The Song of Mary

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 19 DECEMBER 2021

LUKE 1 VERSES 46 - 56 - THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS

Here is a song sung 2000 years ago by Mary the mother of Jesus.

There is the glory to God that Mary shares.  When we stop and think - do we give God the glory and praise just for what he has done for us?  Verse 46 "my soul doth magnify the Lord."  We looked at the meeting of the 2 women, Mary and Elisabeth.  Both were expecting babies.  Elisabeth would give birth to John the Baptist and Mary to Jesus  Notice the joy they had in coming together.  Remember what Jesus himself said "where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst."  When we come togeher he condescends to come into our midst.  He sees the terrible strife and burden we carry, knows all about it.  This is why Peter could say "cast your care upon the Lord for he careth for you."  This meeting brought joy.  2 people doing the will of God.  They had so much to talk about.  When Mary heard that word from the angel off she went to tell her story.  When we come to Christ we are filled with that same desire to tell others about Christ and his message for the world.  Elisabeth was so full of praise - that Mary had made the journey to come to visit her.  Verse 42 "and whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me."  Elisabeth was awestruck that Mary came to visit her and bring God's presence into her home.  Imagine visiting someone this week - you are taking the life of the Lord into that home as a witness of what Jesus has done in your life.  Here was Elisabeth looking at Mary.  Chosen of God but Mary takes none of the glory to herself.  Our lives must be a daily tribute of what God has done for us, that we come to magnify the Lord, to praise him.  Not puffed up or boasting, thinking we are someone special.  She came away with a humble attitude.  Remember Uzziah as king in Isaiah's day.  Isaiah was a young man, 16 years of age when Uzziah came to the throne of Judah.  The Lord helped him and he saved him.  He helped him to put down his enemies.  The Lord helped and strengthened him.  He gave hm the power over his enemies but he became puffed up.  He thought this is all my work, I did it all.  The Lord had to bring him down.  He was struck with leprosy until the day of his death.  Paul writing to the Corinthian church who were proud of their talents and abilities.  They never thought God had given it to them  Mary was with her cousin Elisabeth.  Elisabeth was so thrilled to have her in her house.  Mary realised what was happening.   them.  "who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou dist receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4 verse 7)  Mary glorifed God that she was given the opportunity to carry his son - verse 48. God could have chosen a princess or someone from a high profile family but God chose Mary.  Verse 49 and 50 are we praising God for what he had done today?

The grace God had bestowed on Mary.  1 Corinthians 15 verse 10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I laboured more abundantly than they all yet not I but the grace of God which was with me"  Mary sees the grace God has bestowed on her - verse 49.  It is all because of God we are what we are.  She was rejoicing in her Savour.  Are we looking at our lives today and seeing the grace of God?  It is a tremendous blessing to be saved, to know the Lord as Saviour and Lord.  Mary makes it clear such was her estate.  She was in need of the Saviour.  She wasn't born in some state of being without sin.  She received the fallen nature of Adam whereby one man sinned.  She was a sinner.  She needed a Saivour just like us.  Remember the shepherds on the hillside.  The angels came down to them and said "fear not for behold I bring you great tidings of joy which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David which is Christ the Lord."  The world didn't need a teacher or a psychologist but a Saviour.  Like Mary, Paul felt he was the chief of sinners.  "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the chief." (1 Timothy 1 verse 15)

Mary speaks of the goodness of God.  Verse 50 - from that moment on her life would be different.  She would be recognised by all women as "blessed among women"  She was not raised to a position of any prominence or equal with God but now she has been placed in the position of a sinner saved by grace.  Verse 48 such a great privilege God takes the weak things in our lives to do things for himself.  Think of the little boy with 5 loaves and 2 fishes.  He sat in the crowd listening to the word of God.  God worked something mighty by his gifts.  He was in God's eyes something special.  We are his children bcause of his son who died on the cross of Calvary.  Gideon was taken from the poorest in the families of all of Israel.  Think of what Saul said "am not I a Benjamite of the smallest of  the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin?" (1 Samuel 9  verse 21)  God wants to use you and me.  Have you stopped to reflect on what God has done for us, to think "I am what God has made me, there is nothing in me that could ever save me but I am on my way to heaven because God has saved me.  I have talent God can use - have we asked God to use that for his glory?  We have been blessed today with a home and family - a sign of God's goodness to us today.

Mary reflects on the greatness of God - verse 51 and 52.  Nebuchadnezzar said "all that I have is what I have done, I have built it all myself, by my power and intellect."  God brought him down.  Remember how he took David from the sheepfold and made him king.  "But Mary pondered all these things and kept them in her heart."

A message delivered by angels to shepherds

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 12 DECEMBER 2021 REUBEN LYONS

LUKE 2 VERSES 8 - 20

The world we live is a fallen world but it is a world full of wonders and miraculous events throughout history.   We can think of the introduction of the steam engine, the abolition of slavery, the ending of the second world war and man landing on the moon.  We can also think of modern tragedies such as 9/11, the Grenfell Tower.  These events brought about radical changes.  I am sure you could list many more in your own lifetime.  Each of these happened on ordinary days just like any other.  People were going on with their lives like every other day.  When these things were discovered they were eventually recognised by the world.  Similar to this passage when Jesus was born.  It was like any other night but it became the most important night in all of history, the most important night of the human race.  The main group of our focus today are the shepherds.  They were doing their job, watching their sheep.  King Herod and his kingdom were sleeping in anticipation of the next day to arrive.  Herod had no idea that another king was coming into the world.  God was transacting heavenly business on earth on that night.  Little did the world know that the Saviour was being born in Bethlehem  No matter how many times I read of Jesus birth, his death and resurrection it never ceases to amaze me how God's plan is shown through it all.  A time of joy.  What does this event mean to us today?  Each of us have favourite carols that we like to sing.  My favourite is O Holy Night.  

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth

Long lay the world in sin and darkness pining

Till He appeared, gift of infinite worth

Behold the Babe in yonder manger lowly

'Tis God's own Son come down in human form

Fall on your knees before the Lord most holy

O night divine, O night when Christ was born

O night divine O night O night divine

That night was filled with messages - verses 8 - 12.  The shepherds were minding their sheep.  It was their occupation.  The angels appeared with a remarkable message.  "And the angels said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people." verse 10  The angel has come from heaven to bring a message of peace, hope and joy.  Not just for them and the residents around that area but the entire world, even to us today.  Not a message of judgment or condemnation.  He came to share a message of peace.  He came to deliver a word the world needed so badly.  They had been waiting for so long.  It was prophesied back in Genesis 3 verse 5.  The angel continues to deliver this message.  He continues to tell them about the birth of a baby.  Would they have paid any notice if a ordinary human messenger had come with the news but this was a heavenly messenger.  He states 3 names for this infant - Saviour, Christ and Lord.  Why are they so important?  We hear them time and time again.  What are they really saying to us?  They reveal the identity and ministry of the baby being born.  Saviour is one we are familiar with.  Do we have that Saviour today?  New birth in Christ.  Matthew 1 verse 21.  Jesus came into the world to fulfil the plan of God that we might be saved from our sins, to have this relationship with him.  Christ means anointed one.  Through that name Jesus identified as the long awaited Messiah the Jews were waiting on for so many years.  This was the one prophesied about in the Old Testament.  This baby reconciled man to God.  He was also given the name Lord.  Only a few moments old and he was already over the shepherds and the King Herod.  This baby was identified as Lord over all.  This means that he is and has always been in control and still is today.  This was no ordinary baby and no ordinary birth.  The baby was God in human form.  John 1 verse 14.  This message was filled with hope and peace and filled with salvation to all who believe.  This baby was born in a smelly stable and wrapped in rags.  He was not dressed in the fine linen of a king or born in a palace.  He did not come to say he was better than anyone else.  He came as a servant seeking to save those who were lost.  He made himself poor so that we might be rich through his grace.  He knew what it was to suffer.  He knew what it was to do without.  No matter our job, our past or who we associate with, we need to depend on God.  Our need is God, a relationship with God for every day.  Everything we have has been blessed from our father in heaven.  He died so that we could identify with him and he could identify with us.

A night of personal ministry.  Those shepherds were perched on the hillside.  Privileged, enjoying a personal time with angelic blessings. Verse 8  Delivered to a group of people.  We don't think of them as outcasts today but rather well respected hard working people caring for animals.  In those days they were not welcomed into the temple.  They were ceremonially unclean because of their position in society.  They were not able to enter in to the temple, they had a low image.  God reached into their lives, he picked the most unlikeliest of people - just think of people in the bible who were similarly picked - Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Paul, Peter.  God reached those lowly men of God with the new message of peace.  What a picture of grace.  Whatever someone has done in the past there is still hope in Jesus Christ.  "For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  The Lord turns no-one away today to receive his amazing grace.  No matter what we are doing or who we are associated with never let anyone or any situation get between us and God.  The angels told the shepherds this baby was not just for the whole world but for them as individuals.  Not just for the wider world, and how the world miscontrues the message of Christmas today, it is a message personal to us.  We need to be sure we are saved by grace, are a child of God, walking and serving him as we should in a personal relationship with him.  He died for us.  He is reaching out to us to reach out to others too. The Christmas message time and time again has personal implications in our lives.  While it was given to a group of shepherds good indeed.  These tidings were to be heard around the world.  They were certainly not the last to hear the good news.  They went right out and told others.  Verse 17  That continued until you were told one day too.  If you look back to your testimony was it by someone who witnessed to you?  Or was it someone preaching?  Or was it someone who took time to share the gospel message of how God reached them?  Why are we so happy to stay comfortable, to not reach out and share what Jesus has done?  Your calling is to follow the example that others gave to you, who shared with you the gospel message.  The worst position we can be in today is to be too comfortable because then we don't share with others.  It is easy to come to church and through the week to our bible study and prayer time but it is a difficult and different story to tell others about Christ.  We are called to obey.  We need to reach out to others.  That is how the gospel is spread today.  What started in Behtlehem reached far beyond the confines of their little town.  It deserves to be shared with others.  It is the power of God unto salvation.  Romans 1 verse 16.  We are each to be in the business of sharing the gospel message no matter what age or what others might think of us.  We should have a burden for lost people today.  How often do we get down on our knees and pray for those who pass us on a daily basis, for those we work with?  If we don't have that burden we should pray that the Lord gives us that burden, that the Lord would reach into our lives with a burden for the lost.

In verses 13 and 14 we see the heavenly angels magnified the Lord.  An anthem of praise.  They were exalting their great Saviour.  It was amazing that the sinless Lord and creator has been born as a helpless child.  God now appeared before their eyes as the weakest of humans.  They didn't understand all they saw but they praised him for it.  We need to praise God even when we don't understand what is going on in this world.  What grace that is.  The angels were moved to praise their creator.  The shepherds were also moved to Bethlehem.  They accepted this message of peace and hope.  The shepherds were saved that night.  They left the manger as new babes.  They had encountered the Saviour and they left not as outsiders and outcasts but as God's children.  They went rejoicing.  They went with a new joy in their souls.  They had never experienced it before.  They had found the great Saviour, the resuce plan for mankind.  They were filled with joy because of what they witnessed that night.  Now they had met Jesus they were never the same again.  We should be the same when we meet Jesus.  People should recognise that work in our lives.  Although they were still shepherds, outcasts in society all that mattered was they had met with Jesus.  We can have true joy and happiness if we meet with the master today.  No matter what a day may bring we can face it in with Christ.  No matter if a day brings sickness or pain.

Verses 17 - 20 a night of immense change.  Jesus might have been just a baby but he was already changing lives in that manger.  The shepherds were changed.  They left praising God.  They were no longer the same.  Changed from the inside.  They were changed into missionaries for the glory of God.  Maybe there have been people you know who have been changed by God  Every person who meets with Christ and leaves his presence is changed for ever.  Christ takes the rough and ruined lives and changes them forever.    Everyone who meets Christ falls in love with him.  Verse 19 "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."   Mary was changed from that time on.  She had already become a believer but as she watched her newborn son receiving worship as God, she would be changed.  She would watch him grow strong physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.  She would see him eventually die on the cross and rise again from the dead.  She would never be the same.  She was now the mother of Jesus.  Mary was changed.  The shepherds were changed.  The whole world was changed.  What began in the town of Bethlehem never ended and never will.  It is an ongoing work of Christ.  Jesus grew up, died on Calvary, rose from the dead - anyone who grasps that will be changed for ever.  His message and life and death are still changing the world in which we live today.  Maybe you are happy as a believer today or maybe you are backslidden.  You have never known Christ personally.  You have gone through the routine of coming to chuch each week but have never experienced God's life changing power.  We need to be like the shepherds, to come and hear the message, accept Christ as Saviour and leave rejoicing in our salvation.    Jesus' blood is what cures our sickness of sin.  We are heading to a certain death.  Jesus' blood guarantees victory and complete healing if we come in dependence on God.  He moved heaven and earth to provide a Saviour for the earth.  Everything was provided for us so that we might have a Saviour.  Have we received that greatest gift today?  Let us not take it for granted.  He is the best gift we could receive today.

A song for Christmas

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 5 DECEMBER 2021

LUKE 1 VERSES 39 - 45 A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS

We find in Luke's gospel 3 songs by Elizabeth, Mary and the angels song to the shepherds on the hillside.  See the outburst of joy and rejoicing as Mary makes her way to Elisabeth's house. There was something very special about this visit.  There is a great deal of rejoicng for us too because of the coming of God's son into the world.  

The essence of this song.  Mary had something to tell, that is what brought great joy.  It was personal to herself.  The greatest message.  Have we ever really thought of that?  You have been given the greatest word for this present world.  Verse 39 "and Mary arose in those days" in the aftermath of the angel coming and telling her what the Lord was going to do with her she was bearing news of a Saviour.  That should give us joy today not in ourselves, not in a church, not in a communion table, not in good deeds but in the life of the Lord.  Mary arose with haste and she went to Elisabeth.  Those saved today have a great story to tell too.  Not something God did 10/20 years ago, not when or where it was but how it made us realise that we haved sinned and come short of the glory of God.  That was the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, applying his word to show us our need of a Saviour, to save us from our sin and from going to hell for ever.   God did that for you 10/20 years ago but is it new to us today? Are we telling people what happened today not yesterday or years ago? Are we sharing this message?  Mary went to Elisabeth to share this divine message.  Mary knew she was a chosen vessel.  God wants to use you and I as chosen vessels today.  Mary wanted to share with Elisabeth who was also with child by a miraculous intervention on God's part.  Mary went "with haste".  No time to ponder on the news.  When it dawned on her soul off she went to the hill country.  The journey she would have taken on that day was an arduous journey to undertake  It was a difficult journey to make into the hill country.  It didn't concern her.  Mary didn't take time to think, she wanted to get to Elisabeth's house - verse 40 she entered into the house of Zechariah and saluted Elisabeth.  Our meetings should always be about Jesus.  That is the basis of our coming together. That is what drew Mary and Elisabeth together.  The news of the Saivour - that is what should draw us together when we meet in God's house.  Christ is in our midst and we have a story to tell.  It is good to have fellowship but the very essence of coming together should be the story we have of the Lord Jesus Christ - Colossians 1 verse 27.

The excitement that is displayed in this song. Verse 40 - as Mary "entered in".  Here was Elisabeth opening up the door, allowing the Saviour of the world to come into her home. Do we allow the Lord to come into our situation that we find ourselves in?  Do we allow him to sort out what needs to be sorted out?  The journey would have taken days through rough and rugged terrain.  She had a message to give.  The journey did not deter her.  Paul to the Roman church talked about those who took the message to their friends - Romans 10 verse 15.  The family reuninon brought joy yes they were cousins after all but what brought the most joy was the essence of this song in the first place.  They had found together the Lord Jesus Christ.  The message of the Saviour that Mary carried.  Does our coming together really excite us today?  To hear about the Lord Jesus Christ? Are we still excited about the message of saving grace when we talk with people, meet up with friends.  That is what brought great joy to this home.  In Mark 2 Jesus visited a house in Capernaum where a great crowd had gathered around - "it was noised abroad that he wa in the house."  People began to flock around this house.  4 men carried their friend who couldn't walk.  They had to lower him through the roof - why - because of the great excitement of people gathering to see and hear Jesus.  Mary wanted Elisabeth to hear the great news given to her.  Zacchaeus ,when he opened his front door one day couldn't get near the street because of the number of people gathered.  He was small in stature.  He was rich.  He had to run down the street to find a place suitable to see Jesus.  He had to climb a tree just to get a vantage point.  Psalm 122 "I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord."  In Psalm 63 you read of the Psalmist who was in the wilderness, a barren place with nothing much  to excite him.  There was one thought in his mind "I want to see thy power and glory in the sanctuary" verse 2.  People were coming after him, his enemy was against him.  His enemy was throwing ever trap that they could in his way.  He was lifted up with joy and rejoicing when he thought of returning to the synagogue.  Paul could say with people of Colosse "make sure Christ is central when you come together".  It is not a question of duty, but make sure Christ is central.  Chapter 1 verse 18 "And he is the head of the body, the church who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."  Not the preacher or the Lord's table.  He is the one who we should leave our homes for - that we should come into the house of God for.  We are coming not for the comforts but for the Lord.  We should never forget what he did when he came into the world - he left the splendour of heaven, the worship of angels and stepped down into this sin cursed world.  On Calvary they took him, tormented him, tortured him, hung him on the cross, nailed spikes into his hands and feet, leaving him there to die.  That is what he did for you and I.  Nothing should hinder us from coming to worship and praising him who died for us.

The encouragement of this song.  See the joy of Elisabeth - verses 42 - 45.  Elisabeth sought to encourage Mary.  Here was a young girl doing a task for God, to bring the Lord into the world.  Here she was standing with Elisabeth and she sought to encourage her.  "Blessed is she that believed"  Are we rejocing in that fact?  Does it bring joy?  Are we rejoicing when we hear someone has been born again?  "for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."  She was encouraging her to continue to believe and see through what would happen as told by the angels.  Barnabas was an encourager.  When John Mark turned his back on the Lord's work Barnabas sought him out and took him under his wing.  Barnabas went back to Antioch to see what was happening there.  "When he came and had seen the grace of God was gald and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord."  Acts 11 verse 23.  Barnabas brought Pau to Jerusalem and introduced him to the apostles.  Elisabeth encouraged Mary in the fact that she believed.  There is no worship of Mary here, it was all because of the Lord and what he had done for Mary, about the greatness of the person in whom Mary believed. Eisabeth was encouraging her.  God had set her a task and Elisabeth wanted to encourage her.

 

The receiving of the Holy Spirit

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2021

ACTS 1 VERSES 1 - 11

We have spent time looking at Peter, how on one occasion he fished all night and caught nothing, then Jesus told him to let down his nets once more and he caught such a large amount of fish he was not able to contain them all (Luke 5)  On that occasion Jesus asked him to "follow me".  As the Lord speaks to us today he too asks us to follow him.  Have we turned from that pathway today?  Peter had to get out of his boat and leave aside the success he had experienced in catching so many fish.  Mark 1 verse 17 "And Jesus said unto them come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men."  It implies a process, building up training, being a pilgrim, not signing a form and overnight you are a fisher of men.  

Think of the word "follow" today.  We can only become fishers of men if we follow Christ, with him on our side.  Peter was here amongst the disciples on the final earthly meeting with Jesus.  How important it would be in his life from here on.  Luke 24 verse 50 "and he led them out."  Jesus had something important to say to them.  It is important to be in the house of God today, to have fellowship with God's people, for God to say something important to us.  Jesus would speak to them and show them the way ahead.  He woul speak of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the infilling of the Spirit, how it would happen and when it would happen.  Luke tells us in verse 1 "the former treatise (or gospel)."  Luke, the writer of Acts tells this man Theophilus (lover of God is what his name means), my previous book dealt with Jesus, his life, his miracles and parables, now I am writing about the Holy Spirit who took over from Jesus.  "After that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen."  What Jesus will continue to do through the power of the Holy Spirit working through us.  The Holy Spirit must work in the lives of unbelievers to bring them to Christ, to salvation.  You know that yourself personally.  The moment you were in sin, you heard the gospel of saving grace, how Jesus came into the world without sin, gave his life for you and me, how he went to the cross of Calvary, he took every sin on himself and was sacrificed.   Maybe you heard that message once, twice, or several times and fought against it for a life time.  Maybe you felt you didn't need this great salvation, felt the church was all you needed, you attended every week, if you read your bible that you would be alright.  But one night you were listening to the word of God.  God would take that word and apply it to you and show you your need of salvation.  The Holy Spirit worked in your life when you surrendered to Christ.  That is not the work of any preacher or evangelist.  If the Holy Spirit is not dealing with your heart and soul you will never be saved.  The Holy Spirit must be alive and working in us to tell others about Christ.  We have to possess it to give it out to others.  If the preacher doesn't have salvation it will never come out of his lips.  You cannot preach God's salvation if you haven't got it. It is only the Holy Spirrit that can work in our lives.  The disciples were gathered around the Lord.  He led them out.  You are led into God's house today.  You come with a desire to be here today.  Why did the Lord bring his disciples here?  He had something important to say to them.  For their present day and their future too.  He wanted to point them to the source of the power that would come.  Maybe the Lord is dealing with you today.  He wants you to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  When you were born again you received the Holy Spirit but you were not filled.  Following after yes but not filled.  Remember how the spies when they returned from spying out the land of Canaan they brought back the produce of that land.  They carried a cluster of grapes between 2 men.  This was a productive land.  He would bring his people into the blessing of the fullness of the Holy Spirt - to enter into his presence.  He brings us today to a feast not a famine.  When the 12 spies came back to the camp they showed the produce and they told the people it was a great land the Lord had brought them to but they could not take it.  The cities are large and the walls tall.  Joshua told the people when they reached Canaan "if God be for us who can be against us?"  10 men brought an evil report.  The people were discouraged.  But 2 men Joshua and Caleb brought the truth.  We need men and women to hear the truth, to begin to tell the truth.  It didn't deter Caleb and Joshua.  Caleb was not for turning back.  Caleb heard the promise and for 40 years he wholly followed the Lord.  The disciples followed the Lord out to the Mount of Olives to hear what would happen next.  Remember how Elisha craved the double portion Elijah had.  He was going to tke over the role of the prophet.  He asked Elijah for that double portion and was told "if you see me go you can have it."  They both went around the various cities, he tried to discourage him but he refused to be left behind.  He wanted to follow him.  "Do you not know the Lord will take your master away from you?" the people said to Elisha.  When Elijah was taken up in the whirlind he had to receive the mantle and then go to the Jordan River.  He smote the river so that he could walk across on dry ground.  Are you discouraged today?  Are you following the Lord wholeheartedly?

Pointing here to a great mystery.  Verse 4 "wait"  This was the promise of God not to the disciples only but to all believers that we might be filled with the Holy Spirit.  This was the power they needed to set out with.  On the Day of Pentcost Peter cast out his net and 3000 were saved.  He couldn't have done that without the power of the Holy Spirit.   Jesus had taught his disciples all about this Holy Spirit - John 14 verse 6.  Jesus said he would not leave them as orphans in this land.  The Holy Spirit would be with them.  He is the one who draws alongside us even today.  John 14 verse 26 he is also to be our teacher, to bring back to our minds all that has been revealed to us.  That is going to be important in soul winning.  He is the Comforter and he will lead you into all truth.  He will point to and glorify the Lord Jesus.  That is the ministry of the Holy Spirit today.  

Jesus points here to the means of it.  A baptism of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity.  God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit has the same attributes as God.  He can only be received as a gift from God.  Acts 1 verse 5 "but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."  The means of receiving was clear.  Remember Philip in Samaria in Acts 8.  The believers had to leave Jerusalem because of the great opposition to the church. Philip left there and came to Samaria where he preached the Lord unto the people.  He saw a tremendous work done in that place, the people were saved and delivered from evil spirits.  Simon the sorcerer did many magic tricks but he also believed.  It is possible to have a head knowledge of what the Lord has done for us that we need to be saved but that is not heart knowledge.  We turn from our sins in our past life, trust the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind, then we are made new creatures in Christ.  We are not falling back into the old life but there are still old haunts that used to take us down.  Saved by the grace of God and going on with the Lord.  Simon got saved along with other people.  So they sent for Peter an John to preach about the Holy Spirit. When they came down they laid hands on the people who began to receive the Holy Spiit.  Simon came with a purse of money and asked "give me also this power."  Peter said to him "your money perish with you becuse thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money."  You cannot purchase the gift of God, it is only by receiving it by faith and coming to trust in him.  On the Day of Pentecost Peter described it from Joel 2 verse 28 "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."  On the Day of Pentecost in the upper room the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and they went out into the city of Jerusalem.  They began to preach the gospel.  The people heard the gospel in their own language.  They looked on them as ignorant men. Some said they were drunk others that they were babbling.  Peter filled with Holy Ghost said they were not drunk but took them back to the book of Joel.  What a testimony Peter had - he is becoming a fisher of men.  What about you and I?  Is this something reserved for Peter or the disciples?  Do we not need this same infilling of the Spirit?  Have we waited before God to receive this power of God.?  Have we received the  Holy Spirit to bring us into that which he would have us to do today?

 

I go a fishing

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2021

JOHN 21 VERSES 1 - 14

Whilst not all the disciples are named in this passage ("2 other of his disciples") all were important to the Lord.  We only want to look at Peter.  It was another fruitless night of catching nothing.  When they returned to the shore a voice called out "have you any meat?"  They replied "no".  They didn't recognise Jesus on the shore.  He tells them to "cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find."  Sure enough they did that and they had so many they were not able to bring them all in.  John turns to Peter and tells him it is Jesus.  Immediately Peter jumped out of the boat.  He didn't wait until they got back to shore.  Peter was called to be a fisher of men.  We too are called to do the same today.  Jesus would make Peter a fisher of men.  Andrew started it off when he went and found Peter and told him they had found the Messiah.  We can see in Peter's life his rashness, his redundancy, his recall and his reflection.

The course of Peter's life.  Peter is at this junction in his life because of his obedience  to God.  Why were they here at the Sea of Galilee?  On the resurrection day as the disciples made their way to the tomb one of the things on their mind was the stone in front of the tomb.  How could they ever move it?  When they arrived at the tomb they looked in amazement as the stone had been rolled back.  Maybe you are worrying without any purpose to worry.  Why not leave it with the Lord.  "Cast all your cares upon the Lord for he cares for you."  They found the stone rolled away.  Next they found the tomb empty.  Christ had risen from the dead.  God had raised him from the dead.  It was not possible for the pains of death to hold him.  We serve a risen Saviour today.  Matthew 28 verse 7 the angel said "go quickly and tell my disciples that he is risen from the dead and behold he goeth before you into Galilee and you shall see him as I have told you."  Mark makes it clear "tell my disciples and Peter".  Peter was not to be left out.  We serve a gracious Saviour, one who doesn't hold our failures before us.  He bids us to come unto him.  Matthew 28 verse 10 "be not afraid, go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee and there shall they see me."  Peter and the other disicples were in Galilee because that is where they were told to be.  Are we in the place where God would have us to be today?  God had promised to meet them there and nowhere else.  We are to follow the direction of the word of God if we are not where Jesus wants us to be we will not enjoy the presence of Christ.  Think of Elijah the mighty prophet.  He could call down fire from heaven.  1 Kings 17 he came with a word from the Lord to Ahab.  Then he had to flee to the brook Cherith.  He would be fed by ravens and drink from the brook.  I'm sure he thought about that message.  He thought about the word he had just brought to Ahab.  There would be no rain.  If that was true then how would he himself be sustained by the brook Cherith?  Ahab and his soldiers searched every place of his kingdom to find him but God had hidden him by the brook.  Elijah never knew God to fail.  Every day he was there.  If we are where God would have us to be there will be blessing for us but only in the place where God would have us to be.  The bible makes it clear not to turn aside from the gathering of ourselves together.  We are to be with the people of God today.  In Acts 16 Lydia came to a riverside "where prayer was wont to be made."  The word "wont" means a habitual custom.  People who made it a habit to meet in prayer.  Here was Peter and the course he was on was because of the word of God. 

The choice that Peter makes.  Commentators are hard on Peter at this stage.  Peter said "I go a fishing"  They didn't know what to do with themselves.  Some say Peter has mde a choice, he was going back to his old trade.  Peter returns to that which he knows.  Back to fishing.  He was turning from the course he was on.  Was he like Demas who walked away from the apostle Paul?  Maybe he enjoyed the comforts more than preaching the word of God.  We shouldn't want to give up because things have been difficult.  John Mark left the apostles.  The Lord came and he found Peter in his old trade.  The Lord is finding many today going back because of the hardships they are encountering.  They are putting their lifestyle before God.  Maybe Peter was contemplating the changes that were taking place.  The one who left heaven's glory came with one purpose - to be our Saviour, that he might take our sins away. What a wonderful Saviour we have.  He came to die for every one of us.

The command Peter had.  Peter was a leader.  When he announced he was going fishing they all said they would go too.  Influence is important.  Peter was making a decision that influenced everyting else.  He wanted to go back to fishing and the other disicples said they would follow him too.  You and I influence others around us with our attitudes, the things we say, the places we visit, the company we keep.  Peter was an influence.  1 Kings 12 Solomon came to the throne after his father's death.  He sought the Lord for guidance and leading.  Solomon had a great influence.  He ruled with an iron fist.  Rehoboam came to the throne after his death.  He was overwhelmed by the enormity of the task before him.  He turned to the elders who had been alive during his father's time.  He asked them for advice about what he should do.  The advice was to ease the taxes of the people which his father introduced and he would gain the respect of the people.  Then he went and asked the young people, those he had grown up with.  They influenced him and Rehoboam followed their instruction.  They told him to increase the taxes.  As a result Rehoboam divided the kingdom.  Such influence the younger men had on Rehoboam.  We have an influence today in our homes, in our work places, in our families, in our friendships, in our neighbourhoods.

The challenge Peter receives.  Peter receives a three fold challenge.  The manner it came took him back to the Judgmennt Day in Pilate's house.  There he had denied the Lord 3 times.  Now he is back fishing.  The Lord asks him 3 times "do you love me?"  God takes us back sometimes when we stumble and fall.  He takes us back to that place to make amends.  "Peter do you love me?"  Whenever Peter heard it was the Lord he jumped into the water.  He wanted to prove his love for the Lord.  You and I must be active in the work.  We need to come to the place where we need to check again for our love for the Lord.  "Do you love me Peter more than this?"  Was Jesus pointing to the other disciples when he asked this question?  Jesus was testing Peter's love.

The commission Peter receives.  "Feed my lambs".  The Lord was using 2 words in reference to love - agape love which is a deep devotional love and filial which is a mere friendship love.  The Lord was looking for something deeper than filial love but rather an agape love.  As the Lord comes to us again he asks us "do you really love me today?"  Is your life in my hands?  Are you my child today?

 

God who creates, communicates, controls and completes

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2021

HEBREWS 1

In the past week we have been hearing a lot of global warming with the Cop26 summit in Glasgow.  Jesus said in Luke 21 verse 26"Men's hearts failing them for fear".  The Bereans in Acts 17 listened and went home to search the scriptures to see "whether those things be so."  The word of God has to be a final authority.  When Amos the prophet gathered the people together they rejected his preaching and asked him to leave the land completely.  He told them "I was no prophet neither was I a prophet's son but I was a herdman and a gatherer of sycamore fruit.  And the Lord took me as I followed the flock and the Lord said unto me, Go prophecy unto my people Israel."  William Tyndale was a bible translator who lived in the 14/1500's.  He was challenged about the work he was doing in translating the scriptures.  He wanted to take the bible and place it into the hands of every man and woman.  "If God spare my life here many years I will cause a boy that drives a plough to know God's word more than you do."  I wants us to go back to the basics of the word of God and see what the word of God has to say.  Look at Timothy's home.  He was taught the word of God.  His grandmother and mother were saved by the grace of God.  They took their role of seeing him saved very seriously.  What has God got to say about the world and our planet?

The God who creates - verses 1 and 2.  In Romans 8 verses 19 and 20 Paul warned the people to worship the creator rather than the creature.  God has created this world around us yet we want to worship the creation more than the creator.  Verse 1 tells me there is a God.  The writer begins with the one word "God".  He doesn't set out to prove his existence but sets out the fact that God is.  Psalm 19 verse 1 states "the heavens declare the glory of God.  C H Spurgeon said of Genesis 1 "in the beginning God decided not to be explained but to be."  We are the sons of Christ.  That is to be accepted as a truh or revelation to be apprehended by faith.  In Romans 1 verse 19 we have a clear revelation that God has done something very special for us.  God has created the heavens and the earth and everything in them but not only that he has revealed it to every man.  Verse 20 "so that they are without excuse."  Verses 21 - 27 God is saying he has created the worlds and all around us.  He has shown man that creation yet man has turned his back and said it is not of God.  We read that it was by his Son the living word he created the world.  He spoke and it was done.  He commanded and it stood fast.  All things were made by him and was not anything that was made by him.  We could get washed away with all the teaching of the world but we need to go back to basics and look at thse things in light of God's word.

We also see God who communicates "spoke in tmes past" verse 1.  "hath spoken unto us by his son" verse 2.  Some would say God stepped back from creation and left man to it.  These are "the last days".  When you go out and ask yourself 'how did God speak?' you only have to look up at the stars in the night sky - that is the revelation of God.  "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmaments showeth his handiwork." Psalm 19.  It is God who has created and declared it.  Romans 1 verse 20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse."  When we look at the stars, see the moon and sun, we see the glory of God because God has revealed that to us.  There is enough evidence to prove to the conscience of man.  There was a time when man knew God but now they glorify him not as God neither were thankful.  It is an awful thing to see a lack of thanks for what God has done for man himself.  God has spoken through his creation.  It tells us in Acts 14 verse 17 "nevertheless he left not himself without witness in that he did good and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."  We stand back and see the seasons that pass by from one to another.  That is his revelation as well.  "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest and cold and heat and summer and winter and day and night shall not cease." (Genesis 8 verse 22)  That is God's word.  His communication with you and I.  We can listen to these men but we need to go back to the word of God.  God has spoken through his creation, communicated God's word - "but now in thse last days he has given us his son."  Does not want us to live in ignorance.  He took a virgin, separated her and he brought into the world the son of God.  He grew up amongst men and on the cross he suffered, bled and died revealing his great love for you and I.  God had sent his son for us even when we didn't think anything about him.  There is no other way to get to heaven today.  Nothing you can give to God to help secure your place in heaven.  If you can come to Christ bow your knees, see him suffering there, dying for you, that your sins might be forgiven that you might know with all assurance God died for your sins.  

The God who controls.  Hebrews 1 verse 3 "upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."  The word in this case is better translated "maintaining". He created all things but he didnt step back to this day.  He is maintaining.  It is going back to the days of Noah.  In Genesis chapter 7 Noah was separated to bulid the ark.  Verse 10 "And it came to pass after 7 days that the waters of the flood were upon the earth." Then look at how precise verse 11 is "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of hte great deep broken up and the windows of heaven were opened.  And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights."  In verse 24 we read "And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days." Why? because God was in control.  In chapter 8 we see that God was bringing it all to an end.  "God made a wind to pass over the earth."  God was maintaining the world.  Verse 2 "The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped and the rain from heaven was restrained." God was stepping everything.  When Jesus was in the boat out on the lake the storm came up.  Jesus stood to his feet and spoke to the winds and waves, everything fell flat.  That is the God we have - he is the God who creates, communicates and controls.

He is the God who completes.  God is in control of this world and he reigns today.  Even the future of our planet is not in our leaders hands.  it is in God's hands.  Hebrews 1 verses 10 and 11.  John said in Revelation "I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth will pass away."  It will only happen when God says it will happen. 

Fishing for men

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 31 OCTOBER 2021

LUKE 5 VERSES 1 - 11

Verse 10 "fear not from henceforth thou shalt catch men.  And when they had brought their ships to land they forsook all and followed him."

Peter had been fishing all night and caught nothing.  It was a failure for him.  Now as he had returned to the seashore he was mending his nets.  He was prepared to go out again.  He is now taken to a new level.  For a Christian we should always be "growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord." (2 Peter 3 verse 18)  Look at this fisherman standing here at the seashore, repairing his nets, ready to go out again but the Lord tells him "you are going to be a fisher for men."  What does it take to ba a fisher of men?

Peter's discipleship.  How can we tell others if we don't have it ourselves?  How can I tell others about the Lord and his salvation if I don't have it myself?  Peter was a disciple of the Lord.  There was a time when he came to know the Lord as his personal Saviour.  Let's take ourselves back to that moment when we trusted the Lord.  We came as sinners.  For Peter he was looking forward to Calvary.  His faith and trust was in the Lord and what he would do for him.  We are looking back to Calvary, to what he has done for us.  He takes your every sin, my every sin and lays it all on his body on the cross of Calvary.  He is not ours until we claim it.  The work has been accomplished.  It is only when we come to the cross and exchange our sin for that new life that he promises we can really know the Lord personally.  That is where Peter came to.  Andrew his brother was a follower of John the Baptist.  He preached about the Messiah coming into the world.  One day John pointed to Jesus and said "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world."  Andrew went and changed his allegiance and followed the Lord.  He spent the day with the Lord then he went to find Peter and told him "we have found the Messiah, come and see him."  They had been watching and hearing all that had been said of Jesus.  Now they proved it for themselves.  We can only prove for ourselves that we accept the Lord.  He makes you a new creature in Christ.  It is not an empty profession.  It will stand for the test of time.  When we close our eyes in death it will stand for eternity.

Peter's discipline.  He had a discipline that came to the fore.  He was a child of God.  We need to have that to follow Christ.  We notice how important it is to go on with the Lord.  Peter had come to trust the Lord as his Saviour and was now putting the Lord to the test out in the boat.  He had fished all night and had nothing to show for that toil.  A complete failure.  He came to land and began to wash and mend the nets. The Lord came to him and asked to use his boat.  He took Peter's possession but he wanted his person.  We can give our possession to the Lord.  Give a tenth of our pay, give even an hour on Sunday morning and evening and during the week at prayer time but he wants our all.  Jesus used the boat to reach the crowd.  He uses our possessions to touch others today.  Peter had to set aside the failure of the night before, he had to set aside that now because he had come to trust the Lord.  I have fished all night and caught nothing, nevertheless at thy word I will let down my nets.  Maybe when reading the word of God something suddenly sits out for you.  An answer to a prayer you have prayed.  Maybe it shows that we have been foolish.  Maybe sometimes God's word contradicts with what we need to do.  Peter wasn't going to let the past night mar his future with the Lord.  Paul felt strongly that he should leave a particular place but God came to him in the night and told him to stay for he had many people in this place.  Paul stayed for another 1 1/2 years.  Peter was listening, launching and learning.  Maybe these are the years the locusts have eaten but we need to set them aside for this is a new day.  Philip in Acts 6 had to leave Jerusalem in the face of persecution.  For him it was not an obstacle but rather he found an opening for the preaching of God in Samaria.  it would have been easy for him to take a step back and say he was finished, to take a less prominent role.  He picked up his case and off he went.  He came to Samaria.  Through his faithfulness God called him onto the desert road where he met the Ethiopian eunuch.  This man was so concerned about his soul.  Philip was told to join him in the chariot.  Such was his discipline.  If he had decided to just stay in Jerusalem, accept what was happening but he obeyed God and as a result people were blessed and enriched.  "I count myself not to have apprehended but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before.  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philipians 3 verses 13 and 14)  Peter was going out in his every day life to put Christ first.  As we go to work each day make sure we seek God's face, asking him to use us that day.

Peter's devotion.  Peter learned a great lesson in fishing.  The Lord knew best.  Sometimes we think we know best but we must learn to stand on the word of God.  Out of this great lesson what did it bring him to - the feet of the Lord in worship and praise.  He learned to stand on God's word for each day.  To depend on it.  In Acts 4 Peter was one of the men who were arrested and questioned by the religious leaders.  When released they went to their own company and began to pray  That was their devotion.  All trials, troubles and tribulations brought them to the feet of Christ and they themselves got down to prayer.  See also in one of the great events in Acts 10 God was about to open the door to the Gentile world.  Cornelius, a Roman centurion was sitting on his knees praying in his own home.  God heard his prayers and was about to do a new thing with the Christian church.  Where was Peter?  On the roof top praying.  That was his devotion.  God spoke to Ananias to go and find Paul - where was Paul?  On his knees praying.  If ever we need a praying people today it is now.  Men and women who get to pray, to grip heaven and pray that God would move.  Remember Mary and Martha when Jesus called to visit.  Martha was rushing about preparing a meal but where was Mary?  At the feet of Jesus listening devotedly to the Lord.  Isaiah said "Here am I Lord send me."  A fisher of men needs to have that devotion to the place of prayer.

Peter's direction.  Peter the fisherman is getting a change of direction.  The lessons he had learned on the waters of Galilee would set him for a change.  Moses was out tending the sheep in the desert when he came to the burning bush.  It would change his life for ever.  He would be sent down to Egypt, to bring the people of Israel out of that land.  Amos was a herdsman following the sheep.  God took him from there - chapter 7 verse 15 "The Lord took me as I followed the flock."  The Lord has taken some from every walk of life.  The religious leaders tried to quieten him down but he told them "the Lord has called me to preach."  Amos told them what his decision was.  His decision has God's hand behind it all.  Has God's hand been upon you lately?  

Peter's dedication.  In Luke 5 verse 11 "and when they had brought their ships to land they forsook all and followed him."  There was nothing holding them back now.  What a catch that day.  But they left it all behind.  One day Peter said "we have left all to follow thee."  Jesus gave the requirements himelf - Luke 9 verse 62.  Men like Martin Luther who stood up and forsook all the religious teaching of his day, to go on with the Lord and help those who were lost.  Men like CT Studd who set aside a family fortune, he couldn't sleep at night knowing people who needed to be saved.  What about us?  Are we ready to take the next step with the Lord?  To give him our all and go through with him?

The dangers of apostasy in today's world

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

Sermon notes from Sunday 24 October 2021

1 KINGS 13 VERSES 1 - 10

This story takes place just after the reign of Solomon.  The nation of Israel was now divided.  There were 2 tribes in the South - Judah and 10 tribes in the North - Ephraim.  The 10 tribes were under the hand of Jeroboam, a mighty and trusted warrior.  The 2 tribes were led by Rehoboam, Solomon's son.  In Rehoboam's tribes there were a few kings who were wicked and turned the people away from God but on the whole there were mostly faithful to God.  The 10 tribes had many who where ungodly.  It was said of Jeroboam that he was the one who made Israel sin.  Today we are living in days of apostasy in our land.

There was a divine mission.  in verse 1 we read of this young prophet of God sent to Jereboam, to this capital city.  He found Jereboam standing beside the altar.  This man Jeroboam had set up an idolatrous worship to golden calves.  we read that in chapter 12 verse 25 - sets up a sacrificial system  In verses 27 and 28 he set one of these calves in the north, in the tribe of Dan and the other in Bethel which was just before you came to Jerusalem.  He was concerned that the people would go back to Rehoboam and he would be killed so he sets up 2 calves in Dan and Bethel and tells the people they could worship them.  The young man was sent to prophesy against this religious system.  Proverbs 16 verse 25.  Your mission today is to shine for the Lord.  You and are I are saved by the grace of God.  We are the light of the world.  We are the salt of the earth.  Like this young man we must stand against ungodliness and apostasy.  In verse 31 we read that 2 temples were built and priests were appointed.  He chose men who were not of the sons of Levi - apostasy of the highest degree.  In verse 32 a feast was called for.  These were the actions of Jeroboam.  He devised it all in his own heart.  We are told in the bible that "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it." (Jeremiah 17 verse 9)   This young man came down and saw Jereboam worshipping a false God.  He had a divine mission.  That is what we have today.  Church on a Sunday is more than a Sunday morning and evening meeting, it is  somewhere we come to worship God.  We worship him who died, rose again and is coming again one day.  Our mission is to shine our lights and show people the glorious truth of the gospel.

The directions that are mentioned.  This young man was sent to prophesy against the altar worship.  In verse 9 we read he was to eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that he came.  He was not to associate with anyone.  He had been given a divine message that pronounced judgment on the people of that land.  He was not to return by the same way he had come.  Is God not speaking in these days through all that we has happened in the last 19 months?  Jereboam raised his hand to point out the young man he referred to.  He didn't want to hear about the judgment of God.  He had everything nicely set up in the way he wanted.  He tells others around him to lay hold on this man.  As he lifted his hand to him he couldn't withdraw his hand, something had happened which resulted in him not being able to pull back his hand.  He pleaded for the young man to pray to God and ask for his hand to be restored again.  In verse 6 we read that God healed the man.  He was merciful to him.  Then the king tells him to come home with him.  The devil will do everything in his power to persuade and prevent us in our mission for God.  The young man's instructions were not to associate with anyone, to prophesy against the altar then turn his back and return home again. The young man could not go home with the king and refresh himself.  Imagine the temptation for the young man coming into the presence of the king and being offered a reward but he said no,  God's word says I am not allowed to do it.  Satan will try to reward you and I just to run off the pathway.  Preachers are told "don't preach as heavy as that, people want to come in and hear something nice and as a result loads of people will return."  God doesn't want that.  In the Old Testament Balak called Balaam to curse Israel.  He wanted him to do his bidding - Numbers 22 verse 17 - he would offer a reward if he did it.  Moses led the people into the promised land and told the people not to intermarry.  When Joshua went into the land of Canaan he told the people they could worship the gods of the land or worship the God of heaven but he was going to serve the Lord.  Paul in 2 Corinthians 6 verse 14 said "do not be unequally yoked."  Sometimes we put that in terms of marital relationships but it could also be applied to the business world and ordinary friendships.  "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5 verse 11)  In Revelation at the time of Babylon God is still saying to his people come out of her my people. (Revelation 18 verse 4)  The charge to you and I today regarding those who oppose the gospel of saving grace is to come out from among them.

The deceptive message.  We don't read it but when you go on to verse 11 there was a old prophet who lived in the land and he had 2 sons.  The sons had been present when this all happened and they came home and told their father about it.  The father asked which way he went and he went after the young man.  This old backslidden prophet with subtlety led the young man astray.  He told him a lie - that an angel had spoken to him and he was inviting him back to his house to eat and drink.  Was that an angel of the devil himself?  Paul said "if a man comes to you with another gospel give him no room." (Galatians 1 verse 8)  He went on to say "Christ sent me not to baptise but to preach the gospel not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish is foolishness but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1 verses 17 and 18)

A disastrous mistake. The young man fell for the subtlety of the old prophet - verse 19.  He ended up being devoured by a lion.  The devil is a roaring lion and is out to devour you today. (1 Peter 5 verse 8)  We need to be aware of the lies of the apostate generation we are living in today.  We need to learn not to listen to such that are not preaching the truth of the gospel today.  We could be lulled into that system and be succumbed to it and be devoured by it.

Launch out!

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER 2021

LUKE 5 VERSES 1 - 11

Peter coming face to face with the challenge of the word of God.  He was sitting mending his nets after a night of fishing.  Jesus asked to use his boat and push it out a little way from the shore so he could speak to the people.  Peter hadn't managed to catch anything the previous night but he was not discouraged, prepared to go out again.  Verse 1 Jesus addressed the crowd, in verse 3 he taught the people out of the ship and then in verse 4 when he had left speaking with the crowd he spoke personally to Simon Peter.  He tells him to "launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught."  How careful we need to be in the house of God - because maybe it is not a crowd of people that Jesus wants to speak to but rather an individual - you or I.  Maybe the Lord is setting you aside and wants to speak directly to you today.  God has a word for you personally.  That is why you are here today.

Peter perceived that this was the word of God.  In verse 5 was he making excuses?  The Lord did know all about the previous night.  He knew where he had been, why he was not sitting mending his nets.  Perhaps you are saying "I could never meet that challenge today" but look at how Peter responded to Jesus' words - "nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." He was setting everything aside from the previous night and doing as Jesus told him.  This time though he would be going out with the Lord's word.  Think of the words in Ephesians about the armour of God.  At the end we read "taking the sword of the spirit which is the word of God."  Peter realised there was something special about the one who was speaking.  Andrew introduced him to Jesus.  Andrew heard the words of John the Baptist "Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world."  Andrew followed Jesus as a result.  When he could he went straight to tell his brother Peter.  The word of God is not just for us to be stirred up, it is our responsibility to tell others.  Peter could later say of Jesus "thou art the Son of the living God."  Are we standing on the word of God today and every day we live or is it something we think we should do?  "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe."  (1 Thessalonians 2 verse 13) Paul was thanking God for the testimony of this  church, standing on the word of God because it is the word of God not man.  We want to see it thrive because there are people who need to hear of a Saviour, that they are perishing in their sin, going out into a lost eternity.  Think of the Bereans who heard the preaching of Paul but they went home to search the scriptures for themselves.  Let's perceive the word of God, ask God to speak directly to us.

Peter practised the word of God.  He was quick to put the word into action.  Are we putting he word of God into every day living?  Peter when he met the challenge did it right away.  Think of Samuel and Eli - Eli perceived it was the word of God and told Samuel to say "speak Lord for thy servant heareth."  The word of God needs to be put into practice.  When you realise you are coming to the God of heaven, that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek for him. (Hebrews 11 verse 6)  Notice the words Peter used - "at thy word".  Peter knew he had heard God's word but now he needed to do something about it.  Remember how Jesus spoke of a man building his house.  He dug down until he got to the rock and built the house.  The other man just built his house on the sand.  The difference was when the storms came.  Only the one house built on the rock stood firm.  In trials your faith is tested - not in the sunshine but in the darkness.  Why?  Because we are trusting and depending on God more. Sometimes the way God plans for a person is too hard, there are too many sacrifices to make.  When the storm comes it becomes very difficult to stand firm.  The Lord told Noah to build an ark as he was about to destroy the earth.  For 120 years Noah built that ark before the floods came.  He preached and told the people of what was to come.  He received criticism and others mocked but there were the encouragers.  However the people of Noah's day wanted to go on with their lives.  "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only."  When Peter received the word from God he knew it contradicted everything he had learned.  You don't go fishing in the shallow water but in the deep.  You don't go fishing in the sunshine but in the dark.  Despite all of that and because Jesus spoke directly to him he decided to act on the word given to him.  Maybe you don't understand what is happening in your life.  You need to surrender everything in your life and say "I will do it".  The widow woman in the Old Testament had only a pot of oil.  She borrowed all the neighbours jars, went into her house and closed the door.  Everything seemed impossible but the more she poured the more jars she filled.  Nothing is impossible with God.

Peter proved the word of God.  He relied on what Jesus said, not on his own abilities.  Simply because Jesus said it he went out onto the Sea of Galilee.  He let down his nets and in verse 6 we read "so much so that they had to call their friends"  Peter didn't care what people thought.  He was putting the Lord first  Remember Moses and the children of Israel in the desert desperate for water.  God told Moses to go out and strike a rock.  Out of that rock poured water to satisfy the people.  The challenge came again and Moses was told to go out and speak to a rock.  Instead Moses went out and struck the rock.  Maybe God is challenging you today.  Moses disobeyed God and as a result he didn't get to enter the Promised Land.

Peter praised the word of God.  He acknowledged where his success was coming from.  He ran to Jesus and confessed his sin before the Lord, he acknowledged what had been done for him.  Will you do the same today?

The seed in the sower's hand

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER 2021 HARVEST SUNDAY

LUKE 8 VERSES 4 - 18

I am sure this passage is one of the most popular to preach on for a harvest service.  The parable of the sower.  Some commentators believe that Jesus actually used this parable to his disciples as he watched a sower sowing the seed in the fields nearby.  Quite often Jesus took every day natural things and would bring great spiritual truth from them.  A parable is an earthly picture with a heavenly meaning  Jesus is teaching here about a sower, not thinking of the practical but the spiritual.  He sees the man going forth to preach the word of God - verse 11 "the seed is the word of God."  The ground is the acceptance of the word of God in our hearts - do we receive it today or does it fall on hard ground?  I want to look at the seed in the sowers hand today.  Look at the seed that is sown - the word of God.

The seed is precious. The sower didn't go out and buy a sub standard seed.  He made sure the seed was the best he could buy.  He wanted the best response.  This man knew he had something very precious in his hand and there would come a great harvest from the seed sown.  Always keep that in mind when you are sowing God's seed, the word of God.  Galatians 6 verse 7 "whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap."  The sower knew he would gain a bountiful harvest.  Psalmist 126 verse 6 said "He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him."  "My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word." (Psalm 119 verse 81)  A man sowing/preaching the word of God.  The very question we must ask is how precious is the book you hold in your hand today?  A young man in 2 Kings 22 Joash came to the throne of Judah.  His father and grandfather didn't give him much influence.  They did their best to put down the faith of God.  Joash though cleansed the house of God.  The word of God which had been hidden for many years was found in the temple and the one who found it ran straight away into the palace and set it on Joash's knee.  Joash realised it was the word of God.  He tore his clothes and got down in sackcloth and ashes.  The word of God is so precious.  So precious that men have given their lives to give you it today.  Martin Luther, Wycliffe, Tyndale - they all vowed that they would place the word of God in the people's own language into their hands. These men were burnt at the stake because they tried to do that.  The apostle Paul writing to Timothy realised the preciousness of the word of God.  He told Timothy "it is able to make you wise unto salvation." (2 Timothy 3 verse 15)  Joshua going into the land of Canaan was leading the people out in front.  People were looking to him for leading and direction.  God directed him to the book of the law and told him to "meditate in it day and night that you might make the right decisions." (Joshua 1 verse 8)  Such was the preciousness of the book he had.  This book tells me about the creation of the world.  Did you ever see so many documentaries today about how the world came into being, they declare it is a mystery but this book tells me all about creation.  It also tells me what I am, a sinner and the remedy for my sin was found almost 2000 years ago when the Son of God came into the world.  On the cross he suffered, bled and died for our sins.  He did it so that heavens door might open to all who trust in him.  Paul said "all scripture is given by inspiration of God."  How precious it is.  This sower is pictured and in his hand is the seed, it is precious.

There has to be plenty of seed.  The sower goes forth to sow.  He had his eye on this harvest.  Notice the importance of the seed.  Not merely to be possessed but scattered. Sometimes we can be selfish.  This word handed down to us must be sown.  Have you told anyone about the Lord, about his love for us, his death in dying on the cross, how he was buried for 3 days and nights in the tomb, of his glorious resurrection, that he is a living Saviour today.  One day he is coming once again.  What impact have we had on others this week?  Are we sowing the seed today?  People are watching us today.  We profess the Lord as Saviour but what are we sowing today?   We need to plant the word of God in our hearts and minds.  Paul said to Timothy "preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4 verse 2)  In Acts 8 we read of a terrible time of persecution around Jerusalem.  Saul of Tarsus was creating havoc.  People got up and left Jerusalem as a result but "they went everywhere preaching the word." (verse 4)  Things might have been rough for them in Jerusalem but they didn't forget about the word of God.  Philip himself went down to the city of Samaria "and preached Christ unto them."

Notice the seeds produce.  We are seeing the seed is precious, that there has to be plenty sown, now seeing the seed and its produce - verse 15 "but that on the good ground are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience."  God takes his word and applies it to your situation and as you receive it that will bring forth fruit in your life.  Life was in the seed not in the sower.  Sometimes we want to attribute the success to the preacher no matter how educated he might be.  Life is not in the preacher.  Paul said "Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel; not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." (1 Corinthians 1 verse 18)  Paul could have used his education very well but he knew that was not sufficient.  It is only when the cross is present before you, when Christ who was rich in glory was set aside and came into the world to become poor for you.  "And My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of  power.  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" 1 Corinthians 2  verses 4 and 5.  God is dealing with your soul today.  He wants you to step out today.  It is the word of God.  Remember Lydia at the meeting in Acts 16 when the apostle Paul preached, God opened up her heart that she might receive the word of God.  In Acts 2 when they listened to the word of God they were "pricked in their hearts." (verse 37)  "Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incoruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Peter 1 verse 23)  "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10 verse 17)

The seed and its problems.  There is nothing wrong with the seed but it was other problems outside of its control.  The seed "bare fruit an hundredfold."  The problem was in the heart.  First the seed fell by the wayside where it was trodden down and the fowls of the air devoured it (verse 5).  Jesus explains this as the devil coming in and takes the seed away.  Then the seed fell on stony ground and it sprouted up but it quickly withered away when the sun came.  That is like someone who comes to Christ, they are all emotional and have no depth.  The third seed fell among thorns and thistles which choked the seed.  The cares of the world, the influence of others means the word of God is choked and no more fruit is produced.  The heart that was prepared brings plenty of fruit.  Let's sow the seed to day and share the word of God for the great harvest ahead.

Why?

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 4 JULY 2021 – MR IAN BOOTH

PHILIPPIANS 1 VERSES 12 – 19

 

Why is a big question.  Why do bad things happen to good people?  Many people standing at the side of the grave will ask “why is my loved one taken, so young in life?”  A teenager not allowed to go places will ask why.  There is no answer that pacifies the enquirer.  We see that question was on the mind of the Philippian church.  Why has Paul been in prison for so long?  Why is he being held?  Why doesn’t God let him go free?  The first time Paul was in Philippi he was only there for a short period of time.  At night God sent an earthquake and opened the doors of the prison house Paul and Silas were being held in.  The Philippian jailer took them home, fed and washed their wounds.  Now 2 years later he is still in prison.  Why is he being so restricted in his ministry?  In verses 12 and 13 Paul tries to answer that why question.  Maybe the question why is on your mind today.  Why has this pandemic happened?  Why is our worship held back?  God has allowed this to happen – “it is for the furtherance of the gospel.”  We all believe this morning in the sovereignty of God.  We believe God is in control of all events.  What is happening is being allowed of God.  I am not saying God sent it but he has allowed it for a purpose.  The Lord has done it for a reason.  Perhaps we have become too comfortable.  For the Philippian church Paul told them “I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.”  God gives us opportunities to speak to people in all sorts of circumstances.  We need to watch for every opportunity.  Think of the passion of the apostle Paul – to reach out to men and women and to preach the gospel.  On that day on the Damascus road God had given him a vision for preaching the gospel.  The heartbeat of Paul was that he might make Christ known to others.  He was willing to die for the gospel.  He had a reputation for being hostile to the church at one time.  “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”  Paul said “I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live … for Christ who died for me and gave his life for me.”  What motivates you today?  That drives you out to knock doors, to give out leaflets?  Surely it has to be to support the gospel.  What do you live for?  What takes up your time and thinking?  I don’t have a passion for computers and social media in general but look at how it has been effective in spreading the gospel recently.  The gospel has got to be our main focus, got to be that overwhelming desire, that others would have a response to the gospel.  Paul’s passion was for the gospel.  Do we have that passion to reach our loved ones for the gospel?  Is that we would come out of this lockdown with that same passion?  In the book of Acts and Paul’s letters you can see something of the passion of Paul reaching out to his day and his generation.  Paul cannot reach our generation today.  We have that job to do.  We can see something of Paul’s passion by the things he sacrificed.  Philippians 3 verse 4 he counted it all as rubbish in order to gain something of Christ.  Paul gave of his reputation but he sacrificed time and energy.  He shared with many people in different places – why – because of his love for the gospel.  He knew what it was to have nothing.  The times when he had everything and others had nothing.    He was willing to travel to places where the gospel had never been preached.  It is easy for a stranger to come to a place where people want to hear the gospel but Paul went to places where people didn’t want to hear the gospel but needed to hear it.  Paul carried the gospel to the uttermost parts of his world.  “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me there is no sacrifice too great for me to make for him.” C T Studd.  Maybe you have given of your time and energy.  What motivates you today in order that the gospel might be spread?  Paul had one focus in mind – Jesus’ sacrifice.  What have we sacrificed that our generation might hear the gospel?  The things Paul sacrificed.

 

The things Paul said.  Paul made great statements – Acts 21 verse 13 “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”  Romans 15 verse 20 “Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation.”  Perhaps we have promised to go and do the utmost to spread the gospel for Christ yet later we excuse ourselves from telling our neighbours. 

The things Paul suffered.  2 Corinthians 11 verses 23 – 28.  What Paul suffered was unbelievable.  Paul continued to return to places where he hadn’t been welcomed before.  He still went and preached the gospel because that was his passion in life.  It did not matter what men thought or said, it didn’t matter to him.  Paul was unafraid to speak the gospel.  In these words we see not only his passion.  He was also submitted.  Paul came to that understanding when he was in prison.  That is where God was using him.  Paul sees these things as an opportunity to glorify God, to reach out with the gospel.  Do we see this pandemic to get out and reach others with the gospel?  Progressing, going forward?  We do not find him complaining.  He was submitted to God.  God has a better plan for your life and mine.  He knows the end from the beginning.  He knows the steps we take, the way we should go.  Today we are frustrated with our churches not being able to gather together.  The gospel is still going forward by the internet, Facebook, other social media.  In fact the gospel is reaching more today than ever before.  People are listening on the far side of the world today.  They are hearing the gospel today.  The pandemic has given us opportunities.  People are asking questions – God is still blessing the church today.  We should be thankful today.  The gospel is going out today.  In Acts 3 when there was a great persecution in the church the people were scattered abroad.  God used that opportunity to spread the gospel.  They went everywhere preaching the gospel.  God will not ever stop it happening.  We see it not only in scripture.  John Bunyan preached but he was put into prison.  He used that opportunity to preach in the prison and the people outside gathered to hear him preach.  From there he wrote the book “Pilgrim’s Progress”.  If Paul had not been in prison we would never have all these letters today.  Paul says in verse 18 that he not only preached the gospel but loved the gospel.  In all his ministry the gospel was going forth.  He is sharing the gospel in the palace.  Philippians 4 verses 21 and 21 “of Caesar’s household”.  If Paul had never appealed to go to him we would never have heard the gospel today.  Think of the centurions who accompanied him.  Soldiers were chained to him.  He presented his case to King Agrippa.  He preached unto him righteousness and the judgment to come.  Remember all heaven rejoiceth over one sinner that repenteth.  Even though Paul is bound God is not bound.  Verse 13 he is rejoicing that others are preaching the gospel too.  Verse 18 he is rejoicing  that Christ is being preached.  You and I may not agree with other peoples preaching but we have to rejoice in the fact that the gospel is being preached by the grace of God.  Faith alone in Christ.  Paul is rejoicing at every opportunity he was being given.  The gospel is still going out despite the pandemic.  There are men and women watching our lives.  We have got to be living out the gospel.  People were watching Paul and others became bold because they were watching Paul in prison.  Surely God could use us to reach out to our neighbours.  Are we sharing the gospel today?