Belshazzar's last feast

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2025 pm - MR JASON CRUISE

DANIEL 5 VERSES 1 TO 12, 17 TO 31

The passage we have read takes place in 539 BC Daniel the prophet is over 80 years of age, Many years have passed since Daniel was brought from Jerusalem to Babylon as a teenager. Jerusalem was overruled in 605 by the Babylonians. Nebuchadnezzar was king but many days have passed since then. Nebuchadnezzar is now dead and his grandson is on the throne. He is co regent with his father. Verse 1 "Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand." Down through the centuries of time there have been those who have lived a life of indulgence. Their motto is "eat, drink and be merry". They go through life with no thought of their soul, no care for eternal destiny. Belshazzar was such a man. His moral standards are far below common decency. His life was one of debauchery, carnality and riotous living. He fell far short of God's standards. He fell short of the standards of heaven. Before we think we are somewhat better than Belshazzar we too fall far short of God's standards. Romans 3 verse 23 tells us "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." In fact Romans 3 verse 10 tells us "there is none righteous, no not one." Not one of us meet the standards God requires of us. The life you misses the standard. It falls short of the bar. Maybe you are shouting back "I live a life trying to do the best I can, morally I am right, I attend church, I am an upstanding person int eh community." Somehow they do not meet God's standards. We are born with the awful 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 upon all men, for that all have sinned." Through the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden when he willfully rebelled against God, sin has come into this world. You miss the standards heaven requires. That is why you must be saved, you must come to put your faith and trust in the risen Christ. Each of us has appointment with death. Romans 6 verse 23 "for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life." You can have eternal life if you would only trust in the one who paid the price of sin. You must come in repentance and accept what he has done. You must acknowledge the life you have lived has been an offence to God. You can be saved, redeemed in the very seat in which you sit. Belshazzar lived a life in rebellion towards God. 

Verses 3 and 4 he now calls for the golden and silver vessels to be brought. Nebuchadnezzar had brought these from Jerusalem. Now the king, the princes, wives and concubines drank from them. They praised the gods of gold and silver, the gods and idols of their own imagination. Here in chapter 5 we are brought to the great banquet of blasphemy against the God of heaven. As he drank from the vessels they now praised and honoured the gods of their own imagination. Babylon is often called the birthplace of idolatry. They loved their idols and they had many. Marduk, the king of the gods, Shamash the sun god and Negal, the god of the underworld. They had taken the place of the true God, the living God of heaven. Exodus 20 verse 3, the first commandments says "thou shalt have no other gods before me." Is there one here and you are not saved? You have an idol in your life, not of gold or silver, wood or stone. Perhaps it is sport, money, self, career. Your idol stands between you and God. In the light of eternity the idols you have cannot do anything to save your soul. There is only one who can save your soul. He is the one who died on the centre cross. One day we will meet God. Perhaps it will be as our Saviour because we have put our trust in him but for others they will meet him as judge. If you are not saved you too will go out to meet the Lord as judge. Amos 4 verse 12 "prepare to meet your God." Will you not come and make preparation for your departure, for one day when you leave this scene of time and go out into eternity without God. If you die without the Lord you will die without hope. You will end up in hell itself until one day when you stand before the great white throne, then to be cast into the lake of fire. Won't it be awful to attend a gospel meeting, to hear the word of God and then leave this scene of time never prepared for eternity. There are only 2 destinations - heaven with the Lord or hell separated from God and the love of God. Our meeting is convened to tell of a God who loves you, of a Son who came to bleed and die for Adam's race. You can freely come and avail of this salvation purchased for you at Calvary where Jesus laid down his life for you and I so we can have eternal life.

Verse 5 "In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote." Belshazzar would have encountered the one true living God. Picture in your mind this banquet of sin. A thousand of the king's princes, wives and concubines are present. Belshazzar is taken with the wine. He thinks all is well. Little does he realise there is one in heaven looking down on all that is going on. He sees the heart of Belshazzar and now the hand of God writes on the plaster of the wall. Very quickly and suddenly a deathly silence descends upon this party of sin. The silence would have been broken by screams of fear and gasps of unbelief. The 1000 invited guests would have counted it a great privilege to be invited to this banquet. They had achieved something in life having been invited to this great feast. Now there was a rush for the exit door. In the space of an hour how much things have changed for Belshazzar. He had been enjoying a night of worldly entertainment and the next moment it is all over. He sat on a temporal earthly throne and failed to recognise there was one who sat on the sovereign throne in heaven. Picture Belshazzar in your mind. Fear grips him. His countenance changes. Now he is troubled by his thoughts. Although he has achieved much in his life none of that is important now. God has stepped in. You may have achieved great things in life but if you leave this scene of time without the Saviour, without knowing the LOrd all you have done in this life will be futile.

 

Blessing in the field of Boaz

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2025 AM - MR JASON CRUISE

RUTH 2 VERSES 1 TO 12

The book of Ruth is believed to have been written by the prophet Samuel. Ruth and Esther are the only 2 books in the bible named after women. We read in Ruth of a Gentile woman who married a Jew, Boaz. In Esther we read of a Jewish woman who married a Gentile, Ahasuerus. In chapter 1 verse 1 we learn the time period when these things took place. "Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled." A dark period in the life of the nation of Israel. Judges records 7 cycles of sin. Israel sinned against the Lord and the Lord chastised them. Then they repented and turned to the Lord. The nation of Israel fall away again and sin against the Lord and the cycle is repeated. In the last verse of the book of Judges we read "In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes." During that time of the judges people didn't want anyone to rule over them. Much like our present day? No-one wanted a ruler. They wanted to do that which was right in their own eyes. Very much a picture of the day in which we presently live. People live as they please. Also it says in verse 1 of chapter 1 that there was a famine in the land. The Lord had told the people what would happen if they were not faithful to him, if they didn't obey him - Deuteronomy 28 verses 16 and 17 "Cursed shalt thou be in the city and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store." At that time the people thought they could do whatever they pleased, live whatever way they liked. The famine came as a direct result of sin and iniquity of the people. The people thought they could live with no consequences. The people were happy to live in sin and continue in sin. They thought there would be no consequences as a result but the Lord sent a famine. It came as a result of their conduct and behaviour.

There is a man called Elimelech who with his wife Naomi left Bethlehem and made their way to Moab. The name Elimelech means 'my God is king'. Elimelech was brought up in a godly home. His parents knew that although there was no king in the land, they acknowledged they had one in heaven. Elimelech was their son and with his wife Naomi made their way to Moab. He died in Moab and then his 2 sons also died, Mahlon and Chilion. Naomi is left with her 2 daughters-in-law Orpah and Ruth. Naomi hears how the Lord has visited his people in giving them bread and makes a decision to return to Bethlehem. In chapter 1 verse 10 we see all 3 making their way to Bethlehem. Orpah and Ruth decided to go with Naomi. They had only started on the way when Orpah leaves them and makes her way back to her own people and her own gods. In Orpah we see a picture of the false convert. When the rubber hits the road we realise it is only lip service. She quickly made her way back to her false gods and idols she knew in Moab. Naomi and Ruth make their way to Bethlehem. Ruth is a picture of the true convert. Chapter 1 verse 15 "return thou after thy sister-in-law." But Ruth makes a commitment and a promise. Verses 16 and 17 "Intreat me not to leave thee or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodge; thy people shall be my people and thy God my God. Where thou diest will I die and there will I be buried; the Lord do so to me and more also if ought but death part thee and me." Ruth has made a commitment and she was going to follow through on that commitment. She is a picture of the true convert. She turned her back on the false gods of Moab. She is on the road she has never travelled before. She is heading to a new destination. The moment we trust in the Lord we are set on a new path. We are on the narrow path heading for a new destination, heaven. We look forward to the day when eventually we reach our home.

In chapter 2 we read that Naomi and Ruth made their way to Bethlehem. Here we read for the first time of the man Boaz. He was a kinsman of Naomi's husband Elimelech. A mighty man of wealth. He has grain stores in abundance. He is a great picture of our kinsman redeemer Jesus. Inexhaustible and unsearchable riches are found in Christ, the redeemer. When we think of our soul's salvation we think of the countless millions who have put their trust in Christ down the years yet salvation is still available from God's storehouse of grace for those who will come to him today. Salvation is available. We have put our faith and trust in one whose riches are inexhaustible and unsearchable. When we think of the past week we are reminded of the good things we have enjoyed. Philippians 4 verse 19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Each and every thing we needed in the week that is past we have enjoyed by the grace of God. Boaz dwells in Bethlehem. Soon we will think of another person born in that same town, Jesus. God was willing to send him there. The babe in a manger would one day be willing to lay down his life on the cross for you and I. 

Notice the care, compassion and provision Boaz makes for those who labour in his field.

The first thing Boaz says to his workers - "the Lord be with you." He mentions the Lord first. Whenever you come into contact with friends, neighbours and work colleagues is the Lord the first thing we mention? We will talk about different subjects but when do we speak of the Lord? Could we say a word for the Lord? Verses 9 and 10 - notice when Boaz talks to Ruth what he says "Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap and go thou after them; have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. Then she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?" He has spoken to his workers, the young men about their conduct, behaviour. Remember the events take place in the days of the judges. The last verse of the book of Judges tells us that every man did that which was right in their own eyes. Boaz showed his men that there was a way they had to conduct themselves if they wanted to work in his fields. When we come into a relationship with Christ there is a way that we must behave. A way God expects us to conduct ourselves differently. Between ourselves and the world outside, those who know not the Lord personally. "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" (Philippians 2 verse 15) We will come into contact with many people who have never put their trust in God's word. They will never read God's word but they will monitor you and I as Christians. I trust that our conduct will be good, that we will be shining lights for Christ, signposts for the Saviour. 

Notice also the mention of thirsting in verse 9. He has made provision for refreshment. When you are doing work for the Lord you will need to keep yourself hydrated. If you don't you will soon dry up. I pray that every day you will come to God's word to be replenished. You need it every day. If you don't come to God's word you will soon dry up. You need to come continually. Make your way in the morning before you go out into the world and then before you sleep at night. 

Ruth is overwhelmed. She now falls at the feet of Boaz. In her homeland of Moab she had never done this before. Her people, the Moabites were descendants of the incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughter. They served false gods and idols. Here she falls down at the feet of Boaz and asks "why have I found grace?" Is that not what we all can ask today? We are saved by the grace of God. Through the goodness of God who was willing to send his son to die for our sins we could easily ask "why have I found grace in thine eyes, why have you taken knowledge of me?" 

Ruth is gleaning among the sheaves - Leviticus 23 verse 22 "And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest; thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger; I am the Lord your God." She is no longer gleaning at the corners of the field but among the actual sheaves. She is blessed in the fields of Boaz. As she makes her way home to her mother-in-law she has with her a ephah of barley. An ephah is equal to 10 omers. In Exodus 16 verse 15 we learn that this was the amount of manna the children of Israel were to gather each day in the wilderness. Ruth has an abundance of supply. She has received more than she could imagine. When she goes home to Naomi, Naomi asks her "Where hast thou gleaned today? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought and said, The man's name with whom I wrought today is Boaz." If I came along to you in the week that lies ahead and asked you where you had been would you be able to say where you had gleaned? Have you gleaned something of the word of God? Many seek to glean things from the word that have no substance for their well being. God has given us his precious word and I trust we come to glean something from his word daily. Will you and I ask the Lord to help us do a work for him in the week that lies ahead? Maybe it will not be in full time ministry but it may be somewhere God wants us to be. Maybe it is a work amongst boys and girls, or women in our church or community. Where do you seek to work for God? 

Chapter 2 verse 23 "So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest and dwelt with her mother in law." 7 times we read about a field, 5 of which are referred to as "the field". The workers are in the field, we read of the reapers in the field, a servant in the field and the maidens also. They are all labouring in the field of Boaz. They were seeking to see the harvest brought in. A work done for the owner. The day would come when the harvest would be over. As we drive through our countryside at the end of September we can see many fields of corn, wheat and barley. We see them cut and then safely stored in. The work is finished, all is safely gathered in. Other times the weather changes and suddenly the crop becomes wet and damp. The field has not been cut, the wind and rain turns the field to black. The harvest has come and is passed but that field has been lost. Think of those workers in Boaz's harvest field. They were seeking to do a work for him. Let me ask you - are you working in God's field today?  What work are we doing for the Lord? Are we labouring in the heavenly harvest field? Are we anxious to see the harvest gathered in? Are we doing all we can to see the harvest gathered in today?

The Impact of the Word of God.

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2025 - PASTOR HENRY CASKEY

2 KINGS 22 verses 8 to 20

57 or so years had passed by. There was nothing but rebellion in Israel. A turning away from God by the people of Israel. They were in a terrible state. God raised up a young man, at 8 years of age to sit on the throne. Manasseh his grandfather was a wicked king and his son Amon followed in his footsteps. Amon only served for 3 years when he was murdered. Now Josiah his son is on the throne. He is not an adult, just a child but he had great learning and ability. A little boy who God can use mightily. Isn't it wonderful to look at our hands and think what is that I am able to offer God? God doesn't ask much of us but he wants our lives to be handed over to him. He wants to be in control. Remember the story of a miracle when the multitudes gathered around Jesus. The day was far spent. The people were growing weary and hungry. The disciples were concerned at the people making their way home home. Maybe they would falter on the way. They were in need of food and Jesus told them to feed them. The disciples wondered where they would get food from. Then Andrew brings a boy down from the crowd. He tells the Lord there is a lad here who has a few fishes and loaves but what is that among so many? Have we come to the house of God today saying 'Lord I don't have much but whatever I have you can have it?' Have we surrendered it to the Lord? Josiah decided to renovate the house of the Lord. In verse 8 we read "I have found the book of the law." For some 50/60 years the book of the law had been neglected, set aside. Now in this time of renovation they had found the book. They bring it to the king.

The discovery of the book. See the various reforms that this man Josiah brings in. One of the greatest decisions he made was to follow the Lord at 16 years of age. He was being lifted to higher ground every time. His heart was in the work of God. We can bring our offerings and tithes to God's work and walk away but are our hearts in the work of God? Think of Nehemiah. His heart was in God's work. He was living in the palace in Shushan. He had a good job in the King's palace. He was comfortable but he really wanted to be down in Jerusalem, to lead and guide the people of God to build the walls. He lived 1000 miles away but his heart was in the work of God. He wanted to do more for God's honour and glory. Something special happened in this renovation here in 2 Kings 22. Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the law. In Deuteronomy 31 verse 26 we read that the book of the law was to be put to the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. Their king was to read and study it (Deuteronomy 17 verse 18). It seemed after all this time that this book had been neglected and set aside. It was no longer read. It was set aside. Now the were in a dangerous situation. A great discovery was made. Think again of Nehemiah 8 verse 1 "And all the people gathered themselves together as one man in to the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had commanded to Israel." They were hungering for the book. Isn't it good to be hungry for the book? When the book was brought in Ezra read it to every one present. James Cooke the great adventurer sent his servant one day to bring him the book. When the servant went to his great library he asked 'which book' because he had so many. James Cooke told there was only one book. We need to be sure that from this pulpit the preaching of the word of God is central. Remember how the devil came to Jesus when he was hungry in the wilderness. He reminded him how great and powerful he was. How he was the Son of God. He told God to command the stones to be turned into bread and then he would be satisfied. Jesus replied "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Many are turning from this book today, leaving it aside. Yes they lift it periodically. They will read a bit here and there but overall it is neglected. Today we listen to fairy tales from our pulpits. So may say today 'we don't have to have this word before us, we can do our own thing.' There are so many self help books available to day that we can forget about this book. William Tyndale the publicist wanted to place the bible into the hands of the common people during the time of the reformation. They needed it in their own translation, their own language. Tyndale translated it from Hebrew and Greek into English. His last prayer was for God to open the eyes of the King of England.

The discernment of the book. Things are being tidied up in God's house when all of a sudden Hilkiah discovered the book. Imagine the joy in his heart. "I have found the book of the law." Notice the discernment. He realised the importance of the book he had in his hands. Do we realise the importance of this book today? To spend time in this book? Verses 9 and 10. When the book is discovered the king asks for it to be read aloud. Shaphan did as he was asked. Do we realise when we open this book it is the God of heaven we are reading about. This is his word. He reveals its words to us today. That word is eternally fixed in heaven for us. "My word will never pass away." Remember the Thessalonians believers when Paul came preaching. The people stood listening and as they did so they got saved. They realised this was the word of God. 1 Thessalonians 2 verse 13 " For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." These were not Paul's words but they were from the living God. They received it as the word of God. Do we receive this word as God's? The devil will try to get us to doubt and disbelieve this word. There is a great attack on the word of God even today. Remember when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden. When the snake came into the garden Eve told of the tree in the centre. The devil picked up on this and asked "hath God said?" In other words 'are you sure God has said this to you?' Don't we hear that today? 'That is your interpretation of it.' It is the inspired word of God. Remember Jonah when he first heard the word of God. He turned his back on God. Eventually he went to Nineveh. Jonah 3 verse 5 "so the people of Nineveh believed God." Not Jonah or his words. They believed the word preached was the word of God. They proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth. They said 'this is God's word'. Remember the people of Berea. They listened to the word of God being preached and searched the scriptures themselves to make sure what they heard was true

The discipline of the book. Notice the response of the king on hearing the word of God - verse 11. Hilkiah had come to Shaphan and told him that the king needed to hear these words. Shaphan goes into the king and reads the word to him. Josiah realises this is the word of God that had been neglected and hidden for so many years - verse 11. He rent his clothes. He applied the word of God to his life. He tore his royal robes. He listened intently to the word of God. He realised how far from God they were. When we come to God's word we realise who we are and where we are. James talking about looking in a glass mirror and the reflection seen. Maybe there are a few adjustments that need to be made. As we read the word of God he shows us what we are and what is expected of us. We must apply it to our lives. That is the discipline required. The king repented of his sins. The discernment had to be turned into discipline. They were worshipping idols and they had to forsake them and put their faith in God. They had to wait on the promise of God. Have we discovered the word of God to our hearts? James Simpson was a scientist who discovered chloroform. He was being interviewed one and the interviewer asked him what was his greatest discovery thinking it would lead to him talking about chloroform. James Simpson replied 'the greatest discovery I made was the day I discovered I was a sinner and that Jesus had suffered and bled and died on the cross for me and I could take him as my own personal Saviour.' Have we discovered that today? Do we know Jesus as our own personal Saviour? He paid the price for you on Calvary that you might be saved, know your sins forgiven and are on your way to heaven and home. He made the discovery of the word of God. He discerned that it was God's word. He had discipline to apply it. Do we have discipline to apply God's word to our lives?

The direction of the book - verse 13. Josiah knew God's wrath was upon this people. He heard the word of God, ripped his royal robes and told Shaphan to go and enquire of the Lord.

The delivery of the book - verse 19. God's wrath remained on the nation. God dealt with this young man. The king would be saved.

As we come to the close of our meeting let us come as channels, listening to the word of God, knowing what God expects of us. Why not come and simply ask the Lord to use us. We may not have much but we can ask God to use us today. Josiah was only 8 when he came to the throne but God used him immediately to bring in many reforms in his day.

The Power of Worship

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH 

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2025 - MR PHILIP GRAHAM

2 KINGS 3 VERSES 1 TO 20

As I read this during the week doing my devotion and came down through this portion of scripture, verse 15 jumped out and the little phrase "but now bring me a minstrel." My title today is The Power of Worship. I remember that "all scripture is given for our instruction" and that means every phrase matters in God's word. What is the reason for that little line in the passage? It is easy to skip over this verse. Maybe we would even say Elisha wanted music to calm him down so he brought music out. Worship can be a hot topic, there are different and various interpretations of what it really is. Let us take God's word today and apply it to our hearts. Let God's Holy Spirit apply it in such a way that we might be changed as a result. What led up to the point where he asked for the minstrel to be brought? And a miracle followed from this request? 

After the death of Ahab, Jehoram his son came to the throne. Moab was a small nation that rebelled against Israel's control. We read in verse 4 that they paid 100,000 lambs and 100,000 rams with the wool to Israel. They now saw the chance to break free from tribute. Jehoram saw what was happening and he went to Jehoshaphat, King of Judah and asked him to come and help him fight against Moab. Instead of travelling directly north they went south and picked up the King of Edom. For 7 days they travelled together when they ran out of water. They were trapped in the wilderness of Edom. Now they had no hope. They were panicking. The quest they were on was desperate. They turned to the prophet Elisha to see what he could do to help them. They came to Elisha for guidance but he was not ready to speak. His heart was troubled. Before he could speak he asked for a minstrel to be brought. Then the hand of the Lord came on him. What followed is not just a message but a miracle. God brought water to a dry valley and victory in the battle.

First, notice the prophet's problem. He had a troubled spirit. Verse 14. Elisha was not one bit happy. He was unsettled. I wonder if that had been you or me what we would have been thinking. These 3 kings had landed at his door looking advice. Would you not have been quaking in your boots? Elisha meets these 3 heads of state and is not happy. He realised something wrong was going on. He gives them a dressing down. What courage that took! These kings were not like today's kings. They had the power to cut off his life. He points out what is wrong. If it hadn't been for Jehoshaphat the good king Elisha would not have listened to them. There was one wicked king, Jehoram, 1 pagan king, the king of Moab and one good king Jehoshaphat. They came looking for advice. It was a proud and political situation. It brought to my mind the idea of "being unequally yoked together". That is what these 3 men were like. Elisha would have sensed that these men practised idolatry. They didn't go to their own gods but came to the living God. They were asking his advice. Isn't it true that many don't believe in God when things are alright but when things go wrong they will go seeking for God. They knew God's presence does not move in the presence of rebellion and unbelief. Elisha was struck with frustration. Why is Jehoram doing this? That is why Elisha is disturbed. Have you ever found yourself in that place? Perplexed, frustration. God's word does not flow freely when there is anger and a distracted heart. God must first quiet our spirits. The greatest obstacle to hearing God's voice is the noise we experience in our own lives. How many times are we so preoccupied with things happening in our lives? The noise of our world. The culture around us. All prevents God's message getting through to our hearts. How much noise is there in our lives today? Some of the noise I experience in my life is not just work related. There is social media. Someone once  said that scrolling kills the soul. We should be flicking God's word open instead of scrolling. Noise clouds our vision of God's inerrant word. This is a challenge to my own heart - I get trapped in that scenario too often. There is nothing like getting into God's word and getting rid of all the noise. The prophet's problem - he had a trouble spirit.

Secondly, the prophet's preparation. "Now bring me a minstrel." Worship changes the atmosphere. Elisha understood something that many believers don't understand today. Instead of forcing God's message he started to worship. When your spirit is troubled your heart becomes clouded. Elisha knew that worship could do what worrying could not do. It could shift the atmosphere and calm his heart. It involved the presence of God and became a moment of transformation. The minstrel was someone playing an instrument. Music often invites the presence of God. Remember when David played the harp for Saul - he invited the presence of God into the situation. The atmosphere shifted from frustration to faith. From dryness in the desert to expectancy. Worship can be continuous. It can set off a gradient of views. You will agree that there is no power like that when worship is raised. Worship is more than music playing on any instrument. He did not ask for a soldier or a strategist or someone to come with a sword. He asked for a song. Why? Because he understood that worship matters. Worship has a way of turning confusion to clarity. Addressing restlessness and giving revelation. Had Elisha read the psalms and remembered the truth of "be still and know that I am God?" We live in a fast paced world. We spend our time reacting to things that it is so hard to be still. It takes practice, determination and effort. When we take time to worship, calm will fill our souls. It invites the presence of God. That is vital. We need to understand that it is not music itself that fills the place. It is the worship behind the music that opened the way for the divine presence and power of God. Praise is welcomed, God's presence is felt. When you cannot feel God's presence start worshipping. When we don't know the way to turn start to sing. God often speaks in the attitude of praise. If you have gone through heartache and are dry, when it is hard to concentrate and get your mind focused. When your mind is in turmoil and there are things you don't understand. When you read God's word and it is dry. When you are struggling and your mind is in the wrong place. When you feel you are getting nowhere. When you come to the place you don't know what to say or do. When your heart is confused and it feels impossible start to worship. Lift your voice in praise and worship. Sing the truth and proclaim openly how great our God is. Thank God for all he has done for you. How good and great he is. It might not make much sense to you but when you start to worship in truth and confess how amazing our God is change will start to happen. Notice the order in verse 15 - the music fist then the message. He didn't try to prophecy until he had prepared his heart to worship. Worship should not be a distraction. Not some way to turn our thoughts away from the confusion in our lives. It is time to evaluate our motives and methods. Worship is preparation of the heart. Preparing ourselves to receive God's word and instruction. The word will flow easier because it is already tuned to heaven's frequency. There is no point in turning up and going straight into the word without preparing ourselves though worship. We need to take time to prepare. Collective worship is also important in churches. For many it is another aspect of our service. True worship is so much more. It sets the tone for the meeting. It prepares our heart to receive the word. It calms our soul. Not whipping us up or getting us on a roller coaster. That is when it becomes all about us. If you base your worship on emotions it is not real because one time we are up and the next we are down. True worship invites the presence of God and prepares the way for the word before we hear it. 

Thirdly, the prophet's power. Where did he get his power? "The hand of the Lord came upon him." The hand of the Lord represents the spirit of God. He didn't receive the word until his heart was right. We read many times of the hand of the Lord in God's word. When the hand of the Lord rested on men and women they did extraordinary things for God. God's Spirit took control. I wonder are you ready for God's Spirit to take control? Not a moment of human inspiration, it was not something worked up. He was not getting the people into a frenzy. They welcomed God when they worshipped. His heart found a resting place. Do we worship God daily? Do we come with expectancy for the Holy Spirit to move? Worship is such a wonderful thing. It turns deserts into rivers. The Lord told Elisha to dig ditches and then the Lord filled them with water. God performed a miracle. Streams of provision were filled when the hearts are turned to God. Hearts are moved in ways not expected. 

What are some takeaways from our passage today?

When you are spiritually dry don't give up but try worship.

When you don't know what to do and the words won't come out, worship first.

Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Worship invites God's presence. Miracles happen. Strength comes. 

Elisha did not receive the word of God until he paused to worship. A heart that was quieted before the Lord.

Steps in Finding Peace with God

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2025 pm - PASTOR HENRY CASKEY

LUKE 18 VERSES 9 TO 14

There is something very special about the gospel. The meeting gives us an opportunity to revisit Calvary. 

Jesus tells a parable. He often told parables from people and situations he saw as he travelled. Think of the sower going out to sow the seed or the lost sheep wandering away. The good shepherd brought it back to the fold. He gave his life for the sheep. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. He speaks here of 2 men who were poles apart spiritually and socially speaking. One was a religious man, a Pharisee while the other was a Publican or tax collector, a despised man. He was hated because of his occupation. If anyone met him in the street they would cross over away from him. The steps he took in our story brought peace to his heart. In verse 9 we read the reason for this parable - "which trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others." He knew there were those trusting in themselves to be righteous before God. I am sure you have met them - the nicest people you could ever meet. Sometimes you meet them on the doorsteps as you give out invitations to evangelistic missions. They will tells you they do the best they can, they go to church every Sunday, they never miss communion, pray and read their bibles every day and are ready to help anyone in the community. Good people, honest people, respectable people. They are trusting in themselves but they are not on their way to heaven and home.  Jesus turns from this religious man to the tax collector. 

Notice his attitude. This man comes in and acknowledges his sin before God. The word of God says the fool makes a mockery of his sin but not this man. He acknowledges before God he is a sinner. Notice he is standing afar off. The rich man wanted to be as near the holy of holies. He wanted to be heard and seen by others. Pride was pumping out of him. He had no time for the publican. His attitude was different. He knew sin in his heart. He knew it would take him to the caverns of the damned. He wanted to be right before God. Remember Achan, a young man in the Israelite army. The great city of Jericho was before him. They followed the battle plans and God gave them this city. But there was one thing they had to do - the spoil was God's. They had to be careful to do what God said and follow it exactly. He gazed across the city and saw the Babylonish garment and the silver. He swept them up and thought no-one would see him but God's eyes were on him. This tax collector is so different. He acknowledges his sin. Remember David and his relationship with Bathsheba. The most beautiful woman ever seen. He coveted her. He lay with her and she conceived. David sent for her husband. He wanted him to join his wife but he refused David's plan. Then David sent him into the battle so that he would face the enemy. Uriah was killed in battle. David thought everything was alright now. God sent a prophet with a story to David. A story of a rich man and a poor man. The poor man had a little lamb. He loved it, it was like family to him. The rich man had more riches than he could ever want. He took the poor man's lamb. David was furious. Then Nathan the prophet told David that he was the rich man. 2 Samuel 12 verse 13 "I have sinned against the Lord." He acknowledged his sin. It had caught up with him. Conviction had gripped him. This man's attitude was right. He couldn't even lift his eyes up to heaven. He acknowledged his sin. 

Notice this man's approach. He feels the weight of his sin. He knows the shame of guilt. We can imagine him coming into the presence of God. He acknowledges the reality of his sin. Think of the centurion's servant. He was at the point of death. The centurion came to find the Lord. He explained about his servant being so ill. Jesus was willing to come and heal him but the centurion said "I am not worthy for you to come under my roof but speak the word only." This man felt his unworthiness. As we begin to look at Calvary and what Christ did for us what does that do for us tonight. This man approached the Lord. "I am a sinner, I am hardly worthy to be standing in such a place." Think of the woman in John 8 caught in the act of adultery. The men who brought her wanted Jesus to agree with their law which say she should be put to death. Jesus said "let him that is without sin cast the first stone." That challenge began to hit home. Those guilty men, one by one, began to drift away. Jesus was left alone with the woman. They realised that they were as much a sinner as this woman they had brought to Jesus. Not one of us is guiltless. We all have sinned. We need to come to Christ. Peter on the day of Pentecost preached of the Lord coming into the world and of the many miracles he did. Then he pointed at the crowd and told them they took him and nailed him to the cross but on the third day he rose again. The crowd was standing listening. They asked him "what shall we do?" They were pricked in their hearts. God the Holy Spirit was there in the crowd. One by one they repented of their sin and turned to Christ. 3000 souls came to Christ individually. We must come the same way, every one of us makes their way to the cross of Calvary if we want to be in heaven. We have got to come to the cross of Calvary. 

The appeal. After he acknowledged his sin he makes a great appeal. "Lord be merciful to me a sinner." We cannot be saved in our own merits. It is all of the mercy of God. This man was crying out to God for mercy. He realised if ever he was to have peace with God it was all God's merits. I need God's mercy in this situation. He cried out for it. Have you ever cried out for it tonight? Have you ever come to the place where you realised you have sinned and come short of God's glory? Our problems are not too big for the Lord. He will take you in. Remember the young man who went off into the world to enjoy himself. He spent all he had and came to an end of himself. As he lay among the pigs he realised if he get home he would be far better off. His father was standing waiting for him. "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." This young man went home and the father met him. He wrapped his arms around him. The man said to his father "I have sinned." The father called for the fatted calf and prepared a feast. He said "this my son was lost and is now found."

The assurance he receives. Jesus told the crowd around him "this man went down to his house justified." The load of shame and guilt was gone. He went down a new creature in Christ because he called on the name of the Lord. Jesus paid the price of salvation and you can know forgiveness of sins tonight.

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A bottle in the smoke

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2025 - PASTOR HENRY CASKEY

PSALM 119 VERSES 81 TO 88

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm of all the Psalms. There are 176 verses. A lot of commentators tell us that the author of many of the psalms is unknown. A lot believe that David was the author of many of these Psalms. Some believe that David wrote these Psalms for his son Solomon to teach him the Hebrew Alphabet. Time after time the Psalmist is focused on the word of God. Some times he uses references like the judgments of God, the precepts of God, the statutes of God and the testimonies of God. There is one thing you will discover after reading Psalm 119 - the word of God is a much loved possession and of the greatest importance in his life. Time after time he comes back to the word of God.  What is the most important possession that you have? I used to love to visit an elderly man years ago because on his coffee table his bible sat open with his glasses on top of it. It was the most important thing he possessed. James Cooke was a great explorer in the 1700's. One day he was not feeling well and he decided to stay in his bed. He called for his servants to bring him the book. The servant looked at him strangely because he had a study full of volumes. "Which book?" he asked. James replied "there is only one book - the Bible." Isn't it wonderful to know how precious the bible really is. Recently we were thinking of Martin Luther and Latimer who went through so much to ensure we have the bible as it is today.

The psalmist is describing himself in verse 83 "for I am become like a bottle in the smoke." The first thing I thought of was the condition of the psalmist's heart. He was likening himself to a bottle - "I have become a bottle". He was referring to one made of animal skins. It was treated for the purpose of carrying something precious or expensive. You and I sit here today and are in possession of the Holy Spirit. How did that come about? One day God convicted us of our sins. Do you realise that you have sinned and come short of the glory of God? You will never be in heaven without a relationship with God. Maybe you have never understood that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish." Do you understand that God loves you and he sent his son to take your place on Calvary? Will you not trust the Saviour today to take your sins? When you do that he gives you the Holy Spirit. Something that is precious, expensive. In Luke's gospel when the Lord spoke of these wine skins he said new wine was something precious put into new bottles. Both are preserved. The Psalmist walks into the smoke house and knows what bottles were used at one time but now they are hanging up, no longer in use. Before a thrice holy God that is how the Psalmist saw himself. Feeling so out of touch with God with all the trials he was going through. The persecution he is going through. He feels like a bottle hanging up in the smoke house, black and shrivelled. It was going to take time to bring the bottle into a new phase. It brings heaviness to the Psalmist. This is the man anointed as king, a man after the Lord's own heart yet he comes to such a realisation. There are times when you feel so hopeless and useless. I have come away from a bed of sickness wondering if I have said enough. Sometimes we just feel like Elijah. He went through a spell like that. He had gone into Ahab the wicked king yet he had no fear of him. He had a message for him and he gave that message and fled. In 1 Kings 19 God finds Elijah out in the wilderness and what is he doing? Elijah is asking that he might die - "it is enough Lord will you take away my life, I am no better than my fathers." He had stood before King Ahab, he had depended on God and his word but now he is feeling useless. Maybe that is how you are feeling at this moment. You feel so abandoned and alone. You came in this morning in that state. You don't have to remain in that state. Remember Paul who was Saul of Tarsus hated the name of Jesus. He did everything in his power to put down the name of Christ, putting people to death for their faith. Remember how on the road to Damascus, taking the letters from priests with him to take captive any who followed the way, to arrest them and bring them back to the king. He was breathing out slaughters on that road to Damascus. There on the road the voice came from heaven. He was brought to his knees. That voice asked him "Saul, Saul why persecutest thou me?" Saul got up that day blinded in sight and had to be led by the hand to Ananias who revealed God's message to him. Then later in Corinth he is packing up his suitcase. He had had enough. It is a wonderful thing to know we can all feel like that. At times the Lord will bring us through some dark and long days. Sometimes we get to such a place where we feel abandoned, alone, frustrated, wanting to give up and walk away. The Psalmist could say here in verse 87 "I was almost consumed." Such was the heaviness of what he was walking through. The force of the enemies against him.

The circumstances that were prevailing. The bottle as it hung up in the smoke house was being affected by its surroundings and circumstances. As the smoke wafted around it the bottle was affected by all that was happening around it. Smoke made it shrivel and dry up, blacken. Such was the surroundings. It was being treated for the next assignment. Maybe whatever you are going through today God is preparing you for the next assignment. He is preparing you right now to step into that task. Notice something in this house. Smoke in the house was coming around the bottle. It does not say anything about flames or fire because it would destroy it. The smoke was treating it. The enemy tried to trip him in the paths he walked. Life was not easy for him. He was persecuted. He felt abandoned. Circumstances do affect us. When everything is going well it is like we are on the mountain top but when things close in around us we feel discouraged. Circumstances can make us feel bitter and hard. Do not allow the circumstances around you to affect you in that way. Remember the story of Naomi. Her family moved from Bethlehem Judah because there was a famine in the land. Bread was scarce. Her husband made a decision to take his wife and sons to Moab. They only went for a little time but were actually there for 10 years. Circumstances prevailed in their lives. It got them to make the wrong decision. It was not a good choice. The people of Moab were not a favourable people. When the Israelites were on their way through the wilderness to Canaan the King of Moab called on Balaam to curse them. Later they persecuted Israel for some 18 years. Moab was the place they should not have been in. First Naomi's husband died. She saw her sons marry into Moabite families then saw her first son die and finally her second. Her heart must have been broken. Then one day she heard wonderful news. It is a reminder to us all to never give up knocking doors, never give up pursuing in evangelism. God had blessed Bethlehem again with food. The moment she heard that she got up with her 2 daughters in law to return to Bethlehem. She had heard wonderful news. This was at the time of harvest in the land when she returned. Whenever she came to the border the people came out to meet her. After 10 years, with the loss of her husband and 2 sons the people that once knew her looked at her and asked "is this Naomi?" She was barely recognisable. She asked them not to call her Naomi but rather call her Marah for the Lord had dealt very bitterly against her. She was out of touch with the Lord but now the Lord was bringing her back. The circumstances that affected her life. Don't look at the circumstances, get your eyes on the Lord. We have all gone through circumstances that could have taken us down. Notice the word "almost" in Psalm 119 verse 87. God was equipping Naomi during her difficult time for the next stage. Her daughter in law Ruth would pave the way for the Messiah to come. The circumstances in Elijah's life. The Lord found him in the wilderness. Why was he there? He was no better than his father. He asked God to take his life. Circumstances brought him there. This is the man that stood before Ahab, had climbed Mount Carmel and called down fire from heaven onto the sacrifice. He had confronted all the prophets of Baal and eventually put them to death. Jezebel had said "I will have this man's life before long, he shall have no existence on this earth at all." When Elijah heard that he fled. All the things he came through - he did not fear the prophets of Baal or Ahab or even sitting at the brook Cherith now the circumstances of life are surrounding him and getting him down. He asked the Lord to take his life. He didn't want to go any further but the Lord was already preparing for the next assignment. There are kings to be appointed, prophets to be raised up. Paul in Acts 18 in Corinth he found opposition. People didn't want to listen to him. Circumstances really came in against him. He decided to go to the Gentiles instead. Then the vision of the Lord came to him. "I have much people in this city to reach." He was preparing him for the next assignment. We need to be careful that circumstances don't get us caught up in the wrong impression.

The cry of the Psalmist - verse 81 "my soul fainteth for thy salvation." This same man feels useless. He confesses how he feels. Let's be honest before the Lord today. How are we feeling today? Ready to cry out to God? Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. Know how we feel and where you stand. Hezekiah listed to so many false prophets. God would use them against Zedekiah for they had turned against God. Jeremiah was in the pit, imprisoned. The command went out to bring him quickly to the meeting house. Jeremiah was asked "is there any word from the Lord?" Maybe you need to hear a word from God today. Maybe you need to cry "Lord show me yourself." Jehoshaphat came in contact with Ahab. "Will you go with me to face the enemy?" The reply "enquire I pray thee as to the word of the Lord." Ahab called in all the false prophets. Jehoshaphat's spirit said there was something wrong and he asked "is there not here a prophet of the Lord that we might enquire of the word of God?" We need to enquire of God. It is one thing to come and go every Sunday but when circumstances prevail against us it is good to call on the Lord.

The comfort the Psalmist draws on - "I hope in thy word" verse 85. When the Thessalonian church felt they had missed the resurrection. The false teachers said it was all over the poor believers felt that their loved ones had missed out on the resurrection. Paul explained what would happen in the day of the coming of the Lord, people would be resurrected, the voice of the archangel would sound, the trumpet would be heard. Then Paul said "comfort ye one another with these words." The comfort we gain from God's word. Let's protect it today. Draw comfort from it. The Lord says "call unto me." He wants you to call - "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Cast your every burden on the Lord today - why - because he cares for you.