I was in the city of Joppa praying

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 30 JANUARY 2022

ACTS 11 VERSES 1 - 14

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

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

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

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

PSALM 18 VERSE 6

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 2 JANUARY 2022

PSALM 18 VERSES 1 - 7

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

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

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

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

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

The honour that David serves.

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 9 JANUARY 2022

PSALM 18 VERSE 6

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

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

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

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

The course he would take and the comfort he receives.

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES SUNDAY 16 JANUARY 2021

MATTHEW 6 VERSES 25 - 34

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

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

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

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

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

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

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 23 JANUARY 2022

1 KINGS 19 VERSES 9 - 12

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

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

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

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

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

The Song of Mary

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 19 DECEMBER 2021

LUKE 1 VERSES 46 - 56 - THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS

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

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

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

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

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

A message delivered by angels to shepherds

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 12 DECEMBER 2021 REUBEN LYONS

LUKE 2 VERSES 8 - 20

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

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth

Long lay the world in sin and darkness pining

Till He appeared, gift of infinite worth

Behold the Babe in yonder manger lowly

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

Fall on your knees before the Lord most holy

O night divine, O night when Christ was born

O night divine O night O night divine

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

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

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

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

A song for Christmas

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 5 DECEMBER 2021

LUKE 1 VERSES 39 - 45 A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS

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

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

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

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

 

The receiving of the Holy Spirit

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2021

ACTS 1 VERSES 1 - 11

We have spent time looking at Peter, how on one occasion he fished all night and caught nothing, then Jesus told him to let down his nets once more and he caught such a large amount of fish he was not able to contain them all (Luke 5)  On that occasion Jesus asked him to "follow me".  As the Lord speaks to us today he too asks us to follow him.  Have we turned from that pathway today?  Peter had to get out of his boat and leave aside the success he had experienced in catching so many fish.  Mark 1 verse 17 "And Jesus said unto them come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men."  It implies a process, building up training, being a pilgrim, not signing a form and overnight you are a fisher of men.  

Think of the word "follow" today.  We can only become fishers of men if we follow Christ, with him on our side.  Peter was here amongst the disciples on the final earthly meeting with Jesus.  How important it would be in his life from here on.  Luke 24 verse 50 "and he led them out."  Jesus had something important to say to them.  It is important to be in the house of God today, to have fellowship with God's people, for God to say something important to us.  Jesus would speak to them and show them the way ahead.  He woul speak of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the infilling of the Spirit, how it would happen and when it would happen.  Luke tells us in verse 1 "the former treatise (or gospel)."  Luke, the writer of Acts tells this man Theophilus (lover of God is what his name means), my previous book dealt with Jesus, his life, his miracles and parables, now I am writing about the Holy Spirit who took over from Jesus.  "After that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen."  What Jesus will continue to do through the power of the Holy Spirit working through us.  The Holy Spirit must work in the lives of unbelievers to bring them to Christ, to salvation.  You know that yourself personally.  The moment you were in sin, you heard the gospel of saving grace, how Jesus came into the world without sin, gave his life for you and me, how he went to the cross of Calvary, he took every sin on himself and was sacrificed.   Maybe you heard that message once, twice, or several times and fought against it for a life time.  Maybe you felt you didn't need this great salvation, felt the church was all you needed, you attended every week, if you read your bible that you would be alright.  But one night you were listening to the word of God.  God would take that word and apply it to you and show you your need of salvation.  The Holy Spirit worked in your life when you surrendered to Christ.  That is not the work of any preacher or evangelist.  If the Holy Spirit is not dealing with your heart and soul you will never be saved.  The Holy Spirit must be alive and working in us to tell others about Christ.  We have to possess it to give it out to others.  If the preacher doesn't have salvation it will never come out of his lips.  You cannot preach God's salvation if you haven't got it. It is only the Holy Spirrit that can work in our lives.  The disciples were gathered around the Lord.  He led them out.  You are led into God's house today.  You come with a desire to be here today.  Why did the Lord bring his disciples here?  He had something important to say to them.  For their present day and their future too.  He wanted to point them to the source of the power that would come.  Maybe the Lord is dealing with you today.  He wants you to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  When you were born again you received the Holy Spirit but you were not filled.  Following after yes but not filled.  Remember how the spies when they returned from spying out the land of Canaan they brought back the produce of that land.  They carried a cluster of grapes between 2 men.  This was a productive land.  He would bring his people into the blessing of the fullness of the Holy Spirt - to enter into his presence.  He brings us today to a feast not a famine.  When the 12 spies came back to the camp they showed the produce and they told the people it was a great land the Lord had brought them to but they could not take it.  The cities are large and the walls tall.  Joshua told the people when they reached Canaan "if God be for us who can be against us?"  10 men brought an evil report.  The people were discouraged.  But 2 men Joshua and Caleb brought the truth.  We need men and women to hear the truth, to begin to tell the truth.  It didn't deter Caleb and Joshua.  Caleb was not for turning back.  Caleb heard the promise and for 40 years he wholly followed the Lord.  The disciples followed the Lord out to the Mount of Olives to hear what would happen next.  Remember how Elisha craved the double portion Elijah had.  He was going to tke over the role of the prophet.  He asked Elijah for that double portion and was told "if you see me go you can have it."  They both went around the various cities, he tried to discourage him but he refused to be left behind.  He wanted to follow him.  "Do you not know the Lord will take your master away from you?" the people said to Elisha.  When Elijah was taken up in the whirlind he had to receive the mantle and then go to the Jordan River.  He smote the river so that he could walk across on dry ground.  Are you discouraged today?  Are you following the Lord wholeheartedly?

Pointing here to a great mystery.  Verse 4 "wait"  This was the promise of God not to the disciples only but to all believers that we might be filled with the Holy Spirit.  This was the power they needed to set out with.  On the Day of Pentcost Peter cast out his net and 3000 were saved.  He couldn't have done that without the power of the Holy Spirit.   Jesus had taught his disciples all about this Holy Spirit - John 14 verse 6.  Jesus said he would not leave them as orphans in this land.  The Holy Spirit would be with them.  He is the one who draws alongside us even today.  John 14 verse 26 he is also to be our teacher, to bring back to our minds all that has been revealed to us.  That is going to be important in soul winning.  He is the Comforter and he will lead you into all truth.  He will point to and glorify the Lord Jesus.  That is the ministry of the Holy Spirit today.  

Jesus points here to the means of it.  A baptism of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity.  God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit has the same attributes as God.  He can only be received as a gift from God.  Acts 1 verse 5 "but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."  The means of receiving was clear.  Remember Philip in Samaria in Acts 8.  The believers had to leave Jerusalem because of the great opposition to the church. Philip left there and came to Samaria where he preached the Lord unto the people.  He saw a tremendous work done in that place, the people were saved and delivered from evil spirits.  Simon the sorcerer did many magic tricks but he also believed.  It is possible to have a head knowledge of what the Lord has done for us that we need to be saved but that is not heart knowledge.  We turn from our sins in our past life, trust the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind, then we are made new creatures in Christ.  We are not falling back into the old life but there are still old haunts that used to take us down.  Saved by the grace of God and going on with the Lord.  Simon got saved along with other people.  So they sent for Peter an John to preach about the Holy Spirit. When they came down they laid hands on the people who began to receive the Holy Spiit.  Simon came with a purse of money and asked "give me also this power."  Peter said to him "your money perish with you becuse thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money."  You cannot purchase the gift of God, it is only by receiving it by faith and coming to trust in him.  On the Day of Pentecost Peter described it from Joel 2 verse 28 "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."  On the Day of Pentecost in the upper room the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and they went out into the city of Jerusalem.  They began to preach the gospel.  The people heard the gospel in their own language.  They looked on them as ignorant men. Some said they were drunk others that they were babbling.  Peter filled with Holy Ghost said they were not drunk but took them back to the book of Joel.  What a testimony Peter had - he is becoming a fisher of men.  What about you and I?  Is this something reserved for Peter or the disciples?  Do we not need this same infilling of the Spirit?  Have we waited before God to receive this power of God.?  Have we received the  Holy Spirit to bring us into that which he would have us to do today?

 

I go a fishing

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2021

JOHN 21 VERSES 1 - 14

Whilst not all the disciples are named in this passage ("2 other of his disciples") all were important to the Lord.  We only want to look at Peter.  It was another fruitless night of catching nothing.  When they returned to the shore a voice called out "have you any meat?"  They replied "no".  They didn't recognise Jesus on the shore.  He tells them to "cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find."  Sure enough they did that and they had so many they were not able to bring them all in.  John turns to Peter and tells him it is Jesus.  Immediately Peter jumped out of the boat.  He didn't wait until they got back to shore.  Peter was called to be a fisher of men.  We too are called to do the same today.  Jesus would make Peter a fisher of men.  Andrew started it off when he went and found Peter and told him they had found the Messiah.  We can see in Peter's life his rashness, his redundancy, his recall and his reflection.

The course of Peter's life.  Peter is at this junction in his life because of his obedience  to God.  Why were they here at the Sea of Galilee?  On the resurrection day as the disciples made their way to the tomb one of the things on their mind was the stone in front of the tomb.  How could they ever move it?  When they arrived at the tomb they looked in amazement as the stone had been rolled back.  Maybe you are worrying without any purpose to worry.  Why not leave it with the Lord.  "Cast all your cares upon the Lord for he cares for you."  They found the stone rolled away.  Next they found the tomb empty.  Christ had risen from the dead.  God had raised him from the dead.  It was not possible for the pains of death to hold him.  We serve a risen Saviour today.  Matthew 28 verse 7 the angel said "go quickly and tell my disciples that he is risen from the dead and behold he goeth before you into Galilee and you shall see him as I have told you."  Mark makes it clear "tell my disciples and Peter".  Peter was not to be left out.  We serve a gracious Saviour, one who doesn't hold our failures before us.  He bids us to come unto him.  Matthew 28 verse 10 "be not afraid, go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee and there shall they see me."  Peter and the other disicples were in Galilee because that is where they were told to be.  Are we in the place where God would have us to be today?  God had promised to meet them there and nowhere else.  We are to follow the direction of the word of God if we are not where Jesus wants us to be we will not enjoy the presence of Christ.  Think of Elijah the mighty prophet.  He could call down fire from heaven.  1 Kings 17 he came with a word from the Lord to Ahab.  Then he had to flee to the brook Cherith.  He would be fed by ravens and drink from the brook.  I'm sure he thought about that message.  He thought about the word he had just brought to Ahab.  There would be no rain.  If that was true then how would he himself be sustained by the brook Cherith?  Ahab and his soldiers searched every place of his kingdom to find him but God had hidden him by the brook.  Elijah never knew God to fail.  Every day he was there.  If we are where God would have us to be there will be blessing for us but only in the place where God would have us to be.  The bible makes it clear not to turn aside from the gathering of ourselves together.  We are to be with the people of God today.  In Acts 16 Lydia came to a riverside "where prayer was wont to be made."  The word "wont" means a habitual custom.  People who made it a habit to meet in prayer.  Here was Peter and the course he was on was because of the word of God. 

The choice that Peter makes.  Commentators are hard on Peter at this stage.  Peter said "I go a fishing"  They didn't know what to do with themselves.  Some say Peter has mde a choice, he was going back to his old trade.  Peter returns to that which he knows.  Back to fishing.  He was turning from the course he was on.  Was he like Demas who walked away from the apostle Paul?  Maybe he enjoyed the comforts more than preaching the word of God.  We shouldn't want to give up because things have been difficult.  John Mark left the apostles.  The Lord came and he found Peter in his old trade.  The Lord is finding many today going back because of the hardships they are encountering.  They are putting their lifestyle before God.  Maybe Peter was contemplating the changes that were taking place.  The one who left heaven's glory came with one purpose - to be our Saviour, that he might take our sins away. What a wonderful Saviour we have.  He came to die for every one of us.

The command Peter had.  Peter was a leader.  When he announced he was going fishing they all said they would go too.  Influence is important.  Peter was making a decision that influenced everyting else.  He wanted to go back to fishing and the other disicples said they would follow him too.  You and I influence others around us with our attitudes, the things we say, the places we visit, the company we keep.  Peter was an influence.  1 Kings 12 Solomon came to the throne after his father's death.  He sought the Lord for guidance and leading.  Solomon had a great influence.  He ruled with an iron fist.  Rehoboam came to the throne after his death.  He was overwhelmed by the enormity of the task before him.  He turned to the elders who had been alive during his father's time.  He asked them for advice about what he should do.  The advice was to ease the taxes of the people which his father introduced and he would gain the respect of the people.  Then he went and asked the young people, those he had grown up with.  They influenced him and Rehoboam followed their instruction.  They told him to increase the taxes.  As a result Rehoboam divided the kingdom.  Such influence the younger men had on Rehoboam.  We have an influence today in our homes, in our work places, in our families, in our friendships, in our neighbourhoods.

The challenge Peter receives.  Peter receives a three fold challenge.  The manner it came took him back to the Judgmennt Day in Pilate's house.  There he had denied the Lord 3 times.  Now he is back fishing.  The Lord asks him 3 times "do you love me?"  God takes us back sometimes when we stumble and fall.  He takes us back to that place to make amends.  "Peter do you love me?"  Whenever Peter heard it was the Lord he jumped into the water.  He wanted to prove his love for the Lord.  You and I must be active in the work.  We need to come to the place where we need to check again for our love for the Lord.  "Do you love me Peter more than this?"  Was Jesus pointing to the other disciples when he asked this question?  Jesus was testing Peter's love.

The commission Peter receives.  "Feed my lambs".  The Lord was using 2 words in reference to love - agape love which is a deep devotional love and filial which is a mere friendship love.  The Lord was looking for something deeper than filial love but rather an agape love.  As the Lord comes to us again he asks us "do you really love me today?"  Is your life in my hands?  Are you my child today?