Make haste and come down

Sermon notes from 2 April 2017

Luke 18 verses 35 - 37, 19 verses 1 - 7

We have read of Jesus entering into the city of Jericho.  Passing through the city he met with 2 individuals - Bartimaeus a blind poor man and Zacchaeus a rich man and a sinner.  Jesus entered into this mission 2 weeks ago to give men and women an opportunity.  He is still passing by.  The poorest man of Jericho got saved and so did the richest man.  Everyone in between has the same opportunity.  We have a God of mercy and love, not willing that any should perish but that all shall come to salvation.  Everyone who came to Jericho had the same opportunity to call and seek the Lord.  Isaiah 55 verse 6 "seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon the Lord while he is near."  In chapter 18 we see one seeking for the Lord and one calling for the Lord in chapter 19.  

The rich man in Luke 19 Zacchaeus - some commentators say he was so crooked he could hide behind a corkscrew.  He must have been an upright man because how could he pay back 4 times what he owed.  Whatever you think of him he was a sinner - verse 7.  That is why the Lord left the splendours of heaven.  He came down into this world to save sinners.  I want us to think of this man, something said of this man that is not said of any other man in scripture - this man wanted to see Jesus.  What a desire.  I wonder are you here tonight because you really want to see Jesus?  He is a tax man.  The first thing that could come into your head is he wanted money.  In Matthew 17 verse 27 the Lord said to Peter "go down to the seashore and cast in a line, when you catch a fish in its mouth will be a coin.  I want you to pay my dues and your own."  Jesus paid his taxes.  Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar`s and unto God the things which be God`s." (Luke 20 verse 25)  There are people buying lottery tickets to get a bit of cash.  The Lord never left the splendours to make us rich.  Maybe wasn`t cash at all but curiosity.  Remember the other tax collector Matthew who sat at the seat of custom.  The Lord walks past and says `Follow me`.  He closed the book up and followed Jesus.  Why could such a man give up such a lucrative job to follow Jesus?  What kind of man was he?  Maybe he had heard about the wonderful miracles Jesus performed, the people raised to health and strength even perhaps Bartimaeus being healed of his blindness.  People today do not understand why people give up lucrative jobs to go out and serve the Lord in a foreign land, suffer persecution, all kinds of torture, maybe possibility of being thrown into prison.  Does that not fill your heart with curiosity?  He wanted to see Jesus.  Maybe there was concern in this mans heart.  He had a lucrative job, could see this multitude of people following after Christ.  He was the Son of David.  Bartimaeus called this name out.  This multitude now are talking about rebellion against the Romans.  I will lose my job, not be able to earn the same money I have.  There are many concerns today with the political situation in our land.  People are concerned and maybe rightly so.  This man could have been concerned.  What brought this man to Christ?  He was convicted about his soul.  Where would it be in eternity?  You would think for such conviction it would be made easy for them to find Christ.  Certainly not for this man.  He couldn`t get through because of the press and he was little of stature.  The hindrances - the old devil comes at that particular moment when someone has a desire to meet with Christ.  Sometimes in this mans case it was the crowd, the multitude of people.  He couldn`t see through them.  Maybe you can`t get beyond the crowd.  Sometimes the crowd can be our friends that would hinder us from coming to Christ.  If I got saved my friends wouldn`t speak to me again.  The friends you lose are nothing to the friend you will gain.  He will never forsake you, never let you down in any circumstance.  This man got beyond the crowd.  It could be friends or family or foes.  People can be a hindrance.  Pilate as he tries Jesus knows in his heart of hearts he wants to let Christ go.  The crowd says you cannot be a friend of Christ and be a friend of Caesar.  He chose the wrong one, chose the relationship with Caesar rather than with the God of heaven.  It might even be family that keeps you from Christ.  It was his circumstances.  He was a small man and he couldn`t change that.  He said "if i could get above the circumstances."  He is now taller, way beyond the crowd.  If you want to go on as a Christian you will still need to stay above and beyond the crowd, to be close to the God or heaven.  Don`t get involved with them.  Not only says this man wanted to see the Lord.  He waited to see the Lord.  Don`t know how long this man waited.  He came into Jericho to see Christ.  He wasn`t going home without him.  Suddenly he could see the multitude of people coming down the street.  Then he gets his eyes fixed on Christ.  Even at the end of the meeting or this mission would you be willing to wait, to go through for Christ?  Sometimes waiting can be dangerous, putting it off.  Man somehow put off what God is saying to them.  In the Old Testament you will read the story of Moses going down into Egypt to bring the children of Israel out.  He comes to Pharaoh and tells him God had sent him and he wanted him to let his people go.  Pharaoh says "who is the Lord that I should listen to him."  Pharaoh refused to let the people go.  Different plagues then came on Egypt.  Pharaoh sent for Moses "would you pray that God would take this away."  Moses prayed and God took the plague away then Pharaoh hardened his heart, wouldn`t let the people go.  God sent even more plagues and each time Pharaoh asked Moses to take the plagues away.  Seven times he hardened his heart and when it came to the eighth and ninth plagues God hardened his heart.  God gave him his last opportunity of mercy.  "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy." (Proverbs 29 verse 1)  In Daniel 5 Belshazzar threw a party with over 1000 guests.  They were drinking and Belshazzar commanded the vessels from the temple be brought to drink out of.  Suddenly a hand appeared writing on the wall.  His very knees were knocking and rightly so because God was speaking and challenging him.  Daniel was sent to interpret and he told him "thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting. The kingdom will be taken from you."  The last meal he has enjoyed.  In Luke 12 there is a rich fool, a farmer.  Can see him standing out in the front garden watching the harvest of wheat.  He thinks to himself "God has been good to me, I need to build bigger barns."  He made great plans for the future.  Thinking of the pleasures of life.  He was thinking of the prosperity.  Nothing wrong with any of that.  This man forgot about God.  God said of him "thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee." (Luke 12 verse 20)  That man received his last message.  What would happen if God said that to you tonight?  Everything you have will always be left behind.  Nothing will be taken with us.  Pharaoh`s last offer of mercy.  Belshazzar`s last meal.  The rich farmer`s last message.  Judas betrayed the Lord Jesus.  He was enjoying the last supper with Jesus and the disciples, listening to the final message Jesus would give to them.  How he would go to the cross, lay down his life, rise again.  He is attending his last meal.  You would think tonight that if the preacher was none other than the Lord somehow people would listen.  That man Judas, when Jesus took the sup out of the dish and handed it to him it was his last offer of mercy.  The one he gave the sup to is the one who will betray me.  He could have changed his mind.  This man we are thinking of tonight waited for the right reason, waited because Jesus was passing that way.  He wasn`t going home without Christ.  It didn`t matter who saw him, who laughed at him, didn`t matter, all he wanted to see Christ.  He is welcomed by the Lord.  When Jesus came to the place he looked up and saw him and said unto him "Zacchaeus make haste and come down for today I must abide at thy house."  A Saviour that still welcomes us today.  He invites you to come.  In speaking to this man he knows his name.  He knows your name tonight.  He doesn`t mix you up with anyone else.  He knows your nature, whether you are a shy person or up front.  He knows your need tonight, he knows the very number of hairs on your head.  The Lord knows everything about us and he loves us just the same.  He says "come".  we have always got to come to the place called Calvary.  There is always an urgency.  He told Zacchaeus "make haste".  Surely he would have had 5 minutes to climb down the tree.  When it comes to salvation there is always an urgency because we are not guaranteed the next moment.  "Boast not thyself of tomorrow." (Proverbs 27 verse 1)  We are here one moment and gone out to eternity the next moment.  That is why the Lord says "make haste and come down."  Tomorrow could be too late.  You are not guaranteed a tomorrow.  Tomorrow might never come your way.  There is the urgency but also the simplicity - "come".  In simple repentance and faith.  Confessing his flaws and failures in life.  Things he has done wrong he is sorry about them, willing to turn his back on them and make them right.  Repentance is not just being sorry for sin but being sorry enough to leave them behind.  "No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him" (John 6 verse 44) "for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11 verse 6)  That is faith.  This man believed that this man was God manifested in the flesh.  There are 700 invitations in the bible.  Genesis 7 "come now and all thy people into the ark."  In Revelation 22 verse 22 there are 3 invitations just before God closes time and scripture - "the spirit and the bride says come", "let him that is thirsty come", "come for all things are now ready."  "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden", "Come now and let us reason together."  You don`t have to change anything.  If you come to Christ he will do the saving.  He was welcomed by the Lord.  There was an urgency, a simplicity but also a humility.  "He made haste".  He didn`t take time to come down.  He jumped down, scrambled down but he made haste and he came down to the feet of Christ.  He falls down at the feet in humility.  He was acknowledging something of the holiness of Christ.  It says in verse 7 "he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner."  He went home with the Saviour.  He came to Jericho without the Lord that morning and he went home with the Lord that night.  Psalm 23 "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."  If we have Christ with us he will take away the fear of death.  He will take us through and safely home.  Would you recognise his voice tonight?  "Today if you hear his voice harden not your heart." (Hebrews 3 verse 15)  God wants you to be saved.  He is pleading with someone here tonight.  "Make haste and come down" God is saying.  Do you have that same determination Zacchaeus had?  Would you come and trust Christ?

The triumphant entry into Jerusalem

Sermon notes from Sunday morning 9 April 2017

Matthew 21 verses 1 - 11

Here in Jerusalem we see the triumphant entry of Jesus.  It begins a week of much happening that is worthy of such study.  It ends with the triumphant victory of Jesus over sin, death and the grave.  Jesus had left Jericho and the benefits and blessings there.  The Lord comes into our house today and leaves benefits and blessings that we should know he has been with us.  In Jericho he touched the lives of Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus.  He touched Bartimaeus and healed him of his blindness.  It reminds us that there is nothing we can do for ourselves.  We have loved ones unsaved but there is nothing we can do for them - only to reach out to Christ and ask for his help.  We see Zacchaeus up the tree and Jesus stopped with him saying "make haste and come down."  He was in a hurry to speak to Zacchaeus.  Maybe the Lord wants to speak to us of things in our lives.  He wants us to come and talk to him today.  Those homes in Jericho were never the same again.  Wouldn`t it be marvellous if God left a blessing for us today?  That he touched many lives in years to come as a result?  The crowd had been picking up now as he entered into Jerusalem.  Then certain people came out to meet him.

A spectacular event.  Here in Jerusalem the people were there to celebrate this feast of the Passover.  That took them back to Egypt when the children of Israel were in bondage to Pharaoh.  God told them to take a lamb and sprinkle the blood on the doorposts to be safe.  Now years later they gathered to remember that occasion.  When they arrived in Jerusalem they were in the midst of a spectacular event.  Do we come with that great picture on our minds?  What has he done for us?  He suffered, bled and died to deliver us from our sins and heaven will one day be our home.  Can we say that God`s presence is here today?  Here were a people who associated the presence of Christ with the scriptures.  We have lost the awe of God today, knowing the presence of God in our lives.  When I read of those who experienced revival in days past there was awe in the presence of God.  They couldn`t stop from singing, they felt the presence and power of God.  Here the people were following the commandment of God in Deuteronomy 16 and going to celebrate this great feast.  It was one of the pilgrimage feasts when people had to make their way to Jerusalem.  It didn`t happen in any other year like this.  They saw Christ coming seated on the ass with a colt running alongside.  There were people there who no doubt were familiar with the word of God.  It took them back to the prophecy of Zechariah 9 verse 9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold thy king cometh unto thee: he is just and having salvation, lowly and riding upon an ass and upon a colt the foal of an ass."  That was written some 700 years before this day yet right up to date with the last detail.  Remember the sign at the birth of Christ.  The wise men came from the east right into Herod`s palace with one mission in their hearts and minds - looking for the king.  Are we looking for the king today?  To enrich our lives?  Herod gathered all the religious leaders and scribes and asked them who it was these men were looking for.  They were able to turn to the scriptures and 600 years before the prophet Micah wrote as God moved him to - "But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5 verse 2)  One day when Jesus returned to the place where he had grown up, Nazareth, he was handed the word of God and he read from Isaiah how the servant of God would come into this world and he would speak of setting captives at liberty, the sight of the blind would be restored, that the deaf would hear, the lame would walk and the word of the Lord would be heard from one quarter to another. (Isaiah 61 verse 1)  Then he looked at all that were gathered that day and said "this day is the scripture fulfilled in your ears." (Luke 4 verse 21) To associate the word of God with God himself is important in our lives.  Do we treat the house of God with respect?  Do we treat the word of God with respect?  Are we looking for the King of Kings in all the Old Testament Scriptures?  Do we take time to meditate on God`s word? These people could see this spectacle coming down the road.  This was scripture being fulfilled here.

A submissive experience.  This didn`t just end with these people worshipping.  They did something truly wonderful.  Something for their souls.  A sense of submission.  They took their garments and laid them down on the road.  They were claiming Christ`s rightful place in their lives.  Here was the King.  By their actions they were declaring this was the King.  When a king entered into a village the people would cast their garments at his feet to show they were his loyal subjects.  That is what was happening in Jerusualem.  In the Old Testament we read of Jehu the son of Jehosophat who was crowned king of Jerusalem.  When he went out and told his servants what had happened they were in the upper room at the time.  The servants realised something very special had happened.  Scripture records "they hasted and took every man his garment and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets saying Jehu is king." (2 Kings 9 verse 13)  Here in Jerusalem the people were in principle laying down their lives and saying "you are our king, our God, we are going to be looking to you."  We see a spectacular event but also a submission to Christ as king of their lives.  Are we submitted this morning?  Do we lay down our lives at his feet?  Or are there things we are holding back today?  When I came as a sinner to Christ, took him as Saviour, looked on his bleeding wounds that he gave his life for me, left the cross with my sins forgiven ... but was there a moment when we take him as king, that he tells me what to do, shows me what I must do?  That our allegiance is to him?  Is there something in our lives that we need to lay down today?  Are we prepared to let go of our ambitions for Christ?  Are we willing to cast our lives at his feet?  If we are not prepared to leave them there then he is not king of our lives.  Jonah was such a man.  He was not prepared to set aside his own personal ideas.  Think of Peter who argued with God on the rooftop.  There was someone in Caesarea, a Gentile home that needed him.  Peter realised that being Jewish meant he couldn`t enter into that home.  The Lord showed him a vision of a sheet and unclean animals on it.  The Lord told him to kill and eat but Peter said "not so Lord". (Acts 10 verse 14)  Are we ready this morning to submit our all to God?

The singing enjoyed.  The crowd went and sang their hearts before the Lord.  They couldn`t keep it in.  They were so full of joy at the scene.  O that God would show us today something of his great power.  In the Acts of the Apostles Philip came down to Samaria because there was great persecution in Jerusalem.  He didn`t leave his profession behind nor his testimony.  He came down into Samaria and he preached Christ to the people there.  The city was given over to idolatry and witchcraft.  When Philip began to preach something wonderful happened.  Men and women began to trust God, demons were cast out and there was great joy in that city as a result. (Acts 8 verse 8)  That is what happens when people get filled with the Holy Spirit.  There will be times of difficulty.  We will still have problems but there is a joy and peace that comes to our hearts.  That is how the Psalmist put it in Psalm 40. The Psalmist spoke of being in an awful clay pit.  He waited for the Lord and the Lord reached down and he lifted him up, set his feet on the solid rock and put a new song in his mouth even praise unto God.  That is what salvation does.  Even though we are going through difficult time, a hard time but when we leave our garments before Christ he fills our heart with a song.  Maybe like the children of Israel of old who hung their hearts on the willows.  They didn`t have that joy any more.  Not prepared to own him as king.  Remember Paul and Silas in the prison house in Philippi, beaten sore, locked up but they sang praises unto God.  Why?  because God was with them.  God hasn`t changed a bit.  He is still king seated on the throne of heaven today.  He is in charge and in control.  At Antioch there was a great stir when the disciples preached.  They were filled with joy.

The search that ensued.  "And when he was come into Jerusalem all the city was moved saying who is this?"  Of course they saw him coming and were gaging the worship of the people because they heard the people singing, saying who is this worthy of such praise.  This is Jesus the king of heaven.  Perhaps the impact we have today will move somebody.  That people can see how you have submitted to him, that there is joy in your heart even though you are going through difficult times.  Maybe they will say "if he can do that in your life I want him to do it in mine."

To you is the word of this salvation sent

Sermon notes from 28 March 2017

Acts 13 verses 26, 38 and 39, Romans 5 verse 12, 6 verse 23, Hebrews 11 verses 24 - 27

"To you is the word of this salvation sent"

The gospel is sent to you in particular, not the person beside you or behind you or in front of you.  There is nothing you could do to ever merit God`s salvation yet he wants to give it to you.  1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 - 8 "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, he was buried and he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. And then he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. After that he was seen of above 500 brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James then of all the apostles.  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."

Romans 5 verse 12 - the portal of sin, how that sin entered into the world
Hebrews 11 - the pleasures of sin
Romans 6 - the penalty of sin
Acts 13 - the pardon of sin

The portal of sin.  We are all familiar with how Adam and Eve listened to Satan, when Satan said to Eve "did God say".  Adam and Eve began to question the word of God, they began to question the authority of God.  Satan then said "ye shall not die".  There never was a shadow cast over the human race as this one did.  One of the turning points for all humanity for us to understand all that is going on in this world.  Sin brings heartache, trial and trouble as well as much sorrow.  It all started in the Garden of Eden.  How could we ever explain it.  When we hear the news of the deaths of thousands in our world, taking out into eternity because of a great disaster is it fair that God should condemn every man because of what Adam did in the Garden?  Adam did it willingly.  He partook of the fruit.  Through him sin entered into the world.  It is not only fair but it was wise and gracious for God to condemn the world through that one man.  If God had tested us we would have come up with the same results.  Even if God examined my life under the 10 commandments I would be as guilty as the next man.  The very thoughts we have could condemn us already.  The results of sin brought death, destruction, disobedience.  If all are dead in Adam God is able to save through one man.  All who live in Christ Jesus are become the children of God.  Sin entered and sin has escalated.  Down through the centuries of time the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked, no-one knows how far men and women would go in offending God. (Jeremiah 17 verse 9)

The pleasures of sin are only short lived, only for a short season.  This desire to always have pleasure and leisure.  We can watch the great advertisements and see all the great pubs and clubs, all the great entertainment places.  You will find happiness even there but they are only for a season.  They are only a sham.  They might look good but the end is not good.  Casinos are opening all around us.  Gambling can be done in your own front room when no-one can see you.  Men are getting into desperate debt because of a few moments of pleasure.  Things that were despised a few years ago have become common practice.  There is however no real satisfaction.  We have "tried the broken cisterns Lord they mocked me as I wailed."  Pleasures are soon gone.  Many work 5 or 6 days in a week living for the weekend just to get out, just to say on Monday morning they enjoyed it.  Hebrews 11 verse 25 "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enoy the pleasures of sin for a season."  Think of all the pleasures availabe to Moses.  He was a prince, high up in a society that had all kinds of morality.  Moses chose to follow Christ.  It is amazing that even in the Old Testament Christ has always been present.  Moses somehow could see Christ and he was far better.  He made a clear choice - "when he was come to years".  An understanding that it was better to follow Christ.  "I`d rather have Jesus that silver or gold."  "Moses choose".  It is important to note that trusting Christ was a personal decision and a powerful decision.  To be like the Psalmist "the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want".  I shall never want anything that I need for eternity.  Christ has paid it all, given it to me.  It was a powerful choice.  Moses had nailed his colours to the mast.  He was not afraid of what the Egyptians thought.  You cannot choose both.  We must be like Christ or nothing else.  A perfect choice.

The penalty of sin.  Whenever we look down through the scriptures, Mark 7 verse 21 gives us a catalogue of sins already within the heart of man.  "Out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man."  The heart of the problem is sin and the problem of the heart is sin.  It will take you further than you ever want to go.  Sin will cost you more than you ever wanted to pay. The alcoholic never started out to be an alcoholic.  The drug addict never started out to be a drug addict.  Sin will take you further than you ever intended to go.  The catalogue of sin, the course of sin, is on a collison course with the death and judgment of God.  You might be getting pleasure out of sin but there is a penalty for those who reject Christ.  The penalty of sin is forever and ever.  In Revelation 20 we read of the second death - "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."  You would be lost and lost forever.  To be separated from God for all eternity.  What a tragedy.  To lose ones wealth is much, to lose ones health is more but to lose ones soul is such a loss that nothing can restore.  If you die in your sin you will also earn wages - to be lost from God, to be separated from God for all eternity.

The pardon of sin.  There is forgiveness for sin and it is found in the person of Christ.  Maybe you have enjoyed the pleasures of sin, maybe have started to think of the penalty, wonder how you could ever have your sins forgiven.  The Lord died on Calvary`s cross.  You have to realise he died for your sins, he took your place, he took the burden upon himself.  "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities." (Isaiah 53 verse 5)  The pardon of sin is free, there is nothing you need to pay for it has been paid and paid in full by the person of Christ.  It is essential if you are ever going to enjoy the sunshine of heaven that you must be saved.  Acts 4 verse 12 "neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."  "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile." (Psalm 32 verses 1 and 2)  In verse 24 of Romans 3 we read "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."  There is nothing to do, nothing to pay, simply trust in Christ.  Redemption is a release effected by the payment of a ransom.  Our ransom has been paid in full by the Lord.  His name is written in the Lamb`s book of Life.  He has been justified, born anew - "old things have passed away behold all things have become new."  The fire of God`s death could only be quenced when the demands of his justice were satisfied.  "He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied." (Isaiah 53 verse 11)  God was satisfied with what Jesus accomplished at Calvary.  All who believe are justified.  "Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1 verse 18)  God could not pass the sinner by.  His sins demanded that he must die.  Mercy is dispensed.  The sinner who believes is free.  The soul that sins shall die.  Sin had to be punished and punished eternally.  Death was the sentence.  Christ declared the penalty was paid and paid in full when Christ took my place.  Jesus died that we might be forgiven, that we might go at last to heaven, saved by his precious blood.  Has there ever been a moment when you got down on your knees and thanked the Lord for dying for you?  He took my punishment that I deserved because of his great love.  He endured the cross, despised the shame and today he is seated at the right hand of God.  As far as the east is from the west so far hs he removed your sins from you. (Psalms 103 verse 12)  God has cast our sin into the sea of his forgetfulness.  Acts 13 verse 38 "through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. And by him all that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."  John 5 verse 24 "he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life."  The responsibility falls on your shoulders.  What are you going to do with the gospel message?  Are you going to receive him or reject him?  Choose Christ like Moses did then your name will be written in heaven.  Your sins will be forgiven - will you believe

Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden

Sermon notes from 27 March 2017

Matthew 11 verses 20 - 30

"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

 I suppose as we read through these chapters there are a number of things mentioned.  Verses 20 and 21 speak of the repentance and responsibility that falls on men and women when they hear the gospel.  To those who have never repented a great judgment will fall on them.  Verses 25 and 27 speak of revelation.  Whenever it comes to the gospel message we seek to reveal Jesus as the only Saviour that others might see who he is.  Jesus was not just a man but God manifested in the flesh.  In verses 28 to 30 there is the great thought of rest.  This is one of many invitations throughout scripture.  It doesn`t come from a man but from the God of heaven - the Lord Jesus.  "Come unto me" that is where we are to come to.  One of many invitations - 700 in scripture.  Genesis 7 God speaking out of a finished work - "come thou and all thy house into the ark".  He is invited to come into a finished work.  The last one is found in Revelation 22 as Jesus brings the pages of scripture to a close - verse 17 gives an invitation "let him that has a great thirst come" "let him that heareth say, come."  The God of heaven wants to save you.  That is why the invitation goes out.  The gospel has come out, perhaps around the doors to come to the mission.  Invitation has gone out because men need to come to Christ.  The scriptures say we need to come unto God because he invites us to come, longs for us to come.  There is no point in coming to any other - "neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name given among men whereby we must be saved". (Acts 4 verse 12) We need to come to him.  John 14 verse 6 "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me."  The scriptures tell us to come to Christ.  Also because of the seriousness of sin.  Sin is a very serious problem because it has affected the very heart of God.  It separates man from God.  It will keep us eternally separated from God.  It cost his son - God is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. (Habakkuk 1 verse 13)  As God looked down from heaven before destroying the world with a flood he realised man`s heart was only evil continually.  He is a God of love and mercy.  He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked yet he promises the soul that sins it shall die because of his holiness and righteousness.  God hates sin but he loves the sinner. Sin is the things we do wrong, breaking the laws and commandments of the God of heaven.  The severity of the sentence is horrendous.  Sometimes when children do wrong we tell them to go and sit on the naughty step by way of punishment.  Whenever we think of men and women committing horrendous crimes and are sent to prison for 20/30 years, yes some deserve to be there but it is nothing because at the end of their time they will get out.  The punishment and seriousness of punishment.  It is an eternal punishment to finish in an awful place called hell where the fire will never be quenched, there will be continual burning but nothing shall ever be consumed, where the worm dieth not. (Mark 10 verse 43, 46, 48)  In that place there is weeping and wailing and knashing of teeth.  After 10,000 years we will realise we are only beginning to suffer.  Tonight we have a soul that will last for the lifetime of God.  Either finish enjoying all the pleasures of heaven or finish in the pits of hell suffering eternally.  A place of eternal suffering and darkness.  We need to come to Christ because of the simplicity of salvation.  He wants to save you.  "Come unto me and I will - tremendous promise.  He will indeed save you though the Bible tells us because of the person of Christ and because of the price paid to purchase it.  It was the Lord who had to go all the way to Calvary.  We are not redeemed with corruptible things but with a Lamb without blemish and spot.  You can have your sins forgiven. (1 Peter 1 verse 13)  Acts 13 verse 38 "through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins."  The man who receives Christ has his sins forgiven.  It doesn`t have to be worked for.  He paid for it all.  Completely finished.  Not only do people need to come to Christ but thank God you can come because of this great invitation.  Those who have rejected Christ are still invited.  Maybe done that in weeks, months, years gone past because of his love.  The invitation comes again.  He is longsuffering and merciful.  God has still extended the day of salvation, gives you another opportunity.  Regardless of your culture or nationality.  There are no limits to it.  John 10 verse 9 "if any man enter in, he shall he saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture."  2 Corinthians 5 verse 17 "if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new."  We can only come on Christ`s terms.  Reading here of the thought of repentance.  One of the great terms that Christ will save you under.  You have to repent of your sin.  Repentance is doing an about turn.  Facing a different direction.  Facing God again.  Not just being sorry for your sin.  Sorry enough to leave them behind.  Mark 1 verse 15 the Lord said "repent and believe the gospel."  Luke 13 verse 5 "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."  Remember how on the great day of Pentecost when Peter got up and preached "repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3 verse 19)  One of the terms of repentance but also faith.  "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11 verse 6)  "Lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2 verse 9)  Faith has got to be exercised.  If you think about it, believe in your heart, when you put your faith and trust in Christ,  the moment we come to Christ and put all in his hands.  He is the one who does the saving and keeping.  Only come on Christ`s terms and in Christ`s time.  When we read the scriptures it is always with the word "now".  "Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of salvation". (2 Corinthians 6 verse 2)  God may have spoken to you yesterday, maybe spoke to you today but he says "my spirit shall not always strive with man." (2 Corinthians 6 verse 2) "Boast now thyself of tomorrow for you do not know what a day will bring forth." (Proverbs 27 verse 1)  You have an opportunity tonight to repent of your sin and to come unto Christ.  "Come now let us reason together says the Lord" (Isaiah 1 verse 18)  In Job 22 verse 21 we read "acquaint now thyself with him and be at peace."  Cannot promise opportunity tomorrow but you have the opportunity tonight because God is here.  The invitation goes out "him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6 verse 37)  You can come tonight.  Will you come?  Not only in Christ`s timing and in Christ`s terms.  You can only come because of Christ`s triumph.  Think of all he has accomplished at Calvary.  A personal work only Jesus could do.  "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him." (Isaiah 53 verse 5)  We will never understand how deep the wounds were and how dark that night was when God laid on him the sins of the world.  He entered into darkness alone, experienced all the pain and suffering alone.  He was forsaken of God, left alone that you and I might not be alone.  It was a personal work.  It was a priestly work.  Hebrews 10 verse 12 "after he had offered a sacrifice for sin forever."  The great high priest in the Old Testament went in once a year but never without blood.  It is a permanent work, once for all sacrifice never needs to be repeated.  It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.  That is the great truth of the gospel.  Christ Jesus died for the sin of the world.  The just for the unjust to bring us to God.  The invitation goes out to you.  As God will plead with you.  Not everyone will come to Christ.  John 4 verse 40 "ye will not come to me that ye might have life."  The gospel is very clearly preached across our land.  The invitation is clearly given.  Thought of responsibility comes on us.  The moment you hear the opportunity or invitation then you have to make a decision.  The responsibility falls on your shoulders.  The decision is yours tonight.  The invitation has gone out in the gospel tonight.  "The light has come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light for their deeds are evil." (John 3 verse 19)  People need to come to Christ because of the seriousness of sin.  The severity of the gospel.  He will not cast you out.  It doesn`t matter what you have done in life.  We can give you the opportunity, the invitation to come.  God`s desire is that you will come and that you will be with him at the end of life`s journey.  The promise is I will give you rest.  Not might but he will.  Come in genuine repentance and faith and trust in him.

Who then can be saved?

Sermon notes from 27 March 2017

Mark 10 verses 17 - 27

"Who then can be saved?"

Amazing this question was asked by the disciples.  We are thinking of this young man who came to Christ.  He had everything going his way.  Morality, youth on his side, a ruler, a little bit of religion mixed in.  He had everything as far as the world was concerned.  One thing he was missing.  He wants to put a notch on his belt.  "Good Master what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  Jesus replied "why callest thou me good, there is none good but one, that is God."  We read of many different biographies of individuals saved by the grace and mercy of God.  Rich and poor men from all kinds of backgrounds.  Can read in Luke 19 of Zacchaeus a man who had plenty of wealth, or in Acts 16 of a rich woman by the name of Lydia a seller of purple yet gets saved.  Religious men getting saved - Nicodemus how he is challenged and born again of the spirit of God.  The apostle Paul a wicked man who wanted nothing to do with God yet on the Damascus road his life and name is transformed and goes out to preach the gospel.  In Mark 5 we read of a demonic man living amongst the tombs, couldn`t be controlled, tore the chains asunder yet when he meets with Christ his life is changed.  People like Stephen who must have been 35 years of age when he was martyred.  When it comes to this man he doesn`t get saved this time.  The disciples are surprised and asked "who then can be saved".  

There is certain criteria to be saved - he recognised first of all that he is a sinner.  This young man asked the right question and was told there was no God but one.  He refused to recognise he is a sinner.  Jesus points to the commandments - "all these have I observed from my youth."  He was full of pride.  He doesn`t realise he is a sinner.  "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" the Bible tells us (Romans 3 verse 23).  Taking alcohol, gambling, stealing from neighbours doesn`t make you a sinner.  We are all sinners, born in sin.  You might be a church goer, pay 100 pence in the pound, you can even look back to when you helped everyone, helped this charity or that, all these things are good and right, might even read little bits of the bible.  The bible says you are a sinner.  The God of heaven says that we need to recognise we are sinners.  Stephen admitted he had sin and had done wrong things. (Acts 6 and 7)  Think of the prodigal son.  He spent his father`s money on riotous living.  One day he decided to go back home and tell him he had sinned.  You might have offended your neighbour or others.  David when he had committed sin with Bathsheba repented of his sin "against thee and thee only have I sinned". (Psalm 51 verse 14) David confessed his sin.  The prodigal son confessed  his sin.  The publican confessed his sin before the Pharisee, wouldn`t even lift up his eyes unto heaven and said "Lord be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18 verse 13)

The removing of all hindrances.  Many things hinder us from getting saved.  For this young man he was proud of all his achievements.  He had plenty of possessions.  There are some times when it will cost us when it comes to salvation.  Salvation is absolutely free.  Paid for and paid in full.  There is nothing to pay to get salvation.  Still there might be a cost for you.  Can you imagine telling a Muslim you can get saved and everything will be rosy.  For the early Christians to trust the Lord meant they could be put in the arena with the lions.  There was a cost.  No matter what cost it will be worth it all.  Might cost you your favourite sin, the thing you enjoy the most in life.  You might have to turn your back on it.  The biggest hindrance to people getting saved is not just possessions.  People can also be a hindrance.  If God were to speak suddenly the fear of man takes over.  What would the person next door think of me.  The fear of man becomes a hindrance.

A need to rely on Christ alone.  He says to take up the cross and follow him.  He was asked to sell everything he had not to get salvation but to rely on Christ and Christ alone.  It has got to be that way.  In grace alone.  In faith alone in Christ.  Not Christ plus going to church.  It is Christ alone who keeps.  To rely on Christ is simply to trust him with everything I have, to put everything in his hands.  "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1 verse 12)  Christ made the ultimate sacrifice.  Salvation is about Christ from beginning to end.  Those who receive Christ have salvation, trusting in him.  The price paid reflected the debt that is owed.  It took the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary`s cross to save us for all eternity.  It is taking up the cross daily and following him.  God sometimes speaks quietly with that still small voice.  Speaking, tugging at our very hearts.  Sense it in our meeting.  Feel him striving with you.  Some times God speaks loudly.  God speaks because he loves you, wants you to be saved, to trust him.  Sometimes people will say "if I wanted to get saved I could get saved any time."  A man will only get saved when the spirit of God speaks into his life.  No man cometh unto the father unless the spirit draws him.  You can only get saved when the spirit of God is striving.  If you are willing no matter what the cost you can be saved.  We need to depend on God.  "Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6 verse 2)  Maybe this is the criteria for you tonight.

Recognise you are a sinner

Remove anything that will hinder you from getting saved

Go for God out and out, trust Christ, rely on Christ alone.  If God is seeking that is the time to get saved.  God is love.  God is mercy.  He pleads with you tonight.  He longs that you might come and trust him.  Are you willing to respond to his voice.  God wants to save you.  He has done everything he can to save you.  John 3 verse 16

The last great court case

Sermon notes from 29 March 2017

Revelation 20 verses 11 - 15

The last ever court case.  Many of you have seen court cases on the television when the defendant is asked the question - `guilty or not guilty`.  At this court case there is no making of a plea.  You will receive a punishment however.  What happens after you die?  "It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment." (Hebrews 9 verse 27)  To live without Christ is dangerous, to die without Christ is disastrous.  "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth."  (Hebrews 12 verse 6) Judgment for the saints - does it consist of wood, hay and stubble - because if it does it will be burned up. (1 Corinthians 3 verses 12 and 13)  The great white judgment.  For those who have never received Christ as Saviour will be gathered around the throne.  What sort of day will it be - a day of recollection.  The books will be opened and things will be brought to mind.  Reminded of times in your life when God has drawn near, God has spoken into your life, when you have been in trials and troubles.  When disease devastated you.  You called out to God, you asked for him to help you and he did but somehow you forgot all about it when things changed for the better.  Those times will be recalled on that day.  There were days when you faced operations in hospitals and you called for someone to come and pray with you, that God might help you.  You promised great and wonderful things when all this was over but you forgot about God.  Times when God helped you, heard you or maybe even held you.  Somehow miraculously God came and restored a measure of health and strength.  You are here tonight in the land of the living.  This day will be a day of recollection.  Rememberance - when God will point to days when tears were shed for you.  When the scriptures spoke to you, God came down and you heard his voice.  You will remember times when people encouraged you to come to the gospel mission.  When they knocked on your door giving you an invitation.  All will be remembered at the white throne.  May mean nothing to you now but this meeting is being recorded for eternity.  You have heard the gospel message in times past, when the Spirit of God was tugging at your heart, pleading for you to be saved.  Day of recollection but also day of reverence.  There will be reverence for the God of heaven sitting on the throne.  This is an age when God`s scripture is ridiculed.  Men are trying to disprove the scriptures.  We are living in an age when God`s servants are mocked, despised and ridiculed.  We are living in a day when God`s day is desecrated.  God only asks for one day in 7 but man doesn`t give it to him.  Man is at enmity with God.  It will be recalled on that day.  A young man said to his pastor `I often hear my granny crying for me in the place of prayer and I am still not saved.`  The Pastor looked at him and thought for a few moments, then he said "if your granny`s prayers don`t get you into heaven they will scald you in hell."  Fortunately that young man was led to Christ a few months later and he regretted all that he had said against his granny.  Men and women are being remembered in prayer every day but it means nothing to them.  You might say `I am my own person, no one will ever tell me what to do.`  Either you are a child of the Father in heaven or a child of the devil.  There is coming a day at that great white throne when your heart will be filled with reverance.  Look back to the days of Noah when the ark was being prepared.  The Spirit of God was moving amongst the people.  "Noah found grace in the eyes of God."  He was moved by fear to build the ark.  If we are ever going to see revival in our land we need a reverence for God.  The Spirit of God moved in Noah`s generation at that time.  They refused to listen.  Can see them as Noah was building the ark.  He told them the judgment and wrath of God would be poured out on men because of sin.  Noah was warning the people.  Can see the people laughing at him.  There came a day when the doors of the ark were closed.  The dark clouds gathered and the rains came down.  There was no more laughing.  Judgment had fallen on this world.  There is coming a day when God will wipe the smirk of this world`s face.  They will cry for the rocks to cover them.  "As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew 24 verse 37)  Not trying to scare you.  The scriptures teach there is a great white throne.  Those who rejected Christ will be there at that throne.  There is a warning for you from God`s word to be a believer.  It takes a man or woman with conviction to trust Christ as Saviour.  To turn their back on the world.  If you have received Christ you will never be at this great white throne.  The Bible tells us of the straight and narrow way and few there are that find it.  God can change you from the inside out.  Many shall say on that day "Lord Lord open unto us" and the Lord will say "depart from me." (Matthew 25 verses 11 and 12) It will also be a day of remorse.  The one sitting on the throne is the one who died on Calvary.  In Acts 17 we read that God had already appointed a judge for that day.  He despised the shame.  When the soldiers set him at nought, when his back was lashed like a ploughed field, when they nailed him to the cross, with all its brutality, lifted up, knocked into the ground, every bone in his body was knocked out of joint.  We can never imagine the sufferings he had at Calvary.  He despised the shame for you and me.  Do you understand how much God loves you?  If you don`t realise now, when it comes to that scene it will be too late.  God loved the world of sinners lost.  Sin ruins lives.  Drink ruins lives.  Gambling, adultery, smoking - sin will take you further than you ever want to go.  Sin will cost you far more than you ever want to pay.  Sin will leave you in a hopeless and helpless state unless Christ comes into your life and changes you.  You will never be any different.  He despised the shame for you.  He took the blame for you.  He took your sins on his own body.  You need to understand you have a debt you cannot pay.  You might have a few pence in your pocket, even have 10 million pounds in the bank but you could never be delivered from your sin.  You cannot get to heaven by praying, going to church, living a good and perfect life or by doing good works.  If you can get to heaven by any of these things Jesus would never have needed to die on Calvary for you.  He suffered the wrath and judgment of God.  He was "wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities." (Isaiah 53)  He hung on Calvary`s tree for those hours for our sin.  He endured the pain.  There was a thirst at Calvary.  Hell is an awful thirst.  Luke 16 rich man opened his eyes in hell and asked "send Lazarus that he might dip his finger in water and bring it to me."  Calvary was darkness for 3 hours.  A place of abandonment.  Christ went through the very pits of hell for me.  He endured all the pain at Calvary`s cross to save you, to make you fit for heaven.  Do not dismiss Calvary lightly.  It will be a day of remorse, you will have rejected his love, his mercy, his offer of salvation.  He paid the price for your sin and on the third day he rose again.  He is the one who comes to live within you when you receive him as your Saviour.  He takes up residence there.  A Christian is someone who relies completely on Christ.  The Spirit of God comes to live within them.  "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 5 verse 14)  It will be a day of revenge.  I could have preached from John 3 verse 16 or from the Psalm "he lifted me out of the miry clay, he set my feet on a rock and gave me a song in my heart." (Psalm 40 verses 2 and 3)  I could have told you all about the great price of heaven, the vengeance of God that will fall on that day.  If you don`t want to receive Christ now God will not allow you to receive him then.  Why would Christ want to receive you?  He has done it all.  What you are turning away from is Christ himself.  When he has opened the door of heaven, invites you to come, pleads for you to come.  There will come a day of revenge.  God will pour out his wrath on that day on people who have rejected Christ.  See the pain as the tears fall down his face as he prays - "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."  The devil is not worried that you are listening to the preacher or concerned that you will leave tonight the way you came in.  He will be happy if he can keep you on that religious pathway you are on.  You will finish at this great white throne.  He doesn`t want you to be saved.  God wants you to be saved.  The devil wants to take you to that place called hell.  God has done everything he can to stop you from perishing.  Maybe the devil has your mind a million miles from here.  He doesn`t care you are perishing.  If we are not saved we will perish and for all eternity.  We will all spend eternity somewhere.  Heaven will be filled with sinners saved by grace.  There will be no more mercy at this judgment throne.  The day of opportunity will be long gone.  A day without mercy.  A day of vengeance.  You don`t have to be found at this great white throne.  The sacrifice has been made.  All you have to do is trust him, take a leap of faith.  The invitation is still going out tonight.  If you were to come and trust him you could be saved.  You could go out that door tonight and have Christ with you because he has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.

What shall the end of them be that obey not the gospel?

Sermon notes from 30 March 2017

1 Peter 4 verses 16 - 19

"What shall the end of them be that obey not the gospel of God?"

There are many texts that ask questions in scriptures.  Some are answered in the same verse, some in the same passage and others have to be delved deeper.  Some questions are asked in scripture - "what is your life?", "how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?"  What a message of the word of God because it is about God from God from heaven itself.  The night Jesus was born the angels declared "unto you is born this day a Saviour which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2 verse 11) The gospel message is all about a Saviour - the regalness about the message.  "Worship his majesty, the king of all kings."  In Matthew chapter 1 we read of his inherrant right to be king.  He was from the lineage of David and scripture comes right through to Christ himself.  In chapter 2 when they asked the question "where is he that is born king of the Jews" that was his prophetic right to be king.  Turns us back to Micah 5 verse 2 "out of Bethlehem shall he come forth"  In Matthew 3 we read of John the Baptist baptising at the side of the River Jordan when the sky suddenly opens and a dove comes down declaring "this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."  His divine right to be king.  In every chapter of Matthew you can read of his right to be king.  Matthew 4 speaks of his moral right - he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness and after 40 days the devil came and told him to turn stones into bread.  He was not going to bow to the devil.  In chapter 27 he is declared to be the king - when they put him on the cross Pilate wrote that sign "this is Jesus King of the Jews."  He is my king, my Saviour, my Lord.  Thank God this message of the gospel is all about the person of the Lord.  Without Christ there is no salvation.  He is the sovereign king.  It is also a very simple message that even a child can understand it yet the greatest mind in the world could never explain it.  Why the Son of God could ever love us - John 3 verse 16.  Simply believe and be saved.  There is nothing complicated about that simple message.  Salvation is not in a place but in a person, not in a message but in a man.  "Neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name give among men whereby you must be saved." (Acts 4 verse 12) God has made it simple for you to be saved.  Doesn`t say you have to work for it, that only the able bodied could only be saved, that only educators could be saved.  I cannot make it any simpler.  There is a way God has made for us - John 14 verse 6.  "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6 verse 37)  Jesus said "come".  He knows your name, every problem you have, the trials you will facc.  He simply says come - "come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden." (Matthew 11 verse 28)  The promise is  "I will give you rest".  "Come and let us reason together." (Isaiah 1 verse 18)  "Come for all things are now ready". (Luke 14 verse 17)  Come not to the preacher, not to the church but unto Christ.  That is where salvation is.  John 6 verse 37 "him that cometh unto me I will in on wise cast out."  If you come he will not cast you out.  He will take you in, receive you the way you are.  The message is simple - come or call.  Romans 10 vese 13 "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  He is listening and he calls.  Blind Bartimaeus was sitting at the side of the street in Jericho when Jesus of Nazareth passed by.  He begins to shout and cry out "Jesus thou Son of David have mercy on me."  The people  try to make him be quiet but he is not interested in people.  He has a need in his heart and life.  He shouts even louder "Thou Son of David have mercy on me." (Mark 10 verse 48  He was crying from the depths of his heart.  His faith had made him whole,  It means his sins were all gone simply because he called on the name of the Lord.  You can be in this meeting and Christ asks you to come.  Christ asks you to call.  You can also collect tonight.  When it comes to salvation we read "the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life." (Romans 3 verse 23)  It is a free gift.  God is reaching out from Calvary, accept his free gift.  "To as many as receive him them gave he the right to become sons of God." (John 1 verse 12)  

This is a simple gospel messge.  It is also a sufficient gospel.  It is able to meet every need of man`s heart.  "The gospel is the power of God unto salvation." (Romans 1 verse 16)  "The vilest offender who truly believes that moment from Jesus a pardon receives."  It could not be more sufficient.  Enough in Christ to save every man, woman, boy and girl in this world.  It is only sufficient to those who believe.  "There is no other argument, there is no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me."  A sovereign gospel, a sufficient gospel.  It is also a sure gospel.  Before the foundation of the world there was provision made.  Even before Adam sinned the sacrifice was made.  You could have peace with God through the sacrifice of the lamb.  The gospel is for all who believe, all are justified from all things.  Just as if never sinned.  It is a sure gospel, able to set men and woman free from the penalty of sin.  Imagine a prisoner breaking out of prison thinking to himself `I am free`.  He is not because every day for the rest of his life he is looking over his shoulder.  The bible says "him who the son sets free is free indeed." (John 8 verse 36)  Free from the penalty and punishment of sin.  "Cursed by the law, grace has redeemed us once and for all."  It was planned by the God of heaven, purchased by his own son at Calvary and presented to us as the message of the gospel.  

What a message but what a mistake to not obey the gospel.  The greatest mistake a man could ever make is to reject the gospel.  In Acts 24 we read of Felix who Paul takes time to reason with concerning faith and righteousness and judgment of Christ.  Felix trembled.  He told Paul "when I have a more convenient season I will call on thee again."  What a mistake to reject the one who paid that tremendous price at Calvary.  To end up in a lost eternity simply because you rejected Christ.  Sometimes we make mistakes but are not able to rectifiy it.  God is a God of mercy.  He is pleading with you to trust him.  He is willing to forgive you your mistake.  There is a line that cannot be crossed.  "My Spirit shall not always strive with man." (Genesis 6 verse 3)  The mistake you make if God takes that as your final decision.  A mistake not of God`s making.  God has provided the way, paid the price on Calvary.  He ever pleads with you.  "Come let us reason together." (Isaiah 1 verse 18)  The invitation goes out night after night.  He wants to forgive the mistakes of the past.  Don`t make the mistake of disobeying the gospel of God.  Hebrews 4  "For unto us was the gospel is preached as well as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." (Hebrews 4 verse 2)  It didn`t profit them because it was not mixed with faith.  You might never have believed the gospel, the biggest mistake you or anyone could ever make.  What a mistake to obey not the gospel.  What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  What a multitude of men and woman rejecting the gospel.  They have heard the gospel and have been challenged with the gospel.  Matthew 7 verses 13 and 14 "broad is the way that leadeth to destruction".  There are 7.5 to 8 billion people in this world.  There are a vast number saved, redeemed but there is a multitude out there who are without God and without hope, heading to a lost eternity.  Maybe you are on that broad road that leads to destruction.  You can get up a good speed on the broad road.  There is a slow lane and a fast lane on it.  We think of the broad road as the dirty side and the clean side.  There are people living on the clean side of the broad road.  They never do anyone any harm, they go to church most Sundays, paying their 100 pence in the pound, but still on the broad road because have never repented of their sin.  They are still headed for destruction.  The other side of the broad road has a bit more speed, enthusiastic, busy road.  Temptations of all kinds on it.  You could be sailing down that road, enjoying all the pleasures of sin.  The devil will also throw you bites of encouragement to come down that road but further down that broad road he would love to get you off to the end, to drop out over the precipice.  Tempt you with all kinds.  It is a broad road.  it is a banished way.  There is pleasure in sin but there is a penalty to be paid at the end of life`s journey.  As you stand before a holy God - "what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"  What a message, what a mistake, what a multitude, what a motivation.  Something to think about - what will your end by?  Deuteronomy 32 verse 29 "consider your latter end."  You have got to consider it - to be wise.  When you consider you are going out into a lost eternity - why  will you not think about it? 2 Thessalonians 1 verses 8 and 9 shows what the end will be - "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord."  Mark 1 verse 15 "repent and believe the gospel." All who believe are justified from all things.  Saved or lost?  There is a column in heaven tonight, those who are saved and those who are not - "whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."  Which column are you in tonight?  Very simply trust the Lord.  The end of those who obey not the gospel will be under the vengeance of God when he comes with his angels.