Chigwell Christian Fellowship Bible Teaching: Recent Episodes
Beresford Job
The beginning is always the best place to start and so in this opening talk Beresford takes nothing for granted and commences with the absolute basics. Working through both Old and New Testaments he shows the way in which God carefully paved the way for His master plan of the church with a series of types, or foreshadowings, of what was to eventually come to pass. The differing aspects of the church relative to time and space, and life and death, are outlined, with everything coming together in a full and biblical definition of what a church actually is. So if you want to know what this has to do with Checkpoint Charlie and houses on stilts, then this talk is for you.
If a church is an extended family of God then fellowship is the basis of our mutual relationships within that family. The actual meaning of the word fellowship is therefore clearly defined, and it's outworking amongst believers demonstrated. The difference between fellowship with the Lord and fellowship with each other is dealt with, and the relationship between the two explained. Questions such as, "Should the ideal church be a community with a common purse?" are tackled, and aspects such as, "Where does the emphasis on fellowship most lie, on giving or receiving?" are also brought out. The rest of the series builds on all this in much greater detail with these first two talks laying the necessary foundations.
If you aim at nothing in particular and everything in general then it's usually nothing in particular that actually happens, so Beresford therefore explains the way in which a church can avoid that trap. However, it is also vital that where things are being got on with, they are actually the things which are supposed to be going on and which honour the biblical order of priorities. This biblical order is therefore clearly outlined, along with the reasons for the priorities being such as they are. If a church gets this wrong then it will, at worst, be sowing the seeds of its own destruction, or at best, ensuring that its development in the Lord will never be as the Word of God teaches.
The following six talks are in-depth explanations of the priorities outlined in the last study, each being dealt with in order of importance. In this study the subject of the worship of a church is tackled, with some rather amazing things being brought out from the Bible that you may well not have been aware of. For instance, there are no less than eleven different Greek and Hebrew words in the scriptures which get translated into the English word praise, and the specific meaning of each is examined enabling a full picture of what worship actually is to emerge. And if you want to know what twisting and twanging and dogs have to do with it, then we recommend that you avail yourself of this talk forthwith.
Part of God's plan is for each believer to have their lives sorted out and their minds renewed by the Holy Spirit, and this study shows the importance of being part of a church in order for this to be accomplished in us. Although one must never lose sight of the fact that each of us must grow and mature individually in the Lord, it is also of the greatest importance to realise that such individual growth can only occur properly when experienced corporately. As Beresford puts it, "We must grow individually, but we must grow individually together." He also deals with a principle which, although quite incontrovertible, tends to get somewhat ignored by Christians today, and it is simply this: One is far more likely to cultivate obedient believers if they are part of an obedient church. Without this second aspect of a church's number one priority, we are not likely to get very far.
We now move on to the first aspect of our second priority: that we live in relationship to each other in the church through the very love of God Himself. This is examined in terms of the importance of accepting one another just as we are, thereby providing the kind of loving and safe family atmosphere in which God's discipline and work in our lives can produce fruit, rather than the insecurity and fear which breeds in some churches. Examples are given of ways in which churches can fail badly in this regard and badly damage those who attend them. The key point is simply this: a good family provides both a loving and disciplined environment in which children can be trained to maturity and correct behaviour. Therefore, if a church, as a little local extended family of God gets this wrong, it is building on a foundation of quicksand and will never be able to properly accomplish what God desires for it.
The second aspect of our responsibility towards one another in the family of the church is that of practical service and caring. Love can only be verified in the nitty-gritty process of getting stuck in to the job of meeting each others needs on whatever level they arise. Various ways in which this can be done are suggested, and with particular emphasis on the part that financial giving ought to play. (See as well 'Is Tithing Scriptural?' GT 36-37). Only through mutual servant hood can we take our place in the church and truly prove to each other our commitment and love. The Lord wants above all for His people to really look after one another, and for each church to be an environment in which all are fully and properly cared for in the most practical and comprehensive of ways. However spiritual or charismatic a church might otherwise be, without this it's all just so much hot air and the merest puff of wind.
We now proceed to the first aspect of our responsibility to the world, and that is to preach the gospel. Evangelism is defined and put into its proper context, along with the role each of us must play. Careful account is taken, however, of our differing characters and personalities, and therefore of the different ways in which the Lord uses different people. Cultural identity and the danger of Christian cloning are dealt with, as is the relationship between what we say about the Lord to unbelievers and the way in which we live. The biblical pattern for bringing people into the Christian life is outlined, thus highlighting the woefully inadequate and sub-scriptural evangelistic processes which have sadly become the norm today. Perhaps the most important thing about evangelism, as far as the Bible is concerned, is that it is, by definition, a local church based thing carried out on the assumption that new believers will be brought into churches which are themselves in comprehensive submission to God's Word.
Unless we are serving the world and showing forth God's love for the people in it, then the message of the gospel will simply be discredited through our own hypocrisy. There are two aspects to this: firstly, the way we treat people and regard them, and secondly, what we actually do for them. The fact of unbelievers being made in the image of God is fully explored and the implications made clear, and Beresford warns against the danger of seeing people as merely souls to be saved and mere salvation fodder. The uniqueness and dignity of every individual as created in the image of God must be respected and preserved. Practical examples of service to unbelievers are given, and the part churches ought to play in regards to social issues is covered.
This talk lies at the heart of the entire series and deals with the nature of commitment and membership. Beresford explains why it is not biblical to have official church membership, or commitment forms and the like, and demonstrates what the Bible actually does teach concerning being a member of a church. The extent and limits of genuine commitment is dealt with, along with the reasons why it is important that people be free to be less than fully committed to their church without being subjected to any kind of pressure.
If the church is the body of Christ, then the dynamic behind it is that it's members move together only at the direction of it's Head, Jesus Himself. It is the nature of this dynamic, along with its practical implications that are explored in this talk. Growth, development, even biblical patterns of structure and the like must only be implemented as directed by the Lord Himself, and according to His timing. This is what differentiates churches which are organisms from those which are merely organisations. Beresford also deals with the issue of the clergy/priesthood and laity divide, demonstrating just how far removed from the teaching of the Bible it actually is. It is quite impossible for body life to become a reality in a church as long as false and totally unbiblical divisions of personnel are to be found within it.
The series now moves on to a group of talks which cover the whole subject of leadership in the church and structures of authority. This first study therefore defines the Bible's teaching concerning this, and the issue of just how a church ought to be governed is clearly laid out. Elders, presbyters, shepherds, pastors and bishops are all clearly defined and explained! As you will see it's all so simple, yet has been made so very complicated by wrong teachings accepted by all too many believers. (We refer you to the Traditions Series.) This subject is absolutely fundamental to the life of every church, and where churches get this wrong so much else goes awry too.
If leadership is as important as the Bible teaches, then it is clearly the case that bad leadership will make for bad churches. This talk therefore covers the extremely detailed teaching the Bible gives regarding the stringent qualifications for elders, and the things that must and must not be true concerning their lives. Although not necessarily what many Christians seem to think they are, these qualifications are necessary in order to protect the people in the church from any leadership that might potentially end up doing more harm than good. If you want to know just how many academic qualifications and college degrees aren't needed before someone can become an elder, then this is the talk for you.
What are elders supposed to actually do then? What does being an elder entail in practical terms? What is the relationship of elders to the church in regards to their function? And what isn't the relationship of elders to the church in regards to their function? These questions are answered clearly and in great detail, and answered in the light of the fact that it is the unfortunate experience of many believers that a large number of leaders in churches today aren't quite what the Bible says they ought to be. It all boils down to a simple test: Are you being nurtured, or dominated? Are you being led, or driven? Are you being brought into increasing dependence upon Jesus, or into increasing dependence upon your elders? Is your church's leadership defending and protecting your personal biblical and God-given rights as a Christian, or is it limiting and curtailing them? This talk will leave you in no doubt as to how the Lord envisages eldership.
Without a proper understanding of the nature of eldership the risk is all too great of simply replacing the old heresy of the clergy/laity divide with that of a shepherd/sheep one. The idea of an elder being just a fellow pleb - one of the lads, so to speak - is not everywhere adhered to, and yet is, as Beresford here clearly demonstrates, what the Bible teaches in no uncertain way about leaders. Authoritarianism, along with leadership from above, rather than among the people, have blighted many churches, and the failure to see leadership as functional, rather than positional, has led to a thousand ways for Satan to bring dishonour on the body of Christ. This talk also covers the subject of recognising new elders who are being raised up by the Lord.
The New Testament says virtually nothing about the authority of elders in the church, and absolutely nothing about believers who comprise a church having to submit to them. In fact, the only reason most people think such submission is taught in the Bible is because of wrong translation in our New Testaments. Beresford therefore deals with this from the original Greek. Further, what transpires is that elders don't actually govern the church at all, and Beresford shows from scripture that church government is actually meant to be both corporate and consensual. This is all far from the usual understanding on the Christian scene today, but it is nevertheless undoubtedly what the Word of God teaches. Ministers and pastors and leaders who like to think they are in charge of the church don't respond very well to this teaching, but we nevertheless make it available as a clear biblical presentation of a vitally important truth concerning church life.
The Bible teaches that there is a time to actually put people out of the church and have nothing to do with them. This talk covers what the Word of God says about this and explains who this would apply to as well as the when and why of it. The necessary principles and rules are outlined as is the issue of elders in sin. This may not be a subject for the faint-hearted, but then faint-heartedness is not what the Lord has called us to. An unpalatable, but extremely necessary, study!
What exactly are deacons? What do they do? How are they appointed? What qualifications are needed for the job? This talk clarifies the issues and answers these important questions from the Bible. And in so doing Beresford returns to the vitally important principle, first encountered in the earlier study on Body Life (CL 11), that any development in church structure, even biblically based developments, must only occur at God's leading and in His timing. We must constantly keep in mind that the church is an organism of the life of Jesus, and not an organisation of mere people.
Most Christians think that the gifts of the Spirit are limited to things like tongues and prophecy and healing and the like. This is actually far from being the case, and there are a number of somewhat unknown and neglected gifts lurking in the pages of both Romans and 1 Corinthians. It is these which are examined in this talk. For instance, do you know what the gift of helpers is? Or acts of mercy, or the gift of exhortation? After all, you can't move in gifts, however necessary they might be, if you don't even know that they exist, or have no understanding of what they actually are. "Roll up, roll up, ladeez and genelmen, and get yer spiritual gifts 'ere!"
Only two ministries remain to be covered now: apostles and prophets! In this first of two talks on the subject of apostles, Beresford demonstrates that the New Testament reveals that there are actually three different types, with two no longer being around today. The two which are no longer around are examined in this study with special emphasis on demonstrating their totally unique and unrepeatable nature, and explaining clearly just why they were one-offs and can never happen again. The danger of getting this teaching wrong is outlined in no uncertain terms.
Having shown in the previous talk what an apostle today most definitely isn't, Beresford now turns to explaining what a 'type 3 apostle' actually is. The nature and function of this ministry is clearly outlined, and its relationship to eldership and church authority shown. Though having nothing whatsoever to do with being at the top of some spiritual pyramid over subordinate churches, as some erroneously teach, it does, however, have everything to do with one Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of a certain Starship Enterprise.
The key to the subject of prophets in the church today is not so much in understanding what they are, but rather, as we saw with the question of apostles, understanding what they are not. Beresford therefore manages to identify five distinct and different kinds of prophet in the Bible, and clearly demonstrates which of these ministries are still functional today, and which are not. So is there an ongoing ministry of prophet today then? And if so, which kind is it? And what does it actually entail? This talk is of the utmost importance to any who wish to steer a safe course through current false teaching.
Satan doesn't waste his ammunition, so it is clear that any church which is truly in obedience to the Lord will at times come under carefully planned demonic attack. Beresford outlines the devil's strategy and shows that he has two quite different approaches in his bid to hinder the Lord's work. However, only one of these approaches seems to prove effective, and only then if the Bible's teaching is not carefully and properly followed. Should that not be the case though, then any church experiencing such attack will eventually find itself in deep trouble. This talk clearly shows the way to handle Satan when, as will most surely be the case, he eventually pops up and battles away.
The Lord always eventually has His own way (it's just part and parcel of Him being the Sovereign God over all things), and even satanic attack against the church is used by Him to His own advantage. This talk therefore deals not only with that particular fact, but also with the testing that He will Himself bring along in order to settle who is genuinely committed to the church, and who is not. Four degrees of commitment, along with the dangers of three of them, are outlined. Also explained is the way in which genuine, as opposed to sham, commitment to a church can be reliably defined and therefore avoided.
Continuing the theme of the last two talks a tremendously important biblical principle is here outlined in this final study of the series, and it is the danger of what Beresford terms the crowd. Exactly what he means by this is clearly explained and its inherent dangers fully dealt with. This talk hits hard and is controversial, but if being part of a church is on the kind of wrong footing that Beresford identifies here, then progress won't be properly made. Not one for the spiritually faint-hearted
This first talk is concerned with demonstrating just one truth: that communion, the breaking of bread, the Lord's Table or Supper, call it what you will, should be a full meal shared and eaten together when the church meets. Once placed in the context of three other feasts in the Bible - the Passover, the Last Supper and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb - a proper understanding of this comes quite naturally into focus. Quoting from top ranking evangelical biblical scholars, Beresford shows that this isn't just a matter of how one interprets various scriptural passages, but is actually what God's Word quite undeniably teaches.
Having shown the Lord's Supper to be a full meal, it now becomes necessary to show where the church should be on the Lord's Day in order to eat it - and what emerges goes right to the heart of the very nature of the church! Beresford shows from the New Testament that the churches at the time of the apostles were based in people's homes, and therefore greatly limited regarding to how large numerically each one could actually be. This was firstly because each church was an extended family of God, and secondly, because they worshipped and mutually edified each other when they came together in such a way as could only happen in such a setting. This talk reveals just how far we have moved away from scriptures teaching about being a church, and top ranking evangelical scholarship is once again quoted in order to establish that this is not just a question of variations in biblical interpretation.
This talk shows how the Lord's Supper is tied in with the idea of there being covenants between God and His people. Beresford explains the various types of covenants in the Bible and how they worked, carefully distinguishing between conditional and unconditional ones. The difference between a covenant and a testament is highlighted, and the way in which Jesus closed the old covenant of law, and established the new testament of grace is outlined. The love-feast is duly shown to be the covenant meal celebrating what the Lord has done regarding salvation.
We are called to follow Jesus as individuals in order to become part of a corporate body of other believers who are doing likewise, and this is the aspect of the Lord's Supper explored here. Our individual relationship with the Lord is actually gauged by our relationship with others, and Beresford shows how this principal is even written into the Ten Commandments, and can be found all over the Bible. Right relationship with, and reconciliation to, each other is at the heart of discipleship, and therefore at the heart of church life. No-one can go it alone in following the Lord, and only in fellowship with others can He do His work of refining us and making us into those who live holy lives. The shared church meal expresses this fellowship together perfectly, a fellowship which, as Beresford reveals, finds its ultimate origin in the very Trinitarian nature of God Himself.
Beresford puts a last few pieces of the jigsaw puzzle in place now in order to fully complete the picture. One is to do with the forward looking aspect of the Lord's Supper and how the Bible seems to suggest that the eating of the meal somehow comprises a cry for His return - a putting Him in remembrance - and of the day when the whole church throughout time will be together eating with Him at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Another is a look at the actual cup and loaf that Paul talks about, and the mechanics of what one actually does at the meal in regards to them. This actually highlights something tremendously important concerning unity amongst believers in a church which really does need to be understood. Other bits and pieces are dealt with by way of a general summary, the whole subject being yet another example of how the Christian Church has based much of its teaching and practice on post-biblical tradition, originating from the Early Church Fathers, rather than solely on the Word of God itself.
It may be a surprise you to know that there is actually some controversy surrounding the answer to this important question. However, the biblical answer is simple to ascertain once the temptation of unwarranted speculation is avoided. One of the keys to this whole subject is realising not how much the Bible says about demons, but rather just how little. This talk also concentrates on covering verses which are often mistakenly said to refer to evil spirits. The difference this makes to ones understanding of this subject is really quite profound.
The reason this series is so long, given the fact that the Bible does say so little about the subject, is precisely because there is so much false teaching around and so many wrong ideas which need to be explained and refuted in some detail. Beresford here does this with a thorough critique of the teaching of two of today's most influential and predominant exponents of these errors.
Further false teaching is dealt with in this study which tackles the area of demons names. Beresford's answer to the question posed in the title of this talk is, "A definite maybe!", but he doesn't mean what you probably think he means. (Work that one out then!) Every verse in the New Testament that pertains to the subject of demons is covered in this talk, and whereas that might make for some concentrated listening, it also makes it all the more fascinating. An absolute must for aficionados of biblical demonology!
What does the Bible mean when it talks about people having evil spirits? How do they get in? What do they do once they are in? Can they possess someone? These are the kind of questions clearly answered in this talk. Common misunderstandings are tackled and sorted out, and Beresford deals in some depth with the fact of men and women having God given free-will, and the way in which this relates to the whole area of demonisation.
Obvious Demonisation If part of our calling as Christians is to bring those who have evil spirits in them to freedom, then the question as to how you know if someone does have a demonic problem becomes a pressing one. But whereas the answer to this is actually pretty straightforward, false teaching and wrong ideas once again hopelessly complicate the picture. The problem is that whereas there is a scriptural way to know when there is an obvious instance of demonisation being presented to you, erroneous notions, and some quite daft as well, as to what does constitute a definite symptom of demonic infiltration, are sadly abounding. This talk therefore examines what does, and what doesn't, constitute a definite indication for the need for deliverance from evil spirits in someone's life.
Discerning Demonisation It is actually the case that demonisation is not usually the slightest bit obvious at all. After all, if it was then what need would there be for the gift of the Holy Spirit of the discerning of spirits, which is given, in part, for the precise purpose of ascertaining whether someone is demonised or not? That particular gift is here examined in detail, as is the important point that it has an application far wider than merely establishing whether or not individuals have evil spirits. That application may well surprise you, but every Christian does need to know a bit about it.
Discerning and Casting Demons Out In covering the whole area of just how you cast demons out of people, Beresford also answers here the question of discerning demonisation in non-obvious instances. As always there is no ABC or technique as to how to do it: it's just down to trusting the Lord. So then, how do you cast demons out of people? Are we supposed to send them anywhere? And why is it that we are able to cast them out in the first place? These are the kinds of questions covered here. Beresford shows clearly that, armed with a half decent understanding of the Bible, a good solid walk of obedience to the Lord and a good measure of sanctified common sense, it's far from the high-powered and theatrical affair some seem to make it out to be. Jesus is, after all, Lord! And demons do, after all, know it!
Moving away from the specific area of the indwelling of individuals by evil spirits, Beresford now moves on to the much wider sphere of their influence over the whole world of humanity. A dip into the book of Daniel in the Old Testament gives a quite staggering insight as to what is actually going on behind the backdrop of human affairs: a battle that is raging between the Lord, His angels and the hosts of Satan! What can, and can't, be deduced from the Bible in regards to this is examined, including a thorough look in the New Testament at the teaching of Paul. False doctrines pertaining to these matters are carefully and comprehensively refuted.
The Battle for the Mind The area covered in this study is the nature of the warfare going on behind the scenes, and the way in which the principalities and powers are able to work in relation to men and women. The tie-in between the fallen human nature and Satan is revealed, and the basis of our part in the warfare covered. A picture is here painted in very large brush strokes, and the resulting vista is quite breathtaking. This, as you will discover from the talk, is literally dynamite.
The Question of Location Before entering into battle with an opposing army it really does help to know precisely where that army is, and it is no different with the demonic hordes against whom we are called to do battle either. So where, exactly, are the demons? Where do the principalities and powers actually hang out? Well, believe it or not, the Bible answers these questions for us quite literally, and Beresford lays it out here as clear as a bell.
Pulling Down StrongholdsAnd so we come to the battle itself, and to the subject of the weapons of our warfare. Satan's strongholds are identified, and the manner of their destruction by us outlined. It's all about taking away from the devil what God has given to us, and jolly exciting it is too! Yet more false teaching is refuted in the duration of this talk, thereby allowing the glorious truth which shines out of God's Word in regards to this vitally important subject to be seen in even sharper relief.
With the hard work done, and the details safely covered in the previous talks, Beresford here puts the whole thing into one readily digestible, if rather large, mouthful. The complete picture is reduced to a manageable canvas and false teaching pertaining to it given a last quick run through with the Sword of the Spirit. It's all here, the battle of the ages, with the victory going to the Lord Jesus Christ! On yer bike, Satan! Hallelujah!
The Christian life is one of being constantly called to step out of the security of one's boat to walk with Jesus on the sea of life, thus sharing His experience. This examination of Peter's attempt to do this reveals two things: firstly, he by no means had a monopoly on sinking, it happens to all who really do obey the Lord; and secondly, it is far better to step out and sink than to simply stay in the boat all nice and comfortable and just float aimlessly around in it. This talk will greatly encourage all who really are serious about following the Lord.
Most of us have listened to preachers who, even though speaking for an hour or so, end up talking about absolutely nothing. So not wishing to be left out Beresford here makes his contribution to the genre - an hour's talk about absolutely nothing! Intrigued? Then we suggest you hear this talk to find out what he's going on about.
There are things in all our lives which, whether individually or corporately, constitute barriers between ourselves and the Lord, and in this talk the way to deal with them is highlighted. Three characters who Jesus encountered during His life provide the key to our freedom, each representing a different area of discipleship where difficulties arise. A most encouraging and interesting study!
In this Question Time session Ephesians 3v30 gets the full treatment. What exactly does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit? And how can we stop if we are doing it? (And likely as not we are doing it in one way or another.) What is the difference between this grieving and what Paul refers to elsewhere as quenching the Holy Spirit? The answers to both these, and other, important questions are here explained.
Without remaining in fellowship with God through ongoing repentance and confession of sin we will never grow as Christians. The Bible's teaching about this is clearly explained, along with the way in which we can stay in right relationship with those around us. The wonderful simplicity of repentance is revealed, and Beresford shows that this is quite different from the heavy and somewhat negative affair that many imagine it to be. You will feel differently about this whole area of the Christian life after listening to this encouraging and light-hearted talk.
This may seem to be a rather obvious question with an equally obvious answer, but it is, nevertheless, an extremely important one. Beresford therefore sets out to answer it in as definitive a way a single talk allows and makes it very clear that the answer is not actually as known and understood as it should be. If it were then a very much more robust discipleship would be the norm, rather than the exception, amongst today's Christians.
The Lord Himself knows what it is to be beset by the temptations to sin which Satan is so expert at in laying before us. This talk is a study of Jesus' confrontation with the devil in the wilderness and shows the way in which He overcame temptation, thereby leaving us the example to follow. Demonic wiles, subtleties and tricks are dealt with, and helpful pointers given to wielding the sword of the Spirit effectively.
The meaning of this term, along with its various uses in the Bible, is clearly explained, revealing the most amazing change in the celestial pecking order imaginable. Why is it, for instance, that the Archangel Michael has less authority over Satan than a believer? Most Christians remain sadly ignorant of their position of superiority over the angelic realm, and an understanding of this subject is vital to all of us in order for our spiritual warfare to be effective.
Who, exactly, is the devil? Where do evil spirits come from? What, precisely, are they? What is their genesis and history? And what will be their final end? An understanding of this most important subject is here given which we believe will be of great blessing to all who hear it. A riveting follow-up to the previous talk!
Few things are doing more damage to both church and family life today than the rise amongst Christians of feminism. The biblical distinctions regarding both role and responsibility between the genders is being blurred by a profusion of completely unscriptural ideas, and predominantly the notion that the headship of husbands over wives was the result of the Fall, and has therefore been both countered and rendered obsolete by Jesus' death. By examining both Genesis and the New Testament, Beresford shows just how totally contrary to the Word of God this false teaching is.
This study, given at a baptism, demonstrates from history the truth of the Bible's teaching about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The common notion, held by so many in our day, that Jesus was merely a good man and wise teacher, yet not actually God, is vigorously exposed as the nonsense it is. An invaluable aid to personal evangelism!
A talk for the festive season the like of which you will have never heard before. If you can stop laughing long enough you will find its content to be a real help. It is also particularly suitable as an evangelistic talk for those who are not yet Christians.
The story of Jesus' feeding of the multitude is here used to show that the failure of modern Christianity is actually its un-broken adherents. However, the future for those who are willing to really go all the way with the Lord, and be broken by Him, is shown to be rather thrilling.
Somebody once made the mistake of saying to Beresford that when anything is properly done or said in the power of the Holy Spirit it won't upset people, so here the utter fallacy of such an ignorant and ridiculous statement is clearly revealed. Beresford shows how the Lord actually works on the principle of dividing people from each other, believers included, and the part the sword of the Spirit, convicting of sin, plays in the process.
This talk was given at an actual baptism and shows its absolute necessity, as soon as possible, after becoming a Christian. The practice of the early churches in the Acts of the Apostles is studied in detail and shown to be very different from current practice, be it amongst Anglicans, for example, at one end of the spectrum, or Baptists and the like at the other. Beresford therefore makes a strong plea for a return to biblical practice and for the renunciation of anything that is merely human tradition, whatever that particular tradition may be. The significance of baptism is explained, not only in it's relationship to dying and being raised with Christ, but also to being baptised into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit and then being baptised with the Holy Spirit by Jesus. The Bible teaches more than one baptism and getting them mixed up leads to endless confusion. This study will guide you simply and clearly through this vitally important subject.
In this Question Time someone asked about the Catholic Church and its teaching. A clear explanation ensued of the place of the Bible as the final arbiter in all matters and the problems which result, along with the potential for satanic bondage, when tradition, in whatever form, takes its place. A most awful state of affairs exists regarding this, and it is not just confined to Catholicism either. Some may find this somewhat uncompromising talk a bit difficult to take! You have been duly warned!
The Bible teaches that we do not go through suffering in spite of being Christians, but precisely because we are Christians. Beresford here examines the work which the Lord accomplishes in our lives through hard times and by everything actually going wrong for us. This talk might not suit those who expect, or want, the Christian life to be a bed of roses, but it will most certainly help and encourage any who are actually going through it in any way because of their faithfulness to the Lord. The story of the caterpillar alone makes this talk worth hearing and Beresford shows us how we can see the light of God's truth shining on us in even our darkest hours. He also explains how tribulation can become our friend and how we can learn to praise, rather than grumble, our way through it.
Many Christians are taken up with the whole idea of revival and how our nation might be called back to God's moral standards. However, not all Christians seem to realise the biblical principle, here clearly outlined, that the Lord only does in a nation what He has first done in His own people within that nation. The message of this talk can be summed up by saying that you should be very careful when praying for revival: God might just start it in you!
Do you get discouraged in your Christian life? Are there times when you despair of your progress in the Lord? Do you often find yourself under condemnation and feeling that there's still so far to go in your sanctification that the burden of it all is just too great? Do you ever wonder if the Lord is looking down on you wanting to just let you have it because you're still so sinful and wretched? Yes? Then this talk, simply brimming over with humour and positive encouragement, is for you!
Arising out of a Question Time when the subject raised was the seriousness of sin, this talk developed into a broad sweep of the Bible's teaching about being saved from the penalty of sin, and just what Jesus accomplished when He died on the Cross. For instance, it is not widely realised by Christians that it is actually no longer sin which separates anyone from God and that the barrier it once created has now been completely demolished. The question of salvation rests, in fact, not on the sin issue at all, but solely on whether or not someone accepts Jesus as their Saviour. This teaching lies at the very heart of the Christian faith, and we believe it to be something every believer should properly and thoroughly understand.
Is anger ever right? What does the Bible mean when it says, "Be angry, but do not sin..."? What is the difference between man's anger and God's anger? Does the Lord ever get angry with us as His children? These and other questions are answered in this challenging Question Time session.
Demonstrating the fact that the power of God is sufficient to overcome every barrier which we find to be in our way, Beresford clearly shows the difference between those Christians who do plough through problems in faith and those who do not. A challenge to greater faithfulness in the Church is made as this famous story is applied to the contemporary Christian scene, and some of the issues raised here are actually quite profound. Just who is bigger anyway, Goliath or the Lord? Well, the answer depends, as you will see, on just who you happen to be looking at.
What is the eternal destiny of those who die without ever having heard the gospel? Are they automatically saved? Or automatically lost? This fascinating study clearly answers these questions, and in the process presents the philosophical case for both God's existence and the truth of the Christian Gospel.
Another Question Time session! Do Christians who commit suicide lose their salvation? Where does the Catholic idea of purgatory come from? The very nature of salvation is tied up with the answer to these questions, and you will be in no doubt as to the truth about them after hearing this talk.
The teaching of the Bible regarding divorce and remarriage is pretty tough and many Christians shrink away from it and just compromise. This talk therefore outlines from scripture just who, and who is not, free to remarry, and what our attitude and stance should be towards anyone who plans to do so when not biblically free, as well as towards those who have already done so. A vital study!
This Question Time arose out of an enquiry regarding Jesus' teaching about church unity in the light of today's ecumenical movement, and with particular reference to the Catholic Church. This led to a critique of Catholicism, both historically and doctrinally, with Beresford unequivocally outlining the position any faithful, Bible-believing Christian ought to take concerning it. Few believers today actually realise the truth about the Catholic faith and stand in great danger of associating with things which the Lord would have us steer well clear of. This is not an easy talk, but with deception so widespread amongst believers today it is nevertheless much needed.
Many believers are concluding that it is wrong to celebrate Christmas, and we all need to know where we stand on this, and why. This talk examines the whole question and outlines a biblical principle which, if understood and implemented, would prevent much unnecessary division amongst the Lord's people today.
Another Question Time talk when the subject under review was the character in the Old Testament called Melchizedek. This led to an exposition of the Bible's teaching concerning priesthood, culminating in severe condemnation of the false teaching so widely accepted and practised by Christians today regarding it. This is not a talk for those of a compromising disposition, and the Word of God is fully upheld with no punches pulled.
A tremendously helpful study on the nature and practice of praise and worship in the Bible with clear advice as to how we can all move into a greater freedom in this area! Desmond Morris wasn't the first to draw attention to the subject of body language, or people-watching as he calls it, because the Word of God beat him to it by a few thousand years: and nowhere is this seen more clearly than in the understanding we can gain from the Scriptures on this subject. The Bible shows us how, by using our bodies, we can actually experience a greater control over our emotions and inward mental condition. Hang-ups and inhibitions are squarely faced and dealt with, and Beresford sends out a heart-felt plea that all pressure techniques, along with all forms of public coercion, be completely halted. This talk will be of tremendous benefit to both the freest, and most inhibited, of believers.
What are we to make of the fact that self-professed practising homosexuals are in the priesthood in the Anglican Church? And what, if anything, should we be doing about it? This talk clarifies the issues from the Bible and outlines the action that should be taken. Clear teaching is given about the whole subject of homosexuality and lesbianism, and the part that we must play as Christians with those so struggling. This talk is quite direct and includes a call for Christians to completely dissociate themselves from any churches which are sanctioning immorality and heresy: a state of affairs, incidentally, even being recognised and condemned even by unbelievers.
This talk was given at a baptism and homes in on its aspect of the believer being united to the death of Jesus. Taking the picture of a man being crucified Beresford demonstrates the implications of living the Christian life for our past, present and future, thereby explaining what is meant by what some term the crucified life. There are more than a few laughs on this talk and the joy of the Christian life exudes from it. We warmly commend it to you!
What does the Bible mean when it speaks of sharing Jesus' sufferings? What exactly is this suffering? And in what way can we share it? This talk answers these questions in great detail and then challenges Christians to become those people who will actually end up suffering with the Lord. Such suffering can often be avoided, but if we do dodge it we will miss out on one of the greatest blessings that God has for us. This talk also contains a timely warning about the phenomenon known as Healing of the Memories or Inner Healing, clearly demonstrating its dangers from the Word of God. Beresford also shows how Jesus handled the modernists, or the Bishop of Durhams, of His day.
In this Question Time someone asked about praying for those who have died in the light of Paul's comment in 1 Corinthians 15 concerning being baptised on behalf of the dead. Beresford explains what Paul meant and then shows clearly from the Bible that the state of the dead is unalterable and that any idea of praying for them, or of doing anything for them at all, is completely unscriptural. This led to a warning against occult involvement of any kind and a demonstration of how occultism is actually creeping into the Christian Church via the charismatic movement through some of the teachings and ministries which are becoming readily accepted by many believers. Special consideration is given to the danger of current counselling techniques and to the whole Healing of the Memories, or Inner Healing, phenomenon. Also covered, as an example of how Satan tricks believers into occult practice, is the increasing use of holy water in the casting out of evil spirits. The content of this talk is actually quite disturbing, but the sooner the issues it raises are faced the better it will be for the Christian Church as a whole.
This Question Time answered an enquiry concerning the body Jesus had in His pre-existence and what happened to it. Beresford establishes the fact that He did have one, duly outlining the implications of this, and then proceeds to show what the Bible says about the change that happened to Him in becoming human. Was Jesus really an ordinary man? Or was He God just dressed up, so to speak, to look like one? Could He have sinned? Or was it impossible for Him to have done so? And what does all this have to do with fighter jets and low level approaches? These questions are all answered on this highly recommended talk.
The issue raised in this Question Time session was that of the difference between Christianity and religion. A definition of each was duly given which led on to Beresford demonstrating the way in which beliefs held prior to conversion, be they religious or otherwise, can be carried over into our discipleship and Christianised. It is largely in this way that the spirit of the age, the world's wrong beliefs, philosophies and practices, infiltrates the Christian Church leading believers into deception. Indeed, this is why absolutely everything must be tested by the Word of God and why absolutely nothing can be taken for granted. Among various examples given of this happening today the major one in this talk is the way in which Christians have increasingly accepted the tenets of modern psychological theory and adapted them into counselling practises and techniques which are completely anti-scriptural. The so-called ministry of Inner Healing, or Healing of the Memories, is nothing more than modern in-depth psychology, and is based on presuppositions and theories about the nature of man which are at complete variance with the teaching of the Bible. This talk also clearly explains why much modern psychology can't even really be considered to be scientific at all, being more akin to a religion than anything else, and with strong similarities to occultism. There was some animated reaction in the meeting to this talk and some will find its contents controversial, but we nevertheless make it available to you.
DIY has become one of the great phenomena of the twentieth century and whether you're decorating a room, or building a garden shed, just about anyone who is anyone nowadays has a crack at it themselves. In this talk Beresford shows that whereas this is fine when talking about practical work, DIY Christianity is actually the last thing the Bible teaches. There are two ways of living the Christian life: you can let the Lord do it through you, or you can do-it-yourself. The way the Lord works in us to bring us out of what discipleship isn't, and into what it really is, is the main point of this important and light-hearted talk.
This Question Time firstly covers a quick point concerning rumours and what to do about them. It then goes on to tackle the teaching of Paul in Ephesians about the spiritual armour with which the believer needs to be equipped. What this armour is, and precisely how one becomes equipped with it, is covered in detail. There are some common misunderstandings that arise concerning this subject, so balance and common sense prevail in making everything crystal clear. If you thought that you knew what Paul was getting at, then this study may well change your mind - things are not always what they seem! We recommend that this talk be heard in conjunction with the Demonology Series.
A most fascinating talk resulted from this Question Time which covered some extremely important issues indeed. Starting off with how to overcome life's downers, Beresford explains why you need to learn to talk to yourself (Yes, really!), and why Christians need to meditate in order to live above their problems. It really is quite possible to do so when you have the Lord in your life, and this talk will help to show you the way.
In this Question Time session the subject raised was that of judging. Is it ever right to judge people? Or is it always wrong? In answering this Beresford clears up the confusion as to what the Bible does actually say about it and explains why Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, taught against judging others, whilst Paul positively instructed the Christians in Corinth to judge each other. The occasion of Jesus' words, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone..." is also thoroughly reviewed, with a clear demonstration that all is not necessarily what it appears to be. If more Christians were to gain an understanding of the subject matter in this talk, and then act on it, we would see a more robustly biblical Christianity in our country today.
In this talk the subject of suffering is covered. Why is there suffering, why does God allow it anyhow, and what should be our response to it? Beresford deals with these questions both scripturally and from his own experience of having gone through cancer along with its immensely unpleasant medical treatment.
When Satan attacks, and difficulties and problems abound, then the story of good old King Jehoshaphat is just the sort of pick-me-up we need. The invasion he was confronted with, and the way he handled it, perfectly pictures for us the means by which we can overcome the enemy. We can indeed know victory, whatever the circumstances we face.
One of the Bible's favourite pictures of Christians is that of the flock of sheep. Therefore, by taking the characteristics of sheep that represent both what we should, and shouldn't, be like; Beresford outlines various aspects of following the Lord which arise naturally out of this symbolism.
In this Question Time the subject raised was that of money. Is it neutral, or is it endowed with spiritual power, and therefore potentially dangerous? The key to this lies in Jesus' teaching wherein He personified it as mammon and therefore as a potential for idolatry in all our lives. The way of safety and blessing regarding financial matters is covered, and Beresford emphasises just how crucial a biblical understanding and practice of this is in today's consumer society.
This talk on Jesus' parable of the sower reveals the way forward for our personal growth in the Lord. The truth is that we bear as much fruit as we ultimately decide to, and the ways in which the spiritual harvest of our personal lives can be increased are here outlined. The symptoms of spiritual immaturity are also described, as is its cure. Many Christians stay spiritual babies for far too long, and so in order to redress the balance here is some high protein growth food for any who feel they need it.
At just under 45 minutes in length this is possibly the shortest talk in the whole catalogue. We also believe it to be one of the most important. What more can we say?
In the light of the fact that Jesus came to be a sacrifice for us, a sacrificial life lived in obedience to Him becomes the very essence of our discipleship. The various spiritual sacrifices we are called to be making are therefore the subject of this challenging study. Due to a technical hitch the last 2 minutes are missing, but the main points are quite intact.
Fundamental to the nature of the one true God is that He exists in a plurality beyond our understanding. Not only is this clearly demonstrated from scripture, but Beresford also shows how only such a God could explain existence as it actually is. He also demonstrates clearly how not only our relationship with ourselves, but also with others, is contingent upon the fact and nature of the relationships experienced by the three divine Persons Who exist within the Godhead. The key to this is the realisation that in the Bible the Lord frequently speaks of Himself in the plural, but that whenever we speak of Him it can only ever be in the singular. An extremely important talk!
This talk is basically a verse by verse exposition of Hebrews 13 given from an extremely practical point of view at a time when numerous of those present were going through a difficult time of experiencing broken relationships and rejection by those who had once been close to them. Encouragement here abounds and no one going through difficulties as a result of faithfulness to the Lord could fail to be helped by this talk.
This study asks the question as to whether it's sufficient for Christians to live merely on the basis of the teaching of the Bible. Beresford's answer to this is a rather surprising "No!" We'll have to keep you guessing until you actually hear the talk itself, but we do assure you that it really is something of a hum-dinger.
Beresford here demonstrates the way in which the correct application of the principle outlined in the previous talk paved the way for a biblical understanding of the Trinitarian nature of God, but how it's misapplication led to the historic scandal of the conflict between two of the most harmful unbiblical 'isms' Christians have traditionally embraced; that is, Calvinism and Arminianism!
This talk was requested by someone in the church and is surprisingly wide-ranging in the number of topics it subsequently dealt with. Practical in the extreme, the gist of how Paul wanted the believers in the Colossian church to live day to day is brought out and applied simply and clearly.
It is just not possible to give enough attention to considering and applying the glorious truths revealed in 1 Corinthians 13, and in this study Beresford returns, as he so often does, to what is undeniably one of the most majestic passages in the whole of scripture. Nothing matters more than experiencing, and living in, the love of God and this talk will increase your understanding thereby better enabling you to do just that.
Although this talk deals specifically with the whole phenomenon of what became known as 'the Toronto blessing' it really covers the whole area of charismatic excess and wrong practice in general. Although clearly affirming the reality and importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Beresford nevertheless exposes the terrible errors and wrong practises that occur when they are not used in accordance with the teaching of the New Testament concerning them. The refusal to test all things according to scripture, the use of the gifts of the Spirit included, is both at the heart of charismatic error and the main cause of it. This immensely biblical and balancing talk will show you how to know when something is merely charismatic error as opposed to being the genuine moving of the Holy Spirit.
What do Jehovah's Witnesses believe and teach about Jesus, and could they actually be right? More than just answering that specific question, this talk is a comprehensive biblical summary of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and a clear demonstration of the Bible's blatant declaration that He is the very second Person of the Trinity.
This talk demonstrates from the New Testament that true and genuine believers can indeed shipwreck their faith by getting into serious unrepentant sin and/or error and fall away. This is something that certain theological systems strongly deny can happen, maintaining that those who do fall away could not have been true believers in the first place, and were therefore not born again and so never actually saved. When such an important tenet of a major theological system can so easily be shown to be in disagreement with both Paul the Apostle and other New Testament writers, then it's surely time to look at the whole subject again, but from a somewhat different angle.
Other theological systems do accept that genuine believers can fall away though, but maintain that in so doing they forfeit their salvation and end up eternally lost in the Lake of Fire just like unbelievers. This study shows such a conclusion to be manifestly at variance with what both Jesus and Paul the apostle clearly taught on the subject. Beresford then takes each of theses conclusions and puts them alongside the clear teaching of the New Testament - that salvation is absolutely guaranteed, and that believers should have full assurance of salvation - and examines each in the light of it. The result clearly shows that not only does scripture clearly preclude any possibility that salvation can be lost, it also makes a mockery of the doctrine that genuine believers can't fall away, doing so by demonstrating the simple fact that, given that no Christian can know whether or not they might fall away in the future, one can therefore never know whether one is a genuine believer or not, therefore having no basis for assurance of salvation whatsoever. Whether it is the Calvinistic theological system that teaches that genuine believers will never fall away, or the Arminian system that teaches that salvation can be lost, neither is in accord with the clear teaching of scripture that salvation is guaranteed and that believers should be fully assured of that fact. In other words, though the conclusion of each system is logical enough on its own terms, neither is what the Bible actually teaches. Whether it's the doctrinal system that must logically conclude that salvation can't be lost but that genuine Christians will never fall away, or the one that teaches that Christians can fall away but lose their salvation as a result, neither is consistent with the actual teaching of scripture itself, both gainsaying the clear biblical doctrine concerning the believer's utter guarantee and full assurance of salvation.
Paul's name is of far more significance than most Christians realise. If you want to know why Beresford has three nicknames for him, all coming straight out of the inspired text but relating to different aspects of his discipleship, then this talk is for you. Intrigued? Go on then, treat yourself and get hold of this study immediately!
This is basically a one-talk overview of the Salvation Series and explains the whole scope of the salvation Jesus has provided for us through His death on the Cross. An extremely clear and helpful study! (When ordering this talk please request the diagram that accompanies it.)
Some questions have but one answer, whilst others are somewhat more complex. If you thought you knew the answer to the question posed here then think again! This amazing, and incredibly convicting, talk reveals how things are sometimes not at all what they seem. A murder mystery to satisfy even the most ardent Agatha Christie fan!
In this talk Beresford defines what a church actually is and reveals it to be simply an extended family of God’s people relating together as such. He also outlines what he calls the minimum requirements for a biblical church and appeals for believers to return to the way shown us in the New Testament as opposed to the traditions of mere men that go completely against it.
When churches in New Testament times met they proceeded in a way totally at variance with the differing forms of church services found today. In fact, the early church didn’t have services at all, and Beresford shows clearly from scripture just what they did do, where they did it, and why! If a believer from the apostolic church went to what passes for a church gathering today - indeed, for the last 1800 years- they would wonder what on earth we thought we were doing and ask why we don’t just do things the way the apostles taught them to.
Nothing has so damaged the church as the false teaching brought in by the Early Church Fathers concerning leadership. Beresford here examines biblical eldership in the apostolic church and shows clearly it’s functional, as opposed to positional nature. He further demonstrates that, far from being governed by elders, each church was actually run along purely consensual lines with the decision making process in the hands of the church corporately. Verses traditionally used to teach that leaders are supposed to be in charge, and are somehow over the people in a church, are dealt with from the original Greek and shown to mean something entirely different. Ministers, pastors and big cheeses everywhere had better watch out if believers en masse ever get hold of this and then do what scripture teaches.
The title for this talk is a bit of a mouthful but Beresford was glad to have been given it to do. In fact, he maintains that it is one of the most important subjects going given that it demonstrates that, contrary to most people’s understanding, scripture clearly reveals a set way to do church, and that the apostles planted one type of church, and one type only, and that they did this because they had been commanded to do so by the Lord Himself. The idea that we are free to just have whatever different types of church we fancy, and that we can just go as the Spirit leads in that regard, is shown to be pure fallacy and demonic deception. This talk will blow you away!
A lot of church planters and believers today are trying various models of house church in the belief that it is the best approach for effective evangelism whilst others are trying it just because they feel led to by the Holy Spirit. Beresford here explains that the only really legitimate reason for how one does church, indeed, does anything, is because of what scripture teaches. It is actually possible to end up doing the right thing for the wrong reason, but when that is the case the foundation is shaky at best and ultimate failure will probably be the end result. This talk was followed by a question and answer session.
It is clear from the New Testament that the Lord raises men up with itinerant ministries who can come in from the outside to help and strengthen churches they are not themselves actually part of. This talk homes in on the pastor/teacher and outlines in detail the importance of what his function actually is, Beresford being well qualified to do so, himself having just such a function. However, the New Testament also outlines important safeguards surrounding such ministries, and it is vitally important to understand the basis upon which any such men can be considered as being safe. The so-called ‘house church movement’ is replete with, biblically speaking, completely unqualified men parading themselves as such ministries, yet who do more harm than good precisely because their lives don’t measure up to the standards outlined in the New Testament. The cautionary aspect of this talk will put all who hear it in good stead for protecting themselves from invalid itinerant ministries.
In most churches once you have established what leadership structure they have you have also established what church government they adhere to. Or to put it another way, leadership equates to executive authority in the church. However, in this talk Beresford clearly shows from the New Testament that this is far from being the scriptural way. Biblical churches do indeed have leadership, but it is of a completely different kind from unbiblical churches, and is quite distinct from the scriptural basis for a church’s decision-making. Church government, he shows, should be on the basis of the consensual and collective decision-making of all in a church, and not merely the say-so of eldership. The verses in the New Testament which are used to justify executive leadership in church life are thoroughly examined and shown to be erroneous translations of the original Greek.
In this first talk the errors of legalism and license are defined, as is the meaning of, and the difference between, in both English and Greek usage, the words covenant and testament. The various types of covenant/testaments used in the ancient world of Bible times are outlined, followed by a discussion as to which ones God employs in His dealings with mankind. The first four of the six main covenants He has made with mankind are covered, and then placed in their proper categories. If you don't know your Parity and Suzerain-Vassals from your Royal Grants, then this talk is definitely for you.
The Error of Legalism The Mosaic Law is shown to be the fifth of the six covenants in question. Its nature, scope and purpose are defined, followed by a clear demonstration that this is the Law which Paul tells us we are not under. The reasons for this are outlined, as is the uniqueness of this particular covenant amongst all others God has made. Until the actual reason for the giving of this Law is understood, in contrast to the misunderstanding Israel was under, confusion will always surround it. This talk takes care of the error of legalism once and for all. And, just to get everyone going, Beresford goes on record as saying that the Ten Commandments are not binding on Christians in any way at all, having no practical bearing on our lives whatever. Is he, we hear you ask, a heretic after all? You'll have to wait until the series is completed to find out!
Grace With the first two questions answered Beresford now moves onto the third and demonstrates the nature of the sixth covenant in the Bible, and it's the one that, as Christians, we are under - the New Covenant of Grace! Its difference from the Old Covenant is explained, and the very basis of our salvation, through faith in Jesus, is brought out. A very real issue hit up against here is the question of how one actually gets into this covenant, and there you may well be in for something of a surprise. A talk to really get you thinking!
The Error of License We now move on to answering the last of our four questions and turn to the issue of whether or not being under grace, as opposed to law, is a form of lawlessness. Beresford demonstrates that nothing could be further from the truth, and that grace is itself a covenant with its own demands and restrictions which God expects those within it to be faithful to. Indeed, the purpose of grace goes beyond merely saving us from the penalty of sin, and includes within itself God's provision for sanctification; that is, being saved from the power of sin in our lives. The error of license is therefore here refuted in no uncertain terms. Beresford also continues and completes his reasoning for having asserted in the second talk that the Ten Commandments don't apply to us, and that we are not under them. Has he thus redeemed himself from the charge of not being biblically sound? You'll have to decide that for yourself.
This talk provides a re-cap of everything that has gone before and crystallises it into one readily understandable and digestible lump. Some loose ends are also tied up by way of answering a couple of questions that naturally arise from the subject matter covered. These pertain firstly to the usefulness of the Old Covenant to us, even though we are dead to it, and secondly to the issue of the relationship of obedience in regards to grace as opposed to obedience in regards to law. Or, to put it another way, is justification - salvation from the penalty of sin - purely by faith, and therefore a matter of grace, but sanctification - salvation from the power of sin - by obedience, and therefore actually a matter of law and not grace at all? The answer is clearly shown to be that everything in the Christian life, sanctification included, is by the grace of God alone through faith in Jesus.
Having dealt with the theory of it all, this talk brings into focus the nitty-gritty business of actually identifying any presence and practice of either of the evils of legalism or license in our lives. None of us will come out of this talk with a completely clean bill of health, but at least in highlighting the presence of the condition we are half-way to the cure being applied. So many problems in our lives, both individually, and corporately as churches, can be conquered by us judging ourselves truly in regards to these issues.
This last study examines what grace actually is: a fundamental aspect of the Lord's character and nature. This affects our understanding both of Him, and of how we relate to others. The relationship between grace and truth is also outlined in order that the delicate balance that avoids the twin errors of legalism and license might be maintained. Growth in the grace of God is what the Christian life is all about.
Starting from the very beginning and taking absolutely nothing for granted, the Bible, the source document for the Christian faith, is shown to be utterly reliable and accurate. If you have any doubts about the Word of God being literally true then this talk will clear them up for sure and give you renewed confidence and trust in it. You will be utterly amazed at just how accurate, even in the area of scientific knowledge, the Bible actually is. A cracking start to the series!
The origin of man and the appearance of sin in the world are here examined in detail. The question as to why man is separated from God is clearly answered, and the four-fold barrier, likened by Beresford to a series of electric fences, that was erected as a consequence, is outlined. The opening chapters of Genesis are shown to be entirely historical with the whole edifice of the Christian faith being built upon their literal truth. Without a clear understanding of the part played by Adam and Eve at the beginning of human history the subject of salvation cannot even be begun to be properly grasped.
The real question is not, "What is salvation?", but rather "Who is salvation?", and this talk shows why only Jesus, as both God and man, could effect the answer to the problem of sin. A clear demonstration of the absolute necessity of His virgin-birth is included, along with the first biblical revelations, which appear as early as the third chapter of Genesis, of the tactics God would use in overcoming Satan's control of a fallen world. You will also find out who the world's first converts were and may be surprised, though doubtless delighted, to learn the identity of the very first evangelist who led them into salvation. A fascinating study which will open up new vistas of biblical understanding for you!
The first of the four electric fences which stood between man and God was the fact that everybody is a slave to sin through their sin nature. This talk demonstrates how Jesus demolished that particular fence thus leaving the way clear for absolutely anyone to receive salvation. The technical meanings of the terms redemption and ransom are explained and their effect on the devil clearly outlined.
Because of the absolute righteousness of God we need, in order to have fellowship with Him, not just the absence of personal sin but the positive presence of an absolute righteousness of our own as well. How this second fence of the Great Divide was dealt with by Jesus is the subject of this fifth talk. What does atonement mean? And what has it got to do with Noah's Ark? What is imputation all about? By an explanation of the meaning and symbolism of the Old Testament Burnt, Peace and Sin Offerings, and the way in which Jesus became the living fulfilment of them, these questions are straightforwardly and simply answered.
Don't let yourself be put off by this rather technical sounding terminology - it is simply the terminology used to describe how Jesus demolished the third fence. And whereas the second fence was to do with God's absolute righteousness, this one concerns His absolute justice, the two together comprising what the Bible terms as His holiness. And the problem of fence number three is that a just God cannot just turn a blind eye to sin but must execute judgement on those who are guilty of it. Therefore, how on earth could salvation ever have happened? As with everything the Lord does it is really rather clever; and because He appreciates how slow of understanding we are as well, it is also very simple.
The fourth and final fence bites the dust now leaving the road clear for all who want to know the Lord. This talk explains what being born again means, and how it actually happens to someone. And for those who like perplexing and awkward questions then how does this one grab you: "How do you tell someone with a 'dead' spirit that they need an 'alive' one when, in order for them to even have the foggiest idea what you are talking about, they need to first have an 'alive' spirit?" All is revealed in this fascinating study!
Fitting together everything that has thus far been covered this talk clearly explains the meaning of the biblical doctrine known as Justification by Faith and demonstrates why it is by faith or not at all. An apparent contradiction between the teaching of Paul, and that found in the letter of James, is dealt with showing it to be far from a contradiction, but rather a vital factor in determining what true faith actually is. After all, Satan believes in Jesus, doesn't he? Faith, then, must be something more than simply that. And just for any fans of Courtroom Drama movies on TV this study ends with an explanation of the most intriguing celestial courtroom drama of all time. Perry Mason never even came close!
Many Christians think that salvation is only to do with being delivered from eternal separation from God, or from the penalty of sin. However, in this talk Beresford shows how that particular aspect - Justification by Faith - is merely one part of a much wider whole. The sheer comprehensiveness and scope of what God has accomplished through Jesus is here outlined. This talk is sort of a 'bridge study' between the first and second phases of the series. I remind you here of the chart mentioned earlier that lays out in diagram form the ground we are covering. The link is below: Salvation Chart
In this introductory talk to the second phase of salvation, God's provision for deliverance from the power of sin in the life of the believer, or Sanctification, as it is called, is outlined. Paul's teaching in the sixth chapter of Romans about being crucified with Christ is clearly explained, and some of the misunderstandings and wrong ideas about it cleared up. Reference is made to Jesus' allusion to the vine and the branches which, when linked in with Paul's teaching, makes everything abundantly clear. The ministry of the Holy Spirit regarding this is also covered, and what Beresford calls the Caterpillar Syndrome is shown to be the way forward for us. A vital study!
The history of Israel's wanderings through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land is here shown to be one big historical parable to describe God's work in our lives as His people. The passages in the letter to the Hebrews about God resting from creation are applied to this in a most interesting way. Also, the Lord's use of problems and difficulties in our lives in order to bring us to our rest from our attempts at living the Christian life is also explained.
Wrestling with God may not be your idea of fun but it does just happen to be a vital part of growing in the Lord. And it might well come as a bit of a shock to discover, as did Jacob - and very much to his own cost too - that it is Jesus Himself Who actually starts the fight. Although this study covers a tremendously serious and important aspect of God's work in our lives, Beresford nevertheless really did have some fun communicating it. Seconds away!!! Round 2!!!!
The meaning of these words written by Paul to the Philippian church is outlined, and the first of the two keys which, when used together, unlock the door to Christian maturity, is also explained. Key number one turns out here to be confession of sin and repentance, and Beresford shows from the Bible what it means to be out of fellowship with God and how to get back in. Wrong ideas about this whole subject are dealt with, and fears will be laid to rest by the teaching contained in this important talk.
The second key for opening the door to Christian growth is here shown to be the marvellous truth contained in Paul's statement in Romans 8v1: "...in everything God works together for good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose." Various examples from the lives of believers in the Bible are used to show how even our sin and failure can be the means of God accomplishing His work in us. Despair and hopelessness are countered by this incredibly encouraging talk which has proved to be a tremendous blessing to all who have heard it. Also dealt with is the problem of those who are re-married, having been divorced, and the explanation given as to why there is nothing for them to be concerned about in regards to it. The grace of God is here so powerfully set forth that Satan's lies will be exposed, and any who are troubled will be restored again to peace and joy.
Although Christians are delivered from God's judgement on sin, and therefore its penalty, as a good Father He nevertheless disciplines us because we are now His children. Examples of the various stages which this child-training goes through are shown using the lives of believers in the Bible, along with the way in which we can, by obedience and submission, make our discipleship a little easier in this respect. Of particular interest here is the explanation of the sin unto death, as the King James Version calls it, using the examples both of King Saul and Ananias and Sapphira. Once you learn to differentiate between the various judgements in the Bible you will become less prone to the attacks Satan launches against you with his fiery darts of condemnation and fear.
The power of the Holy Spirit is essential equipment for every believer, and the Old Testament Feasts of Passover, First Fruits and Pentecost are here shown to point to the significance and importance of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. A survey of the Acts of the Apostles is also used to demonstrate how this baptism is quite distinct from the new birth, and also the way in which the New Testament believers ensured that people received this power as soon as possible after becoming Christians. The teaching in this talk is important stuff!
This study examines the subjective effect on believers' lives by being filled with the Holy Spirit. Reference to the biblical symbolism of wind, fire, water and the dove demonstrates the ministry of the Holy Spirit, which is shown to be far wider than just the spiritual gifts He imparts. Ultimately it is to simply glorify Jesus by enabling Him to live through us. The problems of leaking and keeping your feet on the bottom are also dealt with. (Intrigued? Then have a listen!)
This talk marks the beginning of the third phase of this series - deliverance from the presence of sin. The Bible's teaching on what actually occurs at death, and what consequently happens to people immediately afterwards, is traced through from Genesis to Revelation, with the most remarkable scenario you could possibly imagine duly unfolding. Tartarus, Paradise, Gehenna and Hades are all explained, along with information on all the various places and conditions of the dead. A most interesting sidelight on the Garden of Eden emerges as well, and an explanation given concerning the increasing number of people who are having near-death experiences of lights, tunnels and infinite beings and stuff like that. Are they meeting God? Or is it something rather more sinister? A not-to-be-missed talk!
I Ain't Got No Body! This is the first of two studies on the subject of the Rapture and deals with both the nature of the resurrection body, and the timing regarding when various groups of people receive one. The long-standing heresy of Platonism is tackled and its effects on Christian thinking exposed as being the satanic deception it is. The big surprise here though is what happens to unbelievers in regards to this whole area of the Bible's teaching, and that there is a little understood resurrection which, by the time the process is completed, means that eventually no one at all will be left dead.
The Church and the Tribulation There is much confusion today over the question of the timing of the Rapture. Is it before the Great Tribulation, or after it and therefore at the same time as the Second Coming? By examining Old Testament teaching to Israel about Messiah establishing His Kingdom on earth and His personal reign from Jerusalem, and then contrasting this with Jesus' own teaching in the New Testament, Beresford clearly demonstrates the truth of this controversial aspect of the Bible's teaching. The belief that the Rapture occurs at the Second Coming entails that the Church will go through the Great Tribulation, but a correct understanding of Scripture shows such a notion to be mistaken. There is no need to be frightened by the teaching going around in some places today that we must prepare for the reign of the Antichrist. Indeed, we won't even be on the earth at that time!
In this talk Beresford reveals where the Church actually will be whilst the Great Tribulation is raging on earth, and precisely what we will all be getting up to. And we shall, in fact, be in Heaven having our works, or service, assessed by the Lord. The nature of this judgement, how it works, and the way in which its outcome will affect us from that moment onwards, are all discussed in detail. The difficult passages in the sixth and tenth chapters of Hebrews, which some maintain indicate that salvation can be lost, are fully dealt with and shown to mean no such thing. Scripture teaches that one day we shall all give an account of our Christian lives and what we have done with them, and it means exactly what it says. This is an important subject, and every believer needs to have a full understanding of this aspect of their future salvation.
At the end of the period of the Great Tribulation, during which the Church is in Heaven, the event of the ages takes place: the marriage of the Church to the Lamb. The precise meaning and significance of this is discussed, and the part that various groups of believers throughout history play in it is demonstrated. Various parables of Jesus which often mystify people, and which sometimes get used to argue that that salvation can be lost, are explained in the light of their 'end times ' context, and thus become quite obvious. This study is an excellent example of the fact that without an understanding of Israel's unique place in God's plan, parts of the Bible can seem rather obscure. However, once you have that understanding then many things fall naturally and logically into place.
This last study in the section on future salvation describes the thousand-year reign of Jesus on the earth, also known as the Millennium, followed by the Eternal State. The Second Coming issues in the imprisonment of Satan and the establishing of the Kingdom of God, with Jesus Himself reigning personally over humankind from Jerusalem. The nature of the restored earth and its society is analysed along with the part that various groups of believers will play in its government. The final release of the devil is explained, and an understanding of the ensuing Eternal State given. This is mind-boggling stuff indeed! But then mind-boggling is just what we should expect from a God as mighty and as incredible and powerful as the Lord God of Israel. The eternal future we face as believers is finally just too incredible for us to even begin to imagine, but this talk at least gives the tiniest inkling of what the Lord has in store for us throughout eternity.
If the most important question in the universe is, "Do you have salvation?", then the second most important one must therefore be, "Can you lose it?" So Beresford now demonstrates quite clearly that you can't lose your salvation, and that the fundamental nature of what God has done, of what salvation actually is, totally precludes, by very definition, even the very notion. The Bible clearly and firmly teaches that believers are eternally secure and the relevant passages are here duly explained. There is, however, someone who very much wants believers to have doubts about this, and Beresford clearly shows that it is Satan himself in a bid to malign the character of the God he so hates. This talk will calm any fears that you may have about this and restore the sense of security and safety that the Lord desires you to be living in.
In this last talk of the series Beresford tackles the remaining passages in the Bible which, according to some, teach that salvation can be lost. Jesus' teaching in John 15 about the branches being cut off the vine and thrown into the fire is covered, as is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Also covered is the content of 2 Peter 2, plus the problem presented by Judas, the betrayer. These scriptures, plus others which cause difficulties to some people, are examined and explained quite clearly. The question of whether or not salvation can be lost is here answered once and for all as this series is brought to its conclusion.
In this introduction the place of spiritual gifts in the life of the believer is explained, and their nature made clear. Their relationship to the Trinity is also shown along with the reason why Paul, in his introductory remarks on the subject, parallels them with dumb idols. Beresford explains too why the actual term spiritual gifts can be misleading and demonstrates that they are far from being the big deal some seem to make of them. They are actually quite ordinary and not special at all. You therefore don't have to be a special person to use them - any ordinary old believer will do.
There are some Christians for whom speaking in tongues is a bit of a taboo subject and best not mentioned at all, whilst for others it seems to be about the most important thing in their lives. Balance is needed as the essential ingredient here and, whilst keeping tongues carefully in its scriptural place, Beresford demonstrates just how important it actually is, and what a source of blessing it can be. The difference between the private and personal ministries of tongues is also explained, along with the rules for its public use and the subsequent interpretations which should follow. The question as to whether or not all believers should speak in tongues is tackled head on, and practical advice for moving out in this gift is given.
Many people are confused as to whether or not an interpreted tongue is the same thing as a prophecy, and although the standard approach is to say that it is Beresford clearly shows that this view is actually incorrect. There is a profound and fundamental difference between the two things, and the failure to realise this can actually lead to the true gift of public tongues, with its subsequent interpretation, becoming practically non-existent. A severe diminution in the true gift of prophecy is also shown to stem from this. Corporate worship and sharing together among God's people can never be quite as the Lord truly desires until these wonderful, yet misunderstood, gifts are flowing freely in our churches.
Paul the apostle rated this gift rather highly, and his reason for doing so is here explained, as is the unique blessing it brings with it. The uses of prophecy are also demonstrated along with the rules which must be observed when it is being used. Once again practical points of advice are given to enable people to step out in faith and to actually begin exercising this most valuable of gifts which the Lord has made available to us.
This talk covers the remaining six gifts dealt with by Paul in his Corinthian letter, and the word of wisdom may especially hold a surprise or two in store for you in that it has applications which most believers are not particularly aware of. The Lord has truly called us to live miraculous lives, and this study will help you to realise the kind of things that we should be expecting to happen.
When we eventually realise the means by which Satan holds us back in the use of the gifts of the Spirit then more can be done to enable us to be set free and to really get motoring. Beresford therefore outlines the strategy the devil uses, and the weaknesses and sin in us which actually enable him to be successful. He also points out how we can learn even by our mistakes, and how we therefore need the freedom to be able to make them. He provides some hilarious, to say nothing of embarrassing, examples from his own experience regarding the gifts, and how he has learned through trial and error and by dropping just about every clanger in the book. Indeed, even greater clangers are just waiting to be dropped.
Paul writes two passages in 1 Corinthians 14 which do appear to be quite problematic. The first difficulty arises when, in the space of just four verses, he seems to completely contradict himself over what he says about prophecy and tongues being a sign. The second is his statement that "...women should keep silence in the churches." Beresford deals with these passages in a clear and simple way and explains what Paul was actually saying.
The questions addressed in this talk are these: "Why have we seen such a decline in recent years in the ministry of the gifts amongst us, and how do we overcome the unbelief which prevents us from moving out in them?" Beresford believes that part of the problem has been wrong teaching that has been unbalanced in its emphasis on faith, and which has consequently left believers just not knowing what else to do in order to believe properly or hard enough. He shows that Paul himself was far from being a faith teacher such as we have among us today in the charismatic movement, but was rather a man who had the revelation from God about biblical hope. Beresford believes that it is this revelation, here explained, that we so badly need.
The Bible's teaching about the gifts of the Spirit is given in the context of both church life and fellowship, and love, and any use made of them in isolation from these is just asking for trouble. This is the first of two talks therefore on the whole area of corporate fellowship, and the fact that we are called to be the Body of Christ on earth. The nature of this body is examined, along with the implications for us as individuals in being a part of it. Wrong thinking is dealt with and scriptural balance is carefully maintained throughout. This talk is, in effect, a general overview of the subject of the church.
If the last talk was of a general nature then this one is somewhat more specific. The Body of Christ includes all believers, past, present and future, yet this huge conglomerate body of people is broken down at any one time, and in any one place, into the smaller units of individual churches. And it was this particular manifestation of it to which Jesus referred when He said, "I will build my church." The nature of such churches is therefore examined, and the term defined according to the Bible as distinct from some usual, but incorrect, Christian definitions. The part we are meant to be playing in a church is explained and the nature of true Christian fellowship outlined. For those who like to have things placed in order of importance, Beresford here goes on record as saying that he believes this is the third most important thing that there is.
You may not know now what Paul's first letter to the Corinthians has to do with sandwiches, but you certainly will after listening to this. Beresford explains why, of all the different Greek words for love available to them, the writers of the New Testament chose agape in order to define the love of God which we are called to show both to each other, and to the world. But before defining what this agape love actually is, he gives a somewhat unnerving demonstration as to what it isn't necessarily. 1 Corinthians 13 is just about one of the best known chapters of the entire Bible, and yet also one of the worst for translation, with it's true meaning not coming out particularly well in the English language at all. The original Greek is therefore explained in some detail and the full import of what Paul was teaching brought out. There is a wealth of information here that every Christian needs to both know and understand.
Having given a general introduction to the subject of love in the previous talk, Beresford now begins to break it down into some of its component parts, with compassion being one of the most important, yet also least understood, aspects. What has compassion to do with being angry? Why does philosophical romanticism and scepticism need to enter the picture here? Why did Jesus snort like a stallion and then burst into tears? These and other questions are answered to show that compassion is actually what the incarnation of Jesus, and therefore Christianity itself, is all about.
Taking Jesus' teaching about the greatest commandment this study demonstrates that without a good and right relationship with ourselves we will never have good relationships with other people. Yet the only way to maintain a good relationship with oneself is by remaining in a good, right and solid on-going relationship with the Lord. The problem, however, is that you can only be in a good relationship with Him in so far as you have a correct understanding of Who He actually is, and therefore of the sort of Person He is as well. Many Christians believe in a God who doesn't actually exist because they believe things about Him which are simply not true; things, in point of fact, that are quite literally the lies of the devil. These demonic little deceptions are therefore here dealt with in a thorough description of just how lovely, and loveable, to say nothing of absolutely wonderful, the Lord really is. This talk will do you the world of good and should be heard three times a day before meals.
The series continues with an examination of the fruit of the Spirit as outlined by Paul in his letter to the Galatians, and in the light of the previous talk Beresford shows how it relates to our relationship with the Lord, our relationships with other people, and our relationship with our own selves. Common misconceptions are dealt with and the true nature of this fruit clearly defined. Once again the original Greek is explored, this being the only way to fully understand what Paul was actually meaning. And the truth of this passage is shown to be that it is actually a parallel passage to 1 Corinthians 13, and that in both those places Paul is simply speaking of Jesus and the kind of person that He is, and how He wants to just carry on being Himself in, and through, us as His people. What more could we possibly want?
The series concludes with this talk which was added at a later date. The whole thing about the gifts of the Spirit is put into its biblical context in this study of the five chapters in which Paul deals with the issue as to how a biblically based church ought to meet and function when it comes together on the Lord's Day. Beresford brings out some things from these chapters which most believers are completely ignorant of and demonstrates just how wide of the mark most churches are regarding these issues. A fascinating and fitting end to the series!
This first talk establishes from the Bible the two kinds of traditions there are, and shows which, as Christians, we should, and should not be accepting. The background to the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders in Israel is shown to have been something that scripture calls the tradition of the elders, and the origination and development of this is traced, and the damage it was doing to the Jews as the people of God demonstrated. The varying names by which it was called are also explained and its root problem, that it denies that the Word of God alone is sufficient for establishing belief and practice, is clearly revealed.
Having seen what this tradition of the elders actually is we now move on to find out what Jesus thought about it. And what we discover is that far from being neutral, or somehow accepting of it, Jesus' reaction was actually one of complete non-acceptance and total and open antagonism! In fact, He absolutely hated it and declared war against it, and some of the ways in which He did this are actually rather amusing. And something quite fascinating emerges as Beresford shows how Jesus proved that He was Israel's Messiah not only according to the Old Testament and its teachings, but according to their beloved tradition of the elders as well. Beresford also quite clearly demonstrates from the Word of God that the Jewish religious leaders actually sought Jesus' death in the full knowledge that He was the promised Messiah.
These studies now move uncomfortably close to home as, having demonstrated the serious error of Israel's tradition of the elders, Beresford proceeds to show how Christian version emerged. We are introduced to the Early Church Fathers through their own writings, and the uniqueness of their position, that they did not then have the fully compiled New Testament as did the church later on, is explained. Quite understandably in such circumstances wrong teachings began to appear, but the real problem was that they were not corrected once the church did have the entire New Testament at its disposal. And it is precisely those teachings which the Early Church Fathers got wrong that are such a big problem today, because rather than being phased out not only were they retained, they were actually given authoritative and inspired status to boot. By testing the writings of the Fathers against the New Testament, Beresford reveals and explains their foundational error which inevitably became the seed-bed in which their other errors naturally grew.
Beresford now demonstrates, again by comparing the actual writings of the Early Church Fathers with the New Testament, the other false teachings which sprang up from their foundational one. He also demonstrates how Bible-believing scholarship is unanimous in its understanding of the fact that these traditions and practices are not what the Bible teaches, but are rather just what the Fathers handed down to us. However, Beresford puts himself at variance with these scholars, and with most other believers as well, by arguing the simple point that such practises should therefore be totally renounced and rejected, and that Christian churches should be completely re-formed to hold only such beliefs and practises which accord with the actual teaching of Scripture, and to therefore return to being how the churches we see in the New Testament were. A controversial position to hold indeed!
Beresford chose to call this talk a 'Summation' as opposed to a 'Summary' due to the fact that it is an American legal term denoting the concluding statements made by opposing counsel in a court case. And this nicely sums up his contention, here outlined, that the Christian church is actually well and truly in the dock' over these issues, and somewhat without excuse regarding them too. And although fun was had by all during this talk it is not really what one would call a fun subject. We truly are convinced that the issues dealt with in this series, and summed up in this talk, are among the most important that churches face today. God is crying out through His Word for a people who are in obedience to His every known and understood directive, and Beresford therefore pulls no punches in communicating that fact here. Nothing, however sacred it may be considered to be, is here spared from the process of being held up to the light of the truth of the Bible in order to be declared either as being of God, or a deception that must be renounced in obedience to the Lord.
Various questions from the floor are here answered and Beresford clarifies issues surrounding what churches should actually be like in practical terms. He describes in detail the life and practice of the church here in Chigwell, and deals with the vitally important questions concerning leadership, church government and the relationship of itinerant/apostolic ministries to the individual churches they work with. A fascinating and practical end to this most important of series.