Restricted by unbelief

Sermon notes from Sunday 15 March 2020 pm

Mark 6 verses 1 - 6

Restricted by unbelief

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

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

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

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

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

Hitherto hath the Lord helped us

Sermon notes from Sunday 15 March 2020 am

1 Samuel 7

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us"

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

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

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

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

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

Revelation 17

Sermon notes from Sunday 2 February 2020 am

Revelation 17

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

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

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

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

Sermon notes from Sunday 9 February 2020 pm

1 Peter 1 verses 13 - 21

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

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

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

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

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

Sermon notes from Sunday 16 February 2020 am

Revelation 17 verses 1 - 6

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

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

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

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

Sermon notes from Sunday 1 March 2020 am

Revelation 17 verses 7  - 18

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

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

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

The Publican and the Pharisee`s prayers

Sermon notes from Sunday 2 February 2020 pm

Luke 18 verse 9 - 14

A sinner`s prayer - "God be merciful to me a sinner."  

This is a man who is doing business with God.  He has come to the end of himself, can see no hope in himself.  Like the thief on the cross dying beside Jesus.  Both those thieves railed on the Saviour, ridiculed him and called him all sorts of names.  Somehow as that day drew to a close, for one of the thieves as his breath grew shallow he realised the one on the middle cross was one dying not for something he had done but for this thief`s own sin.  He cried out "Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom."  We come tonight and ask "have you ever prayed the sinners prayer?"  We are not talking about the simple prayer "Lord come into my heart" but rather one that touches the heart of God.  This man in verse 14 went down to his own house justified rather than the other.  He was in a proper relationship with Jesus Christ.  Jesus gave this parable to teach those who were trusting in themselves, they were righteous and despised others (verse 9).  This man was saying "I don`t need a Saviour, I am not as bad as other people."  Many people feel the same way today.  They say others need to be saved, that they have never done anything wrong, I don`t need this salvation.  Jesus speaks this parable to you and I in our relationship with God.

See first the sinners company.  They went up into the temple to pray.  2 men went to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, a man who would teach in the synagogue, gave his money to the poor, did so many good things.  The other was a publican.  He took taxes off the Jewish people.  These 2 men went into the temple to pray.  One was in a desperate situation.  Remember Zacchaeus - it cost him.  He said "the half of my goods I give to the poor and if I have taken anything by false accusation I give it back fourfold."  Jesus said "if any man come after me he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."  We are not told here the exact time of prayer.  2 Chronicles 6 verse 40 "now my God let I beseech thee, let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place."  This is the place where God meets with sinful man.  It ishere that God has sent his only begotten son to die in our place for our sins, that our broken relationship with him might be mended, that we might be reconciled unto him.  God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself.  The publican walked behind the Pharisee.  He had his eyes on him.  We need to be careful who we have our eyes on today.  Remember the man who had a son with a dumb spirit.  He brought him to the disciples but they could do nothing for him.  He had to watch this son 24 hours a day because the spirit would take him out and cast him into the water or into the fire.  He heard of Jesus, how great things were happening through him.  One day he took his son to Jesus.  The disciples could do nothing for him however.  How disappointed he must have been.  If only he could get help.  He was let down.  Sometimes we are let down, disappointed by people around us.  We need to lift our eyes higher, to Jesus Christ.  That man found when he got to the Lord his son was delivered from that evil spirit.  Maybe your eyes are on others who have a false profession.  Get your eyes off them and onto Jesus.  Mark 1 verse 23 a man with a unclean spirit cried out as Jesus lifted the bible to preach.  This man began to disrupt the meeting.  Jesus told the demon to come out and it did.

We see the sinners conviction.  As he comes into the house of God he hears no doubt the prayer of the old Pharisee.  I am sure he was praying at the top of his voice.  He wanted everyone to hear him.  Verse 11 "I am not like other men ... even as this publican." He lifted up his voice.  The publican is listening, maybe he feels inferior.  Maybe saying in his heart "who am I to stand in the company of this man."  So caught up with the place of God, the presence of God and the power of God that he couldn`t even lift his eyes heavenward.  He came under great conviction.  Somehow he feels so bad in himself.  He smote his breast and said "God be merciful to me a sinner."  Verse 13.  What is conviction?  Acts 2 people standing listening to Peter, as he comes to the cross to the close of his message they were "pricked in their hearts."  That word means their hearts were turned asunder.  The Holy Spirit brings that same conviction in to the heart of the sinner.  Somehow he feels the power of God, feels so guilty standing before God.  The Pharisee stood as close to the altar as he could get.  The publican stands afar off, he wants to do business with God.  His heart is weighty and burdened.  No-one could see it, see the condition he is in.  Remember the centurion who came to the Lord on one occasion.  He had a servant at home sick.  He pleaded with God.  He is at the point of death.  The Lord said he would come and heal him.  The centurion said no I am not worthy for you to come under my roof.  He did not feel adequate in the presence of Christ.  When we come under conviction of sin there is only one thing we want to do - get right with God.  Remember Peter on one occasion.  He cried out "depart from me for I am a sinful man."  We need that conviction tonight.  Not an unhappy feeling, that somehow you can take God`s salvation or leave it.  When you realise you are a sinner, bound for a Christless hell for all eternity, that if God doesn`t move in your heart you will be lost for all eternity.

Notice the sinners confession.  Conviction was felt in the heart, coming to the realisation of what I am before God.  Now there is a public confession.  He cries out to God of heaven.  He has gone through the conviction that God has spoken to him, touched his heart.  The confession is now "I am a sinner."  That he had been born in sin, shapen in iniquity.  The only thing I need today is his mercy and grace before this Pharisee and others.  He owns up to his guilt and shame.  "If we say we have no sin we make God a liar." (1 John 1 verse 8)  This man admits he is a sinner.  "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the least." Paul could say (1 Timothy 1 verse 15)  When we make our way to Calvary and confess our sin and need of him he saves us.  Here`s a man who asks "be merciful to me a sinner."  He realises he is a sinner by nature and practice.  He acknowledges it.  Psalm 51 verse 3 "I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.  Against thee and thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight."  Remember Achan who tried to hid the treasure he stole from the enemy.  The hiding of his sin brought destruction and disaster on him and his family.  The judgment fell not only on him but his entire family.

The sinners conviction.  "I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."  The word justified means in a right relationship with God.  We don`t hear of the Pharisee having that same conviction.  There is a serious question for you tonight when you come under conviction, when you make that confession - do we really get through to God and are converted?  If we say we have no sin.  You say "I have no problem with that."  We deceive ourselves.  You say "I have not deceived myself, I know heaven`s door is closed to me."  This man had come to this place of conviction.  Will you trust Christ tonight?  Will you take him as Saviour and Lord tonight?  Romans says "We all have sinned."  The publican was not willing to make God a liar, he was willing to take Christ as Saviour.  He confessed his sin and is now convicted of his sin.  "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins."

The sinners confidence.  God tells him he is saved.  The business is between you and God.  Will you come to Calvary and to the one who died for you?  He wants to open up the door of heaven and allows you to enter in.  It is his spirit witnessing with your spirit that you are a child of God - only he can give that assurance. 

Born again of incorruptible seed by the word of God

Sermon notes from Sunday 9 February 2020 pm

1 Peter 1 verses 13 - 21

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

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

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

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

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

Asking for the old paths

Sermon notes from Sunday 16 February 2020 pm

Jeremiah 6 verses 16 - 20

"Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls.  But they said We will not walk therein."

This passage is directed to the nation of Israel.  We can imagine a great battle going on.  The judgment of God is about to fall on this people.  The King of Babylon is about to attack Jerusalem.  The is a people swaying on the balance.  Similarly we come to this meeting with a battle that is on for the sou of men and women, for your soul and mine.  The enemy would seek to damn our souls in a lost and Christless eternity but the Lord took on us our sin on Calvary`s tree.  There in his final minutes he could say "it is finished", all we have to do is to enter therein.  I wonder have you ever come to the cross of Calvary, trusting him as Saviour and Lord.  The Lord gives us a picture of a traveller on his journey.  He comes to this part where there are a few roads he can take.  He is confused as to which road to take.  The Lord tells him to look and see the road he is on.  There is a great picture for us as sinners, we were born in sin and in iniquity, on a broad road.  Proverbs 16 verse 25 "there is a way that seeemeth right unto man but the end thereof is the way of death."  There is a religious way tonight, it accommodates many views, which ever one you want.  You could be all right, could have an out and our view, that there is no such thing as God, no place like hell.  Your churchianity will not take you into the splendours of heaven.    We are really looking for a narrow way, "few there be that find it" Jesus himself said. (Matthew 7 verse 14) The Lord is pointing out 4 things here.

There is a instruction to wait.  This is coming from the heart of God himself.  "Stand ye in the way".  He is saying "wait."  He was trying to break into their lives.  Somehow we are so busy.  People do not have much time.  Here are a people who have come to this place.  God is saying to them they must take time to assess where they are.  Is God saying to you "wait, take time and assess where you are."  Remember the story Jesus told of a man who prepared a great supper.  Everything was prepared for the great feast.  He sent out invitations, "come for all things are now ready."  They all cried with one accord, began to give an excuse, note not a reason but an excuse.  One man couldn`t come because he had bought a plot of ground and he had to look at it.  Another said he had bought a yoke of oxen and had no time.  Another one had married a wife and couldn`t come either.  Isn`t that what we find with the gospel in this day and age?  Men and women don`t have the time for the things of God, don`t have time to close in with his offer of mercy.  A man in the New Testament told Paul to come back another time and he would hear him again.  People lead busy lives today, even children.  There are so many after school activities.  Social media and television takes up our time, demands our attention.  The Lord says he wants them to wait.  Isaiah 1 we read "the oxen knowth his owner, the ass his masters crib but Israel doth not know my people, do not consider."  Will you take time to stop and consider your later end?  The one who was sinless, pure.  Will you take time to consider why he died?  Why he left his father`s heavenly home and was sent down into this world?  We are on our way to a lost sinners hell.  God took the very best he could offer and sent his son down into the world.  Have you taken him as Saviour?  Do you know him in your heart?  You are the only one who can say whether you are saved or not.  In the Old Testament the Children of Israel came out of bondage and slavery.  They were to establish the Lord`s house but they got complacent.  The Lord said through the prophet "its time to consider your ways."

An instruction to watch.  Watch for the direction they were to take.  A picture that shows confusion.  God knew they needed an instruction.  The course they were on - the judgment was about to fall.  The course they were on would bring disaster.  "Ask for the old paths."  What would they do?  Bring blessing to their soul.  In the book of Chronicles chapter 7 verse 14 "if my people that are called by my name and humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear their prayer."  There is the old path.  God said to come to old paths which were repentance and humility, believing and trusting.  There is no other way to heaven.  You have to come to God as a humble child.  You have to turn from your sin, give your sin up and come to the Lord.  He takes you in.  We are living in a new era when we think differently.  God hasn`t changed, he saves in the same way.  Remember the promise given at his birth "thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sin." (Matthew 1 verse 21) Notice not in their sin but from their sin.  God sent Jeremiah to stand in the gate of the city.  He could see the sin in that nation, listened to false prophets.  Jeremiah all the time pointed back to the old pathways.  John the Baptist said "behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1 verse 29)  He was pointing to Christ himself, he is the one who would die for their sins.  Has he borne your sin?  Have you allowed him to take away your sin?  Matthew 7 verse 14 be careful the gate is narrow.  The devil has many directions, the cost of discipleship is not a few meetings here and there but what is the real cost?  Taking the name of Christ and saying "I am saved".  Jesus said "if any man will take up his cross, deny himself."  The cost is - how does Jesus want me to live my life?  In Judges we read "every man did that which was right in his own eyes."  God wants us to follow him.  The Lord said wait and he says to watch.  Jeremiah speaks of his own ministry.  Jeremiah 25 verse 3.  For 23 years I have stood to warn you, I have risen early in the morning, told you to turn back to the old paths.

The third instruction was to walk therein.  Are you walking with Christ tonight?  Are you saved tonight?  Walking with him?  The traveller has stopped and is examining every pointer available, the signposts that are available to him.  This is a picture of a man waiting, he is watching for someone to come to tell him the direction he should go.  There is a direction to follow.  Are you saved tonight?  Walking with the Lord?  Remember Matthew sitting at the seat of custom when Jesus walked past him.  Jesus said "follow me".  Matthew arose and followed after him.  In Acts 16 Jesus showed the guard his need of salvation.  Paul told him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he would be saved.  He brought them to his own home to bring his family into God`s family too.  Bartimaeus on the road "followed after Jesus". (Mark 10 verse 52)  Are you saved?  Are you studying the word?  Are you in the prayer meeting?  Are you out giving out invitations, talking to people about the Lord or is it one off on Sunday?  The Lord says to wait, to watch and to walk.  You have come to that place on the journey and you are not saved.  The Lord says it is time to consider your ways.  

An instruction that is wasted - verse 16 "but they said we will not walk therein."  We will not do it.  Verse 17 "we will not hearken."  We see this great instruction coming from the heart of God.  What do we say tonight - no - even if it means the very blessing of God on their soul because not prepared to do as God asks.  God wants your all tonight.  Jeremiah 6 this instruction has fallen on deaf ears.  Is this instruction wasted on you?      The keeper of a cemetery had his home inside the gates of the cemetery.  Someone said to him one day "does it not bother you watching the hearse going in and out on a daily basis?"  He replied "at the beginning it caused me sleepless nights.  Sometimes there are big coffins, others are small.  Sometimes I would get up in the middle of night but it doesn`t bother me now.  I have got used to it."  For many sitting in gospel meetings, have heard the gospel preached time after time to come unto Christ, to surrender their all.  Time after time they have walked away.  They have said no.  It hasn`t bothered them.  The old paths they will bring blessing to your soul.  It will mean an acknowledgement of your sin.  Come to the cross and repent of your sin, trust him as Saviour and Lord.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Man`s greatest need

Sermon notes from Sunday 23 February 2020 pm

John 3 verses 12 - 18

Subject: Man`s greatest need

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Man`s greatest need is to know that he is loved by a loving God.  One of the greatest blessings to the heart of a man or woman is to experience that love God has for every one of us.  Verse 16 what a love that was.  "Oh the love that drew salvations plan, Oh the grace that brought it down to man, Oh the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary."  God sent his son to die on Calvary.  He was reconciling the world unto himself, bridging the gap we could not do anything about.  Peter and Gordon were a famous duo who had a son in the 1960`s titled "What would this world be like without love?" written by Paul McCartney.  What a question!  There is an abusive love tonight.  Many young people have those sentiments on their mind.  They do not believe that anyone loves them.  The Psalmist said "I looked on my right hand and beheld but there was no man that would know me; refuge failed me;  no man cared for my soul." (Psalm 142 verse 4)  There are many who do not feel they are loved.  Many need to hear from God that he loves them.  There are 3 things to notice from verse 16 and the love of God.

A confirmation that God gives.  If ever we needed to know God loves us we should look at this verse.  The God of heaven loves you and me and he tells us that in his word.  It is from the lips of the Lord himself.  We have this great declaration from the lips of the sinless perfect lamb of God.  We have the message that God loves us.  Not only a declaration from the Lord himself.  We look to Jerusalem and Golgotha.  We see 3 crosses and hanging on either side of the middle cross are 2 thieves.  God`s son is hanging on the middle cross.  This is God in the flesh taking on himself the form of a servant.  A demonstration of that love because Jesus withheld not himself.  As they nailed him to the cross and put a crown of thorns on his head he said "Father forgive them."  What tremendous love.  He was praying for those nailing him to the cross, praying for them even then.  A confirmation of that love through his own son.  He was made to be sin for the world.  Every sin was laid on him.  Have you claimed that love for yourself?  We see many illustrations of that love as we go through the scriptures.  God as he looked down on Egypt as the taskmasters who took their orders from Pharaoh abused the Children of Israel.  God said to Moses "I have heard their cries, I have seen their affliction, now I am sending you to them."  Maybe God knows your affliction.  You are bound under the burden you are under.  He has such love that he would send his son to die for you.  He asks you to bring your cares to him.  In Nineveh the people who were so cruel and hard, had done so much against the Children of Israel, yet God was willing to send a message that if they repented he would save them.  That is the same message we hear even tonight.  Many are not saved because they have not turned from their sin.  God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and he wouldn`t go.  God sent a great storm on the ship and Jonah was cast overboard.  God then sent a great fish to swallow him.  God had a love for the people of Ninevah.  Jonah said "for I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness and repentest thee of the evil."  The people of Nineveh were delivered.  God told Jonah "And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city wherein are more than sixscore thousand person that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand and also much cattle?"  God has such love and grace and mercy for people.

A consolation this verse assures me of.  God did not turn his back and leave us in our sinful way.  God loves us no matter what we have done or where we have been or where we are right now.  Imagine loving someone like me.  Think of Adam in the Garden of Eden.  Remember how God created every tree and Adam was told he could eat of it freely except one.  Eve took of the fruit and gave it to her husband, he did eat of it and sin came into the world.  Adam ran away from God.  Hiding in his sin.  Isn`t that what we do - hide in our sin.  In a gospel meeting we try to hide behind people.  God is speaking to our hearts.  God called down to where Adam was.  He called for him and said "Adam where art thou?"  God is calling to you tonight.  The rich young ruler came to the Lord seeking after eternal life.  Jesus beholding him loved him.  He knew he would put his position and possessions in front of Jesus yet Jesus loved him.  Nicodemus finds his religion is of no value.  Even though he would turn his back on the teaching of God, would have denied Christ coming into the world, sacrifice on the cross of Calvary yet Jesus told him God loved him.  God never turned his back on us.  There is a great consolation tonight.  The man beside Christ on the cross throughout the hours of that day cast all sorts of blasphemies on Jesus.  As he begins to realise who this man is and his life is ebbing away he realised "this man is not dying for his own sin, he has done nothing amiss."  He asks "Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom."  What did Jesus do?  He told him "today thou shalt be with me in paradise."  It is a confirmation and a consolation.

There is a consideration to be made.  "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."  He loves you - that is confirmation.  How did he ever love me - that is a consolation.  What did you do with such knowledge?  That God loves me, that God gave his son to die for me?  Think of Moses leading the Children of Israel.  God showed his love to the Children of Israel throughout the wilderness journey.  As they stand before the Promised Land the Lord tells the people through Moses "I have set before you life and death and blessing ... choose life." (Deuteronomy 30 verse 19)  As we come to the cross can I plead with you - if you are not saved or are in a backslidden condition, cold in heart, depending on an empty profession, clear it all away and choose life.  Christ is coming soon.  Think of Pilate in the Judgment Hall looking into the face of the Lord.  The only Saviour we are looking into - that same face of the Saviour who said "come unto me all ye that labour and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11 verse 28)  Pilate looked into the face of the Lord and his conscience told him "this is an innocent men."  Are you listening to your conscience?  Pilate listened to his wife who said "Have thou nothing to do with this just man for I have suffered many things this day  in a dream because of him." (Matthew 27 verse 17)  Pilate sums up by asking 3 questions - "whom shall I release?" and the crowd cried Barabbas.  What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?  The people answered "crucify him".  The third question he asked - "what evil hath he done?"  And they took the Lord out and crucified him.  They put him to death.  Pilate called for a basin of water to wash his hands off the decision he had made. (Matthew 27)  You cannot reject Christ and wash your hands off it.  What will you do tonight with the Lord?  Will you take him, accept him as Saviour, trust him or will you be like Pilate and wash your hands off the decision.