Gospel Meeting 22/07/2018

Luke’s Gospel ch23 vs33 – 45.

 Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem entitled “If” from circa 1895, has the “ifs” of possibilities, options and choices in life.

Here, in this passage of scripture, we find three instances of people using “if” as to doubting the person of The Lord Jesus Christ. Today, little has changed – we still hear people say that He was “just a good man”, “a rebel”, or “he never existed”.

He may divide opinions, families and homes, but Jesus Christ is never devisive – He was very clear on where He came from, what He did in His earthly life, where he is now, and what He will be doing in the future.

Friend, your own eternal destination entirely depends on your response to this Man, The Lord Jesus Christ. Are you wanting to go to Heaven and be with this most wonderful Saviour? Then there is but one road you must take...

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. John’s Gospel ch14 vs 6.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. – The Acts ch4 vs12.

The first “if” we read about at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, came from the rulers (vs35). 

The religious leaders had made trumped up charges against Him, breaking their own law, to have Him crucified. These people only saw a broken, bloodied, defeated man. They scoffed and derided Jesus Christ, doubting He was the Son of God.

They completely missed it – despite seeing and hearing for three years of Jesus Christ healing the sick and raising the very dead! They were blinded to it.

Friend, are you blinded to the truth of the Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ?

Earnestly think on these things!

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”.

-   2^nd Corinthians ch4 vs4.

Read with an open mind the truth and facts concerning Jesus Christ.

The Man Jesus Christ, crucified on the centre cross at Calvary IS God!

The second “if” came from the Roman soldiers (vs36).

 They also mocked Him, doubting the Sovereign of God. Their thinking was what kind of King allows himself to become like this, hanging on a cross. The soldiers knew all about power and recognised leaders authority to give orders, and saw Jesus Christ as nothing but a broken dying failure.

“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. This commandment have I received of my Father”. – John’s Gospel ch10 vs17 -18.

Friend, who is in control of your life? If you are not serving God, then you are serving Satan. Without Christ, one is a slave to sin.

The Word of God tells us the future, and in a soon coming day this same living Man everyone shall see.

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen”. – The Revelation ch1 vs7.

“It is written,: “As surely as I live”, says the Lord, “every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God”. – Romans ch14 vs11.

The Lord Jesus Christ will return and judge sin! He has all authority to judge all unconfessed and undealt with sin in our lives.

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death”. – The Revelation ch1 vs18.

Friend, I urge you -give these eternal matters your greatest attention immediately!

The third “if” in this passage came from a thief crucified alongside Christ (vs39). 

He too doubted this was the Saviour of God, and His ability to save. How can someone hanging on a cross be able to save?...  It was this very fact that gave Him the power to save!

The Saviour of the world had to go to the Cross at Calvary. His whole life was ultimately to be there.

“I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know I shall not be ashamed”. – Isaiah ch50 vs6 -7.

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God". - 1st Corinthians ch1 vs18.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief”. – 1^st Timothy ch1 vs15.

Despite knowing all that was going to happen to Him at Calvary, being made sin and punished for our sins, He was steadfast. We would all have run the opposite way, but in His most wonderful love towards us He endured it all.

The other thief also crucified with Christ, had a change of heart, repenting of his sins and believed, trusting Jesus Christ to be who He said.  The mocking had ended and in complete contrast he addressed Him as “Jesus, Lord” (vs42). He acknowledged that Jesus Christ had done nothing wrong, but that he and the other thief received the reward of their deeds.

He was forgiven for his sins, and Christ gave this dying man that wonderful assurance “…Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise”. (vs43).

There was no “if” or doubts!

Friend, will you trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour without any “ifs” or doubts?

Will you rejoice to know the peace of having your sins forgiven by the blood of Christ? Will you know the absolute joy of spending eternity with this most lovely Man who died in agony for you?

This world is ripe for judgement and you must urgently read God’s future plans for those who have rejected His Son’s sacrifice for their sins.

No – one can be neutral over The Lord Jesus Christ … what is your own decision?

I pray dear friend, that before you lay down tonight, you will come to Jesus Christ in faith, and repenting of your sinful life ask Him to be your own personal Saviour.

Gospel Meeting 15/07/2018

Ephesians ch3 vs14 – ch4 vs3.

This passage contains a prayer for inner fullness and knowledge.

As Christians, we are here exhorted to be doing huge things!

To be putting off the old man and old nature, and walking worthy of bearing the name of Christ. 

Our responsibility and calling is great – how are we able to do this? …

We have an Almighty God to pray to, who will help us to live and walk worthy through knowing His Son Jesus Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Our God created billions of stars and knows every single one by its name – He most assuredly knows your name too and loves you dearly! We have an infinite Creator God whom we can address as Father! What an amazing relationship has been offered to all!

vs16 tells us that we need to be strengthened. Sometimes we can struggle inside, feeling anxious or fearful, but God can strengthen and build us up through His Holy Spirit.

Paul said “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”

-    Philippians ch4 vs13.

vs17 - The Lord Jesus Christ is always present. He is in our hearts by faith and he should always come first. We are exhorted to walk by faith and not by sight – again, how are we able to do this? …

vs20 tells us that The Lord Jesus Christ is wholly dependable and the Holy Spirit is a great power working within us – enabling us to achieve far more than we could even ask or imagine!

You can trust Him with your whole heart - don’t be a “doubting Thomas”!

“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed”. – John’s Gospel ch20 vs29.

Dear reader, are YOU blessed? Have YOU believed that Jesus Christ is God’s eternal Son and asked Him to be your Saviour?

vs18/19 tells us of the greatness of His love – it surpasses our knowledge. Jesus Christ loves you like no other, and He is the best foundation to be rooted and grounded in.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock …” – Matthew’s Gospel ch7 vs24

On who is your life grounded? Who is your sure foundation?

Only The Lord Jesus Christ can present us righteous to God.

If love was to be measured by cost, then Jesus Christ gave His own sinless life to pay the price of our sinful lives on The Cross – this is absolute love!

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him”. – Romans ch5 vs6 -9.

We can only be forgiven for our sins and be made fit for Heaven through faith in Jesus Christ and the blood that He gave to make atonement for them all. Will you not come to Him in repentance of your sinful ways tonight and receive His full and free Salvation?

Jesus Christ is a living Saviour for evermore!

"... Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen ... The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again".

- Luke's Gospel ch24 vs5 -7.

Outside of Jesus Christ, we have no hope and a certain eternity in Hell awaits each soul who rejects Him.

“”How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…?” – Hebrews ch2 vs3.

Dear reader, are you just living for today, a life without any real purpose, or are your sights firmly set on the never – ending eternity? I earnestly encourage you to set your sights at the very highest level, and accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour without delay!

Where better to spend forever, than with The One who loved you and gave Himself for you?

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”. – 2^nd Corinthians ch4 vs18.

Heaven is real and you too can have a home there!

Having any amount of head knowledge of Jesus Christ is not sufficient – it is in having personal heart knowledge of this most wonderful Man that makes all the difference. A daily personal relationship with the One who right now beckons for you to come to Him and be saved for eternity!

Dear reader, may you begin that amazing relationship and journey tonight!

Gospel Meeting 08/07/2018

Proverbs ch14 vs12.

Psalms ch8.

The Acts ch4 vs12.

When we consider the immensity of all that Almighty God has created around us and stretching out into the universe, it is amazing that He is still completely caring and concerned about little you and me!

Even sat in this Hall tonight, His presence is among us. Our God is truly awesome – He knows every single thing about you -  and knows you are a sinner. Just one sin will absolutely keep you from going to Heaven when your life here has ended. God is entirely holy and detests all and any sin.

No – one on this beautiful Earth can say they have never sinned… yet God still loves us!

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. – Romans ch3 vs23.

There is no point comparing ourselves to anyone else and saying “Well, he is worse than me”, or “I do lots of nice things to help people” …

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away”.

-    Isaiah ch64 vs6.

We are simply not good enough – and our sins are a real big problem.

God in His great love towards mankind has provided a way for each of us to be forgiven for all our sins and be made fit to enter Heaven.

That one way, the only way, is by The Cross …

God sent His well beloved Son Jesus Christ into this world. The One by whom all things were made (John’s Gospel ch1 vs1 – 5), came and was born of a virgin. The child grew into a Man, never ceasing to be God, and lived a completely sinless life.

Jesus Christ did not only come to visit us, but to save us from the guilt and penalty of all our sins.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”. – Matthew’s Gospel ch1 vs25.

“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world”. 

– 1^st John ch4 vs14.

In His love, grace and mercy, Jesus Christ came to save all who will accept Him, from the reality of an eternal Hell - the place all go to who’s sins have not been forgiven.

Jesus Christ laid down His sinless life on Calvary’s Cross, to pay the price and take the punishment of our sins for us. He alone was able to make atonement for all our sins – past, present and future.

Wholly accepted, God raised Him from the dead after three days.

Words were not enough!

 The Lord Jesus Christ had to give His precious blood that we could be forgiven …

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect”.

-   1^st Peter ch1 vs18 – 19.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin”.

-    1^st John ch1 vs7.

Friend, will you take that personal step tonight and in faith accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Will you simply confess that you have sinned, and in repentance ask Him to forgive you? The work has been done, the price has been paid – but you must make your own individual decision to accept it! He is mighty to save and welcomes you with open arms!

The Lord Jesus Christ has conquered sin, death and Hell!

“I am he that liveth, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore…”

-   The Revelation ch1 vs18.

“O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

-  Psalms ch8 vs 9.

AMEN!!

        

Gospel Meeting 01/07/2018

1 Kings ch17 vs8 – 16.

Luke’s Gospel ch4 vs16 -26.

The Lord Jesus Christ made reference to this widow in Nazareth.

It was His first visit to His home town since being anointed by the Holy Spirit, and He was in the synagogue reading from the book of Isaiah and speaking.

He went to the heart of the matter and told them He was Messiah.

Many were taken aback, having grown up alongside Jesus Christ.

However, all were amazed at the gracious words which He spoke, until there was an abrupt turning point. It quickly turned to contempt, saying “this is the carpenter’s son”, and having heard Jesus Christ speak of Elijah and the widow, all in the synagogue were furious with Him.

Jesus Christ used Elijah and the widow as an illustration of Himself as also being one to be rejected by His own people, and sent away from His own country - immediately they in the synagogue led Him out of the city and attempted to throw Him headlong over the brow edge!

The Lord Jesus Christ was telling them to consider their history, that no prophet was accepted in his own country.

What can we learn about the widow? …

She was a Gentile. She had a son to look after, and was really struggling to fend for them through the drought that was present in the land.

The Lord knows all our cares, and later in His Word (James ch1 vs27) says we should visit orphans and widows in their distress to provide comfort and support.

The widow had so very little and yet was being asked to give it up for Elijah. He told her God had promised that the little she had would not run out until the drought had ended.

The widow believed and obeyed … why? She was a spiritual woman who believed and knew God (vs12). Whilst there was unbelief in Jesus Christ’s home town, here was a Gentile believing in the true God of Israel.

Having been sent many miles to be there, Elijah then spent over two years with the widow and her son. They were saved from starvation, through her obedience to Elijah’s message from God.

God sent His beloved Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, many miles to save all the people of the world from the penalty of their sins. Jesus Christ came from Heaven, to be born of a virgin. He stepped into time, took flesh to live a completely sinless and blameless life so that He could give His pure undefiled body as a sacrifice for all our sins. In His most wonderful love for all mankind, He paid the price and debt for us that we could never pay.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” – Romans ch3 vs23.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” – Romans ch6 vs23.

“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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 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”

-   John’s Gospel ch3 vs16 – 18.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” – The Acts ch4 vs12.

Friend, if you are going to be saved from the eternal consequences of your sins against Holy God and escape Hell, there is no other name for you to call upon or trust in!

The blood that The Lord Jesus Christ gave on The Cross from much sufferings is all – sufficient to cleanse and forgive you for all your sins!

This amazing, unique and special love is provided to you from the heart of God.

Will you not tonight call upon the name of Jesus Christ, and in repentance of your sins ask His forgiveness?

What an eternal blessing awaits those who accept His most gracious love, grace and mercy!