Gospel Meeting 21/04/2019

Job ch19 vs23 – 27

John’s Gospel ch20 vs1 – 16

Job’s words are most remarkable when we consider the time of their writing.

It is widely acknowledged to be the oldest book in the Bible, yet he speaks of the coming Messiah – Jesus Christ, his Redeemer, ever so long before it came to be!

He speak of his Redeemer with absolute confidence, that it is a certainty –

 “ For I KNOW that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth…”

Dear reader, how is your confidence in having the eternal penalty of your own sins paid for?

Have you put your faith personally in Jesus Christ? 

Can you call Him “MY Redeemer”?

Despite Job’s body decaying and dying, he knows he is going to see God.

He had full trust that his own body would be revived and resurrected one day.

His Redeemer would pay the full price of his sins, for him to know and see God!

His heart was yearning for this -  and so too should ours!

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Redeemer, mankind’s only means of Salvation.

The sinless Son of God took all our sins upon Himself at the Cross, and took our punishment that we can be forgiven and have eternal life.

Despite Job’s appalling condition, his faith remained steadfast…

“His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said"

- Job ch2 vs9 – 10

There were many things Job did not know or understand, but he loved God and fully trusted Him. He was striving to live a holy life that was pleasing to God – and God had faith in Job!

How is our faith, when the storms of life come upon us?

Job had great contentment in knowing his eternal life was completely assured.

“…yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another…”

He had rightful grounds of utter confidence in His coming Saviour!

“…because I live, ye shall live also”

Jesus Christ speaking from John’s Gospel ch14 vs19

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”

- John’s Gospel ch14 vs1 – 3

What certainties and reassurances are in the words of The Lord Jesus Christ!

I know that my Redeemer lives!
What joy this blest assurance gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
he lives, my ever-living Head!

He lives to bless me with his love;
He lives to plead for me above;
He lives my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives, and grants me daily breath,

He lives, and I shall conquer death,

He lives, my mansion to prepare,

He lives, to lead me safely there.

He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Saviour, still the same;
What joy this blest assurance gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!

(Hymn by Samuel Medley)

Gospel Meeting 14/04/2019

Genesis ch1 vs1 – 5

Ecclesiastes ch3 vs1 -8

Galatians ch4 vs4 -7

Time!

Everything we know is governed and measured by time.

Countless people depend on regularly checking their diaries.

Many of us have fancy timepieces that adjust themselves!

God, who is outside of time, created time concerning this world.

God ever was from eternity and ever will be, and He is in absolute full control of all things!

“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein”

- Psalm ch24 vs1

He created us and we are subject to Him.

Many people do not want to recognise this, and want to live a life that is just pleasing to themselves.

However, we who are Christians, are most happy that God is in complete control – we enjoy the security and certainties!

Our times are in His hands – King David acknowledged such in Psalm ch31.

God foretold of a most special time when The Messiah would come.

Many details were told hundreds of years in advance, and all came to be exactly so in due course!

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth his Son…”

- Galatians ch4 vs4

This is worthy of our utmost rejoicing.

 The Saviour of Sinners was born – conceived of a virgin!

Without The Lord Jesus Christ having stepped into time, entering this world, we would have been without hope, facing eternal punishment for our many sins against Him. All of mankind is fully dependant on His sinless life here and in His work of redemption on The Cross.

God’s immense love for us is shown on The Cross. His only begotten Son had all our sins placed upon Himself and took our judgement for them.

What love that none of us deserve!

1)

What kind of love is this,

that gave itself for me?

I am the guilty one,

yet I go free.

What kind of love is this?

A love I’ve never known.

I didn’t even know His name,

what kind of love is this?

2)

What kind of man is this,

that died in agony?

He who had done no wrong

was crucified for me.

What kind of man is this,

who laid aside his throne

that I may know the love of God?

What kind of man is this?

3)

By grace I have been saved,

it is the gift of God.

He destined me to be His son,

such is His love.

No eye has ever seen,

no ear has ever heard,

nor has the heart of man conceived,

what kind of love is this.

- song by B & S Haworth.

In King David’s Psalm ch22, he gives a graphic picture of death by crucifixion.

When it is remembered that crucifixion was a Roman, not Jewish, devised form of execution. the proof of the inspiration of God’s Word is beyond doubt!

All these things were eternally known in God’s plan of Salvation!

“He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake”

- 1^st Peter ch1 vs20

Our sin separated us from God, but God gave His well beloved Son, that we can each be restored unto Him.

God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, knowing all things, clearly told His disciples beforehand what was going to happen…

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again”

- Luke’s Gospel ch18 vs31 – 33

Dear reader, The Lord Jesus Christ bore the judgement of a righteous God for my sins and yours. 

Christ’s time and hour had come…

 “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour”

- John’s Gospel ch12 vs27

Jesus Christ duly rose from the dead three days later – His sinless sacrifice for our sins was fully accepted.

Are you still outside of the grace of God?

We are never sure of our tomorrows – the time to repent and come in faith to accept Jesus Christ as your own Lord and Saviour is NOW!

There is no time like NOW!

“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says “In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation”

- 2^nd Corinthians ch6 vs1 -2

Gospel Meeting 07/04/2019

Isaiah ch1 vs18,  ch43 vs25,  ch44 vs22-23

Luke’s Gospel ch12 vs58-59

Tonight’s speaker reminded us that the book of the prophet Isaiah is sometimes quoted as being “The Gospel According to the Old Testament”, due to its many such  references!

God ever wants to bless mankind, and has never stopped loving us.

Although long separated from God through our sins, yet His desire is to bless us.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”

-  2^nd Peter ch3 vs9

God has dealt with our sin question at Calvary’s Cross. His only begotten Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, in His willing sacrificial death, took all our sins upon Himself and took our punishment.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”

-  2^nd Corinthians ch5 vs21

Salvation and complete blessings are ours, dear friend!

Simply come to The Lord in heartfelt repentance of your sinful way of life, confessing you are a sinner and asking Him to be your Saviour.

Come now, believing who He is, and having faith that His blood given at Calvary forgives and cleanses you from all sin.

“Come now, and let let us reason together” saith the Lord (ch1 vs18) …

God is the most reasonable person in the universe!

He asks us to reason, or to settle, things with Him. Not as equals, but with Him being the absolute all knowing God. He is infinitely superior in every way – otherwise He would not be the true and living God!

God speaks with full authority, and He speaks of His great mercy, grace and love.

The speaker accepted The Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour in 1948, and still praises God every day for saving him.

“…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (ch1 vs18)

Scarlet is a known as a very deep dye.

Friend, no matter how deeply stained you may be with your personal sins, you can be washed white as wool. Completely cleansed and forgiven for all the wrongs you may have done!

1)

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Chorus:

Are you washed…in the blood,

In the soul – cleansing blood of the Lamb?

Are your Garments spotless? Are they white as snow?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

2)

Are you walking daily by the Saviour’s side?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Do you rest each moment in the crucified?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

3)

When the bridegroom cometh, will your robes be white –

Pure and white in the blood of the Lamb?

Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

4)

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,

Oh be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

-  Hymn by E. A. Hoffman

King David knew all about sins being as scarlet, and in Psalm ch51 confesses them. He was guilty on many counts, yet knew his forgiveness –

“cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (vs7)

Dear friend, your eternal soul’s destiny depends on putting this matter right.

It needs to be settled personally between you and God, through Jesus Christ.

As we have read tonight, your sins in full can be blotted out!

Many times we hear people say “I will forgive you, but I won’t forget”…

This is not our God! – here, He says

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins”

He wills to remember them no more! What a truly great pardoning God we have!

What about those who choose to reject this most gracious offer of full and free Salvation through The Lord Jesus Christ?

Here, the speaker turns to tonight’s reading from Luke’s Gospel…

The Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that while there is yet time each one of us should make our peace with God. Judgement is coming!

The speaker gave a heartfelt plea to get right with God before you find yourself at His judgement seat… forever too late!

Friend, our times are unsure – we are never guaranteed tomorrow.

The message from God is simple… “let us reason together and settle your sin question! He has provided the only way your soul can be saved…

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

-  John’s Gospel ch3 vs17

“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

Gospel Meeting 31/03/2019

The Acts of the Apostles ch2 vs36 – 38

The Book of Psalms ch32 vs1 – 5

The First Epistle of John ch1 vs8 – 10

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

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

C = CONVERT…

On the first day of the Christian Church, the people having had their sinful nature explained to them, were cut to the heart over them.

They understood what Peter was saying to them and were clearly convicted.

The message was the same then as it is today –

“Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (vs38)

What a response from those gathered – around three thousand precious souls “gladly received his word” (vs41) and were saved!

Sadly, we can reflect on a great contrast here…

Three thousand souls were saved from one sermon – perhaps in this land of ours tonight we may have one precious soul saved from three thousand sermons?

A positive change is called upon where one is converting.

We no longer a slave to sin under Satan, but serving Jesus Christ who is without sin.

With His indwelling Holy Spirit, we are a new person!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold all things are become new”

-   2^nd Corinthians ch5 vs17

“Therefore we are buried with him in baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life”

-    Romans ch6 vs4

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”

-   Ephesians ch4 vs22 – 24

When we consider everything that The Lord Jesus Christ has done for each of us, He is fully deserving of a great change in our lives!

At Calvary’s Cross He suffered most terribly when he took all our sins upon His sinless body and received our punishment for them.

Jesus Christ paid the highest price for our sins in full, so that any one of us can go free, no longer facing eternal condemnation.

“O what a Saviour that He died for me!

From condemnation He hath made me free;

“He that believeth on the Son,” saith He,

“Hath everlasting life.

Chorus:

“Verily, verily”, I say unto you,

“Verily, verily,” message ever new;

“He that believeth on the Son” ‘tis true,

“Hath everlasting life.”

All my iniquities on Him were laid,

All my indebtedness by Him was paid;

All who believe on Him, the Lord hath said,

“Have everlasting life.”

Though poor and needy I can trust my Lord,

Though weak and sinful I believe His word;

O glad message! ev’ry child of God

“Hath everlasting life.”

Though all unworthy, yet I will not doubt,

For him that cometh, He will not cast out,

“He that believeth”, O the good news shout,

“Hath everlasting life.”

-    Hymn by J. McGranahan

Dear reader, every single one of us has greatly offended Holy God through our sinful lives and actions.

Yet, in His great love, grace and mercy towards us, He still tonight offers you a full and free Salvation through His atoning work on The Cross.

Oh, would you not respond to His loving call tonight reader?

Please have sorrow for your sins and call upon Him tonight. Just acknowledge you too are a sinner and have genuine remorse, in faith asking His forgiveness.

Please make your peace with God tonight, through His well beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

It is futile to try and hide our sins from God, for he knows them all.

Don’t let your sins continue to burden you.

Rather, be like David the psalmist, who acknowledged them (vs5) and gained forgiveness and peace.

Accept Jesus Christ as your own Saviour, and He will utterly cleanse you through and through by the power of His shed blood!

Dear reader, all the work has been done for you! There is nothing you can, or need to add! 

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Simply come in repentance and faith this night - grasp this forgiveness and eternal life while you still may!

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon”

- Isaiah ch55 vs6 – 7