Good morning and welcome wherever you are across the earth this morning, it is Thursday morning, the 16th of February 1038. Here within the UK, we welcome you this morning, as we stream across three different platforms. And as we record this for our weekly podcast that goes out on #Christian straight to wherever you are, across the world, we welcome you in this morning, I can see people jumping online. Good morning, good morning to you to wherever you are. We thank you so much for joining us, as we broadcast this service out this chat out whatever we want to call it. But we're for those that are in the world of the podcast, and in Buzzsprout and Spotify, we welcome you. And we thank you so much for the 1000s of downloads across the planet Earth. And Simon and myself have been in a deep conversation over the last three weeks. And many times before that, but the last two podcasts have been about Jesus Christ. They're always about Jesus in a in a in a roundabout, in a way, you know what we're saying? But the last two weeks, and this is the third week, the third one in the series about Jesus Christ. Today is Jesus said I am and the last few weeks we've done who is Jesus and the you know, Jesus. And since we've been talking about Jesus, goodness gracious talk about failing a strip back.
Simon Pinchbeck:It's been powerful. And it's been I mean, really? Yeah. Yeah. Good morning, everyone. And it's great to be back with strike talking on #christian straight talk. And yeah, today's straight talk as Jesus said I am and the thing is been that you were really getting to know him in a different sort of way than I've ever known him before. And so looking at the scriptures in a completely different way, really and seeing the, the meaning some of the hidden meanings that is behind them and where they all tie up with the Old Testament and but it's it's been a journey and interesting journey. Yeah. And believe me, it's been about this last week has been a real battle. I don't know, if you're like us, but if you're out there and you're struggling with life really was genuinely you know, welcome, you're
Reverend Ben Cooper:welcome. And good morning to hashtag struggling life and we're gonna break bread and we're gonna have communion later on. I'm just pouring is sorry for the noises going on. Now I'm on fruit tea, or you
Simon Pinchbeck:Not succumb to the fruit tea
Reverend Ben Cooper:trying to get that caffeine out my system. You know, it's all it's powerful stuff. But yeah, since we've been talking about Jesus, Jesus highlights so much, but he does it in a gentle way. He does it in a powerful way through the power of the Holy Spirit. And when we talk about Jesus, you start to have a different look into the world, don't you and you actually look different into yourself as well. So you look within yourself more and more. And the more we talk about Jesus, the more we talk about the power of the Holy Spirit, the more we talk about Christ, the more we're open, and we're honest, and what I'm finding really, really amazing what's happening that the church within the UK and, and everything that's happening within within the majority, and I say a big area of church that the church has been shaken in this nation.
Simon Pinchbeck:The church has been shaken and the people in the church have been shaken. And what we were saying earlier really in the preamble, before we were came on the mics was that I don't know if your light is I don't know if you're in a church, but don't feel like you're in a church who you know, don't feel like you fit in with that particular place. And, and don't, don't worry, because again, you're in a good place because there's many people suddenly realizing, I want the truth.
Reverend Ben Cooper:I want Jesus, I want the truth. You said a word that's really important. I want the truth, John a 31. Through to 32. You know, I think the 31 is quite an eye opener as well. If you hold on to my teachings, I think as you look at the church now, isn't it the church needs to repent in the UK, come back to Jesus come back to the Scripture, but also as individuals, for myself and Simon and anyone else that is bold enough to say is only Jesus in my life and in my heart like never before and the realization of what Jesus said to Nicodemus, the other podcast we've done is that you must be born again. That is just like an anchor and a going off in Church World it just seems to destroy and it has it just flattens any area of error. See dogma, worries, fears doubts, because suddenly you realize it's not about the denomination, it's about following Jesus Christ.
Simon Pinchbeck:It's about your own personal relationship with Jesus man. And you know, don't forget, Jesus didn't say, be great if he could be born again or, you know, I think it'd be nice if you're born again, he said, You must be born again. And the deal is, is, as you are looking at yourself at all these, then people are reading you and, and you are shining out towards others. So it's, it's a stripping back of yourself cardio Yeah. so that others can see a difference in you SRX. And, and so, you know, you don't have to gather on a street corner on three o'clock on a Saturday afternoon to go on treasure, treasure and or tap people on the shoulder and say you need us, you know, that? If you if that's what you do, then that you know, then that's great. But really, we should be doing this 24/7. And when Jesus said, pick up your cross and follow me, he mean, he made a daily examination of yourself.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, do not judge others don't look at the speck of sawdust that's in your brother's eye. But look at the plank that's in your own life. So the more you follow Christ, the more you want Jesus. And we're not saying give up on church whatsoever. What we're saying is, is be very careful of denominations, the heads of these denominations we need to be very, very careful of are they following the teachings of Jesus Christ? Are they telling us we must be born again, we got to repent of the errors of our ways, and not change the word of God, our lives look good, according to the word, but the holy father, the God of Israel, he highlights through the power of the Holy Spirit, the areas where I need to shape up and to move in. So you will know the truth and the truth will set you free freedom, and
Simon Pinchbeck:then people other people can look at you and go, Well, you know,
Reverend Ben Cooper:if they can do it, if it can be done for them, it can be done for me. assignment done for Ben, God can work with me, you know.
Simon Pinchbeck:And so your mission field then becomes where you are, where you live, where you work, it could be at a coffee shop, it can becomes every part of you is your mission field. Go is your mission, though I may not pop into the supermarket, that is your mission field. Yeah. So it's that self examination through Jesus and through that one scripture about being born again, is so powerful that, that I think, you know, denominations churches are missing that again, to which could you say, Ben, again, to radically round up with the world and how the world wants to think right now. So
Reverend Ben Cooper:it's a soft chat. The UK church is soft is allowing the outside world to run the church, when the church should be preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, as Christ did, he didn't hold back He was gentle, he was powerful. When you speak the word, the world changes when you're quiet. The world The world is in the church, the world is in the church, we've been
Simon Pinchbeck:shallow and the enemy is in the church. That's
Reverend Ben Cooper:the enemies in the church are what we are looking for is the gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached, with no interruption with no movement to the left, and on the right preaching the gospel. Because the Scripture is clear, we've said it time and time again, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free, free from your worries, free from addictions, free from your doubt, free from your old lifestyle. God will free you and God has a plan for you in Jeremiah, very, very clear plan. But Jesus says and as we have said, this morning, we have been looking at Christ, we've been talking about Christ, there's been so much about mascula linearity across the men platform and all that and if anyone wants to be a role model, whether you're a man or a woman, and that's on both sides, without any doubt, there's only two genders and that is to follow Jesus Christ.
Simon Pinchbeck:One of the one is that he's the ultimate role model and in every single aspect, you know, of his life and, and so this morning, we're just gonna we're gonna look at, you know, the Gospel of John is such an amazing gospel in in in so many ways and and don't forget, we have these little#Christian straight talk little booklet giveaways, which is the Gospel of John and it's got some other Good stuff in there as well. So Jesus said, I am seven times in the Gospel of John. And we're going to look at that this morning if we get time, because each each one probably you could do a podcast on. But if we go back to the Old Testament, and then if we kick off with Exodus three, run about 14, Moses was struggling now am I gonna tell her, the Israelite people, you know, and in there if we just
flick it open in Exodus 3:14am, Moses said to God, indeed, when I come to the children of Israel, and say to them, the God of your fathers has sent me and they say to me, what is his name? What shall I say to them?
Reverend Ben Cooper:I am, who I am.
Simon Pinchbeck:And he says, I am who I am. And he said, this, you shall say to the children whose rails, I am, has sent me to you,
Reverend Ben Cooper:that's a powerful line on its own in it, because you think, just, if anyone was to say that in the world, or within the church, I am, it has no power, but the power and the authority through Jesus Christ, and the power of God to say that I am, I am. That is it. That's the end of the story. And, and Moses just took that and just accepted that I am sending you. And then as you said, in the Gospel of John, we find where Christ says, I am the bread, I am the world, I am the door, I am the shepherd, I am the life, the truth and the life, you know, the true vine. So Christ is just just bringing this back again into the New Testament. So what do we see with the old and the new, that they run beautifully together, that they cannot be broken in between,
Simon Pinchbeck:and Jesus completes the I am done in what he says here. And the thing is been, we get a lot of people in the world, and in Christian ministry, who will say I am,
Reverend Ben Cooper:I am I built this, I built this ministry, I am the pastor, I am in charge, I am the vicar or they say we are the church. So there's a lot of, of that, that that terminology that that language of when someone says I am, it makes you think, because when you're making a clear statement about yourself, or God was making a clear statement, so no one can say I have built this church, if anyone says I've built the church, I've built a ministry. We're in a serious area of, of religion,
Simon Pinchbeck:you're under percent, right? I mean, just be very careful. I'd say if you're out there, listen to this one. I'm very careful. When you hear anyone say, I did this person to the Lord, or I've done this, or I'm done that or if this is what I believe, because really, it's nothing about you. It's all about the Holy Spirit and well, Ally spirit points, he only points to Jesus. And correct. And so there's only one person really, who said, I am who really we can believe because here we've got, you know, he says it seven times in John, and he says it in, in John 635. He says, I am the bread of life.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's an interesting one, isn't it huge? Because God fed them. manna from heaven. And Jesus and Jesus, you know, when we break bread, you know, it's the bread analogy, you know, that that that has a lot in that, doesn't it? Jesus referring into itself in the Gospel of John, I am the bread of life, so much in that. And when you think about that, and take your time, thinking about what what Christ is saying, then he's taken on that mentor, and he's saying that I am without any. How do you put it when when you're looking at the wording of Christ, it can be really difficult to get it into a language that's, that's easy to understand. When he says I am that's a defining definitive fact that that is the end off. That is the end of the conversation is done. It's a done deal.
Simon Pinchbeck:And he said this, and he said, I am the bread of life who comes to me, who comes to Me shall never hunger, and who believes in Me shall never thirst. So there's a lot wrapped up in that. And then he goes on and 51 He says, I am the living bread, which came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of this world. So he's already predicting. Yes, he's deaf. And he's saying that that he is, is the total he's ever anything you need. So when we understand that, that bread was a staple diet of that time, he's saying I am the bread belong the bread of life. So not only will life feed you a from a physical standpoint, because he you know, he did that with a 5000 or 4000 and all that, but more, more to the point he wants to feed you spiritually. Look at this, this is who I am, if you if you, if you if your hunger for me, you know, you will
Reverend Ben Cooper:be fulfilled, you won't have that hunger, that feeling of hunger, and I believe the church, we need to be hungry for Jesus again.
Simon Pinchbeck:But here's the thing, so if, if you, I'll go out and I might have a nice plate of fish and chips. And you know, and that'll be me, you know, done for the evening. But if you feed off the word of Jesus, you'll always ammonia, you know, be fully satisfied. You'll never be you'll never sit back and go, no, because
Reverend Ben Cooper:because you it it spiritual food there is something so different worlds apart from from earthly, sustainment to heavenly, spiritual food, you know, Christ will always keep calling us Christ is always drawing us. So we're always in this, this, this this area of wanting I want more of Jesus, I want to know more of Jesus, and I'm not satisfied where I am. I gotta move forward in Christ. I'm always you know, nobody says about being thirsty come to me, all of you. The first thing I'll give you live in water come and you'll always be thirsty, you'll always be hungry, not because Christ can't satisfy what we are required, requiring, but because it is so beautiful, it is so spiritually fulfilling, that you just need more and more and more, and you will never ever get enough of Christ. The more you look for him, the more he will be found, the more you want him, the more you will want more, you will want him it is a it is a continuation of following Jesus. And you'll always find that sustainment through that the spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. So Jesus says very clearly, I am the bread, I am the bread. I am the bread that is a clear, powerful, bold statement when Pilate and Herod said, Are you the king of the Jews? I am that you say I am. That word, I am really carried some wack, but only with Jesus and we've
Simon Pinchbeck:got only with Jesus. That's the truth. Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:because it's got the spiritual press behind it. When someone says, I have built this church, this is my ministry, I have done this. Oh, that's nice. It's meaningless, and it's empty. And it's about pride. And it's about all my attributes. I've done it, look at me how great I am. But when the I am sits and comes from the voice of Christ and the voice of God, it is power is something different from when a worldly, it is said in the worldly term and within the world of religion. But when Jesus says it, that's it, because it's
Simon Pinchbeck:the ultimate, it's the ultimate is, is the ultimate Jesus is the ultimate role model. And he's the ultimate God in flesh. And so he's combinate, in that original statement of God, the Father who said, I am who I am. And now Jesus is finishing that because he's explaining that and he goes on to say in them in John 812, he says, he said, he says this. Benny said, I am the light of the world who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall not the light of life.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Wow, he is the light, the light of the world? And
Simon Pinchbeck:do you notice that I think that right now for this period of time that we're in, especially coming out of what we've just come out of, I think we need that we need that light more than more than ever, because it is a dark world out there. It's getting dark, the the forces of evil on are everywhere, and God is getting pushed out of everything. We need that light, we need the light, we need that light in our lives, and we need that light in the world. And we need to be shining light
Reverend Ben Cooper:lights, let your light shine, let your light shine. You know and as Simon has said, and I think all of us can see to a big percentage of of the what the world is going and you've got the beast system being formed. You got the 10 nations being formed. The 10 horns for Daniel, you've got the world is coming to this critical point of the return of Christ. So now is a time when we need the light of the world and That light is shining. And he says very clearly in the Gospel of John chapter eight verse 12. Summers said, Jesus said again I spoke to them saying I am the light of the world Whoever follows me this is the key isn't it? Follow Jesus, follow Jesus follow Jesus. You will not walk in darkness just follow me because I am the light. So just follow me and I will make a make a straight path for you.
Simon Pinchbeck:Very interesting. Now it all all moves together, then it because, you know, we've come back to that conversation with Nicodemus, you know, you must be born a new heart. Yeah. So you've got a new heart. And you follow in Jesus is is the light of the world, you'll be the light of the world, you know, he goes on to say, even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true for I know where I come from, and where I'm going. And so juice juice is saying, Look, you know, I'm the real deal. I am, I am the real deal, you know, and it's better than I'm better than any Black Friday, Cyber Monday, I'm better than any Bible and get all free. I am the real deal. You know,
Reverend Ben Cooper:and with me and through me, you will find completeness for your life, you will find rest for your body and your mind. You know, we've been told to live by materialism, socialism, we've been told to go out and live the dream when actually the dream is empty and meaningless. The world is meaningless. Materialism. What does it do? It just makes you want to have more and more.
Simon Pinchbeck:But that's interesting point you make there because there was a correlation there. And that's a big word for me on a Thursday Word. Word, so is the thing, right, Ben? If we have a every human being, right, Barnum? Yeah, as a God shaped hole inside of him. Now, if we don't fill it with cheetahs, we're gonna fill it with something else. That's correct. Yeah. And what you just said there is materialism that down the down the supermarket down the shopping mall, whatever, or ever sort of filled at all with,
Reverend Ben Cooper:even with a courier climbing the ivory tower. And then suddenly you get to the tower. You've climbed 30 years I've been climbing through your career. And then suddenly, you get to the top of the Christmas tree, you're looking at your office in London, you look across the skyline and you're still feel empty. Because Jesus, it
Simon Pinchbeck:reminds me of I watched a comedy show once and the guy had paid the top whack in Las Vegas for the for the Eve what he thought was the top layer that the top top apartment in this thing. And he had all the singing or dancing and everything and then and then he realized that there was another layer on top. This wasn't good enough. Now he wanted the platinum one. So he he got the next one. I thought he sat back and and then he met someone in a harpist in the in the in the in the lift going up. And he said, Oh, can I get you to come in? He said, I'm sorry. That's for the platinum Ultras, anyone what, this is rubbish I want the next year. And that's how I want I want, I want I want we're not satisfied laid in the flesh you've got if you're if you're continually feeding the fish with materialism, or with food or with gluttony, or with live with live, then you're never gonna be But Jesus said on the bread of life, didn't he? So
Reverend Ben Cooper:you will have a sense of being fulfilled of you will Yeah, there should be a sense of life, a sense of purpose. It doesn't mean to say that the battles are going to disappear, but the battle belongs to the Lord. So very clearly. Following Christ opens up doors, it opens up so much but as because he says, I am the door. But the light of the world in Psalm 119, it says Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path. That's really important for me to understand that your word is a lamp, your word who is the word Christ is the living word. And he tells us again very clearly that I am the light of the world. And science tells us without any without any quibble, without any flicking over of any page of uncertainty whatsoever. Darkness only exists because of the it's the absence of light as soon as light comes in. darkness disappears. So when Christ comes into your life, when Christ comes into your heart, when Christ steps into your life, your family, your home, your business, wherever you are, when Christ steps in, to that situation you are in, darkness has to go darkness diminishes, darkness disappears, light is so much stronger, so much more powerful than darkness.
Simon Pinchbeck:So would you say that there's a piece in when you're, when you're dealing with Jesus, there's a piece in there I've been following
Reverend Ben Cooper:Christ, there is a piece. But then then there's the Battle of oneself. Yes, Jesus says, Blessed are the peacemakers. So suddenly we become peaceful. Suddenly we become rested in our spirit. But because we are flesh and blood, then it becomes a battle. From within to, to say, God, can you take the craving of the world? Can you take the craving of this? Can you take the Craven, the munches up a world? Can you take them munches away, Lord, and I've just got to follow Jesus, that is the key. So follow Jesus.
Simon Pinchbeck:Yeah. And within that, then bent to achieve that, then there has to be one thing.
Reverend Ben Cooper:And this is what the church is not doing. Most of I will say that religious order, surrender, you have total surrender to Jesus Christ. But when you say, when you say surrender, religion can't surrender, because it's got his own agenda.
Simon Pinchbeck:And that's very true. So it's got his own agenda. It's got his own
Reverend Ben Cooper:got his own god, direction, his name is Lucifer. Religion is not for Jesus Christ will find this in Scripture. There's no freedom of religion. No, religion is a white friend of snare out religion is full of pride,
Simon Pinchbeck:in more ways than one is freedom and Jesus,
Reverend Ben Cooper:yeah, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. You can't get around the fact that Jesus is the center of Jesus is the hub, Jesus is the pinnacle, Jesus is the center place of anyone's life. But to follow Jesus in the UK, it will be the most radical it will both be the most enduring, it will be the hardest thing that you will ever do. If you stand up in your workplace, your family, your life, and say, I am a born again, Christian, be ready for persecution.
Simon Pinchbeck:I think your life it's the most radical thing. It really is. Listen, if you want to challenge out there if you want to, if you want some excitement, if you want to challenge and live for Jesus, because and totally surrender your life to Jesus Christ, because you'll get the challenges and you'll get there. It is. So complete radical obedience, radical safe, he says, you kind of see like, you're gonna see the miraculous happen, you're gonna see things happen, that you never thought you would say, you're going to see, and this is the thing. So he says, so the third one we're coming on to is, is in John turn nine, when he said, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out. He will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The faith does not come except to steal, kill and destroy. I have come at they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly so so anyway, a lot of people are Miss misread that. John 10. Because you know, the enemy gets, he thinks he's stupid. He's talking about the enemy. But he's not he's because if you read John Nolan, together in context, he's talking about the religious leaders of the day, and it's a sign to diamond is exactly a sign today exactly the same today. These are these religious leaders have come to rob steal and destroy, they're coming to take your peace they've come to because they've got like, they're full of religion. Yeah. And Jesus said, No, you know, enter, by me, I am the way I am the door. I am the door come through me confess, repent, enter the kingdom be born again. I'm the one entrance, no one can come.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's what he's referring to. No one can enter the kingdom of heaven. And he says that to Nicodemus, you can't see it and you can't enter it unless you're born again. So when he says I am the door in John 10, seven, he is just bringing it back to John three, three, you must be born again Nicodemus because if you're not born again, you're not going to come through this because I am the door. I am the way I am the truth and I am the life Jesus is the door and that door is open but that door will shut the rapture of the church. There is coming a time when that door will close. There is coming a time when when judgment is going to fall in and I pray that God will bring early judgment to the UK church. I pray that God will bring judgment I pray that the Holy Presence of God will sweep through this nation. I pray that the glory of God will descend on us like never before.
Simon Pinchbeck:Because coals will come down on the others.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, but this nation is in need of Jesus Christ. We don't have government. We have a corporation. We don't have a leader Should we have a corporation? We have a business entity really sad the way things gone. Where are they leading us? They're leading us to war.
Simon Pinchbeck:And, and the leader has down a wide road with a wide road. Now Jesus, Jesus is there with a door, he's saying, Come to me,
Reverend Ben Cooper:but we need to be prepared for this. This is why we need to study Christ, the rapture of the church, and the early church and where Christ said, we are in your in the last hour. What does it mean to be in the last hour? Was rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes in unusual places? What we're seeing is very
Simon Pinchbeck:interested in this next bit, Ben, if we're going, yeah, what you what you're saying now ties in to what he says he goes on to say 1011, he says, I am the good shepherd. Yeah, the good shepherd gives his life for his sheep. Yeah. But the hireling, who is not the Shepherd, who does not only sheep sees a wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and fleece,
Reverend Ben Cooper:that dash is where we're at. So this is this is where we're at, you know that the shepherd is someone that will lay down his life. And that's what that's what Christ did. But the one that The hired hand, he works the sheep, he works with the shape, but he gets wages. He is in it for a job. And that's what we are seeing across the world of religion, that there's a lot of people in the world of let's label up as the church as a career path, building their CV building up their ministry building up, I am this I am that. But when you look at Christ, when you look at a shepherd what a shepherd does, how a shepherd deals with the sheep. And then when you look at a hired hand, a hired hand, goes home at five o'clock, and has a different life, but a shepherd, he will lay down his life. So when you look at this nation, if you are living within England, and if you are looking at the government system, we are seeing the beast system being performed before our very eyes. And we are lacking shepherds within the church. We have a lot of Hired Hands. Oh,
Simon Pinchbeck:man, we have a lot of people who want to grab the microphone and tell you what a new revelation I've called Give me another word from the Lord. Exactly that God told me this and no, we didn't. And the thing is, we don't have the shepherd shepherd in the flock. You know, that's the truth, isn't it? And Jesus clearly says, you know, I am the gait of the ship of the sheep pen. Yeah, if anyone tries to get in any other way, then in trouble, really,
Reverend Ben Cooper:there's no there's no other way. Jesus says I am the door, you've got to go through. He says, I am the Way the Truth and the Life No one comes to the Father except through me. So when you look at the I am the way that they they flow, I will feed you, I will look after you, I will carry you, I will save you, I will give you a hope I will give you a future, I will give you everything that you need, because I am the Way the Truth. And the life ally
Simon Pinchbeck:says start a job Tony says most assuredly I say to you, he does not enter the sheep fall by the door, which is by himself by Jesus, but climbs up some other way. The same is a thief and a robber.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Right? You can't get in any other way. You can't get in for a bound on the left
Simon Pinchbeck:row. It's not like you know, you slip in someone a couple of quid on the back the slip or a couple of quid to get in. No, no, no. Throw
Reverend Ben Cooper:your religious get out. That's the simple fact of the matter is it starts off, billionaire. I've got an open checkbook Jesus, not bothered. It starts in the fact it starts right back in very, very clearly right back in in Genesis, the redemption plan, because Christ is our Redeemer. And he has come to set the captives free, he has come to redeem us he has come to sit all those that are in a prison and not at her majesty's pleasure. I can't use that, you know, or His Majesty's pleasure, whatever we got at the top of the tree at the moment. But when when you when you look at that crisis come to set the captives free. You know, you don't have to be behind bars to be in the prison you can be within religion, you can be within your own life, you can be within your own context. And you can feel feel bound by society around you. But Jesus says you will know the truth and the truth will set you free freedom is only found in Christ Jesus, religion is binding.
Simon Pinchbeck:You know, this is really, let's listen to what Ben has to say because he's really bringing out a real good point there there. So you know, it's a relationship with Jesus. And when you're in that relationship, he goes on to say, he says, And when it brings out his own sheep, he goes before them and the sheep following for they know His voice. So if you're belonging to Jesus Christ, if you truly you will know Him and you'll follow him no matter what Yet they will be by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him. For they do not know the voice of strangers. So it's very interesting. So here's the deal. So, you know, I'm gone, I want this might sound I'm going off tangent, but I'm not really but the FBI in the United States, they've got a counterfeit currency department. And people say, Oh, they must study counterfeit currency all day long. Why they don't they study the real thing all day long so that they know that when they see a counterfeit currency, they know it straight away, because it doesn't match up with the real thing. So here's the deal. So when we know Jesus, and when we get into know him through his word and prayer, and that, then when someone else says, Yeah, but Jesus says this, or that or the other, we know
Reverend Ben Cooper:that you know the truth, you know the truth. And Jesus makes that so clear in in John 831, if you hold on to my teachings, you are truly my disciples. So it's holding on to the teachings of Jesus Christ, what are the teachings of Jesus Christ, all the way from Genesis to Revelation that that is the teachings of God, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the Bible says, Do not add and do not take away. So I've got a hold on to the living Word of God, because He is everything that we need, and this nation, England in which we live in, and if you are in England, at this moment, in time, you will see that there is so much tyranny in the government, we have never seen so much stuff breaking out in church and religion, in schools, universities, business, you know, we are in a very Darwinistic we're in a very human, here are humanism is driving a lot. Darwinism is driving a lot theories are driving a lot when we need the truth.
Simon Pinchbeck:And it was very interested in on Loveless, John Taylor and he, I mean, we will probably do a whole podcast on it, because it goes on to say a little bit later on, he sent in 25. And then forward, he goes, I told you, and you do not believe the works that I do in my father's name. They bear witness of Me, but you do not believe because you are not of my sheep. And I, as I said to you, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. Amen. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. This is great, neither shall anyone snatch them out my hand. My Father who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out my father's hand. And then he says, I in the fall, roll one stay so,
Reverend Ben Cooper:so much powerful at listening to the voice of God, you listen to the voice of Christ, nothing can separate from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus Romans eight very clear scripture there. But Christ is bringing a real deep theological line on the end of that we are one, violence, we are one, you know, and you can't be snatched out, you can't be taken out or the you can't, you might have a prodigal son experience. And you mentioned the word voice, the word voice is in there. My sheep know my voice, I know your voice. But a very clear, a very clear understanding of what voice Do I actually react to, is that you will find in the Garden of Eden, God told, he told Adam and he told Eve, whatever you do, do not touch of that tree of life. Everything else is yours, but do not touch it. Then the serpent comes along with that voice and said, Are you sure? Isn't it interesting that the world always wants to listen to the lesser voice rather than the voice? My My sheep reckon I recognize the voice. I recognize that but I react more to the lesser voice. It's, it's, it's like understanding Lord. Now we've got the power of freewill. Do I live this way? Or don't I live that way?
Simon Pinchbeck:I think if you're listening to this out there, you've really got to question how much are you getting into the Word of God because if you know His voice, if you know the Word of God, then when you hear another talk from another one of these YouTube warriors that want to tell you about this, that and the other you'll know it's not the truth because it's doesn't come from Jesus.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's correct. And then so you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. So within within England at this moment, what we have going on within the world of religion and within the world of of what we would call the church, there is a big drive at the moment to look and to speak about and it's across everywhere you can find everywhere the pronouns, the he and the him and the structure of God. God has no autonomy. He doesn't have a body. He is invisible. We serve On that he's invisible. The God of Israel is invisible. The Scripture tells us about it very clearly. But Christ comes in the image of the invisible God. So you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. What's he going to set me free from the heresy and the dogma and the wrong teaching? So it's important that I know the truth because the truth, because I'm already separated from the world. Yeah, I don't, I don't, I'm not kin to the world. I mean,
Simon Pinchbeck:let's make that clear that when you do become born again, you are separate from the world, and you are a citizen of the kingdom of God. And, and although you live in the world, you're not of the world anymore.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah. But my eyes are focused on the world. And my hearing is tuned to the world. Sad
Simon Pinchbeck:thing is we have a church churches and church people that want to live in the world and be of the world at the same time, and want to fit in the Bible and Jesus into their way of worlds way of thinking, instead of coming out of all that, and saying, No, this is what
Reverend Ben Cooper:God this is what the scripture says in Scripture. The question is, isn't it across the table of denomination? Where are the leaders that are preaching you must be born again, and I'm, I'm not referring to the to the lower level of light where we are in churches, because you know that there are preachers and teachers that are preaching the interrupted without any interruption, the word of God, and there are great churches about but we have to look up the higher ladder of the of the ladder of life and look at the denomination and say, are that is that denomination? Sorry? Preaching the real gospel of Jesus Christ? Is it preaching, you must be born again, spirit filled about salvation about redemption? are they shouting out? Hold on to the teachings of Jesus Christ? If they are, that's a great denomination to be under?
Simon Pinchbeck:Well, I think you said it a little bit earlier that that a lot of them become now corporations in this. And when they get to that level, I think, I think they think, Oh, do they actually spend time in their Bible? Do they actually spend time on a want to wander they actually spend time seeking God? So you can go is that? You know, because? Seriously? And asking that question, I think, I think it's a good question. I think we need to ask that on a regular basis, you know, am I truly born again? And again, and again. And because when you're truly born again, all the other stuff, because you'd be seeking first the Kingdom wouldn't have been and everything else will fall into place.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Without any shadow of a doubt. Yeah, you'd be, you'd be you're seeking Christ, you're looking for Christ. You're, you're hungry for Jesus, you're, you're in every area, shape and form looking for the King of glory. You're lifting him up in your life, you're, you're seeking this, this god that is invisible, but through the presence and the birth of Christ Jesus, we have the living word, you know, and now is a time like never before. If you are in England, if you are a believer, and you are trusting in Jesus Christ, now is the time to stand up because it takes radical faith, radical faith to keep moving.
Simon Pinchbeck:And the thing is, if you've got radical faith, then you will have radical obedience. Yeah. And then you will say the miraculous you will see things happen around you, because you are believing in this radical Jesus. There isn't any he's, not only will he save you, but he is walking with you. And you will, you will have him you were born again, you will have a new heart. And all these teachers that we're speaking of now, you will have them and you'll know him and he goes on to say bein in a lemon 25. The the other number I am is all about Lazarus and Lazarus had died. But Jesus said to Martha, he said, I am the resurrection and the life. I am the resurrection I live. He believes in me though he might die he shall live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Do you believe that that another another word just dropped in by the power of the Holy Ghost. Do you believe Do you believe Do you believe? Do you believe that I am the resurrection? The birth the death and resurrection? Do you believe that is that is the question Do you believe because as we know very clearly in the scripture of John three, three, and John 310. When he says to Nicodemus, he says, You're Israel's teacher, but that's not enough. You might be able to teach it. But do you believe it you believe it? You can teach it religion can teach it really, religion can deliver it. We see that in schools. We see that in education. We see that in church time and time again. But do you believe in what you are teaching kids How can you be born again? Nicodemus? How can I be born again? How can I be born again? Jesus? How can I get back up this? This transient route? How can I get back into my mother's womb? Jesus says you can't you got to be born of water and of spirit. What do you mean Jesus? You got to be born of heaven, because it comes from above. It's radical and radical faith
Simon Pinchbeck:and this, only this religion. We can't get away from old Nicodemus, can we? No, no, because you can imagine him sitting there he's got he's got all cracked. He's got all the got the historic cracked, he's got the Nose Nose is in fact, a front insider in greenkeeper. On that he knows the whole nine yards, and yet he's sitting back in amazement
Reverend Ben Cooper:he's dumbstruck because it's very cool. Because there is a difference between spirit and Nicodemus. There's a difference between spirit
Simon Pinchbeck:places. And
Reverend Ben Cooper:you know what, that is a that is a change, a complete turnaround in the New Testament as well, because we clearly see that this man is an educator, he is a speaker, he is well oiled in many ways. He's had a big upbringing. He's, he's an academic, he's, he's a good steward of words. He's a fine sounding speaker, but a few quid back is worth a few quid you know what it sounds like a politician? How can I be? How can I be born Jesus again, that is impossible. Science doesn't allow it. Biology doesn't allow it. No one has gone back through their age and dropped all the way back into their mother's womb, Jesus, it can't be done. Nicodemus, you're right, that can't be done. But you've got to be born again, of water, and of spirit, you must be born again. It just shows you that religion knows it. But they don't really have a relationship with him.
Simon Pinchbeck:So it's, I mean, that question we brought up last week was, Do you know Jesus? Or do you know just about him? Yeah. Because there's a big difference.
Reverend Ben Cooper:There's a big, big difference in stealing the Gospel of John it took, Jesus has a conversation very clearly, with Thomas. And Phil it they both say, Jesus, we've been with you for such a long time. Thomas first says, Show us the Father. But he says the farm I'm in front of you, and you can't but now you believe in Phil, it jumps into the same conversation, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us. Jesus says, I am. And the Father is with me we are one, but you cannot see. So and Jesus goes on and talked very clearly about Christ and the Father are one that they are moving together that they are. And we understand theologically in certain scriptures, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, we understand the deity is one. But also there is a time when Christ is in the garden when he says I've come to do the will of the Father. And He says, I can't do nothing without my father's say so. So we understand that is the man Christ. But we also understand that Christ come in the image of the invisible God.
Simon Pinchbeck:Well, that ties in very nicely with his six I am to be who says, in John 15, he says, I am the true vine. And my Father is the vinedresser. Yeah, every branch in Me that does not bear fruit he takes away and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. And that's an interesting one, but it's a tough one. It's a tough one to combat and I am and you already clean because you because of the word which I have spoken to abide in me. And I knew as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. And then he goes on to say, I am the vine, you are the branches here abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit. for without Me you can do nothing.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So without Christ without the Father. Without the Holy Spirit. You'll achieve limited stuff in the world. But there's so much more for you in the kingdom of God. Shoot.
Simon Pinchbeck:And this is Naga. I'm just reading this obviously. Looking at it very closely. Yes. every branch that bears fruit, he prunes. Now that can be painful. Strike me
Reverend Ben Cooper:back Lord of self. He proves everything. Pi There was anger, frustration, doubt, stripped me back of everything of me. Yeah, you're gonna be you really want that. Ben, do you really want to be stripped back? Do you really want me to remove your attitude? Do you really want me to remove because if you want me to, there is one thing I require of you, Ben. total surrender. But Lord Anglin, can I hang on to one? Could I just work with this one? Could I keep this one for a while or complete? stripped back. And that's where religion and the world of church in the UK, it cannot bow because religion is rigid, it is stiff. It can't move. It is entrenched in its ways, and it has its own agenda. And it doesn't have a real plan. It just has an agenda. And that agenda changes all the time.
Simon Pinchbeck:This is this is the this is the scripture that a friend of mine who was a self made millionaire. He was given when he sat back and looked at everything he thought he'd achieved, and Jesus, you're just sitting with us, you know, you can do nothing apart from me. And it's, it's a real, a real tough one, because the air if you if you're following Jesus, then then it's not simply just about saying a little prayer of thinking have made it into heaven. Do you know I mean, know, the exit, it's a daily thing you gave got OSA, you got
Reverend Ben Cooper:to follow Jesus, now is the time when ministry is not going to help you that's going to hurt a lot of people. Now is the time when certain churches and denominations are not going to help you. What we need is to get ourselves as individuals directly to Jesus Christ of Nazareth, he already has us, he hasn't let us go because nothing can separate from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. But if I'm putting my effort into ministry, if I'm putting my effort into the denomination, if I'm putting my effort into a worldly trait, worldly areas of life, I'm not going to be the person in completeness that God has called us to be. So we'll always have a sense of lacking even though we are following because I've got the left foot for Jesus the right foot for the world. And I've got a commander total and absolute surrender. And just say, Lord stripped me back as as far as need be,
Simon Pinchbeck:whenever Yeah, I think, you know, do you want less than a world and more Jesus? I think that's and that's the daily thing a daily cross. I mean, yeah, many people will just want to cross over to Jordan and sit there in their deck chairs. And when the time comes, you know, they might find that got a little tense somewhere in the kingdom, you know, but if you're serious about following Jesus be serious about Sonia live if you're serious then then he will prey on you and and he will knock all that you will refine you in a refine as far as he ain't gonna be easy. It's gonna be painful but like that outside and says you'll be taken places where you thought you never wanted to be only to be places where you never want to leave because when you are reformed when you are walking when you have got that confidence and and you and you have got that peace and you know, at every turn juicers there Yeah, you know, you ain't gonna avoid trouble. So you know, no, you're not gonna win the lottery overnight. It's not going to all that stuff, you still gonna have bad things that look good, but that is the truth, but you won't do it alone. Now under prayer is always give me the strength,
Reverend Ben Cooper:Jesus strength strength for me. And you said something about the River Jordan, there are many people that have camped on the wrong side of the Jordan why? Because they can't get into that position of surrender. There are many people that are intense within the world of Christianity that have had an opportunity to consecrate yourself and to cross and to move forward but they're happy to stay on the wrong side of the Jordan when when God is and Christ is saying now get ready across Are you ready across or do you want to come to the right do you want the Promised Land what is offered in the promised land but to get to the promised land you got a total surrender total consecration total given everything to me and then when that happens then you will see the promises that I have for you. And there are many Christians that will stay in tents or their life rather than walking out of the tent leaving everything that you have and following Jesus
Simon Pinchbeck:and and if we the last one, which is number seven and then I believe the Promised Land is this then he says I am the way I am the truth and the life no one comes to the Father except through me and I think following Jesus to the father is a promised land that's the promised land the barbers arms. Is what is what he designed for you ever since. Yeah, the first album Yeah, screwed up. That's right. Yeah. To Sunday's only sound a second album, die for you to be you to follow him. Because that was a plan for you the redemption plan. Yeah, it was retention plan to come back to the Father. And Jesus is saying listen, and retirement says you have to say is seven times he says I am. You know, if you're out there and you're still thinking, Well, I'm not too sure about this. Well, what else does he have to say? because he's gonna listen to I am the word of truth from their life,
Reverend Ben Cooper:I am the bread I am the door, bread on the door errors are everything that we need. So, if you are in England, if you live within England, and you are looking at this government, the government in in many levels will fail you and I thank God for the Christian politicians and and we pray for you. But you are you are in you are in almost a lake of fire. You are in you are in Masonic activity. There is witchcraft happening. There's everything happening, demonic worship, there is everything happening within the framework of the area of government departments. Tyranny, we've never seen so much so much stuff we have. We have a business acumen. We have business leaders that are leading us to war. And we have so many people in the UK that are really hungry, and looking for help. So who do I turn to I turn to Jesus Christ, we're coming to the end, we come into the end. And I pray that God will open up our eyes if you are in England. If you have been listening this morning, we pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will continue to draw you to Jesus Christ. If you are in ministry, we pray like us as well, very clearly, Lord, take my eyes off of the ministry, and put my eyes on Jesus, Lord, if you are in the church, Lord, take my eyes off of the church and put my eyes on Jesus. And if
Simon Pinchbeck:you're a Christian in government, local government or any sort of authority for your Christian teacher out there we do we we pray for you as well. And, and John sums it up. In 2030 31. He says, untruly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written this book. But these are written, He says that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, hallelujah. And that believing you may have life in his name. Come on, Lord. And that's what it's all about. It's about believing in Jesus and I mean life in his name. And, and as Ben often says, you know, this earth suit that we're wearing will is every day it's it's dying. But our true self, our true spirit will live forever. We have a choice where that were there? Is it? Is it going to live in darkness? Or is it gonna live with Jesus? And believe me, I'm not where I want to be
Reverend Ben Cooper:with Jesus. So the choice is no choice we're coming to that we're coming to the time where we want to ask you Will you join us for breaking bread, this will only take about five or seven minutes. So if you have an opportunity, grab yourself some bread and some wine, some grape juice and just grab a bit of bread and we're just going to spend a moment and just just praying and just asking God to to lead us as brothers and sisters, and draw us to the cross of Calvary and I'll pray for the bread. So I'm gonna pray for the wine that represents the blood of Christ. But I just want to pray for for all of us and the England in where we live. Father, I pray Lord for this nation, England we pray, Father God for the government, we pray for every department. We pray for the church we pray Father, for for the church that is pressing the gospel of Jesus Christ and we pray for the church that is coming away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And we pray that the word of God will be sound across this word that father you will move in governments you will move in education and business father, you will move in areas of the church we never thought possible Father, we pray that you will draw all men unto thee and you are our rock, and our Savior, you are our salvation, you are our God, you are our King, you are Jehovah Jireh Jehovah Nissi. And you are, I am, you are our I am a new our glorious. Lord, you are sovereign, you are all power. You are all compassing you are all authority. So Lord, I pray that you will breathe over this nation again. over England father, breathe through England, brief over England brief through the church's breakthrough ministries. Lord, draw all men unto thee this morning and bring us to the cross a Calvary Father, we love you and we bless you. And Lord, as we break bread together, Lord, we do this in remembrance of Jesus Christ. We do this because Christ's body was broken at the cross of Calvary. And Lord we asked you Father that you will draw us great greatly to the greatly to the this morning. Cover us in the in the Crimson Tide, the blood of Jesus, let your glory rest on us and all those that feel broken today, letting them feel healed, all those that need a miracle. Let them have the miracle. All those that are wandering in the desert of England father, bring them to the cross of Calvary all those that are caught up in the rhetoric and the humdrum of life. Set them free. We pray, but Lord, we recognize this bread It is the body of Christ broken for us in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you, Father, thank you Holy Spirit. Wonderful God.
Simon Pinchbeck:Father as you want the bread of life as we read about this morning, noon, and that body will never go hungry, will never our spirit will always be filled if we if we, if we look to you if we follow your word before your word of your Son, Jesus Christ and let the blood of Christ which is wine or grape juice, it symbolizes that this cleanses the days we come before you come before the cross. And we say, Lord, forgive me for all the stuff that was going on this week and let this blood just cover us cleanses. And it's Give me Give me Give us a new heart for the day and move forward in your blessing nameless name your son Jesus. Amen. Amen.
Reverend Ben Cooper:There we go, wherever you are across this earth this morning. We thank you for joining us on this livestream broadcast. We thank you so much for whatever platform you've been with us this morning. And wherever you are, never give up there is always hope in Christ Jesus, there is always a way forward. You've been joining Simon and myself this morning, hashtag Christian straight talk. And we just pray that God will lead you in paths of righteousness that you will just hold on to Jesus like never before. Never give up God is with you. Never, ever give up. God is with you. You are worthy. Because He is with you. Never let the world tell you anything different. May God strengthen you and lead you. And I pray that if you are in a denomination that is not taught teaching, the teachings of Jesus Christ, I would say extract yourself why there's still time. Simon, you've got anything else to say just before we say oh, no, I
Simon Pinchbeck:think I think we're done there. I think Listen, that has been so encouraging this morning and let me encourage you if you listen to a lot of Ben says, Never give up. Always be encouraged his breakthrough with Jesus around the corner.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. God bless