Bethesda Shalom

Revelation 2:12-17 The ancient city of Pergamos had been for three hundred years, a capital city in that locale.  Like that of Ephesus and Smyrna, Pergamos was a famous centre of religious worship and among the Greek deities worshipped by the Pergamenes was the revered Asklepios. There were some in Pergamos who had remained faithful under trial, suffering much at the hand of the wicked one and yet had not denied their Lord.  Others however had turned aside to the false doctrine of Balaam, eating things sacrificed to idols and committing fornication.  There’s a lot to be learned from this Church, both from their commendation and their rebuke.  By God’s grace we shall explore practically and theologically these precious lessons.   

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Pastor Paul brings a very stirring message to awaken the Church from a spirit of complacency in our day.  Things never begin out in this way but as one generation passes another takes its place, the fervency and the vision which once characterised the former gives place to apathy and by the time one the third generation comes, already the rot of backsliding compromise has set in.  We are called to awaken from the spirit of complacency, to return back to our first love and to set our homes in order. 

Matthew 8:5-13 A sad reality that haunts our present day is that Christianity has been reduced to nothing more than a simple formula through which if a person can regurgitate a few words, giving mental assent to a few facts, then he’s admitted into this comfortable religion we call Christianity and promised the treasures of eternal life.  What does this “comfortable” religion look like?  Well...let’s just say, you’d never know that the people professing it were any different from the world if it were not for the fact that they went by the name of Christian!!!!  Yet, here’s the thing...as we trace the history of the first century Church, they were not always called Christians; they were called Christians first in Antioch.  What were they then known as before Antioch?  “...the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”.  Hence we see, the name “Christian”, and the word “disciple” are synonymous!!  This sermon is a call for the rubber on the Christian wheels to meet the road.  Who sits on the throne of y

Revelation 2:8-11 Of all seven epistles addressed to the Churches in Asia, the letter to the Church in Smyrna is by far the shortest.  In just four verses, all that the Lord had to say was said!  Smyrna was a Church that found itself amidst much tribulation and upon seeing their plight, Jesus sought to encourage them to hold fast and to prepare for an even greater period of persecution that was to follow. There is much that can be learned from this epistle that we would do well to take heed.  May God give us much grace in the days ahead so as to not only prepare for persecution but also to endure it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 There’s a thought that so grips my heart, subconsciously hanging over my head like an appointment.  What is this thought you ask?  It’s this...my personal accountability to God for what I have done with the time He has given to me whilst on this earth.  It is this...the purpose for which I expended my life; the reason for which I lived and moved and had my being; to what end and to whose glory did I spend this little passing moment called life. This sermon is a challenge and an exhortation for the Body of Christ to press into the will of God.  Who will enquire of the Lord and seek out His will for every area of their lives?  May God grant us much grace that when our Lord appears, we would not stand before Him empty handed.  May we be able to say that we were busy about our Masters business! 

Acts 17:16-32 We are living in a post-modern generation where a new breed of thinking has invaded the imaginations of men's hearts and minds.  Once upon a time, there existed something called objective truth which in turn set the parameters for objective morality.  God was that objective truth and His Holy Word the moral standard which was brought to bear upon the consciences of men.  God the creator dictated to man the created, what was right and what was wrong and the consciences of men bore testimony and approval.  But now, we are seeing an altogether different scenario taking shape before our eyes, where man is fast becoming answerable to no one.  science, we’re told has now explained away God and if there is no God and man is just an advanced ape with no God-given conscience, then it naturally follows that man is free on his upward journey of evolution to define his own truth and in turn his own morality without the baggage of accountability.  The call goes out in this sermon without reservation; REPENT!

Revelation 2:1-7 Ephesus was a city of tremendous importance and was by far the greatest city in Asia.  Commercially it was unrivalled and was the wealthiest being surpassed by very few cities of that day.  Being situated at the mouth of an important river, Ephesus commanded the trade of that region and was dubbed “The Vanity Fair of the Ancient World”.  Politically, it too was a city of great importance earning for itself the name “Supreme Metropolis of Asia”, and of course religiously, it held a place of incredible prominence being the centre of the worship of Artemis aka Diana and the temple situated in that city was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  To this city dared to come the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! Around the year AD 52, a Church in Ephesus was founded and a decade later, around the year AD 62, Paul wrote his epistle to this same Church.  In the passing of some three plus decades Jesus Christ now addresses this Church and though He had much good to commend them for; their labour and pa

Revelation 1:9-20 The four Gospel accounts record for us the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  Mention is made of His birth and great detail is given to his ministry of some 3½ years, culminating in His death, burial and resurrection.  Following His resurrection, Jesus showed Himself alive for 40 days by many infallible proofs being seen of the Apostles and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom until the time in which He was taken up to heaven. We have very little recorded in the New Testament of the words of Jesus Christ following His ascension.  However, it’s not until we come to the final book in the Bible that we have a detailed description of the risen ascended Son of God and the words spoken by Him to His Churches.  This therefore if for no other reason, makes the Book of Revelation a very unique book in the Bible.  In this teaching, we examine this first vision of John who beholds the risen, ascended Christ!      

Revelation 1:4-8 What a greeting, packed with plenty of punch and pace!!  The Apostle John, writing by the Spirit of God brings a glorious triune greeting to the Seven Churches from God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!  Particular emphasis is laid upon the wonderful person of the Son. What titles are given Him, “the faithful witness”, “the first begotten of the dead” and “the prince of the kings of the earth”. In this teaching, we expound these beautiful titles before turning to the doxology given by John.  In every which way, there is no escaping it, this teaching brings to light the very glory and the honour of our blessed Saviour, the Lord of lords and the King of kings!!

Revelation 1:1-3 In this first teaching part, we set the scene by giving an introduction.  In an age where so many have closed this book of Revelation and dismissed it as irrelevant and too hard to understand; it is with the utmost privilege that we embark on this journey, studying, and teaching through this amazing book.  For what reason was this Revelation given by God?  “…to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass” (Rev. 1:1).  For the one willing to read, hear and obey the words of this prophecy, there is the assurance of a promised blessing!!  May God help us to remain faithful to His Word!

Acts 16:13-34 Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and thrown in prison. Even at the midnight hour they are praying and singing praises to the LORD, when SUDDENLY the LORD comes and shakes the prison with an earthquake! Don’t be absent when you ought to be expecting. Don’t be playing when you ought to be praying. Don’t be sighing when you ought to be singing. And don’t be silent when you ought to be speaking. Get ready for GOD to come SUDDENLY! You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here: https://brianlongpreaching.com/

James 1:5-8 Faith that does not waiver has at least 5 characteristics for sure, F-A-I-T-H. F-FOCUS on the faithfulness of GOD. Let us fix our eyes on JESUS! A-ACTIVE OBEDIENCE. Faith without works/obedience is dead! I-INTIMACY with GOD. Do you know HIM or just know about HIM? T-TENACITY. Faith that will not waiver is tenacious in prayer! H-HEARING. Without the WORD of GOD all we have is presumption. But standing on the promises of God we shall not waiver! You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here: https://brianlongpreaching.com/

Acts 27 You are called to be God’s provision to others in the storm. We are called to STAND, SERVE, SPEAK, and SUPPLICATE in the midst of the storm! The apostle Paul did just that, and 276 shipwrecked prisoners were saved from perishing. We are called to do the same in the coming storm! You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here: https://brianlongpreaching.com/

John 12:20-33 The prayer for every occasion is, FATHER GLORIFY THY NAME! Here is a prayer we should always pray. GOD has answered this prayer and will answer it again. This is a call to not only pray the prayer, but to follow JESUS the way of the cross so that HE can answer the prayer in you! The way of the cross is the way of love! Love never seeks its own and without love we are just sounding brass and tinkling cymbals! You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here: https://brianlongpreaching.com/

Isaiah 42:3 A message on personal revival and restoration. The LORD longs to breathe upon the smoking flax, fanning it into flame! But, this requires absolute surrender! Or maybe you are a bruised reed? The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The LORD is moved with compassion for HIS people and will restore us. But, we must get honest, repent of all sin, and resolve to trust the LORD come what may. You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here: https://brianlongpreaching.com/

2 Chronicles 7:14 There’s no two ways about it, the annals of history bear conclusive testimony to the fact that no revival has first come without there first being a concerted effort by God’s people in prayer!  Humility and prayer go hand in hand like bread and butter.  The proud man does not pray and will not pray; why?  He genuinely senses no need for God in his life!  Yet, before God sends a revival, He burdens His people and sets them a-praying!!  Yet; if God’s people are going to seek His face in prayer for a heaven-sent revival out of a God-given burden, then they must be willing to get serious with God in the area of personal holiness!!  No more compromise!! The door of sin in our lives must be shut!!!  Will we not believe God in our day for a revival?  It’s time to seek the Lord Brethren, until He comes again to visit His people.  Away with unbelief, the call goes out for all true believers to unite together in prayer to the purposed end that God might send again revival into our midst!

Ezekiel 37:1-10 The days are dark and the hour is critical. Is it too late for revival? When all hope is gone, and we are brought to the end of ourselves, face to face with impossibility, GOD so often shows up in awesome power! The LORD looks for a man of faith upon whom HE can place HIS hand. Here is a call to return to the old paths of prophetic preaching and earnest prayer. May GOD breathe upon HIS people once again in a mighty revival of the preaching of the WORD of the LORD, and the moving of the SPIRIT of the LORD! But, how long before we BELIEVE the LORD to do such a work? You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here: https://brianlongpreaching.com/

Acts 2:37-47 There are five key distinctives/characteristics that authenticate true revival; #1, conviction of sin; #2, repentance from sin; #3, confession of sin; #4, restoration on account of sin; and #5, the conversion of sinners.  Note that each of these characteristics of true revival deals a deathly blow to sin!!  There’s no escaping this biblically or historically.  Any revival that supposes itself to be such where sin is not the focus of the Spirit’s dealings in returning a people back to the Lordship, authority and worship of God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son is NOT revival!! In part two of this two-part sermon, we address the final three key distinctives; confession of sin, restoration on account of sin and the conversion of sinners. 

Acts 2:37-47 There are five key distinctives/characteristics that authenticate true revival; #1, conviction of sin; #2, repentance from sin; #3, confession of sin; #4, restoration owing to sin; and #5, the conversion of sinners.  Note that each of these characteristics of true revival deals a deathly blow to sin!!  There’s no escaping this biblically or historically.  Any revival that supposes itself to be such where sin is not the focus of the Spirit’s dealings in returning a people back to the Lordship, authority and worship of God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son is NOT revival!! In part one of this two-part sermon, we address the first two key distinctives; conviction of sin and repentance from sin. 

1 Peter 1:13-16 We are in desperate need of a revival of true holiness! Its high time the people of GOD obey this commandment from the LORD, “BE YE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY!” How? Brother Brian shares and acrostic that the LORD had recently given him H-O-L-Y. H-Hunger, O-Obedience, L-Looking unto JESUS, and Y-Yielding to the HOLY SPIRIT! You can listen to more of Brian’s sermons here: https://brianlongpreaching.com/