COMFORT IN TIMES OF TRIAL AND TROUBLE

SERMON NOTES FROM LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020 am

2 CORINTHIANS 1 VERSES 1 - 11

The apostle Paul wrote many letters to the Corinthian church and only 2 remain to this day.  This church had various problems.  In the first letter to Corinth there was the problem of division and Paul wrote to bring comfort in to the situation.  Then there were those who brought false teaching in to the church and as a result many turned away from the gospel.  The first letter dealt with that which was practical, building the believers up in their faith, stepping stones to maturity.  This second letter is more personal.  Paul is opening up his heart to allow others to see himself.  One thought comes from this passage - understanding affliction and pain.

We live in a fallen world.  God created this world perfectly and he signs his own name to that first chapter of creation - "everything was very good."  We live in a world that is affected by sin.  It affects everyone.  In Genesis 3 we read at the creation how the devil came into the Garden of Eden, draws alongside Eve, begins to ask her about the trees in the Garden.  It was a ploy to get into her mind.  Eve tells him all about the trees and points to the one in the centre of the Garden.  She says "we cannot eat of that tree in the centre of the Garden.  In the day we touch it we shall die."  She was misinterpreting the scriptures.  The devil told her she would not die but when she ate of it her eyes would be opened.  Eve knew the tree was pleasant to look at and when she did eat of its fruit it was tasty.  She gave her husband to eat of it too.  Sin entered into the world that day.  As a result we are living in a fallen world.  We have a God who changes not because he is the same yesterday and today and forever more.  He loves us so much that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.  Notice the pain and affliction but also the God who gives the comfort in such a time.

The source of the comfort - verse 8.  God comes with great comfort - verse 5.  Paul is speaking of the afflictions and sufferings that come to us because of our stand for the Lord.  Remember John was banished to the Isle of Patmos because of his testimony.  Revelation 1 verse 9.  Sometimes we go through afflictions and trials because of our stand for Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthians 1 verse 4.  It is God who comforts us in all our tribulations.  God never fails.  It must have been a severe time of testing for Paul, such that they thought they would die - verse 7.  Paul was looking to the source of his comfort.  Our help comes from the Lord the Psalmist said.  James said "my brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations."  He knew the God of heaven would draw alongside.  When we fall into times of testing and trials and need a word of comfort and consolation - the paraclete or Holy Spirit draws alongside to help us in those times.  Notice the little word "if" is not there but rather it is the word "when".  In this fallen world there will be trials and temptations all around us.  We will automatically fall into these.  God is always there to comfort us in those times.  Maybe you are going through a time of trial and testing, a difficult time.  Only God knows about it.  God draws alongside you to help you through this difficult time.  God is there in the midst of it all.  Manasseh was the king of Judah.  He was 12 years old when he began to reign.  Hezekiah was his father, a very good king who brought in a great amount of reforms.  Manasseh totally rebelled, went against everything his father stood for.  We read he "did that which was wicked in the eyes of the Lord."  2 Chronicles 33 because of his rebellion the enemy came against him.  Verse 12 the only source of his comfort was in God alone.  Maybe you are trying to find comfort in the wrong source today.  Manasseh humbled himself greatly.  He was entreated of the Lord even in his stubbornness and rebellion.

The sharing of this comfort.  Paul brings us to the meaning of the tribulation if you are going through a time of trouble.  Verse 4 nothing has come into your life that God is not aware of.  God is the source of our comfort today.  "That we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble."  Paul says the God of heaven comforts us so that in this way so that we might comfort others.  Remember God has allowed a trial that through your pain others might be comforted too.  Paul was cast into a prison cell, he was lying in fetters and chains.  He said "I am content in this place, people are coming through the prison and see me isolated from everyone else.  The gospel is being proclaimed - why - because the believers are witnessing for God.  Caesar`s palace itself is hearing of their faith."  Adam Clarke the commentator said "what a miserable creature is he who has gained all his divinity by study and learning and nothing by experience."  Paul could point to his trouble but didn`t go into detail.  Verse 8.  He was at the point of death but God delivered him from it.  The pain he must have suffered.  He was caught up into the third heaven because of that and given a thorn in the flesh.  He prayed for that situation, that God would take it away.  He proved through it "when I am weak then am I strong"  God didn`t take it away.  God allowed him to live in that certain set of circumstances.  God told him "my grace is sufficient for you."  He proved the God of heaven was able to comfort him so that others might also be comforted through him as a result.  Others are watching us through such circumstances too.

The sufficiency of this comfort.  Verse 4 our consolation aboundeth.  There is not a pain, burden, trial or difficulty that the grace of God is not sufficient for.  When John Bunyan was in a prison cell, a dark, damp place, the prison guard came in one morning to put down his rations for the day.  He found him on his knees, a smile on his face "every stone in the cell shone with the radiance of Christ."  The consolation includes encouragement and strength  which is a gift for our trials.  The God of heaven encourages us.  He picks us up, gives new strength during that trial.  Paul wrote to the Thessalonians who were in a lot of pain and sadness and sorrow.  They didn`t understand the full teaching of the resurrection.  They thought the ones they loved who had died had missed out on the resurrection.  Paul taught them of the resurrection of Christ, when he would come and call those who were dead home to be with himself.  He finished with the words "wherefore comfort one another with these words."  There is comfort in God today.

The sustaining comfort - what it does for us in our days of trouble can sustain others.  Maybe others are watching you today and they are going through difficult times.  They know the situation you are in.  The God of heaven is comforting you and in turn sustaining them.  Think of the two disciples on the road to Emmaeus.  They received news they couldn`t understand and didn`t want to hear.  They placed their hopes and goals on the Lord.  Those hopes and goals were dashed when Christ was crucified on Calvary.  These two disciples were making their way back to Emmaeus and were downtrodden and heavy hearted.  The Lord drew alongside with them.  He listened for a while as they spoke to each other.  The Lord began to speak to them through the scriptures.  They were comforted.  The sustaining factor was they returned to Jerusalem to tell others how they were comforted on the road.  They were able to share with the disciples and tell them the Lord had risen.  Paul said to Timothy "on that day they forsook me but the Lord stood with me."  Thank God he hasn`t forgotten about you, he draws alongside you today.  He is the paraclete today.

If my people ...

Limavady Independent Methodist Church

Sermon notes from Sunday 2 August 2020

Psalm 81

This is a psalm of Aspah who was a worship leader in the house of the Lord.  Our text for today is 2 Chronicles 7 verse 14 "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Over the past Sunday mornings we have been looking at great characters in the word of God, considering their prayers and how they set aside time to come before the God of heaven.  We thought of Isaiah when he said "Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens that thou wouldest come down that the mountains might flow down at thy presence." (Isaiah 64 verse 1)  Isaiah realised that God was the answer to what his nation needed.  Isn`t that what our nation needs today?  For God to come down and pour out his Spirit upon us?  We then thought of David "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."  For David God was very personal.  Last week we thought of Abraham.  On his mind was his family down in Sodom.  There is no doubt we stand in awe of these mighty giants, stand in admiration of them as we listen to their words, seeking God for their own circumstances.  The spotlight though is not on Abraham, nor David nor Isaiah but on us today.  "If my people" it is down to us which are called by God`s own name.  If we could only humble ourselves and pray, seek God`s face and turn from our wicked ways.  God then promises to hear from heaven and will forgive us our sin and heal our land.  

The distinction it makes.  This is God making this distinction not the elders of the church, nor the Pastor of the church but "my people".  He is calling out for a really  determined people, those saved by the grace of God and have known his forgiveness.  Jesus died on Calvary that we might be saved.  God does not look at the distinctions we see today.  He doesn`t look down on the Independent Methodists, or the Baptists, or the Church of Ireland or the Presbyterians - "if my people".  They are those who have been saved by grace of God.  Those who were lost in their sin and on their way to a Christless hell for all eternity.  Are you one of the Lord`s own today?  Remember the story of the wheat and tares in Matthew`s gospel chapter 13.  Matthew likens the field in which the wheat was planted to the world.  There is a crop growing there, not only the good wheat but tares are growing alongside.  They are so alike that they cannot be distinguished by the natural eye.  The man`s servants asked "did you not plant good seed in the field so why are there tares also growing there?"  The master acknowledged he had planted the good seed. The servants asked if they could go and pluck out the tares from the wheat but the master told them to leave it alone because they could pluck out wheat as well as tares.  It was agreed to wait until harvest and then separate them.  Jesus likened that to this world - when the harvest comes the good seed will be told to enter into the joy of the kingdom of his father while others would be taken out and burned.  We can be so like other Christians, do all the right things, go through the motions but have never been to Calvary  You have profession but no possession.  God himself is saying "if my people."  Paul said "for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1 verse 18)  Paul is speaking of 2 distinctive groups.  Colossians 1 verse 13 "who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."  God seen a world of darkness and sent his Son to die on Calvary so that people could be placed in to the light of his dear Son.  Are you saved today?  Are you enjoying God`s salvation?  Paul to the Corinthian church speaks of that former state but now set free from bondage.  Paul goes on to list the sins that people have committed and asks "know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6 verse 9)  He was not making one sin different than another because sin is sin.  "The wages of sin is death."  Paul goes on in 1 Corinthians 6 to say "And such were some of you ..."  That is the distinction - some were in this category but now are saved.

The demand that God holds.  God sees those who are lost and those who are God`s own children.  God is speaking to us today.  God is saying "my people".  He makes a three fold demand.  The need to humble ourselves.  The Laodicean church had so much going for them, were in need of nothing.  A great church building, large congregation and good pastor, they didn`t need anything but the Lord was standing at the door.  He was speaking to them and he is speaking to you and I today.  James said "humble yourselves in the sight of God and he shall lift you up."  Psalm 81 tells us God`s heart was disappointed, the people would not listen to God`s voice.  Hezekiah was a good king who began to undo the things his father had done before him.  His father had shut up the temple of the Lord.  Hezekiah`s people took a week to clear out the rubbish so that they could begin the worshipping together again.  Maybe the rubbish in our hearts needs to be cleared out today.  It is holding us back from worshipping God properly today.  Think of Nehemiah who left the Persian kingdom to return to Jerusalem.  He seen the damage done by the enemy.  They had destroyed the walls of Jerusalem and pulled down the gates.  Nehemiah prays and seeks the will of God.  God sends him to Jerusalem to begin the work.  Nehemiah goes out at night and is circling the walls.  He gets to the point where the beast under him cannot tread.  He has to get off to examine the devastation done.  Nothing is impossible with God.  Nehemiah was sent to repair the gates but he cannot begin until the rubbish was cleared out.  Tobiah thought "will they lift the stones out of the rubble."  They couldn`t build until they got all the rubble out of the way.  Maybe God is telling us that we need to set things right in our lives, in our congregation, in our families.  We are standing so far from God that we need to ask him to work in us once more.  The enemy mocked and laughed at Nehemiah, they claimed the walls were not well built, that a fox could run against them and knock them down.  Think of Solomon 2 Chronicles 6.  He had built the temple of the Lord and lifts his hands to heaven and begins to pray.  He pictures a nation forsaking God in the future.  He sees a day when the people of God will turn their backs on God, will not obey the commands of God, will forsake the house of the Lord.  Solomon asks "if this people forsake you, should there be war in this land, when the enemy comes in, when there is famine because of the lifestyle of the people, if there should be pestilence, if all of that happens then Solomon asks God to remember his people once more - 2 Chronicles 6 verse 30 "Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place and forgive and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest."  The answer comes from God himself in the words of our text - "I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and I will heal their land."

The decision that God waits for - "if".  That little word sums it all up.  This throws a great responsibility onto us.  Are we willing to comply with this verse?  Are we prepared to humble ourselves today?  Think of the story of the prodigal son.  A man breaking away from his father`s house, breaking his father`s heart.  How it must grieve God to see his people going their own way, turning their backs on him.  This young man leaving his father full of selfish ambition.  He will enjoy himself for a while but soon he finds the world has nothing to offer him.  Look at the manner in which he has come home - Luke 15 verse 21"Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy son."  He knows he has to come in a repentant manner, seek his father`s forgiveness.  His father was ready to do that.  He left the world behind him but found a father waiting, watching and willing to accept him into the family again.  "For this my son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found."  Maybe you have turned from God today, have gone back into the world again.  How will you find forgiveness again?  "If my people" God says.  We need to learn to trust God once more.  Maybe we have been careless about God`ss word - we need to come back to God again.

The deliverance that God promises.  If people turn to you Solomon asks, will you hear.  God promises to do just that and more.  Think of Acts 16 and the petition from the man in Paul`s vision to come into Macedonia and help them.  Paul went with the assurance God would deliver the gospel.  Paul might have turned and gone to Asia and the gospel might never have come into Europe.  God will deliver.  Are there amends to be made?  Maybe you have grown cold - you need to come back to the Lord, to seek his face, repent of all those lost days today.

Peradventure ten shall be found there ...

Sermon notes from Limavady Independent Methodist Church

Sunday 26 July 2020 am

Genesis 18 verses 22 - 33

"Men ought always to pray and not faint." (Luke 18 verse 1)  In Genesis 18 we read of Abraham`s prayer.  We might faint in the Christian walkway.  Paul took up that theme in Thessalonians when he said people ought to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5 verse 17).  In Genesis 18 the angels came to Abraham`s tent, one was Jesus himself in human flesh.  There was a 2 fold message - to announce the birth of a son to Abraham and Sarah.  The second part of the message was to bring news of coming judgment to Sodom.  God has seen the situation in Sodom and was coming now in judgment.  God said to himself "shall I hide this thing from Abraham?" (verse 17)  He knew Abraham was the type of person he was, he would be the foundation stone of the nation of Israel.

Abraham`s character.  His character was known in heaven.  God knew what was in Abraham.  In Genesis 12 he called him from his homeland.  He came to where Abraham was and told him he would give him a family, a nation and a land.  The land Abraham lived in was Ur of the Chaldees.  It was a prosperous place, a fertile land.  We are given the impression that Abraham was a rich man but the people in that land were also given over to idolatry and false worship.  God knew the man he chose, that he could not live among these people.  He would have to come out from among the people.  Is that not what Jesus teaches us - to come out from among the ungodly, to be separated unto God.  God comes to Abraham and tells him to leave the land he is living in and he would take him to a land he would show him.  He was to turn from everything and follow Christ.  God expects nothing less of us today.  We must trust the Lord as our own Saviour.  He cannot save us any other way.  He wants our all.  God could trust this man Abraham.  It is a wonderful thing when God can trust us.  God could trust Abraham to pray for Sodom and Gomorrah.  In 1 Kings 17 we read of the widow woman who helped Elijah.  God took Elijah out of the king`s presence after telling him there would be no rain for 3 years.  He took him to the brook Cherith and fed him there.  That brook dried up but he didn`t have to worry, God was there before him.  He told Elijah to go to a widow woman who would care for him.  Elijah was someone God could trust.  In that home the widow woman had nothing left but a cupful of flour.  God knew she would put him first.  That is what God wants us to do today.  Think of Peter in the home of Cornelius who was seeking after God`s salvation.  The angel told Cornelius to send for Peter in Joppa.  God knows all about us today.  He knows where we are at today.  Can he trust us today?  Can he lay a burden on our hearts?  To pray through with the Lord today?  When Peter came to Cornelius he told him words whereby he could be saved.  God could trust Peter to bring that word to Cornelius, to show him the words he needed to hear.  Can God trust us today to bring his word to others?

Abraham`s concern.  When he began to consider the judgment that was about to fall he thought of those people who were living there.  His own nephew was living in Sodom.  He was concerned about every living soul living there.  The men of Sodom were great sinners and wicked above all.  Abraham knew this.  He knew this, had heard the stories coming out of that city.  He was grieved that his nephew was living in that place.  How did Lot ever come to live there?  After all the influence of Abraham on his life?  He seen Abraham`s witness and his worship before God.  When Abraham and Lot came out of Egypt they had so much wealth and herds and flocks that the land could not contain them.  The herdsmen fell out among themselves.  Abraham gave Lot a choice once day - Genesis 13 verse 10.  Lot looked and saw a well watered land, a fruitful place for his flocks and herds.  He never considered God.  Verse 12 Lot pitched his tent towards Sodom.  In Genesis 19 we find him sitting in the gate of Sodom.  The gate was symbolic of power and authority.  He was tricked and deceived.  "The heart of man is desperately wicked and no man can know it." (Jeremiah 17 verse 9)  This young man Lot grew up under the godlly influence of an uncle yet ended up in one of the most wicked places.  Lot ended up here because of poor decisions and choices.  Be careful about your slackness in worship, in your reading of the bible and your times of prayer.  It is a slippery slope.  Growing cold doesn`t happen overnight.  Growing cold is a gradual thing.  He looked, he pitched his tent near Sodom and eventually went to live in Sodom.  Abraham was concerned about his nephew.  These souls were living in a day when the judgment hand of God was about to fall.  As we think of the prophecies we are reminded that one day God will come to the air with a shout and the trump of God will sound.  The dead will rise first and we which are alive and in Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.  The apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5 verse 11 said "knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men."  Paul was speaking about judgment.  He has it on his mind, when God sits on the throne, the judgement seat and all the unsaved people are before him.  He sees that great multitude turning their backs on God.  You must stand and give an account why you rejected the Lord as Saviour, why you turned your back on his sacrifice of his own son on Calvary.  Paul could see them going into the caverns of the damned for all eternity never more to see the light of day.  We have people going out into a lost eternity today.  Are we really concerned about them?  In Acts 16 the Philippian jailer came to know the Lord as Saviour.  He began immediately to think of his family.  He brought the 2 preachers to his family to hear words whereby they might be saved.  Have we that concern?  Are we happy to go about our lives and have no concern for others?

Abraham`s commitment.  He fell on his face before God.  There was very little he could do about this situation but he had prayer.  We can do the same today.  The judgment of God is coming.  Are we praying?  He knew the righteous would not perish.  Paul said when he could see the judgment of God he would persuade men to repent of their sin and turn to the Lord and be saved.  He would go into the market place, in to the synagogues just to persuade men to be saved.  Will we do the same?  Do all in our power to see people come to Christ?  Abraham could do nothing but get on his knees.  That is all we can do today.  We often pray that we cannot stir an anxious thought.  Who will persuade our family to turn to Christ today?

Abraham`s continuance.  His commitment did not wane.  He stayed resolute in his task.  He got before the God of heaven. He realised he was but dust and ashes yet he cared enought to get on his knees to plead and pray.  We are told to come boldly to the throne of grace and in doing so we will find mercy in the time of need.  Some times we start with great zeal then lose interest and fall apart.  Lot was on his mind when he started to pray.  He began to plead "if you find 50 will you save them Lord?"  God gave his word that if he found 50 he would not destroy the city.  Abraham didn`t stop there.  He asked again for 45 and again the Lord said he would not destroy the city if he found 45 righteous there.  Abraham continued to bargain down to 40, then 30 and 20 and finally 10.  You see he was thinking of Lot and his family.  Have we prayed and continued to pray for our family today?  Are we resolute in our prayers today?  Are we waiting for answers today?  Moses when we went down into Egypt to bring God`s word to Pharaoh, he could see him hardening his heart.  Moses kept going back again and again.  We need men and women of Abraham`s character who have a great resolve to pray and seek God in these difficult and hard times.

O God thou art my God early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee

Sermon notes from Limavady Independent Methodist Church

Sunday 19 July 2020 am

Psalm 63

A prayer by David which he prayed when he had to flee from his son Absalom.  Absalom was ruthless and went behind his father`s back, turned the people`s hearts away from his father.  David loved him with his whole heart.  His heart was broken and he even cried "O Absalom, my son Absalom" when he was put to death.  David had to flee into the wilderness of Judah.  Now he is lifting up his voice to God.

David speaks of a relationship - verse 1 "O God" - there is desperation in his voice.  He was coming with a great burden, his heart was broken for what has happened.  Isn`t that the right way to come into God`s presence today?  In these 2 words he is stating there is nothing he could do about the situation he found himself in.  He continued "thou art my God."  Have you that relationship with the God of heaven today?  Psalm 23 "The Lord is my shepherd" David was coming with a great confidence.   Although he was forsaken by his son and the nation, he knows the God of heaven will not forsake him.  You and I don`t know what tomorrow holds but God knows.  He has already been there waiting for you to come.  When my father and mother forsake me my God will take me up.  Are you a child of God?  Have you ever been to Calvary?  Have you been listening to God`s voice in these uncertain days?  Think of the rich fool in Luke 12.  He built everything for himself, he was looking for the best out of ife.  He never thought for one moment.  All the pleasures, enjoyment, riches, health.  He thought he had many years ahead.  In all of his planning and thoughts he left God out.  God said to him "thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee."  Have you a relationship with Christ today?  Have you come to Calvary?  Recognised that he died for your sins?  Confessed those sins to him today?  Do you have a relationship with Christ?  Do you know that you will be with Christ at the end of the day?  Or is it hope so - that one day you will be let into heaven just because of all the good you have done?  If that is so then there was no point in Christ dying on Calvary.  If you are not saved today come to Christ.  Maybe you are not sure.  Maybe you have an empty profession.  Jesus gave instruction in prayer when he taught his disciples how to pray.  He said "Our Father."  That is the relationship we should have.  A confidence in this relationship David comes with.  We think of Daniel, one of the wise men in Babylon.  Certain counsellors around him planned and plotted against him.  They wanted to see him destroyed.  The only way to do it was get him in his prayer life.  The king sanctioned their request that any one found praying to anyone except him  would be thrown into the lions den.  Immediately the counsellors were able to arrest Daniel and he was thrown into the lions den.  Early the next morning the king ran to the lions den to enquire if Daniel was alright.  Daniel replied "my God has sent his angel."  He proved God was in the midst of the situation.  He is in your turmoil today.  He will not forsake you.  David had this confidence, to come into God`s presence and pray "O God thou art my God."  Jesus spoke of the prodigal son, leaving home and family.  He had such a desire for the world.  He asked his father for his own inheritance.  He took the money given by his father, spent it in the world recklessly for a time.  He enjoyed himself so well.  Maybe you are away from your father today, are in a backslidden state today.  A famine came into the land and the only job the prodigal son could get was to feed the very pigs.  He began to think of his father`s house, the very servants were treated better than him.  He found his father was there to greet him, to take him back into the house again, into the family fold.  God is waiting for you to come back, to take you back into his family today.  The Prodigal Son said to his father "I have sinned ... I am not worthy to be called your son again."  The father called for his servants and said "this is my son who was dead and is alive."  He was really lost but now had been found.

The reasoning as he comes.  "early will I seek thee."  Early means first thing in the morning.  He made it a priority to seek after God.  God takes priority over everything else in our lives.  An urgency to get into God`s presence.  David comes with one thing in his mind.  A relationship has developed.   David watched his son using all his craft to turn the people against him.  He had authority to get him off the throne and take him from it all.  David realised he had to leave everything behind him, to flee into a barren dry thirsty land of Judea.  His soul was dry and thirsty.  The first thing I will do is seek the Lord.  Paul writing to Timothy said "I exhort therefore first of all supplications and prayers and intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men."  In Acts 2 the people were convicted by the Holy Spirit to be saved and asked - "what must we do?"  When they gave their hearts and lives to Christ on that particular day it says "and they continued steadfastly in the disciples doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayer."  Getting saved is only the starting point.  In Acts 4 the 2 apostles were arrested, beaten and accused.  They were told not to speak in Christ`s name.  We read "they came to their own people and prayed."  They got down to prayer immediately.

The refreshing he desires.  He has a craving for fellowship with the Lord - is there that craving when we miss that time of prayer or turning to the word of God?  God has promised when we gather together in his name he has promied to be with us.  David had that craving, nothing else will suffice.  He comes into God`s presence.  He may be cut off from Jerusalem, had left behind his friends, was on his own in the wilderness, his soul was so dry just like the wilderness around him yet he prayed.  Do you miss God`s house, being able to gather together with God`s people?  Verse 2 "to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary."  He believes nothing else can change things but God alone.  Isaiah 44 verse 3 "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring."  Remember what Moses said to God as he led the people of Israel to the Promised Land "if thy presence go not with us ..."  Moses was more concerned with the presence of God.

The reflections that he has - verse 6 "when I remember thee upon my bed and meditate on thee in the night watches."  David thought of God first thing in the morning and last thing at night.  He was thinking of the goodness of God all day long.  He did not allow himself to be eaten up with malice and jealousy.  He thought of God`s goodness in the lonely hours of the dark when sleep would not come.  Do you think of what God did for you, in sending his son to die on Calvary for you?  He shed his blood, he was beaten and bruised and then he lifted up his voice and said "it is finished."  God is not willing that anyone should be lost and go to a Christless hell.  He died for you to forgive you of your sin.  Will you come and trust him today?

David is rejoicing in his prayer - verse 3 "my lips shall praise thee."  Our rejoicing is based on the fact that Christ has died for our sins.  We are forgiven and on our way to heaven and home.  Our relationship is based on God.  Verse 7 "thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice."  He is not praying for the comfort of the throne in Jerusalem, or the comforts of his friends around him.  He is praying for his own son, that he would turn from his actions.  He lifts up his voice and says "thou art my God."  We know what the future holds but we have a God who holds the future.

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down

Sermon notes from Limavady Independent Methodist Church

Sunday 12 July 2020

Isaiah 64

Whenever we turn to the book of Isaiah we are thinking of a man who lived six centuries before Christ.  The character and standing of Isaiah is seen here in these verses.  God gives a glimpse of Isaiah, allows us to look into the quiet place where Isaiah is.  He is on his knees before God.  A man of devotion.  A man of prayer.  A man of his times.  He saw what Israel needed in those days.  If ever this province needed men and women of devotion and prayer it is now, this very day in which we are living.  We come with the prayer of Isaiah - that "God would rend the heavens."  God comes to each of us today.  In 2 Chronicles God said to Solomon and the Israelites of that day "if my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  Are you one of God`s own children today?  Was there a time when Christ was invited into your heart to be your Saviour, to become a living relationship?  When you came to the cross?  When you realised you had sinned and come short of the glory of God?  When you called on the Lord to save your soul?  The Lord makes you a new creature in Christ, all things become new in your life, the old is gone.  If ever we needed men and women to pray and call on God it is in this day.  Isaiah is getting before the God of heaven to seek God`s will.  He realises the seriousness of the age he is living in.  We are listening to Isaiah as he prays.  Do we see the seriousness of the times we are living in today?  As Isaiah gets before God of heaven we think of John Knox the great Reformer who prayed "O give me Scotland or I die."  The very Queen of Scotland quaked because she feared him on his knees more than any enemy of Scotland.  Isaiah gets before the God of heaven, realises the seriousness of the situation and prays "O that you would rend the heavens and come down."  Think of Isaiah 6 "In the year that King Uzziah died."  He came into the house of God and gets his eyes upon the throne of God and heaven.  King Uzziah was wise, intelligent, a master planner and strategist, the nation looked up to him but towards the end of his life he became proud.  God had given him victory over his enemies and he thought he had done it all in his own power.  God had to smite him down.  The nation felt the burden of his loss.  Isaiah meets with God that day.  The nation had lost a great leader.  When Isaiah came into the house of the Lord he saw more than a vacant throne.  Isaiah realised he was living among a people of unclean lips and he did not exclude himself - "I am a man of unclean lips and dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips."   Think of the same man in 2 Kings 19 at a time of national crisis for King Hezekiah.  Assyria, a world empire of that time was taking nation after nation and they were marching on Jerusalem.  Hezekiah could see them coming, could see the day approaching when they were at the very gates of Jerusalem.  Hezekiah sent for Isaiah.  He realised here was a man who could come before King of heaven and be listened too.  We need to be people who are known as men and women who pray, who get through to God.  Hezekiah said to Isaiah "this day is a day of trouble."  We are in a day of trouble today.  There was something more alarming.  There was a greater enemy than the Assyrian army.  There was a coldness creeping into the nation - verses 10 and 11 there is a great challenge for the church of Christ today.  Yes we have to reach out and see men saved.  There is a carelessness and coldness creeping into the church today.  A man ready to see a challenging situation, a man who is on his knees before God acknowledging the seriousness of the times he lived in.

He prays about the silence of heaven - verse 12 "wilt thou refrain thyself for these things O Lord?" Notice verse 7 "thou hast hid thy face from us and hast consumed us because of our iniquities."  It was as if the heavens were as brass because of the sinfulness and carelessness of God`s own people.  Their sins had separated them from God.  "If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me."  As we come desperate for God to come in the same way do we ask for him to act today?  We are living in the last of the last days.  If Jesus came today would you be left behind?

Isaiah sees the sufficiency of God in the situation.  All the nation needs is a visitation from God.  We need to realise that God is sufficient.  We don`t need any more preaching or services but God to come and pour out his blessings on us.  Isaiah asks the Lord to come down.  The Psalmist said "I waited patiently for the Lord."  He realised that was all he needed too.  Whatever situation you are in today you need the Lord.  If you are cold and backslidden you need the Lord.  Revelation 3 verse 20 is a picture of the Laodicean church.  By all accounts the church was good, it had everything going for it, they felt they needed nothing more.  Perhaps they had a great pastor, a great bible teacher, a great building.  They stood in need of nothing.  We are living in the Laodicean period today.  Maybe we don`t have the Lord today.  A lot of emphasis is put on the preacher today.  We believe that if we have such and such a person then we would have a great congregation, a good church programme, facilities for young and old alike, we could do so much around the community.  What did God say to the Laodiceans?  "You are neither hot or cold."  They could not hide.  The Lord was on the outside of the door of the church.  The Lord was standing on the outside.  Maybe you feel you stand in need of nothing today but you haven`t the Lord himself.

Isaiah sees the supremacy of God.  Isaiah knows if God would rend the heavens and come down he would be supreme over everything.  4 men in Jesus` day had a friend who was an invalid.  They put him on a stretcher and brought him to Jesus.  They had heard so much about Christ, if only they could get their friend to him.  They knew that Jesus was sufficient but he was also supreme.  He had the power to heal their friend.  They did not give up even though there was a great crowd gathered in the house that day.  They began to take away the roof and lower the man down.  The Lord saw their faith and healed the man that day.  Isaiah got before the God of heaven and prayed "Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down ..."

The Battle Begins

Sermon notes from Limavady Independent Methodist Church

Sunday 5 July 2020

Joshua 6 - The Battle Begins

The people of Israel have now crossed into the promised land, Canaan.  Now the battle begins.  It is good to reflect on the strength that Joshua was given.  He has left the people behind and moved towards the city of Jericho.  A great obstacle in front of him.  He looks at its height and its breadth, sees the soldiers standing on the walls and the large entrance gate.  I am sure he thought "how am I going to cope?"  Before he could face the battle of Jericho he had to face the battle in his own heart.  Maybe there is a battle in your own heart today.  The captain of the hosts, the Lord himself had drawn alongside Joshua and spoken to him.  Maybe you are thinking "how am I going to get around this great obstacle or problem in my life?"  Maybe you have been thinking about accepting Christ`s salvation.  Maybe you have been thinking about your need of salvation for yourself personally.  You have lifted your eyes and seen Christ himself dying on the cross for your sins.  Have you ever accepted him as Saviour and Lord?  He is directing you to that cross today again.  Maybe you are in a backslidden, cold condition today.  You once walked with the Lord but now you do not.  Jacob came to the brook Jabbok. (Genesis 32)  He was going to face Esau his brother.  The last time he saw Esau he was told he would be killed for the deception of the birthright from his father.  When Jacob came to the brook Jabbok he didn`t know how he would face Esau.  He sent his family, his servants, his flocks and herds ahead of him.  He was left alone and that night he wrestled with God.  When morning came he went in the renewed strength from the battle and met his brother Esau.

God`s promise given.  Joshua 6 verse 2 "see I have given into thine hand Jericho."  It has already happened - the city is Joshua`s.  Salvation at Calvary has already been given.  Jesus died there that you might be saved and know your sins forgiven.  It is a gift offered to you.  This great city, the Lord tells him has already been given to him, all he has to do is believe the promise.  Maybe that is your problem - you are looking into that obstacle and the Lord is saying "allow me to take care of it."  Maybe you are staring into Calvary, maybe hearing God knocking at your heart`s door and you are concerned that if you were to get saved you could never keep it.  Maybe you are thinking "if I was to enter into God`s blessing I could never live up to that standard."  Maybe he is calling you into some sort of service for him today and you have a fear in your heart over it.  The Lord wants to remind you of his help, he will be with you.  When God gives us a promise we should hold onto it.  Think of Abraham, called out of Ur of Chaldees.  God promised he woud give him a son, seed as the sand on the seashore.  That was God`s promise to him but it took 25 years for that promise to be fulfilled in his life.  In Romans 4 verse 20 Paul said of Abraham "he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith giving glory to God."  Paul preaching in the synagogue reasoning with the Jewish people wants to prove to them who the Lord is.  The Jews would have taken him as a prophet but not as the Messiah or Saviour of mankind.  Paul took them back through the Old Testament scriptures and showed that every lamb laid on the Jewish altar was sacrificed for their sin.  Then he took them to Calvary and showed Jesus dying on the middle cross.  Every lamb slain had its fulfilment on Calvary.  Once for ever Jesus died for their sins.  Those people turned their backs on Paul and the preaching of God`s word, the truth of God`s word and on God himself.  Paul told them if you are not going to believe this I will go to the Gentiles.  The Lord came to him in a night vision and told him to not be afraid, to hold his peace.  Maybe you feel you have had enough today.  You have pleaded with someone to come to Christ.  Follow Paul`s example here.  God said "I am with thee and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee for I have much people in this city." (Acts 18 verse 10)  On that promise Paul continued to reason with the people for another 18 months.  He clung to that promise just like Abraham.

The plan of God revealed.  There was a plan to follow.  If that promise was to be fulfilled he had to follow the plan precisely.  Jesus` disciples after Christ was crucified decided to go for a nights fishing.  They could see someone the following morning on the seashore.  He had a fire going.  They did not recognise it was the Lord.  He asked them if they had anything to eat.  They replied that whilst they had fished all night they had caught nothing.  Jesus told them to go out again and let down the net on the right side of the boat and they would catch the fish. (John 21 verses 3 - 6)  They had to follow the plan before the promise was fulfilled.  Maybe God has given you a promise but you are not following the plan.  It was not left to Joshua`s own abilities.  To be told the city was his was one thing but there was a plan to follow.  God has a plan for our lives today.   They were not to attack the city with full force or come in steathily at night.  It had to be done in God`s own way - verses 3 and 4.  Notice there were 7 priests, 7 trumpets, 7 days and on the 7th day the 7 times they had to walk around the walls.  Number 7 is very important - it is the number of completion.  On the 6th day of creation God finished his  creation of heaven and earth.  On the seventh day he celebrated the completion of creation by resting. (Genesis 2 verse 3)  There were 7 weeks from Passover until Pentecost.  Passover reminds us of Calvary while Pentecost reminds us of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and church was instituted.  In verses 6 and 7 the priests were to take 7 trumpets before the ark of the Lord.  Everyone had their task and place.  That was very important.  You are so important today.  In this plan of God there was to be no noise.  They were to walk around the city once with no shouting, nothing.  This would be God`s plan and purpose.  When Jesus died it was the plan and purpose of God.

The power that was present on the seventh day - verse 20.  They were to shout this time and the walls woud fall down.  When God asks you to do something he will give his power and grace to do it at the right moment and time.  In Zechariah`s time the people were returned from Babylon.  They settled down to rebuild the temple.  Coldness set in, fears and doubts and the building came a stand still.  Maybe Zechariah was hesitant, reluctant as he contemplated and considered all this.  Zechariah while considering it all, the building to be done.  The Lord came to him.  "This is the word of the Lord  unto Zerubbabel saying not by might, nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord." (Zechariah 4 verse 6)  The Lord was telling Joshua, it is not going to be up to you and your strength, it is me that will do this.  There was to be no military involvement or outside work.  Remember what Jesus said to Peter "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16 verse 18)  This is the work of God today, not by our intellect or power but by his Spirit alone.  Think of Peter in Acts 12.  He was lying in the prison cell waiting on his execution the next day.  He was chained to the soldiers beside him.  A prayer meeting was going on in Mary`s house  They were doing it without hesitation.  God sent the angel into the prison house, tapped Peter, woke him up.  His chains fell off and he walked out of the prison into the street.  He realised this was God`s power and ability that had brought him out of that situation.

There was the prize that was theirs.  Verse 15 only on that day were they to walk around the walls 7 times.  They had to shout (verse 16) for the Lord had given them this city.  In verse 20 the people shouted with a great shout.  They followed the plan of God with the promise and power of God at their finger tips.  The promise was fulfilled and the city fell before them.  Maybe today you feel that fear today.  Why not let the Lord come into the problem of yours.  He will take care of it, give you power and grace for that situation today.

The word from God - take off your shoes for this is holy ground

Sermon notes from Sunday 28 June 2020 am

Joshua 5 verses 13 - 15

Here on the banks of the River Jordan the Children of Israel are awaiting the blessing of God to his own people.  When they came out of Egypt they came out with a two fold promise.  First that God would bring them out of Egypt - Egypt is a picture of the world and their slavery was a picture of the devil, Satan himself.  The second part of that promise was that God would bring them into the land of blessing.  Maybe God has a promise of blessing for you today but there is something standing between you and that blessing.  God challenged the people first and foremost "come gather together and hear what the Lord has to say."  They needed to know what God would have them to hear.  God has a special word for you today.  He then challenged the priests to lift the Ark of the Covenant onto their shoulders, the Ark was a symbol of the presence of God.  They had to bear it on their shoulders and step down into the waters.  To prove the word of God, that he would roll back the waters so they could walk across to the other side.  Then the challenge came to the people who represented the Children of Israel.  They were to pick up a stone from the riverbed and carry it on their shoulders and bring it out of the river and build an altar, a memorial for their children in the future.  The challenge now comes to Joshua himself.  Maybe the Lord is speaking directly to you today.  God wants to challenge you personally today as Joshua stands here.

Joshua`s consideration.  Think of his heart and mind.  He is away from everyone, separated, standing alone, he was considering this great city, Jericho, the walled city, great strength and power within its walls.  Joshua couldn`t avoid this city.  I am sure he could virtually count every stone.  Such was his consideration to it.  Then someone drew alongside him, the captain of the hosts, the leader of God`s army.  That is maybe how you are - so caught up with the situation of your life, something you are facing that you cannot avoid.  As you consider this problem again will you deal with it?  Have you known the drawing near of God to you ?  As Joshua looked at this city I am sure the devil was not far away.  Perhaps the devil was telling him to turn around, to lead the people away another way not this way.  The devil comes to us in a similar way.  Joshua 2 verse 24 "And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us."  What considerations are going through your mind today?  You have decisions to make today.  Maybe God is speaking directly to you about the decision to follow Christ today.  Maybe the devil is also saying "don`t even think about it, you are foolish, you have no need of God as some of the rest of these people do."  Turn to Christ as Saviour, he died on the cross of Calvary to save your soul.

Joshua`s company - verse 3.  Some would tell us that the God of heaven came down to earth in human form.  It was only as Joshua lifted up his eyes, took his eyes off the city that he saw the one who was standing before him.  Maybe your eyes are on the problem today but you don`t see Christ himself.  Sometimes we find ourselves getting lost.  Genesis 28 Jacob fled from his own home, turned his back on his father and brother who he had deceived.  Under the canopy of heaven, when the night was drawing in he set up camp and made his bed using a stone for a pillow.  In the middle of the night the Lord himself came to him.  The next morning he was able to say "Surely God was in this place and I knew it not."  Do we recognise God in this place to day?  Remember the word "where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst."  Notice the word "where" not 2 or 300 or 2 or 3000 - just where they are gathered.  Remember the prison house in Philippi.  Paul and Silas at midnight were singing praises to God.  The old jailer trusted the Lord as Saviour when the earthquake came.  Remember Lydia as she listened to Paul preaching by the river side - the Lord was there and opened her heart.  Remember Daniel who was told not to pray to his God or else he would be thrown into the lions den.  He opened the windows and prayed to God.  When he was thrown into the lions den the following morning he was able to say "the Lord sent his angels to watch over me."  God watched over him.  He was there in that den.  God`s promise was true.  The conversation with Joshua.  God is speaking even today.

Joshua`s caution - verse 14 "and Joshua fell on his face to the earth and did worship"  Even there in the shadow of Jericho there was a way - he had to come, he had the right idea - he fell down on his face and began to worship there and then where he was.  The Lord told him to take off his shoes for this was holy ground.  We need to be respectful and reverent when we come before the Lord.  We need to bear in mind what Jesus has done for us.  That Jesus died on Calvary so that we might be able to come into his presence.  He fulfilled the plan of salvation from eternity past, that his only son would die on the cross for you and me.  One day he will come again.  Will he come for you?  If you got a letter to attend Buckingham Palace to receive a New Years Honour bestowed on you, you would not be long in preparing for it, booking a flight to get there, studying what you can and cannot do in the Queen`s presence.   Psalm 24 "who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?  He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully."  

Joshua`s compliance.  God drew nigh to Joshua and he did as the Lord asked of him.   Joshua 3 verse 7 "And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee."  Joshua 4 verse 14 "On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life."  Paul said "if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." (Galatians 6 verse 3)