Bethesda Shalom

Luke 8:41-56 No Christian has ever been rightly designated as such, without first having in them the seed of faith.  Yet friends, having faith in God; trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ is not a once and for all done thing.  Faith is not a one-time decision, but a continuation of ongoing decisions as we choose to place our trust and confidence in God and His Son.  Anyone who has walked for some time with the Lord, knows only too well that it’s a walk that is full of many obstacles and trials that have been in some cases designed and in other cases permitted, in order to cause our faith not only to work but also to be strengthened. In this sermon, we look at a number of examples in the Gospels, where it seemed all hope at been removed.  Yet, in every case, though the situation seemed hopeless, it served as an opportunity to prove the power of God through faith!  

Genesis 5:18-27 The greatest privilege ever to have been afforded to mankind is not the freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.  It is not the right to a prompt and fair trial by jury and nor is it the right to vote.  These are all fantastic privileges that for the most part, we in the West take for granted; but I want to say Brethren, that a man can have all of these and yet miss the very purpose for which he was born into this world.  In the twenty-second verse of this fifth chapter of Genesis, we are confronted with these staggering words; “And Enoch walked with God”.  I want to ask…what does it mean to walk with God?  I submit you cannot give a reasonable answer without the use of the word relationship.  Enoch walked with God i.e. Enoch had a relationship with God and this would have involved at its heart, fellowship. 

Revelation 7 We come again in this teaching to another interlude (the second of a number that is found scattered throughout the Book of Revelation).  Chapters 4 and 5 both served as an interlude to bridge the gap between the events following the letters to the Seven Churches, in order to prepare the reader for the opening of the Seven Seals in chapter 6.  Six seals have thus far been opened, with the seventh seal yet still to be opened.  Seals 1-5 had as their focus, Antichrist and his wrath upon the earth.  Seals 6 & 7 by way of contrast, have as their focus, God and His wrath upon the earth which is poured out upon rebellious man and the 666 Antichrist system. This seventh chapter that is before us this evening (the gap-stop) serves then as an interlude which will allow for commentary on two events before rejoining the seal events of chapter 8 which record the opening of the seventh and final seal, and the terrifying trumpet judgments that issue forth out of it. What then are these two events contained

Genesis 12:1-5 You’ve all heard the expression, “Patience is a virtue”.  The studious school teacher reminds the student of this and the loving parent the child.  So much truth is contained in this tiny phrase, and when we educate our young in this precious lesson, we’re really trying to teach them that being able to wait for something without becoming frustrated is a valuable character trait to have.  Yet, as one grows in age, I find that one never seems to grow out of this so-called trait of adolescence, it’s just that we adults become more adept at hiding it.  Let’s be honest; impatience plagues the human race and when we’ really set our hearts on something; not being able to realise the instant materialising of that desire, is a thing most vexing to us!  “I WANT IT NOW!!” is the general sentiments of the many and when faced with the prospect of a hindering obstacle, two choices confront us; either we can seek to force the issue or we can humble ourselves and wait!!  As we trace the life of Abraham’s journ

Revelation 6:9-17 At the opening of the fifth seal, the wrath of Antichrist is poured out upon believers in Jesus Christ.  John beholds under the altar, the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.  This is a time of tremendous persecution upon the righteous, who are willing to give their lives to the very end.  A cry is heard ascending from under that heavenly altar, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”  The answer to their petition is soon to be realised at the opening sixth seal as the Day of the LORD approached upon the ungodly.  Satan has had his time to exercise his wrath and not it is God’s turn to execute His wrath.

Matthew 5:10-12 As we come to this eight and final beatitude, it appears at first sight to be a contradiction in terms.  “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake…”  How can it be, that the words “blessed” and “persecuted” could ever appear in the same sentence?  Doesn’t persecution involve pain and suffering; torment and affliction?  Aren’t these bad and to be avoided at all costs?  So, our Western mind theorises because we’re so used to a Christianity that’s crossless.  Yet for the vast majority of believers today who find themselves living in Communist countries or in Muslim countries, they know firsthand the meaning of the words; “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mt. 16:24).  The secret of the blessing lies in the second part of the verse; “…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. There are two senses in which I believe the idea of the kingdom of heaven being “theirs” is to be understood.  One points to the here and now and the

Before turning to examine the first four seals, the ground must be prepared in order to give one a framework in which to make sense of these tremendous events.  That which shall take place at the opening of these seals all pertain to a future period of time yet to come, known as Daniel’s seventieth week.  At that time, according to the prophet Daniel, a peace treaty will be signed between the Jewish people and their enemies, marking the start of the Tribulation period.  Mid-way into these seven years, the man of Sin will break the terms of the covenant and set up the abomination of desolations in the holy place.  The following 3½ years will be characterised by a great tribulation, such as the world has never seen and will come to its close at the Second Coming of the Lord.  In this teaching, we explore the first four seals.

Matthew 5:9 The longer that I walk with the Lord, the more I realise that I’m not an island.  Must I walk with the Lord alone, absolutely!!  But my personal walk with the Saviour is for the purpose of a corporate walk with the Body of Christ to which I am a member.  The time that I spend alone with the Saviour in fellowship, is fitting and preparing me for the fellowship that I am to spend with others!  My relationship vertically is not in isolation to my relationship horizontally.  The two are not mutually exclusive but rather are interdependent.  I’m only as good to the Body of Christ as I am rightly related to God but...I’m only as rightly related to God as I am rightly related to the Brethren!  This sermon is a call for the Body of Christ to strive to be peacemakers.  One of the great themes of salvation is reconciliation.  We have peace with God through the blood of His dear Son.  How much more should we now pursue peace with all men?

Matthew 5:8 I’ve found that a man will study theology all day so long as nothing is required of Him that will disturb the stagnant waters of the heart.  Someone once told me of a minister who when pressed on the matter of the quality of his personal devotional life to God, he refused to give an answer.  Business was his cover and when backed into a corner and forced to give an answer, he slumped into a chair and said; “...the reason why I won’t get alone with God is because I’m scared of what He might say to me!!”.  THIS MY FRIENDS IS THE HEART OF THE MATTER!!  I fear that in many quarters of the so-called remnant Church, the sheep run frantically to and fro from one conference to the next; amassing to themselves much truth after the head kind.  Yet, these same people are not willing to get alone with God and to expose themselves to convicting light of God the Holy Ghost!!  The easiest way for me to explain what I believe is meant in part by “Blessed are the pure in heart” is this.  Happy (in a most favourabl

Revelation 5 Two whole chapters are given us by the Apostle John in order to prepare the reader for the awesome events that are to follow, when in chapter 6 a scroll is opened which sets in motion a series of cataclysmic events known as the Tribulation period which culminate in the closing out of this present age and the bringing in of the Messianic Age.  Chapter 4 prepared us for what we have now come to in chapter 5, and chapter 5 will prepare us for the opening of the seals in chapter 6.  Chapter 4 was a chapter of magnificent worship around the throne of God and in the chapter before us, this scene of heavenly worship is set to intensify as One is found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals.

Matthew 5:7 I’ve found generally, that in times of peace, man is much more the ready to cast judgment upon his neighbour and throw stones at his fellow man.  From his seat of comfort and safety, he peeks his haughty head over his proud shoulder to peer down on those beneath him.  “Thank God” he say’s that I am not as other men are.  You say, I’d never say that...ah friend, you might not say it in so many words but I tell you, these sentiments express many a prideful heart that is only too quick to get the magnifying glass out to remove the speck out of their Brother’s eye when they’ve a beam 10 inches thick in their own! Hear the fifth beatitude stated plainly in our hearing and answer me this; what is the attitude of your heart when it comes to this attribute of mercy?  “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy”.  Seeing that we ourselves hope to receive mercy in abundance from the Lord, it is incumbent upon us that we show mercy to others.  “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgivi

Matthew 5:6 There are some things that you cannot give to a man in this life, and one of those things is an appetite.  You can set a plate of food before a man sick with an illness and he’s no stomach for it, even it be his favourite meal!  In fact, rather than crave the food, he’s repulsed by it...and you know, when we open the door to sin in our lives and we allow worry and unbelief to consume us; when we go wondering in our hearts after the world’s possessions; do you know what happens?  The hunger and thirst for righteousness in our lives are quenched. Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness? “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled”.  What a promise!!!  We can have as much righteousness as we have the appetite for!!  Oh God, what is hindering me from moving forward?  What is stopping me from climbing higher?  God is always wanting to take His people up higher, the question is, are we willing?

Revelation 4 We move on in this eleventh teaching to survey an awesome sight. John hears the voice like a trumpet, calling him to come up hither, where he beholds the throne of God surrounded by a company of celestial beings, worshipping the One who sits upon the throne whose appearance is like unto a jasper and sardine stone! O how feeble are our praises by comparison! How little worth we ascribe to God by our praise! How conditional is it dependent upon our feelings and emotions. Brethren, the LORD is worthy to be praised!!!!

Matthew 5:5 There are some characteristics which heap upon the man or woman possessing them, all the scorn and derision of a society which maintains that weakness is a thing most to be pitied! Yet our Lord dared to run counter to it all when He declared a blessing upon the head of the one who would pursue the way of meekness!!  Perhaps in no other area is the demonstration of the power of Christianity tried and tested before men so as to prove the genuineness of its profession than in the area of meekness.  Win the battleground here and we’re on our way to securing victory!! No-one ever set forth in more splendorous array, this glorious virtue than the man Christ Jesus!!  In this sermon we move from the gates of Jerusalem to the garden; then to the house of Caiaphas before moving to the courts of Pilate.  Our final destination…Calvary!!  At every step our Lord evidenced meekness in the face of His accusers and having led the way now commands us to walk in the same!  In this life it has been given us to tread

Revelation 3:14-22 When one thinks of the Seven Churches of Revelation, the Church perhaps that comes more readily to mind than any other is the Church in Laodicea.  History records that where Laodicea was situated geographically, it lay along a great river and in the centre of where three great roads converged.  This commercial advantage made Laodicea a city of tremendous wealth and prosperity, so much so that in the early 1st century AD when a devastating earthquake hit, when offer was made by the Roman Emperor to help build back the wasted city, the Laodiceans refused, saying that they preferred to rebuild their ruined city by their own means.  It was the affluent condition of the Church in that locale which proved to be its great downfall, as it measured its spiritual prosperity by its physical prosperity.  Thinking themselves, rich, increased with goods and need of nothing; our Lord said on the contrary, they were poor, wretched, blind and miserable! This letter is a warning to us all, not least those of

Matthew 5:4 Perhaps of all of the beatitudes, this second one, is at first glance, one that fallen man could perhaps go along with; that is until he understands the reason for the mourning! “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted”.  Who doesn’t like to be comforted when heavy–laden and grieved of heart?  When some great ill afflicts the human soul?  The loss of a precious family member, news of some terrible illness; a miscarriage of justice, betrayal by one you thought was a friend?  It is on account of these things and others besides, that a man will mourn and will find to himself relief from the comfort of a friend.  I dare say, that some would even seek for relief in God.  However, it is my firm conviction that the mourning to which Jesus has so clearly in mind, is that mourning on account of sin! Men will mourn for many things, but one thing they seldom will ever mourn is their sins!!  O glad day, when upon learning the condition of our blackened hearts by the tender working of the Holy

Matthew 5:3 This sermon is the first in a series of eight sermons preaching through the beatitudes.  You will notice that the word ‘beatitude’ has a single ‘t’ rather than a double as in ‘beattitude’.  This is because, in Latin, ‘beatitudo’ means “a state of blessedness”.  In fact, the word beatitude means “supreme blessedness” which is why each of the eight beatitudes begins with the word ‘Blessed’.  Here before us then, stand a number of statements spoken by our Lord, that offer to men supreme happiness, well-being, and prosperity if they are found in such condition!   In the first of this eight-part series, we will examine the nature of what it means to be poor in spirit and the great blessings that attend the soul that truly senses moment by moment, their absolute need for the Saviour!  “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.

I find it no coincidence that the only two Churches of which our Lord had nothing indicting to say, both found themselves in the midst of the purging fires of persecution! Twenty-eight miles south-east of Sardis lay the city of Philadelphia.  Its natural geography served well to illustrate the robustness of the Church residing in this city as one of bearing up under trial.  Philadelphia lay on the edge of a great plain which was nick-named the “Burnt Land” on account of the frequent volcanic activity in the area.  Yet, what one would deem to be a curse, another would deem a blessing, since because of this activity, Philadelphia was one of the most fertile areas in the world bringing to it great prosperity, not least through its world-famous wines, produced from the grapes which grew on this plain.  Again, this serves as an analogy to illustrate the irony of persecution, that what one would deem surely to result in the obliteration of Christianity via the volcanic fires of persecution, proves only to be conduc

1 Samuel 25:1-35 There are many things in this life which seem to come easier to us than others.  Eating (for example) comes more readily to heart than cooking; spending than saving; resting than working.  I well could add to this list another entry; obstinacy comes more readily to heart and easier to our sinful flesh that apologising to a Brother or Sister that we have wronged through our bad attitude!  How naturally does it come to first justify ourselves along the lines of, “they deserved it!!”; how much the more enticing is it to allow offense and so-called “justified” anger to pump through our veins than we bow our stubborn hearts and turn to our Brother and say, “I’m sorry...I was wrong!” As we enter a new year; this sermon is an exhortation for us where possible, to make things right with our fellow brother or sister.  May we be the first to the mark to say; I’m sorry…I was wrong!

James 3:13-18 The world in which we live in is full of war and bloodshed.  If history could count the total number of lives lost through this weapon of mass destruction, there would not be room on a conventional calculator to display all the digits!  For all of fallen man’s efforts in trying to secure peace, history informs us that man is not able to live at peace with his neighbour!! It’s one thing for the world to behave in this manner, but what are we to say when Christians behave like this?  In the thirteenth verse of James chapter 3, a question is put; “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?”  The answer is given, “…let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom”.  It is this wisdom that James describes as coming from above on account of its peaceable fruit that is contrasted with the wisdom descending from below which is earthly, sensual and devilish, tending to confusion and every evil work.  May we be found in these last days walking in peace as the children