God's star in the darkness

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2022

ESTHER CHAPTER 4 - GOD'S STAR IN THE DARKNESS

"And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1 verse 5)  Light is stronger than darkness.  "Where sin abounded grace does much more abound."  

Here is a wonderful story.  There are 2 books in the bible called after women - Ruth and Esther.  Esther lived at a crucial time in history.  She was a very attractive woman.  Her name means 'beautiful".  In the Greek "star".  In the Persian "beauty".  Here is a girl growing up as God's beautiful star in a dark environment.  Ahasuerus the king was known for his brutality and lust for power, a greed to possess more land.  His empire stretched from India to Ethiopia but he was not content, he wanted to annex Greece to his empire.  He decided to go into battle with the Greeks and when he had annexed the land he would throw a bridge across from his land to it.  He threw a great banquet in chapter 1 which lasted 6 months.  People came and celebrated with him before he went to battle.  He called for his wife Vashti to attend the banquet.  He wanted to show her off but she refused to attend.  She was deposed as a result, no longer was queen.  Some would say they thought she didn't attend because she was pregnant at the time.  Ahasuerus went off to battle and was defeated.  He returned 4 months later deflated and humiliated.  He returned to Shushan in 479 BC in what is now modern day Iran.  Since Vashti had been deposed a new queen had to be found.  This is where Esther comes into the story.  She passed all the tests and became queen.  She was a Jewess.  We read of her coronation and resolution.  In her day the Jewish people triumphed over adversity all because of her actions.  Since then she is remembered annually by the Jewish people all over the world.

She has a fascinating history - not in the amount of information given about her but reading between the lines.  She had no family tree available.  She would have been born to Jewish parents, was not of the royal line.  She had no great academic knowledge.  God takes the ordinary things to accomplish extraordinary purposes.  That should encourage us today - "not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." (1 Corinthians 1 verse 26)  God rules overall to save today.  We know we have his presence today.  The master of all things and all time and all people can be my master and my Lord.  Esther was an orphan and then was adopted by her cousin Mordecai.  She was taken under his wing, nurtured and cared for.  She was chosen to be queen and of course was crowned.  A fascinating sequence of events.  Surely we can see that in our own lives?  We too were like orphans because of the nature and condition we were born in - without God, without hope.  Jesus said to his disciples when he was leaving them "I will send the comforter, I will not leave you comfortless."  That word is the word orphan.  We are not orphans today because of the grace of God.  Here is a little girl growing up with no parents alive but she has a friend who cares for her.  I am a child of adoption.  God has sent his spirit into my life and it is the spirit of adoption.  We become adopted into God's family.  Even if there was a boy adopted into a Jewish family before a natural born heir came into the family the natural born heir did not take away the inheritance of the adopted boy.  He was still entitled to everything that the family possessed.  I am entitled to everything that God has given to me.  I am adopted into Christ's family today.  Selected, elected.  Every person who trusts in Jesus is spoken of as being the elect of God  There are some who say there are those who are elected to be saved and others to be lost.  The bible tells us that all who come to Christ are elected in Christ.  This woman was selected and elected.  The Lord said "ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you."  Everything is built on that relationship with Christ.  I am adopted, I am no longer an orphan, I am chosen.  One day I will be crowned.  It is assured.  It is coming by and by when the Lord will come in power.

There is a demanding duty in this girls life.  She now has a position.  In those days the only way you could be called by the king was when the sceptre was held out to you.  Esther didn't know there would come a crisis and she would have to step up to the mark.  4 years later in the vast empire under Ahasuerus and the controlling man Haman, there were 15 million Jews living.  In Ahasuerus' empire 500,000 of those Jews lived in Shushan.  These people were going to be destroyed.  At the beginning of the year a plan was put in place that by the twelfth month the Jews would be destroyed.  Esther had a duty.  Having learned of the great anguish through her chamber maids and ultimately through Mordecai, she realised something had to be done.  She had to stand up and be counted.  They needed someone to be faithful to them.  God needed someone to be faithful to him at this time.  "We all have our own circle set around us of good out of which opportunities continually arise.  May not be far reaching or so far surrounding as another mans are but they are our opportunities and they are far reaching for us."  God will bring opportunities, challenges that are meant for us, not something grandiose beyond our capacity or beyond our influence that we can be his instruments at a crucial time in history.  We are called to be salt and light.  To shine as lights in this dark world.  Esther was called a star in the Greek language.  "Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its savour wherewith shall it be salted?  it is thenceforth good for nothing but to b cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.  Ye are the light of the world." (Matthew 5 verses 13 and 14)  Paul told the Philippians in chapter 2 verse 15 "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."  We are called to be intercessors, to pray without ceasing.  It is not beyond our capabilities to be intercessors today.  "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of."  Wouldn't it be wonderful to be part of something more than the armies of this world are a part of?  Remember what Jesus told his disciples "ye are my witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1 verse 8)  Let us see the duty God has placed on us, to say like Esther "I am for this hour, for this kingdom for such a time as this."  She agreed to go and see the king even if it cost her her life.  She was prepared to put her life on the line for the Lord.

Esther was a star that shone.  We find this young woman shining in a service that is costly "if I perish I perish."  Jesus said "he that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." (John 12 verse 25)  Jim Elliott said "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  Esther was a faithful woman.  Imagine coming into the palace room, the size of which covered one acre of ground.  She could have been easily missed.  She stood waiitng to see if the king would hold out the sceptre towards her.  Today the sceptre is always held out to God's people.  We can touch the sceptre at any time.  Now we are accepted in the beloved.  He is waiting to hear our request.  She was willing to be faithful unto death.  A sacrifice that triumphed.  The plot was uncovered.  There was a tremendous victory, an ultimate victory over evil.  "Every knee shall bow and every tongue sall confess to the glory of God the Father."  We are on the side that has already won the victory.  The victory was purchased on Calvary.  Christ rose for us, he has won the victory over sin and evil in the world.  The victory is in the hands of the sovereign Lord.  The Lord was working in Esther's day.  Here is a lasting memory.  These things are written for our admonition.  Her loyalty, her success, her sacrifice reached beyond earthly treasure and riches in that day.  The memory of the Jews is blessed.  The bible says "the people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits."  Let me be an Esther in the twentieth century that shines brightly for Jesus.  "It is better to venture and have an honourable death than live a shameful life."  The SAS regiment is known for its great exploits and bravery.  They have a simple motto - "who dares wins".  If we don't dare we will not win but thank God as we try with him we shall win with him.  What an inspiration Esther is to us today.  What possibilities there are for us in grace in Jesus who was crucified, risen, exalted and is soon coming again.  Our lives are hidden with Christ in God.  By grace he can make us all that he wants us to be, to be used until he comes again.

 

The courage of Peter's work, the clarity of Peter's word and the crown Peter received

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2022

ACTS 11 VERSES 11 - 18

We left Peter coming down from the roof top when he had seen the vision of the sheet with animals no Jew could eat.  What a challenge!  It left him with a choice too.  God was beginning to change the direction in which the church was going.  It all came about through a time of prayer on the rooftop.  Peter was "in Joppa praying".  A word of testimony.  The bible says "we ought always to pray and not to faint" (Luke 18 verse 1).  1 Thessalonians 5 verse 17 says "pray without ceasing".  In Acts 10 a Roman centurion was pleading with the God of heaven for the salvation of his soul.  He realised he needed to do something about it.  When God heard that prayer he decided to answer it.  God's ear is ever open to our prayer.  He is with us in every circumstance we find ourselves in.  Notice the angel told Cornelius "who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."  He couldn't save himself nor could Peter but it was God's words that would save him.  This would be another tremendous day for the church in Jerusalem.  The very same Holy Spirit that came on them initially when the church was born now would come on those Gentiles.

The courage of Peter's work.  Peter has been praying, seeking after God sincerely.  God spoke to him as he makes his way down the stairway.  Verse 19 of chapter 10 he has spent time in prayer seeking God.  God showed him a vision of a great sheet let down from heaven.  On that sheet there were animals that the Jewish people were not to eat.  God was showing Peter how he would change the direction of the church.  The Church would open to those who were seen as unclean to the Jews.  "While he thought" he was still thinking of the vision as he made his way down the stairway step by step.  What is on his mind?  When we leave the house of God do we leave with the word of God still on our hearts?  That is actually the most dangerous time in the whole of the service, when that final 'Amen' is said by the preacher.  That is the time the enemy can get in.  Maybe God has been dealing with someone and something said in the minutes at the end of the service can change a heart completely away from God himself.  Maybe as a Christian your thoughts are heading toward service for the Lord but something happens in the final moments to turn that away.  Peter realised he was speaking with God himself and he was still thinking of that vision.  Paul told the Philippians to think on all the things that are good and right, to meditate on them (Philippians 4 verse 8).  Colossians 3 verse 1 "if ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."  In other words saturate your mind with them.  Not the intellect of the preacher but the word of God!  Peter took time out think on the word of God.  He knew he must put feet to his prayers.  Chapter 11 verses 11 and 12.  This would take Peter into a home he would not normally go into.  Peter had decisions to make that would go against everything he had felt before.  Maybe God has been speaking to you and you need to have courage to go through with God.  It takes courage to be a Christian.  God takes us into many situations we would rather not be in.  Moses had to put the failure of Egypt behind him.  He had spent 40 years in the wilderness but he had to surrender and go back to Egypt.  It is one thing to sit before God and tell him what needs to happen but we like Peter have to go ourselves and be the feet to our own prayers.  Maybe there is someone on your mind today.  God has placed you in that situation and you need to speak to them.  Think of the courage of the apostle Paul.  In Acts 21 in Caesarea there was a prophet called Agabus.  He saw a girdle and put it on.  He prophesied that the one who owned the girdle would be taken captive by the Gentiles.  The people pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem on hearing these words but what did Paul say?  "for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." At one time he was a hater of the gospel and everything that Jesus stood for.  Now he was willing to die for the gospel.  He loved the Lord now and wanted to bring others to the gospel.  God lifts people out of the miry clay - we love to hear of the drug addict and the alcoholic who come to faith in Christ but what about the religious person who has attended church all their lives, are good and respectable - they all need to know Christ personally.  

The clarity of his word - verse 14 "Who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."  There was one thing on Peter's mind - to see souls saved by the word of God.  This was Peter's mission, his responsibility was to go into this home and open up the word of God.  The men that came from Cornelius' house that day told him all about Cornelius.  They spoke of their journey and why they were there.  They told Peter that Cornelius was a centurion, a highly respected man of authority.  That he was a just man and one that feared God.  He had a wonderful reverence for God.  Many spoke highly of him - he had a good report among all the nation of the Jews.  He wouldn't let anyone down.  He had been told by an angel to send for Peter so that he could hear words that would save him.  We can have so many things going for us today but we need to make sure we have a salvation in Christ.  That it is not just a profession but we have come to the cross, repented of our sins.  That we see ourselves as God sees us - a hell deserving sinner.  We need to acknowledge that God has paid for our sins at Calvary and that he can save us.  Cornelius was not saved.  God warns us today that we need to be saved.  Jesus said to Nicodemus "except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of heaven."  What a responsibility for Peter.  What did Peter tell them - verse 39 "And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly."  The result of his message is seen in verse 44 "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word."  What simplicity of words.  He didn't go with any other message.  We don't need fancy words to tell the gospel today.

The crown he receives.  As Peter stands before Cornelius and gives the message 2 important things to note - they were in attendance when Peter arrived and the Holy Spirit came down.  Cornelius made sure his family was present.  Too often we credit the ability to the preacher.  Really it is whether the Holy Spirit comes.  The preacher has to present the word of God but he cannot save a soul - only God can.

I was in the city of Joppa praying

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 30 JANUARY 2022

ACTS 11 VERSES 1 - 14

"I was in the city of Joppa praying".  This rough fisherman Peter has made the Lord his own and personal Saviour.  He had the assurance in his heart that God was his Saviour.  "Blessed assurance Jesus is mine" could easily have come from his lips.  He was called to be a man who preached but also to be a man of prayer  The apostles in Jerusalem had heard how the gospel had come to the Gentiles.  The gospel had entered the house of a non-Jew Cornelius.  They wanted to hear what Peter had to say about the whole incident.  Peter shared the gospel and the Gentiles were brought into the church of Christ.  Peter opened the door whereby the Gentiles could enter into the church of Christ.  He was the instrument, he made that very clear, no more separation.  Peter puts in his own question of it all in verse 17 "what was I? that I could withstand God."  Then in verse 18 we read "when they heard these things they praised and glorified God saying Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."  They all agreed that this was God's work  In verse 4 "Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning and expounded it by order unto them."  He answered their questions, took it step by step.

The communion he has with God,  He points to the prayer time, the idea that he received the vision.  He received it from the Lord.  Peter is in communion with God.  This is not just praying but a communion.  Every time we get before God we need to be in communion with God.  Yes we bring our petitions before God but we need to hear his voice too.  When we pray is it important to us?  John Wesley said "God does nothing but in answer to prayer."  Peter was in Joppa and praying.  He was seeking God.  The origin of the opening of the church to the Gentiles was through prayer, just as the origin of the church was in prayer.  An important step for the church was opening up. We will never see the significance of our times of prayer until we are in glory.  Peter was on the rooftop and praying, seeking God's blessing.  Something is being laid on his heart for the Gentile people.  What an important prayer Hannah prayed - as she looked back on that day in prayer in the temple when she prayed for a man child and told the Lord that if her prayer was answered she would give him back to the Lord.  She didn't see the significance of that prayer - that the child would grow up to be the leader of Israel in a dark and difficult time.  The church of Christ was born in prayer.  When Jesus ascended up into heaven 2 angels came down and asked the disciples "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."  In Acts 2 we see the people were all in one place and the church was born that day.  New doors were opening up to Peter.  Peter points it all back to one time of prayer.  Have we asked "what service would the Lord have me to do?"  Saul's first prayer was "what would you have me to do?"  Will there be those who will question my work, will they look back and see something that we have done, will my actions result in men coming into he kingdom of God?  Peter is explaining to the elders the great door, the mission he set out on.  Came about as I communicated with God in prayer.  How important is the place of prayer in the Christian life, in the work of the fellowship.  Saul of Tarsus was saved on the Damascus road and Ananias was told to go and meet him.  The description given was "behold he prayeth".  Not just bringing our petitions to the Lord but coming in and communing with the Lord.  Quietly listening to the Lord.  Bringing thanksgiving and praise to him, allowing the Lord to speak to us.

The challenge Peter receives.  God gave him this great vision while in prayer on the rooftop.  He was hungry and fell into a trance, he sees a great sheet coming down from heaven.  On this sheet were all manner of unclean beasts a Jew was not allowed to eat of.  Leviticus sets out the various animals they were not allowed to eat of, they were unclean to them.  Peter had the key to open the door to the Gentiles, to all who believed.  Paul said "I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to all them that believe."  Peter's challenge when he saw the sheet was to rise and eat.  Peter replied "not so for I have not eaten anything unclean."  God told him "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common."  Peter is being taken out of his comfort zone.  God wanted to challenge Peter.  Think of Moses, at one time in Egypt he felt the call of God on his life to go down to his people and lead them out.  However, he fought with one man and killed him.  For 40 years he ran away from God into the desert.  It is easy to get comfortable in the master's service.  We need to be careful because God asks us to do something we maybe feel incapable of doing.  Moses was comfortable taking out his sheep every day, taking them to fresh pasture morning after morning.  He had a family too and was well settled in Midian.  One day God spoke to him, brought him to the burning bush and told him "I have a task for you."  He wanted him to go down to Egypt and bring the children of Israel out.  Immediately Moses said he couldn't do it., "I wouldn't have the right words to say."  Moses, the most educated man in all of Egypt.  God told him "I want you to leave the wilderness and go down to Egypt, go into Pharaoh's palace and tell him the people are leaving.  Peter was shown in a vision to kill all the unclean beasts but he couldn't do it.  God was showing him that he had to go into the house of a Gentile man  The believers questioned Peter "thou wentest in to men uncircumcised and didst eat with them."    Remember when the leaders of the Jews came and said to Jesus' own disciples that he ate and talked with sinners.

The concerns of Peter.  "And behold immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesara unto me."  If Peter didn't have a concern for them he wouldn't have went with them.  Peter had a great concern for others.  He knew what God was asking of him.  He knew it would be frowned on by certain people.  The place of prayer shows our concern for others.  Peter had already settled the issue in his heart some time before and did exactly what God wanted him to do.  Remember in Acts 5 when they were put in prison and threatened, told not to preach in this name again.  Peter settled it in his heart that particular day.  He answered "we ought to obey God rather than men."  Peter's heart was open to what the Lord desired of him.  He had a concern for the souls of men and women.  It is a great thing to have a concern for the souls of men.  Peter's concern took him into the home of a Gentile.  God had opened up the way for Peter.  He used him to further the work of the church.  God sent an angel right into Cornelius' home and told him "send for Peter who is in Joppa."  God was speaking already.  God is still speaking today.  He is asking for you to come alongside someone.  Are we in that freedom of mind to hear from God?  Maybe one day in heaven God will remind us of that concern and what we did in response.  Wouldn't it be awful to realise it was directly from God and we ignored it?  Peter had a concern for others and for the work of God - have we?

PSALM 18 VERSE 6

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 2 JANUARY 2022

PSALM 18 VERSES 1 - 7

"In my distress I called upon the Lord and cried unto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple and my cry came before him even into his ears." verse 6

This is one of the longest psalms attributed to David with 50 verses in total.  It came at a dark and dangerous time when many attempts were made on his life.  Consider the motivations David had as he put pen to paper to his innermost thoughts. What were the thoughts behind this psalm, the reasoning behind the writing of this psalm - the aims and goals he had?

A great hope he has for the coming days.  Isn't it good at the end of a year to reflect back?  As David reflected he wrote this psalm.  Just like Mary when she "pondered all these things in her heart." (Luke 2 verse 19)  At the time when she was told she would give birth to a baby son who would be the Saviour of the world, she pondered everything in her heart.  At the time when the shepherds came to worship her son, she pondered everything in her heart.  At 12 years of age when Mary and Joseph went up to the temple and discovered Jesus was not with them on the return journey and they had to retrace their steps to find him talking to the scribes and leaders of the temple, she pondered everything in her heart.  David had great confidence and conviction in God - have we that same confidence and conviction too?  If God has done this for a year that is past then surely he would do it in the next year?  Do we come into God's house today as a matter of routine, of sitting down reading and hearing God's word?  When David faced Goliath and was given the armour by Saul surely his mind went back to the night he rescued the lamb from the bear and he said to himself "God delivered me on that day and he will deliver me from Goliath today."  He reflected on the past and armed himself for the day ahead.  David had a sense of hope. God had brought him through so much and he relied on him for the future.

David expresses humility.  Remember how when David was haunted for his life and he expressed a desire of a drink from a well back home.  (2 Samuel 23 verse 15)  3 men risked their lives to bring him a jug of water.  David wouldn't drink it but poured it out as an offering to the Lord.  In the introduction he calls himself "the servant of the Lord".  He sets aside his royal acclaim to acknowledge God.  He is but a servant.  Paul said he was "a bondslave of Jesus Christ." (Romans 1 verse 1)  How different it was for Saul - from one of the smallest tribes in Israel yet raised to be king of Israel. (1 Samuel 9 verse 21)  He later rejected God's word.  Samuel reminded him of his lowly beginnings.  Because of his rejection of God, God rejected him.  God sent Saul on an important mission - to destroy the enemy and not to leave any alive but instead he brought back some of the flocks and people.  When Samuel stood before Saul he pleaded with him not to reject him but walk with him before the elders and leaders of Israel.  He didn't want to lose face with his friends.  1 Samuel 15 verse 30 " I have sinned yet honour me  now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people and people of Israel and turn again with me that I might worship the Lord thy God."  He was concerned about what people would say and think rather than what God had already decided.  The publican came into the temple but he wouldn't even lift up his eyes but said "Lord be merciful to me a sinner."  (Luke 18 verse 13) Paul said "Unto me, who am less of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." (Ephesians 3 verse 8)  He appreciated the grace given to him.  Such humility.  Not preaching here because he had been taught by the greatest teacher or had been taught in the greatest schools.  'I am God's servant' Paul said.

The hunger David shows in this psalm.  He feels he has to do something.  He has now reflected on what God had done for him and wants to do something for God.  Have we time for God today?  To seek his face, to meet with God's people, setting time aside for whatever God is calling us to do?  These words are words of devotion and dedication.  David looks back in the past to show his appreciation.  He has a desire to glorify and praise the God of heaven.  Will we say to God 'what can I really do for you?"  As he reflected back he expressed these words - "Howbeit for this cause I otained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting". (1 Timothy 1 verse 16)  This man was called to preach but he was also willing to say 'Lord whatever you want me to do, I am a debtor.  You have reached me so I want in turn to reach others.  Let me do something for you today.' 

The honour that David serves.

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 9 JANUARY 2022

PSALM 18 VERSE 6

"IN MY DISTRESS I CALLED UPON THE LORD AND CRIED UNTO MY GOD; HE HEARD MY VOICE OUT OF HIS TEMPLE, AND MY CRY CAME BEFORE HIM, EVEN INTO HIS EARS."

The psalmist was full of praise for the deliverance God wrought.  It is also for the pain the psalmist was in.  He witnessed the hand of God in every situation he had faced up to.  Isn't it wonderful to realise the hand of God delivering us from circumstances we have faced in our lives?  Think of Daniel in the lions den.  If he had never experienced that situation he would never have known the hand of God in his life.  David encountered God's deliverance.  We do not know what this year may bring but we know God holds the year in his hands.

The cause of this distress.  David speaks of the pain, the burdens that came into his life and what caused them.  "Cast your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain you."  If I didn't know anything about a burden then I would never know the sustaining power of God on my life, the presence of God in my prayers and the deliverance of God on my life's journey.  Think of Jonah.  He bought a ticket to get away from God as far as possible.  He was out of the will of God.  It caused distress.  When we turn from what God asks us to do it will cause distress.  Jonah was told to go and preach in Nineveh.  God promised that if he preached and they repented of their wickedness then he would take away their sin and the penalty of their sin.  Jonah didn't want to do it.  He didn't want God to forgive the people.  He made a decision to get as far away from God as possible.  It brought distress into his life until he repented himself and turned around.  Then he knew God's hand on his life once more.  David was not in fact outside of the will of God here.  It was the result of malice and jealousy that Saul had for him.  Saul knew he had a heart after God, he knew David was God's anointed.  When Saul saw the people singing David's praises he was jealous and bitter and envious of what he had.  He tried with a javelin to spear him to the very wall but he didn't succeed.  Remember Joseph.  Out of hatred and jealousy his brothers threw him into a pit.  He had only come out to see his brothers, to bring word of his father to them.  They were full of jealousy towards him.  Reuben spoke up - "lets do him no harm".  They put him into a well and when the Ishmaelites came they took him out of the well, sold him in the market place.  Had God forgot about him?  No.  He was in the very centre of God's will.  He needed him there to bring God's people back to himself.  Such was his distress.  Imagine Joseph in that well.  Maybe he called out for his brothers by name, pleaded for them to lift him out.  His world was turned upside down.  Joseph listened as they bargained with the Ishmaelites, trying to get the best price for him.  Then he could see those traders taking him, put his wrists and ankles into chains.  Psalm 105 verse 18 "whose feet they hurt with fetters. he was laid in iron."  Such was Joseph's state.  Sometimes our distress could be light compared to what we read in the scriptures.  Maybe your distress is big for you.  What about the calamity that comes because of our own wrongdoing?  Those brothers some 20 years later go down to Egypt and speak to Joseph not knowing who he is.  Genesis 42 verse 21 "We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us."  They knew they had dealt harshly with their younger brother.  It wa all coming back to them now.  We saw the anguish of his soul when he besought us.  Was this the time when Joseph pleaded for them to lift him out of the well?  They turned their backs on him.  They didn't do anything to help him.  Maybe we have taken sides with something and we shouldn't have done it.  

A challenge.  It is wonderful to know that God is well able to deal with us in our distress.  God has not forgotten about us.  Think of Daniel.  I am sure he was anxious in that lions den.  God sends his angel to him.  God knew the distress the children of Israel were in in Egypt.  He told Moses "I have heard their cries, I have seen their affliction."  Pharaoh has put great pressure on them but God knew all about that.  For 400 years God saw and knew all about it.  If you are a child of God today God knows about the difficulties and distresses you are in.  Hagar out in the wilderness, God knew all about her.  The challenge came to David.  He knew he was in this distress.  Would he try and run away?  Or would he hide it?  He felt he was going to die.  Look at the word used here - "snares" meaning traps.  He could see them all around him.  The cords of death were entangling him.  Verse 5 "floods of ungodly men made me afraid."  There he was sitting in this cave praying.  He could see these ungodly men.  They were making him afraid.  The idea of floods is a picture of the waves on the rock and they were so loud.  David felt as though he was going to die.  What harm did he think he had done against Saul?  Like an animal.  In the space of a short time everything could change.  That is why we need to go through with God, not just taking up our role on Sundays but going through with God when distresses come upon us.  Verse 2 he is talking about rocks one on the top of each other, a place of hiding, shelter.  Every one of those descriptions in verse 2 is proceeded with my personal relationship with God.  What the Lord did on the cross of Calvary - he was dying for every one of us.  He died to reconcile every one of us to God.  His blood was shed for every one of us.  David is challenged as he sits in the cave.  A dark and lonely place  One day he was on a high and the next he is sitting in an old cave.  How quickly things can come in around us.  David felt the distress so acutely.  On day Bathsheba's child was dying.  He knew the sorrow and distress of losing a loved one.  He suffered just like us.  Family distresses.  When that child was taken from him he felt the pain.  When Absalom his son rebelled against him, what is he going to do in that situation?  Think of Jairus.  His little girl was sick, at the point of death.  12 years of age.  Wondering and pondering for a time, bringing the best doctors he could get but there was nothing they could do for her now.  A ruler in the synagogue.  He didn't have much time for Jesus.  What would he do now though?  There will be challenges for us in the year ahead.  Those challenges will test our faith.  How will we react - run away?

The course he would take and the comfort he receives.

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES SUNDAY 16 JANUARY 2021

MATTHEW 6 VERSES 25 - 34

Psalm 18 verse 6 "In my distress I called upon the Lord and cried unto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."

From this verse we can see the advice the psalmist is giving.  It is an attitude we should have in times of distress.  There was nothing new to David.  He had come through the school of hard knocks.  He knew what to do in times of distress.  Here he is now doing something to benefit us when we come into times of distress.  He is giving us advice on how to deal with distress - to wait upon the Lord.  What did Jesus say to his disciples when in th depth of sorrow?  "My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid."  Jesus tells us you need peace and that is only found in me.  I want to give it to you if you will only ask for it.  When your burden gets heavy and you feel somehow you are going under "come unto me all ye that labour and I will give you rest."  We looked at the cause of the distress, then we looked at the challenge of the distress, the course the Psalmist would take - call on the Lord, cry unto the Lord.

The simplicity.  The psalmist shows in his old age, reflecting back on the years of his life looking at the various times when trouble came his way.  When Saul hunted him and he had to take refuge in a cave.  He was thinking of Absalom his son who rebelled against him when he had to run to the wilderness.  What did I do in those times?  I cried unto the Lord.  Sees those times of anxiety and pain  He was not above everyone else.  I felt those times of distress and pain and anguish.  Difficult times he couldn't explain, couldn't even relate to anyone else how he was feeling.  Maybe that sounds familiar to us today.  It is hard to get words to describe it.  Feel might be an inferior Christian because of these feelings.  This is David the king of Israel not afraid to put into words himself when he sat down before the Lord, when he simply cried onto God.  Sometimes we feel cannot go on in life that we fall down and cry unto the Lord.  The advice the Psalmist gave was to cry.  The simplicity.  There are more books on prayer today but this is not something you write about but rather needs to be practiced.  No fancy words or well put together phrases are required.  He was simply opening up his heart in simplicity.  He was not bringing something that the Lord didn't already know about.  Our lives are an open book before God.  He knows the end from the beginning.  He knows all about your situation today.  He knows all about your fears and doubts.  In Matthew 6 when the disciples were before the Lord and fearful about what the next day would bring Jesus told them "your heavenly father knoweth what you have need of".  Let tomorrow be in God's hands because he knows what will happen.  The psalmist knew the pain of distress.  Think of Elijah under threat of death by Jezebel.  400 prophets had been put to death on Mount Carmel and now Jezebel threatened to kill him in revenge.  Elijah ran for his life.  His servant was with him but he stopped and Elijah ran on.  God knew all about him and his situation.

The sincerity.  I called and I cried - this challenged me as I thought about those words - am I praying in sincerity?  Or am I telling him only about certain things?  Am I in earnest when I pray?  A helplessness in prayer.  He cannot get out of the situation he is in.  He cannot get away from the pain he was in.  We must come believing the bible, that he is God and beside him there is none other.  He is the one seated on the throne of heaven.  He inhabits eternity.  He is the rewarder of them that diligently search for him.  Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah who had been a good king and made many reforms.  But Manasseh was very wicked.  God allowed the Assyrian forces to come down and take him prisoner.  He was put into fetters and chains.  He didn't seek him before this but it was only as he was being carried away that he humbled himself greatly.  The Lord heard him and dealt with him in that affliction.  Sometimes when things are difficult and hard it is not easy to pray but that is what the psalmist is recommending to do here.

The sweetness.  Sometimes we think God only hears us when everything is going good.  This was written by a man after God's own heart, favoured by God himself.  We think of course that God would see him but not us.  The Lord's ears are open unto your cry today. Think of Hagar the young servant of Sarah.  She was the mother of Ishmael.  When Isaac was born to Sarah Ishmael began to mock and taunt him.  Sarah came to Abraham and said this could not continue.  Abraham tells Hagar she had to go, he gave her bread and water.  She took her son Ishmael and wandered into the wilderness of Bathsheba.  When the water was spent she took her son and placed him under a tree.  She didn't want to hear his cries.  She pleaded with God not to see the death of her child.  Look at what it says next - "and God heard the voice of the lad."   Remember Calvary - when Jesus hung for your sin and mine.  He had been tormented and abused already, now they raised his hands and feet and nailed them to the cross.  Darkness fell on the earth.  God couldn't look at his son dying there for your sin and mine.  Have you asked the Lord into your heart today?  Have you said "I will trust him from this moment on?"  Something else happened there as Jesus died.  The veil of the temple was torn from the top to the bottom.  That was significant because the way of access was opened up to everyone.  Previously only the high priest could enter into the holy of holies once a year.  Hebrews "having therefore boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.  By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil that is to say, his flesh.  And having an high priest over the house of God.  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for he is faithful that promised)." (Hebrews 10 verses 19 - 23)  The way has been opened up.  The Lord will hear your cry today.  Think of the Persian kingdom and the man Haman.  He loved his position, loved to see people bowing down to him.  There was one man who wouldn't bow down to him and because of him Haman decided he would make sure the Jewish people were destroyed.  There was one young woman in the kingdom who could prevent this destruction.  Mordecai, the man who would not bow to Haman told her that it was up to her to inform the king of the plan.  She couldn't go directly into the king but had to wait on the sidelines until the king acknowledged her.  Only he could point the golden sceptre in her direction.  We don't have to wait to come into the presence of the king of kings today.  We can bow our heads and plead our case right now.  What is the burden, distress that you have today?  Listen to what the psalmist said he did 'I called upon the Lord and cried unto my God."

The sufficiency.  God is able to meet that need today.  He is just waiting for you to call.

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 23 JANUARY 2022

1 KINGS 19 VERSES 9 - 12

Elijah is going through a dark and difficult time.  In an earlier chapter he had climbed Mount Carmel and challenged the false prophets of Israel.  Some were divided wanting to follow after the gods of Baal while others wanted to follow God.  The challenge Elijah gave "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him."  God came down that day and licked up all the sacrifice off the altar Elijah had prepared.  All the prophets of Baal were killed that day but Jezebel the queen was not pleased.  She promised to kill Elijah and he ran from her presence out into the wilderness.  There God met Elijah and sustained him.  He knew he needed rest and care, food and comfort.  God met Elijah once more in a cave and showed himself through a still small voice.  Our motto verse of Psalm 18 verse 6 gives us great advice for the incoming year.  The psalmist David tells us not to carry our burdens alone but take them to the Lord.  He spoke from experience.  Remember the disciples out on the boat at night time.  They were rowing frantically but the winds were blowing and the waves beating in.  They were doing everything possible until Jesus stepped in and brought the calm in the midst of the storm.

David speaks here of the testimony of God.  When you and I are in a time of trouble, going through the valley and cannot get out of it, God's word states "call upon me and I will answer thee."  David is now an old man and is looking back at the years and various trials and situations he found himself in.  He began to examine these times.  He called upon the Lord and he cried and the Lord stepped in.  David is giving good advice today.  He is speaking here of the testimony of God.  If I hadn't known distress I wouldn't have known the Lord stepping in.  If I hadn't known what it is to hunted by Saul I would never have known the blessing of God in my life.  If I hadn't known anything of the rebellion of my son Absalom then I wouldn't know what real distress was.  Jesse told David to take bread and water to his brothers in the battle.  The whole nation were cowering behind rocks while a great Philistine would come out and call on the nation.  The nation were in fear because of him.  David got caught up in this situation.  He heard Goliath ridiculing the nation and their God.  David steps up to the challenge.  If he hadn't taken on that task of taking bread to his brothers he never would have met Goliath, never have known the blessing of God in his life.  Sometimes God asks us to do something simple yet it may prove to be a blessing to some one person just because we obeyed.  Remember Jeremiah in the prison house.  He heard God telling him to call upon him and he would answer him.  He knew the blessing God.  We all would love life to run smoothly with no hiccups, no valleys.  If we never were in a valley we would never know the hilltop.  James said "my brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations."  Have you ever thought life was running against you?  When the way seems hard?  

We see the testimony but also the timing of God.  The very next verse starts with the word "then".  That happens time and time again.  Remember in Acts how the disciples were arrested and beaten, told not to preach again in Jesus' name.  What did they do when they were released?  They went and found their own people and met with them.  They continued to speak with boldness in the temple.  "This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and delivered him from all his fears."  Sometimes the answer can come like that - quickly but other times the answer doesn't come straight away.  God will answer in his own time.  Joseph was sold as a slave into Egypt.  He was sent into the prison where he met the chief butler and baker.  He saw them sad one day and asked them about it.  The 2 men told their dreams and Joseph interpreted them.  The butler would be restored and the baker would not.  Joseph asked to be remembered but it would take another 2 years before he did so.  One day Pharaoh had a dream and Joseph was brought in to interpret his dream.

We see the terror of God.  In verses 7, 8 and 9 David uses imagery to describe the terror of God.  In Acts 4 as the people prayed the foundations of the house shook.  When God steps in things begin to shake and move.  In Acts 16 at midnight Paul and Silas in prison began to sing praises to God.  God heard those prayers and praises and he stepped in.  The foundations of the prison house began to shake and the doors were opened.  Remember Jonah, how God stepped into his life.  He seemed to take his role and responsibility lightly.  God spoke to him and told him what he wanted him to do.  Jonah had other other ideas.  He didn't want to do this, he knew if he did the people would repent and it was not something he wanted to see happening.  He fled to Tarshish in a boat.  God sent a great wind there, he was stepping in.  If God is speaking ... if we take it lightly ... turn our back on it God might have to step in and violently.  Jonah and the rest of the crew thought they would perish that day.  God was stepping in .The terror of God was evident.  God will one day step in at the end of the age.  Revelation 6 verse 14 "and every mountain and island were moved out of their places ... And every man hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said ... fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb."

The triumph.  God sees and he moves in such a mighty way. "he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy."  God will answer and he will deliver.  Maybe not in the way we plan.  Elijah sitting in the cave is told by God to go to the entrance.  He is in fear and apathy but he does as told.  Suddenly something happens outside of the cave.  A strong wind breaks the rocks but the Lord was not in that strong wind or earthquake.  He saw the fire fall but again the Lord was not in it.  A still small voice came and it was then that Elijah heard God.  God can be in just a still small voice today not the mighty things we expect.  Are we looking for the voice of God today?

The Song of Mary

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 19 DECEMBER 2021

LUKE 1 VERSES 46 - 56 - THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS

Here is a song sung 2000 years ago by Mary the mother of Jesus.

There is the glory to God that Mary shares.  When we stop and think - do we give God the glory and praise just for what he has done for us?  Verse 46 "my soul doth magnify the Lord."  We looked at the meeting of the 2 women, Mary and Elisabeth.  Both were expecting babies.  Elisabeth would give birth to John the Baptist and Mary to Jesus  Notice the joy they had in coming together.  Remember what Jesus himself said "where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst."  When we come togeher he condescends to come into our midst.  He sees the terrible strife and burden we carry, knows all about it.  This is why Peter could say "cast your care upon the Lord for he careth for you."  This meeting brought joy.  2 people doing the will of God.  They had so much to talk about.  When Mary heard that word from the angel off she went to tell her story.  When we come to Christ we are filled with that same desire to tell others about Christ and his message for the world.  Elisabeth was so full of praise - that Mary had made the journey to come to visit her.  Verse 42 "and whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me."  Elisabeth was awestruck that Mary came to visit her and bring God's presence into her home.  Imagine visiting someone this week - you are taking the life of the Lord into that home as a witness of what Jesus has done in your life.  Here was Elisabeth looking at Mary.  Chosen of God but Mary takes none of the glory to herself.  Our lives must be a daily tribute of what God has done for us, that we come to magnify the Lord, to praise him.  Not puffed up or boasting, thinking we are someone special.  She came away with a humble attitude.  Remember Uzziah as king in Isaiah's day.  Isaiah was a young man, 16 years of age when Uzziah came to the throne of Judah.  The Lord helped him and he saved him.  He helped him to put down his enemies.  The Lord helped and strengthened him.  He gave hm the power over his enemies but he became puffed up.  He thought this is all my work, I did it all.  The Lord had to bring him down.  He was struck with leprosy until the day of his death.  Paul writing to the Corinthian church who were proud of their talents and abilities.  They never thought God had given it to them  Mary was with her cousin Elisabeth.  Elisabeth was so thrilled to have her in her house.  Mary realised what was happening.   them.  "who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou dist receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4 verse 7)  Mary glorifed God that she was given the opportunity to carry his son - verse 48. God could have chosen a princess or someone from a high profile family but God chose Mary.  Verse 49 and 50 are we praising God for what he had done today?

The grace God had bestowed on Mary.  1 Corinthians 15 verse 10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I laboured more abundantly than they all yet not I but the grace of God which was with me"  Mary sees the grace God has bestowed on her - verse 49.  It is all because of God we are what we are.  She was rejoicing in her Savour.  Are we looking at our lives today and seeing the grace of God?  It is a tremendous blessing to be saved, to know the Lord as Saviour and Lord.  Mary makes it clear such was her estate.  She was in need of the Saviour.  She wasn't born in some state of being without sin.  She received the fallen nature of Adam whereby one man sinned.  She was a sinner.  She needed a Saivour just like us.  Remember the shepherds on the hillside.  The angels came down to them and said "fear not for behold I bring you great tidings of joy which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David which is Christ the Lord."  The world didn't need a teacher or a psychologist but a Saviour.  Like Mary, Paul felt he was the chief of sinners.  "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the chief." (1 Timothy 1 verse 15)

Mary speaks of the goodness of God.  Verse 50 - from that moment on her life would be different.  She would be recognised by all women as "blessed among women"  She was not raised to a position of any prominence or equal with God but now she has been placed in the position of a sinner saved by grace.  Verse 48 such a great privilege God takes the weak things in our lives to do things for himself.  Think of the little boy with 5 loaves and 2 fishes.  He sat in the crowd listening to the word of God.  God worked something mighty by his gifts.  He was in God's eyes something special.  We are his children bcause of his son who died on the cross of Calvary.  Gideon was taken from the poorest in the families of all of Israel.  Think of what Saul said "am not I a Benjamite of the smallest of  the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin?" (1 Samuel 9  verse 21)  God wants to use you and me.  Have you stopped to reflect on what God has done for us, to think "I am what God has made me, there is nothing in me that could ever save me but I am on my way to heaven because God has saved me.  I have talent God can use - have we asked God to use that for his glory?  We have been blessed today with a home and family - a sign of God's goodness to us today.

Mary reflects on the greatness of God - verse 51 and 52.  Nebuchadnezzar said "all that I have is what I have done, I have built it all myself, by my power and intellect."  God brought him down.  Remember how he took David from the sheepfold and made him king.  "But Mary pondered all these things and kept them in her heart."

A message delivered by angels to shepherds

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 12 DECEMBER 2021 REUBEN LYONS

LUKE 2 VERSES 8 - 20

The world we live is a fallen world but it is a world full of wonders and miraculous events throughout history.   We can think of the introduction of the steam engine, the abolition of slavery, the ending of the second world war and man landing on the moon.  We can also think of modern tragedies such as 9/11, the Grenfell Tower.  These events brought about radical changes.  I am sure you could list many more in your own lifetime.  Each of these happened on ordinary days just like any other.  People were going on with their lives like every other day.  When these things were discovered they were eventually recognised by the world.  Similar to this passage when Jesus was born.  It was like any other night but it became the most important night in all of history, the most important night of the human race.  The main group of our focus today are the shepherds.  They were doing their job, watching their sheep.  King Herod and his kingdom were sleeping in anticipation of the next day to arrive.  Herod had no idea that another king was coming into the world.  God was transacting heavenly business on earth on that night.  Little did the world know that the Saviour was being born in Bethlehem  No matter how many times I read of Jesus birth, his death and resurrection it never ceases to amaze me how God's plan is shown through it all.  A time of joy.  What does this event mean to us today?  Each of us have favourite carols that we like to sing.  My favourite is O Holy Night.  

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth

Long lay the world in sin and darkness pining

Till He appeared, gift of infinite worth

Behold the Babe in yonder manger lowly

'Tis God's own Son come down in human form

Fall on your knees before the Lord most holy

O night divine, O night when Christ was born

O night divine O night O night divine

That night was filled with messages - verses 8 - 12.  The shepherds were minding their sheep.  It was their occupation.  The angels appeared with a remarkable message.  "And the angels said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people." verse 10  The angel has come from heaven to bring a message of peace, hope and joy.  Not just for them and the residents around that area but the entire world, even to us today.  Not a message of judgment or condemnation.  He came to share a message of peace.  He came to deliver a word the world needed so badly.  They had been waiting for so long.  It was prophesied back in Genesis 3 verse 5.  The angel continues to deliver this message.  He continues to tell them about the birth of a baby.  Would they have paid any notice if a ordinary human messenger had come with the news but this was a heavenly messenger.  He states 3 names for this infant - Saviour, Christ and Lord.  Why are they so important?  We hear them time and time again.  What are they really saying to us?  They reveal the identity and ministry of the baby being born.  Saviour is one we are familiar with.  Do we have that Saviour today?  New birth in Christ.  Matthew 1 verse 21.  Jesus came into the world to fulfil the plan of God that we might be saved from our sins, to have this relationship with him.  Christ means anointed one.  Through that name Jesus identified as the long awaited Messiah the Jews were waiting on for so many years.  This was the one prophesied about in the Old Testament.  This baby reconciled man to God.  He was also given the name Lord.  Only a few moments old and he was already over the shepherds and the King Herod.  This baby was identified as Lord over all.  This means that he is and has always been in control and still is today.  This was no ordinary baby and no ordinary birth.  The baby was God in human form.  John 1 verse 14.  This message was filled with hope and peace and filled with salvation to all who believe.  This baby was born in a smelly stable and wrapped in rags.  He was not dressed in the fine linen of a king or born in a palace.  He did not come to say he was better than anyone else.  He came as a servant seeking to save those who were lost.  He made himself poor so that we might be rich through his grace.  He knew what it was to suffer.  He knew what it was to do without.  No matter our job, our past or who we associate with, we need to depend on God.  Our need is God, a relationship with God for every day.  Everything we have has been blessed from our father in heaven.  He died so that we could identify with him and he could identify with us.

A night of personal ministry.  Those shepherds were perched on the hillside.  Privileged, enjoying a personal time with angelic blessings. Verse 8  Delivered to a group of people.  We don't think of them as outcasts today but rather well respected hard working people caring for animals.  In those days they were not welcomed into the temple.  They were ceremonially unclean because of their position in society.  They were not able to enter in to the temple, they had a low image.  God reached into their lives, he picked the most unlikeliest of people - just think of people in the bible who were similarly picked - Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Paul, Peter.  God reached those lowly men of God with the new message of peace.  What a picture of grace.  Whatever someone has done in the past there is still hope in Jesus Christ.  "For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  The Lord turns no-one away today to receive his amazing grace.  No matter what we are doing or who we are associated with never let anyone or any situation get between us and God.  The angels told the shepherds this baby was not just for the whole world but for them as individuals.  Not just for the wider world, and how the world miscontrues the message of Christmas today, it is a message personal to us.  We need to be sure we are saved by grace, are a child of God, walking and serving him as we should in a personal relationship with him.  He died for us.  He is reaching out to us to reach out to others too. The Christmas message time and time again has personal implications in our lives.  While it was given to a group of shepherds good indeed.  These tidings were to be heard around the world.  They were certainly not the last to hear the good news.  They went right out and told others.  Verse 17  That continued until you were told one day too.  If you look back to your testimony was it by someone who witnessed to you?  Or was it someone preaching?  Or was it someone who took time to share the gospel message of how God reached them?  Why are we so happy to stay comfortable, to not reach out and share what Jesus has done?  Your calling is to follow the example that others gave to you, who shared with you the gospel message.  The worst position we can be in today is to be too comfortable because then we don't share with others.  It is easy to come to church and through the week to our bible study and prayer time but it is a difficult and different story to tell others about Christ.  We are called to obey.  We need to reach out to others.  That is how the gospel is spread today.  What started in Behtlehem reached far beyond the confines of their little town.  It deserves to be shared with others.  It is the power of God unto salvation.  Romans 1 verse 16.  We are each to be in the business of sharing the gospel message no matter what age or what others might think of us.  We should have a burden for lost people today.  How often do we get down on our knees and pray for those who pass us on a daily basis, for those we work with?  If we don't have that burden we should pray that the Lord gives us that burden, that the Lord would reach into our lives with a burden for the lost.

In verses 13 and 14 we see the heavenly angels magnified the Lord.  An anthem of praise.  They were exalting their great Saviour.  It was amazing that the sinless Lord and creator has been born as a helpless child.  God now appeared before their eyes as the weakest of humans.  They didn't understand all they saw but they praised him for it.  We need to praise God even when we don't understand what is going on in this world.  What grace that is.  The angels were moved to praise their creator.  The shepherds were also moved to Bethlehem.  They accepted this message of peace and hope.  The shepherds were saved that night.  They left the manger as new babes.  They had encountered the Saviour and they left not as outsiders and outcasts but as God's children.  They went rejoicing.  They went with a new joy in their souls.  They had never experienced it before.  They had found the great Saviour, the resuce plan for mankind.  They were filled with joy because of what they witnessed that night.  Now they had met Jesus they were never the same again.  We should be the same when we meet Jesus.  People should recognise that work in our lives.  Although they were still shepherds, outcasts in society all that mattered was they had met with Jesus.  We can have true joy and happiness if we meet with the master today.  No matter what a day may bring we can face it in with Christ.  No matter if a day brings sickness or pain.

Verses 17 - 20 a night of immense change.  Jesus might have been just a baby but he was already changing lives in that manger.  The shepherds were changed.  They left praising God.  They were no longer the same.  Changed from the inside.  They were changed into missionaries for the glory of God.  Maybe there have been people you know who have been changed by God  Every person who meets with Christ and leaves his presence is changed for ever.  Christ takes the rough and ruined lives and changes them forever.    Everyone who meets Christ falls in love with him.  Verse 19 "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."   Mary was changed from that time on.  She had already become a believer but as she watched her newborn son receiving worship as God, she would be changed.  She would watch him grow strong physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.  She would see him eventually die on the cross and rise again from the dead.  She would never be the same.  She was now the mother of Jesus.  Mary was changed.  The shepherds were changed.  The whole world was changed.  What began in the town of Bethlehem never ended and never will.  It is an ongoing work of Christ.  Jesus grew up, died on Calvary, rose from the dead - anyone who grasps that will be changed for ever.  His message and life and death are still changing the world in which we live today.  Maybe you are happy as a believer today or maybe you are backslidden.  You have never known Christ personally.  You have gone through the routine of coming to chuch each week but have never experienced God's life changing power.  We need to be like the shepherds, to come and hear the message, accept Christ as Saviour and leave rejoicing in our salvation.    Jesus' blood is what cures our sickness of sin.  We are heading to a certain death.  Jesus' blood guarantees victory and complete healing if we come in dependence on God.  He moved heaven and earth to provide a Saviour for the earth.  Everything was provided for us so that we might have a Saviour.  Have we received that greatest gift today?  Let us not take it for granted.  He is the best gift we could receive today.

A song for Christmas

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 5 DECEMBER 2021

LUKE 1 VERSES 39 - 45 A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS

We find in Luke's gospel 3 songs by Elizabeth, Mary and the angels song to the shepherds on the hillside.  See the outburst of joy and rejoicing as Mary makes her way to Elisabeth's house. There was something very special about this visit.  There is a great deal of rejoicng for us too because of the coming of God's son into the world.  

The essence of this song.  Mary had something to tell, that is what brought great joy.  It was personal to herself.  The greatest message.  Have we ever really thought of that?  You have been given the greatest word for this present world.  Verse 39 "and Mary arose in those days" in the aftermath of the angel coming and telling her what the Lord was going to do with her she was bearing news of a Saviour.  That should give us joy today not in ourselves, not in a church, not in a communion table, not in good deeds but in the life of the Lord.  Mary arose with haste and she went to Elisabeth.  Those saved today have a great story to tell too.  Not something God did 10/20 years ago, not when or where it was but how it made us realise that we haved sinned and come short of the glory of God.  That was the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, applying his word to show us our need of a Saviour, to save us from our sin and from going to hell for ever.   God did that for you 10/20 years ago but is it new to us today? Are we telling people what happened today not yesterday or years ago? Are we sharing this message?  Mary went to Elisabeth to share this divine message.  Mary knew she was a chosen vessel.  God wants to use you and I as chosen vessels today.  Mary wanted to share with Elisabeth who was also with child by a miraculous intervention on God's part.  Mary went "with haste".  No time to ponder on the news.  When it dawned on her soul off she went to the hill country.  The journey she would have taken on that day was an arduous journey to undertake  It was a difficult journey to make into the hill country.  It didn't concern her.  Mary didn't take time to think, she wanted to get to Elisabeth's house - verse 40 she entered into the house of Zechariah and saluted Elisabeth.  Our meetings should always be about Jesus.  That is the basis of our coming together. That is what drew Mary and Elisabeth together.  The news of the Saivour - that is what should draw us together when we meet in God's house.  Christ is in our midst and we have a story to tell.  It is good to have fellowship but the very essence of coming together should be the story we have of the Lord Jesus Christ - Colossians 1 verse 27.

The excitement that is displayed in this song. Verse 40 - as Mary "entered in".  Here was Elisabeth opening up the door, allowing the Saviour of the world to come into her home. Do we allow the Lord to come into our situation that we find ourselves in?  Do we allow him to sort out what needs to be sorted out?  The journey would have taken days through rough and rugged terrain.  She had a message to give.  The journey did not deter her.  Paul to the Roman church talked about those who took the message to their friends - Romans 10 verse 15.  The family reuninon brought joy yes they were cousins after all but what brought the most joy was the essence of this song in the first place.  They had found together the Lord Jesus Christ.  The message of the Saviour that Mary carried.  Does our coming together really excite us today?  To hear about the Lord Jesus Christ? Are we still excited about the message of saving grace when we talk with people, meet up with friends.  That is what brought great joy to this home.  In Mark 2 Jesus visited a house in Capernaum where a great crowd had gathered around - "it was noised abroad that he wa in the house."  People began to flock around this house.  4 men carried their friend who couldn't walk.  They had to lower him through the roof - why - because of the great excitement of people gathering to see and hear Jesus.  Mary wanted Elisabeth to hear the great news given to her.  Zacchaeus ,when he opened his front door one day couldn't get near the street because of the number of people gathered.  He was small in stature.  He was rich.  He had to run down the street to find a place suitable to see Jesus.  He had to climb a tree just to get a vantage point.  Psalm 122 "I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord."  In Psalm 63 you read of the Psalmist who was in the wilderness, a barren place with nothing much  to excite him.  There was one thought in his mind "I want to see thy power and glory in the sanctuary" verse 2.  People were coming after him, his enemy was against him.  His enemy was throwing ever trap that they could in his way.  He was lifted up with joy and rejoicing when he thought of returning to the synagogue.  Paul could say with people of Colosse "make sure Christ is central when you come together".  It is not a question of duty, but make sure Christ is central.  Chapter 1 verse 18 "And he is the head of the body, the church who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."  Not the preacher or the Lord's table.  He is the one who we should leave our homes for - that we should come into the house of God for.  We are coming not for the comforts but for the Lord.  We should never forget what he did when he came into the world - he left the splendour of heaven, the worship of angels and stepped down into this sin cursed world.  On Calvary they took him, tormented him, tortured him, hung him on the cross, nailed spikes into his hands and feet, leaving him there to die.  That is what he did for you and I.  Nothing should hinder us from coming to worship and praising him who died for us.

The encouragement of this song.  See the joy of Elisabeth - verses 42 - 45.  Elisabeth sought to encourage Mary.  Here was a young girl doing a task for God, to bring the Lord into the world.  Here she was standing with Elisabeth and she sought to encourage her.  "Blessed is she that believed"  Are we rejocing in that fact?  Does it bring joy?  Are we rejoicing when we hear someone has been born again?  "for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."  She was encouraging her to continue to believe and see through what would happen as told by the angels.  Barnabas was an encourager.  When John Mark turned his back on the Lord's work Barnabas sought him out and took him under his wing.  Barnabas went back to Antioch to see what was happening there.  "When he came and had seen the grace of God was gald and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord."  Acts 11 verse 23.  Barnabas brought Pau to Jerusalem and introduced him to the apostles.  Elisabeth encouraged Mary in the fact that she believed.  There is no worship of Mary here, it was all because of the Lord and what he had done for Mary, about the greatness of the person in whom Mary believed. Eisabeth was encouraging her.  God had set her a task and Elisabeth wanted to encourage her.