An open door

Sermon notes from Sunday 18 August 2019

2 Corinthians 2 verses 1 - 13

"a door was opened unto me of the Lord"

Paul was writing about the service for his king.  Was there a day when the Lord reached down to where you were and he saved you?  You were dead in your sin and trespasses, blinded by the God of this world.  Then God in his great love and mercy reached down to where we were and showed us our need of salvation.  He pointed to Calvary.  His son died there just to save you and became your Saviour.  Paul was talking about Christ his king as well.  He wanted to serve him.  Have we a Saviour today but not a king?  That we want to serve? 

The door that Paul had.  He didn`t pray to be released from prison.  He wanted an open door to preach the gospel even where he was.  What a driving force was in the apostle Paul - was it in his own ability?  No it was in gratitude to Christ for what he had done.  Somehow he couldn`t stop serving him.  As he went into the office of the priests to receive letters and papers to give him authority that if he found a Christian who was disobedient to the law of Moses and trusting in Christ as Saviour he could arrest them and put them in prison, even put them to death.  There on his journey at midday he was brought down to the dust.  This man was stopped in his tracks.  From that day he had gratitude in his heart that he couldn`t stop serving the Lord.  Here he is serving the Lord yet again.  Somehow we can get so acquainted with what the Lord has down for us that we lose out on what the Lord really has done for us..  When the Lord reached down and prevented us from going to hell.  Think of the man in Luke 16 who lifted up his eyes and saw the poor man in Lazarus` bosom.  He just wants a drink of water on his tongue - why - because he was in torment.  That is where we are going.  The Lord reached down and saved Paul.  Are we just glad today that we are saved, on our way to heaven, have so much going for us?  He gives a peace that sins are forgiven, that we are justified and sanctified. He does not want us to be content with that.  He wants us to reach out to others.  Romans 1 verse 14 "I am a debtor"  That is how he saw himself.  "both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise."  The only way I can repay the Lord is to go and tell others about the lovely Saviour we have.  That is what we want to do as we go into the winter work.  This is an open door.  When men and woman have the opportunity to hear the gospel of saving grace for our families, that we might do all we can.  Paul saw himself as a debtor when he considered all the Lord had done for him.  Matthew was a tax collector shunned by all the people.  He was prospering the Roman empire by lifting taxes.  One day the Lord came by and he said to him "follow me".  What was the first thing he did?  He went into his home and invited many in as he could.  He had something that he could never pay for.  Why would the Lord ever look at me or give me a second thought?  Mark 16 "Mary Magdalene out of whom he had cast 7 devils."  That was someone with gratitude for what the Lord did.  She never left his side, followed him to the cross and the tomb.  On the first day of the week she was there again.  The young man of Gedarra was living amongst the tombs.  He couldn`t do anything for himself, driven out into the wilderness, he cried out day and night.  No-one could help him.  One day he met the Lord and the demons were cast out into the pigs.  That young man had a desire in his heart to follow Christ but the Lord said "no, go back into your own village and tell them of what the Lord has done for you."  That is what the Lord wants to do for us.  Not just to be sitting in the house of the Lord but rather telling others of what the Lord has done for us.  Remember when Paul travelled to Macedonia, as he preached by the wayside he realised an opportunity was being opened to him.  An open door from heaven to hear about Christ.  Do we realise we have an opportunity for the gospel today?

The discovery Paul made - "a door was opened unto me of the Lord."  When we find the desire to serve the Lord always opens a door.  God opens a door very specifically for you.  Troas was a great commercial city, a bustling city, Paul came to Troas to preach.  His mission, his goal was the gospel.  It was a place of selling and buying.  When Paul stood in Athens there was great architectural all around him but Paul saw however a whole city given over to idolatry.  A people lost in sin, going out into a Christless hell.  The Holy Spirit was moving within him.  He is coming to preach the gospel.  When he came to Corinth the Lord opened up the door for him.  We cannot sit back and take things for granted.  We need to be up and doing.  Amos the Old Testament prophet warned of what was about to come on the land.  This people had grown careless about their worship.  They turned their backs on God.  They grew careless.  Amos 6 verse 1 "woe unto them that are at ease in Zion."  Amos told them to lift up their eyes, to look around them because the the enemy is at hand.  Haggai 1 verse 4.  There is a desire in our hearts to go forward.  Paul was writing to the churchat Philippi comforting those who were anxious.  He sees it as an open door.  Imagine being imprisoned today, seeing it as an open door.  Phillippians 1 verse 20.  There are those with him who would never be saved but look what happened in the very heart of Caesar`s palace.  Imagine being a soldier in that day, getting the duty to guard Paul.  When he opened the door to his cell Paul would see it as an open door to tell this man of Christ.  They were taking it out right through Caesar`s palace.  People were saved because of Paul`s desire to further the gospel where he was.

There are the difficulties in service.  1 Corinthians 16 verse 9 "and there are many adversaries."  He was in Ephesus travelling down to Corinth but something happened.  He couldn`t go to Corinth.  He had to tarry where he was in the place where the Lord would have him to be.  There were battles and difficulties.  People were opposing the gospel message.  He received a message telling him to stay there and he remained for another year and a half.  Adversaries come in different forms in places in Ephesus and Thessalonica.  The devil used large members to oppose him.  Acts 17 verse 5 would have turned the city apart if they got hold of him.  When Paul went down to Berea he began to preach.  A member came from Thessalonica who tried to do the same thing.  We need to pray that children will hear the gospel and be saved.  Other difficulties you will find too.  There will be those who will not oppose you to your face.  In Acts 14 some of the Pharisees opposed Paul and as a result there was a dispute about circumcision.  If there is a desire to serve the Lord you will discover the doors opening but don`t be put down because the Lord is on your side.

Tossed by the sea of circumstances

Sermon notes from Sunday 25 August 2019

Mark 4 verses 35 - 41

We read of this account in 3 of the gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke.  What is this story saying to us today?  Maybe today this story is really speaking to us of being tossed about in a stormy situation?  Maybe we are looking at the errors made?  Or maybe put there for each of us that we might not make the same mistakes?  The disciples were on a boat.  Jesus made himself comfortable in the hinter part of the ship, asleep with his head on a pillow.  All of a sudden a wind rose up and the waves started to beat into the ship.  The disciples ran to the Lord, woke him up and asked him "do you not care what will happen to us all?"

First the course that is set.  It was set by the Lord himself - verse 35 "and the same day."  Something very positive about that, something the disciples forgot about all together.  Jesus wanted them to get into the boat and go to the other side.  They were not going to perish if he had told them to do this.  When the disciples walked with the Lord, sat with him, heard his teaching no doubt their hearts were blessed.  When they went to arrest Jesus remember they couldn`t because "no man spake like this man."  Mary sat at Jesus` feet just listening to him.  What a privilege.  His presence was a reality in these disciples lives.  Jesus asked them to get into the boat and go to the other side.  There can be difficulties in the course that is set just as the disciples found out on this day.  On this particular lake a storm can rise up extremely quickly.  Isn`t that what happens so much in our lives?  Do we question the Lord and ask him if we are in the right place?  Saul, the first king of Israel was sent to search for his father`s donkeys that had left their field.  Saul came face to face with Samuel.  Samuel knew he was to be the next king of Israel.  In Revelation John the Evangelist was segregated, isolated, banished to Patmos.  The Lord would use him there to give us the book of Revelation.  Saul was playing havoc with the church, putting people in prison and even putting some to death.  The Christian church was scattered as a result.  Philip came to Samaria and brought revival to that area.  Maybe the Lord has something very special for you too.  Peter said "you might go through a time this but it is only for a season." (1 Peter 5 verse 10)  When Saul was saved on the road to Damascus Ananias was told by God "he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name.  I want you to go in and make clear the great things he must suffer for my names sake, he will be a preacher, stand before kings and princes and governors." (Acts 9 verse 16)  Our course is set - are we on the right course today?  Jesus told the disciples "come follow me and I will make you fishers of men."  God is still in control today.  we might be out of control but he is not.

These disciples were on course but they were convinced Jesus didn`t care.  They woke hm up and asked him "carest thou not that we perish?"  Jesus had already told them "not a sparrow will fall from the sky but your heavenly father knows it." (Matthew 10 verse 29)  Satan was playing on their minds.  Ephesians 6 verse 12.  That is why we need to be careful what we feed our minds on.  Jesus going into the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus.  One day Lazarus fell sick.  Day by day they watched him getting weaker and weaker.  Mary and Martha realised this was unlike him.  Then sent word to Jesus "the one whom thou lovest is sick."  Prayer gets short when we are troubled.  Nehemiah faced with the king was sad in his countenance.  He was asked why he was sad.  He was not allowed to be sad in the presence of the king.  The king recognised his sorrow.  Nehemiah lifted his heart to the Lord in prayer.  It was a prayer of desperation.  The thief on the cross prayed "Lord remember we when thou comest into thy kingdom.  Mary and Martha in this case the Lord didn`t come but it was for a purpose - did he not care?  In the situation you find yourself in can you say "the Lord doesn`t care for me."  Maybe that is how you feel today.  The devil can bombard you with all sorts of things today.  Maybe Mary and Martha were wondering why the Lord didn`t come for them.  Maybe you have prayed for your own loved ones, prayed so desperately for them that you think to yourself the Lord doesn`t care.  That is how the enemy works, taunts you with that knowledge.  John 11 verse 4 when the Lord heard about this sickness he said "this sickness is not unto death."  Lazarus did die, it was nothing to the Lord but for the glory of God, that the son of God may be glorified thereby.  In the Old Testament a young man called Gideon was threshing a small portion of corn for his own household.  The Lord came and had a strong message for him "the Lord is with thee thou mighty man of valour."  Gideon looked at his circumstances and said "Lord I don`t know that, the Assyrians came down and destroyed the crop in Israel."  Gideon threshing a little handful of corn for his own household and he hears this message from God.  He tells him to look and see what the enemy is doing to them.  "O Lord, if the Lord be with us why then has all happened to us?"  So down and discouraged.  Judges 6 verse 13.  Wouldn`t the devil like us to think that the Lord is not in control.  Gideon didn`t see it.  The disciples didn`t see it.  Maybe we are like Gideon and the disciples.  We can see all these things coming to pass.  We look back to times of revival but are not seeing it today.  Does this mean the Lord does not care?  He changes not the Bible says "yesterday, today, forever the Lord is the same."  The devil will tell us "you have prayed for this one for so many times before, so many missions have come and gone, the Lord has forgotten about you." The Lord is still on his throne and he will remember his own.  He is still in control.  He will do whatever he has planned out.

The disciples were constrained to seek him.  The disciples came in a time of desperation.  Sometime we feel we cannot do that.  Some people live for themselves for years, they cannot give the Lord a thought.  The disciples were constrained to come to Jesus.  They came honestly.  Do you not care that we perish?  They did not hold anything back.  Came in their raw state.  Coming out of a situation they were honest about.  Habbukuk the Old Testament prophet sets himself to pray.  He sees an enemy and what the enemy has done, in total control over the land.  He looks and asks God a question "O Lod how long shall I cry and thou wilt not hear?  Even crying out unto thee and thou wilt not save?"  Honest man getting to grips in prayer.  I have prayed and you haven`t answered.  Remember how the demon possessed man brought the boy to the Lord.  The disciples couldn`t help him.  "All things are possible to them that believe.  Jesus said but he went on "help thou my unbelief."  How long will I have to pray the prophet asked.  Our families need times of prayer for them.  We need to come honestly before the Lord should there be anything in our lives needs to be dealt with.  He is able to deal with it.  He is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Jairus looking on that lifeless figure of a daughter in bed and the Lord says to him "she is not dead, she is only sleeping."  Then he says to Jairus "only believe".  When we come to the Lord we have to believe he is a rewarder of them that believe.

They were challenged by his word.  Verse 40.  The Lord challenged Mary and Martha when he came.  He told them "I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me yet shall he live believest thou this?"  Lets believe God for great things to happen.  We need to be challenged too.

They were convicted by his power - verses 39 to 41.  The Lord had everything under control.  When Christ arrives we will see his power working.

They were cheered by the outcome - verse 41.  They feared exceedingly.  It was reverent fear.  The Lord had done somethin mighty.  When the Lord came to Lazarus remember it was to bring honour and glory to God.  Many of the Jews believed in him.  The Bible tells us the Lord changes not.  He is in control in our lives ut that does not take responsibility for us.  We have to come and cry out to him.

The Gospel at work

Sermon notes from Sunday 11 August 2019 pm

Colossians 1 verses 1 - 14

The Gospel at work

"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel"

In chapter 3 we notice how the gospel works in various relationships - husbands and wives, parents and children, in society.  The gospel has to work in our lives.  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation."  There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.  The gospel can do that for us.  The husband and wife relationship can be seen in the lives of Priscilla and Aquilla in Acts of the Apostles.  They were saved by the grace of God, they worked together, they listened to Apollos a renowned preacher but knew there was something lacking in his ministry.  They took him to one side and showed him the word of God more fully.  We think of the family relationship in the life of the Philippian jailer in Acts.  When he got saved he brought the preachers right into his home because he wanted his family changed too.  In society and in Zacchaeus` life we see him changed when he said to Jesus "Behold Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." (Luke 19 verse 8)  As the gospel comes to you again how will it affect your home?  Some would say we can have too much gospel - they believe that because the Bible talks about election that God will save any way so we do not need so much preaching of the gospel.  Others would say we need more teaching and less preaching but before we can teach we need to see people saved.

The channel of the gospel.  How did this message come about in the town of Colosse?  A man called Epaphrus came into their presence (verse 7).  He came with a burden in his heart.  He had been saved by God`s grace, perhaps under the ministry of Paul in Ephesus.  He realised that he was a sinner and that sin could keep him from heaven one day.  He had a burden for the people in Colosse - chapter 4 verse 12 "Epaphras who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."  He was sold out for the gospel and he saw the need of others who were perishing.  Are you a channel for the gospel today - in your home and in your family?  Are you a channel in society, in the workplace?  You have been saved for a reason, for a purpose.  Jesus, when he gathered his disciples around him and told them he was going back to his Father in heaven, said "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."  The gospel needs legs.  Think of the maid in the Old Testament who lived in Naaman`s house.  Naaman was a great soldier, he had won many battles but he was a leper.  There was no cure for him.  He could not be comforted.  He would perish through this leprosy.  Who did God place in his home for a remedy for his disease - a maid.  She told him that if he was prepared to go to the prophet in Jerusalem he would be cleansed of his leprosy.  Are we channels today?  Paul said in Romans 10 verse 14 "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher?" 

The course of the gospel - verse 7.  As the gospel goes forward we read of the challenge and claims of it.  You are listening, taking in with your heart, then it comes to your mind.  There is a decision you need to make.  Acts 2 verse 37 - they were listening with their ears but something happened - "they were pricked in their hearts."  The same thing still happens today.  There is something happening in your heart today.  You must be aware that there is a response required.  The Holy Spirit takes the word to your heart and then it goes to your mind because you have to make a decision.  You will do one of 2 things - either reject Christ or accept Christ.  Acts 17 verse 4 tells us that "some of them believed" but it then goes on to say in verse 5 "the Jews which believed not."

The challenge that it brought.  Epaphras told of his own experience.  He took Jesus as his Saviour.  With the hearing comes the challenge.  In chapter 2 verse 13 these people were challenged about their death.  They heard they were dead in their trespasses, they did not realise there was a broken relationship between them and God.  They heard how Christ came to save them - verse 6 "they received Christ."  You have the seed of the living word of God in your heart but Satan will do all he can to rob you of that seed.  Think of Pilate as he stood before Jesus.  He was willing to release him that day.  He didn`t want anything to do with putting Christ to death.  He listened to his own conscience and said "I find no fault."  He then listened to his wife.  She told him "have nothing to do with this just man for I have suffered much by way of a dream about this man."  He loved his wife very much.  He also listened to the crowd.  Just as he was weighing up his evidence he asked "what shall I do then with Jesus?"  If you want to be saved you have to take Jesus as your Saviour and Lord.  The crowd told Pilate "if you let this man go free you are not a friend of Caesar."  Pilate couldn`t go back on his decision.  Wouldn`t it be sad if you made a decision that you could never go back on?  If God showed you your need of salvation and you said no?

There is the cost of the gospel.  The gospel is free yes but it cost Christ his life.  It cost him everything.  He was rejected, beaten, scourged, spat on, the hairs of his face were plucked off, then they crucified him on Calvary.  He hung sufffering, bleeding and dying for you and I.  The cost tonight is your all.  Will you take him as Saviour?  He will change your life, make you a child of the gospel, make you someone he can use.  Are you ready for that?  You cannot go off on your own agenda.  Making a commitment to Christ will involve everything you have.  The bible says of these Colossians "as ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him." (chapter 2 verse 6)  Are you prepared to take his invitation and trust him as your Saviour?  It is your invitation, will you come? 

A feast with Jesus

Notes from New Horizon on 8 August 2019 Tim Chester
Luke 9

Where should you go if you want to see God?  Where should you go if you want to see the power of God, if you want to see God at work.  Some people point to the natural world.  Some would say you are nearer to God in the garden.  Other people would invite you to some form of outreach, a worship concert where you feel something but is it God?  Other people want to lay hands on you and pray for healing.  Is there something we should do if we want to experience God`s power in the world?  A desire to see the kingdom of God, to see God at work is not new.  Verse 9 Herod asked "who then is this I hear so many things about?"  A desire to see him.  Herod wants to see Jesus, to check him out, to have a piece of the action but he cannot.  He doesn`t get to see Jesus.  Jesus is not hanging around in the corridors of power.  Only at the end of his life Herod gets to see Jesus.  Luke describes how when Jesus was arrested and Pilate finds out he was from Galilee that he farms him off to Herod.  Luke 23 when Herod saw Jesus he was pleased because he had wanted to see him for a long time.  He hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort, plied him with many questions but Jesus gave him no answer.  Nothing.  What does Herod see - nothing.  What does he hear - nothing.  Herod takes this as his chance to see the kingdom of God at work.  He gets nothing. 
Look at verses 10 and 11 when the disciples return he takes them with him, they withdraw to a town Bethsaida.  The crowd heard about it and followed.  He spoke to them, he "welcomed" them.  They have gatecrashed his session of rest and refreshment.  Herod wants to see Jesus but he cannot.  The crowds want to see Jesus and he welcomes them.  Verses 18 to 20 immediately after the feeding of 5000 Jesus asks his disciples "who do people say I am."  Then he turns it to them and asks "but what about you, who do you say I am?"  Peter answered "you are the Messiah." 
The disciples do see him, not just physical eyes but with spiritual insight.  Who is Jesus?  Is he the Messiah?  The word Messiah means the Anointed one.  It is a word used to describe Israel`s king.  The Jewish kings were anointed with oil, not crowned as such.  In Israel the expectation grew that one day God`s ultimate  king would come.  The Christ, the Messiah.  That is what the disciples see.  Why do they get it all of a sudden?  How is it that we can see that Jesus is the Messiah?  I want to see how it is that Luke answers that question. 
In verses 7 to 9 we get 3 possible answers to show who Jesus is.  Some said he was John the Baptist raised from the dead.  Others he was Elijah.  Remember Elijah didn`t die but gets taken up to heaven in a chariot.  Beause he had gone up to heaven without dying they thought that maybe one day he would come back again.  Maybe Jesus is Elijah come back.  Or perhaps Jesus is one of the prophets of old.  Moses said another prophet would come and replace him.  That is where this idea came from.  We get exactly the same 3 options immediately after the miracle of the feeding of 5000.  In the middle of these 2 discussions about who Jesus might be is the feeding of the 5000.  Why there?  Because this feeding is the priority, a vital clue to who God is.  What makes the different between Herod`s unanswered question and the disciples answered question is this party in the wilderness.  In Mark`s gospel Peter makes his confession after the healing of the blind man.  In Matthew`s gospel after Peter makes his confession Jesus said the Father had revealed it to him.  In Luke`s gospel Peter`s confession is revealed through a meal, through his hospitality.  He welcomes them.  verse 11 here is Jesus as the host.  The people sat reclined, it is the language of sitting down or lying down for a meal in that culture.  At this banquet  Jesus is the host.  Jesus is known through his catering. 
This story has 3 important echoes to the Old Testament.  They point us to God`s provision of manna.  Leading the people out of Egypt the people grumbled because of no food.  In that wilderness the bread comes down.  Jesus is a new Moses, leading a new Exodus to rescue his people from slavery of sin and death.  He will be transfigured later.  Moses and Elijah met with him in that time.  The people see Jesus as a new Moses about to rescue his people.  The feeding of the 5000 reminds them of another story.  Elisha replaced Elijah.  He tells his servant to feed a group of prophets with 20 loaves.  The servants asks "how can I set this before 100 people?"  Elisha tells him they would eat and have some left over.  The servant sets it before them, they eat and had some left over.  The parallel with the feeding of 5000. Jesus tells his disciples to feed a crowd of people, they protest but then do it and there is leftovers.  Elisha means God saves.  Jesus means the Lord saves.  Maybe he is the new Elisha come to save God`s people.  He is not just a new prophet for a new deliverance.  He is God, Messiah come to rescue God`s people.  The reason Peter can make this profession of faith. 
The feeding has another Old Testament echo.  The prophet Isaiah was given this promise in chapter 25 "on this mountain the Lord almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all the people, the best meats, the finest of wine,.  And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people and the veil that is spread over all nations.  He will  swallow up death in victory and the Lord God will  wipe away tears from off all faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth  for the Lord hath spoken it."  The price has already been paid through the blood of the Lord Jesus.  Isaiah issues an invitation in chapter 55 "come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye, buy and eat, yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that hwihc is good and let your soul delight itself in fatness."  We are invited to this great banquet.  You are invited to come without money.  No price because price is already paid.  Not only that - no-one will ever leave this feast.  In Isaiah 55 death is on the menu.  God will swallow up death so that the feast goes on for ever.  That is pictured here in this story, in the feeding of the 5000.  The disciples wanted to send the people away but Jesus makes it possible for them to stay.  No-one need leave.  At this feast hosted by the Lord there is more food at the end than there was at the beginning.  5 loaves and 2 fishes began with, but at the end they had 12 baskets full of leftovers.  There is one each for the disciples.  Jesus` gentle rebuke to them.  This is the picture of the feast that will last forever.  It is the messianic banquet.  He will defeat death, put the world to right for us and we will enjoy a meal in the presence of  God.  We are satisfied in the world yet to come.  The feeding of 5000 was just a glimpse of what was to come.  Jesus saw the crowd and welcomed them.  This is how we know who Jesus. is.  He welcomes us to God`s Messianic banquet.  Does it make any easier for us.  This sort of thing doesn`t happen in our world.  It is not part of my experience.  That is the point.  This sort of thing doesn`t happen in our world.  It is full of hunger, pain and want even in our neighbourhood.  We still live in want, still not satisfied, we long for fulfilment, for community, for purpose, for the world to be sorted out.  Jesus does not fit into our world.  Not because of what he did.  The feeding of the 5000 does not fit the standards of the world.  To judge it by your experiences miss the point.  It is a glimpse of a new world, made new.  This world we experience day by day is something created by ourselves.  The world is full of famine, war, injustice.  In the feeding of the 5000 we were given a glimpse of God`s coming world, a world ruled by God.  5000 hungry people were fed and satisfied.  This was not the real thing.  They would be hungry again.  It was a foretaste of the real thing.  The 12 baskets are a sign that this feast will continue into eternity.  There will always be another meal in this needy world.  We see a glimpse of God`s coming world.  In your local church as you gather together we see a glimpse of God`s coming world.  People come from different backgrounds, come together to be a family.  That is God at work.  Your local church is not what you hope it to be, it is not ideal but don`t let that blind you to the extraordinary reality as you meet.  The miracle as you meet.  It is the beginning, a sign of God`s coming world.  Our meals are a foretaste of the future.  Reveal the identity of Jesus still today.  They demonstrate God`s grace.  This is where you can see the kingdom of God.  Jesus provides for our future, a glimpse is given of that.
Also Jesus provides through the cross - verse 16 key description of the last supper "and Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it and gave it to them saying this is my body broken for you."  Taking, thanking, breaking, giving.  4 verbs.  The same 4 words in the same order.  Luke is tieing these 2 events together.  Jesus is the Messiah who provides for his people.  He hosts a messianic banquet.  Ultimately he provides for us by dying for us.  Welcomes us because he was abandoned on the cross.  He simply tells them that he must die at the end of the story.  He is Messiah not the Messiah they expect.  He provides for his people by dying in their place.  There will be judgment but it will fall on Jesus at the cross, that you and I can be welcomed to God`s great feast.  If we want to see the provision of God, to see a picture of that great banquet we need to look to the cross.  Jesus can do miracles today.  In practice that means looking to the Lord`s supper.  That is where we remember the cross more than anything.  This is the act Jesus gave us to help us remember the cross.  It is a meal. 
Remember we saw yesterday Jesus sits with tax collector Luke 7.  God sits with his enemies.  That is what happens at communion supper.  He is eating with his enemies.  He is inviting us to come and sit with him, to share a meal with him.  He is the host and we are the guests.  Eveyry communion meal is embodiment of God`s grace to us.  We hear his grace in words that we speak, we also see, touch and feel.  Grace in the breaking of the bread.  A miracle at that and you have that sense every time you take communion. God is communing with you, speaking of his grace.  Welcome and provision not just with words also with bread and wine. Jesus welcomes us just he did the crowds of Galilee.  He nourishes our souls just as he nourished the bodies of those in Galilee.  That is radical hospitality.  That is place where we see radical hospitality.  At every communion we come with nothing and we receive Christ himself and we get to do it week after week.  Appropriate sometimes in our communion meals that our minds are solemn as we lament our sin and ponder the price of our salvation.  Sometimes there should be exuberant moments as we anticipate the joy and plenty of the Messianic banquet pointing us back to the cross but also pointing forwards to great feast.  A foretaste of heaven itself.  Around the communion table Jesus provides for our future and provides the cross.
The final point - Jesus provides in our mission.  Jesus asks the disciples to do an impossible task, they feel totally unresourced.  Jesus takes those resources and satisfies 5000 people.  Luke not only sets it in the context of who Jesus is, he also sets it in the context of the disciples mission.  Verses 1 - 3 "take nothing for the journey."  He sends them out on mission not to take any bread.  Jesus asks them when they come back to provide bread for 5000 people.  Somehow they have got to rustle up bread from no-where for all the crowd of people.  Just after he has told them to take no bread with them.  In the other gospels the reference to how many people are in the crowd - 5000 comes at the end of the story to emphasise the ability of Jesus.  He has fed 5000 people.  Luke comes in the middle of the story just after he has told them to feed the crowd.  How are they going to do that?  Emphasis is on the inability of the disciples.  At the end of the chapter he talks about a day that is coming when he will give the disciples another impossible job.  It is a task he has given us - proclaiming repentance and forgiveness to all nations.  What can we do when faced with such a task?  The point of the story is that Jesus asks us to give him the resources we have and to have faith in him.  The disciples took home 12 basketfuls of bread.  Those 12 disciples are now 2 billion disciples and counting.  Remember how the people were given manna in the desert.  They were not allowed to take it for more than 1 day.  On the second day it stank you out.  You could only consume manna by trusting God to provide again and again.     Somehow this is true for the disciples - they thought the 5 loaves were finite resources that could not be shared.  Are you going to use the resources God has given you as if they are finite resources too?  As if God is a finite God.  If you do they will stink you out, they will be rotten in your hands.  Can you reach your neighbours with the gospel, tell your neighbours about Jesus, can you feed 5000 people with 5 loaves.  We couldn`t do that because we have no money, people or courage.  Jesus says give me what you have and trust me to provide.  Serve me in the present and trust me in the future.  You will find manna today, tomorrow and again and again.  You may even find basketfuls.  Do not set your heart on things, what you shall eat or drink, seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.  God`s kingdom is our priority.  Are you going to live as if God is a generous father.  Are you going to give as if Jesus gives more in return so that you will have a basketful of leftovers?  Are you going to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that all things will be added to you?

Continue in prayer

Sermon notes from Sunday 11 August 2019 am

Colossians 4 verses 1 - 9

The apostle Paul closes this letter to Colosse with an instruction.  He is writing to a people of God, people who have come to a knowledge of saving grace.  They have trusted in Christ for salvation.  Their sins have been blotted out, are under the sea of God`s forgetfulness never to be remembered any more.  He writes to them and says "continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving."  After Paul left the road on his way to Damascus and Ananias was told to go and see him we read "for he is praying". (Acts 9 verse 11)  A desire was placed in his heart right at the outset to pray.  In this letter to the Colossians Paul covers subjects such as the person of Christ, the power of the blood of Christ, the cross, the believers standing in Christ, election, sanctification, justification, glorification.  He covers the principles of life in the home, in the workplace and in society.  Paul is at present in the prison house, locked up but is writing to encourage the believers to go on and go through with God.  He asks them to "pray that a door might be opened up."  It was a door of witness.  He was asking the Lord to use him even in the prison house.  Have we ever thought of that during times of sickness - to be used of God during such a time?  Perhaps when we are lonely, have we ever prayed for God to use us?  Last week we noticed the mission of Christ - "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost."  He came to seek us.  We are not easy found.  The Lord saved us, gave us a new hope beyond this life.  Now we see the mission to many - we are not saved to take up a cosy seat but rather we are saved to serve.

Prayer is seen here as a priority.  Paul was in no doubt that the furtherance of the gospel goes hand in hand with prayer.  Is that how we are praying?  That a door of opportunity might be opened to us?  That somehow we might make known the mysteries of God to others?  John  Wesley said "God does nothing except in response to believing prayer."  Perhaps you know someone who you would love to see saved - have you prayed for them?  We are often told what to do and we dig our heels in and say we are not going to do it.  Paul is saying to them to continue in prayer.  False teachers had started to come into this church and they were drawing people away.  Paul had to write to them about their standing in the church and the work they were required to do.  Sometimes we can get weary in the work, it is a battle we are in.  When we are saved by God we have the greatest enemy, the devil himself.  He will oppose us.  We need to be praying for it is the only weapon we have against him.  The devil will want us to dig our heels in.  Paul says "here`s my advice to you, pray without ceasing, that God will open the door."  To Timothy he said "I exhort therefore that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men." (1 Timothy 2 verse 1)  In Acts 6 we read in the early church that there were murmurings so they called them together and decided "we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." (verse 4)  Then in chapter 12 when Peter was kept in prison that "prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." (verse 5)

The persistence of prayer.  Paul told the church members to continue in prayer.  There is a base meaning to it - be strong.  We need to be strong to continue in prayer.  We are battling in prayer.  It is easy to get up in the morning and say I will pray later but we need to persevere in prayer continually.  Paul is afraid of this peeople losing out on their faith.  In the midst of disputes in Acts 6 they continued in prayer.  In Acts 12 when everything seemed impossible, that Peter would be released from prison they continued without ceasing, without stopping.  It was possible that Peter would be sentenced to death the next day.  An impossible situation yet they continued in prayer.  We are reminded of Abraham in Genesis 18 when he prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah.  He started of by asking if there were 50 righteous people found in these cities would God not spare them.  He persisted until he came right down to 10 righteous people and God said he would not destroy it.

Paul points to the preciseness of prayer.  Paul is looking for an open door.  The work must go on.  There are doors to be opened up, they cannot be opened by man`s ability.  See how serious Paul took the word of God.  John Wesley said "proceed with much prayer and your way will be made plain."  Is there a situation in my life where I feel this is something I can do nothing about?  The Lord says pray about it.  Be precise in your prayers.  In Acts 12 the people prayed for nothing else but Peter.  That is how precise they were.  The Lord moved in that situation.  He sent an angel down to where Peter was.  The angel tapped him on his shoulders, told him to arise, each gate opened up of its own accord and Peter found himself out on the street.  Peter realised that it was the Lord`s doing.  Pray for those people who you know are not saved.  Daniel prayed for wisdom to interpret a dream.

We need to be patient in prayer.  When I am asked to do something continually I should do it without giving up.  Do you feel like giving up today?  Is there someone or a situation I have been praying continually for and am seeing no answer to those prayers?  Do we feel like giving up?  We feel like we will never see them saved, coming into church, coming into the pews and hearing the word of God?  We ask ourselves "what`s the point?"  Continue in prayer.  It is very easy to give up.  It is easy to walk away when we look around us and never see any change.  Paul tells us to continue in prayer.  God will open the doors.  Daniel became the person to whom kings called on for advice in situations.  In Daniel 10 we read that for 21 days Daniel prayed.  Maybe he was praying for the people`s laziness.  He took time to pray and his prayers were answered - verse 10.  The angel told him "for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard and I am come for thy words."  Are we patient in prayer?  We live in a society where we want to see instant answers but it doesn`t happen like that.  Paul tells us to continue in prayer that a door would  be opened.  Will we pray?

Lessons from a mother`s knee

Sermon notes from Sunday 8 July 2019 

Exodus 2 verses 1 - 10, Acts 7 verses 20 - 22 and Hebrews 11 verses 23 - 26

During our Holiday Bible Week we considered various children of the Bible.  On our last night we thought of Moses and the terrible conditions he was born into.  We noted the amazing faith of his mother and father, the compassion they had on him.  Writers said through this act of faith Jochebed knew God had blessed her son and God would have something great planned for his life.  The love she had and the spiritual welfare she had for her child.  Take encouragement today in regards to Moses, as believers, as parents and grandparents to safeguard the souls of those we love.  There is only so much we can do and leave it all in God`s hands and trust him for them.  Notice here in the life of Moses ...

The times in which he was born.  From the lips of Stephen in Acts 7 verse 20 we read "In which time Moses was born and was exeeding fair and nourished up in his father`s house three months."  Stephen was one of the leaders of the early church.  One of the deacons called on to take care of the needs of the early church.  A man of faith, he was noticed by the members in the church.  The old devil had him in his sights right away.  He was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, the leading men in the Jewish religion.  There was something very different about him.  "His face shone like an angel".  They could not get to the bottom of the wisdom of his words.  He was martyred, stoned to death because of his belief.  He had his opportunity to speak to his false accusers.  They told him to speak for himself.  He gave them a history lesson on the Jewish nation.  He talked about the call of Abraham, how Jacob and his sons found friendships and help in Egypt only to find another Pharaoh was raised up who knew not Joseph.  They were under the bondage of the Pharaoh of Egypt.  Pharaoh ordered all the babies in such a time as Moses was born to be killed.  Jochebed his mother took him into her arms and was so afraid that people would know he was there and would take him from her to cast him into the river.  Acts 7 verse 19 tells of the slaughter that was going on.   The new Pharaoh (verse 18) did not realise that Joseph had brought them through a time of famine, that he was a blessing.  They were living in a time of forgetting about the blessings of God, forgetting about a man who God raised up for revival.  We have to be careful about the people God brings across our pathway just for a blessing at that exact moment.  We need to pray that we will not forget those who brought revival and blessing to our nation.  People like the Wesley`s in the 1700`s or Whitfield who in open air meetings preached and thousands were saved.  Our homes are neglecting the word of God, our lives are being neglected from the word of God.  In such a time this young man was born.  Jochebed hid Moses for 3 months.  His mother saw the dangers, sought to protect her child, did all she could to safeguard her son.  Can you imagine her nursing this baby.  She heard of those Egyptian orders to kill the babies.  She was afraid of someone taking her child and throwing him into the river.  Are we doing all we can for our little ones, to protect them in this world?  Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  Do we not see those same dangers, the subtly of the enemy.  We hear that the church is too starchy and strict.  The devil is getting inroads into the lives of our young people through drugs, alcohol and immorality and through the social media.  He is getting in to give a life that is not correct.

The testimony of his mother.  Three months pass, it is time to move on.  It is not easy now to hide Moses.  What an amazing testimony - when we see our children grown up, leaving the home and knowing we have done the best we can, given them something they can hold onto.  Timothy looked back on his life like that.  Hebrews 11 verse 23.  I am sure Jochebed respected Pharaoh and his power.  She had no doubt that the law would be fulfilled but she was not afraid of the king`s commandment.  Think of Daniel when told not to pray.  He feared his God more.  he did all he could.  This woman stood firm, willing to put her life on the line for the sake of her child.  Are we ready to suffer for men and women going out into a Christless hell for all eeternity?  Are we read to sacrifice to see people saved?  Will we have the testimony to say we have done all we could possibly do?  What things she had to give up just to raise that child.  She would have to watch her company, she would have to be careful who came into her house, the things she talked about.  Anything that would give away her secret.  We have to be so careful today of the places we go to, the people and company we keep.

Notice the tears she had.  In Hebrews we read "she could hide him no longer."   Now what was she going to do?  Perhaps his lungs were stronger, his cries were getting louder.  What would she do?  We don`t know who gave her the idea of putting him into the basket and placing the basket in the river all the children were being thrown into.  She used her skills and made a basket pitched with tar.  She made sure the water would not get in.  She placed the basket among the reeds.  She was trusting the God of heaven.  There is only so much we can do.  There comes a time when we can do no more and have to leave it simply with God.  We cannot bring up our children in the fashions of this world and then expect God to work in it.  David cannot trust the armour of Saul because it weighed him down.  There comes a time when we have done all we can for our children, we have to trust God for them.  This woman trusted all would be well for this child.

The teaching she proved.  The first thing Pharaoh`s daughter recognised was that this was a Hebrew`s child.  She knew her father`s decree and how all the baby boys were being killed in this same river.  She had compassion immediately.  God had everything under control.  He would bring the people across the pathway even now for your children.  Miriam offered a nurse for the child.  What we teach our children now may never be seen for years to come.  It took 40 years for it to be seen in Moses` life.  It took that time for him to come to this decision in his life.  It came about because of the teaching he receieved at his mother`s knee.  It brought him to the place where he heard God speaking directly to him.  As we watch our children we are sowing a seed.  Moses` mother used the time well to tell Moses about the character of God who had promised them a land, a nation for themselves.  Keep praying for your children today.  Imagine the time when she gave Moses up to Pharaoh`s daughter.  Standing at that palace door, watching that door being opened then closed.  She turns around and walks away.  Her heart was breaking for her son.  No longer in control.  She hears of Moses being educated, growing up in the palace, becoming a man mighty in word and deed.  She never thought she would see her son growing up there with all the evils around him.

The triumph she secured.  There are many twists and turns in life.  Never give up.  The story of Moses gives us such hope because many fathers and mothers are in that situation today.  Broken hearted.  See a young person who sat with them in church, heard the word of God but are now out in the world.  Never give up, keep on trusting, believing, looking to the Lord.  At the age of 40 years Moses made a decision.  He walked away from the palace.  He decided to be no longer called the son of Pharaoh`s daughter.  Jochebed never thought she would see that day.  Make sure that child of yours hears the word of God, keep holding on.  For 40 years Jochebed held on and she saw the triumph.

4 Building Blocks

Notes from Keswick at Portstewart Sunday 7 July 2019
Acts 2 verses 22 - 47

I want to start tonight to think through what Peter was saying in this sermon.  He is doing something different to what we do when we talk to people about Christ.  It is like when you have a jigsaw and you work to put all the pieces together to build it. We have different pieces that fit together in our lives - yes we can have that car, that holiday, that relationship. We are building our jigsaw, then we hear about Jesus and we ask 'would he fit into my jigsaw, would he add something to my life, can he make my life better?' Then we decide yes he might be able to, we hear he forgives sins and gives a place in heaven, so we decide he can be part of my jigsaw. Jesus does not want to be part of my jigsaw, he wants you to be part of his jigsaw. In our jigsaw when things get tricky we will chuck Jesus out. We are in danger sometimes of trying to sell Jesus to people. We tell everyone they need Jesus, tell them he can do this for you, he can make your life better, give you joy, freedom and peace. Are those things true? Yes they are all true but if that is the way we talk of him we end up being sales people. Peter does not do any of that.  Peter says Jesus is the Lord and he is Christ and you must follow him. Peter starts his sermon small and builds it to an amazing crescendo. He tells them God has made this Jesus whom you crucified Lord and Christ. There are 4 building blocks. The first thing Peter tells the crowd - Jesus lived. Jesus was a man, a real man. This is when we need to learn some doctrine. A great heresy entered into the church - they said Jesus was not real. They were nervous about the idea of him having a body, being flesh. Peter starts by saying Jesus was a man, born as a baby, grew up, learned to walk and talk, he lived a real life, he had to learn to study the scriptures but this man performed miracles wonders and signs. He did extraordinary things. We know the stories but have lost the wonder.  That he could quieten a storm from a boat, feed 5000 people with a couple of loaves, raise the dead, open the ears of the deaf but he was a man accredited by God.  God worked through him.  We are sceptical of miracles today.  We find throughout the book of Acts the believers did not deny them because they knew they were true.  He did do miracles.  If you stop there Jesus will end up being a friend, being nice to you.  We have to move on.  In verse 23 we read he was handed over to them by God`s deliberate plan and foreknowledge.  You put him to death by nailing him to the cross.  This man of Nazareth ends up dead on a cross because wicked people killed him - why - because God planned they would do it.  It was God`s plan.  In Isaiah 53 we read it was the Lord`s plan to crush him and make him suffer and through that to make his life an offering for sin.  This man who did wonders and signs, it was God`s plan to let him die on the cross, that he would be crushed so that our sin could be paid.  Imagine Jesus dying on the cross, bleeding because he is a man, dying, to be an offering for your sin.  You deserve to die and he took your place.  This is Jesus, the man who died according to God`s plan.  Jesus is the eternal son of God.  He was with his father in heaven.  He could see the world his father made was dying.  He decided to leave his fathers side to come into this world to plunge himself into the jaws of death to save you.  That Jesus would give his life that you might be saved.  It was the Lord`s will to crush him.  There is more though.  That is the first 2 building blocks.  He was a real man.  He lived and died.  Verse 24 God raised him from the dead ... because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.  Here is Jesus handed over to death, dies on the cross, his body is taken down from the cross and laid in a tomb.  He is dead.  Death wins every time.  Death has a 100% record always.  In the grave a battle takes place between Jesus and death.  Imagine death realising there is something about Jesus that is different. For any other victim death has been claimed.  This man will not stay dead.  He is too strong.  Death is about to loose, to experience its first defeat.  The body that breathed its last is breathing again, the eyes that closed in death are open again, the heart that stopped beating is beating again.  God raised him from the dead.  Peter quotes from Psalm 16 in verses 25 to 28.  He is speaking about David`s great confidence in death.  Peter then says "but David did die" so he cannot have been writing these words about himself.  He was writing about someone else.  God promised David that through him a kingdom would be established.  David was therefore speaking of someone yet to come.  The resurrection of the Messiah himself.  If this is true this is amazing.  We all crave something that will last and never find it in this world.  Here was a man who was risen from the dead and is not decaying.  There is something in this man that will be different to anyone else.    This is not the end however.  In verse 30 Peter takes the Old Testament figure they could identify with.  Out of him he brought Jesus, the greatest one of all.  He is seated at God`s right hand, has poured out his spirit on all men.  This is the one Peter wants to show us.  In verse 34 Peter quotes from Psalm 110.  David called him Lord.  Peter is painting in the biggest possible colours the greatest man who ever lived, Jesus.  He is at the right hand of God until all his enemies are made his footstool at his feet.  Verse 36 he has become Lord and Christ.  God whom you call on.  This Jesus of Nazareth is Lord himself.  Jesus is the man who is God.  Those 2 things are true in Jesus.  He is the Messiah.  Notice that Peter does not say here are all the things he can do for you.  He is Lord and Christ and you crucified him.  Do you not feel the weight of this?  There was probably a large crowd there that day.  Obviously they didn`t all crucify him.  To declare the Lordship of Christ is the gospel.  This is the good news our world needs to hear.  Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  That is the gospel.  The people`s response is to be cut to the heart and ask "what shall we do?"  Peter tells them "repent."  Admit, turn your life over to him.  If that is who Jesus is then for us to look at Jesus as fitting into our jigsaw is wrong.  Repent  means to smash up that jigsaw, fall on our knees and say "you are my Lord, I will follow you."  That is what it means to call him Lord.  If that is true it means our lives need to change.  Will you follow Jesus when life is hard?  In the Old Testament we read of 3 men Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were told they would be put into the fiery furnace if they did not bow down and worship a statue the king had erected.  They told the king "we will not bow down and worship your statue because our God is able to save us and even if he doesn`t we will not bow down and worship your statue."  Will you submit to God?  Will you bow before him and give your life to him.  That is life lived to the full.  That is where freedom is found.  If Jesus is Lord and Christ we can take risks.  One of the reasons many people find being a Christian boring and dull is because they have forgotten how to take risks.  When was the last time you did something for Jesus that made you nervous?  When did you get an adrenaline rush from following Jesus?  If he is Lord and Christ we should give him everything, we will do everything for him.  Do not get Jesus to fit in with your plans.  Will we repent, will we say "I will go where you will send me, go to people who have never heard of Jesus dying for them."  This is exciting.  This is scary.  It is something worth giving your life for.  Maybe you are not ready for this.  If Jesus is Lord and Christ you can trust him totally.  There is a danger in being reckless too.  Most of us however are not in danger of that.  If he is Lord and Christ we must love the church.  Yes church is frustrating and difficult.  There are people in the church who will irritate you and annoy you.  Answer me this - do you go to the church prayer meeting?  I would dare to say that our prayer meetings are made up mostly of older people - they know how to pray and young people don`t go.  Why?  Because there is not much fun there.  They are not convenient.  They are a pain at times.  If young people started to go to our prayer meetings they would transform the church.  Love your church.  Be someone who goes to church, who gets to know different people.  For older people, when the younger ones come into church love them.  Jesus is Lord and Christ.  He loves his church.  I am challenging you tonight to stop trying to build your jigsaw but fall on your knees before Jesus and tell him "I will do what you want me to do."