Gospel Meeting 20/10/2013

Mr. Stuart Gordon read Genesis 1 vs.26-31, 2 vs.1-10, Matthew 26 vs.36-46 and John 19 vs.40-42, 20 vs.1-18
He spoke about three gardens; Eden The Perfect Garden.
                                                 Gethsemane The Prayerful Garden.
                                                 Tomb The Powerful Garden.
Stuart described how that man was a superior being to the rest of creation, he was made in the image of God. There was only one rule that God gave and they broke it which then created a separation between God and man.
God is never surprised He had a plan to rescue man from sin.
Judas had witnessed so many things throughout his time with Jesus but he still betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. It was God's plan that His Son would die on the cross and nothing could stop that happening.
He stayed on the cross out of love for us.
Paradise is where He is.
Christ died was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, He will live forever.
He knows us  and we should recognise Him and put our trust in Him that He bore our sin on the cross.
One thief accepted Him - Today you will be in Paradise.
One thief rejected Him - Depart from Me I never knew you.
What choice will you make?

Gospel Meeting 13/10/2013

Mr. Phillip Richardson read Ezra1 vs1-4, Isaiah 44 vs.21- 45 vs.6 and Daniel1 vs.17-21.
He began by emphasising the authenticity of the Bible from cover to cover as the inspired and literal Word of God.
He went on to explain how that sin came into the world and that the wages of sin is death, which means eternal torment in Hell. BUT Jesus is God's Son who was born of a virgin, died on a cross, rose again and ascended back to heaven. We can find peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Phillip then went on to tell us about Cyrus the great king of Persia and pointed out the comparisons between Jesus Christ and Cyrus.
He was named before His birth.
He was used by God to save His people.
He was called a shepherd.
He was anointed.
God's plan was already in place before ruin.

    He then spoke about how that God controls nations and kings and that God is always in control, but even though He is so great He cares for us and He spared not His only Son who died for us, "if God be for us who can be against us."
    Daniel was in the right place at the right time and Phillip put this forward as a suggestion that Daniel could have been there advising Cyrus about letting the people go according to Isaiah's prophecy.
We can make a difference and God can use us for His purposes, "that the scripture might be fulfilled."
We can put our trust in the Almighty God for Salvation.

Gospel Meeting 06/10/2013

Mr David Cartwright read Mark 10 vs. 45-52 Bartimaeus.
He cried out "Jesus thou son of David have mercy on me
He acknowledged who Jesus was, and he acknowledged his need.

The Apostle Paul was someone who at first persecuted Christians but then he accepted that Jesus had made Himself of no reputation but God had exalted Him and given Him a name above every name. Paul changed, his life was turned around.

Bartimaeus took the opportunity as Jesus was passing through Jericho he cried out
The rich man missed out in Luke 16 he didn't take his opportunity. Don't miss this opportunity tonight.
We can't pay for or earn our Salvation and every sin has to be paid for, Jesus paid the price when He died on the cross to bear God's judgement for sin so that we wouldn't have to.
The people told Bartimaeus to be quiet but Jesus stopped and stood still, He will always listen to those who cry out to Him.
Bartimaeus answered Jesus and said that he wanted to receive his sight after Jesus had asked him what he wanted. What would you ask for money, fame, power, or would you ask for forgiveness and Salvation.
 He left behind his garment that was of value to him and came to Jesus don't let anything hold you back, his Faith gave him his sight his first view was Jesus.
Salvation is just the start we need to grow in Grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and serve Him.

Gospel Meeting 29/09/2013

Mr. Brian Dunning read Esther 6 vs.1-13, Genesis 3 vs.1-10 &21 and parts of Revelation 3, Isaiah 64, Zechariah 3 John 19, Luke 15, and Matthew 22.
His subject was "A change of clothes"
Adam tried to clothe himself but he was still naked before God, God provided clothing for them. Genesis 3.
Mordecai had his sackcloth replaced by the Kings own clothes. God clothes us with Jesus. Esther 6
Riches are no good we cannot provide salvation for ourselves. Revelation.3.
Religion is no good filthy garments. Zechariah. 3
Respectability is no good either filthy rags. Isaiah 64
God wants to make us righteous in Jesus.
The Cost. The death and humiliation of Christ He was naked so that we could be clothed, no fault in Him. John 19.
The Condition. The prodigal lived as if his father was dead, he had to come back to his father who welcomed him and gave him the best robe. Luke 15.
The Consequence  He had refused a wedding garment thinking he was ok as he was without God's provision judgement followed. Matthew 22
often in scripture our clothing represents our deeds which are never good enough but we can be clothed in the righteousness of Christ and be accepted by God.

Gospel Meeting 22/09/2013

Mr. Neil Bedford read Psalm 139
He spoke about how amazing the universe is and how we appreciate its wonders but very often we overlook how amazing our bodies are, but more importantly how valuable we are to God. We are not here by accident and because God created us He adds value to our lives. How to we value our lives, do our lives reflect the power of God is He at the centre. Jesus gave His life for you, He died on the cross, He rose again from the dead we need to repent and put our faith in Him. He wants to use us to serve Him and then our lives will have true value

Gospel Meeting 15/09/2013

Mr. Paul Jackson read Matthew 27 vs.45-54, Luke23 vs.33-34,&39-47, and John 19 vs. 25-30.
His subject was the 7 sayings from the cross.
3 addressed to man
3 addressed to God
1 addressed to the whole universe.
1/The Lord Jesus had a very close relationship with His Father and spent much time in prayer. He had power on earth to forgive sin. "Father forgive them."
2/He felt much pain and suffering and He is our Great High Priest. "I thirst."
3/The Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me, He is a personal Saviour and cares for us as individuals even when on the cross with so much going on He could say "behold thy mother, behold thy son."
4/So much was achieved at the cross , through faith one thief responded. "today though shalt be with me in Paradise."
5/We are never forsaken, He bore the punishment for our sin. We just have to accept it by faith. "my God my God why hast thou forsaken me."
6/The price was paid in full.
He paid a debt He did not owe;
I owed a debt I could not pay;
I needed someone to wash my sins away.
And, now, I sing a brand new song,
“Amazing Grace.”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

He paid that debt at Calvary.
He cleansed my soul and set me free.
I'm glad that Jesus did all my sins erase.
I, now, can sing a brand new song,
“Amazing Grace.”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

One day He's coming back for me
To live with Him eternally.
Won't it be glory to see Him on that day!
I, then, will sing a brand new song,
“Amazing Grace.”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.
Yes, Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

Addressed to the whole Universe "it is finished."
7/The centurion glorified God surely this was a Son of God. Only He could say "Father into your hands I commit my Spirit."
What is your response to Him like the centurion will you acknowledge Him.

Gospel Meeting 08/09/2013

Numbers 21 vs.4-9, Psalm 78 vs.1-12 & 35-39. John 3 vs.14-15&36.

The people of Israel were God’s chosen people and He had done great things for them, He had brought them out of slavery, He had destroyed the army of their enemies at the Red Sea, He had promised them a land flowing with milk and honey, He had provided them with food and water on the journey, He had given them so many blessing and yet they still rebelled against Him and questioned His authority and power.

Numbers 11 vs.1 They complained- God sent fire.

Numbers 11vs.4 They complained about food – God sent a plague.

Numbers 14 vs.1-4 They complained about being in the wilderness – they were not allowed to enter the promised land.

Numbers 16 vs.41 They complained about Moses and Aaron- God sent another plague.

Numbers 20 vs. 2-3 They complained about the lack of water – Moses disobeyed and was not permitted to lead the people into the promised land.

Numbers 21 vs.5 They complained about being in the wilderness and about the food and water – God sent fiery serpents into the camp.

Now with hindsight it is easy to criticise them but do we do the same do we bring God down to our level, when our problems seem enormous to us do we forget God’s love and power, or do we just use God as a one stop shop to go to when we have a problem. God expects, demands, and deserves far more than that. Sometimes we can’t understand why God does or doesn’t do certain things but we can rest assured that God’s plan is the right one and He is never limited in what He can do or what He can give us , it is always in His time in His way and it is always the best for us. I am not saying it is easy but we must learn to trust Him He is the Almighty God.

This passage in Numbers 21 is very interesting and many lessons can be gleaned from it.

Vs.4 The people were discouraged.

Vs.5 The people complained against God and against Moses.

Vs. 6 God’s response.

Vs. 7 The peoples remorse.

Vs. 8 God provides a remedy.

Vs.9 Moses obeys God’s instruction and healing is possible.

Vs. 4 The people expected it to be straight forward but when they realised it was going to be a long journey  they got impatient and were grieved, but if they had travelled the way that they had expected to they would have faced more difficulties. They thought they knew better than God.

Psalm 78 vs.7  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

8  And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

 

Vs.5 Their complaint was first of all against God and then also Moses as God’s representative. The Prodigal Son in Luke 15 recognises that he had sinned against Heaven first of all and also against his father.

Their complaints were not strictly true God had made provision for them but they weren’t satisfied with what God had given them.

Psalm 78 vs.10  They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;

11  And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. 

He is a great God and a giving God.

 Philippians  4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

Vs. 6 God needed to teach them to rely on Him and that He was the one they should worship apparently these snakes were common in the wilderness but they hadn’t been troubled with them before God had been protecting them it was a painful lesson for them.

Deuteronomy 8 vs.15  Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

16  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

 

Vs.7 The peoples response was to realise that they had sinned they were aware of what they had done wrong but they were still only interested in the serpents being taken away. We can be like that too we can be interested in Salvation for what we get out of it and not bow before God for who He is.

 

Vs. 8 God provides a means of healing which requires an act of faith on their behalf and was available to them all individually and they would know that their healing was completely given by God who had protected them up to this time of their disobedience.

 

Vs. 9 Moses did as God had said and healing was then available to all who looked they had a choice the serpent on a pole was accessible to all.

It is interesting to see in 2 Kings 18 that the serpent was destroyed because they had turned it into a God to worship it

2 Kings 18 vs.1 ¶  Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.

2  Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

3  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.

4  He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. ( a thing of brass). 

Hebrews 12 vs.1 ¶  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; 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.

3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

We need to be forgiven for our sin and our sinful nature needs to be dealt with. God has provided a remedy it is up to us to look up to the cross of the Lord Jesus recognising our with faith believing He will save and He will. All who looked at the serpent on the pole lived and all who turn to Christ will be saved.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

How foolish to have the opportunity to be saved and to ignore it, it is a marvellous thing to have a relationship with the living God who loved me and gave Himself for me.