How will the return of the Lord be marked?

My notes from a sermon on 23 January 2011
1 Thessalonians 4 verses 13 - 18

This is a great and wonderful message, a message that perhaps today is largely forgotten about, certainly rarely preached upon. A message of great importance to the church of Jesus Christ, to you and I as believers. Important message that is important to those saved by God’s grace. Are we waiting, watching, working and walking for the master to come again? The Lord is coming again. You see as we sit here we can take the first appearance of the Lord Jesus and put it into a historical context. We know all about the stories of the wise men, Jesus himself, when he healed the people, broke the bread and fed 5000 people. All those things can be taken in a historical context. The Lord Jesus Christ - the one who was a little baby and came to Bethlehem’s manger, who grew up among men, who took his place on the centre cross of Calvary, he is the one who is coming back to this earth to set up a kingdom on this earth. First and foremost he is coming back for those who are saved. He is coming to take every believer from planet earth.

Lets think of that day - verse 16 - how is this day going to be marked - by its normality. That day is fully known by God. On that day the Lord will descend through the clouds and with a shout, call every believer to meet him in the air. That day is marked in heaven, only known by the angels, not by those who are saved. One day God will send his son to bring home his own bride, those who are saved by the grace of God. That day does not somehow have any remarkable features. There will be no special signs on earth or in the sky. This day is marked by its normality. In Luke 17 we are told of 2 working in the mill, one will be taken and the other will be left. I believe if we were to consider that statement does it not picture a person, a man getting up out of bed, going through the motions, leaving house for another days work, meets another man who walks with him to the mill. Both work together. Maybe done that for 40 years. Maybe even gone to church together. Have been doing that for a number of years, sees the shopkeepers children going off to school, farmers in their field. Something happens on that day. Jesus Christ comes back to the air. Something special happens to those 2 men. One will be taken and the other left. The dead in Christ shall rise first we are told. 2 working in the mill, one will be taken and the other left. One will be saved and the other person will not be saved. This confuses people. You are only saved when you acknowledge that you have sinned and come short of God’s glory, have looked away to the cross, put your faith and trust in God with all your heart. He will take away your sin and forgive it. He is the only one who can do that. When you come to the Lord he forgives your sin and makes you a new creature in Christ. You are saved for eternity. In Luke 17 we read of 2 men in one bed. The word “man” was not in the original language. It was talking about humanity - a man and his wife. Here we find 2 in the bed. Can also carry the meaning of sitting together. Not important - it is more to do with the time of day - supper time. 2 people sitting chatting over a cup of tea, bringing the thoughts of the day. Normal day and then they decide it is bedtime. Sleep overtakes them. Something happens. The Lord comes again. Normality. Jesus was preaching about no special sign. Somehow the Lord will come before this day will come to a close. It could be at morning, it could be at noon, it could be at bedtime. That bed had been shared for many years. A family divided. A man who had trusted the Lord, saved years ago, wife still unsaved. Or the other way around. Maybe it is a son or daughter. If Jesus was to come they would be taken and you would be left behind. “As in the days of Noah and Lot” - normal days. Remember in Noah’s day God saw the wickedness of man when he looked down. The people didn’t realise judgement was coming. Noah built an ark and preached judgment is coming. For 120 years he preached before the people were all destroyed. Noah, his wife and family and all the animals went into the ark and the Bible says “the Lord shut the door and they knew not until the flood came.” God saw the wickedness in Noah’s day and he destroyed everything. Remember Lot - eating drinking, going about normally. The peoples eyes were clothed in the homosexuality, the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. Remember the day 2 men came knocking at Lot’s door, they wanted his visitors out into the street. From the youngest to the oldest all were involved with this awful sin. The men of the city compassed the city of Sodom. They perished that day. Lot doesn’t want these men in his house. An angel pulls Lot back. These men are smitten with blindness. Wouldn’t you think they would try to make their way home? Instead of that they grasped for the door still wanting to get in. In that situation God judged the city of Sodom. This was going to be a normal day. Maybe it will be like that for us.

It is a day marked with the noise of it. “The Lord himself shall descend himself from heaven with a shout.” The word “shout” comes with a note of command - with one shout would gather everyone together. Read 3 times of him shouting in the Bible - raising Lazarus from the dead “with a loud voice he calls forth.” Matthew 27 the Lord on the cross lifts up his head with a loud voice and commands his spirit into the Lords hand. What happens the veil? It was ripped in 2 from the top to the bottom. Emphasis is that every one of us has access into God’s holy place because of the death of Christ. In the streets of Jerusalem the graves were opened. The dead rise up to meet the Lord in the air. Will we be caught up to meet him in the air? The archangel’s voice will also be heard. Are you ready for that day when it comes? Paul tells us the trump of God will sound. Trumpets were important to the nation of Israel. Blown to gather people together. There is a simple thing to learn about this - God was talking about blowing. He was emphasizing the importance of listening for the trumpet. Are you listening for that trumpet sound today? Where will you be when the trumpet sounds? Where will the Lord find us? We need to be waiting, watching, working and walking for the Lord.

Marked by the necessity. The Thessalonians had written to Paul and asked about those who had died already. Have they missed this great day? There is a great separation - soul will go into the presence of God. There will be those who say Paul talks about sleeping in the grave but the Bible is referring to a body sleeping in the ground. The outer shell goes into the soil, the soul goes into the presence of the Lord. Paul knew that his body would never be in heaven. The Thessalonians were fearful. Their loved ones had died and they were fearful what would happen to them. Paul says “don’t worry”. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Only those saved by the grace of God are reunited one day with a glorified body. Paul says we will see those who are saved rising to meet the Lord in the air. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.“ We shall not all sleep we shall all be changed in the twinkling of the eye. This body has to go through a process. If not saved you will have to put out the lights and lock the door because you will be left behind.

Day marked by the neglect of it. What about those not ready? There has been a great neglect. People have preached about it in days past and nothing happens. One question that has to be answered - where has everyone gone? There will be a lot of theories about what has happened. The way will be open for the anti-Christ to come. 2 Thessalonians 2 verse 11 “And for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” If you are not saved you will believe that lie. There will follow a period of 7 years of great tribulation. There is however a time for you to come and get right with God - now! God doesn’t want you to miss out on that day. Will you come? Will you trust him? If you take the Lord as Saviour you will be ready for that day.

The power of the Lord was present

My notes from a sermon on 5 June 2011

Luke 5 verses 17 – 26

This is a story most people will have heard. We can see the power of God working in a life that had no hope unless brought to Jesus’ feet. A man brought by his friends. We are coming to the feet of Jesus tonight. This man required healing from his sickness but more importantly from his sin. A title for this message can be found in verse 17 “the power of the Lord was present.” That power is still more than able to work today. That power took this man from his sick bed to his feet. His sickness held his body and his soul. Jesus can still do the same today.

There was a life that was crippled - verse 18. He was at the mercy of others. He had to rely heavily on his friends. He had a sickness with no cure. The word “palsy” means crippled or paralysed. Anyone with a sickness in those days was classed as a judgement from God. It was sin that caused this infliction. This man was presumably a healthy man at one time. It clearly says “he was taken with a palsy”. Sin had taken him to this point. Sin caused his sickness and we can trace that right back to Adam and Eve when they sinned in the Garden of Eden. Sin brought sickness and ultimately death in the end. When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit they fell into temptation, disobedience to God’s word. Sin and evil came into the world. This man was brought to the feet of the one who could help his condition. Look at the role of his friends in this situation – an opportunity for them to help this man. His friends heard of Jesus of Nazareth. The other gospels record more about this incident. It tells us that Jesus had passed through to Capernaum and was now in Peter’s house. Jesus had healed many on his way there. Mark 2 verse 4 tells us his friends had to actually break the roof up to get their friend in. They really wanted to see Jesus. Why go to such an extreme lengths? These men saw the root of the problem. They knew the man needed to be with Jesus. He was carried there, went up to the roof, broke the roof open and led him down right to Jesus’ feet. Are we motivated by that same motive - to bring our friends to Christ? Do we give up at the first hurdle? These men didn’t – when they got to the house they saw the crowd but they didn’t leave it there. They realised the only way to Jesus was through the roof. They had a real desire to get to Jesus. It was a sickness that needed to be healed. Sin is in our lives and it needs to be healed. This man knew he had a need. He knew he had to get it sorted. Why are you continuing to sit in your sickness?

A life that was counselled. Verses 20 to 23. Jesus spoke directly to the man but he also spoke to the root of the problem. He didn’t deal with the body first but sin first. He showed he had the power over sin and sickness. Can you imagine the challenge this man was. We don’t know how long he had lay on this bed but it tells us he “immediately rose up, took up his bed and went to his own house”. Put yourself in the position of this man tonight. You are looking into Jesus’ face tonight – will you accept his atoning power and let him cleanse you from sin? Hebrews 9 verse 22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Romans 6 verse 23 “the wages of sin is death”. We have often heard the phrase ‘eternal life’. We think it is based on heaven alone. This man faced Jesus, Jesus counselled him of his sickness. God couldn’t look on sin. That is why he had to cast Adam and Eve out of the Garden and why he had to destroy the world in Noah’s day. God turned his back on Jesus as he died on Calvary. “My God my God why have you forsaken me?” What an awful picture – that God could not look on the sin of the world. Jesus commended the faith of the men who brought this man – verse 20.

A life that was changed. He left walking but more importantly left with his sins forgiven – verses 20 and 25. Jesus was willing to forgive this mans sin – why – because he saw their faith. They were earnestly looking for Jesus. He will forgive our sins. There was an obstacle to get to Jesus but there were also obstacles after he came to faith – verse 21. Jesus answered his critics. Don’t let others hinder you from coming to Jesus. His friends could have easily picked up their friend and left at this point. Jesus could have been easily side tracked by answering this question but he never lost focus and answered his critics – verse 24 “he said unto the sick of the palsy”. Jesus took time to speak directly to the man in front of him. If you come earnestly to Christ he will save you. Jesus preached to big numbers but took time to speak to the individual too. Jesus is calling directly to you tonight. He is speaking personally to you. There are similarities between this man’s life and yours. This man was brought to Jesus by his friends. This man had a need. This man recognised his need. This man allowed Jesus to heal him. Will there be any other similarities for you? The change in this man’s life – verse 18 – he was carried in before the Lord but in verse 25 he got up to his feet and left carrying his couch with him. Imagine the scene for a moment – the roof opened up, a man is lowered down, Jesus speaks to him and the man gets up and walks out in front of all the crowds. Now there is a sense of amazement where once there was cynicism. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4 verse 4) Sin looks good but the devil makes it like that. He has blinded your eyes. He shows you the good times now because he cannot show you the future – why – because he wouldn’t want you to see the lost hell prepared for you. This man never started glorifying and praising God until he got his own life right. Only when Jesus healed his body and soul did he rejoice. It was only after having a saving encounter with Jesus. We can have that same encounter and live with the same attitude. How? Ask him to forgive us our sins and we will be able to be changed.

There is a work for Jesus only you can do

My notes from a sermon on 1 May 2011

Mark 16 verses 1 – 11

Reference to the women folk who came on that first Lord’s day morning to anoint the body of Christ

When Christ on Calvary said “it is finished” he had finished the work of God’s salvation for each and every one of us. We now see a cross that bears no body. He is no longer on the cross. We can gaze across the Garden and see into the tomb but we find it empty. The stone has been rolled back and there is no body in there. We therefore look into the splendours of heaven because now Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. He ever liveth now to make intercession for us. One day the Lord will leave his Father’s side and will come to the air with a shout. He will call every child home who has trusted in him as their Saviour and Lord.

The women carried out a mission in secret. We find here the work of God carried on by these faithful women. They had sat around the cross when he was there, then they had gone home and started to make up the ointments to anoint Jesus’ body. Luke 23 verse 51. They had sat at the cross, watched that awful scene and listened as the Pharisees looked on Jesus with hatred and bitterness. They watched Jesus give up the ghost and they then returned to their homes and began to manufacture things to anoint the body of Christ. Imagine that home for a moment as they prepared those ointments, what smell there would have been in that home. It was evidence that Jesus was adored in this home. What a testimony to bear in any of our homes today who profess Christ – do they see the evidence of Christ in us? Would others see and realise it? These were forward thinking women. When they came to the tomb there was one thing on their minds – who will roll away the stone? That stone that was to keep others out or people from breaking in to steal the body. I am sure they had wondered as they watched Jesus on the cross who would take the body down. They knew they hadn’t the strength to do it. God has all sorts out there for his purpose. They noticed 2 men approaching the cross – Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus. They were Jesus’ secret disciples. They kept it very quiet. God had 2 of his people right there when he needed them. Maybe there is something in your mind today, maybe God is asking you to do something today and you are saying “I can never do that but I can do something else but that is not very much.” Maybe there is something in your life that you are fearful of but God has it all worked out. What an encouragement it must have been to these women folk. Maybe you have been in the shadows long enough. Maybe God is asking you to step out and take full responsibility. Maybe you have never been saved, given your heart and life to Christ and God is asking you to take that step today. Maybe as a child of God there is a ministry that God wants you to do for him. Maybe God is saying there is a task I want you to do. He only asks you to do what you can do. Remember the woman with the alabaster box – Mark 14 verse 3. She came into Jesus’ presence and broke open that box. It contained precious ointment and she poured it over Jesus’ body. His disciples spoke up and asked why this was done, it was a waste but Jesus said “she hath done what she could.” (Mark 14 verse 8) Jesus knew this was all she was able to do. The Shunamite woman in the Old Testament watched as the prophet of God passed by her house continually (2 Kings 4 verse 8). She took compassion on him. She had the ability to prepare a little room for him and offered him hospitality. All she did was encourage him and offer him a place to stay when he was tired from the journey. Maybe God is asking you to be the encouragement in his hand today. Remember Moses when he came to the Red Sea. He had a great multitude with him and the Egyptians behind him. He asked God what he should do and God told him to “stand still and see the salvation of God.” (Exodus 14 verse 13)

Motives that were seen clear. These women were coming early, normally it would have been the middle of the day. They were waiting for the dawn to break and they wanted to get to the sepulchre. They wanted to get to where the Lord was. They were coming to worship the Lord. Coming to pay homage. When they came to the tomb what did the angels say? “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth.” They were here to pay homage to him, no other motive in mind. They were not there to be seen or heard only because they had a love for Christ. They were seeking sincerely for the Lord Jesus. Sometimes you get into a routine of doing things. That is a dangerous thing. We can come to the Lord’s house on a Sunday morning and Sunday evening just for the sake of it. As we come into God’s house our motive should not be to just hear a great preacher or sing great hymns but rather seeking the Lord, the one who came and gave his life for you and me. That we might come to pay homage to him above anyone else. They came to seek him. Can that be said of you and I – that we have come simply to seek God? In Acts 9 verse 36 we read of a woman called Dorcas. It says she was “a disciple” and then it says she was “full of good works and deeds”. Sometimes we put it the other way around – it is not saying she was full of good works and therefore was a disciple. No it says she was a disciple and full of good works. The Bible then says she was sick and died. Peter was sent to pray for her. Peter saw first the widows of that area, the poor and needy. They were weeping and crying and in their hands were the garments Dorcas had made for them. The fruits of her labours. Proverbs 31 verse 10 describes a virtuous woman and Dorcas was the very fulfilment of that. These women were coming to serve the master. Are there those around us who could testify of this? Poor widows and yet Dorcas was able to meet their need. Are we seeing those around us weak, downcast, are we reaching out to them today? Dorcas was the fulfilment of Proverbs 31 verse 20 – “she stretched out her hand to the poor”, “she openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” Is that how we are today? As a child of God what have you brought today to serve your master? These woman at Jesus’ grave brought ointments and perfumes. They were willing to dispose of them on the body of Christ. What talents and gifts are we giving to Christ today?

A miracle shown. The woman saw the clothes and napkin Jesus’ body had been wrapped in. What marvellous grace is displayed to these women. The very fact that they were coming with ointments tells us that they did not believe Jesus would be resurrected. Jesus turned and revealed himself to them. Sometimes we think of our unbelief and doubt. God uses us in spite of our failures and what we have to give him.

A wonderful message to share. “Go quickly and tell the other disciples that I go into Galilee, I am no longer here I am risen.” What a wonderful message. There was only one who could deliver the message. Only one who gazed on the empty cross, had proved the empty tomb and witnessed the Lord speaking to them. If we are a child of God may our eyes be attentive to the fact that Jesus is no longer in the tomb and may our ears be attentive to hear his voice telling us to go out and tell others. Christ is coming back again one day. He wants you to come to him – will you open up your life and give it to him today?

Remembering Christ's death through the Lord's Supper

My notes on a sermon on 15 May 2011

1 Corinthians 11 verses 17 – 34

The recording of a wonderful ordnance we celebrate in the church of God – meeting around the Lord’s table.

The authority by which Paul speaks. He tells us in verse 23 “for I have received of the Lord.” It is not something he has taken up to write a few things about at the end of his letter to the Corinthian church. It was an open revelation given to the apostle Paul. In Galatians Paul writes that the gospel was not of man. It is what he has received and it was from the Lord. As Paul looks at this celebration he is a bit critical of the Corinthian observance of the Lord’s table – verses 17 and 23 “I praise you not.” He is speaking here of the Lord’s table and those coming around the Lord’s table. Some of the things that were happening Paul did not praise them for. Paul was not a hardliner – he didn’t believe that he was right and no-one else was. He is always quick to praise not condemn. His opening words to the Corinthian church on this subject in chapter 11 verse 2 were “now I praise you”. It is good to draw alongside someone and encourage them. Jesus on the Emmaus road drew alongside the two men travelling – “he went alongside them.” (Luke 24 verse 15) Paul though is condemning them for some things that should not be happening. Verse 23 “I have received of the Lord.” That is Paul’s authority. God has given in his word how to behave and do things. It was the Lord who instituted this supper, not Peter or Paul or the early church. On the night Jesus was betrayed he took break and broke it. He had gathered around him his devoted disciples. He told the disciples “this do in remembrance of me.” The Lord instituted it at the time of the Passover. It was remembering back to the children of Israel living in Egypt. They cried out to God and God heard their cry and he said “I am going to deliver this people, to bring them out of Pharoah’s hand”. He sent Moses down into Egypt to deliver his people. Then he sent plagues but Pharoah hardened his heart. God then sent them the last plague. The firstborn of every family would be killed. The remedy to avoid death was to take a lamb, kill it and sprinkle the blood of the lamb on the doorposts. If they applied that blood to the doorpost the angel of death would pass over their house. That night the only remedy for them to escape was through the lamb. The people had gathered in Jerusalem in Jesus’ day to remember back to that night in Egypt. To remember how God had led them out of bondage. The Lord was instituting something for you and I at that time. As we come around the Lord’s table today we remember Jesus Christ and his death. The body of Christ through the bread, broken for us and the blood that was shed for you and I. That is why we take time to reflect and remind ourselves of what God has done for us. He had died for our sins, we have been forgiven, we have a new nature and a home in heaven with him one day. All because of what Christ has done for us – that is his authority. We are partaking of the emblems because on that night he broke bread and asked his disciples to take it. Since then we remember what Christ did on the cross of Calvary.

Paul also addresses the attendance at the Lord’s table. Four times Paul speaks of coming together – verses 17, 20, 33 and 34. This speaks of fellowship. The fellowship we have one with another coming around the Lord’s table. We are not merely invited. If we have our sins forgiven and washed in Christ’s blood and the assurance of a home in heaven it is therefore a command not an invitation. What gives me the qualifications to come to the table? Chapter 1 shows us who Paul was writing to – not just the Corinthian church but also “to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” Paul is speaking to those who have been sanctified, set apart and called to be saints. When I took the Lord as Saviour I realised he had taken my sins and I am now on my way to heaven and home. My attitude changed. Have you had that experience? Do you know your sins forgiven? When the disciples went to Troas we read it was the first day of the week – Acts 20 verse 7. They followed the ordinance of meeting around the Lord’s table on that day. Some people would build on that text and say that we should meet every week around the table. Yes it says in Troas they came together on the first day of the week to break bread but Jesus’ command was “as oft as ye do this ye do it in remembrance of me.” In Acts 2 Peter was preaching on the day of Pentecost and people were converted as a result. Then we read they came day by day to break bread – verse 46. This is a remembrance feast - verse 26. They remembered what happened on the night in Egypt, when the lamb was taken and the lamb’s blood was shed and applied on the doorposts. The blood was applied to their lives.

Paul talks then about the abuse of the Lord’s table. This is the very reason he is writing. He is saying they were coming together for the wrong reasons. Verses 17, 18 and 19. It was different in the early church and for the disciples in Corinth. When they came together in Corinth they first had a full meal before they broke bread. The rich were bringing their food while the poor of the city had to watch them eat. The result – the rich went away full and drunken while the poor went away despised. They couldn’t come up to the standard. That was abuse of the Lord’s table. We come around the Lord’s table as equals because Christ has died for us. We come to celebrate what Christ has done for us. Verse 22. Paul tells them if they are going to keep this practice up why not have meals in their own homes. “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” verse 33. We need to deal with the Lord’s table with the greatest reverence and respect. We cannot come to it in a lighthearted manner. We have got to put some thought into it. There are those that come to the Lord’s table who believe they are saved as they partake of it. That is abuse of the Lord’s table. That is not true – you need to be saved before you come to the table. We are remembering what the Lord has done for us. I should have died for my sin. I should have gone to a lost eternity but because of what Jesus has done for me I can come to the Lord’s table to thank him for that great sacrifice. There are those who believe the bread is turned into the body of Christ and the wine becomes the blood of Christ and that they experience the presence of Christ at the table – that is an abuse of the Lord’s table.

The attitude we must come in – verse 24. We should come thankful. I am thinking of Christ and what he has done for me. Because of that act I am no longer under judgment. Verse 28 come thoughtfully. Am I saved? Have I asked him to forgive my sins? Am I trusting him completely for my sins to be washed away? We should think of ourselves and not examine others.

I am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be saved

My notes from a sermon on 8 May 2011

John 10 verses 1 – 11

We find a great statement again in verse 9. Jesus is speaking and he says “I am the door”. What does this statement conjure up in our minds? Jesus is using the door as a symbol or picture. He is not saying that he is some physical door. He is giving the picture of the kingdom of God. If any man would enter into heaven he and he alone is the door. What does this mean to us?

The source of entry. A door is a means of access whereby we might gain access into any building. Can you picture what heaven is like? How might you enter into heaven? How would you come about getting in? Jesus says “I am the door”. This was a common thought to the people that were listening to Jesus. It was just before the feast of Passover. Many shepherds were coming from the hillsides and into the city with their sheep. People would stand and watch. They were being inquisitive, they wanted to see what was happening. Jesus uses this picture to show how the shepherd brings them to the door to the sheep pen. Jesus was bringing a spiritual application. He was speaking of eternity. There is one way into heaven. The moment you close your eyes in death it will be too late to make that decision. You will be ushered out into God’s eternity and to the door of heaven. Have you that certainty? This is a door that is open. It was opened for us at Calvary when Jesus died there, gave his blood that you and I might be saved, gave his life as a substitute to take us into heaven one day. It is a door that has never been closed again. You and I are born in sin, our faces are towards a lost eternity and our backs towards God. He opened up a way at Calvary. It is still open for you. Think of the woman who lost her key coming from the shops one day. She looked in her pockets but is was not there. She started to go through everything in her bags but still no joy. She then looked around to see if there were any windows open but there were none. A neighbour man asked her to try his key but to no avail. Another man came along and asked what the problem was. She explained she couldn’t find her key. He reached for the door, pushed the handle down and opened the door. All she had to do was open the door and walk in. Another young man left home at 16 years of age. His father and mother broke their hearts. Twelve years later he walked through the door again. They were delighted to see him again. Then the young man said “dad that door was not locked, I was able to walk in off the street”. The father said “son that door hasn’t been locked since the day you walked out into the street.” There was an open door for him to come back through. There is an open door to you. Many will try the key of good works or doing the best they can to get into heaven. All you have to do is walk through that door tonight.

The simplicity of it all. The easiest means is through the door. In reality it is the only means. Jesus didn’t want anyone to miss it. A day of opportunity. Jesus still doesn’t want anyone to miss it. God takes us to the very door of heaven. Jesus has a very distinctive door because he is the one with the nail pierced hands, with the brow scared with thorns, the back torn open – all for your sin and mine. He can open the door of heaven to you. There was a little old woman lying in a hospital bed breathing out her last breath. A minister came in to see her and said “I have come to give you absolution”. The woman didn’t understand what he was saying. The minister said “that means that I have come to forgive your sins.” The woman smiled and said “the one who forgives my sins has got nail pierced hands and has a brow torn with the lash of evil men”. Remember Noah’s ark. When God looked down on the hearts of men and women and saw that their thoughts were only evil continually. There was grace in his heart when he brought out Noah to build that ark. Everyone who came into the ark would be saved. He put a door in the side of the ark so that there would be no confusion and no-one would boast that there were other ways to get in. “For by grace are ye saved through faith … not of works lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2 verses 8 and 9) If we were able to make heaven ourselves we would never be there. There is only one door into heaven.

The security that it provides. There is something about a door being locked that gives a degree of safety and soundness. Remember the days of Lot when the 2 angels came in to his house. The men of the city came to his door knocking for these 2 men. Lot tried to persuade them against their actions. The 2 angels pulled Lot back inside and locked the door. Lot was inside and the danger was outside. When we come to the Lord and enter in through the Lord Jesus then we are safe. Jude said “he is able to keep you from falling” (verse 24). When you come to the Lord and give him your sins and receive eternal life that is when he is able to keep you from falling. All you have to do is come and put your trust in him alone. As we walk with the Lord day by day he will keep us by his power. Not one of us can keep God’s salvation. He alone keeps us. As we keep our eyes on him we are safe and secure. Are you ready to take that step and come to that door of God’s salvation? Are you ready to come to God tonight? It will take a real decision.

The door also speaks of a satisfaction that is realised. Once inside this door you will be satisfied. “and shall go in and out and find pasture”. Once inside Christ we are saved but we will also be satisfied. Once inside the ark they were safe. The Lord closed the door. Outside were the dangers. When you trust Christ outside is the fear of judgment, everything that God’s wrath brings against us. Safe, secure and satisfied. This going in and out speaks of liberty and freedom. Many think of God’s salvation as something that will be spoiled and ruined, get nothing out of it but it is just the opposite – when the Lord saves he satisfies. Remember the man possessed with demons in the gospel. He had his freedom but the devil took him out into the tombs. He cut himself with stones and cried out at all hours of the day and night so much that people were afraid of him. One day he met the Lord and he did something for him no-one else could. He gave him a peace of mind and sense of morality. Jesus told him to go home and tell of the great things the Lord had done for him. That is liberty and freedom. Paul in Galatians said “stand fast in the liberty which Christ has made you free.” (Galatians 5 verse 1) The Lord wants to do that for you. He breaks the power of sin in every life and he will set you free. Your part is to simply come to the Lord and he will save you.

I am the resurrection and the life

My notes from a sermon on 8 May 2011

John 11 verses 17 – 44

In this chapter of John’s gospel we find in verse 25 one of the great “I am” statements of the Lord Jesus Christ – “I am the resurrection and the life”. The scene here is of course the death of Lazarus, the very good friend of the Lord Jesus Christ. The site of course is his burial place. Those around are Mary and Martha. Verses 1 to 3 show that they had sent for Jesus. We read also that Jesus waited for 4 days before he set out on his journey – verse 17. Now Lazarus is dead and in his grave. His soul is enjoying the splendours of heaven. Let’s look at this statement in light of what it meant to Mary and Martha in that day and what it means to us today. They acknowledge Lazarus is dead yet Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life.” There are 4 simple thoughts around this statement. These are fundamental words and the words on which our faith stands on. By these either our faith with crumble or stand.

A crowning future. John on the Isle of Patmos was told “I am he that liveth, that was dead and behold am alive for evermore.” (Revelation 1 verse 18) John was there because of his witness and testimony for Christ. He was taken out of society and placed on the Isle of Patmos and there given a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are those who tell us Jesus didn’t die on the cross. He only fainted, was taken down from the cross and laid in the tomb. His spirit revived and somehow he escaped from the tomb. Jesus however declared to John “I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore.” He is alive today. He has taken up the role of intercessor for you and I before His Father. You and I will live for evermore – that is what this Bible teaches. You and I will die physically speaking but we have a soul that will live for ever and ever. That soul will exist in one of 2 places. Heaven is prepared for those who know and love the Lord - one day Jesus will come back to take us to such a place. There are many theologians who do not believe in hell as a place of eternal punishment. They believe it is a place of separation from God but that is all it is. The Bible tells us it is however a place of eternal punishment. Jesus also spoke of having the keys of death. Keys speak of authority. Lazarus was a sick man. Mary and Martha were so concerned about Lazarus. They treated him, comforted him but it was getting to the stage where it was very serious. They sent for Jesus. They had no qualms about it. Jesus would heal him they thought. The Bible says he tarried for another 2 days. Jesus didn’t come. I wonder how many of us are in that situation? How many of us have prayed for something and nothing happened? That is how Mary and Martha felt. Why was he not coming? Because he had something more important for the home of Mary and Martha and in that district than simply coming and raising this man to life again. Jesus told them Lazarus would live again. Of course they believed he would live in the last days. Do you believe that you will live again? Jesus was the resurrection. He was the one who had the authority to bring a man back to life again. We believe Jesus came into this world, died on the cross for my sins, he rose again but miss out on the fact that we have to turn to him to forgive us our sins. In Acts chapter 2 Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost sais “you with your evil hands you took him judged him, rejected him, put him on the cross of Calvary, there he suffered and died” but he went on “this was in the divine will of God.” (verse 24) God raised Jesus up from the dead. The Lord Jesus took the key of death and he opened up the door. He raised again his only son. What a day that was. Paul said in the prison house there is a crown waiting for me. (2 Timothy 4 verse 8) Job suffered so much yet said “I know that my redeemer liveth”. (John 19 verse 25) Paul said “he has become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15 verse 20) Peter in Acts 2 verse 27 said of David the Psalmist “thou shalt not leave my soul in hell”.

A consoling future. This is where Jesus steps in. He finds them broken hearted. Friends were gathered around them to comfort them. What a picture for those mourning or suffering, in distress. That we should gather around them to bring comfort and reconciliation in the midst of heaviness. The Lord comes at that moment in time. You may be in heaviness, pain and suffering now but Jesus will come. Jesus will bring ease in that situation. Martha runs out to meet the Lord and says “if thou hadst been here my brother would not have died.” In other words “where were you whenever we really needed you? All you had to do was speak and my brother would have lived.” How many of us have thought like that? Have stood in that situation and said “Lord why have you allowed this to happen to me?” and there is no answer. Martha was lost and was open about it. We have all been there but you know there is an important statement we need to look at – verse 4 “this sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God that the son of God might be gloried thereby.” It was all for a certain thing and one thing only – to glorify God. They didn’t realise it at the time, they were so caught up in the situation they were in and couldn’t see any purpose in their brothers death. It was to glorify Jesus. If you are a child of God, whatever situation you find yourself in he has a greater plan for you. There is a consoling factor – God has everything under control. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God has it all under control, committing our soul unto the one who holds the keys of death and he never leaves us in that place. Jesus takes us through into the presence of His Father in heaven. Paul had to bring that consolation to the Thessalonian believers who thought they had missed out on the resurrection (chapter 4) “I would not have you ignorant brothers concerning them that sleep even so them that also that sleep in Jesus will he also bring them” In other words “don’t worry about them they are in God’s care.” One day there will be a great reunion above the clouds when we will meet our families again.

A challenge to her faith – verse 26. Jesus took the message of resurrection and explained it as best he could. He finishes with the words “Believest thou this?” Jesus took time to explain the sequence of events. He made it clear that it is appointed onto man once to die and after this the judgment. Through the cross and resurrection is our way into the glories of heaven.

A confirming feature – verse 27. Martha said “I believe”. Can you confirm you are saved by God’s grace? That there was a day when you trusted Christ as Saviour? Can you say “I believe.” Is that your testimony today? It is a fundamental truth of the gospel of Christ.

The intervention of Pilate's wife

My notes from a sermon on 24 April 2011

Matthew 27 VERSES 11 – 26

We turn our attention to this man called Pilate. This man who Jesus stood before. He was left in a great dilemma. He had a crowd all around him. They were looking for the death of Jesus. They wanted to see him destroyed. That left Pilate with a difficult decision to make. The crowd were throwing all sorts of accusations at him. There was a man in the cell called Barabbas, an evil man. Pilate thought well surely these people will take this man. It was Jesus versus Barabbas. Pilate asked the crowd “what shall I do with Jesus?” Look at verse 19 – we see the witness of Pilate’s wife. Here was Pilate about to bring judgment and his wife comes with this timely intervention. She was warning her husband not to have anything to do with this man. It is not as simple as that for you – you cannot wash your hands as Pilate did. He was going to have to do something with Jesus and it is the same with us too. We will be brought face to face with Christ, to our eternal destiny. We have got to do something with him – either turn our backs or accept him as Saviour. The intervention of Pilate’s wife.

The source of her despair. These were the words of a troubled soul. She spent that night in total anguish. She didn’t know where to turn. The Holy Spirit works with your heart. The message she came to send to her husband “have nothing to do with this just man … because of him.” Is it possible that you are suffering because of him, there are things happening in your life because of Christ? Sometimes it can easily cause a sickness, a real darkness to come over us because we are fighting. Remember Saul on the road to Damascus. God said to him “it is hard to kick against the pricks.” Every family he had divided up and down the land God was dealing with it now. Paul was trying to everything to get away from God but to no avail. Have you ever had that type of conviction before surrendering your life to Christ? Is that the battle you went through? Perhaps that is the battle you are going through even now. The Holy Spirit is showing you your need of salvation. The greatest need of the human heart is salvation. It will get no better until you come to the Lord. Pilate’s wife we are told by tradition was Jewish. She was probably brought up listening to men who opened up the word of God and taught her from the Old Testament scriptures. They would have shown her Genesis 3 verse 15 and how a Messiah would come. She was also taught of the Passover lamb. Imagine the impact that had on her life. Maybe she even sat listening to her own parents in her own home as they also taught her of Christ. Now as Pilate talks to her about putting Jesus to death she is listening to the old stories she knew from a child. In her mind things are opening up and she is beginning to think. Remember Moses of old. He was hid for 3 months before being brought up in Pharoah’s palace. There was a point in his life when he made a decision to forget about his upbringing. He trusted God and took his stand with the people of Israel. He never forgot the teaching he had received as a child. Maybe that is like you. You have been brought up as a child who was taught the scriptures either at home or in a church. Suddenly those things began to click into place. At the end of Jesus’ ministry he troubled this woman’s soul. Remember back to when Jesus’ was born the wise men came to Herod and asked him “where is he that is born king of the Jews?” We read that Herod was troubled as a result of their words. This is still what happens today- God causes a division because of Christ and the work of salvation.

He has become the subject of her devotion. For a time he was the source of her despair but now he becomes the subject of her devotion. Perhaps she gets a vision of what Jesus is to her. It is only tradition that she was Jewish. Maybe Jesus was just another teacher to her. As the night goes on her heart is stirred far more. The Holy Spirit had come to her. Remember what Jesus said to Nicodemus. He asked him to think of the wind – you can hear it but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going to. Isn’t that what the Holy Spirit is like. We may be conscious of his movements but cannot fully understand it. Jesus is just another name. Yes he was born as a baby in the manger, knew he grew up and put to death but he is only a name. Then suddenly something happens. The Holy Spirit comes, he grasps your very heart and soul and begins to deal with you. He is there on yonder cross, he is the only way to heaven, he died to take away your sin, he became your substitute. He is the only one who could open heavens door and allow you in. The Holy Spirit goes right into your heart and opens you up to the Holy Spirit. He becomes the subject of devotion. We can say we love him with all our hearts if we really know him as our personal Saviour and Lord. It was only the love of God for our souls that he came into this world in the first place. Perhaps as Pilate’s wife was shown her nature she was content in the life she had, content with the pomp and ceremony of being Pilate’s wife. The Holy Spirit showed her it would never get her into heaven. The Holy Spirit began to show her it was not enough. She was heading to a Christless eternity. He showed her the Lord who was sinless, perfect, yet for you and I became the opposite. He died on Calvary’s cross for our sin. He who was a stranger to her becomes the subject of her devotion.

The simplicity of her discourse. Now this night was before her, she sends a message to her husband as a matter of urgency. Are we as anxious about our soul as this woman was? She got up right away to tell her husband not to have anything to do with Jesus. She was exercised in her heart, in her mind and in her lips. Where are you tonight? There was no great sermon or theological teaching, just a simple message – “have nothing to do with this man.” Don’t make a wrong decision, come to Christ now as the Holy Spirit reveals to your heart that you need to be saved. There is an urgency in this message. The woman at the well said to the men of Samaria “come see a man who told me all things ever I did.” That is the simplicity of the gospel. It is centred on the cross of Calvary, on the sinless lamb of God. He was made sin for you and will take your sin away. He died for you that you will not stand before God as your judge because you took him as your Saviour and Lord. David Hume was a 18th century philosopher who had no time for the things of God. He was spotted one day running down the street. When someone asked him “why are you running down the street?” he replied “I am going down to hear George Whitefield preach.” The person said to David Hume “but you don’t believe what George Whitefield preaches.” David replied “I don’t but he does.” Jesus healed a man born blind. The Pharisees pressed the man for an answer of who had healed him. The man replied “is he a prophet, a healer, I don’t know but one thing I know is I was blind and now I see.” He died on that cross and on the third day he rose again. He is now seated at the Father’s right hand and he is waiting to take every child of God home. Are you ready, will you come to Christ? Give him your heart and life for Jesus’ sake.

A reflection on the Easter message

My notes from a sermon on 24 April 2011

John 19 verses 28 – 37

Once again Easter brings us into focus on the betrayal of the Lord, on the suffering of Christ, of the death of Christ, that Christ is no longer dead but is risen again and is seated at his Father’s right hand and has now entered into a different ministry of interceding and praying for you and I today. The Lord took your place on the cross and now he is at his Father’s side praying for you today. There is one little phrase in verse 30 “it is finished.” Jesus spoke some 7 times on the cross when he broke the stillness of that scene on Calvary’s hill. The Bible tells us they took a sponge and filled it with hyssop and put it to his mouth. It is then that he speaks these words. His earthly life was finished on the cross but what a finish. In John 17 verse 4 we read of the Lord praying “I have finished the work that thou hast given me to do.” That takes us back to the question – what was the work he had finished? What does that work mean for me this Easter Sunday morning?

Jesus finished a specific work. There was no other person or place where this work could be accomplished. It was the work of redemption. Paul writing to the Corinthian church wrote “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself.” (2 Corinthians 5 verse 19) It is only through the Lord on the cross of Calvary. He came to undo the work Satan had done in the Garden of Eden. Way back then God had created the world. He put his seal to it all by saying “it is very good” after everything was created. The Lord formed Adam of the dust of the ground and then he took a rib from Adam and created a wife for him. He set before him every tree that he might freely eat of except one - the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He was warned “in that day you eat of it you shall surely die.” The devil was the fallen angel. He brought about a rebellion in heaven. He came to Eve and said “hath God really said.” The devil does that still today – he will say “are you sure that God has said that.” He will continually do it. The devil pointed to this tree and told her to eat of it because the moment you do you shall be like God himself. Eve took of the fruit, she ate and gave some to her husband. What happened as a result of their action – separation from God. Adam and Eve were banned from the garden of Eden because of what the devil had done. Every part of humanity was separated from God. You and I are separated from God not only in time but for all eternity. God in his mercy saw the dilemma you and I were in. He took his only son and sent him into this world to die on the cross. There he was making a pathway into his presence just for you and I. That is why Peter preached “neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4 verse 12) If we are to be saved we have to come through the Lord Jesus Christ. A young German in the 1700’s was gazing upon a painting. It was the scene of Calvary’s cross. His heart was drawn out after the Lord. He could see the suffering of Jesus going through the pain. The German’s eyes moved to a little caption below the painting “all this I have done for you, what will you do for me?” Isn’t that a sobering thought as we look on the Lord dying for our sin? When we come to him he has done all things for us, what have we done for him today? It is finished. That young man gave his life to the Lord that day. He touched the world through his missionary organisations including John and Charles Wesley.

A sufficient work. Luke 23 verse 46. On the cross the Lord is dying. Luke’s account says when he cried with a loud voice he said “Father into thy hands I commit my spirit” and having said this he gave up the ghost. Remember the suffering he had at the hands of the evil men. They took him and beat him to beyond recognition. From there he went to the cross to hang for some 6 hours. Naturally speaking strength should have been ebbing out of him yet we read “with a loud voice he cried out.” This is not the voice of a loser but one who is victorious. He did something that no-one else could do. He pardoned me. He opened up heavens door. That was the victorious call of the Saviour. This was a sufficient work. Writing to the Corinthians Paul said “having spoiled principalities and powers he made a show of them openly triumphing over them in it.“ (Colossians 2 verse 15) When the Lord gave up the ghost it was a triumph over every demon and hell. It is the devil who keeps me in subjection. Jesus sets us free today. The word “spoils” is a military term. When an enemy is defeated they can take the spoils of the army that is defeated. Jesus broke the power of cancelled sin and sets the prisoner free. We need not be in subjection to the devils power one more minute. It is only through the power of Jesus’ blood we can be set free. You are on your way to a Christless eternity but when Jesus died on Calvary he was regaining the power to set you gloriously free. Jesus told his disciples “thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26 verse 53) Do you not think he could have cried out to his father that day, that maybe it was the nails keeping him there, that it was Pontius Pilates condemnation that was keeping him there – no it was God’s plan to free a lost mankind on the cross of Calvary. He could have called for a legion of angels and they would have taken him back into glory and we would be lost for all mankind. The sufficiency of it all today. The last great enemy has been defeated, death itself. When it comes to the end of our life that is the greatest enemy but he has taken the power from it. When you come to the end of your life you are taken through the shadow of death and brought out into victory of heaven itself. There is not a sin that Jesus cannot forgive today. All manner of sin shall be forgiven. Remember the woman who came in weeping to wash Jesus’ feet. Jesus told her “her sins which are many are all forgiven”. (Luke 7 verse 47)

A substitutionary work. That word substitution means to stand in the place of someone else. Jesus died in my place. I should have died for my sins but the Lord said I love you with all my heart and I am going to take your place on the cross. All you have to do is accept it. Jesus Christ finished the substitutionary work and you have no sin to answer for if you come and trust him today.

It is a satisfactory work. God looked on it with his approval. In a little village there was a farmer and he was friendly with a local carpenter. The farmer talked to him about his need to be saved. Somehow the carpenter could never grasp the significance of being saved, he felt something had to be done to get into heaven. One day the farmer asked him to make him a gate. The carpenter came and measured it all up. Then came the day when he hung the gate and it had been made to perfection. The farmer looked at it, got out a saw and a hatchet. He began to hag bits off the gate and before very long it was lying in shreds. The carpenter said “what are you doing, it is perfect for the job you want.” Just as he said that he realised he was trying to add to the work needed to get into heaven but there was only one thing needed – to repent of his sin, invite Christ into his life and he would be saved.

On the way back home

My notes from a sermon on 10 April 2011

Genesis 33 VERSES 1 – 16

Jacob is on his way back home. For many years he could only think about this event, about meeting his brother. In the previous chapter we seen him making plans for this day. He got his wives and family across the brook then he spent that night wrestling with God until the breaking of day. Now we find him stepping out across the brook. The light is beginning to dawn on his life. It is a new day for him. He is going out in the leading of his God. It is not something to be taken lightly. Jacob faced a very difficult uncertain event in his life. Jacob knew one thing – God was leading and directing him, everything was in God’s hands. The night before he had received assurance. The Bible says “what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8 verse 36) What would that man gain if in the process of gaining so much lost his own soul? There is nothing we could give in exchange for our souls today. It is the most precious thing we possess. Is it in the hand of God today? Is it secure with him today? Was there a day when you realised you had come short of God’s glory, when you came to Calvary’s cross, accepted him as Saviour and Lord, placed your life in his hands? That is where Jacob was. Jacob faced many great situations every day in his life. Just because we are saved by God’s grace we shall have no problems. If your life is totally in God’s hands there will still be problems. If your life is totally in God’s hands there will still be problems and difficulties. Jacob faced one here. We meet things from the past some times. Sometimes we draw a veil and think it is all there in the past, not seen but it cannot be forgotten. Hezekiah, a king in the Bible was lying on his bed dying when he saw his enemy at his city gates, ready to take his city. We don’t know what we are facing but we can stand on God’s grace today. Jacob had to face something that happened 20 years previously. He did not leave home in good terms, he left a trail of hurt behind him. Now he would have to face up to it all over again. I am sure there was not a day that went past when he awoke from his sleep and didn’t think of the day he left home. Remember how he conned his brother? Esau came home one day from the fields. Jacob realised he would be hungry so he got a fire going, made a stew and offered some of it to Esau when he arrived. In return for the bowl of stew Esau had to give up his birthright. Jacob got him at a low ebb and Esau handed over his birthright. Later Jacob and Esau’s father when he lay dying wanted to bestow his blessing on Esau. He was blind but he wanted Esau to bring him some venison and he would give him the blessing. Jacob hears all that is going on and decides to tell his father a pack of lies just to get the blessing for himself. Jacob’s lies and deception caused a division in this family. Jacob was responsible for it. Genesis 27 verse 41. Now 20 years later Jacob had to face up to the hurts of that situation. Jacob couldn’t be blessed anywhere until he returned to Canaan and faced up to the past. Sometimes we have to do the same – face the problem that came before. Jacob knew this had to be sorted out. He must face it. Genesis 31 verse 3 God told Jacob to return to his home and he would be with him. No matter what faces us today we can face it with God’s help.

What Jacob feared – verse 1. Esau came with 400 men. Jacob has no army with him, only has his wives and children. Imagine the fear in Jacob’s mind at this moment in time. If we are ever to face up to what is in our past there will be a certain fear in our souls. There is a not knowing what to expect. There was only one ground he could face this situation on – a firm belief in God of heaven. That is the only ground we can face our fears with today. Verses 1 to 3. Jacob divides up his family. He was making sure of their safety because the fear did something to his heart. It put him in the place of mistrust. We need to be careful to stand firm in the Lord. To not take our eyes off the Lord. Think of Peter stepping out of the little boat. We often criticise him for taking his eyes off the Lord but which one of us would have stepped out of that boat? Which one of us will step out of the command of God today? He wants you to prove his grace, to stand on him alone. That little fear brought him mistrust. Jacob began to organise his families. He made sure they were behind the herds. Remember Moses – he was born at a time when Pharoah was putting to death all the male children. Here was a child born into that home. They hid him for 3 months out of the Pharoah henchmen until they could hide him no more. Hebrews 11 records that his parents were included in the accolade of faith. They were not afraid of the kings commands. They had realised their son was destined for something greater in the hands of God. They did not fear. General Patton in World War 2 was decorated for his bravery. He was described as someone who had displayed bravery never seen before, he demonstrated courage unlike anyone else. Years later in his own autobiography General Patton said “I never once heard the sound of gunfire that I did not tremble in my boots, I never faced an enemy where my heart did not sink, I never took counsel from my fears.” The fears where there but he didn’t listen to them. Fear holds many back from getting saved. The fear of not being able to keep it, that people will talk. Fear holds many back from stepping out for God’s service. There is no shame in being afraid but let’s not let it dictate to us.

Jacob faced a tremendous force before him but what did he forget? Perhaps he forgot about God’s leading the night he laid under the stars when God said “I will lead you, I will keep you, bring you back into this land.” He was only human because the next morning he boasted “surely God was in this place.” He had forgotten about that experience. Genesis 33 verse 3 “I will be with thee.” Forgetting about being told by God to get out of the land he was in and get back into his own land – Genesis 31. Laban his uncle who followed him 2 or 3 days experienced God coming to him and telling him “be careful what you say to my child Jacob.” Isn’t it wonderful that God would take such care of you and I, knowing everything about those who are coming against us. Nothing can happen to us except God gives permission. Jacob forgot about the night before when he wrestled with God. When he prevailed with God, became a mighty man of God. Sometimes if we are honest we do our own thing. Somehow the blessing of the past goes into insignificance when faced with another dilemma.

What Jacob found. Verse 3. Jacob bowed himself 7 times before Esau – he was coming in submission. As he did so Esau ran to meet him, he put his arms around him and kissed him. God had gone before Jacob and softened Esau’s heart. We often find God goes before us and smoothes the way. God takes our fears and tears, he uses us in his own way. Don’t wait for God to take the obstacle but step out and as you do so God will step before you and will smooth the way for you.

Singled out by the Lord

My notes from a sermon on 3 April 2011

Luke 19 verses 1 – 10

A man in the crowd singled out by the Lord. He couldn’t sit any longer. He had to come down to where Jesus was. Jericho was the last place where you would have thought someone would have found Jesus. Jericho was under the condemnation and curse of God yet it was the very place Jesus entered to find this man. Maybe this is the last day you would have thought you could meet with Jesus. He comes to you today and singles you out. God is maybe going to speak to you specifically today. Jericho was a cursed and condemned city. It was the first city the children of Israel and Joshua conquered when they crossed into the Promised Land. Joshua 6 verse 26. Imagine Jesus entering into such a place that was under the judgment of God. This world is under the judgment, wrath and condemnation of God yet it was the very place that Jesus entered in to seek and to save that which was lost. Here was a city awakened to the presence of Christ. Notice the number of people who turned out to see Christ yet only one person was converted.

A man who was driven by his curiosity – verse 3 “who he was”. It was more than a passing interest. If you and I are ever to get a grip and glimpse of the Lord we are going to need more than a passing interest. This Bible tells me the only way I can find God is when I seek for him with all my heart. That is why we have so many false professions today. They are not getting through to God. “It is one thing to get people to the altar but it is another thing to see them getting through to God” an old evangelist said. It is one thing to be stirred by the claims of God but another thing to be saved by the grace of God. It was more than a passing interest – see the great lengths he had to fulfil his plans. He realised he would have to climb the tree. It was more than just stepping outside his front door. He had to watch and wait for the Lord to come. Herod had more than a passing interest in Christ. When Christ was tried by Pilate and sent over to Herod he was so glad. Herod had heard so much about Jesus and here was his opportunity to see some marvellous thing done by this man. Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was, the type of person he was. I wonder is our curiosity stirred and awakened? Does it take us deeper into the things of God? Nicodemus had the same curiosity. He went into the presence of God by night. He called him “master”. He called him a great teacher. Jesus awakened something in his heart. He had to come to Jesus. Here was a man who prayed, didn’t miss the house of God, a deeply religious man. He had to find out more about him, such was his curiosity. When was the last time as children of God our hearts were stirred and it brought us to the word of God to study it more deeply? Zacchaeus didn’t know this day would end with him making a public spectacle of himself. Maybe the Holy Spirit is gripping your heart today. You have never experienced him for yourself. Never seen what it means for him to take on himself the sin of your heart. Somehow it has never given you a second thought until now. There is now a curiosity drawing you to Christ. It was a love for your soul, for you as a person that you would even be damned in a Christless eternity. Here the Lord gave himself on the cross just for you. This man Zacchaeus was a tax collector, maybe curiosity began to well up when Matthew came to him, when Matthew told him he was giving up his job as a tax collector and the reason was to follow Christ. From that day Zacchaeus was never the same. Maybe that is happening in your life. Right now you cannot reason with it and it is bringing you to Christ today. Think of that city of Jericho – many were awakened to Christ, recognised who Jesus was but there was only one person converted.

Zacchaeus was faced with a crisis. It was not going to be plain sailing, not going to be easy for Zacchaeus. You don’t know what the Lord has for you today, maybe he will put a finger on your life. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus but he couldn’t – why – verse 3 “he could not because of the press”. These people were a hindrance to Zacchaeus. Be wary of the crowd today. The curiosity in the heart to see the Lord as to who he was, what he has done but he was being hindered. The moment you and I began to consider spiritual issues in our lives the devil will throw up all sorts of obstacles. This was going to be the last time Zacchaeus would hear the voice of the Lord. Jesus was just passing through Jericho. He was on his way to Jerusalem. He would never return through this city. That is why a meeting like this is so serious and means so much. Maybe in this meeting for the final time God is going to speak for the last time. Should we live another 50 years and never hear the voice of God again wouldn’t that be an awful thing? Out on the mountain one day the disciples and crowds came to hear Jesus. Then there was a dilemma – as the day wore on the crowd began to be tired and hungry. The disciples wanted Jesus to send the crowd away. Isn’t that the easiest thing to do? It is very easy to send Jesus away because of the crowd around us. The disciples were being tested. Jesus knew what he was going to do. Is that what you are saying today – Lord send it away?” Pilate making his decision about Jesus. He listened to all the evidence against Jesus, couldn’t see what was against this man. His wife tried to persuade him to send him away. What did Pilate do – he threw him to the crowd to decide his fate. There were those who were supporters of the Lord but the old religious leaders began to mingle through the crowd. They started to chant “crucify him”. All the people took up the chant. Pilate’s decision was made up because of the crowd. God’s salvation is real to you. God is speaking to you about his salvation. Today you have come to a spiritual dilemma and you are throwing it to the crowd. They are telling you to forget about it. Verse 4 Zacchaeus has to think about this great challenge. He ran down the street and climbed up a sycamore tree. Verse 5 Jesus came to the tree and he said to him “hurry up Zacchaeus come down I want you to stand in this crowd, I want to go to your house today.”

There is a challenge to Zacchaeus. The challenge was now to the will of Zacchaeus. Remember the woman with the issue of blood who touched Jesus’ garment? Jesus knew she had touched him but she had to step out and admit it. A man in the crowd. The Lord challenges him to step out. Maybe that one person is you today. Not the person next to you but you. You are in the tree like Zacchaeus. God wants you to come down because he has business with you. God is challenging your will today. Nothing can hinder you if God is speaking to you. The Pharisees heard Jesus, they followed him, they were challenged but Jesus said of them “ye will not come.” They dug their heels in. Zacchaeus hadn’t banked on this situation but there is a battle going on for your will today.

Zacchaeus’ great confession – verse 8. He stepped out of the tree. Here is salvation at work. We might be awakened but are we truly concerted? Zacchaeus said “I have amassed a great wealth but I don’t need that now I have found Christ.” Salvation touched his heart, life and soul and he was changed from the inside out. He no longer had the same desires. He had found everything in Christ. Zacchaeus told Jesus that he would sit down with his books and go through them and if he found any wrong doing he would make amends. It was a frank confession.

Zacchaeus got a great confirmation – verse 9. Jesus said “this day is salvation come to this house.” If Zacchaeus had sat in the tree he would never have known the blessing of God on his life but he came down from the tree. God has blessings for you and me we know nothing of yet and he says “come, you are the person in the crowd and I want you to step out today.”

The power of Christ to set us free

My notes from a sermon on 27 March 2011

Acts 16 verses 16 – 24

Whenever we come to the Acts of the Apostles and chapter 16 we come to the city of Philippi. A chief city of the area of Macedonia, a hub of activity, the main thoroughfare for selling and trading. Lots of people would come to this place and that is why Lydia was there - to sell her trade. That is the reason why Paul came to evangelise this city. He began to preach and as he did so God began to move, to choose out people for himself. Things began to happen. The same is true today. Verse 16 Paul and the team were going to the place of prayer. They realised their need of prayer. They had nothing within them to offer but they knew praying would be endued with power to seek men and women to be won for the kingdom of God. That is why they were on their way to prayer. They met a young woman on the way. She was possessed with a spirit of divination. At one point in her life her heart was opened up and Satan was allowed in to take complete control of her life. Only Christ could set her free. Each of us has been born in sin and there is only one thing that can set us free – the power of God.

In verses 16 and 17 we see the measure of understanding she had. Paul and the team were going to prayer when this young girl met them. She followed them and cried out “these men are the servants of the most high God which show unto us the way of salvation.” She knew they were men of God, had brought salvation to those who would believe, she listened to them, took in all they said, was able to take in a measure of knowledge but that was all that she had. Maybe she was present when the women went up the hillside to pray. She was watching all that was going on. It doesn’t matter who we are, what we are, where we come from. The moment God saves us he changes us. “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, the old things have passed away behold all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5 verse 17) Maybe this woman witnessed people coming to know Christ, she had a measure of the knowledge of Christ but it was not a saving knowledge. You don’t have to be a down and out – Lydia wasn’t. She was someone who worshipped the Lord before she got saved. The young woman who followed Paul was watching afar off. A young scribe came to Jesus one day. Jesus said to him “thou art not far from the kingdom of heaven.” (Mark 12 verse 34) Unfortunately we never read of this scribe actually taking that final step.

Notice the mistake that was underlying – verse 17. The woman could see the difference in Paul. She knew he had a passion to see men and women saved. She didn’t act upon the information she had. She knew what these men stood for but didn’t act on it. If she had she could have been guiltless, saved. God loved you with an everlasting love that he would send his only son into this world to be rejected, scorned, would die a terrible death on Calvary for your sins and mine. You have that measure of information but yet are not saved. The mistake she made – wasn’t going through with the measure of faith she had. Knowing she needed to be saved but not actually getting saved. Knowing you need to be saved and gaining the knowledge of how to be saved will never be enough. Paul preached to a king one day who said to him “Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24 verse 25) Agrippa said to Paul “almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26 verse 28) Remember the story of Lazarus a poor man and a rich man. One died and went to heaven, the other to hell. The rich man cried out in hell because he was tormented. In Luke 16 we read the rich man lifted up his head, looked to Abraham and asked him to send Lazarus back to his house because he had brothers there and he didn’t want any of them to end up with him in hell. Abraham said “they have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them”. They had a measure of knowledge but done nothing with it.

The miracle that was undertaken. Verse 18 – she followed them for many days. Paul turned and commanded the evil spirit to come out of the woman and he did. Possessed by the spirit of divination but the power of the Lord broke the spell in her life and set her free. We underestimate the powers of hell at our peril. Satan can hold us tonight, through our pride. Satan can hold us with fear of what might happen in the workplace, in the home, hold us through habits, friends, hold us back from getting saved. It takes a miracle to break that. This is the day of Gods salvation for you. It took the power of God to come into this little girl’s life.

We also see many who were unsympathetic. If you were to come and accept the Lord as Saviour all heaven would erupt with singing. In verse 19 we see the employers of this young girl had lost money because of her getting saved. If you were to get saved you would probably find a very unsympathetic hearing but don’t let that stop you coming to Christ. Trust him as Saviour and Lord, this is your opportunity.

Salt - flavour enhancer or useless?

My notes from a sermon on 27 March 2011

MATTHEW 5 VERSES 10 – 18

“Ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt hath lost his savour wherewith shall it be salted, it is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of man.” Verse 13

The description of God’s people – “ye”. If we go back to the beginning we will discover the Lord called his disciples to be with him up in the mount. Then others gathered with them – a crowd always gathers a crowd. “Ye” basically meant his disciples, his followers who had nailed their colours to the mast and became Jesus’ own. They were fishermen while some had other jobs. The Jewish people had never heard this type of preaching before. They were brought up in the Sanhedrin and had heard the Old Testament read but they were amazed when they heard the words of Jesus because he spoke as one with authority. He was the Son of God and God the son. He was speaking with the authority of his father in heaven. He was not just a good man nor as a man to whom we look for as an example. His purpose was to come into the world to die for peoples sins. No matter how we live we could never match up to the way Jesus lived. You cannot deal with the sin problem through trying to live the way Jesus' lived. The only way to do it is to ask God to forgive you for your sin. Outside of Christ we are dead in our trespasses and sin. You cannot follow anything if you are dead. You can only follow the Lord when his life is put into you. The disciples were listening to him and were fascinated by him. They were thrilled by the way he spoke to them. A description of God’s people. A challenge for God’s people. The elders and leaders would have looked down on these fishermen yet the Lord tells them “ye are the salt of the earth.” If you are born again of the Spirit of God that is a challenge to us too. In a day when sin is promoted and enjoyed, when the word of God is taken and shred to pieces, people seek to doubt it, cast scorn on it, the Word of God will stand firm. That phrase is used in many situations meaning something good that has been done. In the real spiritual sense the first time it was spoken was when Jesus told his disciples who would form the early church. Remember when Jesus spoke to Nicodemus and told him “ye must be born again” (John 3 verse 16), he was describing a vital start for salvation. You might not think you need this salvation – remember Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, a high ranking position in those days. He needed it then and we need it today too. Not one of us will enter heaven unless come personally to Christ for salvation. We need the new birth. The description was placed on Jesus’ disciples – people who would be laughed at, mocked and scorned. These were ordinary men. How often down through the centuries of time God has used ordinary people to be a blessing to others. You are not useless to God. Others would have despised him, have had nothing to do with him but not the disciples. They were a blessed people. They had their sins forgiven, saved by the grace of God. In a day and age when we see so many disasters across the world, when we see world wide recession only God’s salvation is important. You have a soul that will never die. Only the outward body will die. You have something in your possession that God cares for. Jesus said “what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul.” (Mark 8 verse 36) We have so much to praise God for today. If you are not saved you have no hope. The newspapers are full of people who wanted to do so much but now they are no longer alive. You have to make a decision about your soul today. In Jesus’ day the scribes and Pharisees put on an outward form of religion and people looked up to them yet the Lord called his own disciples “the salt of the earth.” How are we matching up to this description today?

The responsibility of God’s people. I want to look at the principles of salt and apply them to our own lives. The first thing that salt does is it savours. It brings flavour. A lot of people have been told to cut out salt because it damages our health. Salt brings out the taste. That is exactly how a Christian’s life should be – lived above the norm. The flavour of Christianity through to the rest of the world. The bible says “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” We should be signposts, flavour enhancers, speaking well of a Saviour and his saving grace so that others can see something different about us. Salt is also a cleansing agent. It cuts away the grease. Our lives should speak well of the cleansing we have received. Our Christian works should match our Christian words. Salt is also very sharp. Put a drop on your tongue and you will taste it immediately. Do we stand out like that among a world that is lost? Do we live with a sharpness in our lives? Do we have a different attitude to people, that it can be truly said of us that we are like salt? Throughout scripture we find many people who were shut in jail for their words. They were hated for it, they annoyed so many. The Bible is clear – are we living to be true to the master? We have to go down many difficult roads and are so afraid of annoying anyone yet in other lands today there are many who are willing to lay down their lives for the cause of the Lord. Jesus said “blessed are ye when men persecute you and say all manner of evil against you.” (Matthew 5 verses 11) Salt also brings preservation. We need to make sure the word of God is not diluted in this age in which we are living. The gospel needs to be preserved and it is our responsibility as God’s children to do this. Even in prayer we can do this. Salt also penetrates. Do we make our mark for Christ in the workplace? Do we do things differently because we are saved or do we just go with the flow? Salt works in unity, never kicking against anything else. The Psalmist says “how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” (Psalm 133 verse 1) The devil seeks to divide the grain but there should be unity, working together in the service of God. Salt destroys. In Judges 9 we are told that when a city had surrendered salt was spread to give the clear message that even growth would be prohibited (verse 45). We are placed here in order that we might destroy the works of the devil. Our responsibility is to live godly lives, to follow the word of God, to honour the word of God and stand for the word of God. Salt is used on our roads to break up ice. The devil has brought in lots of things to break up the truth. When we are living lives close to the Saviour the devil seeks to destroy it. Salt also speaks of judgment. Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt when she looked back. She was more interested in what was behind that what lay in front. God poured out his judgment on that city and he will do it again one day on our own land.

The warning for God’s people “If the salt has lost his savour wherewith shall it be salted, it is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the foot of men.” That is the devils work – to put all sorts of things across your path, to pull you away from following the Saviour. It is easy to lose your testimony. Be careful you are not lulled into something by the devil that will bring your testimony down. No-one wants to use damp salt or salt that has been contaminated. Maybe you are being tempted to fall away into sin. Here is a warning for you – “guard your quiet time!” Paul was afraid of becoming a cast away and being useless for God (1 Corinthians 9 verse 27). Satan wants this earth on a salt free diet but he will settle for a low salt diet. Be careful you don’t lose your savour today and if you are not saved be careful you don’t lose your soul!

"Lord teach us to pray"

My notes from a sermon on 20 March 2011

Luke 11 verses 1 – 13

“Lord teach us to pray”

Can you see this man, now he is a follower of the Lord Jesus, he can look back to the day when he left everything to follow Christ, calling him to be a fisher of men, to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. He had left his home, his family and his work to follow after Christ. On this day he sees the Lord praying and waits until he is finished then asks “Lord teach us to pray”. As we look at this phrase surely it is the most wonderful phrase ever uttered from a man or woman. The request is as relevant today as when first it was first uttered. As followers of Christ we need to be praying followers. As look at this man who steps out from the crowd we see the character of these disciples.

The first characteristic is this – the great honour bestowed from this man’s lips. He is not thinking of himself but rather the furtherance of the kingdom of God. Although he might be saved he wants to pray but pray effectively. He comes to the master and says “Lord teach us to pray.” The very honour that comes from his lips is this great request. This disciple had a tremendous example before him. He sees the Lord himself. He doesn’t ask “Lord teach us to pray that we might be able to pray more effectively. Isn’t it a great thing to be an example to others? Maybe in our prayer life or our witnessing life? Here’s this man and he comes saying “Lord”. He is owning him as Lord. He was king of his life, owned him as his closest friend. It is never too late to pray. There is no situation too far on not to pray. When we begin to pray we bring the greatest honour and glory to the Lord. God does nothing but in answer to prayer. That is where we need to be today. We need to be pleading and begging with the Lord. Remember when the Children of Israel were down in Egypt in bondage under Pharoah. God looked down on them time and again. He saw their afflictions, how badly they were treated, how many obstacles were before them. It wasn’t until he heard their cries, their pleading and prayers that he did something about it. He sent Moses to deliver them out of Egypt. Peter lay in that dark prison cell hours before his death. Little did he know there was a prayer meeting going on for his rescue. The angel brought Peter out of the prison cell that night. It wasn’t until that group began to pray, when they got together to pray, when Peter was in their thoughts and hearts and minds that God answered. The group sent one little girl to the door because of the knocking. They wouldn’t believe the girl when she came back and told them it was Peter at the door. That night they prayed and prayed through until the God of heaven moved in a mighty way. When Hannah had no child, when she was the brunt of all jokes, it wasn’t until she went into the temple and began to pour out her heart to God that her prayer was answered. God gave her a son. It is not too late to pray to the God of heaven. The gospels tell us of a woman with an issue of blood. For years she had been in this condition. It affected her social life. She couldn’t find a cure. It wasn’t until she set all of this aside and gave the Lord the glory and honour that she was cured. It was only when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. She pushed right through and honoured God. This man was honouring God. If only he could learn how to pray. There was one thing he realised he need to do – pray. Ephesians 6 lists the armour of God that we need to put on and at the very end it says “with much prayer”. When our nation raises their voice to the God of heaven he will turn in mercy, he will hear our prayers and answer them.

There is a great honesty shown here. This request revealed there was something lacking in his life. He is a follower of Christ. He is walking and intimate with the Lord day by day. He speaks to him. He listens to him. He is trained by him. Down in his heart there is something he cannot get for himself and so he says “teach us to pray”. He is honestly saying Lord I am not where I should be. He has been nominated to speak on behalf of the disciples. He asks the Lord to address this problem in their lives. C H Spurgeon was given a brand new gleaming bicycle. He parked it outside his church. There was another member who had what could be classed as a boneshaker of a bicycle. Spurgeon used to jab at the man about his bike. He asked the man “wouldn’t it be difficult to ride?” The man replied no and got on the bike and rode off into the distance. Spurgeon tried to catch up with him on his brand new bike and he couldn’t. C H Spurgeon realised then he had the machine but the other man had the power. That is what we need. We can have the machinery but not the power. Here was an honest character, he admitted to God he didn’t have the power spiritually speaking.

We see the hunger this man had. He wasn’t content going through the motions. He wanted to have this great ability that he might pray. He aspired to it. There was never a lesson from the Lord about how to preach or how to move a congregation but rather on how to pray. That is the one thing we need. Maybe when Jesus prayed the atmosphere changed for the disciples. Remember the night in Gethsemane when Jesus started to pray and he wept? He was in anguish. That is more than just a few nice words. Is there a hunger for the Lord today? Spiritually speaking? Are we here to go through the motions? Have we that anguish today? The disciples needed power to equip them to face every situation that came their way. There was a young man who brought his son to the Lord. The son was possessed with the devil. The Lord had gone up into the Mount of Transfiguration so only his disciples were present. They couldn’t do anything for the son. Jesus told them “this kind cometh not out but by prayer and fasting.” There will be situations in our lives when nothing will help but getting on our knees in prayer. Getting away from everything and everyone else and getting down before the Lord of heaven in prayer.

There is the humility that comes to the fore. What these disciples were saying is so much what we need today but are we humble enough to receive it? The church in Revelation 3 Laodicea – they didn’t see their blindness, what they were like before God but he knew about it. Have we got that humility? Will you say “Lord I need that in my heart and I want to wait before you until I find that.” Are you prepared to be humble? To wait for the Lord of heaven? A woman came to Jesus one day and asked if her 2 sons could sit on either side of him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus replied “you don’t know what you are asking for.” The thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Will we be humble enough to ask the Lord to meet that need that is in our heart? To let the Lord guide us in the days that lie ahead?

Are you finishing well?

My notes from a sermon on 13 March 2011

Matthew 7 verses 21 – 29

In this passage the Lord takes up the tremendous topic of finishing well. It is good to finish well. The secret of finishing well is to start well. The Lord is speaking here of heaven, about the glories and splendours of heaven. The Lord says “not everyone that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.”(verse 21) Just because we might have the language of someone that will be in heaven that doesn't mean you we will be there. You could have picked that up through life but it is only those who are born again of the Spirit of God who will be in heaven. We need to begin well. The Lord is speaking of 2 builders. One begins well and finishes well, the other starts badly and finishes badly. Everyone of us is building today. Building on our lives, building on our families, building on our business. The Lord takes this thought today and asks us – have you begun right? Because if you haven't you will not finish right.

Notice here the patience the builder takes. The pains he goes to, the patience and perseverance to dig deep into the course of the earth - verse 24. The Lord is speaking here of the man or woman who hears the words of the Lord and puts those words into practice - he is like a wise man. How important it is to hear the word of God, to read the word of God, to get into the word of God that we might build our lives on it. The builder comes out in the heat of the day and digs deep into the course of the earth until he comes upon that rock to set his first stone on it. Building on something that he knows will not move. It doesn't matter about the heat of the sun or the sweat he is losing. Important thing is to build a house that will stand against the elements. Gets right down into very foundation. When we build a house we get it wrong because we get our eyes on the wrong things – the most important part of it all is the foundation. That is the thing we don't see. For your life and my life, Jesus Christ is the only thing we can build on. Just as God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees you must build your faith on God and you will not go wrong. We can rely on our own ability to build up our family, can set our own goals for what we want for that family but we need to make sure our faith is built on the Lord and no-one else. Perhaps it is the last thing you think of in building – how far is the word of God applied to our hearts today? Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and religious leaders who had taken the role of teaching. They tried to corner Jesus many times. Jesus said to them “ye do err, not knowing the scriptures.”(Matthew 22 verse 29) These Pharisees were teaching the people, building up communities but the Lord said they had made a mistake because they were not listening to the Lord Jesus. One time Jesus spoke to the multitudes. So great was the crowd that he had to get into a boat and push away from the shore. The people wanted to hear his word. A young man came to Jesus one day, he wanted to know about eternal matters. He had the riches, the praise of people but there was something on his mind. The Holy Spirit was working in his heart. He asked “good master what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19 verse 16) Are you living a life just for the sake of living? Never thinking of what would happen if you stepped out into eternity? The young man said there was something missing in his life. The Lord spoke to him about eternal issues. Jesus didn't merely say in verse 24 “whosoever heareth these sayings of mine”. He didn't stop there but continued “and doeth them”. Jesus didn't say come along to church and hear my words. Nor is it enough to read the bible but got to do what it says. The multitudes came to hear him and went away saying they realised he had great authority. The young men who had come to find eternal life went away sad. He couldn't do it. He wanted to be in heaven, to be sure of heaven. The Lord was asking too much of him he felt. The Lord said “you hear my words and then you do them, then you are a wise builder.” Remember a woman in Philippi. How different for her that Sabbath became. As she gathered on the Sabbath day she heard the word of God to her heart. The Spirit of God gripped her heart. She received the word of God. She heard and then she applied it. There are things that are difficult to apply. Need to be careful what we do apply because we need to be building properly.

The problems the builder will face. As he would build no doubt he had the problems in his mind. He wouldn't have dug down into the rock if he had thought about them too long. He built down deep into the rock so nothing could harm it. In verse 25 we see what would happen - the storms that would come but they brought no harm to the structure on that day. Jesus said the man that hears and does is a wise builder. Just because you came to Christ there will still be problems you will have to face. Peter was a fisherman. Jesus met him one day and said “follow me”. Peter dropped his nets and followed him immediately. Then we read of his wife's mother who was sick. Here is a man who wanted to follow after Christ yet he had a sickness in his own family. A tremendous obstacle. His life is based on the Lord and nothing can harm him. Remember the home of Mary and Martha. They gave a great welcome to Jesus. In the home one day their brother Lazarus fell sick and he died. In the home where he was so much loved. We cannot prevent such things coming into our lives. We do not know what a day will bring forth. According to the words of the Lord you will be building on foundations that will stand the test of time. The apostle Paul applied the word of God to his life even though he was sorely tested.

The perils the builder must avoid. What are they – the winds come, the floods come but the house stood firm. The foolish man's house on the other hand fell. The man who builds his life on the Lord will remain solid. Jonah received a word from God. “Take my word to Nineveh, tell the people I love them but their lives are in disaray, in disobedience to what I want them to do. If they will repent and turn I will forgive them and save them.” Jonah hears what the Lord wants him to do but he turns his back on God. Jonah has his own thoughts. He is not going to do what God wants him to do. Knows if he goes down to Nineveh and the people listen to his words God will forgive their sins. Jonah hates these people with all his heart. Jonah went to Tarshish and there found a boat. Jonah couldn't run away from God. God sent a mighty wind so that Jonah ended up in the belly of a great fish. His life was a disaster. He could trace it right back to the day God spoke to him and had said no to God. His life fell in ruins and fell apart. If we ignore the word of God it will be a disaster. The storms of life will come and your life will be shattered. Will you apply God's word to your life today? It might cost but are we prepared to do it?