Gospel Meeting 08/07/2018

Proverbs ch14 vs12.

Psalms ch8.

The Acts ch4 vs12.

When we consider the immensity of all that Almighty God has created around us and stretching out into the universe, it is amazing that He is still completely caring and concerned about little you and me!

Even sat in this Hall tonight, His presence is among us. Our God is truly awesome – He knows every single thing about you -  and knows you are a sinner. Just one sin will absolutely keep you from going to Heaven when your life here has ended. God is entirely holy and detests all and any sin.

No – one on this beautiful Earth can say they have never sinned… yet God still loves us!

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. – Romans ch3 vs23.

There is no point comparing ourselves to anyone else and saying “Well, he is worse than me”, or “I do lots of nice things to help people” …

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away”.

-    Isaiah ch64 vs6.

We are simply not good enough – and our sins are a real big problem.

God in His great love towards mankind has provided a way for each of us to be forgiven for all our sins and be made fit to enter Heaven.

That one way, the only way, is by The Cross …

God sent His well beloved Son Jesus Christ into this world. The One by whom all things were made (John’s Gospel ch1 vs1 – 5), came and was born of a virgin. The child grew into a Man, never ceasing to be God, and lived a completely sinless life.

Jesus Christ did not only come to visit us, but to save us from the guilt and penalty of all our sins.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”. – Matthew’s Gospel ch1 vs25.

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

– 1^st John ch4 vs14.

In His love, grace and mercy, Jesus Christ came to save all who will accept Him, from the reality of an eternal Hell - the place all go to who’s sins have not been forgiven.

Jesus Christ laid down His sinless life on Calvary’s Cross, to pay the price and take the punishment of our sins for us. He alone was able to make atonement for all our sins – past, present and future.

Wholly accepted, God raised Him from the dead after three days.

Words were not enough!

 The Lord Jesus Christ had to give His precious blood that we could be forgiven …

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect”.

-   1^st Peter ch1 vs18 – 19.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin”.

-    1^st John ch1 vs7.

Friend, will you take that personal step tonight and in faith accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Will you simply confess that you have sinned, and in repentance ask Him to forgive you? The work has been done, the price has been paid – but you must make your own individual decision to accept it! He is mighty to save and welcomes you with open arms!

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…”

-   The Revelation ch1 vs18.

“O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

-  Psalms ch8 vs 9.

AMEN!!

        

Gospel Meeting 01/07/2018

1 Kings ch17 vs8 – 16.

Luke’s Gospel ch4 vs16 -26.

The Lord Jesus Christ made reference to this widow in Nazareth.

It was His first visit to His home town since being anointed by the Holy Spirit, and He was in the synagogue reading from the book of Isaiah and speaking.

He went to the heart of the matter and told them He was Messiah.

Many were taken aback, having grown up alongside Jesus Christ.

However, all were amazed at the gracious words which He spoke, until there was an abrupt turning point. It quickly turned to contempt, saying “this is the carpenter’s son”, and having heard Jesus Christ speak of Elijah and the widow, all in the synagogue were furious with Him.

Jesus Christ used Elijah and the widow as an illustration of Himself as also being one to be rejected by His own people, and sent away from His own country - immediately they in the synagogue led Him out of the city and attempted to throw Him headlong over the brow edge!

The Lord Jesus Christ was telling them to consider their history, that no prophet was accepted in his own country.

What can we learn about the widow? …

She was a Gentile. She had a son to look after, and was really struggling to fend for them through the drought that was present in the land.

The Lord knows all our cares, and later in His Word (James ch1 vs27) says we should visit orphans and widows in their distress to provide comfort and support.

The widow had so very little and yet was being asked to give it up for Elijah. He told her God had promised that the little she had would not run out until the drought had ended.

The widow believed and obeyed … why? She was a spiritual woman who believed and knew God (vs12). Whilst there was unbelief in Jesus Christ’s home town, here was a Gentile believing in the true God of Israel.

Having been sent many miles to be there, Elijah then spent over two years with the widow and her son. They were saved from starvation, through her obedience to Elijah’s message from God.

God sent His beloved Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, many miles to save all the people of the world from the penalty of their sins. Jesus Christ came from Heaven, to be born of a virgin. He stepped into time, took flesh to live a completely sinless and blameless life so that He could give His pure undefiled body as a sacrifice for all our sins. In His most wonderful love for all mankind, He paid the price and debt for us that we could never pay.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” – Romans ch3 vs23.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” – Romans ch6 vs23.

“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 – 18.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” – The Acts ch4 vs12.

Friend, if you are going to be saved from the eternal consequences of your sins against Holy God and escape Hell, there is no other name for you to call upon or trust in!

The blood that The Lord Jesus Christ gave on The Cross from much sufferings is all – sufficient to cleanse and forgive you for all your sins!

This amazing, unique and special love is provided to you from the heart of God.

Will you not tonight call upon the name of Jesus Christ, and in repentance of your sins ask His forgiveness?

What an eternal blessing awaits those who accept His most gracious love, grace and mercy!

Gospel Meeting 17/06/2018

The Acts ch16 vs16 – 40.

The Gospel was spreading further afield, but having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, Paul and Silas travelled to Philippi in Macedonia.

The speaker broke his message into three parts:

1) The Singing Prisoners.

Although Paul and Silas had every right to complain about their treatment and the following violence against them, they chose not to complain. Imprisoned, battered and in much pain, we read that they prayed and sang praises unto God!

This is a great example of what Jesus Christ taught in Matthew’s Gospel ch6 vs11 – 12 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”.

It is important for all Christians who suffer mockery or persecution to have a heart for those who ill - treat them, and to pray for them. The unsaved are heading towards the most horrendous place called Hell and they ever need our prayers.

Earlier, the apostles were beaten for preaching the Gospel (The Acts ch5), but they departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name!

We can do things joyfully like Paul and Silas knowing that God as ever has a plan for us. As we shall see here, God had a purpose for them being cast into prison.

2) The Swinging Doors.

This was no normal earthquake that hit the prison – it was supernatural!

Despite its greatness, it was most precise in that although the very foundations were shaken, the doors opened and the prisoner’s chains loosed, none were even harmed!

This was a demonstration of God’s power over both nature and the hearts of man – it is amazing that not one convicted prisoner even attempted to escape!

Earlier in this chapter, we read that The Lord opened Lydia’s heart – nothing is random with The Lord Jesus Christ, but all is done for specific reasons.

3) The Saved Jailor.

The jailor panicked thinking that the prisoners had escaped, which would have cost him his own life. He was about to kill himself by his own sword when he was given assurance not to harm himself as all prisoners were present.

Many people today feel at their wits end and don’t know which way to turn. The Lord Jesus Christ ever bids you to come to Him. He offers you a full and free Salvation. He can forgive all your sins, give you real lasting peace, and the assurance of an eternal home in Heaven. Reader, will you ignore His call, or respond tonight?

The jailor who had been on the brink of death, asked the most important question –

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Everyone is affected by sin and needs to be saved from its eternal consequences –

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” – Romans ch3 vs23.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. – Romans ch6 vs23.

We are all in need of a Saviour. To remain in our sins and unsaved means heading for death and eternal punishment.

“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”.

- Matthew’s Gospel ch7 vs 13 – 14.

Sadly, the broad road is pleasing to man who refuses to repent of their sins and the awful reality of Hell awaits them.

The jailor had his question answered immediately …

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house”.

The jailor did not put away the question of his sin problem for another day – many leave it too late thinking they will always have a tomorrow – but he responded that same night, in faith accepting Jesus Christ as his Saviour.

What a great change was brought about in the jailor’s heart and life! Now he was attending to the wounds of Paul and Silas before taking them into his home and feeding them! He was rejoicing in his new life – where there had been fear and thoughts of suicide, now there was the stark contrast of real peace and joy!

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

- John’s Gospel ch14 vs27.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. – Philippians ch4 vs7.

Friend, are you still on the broad road? Accept the Saviours call this night. He loves you so much that He died on The Cross to pay the price of your sins, rising again from His grave three days later, fully justified. Ask His forgiveness, and put your faith and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ. He alone can make you fit to enter into His heavenly home. Eternity is not just about a few years, it is for ever! Please make that decision tonight, and like the jailor, know a new life with Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

Gospel Meeting 10/06/2018

John’s Gospel ch3 vs14 – 21, 35 – 36.

Jesus Christ here affirmed that just as Moses lifted up the brass serpent in the wilderness that people could live, so too must He, as the Son of man, be lifted up on a Cross that all may not perish but have eternal life.

Later, in ch12 vs32, Jesus Christ again signified what manner of death He would suffer “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”.

Why did Moses need to lift up the brass serpent? (Numbers ch21 vs7 – 9)  It was because of the sin of the people against Holy God. They were given a very urgent and simple message – “Look at it and live”.

Life depended on obedience to the message from God, and it is exactly the same now with the message given by His Eternal Son Jesus Christ – our sins against God can only be forgiven by coming in obedience to The Cross.

Everyone’s sin has eternal consequences!

Sin is a great big problem which dogs each of us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sin ultimately brings condemnation and eternal death.

This is why it took God’s Son to come into this world and give His life’s blood for us, being sacrificed at Calvary’s Cross. His blood is the only thing that can make atonement for all our sins and bring us full forgiveness. He alone is the only person who never sinned and needed no sacrifice Himself! As God in the flesh, He is completely holy.

Heaven or Hell is everyone’s only two options where we will spend Eternity … back in the wilderness many were obedient in looking and lived ... 

How about you?

Dear friend, what will you do with the message from The Lord Jesus Christ tonight?

Your own eternal destination depends likewise on your obedience in accepting the Son of Man lifted up on The Cross for you!

Why did Jesus Christ die in extreme agony for you personally? It was His great love for you, as we have read in vs16.

Not a single one of us deserve a shred of His love, but He still loves us – even unto the death of The Cross!

God’s love went to the utmost length for us in the giving of His beloved Son.

Wicked men were allowed to nail Him to that cruel Cross because God had long since purposed it as His plan of our Salvation.

None are excluded – please cherish this thought tonight – Jesus Christ loves you just as much as anyone else! Heavens dearest and best died and took your deserved punishment.

It is so very important to realise that God’s time of forgiveness is NOW. Countless people never get a tomorrow to accept His offer of forgiveness – life is most uncertain.

The question of your sins and where you are going to spend Eternity is the most urgent one you can ever have to decide! What matters more?

“Hell”, is used glibly by many people today to express such trivial things as going back to work on a Monday morning, but words fail to describe the full horror of this real place for those who reject the love and sacrifice of The Lord Jesus Christ for our sins.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the worlds only Saviour of sinners and He is willing and able to fully cleanse and forgive you for eternal life in Heaven, if you come to Him tonight. It takes but one moment to come to Him, acknowledging in faith who He is and in repentance confessing your sins. You will be made right in the sight of God, all your sins will be forgiven and gone!

Will you not accept this simple and urgent call tonight, dear friend?

Everyone comes to Jesus Christ one at a time – is this moment your time to open your heart’s door and let Him in?

If you are seeking a Saviour, He is the seeking Saviour!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me”

-    The Revelation ch3 vs20.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”

-  The Acts ch4 vs12.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation 

-    Hebrews ch2 vs3.

Please respond to His loving invitation tonight and know the lasting joy and peace of receiving His Salvation.

Gospel Meeting 03/06/2018

1^st Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians ch1 vs9 – ch2 vs16.

The apostle Paul was one of the great preachers of the Gospel.

He fully valued its message, and was eye – witness to its life changing power.

Earlier, he saw the wonderful changes in Lydia and also the Philippian jailor, (Acts ch16), through accepting Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

There is a great responsibility in preaching the good news of the Gospel – including plainly telling all unforgiven sinners that they are bound for Hell – and Paul felt the weight of the ministry.

There are six points here highlighted, showing how Paul so valued the Gospel and in his sharing of it:

1)      He was “put in trust with the gospel” (ch2 vs4), and saw himself as a steward of such. Paul was to let the good news be known to all.

2)      He was an “apostle of Christ” (ch2 vs6). Sent by Jesus Christ and Paul wanted nothing back in return.

3)      He was like “a nursing mother” (ch2 vs7). Paul was helping new converts and such was his love for them that he was willing to give all for them! (ch2 vs8) He was whole – hearted and a huge encourager.

4)      He was “like a father” (ch2 vs11 & 12).  In his ministry Paul implored and encouraged them as a father would with his children, to come to maturity as Christians and walk worthy of The Lord.

5)      He was a “herald” (ch2 vs13). The message Paul gave was not the word of  mere men, but the truthful, eternal word of God. All manner of people are clammering to be heard today, especially on “social media”. Many philosophers give their own ideas on life and death, but here lies the most important distinction … it is not mortal mans words which are dependable, but the Word of God, the holy scriptures of truth! It is only the Holy Bible which has all authority!

“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven”. – Psalm ch119 vs89.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief”. – 1^st Timothy ch1 vs15.

6)      He was persecuted, an exile (ch2 vs15).  Paul knew any persecution was not going to prevent him from preaching the Gospel, such was its importance. Many others had also been persecuted through accepting The Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. The basis of all this persecution can be read in Acts ch4 vs23 -31 - which was against Acts ch4 vs23 -31 - Jesus Christ Himself.  However, although these rulers and people thought they were doing their own will in plotting to do away with Jesus Christ, they were only fulfilling the great plan and purpose of God!

God’s plan of Salvation to mankind was known before the foundations of the world! It was that His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, would lay down His sinless body on The Cross and give His blood as an atoning sacrifice for everyone’s sins. We all have a great need of a Saviour, and in His infinite love, grace and mercy, He came from Heaven into this sin – ridden Earth to save us.

Down through all these years of the Gospel being preached, millions of men, women, boys and girls across the world, have in faith trusted Jesus Christ as their own personal Saviour. In being sorry for their sins against Holy God, they have repented and also known the great change brought about in their lives through knowing Jesus Christ in a daily personal relationship. It is such a different life having made peace with God, knowing all your sins are forgiven, and the joy of looking onwards to an eternal home in Heaven with this most wonderful Lord and Saviour!

Reader, if you have never yet settled your own sin problem with God and its eternal consequences, please do so tonight by accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best news you can ever receive!

Gospel Meeting 27/05/2018

Luke’s Gospel ch4 vs14 -22.

The speaker returned to this passage of scripture, having previously spoken on the various aspects of The Lord’s ministry (vs18 & 19). Tonight he concluded by looking at these last two subjects:

“to set at liberty those who are bruised”, and “to preach the acceptable year of the Lord”.

These are all glorious truths brought out from The Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, He was not the local carpenter, but as The Messiah He was about His real work - and the reason why He left Heaven and came to Earth.

The proof that He is the Son of God and fully trustworthy, is found through all the prophesies (more than 350) which are indisputably directly to Him.

Jesus Christ is the only one to have ever fully practised what He preached!

His holy, sinless life was His message as well as His words and work.

5) “to set at liberty them that are bruised” …

He came to set free all those people whose lives were oppressed and crushed.

We have a most wonderful loving Saviour, and in Him we boast all day long!

Still today, there are so many peoples lives hurting badly, whether it be through circumstances or personal fault.

However, The Lord Jesus Christ changes lives!

Reader, He can take hold of your own shattered life and turn it around – what He has done for millions of others, He can do for you too.

Call upon Him and gain His real and lasting peace.

Maybe you feel damaged beyond repair? He can heal that life of turmoil.

Trust your life over to The Lord Jesus Christ and He can deliver you too from the consequences of a sinful life.

God sent His Son to put things right, where none else could.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”.

-   Matthew’s Gospel ch11 vs28.

Friend, do you feel in need tonight? Are you labouring and see no answer to life and all its problems? Then look unto Him – he knows everything about you and you can trust Him implicitly.

6) “To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” …

This is God’s time of favour toward mankind, through the preaching of the Gospel.

NOW, only NOW is acceptable!

NOW is the time to be saved and set free!

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”.

-    John’s Gospel ch8 vs36.

Every one of us deserve nothing but death and eternal punishment because of our sinful lives before Holy God, our Creator - but His beloved Son Jesus Christ took our place.

It is likened to a criminal in court being found totally guilty, and the Judge saying “I will take your place, I will pay the price”.

Jesus Christ paid our debt! 

We too are utterly guilty, but through His great love for you, He sacrificed His sinless life in agony on The Cross. He died and was punished in our place, before rising from His tomb – fully justified.

"Outcast of men, to you I call,
Harlots, publicans, and thieves;

He spreads His arms to embrace you all--
Sinners alone His grace receive.
No need of Him the righteous have;
He came the lost to seek and save”.

- words from poem by J. Wesley.

God’s day of vengeance and righteous judgement is fast approaching for this sin – filled Earth, but NOW, TONIGHT, His great and gracious opportunity for anyone to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour is still open and available …

Friend, what hinders you?

Will you not come to Jesus Christ in faith right now? Will you not simply admit you are a guilty sinner and repent of your sinful ways? Why not ask of Him and receive His full and free forgiveness this moment? He longs to hear your words and will welcome you with wide open arms.

Gospel Meeting 20/05/2018.

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 121.

A most comforting Psalm!

When we who belong to The Lord are travelling through life’s struggles and problems, this reminds us that we are never ever alone.

We are under the constant care of the Almighty God – a remarkable companion through all things we face in life.

He is ever on guard duty – this is the Alpha and Omega, the one true and living God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and the one who never slumbers nor sleeps!

Yet He desires to have a daily relationship with YOU!

The Psalmist had all his confidence in his Lord. He was trusting Him with his whole life and everything in it.

Friend, who is your confidence in? Who are you trusting in, as you live through such an uncertain life and dangerous world?

Some trust in horoscopes – written by mere man, some trust in themselves for their own destiny, and others in false “gods” who do not exist.

Are you facing seemingly impossible situations? This true and living God is the one who keeps us, the one who is with you 24/7.

He knows us better than we know ourselves!

Place your whole trust in Him, because He is totally dependable.

God is the unmoveable rock!

Friend, He made you – is He not capable of looking after you?

He alone can supply you with lasting peace –

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding , shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. (Philippians ch4 vs7)

Life may often feel like a rollercoaster ride, but we can feel firm and secure when we are in a relationship with Him.

How do we enter into this relationship?   God loved each of us so much, he sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to die for our sins, that we might live.

Jesus Christ is God in flesh, born of a virgin and lived a completely sinless life for thirty three years.  In love, He then laid down His sinless life as a sacrifice for all our sins on Calvary’s Cross, so that we can be forgiven and not face the eternal punishment for them, that we all deserve. After three days, He arose from the grave – victorious over sin, death and Hell!

Friend, all the work of Salvation is done! Your part required is but to come to Him in faith, acknowledging who He is and admitting you are a sinner. Ask Him to forgive you and be your Saviour from that day, repenting of your past sinful life. Then He will ever be with you!

“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.

What an incredible invitation this is – and one never to be refused!

Enter into this relationship and it will be the most remarkable one you will ever have.

 He then gives us His living Word to guide us, and we can enter into prayer with Him to share our thoughts anytime, anywhere.

The one who does not require sleep is ever listening, ready to hear your words.

Are you feeling weary, fed – up of life’s problems? Feeling so tested and facing many trials? Then like the Psalmist “lift up your eyes” to The Lord who will never fail you.

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”.

-    1^st Epistle of Peter ch5 vs7.

Life is never straightforward, and each of us personally need the living Saviour, Jesus Christ, to be with us through it.

He is an all – the – way – home Saviour!

Please come to Him today while there is yet time to accept Him.

The Lord Jesus Christ wants you to be in Heaven to rejoice with Him through all eternity!.