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!