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
From Shadows to Light through Scripture (#901 - Elim)
In this Christian podcast, we explore the power of scripture as a guiding light through life's challenges. Drawing inspiration from Psalm 119 and John 8:12, we discuss how God's Word serves as a beacon of faith and hope, illuminating even the darkest paths. By reflecting on Jeremiah 29, we uncover the peace and strength that come from trusting in God's plan for our lives. Through the wisdom of Psalms 23 and 119, we explore how scripture becomes a source of growth, healing, and encouragement, especially during tough times. This journey highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in providing guidance and comfort, and how church communities are vital in fostering environments of authentic preaching. Join us as we embrace the transformative power of scripture and walk in faith, strengthened by the fellowship of believers and the unwavering hope found in Christ.
What if the key to overcoming life's darkest moments lies within the pages of scripture? Join us on a spiritual journey as we explore the illuminating metaphors of light found in Psalm 119:105 and John 8:12, where scripture serves as a beacon guiding us through life's uncertainties. Discover how God's Word, much like a lamp, can light up even the murkiest paths and unveil new ways where we once saw none. Through the wisdom of Jeremiah 29, we'll uncover the peace and hope that come from understanding God’s unique plan for each of us, all supported by the unwavering presence of the Holy Spirit.
In this episode, we reflect on the profound insights from Psalms 23 and 119, illustrating how scripture becomes our source of strength and growth amid life's challenges. Picture yourself walking through the "valley of the shadow of death," bolstered by faith and the presence of God. We'll discuss the critical role of church communities in fostering environments where the Word is preached with authenticity and authority. By embracing the transformative power of scripture, we are better equipped to navigate the trials of life with trust and hope.
Finally, we address the urgent need for genuine preaching that truly embodies the Word of God, with a particular focus on its importance in the UK. As we gather to break bread, this episode celebrates the unity and fellowship found in shared faith, prayer, and reflection. We invite you to journey with us from a place of spiritual hunger and thirst to one of hope and redemption, all while experiencing the boundless grace and love of God. Let’s embrace the call to hold steadfast in faith and join the redeemed at the table of transformation.
In this powerful Christian podcast episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of #ChristianPodcast as we explore the timeless wisdom of #Psalm119 and the illuminating message of #John812. Join us on a spiritual journey of #FaithAndHope, discovering how #ScriptureAsLight can guide us through life's darkest moments. We reflect on #GodsPlan and the strength found in the words of #Jeremiah29, offering comfort and insight for anyone navigating the #ValleyOfTheShadowOfDeath. With the #HolySpirit as our guide, we discuss the importance of #ChurchCommunity and the need for #AuthenticPreaching that leads to #TransformingFaith. This episode is a call to embrace the power of #SpiritualJourney, deepen our #BibleReflection, and experience true #ChristianFellowship as we walk in faith. Tune in to find #StrengthInScripture and renewed #HopeInChrist.
https://www.pastorbencooper.co.uk/
Welcome to Rev 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, 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 £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.
Speaker 2:God bless every one of you, wherever you are tonight, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. God is with you and it's great to know that the hand of God is over each and every one of us, wherever you are. At this moment in time we pray for the power of the Holy Spirit will really really come into our lives like we've never felt the Holy Spirit before. You know and we know that the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost is with each and every one of us. But tonight we just pray that the fire of God and the presence of God and the Holy Spirit will just bring peace. Do you need peace tonight? We pray that peace will abound in your life and the love of God will just enrich you and restore you and the blessings of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit will just be over you tonight. But thank you for joining us, wherever you are across the world, as we gather around the Word of God. And we're in the book of Psalms. We're in the book of Psalms 119. We're in Psalms 119 and we're going to turn to verse 105. If you have a Bible, grab the Word of God and let's just sit back and just rest in the arms of Christ. You know there is power in the Word of God and God loves each and every one of us and there are great days ahead for you and for me. The power of the living Word is amongst you. Never give up, never give in. The glory of God is all around you. What has your day been looking like? What is your life reflecting? Whatever is going on? You know there is always a way forward, but this is really important, I think, for us as believers, to really understand that the word of god is critical. The word of god is absolutely critical for each and every one of us. When you look at verse 105, 119 so if you have a Bible, turn to 119, 105, and it says your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path. Really interesting bit of scripture there, because it's a clear commandment. What we've been told your word is, you know the word of God is a lamp. What do we need a lamp for? You know we understand science, we understand reasoning, we understand all that sort of stuff that goes on in the world of science that that darkness only exists because of the absence of light. So when you think about the power of light, the power of light is just absolutely unchangeable. The power of light is beyond human understanding. Light is so powerful, it is so strong that darkness has to remove itself. You know, darkness only exists because of the absence of. So there is a light that lives within you. There is the power of God that lives within you. There is an anointing that sits over you. There is just a precious powerful light that is sitting in your spirit. So when you look at these scriptures and you read that clearly, look at what it says, see what it says for yourself. It says your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path. Really important to understand For me I'm not sure about anybody else tonight that the word of God is a lamp.
Speaker 2:It will light up my feet, it will make a way. Where there seems to be no way that the word of god is power, is life, the word of god is a way maker. The word of god opens up the doorway. The word of god just seems to reveal itself to each and every one of us. The word of god is just so powerful and wherever you are at this moment, I pray that the love of god and the power of the holy spirit will just sweep through each and every one of you at this moment in time and you will feel the very presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. But if you're just linking in with us tonight and you turn to Psalm 119 and 105, it says your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my pathway. God is lighting up your pathway. God has a plan for your life.
Speaker 2:If you have a Bible, turn to Jeremiah. Turn to Jeremiah 29. If you look at Jeremiah 29, it is really really clear to understand that God has a plan over your life. God has everything. God has everything in the palm of his hand. He is a way maker, he is the King of kings, he is the Lord of lords and all things are possible to those who believe. But the word of God is key.
Speaker 2:The word of God is absolutely fundamental to us as Bible believing believers. Without the word of God in our lives, it just becomes religion. Without the word of God it just becomes church. Without the word of God it just becomes an organization. But when you follow Jesus Christ, you are following the living word. When you follow the living word, there is power.
Speaker 2:In the name of Jesus, you know, when you look at the scripture, it's so beautiful, it's so beautiful to read and to see and to look that without the word of God, it is the word that strengthens you, it is a word that gives you life. It is the word that gives you hope. It is the word that strengthens you. It is a word that gives you life. It is the word that gives you hope. It is the word that sets you free. It is the word that makes a way where there is no other way.
Speaker 2:The word of God is power.
Speaker 2:The word of God is life.
Speaker 2:The word of God is hope. The word of God is future. The word of God was yesterday. The word of God is today. The word of God is future because jesus says I am the same yesterday, today and forever. More so when the psalmist writes so very clear and he says your word is a lamp unto my feet. Every one of us will go through a dark area, but not an oppressive darkness, but it only seems dark until you enter into that place, because the light that is before you is greater than any darkness. So, if you have a Bible, turn very, very clearly to Psalm 119, 105. Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path, and when you read that, absorb that. Let the word just rest in your spirit. Let the word of God sit in your heart, your mind, your body. Let the word of God just rest amongst you.
Speaker 2:Tonight, come to the realization that it's not church that I need, it's not religion that I require, it's not pastor, it's not any leaders, it is the word of God. It is the power of the word of God that I need in my life. It can only be Jesus Christ. It is not the structure, it is not the religious organization. It is not the structure. It is not the religious organization. It is not the season that we're in. At this moment in time, religion is rejoicing in advent. Religion is rejoicing in all the mechanisms of everything that's going on. But if you are a true christian, it is the word of god.
Speaker 2:You will only feel and find comfort when you're in the scripture. You will only find comfort when you're in the word. You will only find comfort, not so're in the word. You'll only find comfort not so much worshipping. You will find, but you've got to be careful of worship, because as you worship, that can take you into an emotional place. Worship can take you into an emotional place, but the word of God will give you peace. The word of God will set you free. The word of God will lift you. The word of God will carry you. The word of God will feed you. The word of God will strengthen you. The word of God will make a way where there is no way. The word of God will just lift you up. The word of God is power and fire and anointing, and we've got to understand that that word that is in us. Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. The word of God is within you and if you are joining us across the world you're online tonight, whether you're on camera or whether you're listening to this podcast.
Speaker 2:Back we are in psalm 119, 105. Your word is that lamp to my feet. God's word will make a way where there is no way. So what comes first? I need to make sure that the word of god, jesus, says I, I am the way, the truth and the life. If you have a Bible, turn to Psalm 23. If you look at that, psalm 23, the most powerful list, the most spoken about Psalm, I would say almost running parallel with Psalm 91. But when you look at Psalm 23, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff. They comfort me.
Speaker 2:I believe we're living in critical times, critical times of being in the Word of God. It is the Word of God. We don't need church. We don't need all the razzmatazz and all the stuff that's going on. At the moment in time. The church is very woke, is very weak. It feels like the church in many areas is being trampled on by government and things that is going on.
Speaker 2:But what's really really important is that we get into the scripture. It is fundamental to a believer. It is really important that we keep in the word of God. We don't need church, but we need the word. We don't need religion, but we need the word. We don't need the worship band, but we need the word. We don't want religion, but we need the word. We don't need the worship band, but we need the word. We don't want pastors and leaders and we don't need all them. What we need is the word of god. It is the word of god that will bring healing. It is not your pastor that will bring healing. It is not the denomination that will bring peace, it is the scripture.
Speaker 2:The scripture is critical. Jesus says I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. There's no way to the Father. The Bible tells us very clearly in the Lord's Prayer, our Father. I believe it's in Matthew chapter 6. Matthew chapter 6 says our Father. It is critical for the Bible-believing believer.
Speaker 2:We are at a stage. We are at a real important stage within the UK. You see everything that's going on. You hear everything that's breaking out across the world within the UK government, everything that's happening in church. We've got the weakness, we've got the wokeness, we've got everything, but what we need is the power of the word. It can only be the word of God If you have that Bible in front of you tonight. If you don't have a Bible in front of you, I would encourage you to get yourself a Bible, to get yourself a living word and turn to Psalm 23.
Speaker 2:Let's turn to Psalm 23, remembering that the main text that we're in this evening is Psalm 119, 105. Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path. No-transcript, but there are many people in the world of church. There are many people in the world of following Jesus that are in this position at the moment, that are right in the valley of life. Psalm 23,. We're very familiar with it.
Speaker 2:It says the Lord is my shepherd. I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul, he guides me in paths of righteousness for his namesake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff. They comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runneth over Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the lord forever.
Speaker 2:I think it's important that we look, or we just put our eyes on verse four. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff. They comfort me. So if you turn back, if you hold your hand in Psalm 23, verse 4, but if you go back with me to Psalm 119, 105,. Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path, so the two go together.
Speaker 2:It's important for me to understand that I'm going to have trials, I'm going to have tribulations, I'm going to have situations in my life that are going to be insurmountable by the human me. But through the power of the word of God, through the power of scripture, all things become possible to those who believe. The Bible says in the New Testament. It says faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of God. The word of God is where I grow. It is the word of God where I come into maturity. It is the word of God that strips me back. It is the word of God that will bring me into a bright place. It is the word of God that will fulfill the purpose of God in my life. It is the word of God that will protect me when everything is stretched. It is the word of God that will give me hope. It is the word of god that will give me hope. It is the word of god that will give me freedom. The word will feed me, the word will cover me, the word will enrich us, the word will stir us. So if you are in psalm 119, 105, it says your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path, then we we go back to Psalm 23. Just hold that place Psalm 23,.
Speaker 2:If you look at Psalm 23, and the main area of the text that we need to be in is verse 4.
Speaker 2:Even though I walk through, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff.
Speaker 2:They comfort me. Really important for me to grasp that I'm walking through that my life, our life, is a life of walking. It is a place where we walk. It is a place where we live. You know, life is that unusual place and what we've got to come to the point of realization is that life is a valley. Life can be like that valley. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff. They comfort me.
Speaker 2:I think it's really important that we sit over these scriptures, that we rest in these scriptures, that, yes, they are very, very popular. In that roundabout way, they're very, very familiar to our ears. And what we've got to be careful of is that, when we familiarize ourselves with these scriptures, that we don't allow them just to wash over us and just to disappear into the backdrop, because they are fundamental points of the Word of God. So, psalm 23, verse 4, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. So Psalm 23, verse 4, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Speaker 2:Let's go back to Psalm 119, 105. Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path. So the word of God is a weapon of warfare. The word of God is power. The Word of God is life. The Word of God is so strong. No devil, no sickness, no disease can stand up to the Word of God.
Speaker 2:But I need to make sure that I'm in a church that is preaching the Word of God. I need to make sure that I'm in a church that is really preaching the scripture, not the wokeness and not the weakness and and not them areas of that. The word needs to be strong, the need, the word needs to come across the pulpit in power and authority. We need to make sure that we're listening to anointed preachers. We need to make sure that the churches that we go to that they're not just there because the pastor decided to chuck them in the pulpit because he wants to gather his breath for Sunday morning. That is the wrong thing to do. We've got to make sure that the preachers that we listen to are called.
Speaker 2:It's no good listening to someone that has given us an educational message. We need to hear messages that are coming from brothers and sisters that are called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ it's really important and sisters that are called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's really important. It's so important in our lives that we hear a message coming from someone that is anointed and called to deliver the message. Because if we are in a church, it doesn't matter how big the church is, it doesn't matter what label is over the tin of the door. If the message is being given by someone that is not called to preach, it's not worth listening to because it won't have the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, it might scratch our ears and it might bring us a bit of familiarity to life, but what we need is anointed messages to come out in power and authority. So make sure that, wherever you go, that you know that the preacher and the teacher is called to preaching and teaching.
Speaker 2:Pastors and leaders seem to think, we seem to think that we're a jack of all trades, that we can do absolutely everything. Because I'm a pastor, I can do everything under the sun. Well, that's not actually true. We need to find our true calling and we need to make sure that when we go to church, that we hear the word of God and the word comes out in power and authority. Because that's what it is the word is power, the word is authority. Psalm 119, 105. It says your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path.
Speaker 2:Turn back to Psalm 23. If you go back to Psalm 23 and we simply see what it says there in verse 4, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff. They comfort me. The presence of God, the word of God, the word of God is everything that we require in our lives to be. To what God requires us to be, we will find our identity. And I'm not talking on the side of the gender issue. I'm referring to who we are in Christ Jesus. You need to be in the word to find out the character of who you are. You need to be in the word to find out who God is calling you to be. You need to be in the word so you know that he lives and because he lives, we can face tomorrow.
Speaker 2:It's really important that the word of god comes first over church. The word of god has to be first. There's no point in going to a church where the message isn't being preached. You might as well stay at home. You've got to be in the word of god. You've got to hear messages that are coming very powerfully across the pulpits. We've had too many messages in the world of church and celebrity church that has literally just been educational messages and we've got people in pulpits that are stumbling that can't deliver a proper spirit-filled message. It's critical that we hear the word of God Wherever you are at this moment in time. We want to encourage you right now to keep in the scripture. If you need a Bible, just message us. We'll get you a Bible wherever you are Now, as you're with us tonight, if we can turn again into well, not again because we haven't been there yet.
Speaker 2:If we can turn to the New Testament and if we can go to, we want to go to John. We're going to go to John, chapter eight. John, chapter eight, verse 12. Very, very beautiful piece of scripture. This is the Gospel of John, is a great New Testament scripture to read. The book of John is power. The book of John is about the love of God, the love of Christ, how God loved John and how John loved Jesus, and it is a very powerful scripture. You know, from John 1 all the way through, and especially Nicodemus, you must be born again and all that drumbeat that goes along with that.
Speaker 2:But wherever you are joining us through the world of podcasts, wherever you are joining us tonight, I pray that the word of God will be first and foremost in your life. That church can't be first. It's got to be word. It's got to be word. It has to be the word. It can't be worship before word. It's got to be word. It has to be the word. It can't be worship before word. It's got to be word before worship. It's got to be word before church. It's got to be word before worship. It's the word of God that is critical. Yes, we are worshippers and the worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth.
Speaker 2:But above that, what we've got to make sure in this scripture that we're in in verse 12, if you look at John, chapter 8, verse 12, it says there Jesus spoke again to the people. He said I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of the world. So light again. Light is on the tip of our tongue. So when you follow these scriptures through, wherever you are at this moment in time we've been in the Psalms, we've been in Psalms 119, 105, your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light my path. So the word goes with light, light is christ. When you look at what light actually means, we understand that science is very clear in what it says. Uh, darkness only exists because of the absence of light. So when you turn to psalm 23 and you read what the scripture says there very, very beautifully, it tells us, even though I walk through. So when you look at the psalmist, when you look at that in many, many ways, really important to understand that the psalmist is always pushing and putting the word over everything.
Speaker 2:The word is critical. It's not church, it is the word of God. It is not religion. It is the word of God. It is not pastors, it is not worship. It not religion, it is the word of god. It is not pastors, it is not worship, it is the word of god before anything. It is the word of god and we are in the gospel. We're in the gospel of john, chapter 8, verse 12.
Speaker 2:When jesus spoke again to the people, he said I am very interesting what he's speaking about there. When jesus is speaking in the gospel of john, chapter 8, verse 12, he says I am. When he's referring to the I am and we understand the seven I am's in the gospel of john. But christ is also referencing the father in heaven. When moses said to him who is sending me? Just tell them that I am, that I am. You know, the I am is sending you.
Speaker 2:And jesus is referencing something very interesting here. He says I am the light of the world. When you look at creation and creation itself, if you have a bible, turn to genesis. Genesis, chapter 1, verse 3. God said let there be light. The first thing that god created. What was it? It was light. When you look at light, light is powerful. Light overarches. Light destroys darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus says very clearly I am.
Speaker 2:When you understand what Jesus means when he was referencing I am, he wasn't just saying I am the light. He's also referencing I am the father in heaven. Because you can't separate the living word. Jesus christ is the living word. Jesus christ is the father. The father are joined. We will see this in just a few moments. But if you are with me, keep in the gospel of john, chapter 8, verse 12. And it says then, when jesus spoke again to the people, he said I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have light, the light of life. Just take a moment just to ponder on those scriptures a moment. Just take a moment just to rest in that word of God. Just take a moment to sit, to be still, wherever you are across the world.
Speaker 2:At this hour, jesus is giving us this clear teaching. When Jesus spoke to the people, he said I am the light of the world. He's referencing the old testament, the torah he is referencing, he is letting the world around him and at this moment in time, I am the living god, I am the god of israel, I am the living word, I am the bread of life, I am the door, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. When you go through jesus, you stay in jesus. When you go through christ, you are grafted into the vine. He says very clearly in the new testament my father is the vine dresser. You know, he's the gardener, he strips back, he prunes. Christ is always pressing the I am.
Speaker 2:When you look at the scriptures right before our very eyes, jesus is speaking about the light of the world. But not only is he speaking about light, he's speaking about the very beginning of creation. Turn to genesis, chapter 1, verse 3, and and god said let there be light. Yes, we understand that. God is telling us the power of natural light, the light of the world. And what I'm referring to first is when we are talking about the light of the world, we are talking about the ambient light, we're talking about the light that we live our lives by, the light that we see, the light that comes from the moon, the light that comes from the stars, the light that comes from the sun, the light that comes from the sky. He, he's talking about that. And god said let there be light. So we understand that. As you go through the book of genesis, what we find very, very clearly uh, what I find absolutely amazing is that god separated darkness from light. And what he done there, he made two different types of light, he made two different types of darkness. So when you study the scripture, he's talking spiritually. He's not talking in a riddle, he is talking spiritually.
Speaker 2:When you read the word of God, god reveals his word. God reveals. The word of God is always revealed. It comes through supernatural ways. It comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. It comes in a way that is impossible for education to understand the word of God. You cannot educate your way through the scripture. What you have to do is you have to be revealed. It has to be revealed to you, it has to be revealed. It is revealed through the working of the Holy Spirit, through the power of God, through the power of the word of God.
Speaker 2:And if you look at that second half of the gospel of John, chapter 8, verse 12, it says whoever follows me will never walk in darkness. If you are a John 3, 3, if you are a born-again, spirit-filled, bible-believing believer, you will never walk in darkness. But what does the psalmist say? Let's just hold a minute. We're coming to the table in about three minutes, just under three minutes. We're going to come to the table. But let's just take a moment.
Speaker 2:As we look at these scriptures, in the scripture that we're in here, jesus says I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness. Let's go to Psalm 23. Let's go back to Psalm 23. And as you look at Psalm 23, and let's pick it up in verse 4. And as you look at Psalm 23, and let's pick it up in verse 4, even though I walk through, it doesn't say in, it says through.
Speaker 2:There is a difference. Many people, many people that are not Bible believers, they walk in darkness. When you are a Bible-believing, believing believer, you walk through it. There is something that is so different between the word through and in. When you are in something, it's in you, but when you walk through, you are leaving it. That's what is so important with these scriptures. When you look at this, it says whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. Jesus says I am the light of the world.
Speaker 2:In Genesis, chapter one, verse three, very, very clear what it says there. Jesus says I am the light of the world. When you look at what we're reading at this moment come on, we're going to come to the table in just a few moments. It's critical that we understand it is the word of God, it is the scripture. We don't need church, we need scripture. We don't need worship, we need scripture. It all comes in its place.
Speaker 2:I can't put church and religion in front of word. I can't put church and religion in front of word. I can't put worship in front of word. The word has to be first, because when you worship in spirit and in truth, you can worship in any spirit. You can worship in the devil's spirit, you can worship in strange spirits, you can worship in foreign spirits. But when you worship in spirit, in Holy Spirit and in truth, jesus says I am the way, the truth and the life. So when you worship in the Holy Spirit, you worship and you have to worship through the word. So the word and worship go together. You can't have one without the other. We do have worship in secular Christianity that is very woke, that is very loose, that can lead you into a different area. It can lead you into a trance. It can lead you into a rhythm that is not of Christ.
Speaker 2:Jesus, sisters and brothers, it's really important that we get in the Word of God. It has to be the Word of God before anything in our lives. It has to be Scripture. It can only be Scripture. It has to be the Word of God before anything in our lives. It has to be scripture. It can only be scripture. It has to be the word of God. There is no other way but through the word. It is the word that will set you free. Jesus says I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. We're going to pause a minute. We're going to pause and we're going to come to the table and we're going to take time out. We're going to pause and we're going to come to the table and we're going to take time out. We're going to pause and we're going to rest and we're going to be still and we're going to break at a bread and we're going to take at a cup. So, wherever you are at this moment in time, we want to encourage you to be in the word of God. We want to encourage you to be in scripture. We want to encourage you not to be in church.
Speaker 2:Yes, I know that there are brothers and sisters online that are all about church. I can't all be about church. I got to be about Jesus because everything has got church on it. Just because it's got church on the door doesn't mean to say it's got word in it. We have many preachers that are in pulpits that should not be there. They are educators and they are delivering education and not spiritual messages. We need the spirit and the truth together.
Speaker 2:If you are in a church and the message is not stirring you and it doesn't challenge you week in, week out, you have to question is that pastor or that leader? Are they really called to preaching? You know so many of us, so many pastors, thinks that we think that we're a jack above all trades, that we can do absolutely everything. We can do everything and anything because I'm a pastor. But, brothers and sisters, it's really, really important to understand that a preacher just stays in the lane of preaching. Important to understand that a preacher just stays in the lane of preaching. Pastoring is so. It's all so important. It's all so important, but what's really, really important is that we do not get distracted by the weakness of a lot of preaching that happens on a Sunday morning. It really is important that the preacher has to be called. It's no good of listening to someone that just delivers a message and there's a joke thrown in it and there's a bit of lightheartedness and there's all that.
Speaker 2:I want to hear a message that is coming from the voice of God. I want to hear a message that is coming from an anointed believer in Christ. The problem that we have in church we seem to think that we can chuck anybody in the pulpit. Oh, that'd be all right. Yeah, it can't be. Lives are at risk of going to hell. The preaching is so critical from the pulpit.
Speaker 2:We have such a weak pool of preachers. We have such a weak pool of preachers in the UK. We have many people, many people that can talk it, but what we need to make sure that we need people that can actually preach it. It's critical wherever we are, wherever we are. Right. Now that we understand that is the word of God that we need.
Speaker 2:We're coming to the table. We're coming to the table right now in the mighty name of Jesus Christ and I pray that, wherever you are, wherever you are at this moment in time, I pray that the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit will set you free, whatever your life is looking like at this moment in time. We pray that the fire of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit will you break bread with us tonight? Will that the fire of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit, will you break bread with us tonight? Will you break this bread together? We're going to take this bread.
Speaker 2:There's going to be a bit of music just sitting in the background, you know, and we're just going to take a moment. These mics will go off, as they always go off, just for a moment. So, brothers and sisters, wherever you are across the world really important, you know to hold on to the word of God. God is with you. God is with you. It's critical, sister and brother, will you break bread with us right now? We're going to come to the table with us. Come to the table right now in the name of Jesus Christ. Father, bless this bread. Lord, bless this bread in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Just take a moment out. The mic's going to drop off for a moment. Everything's okay.
Speaker 3:We all start on the outside, the outside looking in. This is where grace begins. We were hungry, we were thirsty, with nothing left to give. Oh, the shape that we were in. And just when all hope seemed lost, love opened the door for us. He said come to the table, come join the sinners who have been redeemed, take your place.
