Previous Service
Welcome
“I used to go to the Orthodox Church and even prayed to Mary. But in God’s love, mercy and grace came to see that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; that no-one comes to the Father except through Him. I also received the Holy Spirit, thank You Lord, Amen”
Stella
Worship
Word
I have shared this testimony many times, even as part of a sermon, yet I have never written it down. So here it is for a start. It concerns a friend of mine at the Bible College of Wales, called Ibrahim, from Egypt. We had our moments to begin with as we were both a bit fiery in those days (1985 – ‘ 90). We started going witnessing to Muslims in the early hours of Sunday morning. Ibrahim had a good knowledge of the Quran, and was learning the Scriptures well. A number of these Muslims became Christians and even got baptised at Town Hill Baptist Church, Swansea.
Ibrahim had a remarkable testimony (all testimonies are remarkable). He was the son of a very wealthy family and was helping his father in the family business enabling him to live the so called ‘high life’. One day, in his mid-thirties, he became seriously ill and was paralysed from his neck downwards. His father paid for the top medical expertise, but nothing could be done. Over the months that followed, Ibrahim became depressed and decided to take his own life. He ordered one of the servants to buy him some poison and not to tell anyone. The day he was going to commit suicide, he had a visit from two friends, one of whom was a Christian. He told them he would say goodbye because he couldn’t live any longer like this.
It was then the Christian boldly spoke up , “Please don’t do that Ibrahim, please pray to Jesus, I know He will help you!” Ibrahim, dismissed this angrily, and they all said their farewells. That night as he was reaching for the poison, (he could still move one of his arms), the girl’s words were going round and round his mind, “… please pray to Jesus … please pray to Jesus …” Almost in frustration he said, “Okay, Jesus, if You are who this girl says You are, do something, because I am just about to finish it all.”
Right there and then, he saw Jesus at the end of his bed in bright shining splendour, and in an instant he was healed. He then fell into a deep sleep. Next day he got up and went down to the Breakfast Room, and all the family and servants were absolutely amazed at seeing him recovered and walking. His father called him over and asked him how it was possible. Ibraham at that instant, had a flash back to when he was 5 years of age, playing on the floor with his toys, and for some reason he had said the words, ‘Jesus Christ.’ His father, having heard him, came over, smacked him across the face and told him never to say those words in this house again. This now emboldened Ibrahim, and he told his father straight, “Jesus Christ appeared to me and healed me, father.” His father was very angry and warned his son, but Ibrahaim retorted, and for the first time in his life defied his father, “No father, Jesus Christ appeared to me, and healed me, and I am going to serve him for the rest of my life, for I would have been dead by now if He hadn’t.”
His father arranged for him to be imprisoned and I will tell you more about that next week.
Quote of the week
“To make a difference in the world, let Jesus make a difference in you.”
Unknown
Verse of the week
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phil. 2:9-11
Let’s Pray
Thank You Father for every person that You have saved and brought into Your Kingdom. Be gracious O Lord, in our time, and bring multitudes in this nation who are presently far-away from You, bring them into Your Kingdom and Your Church in Jesus Christ, Amen.