Gospel Meeting 24/03/2019

Genesis ch3 vs14 – 24

Matthew’s Gospel ch22 vs1 – 14

Adam and Eve had rebelled and disobeyed God (vs6)

From that moment, decay and death was assured.

Yet, offspring was coming (vs15 – 16)

Eve was still going to be the mother of all living.

Adam can sadly be called “the father of all dying”…

“…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 vs12

Every human being is sinful by nature!

Adam and Eve’s eyes having been opened, they made aprons from fig leaves to cover themselves.

These were inadequate, and God made them coats of skin and clothed them.

In the book of Esther, ch4, Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes on hearing terrible news concerning the Jewish people.

Later, he was dressed in royal robes that the king had himself worn (ch6 vs7 – 8, ch8 vs15)

God wants to do the very same for each of us.

Not only does He want us to be saved from the wrath to come, but He wants to dress us in the best garments.

Through accepting His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as our Saviour, we can then be clothed in the robes of Christ – we have His righteousness!

Dear reader, God wants you to have the very best through The Lord Jesus Christ!

Riches are simply not good enough to clothe you correctly in God’s sight…

“You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing”. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”

-    The Revelation ch3 vs17.

Still naked!

Any good works or “religious” acts”we may do fare no better…

“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 v6

In Zechariah, ch3, the angel showed Joshua the high priest, to Zechariah in a vision. Joshua was clothed with filthy garments.  The angel took away his iniquities, removing his filthy garments and put fine garments on him.

This is exactly what The Lord Jesus Christ has achieved at Calvary’s Cross for you and I, dear friend! All our personal sins and the sins of the whole world were taken from us and placed on Him. He took the punishment that was ours, in the sacrifice of His sinless body, that you and I can be free from eternal condemnation -  which we fully deserved for our many sins against Holy God.

The Lord Jesus Christ had to be unclothed that we might be clothed in the very best of The King…

“When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining, This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let’s not tear it”, they said to one another “Let’s decide by lot who will get it”. This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment”. So this is what the soldiers did. (see also Psalm ch22 vs18)

-    John’s Gospel ch19 vs23 – 24

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness Divine,

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own…

Verse from hymn by C. Wesley

Dear friend, no matter how tainted with sin you may feel, remember the story of the prodigal son told by Jesus Christ in Luke’s Gospel ch15…

When he repented and returned to his father, he was greeted with love and compassion – then he had the best robe put on him!

The Lord Jesus Christ loves you, and with outstretched arms bids you come to Him this day in faith and with a heart of genuine repentance.

 Turn away from a sinful life and be clothed in Christ’s robes of righteousness!

You can have peace with God today, and eternal life with Him!

What heart would not be filled with lasting joy at these realities?!

In tonight’s scripture from Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus Christ speaks a parable in which there was a wedding feast and there was one man who was not wearing his wedding garment. The custom was that these were provided at royal feasts.

 It had been rejected.

Likewise, Salvation has been provided for you and I in the only way possible – through Jesus Christ and His shed blood. 

Will you personally accept it or reject it?

To reject it will have you be like this man here, when you stand before God in a fast approaching day… he was speechless...

Dear friend,  are you wearing God’s provided clothing…?

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved”

-    The Acts ch4 vs12

“It is finished”

-    spoken by Jesus Christ, on The Cross – John’s Gospel ch19 vs30

A complete Salvation!

Gospel Meeting 17/03/2019

John’s Gospel ch4 vs1 – 42

In this passage of scripture, the Samaritan woman went about her usual daily business but ended up having an encounter with a Man that would change her and her life forever.

When God is involved, nothing happens by chance!...

(vs4) – The Lord Jesus Christ “must needs go through Samaria".

The Lord found the woman without any problem, and He knows all about each of our own situations and circumstances today.

The Samaritan woman was amazed that a Jew should be engaging with her.

The Jewish people had wrongly become very proud of themselves, and thoroughly despised the Samaritans.

We can also think of Jonah, who hated the idea of having to testify to the Gentile city of Ninevah and was angry that God had spared it.

However, Jesus Christ came into the world to show love and care for all needy people…

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance"

- Luke’s Gospel ch5 vs32

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost"   

- Luke’s Gospel ch19 vs10

Personal challenge – do we ever wrongly look down on any certain groups of people…?

The Samaritan woman came to the well at an unusual time of day. Very likely to avoid meeting other people from her city, having achieved a certain reputation.

But God in His infinite power and wisdom, can readily use anyone to bring further glory and honour to His name.

“Brothers and sisters think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him”

- 1^st Corinthians ch1 vs26 – 29

So, as the conversation continued, The Lord offered the woman a lot more than she was thinking – not just a drink of water!

The Lord was offering her the true living water –  the Holy Spirit indwelling and eternal life!

The woman had come to the well with a physical thirst, but Christ had much more for her - a fully satisfying water for a spiritual thirst!

Today, there are so many people thirsting for things in the world that can never ever satisfy.

 Only The Lord Jesus Christ can fulfil our needs.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour for what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare”

- Isaiah ch55 vs1 – 2

           

We were created to have a relationship with God, and only He can satisfy the emptiness that exists in our lives without Him.

The woman here tried to find her happiness through men, but ever failed

The Lord Jesus Christ - despite knowing all about her sinful life -  in His love and compassion still freely offered her forgiveness and Salvation.

Nobody is too sinful to be saved!

Dear reader, if you are feeling ashamed and beating yourself up over things you may have done, remember – The Cross was for you too! Jesus Christ willingly took your sins upon Himself and took your punishment for them.

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”

-  Jesus Christ speaking from Matthew’s Gospel ch26 vs28

Jesus Christ died and was resurrected that you personally can have full forgiveness and eternal life!

The offer of Salvation from The Lord Jesus Christ requires a personal response.

The Samaritan woman responded by leaving behind her much needed waterpot to run back into the city and tell the happy news to others.

 She had met and accepted The Saviour of sinners!

A new changed woman, full of joy!

Now, a city of people was changing too upon hearing the woman’s testimony about Jesus Christ!

It is not about ideology or teaching – it is all about A Man!

The woman said (vs29) “Come see a man…”

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”

- 1^st Timothy ch2 vs5

Like the Samaritan woman, we too should be filled with gratitude to tell others about this most wonderful and loving Man, who is the only Saviour of sinners.

Dear reader, would you take this opportunity tonight, to come with a genuine heart of repentance to Jesus Christ? Ask His forgiveness, putting your faith and trust in Him as your own Lord and Saviour.

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”

- Jesus Christ speaking from Matthew’s Gospel ch26 vs28

He is not a disappointment! Jesus is far more to me
Than in all my glowing day-dreams I had fancied He could be;
And the more I get to know Him, so the more I find Him true,
And the more I long that others should be led to know Him too.

He is not a disappointment! He has saved my soul from sin;
All the guilt and all the anguish, which oppressed my heart within.
He has banished by His presence and His blessed kiss of peace,
Has assured my heart forever that His love will never cease.

He is not a disappointment! He is coming by and by.
In my heart I have the witness that His coming draweth nigh.
All the scoffers may despise me, and no change around may see,
But He tells me He is coming, and that’s quite enough for me.

He is not a disappointment! He is all in all to me –
Blessed Saviour, Sanctifier, the unchanging Christ is He!
He has won my heart’s affections, and He meets my every need;
He is not a disappointment, for He satisfies indeed.

                                                                    (Anon)

Gospel Meeting 10/03/2019

The Acts ch2 vs22 –  41

The speaker’s message tonight was the third of a series:

“The A,B,C,D,E Route to Becoming a Christian and Beyond”

C = CONVERT…

This is each person’s part in response to having accepted the Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ.

One repents, one confesses Jesus Christ.

It is possible to believe the Gospel without being a Christian…

One must have trust and belong in a personal daily relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

A change is required!

One has a new life - with new beliefs, habits and a different way of daily living!

Otherwise one is simply not doing the will of God.

This is profession without faith…

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”

- Jesus Christ speaking from Matthew’s Gospel ch7 vs21 -23.

A modern saying is “don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk!”

It is trusting Jesus Christ with your whole life.

Dear reader, is Jesus Christ “Lord of all or not at all”, in your own life?

“…This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it…”

“…From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him…”

- read John’s Gospel ch6 vs53 – 69

Dear reader, are you prepared to go the whole way?

Will you respond to Christ’s loving call and invitation to be saved from your sins?

Will you completely trust Him today and for the rest of your life?

Their may be things you cannot fully understand, but you can absolutely trust Him implicitly!

In tonight’s portion of scripture we read of around 3,000 precious souls being saved!

People who were convicted of their sins, their consciences were touched and feeling guilty (vs37).

They asked that most important question “what shall we do?”…

There is only ever one way -

“Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (vs38)

This is one question with always the same answer – the only possible true answer!

As with the Phillipian jailor…

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”

- The Acts ch16 vs30 – 34.

The 3,000 people had faith, gladly receiving the message. They confessed and were converted!

The Gospel is God’s prescription for full health!

Imagine going to the doctors and happily getting a prescription for your most painful ailment. Then you take it home and leave it unopened on the table… how totally ridiculous would that be!

Yet this is exactly what so many people are doing today across the world…

They are refusing the only antidote for sin and its eternal consequences.

 An utter tragedy.

The Word of God clearly speaks of the two places where every person will spend eternity – either Heaven of Hell.

Having arrived at one or the other, both destinations are completely unchangeable.

Dear friend, trust in Christ’s redeeming work at Calvary’s Cross and have forgiveness for your every sin tonight. He is the only Saviour of sinners!

Peace with God and eternal life can be yours  - will you not accept this most wonderful Man as your Lord and Saviour before you lay down to sleep tonight?

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand”

- Psalm ch16 vs11.

But what a horrendous and totally different eternity for those who reject Christ’s sacrifice and offer of Salvation.

The Lord Jesus Christ gave many clear warnings of the reality of Hell for the unsaved.

(See Luke’s Gospel ch16 vs19 – 31)

“And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement…”

- Hebrews ch9 vs27.

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

Dear friend, please get right with God tonight, through His dear Son, The Lord Jesus Christ.

1)

“Get right with God” – for life is sad and dreary

Without the peace He gives and which endures;

Turn now to Him who offers untold blessing

To satisfy the need of souls like yours.

2)

“Get right with God” – your load of guilt is heavy,

And God alone can take that guilt away;

He gave His well – beloved Son to suffer

Upon the cross, your every debt to pay.

3)

“Get right with God”- no longer be rebellious

Against the love that seeks your soul to win;

Bow down at last, and as your Lord confess Him,

Whose blood alone can cleanse away your sin.

4)

“Get right with God” – Eternity’s before you,

How dark ‘twill be if, banished from His face,

You go outside into the night of sorrow,

A stranger ever to His saving grace.

- Hymn by J.T.Mawson.

Gospel Meeting 03/03/2019

The Acts ch2 vs22 – 37

The speaker’s message tonight was the second of a series:

“The A,B,C,D,E Route to Becoming a Christian and Beyond”

B = BELIEF…

One has to believe the Word of God, and relating to all about the birth, life, death and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ – God’s eternal Son.

“…we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God”

-          The Acts ch2 vs11.

At Pentecost a great multitude heard a noise like a “rushing mighty wind”.

Thereafter, people who were gathered there from every nation with many languages heard the Galileans speak, but heard them in all their own languages and understood!

A most compelling and powerful miracle!

Proclaiming the life and works of Jesus Christ through one accent to all languages!

Peter, inspired by the indwelling Holy Spirit, explained to them what was happening, referring to the earlier prophet Joel.

Peter told them about the life of The Lord Jesus Christ.

He proved who He is with His many great miracles and wonders – and these people knew these things had happened.

God was with Him! (vs22).

Then Peter told them of Christ’s many sufferings.

It was God’s plan, yet it was men who did these things in their own will.

They wanted it through their hatred of Jesus Christ.

God knows all things in His infinite wisdom, and delivered up His own beloved Son to His sacrificial death and resurrection.

“Just as there were many who were appalled at him – his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness…”

- Isaiah ch52 v 14

“And he (Jesus Christ) began to teach them , that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the chief priests, and be killed, and after three days rise again”.

- Mark’s Gospel ch8 vs31.

“…Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass in these days? And he (Jesus Christ) said to them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre and found it even so as the women had said, but they saw him not. Then he said unto them O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself”

- Luke’s Gospel ch24 vs18 – 27.

It was impossible for The Lord Jesus Christ not to be raised up again!

David in Psalm ch16 speaks of The Lord’s death but yet His body will not decompose.

This the same Man that David spoke of – The Messiah – God’s Son, Jesus Christ!

The remarkable accuracy and truth of all the scriptures!

“Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (vs36).

So many indisputable truths!

4000 years of detailed prophesies that prove Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God – The Saviour of sinners!

From before His birth, through to His death and resurrection, ALL things came to be at the right times!

Dear reader, the Word of God tells us that each of us is without excuse in not believing these words. It is a sinful heart that disbelieves.

If you are still unforgiven for your own sins against Holy God, then please this day

 turn away from them. Come to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith and genuine repentance, asking His forgiveness and to be your personal Lord and Saviour.

You can fully trust in His work of Salvation achieved at Calvary’s Cross for you.

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed”.

- 1^st Peter ch2 vs24.

1)      Jesus lingers still, tis for you he waits,

And He’s waited for you long;

He waits that Heav’n, with its fadeless joy,

May yet to you belong.

Chorus:

Come and welcome, whosoever will,

‘Tis the Saviour’s gracious call;

He is able, willing, waiting now to save;

Simply trust Him, that is all.

2)      Though your wayward feet have wandered far,

And you’re deeply sunk in sin,

Yet in patient grace now the Saviour waits

Your weary heart to win.

3)      Though His gracious call you have oft refused,

      And He’s sought your trust in vain,

      Yet with love unchanged by cold neglect

       He is seeking you again.

4)      O surrender now, yield to love divine,

Jesus lingers for you still;

While in grace He says, Come unto Me

Let your answer be, “I will!”

(Hymn by W.Lawrence)