Hello, and welcome to Elim church swanley, you're joining myself, Reverend Ben Cooper for today's podcast. Good morning, wherever you are around the world, we just want to say thank you so much for joining us today for coffee and prayer, as we just gather together, so we just pray the only whoa in your world. And God bless you and strengthen you. And we have Andy has left his phone on. And yeah, very professional this morning, and we got a bit of backfeed that really got my ears the world of good wherever you are across the world. We just want to say thank you so much for joining us. We are just so blessed to have this online church service with you this morning. Wherever you are, maybe you're in a coffee house, maybe you're at work, maybe you're in a staff room, maybe you're just at home, maybe you're just in that quiet space, wherever you are today, we just want to welcome you to this church service. Everybody online this morning. Thank you for joining us for all our social media feeds that we're on this morning and in the world podcast as we record this as this is pushed out this time next week, a week behind but we just want to say thank you This is raw. This is not edited. This is not precedent shaped in any way. This is as we are here. And we just want to say good morning. Good morning to the world. Good morning. Thank you. Good morning. We see you coming online this morning. My God bless you, thank you so much. But let's just be bowed in prayer. Let's be focused on our God, let's just give Him the glory. And given the praise this morning. All things are possible to those who believe. And the scripture that is popped up in front of me is john john chapter 20, verse 24. And it's about Thomas, if anybody feels like a Thomas this morning, I just say I stand with you. Unless I see he says very clearly in verse 25. But what we got is john chapter 20, verse 24, and it says, Now Thomas, also known as denim as one of the 12 was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, we have seen the Lord, does anybody feel that they are out there this morning, everybody else is having time with Christ, and you're not DFL that you you just been abandoned? Well, it's not true. God loves you so much He loves you unconditionally. You're not on your own. You know, we might be hearing that through the religious worlds and the other things that are going on around culture and society, others are having an encounter with Christ in your field that you've been left out like Thomas, or hold tight, Christ is coming back Christ is on his way Christ is with you. We know his return, we understand that the scripture gives us a very clear understanding about the signals and the points that you will see for the end of the coming of the Return of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We get that. But if anybody feels like Thomas this polling does anybody feel like they just almost not lost faith, but you just feel a bit down in yourself this morning, a bit lost within yourself, you might be just lost your way a little bit. And you just feel like, as Thomas was saying, he says, but he said to them, unless I seen the now marks of his hands and put my finger where he is now we're and put my hand into his side, I will not believe a week later his disciples were in the same place again, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked. And Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. I just want to emphasize that this morning Peace be with you this morning. Wherever you are across the world, whatever your situation is, peace be with you. But maybe you feel like Thomas, maybe you feel that everyone else around you. In our churches, our denominations are having these experiences where where Christ has revealed himself to them and you're in church, you're in your home, and you're thinking God speak to me. Why, Lord, why do I feel, Lord that I've been left a number of days? Why is everybody else having these experiences? Why? Why Lord? Christ is saying this morning Peace be with you. Wherever you are, I pray that the peace of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, would just rest on your very presence today that you will feel the goodness of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit wherever you are today. It says in verse 26. I'll repeat this he says A week later the disciples were in a house again. Now Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked. Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. Whoever you are tonight, you have a crisis. This afternoon this morning. Whenever you capture this recording back or whether you're live with us now for coffee and prayer. God is strengthening you God is guiding you Peace be with you. May God strengthen you. May the Holy Spirit just completely be the Comforter that you need. May the glory of God just descend on you. But that is the line that I wanted to get to this morning Peace be with you. Then Thomas said to him and he said to Thomas, sorry, put your finger here and see my hands reach out from the side and and stop doubting and believe dear, dear doubt this morning. Are you in that position? Are you in that posture where you're thinking? I just feel like giving up on this Christianity. I just feel like it's not working for me. The devil is a liar. Never give up. Never give up keep pushing, keep pressing and never give up. There is a way and His name is Jesus. He says I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Maybe you've been through such tragic situations, maybe you've been through such hard areas of life. Maybe you God is calling you a fresh, maybe you've had an experience of the Holy Spirit years ago. And maybe you've you felt like you've just walked away. But you know, Christ hasn't left you. Christ is with you all the way through your trouble away for your trauma. He's created you He loves you unconditionally. And wherever you are today, on planet Earth, if you feel like Thomas this morning, don't give up that line that the Christ said to Thomas Peace be with you. Jesus is speaking this morning His Word is alive. His Word is sharper than a double edged sword. And wherever you are this morning, we just say that to you this morning across the earth Peace be with you. Whatever your situation is, let the peace of God just rest on you. Let the word of God just dwell in you let the love of Christ just flood you. Don't run don't run anymore. Your friends around you might be just be like Thomas, we're having encounters with the Lord. We've seen the Lord we've we've spent four hours in prayer. We've had a great revival meeting and you're feeling exhausted. You're feeling tired. Maybe your church leader this morning is just linked into this and just looking maybe you feel exhausted. Maybe you feel that through lockdown has just give you such a burn out. You just feel like giving up and you just saying You know what? Don't talk to me anymore. Unless I see he makes that very clear. Thomas says. But he said to them unless I see the now marks in his hands and put my finger where Isn't that where the nouns were? and put my hand into his sight? I will not believe I will not believe I've got to see this Jesus, I've got a scene. Because what you're telling me doesn't sit right with me. What you're explaining to me, it doesn't feed me here is all right for you guys, you've you've seen him you've experienced them. But I feel really lonely. So I've got to see him. Maybe your heart is calling out this morning. I've got to see him. I've got to see him. I've got to connect with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. crytal step through a wall for you. Christ will come into your space Christ will walk into your area. It's such a beautiful text what we're in this morning, where Christ steps into Thomas's life is an interest in Thomas couldn't get to Jesus Thomas couldn't walk through the wall. Thomas could not leave that house because they was in complete lockdown. And as we've been in lockdown as the doors are locked, the windows are barred and the lonely experience we can't walk out through the masonry we can't get through the war. But Christ will come for it or what? three dimensional he comes through. He comes through into our space. He's coming through into your space he's coming through into your life. He's coming through into your situation. You know, we say oh yeah, I'm seeking Christ. I'm looking for him and he's not lost. I'm the one that's lost. He finds me he sets me free. He died on a cross for me. His blood wash me and his blood cleanse me He is the King of glory. He is the Great I Am. And that simple Bible text this morning, Thomas was just bold. He was just himself. He was he was being authentic. He was being real. He was just saying, look, you know what? I thank you for what you've been telling me. But unless I see it for myself, I cannot believe Christ is revealing himself to so many today Christ is revealing himself. Christ presents himself. Christ walked through the wall to see Thomas Thomas did not go into the realms where Christ was. Christ stepped into Thomas Thomas his world. Christ came from that, that that area that no man can ever get to. He stepped through the masonry. He came through the wall and he said Peace be with you. And you find that interested in that when he stepped through the wall. Thomas was able to touch his physicality. How can you get a physical being? How can you get through that wall Only Christ can only God, the Word the Word is coming for you. The word is walking with you. You feel like throwing it all in your fruit feel like giving up you feel like just throwing all your toys out the pram and saying Enough is enough. Unless I see unless I have an encounter. Unless I see with my own eyes. I cannot believe Christ stepped into that space. Christ is stepping into your space. Christ will not leave you nor forsake you wherever you are today. Christ will step through the wall for you. As he done it for Thomas, he will do it for you. He loves you unconditionally. Look at what the scripture says. We're in john chapter 20 for the start of this prayer meeting this morning, as we gather him for communion, but Thomas was very open and very bold. And he wasn't caught out with a religious jargon was going on around him, he said, but unless I see unless I see for myself, the now marks in his hands. But my fingers were announced were and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. A week later, a week later, the disciples were in that house again. Now Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, isn't an interest in what we've just come though the doors are locked. When we can't get to church when we can't get to the house, when we can't get out when when our restriction has been placed upon us when we've been restricted when our when our movement has been restricted. It doesn't matter how much they lock us down. It doesn't matter how hard they try to erase Christianity from this nation. They cannot remove the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is moving. The kingdom of God is with you. The kingdom of God is upon you that glory is around you. It doesn't matter how how Westminister want to lock us down what the future may be locked down. It doesn't matter how many more lockdowns It doesn't matter. The Scripture says they was in lockdown. Though the doors were locked. Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. If you're in your lockdown, expect to feel Christ if you're in your lockdown. Expect to see the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Because he will show up. He will bring peace to your door he will step into your lockdown room. That room that you've been isolated in he was with you all away for he will not leave you nor forsake you. It says that he came into Thomas's space. He walked in to Thomas's life he walked in to Thomas's arena he walked into that area of Thomas's life. So it's Christ that comes to us. Christ steps into our life. I know what the scripture says whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. But he already saved me before I was calling. You already chose you before. We think that we chose him. Sisters and brothers you are chosen you are loved. beyond human understanding doesn't matter what your past was doesn't matter what you think is around you at this moment. Doesn't matter what your brothers and sisters doesn't matter what the church focus saying. Christ will stop and step into your space Christ will walk into your area, Christ will walk into your territory. unconditional love. Do you feel like Thomas this morning? Well, welcome. Welcome to the real world. Welcome to life. God is speaking to you. God is calling you. God is drawing you back. Maybe you've been away from church for many years, and realize churches irrelevant. But Christ isn't. Christ is speaking. Peace be with you. Wherever you are today. May the glory of the Lord just rest upon you. Thank you for joining us in coffee and prayer and is gonna take us into the next steps and Glenn and Don are with us this morning as we always our first online streaming service. And wherever you are this morning, peace be with you doesn't matter what you've been engaging in. Doesn't matter how your attitude is. Thomas said, You know what? If you don't show up for me, I ain't gonna believe in knowing I'm going to do it. You can say what you like, you can dance as hard as you want to dance. You can shout and sing at the top of your voice but unless, unless I do you feel like Thomas you're the ayah this morning. Unless I say unless I have an encounter. I ain't gonna believe you ain't gonna believe this. I've got to experience Him for myself. locked down doesn't stop Christ moving, locked down. doesn't stop the kingdom of God locked down, doesn't stop the Word of God. The authorities can lock us down. The system can try and throw Christianity out of all areas of life. But they can't stop the living Christ. God bless you this morning. God bless you andy.
Andy Hammond:Yeah. Wherever you are, at this moment. Just come before God. Grace Holy Spirit to come. Come and be with us. Refresh us ago. Revive us again. So if you wherever you are to so put your hands to receive Jesus. So we say Holy Spirit, come and be with each one of us, restore us.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen.
Andy Hammond:Give us set knowledge that you always are there that you never leave us. Thank you. Thank you, Father for that passage from john 20. We remember that every time we reach over it, it speaks to us deep to deep.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen.
Andy Hammond:Because your word is all powerful. It's your infallible word. Whenever I give a scripture to someone, often I will say, I challenge you to read this.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Thank you, Jesus.
Andy Hammond:Change Your Life. So we thank you for your word, Father God, that it does change lives. And just looking at chapter 20 of john again that that verse here at the end of verse 13, and once Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book, but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in his name.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Thank you lord
Andy Hammond:Yeah. So that's a challenge for each one of us. Yeah. By believing you will have life. And that's why we're sitting here today. So that you can believe we believe. And if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God inside, then the promise is that you will have life. So we want life in all its fullness, Father, God, come and be with us. Respect about lockdown, and all the implications of that. The stress and strain that is put on our lives. Father, we asked you to come bring your peace today. Peace and help us to be the people that you intended us to be that you designed us to be that help us to be communicators of your life. Help us to be communicators. So your gospel and your command was to love one another. Help us to do just it's so difficult to be able to do that. Especially those who rather something the wrong way or irritate us. Or those we just dislike. Thank you, Lord. Help us to be communicators of your love. Cuz your, your love was unconditional. We thank you smoothly. And I usually write content songs. Before we started this broadcast and Psalm 71 says, a new Lord, I have taken refuge.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Thank you, Father.
Andy Hammond:Never be put to shame in your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me. Turn your ear to me and save me. Well, as many in that situation today, who use this as a prayer. Turn your ear to me, Lord,
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen.
Andy Hammond:and save me. And it goes on beam, my rock of refuge, to which I can always go get To command to save me, for you on my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, my God from the hand of the wicked from the grasp of those who are evil crawl. For you have been my hope, suffering Lord several those who are feeling down dispirited, depressed, sad bereaved. Well, we have a God who wants to take hold of you, embrace you renewed a relationship with you. He stands and opens his arms, waiting for you to come to him.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Thank you, Lord,
Andy Hammond:He is a good good father. And he wants to be in relationship with you. Thank you, Holy Spirit, thank you. We want more of you from the garden in our lives. We thank you that we can be in relationship with you, the God of all creation. Wow. How amazing is that? To be in relationship with God. We thank you, Rick, we come humbly before you. Just come and bless us today. restore us today. And we say father, bring joy into all those lie of Sir, a crying out to you. We thank You, Father, we thank you for Jesus.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Thank you.
Andy Hammond:He accomplished me all of this. Thank you that we can be in relationship with Him. And when we thank you Holy Spirit that you came in power. And we read in Acts, how powerful that was. And you told your disciples to wait. Wait for the Comforter to come. We thank you that you do the same today. You send your competent you send your spirit to give her some strength to carry on in difficult times. Follow up being followers of Jesus isn't always going to be easy. In fact, we will never promised an easy ride. But we thank You Father that it is the most fulfilling thing that we can do in our lives to be followers of Jesus.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen.
Andy Hammond:Thank you, Jesus. I just thank you that you've been in my life for many years, and you've always been always been that you've never let me down. I just thank you. Thank you. And we pray, Father that your spirit will now hover over all those who are listening, that you will bring. That's powerful strength that is needed in these days.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yes, lord
Andy Hammond:Come Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Thank you, Lord, wonderful Jesus.
Glenn Walsh:Romans 116. Paul says, I'm not ashamed of the gospel, or it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. For the righteousness of God is revealed from faith, for faith or by faith to faith.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Glenn Walsh:And as Ben was talking about, Thomas earlier, I was thinking if Jesus met him any circumstances or circumstances of doubt, he circumstance, calm. I can't believe unless Jesus met him right there. thing I was thinking of porn also known as soul. And in Acts, when is x nine, when he meets with Jesus for the first time and he says, Who are you, Lord, who are you? And he said, I am Jesus. I am higher so and so's life was changed from that instant. And then Philip, in john 14 verse, he says, show me the Father. And Jesus says, Don't you love me, Philip? Don't you know me, and you've been with me for so long. And Andy's been praying for the Holy Spirit now. JOHN 10 sorry, john 14, Jesus said that when he comes here remind us of everything on 1420. He said, but the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Thank you.
Glenn Walsh:So I leave with you My peace I gave you. He meets us exactly where we are. And Jesus, I pray that you will feel your Holy Spirit. Yes, your meters in our doubts and are struggling in our account. Go on. I was thinking this morning. When you speak when we hear your voice when we encounter you. Everything changes everything.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yes.
Glenn Walsh:Speak close. You said my sheep know My voice. Speak however, we hear you speak. Yeah, just not be the same. Lord, you said my piece I leave you My peace I gave you and you're referring to the Holy Spirit. Your Spirit, the Spirit of the Father, the spirit of the sun god. come and speak in our circumstances. You may have seen a rebellion. The man soul was cursing your soul was persecuted in your church. He was there given approval when Stephen the first martyr was killed before him. And he stood there gloating, given his approval. And yet, Lord, you were calling him your voice yet? Thank you, Father. And when he did? Well, what a change. Lords we can only come to you as we are. We cannot come any other way. And thank you, Lord, that you're the one who takes the first step. Yes. For whatever circumstances we're in today. whatever circumstances those who are listening, lot of calling, asking crying that prayers and we all pray, help, help. Help Lord, you're the one who does help. You're the one who speaks. You're the one who when you speak, everything falls into alignment. Amen. And we walk with you. And we go is it said environments, from faith to faith? Thank you, God. The faith comes by hearing your voice your word. And things change. And then as we journey with you, with you not everything changes you make a way where there is no right come on God, Lord, You even walk you called us to walk in you. You move circumstantially as well. We even closed doors, show you the way to the door that opens Thank you just showing you that through x, you close the door. They couldn't enter Asia. So you lead them to Macedonia. Instead, it was you who closed the doors. So Lord, there's people listening today who are struggling because doors have closed on them. And they think Lord, I pray for that I prayed for that. I prayed for that. And you're saying here, but I've got something better. I've got a way that you haven't thought of yet. Your ways are not our ways and you send your word that man plans in his heart, but God directs the steps let us be people of faith. Yes, trusting is there waiting nauta calm Holy Spirit, bring hope to the hopeless Yes, God bring peace to those who are wracked with anxiety. Lord, you're the one who when the storms came and the disciples feared for their lives as the boat looked like it was going to sink as it took water on board new is asleep.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Thank you,
Glenn Walsh:total police. And then you stood up and rebuked the waves. And they were still you rebuked the wind and it had to stop yes for for the creator spoke again to his creation, hallelujah. And the disciples said, Who is this? What another revelation they had of you through the storm? Lord, I want to thank you that you are the one who speaks in the storm to the storm through the storm. Come on, Lord, come and speak Lord the Lord with your voice today in our circumstances. Amen. And walk with you because Lord, we are not ashamed of the gospel. We love it. Your life. Yes, we went dead in our sin, enemies. And yet while we were your enemies, you died for us. guide and they called us to walk with you. Oh, thank you, God. Thank you. Thank you, Lord, that our confidence is this. You who began the good work in us is the one who brings it to completion. Amen. Our trust and our faith is in the shepherd. You're in us. The silly sheep who follow? Thank you, Jesus, you are the good shepherd and we love you.
Reverend Ben Cooper:You're worthy
Glenn Walsh:because you first loved us.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Thank you Holy Spirit.
Donny Stockburn:praying to the father, I woke up in the week and in the night as usual. My mind was full My failings and weaknesses that I've done and I shouldn't have done the things I should have done and didn't do. All night long, it seemed as I was bearing these being reminded of everything that I should be and wasn't lord and then tears began to flower I remember in the logo so uptight about tears began to flow and I open my eyes and they're right beside my bed was a whole piece of paper that somehow it got there i dont know, tears and joy. And our thought is a match that with mine and, and Lord, when I thought about that, it did something to me, it comforted me in a way that nothing else could add to know that you saw my tears that day. Yes, Lord, and I opened the Bible and look for a place where it spoke about tears. And I came to this it's in Psalm 56 verse eight and it says, This is god this is your number my wanderings put my tears into your bottle you put my tears into bottle, what I realized follow our presses not tears were to you.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen.
Donny Stockburn:took me to another level.
Reverend Ben Cooper:HalleHall thank you Jesus
Donny Stockburn:told me to a deeper level. I never know that my tears were so precious to you Lord. I can remember you took me back to a time when my mum died the very dialogue must was in the house and I went looking for my sister and she was at the bottom of the garden sobbing over one of the mum shows our precious that was to Lord in us our see that been our tears was precious as actor you so precious that you put them in a bottle and will keep them you wouldn't waste them Lord as a love or never know about an unalterable after all these years I didn't realize that I was that precious to you. Father God is taken me to and I pray that it will do the same to everyone. We refresh your love, Lord, come on. This God replied for to help. He treasures our tears. every tear that falls. Every soil conveys a message to God that we are in my own pain. It conveys a message that word Condor. Those tears mean so much to God. And they tell a story of what's going on in our hearts. And God knows about those things. Is that is at that level, in our minds in our souls in our spirits. And he treasures all those tears. Lord, what a blessing that is to my life. And then I'll read on that you will one day in your promise. wipe away all those tears? Yes, but I think you'll find out in Revelation seven things first 17 Yeah. And said you will dry all my tears. Oh Lord, what a love. What a deep deep love it is Lord far beyond anything I ever know. That I think we call it a cafe love. Thank you Jesus, the highest love. And that's the love you love us with Lord And Father God that you would treasure and tears fire. In that way storm in a bottle is amazing to me. All our trials and all our tribulations Father God, I can trust you with him now. All those silos, you know about. And you're well Father God, and this is love. David no King David visits the love in New York. This is the level of love that David knew you swipe so brave and bold and confident in front of the enemy, because he just knew your love was there was no level of Lord that it was just immaculate love, prices love alone, our purchase price. Our prayer today is to all those who are going through trials and tribulations like we all you said we will go through them Lord, if knew about that you know about our tears in advance. And you wrote this word all those years ago to come for us and to remind us when we fresh our love for your role and to have knowledge of the depth of it father goodwill, you know alumni, and I just pray my prayer Lord is you will reveal that to everyone listening. Everyone who's in. Everyone is weeping inside. Lola cheese pride that they will know that you treasured it is and they are proud My sister, you father, and that, that Soviet the political saloon. So true you pride yourself in it, when you was up a level of looking down at with tears in the father's eye, waiting for his son to return. Finally, god love you lovers with less the love that we're surrounded with Lord, and I just pray in Jesus name, Lord, by your spirit, he will convey that truth to them. refresh our love. Take us to a new level Lord, of understanding the depth and length of your love. And I ask this in Jesus name, amen.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Thank you, Lord, holy spirit. We're just thanking you, Father that we are, we are in your you Lord and your your presence is within us. And wherever we are, as we read it out from the scripture this morning. Father, we pray that our faith will increase this morning. Wherever we are today, Lord, Father, I just pray that you will draw us closer to you. But in that text that we were looking at this morning in the Gospel of john, Chapter 20, Christ's invites Thomas, to touch my side. Stretch out your hand, wherever you are today. Stretch out your hand or your heart. Stretch out your heart today to Jesus because he's with you. Wherever you are, you might be on the street, you might be at work, you might be in the staff room, you might be commuting, you might be in the car, you might be walking, you might be in the middle of a field, wherever you are today. Just stretch out for Jesus. Stretch out see Christ moved into Thomas's space. Then he said, I'm in front of you. Christ is saying I'm in front of you. I've come here for you. I've come here because I see your pain. Thomas. I've come here, Thomas. Because I see your doubt I come here because I see that you're struggling. I've come here, sister and brother. I've come here daughter, I've come here, son. You're my child. I've come back for you. I've come to speak directly to you today. Christ is speaking directly to you. Your life might be Carnage, it might like it might look like a skip all the way around you. It might look trouble it might be just everything is breaking out. He doesn't look holy. It doesn't look churchy. It doesn't look right. Well, thanks be to God because God comes into the thickest and the hardest areas of life. Christ stepped right back into their areas of unbelief. Thomas said, I will not believe unless I see. So he clearly made a statement. I'm not going to believe unless I see. And do you feel like that today that, that you're saying I can't believe because of my circumstances? I can't believe because this is impossible. I can't believe because of my past. I can't believe because of my now my present situation. Christ is before you. And he has stepped into your world. He has stepped into your world but his world he has stepped already. He has stepped out from glory he has come. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us he is living. His Word is sharper than a double edged sword. Yes, he's come back for those that are crying this morning. He's stepping into your room, those that are that are looking around for forgiveness, those that are looking for a blessing those that are looking for healing, those that are looking for a way forward. Maybe maybe the church has rejected you. Maybe the church has said some terrible things to you. Well, Christ don't do that. See here we have a classic example of Thomas, one of cold chosen. It says it very clearly. One of the 12 he was he was called. Christ called him. He had a conversation with Christ. He followed Christ. But then he said, You know what? I see him die upon a cross. I see everything that happened to him. But he has revealed Himself to you guys, but he left me out. Maybe you feel that this morning. He's left me out. He hasn't left you out. He's coming back for you individually. He comes back for us individually. And as he was speaking to Thomas, he said Peace be with you. And he said stretch out your hand. Wherever you are today. Stretch out to Jesus. in your room in your house where you're driving, whether you are, stretch your heart out to Christ, stretch your innermost being and say Jesus, because Christ is saying, stopped out in unbelief. stop doubting don't allow the outside environment to control the inside. Don't don't allow the outside to control you. Stretch out, stretch out, stretch out Christ love you. Christ, love you unconditionally. He has come back for you. He is in your space. He is in your room he is in your life. Even though there's been a sense of rejecting him for years, even though there's been a sense of Shannon I'm pushing it away. He stepped back in. This is your time, this is your moment. This is your this is the time when Christ is calling, stretch out to me, as he said to Thomas, stretch your hand out, come on, Thomas, come on, Sister, come on, brother, come on, child, come on, son, come on, daughter stretch out, I'm in front of you stretch, stretch out. It might take every ounce of energy that you've got, but just stretch out, stretch out to him. Extend, extend your arm, extend your heart, extend, go beyond, go beyond don't don't keep, don't fight the doubts anymore. To say, Lord, I surrender. We're coming to the table in a few moments. And wherever you are, across the earth today, we just say thank you for joining us on this online, church streaming service, wherever you may be, you know, walk in resting at home at work, wherever you are listening to this podcast today, by the hand of the Lord be upon you, but but he's very clear what the scripture says Christ said to him, reach out, reach out, stretch out, make that move, make a move, maker, make a leap of faith make a step of faith may say you know what, I'm going to step I'm going to step into this new beginning. I'm going to I'm going to stretch out I'm going to my life is a wreck. My life is a mess but but Christ has stepped into my world crisis stepped into my dimension, Christ has stepped in to my arena. Because then he will lead us into new postures. Christ has got his arm stretched out. And he's saying Come on, take my hand, take my hand in your, in your worries, Take Take my hand. Stretch out wherever you are. Today we're about to break bread and to take the cup wherever you are. Maybe you maybe you're in a coffee house, maybe you're at home, maybe you're at school, wherever you are University, maybe you can give grab a bit of bread or something around you join us this morning. We'll give it a couple of minutes for every one of us to get ready. You know, just just grab a bit of bread, it's a symbol, you might only have something that doesn't resemble the bread, but whatever it is just just do this because this is symbolic, you know this, you just do this. When I feel that this is really important today that you might you might even have a question, you might even have a bit of bread you might have whatever, you got a cracker in front of you, you just grab a bit of rhiwbina and just take these moments as our brothers will lead us around the table. But I really believe Christ, Christ is stretching out today. Christ is stretching out you might have the hardest battle book before you. But when you look at the battle, in that battle, there's an arm coming through the battlefield. There's an arm, the devil is a liar. The devil is a liar, you are chosen. You are loved unconditionally. Jesus loves you. Maybe you feel like Thomas and you've been at Thomas for years and years and years and years. But Christ has stepped into Thomas's arena. Christ stepped through that that wall, he stepped through the wall and he said touch Messiah. Stretch out. Stretch your heart out. We're coming to the point of communion. And he's gonna lead us but wherever you are today, trust him. Jeremiah 29 verse 11. Jeremiah 29, verse 11.
Andy Hammond:I know the plans
Glenn Walsh:within those plans, just before we do communion, which is all about forgiveness, isn't it?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Glenn Walsh:You know, in Acts nine again, because I believe as Ben has been praying, and Don has been praying and and has been praying, there's there's people listening who are wracked with sin, your guilt and shame. You're, you're waking up at night, tormented. And this voice is saying, but you but you, you you've done this, you've done that you've done that. Now, this is Saul's reputation. What and and I says of him in Acts nine, Lord. I've heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done. Yeah, how much evil he has done to your science. That was someone's reputation. And yet the Holy Spirit when he comes he gives us peace, doesn't he? It's not the Holy Spirit talking to you. It's the lie of the accuser of the brethren.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen.
Glenn Walsh:And it says in the Psalms, Psalm 32, verse one, Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven. Yeah. And who sin is covered. Well, I've seen one covered by Jesus, isn't it? Yes. As soon as been covered when we are forgiven, we are forgiven. Don't let the devil drag it up again. Whereas if you confess your sin This is one john 10 where if you confess your sin God is faithful and just to forgive you sin your sin, and purifying you from all unrighteousness Oh man, don't let the devil drag it up again. Yeah, come on, stand out in faith and accept that you've been forgiven, stand out in faith and accept you've been forgiven, and sell the devil to share that in their light. Let him take it up. We got the devil is a liar. Let him say to Jesus, it was not enough because it was he died on a cross for sin. His body was broken for us. His blood was shed for us that we may taste forgiveness. I just felt I needed to say that before any laters
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, very most important. Most important. Jesus is calling stretch out, stretch out.
Glenn Walsh:Jesus was stretched out.
Andy Hammond:Just before we go on, whilst we're praying, I had this picture of someone's kitchen with empty cupboards without any food. So I'm just saying that if that is you, and if you're close, you can find some some food here. In Swanley don't go hungry.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Yes, Lord, thank you. Don't go hungry.
Andy Hammond:Just get in touch.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Stretch out.
Andy Hammond:And as we come before God, this morning in as we take communion. I had Romans 12, open for quite a long time. And from verse nine, it talks about love. And the way we should love one another. And it's really difficult to put this into action, and we need God's help to do that. And we need his power and his spirit to do that. So as we come before we take the symbols of bread and wine, it says love must be sincere. hate what is evil, claim to what is good be devoted to one another in love. That's difficult, isn't it? It really is be devoted to one or other in life. Honor one another, above yourself. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor. serving the Lord be joyful in hope. patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with a lot of people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn, live in harmony with one another. Wow, that's difficult as well as live in harmony with one. Lord, it is very difficult to not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited, and do not repay anyone evil evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Fell I thank you, Father, that we have this scripture.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yes, Lord.
Andy Hammond:And we ask you to show mercy upon each one of us. Because we find it so difficult to live up to that but we know that you are changing us. Little by little. Yeah, come on degree voluntary. Yes. And we thank you that we can come before you because you are merciful. And you forgive us, all our shortcomings, all our sin. We come before you now again or give us for where we have let you down. And as it says in thought, word or deed, we ask you to forgive us. And we ask You to cleanse us to send us out again.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen.
Andy Hammond:Powerful name.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yes. Father
Andy Hammond:Thank you that we can come before you. And we do. Take the bread this morning, in remembrance of you for what you've done for us.
Donny Stockburn:Your father we we know we're forgiven, Lord, but is good to know we're loved. And you collect our tears in a bowl that you're now so precious to you says, such knowledge is too much for us. There's love that God has, for us is much deeper than we can speak of. The gap I cafe Love is the highest love and the deepest love that keeps our tears apart. Find out absolutely comfort in Lord comforts my spirit, to know you love me down here and that level is love that sent His only Son into this world. He loved us so much, and trying to cause but Lord. Tears can convey a message by the word sometimes. And Lord knows tears you treasure, our tears you treasure you love us so much. You keep them Lord close to you. So, Coach yourself, I imagine, Lord, you keep them, like a soldier will keep the photo of his family. When he's in the trenches. You keep them close to your heart. They're precious to you. And this is the blood. This is a blood borne altars. Lord, we just thank you for in Jesus name. Amen.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Thank you, man. Thank you. Thank you, Lord, we just Bless you. He's worthy of all praise. Just rest in him. Trust Him, stretch out to him. Stretch out to him this morning, wherever you are to stretch out your heart. There is nothing, nothing too big for him to deal with. There is no situation on earth that he can't deal with. He's a winemaker. He is the King of kings and He is the Lord of Lord. He's worthy of all praise and he loves us unconditionally, unconditionally, wherever you are today on planet Earth, whatever you are doing. Wherever you are, he loves us unconditionally. He loves you unconditionally. He sent His one and only Son to die upon the cross. Jeremiah 29, verse 11 says, For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future, then you will call upon me and come and pray to me. And I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find me. When you seek me with all of your heart. That's the key passage. That's the key word. Seeking, seeking Him with all of my heart. We need to seek Him with our heart, not with our expressions of emotions, not with our physical hands lifting in their head in the air, just as we would in church. So don't worry about how we do that. But you can sit in church and just be still you haven't got a copy all those jumping up and down and bouncing around. You just got to stretch your heart out. Seek Him with your heart, as Thomas was stretching out to touch his side. God was telling Jeremiah put this message out there. I've got plans for you. Tell them tell them I've got plans. I will listen when they call on when they pray. I will listen I will answer your prayer. But it's got to come from your heart. It's got to come from the innermost being. It's got to come from inside. You got to seek Him with all your heart for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Beautiful plans he has for you today. Beautiful plans he has for your life. He will lead you he will lead you into new beginnings. He will lead you into path of righteousness he will lead you But Thomas had to stretch out. Thomas had to stretch out Christ was before Him. Jesus said reach reach out stretch out. make that move im before you today. I'm before you today. And you know what I've never left you nor forsaken you. I was always before you. I was always with you. I was with you in your trouble. I was with you in your your lowest point. I was there. I carried you those footsteps through that valley of backer they're not yours they're mine because I was carrying you. When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death I was, I was with you. When I heard you're crying Psalm 91 I put angels to fly concerning you so that they would lift you up in their hands that you would not strike your foot against the stone. I sent angels concerning your life. Send my son to die upon the cross. So the Crimson Tide the blood of Jesus would, would wash over you and set you free. Your mind you were bought with a price doesn't matter what your historical stuff was. Doesn't matter how you feel about yourself. I love you. Donald's mentioned Agha pay Love, love to go beyond human love, love that go beyond natural love love that goes beyond goes beyond no strings attached to Jesus. I was with you in your darkest hour house with you in your lowest point I was. I was with you. I was watching over you why you passed out. I was with you when he was dealing and doing what he was doing. I was with you when he was in the club. I was with you. I capture my angels will put to fly because of my concern over you. They protected you when you least expected when he was about to fall while I caught you because I love you. And Jesus is saying, as he said to Thomas, reach out. Reach out wherever you all today. Reach out. Reach out and touch Jesus. Reach your heart, Jeremiah, sigma or your heart. So there's a physical move. And there's an internal move. Thank you. Thank you, Jesus. We've just gotten a couple of minutes. Yeah,
Andy Hammond:there's a verse. Also in Jeremiah, Ben, I will be found by you.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen.
Andy Hammond:And we'll bring you back from captivity.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Come on.
Andy Hammond:So, so many people have been held captive through this pandemic. But we can turn to Father God. Amen. And he will bring us back. bring us back to himself. Yes, Lord. And this morning, I feel that there is someone who wants to make a commitment for the first time to Jesus.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Come on.
Andy Hammond:And I think there are a number of people who need to recommit themselves to following Jesus. They've drifted away,
Donny Stockburn:amen.
Andy Hammond:And they want to come back. And Jesus just waiting for you. He is waiting for you just to come back. Just like the Father. In in the story of the last song. Well, we know the prodigal son, and he's waiting there. In fact, he's stands on the rooftop, looking out into the distance waiting for you to come back. And there's a verse in Romans 1013, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Thank everyone, because on the name of the law, it doesn't matter what other religions you've practiced in the past. If you call upon the name of the Lord, yes, Thomas is there.
Donny Stockburn:So thank you,
Andy Hammond:you will be saved. And if that's you listening, this morning, I'm gonna just pray this prayer. And you can repeat the words after me wherever you are. And this will be a new beginning in your life. And you start so whoever you are, just repeat these words I confess to God that I am a sinner. I believe that Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross. I believe that God raised Him from the dead. Now now repent of all my sins. And just for a moment, think of anything that you should confess to God now. I now receive him as my Savior. And on Ask Holy Spirit come into my life. Yeah, bring strength and wholeness. And I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Amen. And Andy, can you just tell us about the Bible so we can get a Bible?
Andy Hammond:Yeah, I've got one of the Scriptures here. As you've heard me say before, I now I belong to that organization. One, Margaret and I Got News for everyone formerly Gideons, UK. And we put Bibles testaments in all kinds of places from hotels, you've probably heard of those. We've prism, schools. In fact, we're going around to all the funeral directors at the moment, putting the scriptures there. So right, if you want to copy, just like this one is over here. Just send an email or getting in touch with send a message. And I'll get one to you. No cost. It's a fantastic publication. And as I've said before, that if you get hold of a Bible, I challenge you to read it. Yeah. Because it's going to change your life.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. What a challenge, the only book that we need. The only book that we require is the Bible. We
Andy Hammond:sit here praying, talking to God. But one of the key ways that God speaks to us today is when you read his word, amen. Because, as Bible believing Christians, we believe that this is the inspired Word of God.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Thank you, Jesus.
Andy Hammond:The Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit, by the writers have recorded this. And it's for us today. It says, relevant to us today as it was, when it was.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah. Amen. Andy
Andy Hammond:your lives cannot fail to be changed when you read it.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So we can get a Bible. Anyone can get a Bible.
Andy Hammond:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:we can just we can give the Bible's out there free. So as you're hearing this podcast, as you're on this live stream service this morning, if you need a Bible, if you want a Bible, as Andy has laid down, he challenges anyone to read the Bible because it will change your change your life. God is calling. There's no other literature on on planet Earth. No other literature. If we can call it that literature, there's no other word on on the earth that is so highly charged. So anointed, so holy. And Andy is flicking through that New Testament and Psalms and
Andy Hammond:I've said before, I'm quite often when I say to people, this is the most popular book in the world as well, it certainly it doesn't reach the bestsellers, if you open your Sunday papers and look at the bestsellers doesn't appear there because it would be far out outweigh anything it is there. It's number one on the list of everything of everything. And I think as good news for everyone, I think we gave away three quarters of a million last year, something like that. But throughout the world with associated organizations, Gideons million copies every four days, something like that.
Donny Stockburn:There we go. So can I finish on the word amazing?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Exactly. Danny's gonna finish on it's going to bring us as always just a word of God, of
Donny Stockburn:what we've been taking teaching today on talking about praying about, and it's that word in Revelation 717. Y'all don't want to go on without saying it.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Come on, don.
Donny Stockburn:in that battle that God keeps, keeps all our tears. They are tears of love, tears of sorrow, tears of trials, tears of tribulations. God treasures them all. But he will one day, dry them all up. And it says here in that verse I spoke, for the Lamb who is in the midst of the phone will shepherd them and lead them to live in fountains of water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Oh God, what a die.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen.
Donny Stockburn:Lovely day, Lord when we no more tears, no more crying no more pain, Father God actual plan. That's what you spoke about in Jeremiah. Lord, you prosperous spiritually. And joyfully, Lord, thank you for that word. In Jesus name.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you so much. Brothers. Thank you so much sisters, wherever you are today for joining us on this online church streaming service and this podcast. You can catch us later through the power of podcasting through the world of buzzsprout, Spotify. Apple Music and I Heart Radio and many other platforms that we're on. So if you want to find these podcasts, please, he can find that just go to Spotify. And you will find us in there with quite a few podcasts in there. We thank you again, we really maintenance from the very bottom of our heart. Thank you to all those that join these online church services, these streaming services. May God bless you today. Thank you to Glenn and Don and Andy as we just been gathering here today, May May God bless you in all that you do. And all that you say once again, we will see you next week. Have a great day. Stay in a word of God and never give up in Jesus name. Amen.
Close:Thank you for listening to Elim church swanleys latest podcast. You can find us on buzzsprout Spotify Apple Music iHeartRadio Google Play Alexa, mixcloud, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.