Gospel Meeting 28/07/2019

John’s Gospel ch14 vs1 – 6

1^st Corinthians ch15 vs51 – 53

1^st Thessalonians ch4 vs16 -17

THE RAPTURE…

What happens to the saved and the unsaved?

1)      The Saved

The disciples in John’s Gospel had sorrowing hearts and were troubled at the Lord Jesus Christ telling them that He must shortly leave them. However, he told them not to be so, as He was going to prepare a place in Heaven for them and would return for them. The same promise applies to each and every one of us.

 Why? He loves us and wants us to be with Him in that holy place forever.

“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

He is coming back to receive His own!

In order to do this, it cost The Lord His life. We can only enter Heaven if we have been forgiven for our sins and cleansed. Not one person is able to erase a single sin by their own means. But in His great love for us, The Lord Jesus Christ paid the price for the whole world’s sin. He alone was able to do this because as God’s Eternal Son, He was completely sinless and without fault. He became the only acceptable sacrifice and laid down His life on The Cross. Three days later, He was resurrected, fully justified!

1. “Alas! And did my Saviour bleed?

And did my Saviour die?

Would he devote that sacred head,

For such a worm as I?

2. Was it for crimes that I have done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! Grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

3. Well might the sun in darkness hide,

And shut his glories in,

When the Incarnate Maker died

For man His creature’s sin.

(Hymn by Isaac Watts)

The Lord Jesus Christ is coming Himself to take us home, and this will happen in the blink of an eye! Our bodies will be changed – and praise be - don’t we need it!

What utter joy it will be for the believer to see His face and to have fellowship with Him forever!

But when? We are not told, but always to be ready – it could be tonight, or before this article has been typed. All the signs foretold concerning this wonderful event are with us… be sure you are ready for eternity!

Dear friend, are you ready for eternity?

Many people today say “I hope so”, or “I think so”, but you must be sure, there are no second chances! Make your decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour without further delay.

Acknowledge you are a sinner. Then in faith of who He is, ask His forgiveness and trust in His work of Salvation on The Cross, repenting of your old sinful way of life.

2)      The Unsaved

Here, the speaker tells us he feels burdened and could weep thinking about those who will be left behind and facing eternal condemnation for sins that have not been forgiven.

Unbelievers are increasingly offended these days to hear of this real place called Hell, and many think they are decent people who do not need or want the Saviour of sinners.

The speaker was hurting to think that many precious lives could be dying and heading into eternal damnation before this night is over. It is his responsibility to warn you of this awful place of eternal torment for those who have rejected the love, grace and mercy of The Lord Jesus Christ, and His offer of a full and free forgiveness.

Sin cannot enter Heaven in any way, shape or form. Only Jesus Christ can make you clean and fit to enter in.

You need not have any doubts about where you will spend eternity – accept Christ and have 100% certainty! Can you ask for anything more?

Some people say “God isn’t like that, He wouldn’t send people to Hell”, but God never sends anyone to Hell – a person sends himself by his own choice!

God has made every provision and made the way that no-one need find themselves going there for a lost eternity, to be forever separated from Him.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance"

-  2^nd Peter ch3 vs9

           

“…This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus”

-  1^st Timothy ch2 vs3 – 5

Be saved! Be sure! Cross from certain death to certain life by accepting Jesus Christ tonight!

“O Lord Jesus, how long?

How long ere we shout the glad song?

Christ returneth,

hallelujah, hallelujah, amen,

hallelujah, amen!

(chorus from hymn by H. L. Turner)

Gospel Meeting 21/07/2019

The speaker’s message tonight continued in the series:

“The A,B,C,D,E Route to Becoming a Christian and Beyond”

D = DISCIPLESHIP

The Acts ch2

1^st Peter ch2 vs1 – 10

1^st John ch1 vs1 – 10

Having been converted, then a Christian’s behaviour deepens into discipleship.

The Christian faith is not a standing still faith, it is a “going – on” faith!

In The Acts vs41 – 42, the converts committed themselves. The apostle’s teaching was exciting, glorifying God as he taught the people.

It was a Christ – centred message, interpreting the promises of the Old Testament. Telling of the life, death and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ and bringing it right up to date. The apostle shared with them the practical outworking of faith – putting words into practice.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”

-  James ch1 vs22

These converts felt a need to become established in the truth, eager for ministry.

They had a spiritual hunger for the Word of God

Here is a personal challenge for each of us dear reader! – are we still hungering? Or do we get by on one spiritual meal per week? A hungering for God’s Word is not only for new converts but for all His people!

God has provided great teachers through the ages to fully benefit our daily lives.

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen"

-  2^nd Peter ch3 vs18

Christian people should be constantly maturing – an undernourished baby will not grow as it should. If we treasure God’s Word we will gain constant healthy growth.

Three essential aspects of discipleship for a spiritually healthy Christian are:

a)   Fellowship

b)   Breaking of Bread

c)    Prayers

a)  Fellowship…

1^st John ch1 vs1 – 10

The 3000 that were saved in The Acts had lives that were united in their love of The Lord Jesus Christ. They devoted themselves, and we must respond in the same way. They became as one company, joying in speaking of The Lord and His business. There is a beautiful partnership of love and commitment between brothers and sisters in Christ.

How each lives proves the reality of their faith. A person cannot have fellowship with The Lord Jesus Christ if that life is being lived not according to His Word (vs5 – 7). Are we really wanting to walk daily with The Lord? Then it is well known that we cannot have fellowship with the world and with Christ! We cannot have one foot in each camp, as it is often said.

Far better to be in daily fellowship with the blessed Man of Calvary than with this world and all its dross! How much we should be longing to be more and more like Him and walking in His ways!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”

- Psalm ch139 vs23 - 24

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God”

-    Romans ch12 vs1 – 2

The apostle John questioned people -  were their lives matching up?

One must have personal fellowship with God first, before one is then able to have fellowship with others who belong to Christ.

vs5 tells us to seek after God – He is the light! We too must walk daily in that same light. Then two rich blessings follow…

1= We have beautiful fellowship one with another

2= The blood of The Lord Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

Dear friend, choose very carefully whom you decide to have fellowship with. Stay with those who are walking in the light, and not those with the fruits of darkness.

“… know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”

-   James ch4 vs4

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth”

- Colossians ch3 vs1 - 2

We have a great privilege to enjoy fellowship with other believers - and to tell others outside of these rich blessings just how much they are missing.

Dear friend, if you are still outside of these promises and blessings, please make your peace with God tonight concerning the question of your sins. Simply come to The Lord Jesus Christ in faith and sincere repentance, ask His forgiveness, and invite Him to be your Lord and Saviour.

On Calvary’s Cross, He showed His boundless love by taking the punishment for all our sins and laying down His life so that we can be forgiven.

He will never let you down, and He is an all – the – way – home Saviour!

Gospel Meeting 23/06/2019

The speaker gave an update on his work for SASRA, and encouraged everyone to pray for this. They are having great results, but it is a huge harvest field with such few labourers involved.

Hebrews ch10  vs19 -25

In the sport of baseball, there is a particularly difficult ball to face. It is called the “curveball”, and the pitcher causes it to sharply deviate as it reaches the batter. It is unexpected and most difficult to react to.

Life can often throw us a curveball too!

All manner of things can knock us sideways when we least expect them.

The Christian people in tonight’s passage were having a hard time and questioning much. But in Jesus Christ we have a great high priest who knows all our needs and troubles. He knows Himself what it is like to have many sorrows and to weep.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin”

-   Hebrews ch4 vs15

-           

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not”

-    Isaiah ch53 vs3

“My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death…”

-     Matthew’s Gospel ch26 vs38

The Lord Jesus Christ even went through an agonising death that we might have life.

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed”

-  1^st Peter ch2 vs24

However, these Christian people heard a great message of truth and encouragement from the apostle, for all their doubts and troubles…

a. (vs22) they were told to draw near to Jesus Christ in full assurance of faith. They could have full confidence in Him - who loved them and gave Himself for them!

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you”

-   James ch4 vs8

Dear reader, whatever your own personal troubles may be, always take it to The Lord in prayer first. He knows you better than you even know yourself! He is full of love, grace and mercy, and will never turn you away. Never stop sharing your heart with Him, and read His Word daily. If you are struggling with problems, even just a verse or two each day can bring a great peace.

A palm tree is able to withstand terrific storms because it is so deep rooted - and likewise, we are much more able to handle our own storms of life if we are firmly rooted in The Lord Jesus Christ and His Word.

b. (vs23) Hold fast to Jesus Christ, because He who promised is faithful!

Be prepared for those storms, cling to Him and He will uphold you and give you peace,

“Will your anchor hold in the storms of life

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift, or firm remain”?

“We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love”

(Excerpt from hymn by P.J.Owens)

c. (vs24) Stir each other up!

 Stimulate one another into a deeper, fuller service for The Lord.

“Let brotherly love continue”

-   Hebrews ch13 vs1

d. (vs25) Regularly meet with like-minded people!

Take time and effort to look after your brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all His precious flock. Pray earnestly. Visit those who are home-bound.

We are a special team in what is a great spiritual battlefield, and need one another’s support.

Dear reader, do you know this loving, faithful Saviour? Please commit yourself to Him without further delay. Turn away from your sins and put you faith and trust in God’s Son. He will forgive you and His shed blood will cleanse you from the penalty of your sins against Him.

1) What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

2) Have we trials and temptations?

Is their trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness:

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3) Are we weak and heavy – laden?

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Saviour, still our refuge,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

(Hymn by J.M.Scriven)

Gospel Meeting 16/06/2019

Luke’s Gospel ch18 vs15 – 27,

                         ch19 vs8 – 10

In these scriptures we find two of the great Gospel truths:

a)      vs17 – if we are to enter The Lord’s kingdom, we come with the spirit of a child… pure, simple, obedient, and having a childlike faith and trust.

b)      vs10 – “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Saviour of sinners to whosoever will accept Him.

At the heart of Jesus Christ’s Gospel is The Cross.

It is the most important event in the entire history of the human race.

Whilst there are many other very important events, they are all related to a time or generation. However, Calvary’s Cross is about eternity, and our personal response to it decides where we will each spend eternity – Heaven or Hell. There is no third option.

There at Calvary, the sinless, perfect Man, God’s eternal Son, Jesus Christ, laid down His life for sinners like us.

The speaker then gave four illustrations of the above two great Gospel truths:

1)      “Jesus Christ’s Life, Death and Resurrection” (Luke’s Gospel ch18 vs31 – 33)

Hundreds of detailed prophecies concerning Jesus Christ were all fulfilled exactly as foretold. Without becoming the perfect sacrifice for our sins, He could not be our Saviour. He paid the full price of our sins in His own blood.

“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father”

-     John’s Gospel ch10 vs18

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”

-    John’s Gospel ch6 vs37

 2)      “The Rich Young Ruler (vs18 – 25)

Here was a test case! Would he have the same faith as a little child?

He had status, power, wealth and was a young man. He also had many good morals. He asked a most important and direct question to The Lord Jesus Christ – “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He did not like Christ’s answer -  to sell all that he had, give it to the poor, and to follow Him.

Sadly, he was committed to self. He would not do it, he loved his money much more than Jesus Christ. He wanted fleeting riches more than the eternal riches Christ was offering him in Heaven! He lacked the simple faith and went away from Jesus very sorrowful…

The Lord then says how hard it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. The temptations which can easily beset a rich person are so many and so various. They may be sorry that they cannot serve both, but when one must be quit, it shall be their God and not their worldly gain.

“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon”

- Luke’s Gospel ch16 vs13

3)      “Blind Bartimaeus” (Marks Gospel ch10 vs46 – 52)

What a contrast! Here was a man that had nothing. A blind beggar. Yet he cries out in simple faith and trust -  “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me” He recognised that Jesus Christ is indeed The Messiah.

He immediately received forgiveness and sight. Bartimaeus knew his needs and cried out to The Lord.

Dear reader, how about your needs? Can you say tonight “I am a sinner”, “I need a Saviour”? Come to Jesus Christ tonight in simple faith and repentance and be saved for eternity!

Unlike the rich, young ruler, Bartimaeus “followed Jesus in the way”.

4)      “Zacchaeus “ (vs1 – 10)

This man was very well known. He also was rich.  A chief tax collector in Jericho and despised by people for stealing through his work, and for collaborating with the Romans. However, he had good thinking - “he sought to see Jesus who he was”. The Lord had already prepared an appointment with him.

He recognised his sins and repented, wanting to give back all the money he had cheated people of, and with interest. He received Jesus Christ joyfully.

In the case of the rich, young ruler, the people having heard from Christ that it was very hard for the rich to be saved, questioned “who then can be saved?”… Christ’s answer was “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”.

Here, a very rich man was saved! A great transformation followed.

Zaccheaus showed a simple childlike faith.

Four illustrations, and dear reader, whoever you are, Jesus Christ loves you and is seeking you to come to Him tonight and be saved.

What other way can you be forgiven and enter into His kingdom, than by faith in His blood which has the cleansing power?

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God”

-    John’s Gospel ch1 vs12

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”

- Ephesians ch2 vs8 -9

Gospel Meeting 09/06/2019

The Acts ch17 vs22 – 34

Paul was in Athens, desiring to tell the people the good news concerning The Lord Jesus Christ. Athens was known as a cultural and intelligent city, yet it was full of idolatry with shrines to many god’s and goddesses.

The people were searching and seeking for God. They were very religious minded but did not know the one true and living God. They sought to cover every angle and one altar even had the inscription “to the unknown God”!

It is very possible to be highly religious, ever attending church, have good morals and yet without having received God’s Salvation.

God sees us as we really are –

“…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart”

-  1^st Samuel ch16 vs7

God knows everything about each of us and there is no hiding from Him.

However, it is certain that this one and true living God can be known by anyone who would seek Him. This is only through The Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Son of the Eternal God, who was manifest in flesh.

He came down from Heaven to bring Salvation to a needy world of sinners. He who never once sinned and could not sin, willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice for our sins that we might be forgiven and not face eternal condemnation.

Dear reader, if you have not yet done so, make it your absolute priority to know Jesus Christ! 

Come to Him in faith and repent from your sinful lifestyle, asking His forgiveness and having Him to be your personal Saviour.

Paul tells us (vs30 – 31) that repentance is essential and judgement is coming.

 When God warns mankind, every one of us would be wise to heed His words and take immediate action! We are all heading into an eternity – either into Heaven to be with The Lord Jesus Christ, or into judgement and Hell without Him. The latter is a place to be shunned at any cost.

Heaven is a completely holy place, prepared for those who have been cleansed of all sin through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ –

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life”

-  The Revelation ch21 vs27

Is your own name forever written in the Lamb’s book of life?

“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.

-  Jesus Christ speaking from Matthew’s Gospel ch7 vs13 & 14

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is unlike any other message you may hear – we have a living Saviour!

“Religion” ends with the grave, but 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. Amen; and have the keys of hell and death”

-  The Revelation ch1 vs18

In Athens, there were three categories of people with three different reactions –

1)  The Despisers (vs32a)

These people just mocked and derided the Gospel message.  Sadly, we have plenty who are exactly the same in our own land today. They are making the most serious mistake and will not be mocking it through an endless lost eternity, separated from the love of God.

2)  The Delayers (vs32b)

These people had an interest but wanted to put off any decision until a later time. There is no mention that they ever came back. God’s word ever speaks of TODAY!

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

-  2^nd Corinthians ch6 vs2

Dear reader, we are never promised tomorrow… Salvation is to be grasped TODAY!

3)  The Deciders (vs34)

These people believed the Gospel and were saved. Each name was entered into the Lamb’s book of life.

They turned from false idols and darkness, into light and certain life

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death to life”

-  Jesus Christ speaking from John’s Gospel ch5 vs24

Take God at His word and be saved from your sins and their consequences TODAY!

1.

Decide for Christ today!

Thyself thou canst not save:

Helpless and guilty, lost and blind,

No longer judgement brave.

Chorus

Christ alone can save,

Break the power of sin;

Christ doth fully satisfy

The heart that trusts in Him.

2.

Decide for Christ today!

His blood can wash thee white;

Can cleanse thy sins and make thee now

All perfect in God’s sight.

3.

Decide for Christ today!

Confess Him as thy Lord:

Oh! Rest upon His precious blood,

And trust His faithful Word.

4.

Decide for Christ today!

Procrastinate no more;

Now mercy pleads, but soon will cease:

The Judge is at the door.

(Hymn by T. R. Dale)

Gospel Meeting 02/06/2019

Jonah ch1 – 4

From this book, the speaker brought out four of God’s characteristics.

1)   God’s love is for all people.

Jonah, sometimes known as the unwilling prophet, was not happy about God loving all people. He certainly did not want the people of Nineveh to be saved. It was a great city, full of wickedness, and he wanted to see it judged by God.

However, Jonah knew that God was gracious, merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness, and one who is willing to relent from impending judgement and forgive.

God is exactly the same to all people today.

Reader, He loves you personally and longs for you to repent and be saved from the coming judgement -

“…Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance

-     2^nd Epistle of Peter ch3 vs9

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel”

-     Mark’s Gospel ch1 vs15

2)    God is holy and will judge all sin.

Man brought sin into the world through disobeying what God had specifically told them not to do (Genesis ch2 & 3).

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”

-   Romans ch5 vs12

God will eternally punish all those who do not repent of their sins.

But God showed His incredible love for us all by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to do what none of us could ever do – pay the price of our every sin and gain forgiveness. He is the only person without sin, and willingly gave His own life on The Cross, taking our sins upon Himself and taking the punishment that we all deserved. Faith in His shed blood can completely cleanse you from your sins.

Reader, if you have not already done so, why would you not accept this wholly gracious offer of a full and free forgiveness tonight? Why would you reject such wonderful love in the person of The Lord Jesus Christ?

Simply come in faith and repentance.

So many people leave it too late, unaware that death and eternity was but a moment away. Tonight will be the last opportunity to be saved for countless souls who think they have plenty time to address these things later in life…

“And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”

-   Hebrew’s ch9 vs27

As with Jonah, we cannot escape God. He tried and went in the opposite direction, but to no avail. Many people are the same today – “I will do things my way” – not accepting they are responsible for every action and that there will be consequences at the end of their lives. How very sad, when there is a loving God appealing to each person to repent and accept His beloved Son as their Saviour.

3)  God is merciful to all

The people of Nineveh truly repented and God did not deliver the judgement they had deserved.

“…You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy”

-    Micah ch7 vs18

We are each imperfect, but God has provided the perfect Saviour for us all.

“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

Dear reader, it is God’s desire that you spend an everlasting life with Him in Heaven!

The place where there is no more sin, suffering, tears or death, but eternal joys!

4)   God looks after His own, despite our failings.

Jonah had disobeyed God and gone in the opposite direction to Nineveh. He was thrown into the raging sea, because the men on board were afraid and knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord. But for the providence of God, Jonah would have very quickly drowned. A great fish that had been prepared, swallowed Jonah and saved him from certain death.

Jonah failed God, but was given a second chance.

Dear reader, He is still offering you that second chance tonight, I urge you to respond and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

1)

Have you any room for Jesus –

Him, who bore your load of sin?

As he knocks and seeks admission,

Sinner, will you let Him in?

Chorus

Room for Jesus, Lord of glory!

Hasten now, His word obey!

Swing the heart’s door widely open,

Bid Him enter while you may!

2)

Room for pleasure, room for business;

But for Christ, the crucified –

Not a place that He can enter,

In the heart for which He died.

3)

Have you any time for Jesus,

As in grace He calls again?

Oh! “TODAY” is “time accepted,”

Tomorrow you may call in vain.

4)

Room and time now give to Jesus:

Soon will pass God’s day of grace;

Soon thy heart be cold and silent,

And thy Saviour’s pleadings cease.

(Hymn by El Nathan)

Gospel Meeting 19/05/2019

Mark’s Gospel ch1 vs1, 21 – 31

Luke’s Gospel ch4 vs14 -32

Each of the four Gospel accounts give a different aspect of The Lord Jesus Christ.

In Matthew He is “The King”, in Mark He is “The Servant”, in Luke He is “Son of Man”, and in John he is “Son of God”.

All different truths revealing Jesus Christ is God made a Man.

These meetings known as a “Gospel Service” are held to tell anyone and everyone that The Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world.

“How then shall they call on him whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

- Romans ch10 vs14

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”

- Romans ch10 vs17

Without Him, you have nothing in life to rejoice about! Without Him as your personal Saviour you are ever facing a lost eternity, separated from the love of God.

Countless millions have abandoned Him, and we can clearly see the devastating effects upon our society as the suffering intensifies without Him and His ways.

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”

- 2^nd Corinthians ch4 vs4

          

There is no real and lasting peace for any individual without it having come directly from God in the first place.

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight”

- Colossians ch1 vs19 – 22

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

- Philippians ch4 vs7

In our cities and streets we see so many broken lives – alcoholics, drug addicts, failed abusive relationship after another… if only they would genuinely come and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. His power changes lives! His peace reigns within!

Yet so much in this country and around the world what we have is direct rebellion against God and His Word. Governments, schools etc have removed Him and think they know better.

Here in Mark’s account, Jesus Christ is seen as “the perfect Servant”. He came into this world to seek and to save the lost. He was constantly moving amongst men “doing good”

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”

- Mark’s Gospel ch10 vs45

What a statement we have in vs1! – “…the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” –

Sometimes we hear the expression “what’s in a name”, here it is crystal clear- Saviour Messiah! Jesus Christ is the anointed One.

But what did the people say about three and a half years after His ministry started? The crowd bayed for His death, demanding a murderer should be freed instead.

Who do you think the crowd would choose today?

Jesus Christ stands for all that the world is against.

How many times today have you heard His Name used as a swear word?

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you”

- John’s Gospel ch15 vs18

Christians are daily being slaughtered in many countries of the world.

Mark is talking about a Man who is unlike any other that ever lived. He is the eternal Son of God, who is still saving souls and changing lives in 2019, through His continuing day of grace towards mankind.

He is a) truly Human b) Truly Divine c) Truly Unique d) Truly Sinless e) The True source of Salvation.

“Neither is there Salvation in any other…” – The Acts ch4 vs13.

What a great scene it was in the synagogue which we read of in tonight’s readings.

No dry, dusty sermon that day! Jesus Christ spoke like no other, having complete authority. He told those gathered that Esaias prophesised of Him, and now I am here – The Messiah! The scribes were astonished -

 “is not this the carpenter’s son?” – (Matthew’s account).

It is the same message today. The same Gospel, that offers full and free Salvation. Forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ and His blood given for you. The same Man – the only Saviour of sinners.

Dear friend, you may not feel poor or broken – hearted. You may have a good job, in excellent health, have a loving family and a caring circle of friends, but ALL lives need the Saviour. We are all sinners and all need to have genuine repentance towards The Lord Jesus Christ.

There are only two possible destinations for each person - each eternal, each irreversible... Heaven or Hell.

Which one have you chosen?

“but this man because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intersession for them”

- Hebrews ch7 vs24 – 25

Sin so easily grips our lives and is fatal.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death”

- James ch1 vs14 – 15

People the world over are crying out for hope, for life, for certainties – and it is only found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”

- John’s Gospel ch14 vs6

Lee Strobel, an American, who previously was an investigative journalist working for the Chicago Tribune, set out like many before to comprehensively disprove the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (He was aghast that his wife had become a Christian) He did copious amounts of research into all aspects of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and interviewed many experts in each field. In his conclusion, Lee Strobel said that the facts proved beyond doubt that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

He then turned from being an “atheist” to accepting The Lord Jesus Christ as his own Saviour!

“My worldview, my philosophy, my attitudes, my relationships, my parenting, my marriage – everything has been transformed by my relationship with Christ”

- Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ)

The god of this age has blinded minds but he has not blocked hearts, Dear friend, dwell upon all the truths contained in the Word of God, and do not blindly accept the lies of Satan and of “evolution”!

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so”

-          The Acts ch17 vs11

J-E-S-U-S, he can save and fully bless,

Bring you peace and happiness, J-E-S-U-S

(Chorus)

Come to the Saviour of sinners without delay and be saved for time and eternity!