Gospel Meeting 30/04/2017

The Acts of the Apostles Ch16 vs6 – 34

Paul, Silas and Timothy having been kept from preaching in Asia by the Holy Spirit, were told following a vision to Paul at the seaport of Troas, to enter into Macedonia.

Luke also joined them from Troas onwards.

Any modern day visions never override the Word of God.

Upon reaching Philippi, and preaching the Gospel, The Lord opened the heart of a woman  named Lydia. The Spirit of God will always open the heart of anyone who will receive The Lord.

This woman came to be known as the first convert in Europe. She accepted that Jesus Christ died for her sins on the Cross, and that He was raised from the grave, ascending to His Father in Heaven.

Lydia was then baptised, this showing what is the correct order of things

1)   Repentance. 

2) Then personal faith in Jesus Christ, in His atoning death and resurrection. Asking forgiveness for your sins and inviting Him into your heart and life as Lord and Saviour. 

3) Baptism – the outward, public sign of being “born – again”…. A new life in Jesus Christ, as one comes up out of the water.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” -  2^nd Corinthians Ch5 vs17.

Lydia knew she had become a new creation.

Later, the apostles came across another woman who was demon – possessed and was following them,telling people over many days: vs17) “These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation”.

They did not want the testimony of demons and Paul said in vs18) “I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her”. And he came out the same hour.

There is such power in the name of Jesus Christ.

Following this, the local people rose up against the Apostles, had the authorities badly beat them and cast them into the most secure cell in the prison.

Despite this, they still believed that they were at the centre of the will of God.

It is a wonderful testimony to their Saviour, that at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises unto God!

The great earthquake had the jailor panicking, fearing all his prisoners were escaped and was on the brink of committing suicide. However, in vs 28) Paul cried out with a loud voice “Do thyself no harm: for we are all here”.

The jailor was a cruel, hard man, but Paul and Silas showed him the love of Christ and it reached into his heart. He had been but a moment away from thrusting his sword into himself and entering into an eternity in Hell.

Instead, he repented and asked that most momentous question vs30) “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31) “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house”.

We are all answerable to God –

“And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this, the judgement” – Hebrews Ch9 vs27.

God loved the cruel jailor, and today loves every one of us too.

At the Cross, in Jesus Christ, The Just died for the unjust to restore our broken relationship with Holy God –

“without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” – Hebrews Ch9 vs22

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was a complete sacrifice in every way.

Through Him only, God cleanses us from all our sin and guilt.

Christ gives us peace with God, and an eternal home in Heaven.

We are saved from the lake of fire, unlike any who reject this offer of salvation from God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

“God commandeth all men everywhere to repent” – Acts Ch17 vs30.

The jailor’s whole household was told the Gospel – they also believed and were all individually saved. It has to be a personal decision – the speaker was brought up in a home with Godly parents, but it did not make him a Christian. He had to repent and put his faith and trust in Christ with his own words himself.

It is a simple act of faith to be saved and baptised.

We see that the response from the jailor once saved, was to invite the Apostles into his home…  his good works follow after salvation –

“For by grace are ye saved through faith…Not of works, lest any man should boast” – Ephesians Ch2 vs8/9.

 Pauls conversion was dramatic, and also the Philippian jailor’s. Ours are probably much less so, but are just as real when we know Christ’s love and saving grace.

God spoke to Elijah in “a still small voice” – 1^st Kings Ch19 vs12 – and generally so with us too. Is He calling you softly and gently, dear friend? Let Him into your heart today as Lord and Saviour.

The Holy God of righteousness cannot pass sin by. Our sins are not swept under a carpet, but dealt with at Calvary.

“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.

“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other”. – Psalm Ch85 vs10.

No longer any judgement or condemnation for the saved. We have passed from death to life. Hell is real, and there is a Hell to be saved from, else Christ Jesus would not have left His Heavenly home.

We cannot add to His work of salvation

The speaker is looking forward to seeing and being with The Lord Jesus Christ, to bow down and worship Him. He will see those wounds in His hands and side which were suffered for him. 

We will be free of our sinful nature – “…when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” – 1^st Epistle of John Ch3 vs2.

In this life, we all have difficulties temptations and trials, but our blessed hope is - “…and so shall we ever be with the Lord” – 1^st Thessalonians Ch4 vs17.

A Wonderful Saviour!