope and call the world to take note; “Behold (arrest your attention; fix your gaze upon), how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 133:1).
Wherever true unity exists in a local body of believers, it’s there God commands a blessing! However, equally, wherever this true unity exists, Satan prowls the perimeter of that assembly seeking a way in which to sow discord into their midst. A Church divided is a Church destroyed. Dear Brothers and Sisters, it is incumbent upon us all that we endeavor with everything in us to strive to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. When Satan finds a willing vessel through which to sow disunity, there’s no end of the destruction that is wrought amongst the assembly of God’s children. By God’s grace, may we not be such tools in the devil's hands.
Part 23 – What Is Church?
We are living at a time in history where it seems that anything that is of long standing tradition is being called into question. Renewed calls go forth on every side, calling for change. Out with the old and in with the new is the resounding voice of this post-modern generation. Whether it’s marriage; the family home; politics or education; that which once served our forefathers well for centuries and in some cases, from the dawn of time, is being re-examined in light of the new-fangled philosophies being offered by the so-called experts. Sadly, as one looks to the Church, it too follows suit with this itching craving for that which is new. In a period where Church attendance in the West is in decline and atheism and secularism is on the rise, fighting for its “perceived” survival, the Church believes that unless it becomes relevant to this “youth” driven generation, then it will disappear from society and die of old age (literally). In an effort to try and retain the young people who are leaving the Church in their droves, the Church feels pressured to rediscover itself and if need be, reinvent itself to meet the needs of a changing population. Everything from “who” constitutes the Church to the “way” we ought to do Church is on the table for consideration. High-tech marketing research companies are being employed to find out what the local communities want from their local Church in the hope that Church attendance might be boosted and the needs of the community met. Fun days replete with BBQ and games; a nursery for the toddlers; a coffee shop; sports events and a whole host of other amusements ranging from Bingo to Yoga; all now are high on the priority list of what is deemed to make a “successful” Church. In a vastly changing tolerant society, it is felt that the Church’s decline is owing to the fact that the Church has lost touch with the people. However, upon closer inspection, we shall see that losing touch with people is not the root of the Church’s problem so much as it is that the Church has lost touch with God.
In this twenty-third teaching part, we shall explore from Holy Scripture “who” and “what” the Church is.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/23_What_Is_Church.pdf
Psalm 27:13-14
There’s a testimony to be had in the midst of trial and sufferings that attests wholeheartedly to the faithfulness of a God who honours His Word!! “...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Heb. 13:5-6). This is the testimony of David, you can’t argue with it!! But for some of us perhaps, if we’re being perfectly honest with ourselves and more importantly, if we’re being honest before God, we have to confess that this is not our present testimony. We cannot confidently say as the writer of Hebrews; “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear…” The plain truth of the matter is that we are fearful and do not know in our current experience, the authenticity of David’s testimony and on account of this, instead of these words bringing peace and comfort to your soul, the words of the Psalmist are a source of agitation to you. The great challenge for the Christian in the midst of any hardship is to bring into living experience, that which is written!!! There is an experience to be had Brethren that can only be laid hold of by faith. Will we not put our trust in the Lord, that in our present day, we might live to see the goodness of God in the land of the living?
Ephesians 5:1-17
It appears that sermons on sin are about as popular as snails on toast! Yet Brethren, it ought not to be; a simple shift in geographical locale make’s a world of difference. You see...snails for the French are what Yorkshire Puddings are for us Brits; they love the former and we love the latter. Had we been bought up in the suburbs of Lyon or Paris, then we too most likely would have been eating those slippery fellows and loving every minute of it! The place of our birth matters!! What used to be our finest delicacy by reason of us being born into this world, is now our most detested by reason of us being born-again. That which we once detested, we now love. Light and darkness; good and evil; righteousness and sin. Sin ought to be for the Christian what snails are to the Brits; disgusting, vulgar; sickening!!
As Christians, we cannot have it both ways; either we are Christians given to holiness or sinners given to sin!! This idea that a Christian is a sinning Saint in limbo cannot be found in the New Testament and is a great deception that has served to comfort many a professor of religion in their sin and give impetus for them to continue in this way untroubled. However, when one opens the New Testament, such faulty reasoning is blown to smithereens and the safety net of false hope is cut down. Will we not face this verse honestly and ask ourselves this questions; what door of sin have we left open in our lives? What besetting sin are we still making allowances for?
Part 22 – How do I Evangelise?
When we say that we are Christian, more often than not we attach a number of adjectives in front of the word in order to try to bring greater clarity as to the type of Christian we mean. Such adjectives include ‘born-again’ and ‘Bible-believing’. There is a third adjective that we also commonly use and that is ‘Evangelical’. When we use the term ‘Evangelical’, what we’re saying is this; we believe wholeheartedly in the saving power of the gospel and therefore seek actively to proclaim that gospel to a lost and dying world. The word ‘evangelical’, comes from the Greek word “euaggelion” which means a good message; good news, hence the word ‘gospel’ which in Greek is the word “euaggelion”.
Despite the pressures being laden upon us by the P.C. agenda of our day; we are not to shrink back from the mandate of proclaiming the good news of the gospel, set against the backdrop of the ruin and sinfulness of man. Admittedly, this is not a popular message in our post-modern society which detests absolutes. Yet, it is not bigoted to state that Jesus is the only way to the Father, nor is it unloving to tell men that unless they turn from their sin in repentance, casting themselves upon the mercy of the Saviour they will be eternally damned. If these things are true, which God affirms they are; then it is out of love that we are moved by the Holy Spirit to tell a lost humanity of the love of God towards them in sending His Son to be crucified for their sins and raising Him from the dead that they might be saved from the wrath come and have eternal life. May God help us in this weighty endeavour and lead us in this great calling to be Christ’s ambassadors!
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/22_How_Do_I_Evangelise.pdf
Philippians 2:1-11
In the opening of what has been termed, the second general epistle of Peter; Peter the servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, writes exhorting the Body of Christ, calling them unto a faith that is practical!! The great challenge that comes to mind at recurring intervals in my life is this; how much of what I walked in yesterday, am I still walking in today? Or upon reflection in looking back, can I pinpoint a period of time when my faith was stronger; my love more earnest; my life more pure; my mind more singularly focussed? I don’t know about you, but there’s one thing that terrifies me, and it’s this...to live on the back of a reputation that is no longer an actuality in my present life!! Is my faith living today? Is my love fervent and burning today? Am I walking in forgiveness today? Am I winning in the battle against sin and temptation today? Am reflecting the mind and character of Christ today?
Brethren, we cannot rest in yesterday’s victories; today is a new day and another new day called tomorrow dawns upon us!! The crowning jewel in the fruit that ought to be found in us and abounding is that of love!! God help us to this end, that we might consider one another.
Testimony of a Former Jehovah's Witness
Jason Wright is pastor of Bourne Evangelical Church. In this testimony, Jason shares how he was marvelously saved out of the Watch Tower Society aka Jehovah's Witnesses. For ten years, Jason and his family were dedicated and committed members of Jehovah's organisation and gave everything to faithfully serve what they believed to be the true religion on earth. With the promise of Armageddon imminent, there was no time to waste. However, as time proceeded, Jason and his wife Jenny, became disillusioned and sought answers. As Jason searched the Scriptures, it pleased the Father to reveal His Son and after a long struggle, Jason and his wife came to find the true Jesus and left the Jehovah's Witnesses losing everything.
May God see fit to bless many as Jason and Jenny share their story.
Testimony of a Former Jehovah's Witness
Jason Wright is pastor of Bourne Evangelical Church. In this testimony, Jason shares how he was marvelously saved out of the Watch Tower Society aka Jehovah's Witnesses. For ten years, Jason and his family were dedicated and committed members of Jehovah's organisation and gave everything to faithfully serve what they believed to be the true religion on earth. With the promise of Armageddon imminent, there was no time to waste. However, as time proceeded, Jason and his wife Jenny, became disillusioned and sought answers. As Jason searched the Scriptures, it pleased the Father to reveal His Son and after a long struggle, Jason and his wife came to find the true Jesus and left the Jehovah's Witnesses losing everything.
May God see fit to bless many as Jason and Jenny share their story.
Part 21 – What Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
There is perhaps no other subject matter that has made for greater debate amongst Evangelicals and about which more varied opinions have been held, than the topic at hand in this 21st teaching part. For some, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues; for others, it is a second work of sanctification whereby one now receives the power to ‘live’ a holy life. Some would argue that this supernatural phenomenon ceased in the first century and therefore, although this experience is recorded in the book of Acts, it is no longer one that can be experienced today. One group argues that the baptism of Holy Spirit is not an experience subsequent to salvation but is rather synonymous with receiving the Holy Spirit at conversion. Another group argues that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience that is distinguishable and distinct from salvation, coming after the initial experience of being born-again. What are we to make of all these contravening statements? Where is one to go to try to clear things up and to shed light on this important topic? Thank God that as Christians, we do not have to resort to speculation, we have the Word of God upon which any experience might firmly be placed. However, being able to look at the Bible objectively can be very difficult, not least if one belongs to a denomination that has a party line that must not be crossed.
In this teaching, we shall seek as best as possible to lay aside preconceived ideas and in so doing, come to the Bible afresh in order to obtain answers to the question at hand, ‘What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?’
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Ephesians 3:20-21
The Church of Jesus Christ in every age and in every generation is called to be salt and light to a perishing world! When it ceases in its function to be either one, by default it has disqualified itself from heralding a gospel that has failed in the first instance to transform the lives of those who profess it!! When the people of God give the green light to what God calls filthy and wicked, then there’s only one place for such to be thrown; out onto the walkways to be trodden under foot of men!!
What temperature are you displaying amidst the current tide of immorality that has swept into our nation? Has your lamp has gone out? Have you ceased to register to a fallen world a standard which decries its moral depravity? God is wanting to raise a standard but, it is going to cost you everything to stand in these last days!! A half-heartedness, one foot in, and one-foot out approach will never do!! God is bringing His people to a simple decision; it’s all or nothing!!!
John 4:39-42
Within the Evangelical Church, I tend to find one of two extremes often at play; on one extreme there are those who abandon theology in pursuit of experience and at the other extreme, those who abandon experience in the pursuit of theology. Both extremes, I believe to be in error! To have an experience of God, without the solid theological ground upon which to rest it, is highly subjective and for that cause potentially very dangerous. We are exhorted, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). Yet, on the other hand, to have a theological foundation that does not allow for God to be really experienced is to grieve the Holy Spirit and to deny Him His rightful place in our midst; “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings” (1 Thess. 5:19-20).
This sermon is a challenge and an exhortation, calling God’s people to a true and authentic Biblical experience. The simple fact of the matter is, our God is a God of personal experience!! I understand full-well that such a phrase throws up so much baggage in light of the abuses at the extreme ends of the Charismatic/Pentecostal movements, but that doesn’t negate the truth of Scripture!! Emotionally driven, hyper-experienced based Christianity must be avoided at all costs; but equally, so must also, dry/dead religion. Without a doubt, theology matters!! But once the solid ground of theology has been laid, it must then prepare the way for a personal experience of Jesus Christ.
Jude vs. 3-4
It is one thing to contend earnestly for the faith theologically, contending for the purity of doctrine; and quite another to contend earnestly for the faith, contending for the purity of conduct! There are many who with glee shoot down false prophets and expose false teachers and yet, their own lives are compromised in the area of holiness. This my friends will never do! Knowledge of God’s Word alone simply is not enough to prevent a man/woman from being led astray in the desperate days in which we live. Correct doctrine alone, intellectually speaking, will never promise those holding to it the safety they think they have. If our hearts are still found in this world and unwilling to yield to God, then the sad reality is that we’re already deceived and the embracing of false doctrine will be the next logical step.
This sermon was preached at Victory Baptist Church, Blackpool.
Jude vs. 3-4
For two thousand years, a perpetual war has been raging against the Church of Jesus Christ. In the first century alone, in as little as two decades from Pentecost, within the very lifetimes of the apostles themselves, false teachers prowled the perimeter of Christ’s spiritual flock seeking a way to infiltrate their ranks.
Two thousand years on, not much has changed. Both from within and without, those preaching another gospel have risen up to turn many from the faith. This sermon is a warning and an exhortation, to contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints!
This sermon was preached at Victory Baptist Church, Blackpool.
Romans 10:13-15
Man has become an expert at meeting the many perceived needs that lie all around him, encouraging himself that anything is better than nothing; that some help is better than no help! Perhaps nowhere is this attitude more sadly seen than it is in today’s modern Evangelical Church. Spare bodies generally mean vacancies and vacancies, new appointments; youth pastor, choir director, Sunday school teacher, children’s minister…the rational? Where there is a need it must be met!! No worship leader? Appoint one! No deacon? Appoint one! No associate pastor? Appoint one! This may seem perfectly logical to some and perfectly reasonable for others, and for this reason the professing Church of Jesus Christ, for the most part, goes right on in good faith, building its man-made edifices in the hope that God will crown them with success! Yet God is not in the business of crowning our man-made structures and neither does He care for all our well thought out plans and good intentions. "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Ps. 127:1).
Part 20 – What are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Modern 21st century man well makes a fitting boast on account of the vast array of his many accomplishments, they’re admittedly very impressive! In this century and the last, the world has witnessed staggering and unprecedented breakthroughs in every field of expertise, from medicine to engineering. Western civilization has never known such affluence, such protracted periods of peace and prosperity; such high standards of health and living on a universal scale. You say, what has this got to do with the subject heading of this Bible teaching? Everything!! I fear that the modern man with all his natural brilliance and expertise has lost sight of his need for God. It is one thing when the world does this, but when Christians follow suit, it is a very sad day indeed. Behold the Mega-Church with all its outward display of pomp and glory. It bears greater resemblance to a mini village complex than a Church of the Living God, and serves as an indictment; a testament to the fact, that whatever fallen man can accomplish the Church is only one step behind! No!! The Church of Jesus Christ is first and foremost a spiritual body of believers who’ve had a supernatural encounter with the Almighty and through the new birth have been grafted into Christ’s spiritual body. Jesus Christ is the spiritual head and from Him flows down to each individual member, every spiritual blessing and spiritual gift needed for the sound nourishment and spiritual growth of the entire body. These spiritual gifts are not mere niceties that make for a cosy addition; instead, they are crucial components needed for the building up spiritually of Christ’s Church.
In this 20th teaching part we examine Biblically the gifts of the Holy Spirit and ask ourselves, are these gifts for today?
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1 Timothy 6:6-12
All around us, we are confronted with the overwhelming reality that we are living in a culture that is consumed by the love of money and the pursuit of pleasure. The common man has never known such abundance of wealth; goods which once upon a time only the rich could once afford, the average Joe now owns in no small measure. Via the cheap manufacturing and exporting of goods from the East, and the boom in the technology industry, every man, and his dog now own a smartphone of some description, not to mention besides, a flat screen television, a laptop/tablet computer and the like. As Christians, we must ever be on guard to ensure that we have not found for ourselves an abiding home in this world.
Tell me, dear friend, what does this world mean to you? Does its sparkle still attract? Does its charm still pull at the strings of your heart? Does its promise of happiness, security, prosperity, pleasure, and peace still entice you to come and enquire at its gates? This sermon is an exhortation to godliness, coupled with contentment, which is of tremendous gain. In light of the coming great tribulation and the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, we must see to it that our hearts are not be found in this world; in the words of Christ…“Remember Lot’s wife” (Lk. 17:32).
Mark 4:21-25
There’s a familiar saying; “what you don’t know can’t hurt you”. As with any proverb, there’s always a smattering of truth contained within it, and though this proverb is not found among those of Solomon’s, it nonetheless when run through the filter of God’s Word has significant meaning to what is being shared in this sermon. Whilst the world shuts its ears to facts and closes its eyes to reason in the hope that truth might go away; it doesn’t change reality!! If a man has a terminal disease, he can wish as much as he likes to not have it discussed in his hearing, but the fact that he chooses not to talk about it, doesn’t take the disease away! And you know...there’s some Christians that are just like this; practicing in the dark, things that they know deep down to be wrong and all the while unwilling to have those sins brought into the light!!!
This sermon is a call for all who name the name of Christ as Lord and Saviour to come from under the cover of shade and to allow the light of God’s searching rays to shine into their heart. Beware how you hear dear soul, for hearing not only has to do with perceiving, but also a heeding! How do you intend to respond?
Part 19 – How Do I Pray and What Is Fasting?
As one opens the Bible and turns to the pages of the New Testament, one is struck by the sheer number of references and exhortations calling God’s people to prayer. As Christians, we cannot dispense of this holiest discipline since it is the very lifeline not only of the Christian but of the Church. Yet sadly, the prayer meeting has almost disappeared from view and if there is one, it is the least attended meeting of the week. What is prayer? Prayer in its most basic form is talking to God and includes in its function petitions, supplications, intercessions, praise, thanksgiving and worship. In this nineteenth teaching part, we examine some of these functions and explore practically and theologically the question, ‘How do I pray?’
Finally, there are times in our lives that call for desperate action; times of great calamity or urgent needs where prayer alone does not seem to cut it. It is during these times that we may resort not only to heightened times of prayer but enjoin to our prayers the discipline of fasting. We shall seek also in this teaching then to bring some practical help and guidance to this matter and in so doing, clear up some of the misconceptions surrounding prayer and fasting.
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Hebrews 10:19-22
We are exhorted in Hebrews 10:22 to draw near to God. This command is not written to unbelievers but to believers! The ground upon which such an exhortation rests is the person of the risen Lord and His finished work upon the cross on which He shed His precious blood. What a High Priest is ours!! What a hope and what a confidence! Yet; as one looks closer at the verse in question; we are exhorted to draw near to God with a true (sincere) heart free from hypocrisy so as to be able to draw near in full assurance (entire confidence) of faith.
Sadly, there are many who through consciences defiled by sin; are not able to draw near to God with a true heart and in full assurance of faith. This sermon is a challenge to such to forsake that which they know to be wrong in their lives so as to be able to exercise a good conscience towards God, holding faith unswerving without which we cannot ever draw near to our God; For, “…without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).
1 Chronicles 13
We are living in a generation, where the litmus test for determining what’s true is determined by how one feels. Feelings trump in a postmodern world where truth becomes relative to each individual’s experience and frame of reference. Such thinking is even seeping into the Church and is fast becoming the method by which we do everything from Church to family life. In the days of King David, David determined to bring up the Ark to Jerusalem and in consulting the people, it was deemed among them to be a good idea. However, what seemed to be right in the eyes of all the people cost a man his life, as God brought a premature end to their celebrations. The fear of God had been lost and God had not been sort after the due order appointed in His Word. Will the Church not take note and return again with fear and trembling back to the objective truth of God’s Word and allow it alone to form the bedrock of truth upon which we stand.
Part 18 – Why Do Christians Suffer?
Of the top ten questions of all time, it ought to come as no surprise to us to learn that they’re the same as they’ve always been from the dawn of time; “What is the real meaning of life?” “Is there a God?” “What happens when I die?” Despite the exponential advances in technology, economics, medicine and science over the last half a decade; man with all his worldly wisdom is still no closer to being able to provide adequate answers to these crucial questions, nor will he ever be. This is because principally they’re not scientific questions nor are they even philosophical ones. Fundamentally at their core, they are theological questions. However, since man has cast off the wisdom of God in his own professed wisdom, man will search in vain to find the answers his soul so desperately seeks for and will never find them in this world. We could well add into the list of greatest questions of all time, “Why is there suffering in the world?” and more specifically, the question bearing the title of this teaching; “Why Do Christians Suffer?”
In this eighteenth teaching part, we seek to provide a Biblical answer to the question of Christian suffering.
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Psalm 73:25-26
It was not without a painful struggle and at the cost of many a night spent in agony, that the Psalmist came once more to find in renewed vision, the truth of the words that we find here in the 25th and 26th verses. “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever”. It’s one thing to profess one’s love for God the eternal Saviour in the times of plenty; in the days when the sun light’s its refreshing rays upon your soul; but when the thunder rumbles overhead and the storm clouds break? It’s then, when we truly discover the authenticity of that profession of love! Without the aid of physical comforts to spur us on; will we still in that place of testing, be able to say what we could in the absence of it; “Thou, O Christ, art all I want; More than all in Thee I find”.
2 Corinthians 10:13-18
I find within the body of Christ, two extremes when it comes to people’s outlook towards Christian service and ministry. At the one extreme, there are those who care very little, if at all about having any part in what must be the greatest privilege this side of eternity, to be a co-labourer with Christ in His vineyard. Such are content to sit back and watch others do the work, while they largely take their ease, busying themselves with their own cares and affairs. At the other end of the spectrum are those who in their great zeal and enthusiasm, give themselves to labouring in every sphere of Christian service possible, having their finger in every pie; a jack of all trades if you like but inevitably and regrettably, a master of none!
It is this second extreme that is often overlooked by many, even evading the attention of the most discerning amongst us on account of the great display of business. It is assumed that if a man or a woman is busy for Jesus, then by default, this must be a good thing! Yet, the question that must be asked…busy doing what? If we are busy ploughing the furrow assigned to us by Christ, then well! But if not, we need again to return to plough the Master’s furrow.
Part 17 – How Do I Handle Relationships?
In this seventeenth teaching part, we look practically and biblically at how as believers in Christ, we are to relate to one another in the relationships given us by God. One only has to look down through the ages, beginning with the first offspring of the first man and woman; Cain and his brother Abel, to see that how God intended man to relate one to another has been seriously marred. Murder and war was never God’s intention! Broken homes and marriages; damaged and fractured relationships, were never his will. We live in in a world where such abounds and is on the increase. Even in the professing Church, we turn to find a better example and see the same broken relationships; failed marriages and Church splits. Surely there is a better way revealed in Holy Scripture, a way that we are called as Christians to walk.
We shall then look now at just three areas where the Bible offers practical help in preserving and nurturing relationships as children of God. These three areas include marriage; children and the Church.
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1 Samuel 23:1-14
Perilous times face the Church of Jesus Christ in the days ahead for Christians living in the West. Look outside the Western world and see; our Brothers and Sisters worldwide, suffer persecution for the cause of Christ. It is with firm conviction that I believe that our times of freedom are coming swiftly to an end and that we shall in like manner also suffer persecution for our stand in Christ. In light of this, God is wanting to prepare His Church to stand. Where is your trust and your confidence found and upon what ground are your feet planted? If ever there was a thing that will test the authenticity of your answer it will be the blazing fire of persecution! In that day, your trust had better not be found in another for that day shall reveal it. Christ alone, in Him alone must our trust alone be found.
Colossians 2
There has never been a point in its 2000 year history that the Church of Jesus Christ has not had to contend against false teachers and their damnable doctrines. Even in the first century, within a decade and a half of Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension, the apostles found themselves contending earnestly for the faith against the errors of the false Judaizers and later on, the early Gnostics.
As nears our Lord’s return, we are witnessing the rise of many sects and movements which by stealth are sucking in those once sound in the faith. One such sect is not new; but is seeing a resurgence in our day, namely that of the Judaizers, under the auspices of the Hebrew Roots movement. This sermon is a flat refutation of their damnable heresies and a passionate plea for the Body of Christ to shun all such sects which have as their goal the aim of leading men away from the simplicity which is in Christ the Head, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and to ruin men’s souls in perdition!
Part 16 – How Do I Overcome Sin?
Perhaps no greater area deserving of our attention is the question posed as the title of this teaching part; “How Do I Overcome Sin?” Ask the average Christian this question and you’re sure to be greeted with a mixture of responses. I hear one say, “why are you worried about sin, it’s been dealt with at Calvary; the grace of God has covered all sins, past, present, and future”. Another, I hear say “didn’t Paul struggle with sin? The things he wanted to do he didn’t do and the things he desired not to do those things he did; what’s the problem? Join the club! If the great Apostle Paul couldn’t gain the victory over besetting sins then how much less us sinners?”
In this sixteenth teaching part, we tackle the issue of overcoming sin head-on, clearing up some of the misconceptions surrounding this matter and providing biblical answers to questions such as; how do I overcome sin? What does it mean to walk by the Spirit and how does one overcome besetting sins? May God see fit to use this teaching to bring victory to many lives for His glory!
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Genesis 4:9
In a world where love is waxing cold all around us, the Church of Jesus Christ has been called to shine and to register a blazing heat on the thermostat of love. "Am I my brother’s keeper?" was Cain’s response to God when asked where his brother Abel was. If we are a member of Christ’s spiritual body via the new birth, then we cannot dodge the great command of our Saviour, calling us on to a more fervent love of the Brethren. Am I my Brother’s keeper? In a word, yes!
In this sermon, we offer three areas in which we can better serve one another in love; firstly, in the area of kindness; secondly, in the area of prayer, and thirdly, in the area of rescue! May the Lord cause us all, to increase and abound in love one toward another (1 Thess. 3:12).
Jeremiah 6:16
The great dilemma of the “remnant Church” in this land of ours is that it knows all the right things in their head but when one looks to see this translate on the race track, the rubber never seems to meet the road!! I fear that we’ve become experts in exposing the error that’s outside while our own house lies in ruin! The pressing need among the professing remnant Church in these Last Days is for God to send into our midst a “Nathan the prophet” who can point the finger into our very hearts and cry “Thou art the man” (2 Sam. 12:7).
In this final part of a three-part message, the emphasis is moved from the heart to the feet. A plea from God is heard sounding forth of a merciful and loving God who is calling His people home. Who will hear His call; who will heed His call; who will come back home?
At the start of this sermon, a testimony is given at the request of those who had invited Paul to share how he came to live by faith going into full-time ministry.
This message was shared at the Israel and Prophecy Meeting March 2008
Jeremiah 6:16
I find it quite amazing and oft at times it shows our age; when mixing with the young they speak of things pertaining to today; yet when mixing with the aged, they speak of the things of yesteryear, remembering the days of old and how things used to be! There's a saying; “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone” - and how true this is. To realize the worth of a prized possession, in light of its passing, and to yearn for it again is grief enough; but to have never known that prized possession in the first place is grief the more!! The bottom line is this; you cannot miss what you’ve never had and you cannot mourn what you've never experienced. I fear that we are living in a generation that is so far removed from the Biblical standards of godliness known to our forefathers of old, that what we now call normal Christianity, would a generation ago have been considered reprobate!!
Before one can walk along the old paths, they must first know what they are. In this second part of a three-part message, we give ourselves to re-discovering the ancient ways and in so doing see that they have engraved upon them all along their course the word “holiness”.
This message was shared at the Israel and Prophecy Meeting March 2008
Jeremiah 6:16
In this generation of newfangled fancies and innovative ideas and inventions, we’re told that old is bad and new is good; that which belonged to yesteryear must needs to be buried in order to make way for the new thing God’s wanting to do today. Friends, on every hand I witness a Church trying its level best to be relevant to a world that’s so disgusting and vulgar that no Christian has any business ever trying to imitate it. There is a great need in these last days for the people of God to ask again for the old paths.
In this first part of a three-part message, we set the landscape and call the people of God to prepare their hearts as to how they intend to respond. Before one can turn again to the old paths there must first be a sincere willingness on the part of man to enquire again and to ask in earnest for the old paths.
This message was shared at the Israel and Prophecy Meeting March 2008
Joshua 23:1-13
In these days in which we live, God is wanting to take His people on to higher ground and into victory! Out into victory over sin; out into victory in the bearing of Christian fruit and out into victory in the call of God for our lives in Christian service! In the minds of many, there is this faulty thinking that God will do for us what we are not prepared to do for ourselves. In other words, though God has revealed His will and His mind on a matter and given us the means needed to execute it; still we sit back in ease and wait for God to do what we have no desire to be done ourselves.
This sermon is an exhortation to press into all that God has purposed for our lives. A casual nonchalant half-hearted attitude will never do. God is calling His people to rise up and to take the ground sparing nothing!
Part 15 – How Can I Know If I’m Saved?
Perhaps the number one question in many a Church a pew is “am I really saved?” “Am I really a child of God, born-again from above?” Though such words might never be expressed from the mouth, in the heart these thoughts ravish many a poor soul and are a constant thorn of discouragement in their side that never seems to disappear. The common answer given when one finally plucks up enough courage to approach the pastor is that Satan is to blame and that what they are experiencing is nothing more than the cunning wiles of the devil. Now, for some, this truly is the case; the accuser of the Brethren is the primary cause of their doubting as he assaults their faith with lies and slanderer. I often find that those subject to this kind of spiritual attack tend to be new believers, babes and infants in Christ. What however are we to think when those doubting their salvation are those who have professed Christ for five, ten, twenty years? Clearly, in this situation, unless such are still spiritual infants (which is concerning in itself), one needs to give closer inspection to discern whether or not in fact there is any truth in their concern.
In this fifteenth teaching part, we seek to offer a biblical answer to this most pressing question; “How Can I Know If I’m Saved?” If a soul has never have passed from death to life, though baptised and accepted into Church membership, what greater joy could there be of leading such a one into a true experience of salvation so as to have full assurance of their acceptance in the beloved?
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Psalm 23
Hindsight is a wonderful thing Brethren but in the midst of trial, we don’t have hindsight for our comfort. Yet what we do have, more than this, is the Word of God; His sure and faithful promises which are yea and amen in Christ!
As though restricted by space, with a limited palette; the great Psalmist paints the canvas with words deep from within which from time immemorial have served to be a source of great refreshment for many a weary Saint. Of this 23rd Psalm, Spurgeon wrote; “...what the nightingale is among birds, that is this divine ode (poem) among the psalms, for it has sung sweetly in the ear of many a mourner in his night of weeping, and has bidden him hope for a morning of joy”.
In this final part of a series of sermons on revival, David puts as central the role of faith in revival.
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David shares in this second part of three teachings the need and role of intercessory prayer in revival.
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David shares in this first part of three teachings his burden for revival, the need for revival and what constitutes true revival.
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Hebrews 5:12-14
What means the name Christian? Many different answers I’m sure could be rendered but when everything is said and done, a Christian is a follower of Christ and hence by definition, a disciple of Christ. You'll not find a speck of implied casualness in its meaning! "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). The name disciple immediately carries with it a clear connotation that perhaps is lost in today's vernacular when we use the name Christian. If you were to meet someone who told you that they were a disciple of another, instantly you would understand what that person was intending to convey. What they would be saying in a nutshell, is that they're a pupil of another, but more than that; a follower, someone who adheres to and imitates another. In fact, if you met such a professing disciple it would be a perfectly logical next step to ask them “who are you following and who is your master?” These exact same sentiments are contained in the Greek word mathētēs which being translated means disciple.
In this sermon, a direct link and relationship is made between spiritual growth and obedience to Jesus Christ as Lord. A challenging observation is brought to light, giving the reason as to why in our day there appears to be an epidemic of spiritual babes and infants in Christ, not willing to be brought to full age. That reason? Jesus is not Lord of their lives! Ask a mature believer what has been the secret of their spiritual growth and without hesitation, they will tell you…obedience! It is my prayer that God would use this sermon to bring us to such a place of spiritual maturity.
Part 14 – What Is a Disciple of Jesus Christ?
There exists a terrible misconception amongst many professing believers in Christ about what constitutes a true Christian. Some when asked, point to a time and date when they said a sinners prayer; others refer to a Church membership roll with their name upon it! Some still would direct you to their baptismal certificate signed by the pastor. As human beings, I tend to find that we always want a formula that will produce the desired result and on face-value, there’s nothing wrong with that. On the day of Pentecost, many Jews who came under the sound of Peter’s preaching were deeply convicted of their sin; the KJV says that “…they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). The Philippian jailor while still trembling said to Paul and Silas “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). In each case, the question is not dodged and a firm answer is given; Paul and Silas respond conclusively “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
In one moment a man’s sins may be forgiven and his moral account which was previously bankrupt is credited with righteousness as he himself passes from death into eternal life! What good news indeed!!! Yet, this only marks the start of his Christian journey and not the end. It is this crucial distinction that I’m wanting to bring into clear view in this fourteenth teaching part. Many are content to leave things at the conversion stage and never really progress onto any meaningful spiritual growth. This my friends will never do!! Jesus did not call His disciples to go into the world to make converts but rather to go into all the world and make disciples!!
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1 Peter 4:7
By all reasonable observation it seems fair to say that that which the Scriptures call the end of all things indeed is at hand and that we’re living in days that I’m sure are to witness the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ who at the appointed hour and without further delay, shall rend the heavens and come down to receive unto Himself His own and to visit upon a world ripe for judgment, fierce wrath and fiery indignation. It is on account of His soon coming that I believe the Lord is wanting to sound forth a warning, calling His Church to prepare themselves for the troubled waters that lie ahead. “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Pet. 4:7).
This sermon is an exhortation for the Body of Christ to stand firm in the area of prayer. This is no time for sleeping Brethren, we are called to be sober and to remain awake for the purpose of prayer! If you are a prayerless Christian, this sermon is sure to be a challenge. May the Lord see fit to provoke and stir you that you might be found in this last hour, watching unto prayer.
Hebrews 10:23-25
You don’t need a neon sign pointing to the obvious fact that we’re living in what the Bible describes as the last days. All around us the signs abound! It is exactly as our Lord said; Spiritual deception on epidemic proportions; wars and rumours of wars; nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom; famines; pestilences and earthquakes in diverse places. If this be so then it is imperative in the hour in which we live to make sufficient preparation so as to stand in these last days.
This sermon is the second part of a two-part sermon series that serves to offer necessary imperatives that the Christian simply cannot afford to be without in this perilous hour. Having looked in part one at the responsibility we have as believers to maintain our vertical relationship towards God; in this second part, we turn our full attention now to our horizontal relationship towards the Brethren. In these last days, no man is going to be able to exist as a stand-alone island. The Church of Jesus Christ is God’s appointed means of safety and we are exhorted in this sermon in light of the times we’re living in, not to neglect the gathering of ourselves together!!
This sermon was preached at Court Farm Evangelical Church
Romans 13:11-14
You don’t need a neon sign pointing to the obvious fact that we’re living in what the Bible describes as the last days. All around us the signs abound! It is exactly as our Lord said; Spiritual deception on epidemic proportions; wars and rumours of wars; nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom; famines; pestilences and earthquakes in diverse places. If these things be so then it is crucial in the hour in which we live to make sufficient preparation so as to be able to stand.
This sermon is the first part of a two-part sermon series that serves to offer necessary imperatives that the Christian simply cannot afford to be without in this perilous hour. In this sermon, we seek to offer four practical points that relate to our vertical relationship towards God. Firstly the need to know the Word of God; secondly the need to apply the Word of God; thirdly the need for personal holiness and fourthly the need for spiritual discipline in the area of prayer. May the Lord see fit to challenge and stir His people so as to be prepared for the seasons that are fast coming upon us.
This sermon was preached at Court Farm Evangelical Church
Part 13 – How do I Interpret the Bible?
The claim of Holy Scripture is not that men wrote as it pleased their fancy but rather that “…holy men of God spake as they were moved (carried along) by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet. 1:20). This fact becomes the key in answering questions that often arise concerning the compilation of the Bible, for example; why 66 books and not 67? What about so-called missing books - the Gospel of Thomas or Psalm 151? Who determined what books went into the Bible and what books didn’t? These questions are easily answerable when one understands that the Bible claims not mere human authorship but divine authorship!
Then there is the matter of rightly dividing the Word of God. All too often, one will encounter Christians who have very little consistency when it comes to reading the Bible and even when they do read it, they do not really have any real method of approach to meaningful study. Often one will find that rather than studying the Bible, Christians will dabble with the text i.e. they will open it up and see which page it lands on and begin interpreting based on how they feel. In this thirteenth teaching part, we look in a very practical way at how to interpret the Bible by using multiple translations, cross-referencing, dictionaries and commentaries to first establish the true meaning of a passage (exegesis) so that the correct application might then be made (hermeneutics).
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Joshua 5:12
In that most famous of books, the book of Ecclesiastes; Solomon the Son of David remarks; “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Eccl. 3:1). These words are often heard at the funeral services of loved ones departed, as families come face to face with the stinging reality of death; yet it’s not death that I have in mind why I mention these verses. However, just as death marks the end of a legacy when one’s days on earth have run their course; so the verse before us in Joshua, marks an end of a legacy and an end of an era!! There’s something about this verse that upon reading it brings a strange sorrow into one’s heart. “And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year” (Josh. 5:12). For forty long years, God had been present amongst His people in their very midst. For forty long years God had led His people Israel in the wilderness with supernatural power and now this era had come to an end!
This sermon is an encouragement for all who find themselves in a wilderness journey. This journey shall not be forever; as chapters come together in a book to form the whole, so are the seasons in our life as chapters in a book. Looking back over these many trials there will be one common denominator that you’ll never forget, that which ought to be treasured above all else in this life…God in your very midst, leading, guiding and providing by mighty power!!
1 Corinthians 15:32
Christianity stands or falls on this one single fundamental claim; Jesus Christ rose from the dead. An empty tomb stands at the heart and centre of the greatest proclamation ever made, separating Christianity from bearing the same worn label of being just another mere religion. We preach first "...how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried..." (1 Cor. 15:3-4); but we don't stop there...we add also "...that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Christ’s resurrection forms the very bedrock of the hope of all believers indeed as Paul wrote “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (vs. 20) Under the Law, the Israelites had to offer to God the “firstfruits” i.e. the first of all the harvest as a thanks giving offering to the LORD. Just as the firstfruits was the sure guarantee of a harvest to follow, so Christ has become the firstfruits of the resurrection harvest, the sure guarantee that we shall follow. Yet, his resurrection is fundamentally unique to any other being raised before Him. Paul writes…“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Phil. 3:20-21).
In this sermon we take a closer look at the nature of the future resurrection of the believer in Christ and in so doing set firmly in view the blessed hope of all who trust in Christ from whom death shall never sever!
Part 12 – The Doctrine of the Eternal States
The doctrine of the eternal states is rightly classed as a sub-division of eschatology - the study of the end times. Where eschatology has a broader overview of all that is contained in the heading of the last days, the doctrine of eternal states hones in on what will be the final state or eternal existence of man at the end of the world following the Second Coming of Christ and the Millennium.
The Bible is conclusive in what it has to say about the final states of the righteous and the wicked; those whose names are written in the book of life and those whose names are not. There is a growing movement today amidst the ranks of so-called Evangelicals that denies the conscious eternal suffering of the wicked in a place called hell and instead teaches that the wicked upon being raised from the dead shall be annihilated so as to cease to exist. As we shall see in this twelfth teaching part, nothing could be further from the truth. Just as the final state of the righteous shall be an existence of eternal bliss in the new heavens and new earth, so shall the existence of the wicked be an existence of eternal torment in the lake of fire.
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Exodus 4:10-16
If we were gathered in certain quarters and I was to mention this sermon title, I’m sure many us would have a good idea what might follow. “You’ve got a problem with insecurity? Just take a look in the mirror and realise how great you are! Your self-esteem needs a face-lift! Stop doubting yourself and start believing in yourself! Com’on you’re worth it!” Such is the rhetoric of popular psychology and sadly even the mentality of many professing Christians. That said, are we to just write off as erroneous and ignore the fact that there are multitudes of Christians who struggle daily with very real feelings of insecurity which hinder them greatly from moving forward into the call of God for their lives?
Brothers and Sisters, it matters not how you feel nor what the world census says. What does God have to say? The very opposite of pop psychology!! Not, develop your self-esteem, but, turn your eyes upon Me! In Christ it is all flipped on its head! Our perceived weakness and insecurity is the means by which God shall get glory for Himself!!! “...God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Cor. 1:27-29). Do you believe this? Why then do you seek to rob God of His glory by strengthening your cause? That thorn has been given you and I by God and if properly acted upon shall be the means of God glorifying Himself in and through your weakness.
Colossians 3:1-4
Modern 21st-century man well makes a fitting boast on account of the vast array of his accomplishments; they’re admittedly very impressive! In this century and the last alone, the world has witnessed staggering and unprecedented breakthroughs in every field of expertise, from medicine to engineering. Western civilization has never known such affluence, such protracted periods of peace and prosperity; have never known such high standards of health and living and yet it’s into this period of history and into this geographical locale that each of us finds our present existence, and it’s into this reality that the gospel of Jesus Christ has shone its dazzling light, even into your heart and mine! Undeterred by the leavening influence of a society dripping with riches, the power of Christ is seen in that He has a people though in this world remain untouched by it!
This sermon is an exhortation for believers to fix their mind, not on the things of this earth but the things belonging to heaven. The reason for such an exhortation? For we are buried with Christ and risen with him and our life is now hid with Christ in God. Oh, that we come to fully comprehend this mystery and in so doing set our gaze heavenward from whence our Lord shall soon return!
Part 11 – Understanding Eschatology
Without question, the foremost claim to the Bible being inspired and thus coming from God is the sheer volume of material contained within its pages given over to prophecy. In fact, a staggering 27% of the Bible (just over a ¼) is comprised of such. God goes down on record, declaring the future before it comes into existence so that when it does all will know that the Living God has spoken! These predictions are not vague random predictions relating to non-connected matter but rather are specific, exact, calculating, precise in nature and content. They concern themselves with a particular nation and a particular person, namely Israel and her Messiah, after which they then branch out to encompass the nations in immediate proximity to Israel and finally to the whole world.
The subject matter of this eleventh teaching is narrowed down to a specific field of Bible prophecy called eschatology. Eschatology comes from the Greek word “eschatos” meaning last and “ology” meaning the study of; hence eschatology means the study of the last days or final events. These final events include the Second Coming of Christ, the Great Tribulation, the rapture/resurrection of believers, the restoration of Israel, the millennium, the great white throne judgment and eternal states. In this teaching part, we first examine the different schools of understanding relating to the study of end times before turning our attention to understanding the prophetic timetable of the last days which shall see the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His Millennium Kingdom on the earth.
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John 1:45-49
Religion has always produced its lion’s share of the world’s hypocrites, those whose devotion to God consists largely of public show! Seeking the applause and affirmation of men, they do their religious acts before the same and in so doing they receive their reward of the same! Dear Christian, how fare’s your devotional life with the Lord in private?
A call goes forth in this sermon for all to do away with the feigned folly of a counterfeit Christianity; away with such insults against Deity; be gone with such mockery! Its time again to seek the Lord in truth and sincerity that we might serve Him in authenticity!
This sermon was shared in May at a CMFI fellowship day.
Matthew 13:9
The word to my heart at the start of this New Year of 2018 is “no compromise!” Where you point the finger O Lord and speak; “Thy will be done!!” You have the right to walk the corridors of my heart and to examine the secret recesses. If there are sinful attitudes and thoughts that I’ve been excusing...pride, lust, anger, envy, selfish ambition; “speak to me by name O Master, that I may acknowledge my ways and take heed to Thy word!!” No more excuses, no more compromise! You have the right to speak to me about where my priorities lie; where I relocate; where I work; what I spend my time doing; what I set before my eyes and what I listen to; the places I go and the company I keep; “no more compromise O Lord, no more excuses!!” “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Mt. 13:9).
My dear Brothers and Sister, spiritual sight and hearing is to be most coveted in this our generation and we play deaf to God to our own detriment!!
Matthew 4:1-11
While many deny the supernatural activity of Satan in the earth today, we are exhorted in the Word of God to take to arm us for the fight the whole armour of God so as to stand in the evil day of his attack. The weaponry of the Christian’s warfare are not of this word but are mighty through God to the pulling down of satanic strongholds. Do you know of such armament? Have you taken such daily to arm you in this great battle? The devil loves no easier prey than a sitting duck Christian! Unawares, unsuspecting, naive, unskilled in spiritual warfare and undisciplined in spiritual matters!! Such are easy pickings and prime suspects to terrorize.
This sermon is an exhortation for all engaged in this spiritual war to take the defense and the offense; the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. With the shield of faith we are able to counter His lies and falsehoods but with the sword of the Word of God, we are able to fight back!! When our Lord was assailed upon by the prince of this world, thrice He gave answer to the temptations of the devil…It is written, it is written, it is written!!! May the Lord use this sermon to aid and equip you in this battle.
Part 10 - The Ordinance of Baptism
In this tenth teaching part, we delve into the subject matter of water baptism and in so doing discover that baptism has its roots entrenched in the Old Testament. Water has always been viewed in Judaism as a ceremonial means of cleansing and purifying. When God appeared to the children of Israel on Mt. Sinai for instance, Moses was instructed to “sanctify them” and they were instructed to “wash their clothes” (Ex. 19:10). Before entering into the holy place to minister before the Lord on the Day of Atonement, Aaron was to put on his white priestly linen garments. Yet, before he could put on these holy garments he was first commanded to “wash his flesh in water, and so put them on” (Lv. 16:4). Ritual washing was also required by Law for women following menstruation or childbirth and for men, following a discharge (Lev. 15). It is against this historical backdrop that John the Baptist comes onto the scene baptising men and women in the river Jordan for the remission of sins.
With the advent of Jesus Christ, baptism is taken to a higher spiritual significance in the death, burial and resurrection of the Saviour! We endeavour in this teaching to present this significance while at the same time guarding against the heresy of baptismal regeneration. When is the right time to baptise believers? Who are the proper subjects of baptism? Is it biblical to baptise infants? Is the proper mode of baptism sprinkling, pouring or immersion? As we undertake this teaching, all shall be revealed!
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Psalm 103
In the sixth verse of the fifth chapter of the epistle to the Romans, we read these shattering words; a staggering statement of stupendous magnitude: “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6). It has been my experience generally, that happy are God’s people to own the truth of Paul’s words as it relates to past sins pre-conversion. However, having now passed from death to life and being brought from a state of enmity with God into friendship, I find ironically that many of God’s redeemed now struggle with accepting forgiveness for the sins they regrettably have committed as Christians and consequently live under a black cloud of guilt and condemnation.
This sermon is a great encouragement for believers who have failed God in the area of sin to look to our good and gracious God who is full of compassion, delighting in mercy towards those who fear Him. Having demonstrated His great love toward us “…in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom 5:8-9).
Matthew 13:44-46
The parables of the kingdom are in my opinion the finest parables contained in the Gospel accounts. Rich in teaching, full of depth of meaning; in so few words as often was the speech of our Lord, they paint a vivid picture of the great mysteries of the kingdom of God. Seven in number, they can be found bound together as a whole in the thirteenth chapter of Matthew.
In this sermon, we take as our foundation, two parables from amongst the seven, namely the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl of great price. Our purpose and design is threefold in number; firstly, to show the great value of the kingdom of heaven; secondly, to show the tremendous effect upon the heart of the one discovering it and thirdly, to show the radical steps one undergoes to secure it!! May our hearts be stirred and challenged!!
Part 9 - The Lord’s Supper
An Ordinance properly defined in a Christian context, is a religious ritual i.e. a ceremony or sacred observance. For the Bible believing Christian, there are only two Ordinances which concern us, namely that of the Lord’s Supper (Communion) and Baptism. On the eve of Jesus’ crucifixion, He desired one last time to eat the Passover meal with His disciples. It was at this feast that Jesus instituted what we know and celebrate as the Lord’s Supper; a memorial meal for the purpose of remembering of the events that were to take place on the morrow, namely His crucifixion in which the New Covenant would be established by the shedding of His precious blood.
In this teaching part, we explore the meaning of Communion and try to bring clarity surrounding some of the misconceptions held by believers regarding this Holy Ordinance. We particularly focus on the administration of the Lord’s Supper, since it is at this point where many Bible believing Christians part company in their differing customs. Some Churches have Communion every Sunday, others once a month, once a quarter or even once a year! Some choose to major on the specific type of bread and wine that should be used. One Church allows for all in attendance to partake of it (including children) while another forbids anyone from taking it unless they are an active member of their particular Church. We seek in this ninth teaching part to address these issues biblically by bringing them to the light of God’s Word.
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Luke 7:36-50
The late Mr. Leonard Ravenhill when delivering the burden of the Lord as his custom was, said quite frequently: “Prayer is preoccupation with our needs. Praise is preoccupation with our blessings. Worship is preoccupation with God Himself”. How true it is that when coming before the Ancient of Days, so often we approach His eternal throne of grace with a wish list a mile long! After getting off our chest all the things we want God to do for us, we turn our attention next, to ask God what He can do for others!! Then, when we receive the things we’ve asked of God, we spend our time thanking Him and praising Him for all that He has done for us!! Whilst most assuredly we are commanded to do all of the above in Holy Scripture, so often the simple worship and adoration of God can be lost from sight in the midst of our much business.
This sermon is a call to bring back again into our Christian experience the art of worship! The place where self takes a back seat and God is brought into full view as He becomes the sole centre of our love and adoration, our affection devotion, not for anything that He has done for us but for simply who He is!!
Ephesians 4:1-6
Inextricably linked; tied with an inseparable cord is the commandment to Christian love and the exhortation to Christian unity. Try any which way you will to separate these two giants and for all your strivings your efforts shall prove in vain, for one cannot maintain the unity of the faith without love and without the unity to which Christ hath joined us to His spiritual body via the new birth, the commandment to love would be impossible!!
This sermon is an exhortation to practical unity!! To simply dote upon the theological truths relating to our spiritual union in Christ and by virtue of this our union with His spiritual body is pie in the sky unless we are going to make a purposeful effort on our behalf to strive to ensure that this spiritual unity is brought into the realm of practical experience “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).
This sermon was shared at the CMFI 2017 conference
Romans 1:1
I think all would be agreed that David didn’t ascend the throne of Israel overnight, he first spent nearly a decade in the wilderness in God’s school of preparation for service. Moses, before he went to Pharaoh spent four decades in the backside of the desert (Acts 7:30)! The apostles spent 3½ years at the feet of Christ; Paul spent the greater part of 3 years in Arabia (Gal. 1:18) and John we’re told was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel (Lk. 1:80). Thus my dear friends, God is no rush and before ever He sends out a people He first prepares a people!!
This sermon is an exhortation to all would-be service men and women of God, not to despise the day of small beginnings in God’s school of preparation. These precious years are the most vital years as God prepares His vessels for service. The wilderness of preparation is the means by which God may perform in you that which cannot be given by divine imputation, namely that of Christian character!!
Having spent the last two teaching sessions surveying two great pillars of what is termed Soteriology (the study of salvation), we come in this eighth teaching part to survey the third and final pillar, namely the doctrine of sanctification. If the doctrine of sin lays the foundation upon which doctrine of the atonement rests, the doctrine of sanctification takes its necessary place in the grand order of things in being the last to be laid. That it is last to be laid is no reflection upon its importance, for all three are of equal importance and if one was to fall they would all fall! Many today would make much of the first two pillars as though the work of salvation is complete without need of the third. However, as we shall see the doctrine of sanctification is of the utmost importance for without it Christianity is confined to the dust of death, without life and without power.
In short, it is the heart of God to redeem a holy people set apart unto Himself that as He is holy so we might be also! He has accomplished this through the atoning work of Jesus Christ through which we have received the forgiveness of sins and the regenerating life of the Holy Spirit so as to be purified and live a life now set apart unto God in righteousness. This work of sanctification though a past event, is also ongoing in this life as the believer renews his mind and is changed into the same image of the Lord from glory to glory by the Spirit of God that as He is, so we might also be in this world. Our finished and final state of perfection shall one day be fully revealed at the coming of the Lord when we who are alive shall be changed in a twinkling of an eye and those that are dead shall be raised together to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord!!
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Matthew 12:9-14
There are some that appear in the eyes of many to be a most religious bunch whilst hidden beneath the thin veneer of their religion lies the darkness of evil! Dead religion has always provided the platform for the most wicked of crimes and the cloak under which men might veil their evils in hypocrisy and deceit. For example of this, we need to look no further than the Scribes and Pharisees!! It wasn’t the publicans who plotted His execution nor was it the prostitutes who handed Him over to be crucified, rather it was those belonging to the religious establishment of the day who crucified the Saviour, loving their traditions more than God!!
This sermon is a warning to us all and an exhortation to come out from the shadows of dead religion into the light of God’s Word!! God forbid that when truth stares us in the face, we should choose instead of repenting, to hide behind the veil of dead religion. Those who persecuted Christ and those responsible for persecuting the true Church hasn't changed, in Christ’s day it was those professing to be the true Assembly of God and in our day it shall be the same. May God keep us and give us the grace to stand in this evil day!
2 Timothy 4:5-8
When you’ve only one shot, what do you do? You make it count!! When you’ve only one bullet in the chamber, though you may have fired hundreds before it, that one bullet by reason of it being your last, now becomes priceless and the need for it to find its target, paramount! In the hour of plenty, one is at liberty to fire and miss a few, but when you’re down to the last shot, there are no second chances! My dear Brothers and Sisters, life is very much like this. Oh, I know that in one’s younger years, it appears as though we’ve many more ahead of us and on account of this the years generally of the youngster are passed in foolishness, wasted and squandered in the pursuit of vanity. Ah, but alas, one suddenly finds that the sun which seemed so bright in its day, has come down to set and the years which were deemed to be many prove only to be of few.
This sermon brings the listener face to face with the radical life of the Apostle Paul who from the very moment of his conversion dedicated his life to serve and live for Christ. It is an exhortation in light of life’s passing moment for us to rethink our priorities and set our affections heavenward, that we might give our lives to Jesus in service and run well the race set before us!
We are living in an age where Christians generally have no stomach for doctrine and consequently the great doctrines of the Christian faith which form the very bedrock of the gospel are being undermined in our day. The doctrine of atonement is one such pillar of the Christian faith towering above the landscape like a giant. As when a gem is held up to light it shines forth its many facets of beauty, so this great doctrine is full of like splendour.
When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they sought to clothe themselves with the leaves of figs. However, such a covering was not sufficient and it was God who later clothed them aright, not with fig leaves (speaking of human works) but the skins of dead animals!! This if you like, is the first insight into the doctrine of atonement, namely that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. The doctrine of the atonement comes under the theological umbrella of soteriology (the doctrine of salvation) and includes as part of this many other principle doctrines including the doctrine of justification, the doctrine of redemption and the doctrine of reconciliation. We shall in the course of this teaching, touch on all of these as we look at the wonders of atonement in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
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Romans 12:1
There is no middle road in Christianity; no middle ground upon which to stand. Any seeming appearance of such is an illusion and a figment of one’s imagination, a product of Westernised consumer Christianity which on the say so of Jesus Christ Himself is no Christianity at all!! ”I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:15-16). Now I know that such straightforward speaking is not very popular today and won’t win one many friends but Jesus knew of no double talk, and said point-blank, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Mk. 8:34).
This sermon is a call for wholehearted devotion to the God of the universe. This idea that we can bring our offering to God on Sunday and live as we please rest of the week is blown out of the water as soon as one is confronted with the person of Jesus Christ. My dear friends, the High and Lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; the One before whom angels veil their faces resting not day and night, saying “Holy, holy, holy” calls for more than a convenient Christianity. It is going to cost us to bring the sacrifice that God requires and I ask the question, are you willing to count the cost?
Acts 12:1-17
There are seasons in life’s journey where the calamities of this world come to visit the door of the righteous and the unrighteous alike. Sorrow and sickness, death and disease, trials and tribulations, all come at their appointed times and there seems to be no discrimination as to where they fall and come to rest. How does one explain the ‘why’s’ of how some of God’s godly Saints are taken home in the prime of their life and service; why some are left in sickness and are not healed? Is there injustice with God? Can we charge God with evil?
The truth of the matter is that we see only through a glass dimly, the reflection is poor and sketchy. Limited to our own fixed time and space dimension, we tend to view things with tunnel vision only ever having in focus our immediate need at a particular moment. Yet, has it ever occurred to you that God is aiming at the bigger picture, that may well not involve your deliverance in this present world for reasons known only to the Almighty “...who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Eph. 1:11)? There are some answers that perhaps we will never know this side of eternity and yet still we’re called to trust in the ever living God who never changes and who works all things for the good of His Saints.
Numbers 22
Many Christians can make a mental recitation of their standing with God. They can shout and sing of the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, His atonement and their adoption as sons and daughters. Yet, for some, this is nothing more than a mental assent to facts that have yet to be fully realised in their Christian experience. Faith is the means and the only means by which the great truths of God are appropriated to our lives so as to become living realities in our experience.
There are many Christians who though they name the name of Jesus Christ are still bound by the lies of Satan which would convince them that he still has power and authority over their lives. So we’re told; if your father was a Freemason, then as a Christian you need to be delivered from the curse of Freemasonry; if you unsaved mother is a witch, then you need to be delivered from the curse of witchcraft! David shows from the Word of God that this is not Scriptural and that if we are in Christ then we have been delivered from the power of Satan and have been conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col. 1:13) and that there is no sorcery against the child of God!!
Part 6 - The Doctrine of Man
Opinions abound today as to the purpose of man’s existence. Through evolutionary thought, man has been reduced to nothing more than a process of random mutations over millions of years. For some, man has no purpose except for the furtherance of future progeny; while for others man is making great leaps and bounds in his upward progression toward godhood! In a world where suggested theories as to the purpose and meaning of life abound, what sense if any are we to make of them all? Man finds himself, perhaps like never before, having to wrestle with the many competing voices and the Christian cannot take himself out of this struggle. However, where natural man is left to his own thoughts and devices, the Christian turns to the Word of God to find answers to the great questions of life.
We shall in this sixth teaching part seek to address the question of where we came from and who we are and shall conclude by answering the big question; what went wrong! When one looks at the world today, one is confronted with death, disease, suffering and evil. Is this how God created the earth? Is this how He intended everything to be? The answer to these questions is no side issue but is fundamental in laying the foundation upon which the gospel stands.
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Luke 14:7-11
To read the biographies of those who God has used down through the ages and how they first began is fascinating to say the least! Normal people like you and me, no trims, no frills, nothing spectacular to the outward eye; yet it seems that it pleases the Father, to take the nothings and the nobodies of this world and to make them ambassadors for Jesus Christ! As one looks to find the golden thread running through the accounts of the giants God has used throughout the centuries, one finds that rather than being golden, the thread is of lowly linen; one not of grand beginnings but of small beginnings, humble beginnings.
I believe wholeheartedly that God is wanting to work among His people in our day and is raising up labourers to labour in His harvest. The places where He is looking for labourers are the places He has always looked – not the high and lofty, but the lowly. This sermon is a challenge to all that would have the Lord use their lives for His glory; are you prepared to serve God in the lowly places? Oh, may it be and in so doing, in due season we shall hear the words “...go up higher.”
1 Cor. 6:9-11
As an off-road vehicle was designed and built for rough terrain, so the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was designed to go into darkness!! Tasked with the mission of bringing such light to the heathen masses, the Apostle Paul came not with excellency of speech or of the wisdom of this world but rather preached Christ crucified and under the anointing of God, the power of God was unleashed upon a world of darkness and sin smitten men were born into the Kingdom of God! Ruined sinners forever reclaimed for Jesus Christ, their lives never being the same again!! Tell me dear soul, is this your experience; for the Bible knows of no other than men passing from darkness into light?
We need like never before, God anointed preaching to awaken blackened hearts under the conviction of God the Holy Spirit. The doctrine of regeneration needs like at no other time to be rekindled and shouted from the rooftops declaring the total ruin of the children of Adam and that ye must be born again!! “Man of sorrows, what a name; for the Son of God who came; Ruined sinner to reclaim! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!”
Psalm 34:6
Every occasion warrants a disposition of some sort fitting for the moment. For the man appearing in the presence of royalty, he positions his heart’s attitude aright, from one of casualness and indifference to one of heightened sobriety and respect. For a child sitting an examination, a disposition of focus and attention; for an offender appearing before a magistrate, a disposition of sorrow and remorse; for a son or a daughter receiving honour, a disposition of gladness and joy! What then ought to be the disposition of a heart for prayer? “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly” (Ps. 138:6).
This sermon is a challenge to God’s people to return again to prayer in the proper attitude of humility. It’s well been said that prayer moves the hand of God, but humility moves the heart of God!! “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles” (Ps. 34:6). Oh, that we might be brought to a place where we truly know that we are nothing without God. Then, we shall see praying Christians and a praying Church!
Part 5 - The Doctrine of Demons
Demonology, is the theological term given to the biblical study of demons. One generally finds that when dealing with this particular area, one of two extremes tend to surface. On one extreme there are the liberals, which refuse to even acknowledge the existence of the demonic realm in any meaningful way whilst at the other extreme are the hyper-spiritualists who overplay the realm of the demonic to such an extent that the devil gets the blame for everything. All such extremes are to be avoided and highlight the importance of gaining a good solid foundation in this very important topic. Whilst many sound believers would shun such extremes, there are notwithstanding, Christians who are so terrified by the demonic realm that they can’t sleep at night without a light on.
In this fifth teaching part in our foundational series, we shall set ourselves the task of trying to gain a biblical understanding of demons; what they are and what their nature, function, and activity is in the world today. We shall seek to answer the question of who Satan is, how he fell from grace and what his final state shall be. In gaining such insight, we shall be emboldened to take a stand against the forces of darkness knowing who we are in Jesus Christ, the authority that He has given to us as believers and the victory that He has won for us at Calvary!
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/5_The_Doctrine_of_Demons.pdf
Genesis 26:17-18
A number of significant occurrences took place in the Bible at wells. At Beersheba (the well of an oath), Abraham entered into a covenant with Abimelech; at Beerlahairoi (the well of Him that liveth and seeth me), the Angel of the LORD visited Hagar in her distress. Who can forget Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, who at well was given a bride by God for his master's son Isaac? Fast forward some 2000 years and we have yet another encounter with a woman at a well, this time Jesus and the woman of Samaria. At this well, Jesus offers living water, that if a man drinks he shall never thirst again, an internal well springing up within him into everlasting life!
This sermon is a call for reality in the Christian life!! Just as in the days of Isaac when the Philistine enemies filled his father’s wells, many Christians sadly have allowed their wells to be filled with dirt and on account of this no longer sense and experience the vital reality of God the Holy Spirit within them bringing forth the fruit of joy and peace! Dry and dead religion has become their portion. My dear Brethren, there is some re-digging to be done so that once more we might sense the presence of God in our Christian experience. At all costs, we must maintain reality with God!
Romans 3:1-5
Diamonds are among the most prized gems in the known world today and are renowned for their dazzling beauty and sparkling array. Yet, the story of this precious stone is one of great affliction from start to finish. One hundred miles beneath earth’s surface, at temperatures in excess of 20000C, and at phenomenal pressures, the diamond is formed.
This sermon is an exhortation to have joy in the midst of tribulation!! Joy, “knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Rom 5:3-4). As gold tried through the fire and is purified, and as the sweet flavours of food are more concentrated in the higher temperatures of a sealed pressure cooker; so precious Christ-like character is wrought in a Christian soul under the extreme pressure and fierce heat of tribulation!
Part 4 - The Doctrine of Angels
What are we to make when Christians become obsessed with angels? When a leading charismatic figure claims to have personal visitations from a female angel called Emma? Is it biblical to call down healing angels in a Church meeting or any type of angels for that matter? What do angels even look like and what is their function? Typically, in many artistic impressions they are depicted as winged chubby infants with ruddy cheeks floating around in play. One thing is for certain, much superstition surrounds the topic of angels, spurred on not least by the resurgence of interest in the occult via the New Age movement which has come into the mainstream over the last 30 years. The fascination with angels today has led many undiscerning enthusiasts onto dangerous ground as they actively seek to make contact with these spirit beings for spiritual guidance and insight. With biblical illiteracy at a high, sadly, even professing Christians have allowed the influences of Hollywood to inform their understanding of angels rather than the Word of God.
We intend in this teaching not to rest our understanding of angels in the realm of speculation, but instead, our desire is to open the Bible and to allow it to speak with authority into this subject so as dispel myth and inform a biblical worldview.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
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Ephesians 4:11-16
When a baby’s born, no sooner than it’s come out of the womb, it craves one thing and one thing only…milk! Some 8-12 times a day, it desires to feed on that white liquid and thereby feeding, it grows!! Is it too much to ask that what is true in the natural, ought also to be true in the spiritual? When a soul passes from death into newness of life, the first thing that soul ought now to crave is the milk of God’s Word!! “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1Pe 2:2). Moving on from milk, the infant progresses to solids and through length of time and continual feeding, grows from boyhood to manhood! I say again, is it too much to ask that what is true in the natural, ought also to be true in the spiritual lives of God’s people?
This sermon is an exhortation to the Body of Christ calling God’s children to a place of spiritual maturity. Gone are the years of infancy for those saved of many years, the time has now come that we ought to be teachers. May the Lord challenge and encourage His people by His Word through this stirring sermon.
John 21:19-22
“Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus, step by step and day by day; stepping in His very footprints, walking with Him all the way. Step by step, step by step, I would walk with Jesus; all the day, all the way, keeping step with Jesus” (A.B Simpson). Oh, how many are caught up with the burden and grief of trying to keep step with Mr and Mrs Jones when we’re called instead to keep step with Jesus! To take our eyes off the Lord and to begin comparing ourselves with others, is breeding ground for all manner of strife and division, contention and envy.
This sermon is an exhortation to us all to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and not to allow what the Lord is doing in others’ lives to be a hindrance to what God is wanting to do in our own lives! We’ve each been called by name to the Saviour into a personal relationship. The good Lord deals with each of His children as it so pleases Him. May we resist the temptation to compare ourselves with others and in so doing to become envious. Walking with Jesus must be our primary focus! One person put it this way; “Resentment comes from looking at others, contentment comes from looking to God”.
Part 3 - The Attributes of God
When speaking of the attributes of God, what we are really referring to are the characteristics of God, those qualities that describe who God is. The God of the Bible is unique and His characteristics define His very nature. By studying the attributes of God as defined by the Bible, we gain an understanding of who God is and what He is like. Sadly, the tendency of many in our current day towards theology (the study of God) is one of apathy and even scorn. Theology is seen to be too technical and unnecessary for the common Christian who hasn’t the time or care to pursue such academic matters. Instead, what we see generally is that theology has been sacrificed on the altar of experience. However, without the sound foundation provided by sound theology, one cannot truly experience God aright. Thus it is essential that we grasp the character and nature of God which will inform a proper biblical experience!
In this important teaching, we shall look at thirteen core attributes of God and shall draw practical relevancies for each which shall serve to build our faith in the pursuit of drawing near to God.
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Luke 18:1-8
That men ought always to pray is instruction worthy of the utmost honour and regard. What air is to the human lungs and water to the gills of fish, so prayer is to the spiritual life of the Christian. A prayerless Christian is a dead Christian at worst and a carnal one at best, without prayer we’re not going very far!!
This sermon is not only an exhortation that men ought always to pray, but in continuing the verse “…and not faint”, an exhortation is given to preserve in prayer. Oh, dear Soul, unanswered prayer by no means is an indicator that God is not willing to answer prayer. The parable before us in this sermon is a firm declaration that this is not the case at all. Be of good courage and continue in prayer labouring in the same in earnest for it’s not over until it’s over!
Luke 22:31-32
We ought to be under no illusion as believers as to the sobering reality that we each have a common foe, an arch-enemy of our soul; one who hates us with a perfect hatred; one who in his very essence is the epitome of pure evil. When going out to war, it is the fool who proceeds into battle, ignorant of the enemy he’s facing. The wise man first studies his opponent and knows ahead of time his strategies of battle that he might prepare himself for victory!
In this sermon, you will learn of four chief ways in which Satan seeks to attack the believer in Christ. In each and every one of these modes of assaults, Satan is out to destroy one thing, our faith!! As believers, not only must be aware of his stratagems, but we must also know how to overcome in each attack. Behold…Satan the deceiver, Satan the accuser, Satan the tempter and Satan the persecutor. The one thing that he seeks most of all is the one thing by which we overcome. “…This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 Jn. 5:4)
Part 2 - The Doctrine Of The Trinity
The doctrine of the Trinity lies at the foundation of our understanding of God as Christians. To deny this truth is to put one thoroughly outside the confines of true orthodoxy of what has been held and accepted as true by those professing Christianity down through the centuries. However, because something has been held as true by many Christians for lengthy periods of time, does not mean that it is true. As Christians, the question that we come back to each and every time is, what does the Bible say? Is such a teaching clearly taught in the Bible? If it is, then having agreed with Scripture, we are happy to agree with those coming before us of like faith. Yet if it is not, then we have to reject such teachings on the grounds that they cannot be substantiated in Holy Scripture.
In this second part of the Firm Foundations series, we explore the doctrine of the Trinity providing many proofs from the whole of Scripture to define and articulate this great and fundamental doctrine.
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Romans 13:11-14
That we are living in the Last Days is clearly evident for all with eyes to see. The very signs spoken of by the prophets, apostles and indeed our Lord Himself, declare with a single voice that the end of the age is upon us and the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ draws near.
This sermon is a warning to all who call themselves Christian and yet are sleeping in this critical hour to awake!! This is no time to sleep!! Rather, we are to be vigilant and watchful, casting off the works of darkness and putting on the armour of light. May this message serve to be an admonishment to those fast asleep and an encouragement to those faithfully walking as is becoming for Saints. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Lk. 21:28)
Hebrews 4:14-16
Consider with me the awesomeness of our Great High Priest, who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God! Oh! What confidence we have to draw nigh to Him in times of need. When the storm clouds gather overhead and light gives way to darkness, what comfort of joy to know that the Saviour is near. When at times it appears as though darkness has veiled His face from view, dear Brothers and Sisters, we must be firmly convinced and persuaded that hour, that our Great High Priest is for us still!! When darkness seems to veil His face, I rest in His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil! Tell me dear soul, is this your testimony? Is this your experience? May the truth of God’s Word form the ground on which we stand; theology informing experience! May His divine attributes, be the very catalyst of our faith to draw nigh!“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16)
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16)
Part 1 - The Bible
It seems only right and proper that as we begin this teaching series dealing with the fundamental basics of the Christian Faith, we do so by looking first at the Bible. After all, in answering the question what we believe and why we believe it, as a Christian, our only source of full reliability is the Bible. Most certainly there are other credible sources from which to draw our knowledge, but all must be run through the litmus filter of God’s Word! Since we are going to be building this teaching series upon the foundation of the Holy Bible, it seems only right therefore that in starting, we begin by answering the question, what is the Bible?
In this first part of this teaching series, we take a look at the character and nature of this precious book. We take a whistle stop tour through the Old and New Testaments before going on to look at the claims of Divine authorship. We then conclude by looking briefly at the manuscript evidence to support the reliability of the Bible.
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Psalm 119:105
Kings and Potentates, Popes and Emperors have all tried in vain down through the ages to silence God’s unfaltering Word, yet the fact of the matter remains true,”…The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever” (Is. 40:8). For many calling themselves evangelicals, belief in the inerrant Word of God is a given and Bibles abound in their multitudes, stacked on the shelves of Christians. Yet despite this, the biblical literacy of the average Christian has never been so poor! The first task of the Christian must be to obtain knowledge of the Word of God but having obtained knowledge to then walk in the light of that knowledge.
The Psalmist declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105). I fear that the grave error of fundamentalism in our day is that we’re content at best to hold the knowledge of God’s Word in our heads yet the light never makes it down to our feet! This sermon is a challenge to us all; let us not be hearers only deceiving ourselves, but let us also be doers of the Word!!
Matthew 16:13-17
The question of all questions; the question that demands an answer…Whom say ye that I am? Opinions abound of who THEY say the Son of man is! The Jehovah’s Witnesses say you’re Michael the Archangel, the Mormons say you’re brother of Lucifer, the Muslims say you’re a prophet, the New Agers say you’re an enlightened master, the religionists say you’re a moral teacher, the humanists say you’re a good man, and the socialists say you’re a revolutionary! Yet, when everything is said and done, the Lord demands from us personally an answer to the question…Whom say ye that I am? Get this wrong and you’re wrong for all eternity, but get this right and you’re right for all eternity!
1 Corinthians 10:1-14
There exists a single verse in that pages of Holy Writ that men ought always to have at the forefront of their minds. The proud man thinks that it could never apply to him and the naive pass over it without a thought, yet its truth remains fixed and constant for all men without exception and the innumerable testimonies of those who now lie in the gutters and the side walks cry out in one accord to take heed; ”Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 12:10).
Dear Brethren, it is incumbent upon all who name the name of Christ to watch diligently over their souls with much prayer, for no Christian ever falls in a day! Rather, through neglect and pride, a man tells himself I’m alright and have no need to watch; through much business, a man takes his eye off the mark and begins to drift into danger. This sermon is a warning and an encouragement for believers to remain vigilant when it comes to watching over their souls in regards to sin. Failure to watch here has proven to be the downfall of many!
Acts 26:22-29
Fanaticism has been defined as a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, a person who has very strong beliefs that may lead them to behave in unreasonable ways. Fanaticism is built into the very fabric and DNA of Christianity, the Master Himself has set the bar to which all coming after Him must strive to reach. There can be no serving our Lord in half measure, the one setting His hand to the plough must not look back but go on in the way of full obedience to Christ!! Yet, to do this will inevitably earn him the title “fanatic”, a derogatory label reserved for those whose conduct or opinion is deemed extreme and unacceptable in by today's society!
This sermon is an encouragement to the body of Christ to never be ashamed of wearing the label of a fanatic for Christ’s sake. As we see the days darkening, we are called to shine the more brighter. Lift up your head and feel no shame in representing the King of Kings!! We are ambassadors for Christ, citizens of His heavenly Kingdom, and without apology, we should never be ashamed!!
James 1:26
Man has concocted many tests by which to gauge his spirituality; self-made indicators by which he presumes to ascertain the height to which he has ascended in his religious service and devotion to God. Church attendance, financial giving, prayers and fasting, the study of God’s Word and the sharing of ones faith. Yet, admittedly, all these disciplines can be done out of a self-seeking heart of pride as a means to add notches to ones spiritual belt and to get one up over our neighbour. Brethren, there is one litmus test that is sure to never fail in giving an accurate reading of where we really are in our Christian experience; one member in our human body that is sure to give us away, that of the tongue!
This sermon is a challenge to the Christian to set guard over the words of their mouth. Gossip and slander, strife and division, lies and deception, ought not to be found in the life of a Christian. God is calling His body to a standard and the challenge is laid down by the Word of God!
Acts 4:13-22
Over the last three decades, we are witnessing at an unprecedented rate, the speed and rapidity at which the Judaeo-Christian foundations of the West are been ripped up before our very eyes. Those in the seat of power and governance who have the power to change and effect laws are passing laws that are forcing Christians to have choose between Christ and a law that is at odds with God’s. In the mid-19th century as the British Empire was moving towards its height, Queen Victoria was asked by an African prince, “What is the secret of England’s greatness and Britain’s glory?” Our Queen did not speak of the number of her fleet, nor the strength of her armies. She did not mention her abundance of merchandise, nor of her inexhaustible wealth. Instead, she handed the prince a beautifully bound copy of the Bible and said…”this is the secret of England’s greatness”. Sadly, this is no longer the case as righteousness has made way for ungodliness and iniquity of every filthy kind.
This sermon is a great encouragement to the Body of Christ who find themselves in such an hour as this. As the light rains are felt before the storm clouds break, so already, Christians in the Western world are beginning to experience their first taste of persecution in what will be an unleashing of Satan's wrath in the days and years ahead. Be of good cheer dear Brethren, God will give us the wisdom, power and boldness to be witnesses for Jesus Christ by the baptism of the Holy Spirit which He has promised. This is no time to cower, in that hour of testing, we must be found seeking the Lord in prayer!
Deuteronomy 28:1-14
Obedience and the blessing attached to it, can often get lost amidst the many admonitions and warnings found in Holy Scripture against disobedience. So often we have as Christians the mindset, ‘I’d better obey or else...’, rather than seeing the blessing of obedience!!
What has God been speaking to you about about in your life? What sin sin has He been pleading with you to forsake? What act of love has He been calling you to undertake? Oh! dear soul...without further delay, set you heart and mind to obey and think not of temporal loss in light of the blessing that awaits when God's people walk in obedience!
Matthew 6:24
The heart of man is designed such that it can only serve one master. Our Lord stated emphatically: “No man can serve two masters: for he will either hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon”.
This sermon delivers a very serious challenge, calling forth the body of Christ to make a choice whom they will serve!! There is no place in the vocabulary of Christianity for mixture! We’re either hot for Christ or cold; we have either both feet in or both feet out, we cannot serve God in half measure!! As this sermon draws to a close, practical steps are offered on how to revive and maintain the flame of burning love in our hearts for Jesus Christ.
Matthew 12:18-21
A bruised reed and a smoking flax...two emblems employed by our Lord denoting the weakness and frailty of man. Sin laden and burden borne with the cares of life - Christ came into the world to seek and save such as these!! Oh what hope for sinners, glad tidings to the meek! For those who stoop to receive Him eternal life but for the proud and impenitent, a certain looking for of judgment when He shall appear the second time in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God.
Oh! dear soul...now is the acceptable time; behold now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). While the door of mercy is open, let us seek the Lord, for there is coming a day when mercy shall cease. In that day there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth!
2 Cor. 4:6-11
A story broke of a lady who bought a diamond ring for £10 at a car boot sale mistaking the ring for costume jewellery when in fact the ring was worth a third of a million pounds!! The exceptionally sized stone was presumed not to be real because 19th century diamonds were not cut to show off their brilliance like today’s gems. The buyer did not think it a real diamond because it was in a filthy mount and did not sparkle!! Sadly, what was true of this ring, is also true of many who profess Christ – the excellency of the treasure of heaven contained in our earthen vessels is never seen by an onlooking world on account of the filthy mount in which it is housed and our lack of sparkle!!
This sermon is an encouragement and an admonishment to those enduring suffering for the cause of Christ. It is only through trials and suffering that the hidden treasure of God’s Holy Spirit within us is revealed to an unbelieving world. We are exhorted by our Lord to let our light shine before men!!
Isaiah 40:25-31
Upon what are you basing your faith; upon what your hope and confidence? "The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever..." (1 Pet 1:24-25). Oh! dearly beloved let the Word of God furnish for you a firm foundation upon which to stand, such that, when upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, you might have an anchor of grounding!! "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb 11:1).
This sermon is an exhortation to the weak and an admonition to the strong, to anchor ones confidence in the promises of a faithful God. "...they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Is. 40:31)
Philippians 2:1-11
Oh that the Body of Christ might lay firmly hold on the most blessed doctrine of regeneration!! “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). “...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17). Oh! the glories of this precious truth, what grace has become ours in Christ, what change has been wrought in our hearts the hour we first believed!!
In light of this great truth, the burden of responsibility is now placed on the Church of Jesus Christ to preserve and maintain, at all costs, the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace!! Most assuredly, in Christ, we have been brought into spiritual fellowship and unity with one another by selfsame Spirit of God that dwells in each of us. However, great caution is given in this sermon about allowing strife and envy to fester in our hearts which destroys the unity and injures the Church for which Christ died.
Ezekiel 34:11-12
All across the landscape of Christendom, lie the scattered wounded and the spiritually hurt. Apparently, some would have us believe that soldiers of Christ are not supposed to be counted among the wounded, but in all my observations, I find this not to be the case at all! On every side I see the casualties of this spiritual war…
This sermon is an encouragement to the spiritually wounded; the Good Shepherd well knows your wounds and hears your cries. Indeed, He cares for you more than you could ever know and will in due season restore you again to spiritual vigour. Hold fast dearly beloved, come aside and rest a while in Christ!!
1 Chronicles 13:1-14
Pastor John brings forth passionately, a burden from the Lord as it relates to God’s people once again experiencing the presence of God in their midst. Through looking at the history of Israel and the bringing up of the Ark to Jerusalem, John shows very clearly that there is a pattern and an order to securing the blessing and presence of God! Would we not turn back as a Church, to the pattern laid down in Scripture; would we dispense of our new fangled inventions borrowed from the Philistines and seek again the old paths that God might again dwell in the midst of His people?
For more information about John Hayward, visit:
http://cfec.co.uk/
Have you a burden for God’s Word? Keith provokes the hearts of the Body of Christ to probe for an answer to this question...Many Christians do not have a consistent devotional life with the Lord whereby they spend time in the study and meditation of God’s Word. This message will be sure to stir you hearts to reignite a passion again for the Word of God!!
This third part of three teachings dubbed “The Holy War” is titled “Waging Holy War”. It is the strong conviction of David that the end-time Church of Jesus Christ will be glorious!! Yet, when one looks at the current state of the Western Church, one struggles to see how this will be. Out of a burdened heart, David provokes and challenges the Church to inspect their spiritual armour and in light of this to establish spiritual authority to stand in this holy war!!
This second part of three teachings dubbed “The Holy War” is titled “Basic Training”. Once again, David passionately shares his heart on the need for Christians to be equipped for holy war. A soldier cannot just go out onto the battle field without basic training. First he must know his enemy and choose his side, but then secondly, he must be trained to go out to battle!! David shares his personal experiences being trained as a soldier in the South African Defence Force and parallels this with the spiritual training undertaken in God’s army!!
This first part of three teachings dubbed “The Holy War” is titled “Know Your Enemy”. David passionately shares his heart on the need for Christians to know their enemy in this holy war!! It is Satan who is the great enemy of the faithful, who is 100% committed to waging war. The call goes out for Christians to know their enemy, choose their side and commit to waging holy war!!
This sermon is a great encouragement for those whose children have gone astray!! Keith exhorts Christians to not give up on their unsaved children!! We must continue to stand in the gap for them and to shine the light of Christ. Keith through personal experiences, shares his heart at how God had reached many wayward children and brought them home to Christ!! NEVER give up on your children!!!
Praise God for holy convocations, special assemblies, where the people of God gather together in one accord for the express purpose of seeking the face of God! Praise God that often times in such meetings, God truly meets with His people in personal revival. Yet, as the weeks and months transpire from such blessing, one generally finds that the people of God return again to the mire. The great burden of this sermon is this one question...how can such personal revival be maintained in the life of the believer?
As one surveys the annals of history down through the corridors of time, one will find that history polluted and stained by war. That said, there’s something that an environment of war that is able to accomplish something that a pre-war environment simply cannot do!! It’s in the climate of war, where heroes are born. A pre-war generation of peace is known by its cowards, the generation of war by its heroes!! This sermon is a challenge for Christians to stand in this generation and to be counted among David’s mighty men. Such men were not born in a day, but in the wilderness, God shaped and moulded them into mighty warriors. Oh that God would do it again!!
Keith shares the burden of the Lord for lost souls and challenges the body of Christ to have a heart for the lost! The evangelist in Keith really comes through in this message and though we are not all called to be evangelists, we certainly are all called to share the gospel wherever God grants us the opportunity!!
A call goes forth in this message, somewhat of the burden of the Lord, for Christian soldiers to arise and having counted the cost of service, to give themselves whole heartedly to such in labouring for the King!! What doth hinder you from such dear Christian? The hardships of war? The entanglements of this life? Personal sin in ones life? Whatever the reason, the voice of God sounds aloud in our generation, “...Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Oh!! that we might be able to say, “...here am I; send me”
John 3:16
Brother Keith brings a very strong gospel message setting forth the love and mercy of just and holy God!!
Visit the ministry of Keith Daniel here for more sermons:
http://www.keithdaniel.info/
2 Chronicles 34:1-21
When the standard of God's Word is removed, every man does what is right in his own eyes and everything becomes permissible!! The haunting words of the prophet Hosea ring loud and true in this generation..."My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6).
For the most part in the West, Christians generally are undisciplined and unskilled in the reading and studying of God’s Word! In this teaching, the great heart and burden is that God’s people would be equipped to study and understanding the Bible so that in understanding, we might unearth again the truth and standard of God’s Word!!
John 10:27-30
There are rumours out there, grave misunderstandings even amongst the professing body of Christ which purport that God and Satan are on equal footing, on a level playing field. Apparently, so the story goes...the same power God has, the devil also has – God is omnipotent, the devil is omnipotent; God is omniscient, the devil is omniscient; God is omnipresent, the devil is omnipresent. The problem is, if you ask for supporting verses in the Bible to establish these rumours, none ever seem to materialise! Now I know that the majority of Christians would never profess to holding to such beliefs theologically, however, by the very way they live their lives in fear of the devil, they demonstrate that that is what they really believe deep down.
This sermon is a revaluation of so-called truth when it comes Satan’s role in the war against the Saints!! Why is it that believers run scurrying and hurrying from the battlefield in fear of the devil, when if his propaganda be exposed, we would be running into the battle? Oh may our fear and unbelief be buried and the Church of Jesus Christ arise again to its feet in faith!!
Mark 12:1-12
There are some within the ranks of Christendom that fancy that their being in the Lord hangs by a thread - that is, at any time, at any moment, having put one foot wrong, they could suddenly be cast off from the presence of God and fall from grace overnight!! I call this “tightrope Christianity”, and there are many who live under the fear and grip of such bondage never knowing whether they are in or out of favour with God. Dare we call this Christianity!! Open up the Bible if you will and from every page will cry forth the mercies of a God who is gracious, and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy.
In this sermon, we trace the 1500 year history of a nation called Israel and in so doing consider God’s mercy towards the backslider! In beholding this wonder however, we also consider the terror of a holy God, who will not strive with the impenitent forever. A clear warning is sounded forth in this sermon; trifle with the mercy of God at your own peril!! Whilst the mercies of God of long and His patience enduring, there comes a point in time in which the axe of God’s judgment must fall!! Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
Joshua 9:1-14
There’s a saying oft found on the lips of men when faced with a situation in life; “I’ve got it!!” Vast and numerous are the casualties of those who speech run along these lines. Judging in the natural and functioning in the realm of the earthly, they judge carnal matters by carnal means and suffer the consequences of not first seeking council at the mouth of the LORD.
This sermon is an eye opener, to the potential hazards of trying to tackle things in the flesh without first consulting God. Dear Christian, a way has been made for you to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16). The question is, will you come?
2 Timothy 2:19-21
Oh that God might raise up labourers in this critical hour in which live and send them forth into His harvest!! Before ever such a call to service, there must first be a call to holiness! This is and must be the first business of every Christian. “For this is the will of God; even your sanctification…for God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (1 Thess. 4:3, 7).
This sermon is a challenge, calling Christian men and women in the generation in which we live, to purposefully and intentionally set themselves apart unto God in holiness, as vessels meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Written across the life of every Christian worker, ought be the words HOLINESS TO THE LORD!!
1 Corinthians 15:9-11
There exists three types of Christian workers in the field of Christian service today. The third it seems is more rare than coloured diamonds, the first and second more common than tin! Behold the first type of Christian worker; his back bowed over, his hands limp, his knees frail – a most pitiful fellow! If one could peer across to view him head on, one would see a tiresome soul; a withering face and a sorrowful look tells more than speech ever could. Behold the Christian worker with much labour and no grace! Consider the second type, fat and overweight, a most lazy individual - see him slouched on the couch fast asleep. Behold the Christian worker with much grace but no labour!!
It is the third of our three that we turn our attention to in this sermon as a model of how it should be in the sphere of Christian service, labouring under the grace of God!! Such a one I heard cry aloud, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can wok” (Jn. 9:4). Upon his back, an enormous load, but he never seems to notice. Upon the sack are emblazoned the words; “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor. 12:9). Dear soul, which one of the three are you?
Apologists for the religion of Islam often play the slave card in an attempt to draw black Afro-Caribbeans away from Christianity to the religion of Islam. Up until now, the wind has only been blowing in one direction in exposing the regrettable tie between those professing to be Christian and their involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. That is until now…
Jay Smith brings devastating evidence that exposes the historic link between Islam and Black Slavery and demands an answer! Please listen carefully to what he shares and consider the evidence he shares.
Much rhetoric is being banded around in our Western society, even by Christians, putting forth the notion that the God of the bible and the God of Islam are essentially the same God.
In classic Jay Smith fashion, Jay brings a clear comparison between the religions of Christianity and Islam and blows this myth out of the water.
1 John 1:1-7
There exists a breed of Christian, who lives solely to have fellowship with God to the exclusion of fellowship with those begotten by Him!! Fond they are of repeating that all too familiar phrase, “it’s just me and the Lord”. Yet, if one were to ask such people what they think of other Christians, they would state their honest opinion plainly, namely that they cannot stand the sight of them! Yet, the Word of God tells us categorically that they that love God love those begotten of God!!
This sermon is a direct challenge to the individualised Christianity we see springing up across our land. True Koinonia (fellowship) with God and His Son has been made possible only by the indwelling Holy Spirit in the new birth; yet such Koinonia cannot be reserved between the child of God and God alone, but MUST have it’s true expression in the living out of Koinonia (fellowship) between the Brethren!!
Matthew 5:3
We are living in a generation where the great prefix “self” rules!! Self-esteem, self-image, self-worth, self-sufficiency, self-help, self-knowledge, self-love, and so the list could go on...The Apostle Paul, writing some 2000 years ago under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit put it this way: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…” (2 Tim. 3:1-2). To borrow from the great commentator Albert Barnes – “It shall be one of the characteristics of these times that men shall be eminently selfish”. The dilemma of our day is not that men have too low an opinion of themselves but rather that they have too high an opinion of themselves and se no need for God!!
This sermon is a vivid reminder of the need for the Church to abandon all self-reliance and self-dependency and instead to sense their great poverty of spirit and desperate need for the Saviour in the critical hour in which we live!! “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for there is the kingdom of heaven”.
2 Kings 18:1-6
Of King Hezekiah, it was said, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did”. Hezekiah was a very special king in that he loved the Lord his God and cleaved to Him with all is heart!! When ascending the throne of the Monarch, Hezekiah set his heart to rededicate the nation back to God. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves. However, in the passage of Scripture before us in this sermon, reference is also made of him breaking in pieces the brazen serpent which Moses had made! For 800 years, no reference is made in the records of Scripture of this brazen serpent until now! What once had been a blessing to Israel and a means of their healing, had now turned to be a snare!
This sermon is a warning and a challenge to Christians not to lose sight of God in the midst of His blessings. How many Christians, Churches, denominations and ministries have known the blessing of God and over time have allowed that same blessing to become an idol of worship. Hezekiah saw in his day, the brazen serpent it for what it was – Nehushtan – a piece of brass!!
Deuteronomy 8:1-6
“All the way my Savior leads me; what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my Guide? Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.” There are some hymns that when sung, cause a welling up within, an inner witness that is so strong on account of the truthfulness of the words being sung, meeting with one’s own personal experience!
Evermore does our blessed Saviour invite the sheep of His fold to follow Him! More and more He desires to take His sheep out of their comfort zone and in leading them into the wilderness, to show them, that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. Oh that we might bury our unbelief and come to realisation that where the good shepherd leads, the good shepherd will provide!!
Proverbs 11:14
When given opportunity by God to request anything his heart so desired, Solomon did not ask for long life, neither did he ask for riches, nor asked he for the life of his enemies. Rather, he spoke saying. “Give..thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad...” (1 Kg. 3:9). Oh! That we as Christians might more fervently seek the Lord for wisdom, to know which way the Lord would have us to walk in these troubling times. So many Christians walk in their own council and have not even considered, let alone entertained the idea of consulting the Lord and asking for wisdom.
In our hour of decision at life’s crossroads, we don’t have to walk in isolation. The Word of God would exhort us to seek godly council from wise and godly brothers and sisters. This sermon is a warning on two fronts; beware from whence you get your counsel and take heed that you turn not away from the counsel of the Lord!!
Hebrews 11
What is faith? There exists some confusion amongst Christians as to what constitutes true biblical faith. Due to the error of the so-called Word of Faith Movement, many have come to have an unbiblical view of faith. We’re told that whatever we desire we shall receive and if we don’t then it is because we lack the faith! However, when one takes the whole counsel of the New Testament, one quickly comes to realise that faith is not about bending the will of God in an attempt to get our own way but rather, faith is man’s response to what God has said!! God first speaks and we take Him at His Word and exercise obedience – this is biblical faith!!
In the troubling times in which we live, Christ is every calling His sheep to follow Him! My sheep, hear my voice…This sermon is an exhortation and a word of encouragement for the Body of Christ to live and walk again by faith "...for without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb 11:6).
Acts 8:1-4
North Korea ranks first place in its relentless, systematic persecution of Christians via its communist dictator Kim Jong Un. Worship of the ruling Kim family is mandatory for all, and those failing to comply are imprisoned, tortured or killed. Across the Muslim world in countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Yemen; those daring to leave the ranks of Islam are martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ. The only thing that sets them apart from us in the West is mere location! Yet, we see in my own country of Great Britain, the storm clouds beginning to gather momentum and increased levels of persecution arising on the back of so called “British Values” and “Diversity”.
What is our response to be when persecution comes to our doorstep on account of our faith in Jesus Christ? Do we stay or do we go? Do we stand and remain or do we retreat and flee? This sermon seeks to bring a balanced and biblical answer to this question that will serve to help prepare the Body of Christ for the coming storm!
Isaiah 66:1-4
There are many traits that the world desires to see in a man – faithfulness, integrity, honesty, maturity – all good qualities, indeed commendable ones. Yet as one peruses the list of desirables, one looks in vain to find the one that God seeks for in a man, namely that of humility!! The world scoffs at such as weakness and a sure sign of femininity, the very opposite of masculinity which demands that a man – if he is a true man – excel in in the qualities of self-confidence, strength and security.
The word of God is clear, “God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble” (Jms. 4:6). “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Ps. 51:17). This sermon is strong call for the Body of Christ to seek to walk in humility. Mechanical religion consisting in outward prayers and professions of faith, will never procure the favour of God if the heart is not set before Him humility. God calls His people to humble themselves and to put away sin. “…to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Is. 66:2).
2 Kings 6:24-33
How oft we are to lose sight of the One who sits on the throne of the universe! “Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle…who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory” (Ps. 24:8, 10). How easy it is, when the storms of life come rolling in, eclipsing His face from view and the clouds of trial drift in, veiling His mighty arm – how easy it is to lose sight of His majesty, of His omnipotence, of His unrivalled and unequalled power!!
At the heart of this sermon goes forth cry, do not despair…never say never!! Circumstances may look grim and desperate, but in a moment of time, in the most unexpected manner, at the least expected time, the wind can turn at the command of Him who sits on the circle of the earth!! Never say never!!
Matthew 6:19-34
When demanded of the Pharisees, “when the kingdom of God should come”, Jesus responded by saying: “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For behold, the kingdom is within you” (Lk. 17:20-21). If indeed it be the case that the King of kings has come to establish His kingdom in the hearts of men and to take His seat upon the throne of our lives, what ought to be the response of the Christian? Well the words of our Lord come to mind: “Not my will, but thine be done”. Could it be that the root of the cause of so little growth in the lives of professing believers is that this very issue of the kingdom of God has not even been considered let alone embraced?
As a new year has dawned, this sermon is an exhortation and call for Christians to set in order, first things first for 2017. A divided heart given over to the riches and cares of this world, will always and forever be a stumbling block to the growth and expansion of the kingdom of God in the life of a Christian. At all costs a way must be cleared for the King to rule and reign!!
Ephesians 6:10-18
A war has been raging for some 2000 years. Not a single generation has been exempt and not a day has passed wherein the conflict has ceased. It is a battle in the heavenly realms, reaching down to earth; a spiritual war involving the blood bought children of God and the forces of demonic darkness. It is crucial in this critical hour, that the Saints of God have a biblical understanding of Spiritual Warfare and how they are to stand in the evil day.
The passage before us in this sermon, more than adequately furnishes a sound exposition of the topic of spiritual warfare and gives plain instruction on how the child of God is to stand in the midst thereof.
We arrive at last to the final teaching part in our series looking at the Roman Catholic Church. The fundamental question running throughout this series has been, ‘Is Roman Catholicism True Christianity?’ Some 52 000 words on in our study, having surveyed the religion of Roman Catholicism, we can concur with 100% accuracy that Roman Catholicism does not have a gospel and cannot by any stretch of the imagination, be considered Christian if by Christian, we mean that which is taught and defined in the New Testament!!
In this final teaching part, we turn our attention to the ecumenical agenda, which is being spearheaded by the Roman Catholic Church. We reveal a purposeful and deliberate effort by Roman Catholicism, to unite and bring back a divided Christendom to itself. Sadly, many evangelical Christians have bought into this lie and are now working hand-in-hand with Rome to bring about the reversal of the Protestant Reformation which severed the true Church from Rome some 500 years ago. Through use of shocking video footage, we bring to the forefront this deceptive agenda which has come to be known as ecumenism.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/12_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt12.pdf
Romans 16:17-27
In earnest concern, Paul instructs the Church at Rome with passion, to mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which they had learned and to avoid them. When one understands the heart of God concerning His flock and the prayers of Christ that His Church may be one; insight is gleaned and understanding is gained as it relates to the importance of unity. One begins to see the utter wickedness and evil of a divisive person! The Greek word for division is where we get our English word for dichotomy, which means to cut into two parts. The Word of God is clear; we are to mark such people, and to have nothing to do with them, for such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own bellies and their own conceited agendas!!
It is with thankfulness to God, that we conclude this teaching series on the Book of Romans. May the Lord be glorified in all that has been shared and may we strive to walk in the reality of it!!
Romans 16:1-11
All I’m sure are familiar with the concept of a roll of honour, a list of names of those counted worthy of receiving honour; of being highly esteemed in the sight of men and thus to be regarded with great respect. In the chapter before us, Paul lists his own roll call of honour, of faithful Saints counted worthy of double honour on account of their faithful labours of service in Christ towards the Brethren, not least towards Paul himself. Among many of the nobles, are the names of women, the first of which being Phebe, who through her labour of love, received a commendation from Paul.
This sermon is an exhortation to the Body of Christ, to strive for that most honourable of all Christian labours, that of Christian service in the area of helps.
Mariology –Part 2
Mariolatry is the theological name given to the worship of Mary. Roman Catholics take strong objection to being accused of worshipping Mary and would insist that such a label is an unfair representation of what they believe. However, what one believes on paper and what one practices in reality, are two different things!! To escape the charge of idolatry, Catholics have what is in effect a three tier level of devotion expressed to God (latria), Mary (hyperdulia) and the Saints (dulia). Yet when one turn to the Bible to search for such a pattern, one finds this distinction wanting!!
In this teaching part we examine this special devotion which Catholics afford to Mary as is expressed in the prayers offered up to her by countless millions of Roman Catholics worldwide. We examine the messages of those claiming to have received apparitions of Mary at some of the major Marian shrines in the world today. Would the humble handmaid of the Lord ever allow herself to be the object of love and devotion? We endeavour in this teaching to explore this question along with many others.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/11_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt11.pdf
Romans 15:25-33
Having dealt already at length concerning the matter of Christian love, in a variety of Christian contexts throughout this most blessed epistle to the Romans; it is not surprising that once again before long, Paul revisits this great theme in what is yet another application of its manifold beauty!! Its depths can never be plummeted, its heights never scaled – inexhaustible, indispensable, exceeding all limits, uncontainable, unexpendable – LOVE!!
In the verses before us in this sermon, we find yet another application of love as it pertains to Christian giving. We take a closer look at this expression of love and allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves on this important matter. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10)
Romans 15:20-24
The 19th century has been dubbed “the greatest century of missions”. In 1793, the modern missionary movement was birthed into being by a young Baptist minister by the name of William Carey. Over the next 100 years, missionaries were sent out from this tiny country of Great Britain, to every corner of the world. Whole tribes were converted from pagan idolatry and disciples made from every nation! In just 100 years, the world went from being 25% evangelised to 51% evangelised with the number of professing Christians more than doubling! In 1900, just under half of all international missionaries came from the British Isles! Fast forward 100 years to the 21st century and that figure now stands at a shameful 3.75%!!
This sermon is a wake-up call and a challenge to the Body of Christ to rise up in this generation and to make themselves available and willing to step out into missionary endeavour as God would lead!!
Romans 15:14-19
In my 16 years of being a Christian, I have found that within the professing Body of Christ, there generally exists two extremes when it comes to understanding the person and work of the Holy Spirit. On one extreme, there are those who sacrifice biblical doctrine on the altar of experience and those on the other extreme, those who sacrifice experience on the altar of learning.
This sermon is a call to a middle ground; the Bible in one hand, governing our experience in the other. To accept a spiritual experience outside the framework of Holy Scripture is a sure recipe for deception; yet to deny a genuine work of the Holy Spirit operating within the God given parameters of the Word of God is to do great insult and injury to the person of the Holy Spirit and to render the Body of Christ a spiritual handicap. We take a look at a biblical approach to understanding the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit.
Mariology –Part 1
Mariology is the theological name given to the doctrinal study of Mary the mother of Jesus. If one was to ask the general public for a defining person, inextricably and inseparably linked to Roman Catholicism, without a shadow of a doubt, the overwhelming response would not be Jesus Christ but instead, that of His mother Mary!! As biblical students of God’s Word, any study of the New Testament is not complete without making mention of Mary. Indeed, as one opens the New Testament, immediately one is confronted with the person of Mary in the events that record the nativity of Jesus Christ. However, Roman Catholic theology maintains that Mary was not only the biological mother of Jesus, the vehicle used by God to bring His Son into this world. But rather that Mary remained a perpetual virgin; that Mary is free from original sin and at the end of her life on earth, she was taken up into heaven where she continues perpetually to be the mother of God and Queen of Heaven. Catholics believe Mary to be Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix playing a role alongside her Son not only in His earthly ministry but even now in His heavenly ministry in the salvation of mankind!
In this tenth teaching part, we shall begin to look at the claims of the Roman Catholic Church concerning Mary and weigh them against the Bible! This is to be the first of a two part teaching comparing the Roman Catholic Mary vs the Mary of Scripture!!
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/10_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt10.pdf
Romans 15:8-13
There are many mysteries in the universe yet unsolved by man; veiled from his sight, concealed from his understanding; beyond his comprehension. Such mysteries have always fascinated mankind, beholding the wonder and the splendour, yet at a loss how to furnish an adequate explanation.
The Apostle Paul spoke much of the mystery of the gospel. The prophets of old foretold of a future time when the Gentiles would join the household of Israel to praise the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The fact that this was going to happen was no mystery yet the “how” of this revelation was! Two people groups, poles apart, separated by the Law. Yet Paul expounds this great mystery of the gospel, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel!
Romans 15:1-7
It’s one things to fight a common enemy without – wars are fought and won on such a basis. One army sets themselves in array against another and a bloody battle is fought until one side gains the victory. However, it’s quite another thing altogether when the enemies of a man are those within his own household; those within his own ranks! How then shall the battle be won? Indeed our Lord well summed up the tragedy and the certainty of defeat when he said: “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mk. 3:25).
This sermon is a challenging exhortation for the body of Christ to grow up into Christian maturity; to put away the infighting and pride and instead to seek to forbear with one another in love and in so doing to preserve the unity of the Holy Spirit in the bond of peace!!
Romans 14
There are some things in the Christian religion too great to move; truths that are non-negotiable, not open for debate, off limits and out of bounds! These great doctrines of our faith pertaining to the person, nature and work of Jesus Christ and the means by which salvation comes to man are not open for discussion! To dispense of these pillars is to destroy the very foundation upon which Christianity stands. That said, there are matters of less importance, matters of Christian conscience which do allow for a difference in application and flexibility within the growing members of the Body of Christ.
In this sermon, we seek delicately and biblically to set out in love matters pertaining to Christian conscience. Which issues are matters of conscience and which are morally binding? How are we to conduct ourselves toward one another on matters of conscience? All these questions and more, we seek to answer in this teaching sermon.
Romans 13:8-14
The Word of God is clear…”If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 Jn. 4:20). Brethren, be not deceived, our love for Him who we cannot see is manifest to the degree that we love one another!! When we think of the great love that He has demonstrated towards us in sending His Son to die on the cross – Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!!!
Dear Brethren, owe no man anything, but to love one another! The Lord’s coming is at hand and the night is far spent – It’s high time to awake out of sleep and to walk as children of the light!!!
The Sacrament of the Eucharist
This now being our fourth teaching part on the sacraments, we come at last to set in focus, the sacrament of the Eucharist. The questions that we want to ask in this teaching part are two in number. Firstly, we want to ask; for what reason is the sacrament of the Eucharist so important and secondly; is the sacrament of the Eucharist biblical?
Biblical support to substantiate the sacrament of the Eucharist fails at every point. Scripture stands in direct contradiction to the Roman Catholic Mass. Biblically, Christ is not and cannot be present in a consecrated piece of wafer; eternal life cannot be received by ingesting the body and blood, of Jesus Christ; a man cannot have power on earth to change the substance of that bread and wine into the body, blood, soul and divinity Jesus Christ; and finally, Eucharist adoration aka idolatry is flatly condemned in the pages of Scripture!! At best, the crowning sacrament of the Roman Catholic is a fraud and at worst utterly damnable to millions who celebrate and partake of it!!
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/9_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt9.pdf
Romans 13:1-7
Great misunderstanding exists among some believers regarding our relationship to governing authorities. Some boast that they have only one King to whom they owe their allegiance and thus they break the law of the land! Paul takes very strong objection against such a view and instructs believers that they are to recognise that governing authorities have received their seat of power from God. God’s ministers they are, to execute wrath and justice in His place! As Christians we are not to be rebels in our cause but rather we are to subject ourselves to those God has placed over us.
In this sermon, a clear exhortation is delivered for Christians to be law abiding citizens. Recognising on one hand our citizenship in heaven, but on the other, our citizenship on earth; it is not Caesar or Christ, but both, so long as the law of Caesar does not contravene the law of God!!
Like a man with only 30 seconds to live in which to speak his departing words; Paul with his finger on the trigger, fires out no less than 32 heart searching commands. Each command is like the bullet of a trained marksman, finding its way to its given target! Every word counting to encourage, reprove, exhort and edify the Body of Jesus Christ. If there was a word to sum up the vast array of words found in the passage before us, it would be the word love! If there was a container in which the whole sum of words could be stored, it would have written across it the word love!!
This sermon is a mighty challenge and a call to earnest examination of the heart and conduct. The single greatest sign of maturity in the life of a Christian is not how much knowledge is contained in one’s head but rather, the degree to which one’s life is conformed to a life of love.
Romans 12:3-8
As one considers the general perception of what Church is supposed to be, one cannot help but sense that there is a great misunderstanding on the part of many regarding this matter. Content it seems the great crowds are, Sunday after Sunday, to pour rank and file into a building to occupy the pews and receive their full. Yet, Jesus’ great high priestly payer in John 17 was that His body the Church would be one; united in a love so evident that the world would believe that we are His disciples!
Wrong perception breeds wrong attitude, which in turn breeds wrong conduct. In this sermon the picture of a functioning body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies is set firmly before the listener. Are you operating in your calling/gifting and if so, to what degree of sacrifice and service? Oh that we might be not just be receivers and takers! Would to God that we would become givers, serving and blessing one another in our calling and gifting, growing up as one body in love!!
The Sacrament of Penance
We continue in this teaching part to examine and refute in finer detail another major one of the seven sacraments. Having looked at the sacrament of Baptism, we want in this teaching part to turn our attention to the sacrament of Penance.
In this teaching, we explore the Roman Catholic understanding of the concept of sin and atonement. In seeking to understand this, we in turn are equipped with the necessary knowledge to aid our understanding of just how important the sacrament of penance is in the salvation of Roman Catholics. How is it that a Roman Catholic priest has power on earth in Christ’s stead to forgive the sins of the penitent? What role if any, do human works play in our salvation? Is there such a place as purgatory and if so what role does its temporal flames play in our salvation? What are indulgences and how do they figure in our salvation? All of these questions are explored in this teaching part as we take a biblical look at the sacrament of Penance.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/8_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt8.pdf
Romans 12:1-2
Well the words of an old hymn serve to adorn the passage of Scripture before us – A Living Sacrifice. “I fail to find a sacrifice, or fitting gift to bring: Earth’s treasures have too little worth to offer to my King. My gift is small, it is my all, accept it Lord I pray; let self be slain, let Jesus reign, within my heart alway”. Oh, dear soul…is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid? What yet remains to give Him who gave all to us?
The world is ever seeking to fashion us into its pattern but we must hold fast and withstand that temptation. The exhortation given by the Apostle Paul in this twelfth chapter of Romans is for Christians to be transformed by the renewing of their mind in order that they might prove that good and acceptable and perfect will of God and in so proving to grow up in maturity.
Romans 11
When one surveys that peculiar and special people group known as the Jews; one would think them to be altogether cast off by God. How so few it seems have come to saving faith in Messiah; how many vehemently oppose the gospel of Jesus Christ!! With a deep groaning and an inescapable burden for his people, Paul lays down the case as to why it is absolutely not the case that God has cast off His covenanted people Israel!!
With careful exegesis and passionate preaching, the case is made in this sermon teaching in favour of Gods continuing plan for national Israel in the salvific purposes of God. Their rejection on account of divine judgment has proven to be the blessing of the nations; their partial hardening, the coming in of the Gentiles!! Yet there is coming a time when God shall turn His mercies back again to His covenant people as foretold by the prophets and in that day all of national Israel shall be saved!!
2 Corinthians 13:7-11
David delivers a very challenging message on the great need for believers in Christ to become mature in the faith. So many are waddling around at the first stages of infancy when they ought by now to be young men and fathers in the faith. Many are content to sit inactive on the side lines and wonder why there is no spiritual growth and maturity in their lives.
In love and gentleness, David sets the record straight and exhorts the body of Christ to walk in obedience to the call of God upon their lives as it pertains to Christian service. It’s not in the "sitting" that one grows spiritually, but rather it is in the “doing” of Christian service that one develops spiritual muscles and begins to grow in spiritual maturity.
Is the Sacrament of Baptism Biblical?
For the Roman Catholic, the sacraments are more than just outward symbols of inward realities but rather it is believed that these visible rituals (ceremonies) carry actual power, to impart divine life and saving grace to those who are the recipients of them in true faith.
Rome believes that it’s through the sacrament of Baptism that one is freed from original sin, reborn as a new creature, adopted as a son of God and made a partaker of the divine nature being made a member of the Body of Christ. What compounds this problem even further is that the overwhelming majority of such baptisms are performed on little babies!! In this teaching we ask a number of very important questions; does the Bible teach the necessity of baptism for salvation? Is a person regenerated in baptism? Are our sins washed away in baptism? Can babies be born-again? Using the Bible alone as our infallible guide, we endeavour to provide answers to these questions and more.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
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In his final teaching, David Nathan concludes by delivering a stirring message on the person and work of The Holy Spirit in and through the end-times church. David Nathan begins by dispelling unbiblical teachings and long held traditions regarding the agency and ministry of The Holy Spirit, followed by a very strong rebuke and impassioned plea for the body of Christ to once again seek the baptism of The Holy Spirit that we may be His witnesses amidst the impending persecution in this last and wicked hour.
David shares his hearts burden regarding the coming wave of persecution that he very strongly believes the Church in the west is set to experience. David cries aloud for believers to prepare themselves for such an hour as is yet to come. God will give us the grace needed to stand, but we must understand and recognise the times and the seasons we are living in and in so doing to make the preparations necessary for the coming storm!!
Persecution is no longer some detached notion concerning oppressed Christian brothers and sisters from some distant land, but the reality of impending tribulation for believers is happening right here and now! The very foundations of the Christian faith are being eroded right before our eyes; society and governments are becoming increasingly secular and anti-Christian; the trampling and disregard of biblical values is taking place at an alarming and unprecedented rate! Are we really ready for the coming storm? Paul M. Williams challenges the church to faithfully prepare for what’s ahead!
In this teaching session, Chris Lawson exposes the dangerous occult practices of visualisation, guided imagery and inner healing, its implications and how it is influencing the church.
Probably one of the most disturbing trends in the evangelical church today is the increase of “heavy shepherding” and “Spiritual Abuse” being inflicted on church members by their leaders. What are the identifying marks or symptoms of spiritual abuse? Are there any Biblical/practical steps that can be taken if you or a loved one are ensnared? In this session, Chris Lawson warmly and candidly shares first-hand experiences of how he himself was a victim of spiritual abuse and how he found complete victory in Christ!
All around souls give way…a war is raging and to the battle the Christian soldier is called! On the left they peel away to deception, and on the right they fall on account of sin. This sermon is an exhortation for Christians to finish well the race that set is before them. Prepare to be challenged, prepared to be encouraged, Onward Christian soldier the clarion call has sounded forth!!
David Nathan, Chris Lawson, Roger Oakland and Paul M. Williams answer questions from those attending the Sanctuary Conference 2016
Roger closes out the Sanctuary Conference with a very timely and sober teaching. By analysing current trends within modern evangelicalism, Roger provides evidence that we are indeed living in the last days. Not only does Roger warn of the current danger facing the Church but he also provides a strategy whereby the Church might stand and gain ground in the midst of apostasy.
In this session, David Nathan passionately admonishes and warns the body of Christ in The United Kingdom of the danger of being divisive over secondary issues firmly stating: “Unless groups of people like yourselves begin to unite one with another, there is no hope for the church in this country… there is no hope because if there’s no unity in the body of Christ do you think God is going to be amongst you?” It is time for the church to return to her first love and arise in the power of The Living God.
As a believer are you carrying unforgiveness and bitterness in your heart? In this session, David Nathan expounds Matthew chapter 18 verse 1. We MUST choose to forgive all offences in the power, strength and grace of God.
In this teaching session, Chris Lawson fervently warns the Church of “potentially dangerous and harmful spiritual practices”. Many unsuspecting Christians are being deceived through various books and authors who have employed new age occult principles whilst cloaking them in Christian terminology.
Sarah Young is the author of the popular and widespread contemporary “Christian” devotional entitled “Jesus Calling”. In this teaching session, Chris Lawson gives an “extensive refutation” of the book and its author, thoroughly demonstrating by solid documentation, that this book substantiates another Jesus, another Gospel and another Spirit.
Paul brings a very serious and sobering Word, calling the Bride of Christ to make herself ready for her husband!! There are many titles for Christ – Lord, Saviour, King, Redeemer – yet there is one title that is often lost in our understanding of who Christ is, namely Christ my Husband!! Marriage in the West is being decimated! As the sanctity and fidelity of matrimony is being lost, so too is the Church’s perception of this holy union between them and the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming back for a bride unspotted by the world, a wife who has made herself ready!! Will you be found a faithful bride upon His soon return?
Romans 10
The Apostle Paul continues to pour out his heart and affection for his countrymen, his kinsmen according to the flesh. Well noting their zeal for God, Paul points out the sad reality that their zeal is not according to knowledge. Seeking to establish their own righteousness via the merits of the law, they have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God which come by faith in Jesus Christ.
In absolute simplicity and beauty, Paul lays out for his brethren the means by which they might be saved by faith, confessing with one’s mouth the Lord Jesus and believing in one’s heart that God raised Him from the dead for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord in sincerity and truth shall be saved!! In an age where the gospel is so misunderstood, this sermon comes as a refreshing reminder of exactly what a man must do to be saved!!
In this final session, Roger brings the heart of Jesus Christ towards His sheep and warns pastors of the consequences of leading one of these little ones astray. Jesus is calling a last day's remnant to Himself and is looking for pastors who will lead His flock and prepare them for His soon return!
In this teaching session, Roger comprehensively and very competently demonstrates the dangers of the Emergent Church, which claims to be emerging in these last days to meet the needs of a post-modern generation. Rather than focussing on narrow doctrine, this new movement focusses instead on experience; but the many spiritual disciplines and exercises that it promotes and practises are rooted in Roman Catholic mysticism and are taking many that are being misled back to Rome!!
Roger shares much insight and wisdom as it pertains to his more than three decades of Christian ministry. Perhaps the single greatest sign that we could very well be the generation to see the return of the Lord is the unprecedented rate at which apostasy has come wholesale into the Church. Roger indeed stands as a watchman in our generation, sounding a trumpet and warning the body of Christ to be on guard against deception!!
Romans 9
Paul’s great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart was for his own kinsmen according to the flesh. Such was his great love for his nation that he wished himself were accursed from Christ for his people Israel. Nationally, they had not come into the salvation of Messiah with only a remnant being saved. Paul in seeking to reconcile this fact with the faithfulness and justice of a covenant keeping God, demonstrates from history that God has always chosen to call by election showing mercy to whom He will, calling for Himself not only a remnant from Israel but a people also from among the Gentiles!!
Admittedly, this ninth chapter of Romans is a very difficult passage of Scripture over which many have argued and debated. In seeking to be faithful to the text of Scripture, we endeavour to exegete the passage faithfully!!
Romans 8:24-39
Jesus told His disciples plainly,"...In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of god cheer; I have overcome the world (Jn. 16:33). The Apostle Paul in echoing the same sentiments, spoke too of a necessary suffering with Christ that we might receive our inheritance as beloved children in an age yet to come. The great hope of our glorification with Christ at His appearing ought to be a great source of encouragement to us as believers, not least when enduring under trial and hardship.
In these final verses of Romans chapter 8, Paul is relentless in his argumentation, mounting one case after another; all designed to lift the believer’s eyes heavenward. The gist of his reasoning is this: We are the children of God, foreknown of God before the foundations of the world, predestined, called, justified with the sure hope of being glorified. If this be so then what weapon formed against the child of God can prosper? If God be for us, who can be against us? Be of good courage!!
The Sacraments
The Catholic Church makes no bones about it when it declares that it is the vehicle through which salvation comes to the world. The Latin phrase “extra Ecclesiam nulla sallus” well sums up Rome’s position which being interpreted means “outside the Church there is no salvation”.
In this teaching we ask the question, by what means does salvation come through the Church? To answer this, we turn to what is called the sacraments! There are seven sacraments which the Roman Catholic Church hold to. These sacraments are rituals or ceremonies that the Catholic Church maintain Christ instituted and entrusted to the true Church of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church defines that these seven sacraments are not outward symbols conveying the reality of an inward reality but rather that these visible rituals (ceremonies) carry actual power, to impart divine life and saving grace to those who are the recipients of them in true faith. In this sixth teaching part, we explore each of these seven sacraments as we continue to ask the question, is Roman Catholicism true Christianity?
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Romans 8:15-23
Paul continues in this chapter to set forth the redemptive purposes of God in Christ Jesus for mankind. Turning away from looking at the believers experience in the here and now, Paul now looks ahead to the future wherein shall be revealed the full redemptive purposes of God in the glories which await us at the coming of Christ. When asked how this can be? The answer lies in our adoption as sons and daughters of God! As such we have been grafted into the family of God and have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba, Father!! As such we have now become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together!
This sermon seeks to lift believers’ eyes above this world to see the wonderful inheritance that has been laid up for us in the ages to come when the Saints shall inherit the earth in a Kingdom that is yet to come wherein creation itself awaits the manifestation of the sons of God at which time it too shall be delivered from bondage into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Romans 8:1-14
Romans chapters 6-8, when taken as a whole, form one of the most powerful portions of Scripture in the whole Bible as it relates to regeneration. Chapter 6 sets forth the power of sin broken…chapter 7, the strength of sin through the law…and chapter 8, freedom sin through the Spirit. Many it seems like to live in the realm of theological head knowledge and fancies but where is the practical application that grasps the precious truths contained in these chapters and brings beauty of godliness down to earth!! Though many read Romans 6 and 8 as though written across the pages are the words “do not touch”; every page cries forth “try me”!!
In the chapter before us we turn to look at the power through which men find victory over sin, namely the blessed indwelling Holy Spirit!!
Romans 7
One of the most abused and misunderstood chapters in the whole of New Testament is the chapter before us in this sermon, namely Romans chapter 7. I say abused, because for many this chapter offers a supporting crutch for them to continue to live in habitual sin; for after all they’ll say, if Paul struggled with sin doing those things he desired not to do and not doing those things he desired to do – then who are we!! I say also misunderstood, because so often in the exegesis and application of Holy Scripture, we must first establish beyond all shadow of doubt what a passage/verse cannot be saying!! Romans 7 is sandwiched between two chapters either side (6 & 8) which refuse to allow for the position of defeat in the area of sin in the life of the believer.
This sermon seeks to debunk the myth of Romans 7 offering a seeming safety net to excuse sin and brings out the true understanding of the chapter so that a proper application can be made to our lives.
Sacred Tradition
If one was to ask a Roman Catholic what his position was regarding the authority and inspiration of the Bible, they would respond in the affirmative, namely that it is the Word of God. However, the fundamental question that must be asked of all evangelicals at this point is this; if it is the case that the Roman Catholic Church upholds the authority of the Bible then how at the same time does it differ so drastically in its doctrines and beliefs? How can one reading the Bible and accepting its authority possibly come to believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary or her immaculate conception? How could one ever possibly come to the position that by confessing one’s sins to a priest he/she could receive forgiveness of sins on the say-so of a Catholic priest? How would one ever know that what is before him in the mass, which by all accounts seems to be natural wafers and natural wine, is in fact the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ? To answer this question, one has to turn to what Roman Catholics term Sacred Tradition.
In this fifth part of this teaching series looking at the Roman Catholic Church, we seek to better understand the place to which Rome elevates Sacred Tradition. Was such a so-called tradition handed down by the apostles? Is such a tradition biblical? Can history substantiate and testify to such a tradition existing in first century Christianity? We seek to shed light on these questions and more.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/5_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt5.pdf
Romans 6
In the mind of many Christians, the only difference between themselves and that of sinners is that they are “forgiven”. Grace is viewed as an insurance policy in which we can sin now and claim forgiveness later. Admittedly, whilst many would not be so brazen as to put it in those exact words; the sad reality is that in experience, this proves to be the policy under which many who name the name of Christ live! Paul begins the sixth chapter of Romans with a question; “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound”? He spends the rest of the chapter showing categorically that this cannot be the case. For Paul, the cross of Jesus Christ was more than a place where sins are forgiven but was the place of his own funeral and subsequent resurrection from the dead. The implications of the mystery that Paul presents in this sixth chapter are so profound and the ramifications so powerful, that if heeded, and acted upon, one’s Christian worldview and experience will never be the same again!
This sermon is a strong exhortation to holiness and a thorough refutation to the lukewarm, sin excusing breed of Christianity that seeks to comfort and assure men in their sin in the name of so-called grace.
Romans 5:12-21
One has only need to open his eyes to see that there is a fundamental problem with the world we live in. Though it shines with the beauty of a rising sun and glistens with the splendour of a snow capped mountain; though one cannot escape the beauty of the vast array of wildlife, as beautiful as all this is, that beauty is overshadowed by the presence of a lurking enemy, poised to take it all away. That enemy has a name and its name is death!
Many today deny the doctrine of original sin. To them the Garden of Eden is just a myth. However, Paul takes the reader right back to the Garden and in so doing lays down the truth of what took place; “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Rom. 5:12). In Adam, through the offence of one, all died, yet in one man Jesus Christ, through His obedience, the free gift of everlasting life has now come to all who would receive.
The Magisterium
If one was to ask a Roman Catholic, what his/her authority is for determining truth, they would invariably respond by saying the Magisterium. One cannot seek to understand the authority of the Roman Catholic Church without understanding what the Magisterium is. Having dealt with the papacy, we turn our attention in this teaching to the second leg in the three-legged stool on which Rome sits – the first being the Papacy, and the third being Sacred Tradition. In short, the Magisterium is the name given to the official teaching office of the Roman Catholic Church, which Rome maintains is the sole teaching authority which alone is qualified to define and explain the authentic teaching of the Church to the people. The Magisterium is made up of the pope in communion with the college of bishops. Rome believes that this authority has been entrusted to them by no less authority than Jesus Christ. When the Magisterium exercises this teaching authority in a solemn way to define and teach divine revealed truths (dogma) whether by an ex cathedra papal declaration or in an Ecumenical Council this is the Magisterium acting in an extraordinary and solemn manner. These solemn pronouncements are deemed to be infallible and as such binding upon the universal Church of Jesus Christ.
In this teaching we seek to understand what the Magisterium is as it pertains to the extraordinary Magisterium and the ordinary Magisterium. Is such a teaching office biblical? Are the teachings arising from this teaching office biblical? May the Lord increase your knowledge as you listen to this very important teaching as we seek for an answer to the question; “Is Roman Catholicism True Christianity?”
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/4_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt4.pdf
Romans 5:1-11
Paul has already dealt with two great doctrines in the preceding two chapters of this great epistle to the Romans, the doctrine of justification by faith and the doctrine of redemption. Now Paul comes to another great doctrine and pillar of the Christian faith, namely the doctrine of reconciliation which results from the other two. Can it be, that we who were formerly at enmity with God have been brought into a state of friendship? This is the great clarion call of the Gospel; be ye reconciled to God!!
This sermon lays out this wonderful truth and encourages believes who are enduring trials of affliction to lift up their heads heavenward and to fix their hope on the eternal prize laid up for them in Christ!!
Romans 4
For 1500 years, Israel had been under the heavy yoke of the law. This had been their rule of life since the time of their coming out of Egypt when God entered into covenant with them at Mt. Sinai. Paul was clear of one thing (himself being a Pharisee for many years), by the works of the law shall no man be justified in the sight of God! If any man was going to stand a chance of gaining right-standing with God, it was to be by faith alone that the reward might be of grace!
In this fourth chapter of Romans, Paul seeks to address this seismic shift in religious worldview by pointing out that such a concept of imputed righteousness on the grounds of faith is nothing new! Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation predated Moses by some nearly 1500 years, yet Abraham had this testimony before God, that he was counted righteous on the grounds of his faith and not by the works of law. Paul lays hold on this truth and expounds this great doctrine of justification by faith by demonstrating that righteousness must come by means of imputation alone and can never come by the works of the law!
Romans 3:19-31
Words such as expiation, propitiation and atonement are words that have generally lost their meaning in today’s society; yet, these words are key to understanding the great transaction that took place on the cross!! Theological concepts such as 'substitutionary atonement' has become repulsive to a Church that generally has no stomach for justice and righteousness. God is holy and as such He must punish the guilty. How can a holy God remain just and at the same time punish the guilty?
In this sermon, the glorious truth of justification by faith through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ on account of God’s grace toward us is brought out for all to see. Our being brought into right standing with God came at a great price. May we ever rejoice in this truth!!
Romans 3:1-18
When one surveys the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets, one cannot escape the sheer volume of passages and verses that speak of a future blessing for Israel. They cry forth from every page...God has not cast off His covenanted people Israel!! In answer to the scathing indictment against him in chapter 2, the Jew sought to exploit this truth in an attempt to hold God to account by insisting that whatever wrong they did on their part, God would remain integral to His Word in keeping covenant with them.
In this fifth teaching part we see how Paul blasts this faulty reasoning out of the water bringing the Jews back to the fundamental truth of his argument, namely that both Jew and Gentile are fully deserving of the righteous judgment of God!!
The Papacy and Primacy of Peter Refuted
The Roman Catholic Church believes itself to be the only true Church instituted by Jesus Christ. It believes that its pope is the sole successor of Peter who the Church maintains is the Vicar of Christ appointed by Christ to exercise supreme and full authority over His Church. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the pope is not simply a spiritual leader, nor is he a pastor among equals or even ‘primus inter pares’ – first among equals. Rather, the Roman Catholic Church views the pope as chief, foremost and supreme among all the bishops. To understand the place to which Rome elevates the pope, we must first understand the place to which it elevates Peter, whom they maintain was the first Pope of the first Church.
In this third part of a teaching series looking at the core teachings of Roman Catholicism, we examine the claims of Rome to be the true Church of Jesus Christ and the place to which it elevates Peter.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
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Romans 2:17-29
Having mounted a case against the self-righteous man and having concluded that both Jew and Gentile stand condemned before a holy God, Paul now turns his attention in particular to the religious Jew who rested in the law though he kept it not! The Jew made his boast in his creed and pedigree, in the receiving of the law, in the external rite of circumcision. Paul would have none of it and seeks to pull the rug of religious pride from under his feet and to lay bare his hypocrisy. Say not we have Abraham to our father, say not we are they to whom the law came, say not we have the seal of God upon us through circumcision; does your life match up with the reality of what these things contain?
This sermon is a challenging message for search to be made as to the genuineness of our confession of religion that our lives might match our profession of faith!
The History and Structure of the Roman Catholic Church
If one was to consult a Catholic apologist as to what the origin of the Catholic Church was and when it was established; he would invariably respond by saying that it was the Church established by Jesus Christ; the Church born out of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection in approximately 30 AD. The Roman Catholic Church claims to trace its history to Jesus Christ and His apostles. It believes that its bishops are the actual successors of the apostles and its pope is the successor of Peter.
In this second part of a teaching series looking at the core teachings of Roman Catholicism, we look at the history of the Roman Catholic Church and its elaborate structure of Church governance.
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/2_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt2.pdf
Introduction
The Roman Catholic Church views itself as the one and only true Church established by Jesus Christ. Many Evangelicals see no problem whatsoever in labelling Roman Catholicism Christian. What are we to make when “America’s Pastor” Rick Warren – best-selling author and Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church, the eight-largest evangelical Church in the U.S. – calls for evangelicals to unite with Roman Catholics? When Joel Osteen – the Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church the largest evangelical Church in the U.S. whose televised sermons are seen each month by over 20 million people in some 100 different countries – makes a special trip to the Vatican and praises Pope Francis for his efforts in trying to make the Church more inclusive and to take everybody in? Are the differences that separate Protestants, Catholics just minor matters of insignificance?
In this first part of a teaching series looking at the core teachings of Roman Catholicism, we give a concise but insightful insight into the teachings and beliefs of one of the largest religions on planet earth.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/1_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt1.pdf
2 Corinthians 13:5
Paul delivers a very simple but yet profound message on the need for us as Christians to remain in a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What does it mean to walk with Jesus? How do we as Christians walk with Jesus? Paul endeavours with the help of God to provide many thought provoking answers to these questions and more. May the Lord bless you as you listen/watch this rich sermon.
This sermon was preached at the 2016 Wolverhampton CMFI Fellowship Day.
2 Chronicles 18
Jim brings a very needful word about the absolute need to put ourselves in the place where we can hear from God. This is a very heart stirring message that places the responsibility firmly in our lap. What is the state and condition of our hearts? Are we in the place where we can hear from God?
This sermon was preached at the 2016 Wolverhampton CMFI Fellowship Day.
Romans 2:1-16
Jesus reserved some of His most chiding words for the religious hypocrites. Content to dwell in their self-righteousness, to sit in the seat of judgment against others yet failing to see that by that same judgment they themselves were condemned!! Against such, Paul lays down the case and when he’s finished getting done, the righteousness of the self-righteousness is reduced to dust and ashes!! To the Jew seeking to justify himself in the sight of God, he has been weighed and found wanting! To the Gentile he too has been tried by the law written on his heart and has been found wanting. Paul concludes all men under sin and announces the coming day of wrath when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ!!
This sermon is a very powerful exhortation to cast aside self-righteousness and to cast oneself upon the righteousness provided in Jesus Christ!!
Romans 1:13-32
The Apostle Paul's heart was that he might come to preach the gospel to those at Rome. Whilst many today desire to draw in a crowd, Paul was not interested in doctoring the gospel to accomplish such means. Whilst many today are ashamed of the foolishness of preaching, Paul desired to preach nothing less for he knew that the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ was the power of God unto salvation to all who would believe.
Just as the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, so also is the terrifying wrath of God revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. When a people decides to cast off the knowledge of God and to give the worship and glory owing to God, to another, God gives man over to his own wicked lustful heart and in removing His restraint, man begins a horrifying downward spiral into moral depravity. This sermon is awake up call to a nation under the wrath of God!!
Romans 1:1-12
Though the book of Romans was not the first epistle to be written, yet it finds itself first among the New Testament epistles. When we consider the great depth of its theological content and practical application, it’s hardly any surprise why we find it first in position among the epistles. By all accounts, this epistle stands as a giant! If all the epistles can be rightly called mountains, the book of Romans stands as Mount Everest among them.
In this first part of a sermon series working through the book of Romans, we explore Paul’s mighty calling and the awesome possibilities of the grace of God working though his yielded life. We look too at the power of prayer and the desperate need in our generation for prayer to be revived in the lives of God’s people for the spiritual well-being and prosperity of the Saints.
Genesis 3:1-7
There seems to be within some sectors of the Christian Church, two opposing views when it comes to spiritual warfare. On one extreme there exists those who deny that there is such a devil at work in the earth today and on the other, those who blame the devil for absolutely everything! Surely the Bible presents a middle ground, not overstating his power whilst at the same time not minimising his potential influence in the life of the believer.
Through the account given of the fall of man, this message seeks to shed light on the nature of Satan and his approach in seeking to ensnare the souls of men. This sermon is a sober warning and a caution to Christians not to spend too long in talk with the devil for one does so to the peril of his own soul!!
1 Samuel 2:1-11
So often we find ourselves on the side of unanswered prayer, looking across a vast and open gulf that seemingly separates us from that which we so earnestly seek God for; beholding by faith those things that we have yet to behold by sight. So long it seems we’ve spent in prayer and have yet to see an answer; we join with those souls who cry out from beneath the altar, how long, O Lord, how long!!
Yet Hannah was one such woman who travailed in prayer and lived to see the answer of that which she sought God for, her barren womb being opened. Hannah’s tears of sorrow were turned to tears of joy, yet her tears of joy were on account of her tears of sorrow. Before Hannah prayed the prayer of thanksgiving she first prayed the prayer of anguish. To all who labour in anguished prayer, hold fast, the prayer of thanksgiving is at hand!!
2 Peter 1:1-11
If one was to enquire from the pages of Holy Scripture what the chief reason for man’s existence is, one would have to respond by saying, to please God and to bring Him glory!! If I was to ask how one might achieve this, many no doubt would look to the area of Christian service and ministry. Yet, the Bible declares that we were predestined by God to be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus Christ.
This sermon is an urgent call for Christians to supply to their profession of faith fruit meet for such a profession. The apostle Peter leaves us in no doubt that as Christians, not only is such fruit to be found in us, but that they ought also to be found abounding!!
Luke 8:7
Never in the history of mankind have we ever been able to achieve more in in a single 24 hour day than we do in the age in which we live. What previous generations would have taken a week to accomplish, we can accomplish in mere hours. Yet, though man has much time free, he has no time free, for the time he would have free he fills with the pursuit of obtaining more. With the more come much anxiety!!
Anxiety is a foe of any man but in particular it is a foe of the Christian which if embraced will render one’s life unfruitful and barren! This sermon looks at the parable of the sower and in particular the application of the parable as it relates the peril of anxiety. A strong exhortation is given via a very practical message that we as Christians might break through in the area of faith and prayer to lay hold on the peace of God in the midst of the temptation to worry.
Acts 7:17-34
Whilst there are many wonderful portions of Scripture in God’s holy Word, among the greatest are those that relate to God’s supernatural working in the lives of natural men!! Our wonderful God takes that which the world considers mighty and noble and reduces it to powder, that from that place of nothingness, hopelessness and despair, He might perform a work to the glory of His holy name!
This sermon looks at a perfect example of the above, Moses, a man were told who was learned in all the wisdom of Egypt, mighty in words and deeds. Yet God brought this man into the wilderness for 40 years so that he might prepare him for service! The God who calls, is able to perform, not according to man’s strength, but according to His might power!!
Hebrews 12:1-13
Is there any among you that is without the pain and sorrow that accompany trials and afflictions? What is your response when such trials and afflictions come to press you out of measure? For many, their immediate response is why me? If God loves me, why would He allow such affliction to come into my life? Oh! Dear Brethren, don’t tarry long in conversation with that old serpent; well our Lord did say of him “he is a liar, and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44). Nay, in such moments of doubt, we must bring underneath that sinking sand, the sure foundation of God’s Word which cries aloud; it’s because God loves me why he allows trials and afflictions to come into my life!!
In this sermon, three key aspects of God’s chastening are brought out. Firstly, God chastens His children in retributive disciple in order that they might turn back to Him. Secondly, God chastens His children in corrective discipline that they might resemble more His image and character. Thirdly, God chastens His children in preventative discipline lest we should turn aside out of the way. The overriding message coming through in each case is the same…whom God loves He chastens!!
David through the Scriptures shows that everyone who God calls to be His children have to follow the journey of the chosen. All who God calls to labour in His work must undergo a series of episodes, without which there can be no hope of service in the work of the Kingdom. Through the life of four men – Joseph, Moses, David and Paul – David shows that all were mightily used of God because all went through God’s pattern! They were called, had a preview of ministry, were then demoted, and went through a wilderness before then being promoted. This message is a great encouragement for all who perhaps felt that they were once called, but have not seen the full fruit of that calling.
In this sermon teaching, David seeks to bring out the truth contained in the parable of the ten virgins. At first glance, one may think that the five foolish virgins were ignorant of their required responsibility to ensure that they brought oil in their vessels. However, as you will see, their ignorance was a purposeful ignorance, based on a slothfulness and disobedience, resulting in their entrance into the marriage feast being denied!!
David expounds on a topic that is very dear to his heart concerning the gospel of the Kingdom. David is clear to point out that the gospel of the Kingdom is not the gospel of the Church, nor is it the gospel of salvation. Prepare to have your minds stretched as David digs into the Word of God. As all good Bereans, the ownness is on us after we have heard, to then search the Holy Scriptures!!
David expounds on two very important parables; the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. The exhortation that David brings is delivered in grace and compassion, yet is clear and absolute...if we don't forgive those who have sinned against us, then God will not forgive us who have sinned against Him!!
1 Kings 17:1-16
We are living in incredibly difficult times and difficult times call for times of encouragement!! Biblical encouragement is not airy fairy sentimentalism but rather is rooted and grounded on the steadfast faithfulness of a God who is able to sustain and provide for His people in times of great need!! You don’t need me to tell you that we are living in times of great famine. The preaching and teaching of truth is seldom to be heard in our land. Yet…the same God who was able to keep His people in the wilderness for 40 years, providing them fresh manna morning by morning is able to also feed His people! The same God who commanded the ravens to feed His faithful servant Elijah is the same God who will also feed us in the time of famine!!
This sermon is an exhortation to God’s Saints and a testimonial to the faithful mercies of a covenant keeping God who though He leads us into the wilderness, is able to sustain His beloved children.
1 Corinthians 11:24-26
The great and fundamental weakness of our make-up is that we are human – prone to discouragement, fears and doubts; afflicted with short-sightedness, so often powerless to change tomorrow! Yet, there is One who has never known defeat nor tasted of failure, One who is never worried by tomorrow for He is Lord of the past, present and future! To you who have tasted of the kindness of His mercies and have known and experienced His covenant keeping faithfulness in times of trouble, why so often in times of difficulty do you so soon forget His past deliverances?
Thus this sermon is a word of encouragement to all who have a testimony, to raise up memorials unto the Lord!! Dear Brethren, a memorial serves a purpose – it is something by which the memory of a person or an event is kept alive! God’s past mercies serve as a ground of hope and confidence for the present and future and the memorial brings those past deliverances to remembrance!!
2 Corinthians 11:2
Before ever there was the bond of parent and child, of brother and sister, there was the bond of husband and wife. There exists no closer and more sacred a bond than that of holy matrimony. In like manner, there is then no greater act of treachery and betrayal than when a spouse takes themselves and joins themselves to another lover.
This sermon sheds Biblical light on spiritual adultery. Drawing from the example of Israel, one sees the broken heart of a loving husband who is jealous for His bride. He it was that betrothed her to Himself when no none else desired her; He it was that caused her to flourish in beauty, yet with that beauty she took herself and committed whoredom on every high hill and under every green tree, committing spiritual adultery with gods of stone and wood, alliancing herself with the kings of other nations. Yet, this is not only the picture of an Old Testament Israel; sadly it is the picture of many who profess Jesus Christ whose hearts are in this world! Paul said to the Corinthian Church, “...I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2). When will His bride return?
1 John 3:18-24
Many who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour struggle with finding assurance of their salvation. Though they sit week in and week out in Churches up and down the length and breadth of the country, there remains a question that will not go away; am I truly saved? In answering this question, this sermon seeks not to crop the branches but to lay the axe at the root by exploring the question, what is true biblical faith? Many have the fanciful idea that faith is static, a mental ascent to a series of facts that they know nothing of in reality in their own lives. My brethren, faith walks!!
The apostle John his first epistle, furnishes us with weighty words which address the struggle that so many have in finding assurance of their salvation. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” (1 Jn 3:18-19). In other words, assurance and obedience are inextricably linked!! We shall know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before God on account of fruit being evidenced and outworked in our lives by the indwelling Holy Spirit as we walk in obedience!! Could it be, the reason why so many Christians struggle with assurance of their salvation is because so many Christians walk in unbelief which manifests itself in disobedient lives? May the Lord see fit to bring light to the matter at hand!!
Luke 12:47-48
For the Christian, their testimony is simple; light has shone into darkness! Yet for many, though they name the name of Christ, they choose wilfully to remain in darkness and plead ignorance is bliss! Whilst happy to rest in religion, they will not come to the light lest their evil deeds should be exposed. For those sitting under the sound of true preaching, no such excuse can be made; the light of God Word has shone into darkness and one must now choose what to do with that light, to embrace it or to suppress it!!
This sermon is an earnest plea for all who have received light, to walk in the knowledge of that light, for to whom much is given, much is required and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Dear soul, with the light that has already been given to you, to what degree are you walking in that light?
Matthew 18:19-20
What does the gathering together of God’s people, the Church, mean to you? Is it greeted with joy, faith, expectation, reverence and godly fear; or is such a prospect met with sorrow, unbelief, pessimism, casualness, familiarity and general contempt? For the early Church, coming together was a most precious occurrence and privilege; we read that those early disciples continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42). Yet for many today, doctrine has become irrelevant, fellowship a chore, the breaking of bread a formality and prayer unnecessary!! Everything it seems has to be laced with entertainment in a sad effort to keep people in Church who wouldn’t otherwise be there!!
This sermon considers how this would all change if Jesus was coming to Church!! Oh how things would be different!! The whole Church would be in attendance that morning, no late comers to be seen in sight; worship would ring with note of difference, fellowship would be sweet and there would be no shortage of prayers!! Oh how our attitudes and hearts would be different within us! Yet the reality is, Jesus is in the midst of His people each and every time they meet!! Jesus said “…where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mat. 18:20). By the fruit of our halfheartedness and disrespect week in and week out, the Church of Jesus Christ demonstrates that it does not really believe the words of her Lord. Dear Brethren, it’s time to give our Lord His due honour and worth as King amidst His people!!
2 Corinthians 9
For many Christians, there is much confusion and scepticism surrounding the issue of money; as soon as one hears the word, the backs of God’s people go up and rightly so!! There are it seems more crooks and charlatans inside the professing Church than there are in any institute on planet earth – the majority of which have disguised themselves as pastors whose vocation it is to milk and fleece the sheep for whom Christ died!! This combined with the false prosperity gospel of greed and the Old Testament law of tithing, the topic of money has left an indelible blight on the Church of Jesus Christ!! Yet in the midst of this great confusion speaks a man by the name of Apostle Paul; a breath of fresh air amidst a cloud of pollution!! Paul coveted no man’s silver, freely he had received and freely he gave his life to serve and minster to the Brethren, working with his with own hands night and day to provide for his own needs that he might not be chargeable to the Brethren.
What does the New Testament have to say about tithing? How are we to give as New Testament believers? Is it right for ministers who labour in the gospel to receive support from the Church? All of these questions and more are answered from the Word of God in this teaching sermon. In short, despite the much abuse of money, there is a New Testament giving worthy of God’s blessing, a fruit and grace to which all believers ought to strive!!
John 4:5-14
When many think of the Holy Spirit, they think of power. Though it be true that our Lord said “…ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; many forget that the Holy Spirit is a He and not a what!! Whilst we thank God for the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit coming upon the believer in power, we thank Him infinitely more for His coming into the believer that we might live!! Dear soul, have you tasted of that life giving spring?
This sermon seeks to address and to answer what it means to abide in Christ, what it means to have the Living Water abiding in us. One cannot take away from the fact that the Christian life is a supernatural one by virtue of the fact that God has come to take up His residence in our vessels of clay by His Spirit! In brief, to abide in Christ is threefold…to abide in Him is to abide in His truth, to abide in His love and to abide in His righteousness!
Judges 6:11-16
As one surveys the spiritual landscape of our nation, and gauges the spiritual climate, things don’t look so good! Yet the sad reality is that most Christians would never know it! It seems today that everyone has become experts in the art of spin, masters at putting a positive spin on anything that is deemed to be negative. Where are the prophets who are willing to call a spade a spade and tell it like it is? Where are the saints of old with a burden from God calling God’s people to awake out of their stupor, repent from their iniquities and turn their hearts back to God? Instead of that, stories now take the place of the teaching of God’s Word, emotionalism the place of conviction, and self-help techniques the place of repentance.
This sermon is a call and a plea for God’s people to rise up and to lay hold on God by faith so as to turn the current tide of apathy that has set in among the people of God. By looking at the life of Gideon and the awesome victory that God wrought through this man, this sermon will challenge, encourage and provoke you to seek the Lord for such a work of revival in this our day. Say not, but Lord the situation is too great and the hour too far gone; one plus God is the majority!!
Matthew 6:5-13
Well the words of a hymn serve to capture the essence of the burden of this sermon; “Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father’s throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempters snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!” It seems that the Saints of old knew something that so many of us now know so little of as it relates to a life of prayer! Never have we been so prosperous and well off as we are in this century, yet for all our prosperity it seems that more Christians than ever are suffering from anxiety, depression and burn-out.
This sermon is a passionate plea for God’s people to return to a quiet time with the Lord, a time set aside for uninterrupted fellowship with God. A place where we our Saviour meet in the wonder and awe of an open Bible and prayer!!
Ezra 3:8-13
Well it’s been said, you don’t know what you’ve got until it gone. Yet even more profound is the statement, you can’t miss what you’ve never had!! Dear Brethren, I fear that we are living in a generation spiritually speaking, whose only experience of Christianity is the Christianity of today. The question is, where are the hoary headed Saints of a yesterday era who can point to a yesteryear and say what we have now is not what they had then!! How can cream be seen not to be white, unless there’s a purer white to set it against? I fear that the Christianity we now call normal would have been an insult to the great Saints of old!!
This sermon is an exhortation and a plea, for Christians not to take their ease in the accepted norm of today’s Christianity, but rather to enquire of the former age and ask how things used to be; to stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and in finding it to so walk therein!!
1 Samuel 13:1-14
As you start the new year of 2016, what is the one desire and purpose of your heart? To eat less, to keep fit, to spend more time with the family? Ought not the burning desire of our hearts to be, that we might love our God more!! In the words of that great hymn of old…”More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!” Yet if we were to quantify what “more love” looks how would we do it? More love for some means more tears and greater “feelings” of love towards the Saviour. Yet our Saviour said “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). As I think more about what more love for my Saviour would look like and not what it would feel like, I see so clearly that love for Jesus Christ is inseparably linked to obedience to Jesus Christ. Thus, if the burning desire of my heart towards God is Oh, that I might love you more; then the absolute purpose and intent of my heart must be Oh, that I might obey you more!!
This sermon is a challenge and a call to obedience on God’s terms, an inconvenient and costly obedience that requires a cross upon which we are to die daily. All too often our obedience to God is convenient obedience, who will set their hearts on total obedience!!
Bible Prophecy (Pt.10)
The books of Daniel and Revelation are unique in their composure in that their content is eschatological in nature, relating to events that are to take place at the end of the world. Indeed, the Greek word for Revelation is “apokalupsis” from whence we get the word apocalypse. This word apokalupsis means a disclosure, a revealing and an uncovering of things that up until that point was not understood. There are many hard things to be understood in these books but as one begins to dig into them, one quickly discovers that there is overlap and similarities in the material found within them. This repetition and overlap is crucial in enabling us to interpret and make sense of the visions contained in them.
In this tenth and final part of our teaching on Bible prophecy, we seek to understand and make sense of some of the key passages in Daniel and Revelation which speak of a final worldwide Antichrist kingdom that will arise at the very end of time which shall be united politically, economically and spiritually, whose destruction shall be brought about by Jesus Christ at His Second Coming when He shall come to establish His kingdom on earth lasting for one thousand years. What we shall discover is astounding and serves to equip us and prepare us for what is soon to come to pass!!
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/7b_Bible_Prophecy_And_The_Last_Days_Pt2.pdf
Luke 2:1-20
Out of all the four Gospel accounts recorded for us in the New Testament, none is more descriptive in documenting the events surrounding the nativity of Jesus Christ than those recorded by Luke. If I had just one word to capture the expression of my heart as I read through the account of the events surrounding the birth of Christ in the first two chapters of Luke, it would be awe; if I had another, it would be amazement!! Dreams, visions, prophetic utterances, angelic visitations all heralded the birth of this holy child, bearing witness to the One who the prophets long ago foretold would come – Christ the Lord, the Saviour of the world!!
Sadly, many today, even Christians, tire of hearing the Gospel. Clichés have become all too familiar to us and we have lost the awe and amazement of this good news. May those who have yet to hear the Gospel, hear and be saved!! May those to whom it has become dry and impersonal, rekindle their love and adoration for the King and serve Him with all their being!!
Bible Prophecy (Pt.9)
The Bible speaks of a final period of time which shall see a rapid succession of cataclysmic events that shall bring to a close this age and usher in the millennium reign of Jesus Christ. This final period of time shall be seven years in length; the last three and a half of which shall be characterised by a time of intense suffering and tribulation likened to no other period of time in history. As far as the Bible relates to these times prophetically, Israel is at the very centre and heart of this tribulation period. Daniel spoke about a figure that shall make a covenant of peace with the Jewish people for a period of seven years but mid-way into this shall break his covenant and turn to persecute them, putting an end to sacrifices. This by default necessitates a Jewish presence in their ancient homeland and a rebuilding of a third temple which the Apostle Paul identifies as the place in which the man of sin shall be revealed, sitting in this temple showing himself to be God.
The Jewish presence in Israel today is one of the single greatest visible sign that we are in the last day’s and soon to witness the return of the Lord Jesus Christ!! If the words of the prophets are right, we are set to see the rebuilding of the third temple and a Jewish holocaust which shall outstrip the holocaust, at the end of which Messiah shall make His long expected return to save the Jewish people out of great tribulation!! In this ninth part of this teaching, we turn to look at these staggering events out of the pages of Holy Scriptures.
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/7a_Bible_Prophecy_And_The_Last_Days_Pt1.pdf
Revelation 3:14-22
One author dubbed this Church as “the Church of which there was nothing good to say”. Christ had the right to find His people burning in their love, devotion and service to Him, yet when He came He found a people that were neither hot nor cold. What was the crime of the Laodiceans? The sin of being lukewarm!! Oh dear brethren, this chilling reality is that this describes MOST professing believers in the West!! Moderate Christianity, which by definition is a lukewarm Christianity has become the accepted norm in the majority of Western Churches, yet our Lord said on account of this, He was about to vomit His Church out of His mouth!!
This sermon is a sobering warning to guard our hearts against indifference in the matters of Christ. Laodicea, like the Western Church was incredibly wealthy and what many thought to be their blessing proved to be their undoing!! When a people become rich, indifference and apathy sets in. To this end we must guard our hearts so as not to allow our outward prosperity to become the measure of our spiritual prosperity!!
Bible Prophecy (Pt.8)
Matthew Chapter 24 is known as the Olivet Discourse and is key to understanding the run-down of events in the last days prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus in seeking to prepare His disciples and those coming after them for the days that lay ahead in the intervening period from His ascending into heaven until His coming back again, spoke of wars, rumours of wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes along with persecutions, offences, betrayal and hatred. All these He said would be signs accompanying the countdown to the end when He would make His sudden and long awaited return. Without a doubt, all these signs are clearly evident and point to the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, there is one thing that Jesus spoke of prophetically, this one thing He warned against more than any other, namely this…be on guard against spiritual deception!!
In this teaching we illustrate the amazing fulfillment of Jesus’ prophetic warnings in the very days we are living in. By utilising a number of video clips, we seek to highlight the spiritual deception that has invaded the Church through the false prophets that abound in our day. In so doing we seek to demonstrate the authenticity of Bible prophecy and to warn God’s people to be on guard!!
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/6_False_Prophets_In_The_Last_Days.p
Watch the videos featured on this audio
https://youtu.be/iZcUJOg7erY
Music from clip intros: http://www.bensound.com
Revelation 3:7-13
Twenty-eight miles south-east of Sardis lay the city of Philadelphia; so named after Attalus Philadelphus, the king of Pergamos who founded it in the second century BC. Its name means “brotherly love and is a fitting name for a Church that would later be born in that city! Its natural geography served well to illustrate the robustness of this Church in bearing up under trial. Subject to frequent earthquakes, being laid waste by one just less than a century before this epistle was written, this hardy city bounced back with a greater vibrancy than before! If there was one name that best describes the Church in Philadelphia it would be the word “faithful”. As a Church, they had remained faithful during trial and persecution and had persevered despite having little strength and had not denied Christ’s name. For this they were praised by the Saviour!
This sermon is an exhortation to Christians to bear up under trial and to do so keeping their eyes steadfast on the One who reveals Himself as holy and true! Many Christians under trial and difficulty often ask the question why? Many grow cold and bitter towards God through offence. If God is God, why does He not answer my prayers? Yet for the Christian under trial, they must never forget the goodness and trustworthiness of a sovereign God who keeps covenant with His children! Be of good cheer dear Saint and keep your eyes on Jesus. Say not I have no strength, for His strength is made perfect in your weakness!!
Revelation 3:1-6
Sardis was a great city of the ancient world, a very wealthy and prosperous city. Into this city came the Gospel and the Church at Sardis was born!! The fame of their conversion and the fruits thereof were sounded out near and far, and overtime Sardis had amassed a reputation for being a Church that was alive!! Sadly, overtime the testimony of this Church had become nothing more than a label; still having repute before men, the spiritual condition of this Church was a far cry from what it was in their former days, our Lord tells us that they were now dead!
This sermon is a serious challenge to flee from sin and a solemn warning against hypocrisy!! The Lord is seeking one thing from the backslider, namely that he might return to Him in true brokenness and repentance. The hour is late and urgent is the day that we are living in. Dear Brethren, it’s no time for religious hypocrisy, we must at all costs seek to keep our garments unsoiled from this world and walk before our God with a clean heart.
Revelation 2:18-29
Despite the many hard things that our Lord had to say to His Church in Thyatira, it is often overlooked that He had some of the best things to say also to some within this Church who were shining examples. He commended them for their charity, service, faith, patience and works. In fact not only had this Church begun well, but they were praised that their last works were more than their first!! Yet, despite this, our Lord reserved some of His harshest words to those within the Church at Thyatira who had tolerated the false prophetess Jezebel, who was seducing God’s children, causing them to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
This sermon is a strong and passionate plea on two counts. Firstly an exhortation to practical Christianity and holiness and secondly a warning to flea sexual immorality!! Christianity Today in a 2000 survey found that 45% of Christians admitted to having done something sexually inappropriate while married, with 23% committing adultery!! Literally, there is an epidemic of sexual immorality that has swept into the Church with 1 in every 2 Christian men falling prey to pornography. If ever there was a need for sexual purity within the Body of Christ, it is now!!
Bible Prophecy (Pt.7)
On May 14 1948, in a single day, a nation was born as Israel declared its national independence. For some 1900 years the Jews have wondered the world over having no national homeland, suffering in every place they have sought to lay their head. AD 70 witnessed the tragedy of the destruction of the Jewish Temple and the beginning of the diaspora as Jews were exiled en-mass to every corner of the world. At the end of the 19th century due to growing widespread anti-Semitism in Europe Jews began leaving Eastern Europe and a small minority headed for Israel with the dream of returning to their ancient homeland. The twentieth century would see the greatest calamity ever perpetrated against the Jews as some 6 million were systematically exterminated being shot or gassed by Nazi Germany. Yet, defying all possible odds with European Jewry tinkering on the edge of annihilation, millions of Jews have since poured into their Biblical homeland of Israel from more than 100 different countries worldwide!!
In this teaching, we look at the amazing fulfillment of Bible prophecy as it relates to the restoration of God’s ancient people Israel. Indeed, the stage has been set and the countdown to eternity has begun!!!
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/5_Modern_Israel_And_Bible_Prophecy.pdf
Revelation 2:12-17
This sermon is the third part in a series looking at the letters to the seven Churches of Revelation. Pergamos was a city distinguished as being one of the chief centres of religious worship, its landscape littered with shrines and altars to the false gods and goddesses of the Greek/Roman world. In the words of Jesus Christ, the seat of Satan himself!! As a Church under intense persecution from the dragon Satan, it was bearing up faithfully under severe trial and holding fast the name of Jesus Christ. However, that said, whilst our Lord praised them for their faithfulness, He rebuked those within Pergamos for allowing and holding to the doctrine of Balaam who cast a stumbling block before God’s people to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
This sermon is a warning and a challenge to the body of Christ to be on guard against false teachers, who secretly bring in false and damnable heresies, even denying the Lord Himself. How will the body of Christ discern such false prophets? By their fruits you shall know them; for such are they that draw away after themselves unstable souls, alluring them through the lusts of the flesh. Is there a root of covetousness in your heart? Are you still enamoured by the love of this world? Are you prepared so as to resist the strategies of the serpent, who even now is deceiving many, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness?
Bible Prophecy (Pt.6)
When one mentions the name Christianity, automatically one is prone to think of a Western religion with predominantly Western followers. Images of stain glass windows, church spires and other medieval religious paraphernalia spring at once to mind. What would you say if I was to tell you that Christianity did not have its inception in the West but in the Middle East in Jerusalem, Israel? How was it then, that I, a Gentile (a non-Jew) and millions upon millions like me, came to find faith in a Jewish Messiah who during His lifetime upon this earth did not step foot outside the immediate vicinity of Israel’s borders, a tiny strip of land around the size of Wales? In order to answer this question, we must turn once again to Bible prophecy!
In this sixth part of our teaching on Bible prophecy we shall explore a number of fascinating questions. Firstly, what did the prophets have to say about the blessing that would be conferred upon the Gentile nations; secondly, by what means did this blessing come and thirdly where does this leave national Israel? May the answers to these questions provoke you to a deeper love for God and a greater life of praise and thanksgiving!!
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/4_The_Gentile_Nations_And_Bible_Prophecy.pdf
Revelation 2:8-11
This sermon is the second part in a series looking at the letters to the seven Churches of Asia Minor. The Church in Smyrna was a Church under fire! They were already in the midst of tribulation and were patiently bearing up under trial, suffering persecution and poverty. Our Lord’s words to this Church were words of encouragement, having no bad thing to say. He forewarned His Church in Smyrna that there was yet to face them a greater trial than that which they were already enduring and exhorted them to remain faithful unto death, that after they have suffered, they might receive a crown that shall not be taken away!!
This sermon is a warning and a challenge to the body of Christ in the West. Are you prepared for the coming wave of persecution? Already we see the storm gathering momentum. The homosexual agenda is being driven at a thundering pace and in the name of “tolerance” and on the back of Islamic terrorism, the stage is being set for the widespread persecution of Christian believers deemed extremists by the state, for daring to call what God calls good and declare as evil, that what God declares to be evil. This sermon is a challenge to all believers; is your all on the altar for Jesus Christ or are there things in our lives that we love more than Him?
Revelation 2:1-7
This sermon marks the first part in a series looking at the letters to the seven Churches of Asia Minor. These seven epistles comprise less than 1% of the New Testament and yet are some of the most powerful words in the New Testament. We need not wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus to see how we fair; we have the Lord’s verdict already!! These seven epistles are applicable to the universal Church of Jesus Christ worldwide in every generation and it is imperative that we judge ourselves according to the words spoken to these Churches.
The Church in Ephesus had both a commendation and a rebuke from our Lord. Commended for their standing fast in the truth of God’s Word and contending against false teachers and self-professing Apostles; yet rebuked for their lack of love for Christ and His Church!! This sermon is an exhortation for believers to contend earnestly for the truth and purity of doctrine and a warning to not allow the love of Christ in our hearts to wax cold!! How are you faring in these two areas? May this sermon serve to challenge and motivate you dear Saints of God!!
Bible Prophecy (Pt.5)
In this second teaching part on Messianic prophecies fulfilled, we continue to explore the staggering prophecies concerning the person, life and ministry of the Messiah contained within the Holy Scriptures. His suffering and betrayal; His rejection and ridicule; His death and resurrection, were all foretold by the prophets, written hundreds of years before Christ’s advent…His royal lineage, His place of birth, His birth to a virgin, His royal entry into Jerusalem riding on an ass… so the list goes on!! Each of these prophecies are unique and precise in nature; each require a unique individual to fulfil not one, but multitudes of these descriptive prophecies. The end conclusion of the matter is simple…If Jesus Christ of Nazareth is not the Messiah, then no-one is, for He alone has fulfilled the Messianic predictions at His first coming and is set to fulfil the remainder when He comes again to rule and to reign upon the throne of David and to usher in His Kingdom of peace.
In this teaching we shall explore many of the above prophecies and in so doing prove that Jesus is the very Christ of God!!
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/3b_Messianic_Prophecies_Fulfilled_Pt2.pdf
Matthew 12:18-21
There along the lush green banks of the river Jordan, hugging its meandering paths lie scores of reeds; their long slender stems and firm brush-like heads project above the water’s surface, swaying to and fro in the wind. These delicate plants, so prone to bruising, oftentimes lay bent over, its heavy head drooping, the shattered stems no longer able to support the weight. There are many such bruised reeds both inside and outside the Church. In the natural, a bruised reed was good for nothing and spelt its end!
In this sermon hope is brought to the listener in the person of the Servant of Isaiah, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He it is the prophet foretold, would come for the brokenhearted, to give them beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for the mourning. He it is, the good Shepherd of the sheep, binding up the broken, strengthening the sick and carrying the lame on His shoulders!! Be encouraged dear Saint...A bruised reed shall He not break!!
Bible Prophecy (Pt.4)
Perhaps one of the most powerful and fascinating themes of Bible prophecy are the prophecies surrounding Israel’s Messiah. These prophecies are not isolated verses in pockets of places, but rather are interwoven throughout the books of the Old Testament from Genesis to Revelation, having their exact fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. These prophecies spell out where Messiah would be born, who He would be born to, what He would do and accomplish during His unique ministry, His betrayal, death, burial, resurrection and ascension; factors that are totally outside the capacity to self-fabricate! One of the greatest objections and barriers to Jews believing that Jesus Christ is their Messiah is the notion that if He has indeed come, then why are Jews the world over still suffering? Why haven’t all wars ceased? As we shall see in this teaching, according to the Scriptures, Messiah must come twice to earth, the first to suffer and the second to reign!!
In this teaching we examine the spectacular prophecy contained in Isaiah 53 and demonstrate without question, its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/3a_Messianic_Prophecies_Fulfilled_Pt1.pdf
John 3:8
There exists a tragedy in our day…men are trying to do by natural means, that which only God can do by supernatural means! In today’s Christianity, numbers mean everything…Church buildings the size of large warehouses need to filled and thus the world’s methods of psychology and advertisement has come wholesale into the Church! Yet, Jesus said in speaking of the Holy Spirit, “…when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (Jn. 16:8).
This sermon is an exhortation and an encouragement to believers to hold fast to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the God ordained means by which the Holy Spirit convicts men of sin and brings them to salvation. In a day where it seems that those who hold fast to truth are the losers, we must not lose heart!! Indeed the Spirit of God is still at work in saving men in our day; the wind blows where it so chooses and in like manner the Spirit of God is moving here and there in the saving of souls. We must remain close to Jesus and He will lead us where to cast our nets!!
Bible Prophecy (Pt.3)
Enter the first century AD, Israel is dwelling again back in the land that God had promised to them nearly fifteen hundred years previously. Very soon after their return from captivity the second Temple was rebuilt; the cities that Nebuchadnezzar laid waste were once again inhabited including the capital city of Jerusalem. Upon their return however, Israel ceased to be a kingdom with a ruling monarchy and by the time of the first century A.D. were a significantly weakened nation governed by Roman rule. It was into this setting that Israel’s Messiah Jesus Christ was born. Towards the close of His life and ministry, Jesus made a series of chilling prophecies regarding the future state of His people Israel adding to and confirming the curses already gone before in Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26. When Christ was preparing to go to the cross, His disciples came to Him enquiring about the Temple. The response that Jesus gave was prophetic in nature and would serve to shape the next 1900 years of Israel’s existence.
In this teaching we examine the prophecies of Jesus Christ concerning Jerusalem and the stunning fulfilment of His words in the siege and destruction of the temple in AD 70. What you will discover will shock, amaze you and further confirm the truth and reliability of the Holy Bible.
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Bible Prophecy (Pt.2)
When we hear the phrase, “Israel, the birth of a nation”; our minds quite naturally are cast back to just over 65 years ago to 1948, when the Jewish people against all possible odds, miraculously defied the systematic state sponsored genocide of Hitler to wipe them off the face the earth and became a united nation again back in the land of Israel after some nearly 2000 years of exile. However, the real birth of that nation began not in the 20th century AD, but rather some 4000 years ago in the 21nd century BC, when God called a heathen man by the name of Abraham out from his homeland in Babylon to journey to a new land that God was yet to reveal to him; that from him a nation from him might be born!
Perhaps one of the most fascinating themes relating to Bible prophecy is where it concerns this tiny nation; a strip of land around the same area size of Wales!! Yet, Israel’s past, present and future is miraculously contained within the pages of the Holy Bible!! In this teaching we seek to map Israel’s history retrospectively through the lens of the prophetic passages contained Deuteronomy chapter 28, which deals with the blessing and cursing of this nation.
Download Teaching Notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/2a_Ancient_Israel_And_Bible_Prophecy_Pt1.pdf
Bible Prophecy (Pt.1)
Without question, one of the foremost claims to the Bible being the Inspired Word of God is prophecy. A staggering 27% of the whole Bible is prophetic in nature!
“People are named before birth; kingdoms are outlined before their historical existence; battles are described before occurring, and personal destinies are delineated before the persons themselves are born…”
-Bernard M. Ramm, Protestant Christian Evidences
God goes down on record; it is written and if it does not come to pass then the Bible is relegated to being a false book and we certainly have no confidence putting our faith in it. In this first part of a teaching series looking at Bible prophecy, we introduce this fascinating subject and take a look at a prophecy given some 2700 years ago by a Hebrew prophet called Isaiah relating to a nation by the name of Israel and a heathen King by the name of Cyrus. What you will discover and are about to hear will literally take your breath away and is only one of the many hundreds of prophecies contained in the Holy Bible. Fasten your seat belts and be prepared to be amazed!!
Download Teaching Notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/1_Introduction_to_Bible_Prophecy.pdf
Matthew 18:21:35
Paul Williams is a Pastor at Temple Baptist Church, Wolverhampton. He delivers a very sobering and informative sermon looking at the consequences of failing to forgive others when offended. He asks three fundamental and heart searching questions: Why should we forgive; what are the consequences if we don't forgive; and how we should forgive? I trust that this sermon will both instruct and challenge you in this most crucial area of forgiveness. The bottom line is this…if our horizontal relationship is out of shape, so will be our vertical one also!!
Matthew 7:1-5
There sounds forth across our western world, an ever increasing and all too familiar cry; judge not!! In a post-modern world, where we are told, "what's right for you is right for you and what's right for me is right for me"; men are left to determine their own morality so long as it does not clash with the moral-majority and the socially accepted norm of the day. Dare one try to define morality from the Word of God and he is met with the angry expression, "who are you to judge me!!" "Judge not" has become the mantra of this age and sadly is all too often being heard coming from the lips of professing Christians.
There exists much confusion in the Church regarding this issue of "judge not". Is it ever right for a Christian to pass judgement and if so, when? Is it every wrong for a Christian to judge another brother or sister, and if so, in what context? This sermon attempts to answer these questions and to give a biblical answer to the command, "judge not".
Proverbs 24:30-34
There is not a day that goes by that we are not required to take our place on the battlefield! The flesh, the world and the devil are our avowed enemies, bent on our destruction!! All around, I see the multitudes of casualties scattered across the mountains, strewn across the hills.
An urgent and pressing call sounds forth in this sermon, exhorting the Church of Jesus Christ to fight!! Oh! How so many are tiring, turning aside to take their ease, a little sleep, a little slumber; tiring in the fight. Dear soul, this is no time to be idle, no time to be passive; no longer is it acceptable to say everything will be okay!! We are in a war!! Fight we must; battle we shall…to your station soldier of Christ and take your place in the battle for victory!!
Session 4 of 4
In this final part, Roger comprehensively and very competently demonstrates that the Emergent Church through its many spiritual disciplines and exercises that are rooted in Roman Catholic mysticism are not only taking many misled Christians back to Rome but are in fact preparing people for the final end-times spiritual deception in preparation for the coming Antichrist. The road to Rome is ultimately the road to Babylon!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2015. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
For more messages and teachings by Roger Oakland, visit: http://www.understandthetimes.org
Session 3 of 4
In this third part, Roger comprehensively and very competently demonstrates the dangers of the Emergent Church, which claims to be emerging in these last days to meet the needs of a post-modern generation. Rather than focussing on narrow doctrine, this new movement focusses instead on experience; but the many spiritual disciplines and exercises that it promotes and practises are rooted in Roman Catholic mysticism and are taking many that are being misled back to Rome!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2015. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
For more messages and teachings by Roger Oakland, visit: http://www.understandthetimes.org
Session 2 of 4
In this second part, Roger comprehensively and very competently demonstrates that what many within the Evangelical Church are calling the Holy Spirit is in fact not the Holy Spirit of the Bible but another Spirit that is leading people back to the Roman Catholic Church. You will be informed, warned and equipped during the course of this teaching so as not to be deceived. We are exhorted in John’s first epistle to test the spirits and failure to do so this last hour is the reason why so many are accepting anything and everything to their own soul’s peril!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2015. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
For more messages and teachings by Roger Oakland, visit: http://www.understandthetimes.org
Session 1 of 4
In this first part, Roger comprehensively and very competently demonstrates that the Roman Catholic Jesus is in fact not the Jesus of the Bible but another Jesus, namely the Eucharistic Jesus. You will be informed, warned and equipped during the course of this teaching so as not to be deceived. The New Evangelisation program of the Roman Catholic Church is a program that leads one not to the Jesus of the Bible but to instead to Rome!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2015. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
For more messages and teachings by Roger Oakland, visit: http://www.understandthetimes.org
Alan shares very powerfully his hearts burden for prayer. He shares many testimonies of that I'm sure will stir your hearts and provoke you to seek the Lord in prayer in this desperate and needy hour!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2015. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
Harold brings a very practical, challenging and heart searching message regarding the sin of unforgiveness. The long and short of it is, are our hearts clear towards those who have offended us? That offences will come is absolutely certain, both from within the Body of Christ and without. The question at hand is; what will we chose to do with those offences and with those through whom the offences come?
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2015. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
For more messages and teachings by Harold Vaughan, visit: http://www.christlifemin.org
Paul shares a very passionate plea, calling believers in Christ to love one another. In an age of apostasy where Christians are earnestly contending for the faith, it is very easy to give place to offence and allow the love of God to grow cold in your heart. This message will stir and challenge your heart to rekindle your first love!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2015. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
For more messages and teachings by Paul M. Williams, visit: http://www.bethesdashalom.org
Alan brings a very practical message to encourage the body of Christ in times of difficulty and need. Are you feeling pressed down and struggling to see past a certain difficulty that has come upon you, then this message will certainly lift up your eyes towards the Saviour and bring hope into your situation.
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2015. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
In this message, Harold brings an urgent call for the Church to rediscover the awesome fear of the Lord in a generation where by and large, the fear of God is non-existent!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2015. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
For more messages and teachings by Harold Vaughan, visit: http://www.christlifemin.org
In the day and age where so much division exists in the Body of Christ, particularly over secondary matters of doctrine, pride and offence; a powerful exhortation is delivered by Paul calling the Body of Christ to unity in obedience to the high priestly prayer of Jesus Christ as found in John Chapter 17. Whilst the wold calls for a false unity, our prayer is that the true Bride of Christ would again cry out for true unity!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2015. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
For more messages and teachings by Paul M. Williams, visit: http://www.bethesdashalom.org
1 Samuel 17:1-54
Behold the specimen of a man...Goliath of Gath, the champion of the Philistines!! For 40 days, morning and evening, this ferocious giant challenged the armies of Israel to put forward a man to fight him. Fear gripped the armies of Israel as they looked upon Goliath's huge and menacing stature, concluding in the natural that there was no hope!! Dear Christian, what is the Goliath in your life? Will you not trust the Lord to give you the victory over this fearsome foe? See the shepherd boy David who by courageous faith in his God, brought the fight to this Philistine and took his head off!!
This message is an exhortation for Christians to overcome the Goliath in their life. Say not, I am weak and have no power; say not that the foe is too strong…who will set their eyes to the LORD of hosts and prove their God in the hour of conflict? I trust that we might be found such ones!!
John 1:43-47
Our Lord said of Nathaniel..."Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! He who searches the hearts of men and tries the inner most thoughts and intentions could say of this man that he was the genuine article and not a fake. I wonder...could Christ say such words of you and I; "Behold a Christian indeed, in whom is no deceit"? The missing ingredient and the root cause of so many living double lives today is that they are not REAL before the only one we CANNOT fool - God. Dear soul, when we try to hide our sin from God, it shows that there is no fear of God in our lives!
This message is a passionate plea for all God's people to come out of the dark and into the light. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Prov. 28:13).
Romans 1:13-16
In the day and age in which we live, an ascending cry is being heard, sounding forth from those dissatisfied with the old paths. It is a cry for the "new"; change has become the buzz word of our day, out with the old and in with the new!! Society fueled by the Western media now prides itself that it is at last emerging from the puritanical and bigoted age of Victorianism, to a new liberalism without moral absolutes, where man is now free to make up his own morality. No longer is it popular to talk about sin, no longer is it acceptable to hold and promote a moral worldview based upon the Word of God; there is simply no stomach for it! Sadly, in an effort to reach this post-modern generation the Church has changed and adapted its message; the gospel is out and clever methodologies are in. Dear brethren, we must resist such a temptation, Paul said that he was not ashamed of the gospel for he know that it was the power of God unto salvation. Paul determined to know only one thing among a people darkened in sin; he knew of only one message that would break the shackles that so bound them...Christ and Him crucified!!!
This message is a call for Gods people to take up again the gospel message and to proclaim this message unashamedly, with full conviction that THIS IS the means appointed by God for men to be saved.
Joshua 24:13-15
Brethren, we are living in unprecedented times; all around us, to our left and right, before and behind lies the world with all of its lures and attractions. To be a Christian in this generation, in this hour, in this location calls for a special effort on our part and a single-mindedness birthed out of a conviction that though living in the world, we are not going to be of this world! The missing ingredient in Western Christianity is sanctification!! We are called by God to be saints "holy ones". God is indeed seeking a last days people, even calling forth in our day such a people, who might have written across their lives like the High Priest of Israel had engraved across his forehead, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD".
Its high time that we rise up to be the people God has called us to be and to put away from our midst the strange gods and to incline our heart fully unto the Lord God of Israel!! May God give us the grace to so do!
Luke 1:80
"Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I'll be, if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee". The words of C.T Studd still live on and continue to speak to the depths of our hearts! Brethren, I believe with all my heart that God is doing a work in these last days in preparing a people for Christian service. It is not a work done in the open but one done in obscurity in the wilderness. "...the child...was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel" (Lk. 1:80). Is God doing such a preparation in your life and heart? A preparation for service? Oh! that the cry of our hearts might be that He might get the glory of our lives this side of eternity!!! A prophet is not born in a day! Those who God uses, He first prepares and trains for service. Who will lay aside their own business to seek's the Father's? Who is willing to be brought into that place of obscurity and there to lay hold on God in the secret place where no man see's, with no recognition and no affirmation, until such a time as God sees fit to send you forth into the harvest? Dear Christian, God seeks a holy and faithful vessel; will you be such a vessel?
Psalm 27
Jim Cottington Pastors a Church in West Sussex and is a council elder for Christian Ministerial Fellowship International (CMFI). In this sermon, Jim gives great encouragement and an exhortation to believers to stand fast and firm in the last days in which we find ourselves. May the Lord minister to you through this sermon and provoke your heart to seek His face of the Lord in these difficult times! Be encouraged dear Saints!!
1 Peter 1:13
The great commentator Albert Barnes in commenting upon the Christian's war against the prince of this world, wrote:
"Satan does not carry on an open warfare. He does not meet the Christian soldier face to face. He advances covertly; makes his approaches in darkness; employs cunning rather than power, and seeks rather to delude and betray than to vanquish by mere force. Hence, the necessity of being constantly armed to meet him whenever the attack is made. A man who has to contend with a visible enemy, may feel safe if he only prepares to meet him in the open field. But far different is the case if the enemy is invisible; if he steals upon us slyly and stealthily; if he practices war only by ambushes and by surprises. Such is the foe that we have to contend with - and almost all the Christian struggle is a warfare against stratagems and wiles."
On of Satan's master stratagems as a deceiver and a lier, is to trick us into thinking that the thoughts he plants into our minds are really our own thoughts so that the lie becomes the truth!! If ever there was a need to gird up the loins of our minds and to be sober in our thinking so as to discern the thoughts of the wicked one it is now!! This sermon brings out three chief areas where this great battle for the mind is fought; in discouragement; by distraction and by division!! May God give us the grace to war so as to win, through the strength and grace of Jesus Christ!
Psalm 61:1-4
Dear soul, you who bend under the burden of the day, whose strength fails and wisdom perishes, pressed sore and overwhelmed by the pressures of life and the circumstances which seem to stand before you as a mountain. To you I say take courage...take courage dear soul!!
We all have times where discouragement seems to envelop us a cloud. This message is a Word of comfort and an examination of the cry of David, who proved His God in trial and found Him to be His ROCK!! Dear soul, will you not look to Christ, who bids you to come to Him that in doing so you might find rest for your soul; for His yoke is easy and His burden is light!! When our hearts are overwhelmed let us say with David, "lead me to the rock that is higher than I".
Hebrews 3:6-12
The common notion held by many when it comes to belief in God is "seeing is believing". The cry goes forth, "show me and I will believe". Many hold faith to be simply a leap in the dark; but the Bible rejects this idea and rather teaches that faith is a firm persuasion based upon an encounter with the living God!! Faith is a conscious decision to place ones trust and confidence in One who is trustworthy; to place one's faith in One who is faithful!!
This message seeks to bring out the root of the sin of unbelief. The children of Israel beheld the terror and glory of God firsthand; they heard His voice as thunder and beheld His gory as a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night!! They saw the manifest power of His might as He parted the Red Sea and they saw His tender kindness as He fed them with Manna from heaven!! Yet in spite of this, they refused to be persuaded of God's goodness and faithfulness and refused to be convinced of God's trustworthiness. Through their hardened hearts, they tempted the Lord again and again, charging Him with evil and saying, is the LORD among us, or not? A solemn warning goes forth in this message; "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God"
Matthew 18:21-35
As Christians, we are duty bound and under solemn command by the King to keep the records clean when it comes to our debtors. We are called by the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive those who have sinned against us and the Bible makes no allowances and no apologies. Yet, there are many professing Christians who Sunday after Sunday, pour into Churches shouting hallelujah's with hands raised and yet are harbouring unforgiveness in their hearts towards others. The Lord tells us plainly that our horizontal relationships with men affect our vertical relationship with God and that if things are amiss with our brother, things are amiss with God and we need first to sort things out with our Brother before offering worship to God!!
This sermon brings a challenge to the Body of Christ and seeks to bring out the nature of true forgiveness, and the wickedness of unforgiveness. May God grant us grace to ponder this message and to be not hearers only but doers of His Word!!
Proverbs 11:13
The Bible speaks of a particular member of our body, so small and yet so powerful; "a little member, and boasteth great things...a fire, a world of iniquity...setteth on fire the course of nature; and is set on fire of hell...an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (Jms. 3). Which member is this the Bible alludes to? The tongue!!
We are exhorted, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain" (Jms. 1:26). As believers bound to the royal law of love, the word of God charges us strictly that we should not give ourselves to gossip and slander but rather we should love our fellow man!! This message cuts to the very heart of the matter and exposes the malicious spirit behind gossip and slander. The challenge goes forward with conviction calling believers to abstain from such talk. May God give us grace to heed!!
1 Peter 2:11
The largest Christian newspaper in the world "The Christian Post", in an on-line article dated October 28th 2011, titled "Pornography in the Pew - A Hidden Sin, reported from leading surveys that 50% of Christian men and 20% of Christian women are addicted to pornography, 60% of Christian women admitted to significantly struggling with lust. 37% of pastors admitted that they struggle with internet pornography and 51% said that its a source of temptation. More than half of pastors surveyed (57%) said that addiction to porn is the most sexually damaging issue in their Church. 56% of divorces involved one party having an obsessive interest in pornographic websites.
Brethren there is a pandemic of sexual lust sweeping the evangelical Church ranging from the pulpit to the pew!! Lust dear soul is a beast, that if not slain will destroy all in its path and take a soul down into hell!! A sobering call goes forth in this message calling the Body of Christ to sexual purity both in thought and in deed. "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" [1 Pet. 2:11].
Luke 12:15
There is today in the West, what some call the “dream”, but I call deception and God calls wickedness!! It is the sin of covetousness. Behold how it has slain its ten thousands. See the miserable plight of those leaving the poor habitations of the developing world and coming over to the West, chasing the dream and the lie that promised wealth brings with it, promised happiness and fulfilment. Behold the faces of the rich and wealthy, see their countenances; ask them if you will…”has money, wealth and material possessions brought to you that which your heart longs most for? They will answer with a resounding NO!! Jesus warned us: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness”!!
This message is an exhortation to the body of Christ, to flee from the sin of covetousness. In this sermon we break down what covetousness is, what lies at the heart of it and its relationship to idolatry. We take a look at the seriousness of this sin called covetousness which has become common place in our Western culture and sadly in many instances, common place in the lives of professing Christians. May God give us the grace to recognise this sin at work in our lives and to repent of it, confessing our sins and turning our hearts back to our first love!!
Genesis 4:1-9
If we could truly see how many have been slain and homes destroyed; the strife, the rivalry, the bitterness and resentment resulting from the sin of jealousy and envy we would be lost for words!! Whole Churches have been split and homes left in tatters under a false guise and pretext, when the real issue underlying the destruction is the spirit of jealousy and envy!! King Solomon put it fearfully in Proverbs 27:4 when he said: Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? Though envy often wears the guise of a smile and a hug, it has concealed in its hand a dagger, which it seeks to drive into the very back of the one it so embraces!!
How do you respond when a friend is exalted in place of you? How do you respond when you are greeted with the news of the success of your fellow neighbour? How do you respond when a thing you so desire, another from your own midst receives in your place? Is your countenance one of favour towards such or one of suspicion? Are your thoughts warm toward such a one or do you find feelings of resentment and bitterness rising up instead? If so, then the wicked sin of jealousy is most probably at work in your life and its desire is to master you!! The call of this sobering message is that honest search would be made to see if indeed this sin is at work in your life and if so that true repentance and confession would be made. May God give you the grace and courage to obey!!
Proverbs 16:18
It has well been said that the sin of pride is first and chief among all other sins and indeed is the very root of all sin!! Pride simply put is having an inflated view of our own worth; it's arrogance and haughtiness; it is to usurp the throne of God which is His rightful seat alone. How so you say? In essence, pride says: "I will do what seems best by me" or in the word's of Satanist Aleister Crowley, "do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law". Though the clear command and express will of God has gone forth, pride asserts that it will nonetheless do what is best in its own eyes!!
This message calls those who have lost their way in going away from God to return again to the LORD. God promises, "...return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 3:7). The problem is; this response is one which only the humble in heart can make. The question is, will you humble your heart and return again to you first love?
Exodus 12:15-20
Spiritually, what sort of year has 2014 been for you? Have you grown in spiritual maturity? Have you deepened and maintained spiritual disciplines? Have you been the spiritual shepherds of you home? If the answer is an honest no, then it is more than likely that leaven has made its way into your home and has begun its corrupting influence in your life, the lives of your family and the life of the Church!! In the New Testament, leaven is a symbol of sin. Due to the powerful property changing properties of leaven the Scripture warns believers of the dangers of allowing sin to go unchecked in their lives and the need to purge it out from their midst.
As we close out this year, an exhortation is given in earnest, calling every Christian to make a diligent search for any traces of leaven, beginning first in their own life, with the end purpose in view of purging their house of leaven!! May God give us the grace to heed and to act upon what we hear in this message!!
How We Got Our Bible (Pt.12)
In this final part in the series 'How We Got Our Bible' we explore the differences and similarities between some of our most popular English translations of the Bible that are out there today. We answer such questions as: What is a formal equivalence translation and a dynamic equivalence translation? How can you tell the difference? What is a good translation of the Bible? Should a Christian use a paraphrase Bible as their main Bible for study? What about Eugene Peterson's, The Message? Is it a reliable translation or has there been deliberate attempts by Eugene Peterson to corrupt the Word of God in the name of inclusion? Is the NIV a reliable translation? We seek to answer these questions and more in this final part of the teaching as we explore the topic of Bible translations.
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John 12:24
Set before us in the verse at hand is the key to the Christian walk! How many books have been written, how many sermons preached, giving the five-step formula to Christian success, when the essence and heart of the matter is contained in this single verse before us. Why is it that men for the most part don’t like the key that Jesus extends, but instead prefer in vain to cut their own key? It has to do with the cost of that key!! We all want the finished product, but we don’t all want to pay the asking price!! God has a blueprint for the Christian life and it has to do with an instrument of death, upon which we are to die daily. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it beareth much fruit.
This message explores three areas in the Christian life in which the Christian is called to deny himself, pick up his cross daily and follow Jesus; firstly in the battle against sin; secondly in sufferings and persecutions and lastly in waving our rights as believers. May God help us not only to be hearers, but doers also!!
How We Got Our Bible (Pt.11)
The battle rages today in some evangelical circles as to which the are best Greek manuscripts to use in translating the New Testament. Some argue that the Byzantine manuscripts are more reliable because there are far more of them, whilst others argue that the Alexandrian manuscripts are more reliable because though fewer in number, the age of the manuscripts are far closer to the original. All modern Bible translations today with the exception of the NKJV and a few others are based on the Alexandrian type-text which has been the case since the controversial publication of the RV Bible in the 1880's. Up until that time, all English Bibles had been based on the Byzantine type-text. Why the need to change this? Are the modern Bibles corrupt? Which Greek text is the most reliable? Does it even matter?
We seek in this teaching to answer these questions and to explore the position of a growing group within conservative Christianity who hold that the King James Bible is the absolute and only preserved Word of God in the English language. Fasten your seat belts as we explore these issues together!!
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How We Got Our Bible (Pt.10)
As of October 2014, the Bible has been translated into some 2883 languages. This statistic represent a staggering 98% of the world’s population. In spite of this, there are still global projects underway to see the Bible translated into many more languages. God in His infinite sovereign wisdom chose to have the original inspired Autographa written in the languages of Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). Yet. He did so with the foreknowledge that not everyone in the world would speak these languages, meaning that translations would inevitably have be made.
In this teaching we explore some of the earliest versions of the Bible; Syriac, Latin and Coptic. Moreover, we explore the amazing history of the English Bible from the first ever English translation in 1380 up to the King James Bible of 1611. Whatever way you look at it, courageous men of God gave their lives to give the English speaking people the Word of God in their own language!! The question is, what are we doing with it?
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How We Got Our Bible (Pt.9)
In comparing the figures for the amounts and dates of the available manuscripts for classical Greco-Roman authors with that of the New Testament, there is no way that the charge can be levied against the New Testament that we cannot know what originally written whilst at the same time quoting authors of classical antiquity. This is because New Testament scholars have at their disposal some 5800 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, some dating within decades from the original manuscripts. In short, if one is to dismiss the Bible as being reliable, then on what basis and authority does that one have to say that he knows anything of ancient secular history, seeing that the standard by which ancient history is derived, namely the manuscript evidence is absolutely eclipsed when held in comparison against the Bible!!
In this teaching we examine the manuscript evidence for the New Testament and ask the question, 'Is the Bible that we have in our hands today what was originally written down?'
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Leviticus 10:1-11
The key ingredient missing in today's Christianity that was not missing in generations past is the fear and reverence of God and the things pertaining to Him! There was a time when even sinners knew, Church was not a place for joke and idle chit-chat, the sanctuary was the sanctuary!! There was no place for entertainment in the pulpit and the people of God in the pews had a great reverence for God's Word. Fast forward to this generation and the whole of worship has become one great mess of entertainment! The sacred had been consumed by the profane! Where are the clear distinguishing marks, the boundaries, separating the holy from the unholy? The clean from the unclean?
This message is a call to God's people to once again put difference between the holy and the unholy!!
How We Got Our Bible (Pt.8)
I’m sure that every Christian at some point in their experience when talking with an unbeliever about the Bible has had the accusation thrown at them that the Bible has been changed and is full of errors!! When asked this question, I usually respond by throwing the question back at the person by asking them ‘how do you know?’ It is at this point that one is greeted with a barrage of responses ranging from; ‘there are so many different versions of the Bible’ to ‘there are no originals?’ These are all very valid responses and deserve a proper response. The Christian makes a very bold claim, namely that what he holds in his hand is the Word of God. To simply assert this whilst side-stepping the issue of preservation will simply not do. The question that we have to deal with as Christians is the same question that every religion of antiquity has to deal with; namely, have we in our possession a true representation of what was originally written down?
In this teaching we seek to answer this question as it pertains to the Old Testament Scriptures.
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How We Got Our Bible (Pt.7)
By what authority did the early Christians add additional books to the canon of Holy Scripture? How did they recognise these additional books as Scripture? Why 27 books of the New Testament and not 26 or 28? If the Old Testament was attested to by no less authority than Jesus Christ Himself, then by what authority was the New Testament received? Did a council of bishops convene in the 4th century to decide which books would make up the New Testament? If not, then how did the New Testament come to be developed? We endeavour to answer these questions in this teaching, and as we shall see, the issue of the New Testament canon cannot be tackled without placing central, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!!
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How We Got Our Bible (Pt.6)
This teaching focuses on the apocryphal books and asks the question, 'do they belong in the canon of Holy Scripture?'. Apocrypha is the name given to the 15 additional books that appear in some Bible translations which contain Jewish religious literature. If one was to pick up a KJV Bible today, one would turn the page from Malachi, past the page separating the Old and New Testaments, straight into the first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. However, in the original KJV Bible of 1611, one would have turned from Malachi to 1 Esdras!! In fact, the Apocrypha was a part of the KJV for 274 years and was not removed until as late as 1885. If one picks up a Roman Catholic Bible today, one will find that it consists not of 66 books but of 73 books which includes some apocryphal books known as the deuterocanonical books. Do these books belong in our Bible and if not why not? What about the great mass of so-called lost books claiming to be from Bible characters, known as the Pseudepigrapha, such as the Book of Enoch, the Book of Noah, The Acts of John, The Gospel of Thomas etc.
We shall set out in this teaching to answer these questions along with many more.
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How We Got Our Bible (Pt.5)
In this part of our study on how we got our Bible, we now turn to look at the canon of the Bible. When we use the word canon, we don’t make reference to that large military weapon mounted on wheels for that is spelt cannon! Canon is defined as a general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged (Oxford Dictionaries). When the word is used in the context of the Bible, i.e. the Biblical canon then it refers to an accepted list of books that are considered to be authoritative Scripture coming from God. At the very heart of the issue of canon lies the question; How do I know that the books I have in my Bible are the books that are divinely inspired by God? It is this question that we will seek to place at the very heart of this teaching!! This teaching we will focus on the Old Testament canon.
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How We Got Our Bible (Pt.4)
We conclude this final part on the inspiration of the Bible by looking at Isaiah 53. This Messianic passage predicts with the most stunning precision and accuracy the person, mission and ministry of Messiah. So staggering and graphic is this passage that many Jews, though not all have sought to deflect it away from Messiah choosing instead to assert that it applies not to the suffering of Messiah but is allegorical of the suffering of Israel as a nation.
In this teaching we shall analyse this astounding passage and document the clear fulfilment of the many prophecies contained within this passage which could apply to none other than Jesus Christ of Nazareth. There is absolutely no doubt that this prophecy provides irrefutable proof that the Bible is indeed the Inspired Word of God!!
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How We Got Our Bible (Pt.3)
Without question, the foremost claim to the Bible being the Inspired Word of God is prophecy. No other religious book dares to do what the Bible does. A staggering 27% of the Bible (just over a ¼ ) is comprised of prophecy; that is, God goes down on record to state things that will happen prior to them happening so that when they come to pass you will know that what God said (past) was true and therefore what God says (future) is also true!!
In this teaching we begin to explore the breathtaking prophecies contained within the pages of the Bible, especially as they relate to Israel's Messiah.
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How We Got Our Bible (Pt. 2)
When we speak of the Bible being the inspired Word of God, how are we to understand this? Did God dictate word-for-word what He wanted written down so the writers of the Bible became human typewriters or did He make full use of their characters and personalities making full use their literary writing styles to bring into being His Word? Were the authors of the Bible conscience of the fact that they were penning the very Word of God or were they oblivious to this realty?
In this teaching we seek to answer these questions and many more as we explore the Biblical concept of inspiration and the evidence to support it from Archaeology.
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Alan shares a gripping testimony about the dangers of Reiki and the spiritual implications of practicing such energy healing techniques.
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
Romans chapter 6
Paul brings a strong word calling the Body of Christ to holiness. There is much misunderstanding in the Body of Christ regarding what true holiness consists of. On one extreme there is a total absence of such a concept and on the other legalism abounds. Paul seeks to bring the balance through the sound teaching and exposition of Romans chapter 6 and surrounding chapters. May the Lord open your eyes and grant you grace to see these precious truths!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
How We Got Our Bible (Pt. 1)
To say that the Bible is unique is perhaps an understatement. No other book in the history of mankind has so served to shape and influence the lives of so many for the good than has the Bible. Written over a period of about 1500 years; comprised of 66 books written in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek) on three different continents (Africa, Asia and Europe) by more than 40 different authors most of whom never met or knew each other, coming from totally different backgrounds. God inspired these men through the agency of His Holy Spirit to write down the exact revelation of His mind and will whilst at the same time making use of their individual personalities and characters. You have tax-collector by the name of Matthew, a Prime Minister by the name of Daniel, a shepherd by the name of Amos, a King by the name of David and a military general by the name of Joshua. You have a fisherman by the name of John, a cupbearer by the name of Nehemiah, a priest by the name of Ezekiel, a doctor by the name of Luke and so the list could continue!! Paul wrote from prison in Rome, Ezekiel from captivity in Babylon and John from exile on the Isle of Patmos. David wrote from his royal palace in Jerusalem and his son Solomon later did the same. Yet In spite of this, the 66 books of the Bible speak with such unanimity and consensus, a single voice that’s without contradiction.
This teaching take's a look at the character of the Bible, its structure and it's composition.
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1 Corinthians 13:11
How did men of God become such in their generation? Answer...they grew into such!! In this message Paul exhorts the Body of Christ to come to a place of maturity and manhood in their spiritual lives. It is high time for Christians to grow up! Away with childhood things; away with the carnal! God is seeking a spiritual people who will stand as men!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
Deuteronomy 6:21-25
Alan shares his heart with true conviction and passion regarding the fulness and the blessings of the spirit filled sanctified life. If you are wanting the Lord to truly examine your heart and are searching for the deeper things of God; if you are desiring to go deeper in the things of Christ as it pertains to your spiritual walk with God, then this message will certainly challenge and help you immensely!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
2 Kings 3:9-20
Alan brings a very powerful and heart searching word from God. Is there obstructions and obstacles in your life that are hindering you from moving forward in spiritual growth? Are you seeking to move forward in the things of God but for some reason you seem to be stuck in a rut? This message hopefully will shed some light on your struggle and aid you in your quest to move onward and upward in victory!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
Contemplative spiritual practices are subtly being introduced into mainstream Christianity and many are falling prey to seemingly Christian appearance. What's wrong with contemplative prayer? Is it not a genuine expression of prayer to God? In this message Ray gets under the skin of contemplative prayer tracing its roots to the New Age and clearly demonstrates that it has no place in the Body of Christ!!
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
Many today are engaged in the practice of Reiki and other alternative energy healing and see absolutely nothing wrong with it. Some even believe that it is compatible with their Christian faith! In this message Ray gives a clear warning about the dangers of Reiki and the occult spiritual roots of this eastern practice which is stooped in the New Age movement.
This message is part of The Sanctuary Conference 2014. For information about future conferences please visit:
http://www.sanctuaryconference.co.uk
Many different people join Freemasonry for many different reasons. On the outward surface, there is no doubt about it that Masonry seeks to portray itself as an ethical society that exists for the propagation of good through its charitable work and ethical moral teachings. However, as we shall see in this teaching, the ultimate goal and true purpose of Freemasonry is not chiefly one of a sociable and charitable nature or one that concerns itself with outward morality but rather that which is common all the mystery religions, namely to bring about the spiritual awakening of the initiate by imparting to him the knowledge that within himself is contained a spark of the true light of the Divine and end which Freemasonry exists to assist.
In concluding this teaching on Freemasonry, an overview of some of the other societies that have been directly influenced by Freemasonry including: The Odd Fellows, Prince Hall Masonry, Orange Order and Greek Letter Organizations.
We shall see; Masonry will never and can never build the kingdom of God on earth. Its values and principles; its secrets and mysteries never will and can never usher in the golden utopia, namely the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man and the Immortality of the Soul that they so desperately seek. Only when Jesus Christ comes will His kingdom be ushered in; a kingdom of righteousness and true peace. For those Christians professing Christ and the Lodge, they must choose in the light of these teachings who they will serve; if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him! You cannot serve both!
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The Royal Arch is present in all Masonic systems. During the ritual of the Royal Arch exaltation ceremony, the candidate learns the Sacred and Mysterious Name of the True and Living God Most High, namely the name JAHBULON. What is the true meaning of this name and is it a suitable name for the God of the Bible?
An unquestionable and integral part of Masonic doctrine is the principle of the Immortality of the Soul. For Masons, life does not end in death but rather Masonry teaches that the spirit of man is immortal. You will in none find mentioned in any of the many rituals or ceremonies both at Craft Masonry and beyond, the concept or the word hell. Instead, the Mason despite his religious philosophy or persuasion, whether he be a Christian or a Muslim; a Jew or a Hindu; a Mormon or a Buddhist – is promised the hope of being granted admittance into the heavenly lodge above. Perhaps, the doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul is nowhere more clearly felt than at a Masonic funeral service. This teaching explores this doctrine and asks the question; Is such teaching compatible with the Bible?
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Within every Freemason Lodge across the world there is an altar and upon that altar is a Bible – that is if one finds themselves inside a lodge in the UK or the U.S. What book would one find if he were in Turkey or in India? It is most likely to be a Quran or one of the Hindu scriptures. When one see’s the Bible upon the altar it gives one a perception that the Bible and its teachings are held as the supreme authority for the Mason. However, as we shall see in this teaching, that is not the case at all!
Central to the teachings of Freemasonry is the concept of the Fatherhood of God. Masonry is not only impartial when it comes to what religious book one might hold to as scripture, but is also impartial when it comes to which god one might choose to worship. Is the God of Freemasonry the God of the Holy Bible?
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Ritual within Masonry is an elaborate and cleverly concealed and crafted teaching system which consists primarily of allegorical drama steeped in mystery, symbolism and mythology, involving secret grips, passwords and oaths. Those being initiated into each degree are required to learn their lines so as to be able to take part in the ritual ceremony. Key to the power that ritual plays in Freemasonry is the hidden truths that are sought to be communicated through the rituals to the initiate. In this teaching we examine the ritual of the first degree - the Entered Apprentice Degree. We dig beneath the surface of this ritual in order to reveal its true interpretation!
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One of the more controversial areas surrounding Masonry is the oaths of secrecy that Masons are required to swear upon initiation into the various degrees and more specifically, the ritual penalties attached to the breaking of these oaths. This teaching explores these oaths as they to pertain to the first three degrees and beyond! Should any professing Christian swear such oaths?
Whenever it is put to Freemasons that Masonry is a religion, the overwhelming majority take strong objection and insist that Freemasonry is not a religion. If it follows that Freemasonry is a religion, how can a Christian be a member of both the body of Christ and the body of Freemasonry? Indeed as we shall see, Freemasonry is the religion of universalism.
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When one thinks of Freemasonry, what thoughts immediately spring to mind? Are they positive thoughts or are they negative thoughts? For some they think of charitable works, good citizens of society, morally upstanding individuals. For others they think of a good old boys club - you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours. For others still, they think of conspiracy, corruption and perjury, a secret society, worshippers of Lucifer! I want from the very start to be clear about the aims of this teaching. It is not my aim to delve into the many fruitless conspiracy theories that abound on the matter via the internet. It is rather my aim to answer one most important question relevant to this teaching on the cults, namely, is Freemasonry compatible with Christianity?
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Oneness Pentecostals , in emphasising what it perceives to be holiness, lays great stress on particular outward standards which it terms as ‘standards of holiness’. These standards include the adherence to legalistic codes of conduct such as women not wearing trousers, not cutting their hair, not dying their hair and not using make-up or jewellery. Men are expected to dress in conservative attire, white shirts and dark trousers, hair short and neat and face clean shaven. Alcohol, tobacco and dancing are strictly forbidden. Failure to adhere to these “standards of holiness” may result in dis-fellowship and ultimately to loss of one’s salvation!! This concluding teaching seeks to clearly define what is meant by 'worldliness' so as to contrast it against the definition given by Oneness Pentecostals.
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Jesus Only Pentecostals, aka Oneness Pentecostals derive this name from the position they take concerning baptism. Not only do they hold to the heresy of baptismal regeneration but they hold to an exclusive form of it, namely that baptism by immersion in the formula of “in the name of Jesus” is the only valid formula for baptism. They also hold that unless one is baptised with the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaks in tongues then one cannot be saved! Once again, we seek to explore these teachings and compare and contrast them with the Bible.
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According to Oneness Pentecostals, the answer to the question ‘what must I do to be saved?’ is not answered with the words of Paul and Silas, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved’ (Acts 16:31). Rather, they add water baptism in Jesus name as a necessary component for salvation. We explore this ancient heresy known as Baptismal Regeneration and seek through scripture to refute it.
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In answering the Oneness Pentecostals on the issue pertaining to the relationship between Jesus’ humanity and deity, we turn once again to look at early Church history, namely the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) and the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD). We also turn to scripture to address the question...'In what sense did Jesus Christ assumed a physical body and yet at the same time exist as God?' This teaching also seeks to establish the person of the Holy Spirit as it relates to the doctrine of the Trinity.
Finally, we examine some of the famous proof texts used by Oneness Pentecostals to argue in favour of Modalism.
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Oneness Pentecostals outright reject the Triune nature of God and instead take a Unitarian position, namely that God is not only singular in being (Monotheism) but also singular in person. Trinitarianism however stands in direct contrast to Unitarianism and defines God as singular in being yet three in persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This teaching seeks to give a defence of the doctrine of the Trinity over and against that of Modalism.
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2013/14 saw Oneness Pentecostals celebrate their centennial anniversary. However, the heresies that this group holds to regarding the nature of God and the person of Jesus Christ can be traced back much further, to the early beginnings of Christianity in the second and third centuries A.D. Very early on in it's history, the Church of Jesus Christ has had to withstand and refute the heresies of Modalists who denied the Trinity and instead sought to teach that God is only one in relation to His person. This teaching explores that early history and in particular addresses what took place at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D.
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On the surface Oneness Pentecostals have many similarities to mainstream Pentecostals and that is what makes them so dangerous. They absolutely affirm the deity of Jesus Christ, they believe in the continuing gifts of the Holy Spirit, they believe the Bible to be the inspired and infallible word of God, they believe in the literal Second Coming of Jesus Christ, they believe in the final judgment of the wicked and in a literal hell. On the surface one would not find a great deal of disagreement; YET there are four main fundamental beliefs that set them apart from orthodox Biblical Christianity. This teaching examines by way of introduction these four fundamental differences and tracks the history of this cult which had its inception out of Classic Pentecostalism.
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When one asks a Mormon if he has full assurance that if he was to die tonight that he would go to heaven; he would respond by saying I hope so. This is because the LDS church like all cults has an intricate and complex system of works that members must go through to prove that they are worthy enough to receive
In this teaching we examine this works based system along with the LDS's teaching on the afterlife.
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At first glance, it appears that the Jesus of Mormonism is the same Jesus of the Scriptures. However, upon closer inspection of their literature we shall see that nothing could be further from the truth!!
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The Bible is categorically clear and absolutely unwavering on this one thing, namely the belief that there is but one true God!! This concept of monotheism oozes out of every part of the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament. Orthodoxy demands that the adherent of Christianity holds to the belief in the existence of only one true God!! Every prophet from Moses to Jesus taught that there was but one God. Mormonism however, believes in a multiplicity of gods, in fact every practising Mormon has the potential to become a God!
This teaching explores the theology of Mormonism as it relates to the doctrine of God and contrasts it with the clear teaching of the Bible.
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Mormons believe without question that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. In this teaching we put the Book of Mormon under the spotlight to see if stands up to scrutiny in three main areas, namely, the light of Science, the light of Archaeology and the light of the Bible. You be the judge of the outcome!
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The history of the LDS church has typically been separated into three distinctive periods.
- “Early History” under the leadership of Joseph Smith, Jr.
- “Pioneering era” under the leadership of Brigham Young.
- “Modern Era” beginning around the turn of the 20th century as polygamy was abandoned.
In this teaching we look briefly at each of these three periods before moving on to look at the life of its founder Joseph Smith, Jr. What you will discover in this teaching will shock you!
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The LDS church has twice as many members as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The official membership of the LDS church (as of November 2013) is 15 million. These 15 million members meet in over 29 thousand congregations worldwide. The LDS church has 80,000 active missionaries on every mission field of the world. It boasts 141 Temples worldwide with a further 15 under construction and 14 more that have been announced. It receives an estimated $7 billion a year in tithes and sits on an estimated $35 billion of real-estate.
In this teaching we take a quick whistle stop tour through the many teachings and beliefs of Mormonism including a look at its Temples and ritual, along with its governmental structure.
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There were a number of groups that sprang out of the Millerite movement in the mid 1800's including the SDA’s, the Christadelphians and the JW's. Since all three share a common root they also share common doctrines. Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists and the Christadelphians all have in common the heretical doctrine of mortalism (the mortality of the soul) out of which flows the false doctrines of Soul Sleep and Annihilation. In this final teaching on Seventh-day Adventists we examine these doctrines including the doctrine of baptismal regeneration.
We ask the question; is Adventism a cult or has it now reformed so as to place itself under the umbrella of orthodox and historic Christianity?
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It has well been said that the only really distinctive and unique doctrine of the SDA church is the doctrine of the heavenly sanctuary out of which proceeds the doctrine of the Investigative Judgment. This teaching is the very pillar and foundation of the SDA church. What is this peculiar doctrine that many with Adventism today want to distance themselves from? Is such a doctrine compatible with Biblical Christianity? We shall seek to address this head on in this teaching.
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Are Christians required to keep the Sabbath, are Christians free to eat what they please? Does what we eat affect our spirituality? In this teaching we shall be focusing our attention on the emphasis that the Adventist church places on the observance of the Sabbath along with its heavy emphasis on the dietary laws which SDA’s links to sanctification.
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The SDA proposition that the Law of Moses as represented by the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) is still binding and in force upon those professing faith in Jesus and is a necessary requisite for salvation is not new to our era. The Church in the first century was faced with exactly the same proposition! Historically, the very first converts to Christianity were all Jewish; the very first church as recorded in the book of Acts consisted purely of Jewish believers who had come to faith in the Messiah Yeshua. However in accordance with the plan of God and the Old Testament prophecies, the door of salvation was opened to the Gentile nations. When Gentiles began being converted in vast numbers and began coming into the Church, there were those Jews, the Judaizers, zealous for the Law of Moses who sought to place them under the law as a requisite for salvation.
Are Seventh-day Adventists the modern day Judaizers? Does salvation come by grace through faith or by the keeping of the law? Can a professing Christian hold to both and be saved? We explore these questions and more in this teaching!
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SDA‘s readily identify themselves as the remnant church who have been called out to keep the commandments of God. By commandments, they mean the Decalogue or the Ten Commandments. One cannot overemphasise the place that the SDA church places upon the Ten Commandments. They are at the very heart and centre of the organisation!! It has well been said that SDA’s are New Testament believers in profession but Old Testament in practise.
In this teaching we begin to explore and answer the question, 'as New Testament believers are we required to keep the Ten Commandments?'
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Ellen G. White had over 2000 visions during her lifetime and the content of those visions resulted in over 100,000 pages of writings which the SDA’s today consider to be inspired by the Holy Spirit and “…a continuing and authoritative source of truth…” (Fundamental Beliefs, Point 18). Ellen White herself claimed that her visions and writings were not merely expressions of her own ideas, but rather had their source as coming from God.
In this teaching, we examine under a spotlight, the prophecies of Mrs White to see if she passes the test of a true Biblical prophet. We will also examine the claim that Mrs White plagiarised a great amount of her written material that she claimed to have received directly from God!
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This teaching explores the history and begins of the Seventh-day Adventists. The nineteenth century saw a literal explosion in the number of cults and religious groups springing up in the United States. Out of this spawning ground came the Seventh-day Adventists. In the 1830’s, a Baptist minister from New York by the name of William Miller began publicly sharing his new found belief, that Jesus Christ was going to return October 22, 1844. When October 22 1844 came and passed without the Lord’s coming, William Miller’s followers were left absolutely devastated, their hopes dashed into pieces!! It was against this backdrop that Ellen G. White emerged as a prophetess of a movement known as the Seventh-day Adventists.
In this teaching we explore the nature and the substance of Mrs Whites visions and ask the question, are such visions compatible with a true Biblical experience.
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The Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) was officially established in 1863 in the U.S.A. In 1961 they had a worldwide membership of about a million. Today they have over 70, 000 churches globally with a worldwide church membership of more than 17.2 million people, spanning some 200 plus countries worldwide. In the UK, they have a membership of approximately 34,000. The SDA are one of the fastest growing organisations in the world with approximately 1 million new members joining each year, largely from the developing nations.
This teaching takes a look at their core doctrines and beliefs and seeks to give a brief rebuttal to these teachings which separates Adventists from mainstream Christianity and brings them into the category of a cult.
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In this concluding part, we answer the question 'where will man spend eternity'. According to Watch Tower doctrine, those who belong to God will spend eternity on paradise earth. What does the Bible say? We also examine the doctrine of salvation and ask the question 'how is a man saved?' Is it by works or by grace? What role does faith play? Is faith works?
We conclude by looking at some of the 'changes' in Watch Tower teaching over the last century and even into this one.
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Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the eternal nature of man, i.e. the continued existence of the soul of man after death and instead believe that upon death man ceases consciously to exist until such time as he is resurrected. This doctrine is known as the doctrine of Soul Sleep. We tackle and expose this doctrine head on in this teaching, proving from Scripture that man is more than simply a material being empowered by God's life force but that he actually is a living eternal being. We also consider what the Watch Tower teaches regarding the doctrine of hell and eternal punishment.
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This teaching follows on from part 2 in continuing to look at the heresies taught by the Watch Tower concerning the person and deity of Jesus Christ. In what sense was Jesus worshiped? Was His resurrection bodily or spiritual?
We also explore in this teaching what Jehovah's Witnesses teach and believe about the Holy Spirit. Is the Holy Spirit a person or simply God's active force?
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Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that there are two classes of people within its organisation. There are those belonging to an earthly class known as the “Great Crowd” and make up 99.9% of all practising Jehovah’s Witnesses on the earth today. Then there are those belonging to the heavenly class who are known as the “anointed class”. The anointed class or the “little flock” consists of 144,000
In this teaching we begin to look Biblically at some of the heresies of the Watch Tower, including the doctrine of the 144,000, the doctrine of God and the Trinity and the deity and person of Jesus Christ.
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As of 2012, there are approximately 7.5 million members of Jehovah’s visible organization – aka Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide, spanning over 235 countries which were more than was represented at the London Olympic Games in which 205 countries were represented by their respective athletes. In the UK, there is a reported 130,000 practising members. Their infamous Watchtower magazine is the most widely circulated magazine in the world, with an average monthly print run of nearly 45,000,000 copies each month. It is made available in 209 different languages including sign and brail. Last year Jehovah’s Witnesses conducted a staggering 8.5 million Bible studies worldwide resulting in a quarter of a million new members being baptized worldwide.
In this teaching we give an overview of some of the key beliefs and practices of this organisation along with a sketch of its history and beginnings.
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The 19th Century has been rightly been identified as the spawning ground for the cults. Many of the major cults that are with us today were birthed in the later end of the 19th century which saw a literal explosion of false prophets and teachers which has carried right through to the last century. Joseph Smith, Charles T. Russell, William Miller and Ellen G. White are just a handful of such false teachers and prophets to rise out of the 19th Century – The cults that they forged and founded; namely Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Seventh Day Adventists have influenced millions for the cause of Satan!! Jesus warned His disciples when asked about the sign of His coming and the end of the world, saying ”…many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Mat. 24:11).
In this teaching we look at the definition of what constitutes a cult. We look at the warnings given in the Bible of the rise of such groups who would secretly bring in damnable heresies. We too look at the emotional and psychological strongholds that cults have on their victims.
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In this second part of the teaching on replacement theology, we continue to refute the position put forward by those holding to this teaching. We end by looking at the possible implications both theologically and ethically of holding to replacement theology.
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Replacement Theology in its simplest form teaches that the Church has replaced national Israel as the new people of God. God’s plans and purposes no longer lie with national Israel, but the Church. Replacement Theology teaches that it is the Church that now inherits the promises formerly given to Israel. The term Replacement Theology is fairly new in theological studies. The more historic and traditional term is “Supersessionism”; a descriptive term denoting the superseding nature by which the Church has replaced Israel. Proponents of Replacement Theology teaches that apart from repentance and faith in Christ thus leading to an incorporation into the Church, the Jewish people have no future, hope or calling in the plan of God.
In this teaching we take a look at the history of replacement theology and seek to define our terms looking at other variations of this teaching. We end this teaching by looking at some of the arguments that are put forward by proponents of replacement theology and seek to refute them Biblically.
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The Khazars were a semi-nomadic Turkic people who around the 7th century A.D, occupied Khazaria, a land that lay between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, what today would spread across Georgia and into parts of Russia, Poland and Eastern Europe. At this time there were Jewish communities from the diaspora who had settled in Khazaria and made it their home. It is also a fact that during the middle-ages, some of the Khazar ruling elite and royalty converted to the religion of Judaism. However, it is at this point where the ‘Khazar theory’ dramatically departs from historical fact. The theory sets forth the claim that not only a minority of the Khazars converted to Judaism but in fact the whole Kingdom converted to Judaism!! The theory says that the Khazars were a white race of people who upon conversion to Judaism then migrated to Germany in the middle ages and then to surrounding European countries to become what we know as Ashkenazi Jews which today constitutes the majority of Jews worldwide. Those that hold to this theory therefore say that the majority of Jews worldwide are not real Jews but are in fact of Khazari descent.
In this teaching we ask the question, what constitutes a Jew? We put this theory to the test refuting it Biblically, scientifically, culturally and linguistically, demonstrating that the Jews populating Israel today are in fact of true Jewish descent.
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