Bethel Christian Center

British historian Herbert Butterfield of the University of Cambridge, wrote, “Sometimes it is only by a cataclysm that man can make his escape from the net which he has taken so much trouble to weave around himself.” He goes on to say, “sheer grimness of suffering brings men sometimes into a profounder understanding of human destiny.” Robert Nicholson of San Jose State University wrote, “Sometimes...

The God who created the universe left His fingerprints everywhere! Creation sings of her Creator! Creation’s song is so loud and clear that the apostle Paul would write that we have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1:19–20 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal powe...

In a culture that is changing, there are some areas where the church should not! There are some things that should be non-negotiables when it comes to our faith. We have heard that the topic of the blood of Christ, the Cross and hell should be avoided. Therefore, some churches are choosing not to display a cross. Unfortunately, the idea of the Altar, and more specifically the Altar call has become...

As is true in most of the prophets, Zephaniah’s writings has three components: 1) the pronouncement of specific and often universal judgement for sin; 2) an appeal for repentance because God is righteous and willing to forgive; 3) a promise that the remnant who have made God their refuge will be saved. God, upon their repentance, bids Judah to sing, to shout, to rejoice with all their hearts. And...

Isaiah 54:1-3 opens with a paradoxical command: "Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing. ... For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations." The irony here is that no one would direct a despairing reject to sing. In ancient Israel, a woman without children was disenfranchised, suspect of spiritual unworthiness and potenti...

Dear Podcast listeners, due to the audio quality and visual nature of this message, please see the video version at BethelDurham.com/media

Do you need a breakthrough? If so, you’re not alone. We all have seasons when we’ve sown the seed of God’s Word, tended it with faith and patience; and we know that harvest time is here. We perceive in our spirits that our “due season” (Galatians 6:9) has come and it’s time for us to be enjoying the fruit of our faith, moving on to new phases of God’s plan for our lives.

Todd brings an on-time and challenging message of eternity, and the choice we need to make today!

Against all odds, Jehoshaphat the king of Judah was victorious against a formidable enemy. The king winning the battle with God's help is not unusual for the nation of Israel. The method by which the battle was won is quite unusual and presents lessons that we may glean from today.

"Few believers understand the power of song. Worship is not just a 'warm-up' to the sermon. Singing opens the way for an increase of the Holy Spirit’s overflow in us, as well as an unfolding of discernment regarding His will in our lives. Song is a powerful instrument because it is so basic to worship. When it is worked out in the experience of our daily life, it becomes a manifestly powerful mean...

We are meant to move mountains - to see the impossible occur through the exercise of faith in the omnipotent promises of our sovereign Lord. If we are not seeing mountains move, we are living beneath our means. We are living as paupers when we have millions in our heavenly bank account. Jon Bloom https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/you-are-meant-to-move-mountains

This is the first song recorded in the Bible, and not only is this the first song in the Bible, it is also by some hundreds of years the first recorded song in human history; it's a song of salvation. Moses leads and all Israel echoes. The deliverance of the Israelites and the defeat of the Egyptians is the occasion for the song.

Every few years, churches jump into the latest evangelistic fad. Leaders administrate the new program, and members go on a raid. But picture a church where evangelism is simply a part of the culture. Leaders share their faith consistently and openly. Members follow, encouraging one another to make evangelism an ongoing way life. Evangelism is more than a program. J Mack Stiles, How the whole churc...

Jesus Christ is without doubt the most influential name ever spoken throughout human history. Even the skeptic H.G. Wells acknowledged that to list the most significant people in the history of the world, Jesus Christ must top such a list. There is undoubtedly something incredible about a character whose name is commonly spoken on a daily basis in nearly every culture, all around the world, 2000 y...

The first Christmas gifts were not by chance, and depict he reality of God and the gospel message by their very essence and selection. God is seeking to save the lost, and spares no attention to detail in His Holy Word, even through multiple fulfillments and symbols. Have you trusted in the Good God. He is our object of worship and worthy of all gifts this Christmas. Thanks and some inspirational...

This is now the second time He returned to Nazareth, and in the meantime, He had been doing what Isaiah had prophesied, He had been preaching the gospel to the poor, and healing the broken hearted. He had been preaching deliverance to the captives and had healed the blind and all manner of sicknesses. He had even raised the daughter of Jarius from the dead.

God's power is revealed and experienced in His Word. The actual words of the Bible are anointed by the Holy Spirit Himself – and they have the full ability to completely change and transform you. Isaiah tells us that just as precipitation is sure to cause plants to grow, God’s Word accomplishes its purposes (Isaiah 55:10–11).

Ahitophel is an example of how bitterness can destroy a person. Watch this week as Antoinette delivers a powerful message from God's Word for today!

Repent: The nearness of God’s reign, confronting the people with an inescapable decision, explains the urgency of John’s message of repentance. Repentance is a decision that results in a change of mind, which in turn leads to a change of purpose and action.

By bringing their children for dedication, parents signify their faith in God. They, also, indicate their desire that their children come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, and to serve the Lord all of their lives. The act of dedication will not make this child a Christian, but is only a starting point from which to teach him of Christ. Jesus demonstrated His acceptance and love for th...

“The Sabbath is for the purpose of altering our usual pattern in order that something regenerative, renewing, and re-creative would take place in us physically, mentally, and spiritually. That we would be restored to the wholeness God intends for us-in relationship with Him, in our behavior, in our bodies and minds, and in everything we do. That incorporates the need to be in His presence, it inco...

There is not a more powerful witness to the world and our culture than unity within the local body of believers. Unity is defined as being in harmony or in one spirit. Unity can be a challenge since we all have different opinions on various issues within the church and Bethel is no exception. However, if we keep our focus on the eternal and not the temporal, we are more likely to dwell in the unit...

When we are doing the work of God we are not doing this to advance ourselves. It's not about us. When you can worship God for who He is, you will experience the greatest blessing, in spite of any tangible blessings you may or may not experience!

From most forms of fatigue we cannot escape. Physical fatigue is a daily reality. Mental fatigue consistently visits those who know real life requires reflection. Emotional fatigue invades our inner world when life becomes too heavy. But there is a weariness we must avoid! Soul fatigue is the most dangerous form of exhaustion. It tempts us to quit on who we need the most, God. It entices us to qui...

Jesus would die on the cross to redeem men from the curse of sin, enabling them to be saved eternally, and to restore the fellowship with God, broken such a long while before by the disaster in Eden. The victory came through death itself. The cross cast Satan out, dethroned him; he is now a usurper and shall finally be cast into the lake of fire.