The "nots" of the Bible

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2023 am

MR LLOYD WATSON

ISAIAH 40 VERSES 28 – 31

In the book of Galatians chapter 6 verse 9 we read “And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.”

 

There are several “nots” in the word of God.  The Lord in his mercy has given us 365 promises in his word, one for each day of the year.  There are many “yeas” and “nays” as well.  It shows us that we need to put into practice the word of God.

 

Isaiah 41 verse 10 – “fear not”.  We need to examine ourselves whether we are in Christ and if it is well with our souls.  Are we saved?  Do we know the power of cleaning power in our lives.  The Lord is able to save unto the uttermost all that will look unto him.  If you are feeling a burden today, the Lord tells you “fear not”.  It is a word to the distressed.  Haggai 2 verse 5 “fear ye not for my Spirit remaineth amongst you.”  What you are passing through the Lord knows all about.

 

Psalm 37 verse 1 – “fret not thyself because of evil doers … for they shall soon be cut off”  Evil doers can abound for a while but God tells us to fret not because of them.  We see that judgment will eventually come to them.  It is a word for the worried today.  Perhaps there is a burden on your heart, things have been difficult for you perhaps for days, weeks, years.  It does make a difference when people die in the Lord.  God’s word says “fret not” because of evildoers.”  A word in season.  Matthew 11 verse 28 “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”  It is a word for the wounded.  Many people are wounded inwardly today.  Maybe another Christian has done harm.  Those hurts need to be healed.  I am glad our God is one of mercy, forgiveness and peace.  If we have something against a brother or sister we should go and be reconciled with them.  Many people need healing and cleansing from the word of God. 

 

Hebrews 10 verse 25 – “forsake not the assembling of yourselves together”.  It is a very important biblical principle.  We should count it a privilege to attend God’s house.  Psalm 40 verse 8 “I delight to do thy will O my God.”  Psalm 103 verse 1 “bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name.”  The Lord giveth us blessings daily.  We see his grace every day.  We also see his giving.  He is the God of many mercies, so generous, so liberal.  He giveth and giveth and giveth again. 

 

Genesis 45 verse 24 “fall not from grace”.  When Jesus was on earth he was sorely tempted by Satan himself.  The bible tells us “greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4 verse 4) We are not to fall into temptation.  The Lord was “tempted in all points like as we are yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4 verse 15)  We are not to fall into trouble.  Situations arise that are not our fault.  We have to try our best not to fall not into trouble.  Jeremiah 33 verse 3 “call unto me and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.”  The Lord can keep us from falling.

 

Proverbs 24 verse 10 “faint not in the day of adversity”.  David’s 2 wives were taken into captivity.  God told him that adversity, hard times, difficult times, periods will come to every child of God.  Thank God he is the one who giveth power to the faint.  Galatians 6 verse 6 “we shall reap if we faint not. “ Ephesians 6 verse 10 “be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”  We need his strength to conquer the powers of evil and darkness.  We need to be steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

 

Exodus 23 verse 2 “Follow not a multitude to do evil”.  Many a life has been ruined when people decided to fall in with the crowd that were doing evil.  Romans 12 verse 9 “Let love be without dissimulation.  Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” 2 Corinthians 6 verse 14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness?”  We need to be walking with the Lord not with ungodly sinners, unsaved Christians.  We need not to have fellowship with evil doers. 

 

2 Chronicles 13 verse 12 – “fight not against the Lord” – some people as God’s own children rebel against the Lord instead of saying “here I am send me” will say “send someone else.”  Some people harden their hearts, rebel against the Lord.  The scriptures say “give me thine heart”.  We need to yield to the master.  “Take my life and let it be consecrated to thee”.

Safety Under the Blood

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2023 pm

MR STEPHEN FLETCHER

EXODUS 12 VERSES 1 – 13, 21 – 23, 28 – 31

SAFETY UNDER THE BLOOD

I am sure this passage of scripture is well known.  The Children of Israel had been in Egypt for 400 years in hardship and bondage.  It was not like Jacob and his brethren when they first came down and lived in the royal household.  Now they were in hardship under the Egyptians.  As Pharaoh changed the hardships changed.  God did not forget his people and his promises to his people so long ago.  Remember back to Abraham “And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven and will give unto thy seed all these countries and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 26 verse 4) And we remember the promise to Jacob in Genesis 46 “fear not to go down into Egypt, for I will there make of thee a great nation.  I will go down with thee into Egypt and I will also surely bring thee up again.”  God had not forgotten his promises made time and time again.  In Exodus chapter 11 God calls Moses and Aaron to relay a message.  Remember Moses – hid in the bulrushes as a baby and found by Pharaoh’s daughter.  He grew up in the palace but turned his back on it all when he murdered an Egyptian.  He spent 40 years in the desert keeping his father-in-law’s sheep but God sent him back to Egypt.  God sent the plagues to soften the heart of Pharoah but he continued to harden his heart each time.  In chapter 11 verse 1 we read “yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh”.  God was going to bring yet 1 more plague which was worse than all the previous ones.  Chapter 11 verses 6 and 7 “and there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast; that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.” Never before in the land would such judgment and death be seen as this night in Egypt.  Nothing ever would be like it again.  Chapter 12 verse 12 “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.”  Almighty God is speaking here.  He relayed the message to Moses and Aaron.  God through them was speaking to the people of Israel.  God delivered this message of judgment.  This night a time had been set aside.  God had appointed a time when judgment would come.  God has appointed a time when you and I will be judged.  It has been determined before the foundations of the world when we would be born and when we will die.  There will be a time after that when we will be judged, when I will stand before the great white judgment throne.  I will stand redeemed before the blood of the Lamb.  God will see whether we are lost or saved, whether we have repented of our sin or not.  Whether we are in Christ or not.  God has appointed a time.  Even though this is a message of judgment it is also a message of hope and deliverance.  Even though it is a message of judgment, God would provide a substitute, a Saviour, a way for the Children of Israel to escape judgment.  God was giving this message of hope.  Verse 12 “I am the Lord.”  God is a gracious God, a loving God, a merciful God.  He is also a just God and he will punish sin.  There is salvation through the blood.  There is safety in the blood.  This is God’s message from God’s word.  Through the blood there is safety.  Just as Moses and Aaron were relaying the message to the people, God’s message was a message of judgment and deliverance.  He provided a lamb.  When Abraham sacrificed his son he provided a substitute.  God would now provide a lamb here in Egypt.  A substitute.  Jesus is also our substitute, our sacrificial lamb.  Verse 13 “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” God had provided safety under the blood in order to escape the judgment.  A sacrifice had to be made.  Something had to take the place of the firstborn.  There is safety under the blood.

 

The sacrifice for the blood.  In order for the blood to be obtained something had to be slaughtered.  God gave specific instructions how the lamb was to be killed.  There are many similarities to the sacrifice of Jesus and how we are saved through the blood of the lamb, Jesus himself.  In verse 3 we notice it is a lamb for a house.  Each house would have a lamb – we are reminded of how the Lord is our Lamb.  John 1 verse 29 “behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”  The lamb would be the substitute for Israel.  Jesus became the lamb.  1 Peter 1 verses 18 and 19 “forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”  This verse speaks of Christ as the lamb without blemish and spot.  In Exodus 12 verse 5 we see it was to be without blemish - perfect, spotless, no mark on it.  It had to be taken and examined.  The father had to do that and say there was no spot on it.  Jesus was taken into Pilate’s hall.  He was questioned, examined and Pilate himself said “I find no fault in him.”  The sacrifice and substitute had to be perfect, sinless, spotless.  2 Corinthians 5 “For he hath made him to be no sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”  The Lord took our sin on the cross, paid the penalty for our sins.  It was to be a male of the first year.  A young lamb, in the pride of life and we know that Jesus himself was 33 years of age when he died.  On the tenth day of the month the Lord came riding triumphantly into Jerusalem and became our Passover Lamb.  A thousand years before his arrival the prophet Isaiah said in chapter 53 verse 7 “he was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”  Just like Christ who willingly and freely gave up his life for you and me there on the cross God poured out his death and judgment on the cross of Calvary.  Jesus Christ was our lamb.  The lamb had to be prepared, roasted with fire.  Could you imagine how the judgment of hell was poured out on Christ at Calvary?  We need never fear the flames of hell because Christ bore our punishment.  The sacrifice. 

 

The application of the blood – it was not just good enough for the sacrifice to be made but the blood had to be applied - verse 7.  The blood had to be taken, poured into the basin but the blood had to be applied to the door posts of the house.  This would act as a marker. The evidence of a sacrifice made. Death had come to the house and a sacrifice had been made for the firstborn.  The angel would pass by.  The mark was visible.  Verse 13 “when I see the blood I will pass over you.”  A visible application.  The children of Israel applied the blood of the lamb.  We need to have the blood applied to our own lives.  You might believe the bible and all it contains, believe in a creator God, that Jesus came to the earth and died on the cross and is the only way to God.  If it is only in your heart and you have not trusted n Christ as Saviour and Lord you are on your way to hell.  There needs to be an acceptance of sin, trusting in Christ to save you.  If you don’t repent of your sin and trust Christ for all he accomplished on the cross you will never be in heaven.  Many believe they are good enough, they have been born into a Christian family, they attend church, have done many good works but they will never take you to heaven. 

 

“What can wash away my stain?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

 

Nothing can for sin atone

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Naught of good that I have done.”

Nothing but the blood of Jesus”

 

The deliverance under the blood.  Thie blood when applied to the door posts was acting as a mark of separation for the Egyptian taskmasters.  I am sure they seen all the Israelites sprinkling the blood and thought they were mad.  Isn’t that what the world thinks of us today?  It is good to be separated from the world, for people to see that you are different.  This week you might be the only bible that people read.  People are watching you, what you do at work or in the home.  Will they see Christ?  The Children of Israel also had to be ready to leave that night.  This was the night when deliverance would come from that judgment.  God had provided a way – are you ready like the Children of Israel?  Are you ready to meet God tonight?  The only way to be ready is to be saved – 2 Corinthians 6 verse 2 “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  Are you ready to go to heaven?  Are you ready to die?  Are you saved?  Are you covered by the precious blood of Christ?  The people were ready to leave once they had eaten the lamb.  Some people think they have time.  That they will get saved in a few years time.  They say “I will get saved when I am ready.”  We do not know what a day might bring forth.  James 4 verse 14 says “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”  The blood of Jesus offers deliverance from judgment for you and I.  We will not live for ever.  We were born into this world and one day we will die.  Hebrews “for it is appointed unto man once to die.”  When I was young I used to fear death because I didn’t want to die.  Something changed – the Lord saved me.  I repented of my sin and I now have no fear or dread of the future.  Are you afraid to die?  Do you have peace in your heart?  Do you know your sins are forgiven and that once you die you will be at home in heaven?

 

“None of you shall go out of the house”.  There was no safety outside the house.  Under the blood there was safety from death.  Under the Lord Jesus’ blood there is safety today.  That night God did exactly what he said he would do.  Judgment visited every house in Egypt that did not have the blood applied on the door.  Verses 29 and 30.  Not one house in Egypt that did not have the blood died.  From Pharaoh’s house to his servants houses.  It did not matter if they were rich or poor.  Everyone was affected.  That is the same on the great judgment day the rich and famous will be there.  All will stand before God.  Will you stand redeemed or will you have no excuse?

 

The promise of the blood.  At the beginning we read that God had not forgotten the promise to his people.  It was made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  God brought his people through the wilderness into the Promised Land.  The Passover would be an annual event to remember what God did in the land of Egypt.  God would fulfil his promise to bring them into the Promised Land.  God has given us a wonderful promise – “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.  The Lord is the one who sticks closer than a brother.  Jesus is there when you are all alone.  He is that friend.  He is preparing a home in heaven for us – “In my father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you that where I am there ye may be also.”  We will see our loved ones in heaven as well as the great characters of the bible but most importantly Jesus will be there.  Will you be there?  Will you be found in that number?  Our prayer is that you will not go out without trusting in the Lord.  Trusting in his blood and his righteousness.  How do you get saved?  We are all sinners and sin will take us to hell.  Christ has taken our debt and punishment.  We must trust him as Saviour.  We must repent of our sin and trust in Christ for salvation.  There was a message delivered through the blood – “and the blood shall be for you as a token.”  Will you not come and put your trust in Christ as Saviour tonight?

Notes from Retirement Service for Pastor and Mrs H Caskey

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

NOTES FROM THE RETIREMENT SERVICE FOR PASTOR AND MRS H CASKEY

FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2023 – SPEAKER: PASTOR DEAN CASKEY

READING: NEHEMIAH 8 VERSES 1 - 6

 

Nehemiah is the story of a man who faithfully worked in the job God called him to.  To say he had many ups and downs is an understatement but he kept on going.

 

The calling

Telling 2 young children of primary school age they were going to live in Portrush was not exciting as it sounded – we pictured 365 days of the year on the sand, meals in the Silver Sands and nights at Barry’s but we hadn’t factored in school and how Portrush closes down from October to April.  Yes living in Portrush was different as we began to live a new life as a family together.  Dad began in Bethel Bible College under the guidance of Rev Eric Stewart.

 

The character

Anybody who knows my parents know they work well together.  Dad works hard and mum lets him!  Even in those days he was a role model, he cared for the work, living in the college, then spending time in missionary work in the Coleraine, Garvagh and Kilrea areas.  Then the call came to pastor the church here.  It was a different looking church then.  That is why we read this portion tonight.  This passage was written all about the events Nehemiah carried out in Jerusalem.  He had now finished the work.  His calling began and the work finished with scripture – verse 1 “all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had commanded to Israel.”  Nehemiah opened up the scriptures and the people listened.  Nehemiah was hard working, fearless and faithful in the work, he was successful.  When advice was needed or decisions had to be made my father was my confidant.  Nehemiah was there to advise, instruct, guide and lead the work in Jerusalem.  Pastoral work is hard, it is not just 3 hours on Sundays and nothing else.  It involves late nights, hospital visits, in the early hours getting out of bed to answer calls.  I have never heard anyone say that dad never checked on them or contacted them in difficult times.

 

The courage

It is not an easy calling.  Dad might have thought the numbers were low in those early days, 6 in the morning and 8 in the evening meetings.  His courage was strengthened when it was rooted in God.  We have heard of his calling from Haggai “go up to the mountain and bring wood and build the house and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified.” (Haggai 1 verse 8) Those words were used to help him step out into the work of God.  Along came 2 children and a move from Coleraine to Limavady.  A challenge that was not taken light heartedly.  The work Nehemiah had to undertake was colossal.  He had to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that were demolished to the ground.  The gates had been burnt and smashed.  Nehemiah had the promise of God.  Small numbers meant nothing to my dad.  He remained faithful and courageous.  He knew this was God’s work and he would not add one iota to it. 

 

The consistency

30 plus years shows the consistency.  My dad kept plodding on in the work God called him to.  After 30 years you try telling the Christmas story differently!  Even when the work seemed difficult he did not stop.  The work was his priority.  Never once did Nehemiah underestimate the work he was called to.  Nehemiah did it every day.  He was laughed at, mocked and threatened by his enemies.  But Nehemiah took it all to the Lord in prayer.  That is when God strengthened him.  It is not easy when the attacks come.  How did he cope?  He fixed his eyes on God.  He battled on against the opposition.  Consistency was always the key.  The strength of a good church, of God’s people within it, is God.  God led Nehemiah and God led my father with foolproof guidance.

 

The communications

There must have been something worth listening to!  Verses 1 to 4 They built a pulpit of wood for the purpose of Nehemiah being able to read the word of God.  The message never changed in this place over the past 30 years.  The message came from God’s word.  That word of God was good enough for Jesus’ disciples and apostles and it was good enough for here.  The message rang clear – “ye must be born again.”  When the leaders saw fit to build this place and within years to see it completed, the message rang clear – to tell souls on their way to a lost eternity that they must seek Christ as their own personal Saviour.  The message will not change as a new man comes.  The message is simple – will you turn to Christ?  Many have trusted in Christ as Saviour and they are tonight waiting for you in glory.  Will you see them one day?  Many gave their lives to Christ in this place, in their own homes, in hospital beds – will you see them again?  Will you trust Christ as Saviour?  This pulpit will continue to tell the news that Jesus died for the whosoever. 

 

The comfort

The comfort is that everything has been accomplished in the way that God wanted it.  My dad has been faithful in everything he was called to do, whether in the church, in the children’s work, school assemblies, hospital wards or the home. He has fulfilled the words “watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4 verse 5)  He has been faithful to God.  My dad has put God first in the challenge God called them to.  They have been strengthened by God.  Nehemiah saw God moving and my father has seen God move in this place.  As Limavady enters a new era there is comfort for us that God has lead the way.

 

“All the way my Saviour leads me

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mecy

Who through life has been my Guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort

Here, by faith, in Him to dwell!

For I know whate’er befall me

Jesus doeth all things well.”

 This place sits as a signpost to heaven.  Surely God can say “well done good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25 verse 23)

A sincere question and a simple answer

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 27 AUGUST 2023 pm

ACTS 16 VERSE 25 – 34

A SINCERE QUESTION AND A SIMPLE ANSWER

 

We have in this passage a man coming to the feet of Paul and Silas and asking the question “What must I do to be saved?”  Have you ever come to that question?  Have you asked it in sincerity?  The answer is very simple – “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house.”  The apostle Paul had spent some time in Philippi, the capital city of Thyatira.  It was a city of commerce.  Paul had a vision of a man beckoning him to come over to Macedonia and help them.  They came first to Troas and then Philippi.  His visit began firstly with a time of praise – a women came out to the prayer meeting and was saved.  It was a time when the gospel was preached.  Then there was a damsel in the market place with a demon.  Paul demands the demon to come out of her and because of that she was no longer of any value to the men who gained from her work.  Paul and Silas ended up in a prison house because of the situation.  It brought them to the jailer who came to faith.  The greatest question with the most glorious outcome.  There is a step between us and death tonight.  In this story we see a glorious outcome.

 

The question revealed this man’s extremity.  This man came to himself, came to the place in his life of utter confusion.  Paul and Silas had preached the gospel in Philippi, the gospel of saving grace.  As a result they were put under the custody of this jailer.  He was told to beat them then put them in stocks.  As the jailer leaves them to try and sleep he hears Paul and Silas singing to God.  They were praising God not crying or criticising those who had put them in that prison.  Then suddenly there is an earthquake and the foundations of the prison begin to shake.  All the doors of the prison were flung open.  The jailer thinks everyone has escaped and he would be blamed.  His punishment would be severe.  He comes to the point where he decided to take his own life.  A call came to him “do thyself no harm for we are all here.”  He goes to where Paul and Silas where and asked them “what must I do to be saved?”  Looking into the face of these 2 men he realised that they had something he didn’t have.  Have you got God’s salvation tonight?  This man could go no further.  He looked out into eternity and felt his need, the extremity of eternity.  All the time he has been listening to Paul and Silas as they praised God.  Verse 17.  The little girl had said “these men are the servants of the most high God which shew unto us the way of salvation.”  Perhaps this was the demon in her but God used it for his glory.  In the Old Testament scriptures Joseph was disliked by his brothers and sold into slavery.  He told them later “you meant it for evil but God meant it for good.”  This little damsel is being used by the magistrates of the city to tell people’s fortunes and bring in money for the city.  Maybe the devil was speaking through her.  People had heard her message, maybe even that jailer had.  It was like a dagger to his soul.  Maybe you have heard a similar message tonight.  The word of God has come back to you like a dagger but you put it off.  There is a question you can ask tonight – the greatest of all questions.  It maybe will not make you rich or popular or intelligent but it will bring you face to face with the living Saviour.  He is willing to stop and come to you if you ask that question tonight.  Maybe this man was prepared to go through with whatever it meant.

 

A question that showed something essential.  This man realised that he must do something.  He didn’t have what these 2 men had in their lives.  There was a time when they bowed their knees and trusted Christ as Saviour.  Have you done that?  Was there a moment in your life when you came and bowed before the Lord?  When you saw him on the cross of Calvary, realised your sin was laid on him and he was dying for you not to condemn you but to save you?  You have to come and trust him tonight, accept he died for you and he can take your sin away.  This man realised there was something he had to do.  Balaam was asked by King Balak to come and curse the people because he felt threatened by them.  Balaam said “how can I curse that which God has blessed, let me die the death of the righteous.”  But he didn’t want to live a righteous life.  Jesus spoke of a broad way whose road is very wide and there are many people on it.  This way leads to destruction.  Did I choose to get on this way?  No you were born in this way.  We were all born in sin and shapen in iniquity.  We are on the broad way that leads to hell.  There is also a narrow way and there are few on it.  Have you found that narrow gate yet?  It leads to heaven and home.  It means leaving your sin behind, trusting the Lord as Saviour.  Jesus told us to strive to enter in to that narrow way.  Unless you seek with all your heart you will never find God.  You will not drift into God’s salvation.  It is a decision you have to make.  You cannot wake up some morning and be saved.  It is a decision and it is one you have to make.

 

A question that became a personal experience.  This man realised there was something he must do.  “What must I do to be saved?”  It didn’t matter what anyone else would do.  No one can make that decision, go through with this transaction.  Only you can come to Christ.  Don’t leave your spiritual situation to anyone else.  Trust the Lord for yourself.  This man was asking the greatest question he could ever ask.  This was about his soul.  It will not matter what anyone else does with Christ.  Pilate asked “what must I do with this man called the Christ?”  You have to do something with Christ.  You will either say “no I don’t want to be saved, I don’t want Christ or else you will come and trust him as Saviour and Lord.”  You must decide for yourself.  Will you come and trust the Lord tonight?  A question that secured eternity for this man.  A question that required the simplest of explanations.  Jesus died on Calvary just for you.  Come to him tonight, invite him into your heart and trust him for yourself.  You will be saved from this day onwards.

Fight On!

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 27 AUGUST 2023 am

NEHEMIAH 4 VERSES 13 – 18

 

Nehemiah is one of the greatest books of instruction and encouragement in the bible.  In verse 6 we read “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; for the people had a mind to work.”  This man Nehemiah had a great position in Shushan the palace, 1000 miles from Jerusalem.  His heart was in the work that was going on in Jerusalem.  A reminder that we need to be wholehearted in the work of God.  Word had come to Nehemiah that the wall in Jerusalem was torn down, the gates had been burned and the people were in disarray.  Nehemiah was so disappointed.  He had his soft spot for this work.  In verse 6 we read that they were half-way through the work.  Half-way is a dangerous place to be in.  In the athletic world the half-way stage is a difficult point – you have come so far and yet there is so far still to go.  You are looking forward to the finishing line but it seems a long way off.  In our Christian experience it is a dangerous place to be in as well – the rush of first love has passed then we fall into all sorts of difficult situations.  Discouragements come from the devil himself.  It is sometimes difficult to leave things behind. We can be knocked down and wanting to stop.

 

Verse 1 the attention the enemy gives to the work.

Verses 8 and 9 the attack that comes – criticism, ridicule and threat of violence

Verse 4 the approach Nehemiah decides on – take it to the Lord

Verse 13 the arrangement Nehemiah chooses – practically he prepares the people for battle

Verse 14 the action that was triggered

 

Nehemiah now begins to arrange the defence against this attack.  The resolve he calls for.  When he came to Jerusalem the wall was broken down, the gates were burned and the people were in disarray.  The news had come to him in Shushan and his face displayed his disappointment.  The king asked him why he was so sad.  It was an offence to be in the king’s presence with a sad face.  It carried the possibility of imprisonment or even death.  God had put sympathy in the king’s heart.  God works with those who are coming against us.  Nehemiah explains that he has received word from Jerusalem and the king asks if he could do anything to help.  If we are living in a right relationship with God even the enemy can be for us!  Nehemiah had left Shushan to go down and build the wall in Jerusalem.  How hard could it be?  The enemy heard about his coming and realised that to come that distance, to leave his important job in the king’s palace – well he must be some man.  Chapter 2 verse 10 “it grieved them exceedingly”.  One man who cared for the people of God.  They were angry.  If you are saved by the grace of God the devil hates you, hates everything that you stand for.  If you go back home to your wife or husband who doesn’t love the Lord, or go into the workplace tomorrow where people don’t like your testimony or are serving in this fellowship the devil will do everything in his power to bring you down.  The end is not yet.  Nehemiah realises he cannot build the walls himself so the people got together and decided to build them in the Lord’s strength.  Chapter 6 verse 3 “I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down.”  He wouldn’t come down to the enemies level.  The enemies criticised them – they said the people were not able to build the wall with what rubbish that was available, that a little fox could run against the wall and it would tumble.  We need the same resolve that Nehemiah had.  Remember it is the Lord’s work and not man’s work.  Nehemiah told them not to fear the enemy but look to the Lord.

 

The reflection that is essential – “and I looked”. Where did he look?  To the Lord.  He heard all the ridicule and the people crying but “he looked and he rose up and said … remember the Lord.”  This is the man in sight of the trouble.  Even to imagine the scene is hard.  The enemy was talking down the work all the time but this was God’s work.  Whenever you get into God’s work you will get criticism and objection.  In verses 11 and 12 the fear of this enemy was instilled into the people.  Chapter 4 verse 10 the people themselves were thinking they were not able to do the work.  Whenever you get into a situation remember the Lord.  Remember when the Children of Israel wanted to leave Egypt, every time Pharaoh said no but God said yes.  In the wilderness they cried for food and God brought them food.  When the enemy came against them at the Red Sea they thought there was no way they could get to the other side but God opened up the sea so they could walk through it.  Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith and we need to remember that.  When it seems that too much comes against you turn to God’s word and his promises.   Remember Elisha’s servant – he looked up and could see the enemy on the hills surrounding them but Elisha told him that there was far more for them that against them.

 

The reaction to the challenge.  Nehemiah told the people to “fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your houses.”  The battle lines are drawn.  We dare not allow our loved ones to be taken.  Don’t give up on them.  Remember when God was going to destroy Sodom, Abraham his servant wanted his family to be delivered safely. He got before God and pleaded for them.  Mary and Martha fought the sickness in their home – they sent for Jesus to come.  Jairus also called for Jesus to come and heal his daughter who was at the point of death.  Many of our loved ones are in the same position today and they need our prayers.  Paul reminded Timothy that he had found a grandmother and mother who had been faithful in praying for him and teaching him the things of God.  “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6 verse 12)  Fight for them.  Pray and plead, ask the Lord to save them.

 

The results that came – verse 15.  The walls were built in record time – 52 days (Nehemiah 6 verse 15).  The work was accomplished.  The Lord was glorified.

God's presence

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 21 AUGUST 2023

EXODUS 33 VERSES 12 – 23

Verse 15 “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”  Moses was praying for a people that had rebelled against God.  He pleaded with God to go with them.  “Not by might nor by power but my spirit.” (Zechariah 4 verse 6)  The priority of Moses’ prayer was God’s presence.

Notice firstly God’s presence is priceless.  Moses had just returned from Mount Sinai.  He had been there for 40 days and 40 nights communing with God.  He had been alone with God.  He had heard his voice.  But he had to come down into the camp of Israel.  What did he find?  A people rebelling against God.  The people had persuaded Aaron to make them a god, a golden calf.  They had been brought out of bondage in Egypt by Moses into the wilderness.  The Promised Land was now in sight but now they wanted to turn back.  Remember when Peter, James and John were taken by the Lord up into the mountain and the Lord was transfigured before them.  Jesus’ very presence shone before them, brighter than the midday sun.  It must have been a special time for them.  They were communing with God, but they had to come down the mountain into the midst of the people.  They found that an argument was going on.  A man had brought his son who was demon possessed but the disciples couldn’t help him.  We cannot live on the mountain all the time.  The time when we hear God’s voice in our quiet times, but you cannot stay there.  In the fellowship we can have great times of blessing, people working together and there is great blessing.  But sometimes there are hard and difficult times.  The priority of Moses’ prayer was the presence of God.  We cannot dwell on the mountain top.  We need to return to the valley.  Moses realised that the presence of God was the most important thing.  We need to keep praying for that in our private and public times.  Moses was told to move on, to take the land where God’s people could live.  Moses wanted God’s presence more than anything else.  We need that today.  The presence of God brought peace – a perfect peace – a peace that passeth all understanding.  It is in those difficult times, in knowing his presence there is a great calm in our souls.  We should always strive for that.  Maybe there is an uncertainty in your life because the reality of God is not there.  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26 verse 3)  To trust in the Lord means there will be a peace in our hearts.  Jesus came into the world with one purpose – to die.  He died for you and I, to take away our sin.  When he takes away our sin, he gives us a peace.  Our sins are forgiven, cast into the depths of the ocean, never to be remembered again.  When all is turmoil around us, we have peace that passeth all understanding.  Remember when Jesus and the disciples were in the boat.  The disciples struggled in the storm.  They ran to Jesus and said, “Lord we perish.”  We need the presence of the Lord to bring peace in our lives.  To Jesus’ disciples before he left this scene of time he said “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”  Later Jesus said “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  Moses pleaded for this peace.  Joseph in Genesis had brothers who did not like him.  They sold him into slavery in Egypt. He was bought by Potiphar who noticed something in Joseph’s life that was different.  Genesis 39 verse 2 “and the Lord was with Joseph and his master saw that the Lord was with him, and the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.”  Potiphar saw the Lord was with him.  That makes a difference between the man or woman of the world.  Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, falsely imprisoned.  Chapter 39 verse 23 “the keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand because the Lord was with him and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.”  Joseph at 17 years of age had the peace of God because the presence of God was with him.  Remember Paul and Silas in a prison cell.  They had been beaten and at midnight they began to sing praises unto God.  Then an earthquake took place, and the jailer ran into them asking “what must I do to be saved?”  He knew there was something different about them.  Have we that peace today?  Let’s pray for the presence of God in our families and homes and fellowship.

The presence of God brings protection.  “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.” (Psalm 125 verse 2)  When you put your trust in the Lord so too is the Lord around you.  Moses knew the entry into the land of promise would not be plain sailing.  When they stepped into the land of Canaan the fight was not over, it was only just beginning.  Nehemiah heard in the palace in Shushan that the walls of Jerusalem were torn down.  When he went down to Jerusalem his enemies were furious.  They knew he was a man coming to help the people of God.  The enemy came in with all sorts of temptations – violence, fear of man, deception.  They tried to stop the work of God.  Psalm 91 “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuse and my fortress, my God, in him will I trust.”  When we become Christians it is only the beginning.  We have an enemy that is mighty.  The devil will not stop his war against you.  He will try everything in his power to bring you down.  Moses knew what it would be like in Canaan and he needed the presence of God to go with him.  Barak asked Balaam to curse the people but when he saw the crowd stretching out before him he said “how can I curse a people God has blessed?”

God’s presence brings pleasure.  Moses knew the delights in Canaan.  They would only be secured with God’s presence.  Today people say they would love to be saved but they believe their life would be destroyed.  “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10 verse 10)  “Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16 verse 11)  In the palace Moses had the prominence but he didn’t have the pleasure.  Hebrews 11 verse 25 “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”  Both the rich young ruler and the prodigal son found no pleasure in the world.

God’s presence that secures the pledge.  Chapter 33 verse 1 “Depart and go up hence thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob, saying, Unto seed will I give it.”  Isaiah 43 verse 2 “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”  Psalm 23 “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me … 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.”

 

 

What manner of persons ought we to be

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 13 AUGUST 2023 pm

2 PETER 3 VERSES 1 – 18

 

Have you ever thought that one day heaven will be your home?  When God will take every child of his home, when there will be no more tears, no more separation, no more sickness or sorrow?  There will be nothing to break the heart of man or woman because the things of today will be passed away.  The greatest event the world is ever likely to see is the coming again of the Lord.  As we watch our television screens and social media and think of the fires, floods, pestilences going on around the world, when we see these things are we not mindful of what scripture says?  Jesus came the first time as a baby, born in Bethlehem, grew up and was rejected by men – all of this was fulfilled exactly as scripture said.  Surely if we look at scripture we can see the references to his Second Coming too – if he came the first time as the scriptures said surely he will come the second time too.  He will come the second time without sin.  When he came the first time he came to put away sin.  When he died on Calvary he was an offering for sin.  This time he is coming without sin.  He came to be the sin bearer the first time but the second time he will come as the king of kings.  His second coming will be in 2 stages.  Firstly, the trumpet will sound, those who have died in the Lord will rise first to meet him in the air and those which are alive in the world will also be caught up to join him.  When he comes every eye will see him.  He will come to stand on the Mount of Olives in the second stage.  Has that any bearing on you or I tonight?  Verse 11 of our chapter tonight asks “what manner of persons ought ye to be?”  Has this any relevance to me tonight Peter challenges us - lets take a look again at Jesus’ Second Coming.

 

Firstly, what manner of person ought he to be – he ought to be saved.  That is the most important thing of all.  You could have all of this worlds goods yet not have Jesus Christ.  You could still be left behind when Jesus comes again.  You need to be saved.  I want to challenge you – are you saved tonight?  Are you born again of the Spirit of God?  Have you been to Calvary?  Have you acknowledged you are a sinner, on your way to a lost hell for all eternity?  Are you coming to him tonight?  That is the most important thing.  “What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”  It is possible for that today.  We are living in a day when it is counted old fashioned to believe that you need to be saved.  Many people believe that because God is a God of love he will let everyone into heaven but he is also a God of justice.  God sent the best he had – his only son, not to condemn the world but to save men and women.  God is not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance.  Are you saved tonight?  Do you know the Lord as Saviour?  Will you rise to meet Christ if he came tonight?  When Jesus comes what will he find on the earth?  Those saved will rise to meet him in the air.  What will be left behind?  He will find religion on earth.  Many have that but not salvation.  Salvation is only through the forgiveness of sins and the Lord Jesus Christ.  This is a subject that affects you and I. When Jesus comes and takes the saved home religion will still be left on this earth.  If Jesus was to come this week there will still be services in churches all over this world.  Preachers will preach but they have not been saved.  I wonder will you be amongst the congregation?  It was said of Martin Luter in his preaching he stirred the congregation, he preached as if Christ was crucified today, that he rose from the dead and he was coming tomorrow.  Jesus Christ has delayed his coming because you are not saved.  He knows that and he is not willing that you should perish.  Paul writing to Timothy encourages him to pray for all men, for kings and those in authority to be saved.

 

Secondly, he ought to be a sober person.  I am not talking about being sober in terms of having no alcohol in his system but a lifestyle that is alive, watching for the coming of the Lord.  Are you looking for Christ’s coming again?  Not caught up with affairs of this world.  Yes we have employment, work to do but always looking for the coming again of the Lord.  There is no real warning of this happening.  We can see the signs yes but he will come as a thief.  If a thief rang me to tell me he would be at my house tonight I would be sitting waiting for him.  The thief makes no forward planning.  He comes at the least expected time.  There will be no warning for it.  We are to be waiting for that particular day.  The Thessalonian church went about their normal lives.  They had so much going for them until Paul came and preached the gospel to them.  These Thessalonian believers turned from their riotous living and served the Lord.  They turned from their idols to serve the living God and watch for his coming again.  When you come to Christ it should be a genuine repentance and a waiting for Christ to come from heaven.  Matthew 25 tells the story of the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins.  They were waiting for the groom to come.  They had their lamps filled will oil and burning but 5 didn’t take enough care to have sufficient oil.  They rose at midnight in a panic.  5 went out to meet their bridegroom but the other 5 came knocking and pleading to be let in but it was too late.  The believers of God are taken away and you will be left behind pleading – too late.  One day the shout will sound.  For many it will be too late.  We have to be sober, watchful, making sure we are saved and ready.  “Be ye also ready for in such an hour as you think not the son of man cometh.”  Paul longed for the day when Christ would come again.  “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4 verse 8)

 

Thirdly, be sincere.  “in all holy conversation” – the lifestyle you conduct here on earth, in your family, in your work, in the shopping centre, on the street.  In all my transactions with fellow man so that he might be stirred up.  In Acts 22 Paul spoke of a man called Ananias.  Ananias was told to go and meet him and lay his hand on him, to tell him what the Lord wanted him to do.  Ananias we are told was a sincere man, “a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there”.  Paul in Thessalonica worked and witnessed among them – “how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.”  Are you thinking of the Lord’s coming again?  Are you sincere about it?  When the angels came to destroy Sodom, Lot went into his sons-in-law telling them they had to flee from the wrath of God on their city.  These men laughed at him – why – because they had never heard him talk like this before. (Genesis 19 verse 14)  He wasn’t sincere.  Are you happy sitting in the seat of the ungodly as sitting in the prayer meeting?

 

Fourthly, separated.  “in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.”  They had turned from that which they previously worshipped and came to the Lord.  Paul said of his testimony, he was “separated”.  In these days God expects that of us.  He is expecting me to be a saved man, that I should be sober, sincere in all my activities and separated unto the gospel of Christ.  Will you be ready when he comes again?  He is coming to call home every child of God, every person that has trusted in his saving grace, called on his wonderful name.  What about you?  Are you sure tonight?