The Message of Christmas

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2024 – MR GEOFF FERGUSON

MATTHEW 1 VERSES 18 – 25

When we think of Christmas our minds are drawn to different things – presents that need to be bought, who we need to buy presents for, which shops we need to buy the presents from.  We think of Christmas cards that need to be written.  We need to think of the food to be bought if we are hosting dinner.  We need to think of the people we interact with, perhaps from the past.  As we enter into the season of goodwill, as we hear the songs in the shops we are willing to set our differences aside to make peace with people that we haven’t spoken to for a while.  Sometimes it is referred to as a winter festival rather than Christmas.  It is thought of as a time of giving and receiving presents more than the gift of a Saviour.  That thought does not come into people’s minds, they are too busy to think about the reason for the season.  The name of Christmas has changed, it has now become Xmas.  Sometimes people say there is too much talk of Jesus at this time of the year.  Those who have no interest in church for 11 months of the year for the sake of tradition will attend Carol Services.  There is nothing more traditional than the school nativity play.  Maybe you know someone taking part in one this year.  For the most part the nativity play tries to retell the story of the birth of Jesus.  The essence of the story is found in the play.  A scriptural account of the nativity story.  We don’t read about it as an event in history but rather it was the plan of God himself.  God had everything brought together to make it come to pass. 

 

The first thing we read of is the place where Jesus was born – Bethlehem.  It maybe happened in the wrong place and at the wrong time?  The set of circumstances meant this was an emergency place found.  Surely the expectant couple could not find any where else?  Why di they end up there?  Why take such a journey at a time when Mary was heavily pregnant.  Luke 2 verses 1 to 7 tells us the reason why they had to go there.  An unavoidable reason – every person had to go to their own tows to be taxed.  It came from the highest government authority.  The book of Micah records clearly where the birth place would be – Micah 5 verse 2.  We can see clearly the town of Bethlehem is mentioned.  There were 2 Bethlehem’s mentioned in the bible – one associated with the tribe of Zebulun – Joshua 19 verse 15.  Another was associated with the tribe of Judah.  This was near to the place where Rachel, the wife of Jacob died – Genesis 35.  The place was identified even back there.  Micah clarifies which one would be the birthplace. Also we are told Jesus was to be a descendant of King David.  He was born here – 1 Samuel 16.  God’s son came from this line.  Jesus is born in the town of Bethlehem, the place were David was anointed king.  That is why he ended up in Bethlehem at that time.

 

The nativity story will also have Mary and Joseph, they are an integral part of the story.  His earthly parents would play a key role.  He came from the family of David.  When we think of families we think of the father’s line.  Genealogies show us various names that pass through the male name.  Matthew 1 gives a clear bloodline for Joseph, a clear lineage looking back to David and beyond.  We expect this because he was promised from the lineage of David.  People say it is not truthful because he was born of the Spirit not the husband of Mary. God the Hoy Spirit was his father.  Can we really say he came from the line of David?  Joseph was the husband of Mary, his son was from the Holy Ghost.  Luke 1 verses 26 to 35 she was told she would be with child.  Joseph had no involvement in this situation.  He was not the father of the child.  Joseph was of the mind to end the relationship because the baby was not his – Matthew 1 verse 19.  We know that Jesus was to come from the line of David.  How does this fit in with the prophecy.  Some biblical scholars believe that Luke 3 is Mary’s genealogy which also leads back to King David.  Jesus was a descendant of King David.  It all links together.  Born in a certain time of a certain line, it all dovetails together.

 

In our nativity story we think of the fact that there was no room to be found in the town.  Where was Jesus to be found.  Many picture Jesus born in a stable surrounded by animals and placed in a manger because there was no room in the inn – Luke 2 verse 7.  The Greek word for inn – think of our English translation, it is hotel, a room for the night.  The better translation would be a guest room, a spare room kept for visitors to stay for the night.  Luke 22 verse 11 “and ye shall unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?”  The Greek words translate inn as a guestchamber, a large room.  Regardless of the type of room it was still unavailable to Mary and Joseph.  Nowhere to stay because the place was full as a result of the census.  Jesus was born in the animal quarters.  The king of glory came into this world and his birthplace was hardly fitting for the Saviour of the world.  “He left the splendour of heaven, knowing his destiny, was the lonely hill of Golgotha, there to lay down his life for me.”  One of the lowliest of places he could be found – that is how he humbled himself.

 

The shepherds played an integral part in the story of Jesus’ birth.  Luke 2 verse 8 to 16.  Why were the shepherds brought in?  Why did they end up being the ones who told the story?  The shepherds spent almost all of their time with sheep in the fields. They were protecting the sheep from wild animals.   They guided them to fresh grazing so that none were stolen.  Why did they appear to these shepherds?  The lambs were to be used as sacrifices in the temple.  Micah 4 verse 2 “And thou O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.”  The tower of the flock was known as Migdal Eder and it stood outside Bethlehem.  The shepherds of the flock would care for the sheep.  The lambs that were born were inspected and passed for use in the temple.  They knew the sacrificial system.  They knew that perfect sacrifices were needed.  Luke 2 verse 12 they knew that this sign would mean something to them.  The angels would draw out this fact – swaddling cloths.  That meant the baby was wrapped tightly, restricting its movement and therefore sleep better.  The shepherds also wrapped the new born lambs in the same way.  These lambs had to be perfect for the sacrifice so they were wrapped to keep them perfect.  They were pointing to the perfect lamb who would be the Saviour of the world.  Luke 2 verse 20.  They knew a Saviour had been born and they were rejoicing in the fact.  They made it known, wanted to spread the good news to everyone around.  That is the essence of our faith – to share the Christmas message, to go into the places were we meet people and share the true story of Christ being born.  Christmas is really about the birth of Christ.  That is the story and we should be encouraged to share it with the world.

 

The wise men played an integral part in the story too.  We read in Matthew 2 verses 1 to 11 that they came from the east bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  These gifts represented kingship, holiness and suffering.  We do not know how many wise men there were but just told they were Magi, kings from afar.  They made a great study of the stars.  They fell down and worshipped the baby.  They showed respect to him as a higher authority than they.  They were guided to the place by a star that came to rest over Bethlehem.  Then they were directed not to return to Herod and went home a different way.  They knew the scriptures and worshipped Christ and obeyed God by returning a different route.  They were able to discover where the Saviour would be born.  How well do we know scriptures?  Do we worship God as we ought?  Do we obey God as we ought?  As the story progresses Herod ordered all boys under the age of 2 to be killed.  Throughout time Satan has tried to destroy the Saviour.  Every time Satan devises a plan God opens up another way for things to come.  We see how Satan has tried to thwart God’s salvation throughout scripture.  God will always triumph over Satan and we see that on every occasion throughout God’s word. 

 

What does the Nativity teach us today?  How does it help us in our walk with God?  Just a story acted out every year.  Can we see the careful planning of a holy God in every circumstance?  Tim Keller in Hidden Christmas said “God had planned for Calvary before he created earth.  He foreshadowed the great person Jesus who would be born throughout the course of history.  Christ had a purpose for coming at Christmas.”  He was part of a bigger meaning – John 3 verse 16 “for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  That is the reason why Jesus came to earth – so that people would not perish but have everlasting life.  God is the only power to fix this broken world, the only one who can deal with the problem of sin, the only one who could come in the world to solve the problem of sin.  He lived a perfect life so he could be the perfect sinless sacrifice.  The reason Christmas exists is to remember the Saviour’s birth.  He needed to come into this sin cursed earth.  “Christmas contains many spiritual truths but it is hard to grasp the others until we grasp this one first – the world is a dark place and we will never find our way or see reality until Jesus is our light.” Hidden Christmas by Tim Keller.  Have you made Jesus the light of your life?  Have you let God’s light shine into your life?  You can enjoy the festivities, the presents, the food but the true meaning is having Jesus in our life today and every day.  Matthew 4 verse 16.  Open up your life from the darkness into God’s light.  He is the light of the world.  He was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago but have you trusted in his salvation offered to you today?  Luke 2 verse 10 and 11 “And the angel said unto them, Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.”

What is prayer?

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2024 am – MR KEITH LINDSAY

1 John 3 verses 1 to 7, 16 to 24

What is prayer?  It is one of the greatest privileges known to man.  Prayer is contact with God.  Communion with God.  Fellowship with God.  The fact that we mere mortals can communicate with the God who created and sustains all things is an amazing thing.  That we as individuals can enter into the throne room of heaven to the very throne of God.  “The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer.” F B Meyer.  It has been well said that prayer should be something that we do every day like breathing, eating, walking an talking.  It should not become like a little glass box that hangs on the wall with a key inside it, that says “break in case of emergency.”  Prayer is an untapped resource so often where untold treasure remains to be unearthed.  Prayer remains one of the greatest gifts God has given to us outside of salvation. Access to the very throne room of heaven.  Prayer is one of the greatest war zones for the believer.  It is while we are at prayer that the devil fears us most and he will use any method to stop us from praying.  When we are in prayer we get so easily distracted.  The phone rings, the door knocks or sometimes we fall asleep.  William Cooper said “restraining prayer will cease to fight, prayer makes the Christian armour bright, Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint on their knees.”  Sometimes we cannot concentrate or get through in prayer.  Prayer is one of the most neglected things in our busy Christian lives.  So many things can pour into your life and prayer is put to the side.  Or that time you need to put to prayer is put to the side.  John Bunyan said “prayer is shield of the soul, a sacrifice to God, the scourge to Satan.” There is a wonderful promise in these verses “whatsoever we ask we receive of him.”  The reality and simplicity of prayer – to put the whole thing in a nut shell – asking is man’s part, giving is God’s part.  As we read through scriptures we are encouraged to pray.  God has given specific promises to those who pray.  Jeremiah 33 verse 3 “call unto me and I will and answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.”  Matthew 21 verse 22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive.”  1 John 5 verses 14 and 15  “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”   Luke 18 verse 1  “Men ought always to pray and not to faint.”  As we read through scriptures, we see how God challenges us to pray and challenged others to pray.  In Genesis 18 Abraham interceded on behalf of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  He pleaded for God to have mercy on those cities.  He pleaded for 50, he went right down the number to the 10 that God would answer prayer.  In Exodus 15 Moses cried unto the Lord because the people murmured at the waters of Marah which were bitter.  God showed Moses the tree and then told him to cast the tree into the water.  The water was made sweet as a result.  God answered his prayer.  We could go through so much scripture and the situations when God answered prayer.  1 Samuel 1 Hannah prayed before God.  She cried out because she wanted a child.  Eli thought she was drunk and wanted to put her out of the temple.  He saw her grief within and said to her “Go in peace and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou has asked of him.”  Then in verse 19 we read “the Lord remembered her.”  God answered her prayer and Samuel was born.  Elijah in 1 Kings 18 is another example.  God answers prayer even when we feel we are in the minority.  Elijah was with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.  Elijah tells them “If your god is god he will answer by fire.”  They cut themselves, they pleaded and cried but nothing happens.  Elijah tells them to cry louder and they did that but nothing happens.  Elijah pours the water over the altar and asks the God of Israel. God answered by fire.  He stood alone, 850 against him and God answered him.  The fire fell and the sacrifice was consumed.  We have an almighty God who can do more than we ask or think.  We are encouraged and exhorted to pray.  It is our special privilege to do so right into the presence of God.  Jim Elliott the missionary killed by Auca Indians said “God is still on the throne.  We are his footstool.  There is only a knees distance between.”  Andrew Murray said “prayer is not monologue but dialogue, God’s voice in response to my voice.  Listening to God’s voice is the secret of assurance that he will listen to mine.”  In verse 22 we see the little word “ask”.  Prayer is just asking.  The Lord reminds us – Luke 11 verse 11 “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will be give him, a stone? Of if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg will be offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”  Ask.  Before we ask we need to have confidence in our asking.  It reminds us there are some conditions that need to be met if we want to have confidence in asking God to answer our prayers. Verses 20, 21 and 22.  The word “if” implies there are conditions that need to be met if we want God to answer prayer for us.  Those to whom the little promise is given are God’s little children - verse 18. Verse 19 shows that those who are of a truth, addressed as beloved, a people of God.  We need to be those related to God.  Those who are the children of God, of the household of faith, those who are saved. Galatians 3 verse 26  “Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”  Once we did a mission outside Kilrea, Boveedy years ago with the Faith Misson.  A man came to that mission every night.  A local businessman, a lovely man, his wife was believer.  He was not saved himself but he would be in the meetings every night.  Believed God was speaking to him.  So burdened for this man.  “Don’t you leave it too long or you will be too late.”  Man who had a quiet time every day, read his bible every day, went to church, prayed every day, spent time with God even though not a believer.  A challenge to us as believers.  A number of weeks later he rang me and said “I have met a great friend of yours on the Damascus road.  God spoke twice in my life, once in Australia and at the door of the mission that night when you said ‘don’t leave it too long or you will be too late.’  It was not through the sermons preached in the mission but those simple few words said to him at the door.  His sister-in-law was really ill and they were having times of prayer for her.  He went along to those times of prayer like everyone else.  In those prayer times a young lad prayed in that prayer meeting.  The man said “I realised that my prayers were only hitting the ceiling, they were not going anywhere.  I realised that I was not right with God.  I could pray all the prayers I wanted but they were not getting any further.  The prayer God needed to hear from me was the prayer of repentance first, where I realised I was a sinner, where I could come to him and he would hear me.  He could save me as a result.”    We need to be those who are saved if we want God to hear and answer prayer.  We also need to be sincere too.  Verse 18 reminds us to love in word is only false.  We are to love not only with our lips but with our actions.  Hate that which is evil, to hold onto that which is good, be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another. Psalm 24 we need to be those with clean hands and a pure heart as we come to God in prayer.  “Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord or stand in his holy place, he who has clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity or sworn deceitfully.”  Remember the story of the revival in Hebrides.  Mary Morrison, wife of the Principal of the Faith Mission Bible College spent time with us as students reminding us of those days of revival, when God came and moved with revival in the Hebrides.  God answered prayer.  Now so far away from things of God, forgetting about their heritage from days past.  In those days walking along they were falling on the wayside.  Trusting God as Saviour.  There was a young man in those revivals who cried out “make my hands clean and make my heart pure.” As he prayed God moved and the Spirit of God fell on that meeting and the power of God worked in those islands.  The conditions for God to answer, a right relationship with God, coming sincerely to him – verse 21.  That right relationship with others too. Matthew 5 verse 23 and 24 “if thou bring thy gift to the altar and there rememberest that they brother hath ought against thee.  Leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift.”   The devil loves to hear the prayer that is addressed to someone in the audience.  W S Plummer said “God may turn his ear from prattling prayers or preaching prayers but never from penitent, believing prayer.”  We need to be obedient to him if we expect God to answer prayer.  Verse 22.   It is so easy to be careless in our everyday life, to do the things or neglect to do the things that please him. To be one thing in the church and another in the workplace or home. We need to meet God’s conditions if we want to see him answer prayer.  2 Chronicles 7 verse 14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” There is a condition. Proverbs 3 verses 5 and 6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”  The challenge to my heart is - have I a real relationship with God and others.  Do I come with clear conscience before him, am I fully obedient to do all I can to please God in my life?  “Most believers expect little from God because they ask little from God.  Therefore they receive little from God and are sadly content with little.” A W Pink.   Am I content with little today? Isaac Newton “I can take my telescope and look up thousands of miles into space and see the wonder of God’s creation.  I can go to my room and in prayer get nearer to God in heaven than I can with all the assisted telescopes in the earth.” What a wonderful privilege we have in the place of prayer.  Only God can move in answer to prayer.  God can.  As we think how God has been good in the past, we cannot limit God today.  As we look around and see the need it is down to all of us to get to prayer, to seek God to move in Coleraine before our mission in April and after it too.  One concern of the devil is to keep the saint from prayer.  He fears nothing from prayerless work, prayerless religion, prayerless study, prayerless churches, he laughs at our toil, he mocks at our religion but he trembles when we pray. Ww need persistence in prayer, don’t we, to keep prayer on.  We want to give up so easily.  My grandmother was a very godly woman died a few years ago.  My aunt walked in one day that she was on her knees and asked her “have you lost something”.  “No I haven’t lost anything I am praying, get out until I finish.”  She saved back in 1954 through Noel Grant.  She knew how to pray.  She prayed for all of us.  She didn’t see prayer answered but God is continuing to answer prayer today.  God does answer prayer.  Even not in our time and our ways.  He continues to answer prayer.  Verse 22 “whatsoever you ask we receive of him.”  We could talk about passion in prayer.  Not vain repetition.  We need passion in prayer, getting through to God in prayer, holding onto the throne of God in pray.  Not giving up or not giving in or distracted, hold onto God and see him move.    We need thankfulness in prayer.  We need to thank God when he answers prayer.  Philippians 4 verse 6 “Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”  1 Thessalonians 5 “in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ for you.”  Colossians 3 verse 17 “and whatsoever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”  Prayer engages God, enables God’s people, prayer enlarges his kingdom.  Once we have prayed we are ready to do anything.  Until we have prayed we can do nothing.  Until we have prayed we can do anything.  But once we have prayed we can accomplish anything.  Keep on praying, keep on holding onto God.  Don’t give up - that is what the devil wants us to do.  Don’t give up because we have a greater God.  By prayer and seeking his face whatsoever we ask we receive of him.  Let’s trust him together and we can do great things in the days ahead.

The journey away from God

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER 2024 pm – MR LAWRENCE KENNEDY

Jonah 1 verses 1 to 5, 10 to 16

Last Friday the UK Parliament voted on Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Bill.  It passed the first stage with the voting of 330 to 275 in favour.  It made me think of the situation of taking life and suicide.  The tragedy of immense proportion.  800,000 people die every year because of suicide.  That is one in every 40 seconds.  For every death due to suicide there is some 20 attempted suicides.  A global crisis.  Northern Ireland has the highest rate – there were 223 suicides in 2023.  They occurred mostly in towns and cities – North Belfast, South Belfast, Fermanagh and South Tyrone had a greater proportion than anywhere else.  There were more males than females and they were usually within the 25/35 years of age.  Most people thankfully have a support network who are aware of symptoms and are able to keep things in perspective.  For some there is no escape from emotional darkness, no way of communicating that pain or the cause of it.  There are multiple reasons for suicide – many bipolar disorders, depression, bullying, mental illness, alcohol abuse, drug addiction, low self-esteem.  Loads of reasons for it.  For the thousands of cases there are many examples of those who feel there is no point in life.  There is one case of suicide in the bible that is surprising but true.  A preacher of the gospel who had a panic attack.  He runs away from family, ministry and is trying to run from God.  Suicide seems to be the only option.  We join him 2000 miles out at sea.  On the starboard side is Greece and Italy, Spain and France.  To the left is Egypt and Morocco on the coastline.  Depressed, angry and annoyed.  God was not working the way Jonah wanted him to.  He was not doing the things he thought appropriate.  He was angry.

The journey – verse 3.  He was away from the presence of the Lord.  For these sailors they were heading to Joppa, east to west.  Tarsus is present day Seville in Spain.  The sailors could tell of wind speeds and tidal currents, past crossings, exploits and humorous happenings.  Here though they didn’t realise it, they never planned it – they were travelling away from the presence of God.  It is so easy to drift, to lose your bearings, not to be aware of drifting further away.  This story of Jonah reminds us of the biggest cruise liner all humanity is born on.  Every child is born on board, all are lost.  We have drifted.  “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.” (Isaiah 53 verse 6)  The symptoms of suicide, loneliness, dark thoughts, anger, depression, unworthiness, emptiness.  Symptoms of a world drifting away from God.  Symptoms of sinful nature.  We have lost connection with the creator God.  If you are not a Christian you are on this ship.  It is made up of every person on earth.  If you don’t have Christ you are drifting away from God.

The danger – verse 4.  In Jonah’s day there were no lifeboats, no satellite navigation.  He was not only travelling away from God.  Lots are in danger, frightened.  Is there a parallel, a comparison?  If suicidal you are in great danger, logic is impaired, there is no glimmer of hope, no light on the horizon.  Some would say “it is best for everyone if I wasn’t here.”  They forget about eternity.  They forget God is angry because of sin.  You are on a journey the same as Jonah and you are travelling away from God.  You will be further away next week than this week.  Drifting away from God’s presence.  Your life is precarious.  Eternity lies ahead.  Sin is falling short of God’s requirement.  Separation between you and God.  Satan wants you to stay separated until you end up in a lost eternity.  You should be frightened.  You should have a fear of facing death without the only Saviour.  Facing death without knowing Jesus Christ.

The condition – verse 5.  Jonah is oblivious to it all.  Some people are like that.  You could preach to them and they are not computing.  It is going in one ear and out the other.  They are fast asleep.  They don’t see the danger of being without Jesus.  They are asleep and not even afraid.  I pray that a lost eternity will terrify you.  Those hardened, seasoned sailors – when God speaks they become afraid.  They tremble.  In our society we need people who when God speaks they will tremble at the thought of facing an angry God.  Suicidal people have a fear, a dread, the fear of the impact of their actions, letting people down.  The method they have purposed – most commit suicide today by hanging.  When God speaks man should tremble.  We should fear because sin separates us from God.  Eternity is so long.  Hell is so real.  Maybe God is touching your life to get your attention.  What did these sailors do when God touched the waves?  They got religious.  They never thought of God for years and now all of a sudden because of fear they got on their knees and cried to their god whoever he was.  They maybe never thought of God and religion before now  Never feared.  Now got religion.  It didn’t stop the danger.  Next they got renewed.  They turned over a new leaf.  They threw all the excess baggage to make it lighter.  People will say they will turn over a new leaf – not curse or drink or gamble.  “I will change and lighten the load.”  People will try all kinds of things, throwing the stuff overboard but it didn’t stop the storm.  It didn’t stop the danger.

The salvation – verse 12.  Salvation for these sailors is through the death of one man.  Jonah has had enough.  His preaching struggle was at an end.  His fear was not with the great fish or the city of Nineveh but the dark struggles of heart and mind.  “Throw me overboard, take my life, it is better for you all if I was not here.”  The sailors wouldn’t obey him – verse 13.  They didn’t want to throw him overboard.  They didn’t want his suicide on their conscience.  They decided to row harder and get to land.  Some people say “I will do my best, try the hardest I can to get to heaven, try harder.”  They give more effort, more energy and the result is exhaustion.  The solution is found in verse 15.  Their salvation was through the death of one man.  The only solution.  To take Jonah and throw him overboard.  In Matthew 12 Jesus uses this story to speak of himself.  Jonah was in the belly of the fish for 3 days.  The truths of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection are seen through this story.  Jesus knew what this picture was about.  Going into death, going to Calvary. The willing perfect sacrifice.  He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Through the death of one man a whole ship would be saved.  At Calvary Jesus took my life.  “I will shed my blood, be the ultimate sacrifice so you can go free."  When you see that trust in the Saviour.  The sea goes calm, it makes the danger disappear.  God loves you so much.  It was worth the sacrifice.  His one and only son.  The only salvation.  Maybe you know someone who is ill and suffering with suicidal thoughts.  Please be there for them, that they may know a safe, confident person.  Do not judge them unfairly.  You have never walked in their shoes.  They need to know someone who loves and values them.  Ultimately God loves and values them.  He not only forgives but satisfies and blesses and takes away all fear.  Suicide plagues our society.  We have looked at this real life example.  The answer was in one man, the death of that one man.  Immediately the sea was calm.  The Lord had a fish ready to swallow Jonah.  The sailors didn’t know the final story.  They didn’t know the rest of the book.  Our hope, our salvation is in the one who gave his life for us as a ransom for us.  Keep praying that this Assisted Bill will not go through.  People feel that such a Bill is about finishing life with dignity.  Remember this amazing case study of Jonah.  He ran away, drifted from God, how God intervened in his life through a storm.  God is getting your attention.  Salvation was found in the death of one man.  Our hope is found in Jesus Christ.

 

What is Worship?

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER 2024 am – MR LAWRENCE KENNEDY

2 SAMUEL 6 VERSES 1 TO 19

As I go around different fellowships, I notice some things that are very familiar and also other things very different.  One of the things is the style of worship.  Some like ourselves is traditional but some have taken it further.  They simply have an opening and closing worship in a service.  They have reduced the biblical context of worship.  Worship is the primary reason why we meet, to lift our voices in praise to God.  The other extremes have bands and singers with the people in the congregation not involved at all in worship.  What is worship?   There are many different opinions on what worship is.  One theological opinion is worship is the believers response to love and mercy and grace of God.  Another theological response is worship on earth is the rehearsal for the life in heaven.  A W Tozer said “worship is to be personally and hopelessly in love with God.”  That is worship.

David’s Dream – 2 Samuel 7 verses 1 to 3.  His dream was to bring the ark of the covenant back to the central place where it should always have been – in Jerusalem.  Worship starts with a dream, a longing to know God better.  Martin Luther King stood at the Lincoln memorial in Washington on 28 August 1963 and gave what is now known as the “I have a Dream” speech – “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.  I have a dream today!”  There were 200,000 people standing in front of him that day.  David had a longing, a passion to build a house for God.  A place for the ark of the covenant to dwell, a place that would speak of God’s presence.  That it might rest among the people.  It was a shattered dream because he was a man of war and he had to gather all the wood, gold and fine furnishings and leave it to his son Solomon to later build – 2 Chronicles 22.  He still had this longing at this point in our story.  He didn’t know it would be refused.  Step 1 was to fulfil his dream – to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.  The most sacred possession.  Back in 1 Samuel 6 the ark had been captured by the Philistines in war.  They put it in the temple of their god Dagon and it stayed there for 7 months.  God sent a plague and they wanted to be rid of the ark so they put it on a truck that was to be pulled by donkeys.  They set it loose and the donkeys brought it back to Jerusalem.  It stayed in the home of Abinadab for 20 years.  The ark of the covenant contained the pot of manna, the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments and Aaron’s rod that budded.  David’s dream was to bring the ark of covenant from Abinadab’s house to the central place in Jerusalem.  I have a dream that the gospel and the things of God might be at the centre of our nation again.  That Christ might have the primary place in our nation, in our fellowships and homes.  That we might know harmony, unity and blessing.  That we might know the almighty power, presence and purity of God.  I want to see God at the centre of all we do.  That true worship would be common as breathing.  That the Christian Institute would be made redundant, no longer needed.  I dream that Christ might be central.  That we will cope with illness because we will know our great physician.  That we will cope with depression because we will know the God of all comfort.  That we will cope with weakness because we will know the source of strength.  It all started with one individual – David and his dream to get the ark of the covenant back into Jerusalem.  My dream could start with one individual even here.  Worship always starts with a dream, a longing for God.

David’s design.  God’s design was always for the ark to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites, the priestly tribe.  It was so precious, not touched with human hands.  Moses was given instructions that on the side of the ark of the covenant there were rings.  2 poles were put through these rings and 4 groups of men would carry the ark on their shoulders.  No hand would touch the ark of the covenant.  David decided to break the old tradition.  He had a new vision, a modern innovation.  He designed a cart to be pulled by animals – verses 3 and 4.  That is how the Philistines did it.  Imagine as the new cart was brought to the house of Abinadab and the people saw it that the older people were not happy.  It had not been done this way before.  It was never carried by animals before.  The young were delighted.  Tradition was boring, how will you reach people with the gospel, you need to bring it up to date.  David’s design of the ark didn’t consider the command of God or the holiness of ark.  We do need people with vision, we do need to reach a new generation.  To a media driven generation.  David learned to his cost, in pursuit of vision and innovation, to never forget the commands of God or the holiness of God.  Let’s bring the ark back to Jerusalem, make God’s presence central again.  David’s design was novel.  A new cart pulled by oxen.  Some would have loved it but God didn’t.  Never forget the commands of God or the holiness of the things of God.

David’s disaster- verses 6 and 7.  They arrived at the threshing floor.  The ground was uneven.  They were dancing and singing, having a great celebration  We are going to Jerusalem.  The unevenness of the ark unsettles the oxen.  One of the drivers puts out his hand to steady the ark when suddenly God strikes him dead.  Is that not a bit severe?  Surely he was trying to do a good thing?  It would have been disastrous if the ark had fallen, if it had broken?  Surely we would have done the same thing?  Uzzah dies on the spot.  The rejoicing turns to mourning.  What did he do wrong?  A lot of believers struggle here.  It seems unfair.  Uzzah was the son of Abinadab.  He was familiar with the ark.  It had stayed in his house for 20 years.  It was like a piece of the furniture in his house.  People would come to his door and ask to see the ark.  He would invite them to see it. Uzzah put out his hand, showing how familiar he was with the things of God.  How casual he treated it.  That is why God struck him down.  The things of God had become common place.  Just another piece of furniture.  Blaze, didn’t mean much to him.  He grew up with it.  He was showing everyone how familiar he had become, casual with the things of God.  Have you become over familiar, too casual with spiritual things?  If God struck us down like this Uzzah the funeral directors would be very busy, the graveyards would be full.  It is sad that God’s people have become too casual with the house of God.  Suddenly the old things of God have become common place.  The sense of awe and wonder and holiness seems to be mistreated.  We have become too blaze, informal, take it or leave it.  It robs us of our impact as salt and light.  We do church without a sense of awe and wonder.  We sing hymns without thinking of them.  We have fallen out among ourselves.  Satan is thrilled.  David realised his mistake – verse 9 “And David was afraid of the Lord that day.”  That is the right kind of fear and the worst kind of fear – a fear of God.  A sense of greatness and majesty of God.  He is so far above us, his ways are past finding out.  David’s dream – he wanted to bring the ark back to Jerusalem, to make God central in the middle of the nation.  David’s design – let’s never be blaze, to become too familiar with the things of God.  To forget about the command of God.  Let’s do it the way the heathen do it – put it on a cart, pull it with oxen.  It led to disaster.  So familiar with God Uzzah reached out and God struck him dead.

David’s dancing.  The ark was left for 3 months in Obededom’s house and God generously blessed the home.  Of course he does – God blesses the home where Christ is central.  He blessed his family and him because of their action.  After 3 months David decides to try again.  This time he has done his homework.  He doesn’t care what the young people think or the modernists think.  He is going to follow the instructions of the Mosaic law.  He makes some poles and the priests carry the ark of the covenant on the shoulders.  He went further – after 6 steps he stopped to make a sacrifice of a bull and fatted calf.  He didn’t overstep his position.  When they finally reached the city of Jerusalem the fulfilment and significance of the occasion was not lost.  The moment is overwhelming.  There is some weeping, some rejoicing, some singing, some applauding.  David forgets the dignity of being a king and danced before the Lord.  He danced with all his might.  What’s the point?  This is not in the context of service or sacrifice but in celebration.  He is not putting on a show to attract attention.  It was an outward expression of a deep passion for God.  David worshipped with all his heart.  He is not promoting dancing at all.  It is an outward expression of the passion for God’s presence.  Unashamed devotion made him worship God with all his heart.  Michal his wife did not like his display.  If you do this there will always be people who will dampen your enthusiasm, throw cold water on it.  God loves a heart that is passionate and in love with him, excited about the things of God.  Mary in John 12 goes into her bedroom in Bethany.  There she picks up a wooden box and opens it up.  It contains spikenard, pure nard and costly.  That was her dowry – if a man came along and offered marriage she had this for the expenses.  If a man did not come along this was her capital for the future.  If Mary was to die they would use the box to pay for her burial costs.  All her future was in that box.  If someone proposed marriage, if she needed savings or needed to be buried that box would be broken and used.  One day she lifted the box and broke the seal.  She came out and bowed down on her knees before the Saviour.  She anointed his feet with her spikenard.  The whole room was filled with the fragrance.  Judas complained “why was this not sold and the money given to the poor?”  Why did he say this?  Because he was a thief  There is always someone to criticise in the church.  There will always be a Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet.  And a Martha taking care of the catering in the church.  But there will always also be a Judas – one to criticise in every fellowship.  Mary did something else that day.  She unbraided her hair and wiped the Lord’s feet with her hair.  That was not done in public in those days.  To do that was a sign of low morals, a woman of the street.  You unbraided your hair for your husband in the privacy of the bedroom.  Mary unbraids her hair.  This is extravagant worship.  David worshipped as he danced before the Lord.  It pleased the Lord.  We must maintain a spiritual scriptural balance in worship.  There is no excuse for half hearted worship.  It starts with a dream, it follows God’s design and pattern.  Sometimes it leads to disaster when people get overfamiliar and God has to act in judgment.  David danced.  Outrageous extravagant love for God.  I hope you have a dream, that you follow God’s design.  Be careful you don’t have disaster by being overfamiliar.  Don’t forget the dancing – outrageous, extravagant, unrestrained love expressed to God.

 

 

I am not saved

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2024 – MR KEITH LINDSAY

JEREMIAH 8 VERSES 17 – 22

I know many of you have heard sermons by D L Moody who lived during the 1850/60’s.  A preacher in Chicago.  A well known business man came into his meetings with his wife.  The wife was a believer but he was not.  Quite often God spoke to him in those meetings and Moody sensed it.  He always replied “my business partner is not a Christian, if I came to Christ he would ridicule me.  I am going to retire soon and will move away, then I will come to Christ.”  One night Moody heard knocking at his door.  The wife of the businessman was standing there asking him to come as her husband was lying at the point of death.  She wanted him to speak to him before he went out into eternity.  Moody went and talked to him, urging him to trust in Christ as Saviour.  Moody left the man and a number of days later the man began to recover miraculously.  He returned to the meetings and Moody said to him “now the Lord has touched your life why don’t you confess Christ as Saviour?”  Again the man responded “my business partner is not a Christian, if I came to Christ he would ridicule me.”  A number of months later the man relapsed and was again lying on his deathbed.  Moody was sent for again.  He knew he had made an empty profession in the past.  Moody pleaded with him to get right with God.  The man replied “it is too late.”  Moody responded “It is never too late because scripture says ‘him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.’”  The man replied “the harvest is past, the summer is ended and I am not saved.”  He continued to quote those lines until he took his final breath and went out into eternity.  Jeremiah 8 verse 20 contain some of the most  solemn words in scripture.  The saddest words that came from any man or woman.  “I am not saved.”  Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet.  He went amongst the people pleading for them to turn from their sin.  He was called to be a prophet during the darkest days of Israel’s history.  He was rejected by so many people.  He was called the weeping prophet.  We live in a world today that is exactly the same as Jeremiah’s day.  This day is more advanced than then but many don’t want to heed the truth of the gospel of God.  So many do not realise they have to stand before God one day and give an account for what they have done on this earth.  Judgment will fall on them but they don’t care.  So many don’t realise they will not live forever.  They have no time for God.  One time as part of my Faith Mission training we had to do pub visitation.  We went into the pubs and asked permission to give out tracks.  One day I sat beside a woman.  She told me she had 16 children and none of them were sinners.  I replied “you must live in heaven because the bible says there is no sin in heaven.”  She started to name all her children and listed all the sin they were involved in.  The bible says “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1 verse 8)  In our chapter Israel was in her wanderings and captivity.  They were living in sin and God was dealing with them.  We find that cycle throughout scripture – people at loggerheads with God.  God had to teach them, bring them to the place through some trials to teach them who he was, how much he loved them and how he wanted to save them, to bring them salvation.  When COVID hit whoever thought the world would stop?  We never thought it would happen.  We though God would speak to hearts and many did get saved but so many rejected God.  They were in fear about what would happen, afraid and asking so many questions but as things began to get normal again God was left behind.  We are not saved – what terrible words.  What an awful cry from the heart of any sinner.  Many could be listening to this message or reading these words and they are not saved.  God has spoken to you maybe in days past or even is now.  God will use this to speak to hearts because they are not saved.

A progress of time.  The harvest is past.  As these people are sitting they see the tragedy of the scene before them.  The harvest is gone.  There is a sudden realisation, a reality of the fact that they are in a foreign land, away from God and his temple.  Their sins had separated them from God.  Have you that realisation that you are not saved?  These people were concerned – would they not be?   We ought to be concerned if we are not saved.  There needs to be concern in our soul.  Jesus said so many people will gain everything but will not look after the soul.  They will forge a career, raise a family, earn a good living, watch their grandchildren grow up but still will not think of their soul.  We read of many in scripture who came to the Lord because of the concern they had – Nicodemus, the woman with the issue of blood for instance.  Are you concerned about your soul?  The physical harvest is past for this year.  Many have brought their fruits and decorated our churches.  They came to give thanks for God’s provision for another year.  God has been faithful in providing the physical and spiritual needs.  The harvest was past for these people.  One day it will be the final harvest.  The wheat and tares are growing together presently but on that day there will be a division, when the tares will be bundled up and cast into the fire for all eternity.  A spiritual harvest for the world.  The progress of time.

The passing of opportunity.  The harvest is past, summer is ended.  What a destiny for people.  For the spiritual harvest to end and still not saved.  Verse 20 is a Hebrew proverb “one season of hope after another has passed but the expected delivery never came.”  Hope was gone.  The harvest was past.  People were lost because of their sin.  They were hoping that God’s wrath would cease but as times goes by they think God is late.  Maybe there will be another opportunity, chance.  The harvest is past, the summer has come and gone.  The Israelites problem was not of no concern but concerned too late.  Like the rich man in Luke 16 they do nothing for eternity.  He realised his danger too late, his prayer was too late, his concern about his family was too late.  He saw the danger but it was too late.  It was enough to torture you for ever and ever.  The harvest is past and the summer is ended.  For many we can say the summer is ended in our lives.  For some of us that summer is nearly over.  The middle part of our years is over.  The years go over so quickly and that is so true. A year goes in so quickly.  Still people reject and neglect to trust Christ as Saviour.  There is a day coming when we will stand before God.  He will not be interested in what church we attend or how many times we attended our church or the money we put in the plate or how many times you prayed.  What have you done with my son Jesus Christ?  It doesn’t matter what way we are dressed.  The most important thing is not the outward but the inward, getting right with God.  It is sad to think of so many people who refused God.  It is too late, no going back, no second chance.

The peril of delay.  Here are people in hopelessness.  Jeremiah 9 verse 1.  There is hope in a world.  We are still in the day of grace.  His offer of mercy still stands to come and put your trust in Christ.  We are so privileged to have the gospel, to have churches open in our part of the world.  The privileges we have will result in much more being expected of us.  People forget what the Lord has done for them.  May God help us to keep on praying, trusting, going, sharing that gospel message in the mission field we are in.

The cross of rejection, reconciliation and redemption

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2024 – MR KYLE PARKS

LUKE 23 VERSES 32 – 43

Tonight I want to look at a man who in an instant went to heaven and another man who in an instant went to hell.  I want to look at 3 crosses but only 2 choices.

Here in this account we have some of Jesus’ final moments,  his ministry on earth was nearly complete.  He was born of the virgin Mary and went on to have a more effective ministry than anyone has ever had.  Over the course of his ministry he showed he had power over diseases, demons and his own disciples, power over deformity.  Wherever he went healing followed him, healing took place, forgiveness of sins took place.  What a blessing it would have been to have Jesus there.  However the Lord Jesus Christ ruffled some feathers.  He showed that the Jewish religious elite, these Pharisees,  Sadducees and scribes, that their works based salvation was completely false, it was made up, it couldn’t get you into heaven.  They hated the Lord Jesus Christ.  They captured him after he was betrayed by Judas his own disciple and friend. Here we have the crucifixion account.  Jesus is innocently being put up on the centre cross with these two malefactors on either side of him.  That word malefactor means a criminal, an evil doer.  The Lord Jesus Christ was placed on the cross in between these 2 malefactors.  He had been whipped, bruised and beaten.  While all this was going on the 2 malefactors have been watching this.  Watching this innocent man being murdered.  Now they had to deal with this question - who is this innocent man beside us, who is this man who is peaceably taking this crucifixion, he is not shouting back, not spitting back?  They have never seen anything like it before, they are asking the question to themselves - who is this man?  At the point of their death, in their last moments of their lives they had to face the most important question that anyone will ever have to face in their lives - what will you do with Jesus?  With the man that was willingly led like a lamb to the slaughter to hang on Calvary’s tree.  What will you do with Jesus?  Have you come to this point in your life when you have asked yourself the question -  what will I do with Jesus?  This man who came and lived a perfect life, never once broke the law of God.  What will I do with the Lord Jesus Christ? Here in this account we have 2 decisions being made.  On one cross we have a complete and total rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ, want nothing to do with him.  On the other cross we have a man who is reconciled to God, the cross of reconciliation.  So we have a cross of rejection and a cross of reconciliation.  And that word reconcile gives the idea, once an enemy now a friend.  In the very middle we have the Lord Jesus Christ and it is the cross of redemption.

The cross of rejection.  One of the malefactors said “Lord Jesus Christ, no not for me – verse 39.  Here we have this first malefactor, a man so wicked, so vile, so evil.  He looks at the innocent man dying on the cross next to him and makes the decision to reject him.  If you are unsaved tonight you are doing the same, if you don’t know the Lord as your personal Saviour – you are rejecting the lovely Lord Jesus Christ.  Look at his reaction “If thou be Christ save thyself and us.”  He does not care for justice.  He can see the Lord dying next to him is an innocent man, that he has done no wrong but he only cares for himself to be taken from that tree.  He does not care for justice  “Be not proud of race, face, place or grace” C H Spurgeon.  This man has no interest in this man.  He does not care that the man next to him is the Son of God.  God in flesh, the one who was there when the whole earth was created. The amazing awesome God. This malefactor does not care for Christ.  He only cares for himself.  Are you like this man?  Have you looked at Jesus?  You know what Christ has done.  You know that he has taken on flesh as John 1 verse 14 says.  You know that he came and lived a sinless perfect life yet you still reject the Lord.  You know if you were to follow the Lord things would be different for you.  Your life would have to change.  Maybe it’s true you like your life.  You don’t want it to change.  You are enjoying your sinful ways.  Those sinful things you do, well you get a lot of pleasure from them.  You don’t want to give it up.  You would rather have this life than Jesus. You don’t want that change that is promised in scripture -  2 Corinthians “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things have passed away behold all things have become new.”  While you might be living in sin now and whilst it may be enjoyable and you may feel everything is going wonderful for you - why would I need Jesus, to repent of my sin and turn to Christ?  Sure life without Christ is great.  Why do I need him?   Like the thief on the cross of rejection you are too proud to realise that you need to humble yourself before a holy God. You think you don’t need Jesus but the truth is you do need Jesus.  It doesn’t matter how perfect your life is, you could have the most money in the bank.  You could have everything you most want.  To not have the Lord Jesus Christ, to not have the redeemer, to not know the man who loves you the most, who died for you, it leads to total destruction.  There is no doubt sin is enjoyable for a moment but the enjoyment of sin is only for a season.  Sin might be found, might give you a temporary release from life’s woes. The enjoyment of sin is only for a season.  Hebrews 11 verse 25 and Mark 8 verse 36. Sin even for a season is so dangerous.  You might think and believe “I am all right, sin does not affect me too much.  I can see why this man needs Christ.  That person they need the Lord Jesus Christ more than me.  It doesn’t affect me too much.  I will have a death bed conversion.”  So many look forward to living lives until their death bed.  I will have fun and then I will get saved.  This is the only deathbed conversion you read of in scripture.  If you are are waiting for a deathbed conversion you are playing the riskiest game ever and what is at stake is your eternal soul.  Proverbs 27 verse 1 “boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.“ James is considered the wisdom book of the New Testament.  “Go to now ye that say today or tomorrow we will go into such a city and continue there a year and buy and sell and get gain.  Whereas you know not what will be on the morrow,  For what is your life it is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away.” You don’t know what tomorrow holds.  Life is full of unexpected twists and turns.  This may be last time to accept the truth of the gospel.  God may not give you another chance.  This is maybe the last chance to put your faith and trust in the living Saviour.  The more the unbeliever hears the wonderful truth of the gospel and rejects the life giving message of the gospel, the sinful heart grows harder and colder to the gospel.  When that deathbed comes the heart becomes like stone, it has got colder and harder.  And they say “no I still don’t want Christ.” They are too proud and they die and they go to that the awful place called hell.  This is the only deathbed conversion in scripture.  So many people live their lives waiting for it for it to never come.  It is hard to preach about hell.  Hell is so real. Luke 16 gives a  picture of place called hell.  It is a real story, the real account of a real person and he goes to a real physical location.  Verses 23 to 31.  This is one of the most frightening passages in all scripture.  How this man had everything in life.  Respectable, wealthy man.  He just wants drop of water to cool his burning tongue.  Such is the pain and heat in hell. This is a true story not a parable of the Lord Jesus.  Any time the Lord spoke in parables he never used the names of characters in the story.  Here we have a true description of hell.  It is a place of torment, of consciousness and feeling, a place of fire.  No comfort, no help, no mercy, a place of unfulfilled desires, unanswered prayers.   A place of isolation,  A place without hope of escape.  A place of remembrance and of regret.  A place of punishment and banishment. A place of darkness.  Hell is real.  If a door could be opened tonight to hear the sounds of hell you would quickly come to Christ in repentance.  This thief rejects the Lord and damns himself to the place called hell of which we are all deserving. We have all broke the law of God.  We cannot say we are better than this malefactor.  We are sinners like this man.  We all deserve to go to this place called hell.  God is a just God and he cannot have sin.  Sin needs to be punished.  I wouldn’t want a God who is not a just God, that turns a blind eye to stealing and murder.  I want a just God, a holy God.  Not just let sin go unpunished.  The God of the bible is just and sin will be punished.  The wicked will be punished in that awful place called hell.  We see the cross of rejection.  We have seen a man dying in his sin.  We have seen the dying sinner. 

Luke 43 verse 40 the cross of reconciliation.  We want to see the dying saint.  We want to see the man dying to sin. We have seen the cross of rejection but now the cross of reconciliation.  This thief was able to look at the Lord dying on the cross next to him and he knew that this man is innocent, he has done no wrong.  He looked at himself in contrast to the Lord Jesus Christ and he knew he deserved to be there.  And he looked at the other malefactor and compared him to the Lord Jesus and he knew he deserved to be there.  But as he looked at the Lord Christ Jesus on that middle tree all he seen was the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.  Holy, harmless, undefiled.  No sin in him.  He had committed no crime.  He didn’t deserve to be there. He seen the love and compassion the Lord had in verse 34.  Here this malefactor sees the Lord for who he is.  He sees him as Lord.  What was he thinking when he heard Jesus crying out?  Stripped bare, whipped, bruised and beaten put up on the tree yet he cries “Father forgive these people for what they have done for me, they don’t know what they are doing.”  Would he have said “never a man spoke like this man.”  There would have been shock.  How did he want these people who put him there to be forgiven? Christ went to that cross to die for these sinners.  We are sinners.  In a sense we put Christ on that tree.  The malefactor sees the Lord Jesus Christ  wanting us to be forgiven.  He sees the Lord for who he truly is.  The incomparable Christ, the holy Lamb of God, the one able to forgive all sin.  Will you see him for who he truly is tonight?  The Lord who came to the cross to die for you. This malefactor realises surely this is the Lamb of God.  He cries out to Jesus Christ “remember me.”  If you do not know the Lord Christ all you have to do is cry out to the Lord Jesus Christ “Lord remember me.”  It wouldn’t have been an easy thing to admit.  Admitting he is a low life criminal.  He deserves the cross.  The crowds were there mocking the Lord Jesus Christ.  The other malefactor was mocking the Lord Jesus.  It would have been easy to join in with the crowds.  He defies the odds, humbles himself before the Lord, he does not worry about what others are thinking.  He just knows that this is the Lord – “Lord remember me.”  It is the same today.  To put your faith and trust in Christ is not easy.  It is not the popular thing to do today.  With the way society is going it is becoming increasingly more unpopular to trust the Lord Jesus Christ.  Turn on the TV and you can see the mockery towards the Christian, the abuse they receive.  They are seen as some crazy person.  We are called to a challenging life.  The Christian is called to a life of denying ourselves the worlds pleasures.  Luke 9 verse 23“If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  To follow Christ we ought to be prepared for a life of difficulty.  In John 15 Christ said “If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”  I could lie and tell you that if you will follow Christ then you will get everything you have ever wanted, it will be easy.  What nonsense.  That would be a lie.  To follow the Lord it can be difficult but it is worth every bit of difficulty that will come into the life of the believer.  John 14 verse 2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.”  If you are saved tonight you have a mansion waiting for you in heaven.  If you are unsaved tonight you can have a mansion waiting for you in heaven.  While this thief was dying on the cross the moment he trusted in Christ he had a mansion waiting for him in heaven.  For the believer everything that is precious to us is in heaven.  Our names are in heaven.  It is in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Our heavenly Father is there.  Our Saviour is there.  Our fellow saints of the Old and New Testament are there.  Our inheritance is there.  Our reward is there.  Our treasure is there.  What a blessing to look at the splendours of heaven.  We have so much to look forward to in heaven.  Are you not glad to think of these blessings.  This malefactor swallows his pride, he trusts in Christ.  While it may not have been the popular thing to do he did it.  Proverbs tells us “there is a friend that sticketh closer than brother.”  The Christian can never be alone because Christ will always be with them.  When you follow Christ you cannot be alone.  The Lord will be always near.  You can talk to him when you want to.

You can whisper in a crowd to him

You can cry when you’re alone to him

You don’t have to pray out loud to him

He knows your thoughts

 

On a lofty mountain peak, he’s there

In a meadow by a stream, he’s there

Anywhere on earth you go

He’s been there from the start

 

The middle tree, the cross of redemption.  The dying Saviour dying for sin.  Verse 42.  We have already seen this malefactor crying out to God.  He wanted to be reconciled.  Here we have some of the most tremendous words in scripture - “Verily I say unto you Today thou shalt be with me in paradise.”  An hour ago he was on his way to a lost and hopeless eternity in hell.  An hour ago he was in the kingdom of darkness.  An hour ago he was under the control of Satan.  Dead in his trespasses and sin.  All of a sudden he has an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, the mighty to save.  It is all different now.  While he is bound to the cross this malefactor has never been more free.  Think of the cross pictures – it looks as though the cross of Jesus is massive and it is way far away.  Looks as though he is out of reach.  The truth is the cross was not bigger than the other 2 crosses, he was in complete reach for this dying malefactor.  He is in complete reach for you tonight.  He has the power no matter the situation you are in to set you free from the bondage of sin.  John 8 verse 36 “if the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed.”  Do you feel trapped.  Do you long for that peace that passeth all understanding?  To know you have a home in heaven  Do you feel that your struggle with sin has been going on too long?  Will you call on the name of Jesus.  Romans 10 verse 13 “for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  Salvation is so simple tonight.  Not you may be saved, might be saved but you shall be saved.  That is all the thief had to do.  Not join a church, be baptised, get the bible and know it inside out.  Just call on the name of the Lord.  Salvation is so simple.  This malefactor did not wait another minute.  2 Corinthians says “now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.”  Don’t wait another moment.  Don’t leave it too late.  Don’t let that sinful wicked heart get harder and harder.  Don’t let the love of the world make your heart get colder and colder. Don’t risk losing your soul in a hopeless and lost eternity. You are faced with the same question these men faced.  What will you do with the Lord Jesus Christ?  Are you going to be like the one malefactor and reject Christ.  To go to a hopeless and lost eternity in hell?  Will you accept the great and mighty gift of salvation.

 

O sinner the Saviour is calling for thee

Long, long has he called thee in vain;

He called thee when joy lent its crown to thy days,

He called thee in sorrow and pain.

 

O turn while the Saviour in mercy is waiting

And steer for the harbour light;

For how do you know but your soul may be drifting

Over the dead-line tonight?

 

That day on the cross the one malefactor opened his eyes and he was in heaven.  The tears of pain and heartache were all wiped from his eyes.  He seen glory and he is still there.  He will be there for glory.  The other malefactor opened his eyes in hell, eternal torment.  He is still there today.  He will be there forever.  Don’t be in that awful place of hell. 

 

We have seen the cross of rejection – one malefactor died in his sins and he went to hell.

We have seen the cross of reconciliation – one malefactor trusted in Christ and he opened his eyes in heaven.

We have seen how it happened – through the cross of redemption, the Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the cross that this man was able to put his faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, he was able to be forgiven.  We are all one of these malefactors tonight – which one are you?  Rejecting, not for me, leave it until another time, not tonight.  Get right with Christ tonight.  Now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.  What will you do?