And Felix trembled ...

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2025 pm – MR JASON CRUISE

ACTS 21 VERSES 30 TO 34, 23 VERSES 31 TO 35, 24 VERSES 24 TO 27

 

Here in these verses we have read the prophecy of Agabus given in chapter 21 was being fulfilled. He told how Paul would be apprehended and given over into hands of evil men. That has come to pass. Paul was no stranger to being afflicted for his faith. 2 Corinthians 11 verse 24 “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” He was no stranger to suffering for the Lord. He was apprehended and put into the prison. He has been in the temple – chapter 21 verse 30. They wanted to kill him - verse 36 “for the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.” An echo of John 19 verse 15 when the Jewish crowd cried out concerning Jesus. They wanted to do away with Christ. They wanted him crucified on the cross. The Lord came into the world for that purpose – to go to Calvary’s cross. There he lay down his life for us. This evening there are 8 billion people in this world and not one could say Christ did not come to die for me. 40 men wanted to kill the apostle Paul. This news came to Paul’s nephew, his sister’s son. He sends for the centurion and then the chief captain and tells them the plan that has been made, how men lie in wait to take his life. The chief captain has him taken at the third hour from Jerusalem to Caesarea. There Paul would stand before the Roman Governor Felix. I want you to consider this great meeting.

 

Chapter 24 verse 24 “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.” As these 2 men stand face to face there is a very stark contrast between each. The apostle Paul stands while Felix sits on his judgement seat. The Roman Governor was no stranger to chains and shackles. History records he had been a slave and was awarded his freedom from Claudius Caesar.  After his release he began to climb through the ranks of the army until he became Governor of Caesarea and now occupies the position once occupied by Pontius Pilate. Claudius Caesar had the power to release Felix from bondage of slavery but not from the bondage of sin. He may have climbed through the ranks of the army and is now sitting as the Roman Governor but he is still affected by the problem of sin. If you are not saved you too have an awful problem called sin. It doesn’t matter where you are on the social ladder, whether you are living in poverty on the street or on millionaire row – you have a problem of sin. Whether you are a king on the throne or a beggar in the streets you have a problem of sin. There is one who can give you forgiveness of sins, from the one on Calvary’s cross. You have a problem of sin. Romans 5 verse 12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed up on all men, for that all have sinned.” Through one act of disobedience sin came into the world. Through Adam’s wilful disobedience sin came into the world and passed down the generations right to today. 8 million people today are all born affected by sin. The hearer and speaker alike must come and put their trust in Christ. There is only one holy, harmless and undefiled by sin who can pay for salvation. Your salvation was purchased by the precious blood of Christ on the centre cross of Calvary. He heard him concerning the faith. I am sure he would have told him of his journey to Damascus. How on the road he came to know the Lord as Saviour. He saw the light of God as bright as the midday sun and came to know Christ as Saviour and Lord. He was not born as a perfect sinless man ready for heaven but was born with his back towards God as we all are. The problem of sin. In Acts 9 we read “And Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” He had a great hatred for the Lord and for the Lord’s people. Now as he stands before the Governor he has trusted in Christ and his finished work and all is well for eternity. Do you know tonight all is well for eternity? Do you know for sure all is well for eternity? Can you look back to that day when you acknowledged the Lord, when you came in repentance and put your faith and trust in Christ. If you have done that you are born again of the Spirit of God. One day you will be in heaven with your Saviour. If not, you are tramping the broad road that leads to hell. There will be no second chance. No retrial. Where are you going in eternity?

 

Acts 24 verse 25 “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come Felix trembled and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Paul comes with 3 points – righteousness, temperance and judgment to come.

 

Firstly righteousness. I have no doubt Paul told him he had no righteousness of his own. Isaiah 64 verse 6 “But we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousness are as filthy rags.” We have no righteousness of our own. Romans 3 verse 10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” This would have been a bitter pill for Felix to swallow. Clothed with all the regalia of Rome, the robes of authority of the Roman empire, the Lord tells him he had no righteousness. He maybe had done well, judged against the standards of that day. We are being judged against the standards of God and we all fall short. Romans 3 verse 23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” The Governor missed the mark. Maybe you are saying “preacher I believe I have done my good deeds, I am good to my neighbour, I have done my charitable acts, I attend church when I can, give what I have, take communion, I am fit for heaven.” If you think that you are not only a sinner but a self-righteous sinner. Hebrews 2 verses 8 and 9 “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”  For by grace you are saved. All the good works you do, all your church attendance, helping neighbours. If you want to get to heaven you have to come in repentance and put your faith and trust in Jesus, the one who left the splendours of heaven. He came into this world to lay down his life for you so that you can have eternal life. Salvation is by grace alone.

 

Secondly Paul speaks to Felix of temperance or self-control. That was something Felix knew little of. At his side was Druscilla. She was the daughter of Herod Agrippa, the great grand daughter of Herod the Great. She comes with a bad record to the people of God. Druscilla was about 21/22 years ago. Josephus tells us she was married when Felix convinced her to leave her husband. Felix’s life was full of corruption, slander and adultery. His name in Latin means happy. He is happy in sin. He loves the pleasure he gets from sin. You love the pleasure you get from sin. It is pleasure that will only last for a season.

Thirdly Paul speaks about judgment to come. Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 12 verse 14 “for God shall bring every work into judgment.” What Paul is saying to Felix is this – there is a judgment to come and how will you fare? There is a judgment for all of us. How will you fare when you stand before the Lord in sin, unrepentant, unforgiven? In verse 25 we read that Felix trembled. What would make this man with all the authority of Rome tremble? That word tremble in the original Greek is a word from which we get our modern word for phobia. You will know different people who have phobias – spiders, heights, closed in spaces. If they have it they have a great fear. Here’s a man who as Paul speaks to him a great fear grips his heart. The Spirit of God is beginning to convict this man. He knows the decision he makes about Christ will determine his destiny for eternity. The decision you make this evening concerning the person of God’s Son Jesus may decide your destiny for eternity. In the week ahead if you were to go into eternity without Christ and hope you will end up in the caverns of hell. There will be no second chances, no retrials. Maybe you say you will not get saved tonight but next week you will, just not tonight. Many tonight are in a lost eternity who said those same words. That night never came but death did. Just in an instant and they went unrepentant, unprepared, unforgiven. What a terrible prospect. Proverbs 27 verse 1 “Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” You could not guarantee making it. How awful – to go into eternity without knowing Christ as Saviour.

 

Revelation 20 verses 11 to 15

 

What an awful prospect lies ahead of the Christ rejector. There is a great white throne judgement – that speaks of majesty, purity and authority. Heaven and earth fall away. There is no place for them on that day, no hiding place. People tonight have got away with the most awful crimes but when they stand before the great white throne they will not get away with one sin. Whosoever’s name is not found written in the book of the Lamb will be cast out into the lake of fire. What an awful way to find yourself on that day. Who will be there? Those who mocked the preacher in the open air, those who trampled the gospel tract into the ground. Will you leave the gospel meeting another time without knowing the Lord as Saviour? Verse 25 Felix would call for Paul again. Verse 26 he sent for him often and communed with him but we never read of him coming to Christ as Saviour and Lord. Maybe it could be said of you tonight that you never came and put trust in the finished work of Christ. Not trusting in the blood. If all we could do and speak of was hell and judgment and sin that wouldn’t be the gospel. The gospel is good news. The good news is that God loves you so much and wants to save your soul for all eternity. 1 Timothy 1 verse 15 “this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”  People like you and people like me. You can be saved, have that assurance of sins forgiven, have a home in heaven. As you sit here tonight maybe you know about God but cannot call him Father. Maybe you know about Christ but have never called him Saviour, Maybe you know about heaven but cannot call it home. Why not come and put your trust in him as Saviour. He suffered, bled and died. As Jesus prayed in the garden wicked men came and arrested him. They would bring him before Pontius Pilate. He was tied to the scourging pole and whipped many times until his back was like a ploughed field. They led him out into the city streets and walked him to the place called Golgotha. They drove the nails into his hands and feet then raised him on the cross to hang there. The one who took your sins and mine paid the price that you can be saved. Salvation is like an uncashed cheque but to avail of it you must cash it in. Upon that cross before he died the Lord was able to say “it is finished”. The work was completed. The price was paid. Victory was won. Why not come to him tonight. Where will you be in eternity? If you come and call on the Saviour he is able and willing to save you. Maybe you are saying “you don’t know the awful things I have done. I have an awful past. I have committed some awful crimes.” Gods word says “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”  Will you not come to him tonight? “For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It doesn’t say he might be saved or there is a chance or a possibility but you shall be saved. Salvation is sure and certain if you would come to him tonight. May God help you to come him and avail of the great gift of salvation given because of Calvary.

David's Helpers in the War

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2025 am – MR JASON CRUISE

1 SAMUEL 22 VERSES 1 AND 2 AND 1 CHRONICLES 12 VERSES 1 AND 2, 17 TO 23, 32 AND 33

Here in the verses we read, we come to a very dark period in the life of David. David has had to flee from Saul. Remember that David said to Jonathan “as thy soul liveth there is but a step between me and death.” (1 Samuel 20 verse 3) David fled from the face of Saul and comes to hide in the cave of Adullam. A dark and dreary time in the life of David. As he is there in the cave many men came and joined themselves to David until it became a great host like the hose of God. We learn in Psalm 57 David says “Be merciful unot me, O God, be merciful unto me, yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make thy refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” He is the cave Adullam. A dark and dreary time. David knows there is only one person he can turn to – the God of heaven. David says “thy wings will I make my refuge until these calamities be overpast.” I wonder as you sit here today are you going through a dark period in your life? Maybe there is a difficulty in relation to your health, or a financial difficulty or a family problem. The God of heaven who David looked to for help is the same God who sees you in our need. He is able to help you. Psalm 142 verses 1 and 2 says “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him, I shewed before him my trouble.” Then in verse 6 he says “Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.” Are you going through some time of difficulty? The God who was able to help David is able to help you today. He knew he had a friend that sticketh closer than a brother and that he would never leave him or forsake him. Just like Joseph who knew God in the pit, in the prison and in the palace. Just like Daniel when he was in the lions den. That Moses knew as he stood at the Red Sea and the armies of Egypt were coming behind him. He knew he could trust in the Lord. Someone who undertook for Elijah at Mount Carmel. He will undertake for you and I.  When David was sitting in the cave day by day more and more men came and aligned themselves to him. They have come to serve him. Eventually he left the cave and made his way to Ziklag where Achish the king gave him a portion of land. News eventually came to David that Saul and Jonathan had been killed. David moved on to Hebron. In these 3 places there a number of people who come and align themselves with David, join this band of men. Even though Jonathan and Saul were killed the war continues on. 2 Samuel 3 verse 1 “Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David but David waxed stronger and stronger and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.” I want to think of these men who came to David in the cave, Ziklag and Hebron. In chapter 22 we see that everyone who was distressed, in debt and discontented came to David and he became a captain over them. They came to David in the cave in distress. They were in debt and they were discontented. He became captain over them. These men had their problems – discontented, no peace in their lives. They were in debt also. As soon as David sees these men he doesn’t tell them to go and get their problems sorted out and then come back and join him. He doesn’t tell them to get their debts paid off and when he sees they are sincere and genuine they would be allowed to come into his host. When you come to the Lord we are also in distress and have no peace. We have our problems. We have our debt. Each of us is born with a debt only one person can pay and that is the Lord. He paid it on the centre cross of Calvary. He doesn’t tell us to get our problems sorted out first and then join him . When we have come in repentance and are genuinely born again of the Spirit of God, brought into the family of God, become sons and daughters of God we have a debt paid. The apostle Peter said “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. But with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1 verse 18)  Too many have that great debt in the world today and are trying to pay it on their own. Thankfully there is only one who could pay that debt. Jesus was willing to be taken to the cross and pay that debt. We see some of these men who aligned themselves to David. What is their character and the lessons for us?

1 Chronicles 12 verse 8 “And of the Gadites, there separated themselves unto David, unto the hold to the wilderness men of might and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains.”

These were men ready to go to war, they were fit for battle. When they came to align themselves with David they didn’t come to sit on the sidelines. They were ready to be in the battle front. We are not saved to sit but saved to serve. Are we serving the Lord as best we can? Are we willing to step up each morning to serve our Lord willingly? They could hand a shield and a buckler. That tells me whenever these men came and aligned themselves with David they were going to defend the one in whom they trusted. They wanted to serve and they trusted and respected David. Could it be said of us today? Could it be said of us in the workplace and among neighbours? Are we willing to defend the word of God? The Son of God? When our Saviour comes under attack are we loyal and obedient? Or are we willing to stand back and keep our mouths silent? There is a time to be silent but also there is a time to speak. Are we willing to defend our Saviour.  It is also said of these men “whose faces were like the faces of lions”. There is one thing you notice when you watch the wildlife programmes or even see lions on a visit to a zoo – the lion is confident, bold and courageous. I wonder can that be said of us? Like these sons of Gadites that we are confident, bold and courageous? Do we have confidence in our Saviour? Are we bold for him in the work that lies ahead? Are we courageous to step out for our Saviour day and daily? For you and I in the workplace or down the street – have we been bold, confident and courageous for the Saviour? Ephesians tells us to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.” As we step out into a new week how will we conduct ourselves in serving the Lord as Saviour. The end of the verse talks about being “swift as roes on the mountains.” These are gazelles and we have maybe seen them also on wildlife programmes. They move forward with great speed and agility. The apostle Paul in describing putting on the full armour of God says we are to have our loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, taking the shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6). But there is one piece of armour we don’t read of – the back armour. There is no protection for the back – why – so we don’t turn back The early Christians in the book of Acts when persecution came against them did not turn back. As a result the gospel spread. We should seek to be faithful to our Master day and daily, to see souls sought and won for the Saviour in the days in which we live. Let’s be like these men of Gad who were fit for battle. They didn’t want to sit at the sidelines. They came with their shields and bucklers. They came to trust in the one who they were serving. They were bold, confident and courageous. They went forward with speed and agility.

1 Chronicles 12 verse 32 “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred and all their brethren were at their commandment.”

These were men of discernment. If you and I are going to know the will of God in these days we live in we ned to be men and woman of prayer and of the book. We need to spend time in his word and to know his will for our lives. Can it be said of us we are men and women of prayer? If we are going to be men and women of discernment we are going to have to spend time in the quiet place. We need to pray for those in the government of our land that they would know wisdom from God. If young people are going to know the will of god for their lives they have to learn how to spend time with God in prayer. These were men of discernment. The devil is up to his tricks and out to deceive believers. We need to be wise. The activities of the devil need to be thwarted. We need to spend time with the Lord in the place of prayer.

 

1 Chronicles 12 verse 33 “Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank; they were not of double heart.”

If you and I were in the battlefield with these men, if they were beside us we know they would not break rank. We need to be faithful to our commander and to one another in the battle of life. These men of Zebulun were experts in war. We need to keep rank to those in the fellowship, with those who are with us in the battle. That we will stand together and serve the Lord as our Saviour.

The Gadites were confident, bold and courageous.

The men of Issachar were men of discernment.

The men of Zebulun were men of loyalty and commitment.

The continual rejection of Jesus Christ

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 16 FERUARY 2025 – MR IAN GILKINSON

MATTHEW 23 VERSES 34 – 39

 

Now these verses that we have read together as far as the gospel of Matthew is concerned are the last words of our Lord in a public setting. He said many other things of course but these are the last in a public setting. They contain a lament, a poignant lament. They express the sorrow in the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ over his rejection by the nation of Israel as their promised Messiah. It is his lament that I want us to consider lest there should be any in this meeting who by their continual rejection of Christ should land themselves in the same boat as this generation, that generation of the nation of Israel who rejected the Lord Jesus as their great promised Messiah.

 

I want you to note first of all what weeping there is in this lament. In this lament our Lord mourns over the fate of Jerusalem. He knows it will be soon left desolated because it rejected him as its promised Messiah. They were waiting for God to send their promised Messiah. They rejected him, despite his word and his works. He mourns over the fate of the whole nation of Israel, Jerusalem here being representative of the nation of Israel for he knows it will be destroyed when God abandons her house. Jesus knows what is coming. When he speaks these words he knows what will befall Jerusalem in the coming years. He mourns on their behalf. They have rejected him, the one who came to save them. The one who their promised Messiah mournfully cried verse 37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem.” The “O” signifying the depth of his sorrow. What other word could you use except O? Notice the repetition of Jerusalem identifying the emotion of what he felt for the Holy City Jerusalem. When I think of ourselves today as the sinner, the Lord knows what awaits the sinner who dies in his sin, whether that be a man or woman. He knows what will befall them and he mourns for them. If we were to apply those words to ourselves, to add our names instead, he mourns for you. He knows what is before you. He knows your fate and he doesn’t want you to die in your sins. Put your own name in there. What weeping we have in this lament. Think of that for a moment. Here we have the creator of the universe, the one who created the sun, moon and stars. He created all things by the word of his power. The one who created you and created me, he mourns for the man and woman who dies in their sin because he knows what awaits them. Trying to convey here his sorrow, his love for you. What weeping.

 

Secondly, what wickedness is spoken of here. The Lord charges the holy city Jerusalem and nation of Israel of what – killing the prophets and stoned them which were sent unto them. They killed the prophets of God, stoned his messengers. Put it another way he charges them of trying to silence the voice of God by eliminating the messengers of God. Men that God sent with a message they got rid of, disposed of by killing. The cup of their iniquity was almost full. Further murderers attempted to silence the voice of God would culminate in the crucifixion of the Son of God who would crucify him in a short time. In the persecution of those later sent to them, the apostles, the early Christians bear witness to the life and death of the Lord but also his glorious resurrection from the dead. The cup of their iniquity was almost full. They were wicked people, guilty of the shedding of innocent blood in the city including the Son of God. Such guilt. They would pay for such wickedness. When I think of the man still without God, the bible makes it clear they are sinners through and through. Their heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. They might never have killed any prophets or stoned them but are equally wicked in God’s sight. The bible mentions we have all sinned and come short of his glory. He will not hold any of us guiltless, he will judge us for our sins. For some of us conscious of our sin through his word, through his gospel, we too have sought to silence his voice. Maybe in the pub, at home, in different ways, to stop our ears to his voice for we know what we must do it. We don’t want to do it. We want to continue in our own way, to continue in our sin. Maybe we never drove the nails into Christ’s hands and feet or physically scourged him but we are guilty of his blood, for the Son of God died for us. We put him there ultimately. It was God himself for he came to die for our sins. In this land we have great weeping and wickedness.

 

We also have wistfulness in this land. The Lord expressed how often he longed to save Jerusalem, the nation of Israel for he could see the storm of judgment of God coming. He longed that she would repent and trust in him. As the promised Messiah he longed that her children, the nation of Israel would awaken to his call.  He wanted to protect Israel from the coming storm under his wings metaphorically. He longed to protect them under his wings even as a hen gathers her chicks together by calling onto them, clicking unto them lovingly when she senses an approaching storm, that she would protect them with her outstretched wings. As I think of the sinner without God, dead in trespasses and sin, going on the way to death and destruction, the Lord longs that you might turn from your sin, from your wicked ways. Turn to him in repentance and faith. That you might find safety, security and salvation under his wings from the wrath that is to come. He has longed for her. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He longs that you might long to turn from your sins and turn to him. He longs for you to do that. He knows what is ahead. He knows the storm that is about to break over her. What weeping there is in this land. What wickedness there is in this land. What wistfulness there is in this land.

 

What wilfulness there is in this land. Our Lord exclaimed that and put his longings to save Jerusalem, the nation of Israel from the coming storm of judgement, the storm of God. The nation of Israel and Jerusalem had stubbornly refused to repent despite all the opportunities to do so. Jerusalem and the nation of Israel had outrightly rejected him as their promised Messiah. Worse still she would still clamour for his death for she did not want him to run over her. So again, apply that to ourselves, thinking of the sinner who is still in their sin. God is calling, beckoning, wooing, seeking to bring him to himself. So many of us have wilfully resisted him. Wouldn’t it be a shame, more a tragedy to think that on the day of your death if we were to chisel onto your tombstone “and ye would not”. Despite the gracious call of God, despite the striving of the spirit. If you were to die in your sin that is all we could write on your tombstone. Your family could put lovely things on it but the best would be “and ye would not”. As we think of this lament we noted what weeping, wickedness, wistfulness, wilfulness there is. Note what woe there is in this lament. In this lament our Lord spoke of the desolation of her house, namely the temple that was in Jerusalem. He foretold that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed because it would be abandoned by God. He told his disciples this in chapter 24 verse 2. That is exactly what happened in AD70 when the Romans overthrew Jerusalem and demolished the temple. The inhabitants were carried into captivity. Josephus tells us about a million people were killed at that time. Also told that when the temple was destroyed and raised to the ground by fire that they took apart the stone blocks in order to get gold. Fulfilled the prophecy. Not one stone was left on another in their greed for gold. They demolished the temple. That generation suffered all those things because they didn’t heed him. He suffered without cause, nailed him to a tree. The man or woman who rejects Christ wilfully, resists him, who will not come, even those he has graciously called strive with them and are convicted of their sin by the Holy Spirit. There is nothing but destruction for them. They died in their sin and experienced the second death after judgement for their sins. They were cast into the lake of fire when the smoke of their torment will ascend for ever and ever. What woe there is for the sinner who dies in their sin.

 

What wisdom there is. Thankfully there were those in Jerusalem and the nation of Israel who did believe in Christ. They obeyed the command of Jesus who at the beginning of his ministry cried repent and believe the gospel. The majority did not but those who did there were those who fled to Jesus to save them from the death there was to come, the judgement of God that would have broken on their souls. Thankfully there were those who found wisdom under his wings. Is there anyone here who might exercise the same judgement that some of you did in that day and as countless millions have done ever since? What about you? Have you ever been conscious of God speaking, striving within? Have you ever come and put your trust in him as Saviour? Have you found shelter under his wings?

 

The story is told of a homesteader in the Canadian prairies in 1850 who set up his home in an area that was prone to fire. In order to safeguard himself from fires in the autumn and spring he ploughed a couple of furrows around the estate. He burnt off the scrubland that it might be a firebreak. One morning he awoke to the smell of fire. He realised there was a fire in the distance. He started to soak the ground around his home. He went to bed but couldn’t sleep. The next morning the fire was closer. He watched for the sparks coming onto the land and beat them out. He poured water and endeavoured to save his farm. He did everything that he could. A little red hen was so conscious of the danger of the fire and when she realised that the chicks might perish began to cluck loudly. The little chicks came running to her to find shelter under her wings. One wilful little chick thought it knew better. Rather than coming to the mother hen and finding shelter he ran off and perished in the fire. When the fire had passed by the farmer had saved his homestead. As he looked around his property for any sparks he saw a mound in the distance smouldering away. This intrigued him so he went over to the mound. As he kicked the mound these tiny chicks came out from beneath the mound chirping. The homesteader realised that the little red hen gave her life for her chicks. They listened to her call but one didn’t and he perished. Jesus gave his life and those who come to him as he calls will be saved from the wrath that is to come. He will shelter them under his wings but the man or woman who wilfully resists, goes their own way, they will perish in their sin. Don’t be like that little chick. When Jesus calls run, run from the wrath that is to come. Run to Jesus and find shelter under his wings even as Israel could have done in that day. If they had believed him and received him they would have been saved. Will you?

Three Steps to Staging in the Christian Race

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2025 – PASTOR IAN GILKINSON

HEBREW 12 VERSES 1 TO 4

 

I wonder this morning have you ever felt like giving up on the Lord? Because the way is too hard? I am sure you have. We all have. Have you ever thought of throwing in the towel? Going back to your old ways. Maybe even to the faith of your fathers. The darkness of Rome, dead orthodoxy, liberal Protestantism? The Jewish believers who received this letter which we call the book of Hebrews did feel like that. They felt like going back, back to what we call Judaism, the faith of their fathers for they had experienced persecution. Persecution for their faith, faith in Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. They were facing the very real possibility of intensified persecution. This were hard, difficult, different for them. It looked like things would get harder, more difficult for them to follow Jesus. Knowing this the author of the book of Hebrews encourages them to keep going forward like runners in a race. That is my goal this morning – I want to share with you 3 distinct steps for staying in the race that the Lord has set before you. I want to consider those 3 steps.

 

Step 1 – consider the saints. As the author of the book of Hebrews beings this chapter he draws our attention back to the previous chapter with the word “wherefore”. In that chapter there were mentioned directly and indirectly many of the great heroes and heroines of the faith. These people such as Abel who offered a better sacrifice than his brother. Enoch who walked with God. Noah who built the ark. Abraham the father of our faith and Sarah his wife. Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Aram and Jochebed the mother and father of Moses and Moses himself, Joshua, Rahab the harlot, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Joseph, Samuel, David and so on. These are the great “cloud of witnesses” that surround us as we run the race the Lord has set before us. He has set a race for each one of us. Yours is different than mine. There are things you will go through in your life that I will not go through. We are all running in the same direction, towards heaven. As you consider these saints note 3 things about that can encourage us as we run our race.

 

First, they have run their race. These people, once Old Testament saints that we read of in chapter 11, these witnesses have finished the race the Lord set before them. In fact they never gave up even when the going got tough and for some of them it got really tough. For they endured unspeakable pain and strife. Read chapter 11 verses 35 to 38. These old Testament saints some of them endured great hardship, difficulties, some were killed yet they persevered, yet they ran their race, the race the Lord had set before them. We should then take heart in our race for if they could live for the Lord and serve him in their generation then we should be able to do so too. No matter how hard it gets, how difficult and discouraged and disillusioned we are. We ought to run our race taking encouragement from these saints we read about in Hebrews and of others in the Old Testament and those saints not mentioned in the New Testament and in church history. Take encouragement from their lives. They have run their race.

 

Secondly they have also received their reward. These saints, these witnesses have received their reward, even their rest from all their labours. Their spirits are of just men made perfect (Hebrews 12 verse 23). They are with the Lord. We should take heart in our race. When our race is over, when we cross the finishing line, when we pass from this scene of life into glory, we too shall enjoy the reward of rest from all our labours. The older we get, the more hardships and difficulties we go through. We look forward to that day, to rest in peace with the Lord knowing they are behind us. We will not face them again. We should be motivated to run by the promise of the future rewards and glory. The bible makes it clear that one day the people of God, the saints, the church will stand before him.  The unbeliever will stand before the great white throne of judgement and after judgement will be cast into the lake of fire. The believer will stand before the Bema Seat and be judged for their deeds done in the body. They will receive rewards. Some will be saved by fire, some will be burned up as by fire, as by wood, hay and stubble. Others will be considered as gold and silver. We shall enter into our rest. We will be rewarded one day when we stand before him. These saints, these people were witnesses, they have run their race and received their rewards.

 

Thirdly, what they have realised is that God is reliable. The greatest encouragement we can receive is proof positive of the reliability of God. Witnesses to the faithfulness of God. We are surrounded by these great witnesses. Sometimes the idea is given that they are looking down on us as we are running our race but that is not what is being said here. It proves to us that God is faithful, dependable. If he undertook for them he will undertake for us. God is not a man that he should lie. We can trust God, depend on God. Even the best of us fail but God never fails. We can take heart in our race. If he honoured their faith, strengthened and sustained, kept, used and blessed them and got glory from their lives, he will do the same for us. As we run the race set before us, as we think of staying in the race, step 1 is to consider the saints. They ran the race, they received their reward and they proved God is reliable and dependable.

 

Step 2 – consider self. We must consider 1 of 2 things regarding ourselves as we consider the race God has set before us. Failure to do so will affect our ability to run. A serious runner will always deal with that which will hamper them from running the race before them. They do so and go to great lengths to do so. We must do so in the race that God has set before us. “Lay aside every weight and sin which doth so easily beset us.” We need to set aside all weights and sins. Serious runners strip themselves of every weight that would hinder them from running the race. They trained hard to shed pounds. They are lean and light on race day. They are not carrying extra padding. They trained hard to be there. They got rid of the weights to increase their stamina and strength. In preparing for the race they used weights to strengthen their muscles but on race day they set them aside to run swiftly. We should do the same. We need to shed the pounds. Some of us have to do that spiritually speaking. How? By changing our diet. What do I mean? By getting into God’s word. By reading his word. By meditating on his word. By memorizing his word. The greatest goal and desire by exercising ourselves unto godliness. We need to get rid of that which is good as well as that which is bad if it keeps us running the race set before us. Sometimes good things can be a hindrance. Material possessions, things we own can be an encumbrance. If we have a car we keep it clean by washing it. We do the same with our homes. The more we have the more responsibility we have to maintain it. Family might be tying us back.  Our husband or wife may be holding us back and we cannot let them. We cannot let them hold us back from running the race no matter how much they love us. It can relate to any relationship we have. It can encumber us. Trip us up. There is also the love of comfort. We all like our comfort but it can encumber. The older we get, the frailer we get, we love to sit beside the fire. There is social media. How many of us pick up our phone or our laptop before we go to the word of God? There is television, the things that we should not be watching. We must tackle all that encumbers us by laying them aside. All the weights, all the sins. Serious runners strip themselves of all clothing that would entangle them. Today athletes wear lycra. It is skin tight so they can run swiftly. In ancient Greek they ran naked. They stripped themselves of all that would encumber them. If we are going to run the race the Lord has set before us we need to deal with our sin in our lives, in particular the besetting sins in our lives. In Hebrews the author is speaking of the sin of unbelief but it could refer to any sin, any sin we fall into again and again. That is besetting sin. If we find ourselves in that position we ought to take it to the Lord, trust him to deliver us from its power, whatever that might be. When the Holy Spirit brings them back to our remembrance we should take it to the Lord.

 

We must also run with endurance like the long distance runner. We should run with patience. We must, despite the pain persevere to the end. Like a marathon runner. The Christian life is more like a marathon than a sprint, In a 100 metres race it is over in a matter of seconds by professional athletes but a marathon goes on for hours. We are to be like marathon runners. To settle down for the long haul. To endure patiently. Endure whatever life throws at us. We ought to do so in the sure and certain knowledge despite the agony of our race. The English word for agony comes from the word race here. We are to do it in the knowledge despite the agony of our race. The race has been individually tailored for us. He sets it before us for our own good and his glory. We are all running in the same direction, for heaven and home but our individual race is tailored by the Lord. What you face might be different than what I face. Some go through awful, terrible things while others get off lightly. Sometimes people go through things that cause great tears, anguish and heartbreak. Others not so much. The Lord has tailored our races for our good, to make us more like Jesus for his glory. As we go through these trials, jump these hurdles, prove our faith, he uses them to refine us, to change us for his own glory. We must as we consider self run with endurance, patiently enduring unto the end.

 

We must focus on our supreme example. While we take encouragement from those who have run their race, the Old and New Testament saints who existed for 2000 years, our focal point in our race is the Lord. Our focus ought to be in the man Christ Jesus. Why? Because he ran his race perfectly from beginning to end. He did so in faith. In fact we are to look to him – verse 2 “the author and finisher of faith.” Sometimes we quote it as “our faith”. That little word “our” is in italics so it was not in the original. He is the greatest example. We can be encouraged by Abraham, David, Samson, Paul and Peter but the greatest example of faith is Christ. He exercised faith in God throughout his life. He exercised faith in God. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Take them off your own personal circumstances and those around you. Run the race the Lord has set before you. Don’t be like Peter who on one occasion took his eyes off the Lord and he began to sink into the sea of Galilee. Remember the occasion – Jesus came to his disciples walking on the water. They thought he was a ghost but realised it was the Lord. Peter asked to come to him and he got out of the boat. He started to walk on water but the moment he took his eyes off Jesus he began to sink. We will do the same. In our race we need to focus on our supreme example. It is good to look back but he is our supreme example. Step 1 consider the saints. Step 2 consider self.

 

Step 3 – consider the Saviour, Christ. The author of the book of Hebrews not only encourages us to look to the author of our faith but exhorted them to carefully consider him as they ran the race. He told them several things about Jesus so that he might spur them on in running their race. Many things could be said of the race but the writer focused on the cross and the shame he endured. He could have focused on his life and ministry but he chose to focus on his cross and the shame, the agony and the ignominy he endured at Calvary. If he was able to endure such for us then surely we can run our race for his glory? In fact it ought to spur us on to take up our cross and follow him. To do so irrespective of what others might say or do to us. Consider our reasons. He ran “for the joy that was set before him”. All the honour that would be bestowed on him in bringing many sons to glory. He knew he would be honoured in glory by doing his fathers will. Surely that is a great reason for us. To know that one day he will honour us for running the race that he set before us just as he honoured his son. He came into the world to go to the cross. He finished his race and was honoured for doing it. He found joy in doing it even though he suffered the agony and ignominy. Consider his reward – honoured by his father. He assumed his rightful place at his Father’s right hand. When we finish the race we too will be honoured by the Father. We will be enthroned with Christ in glory. The right to sit down with Christ on his throne in glory. Revelation 21 specifically tells us we will be granted the right to sit down with Christ on his throne in glory, to share his authority and reign with him for ever and ever (Revelation 21 verse 5). Surely that is another good reason for running the race the Lord has set before us.

 

Consider his resolve – verses 3 and 4. As we run our race consider the fact that the Lord was determined despite all the opposition he faced. He faced opposition from men and in the demonic world too yet he ran his race. He finished his course come hell or high water. He was resolved to do so. It was his meat in life to do the Father’s will. We should possess the same mindset as we run the race set before us if it means paying the highest price. Many have done so in church history and different parts of the world. They have been persecuted for their faith, finished their race by way of martyrdom. We think we have it hard, difficult with people who oppose us but we should consider our resolve and have that same mindset.

 

In 1994 Tom Hanks an American actor played the leading role in a film called Forrest Gump. It was billed as a romantic comedy and known today for its many iconic scenes and sayings that have pervaded our popular culture. Today I want to leave you with one of those phrases – run Forrest run. Young Forrest was encouraged to run for all he was able from the bullies chasing him. He did that with all his might even losing the leg braces that supported him as he ran. If I was to take that saying from that movie and apply it to ourselves it would be Run Christian Run for all you are able and keep running. Persevere to the end. Consider the saints as you do so. Consider self as you do so. Consider Christ the Saviour as you do so. Run Christian Run!

 

Jesus' authority in the synagogue

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2025 pm – MR REUBEN LYONS

MARK 1 VERSES 21 TO 28

JESUS’ SUPERIORITY IN THE SYNAGOGUE

There are a lot of different events taking place in Mark’s gospel. Last week we were looking at the calling of the fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John. Following the obedience of these men we see what happens next in the life of Jesus. Jesus was in the synagogue at Capernaum. He was there not to listen to some religious teacher, good respected person of the day, to listen to the good living that they would often share around. His reason was to overthrow that way of further, to teach the word with great authority further proving his identity as the Messiah, the Son of God. His immediate desire was to go into the Father’s house and unite in worship with others. Hopefully I want to share my desire to be in church as much as I can. There are many we know who do not have that same implanted desire. To be in the house of God at every opportunity As Jesus was teaching and ministering in the synagogue during that eventful day we see one of the first reactions and interactions to his ministry. As through his authority and rebuking of the unclean spirit the spectators were soon recognising and acknowledging that this was no ordinary man who had got this power trip. They thought this was different, there was real authority and superiority shown in this man Jesus. Jesus superiority in the synagogue.

1.      He taught with authority – verses 21 and 22

2.      He acted with authority – verses 23 to 26

3.      They recognised his authority – verses 27 and 28

He taught with authority – verses 21 and 22. What I see and want you to gather is that Jesus had a desire to teach. A significant amount of time has passed since Jesus called the disciples to be his followers. Jesus had a real desire when he entered into the synagogue. To teach the word of God and to do it with great authority. Capernaum was located on north west shore of the sea of Galilee. This was the place to be in bible history. If anything was going on it was to be found here. Many merchants were all there because there were wealthy people who were able to sell their wares. Old Greek language it was known at the village of comfort. Many people were coming and going. Many buying and selling. Great location. Conducted many miracles he here. We see that through the remainder of the gospel. Jesus knew the steps his father wanted to take as ministry unfolded here on earth. This city would become a home base of sorts, a central  part of bringing redemption into the world. When Jesus arrived in the city time was not given to stop for food. He had never been here before. Disciples hadn’t been here either. The focus was not to take in the sights of the city, the focus was to teaching the truth. That remains resolute and unchanging to this day. Jesus wants us to know the good news that will change our eternal perspective. It is still for the lost and sinful man to see the truth. Without it they are lost. Jesus saves and wants to save them from their sins. Many would listen to these teachers for years. They would look to individuals. They thought they were the be all and end all. This was the closest thing to God himself. All thy taught were their own rules and regulations, selfish, seeking to serve their own agendas. This is maybe the part when the Lord is speaking to you to receive Christ as Saviour. He wants you to hear the truth as Jesus wanted these people to hear the truth. He had immediately gone into the synagogue. He had this desire to be in the synagogue. Would be the same for any Jewish man. But this really shows the passion and desire he had to be in his Father’s house, to be close to the one who sent him here to earth. His port of call was to be in a place of worship and be about his Father’s business. Examine yourself – do I have that hunger to study the bible when I can? Not just when you come into church but in your own time. Do you have the desire to study the bible, to grow in the knowledge of the Lord? Do we have that continued desire to do so each and every day all the time? As Christians, being with other Christians learning from God’s word - that is what we should be wanting. We should be coming with joy. It is a wonderful privilege to be here. We cannot thank him enough. Your saving profession should be compelling you to read more, to be found in the house of God whenever the opportunity is given to us. We notice through the truth of God’s word that Jesus was unique.  He was not the same as these scribes. He had great authority and knowledge in the things of God because he was the Son of God. Jesus was now providing physical evidence to those around him. Many said he was just a physical man but now he was proving that he was the Messiah promised from generations upon generations. The servant king had finally come to save these people. Were these people going to notice that and take it in first hand? Jesus had a desire to teach. What was the reason for doing so  – verse 22. Jesus taught them differently than anyone else. He was unlike the religious leaders. His words and directions were not dictated by man made ambitions, to get him further in life, to do better than other people. His desire was to share the good news of the gospel. The men in the synagogue who talked often were appealing to human interest and going after their own gain. Jesus spoke with great power and appealed to their eternal future, the future of heaven and hell. His words resonated with these people all without reference to people in the past. His message was unique unlike anything heard before. We need to let Jesus speak and hear what he is saying to us. My role is to share what Jesus has given and let the truth speak for itself. I cannot save anyone. It is through the work and conviction of the Holy Spirit. The bible does not need to be propped up by my opinions. It does not need anything added to it. A danger many churches and Christians fall into is that they seek to manipulate and dilute the gospel message, to make it more acceptable and appealing to our modern society. It is the job of ever Christian is to be faithful in sharing the truth, just as Jesus did. We need to let the word of God speak. This is the reason for Jesus’ preaching - that the truth of the word would be heard and applied into people’s lives. How are they going to hear if the word is not preached?

Jesus acted with authority – verses 23 to 26. As Jesus continued to teach in the synagogue we read of an encounter that took place with a man with an unclean spirit. We really see his authority coming into play. There was resistance from the enemy firstly. Amongst this vast crowd this man was there an with unclean spirit. As Jesus spoke with power and authority it caused this man to cry out against Jesus and what he was teaching. The enemy didn’t want the truth shared. He didn’t  want people to be saved. The truths being taught were so grave in their nature that Satan was uncomfortable in the presence of God. That they had to cry out. The resistance of the enemy has not changed. Our world has changed but the enemy has not. The very fact that you are here tonight listening to this message, Satan hates that. He hates the truth, the love, the grace, the peace and the security Jesus brings to someone who was once lost. He hates God’s word being read aloud. Because when that happens people are amazed at the selfless love that Jesus showed on the cross. He doesn’t want you to be here, he does not want you to pick up your bible or ever pray another prayer again. But you are hearing a truth that will always overpower the evil powers of the enemy. There was resistance here from the enemy. There was a recognition. The spirit recognised who Jesus was – verse 24. Even though the spirit resisted what Jesus was saying. Even in all its wickedness, hatred, anger and sin it had to recognise Jesus was the Christ. What we actually see here is a fear on the part of the unclean spirit. He recognised Jesus had arrived to destroy it. It knew it could never add up to anything that Jesus could do against it. He was not as powerful nor would be. He had power over this poor weak innocent man but it was content in its domination of this man. As soon as it saw and encountered Jesus it knew it would stand no chance against him. That is why this interaction is happening. Jesus would now show everyone his superiority, his power and authority in this synagogue. This spirit had no desire to take in anything Jesus was saying, to come out of this man of his own volition. Above it all we see the forces  of Satan acknowledge the power of God. This spirit was working against the Messiah. He  continues to seek to work against God and anything that love him. Does it break your heart that there are people today who never will recognise Jesus’ power? It may shock us but this is the climate we are living in. It is not what we lived in 20/30 years ago. People refuse to admit their sin. Reject the authority and power he has to change their lives. But there is coming one day when every heart confess Jesus is Lord. Philippians 2 verse 10 “that at the name of Jesus every knee should now of things in heaven  and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess hat Jesus Chris is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  There was a recognition of the enemy. There was a rebuking of the enemy. The enemy had played its part. Jesus now beginning to work in this situation. Now taking action in verse 25. He commands the spirit to come out of this man. Jesus had previously shown his authority in his words and his teaching but he now shows his authority and power to remove the spirit from the body of this man. It was not pleased with what God had done. When the direction was given the spirit caused this man’s body to convulse, to move and shake and finally crying with a loud shriek as it left his body. This would have been an unusual and upsetting experience to witness.. Above the great and gruesome nature of what was happening here, there was great hope to be found here. When we see people coming to Christ we see that Jesus has power and authority over past mistakes mentally and physically. He has power to rescue us from the clutches of the enemy. When Jesus comes the enemy has no chance. Satan would have to depart in the name of Jesus. How brilliant it is to know that is it true that there is nothing in this life beyond the reach and capability of our own powerful God. Even though our life may not be as tragic as this man was, we too are bound in sin. If still outside of Christ our life is controlled by Satan. We will be defeated. This man was unable to rid of this unclean spirit. Jesus is the one who can transform your life and bring forgiveness and redemption because he has all authority and power. Jesus acted with authority in verses 23 to 26.

The people recognised his authority – verses 27 and 28.  The first response to what had taken place in this event was that they accepted now that Jesus had authority. In verse 27 we see they were all amazed at what had taken place. This should come as no surprise to us as readers either. Not just surprised at what Jesus had taught but also the casting out of this unclean spirit. This man was unique. Not only having authority over what he taught but authority over unclean spirits. Could this finally be the Messiah, the promised son, promised long ago? Only God could act and teach these people. Do you still stand amazed at Jesus? Are you like this people standing back and realising this is Jesus, this is what he has done. Have you asked yourself why am I losing the vision of who he is? Are you amazed at the price paid for your sins? Are you amazed that he would take the time to speak to our hearts and reveal the need we have with him? To stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene? The people accepted the authority of Jesus. They were going to tell others about it as well. Going to spread this authority all around. There was an initial amazement and acceptance of who Jesus was. But the story closes with the spreading of the news throughout Galilee, of what they had seen happening in the synagogue. The people could not stay quiet about what they had seen. They were completely amazed at what he had done and wanted others to know too. We have heard the name of Jesus, encountered him personally, he has rescued us from our sins. We are amazed by him. Why then do we not tell others? Why do we not share it with others when we have the opportunity? Why do we not share it with our families? We know the joy he has brought into our hearts so are why are we not sharing it with others? For others to experience that same joy and forgiveness. I pray that we will be determined to make him known in our world today. He is the answer to this world’s sins. He still has the authority today. He is still superior over the enemy. Dwell on that fact, soak it up in your Christian life. Use it for the glory of God.

Confusion in the Christian Life

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2025 – MR REUBEN LYONS

JEREMIAH 32

CONFUSION IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

No matter what our background is, what age we may be we can all look back to our school years with fondness. They are full of memories, the time when great friendships were formed. We say they are the best years of our lives. School for others was also a time of stress from exams, acceptance by others. There is one word we can associate with school – confusion. I was not the most academic at school. I did not do well in assessments.  For some learning a foreign language is difficult or even we struggle in the English language a struggle. My biggest struggle was in Maths and in particular Algebra. When will I be using this? No matter how often I looked at the text book or listen to the teacher it didn’t make sense to me all. Fortunately unless my ministry asks for me to look up some Greek and history translations to prepare sermons, I am glad there is no algebra. There can also be great confusion through all the years of our Christian life. The God of the bible is a mysterious God. God works in ways that we cannot fathom, that we cannot seek to understand at times. Isaiah  55 verses 8 and 9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Even though we live in an instant society today we want answers quick and fast, through the bible we can be assured the Lord is doing amazing things of eternal consequence in our lives even though we cannot see it at times. He has a perfect plan for us. Of course there will be times in our  journey of faith we can ask God “what are you doing, why do you not intervene in this hardship in my life, the wicked and sinful are thriving in this world and your children are suffering.” We have all faced moments of confusion, of being worried and being scared, that even though we cannot see it at times God is in control of every single aspect of our lives. That even though we might not see it all the time, even though we cannot see how he is physically working, God is in control. God is at hand That is the truth I want you to understand and find joy in today. In this confusion where many reside is where the prophet Jeremiah found himself. Verse 1 of chapter 32 this was a prophet confined to a prison cell. On the outside of his life everything was over, confusion on how he got there and where he had gone wrong when he served God.  On the inside God was preparing a servant for a great work he could not yet comprehend.

Firstly this confusion can bring hurt to the Christian. The circumstances of our Christian walk can hurt.  Jeremiah’s life and ministry had not just begun in this chapter.  The 31 chapters preceding this one show that a lot had happened in his life. His tragedy seems to be one after another. What were the trials he was facing? In chapter 16 verse 2 Jeremiah was denied the comforts of having a family, of ever taking a wife. In chapter 15 verse 10 we read that he was lonely, he was unable to be encouraged by friends and loved ones. Why? He preached the truth God gave to him. People turned away from him on his own personal life. Something we can relate to in our own day when we share the truth of God in our generation. In verse 2 it is clear he is now in prison in the palace of the king all because he served the king of kings, God almighty. He was locked in under watch and key. If we think we have had it rough over the years, Jeremiah had it worse than anything we have ever gone through. No wonder he was confused at what God was doing and working in his life. He had been obedient to the Lord in spite of the adversity he faced. If you are struggling to remain obedient to God’s call, to share your faith, to let others know of God’s grace be encouraged as there is no written proof over 50 years of Jeremiah’s ministry that even one came to faith and trusted in him. Nothing is written in scripture. If we spend our time solely looking at our earthly circumstances we would be discouraged. Confused at what is going on. Sometimes we may feel as Christians we don’t get it fair enough, it is not fair the hand that we are dealt with in this life. Life in of itself is hard. Many will tell us that even if they are not Christians. As a Christian things seem that much harder. We need to remember Job from last week. A faithful obedient man who revealed Gods own testimony in his life. On the surface his suffering and loss just didn’t seem to be fair. We need to alter our perspective from the earthly to the heavenly.  Our suffering may be excruciating today but there is coming a day of perfection, when we will be united with our Saviour in heaven. On that day there will be clarity. No more confusion, no more darkness surrounding us, no more pain. We will have endless communion with the Lord. It may be hard but the bible encourages us to keep our eyes on the Lord, trust in his plan even when we cannot comprehend what he is doing in our lives.  When understanding is lacking trust should always be found in  him. Our circumstances may hurt. The complications of life can hurt as well. Jeremiah was a faithful preacher, not one who diluted the truth to appease those he was speaking to. He didn’t try to back away or hide his faith in front of his friends in the fear of being ridiculed. He was not one trying to fit in or to try and help a certain group.  He was straight shooting with the truth God gave him to share. The reward  for his obedience was a prison sentence. Had he been put on the shelf because that is all God wanted him to do, that his ministry was now over. Had he done something wrong in his preaching for God? There would have been many questions of confusion racing through his mind. We have all been there. Life sometimes goes at 100 miles an hour, we are busy, we are going here and there achieving success. Everything might be going well but in a turn of a day everything goes wrong – passed up for promotion at work, a tragedy hits our family, bereavement comes, physical pain comes into our lives, those around us distance themselves from us. Even in Christian work we see a certain ministry come to a halt. The complications have come. They come in many different forms come without prior warning. Tragic moments when we think God has forgotten our name moved on to someone else with his plan. Emotions begin to take over. We are human, feeble but we need to find comfort knowing we are not alone in the confusion. Hebrews  tells us he will never leave us nor forsake us. The Lord loves you today he is working in your life today. No matter what we encounter God will remain faithful to his children. Confusion can bring hurt. In the truth of the word we know how to counteract that, to bring comfort into our lives.

This confusion can bring change. Jeremiah is an interesting man to read of in the scriptures. Even though his circumstances confused him he was still committed to doing the Lord’s will any way. God was still working in him. First sign of change and growth in his life was the fellowship and closeness he found with God in that prison cell. He took time to praise God for his greatness and glory and his power that he experienced personally, thanking God for the work he had already done in his life. His circumstances were dire and dark and he may have been in physical pain but he spent time with the Lord. He didn’t waver at what happened to him. The Lord was still everything to him. In the hardest moments of your life you can sink and be defeated or you can float and do nothing or you can swim and achieve safety and victory. What is your life represent – a sinking vessel under the storms of life that you have no hope to cling to? Or are you simply  floating in your life, you know you have the Lord but you are not focusing on him, you are not asking for his help in your life. Or are you swimming confidently, are you achieving safety on dry land, upon the vessel of glory and victory that is Jesus Christ. Jeremiah could have done either of those 3 things. He could have turned from God because of the hardship he was enduring, he could have done nothing and given up the ministry, or he could swim, get closer to the Lord in the midst of his trials. In the moment of confinement we know what we ought to do. Often rather than swimming we sink or we float. We need to be swimming today. There is nothing better thing to do than bowing before the Lord and praying, asking for help, guidance and knowledge. When we turn from our fears, doubts and confusion to the face of almighty God, bowing before him, we are allowed to step out of that reality and into the presence of God. Hebrews 4 verse 16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Prayer is a wonderful gift given to us as Christians. We must use it to seek help from our heavenly Father. We don’t come often enough. We don’t come consistently as we should. As he invites us to come to him for the help we desperately need. He found fellowship with the Lord in the prison cell but he also found confidence in God as well. Chapter 32 verse 17. In reply God affirms this power. He tells his servant he will judge Israel for their sin and rebellion. Jeremiah had confidence in the Lord and the Lord is now speaking to him. The Lord’s reply is found in verses 28 to 36. Not only would there be judgement but hope. A promise that one day God would restore Israel keeping his covenant with them. We see that in the last verse of the chapter. The core truth is the Lord wants us to reach the place where we don’t need to know all the answers. His desire for us is to come to the place to trust wholeheartedly. Even in the face of questions and doubts we don’t need to say “I cannot trust you if you don’t give me the answer to the questions I have.” He wants to trust him no matter the questions we face. The greatest day of the Christian life is being peacefully content. You may not know what he is doing, where he is leading but you are content trusting in his plan for your life. We see example of biblical figures reaching this point of peaceful contentment in scripture. Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 verses 9 and 10 “And he said unto me My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak then am I strong.” Have you come to that place of being peacefully content that no matter what is going on around you, you are content in Jesus, no matter what may be asked from you or whatever is ahead? He found fellowship and confidence but Jeremiah also found obedience. Even though hardship was immense he had every reason to turn away and give into man made pressures intention. He remained faithful and obedient to God’s plan for his life. He was asked by God to redeem his people. Many would have failed to understand and laugh. For Jeremiah God had been faithful and now it was his turn to obey and be faithful in return to God. It is easy to serve the Lord when all his commands are straight forward, it is easy to accept in human understanding. It takes true obedience to serve the Lord when we are confusion. It is not easy to follow when the world is mocking us. How hard it is for young people growing up today, seeing friends moving away from the Lord. We see it time and time again. Maybe seen it here in the church, we don’t know where they stand today. We see it in our world today, we see children turn their backs on God and walk away. We were not promised that the Christian life would be an easy life. We have been told to stand up and trust in the faithfulness of God. God is looking for Christians who are in this world and not of it. He is looking for strong people of God, committed to be followers of Christ and taking on this spiritual war they are in the midst of it.  He is looking for his children to obey him, without questioning. To simply trust and love him beyond measure. To trust and have confidence in the Lord. Jeremiah found obedience. This was the sign of his life. Let us have that same obedience as well.

Confusion can bring help. Jeremiah was helped by the power of God. God had the power to declare the future but also the power to bring it to pass. The God of limitless power is still the same God we worship and serve today. He is able to meet our need today. Nothing is unsurmountable today. If you find yourself in a dark valley, God knows the path out when you don’t. Whatever it may be, we need to bring it to him and find God brings you that assurance. He will take care of you and deliver you in his way and time. Jeremiah was also helped by God’s presence. Loneliness would have been a predominant emotion as he was present in prison cell.  He was comforted by God’s presence at all times. It was in this place of loneliness he found company and provision, not physical companionship, not with men around him, not with others in the same situation. It was in the hands of God. These times of confusion can seem daunting, frightening. No matter how close we might be to our family, how deep our friendships may be, it is the Lord we need. He is not one to desert us. We still have the promise of God’s presence. He will never leave us or forsake us. Often it is the things we fear that God uses to move in our lives. He was helped by God’s promises. When he heard the voice of God he was comforted by God’s planning and moving. God promised him all would be well in the end for Jeremiah. Surely this cheered his heart. As we continue to journey with the Lord, we can often find ourselves in prisons of confusion and doubt. We can find comfort in our trials by leaning on the promises of God. No matter the situation comes our way, God is at hand and he can handle it. I wonder are you confused? Do you find yourself asking some of the questions asked in this passage? Is God moving in your life today that you can’t understand? Is he working out some plan you can’t figure out. The message for the Christian from Jeremiah is to trust in the midst of uncertainty, to rest in the safe arms of God who has all things at hand. That not all will be revealed but we have to simply trust and obey. God has been faithful over the years and he will continue to be so. Will you stand and be faithful to God today in every aspect of your life? The message today if you don’t know God personally, if you are outside of Christ, life is hard. Life is excruciating at times but in the son of God who paid the price for your sins. You have the one who loves you, he cares for you more than any other , he wants to rescue you. He is a good God, he is faithful to his own. No matter what we are facing today know we can have confidence in God and the promises he has given to us.

Jesus the Team Builder

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2025 pm – MR REUBEN LYONS

Mark 1 verses 1 to 20 Jesus the Team Builder

In the case of any story written you are going to have a cast of characters to create a captivating narrative.  In any story you need individuals that are relatable funny, flawed like you and I so that we can relate to them and understand what they are going through. In most stories you need a protagonist, the central hero of the story. Then on the other side you will have the antagonist, the villain of the story. Maybe you have a side kick, a confidant, a best friend, and the extra characters in the background to fill out the world.  Very rarely will we see a story with one or 2 characters because you need more characters to draw you in and keep you invested. So far in his gospel Mark has primarily introduced us to 2 men – John the Baptist and Jesus Christ the Servant king. But as the next stage of his redemptive plan takes place Jesus needs his followers, men to accompany him in faith and learn from his great teachings and miracles. That the hero of the gospel was now searching for his side kicks to help him in that battle against the enemy Satan. We see Jesus laying the  ground work for his earthly ministry which was now going to begin to unfold before our very eyes. The first step was to build his team of men, to walk with him, to follow him whole heartedly, men he could teach and prepare them for the ministry when he was no longer there. Jesus has passed by common fishermen, who were going about their daily task along the sea and docks.  This day was the beginning of these mens lives as they knew him as Jesus called on them to follow after him. He was not going after the religious leaders in synagogue.  Nor the educated individual.  His main concern was with his followers hearts. He wanted people a passion rather that those who pleased others. In the building of his team he wanted faith not fame. The same is extended to us.  The characteristics displayed by the disciples are the same we are to embody tonight. Not based on wealth, social standing, respect others gives to us. As Jesus is looking for those genuine desire to live for him, to serve him and give him glory. Jesus the team building, building his team of disciples.

1.      The call to follow verses 16 and 17

2.      The call to be devoted verses 18 to 20

3.      The call to be like Christ verses 16 to 20

The call to follow verses 16 and 17. This call from Jesus in verse 17, you can see it was straight forward but there are in it a few things to note and dwell upon. An invitation from Jesus – “follow me”. These aren’t the first words of interaction. These men had already encountered him before, were familiar with him, they acknowledged him as the promised Messiah. John 1 verse 35 to 42. Background into where we are now entering.  This is not the initial encounter and not the last as Jesus has now returned to them and invited them to follow him in service and devotion. They were chosen to follow and work alongside him. Often we can look to the disciples and see where they have gone wrong.  Of course they did, didn’t have the faith in Jesus they should have. But what a privilege they had to follow and walk alongside Jesus, to learn from the Messiah himself, to be equipped for service. It is reminder that Jesus doesn’t speak to us in an one and done manner. That we hear the call of God one day and then never again.  Maybe that does happen. As Jesus the Son of God he is not under any obligation or duty to speak into our lives more than once. How often he has passed us time and time again seeking after us, asking us to follow him whether in salvation or to follow after him, to give him more of your life, for Christian service at home or in the church or another avenue. Just as he told the disciples we need to heed and answer the call of God. They had received their call to Christian service. Never see anything like this. Today we first need to meet the servant king, know him and accept his gracious offer of salvation. Tonight is the time to follow him. We do not know the final time when Jesus will pass us by whether for salvation or woken up to reality of Christ in your life and how you have been disobeying and walking away from him. You need to get in line with his will and say “here am I Lord use me.” First we see the invitation given by Jesus. We see also there was a clear desire. Succeeding and following Christ’s opening words is really this phrase “Come and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus is conveying the desire for these men, likewse always going to be clear of the desire for our lives. He does not want us to be confused He will often desire us to be committed and constant in the place of prayer. If we are then we will know his desire for our lives. He wants us to sure in his name.  He had a specific work for his soon to be disciples soon revealed to them. It was a specific and unique call to them. Same manner of call that we all hear from God today. His desire is for all to know him and serve him as fishers of men. He wants us to be a strong witness for him. Not up to everyone to be in full time ministry, involved in children’s outreach, in public speaking. The Lord has a plan for each of us. The great commission to go and fulfil.  He wants us to be a strong witness, that people need him in their lives, testifying what he has done in us, the miracle of salvation. Share that so people can never turn away, never been a Christian saved that the Lord didn’t want us to be a witness and share his glory to others. When was the last time you made a conscious effort to witness to someone else? We need to be active for the Lord, to share our testimony of Christ working in our life. We need to be active for the Lord and sharing his wonderful news. I don’t know where you are in your journey with Christ. God has a plan and a desire and a direction for your life. A purpose of work for you to go on and fulfil, that we are not living meandering through the days of life until we reach heaven. As Christians we are to be a busy people, an applied people. We have been saved and set apart to serve the Lord. The most dangerous place we can be in as Christians is comfortable because there we become lazy. We lack in so much in our Christian walk. We are not on the move and sharing the good news as we should be. God intends us to be serving him in some capacity.  It will be different for each and every individual as it was for the disciples.  We have been called to obey, follow him. Let us serve him and be active in our service.  The invitation and the desire on the heart of Jesus . The goal of this invitation. Through his words Jesus revealed to the disciples their lives will be now be an ongoing work in progress. Just because they were chosen by Jesus they were not the finished article.  They were chosen for a specific purpose, would not be the finished article.  They were a work in progress. On hearing and answering the call of Jesus this would be an important decision that they would make. These men what they now were going to endure and experience would mean challenging days and tasks as face a spiritual battle. There would be periods of great difficult and times when their faith would be tested. It was a journey and they would be far from the finished product. They needed to grow in their faith. It would take them a long time to be accomplished fishers of men. An investment was being made in these individual. The goal was clearly set before them in service. They need to be committed to their master and make an investment in him. The disciples needed determination to work patiently and consistently if they were to fulfil the desire Jesus had for them and to reach that goal. God had a purpose for them, a plan that would never be fulfilled overnight. The Lord has a great work for us to do but we are all works in progress. We must be willing to persevere even when the going gets difficult becoming what he wants us to be in his timing and will. God is changing us every day. I am not the same person I used to be. It is slow going but there is a knowing that some day perfect I will be. It is wonderful to know we are being changed by our Saviour. We are not the same people we used to be. It can be slow going with long arduous days. Wonderful to know that one day we will reach the goal of glorification.

The call to be devoted – verses 18 to 20. The devotion involved in following Jesus. They heard the call and were devoted to follow Christ. They were obedient and done the right thing. There was a clear choice to make. To chose to obey and follow. Not to go back to the old life on the boats. Can we say “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.” Following is often easier said than done. The disciples had no information about where this would take them other than they would become fishers of men. On the way God will reveal the plan and purpose he has for us. In Genesis Abraham was called to follow God unto a land he would reveal, Moses was called to take the journey back to Egypt. The path may not always be clear but if we are to experience victory in our service we must first learn to follow him. It will involve one step at a time. We can be assured he is in control and leads us in the path that is right and brings glory to his name. The devotion involved leaving behind all they knew. We need to note all they were leaving behind in their lives. They had worked hard, they had put in the arduous task of labouring. Earning at their trade gaining financial success, building up a good standing in the community. People knew they could be trusted and relied on if they needed time. In the space of one day left it all behind, not just success in work but their family, all to follow Christ. As the disciples were doing, we too are called to step out in faith and to serve the servant king. It was more important than silver and gold to these disciples, than anything they can grasp in life. I wonder in the hardest moments, when you know the Lord is calling to follow after him in a certain way are you saying “I cannot do it” or are you saying “just give me Jesus.” These men had forsaken everything to follow after him. Jesus was their whole life and all their priorities. If we are to follow after Jesus with great devotion, we need to be ready to leave everything to follow Christ. Are we willing if God calls us? These are hard hitting questions. It might not always impact our salary, where you live, our relationships. The Lord wants us to abandon everything of this world behind that stands between us and him. Luke 9 verse 23. Luke 14 verse 26. Luke 14 verse 33.  If there is anything standing before you and the Lord it has to be put to the side. The Lord must come first. When the Lord places on your heart certain matters we need to know that nothing can come between us and him. The disciples’ devotion involved a step of faith. It involved uncertainty. That is a word that has come into our vocabulary in recent years. Just as we are uncertain in life and in our work for God these disciples were feeling uncertain. Their work provided safety. Without it they were stepping in the future unknown. They didn’t doubt or recognise the power and ability of the master. They had no notion of what the step would mean. This call to follow him was for God. It would go on to impact the rest of their lives. Some impact on all the years following. We come to Christ for the gift of salvation by faith. We must follow him in service by faith. He might not ask us to serve outside our comfort zone but use us in ways never imagined but he will. This will take a step of faith. We need to follow the example of devotion of these disciples.

The call to be like Christ – verses 16 to 19. We are given a real insight on those who heed the call and follow after Christ. Verse 16 is really the casting out of the good news. As Jesus approached these men, they had already spent a long and arduous night fishing. Instead of giving up or being satisfied with what fish they had already gathered in, they continued to cast out their nets. Likewise we need to be persevering as we cast out the net of the good news of the gospel. Some of the family of God have been gifted as teachers, others gifted in sharing testimony, others gifted in hospitality, others in evangelism, through friendships and relationship, even going around doors.  Whatever God has blessed you with, you need to cast it like a net for God’s glory. Not to sit back and let others to do the work but rather to say “I am willing to go and cast the good news in how you have gifted me, in the talents you have provided.” Both James and John had received the call to step out in faith for the Saviour, to perform the task they were unfamiliar with.  The gifts and abilities they possessed will come in handy in the days ahead. They needed to be adaptable and open to change. Learning the ways of God every day through the Son of God. Today we must be willing to adapt as we walk by faith. God has gifted us in certain areas.  That is not a guarantee he will take us to new places and serve in new ways.  We must be willing to follow after him, to meet our needs when the times come. We need to be open to where our path leads, knowing when the time comes even if we don’t want to be there, God will equip us for the job. God will help us. He doesn’t call those who are equipped but rather he equips those who are called. If the Lord has brought you this far he will lead you through. The Lord will provide exactly what we need. Are we willing to take this step of faith and follow him, to adapt on this journey of faith so we will bring glory to him? Every believer has a work to carry out. Jesus has called us all to a life of service. We must need to heed the call. If you never met with Jesus, had your life transformed through the work of the cross Jesus is calling you to accept him tonight. If you have heard the call now is the time to respond to his call to his service. Jesus the Servant King wants to build his team and he is still building his team today. The same call is spread out to us today.