Gospel Meeting 04/06/2017

Readings:

Luke’s Gospel ch14 vs15 – 24,  ch15 vs7, 10 – 24, ch16 vs19 – 31.

The speaker gave the following headings to the scripture;

Chapter 14 – Earth and madness.

Chapter 15 – Heaven and gladness.

Chapter 15 – Hell and sadness.

Chapter 14.

The people that were invited in the parable of the great supper had no time for it, making ridiculous excuses: why would you buy a piece of ground without having seen it?... why would you buy five yoke of oxen without having proved them?...

So it is today – people have no time for the things of Christ or His Heavenly invitation.

However, today has the same call as in vs17) – “Come, for all things are now ready”.

There was a great preparation and cost involved for the Gospel invite to be ready.

Jesus Christ, God’s eternal Son, came down into this world to meet the needs of our sin question.

This parable was told in the house of a Pharisee and addressed to them.

“…ye will not come to me, that ye might have life”. – John’s Gospel ch5 vs40…

Where do YOU stand on this, guilty sinner?

Jesus Christ died that we might have life. Yet we never deserved His great mercy and love.

We all need to confess our sins and acknowledge Christ as our personal Saviour.

This contrasts to these people who made excuses.

In this parable the Lord was aware of the needs of all – he wanted to help the poor, the maimed, the halt and the blind, inviting them all to his great supper.

Whatever category you fall into, you are still one of the needy – you need a Saviour to be saved from your sins.

You should not need much persuasion!

The Master desired his house to be full, and it is also God’s desire that His home in Heaven is filled with forgiven, saved sinners, to extend His full blessings upon them.

God’s house is filling up fast – will you be the last? People still think that nothing is happening and have plenty time… but The Lord IS coming, and only those saved from their sins by faith in Christ’s precious shed blood will be taken.

Death does not end all.

If you are not saved, then come in repentance and faith tonight – there is still room.

Do not be like the people in this parable – vs24)  “…none of those men… shall taste of my supper”.

No Christ – no Salvation. No feast – no blessing.

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me”. John’s Gospel ch14 vs6.

Chapter 15.

This chapter tells us that we have a seeking Shepherd and a seeking Saviour.

There is great rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner that repents and is saved from their sins – vs7.

God takes notice of individuals and loves you personally.

“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine;
 Are they not enough for Thee?”
 But the Shepherd made answer: “This of Mine
 Has wandered away from Me;
 And although the road be rough and steep,
 I go to the desert to find My sheep.”

 But none of the ransomed ever knew
 How deep were the waters crossed;
 Nor how dark was the night which the Lord passed through
 Ere He found His sheep that was lost". - 

 Words from hymn.

             

We are all sinners, all in need, and God wants all of us who are lost – described as sheep who have gone astray – to be found and saved.

The Lord Jesus Christ made huge graphic sufferings at Calvary’s Cross for you.

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” – John’s Gospel ch10 vs11.

The parable of the lost silver coin shows we can be lost at home… maybe you have Godly parents and you are not living your life in a worldly way, but not yet saved? God is still seeking you, whether in the world or at home.

In the “Parable of the lost son”, he was cruel and nasty to his Father.

He went “out into the world” and became without friends or food. No man gave unto him. When he came to his senses, he realised he had a good home where everything was provided for him. His Father was out looking for his return, and our Heavenly Father too is always looking out for a returning sinner.

The son’s first step was to acknowledge he was a sinner before God – vs18) – “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee…”.

Good intentions are not good enough… you realise you are a sinner and intending  to be saved - you need to act! Confess your sins and come to Christ.

“…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”. – 

2^nd Corinthians ch2 vs6.

It is of utmost importance this urgent matter is never put off until tomorrow.

The son resolved – vs20) “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him .” The seeking Saviour! – God wants to throw His loving arms around you… start your own journey home tonight.

vs21) – “…am no longer worthy to be called thy son”.

The starting point tonight is to know you are a sinner and have sinned against the Holy God. 

To be a child of God is wholly undeserved, but all by His grace

The son had confessed, repented and was now forgiven by his father –

vs22 – 24) “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him: and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again: he was lost, and is found…”.

A picture of Heaven and gladness! Joy over one sinner who had repented!

Will there be joy in Heaven over you tonight?

Chapter 16.

Hell is a place of reality

It is the place of the lost.

No more hope.

No escape.

A great gulf fixed that no-one can ever cross.

A place of eternal torment.

What a contrast with Heaven and its gladness.

The Lord Jesus Christ tells of two men who died – Lazarus, who was right with God, and went into Paradise.  He had been a beggar and had little in life.

The other had been a rich man, living in luxury, yet he did not want God. He went into Hell.

If you only have Christ you have all!

Jesus Christ makes all the difference in death.

 One soul landed in Hell, being in torment. He had remorse, regret and was fully conscious, desiring a drop of cold water to cool his tongue.

Reader, do not find yourself in this Hell. Escape this judgement through accepting Christ as your Saviour, who paid your price. Do not join this rich man in paying the eternal price for the consequences of  your unforgiven sin.

Hell and sadness.

If you died tonight, where are you spending your eternal life?

Examine your heart in relation to God.

Choose Heaven and its gladness!