Advertise on podcast: David Hathaway

So, in verse 3 – this is Matthew chapter 8, verse 3 – what was the response? Jesus put out His hand and touched him. Think about that. You were not supposed to touch a leper. Yet Jesus touched him. And He said, “Of course I am willing. Be clean!” The Scripture is very clear: immediately, every trace of leprosy was cleansed from his body. It was a complete and visible healing. Now, Jesus is doing something here. He is demonstrating His authority. He has been teaching, and the people have recognised that, unlike the religious leaders, He speaks with authority. But now He is demonstrating that authority through the power of God. The leper had said to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him. One touch! And the miracle happened. I want to emphasise that: one touch from Jesus, and everything changed. There comes a time in every one of our lives when we have to come to that point of confession. We have to recognise that we need Him. We need Jesus. This leper needed Jesus because he was leprous, and no religion could heal him. You can read through the Scriptures and find all the laws concerning leprosy, but there was no law that could cleanse a leper. No priest could heal him. But Jesus was different. That is why I am emphasising this: every one of us, at some stage in our lives, needs Jesus. And I can tell you that I need Him all the time. I couldn't continue without Him. Look at me! I'm 94 years old, and I can tell you that I would not be standing here talking to you if it were not for the fact that I need Jesus. Jesus has touched me. I came to Him and said, “Lord, You can give me the strength.” And I am a demonstration of what He can do. So part of my ministry, just as part of the ministry of Jesus, is to provide a public witness and testimony. Jesus said, “Preach the Gospel and heal the sick.” And that is exactly what I am doing. I'm simply obeying what He told us to do. Watch the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/8Cb-0bfcwJA  For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk

Faith in Jesus Christ is the key to release the power of God in your life. Not enough people use this key to the power and the glory of God.  1 Peter 1:7 says that the trial of your faith, which is much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested with fire, will be a praise, honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. So that just as gold has to be tested by fire, so FAITH has to be TESTED to prove its authenticity. Verse 5 says that we are kept by the power of God through FAITH unto a salvation which is to be revealed. There is a great salvation which is to be revealed in the future – we only have part of that salvation here. We will only experience the real glory of God when we get into heaven itself. But we have the beginning of that salvation now, enough to take us into the kingdom! Please understand: we only experience the real glory and power of God when we are with Jesus. But we have enough power now to get us there! It’s like sending a rocket into space: when the rocket is fired and leaves the earth, you cannot add any fuel to it – it has to have enough energy when it blasts off, to escape all the pull of gravity and get up there. The moment we receive salvation God puts His ‘fuel’, His energy and power, into us. His power is so explosive, every born-again man, woman and child becomes like a rocket with enough power to blast through all the power of the devil, into Heaven!

Speaking about the power in prayer from the book of James chapter 5, David emphasises that the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” I love preaching on this Scripture because, in the original Greek, the word translated “effectual fervent” conveys the idea of something powerful and active. The Greek word is energeō, from which we get the idea of energy and activity. We often use words like dynamic or dynamite to describe that kind of power. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective! But we need that dynamic prayer. We need to learn how to pray with faith, authority and conviction, believing that God hears us and will answer. James goes on in verse 17 to remind us that Elijah was a man subject to the same human weaknesses and feelings as we are. Yet he prayed earnestly, and the rain stopped. Then, after three and a half years, he prayed again, and the rain returned. What a powerful miracle! It demonstrated to the king and the people that the God of Israel was living and powerful. Then, in verse 19, James says that if anyone wanders from the truth and another person brings them back, that person has helped save a soul from death and covered a multitude of sins. We must never forget the importance of restoring those who have strayed from God. Through prayer, faith and compassion, we can help bring people back to the truth. But I want to come back to this Scripture about effectual, fervent prayer, because I’ve preached on it so many times. I listen to people praying, and over the years, I’ve learned that there is a way to pray effectively, with power and with authority. That is what I want you to understand. Prayer works! God hears us, and God answers prayer. We need to believe that, learn to pray with faith, and trust Him to work in power.

There is a tremendous battle between good and evil. Sometimes we are tempted to think that evil is winning. But I want to tell you on the authority of God's Word that He will get the victory! Jesus says in John 12:31, 'Now is the judgment of the world, and the prince of the world, that is the evil one, will be cast out'. Thank God for the words of the Bible. There is a day coming when the good that is God will overcome the evil which is the devil. Even if we do not see the judgment on ungodly men, the Bible is very clear, there is a day of judgment. Death is not the end, it does not mean oblivion and no future. The Bible says after death comes judgment, and we need to be prepared for this.  For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk  'Thy Kingdom Come' used by kind permission of Vinesong.

Speaking about the power in prayer, from the book of James chapter 5, David says your praying will restore the broken and heal the sick. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” That healing is not necessarily physical. I believe James is also talking about mental and emotional healing. When we can lay down the burden of our faults, our problems and the mistakes we’ve made in life, and pray together, there can be real restoration. Sadly, so many churches respond to people’s failures by condemning and criticising them, sometimes even throwing them out. But that is not the answer! We should be praying together, helping people find forgiveness, healing and restoration. Even those suffering a mental breakdown or struggling with deep psychological problems need our love, compassion and prayer. We need to restore the backslider and lift up those who have failed, not cast them out! The Church should be a place of restoration, where people can find the help and prayer they need to recover. Then James says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." I love preaching on this Scripture because the language in the original Greek conveys something powerful. The word translated "effectual fervent" is related to the Greek word energeō, meaning to be active or at work. It speaks of prayer that is working powerfully. We often use the words dynamic or dynamite to describe that kind of power. We need prayer that is alive, active and powerful – prayer that makes a difference! And James gives us an example in verse 17: "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are." In other words, Elijah was an ordinary human being, just like us. Yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Then he prayed again, and the rain returned. What an extraordinary miracle! Elijah was a man just like us, yet his prayers brought about a mighty intervention of God. James is reminding us that prayer is not reserved for a select few. We need to believe God, pray earnestly and trust Him to work powerfully through us!

Speaking about a trip he made to Moldova under communism, David shares how there is great power in prayer to heal the sick and ease troubled minds. I needed a separate visa to enter Moldova, and I didn’t have one. They hid me in the back of a car and smuggled me across the border. We held a glorious open-air meeting, preaching the Gospel. Among the crowd was a young woman in her twenties who was blind. She was crying and crying, and eventually she came to me for prayer. But even as I prayed for her, she continued to weep. I looked at her and said, “Look, you believe the Scriptures, don’t you? You’re a Christian; you’re a member of the Church. If you believe God’s Word, you know you can be healed. So why are you crying? You should be laughing in the face of your circumstances!” She took my advice and stopped crying. I prayed again, and God gloriously healed her and opened her eyes! Afterwards, I discovered that her church had condemned her, telling her that she was blind because of her sin. But that is not what the Bible teaches. James tells us that if we have sinned, we can confess our sins and receive forgiveness. God’s healing is not a reason to condemn someone; it is an opportunity to demonstrate His mercy and power. That young woman went away rejoicing. She was completely healed! Now, look at verse 16: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” This healing is not necessarily referring to physical healing. I believe James is also talking about emotional and spiritual healing. When we carry the burden of our faults, failures and mistakes, they can weigh heavily on us. But when we are willing to be honest with one another, to confess our faults and pray together, we can find forgiveness, freedom and restoration.

"Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock," (Matthew 7.24). He goes on to explain that the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it was founded upon a rock. Now, something that might surprise most people is that, about 60 years ago, when I was in the early stages of my ministry, I actually built my own house. I still live in it today. I built it on the side of a hill, and there were seven houses built in the same location. But mine was different because I brought in a good architect. The result was that, when we cut into the hillside, we built the house on a solid concrete foundation. And after 60 years, my house hasn't moved. But many of the other houses, which didn't have that same foundation, are actually sliding down the hill. Now, the reason I'm telling you this is because it illustrates exactly what Jesus is saying. It isn't simply a question of building a house; it's a question of what you build it on. Jesus goes on to say that, when He had finished speaking, the people were astonished at His teaching, because He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. And this is what I want you to understand. There are two very important things we need to recognise. First, in Christ, we must have a solid foundation. That foundation is our salvation, and everything else in our lives must be built upon it. We come to Christ, we repent of our sins, and we are converted. That is the foundation upon which we build our lives. But there is something else. The people followed Jesus because of one outstanding thing: He taught them with authority. He wasn't like the other religious teachers, the scribes, and we could include the Pharisees. There was an authority in His teaching that they had never experienced before. Watch the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/_IyryT5DTbI  For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk

Based on the book of James chapter 5, David shares how a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick and the Lord will make them well. There is great power in prayer. If you’re afflicted, pray. If you’re merry, sing songs of praise. Then, in verse 14, James says: “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.” There is absolutely no question about it: healing is part of the ministry of the Church. Sadly, I believe this is one of the most neglected aspects of church life today. There are so many churches that no longer believe in miracles or in the power of prayer to heal the sick. But the Bible is very clear. If someone is sick, they should call for the elders of the church. They are to anoint that person with oil, pray over them in faith, and trust God for a miracle. James says that the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise them up. And he goes on to say that if they have committed sins, they will be forgiven. Come on, we need to bring the miraculous back into the Church! We need to recover our faith in the power of prayer and believe God to do what His Word promises. I remember one occasion during the communist era when I was in Ukraine. They smuggled me across the border into what I believe was Moldova. I needed a separate visa to enter Moldova, and I didn’t have one, so they hid me in the back of a car and took me across the border. We held a glorious open-air meeting and preached the Gospel. Among the crowd was a young woman in her twenties who was blind. But God moved in power that day. He gloriously healed her and opened her eyes!

I want to challenge you today concerning the Holy Spirit. You need to seek God in a new way. You need a new power, a fresh baptism, but above all, you need a baptism of fire! We need the fire of God, the power of God, working in our lives today. Throughout the Bible, we read how God led the Israelites through the wilderness at night with a pillar of fire. Where is that pillar of fire that we are following today? It is the presence of God, leading us towards Him. And what happened on the Day of Pentecost? They were baptised with fire! We need to revisit our Pentecostal experience until we truly receive that baptism of fire and power in our lives. I could challenge you further by looking at how Jesus performed miracles. He said, “The works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.” Jesus promised that His followers would continue His ministry and do even greater works because He was going to the Father. He told His disciples that while He was with them, they could ask Him and He would answer. But when He had returned to the Father, they would ask in His name, and the Father would give them what they asked. That means you have an authority to come before God and ask for power, ask for fire, and ask for that anointing of the Holy Spirit. Am I challenging you? Let me simply say this: I am so challenged that, even at the age of 94, I am still searching for more power and more fire in my life. And I will not give up, because I have never had enough. I will never have enough power. I will never have enough fire! And I plead with you: seek God, and you will discover that He will answer you. He will reveal Himself in your life by fire! Watch the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/3oVC7c4R6bo  For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk

Based on the book of James chapter 5, David gives you some simple keys to living through affliction. Firstly, keep praying; and secondly, find a reason to be thankful and sing songs of praise to God. In James chapter 5, God gives us practical instructions for walking in integrity and triumphing over trials:   Integrity of Speech (v. 12): James commands believers not to swear by heaven, earth, or any other oath. We should live with such honesty that our simple word is entirely trustworthy – let your "yes" be yes, and your "no" be no. We must not merely talk the talk; our actions must match our words. When we live authentically according to the truth we proclaim, our very lives stand as a powerful witness to the world.   Prayer in Affliction and Praise in Joy (v. 13): "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms." Prayer is our direct line of comfort and strength when walking through severe adversity.   Trials and opposition are real. In my own life, I have faced severe affliction – surviving two cancer diagnoses (in my throat and in my lung), enduring imprisonment where officials warned I would not leave alive, and surviving four separate assassination attempts. Yet through every danger, God proved faithful.   Whatever circumstance you find yourself in today, bring it to the Lord: if you are walking through affliction, lift up your heart in prayer; and if your heart is glad, sing songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

Based on the book of James chapter 5, we are reminded that we will see Jesus face-to-face. But until that time, be faithful in your service. In Job 19:26, Job proclaimed: "In my flesh shall I see God." Long before Christ walked the earth and preached the coming of the Kingdom, Job possessed a profound revelation of the bodily resurrection. He understood that he would stand in God's presence not as a ghost, a disembodied spirit, or an ethereal shadow, but fully alive in a resurrected body.   Many imagine heaven as entirely ethereal, yet Scripture shows that we will possess physical, glorified bodies. Our ultimate proof is Christ Himself: after His resurrection, Jesus was visibly seen, immediately recognised, and invited Thomas to touch the scars in His hands and side. His resurrected body was truly tangible and immortal.   James then gives practical guidance on how to live in light of our eternal hope:   Maintain Pure and Direct Speech (v. 12): Do not swear oaths by heaven, earth, or anything else.   Live with Absolute Integrity: Live in such a way that your word requires no dramatic pledges to be believed. Let your "yes" be yes, and your "no" be no – clear, honest, and straightforward in every interaction.   Remain faithful in your service, steadfast in truth, and anchor your heart in the blessed hope of seeing Jesus face-to-face.

One of the greatest miracles today is that God calls you His son, His daughter. God loves you, He is calling you to come home to His Kingdom. God's Kingdom is home for me, it is home for you. I believe that God is calling upon us to pray, for He says, if you will call upon My Name I will answer you, I will heal your land, I will defeat your enemies. You should have no fear for today or tomorrow, God is with you, for He Himself has said I will never leave or forsake you. 'We come before Your throne' used by kind permission of Vinesong. For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk

Based on the book of James chapter 5, we are reminded that God's plan is for good. We have hope in this life, and in the life to come, when we will see Jesus face-to-face. James 5:11 tells us: "Behold, we count them blessed who endure." True victory in the Christian walk is about remaining steadfast and faithful to the very end, just as the saints and prophets did throughout Scripture.   James points directly to the example of Job: "You have heard of the patience of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord." Job walked through devastating losses, yet the conclusion of his story was far greater than its beginning. The restoration God brought into his life – including daughters described as the fairest and most beautiful in the land – far exceeded what he had lost. What God gave him at the end was far more glorious than what he possessed at the start.   Even in the depths of unimaginable affliction, Job uttered words of remarkable revelation – words that I personally placed on my late wife's headstone: "Yet in my flesh shall I see God." Long before the earthly ministry of Christ and the proclamation of the Kingdom gospel, Job already anchored his soul in the promise of bodily resurrection. He knew he would not stand before the Lord as a mere phantom or disembodied spirit, but raised to life in the flesh.   Whatever trials you face, remember that God’s ultimate purpose is redemptive. Hold fast and remain faithful, knowing that our eternal hope is secure and we will one day behold our Lord face-to-face.

Based on the book of James chapter 5, we are encouraged to look to the saints of old, who endured and remained faithful to the Lord. Turning to James chapter 5, Scripture offers critical counsel for how we ought to live while we wait: Guard Your Heart Against Grudges (v. 9): Do not hold bitterness or complaints against one another. Harbouring resentment only harms and hinders others, placing us under condemnation, for God alone is the Judge.   Follow the Example of the Prophets (v. 10): Look to the Old Testament prophets who spoke faithfully in the Lord’s name. Long before Christ came and died, they faced immense suffering and persecution to preach God's kingdom and righteousness, standing as timeless examples of patience through affliction.   Endure to the End (v. 11): Scripture declares: "Behold, we count them blessed who endure." True spiritual victory lies in remaining steadfast and loyal to God through every trial.   Just as the prophets remained unwavering, let us stay faithful to the very end.

If you are seeking revival – if you are seeking a genuine experience with God – you need to know how to follow the fire. God has used fire on many occasions. When I went to Jerusalem in 1961 to be there on the Day of Pentecost, it was the first time in 2,000 years that we had been able to gather in the Upper Room in Jerusalem on that day. I was looking for fire, and I believe I received it, because the experience changed my life. Everything changed. Fire changes things; it should change things. Whatever is burned is transformed. When I think about fire, I am intrigued by Solomon’s building of the Temple. The vision began with David. David desired to build a glorious temple – something more magnificent, powerful and beautiful than anything else in the world.  David went to the prophet Nathan, shared his dream and asked what he should do. Nathan replied, “Do what is in your heart.” This is the challenge I want to give to those who are seeking the power of God and feel called to become evangelists, or to fulfil any other calling: do what is in your heart. It is not what is merely in your head that matters; it is what is in your heart. That is why Nathan told David to act on what was within him. As we know, God later said no, because David was a man of war, and Solomon eventually built the Temple. Yet David supplied Solomon with the people, money and materials needed for the work. When Solomon dedicated the Temple, he led a vast and powerful prayer, calling upon God to hear from heaven. You can read Solomon’s prayer in 2 Chronicles chapters 6 and 7; it extends across both chapters. Watch the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/tJrL1rnmaL4  For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk