Bethesda Shalom

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

Revelation 3:1-6 It’s amazing how so much can change over time!  If one was to visit Sardis in Western Turkey today, one would be greeted by a vast array of ruins; the crumbling shells of what was once a magnificent and illustrious city.  Seven hundred years before this letter was penned by John, Sardis stood as one of the greatest cities in the world!  Sardis was THE celebrated capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia and was also of great importance in the era of the Persians and also the Romans.  Yet sadly, when one looks for this eminence and splendour today, one looks in vain; all is but a faded memory of a bye-gone day, Sardis’ former glory now confined to the pages of antiquity, its ruins serve as a testimony of what once was!  The sad reality of the matter is that the passing glory of this ancient city was reflected by a Church which was found in it.  Once this Church excelled in spiritually and godliness; yet, by the time our Lord addressed them, they had retained the name but had lost the reality of

2 Samuel 20:8-13 I wonder, how many of us as Christians live in light of the coming judgment.  How many of us walk in the shadow of this reality.  Paul a thoroughly saved and blood washed man, in light of the judgment seat of Christ, sought to live and labour in such a way so as to be blameless, commending himself in the sight of God and before the consciences of men.  My Brother, my Sister, when I look today in the professing Church of Christ, I see so little fear of God in the hearts of His people.  Where is the fear of God in light of the judgment seat of Christ?  Take just one area...Look at the way in which Christians treat one another, the callousness, the skullduggery and treachery.  The bitter envying and strife, the false slander and assignation of character which all has its origins from the Prince of darkness, ascending from the pit of hell!!  Who will take stock and recall to mind the terrifying words of our Lord who said “...That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account there

Revelation 2:18-29 When one mentions the Church at Thyatira, what thoughts come readily to mind?  Good thoughts or bad thoughts?  If we’re honest, we’d have to concede ’bad’ thoughts’!  How bad? Jezebel, false prophetess, Idolatry, fornication, foods sacrificed to idols, great tribulation, killing, sickness and death!!  Yet, in keeping with the usual custom of our Lord, before He brings rebuke, He first brings commendation.  Can anything good come out of Thyatira you ask? Absolutely!!  “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first”. That said, the Lord had a few things against His people which though few in number, was by no means a small matter!  “I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols”.  We’ve much to learn from this Church and in this teaching we touch on m

Ephesians 5:18 Though as Christians our citizenship is rooted firmly in heaven, we nonetheless for the time being have a dual residency, being found also with our feet on planet earth.  It is for this reason that the New Testament is full exhortation, urging us on to personal holiness.  “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).  Drunkenness is a terrible blight upon any society that has given itself over to liquor; yet I want to suggest that there’s a far more subtle form of intoxication that is engulfing the masses in our day, namely that of the corrupting influences of modern media.  How many sway under the spirit of this age, drunk with the propaganda of filth that’s literally flooded into our homes via the satellite airwaves.  It’s time that we got sober, had an old fashioned cleanout and got rid of some of that old leaven from out of our homes!! Brother, Sister, have you oil in your lamp?  Are you filled with Holy Spirit?  Show me a man yielded to God in abso