Gospel Meeting 23/06/2019

The speaker gave an update on his work for SASRA, and encouraged everyone to pray for this. They are having great results, but it is a huge harvest field with such few labourers involved.

Hebrews ch10  vs19 -25

In the sport of baseball, there is a particularly difficult ball to face. It is called the “curveball”, and the pitcher causes it to sharply deviate as it reaches the batter. It is unexpected and most difficult to react to.

Life can often throw us a curveball too!

All manner of things can knock us sideways when we least expect them.

The Christian people in tonight’s passage were having a hard time and questioning much. But in Jesus Christ we have a great high priest who knows all our needs and troubles. He knows Himself what it is like to have many sorrows and to weep.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin”

-   Hebrews ch4 vs15

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“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not”

-    Isaiah ch53 vs3

“My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death…”

-     Matthew’s Gospel ch26 vs38

The Lord Jesus Christ even went through an agonising death that we might have life.

“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

However, these Christian people heard a great message of truth and encouragement from the apostle, for all their doubts and troubles…

a. (vs22) they were told to draw near to Jesus Christ in full assurance of faith. They could have full confidence in Him - who loved them and gave Himself for them!

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you”

-   James ch4 vs8

Dear reader, whatever your own personal troubles may be, always take it to The Lord in prayer first. He knows you better than you even know yourself! He is full of love, grace and mercy, and will never turn you away. Never stop sharing your heart with Him, and read His Word daily. If you are struggling with problems, even just a verse or two each day can bring a great peace.

A palm tree is able to withstand terrific storms because it is so deep rooted - and likewise, we are much more able to handle our own storms of life if we are firmly rooted in The Lord Jesus Christ and His Word.

b. (vs23) Hold fast to Jesus Christ, because He who promised is faithful!

Be prepared for those storms, cling to Him and He will uphold you and give you peace,

“Will your anchor hold in the storms of life

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift, or firm remain”?

“We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love”

(Excerpt from hymn by P.J.Owens)

c. (vs24) Stir each other up!

 Stimulate one another into a deeper, fuller service for The Lord.

“Let brotherly love continue”

-   Hebrews ch13 vs1

d. (vs25) Regularly meet with like-minded people!

Take time and effort to look after your brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all His precious flock. Pray earnestly. Visit those who are home-bound.

We are a special team in what is a great spiritual battlefield, and need one another’s support.

Dear reader, do you know this loving, faithful Saviour? Please commit yourself to Him without further delay. Turn away from your sins and put you faith and trust in God’s Son. He will forgive you and His shed blood will cleanse you from the penalty of your sins against Him.

1) What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

2) Have we trials and temptations?

Is their trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness:

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3) Are we weak and heavy – laden?

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Saviour, still our refuge,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

(Hymn by J.M.Scriven)

Gospel Meeting 16/06/2019

Luke’s Gospel ch18 vs15 – 27,

                         ch19 vs8 – 10

In these scriptures we find two of the great Gospel truths:

a)      vs17 – if we are to enter The Lord’s kingdom, we come with the spirit of a child… pure, simple, obedient, and having a childlike faith and trust.

b)      vs10 – “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Saviour of sinners to whosoever will accept Him.

At the heart of Jesus Christ’s Gospel is The Cross.

It is the most important event in the entire history of the human race.

Whilst there are many other very important events, they are all related to a time or generation. However, Calvary’s Cross is about eternity, and our personal response to it decides where we will each spend eternity – Heaven or Hell. There is no third option.

There at Calvary, the sinless, perfect Man, God’s eternal Son, Jesus Christ, laid down His life for sinners like us.

The speaker then gave four illustrations of the above two great Gospel truths:

1)      “Jesus Christ’s Life, Death and Resurrection” (Luke’s Gospel ch18 vs31 – 33)

Hundreds of detailed prophecies concerning Jesus Christ were all fulfilled exactly as foretold. Without becoming the perfect sacrifice for our sins, He could not be our Saviour. He paid the full price of our sins in His own blood.

“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 vs18

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”

-    John’s Gospel ch6 vs37

 2)      “The Rich Young Ruler (vs18 – 25)

Here was a test case! Would he have the same faith as a little child?

He had status, power, wealth and was a young man. He also had many good morals. He asked a most important and direct question to The Lord Jesus Christ – “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He did not like Christ’s answer -  to sell all that he had, give it to the poor, and to follow Him.

Sadly, he was committed to self. He would not do it, he loved his money much more than Jesus Christ. He wanted fleeting riches more than the eternal riches Christ was offering him in Heaven! He lacked the simple faith and went away from Jesus very sorrowful…

The Lord then says how hard it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. The temptations which can easily beset a rich person are so many and so various. They may be sorry that they cannot serve both, but when one must be quit, it shall be their God and not their worldly gain.

“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon”

- Luke’s Gospel ch16 vs13

3)      “Blind Bartimaeus” (Marks Gospel ch10 vs46 – 52)

What a contrast! Here was a man that had nothing. A blind beggar. Yet he cries out in simple faith and trust -  “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me” He recognised that Jesus Christ is indeed The Messiah.

He immediately received forgiveness and sight. Bartimaeus knew his needs and cried out to The Lord.

Dear reader, how about your needs? Can you say tonight “I am a sinner”, “I need a Saviour”? Come to Jesus Christ tonight in simple faith and repentance and be saved for eternity!

Unlike the rich, young ruler, Bartimaeus “followed Jesus in the way”.

4)      “Zacchaeus “ (vs1 – 10)

This man was very well known. He also was rich.  A chief tax collector in Jericho and despised by people for stealing through his work, and for collaborating with the Romans. However, he had good thinking - “he sought to see Jesus who he was”. The Lord had already prepared an appointment with him.

He recognised his sins and repented, wanting to give back all the money he had cheated people of, and with interest. He received Jesus Christ joyfully.

In the case of the rich, young ruler, the people having heard from Christ that it was very hard for the rich to be saved, questioned “who then can be saved?”… Christ’s answer was “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”.

Here, a very rich man was saved! A great transformation followed.

Zaccheaus showed a simple childlike faith.

Four illustrations, and dear reader, whoever you are, Jesus Christ loves you and is seeking you to come to Him tonight and be saved.

What other way can you be forgiven and enter into His kingdom, than by faith in His blood which has the cleansing power?

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God”

-    John’s Gospel ch1 vs12

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”

- Ephesians ch2 vs8 -9

Gospel Meeting 09/06/2019

The Acts ch17 vs22 – 34

Paul was in Athens, desiring to tell the people the good news concerning The Lord Jesus Christ. Athens was known as a cultural and intelligent city, yet it was full of idolatry with shrines to many god’s and goddesses.

The people were searching and seeking for God. They were very religious minded but did not know the one true and living God. They sought to cover every angle and one altar even had the inscription “to the unknown God”!

It is very possible to be highly religious, ever attending church, have good morals and yet without having received God’s Salvation.

God sees us as we really are –

“…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart”

-  1^st Samuel ch16 vs7

God knows everything about each of us and there is no hiding from Him.

However, it is certain that this one and true living God can be known by anyone who would seek Him. This is only through The Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Son of the Eternal God, who was manifest in flesh.

He came down from Heaven to bring Salvation to a needy world of sinners. He who never once sinned and could not sin, willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice for our sins that we might be forgiven and not face eternal condemnation.

Dear reader, if you have not yet done so, make it your absolute priority to know Jesus Christ! 

Come to Him in faith and repent from your sinful lifestyle, asking His forgiveness and having Him to be your personal Saviour.

Paul tells us (vs30 – 31) that repentance is essential and judgement is coming.

 When God warns mankind, every one of us would be wise to heed His words and take immediate action! We are all heading into an eternity – either into Heaven to be with The Lord Jesus Christ, or into judgement and Hell without Him. The latter is a place to be shunned at any cost.

Heaven is a completely holy place, prepared for those who have been cleansed of all sin through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ –

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life”

-  The Revelation ch21 vs27

Is your own name forever written in the Lamb’s book of life?

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

-  Jesus Christ speaking from Matthew’s Gospel ch7 vs13 & 14

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is unlike any other message you may hear – we have a living Saviour!

“Religion” ends with the grave, but 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. Amen; and have the keys of hell and death”

-  The Revelation ch1 vs18

In Athens, there were three categories of people with three different reactions –

1)  The Despisers (vs32a)

These people just mocked and derided the Gospel message.  Sadly, we have plenty who are exactly the same in our own land today. They are making the most serious mistake and will not be mocking it through an endless lost eternity, separated from the love of God.

2)  The Delayers (vs32b)

These people had an interest but wanted to put off any decision until a later time. There is no mention that they ever came back. God’s word ever speaks of TODAY!

“…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”

-  2^nd Corinthians ch6 vs2

Dear reader, we are never promised tomorrow… Salvation is to be grasped TODAY!

3)  The Deciders (vs34)

These people believed the Gospel and were saved. Each name was entered into the Lamb’s book of life.

They turned from false idols and darkness, into light and certain life

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death to life”

-  Jesus Christ speaking from John’s Gospel ch5 vs24

Take God at His word and be saved from your sins and their consequences TODAY!

1.

Decide for Christ today!

Thyself thou canst not save:

Helpless and guilty, lost and blind,

No longer judgement brave.

Chorus

Christ alone can save,

Break the power of sin;

Christ doth fully satisfy

The heart that trusts in Him.

2.

Decide for Christ today!

His blood can wash thee white;

Can cleanse thy sins and make thee now

All perfect in God’s sight.

3.

Decide for Christ today!

Confess Him as thy Lord:

Oh! Rest upon His precious blood,

And trust His faithful Word.

4.

Decide for Christ today!

Procrastinate no more;

Now mercy pleads, but soon will cease:

The Judge is at the door.

(Hymn by T. R. Dale)

Gospel Meeting 02/06/2019

Jonah ch1 – 4

From this book, the speaker brought out four of God’s characteristics.

1)   God’s love is for all people.

Jonah, sometimes known as the unwilling prophet, was not happy about God loving all people. He certainly did not want the people of Nineveh to be saved. It was a great city, full of wickedness, and he wanted to see it judged by God.

However, Jonah knew that God was gracious, merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness, and one who is willing to relent from impending judgement and forgive.

God is exactly the same to all people today.

Reader, He loves you personally and longs for you to repent and be saved from the coming judgement -

“…Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance

-     2^nd Epistle of Peter ch3 vs9

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel”

-     Mark’s Gospel ch1 vs15

2)    God is holy and will judge all sin.

Man brought sin into the world through disobeying what God had specifically told them not to do (Genesis ch2 & 3).

“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 vs12

God will eternally punish all those who do not repent of their sins.

But God showed His incredible love for us all by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to do what none of us could ever do – pay the price of our every sin and gain forgiveness. He is the only person without sin, and willingly gave His own life on The Cross, taking our sins upon Himself and taking the punishment that we all deserved. Faith in His shed blood can completely cleanse you from your sins.

Reader, if you have not already done so, why would you not accept this wholly gracious offer of a full and free forgiveness tonight? Why would you reject such wonderful love in the person of The Lord Jesus Christ?

Simply come in faith and repentance.

So many people leave it too late, unaware that death and eternity was but a moment away. Tonight will be the last opportunity to be saved for countless souls who think they have plenty time to address these things later in life…

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

-   Hebrew’s ch9 vs27

As with Jonah, we cannot escape God. He tried and went in the opposite direction, but to no avail. Many people are the same today – “I will do things my way” – not accepting they are responsible for every action and that there will be consequences at the end of their lives. How very sad, when there is a loving God appealing to each person to repent and accept His beloved Son as their Saviour.

3)  God is merciful to all

The people of Nineveh truly repented and God did not deliver the judgement they had deserved.

“…You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy”

-    Micah ch7 vs18

We are each imperfect, but God has provided the perfect Saviour for us all.

“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”

-   John’s Gospel ch3 vs16

Dear reader, it is God’s desire that you spend an everlasting life with Him in Heaven!

The place where there is no more sin, suffering, tears or death, but eternal joys!

4)   God looks after His own, despite our failings.

Jonah had disobeyed God and gone in the opposite direction to Nineveh. He was thrown into the raging sea, because the men on board were afraid and knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord. But for the providence of God, Jonah would have very quickly drowned. A great fish that had been prepared, swallowed Jonah and saved him from certain death.

Jonah failed God, but was given a second chance.

Dear reader, He is still offering you that second chance tonight, I urge you to respond and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

1)

Have you any room for Jesus –

Him, who bore your load of sin?

As he knocks and seeks admission,

Sinner, will you let Him in?

Chorus

Room for Jesus, Lord of glory!

Hasten now, His word obey!

Swing the heart’s door widely open,

Bid Him enter while you may!

2)

Room for pleasure, room for business;

But for Christ, the crucified –

Not a place that He can enter,

In the heart for which He died.

3)

Have you any time for Jesus,

As in grace He calls again?

Oh! “TODAY” is “time accepted,”

Tomorrow you may call in vain.

4)

Room and time now give to Jesus:

Soon will pass God’s day of grace;

Soon thy heart be cold and silent,

And thy Saviour’s pleadings cease.

(Hymn by El Nathan)