Gospel Meeting 27/10/2019

Exodus ch12 vs5 -13, 23 - 29

Hebrew’s ch6 vs1 –

 The speaker continued his series “Building Blocks as a Christian”, with the heading tonight being “Faith Toward God”.

“,,,repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”

- The Acts ch20 vs21

Having repented and turned away from one’s old sinful life, now the Christian is wholly turning in faith towards God, fully trusting in Him alone for Salvation.

Getting right with God while we still have time is everything – our eternal destination is fast approaching for every soul!

Every man, woman, boy and girl needs to be saved from the penalty of our sins. We all need to be forgiven, if we are to have eternal life.

In His great love, grace and mercy, God has provided a way – the ONLY way – for us as sinners to obtain forgiveness and have peace with God.

It requires faith, and a faith that is more than just head knowledge.

The Word of God tells us “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble” (James ch2 vs19), so faith involves personal trust, confidence and commitment.

Also, the story is often told of the great tightrope walker Charles Blondin, who famously crossed over the Niagara Falls (the tightrope was over 11.000 feet long and 160 feet above the torrent). After successfully completing this breathtaking event a couple of times, he asked his astonished onlookers if they thought he could do it carrying a man across in a wheelbarrow… “of course” they cried – “you’re the greatest tightrope walker in the world. We believe”! When he asked who would like to volunteer, not one person went forward…

They believed he could do it, but none had the faith to personally trust him!

However, we can ALL have full confidence in God’s provision for settling the question of our sins.

Throughout God’s Word we read and see His plan of Salvation coming to us through the ages…

Genesis ch3 – After Adam and Eve had brought sin into the world, they sewed fig leaves together for aprons, but God provided better, making them “coats of skins” through the sacrifice of an animal. A divinely produced garment, a “type of Christ”, that the first sinners might be made fit for God’s presence.

Genesis ch4 – Cain’s offering to God was without any adequate sense of sin, or his need for atonement, but his brother Abel’s offering involved a lamb’s shed blood in confession of his sins. The first did not have God’s respect, but the second had God’s favour.

Here, another “type of Christ”, as the coming “Lamb of God”, that would deal with our sin question once for all.

Then in tonight’s first reading (Exodus ch12), “the Passover lamb”, once more a “type of Christ”, as our Redeemer.

The lamb had to be without blemish and tested so. The lamb had to be slain. The blood had to be applied.

“…and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”

- Hebrews ch9 vs22

God’s one provision for our sins to be eternally forgiven duly came to us at the right time…

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”

- John’s Gospel ch1 vs29

“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

“And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God”

- Hebrews ch10 vs11 -12

Dear reader, will you come in personal faith tonight and ask The Lord Jesus Christ to forgive your own sins? Are you truly sorry for your sins and want to live a changed life? Would you not want to live with the Son of God and worship Him for all eternity – the One who loved you and gave Himself for you?

At Calvary, on a cruel cross, The Lord Jesus Christ gave His sinless body and cleansing blood as the only acceptable sacrifice for your own sins, and the worlds.

There is no other person, or any other way any of us can make amends for our sins and their eternal consequences. But, in love, He paid it all!

“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 vs6

Dear friend, who else could you possibly trust today that would make peace between you and God?

Tonight, your sin question can be answered fully and forever settled in God’s court through accepting His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ!

Please do so before you lay your head on the pillow, and know His great peace and joy!

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man”

- Psalm ch118 vs8

Gospel Meeting 20/10/2019

Isaiah ch38 vs1 – 8, 17 – 22.

In this portion of scripture, we read of king Hezekiah’s sickness(vs1), sorrow(vs3), sign(vs8) salvation(17), and songs(vs19/20)

Hezekiah was a great king who lived in a day when God’s Word was neglected. However, his first act was to repair and reopen the temple, restoring worship and the Passover.

We read that he grew sick unto death, though he was only a young man. No matter who we are, from a king to a pauper, we are all subject to death. He was told to set all his affairs in order for his successor.

Hezekiah wept bitterly and The Lord having heard his prayer, granted him another fifteen years to live.

How would you feel about knowing exactly how long you had to live? Many are thankful they do not know… but are you ready right now for eternity? Have you prepared for your final destination? Have you settled the question of your sins?

We each must face a holy and just God.

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

- Hebrews ch9 vs27

In Luke’s Gospel ch12, The Lord Jesus Christ tells a parable about a rich man who was planning on doing even better, and looking forward to many years of good living. However, God told him he was a fool, because his life was going to be demanded of him that very night, and he was more interested in storing up treasures for himself rather than riches towards God.

God must quite rightly judge all sin! It is entirely abhorrent to Him.

We all like to see and hear of justice being done – we know it is good and right for the guilty to be punished for their crimes, and we feel frustrated when they escape on a legal technicality. God is all – knowing and fully aware of our every sin against Him. There is a judgement day fast approaching - no matter how much this world mocks or derides such a thing!

Hezekiah was most sorrowful over his sins.

 Dear friend, has your own offences ever caused such feelings as to bring about repentance in your life towards God?

“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this by raising him from the dead”

- The Acts ch17 vs29 – 31.

“…repent ye, and believe the gospel”

- The words of Lord Jesus Christ (Mark’s Gospel ch1 vs15)

Repentance is never optional, it is demanded and necessary!

This always involves a real change of one’s heart and mind toward God, and therefore, a change in one’s daily life.

Our old manner of life offends God and has terrible eternal consequences if we should die without our sin question having been settled through The Lord Jesus Christ.

“… repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”

- The Acts ch20 vs21

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all…”

- 1^st Timothy ch2 vs5 -6

God heard Hezekiah’s cries - and He hears ours too. How wonderful that is!

 Dear friend, would you not give a prayer tonight, saying sorry for your sins and ask His forgiveness?

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

- Romans ch10 vs9- 10)

This is truly a most wonderful promise, whoever you are!

The Lord Jesus Christ fully paid the price of all our sins, when He laid His life down on The Cross. Being God’s eternal Son, He never sinned and was able and willing to be made sin for us, taking our punishment, that we might have forgiveness and eternal life in Heaven with Him.

This is how much he loves and values YOU!

1.

Low in the grave he lay,
Jesus, my saviour,
waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord:

Chorus

Up from the grave he arose,
as the victor over all his foes;
he arose in triumph from the dark domain,
and he lives for ever with his saints to reign:
He arose! He arose!
Alleluia! Christ arose!

2.

Vainly they guard his bed,
Jesus, my saviour;
vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus, my Lord:

3.

Death cannot keep his prey,
Jesus, my saviour;
he tore the bars away,

Jesus, my Lord:
Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Hezekiah asked for a sign, and remarkably, the sun went backwards.

We have a sign too…

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”

- Isaiah ch7 vs14

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of sinners!

Hezekiah said The Lord was ready to save him (vs20) and he was going to sing songs of thanksgiving and praise – for evermore!

Dear friend, will you not also trust Him and give worthy thanks unto this wonderful Saviour? He is still ready tonight and willing to save you!

Gospel Meeting 13/10/2019

1^st Thessalonians Chapter 1.

How was the Gospel delivered to those in Thessalonica?... it came not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in great assurance (vs5).

The Word of God can be entirely relied upon as the truth, so unlike the many falsehoods that our media would have us believe.

“Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven”

- Psalm ch119 vs89

“The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away : but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you”

- 1st Peter ch1 vs25

Yet, though it is the eternally abiding Word of God and brings great news, such is mankind’s hatred towards it being spoken that they hurl abuse and anger towards those who seek to share it.

From the very heart of God, it brings mankind the best message ever - the Gospel!

“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 friend, what do these words mean to you?

 What will you personally do with this Gospel message of Salvation that brings total peace and joy to the heart and mind?

It is the “gospel of the grace of God” (The Acts ch20 vs24), which brings forgiveness for our sins, along with the promise of eternal life, and cannot ever be earned or bought.

It is a great blessing that none of it is of ourselves – Salvation's work is already completed, and it is our part but to repent and believe the Gospel!

We are all full of sin, but The Lord Jesus Christ is completely holy.

Not one person in Heaven will ever say “I am here because of what I did in my life”...

It is all about what The Lord Jesus Christ did for you!

On Calvary’s Cross, God’s Son, Jesus Christ laid down His sinless life as the one and only atoning sacrifice for your own personal sins, and for the whole worlds. His perfect sacrifice, shedding His blood, was absolutely accepted by His Father, and He was raised from the dead. A living, loving Saviour!

Man gives false hopes about himself, and has many ideas and dreams, but God tells us the truth that we are all sinners in need of a Saviour – who He has provided in His great love for you.

Dear friend, it may not be nice, or indeed difficult to dwell upon, but nonetheless it is true – our hearts are minds are just so sinful, and we can never enter Heaven in that condition. One must come to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, trusting that His sacrificial blood will cleanse you from all sin and guilt. 

If one rejects His offer of forgiveness, then one must face the consequences of that choice - eternally separated from God in that most awful of places, Hell.

The Apostle Paul reasoned and told the people all that The Lord Jesus Christ had suffered for us. He alone saved us from the eternal penalty of our sins. He took our place and was punished… that is the cost of our wonderful Salvation – God died on The Cross for His Creation!

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

- The Revelation ch1 vs18

Words of truth and triumph from the blessed Man of Calvary!

Dear friend, this Gospel is personal.

 It is for you.

 Please consider the love, grace and mercy God is offering you tonight.

Countless lives across the world have been transformed by those who have taken God’s Word seriously and accepted Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Saviour.

 Will you not also call upon The Saviour of sinners this night?

1 O do not let the Word depart,
And close thine eyes against the light!
Poor sinner, harden not your heart,
Be saved, oh, tonight!

Chorus:
Oh, why not tonight?
Oh, why not tonight?
Wilt thou be saved?
Then why not tonight?

2 Tomorrow’s sun may never rise
To bless thy long deluded sight.
This is the time, oh, then be wise,
Be saved, oh, tonight!

3 Our Lord in pity lingers still,
And wilt thou thus His love requite?
Renounce at once thy stubborn will.
Be saved, oh, tonight!

(Elizabeth Reed)