The Greatest Betrayer in History

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES 16 APRIL 2025 - MR JOHN WEIR

MATTHEW 26 VERSES 20 TO 30

The man who kissed the door to heaven and went to hell. The man we now call Judas Iscariot. In 2024 the most popular boys names in the United Kingdom were Noah, Muhamed, George, Oliver and Leo. Nobody calls their baby boy Judas. Scarred for ever more. The most despised man in the bible. The most despised man in human history. His name symbolizes betrayal, deception and treachery. There are other lovely apostles. When we think of John we think of love, loyalty and devotion. When we think of Peter we think of zeal, enthusiasm and endeavour. When we think of Paul we think of determination, a soul winner, a missionary. When we think of Judas we think of traitor and thief. Who was this man? What happened to him? Why did he betray Jesus? Can you see him in hell. He has been there for over 2000 years. He would do anything for some water. Let us learn some lessons from his life.

The character of Judas. One time he was a baby. Can you see him being born. His parents were probably thrilled. See him as a toddler, teenager, a young man. The name Judas was a popular name in Jesus' day. John 14 verse 22 shows us there was another Judas among Jesus' disciples. Mark 6 verse 3 shows that our Lord had a half brother called Judas. The name Judas is the Greek form of Judah meaning praise of God. No doubt his parents wanted to praise the Lord. Iscariot was from the town of Kerioth about 23 miles south of Jerusalem. We do not read anything of his family. Were his parents still alive when he travelled with Jesus? What age was he? He betrayed Jesus and will never be forgotten. He grew up in the Greek Orthodox tradition. He knew the Messiah would come. He knew the customs of Judaism. One day he heard of Jesus and decided to follow Jesus. What motive did he have in following Jesus? He thought he would become popular, would receive power and great privileges. The light of the gospel never entered his darkened heart. He heard Jesus, travelled with him, had conversations with him, enjoyed fellowship with Jesus. God manifested in the flesh and Judas spent time with him. Maybe you have had great privileges. Had a godly mother or father, a wife or husband, a mixed group of Christians. Maybe you have heard great preachers week after week. Judas was among the 12 apostles who heard the greatest man that ever lived. Imagine how he felt when he was chosen. Imagine the reaction of the other disciples when he was chosen. He talked about Christian things, he looked a good Christian but he was a great actor. Do you know anyone like that? Many look the part but after a while you can see the cracks developing. Judas was a preacher and a miracle worker. Mark 6 verses 7 and 8 "And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits. And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse." Now look at verses 12 and 13 "And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them." I wonder who partnered with Judas when the Lord sent them out two by two? He performed miracles, saw many healings, cast out demons, seen as a great Christian. If he had formed a church I am sure it would have been a mega church. Don't let that fool you - Matthew 7 verse 21 says "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." I know men who have preached in pulpits and they have never truly been converted. I have known elders and deacons who have never been truly converted. Sad. They have sat at the Lord's Table, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School but never been born again of the Spirit of God. When Jesus comes to stay salvation is real, radical and life changing. To have Jesus Christ as your Saviour is to have the greatest thing, to know him, to serve him, to tell others about him. "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. The character of Judas.

The covenant of Judas. Matthew 26 verses 14 and 15 "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver."  The religious leaders discussed a plan, they were delighted they got Judas on board. For 3 and a half years he came across as the perfect disciple. Now the cracks started to appear. Judas kept the bag of money. When someone looks after money it is always someone who is respected. They look the part. The cracks are starting to appear. His problem was money. He had a love for money. People like that want more and more money. The more they get the more they want. "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." John 12 describes him as a thief because he stole from the bag of money. Judas didn't care about the money. He didn't have a conscience. At the beginning his conscience probably didn't worry him but the more he did it his conscience didn't care any longer. He was no longer troubled by his actions. Luke 22 verses 3 and 4 "Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them." Can you picture this? It wasn't a demon or an unclean spirit but Satan entered into Judas. Mary Magdalene had 7 demons but for Judas it was Satan himself. Judas agreed to betray the Lord Jesus. Have you every been betrayed or forsaken by anyone? I would say most of us have. Maybe at college, university or in the business world. It is awful when someone you trust and look up to betrays you. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Judas kissed the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane as a sign to the enemy. It is believed he kissed him over and over and over again. The religious people were not much better than Judas. They prayed for people and led people in the faith but were not much better than Judas. Wolves in sheeps clothing. They had religion in their minds but murder in their heart. C H Spurgeon said "he sold the pearl of greatest price for 30 pieces of silver." W P Nicholson said "Judas was a gentleman, he sold the Lord for 30 pieces of silver, some of you are selling your soul for 15 Woodbine (cigarettes)." Only you know what you are selling your soul for - alcohol, relationships, business partnerships, fear of man. 

The condemnation of Judas - Matthew 26 verses 23 and 24 "And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born." After all this Judas couldn't live with himself. He took his own life. He was known as a great servant now despised for all eternity. See him there in the caverns of the damned. He is in an awful place. Preachers don't want to mention hell yet there are so many verses on it in the bible. Lost for ever. At the great white throne when people are judged and cast into the lake of fire they will be lost for ever. If you are a Christian tonight thank the Lord that you are redeemed and that one day you will be around the throne singing with the saints of God. No doubt Judas will think of all the miracles he saw. What were they? Lazarus raised from the dead. The feeding of the 5000 and that was just men, not counting the women and children. Legion being delivered and set free - they say there were 6000 demons inside him. No one could help Legion, he cut himself and was in endless torment but Jesus set him free. The Lord Jesus walking on water and calming the sea. No doubt he will think of all his lost opportunities, all the sermons he heard, the teachings the master gave. He heard the greatest of all preachers. John 6 verse 37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." He heard Jesus say to Zacchaeus "the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost." He heard the Lord praying to his Father as well. What a privilege. John 18 verse 2 "And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples." What did Judas think? Maybe someone is praying for you - a mother or a father? Don't walk past that place. Maybe the Lord has called you many times before. You have heard testimonies, sermons, preachers pleading with you and you are still outside of Christ. How much are those 30 pieces of silver in today's money - £15. It haunted Judas for all eternity. We can gain the whole world and yet lose our own soul. The man who kissed the door of heaven and went to hell. Jesus said "I am the door, by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Maybe the Lord is knocking on your hearts door - "if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me." Jesus died at the cross for you. He loves you. He can forgive you. You can leave knowing you are ready for the kingdom of God.   

The Lost Sheep

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM TUESDAY 15 APRIL 2025 - MR JOHN WEIR

LUKE 15 VERSES 1 TO 7

The bible has much to say about sheep farmers. Did you know that there are 179 verses in the bible about sheep? The bible starts and ends with sheep. In Genesis 4 Abel was a keeper of sheep and in Revelation 18 verse 13 sheep are mentioned in the fall of Babylon. Abraham looked after sheep, David looked after sheep, Laban looked after sheep, Joel and Jeremiah mention sheep. Sheep were used in the sacrifice at the temple. Jesus talks of false prophets who are like wolves in sheeps clothing. Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd who gives himself for the sheep. In Luke 15 we read of the lost sheep. In this passage we read not only of the lost sheep but the lost piece of silver and the lost son. All 3 were found. Jesus used parables, simple language people could understand. In verse 1 we read of different types of people attracted to Jesus - publicans and sinners. Many people were around Jesus - tax collectors, demon possessed, outcasts of society. They wanted to hear Jesus. In verse 2 we hear what the Pharisees and scribes said of Jesus - "this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them." I am a sinner. I know my past. Just think - Jesus is the friend of sinners.

The plight of this sheep - verse 4 "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost, until he find it?" At the beginning there were 100 sheep and then disaster strikes. One goes missing. How did this sheep get lost? What happened? We are not told. Maybe it saw a hole in the hedge, an opening. Maybe something attracted it away. It was disaster for the sheep and the shepherd. Sheep have little sense of direction. Somehow it got lost. How did it feel? It cannot fend for itself, there would be the fear of attack. It could fall off a cliff. It could be attacked by wild beasts in the wilderness. It cannot defend itself. It is vulnerable. There is a great danger for this sheep of being lost. A terrible feeling. Think of young children getting lost in a shop or restaurant. What a terrible feeling. Maybe there is a lost sheep in this church tonight. Maybe your life is going in a direction you never intended to go. Maybe there are things you have done that you are ashamed of. You can come into the fold and family of God.  The bible describes people as lost sheep - "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." On this Easter week how many will think of the real meaning of Easter - the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Some just think of it as a few days off work, they go to the bar for a few drinks or go off on holiday. How many will think of the Saviour? Sin separates us from God. Sin brings disgrace. John Newton cried out to the Lord to save him. He was a blasphemer and a heavy drinker. He said "Lord if you save me I will give my life to you" and he did. He wrote those amazing words 

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me
I was once lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see

Without Christ we are nothing. We can do well in our business, go on holidays, get all our degrees but when you come to die how much of it will really matter? Wouldn't it be good to have a testimony for Christ after you die?

The pursuit of the sheep - verse 4 "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost, until he find it?" The man leaves the 99 other sheep and goes to look for the one that was lost. This one sheep was valuable. Maybe everyone here are Christians but maybe there is just one lost sheep, still not a Christian. This meeting would be worth it all just for you if you were to come into the fold. Imagine how the shepherd felt when he realised the sheep was missed. It was so precious that he went after it. This is a picture of Christ looking and pleading for men. We read that Jesus was moved with compassion when he saw the multitudes but here he was interested in the one. Maybe he is searching for you tonight. Maybe his eye is on you. You feel a tug on your heart. Maybe you were in another night and all of a sudden you started to think more and more of salvation. It is amazing how the Lord searches for people and one person who has never heard the gospel before is moved to find Christ while other people who have heard it so many times before are never touched. The Lord can put obstacles and roadblocks in our way to stop us in our tracks. Maybe it is a gospel tract. Maybe a work colleague who is a Christian. He could speak through a faithful pastor. Maybe he has preached the gospel over the years. Did you know that there are some churches tonight that don't preach the gospel? Maybe it was a praying mother or father, a Sunday School teacher. Genuine people who loved the Lord. Maybe it is through an open coffin of a loved one. You see that coffin going down into the ground or you walk behind a coffin. Can I encourage you parents tonight - keep on praying for your children. Maybe you will be in heaven before they will be saved. A mission can be a roadblock. Someone once said to me "it was as if God was everywhere. I met a Christian. Someone invited me to church. The Lord was dealing with my heart." Picture the shepherd searching the ditches, walking the roads, determined to find the sheep. He was listening for its voice. God is patient with us, he goes after his people. What age are you tonight? Maybe you are not living for the Lord. Here is another opportunity. God is patient. The shepherd was determined to find this sheep. Jesus was determined to go to the cross, he never turned back. He loved you and I that he made the journey to the cross. Luke 22 verse 42 "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done." The shepherd would look for the sheep until he finds it. There is a compassion that burns in men and women when they love Jesus Christ. They want to share the gospel with others because they are perishing. They want people to fall in love with Jesus. Looking until he finds the sheep. The Saviour went to the cross because he loves us. John Wesley was a man full of compassion for souls. One night he was robbed. The thief got money and some of his belongings. John Wesley shouted after that thief "I have something more to give you. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sins." Some years later as he was shaking hands at the door after morning service that thief said to him "I will always owe my life to you." John Wesley replied "not to me but the precious blood of Jesus Christ." He was the man who said "the world is my parish." Have you tried to bring anyone to the mission? Imagine if your loved ones died without knowing Christ. All because you never asked them to come and hear the gospel message. Maybe there are souls in your area just waiting to hear of Jesus. Maybe there is a woman at the well, a little Zacchaeus, an apostle Paul out there waiting for you to get alongside them. How much Jesus loved. How much he can take broken lives and put them back together again. 

The peace of this sheep - verse 5 "And when he had found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing." Picture the sheep - peace and contentment, happy. It has been found by the shepherd and is now rejoicing. He wants his neighbours to know. Picture him carrying the sheep home. The sheep has value again. Many of us believe we are of no value. Marred vessels. Scarred by our past and sins. Jesus gave us something worth living for. The devil will whisper to you that you are useless, too far gone. Jesus calls him a thief. He comes to kill, steal an destroy. "I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly." There are young people who are giving up on life because they feel they have no value. Jesus can do something with our lives only if we will let him have his way. 

The plight of the sheep, the pursuit of the sheep and the peace of the sheep. It doesn't matter your background. There is room at the cross for you.  Though millions have come, there is still room at the cross for you. The sheep know the voice of the shepherd. Today if you hear his voice do not harden your heart. "My sheep know my voice and I call them by name." Maybe you are hearing his voice tonight. Maybe he called you years ago and you left it without making a decision. If you are a lost sheep tonight I pray that you will come into the fold. Many Christians are like the prodigal son - in a far country. The Lord is waiting for you to come home.

5 Great Fools According to the Bible

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM 14 APRIL 2025 - MR JOHN WEIR

PROVERBS 1 VERSES 1 TO 7

5 GREAT FOOLS ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

The Bible has much to say about fools. If you were to lift a bible concordance you would find there are 69 verses in the bible that refer to the word "fool", 42 verses to the word "fools" and 52 verses to the word "foolish". The Oxford English Dictionary describes a fool as a person who behaves or speaks in a way that lacks intelligence or good wisdom. In Proverbs 1 verse 7 we read "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Does that not describe the days we are living in? People don't want correction, guidance or instruction. Thank God for those who corrected me, set the standards, helped and warned me, they were not afraid to tell me when I had done wrong. I am sure many of you can relate to that in your life.

The atheistic fool. Psalm 14 verse 1 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." These individuals don't believe in God. Do you know any atheists? I meet many of them on the streets and doors. They claim to be atheists, that they are a product of evolution. 17 billion years ago from one life cell came every living being. Charles Darwin came up with the theory - do you know he is buried in a church? Westminster Abbey. These people live as they please, answer to no-one. To them there is no moral law. Live and let live. We want to live as we please. Don't tell us what to do. There are many atheists in the government, in our schools and universities, in the medical world. They have no guilt or shame. Without God. Anything is permissable. You take God out of society and anything goes. If you were to go to the city of Dublin you would meet people who belong to Atheism Ireland. They are out parading in the streets. 31% of people born after the year 2000 claim to be atheists. Did you know that there is one young person in a school in Larne who identifies themselves as a cat? Our world shows that there must be a creator. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." God has revealed his power over all the earth. There is no doubt that there is a creator. Changed lives prove that God exists. The Lord saves souls and changes lives. That is proof of Jesus having touched us and changed us. You know a miracle has happened in your heart. Hearts have been changed. People have been converted from alcohol, drugs, gambling. Religious people and atheistic people have been converted. I remember a man saying "if God is dead what is this thing living in my soul?" As an evangelist I have had the privilege of meeting the best of Christian people, humble men and women who love Jesus. The proof is undeniable. They are living proof. Perhaps you know people who have been changed by Jesus. The Lord has done something wonderful in their lives. Can it happen to you? Absolutely. 

I wasn't there when Jesus died
I wasn't there to see him rise
But I was there when he saved my soul
For within my heart his love arose 

Are you in love with this person called Jesus Christ? The blind man in John 5 said "Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not; one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see." Many of us were dead in our sins as Ephesians 2 verse 1 says "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." Jesus came along and opened our blinded eyes. That is the requirement to be in heaven - to be born again. Do you want to be in the kingdom of God? You must be born again. The true Christian has a mark about them. You know something is genuinely different. Their life speaks. Creation proclaims God. Lives that have been changed proclaim Christ. The bible proves God is real. We have to study our bible. We can see prophecy happening before us. Do you read and see what is going on in the world? Prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes. The king is coming soon. Even the non-Christians have been saying the world is going mad. The atheistic fool.

The fool who dies without God - 2 Samuel 3 verse 33 "Died Abner as a fool dieth?" When people die and they are not saved, have died in their sins and left behind no testimony and you attend their funeral there is no mention about the Lord. That is sad. An humanist funeral is apparently awful. Never any mention of the Saviour. One of the most difficult things in the ministry is having to take a funeral of someone who has left no testimony. You just have to preach the gospel. Why did Abner die as a fool? He died outside of Hebron, the city of refuge. Joab lured him out of the city and Abner died without hope. Oh to be without a Saviour with no refuge. Now imagine people waking up after they have died and they are in hell. So many say the deceased is now at peace, they are having a great party now. The bible says something differently. Now when the Christian dies it is a different story. John Knox said "Live in Christ, die in Christ and the flesh need not fear death."  John Owen said "I am going to him whom my soul hath loved, or rather hath loved me with an everlasting love; which is the whole ground of all my consolation."  When our time comes let us die well. That we are not calling the pastor to pray with us because we are panicking about going out to a lost eternity. I don't know when our time will be but let our death be a testimony to others. I have known people who have led a godless life, living for themselves and die without a testimony. Do you know who the greatest fool will be? Those who have sat in churches, listened to great sermons preached but were never saved. They have attended missions, went to Sunday School, had godly parents but rejected Christ. They died without the Lord. "God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble." Judas died unclean, Stephen died unafraid and Paul died unashamed. 

The fool who mocks sin - Proverbs 14 verse 9 "Fools make a mock at sin; but among the righteous there is favour." We are living in a day and generation when people mock sin. They boast about sin on social media. They boast about how much drink they have had, how many they have slept with, how many drinks they can take, how many drugs they have taken. Sin rules men and women, young people, married people, families, relationships. Sin pays out horrible wages. For many people sin has ruined them, ruined their lives completely. But there is one who is a friend of sinners. Maybe there is one sin that has ruined you. The blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all sin. Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from our unrighteousness. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." People think it is great when a father can buy his son his first drink, take him to the bar and nightclubs. 

The fool who builds his life on sand - Matthew 7 verse 26 "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand." The sermon on the Mount, guidance and teaching on the way to live. 2 doors 2 trees, 2 houses. Anyone who rejects his teaching is foolish. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." When people who are not Christians have battles and trials they have no anchor, no help. They turn to all the things the world has to offer for peace and satisfaction. It is wonderful when we go through a storm that we can pray to our heavenly father, talk to other Christians, have the Holy Spirit within us to help us. We know we are not on our own. Jesus said "I will never leave you nor forsake you." It is good to spend time with God every day. He will help you through the storms. We have an anchor that keeps the storm. When the hard time comes the Christian is like a lighthouse. The storms come against it but the lighthouse stands strong. It is easy to praise the Lord when we are on the mountain and everything is going well but when you are in the valley and storm that is when your faith is proved. That is why we need to stay close to Jesus. That is when we can be like the man in Psalm 1 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Have you ever asked advice from the person who has built their life on the teachings of the bible? That has stayed close to the Lord? 

The rich fool - Luke 12 verses 19 to 21 "And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." He was a rich farmer and Jesus called him "thou fool". This man had made no preparation for eternity. God calls him a fool. He thought he would live for many years. "Eat, drink and be merry" and that night he went out into eternity. Full of health and strength one day and the next day he was in eternity. I know people who have thought and planned for their retirement and they never got to see it. This man probably had a great funeral, a great send off but he was still a fool. There are many farmers and you can't get them into missions because they are so busy. You can gain the whole world and lose your soul. 

5 great fools - Paul said "we are fools for Christ's sake." Maybe as a Christian people are calling you a fool today, You have the Lord as your Saviour and are ready for heaven. 

The Cry of a Desperate Man

 

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 13 APRIL 2025 pm - MR JOHN WEIR

PSALM 130

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquitie

 

I am sure many of you have heard of the Stauros Foundation. A ministry founded by Arthur Williams in 1980. Arthur started to drink alcohol at 14 years of age and became an alcoholic at 28. In 1978 he was converted and he had a desire to reach others with the gospel, especially those under addiction. Victor Maxwell wrote a book on Arthur's life entitled "Out of the Depths." Many of the men and women involved in Stauros at one time hit rock bottom. They were in despair and they cried out to the Lord and the Lord transformed them in remarkable ways. In Portadown there is a little fellowship of believers meeting together called Bethesda Fellowship. They are made up of converted alcoholics, drug addicts that live for the Saviour. They have challenged me in my walk with the Lord. This is what the Lord can do. I thank God in my ministry I have seen many bound in addiction. As the Lord spoke to them they got on their knees and cried for mercy and when they got up off their knees for the first time in their life they feel clean. The Spirit answers to the blood and tells me I am born of God. 

1. The plight of the Psalmist. I want to pain the picture of what is going on - look at verse 1 "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee O Lord." A man who was in terrible distress, he cannot go much lower. Have you ever felt like that? This was Martin Luther's favourite psalm. Scholars believe David wrote this psalm after he had sinned with Bathsheba. He hit rock bottom. He was in the miry clay. Like the man drowning at sea. Throughout our province there are people in the depths of sin. Maybe it is you. Because of alcohol, because of drugs, because of immoral living, maybe lying. Sin always takes us further than we want. Do you ever see the ripples in a lake - that is what sin is like. It can start of so small, seems so attractive but after a while we are bound and fettered. "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ." Many have died in their sin without Christ as Saviour. It would be an awful thing to die in our sins. Sin overwhelms people. Sin makes us feel unclean. Christians can also be in the depth of despair. The moment you leave the Lord you can be in the depth of despair. Maybe it is through sorrow, through the loss of a loved on. Maybe you are going back to an empty house because your wife or husband had died. The depths of loneliness. The depths of depression. C H Spurgeon suffered from depression, yet he preached to 5 or 6000 people every week and saw revival in his ministry. Maybe it is anxiety, difficulty in a marriage. John Wesley had a difficult marriage. It is said he thought more of his horse than his wife at times. Maybe it is sickness, a wayward child, temptation. Some times God allows us to go into the depths. Some times we can learn great lessons in the depths of despair. Psalm 40 says "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." When we look to God he takes us through those times of despair. No doctor or nurse or family can help. Some times it takes us to be in the depths of despair to realise God is our only hope. God can still deliver people where they are at. 

In loving-kindness Jesus came
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame
Through grace He lifted me.
From Sinking sand He lifted me
With tender hand He lifted me
From shades of night to plains of light,
Oh praise His name, He lifted me!

If you are a Christian tonight you can leave this meeting rejoicing how the Lord has lifted you. Remember Jonah. He was in the depths of despair because of disobedience. He was told to go to Nineveh and instead he ended up in Tarshish. He was thrown in the see and ended up in the belly of a great fish. He said in chapter 2 "I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord and he heard me, out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas and the floods compassed me about, all the billows and thy waves passed over me." Maybe you are in despair because of your disobedience. You are in agony because of your backsliding. Maybe it is because of your rebellion. Jonah was given a second chance. Praise God there is a second and yes even a third and fourth chance. In Luke 15 we read of the Prodigal Son. He was in the depths of despair because of disobedience. It took him to the far country. He thought the grass was greener on the other side. Verse 17 says "and when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare and I perish with hunger?"  If it hadn't been for the famine the Prodigal Son would have stayed in the far country. It took the famine to bring him to his senses. Maybe one time you were bright for the Lord, you took your stand for him but now you are far away. You don't have go to into the far country to be backslidden, you can be backslidden in your heart. We can put on our best suit, a shirt and tie or a dress and hat and pretend to be right with the Saviour but are in fact many miles from him. You are just going through the motions of dead, cold, formal religion. Remember Peter when he was in distress as he walked on the water to Jesus. He cried out "Lord save me". He thought he was going to drown. R A Torrey was one of the most famous preachers in the nineteenth century. He was born into a Christian home but sadly turned away from the things of God to live a life of rebellion and immorality. He got to the stage where he mocked anything Christian. You can meet people like that all the time. R A Torrey told his mother "I am tired of it all." His old godly mother followed him out the door praying and pleading with him. She told him "Son, when you come to the darkest hour of all, and everything seems lost and gone, if you will honestly call on your mother's God, you will get help." Some time later R A Torrey was going to end it all. When he was in a small room, in the depths of despair he remembered his mother's word and he cried out to the Lord to save his soul. He experienced the presence of the living God. He was a brand plucked from the burning. He went back to his mother and she was able to tell him why he was coming back - he had found the Lord and the Lord had told his mother first. The power of a mother's prayer. R A Torrey went on to become the greatest nineteenth century preacher, all because of that old godly mother who kept on praying for him. Maybe you have a godly mother or father praying for you. You see them as a nuisance. The rich man in hell was in the depths of hell. Can you picture the people there tonight? Lost, no way out, no escape. Do you believe in hell? Jesus said much about this place. A place of utter darkness. The rich man said "tell my five brothers not to come to this awful place of torment." I am glad I trusted in the Lord, that I will never be in the torment of hell.

The plea of the Psalmist - verses 2 and 3 "Lord, hear my voice, let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" He knows only the Lord can deliver him, get him out of this situation. He goes to the right person. Have you ever wondered about certain people whether they will ever be saved? They are a million miles from the Lord. God does the work, we just have to share the gospel and leave it with them. The psalmist goes to the right answer. "Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee."  "Peace I leave with you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you." Footballers, film stars, politicians - do they have peace? They are desperate for fame, fortune, position in life. The Rolling Stones sang "I can't get no satisfaction ... cause I try, I try, I try, I try." The devil is described as the thief and that is what he comes to do. To kill, steal and destroy. Jesus said "I am come that you might have life and life more abundantly." Don't we have such joy and peace every day? Do you need this in your life? Peace and contentment - it is here for you. Only the Lord can do it. The true Christian is dependent on the Lord. The Psalmist wanted the Lord to hear him personally crying, personally pleading. It was a personal determination. He wanted it himself. When you ask some people if they are a Christian they will tell you about the church they attend. No denomination can get you to heaven. It is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost." "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." Only you know deep in your heart if you have received Christ as Saviour. You must receive it. It is a free gift. Only you can decide to accept it. "If thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord who shall stand?" A revelation of man's sinfulness and man's holiness. The word "mark" means to observe, to note, to attend to. If God was to deal with us as we deserved none of us could stand, none of us are good enough. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. I know my past and if all my sins were projected on a screen tonight I would be running to the door. The Lord knows our secret sins. We are all guilty, everyone of us. We all need a Saviour. "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?" The Lord can take a deep xray in this heart of mine. That is why we need a new heart. We will want to love the Lord and serve the Lord. The Lord doesn't want you to sin any longer. If we do sin we know we are guilty and we know we need to plead with the Lord for a fresh cleansing. Maybe you know you need that fresh cleansing - the Lord can give it to you.

The pardon of the Psalmist - verse 4 "But there is forgiveness with thee; that thou mayest be feared." The preacher calls this a blessed verse because it begins with a "but". There are many "but" verses in scripture. "But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us." "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus said "but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." For the Psalmist the but is for forgiveness with God. You can experience this tonight, have your sins forgiven and leave this meeting with a new start in your life, your past blotted out. Knowing Christ as Saviour is the greatest feelin in the world. To know your sins forgiven, your past is covered by the blood. I am forgiven because of what Christ has done for me. When he hung there and died there he was thinking of you. What a Saviour. Are you in love with Jesus? Is it personal to you? Have you got the real thing in your heart? Think of the woman caught in the act of adultery in John 8. They all wanted to stone her. Jesus forgave her and told her "go and sin no more." He loved her and forgave her. The woman at the well was the same when Jesus changed her life. Zacchaeus was an outcast too. All were sinners but Jesus forgave them. Forgiveness is still available, despite our past. A sign has been erected that says "No Fishing". Some people might bring up your past, something you did years ago - remember what the bible says "there is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." You can experience it. The plight of the Psalmist. The plea of the Psalmist. The pardon of the Psalmist. There is forgiveness with the Lord. The wonder of the gospel. Christ came into the world to save sinners and Paul added "of whom I am the chief". He took your place at the cross because of your sin. I pray you will love him and save him with all your heart. In Pilgrim's Progress Christian came to the cross with the burden of sin. It was lifted off him there. Your burden can be lifted too if you come to the cross. Maybe you will reject him again, you have done it for years. Will you say "Lord I have wasted many years, now I am coming home."

 

 

The Coming of Jesus

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 13 APRIL 2025 PALM SUNDAY - MR JOHN WEIR

LUKE 19 VERSES 28 TO 44

Palm Sunday is an important date in the Christian calendar. It begins Passion Week, the final 7 days of our Lord's earthly ministry. it was celebrated by the triumphal entry of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem. At Easter we God's love for mankind, for sinners and this world. The events are recorded in Matthew 21, Mark 11 and John 12 as well as here in Luke 19. There are some great lessons we can learn from this event. 4 simple thoughts to consider.

The coming of the Lord Jesus - verses 28 and 29 "And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples." Picture the scene - Jerusalem is full of activity, thousands are gathered for the Passover. It is a busy time. An historic occasion. The Lord is going to the cross, Calvary is on his mind. Jerusalem has been blessed with kings, prophets and teachers over the years but now the Son of Man will walk among them for the last time. Everyone was talking of him. Why? Because Lazarus had been raised from the dead. The people of Jerusalem now believe that the time had come. There was truely great excitement because the promised Messiah has come. Have you ever met anyone famous? There is excitement within you. Gianfranco Zola was a player with Chelsea and I got the chance to meet him. I was so excited to meet him. My hero. Dennis Wise was not very nice. I was disappointed. Zola was a gentleman and he loved young people. He would have given you some of his kit. It was busy in Jerusalem, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the promised Messiah was coming. The Jewish people longed for this. They were fed up with the Roman oppression and domination, fed up with dead, cold, formal religion. Dead, cold, formal religion can do nothing for us. It is only when you have Jesus as your Saviour that the Christian life becomes exciting. You cannot wait to get to church when you have Christ in your heart and life. You cannot wait to serve the Lord. This is what people long for. The Lord could sense the talk among the people. Bethany was an important place for Jesus. It was the home of his good friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. It was also the home of Simon the leper. It was where Mary anointed Jesus' feet. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close friends and Jesus enjoyed spending time with them. There are places where we feel at home. We connect with people. There are some we don't connect with. There are some churches we attend where we feel at home, we feel the warmth of Jesus. Mary, Martha and Lazarus appreciated his time with them. It is difficult to find good friends today. If you have them value them, cherish them and pray for them.  It is good to have those who you know are praying for you. There are some friends that would correct you when you are doing something that is not right. Let's be an encourager, look out for people and build them up. It is easy to criticize people. Let's get behind people that are doing the work for the Lord. "Blowing out someone else's candle doesn't make yours shine any brighter." If you see someone doing something for the Lord get behind them. Bethpage was known as the place of unripe figs. The Lord began his journey to Jerusalem from here. What a scene that must have been. Wouldn't you have loved to have been there? The coming of Jesus.

The colt - verses 30 to 35 "saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? And they said, The Lord hath need of him. And they brought him to Jesus; and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon." Commentators identify the 2 disciples as being Peter and John. First of all notice the colt was working for the Lord. It uplifted Jesus so everyone could see him. That is the role of us as Christians, uplifting the Lord. Am I uplifting the Lord in my life? Can people look at you and say "there's a proper Christian?" Through my life, through my contacts, through my testimony - that people would want what I have? That something can be seen of Jesus? John 12 verse 32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." I love reading about John the Baptist. He was a man filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. People flocked to hear him preach. Jesus said of him that there was none greater than John the Baptist. John said "he must increase and I must decrease." He had the right attitude. Over the years people had idolized the preacher, the denomination, the church, the pastor - let's keep our eyes on the Saviour. Let's uplift the Saviour. He will never let us down. He will never forsake us. Maybe you have been hurt by another Christian, by another church, by a pastor - get your eyes off them and onto the Saviour. Many people have faults and failings. He will never let you down. He is altogether lovely. Zechariah the prophet said in chapter 9 verse 9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh unto thee; he is just and having salvation; lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." He predicted Israel's king would ride into Jerusalem on the colt. Amazing accuracy of the word of God. The people knew they would see bible prophecy being fulfilled before their eyes. Today we are seeing bible prophecy being filled before our eyes. We only have to read Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13. We are seeing it come to pass. We know many are looking for the Lord's return but how many really care? "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."  People say "the word is in an awful state" but they never take time to read their bible. How many really care? Are you living your life in view of the Lord's return? We can all see what is going on in our world. We have seen Israel become a nation again in 1948. They are back in their own land. We hear of wars, rumours of wars, earthquakes, tsunamis. Did we ever think we would see these things in our world?  "Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." These are also exciting days for we know the King is coming again. Can you picture the crowd getting excited and shouting "Hosanna"? That word "Hosanna" means save us we pray. They waved palm branches, bowed down and worshipped him. They knew the importance of this event. Leaders rode horses to war but those who rose donkeys came in peace. He is the Prince of Peace, the Righteous One, holy and gentle. He is bringing salvation. There had never been a King like him before. Maybe you are going through a difficult time. Rejoice you are a son of a King. 

King of my life, I crown Thee now,

Thine shall the glory be;

Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow

Lead me to Calvary

Lest I forget Gethsemane;

Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget Thy love for me

Lead me to Calvary

Let's serve our King well. If we are taking the name of Christ let's serve him well. The late Queen's funeral was done so well and even now everything is done so well for our King. No matter what we do for our King may we do it well. Not out of duty but because we love him. Let's serve him well. Let us be enthused to be at the meetings and do all we can for other people. The Roman soldiers were laughing at him coming into Jerusalem. They were mocking and criticizing him. Jesus was King before he was even born. 2 Corinthians 8 verse 9 "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich."  The wise men knew he was a King. They worshipped him and presented him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It took them months to travel to where he was but they were willing to do it. They recognised he was a King. A wonderful King, a wonderful Saviour. Notice the colt was tied up. The application - some times we can be tied down as Christians. Things hinder us. Friends, job - all can test us. We need to be loosed and let go. When you are busy for God we can waste our time with people. Maybe you are tied down with something in your life. Maybe an old habit that you cannot break. You need to loosed today. This colt had never been sat on before, never broke in. Yet when Jesus sat on it the colt was obedient. Lord make us obedient! Loose me for those things you want me for. Let me go deeper with the Lord. Notice the humility of the Lord. The kings of the world travel in splendour, live in luxury but not our King. What a Saviour. May we always stay humble in the work of the Lord. He has to get all the honour, praise and glory. Let's stay humble. We meet a lot of people who want to make a name for themselves. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up." "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble". There was a great evangelist in America in the 1950's who went to his pastor and said "I want to do something for God." The pastor told him to go and clean the toilets for a year. He came back after the year and told the pastor "I want to do something for God." The pastor told him to go and clean the toilets for another year. At the end of the second year he came back to the pastor and said "I want to do something for God." The pastor told him to go and teach a Sunday School Class. He did that for a number of years. God was proving him, making him, moulding him. He later went on to become a great evangelist in America. They were told to say "the Lord hath need of him" if anyone asked why they were taking the colt. The Lord can use us in the same way. Could we pray "Lord use me" this week? If you want me to do a job for you, witness for you, pick someone up to get them into the meeting, maybe babysit for someone so they could get out to the meeting. There was a man who was wanting to preach for the Lord but he kept getting interrupted by sales calls to his house. He was so frustrated with these calls. He couldn't leave the house because of them. He prayed "Lord will you use me." He spoke to a lady on the telephone who was selling him something. He told her of her need of salvation. At the end of the conversation she asked him for a bible and he sent her a John's Gospel. 9 years later he received a letter from this lady saying she had become a Christian. He prayed "Lord will you use me" and the Lord did. It is amazing when we make ourselves available. The colt was at peace when Jesus was on board. Do you have peace? So many stresses, trials and battles but deep down we can have a peace that passeth all understanding. The colt was born to fulfil God's plan. Many are asking "why was I born?" The purpose of my life seems to be work, work, work, raise a family, travel a bit and that is it. You were born for much more than that. Serve the Lord. It is in serving the Lord that true contentment is found. Knowing you are in the centre of his will for your life. "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." Jeremiah 1 verse 5. God had a plan for his life. When we stand up for God in this life, on that great day we will be able to say "I did what you said." What are you living for? It is important to realise that you have been given a gift, a talent to use. He took David the shepherd boy to kill the giant Goliath. He used Gideon to defeat the Philistines. He uses Moses' rod to part the Red Sea. He used 5 loaves and 2 fishes from a young boy to feed 5000. God used a little maid in Naaman's house to cure him of his leprosy. Little is much when God is in it. Never despise the little things. Victor Maxwell taught Sunday School to 5 boys - all of them went on into the Lord's work full time.

The critics - verses 39 and 40 "And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." See the people praising the Lord, waving their palm branches. Among the crowd were the Pharisees. When Jesus presented his message he was always criticized. There are people out to criticize your ministry. The Pharisees did it constantly throughout Jesus' ministry. They were always questioning, challenging, opposing Christ. Critics can come from the least expected person. These Pharisees were the religious leaders, godly people. They kept and taught the law of God. They criticized the Lord. They were telling the people to stay quiet. May we always guard our tongues. Let us be careful in what we say of other Christians, of other preachers, of other churches. James 4 verse 11 says "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; who art thou that judgest another?" James 1 verse 19 also says "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." We can get carried away, can't we? Let's guard our lips. Charles Spurgeon told his young men "Don't make your ears a dustbin for the devil."

The concern - verses 41 to 44 "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side. And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." Jesus wept over the city as the people were rejoicing. Some of this crowd turned against him. There is a debate about whether it was the same crowd or not that later cried out "crucify him." It might have been the same people or maybe they were a different group of people. People can love you one moment and then turn against you the next. People can love the preacher one week and then turn against him the following week. We see it happening with football managers. Also with presidents - everyone loves him before he is elected but when he gets into office the people turn against him. Can I weep over my town? People need Jesus. Oh that we would weep at our prayer meetings for the people of our area. Jesus wept while they praised. Titus in AD 70 was the Roman Governor who killed a million people in Jerusalem - many of these people in this same crowd. Jesus was moved with compassion on the people. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd. I long to shed more tears in my prayer life, in my study of God's word. When I think of all Jesus went through I would need to be shedding more tears. Maybe we have become tooo familiar with him. May we think of him during this Easter time, in his death, his burial and resurrection. 

 

The Blind Man Who Saw The Light of The World

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES - FRIDAY 11 APRIL 2025 - MR JOHN WEIR

MARK 10 VERSES 46 TO 52

When we read through our bibles it is amazing how God steps in when there is no hope. Think of the stories of David and Goliath, the crossing of the Red Sea, Jericho's walls falling down. Luke 1 verse 37 is my favourite verse "for with God nothing shall be impossible." The Lord is in this meeting - "where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them." Maybe you can't wait until the meeting is over or maybe you are here and you want to know your sins forgiven, to know Christ as your Saviour and Lord, to have the joy and peace only God can given. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.". This is the story of a desperate man crying for mercy. One day he cried for money but this day he cried for the master and for mercy instead.

The plight of Bartimaeus - verse 46 "And they came to Jericho and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging." Notice his condition. He is blind and a beggar. 3 times we are told he is blind - verses 46, 49 and 51. What an awful life this man is living. He is blind but also a beggar. Day after day, week after week, year after year. What awful circumstances he lived in. A dark world, longing to be able to see. Sitting by the wayside begging each day. He was viewed as a social outcast.  He was unable to work, there was no benefit system in those days. He had no family that we read of. He relied on the kindness of others. How long did he sit there? That road was a busy road from Jericho to Jerusalem. It was the time of the Passover. Deep down I wonder was he tired of the prospect of every day doing the same thing? Do you know anyone like that? Tired? Don't want to get up every day. Every day they walk down the street to get a bottle of drink to get them through the day. Blind Bartimaeus. Who will take pity on me? I see him tripping and falling. I see his hurt, pain, embarrassment and rejection. Everyone knew him. Bartimaeus did not see the wonders of God's creation. He was in darkness every day. Do you marvel at God's creation? Robert Murray McCheyne said "man made the town, God made the countryside. He couldn't see the flowers in the garden, the sunset, the mountains, the rainbow, the stars in the sky. His physical darkness is also a picture of his spiritual blindness. Most people like to talk about football, farming, cars but as soon as you mention God and salvation they turn off, they see it as a nuisance. Why is that? They are spiritually blind. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them." At 19 years of age I walked in and heard the gospel for the first time. At that moment I was touched, my head and my heart were both touched, in fact my whole body was touched. Many will know that experience. But many cannot see that tonight. Some will come one night to the mission to please a family member but they have no interest. Their vision is clouded. "Open our eyes Lord we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him and say that we love him." I want to experience more of his love, more of his grace and person in my life. God said of the Laodicean church in Revelation 3 verse 17 "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." Maybe the Lord has been working in your heart and mind. You are thinking of salvation matters. You see all that is going on in the world and are saying "I need Jesus in my life." You have realised that Jesus is coming again and you don't want to be left behind. Imagine that - some of your family could be left behind. If you hear God's voice don't harden your heart.

The plea from Bartimaeus - verse 47 "And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say Jesus, thou son of David have mercy on me."  This man cries this over and over and over again. He is desperate for the Lord to hear him. Remember when you were desperate for the Lord when you first came to him? This man was specific in his prayer. He didn't waste time. He was looking for mercy. When you want Jesus you will do anything for him. Bartimaeus used his voice and he cried from his heart. He could have lifted it too late. He could have missed it. He wanted Jesus as Saviour. He wanted his sight but he wanted the Saviour more. Luke gives us some more information on this story in chapter 18 verses 36 and 37. He tells us that someone among the multitudes told him Jesus was passing through. Who was it? Bartimaeus would be forever thankful for that person. We can point to individuals who cared for our souls - Sunday School teachers, Boys Brigade Leaders or Girls Brigade Leaders, work colleagues, neighbours who invited you to come to a mission, gave you a tract or bought you a bible. Bartimaeus would be always grateful for the person who told him Jesus was passing through. Maybe he had heard of Jesus. Maybe he had heard of the dead being raised to life, the demon possessed set free. Maybe you have seen other Christians and wonder if the Lord could do it for them, could he do it for me? Notice in Mark 10 verse 47 he said "Jesus Son of David have mercy on me". Maybe he knew something of the Old Testament scriptures. He acknowledged and was accurate but also arrogant. It was also available. The crowds didn't hold Bartimaeus back. The critics didn't hold Bartimaeus back. His companions didn't hold Bartimaeus back. 

His persistence is seen. Verse 48 "And many charged him that he should hold his peace; but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me." What a scene on the Jericho road. Wouldn't you have loved to been there? If you become a Christian the devil will put hindrances in your way. "What will my mates think of me?" Anybody can go with the crowd. Anyone can live with the world. That is why Jesus talked of the broad road and the narrow road. "Many there be that find it." We may think of our family and want them to be in heaven one day with us but make sure you are right with the Lord. I am ultimately responsible for me. This blind man despite the cries to silence him, cried more.

Notice the call of Jesus in verse 49 "And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee." He hears the call from the creator of the universe. He stands still at the cry of a poor blind beggar. If you get saved it will not make the news headlines in the Belfast Telegraph or the BBC news but it will be recognised in heaven. You have to realise that he is the only one who can saved. It says in the bible that the angels in heaven will rejoice and we believe the word of God. That moment a person accepts Christ as Saviour that is what is happening in heaven. To know God, to be right with the Lord - there will be some people who will be delighted but the world doesn't really care. You will know it is real in your heart and that is all that matters. Bartimaeus knew his life is different. In the midst of his sad condition there is a sudden call. "And he, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus." Is there something you need to cast aside? In the story of the woman at the well in John 4 she had to leave her waterpot. It was a hindrance to her. She left it behind to go to the city and tell them of Jesus. Bartimaeus got rid of his garment just to get to Jesus. For some it might be a relationship they have to get rid of. For others it is drink. Maybe it is pride. Or friends. These are all hindrances to get us to Jesus. Maybe it is even "I have plenty of time." Verse 51 "And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus in the way." What a miracle. Now all of a sudden he can see. He can see the sun, the birds, the flowers, his friends, his family. He can see the place where he always sat begging. Maybe you are crying "I want you Lord, I want your salvation, I want to know my sins forgiven. I have put it off too long." Don't reject it again. Scripture tells us Bartimaeus followed Jesus in the way. The first person he saw was Jesus Christ. His life was never to be the same again. The blind man that saw the light of the world. 

As we think on these bible characters, meditate on them, remember - one day we will see them in heaven. Maybe you have someone already there? Someone that loved the Lord. What a reunion that will be one day. Maybe someone prayed for you. Maybe you had the privilege of a godly home, the best start in life. It is sad that people who are born into a good Christian home have turned their back on God. What is hell going to be like for them? Knowing the gospel from a child and yet turned their back on it. Died without a Saviour. Remembering parents, Sunday School teachers, family who were Christians that wept over them. Pride held them back. Come to the Saviour while he is speaking to you, Make this your night.  

4 types of people who attend a gospel mission

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM THURSDAY 10 APRIL 2025 - MR JOHN WEIR

MATTHEW 13 VERSES 1 TO 9, 18 TO 23

4 TYPES OF PEOPLE WHO ATTEND A GOSPEL MISSION

This is one of the most famous parables taught by the Lord Jesus. In fact this chapter contains 7 parables of Jesus - the parable of the sower, the parable of the wheat and tares, the parable of the mustard seed, the parable of leaven, the parable of the hidden treasure, the parable of great price and the parable of the dragnet. Many of these parables are easy to understand. It is said "the common people heard Jesus gladly." We can think of other parables - the 10 virgins, the prodigal son, the Good Samaritan, the lost sheep. In the parable of the sower we recognise that the sower is Jesus, the seed is the word of God and the different kinds of seed represent the different ways people receive the word of God.

A stubborn heart - the way side seed. Verse 19 "And when any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side." How often do we see this in gospel meetings. The word of God is preached with power and presented to people. It is explained simply but the heart of the person is rock hard. It is all too familiar. People brought up in a Christian home, have known the gospel from a little child but it does not have an impact any more. Sin can harden the heart. Not long ago I met a man who stated he had plenty of time to be saved. He was 92 years of age. His departure from this life was not long in the future. His brother is a Christian and told me to preach to him, tell him to get right with the Lord. Sad, a man on the brink of eternity who believes the lie of having plenty of time. This type of man is so frustrating for the preacher. A preacher spends ours studying and preparing the message, praying over the message, even fasting over it. To see these individuals never moved, never responding, never touched. They are rock hard. Is that anyone here tonight? They have heard the gospel for years but are still not a Christian. That is this type of ground. No matter what the preacher preaches they are never moved. They know of hell, the second coming of God, God's wrath, God's love but no harvest, no fruit. This type of person cannot wait until the meeting is over. They don't want anything to do with that. Satan's agents come and snatch the seed of the Lord. They love to hinder the preaching of God's word. Sometimes I ask people to leave gospel meetings quietly and reverently because the Spirit of God is working and idle chat could snatch away what has started in their heart. The seed is taken away when the person is under conviction. This seed never knows the power of God. "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God."  "Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever." That is what we need to pray, that the Lord will raise up preachers, preachers of the word of God. John Wesley said "Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth." Our nation has been blessed with the best of gospel preachers. Many have been taken home to heaven, who is there to replace them? Martin Lloyd Jones the Welsh preacher said "the chief end of preaching is to give men and women a sense of God and his presence." This type of ground is always being prayed for. No results seen. People constantly reject the word of God. Oswald Chambers said "no-one has the right to hear the word of God twice." We have so many mission halls in Northern Ireland and missions going on even tonight.  we live in a privileged part of the world. England the South of Ireland is not so blessed. We can hear the word of God expounded so freely.

The superficial heart - the stony ground. Verses 20 and 21 "But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended." Picture this type of individual. They come to the mission and respond. The start off so well, respond to the appeal, appear sincere, authentic and genuine. Everyone rejoices over them and spread the news of their salvation. You see them for a while, they come to the prayer meeting and church services. It is all premature. This type of individual has no substance, no depth of experience. They have a false profession. They are people who were never genuinely saved. They were maybe forced to pray a prayer and got caught up in the emotion of an appeal. No deep work is done in their heart. Maybe at one time you made a profession of faith but deep in your heart you know it was not genuine. Before we promote anyone in God's work make sure they prove themselves. That they are truly converted. They need to be ready to mature and grow. Make sure they have sound testimony, that they prove themselves. Matthew 7 verses 20 to 23 "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Fruit is the true proof of testimony. I think of Judas Iscariot. He looked the part. He kept the money bag. No-one thought it would be Judas who would betray Jesus. Jesus sent out his disciples. "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. ... And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And thy cast out many devils and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." Did Judas do any of those things? Tonight Judas is in hell. "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Trials and persecution are part of the Christian faith. Many are going through them right now. Deep down struggling, not able to share with anyone else. No-body else knows what you are going through. It is hard for some. There is persecution in their families. You might lose friends when you become a Christian but you will gain the best friend ever. Remember when trials, storms and battles come, Jesus said "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Keep pressing on, keeping your eyes on the Saviour despite all the circumstances, battles and trials of life. Maybe you have pain in your body. You are attending appointments after appointments - remember one day it will be all over.

The strangled heart - the thorny ground. Verse 22 "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word and he becometh unfruitful." This type of seed is choked by the thorns.  There are 2 big thorns mentioned here - the care of the world and the deceitfulness of riches.  They choke this type of person. They don't bring forth fruit. There could be a difficult marriage, work issues, bad health, children or grandchildren, unemployment, caring for a loved one. They can get in and choke us. They take our joy and peace. Maybe you have lost the joy of being a Christian, the peace the Lord gives. You are not as bright as you used to be. Peter said "cast all your care on him for he careth for you." The true Christian rests on the sovereignty of God. Maybe you are going through something in your life that you cannot understand. "All things work together for good to them that love, to them who are called according to his purpose." Mary sat at Jesus' feet while Martha was so busy. Mary had chosen the better part. We get so busy in life with all the cares and burdens. The Lord wants us to sit at his feet. It is lovely to get alone with him, to pour our your heart to him. He hears our prayers. The second big thorn is the deceitfulness of riches. The prosperity of riches, the love of money. Wealth can bring ease in many lives. "For the love of money is the root of all evil." I think of many young men who once were giving out tracts, knocking on doors. The love of money or deceitfulness of riches overtook them. They started missing meetings in the house of God on the Lord's day then they started to work on the Lord's day. The love of money is the root of all evil. The church in Laodicea were lukewarm. They were half hearted Christians. The Lord had nothing to say of them. They were wretched, poor, miserable, blind and naked. He was knocking to get into their church. Maybe that is you. You are going through the motions but not serving God. You are not giving your life completely to him. Maybe he is knocking at your heart. "Behold I stand at the door and knock." The Lord has amazing ways to get through to us. "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." 

The sincere heart - the good ground. Verse 23 "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." Notice that this type of individual hears the gospel and responds to it. It is real within the heart. What does the Lord mean by 30 fold, 60 fold and 100 fold? Moderate development can be seen in some lives. They love the Lord, they love His people, and they love the Bible. They are genuinely saved and take the initial steps toward fruitfulness, yet certain areas of their lives somehow remain untouched by the Word of God and the Spirit of God. That is the meaning of the 30 fold.  The 60 fold - Marked development can be seen in other lives. They become the backbone of a local church. They are helpful, cooperative, and zealous members of the family of God. They teach in Sunday school, witness to others about Christ, give conscientiously to the Lord’s work, maintain an interest in missions, and stand behind the local leadership. Their lives give evidence that they love the Lord and are seeking to grow in grace and increase in the knowledge of God. What about the 100 fold? Marvelous development can be seen in a few lives. They go all the way with God. They are Spirit-filled, Christlike, soulwinning Christians. The 100 fold Christian lives for another world. It is good to get to the stage where you just want the Lord. Nothing else matters. You want to fulfil God's plan for your life. Is that you? Do you know why the Lord has saved you? Are you using your gift for the Lord. 

4 types of people that attend a gospel mission. Which are you? I trust you are saved and know you are saved. Maybe you are not sure. Don't leave until you know for sure that you are ready for heaven. I don't want you to be a lost soul in hell. Get right with the Lord before it is too late. 

Recently I visited a lady who showed me 2 tress in her garden - one was an apple tree and the other a pear tree. The apple tree was flourishing while the pear bore no fruit. They are like many in churches. One is on fire for God, zealous. They attend the prayer meetings and bible studies. Others bear no fruit. You only see them now and again. They have no prayer life and no testimony. There is no evidence of the new birth in their lives.

  

The man who walked with God and was not

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL 2025 - MR JOHN WEIR

GENESIS 5 VERSES 18 TO 25, HEBREWS 11 VERSES 5 AND 6, JUDE 14 AND 15

Enoch was a man who lived for God in an evil world. An ordinary man who God used in an amazing way. God can use us when we are willing. I trust you are willing to serve the Lord where you are. That is my desire, to give the Lord Jesus everything I have. Very soon I will stand before him and I don't want to look back with regrets. In Genesis we read that he walked with God and was not. In Hebrews we read he pleased God and was translated to heaven. In Jude we read he preached to the ungodly of the judgment to come. Enoch's name means dedicated, a man dedicated to the things of God. He was committed to his generation. Dedicated, committed to the service of God. In recent years the old saints of God have been called home to heaven - who is taking their place? In our prayer meetings it seems to be the faithful few who attend - where is everyone else? Many of these saints have been called home but who is taking their place? Many preachers are being called home, evangelists - where is the next generation? Pastors, missionaries, Sunday School teachers, all being called home - we need to pray like never before. Enoch was different from those around him. He stood out from the crowd. We should be the same. Act differently, talk differently, dress differently. There are 3 things I want you to notice about Enoch.

Enoch's world of surrounding gloom - Genesis 6 verse 5 "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Picture the scene - great wickedness, corruption, sin, things were getting worse and worse. People did their own thing. Lawlessness, polygamy was common place. The devil was rampant. It was just like the days of judges - Judges 21 verse 25 "In those days ... everyone did as they saw fit." Sin was destroying Enoch's world. God was absent. God was far from people's minds. There are people who have absolutely no interest in God. It breaks your heart. They have no thought of God or eternity. This is the days we are living in. We need a move of God. When God is taken out of society marriages break down, people are in disarray. Similar to Sodom and Gomorrah and Noah's world. Noah preached for 120 years. The people didn't listen to him then the flood came. God shut the door and only 8 made it into the ark. I wonder how Noah felt. He had preached his heart out but only 8 were saved. It is sad when you hold missions and you preach your heart out then people get up and leave unsaved. The conservative estimate of the population at the time of the Flood was 750 million people yet only 8 made it onto the ark. Noah's heart must have been broken thinking of all the people he had preached to. When God wants to judge the nation he gives them wicked rulers. Living in a cesspool of iniquity. In the 1970's and 1980's when the Troubles were at their height in Northern Ireland the churches were packed. Today during the peace process many are closing down. I pray that God would move in my heart and in the heart of many in this province again. W P Nicholson was raised up during a time of wickedness. Evan Roberts of the Welsh Revival was not a great orator or preacher but he was touched by God. Paul told young Timothy what it would be like in the last days - 2 Timothy 3 verses 1 to 5 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despiser of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; from such turn away." These are the days we are living in. There are people who have a form of godliness but no interest in coming out on Sunday nights. Many of God's people are not in prayer meetings. People are just too busy. A form of godliness. I don't want to have that - do you? I want to be full of the Holy Spirit, surrendered to the Saviour. "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Maybe that is you. You don't love the Lord as you used to. You don't read your bible as you used to. I pray that you will get back to those days again. Remember the days when you were first converted, the enthusiasm you had. That love can wax cold. As the years have gone on things have changed. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Maybe you are getting it difficult in the work place. Enoch tried to stay close to the Lord in his day.

In Enoch's world there was a simple godliness pursued - chapter 5 verse 22 "And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years and begat sons and daughters." He was 65 years of age when Methuselah was born. Can you imagine that? Abraham was 100 when Isaac was born, Sarah 90. Enoch's life changed from then on. It changed him. This is what happened, fatherhood changed him. A baby was greatly significant. His life took a new direction. Your life always takes a new direction. "Old things have passed away; behold all things have become new." Were you changed when you met the Lord? The Holy Spirit comes and lives in you. I want to please the Lord in all I do. The name Methuselah means when he dies it shall come. When he died the flood came and destroyed the earth. His name was a sign for his generation. The Lord is coming soon. We were warned that we will hear of wars, rumours of wars, pestilences, even tsunamis. How many can see the signs of the times? 969 years - God gave them time to repent before judgment. There is a warning. Maybe the Lord is warning you through bad health, through people dying, through another Christian witnessing to you. You need to get right with the Lord. Some times the Lord has to put us on our back to get us right with him. Maybe you are desperate for your life to be changed, desperate for sins to be forgiven. We can get caught up with numbers in our meetings, remember God said "where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst." Maybe this meeting is organised for you to come and give your life to the Saviour. Enoch walked with God. Genesis 5 verse 24 "Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him." Certain people have a notable walk - footballers, rugby players, military. You should know a Christian by the way he walks. Enoch walked with God. The bible has much to say about walking - 1 John 1 verse 7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Psalm 1 verse 1 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Romans 6 verse 4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Galatians 5 verses 16 "So I say walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." It is the greatest thing to walk every day, to walk and talk and have fellowship with Christ. This is what salvation is about today - hearing the Lord talking to you every day. Maybe there are things you need to put right. You need to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Duncan Campbell when he travelled to the Isle of Lewis and was met by the two old elders was asked "Mr Campbell do you have a walk with God?" He replied "I believe I do". Enoch had no bible, no church, no bible commentaries or resources, no Christian fellowship but he had prayer and the Spirit of God in his life. It is amazing when people have that Spirit and are in touch with God. Amazing things can happen. We need to be clean every day for that fulness of the Spirit. It makes a difference to the preaching, witnessing, evangelism, doing children's work. Full of the Spirit makes a difference. The Christian life can be a lonely walk. There will be trials, storms, battles. It is not an easy road. It takes real men to be Christians because it is a lonely walk. There are trials, battles and disappointments. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. Our trials makes us grow in our walk and faith. Our walk involves spending time with God. To have discipline in our bible study and prayer life. To spend time in the Lord's presence and be at the Lord's Table. Christianity is not a hobby but a lifestyle. Enoch had worries and concerns. He begat sons and daughters after Methuselah. He trusted God to look after his children. I wonder when I spend time in people's company what do they say of me? Do people see a glow about me? Do people know we have been with Jesus? The world loses its attractiveness when we have been with Jesus. We don't care to make a name for ourselves, how much we have in our bank account, what size our farm or land is. Do we ask for God's presence to be with us? Reese Howell's book Intercessor says "you may live in a crowd but you face eternity alone." This was Enoch, a man that had this walk in a difficult world.

There was a sudden glory - Hebrews 11 verse 5 "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. For before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God." That word "translated" in the Greek New Testament means to transfer or carry across. One minute on earth and the next in heaven. Back in Genesis we read that Adam died, his son Seth died but Enoch did not die. One person said that God told Enoch "you have walked so far but it is time to come to my home instead." His testimony pleased the Lord. Do you have a testimony? Does your lifestyle please God tonight? The Lord took Enoch. A unique taking to heaven without dying. Some people will be alive when Jesus returns. 1 Thessalonians 4 verses 16 and 17 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Could we be the generation that sees the Lord's return? If the Spirit of God is in you, you can feel the touch. Can you picture the Lord coming again? In Matthew's gospel we read about the wheat and tares growing together until the harvest. We have to be ready for the Lord's return. We don't know when it will be. God has give us signs all around us. I pray that we will be all taken and no-one will be left behind. Enoch spoke of the second coming in Jude "Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints." Many have testified at gospel meetings that they were converted as a result of hearing about the Lord's return. There will be a great separation when Jesus comes back. Enoch the man that never died. I trust we will be all ready and will not be left behind when Jesus comes again.