Romans 13:1-7

Great misunderstanding exists among some believers regarding our relationship to governing authorities.  Some boast that they have only one King to whom they owe their allegiance and thus they break the law of the land!  Paul takes very strong objection against such a view and instructs believers that they are to recognise that governing authorities have received their seat of power from God.  God’s ministers they are, to execute wrath and justice in His place!  As Christians we are not to be rebels in our cause but rather we are to subject ourselves to those God has placed over us. 

In this sermon, a clear exhortation is delivered for Christians to be law abiding citizens.  Recognising on one hand our citizenship in heaven, but on the other, our citizenship on earth; it is not Caesar or Christ, but both, so long as the law of Caesar does not contravene the law of God!!

Like a man with only 30 seconds to live in which to speak his departing words; Paul with his finger on the trigger, fires out no less than 32 heart searching commands.  Each command is like the bullet of a trained marksman, finding its way to its given target!  Every word counting to encourage, reprove, exhort and edify the Body of Jesus Christ.  If there was a word to sum up the vast array of words found in the passage before us, it would be the word love!  If there was a container in which the whole sum of words could be stored, it would have written across it the word love!!

This sermon is a mighty challenge and a call to earnest examination of the heart and conduct.  The single greatest sign of maturity in the life of a Christian is not how much knowledge is contained in one’s head but rather, the degree to which one’s life is conformed to a life of love.  

Romans 12:3-8

As one considers the general perception of what Church is supposed to be, one cannot help but sense that there is a great misunderstanding on the part of many regarding this matter.  Content it seems the great crowds are, Sunday after Sunday, to pour rank and file into a building to occupy the pews and receive their full.  Yet, Jesus’ great high priestly payer in John 17 was that His body the Church would be one; united in a love so evident that the world would believe that we are His disciples!

Wrong perception breeds wrong attitude, which in turn breeds wrong conduct.  In this sermon the picture of a functioning body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies is set firmly before the listener.  Are you operating in your calling/gifting and if so, to what degree of sacrifice and service?  Oh that we might be not just be receivers and takers!  Would to God that we would become givers, serving and blessing one another in our calling and gifting, growing up as one body in love!!   

Romans 12:1-2

Well the words of an old hymn serve to adorn the passage of Scripture before us – A Living Sacrifice.  “I fail to find a sacrifice, or fitting gift to bring:  Earth’s treasures have too little worth to offer to my King.  My gift is small, it is my all, accept it Lord I pray; let self be slain, let Jesus reign, within my heart alway”.  Oh, dear soul…is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?  What yet remains to give Him who gave all to us?    

The world is ever seeking to fashion us into its pattern but we must hold fast and withstand that temptation.  The exhortation given by the Apostle Paul in this twelfth chapter of Romans is for Christians to be transformed by the renewing of their mind in order that they might prove that good and acceptable and perfect will of God and in so proving to grow up in maturity.     

Romans 11

When one surveys that peculiar and special people group known as the Jews; one would think them to be altogether cast off by God.  How so few it seems have come to saving faith in Messiah; how many vehemently oppose the gospel of Jesus Christ!!  With a deep groaning and an inescapable burden for his people, Paul lays down the case as to why it is absolutely not the case that God has cast off His covenanted people Israel!!    

With careful exegesis and passionate preaching, the case is made in this sermon teaching in favour of Gods continuing plan for national Israel in the salvific purposes of God.  Their rejection on account of divine judgment has proven to be the blessing of the nations; their partial hardening, the coming in of the Gentiles!!  Yet there is coming a time when God shall turn His mercies back again to His covenant people as foretold by the prophets and in that day all of national Israel shall be saved!!

2 Corinthians 13:7-11

David delivers a very challenging message on the great need for believers in Christ to become mature in the faith.  So many are waddling around at the first stages of infancy when they ought by now to be young men and fathers in the faith.  Many are content to sit inactive on the side lines and wonder why there is no spiritual growth and maturity in their lives. 

In love and gentleness, David sets the record straight and exhorts the body of Christ to walk in obedience to the call of God upon their lives as it pertains to Christian service.  It’s not in the "sitting" that one grows spiritually, but rather it is in the “doing” of Christian service that one develops spiritual muscles and begins to grow in spiritual maturity.

In his final teaching, David Nathan concludes by delivering a stirring message on the person and work of The Holy Spirit in and through the end-times church. David Nathan begins by dispelling unbiblical teachings and long held traditions regarding the agency and ministry of The Holy Spirit, followed by a very strong rebuke and impassioned plea for the body of Christ to once again seek the baptism of The Holy Spirit that we may be His witnesses amidst the impending persecution in this last and wicked hour.

David shares his hearts burden regarding the coming wave of persecution that he very strongly believes the Church in the west is set to experience.  David cries aloud for believers to prepare themselves for such an hour as is yet to come.  God will give us the grace needed to stand, but we must understand and recognise the times and the seasons we are living in and in so doing to make the preparations necessary for the coming storm!!   

Persecution is no longer some detached notion concerning oppressed Christian brothers and sisters from some distant land, but the reality of impending tribulation for believers is happening right here and now! The very foundations of the Christian faith are being eroded right before our eyes; society and governments are becoming increasingly secular and anti-Christian; the trampling and disregard of biblical values is taking place at an alarming and unprecedented rate! Are we really ready for the coming storm? Paul M. Williams challenges the church to faithfully prepare for what’s ahead!

In this teaching session, Chris Lawson exposes the dangerous occult practices of visualisation, guided imagery and inner healing, its implications and how it is influencing the church.