Daily Thoughts during COVID19 May 2020

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

18 May 2020 – The Way of the Cross leads home

1 Corinthians 1 verse 17 “For Christ sent me not to baptise but to preach the gospel not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ be made of none effect.”

Paul is not referring to the structure of the cross but the death of Christ on the cross.

The dutiful commission of Paul -  “to preach the gospel”

Paul was direct in his course -  “not with wisdom of words.”

The defence of the cross – “lest the cross of Christ be made of none effect”

19 May 2020 – The sufficiency of the cross

Philippians 2 verse 8 “And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross.”

The cross announced God’s great love – John 3 verse 16

The cross addresses man’s greatest need – Isaiah 59 verse 2

The cross accepts man’s inability

20 May 2020 – The view of the cross

Matthew 27 verse 36 “and sitting down they watched him there”

Notice the people around the cross:

Simon – on his way into Jerusalem when he met Jesus and the crowd coming out on their way to Golgotha – nothing happens by chance.

Thief – “remember me when you come into your kingdom” – don’t leave accepting Christ until it is too late.

Other thief – his peril of slipping out into lost eternity listening to religious people all around him – get our eyes on Jesus!

Centurion - “surely this was the Son of God”

Passion of others – the women who stayed right to the end, Joseph of Arimathea who asked for the body of Jesus, once a secret disciple now wanted everyone to know he followed Christ and Nicodemus who brought ointment for Jesus’ body.

21 May 2020 - The blessings from the cross

Galatians 6 verse 14 ”But God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the Lord.”

False teachers had come into the church and were turning people away from the cross.  These teachers boasted of how spiritual they were, how many followers they had, what gifts and abilities they had but Paul was able to say he boasted in nothing but the cross of Christ.

The benefits and blessings that flow from the cross.

A pardon from the cross

A peace that comes from the cross

A promise from the cross.

22 May 2020 - Looking to Jesus

Hebrews 12 verse 2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In this book we read of those suffering for their faith.  The writer speaks of a race set before us (verse 1), how we should set aside every weight and sin that besets us and lift or eyes off everything else and place them on Jesus.

The submission of the cross – think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when he pleaded for the cup to be taken from him but then finally submitted to his Father “nevertheless not my will but thine be done.”

The suffering of the cross

The scorn of the cross

The security of the cross

23 May 2020  - An unusual sight

Exodus 3 verse 2 "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush and he looked and behold the bush burned with fire and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said I will now turn aside and see this great sight why the bush is not burned."

God had a plan and purpose for Moses' life

The patience of God - he waited 40 years from the time Moses left Pharaoh's palace. God is the God of the second chance - just think of Peter and his denial of knowing Christ.

The preparation of the ground God makes - God made the bush to be attractive to Moses so he would stop. God has prepared the ground for us too!

The plainness of the call - the call from God was so clear to Moses that day - is he calling us plainly today?

24 May 2020 - The voice from the bush - Exodus 3 verse 10

The concerns on Moses` mind that brought him to the word - Moses is now standing at the bush out in the wilderness.  This bush is not burning away.  God does not forget us even though failures and let downs.  Concern on Moses` mind to bring him to God`s word.  Think of Nicodemus, an upright moral man who had concerns on his mind that brought him to the feet of the Lord.  Perhaps heard the Lord preaching, seen the mighty miracles done and thought "no man could do these things except God be with him."  Zacchaeus lived in Jericho, was a tax collector.  Jesus was about to enter into the city.  Zacchaeus wanted to hear about him.  Maybe he heard about him, concerned enough for himself that he wanted to see the Lord himself.  That curiosity brought him to the word of the Lord.

The caution as he approached the burning bush - he drew near to the burning bush and heard the voice speaking out of the bush.  Maybe God wants to speak through our own concerns.  He tells Moses to take off his shoes, he was to approach God with caution.  God told him the ground he was standing on was holy ground.  Your soul stands today on the brink, need to be careful.  Consider what God`s word says to you.  The miracle of changing water into wine in Cana.  Mary told the people "whatsoever he saith do it."  Listen to his words, let them sink in then do it.  Apostle Paul in Athens preached about the Lord, how he came into the world to seek and to save, he died and was resurrected.  When they heard of these things they laughed at Paul and his teaching.  They took it too lightly, their souls were at stake but they laughed at the word.  Some took it a bit more seriously.  They took it for granted that they would have another opportunity to hear this word again.  We need to act swiftly when we hear the Lord speaking.  Some believed.  Some opened up their heart.  Some allowed God to control their lives.  They repented and trusted the Lord and he saved them.

The communion of the Lord - come now and I will sent you down.  "behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation."
The complaints that Moses had - verse 2 "they will not believe me" verse 10 "I am not a great speaker" verse 13 "send someone else."  The excuses Moses made.

25 May 2020 - The Journey of a life time - Matthew 8

A leper and the journey he made in coming to Jesus

This man`s complaint - he was a leper
This man`s consideration - began to ponder about the Lord
This man`s confession - Lord
This man`s cleansing - if thou wilt thou canst make me clean

26 May 2020 - What a difference - Matthew 8 verse 4

This man`s leaving the Lord Jesus
An experience to be revealed
Evidence to be considered - go and show yourself to the priests
An example to leave - offer his gift to the priests to be accepted

27 May 2020 - An unavoidable question - 1 Kings 19 verse 9

"and he came thither into a cave and lodged there and behold the word of the Lord came unto him `what doest thou here?`"

A precious question - here was someone who cared - God.  Elijah was sitting in the cave, alone, no-one knew where he was yet the Lord did.  David said "no man cared for my soul."  Hagar, Abraham`s maid in Abraham`s home.  The angel asked her "where have you come from and where are you going?"  Jesus cares for you and I.  The soul that sinneth, that soul shall die.  Let me take your burden, your sin, I will take it.  Jesus said to the Pharisees "you will not come to me that you might have life".  

A personal question - even the hairs of your head are numbered. On the Day of Pentecost God came down to 3000 people.  Every individual was saved on their own.  Zacchaeus sitting up the tree, Jesus knew exactly where he was, he looked up into the tree and said "come down".

A question that was practical - why are you - demanded an answer.  Samuel a young boy when God spoke to him.  Samuel thought it was Eli - he perceived after the third time that God had spoken "speak Lord for thy servant heareth."  Cave of doubts and unbelief.  God spoke to Adam in Genesis chapter 3 "where art thou?" 

A plain question

A question to be pondered - Elijah in verse 10 "I am on my own, there are no prophets, they seek to destroy me."  Adam needed to come to the Lord, the fig leaves of your religiousity will never cover your sin on the day of judgement.  What will you do with Jesus today?  

28 May 2020 - A big obstacle - Genesis 18 verse 14 "is anything too hard for the Lord."

Heavenly visitors had come to Abraham, he had provided a meal for them.  After the meal he was told Sarah would have a son - he was 100 and she 90.  Sarah overheard and laughed.  The Lord asked why she laughed then said "is anything too hard for the Lord?"

A challenge to her faith - Sarah laughed at such a thing, it was not possible at her age, virtually impossible - is there something in your life that you think is impossible?  Mark 9 man brought his son to disciples, couldn`t do anything for him.  He asked Jesus to help who told him "if thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believeth."  Do you question whether you could have that faith?  On the cross Jesus took our sin, we need to believe in him today.  Peter stepped out of the boat to walk to Jesus, the waves and winds were beating against him, he took his eyes off the Lord.  The Lord asked why he doubted.

A correction to her feelings - almost see her thinking how could we ever have a child.  It was God`s word, didn`t matter about her feelings but about his word.  Faith is not about our feelings.  It is belief in Christ.  The Lord`s part has been accomplished in his son dying for the world - his part.  Romans 10 verse 9 - that is our part - confess with our mouth, believe in our heart then we shall be saved.  "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

A confirmation for future - Abraham laughed first then Sarah laughed but God did not turn his back on him.  God fulfilled his promise for lost mankind.  Not on feelings but coming to Christ accepting him as Lord and Saviour.

29 May 2020 - A bad deal - Mark 8 verse 36 

"For what shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"
There were people gathered around Jesus when he dealt with life issues
A direction in life - Jesus speaks of following him "if any man will follow me let him take up his cross and follow me."  A v in the road, we must make the right choice - there are 2 roads, one that leads to the Saviour and the other road leads to destruction.  The broad road that leads to eternal destruction and the narrow road that leads to heaven and home.  A broad gate that is narrow that leads to heaven and home and a straight gate.  Matthew was told by the Lord "follow me" one day when seated at the tax desk and he arose and followed Christ.  The disciples were mending their nets when Jesus told them "follow me and I will make you to become fishers of me".  They arose and left all - the cost of following Christ.  Moses in Pharaoh`s palace made the great choice to no longer be called the son of Pharaohs`s daughter but rather chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy pleasures of sin for a season.

The desires through life - what is our driving force through life - gain riches of life somehow distracted us from finding Christ.  The rich young ruler came searching for eternal life "what good thing must I do to inherit eternal life?"  Jesus spoke to him about the commandments and he replied "all these commandments have I kept from my youth up yet lack what I."  Jesus spoke to his relationship to wealth and riches, give it to the poor then come take up your cross and follow me  He was not willing to leave them behind.  Pilate had choice to release Jesus but he favoured his relationship with Caesar.


The dangers at end of life.  When we close our eyes in death the soul goes out into eternity - a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.  The bible speaks of 2 destinations - heaven and hell.  The rich farmer in Luke 12 when the end came God did not come into the equation.  God told him "thou fool" not because of riches, worked hard, great ambition but he had left God out.  Riches and material blessings nothing wrong but when you put them in front of God then we are at fault.  "him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."  Make sure God is your goal today!

30 May 2020 – Questions in God’s Word – A time to reflect on our lives

James 4 verses 14 ”For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away.”

Life is futile – “a little vapour”

We were created in the image of God, created for fellowship with God but that was marred in Garden of Eden when sin entered into the world.  We are cut off from God.  The prodigal son in the scriptures asked for his inheritance, went off into a far country, for a while enjoyed life to full until hard times came.  He had no satisfaction, realised he had nothing.  Ephesians 2 talks of a time when we were not saved, without hope and without God in this world.

Life is fleeting – vapour appears for a little time then vanisheth away.

The Bible says our life span is threescore years and ten or by reason fourscore.  Gone, cannot be reclaimed.  Life living now is probationary for eternal.  We can gain the riches of this world but it is only probationary period for eternity.  Zacchaeus had 1 opportunity to see the Lord and would not let anything deter him.  He wanted to see his Lord.  Jesus called him down from the tree and both went home to Zacchaeus house.  That day salvation came to Zacchaeus house.

Life is fragile – appears for a time then vanishes.

Life can end so quickly.  He that is often reproved and hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and left behind.  Are you prepared to meet God today?

Come ... and hear the words of the Lord ... ye shall know God is among you

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 6 JUNE 2020

JOSHUA 3 VERSES 9 - 17

The Children of Israel were sitting at the banks of the River Jordan.  They were remembering that they had come up out of bondage from Egypt.  Time after time when Moses went to Pharaoh to ask to let the people go Pharaoh hardened his heart, would not let the people go.  Pharaoh wanted them to remain as slaves.  On the last night in Egypt the Children of Israel took a lamb, put it to death, the blood was applied to the doorposts.  They were delivered by the blood of the lamb.  We have been delivered by the blood of an innocent lamb, the Lord himself.  He came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost.  He came to die on the cross of Calvary to shed his blood for our redemption.  He brings safety and security for you today.  The people are resting here at the Jordan River, they have been called to cross over and pass into the Promised Land.  Have we crossed over into the Promised Land today?

The meeting that was to take place - verse 9 "come hither".  Joshua wants them to gather together with the purpose of hearing what the Lord wanted to say.  There was a great task set before the people.  There was a great responsibility on them to heed what Joshua had to say.  They had to comfort and encourage one another.  We are called to gather together as the people of God.  This day has been set apart, sanctified for the purpose of worshipping God.  Hebrews 10 verse 25.  The writer to the Hebrews was writing to those who were being persecuted because of their faith.  He wanted to exhort and encourage one another.  Some had given up assembling together but the writer tells them not to forsake coming together.  So too we are encouraged today to not forget coming together to worship God, to encourage one another during these difficult times.

The message that was to be heard - verse 9 "to hear the words of the Lord God."  Just across from them was the promised land.  They needed to hear from God, to hear what he would say on such an occasion.  It is one thing to meet together but we need also to hear the word of God.  It is not to be a meeting for the sake of a meeting.  Are you ready to hear what God has to say to you today?  Acts 13 verse 15 Paul and Silas have entered into the synagogue, they have heard the word of God read by the ruler of the synagogue, then he turns to Paul and Silas and invites them "if ye have any word of exhortation for the people say on."  Are you coming hungry to hear the word of God today?  Remember the words of the New Testament "were 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst."  The thought of turning my back on God, knowing I have missed out hearing from him, a word directly from himself?  We read of a man called Apollos in Acts 18 verse 24.  Look at the description of him - "an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures ... he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord ... And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue ..."  Two people were listening to Apollos preaching.  "they took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."  He maybe didn`t know about the cross of Calvary.  Maybe you have stopped short.  You are a good, upright person, never miss church, never miss reading your bible or saying your prayers daily.  Have you come short of the cross?  Have you ever accepted Christ as Saviour?  Do you know your sins forgiven?  John tells us to test the spirits to find out if these things were right.

A marvel to look at - verse 10 "hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you."  God has not forsaken us today.  We may be in the middle of a pandemic, the way ahead is unfamiliar.  Joshua brings the Children of Israel together, to encourage and reassure them that God would be with them and was present even before they would enter the Promised Land.  Think of Gideon when the angel came to him as he was threshing corn.  The angel told him he would be the one to deliver Israel.  God was near to him.  He was encouraging Gideon.  Gideon turned to the angel and asked him "if God is with us then why is God allowing these things to happen, the enemy has come upon us."  The answer was that the people had turned away from God.  Have you turned from God today?

The miracle they were to expect - "he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites." verse 10   Not one enemy would stand against them in the land.  Is there something holding you back today?  You know what God wants you to do but there is something holding you from moving on with him.  Remember David when he went out to meet Goliath.  He had nothing to fear because the Lord was with him.  Daniel as he was being thrown into the lions den had nothing to fear because God was with him.  In our strength we can do nothing but with God we can do all things.  He will not fail us today if we only would trust him.

A door that leads to heaven

SUNDAY 31 MAY 2020 pm - JOHN 10 VERSES 1 - 11 - "I AM THE DOOR"

A spiritual metaphor of a door that leads to heaven.

There is a source of entry.  Jesus is speaking of a means of access into heaven.  The source of entry - "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh to the father but by me."  He spoke of the shepherd early in the passage.  The shepherd was out in the day time leading the sheep into lush pastures, then down to the waters and bringing them into the sheep fold at night.  He closed the door on them - there was no other access.  When Jesus came into the world he came to seek and to save that which was lost.  Adam and Eve broke that communion with God in the Garden of Eden.  Sin came into the world.  When Jesus died on the cross he opened the doorway into heaven.  In the book of Revelation when writing to church at Ephesus Jesus said "I have set before you an open door."  Here is entry into heaven`s glory for each of us.  Have we taken that opportunity to come to the Lord?  When was the door opened into heaven - at the cross of Calvary.  Thousands have repented, taken him at his word.  You can still enter in because that door is still open.  Today the day of God`s grace is still with us.  God is still saving men and women.  The door he opened has not been closed.  It is open to you.  Maybe you have listened to the gospel time and time again, you have thought seriously about getting saved.  Maybe you have gone through a time of illness.  Something has hindered you from getting saved.

The simplicity of it.  The door to a house is the easiest access and the only means of entry.  We don`t have to try and find another way of entering into heaven.  We don`t have to depend on church - it is by the Lord alone who has provided a way that all may enter in.  Think of the great ark in Noah`s day.  God saw the thoughts and imaginations of man was only evil continually.  He destroyed the people but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  God provided the master plan.  It was Noah`s own intellect and ability.  God was building the ark.  There was one door into the ark, the only place where men and women would find safety.  It was accessible to all who would come.  "For by grace are you saved through faith."  You will only be in heaven through the finished work of Christ our Saviour.

The security that it provides.  The last thing you do at night is check the door is locked.  In the ark only God could close the door.  The door to heaven will be closed by God himself one day.  Will you take his offer of salvation before he finally closes that door?  Maybe there were those who listened to Noah and thought he was mad.  There never had been rain or a flood before.  There was probably panic when the rain did start.

The satisfaction that is realised.  "he shall go in and out and find pasture."  The door of opportunity speaks of freedom.  People sometimes say "when I get saved that will ruin my life so I couldn`t do that."  Galatians 5 verse 11  Think of the man with demons in the New Testament.  The only peace he could find was out among the tombstones.  Jesus came across his pathway and delivered him from those demons.  The demons came out and went into pigs who ran down the cliff and into the sea and drowned.  Such was the power of those demons.  When the Lord spoke to those demons the man was delivered.  He found the greatest satisfaction.  The local people had heard about Jesus and came out to see what had happened.  They found the man sitting at the feet of Jesus fully clothed and in his right mind.  He had met the Lord.  Deep inside us there is a yearning that can never be satisfied until we come and trust the Lord as our own and personal Saviour.  If you are not saved you cannot find any satisfaction in this world.  The only satisfaction is found in Christ.

We have not passed this way before

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 31 MAY 2020 am

JOSHUA 3 VERSES 1 - 6

"for ye have not passed this way heretofore."

March 2020 changed a lot of things for us with COVID 19.  The way we work, shop, worship and meeting and greeting our families.  It has plunged many into the depths of sorrow with death.  There is one certainty in this day and age - God does not change.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  In this passage we read there is a blessing ahead on the other side of the river.

A route to follow.  God had delivered these people from the bondage of Egypt.  Day by day the taskmasters had put so much pressure on the children of Israel.  They got on their knees and cried unto God.  God heard their prayers and seen their afflictions and he told them "now I have come down to deliver you."  We need to be doing the same today - crying unto God that he would hear and answer our prayers.  Plagues were sent on Egypt but Pharaoh hardened his heart day after day.  He hardened his heart against Moses, against the Children of Israel and against God himself.  Are you hardening your heart today?  On the night of the last plague the Israelites were told to take a little lamb and kill it.  To apply the blood using hyssop to the doorposts.  God said when he saw the blood he would pass over and the firstborn in the house would be saved.  The Lord was the firstborn of heaven and he came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost.  He died on Calvary for you and I.  What a great sacrifice he has made for us.  Joshua had brought these people to the brink of the Jordan river.  There were days of uncertainty ahead.  Joshua did not depend on his own ability but God`s srength to lead the people and guide them into the Promised Land.

A request that comes.  Verse 3 "then shall ye remove from your place."  They were a people resting.  They had come to the brink of God`s blessing and had stopped.  Maybe you have stopped, you feel it is too difficult to take that step of blessing.  Do not settle outside of the blessing of God today  God will come to you and do the rest.  Don`t just settle this morning.  God has a task for each of us today.  Joshua was saying to the people "it is time for a change".  They had to leave the place they were encamped in and receive the blessing of God.  Think of Elijah before king Ahab.  Elijah told him that God had spoken and there would be no rain for 3 1/2 years.  Elijah turned from Ahab and walked out of the palace.  God spoke to Elijah and told him to go to the brook Cherith and there the ravens would feed him day by day.  He is living in the place of blessing.  As he looks up to the heavens he sees the ravens bringing him meat each day.  Are you living in that place of blessing?  When the ark of the covenant was present in the midst of the people then God was there with them.  In verse 5 Joshua tells the people to "sanctify" themselves.  Deuteronomy 2 verse 3 "ye have encompassed this mountain long enough."

The responsibility to be shared.  Joshua told the people to keep their eyes on the ark of the covenant.  It is our responsibility to keep our eyes on God in these days.  This was all down to the will and word of God.  The way would be uncertain for them.  God would take care of that.  God was asking something new of them.  Nothing had happened like this before.  Think of David the king of Israel.  How quickly things changed in his life.  He was leading his 200 men back to Ziglag.  They got to the top of the hill, could see the smoke ascending, could smell the burning, did not hear the noise of children, could not see their wives.  The whole village was deserted.  The people had been carried away by the enemy.  The men wept until they could weep no more, such was their sorrow and sadness.  The men looked at David and blamed him for what had happened.  David was in such a state.  The men were about to stone him.  David lifted up his eyes to God and encouraged himself in the Lord.  Maybe you need to look to God today, to lift your eyes off the dark tunnel you are in.  This is a way that is strange to us - will we get our eyes on the Lord?

The rejoicing that is in sight.   Joshua told the people to keep their distance from the ark.  We dare not allow anything to come into our lives that would take our eyes off the Lord Jesus today.  Some things have perhaps distracted us over the past number of weeks through our situations and problems but we should lift our eyes to the Lord and encourage ourselves in him.  There is blessing before us.  Maybe you are not saved, today finds you still in your sin, you have never come to the cross of Calvary.  You do not know what it is like to plead for God to save you from your sin.  You can look away today to Christ, admit you are a sinner, ask the Lord into your heart.  The Lord will save if you come.  Do not live on an empty profession.

Restricted by unbelief

Sermon notes from Sunday 15 March 2020 pm

Mark 6 verses 1 - 6

Restricted by unbelief

Here we see the Lord coming back to Nazareth.  He had been brought up here.  Many knew about about him and his brothers and sisters.  He goes into the synagogue and begins to preach.  The people turn away as a result.  The Lord "could do no mighty work."  Why?  Because of their unbelief.  He was hindered from working there.  The bible says "he came unto his own and his own received him not." (John 1 verse 11).  "but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name." (John 1 verse 12)

First there is the privilege Jesus gave to the city of Nazareth - verse 2 "When the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?"  The leader called on him to bring the word of God.  The congregation were astonished couldn`t believe what they were hearing.  Here was this man raised in their midst, no learning or education, they couldn`t believe what they were listening to.  Their hearts were filled with unbelief.  What a privilege to hear him speak the word of God.  This was a tremendous time.  A second opportunity to hear and see the Lord again.  Remember when Jesus came into Jericho.  He was passing through, not stopping, on his way to Jerusalem to the cross of Calvary.  There was a man who climbed a sycamore tree.  It was his last opportunity to see Jesus and hear him.  He knew that the Lord would pass that way.  He wanted to be there when he did.  This would be his final opportunity.  How many people, maybe they are hearing the gospel for the last time.  Their hearts are still filled with unbelief.  They will go out into the darkness of eternity without a Saviour.  Think of Nicodemus in John 3.  What a privilege he had.  He came by night to the Lord.  The Lord gave him time.  Nicodemus had a leadership role in the synagogue.  He didn`t believe Jesus was the son of God.  The Lord explains the way of salvation.  He said to Nicodemus "just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness."  Nicodemus remembered that account of the people who were bitten by the snakes in the desert, how Moses was told to make a brazen serpent, to set it up and everyone who looked to him was healed.  Anyone could do it.  Nicodemus caught on right away.  "So must the Son of man be lifted up."  Everyone that looked to him was healed.  On the mount of Calvary the Lord was lifted up between heaven and earth.  He bore your sins and mine on his body.  He was paying the price for our sins on the cross.  The very price was laid on him.  "By his stripes we were healed."  Cornelius had a great privilege.  He heard the angel tell him to send for Peter and he would tell him words whereby he would be saved.  He gathered everyone he could into his house.  Peter opened up the scriptures and showed them how they could be saved.  The Holy Spirit came down and took over that meeting.  Do we take the privilege we have for granted?  If you are depending on anything else you will be lost for all eternity.

The problem that was created - verse 2 "from whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?"  They recognised him as "the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses and of Judah and Simeon? and are not his sisters here with us."  They were offended at him.  They couldn`t believe that the Messiah had come.  Remember Nathaniel`s words "can any good thing come out of Nazareth?"  Is this very problem being created tonight?  That somehow Jesus is not the Son of God, that he came into the world to be the Saviour, the only mediator between God and man.  Men and women are sitting tonight with hearts of unbelief.  They have become too familiar with the message to the point it has no real effect listening to it night after night.  We should pray each time we come into a meeting that God would speak to us as the word is proclaimed.  God can do mighty things.  Remember back to the first time you heard the gospel?  You were delighted with it, couldn`t wait to hear it again.  Maybe tonight it hasn`t the same joy for you.  Acts 17 Paul preached of the resurrection - some laughed, others said "we will hear you again."  That was the problem - so familiar with the word of God that it didn`t really affect them.

The peril that is provoked.  They were going to miss out.  Jesus could do nothing because of their unbelief.  Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost  He could do nothing for his own people because of their unbelief.  Naaman went down to see the prophet in Israel.  He was a mighty mighty soldier, done great exploits for his nation but he was a leper.  He was told to go and wash 7 times in the River Jordan.  He turned around.  He was so angry - "are not the waters at home not equal, as good as or even better."  He turned his back on the prophet.  He was coaxed back again and he went down and washed himself 7 times, and his flesh was cleansed like a child.  Somehow he was going to miss out.  Somehow he couldn`t fathom it for himself.  The Lord has died on the cross for you but you cannot take it in.  You are the one who will be missing out.

The pain that was caused - "and he marvelled because of their unbelief."  It pained Jesus.  Maybe the Lord looks down on our hearts right now - does he see your unbelief?  How often Jesus preached to the people of Jerusalem and he wept but they would not believe.  Is the Lord weeping because he has spoken to you but you will go away tonight without trusting him?  Trust in him tonight, believe in him and be saved - that is what you need tonight.

Hitherto hath the Lord helped us

Sermon notes from Sunday 15 March 2020 am

1 Samuel 7

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us"

I want to turn our attention to thoughts and themes of anniversaries.  We find here that Samuel has an anniversary and he wants to do something that these people will be reminded of every year to come.  He named this rock "Ebenezer" saying "hitherto hath the Lord helped us."  To this very point he has helped us.  From now on God will help us.  God has helped us to this very point in our lives and will go on helping us until we meet him one day in heaven.  The situation the children of Israel found themselves in was one of tremendous fear.  They had been in bondage and slavery to the Philistines for the past 40 years.  God had allowed this to happen - he doesn`t look lightly on sin and it was because of their sin they were in this particular situation.  Now the people of Israel are getting their eyes on God.  They want to return to God.  The Philistines heard of their meeting together in Mizpah and they decided to come down and attack them.  As a result the children of Israel were "afraid of the Philistines."  God stepped in at that weakest point.  Men`s hearts are failing them for fear today.  Nation after nation is closing down today.  Government officials and prime minisers do not know how to cope with the situation we are in.  We have been looking in recent weeks at the setting up of the anti-Christ`s kingdom - can you not see that happening even now in our crisis hour?  The word of God is coming to pass so quickly.  We can see the money exchanges collapsing around us, around the whole world.  People are fearful of what could happen.  Men`s hearts are failing them.  As a province and fellowship we need to be serious in seeking God today, getting into the place of prayer.  It is not something we can leave behind.  The children of Israel were serious about it all - verse 3 "if ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts ... and prepare your hearts unto the Lord and serve him only and he will deliver you out of the land of the Philistines."

It is a reminder to the children of Israel of what God had done in the darkest of days.  This was a reminder of the dark days of defeat, rebellion and turning their backs on God.  The Lord instructed Moses and the people of Israel before they went into Canaan that there would be vineyards they did not plant, wells they did not dig, houses they did not build - beware lest you forget God!  In the wilderness you needed God to watch over you and guide you, now in the land of blessing beware lest you forget God, take God for granted.  Judges 13 verse 1 "the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord and the Lord delivered Israel into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years."  The prayer of the persecuted church today is not a prayer to be delivered from that persecution but rather they are asking for themselves - that God would give them strength through the time of persecution.  Here today we have so many luxuries that we don`t need God.  We hear the commentators on the radio say "we don`t really do God."  Then when God takes a step back they are shouting "where is God now?"  These were days of darkness for the Israelite people.  The monument would take them back even to 20 years before.  Then the Israelites took the ark of the covenant out of the temple of God, the symbol of the presence of God and was brought into the battle.  It was not enough for them that day.  Eli`s 2 sons Hophni and Phineas were killed in battle.  Eli was 95 years of age when he received the news of his their deaths.  Eli fell over and died.  Phineas` wife went into early labour and died in childbirth.  She named the child before she died and its name meant "the glory of the Lord has departed".  This monument took them back to the days when they rebelled against God.  We have to look back to the dark days of despair and hopelessness.

A reminder of the directions that were taken.  For 40 years they were under the bondage of the Philistines.  Now 20 years had passed since the ark of the covenant had been taken from them.  Now they were growing hungry for the things of God.  Verse 2 "and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord."  They were now seeking direction from the man of God.  Verse 3 "if ye do return."  There is the implication here that the leaders recognised their rebellion and now wanted to get back in step with God but there was a cost to it.  We have to count the cost of what it would take to follow after the Lord.  "Let a man deny himself and take up the cross and follow after the Lord." (Matthew 16 verse 24)  When Jesus died on Calvary he was giving his own life for you and me yet we are not prepared to give our all to the Lord, yes we would even rather others go to a lost eternity.  The people were willing to follow the Lord.  Samuel was instructing them in the way of blessing.  For many today God is some sort of good luck charm for when everything is going well but when something happens we lift up the good charm and begin to pray.  Samuel said it is not like that.  Moses entering into the Promised Land of Canaan told the people there were 2 ways.  Jesus talked about 2 ways to heaven - many are on the broad way but few have found the narrow way.  Have you found the narrow way yet?  Have you asked the Lord to come in and save you today?  The people realised they had done wrong, they had come to the place where something needed to happen, they needed to seek after the Lord.  When you are listening to medical experts, the Prime Minister and the First Minister and taking guidance from them - are you listening to the Lord`s guidance in the whole situation too?  What did these people feel - they felt God was the answer, prayer was the answer.  Verse 8 the Philistine army was coming against them and the children of Israel said to Samuel "cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines."  Chapter 4 verse 1 they thought if could bring the ark of covenant out into the battle then things would turn in their favour but instead disaster fell on them.  Now 20 years later they realised it was God they needed.  God himself was the only one who could save them out of the hand of the Philistines.  Jeremiah in the Old Testament was prophesising to the people when they did not like it.  They opposed him, put him in the prison, they cried out against him.  Zedekiah the king listened to his government and rulers and wise men.  He brought Jeremiah privately into his own room and said to him "is there any word from the Lord."  Isn`t it amazing that we haven`t heard from any of the religious leaders pointing to the scriptures about our situation today?

A reminder of God`s dealings.  This monument would be a constant reminder of their dealings with God.  If we need reminding look back on our failures, we have suffered defeats because of our own rebellious nature.  He doesn`t turn us away.  God steps in.  The way is set out before us here - verses 3 - 6.  We have got to come back to God`s way, acknowledge our sin just like the Israelites did here.  Remember Joshua taking the children of Israel through the land of Canaan.  The first city they came to was Jericho.  That city crumbled before them.  God instructed them to not take anything from that city.  It was the custom to loot a city they had defeated.  Achan however went in and saw a Babylonish robe, he lifted it up and then saw some gold and silver.  He gathers all up and hides them in his own tent.  The next city they came to was Ai, a small city in comparison to Jericho.  They decided not to take up the full army but they were defeated.  Joshua lay on his face before God lamenting.  God listens to him for a while but then tells him to get up off the ground because there is sin in the camp.  Only a robe and a few handfuls of silver and gold but it was enough to bring down a nation.  It was rebellion against God.  God does not overlook sin.  Sin needs to be dealt with today.  God took his only son, put him on the cross of Calvary that sin might be dealt with.  We cannot take that lightly.  This people had to repent of their sin.

A reminder of the delivery God wrought for them.  The nation turned back to God.  The victory came through the little lamb - verse 9 "and the Lord heard him."  Imagine the commotion going on around him, the Philistine army had come down against Israel.  Israel had gathered together to pray, Samuel is at the altar offering the lamb as a sacrifice for the peoples sins.  Verse 10 "and as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering the Philisties drew near to battle against Israel but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines and discomfited them and they were smitten before Israel."  If we all turned our focus on God, offering up our prayers to God and God stepped in what a day that would be.  "And Samuel said hitherto hath the Lord helped us."  The Lord will help us through whatever situation we face today.

Revelation 17

Sermon notes from Sunday 2 February 2020 am

Revelation 17

I want us to turn to these 2 great chapters - Revelation chapters 17 and 18 and concentrate our thoughts around chapter 17.  We are living today on the brink of the greatest event that will ever take place in this world.  There have been some great events in the past - man walking on the moon, air aviation and travel in general, the invention of the internet and social media.  Within seconds we have information at our finger tips from around the world.  In John 14 Jesus himself told the disciples that he was going to the cross, giving his life as a ransom for our sin.  As he is about to go the message he has to tell his disciples would be something that will grieve their hearts but he tells them "let not your hearts be troubled ye believe in God, believe also in me ... if I go to prepare a place for you I will come again."  He hasn`t come again yet but left us that promise for that day to know he will come again.  That will be the greatest event that will ever take place in this old world.  There was one great event - when Jesus was born of the virgin Mary and another great event was when he was taken and hung on a wooden cross between 2 thieves, nailed there to die for the sins of the world.  Paul tells us one day he will come to the clouds of the air, with the voice of the archangel, the trump of God, he will shout and every child of God will rise up to meet him.  Every person that has trusted the Lord as their own and personal Saviour will rise up to meet him in the air.  The bible says the dead in Christ will rise first.  We have stood at many graves, seen our loved ones bodies being lowered into the ground, we know that is the end.  You hear some nonsense around funerals - that that is the end of them.  We actually know that that is only the beginning.  The soul has left the body, that soul is either in heaven or hell.  Without Christ they are entering into hell - remember the story in Luke 16 of the rich man who lifted up his eyes in hell being in torment.  It was not the end just the beginning.  Jesus is coming for those who have died in the Lord.  He is going to reunite that body with the soul.  They will meet him in the clouds - "what a day that will be, when he takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land."  That day is still to come.  Events around the world are dove tailing together today, coming together for the coming again of the Lord.  We need to be trusting in Christ and him alone.  The bible says 2 people will be working together, one shall be taken and the other left.  Christ has come to the air, called the church home, left behind are those who have not trusted in Christ.

In chapter 15 the last plague has been poured out on the world.  The vial or bowl is a shallow plate, poured out by 7 divinely appointed angels.  Chapter 16 showed the devastation that caused. When this event happened there will be a time ushered in of 7 years.  There will never have been a time like this before or will be again.  God sends forth his angels, poured out his wrath and judgment on this world.  Chapter 17 sets the scene for it.  Christ`s coming judgments that are already fallen on this world.  Humiliation of the judgments.  The final years of this world.  Verse 1 there came one of the 7 angels which had one of the 7 vials.  He has been given a second task now.  He is sent to where John was - on the isle of Patmos.  He set his bowl down.  Judgement has already been poured out on the world.  Now he comes to John with another message from God himself.  He wants him to see the judgment of the great whore.

This chapter is to show to John the judgement.  Not so much the woman or the beast but the judgement that will fall on each in these days.  This woman is described as a whore but really it is a system.  Chapters 17 and 18 show the downfall of a world system. Babylon the great.  Chapters 17 and 18 show us the religious and the commercial and political battle based on a Satanic foundation.  Genesis shows us where it comes from.  Revelation 17 is the religious side of this kingdom which bolsters up and supports the political one.  In Revelation 18 notice however that God is in control.  Revelation 17 verse 17 "For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will."  God is reigning and ruling.  In Daniel chapter 2 there we have Nebuchadnezzar`s great dream of the image.  He didn`t understand what this dream meant.  None of his philosophers could interpret it.  Daniel could interpret it though.  He told him it was in the form of a man.  Daniel took every metal this man was made of.  He comes right down to the toes made of clay.  Speaks of something else.  That man saw something that stirred his heart.  A stone rolled until it hit the image and shattered everything.  That is God himself.  10 toes are 10 kings which rule and reign.  God will set up his empire, all other empires will crumble in its way.  God is working everything out.  Described here as a woman but it is really a system, an ungodly demonic system.  Verse 7 "I will tell thee the mystery of the woman."  Verse 18 "and the woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth.  Something of her character described in verse 1 "the great whore".  Many commentators agree to the timing of this intervention.  Jesus is coming one day, will take the church home, then what happens.  There will be the setting up of the 7 year Tribulation period.  There will come a time when the man of Christ will be revealed.  The anti-Christ will take the throne and will rule and reign, everthing will be under his power.  Jesus himself said there never will be a time like this before nor will be again.  He will set up his dictatorship.  We will have to yield to his authority.  Receive a number on our foreheads, we will not be able to trade until we have that number on us.  He is coming to rule and reign one day.  The timing of this intervention of God is 3 1/2 years into that period.  The first 3 1/2 years will be relatively peaceful and there will be great prosperity.  The religious system of that day will be allowed to do whatever can and want to do.  After it is up the anti-Christ will say enough, he will put his finger on this religious society because he wants to reign and be worshipped and idolised.  God is judging up to this point.  This is a woman who gives herself for money, reward or gratification of the flesh.  She has no loyalty to anybody, does not give herself to one person.  She represents a system that has turned its back on God.  This is an apostate system, a false religious society.  She may have all the outward symbols but her heart is after another.  The Lord will judge that.  We do not have to be intellectual to look at our own nation today and see how many different religions we can see.  Is it any wonder Jesus talked of a broad way that leads to hell and a narrow way that leads to heaven and home.  On the broad way there are multitudes on it aand it leads to death, damnation and destruction.  There are those 2 ways today.  Think of Ahab the king in the Old Testament, the king of Israel.  There has been no king like him in his wickedness.  He was unequalled as a king.  None to parallel him.  He had a wife called Jezebel.  He sold himself to work wickedness.  The Bible says of Jezebel, she stirred him on. was no great help to him.  He had a choice.  He turned his back on God, followed his own religious society - 1 Kings 21 "he did very abomnably in following idols according to all things as did the Amorites whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel."  This woman wanted nothing to do with God and turned from him.  Do we not see this system ruling and reigning already?

Her abode - verse 3. John had to go out into the wilderness.  The wilderness is a dry barren place, nothing to offer whatsoever.  A false religion today has nothing to offer.  People today have every sign of Christianity.  She is the mouth of every religion.  Chapter 17 God is judging this woman - every false religon.  This time only judging the falseness, ran for a while, now being judged.  Remember the young demonic in the scriptures possessed of a legion of demons.  His abode was out in the wilderness, found no help or comfort.  People are sitting today in false religions, a place where there is no hope.

Sermon notes from Sunday 9 February 2020 pm

1 Peter 1 verses 13 - 21

Peter tells us in verse 23 "beng born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God."  The price of salvation.  We offer salvation for free, yes it is, but when we think of the cost to God in heaven taking his only sinless son, sending him into this world to see men rejecting and reviling him.  Hanging on a cross what a cost that was.  In John 3 Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night, a very religious rabbi heard of Jesus, seen the mighty things he has done, somehow he wants to come and ask him a few questions.  His heart is pondering.  As he makes his way to Christ there are things on his mind he wants to know.  "We know thou art a great teacher come from God for no man can do these miracles except God be with him." (John 3 verse 2) Is that how we have come tonight?  So thrilled with what Jesus has done?  Seen the many miracles he has done, heard the great preaching, wanting to hear more and know more of him? We are introduced to Nicodemus.  Jesus says to him "Except a man be born again he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven." (JohnJohn 3 verse 5)  If you are not saved heaven will be not be our home, we will never see it.  Peter takes it further to you and I.  He says "being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever."  How important is the word of God in our salvation?

The awareness that the word gives - makes us aware of what we are in the light of God`s word.  In John 4 the woman at the well spoke to Jesus and was converted.  Remember how she left her water pot, she did not want to take it back into her home because there was a possibility her partner would persuade her to stay.  A time of separation.  She told the people around her "come see a man who told me all things ever I did."  The word of God as it is opened up to us we realise what we are in in God`s sight.  There at the well Jesus revealed to her she was living in sin.  We are guilty, under condemnation of God.  Romans 5 I have taken on myself the nature of Adam when he turned his back against God, rebelled and ate of the fruit.  That is the very nature we have taken on.  The nature of sin.  We need to be born again.  I was born into this world once through my mothers womb.  If you want to see heaven you have to be born again through the incorruptible seed of the word of God.  My best will not suffice for heaven.  No matter how many goals I achieve never be good enough to attain God`s salvation for me.    Are we going to rely on the best we can do or rely on the finished work of Calvary?  He cried "it is finished".  Is that what you are depending on tonight?  The awareness of the word.

The authority of the word.  1 Timothy 1 verse 15 "moreover brethren I declare unto you the gospel by which ye are saved, if ye keep in memory that which I have preached unto you."  Remember Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.  The enemy came on him.  We read "as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward and fell to the ground." (John 18 verse 6)  That was the authority of the word of God.  Man is saved through the word of God.  Psalm 19 verse 7 "the law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul."  "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10 verse 17)  The "scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation." (2 Timothy 3 verse 15)  Think of Cornelius in Acts 10 when Peter entered into his house there were people sitting waiting in expectation of his coming.  They wanted to hear words whereby they could be saved as promised by the angel to Cornelius.  When Peter opened up the word of God and while speaking the Holy Ghost fell on them.  This is the wonder of the word of God.  If you have the opportunity to give a word from God`s own word let it plant a seed in your loved ones heart and it will produce a harvest in its time.

The acceptance of the word of God.  Proverbs 30 verse 5 "every word of God is pure."  Not just some but all of it.  The only part we can play is to accept it.  Jesus told Nicodemus "except a man be born again."  The only thing he could do was to receive it.  Remember the woman at the well.  Born again, why, because she accepted the word of God.  You have to accept the word when it says "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3 verse 23) On the cross of Calvary God laid every sin on him.  You have to accept that truth.  Accept that your sin was laid on him and you bear it no more.  Cornelius was saved only when he accepted the word Peter preached to him.  Zacchaeus was saved only when he was came out of the tree to meet with Jesus.  "Receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save your souls." (James 1 verse 21).  Revelation 3 verse 20 "Behold I stand at the door, and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the dor, I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me."  Maybe you have never trusted Christ, trusted him as Saviour and Lord.  Remember the Roman centurion, he had a servant lying at the point of death.  Jesus said he would come with him and heal him but the centurion said "I am not worthy that you should enter into my house, just speak the word and he will be healed." (Matthew 8 verse 8)  What about you - this is not the teaching of the church or my philosophy.  Trust Christ, the authority to save your precious soul if you would only trust him.

The assurance the word of God carries.  "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10 verse 13)  Psalm 40 I was in an awful pit, my feet were in the miry clay, the Lord heard my cry.  I wonder was there a momnt when you cried in seriousness and genuineness and you lifted your heart to the Lord, realised he has died for you?  Did you ask him to save you?  Remember Peter stepping out of the little boat onto the waves?  He was walking to Jesus but he took his eyes off the Lord, he cried out "Lord save me." (Matthew 14 verse 30) The Lord reached out his hand and saved him.  The Lord wants you to call on him, to come to him, to trust him as Saviour.  That the seed of the word of God might be planted in your heart.  Will you come and trust him?

Sermon notes from Sunday 16 February 2020 am

Revelation 17 verses 1 - 6

We are looking here at a judgement scene, something out in the future.  The bible teaches us of 3 judgements - there will be a judgement when believers will stand at the judgement bar of Christ not for our sins but for the work we have done from the day and hour we have been saved.  This judgrment will be for the fruit that has come from our lives.    There is the great white throne judgement for those who have rejected Christ totally.  Not for second chance, judgement of the nations.  Sheep and goats are divided before going into millenium kingdom.  John is taken by the angel out to the wilderness and is shown a great scene before him.  He shows him this beast, on the beast is a woman and it is to this woman we want to look at today.  The timing of this scene - would be in or around the midway point of the tribulation period.  The woman represents a system.  In full prominence at the head of her glory God will judge it.  God will always judge sin.  He is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity.  God promised through the prophet Isaiah 13 verse 19 "Behold the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it."  The glory of the kingdom shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.  In Chapter 14 we read that Babylon has fallen "because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."  Revelation chapter 16 verse 19 "And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell and great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath."  The wrath of God is being poured out on this world.  The cities we read and hear about in our news programmes are going to fall under the judgment hand of God.  Then when we come into Revelation 17 and 18 God gives us more information about this judgement.  He tells us what would happen to the city we read about in chapters 14 to 16.  The end of the tribulation will end when Jesus comes again.  Chapter 19 verse 11 "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righeousness he doth judge and make war."  In 1 Thessalonians 4 we read that Jesus comes to the air to call his own children home.  In Revelation chapter 19 Jesus comes to put down the the armies of the world, to wind everything up.  The Babylonian system is something we see in the Roman Catholic system, so engulfing people around the world.

This woman`s control - verse 1 "she sitteth upon many waters".  Again in verses 3 and 9 we see the woman is sitting.  She is in control.  She has a lot of persuasion, able to bring so many in under her clutches, bringing many under the umbrella of her religion.  In verse 3 she is sitting upon the beast.  That is the future day.  A control in the future.  In verse 9 she is sitting upon the 7 hills, power that she has.  Her position, persuasion and power - she is in complete control.   In chapter 13 verse 1 we read  the same beast is arising out of the seas and in verse 2 we read a description of the beast - "like unto a leopard, an dhis feet were as the feet f a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion and the dragon gave him his power an dhis seat and great authority."  In Daniel chapters 2 and 5 we read of the full outcome of Nebuchadnezzar`s dreams and Daniel`s dreams.  This beast gets his authority from the devil himself.  In chapter 13 verse 13 we read that the beast will be resurrected.  The devil is trying to get all the nations and people to follow this beast.  All power is given unto him.  When Jesus went out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, Satan told Jesus to turn the stones into bread for he was hungry.  He then showed him the palace of Jerusalem and promised him the kingdoms of the world.  The Lord refused to do any of the things Satan wanted him to do.  The devil will be empowered in that day yet to come.  The position of this woman.  This powerful man and leader.  He has succumbed to her.  This woman is controlling him in this 7 year period.  This religion comes from the Babylonians but we are seeing the rise of a demonic empire here.  We need to ask ourselves - the woman is riding the beast - is she controlling the beast or is the beast using her for his own ends?  I think the beast is using her for his own ends.  The beast will rise up aginst her.  He doesn`t want her to influence people to have more power over everything.  He wants to have the world church and through that to have a one world empire and religion.  In verse 1 she is sitting on many waters and then in verse 15 we read "the waters which thou sawest where the whore sitteth, are peoples an d multitudes and nations and tongues."  Notice the control she has in the palm of her hand.  The anti-Christ will use this.  She has a name, Babylon the great.  In the first book of the Bible, Genesis the roots of this kingdom are seen - Genesis 10 verses 8 - 10.  Nimrod, son of Noah. His name means rebel, a mighty hunter.  A hunter of men, the souls of men and women.  This is the beginning of his kingdom, turning men away from God to turn to something greater.  Chapter 11 verse 12 the earth was populated with a people.  When Noah came out of the ark his grandsons seen the opportunity of easy power.  The great danger was that this people would be scattered across the earth.  Nimrod gets te idea of building a tower touching to heaven, the top would be like angels and stars and images.  He was making a religion, doing that to hold the people together.  He was turning people from God, promising them something greater.  We see many religious systems spread across the world today.  Where do they come from?  Babylon is the mother of the Amorites who have given rise to false religions across the earth.  They are looking for something greater.  Nimrod decided to build the tower and called it Babel, a gateway to heaven.  Rome today says there is no salvation outside of the church of Rome.  You have to come and join our church, follow us. The beast will use this system.

The woman`s coming.  This system is full of craft, deceivers and lies.  She has deceived the people, multitudes and kings.  This is the Babylonish system found in chapter 10.  How cunning is the design of this.  The Lord speaks against this.  He confounded the nations - "babel" Genesis 11 verse 8.  Genesis 11 verse 9.  This was an unfinished building.  God came down and scattered the nations.  Isn`t it remarkable to see the European building today as a symbol of an unfinished building.  Outside the building there is a statue of a bull with a woman riding it.  It is the same image of the woman riding the beast in Revelation.  The beast is content to let her do her job, to see the nations gathering in after her.  This woman is a mystery.  One day she will be no longer needed.  In Genesis 10 and 11 we read that Nimrod took a wife, she gave birth to a son who was killed by a wild boar.  Miraculously he was brought to life again.  From this man comes the Roman Catholic system.  In Ezekiel 8 God takes the prophet right into the house of God and shows him the abomination that is happening.  Jeremiah 7 verse 18 "The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire and the women knead their dough to make cakes to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger."  Look how this religion has taken hold.  Rome tells us the queen of heaven is Mary.  

We see the carnality of this woman.  The people are saying there is nothing to fear about him and say we have a lot in common.  That is the lie of the devil.  God will judge this system one day.  God says to come out from among them.

Sermon notes from Sunday 1 March 2020 am

Revelation 17 verses 7  - 18

In Revelation chapters 17 and 18 we are seeing what God has already prophesied in the early part of the book concerning this woman who is "sitting upon many waters" (verse 1) and sitting upon a beast (verse 3)  God sends one of his angels to pour out his wrath on the world.  This is speaking of a day in the future.  The angel now takes John in verse 3 out to the wilderness and John sees something that takes his breath away.  The angel says to John in verse 7 "Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns."  We are looking at 2 empires, one of which is the Roman system.  This has nothing to do with the individual Roman Catholic church but rather its system of religion.  It has also to do with apostasy that is running through the Protestant church today too.  This Roman system stems from Genesis 11 when we read about Nimrod the grandson of Noah.  He was a mighty hunter of the souls of men and women.  He offered them another way to God.  He built a tower that symbolised heaven.  Nimrod married and had a son who was killed by a wild boar then brought back to life again.  The religion of the mother and child stemmed from Nimrod`s son.    We noticed already this woman`s control and she was cunning - kept people in her grasp and coming back for more.  Today we want to look at her cruelty and her crisis.  In 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 Paul taught the believers that one day the Lord will come back to the air.  On that day all those who have been saved, have come to a personal knowledge and relationship with Christ will be raised up to meet Christ in the air.  They will live with the Lord forever.  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15 "I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." (verse 51)  On that day we will all be changed, we will be given a new body.  All those who do not believe in Christ as Saviour will be left behind.  So begins a period called the Great Tribulation.  There will be suffering never experienced before.  Will you make sure you are saved today and are not relying on something that will let you down on that day.  During that period the antichrist will rule.  He will tolerate this woman described in Revelation 17.   This woman represents a religious system - the Roman Catholic church in all its glory.  The roots of this system are in Babel back in Genesis when the mother and child religion was established.  There will one day be a one world political and religious system.  In verse 2 we can see this woman influencing the kings of the earth.  She has power and uses deception.  She blinds them.  The beast doesn`t really mind this system because he can live as he wants to live, has no morals or repentance.  The beast uses this system for his own benefits.  We need to take care today because we are living in deceptive days.  The Bible tells us to try the spirits.  People listened to Paul preaching but it was not enough.  They went home and delved into the word of God to make sure that everything he said was worthy and true.  We need a hunger for the word of God again.  We need to know the word of God today.  The priest points to the cross and the sacrifice but whenever we get into discussing it the priest is really talking about attendance at mass, the need for penance and good works, the last ritdes.  All these earn grace for a person.  Grace is bestowed on us today as God`s free gift, nothing else.  In verse 6 we read "and I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood the martyrs of Jesus."  John was awestruck as a result.  If you want to see the cruelty of this woman all you have to do is google The Inquisition and see the atrocities from the teachings that have blinded people and kept them from believing in Christ alone.  We see the various churches are coming together in its equality today, stating they have a lot in common to unite them rather than divide them.

Look at this woman`s crisis.  During the 7 year period there will be things happening that never seen before.  Three and a half years into this period the Roman system will be put down.  The focus turns onto the beast himself, the antichrist.  He will raise himself up after 3 1/2 years.  He was slain and then brought back to life again.  The whole world wll now follow him.  The reference to the 10 horns in verses 12 and 13 points back to Daniel chapters 2 and 7.  The 10 sovereign leaders will give allegiance to the antichrist.  He wants all the power and worship.  He takes an image of himself and sets it before the throne and everyone must worship it.  During this time on earth no one can buy or sell without his mark.  This religious system that has sucked in multitudes will be finally destroyed.  God is now judging this woman and using these kings to destroy the system - verse 17 "For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled."  

The God we worship is a sovereign God. He loves you and I.  That is why he gave his only son to come into the world and die on the cross, to shed his blood that you might be saved.  That you would not be sucked into this system.  That you might know your sins forgiven.  When he comes he will take you from this scene of time into God`s presence.  You will not have to stand on this awful day recorded in Revelation 17.  What will you do with the offer today?  If Christ were to come right now would you be ready to meet him?  Are you relying on him and him alone today?