Induction Service 1 September 2017

Nehemiah 2 verses 10 - 20

Whenever we turn to the book of Nehemiah we are turning to the life of a man under the backdrop of Israel returning to the land of captivity.  They were there for 700 years and had now been given leave by the God of heaven to return to Jerusalem, to build the house and walls of the city.  The walls were broken down, fires had burned them down and the people were scattered.

First Nehemiah and his prayers.  We are introduced in chapter 1 to Nehemiah walking in the garden up in the palace of Shushan some 1000 miles from home.  There was one thing in his heart.  As he walked in the garden he saw his brother and friends coming to meet him.  They had been down in Jerusalem.  He asked about the work there and the report was bad.  It is sad to say but the walls are not built, the gates are still broken down, the people are still scattered.  He got on his knees, he prayed, confessed his sin and the sin of his father`s house.  As he did that God put something into heart that particular day - verse 12.  Here was Nehemiah not in Jerusalem now, not there because of a notion on his mind or some fanciful idea.  He left his king and his palace, made his way to Jerusalem because God had placed it on his heart.  God had placed it there to bring him down to Jerusalem and do a work for him.  The man of God is a man of prayer.

Nehemiah and his passion.  He had a passion for the work of God.  He wanted to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.  He had a concern for them.  The Pastor needs a passion for the souls and that passion only comes from the heart for precious souls.  As you gather here tonight you are not saved.  You have never come to the foot of the old rugged cross, never trusted Christ as Saviour, never realised you are lost.  There is a need in your soul.  It is not the need of this church.  It is the need of the heart for Jesus Christ.  We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.  If you die in your sins you cannot come to where I am God says.  Something has to happen in that life of yours.  Maybe tonight as the Holy Spirit comes and takes the word of God, shows to you your great need.  Your heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.  Then he takes you, opens up your mind, shows figure of man dying on the cross, dying for your precious soul.  He asks you to come.  There is a need tonight in your heart.  Remember Paul`s passion.  In Acts 17 in Athens did not come to see great architecture, he was ready to preach the word of God.  He watched people going by.  His heart was stirred within him.  Why?  because saw the whole city given over to idolatry, he saw these people not saved, going out into a lost sinless Christless hell.  His heart was stirred within him.  Hadn`t Timothy that same passion.  "I am sending you down Timothy, no man like him, he will naturally care for your souls."  What a tremendous calling to the ministry, to have a compassion for souls.  Paul took it from the example of Christ.  In Pilate`s hall a crown of thorns was placed on his head, then given a purple robe.  He was laughed at and they abused him, mocked him, took him out to Calvary, lifted him up between 2 thieves, nailed his hands and feet there.  There he cried out "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."  That is a passion for souls.  The Lord doesn`t want you to be lost.

A man in his perils.  "When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel."  Sanballat was the enemy of God`s people.  The enemy knows why you are here, knows all about it.  He will do all in his power.  The enemy is the roaring lion and he seeks to devour.  That is what he will try to do.  The apostle Paul came to Thessalonica  John Wesley when he came to preach the gospel it would either be a riot or acceptance.  The enemy will do all in his power to bring this man down.  You need to do all in your power to help him.  The enemy here in Jerusalem brought accusations against Nehemiah.  They said he was only here for his own purpose.  They said if a fox ran up against these walls they will fall down.  They criticised his work.

Notice the man and his privacy.  Verse 16 there will be times whenever you think - what is the Pastor doing.  Times you will think he never tells us anything.  He is going wrong and there will be times like that.  He needs a certain degree of privacy.  Sometimes the Lord leads the pastor in ways no-one can fathom.  Maybe you will say we have done it that way before.  The last Pastor wouldn`t have done it like that.  That is all well and good.  The Lord is leading and guiding.  The new man is here now.  We have to be careful in jumping to conclusions.  Late at night Nehemiah was inspecting the walls for gaps and holes.  He told no-one about it.  Be careful about jumping to conclusions.  The Pastor needs that degree of privacy, to be allowed to do the work of God.

There is the man and his people - chapter 2 verse 18.  The people said "let us rise."  They put their hands to the building of the walls.  Chapter 4 verse 9 set a watch against them day and night.  They set watch against the enemy.  They were afraid of the enemy comin in.  Now is time to get to prayer, time to get on with the work, time to go forward.  Chapter 6 verse 15 so the way was finished.  The victory at last.  The charge I would say for the pulpit to night - keep at it, keep working, keep together and keep going and God will bless.

The Empty Tomb

Sermon notes from Sunday morning 16 April 2017

John 20 verses 1 - 18

A Lonely Stand

As we turn again to this wonderful, marvellous resurrection account of the Lord Jesus, as we come to look into the tomb what does it teach us?  What are the lessons from it?  It is a story we never tire of speaking about.  We will never exhaust the great depths of this event that resurrection morning.  I see Mary Magdalene coming to the sepulchre before day light beings to dawn.  The experience she has here.  What a tremendous grace we see here.  This woman delivered from 7 devils is first at the grave, first to look in, first to hear the Lord speaking to her, to feel his touch.  What can we experience this morning?  You can see her standing at the sepulchre with tears running down her cheeks.  Her heart was broken within her.  She feels no-one else understands her position.  A lonely stand.  She comes face to face with the resurrected Saviour.  If only we would open our eyes to him today and trust him thoroughly.

The reason Jesus consoled Mary.  She is standing there.  The stone has been rolled back.  She is looking into the tomb.  Her heart is broken.  She is standing alone.  The resurrected Saviour comes to her.  She makes this great discovery and goes off to find Peter and John.  That is her first reaction.  Peter and John ran to the grave and make the great discovery that the tomb was empty but what did they do?  They went back to their own homes - verse 10.  What did they think of Mary standing there?  Perhaps they left her standing there.  Verse 13 the angels come to Mary and spoke to her "why weepest thou?"  She replies "they have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid him."  She is still standing on her own.  Mary remains while the disciples went home.  Waiting to the very end.  She is the one who will receive the blessing of God on this occasion.  The angels spoke to her and she turns away.  Then the Lord speaks to her, he has a word for her.  He simply says "woman".  A word in season for her.  Think of all he has suffered yet he speaks to her this day.  The Lord wants to speak to you directly today.  Perhaps you are going through a difficult time and need consoling.  Do you think of others?  Is there someone you know going through a great affliction and you haven`t given them a second thought?  Maybe this is a familiar scene to us.  In that lonely spot, let down by others, standing alone.  The risen Saviour wants to console you if only you will let him.  The resurrected Saviour came right to where Mary was and gave her the word she needed just at that time.  The apostle Paul felt so alone at Corinth preaching when he had no results.  He was about to walk away, to shake his garments.  You can be alone in the service of God today.  Maybe you are praying for your family, are bending over backwards to see them saved but nothing is happening.  Maybe you are doing something in God`s service and nothing is happening.  You feel like walking away.  Paul was like that but then the Lord spoke to him.  "Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace.  For I am with thee and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee for I have much people in this city." (Acts 18 verses 9 and 10)  It was the resurrected Saviour.  On another occasion his friends left him and he was called before the emperor Caesar.  Paul said the Lord stood by him.  He was taken on board a ship and the captain decided to sail even though a violent storm was coming and Paul warned him not to.  Paul told the people on the boat "For there stood by me this night the angel of God whose I am and whom I serve. Saying, Fear not, Paul thou must be brought before Caesar and lo God hath given thee all them that said with thee." (Acts 27 verses 23 and 24)  

The concern the Lord had for this woman.  In her lonely stand God had concern for her.  The Lord is concerned about you today.  He asks her the question "why weepest thou?"  Mary is standing broken and the Lord says to her "why weepest thou?"  She couldn`t find her Saviour and she was weeping so strongly.  It is the same word used when Jesus met Mary and Martha as they wept over their brother Lazarus.  It is not the same word as "Jesus wept".  He had an inward weeping.  Here in these verses he was concerned about Mary.  The Lord is concerned about how you feel.  He died on Calvary to save your sins.  He raised Jesus for your justification that you might be raised to a right relationship with him today.  He is concerned for your soul.  He cares for the situation you find yourself in.  He was concerned about the 2 on the Emmaeus road.  In John 14 when Jesus realised he must leave this scene of time, knew he was leaving a team behind him and said to them "Let not your heart be troubled".  He was concerned about them.  He is concerned whatever the situation is down in your soul today.  Are you saved today?  The disciples were concerned about their future.  They stepped out in faith to follow Jesus.  What would they do?  Do not be concerned Jesus told them because the heavenly father knows everything you need.  The resurrected Saviour is the one who consoles us and is concerned for us.  As Christ hung on the cross dying, ready to give up the ghost, he looked at the people around the cross.  He looked to Mary and said "woman behold thy son" then turned to John "son behold thy mother."  He was making sure the woman who bore him was taken care of when he left this scene of time.  Not only cared for now in this scene of time but has taken care of in eternity.

The challenge in her lonely stand - verse 15.  The Lord said to her first "why weepest thou" and he was looking at her eyes and then her heart.  Now he asks her "whom seekest thou?"  There was one thought in her mind.  She came alone to the tomb with the spices for his body.  There was only one thing in her mind.  Then she finds the stone rolled away and there is no sign of her Saviour.  Jesus asks her "whom seekest thou?"  What a challenge to us today.  This is the same woman out of whom the Lord had cast 7 devils and delivered her.  Is it any wonder she was weeping?  We are not told how these devils affected her but we remember the young man of the tombs who was given over to fits of rage and anger.  He had superhuman strength because he was able to snap the fetters and chains off him.  No man could go near him.  What about the father who brought his son to Jesus.  The father told him that the devil some times casts him into the fire and water.  He couldn`t leave him because of that.  Mary had 7 devils within her and the Lord delivered them from her.  Is it any wonder she is here on this particular morning.  When she cannot find him she is weeping.  She realises what she has been delivered from, who delivered her and now he is gone.  She wanted to be shown where he was and she would go and take care of him.  Sadly the Laodicean church in Revelation 3 didn`t even miss the presence of the Lord.  He was on the outside knocking.  They didn`t even hear him.  They didn`t know he was gone - why - because they were so wrapped up in themselves.  They were so rich in themselves, didn`t need the Lord and didn`t know he was away.  Are we here because it is a Sunday morning ritual?  Because we want others to see us in church today?  Think of Zacchaeus, he ran down the street and climbed a tree - why - to see Jesus.  He wanted to find out more about him.  Is that how it is for us today?  Are we here to meet the risen Saviour?  It happened just as she was about to turn away, when she was going to leave and go home.  The close of any meeting is one of the most important times in the whole of the service.  Maybe for you in the last few seconds of this meeting God has a word for you like Mary.  She didn`t rush away, she tarried and received the blessing.

She received a commission from the Lord - verse 17 "go to my brethren."  She was to go and tell the disciples especially Peter.  Why should she go to them?  They were not concerned about her.  Peter and John walked past her and never gave her a second thought.  They didn`t see the tears, the brokenness, were not worried about Mary.  Why should she go to them?  She was commissioned.  Maybe you don`t feel this morning that there is a task you can do for the Lord but when you come to the Lord and are consoled by him, when you are challenged by him there is something else you must do.  You may not feel like it today but maybe the Lord has put a commission on your heart for a task that he alone wants you to do.  The resurrected Saviour is not here.  We can leave with a joy in knowing he is alive today and alive for evermore.

What does Easter mean to you?

Sermon notes from Sunday evening 16 April 2017

Ephesians 3

Perhaps a strange passage to look at for Easter Sunday night.  You might expect us to turn to a portion on the cross or tomb but this particular portion has been on my mind after reading an article entitled "What does Easter mean to you?"  In that article they had asked different people what it meant to them.  Some said it was a time to meet up with families, others a time to go out for a meal and for children it was all about Easter eggs and being off school.  There was not one person who mentioned anything to do with the cross or the tomb or the words "he is not here he is risen."  We come to a day and age when people don`t care, have no time to read what the gospel means to them.  Maybe Easter is the only time when the cross is ever considered and we pay lip service to it at that particular time.  The cross might never be talked about or preached from the pulpit until next year.  The cross is not just something we consider at Easter, it is at the forefront of our minds each and every day.  It is the only reason why you are here.  If he hadn`t went to the middle cross for you, touched that life of yours, you might as well have stayed in the house tonight.  It is not something to pick and choose at.  That time of Easter is where people will begin to think about what Jesus did at the cross.  What happened at the tomb on Easter Sunday?  In this portion of scripture Paul understood what the cross meant to him.  He had it at the forefront of his mind every day of the week.  Verse 14 "for this cause I bow my knee unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."  In each of his letters Paul understood the importance of prayer.  He understood the need that lay all around him.  That is why Jesus left heaven.  Calvary was not an afterthought.  God didn`t sit down and think this world has made an awful mess so we need to do something about it.  No right back in the Garden he had planned Calvary.  That is why Paul could set the cross at the forefront of his mind.  He understood the strength and power of the cross.  If we were to take time to go back to Acts 9 we would undertand the power of the cross.  He was "breathing out threatenings and slaughter" against those who followed Christ.  Then he saw a great light from heaven shining on him.  Paul dropped to his knees.  He had an encounter with the risen Christ that day.  He could picture back to the power that brought him to his knees.  Later on that day Saul`s men picked him up and took him to Ananias` house.  Think of what Ananias thought when he heard Paul was coming to see him.  "What is God doing bringing an evil man to my house?"  The Lord told Ananias "he is a chosen vessel unto me."  How can he go from verse 1 to a man now on his knees?  That is the power of the cross.  That is why Easter should not be something we pick up today and not give it much thought until next year again.  That is why this pulpit preaches the cross today.  He is the same God who can touch your soul tonight just like he did to Paul on the road to Damascus.  "For this cause" surely we have to ask ourselves one question - for what cause?  There is something he wants to tell us.  To bow the knee, remembering.  Why did he feel the need to bow?  When he considered the universal call of the gospel - verse 6.  "That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel."  It was the gift of salvation.  We could be outside the kingdom and God today, on our way to a lost eternity.  The cross of Calvary can still touch us at the point of our need.  Why?  Because the universal call of the gospel is still there.  Not talking here specifically to Jewish people.  He was saying it was for Gentiles but who are they?  We are the Gentiles.  God touched us because we are the Gentile people.  He has touched us, saved us.  How?  Because of the middle cross.  For this cross he could have bowed the knee.

He also bowed the knee because he considered the love of God to his soul.  Verse 8 "unto me who am less than the least of all saints is that grace given."  Many of us could put our names in there.  Paul did it.  Jesus went to Calvary just for me and you also.  Think of John 3 verse 16.  Now consider verse 8 - it is John 3 in action.  Grace was given to us freely without charge.  Grace is where God gives us the things we don`t deserve.  Do any of us deserve redemption?  There is a home in heaven reserved for us.  God loved us.  Not one of us deserved God`s mercy.  Not one of us deserved the mercy shown to us.  To take the punishment for your sin.  Even the great apostle Paul.  In Philippians 3 we read the credentials of this man.  A learned man, a scholar yet considered him to be the least of all the saints.  That is humbleness and humility.  What a loving God we come before.  The one who did not look at us and see all our flaws, all our sin..  The word "given" is the word to be thrown upon, to be bombarded upon.  So much grace flowing on top of us.  Paul bowed the knee when he considered the access he now had to God - "in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by faith in him."  God didn`t save us and leave us.  You have access to the throne room of God.  Why?  Because of Calvary.  We read in the scriptures that the temple veil was ripped from top to bottom when Jesus cried "it is finished".    No longer do we have to present that lamb before the priest.  We have direct access to God, all because of Calvary.  He could look at what Christ had done for him and think the only thing I can do is bow the knee.  Too many Christians forsake the source of power and strength available trying to make it their own way.  Can we afford not to be in prayer for our world today, for the church itself or families and loved ones.  Can we afford not to be in place where we have direct access to God because of Calvary?

He bowed the knee when he considered the one he came before.  Unless we get an insight of the one we come to this evening then we miss the point.  What is God like?  To many God sits on a throne and has a great white beard.  That is not what we should be saying.  In Isaiah 6 the throne room of God was like Revelation 4.  It tells us the cherubims and seraphims go through the throne room of heaven crying "holy, holy, holy" yet Jesus left the splendours of heaven to hear them shouting at him "crucify him".  Isaiah 53 "he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities"  God is not someone sitting on a cloud.  Jesus left the environs of heaven.  When the angels shielded their faces because they couldn`t look at him.  To come into a sin cursed world to have his beard ripped from his face, have his face slapped as he walked past.  Is it any wonder Paul could say "for this cause I bow the knee"  For everything God has done for me.  Verse 17 "that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith."  We talk a lot at Easter of the cross.  He is not there.  He is at the right hand side of the father making intercession for us.  Verse 17 "that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge."  How can we know all that if he is still dead today?  Calvary is much more than one day a year.  A place of sacrifice.  He laid down his life for you.  A place of victory.  A sealed tomb couldn`t keep him.  Calvary is a place of decision.  The thief cried out "Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom."  The other thief looked into his eyes and went into hell itself.  Why did Paul say "for this cause I bow my knees".  He looked at the access he now had, what the Lord had done for him.

Running the Christian race

Sermon notes from Sunday 12 March 2017

Hebrews 12 verses 1 - 3 - Running the Christian Race

In chapter 11 we see the athletes who ran the race well for the Lord.  Hope you are in the Christian race today.  Thank God for knowing the joy as God`s word is preached across the world.  It is possible for many to enter into the Christian race well.

The conditions for entering into this race.  There is a starting point for evey race.  If he wants to receive the crown at the end he must start at the same point as everyone else.  "I have fought the good fight, I have run the course."  He was talking of a starting point in his life.  There is a starting time as well - athletes cannot say "I am not feeling good at the moment I will start later on, I will do it in my own time."  That is the way some people talk.  "I will get right with God sometime."  We need to keep in mind it is not our time.  "There is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted." (Ecclesiastes 3 verse 2)  When God`s spirit talks to us we need to know what we need to do.  It is God`s time.  If the Lord is prompting you to get something done then it is time for you to do it.  30 years ago there was a time when God`s work should be founded.  There came a moment in the divine purpose of God that the building should be started.  That is God`s timing.  "Come now let us reason together" says the Lord.  There was a time when Paul started out - at midday on the road to Damascus.  Are you able to look back to a time and place?  Maybe not sure of the time or hour but that is not the important thing.  If we know Christ that is the most important time.  The farmer is not concerned with what time the lambs are born during the night, he is more concerned about them being alive.

The instructions laid down.  We can lay the weights that would get us into down, lay our sins at the feet of Christ - "casting all our care upon him for he careth for us."  "Come unto me and I will give you rest."  There are weights that hold us from making that spiritual progress in our life.  "Let us lay aside every weight"  That includes the habits people have, grudges, bitterness.  We are told in this passage that we have got to leave these things down.   Thank God we have a wonderful message to share with the world, to share with those who have burdens.   To help them gaze at the cross and feel the burden coming off their back.  It is good to know there are those around you who care.  Maybe you need to share it with someone.  God doesn`t want us to leave under these weights.  He tells them to cast them aside.  If you saw an athlete lining up to run for the gold with a suitcase in either hand, overcoat on you would say there is something wrong with that person.  They have so much baggage.  There is a lot of baggage around today.  We can carry it around and not be prepared to lay it down.  "Let us run with patience"  Husbands be as patient as you can with wives and visa versa and be patient with everyone else too.  Young lives are spoiled today because haven`t been prepared to wait on God`s way and timing to do a thing.  God is good and he is faithful to perform what he wants in our lives.  The athlete also needs to watch the diet.  To eat what gives him strength for the race.  Christians cannot live on TV programmes and questionable books.  We have to feed on the living word.  Feed your soul.  You can become spiritual skeletons.  Let you soul delight in fatness.  The further the athlete goes the weaker they become.  For the Christian athlete the further they go the stronger they become.  That is why you can visit a man or woman on their deathbed, saved for years who are dying in the comfort and peace of God.  They have run the race and have no fears or regrets.  Psalm 84 verse 7 "they go from strength to strength".  That is what God wants us to do, to go forward in strength not fear.  The Psalmist said "every time I am afraid I will trust in God."  Paul to the Galatian church "ye did well what did hinder you?"  Are you running as well as you did 5 years ago?  If you are not a committed Christian today there are obstacles, blockages in your way, difficulties you get through, situations to get over, battles and struggles.  God gives the glory.  If the athlete is running and there are those on the side booing him or cheering him he cannot let any of that distract him from going forward.  When you find difficulties God still leads us on.  What is the purpose of the running of this race?  Galatians 1 verse 15 part of the purpose is to reveal Christ to the world, reveal Jesus to my workmates, children in my class.    It is also to reach the great destination.

The reward -"henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, not to me only but to all who love his appearing."  "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."  The one who ran the race from glory to Bethlehem, to Calvary and on to glory.  "I press toward the prize of the calling of Christ."  Are you in the race today?  Do you look back and say "yes there was a start", can point to a starting time and place, with the help of God have been obedient to him and can say "I continue to this day."  Paul said "let us press on."  Let`s never despair, live above the feelings for victory is there.

A life defining moment for Saul of Tarsus

Sermon notes from Sunday 7 May 2017

Acts 7 verses 54 - chapter 8 verse 8

I was listening to a programme and a lot of it was dedicated to a young man who spent some 32 hours on a surf board.  It was thinking about fears he had, what was going on all around him, could see no hope whatsoever.  It was a life defining moment.  Things that happen to us that mean life could never be the same again.  That young man`s mind will go back to that day drifting along in the sea with no hope until he saw the helicopter in the skies.  Or think of the young racing driver who was in an ordinary race at 120 miles per hour coming around the track when all of a sudden there was a stationary car.  He lived to tell the tale but lost both his legs.  These are life changing moments.  Life defining moments.  We have also a life changing moment for the young man called Saul who later became Paul of the apostles.  It was not only a life defining moment for him but for the church of Jesus Christ.  A changing of the course for the church.  Chapter 8 verse 1 there was great persecution caused by Saul.  A religious zealot who had been brought up in the Jewish religious faith.  There came a moment when that all began to change.  It happened as he stood and watched Stephen being stoned to death. Saul guarded the clothes of them that stoned Stephen.  Look at Acts chapter 22 verses 19 and 20.  Not only was Saul standing by but he was watching.  "I kept the raiment of them that slew him."  Standing in this religious crowd, they had quizzed Stephen, tried to get him to recant of all he believed in then lifted the stones to stone him.  If we could lift our eyes away from the scene we would see Saul standing on the opposite side watching all that was going on.  Here was a man being stoned to death at his request.  There was something there that left a mark on Saul`s life.  Have you ever had a life changing moment experience?  Look at the experience Saul had.

Saul witnessed the cause for which Stephen was stoned.  This religious zealot cannot see the gospel of saving grace.  Something had to happen.  For us when we come under the teaching of the gospel the Holy Spirit had to come and take that veil off our faces, lift it up so that we might see.  Don`t think that just because you are saved you are any better than anyone else.  A life defining moment happened.  Have you ever really thought about that moment when your last breath is about to be taken where will your soul be in eternity?  Saul witnessed something definite and real.  He signed the consenting note for Stephen`s death.  In Acts 6 we are introduced to this man Stephen. A conflict had arose in the church.  The Grecians felt they were being left out.  When did this happen?  "when the number of the disciples was multiplied."  When we see God working in a situation we also see the devil rising in opposition.  He starts the murmuring among the church members.  What was the answer to it?  We find men like Stephen stepping forward.  Verse 3 the apostles speaking to the laymen of the church.  They are described as "of honest report".  In other words they had a good name in society.  They were "full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom."  They wanted to appoint some over this business.  Ordinary men with special qualifications to sort out this murmuring in the church.  They had a longing desire for the things of God.  It is only when this desire is evident that we can know the working of the Holy Ghost within us.  Paul commended Priscilla and Aquilla - why - because when times were difficult for Paul these two would have laid down their lives for him.  We are talking here about real commitment, ready to die for the cause of Jesus Christ.  That is the sort of thing the unsaved are looking for.  Men and women prepared to see us not just taking up a pew on a Sunday morning but prepared to do something for the Lord in the rest of the week.  Paul referred to Mary and said "she bestowed much labour on us."  Not everyone is called to preach but that should not exclude us from whatever task God would have us to do.  The local fellowship is not just about the evangelist or the Sunday School teachers but the body of Christ working together to see men and women saved. In verse 2 the apostles have gathered together as a fellowship but now there is a division, a dispute has arisen.  They realised they couldn`t do their own work and try to sort out this division too.    They would have to leave the study of God`s word and prayer.  They were not being big headed but they could see what was happening.  The enemy, the devil was involved in this.  The devil was trying to take away the word of God from their midst.  The apostles were asking them to choose out men full of the Holy Ghost, dedicated and consecrated to the Lord.  Are you and I today like that?  Here was a man ready to die for Christ.  As Saul of Tarsus watched this stoning he could see the same thing.  Agabus took Paul`s girdle and wrapped it around both his hands.  He then said that the person who wore this girdle would be bound, fettered, chained and imprisoned all because of the gospel.  The church turned to Paul and told him not to go down to Jerusalem because of this.  Paul said he was prepared to die for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Saul witnessed the calmness in Stephen`s suffering.  Stephen had a calmness in his approach to settling the dispute in the church.  That calmness only comes from the Spirit of God.  In chapter 6 verse 8 he was standing firm even at the point of death.  God was using him so very well that even the devil took notice of him.  The devil stirred up religious momentum that he had him arrested and stoned to death.  Think of Nehemiah in the Old Testament.  The word came to him that Jerusalem had been torn down and the people were not attending the place of worship.  God`s word came to Nehemiah that he wanted him to do the work but Nehemiah pleaded with God that he was not able.  He was only a cupbearer in the king`s palace, how could he do such a job.  When God is in something, when he separates us we can do it with his help.  When Nehemiah went down the enemies were grieved.  They saw a man who cared for the welfare of the people.  What a wonderful testimony.  Not out to make a name for himself or to become rich.  He left a great job in the palace serving the king, no doubt had a great wage and prospects but he left it all to go and serve the Lord.  He went and undertook the job God called him to.  Here is Stephen, when the enemy was in the church telling lies and stories, when they tried him and could not find anything to accuse him of.  Chapter 6 verse 10 they were able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.  They were clever, asking him great theological questions but Stephen`s face shone like an angel.  The God who could make the calmness on his soul at the point of his death is the same God we have today.  You are afraid because there is something you have to decide today, let God take control and charge.

Saul witnessed the confession Stephen made - Acts 16 verse 15.  He was faithful to the end.  He started well, ran well and finished well.  Here he was being stoned and it was at that point that he looked up into the heavens and saw the glory of God.  He could see the Lord Jesus standing waiting on him.  What a great vision he had.  Imagine if that was our vision on the day we die.  Now contrast it with the sinners death.  Not saved, not born again of the Spirit of God, what do they see?  Not the glory of the Lord.  Before them is only darkness, a lost sinners hell for eternity.  A life defining moment is what you can have today if you come to Christ, trust him as Saviour and Lord.  There were men and women years ago burned at the stake for their faith.  Men like Martin Luther who led the great Reformation.  They died to give us liberty.  We should never give up that freedom to worship, to give out the tract on the streets so that men and women might be saved.

Saul witnessed a great challenge.  Did he leave this scene in bitterness?  Knowing the last breath was about to leave his body?  No, he said "Lord lay not this sin against their charge."  A young man of grace and compassion.  Could we pray for those who would hurt us as this young man prayed?  This was a life changing moment for Saul of Tarsus.  He would never forget about that moment in the future.  I trust God has brought you to a place where you will never ever forget because he wants to do something in your life from here on.  The pastor will never do it nor the evangelist, nor coming Sunday by Sunday - only the Lord can do it for you this very moment.

Suffering for Christ`s sake

Sermon notes from Sunday 4 June 2017

1 Peter 4 verses 12 - 17

This was written by the apostle Peter.  One of the things about letters you always know who it is from by the ending of the letter.  Peter wrote this slightly differently.  The destination to whom this letter was written. These places were there in Peter`s day but are not known to us today.  He did that in order to let us know under the direction of the Holy Spirit`s authority.  It was also written to us today.  A text message can be read in 2 or 3 ways.  Misread a meaning even though the same words are used.  It is important to know what it really means.  Peter is remembered for many things but one main thing stands out in my own mind is when the chips were down and what Christ really needed someone beside him where was Peter?  Where was Peter when Christ was going through mock trials, false witnesses being wheeled out - where was Peter?  He was following from a distance.  A lump of a man who was a fisherman.  He knew what it was to suffer for Christ.  It was a maid that questioned him.  His tongue gave him away.  None of us is perfect.  We have let God down many times not intentionally but we still do it.  A few scholars say this letter was written around AD63/65/66, some 30 years after Christ was crucified.  Peter had been on the road speaking of Christ to believers.  He had a lot of experience under his belt.  The Holy Spirit prompted him to write this letter.  Verse 12.  You probably have been through a few trials in the family, hospital visits for tests but what is Peter talking about here?  Remember he is talking to those who believe in Christ.  Verse 13 not just talking about a wee trial of hill health but rather being associated with the Lord Jesus.  Don`t think it strange if you are going to have both.  John 16 verse 33 "fear not for I have overcome the world."  Reiterating something what Christ has already said.  When will Christ`s glory be revealed - in the last times when he comes as king and conqueror.  We will receive the reward due to us for following him.  When we leave this scene of time we will know what it is to be rewarded.  In NI our trials are not so very trying in the grand scheme of things.  I am sure you are aware of Open Doors, they try to minister to people living in countries that face persecution.  If you are a pastor in this country you could face many many years in prison for preaching the gospel.  This is a real trial.  Verse 14 "if ye be reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye when you are facing opposition." The Bible says "happy are ye".  What that means is this.  The Bible says you can be happy because you show enough of Christ`s love.  People recognise it and will antagonise you for that faith you have.  You demonstrate the love of Christ in your every day life.  When you face trials because of your faith he will help us because he is near us.  He will give us joy and contentment.  Verse 15 can be a bit strange.  What does Peter mean when he says this?  If you suffer for the name of Christ then happy are you.  You are suffering for the sake of your Saviour who loved you and gave himself for you.  Loved you more than you can every understand.  If you suffer for Christ`s sake you will be blessed in the life to come.  There are lots of suffering in this world not just because we believe in Christ.  When we call people their own worst enemy bring things upon themselves no need to bring on themselves.  Peter says "let none of you suffer as a murderer"  Don`t been tempted to go and do something.  Do not be tempted.  Talking here about his own personal experience.  One of the things he did in the Garden was when he took a sword and cut off a piece of a man`s ear.  That man was called Malchus a servant of the chief priest.  Peter was a quick tempered individual.  Thought his Saviour would come in as a lion and throw the Romans out of their country, take over like a military coup.  Peter was going to throw the first strike.  Christ healed the man.  Peter knew what it was like to be quick tempered, speaking from a background knew what it was like.  When you suffer as a murderer, thief, evil doer or as a busy body in another man`s matters.  It is surprising to think that the Bible speaks of busy bodies such as this.  The Bible speaks against it.  Serious thing when it is put in same sentence as murderers and thieves.  We are not to be interfering in other peoples affairs.  Verse 16 Peter knew about that and Paul knew about that.  Stephen knew about that.  Christ knew about that.  Something to be taken seriously today.  The Bible has told us we will suffer for Christ`s sake.  Verse 17 in other words if we as Christians we will come through the fiery trials and we have God to protect us who has our lives mapped out from the time we are born to eternity - how much worse will it be for those who do not believe. The Gospel of God - what is it - the good news of Christ who came to seek and to save that which was lost.  Brillant, tremendous news.  He came out to seek - how - Isaiah 61 the people of God were called, sought out and sought after.  God is trying to reach you and I.  Maybe if not a believer more powerfully now than ever before because time is going on.

God wants to save your soul.  The verse asks the questions what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  Revelation 21 verse 8 let the word of God speak for itself.  The first 2 categories in this verse - "the fearful and unbelieving."  There are people in there who are scared to follow Christ, fearful to put trust in God`s hands yet the Holy Spirit gives them power to do.  The unbelieving cannot be there.  I believe in a designer not some sort of biological accident today.  People have lost the realisation they are precious as an individual.  You are not a glorified monkey, you are a person whom God breathed into.  Adam became a living soul that would never die.  Just as in the account of the rich man and Lazarus.  The rich man opened up his eyes in hell.  He begged to dip his finger in water to cool his tongue.  He asked for someone to "Go and tell my brothers."  It was too late though.  Where do you want to be in eternity?  Simple question and most would say they would like to be where Christ is.  They do not want to be in that place called hell you have just described.  Are you willing to be saved?  Everyone wants to be saved but very few are willing to be saved.  Leave you with a question - are you willing to follow Christ?  Willing to take him as Saviour?  Are you willing to be saved?

A debt to be paid

Sermon notes from Sunday evening 26 February 2017

2 Kings 4 verses 1 - 7

In 2 Kings 4 we meet a woman who has been bereaved of her husband.  The situation in her own home is given right away.  We see in these verses the pathway to the man of God`s door.  That is where this woman came to.  Only one place where she might find help - at the door of the man of God.  There is a greater door to consider - the pathway to heaven`s door.  Maybe you have never made your way to that pathway to heaven.  The gate is still narrow.  There are few that find it.  There are many on the way to heaven yes but compared to those making their way on the downward path there are few heading for heaven tonight.  This was not an easy pathway for this woman.  The gate to the pathway to heaven is not easy to find.  What this woman needed was supernatural help.  As we come into this meeting there is one source of help for you tonight.  Supernatural help, not in any one else, found in Jesus Christ.  Have you come to the road to seek him as Saviour and Lord?  This might be a great night for you.  This might be the night you leave behind your life of sin and make your way to the pathway of heaven.  Nothing short of a miracle would help this woman.  What you need tonight is a miracle of grace.  She found a miracle in her lap.  You need a miracle to lift you from where you are to be set on the pathway to heaven and home.  We are not talking about turning over a new leaf, a little more churchianity, doing the best you can.  We are talking of a miracle of grace.  You coming to the foot of the cross, taking at the hands of the Saviour eternal life.  A miracle takes place at the foot of the cross.  You might have all the religiousity but it will never take you across the bridge tonight.  Not an easy pathway for this woman.  She had a debt to pay and nothing to pay it with.  You have come in in the same situation.  You owe a great debt and nothing that will take you into the glories of heaven tonight.

Notice first the complaint that brought her to this door.  Her search began with a heavy heart and sorrowful soul.  If you haven`t come to search for the Lord with all your heart and soul and mind you will not find him.  It is only the Lord that can make the heart sorrowful.  He is the only one who can show you the situation of your heart, make you sorrowful.  Only then will you search for Christ truly with all your heart.  Her search began with a heavy heart.  Her pain is described here "my husband is dead".  With his passing he had left a debt she could not pay.  Here was a woman who came to the door of this man of God.  She had a complaint and that brought her to his door.  If affected her and her family.  The creditor could come and take her sons away, make them his servants and she would never see them again for 7 years.  Where has sin brought you tonight?  Your heart is heavy and sorrowful, burdened down with your sin.  You are a candidate for God`s salvation.  Maybe you have a complaint in your heart but feel you cannot bring it to the Lord.  The Lord has placed this complaint on your heart just so that you would acknowledge God himself.  Sin can influence your home, can keep your family away from the cross because they are following your example.  This woman realised her sadness and sorrow was not over.  She realised now she would lose her 2 boys, the great loss she would have.  If I only could paint the picture of a lost and Christless hell that will be your destination if you do not come to the cross.  Your here today.  Some say there is more than one way to heaven.  Every bit of that religion is good, apply it until one day we get to heaven.  Wouldn`t it be awful to close your eyes in death to a lost eternity.  This woman began to realise the great loss she encountered.  Isn`t that what brought Jairus to Jesus.  He realised that the person he needed was Jesus.  If you were to come into my home then I know my daughter would be better.  The pain of loss.  His daughter brought him to Jesus.  Whatever it is that will bring you to Christ don`t turn it away.

The compassion she was met with.  Maybe you have never come to Christ, prayed a simple prayer of faith "Lord come into my life."  Maybe you think your sin is too vile tonight.  The Lord will never accept me.  Saul of Tarsus had blood on his hands yet he found mercy on the road to Damascus.  Elisha had time to stop with her, to talk with her.  Many find that same compassion in the Saviour.  "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."  Isn`t that the same compassion here.  The woman caught in adultery was found and pushed in front of the religious leaders.  She was arrested and brought her to Christ, they wanted to trick him, wanted to hear what he would have to say.  They had no answer to her sin.  When she stood in the presence of Christ she found one full of compassion - "let him that is without sin cast the first stone."   When he looked up again no-one else was there.  Jesus asked the woman "where are thy accusers?"  "There are none" she said.  "Neither do I go and sin no more."  What a compassionate Saviour.  Christ knows your sin and he is willing for you to come.  The compassion in the Saviour.  The old thief found life to his dying breath.  The old thief looked at the Saviour and said "Lord remember me" and Jesus said "today thou shalt be with me in paradise."  The Lord didn`t turn him away nor is he going to make a mockery or fool of you.  If you come tonight you will be saved.  He came to find you - he came to "seek and to save that which is lost."  He came to give his life as a ransom for me.  He is not willing that any should perish.  Remember the lepers who came to Jesus.  They were total outcasts and not allowed in the city.  They came to the feet of Jesus.  The Lord touched them.  Not another person would touch them.  They found in him one full of compassion.

There was the challenge that faced her.  Elisha was compassionate.  The answer he gave was by way of challenge. It was all on condition that she believed the Lord.  Elisha told her to take her cruise of oil, close the door behind her, borrow all the vessels she could get then begin to fill them.  She would have to prove Christ.  She ony had a little cruise of oil but she began to pour it into the first vessel.  She continued to the last vessel and her son told her there were no more vessels.  It must have seemed foolishness to lift down that cruise of oil.  If you want to be saved isn`t it foolishness.  The Greeks and the Romans just thought that too.  That a man or woman steeped in their sin would come to the foot of the cross and get down on their knees.  Look at the great sin barrier being delivered.  By faith invite Christ into your life.  That is what it is to trust Christ as your own and personal Saviour.  1 Kings 17 Elijah came to the very gate of the widow woman.  As he came this woman was out gathering a few sticks.  She only had a handful of meal and a cupful of oil.  She had enough to make one cake and then she would die.  Elijah told her to make his cake first for thus saith the Lord God of Israel the meal shall not waste and the oil shall not fail.  That is what makes the difference.  "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" Paul told the Philippian jailer.  Will you come tonight.  Tonight that is the challenge - will you leave your religion tonight.  That is the challenge.  Will you turn from the self righteous life tonight?  That is the challenge - will you come and acknowledge Christ as your Saviour?

There is the commandment that followed - verse 5.  She took all the vessels.  The oil still remained.  She came and told Elisha.  He told her to sell the oil and pay the debt and live thou and thy children on the rest.  God has paid the debt for your sin and he will give you the grace to live day by day.  A young ruler came to Jesus wasn`t prepared to leave all to follow Christ - are you prepared to leave all and follow Christ tonight?