Bethesda Shalom Bethesda Shalom

John 12:20-26
Many will gladly come to receive of the benefits of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice so long as it doesn’t require any sacrifice on their part. They’ll gladly own Him as their Saviour but deny Him the right to be Lord.  As I understand the language of the New Testament, the full name of our Saviour is not Jesus Christ — there’s a inseparable title that’s missing!  Do you know what it is?  Mr. Jesus Christ? Sir Jesus Christ? “LORD” Jesus Christ!!  “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9). Oh to hear confessions on this wise again!!  It’s the only confession that saves!!

1 Corinthians 13
Dr. David Donovan brings an update on the precious work of New Foundations, a medical mission to the Niger Delta. Following the update, David brings a word from Scripture to the hearts of God’s people.

Of all the chapters in the NT, Romans 6-8a, are amongst the most misunderstood. Yet, when properly understood, these same three chapters become some of the most liberating in all the Word of God! For so many professing Christians, Romans chapter 7 offers a supporting crutch for them to continue living in sin — after all, didn’t Paul struggle in the battle against sin, failing miserably every time?  “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do” (Rom. 7:19).  If that was the personal testimony of the mighty Apostle Paul, what chance this side of eternity have I got?!
In this second sermon part, we seek to shed valuable light on this misunderstood chapter and to bring forth the liberation of Romans chapter 8!  

The doctrine of justification by faith (the imputed righteousness of Christ) is the cardinal pillar upon which Christianity stands. Take this pillar away, and the whole faith comes crashing down in ruin. Positionally, we stand righteousness before a holy God, not on the basis of our works (plural), but because of HIS work (singular), and our faith in that finished work, and in His son the Lord Jesus Christ whom He raised form the dead! Now for many Christians, this is where it begins and ends. Ask the average Christian what the difference is between them and those who know not the Lord and you will be told; “The only difference between us and them, is we’re forgiven and they are not!” In this first part of a two-part sermon series, we shall examine this statement and seek to understand the life-changing truths contained in Romans 6.

Isaiah 31:1
If I was to ask you this morning to tell me where the strength of the Church lies at this critical juncture in history, I wonder what you’d say?  Ah, I know what you’d like to say, you’d like to say the strength of the Church lies in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!  However, if the Evangelical Church in Britain was to answer this question by her actions alone, I fear that it would contradict this answer entirely. They tell me, actions speak louder than words and I’m inclined to believe it.  It’s not so much what we say that counts as a pose to what we do.  I remember vividly that when my son was a baby, before ever he could speak a word of English, when he wanted the attention of his daddy and mommy he had ways and means of getting it A cry from the heart spoke a thousand word!!  Yet as I survey the Evangelical landscape of the Church this present hour; as I put my ear to the ground, I listen in vain to hear the same heartfelt cry! The first Church was birthed in prayer and the last century Church is dying through lack it!! 
This sermon is a call to seek the Lord!  “There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength” (Ps. 33:16-17)

Psalm 78:23-32
I’ve had the joy over the years of tasting a number of delicious world cuisines.  Greek and Italian, Chinese and Cantonese, Indian and Himalayan, Jamaican and of course English — the flavours and the tastes are enough to make your mouth water!  Yet of all the dishes I’ve ever had the privilege of eating, there’s one dish that to date I’ve yet to try, and that’s angels’ food.  You say what!? Angels’ food!  I’ve never seen a restaurant serving that on the menu! No, and I don’t suppose you ever will.  But did you know that for 40 years straight, heavenly corn was freshly served on a daily basis to the Israelites every single morning except for on the Sabbath?  Man did eat angels’ food.  Israel had it made! You’d think so, wouldn’t you? The problem was, they didn’t quite see things that way.  Novelty wears thin quickly you know, and when it does, it inevitably gives way to familiarity which in turn breeds contempt!!  
This sermon is a challenging message to the Body of Christ not to despise the Word of God.  In an hour of great spiritual famine, in that place where the true bread of heaven is being served, be content there to feed.  Don’t be like the Israelites who, through the lust of the flesh, abhorred the manna and longed again for the food of Egypt.