Bethesda Shalom

Romans 12:1-2 Well the words of an old hymn serve to adorn the passage of Scripture before us – A Living Sacrifice.  “I fail to find a sacrifice, or fitting gift to bring:  Earth’s treasures have too little worth to offer to my King.  My gift is small, it is my all, accept it Lord I pray; let self be slain, let Jesus reign, within my heart alway”.  Oh, dear soul…is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?  What yet remains to give Him who gave all to us?     The world is ever seeking to fashion us into its pattern but we must hold fast and withstand that temptation.  The exhortation given by the Apostle Paul in this twelfth chapter of Romans is for Christians to be transformed by the renewing of their mind in order that they might prove that good and acceptable and perfect will of God and in so proving to grow up in maturity.     

Romans 11 When one surveys that peculiar and special people group known as the Jews; one would think them to be altogether cast off by God.  How so few it seems have come to saving faith in Messiah; how many vehemently oppose the gospel of Jesus Christ!!  With a deep groaning and an inescapable burden for his people, Paul lays down the case as to why it is absolutely not the case that God has cast off His covenanted people Israel!!     With careful exegesis and passionate preaching, the case is made in this sermon teaching in favour of Gods continuing plan for national Israel in the salvific purposes of God.  Their rejection on account of divine judgment has proven to be the blessing of the nations; their partial hardening, the coming in of the Gentiles!!  Yet there is coming a time when God shall turn His mercies back again to His covenant people as foretold by the prophets and in that day all of national Israel shall be saved!!

2 Corinthians 13:7-11 David delivers a very challenging message on the great need for believers in Christ to become mature in the faith.  So many are waddling around at the first stages of infancy when they ought by now to be young men and fathers in the faith.  Many are content to sit inactive on the side lines and wonder why there is no spiritual growth and maturity in their lives.  In love and gentleness, David sets the record straight and exhorts the body of Christ to walk in obedience to the call of God upon their lives as it pertains to Christian service.  It’s not in the "sitting" that one grows spiritually, but rather it is in the “doing” of Christian service that one develops spiritual muscles and begins to grow in spiritual maturity.

In his final teaching, David Nathan concludes by delivering a stirring message on the person and work of The Holy Spirit in and through the end-times church. David Nathan begins by dispelling unbiblical teachings and long held traditions regarding the agency and ministry of The Holy Spirit, followed by a very strong rebuke and impassioned plea for the body of Christ to once again seek the baptism of The Holy Spirit that we may be His witnesses amidst the impending persecution in this last and wicked hour.

David shares his hearts burden regarding the coming wave of persecution that he very strongly believes the Church in the west is set to experience.  David cries aloud for believers to prepare themselves for such an hour as is yet to come.  God will give us the grace needed to stand, but we must understand and recognise the times and the seasons we are living in and in so doing to make the preparations necessary for the coming storm!!   

Persecution is no longer some detached notion concerning oppressed Christian brothers and sisters from some distant land, but the reality of impending tribulation for believers is happening right here and now! The very foundations of the Christian faith are being eroded right before our eyes; society and governments are becoming increasingly secular and anti-Christian; the trampling and disregard of biblical values is taking place at an alarming and unprecedented rate! Are we really ready for the coming storm? Paul M. Williams challenges the church to faithfully prepare for what’s ahead!

In this teaching session, Chris Lawson exposes the dangerous occult practices of visualisation, guided imagery and inner healing, its implications and how it is influencing the church.

Probably one of the most disturbing trends in the evangelical church today is the increase of “heavy shepherding” and “Spiritual Abuse” being inflicted on church members by their leaders. What are the identifying marks or symptoms of spiritual abuse? Are there any Biblical/practical steps that can be taken if you or a loved one are ensnared? In this session, Chris Lawson warmly and candidly shares first-hand experiences of how he himself was a victim of spiritual abuse and how he found complete victory in Christ!

All around souls give way…a war is raging and to the battle the Christian soldier is called!  On the left they peel away to deception, and on the right they fall on account of sin.  This sermon is an exhortation for Christians to finish well the race that set is before them.  Prepare to be challenged, prepared to be encouraged, Onward Christian soldier the clarion call has sounded forth!! 

David Nathan, Chris Lawson, Roger Oakland and Paul M. Williams answer questions from those attending the Sanctuary Conference 2016

Roger closes out the Sanctuary Conference with a very timely and sober teaching.  By analysing current trends within modern evangelicalism, Roger provides evidence that we are indeed living in the last days.  Not only does Roger warn of the current danger facing the Church but he also provides a strategy whereby the Church might stand and gain ground in the midst of apostasy.

In this session, David Nathan passionately admonishes and warns the body of Christ in The United Kingdom of the danger of being divisive over secondary issues firmly stating: “Unless groups of people like yourselves begin to unite one with another, there is no hope for the church in this country… there is no hope because if there’s no unity in the body of Christ do you think God is going to be amongst you?” It is time for the church to return to her first love and arise in the power of The Living God.

As a believer are you carrying unforgiveness and bitterness in your heart? In this session, David Nathan expounds Matthew chapter 18 verse 1. We MUST choose to forgive all offences in the power, strength and grace of God.

In this teaching session, Chris Lawson fervently warns the Church of “potentially dangerous and harmful spiritual practices”. Many unsuspecting Christians are being deceived through various books and authors who have employed new age occult principles whilst cloaking them in Christian terminology.

Sarah Young is the author of the popular and widespread contemporary “Christian” devotional entitled “Jesus Calling”.  In this teaching session, Chris Lawson gives an “extensive refutation” of the book and its author, thoroughly demonstrating by solid documentation, that this book substantiates another Jesus, another Gospel and another Spirit.

Paul brings a very serious and sobering Word, calling the Bride of Christ to make herself ready for her husband!!  There are many titles for Christ – Lord, Saviour, King, Redeemer – yet there is one title that is often lost in our understanding of who Christ is, namely Christ my Husband!!  Marriage in the West is being decimated!  As the sanctity and fidelity of matrimony is being lost, so too is the Church’s perception of this holy union between them and the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.  Jesus is coming back for a bride unspotted by the world, a wife who has made herself ready!!  Will you be found a faithful bride upon His soon return?

Romans 10 The Apostle Paul continues to pour out his heart and affection for his countrymen, his kinsmen according to the flesh.  Well noting their zeal for God, Paul points out the sad reality that their zeal is not according to knowledge.  Seeking to establish their own righteousness via the merits of the law, they have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God which come by faith in Jesus Christ. In absolute simplicity and beauty, Paul lays out for his brethren the means by which they might be saved by faith, confessing with one’s mouth the Lord Jesus and believing in one’s heart that God raised Him from the dead for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord in sincerity and truth shall be saved!!  In an age where the gospel is so misunderstood, this sermon comes as a refreshing reminder of exactly what a man must do to be saved!!    

In this final session, Roger brings the heart of Jesus Christ towards His sheep and warns pastors of the consequences of leading one of these little ones astray. Jesus is calling a last day's remnant to Himself and is looking for pastors who will lead His flock and prepare them for His soon return!

In this teaching session, Roger comprehensively and very competently demonstrates the dangers of the Emergent Church, which claims to be emerging in these last days to meet the needs of a post-modern generation.  Rather than focussing on narrow doctrine, this new movement focusses instead on experience; but the many spiritual disciplines and exercises that it promotes and practises are rooted in Roman Catholic mysticism and are taking many that are being misled back to Rome!!  

Roger shares much insight and wisdom as it pertains to his more than three decades of Christian ministry.  Perhaps the single greatest sign that we could very well be the generation to see the return of the Lord is the unprecedented rate at which apostasy has come wholesale into the Church.  Roger indeed stands as a watchman in our generation, sounding a trumpet and warning the body of Christ to be on guard against deception!!