The soldier of Christ

Sermon notes from Sunday 10 November 2019 am

2 Timothy 2 verses 1 - 13

Paul here writes to young Timothy, a young man going out into the preaching of God`s word.  He would face much by way of opposition.  Verse 3 "thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."  Verse 4 "no man that wareth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."  The soldier and the conflict.  We take this morning to remember those who gave their lives in world wars and skirmishes in this world.  They left our land that we might have freedom in speech and movement and do the things we can do.  Those men gave their lives for that.  There is an onus on us to protect that for future generations.  We are in a spiritual warfare.  God calls us to be a soldier.  Paul writing to a young man to give his all to God.  It is a battle today for every Christian.  If not there is a doubt over the salvation of our soul.  "We wrestle not against flesh and blood."  Paul tells Timothy "the weapons of our warfare."  At the end of his life he could say "I have fought the good fight."  I want us to look at the soldier and the conflict.  Thinking also of those who went away to fight in wars.

Firstly there is a day of enrolment.  When the young soldier signs up, puts his name on a piece of paper to say joining the army to send him wherever he was sent.  That young man went away.  Depending on a real transaction, realise look back to a day when he enrolled in the army, take him on to the battle.  God calls each of us today.  The bible says he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to him and be saved.  We look to Calvary and see Christ with his arms outstretched to encompass everyone.  There has to be a day of enrolment before going into the battle.  When signed up giving his all.  The young man has no jurisdiction of his own.  Whenever we come to Christ, when we boy our knee at Calvary, repent of our sin, done with that past life we are giving our all to him.  Have we enrolled today?  Are you a child of God today?  Can the Lord direct your life?  Can e send you wherever he desires?  Remember Paul and Silas in the prayer group at Antioch.  The word came "separate unto me Paul and Barnabas for the work I have called them to."  Can we trust God to send us wherever he wants us to go."  In Acts 16 we read something of the background of young Timothy.  Paul refers to him as a believer - pointing back to a day when he heard the word of God.  Timothy turned from his sin and trusted Christ as Saviour.  Now Paul could take him with him on his journey.  He was no longer where he could be.  He needed to go and tell others about Christ, even leaving him at Ephesus.  We need to turn to the Lord today, trust him as Saviour and Lord.

The soldier that was going to do battle soon finds the enemy is real.  No longer in the enrolment station, given all to the British Army, now he is standing in the trenches.  The bullets are all around him.  Now he knows he has an enemy.  Maybe he heard about the armies of Europe rising up but now he knows they are real.  These young men didn`t realise the enemy until they were in that army uniform.  We know nothing of the enemy until we put on Christ`s robe of righteousness.  Paul says this battle is real.  Ephesians 6 we wrestle not against flesh and blood.  Are we wrestling today?  "but against principalities and spiritual darkness in high places."  The devil will attack sometimes through human flesh, through someone in the family, through our neighbours, someone in the fellowship.  We have to be careful.  We have to use discernment, to realise this is devil.  This is the enemy.  The young soldier realises there is a real enemy.  1 Peter 5 "be sober, be vigilant for your adversary the devil is roaring about seeking whom he may devour, endure hardship."  Verse 3 "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."  Peter describes him as a roaring lion.  He wants to devour you.  The lion when he wants to instil fear he roars.  If you hear a lion roar it brings fear like never before.  You almost paralyse with fear.  The devil wants to prevent us from doing anything today, to stop us, stopping others coming to Christ.  The devil will hinder you in so many ways.  Many a soldier shell shocked will desert his post.  Why?  Because didn`t realise his enemy or his conflict.  We need to understand the conflict in God`s army today.  Subtle, crafty, do anything to devour you today.  Many a Christian soldier fell, has fallen because of something that was said.  There are times when we come under conflict.  The words can be sharp and even have to look further than that and understand the conflict.  Poor Demas a preacher, a stalwart, soldier with Paul.  Somehow the world got in to his life, the comforts he was missing out on, began to think if he was walking in the world I would be sure of certain things.  "Demas has forsaken me" Paul said.

Engaging with the enemy is another thing - verse 15.  "Study to show thyself approved."  When we study God`s word that is how to recognise the word of the Lord.  We are engaging with the enemy when you do that.  The young soldier knew what they had engaged in.  Enrolled in the army, standing in the trenches with a gun for the first time ever.  Now he is about to engage with the enemy.  That must have been terrifying.  You and I engage the enemy in so many different ways.  The young man in the trenches realises the bullets and shells are flying again.  A different war we as Christians are engaged in.  A battle with the enemy we are in.  Be careful to what we hear.  We can be discouraged to bring us down.  The devil is out to devour whom he will.  A battle in the spiritual warfare sense.  We have to be careful about the devices the devil brings against us.  The enemy used roadside bombs, tactics they used.  We are not ignorant of his devices.  Verse 16 "but shun profane and vain babblings for they will increase unto ungodliness."  Paul tells Timothy verse 15 "study to show thyself unto God."  Reading the word of God can bring the devil more real to you.  Praying can also be used.  The devil will do everything to stop you from doing either.  "Stir up the gift that is within you."  Paul reminded Timothy one time that is the enemy instead of.  Timothy stopping him from using his gift.  The enemy will feed the seeds of destruction and devastation into your heart.  Paul says "shun profane babblings"  Get rid of them Paul warned Timothy and the church.  We have a deceitful enemy tries to distract us from the place of prayer.  Remember Acts 6 murmuring going through the fellowship trying to stop preaching and prayer.  2 Timothy 1 verse 7 don`t despair the enemy would make us afraid, afraid to engage him.  Maybe we are saying I wouldn`t like to do that job because you would be afraid.  That is the enemy engaging.  God has not given us the spirit of fear.  There will be those who criticise.  For Timothy it was his youth.  The deception of those who profess to be saved and are not today.  That is the biggest problem we have today.  People who are apostates, deceivers today.  Paul said the devil can masquerade as a master of light.  Don`t think it strange.  His ministers come forth as ministers of light.  Engaging the enemy is what Paul talked about.

Endurance here that is exhorted.  We cannot run away in the conflict.  Think this is too hard.  Those young men who went into the conflict they had to endure all the conditions of battle.  I endure for the elects sake.  As soldiers there are endurance times, things not encouraging.  Keep on going, hold unto the Lord, looking to him.  We do know when God will answer the prayers we have been praying for so long.  Paul preached his heart out in Corinth.  People opposed to him.  People were not getting saved.  The Lord told him to endure.  Paul stayed for 2 1/2 years.  He didn`t run away. He bore the battle because the Lord asked him to do.  The Christian in conflict.  Are we in conflict today?

Confession of Moses' faith

Sermon notes from Sunday 17 November 2019 pm

Numbers 10 verses 29 - 36

You will be aware as we broke into this passage that we are dealing with a situation as Moses is leading the children of Israel across the wilderness to the promised land, of a conversation Moses is having with his relatives.  Verse 29 shows a confession of Moses` faith.  He is witnessing of what God is going to do "we are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said I will give it you."  When Paul was preaching the word of God he said "I am what I am by the grace of God." (1 Corinthians 15 verse 10) Are we what God would have us to be?  Are we taking the Lord as Saviour tonight?  The Psalmist could say "The Lord is my shepherd."  What a wonderful confession of faith.  We cannot look away to the church we belong to and say we follow them.  That has nothing to do with it.  The Psalmist David when fighting Goliath took 5 little stones.  Goliath laughed at this young boy`s attitude - to step out and face him.  David told him "I am coming to you in the name of the God of Israel."  He testified that when out in the wilderness with the sheep and the bear had come against the flock he had put it to death.  He could say "I shall not want."  Can we trace our story back to Calvary?  We are journeying to the place because God has promised it to us.  Pau said "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1 verse 12)  There is a day coming when we must leave this world behind and step into God`s eternity.  Paul was not worried about that day coming.  "I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4 verses 6 and 7)  He had no last minute plans or plots.  That is how we should be - ready to leave this sin cursed earth into the glories of heaven, into the presence of God for all eternity.  In Exodus 3 Moses was out in the wilderness with his sheep when he saw something he had never seen before.  He stood and marvelled at this bush burning but it was not consumed.  It should have gone up in smoke in the heat of the desert but it didn`t.  Moses decided to draw near and when he did God spoke to him.  That is how God works in our lives sometimes.  Perhaps through a time of sickness or disappointment.  Perhaps something happening around us in our families or circumstances or community.  God speaks to you through different means.  Will God speak to you tonight?  Will you make certain for heaven and home?  God has promised us this land and we are on our way to this land.  "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice,  harden not your hearts." (Hebrews 3 verses 7 and 8)  God spoke out of the burning bush.  "I have seen the affliction of Israel and I am sending you to my people."  God had seen what was going on.  Pharaoh however would not let the people go as God commanded right to the last plague when all the baby boys were killed.  Then he decided to let them go.  "We are going to the place God has promised" the people were able to say when they left Egypt.  Can you say you are here in this place because of the faith you have placed in Christ one day? It is a gift of God that you can take.  The Philippian jailer as he came into Paul and Silas` cell asked "what must I do to be saved?"  Have you ever asked that question yourself?  Here was a man prepared to do anything yet he got it wrong because there is nothing you can do to be saved.  It is a gift of God.  Accept it.  Make your way to Calvary.  Jesus is giving his life for you on the cross.  Accept what he has done for us.  Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Have you got that salvation tonight?  Simply believing in Christ is all it takes.  Moses` confession of faith.

His commitment to follow.  He saw the strong arm of the Lord in dealing with the enemy, breaking the power of Egyptians, now the people are marching to the Promised Land.  He is now following.  He believed and is now stepping out, was willing to prove God.  When the Lord came to where Matthew was sitting at the seat of custom he said to him "follow me."  Matthew arose and followed Christ.  2 actions were required.  He stood to his feet but then he had to put a step to his feet.  He had to follow after the Lord.  Moses could see what God had done.  He needed the answer.  God had promised the people the land.  Now he must follow.  James said "if any man be a hearer of the word and not a doer he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; For he beholdeth himelf and goeth his way and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he is."  He sees what has to be done then forgets about it and walks away.  God`s word can do nothing for us.  We need to look at Calvary.  What it means.  Jesus stepping into the world, taking the form of a man, allowing himself to be nailed to the cross, to have a crown of thorns placed on his brow.  We go back to that scene once more night after night.  People hear this message all to no avail.  God delivered men and women and set them free out of Egypt but they must follow after the Lord.  God broke the fetters on this people, set them gloriously free but now they must follow.  Many are free but not following Christ.  I wonder will you follow?  You say you believe in Christ, what he has done.  James said "thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well; the devil also believe and tremble." (James 2 verse 19)  Moses needed to move out of Egypt.

The confidence Moses had about the future.  "We are journeying unto the place which the Lord said I will give you."  Moses was looking for the land God had promised.  He was possessed of a hope that was steadfast and sure.  Are you sure of that place tonight?  Jesus said "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be also." (John 14 verse 3)  Moses kept his eye on the cloud when it moved and he knew it was time to get up and walk.  When it rested they stopped and waited.  We do not speculate about heaven tonight.  It is a certainty, whether we go there or not.  If you are saved you are on your way there.  The confidence of the future.  Joshua leading the people of Israel, going through the Jordan, when the priests lifted the ark of the covenant the people were to keep their eye on it.  "You haven`t travelled this way before."  We dare not miss the ark today.  We need to keep our eyes on Christ.  Are we following tonight?  The Psalmist said "yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."  Have you that confidence?

Moses` concern for his family.  "come thou with us".  Moses knew all that God had for his children, every promise he had and wanted to extend it to his family.  What a man.  We are on our way to heaven and home - have we invited anyone to come with us?  Have we said to our loved ones, asked them to be saved.  They need to come to Christ, trust him as Saviour and Lord.  Moses knew there was a land he was going to but he wanted others to be with him.  Is there a longing in our hearts to see our loved ones gathered with us there?  1 Thessalonians 2 verse 19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ as his coming?"  Rahab took the spies in, let them down with the crimson chord.  She asked for her family to be saved when they came back.  They told her to have the cord hanging when they returned.  She gathered as many as she could into that house so they could be saved and they were.  David said "no man careth for my soul." (Psalm 142 verse 4)  May we not be a people that have no concern for souls, selfishly going to heaven without attempting to bring our loved ones with us.

Barnabas - the son of consolation

Sermon notes from Sunday 17 November 2019

Acts 4 verses 32 - 37

This passage tells us about Joses or Joseph.  He was given a name by the apostles inner circle as Barnabas.  The interpretation of his name is the son of consolation or one who consoles.  A man who encourages, always seems to have the word of exhortation.  We live in an awful dark age and there is much discouragement and disappointment.  When we look at Barnabas this was a man who was always there.  It is good to have someone you can depend upon.  He is not the one to shout about it, a man who is always there.  We see that highlighted in his life qualities.  He is the man who stands out.

 

A distinguished man.  Barnabas was a man of experience, a man of God who followed the Lord Jesus.  Acts 11 verse 24 "he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith."  He was not just good by nature alone but with faith.  Many people were added to the church through him.  The wise man Solomon said in Proverbs 22 verse 1 "a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches."  This man was simply an encourager.  He stepped out when others stayed in the background.  These were difficult times for the church.  It was the first incident of persecution that had come against the church since Acts chapter 2.  Maybe you are as far as you can possibly go, so discouraged, can hardly lift your head from the pillow, feel cannot go on another step, things have been turning against you.  Somehow you feel you cannot go on.  Take encouragement from this man.  Maybe this morning you need a word of encouragement or consolation or maybe it is possible God wants to use you as that encourager.  Is there someone you know who is going through difficult times and you could be there for them?  Maybe you are the person to take that opportunity.  Barnabas was that kind of man, he was a man whose glass was half full.  He doesn`t listen to Murphy`s Law - if it can go wrong it will go wrong.  This man got up and made himself useful.  This was a distinguished man.  He had a special quality - verse 32.  He was one of them in the number.  Are you in that number today?  Would set this man apart.  He was saved by God`s grace.  Remember when Peter spoke on the day of Pentecost, he preached the gospel of saving grace.  Isn`t it tremendous to see the work of salvation?  It is through the preaching of the word of God that men should be saved.  If we lose that preaching, the anointed preaching of God`s grace that we will see men and women saved.  It is important to invite people in.  The Lord could come at any moment in time.  If that happened there would be many in our families lost and lost for eternity.  We see here the preaching of Peter and God sent the Holy Spirit as a result.  It is through the Holy Spirit that the word of God is applied to every heart.  Remember when Jesus asked his disciples "whom do men say that I am?"  Peter replied "thou art the Christ the son of the living God."  Jesus replied "blessed are you for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you but my Father which is in heaven."  Here on this day of Pentecost Peter preached the word of God and men and women cried out "what will we do?"  The repy came back "repent and be saved."  Barbanas was distinguished because he responded to God`s word.  Elisha as he passed by the woman`s house, she saw him continually coming.  She knew that there was something different about him.  She couldn`t ignore him.  Remember Daniel carried into Babylon, used there to come in before the kings and interpret the dreams.  Belshazzar threw a feast one day for all his princes when all of a sudden handwriting appeared on the wall.  It brought everything to a standstill.  We can be enjoying life to the fullest and all of a sudden there is the writing on the wall.  None of the wise men could tell the king what this meant until the king`s grandmother came in.  She remembered a time in Nebuchadnezzar`s life when he had a dream and one man distinguished himself.  She told Belshazzar "there is a man in the kingdom in whom there is the spirit of the Holy Ghost."  Barnabas was an encourager, a consoler.  He brought comfort.  He was a child of God.  That is what distinguished him.  We need to have experience of being brought into the kingdom of God.  Verse 36 shows he was from the tribe of Levi, one of the 12 sons of Jacob, the order of the priesthood is given to this tribe.  That family was to organise and help in the temple house of God.  They owned no land of their own, they were not to buy land of their own.  This man however owned land.  He came from a good heritage but he still needed to be saved.  Maybe we have a good background, perhaps even attending church every week.  Saul was brought up in a strict religious home but he still needed to be saved.  Am I one of the multitude today?  He was a distinguished man.

He was also a dependable man.  James describes such a man as "not unstable or double minded".  A man of God and in the work of God.  Barnabas will be be there every time, you could trust in him.  Think of another couple whom Paul trusted so well - Priscilla and Aquilla.  Acts 12 firstly they had to leave their home, they had to up sticks and move away because of persecution.  In chapter 18 verse 2 we read "Paul found a certain Jew called Aquilla ... because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome."  We then read "and because he was of the same craft he abode with them."  Galatians 2 verse 9 speaks of James, Cephas or  Peter and John who "seemed to be pillars."  We need to be similar in the church.  Joshua and Caleb were sent out into the land to investigate and bring back a report.  They came back with a glowing report but all the rest of the spies were not happy.  Caleb and Joshua stood up in front of everyone.  We need people who want to get things done, are dependable.  Verse 23 when the disciples were released "they went to their own company."  Peter had been arrested by the Saduccees and were threatened but they came together to pray.  Barnabas was dependable.  It is good to be dependable.  Someone you can trust.  Samuel was a small boy when his mother took him up to the temple and gave him back to the Lord.  He was a gift from God.  Hannah told Eli "this is the child I prayed for and God has blessed me.  Now I am giving him back to the Lord."  Think of Samuel each day getting up and openng the doors of the temple and then at night closing them again.  He grew up to be the greatest prophet Israel ever had.  He was always there.  Dependable.  To do the chores requested of him.  Could God depend on you?  Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher had the privilege of opening the boiler room to show those who were praying for him.

A man of discernment.  Verse 34 and 37.  The church had many needs at this time.  He was discerning enough to see the need.  He could see what was happening there.  In chapter 11 he was sent down to Antioch to see the work of God.  Barnabas went down.  He realised what these people needed.  He saw the people being saved, transformed and changed.  Here was a need.  This congregation needed something - chapter 11 verse 25.

A man of devotion.  "having land he sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet."  The discerning man sees what needs to be done, sees what is happening.  The devoted man does something about it.  Devoted to the one who save his soul.  He had some land, took it and sold it and gave the money to the apostles to be used wherever it was needed.  He didn`t say someone else can do it, he did what he could.  The woman with the alabaster box of ointment had done all she could.  God does not ask one more thing than is needed.  Barnabas was willing to give to what people needed.  Are we prepared to give what others need?  We can give no less if saved by God`s grace.  God doesn`t want the scraps or left overs  He wants all we have today.  This man took all he had.  It cost Barnabas greatly to put everything he had into the work of God.  Are we putting everything into the work of God, giving God all we have?  Are we devoted today or just getting by in the Christian experience?  Never really giving what it costs in terms of finance, time, abilities and gifts?

A welcome visit

Sermon notes from Sunday 3 November 2019

Mark 6 verse 53 - 56

Mark sets out for us a challenge.  The thought of a welcome visit.  Here we see the Lord approaching Gennesaret.  It is a welcome visit.  Many will feel the benefit of his visit there.  Maybe God tonight will touch our hearts.  Maybe he will speak as he did to Lydia at the riverside on the Sabbath day.  As Mark puts forth this challenge there is a challenge for each of us saved or not.  How big is God?  Jesus exercises his power and authority over the very natures around us.  Not many could take 5 loaves and 2 fishes from the hand of a young boy, break them and feed over 5000 people.  Not too many would step on the waters and walk to Jesus himself.  He was able to do that.  Not too many could heal.  Many of you are saying `I couldn`t be saved.`  The Lord is able to save.  He walked on water and says "all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  He can make you a new creature, give you a new name, new aims and goals but he starts with your sin.

The plight Jesus faces.  As he steps off this boat and steps onto the shore and makes his way into Gennesaret the people recognised him.  In the midst of that voyage there was a real storm in the boat.  Jesus walked across the waters and brought comfort to his disciples.  We find the people recognised him.  They brought all out to meet him.  People that were in beds of sickness just to let him touch those people.  Do we see the consequences of seeing people going out into a lost eternity tonight?  What a terrible plight for such people.  Here was a people who recognised the need, gathered all that were sick in those villages.  Verse 55 they were sick but none too sick for him to heal.  Verse 57 "that they might touch" and "as many as touched him were made whole."  There are many who need that touch from the Lord tonight.  Only if you reach out and touch the Lord.  Maybe the Lord has spoken to you before.  Clinging onto something that is not real.  The Lord cannot save you if you will not reach out.  They were not only sick but they had to be carried.  Could do nothing to help themselves.  Not one of us can help ourselves because of our sin.  God in his great love for us had to send his only son because he loved us, he cared for us, doesn`t want to see us lost.  He died and shed his blood that we might be saved.  What a Saviour.  Verse 55 they brought them to where Jesus was.  No point in bringing them to a place where he wasn`t.  So too we need to bring people to where Jesus is.  Not to a place whre his name is never mentioned.  We cannot do that.  Think of the woman bound for some 18 years sitting in the synagogue.  She hadn`t straightened for 18 years.  Sabbath after Sabbath going through the motions.  She would hear all the singing and preaching, came in and out just as she was.  One day the Lord sought her, called her to where he was, brought perfect healing to her body.  The Lord still calls us to himself.  The situation in our lives when he went out on the streets.  He saw all the sick, he did not rush away from it.  Another time he went into the temple, saw those lying around the pool of Siloam, some couldn`t walk, some were blind.  He didn`t shy away from coming for everyone.  That night in Gethsemane when he realised what would happen in days to come, when he had to die on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world he said "not my will but thine be done."  The Lord has done that for you and I.  Will you come to Christ, will you trust him?  The Lord wants you to be saved.  That is why he took the form of a servant, why he came into the world in the first place.

The passion he saw.  He saw people who wanted to be well, to be healed.  He saw those who maybe were helped on the streets.  Friends had gone out and brought them to the place where Jesus was.  They wanted those people to come to Jesus.  A ray of hope is in their hearts, jumped at the chance to meet Jesus.  People had to consent to come and be healed.  I`m sure there were those who said no to the invite to come and be healed.  There are those tonight as we meet them they cannot be bothered to come and hear the message of God`s salvation.  These are the lies and excuses of the enemy, the devil.  Remember how Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, spoke to them about their sin.  They were those who stood in the synagogue, brought and preached the word of God.  They would not come and have eternal life.  This people acknowledged they were sick.  That is what we must do first - acknowledge that we have sinned.  People acknowledged they were sick and if so they could be healed.  The Pharisees stood in condemnation of Jesus when they socialised with sinners.  They couldn`t get over this, never thought they were sinners in need of Christ themselves.  Jesus rebuked them.  "they that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick."  If you want to be saved you have to acknowledge you are a sinner.  It is the greatest acknowledgement we have to make.  If you haven`t done that you are not saved.  Here were a people who had a passion to be saved.  Jesus says "him that cometh to me he will not be cast out."

The privilege Jesus offers.  Simplicity of it all.  Just to touch the hem of his garment.  People recognised Christ, then they lifted up their voices, prayed that if they could touch the hem of his garment these people could be saved.  Maybe there is one who is praying for you right now.  Jesus came right where they were, offered this great remedy for those people.  Like the woman who suffered for 12 years, one touch of the masters garment and she was gloriously healed.  Have you called on the Lord tonight?  Called on his name to save you?  There were many on that day when the woman touched his hem.  The people were pushing and shoving but only he recognised and acknowledged the woman.  Maybe there is only one call tonight that God will recognise.  You have come to the point where you realise you need to be saved, you have to call on the Lord.  Coming from a heart that is broken.  A heart that is truthful.  Will you call on the Lord?  What a privilege it was for Bartimaeus that day.  Jesus passed by him.  He also passed by Zacchaeus in the tree.  "For by grace are you saved through faith it is not of ourselves it is a gift of God."  Have you that grace tonight?  Are you saved?  You cannot have a foot in both worlds tonight.  Jesus didn`t ask how long they had been sick.  They touched his garment and they were healed.  Didn`t ask what manner of sickness they had or what was the nature of that illness.  Knew only one touch and they were healed.  Are you afraid to come tonight?  To acknowledge you are a sinner?

The prize they achieved.  "As many as touched him where made whole."  Christ has taken your sin, made it his very own on his body when he died.  He bore it on the cross of Calvary.  He hung and suffered until he cried "it is finished."  Are you saved by God`s grace?  Has your sin been placed on him?  Have you eternal life tonight?  Will you make sure tonight?

Men and women of vision

Sermon notes from Sunday 3 November 2019 am

Romans 1 verses 8 - 17

Men and women of vision.  What is a man or woman of vision?  Someone who sees something that is not here but could be there.  That the mighty hand of God could bring upon such a man as Martin Luther - Proverbs 29 verse 18 "where there is no vision the people perish."  Martin Luther got the name of the monk that shook the world.  He was a devout Roman Catholic who entered the Augustine monastery.  He was entering to find peace with God.  He had a troubled heart.  He realised something needed to be done.  He needed a relationship with God.  He couldn`t find any one to tell him where it was.  God took this one young man and he changed the world through him.  The apostles in the early days were men who turned the world upside down.  The Pharisees, scribes and leaders saw something about them.  They had to say of them that they were men of no education, no learning, no upbringing but they acknowledged they had been with Jesus.  That is what makes the difference.  Martin Luther changed the world.  Matthew 5 verse 14 "ye are the light of the world."  You and I are those who have acknowledged we are sinners in the sight of a holy God, have trusted him to save and take away our sins, to make us new creatures in Christ.  When we flick a switch today the light illuminates the whole room.  Have we made a change in our homes from the moment we were saved, in our families, in the work place, in our communities in which we live?  Do we take time in the morning to open up the scriptures?  Before we retire at night do we remember the Lord? 

The first thing I notice about a man or woman of vision is this - a man or woman is observant.  He sees things happening around him.   Martin Luther saw things that were not right in his own heart and in his local church.  He had a hunger for God.  He had several close encounters with death - he was once struck by lightening and on another occasion severed an artery.  That maybe brought him to a reality - if he was cut down in death he had no future.  He was taught the act of penance and going without if necessary.  He felt that if he went into the monastery he would meet other young men in a similar situation.  He was being brought to the place of the cross.  That is where we need to get to today.  Not easy believism, not living with a smile on our faces and everything is just fine.  The rich young ruler in Jesus` day came seeking after eternal life.  He got down before the Lord.  The Lord gave him an ultimatum.  You can have the world or me.  He made a choice that day.  He wanted to keep his riches and with that he turned his back on the Lord.  Isaiah had a vision one day and his response was "woe unto me for I am a man of unclean lips."  It is not just a profession from the lips but an expression from the deep desires of our soul.  Isaiah`s life comes crashing down that day when he had the vision in the temple.  He could see others amongst whom he lived who were in a similar situation.  Luther realised his heart was wrong then he realised his church was also wrong.  Isn`t that where revival begins - doesn`t it really bring it home to us when we see the love of God and the need of those around us?  This Reformation movement happened some 500 years ago.  They tell us today that the Reformation was a mistake, it should never have happened.  We have more to unite us than to divide us.  That is where you and I need to be careful.  We are living in a day that is dark.  We need discernment now more than ever.  In Acts 6 the early disciples were men of discernment, could see things happening in the fellowship.  Souls were being saved and that angered the devil.  The devil will never be far behind when souls are being saved.  The devil wanted the church closed down.  Why?  Because God was adding to the church daily such as should be saved.  In Acts 3 and 4 the devil tried to stop the disciples proclaiming the gospel but that didn`t work.  He tried a more subtle approach.  There was money coming into the fellowship that was divided up amongst those that needed it.  There was a small group who felt they were not getting what should have got.  They complained about the disciples.  The devil was sowing the seed of discord amongst the men and women of the early church - why - because people were getting saved.  Those disciples were however men and women of vision.  They decided to give themselves to prayer and the word of God.  The devil was trying to stop the word of God and they realised that Satan was trying to stop the preaching and praying in the church.  Satan will stop you in the prayer meeting.  He will stop you in the pulpit.  It doesn`t matter what happens, we need to be praying and seeking God - why - because we need the men in the pulpit preaching the word of God.  Satan knows how to get into your home and into your life.  He is a subtle person.  The man of vision is a man who is observant.  When Philip came to Samaria in Acts looking all around him that he saw the need of the people to hear the gospel.  He began to preach, people were delivered of demon spirits, healed and set free.  He saw what was needed.  We need God to open our hearts and see what we need and what people all around us need.  When Jesus came to Genesaret the people ran to him.  We need people like John Wesley, Witcliffe, men of vision who could see what was needed to be done.

The man or woman of vision is objective.  Martin Luther had a goal in his heart and mind - to get right with God.  He spoke to an older priest who advised him to read the bible.  Martin Luther and the priests led the people through a procession in the city.  Then Martin Luther took a hammer and nails and nailed a piece of paper with 95 thesis on it.  He wanted to see things done.  Tyndale translated the bible into English, the mother tongue.  He wanted to see every person in England able to read the bible  Some people were in disagreement but Tyndale stood to his feet and said "I will cause the boy that drives the plough in England to know more of the word of God."  We have a godly heritage today, we need to hold onto it.  He caused the Protestant Reformation which we still celebrate 500 years later.  There are people who will argue and say it is a mistake.  Luther was outraged at the way Rome raised money through the sale of indulgences.  When someone bought an indulgence they were buying something that would take some of their family out of purgatory.  "When the coin in the offering rings the soul from purgatory it does spring."    Martin Luther realised when a soul comes to the foot of the cross he is saved by God`s grace, nothing the Poplle could provide.  Martin Luther was a man of vision.  He took action.  Bring it down to ourselves today.  Have we that objective today?  Those disciples in Acts 6 realised enemy was trying to get in.  They had a goal or aim.  They didn`t want the prayer house to be stopped.  These men had objective.  We cannot do that.  We cannot do that.  Love the place of prayer and reading of the word of God.  This argument was going on, that there was not enough money being given to the poor and widows.  The devil was only using that to cause division.  Have you a niggle in your heart and the devil is taking it and using it, holds onto it to try and trip us up.  When we go to bed at night we think about it.  The devil uses these things.  These men were men of vision.  They asked the church to choose out 7 men of good report, full of the Holy Ghost, men of understanding.  They asked them to go and sort it out.  They would take the problem away from the disciples.  Whatever is in your heart today take it to the Lord, get it sorted out today.  Luther was a man who took action.  The devil knows what does annoy us and hinder us. 

The man of vision is a man of obedience.  We have to obey the word of God.  Luther was put out of the Roman Catholic church.  It is not easy to stand against all the priests and bishops in a world were this was the main church.  "The just shall live by faith".  What a privilege we have today to have the word of God today all because of men like Martin Luther.  If it hadn`t been for men like him and others read to stand up and be counted, to be killed for the faith.  If not for men like these we would be still living to please a holy God through all sorts of means.  We worship today because when Jesus died on the cross he satisfied an angry God.  He was pleased with what was offered  That is what saves us today.  "As did Peter we ought to obey God rather than men." Martin Luther said.  We need to take our stand today as did the apostles of old.  We need to keep the doors to the prayer meeting open and the preaching of God`s word sanctified.  We see the enemy getting in, seeing the children`s work dwindling away.  It is not just happening in our church but others.  We ought to be on our knees praying.  The disciples didn`t want to give up praying and preaching.  They appointed others to sort out the problem in the early church.  Have we the same vision today? 

                                                                                                                                                    

Hannah`s bitterness of soul

Sermon notes from Monday 28 October 2019 Bobby McKay

1 Samuel 1

"Bitterness of soul" verse 10.  This was Hannah`s problem.  When she came into the temple Hannah was hard of heart.  She wept sore in the temple.  You might have a heavy burden on your heart tonight.  She wanted to have a child because of her husband.  In those days the husband could take a second wife just to have a child.  Hannah`s husband did that and his second wife had lots of children.  Hannah wanted to please her husband so much - verse 5 "but the Lord had shut up her womb."  The Lord gave her this problem.  He was going to work out a plan and purpose in her life.  It could be a problem we have with a husband, a son or a daughter, or health and it lies heavy on your heart.  People go to medical doctors, feel nothing can be done for them.  Like the woman with the issue of blood.  She then tried Jesus and her problem was cured.  Some people go through life and have a miserable existence, not able to function correctly.  Hannah knew what the problem was.  The Lord gave her the problem.  Sin is a problem, a burden on us.  Until that burden goes from us we will never have peace.  If you are going through something at the moment the Lord has allowed you to have the pain.  For Hannah it was something inside, not something visible.  Her husband could see it on her face.  Her countenance was sad.  He asked her "am I not better to you that 10 sons?" (verse 8)  Hannah went to the place where she could find help - she went into the temple of God.  You are in God`s house and are here for a reason because God wants to speak to you.  A problem in your heart.  I can solve it but you have to be honest with God.  She had a heart of pain, she felt so alone.  You might find yourself in this situation, all alone, who will help me in this situation?  Hannah went into the temple.  Hannah`s patience.  How long did she carry the problem for?  Verse 4 going on for years.  Her sons and daughters, other wife had more than one of each.  Year after year it had been going on for.  The devil was doing everything in his power from stopping you in coming to the Lord.  The devil was stopping her from ending this pain.  Her patience was wearing thin, at a point where could take no more.  She had a prayer.  We read in verse 10 "and prayed unto the Lord and wept sore."  This prayer was a sorrowful prayer.  A prayer from the heart.  Not lip service given today.  She could take no more.  She wept sore.  Determined to get through to God.  Maybe tonight you need to have that determination to get through to God.  She carried this problem long enough, perhaps for years and years.  Her prayer was sorrowful.  It was also silent.  No-one could hear what she was saying.  Maybe you have been silently praying for this problem.  No-one could care less about her, even her husband was getting fed up with her attitude.  Maybe you are feeling pressure in your home, in your family tonight.  She was like that.  It was also a spiritual soul that God would hear.  That makes all the difference, not just hitting the ceiling and came back down again.  Hannah made a promise to the Lord "if you give me a son I will give him back to you."  She made a vow - verse 11.  People make a vow and they never hold unto them.  "If you get me out of this situation then I will go to church and pray and read my bible."  People have done this constantly, situations have been difficult and when those situations become better never see them again.  Maybe God has brought you through difficulties in your life but you have forgotten about him since.  Hannah made a promise to God.  People tell you the Christian life is boring.  God has given us a life full of promises not of man but of God.  Salvation is real tonight.  There is a God who is real and precious tonight.  Hannah made this promise when she went into the temple and prayed .  Eli thought she was drunk. She was given a promise to her by Eli - verse 17.  Wouldn`t it be wonderful if you went out of here with peace in your heart instead of pain.  The Lord takes the burdens.  The blood of Jesus Christ God`s son cleanseth us from all sin.  The cross is where the Son of God paid the price for our sin.  He gave his life`s blood for our salvation.  The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Couldn`t deny the peace God gave us.  When I became a Christian not a bed of roses but when you have problems you take them to the Lord.  He sorts them all out.  Cast your burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain you.  He shall never let the righteous be moved.  Not only peace in your heart.  Her countenance also changed - verse 18.  She had peace in the heart.  She had peace in the home.  Maybe the situation didn`t change right away.  Peace, knowing she had left her burden with the Lord.  She had also peace with her husband.  When Jesus comes in our heart not only changed but the home, the heart, everything changes.  That is what Jesus does.  Your heart can change dramatically.  You have to come.  All Jesus wants you to do is try and sort it out.  Come as you are right now.  If anything you take out of this meeting Romans 10 verse 9 "that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart thou shalt be saved."  Hannah had tremendous peace in her heart, home and with her husband.  It all changed.  What problem is.  What are you going to do with it.  Maybe it is a sinful problem never been saved.  Wanted to come forward but something stopped you.  Wouldn`t it be great to know the peace of God that passeth all understanding.  Jesus is more powerful than the enemy.  He will set you free, set you on the road to eternity.

The call to Moses

Sermon notes from Tuesday 29 October 2019 Prayer Meeting

Exodus 4 verses 10 - 13

Thinking of Moses at this point in his life.  A man of some 80 years of age.  He had spent 40 years in Egypt and now he is in the wilderness.  The Lord has separated this day from any other day.  He had never experienced anything like this before.  Like Lydia when she left all aside on the Sabbath day.  She was a religious lady.  She set everything aside to be where the women gathered to pray.  She had a desire to be there.  Nothing else in her mind that day.  The most important thing in her mind as she went to that prayer meeting.  She met with God.  We can sit in all the meetings we want, listen to the greatest preachers, hear the best testimonies but what we really need is an individual word from the Lord.  For 40 years he had been minding the sheep.  Every day he took them up to new pastures, guarding them against the enemy, then one day he meets with God.  This day turns out different.  We long for something different in our prayer time.  We all need an individual meeting with God.  That God would come with real freshness to us.  That is all we need in this day and age.  40 years of reflection.  When he made that mistake all those years ago 40 years he has reflected on it.  No doubt the devil told him he was a failure.  The devil shows us all our failures.  When we don`t do what God asks us to do the devil throws it up time and time again.  He is called "the accuser of the brethren." (Revelation 12 verse 10)  Hypocrites he calls us  He is best at doing that.  The testimony of the rod last week - what is that in your hands - it is a rod - God showed him what he would do with it.  The secrecy of the rod, the surrender of the rod.  It has to be cast down before anything could happen to it.  The sufficiency of the rod. 

Through it all we come to the rest of Moses` response.  Want to see what he is really made of.  Moses comes under challenging view of God.  He sees the burning bush that never goes out.  Moses steps aside to see this.  God speaks to him out of the bush.  Now under the attention of God`s word.  It searched Moses` heart.  We should always allow the word of God to search out hearts.  God`s word is a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path.(Psalm 119 verse 105)  It pierces and divides into our hearts.(Hebrews 4 verse 12) Moses also listened intently to what God had to say to him.  God would take this shepherd of the desert and restore unto him the years that the locusts had eaten.(Joel 2 verse 25)  He would send him back to Egypt.  God doesn`t turn his back on us.  He is the God of the second chance.  Jesus singles out from the disciples to make sure Peter was told that he had risen again.  Moses standing at the burning bush he is searching out the word of God, taking everything God is saying to him.  He didn`t want to miss out on this second opportunity.  It is good to search the word of God, not merely reading it.  What does it mean to me?  The situation around me.  The people around me too.  Remember the Bereans in Acts 17.  Paul and the team had to flee for their lives from Thessalonica but when they came to Berea it says they "received the word of God and searched the word of God daily."  That word that is used "search the scriptures" means a forensic term.  The police use it when they come to a scene of crime - everything is sealed off, don`t plod in, everything is set aside and done meticulously, examined, tested.  There is another thought behind it - to interrogate.  These people they set everything else aside and listened to what the preacher said.  Examined every word he said and lined it up with the word of God.  That is where we need to be careful.  Bereans listened to everything Paul preached then took it home and searched it out for themselves.  Another thought of interrogation.  When stand in court barrister takes every word that is said and breaks it up, could it mean a totally different thing from what originally thought?  Moses was like that at the burning bush, taking every syllable in, did not want to miss out.  Verse 10 argument "I am not eloquent."  Verse 9 "they will not believe me."  Every argument he can use not to go.  Verse 13 "send someone else."  This could be used to searching the word of God.  God will challenge us about task we need to do for him, saying we are not able to speak then who would really believe me.  Before long we are saying send someone else to do it.  Moses listened well.  It would be difficult going back to the day where he failed God in the first place.  The devil was bring that before him.  The devil does that today.  They will not believe me, send someone else.  The argument he puts up.

The assurance he gets - verses 11 and 12.  "who hath made man`s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing or the blind? have not I the Lord?  Now therefore go and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say."  He was given assurance from the Lord himself.  Paul said to Timothy "everyone has left me but not the Lord.  He stood with me and strengthened me." (2 Timothy 4 verse 16)  Philippians 4 verse 19 "my God shall supply all your needs ."  That comes on the back of something.  There was a group of people in Philippi being faithful to Paul.  Sent him many gifts supporting him for the work and way of God.  Maybe sacrificially giving, leaving those with very little.  Maybe Paul understood couldn`t give as much as they are giving.  Paul receives it gratefully and he responds to them "my God shall supply all your need."  "I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4 verse 13)  Moses asked for someone else to be sent.  2 Corinthians 9 Paul lived with a thorn in the flesh.  We don`t know what it really was.  Something that annoyed him, prayed a multitude of times "will you take this away Lord."  Yet the word came back I will not but my grace is sufficient.  Moses needed that same grace.  He didn`t need to argue with the Lord.  He couldn`t do it because the Lord would help him going with him.  Every task the Lord asks you and I he stands with us.  Even Daniel in the lions den God sent an angel.  Every place the Lord asks us to go he goes with us.  Sometimes when we go through the valley it is easy to forget the Lord is with us.

The answer that came - verse 14 "the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses."  The Lord was angry.  The Lord told Moses "you don`t need anyone else but as you requested Aaron will go with you."  At that point Moses missed the blessing of God because Aaron was the spokesperson before Pharaoh.