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
Celebrating Unity Through the Holy Spirit (#800 - Elim) CP
Join Reverend Ben Cooper on the Coffee and Prayer Ministry Podcast, where believers worldwide find encouragement through Scripture, prayer, and discussions on faith, courage, and God’s promises. Dive into powerful reflections on Joshua 1:6, Isaiah 43, and Romans 12, with themes of redemption, hope, and divine truth. Discover the joy of Christmas prophecy, the power of worship, and the call to live courageously in Christ, all while growing in unity as a global Christian community.
What if embracing strength and courage in your life isn't about worldly power, but about a deeper faith rooted in God's promises? This episode of the Coffee and Prayer Ministry Podcast invites believers from around the world to reflect on this transformative concept through the lens of Joshua 1:6. As we celebrate the unity and strength found in our ever-growing community, especially those joining us from Singapore, we dive into the profound impact of living with courage, not from a place of arrogance, but through the unparalleled love and support of the Holy Spirit.
We navigate the promises and proclamations of God, finding solace and inspiration at the cross of Calvary. Through Scripture, including the prophetic words of Isaiah 43 and the foresight of Psalm 22, we explore the vibrant relationship we are called to have with our Creator, one that promises healing, freedom, and the assurance of His eternal presence. As the Christmas season draws near, these discussions remind us of the prophecy and fulfillment in the coming of Christ, renewing our understanding of divine love and the joy it brings to our lives.
Our journey continues as we discuss our calling as ambassadors for King Jesus, drawing from Romans 12 to emphasize the importance of living as sacrifices in a world filled with fear and stress. By embracing a kingdom culture that prioritizes divine truth over human opinion, we explore the power of redemption and renewal in our lives, and the unwavering promises of God’s word. With heartfelt prayers and gratitude, we encourage our listeners to connect with us through our podcast and radio ministry, inviting everyone to partake in this continuous journey of faith, love, and unity.
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
- Faith-based Encouragement
- Christ-centered Discussions
- Overcoming Life’s Challenges
- Discipleship
- Christian Living
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 formastorbencoopercouk. Thank you, stretch out beyond the boundaries as we walk by faith.
Speaker 1: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 £3, £5, £8, or £10. 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 morning good morning we are.
Speaker 2:Sit back, relax and enjoy Good morning. Good morning, we are here. It is Coffee and Prayer. God bless you wherever you are across the world this morning. May God just strengthen you and lead you in paths of righteousness as we gather around the Word of God. We are so blessed that so many are joining us online across the world this morning and that we pray that you will find and you will feel and you will just sense the love of God and as we gather for coffee and prayer and you can capture these podcasts. You know, right across all the internet, you know Spotify, every place that you will find us. You know there's loads and loads of places. But good morning and welcome, as people just connect across the world. Where will you find us? You'll find us on Apple Podcasts. You'll find us on Amazon Music. You'll find us on Buzzsprout, spotify, alexa and all them different places, youtube. You can find all this stuff back and if we ever struggle with the internet for the streaming reasons, you can just capture the services a little bit later on, just through Audible, that are really clear, crisp and clear and so you can listen to everything back. We've really pressed over the thousand episodes already. You know, we've pushed over a thousand podcasts since lockdown, so the Lord has been really good to this radio ministry, this podcasting ministry, and we are so blessed, wherever you are.
Speaker 2:And I just want to mention Singapore again. I'm not picking on any particular nation for any reason, but we just want to say thank you to everyone in Singapore. The only reason we're just saying that is because it accelerating really, really quickly and we just want to say that. But we recognize every other country. Honestly, we recognize you, but we just want to say that and we try and mention some as we go along. But there's no favorites, please, brothers and sisters, we are all you know. We are all the same in the eyes of God and we just wanted to just say thank you and let's get straight in the word of God. However you are this morning, whether you had a good sleep, a bad sleep, in and out of sleep, whatever it may have been, may the Holy Spirit just lead you in paths of righteousness.
Speaker 2:Today, as we gather around the word and we're going to go to the book of Joshua. We've visited this text so many times, we've been in and out of this text so many times, but I just want to take us, if we can, just to verse 6, and I'm not going to push all the way through it, but it's just the four words in. It's just the four words in. So we're in the book of Joshua, chapter 1, and it is verse 6 that we're coming from at this moment in time. It is verse 6 that we're coming from at this moment in time, and it's so easy and it's just four words.
Speaker 2:Be strong and courageous. Father, we come to you this morning and we pray that we will be strong and we will be courageous, that we won't be bold and arrogant in the world, but, lord, that we will be strong and courageous in the word of God. So, lord, will you strengthen us in these days in which we live? Will you strengthen us, lord, in these hours that we're on earth? Will you strengthen us in our lives? Will you strengthen us at work, at home, in family, in relationships, in and out of life? Father, we pray that you will strengthen each and every one of us, that the fire of God and the presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit will be with each and every one of us, wherever we are across the world today, that we will feel your love and your mercy, lord, we pray that you will help us to be strong, to be bold in the word, to stand up for Jesus Christ, father, and as we come to you this morning, scattered across the world, we pray for such an outpouring of your spirit, lord, that you will just be with each and every one of us, that we will feel the love of God, the fire of God, the presence of God, the holy glory of God. Father, we thank you that there is power in the greatest name in heaven and earth, and at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow on the earth, under the earth, through the earth, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And as we stand in the presence of the Holy Spirit, we rest, dear God, in the presence of the Holy God, we thank you that your love has surrounded us. We thank you that your presence is all over us. And, lord, right now we pray for those that are not well this morning.
Speaker 2:Lord, we believe in miracles, we believe in healing, we believe in the power of the blood of Jesus. We believe, we believe in miracles and right now, lord, we pray that every bone will be healed, every muscle will be strengthened, every tendon will be joined back together. Lord. Mental health we pray for the brain, the mind, the focus, the autonomy, the body. We pray for the crown of our head to the sole of our feet, that there will be healing in the name of Jesus, that we will be healed. That there is power in the name, the, that we will be healed, that there is power in the name, the greatest name in heaven and earth. So, lord, we believe in miracles. We believe that multiple sclerosis has gone at the name of Jesus. We believe back pain, bone pain. We believe, dear God, anyone that has got broken bones be healed at the name of Jesus.
Speaker 2:We pray, father, for cancers to go. We pray, dear God, god, for mental health, adhd. We pray for all these labels that are stamped on so many people. We pray, dear god, that the fire of god and the presence of the holy spirit will come down and just be over each and every one of us, that we will feel your love and your mercy and your goodness, and this will be the day that the Lord has made. We shall rejoice and be glad. But, lord, we thank you for Joshua.
Speaker 2:We pray that over our lives, lord, we pray, father, that the love of God, the power of the Holy Spirit. We pray for boldness and strength. We pray for courage. Today we pray, dear God, as we stand on the word of God, as we rest in the arms of Christ, as we come before you, lord, and we say thank you, father, thank you for your power and your anointing and your goodness.
Speaker 2:Spirit of the living God, will you strengthen us today, lord? Will the boldness and the glory of God just be over each and every one of us today? Come, holy Spirit, lord. We pray, lord, for fear. We pray, dear God, for doubt.
Speaker 2:We pray, dear God, for every area of life. Lord, that you will just strengthen us, that you will carry us, that your anointing, your love and your mercy, your saving grace, is over us today, lord, just stretch out your hand. God, holy Spirit, will you come down and just touch our hearts? Holy Spirit, will you just come down and refresh us? Holy Spirit, will you come down and just anoint us like never before? So, lord, we are going to be strong and we're going to be courageous. We're going to be bold in the word. So, lord, will you keep us? Hold us in the refiner's fire. Hold us, lord, in the refiner's fire. So we will find that purifying presence of you, lord, as we go through the fire. Lord, as we go through the furnace.
Speaker 2:Lord, we pray for all the troubles that are breaking out. Lord, as we look at our lives. And, lord, if we could see everything that we're spinning around, father God, everything, the plates that we are spinning, lord, as we spin it over on that corner've got to run to the center to get that one, then to the left, the right, father, help us, lord, to get a correct balance. Help us, father, not to overdo it, to over-engineer, help us not to overcompensate in many areas of life. I pray, dear God, that we will look to you, that we'll be bold and strong in the name of Jesus, that we will stand on the word of God and we will just come to you right now, lord, in Jesus' name, and we will feel the refreshing presence of the Holy Spirit, that we will feel the refreshing presence of the Holy God that we serve and as we stand and as we rest and as we be still.
Speaker 2:Father, just strengthen us today, god. Just strengthen each and every one of us, lord, pour out your spirit over us, lord, refresh us, refine us, keep us in the refiner's fire today, god, keep us in the fire pit, keep us in the refiner's fire, lord, carry us, lord, let the glory strengthen us. Let the glory be over us. Let the power of God sweep through us. Today, holy Spirit, we need you in our lives. We need your presence, we need your glory, we need the favor of God, we need the power of the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 2:But, lord, we're going to be as it was told in the book of Joshua. We're going to be strong and courageous. We're going to trust you, lord, in our lives. We're going to trust you in all things. We're going to look to you, lord, and we're going to lean into Jesus, just as the disciple did around that table. We are going to lean, we're going to lean into Jesus, and as we lean into you, lord, as we lean into the Father's arms, we thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit, as we lean into you right now. Spirit of the living God, let the fire fall, let the glory fall, let the anointing fall. Spirit of the living God, let your love just radiate over us today, lord, let your power come. Lord, as we rest in the arms of Christ, you are worthy of all praise and we lift you up, lord, and we say thank you, holy Spirit.
Speaker 2:Thank you, holy Spirit that you're with us that you never leave us nor forsake us, that you're with us to the very end of this age. So, wherever we are across this world, we believe cancer bows, we believe fear bows, we believe doubt bows. Lord, we take back that half acre. We go in in the word of God, jonathan and his armor bearer. We go in in the word of God, jonathan and his armour bearer. We go in in the name of Jesus. We go in in the authority that we carry through the word. We go in with the authority that is over and in our lives. We go in, lord, because you have anointed us and we stand on the word. You tell us, father, that faith and actions, lord, faith and actions work together for good Lord. We thank you, lord, that our faith is rising. Lord, we're stepping out on a boat of comfort and we're jumping out on a boat, lord, and we're going to walk on water. We thank you that we're healed. We thank you that we're strong. We thank you that the financial pressure is broken. At the name of Jesus, we thank you, lord, that the fear of debt, the fear of the unknown, the fear of anxiety, the fear of living, the fear of dying, the fear of waking, the fear of going to sleep, the fear of living the fear. Dear God, we come to you now, lord, and as we jump out of the boat of comfort and as we walk on the water of life, we focus on Jesus and we're going to be bold and we're going to be strong and we're going to keep our eyes on Jesus. We're going to keep our eyes on you, lord. We keep our eyes on the word. We keep the worship in our spirit. We keep lifting up the name of Jesus, just as Paul and Silas did when they was in prison, when they was in lockdown, when they was in lockdown, when they was locked in the stocks, they sang and they prayed and they sung hymns of praise. And, lord, we're singing Psalm 91 in our spirit, we're singing Psalm 23 in our heart, we're singing the Psalms. We're praising you in the stocks, we're praising you in prison, we're praising you in fear. We're praising you in doubt. We're lifting up the name of Jesus when everything is breaking out, when everything is coming down, when the walls of Jericho look so big and strong, when that Goliath is so loud and noisy.
Speaker 2:First thing in the morning, lord, we want to run for the cave of despair, but, lord, we're not going to go and run to the cave, lord, we're going to come to the cross. We're going to come to the cross of Calvary and we're going to rest in the arms of Jesus and we're going to trust you, your unfailing love, spirit of the living God. We declare healing over our lives. We declare freedom, new beginnings, new beginnings, hope and power and glory and anointing spirit of the living God. We want to rise on wings as of eagles. We want to soar, dear God. We want to run, lord, and not be faint. Lord, we want to stand on the rock face as a deer, so our feet are locked onto the edge of life. Lord, we want to hold our place, just like that deer does in Scripture, on the rock face of life, on the cliff, on the edge of everything.
Speaker 2:As the psalmist says, I was about to be pushed back and I was about to fall, but God, just remember that God, that you serve that God that said let there be light. You serve that god that said let there be light. He's breathing life in your lungs, he's the oxygen, he's the air, he's in the wind that blows, he's in the gravity, he's in everything. He created all things and all things consist. He holds everything together in the palm of his hands. Lord, will you take worry away this morning? Will you take fear away this morning? And, father, will you pour out the joy of the Lord? Nehemiah? The joy of the Lord is our strength.
Speaker 2:We welcome everybody this morning around the world and, as the other mics are getting switched on, we thank god for your lives, wherever you are today. We thank you for your support through prayer. We thank you for those that sow a financial seed into the, into the ministry. God bless you. I thank you just for everyone being here and listening and participating and putting stuff online. Please put scriptures up, put prayers up. We'll try and capture as much as we can through these online services, through these podcasts. Thank you to the tens of thousands around the world, whatever nation, whatever city you're in today. May God, may the God that said let there be light, put you on fire, set you on fire in such a powerful way. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Say that to yourself this morning. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength. And we started in the book of Joshua, chapter one, verse six be strong and courageous. God bless everyone in Jesus name and courageous. God bless everyone in.
Speaker 3:Jesus', name. Yeah, be strong and courageous, dig deep. Isaiah 43,. I've been looking through that Verse 5 of Isaiah 43. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west. I will say to the north and south bring your sons and daughters back from the distant corners of the earth.
Speaker 3:Then down to verse 10, and I'm reading from the NLT you have been chosen to know me, isn't that good? Come on, people of God. You have been chosen to know him. This is eternal life. That you may know God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Amen, not that you'd have religion, not that you'd do church. It's that you'd have a living, vibrant relationship with your creator. Yes, lord, you have been chosen to know me. Believe in me and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God that ever has been and there never will be. I, yes, I am the Lord, and there is no other saviour. First I predicted your rescue. Then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world. When you read the word of God, when you look at history, it's just a recording of what God has done, but it also says what God is going to do. He proclaims it, it's called prophecy, and then it happens again and again and again. Isaiah 43, 13. From eternity to eternity I am God. Come on, no one can snatch anyone out of my hand.
Speaker 3:Listen to that, isn't that good makes you think of romans 8 yes, no one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done. Thank you, jesus christ came. He died on a cross publicly for us. Nobody can undo that, thank you if you're saved, you saved.
Speaker 3:I was talking to someone last week and he said I'm sure there's a clause in the law why I'm going to lose salvation. No way, matey. And I said why are you still looking at yourself? We have a saviour. What does that mean? Someone has taken your place. Look at him. He fulfilled all the law and exchanged his righteous life for our ungodly lives. That's correct. Because of a saviour. But also in Isaiah 43, 19, god says For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun. Don't you see it? When you're doing it, lord? He's doing it now, as the scripture says.
Speaker 3:He's doing it now as the scripture says he's done it and he's doing it, jesus Christ, who was and is and is to come. As we look at this Christmas season, we see the word became flesh. He who was is he who is. Yes, and he's coming back. Come on, lord, I will make pathways through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry land. Then, after Malachi, as prophesied, there's a famine of the word of God for 400 years. Yes, and then suddenly we're getting into that Christmas season and it's brilliant. It really is Luke 1, verse 8. So here it is, I'm doing something new. God says he is going to make pathways in the wilderness. Yes, lord.
Speaker 3:And there's a man called Zechariah. Now, luke 1, verse 8. This is from the ESV. Now, while he was serving as priest before God, when his division was on duty according to the custom of priesthood, so there'd be thousands, thousands of priests going about their priestly duties around the temple he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. So lots are drawn, thousands of lots being drawn. Just by chance, you might think. Just by chance. God is sovereign even over the fine details. By chance, you might think, just by chance. God is sovereign even over the fine details. Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense before that most holy of holy places. He's in there. It's his duty. Once a year someone goes in, and it just so happens to be him.
Speaker 1:When he gets in there there's someone waiting for him.
Speaker 3:Who could that be? The angel of the Lord, gabriel, standing to the right side Down in verse 12. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him and fear fell upon him. Snap, but the angel said do not be afraid. Then the angel tells him why he's there, him chosen out of thousands to meet with Gabriel, all set up by God. He's going to have a son. Both him and Elizabeth, his wife, are beyond childbearing age. But Gabriel says you're going to have a son, his name's going to be John and he will be the one who prepares the way, as prophesied. A sign in the wilderness. See, I will make pathways through the wilderness. Come on, jesus. Proclamation to Jesus, the King.
Speaker 1:To him it was the coming King.
Speaker 3:Then this same angel appears to Mary. Now Mary, what faith, what absolute faith. Now Zechariah says how's this going to be? So Gabriel says well, if you can't say anything sensible, you're not going to say anything.
Speaker 3:And he, was silent until the day his son, john, is born Mary. Mary, a young virgin girl, probably around the age of 16. Give or take a couple of years, come on, jesus. Jesus Gabriel turns up and speaks to her. She was betrothed to Joseph.
Speaker 3:Now, when this is verse 28, gabriel said Greetings, o favoured one. The Lord is with you. She was greatly troubled at this saying and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her Do not be afraid, mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and he shall be called Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High and the Lord. God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom. There will be no end. Over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end. This had never happened before. See, I am doing something new. Now, when God does something new, it's new. When God says something about, it cannot be stopped. God spoke. Mary said how will this be, since I'm a virgin? The angel answered her the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God. And that's exactly what happens.
Speaker 3:Mary's answer at the bottom here. She says well, first she says how I'm a virgin. Gabriel says nothing is impossible with God. It's verse 37. And Mary said behold, now look the culture she is in. She could be stoned to death for being pregnant outside of marriage. That's the culture. She'd be shamed. She's looking at this thinking what. This has never happened before and it hadn't and it will never happen again.
Speaker 3:The virgin is found to be with child and mary's answer is behold, I am the servant of the lord. A young, 16 year old girl doesn't look at. This is unsafe. She says behold, I'm the servant of the lord. Let it be to me, according to your word. What faith, what total surrender. Now the root of salvation was planted in her womb. The word became flesh. God, the creator, subjects himself to creation. It's absolutely amazing. The creator becomes the created, the firstborn amongst all creation. It's absolutely amazing. The creator becomes the created, the firstborn amongst all creation.
Speaker 3:Then Isaiah 53. To whom has believed our message? Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm. Come on, he's chosen us to know him. There was nothing, sorry.
Speaker 3:My servant grew up in the Lord's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in the dry ground. The seed of salvation was planted, jesus Christ. A new thing was happening. Nothing could stop it. Herod tried. Herod tried. A king tried, an earthly king. Murder, murder was on his heart and there was mourning throughout that province because he slaughtered the children. But nothing could stop god's plan. He grew up like a tender shoot, like a root in the dry ground, and there was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected. Just read the Gospels. A man of sorrow, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried, it was our sorrows that weighed him down, and we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins. Please, god, come on.
Speaker 3:But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. Thank you, Jesus. He was beaten so that we could be whole he was whipped so that we could be healed, Amen.
Speaker 3:All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We've left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. Thank you for Jesus. And then it goes on to say in verse 10, it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, it's talking about the resurrection. And this is 600 years before the event.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 3:When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible For many will be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honours of a victorious soldier. Because he exposed himself to death, he was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for the rebels. Thank you, Jesus. He has done a new thing. Jesus Christ, our Saviour. He's doing a new thing. He's pouring out his.
Speaker 1:Spirit on the earth.
Speaker 3:There are still many prophecies yet to be fulfilled. Amen, and they're being fulfilled, and they will be fulfilled. Yes, lord, and then Jesus comes again. Yeah, hallelujah. Thank you, jesus. Lord, we don't know what the future holds for us, but we do know that it's you who holds our future. Lord, I want to thank you, that we trust you, that you are our God.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 3:Father, that you've chosen us to know you. And when we look at you, lord, perfection, perfection in humanity as well. You became the perfect man, never deviated, never sinned, lived in total submission to your Father, filled with the Holy Spirit, thank you, jesus. And the Holy Spirit remained with you and in you and operated through you, and I want to thank you, lord, that that same Holy Spirit you've given to us as a gift. Yes, lord, so that we may know you fully.
Speaker 3:And through the Holy Spirit, we cry Abba, father, pour out your Spirit. And when we know your presence, when we know Lord, you, we know that this world is no longer our home. It makes no sense. We're born again, but our home is in heaven, with you. Thank you, father, pour out your spirit more and more. Revive your church, revive us, fill us with hope, yes, lord, fill us with assurance. Come on, jesus, fill us with faith that we may live our lives to the full. Thank you, father, now, in the joy of the Lord and the fullness of life that comes through you. Thank you, jesus, amen, amen.
Speaker 2:Amen, amen. Thank you, jesus. Thank you for your word, john 3, 3. Andy's just about to pipe in and move in. You know, john 3, 3. You're born again. Brothers and sisters, everything Glenn has been reading from the word, you know, the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. The scriptures are, have been and are being fulfilled, the prophecies, but that simple line that jesus dropped to nicodemus born from above, we are born again, spirit filled believers. We are saved. As glenn said and as we know very, very clearly, we cannot lose our salvation. If you could, it'd rub all the scriptures away. It'd rub the cross out. One sacrifice once and for all. We're saved out of everything that's going on in our lives. We are saved. We're in the arms of Jesus. You're in the Lamb's book of life, andy. God bless.
Speaker 4:Yeah Well, Glenn, as usual, you've said all the stuff that I was going to refer to.
Speaker 2:You went to Luke 1. Thank you, Jesus.
Speaker 4:That's my reading for Sunday morning. Oh is it. That's what I'll be talking on. Thank you, jesus, but you've given me a few pointers there.
Speaker 3:Thank you very much, give me your sermon.
Speaker 4:Yeah, and then I had Isaiah 53 open as well, but he was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before Hashira is silent. So he didn't open his mouth and that's repeated in Acts 8, verse 32.
Speaker 2:Thank you, Jesus.
Speaker 4:But I won't go there.
Speaker 2:Come on.
Speaker 4:Lord, I've got Romans 12 about being living sacrifices.
Speaker 2:Amen. Thank you, Jesus, Come on Lord.
Speaker 4:Romans 12 says. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, ancestors, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. And listen to this. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.
Speaker 2:Help us God.
Speaker 4:But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Thank you. Father Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will. And it's well worth reading that chapter through a couple of times, because I've got mine underlined, and it goes on to talk about love and love for each other. You don't see much love around at the moment.
Speaker 2:Stress and fear.
Speaker 4:Stress and fear. As Ben says, you've only got to look at Parliament and the issues going on there backbiting all the time, isn't it really? It's not our fault, because you didn't do this when you were in power and everything is someone else's to blame.
Speaker 2:Always.
Speaker 4:And I just pray also for our church.
Speaker 2:Yes, Lord.
Speaker 4:The church, the Christian communities in our land that they should be standing up and standing for who they are, who they represent. I mean, we're called ambassadors, aren't we?
Speaker 2:Yes, Father.
Speaker 4:And I mean the meaning of ambassador. Britain has got ambassadors throughout the world and traditionally, who do they represent? They represent the king. We're ambassadors, we represent the king, we represent Jesus. He's our king.
Speaker 2:Yes, Lord.
Speaker 4:And we represent him and we should be doing what he does and what he says. That's our job as ambassadors for him, and we should be doing what he does and what he says. That's our job as ambassadors for him. So I pray, Father, God, that you will come and, as we've already prayed, the Holy Spirit, come and fill us with your power, with that love, the love that you had, Father that sent your son Jesus to the cross.
Speaker 2:Thank you, Father.
Speaker 4:What amazing love that is to die for someone. But he didn't die just for someone. He died for everyone, all of us so that we could have life. So we thank you. Help us to be imitators of your love and Father. We just ask for your forgiveness because we miss the mark so many times per day. We always miss the mark, but if we come back to you and we say sorry, you forgive us.
Speaker 4:How amazing is that that you have such patience with us. Help us to be strong and courageous, as we've already heard from Joshua 1. Be strong and courageous for the Lord. Your God is with you wherever you go.
Speaker 2:Thank you, Jesus.
Speaker 4:And if you don't remember that, chapter 1 of Joshua repeats it. It says it four times in chapter 1.
Speaker 4:Amen. Be strong and courageous, joshua. And he certainly had to be courageous, didn't he? He took over from Moses. He had to step into the breach. God called him to lead the people of Israel, and I would certainly my legs would be shaking if I was in that position to lead the people. But, father God, you, you appoint the right people in the right places and you've called each one of us right people in the right places. And you've called each one of us, and you call us, to be your friend, your ambassador, and to lead and be strong and courageous.
Speaker 4:But we don't do it on our own, because you sent your holy spirit. You told your disciples to wait for the counsellor. And if we read Acts, chapter 2, we can see how, like a mighty wind, the Holy Spirit filled that room where they were sitting, and they were filled with your power so that they could do the work that you had assigned to them. Power so that they could do the work that you had assigned to them, and we can take advantage of that ourselves, because you've assigned us work to do in your name.
Speaker 4:yes, we thank you and we call upon you now to send your spirit for all those who are listening today, that they will be empowered by your spirit now. So we say come Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill us afresh for the work that you've assigned us to do. Thank you, Father In your powerful and wonderful name, amen Amen.
Speaker 3:So, andy, you said that ambassadors do what the king says.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that intrigues me because it's true. Could you imagine if an earthly king said this is my message, go and proclaim it. And then the people changed what he said? If they said, you know? The king said don't do this, I will be very displeased if you do. And then they say, oh, you can do that, it will please him. How will he deal with those people? Oh, you can do that, it will please him. How will he deal with those people? And yet I hear people changing the word of God, saying it's okay, when God clearly says it's not.
Speaker 4:Culturally it's all right now, culturally it's okay. Well, yeah, the world can do what it wants. Anyone can come to church, but getting into the kingdom of God, you've okay.
Speaker 3:Well, yeah, no, the world. The world can do what it wants, anyone can come to church, but getting into the kingdom of God, you've got to be born again. And if you're born again, culturally you're different. Your culture now becomes kingdom culture, your nature now becomes kingdom nature and you become an ambassador of God and proclaim the truth. What he says, Jesus always answered his adversaries, both the teachers of the law and Satan himself. Jesus said. It is written Amen.
Speaker 2:Thank you, Father.
Speaker 3:Not culture. Now says or I think, or I feel, or I change it. Satan says is it written? Jesus says it is written. Come on, I dare not change what God says. Actually, when you read the warnings in Scripture over people who do deepest, darkest gloom is reserved for them.
Speaker 3:Let's fear the Lord rather than fear man. Again, I'm looking at you know, these prophecies in the bible are amazing. Psalm 22 written how many years before the crucifixion david? It's when david was king. You've got the rest of the kings to go through. You've got the exile. You've got so much history in between. You're looking at over a thousand years.
Speaker 3:So you read Psalm 22 and then go to the Gospels and read the crucifixion my God, my God, why have you abandoned me? That's how it starts. That's what Jesus cries out on the cross. That's 22, 1. 22, verse 7. Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads saying is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him. If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him. That's what the crowd shouted at Jesus on that day. And here's David praying and prophesying it, not knowing what he was prophesying. Yet you brought me safely from my mother's womb and led me to trust you at my mother's breast. I was thrust into your arms at birth. Thank you, jesus, ever been there, hello.
Speaker 2:Good morning.
Speaker 3:Only Lord God, only you can help me. Only you, jesus, we share. Only Lord God, only you can help me. Only you, jesus, we share in his sufferings. And that's exactly what David was doing here, prophesying at one with Jesus, before Jesus was even born.
Speaker 3:My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls, fierce bulls of Bashan, have hemmed me in Many lions. They open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey. My life is poured out like water. All of my bones are out of joint. That's crucifixion. It literally pulls all your bones out of joint. Come on, father. My heart is like wax melting within me. My strength has dried up like sun-baked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, reads the read it. Read the crucifixions and see. This is word for word what our savior went through for us, such as his love. All right your spirit, god. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs. An evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and my feet.
Speaker 3:Why was David praying this? What did he mean? What was he thinking? A forerunner? They have pierced my hands and my feet. David wasn't pierced. He didn't have nails driven through his hands. He had nothing driven through his feet. And yet this is the Holy Spirit predicting, prophesying, saying this is what our Saviour goes through for us. I can count all my bones. Why would he be saying that? Of course you can Amazing, but this was prophesying that when Jesus it shows they did not break his bones, that showed he was dead. You see, if people were still alive during crucifixion, to finish them off quickly, they break their legs. So when they take them down from the cross they suffocate. But they found Jesus was already dead. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me, they gloat and even the Romans get in on this one.
Speaker 2:They divide my garments among them and throw dice for my clothing.
Speaker 3:Amazing, everybody got in on the act. It's like they all read this ancient prophecy at the crucifixion scene and each played it out.
Speaker 3:Yeah, no, that's the sovereignty of God. When he says I'm doing a new thing, now come on. When he says I will pour out my spirit on all nations, hallelujah. When he says this promise is for you, your children, all who are far off, everyone, the Lord, our God, will call. When he says my glory, the glory of the Lord, will cover the earth like the waters cover the sea. The knowledge of the glory of the Lord, it's going to happen. Thank you, jesus. When Jesus said he will come back, it's going to happen.
Speaker 2:He's on his way.
Speaker 3:When he says neither will I leave you, never will I forsake you. When he says nothing can snatch you out of my hands. Thank, you, jesus, when he says I am yours and you are mine. Yes, Father when he says I have saved you that you would know me. Amen, it's going to happen.
Speaker 2:Come on, Jesus.
Speaker 3:Lord, I want to thank you that you are God. You're the one who spoke creation into being. You're the one who spoke over Mary's womb and created yourself in there. Lord, this is so beyond our comprehension, but we thank you for coming and saving us. Yes, lord, and we thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit.
Speaker 3:Thank you, father, and we thank you, Lord, that when we see, when you open our eyes and we know the truth and the truth sets us free there's no coming back from that. Thank you, Father, Thank you for saving us.
Speaker 2:Amen, amen. Father, we come before you and, lord, as we are approaching the table we thank you for the Passover table, the scriptures that have been read out, the prayers, the words, everything that has been prayed, everything that has come through Lord, we come to a realisation that the word is so, so, so powerful. And, lord, we thank you that sickness bows to the name, fear bows to the name, everything bows to the name. Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And as we, dear God, are approaching the table to break bread and to take the cup, the scriptures that have been read, the prayers that have come out, lord, father, we thank you that a child has been born, a son has been given the living word, the living word, and the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. So, lord, we thank you that we are word carriers, that your word is in our spirit, our heart, our mind. Lord, we thank you that we have the power of the Holy Spirit. But, lord, today, will you increase our faith? Will you increase our faith in the name of Jesus, lord, will you water that faith today, lord? Will you water that today, lord, will you increase the faith? Will you water that, lord, where we can sense and feel and pick up, dear God, that our faith is growing, lord, that our love for you is growing, lord, that the word of God is carrying us through the valley. And, lord, I pray for all those that are in the refiner's fire at this moment. I pray, lord, for the refiner's fire that you'll strengthen us and as we come out as pure gold, as all the dross has been burnt away, lord, as all the fears are burnt away, as all the doubtoss has been burnt away, lord, as all the fears are burnt away, as all the doubt, lord, is burnt away. Lord, those moments, father, those glimmers where we have a glimmer, those moments of everything's alright because a son has been given, a saviour has been born, the king came down. The God that we serve, the God that said let there be light, came down the staircase of life. We thank you that Jesus stepped into the world and is the saviour of the world, the king above all kings, the God above all gods. We thank you that your word is power, lord. When we look at your word, there is no other book in the world, nothing like it. Lord, when we look at your word, there is no other book in the world. Nothing like it.
Speaker 2:History, wars, rumors of wars, love, friendship, power, anointing prophecies, the glory of the word of God. We thank you for the word of God and Lord. I pray, lord, for such a power to drop on every one of us. Lord, let that fire burn in our belly today. Let that fire burn in our belly, lord, if anyone's unwell.
Speaker 2:Lord, lord, we thank you that all things work together for the good for those that love him. So everything is working for the good because you're in everything. Everything is working out perfectly because you're in everything. Everything is. We are going through the valleys, the trials, the tribulations. Everything is being flipped around. What the devil meant for harm, what the enemy meant for harm, what the world meant for harm, what society, culture, life meant for harm. We thank you. What the world meant for evil. Everything is being flipped over, everything is being turned, everything is being spun around for the glory, for the power. Lord, we thank you that the John 3.3 is sitting over us, the John 3.3 is sitting over us, in us, around us, that we have experienced new birth. New birth through the power of the word, new birth through the scripture, new birth through the holy scripture, salvation, because the savior, the word became flesh, spirit of the living God. As we come to the table now, and as the scriptures have been read out about the birth of the king of kings and the lord of lords, we thank you for the passover table.
Speaker 2:When he sat around the table, when he divided the bread and they was all sitting around, all those renegades not like those saints that are portrayed up in the stained glass windows in cathedrals, with halos and all that stuff shining around them. They were just men sitting back, reclining, didn't even hear what Jesus was actually saying, because they said what's he going on about? What are they going on about? What's he talking about? They couldn't engage. I love the fact that. They were just ordinary people with ordinary lives, with troubles and fears and doubts. But Jesus chose them. He didn't choose those saints that you see in the cathedrals. He didn't choose those and he didn't put halos around them. He didn't big them, men, up. They were just men, human beings, sitting around the table breaking bread with the king.
Speaker 2:Will you break bread with us today? Shall we lock shields of faith? Shall we lift up the sword of the spirit? Shall we lift up the greatest name in heaven and earth? We're at the table. Brothers and sisters, wherever you are around the world, grab yourself a bit of bread, grab yourself a bit of grape juice. Whatever you've got is symbolic to the blood of Jesus, but remember that Jesus broke bread before the cross. It's about the cross. You can't lose your salvation. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. You've been and you've experienced new birth. Let's break bread in the name of Jesus, amen.
Speaker 3:So Isaiah 43, 13. From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand, no one can undo what I have done. So, Lord, we do remember what you've done the suffering servant, the one who was pierced for our transgressions, the one who was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that we deserved was placed on you by your wounds.
Speaker 3:We are healed, so we break this bread in remembrance of all you've done, that you are our saviour. We're saved by you, through you and for you. Let's eat the bread together in remembrance of that Amen.
Speaker 2:Thank you, father, holy Spirit, thank you for the bread Amen.
Speaker 4:Father, we thank you, jesus, we thank you that he willingly, without, there was no fight or struggle, he went to the cross and died for us. And there's a verse in Isaiah 43. In my Bible it said Israel's only saviour, he's our only saviour. And it says when you pass through the waters, I will be with you.
Speaker 2:Amen.
Speaker 4:And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
Speaker 2:Thank you, Jesus.
Speaker 4:When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The flames will not set you ablaze. Father, we just thank you that whatever issue or trouble we are going through, you are always there. You're with us. That's your promise in Scripture, and your word never lies. So we thank you and we take this wine now to remember what you've done for each one of us.
Speaker 2:Amen. Thank you, jesus, the blood of Jesus. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Do you realize that you're grafted in? Do you realize that the love of God is over your life? Do you realize that the King went to the cross? Do you realize that there is power in the name of Jesus? And this is the day that the Lord has made? We shall rejoice and be glad. So, lord, sickness, go at the name of Jesus. And this is the day that the Lord has made. We shall rejoice and be glad. So, lord, sickness, go at the name of Jesus. Fear go at the name of Jesus. Doubt go at the name of Jesus. Trouble go at the name of Jesus.
Speaker 2:Father, I thank you that we are born again, spirit filled, blessed and highly favored, that the word of God is alive, sharper than a double edged sword In our innermost being, and nothing can separate us With that unconditional love that was displayed at the cross of Calvary and the journey when the human being Heard and started to see, through the life of Mary carrying word. Remember, you carry word, you're a word carrier, you're carrying the power of the word of God. Lord, I thank you for this morning and, lord, as we bring this to a land, as we just bring this to a full stop, lord, I thank you for this morning. And, lord, as we bring this to a land, as we just bring this to a full stop, lord, I just pray, father, that you will just pour out your spirit over everybody in the world.
Speaker 2:A podcast, everybody online, everybody wherever they are. Thank you for those that are on this online streaming service, thank you for everyone around the table. But, lord, as we recognize the Savior, as we recognize the Redeemer, as we recognize the savior, as we recognize the redeemer, as we recognize that we have redemption, that we're redeemed, bless us. I pray in the name of jesus.
Speaker 4:I believe andy has, before we, uh, come to a close this morning yeah, it's the word of God and this dangerous word that will change your life. I've got a copy of a New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, and a copy can be yours by just getting in touch there we go.
Speaker 2:It's that simple wherever you are across the world. If anybody needs a Bible, please, please, please, just ask and we will stretch out and we will get you a Bible. I just pray that you will feel the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We will see you this evening at 8 o'clock. You know, as we just jump online and for those who are in the world of podcast, and if you have trouble with the sound or the issue, please, please, just go on to Spotify and just find us on there. You know, and all the links will go up. You know Alex will ping the links up later on, but you know how to find us now.
Speaker 2:In the world of Audible, you can listen to everything. You know there's over 1,000 podcasts, 1,000 services, all up on there. You know we've hit it. We've pushed over there since lockdown. It's been absolutely a journey of faith and we thank God for what God has done. You know where we're on the radio, where we're pushing it out through podcasts, streaming and all them, areas that we are. God bless every one of you around the world and whatever country that you are in. You know, whatever nation you're in, whatever city you're in, may God bless you today. Thank you for your time and, as we just put a full stop on this, we will see you this evening back online on a podcast on the world of radio. We will see you later on. Have a good day. May god bless you and strengthen you. Never give up.
Speaker 1:God is with every one of you, amen 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.
