Bethel Elim Church

By Bethel Elim Church, Neath

Messages shared from our weekly Sunday morning service.... more

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The podcast currently has 285 episodes available.

Bethel Elim Church episodes:

December 10, 2024 He Came 081224
Lloyd Owen-Reece reminds us that Jesus came for the least, the last, the lost and the lonely.
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16min
December 05, 2024 Given 011224
Given…For To Us…
Key Text: Isaiah 9:2-7
No matter what you thoughts are about self, whether that is high or low, God wants to be in relationship with you.
Isaiah 9 :6a For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
1.For a gift to do you any good, it has to be unwrapped and received.
2.A gift does not start with the one who gets it but in the mind and heart of the one who wants to give it. Someone who sees a need or wants to bless the other person and thinks they would enjoy it.
These two things are key aspects of the Christmas season:
God saw that we needed something, even when we did not see it ourselves.
Christmas has many wonderful messages but at the very core of it, there is a Someone, God’s personal gift to be personally received by us.
It’s a Personal Gift.
How do you choose a gift? Some people are harder to buy for than others , we think about the person and try to think what they would need or like.
Notice something about the verse in Isaiah – you are the focus, you are the recipient… ‘For unto US a child is born … a Son is given…
1.God chose to give Jesus, so that you could be personally chosen by Him.
Galatians 4:4-7 says: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son and if a son, then an heir through God.
God got the timing right – it had fully come.
God got the gift right, it was perfect – God sent his Son.
God got the wrapping or means right, born of a woman – so He could be one of us.
God got the conditions right – born under the Jewish law so that Jesus could obey perfectly, with no unfair advantage.
God got the recipients right- so that we might receive.
God got the result or effect right – He adopted and redeemed us.
God got the ongoing help right – He sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts.
God got the ongoing relationship right – We cry ‘abba’ Father.
Who would have thought that one gift would have such a large profound effect upon us?
God really wants to choose you Ezekiel 34:11-12 “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.
God gave Jesus as a person, a child, with all the weaknesses of a child, so that we know that He understands us as a person with all our weaknesses.
Think about it for a moment…for to us a CHILD is born – on the one hand there is nothing more precious than a child to give – God was not holding back.
On the other hand, the idea of God with all His power and wisdom being limited, constrained within a child is one of the most mysterious things about Christianity – God says ‘let me limit myself and become a baby …for you!’
It is a bit of a mystery that is hard to understand but here is the bottom line. God limits Himself so that you and I can know with certainty that He really understands what it is like to be you and the person you are.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
But here is the other thing – despite what you might think are your weaknesses, God can still use you.
Sometimes we have weakness and limitations so that we learn to trust God.
Perhaps you have something today that you wish was not true about you or you wish was not happening – You have some limitations to embrace – Jesus limited Himself so that He can prove to you, that He can help you in your limitations.
Christmas is a time for you to receive…personally. For to Us…Understand that Christ was given to you personally.
There is no one like you that’s why God made you!
Despite what you may know or think you know about you – God continually chooses you.
Question: Could you place your limits and strengths in God’s hands? You will see how He will use you.
God speaks value over you because He did not hold back His most valuable gift, so that He could win His most valuable creation back- that creation is you.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
He came in weakness so that any weakness you have will not stop you knowing Him.
He came personally so that you can know Him personally
Your limits are His opportunity to work through you. So whatever you feel give them to Him.
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32min
November 25, 2024 Resurrection – That You may Believe 241124
We conclude our series "That They May Believe' and Lloyd Owen Reece looks at how the resurrection of Jesus speaks to our faith
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20min
November 22, 2024Our Human Testimony 171124
Key Text: John 1:1-13
How can you know for sure that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? An old hymn put it, “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.” Fine but that’s really subjective.
A Buddhist might say that Buddha lives within his heart. How can you verify such a thing? A critic might say that Jesus is just a legend or myth. Or, maybe the apostles embellished the stories about Him so that what we read is far from the actual truth. Perhaps He was just a great religious teacher who was tragically murdered because of jealous men who felt threatened by Him.
If you’ve ever sat on a jury or watched a courtroom drama or followed a trial on the news, you know that having multiple witnesses of reputable character who all say the same thing independently of one another is vital to prove a case. Those who are called on to bear witness in court must swear to tell the truth or be liable for perjury. A true witness is not free to make up their own story; they must report the facts as they witnessed them. If the witnesses are credible people who give consistent witness, the case is pretty secure.
But, how do we know that these claims are true? What evidence backs them up? Would they hold up in court? In answer to these questions and in deference to Jewish law, which required at least two or three witnesses to establish any legal matter, Jesus gives a number of witnesses to verify His claims.
‘Testimony’ or ‘witness’ was an important concept to John. In the ‘Bible knowledge commentary’ the writer states: We don’t need to take a blind leap of faith. God has provided adequate testimony that Jesus is the truth. John repeatedly emphasises ‘truth’ in this gospel. Truth is characteristic of God and it is only as we know God that we know truth.
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31 God sent John the Baptist in fulfilment of His promise to bear witness to Jesus. Isaiah 40:3 A voice cries “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Malachi 3:1 Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
John was not Jesus’ “key witness” in that he was human. Jesus’ main witness was the Father. But Jesus mentions John because for a while the Jews were flocking out to hear him and Jesus wants them to be saved. If they would have believed John’s testimony that Jesus was the Lamb of God, sent to take away the sins of the world 1:29, they would have been saved.
John was a lamp, not the light but he bore witness to the Light. The Jewish leaders were interested in John when he was popular but they never took his message to heart. They were like a bunch of moths who hovered near the lamp while it was burning but flitted back into the darkness after it was extinguished. They should have followed the One to whom John was pointing. The sign is not the destination but points us to somewhere, someone else.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be saved when God is speaking His truth to you through His messenger. Today is the day of salvation.
The testimony of Jesus by those who witnessed Him varies, but it seems that the closer one got to Jesus, the more convinced they became. - that has not changed.
The early disciples, Andrew declared Him to be the Messiah.

Philip said He was the One of whom Moses and the prophets wrote.

Nathanael confessed Him to be the Son of God, King of Israel

Martha believed Jesus to be the Christ the Son of God

Peter believed Jesus to have the words of eternal life and declared Him as the anointed One the son of the living God

The disciples at the last supper believed that He knew all things and believed that He came from God

Thomas though sceptical of the other apostles' testimony was convinced by tangible evidence that Jesus was Lord and God.
Testimony of The Masses
Nicodemus an official of the Sanhedrin council confessed Jesus to be a teacher from God.

The Samaritan woman at the well confessed Him to be a prophet.

The villagers that came were convinced that He was the Christ, the saviour of the world.

The man born blind John 9:17,25 ‘He is a prophet’ ‘One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.’

Pilate Roman governor who interrogated Jesus stated three times: ‘I find no fault in Him.’
In seeking to produce faith in Jesus, John demonstrates a remarkable objectivity. He does not gloss over the fact that many did not believe in Jesus but presents a fair representation of the human testimony concerning Jesus. Some believed in Jesus, others did not; but note carefully...Those who knew Him best, believed in Him.
Those who were ignorant of the facts, were quick to deny Him but even His enemies could not deny the force of His teachings and the power of the miracles. At best they tried to attribute His power to the devil and as a last resort, they felt they had to kill Him.
What about us today? What will we do with Jesus? Will we make the effort to learn more about Him? Will we be like many who were quick to draw conclusions before they really knew Him?
Jesus made a powerful impression upon those who saw and heard Him. Those who knew Him best were even more impressed to the point of life transformation. They were never the same after meeting Jesus.
Let, their testimonies encourage us to consider what further testimony John presents in His gospel about Jesus, the Son of God… that you may believe.
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31min
November 13, 2024 Remember Jesus 101124
Key Text: 2 Timothy 2:1-13
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel. v.8
Paul mentions two specific ways to remember Jesus: Remember Him as risen from the dead. And remember Him as the offspring of David. Why these two things about Jesus?
Romans 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
Because if He is risen from the dead He is alive and triumphant over death — including our death! “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” Romans 8:11
It means that no matter how serious the suffering becomes, the worst that it can do on this earth is kill us. but Jesus has taken the sting out of that enemy.
He is alive. And we will be alive. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” Matthew 10:28
But more than that, the resurrection of Jesus was not a random resurrection. It was the resurrection of the son of David. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David.” Why does Paul say that?
Because every Jewish person hearing it would know that it meant Jesus is the Messiah (anointed one) John 7:42 They would know it meant that this resurrection was the resurrection of an everlasting King. Listen to the words of the angel to Mary, Jesus’ mother:
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to 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.” Luke 1:31–33
So, remember Jesus, the one we serve. He is not just alive from the dead but He is alive as a King who will reign forever and of His kingdom there will be no end.
No matter what happens, we do not need to be afraid.
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26min
November 04, 2024The Father’s Testimony of Jesus In Scripture 031124
Jesus also appealed to His Father's testimony through scripture. The same Scriptures many looked to for eternal life John 5:39a Scriptures which themselves bore witness to Jesus John 5:39b
From Luke 24:44, we can assume that Jesus had in mind the following scriptures, The Law of Moses, The Psalms and The Prophets Note Jesus' words in John 5:45-47

In these scriptures were many prophecies concerning the Messiah. In John's gospel, he records how many of these prophecies bore witness to Jesus as the Messiah.
Prophecies of Moses
The Seed of Woman - Genesis 3:15 pointing to a conflict that would exist between Satan and Jesus. This conflict is referred to by Jesus in John 12:31-33; 14:30

Jesus' resurrection proved Him to be the fulfilment of this conflict Hebrews 2:14-15
Prophecies By The Prophets
The Forerunner - Isaiah 40:3 A reference to one who would prepare people for the coming of the Lord

John the Baptiser makes reference to this prophecy John 1:19-23 The work and testimony of John the Baptiser fulfilled this prophecy
The Spirit Coming Upon Him
Several prophecies found in Isaiah 11:2; 42:1; 61:1 In which the Spirit was to come upon the Messiah. A fulfilment to which both John the Baptiser and Jesus refer John 1:32-33; 3:34

Luke also records how Jesus fulfilled such prophecies Luke 4:16-21
The Rejected Teacher
Prophecies related to this are Isaiah 53:1; 6:9,10

In which many would not receive the Messiah because of dull hearts

John made reference to these passages - John 12:37-41

The Jews' rejection of Jesus and His teachings thus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy
The King’s Entrance
Recorded in Zechariah 9:9

Israel's king would come to Jerusalem riding on a donkey

John records Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem - John 12:12-16

Later, His disciples would understand how this fulfilled what was written of the Messiah
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36min
November 02, 2024 Inspiration Meeting 271024 – Testimony of Jesus Through Signs & Wonders
The Previous week’s message from Lloyd, we considered the human testimony recorded in John's gospel. By John the Baptist, the early disciples and others who believed. But also the testimony by the masses, including many who did not believe.
Of course human testimony alone does not prove Jesus to be the Son of God. Jesus Himself did not depend upon human testimony alone as evidence John 5:33-37
Whilst Jesus recognised human testimony, such as that offered by John the Baptist He none the less appealed to a ‘greater witness’, that of His Father's testimony.
Jesus encouraged people to consider the Father's testimony as evidenced by the works which He did.
The Purpose of Signs
Definition of the Gk word ‘Sign’ as used by John in his gospel
What were these ‘signs’ to which the Father bore testimony concerning Jesus? John says there were many John 20:30, too many to record them all John 21:25. In his gospel, John records at least seven.
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44min
October 23, 2024 Jesus In Relation To Our Human Need 201024
In previous weeks we have considered claims made by Jesus...
In relation to God.
In relation to the Messianic hope.
Jesus made claims that were not only great but relate to basic personal needs common to all.
In this message consider aspects of our human need and what Jesus said in relation to them.
The Need To Have Fellowship With God
Jesus Claims to Fulfil This Need
Need For Salvation From Sin
Jesus claims to provide the solution in Himself
Need for Guidance in Life
Jesus claims to provide the guidance
Need for Spiritual Sustenance
Offered through Jesus
Need For Immortality
Jesus offers us eternal life Through Him
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46min
October 02, 2024 Jesus In Relation to God 290924
The first thing we should note is that on at least two occasions Jesus claimed ‘He Came from God.’
After feeding the five thousand He claimed to be ‘the bread of life’ sent from the Father. We read this in John 6:32-35 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
His claim is further stated more clearly later in John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
Then as now, people who hear this claim have problems with it.
Because Jesus said that it is only those who accept and receive Him as ‘the bread of life’ will have eternal life with the Father in His heaven.
Many found it hard to accept John 6:60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”
A second occasion when Jesus made such a claim was in the temple at the feast of tabernacles (Booths/Sukkot)
He again claims to have come from God John 7:28-29 So Jesus proclaimed, as He taught in the temple, “You know me and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and Him you do not know. I know Him, for I come from Him, and He sent me.”
1. He Alone Has Seen God John 6:46 It’s the same claim stated by John in John 1:18
2.He Knows God John 8:55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.
3.He Reveals God Jesus offers a complete revelation of God the Father as John stated in his opening – John1:18
And Jesus Himself declared this fact on at least two separate occasions. To the Pharisees John 12:44-45 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.
To His disciples John 14:7-10
4.He Is Equal To God This claim irritated the Jewish people for it they tried to kill Him. They viewed it as blasphemy Jesus even took upon Himself the special name of God
The Name revealed to Moses at the burning bush - cf. Exodus 3:13-14 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am. And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Jesus called Himself the ‘I AM’ John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
This title tells us of our need to believe in Jesus ‘I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins.’ John 8:24
Jesus said: He came from God, He alone has seen God, He knows God, He reveals God and He is equal to God.
Certainly these are claims difficult to accept from someone who was simply ‘a lofty man’
Neither was He just a liar or lunatic Lord of everything He claimed to be: He is the fullest revelation of God made known to man and He is as He says, the only way to God.
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34min
September 27, 2024 That You May Believe Introduction 220924
The purpose of John writing his gospel is is clearly stated in John 20:30-31 … these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may (will) have life in His name.
The two big intentions then are to create faith in Jesus and in doing so we will have life in His name.
So how does John create faith in his telling of the good news? By Stating claims about Jesus in his opening John 1:1-18
He looks at the life of Jesus, with emphasis on the claims made by Jesus Himself, then presents evidence to back up those claims.
This series is designed with two things in mind, to strengthen our own faith and to create faith in others who have yet to believe.
1.The Relation of Jesus to God v.1-2
Jesus existed before creation ‘In the beginning was the Word’
That word ‘was’ speaks about Him being eternal. Jesus had a face to face relationship with God the Father ‘the Word was with God’
The word ‘with’ implies a personal communion with God
Jesus possessed the full deity of God, He possessed divine being, power and attributes; i.e., Jesus was divine fully God yet fully man.
2.The Relation of Jesus To The Physical World v.3
Jesus was the active agent in creation ‘all things were made through Him, without Him nothing was made that was made’
Jesus made ALL things ‘by Him all things were created...’ - Colossians 1:16
He (God) appointed the heir of all things, through whom (Jesus) also He created the world. Hebrews 1:2
In relation to the physical world, John and other writers proclaim Jesus to be ‘the Creator’.
Jesus Is Victorious Over Darkness
‘the darkness has not overcome (comprehended) it v.5
By believing in Jesus, those in darkness are able to escape and come out John 12:46 Jesus is the ‘true Light’ who gives light to all - John 1:9
So in relation to darkness, John makes the claim that Jesus is "the challenger and victor".
4.The Relation of Jesus To Humanity v.10-13
Jesus was the creator ‘the world was made through Him’. Here the ‘world’ refers to governmental order.
Jesus was the benefactor who was ‘in the world...the world did not know Him’
‘He came to His own’ - that is, to His own nation, people (Israel) ‘His own did not receive Him’ - rejected by His nation, even members of His own family were sceptical (until after the resurrection)
‘But as many as received Him’ i.e., ‘to those who believe in His name’ -To them He gave the right to become children of God’
In relation to our humanity Jesus changed our future hope and destiny
5.The Relation of Jesus to The Father vs.14,18
As the Word, Jesus "became flesh" He ‘dwelt’ among us and John and others ‘beheld His glory’ He is ‘the only son of God’
Only Jesus has seen the Father and therefore, only Jesus can reveal the Father by His Holy Spirit.
No one has seen God at any time - Exodus 33:20; Johnn 6:46; 1 John 4:12 But Jesus the Bible say has declared Him" John 14:9; Matthew 11:27
In relation to the Father, Jesus is the ultimate the definitive ‘revelation’ anyone can have of God in this life. If we want to know the Father we must first know Jesus
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36min

FAQs about Bethel Elim Church:

How many episodes does Bethel Elim Church have?

The podcast currently has 285 episodes available.