Tuesday, 21 November 2017

Gospel Meeting 19/11/2017

The meeting commenced with one of our congregation giving their testimony...
Had little purpose or direction in life through teenage years, before giving their heart and life to serving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, now and forever.
“Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”. – Psalm ch16 vs11.
Wordly “pleasures” are temporary and worthless!
Life IS Christ! We are made in His image.

Tonight’s speaker then read:
John's Gospel ch12 vs1 - 26.

"Sir, we would see Jesus"...
In verse 21, certain Greeks desired to see Jesus, whilst others reacted to Him differently.
The Pharisees and chief priests did not want Him as they sought to keep their power and position.
Some were only inquisitive about Jesus Christ.
There were those who saw Him for who He was, The Son of God - and worshipped Him.

But tonight's heading and first question is:
1) Why would YOU want to see Jesus? ...

Whether your life is going well or full of problems, you need to have all your sins forgiven - and Jesus Christ is the only One who can give Salvation. If you will come in sincere repentance and have faith in Him and the sacrificing of His own sinless body at the Cross, He will forgive you.
Jesus Christ gave His own sinless blood so that we all can be cleansed from the guilt and punishment we fully deserved from all our sinfulness.

Zaccheus wanted to see Jesus - because he had a guilty conscience and wanted to put it right.
The Samarian woman at the well conversed with Jesus, and was offered living water - giving an abundant, full life. 
She said "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did..." - Jesus knows everything about each of us too, and what is in our hearts.
John the Baptist looking upon Jesus said "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world". 

This Man was different!
In love, The Eternal Son of God came from Heaven into this world and took flesh so that He could be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Not everyone receives forgiveness - only those who repent and accept His offer of full and free salvation...
Friend, will YOU accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour tonight?

At the Cross of Christ, the hardened centurion who would not have been easily convinced, after coming into contact with Jesus exclaimed "TRULY this was the Son of God".

There are so many reasons why we would want to see Jesus, but at the end of your life if you are to spend eternity in Heaven with Him, you must have already put your faith and trust in Him.
It is only fair to tell you that the only other option - rejecting Christ and dying with your sins still unforgiven - will take you to eternity in that most awful place called Hell.

2) Why is it worth seeing Jesus? ...

He is God!!
He is sinless, pure, holy, love, gracious, merciful!
Jesus loved you so much that He died in agony on the Cross for You personally.
Even though He knows every wrong that you have done, He still loves you and wants you to come to Him and be saved.

3) What is in it for Him? ...

"...the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world".
 - 1st John ch4 vs14.
For our sake, Jesus humbled Himself, but...
"...God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" - Philippians ch2 vs9.
Jesus glorified His Father, and wants each of us to be with Him in Heaven forever.
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us - ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance". - 2nd Peter ch3 vs9.

Jesus wanted us!
"... who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God". - Hebrews ch12 vs2.

Jesus Christ is the groom, and awaiting the Church - His bride, in Heaven. 

4) What is in it for us? ...

As previously noted - Salvation! Our sins forgiven and an eternal home in Heaven with this most wonderful Man!
When we receive Christ as Lord and Saviour, our lives change - we become more satisfied and enjoy the peace of God in our hearts.
It may be that your family or friends will disapprove of your decision to accept Jesus, or face persecution at school or in the workplace - but whatever our personal daily cost, Jesus gives us far and above any loss we may suffer.

With His Holy Spirit indwelling and changing the believer, our lives become far more pleasing to God. Much better serving Him than the world!

Three things He expects of us - 
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" - Micah ch6 vs8.
Not always easy - but ever aim for it!

Trusting Jesus every day is a great pleasure.
Be sure you know Him as your Saviour this night - He is coming again soon for all the men and women, boys and girls who are forgiven and saved - are you one of them?



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