The battle is the Lord's

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2023

1 CHRONICLES 14 VERSES 8 – 17

 

David was anointed king over the land of Israel.  As a result, the Philistines, his arch enemy were out to kill him.  They were a strong rival against the people of Israel.  The Lord will establish you, but the devil will fight against you.  He doesn’t want to see God’s people grow in grace.  He is fighting against you today.  We need to be alerted to stand against the plans and purposes of the enemy, the devil himself.  We need to be like the workers in Nehemiah’s day – in one hand they had a tool and in the other a weapon – Nehemiah 4 verse 17 “They which builded on the wall and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work and with the other hand held a weapon.”  The greatest enemy we have to stand against is the devil himself.  “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Ephesians 6 verse 18  The one we pray to, the Lord is greater than our enemy.  The Lord is all powerful and he proved that when he was here on earth.  David was not facing the Philistine alone.  God was with him in every step he took. 

 

Verses 8 and 9 “And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel all the Philistines went up to seek David.  And David heard of it and went out against them.  And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.” The crisis David was faced with.  He was not taking on a one man battle.  The whole army of Philistines came against David.  When David heard that the enemy was coming to seek his life he didn’t sit back and take it easy, he didn’t do nothing about it – “he went out against them.”  He went out and faced the enemy.  He had to fight the enemy in the valley – verse 9.  Quite often when we as God’s children are going through some difficulty the enemy will up his tactics.  When we are at our weakest.  What did David do?  Verse 1 “and David enquired of God.”  When faced with the enemy.  What a great lesson there is for each of us to take on board.  David enquired of God.  When we are going through the valley, facing some crisis in life we should take it to the Lord, enquire of God.  Prayer and the word of God are the only weapons we have.  We are not facing a physical battle like David but a spiritual one every day.  Ephesians 6 verse 12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  We are engaged in a spiritual battle.  It is important that we do not neglect the things that take us before the enemy.  Do not neglect the place of prayer or reading God’s word daily.  It is only at the place of prayer and reading scripture that we will find strength against the enemy.  3 times Jesus overcame the devil by quoting the word of God – Matthew 4 – verse 4 “It is written”, verse 7 “it is written” and verse 10 “it is written”.  He overcame by the word of God.  If God’s own son used the word of God to stand against the devil how much more should we.  We need to read and memorise it every day.  It is very important to memorise the scripture.  We must have the word of God in our hearts and minds so then we can stand against him.  We will not only find help and strength through the reading of God’s word, but we will find perfect guidance, perfect in every single way.  2 Samuel 22 verse 31 “As for God his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried; he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”  It is only the Lord that leads us in the right way and brings us out of our problems.  Perhaps this attack for David was so unexpected.  He never thought it would happen.  It was just after he had ascended to the throne.  The attack could come when we least expect it.  Even though a soldier is off duty he needs to be prepared to be on duty at any time.  He needs to be prepared for the unexpected attack of the enemy.  If there ever was a day when we need to be prepared for the unexpected attack of the enemy it is today.  He will attack us when we least expect it.  He is going around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  That is why we need to say, “watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26 verse 41)  The crisis that David faced.

 

The command given – verse 10 “And David enquired of God saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.” And verse 14 “Therefore David enquired again of God and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.”  When David prayed unto the Lord in the midst of the crisis God answered his prayer.  David saw the mind of the Lord in planning his attack – “shall I go up against the Philistines?”  One would think David may have been casting doubt on what the Lord wanted him to do.  That is why he was anointed king – to fight battles for the Lord and for the people of Israel.  He was not casting doubt on what he should do.  Rather he was acknowledging the Lord in everything.  He was seeking to do everything according to the Lord’s will, even the battle.  He was a man after God’s own heart.  He will consult the Lord in all he seeks to do in life.  When we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, he will direct out paths – Proverbs 3 verse 6.  I wonder do we acknowledge the Lord in all we are seeking to do?  In every area of our life?  How does God feature in the plans of your life?  How does God feature in my life?  Even though David had been anointed king and knew what he had to do he still acknowledged the Lord.  If he hadn’t acknowledged the Lord before he went into this battle it could have ended in disaster.  If we as God’s people never acknowledge God in what he is seeking to do in our lives it will end in disaster.  The only reason why someone would not acknowledge the Lord in every area is because they are doing things that are not pleasing to the Lord.  The Lord commanded David to go up against the enemy and he would deliver them into his hand.  The assurance of the Lord.  He would be with him and would deliver him from the battle – “I will deliver them into thine hand.”  He was facing the army in the strength of the great defender.  Psalm 5 verse 11 “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice; let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them; let them  also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”  What battles are you facing today?  Praise the Lord that our Saviour is mightier than all our enemies and David was realising that fact because God came him the victory – verse 11 “So they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there.  Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters; therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim.”  David did not say “I have broken in upon my enemies”, no “God hath broken in upon mine enemies.”  He is being very careful in what he is saying.  He gives all the glory to the Lord.  Even though he fought the physical battle, he gave all the glory to his creator.  He was only being used as a tool in the master’s hand to defeat the Philistines.  He didn’t want the focus to be on him but on the Lord.  Where do we want the focus to be today?  On ourselves or the Lord?  May we as the children of God give him all the honour and all the glory.  We are not worthy of any honour or glory.  We were born as children of the devil, and it is only by Christ we are made children of God.  Matthew 5 verse 16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  David not only gave God all the glory, but he shows it publicly by commanding all the idols of the false gods to be burned – verse 12 “And when they had left their gods there David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.”  When the Philistines came to fight, they brought their idols and false gods with them thinking they would win the battle and defeat the Israelites. Although they lost the battle, they left their gods behind them.  David could not stand the idols; they were taking the place of almighty God.  He commanded that they be burned.  Of course, the question has to be asked – what is an idol?  Something that takes God’s place and robs him of the glory he is due.  Could it be that there is something in our lives that is taking God’s place and robbing him of the glory that is due to him?  It would not be wrong but whatever it might be it could be hindering out work with God.  God could no long have first place in our life. I would encourage you to show the heaven and the earth that you love the Lord with all your soul, heart and mind today.  Show that your relationship is with the Lord.  Remember the commandment given by God to Moses “thou shalt have no other gods before me.”  Just when they thought the battle was over the enemy attacked again – verse 13 “And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.”  They had recovered and were ready to face another battle.  What did David do?  “Therefore, David enquired again of God.”  He brought the situation before God in prayer.  He did not assume that God’s plan would be the same the second time around.  God would give David the victory but through a different battle plan.  Perhaps the reason why he wanted to change his tactic was because the enemy had changed their tactic too.  When the enemy hasn’t won victory in our lives you can be sure he will attack in a different way the next time around.  We need to put on the full armour of God as Ephesians tells us so that we will be able to stand against the evil one.

 

The conquest.  The only reason David defeated the Philistines was because he obeyed the Lord’s instructions.  He acted on everything the Lord told him to do.  Perhaps he was thinking ‘what will be the outcome, will I come out alive?’  “David therefore did as God commanded him.”  God gave David the victory.  That is the only way we can win the victory in our lives as Christians – by obeying God’s word.  If he had not obeyed the Lord, would he have won the battle?  David had to do everything the Lord was asking him to do.  He did not let anyone else persuade him otherwise.  Listen to the voice of God.  David was going to obey regardless of the outcome.  That is the same for us.  We must obey the voice of God through his word in spite of what the outcome is going to be.  I wonder – are we a people who honours the Lord and obeys his word?  I trust we are.  We will only be prosperous in our Christian life if we obey God’s word.  “Them that honour me I will honour.” (1 Samuel 2 verse 30)  Joshua 1 verse 8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success.”  What a battle but what a victory. 

 

What we have considered is David going to battle against the Philistines.  He knew he was not facing it alone.  God would go with him every step of the way.  We may be facing battles in our lives.  We come up against many enemies, but we are not alone.  The Lord is going with us.  The Lord has gone before us.  We also discovered that David acknowledged the Lord in everything he sought to do.  May we never stop acknowledging the Lord in all we are seeking to do.  Finally, we noticed that David defeated the Philistines because he obeyed God’s instructions.  May our testimony be that we are a people who obey the word of God.  James 1 verse 22 “be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.”  The great reformer Martin Luther said, “my conscience is captive to the word of God.”

Forget not all his benefits

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

MONDAY 9 OCTOBER 2023 – MR WILLIAM HARRISON, FAITH MISSION

PSALM 103 VERSES 1 – 5

Text verse 2 “Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits.”

 

I’m sure as we think of the harvest it is a wonderful occasion where we are aware once again of God’s provision and promise and indeed how he has benefitted us with so much.  Think of some of the benefits the Lord has wonderfully and graciously blessed us with. It is interesting in this psalm that David from the outset to the conclusion seeks to give God praise and glory for all that he has been blessed with.  There is not one request that David makes of the Lord.  The entire psalm is given over to the praise to almighty God – “whosoever offereth praise glorifieth me.” (Psalm 50 verse 3) I am not here to tell you that David never asked the Lord for anything.  In the previous psalm he asked the Lord to teach him how to make his requests known him. He knew how to beseech the Lord and expect blessing from the Lord as well. It is a good exercise.  Sometimes when you get before the Lord and you want to get all the requests on your list made known, it would be good to spend time thanking, praising and glorifying God for all he has done and what he means to you.  “Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name.”  He is using every faculty he has, every amount of energy he can use to give praise to God – “forget not all his benefits.”  There are 2 points I want to draw your attention to – man’s forgetfulness and God’s faithfulness.

 

“Forget not all his benefits”  The word “benefit” literally means God’s actions, God’s activity on your behalf.  That is what David is seeking to give thanks to God for - all his blessing on his behalf.  To think about and not forget the actions he has performed for you and me.

 

Materially.  Scripture does not put or stress a lot on material things.  Scripture would encourage us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”  God has blessed us materially.  We are not worrying about where our next bite will come from.  David says we are to forget not all his benefits.  In Luke 12 there was a young man who came to the Lord and said “Teacher tell my brother to divide the inheritance.”  He wanted to get an early bank balance.  He wanted the Lord to step in.  There was a conflict in the family.  He needed to get the inheritance sorted out.  “Who made me a judge?” Jesus responded.  The Lord was not going to get involved in this family dispute.  “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of those things he possesses.  The ground of a certain rich young man brought forth plentifully.”  When you think of the benefit to that rich young man in Palestine – his barns were bulging, buildings too small to hold the stock.  He sat down and made plans and proposals.  There was nothing wrong with that.  A good business man will seek to do that.  That is what this young man was doing.  “I will pull down my barns and build greater.”  The problem is this – the harvest came and there was no thought of thanksgiving.  He only had great plans for the future.  “I will take mine ease, I will eat, drink and be merry.”  I will have a great time for many years.  Until the Lord stepped in and said “thou fool, thy soul shall be required of thee.”  I wonder are we busy making our plans, putting down our proposals, putting things into place to the point where we think we have many years?  We do not know what a day will bring forth.  “Today if you will hear his voice harden not your heart.” (Hebrews 3 verse 15)  How the Lord does bless us with material things but that we might offer to the Lord thanksgiving.  He is the provider of every good and perfect gift that comes from above.

 

Physical blessings towards us.  God has been good in blessing us physically.  We may not be running and jumping or planning a marathon but thank God for sufficient strength – “as thy days so shall thy strength be.” (Deuteronomy 33 verse 25)  In 2 Kings 20 we read of Hezekiah the king who took so ill.  He was near death.  The bible says Hezekiah got down before the Lord.  He prayed, wept bitterly before the Lord shedding tears because of his physical condition.  He was staring death in the face.  He was physically in great need.  He called on the Lord.  The bible tells us God said to him “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears, I will heal you.”  The Lord did touch Hezekiah the king.  Not only healed him but added another 15 years to his lifespan.  The Lord was good to him.  But that is not where the story ends.  2 Chronicles 32 “but Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit that was done unto him.”  Of the 10 lepers the Lord touched only one came back to give thanks (Luke 17).  Maybe you have been at the end of your tether, your back against the wall.  Perhaps you have prayed for the Lord to help you out of a situation, you made a vow – have you kept the vow?  We do not know how far the mercy of God has reached us.  The grace of God has kept us from harm and danger. Will you render to God that which is due to him?  Have you come to that place where you have acknowledged your need of him?  Trust in him while he may be found, forget not his benefits materially and physically.

 

God’s faithfulness – Psalm 103 verse 3 “forgiveth all thine iniquities”.  There is the faithfulness to forgive us.  You need a concept of your sin to be able to appreciate your forgiveness.  If you don’t understand your lostness, the perception of where you stand before God, you will never appreciate his faithfulness until you see sin bringing forth death.  Every graveyard is a result of death.  With the Lord there is mercy and forgiveness.  He will forgive us all our iniquities.  It is your iniquities that separates you from your God.  Between me and the holy God there is a blockage.  The bible calls it iniquities.  It separates you from God.  If we are going to have any union with God we need our iniquities to be sorted out.  The Lord has laid on him the iniquities of us all.  “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned to our own way. The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  Sheep are good at getting lost.  They don’t know how to get back.  The good shepherd went out to find the lost, gathered them up, carried him on his shoulders into the fold.  We don’t know our way back.  Thank God the one who comes to seek and find you, to lift you and place you on his shoulders, to bring you back to the fold.  Are you still out on the mountains wild and bare, away from the shepherds loving care?  He came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.  David reflects on the faithfulness of God.  Verse 3 “who healeth all thine diseases.”  “The Son of Righteousness has risen with healing in his wings.” (Malachi 4 verse 2)  He is able to apply the balm of Gilead, to touch and heal on a physical level.  There is nothing too hard for the Lord.  We are speaking of the souls diseases.  What kind of diseases could these be?  The disease of the soul is sin manifesting itself in many different ways.  The disease of bitterness, anger, lust, hate, jealousy, anything at all.  The list could go on and on.  These things if left there they will hinder us, paralyse us, restrict our progress in walking with the Lord.  He will heal all thine diseases.  All the son set free shall be free indeed. There is freedom in Christ.  He will lift you from the miry clay and set your feet on the rock.  Maybe you are finding the road difficult.  Maybe something harbouring in your soul.  Something never confessed to the Lord, hindering you, restricting you from walking with the Lord.  Verse 4 blessing that comes to the Lord.  “He redeemeth thy life from destruction.”  That is a wonderful thought tonight.  It is part and parcel of those who have never come to trust the Lord.  He will save you from a life from harmful sinning.  So many young people going out into their 20’s and 30’s because of habitual sin that they find difficult to break free from.  God redeems you from a life of destruction but also he saves your life from damnation.  “Who crowneth thee with loving kindness.  The list is wonderful.  We will never have a crown this side of eternity.  Scripture tells us when we know Christ, when our lives are redeemed he crowns us with lovingkindness.  The children of God are blessed beyond measure.  He does not take you out of the grave and leave you in the graveyard.  He sets our feet on a rock and establishes our way.  He places you in the paths.  You are crowned with loving kindness, with tender mercy.  “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things.”  It is good to have taste buds.  “O taste and see that the Lord is good”.  He is a good God.  He is the one who nourishes us.  He gives us all that we need for our physical enjoyment, for our spiritual blessing and enjoyment so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.  So many are involved in preserving their youth.  They don’t want to age, to decay.  Gyms are full, exercise is a big thing today.  When we do fully appreciate our outer man is decaying but the inner man is being renewed.  We are going to a place where we will never grow old.  Eye has not seen nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who love God.”  Where do you really stand with the Lord?  Can you put your head on the pillow and say “all mine iniquities are forgiven”?  Has the Lord cast your sins into his sea of forgetfulness?  Verse 13 that is the greatest blessing you can go away with – to know your sin is under the blood.  That blood is flowing for sin and uncleanness.  That is the invitation we want to extend to you.  The journey to glory can start here tonight – are you ready to start it?

 

The harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER 2023 pm

JEREMIAH 8 VERSES 18 – 22

Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet.  Throughout his life he would see his land backslide and go further from God.  He longed for them to turn from idolatry and to the living God.  They believed the false prophets.  They believed the lies and not the truth.  They had a false confidence based on lying words.  They were at peace but it was a false peace.  The Lord told them the land would be removed.  How did they respond?  Turning from God to walled cities.  They disengaged with God, from the judgement that was coming on them.  They knew the judgement was coming and cried out – verse 20 “the harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved.”  What a confession.  A truth that they were not saved.  “The harvest is past” – the ingathering of the grain.  “The summer is ended” – the ingathering of the fruit.  Maybe you have to confess tonight that you are still not saved.  Another summer has ended, a harvest is past and you are still not saved.  As we think of that phrase there are a few truths to consider.

 

Not saved and salvation provided so dearly.  Jesus displayed the character of God.  He preached the good news by his coming.  Salvation would be provided for all mankind.  Salvation by death on Calvary.  That is why it is so dear and costly.  The salvation was nothing less than the death of the Son of God.  He laid down his life as a willing sacrifice.  John 10 verse 18 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”  God gave his son over into extreme suffering even death on a cross. It was necessary that Jesus suffered and died on the cross.  Through his suffering on Calvary he would restore fellowship between man and God.  It had been lost when Adam said “no” to God in the Garden of Eden.  It was restored when Jesus said “yes” to his Father in heaven.  Before he was crucified in the Garden he prayed to the Father “Father if thou be willing remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will but thine be done.  He came to redeem all that was lost in the Garden.  2 Corinthians 5 verse 21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”  He was abused by the world, misunderstood by his disciples, rejected by the religious leaders, betrayed by his friends yet he could say “for this cause came I into the world.”  At his final trial he was shamefully treated.  The Roman soldiers stripped his clothes from him, spat on him, plucked the hair from his face yet he spake not a word.  As the crowd shouted “crucify him, crucify him” there on the hill called Calvary, nailed to a wooden cross yet did he pray “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”  As Luke writing his gospel informed his readers of the crucifixion said “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” In the darkness of his suffering he cried out “my God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?”  God could not look on his suffering son as he became a substitute for you and me.  His tears, his anguish, his reproach, his persecutions, his agonies and then his terrible, terrible death.  What a cost was involved to provide such a wonderful and free salvation.  The prophet Isaiah said in chapter 53 verses 5 and 6 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  Another harvest is past, the summer is swiftly coming to an end and you are still not saved.  Salvation provided so dearly.

 

Secondly not saved and salvation offered so freely.  An awful cost to make salvation available to all mankind.  It is wonderful to note that this salvation is offered to you as a free gift from God.  If someone was to buy you a gift, for it to become yours you must accept it.  You don’t pay for it has already been paid – it is a gift.  That is why the Lord went to the cross.  To provide salvation as a free gift.  He paid the punishment we deserved for our sin.  Have you accepted God’s salvation which is eternal life?  Many today in our society, religious people think that by living a good life, doing the best they can, being a good neighbour allows them access into heaven.  Could it be that someone here is thinking that way?  It might be that you are depending on church attendance, bible reading, prayers.  I want you to tell you on the authority of scripture what the bible teaches.  Ephesians 2 verses 8 and 9 “For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God.  Not of works lest any man should boast.”  Could it be that maybe you are asking “why do I need God’s free gift of salvation?”  Firstly because of our condition. We have been born on the broad road that leads to destruction.  It has been inherited from Adam and Eve – Romans 5 verse 12 “wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  We have inherited death and sin but we cannot inherit eternal life.  It is a free gift from God and that is a gift you need to accept if you are not saved.  We have been born in sin and shapen in iniquity.  Secondly because of our condemnation.  Whoever rejects God’s offer of salvation is under God’s condemnation.  John 3 verse 18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” If you continue to reject God’s free gift of salvation you will be punished for all eternity – in hell.  That place where there will be conscious eternal punishment for ever and ever.  Think of that for a moment.  I am sure there is no-one who wants to go to hell.  Those who reject him. Those who live without him will receive everlasting punishment as Matthew 25 verse 43 says “and these shall go away into everlasting punishment.”  There is no need to go into everlasting punishment because God has provided salvation through his son Jesus Christ.  It is up to you tonight.  Do you want to receive the gift of God which is eternal life or will you reject God’s free gift of salvation once again?  If you do, you will become condemned for all eternity.  Salvation provided so dearly.  Salvation offered so freely.

 

Not saved and life with all its uncertainty.  Life is so uncertain. Any one of us could be plunged into eternity.  That is why it is so important you prepare for the great eternity.  Nothing guaranteed for another day.  “Boast not thyself of tomorrow for we do not know what a day may bring forth.”  We may make preparations for next week, next month or even next year but fail to prepare for eternity that will last forever.  We think life will go on the way they have planned.  In the story in Luke 12 the rich farmer thought his future was secure.  His barns were full of crops.  He said to himself in verse 19 “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”  His earthly future was secure but his eternal future was not.  The God that he forgot suddenly spoke and said “thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee, then whose shall those things be.”  He was summoned to give an account.  His crops and barns were not of any value.  Now he could not hold back death.  Could it be that there is someone who has made much preparation in life for the temporal things?  You are planning for next week, month, maybe even next year but you have not made preparation for eternity.  The temporal things of this life will crumble and decay, eternity will last for ever.  I wonder are you saved?  Have you made preparation for the great eternity or would you have to say like the people in our passage tonight “the harvest is past, the summer has ended and we are not saved.”  Not saved and salvation so needful, so accessible, so available.  Many years ago the American evangelist D L Moody was preaching on this text.  When he gave the invitation he noticed a man and woman in the crowd.  The woman had tears running down her cheeks.  She begged the man to give his life to the Lord but he refused.  Many years later D L Moody was back in that same city preaching at another crusade.  One day someone requested the evangelist come to visit an elderly couple.  The man had a terminal illness and his wife requested the evangelist come to see him.  When he walked into the house D L Moody saw the woman kneeling by the man’s bed.  He noticed the man mumbling something under his breath.  He leaned down to hear the man say “the harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved.”  D L Moody asked “why is he repeating this verse?”  She replied “you preached on that text the last night of your crusade many years ago.  He heard that sermon and refused to be saved.  This is why he is repeating it now.”  D L Moody got on his knees and pleaded for him to come to Christ.  The man kept shaking his head and repeating the phrase.  D L Moody said that the man died about sunset gritting his teeth and clenching his fists saying as he went out into eternity “the harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved.”  The opportunity for that dear man passed.  He persistently rejected God’s offer of salvation.  What about you?  Are you persistently rejecting God’s offer of salvation.  The opportunity could pass for you tonight.  Will you trust the Saviour tonight or would you have to say “not saved”?

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER 2023

PSALM 126

Psalm 126 was a special psalm to the Children of Israel.  They were reminded of the past work and the promise to carry them into the future.  The people had returned from captivity and were called to be thankful.  At last they were free.  Terror and fear had been removed.  Their mouth was filled with laughter and their tongue with rejoicing.  All the surrounding nations had to admit that the Lord had done mighty things for them.  Verse 4 “Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.”  When the people returned to their homeland much work had to be done.  There was much labour before them.  They had to work to return the land to its former glory. The Lord told them to thank God.  They praised the Lord then they went straight to work.  If they were going to see a bountiful work they would have to labour for it.  If we are going to see precious souls saved, won for the Lord there is work for all of us to do.  The field must be ploughed, the seed must be sown and watered with tears before we can bring the sheaves in.  Verse 6 is our focus today - “He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his seed with him.”

 

Notice the pathway – “he that goeth forth.”  Note the person who works this pathway.  Without a person the work of sowing the harvest is impossible.  Sowing, cultivating, planting, reaping – it all depends on individuals.  We could sit back and do nothing or go forth and do something.  The returned captives wanted to see food on their tables. They had to put their hand to the plough.  To take action and go forth.  It is one thing to have individuals but another thing having individuals going to work.  They had to work.  When we are thinking of the great work of soul winning it all depends on individuals.  Only God can save a dying soul.  No man can save a soul from everlasting eternity.  Only God can save but he is depending on us to go forth and do the planting.  Before the Saviour left this scene of time, he made sure there were men left on earth who would go forth and proclaim the gospel.  To Peter and Andrew Jesus said “follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  Before he descended into heaven he told his disciples “go ye into all the world and preach the gospel”.  It is quite clear from scripture the Saviour is looking for individuals to go forth and spread the message of redeeming love.  He is depending on us his people to proclaim the message of the gospel.  God wants his children to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  To fulfil the great commission.  Are we willing to go forth and see that the seed of the gospel, that the world desperately needs, to hear about the Lord Jesus Christ?  Could it be that God is speaking to you and saying “go forth?”  The Lord needs you to go forth and proclaim his truth to a dying world.  He is depending on you to broadcast the greatest news the world has ever heard.  Who then is willing to consecrate his service to the Lord?  The pathway – go forth.

 

Secondly the passion – “he that goeth forth and weepeth”.  When the captives returned to their homeland it was a new beginning.  There was a certain amount of frustration.  They were upset as they saw their seed from the first crop.  The sower had a big decision to make before he sowed the seed.  He could keep it and have food for his family or sow all of it and have an abundance of fruit for his whole house.  He came to a decision to sow.  As he reached into his apron for a handful of seed to sow the tears began to flow.  He was going forth weeping but why was this man sowing his seed and crying?  He was thinking of his wife and children.  They would have to live sacrificially until the day of the harvest.  He was taking food out of their mouths.  If he was ever going to have more food to last them for long he had to go forth and sow more seed.  The great compensation would be by seeing much ripened grain in the barn.  It applies to the spiritual life too.  We may have to endure times of deprivation but what is that compared to seeing precious souls saved and one day standing in heaven and worshipping the Lamb upon the throne.  “He that goeth forth and weepeth.”  I wonder is there a price we are prepared to pay today – to go forth with the seed of the gospel weeping over the dying souls of men and women, to see God’s spirit move, to see revival again.  There is a price to be paid.  Some one said winners of souls are first weepers for souls.  Do we have that passion and zeal to see the lost won for the Saviour in today’s society?  Weeping may seem too emotional for some people buy someone needs to care if people are going to be saved.  The Lord Jesus shed his blood to save lost souls.  Surely we can shed tears for them?  Paul in his reflections to the Ephesians said – “Therefore watch and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” (Acts 20 verse 31)  The problem today is that our ministry is not watered by our tears.  Why is there so little fruit?  Do we stop and go into the closet and weep and pray for them?  During his earthly ministry the Lord wept.  He wept as he stood at the tomb of his friend Lazarus.  Even though he knew he would raise him from the dead he wept at the depths of sin and anguish of those close to him.  He also wept at the city of Jerusalem who would not turn to Christ for salvation – “And when he was come near he beheld the city and wept over it.” (Luke 19 verse 41)  When the good shepherd was in the garden of Gethsemane he wept for the lost world.  His tears were mingled with his precious blood, such was his agony.  To have that same burden the Saviour had for the lost should be our priority.

 

Thirdly, the product – “bearing precious seed”.  Notice the Psalmist is not just talking of seed but the “precious seed”.  Remember this was precious to the returning captives.  It was all they had to survive on and sow in the land.  It was their only source of survival whether eaten or sown.  It all depended on the seed.  They couldn’t sow anything else.  There was no other alternative.  Only the precious seed would produce lasting results.  It satisfied their physical needs.  There is nothing more essential to eternal life than the precious seed of God’s word.  If believers are going to survive spiritually it is essential to feed on the word of God.  It depends on the sacred words contained in this wonderful word.  If there are no scriptures what course of direction would the believer take?  We have the word of God.  The precious seed is available at our disposal.  It brought us on the right path and keeps us on the right path.  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119 verse 105)  Just like the sower in Jerusalem who had the seed in his hands, we have the precious seed of God’s word.  Our attention, affection and meditation must always be on God’s word.  We must also note through the sowing of the seed, the preaching of God’s word, that men and women are saved.  It is only then that individual lives are changed.  There is no other way.  If the returned captives found another way of producing food for their families they would have done it but they couldn’t.  There was no other way.  They could only take the little seed they had and go out to the ground and sow it.  If we want to see souls saved from sin, to see lives saved we must proclaim the precious word of God.  There is no other way.  No gimmicks.  No alternatives.  It is only the preaching of the glorious message of the gospel that we see conviction.  Romans 10 verse 17 “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”  There is life in the seed and there is power in the seed.  If you have the right seed planted in the wrong place it can do an immense amount of damage.  There is such life and power in one seed.  If left long enough it could crack concrete.  There is power and life to be found in the seed of his precious word.  It has the power to overcome all opposition.  We must go out and plant the seed, spread it, broadcast the gospel.  What if people don’t receive it?  What if they reject it?  In some ways that is not our concern.  That is God’s concern.  We sow the seed, he takes care of the results.  There will be those who will reject it but it is our place to go forth and proclaim the word in season and out.

 

Fourthly, the promise – “shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him.”  What a promise this was to the returning captives.  The word “doubtless” means undoubtedly, certainly, absolutely.  There could be no question cast on the sufficiency of sowing.  When they sowed their seed it was certain, without any doubt see results.  It is not suggesting that the farmer would always have a bountiful crop.  Some years there would be a good crop and some years a bad crop.  However there would come a year when they would reap a harvest of joy, when they would bring their sheaves with them.  The sower was claiming that promise that they would have a harvest of joy.  Reaping the benefits of suffering, sacrifices had paid off.  They went forth reaping and returned rejoicing.  Little sowing became much reaping.  What a promise.  What an encouragement this is to the servant of God who goes forth preaching the word of God.  “He shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him.  We must note that God does not promise everyone will be saved nor everyone we preach to will be saved but he does promise that sooner or later we shall reap a harvest of joy.  All the sacrifices and hard labour will pay off when we enter into glory bringing our sheaves with us but the challenge for us is clear – “he that goeth forth and weepeth”.  That is the challenge for us all – when we sow in spirit and truth we shall reap.  Is that the desire of your heart today?  Of my heart?  Do we weep and pray over the dying souls of men and women?    Do we listen to the voice of God?  Do we listen to a lost world?  Will you come to take up the seed of the precious word of God to a world that desperately needs to hear of Jesus?  There were 2 Salvation Army Officers who had set out only to meet failure.  They appealed to their General to close the rescue mission.  General Booth send back a telegram with 2 words on it – “try tears”.  When they followed his advice they witnessed a mighty revival. 

“He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his seed with him.”

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER 2023

PSALM 126

Psalm 126 was a special psalm to the Children of Israel.  They were reminded of the past work and the promise to carry them into the future.  The people had returned from captivity and were called to be thankful.  At last they were free.  Terror and fear had been removed.  Their mouth was filled with laughter and their tongue with rejoicing.  All the surrounding nations had to admit that the Lord had done mighty things for them.  Verse 4 “Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.”  When the people returned to their homeland much work had to be done.  There was much labour before them.  They had to work to return the land to its former glory. The Lord told them to thank God.  They praised the Lord then they went straight to work.  If they were going to see a bountiful work they would have to labour for it.  If we are going to see precious souls saved, won for the Lord there is work for all of us to do.  The field must be ploughed, the seed must be sown and watered with tears before we can bring the sheaves in.  Verse 6 is our focus today - “He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his seed with him.”

 

Notice the pathway – “he that goeth forth.”  Note the person who works this pathway.  Without a person the work of sowing the harvest is impossible.  Sowing, cultivating, planting, reaping – it all depends on individuals.  We could sit back and do nothing or go forth and do something.  The returned captives wanted to see food on their tables. They had to put their hand to the plough.  To take action and go forth.  It is one thing to have individuals but another thing having individuals going to work.  They had to work.  When we are thinking of the great work of soul winning it all depends on individuals.  Only God can save a dying soul.  No man can save a soul from everlasting eternity.  Only God can save but he is depending on us to go forth and do the planting.  Before the Saviour left this scene of time, he made sure there were men left on earth who would go forth and proclaim the gospel.  To Peter and Andrew Jesus said “follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  Before he descended into heaven he told his disciples “go ye into all the world and preach the gospel”.  It is quite clear from scripture the Saviour is looking for individuals to go forth and spread the message of redeeming love.  He is depending on us his people to proclaim the message of the gospel.  God wants his children to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  To fulfil the great commission.  Are we willing to go forth and see that the seed of the gospel, that the world desperately needs, to hear about the Lord Jesus Christ?  Could it be that God is speaking to you and saying “go forth?”  The Lord needs you to go forth and proclaim his truth to a dying world.  He is depending on you to broadcast the greatest news the world has ever heard.  Who then is willing to consecrate his service to the Lord?  The pathway – go forth.

 

Secondly the passion – “he that goeth forth and weepeth”.  When the captives returned to their homeland it was a new beginning.  There was a certain amount of frustration.  They were upset as they saw their seed from the first crop.  The sower had a big decision to make before he sowed the seed.  He could keep it and have food for his family or sow all of it and have an abundance of fruit for his whole house.  He came to a decision to sow.  As he reached into his apron for a handful of seed to sow the tears began to flow.  He was going forth weeping but why was this man sowing his seed and crying?  He was thinking of his wife and children.  They would have to live sacrificially until the day of the harvest.  He was taking food out of their mouths.  If he was ever going to have more food to last them for long he had to go forth and sow more seed.  The great compensation would be by seeing much ripened grain in the barn.  It applies to the spiritual life too.  We may have to endure times of deprivation but what is that compared to seeing precious souls saved and one day standing in heaven and worshipping the Lamb upon the throne.  “He that goeth forth and weepeth.”  I wonder is there a price we are prepared to pay today – to go forth with the seed of the gospel weeping over the dying souls of men and women, to see God’s spirit move, to see revival again.  There is a price to be paid.  Some one said winners of souls are first weepers for souls.  Do we have that passion and zeal to see the lost won for the Saviour in today’s society?  Weeping may seem too emotional for some people buy someone needs to care if people are going to be saved.  The Lord Jesus shed his blood to save lost souls.  Surely we can shed tears for them?  Paul in his reflections to the Ephesians said – “Therefore watch and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” (Acts 20 verse 31)  The problem today is that our ministry is not watered by our tears.  Why is there so little fruit?  Do we stop and go into the closet and weep and pray for them?  During his earthly ministry the Lord wept.  He wept as he stood at the tomb of his friend Lazarus.  Even though he knew he would raise him from the dead he wept at the depths of sin and anguish of those close to him.  He also wept at the city of Jerusalem who would not turn to Christ for salvation – “And when he was come near he beheld the city and wept over it.” (Luke 19 verse 41)  When the good shepherd was in the garden of Gethsemane he wept for the lost world.  His tears were mingled with his precious blood, such was his agony.  To have that same burden the Saviour had for the lost should be our priority.

 

Thirdly, the product – “bearing precious seed”.  Notice the Psalmist is not just talking of seed but the “precious seed”.  Remember this was precious to the returning captives.  It was all they had to survive on and sow in the land.  It was their only source of survival whether eaten or sown.  It all depended on the seed.  They couldn’t sow anything else.  There was no other alternative.  Only the precious seed would produce lasting results.  It satisfied their physical needs.  There is nothing more essential to eternal life than the precious seed of God’s word.  If believers are going to survive spiritually it is essential to feed on the word of God.  It depends on the sacred words contained in this wonderful word.  If there are no scriptures what course of direction would the believer take?  We have the word of God.  The precious seed is available at our disposal.  It brought us on the right path and keeps us on the right path.  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119 verse 105)  Just like the sower in Jerusalem who had the seed in his hands, we have the precious seed of God’s word.  Our attention, affection and meditation must always be on God’s word.  We must also note through the sowing of the seed, the preaching of God’s word, that men and women are saved.  It is only then that individual lives are changed.  There is no other way.  If the returned captives found another way of producing food for their families they would have done it but they couldn’t.  There was no other way.  They could only take the little seed they had and go out to the ground and sow it.  If we want to see souls saved from sin, to see lives saved we must proclaim the precious word of God.  There is no other way.  No gimmicks.  No alternatives.  It is only the preaching of the glorious message of the gospel that we see conviction.  Romans 10 verse 17 “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”  There is life in the seed and there is power in the seed.  If you have the right seed planted in the wrong place it can do an immense amount of damage.  There is such life and power in one seed.  If left long enough it could crack concrete.  There is power and life to be found in the seed of his precious word.  It has the power to overcome all opposition.  We must go out and plant the seed, spread it, broadcast the gospel.  What if people don’t receive it?  What if they reject it?  In some ways that is not our concern.  That is God’s concern.  We sow the seed, he takes care of the results.  There will be those who will reject it but it is our place to go forth and proclaim the word in season and out.

 

Fourthly, the promise – “shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him.”  What a promise this was to the returning captives.  The word “doubtless” means undoubtedly, certainly, absolutely.  There could be no question cast on the sufficiency of sowing.  When they sowed their seed it was certain, without any doubt see results.  It is not suggesting that the farmer would always have a bountiful crop.  Some years there would be a good crop and some years a bad crop.  However there would come a year when they would reap a harvest of joy, when they would bring their sheaves with them.  The sower was claiming that promise that they would have a harvest of joy.  Reaping the benefits of suffering, sacrifices had paid off.  They went forth reaping and returned rejoicing.  Little sowing became much reaping.  What a promise.  What an encouragement this is to the servant of God who goes forth preaching the word of God.  “He shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him.  We must note that God does not promise everyone will be saved nor everyone we preach to will be saved but he does promise that sooner or later we shall reap a harvest of joy.  All the sacrifices and hard labour will pay off when we enter into glory bringing our sheaves with us but the challenge for us is clear – “he that goeth forth and weepeth”.  That is the challenge for us all – when we sow in spirit and truth we shall reap.  Is that the desire of your heart today?  Of my heart?  Do we weep and pray over the dying souls of men and women?    Do we listen to the voice of God?  Do we listen to a lost world?  Will you come to take up the seed of the precious word of God to a world that desperately needs to hear of Jesus?  There were 2 Salvation Army Officers who had set out only to meet failure.  They appealed to their General to close the rescue mission.  General Booth send back a telegram with 2 words on it – “try tears”.  When they followed his advice they witnessed a mighty revival. 

 

“He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his seed with him.”

John 3 verse 16

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER 2023 pm – ANDREW McCULLOUGH

JOHN 3 VERSES 1 TO 16

Many people believe that the third chapter in the gospel of John is the greatest chapter in the bible.  It is certainly one of most familiar.  It contains what is the best known verse in the scriptures.  This may be the first verse that we learn and could be the last verse we forget.  Here is one of the great treasures of the scriptures.  It is like a jewel that sparkles and shines with divine truth.  There is greater value in its truth than all the riches in the world.  If a person believes these words they are given the greatest riches of God’s grace, they will experience the wonders of heaven.  It is the gospel in a nutshell.  The gospel in 1 sentence.  It is a popular roadside text.  Many people have found the road to eternal life through this verse.  Perhaps more has been said of this verse than any other in the bible.  It is so simple and sublime that a child can grasp it yet so deep that we can understand it.

 

The context – the background scene concerns a man called Nicodemus, a ruler of the Pharisees – “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: [2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”  Here is one of the greatest encounters recorded in the ministry of Christ.  Often the Pharisees were critical towards him yet Nicodemus was curious.  As he watched Jesus there was a conviction in his heart that this teacher was from God.  Have you studied all that Jesus began to do and teach?  The only logical conclusion you can come to that this is the Christ the Saviour of the world.  People have speculated why he came at night – too busy during the day, did the fear of being seen with Christ enter into his life?  Whatever the reason it might be, he was sincere and seeking.  The man comes full of questions.  Religion can give him no answers.  In this chapter we see man’s supreme need – he needs to come into a right relationship with God who controls this life, opens the door to eternal life.  Jesus tells him plainly “you must be born again”.  It is God cleansing our life from sin.  It is radical and personal as if born all over again.  In that experience we are brought into the family of God.

 

The contents – if all of the Bible were taken away and all we had was this verse we would find enough gospel truth to save us.  Here is the core of the message.  The gospel in the first 6 words – God – only – son – perish – everlasting - life.  There are 25 words in John 3 verse 16 – 12 about God, 12 about me with the Son in the centre.  We have the world’s greatest truth – Jesus gave it to Nicodemus repeatedly.  In Genesis 1 the creative work of God is seen 10 times in the words “and God said.”  Exodus 20 shows the legalistic work of God in giving the 10 Commandments and in John 3 verse 16 the redemptive work of God in 10 words that revolves:

 

God – loved – world – gave – son – whosoever – believeth – perish – have – life

 

The verse divides into 4 simple sentences.

 

The cause of salvation – “for God so loved the world”.  God’s love strikes a resounding note in all our hearts.  Everyone enjoys a good love story in a book or film.  Isn’t it better in real life?  To hear how a young couple’s love blossomed between them that leads them into marriage the closest of all relationships.  The fact of God’s love – “for God so loved the world.”  The disciple who was closest to Christ saw with his eyes the Son of God moved with compassion as he saw the sheep without a shepherd.  Many have a twisted and distorted view of God that has been shaped by culture.  It paints God as a God of wrath.  The heathen religions state that their God must be appeased.  No-one can be described as loving as God himself. 

 

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell

It goes beyond the highest star

And reaches to the lowest hell

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled

And pardoned from his sin

 

O love of God how rich and pure

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure –

The saints’ and angels’ song

 

Could we with ink the ocean fill

And were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky

 

John frequently used love in his writings and sums it up later by saying “God is love.”

 

The focus of God’s love – he is not referring to the natural world but the people in it.  You and I.  Someone once said “It would have been wonderful if God had said I love America or I love Europe or I love Asia or I love Africa, those great continents with teaming millions but instead he declared his love for the whole world.”  This was a wicked, wayward world that had turned against him.  Henry Moorhouse was a preacher for D L Moody in Chicago and said “‘for a whole week I have been trying to tell you how much God loves you, but I cannot do it with this poor stammering tongue.  If I could borrow Jacob’s ladder and climb up into heaven and ask Gabriel, who stands in the presence of the Almighty, to tell me how much love the Father has for the world, all he could say would be: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

 

The cost of salvation – “that he gave his only begotten Son”.  The love of God is not only global but sacrificial.  If you want evidence look at the Lord.  The greatest gift ever given – “his only begotten son”.  The word “begotten” is only used by John – he used it in chapter 1.  Its meaning – being the only one of his class or kind.  The uniqueness of Jesus.  In his writing John focuses on his deity.  God manifested in the flesh. He has always been but in the second person of God he was manifested to men and women. Salvation is free to man but by no means free to Christ himself.  The bible clearly tells us “he that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8 verse 32)  The ultimate cost of salvation is seen at the cross.  Jesus Christ dying in the place of sinners.  “But God commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5 verse 8)  “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (1 Peter 3 verse 18)  “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live through him.  Herein is love not that we loved him but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4 verses 9 and 10)

 

The condition of salvation – “that whosoever would believe in him.”  Nicodemus had been listening intently to Jesus.  In the previous verses he head the Saviour remind him of a familiar story in Jewish history that is found in Numbers 21.  Many of his Jewish ancestors had died because of their sin as snakes bit them in the desert.  God told them to lift up a pole and if anyone looked at it they would live.  Jesus would be the one lifted up for all to see.  If anyone looks to him they will be saved.  Verses 14 and 15 show us the simple facts – the fact of sin, the fact of substitution and the face of salvation.  Jesus repeats it here at the end of verse 16.  The condition is so simple.  The people are no Christians.  It is expansive – “whosever”.  It encompasses all people universally and each person individually as though you are the only one in the world.  John chapters 3 and 4 tell the stories of one man and one woman.  One was a Jew and the other a Samaritan.  One was an exemplary character, the other an outcast in the community.  It does not matter who we are or what we have done or where we come from, God reaches out to us.  God offers to you the wonder of God’s forgiveness from sin.  The promise of heaven if you will come.  It is an all expansive condition.  It is an exclusive condition.  4 times Jesus highlights the necessity of believing in him – verses 12, 15, 16 and 18.  Believe is another one of John’s words – he uses it 100 times.  We are commanded to be saved.  Paul called to the Philippian jailer told him “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”  Many will speak of their faith.  It sounds a positive thing but what is our faith in?  In church ordinances?  In morality?  Commendable but not sufficient for salvation.  Nicodemus was deeply religious.  So many are people of faith.  Religious, lovely people but not yet converted.  Nicodemus heard about his spiritual need.  He alone was the one he needed for salvation.  There are only 2 classes in the world Jesus said – the believing and the unbelieving.  We need to have faith in Christ alone as Saviour if we are to be in heaven.  The greatest sin we could commit is to not believe in Christ as Saviour.  Have I embraced him as Lord and Saviour?  Have I put my trust in him as Saviour?

 

The consequence of salvation – “shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  2 distinctly different words – perish and life tonight.  In a stormy sea the disciples of Jesus cried out “Lord save us, we perish”.  They recognised the danger they were in.  They cried out to the only one who could help.  Someone has said that the word “perish” has the very hiss of hell in it.  God’s love is only one aspect of his character.  There is also his holy and just character.  He must punish sin.  He warned many times of hell – “except ye repent ye shall all perish.”  The great news – the gospel is not the denial of hell but the delivery from everlasting punishment for our sin.  Through the Lord we can experience everlasting life and that begins the moment we believe in him personally.  He never promised to those who believed in him an easy life.  There will be struggles and temptations.  It is an everlasting life.  This great verse begins with God as the one with no beginning and ends with a life that has no ending.  Perhaps you are thinking of Nicodemus – did his conversation with Jesus change his life?  In John 19 he is found at the cross along with Joseph of Arimathea.   When many others forsook Jesus they cared for Christ’s body and placed it in a tomb.  He was nailing his colours to the mast.  Sharing and showing that he was a follower of Christ.  Is there evidence in your life that you are in a real relationship with Jesus?  John 3 verse 16 is the most treasured verse in the bible. 

 

It tells us of the cause of salvation – “for God so loved the world”

It points to the cost of salvation – “that he gave his only begotten son”

It explains the condition of salvation – “that whosoever believes on him”

And the assurance of the consequence of salvation - “should not perish but have everlasting life.”