Gospel Meeting 30/07/2017

                                                 

Romans ch5 vs1 – 21.

God created man in His own image and likeness.

God gave into man His own breath.

Why did He create man? -

God created man for His own glory.

He wanted us, and provided every requirement for Adam and Eve.

However, Adam failed through disobedience and sin, and lost the deeds of the universe.

From the Garden of Eden until Jesus Christ came, the relationship between God and man was broken, due to man’s sin.

Jesus Christ, God’s Eternal Son, came into the world to restore that relationship.

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour: that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man”. – Hebrews ch2 vs9.

If you are not sorry for your sins and have not asked Jesus Christ for forgiveness, and  in faith accepted Him as your Saviour, then you will not be going to Heaven – you will be going to Hell.

This truth must be told!

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” –

Acts ch4 vs12.

Three imperatives to be called a Christian, and going to Heaven: 

1) “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. – John’s Gospel ch3 vs3.

2) "...Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven”. –  Matthews Gospel ch18 vs3. 

3) “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”. – Luke’s Gospel ch13 vs5.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. –

Romans ch5 vs8.

In this verse we have GOD, MAN, and CHRIST mentioned…

GOD:

Created and loves you.

Desires to have a relationship with all mankind.

“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”. –

These words spoken by Jesus Christ from John’s Gospel ch3 vs16 speak of God’s love to you personally…

Dear friend, do you know the love of God?

“We love him, because he first loved us”. –

1^st Epistle of John ch4 vs19.

There is still the opportunity tonight to know The Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.

The speaker told of a lady who was brought up in a Christian home, knew the scriptures, and thought she was a Christian for many years. She was baptised in due course, but it was not until much later at a meeting that the Holy Spirit convicted her, making her realise that she had never actually confessed her sins and asked Christ into her heart as Lord and Saviour… she had still been a sinner with unforgiven sins and needed a Saviour!

Attending church or doing good works will never save you from your sins.

MAN:

… is a sinner –

“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”. –

Romans ch5 vs 12.

This is the clear position of all men outside of Christ.

In His great love, Holy God came down to sinful man in the person of The Lord Jesus Christ.

At Calvary’s Cross, holy Jesus Christ laid down His sinless life for us all and was made sin - taking our punishment on Himself.

We can then by personal faith be made righteous through Him and fit to enter Heaven.

CHRIST:

The whole of The Bible is full of Christ!

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself”. –

Luke’s Gospel ch24 vs27.

Is there a greater message than this? – Christ died for us!

“For by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous”. –

Romans ch5 vs19.

Dear friend, be sure to get right with God tonight, before you lay your head on the pillow.

“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”. –

Isaiah ch53 vs5.

Confess and accept these truths tonight.

Christ is the only way to everlasting life in Heaven.

Gospel Meeting 23/07/2017

St. John’s Gospel ch4 vs1 – 30, 39 – 42.

vs4) “And he must needs go through Samaria”…

A strange statement as the Jewish people were taught by the Rabbi’s not to even set a foot on Samaritan soil.

They went on huge time – consuming detours around the land when making journeys.

But this one was a God – ordained command.

Jesus Christ had an appointment to make, although those involved were not yet to know.

The Lord had lost sheep to meet.

He revealed more about Himself to the Samaritan woman compared with many Jews that He met and talked with.

We have been blessed with many great preachers through the ages, but The Lord Jesus Christ is the best evangelist ever!

When speaking to her, He was not bound by the many cultural issues at that time between the Jews and Samaritans.

He was out to win her heart – and such was the impact that her much needed water bowl was left behind as she ran home to share her exciting news.

She had no doubts about who The Lord told her He was -  the one she spoke of -  Messias, which is called Christ.

Upon hearing the news from the woman, many others in the Samaritan city also believed in The Lord Jesus Christ, after He abode with them for two days.

vs42) “…Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves and KNOW that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world”.

The Samaritans came from a corruption of true religion.

They talked about God, but worshipped idols.

With their background it was amazing that the woman knew that vs25) “Messias cometh, which is called Christ”.

It was nothing short of a miracle of grace!

The Samaritans were taught that only the first five books of The Bible had any relevance – all the rest were but error.

So it is today – many groups have false and wrong teachings, but it is a great encouragement to all, that God can still save those who have been in corrupted religions.

When asked the question “How do you defend The Holy Bible”, Charles Spurgeon replied “Treat it like a roaring lion!. Get the truth out and say it as it is!”

The prophets delighted in His Word and its power.

Jesus Christ would have told the Samaritans about His written Word, and of the true, righteous ways of God.

The Holy Bible is the inspired record of God’s revelation.

God is not worshipped through idols.

He is worshipped in spirit through the heart.

God provided the complete remedy for our sins in His own Son, Jesus Christ.

There is no other way – He will not respond favourably to those who try to go about their own way of Salvation, having self – interest or enjoying their sins.

Personal repentance of sins and faith in His Son is wholly required.

All else is refusing God’s grace, provided through His beloved Son.

The Lord Jesus Christ unlocked the Samaritan woman’s heart with kindness, gentleness and dignity.

The citizens saw grace in The Lord Jesus Christ, who revealed Himself as Saviour of the world.

Within two years he was arrested – “guilty” of one “offence” – for being who He was, the Son of God.

This and what followed looked like weakness, but God was ever in control from the beginning, doing His work through the evil of these men

Jesus Christ laid down His sinless life, dying on The Cross for the sins of all people including you and the speaker.

Forgiveness of sins and an eternal home in Heaven is available to ALL who will believe and put their own trust in the work of The Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no hope in placing your trust in anything or anyone else in this world, other than God’s Son.

What a privilege and blessing these Samaritans had, and the woman was thrilled with her encounter with The Lord Jesus!

Gospel Meeting 16/07/2017

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day according to the scriptures” –

1^st Corinthians ch15 vs3 – 4.

The above verse is the Gospel in a nutshell, and is the reason why we meet here to talk about it tonight and every week.

This message concerning the life, death and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ needs a response from every one of us.

The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins.

We all have a sin problem – only a small word, but a huge problem.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” –

Romans ch3 vs23.

Sin is disobedience to God, and separates us from God and Heaven.

Sin will not enter into Heaven.

However, we can all be there with Him for Eternity – if we deal with our sin problem.

If you die in your sins, then your soul will live on for ever in the real place called Hell – eternally tormented for unforgiven sins, in “the blackness of darkness”.

You will be in one of these two places.

The world today has diluted the meaning of sin, and views it as nothing serious.

It is acceptable, and “Hell”, has been reduced in conversation to meaning anything mildly unpleasant.

But Holy God still hates sin entirely.

No – one really likes to be called a sinner, and many times we compare ourselves with others, and see ourselves in a good light above them. This may well be true, but just ONE sin will keep us out of Heaven.

This tells us just how seriously we must take our sin problem!

In the “parable of the lost son”, the prodigal first said sorry to God, saying his sins were against God – and we must feel the same repentance and remorse.

We may try to hide our sins, or fool others – but God looks at our hearts and knows everything about us.

The speaker told of a man who was arrested and taken off a cruise ship… he had been stealing passenger’s  belongings, but a cleaner came across some of the hidden items in his cabin…

“…be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers ch32 vs23).

Do not try to cover your sin, but deal with it!

God has provided the way – through Jesus Christ, His Eternal Son.

He loved us all so much, that He did not want us to face the eternal punishment we fully deserved, and took all our sins on Himself at Calvary’s Cross.

What amazing love, when we consider all the many wrong things we have done!

All of us are totally undeserving of His love, but He still died for you and me personally!

Yet many still rejected Him… why would anyone want to be rid of Jesus Christ, who healed, had compassion, and lived a perfect sinless life?

The Lord Jesus Christ allowed Himself to be taken and crucified – such was His great love for us, and His obedience to His Father’s will.

Mocked, beaten beyond imagination, spat on, a crown of thorns crushed upon His head… a figure of hatred… yet He still went to the Cross, in love, to pay the price of all our sins.

Hanging there, the Earth fell dark and in those three terrible hours, God punished His Son for all your sins and mine.

Why did God send His sinless Son to suffer for all our sins that we had done?

He loved us so much!

We cannot fully grasp such love – but we most happily and gratefully accept it!

Every sin we have done – past, present, future, is paid for in full, through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and blood shed.

He died, He was taken down off the Cross, and He was buried.

Three days later He rose again - displaying amazing power over death.

He is alive tonight and still wants to be the answer to your sin problem – will you personally call upon Him?

You are faced with a decision –

Accept you have unforgiven sins,

Accept The Lord Jesus Christ paid your debt at Calvary’s Cross,

Accept He rose from the dead and is alive in Heaven…

And be willing to take the simple step of saying sorry and putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

He is the only way we can be made fit and right to enter Heaven –

“I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” – John’s Gospel ch14 vs6.

If you are at this point of repentance and wanting to accept Christ’s offer of forgiveness, no lengthy or complicated prayer is necessary… simply say “I'm sorry, Lord forgive me, save me, and come into my heart and life as my Lord and Saviour”.

Then turn away from the sinful behaviour and actions of your past, living for and following The Lord Jesus Christ.

You now have a eternal home in Heaven to look forward to!

This offer of Salvation will not be forever… the day of opportunity will end.

Do not delay until it’s too late!

Gospel Meeting 09/07/2017.

St. Mark’s Gospel ch10 vs13 – 16.

“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God”.

The gospel is a simple message, that even a child can understand.

The speaker showed an old photo of three very young girls who were his relatives. Then proceeded to tell us of their hearts belonging to Christ.

The mother of the first child asked the question “Who wants to live with Jesus”? The child replied “I do!"

Although she was only 6 years old, she simply understood the wrong things she had already done and the need of forgiveness for them. She knew Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, loved her very much, came from Heaven and paid the price for them all at Calvary's Cross. In simple faith she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour.

Just a few weeks later, that child died from diphtheria and went to be with her Lord.

At a Christian holiday camp, 2 young boys new they needed to be saved, and said to the leader “If we are old enough to die, we are old enough to be saved”.

On the other side – how many people have heard the gospel all their lives yet tragically never put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Saviour?

The father of the first child was so touched with her call to Heaven, that he greatly urged others to accept Christ as their own personal Saviour before it was too late for them – forever.

It can suddenly be too late for anyone, anytime.

The second child was also saved at a very young age, and lived her life for Jesus.

Her salvation -  like the Ethioipian eunuch (Acts ch8), and everyone else – came through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Ethiopian was then baptised by Philip. 

Baptism does not save you from your sins, but is an outward sign of the inward change within your heart and life, having repented.

As with the Philippian jailor in Acts ch16 vs30, who asked the question “Sirs, what MUST I do to be saved?"... the answer is always “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”.

There is no other way.

The third child in the old photo was also saved, belonging to The Lord Jesus. She too, is now safely home with Him.

The speaker attended her funeral earlier this year -  contrasting sharply with the one of a work colleague which he also attended shortly before her, in the same place.

The colleague died aged 38, and had no professed faith in Jesus Christ.

He had a “humanist funeral”, held by the Humanist Society. There was nothing spiritual in the service, and the man presiding over it said “At times like these we wonder why, and realise there is no answer”.

A very sad outlook!

Six weeks later, at the third child’s funeral, a relative spoke at length of her life of service to The Lord. She loved to always talk about Him, quoting scripture, and looking forward to spending Eternity in Heaven with her Saviour.

The relative - unlike the Humanist preacher – DID have an answer, saying…

“It is well, it is finished, it is done”!

She was in agreement with 2^nd Corinthians ch5 vs8 – “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”.

All through repentance, faith and trust in Christ, and in His own sacrifice for our sins.

The speaker told of meeting with her a while before she went to be with The Lord.

She had in her possession, a calendar slip showing Isaiah ch43 vs1 –

“Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine”.

The Lord Jesus Christ knows ALL of us by name… is He calling you today?

She also left a letter asking “to all my family, will you be with me in eternity in Heaven?”

The speaker asked the same question of tonight’s congregation… or are you facing a lost eternity – forever punished for unforgiven sins?

He urged all to have “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” – Acts ch20 vs21.

The first child had so little time to live for her Lord, the other two did and served Him well.

When we review our lives… what will our story be?

What will YOUR story be?

All three girls are now reunited in the glory, in Heaven.

Will you also be there?

Gospel Meeting 02/07/2017

Matthew’s Gospel ch27 vs45 – 46

Mark’ Gospel ch15 vs33 – 34

Luke’s Gospel ch23 vs44 – 46

John’s Gospel ch19 vs28 -30

Calvary is the climax of the ages.

The Lord Jesus Christ cried out from the darkness that covered the land, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

The “why” was a cry of abandonment, but we cannot fully answer for all things during Christ's three dark hours on the Cross.

The speaker gave three suggestions why Christ was forsaken:

1) We do not understand the full heinousness of sin, but God does.

God understands the character, the defilement, and the enormity of sin.

God altogether hates sin, but loves the sinner.

2) We do not comprehend the intrinsic holiness of God, nor can we enter those hours of darkness with Christ.

3) We do not understand divine love.

     We cannot fathom its fullness.

      How much love He has for 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 ch8 vs32.

Through faith in the blood Jesus Christ shed at Calvary, you too can know God’s forgiveness.

You can personally experience this tonight, by coming in repentance to The Lord Jesus Christ, asking forgiveness, and accepting Him as your Saviour.

THE COST OF OUR SINS WAS JESUS CHRIST’S FORSAKENNESS.

All our sins – past, present, future are all forgiven by His tremendous love for us.

“Man of Sorrows! What a name

for the Son of God who came

ruined sinners to reclaim!

Hallelujah! What a Saviour! –

Verse from hymn by P.Bliss.

“It is finished”, Jesus Christ said on the Cross – the work was completed.

 Earlier He had said “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 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….” – John’s Gospel ch10 vs17 – 18.

Jesus Christ alone accomplished our redemption, at Calvary.

The first recorded words of Jesus Christ – “… wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” – Luke’s Gospel ch2 vs49.

The last words of Jesus Christ – “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” – Luke’s Gospel ch23 vs46.

The latter, a cry of a dependant Man, in communion with His Father.

The Father meted out in His own Son the iniquity of us all.

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit, offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” – Hebrews ch9 vs14.

Was there ever love like this, which was expressed at Calvary?

Subsequently, graves were opened and many saints came back to life… the veil of the temple was torn from the top to the bottom, declaring Christ as the mighty conqueror.

Sin, death and Hell were conquered by the power of Christ at Calvary!

Christ now lives on high. The Father has exalted His Son above all.

He is the Victor, able to fully bless all who will come to Him.

Many still do not want to know – they want fables of “evolution”

The Bible simply tells the truth to Man… we were separated from Holy God by our sins… but God provided a means of return into His presence, through His Son.

God’s love is streaming down to us, and here tonight on 02/07/2017, the door is still open for you to accept Christ as your Saviour.

Dear friend, bow to the authority of God.

Repent and turn from your sins – be as the hymn we often sing –

“I have decided to follow Jesus,

No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me,

No turning back, no turning back”.

Come from self and sin, towards God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Dear friend, are YOU saved?

No?... then you are in danger of perishing!

Make sure you are forgiven and saved tonight… once saved always saved!

Make a decision for Christ tonight and be fully assured of His eternal blessings.