Bethesda Shalom

Matthew 24:1-13 This is a sermon that will both challenge and equip believers to get ready for the Lord’s return.  It is by no means exhaustive, but key principles and commands are passionately given in order to help prepare the Bride of Christ to make it through in these last days. This sermon was delivered at Israel and Prophecy.  For more information, visit: www.israelandprophecy.org

Revelation 12 There are some that maintain, that the book of Revelation is so full of imagery that no sense can be made of any of it.  I admit, that the book is full of imagery, but I add that that imagery is not random but specific and deliberate for those with eyes to see!  Who is this woman, clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet and upon her head twelve stars?  Who is this red dragon, who makes war with the remnant of her seed?  What is this war in heaven and why does the dragon persecute the woman, who brought forth the man child? In this teaching, we answer these questions and endeavour to unpack this difficult chapter and to understand it in light of end times events.  May the Lord shine light upon His word?    

Romans 1:16 As one surveys the last two thousand years of Church history, one will see that sadly, anti-Semitism has plagued its ranks at every juncture, hiding beneath the thinly clad veneer of theology so-called. Replacement theology—the belief that the Church has replaced national Israel (the Jewish people) in becoming the new inheritors of the promises given specifically to Israel in the Tanakh—has caused an arrogance to arise in the Christian Church (comprising largely of Gentile believers) of which the Apostle Paul warned against in the eleventh chapter of the book of Romans; “Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee” (Rom. 11:18). In this sermon teaching, the biblical foundation is laid and the mandate given us by God’s word, to take the gospel into all the world, first to the Jewish people and then to the Gentile.  May God give us again a burden for Jewish mission!  This sermon was shared at the 2019 Messianic Testimony West Midlands Rally.  For f

Revelation 11 We are met in this chapter for the first time, explicit mention made of the beast.  Until now, not a single mention of this character has been made by name; everything that we have said about him, we have done so by inference.  Before Revelation 11, the word “beast” in reference to the Antichrist is nowhere to be found; yet after Revelation 11; the word “beast” in reference to the Antichrist occurs no less than 36 times.  In this teaching, we begin to look at little closer at the beast along with the two witnesses.  Who are these two witnesses and what is their purpose?  We shall answer these questions along with others as we explore this eleventh chapter of Revelation.  

Proverbs 3:5 David brings a message that has at its core, absolute surrender to God!  “…In Scotland once I was in a company where we were talking about the condition of Christ's Church, and what the great need of the Church and of believers is, and there was in our company a godly worker who has much to do in training workers, and I asked him what he would say was the great need of the Church, and the message that ought to be preached. He answered very quietly and simply and determinedly "Absolute surrender to God is the one thing." – Andrew Murray David Donovan, along with his wife Shirley, are the founders of a medical mission to the people of the Niger Delta called New Foundations. To find out more about New Foundations, please visit: https://newfoundations.org.uk/

Revelation 10 Six angels have given sound to their trumpets; two great woes have been brought upon humanity by the hand of God with the most devastating effects.  One trumpet has yet to sound, the seventh and the last; the third and final woe.  Just as there was an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, so we have here, another interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets. John beholds in a vision a mighty angel, coming down from heaven with a little book open book in his hand.  We explore the events of this interesting chapter and as we do, we look a little closer at the topic of angels.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 The longer that I’m alive and the longer that I continue in service to the Lord, is the more that I’ve come to realise, you can’t please everyone!!  What will be pleasing to one, will inevitably be the cause of displeasure to another and what will serve to light a smile on one face will no doubt serve to put a frown on another.  Of course, as a Christian, we’re mandated to let our light shine before men that in seeing our good works, they might give praise to God.  “In all things (writes Paul to Titus) shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” (Tit. 2:7-8).  But what happens when after we have done this, we are still yet the target of men’s judgment and criticism?  Then, we must seek the approval and good pleasure of God alone by faithful obedience to that which He has called each of us to do! In this sermon,

Revelation 9 Four blasts of the trumpet have gone before us; four pronouncements of God’s judgment aimed at the earth in which men are indirectly affected by the catastrophic impact each judgment brings with it.  Three great woes now await the inhabitants of the earth.  In a manner reminiscent of the days of Moses in which the kingdom of Egypt was judged by ten plagues which befell it; so, in a similar fashion, God begins at the end to do that which He began to do at the start of the Exodus.     In this seventeenth teaching part, we look into the terrifying trumpet judgments of trumpets five and six. 

Matthew 28:19-20 The last words of our Lord, recorded by Matthew, were not, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”; the last words of our Lord were; “...and  lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world”.  My Brothers and Sisters, take these words to heart!!  Let them be the meditation of your thoughts.  No matter what we go through as believers; no matter how great the offences and how bitter the disappointments; Jesus has promised that He’ll never leave us, nor forsake us, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6). Shared at Israel and Prophecy meeting.  For more information, visit: www.israelandprophecy.org

Revelation 8 Following the brief interlude of chapter 7, we rejoin again the events of the seven seals, which has been the central theme of Revelation, since chapter 5.  Six seals have thus far been opened, revealing dark and terrible days ahead, which shall take place upon the earth on a global scale. Seven angels assigned with a staggering mission. To each is given a trumpet which when blown brings forth the next wave of God’s wrath!! We examine in this teaching the first four of these seven trumpet judgments.

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

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

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

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.