Reverend Ben Cooper's Podcast
Reverend Ben Coopers podcast, offers an inviting space for listeners to explore Christianity and spiritual growth with wisdom, humor, and a deep commitment to biblical truth. Through Rev. Ben's engaging conversations with guests, the podcast not only explores the timeless wisdom of the Bible but also tackles the pressing issues of life, faith, and hope in a way that is accessible, thought-provoking, and enriching. Whether you’re seeking spiritual nourishment, answers to life’s big questions, or simply a place to reflect on your faith, the Rev Ben podcast is a valuable resource on your journey.
In each episode, Rev. Ben guides listeners through profound theological reflections, personal stories, and practical insights drawn from the Bible and the broader Christian tradition.
Reverend Ben Cooper's Podcast
Embracing Faith Over Fear: Navigating Life's Storms with Spiritual Resilience (#705 - Elim) WB
What happens when faith and fear collide in the midst of life's storms? Join us on a heartfelt exploration as we navigate the spiritual journey of living by faith amidst trials and uncertainties. Drawing from powerful scriptures like 2 Corinthians 7 and Proverbs 3, we explore how to trust in God's plan, even when fear and doubt threaten to overshadow our path. We share inspiring stories of miracles and healing, and discuss the profound impact of technology in uniting believers across the globe, fostering a sense of community and support.
In this episode, we candidly address the challenges that come with maintaining unwavering faith in a world teeming with unpredictability. From the tales of biblical figures such as Paul to the struggles we face today, we recognize the natural weariness that accompanies the walk of faith. We emphasize the importance of surrounding ourselves with supportive individuals who uplift us in prayer, especially during times when cultural practices and festive seasons test our spiritual resolve. This conversation offers a genuine look at the tension between faith and fear, encouraging listeners to evaluate the company they keep and focus on spiritual growth.
As we close out our discussion, we turn our attention to the ultimate example of endurance and faithfulness—Jesus. Inspired by Hebrews 12:2, we explore how keeping our eyes on Him can guide and sustain us through life's adversities. With honest reflections and encouragement, we urge listeners to embrace faith over fear, acknowledging the true Christian journey of perseverance amidst adversity. This episode is an invitation to find hope and guidance in scripture, trusting in God's presence every step of the way.
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This podcast offers insight into faith, prayer, Bible teachings, courage, hope, gospel truths, salvation, grace, redemption, kingdom living, worship, discipleship, devotion, prophecy, community growth, and ministry impact, inspiring listeners with Christ-centered discussions and a commitment to kingdom culture.
Dive into powerful discussions that explore timeless biblical truths, providing Christian perspectives on modern-day issues. From discipleship and Christian living to overcoming challenges through a biblical worldview, this podcast equips you with the tools to walk boldly in faith. Whether you're seeking inspiration, biblical answers, or guidance for daily living, Reverend Ben Cooper's Podcast offers insight and encouragement rooted in scripture and designed to inspire.
Key Topics Covered:
- Faith and Prayer
- Bible Teachings
- Discipleship and Christian Living
- Overcoming Life’s Challenges
- Spiritual Growth and Kingdom Living
- Gospel Truths, Grace, Redemption, and Salvation
- Hope, Courage, and Faith-based Encouragement
- Prophecy and Worship
- Community Growth and Ministry Impact
- Christian Podcast
- Faith and Scripture
- Jesus Christ
- Spiritual Growth
- Biblical Truths
- F
https://www.pastorbencooper.co.uk/
Welcome to Reverend Ben Cooper's podcast. We are a radio and podcast ministry based here within the UK. Your support is vital through prayer and through sowing a seed of faith. We are so thankful to have so many people around the globe downloading and listening to our podcasts, whether you are on Spotify, apple Podcast, google, alexa, amazon Music and so many other platforms. For more information about our ministry, please find us on pastorbencoopercouk. We would love to hear from you as you partner with us as we reach the world for Jesus Christ. Please send us an email through our contact form on pastorbencoopercouk. Also, you can find our latest books on Amazon under hashtag one, hashtag two and hashtag three under Christian Straight Talk hard-hitting, real-life conversations taken from our podcasts.
Speaker 1:Your financial gifts play a crucial role in supporting our radio ministry, helping us share the gospel through these podcasts and providing free copies of the Gospel of John and Bibles around the globe. Please pray for this ministry as we stretch out beyond the boundaries, as we walk by faith. If you'd like to support our mission, please consider clicking the support button on Spotify, apple Podcasts or Buzzsprout. You can give a one-time gift or set up a regular contribution of three pounds, five pounds, eight pounds or 10 pounds. You can also leave a legacy by clicking in the links within pastorbencoopercouk. Thank you for partnering with us in this ministry as we spread the message of hope far and wide through this radio ministry. So, whether you are on the daily commute or at home listening to our podcast, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, relax and enjoy Good evening, good evening, wherever you are across the world.
Speaker 2:This evening we're going to turn straight into the book of Corinthians. We're going to go to the book of Corinthians, chapter 7. We're going to go to Corinthians, chapter 7,. 2 Corinthians, chapter 7. If you're joining us across the world tonight, god bless you and may the Lord touch your heart tonight, wherever you are. Thank you so much for the thousands, tens of thousands of downloads and as your heart tonight, wherever you are. Thank you so much for the thousands, tens of thousands of downloads. And as we gather around the scriptures, let's get straight in. We just have a moment of prayer, we're just resting some prayer in a moment, but let's just go to 2 corinthians, chapter 7. We apologize for um, a bit of a back echo that's coming. You know, because we're in the main main space, main church space, it's not as clear as we are when we're in the studio back there. So please, you'll have to forgive us. You know a bit of an echo that rumbles around the church. But good evening to everyone that's joined us in the Lord's house and everyone online, wherever you are. As I said earlier, may God bless you and strengthen you. In the mighty name of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 2:We're in the book of 2 Corinthians. 2 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 5. And 2 Corinthians 7, verse 5. And then we are going to drop into the Old Testament. We're going to drop to the book of Proverbs. We're going to drop into the book of Proverbs and we're going to go to Proverbs 3. And the main part of that is going to be in verse 5. So that will be Proverbs 3, verse 5. And if you've got a church Bible, I think it's page 637. But we're going to start off in 2 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 5, and that page number is 1162. But God bless you, wherever you are.
Speaker 2:Let's pray, father, in the name of Jesus. We pray for your love, your mercy, your goodness, your strength. We pray, dear God, for the presence of the Holy Ghost that we serve. We pray for the word that we walk with. We pray, dear God, for the God that we love and the God that we walk with. I pray tonight, lord, that you will just let it rain down on us tonight. Let your love and your mercy just rain down on each and every one of us and, as we gather around, the scripture, for those that are joining us, across the other side of the world, for those that are in the congregation, that are local, for those that are in the house with us this evening, father, we thank you that we are blessed and highly favoured, wonderfully and fearfully made.
Speaker 2:But, lord, we pray for miracles tonight. We pray for healing. We pray that you will remove fear, you will remove doubt, lord. Sickness will go, cancer will go, fear will go, lord, that you will heal bones tonight. You will heal lives tonight. You will heal hearts tonight, father, we pray that we won't live, dear God, in our yesterday. We won't live in today, but, lord, we'll live by faith and as we focus on what is in front of us, the destinational points of our lives, father, give us the strength to stretch out in faith. Give us the strength to walk by faith. Give us the strength, lord, to see beyond the capabilities of the human being that we are and to see the goodness of God shining in our lives.
Speaker 2:But those that are gathered around the world, we pray, lord, that you'll touch their hearts, their minds, their bodies, their souls. Lord, for those that are gathered in the Lord's house, we pray the same prayer wherever we are, in person or online. We thank you, lord, for the Lord's house. We thank you for the power of technology. Bless those that are listening to this service whenever they capture it in the mighty name of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 2:But come, lord, strengthen us tonight. Lord, strengthen us, enrich our lives with your presence, lord, and bless us. Lord, we believe in miracles, we believe in the fire of God, we believe in the Word, we believe in the deity, we believe in the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Lord, as we stretch out, lord, we ask you that the tapestry, lord, the word, the woven word, will move in our hearts tonight. Bless us from the crown of our head to the sole of our feet, lord. Stretch down from heaven's glory and touch those, lord, that are fearful, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen, brothers and sisters, wherever you are across the world and in the Lord's house, let's turn to the New Testament. We're going to go straight into the book of 2 Corinthians, chapter 7, and we're in verse 5.
Speaker 2:A simple text, a simple text this evening, but when you look at this journey of Paul, you know it can correlate, it can run pretty well with ours in certain areas of our lives. I just want to let us know that we are human beings. We are not these super humans who certain people say that we are. We feel pain, we feel loss, we feel bereavement, we feel down, we feel tired, we feel exhausted, you know. So I just want to let you know. Tonight it's okay, however you feel, because we are just human beings saved by grace. We are sinners saved by grace. And for those that just need to remind themselves, you know, just turn to John 3.3. Just remind yourself that you must be born again. That is the simple understanding of our faith is that you must be born again. That is the criteria, that is the critical point. It's not about church, it's not about religion, it's not about ministry, it's about being born again. And you are born again and you're on your way to glory and the power of the Holy Spirit is with you. But I just want to read out a tiny area of Paul's journey, a tiny area of his journey.
Speaker 2:Now, when you think about Paul, you study Paul, the Pauline scriptures, everything that Paul was about. He was a man that was used powerfully. He was a man that was probably the greatest evangelist that walked the earth. But when you look at his human side and he was always human all the way through. When you look at the scriptures that he wrote, when you see what he brought to the table that we have today, you will find they was written in prison, they was written on the run, they was written in the rain. They was written when he was downtrodden, when he was beaten, when he was knocked over. They wasn't written in any pastor's office on a lovely iPad, sitting there with air conditioning coming down and cups of coffee brought to him. These scriptures were written when these human beings were stretched beyond human understanding. This is what I love about the Word of God.
Speaker 2:From Genesis to Revelations, you find that when God uses the writers and God exposes these writings to us, something is really, really powerful. What I love about it is you see their human side, and that's what we've got to remember. We are human beings. We have been created. God created us. We are blessed and highly favored, wonderfully and fearfully made. We are sinners, saved by grace. But above all that you know we feel hurt, we feel pain, we feel tiredness, we feel weariness, we feel the way of. I can't be bothered, not today, lord, in the name of Jesus.
Speaker 2:So I just want to read this little snapshot of this great apostle, this great evangelist's life. Now. He was at full stretch. He was at full stretch in his ministry and this is what it says in verse five of 2 Corinthians, chapter seven. For when we came into Macedonia, the body of ours had no rest. First part of that, this body of ours had no rest. But we were harassed at every turn. Conflicts on the outside, fears within. Thank God for that scripture.
Speaker 2:Thank God for that scripture that these characters, these human beings, they were shipwrecked, they were beaten, they were sawn asunder, they was chased out of town. They had plenty. He says I know what it's like to have plenty and I know what it's like to be in want. I know what it's like to have it and I know what it's like not to have it. I know what it's like to be well. I know what it's like to be unwell.
Speaker 2:I think it's really important to understand that when we feel tiredness and when we feel weary and when we feel fear, it's okay and not allow them emotions to override our thought that I've got to be on point, I've got to be strict, I've got to be this. I've got to be that Because there are many preachers out there in the world of celebrity church will tell you that you've got to be on point every second of your day. You've got to be smiling, your teeth have got to be white, you've got to be glowing for Jesus like the ready brick man. You've got to be shining for Jesus. But I've got to be honest with you Some days I don't want to even shine for anyone, let alone Jesus. There comes points in your lives when you hit wires and you hit walls and you hit areas in your life when you're exhausted and you're tired and you're weary.
Speaker 2:Look at Paul, look at the journey when he went for 14 nights across the Adriatic Sea and he told those. He said we can't afford to go this course or this direction. If we go this direction, we're going to run into trouble. And what happened? As soon as they got out, they hit trouble, they hit storms, they hit real dark situations. So following God is not always lights, glitz, glamour and all that sort of things. When you follow Christ and Christ is with you, he's omnipresent, he's omnipotent, god is in all, he's about all, he's space, time and matter. He is the King of Kings, he is the Lord of Lords, he is the great I am.
Speaker 2:Just because we, because we are bible believing believers, doesn't erase the fact that we might not have a day, uh, where there's trouble. We might have a day today there's been a blessed day that we've been pressing in, everything's been all right, we've been on fire and and we've been working, or we might have had a day where we've been tired and weary and we're not sure of certain things. It's really, really, really important to understand that. These characters in this Bible, they were tired, they were weary. And look at that scripture. It says fears. Within there was uncertainty, there was worry, there was doubt, there was. What are we going into? What is this situation? These are the greatest writers the world has ever seen.
Speaker 2:When you look at these scriptures that we're in tonight, you know this is talking about fear, this is talking about uncertainty, this is talking about a journey of life and these characters are on a journey. These characters are pressing through life. It's okay to have fear, but what I can't allow is the fear to control me. And we see that great analogy, we see that great biblical text in the New Testament where the disciple, when Christ, was walking on the shoreline and then Christ walks on the water and he comes up to the boat and he's a bit of a distance off and they looked out and they said, is that a ghost? And they cried out Lord, if that's, you call me and I will jump out of this boat, I'll jump out the vessel and I will come to you. It's okay when Jesus is in front of you and you're looking at Christ and everything is great and everything is wonderful and you're praising God in church and there's a lot of people in church and you're bouncing up and down and you're lifting up the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Speaker 2:But what happens when darkness falls? What happens when the crowd of life gathers around you? What happens when the children are barking? What happens when the family's barking, the line manager's barking, everyone is barking like dogs around you and you're thinking what is going on? Is there anybody in this situation, this life of mine, that is going to encourage me? Is anyone around me? You know it's really important. I'm going to digress just a slight bit.
Speaker 2:It's really important to make sure that we check the company that we walk through life with. You know, it's really important that we make sure it's no good walking with a mass number. It's no good thinking that I'm in a large church and I'm packed out with people around me. You know, they don't know who you are. They're just there worshipping God. What you need is to find yourself someone that will pray for you when your back is against the wall, when everything is looking doom and gloom, so to speak.
Speaker 2:We've got to make sure that the people that are around us will carry us when it's hitting the fan, when things are not glowing right, you know, because fear can discord, fear can distort, fear can take your vision away from what faith is. We understand that faith and fear, they run so close together. Faith and fear, they almost touch each other, they're almost interwoven. In certain parts of life where we might be really faithful, we're stretching out in faith and then suddenly we go around a corner and there's a cul-de-sac, and then suddenly life hits us and fear is everywhere. We're worried about the past. We're worried about the present. We're worried about the future. We ain't got a pound in our pocket. We got some money. We ain't got no money. This season's coming upon us. Look now. We got the silly season on us right now. We got Christmas. We got pagan worship going on. The church will engage in pagan worship, as it always does. We got to understand that we are living in very powerful biblical times.
Speaker 2:You've only got to look at the state of the government that we got here in the nation, see what's happening in Israel. See what's happening in America, ukraine and Russia. We've heard we've had the threats already coming from the leader in Russia talking about cyber attacks, talking about cutting the gas off, cutting the electric off, cutting this away, cutting that away. You know fear. We've got to be careful what we listen to and we've got to make sure that the people around us are for us and not against us, because when we journey life, there's nothing worse than going through life when you're saddled with people that are negative and moaning and always trying to pull you down and when you come up with something, they'll bring something back at you and they'll make your life harder and they'll put stumbling blocks in your way and they won't encourage you and they won't help you. You've got to make sure that the people that are around you you're better off to walk alone rather than to walk a crowd full of people that have got opinions. There's nothing worse than people with historical opinions on our lives, people with opinions right now and people what they think that we are. People don't really know who we are. So you've got to be careful who you share your prayers with, careful who you talk to about the dreams and the visions that are dropped in your spirit. Look at Joseph. Look at Joseph and his family. He was given a great vision. He was given a great dream and he ran out and he said guess what brothers this A, b, c and D? And what did they do? They tore him down by words.
Speaker 2:The book of James tells us that words are powerful. You know, people will either elevate you and I'm not talking about elevating you up and blowing smoke up your chimney. I'm talking about people who will either lift you up and carry you and keep you in the scripture, or they will tear you down. It's very interesting If you analyze people in your life are the people for me or are they against me?
Speaker 2:You know, every one of us is in a storm. Every one of us is in an emotional storm. Every one of us is in a mental storm. Every one of us is in a financial storm. Every one of us is hitting storms. Financial storm, every one of us is hitting storms in our lives. That is the current and that is the temperature living in the end time harvest that we are seeing. God is working. The power of the Holy Spirit is within you. You are filled to the full measure of God. The power of God is with you.
Speaker 2:But now I've got to decide. Do I live by the fear drum or do I live by the faith drum? You know, when the disciple, he jumped out of the boat when Christ was walking across the shoreline and he started to walk on the water on the lake and they cried out is that a ghost? Isn't it interesting that a storm and fear together will change your focus and your vision of scripture of Christ? So when there is a crisis in your life, it's quite interesting that it can be a point that when fear and the storms come in, that we actually not disconnect ourselves but we don't put our focus on the scripture.
Speaker 2:When fear and trouble comes in, suddenly we look at the fear and the trouble rather than looking at Jesus. We understand as brothers and sisters, as Bible believing believers, that Jesus Christ is a living word. We understand that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. We understand that Jesus is the incarnation of the living word. We understand that Jesus is God with us because God gave him the name Emmanuel, god with us. So we understand that this living word that we have is the greatest book in the world.
Speaker 2:But how often, if we are being completely honest and remember Jesus is listening. Let's be really honest when crisis comes to the door, when everything is breaking out, how often do we actually run to Jesus Christ? So often, I will be honest, my mind and my focus and my autonomy and my physical me will look more at the problem, trying to work out and weigh up the problems and try and carry on spinning the plates in my natural strength, rather than going to the Word and going. God, I've got a bad air day today. I can't cope with this. So, lord, I've got to go by faith. Lord, I'm not capable, because when I look at the storm to the left, it's stronger than me, lord. When I look to the storm to the right, lord, it's bigger and it's more ferocious than I could ever imagine, lord, and what I've got behind me to the left and the right is too big for me.
Speaker 2:But so often, rather than going to the scripture and finding a scripture that fits the storm to the left, the right, the front, the back, what normally would happen within me. If I'm completely honest, I would look at the size of the storm and I would start to sink in the problem, just like the disciple that jumped out of the boat. He was focused for a moment, just a few steps. Yeah, we might be focused for a few steps on a Sunday morning, for a few hours, or in a prayer meeting. We're in the church, it's banging away, jesus is being lifted up, we're dancing around the handbag, we're standing on one leg, one hand, hallelujah, jesus, god is good. And then suddenly we get in the car, we're back on our own. The same problem. I walked in church with this problem and I've come out of church and the problem is sitting in the back seat of the car with me.
Speaker 2:Still, you know, it's easy to come into church and to dance and shout and holler, but to live by faith is not the criteria, according to the word of God, of what scripture is about. The Bible says the just shall live by faith, the just shall live by faith. So the just shall live by faith, the just shall live by faith. So do I live by faith two hours a week, on a Sunday? No, my whole life, the 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I've got to live by faith. But is there anybody online or in the house with me actually lives their lives completely by faith? I don't.
Speaker 2:The majority of my life I live by flesh, by faith, by fear, by doubt, by uncertainty. You seem to go around in this circle of stuff, lord. I thank you, lord, in the name of Jesus. I thank you for miracles. And then suddenly your eyes are captured over there and there's a storm breaking out over there and you say, lord, will you help me, jesus? But actually, lord, I can't cope with that. So suddenly I've got a moment of faith and then I've got a moment of doubt. Then I've got a moment of doubt, then I got a moment of worry and then I got a moment of mind numbing, brain fogging situation where I can't think. I can't think. I can't think. My eyes are spinning in my head. Help me, lord, in the name of Jesus.
Speaker 2:Sometimes life is so fast. It is like sitting on the M25 with your foot on the accelerator doing 100 mile an hour and you've got to try and control this animal of life and suddenly you can see that there's traffic in front of you and you've got to try and keep the same pace up and you've got to navigate your way through, because I've got to keep going If I don't keep up at this pace. But the Bible says be still and know that I'm God. It's easy to say these scriptures, but to actually walk in it is a completely different thing. To preach it, to teach it, to receive it, to jump up and down on a Sunday for a few hours, it's easy when we're in a crowd, but what about when I'm on my own? Look at this great writer. Look what Paul says here, very, very clear.
Speaker 2:Let's go back to the beginning of the text, where I was in verse five of 2 Corinthians, chapter 7. For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest. Do you feel like that? If you can put your hand up and go, I feel like I've got no rest, excellent. And then go on a little bit further. But it says but then there was harassment at every turn. Do you feel that you're harassed at every turn? Put your hand up online at home, yeah, so that's two. I'm hitting two. What he's hitting this is good stuff, because what it's doing, it's reality of being a human being. And then, as you go on a little bit further, as you go on a little bit further, it says but we were harassed every time.
Speaker 2:Who's got conflicts? Oh, jesus, the devil's out on me. He don't have a day off. He don't seem to have a day off. There's always little foxes and dogs barking at me, ankles, this, that rah, rah, rah. This is happening there, that's happening there. So not only am I finding no rest, I've got harassment and I've got conflicts.
Speaker 2:Two different areas harassment and conflicts two major things. And not only have I got two major things. My body is weary and I'm tired and my eyes are spitting in my head thinking oh Lord, how am I going to get through today? What am I going to do, lord? What am I going to do, lord? The preachers on the God channels are jumping up and down. At seven o'clock in the morning, all I want to do is eat my ready bread and go back to bed. In the name of Jesus, I don't want to face the world. I don't want to face another devil. I don't want to face another day of chasing a pound coin around the world, lord. I don't want another day of it, lord, but Paul. Let's see what it says here, verse five again.
Speaker 2:But when they came into Macedonia, their bodies had no rest but they had harassment at every turn, conflicts on the outside and then the big one of all, fears within Four areas of being a Bible-believing believer. But the celebrity church, the social media church, will scroll through it and they'll all be banging on how great things are and wonderful things are. They're all living the dream. But as soon as the camera goes off, as soon as the lights diminish, as soon as it all disappears, we're just human beings with trouble. Don't get caught. Don't get caught with all the stuff in media. And media don't just cover social media, media covers news, Media covers TV, media is everything. We've got to be extremely careful that we stay in faith. But how do I stay in faith If you're with me tonight? Turn into the Old Testament. Let's quickly, let's quickly turn our holy eyes, our good eyes, our great eyes, our wonderful eyes to the book of Proverbs, chapter three. Chapter three, verse five.
Speaker 2:I find this is probably one of the most complicated, the most difficult text to grasp in the Word of God. Yeah, but you're a pastor, pastor Ben, you're a reverend, you're all this and you're all that. How can you say that? Because we got to be honest. How do I trust in a triune Godhead that is invisible, that I can't see, that I can't physically touch? But there are certain people in the circle of my life that God is always emailing, that God is always texting, that God is always giving them a word and God is always speaking to them. But I will go through seven days a week, four months of the year all that sort of stuff six months, eight months, when everybody else around me is getting a word from God, and there are many people in my life that will text me and say this and say that, and then, when I have a conversation with them, they say God is telling me this, god is telling me that I've just had a revelation over here and God has just blessed me. On that side, to the right, the Holy Spirit is really leading me and on this side, oh, the glory of God is here.
Speaker 2:Don't people irritate the backside out of you sometimes. Thank God, we're not online tonight, because that would be an awful thing to say online, wouldn't it? Do you ever get irritated where you just want to give them a quick headbutt in the name of Jesus and go give it a rest. But when I mean an headbutt, you do it in one Corinthians. Come on, we're doing it in love. Don't keep telling me that Jesus is talking to you every time, because I'm living in a storm, I'm living in the wild side of life and I'm just trying to find if I'm going to make it. But him over there, she over there, oh, my friend's up in heaven today. He spent all day up there with Jesus. Well, I've been walking the earth with more devils than I can count. In the name of Jesus, someone help me.
Speaker 2:So when you look at this scripture here, proverbs, chapter 3, verse 5, trust in the Lord with all your heart. Now I can picture many people that go past the band. Isn't it great to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding? Well, it's all right for you. You can't have any trouble Because, let me tell you this, when you really want to find Jesus, it's like hiding seek some days.
Speaker 2:Where are you, god? Where are you Jesus? Lord, I've got no beans in my pocket. Lord, I've got to put food on the table. Lord, the petrol, the diesel needle's starting to drop. God, where are you, but your friend over there, your brother or your sister in another church, or the preacher's shouting out God's going to give you five large by the end of the weekend Never had none of that in the name of Jesus. Why me, god? Why God? Why God? Do you ever feel like doing that? Why God?
Speaker 2:Every day there's a crisis. Every day there's a moment. Every day there's a Paul Lyon experience. Thank you, jesus. What did Paul say? The greatest writer the world has ever seen, the greatest New Testament writer, the greatest evangelist. He said we went into that town and our bodies had no rest. We went around the corner and they was really harassing us on that side. And then we escaped them, lunatics. And we went around that corner and then suddenly we got conflict. Hang on a minute. And not only have I got the three externals harassment, tiredness and conflict inside of me.
Speaker 2:God, I'm fearful, I'm fearful. So when you look at the Old Testament, when you look at this Proverbs, chapter three, verse five, trust in the Lord of all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Oh, come on, god, that's a wallop. I get Lord at this time of year because the kids want feeding Lord. It's cold. I've got to turn the electricity on. I've got to put the heating on. Lord, I'm rinsing the money left, right and center. I'm backwards and forwards putting money on the electric, the card, this that God you know. Lord, the diesel needle, the petrol needle, father, I've got no food in the cupboard. But, lord, you're asking me to trust you.
Speaker 2:Yes, because faith is the most powerful, the most glorious element of Christianity that we'll ever have, because the Bible says that you shall live by faith. But do you ever live your life by fear? If anyone's brave enough online, put your hand up. You're probably indoors. Online you can put your hands and your feet up. No one's going to see you. But as there's a few in church tonight, when we put our hands up, we're all going oh, hang on a minute. Oh, lord, help us. Jesus.
Speaker 2:How often do we live by faith? How often do we live by the word, if you're around people and they're just coming out with scripture after scripture, after scripture, after scripture after scripture, they're coming out with prophecy after prophecy after prophecy. They're warped in the mind. It's not actually scripturally right, it's not completely true. You've got to be careful of them types of people, because there's a delusion going on within their head and their heart, their mind. The real analogy of being a Christian is like Paul, I went in this situation. I got harassment, no one came out and gave me a word, no one fed me. And if you have a Bible which all of us probably do, because we're all so super holy and wonderful, we've got Bibles everywhere.
Speaker 2:When you look at 2 Corinthians, when we look at 2 Corinthians, if I can quickly put my eyes on it, where is it? Where is it? Where is it? Yeah, I've got it, I've got it.
Speaker 2:2 Corinthians, chapter 8, and it says and it's about Paul going back to where he was, we're in chapter 7, but go to chapter 8, and it talks about Paul talking about the Macedonian churches. And he says Paul talking about the Macedonian churches and he says outside, the most severe trials, they're over, they're overflowing joy and their extreme poverty, world up in rich generosity. That is the church. Extreme, extreme, severe trials. This is the reality of following Jesus. Extreme trials, extreme poverty. Thank God that that scripture's in there, because that's giving me some hope, because the social media trend is that we should be rich, rich, rich, living lives of luxurious Christian lifestyles with the latest trainers, the beautiful clothes, the smiles, the cars, the holidays and all that. And I can't even get myself down to Laysdown for half hour. Sorry, everyone that lives on Laysdown. You know it's difficult even to fill the car up with fuel. So when we look at social media, across the platform, everybody else is living the dream in the church.
Speaker 2:But the real church of Jesus Christ is hardship. It's hardship, it's pain, it's trials, it's temptations, it's fears, it's doubts. It his storms stocks. How many times was Paul put in the stocks? How many times was he beaten? These scriptures are enough to keep me out of church. God, if this is what it means, lord, I thought I was going to roll with the beautiful, the smooth. Lord, walk with you.
Speaker 2:But it's the reality of being a Bible believing, believer, coming to the understand that, yes, there are trials and there might be areas of severe poverty. Because that's what the scripture says. It says, out of the most severe trials, with the overflowing of joy, their extreme poverty, world up in generous giving. It didn't matter if they didn't have a beam, they wasn't worried about the hammer being beaten down on them. They was giving because they're serving Jesus. Serving Jesus, being a servant, wandering and walking and following Jesus will be the greatest move, the greatest beautiful thing that anyone will ever do is decide to follow.
Speaker 2:I'm not talking about salvation, because that's a different drumbeat altogether, but when you read these scriptures, that they was trialed, they was stretched, they was beaten, they was weary, there was conflict, they had no rest, their mind was all over the place, turn back to the Old Testament, turn back to Proverbs. Now, lord, help me with this Trust in the Lord, with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. Okay, so, through the trial, through the fog, through the famine, through the doubt, through the pain, through the harassment, through the dogs barking at me feet, through times of living in a pigsty surrounding, with pigs like the prodigal being in a valley of the shadow of death, I've got to live my life not by my mind and my own concept and my own understanding, because that is me as a human being. I've got to live outside of the earth suit and I've got to live by faith, because, if I allow myself to live by fear, to live by doubt, to live by the conflicts, how many of us are held back because people in our history are using history to torment your present.
Speaker 2:Don't and cut. Ask God tonight. God, cut the umbilical cord, cut, lord. Sever the tie to historical people because I cannot live in history. I cannot be worried about what they might be doing or what they might be saying. I've got to live by faith. Faith is living what is in front.
Speaker 2:Fear is living in history. Fear is living in the historical stuff of what might be and what might come up and what might be, because every second, every millisecond of our lives we are going. Everything that we do is going into history. This church service is going into history. Your kebab tonight that you're eating is going into history. Your journey of work everything is going into history. Everything is historical in our lives. So everything is going back into history. Are we going to allow people and the surroundings of our present, ish that are going into historical? Are we going to allow all the history to define what God has for us? Or are we going to jump out of a vessel of life, jump out of the boat and say God, tonight I'm going to walk on water.
Speaker 2:Lord, if you're my God and you're my king, I'm not going to let you go until you bless me. I'm going to do a Jacob on you tonight, the God of Israel. I'm going to hold you until I get my healing. I'm going to hold you until I get my peace. I'm going to hold you until I get that vision, that focus. Lord, I'm going to hold on to the scripture till you clear the brain fog.
Speaker 2:Lord, I'm going to hold on to you tonight and I till I get rid of that dog at work, the line manager who's barking away all day long. Lord, I've got to get rid of all this junk and this rubbish. Lord, I'm going to hold on to the word and I'm not going to give up because, lord, I'm braggadocious, I'm spirit filled, lord, and I'm not going to live in the skin that I live in and live in historical past. Tense, lord, I'm going to live in the future. Lord, and your promises. The promised land is great, lord, the promises are yes and amen. Lord, your word is future, your word is life, your word is hope. That is what we're talking about in Proverbs, chapter 3, verse 5.
Speaker 2:Trust in the Lord with your innermost being. Lord, I'm trusting you for healing. Lord, I'm trusting you that food's going on the table tonight. Lord, I'm trusting that I'm going to get to work safe, lord, I'm trusting that when I get into work, when I get into this situation, all is going to be well, in the name of Jesus. Tomorrow, lord, is going to be my day. The enemy's not going to snatch it, the enemy's not going to touch it because, lord, I am blessed and highly favoured, wonderfully and fearfully made. And tonight is the night, lord, where I break out of this skin, that I walk in and I'm not going to be like the disciple that jumps out of the vessel in the storm. I focused on Jesus for four steps and then suddenly I looked at the darkness, and the darkness dropped me into the ocean. And then suddenly I looked at the size of the waves and not only did I go to my kneecaps, I dropped to my waist because. And then suddenly I looked at the size of the waves, and not only did I go to my kneecaps, I dropped to my waist because the waves, I looked at the waves of the staff and it looked too powerful. And then, suddenly I took my eyes off of Jesus.
Speaker 2:As we come to a close, as we get to the end of this this evening, if you have a Bible, turn to Hebrews. Hebrews 11, verse one. Now faith, now faith. Put that in your spirit, put that in your heart, put that in your body, put that in your mind, put that in every part of your life. You know? Hebrews 11, verse 1. I've got to be quick, the clock is running out. Hebrews 11, verse 1.
Speaker 2:Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for. What are we hoping? Because faith is what we hope for. What are we hoping? Because faith is what we hope for. Fear destroys our hope. Hope and faith go together. Fear and trouble, they go together. I cannot allow myself to live anymore in historical stuff. I cannot live how the world wanted me to, and the controllers and the manipulators and the situation. I cannot live my life like that anymore. I've got to live in. Hebrews 11, verse 1. Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Oh Lord, that's a bit crazy. Jesus, the evidence, evidence. What does evidence mean? That chair is there. So I've got evidence that the chair is there. Now turn that into scripture language. Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence I can see it. I can see it in my innermost being. I can see that these chains are breaking. I can see that I'm getting healed. I can see that the power of God is over me. I can see that the chains are breaking. I can see that I'm getting healed. I can see that the power of God is over me. I can see that the glory of God is moving. I can see that this depression is going. I can see that my body is healed. I can see that God has got a greater plan for me. I can see that the shackles are gone to history.
Speaker 2:If you've got a Bible, quickly turn to Hebrews 12.
Speaker 2:If you've got a Bible, quickly turn to Hebrews 12.
Speaker 2:Hebrews 12, verse 2.
Speaker 2:Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author, the perfecter of your faith. I've got to keep my eyes on the King. I've got to keep my eyes on the Savior of the world. I've got to keep my eyes on the greatest book the world has ever seen. You belong to the book. The book is in you. The book is written for you, about you. The book is about Jesus Christ. He is the great I am. It is the book, nothing but the book. I love the book, but sometimes I wish the book hadn't been written, because sometimes the book does my head in, because I live by headspace rather than live by faith. If I try to live in the book in knowledge and headspace and my autonomy, it's going to cause a kerfuffle. If I live in the book by faith, then suddenly the book becomes real, it becomes possible. All things are possible to those who believe. We're coming to the table. We're coming to the table, we're coming to land. And when you look at these scriptures, the way that they're woven together, the tapestry of every syllable, every full stop of every comma of every syllable, every full stop of every comma, of every exclamation mark, of every word, of every area of God's word, the tapestry is rich in God. Brothers and sisters, it's time to break out of fear. It's time to let go of history. It's time to let go of many people in our lives that are trying to hold us on a chain of restraint. It's time to ask God cut me loose in the name of Jesus. It's time to live by faith. It's time to live by faith. The just shall live by faith. It's time to live by faith. The just shall live by faith. Three times it's mentioned in the word the just shall live by faith. Sisters and brothers, just remind yourself, as we come to the table, the scripture that we started out in 2 Corinthians, chapter 7 is about Paul, four areas of his life, three external, one internal. The first, what he comes up against. He says our body had no rest, his body was beaten, he was tired, he was exhausted, his mind was wasted. That's the first one. The second area of the same conversation that he said I went around the corner, then I've got harassment. Not only is he dealing with issues with harassment, and he's tired and he's weary and he can't think straight. Suddenly he turns the next corner and he's got conflict. So he's absolutely cream-crackered, he's knackered, he's worn out, he's exhausted, he's busted, he's on the floor, he's got no energy, his mind is all over the place, he's cream-crackered, he's had enough, he's weary. And he goes around the first corner and there's Mr and Mrs, harassment, we've all got them. And then suddenly he goes around the next corner and there's Mr and Mrs, conflict. So he's dealing with all this stuff in his life and he's exhausted and he's weary and he's worn down and he's tired. But then he's bold enough to go. Not only have I got Mr and Mrs and all that lot, the do-gooders on that side that are harassing me. And then, when I turn over that side, I've got Mr and Mrs and all them other do-gooders that are giving me conflict. I'm tired, god, and not only am I tired. Fear is within the vessel I walk with. If you've got fear in your heart, look at that cross. Try and focus on the cross as we break bread. Father, tonight, as we break bread, as we are at the table right now, in the name of Jesus, father, we pray for such an outpouring of your spirit, father, that you will take us to the cross of Calvary. Lord, that you will deal with the tiredness, mr and Mrs, harassment on that side, mr and Mrs, conflict over there. Will you deal with the tiredness that is sweeping my body, lord? Will you cleanse me, lord, from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet, in the name of Jesus. So tonight, lord, as I come, lord, to the table, as I break bread, father, I thank you that there is power in the name of Jesus. And as I break bread, lord, I recognise that this bread symbolises the body of Christ. So, father, thank you for this bread in Jesus' name Amen.
Speaker 2:Father we come to the cup this evening and, lord, we take this cup and we say Jesus, I'm not worthy of this. But, thank God, no one on earth is worthy, thank God that no one is worthy of taking the bread and the wine. But by grace and by favor and by the power of the Holy Spirit, god has made a way through Christ Jesus coming to the earth. God sent his son, so God made a way, and that way is Jesus. Because Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. Now, if you, if you be careful on the social networks, be careful on certain areas of church, there's only one way to God, you will find other religions and they will say there's every other pathway we get to the same God. No, we don't, don't. Jesus says I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jesus is the door. He says I'm the door. If you've got trouble tonight as we break and as we take this cup, just take a moment and look at the cross. The cross was set up for you and me. The cross was displayed for humanity to see that it's an empty cross, but it's the visualization of the savior that has gone to the cross. So, father, I come to you tonight, lord, a sinner saved by grace, and I thank you that it is by the blood of jesus that I'm cleansed from historical rubbish, today's rubbish, and whatever rubbish I'm going to sift through for the rest of my life. Three nows were banged in for me and for you Three nows of hope, three nows of love, three nows of redemption. The first, now that they banged into Christ on the cross, was for our historical sin. Bang, it's in History, has been nailed through the body of Christ. The second, now that they banged into Christ and went right through his skin and held him on the cross. The second now is for this present, this living moment of sin that's happening now in our mind, our thinking. The second now, bang done. And the third now, I believe, is a now that I actually can't comprehend or articulate or work out or get my mind into the concept and understand what that means. That third, now, that last, now that was banged into Christ, is for and was for everything that is wrong and sinful, that I haven't done, that you good people haven't done. It was now to the cross before we've even done it.
Speaker 2:That is grace, that is mercy, that is redemption, that is the sovereignty of God that is beyond human understanding. So there are three nows history, present, future. You are saved. You're not here by chance, you're not online by chance. You're not scrolling through the social networks thinking what's that vicar going on about? You are here because of predestination. Whether online or in the Lord's house, god has a plan for your life and you can't escape what God has for you.
Speaker 2:So, father, tonight I thank you for this cup that symbolizes the blood of Jesus. And tonight, lord, will you cleanse me from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet? Lord, you are a good God, a powerful God. Sole of my feet, lord, you are a good God, a powerful God. So tonight, lord, remove the mental health stuff, remove the body stuff, remove the fears that live within, remove the harassment to the left, remove the conflict to the right, remove the tiredness, the blanket of tiredness, of weariness, remove it all tonight, lord. But then I hear that scripture ringing out my grace is sufficient for you. Cover me in the blood of Jesus. Amen.
Speaker 2:Sisters and brothers, wherever you are across the world and for everyone in the Lord's house. We thank you for joining us tonight. We pray that God will bless you and cover you and he will wrap his arms around you. We just want to say thank you to everyone that comes out and comes and makes an effort to come to the church. We want to say thank you to everyone that can't get to the church. That is across the globe, and we thank God for their lives. We thank God for the online church. We thank God to the enormous congregation that's out there, the global congregation around about 70 nations, 70 countries we're in, and around about 980 cities around the world. So, whatever city you are living in across the other side of the world, whatever nation you are in, we thank God for your life. Thank you to everyone that comes into the Lord's house as well.
Speaker 2:So, wherever you are, whether in person or online tonight and the camera's in front of me this evening, may God bless every one of you. Never give up. Never, never allow, never allow that fear to control you. Realize who you are in Christ Jesus. Realize that there is a destination for you. God is shaping you and God has a plan for you, and God has a plan for me. God bless, we'll see you later. We will see you Sunday morning, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, 10.45, as we get into the house and as the camera clicks on. And whoever's going to join us Sunday morning, may God bless you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. God bless, take care.
Speaker 1:We'll see you soon, amen, and we will get back to you. So, wherever you are around the world, thank you for listening to our podcasts and radio ministry. For more information about our ministry, please find us on pastorbencoopercouk. Please support us with prayer. Also, you can sow a financial seed into this ministry. You can also leave us a legacy to support and continue the work of this radio ministry. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with others who might benefit. Until next time, stay blessed.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to us today on Reverend Ben Cooper's podcast. We hope you found inspiration and guidance in today's audio. Remember the journey of faith is a continuous one and your questions and thoughts are important. You can send us a text or an email and we will get back to you. So, wherever you are around the world, thank you for listening to our podcasts and radio ministry. For more information about our ministry, please find us on pastorbencoopercouk. Please support us with prayer. Also, you can sow a financial seed into this ministry. You can also leave us a legacy to support and continue the work of this radio ministry. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with others who might benefit. Until next time, stay blessed, thank you.
