Prophetic Vision, Winter 2022, #106, The Ultimate Goal

THEULTIMATEGOAL

“Finally,mybrethren,rejoiceinthe Lord!” ThisiswhatPaulsaysinPhilippians3:1.Butwe’relivinginanagein whichnationsaretornapart!Onlythis summer,BritishPrimeMinisterBorisJohnsonhadtoresign;theGermanChancellor,theFrenchandtheAmerican Presidents–massivelyunpopular;worldwideunrest–thereisaturmoil,adisturbinguncertaintyineveryaspectof nationalandinternationallife;much, butnotall,asaresultfirstofCovid,then thewarinUkraine.Butit’sdeeperthan that.There’salackofleadershipand moralityintheso-calledfreeworld–we haveuncertaintyinpolitics,ineconomics,inalloursocialsystems.Weneedto lookforanswersinScripture.

IfounditissointerestingwhenIread, ‘rejoiceintheLord’!Heistheonlyone, theonlythinginwhomandinwhichwe canrejoice.Pauladds,“Towritethe samethingstoyou– rejoice –isnot grievousforme,butsafeforyou.”Inhis epistles,Paul’slayingdownstrongprinciplesforthelifeoftheChurch.So muchoftheChurchasweknowit todayisbasedonapostolicdoctrineas taughtintheNewTestament.

ButPaulcontinuesinPhil3:2ffwitha warning, “Bewareofdogs,bewareof evilworkers,bewareofthecircumcision.”He’sindicatingthatevenatthis stageoftheearlyChurch,therewere peoplewithintheChurch,whowere preachingandteachingthingswhich arenotcorrect.

TotheJews,circumcisionwasalegalissue.Forthenewbelievers,circumcision wasnotalegalrequisite,butaspiritual matter.Wedon’tneedaphysicalcircumcision,butaspiritualone,being cutofffromsin,fromthingsthatwould defileusintheflesh.Paulsays,“Weare thecircumcision,whoworshipGodin theSpiritandrejoiceinChristJesusand havenoconfidenceintheflesh”–that’swhatcircumcisionistous! Jewishnesswas,andis,obeyingasetof rules.IfyouwereaJew,youwerecircumcisedasababy,youobservedthe Sabbath,andmanyotherlaws,‘inthe flesh’.PaulsaysinPhil3:4ff,hehimself

couldboastofconfidenceinthatflesh, inthosehumanthings,morethananyone!Hewassostrict–Jewishright through–circumcisedonthe8thday, anIsraelitefromthetribeofBenjamin–adescendentofIsrael’sfirstking,King Saul –‘aHebrewoftheHebrews’,and concerningtheLaw,aPharisee!He wasthe‘aristocracy’ofIsrael,fullyconformingtoeverythingtheLawcommandedforsalvation,sozealous,persecutingtheChurch!TodayinIsrael, nothinghaschanged,OrthodoxJews stillpersecutetheChristianChurch. Whenthefirstmartyr,Stephen,was stonedtodeath,Paulstoodbyapproving,evenparticipating–holdingthe clothesofthosestoninghiminorderto ‘fulfil’theJewishLaw.

FromthatverydayPaulsetouttodestroytheChurch.Hewasonhiswayto Damascustoarrestandimprisonevery Christianhecouldfind,whenhehimself wasconverted!Uptothatpoint,concerningzeal,Paulpersecutedthe Church;andconcerningtherighteousnesswhichisoftheLaw–hewas blameless!But,Paulsays,“Thosethings thatweregaintome– [thathewasso proudof] –IcountedaslossforChrist.” WhenwecometoChrist,allthose earthlythingswemighthavebeen proudof–arevalueless!

It’snotjusttheJewswhowereguiltyof prideindogmaticallyobeyingasetof rules.Ifyoulookatreligiontoday,even ifyoulookattheChurch,somuch valueisstillplacedinkeepinglaws,not onsalvationbyfaith.Wehavetocome backtothebasictruthofScripture:we arenotsavedbyworks,byreligiousobservances,butbyfaith.Totheaverage personinBritain,tobeaChristian means,whenyouarebornyouare baptised.ThatmakesyouaChurch member!Iwasshockedonetimewhen Iattendedthechristeningofaninfant–Iknewtheparents–andthevicarsaid thechildwasnowamemberofthe Churchfamily!Asif,bybaptismalone, thatinfantbecamea‘legal’member oftheChurchwithoutanyevidenceof repentanceandsalvationbyfaith.

Jesuswassostrongonthisissue.When

Nicodemus,ateacheroftheLaw, cametoHim,Hesaid,“Unlessamanis bornagainfromabove,hecannotsee theKingdomofGod,andunlessheis bornofwaterandtheSpirit,hecannot entertheKingdomofGod.”John3:5. It’snotthroughthekeepingofsome law,it’sthroughfaithinChrist.

SoPaulsays,“Those [worthless] things thatweregaintome [asareligious Jew], IcountaslossforChrist,forthe excellencyoftheknowledgeofChrist JesusmyLord!”Hisfaithwasbasedon KNOWINGChrist.Paulwasnotoneof theoriginaldisciples.Washeinvolvedin thetrialofJesus–wedon’tknow.But wedoknowthatafterthedeathof Christ,Paulwasactivelyinvolvedinpursuing,imprisoningandkillingthosewho believedinHim.That’swhyhisconversionissoremarkable.Whenthatlight shined,Paulwasstruckblind–Christ spokewithhim,andhewasmiraculouslyconvertedandchanged.There needstobethatsamekindofconversionwithinsomeofourChurchstructurestoday.YoucanbecomeaChurch member,evenapriestoraminister–withoutactuallyhavinghadapersonal experienceofsalvationinChrist.Simply becauseyouobeythelaws,rituals,and traditions…

…Paulsays,Phil3:8ff,“Icountallthese thingsbutloss,worthless,fortheexcellencyofKNOWINGChrist,thatImay winChristandbefoundinHim!Not havingmyownrighteousness (whichis butdung), butthatwhichisofGodby faith.”ThisfaiththatPaulistalking aboutisthebeliefthatJesuswhodied onthecrossistheONLYOnewhocould paythepriceofoursin.GodcommandedthepriestsintheOldTesta-

menttoofferasacrificiallambforthe sinsofthepeople,alambwithout blemish–animageofChrist.Jesusis theONLYOnewhohaseverlivedalife freeofsin–theLambofGodwithout blemish,slainbeforethefoundationof theworld!1Pet1:19-20;Rev13:8.ONLY Christ,ONLYJesus,couldbetheSacrificialLambtopaythepriceofsin.

WearesavedbyfaiththatGodhasacceptedthesacrificialdeathofHisSon, onthecross.Hediedinourplace,for oursin.Thismakeseverythingelsenot justvalueless,buttotallyinvalid.ThedesireofPaul’sheartnowisthathemight KNOWCHRIST!Remember,whenJesus wasaliveonearth,Pauldidn’tknow Himinanypersonalsense.Hisonly knowledgeorconsciousnessofHimwas hisownreligioushostilitytoHim.Nowhis wholedesireistosweepawayallthis religiousness–whetherJewishLaw,or todayourtraditionsandcustoms,our religiouschurchianity,whateverdenominationweare–allofthatisworthless–sothatwemightKNOWHIM! Paul’sdesireistoKNOWCHRISTandthe POWEROFHISRESURRECTION.Toknow HimandthePowerofHisResurrection meansthatweourselves,byfaithin Christ,havepassedfromdeathtolife! That’swhyScripturesayswemustbe bornagain,fromabove.Theoldlife–DEAD!That’sthesymbolismofwater baptism:wehavediedwithChrist, we’reburiedinthewater–andwerise uptonewlife.Byfaith.That’swhybaptisinginfantsispointless.

SothisiswhatPaulissayinginPhil 3:10ff,“Myheart’sdesireisthatImight KNOWHIM,ANDTHEPOWEROFHISRESURRECTION,andthefellowshipofHis suffering,beingconformedtoHisdeath

–thatImightattaintotheResurrection oftheDead!”Phil3:10hasalwaysbeen markedinmyBible.It’soneofmyfavouritepartsoftheNewTestament! Ultimately,thislifeisnothing,lengthof lifeisnothing(I’m90!)–becauseIwill liveforeverwithChrist! Callednotonly tolivewithHim,buttoruletheworld withHimwhenHecomesbackfor1000 years!That’sthestoryJesustoldofthe talentsinLuke19,Matthew25.The Mastergoesawayandgivestalentsto theservants,and,accordingtohow theyusethosetalentsistheirrewardin theKingdom!Toeachservantwhoinvestedandincreasedtheirtalents,the Mastersays,“Welldonegoodand faithfulservant,Iwillmakeyouruler overmanythings,Igiveyouauthority overtencities,fivecities”–according towhattheyhaddoneinHisabsence!

SoPaulissayinginPhil3:11ff,“Ifbyany meansImightattaintotheResurrection ofthedead,notasthoughIhad alreadyattainedorwerealreadyperfect,butIcontinue,Ifollowafter,ifthat ImightattainthatforwhichChristapprehendedme…”Hesays,“Idon’t countthatIhavealreadyattainedthis, butthisonethingIdo,forgettingthose thingsthatarebehindandreaching outtothosethingswhichareinfront,I pressforwardtowardthemarkforthe prizeofthehighcallingofGodin Christ.”

Paulislookingbackonhispreviouslife evenafterhisconversion –allthishe countsasnothing,becausehe’sseekingtheoneultimategoal,whichisto beresurrectedwithChrist!Theultimate goalisResurrection.That’smyultimate goal. It’snot,nowthatI’m90,thatI’m

goingtoliveanotherten,twenty,thirty years.That’sinGod’sHands.Thewhole ofthepurposeofmyliferightnowis that,ifIdodie,thenIwillberesurrected.Ihave,throughChrist,aneternal life.Icannotdie,Iwillnotdie,I’mborn again,nottodie,buttolive!Whenyou arebornnaturallyoftheflesh,youare borntodie.Someoneoncesaid,when youareborn,onlytwothingsarecertain:taxesanddeath!!!Forgetabout thetaxes,forgetabouttheproblems. ThinkabouttheResurrection!Whenyou arebornagainfromabove,theone thingthatiscertainisnewlifeandthe Resurrection!

ButPaulissaying,IcountnotthatI havealreadyfinished.I’mforgettingall thethingsIhavedone,andIamreachingforward,becauseallmyhopeisin Christ.LikePaul,asIlookbackovermy lifeasanevangelist –30yearsunder communismand30yearssincethe freedomcame,intotalmorethan60 yearsintheformerSovietUnion –the factisthis:whenitcomestotheDayof Judgement– andwemustallappear beforetheJudgementSeatofChrist whenIstandbeforetheJudgement Seat,allthatcountsfornothing!All thoseyearsofevangelism,allthose powerfulmiracles–theONLYthingthat isofanyvalueonJudgementDayis KNOWINGCHRISTwhopaidthepriceof mysin.Hediedforme,becauseIama sinnerandChristhasdiedtobreakthat curseofsin.MyONLYhopeinGloryis notinwhatI’vedone.MyGloryisChrist!

SoIpressforwardtowardthemark fortheprizeofthehighcalling ofGodinChristJesus. It’smyultimategoal.

TOSERVE –ANDTOWIN

ThisyearinJunewehadthetremendous JubileeCelebrationsofQueenElizabethII –thefirstBritishMonarchtocelebrate70 yearsofservice!Itwasremarkablethat almostallcommentatorsmademention ofherstrongfaithinChristandthegodlinessofhercommitment.

Onher21stbirthday(theageofadulthoodinthosedays),asheirtothethrone, shemadeaprofoundcommitmentbeforeGodandtheCommonwealthofNations,saying“Ideclarebeforeyouallthat mywholelifewhetheritbelongorshort shallbedevotedtoyourserviceandto theserviceofourgreatimperialfamilyto whichweallbelong.ButIshallnothave strengthtocarryoutthisresolutionalone unlessyoujoininitwithme…Godhelp metomakegoodmyvow,andGod blessallofyouwhoarewillingtosharein it.”

Ourcoronationserviceisuniqueinthe world,datingbackonethousandyears. Themostspiritualmomentiswhenthe monarch’smagnificentcoronationrobes areremovedtorevealasimplewhite garmentandthemonarchisanointed withoilasasymboloftheHolySpiritand DivineAuthority.Idon’tthinkthereisany othernationthathassuchastrongmomentofdedicationandsubmissionto God;itwasamostsolemnmomentfor theyoungQueen–andIthankGodfor ourgodlyQueen!

OfteninherannualChristmasBroadcast totheNation,shewouldspeakastrong Christianmessage.Afewyearsagoshe endedheraddresssayingthatGodgave Himselftousinhumbleservice,whatcan wegiveinreturn?Quotingasimplecarol, “IfIwereashepherd,IwouldgiveHima lamb…YetwhatcanIgiveHim,poorasI am?”–shespokedirectlytohertelevision audience:“GiveHimyourheart!” Whata Gospelchallengethisis!WethankGod foreverymemoryofthisuniqueandoutstandingpersonwhomGodgaveusas Queen!

Fromhere,Iwanttohighlightsomepoints fromPaul’slettertothePhilippians,1:20, where,beinginprisonandfacinga deathsentence,hesays,inwhatevercircumstancehemightfindhimself,“My earnestexpectationandhopeisthatI

shallinnothingbeashamed,butwithall boldness,IshallmagnifyChristinmy body,whetherbylifeorbydeath.” Iecho thatverystrongly.WhenIwasinprisonin 1972-3,Iwaspraying,seekingthatGod wouldworkamiraclethroughmyrelease sogreat,Hewouldbeglorifiedbythe veryevidence.PrimeMinisterHarold Wilsoncametorescueme;itwasheadlinenewsandbroughttremendousGlory toGodbecauseitopeneddoorstothe Gospelallovertheworld–peoplewantingtoknowmyphenomenaltestimony.

Paulgoesoninv21ff,“Forme,toliveis Christ,andtodieisgain.”Fromthemomentofhisconversion,Paul’slifewasa testimonyandawitnesstotheGloryof GodinChristJesus. Butbeinginprison, heistornbetweentwothings,havingthe desiretodepartandbewithChrist, whichisfarbetter,andtheneedtostay tosupporttheChristiancongregationsin theirfaith…SomanyChristiansseedeath negatively.Deathisnotanendforthe Christian,itisthebeginning,anentrance intoanewlifeintheKingdom!Thatisthe messageofChristandthewholepurpose ofResurrection.SoPaulcansay,toliveis Christ,buttodieisgain.It’sbetter!

OneofthethingssoeffectiveinmyministrytodayismyageandthefactthatI havelivedthroughsomuch.Iwasborn beforeWorldWarII,Ilivedthroughthe war,IrememberKingGeorgeVIandhis wartimecallstothenationtoprayer.IrememberourQueenasayounggirl, learningtodriveandrepairvehiclesfor themilitary.Canyouimagineafuture Queenlearningcarmechanics?!My homeinLondonwasbombedandbadly damaged,butmyfamily,myfather,were spared…NowhereIam,aged90,72 yearsinfull-timeministry,strongerand moreonfirenowthanIwasthen!Iwant mylife,mystrength,myhealth–my wholelife–tobeawitnesstoChrist,to theGloryofGod.AndIhaven’tfinished yet.

IfthereisonethingGoddesires,one thingIdesireintheyearsthatIhaveleft, it’stoseemuchmoreunityintheChurch. Paulwasconcernedabouttheunityof thePhilippians,“LetyourconductconformtotheGospelofChrist…standfast inonespirit,withonemind,strivingto-

getherforthefaithoftheGospel.”Phil 1:27.ItissosadthattheChurchissodividedandsplintered.Yes,wehavedoctrinaldifferences,yes,thereareerrorsin doctrineandinpractice.Butatleast, PaulsaysinPhil1:15-18,ifChristis preached,fromwhatevermotive,itlifts Christupbeforethepeople.

I’malwayssomovedbythelastprayerof JesusforHisfollowersbeforeHewasto sufferanddieonthecross,“OFather, maytheybeONE,asweareONE.”

Inreality,ourhumanlivesarenotfreeof conflict.I’vehadmanydifficultiesover theyears.I’vebeenheldatgunpointand facedseveralassassinationattemptspreandpost-communism!ButI’venever beenfrightenedorterrifiedbyit,because Iknowthattheycannotsucceed.One manwithGodisalwaysinamajority.My lifeisinGod’sHands.We’renotweak, we’renotdefeated.IfGodiswithus,we arealwaysonthevictoryside.PaulcommandsinPhil1:28,“Innothingbeterrified byyouradversaries!”

Ihavehadtolearnthisovertheyears. Howeverextremethecircumstances,I havesuchasenseofcomfort,consolation,joyandpeaceinChrist.Myconfidence,mytrustisinHim.I’vebeenone yearinacommunistprison,facedcancertwice,hadmybusinessstolenfrom me.ButneverhaveIsufferedfear!Ibelievemyeveryextremitywasallowedin ordertofulfilagreaterpurpose.

PaulwritesaboutthisinPhil1:28to2:16–ineverything,goodorbad,hesaw somethingthatwouldleadtothegreater GloryofGod.Sointhestrife,inthesuffering,intheconflict,Paulurgesustobe likeminded,tohavethesamelove,beof oneaccord,onemind–todonothingout ofstrifeorvainglory,toesteemothers–ANDLETTHISMINDBEINYOUTHATWAS INCHRISTJESUSWHOHUMBLEDHIMSELF–andworkoutyoursalvationwithfearand trembling,thatyoumayshineaslightsin theworld,holdingforththeWordofLife thatI,Paul,mayrejoiceinyouintheDay ofChrist!

DavidHathaway

ANDTHERESURRECTION

Ittroublesmethatsomanyoftheareas whereIevangelisedinUkraine30years agoarenowdistressedbyPutin’swar.It wasamiraclethatGodgavemetheopportunity,followingthecollapseofcommunism,toevangeliseinthewholeofthe formerSovietUnion;IthankGodthatin thosemassivecrusadesHegavethe peoplethechancetorepentandto cometoChrist–inRussia,Belarussia,the CentralAsian‘stan’countries,andof course,inUkraine. Manydidrepent,and theirhopeisinChristandinHeaven. Thosewhodidnotrepent,itwastheirdecision,sadly.

Paul’slettertothePhilippiansintrigues me.InChapter1:1ff,hespeaksofhimself andTimothyastheservantsofJesus Christ,andhe’swritingtothesaints,the bishopsandthedeaconsinPhilippi,the wholeChurch.Paulhimselfisindifficulty, writingfromprisoninRome,butheopens hisletteringraceandpeacefromGod theFatherandtheLordJesusChrist,saying, “IthankmyGodforeveryremembranceofyou.”

Paul’swordsstronglyremindmeofthose wonderfulyearsofevangelismI’veheld intheformerSovietUnion.LikePaulI thankGod,asIlookbackonallthoseincrediblemiracles,foreverymemoryof whatHehasdone. Afteralltheseyears, peoplewhorepentedandwerehealed inthosecrusadesstillcomeuptome. Somebodywastalkingtomeonlyrecentlyandgaveasubstantialgift,becauseherememberedwhathappened inKyivin1992/3,whereforthefirsttimein hislifehesawthepracticalevidenceof God–thepeoplethatwerehealedand repented.Toseesomanythousands comeforwardtoacceptChristchanged hisownlife,asaChristian! Soyes,Ithank Godoneveryremembranceofthose days.

PaulthanksthePhilippiansfortheirfellowshipintheGospel,sayinginPhil1:6ff, “beingconfidentofthis,thatHewho beganagoodworkinyouwillperformit untiltheDayofChristJesus.” HerePaulis referringtothePoweroftheHolySpiritin uswhobelieve.Thisissoimportant,becausethemoreIstudythelifeofChrist, themoreIrealisetheinfluenceandthe PoweroftheHolySpiritworkinginHim,in Hislifeandministry.Justasthedisciples hadtowaitinJerusalemuntiltheHoly Spiritcame,beforetheycouldbegintheir ministry,soJesusHimselfdidnotbeginHis powerfulpublicministryuntilafterHehad receivedtheHolySpirit!Matt3:16-17; Mk1:9-12;Luke3:21.ThatsameHoly

SpiritwhowasinChristshouldbeinus! AndtheHolySpiritwhohasbegunworkinginus,willcontinueuntiltheDayChrist returns!

Beingpastmy90thbirthday,thatfact thatIamstillworkingasmuch,sometimes evenmorethanIdid20,30yearsagois becauseoftheconfidenceIhavethat theHolySpiritwillnotceaseworkingin me!IwasfilledwiththeFireoftheHoly Spirit75ormoreyearsago.ButHisFire andAnointinginmenowisnotdiminishedorlessened,andIsensetheHoly Spiritisgoingtocontinuewithme–and willincrease–untiltheLordcomes.Ihear ofpeopleretiring,slowingdown,stopping.ButIhavenodesiretoslowdownor stopbecause,exactlyasPaulsays,He whobegantoworkinmewillcontinueto workinmerighttotheend!Whatever thatendmaybe–iftheLordcallsme Home,orifbyHisGrace,Iamherewhen Hereturns.

PaulcontinueshislettertothePhilippians, Phil1:7ff,“Ihaveyouinmyheart,becausewhetherinmybonds–[Paulwasin chainsinprison]– orinthedefenceand confirmationoftheGospel,youareall partakersinmygrace.”Paulseesthathis wholelife,evenhisimprisonment,isa confirmationanddemonstrationofthe PoweroftheGospel.Iliketofeelthatmy lifeis,inthesameway,apractical demonstrationofthePowerofGod. Peoplesaytome,“Youdon’tjusttalk aboutthesethings,youactuallydo them.”That’swhyIhavenointentionof stoppingthedoing-bit!Icantalkaboutit, becauseIhaveseenit,doneit,andexperienceditpersonally!

LookingatPutin’swarinUkraine,the mostinfluentialreportscomefrom peoplewhohaveactuallyliveditand seenit.IwasverymovedwhenIsawa BBCreporterinterviewRussia’sAmbassadorinLondon–hewaschallengingthe RussianovertheatrocitiesinUkraine whichwehaveseeninthenewsand knowabout.WhilsttheAmbassadorwas denyingitallas‘fake’,thereportersaid, “YesbutMrAmbassador,haveYOUbeen thereandseen?Ihavebeenthere,I’ve seentheevidenceandIhavethecertifiedconfirmedpictures.”

ThisisthePoweroftheGospelIpreachin myadvancingyears:I’vebeenthere, I’veseenit,I’vedoneit,I’veexperiencedit!WhatItalkaboutisrealand undeniablebecauseIhavetheevidence.AndbecauseIwastwicehealed ofcancer,Ihavetheevidenceevenin

myownbody.

IwanttopickuponPhil1:12ff,because herePaulsays,“Iwantyoutounderstand thatthethingswhichhavehappenedto me–[Paulisinprison]– havehappened inordertofurthertheGospelofChrist,so thatmybondsinChristaremanifestin thepalaceandinallotherplaces.”What astatement!Paulisdeclaringherethat allthethingsthathavehappenedinhis life–eventhebad–havehappenedin ordertodemonstrateandfurtherthe Gospel.

Ihaven’thadaneasylife.Ihaven’t suffereduntodeath,butI’vehadcancer twice.PuttingGod’sWordtotheteston bothoccasions,Iwasdeterminedto provetheAuthorityandPowerofHis Word.Istoodfirmbyfaithandrefused anymedication.AndGodtotallyhealed me.ThefactthatIamstillfulloflifeand energyistheevidence!Idon’tsufferany weaknessfromeitherofthosetwoepisodesofcancer.WhenIhadthelung cancerin2002/3myprayerwas,“OGod, I’m70yearsold,ifYoudon’tneedme hereanymore,takemeHomequickly. ButifYouneedmetocontinuemyministryintheformerSovietUnion,thenI needamiracletodemonstratethisGospelthatIpreach!”AndGodtotally healedmebyapowerfulmiracle–the cancercameoutofmymouth!IcontinuemyministrybecauseIhavetheexperienceandthedemonstrationofthe PowerofGod.

Goodorbad–whetheritwasmypioneeroverlandjourneytoIsraelin1961 whichopenedmyeyestoconditionsbehindtheIronCurtain,whetheritwasmy cancers,ormyimprisonmentinacommunistjail–lookingback,thesethings onlyconfirmedthePoweroftheGospel thatIpreach!

ButnowPaulsayssomethinginPhil1:15ff whichIunderstandbetterasIgrowolder andmellow,“SomepreachChristoutof envy,rivalry,notsincerely,supposingto addafflictiontomybonds.Butsomeout oflove,knowingthatIamsethereforthe defenceoftheGospel.”Paulisadmitting therearesomewhoarepreachinginordertoembarrassandhurthim.“But,”he asks,“whatthen?Notwithstanding,in everyway,whetherinpretenceorin truth,Christispreached!ThereforeIrejoice.”TherearesomanydifferentChristiangroupswithdifferentpractices.Icannotacceptsomeofthesepracticesand traditions,yetIhavetoadmitthat,in mostcases,Christisstillpreached!

DavidHathaway

ANDTHERESURRECTION

IcannotacceptthesacrificeoftheMass literally,wherethebreadandwineare supposedtobecomephysically changedintotheBodyandBloodof Christ.Ifthatwerethecase,everytime theMassiscelebrated,Christiscrucified afresh.IbelievefromScripturethatthe elementsaresymbolic.Baptismisanother issue.TheonlyBaptismintoChristthatthe ScripturetalksaboutistheBaptismofrepentance:repentandbebaptised.Paul teachesweareburiedinthewatersof BaptismwithChristindeath,andbyfaith risewithHimtonewlife–symbolisingthe newResurrectionLifeChristhadwhenHe cameoutofthegrave.Baptismand communionarebothsymbolicofthe deathandResurrectionofChristandof HisComingAgain.

ButI’mhavingtocometotermswiththis: thatevenifsomeceremoniesandtraditionsarenotinaccordancewithwhatI seeinScripture,ifChristisglorified,ifHeis preached–itisliftingupanddeclaring JesusChristbeforethepeople,Therefore, likePaul,Iwillrejoice…

…Because,lookattheattitudesof peopletoday,attheatheism,attheindifference!InWesterncountries,it’snot somuchoppositiontoChrist,oreven beingagainstreligion.It’stotalindiffer-

ence.Asanevangelistittroublesme that,insomanyareasoftheworld,the people‘don’tneedChrist’.Forhelpthey looktothegovernment,tosocialorganisations.

WemustdeclarethatJesusChristdiddie onthecrossforoursinandHedidrise again!

WhenIwasaboy,myfathergavemea booktoreadcalled‘WhoMovedthe Stone?’Publishedin1930,theauthor,a sceptic,hadsetouttodisproveChristianity,inparticulartheResurrection,becauseasPaulsaid,“IfChristisnotrisen, ourpreachingisinvain,andyourfaith,is invain.”1Cor15:14.Wehavenohopeif Christisn’trisen!OurfaithisthatJesus Christwascrucified,died,and–because HeisthesinlessSonofGod–rosefrom thedead,andwasseenalivefor40days beforeHisAscensionintoHeaven.Sothis atheistsetouttodisproveChrist’sResurrection.Butthemoreheexaminedthe evidenceintheScriptures,themorehe becameconvincedandconfessesinhis book,thathavingstartedasanunbeliever,hefoundrevealedinthefourGospelstheinfallibleproofofthemiracleof theResurrection!Heendswritinghisbook bybecomingaBible-believing,bornagainChristian!

AsIhavesaid,Iwoulddisagreewith somereligiousritualsandtraditions–but–IFCHRISTISDECLAREDASTHESONOF GODWHODIEDONACROSSTOFORGIVEOURSIN–theninthis,Christisglorified!ThisiswhatPaulissayinginPhil1:18, “Notwithstandingwhetherinpretence, [dishonestly], orintruth, [sincerely] –Christ ispreached–andIrejoiceandIwillrejoiceinthatChristispreached.”Withall ourdisagreementsanddifferences, we’vegottogetbacktothesimplicityof theGospelofChrist.

ThedangeristhattheChurchisnotonly toopreoccupiedwithitsowndogmas andtraditions,butcanbecometoopolitical,tooinvolvedinsocialissues.Yes,we needtobeinvolved,butnottotheexclusionofthetrueGospel.Thevery centreoftheChurchisChrist.Weare Christiansbecausewearefollowersof Christ.Ourjob,ourwholeconcern,isto followJesusChrist.CHRISTMUSTBE PREACHED.HEISTHESONOFGOD.HE DIEDONACROSSTOPAYTHEPRICEOF OURSIN–butHedidn’tstaydead–HE ROSEAGAIN!Don’tover-focusonHis death,becauseALLmustdie,butONLY Christcouldbreakthecurseofdeath andrisefromthedead.ANDSOWETOO WILLRISEFROMTHEDEADANDLIVEWITH CHRISTFORETERNITY!

…Davidsaid: Wecannothidefromthefactthat thingsarenotgoingtogetbetter–theyaregoingtogetworse.Butbe encouraged!Evenwhilstsittinghere, waitingtospeak,theLordhasbeen talkingtomefromJeremiah32:21 wheretheprophetsays,“Youhave broughtforthYourpeople,Israel,out ofthelandofEgyptwithsigns,and withwondersandwithastrongHand andwithoutstretchedArm,andwith greatterror.”GodisrevealingsomethingtomeevenasI’mtalkingtoyou, that,despitethefactthattheproblemsintheworldareescalating–God willdelivertheChurch,Godwilldeliver you,bythegreatestmiracles,the greatestspiritualsignseverseeninhistory…

…JustasGodtookIsraeloutofEgypt throughthemiraculous,Godisgoing todeliverus,thebelievingChurch–by signsandwondersandmiracles!

ingPutin’semergencymobilisation,floodingtheformer,now

Amen.Thisisonlythebeginning!

Godisn’tdead.Godisalive.AndGod hassaid,HeWILLdeliverHispeople! HewilldotodaywhatHehasdonein thepast.Hewilldogreaterthings.With power!Withsigns!Sothatthisungodly, unbelievingworldwillseethePowerof God–THROUGHYOU!THROUGHME! NOW!TODAY!!!GODANSWERS PRAYER!GODCANNOTFAIL!

Butwehavetopray!Themorewe pray,themoreGodwillrevealHis Power!In2014,whentheRussianarmy firstseizedCrimeaandDonbassinEast Ukraine,theUkrainianarmywasweak, andthenationpoliticallyandculturallydivided.Even the Churcheswere divided.Isaid,

thepoliticiansandthearmycannot solvetheproblem–theydon’thave thepowerGodhas.Whoisthemost powerful?Thepoliticians?Themilitary? OrGod?!SoIcalledtheChurchesto layasidetheirdifferencesandcome togethertopray.Forsevenyearswe havehadtheseNationalDaysof Prayer!Ukraineistheonlycountryin theworldwhereEVERYChristiandenominationandconfessionhascome together–theleaders,theBishops,the Archbishops–ofthePentecostals,the Charismatics,theBaptists,theSeventh DayAdventists,theRomanandGreek Catholics,theOrthodox–Russianand Ukrainian–ALLPRAYINGTOGETHER, publicly,fromtheplatform,infrontof 10,000people,infrontofthe nation–UNITEDINTHE POWEROFPRAYER.Thisis

whatchangedUkrainefromaweak,defeatedpeopletowhattheworldcansee today–anationunitedandundefeated! ONLYTHEPOWEROFUNITEDPRAYERHAS DONETHIS!AndGodhasdemonstratedthisto theworld–inUkraine!

WecalledtheseventhNationalDayofPrayer on20February,anemergencyUnitedPrayer forUkraine,just3daysbeforetheRussiansinvaded.IbelieveinGod;IbelieveinHisPower. Isaid,“OGod,iftheRussiansinvade,don’tlet thementerKyiv!”I’vebeenbacktheresince.I wasshowntheexactplacewheretheinvaderswerestopped!Attheverygatesof Kyiv!Godphysicallyanswered!Thepowerof unitedprayerstoppedtheRussianarmy!Ialso prayed,“OGod,myBiblesays,whenYou tookthechildrenofIsraeloutofEgypt,the Egyptianarmy(thenthemostpowerfularmy intheworld),chasedafterthemtodestroy them.ButYou,OGod,destroyedtheEgyptian armyinthewatersoftheRedSea!OGod,if Youcoulddothat4000yearsago,iftheRussianarmy(thesecondmostpowerfularmyin theworldtoday)invadesUkraine,thendestroytheRussianarmy!”WhatisGoddoing todayasIspeak,30thSeptember2022?He’s destroyingtheRussianarmy!ThisisthePower ofGod!

ButI’mencouragingeveryoneofyou topray!IhavecomeheretoKazakhstanbecauseyouareprayingforRevival,foranotherMoveofGod’sSpirit. IbelieveGodwillbringHolyGhost Revivalandtouchyournation.Let’s pray.Let’sbelieveGod.I’mspeaking toeveryChristianbeliever.Iwantto liveeverythingthattheBibletalks about.IbelieveGod’sWord.In Jeremiah33:3,Godsays,“Callunto Me,andIwillansweryou,andshow yougreatandmightythings–thingsyoudon’tevenknow aboutasyet.”

OGod,inJeremiah32:20, theprophetsays,when Youbroughtthechildren ofIsraeloutofEgypt, YoumadeaNamefor Yourself!Today,Lord, IchallengeYou, makeaNamefor Yourself,thatthe wholeworldwillsee howgreatYouare! Answerourprayer! InJesus’Name. Amen!

Paul,writinghislettertothePhilippians fromprison,isconcernedforthenewbelievers,encouragingthemto‘strive TOGETHERforthefaithoftheGospel’, andnottobeterrifiedbytheiropponents –Phil1:27ff–beingawarethattheywere experiencingthesameconflicthehimselfhadbothinPhilippi,andnowin prison.Thelifeofabelieverisdifficult, andconflictcanleadtodivisioninthe Church.

SoinPhil2:1Paulsays,“Ifthereisany consolationinChrist,anycomfortof love,anyfellowshipoftheSpirit,ifany bowels [deepcompassion] andmercies –fulfilmyjoybybeingLIKEMINDEDin yoursuffering,havingtheSAMElove,beingofONEACCORD,ofONEMIND–let nothingbedonethroughstrifeorvainglory,butinlowliness,leteachesteem theotherbetterthanthemselves.”Take othersintoconsideration.Beconcerned forothers!

Insuchstrugglesandconflictsthatwe have,Paulsays,v5ff,thekeyistobelike Jesus:Letthismindbeinyouthatwasin ChristJesus,who,beingintheformof God –JesusistheSonofGodandthereforepartoftheGodhead,Father,Son andHolySpiritbeingequal –neverthelessleftHishighpositionandmadeHimselfofnoreputationinordertobecome aservant,madelikeyouandme,to serveus.Andbeingfoundmadeasa man,HehumbledHimselfandbecame obedientuntodeath,eventhedeathof thecross– themostshameful,degrading formofpublicexecutioninRomantimes.

ChristhumbledHimself. Paulistryingto explainthatwhenGodbecamefleshin theformofason,bornofavirgin,into ourworld,JesusgaveupallHisheavenly positionandGlory,allHisheavenly PowerandAuthority–toanextreme! JesusgaveupEVERYTHING.Heso humbledHimself,sodivestedHimselfof ALLHisheavenlyattributes,Hebrought Himselfdowntoourleveltoanextreme–evenuntodeath.Hediedonthecross foryouandme.THEREFORE,v9ff,God hashighlyexaltedHim–BECAUSEHe humbledHimself,BECAUSEHegaveup EVERYTHINGandbecamelikeus,even untodeath–incompleteobedienceto GodtheFather’sPlanandPurposein Salvation!

ItisBECAUSEJesus,astheSonofGod andequalwithHim,wassoOBEDIENT andsofulfilledGod’sPlanandhumbled

Himselftotheextreme,thatGodhas highlyexaltedHimandgivenHima Nameaboveeveryname! Rightfromthe beginning,JesuswasCo-Creator:“Inthe BeginningwastheWord,andtheWord waswithGodandtheWordwasGod,all thingsweremadebyHim,andwithout Himwasnotanythingmade.”John1:1-3. But,Paulsays,becauseChristhumbled HimselfandwasOBEDIENTuntodeath, GodhasgivenHimapositionandanauthorityhigherthananyother.ThroughHis obedienceanddeath–JESUSISEXALTED!HISNAMEISABOVEEVERYNAME!

Howeveryouwoulddescribeyourselfas aChristian–Orthodox,Catholic,Protestant,fundamentalist,charismaticor whatever–weallhavetounderstand thatGodhasgivenJesusaNameabove everyothername,sohigh,thatatthe NameofJesus,everykneeshallbow,of thingsinHeavenandthingsinearthand thingsundertheearth,yes,eveninhell. TheNameofJesusissocentraltoour faith,toourministry.ALLPowerandAuthorityisinHisName.Wedon’tprayto saints,they’reasleepinChrist,awaiting thebodilyresurrection.Wedon’tprayto Mary,she’salsowaitingfortheresurrectionliketherestofus,includingmyparentsandmywife–allarestillwaitingfor theresurrection!

ButJesusisALIVEINHEAVEN!Hebrews 7:25saysthatHe,Jesus,isabletosaveto theuttermostthosewhocometoGod byHim,seeing HEEVERLIVESTOMAKE INTERCESSIONFORUS!Wepraydirect throughJesustotheFather!Because JesusHimselfsaid,“Whateveryouaskthe FatherinMyName,Iwilldoitthatthe FathermaybeglorifiedintheSon!”John 14:13,14.WepraytotheFatherthrough Jesus!BecauseallPowerandAuthorityis inHisName.Thereisnoothername.As PaulsaysinPhil2:11,Godhasdonethis sothateverytongueshouldconfess JesusChristisLord,totheGloryofGod theFather!InthemillennialKingdom, EVERYtonguewillconfessthepositionof JesusChristassupreme–supremeabove allother–andthatHeisLord,totheGlory ofGodtheFather.Thismeansbyexalting JesusweglorifyGod–it’sthatsimple!

InmyprayingtoGodtheFather,Ipray throughJesus–HeistheIntercessor.He livestomakeintercessionforus.Noneof usisperfect.I’mnotperfect.Weallfail. It’sbecauseofourimperfectionthatwe needJesusasourIntercessor–Hepaid thepriceforoursin!Heboughtourfor-

giveness.ThereforeourSalvationis throughJesus.GodtheFatherforgives us,helpsusandblessesus–throughHis SonJesus!Jesusispleading,“Idiedfor thesepeople.Ilovethesepeople.Ilived withthem.Forgivethemandgivethem EternalLife!”HeisourMediator.Ifwe wantaccesstoGod,wecomethrough theMediator,Jesus.Sooften,ifyouneed toapproachpeople–andIhavetoapproachgovernmentandheadsofdenominations–youusuallyfirstcome throughanotherpersonwhoactsasan intermediary,amediatorwhomakesit possible.OuraccesstoGodisONLY throughChrist,thereisnootherway.You can’tgothrough‘saints’,youcan’tgo throughMary–readtheScripture,it’s absolutelyclear–ourapproachcan ONLYbethroughJesus. Itwasbecause JesuswassoOBEDIENTandsofulfilled God’sPlan,becauseHeHUMBLEDHimselftothatextreme,GODHASHIGHLY EXALTEDHIMandgivenHimaName aboveeveryname!

LetthismindbeinyouthatwasinChrist Jesus!

SonowPauliscontinuingtoteachthe Philippiansinv12,“Whereforemybeloved,asyouhavealwaysOBEYEDinmy presence,andnowinmyabsence,work outyoursalvationwithfearandtrembling.”Christ-likeOBEDIENCEisthekey. TheoriginalsinofAdamandEvewas DISOBEDIENCE.Godsaid,“Thoushalt not”–andtheydid!Thegreatestsinfor usasbelieversisDISOBEDIENCEtoGod’s Plan.

Wehavetoseekandtoknowwhat God’sPlanandPurposeisforus. I’ve knownalmostfrommybirth,frommy earliestconsciousdays,thatGodhada PlanandaPurposeformylife.Andall I’vetriedtodo,allmylife,istobeOBEDIENT–tohearthecallandtogooutand doit.Ittakesanenormousamountof faith,that’swhyIseektheHolySpirit! ThereareninegiftsoftheHolySpirit–but thegiftthatIaskedforaboveallothersis thegiftoffaithinordertobeabletodo whatGodsays.Inmylife,goingto Ukraine,goingtoRussia,Armenia,Georgia,Poland–isonlyinOBEDIENCEto whatGodiscallingmetodo.

MyministryistoOBEYwhatGodsays. GodistheStrategist,HeisthePlanner. We’renotthestrategists,theplannersin spiritualissues–ONLYGodknowsthe strategy.FromthebeginningwhenHe

FromPaul’sLettertothePhilippiansChapter2.

THEROADTOGLORY

createdtheearth,Healsoknewman wouldsin.JesusChristisdescribedinthe BibleasthesacrificialLambofGod,slain foroursinsBEFOREthefoundationofthe world!1Pet1:19-20;Rev13:8.BEFOREsin came,Salvationcame.Salvationcame BEFOREsin!BeforeyouandIsinned,God hadmadethewayofescape.That’s whyJesushadtobeOBEDIENTtothe Planwhich,rightfromthebeginningof Creation,Godhadmade!

Soforusalso,OBEDIENCEisthekey.This iswhyPaulwritesinPhil2:12,“Asyou haveOBEYED,notonlyinmypresence, butnowevenmoresoinmyabsence, workoutyourownsalvationwithfear andtrembling.”Scriptureisclear,and Paulisclear,salvationisnotofworks,lest weboast,Ephesians2:9.No,I’msaved becauseChristdiedforme.WhatIdo doesn’tgivemesalvation,Idon’twork mywayintotheKingdomofGodbyall thethingsIhavedone,bypreachingthe Gospelinsomanycountriesroundthe world,seeingsomanymiraclesofhealing.MysalvationdependsonChrist ALONEandonHisOBEDIENCE.ButIhave tobeOBEDIENTtoGod’sPlanformylife, Ihavetoworkitout,asPaulsays,with fearandtrembling–wehavetofulfil God’sPlanforourlives–foritisGodwho worksinustofulfilHisGoodPleasure… …Butdoitwithoutmurmuringsanddisputings,withoutquarrelling–Phil2:12-14 –so“thatyoumaybeblamelessand harmlesssonsofGodwithoutrebuke,in

themidstofacrookedandperverse people,amongwhomyoushineaslights intheworld.”WhenIlookatthe33years ofthelifeandministryofJesus,bornin Bethlehem,broughtupinNazareth–He wasn’tbornintoaperfectworld.Israel wasanationundercaptivity:underthe Greeksforhundredsofyears;nowunder theRomans.Theyhadnofreedom.They weresurroundedbythesinandiniquity oftheRomanoccupiers.Slavery?!!The Romanshadmoreslavesthanfree!!!By farthegreatestpartofthepopulationof Romeatthattimewereslaves.Jesus livedinaperverseandsinfulworld.And sodowe.

Paulissaying,wehavetokeepourselves blamelessandharmlessinthemidstof theperversityandsinoftheworld.“Shine aslightsintheworld,holdingforththe WordofLife,sothatImayrejoiceinthe DayofChrist,thatIhavenotruninvain, norlabouredinvain–thoughIbe offeredonthesacrificeofservicefor yourfaith.”

PaulgavehislifetopreachtheGospel. Comeon!Themessagewepreachisthe WordofLife!LifeinChrist!

HereisPaulinprison,writingtothe churchhelovesinPhilippi,trustinghe mighthimselfbeabletocometothem shortly,havingafainthopethathemight bereleasedfromprison,v24.Weknowin factthatultimately,hewastodietherein Rome,buteveninhisdeath,hefulfilled

theWillofGod.InhislettertoTimothy, oneofhislast,hewrote,“Ihavefoughta goodfight,Ihavefinishedmycourse,I havekeptthefaith.”HecouldlookforwardtoreceivinghisrewardinHeaven, becausehehadfulfilledeverythingGod gavehimtodo.Wow!I’mstillfightingthe fightoffaith,I’malwaysfighting,andat 90,Ihaven’tfinishedthejobGodhas givenme!WhenIwas17,workingina banktoearnthemoneytopaymyway throughBibleCollege,Iwouldpray,“O God,waitforme,I’mcoming,don’tgive myjobtosomebodyelse!”Aged90,I’m stillworkingandI’mstillsaying,“Lord, don’tgivemyjobtosomebodyelse!” OnedayIwanttobeabletosaylike Paul,Ihavefinishedthejob,it’sdone!But myjobisn’tyetdone,I’mstillinthe middleofit!

AreYOUcertain,canyousaythatyou KNOWwhatGod’sPlanisforyourlife? Canyousay,Ihaven’tfinishedthejob Godhasgivenme?Orcanyousay,I havefinished?Forsomeofyoumaybe, youhavefinished.Myfatherdiedvery suddenly,veryunexpectedly–buthe hadfinishedthejob!Apartofhisfinishingwasthespirituallegacyhepassedon tome.ButIknowIhaven’tfinished,andI stillhavetocontinue.Doyouknow,are youconvincedthatyouareinobediencetotheHeavenlycallofGod?Are yousoconsciousofthejobGodhas givenyou,thatyoucansaywhetheryou havefinishedthejobornot?Ihaven’t finished…

DavidHathaway

InChapter3ofPhilippians,Paulsays, “Forgettingthosethingswhicharebehindandreachingforwardtothose thingswhichareinfront,Ipresstoward themarkfortheprizeofthehighcalling ofGodinChristJesus.”Aged90,I’mnot livinginthepast,butinthefuture–inthe futureofmyministry,andbeyondthat, towhenwewillmeettheLordinthe Kingdom.LikePaul,I’mlookingforward tothecomingofChrist!I’mfollowinghis example.

ButPaulendsChapter3withastrong warning,“Manywalk,ofwhomIhave toldyouoftenandnowtellyouweeping,asenemiesofthecrossofChrist.” TherearepeoplewhoareChristian, eventeachersandleadersofwhom Paulsayswithtears,“Theirendisdestruction.TheirGodistheirbelly,and theirgloryisintheirshame.Theirmindis onearthlythings.”But,“Ourfellowshipis inHeaven,wearelookingfortheSaviour,theLordJesusChrist,whoatHis coming,willchangeourvile [lowly] body,thatitmaybemadelikeHisgloriousBody.”Weallhaveaflawed,weak, falliblebody.Wehavetoadmit,allofus aresubjecttotemptation,toevilinfluences.Yes,wehavelowlybodies,subjecttoweakness,sickness,hunger,thirst, andtemptation–ofcoursewedo!Who isnotsubjecttotemptation?Butwhen wereceiveourheavenlybody,itwillbe aresurrectionbody–absolutelyfreeof alltheselimitations!

“Therefore,”PaulcontinuesinPhil4:1, “mybrethrenwhomIloveandlongfor, myjoyandcrown,STANDFASTinthe Lord!”Thisquestionof‘standingfast’isa reminderthatdespiteourweaknesses, wemustremaintruetoourfaith. I’ve beenworkingintheformerSovietUnion formorethan60years,30undercommunismand30sincethefreedom.I foundthat,inthosedaysundercommunism,underpersecution,theUndergroundChurchremained‘purer’than theChurchintheWest,becausethey ‘HELDFAST’towhattheyhad–justas ChristsaidtotheovercomingChurchin Revelation2:25,“HOLDFASTtowhatyou havetillIcome.”

Whencommunismfellandpeoplefrom theWestcame,thinkingtheyhadso muchtoteachtheSovietpeople– ‘they needwhatwe’vegot’attitude –itwas theexactoppositeforme!Ilearned fromthepersecutedChurch,becauseI realisedtheyhadadepthoffaiththat

wedidn’thave.It’ssoeasytobea ChristianintheWest,surroundedbyso manymaterialthings–youdon’thave tohavethedepthoffaithneededunderpersecution.TodaythereisagrowingpersecutionofChristiansworldwide, andourBritishgovernmenthasappointedaministerspecificallytodealwith thisissue.Butwhenyouarepersecuted, that’sthetestofyourfaith!Youeither holdfastoryouletgo!Thepersecuted SovietChristianshelpedmakemewhoI am.Ilearnedfromthepersecuted Church.

InPhil4:2,Paulmoveson,“Ibeseech EuodiasandSyntychetobeofthesame mind.”Itseemstherewasdisunity betweenthesetwointheLord,some disagreement.Paulpleadswiththemto cometogether.Disunityisoneofthe thingsthattroublesmemostaboutthe Churchtoday.Terribledisunity.Ittroubles mesomuch,thatinsomecountriesIam attemptingtocallnationaldaysof prayer,bringingtogetherallthedenominationsontwothings,thattheyallacceptthattheBibleistheonlyAuthorityin theChurch,andSalvationisonlyinthe NameofJesus.It’soneofthehardest thingsIhaveeverattemptedtodo,to bringbrethren–whopreachthesame Gospel,andbelievethesameBibleand aresavedwiththesameSalvation–togetherinunity,eveninprayer!

AndinPhil4:3Paulcontinues,“Ientreat you,helpthosewomenwholaboured withmefortheGospel,alongwiththe restofmyfellowworkerswhosenames arewrittenintheBookofLife.”Paul neededsomuchsupportinhisfightto preachtheGospelinPhilippi,andnow theyneedhelp…Buttheirnamesarein theBookofLife!Whatotherrewardis there?Pauldoesn’ttalkaboutfinancial reward,howmuchareyougoingtopay me,whataboutthisorthat?Thereward fortheirlabouristhattheirnamesarerecordedintheBookofLife!

Paulcontinuestoencourage,v4ff,“RejoiceintheLordalways,rejoice!Letyour moderationbeknowntoallmen–the Lordiscoming!Becareful,anxious,for nothing!Butineverythingbyprayerand supplicationwiththanksgiving,letyour requestsbemadeknowntoGod.”There issomethingverydeephere;intheSpirit Isenseisthatwe,aslabourersinthe Gospelshouldnotbeoverlyconcerned aboutmaterialissues.Instead,in everything,byprayerandsupplication,

withthanksgiving,weshouldletourrequestsbemadeknowntoGod.Afterall, itisGodwhosupplies,andweshould notlooktomenfirst,buttrustGod.When wedo,v7isfulfilledinourlives,“The peaceofGodwhichpassesallunderstanding,shallkeepyourheartsand mindsinChristJesus.”Youknow,when wetrustGod,it’sanimplicittrustinHim anditbringspeace!

AnillustrationofthisisthelifeofGeorge Muellerwho,inthe1800ssetuporphanagesforhomelesschildren.Helivedby faith.Hehadnorealmeansofsupportingthechildren.Onedayhecalled themtothemealtable,eventhoughhe hadnofoodtogivethem,absolutely nothing!Thecupboardwasbare!Heled thestaffandchildreninprayer.When theyhadfinishedprayingandthanking Godfortheirfood,someoneknockedat thedoor–witheverythingtheyneeded andwanted!Sometimesweputtoo muchattentiononpeopletosupplyour needs!ButPaulissaying,ifyouwant peace–apeacewhichpassesunderstanding–thenmakeyourrequests knowntoGod!

AndnowinPhil4:8,Paulsays,“Finally brethren,whatsoeverthingsaretrue, whatsoeverthingsarehonest,whatsoeverthingsarejust,whatsoeverthings arepure,lovely,ofgoodreport,ifthere beanyvirtueandiftherebeanypraise, thinkonthesethings.”It’sbeensaidbefore,andIthinkit’sworthrepeating, therearetimeswhenweshouldsitdown andcountourblessings!There’sanold songIlikewhichwent,‘Countyourbless-

ings,namethem,onebyone,anditwill surpriseyouwhattheLordhasdone!’It’s true!WhenIlookbackovermylife,I’ve hadmanydifficultiesandyet–whenI countmyblessings–theyoutnumbermy distresses!Thisisagoodremindertome ofwhattheLordhasdoneinmylife!

Inv9,Paulsays,“Thosethingswhichyou havelearnedandreceived,andheard, andseeninme,do”–inotherwords, Paulissaying,“Followmyteaching–andtheGodofpeacewillbewithyou!” Youknow,theGodofpeacewillbewith youwhenyoufollowwhattheLord wantsyoutodo!It’ssosimple.Ittroubles methenumberofChristianswhosuffer depression.Becauseifyousitdownand countyourblessingsandmakeyourrequestsknowntoGodwiththanksgiving, suddenlytheGodofpeacewillbewith you,andyouwillbeatpeace.

There’salotofpreachingaboutdepressionandhowtodealwithitsroots.AndI hearaboutpreacherswho‘burnout’. Comeon,IburnwiththeFireoftheHoly Spirit,Idon’thaveburnout!Thirtyyears ago,travellingfor2monthsinSiberia with400people(ofwhom200Ukrainians)inthechaosafterthecollapseof communism,wehadenormousdifficulties–sometimesnofood,nosleep, notransporttogetfromoneplaceto thenext!Butwedidn’tsufferburnout! AndwhenIgotbacktoEngland,Ihad lessthanfourweekstorecuperate,sort outmypersonalaffairs,catchupwith theofficework–andIwasofftothe Ukraineforanothermonth!Andremember,beforeIwenttoSiberia,Ialready

hadamonthinBelarussia!ButIwasn’t burntout,IwasburningupwiththeFire oftheHolySpirit!

WhatwasPaul’skey?Phil4:11ff,“Ihave learned,inwhateverstateIam,tobe content…Iknowbothhowtobe abased,andIknowhowtoabound, I’vebeenfull,andI’vebeenhungry,I knowhowtohaveplentyandhowto sufferneed.”Inhislife,Paulhasbeen fromoneextremetotheother.Like Paul,Ihavesuffered.Christianshaveto understandthatwegothroughtimes likethis,sometimeswehaveto!Lookat mylife–Idon’twantittobetoomuch ofanexampleforyou–butinthelast 70yearsofministry,therehavebeen timeswhenI’vebeenhungry!IcanrememberwhenIwasmarriedwith youngtwingirls,evangelisingandno onesupportedme–Ihadnofood!At onepointwelivedonmushroomsfora week!ButjustasI’vehadhunger,I’ve alsohadanover-abundance.Iknow whatitistohaveplenty,oratleast enoughtopaythebills!AndlikePaul,I candoallthingsthroughChristwho strengthensme!Phil4:13.

AndnowPaulbeginstothankthePhilippiansfortheirsupportinhis‘affliction’, sayingnootherChurchsupportedhim in‘givingandreceiving’,butonlythe ChurchinPhilippi.SoevenPaulhadthe experience,whenhesetoffonhismissionaryjourneys,thattheChurches didn’tsupplyhisneeds!Itgrievedme that,whenIwasinthecommunist prison1972-3,theChurchesdidnotsupportmywife!Theywantedtosellmy

house.Theysoldeverythingelse.Mygirls hadtoleaveschooltogetworktosupporttheirmother.

Butspeakingtoyouwhosupportme,I wanttothankyou.IthankGodbecause IcouldnotdowhatIdonowwithout yoursupport.Wedesperatelyneedfinancialandprayersupportinordertodo thework.Therehavebeentimesinthe missionwhenwecouldhardlypaythe bills.Wespendthemoneyasitcomes in–andhopetobalancethebooksat theendoftheyear!Atleastwithoutsubstantialdebt.Weneedsupport.

Paulsays,it’sgoodforyou,tosharein ourtroubles,thisisnotjustanexpression ofyourloveforus,butyourloveforthe Lord,sothatwemightpreachtheGospel.Yourgift,hesays,v17,willbecreditedtoyouraccount,itispleasingtothe Lord,v18.Youwillreceivespiritualcredit forwhatyougivetotheGospel–and thisisthewonderfulthing–asyougive sacrificially,Paulsays,“MyGodwill supplyallyourneedaccordingtoHis gloriousrichesinChristJesus!”

Whatawonderfulpromise!MyGodwill supplyallyourneed!Whenyouare committedtoandsupporttheGospel–thenstandonthispromise–thatwhen yougivetotheextensionoftheKingdom,Godwillsupplyallyourneed. Wow!Paulcallsthisamatterof‘giving ANDreceiving’,v15.Whenyougive, standbyfaith,GodwilltaketheresponsibilitytosupplyALLyourneed. Godblessyou.Thankyouforyoursupport.Amen.

HELDTOGETHER INCHRIST

Davidregularlyrecordsmessagesforour TVbroadcastsinourofficestudio,andI alsoalwaysrecordthesemessageson myownminirecorderandmakenotes. Recently,whenIwatchedhismessage onColossiansChapter1online,onlythen Itrulyrealisedthepowerandanointing thathadbeenonhimandwasstillthere, andthatIneededtotranscribethisfora smallbook.WhichIhavenowdone.

AsIwastranscribingDavidreading verses16-18– ‘ByHim(Jesus)wereall thingscreated,thatareinheaven,and thatareintheearth,visibleandinvisible, whethertheybethrones,ordominions, principalitiesorpowers:allthingswere createdbyHimandforHim:andHeis beforeallthings,andbyHimallthings consist…’ –thoughtsbegantoexplode inmyownheadandinmyheart.

Ihavelonglovedthethoughtthat everythinginouruniverseis‘heldtogetherbyHim’ (Hebrews1:1-4), and ‘consistsinHim’ (Colossians1:16-18).

Scientiststellusthatthetinyatomisthe basicbuildingblockofallthings,the blueprintofallmatter,oftheentireuniverse. Madeupalmostentirelyofspace, theeventiniernucleusofanyatomcontainsinfinitesimallysmallersubatomic particles,protonsandneutrons –heldtogetherwithinthenucleusbywhatscientistscall‘thestrongforce’ –andoutside thenucleus,butwithintheatom,are smallerparticlesstill,electrons,whizzing aroundthenucleusatquirkilyhigh speedsandorbits. Theatom–thebuildingblockofallmatterandoflifeitself–is onlystableandheldtogetherbywhat thescientistscall‘thestrongforce’…I liketosay,heldtogetherbyChristHimself,theWordofGod,thestrongestforce intheuniverse…

Genesis1:1-4,26ff: ‘InthebeginningGod createdtheheavenandtheearth.And theearthwaswithoutform,andvoid; anddarknesswasonthefaceofthe

deep.AndtheSpiritofGodmovedupon thefaceofthewaters.AndGodsaid, “Lettherebelight”andtherewasLight… AndGodsaid,“Letusmakemaninour likeness…”’ AndJohn1:1-4: ‘InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwas withGod,andtheWordwasGod.The samewasinthebeginningwithGod.All thingsweremadebyHim,andwithout Himwasnotanythingmadethatwas made.InHimwaslife;andthelifewas theLightofmen.’

ByGod’sWordweweremadeinHisimageandlikeness–inunionwithHim–to doHisWillandWorkhereonearth.But thedevil‘splittheatom’ofourunion withGod–andwithoneanother–inthe GardenofEden.Byincitingustodisobey GodandHisWord!

Lookathistory,startingwiththefirstenvy andthefirstmurderinGenesis4.Lookat theescalationofviolencethroughthe earlychaptersofGenesis,throughthe centuries.LookatthegreatWorldWars ofthe20thcentury,atthewarsandrumoursofwarsthathavecontinuedevery daysincethe‘end’ofWorldWarII.Look atthedisplacedpeoplerunningtoand froacrosstheglobe.LookatRussia’sunjustifiedwarofaggressionagainst peacefulUkraine.Everythingthatcanbe shakenisbeingshaken.The‘atom’of ourunionwithGodandwithourneighbour–splitintheGardenofEdenwith nuclearferocity–continuestoexplode.

Thereisalwaysthedangerthatexternal stressinourlivesleadstointernalstress. Whenexternallythereiswar,deprivation, sickness,‘diverstemptations’–theindividual,thefamily,theworkplace,thenationfeelsthatstress.Whenthingsaround mebecomeunstable,Ifeelmyselfbecomingunstable;theold‘Katie’inme mightsayanddothingsIknowI shouldn’t.ButwhenIask,theHolySpirit bringstomymindtheWordthatIneed; aWordthatstabilises,strengthens,directs me–holdsmetogetherandsavesme

fromfallingapartinsome‘nuclearexplosion’.TherearetimeswhenIcanfeel (maybelikeyou) I’mnotgoingtocope andIwon’tbeabletorestrainmyhuman feelings,andmytonguecouldsetaforest onfireasJamessays…AndyetIamoften surprisedtoseeandhearmyselfactingin accordancewithmynewlifeinChrist! That’sGod’sWord,aliveinme!Itholds meinmyplace,inChrist!

MyfunctionintheBodyofChristisdifferentfromyours.Maleorfemale,blackor whiteorinbetween,submissiveordominant,creativeorlogical,fromenemyor friendlynation–inChristweareheldtogetherinHisBodybyHisWord,themost positive,powerful,dynamic,creative forceintheuniverse!Thisrequiresobedience–toHIM!WhenweallholdtogetherinChrist,whenweallowHimto holdus,whenweresistbeingsplitapart, lookwhatpotential!!!Heldtogetherin Christ,whocreatesmatter,substance outofnothing–wearethepowerful buildingblockintheuniverse!

NowonderJesusprayedtoHisFatherat theLastSupperforus,“Protectthemfrom theevilone…thattheyallmaybeone, Father…asWeareOne…maytheybe oneinUs...maytheybebroughttocompleteunity!” John17:15,21-23.

IprayHisprayerbacktoHim:maywebe oneinHim,astheFatherandtheSon andtheHolySpiritareOne…inWhom andbyWhomallthingsarecreatedand heldtogether...

TobeinChristisouronlyhope–theonly hopeforourlives,ourministries,andultimatelyourworld.InChristisouronly HopeofGlory.NowonderJesuscommandedus,“RemaininMe!”John15:4.

Andso,mayweremaininHim,heldtogetherinHim–HisBody–Hisindivisible ‘Atom’,thebuildingblockofHisperfect Creation,HisKingdom.Thethoughtsand implicationsaregrowinginsideme...

ColossiansChapter1.

KatieMorris