Bethesda Shalom

Part 1 - The Bible It seems only right and proper that as we begin this teaching series dealing with the fundamental basics of the Christian Faith, we do so by looking first at the Bible.  After all, in answering the question what we believe and why we believe it, as a Christian, our only source of full reliability is the Bible.  Most certainly there are other credible sources from which to draw our knowledge, but all must be run through the litmus filter of God’s Word!   Since we are going to be building this teaching series upon the foundation of the Holy Bible, it seems only right therefore that in starting, we begin by answering the question, what is the Bible?   In this first part of this teaching series, we take a look at the character and nature of this precious book.  We take a whistle stop tour through the Old and New Testaments before going on to look at the claims of Divine authorship.  We then conclude by looking briefly at the manuscript evidence to support the reliability of the Bible. Download

1 Corinthians 10:1-14 There exists a single verse in that pages of Holy Writ that men ought always to have at the forefront of their minds. The proud man thinks that it could never apply to him and the naive pass over it without a thought, yet its truth remains fixed and constant for all men without exception and the innumerable testimonies of those who now lie in the gutters and the side walks cry out in one accord to take heed; ”Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 12:10). Dear Brethren, it is incumbent upon all who name the name of Christ to watch diligently over their souls with much prayer, for no Christian ever falls in a day! Rather, through neglect and pride, a man tells himself I’m alright and have no need to watch; through much business, a man takes his eye off the mark and begins to drift into danger. This sermon is a warning and an encouragement for believers to remain vigilant when it comes to watching over their souls in regards to sin. Failure to watch her

James 1:26 Man has concocted many tests by which to gauge his spirituality; self-made indicators by which he presumes to ascertain the height to which he has ascended in his religious service and devotion to God. Church attendance, financial giving, prayers and fasting, the study of God’s Word and the sharing of ones faith. Yet, admittedly, all these disciplines can be done out of a self-seeking heart of pride as a means to add notches to ones spiritual belt and to get one up over our neighbour. Brethren, there is one litmus test that is sure to never fail in giving an accurate reading of where we really are in our Christian experience; one member in our human body that is sure to give us away, that of the tongue! This sermon is a challenge to the Christian to set guard over the words of their mouth. Gossip and slander, strife and division, lies and deception, ought not to be found in the life of a Christian. God is calling His body to a standard and the challenge is laid down by the Word of God!

Acts 4:13-22 Over the last three decades, we are witnessing at an unprecedented rate, the speed and rapidity at which the Judaeo-Christian foundations of the West are been ripped up before our very eyes. Those in the seat of power and governance who have the power to change and effect laws are passing laws that are forcing Christians to have choose between Christ and a law that is at odds with God’s. In the mid-19th century as the British Empire was moving towards its height, Queen Victoria was asked by an African prince, “What is the secret of England’s greatness and Britain’s glory?” Our Queen did not speak of the number of her fleet, nor the strength of her armies. She did not mention her abundance of merchandise, nor of her inexhaustible wealth. Instead, she handed the prince a beautifully bound copy of the Bible and said…”this is the secret of England’s greatness”. Sadly, this is no longer the case as righteousness has made way for ungodliness and iniquity of every filthy kind. This sermon is a great enc

Isaiah 40:25-31 Upon what are you basing your faith; upon what your hope and confidence? "The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever..." (1 Pet 1:24-25). Oh! dearly beloved let the Word of God furnish for you a firm foundation upon which to stand, such that, when upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, you might have an anchor of grounding!! "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb 11:1). This sermon is an exhortation to the weak and an admonition to the strong, to anchor ones confidence in the promises of a faithful God. "...they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Is. 40:31)

Philippians 2:1-11 Oh that the Body of Christ might lay firmly hold on the most blessed doctrine of regeneration!! “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). “...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17). Oh! the glories of this precious truth, what grace has become ours in Christ, what change has been wrought in our hearts the hour we first believed!! In light of this great truth, the burden of responsibility is now placed on the Church of Jesus Christ to preserve and maintain, at all costs, the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace!! Most assuredly, in Christ, we have been brought into spiritual fellowship and unity with one another by selfsame Spirit of God that dwells in each of us. However, great caution is given in this sermon about allowing strife and envy to fester in our hearts which destroys the unity and injures the Church for which Christ died.

Ezekiel 34:11-12 All across the landscape of Christendom, lie the scattered wounded and the spiritually hurt. Apparently, some would have us believe that soldiers of Christ are not supposed to be counted among the wounded, but in all my observations, I find this not to be the case at all! On every side I see the casualties of this spiritual war… This sermon is an encouragement to the spiritually wounded; the Good Shepherd well knows your wounds and hears your cries. Indeed, He cares for you more than you could ever know and will in due season restore you again to spiritual vigour. Hold fast dearly beloved, come aside and rest a while in Christ!!

Have you a burden for God’s Word? Keith provokes the hearts of the Body of Christ to probe for an answer to this question...Many Christians do not have a consistent devotional life with the Lord whereby they spend time in the study and meditation of God’s Word. This message will be sure to stir you hearts to reignite a passion again for the Word of God!!

This third part of three teachings dubbed “The Holy War” is titled “Waging Holy War”. It is the strong conviction of David that the end-time Church of Jesus Christ will be glorious!! Yet, when one looks at the current state of the Western Church, one struggles to see how this will be. Out of a burdened heart, David provokes and challenges the Church to inspect their spiritual armour and in light of this to establish spiritual authority to stand in this holy war!!

This second part of three teachings dubbed “The Holy War” is titled “Basic Training”. Once again, David passionately shares his heart on the need for Christians to be equipped for holy war. A soldier cannot just go out onto the battle field without basic training. First he must know his enemy and choose his side, but then secondly, he must be trained to go out to battle!! David shares his personal experiences being trained as a soldier in the South African Defence Force and parallels this with the spiritual training undertaken in God’s army!!

This first part of three teachings dubbed “The Holy War” is titled “Know Your Enemy”. David passionately shares his heart on the need for Christians to know their enemy in this holy war!! It is Satan who is the great enemy of the faithful, who is 100% committed to waging war. The call goes out for Christians to know their enemy, choose their side and commit to waging holy war!!

This sermon is a great encouragement for those whose children have gone astray!! Keith exhorts Christians to not give up on their unsaved children!! We must continue to stand in the gap for them and to shine the light of Christ. Keith through personal experiences, shares his heart at how God had reached many wayward children and brought them home to Christ!! NEVER give up on your children!!!

Praise God for holy convocations, special assemblies, where the people of God gather together in one accord for the express purpose of seeking the face of God! Praise God that often times in such meetings, God truly meets with His people in personal revival. Yet, as the weeks and months transpire from such blessing, one generally finds that the people of God return again to the mire. The great burden of this sermon is this one question...how can such personal revival be maintained in the life of the believer?

As one surveys the annals of history down through the corridors of time, one will find that history polluted and stained by war. That said, there’s something that an environment of war that is able to accomplish something that a pre-war environment simply cannot do!! It’s in the climate of war, where heroes are born. A pre-war generation of peace is known by its cowards, the generation of war by its heroes!! This sermon is a challenge for Christians to stand in this generation and to be counted among David’s mighty men. Such men were not born in a day, but in the wilderness, God shaped and moulded them into mighty warriors. Oh that God would do it again!!

Keith shares the burden of the Lord for lost souls and challenges the body of Christ to have a heart for the lost! The evangelist in Keith really comes through in this message and though we are not all called to be evangelists, we certainly are all called to share the gospel wherever God grants us the opportunity!!

A call goes forth in this message, somewhat of the burden of the Lord, for Christian soldiers to arise and having counted the cost of service, to give themselves whole heartedly to such in labouring for the King!! What doth hinder you from such dear Christian? The hardships of war? The entanglements of this life? Personal sin in ones life? Whatever the reason, the voice of God sounds aloud in our generation, “...Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Oh!! that we might be able to say, “...here am I; send me”

John 3:16 Brother Keith brings a very strong gospel message setting forth the love and mercy of just and holy God!! Visit the ministry of Keith Daniel here for more sermons: http://www.keithdaniel.info/  

John 10:27-30 There are rumours out there, grave misunderstandings even amongst the professing body of Christ which purport that God and Satan are on equal footing, on a level playing field. Apparently, so the story goes...the same power God has, the devil also has – God is omnipotent, the devil is omnipotent; God is omniscient, the devil is omniscient; God is omnipresent, the devil is omnipresent. The problem is, if you ask for supporting verses in the Bible to establish these rumours, none ever seem to materialise! Now I know that the majority of Christians would never profess to holding to such beliefs theologically, however, by the very way they live their lives in fear of the devil, they demonstrate that that is what they really believe deep down. This sermon is a revaluation of so-called truth when it comes Satan’s role in the war against the Saints!! Why is it that believers run scurrying and hurrying from the battlefield in fear of the devil, when if his propaganda be exposed, we would be running into

Mark 12:1-12 There are some within the ranks of Christendom that fancy that their being in the Lord hangs by a thread - that is, at any time, at any moment, having put one foot wrong, they could suddenly be cast off from the presence of God and fall from grace overnight!! I call this “tightrope Christianity”, and there are many who live under the fear and grip of such bondage never knowing whether they are in or out of favour with God.   Dare we call this Christianity!!   Open up the Bible if you will and from every page will cry forth the mercies of a God who is gracious, and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy. In this sermon, we trace the 1500 year history of a nation called Israel and in so doing consider God’s mercy towards the backslider! In beholding this wonder however, we also consider the terror of a holy God, who will not strive with the impenitent forever.   A clear warning is sounded forth in this sermon; trifle with the mercy of God at your own peril!! Whilst the mercies of God

Joshua 9:1-14 There’s a saying oft found on the lips of men when faced with a situation in life; “I’ve got it!!” Vast and numerous are the casualties of those who speech run along these lines.   Judging in the natural and functioning in the realm of the earthly, they judge carnal matters by carnal means and suffer the consequences of not first seeking council at the mouth of the LORD. This sermon is an eye opener, to the potential hazards of trying to tackle things in the flesh without first consulting God. Dear Christian, a way has been made for you to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16). The question is, will you come?