Bethesda Shalom

Revelation 16 I believe that key to rightly dividing the book of Revelation, is to recognise that the events recorded in this book can be broadly divided into two parallel blocks — chapters 4 through to 11 forming the first block, and chapters 12 through to 20 forming the second block.  When one understands that these two blocks of Scripture are complementary in nature—that is, they run parallel to one another covering the same period of time in the Tribulation—one is then able to rightly divide the book of Revelation making sense of its chronology and the events that happen within it. In this teaching, we endeavour to compare side-by-side, the trumpet judgments of Revelation 8, 9 and 11, with the vial judgments of chapter 16. In doing this, we discover that whilst there are slight discrepancies between the two accounts, the overwhelming similarities between the two necessitate that they are referring to the same event.  Take a listen and decide for yourself.

Matthew 18:19-20 It never ceases to amaze me, how our great and awesome God takes the nothings of this world to confound and bring to naught the somethings of this world!  God took a  man by the name of Gideon and with 300 men, defeated the mighty army of the Midianites. God took a nothing man by the name of Abraham—an idolater from a far-away land—and made of him a great nation through which to bless the world!!  God takes a nothing shepherd boy by the name of David and makes him a king!!  God takes a Christian persecuting Pharisee by the name of Saul and made him an apostle of Jesus Christ.  Biblical history proves that without a shadow of a doubt, the few with God make up the majority! This sermon is an exhortation for the Body of Christ not to despise the day of small beginnings.  Where two or three are gathered together, there the Lord is in the midst!  Will we not give ourselves wholeheartedly to prayer; even the small meetings where few are present, as though there was a thousand present and see what G

Revelation 15 John sees in vision, a sign in heaven, great and marvellous.  Seven angels coming out of the temple in heaven having the seven last plagues.  To these seven are given seven golden vials full of the wrath of Almighty God.  This chapter serves as an introduction to what will take place in chapter 16 as the seven bowls of God’s wrath are poured out upon the earth.     

2 Corinthians 5:7-15 A word of warning and exhortation is given regarding the coming day when all believers shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ!  In light of this awesome day, what manner of people ought we to be? How ought we to be spending our time?  What ought to be our priorities?  The cry of Brian's heart is that we might not stand on that day with regrets of what could have been, if only we had lived in light of eternity. 

Matthew 14:13-21 A great Word of encouragement is brought forth in this sermon by Brother Brian. In the days in which we are living, God is calling His people to feed those who He brings across our path.  Yet, are we the people of God prepared to carry the compassion of the Lord for those who He died for?  Are we willing to be inconvenienced?  Are we willing to be broken that He might fill us and use us for the glory of His name?

2 Samuel 9:1-8 Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, t'was blind but now I see.  What does it mean to be in wonder of the grace of God?  His saving mercy; His saving grace!  Those who have this wonder and who are in awe of God’s grace, will follow Him and won’t turn back! 

Hebrews 10:23-25 Is the Church of Jesus Christ necessary for one’s sanctification?  Perhaps this is something that you’ve not before considered and so understandably, you may need time to ponder this pertinent question. I say pertinent, because we are living in a day where there is a small but increasing number of Christians, whose attitude towards the local visible Church Body is one of disdain and scorn.  Content they are to stay at home and to find their fellowship in the world of virtual reality.  This my friends will never do!! From the Churches inception, those whom the Lord added to His Church, met together, and it is the coming together with other believers – skin touching skin– that we grow in holiness as we learn to forbear with one another in love, forgiving one another as Christ forgave us.  At what cost are you prepared to be found in such sanctifying fellowship?  May God give us ears to hear. 

Haggai 2 Having seen the wonder of God’s greatness, Brian now turns to share on the wonder of God’s glory!!  Even the sun in all its brilliance; the stars in their glory; do not compare to the glory and the majesty of the One who brought them into existence in a moment!  Oh, that God would come again and reveal His glory in revival!  God is willing, but the question is, are we? Who is willing to carry this burden of revival, which at its centre has to do with the very glory of God?   

Hebrews 5:8 – 6:3 It is my firm conviction, based on the evidence and testimony of Scripture, that God in every age and in every generation, is calling His people up to higher ground, and that the work of sanctification; that work whereby we are being fashioned by the Holy Spirit into the image and likeness of the Lord as we yield our lives to Him is an ongoing one which shall not reach its conclusion until the coming of the Lord.  God is wanting to raise up a people of spiritual maturity; a people such that He can trust with Christian service in the field of battle!  As one surveys the length and breadth of the land, one has to ask; where are the spiritual giants of yesteryear?  God is calling His people up higher in these last days that we might be fitted and prepared for ministry.  Will we heed that call?

Hebrews 12:1-2 The clear and uncompromising call of Scripture is an exhortation, calling the people of God unto holiness!  Praise God for the many victories won over besetting sins and the great gains made thus far.  Yet, could it be, that God is saying to you and I; there is still something amiss in your life that I’m calling you to perfect.  Something still lacking which I’m calling you to address. My Brother, my Sister; the Word God is this; DO NOT SETTLE FOR “ALMOST HOLY” WHEN GOD IS CALLING YOU TO “BE HOLY”.

Philippians 2:5-11 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8). When one ponders such an unthinkable act of humility, Jesus Christ – very God of very God – humbling Himself in being clothed in humanity and coming down to earth to die the death of a criminal upon a rugged cross; how can we not humble ourselves before Him?  Why is it that so often, pride will keep us from saying sorry?  May the Lord grant us much grace to take to heart what Brian shares.   

John 3:16-21 There’s something wonderful about the sun (S-U-N); its sheer power and brilliance in casting forth its rays; reaching every inch it seems of the earth’s surface.  Yet do you know, there are some places that even this great light can’t reach—chasms which burrow deep beneath the earth’s surface—their steep and rocky sides shielding out the light.  The deeper that chasm goes, the greater the darkness becomes!  Do you know, I’ve found that the human heart is not too dissimilar; like that great chasm, it is adept at concealing itself from the searching rays of the SON (S-O-N). This sermon is a call for the people of God to prepare their hearts as to how they intend to hear from God.  It is a call for willingness on the behalf of us, to step into the light of God’s searching truth, in order that we might be brought up to higher ground.  

Isaiah 40:9 How amazing are the wonders of our great and gracious God!!!  Beyond our comprehension and thinking.  In this opening message, Brian sets before us, the awesome wonder of God’s greatness and calls the Body of Christ to place their faith in HIM!! 

Mark 4:35-41 There is coming a day when all that will be shaken, will be shaken.  The Church of Jesus Christ is going to go through a very turbulent time in the days ahead and a great testing will distinguish between those who are truly for the Lord and those who are not.  It is imperative that the Bride of Christ is found abiding in faith, hope and love; these three shall remain, but the greatest of these is love.

1 Peter 2:3-8 Brian brings a very moving message on the preciousness of Christ.  Amongst the varied fruit of a true believer, this one distinguishing mark must be present.  Is Jesus Christ precious to your heart, and if not then why not?

Matthew 26:36-45 According to NHS data, there has been a 28% increase in the number of hospital admissions for stress and anxiety in the past decade.  Between, 2017 and 2018, there were 595,000 cases reported in the UK relating to work-based stress.  However, it’s not just in the workplace, everywhere one look’s, people are under pressure.  In one of the biggest surveys into the impact of stress; the results showed that three in four Britons have at least on one occasion over the last year (2018), been so stressed that they have felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.  Undoubtedly, much of this stress and anxiety I’m sure can be alleviated by slowing down the pace but the fact of the matter is, some of it cannot be helped.  Where pressure increases, there must be an avenue for that pressure to escape; and the God-given means for the child of God, to bear the burdens given us by God is prayer!

Matthew 6:7-13 It seems that almost every other month, another Christian in the position of leadership, jumps to a social media platform to announce to the world that they’re stepping down from ministry due to some moral failing; or in the case of the last two months, that they’re abandoning the faith altogether!  Apostasy has always existed in the ranks of the fold and exhortations abound in the New Testament, calling us as believers to perseverance!  What you ask, is the secret of enduring faith and victory?  In one word, humility!!  “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:6-8).     Indeed, we are charged with the task with taking to arm us for the fight, the whole armour of God; but we must never forget who it is that is on our side, fighting for us.  Our Lord instructed us to pray “…lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Mt. 6:13). 

Zechariah 4:6-9 So often in our theology, we begin with man first and forget that the opening words before ever mention is made of man is; “In the beginning God…”  God is the great first cause of all things.  By Him and through His Word, the whole universe was brought into existence.  How often do we really seek counsel from the Lord for direction at life’s crossroads?  How often do we consult Him and enquire of His counsel?  In this sermon, we really bring home the need for a Word from God in season.  God is faithful and delights in revealing His will!  For the soul that seeks Him, standing on His promises; that soul shall never be disappointed.  It matters not the mountain that stands before you; if God has spoken into the situation, what He has said, He will do!  The question is, will we believe the Word of the Lord?

Revelation 14 We come in this teaching to our first interlude since beginning the second section of the Book of Revelation. This is a very quick-paced chapter, full of various visions.  A lot of ground is covered in just twenty verses.  First, we are met again, with that special group of Jewish men; 144,000 Messianic believers, gathered on Mount Sion with the Lamb.  Next, John sees, three heralding angels, proceeding one another, each with a different cry.  Finally, we are met with a vision pertaining to the end harvest - the gathering together for the day judgment both of the righteous and the wicked.  May God help us as we study this chapter, to make sense of what is written.

2 Chronicles 14 It seems that the hardest thing to get Christians to do today is to pray, and because there is no individual prayer life there is no corporate prayer life!  The prayer closets of the average Christian are perpetually vacant and the Church prayer meeting has long been abandoned.  I don’t know about you, but for me, this send’s the strongest possible message.  If actions could speak (and they do); they would say in short; “WE DON’T NEED GOD!!”.  What is prayer but in its simplest essence, making our requests known unto God.  Yet here’s the irony; the man who does not feel his need, will not pray his need.  The great urgency of the day is not to convince Christians to pray, but to convince them of their need to pray!!!  This sermon is a clarion call, for the Church to again discover the greatest weapon ever given it…prayer!  In this day of great peril, who will be willing again to seek the Lord in prayer?  Let us do so, not only individually, but also corporately, that we might see the hand of Go