Gospel Meeting 19/05/2019

Mark’s Gospel ch1 vs1, 21 – 31

Luke’s Gospel ch4 vs14 -32

Each of the four Gospel accounts give a different aspect of The Lord Jesus Christ.

In Matthew He is “The King”, in Mark He is “The Servant”, in Luke He is “Son of Man”, and in John he is “Son of God”.

All different truths revealing Jesus Christ is God made a Man.

These meetings known as a “Gospel Service” are held to tell anyone and everyone that The Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world.

“How then shall they call on him whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

- Romans ch10 vs14

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”

- Romans ch10 vs17

Without Him, you have nothing in life to rejoice about! Without Him as your personal Saviour you are ever facing a lost eternity, separated from the love of God.

Countless millions have abandoned Him, and we can clearly see the devastating effects upon our society as the suffering intensifies without Him and His ways.

“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

          

There is no real and lasting peace for any individual without it having come directly from God in the first place.

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight”

- Colossians ch1 vs19 – 22

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”

- Philippians ch4 vs7

In our cities and streets we see so many broken lives – alcoholics, drug addicts, failed abusive relationship after another… if only they would genuinely come and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. His power changes lives! His peace reigns within!

Yet so much in this country and around the world what we have is direct rebellion against God and His Word. Governments, schools etc have removed Him and think they know better.

Here in Mark’s account, Jesus Christ is seen as “the perfect Servant”. He came into this world to seek and to save the lost. He was constantly moving amongst men “doing good”

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”

- Mark’s Gospel ch10 vs45

What a statement we have in vs1! – “…the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” –

Sometimes we hear the expression “what’s in a name”, here it is crystal clear- Saviour Messiah! Jesus Christ is the anointed One.

But what did the people say about three and a half years after His ministry started? The crowd bayed for His death, demanding a murderer should be freed instead.

Who do you think the crowd would choose today?

Jesus Christ stands for all that the world is against.

How many times today have you heard His Name used as a swear word?

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you”

- John’s Gospel ch15 vs18

Christians are daily being slaughtered in many countries of the world.

Mark is talking about a Man who is unlike any other that ever lived. He is the eternal Son of God, who is still saving souls and changing lives in 2019, through His continuing day of grace towards mankind.

He is a) truly Human b) Truly Divine c) Truly Unique d) Truly Sinless e) The True source of Salvation.

“Neither is there Salvation in any other…” – The Acts ch4 vs13.

What a great scene it was in the synagogue which we read of in tonight’s readings.

No dry, dusty sermon that day! Jesus Christ spoke like no other, having complete authority. He told those gathered that Esaias prophesised of Him, and now I am here – The Messiah! The scribes were astonished -

 “is not this the carpenter’s son?” – (Matthew’s account).

It is the same message today. The same Gospel, that offers full and free Salvation. Forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ and His blood given for you. The same Man – the only Saviour of sinners.

Dear friend, you may not feel poor or broken – hearted. You may have a good job, in excellent health, have a loving family and a caring circle of friends, but ALL lives need the Saviour. We are all sinners and all need to have genuine repentance towards The Lord Jesus Christ.

There are only two possible destinations for each person - each eternal, each irreversible... Heaven or Hell.

Which one have you chosen?

“but this man because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intersession for them”

- Hebrews ch7 vs24 – 25

Sin so easily grips our lives and is fatal.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death”

- James ch1 vs14 – 15

People the world over are crying out for hope, for life, for certainties – and it is only found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”

- John’s Gospel ch14 vs6

Lee Strobel, an American, who previously was an investigative journalist working for the Chicago Tribune, set out like many before to comprehensively disprove the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (He was aghast that his wife had become a Christian) He did copious amounts of research into all aspects of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and interviewed many experts in each field. In his conclusion, Lee Strobel said that the facts proved beyond doubt that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

He then turned from being an “atheist” to accepting The Lord Jesus Christ as his own Saviour!

“My worldview, my philosophy, my attitudes, my relationships, my parenting, my marriage – everything has been transformed by my relationship with Christ”

- Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ)

The god of this age has blinded minds but he has not blocked hearts, Dear friend, dwell upon all the truths contained in the Word of God, and do not blindly accept the lies of Satan and of “evolution”!

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so”

-          The Acts ch17 vs11

J-E-S-U-S, he can save and fully bless,

Bring you peace and happiness, J-E-S-U-S

(Chorus)

Come to the Saviour of sinners without delay and be saved for time and eternity!

Gospel Meeting 12/05/2019

Isaiah ch5 vs8, 9, 11, 18 -23

           ch6 vs1 -12

Without forgiveness, the consequences of our personal sins against God are eternal.

Sometimes we all need to listen to things that we do not like or want to hear.

“Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding”

-   Proverbs ch15 vs32

When God plainly warns us that all our sin is going to come under His judgement, we should heed His every warning.

He is the true and living God, knowing all things!

“With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?

-  Isaiah ch46 vs5

The most wonderful news for each of us is that our case is not lost! The happy news of the Gospel reassures us that forgiveness is freely available!

God, rich in mercy, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly gave His own sinless life as a sacrifice to pay the penalty of our every sin.

“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

It is often said that there is nothing new under the sun, and Isaiah ch5 shows us this!

We read of 6 “woes” upon Israel – an expression signifying impending condemnation and the wrath of God.

All of these woes are against God’s ways and are human rebellion - all very common today here in our own land.

The first woe (vs8) is greed, selfishness and materialism. People are greatly motivated by having more and more, yet never feeling satisfied. Our culture here in the UK is saturated with it. It also shows a complete lack of care for others including our neighbours.

The second woe (vs11) is the excessive consumption of alcohol. Morning, afternoon and nights are here observed and condemned. Today, we call it “binge – drinking”, and the streets of our cities reveal completely shocking behaviour through drunkenness and revelry. Hedonism is still rife!

The third woe (vs18) relates to those who openly pile up sin and scoff at God or His existence. “Agnostics” and “atheists” simply do not care, daring in their sin and proud of their lusts, pouring scorn on God. A most widely used expression today when one is reprimanded in any way is “whatever”, showing total unconcern or care.

The fourth woe (vs20) is deliberate perversion of truths. Everything is relative we are told today. To the extent of “evil is adjustable not absolute”.  The people in this woe loved to gloss over their evil deeds and habits, confounding and overthrowing God’s reality between good and evil. Today, we have so many instances of this, including laws being passed which make an evil look good, or vice – versa. Such deep moral corruption!

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness more than the light because their deeds were evil”

-  John’s Gospel ch3 vs19

The fifth woe (vs21) is self – conceit. Having a big ego! Ever wise in their own eyes and preferring their own failing human reasoning’s to Divine revelations! Completely lacking in humility, exalting ones self. How many “selfies” are posted on social media every day!

The sixth woe (vs22) is corruption and bribery. The distinction is made to the second woe. There it related to revelry, but here they are afterwards going on to do the business of their lives. This resulted in minds unable to think clearly and moral vision badly dimmed. Here entered judges perverting justice and taking bribes etc. Similar problems are with us today… so many countless work days are lost through alcohol abuse, and corruption is prevalent in high places!

So God asks Isaiah to tell the people what they are doing wrong and why he must bring judgement if they continue. God is holy and righteous and must judge sin!

Again, it is no different today…

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

-   Romans ch3 vs23

Dear reader, have you come to realize the difference in our standards compared with Gods? There is a mighty gulf, and we all need to personally come to the only Saviour of sinners – The Lord Jesus Christ – in faith and repentance to receive forgiveness.

In the reading from chapter 6, Isaiah was given a vision of The Lord upon His throne. He saw God’s complete holiness and his response was to see how vile, unclean and unfit he was to be in the presence of the Holy God.

“Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone ; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people with unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the KING, the LORD of hosts” – (vs5)

This is no different to you and I dear reader – we are all undone if there is not a Mediator between us and the Holy God!

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

- 1^st Timothy ch2 vs5

Verse 7 gives a picture of Isaiah’s sins being removed from him by the atoning work of the sinless Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah’s next response (vs8) , was to volunteer to the call of God for someone to go and tell others. There is a work to do for every one of God’s people!

The coming judgement on people’s sin is an absolute reality dear friend and action needs to be taken TODAY! Come to the Saviour while you still have today!

Satan has fooled many a person into believing Hell is just a joke. We hear so many around us laughing that they would prefer to go and have a good time in Hell with their mates. Such talk is a fatal lack of knowledge, as the truth of God’s Word tells us it is a place of utter darkness, solitude and torment for those who reject Jesus Christ’s offer of Salvation.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”

- Romans ch10 vs10 - 11

Gospel Meeting 05/05/2019

The Acts ch2 vs22 – 42

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

What is expected from someone who becomes a Christian?

To be converted!

Our actions and words should change - and this is our responsibility -  not God’s, though we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us from that point on in our lives.

Verse 38 makes this very clear, that we are to repent of our sinful way of life. A definite change is required. A specific action is also asked for – baptism.

These things need a change of thinking within ourselves. We begin to see ourselves as God sees us – we know we have utterly offended God through our sins.

Repentance is to be a lifetime experience once the decision is made, and we are to lead holy lives each day.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us”

-  1^st Epistle of John ch1 vs8 – 10

What a promise this is – anyone can genuinely confess and be forgiven!

Our sin problem was dealt with on the Cross at Calvary, once for all. The Lord Jesus Christ paid for them in full through His sacrificed body and given blood. Forgiveness is freely available to anyone in the world who will come to Him in faith and repentance.

Tonight’s scripture tells of the absolute importance of repentance.

 God’s anger at sin is as real as His love. It is excellent that we have the true and living holy God, with whom all sin matters so much that it must be punished – how right!

How angry would we feel if we were to witness an elderly person being badly beaten on the street and their pension money taken from them? I am quite sure every one of us would be extremely angry and want the offender to be made accountable for his horrific actions – because we are made in the image of God, knowing good from evil!

God, therefore, being completely holy, feels it much more than we sinful people do.

God, in His great love, gave His only begotten Son to suffer, bleed and die for our sins. 

But to those who choose to reject His offer of forgiveness, there is a great wrath to come.

“…O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come”

-  John the Baptist speaking, from Luke’s Gospel ch3 vs7

“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 vs8 – 9

“…how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come"

-   1^st Thessalonians ch1 vs9 – 10

Having repented and received Jesus Christ as Saviour, why should baptism follow for the Christian? - vs38

It is an outward sign of repentance and of the new life begun. The old has gone!

“Therefore we are buried with him by 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

It is an important and significant event, which should be done as soon as possible.

It is full immersion, for one who has reached an age of understanding and is able to know what they are doing and why.

There is no instance of child baptism in the scriptures

It also has a precious spiritual meaning – hence it is clearly not for infants who are too young to believe or understand, and who have it imposed upon them.

The original Latin word for an infant is “infans” meaning “without speech”.

Sadly, more and more Christians are undervaluing the importance of baptism and never take this step.

Whilst it is not essential for ones Salvation, it is a big sign of true repentance and obedience to the Word of God. It can be seen as the answer of a good conscience.

 Yet many other “man – made” practices which are contrary to God’s Word have entered in to our churches.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God”

-   Romans ch12 vs1 – 2

“”If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 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 vs21 – 24

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus:
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
No turnng back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

(Anonymous hymn)

Dear reader, will YOU decide now to follow Jesus?

Gospel Meeting 28/04/2019

Luke’s Gospel ch8 vs40 – 48

Tonight again, The Lord Jesus Christ is passing by!

Many here trusted in Him.

Dear reader, have you yet to come to the only fountain of Salvation, have you never yet put your faith and trust in the only Saviour of sinners?

Already in this chapter, Jesus Christ had shown His great power to be in complete control of all things.

He rebuked the wind and stilled the waves! He cast out demons from a maniac and restored him to a right mind! 

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God with power over all!

 “…what manner of man is this…” (vs25)

Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, yet always without sin.

“I have betrayed the innocent blood” – Judas Iscariot

“I find no fault in this man” – Pontius Pilate

“This man hath done nothing amiss” – The repentant thief on the cross

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”

- 2^nd Corinthians ch5 vs21

“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth”

- 1^st Peter ch2 vs22

God came into this world, in the flesh, to save us from the eternal penalty of our sins.

Jesus Christ voluntarily laid down His sinless life at The Cross. He took the sins of the world upon Himself and gave His body as a sacrifice for them.

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

- 1^st Epistle of John ch4 vs14

Dear friend, this is our trouble. Our situation is that we are all sinners, guilty before Holy God, every single one of us! No matter how good we may think our morals may be, we all fall horribly short of God’s standards, and sin must be punished.

You and I need a Saviour, and God in His great love and mercy provided such at great cost, His well beloved Son.

Jesus Christ was nailed to The Cross as a sin – offering and paid the full price of all our many sins.

Many people do not like to hear about blood and death, but God’s Word tells us of just how important it is –

“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”

- Hebrews ch9 vs22

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul”

- Leviticus ch17 vs11

On the third day, Jesus Christ arose justified and triumphant from the dead – just as He had said (Matthew’s Gospel ch17 vs 22 – 23)

This is MY glorious Saviour! – is He yours?

In tonight’s chapter, there were some who did not want Jesus Christ, having a fear of Him, and wanting Him to depart.

 However there was one who absolutely did… friend, will you be that one tonight who will approach The Lord Jesus Christ in real repentance and faith?

Would you like to see this most wonderful Man face to face in eternity? To see the nail – prints in his hands and feet that were for you, and to thank Him?

He can give you a joy and a peace that the world does not know and cannot give.

The woman in tonight’s message had suffered much.

 She had tried everything, but only got worse. Very likely leading a miserable, lonely life, classed as being “unclean” and slowly bleeding to death.

This can be a picture of our own sinful life’s before Jesus Christ saved us and cleansed us through His own shed blood.

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

- Hebrews ch9 vs27

It is made crystal clear for us -  anyone that has heard the Gospel and rejected Jesus Christ’s offer of full and free Salvation, will be choosing to go to a lost eternity in that most awful place called Hell…

“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 – 17.

The woman knew the power of Jesus Christ, trusting if she was able but to touch the hem of His garment she would be healed…faith indeed!

Immediately, she was healed, but then sought to drift away quietly.

However, The Lord knew and asked who had touched Him. She confessed, and The Lord blessed her for her faith in Him.

Salvation is instant too!

Your lifetime’s sin can be forgiven and gone forever in a breath!

A simple act of confessing your sins and asking His forgiveness.

What an opportunity not to be rejected!

The woman left having peace – will you have peace with God tonight?

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”

- Romans ch10 13

There are no exceptions!

64 years ago, the speaker called upon His name and was saved.

Will this be your night dear reader, maybe your last ever opportunity, when your own name is indelibly written in The Lamb’s Book of Life?

There is a real Heaven to be gained and a real Hell to be shunned.

I do most earnestly pray so.