Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted

This sermon takes us to the summit of the Beatitudes: we discover that those who follow Christ will be blessed by God and hated by the world. We tend to associate suffering with God’s displeasure but here in this final beatitude we see that the highest level of anointing is reserved for those who are persecuted for Christ. When you appreciate what the Bible has to say about persecution, you can rejoice when you are persecuted for the sake of Jesus because something will be yours on account of your suffering, that would not have been yours otherwise; this sermon tells you what that something is.

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Is it possible we are not happy because we’ve not truly mourned over our sin? In this message we explore what Jesus meant when He said, “Blessed are those who mourn” - at first glance one of the most paradoxical statements in the entire Bible. Discover the wonderful promise of comfort and the special work of the Holy Spirit that is ours when we mourn the righteousness that we lack and start to see sin for what it is.

Turning Disability into Possibility

Bart was born with a very rare disability; the outlook was bleak! Hear his story of the God who knows no impossibility and how Bart broke through all the limits of what the doctors thought was possible.

And here's a video showing the remarkable ways in which Bart has broken through limits!

Confronting the Prosperity Gospel

Does God want every believer healthy and wealthy? This message offers a passionate, biblical critique of the central claims of the popular modern-day prosperity preachers and shows that, however one tries to clothe the prosperity gospel in biblical garb, it is totally irreconcilable with the true gospel of Jesus Christ and also detrimental to one's walk with God. Though some settle for less and pursue the short-lived earthly idols of health and wealth, Jesus has something far better to offer us - and in all things anyway, He is enough! 

A Song in the Midnight

Do you know how to praise God in your midnight hour? Paul and Silas did; as they faced one of their darkest times, they chose not to complain but instead to pray and to praise - and they literally prayed and praised their way to deliverance! An atmosphere of praise - especially when created together with other believers - repels the enemy and attracts the presence of God. Be encouraged as you learn why and how to lift up your voice to God in the toughest times of life. Your song in the midnight shows what you really believe about God; it has the potential not only to set you free but others too!

The Presence

In this message our Elim Regional Leader Dave Campbell reinforces some wonderful biblical truths: we don't gain God's favour, we just receive it; the currency of the kingdom of heaven is hunger - therefore we can have as much of God as we want. Dave shows us how to follow - and keep - the presence of God both in the river (i.e. the good times when God's voice is abundantly clear) and the desert (i.e. those challenging times when God seems far off). Indeed in those desert times we need to remember the voice from the river that says we are loved and favoured by God.

Today Could Be Your Day

If you have no hope you have no future. Drawing on Jesus' encounter with the lame man in John 5, guest speaker Luke Brendling brings an inspiring message about holding on to hope even in the midst of pain, difficulty, disappointment and unanswered prayer.

The Spirit & Suffering

Oftentimes we view the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives exclusively through experiences of strength and victory, forgetting the amazing promises that are available to us in times of weakness or apparent defeat. But because of this it means we can fail to access the Holy’s Spirit’s resources in times of pain and trouble, or that we don’t recognise His presence with us in the valleys of life. This message reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not only related to signs, wonders and miracles but also to enabling believers to effectively navigate suffering and difficulties.

In the Dark Places

Many Christians are surprised when they find themselves in dark places but valleys are actually a natural part of the landscape of life. This message, based on Psalm 23:4, unpacks 7 biblical truths to help us navigate the dark places well. Right there in your valley, God wants you to discover His presence, His power and His protection. He doesn't just want you to get through the valley; He wants you to get something out of the valley too.

Making Sense of Unanswered Prayer

In response to prayer most of us have experienced an outcome we didn't expect or have felt the silence or frustration of what we perceive as unanswered prayer. But as we stand on the truth that God is present, loving and powerful we can engage with Him to help us make sense of unanswered prayer. This sermon will give you a biblical framework to grapple with the at times agonising question of why some prayers don't seem to be answered.

Dealing with Disappointment

As humans we are all vulnerable to experiencing frustration and anguish over unfulfilled hopes and dreams. Though we will never be able to completely avoid such disappointment in life, we can choose how we react to it. Disappointment is like the thin end of a wedge whose progression, if not broken, will lead us into discouragement, disillusionment, depression and ultimately defeat. This sermon uncovers principles from the life of Joseph to teach us how to harness and overcome the pain of disappointment and deal with it well.