Gospel Meeting 10/11/2019

Ecclesiastes ch12 vs1

Genesis ch40 vs9-15, 20-23

Luke’s Gospel ch16 19-31, ch23 vs39-43

Hebrew’s ch10 vs16-18

There are so many things today that we try to remember – and often fail!

We have invented smart gadgets that help us, like phones and clocks that change the time automatically when required. Also, at this time of year the media remind us that it is Remembrance Sunday, when we remember those who fell in the wars for our freedom.

They were all very brave people to whom we are most grateful and who fully deserve remembering, but nothing in comparison with The Lord Jesus Christ… He gave His sinless life and blood as a sacrifice for our own sins, that none of us need to face the coming day of judgement.

What God asks us to remember is of the utmost importance.

In our first reading, we are exhorted to remember our sins against our Creator God and repent before it is too late to do so.

Ever fewer people around us talk about the Creator, preferring to believe the lie of evolution, but the marvel of creation is all around us and in it we clearly see the handiwork of God.

Time may fade many of our happy memories but we should never forget that we are His most precious Creation.

The Lord Jesus Christ will never let you down, but as we saw in our Genesis reading – friends do! The chief butler did not keep his word and forgot about Joseph.

It is a great blessing and comfort to remember that we can always fully rely on God and His Word every day of our lives.

The parable in Luke’s Gospel is another confirmation from The Lord Jesus Christ that there is an urgent choice for everyone to make concerning our eternal destination.

Dear friend, have you chosen to accept the only Saviour of sinners – God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and make Heaven your eternal home, or are you still on the broad road that leads to destruction and a lost eternity?

 My prayer tonight is that you would come in faith and repentance, accepting The Lord Jesus Christ and His offer of Salvation-only available through His work on Calvary’s Cross.

The profuse wealth and position of the rich man ultimately meant nothing and he was found in eternal torment, whilst Lazarus, a beggar was found in Paradise.

The rich man was fully conscious and remembered his life…

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

- Hebrews ch9 vs27

However, God has made full provision that no-one need face judgment and condemnation. He wants each of us to have forgiveness of sins and to know the complete joy and glory of abiding in The Father’s House.

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

- Romans ch10 vs13

“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

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him”

- 1^st Corinthians ch2 vs9

In tonight’s second reading from Luke’s Gospel, one thief on a cross repented of his sins, and believing who The Lord was, asked to be remembered when He came into His kingdom. He was genuinely sorry for his sinful life and recognised that Jesus Christ was without sin. The Lord acknowledged his repentance and faith, assuring him that he would be with Him in Paradise that same day. Forgiven and saved!

Clearly, the dying thief had no time to do any good works, and no-one is ever saved by any amount of good works-only through repentance and personal faith in Jesus Christ!

Dear friend, you can cry out “Lord, remember me today”! He will gladly forgive and save you too, and bring you into His kingdom!

In our reading from Hebrews, we are given the most wonderful peace concerning our sins…  “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more”… gone forever!

What love, grace and mercy is still free to receive for “whosoever will" tonight through The Lord Jesus Christ!

1)

 "Whosoever heareth!" shout, shout the sound!
Send the blessed tidings all the world around;
Spread the joyful news wherever man is found:

 "Whosoever will may come!"

  "Whosoever will! whosoever will!"
   Send the proclamation over vale and hill;
   'Tis a loving Father calls the wand'rer home:
   "Whosoever will may come!"

2)

"Whosoever cometh" need not delay,
Now the door is open, enter while you may;
Jesus is the true, the only Living Way:
"Whosoever will may come!"

3)

"Whosoever will!" the promise is secure;
"Whosoever will," forever must endure;
"Whosoever will!" 'tis life forevermore;
"Whosoever will may come."

(Hymn by Philip P. Bliss)