Romans 3:1-5
Diamonds are among the most prized gems in the known world today and are renowned for their dazzling beauty and sparkling array. Yet, the story of this precious stone is one of great affliction from start to finish. One hundred miles beneath earth’s surface, at temperatures in excess of 20000C, and at phenomenal pressures, the diamond is formed.
This sermon is an exhortation to have joy in the midst of tribulation!! Joy, “knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Rom 5:3-4). As gold tried through the fire and is purified, and as the sweet flavours of food are more concentrated in the higher temperatures of a sealed pressure cooker; so precious Christ-like character is wrought in a Christian soul under the extreme pressure and fierce heat of tribulation!
Part 4 - The Doctrine of Angels
What are we to make when Christians become obsessed with angels? When a leading charismatic figure claims to have personal visitations from a female angel called Emma? Is it biblical to call down healing angels in a Church meeting or any type of angels for that matter? What do angels even look like and what is their function? Typically, in many artistic impressions they are depicted as winged chubby infants with ruddy cheeks floating around in play. One thing is for certain, much superstition surrounds the topic of angels, spurred on not least by the resurgence of interest in the occult via the New Age movement which has come into the mainstream over the last 30 years. The fascination with angels today has led many undiscerning enthusiasts onto dangerous ground as they actively seek to make contact with these spirit beings for spiritual guidance and insight. With biblical illiteracy at a high, sadly, even professing Christians have allowed the influences of Hollywood to inform their understanding of angels rather than the Word of God.
We intend in this teaching not to rest our understanding of angels in the realm of speculation, but instead, our desire is to open the Bible and to allow it to speak with authority into this subject so as dispel myth and inform a biblical worldview.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
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Ephesians 4:11-16
When a baby’s born, no sooner than it’s come out of the womb, it craves one thing and one thing only…milk! Some 8-12 times a day, it desires to feed on that white liquid and thereby feeding, it grows!! Is it too much to ask that what is true in the natural, ought also to be true in the spiritual? When a soul passes from death into newness of life, the first thing that soul ought now to crave is the milk of God’s Word!! “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1Pe 2:2). Moving on from milk, the infant progresses to solids and through length of time and continual feeding, grows from boyhood to manhood! I say again, is it too much to ask that what is true in the natural, ought also to be true in the spiritual lives of God’s people?
This sermon is an exhortation to the Body of Christ calling God’s children to a place of spiritual maturity. Gone are the years of infancy for those saved of many years, the time has now come that we ought to be teachers. May the Lord challenge and encourage His people by His Word through this stirring sermon.
John 21:19-22
“Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus, step by step and day by day; stepping in His very footprints, walking with Him all the way. Step by step, step by step, I would walk with Jesus; all the day, all the way, keeping step with Jesus” (A.B Simpson). Oh, how many are caught up with the burden and grief of trying to keep step with Mr and Mrs Jones when we’re called instead to keep step with Jesus! To take our eyes off the Lord and to begin comparing ourselves with others, is breeding ground for all manner of strife and division, contention and envy.
This sermon is an exhortation to us all to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and not to allow what the Lord is doing in others’ lives to be a hindrance to what God is wanting to do in our own lives! We’ve each been called by name to the Saviour into a personal relationship. The good Lord deals with each of His children as it so pleases Him. May we resist the temptation to compare ourselves with others and in so doing to become envious. Walking with Jesus must be our primary focus! One person put it this way; “Resentment comes from looking at others, contentment comes from looking to God”.
Part 3 - The Attributes of God
When speaking of the attributes of God, what we are really referring to are the characteristics of God, those qualities that describe who God is. The God of the Bible is unique and His characteristics define His very nature. By studying the attributes of God as defined by the Bible, we gain an understanding of who God is and what He is like. Sadly, the tendency of many in our current day towards theology (the study of God) is one of apathy and even scorn. Theology is seen to be too technical and unnecessary for the common Christian who hasn’t the time or care to pursue such academic matters. Instead, what we see generally is that theology has been sacrificed on the altar of experience. However, without the sound foundation provided by sound theology, one cannot truly experience God aright. Thus it is essential that we grasp the character and nature of God which will inform a proper biblical experience!
In this important teaching, we shall look at thirteen core attributes of God and shall draw practical relevancies for each which shall serve to build our faith in the pursuit of drawing near to God.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/3_The_Attributes_of_God.pdf
Luke 18:1-8
That men ought always to pray is instruction worthy of the utmost honour and regard. What air is to the human lungs and water to the gills of fish, so prayer is to the spiritual life of the Christian. A prayerless Christian is a dead Christian at worst and a carnal one at best, without prayer we’re not going very far!!
This sermon is not only an exhortation that men ought always to pray, but in continuing the verse “…and not faint”, an exhortation is given to preserve in prayer. Oh, dear Soul, unanswered prayer by no means is an indicator that God is not willing to answer prayer. The parable before us in this sermon is a firm declaration that this is not the case at all. Be of good courage and continue in prayer labouring in the same in earnest for it’s not over until it’s over!
Luke 22:31-32
We ought to be under no illusion as believers as to the sobering reality that we each have a common foe, an arch-enemy of our soul; one who hates us with a perfect hatred; one who in his very essence is the epitome of pure evil. When going out to war, it is the fool who proceeds into battle, ignorant of the enemy he’s facing. The wise man first studies his opponent and knows ahead of time his strategies of battle that he might prepare himself for victory!
In this sermon, you will learn of four chief ways in which Satan seeks to attack the believer in Christ. In each and every one of these modes of assaults, Satan is out to destroy one thing, our faith!! As believers, not only must be aware of his stratagems, but we must also know how to overcome in each attack. Behold…Satan the deceiver, Satan the accuser, Satan the tempter and Satan the persecutor. The one thing that he seeks most of all is the one thing by which we overcome. “…This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 Jn. 5:4)
Part 2 - The Doctrine Of The Trinity
The doctrine of the Trinity lies at the foundation of our understanding of God as Christians. To deny this truth is to put one thoroughly outside the confines of true orthodoxy of what has been held and accepted as true by those professing Christianity down through the centuries. However, because something has been held as true by many Christians for lengthy periods of time, does not mean that it is true. As Christians, the question that we come back to each and every time is, what does the Bible say? Is such a teaching clearly taught in the Bible? If it is, then having agreed with Scripture, we are happy to agree with those coming before us of like faith. Yet if it is not, then we have to reject such teachings on the grounds that they cannot be substantiated in Holy Scripture.
In this second part of the Firm Foundations series, we explore the doctrine of the Trinity providing many proofs from the whole of Scripture to define and articulate this great and fundamental doctrine.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/2_The_Doctrine_of_the_Trinity.pdf
Romans 13:11-14
That we are living in the Last Days is clearly evident for all with eyes to see. The very signs spoken of by the prophets, apostles and indeed our Lord Himself, declare with a single voice that the end of the age is upon us and the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ draws near.
This sermon is a warning to all who call themselves Christian and yet are sleeping in this critical hour to awake!! This is no time to sleep!! Rather, we are to be vigilant and watchful, casting off the works of darkness and putting on the armour of light. May this message serve to be an admonishment to those fast asleep and an encouragement to those faithfully walking as is becoming for Saints. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Lk. 21:28)
Hebrews 4:14-16
Consider with me the awesomeness of our Great High Priest, who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God! Oh! What confidence we have to draw nigh to Him in times of need. When the storm clouds gather overhead and light gives way to darkness, what comfort of joy to know that the Saviour is near. When at times it appears as though darkness has veiled His face from view, dear Brothers and Sisters, we must be firmly convinced and persuaded that hour, that our Great High Priest is for us still!! When darkness seems to veil His face, I rest in His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil! Tell me dear soul, is this your testimony? Is this your experience? May the truth of God’s Word form the ground on which we stand; theology informing experience! May His divine attributes, be the very catalyst of our faith to draw nigh!“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16)
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16)