Caleb - a man who wholly followed the Lord

Sermon notes from Sunday 22 July 2012 Mr Ian Booth, LIMC

Numbers 14 verses 6 - 9, 2 - 24 and Joshua 14 verse 6 - 15, chapter 15 verses 13 and 14

Caleb - a Gentile by birth, the son of Jephunneh.  He was of the same people that Moses had married into.  He was outside the nation of Israel.  We too are born outside of the family and fold of God.  Even though he was disadvantaged by his birth he went on to be a man of God, did exploits for God.

"And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." Ephesians 2 verses 1 - 3

In the life of Abraham God promised this great land.  He was alien to those promises.  Caleb at one time was a possessor of a different spirit.  Whenever we come to trust and put faith in Christ, the Spirit of God came into our lives, we are the possessor of a new Spirit, born again of the Spirit of God.  Our lives are changed as a result of what God has done.

"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood."

We cannot follow the Lord unless we are born again of the Spirit of God.  We can never see the Kingdom of God unless that has happened.  Caleb had a different spirit, a spirit that changed his life and brought him into the family of God.

Caleb enjoyed a surrendered life

The challenge of his heart - the proclamation of his heart.  He said with absolute assurance "I will wholly follow the Lord."  His life was changed as a result of having that different spirit.  Everything that God said Caleb was going to do it.  Look at verse 10 "And now behold the Lord hath kept me alive as he said" and again in verse 12 "if so be able to drive them out as the Lord said."  Caleb despised half heartedness.  He had seen the richness of the land.  The other 10 spies had talked about the giants in the land and how they were so large.  Caleb was different.  He had his eyes fixed on the Lord of heaven.  It was all for God or not at all.  Caleb's name means surrendered to God.  Sometimes it is easy to say the words but to live it out is a different matter altogether.  Caleb doesn't say it in a boastful way or from assumption.  He had a heart that is fully passionate for God.  He was fully in God's plan the moment he had handed his life over to God.  You and I, we must never be satisfied just with intellectual awareness of how we can live for God.

"But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." Jams 1 verse 22

Caleb knew he had been promised the land.  There is no substitute for personal obedience.  As God speaks to us we must do as he asks.  Two military men were having a discussion when one said "all that a soldier needs is to know how to march and how to shout."  The other man said "you forgot one key ingredient - every soldier needs to obey the commands of his superior."

The confirmation of his surrender.  Moses said in verse 9 "because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God."  Moses was someone to look up to.  He had been educated in all the mighty wisdom of Egypt, he had spent 40 years in the wilderness.  Moses knew without a doubt that Caleb wholly followed the Lord.  A lady once made a claim that she had surrendered into a deeper relationship with God.  A sceptic asked her "have you any more power in our life as a result?"  The woman said "no I don't think so."  The sceptic asked again "so have you any more great plans or positions you need to fulfil in life then?"  The woman replied "my friends are beginning to ask me more questions about spiritual things, asking me to pray for different situations in my life."  The woman had given more of her life to God and it was displayed in her life.  There was a difference.  When we surrender to God others will see the difference and begin to ask questions.  A life that is surrendered to God - what a confirmation that others have seen it.

The commendation for his surrender.  We read in Numbers about God speaking and God has spoken about the nation of Israel disobeying his commands because of unbelief.  They would not surrender to God.  God said "But my servant, Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully ..." (Numbers 14 verse 24)  What a commendation from God regarding Caleb!  Caleb knew what it was to present his life as a divine sacrifice.

"I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12 verse 1

The world will put pressure on us to do all kinds of things but Caleb didn't care, he wholly trusted the Lord.  What a challenge to us all today.  Do we all stand for God in a day when we must be counted?  We need to re-examine whether we are surrendered to the will and plan of God.

George Mueller said "There was a day when I died, utterly died - died to George Mueller, his opinions, preferences, tastes and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends - and since then I have only to show myself approved to God."

Caleb enjoyed a separated life

Caleb was separated from discouragement.  In Joshua 14 verse 10 Caleb referred to the 40 and 5 years the Lord had kept him alive.  While Caleb and Joshua spied out the land they were spared from discouragement.  It didn't matter how much opposition or trials they faced they never lost faith in God.  Today there are many who can discourage us  The bible tells us to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to ever creature."  Sometimes people get discouraged because of the numbers attending meetings, because of individuals who are perhaps of a different religion.  Numbers don't matter much to God, it is the presence of God that makes the feast.  These men were spared from discouragement.  Caleb stood up amongst the people and quieted the people.

"Never be afraid to stand with the minority when it is right but always be afraid to stand with the majority when they are wrong." William Jennings

If you focus on the problems alone they will get bigger and bigger.  Joshua and Caleb looked beyond the problems.  God is able to fulfil all that he has promised.  His eyes were fixed on the God of heaven.

"So amid the conflict whether great or small

Do not be discouraged, God is over all

Count your many blessings!  Angels will attend

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end."

God is still on the throne today as he was in the day of Caleb and Joshua.  There is no need for us to be discouraged.  The way to overcome discouragement is to get on your knees and fix your eyes on the  God of all glory.

Caleb was separated from disbelief.  All the children of Israel who were aged 20 years and over didn't enter into the Promised Land because of the unbelief.  God is still with us today.  Caleb laughed at the impossibilities and cried "it shall be done because God had promised."

Caleb was separated from death too.  For 40 and 5 years God had kept him alive.  God kept him alive that he might fulfil his promise.  God has given us tremendous promises if we believe he will.  God had promised Caleb he would enter into the promised land and he cannot lie.  God has promised us life after death.  In John 11 we read of the resurrection of Lazarus when Jesus himself said:

"I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, Believest thou this?" John 11 verses 25 and 26

God will spare us for eternity so that we may enter into His promised land.  For a Christian who is dead spiritually his life will be a wilderness and barrenness experience.  Yes you will enter into the promised land but you will die never having borne fruit in your life.

Caleb also knew a strong life

As we think of this man and the strength he had at 85 years of age it is not humanly possible to have the same strength physically but spiritually he was still able to live for God.  The Anakims were cast out of the land - there were 3 giants that Caleb drove out, the 3 sons of Anak "Sheshai and Ahiman and Ralmai".  These 3 giants are seen as the passions, pressures and power of the flesh.  They can be devastating even in the life of the church.  No-one is beyond temptation - that is why Paul said 

"take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand." Ephesians 6 verse 13

So many today live for the things they can see but the unseen things are eternal and those are what we should be seeking after.  Man is essentially a show off.  He always likes to be number 1.  That is why everyone is looking for that bit of power and fame today, to become socially powerful.  People accumulate knowledge to impress others around them.  We need to stand against them but can only stand against these in the strength of the Lord.

Caleb knew a satisfied life

Joshua gave unto Caleb "Hebron for an inheritance."  Caleb enjoyed peace.  God has given us every spiritual blessing in Christ.  Are you satisfied with all God has given to you?  An old man went on a cruise and to save some money he took his own food with him.  On the last day he decided to try out the food that was available on the ship.  He asked if he could have a meal and was told "yes everything was paid for at the beginning of the cruise."  The Lord has given us all things that pertain unto life.  Are you satisfied with all that you have in Christ?  Caleb was satisfied because he was strong in spirit and his life was surrendered to God.  There was once a train crash in which hundreds of people were injured.  One man spotted someone who he knew to be a doctor.  He went up to him and said "why don't you do something to help people that are suffering?"  The doctor replied "I would love to do so but I don't have my instruments."  Outside today there are people crying out for God to help them but God has to say "I don't have my instruments, those people who are fully surrendered to me."  Will you wholly trust the Lord?"  Caleb had and God blessed him as a result.

Meditating on God's Word

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 9 MARCH 2014

JOSHUA 1 VERSES 1 - 9

These are words of promise from God to Joshua and they are words to be obeyed by the people of God.  They talk about building for a future.  Every one of us seeks to build a future for the Lord.  It is something we seek to do as a fellowship too.  Perhaps it is something that scares and intimidates many of us.  We as human beings would like to know what is going to happen, put it into our timelines and that is why we are scared of the future.  The children of Israel were about to embark on a new future.  Joshua was the man to step up as the new leader - verse 1 "Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister."  This opens up a new chapter for the children of Israel.  Moses was the leader for many years, now Joshua was the man selected to take over.  Deuteronomy 34 verse 9 "And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him; and the children of Israel hearkened unto him and did as the Lord commanded Moses."  Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom. This was the man to fill Moses' boots.  For 40 years the people had been led by Moses. If ever their future looked daunting it must have been now.  They had been through so much.  Moses had died, he didn't get to see the great promised land.  Surely the men and women must have thought if he couldn't make it what hope is there for us?  The Lord was saying "I have a future laid ahead for you."  They stood on the edge of the river Jordan, met with a great stumbling block - verse 2  - how to get over this Jordan.  If we are to build for the future we need to trust in God.  The promise was in front of them.  Apprehension and fear was all around them.  Moses was dead.  They were afraid because of what lay in front of them.  River Jordan had burst its banks and it was miles wide yet God is telling them to go over the Jordan.  This is where the future with God is that we must trust in God again in order to see that future God provides for us.  We need to trust in God.  For many of us today we have our own problems, stumbling blocks set in front of us.  We have our own Jordan river standing in the way.  What God has set before us may be our Jordan river and it may still be overflowing.  God wants every one of us to get into that relationship with God and strive forward in that relationship.  It starts when we learn to fully trust on God.  There was a time when this work had to start.  God has been with this church since the beginning until now.  He has been the centre of this congregation - why - because they have learned to trust in God.  When on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came down it must have been daunting when they heard they had to go into the whole world to preach the gospel.  Did God let that church down?   "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."  This church was added to daily, monthly, yearly such as should be saved.  God has seen this church grow from small beginnings.  It started with God in the midst just as it did with the first church.  We have looked at how we build a future and how we go about building after that.  Ask yourself the question - what type of future am I building."  An important question to consider this morning.

The duty in building for the future - "thou shalt meditate therein day and night."  God is saying to Joshua keep the book of the law even in thy mouth.  This will make us grow.  The words of God are sadly forgotten about and scorned.  The scriptures are not something to be picked up on a Sunday morning or Sunday evening, go to church with it that day but left back until the following week.  He is giving us living words from the risen exalted Saviour.  The word "meditate" means to study or give much thought over.  Think of your own quiet time today.  The last time you read your Bible - do you think about it, give much intelligent thought to it?  Do we ask ourselves what is God saying to me, to us as a church fellowship?  When God makes that road into our quiet times he will begin to move.  There is a promise in this verse - if you make my word precious then you will have good success.

The diligence in building for a future - "that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written."  We have a duty to do something but not necessarily do it with intelligence.  The word "observe" comes from the Hebrew word meaning to watch.  It goes deeper than that. To guard or protect it.  It is broken down into 2 areas - personal and public protection of the word.  Personal involves our quiet times when one on one we meet with the Lord.  It speaks about our duty in our quiet times.  Not one of us will neglect our physical bodies for days at a time with food yet sad to say the spiritual body can be neglected for days on end.  There is the diligent public protection.  How do you get a building to fall?  Attack the foundations.  "If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11 verse 3)  There is an attack on the church of God.  How easily and glibly God's words are thrown to one side as not relevant for today.  We as Christians must stand to protect the word of God.  This world would love to see the word of God destroyed, would love to see the church closing their doors, going to the wall.  When we are diligent God is diligent to us.

The dangers in building for a future.  Look at verse 7 "turn not from it to the right hand or to the left."  That is the warning we have today.  God's words are the most important words to follow.  They tell us how to leave a life of sin and be assured of heaven and home.  That is why we should be spending time in God's word.  Everyone is building for a future, building that relationship with God.  Many have already turned from it. God's word says repent.  We must come to Calvary.  Many people today turn from it, turn from the right and turn from the left.  Many know the words of salvation, know and understand that Christ has died for them and that one day Christ will return but many turn from the right and from the left.  They come so close.  It means turning away from God's will, and it sets you on a different path.  Prosper comes down to one word - Psalm 1 verses 3 and 4 "and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away."  A life lived with God shall prosper.  The spiritual life lived without God shall not prosper.  Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.  It takes those who build and who prepare for the future.  Many have already turned from the right and the left.  This church should be able to stand on verse 8.  God has made us prosperous, given us success, given us a future.  How do we as individuals build that future with God? Through our duty in our personal quiet time.  Keeping daily diligence.  To be in that place of quiet time not just for the sake of reading but because of a desire to be reading it.  We should be striving to help men and women to avoid the danger in front of others.  God can see our every move.  He doesn't look on the outward appearance but looks on the heart.  He sees your heart today.  What type of future are you building this morning?  Building on the diligent duty of God or deviating from the path God has required for your life?  Have you turned from the right hand or to the left and are not following him in your life?  He still intercedes on that life of yours.  Today could be the day when you put the first block down to live for God.  It starts with forgiveness of sins.  The blood of Christ still atones today.

 

My Lord and My God

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 PM

JOHN 20 VERSES 24 - 29 - THOMAS' RECOVERY

Thomas is sitting amongst the disciples.  He came to this meeting in a state of unbelief, doubts and fears of what is happening.  Are we coming with all our doubts and unbeliefs?  The Lord confronts him in that state.  Isn't that what happens.  Maybe there are doubts and fears in our heart tonight.  The Lord comes to where we are, confronts us with all those doubts and fears in our heart.  On the resurrection day the disciples met together - verse 19 - and the Lord met with them.  "Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst."  The Lord presenced himsef with them.  In verse 24 we are specifically told that Thomas was not at that meeting.  Not told why not.  The disciples didn't leave him out of their thinking.  They went and told him all that had happened on that resurrection night.  They wanted to share with him.  Are we sharing with others what is happening in the meetings?  What the Lod can do for us?  Sharing that he has risen from the dead?  Seated with his father in heaven right now.  This is the greatest message we could ever share.  They came to him and said "Thomas we have seen the Lord."  Notice Thomas' reaction - verse 25 "Except I shall see in those hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and thrust my hand into his side I will not believe."  Verse 26 "And after 8 days again his disciples were within and Thomas with them."  He didn't miss out.  We miss a lot by not being in a meeting where God is present - "there am I in the midst."  The recovery of Thomas.  

Notice that Thomas is challenged by the word.  I can see the disciples gathered there.  Verse 26.  Thomas brought all his fear and doubts with him.  Jesus said to Thomas in verse 27 "reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithless but believing."  He didn't condemn Thomas for his unbelief.  He wanted to prove who he really was.  Challenged him by the word of God.  That is what we find tonight.  The Lord challenges us through his word.  On the Day of Pentecost in Acts Peter stands up and preaches of the Lord - how he came into the world, how he died on Calvary, how he was buried and rose again the third day.  As the people listened the people were pricked in their hearts and cried "what shall we do?"  Paul told Timothy when he was going out into the work of God "preach the word".  It is the word of God that bringeth men and women to faith.  "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  Think of David in the Old Testament who committed sin with Bathsheba.  He plotted for Uriah her husband to be right in the heart of the battle.  He knew he would be killed.  David had Bathsheba for himself.  It displeased the Lord in what he had done.  The Lord sent Nathan the prophet, gave him the word to say to David.  He told him a parable.  A rich man who had lots of flocks and herds, wealthy in his position.  One day a stranger came to his house.  He wanted to prepare a meal for him.  Instead of going to his own flock he went down to a neighbour who owned only one little lamb.  The rich man took that lamb to feed the stranger that came to his door.  David was in a rage and said "that man that did this shall surely die."  Nathan told him "thou art the man."  David felt the conviction in his heart and cried "I have sinned against the Lord."  David was challenged by the word of God.  Do you feel the challenge from God's word tonight?  Are you saved by God's grace tonight?  Have you ever taken the Lord as Saviour?

Confirmation by the wounds.  Thomas looked at his hands and side.  He realised these were the wounds of our Saviour.  He cried out "My Lord and my Saviour."  He needed to see the work of the cross in the Lord.  It is the Saviour you need tonight, to see those hands punctured for your sin.  He didn't come into the world as a miracle worker, a teacher, a preacher but he came to save to the uttermost all who come unto God through him.  When he stood in that room he pointed Thomas not to some great miracle or healing he had done, just his hands and side.  Charles Wesley "Five bleeding wounds he bears, received on Calvary, they pour effectual prayer, they strongly speak for me, forgive him O forgive they cry, nor let that ransomed sinner die."  The hymn writer wrote "Wounded for me, wounded for me, wounded for me, he was wounded for me, gone my transgressions and now I am free, all because Jesus was wounded for me."  He needed to see the worst man could do to heavens best.  Thomas was able to say "he was wounded for me."

The confessing of his wrongs.  He was challenged by the word of God and it is confirmed by the wounds.  Now see Thomas owning up, confessing to the wrongs he had done.  He was confessing he was wrong in the thoughts he had.  It is a big thing to own up.  Maybe he stayed away previously on purpose.  He would not believe what they told him.  Now he is openly confessing that.  One day every knee shall bow in the presence of God.  You will acknowledge that he is Lord.  Wouldn't it be awful to do that in your sin and realise you will be dismissed for all eternity.  You can acknowledge you have done wrong and allow him to come into your life.  He was prepared to confess he was wrong.  There is a narrow way tonight.  The way in is by a straight gate and few there be that find it.  The broad road is the way each of us have been born on.  The entrance is wide.  Many are on it at this particular time.  Will it take a decision tonight?  To get off it and go on to the narrow road.  It will take a confession of your sin to do it. John 4 women at the well.  She had arguments in her heart.  This man was a Jew - Samaritans had no dealings with them.  She held on to a religious argument.  Jacob had given them this well.  Maybe you are holding on to some religious argument that you don't need to be saved.  You are all right, you have been brought up in a good home, you are a good person at heart.  The bible says you have sinned.  There has to be a confession of that.  The relationship she was in was wrong.  She had to acknowledge that and come to the Lord.  A confession of the wrongs.  The prodigal son went out from his father's house and into a foreign land.  When all his money was gone and his friends too, he had nothing left.  He had to go home to his father, had to acknowledge he was wrong.  "I have sinned".  David when Nathan the prophet came to him, had to acknowledge that he had sinned.  The challenge, the confirmation of the wounds, the confession of his wrongs.

A correction of his will.  This was a matter of the will.  When the disciples came and told Thomas they had met the Lord he argued with them "I will not believe that."  Now there was a complete turn around.  He was now standing before the Lord.  He said "My Lord and my God" when he saw the wounds.  "Ye will not come to me that you might have life" Jesus said to the religious leaders one day.  Is that what you have been saying all along "I will not come, I will go to the Lord in my own way, I will not openly confess to all and sundry I am not saved, that I am not on my way to heaven and home."  Will you look to Calvary, to what he has done for you?  Will you see the Lord bearing your sins on his body?  He has died and risen again to suffice an angry God for you?  Will you accept it for yourself tonight?  Eternal life can be yours if you do.

Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die ...

 LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021

JOHN 12 VERSES 20 - 33

This is a very special weekend in the Christian calendar in the world.  We believe the scripture how Jesus came into the world, died on a rugged cross at Calvary, was buried and rose again on the third day and is now seated at his Father's right hand ever making intercession for us.

Notice what it says in verse 24 "Verily, verily I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit."

A principle Jesus is teaching - that God is in control of the whole situation. That it was planned from eternity past.  The Lord was as a seed that is sown.  This is an expression by the Lord by which he wants to grab the attention of his disciples.  "Verily, verily" stop, behold what I am going to say, I don't want you to miss this.  It is of the utmost importance.  We could come into the car park and miss something very important but Jesus doesn't want us to miss it.  The apostle Paul said "For 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." (1 Corinthians 1 verse 17)  In the cross we see the love of God manifest to us.  "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."(John 3 verse 16)  In the parable of the sower a man was going out to sow his seed on the ground.  Jesus emphasised that you have to take heed to what you hear.  There is a lot of teaching going around today that we need to be wary of.  Then Jesus went on to say we also need to be careful how we hear.  Lydia in Philippi was able to understand the word of God and accepted it and as a result was saved.  Jesus was speaking of his death and he wants to grab the attention of his disciples.  Verse 27 "now is my soul troubled and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour."  The thought of a cruel agonising death on Calvary was not far from his mind.  Then notice what he says "but for this cause came I unto this hour."  It was for this very hour I came into this very world.  The people would hav been familiar with the principle of Christ's death.  An act of God.  In John 19 as the Lord stood before Pilate he questioned the Lord with these words "Do you not realise that I have the power within my grasp to crucify you or to release you."  The Lord gave him the answer "you have no power whatsoever, the only power you have is that given of my father in heaven."  Jesus going to the cross was obeying God's eternal redemptive plan in heaven.  Peter on the day of Pentecost opened up the scriptures and spoke to great multitude of people.  "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and and slain." (Acts 2 verse 23)   Jesus reminded the disciples on the Emmaeus road that it was God's plan.  They were confused and bewildered perhaps like many.  These 2 disciples felt Jesus had come to deliver them from the Roman oppressors.  Their hearts were heavy, their heads were bowed down, they were burdened and confused.  The Lord listened to them.  The Lord still listens to us today.  The Lord knew they were confused and heavy hearted.  He listened to their every word then he began to speak to them.  He opened up the word of God, took them back to the book of Moses, then to the prophets and to the psalms pointing out Jesus must be crucified and rise again.  Why that was the principle of death - for you and I to be saved through it and for him to be glorified.  In John 12 Jesus was sitting at the table when Mary comes with her little box of alabaster.  It was something very precious.  She understood something of why Jesus had come into the world.  That expensive and precious oil was sitting on her shelf for a special time.  This was the time.  She broke the box and anointed Jesus' feet.  The uproar started immediately.  The people thought of the price of it, the waste that had taken place.  Jesus said "let her alone."  Mary was looking to Christ's death, she knew the principle behind it.  A principle that is taught.

A purpose that was planned - to bring forth fruit from that death.  Seed dies, germinates, brings forth fruit.  Christ was dying to build the church.  Jesus once said "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16 verse 18)  When you think of the first people who came to enquire of Jesus ("certain Greeks"), they asked "Sir we would see Jesus", they were coming with one specific purpose in mind.  Jesus could see the formation of the church.  His gospel would not only reach the Jewish nation but the Gentile as well.  Jesus came unto his own but they rejected him.  In Acts 15 we see a dispute arose.  Certain Gentile believers received the gospel for themselves but then there was a dispute as to how and what should happen to them to be accepted into the body of Christ.  Peter stood to verify his position then James spoke after.  "Men and brethren hearken unto me.  Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name."  James then reaches back to the portion of scripture "after this I will return adn will build again the tabernacl eof David, which is fallen down and I will build agin the ruins threof and I will set it up.  That the residue of men might seek aftr the Lord and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called." (Acts 15 verses 14 to 17)  Do you see the plan and purpose of God in all this?  "If there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen and if Christ be not risen then is our preachig in vain and your faith is also vain ... And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins.  But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfuits of them that slept." (1 Corinthains 15 verses 13 to 17)  In the Old Testament scriptures it was a day of celebration when the harvest was ready to be brought in.  A sheaf of wheat was taken from the harvest field and waved before the people.  It was the firstfruits of the harvest.  Jesus rose from the grave to become the firstfruits.  There was a harvest yet to come.  Isaiah 53 verse 11 "He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied, by his knowlege shall my righteous servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities."

A pattern to be followed.  Think of Jesus on the cross,  S ee those 5 wounds he bore,  his crown of thorns.  He allowed the Roman soldiers to hammer those nails into his hands and feet.  They lashed his back until it was like a ploughed field.  He did that for me.  I look at him and see him as a Saviour but what does he see of me today?  A rebellious, disobedient child or afollower of the Lamb who follows him where he is going, perfectly submitted to hsi will and way?  Are you coming to give your all to Christ today?  Jesus gave his life for me and we must give our lives to him.  Verses 25 - 26  is a summing up of a mans life.  "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."  Is my life lived to get all I can out of this world or living to glorify Christ?  John the Baptist said of Jesus "he that cometh after me is mightier than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into the garner but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3 verses 11 and 12)  Paul said "I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 1 verse 20) Romans 12 verse 1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."