Ezra - back to Basics

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2026 - MR JASON CRUISE

EZRA 7 VERSES 6 - 10, 28, 8 VERSES 21 - 28, 31 AND 32

I am in no doubt that each of us know how the Children of Israel were carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. The nation of Babylon comes to an end in Daniel chapter 5 in 539 BC. Thus began the reign of the Medes and Persians under Cyrus. In 538 BC the Children of Israel are allowed to return home. The Children of Israel returned from Babylon to Jerusalem in 3 groups or waves. The first was under the leadership of Zerubbabel who had the responsibility of rebuilding the temple. That was completed in Ezra chapter 6. The second wave returned under the leadership of Ezra. He is responsible for the establishment of temple worship. The third wave returned under the leadership of Nehemiah. He is responsible for the rebuilding of the walls. We read that in chapter 7 verse 6. 3 times we read of him as Ezra the priest, 4 times as Ezra the scribe, 5 times as Ezra the priest and scribe. As priest he was a man of the synagogue, a servant of the Lord. In the first 5 verses of chapter 7 we are given Ezra's genealogy. He could trace his lineage back to Aaron the high priest. He was a priest. He stood to serve the Lord. He knew the hand of God on him. 6 times in chapters 7 and 8 the hand of God was on him. He knew the leading and guiding and instruction of the Lord. The fact that it tells us he was a priest. We cannot trace our genealogy back to Aaron but we belong to the royal priesthood - 1 Peter 2 verse 9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." We belong to the family and fold of God. 4 times we read that Ezra is described as Ezra the scribe. This is a man who knew the word of God. He was a man of the scriptures. A man who spent many hours in the scriptures. He loved to study the word of God. Do we spend time in the word of God each and every day? He spent time in the quiet place seeking the face of God daily. Do you come to the Lord every day? Do you seek God in the quietness of the day? A man of the scriptures - does that describe us today? The life Ezra lived stood as a life wholly acceptable in the eyes of God. He knew God's hand on him. 6 times we read "the hand of God was on Ezra." He knew the blessing of God on his life. I trust that we will seek to live lives acceptable to God, to honour the Lord.

In verse 10 we read of Ezra's three fold commitment to the Lord:

He prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord - he sought to study deeply

And to do it - to live it out in obedience to the Lord

And to teach in Israel statutes and judgments - he sought to teach the word of God

Firstly he sought to see those around him built up in their most holy faith. Do we study the word of God? 1 Peter 2 verse 2 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." We all know the new born baby as they hunger for the milk. If they haven't got it they will soon tell you about it. Do you and I desire the sincere milk of the word? Do you study the word of the Lord in your daily quiet time? I pray that we will cultivate a desire to know the word of God asking the Lord each day for a word from him. 2 Timothy 2 verse 15 "study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Secondly, he sought to live it out in obedience to the Lord. Do those who look on your life and mine, work colleagues, friends and family, do they see a man or woman shining brightly for Christ? Are you and I being faithful to the Lord each and every day? Philippians 2 verses 14 and 15 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." Are we shining brightly each and every day for the Saviour? The more we walk closely with Christ the more we will become a mirror image of him. If you had come into contact with Ezra you would know within minutes that you were in the presence of God. A man of love and compassion. He had that Christ like character that wants to see people built up for the Lord.

Thirdly, he wanted to teach the word of God. To see the people built up in their knowledge of the word of God. I trust that that will be our desire in the days and weeks that lie ahead.

Verse 28 "And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and has counsellors and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me."

Ezra is making his way towards Jerusalem. He lived at the same time as men like Haggai and Nehemiah. He was born in the later years of the prophet Daniel. Both Ezra and Nehemiah were born in captivity. He knows there is a work to do and it is more than he is able to do all on his own. He gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with him. He is a man with a passion, a burden and zeal for the Lord but acknowledges he needs help in the work ahead. It reminds me that the best of men are only men at their best. He cannot do the work on his own. We need people to draw alongside other believers, to help in whatever capacity possible. Remember Moses as he went up into the mountain to pray with Joshua in the valley below fighting the enemy. Moses became tired and Aaron and Hur came alongside him and held up his arms. We need people to draw alongside us to pray today.

Chapter 8 verses 21 to 23 "Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us and for our little ones and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way; because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him,; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this; and he was intreated of us."

It took Ezra and these men 4 months to travel. He tells them they are going to stop at this river to fast and pray. Yes he had a passion to preach and study the word of God but he knew he had to seek the Lord for guidance in the way ahead. He will make his way to Jerusalem and will establish temple worship. Men and women will be brought under obedience to the word of God but he prays to God for light and guidance. He knew the need for prayer. The apostle Paul in Colossians 4 verse 2 said "Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving." He didn't start to pray or began to pray when things were difficult - he said continue to pray. Paul knew when men or women become Christians they should have a passion to pray. The apostle Paul himself in Acts 9 verse 11 was found in prayer - the Lord spoke to Ananias "And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Straight and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; for behold he prayeth." He had only come to faith in Christ and he was praying. 

"Prayer is oxygen for the soul" C H Spurgeon

The Lord Jesus was a man who knew the need to pray. He spent all night in prayer - Matthew 6 verse 12, If he was a man who knew he needed to spend whole nights in prayer surely we should also. David in Psalm 109 verse 4 said "but I give myself to prayer."  Make sure you come every day to pray at the throne of grace. That we would see God's hand move in this day. Ezra knew it would be difficult ahead. There would be dangers along the way. He came and asked the Lord for leading and guidance.

Chapter 8 verse 31 "Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month to go unto Jerusalem and the hand of our God was upon us and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and of such as lay in wait by the way."

These men have stopped at the River Ahava, they fasted and sought the Lord in prayer and are now departing. It reminds us that there is much need for prayer but there also must be a time to move forward. There is a time to work. The Lord's hand was upon them to deliver them from the enemy. Ezra gives all the glory to God. Ezra knows they have reached Jerusalem not through their own efforts but because God's hand was upon them. He gives God the glory. Often when we come to the Lord we have a catalogue of prayers. Like the 9 lepers only one came back to give thanks. Ezra's acknowledgement of what the Lord has done, They are now at Jerusalem because the Lord was with them. There were dangers along the way but the Lord delivered them.

Verse 35 "Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering; all this was a burnt offering unto the Lord."

There is a need for sacrifice when they arrived in Jerusalem. There is sin in their lives. They needed atonement for their sin. You and I will get up tomorrow morning and will seek to live a life that glorifies and honours the Lord. We are simply only sinners saved by grace. We must acknowledge the night that blood had to be shed. The Lord didn't come with a sacrifice of a lamb or goat or bullock. No he offered himself as a sacrifice. The Children of Israel had now returned to Jerusalem and had to offer sacrifices continually. But the righteous divine judgment of a holy God has been made at Calvary. The price for sin has been made by the death of our Lord Jesus. That sacrifice on Calvary was accepted as the sacrifice for all sin.

I pray that we will be men and women of God, spending time in the quiet place with God. That we will be men and women of the scriptures, hearing the word of God daily. I pray that we will live out the word of God daily. That people will see a person who seeks to honour the Lord. That people will be awakened to their great need and come to put their faith and trust in Christ for themselves.

 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

The Gospel for All Nations

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 4 JANUARY 2026 pm - PASTOR HENRY CASKEY

ACTS 10 VERSES 34 TO 48

This passage takes place in Cornelius' home. In verse 10 we find Cornelius in the attitude of prayer. God sends an angel right to where he is. Peter comes into his house. We read in verse 2 that he was a devout man. He prayed, read the scriptures, well respected, a revered man. A man of position. Maybe he had some money and lived in a good area. People looked up to him. They acknowledged him when he walked down the street. He prayed to God always. He was always ready to reach out to those who were poor. There was one thing wrong with this man - he wasn't saved. Remember the rich young ruler in the gospels. He had everything going for him. A position. He kept all the commandments. He asked Jesus "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"  We can be good living, read the bible, pray, do so many things but the most essential thing is to have a relationship with Christ. This man was very discontented. We can hear his prayers. There is something missing. The angel was sent down to his midst - "send for Peter". 40 miles away in the city of Joppa Peter was staying. "He will tell you words whereby you might be saved." See Peter coming into the house. He begins to open up. God has given him a message Cornelius needs. 

Think of the priority of this message. In verse 24 we see this man Cornelius sends a messenger for Peter. He was not idle in between. He rallied around the doors of his friends and family. He gathered them all into the house. When Peter came he stood up to bring the word to them. He asked "why did you send for me Cornelius?" Peter was on the roof in the earlier part of the chapter. He spoke to 3 men waiting for him at the door. He came with haste. What a reminder of the urgency of the message of the gospel. There are souls hanging in the balance tonight. Hanging between heaven and hell. This is the greatest message we have. The urgency tonight. Maybe you realise in your heart of hearts today, maybe been in church today, heard the message preached and realised in your heart something was empty, just like Cornelius. There is something void in your heart - you are not saved. You have never been to the foot of the cross, never trusted in Christ as Lord and Saviour. When you came into the world you came as a sinner with your back toward God. The Lord came into the world to seek and to save that which is lost. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. The angel came from God. He told him precisely what to do - send for Peter. He will have a message for you. See the urgency and priority Peter had. He didn't delay. He came down from the rooftop. There was a soul in need of a Saviour. We need to have a priority to reach out to those who need Christ. Philip came down into Samaria as a result of the persecution in Jerusalem. As he came down he was preaching. Then he was told to leave Samaria. There were souls being saved as a result of his preaching. One person needs to hear the message from God. Without hesitation he went down that road. There was a man travelling in his chariot down that road. He was reading Isaiah about the suffering servant. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading. "How can I unless someone can explain it to me." Philp preached unto him Jesus. That is the message of the gospel. There is one who came into the world to seek and to save those who are lost. He came into the world, born of a virgin. He was taken out of the world to die for the ransom of everyone. The priority of the message. The urgency tonight is for your precious soul. God wants you to hear about the remedy for sin. He wants you to know the one who loves you.

The person of the message. Peter begins his message in verse 34. He shows them that Jesus was sent to the people of Israel. He is Lord of all. He takes him to the lordship of Jesus Christ. One day every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Jesus was sent by his Father in heaven to be a baby in manger. John 3 verse 16. Moses was the great leader, the meekest of all men. Elijah brought the prophets of Baal to nothing. Neither could save your soul, only God. Sending his Son into the world. He can save your soul. He tells us something of Jesus' work. Jesus was going about doing good, performing miracles. The deaf could hear, the blind could see. Such was his mighty power. Here were a people who had heard, had knowledge of the Lord. Remember Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night. He made his way through the dark shadowy streets. "We know that thou art a teacher come from God. No man can do these miracles except God be with him." He comes into Jesus' presence. He was watching, listening to him. He was watching all the miracles. It was head knowledge. We can have a head knowledge of so many things and not be saved. We can know how he came into the world as a baby, no royal palace for him. The shepherds were visited by angels. We can know that he was taken out and nailed him on the cross. He was taken into the tomb for 3 days. We can know all that yet not be saved. Nicodemus was in this place. God sent his Son into the world just for you tonight. He loved you with everlasting love. He sent his Son that he might take your sin on himself.

The passion of the message. Peter is coming to the cross. The group of people gathered in the home were listening to every work. He speaks of who Jesus was, what he did. The most important aspect of Jesus' life was his death. When we see the miracles Jesus did through the scriptures. We think of the 5000 people fed. Of the man brought on a stretcher and let down through the roof. We can think of the man who was healed of his paralysis after 38 years. Jesus came into the world to die. In John 12 he spoke of the hour that was fast approaching. He was going to take his place on the cross to save us from our sins. Peter wanted to get to the cross to show the people that this is how they might be saved. 

The power of the message. Verse 40. The end of the story comes. God raised Jesus the third day. Remember the occasion when the woman went to the tomb. The stone was rolled back. The angel asked them "why seek ye the living among the dead. He is not here for he is risen." He accomplished the work. While Peter spoke these words the Holy Spirit fell on them. They heard the word. Is it any wonder the angel told Cornelius to send for Peter. We have a Saviour who will save to the uttermost all who come unto him. The Holy Ghost did the rest. It is the Holy Ghost who saves precious souls. There is no need for anything more. Christ's work was completed at Calvary. It is finished. Nothing more to be done tonight, you only have to accept it tonight.

The One in the Crowd

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES SUNDAY 4 JANUARY 2025 am - PASTOR HENRY CASKEY

John 6 verses 1 to 13

I want to turn to a familiar passage of scripture. Can you imagine the scene before us today. A multitude of people coming from everywhere. The Passover was near at hand. The people heard of the Lord Jesus in the mountain. They had heard so much about him, how he healed the sick, preached and performed many miracles. The bible speaks of the multitude yet only one was spoken to that day. One who stood out from the crowd. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you were that person today? That God would reach down in this meeting and others would benefit from your attendance here today? Andrew brought him to the Lord. He stepped through the crowd to get him to Jesus. A young boy. A day he would never forget. Maybe that might be the same for you today. Maybe there are people celebrating through into the new year but life is empty for them. Maybe you are hearing of someone who could change your life completely today. This little boy took everything he had and handed it into Jesus' hands. What an amazing day this would become. What became of him? Did he ever follow Christ from here on? Did he become a preacher or a soul winner? Jesus came into the world to seek and to save your soul. He died on Calvary for your sin. Trust him with every doubt and fear you have. Come to the Lord. Come to the foot of the cross. He will save your soul today. This day would impact this child, this young boy. God's word says he has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the wise.

The problems of the day. Here the multitudes had gathered to come and celebrate the Passover. They went out to see Jesus. They had heard so much about him, of his great power, his great preaching, miracles and healing. This day bore its own problems. The people were unprepared for the journey home. The day was far spent, darkness was falling. They had made no preparation for the journey home. Some of them had travelled a distance. The Lord knew they had brought no food with them. Maybe they would fall and be faint on the way home. We are living in a day when people have made no preparation for their homeward journey. They don't really care. They never gave much thought. People are living without God and hope. The Lord looked at his disciples and said "you feed them." They wondered where they were going to get the bread. Philip said it would cost more than a half a years wages and still there would not be enough. Some times we get discouraged and despair as family members are not saved. They have no hope. We see the numbers filtering away from church. No hope. Andrew steps up in verse 9. "What are they among so many?" Andrew and Philip were looking at it in a practical sense. For us it looks like that too. When the Lord steps in the answer was in someone sitting among them. Maybe this morning God is looking into this assembly. Maybe God is coming with his finger pointing to you. You are the answer. In Revelation 2 we are reminded to be watchful and strengthen the things which are ready to die. Get a hold of them. Stir them up. Secure those things which remain. The problems of the day.

The person in the crowd. The whole focus changes. We see the crowd unprepared, hungry and faint. They had a distance to travel. The difference was in the crowd. Philip didn't have the answer. Andrew found a lad. It is wonderful the people God uses. Maybe we are looking for something but not the right thing. God would use the simplicity of a little boy. Think of the maid in Naaman's house. Naaman was a great man of valour. A soldier. A strategist. He had won many battles. The king praised him. He was in possession of a great power but he was a leper. The answer was living in his house. One little girl. God would use her to bring healing to one man. She had been taken captive and brought to this foreign house. God stirred up her heart one day. She said to Naaman's wife "if my master was down with the prophet he would be healed." God used those words and that girl. Maybe God is putting his finger on you. Maybe he is saying to you "here's the word you have to give to your family member, to your neighbour." The little maid had a big heart. Think of Samuel. Only a little boy living with Eli in the temple. He was serving God. All he died was open and close the doors. One night God came to him and God would turn the religious system on its head through him. Isn't it wonderful the people God would use? We are always looking for the big name to draw in the crowd. Jeremiah 5 verse 1 "run ye to and fro through the streets of Jersualem and see now and know and seek in the broad places thereof if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth and I will pardon it." Ezekiel 22 verse 30 "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me for the land that I should not destroy it; but I found none." This boy was willing. He is about to open his lunch while listening to the Saviour preaching. Andrew is at his side and asks him "would you be prepared to give that lunch to the Lord?" Andrew knew the Lord could do so much with that little lunch. He didn't doubt God's ability. See him bringing him to Jesus and handing over the lunch to the Lord. God is searching for someone. This little boy was in the crowd and he gave everything he had. The boy was interested and concerned. He was listening to Jesus, watching him. There is a time to step up. It is good to come to church, to soak up the atmosphere, sing the hymns, hear the challenge from his word. What does God want me to do? What am I hearing? If you can use me today Lord would you do that? E M Bounds was a great man of prayer. He wrote "men are looking for better methods. God is looking for better men." Could God be speaking to you today?

The potential that is present. Andrew says to Jesus "there is a lad here".  Andrew did not doubt what the Lord could do. He could take this meagre lunch and do mighty things with it. Nothing is impossible with the Lord. He can do far above what we could ever imagine. He sees potential in this lad and what he has. He only has a few fish and loaves. It was nothing in his eyes but in the Lord's hands it was much. Little is much when God is in it. Do not give up on children. Keep going after them. The devil hasn't given up on them. We are not to despise the day of small things. Timothy's mother and grandmother saw the potential in him. They prayed and nurtured him. He grew up to be a mighty preacher and teacher. Remember Apollos in the book of Acts. He was eloquent in the scriptures but lacked something. A man and wife sat in the congregation and heard him preach. He knew the scriptures but they realised he lacked something. He stopped short at John the Baptist and his teaching. They took him to one side and taught him the things of God more fully. They sought to enlarge his potential. There were 20,000 people on the hillside that day. Andrew takes that little boy with him and gives his lunch to the Lord. In Luke 5 Peter was asked by the Lord to move the boat out from the shore so he could preach to the people from there. When he had finished speaking the Lord turned around and spoke to Peter. Some time you can hear God speaking to the people around you and then he turns to individuals. The Lord was using Peter's platform to reach others. He was challenging him. "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets and you will catch a draught." What potential he saw in Peter. Don't worry about failures of the past. Go out again. Peter saw the potential and he launched forth. Are you and I ready for a Peter's challenge? "Here I am, I failed in the past but I am ready to take it up again." Are we ready to take all we possess? Is there something in our lives that the Lord is not in control of and he wants to be. The widow woman put in 3 little mites into the treasury. It was all she had. It was nothing compared to what princes and rich men put in. It was to her everything she had. We are saved by God's grace. One day we bowed our knees at the cross and took the Lord as our personal Saviour. Are we saying "everything I have is yours?" Are we ready today to give everything? He handed over his lunch. The widow handed over her mites. Peter gave his all to the Lord.

The prize secured. Imagine the boy as he steps through the crowd. I am coming. Bring him to me. The Lord says watching the steps as he comes. He hands over the lunch. Jesus gives thanks and tells the disciples to make everyone to sit down. Jesus breaks the bread and then asks for it to be distributed to the crowd. Can you imagine the face of the little boy when they were all filled. Not merely a crumb or two. It filled everyone. What a miracle that was. Nothing was wasted. They took up the 12 baskets of remains out of what one boy had.

The praise rendered - verse 14. "This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world." All because of one boy giving his lunch. What a day to see the move of God and his power. Imagine going home and his mother asking him if he had enjoyed his lunch. Then him telling him that he gave it to Jesus. Could we say "I gave my heart, soul, everything to the Lord in his house today." Our lives will never be the same again. The impact will never be the same again.

This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. 

Redemption Through the Blood of the Lamb

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER 2025 pm - MR RYAN MALONE

Exodus 12 verses 1 to 14

You may have heard this passage preached on before. Typology is something I have got into a while ago. The Old Testament points forward to Christ. We see it first in Genesis 22 when a son is sacrificed. Other passages include Exodus 16 when the manna shows us how Jesus is the Bread of Life, Isaiah 53 refers to Jesus as the Suffering Servant and Isaiah 7 is about the virgin birth. We see Christ in it all. The theme of this passage is a Passover, the lamb pointing to Christ. The lamb without blemish. Through his blood we have new life as believers. Are you a believer tonight? 

This book written by Moses comes to a very significant chapter. Israel's break from slavery in Egypt after all the plagues. Pharoah had Israel in slavery. The plagues showed God's power over Egypt, Pharoah and false gods. Chapter 12 is all about the Passover. Israel was in bondage for 430 years in Egypt. The centenary of our own country was celebrated a few years ago and that was only for 100 years. Passover was not just a ritual but proof of God's salvation. God did not wait until they came out of Egypt but met them in the place of oppression, idolatry and bondage. The instruction was to start with worship. People know the truth of the gospel before they act on it. Israel's calendar would have been full of Egyptian festivals and seasons connected to Egyptian gods. Now at the point of delivery only a lamb could be slain. They had to be specific in their method. God came down in salvation for us in a specific certain way - through the Lord Jesus Christ. To show his identity and purpose. The specific Christmas passage is Matthew 1 verse 21 "thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins." That is his purpose. People might ask what is my purpose in life? To serve God and glorify him for ever. God did things his way.  I want us to note 3 points ...

Firstly, the lamb without blemish, spotless. It pointed forward to Christ. There was no guilt found in him. Secondly, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world, without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Third, we are born again through the shedding of blood.

The lamb without blemish - verse 5. God commanded Israel to select a lamb for each household. It had to be a perfect lamb. This lamb would bear the judgment of God in their place. The sacrifices needed to be without blemish. It pointed forward to Christ. John 1 verse 29 and 1 Peter 1 verse 19. How much greater than a lamb is Jesus. Hebrews 9 verse 12 "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Acts 4 verse 12 - only Christ could fulfil this. No human effort can substitute because salvation rests on us. A sinful man could not save another sinful man. Take courage in this. Christ is perfect. He is the blameless, spotless Lamb.

The Lamb's blood - verse 7. You need to understand blood is the essential element here. It is essential that it is applied. Israelites are subject to judgment. If the blood is applied. "The sages of sin is death." Wrath is there. Unless we apply the blood. An example of substitutionary atonement. God's judgment passed over those. Covered by the blood. That is God's mercy demonstrated. Romans 5 verse 9. The lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Ephesians 1 verse 7. 1 Corinthians 5 verse 7 "For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us." Those 3 texts are to the church at Rome, Ephesus and Corinth. All believers. The blood saves them from eternal judgment, guilt, fear and sin. We are covered by the blood. There is power in the blood.

Born again through the lamb - verse 12. At this point God will pass through Egypt in judgment but not the people of Israel that night. It was a means of escaping death. As the wages of sin is death but it was a moment more special than that. God marked them as his. They were delivered at this point. The word in the original language means saved, healed and delivered. For 430 years these people lived under Egyptian domination. They were changed, redeemed. Even for the believer tonight do we speak like our old nature, like we have never left Egypt? Do we think that way? Do we act that way some times? We should have that new identity once saved. 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17 "if any man be in Christ he is a new creature." "The dog will not return to its vomit." For believers in Christ the truth shall set you free. If we are in Christ we have stepped out of spiritual Egypt into eternal life. We have a new identity. Joint heirs with Christ. Sometimes we see people whose lives are in danger and at risk. People had to step in to move them from the area to another. We have a new identity in Christ. Once saved from sin we will want to do things God's way. It seems foolish to go back to the old ways. If you are backslidden tonight get back to God, to the cross of Christ and go back to God. We shouldn't walk back to Egypt but walk in newness of life. A new name. A new identity. A new homeland. A new spirit. A new faith. A new eternal destination. Translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son. Not of this world. We shouldn't go on like this world. We have seen in Exodus 12 is more than a story of Israel but points to Christ. The blood applied invites us into salvation with him. We should celebrate the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We should look forward to seeing Christ face to face one day. Everyone has sin, everyone has messed up.

Some times we hear the many excuses why people cannot come to Christ. On the other side we hear "I do many good things, I am in church every week, I pay into my church." It is not about religiosity or keeping the 10 commandments. Ephesians 2 verses 8 and 9. You must be born again. Grace is God's undeserved mercy. Putting our faith and trust in Christ and his finished work on the cross. It is finished, done. We cannot add to something already done. No more payment for sins. Jesus paid it all. There is no more you can pay. It is fully paid. God does not want to hammer you down. He speaks his will in scriptures. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He wants you to put your faith in him and his finished work. "He that believeth on the son hath everlasting life but he that believeth not." it is heaven or hell, no in between. No waiting period. There is no coming back to try a second time. There is only one mediator between God and man. In Genesis 3 God put an enmity him and man. Only God could bridge that gap. Come to Christ. The lamb without blemish. The one who shed his blood on Calvary. Only one way you can be born again - through Jesus.

The Consequences of Ignoring Wise Counsel

 

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER 2025 - MR RYAN MALONE

1 KINGS 12 VERSES 1 - 24

THE CONSEQUENCES OF IGNORING WISE COUNSEL

I want you to think back to your teenager years and when you started to make decisions for yourself. It goes from generation to generation – “I wish my mum would get off my back” or “dad is so controlling, I wish he would let me have some freedom.” I am sure there have been certain times when we felt like we wanted more freedom in our lives. Or maybe you have said “I don’t care what they think I want to use my money myself” or “I want to dress my own way.” It is sad sometimes when we see the consequences after a rebellion. Maybe we ended up in trouble. Maybe even we have been like the Prodigal Son with no money. Rehoboam ignored the counsel of the wise old men. Older men and women have said to me on occasions “been there, done that.” They have been there and lived through experiences. Either go for it or don’t go down that path. Maybe people are living in regret. Wish I had went for that. 2 avenues to look at. Verse 12 shows that “pride goes before destruction” Proverbs 16 verse 18. Consequently we see the kingdom under King Solomon is now divided into the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom. I want to show that it is possible for a divided kingdom to be united in Christ. 1 Kings 12 marks the turning point in Israel's history. Chapter 11 verse 40 shows us that King Solomon died and a new generation is entering in. For Rehoboam he had a father who was the wisest man who ever lived yet he ignored the wise counsel of the old men of his father's age. He came to make a foolish decision which ended up dividing the kingdom.  I want to look at the significance of this decision. The people would have been looking for a wonderful man to rule and reign over them. Notice 3 points ...

The failure of human kingship - verses 1 to 14

The division of the kingdom and the consequences of sin - verses 15 to 19

Christ the true king who unites - verses 20 to 24

Firstly, the failure of human kingship. Rehoboam is first mentioned in the bible verse before the chapter begins - chapter 11 verse 43. Rehoboam is made king in 931 BC. It is believed that he came from Jerusalem to Shechem because the northern tribes were grieved at Solomon and Rehoboam wanted to negotiate with them - verse 4. The old men came and asked for an easier yoke. These were men who served with his father. Then Rehoboam looked to his own contemporaries for their advice. The wise old men had told him to respond well to the request - to make their burden lighter. Solomon had used these men to help him build the temple. It tells us in chapter 5 verse 13 that it took 30,000 men to build the temple. "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Proverbs 11 verse 14. Rehoboam takes 3 days to consider his decision. Should he make the burden lighter? Notice the significance of the number 3. It is a sign of waiting.  Jesus was 3 days in the tomb before he rose again. Daniel was in prayer 3 times a day. The counsel Rehoboam received contained a conditional offer - notice verse 7 "if" followed by "then": "If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever." This is seen throughout scripture. It shows the tragic missed opportunity for Rehoboam. He received wise counsel but he ignored it and went with the young men who had no life experience. It was not God's fault but God did allow Rehoboam to use his own free will and choose himself. He chose the option God didn't want him to make. It shows us the choices we make have consequences. Instead of the heart of humility he takes control over the people - verse 10 "Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins." Rehoboam planned to make his reign more oppressive than his father's. Basically he was saying "if you think it was bad before think again. The strength in my finger will be more than in the strength of my leg." He was referring to the bodily strength he would have. Rather than lifting the burden he would make the situation worse for them. He goes on to say that whereas some of them had been chastised with whips now it would be with scorpions. Why this metaphor? The scorpions venom would be stronger and more painful. Apparently the venom raised blood pressure. It would be a heavier judgment than that shown by Solomon. Even today leaders are prone to failure and selfishness and sin. It is easy for them to make decisions that suit themselves. We can see it even in families and organisations as well as local politicians. The people who want to rule for personal gain. We see in Jesus the perfect king. He is set to return and will reign perfectly for 1000 years. We should find comfort and hope in knowing that.

Secondly, the division of the kingdom and the consequences of sin. Jeroboam was Solmon's servant and he led the northern tribes into rebellion. 2 tribes remained loyal to Rehoboam - Judah and Benjamin. Verse 15 "Therefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them." These verses show God's plan of work in a time of human failure. The consequences of sin and judgment on the land when people rejected God's way. A clear division caused by sin. Just as this division was caused by sin we see God's mercy at work. The true king will not cause division. There is division in this world which can be traced back to Genesis 3. It is a division between God and man. We are reminded in God's word that there is only one mediator between God and man - the man Christ Jesus.

Thirdly, Christ the true king who unites. One day in heaven we will meet people from all over the world. Believers we have never met or seen before. They are going through things even today that we are going through now. The division in Rehoboam's day became permanent. There were 2 tribes who remained loyal to him. It was the end of Solomon's kingdom being united. Verses 22 to 24 "But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the Lord, and returned to depart, according to the word of the Lord." This division is part of God's plan at that time. The division sets the stage for the greater plan of redemption. Jesus will come to heal that division. Sin was the root problem. The 10 Northern tribes were eventually captured by Assyria in 722 BC. In 2 Kings 17 the tribes of the Southern kingdom, Judah and Benjamin were captured by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Jerusalem was finally conquered and destroyed. In 586 BC there was the complete fall of Judah. This happened in the ninth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon - 2 Kings 25 verse 2 when Zedekiah was king in Israel. Ephesians 2 verses 16 to 18 "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."  Through Christ's death, burial and resurrection he has reconciled us to himself. He gives grace to those who believe in him. Human failure in human leadership is inevitable due to the power of sin. It points forward to the true king and it is through grace that we are united to him. God's kingdom is not one of harshness like under Rehoboam. That should bring us comfort as we discover his grace, mercy and justice. 

The challenge this morning is to not be prideful but be humbled. To not be agraid to ask other believers for help. We are a body of believers that should unite and come together. Some might have wiser counsel than us but when the whole body comes together we can bring glory to God. We should accept the wise counsel from the scriptures, the word of God. The bible talks of us being joint heirs with Christ. Once saved he is the elder brother. We can always go to him for wise counsel and he will speak to us through his word, the bible.

  

The Thief Who Found Paradise

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER 2025 pm - PASTOR HENRY CASKEY

LUKE 23 VERSES 32 TO 43

Luke records for us this wonderful account of the conversion of this old thief. The day of life was far spent for this thief. Here he was hanging on the cross of Calvary. The day of his life was ebbing to a close. Very soon he would close his eyes in death. Very soon he would step out into God's eternity. Not one of us know tonight what day we will step out into God's eternity. And thank God tonight this is a preparation time for that great day. God is giving us the opportunity to step out into his eternity knowing full well and knowing with all assurance that we're saved by God's grace and heaven will be our eternal home forever and forever. This is a scene that has been recorded for us away back by the prophet Isaiah some maybe six or 700 years even before the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah in that chapter 53 reveals to us where the Lord Jesus Christ dies and he reveals to us why he died. You see, Isaiah tells us where he died. Verse 9 "And he made his grave with the wicked." And he was numbered with the transgressors. He was numbered there with the two thieves, one on side. But then Isaiah also tells us why he died. Verse 12 tells us that "he bare the sin of many and he made intercession for the transgressors." In verse number 6 it tells us that the Lord "laid on him the iniquity of us all." There was the Lord Jesus Christ hanging upon the cross of Calvary and God laid every sin upon him and in his own body. He took your sins and my sins. He made those sins his very own and he bore the burden to Calvary. Why, what a task God did for us then. Of course that's the why. But what a tremendous scene. And that's what we want to spend just a few moments thinking about. Let's look for a few moments in the life of this man, this old thief who was nailed to that cross as a diehard sinner. But before he closed his eyes in death, he knew with all assurance that he was stepping out into God's eternity. It took but a few words. It took but a few seconds. And tonight this could be the evening that would change your direction and destiny for all eternity.

The first we want to think about was the ascent this man gives to the crowd. Where is he? He's hanging on the cross within sight of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let's go back an hour or two and see the scene that was in Pilate's Judgment Hall. We see the abuse that the Lord Jesus Christ had taken there. We see the ridicule that was made towards him. We see how he was how he was beaten. How he was spat upon. How those soldiers reached forth and plucked the very hairs from his face. How he was ladened with a robe and a crown of thorns placed upon his head. How he was beaten. How a cross was laid upon his shoulder. And how he was made to carry that cross to that hill called Calvary. And then as he's raised up between heaven and earth and every joint in his body pulled out of place on either side, those 2 thieves were there. And this man was giving his ascent with the other thief and with the crowd. You see, this was a worldly, ungodly man. He had lived his life up to this point in rebellion and a rejection of the things of God. Matthew and Mark describes these 2 men who were being crucified as thieves. That's the title that was given to these 2 men. The Lord Jesus Christ took your sin and my sin. And there he would take your place and my place on that middle cross between 2 thieves. These 2 men, they lived dishonest lives. They helped themselves with no thought of anyone else. They lived their lives just as they pleased and they served themselves. And yet in the dying moments of one man's life, in the dying seconds of one man's life, he reaches out to the Lord Jesus Christ and he calls upon him. Maybe tonight you could call out and your life would be changed for all eternity. These 2 men lived their lives as the apostle Paul described there in the book of Ephesians. Here's what he said "Where in time past we walked according to the course of this world." These 2 men were walking according to the course of this world. They were helping themselves as they went through this old world. But there was one dictator that they had, perhaps one that they didn't even realize. And here's what it says about them. "According to the prince of the power of the air" that was our course in this life. We were blinded by the God of this world. You and I can be saved by the grace of God. There was a time whenever we were blinded by the god of this world. Just as these men, we followed the course of this old world. "And the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." Then Paul makes this claim "among whom also we all had our conversation in times past." We all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath even as others. This man Paul he was such a religious young man. He crossed every t and dotted every i in the religious society of that particular day. He gives his testimony there in the book of Philippians. And what does he say about himself? He says there that he was circumcised the eighth day according to the Jewish tradition. He was of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a Pharisee. But he wasn't saved. You and I can be many a thing tonight. We can be deeply religious. Maybe you have already been at your church service this morning. And maybe you even sat at the Lord's table this morning but if you are not saved, you are not on your way to heaven and home. You are lost and lost for all eternity. Here he was a thief and assenting with the crowd right down from the cross. All the people around the cross that day were ridiculing the Saviour. They were telling him to come down from the cross. "If you are the Christ, if you are the Son of God come down from the cross. Save yourself. Save us." The thieves were saying. And the 2 thieves were joining in with the crowd. What a scene that must have been on that particular occasion. As he chanted, as he ridiculed, as he spoke those awful things about Christ. Maybe tonight you and I would run with the crowd. Here was a man who assented with the crowd. He was happy enough to go with the crowd for a little time during that day. Poor old Pilate. He was the same. Now Jesus was brought down before him. And Pilate was given that great privilege of standing before the Lord Jesus Christ. He could have let the Lord Jesus Christ be released but he couldn't do it. He looked at the crowd and went with the crowd. Pilate said "I find no fault in this man." He looks under the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ. He looks to crowd and he says "You have asked me to examine this man and I have examined him, I find no fault in this man. I can let him go." And my the crowd chanted. And then he says "well then, what shall I do?" Here's a man who's looking to the crowd to know what to do. Maybe you are looking to the crowd tonight to see what decision you must make about the Lord Jesus Christ. The crowd tells Pilate "crucify him". And Pilate called for that basin of water and he washed his hands. He couldn't make up his mind. He was assented to by the crowd on that occasion. 

There is a story of a wealthy farmer way back in the great Ulster Revival of 1859. That man sat in the gospel meetings and was awakened to the need of his soul. He realised that he needed to be saved. He realised he couldn't save himself. But he had an old uncle. And this old uncle had promised him a farm of land. He knew the situation with this young man, that he was thinking about getting saved. And the old uncle said to the young man "If you get saved, you can say farewell to the farm. I am not leaving my farm of land to a man that would go down that line." And the young man assented to him. He sat on in the gospel meetings, feeling the great need of being saved and giving his heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ and he got up night after night and he walked out of those meetings. Many years later he was lying upon his deathbed. A young man, a neighbour of his that had known him quite well, used to frequently visit him. He sat beside him night after night, pleading with him to get saved. And as he lay on his deathbed on one particular occasion the very final night that the young man sat with him, turned around to that young man and he said "I'm sorry." He said "I made a very bad deal. I made a very bad bargain in the 1859 revival. I chose a farm of land over the Lord Jesus Christ." Isn't that what Jesus says "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" You see the reality tonight and this old thief came to that situation. The reality tonight is this that there is a soul within this bosom of mine and that bosom of yours that one day whenever you close your eyes and death that's not the end of the soul. The body will go to the grave but the soul goes out unto God's eternity. And the bible tells me there are but 2 places in eternity. The bible says there's a heaven to gain and there's a hell to shun. We thank God tonight that Jesus Christ came to pay that price. 

The acknowledgement that he came to. You see what a change that came about in this man's life just in those remaining moments. The whole scene changed. The 2 thieves on either side are ranting and ridiculing and criticizing the Lord Jesus Christ. They are joining in with the crowd that is sitting around the foot of the cross. But what a change came over one man, one thief on the cross. He looks to the other thief and he says "Listen, will you hold your peace? will you be quiet? We indeed justly we receive the due reward of our deeds." "But this man has done nothing amiss." He says "we are here because of what we have done. We are here because we are dying for our sins, but not this man. This man has done nothing amiss." That is one of the greatest statements in all of scripture. The insight that this man go as he closed his eyes in death. His whole life was beginning to flash before him. This man is now gripped by the fear of God. That's a tremendous thing. You see, there is no fear of God today. But this man was gripped with the fear of God. The very thought of stepping out into God's eternity without him. This man realizes now that there is a God and that he must stand before him. That's a tremendous truth to me that each and every one of us will stand before the God of heaven and we must answer the question, what have we done with Jesus Christ? Every one of us will stand there. This man realizes that he's on the cross because of the wrongs that he has done. He realizes now that he is a sinner and that death is not the end. He realizes as he looks to Jesus there is something different about this man on the middle cross. Isn't that a wonderful realization? Isn't that a wonderful acknowledgement? There is a God in haven who loves us. The bible makes it so very, very clear that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish. God is looking down upon a world that is lost in sin and he loves that world. He loves you and he loves me so much that he would take the very best of heaven, Jesus Christ, his only son and he would send him down to the sin cursed world to die on the cross of Calvary. He must suffer, he must bleed and he must die. That is how much God loves you. That is how much he loves me. We could never ever comprehend it. we can never ever think about it. The love that God had for us. The love that drew salvations plan and the grace that brought it down to man and the gulf that God span at that place called Calvary. All the acknowledgement that this man comes to this evening. He looks at the Lord Jesus Christ and says "this man has done nothing of this." He realizes that Jesus is king of another domain. He realizes now in these fleeting moments that Jesus is stepping out into another kingdom and he is the king of that kingdom. He says "Lord remember me."

The story is told of a man looking in through a shop window on one occasion. And as he was looking in through the window, his gaze came upon a picture that was painted. It was a scene of Calvary. It was this scene of the Lord Jesus Christ and the 2 thieves. And the man gazed in upon it. And a wee boy came alongside him as he looking into it. And the wee boy says "sir do you know what is happening in that picture?" The man replies "I don't." Well he says, "Sir, the man in the middle cross is the Lord Jesus Christ. The 2 men on either side, that's the two thieves that the bible speaks about. It says the Lord Jesus Christ is God's son and he is dying on the cross for us. Just across the way there's a cave and that is where they laid him." And as the man listened to the wee boy explaining all this to him he turned away and walked down the street. There were tears in his eyes and the wee boy came running after him. "Sir that's not the full story. He rose again from the dead." 

That is the full story. That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. And that he was dead and buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. He did it for you and for me. We cannot be saved until we come to that place of acknowledgement. Until you and I realize that we are sinners, that God loves us, that he died and rose again you cannot be saved. 

Notice the appeal this man makes. All of this has gone through his mind. He is pondering it all in his mind. He says "I am in this position because of what I've done. I am in this position because of my birth. I was born in sin and shapen in iniquity." He goes on "I have lied. I have stolen. I have frauded. I have conned people out of money. I have done everything that was wrong. And now I am getting the full just reward of my life." Isn't that what the bible says? "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ." He was a man and he is ebbing out into eternity and he realizes that now. He makes this great appeal. But you know there was another young man in the bible and he makes an appeal but he wasn't coming near death. As a matter of fact, if we would like to say it in such a way he had all of his life before him. The bible explains him as being rich. The bible explains him as being young and a ruler. In the depths of his heart he realized that he wasn't saved. He came to the Lord and said "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He realized that he wasn't saved. He had a great position in life, had plenty of money but he was not saved. The appeal he made to the Lord Jesus was a simple one - "what must I do to be saved?" The Lord says "what about the commandments?" The young man replied "all these I have kept from my youth up." He was a religious young man, probably born into a good home but he knew he wasn't saved. And none of those commandments would ever get him into heaven. He had to come to Christ but when it came to that last step, he couldn't do it. He walked away. Here was a man hanging on this cross knowing that he was going out into eternity, he was just another breath away. He says "Lord remember me." 

The assurance that he got. Verse 43 "today thou shalt be with me in paradise." This man was dying. He was going out into eternity. And on this very same day he would be in paradise. Paul speaks about the great assurance of leaving this world trusting in Christ. He says it would be absent from the body and present with the Lord. And he says, you know, it would be far, far better. Does the church give that assurance? Not at all. Does my good works give that assurance? Not at all. Does sitting at the communion table give that assurance? It does not. But God gives us that assurance. The jailer went down to Paul and asks Paul "what must I do to be saved?" And Paul says "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." You may have a head belief tonight but I want you to see him as the sinless sacrifice for sin, for your sin and for my sin. He left heaven's glory, he stepped into this sin cursed world, he died upon an old rugged cross at Calvary, he was buried and on the third day he rose again. Do you believe it? Would you make him yours tonight? Would you trust him as your own personal Saviour?

God's unspeakable gift

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER 2025 pm – MR GARETH McINTYRE

2 CORINTHIANS 9 VERSES 8 TO 15

Long ago in Persia, there ruled a wise and a good king who loved his people. The king wanted to know how his people lived and he wanted to know about the hardships that they endured. Often the king would dress in the clothes of a beggar and he would call to the homes of the poor. One time he visited a very poor man who lived in a cellar. He sat down and he ate the awful food that the poor man ate. He spoke cheerful, kind words to him and then he left. A short time later, he went back to visit that same poor man again but only this time he revealed to him his true identity. He said “I am your king.” The king thought that maybe this man would ask some type of gift or favour but he didn’t. Instead he said “You left your palace and you left your glory to visit me in this dark and dirty place. You took time to sit with me. You ate the coarse food that I ate. You brought gladness and you brought joy to my heart.” He said “To others you have given your rich gifts, but to me you have given yourself.”

Tonight, the King of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ left his palace and he left his glory. And he came down to where we are and he gave himself for you and he me. And the bible calls him “the unspeakable gift.” Have you ever received God’s gift of salvation? Have you ever received by faith Jesus Christ, God’s unspeakable gift?

2 Corinthians 9’s theme is that of Christian giving. Paul is commending the believers for their willingness to give to the poor saints at Jerusalem. Here they are prepared to give not grudgingly but willingly. They are prepared to give not sparingly but bountifully. All the while as Paul is writing this letter he is taking time to build up the picture. Not thinking so much about the gifts but thinking about another gift, the Lord’s gift to us. All the while, Paul had his eye upon the God of heaven, the greatest giver of all. You see, Paul was bringing them to Jesus Christ, who is the greatest motivation for all given. He’s God’s love gift to a lost and undeserving world. Paul writes in verse 15 “Thanks be on to God for his unspeakable gift.” It’s the Christmas miracle. John 1 verse 14 tells us how that first Christmas came about. He writes “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us.” In Galatians 4 verse 4 it says “And when the fulness of time came, God sent forth his son, born of a woman born under the law.” Jesus Christ was the unique God man. As God, he walked on water. He calmed the storm. He healed the sick and he rose from the dead. As man, the Lord Jesus got thirsty and tired. He felt sorrow and pain and suffering. Jesus came to this earth as a tiny helpless seed planted into the womb of a young Jewish virgin. 40 years later Christ was born in a filthy stable. Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem meaning the house of bread. You see, Bethlehem was the birthplace of the bread of life. God wanted people to know that the only hope for this world was a Saviour. And that is the true meaning of Christmas. Do you realize that Christ is your only hope? Do you know that Christ is your greatest need? As one writer points out,

If your greatest need was information, God would have sent an educator.

If your greatest need was money, God would have sent an economist.

If our greatest need was pleasure, God would have sent an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness. So God sent us a Saviour.

If you die without the Saviour you will die in your sin. Jesus said in John 8 verse 21 “I go my way and ye shall seek me and die in your sins. Where I go, you cannot come.” And then the reality is that one day you will stand at the great white throne in judgment. You will stand alone. You will be sentenced alone. And you will suffer alone and listen for all of God’s great eternity. Will you reach out your hand tonight and receive Christ by faith and walk out being able to say this Christmas season, thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. For some people Christmas is just another few weeks off work. It is maybe just a time to wind down, to relax and chill out. To some it is a stressful time. To others an emotional time. They may be feeling the financial squeeze and pressure. To others Christmas is just an excuse to get drunk, to have a party, to get something, to give a little, to spend money, to overeat and to indulge. I am sure we all enjoy the festivities, getting together with family and friends. We enjoy seeing our children open the presents on Christmas morning. We love to see their little faces light up. Grandparents love to take the opportunity to spoil their grandchildren and shower them with gifts. Everybody loves to gather around the Christmas dinner table, cutting the turkey, pulling the Christmas crackers and drinking the Shloer, relaxing in front of the fire and the list goes on. But you know to the Christian it is a time whenever we come remember something so special, the time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amidst all the giving and getting we are so thankful to God for his unspeakable gift. We are so thankful for sins forgiven. We are thankful for everlasting life. We are thankful for his abiding presence and his everlasting love. We are thankful that we can claim every promise of the book. We are thankful for his amazing grace, for his boundless provision and for his precious holy and inspired word. Those of us tonight who are saved, we are so thankful that God has lifted us up out of the pit of sin, saved our soul and gave us a purpose in this life. Paul calls this gift unspeakable. Unspeakable carries the meaning of not being able to express something audibly, It means that it is impossible to adequately describe this gift. This unspeakable gift is beyond description. It is too intense. It is too extreme. It is indescribable. It is God’s unspeakable gift. This is the gift of all gifts, from the greatest giver of all. This is God’s love gift to a lost and fallen world. It is also a personal gift. Salvation is personally offered to each one of us. No one is excluded. The Lord himself says “I am the door. By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” Christ said “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” He is the one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. He is personally offered. He is also presently available. The bible says “Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.” Salvation is available now. Praise God. We are in the day of grace. But remember, just like the ark in Noah’s day, provision was made. The offer was given. Then eventually the door would close and it would be too late.

Firstly, notice it is an expensive gift. Whenever we buy people Christmas presents, we don’t spend all the money that we have. Maybe we set a certain amount aside and say that’s it, that is all I am prepared to spend. That is all I am willing to spend on this present. But whenever we think of God’s unspeakable gift to us, when we think of its expense, its cost, God spared no expense for you and for me. Romans 8 verse 32 “he spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all.” Everything that heaven could afford was given for our salvation. There was no one in heaven or earth that could give more than God. When he gave the darling of his bosom, the well beloved, only begotten son of God there was a great cost.

When you look around at the graves of soldiers it reminds us that freedom is not free. It comes with a cost, a great cost. And these men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice.

We are so thankful for brave men and women who have lost their lives fighting for the freedom we enjoy. But do you understand that it is only Christ that can set you free from your sin? James says “Sin whenever it is finished brings forth death.” Christ was the lamb slain before the foundation of the earth. The hymn writer said

There was no other good enough

To pay the price for sin

He only could unlock the gate

Of heaven and let us in

Whenever there was none other good enough, the father commissioned the son and sent him forth. Job 33 verse 24 describes Christ in poetic form.

I have found a ransom

God the Father could have searched through heaven, amidst all the angelic host. He could have looked to earth and humanity from Adam to the very end of time and he never would have found one that was good enough. He could not have found one who qualified to be the ransom for the souls of men and women. But you know in Jesus Christ, God the Father found a ransom. He found one who was good enough and he sent him forth on that costly mission to go to the cross and lay down his life for our sin. Jesus Christ became our substitute. He came to take the sinner’s place and he took our sin because that sin separates us from God. It must be punished and God’s justice demands perfection. And God gave the gift of his son, his perfect son. And Christ came and he purchased salvation for us. He came and he bought our freedom at highest cost. And it was paid for with his own life’s blood. And this gift is an expensive gift. Do you realise the cost of it? Christ had to leave behind and temporarily give up the splendour of heaven and leave his father. Christ came down into this sin sick world. He chose no palace, He chose no status. He took the lowest of the lowest in society and he was born in a filthy stable. He was born as a man and he dwelt among men. He was born of our bone and he was flesh of our flesh. He was deity veiled in our humanity. He was truly God and truly man. And the Lord Jesus Christ came will well willingly and he lived a perfect obedient and sinless life. He lived a life that you and I could never live. In the book of Hebrews it says he was holy, blameless and undefiled. He was separate from sinners. Christ said in John 6 verse 38 “For I came down from heaven not to do my own will but to do the will of him that sent me.” You see it was God the Father’s will that Christ would go to that cross of shame. The word of God says Christ set his face as a flint to go to Jerusalem. Nothing was going to stop him from going there. He endured all that came with it. He was betrayed. He was denied and forsaken. Isaiah could say that he was despised and rejected of men. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The Lord Jesus sweated those great drops of blood as he agonized in the garden of Gethsemane. He endured the scouring of Golgotha and the passion of the metal tree. He was beaten and he was mocked and wept. They pulled the hairs from his lovely face and they beat a crown of thorns upon his lovely brow. But worse of all, he endured the darkness. He endured the wrath of a just and of a holy God. When the bible tells us that God laid upon him the iniquity of us all, Jesus Christ was exhausted for sin. Yet amidst his suffering, he lifted up his voice and he cried, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” And as he hung on that cross, it was our sin he was bearing. It was our curse he was suffering. It was our debt he was paying. And it was our death that he was dying. You see, Christ drank the cup of God’s wrath so that you and I can drink the cup of God’s mercy. Oh the cost of it. It cost God everything. And he offers it freely to all that will repent and believe. It is an expensive gift.

Secondly, it is an expressive gift. This unspeakable gift of Christ and his salvation is expressed in God’s unconditional love. The bible says “For God so loved the world that he gave.” Whenever we buy gifts we buy them for people we know, our friends and our family members. We just don’t buy gifts to people that we don’t know. We buy them for people we love, people we care about, people that we have a concern for or an interest in. But God offers this gift to sinners. He offers it to people that haven’t earned it, haven’t merited it, or do not deserve it. God gave the gift of his son as an expression of his love to the lost and undeserving world. In Romans 5 verse 8 Paul puts it like this. “But God commendeth his love toward us and that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 John 4 verse 9 “And this was manifested the love of God toward us because that God sent his only begotten son into this world that we might live through him.” The apostle Paul could say “The son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” This unspeakable gift is an expensive gift. It is an expressive gift of God’s great love for you. A W Tozer “God does not love populations. He loves people.” God does not love masses. He loves men. He loves all with a mighty love that has no beginning and has no end. Isaac Watts penned these words as he pondered the cross …

See from his head, his hands, his feet

Sorrow and love flow mingled down

Did e’er such love or sorrow meet

Or thorns compose so rich a crown

 

Where the whole realm of nature mine

That where an offering far too small

Love so amazing, so divine

Demands my soul, my life, my all

Maybe you feel unloved, maybe you think how could God love me after all the awful things I have done. Maybe you feel like you have made a mess of everything. Well, the word of God tells us that God loves you. And God so loved you and he expresses that love by sending his son down into this world to die for you that you might live through him that you might one day live with him. This is an expensive gift. It is an expressive gift.

Thirdly, it is an eternal gift. Every gift that you’ll receive this Christmas will only last a short time. If it is a voucher it will be used. If it is clothes that they will wear, they will break. They will get lost. You will have them in your possession for only a short space of time. Everything we have in this life can be lost. It can be taken away in an instant. You can lose your possessions. You can lose your business. You can lose your wealth. And very quickly you can lose your wealth, your health. But when it comes to God’s unspeakable gift, it is an eternal gift. Christ said in John 10 verse 28 “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish. Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. This gift of Christ, this gift of eternal life will never be lost. It will never break down. And it will never fail. It will never be destroyed. It will never be taken away. You see, the bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. His promises are so sure. If you come to Christ tonight, if you repent and turn from your sin and believe the gospel and be saved, you will never be lost. You will be as sure of heaven as if you are already there. John 3 verse 36 “he who believes in the Son has eternal life.” John 6 verse 27 says “Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you for him hath God the Father sealed.” What are you labouring for tonight? What are you depending on tonight? Many devote themselves to business. Many spend years and years climbing the ladder, accumulating great wealth but forgetting that one day they will have to leave all of it behind. The bible warns us “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” Some devote themselves to religion. Some try and do their best. They do good and they give money. Thinking that because they live on the clean side of the broad road they are OK. They think that doing good will somehow outweigh their bad. Forgetting the bible says your righteousnesses are as filthy rags. And one day, whenever they are weighed in the balances not in the balances of man, not in the balances of the church but weighed in the balances of God, they will be found wanting. Being good and doing good is commendable but it will keep the blood of Christ to keep you out of hell. Some seek after pleasure. Some search this world high and low for something that will bring lasting peace. But this world has nothing to offer. The hymn writer summed it up when he penned those words

I’ve tried the broken cisterns Lord

But ah the water failed

Then he goes on to say

There is none but Christ can satisfy

None other name for me

There’s love and life and lasting joy

Lord Jesus found in thee

This unspeakable gift, it is an expensive gift. It is an expressive gift. It is an eternal gift.

But can we notice lastly this gift, this unspeakable gift, it is an essential gift. Whenever we buy people gifts, we would try and get them something that we believe they need something that they don’t already have. Sometimes we are at a loss what to get. And the point is this – most of the gifts, if not all of the gifts we will receive this Christmas are unessential gifts. But whenever we think of God’s unspeakable gift, this gift is essential. Not just to some, but it is essential to all. Salvation is vital. Salvation is of utmost importance. It is most necessary. Nothing in your life should take greater priority. There is no greater need for a man or a woman than getting right with God and aving their sins forgiven and under the precious blood. Without Christ there is no escape. In the book of Hebrews 2 we are asked that great question “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” The answer is there is no escape. There is no escape. Hell waits those who lived without Christ and die without Christ. The old says goes you can run but you can’t hide. And death will eventually catch up in you. King David could say in the book of Samuel “There is but a step between me and death.” Will you be ready. Are you ready to meet God?

Two men on one occasion were watching a funeral possession passed by and one said to the other “There goes the last thing of all.” The other said, “No it’s not. After death comes judgment, and you will either meet Jesus Christ as your Saviour or you will meet him as your judge.”

You see this is an essential gift. You will either hear those words “depart from me, you cursed” or you will hear those beautiful words “come, enter into the joy of the Lord.” Do you want to know what the cry from hell is this evening. You will find it in the book of Luke – “send someone lest they come to this place of torment.” It is cried from the lips of those who died having rejected and neglected God’s unspeakable gift.  Maybe you can say like the hymn write 

Where is the blessedness I knew?

When first I saw the Lord

Where is the sole refreshing view

Of Jesus and his word?

The Lord stands waiting and he stands willing to save and restore any backslider that comes to him. And he stands with his arms stretched out like the father, ready to welcome the prodigal home.

Some time ago in Germany a young man lay on top of an operating table. A skilled surgeon with his medical team stood just beside the bedside. The surgeon said to the patient “Son if you have any thing to say before we administer the anesthetic now would be your opportunity, for it is my duty. They will be the last words you ever utter.” This young man fully understood because his tongue was being removed because of cancer. What words for such an occasion? What words would you say? The young man pondered it for a few moments and then he said this. “Thank God for Jesus Christ.”

I wonder can you say that? Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. If you can’t say that will you say it now and receive the greatest gift ever given for Jesus’ sake?