Bible Study with David Hathaway - (David Hathaway’s weekly TV programmes)

Acts 16 details the missionary journeys of Paul and his companions, highlighting several key events and their impact on the spread of Christianity. Throughout this chapter, the story demontrates the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the power of the Gospel to transform lives, and the resilience and faithfulness of Paul and his companions amidst persecution. 'About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’ 'The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ 'They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptised. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God – he and his whole household' (Acts 16.25-34, NIV).

Acts 15 Key Themes: Salvation by Grace: The council affirms that salvation comes through grace, not adherence to the Mosaic Law. Unity and Diversity: The early church grapples with integrating diverse cultural practices and beliefs while maintaining unity. Guidance by the Holy Spirit: Decisions are made through prayer, discussion, and reliance on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 'Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles should hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. 'The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.' (Acts 15.7-12, NIV)

Our faith is not in things nor in people, it’s not in the preacher or the evangelist. Our faith has to be directly IN GOD and His promises! We have to emphasise this when we talk about faith. Too many people look to me, and think I’m some healer… No! God is the Healer. I explain this in every evangelistic meeting before I pray for the sick, “I am NOT a healing evangelist! Jesus is the Healer, He’s the One you have to ask!” And I teach them how to call on Him for their healing, and that’s why the miracles follow. Have faith in God! 'Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders... They gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.' (Acts 14.3, 27, NIV.) Acts 14 recounts the missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas to various cities in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). In Iconium, they face opposition but continue to preach boldly, performing miracles that lead to some conversions. However, a plot to stone them forces them to flee to Lystra and Derbe, where they continue to spread the Gospel. In Lystra, Paul heals a man, leading the locals to believe they are gods. When Paul and Barnabas try to correct this misunderstanding, the crowd turns against them, and Paul is stoned and left for dead. However, he survives and moves on to Derbe, where they continue preaching. Afterward, they backtrack through the cities they visited, encouraging and strengthening the believers. They appoint elders in each church before returning to Antioch, where they report their journey to the church, recounting how God had opened doors for the Gentiles to believe.

'While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.' (Acts 13.2-3, NIV.) Acts 13 details the start of Paul's first missionary journey: Commissioning of Paul and Barnabas: The chapter begins with the church in Antioch commissioning Paul and Barnabas for missionary work. The Holy Spirit directs this decision. Preaching in Cyprus: Paul and Barnabas travel to Cyprus, where they preach the word of God in synagogues. They encounter Bar-Jesus, a false prophet, whom Paul rebukes for trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Preaching in Pisidian Antioch: They journey to Pisidian Antioch and preach in the synagogue there. Paul gives a powerful sermon recounting Israel's history and how Jesus fulfills God's promises. Many Jews and Gentiles believe, but some Jews oppose them, leading to their expulsion from the region. Turning to the Gentiles: Paul and Barnabas turn their focus to the Gentiles, spreading the Gospel throughout the region. The message spreads rapidly. Opposition and Perseverance: Despite facing opposition and persecution, Paul and Barnabas continue to preach boldly, relying on God's strength. The chapter concludes with Paul and Barnabas departing from Pisidian Antioch, shaking the dust off their feet as a symbolic gesture against those who reject the Gospel, and moving on to preach in Iconium.

Acts Bible Study Chapter 12: I learnt how to pray in that prison, I learnt to know God better there than in any Bible College or church meeting. I found a new reality, a new relationship with Him. All my life, it has been a journey, step by step. It was first in my teenage cry for God, then in my throat cancer, then in my prison that God touched my life and gave me a new power. Without that year in a communist prison, I would not have the ministry or the Authority I have today in the Russian-speaking countries.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Acts Bible Study Chapter 11: In Acts 11, we see a significant shift in the early church's understanding of its mission, as it embraces the inclusion of Gentiles and expands beyond its Jewish origins. At Pentecost the Gospel began with the Jews, but Jesus came to save the world. We are intructed by Jesus in the Great Commission to bring salvation to all people. Jesus told the parable of the Wedding Feast: the invited guests didn't enter into the celebration, so we Gentiles have been invited. During the ministry of Jesus He healed the Centurion's servant; from this we can understand that Jesus came to save the whole world, just as He said in John 3.16, 'For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'

Acts Bible Study Chapter 10: This passage recounts the significant event where Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, receives a vision from God that challenges his understanding of who can be included in the Christian community. In the vision, Peter sees a sheet descending from heaven containing various animals, both clean and unclean according to Jewish dietary laws. A voice commands Peter to kill and eat, but Peter refuses, citing his adherence to Jewish customs.

'As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. (Acts 9.32-43)

Acts 9.1-31 is a pivotal chapter in the New Testament, showing the dramatic transformation of Saul from a persecutor of Christians to one of the most influential figures in Christianity. It also emphasises the power of God's grace and the role of believers in supporting and accepting one another. 'I will show him how much he must suffer for my name,' (Acts 9.16): We mustn't be afraid of suffering for in the moment of your greatest tragedy, in the moment of your greatest suffering, when you’re hurting more than you’ve ever hurt before, Jesus is there. He’s not forgotten you, He’s walking nearer to you. Jesus said, ‘I will be with you always.’ Every day, every hour, in the middle of every storm, in the middle of every sickness, even in a hospital bed, Jesus will always come. Whatever the crisis, there’s never a moment when He’s not there. Suffering is identification; in taking up our cross, we identify with Jesus, and He identifies with us. Jesus said, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.'

'At that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.... Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.... And there was great joy in that city.' (Acts 8.1-8, KJV.) The Acts of the Apostles, with its challenges and miracles, demonstrates to us the work of the Believing Church, to prepare for and bring about the Kingdom of God on earth by sharing the Good News – the Gospel – in Power. Deliverance from sin and miracles of healing were the tools Jesus used. These, and the power of prayer, supported by our faith in God’s infallibility, the Holy Spirit working in and through us, are the Mission of the Church and you as part of God’s Mission! I was recently evangelising in Poland to Ukrainian refugees. In the Saturday evangelistic meeting, we had 100 orphan children aged 14-18, bussed in by their Christian carers; over 150 refugees repented, we saw miracles of healing – testimonies were given on the platform, and others were shared on the buses as they went home. The pastors and missionaries who took part in this event shared their powerful memories of my ministry in Ukraine, Crimea, Belarus and Russia. They told of miracles which I didn’t know: that after my meetings in Gomel, Belarus, in 1994, they opened 50 new churches; in Evpatoria, Crimea, among the many outstanding healings, they brought one man on crutches, unable to walk unaided – he threw away his crutches, gloriously healed, and walked 12 miles home! These men and women from my past are so on fire, they are already missionaries and, as a result of the war in Ukraine, are evangelising Europe! What I want to show you is this, from the terrible persecution and hardship caused by the war can come blessing: God is using the displacement of people for the furtherance of the Gospel, just as He did in Acts 8.

'And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.' (Acts 6.7-8, KJV.) These chapters are significant because they illustrate the challenges faced by the early Christian community, the importance of serving all members of the community, and the courage and faith of individuals like Stephen, who remained steadfast in their beliefs even in the face of persecution and death. Additionally, Stephen's speech in Acts 7 provides a concise summary of Israel's history, emphasising God's continual pursuit of His people despite their repeated disobedience.

Verses 1-11 highlight the importance of integrity within the Christian community. It emphasises the importance of sincerity, honesty and generosity in our dealings with God and fellow believers. Jesus taught that those who are faithful with little will be faithful with much. But the reverse is also true, if we are not faithful with what God has given us, we cannot be trusted with more. Faithfulness and trustworthiness are important virtues for the Christian. In verses 12 to 20, we witness the extraordinary power and presence of God working through the apostles. The passage begins with the apostles performing many signs and wonders among the people. Gaining them great favour with the crowds. Despite the growing opposition from the religious leaders, the believers gathered in Solomon's Colonnade. But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord. Many were healed simply by being in their presence. The impact of these miracles was so significant, that people brought their sick out into the streets hoping that Peter's shadow might fall on them and bring healing. Multitudes of people from neighbouring cities, also gathered in Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits. Astonishingly, everyone was healed. In verse 31, Peter declares to the assembled council of religious leaders, that God exalted Jesus to His right hand as Prince and Saviour, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. He emphasises that they are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. Peter's message is about the exaltation of Jesus by God, the opportunity for repentance, and forgiveness of sins, and the role of the Holy Spirit in confirming these truths to believers.

In Acts 3, Peter and John headed to the temple for prayer. They encounter a man who was lame from birth, begging for alms at the temple gate called Beautiful. Peter commands the man to rise up and walk in the Name of Jesus Christ. Miraculously, the man is healed and leaps up, walking and praising God. This causes a commotion among the people, who are astonished at the miracle. Peter seizes the opportunity to preach to the crowd, explaining that it was not his own power but the power of Jesus Christ that healed the man. He emphasises that the people had denied Jesus and called for His crucifixion, but that God had raised Him from the dead. Peter urges the crowd to repent and turn to God, promising forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who believe. Many who hear Peter's message believe and join the early Christian community, which grows rapidly in Jerusalem. This chapter illustrates the power of faith in Jesus Christ to bring about miraculous healing and transformation, as well as the boldness of Peter and John in proclaiming the Gospel despite opposition.

'When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.' (Acts 2.1-4, NIV.) Acts 2 describes the events of Pentecost, which occurred fifty days after Jesus' resurrection. The disciples were gathered together in one place when suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the house, and tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. A large crowd gathered because they heard the disciples speaking in their own languages, and they were amazed and perplexed. Some accused the disciples of being drunk, but Peter stood up and addressed the crowd, explaining that what was happening was the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy concerning the pouring out of the Spirit in the last days. Peter preached boldly about Jesus, his crucifixion, and resurrection, declaring him to be both Lord and Messiah. His words pierced the hearts of many in the crowd, and about three thousand people repented and were baptised that day. The believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. They shared everything they had, and signs and wonders were done through the apostles. The community grew in number daily, and they praised God together, finding favour with all the people. This chapter marks a significant moment in the early church's history, as it describes the empowering of the disciples by the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian church through the preaching of the Gospel.

All things are possible with Jesus: I began working in the Soviet Union in 1961. For thirty of these years, I worked under communism. In 1990 I was evangelising in Bulgaria; when I was invited to speak in a large church in Sofia, the pastor fled town, he was so afraid of what the communists might do to him afterwards! The next day, I was invited to speak in a church on the far side of Bulgaria, in Yambol. The building was packed out, and the Power of God was so strong, the young people under the Power of the Holy Spirit were speaking in pure English! Sensing the move of God, I got the idea to take a stadium to evangelise openly. The local pastors warned me it was impossible, nevertheless they went with me to ask for permission. Predictably the communist director of the stadium said, “It’s against our law to rent you the stadium.” But then he added, “There is nothing in our law to stop us giving it to you for free!” I shall never forget the dramatic and exciting evangelism we held in Yambol, Bulgaria, before communism finally fell there. It was August. The music group Vinesong and I arrived the day before the opening. What could we do? Nothing? No!!! So, without permission, we decided to hold an open-air service in the big square in front of the Communist Party Headquarters in Yambol! This city of 100,000 had never witnessed such scenes before! As darkness fell the beautiful worship music drew the crowds. But when Vinesong sang in Bulgarian, ‘I bow the knee to Jesus’ – the whole crowd, 10,000 strong, knelt in prayer with their hands raised in worship and acceptance of Christ! Even the communist police on duty took off their hats, and the Communist Party Flag, which until then had been fluttering bravely in the breeze, hung down limp as if it too was bowing before the Name of Jesus!

In Matthew 8, a centurion beseeched Jesus for his servant lying at home, sick of the palsy. He simply said, ‘I ALSO am a man under authority,’ – thus recognising Christ’s authority – ‘just speak the word!’ Once we accept the authority given us we can also become ‘men under authority’. The centurion said to Jesus, ‘I am not worthy that you should enter my house… but I am a man under authority, I say to my servant go and he goes.’ The centurion had AUTHORITY to COMMAND obedience! And he recognised this same authority in Jesus to command, when he said to Him, ‘Speak the word only and my servant will be healed.’ This is exactly what Jesus meant when, in Luke 9:1, He gave His disciples ‘power and authority over all demons and to heal diseases’. The centurion recognised authority, and demonstrated such great FAITH in Jesus and in His authority, it was enough even to heal his servant with one word! This is the secret of power over sickness and evil – authority – and I believe that we have this same authority that Jesus had. Look at Matthew 10:1 where He gave His disciples authority to cast out unclean spirits and heal all manner of sickness and disease, and at verses 7-8 where He says to them, ‘Preach… Heal the sick… Raise the dead!’ If we want to heal the sick, we need boldness and authority to cast out the sickness!

God works many different miracles. One time in Blagoveshchensk, Siberia, there was a miracle which was to be so outstanding, which not only blessed the whole city, but also the mayor, and it left an indelible impression on all our lives. “I’m not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!” If I weren’t living in the Power of this Gospel, if I weren’t preaching it and demonstrating it, I would be ashamed! How can you preach about something unless you really believe in it? I’ve seen so many miracles of healing. In my own life, I’ve been healed of cancer, miraculously, twice! In 1998 I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, they wanted to replace my hip. I didn’t even think about it, within days I was healed! What I am sharing with you, I live in the Power of it. We HAVE to live in the Power of what we preach!

I believe in prayer and in a God of miracles. Many years ago whilst driving to a preaching engagement some of my staff were with me in the car, and we were praying. I said to God, ‘I’m tired of talking about the miracle of my cancer and the miracle of my release from prison, I want a new miracle, a bigger one, NOW!’ Then I realised what I had said – and my staff remember – I cried out to God, ‘Oh God, hold me by the hand whilst I go through the suffering that will bring the miracle.’ Do you understand? Miracles do not come easy. When in my most recent healing miracle I had gone to the hospital with suspected lung cancer, one of my daughters who is a nurse and was with me at the time said, ‘Dad, don’t be afraid when they diagnose the cancer. Unless they prove that you have it, you will have no evidence of a miracle when God heals you!’ God said to me, ‘David, you’ve got a mountain in your life that you’ve got to move, and that mountain is to get that cancer out from your lung. I didn’t go to a healing evangelist, I went to the Word of God and God completely healed me – no operation, no treatment – I only had God and the Bible, and that’s all I needed to confound the doctors. They were shocked, they didn’t believe God. But I do, I believe in a God of power, of miracles.

I want you to understand the power of prayer, and the power which Jesus has. I spent my youth searching for God, not because I was not a Christian, since I became a Christian when I was 8 years old. But when I became a Christian, I didn’t want to be a ‘normal’ Christian – I was searching for the truth, the reality, the Power and Glory of God! I wanted to find the God of the Bible, the God of Heaven, I wanted to KNOW Him! All my life I have searched for God’s Power and His Glory! It was the dream of David the shepherd boy to see the Glory of God here, on earth! It’s my dream too!” 'When Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralysed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralysed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ‘Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralysed man, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up, take your mat and walk”? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ So he said to the man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’ (Mark 2.1-12, NIV.)

The Acts of the Apostles is the story of a transformed Church, a Church motivated, with a purpose, on fire with the power of the Holy Spirit! The Word of God says Jesus will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire! 'You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth' (Acts 1.8, NKJV). One time when I was away on one of my prayer walks, I was talking to the Holy Spirit and said, "Holy Spirit, You know Jesus better than any of us. I want You to tell me what was the key to the Power that Jesus had." It became absolutely clear from reading the Scripture, that when Jesus was born, He gave up His heavenly power and authority and lived as a man here on earth with us. And it wasn't until His baptism in the river Jordan, when the Holy Spirit came down on Him like a dove, that He received the Power which transformed His life. What Jesus is saying here to these humble men is, when the Holy Spirit is come, He will give you the power which will transform your lives. The revolution when you are baptised in the Holy Spirit has to be life-transforming! In the Acts of the Apostles the disciples received the baptism of the Holy Spirit – instantly they were no longer frightened and ineffective, but filled with boldness and fire! That’s what we need today in the church – a new boldness, a new authority, a new power – which is the result of a baptism in the Holy Spirit!

David’s heart is filled with immense gratitude to the Lord. He celebrates a life well-lived, a life that has spanned an incredible 92 years. Before we dive into the stories, the lessons, and the laughter, he expresses his deepest thanks to God. Join David in a moment of reflection, and gratitude, as we acknowledge the faithfulness of God, who has guided, protected, and sustained David through 92 extraordinary years. "From childhood, I wanted every day and every part of my life to be under the direction and control of the Holy Spirit. Now when I look back over 70 years of ministry I know with absolute certainty that there has been both purpose and direction in my life. God has been in control of all my days and all my experiences. Everything that has happened in my life was foreknown in His plan. "God can touch your life too in a very powerful way and begin to direct and use you. Then in years to come you will see the direction He has taken. It will be evident – there will be no mistake."

'The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.' Powerful prayer works! We must learn how to talk to God until our praying will move every mountain, every obstruction, everything that stands between us and the fulfilment of God’s promises. James 5 primarily addresses issues related to wealth, patience, prayer, and the power of faith. James starts by warning the rich about the consequences of their misdeeds, emphasising the transient nature of wealth and the importance of righteous living. Patience in Suffering: James encourages believers to be patient in times of suffering, just as farmers patiently wait for the harvest. He underscores the importance of steadfastness and endurance. The Power of Prayer: James emphasises the power of prayer, encouraging believers to pray in times of trouble and to pray for one another. He highlights the effectiveness of fervent and righteous prayers. Confession and Healing: James discusses the importance of confessing sins to one another and praying for each other's healing. He connects the healing of the sick with righteous living and the prayer of a righteous person. The Example of Elijah: James cites the example of Elijah as a powerful prayer warrior, emphasising that Elijah's prayers had a significant impact and that believers today can experience similar results through fervent prayer. Restoration of Wanderers: James concludes by addressing the responsibility of believers to help restore those who have strayed from the truth, turning them back to the path of righteousness. In essence, James 5 encourages believers to live righteously, be patient in times of trial, rely on the power of prayer, and actively support one another in their spiritual journeys.

'"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." 'Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 'Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me..." '"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."' (John 14.1-6, 12-14, NKJV)

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4.)

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig-tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (James 3.1-12, NIV)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. (James 2.14-24, NIV)

'James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.' (James 1, KJV)

All my life I’ve been seeking to understand the power of prayer, prayer that gets an answer. Anyone can pray. In Russia one former army officer said to me, “I fought in the war under communism, people did not believe in God, they were not allowed to believe in Him, but when the bullets started whistling round their ears and they realised how close they were to death, they all cried out to this unknown God for help!” In a crisis even unbelievers will cry out and pray. It is easy to pray like this, but it’s harder to have a relationship with God. All my Christian life, I’ve not only wanted to pray – I learnt to pray as a child – but I wanted to know how to get an answer to prayer, how to find power with God, so that when I pray, God will answer.

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 13. 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat. 'The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood. Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 'Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.' (Hebrews 13.8-16, NIV)

God demonstrates His Power through the storms of your life. The Bible says, in the darkest hour of the night, in the time of your greatest need, when you think that you are alone, that nobody can help or deliver you, its exactly at that moment when Jesus will come. In the darkness, Jesus will show Himself and He will begin to speak to you. This is wonderful, if you will come to Jesus, the moment you step out of that boat a miracle will happen and the storm will be gone. You are going to be walking on the water; you will be able to do something impossible! When I think of the number of troubles I have had – being in a communist prison for a year, having cancer twice, having gunmen sent on three occasions to shoot me – God uses every circumstance to His glory, He uses the problems and the difficulties in our lives to convince us miraculously! I've proved that life with Christ is an unfolding adventure. I would rather be in a storm with Jesus than live at peace without Him.

I want you to wake up and live a Turbo-Charged life! How? Paul says in Romans 12:1, ‘Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord.’ But, he says, that is only ‘reasonable service’. It’s expected of you. If you’re a servant, an employee, that’s what you do for your wage. If you want the Fire of God to burn in you, present your whole body, your whole life, as a reasonable sacrifice.

I want to challenge you, what are you going to do with your Christian life to reveal God’s Power on earth? I want to share something with you of what is driving me. I love sport. Aged 91, I’ve just sold my sailboat, and I’ve just bought a power boat! I love cars, I love adventure! My favourite car is 15 years old; but I love that car because the engine has a turbo-charger. When I’m driving this car, I know the exact moment when the turbo kicks in! I start driving, and it’s slow. But I know the exact point when – whoosh – it’s away! I love that power! That should be the Church! What happened at Pentecost? The Church was slow. Pentecost came, the Fire and the Power of the Holy Spirit fell – and the Turbo kicked in!

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 12. 'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 11. ‘It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him… By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.’

'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 'By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 'By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 'By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 'By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 'By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.' (Hebrews 11.1-11, NKJV)

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 10. ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all... Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, 'In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.' And, 'But my righteous one will live by faith.' We do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.'

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 9. Christ is the mediator by which we can access the New Testament and receive the promised eternal inheritance. Where there is a testament, a will, there must also be a death, otherwise the will cannot be enacted. My wife and I had the same will. Whoever died first, would give everything to the other. Because she died, I inherited everything. Because Christ died, we inherit all that was His.

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 8. 'The day is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt. They did not remain faithful to my covenant, so I turned my back on them, says the Lord. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbours, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already. And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.' (Hebrews 8.7-12, NLT)

My God works miracles. Those years of Bible smuggling in the former communist countries and subsequent imprisonment, were God’s training ground for what lay in front of me. For it became through those years a “school of faith”, to build the foundations of my belief in the greatness of God, His extreme faithfulness and His power to overcome every obstacle. Those years brought me so close to Him that I never doubted Him or His ability in the face of the seemingly impossible.

Our relationship with God through Jesus: 'Those who know their God, will be strong and do exploits!' (Daniel 11.32.) I know Jesus is alive – I talked to Him this morning! The reality of our relationship with Christ is not in repeating prayers and phrases, it’s KNOWING Him. I talk to Him, He talks to me! The more I read the Bible, the more convinced I am that the most important thing after our salvation, is our relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s not just our worship, not the length of our prayers, nor how much we read the Bible, it is the FAITH we have in Him, how much we TRUST Him! That is the only thing that clearly, unmistakably marks our relationship with Jesus Christ.

'The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits' (Daniel 11.32, KJV). The key is to KNOW God – and He will do great things! The Scripture says, the people of Israel saw the miracles God did, but Moses KNEW God’s ways – God made them known to him. This is so important – to KNOW God. I have always believed that in the life and ministry of Jesus, it was the miracles that confirmed who He was. Acts 2.22. It was and is the same for us – we need the miracles to confirm the Truth and the Power of the Gospel we preach. When I received the Holy Spirit, aged 13, I obeyed the Apostle Paul and ‘coveted the best gifts’, asking specifically for the gift of faith to add to my ‘speaking in tongues’. I do personally believe that this specific ‘asking’ was for my future in evangelism. And God has worked powerful miracles in my life: twice I've been healed of cancer; throat cancer in 1964, and lung cancer in 2003. Knowing God, and doing the impossible, or as the Scripture we read in Daniel says, exploits, depends on our relationship with God. My relationship with God is based on my relationship with my father, Rev WG Hathaway. I ask God, "Here's the problem, what is the answer?"

'I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them' (Exodus 3.7-8). Jesus is the only one who can deliver! He wants to reach out to you! You need to find Him, not just for your miracle of healing, but to be set free, delivered from that sin, that problem you cannot get rid of. God gave His Son just for you: to rescue, deliver and heal you. That’s why when you are in a crisis, God is the closest. Not in your prosperity, not when you are on top of the world, but in the crisis, in the pain, that’s when Jesus is the closest to you. I thank God for my 10 months in prison – when I was tortured, when they were starving me of food, when they did every kind of bad thing – in the darkness of my prison, that’s when I found Jesus in a new way, the reality and evidence of who He is. When 60 years ago I had throat cancer, 20 years ago I had lung cancer – it was in the darkness of my despair that I found the real Jesus. Addressing the Day of Prayer in Armenia, David said, “I believe God has called me at this strategic time to your nation. Armenia is facing a crisis, but all our times are in God’s Hands – and that’s why we’re here together today. Your unity in prayer is something I have dreamt about for years. We are one Body, but many different parts. Together today we proclaim the Name of Jesus over this nation, and symbolically we cover Armenia with the Blood of the Lamb and claim God’s protection. Armenia, you do not stand alone against the enemy, God is with you. O God, put a wall of fire around this nation that no enemy can break through! Armenia, this is God’s message to you: ‘I have seen your misery, I have heard your cry, and I am come down to deliver.’ God – your God – is already here!”

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 7. 'Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.' (Hebrews 7.22-25, NIV.) The Old Testament high priest entered the presence of God once a year to plead for the forgiveness of the nation's sins; whereas Christ makes perpetual intercession before God for us. Christ's continuous presence in Heaven with the Father assures us that our sins have been paid for and forgiven. This wonderful assurance frees us from guilt and fear.

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 6. God's promises are unchanging and completely trustworthy because God is unchanging and trustworthy. When promising Abraham a son, God took an oath in His own Name. The oath was as good as God's Name, and God's Name was as good as His divine nature.

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 5. Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come 'boldly'. Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask Him to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. Come with reverence because He is our King. But also come with bold assurance because He is your Friend and Counsellor.

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 4. Chapter 4 of Hebrews reverts to the theme of Chapter 3, the Promise of entering a Coming Rest. Paul writes, v1, ‘Let us fear therefore lest, a promise being left us of entering into His Rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.’ In v4, you see that Paul is linking this Rest to the Seventh Day of Creation. For six days God created – and on the seventh day, He rested from His Work. This is a picture of the 1000-year Rest, the Millennial reign of Christ on earth which still to come!

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 3. 'Fix your thoughts on Jesus!' Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, He is our everything, He is all that you need. Our faith is not based on religion or ceremony, our faith is based on Jesus as our apostle and high priest. Who else do we need but Jesus?!

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 2. We have received a great salvation through Christ, so we must be careful not to drift away. Only through faith in Christ are we saved: He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The message of Christ was first preached by those who witnessed the miracles, but like the original readers of Hebrews, we base our belief on eyewitness accounts.

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 1. The first chapter of Hebrews describes in detail how Jesus Christ fulfils the prophecies of the Old Testament. In the past God spoke to His people by various means: Isaiah, in visions; Jacob, in dreams; whilst to Abraham and Moses, God spoke personally. But now God speaks through Jesus. Jesus is the fulfilment and culmination of God’s revelation. When we know Jesus, we have all we need to be saved and have a perfect relationship with God.