Internet Preachers for Christ

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

2012-02-16T07:37:00.000Z

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” Psalm 32:8.

All of us have areas of weakness. God wants these character imperfections to show us how totally dependent we are upon Him. When we handle them properly, they draw us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Lord. But uncontrolled weaknesses wreak our lives. Personality weaknesses can be a powerful motivation for us to seek after God’s strength.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

2012-02-16T07:36:00.000Z

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” Psalm 32:8.

God is willing and able to guide us, if we will let Him. It is not difficult to fall in step with God, just acknowledge that you have wandered down paths of life that led to disobedience. Then choose to follow His leading by reading the Word of God and applying biblical principles to your life, topped up with prayer. Then God will help you to make the right decisions for your life.

A spiritual second chance.

2012-02-14T09:52:00.000Z

Reading: Acts 18:9-10.

“Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

I suppose all of us at some time or another get depressed, or want to give up and quit. In the heat of a moment we may say, “I will just leave this job, this place, or this family, and they will miss me, then they will wish they had treated me different!”

Often we have some of these feelings ourselves:

What’s the use?

The harder I try, the worse things get.

Nothing but daily stresses and problems.

You see, some of us need a spiritual second chance. Just like a number of others found in the bible:

Moses:

The Greatest leader, handpicked by God! Had God’s power on his life, but in Numbers 11:15 he said to God, “If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now--if I have found favour in Your sight--and do not let me see my wretchedness!”

Joshua:

The greatest General, handpicked by God to lead Israel into the Promised Land, but in Joshua 7:7, he said, “would to God we had been content and dwelt on the other side of Jordan” (so this is what we get for serving God, he said, after a great defeat!) He felt like quitting! He got over it, thankfully!

Elijah:

The greatest prophet of Old Testament willing to challenge the idolatry of his day, by called fire down from heaven, yet he won a faceoff with the prophets of Baal, but in I Kings 19:4 after it was all over, “He requested for himself that he might die, and said, it is enough now, O Lord, take away my life!”

Job:

We talk about his patience and faith, and he was truly a great man, he had a great beginning and a great ending, but in-between, when he lost everything, he wished he had not been born, became suicidal, extremely depressed for a period of time! Job 3:3 he said, “Let the day perish in which I was born!”

Jonah:

He wanted God to kill him, and was spiritually depressed and was not even happy for the all the souls that just got saved in Nineveh!

Paul:

Now in Acts 18 we find Paul in his 2^nd missionary journey, arriving from Athens to Corinth experiencing a low time in his life. In I Corinthians 2:3 Paul says of that time in Acts: “I was with you in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling” Which could be translated: “I was far from being strong, but nervous, and rather shaky!”

He was tired, having just walked 53 miles.

He was alone.

He was unsupported; verse 3 “working as a tentmaker.”

He was stressed, verse 5 “pressed in the spirit.” He had a sense of failure in his life.

He was frustrated. He had just left a city of idolatry and was now heading for the worst city in the world for immorality!

He felt unappreciated. Later he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:15, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.”

At this point on this trip alone, he had been beaten and jailed at Philippi, persecuted at Thessalonica and Berea, ridiculed in Athens, and now he has to face Corinth! He was at a low point, a crossroads in his ministry, and he was just about to quit!

But the Lord came to Paul on this day, and showed him that trying times are not the time to quit trying! So the Lord spoke direct to Paul that day with these words, “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

1^ST POINT: THE PROMISE OF GOD’S PRECENCE, VERSES 9-10.

“The Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you.”

A. In times of loneliness.

“For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”
Hebrews 13:5.

B. In the valley.

When defeat comes or discouragement, sickness or even financial setback, heartaches or family problems, etc.

In John 11:35 it says “Jesus wept.” Why? Because Lazarus had died! Yet Jesus knew he was going to raise him from the dead, things were going to get better, but Jesus’ heart still broke in the meanwhile! Jesus is there in the valley with you! In loneliness, and in the valley.

C. In death.

We all have a fear of death; more so if there is a lot of pain in it. But when our time comes, the Lord comes Himself with grace and takes away our fear. He does not send an angel, for He comes for us Himself! We have this promise of His presence always! “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Hebrews 13:5.

2^ND POINT: THE PROMISE OF GOD’S PROTECTION, VERSES 9-10.

“Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you.”

They might have killed the apostle Paul, but not until he was able to say, “I have finished my course.” They killed the Lord Jesus, but not before He said, “It is finished!” God has a purpose for your life. And if you choose to, you can live it out, fearlessly, though there will be trials and hardships, but until your work here is done, God is not finished with you. He and He alone will call you home when the time is right!

Ahead of us He is our guide, behind us He is our guard, under us is His everlasting arms, and above us, if we will look up, He is ever-present with us in a cloud of glory!

CONCLUSION:

Bothered by the world? At work? At home? Maybe like many others before you, maybe you need a second chance. You see, some of us need a spiritual second chance.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.

2012-02-14T07:41:00.000Z

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” Psalm 32:8.

Are we willing today to admit that we are ill-equipped to go through life alone? Yes we all need family and friends around us, and we all need someone to love us. Yet we still need someone else in our lives. We need an all-powerful God! We need His guidance. In our own strength, knowledge, and reasoning power, we are simply not able to make the wisest decisions. May God’s hand direct your path this day.

Having a vision for your life.

2012-02-05T12:23:00.002Z

Having a vision for your life.

Reading: Proverbs 29:18.

“Where there is no revelation (vision), the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law” Proverbs 29:18.

In 1620 one hundred Puritans board the ship “Mayflower” bound for the New World. These people were the Pilgrim Fathers that saw little chance of England becoming a country in which they wished to live anymore. They viewed this country as un-godly and moving from a bad to worse state daily.

You could say that they had a vision, this shipload of travellers landed on the northeast coast of America. The Pilgrims' story of seeking religious freedom has become a central theme of the history and culture of the United States. But what happened with their vision?

1. The first year they established a town site.

2. The next year they elected a town government.

3. The third year the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness.

4. In the fourth year the people tried to prosecute their town government because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway?

Here were people who had the spiritual vision to see three thousand miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years they were now so spiritual blind, they could not see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision. With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.

So what is vision:

1^ST POINT: VISION IS: THE ABILITY TO SEE: OR AWARENESS.

Webster says, vision is:

1. The ability of sight.

2. Unusual foresight.

3. A mental image produced by the imagination.

4. The experience of the supernatural through seeing eyes.

To see like Joshua and Caleb did in Numbers 14:6-9.
1. To have a vision you must be able to see what no other man can see.

2. Having a vision is more than just looking on the bright side. It is looking on God’s side. Finding the vision God has for us, takes time and prayer.

3. What if the vision God gives us, is not the vision we would have chosen? Well God will equip us for the task.

2^ND POINT: VISION IS: THE FAITH TO BELIEVE: OR ATTITUDE

A. Someone said “Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over the deserts.

1. All the vultures see is rotting meat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. The vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone.

2. But the hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colourful blossoms of desert plants. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life; they fill themselves with freshness and life.

3. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We do the same thing in our own lives.”

B. Satan’s greatest attack on the vision that God gives each of us is our attitude.

1. An attitude that says “Nobody else cares so why should I.”
2. An attitude that says “Nobody appreciates anything I do, so let me see what they do when I do nothing.”

C. Faith is the food that visions live on. For without faith, our vision will die.

3^RD POINT: VISION IS: THE COURAGE TO DO: OR ACTION.

A. This is the most difficult for us.
1. As long as I can see it. That is God speaking to me.

2. As long as I can have the right attitude. That is time spent with God.
3. But when it comes to putting a vision into action, it involves other people as well as me.

B. The courage of vision is to say “Lord if that is you; let me come to you walking on the water.”

C. The courage of vision is to say “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

D. The courage of vision is to say “If God be for us, who can be against us.”

E. The courage of Vision is to say “The trials of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory of the next life.”

CONCLUSION:

I believe the Lord has a vision for each of us today. I know it is easy to get discouraged and to give up on being available to God, or to be used in seeing the vision come to completion. Yet, unless we are moving in that direction, we cannot be content in life.

THE SEVEN SAYINGS OF THE CROSS. THREE.

2012-01-27T07:21:00.000Z

THE SEVEN SAYINGS OF THE CROSS. THREE.

READING: John 19:26-27.

“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”

Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”

When I did this study on the sayings of the Cross last year, I saw some new things that I have missed before when taking the subject of the Cross. Here we are going to look at Jesus the son speaking, when Jesus spoke to his earthly mother in her grief, which is the third saying of the Cross.

The “words of Jesus” on the cross are important:

1. Jesus the Saviour speaks: The first words concern the Roman soldiers who were crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34.

2. Jesus the Saviour speaks: The second statement is made to the penitent thief: “Today you shall be with Me in paradise” Luke 23:43.

3. Jesus the son speaks: The third statement comes while looking at His grief-stricken mother: “Woman, behold your son!” To John He says, “Behold your mother!” John 19:26-27.

4. Jesus the Son of God speaks: The fourth cry is addressed to God at the ninth hour and comes from Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34.

5. Jesus the man speaks: The fifth statement is “I thirst” John 19:28, followed by His taking of vinegar from a sponge.

6. Jesus the Saviour speaks: The sixth cry is “It is finished” John 19:30.

7. Jesus the Son of God speaks: The seventh cry was addressed to His Father: “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit” Luke 23:46.

Let me set the scene: With the cruelty and indifference of the Roman soldiers at the cross, a small group of relatives and close friends were allowed near the crucifixion; these women (and one named disciple, John) watch the dying Saviour with love and grief. In spite of His own suffering, the Lord seeing His mother, and John, the disciple, speaks these words.

The soldiers supervising the execution would have looked the other way of the closeness of their presence, and had no reason to forbid it; for the right of motherhood were highly respected in the ancient world. They “stood by the cross,” as near as they could get.

Only ONE of the 12 disciples is named at the cross. Where are the others? At first, they stood near the cross, but maybe the soldiers forced them to stand afar off, as it is said in Matthew and Mark: or they themselves moved back because of the pain in their own hearts.

Now to this saying of Jesus “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”

1. Looks like many had forsaken Jesus, and only these few continued their attendance on Him. They were not frightened by the anger of the enemy or the horror of the sight; they could not rescue Him nor help Him, yet they attended Him, to show their love.

2. Mary’s grief was foreseen of Simeon. Remember Simeon words to Mary, “A sword shall pierce through your own soul,” Luke 2:35. Someone said “His torments of His body were her torments of her heart; while He was upon the cross; she was suffering in her heart.”

3. We may admire the power of divine grace in supporting these women, especially Mary, under this heavy trial. What a wonderful calm is seen in Mary, “standing by the cross.” Surely she and they that stood with her were strengthened by a divine power to this degree of patience and calmness. Paul latter in his suffering would be strengthened of the Lord also by “My grace is sufficient for you.”

I was brought up in a household that took care of elder parents. Both my mothers’ father and mother lived with us till their dying days, under the care of my parents. These thoughts were a lot more important in Jesus’ days, when the oldest son would support his mother after his father’s death.

After the death of Joseph, (Mary’s husband) had died, Jesus her son had supported her in all of her needs, but now that He was dying what would become of Mary? Jesus saw her standing by, and knew her cares and grief’s; and He saw John the beloved disciple standing not far off also, and so Jesus gave his mother a new son for her support “Woman, behold your son.”

Jesus third saying from the cross was the first one recorded by John, for it had so much meaning to him.

For a disciple to be accorded a role in his teacher’s family was a great honour to the disciple (disciples sometimes called their teachers “father”).

Jesus had therefore no other way to provide for His mother than by His interest in a friend, which He does here. A primary responsibility which Jewish custom included in “honouring one’s father and mother” was providing for them (1 Samuel 22:3) in their old age. Jesus’ mother is a widow and lives in a society where women rarely earned much income; she is therefore dependent on her eldest son.

Jesus makes a verbal testament in front of witnesses, which makes it binding, and formally places His mother under His disciple’s protection, providing for her after His death. Dying fathers would encourage their sons to take care of surviving mothers.

But take note: Jesus calls Mary, “Woman,” just as He had in John 2 at the wedding at Cana. In calling her “Woman,” the Lord did not show any lack of respect. But it is noticeable that He did not call her “Mother.” Does this have any lesson for those who might be tempted to exalt Mary to the place where she is adored?

See she must come to Christ in faith just as every other believer comes, while He is dying for the sins of the world. And we know she made that step of faith, for Mary will be praying with the disciples in the Upper Room after His resurrection, Acts 1:14 “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

CONCLUSION:

Even while dying on the cross, Jesus was concerned about his family. He instructed John to care for Mary, Jesus’ mother. Our families are precious gifts from God, and we should value and care for them under all circumstances. Neither Christian work nor responsibilities in any job or position excuse us from caring for our families.

Note, Those that truly love Christ, and are beloved of Him, will be glad for an opportunity to do any form of service for Him or His.

Water Baptism.

2012-01-16T14:13:00.001Z

Water Baptism.

Reading: Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16.

Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” Matthew 28:19-20.

Jesus also said “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved” Mark 16:15-16.

From these sayings of Jesus we note two things about water baptism:

1. Those that believe! Repentance and believing comes first, which is the inward act of faith.

2. And is baptized! Then follows the outer action of this personal faith in Christ.

1^ST POINT: BELIEVEING IN CHRIST JESUS COMES FIRST.

Who may be baptised?

1. Those that have heard the Gospel of God's Grace and believed it Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptised will be saved.”

2. Those who have repented, Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

Repentance is twofold.

1. A turning from sin. It is not just saying sorry and feeling guilty about the wrongs in your life. But it is a turning away from wrong doing all together.

2. A turning to God. To live a new life under God’s power.

2^ND POINT: WHAT DOES BAPTISM MEAN?

1. It means obedience to the command of Christ Jesus, Mark 16:16 “He or She who believes and is baptised will be saved.” So believing comes before baptism.

2. It means following Christ's example, John 13:15 “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done.” For Jesus Himself was baptised by John.

3. It means separation by death from sin, Galatians 6:14 “God forbid that I should glory except in the CROSS of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

4. It means identification with Christ Jesus, Romans 6:4-13;

a. Identification in His death, verse 5, “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death.”

b. Identification in His burial, verse 4, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death.”

c. Identification in His resurrection, verse 4, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

5. It means association with Christ's Body (The Church), 1 Corinthians 12:13 “One body, the church, visible and invisible.”

Even Christ Himself, began His ministry identifying with water baptism. Jesus the man (our perfect example) submitted Himself to this symbolic act of dying to self and living for God. You may ask me, why should I be baptized? My answer is: Christ Himself was baptized, so should you and I be baptized.

3^RD POINT: THE MODE OF BAPTISM.

By full immersion, the original meaning of “baptism” is to immerse. Immersion was the commonly accepted mode of baptism in the New Testament.

“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him” Matthew 3:16.

“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing” Acts 8:38-39.

According to Romans 6:1-13 Immersion is certainly a more complete picture of death, burial and resurrection than either pouring or sprinkling. The believer is immersed in water as a sign to the world and to the Church that he or she has died, been buried and resurrected and is now living for Jesus Colossians 2:12 “Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

CONCLUSION:

When should one be baptised? After you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, and when you are old enough to understand the condition of a believer in Christ Jesus.

For baptism is a command of the Lord, and is not an optional. It is for us all that believe to obey and be baptized.

The Adam’s family.

2012-01-09T06:22:00.002Z

Reading: Romans 5:12-21.
“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous” Verse 19.

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.
For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 5:12-21.

I want to speak about the “Adam’s Family,” not the dark family that lived in a spooky old house, with Lurch the butler. But this family starts with a dark secret called sin. What a strange family the Adam’s family was, for they had it all, and yet gave it all away. We are part of this same Adam’s family! We continue in our heritage as we “lurch” through life, still allowing sin to “fester” within us. What a strange “thing” is this Adam’s family.
Very simple I am saying that by “one man” disobedience sin enter this world, and by the work of “one man” Christ the second Adam’s obedience, sin was dealt with once for all. Because we were all condemned by one we can all be saved by One. In Jesus the second Adam we gained 'much more' than we ever lost in Adam.

There are THREE things we can learn about the first Adam:

1ST POINT: He was a real man, verse 12.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” Romans 5:12.

Many today say the first three chapters of the Bible are symbolic in nature. Even many Christians today try to marry the Bible to evolution and billions of years in order not to be laughed at and say there was no real Adam and Eve, it is just a picture of our earliest ancestors and how we choose sin.
There had to be a real Adam, for our salvation depends upon it. According to our text, if one man, Adam, did not plunge us into sin, then one man, Jesus, could not save us from sin! “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous” Romans 5:19.
Why do people deny the existence of Adam? To do away with the existence of God!
Evolution: says man is evolving, moving from darkness into light. If today’s mankind is getting better based on the past, pity helps those that are coming after us. Evolution is a religion with no God.

Creation: says man is devolving, moving from light into darkness. All the evidence is there, just look around you. If there was no Adam, then there was no fall, no sin, and more so no need for a Saviour or a God.

2ND POINT: He was a ruined man, verse 12.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” Romans 5:12.

“Sin entered” the world. Satan tempted Eve by saying “has God said” just like the world does today; they doubt God's Word and the existence of God! Then the devil got Eve to add to God's Word by saying “we cannot eat the fruit or touch it!” Did God say they could not touch it? No! Every cult in the world starts by somebody adding to God's Word. Then Lucifer went on to deny God's Word by saying, “you shall not surely die!”
Eve was deceived, but Adam sinned with his eyes wide open. He knew he was disobeying, and that is why he gets credited with the fall, in the garden, God came looking for Adam.

3RD POINT: He was a representative for man, verses 12-14.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come” Romans 5:12-14.

How do we know we are all racially related to Adam? Because we look and act like him. Adam sin was passed down to his son, and then to his son, then to his son, etc. until sin was passed down to you and me.

We inherit from our father:

Death, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come” Romans 5:12-14.
Other than by the rapture none of us are getting out of this world alive. We all fight it, and we all will eventually lose.

Sin nature, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. Romans 5:12.
This is why we have to teach our children to tell the truth, and not to lie, to share, and not to be selfish, to obey, and not to disobey, to control their temper, and not to lose it. Anything that is wrong comes naturally because of the sin nature. We are not sinners because we commit sins; we commit sins because we are sinners!
Here is the downward spiral of sin in Romans 5:
Verse 12 “Sin entered.”
Verse 20 “Sin abounded.”
Verse 21 “Sin reigned.”

Here is a simple example: a man takes a drink, the drink needs another drink, and the drink finally takes the man.

CONCLUSION:

We have seen a family portrait of the Adam’s Family. Death reigns, sin abounds, and judgment is coming. We get all of this through Adam, but there is salvation found in the second Adam Christ Jesus. Are you in Adam or in Christ? We began in Adam by virtue of our birth, so we need a rebirth to know Christ and to share His nature.

Finding ROOM for Jesus.

2011-12-19T08:50:00.000Z

Reading: Luke 2:1-7.
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

“No room for them in the inn.” All these things suggest poverty, loneliness, and even rejection. But it probably did not happen that way. Let us read quickly Luke 2:1-7:
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered ... So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, ... to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, ... to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” Luke 2:1-7.

1ST POINT: THE BACKGROUND, THE NEED OF A ROOM.

Consider the setting, a busy census is taking place, and people have come from far and wide to Bethlehem to be counted by the Roman governor. These inns are not hotels or bed and breakfast as we would think of today, where you are offered a comfortable bed, warm shower and a quick breakfast in the morning.
No, the inns of the first century were more like an eatery where rooms were available for those who may not be able to make it home that night after their meal. So when Joseph came to the door with his pregnant wife Mary during this incredibly busy night, the inn keeper probably did not want to deal with finding another room, but may have truthfully wanted to help out.
So when he referred them to the stable out the back, it was probably in his own way saying, “Those animals back there are probably a lot safer for your wife and the birth then in here.” Had they been rich, room would have been made for them; but, being poor, a stable was offered them. Someone said “He began in a borrowed manger, and ended on a Roman cross, a borrowed tomb, and along the way had nowhere to lay His head.”

2ND POINT: THE STABLE, BUT NO ROOM.

I feel sorry for the inn keeper in one way. Can you imagine telling the Saviour that there is no room for Him? Hard to believe! But, sadly, especially at this time of year, it is all too easy for us in many ways NOT to find room for the Saviour in our lives.
This morning I want us to consider some possible reasons why this inn keeper could not find room for the Saviour, and why we may be in the same boat.
First of all:

1. Busyness.
It was a busy time for this inn keeper. Because of the census, a flood of people were now in this town for possibly the biggest event since the time of King David, and as a result the inns of the area were packed. This inn keeper who may have seen only a handful of guests over the years leading up to this, was now up to his eye balls in busyness.
Many today are so busy getting ready for Christmas, that they have no time for the CHRIST of Christmas.

2. Priorities.
Once again, with this big census taking place, and with more people that have ever been seen in a long time, there are more customers, more work, greater profits, and so much going on; some things just had to be more important than other things. Based on the little we know about this inn keeper, I can assume his two wrong priorities that kept him from finding room for the Saviour are similar to our own.
a. Money.
For possibly for the first time in a long time he was making a profit. While the census may have been an inconvenience to many, it was a windfall for the merchants of the day. Christmas is big business for the shops today. Amazon, Argos, etc. have more plans for Christmas, then the average church or Christian has.
b. Selfishness.
It is way too easy to become self focused during this time of year, and forget that when it is all said and done it is not about us.
Buying our gifts, trimming up our houses, feasting on our food, etc. When we should be celebrating the birth of Jesus in a stable. It’s not OUR birthday, but CHRIST’s.
How do you keep your priorities in order? Simply, keep the things of God and His kingdom, at the top of your priority list.

3. Stress.
People everywhere, all wanting or needing something from this inn keeper. You know this inn keeper’s stress level had to be pretty high. I am sure if you took his blood pressure when Joseph and Mary knocked at his door, it would have probably blown the gauge.
We focus so much attention, and often unneeded, energy on something small and petty that it just grows and grows and eventually takes over our lives, giving us stress. And in doing so, it keeps us from seeing the Saviour and what really matters.
Do not let the stress keep the Saviour from taking His much deserved place in your heart and life this Christmas. Remember “Christ is not just for Christmas, but for life, and eternity.”
Busyness, wrong priorities, stress, and one final issue that may have weighed down this inn keeper so that he did not have room for the Saviour; and may weigh you down also.

4. Bad judgment.
I imagine this inn keeper, surrounded by people and being hounded by what they needed, having to deal with even more people wanting a room, and now he had to send a pregnant woman to the barn. His busyness, priorities and stress were crying out for a saviour. He should have cried “Will someone save me from all of this!”
The sad reality of it is that what the inn keeper needed the most was knocking at his door. He needed someone to save him, and the Saviour was right outside, soon to be born in his barn, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and celebrated by shepherds, angels and wise men.
He knew what he wanted and thought he knew what he needed, but he was wrong!!!! And we are guilty of the same thing.
We think:
a. If I had a little bit more money.
b. If I had a better job or a better boss.
c. If only my family and friends understood me (my selfish wants) better.
d. If, if, if ....... how would you finish it?
We need to look for the real answers to our problems, and the answer may be knocking on our door right now. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” Revelation 3:20. The Saviour is knocking.

CONCLUSION: HAVE WE MADE ROOM FOR JESUS?

We are now only 1 week away from Christmas, the celebration of the birth of our Lord. If you are like this inn keeper this morning and cannot find room for the Saviour. I want to give you the opportunity to open the door and let Him in.
If you are a born again believer, you also can be affected from not finding room for the Saviour, and you may be guilty of that already this Christmas season. So I want to give you the opportunity to open the door and let Him in also.

It is finished.

2011-12-02T08:40:00.000Z

THE SEVEN SAYINGS OF THE CROSS. SIX.

READING: JOHN 19:30.

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

The “words of Jesus” on the cross are important:

1. The first words concern the Roman soldiers who were crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34.

2. The second statement is made to the penitent thief: “Today you shall be with Me in paradise” Luke 23:43.

3. The third statement comes while looking at His grief-stricken mother: “Woman, behold your son!” To John He says, “Behold your mother!” John 19:26-27.

4. The fourth cry is addressed to God at the ninth hour and comes from Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34.

5. The fifth statement is “I thirst” John 19:28, followed by His taking of vinegar from a sponge.

6. The sixth cry is “It is finished” John 19:30.

7. The seventh cry was addressed to His Father: “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit” Luke 23:46.

The sixth word or saying that Jesus spoke from the cross was the single Greek work tetelestai: which means “It is finished.” It carries the thought to finish something, or to bring to a successful completion. Papyri receipts for taxes have been recovered with the word tetelestai written across them, meaning “paid in full.” This word on Jesus’ lips was important

When He said, “It is finished” It is about the act of Jesus and not the person, Jesus did not say “I am finished,” but My work is finished, He meant His redemptive work was completed. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus had suffered the penalty of God’s justice (death) which sin deserved. Yet, even in the moment of His death, Jesus remained the One who gave up His life (John 10:11, 14, 17-18). Having fulfilled every command of the Father and every prophecy of Scripture, Jesus of His own free will died. This was not a cry of exhaustion, but of completion. Jesus had done what He came to do.

“It is finished!” was the cry of a conqueror. It was not a martyr that Joseph and Nicodemus put into the garden tomb; but a Victor!

“It is finished!” What was finished? Your redemption and my redemption were finished.

In His report to the father He had said, “I have finished the work which You gave me to do” John 17:4. His work? The pouring out of His soul as an offering for sin! The work of redemption and of atonement!

Jesus accomplished what all of the old covenant sacrifices could not do (Hebrews 10:1-18). The prophecies and types were fulfilled and the sacrifice for sins made once and for all forever. So the Lord Jesus could announce that the way had been provided whereby sinners could be saved. Thank God today for the finished work of the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary!

“It is finished!” The work His Father had given him to do!

Note again these facts:

“It is finished,” that is, the work of man’s redemption and salvation is now completed:

A full satisfaction is made under the justice of God.

A fatal blow given to the power of Satan.

A fountain of grace opened to the whosoever.

“It is finished,” that is, His sufferings were now finished, both those of His soul and those of His body (He was still a man on the Cross). The storm is over, the worst is past; all His pains and agonies are at an end. Soon He will be entering upon the joy set before Him.

Let all that suffer for Christ, and with Christ, comfort themselves with this, that yet a little while and they also shall say. It is finished!

“It is finished,” that is, all the types and prophecies of the Old Testament, which pointed at the sufferings of the Messiah, were accomplished and answered by Jesus, someone counted 28 prophecies being fulfilled while Jesus was hanging on the Cross: Many are taken from Genesis 22; Leviticus 16; Numbers 21:8-9; Psalm 2:7; Psalm 22:1-2, 7-8, 14-18; ; Psalm 34:20; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 41:9; Psalm 69:21; Isaiah 22:16; Isaiah 52:14; Isaiah 53:4-6, 9, 12; Zechariah 12:10; etc. ONE man fulfilled these prophecies within 12 hours. What a miracle! Such as:

A. Being sold for thirty pieces of silver.

B. His hands and feet being pierced.

C. His garments divided, etc.

And now, it is finished!

“It is finished,” that is, the rituals of the law is abolished, and an end put to the requirement of it. The substance is now come, and all the shadows are done away. Just now the veil is rent; the wall of partition is taken down, to make way for a better hope. A way of grace and mercy!

“It is finished,” that is, the counsel and commandment of His Father concerning His sufferings were now fulfilled; it was a determinate counsel, and He took care to see every dot and crossed t was exactly answered.

Acts 2:23 “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death.” And now He said with pleasure, it is done.

“It is finished,” that is, His life’s work was now finished; He was just ready to breathe His last. Later Paul would echo these words with his own, “I have finished my course, my race is run” 2 Timothy 4:7.

CONCLUSION:

Christ was crucified two thousand years ago, and when He said on the cross, “It is finished” John 19:30, it was indeed finished. Christ does not have to be crucified again. God is satisfied with what Jesus did for you.

Here is the sixth saying of the Cross, spoken by Jesus!

Having three homes.

2011-11-29T07:25:00.000Z

Reading: Haggai 1:9.

“You looked for much, but indeed it came too little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.”

I want to speak about our homes today. If I spoke about TWO homes, we could speak about our earthly home (in the here and now) and our heavenly home (for eternity). But I want today to speak about THREE homes. Yes we need an earthly and a heavenly home, but what about a spiritual home? Our local church!

Every person should have THREE homes.

1. A Heavenly home. The first has to do with our salvation, and our eternal destiny. Jesus said “I go to prepare a place for you.”

2. A Christian home. The second has to do with your home and family (where we lay our head down to sleep at night).

3. A Spiritual home. The last is the local body of Christ (a church home) that you want to be part of.

Having the FIRST home ought to lead you to making sure you have the last TWO homes. And knowing that your eternity is secure should affect your present, as well as your future homes.

THREE homes that we should strive for:

1^ST POINT: A HEAVENLY HOME.

A. Salvation is important.

Men and women, who are uncertain about their present life and purpose, will not be able to relax or find peace, for they will be worrying about their future and maybe eternity. The outlook of living your life without hope brings fear to many. So the presence of the Lord in our lives is needed! I prayer this morning all here have received that assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ.

B. Surrender is important.

A fierce battle is fought between the old nature (the desire and even pleasure of sin, breaking the moral commandments of God) and the new nature (living our lives within God’s standards and moral commandments). There can be no true happiness until the new man (woman) is in complete control. Paul spoke of this in Philippians 4:11 “For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

C. Sacrifice is important.

It seems strange that words such as sacrifice, cost, and giving, could lead to happiness. Yet Jesus said that is the way to live your life, is to die to self. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” Matthew 16:25. Helping and caring for others often gives us great joy.

D. Separation should be included.

“Be not conformed to this world,” and “Love not the world,” are just a few phrases we find in God's Word that show us God's desire for us to seek His Kingdom first and foremost. The Bible speaks about “separation from the world,” that will lead to a happy life! But what does it mean for the average Christian? A greater care in our words, thoughts and actions.

No marriage can work well, when after the vows have been spoken together, one partner keeps on cheating on the other. For their relationship is based on LOVE. Well the greatest “love story” ever is that God loves us, John 3:16. So how can that relationship work, if we keep on cheating on God, by finding other interests more desirable then God presence?

2^ND POINT: A CHRISTIAN HOME.

Everyone wants a happy home. When it is cold outside, the only place you want to be is home. When you are tired, sick or discouraged, there is no place like home. It is not the carpets, furniture or fancy brick of the building, but the love within that makes a house a home.

A. To be found in family devotions:

i. There must be a father (or at least one other) who will call the family together around the Word of God.

ii. There must be a mother (if not all family members) who is not ashamed to share tears in prayer for her children.

iii. There must be children who will honour their Mother and Father because of God's command. This makes for a happy home.

B. A home is worth dedication:

1. A father who will dedicate himself to fulfil the spiritual leadership of the home. He is to lead in church attendance, family worship and holy living.

2. The mother is to be a picture of the bride of Christ, maintaining purity, devotion with love in the home.

3. The children are to obey, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. The happy home is dependent upon all being dedicated to their task!

3^RD POINT: A CHURCH HOME.

Strength in the body of the local assembly does not come by accident. The church at Jerusalem had it because the disciples and believers met in unity and in one accord. It is not surprising to read about their experiences being described with such words as “gladness” and “praising God.” They had peace toward God, purity toward their fellow Christians and they had power in reaching unbelievers. If a church is to have harmony, they must follow certain steps.

A. There must be plain preaching.

The theme will need to be The Book, The Blood and The Blessed Hope. Men like Elijah, John the Baptist and Paul would not go over very well in our day, but they sure could do us a world of good!

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season” 2 Timothy 4:2. That is preaching when the people like it and when they do not like it! Yet the Word preached will always do us good!

B. There must be praying people.

Someone said, “No prayer, no power.” Jesus rose up a great while before daybreak and went out to pray alone. He knew He had to start His day in pray, how much more should we pray. How often do you pray? A healthy church will have praying people.

C. There must be personal participation.

They “all were in one accord in the early church.” We are all individual ambassadors. In the Bible, words like “go,” “daily,” “from house to house” and “They ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ,” refer to people, not churches. Are you a member of the local body of Christ? Some here have a heavenly home, and a Christian home, so why not make your church home?

Treat your church experience like a marriage, knowing it will not be perfect because it is filled with imperfect people. But, remember the vows you made “For better or for worse, through ups and downs, 'til God takes us all home!”

CONCLUSION:

Do you know that you have a heavenly home? This is the most important question. If not, you can make sure today! Do you have a Christian home? And make sure you have a church home. Where God will lead you, so make sure you follow!

Who do YOU say Jesus is?

2011-11-27T16:47:00.001Z

Reading: Matthew 16:13-20.

“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

Life is full of questions that YOU must ask and answer. These questions started with your birth. Is it a boy or a girl? Are they alright? Till Are they gone? All very important questions that need an answer, because they affect our lives. Sadly here is one more question to answer that will affect your life and your eternity. “What do YOU think of Christ?” Who is Jesus to YOU? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well.

With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.

Consider what the Bible says about Him:

1^ST POINT: JESUS IS GOD.

While Jesus was on earth there was much confusion about who He was. Some thought He was a wise man or a great prophet. Others thought He was just a man. Still others could not decide or did not care.

But Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” John 10:30. That means He claimed to be nothing less than God in human flesh. Many people today do not understand that Jesus claimed to be God. They are content to think of Him as little more than a good moral teacher. But even His enemies understood His claims to deity. That is why they tried to stone Him to death (John 5:18; 10:33) and eventually had Him crucified (John 19:7).

If the biblical claims of Jesus are true, Jesus the Christ is God!

2^ND POINT: JESUS IS HOLY

God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). As God, Jesus embodied every element of God's character. For Colossians 2:9 says, “In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” He was perfectly holy (Hebrews 4:15). Even those that hated Him, could not prove any charge against Him (John 8:46)

God requires holiness of us as well. 1 Peter 1:16 says, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

3^RD POINT: JESUS IS THE SAVIOR

Our failure to obey God “to be holy” places us in danger of eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The truth is we cannot obey Him because we have neither the desire nor the ability to do so. We are by nature rebellious toward God (Ephesians 2:1-3). The Bible calls our rebellion “sin.” According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: “There is no man who does not sin” 1 Kings 8:46. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.

And we are incapable of changing our sinful condition ourselves. That does not mean we are incapable of performing acts of human kindness. We might even be involved in various religious activities. But we are utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own.

The Bible says, “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one” Romans 3:10-12.

God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death: “The soul who sins will die” Ezekiel 18:4. That is hard for us to understand because we tend to weigh up sin on a moral scale, assuming that some sins are less serious than others. However, the Bible teaches that all acts of sin are the result of sinful thinking and evil desires. That is why simply changing our patterns of behaviour cannot solve our sin problem or do away with its penalty.

We need to be changed inwardly so our thinking and desires are holy.

Jesus is the only one who can forgive and transform us, thereby delivering us from the power and penalty of sin: “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” Acts 4:12.

Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Saviour, who paid the penalty and died for sinners: “Christ ... died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God” 1 Peter 3:18.

Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26). He alone is “our great God and Saviour” Titus 2:13. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?

Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is more than simply being sorry for sin. It is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin and pursue holiness (Isaiah 55:7).

Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” John 14:15; and “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine” John 8:31.

A Love Letter from Jesus

2011-11-24T07:22:00.000Z

If you never felt pain, then how would you know I am a Healer?
If you never had to pray, how would you know that I am a Deliverer?
If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?
If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I am a Comforter?
If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I am a Forgiver?
If you knew all, how would you know that I will answer your questions?
If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue?
If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?
If you never had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?
If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what I went through?
If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?
If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them?
If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?
If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on me?
If your life was perfect, then what would you need me for?
Love, Jesus

Are you the Christ?

2011-11-22T16:59:00.001Z

Reading: Matthew 11:1-16

“And said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:3.

Why did John ask Jesus this question? Did John believe that Jesus was the Christ or did John doubt it? Remember it was John that said of Jesus “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” John spoke of Jesus being the Saviour of the world. John believed that Jesus was God’s Lamb, who came to offer Himself as the final blood sacrifice “once for all.”

So let us look at these verses for an answer.

1^ST POINT: JOHN’S QUESTION, ARE YOU THE CHRIST?

“Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:1-3.

(There is a three point message in verse one.

Jesus and the Commandments of God.

Jesus and His teaching.

Jesus and His preaching).

This question is nothing about the side of Jesus being the Saviour of the world, or about Him being the Lamb of God. John is asking the question. Are you the KING coming with Your KINGDOM? Are you the CHRIST? The promised Messiah of God? So many in Israel were looking for a “warrior king,” but, John was looking for the “Suffering Saviour” of Isaiah 53.

Turn too Luke 4:14-21. This is the New Testament “revelation” of God. That is like the revelation of “I am” given to Moses in the Old Testament. What a statement Jesus is making early in His ministry.

Note verses 18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
This is a direct quote from Isaiah 61:1-2, which is a Messianic prophecy of the coming Messiah. Jesus is very clear here in saying “He is the Messiah!”

When John asks the question “Are you the Messiah? Jesus answers “Look around you.”

2^ND POINT: JESUS ANSWERED, SEE FOR YOURSELF!

A. “The blind receive their sight, etc.”

God opens the eyes of blind men and women, so that they can see His glory. Look around you, and see the things of God, look upwards, and consider the heavens which the Lord God Almighty has made.

B. “The lame walk.”

They walk about; to give the fullest evidence to the multitude that their cures are real. These miracles were not only the most convincing testimony of the supreme power of Christ, but were also symbolic of the work of salvation which Jesus Christ brings about in the souls and lives of men and women.

Note:

1. Sinners are blind; their understanding is so darkened by sin: that they see not the way of truth and salvation.

2. They are lame: and not able to walk in the path of righteousness.

3. They are leprous: their souls are defiled with sin, the most hateful and incurable disease; deepening in themselves, and infecting others.

4. They are deaf to the voice of God: His Word, and their own conscience.

5. They are dead in trespasses and sins: God, who is the life of the soul, is separated from it by deceit.

Nothing less than the power of Christ Jesus can redeem us from all this; and, the power of Christ Jesus actually does redeem every repentant believing person. Giving sight to the blind, and raising the dead from sin into life.

What is sin? Sin is wrong doing, an offence, a misdeed, a fault, and transgression.

What is a sinner? A Sinner is one that does these things. An offender and wrongdoer before a Holy God. But, here is the good news:

C. “The poor have the Gospel preached to them.”

And what is this Gospel? The Good News of God? The glad tidings that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

1. He opens the eyes of the blind to their sin.

2. He enables the lame to walk with a constant pace in the way of holiness.

3. He cleanses the lepers from all the defilement of their sins.

4. He opens the ears of the deaf to hear His pardoning words.

5. And He raises those who were dead in trespasses and sins, to live in union with Him, for all eternity.

D. “The poor have the Gospel preached to them.”

“The poor” are meant here: the hearers of it; those who are spiritually poor; who seek from their spiritual poverty, and acknowledged their need. Who seek after the true need of their lives, Salvation in Jesus Christ!

Now these, are they who had the Gospel preached to them:

a. More fully and clearly.

b. With more power and authority.

c. It never was before, made more clear to them, so they “received” it.

d. They readily and willingly, with faith and love; accepted the Good News that Jesus Christ had paid the price for their sin.

CONCLUSION:

Very clearly Jesus answered John, “Look and see” the fulfilment of the prophecies “I AM the Messiah,” the one sent by God.

The Impact of Prayer.

2011-11-18T21:19:00.001Z

The Impact of Prayer.

Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.

“Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.

Prayer is the lifeblood of a close relationship with the Father God. But believers often have questions about its power and effectiveness. Yet, prayer is too important for us to neglect.

Will God’s plans fail if I do not pray? God is not submissive to believers or dependent upon our prayers. The time we invest in speaking with Him involves us in the work that He is already doing in our lives and in the world, but He will carry on without us. Labouring alongside the Lord is our greatest opportunity.

Does my prayer (or lack of it) impact God’s work? I believe that Scripture indicates the answer to this question is both yes and no, depending upon the situation. There are times when God’s purpose is set. For He is always in control and has determined the best course.

In the Old Testament, the Lord often prophesied what He would do and then brought those events to pass. In other cases, “you do not have because you do not ask” James 4:2. There are some good things that He holds back from us until we put out our hands (in prayer) to receive them.

But because God is a loving Father, He also pours out His blessings that we do not expect.

Believer’s prayers have tremendous impact on God, when spoken in faith. What an awesome opportunity it is to kneel or stand before the all-powerful Father God and know that He listens and will respond to our prayers.

God loves to be good to His children and He loves to answer our prayers.

FEAR NOT!

2011-11-09T07:16:00.000Z

Fear not!

Reading: Isaiah 43:1-2.

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

So Fear Not!

We live in a world full of fear. We live in a fearful time. Yet, over 60 times God tells us to “Fear not.” In this passage we see some reasons why God tells us not to fear.

I. FEAR NOT! I have created you, verse 1, 7.

Verse 1 “Fear not, He who formed you, O Israel.”

Verse 7 “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord, He is God: it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”

We must remember that God created us and knows what is best for us. He created us for His Pleasure.

He created us for His purpose.

He created us for His praise.

FEAR NOT! For God is our Creator.

2. FEAR NOT! I have redeemed you, verse 1.
Verse 1 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you.”

Redemption means that God has paid something for us:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”

Hebrews 9:12 “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”

FEAR NOT! For Christ has redeemed you.

3. FEAR NOT! I have called you by your name, verse 1.
Verse 1 “Fear not, I have called you by your name.”

He knows you by name. He knows all about you.
Luke 12:7 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

FEAR NOT, for He knows you.

4. FEAR NOT! I will be with you, verse 2.
Verse 2 “Fear not, when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

We have the promise of God’s presence. His presence alone should remove our fears.

He will be with you:
1. Through the flood (trials of life).
2. Through the fire (Testing’s of God).
3. Even through death.
Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

FEAR NOT, He will be there for you.

5. FEAR NOT! I have loved you, verse 4.

Verse 4 “Fear not, since you were precious in My sight, you have been honoured, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.”

His love is perfect.
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

His love is demonstrated.
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

One thing you can be assured of is God’s love for you.

CONCLUSION:

So FEAR NOT!

The three “I am’s” of Romans 1:14-16.

2011-11-01T07:58:00.000Z

Reading: Romans 1:14-16.

“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise.
So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

When Paul (then called Saul) met with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he asked the Lord the two most important questions that anyone could ask:

1. Who are You Lord?

2. What would You have me to do?

Paul then spent the rest of his life discovering the answer to those two questions: Paul became then the greatest minister of the Gospel that the world has ever known. What was it that so transformed him? What was the motivation that urged him on? Maybe we can find out today, and it should work in our life also.

Paul says “I am” three times:

Verse 14, “I am a debtor.”

Verse 15, “I am ready.”

Verse 16, “I am not ashamed.”

1^ST POINT: I AM A DEBTOR, VERSE 14.

“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise.”

Paul said, “I am a debtor.” Now what does that mean? A debtor is a somebody/or body that owes a debt to someone else. The body may be an individual, a firm, a government, a company or other legal person. To whom was Paul in debt? To what was Paul in debt for?

Well, number one, Paul was in debt to Christ. Go back to verse 1. “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ.” And the word “servant” means, “A bond slave.” Paul saw himself a bond slave to the one who died for him.

Question, has Jesus died for you? Yes! Alright, Jesus with His blood at Calvary bought you. Therefore, Paul later told the Corinthians, “You are not your own. You are bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.” Jesus has bought me; He alone has paid the price. No wonder we sing: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands, demands my life, my soul, my all.”

Also Paul saw himself as a debtor to those around him. Verse 14, “I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians.”

The Greeks, where the some bodies!

The Barbarians, where the nobodies!

Paul said I am a debtor to all, for all around us need the Lord Jesus Christ and we have the message to tell them. Paul knew that he was a debtor to those around him that did not know the Lord as Saviour.

2^ND POINT: I AM READY, VERSE 15.

“So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”

Do you know the problem with most of us today? We are inflexible. We are not ready or willing to “go” when God speaks to us. Are you flexible enough that God could step in and interrupt your so called plans and change totally the course of your life? The question is this: are you ready to hear God speak?

Paul was ready to live for Christ. I hear people talk about the fact, “I would die for Jesus.” It is the living for Jesus that courses us to fail in? Paul was ready to live for Christ. But also, Paul was ready to die for Christ. Look at Paul’s pulpit. Made of oak, crafted by a skilled master carpenter, trimmed with gold plate. No! It was a damp hole in the ground, a prison cell that he wrote and preached his best sermons.

Here is the prison where the apostle Paul was kept until he was executed. And a guard comes for him and says, “Paul, let us go.” Paul answers, “I am ready, because I die daily, for Christ.” I believe that a man or woman is no longer afraid to die, when they are ready to live for Christ. Paul said, “I am ready.” I am going to Rome where they hate Jesus Christ, where Caesar is Emperor and I am going to preach there that Jesus is Lord! It may cost me my life. Are you ready to go? You may not need to go; God may just want you to “stay” where you are.

3^RD POINT: 1 AM NOT ASHAMED, VERSE 16.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Paul, a little squinty eyed, bald and hump back Jew is going to go into the city of Rome, that ruled the then known world, filled with its evil ways and false gods, and Paul is going to preach the message of another publicly executed Jew. They would laugh at him. They would persecute him. But he would say, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.”

Rome was a proud city. But Paul is going there with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember that the Christians of his day, they did not have money, status, etc. But they had the saving power of Jesus Christ.

1. Paul said he was not ashamed of the “Person of the Gospel.” For it is the Gospel of Christ. There are almost 7 billion people on the earth today, and about 50,000 are being added to the world’s population every day. Who will reach them if not you and me?

2. Paul goes on to say “I am not ashamed of the Purpose of the Gospel.” Paul said “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation.” What is the purpose of the Gospel? It is salvation! Man needs more than bread and soup. He needs salvation!

If you want an adventure, if you want to be a part of something that really counts, then pour your life into getting men and women saved! Be a winner of souls. The Bible says, “He that wins souls is wise.”

3. Paul then says “I am not ashamed of the Power of the Gospel.” “For it is the power of God unto salvation.” And the word “power” is the word we get our word dynamite from. I am grateful for that divine dynamite, for it blew up my sins. Many of us know the power of the Gospel in our lives.

CONCLUSION:

May we become more like Paul by saying, “I am a debtor to Christ, I am ready to go, for I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.”

The Second Saying of the Cross.

2011-10-29T19:10:00.001+01:00

The Second Saying of the Cross.

Reading: Luke 23:43.

“And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

The “words of Jesus” on the cross are important:

1. The first words concern the Roman soldiers who were crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34.

2. The second statement is made to the penitent thief: “Today you will be with Me in paradise” Luke 23:43.

3. The third statement comes while looking at His grief-stricken mother: “Woman, behold your son!” To John He says, “Behold your mother!” John 19:26-27.

4. The fourth cry is addressed to God at the ninth hour and comes from Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34.

5. The fifth statement is “I thirst” John 19:28, followed by His taking of vinegar from a sponge.

6. The sixth cry is “It is finished” John 19:30.

7. The seventh cry was addressed to His Father: “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit” Luke 23:46.

Jesus had suffered the brutal beatings and the mocking that prepared prisoners for crucifixion. His hands and feet had been nailed to the wooden beam. Now Jesus hanged on it, between heaven and earth, His weight resting alternately on the torn flesh of His feet, then on His hands. Around Him indifferent soldiers gambled for His clothing while His enemies grinned in satisfaction at His agony.

Even here, though, we see God’s grace revealed. He prayed for His murderers (Luke 23:34). He welcomed the repentant thief with the promise of paradise (Luke 23:43). That very day this thief who was not fit to live on earth, according to the Roman government, went to be with the Lord. This man was an evil man, not a good one, but because of his faith in the Son of God he became a saved man.

Here we are going to look at the second saying of the Cross, spoken by Jesus.

THREE men died because of sin that day, we are to look at why.

1^ST POINT: Death IN SIN, Verses 39-41A.

“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds.”

This is the cross of the rejecting thief. He chooses to die IN HIS SIN. But you may ask, “How could anyone so close to Christ choose to die in his sin?” With Christ Jesus the Saviour of the world only an arm’s length away (plus his arm was already stretched towards Christ, in his crucifixion), and Christ was ready to forgive. This man still died IN SIN!

How is it possible to die IN SIN?

A. Death IN SIN comes because of unbelief in Christ Jesus, VERSE 39B, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

He is saying, “You are not God the Saviour of men!” Why is unbelief such a serious matter? Because it rejects Christ’s saving power.

So the man is saying, “I do not really believe you have the power to save, any more than any other ordinary man has.” You maybe saying the same thing today! “I do not believe that you are the Saviour, at least, not enough to let you become my personal Saviour.” God considers your response as unbelief, and rejection of His salvation.

B. Death IN SIN comes because of disrespect for God, VERSE 39, “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him.”

The man was offensive towards Christ, thus he showed open contempt. Some say “I would never do that! I respect Christ.” But, do they? CHRIST Jesus asks us to repent of our sins and openly accept Christ as our Saviour, but some have not. Thier actions are saying, “Lord, I respect you, but I will not do what you have asked me to do?”

This is a strange kind of respect. If you hold in the highest regard God, you will surrender to Him and accept His Son as your Saviour.

C. Death IN SIN comes because it is the just punishment for sin, VERSE 41 “And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

The thieves were receiving the due rewards of their sins. They had no reason to complain. The simple laws of justice were in action. They chose to live and die as thieves. When you chose to live in sin, you choose to die in sin. The just punishment for sin is death, “For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23. The result of sin is inescapable, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” Galatians 6:7. No one can escape the just punishment for sin.

2^ND POINT: Death TO SIN, Verses 41b-42).

“But this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

On the second cross on Calvary was a man who chose to die TO sin rather than IN sin. But how does one die to sin? How is a person forgiven? How is a person saved?

A. Death TO sin.

Comes because of an acknowledgment of personal guilt. You must simply be honest enough to “tell it like it is” about yourself. This man openly admitted his guilt. “'We receive the due reward of our deeds” Luke 23:41. He did not question that he was fairly suffering.

Are you honest enough to do this? Are you willing to come to that point of honesty in your life when you openly admit to God and others that as a human you, too, are a sinner? If so, you have taken the first major step in experiencing death to sin.

B. Death TO sin.

Comes because of a belief in Jesus Christ. The second man said, “But this man hath done nothing amiss” Luke 3:41. He was saying, “I believe in this man Jesus.”

You can usually tell by the way a man dies how he has lived. After watching how Christ faced abuse, shame, hatred, physical agony, and now death. This thief was compelled to believe that Christ was all that He claimed to be.

Belief accepts Christ at face value. Perhaps he had seen Christ before, or perhaps he had never seen Christ, but nevertheless, at this moment he accepted Christ at face value. There was much he did not understand, but he did understand that he had sinned, and that he was in a terrible mess, and that Christ somehow could help him. He trusted Christ to do just that.

C. Death TO sin.

Comes because of surrender to Christ. “Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” Luke 23:42.

This was the second man’s public profession of faith. If he were willing to profess his faith in Christ before the enemies of Christ, surely you should be willing to profess your faith in Christ before his friends here today.

3^RD POINT: Death FOR SIN, Verses 43, 46). Luke 23:43

“And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.”

One man died IN sin, the other died TO sin, but Christ's death was the most important of all because He only died FOR sin. His is the strangest death of the three.

I can understand how a man can die IN sin. For if justice were done, I would die in my sin. And I can understand how a man can die TO sin. For by the grace of God I have had that experience. But I shall never fully understand how a perfect Jesus would die as a common criminal FOR sin! If pressed to give some reason why a sinless Christ would die FOR sin, I would simply have to say:

A. Because there is no other way,

Christ died for sin. Christ prayed on the night prior to his death. Luke 22:42 “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Christ was saying, "If there is any other way for people to be saved other than My death on the cross, use it.''

But there is no other way in which our sins can be forgiven (1 Peter 9:24). There is no other way approved by God (Acts 4:12). The ways of works, personal virtue, baptism, and church membership are not open to all. They would exclude many. Only the way of Christ's death on the cross is open to all.

There is no other way in which God can be both just and merciful. This is what Christ did on the cross. When God saw our sins, He had to be just. We are guilty, and the verdict is “The wages of sin is death.” Then in Christ Jesus, God laid down the robe of his pre-incarnate glory, stepped down to this earth, stood beside you and me, and on the cross paid the fine himself! He was both just and merciful!

B. Because of divine love.

Christ died for sin, Romans 5:6‑8 “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

This love is extended even to sinners (Romans 5:8; Luke 23:45).

C. Because of the purpose of His life,

Christ died for sin (Luke 23.35b). The sceptics around the cross asked Christ to come down, claiming that they would then believe. But they did not understand that the purpose of Christ's life was not to save Himself but to save others. And if that purpose were to be realized, He could not save Himself.

CONCLUSION:

Here is the second saying of the Cross, spoken by Jesus!

There stands before you three crosses one represents death IN sin, another death TO sin, and the third death FOR sin.

The powerhouse of prayer.

2011-10-26T06:38:00.000+01:00

The powerhouse of prayer.

Reading: Acts 4:23-31.

“And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things?
The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.'
“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” Acts 4:23-31.

Peter and John have been arrested and threatened not to preach Christ ever again, but the Lord has told them TOO! When released, where did they go? They had a prayer and praise meeting!

Here are some things that make a prayer meeting a powerhouse of prayer.

1^ST POINT: UNITY IN PRAYER.

They dropped to their knees and joined together and prayed. We have all heard the saying “A family that prayers together will stay together.” Well we are the family of God, so let us be united with the Lord. Being of one mind and one purpose.

2^ND POINT: GOD CENTRED PRAYER.

They did not focus on their problems but on God's power! The most powerful prayers in the bible are not problem-centred, but God centred! I believe that the God that can create this world and universe, and bring all life into being, is able to sort out my small problems. Have you ever noticed a small ant carrying a large load? God must smile at us at times, when we are burdened down with our small problems.

3^RD POINT: SCRIPTURED PRAYER.

They prayed scripture based prayers. The most powerful book in the world is the Bible. Why? Because it is filled with “God’s Words.” They prayed Scripture claiming verses, and so can we, and so we ought to!

God spoke a word, and a blind man could see again.

God spoke a word, and a lame man could walk again.

God spoke a word, and a deaf man could hear again.

God spoke a word, and a dead man could live again.

Are you getting the point of this? Speak the “Word of God” into your prayers.

4^TH POINT: UNSELFISH PRAYERS.

It was not a pity me party or a selfish party. Before we knew Christ we where a “me” person, it was all about me. My pleasure, my enjoyment, my relationships, my life, my job, my car, my house etc. Now that we know Christ, it is all about Him!

I wonder at times if we make God a waiter in a restaurant by our requests: “For my starter I will have a little prosperity, then for the main course I will have the good health, then for afters I want a sweet relationship. And I want a trouble free bottle to drink.”

CONCLUSION:

May we learn how to pray, so that we will see the power of God in our midst. Turning our pray meetings into powerhouses of prayer.

The path to salvation.

2011-10-24T07:10:00.003+01:00

The path to salvation.

Reading Acts 10:1-6.

“There was acertain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called theItalian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all hishousehold, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of Godcoming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So hesaid to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial beforeGod.
Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell youwhat you must do.” Acts 10:1-6.

This text is about 10 years after the day of Pentecost, and though theearly church has made great strides and reached a lot of people, they aremaking no efforts to reach other races. This was not just a cultural barrier,this was a brick wall, but a wall that God said had to come down! For Jesussaid “Go into all the world and preach the gospelto every creature” Mark 16:15.

Let us look at a non Jewcoming to Christ, the man Cornelius.

1^ST POINT: CORNELIUS THEMAN.

Verse 1 “There was acertain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was calledthe Italian Regiment.”

Cornelius was a Centurion who commanded 100 men in the Romanarmy. They were career men, fearless, steady men of backbone, prepared todie for their country.

2^ND POINT: HE WAS A GOOD MAN(DEVOUT).

Verse 2 “A devout manand one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to thepeople, and prayed to God always.

This makes it clear he was more than a good soldier, he was a very goodman, pointing out the fact that a person can be very moral, and be quite religious.He had turned away from paganism and idol worship, which was out of control inthe Roman Empire. He had not been fully converted but was a stepcloser to it. Cornelius had turnedhis back on the false idols of his day, he knew that was wrong. For itsays “He was devout.”

Can I say you may not worship statues or worldly gods yourself today,but you can still be far from God, even being a devout man or woman. Cornelius wasa good moral man, a religious man, but he never knew fully the Saviour Jesusthe Christ!

3^RD POINT: HE WAS A GODFEARING MAN.

Verse 2 “A devout man and onewho feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to thepeople, and prayed to God always.

Proverbs says “the fear of the Lordis the beginning of wisdom.” It is a good thing to fear God, for youcannot be saved until you at least have that healthy fear or respect for God! “NoFear of a holy God” is the motto of our lost world around us

“Sin” and immorality runs rampant because people do not fear an Almighty God. “Sin” isoften used to mean an action that is considered wrong. In Christianity, sin can refer not only to physical actions taken, but alsoto thoughts and motivations and feelings. So any thought, word, or act considered immoral, might betermed “sinful.”

Our standards maybe falling, but God’s standards and commandments neverchange (Exodus 20:1-17). Sin isstill sin in God’s eyes. Take care, “It is afearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” Hebrews 10:31. God isa God of love, but if you reject Him and His offer of love, you will have to face another side of God, the God who is the Judge ofsin and the sinner.

Cornelius understood all of this, he feared God, but he did not know fullythe Saviour Jesus the Christ!

4^TH POINT: HE WAS AGENEROURS MAN.

Verse 2 “A devout man and onewho feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to thepeople, and prayed to God always.

He gave to charity, much like many do in times of need. Thousandssend money to those in need of help. And Cornelius was like that, but you cannotbuy your way into heaven. Not by works or giving to the poor.

5^TH POINT: HE WAS A PRAYINGMAN.

Verses 3-4 “About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in avision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So hesaid to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorialbefore God.”

His prayers were heard and answered! The Godconsciousness of Cornelius was awoken, which coursed him to seek for a betterlife. God honoured his searching and sent Peter to him, to show him the way toGod.

6^TH POINT: GOD FINDS THISMAN.

Verses 5-6 “And when he observed him, hewas afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers andyour alms have come up for a memorial before God.
Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell youwhat you must do.”

God honoured Cornelius searching by showing him the way. No doubt thereis some listening right now, and you are seeking, and God loves you so muchthat He has made sure you are hearing this at this time. Now will you receiveit?

CONCLUSION:

Maybe you have assumed you WERE saved because of good works, goodintentions, or just by having a good heart. But today you realize you havenever reached the Cross of Christ, and the offer of salvation.

THREE things seen at the Throne Room of God.

2011-10-05T06:40:00.002+01:00

THREE things seen atthe Throne Room of God.

Reading: Revelation 4

“After these things I looked, and behold, a doorstanding open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard waslike a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show youthings which must take place after this.”
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, andOne sat on the throne” Revelation4:1-2.

There will be THREEthings that we will see at the Throne Room of Heaven.

1^ST POINT: THE MASTER ONTHE THRONE.

“And He who sat there was like ajasper and a Sardis stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow aroundthe throne, in appearance like an emerald” Revelation 4:3.

A. He will be great in glory.

The word translated “jasper”could mean diamond = radiance, beauty, and infinitely pure. Then there’sthe “Sardis” stone = deep red, asymbol of the blood of Christ.

In the Old Testament the high priest wore breastplates in it were 12stones, representing the people of God, the 12 tribes of Israel. The 1^st andlast stones in that breastplate were these 2! The jasper and the Sardis stones.

B. He will be great in grace.

The One seatedon this Throne is not only great in glory, but great in grace. Look at end of verse 3 and the rainbow. “And there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance likean emerald” Revelation 4:3.

After God destroyed the world with a flood, He made a covenant with man,and put in the sky His symbol of that covenant, the rainbow. The rainbow is apicture of God’s grace. Most rainbows aremulti-coloured, but this one is emerald green, the colour of the earth. Therainbow was for earth-dwellers, but now the saints have been raptured away, andwe will realize that once and for all, the storms of life are over!

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus! Life’s trials will seem sosmall when we see Christ. One glimpse of His face, and all sorrow willerase, so bravely run the race, ‘til we see Christ! Can you see Him onthe throne? Great in glory, great in grace, and:

C. He will be great in government.

“And from the throne proceeded lightning’s,thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before thethrone, which are the seven Spirits of God” Revelation 4:5.

What a change! One moment we are beholding the rainbow of peace,and the next lightning flashing and the thunder crashing! Though the storms oflife are over for us, below on the earth, the storms are brewing like neverbefore as God’s righteous judgment goes forth upon the earth from His mightyThrone.

We have seen the master onthe throne, great in glory/grace/government.

2^ND POINT: THE MULTITUDE BEFORETHE THRONE.

“Around the throne weretwenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting,clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads” Revelation 4:4.

Who are these elders? These are the redeemed of the Lord,chapter 5 makes this clear. The elders are “clothed in white robes” = clothed with the righteousnessof Christ. Then it says: “andthey had crowns of gold on their heads.” These are thecrowns we can win:

1. The incorruptible crown (imperishablecrown) in I Corinthians 9:25-27. Givento the Christian who exhibits self-control, temperate in all things.

2. The Soul winner’s crown (crown of rejoicing) I Thessalonians 2:19-20. Given to thosewho win souls to Christ.

3. The Crown of righteousness (anticipator’s crown) 2 Timothy 4:8. Given to the Christianwho faithfully waits, and looks for the coming of Christ.

4. The Crown of life James 1:12:Revelation 2:10. Given to the Christian who endures suffering in anoble way (persecuted, suffering, even death

5. The Crown of glory I Peter 5:2-4. Minister’s crown, given to a faithful shepherd

These are the FIVE crowns we can win, and what will we do with them? Paradearound with them showing them off for eternity? “Oh no!” “The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worshipHim who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne,saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honour and power; For Youcreated all things, And by Your will they exist and were created” Revelation 4:10-11.

Will we have any crowns to cast at His feet?

We have seen the master onthe throne / multitude before the throne.

3^RDPOINT: THE MAJESTY SURROUNDING THE THRONE.

“Before the throne there wasa sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around thethrone, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
The first living creature was like a lion, the second livingcreature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man,and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyesaround and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy,holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Revelation 4:6-8.

Who are these FOUR beasts at the foot of the throne? These FOURbeasts represent all of creation praising the Lord. In Genesis 9, after God destroyed theearth with a flood, and saved Noah and family, He made a covenant with FOUR typesof His creation:

“Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him,saying: “And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with yourdescendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you: thebirds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, ofall that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth” Genesis 9:8-10.

God made a covenant with:

1. Man.

2. Birds.

3. Cattle.

4. Beasts of the earth.

Lookagain at Revelation 4:7 “The first living creature waslike a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the thirdliving creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature waslike a flying eagle.”

Lion = beasts of the earth.

Calf = cattle of the earth.

Man = man, all of mankind.

Eagle = fowl, the birds of theair.

God has made a covenant with all His creation. God is not finishedwith His creation. The devil spoiled God’s creation, but it is goingto be restored. Not only did God redeem man, but all His creation will beultimately redeemed. The Bible says if we do not praise the Lord; the veryrocks would have to cry out!

“For the earnest expectation of the creationeagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Himwho subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will bedelivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of thechildren of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and labours with birth pangstogether until now” Romans 8:19-22.

Romans 8:19-22 describe creationgroaning for its redemption, when all of creation will bloom like therose. Later in Revelation we will see the lion and the lamb lying downtogether, and the little toddler will play by the snake! And together, allof creation will praise God together, the Creator!

Look what the 24 elders say when they see the 4 beasts praising God. “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for Youcreated all things, And by Your will they exist and were created” Revelation 4:11. This world was created by Jesus, forJesus, sustained through Jesus, redeemed by Jesus, and one day it will all comeback to Jesus!

CONCLUSION:

These will be the THREE things that we will see at the Throne Room ofHeaven.

A Tale of Two Men, Cain and Abel.

2011-09-30T08:39:00.002+01:00

A Tale of Two Men,Cain and Abel.

Reading: Genesis 4:1-16.

Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered to God a moreexcellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he wasrighteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead stillspeaks.”

This story might be called “ATale of Two Men.” One man on the right side, the other on the wrongside. The same truth is illustrated in the stories of:

1. Two men weigh up a birthright (Genesis 25:24-34). Esau and Jacob’s birth.

2. Two men who built a house (Matthew 7:24, 27). “A wise man who built his houseon the rock: and the foolish man that built his house on the sands.”
Matthew 7:24

3. Two men at the rapture (Luke 17:36). “Two men will be in the field: the one will betaken and the other left.”
Luke 17:36

4. Two men who went to pray (Luke 18:10-14). “Two menwent up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Onlyone man went down to his house justified rather than the other.”

5. Two men crucified with Jesus (Luke 25).

6. Two men who went to meet God (Luke 16:19-20). “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linenand fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus,full of sores, who was laid at his gate.”

1^ST POINT: Learning from Scripture.

1. This is to show the result of the inherited sinful nature,Psalm 51:5

“Behold,I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” Youcould say this is the next generation after the perfect couple. Adam and Evecreated without sin in their lives, but Cain and Abel already in sin. And whatdo sinners do? But sin!

2. This also shows the difference between faith and works, Ephesians 2:8-9

“Forby grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it isthe gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” God’s way andman’s way (who is lead by the Devil).

3. To show the need of the blood sacrifice, Hebrews 9:22

“Andaccording to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and withoutshedding of blood there is no remission.”

4. To show that hate and malice is of the wicked one, 1 John 3:12

“Notas Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did hemurder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.”

2^ND POINT: The outline of the text.

I. Cain.

A. Born first, born in sin as are all the seed of Adam, Romans 5:12.

“Therefore,just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thusdeath spread to all men, because all sinned.”

B. Became the first murderer, a the deed resulted fromthe evil heart, Proverbs 4:23.

“Keepyour heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

C. Notice his steps into this act of murder:

1. He hated, 1 John3:15 “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murdererhas eternal life abiding in him.”

2. He killed, Genesis4:8 “Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they werein the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.”

3. He lied, Genesis4:9 “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I donot know. Am I my brother's keeper?”

4. He came under a curse, Genesis 4:11 “So now you are cursed from the earth, which has openedits mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.”

D. His offering was rejected because it pictured his ownworks and not the grace of God (no man is saved by his deeds and works)Salvation comes by the Cross of Christ.

E. Cain killing Abel pictures sinners crucifying Christ,evil men taking the blood of innocence men.

2. Abel.

A. Abel isa picture of Christ, who suffered and died at the hands of sinful men.

B. His offering was accepted, because it fulfilled thepicture of Christ in the shedding of blood to make atonement for sin.

C. His offering is by faith in compared to Cain’soffering of works.

Conclusion:

It only took ONE STEP out of theGarden of Eden to turn mankind into a murderer. Even when God placed mankindinto a perfect environment (You cannot blame your environment and up bring foryour downfall into sin).

Again TWO menboth one the same road of life, but one went the right way and the other wentthe wrong way.

The 4th saying on the Cross.

2011-09-25T06:06:00.001+01:00

The sayings of the Cross.

Reading: Matthew 27:46.

“And about the ninthhour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

There are SEVEN sayings spoken by Jesus on the Cross atCalvary, this must be the saddest of them all. All the “words of Jesus” spokenon the cross are important, but for the time being let us look at this fourthsaying of Jesus spoken in those few hours before His death.

1. Thefirst words concern the Roman soldiers who were crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them; for they know notwhat they do” Luke 23:34.

2. The second statement is made to the penitent thief:“Today you shall be with Me in paradise”Luke 23:43.

3. Thethird statement comes while looking at His grief-stricken mother: “Woman, behold your son!” To John He says,“Behold your mother!” John 19:26-27.

4. Thefourth cry is addressed to God at the ninth hour and comes from Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have Youforsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34.

5. Thefifth statement is “I thirst” John19:28, followed by His taking of vinegar from a sponge.

6. Thesixth cry is “It is finished” John 19:30.

7. The seventh cry was addressed to His Father: “Father, into Your hands I commend Myspirit” Luke 23:46.

In the entire Bible there is no versemore puzzling than these words of Christ Jesus from the CROSS. Why? For who canunderstand the deep feeling of separation that Jesus felt, when all the sin ofmen fell upon Him, and because of that sin, even the Father had to turn awayfrom His only begotten Son.

It was Martin Luther who said afterstudying this verse, “God forsaken of God! Who can understand that?” TheFather and the Son had never ever been separated before; they have always beenONE together from eternity to eternity. Yet now the Son is left all alone atthe CROSS, the only ever “God forsaken Man to die.”

THE SCENE OF THECROSS.

Let us look at the scene. Jesus wascrucified at 9.00am in themorning, at “the third hour.”

The hour of the morning sacrifice, thehour at which the lamb had been, for generations, offered daily in the Temple. Whilethe priests were busy in the Temple, the True Lamb of God was left outside thecity walls forgotten and rejected.

After hanging there on the CROSS forthree hours, at noon, when the sun which burns so intensely and bright there inIsrael, darkness suddenly fell on the land and continued until “the ninth hour,” 3.00pm in theafternoon, when again a lamb was offered daily in the Temple, foreshadowingthe sacrifice of the True Lamb of God, the Lamb slain from before thefoundation of the world.

During that time of darkness no soundcame from Jesus on the CROSS. Then as the darkness passes He cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”How can we understand this scene? How can we express its meaning? We can onlygrasp some of its meaning by examining the scene.

At the ninth hour (3 p.m.)Jesus cried: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why hast thouforsaken me?” Here we have the high cost to Christ of His atonement for oursins, who was accused of God as our sin-bearer (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galileans 3:13) and suffered the agony ofspiritual death for us. “He … cried … with a loud voice,” as ashout of triumph, and yieldedup His Spirit.

In other words, having borne thewrath of God’s judgment against sin, He knew He had triumphed over Satan andthe curse of sin.

THE EMPTINESSFELT BY CHRIST ON THE CROSS.

Was there ever a cry so filled withdesolation and intense pain as Jesus words of “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Many misunderstood even then the words that He cried. Thosethat stood by said, “He is calling forhelp.”

A.Jesus was often misunderstood in His life.

1.From childhood He was misunderstood by His family and friends.

2.In His adulthood He was misunderstood by those around Him.

3.When He cast out devils, He was accused of working with the Devil.

4.When He befriended sinners, He was accused of being a glutton and a drunk.

5.When He said He would rise again on the third day, He was accused of belittlingthe rebuilding of the Temple.

6.When He said He was a king, He was accused of treason.

7.When He said He was the Son of God, He was accused of blasphemy.

Yes! He was misunderstood in all of Hislife.

B.He was misunderstood in His death.

At His CROSS, He is misunderstoodagain. Listen to their words; “He savedothers; Himself He cannot save. Let Him descend now from the CROSS” Mark13:31-32. They mocked Him IN His death.

1.They were right, when they said He had saved others.

a. He had saved the blind, from theirdarkness.

b. He had saved the crippled, from theirlameness.

c. He had saved the deaf, from theirdeafness.

d. He had saved some even from deathitself.

e. He was now saving all sinners fromtheir sin.

What a testimony of the power ofJesus, spoken from the lips of His enemies!

2.They were also right when they said that He could not save Himself. He couldhave called legions of angels to His side and destroy all those around theCROSS.

Yet, He could not save Himself, forHis life and purpose was set on saving others. “He had come to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus knew that “without the shedding of blood there is noremission of sin” Hebrews 9:22.He never needed to be saved, “for nofault was found in Him.” But “Hethat knew NO SIN, because sin for US.” He could not save Himself, for Hehad come to save YOU and ME!

THE SEPARATIONOF THE CROSS.

How deep-felt are those words, “Why? Have You forsaken Me?” Thesewords cover all the mysteries of the Godhead and eternity. How can God beforsaken by God? Where can you finda word so filled with pity and sadness? One immediately pictures a child lost ona city street, or a family abandoned by a father and husband.

A.Yet Jesus was often forsaken in life.

1.All of His life He had been forsaken, His own family turned from Him.

2.“He came unto His own but His ownreceived Him not” describes His own people that rejected Him.

3.His disciples forsook Him in His deepest need.

Yet He was always conscious that Hewas not alone, for His Father was always with Him, see John 16:32 “Indeed the houris coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, andwill leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.”

But now He cries, “Why? Have You forsaken Me?” No one stood by Him on the CROSS,and now there was no open heaven or Father's voice to be heard. There wasno strengthening angel by His side; He was alone, forsaken even by theFather.

B.Can God truly separate Himself from His Son?

1.This was not an actual, eternal separation from God. For the divine naturecould not be separated from the human nature; Jesus was the eternal God. Norcould the Father be separated from the Son in the Godhead.

2.It could not mean that the Father had forsaken the Son in the sense that Heceased to love Him. For God was truly well-pleased with Jesus for Hissacrifice.

3.It was the sin of the world that separated Christ from the Father.

Sin always separates people from God.

a. It drove Adam and Eve from the Gardenand God's presence.

b. It broke the fellowship of David andGod for a while.

Sin always separates us from God,but the door of return is always open through Jesus Christ and the CROSS.

CONCLUSION:

Here is the fourth saying of theCross, spoken by Jesus!

“And about the ninthhour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

It was also a cry of victory. Forhere Christ Jesus was finishing what He had come to do. For at the CROSS, Hefulfilled the Father's will. This was His supreme moment of triumph, for theFather accepted His sacrifice.

Jesus cried onthe Cross, “My God, My God, WHY? HaveYou forgotten Me?” So that YOU do not need to cry it!

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL' on 9.11.

2011-09-08T06:19:00.002+01:00

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on September 11, 2001. Neither will I, (I was in my office written Sunday’s sermon when my wife called me to the TV set). BUT, there was another closer to the towers.

He was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he called. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK. I am ready to go.'

He was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he was not coming home that night.

He was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'

He was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. He took him home to tend to His Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

He was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. He was with the crew as they were overtaken. He was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

He was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, and Afghanistan. He was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Him?

I want you to know that He saw every face.

He knew every name - though not all know Him.

Some met Him for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Him with their last breath.
Some could not hear Him calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... This way... take My hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Him. But, He was there for them.

He did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do... However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time would you have reached for Him?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And He will be there for you as well. “Seek Me now while I may be found.” Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'

He will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the following:

Stop and think and appreciate God's power in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the instructions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be ashamed of you before My Father.'

May God comfort all that remember the day of 9.11.

2011-09-04T07:06:00.000+01:00

A warning from God.

Reading: Hebrews 6:4-6.

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:4-6.

This will not be easy to preach and more so to hear, so be warned. That is why I have titled it “A warning from God.” This is often called the “unpardoned sin,” to come under the Gospel and love of Jesus Christ, and then to walk away and reject the workings of God in your life.

When I was in my youth the family spoke of a “fallen Pentecostal Christian” in the village. Why he fell I do not know, but he had been saved, and filled with the Holy Spirit. But now his name and character was one of the “evilest men alive.” And often in the public house he would openly curse God and his past life of faith.

A man that once tasted salvation looks sealed by Satan to hell. The devil will not lose you a second time to God. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance.”

1^ST POINT: COMING TO GOD ONCE.

“Since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”

We have all seen on our screens at home or even on I-max screens the images of Christ’s crucifixion, more so by the film “The Passion of Christ” that shocked so many with the facts and great cruelty of a man being crucified. In the case of the man Christ Jesus, innocence of any crime, but dying on our behalf, because of our wrong doings (sin).

With shock and horror we cannot understand why Roman soldiers could beat, mistreat and finally crucify the Son of God, with so much unfeeling or guilt. But would you be shocked to hear that daily, hourly and even right now, both men and women are unconcerned about the death of Christ.

And in the eyes of many they would crucify Christ afresh. By an open rejection of what all God has done and is. How many times can a person come under the Gospel of grace and reject it? And still expect to go to heaven?

2^ND POINT: BEENING LOST TO GOD THE SECOND TIME.

Some love to quote “once saved, always saved.” I can say “Once in love, always in love.” Yet, daily earthly relationships fall apart and marriages fail, when one or both “fall out of love” with each other, even when the same “love” once held them together. This is what is being said here. “When you have “fallen out of love with God” and are unwilling to come back to repentance.

How are we saved? By good works? No! But by “repentance.” Jesus said and more so John the Baptist message was “Repent, for the Kingdom of God was at hand.” Repent and be saved. What is repentance? It is a turning around, turning your back on sin and turning your life over to God.

The Bible clearly says that we are to work out our salvation daily. Keep falling in love with Jesus, every hymn and chorus should be our love songs to God. It is all about what God as done for us. So how can you fall “out of love” with God, without losing that relationship you once had. And more so, not having a willingness to repent of your ways and to restore your love of God.

You cannot keep God on the side lines for a rainy day in your life and expect Him to be there for you. More so when this verse says: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift ... to come back again to repentance.” If Christ is worth coming to Him the once unto salvation, daily walk with Him. Or YOU will crucify Him again, and lose the greatest relationship one can ever have.

CONCLUSION:

Why do people always think there will be a “second chance” for them, when both in the now and in the future they keep rejecting the Gospel of God’s love and grace? No! Now is the day of salvation, right now is the hour of your salvation.

Highway to Heaven.

2011-08-28T06:52:00.000+01:00

Reading: Isaiah 35:8-10.

“A highway shall be there, and a road and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; it shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there,
and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

I wonder if anyone can remember a TV programme called “Highway to Heaven” when Jonathan (an angel) would help someone with a problem and leave the viewer with a moral lesson learnt. Well today my message is called “Highway to Heaven,” a message of hope and guidance.

What is this road that I am talking about, the M6? No! It is the King’s Highway! It covers all human need! It tunnels through earthly difficulties. It is wide enough and strong enough to hold the entire human race should they choose to travel that way. Yet, the Bible also calls it the narrow way.

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus the Son of God came to build this road. He put his heart and life to it and after the road was completed, He crying from the cross, “IT IS FINISHED!”

1^ST POINT: IT IS A CLEAN HIGHWAY.

“A highway shall be there, and a road and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.”

Many streets today built for use have become corrupted by pot holes and bad repairs, because they have not been properly cared for. Our text says, “The unclean shall not walk on this one.” No one is perfect, that is why we come to Christ in the first place, because of the sin in our lives. Sin, that leaves deep pot holes in our lives that need repairing.

There is no place on this road for the blackness of sin. This highway is only for those who have had their sin cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and have had sins (wrong doings) cast into God’s sea of forgetfulness! This is a clean highway. It is a highway of Holiness.

2^ND POINT: IT IS A PLAIN HIGHWAY.

“Whoever walks the road, although a fool shall not go astray.”

You cannot miss it if you look for it. You do not need a degree to find this road. Even a CHILD can find this road!

And if they can find it, ANYONE who searches for it can also find it. You do not even need to know all the words of the hymns or all the books of the Bible by memory. Because is open to all that look for the truth.

3^RD POINT: IT IS A SAFE HIGHWAY.

“No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; it shall not be found there.”

On ancient road ways, travellers would think themselves safe, not knowing what was waiting to spring upon them. The Samaritan found beaten on the roadway is an example. I like that part of the verse that says, “No lion shall be there, nor shall any very hungry beast go up on it; it shall not be found there.”

Many have suffered great pain and injuries, and even death on earthly roads and highways. But, not on this highway, because it is a safe highway.

4^TH POINT: IT IS A PLEASANT HIGHWAY.

“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads.”

When you take a trip, you start off at one point and you have a final destination, you cannot wait for the Sat Nav to tell you “You have reached your destination,” more so after a long journey. I do not want to get onto a road and drive just to see where it goes. I want to know where it goes. I do not want to waste my petrol and time.

The reason this highway is a pleasant highway is because we know where we are going! We know where we came from, we came from the bondage of sin, and we came out of the devil’s territory. Because now we have been loosed from Satan's chains. Guilt and condemnation were left behind. The old nature was buried many miles ago.

We know where we came from, and now we know where we are going! And that is the reason for this pleasant trip! Because we are going to a pleasant place!

The songwriter said:

We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion,

We’re marching upward to Zion, that beautiful city of God

Then let our songs abound, and every tear be dry;

We’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground, to fairer worlds on high.

“They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

There will be no tears or pain on this highway. No more sickness, no more grief, no more pain. Oh I wish I could swing wide the gates of Heaven so that you could hear the shouting of joy on the other side. I wish I could open it far enough that you could catch a glimpse of the splendour of heaven.

John tried in Revelation 7:9-12 “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honour and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Revelation 7:9-12

CONCLUSION:

Are you on God’s HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN?

THE MAN BORN BLIND.

2011-08-05T08:00:00.001+01:00

JESUS HEALS A MAN BORN BLIND.

Reading: John 9.

The whole of chapter is given other to this one miracle of Jesus gave sight to a man who had been blind since birth. He did not heal the man of blindness, for he never had sight. No! Jesus “created seeing eyes” in this man.

1^ST POINT: Background of the miracle.

In John 8:12 Jesus’ confirmation to the Pharisees that “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” The event reported in John 9 is a parable being acted out, demonstrating the truth of Jesus’ statement and applying it both physically and spiritually.

1. Physically, Jesus gave sight to a man who was born blind. This was no restoration of lost sight, for he had never seen, because he was born blind. It was a creative act; bringing something into being that had not existed before.

2. Spiritually, In the same way, God’s creative act is involved when a person is given spiritual sight. There is a difference between light and darkness, seeing and being blind. The man to whom Jesus gave sight gradually came to realize who Jesus was. This was indicated by his descriptions of the One who healed him.

Note the order that he addressed who Jesus was:

a. “A Man called Jesus” John 9:11.

b. “A prophet” John 9:17.

c. “From God” John 9:33.

d. “Lord” John 9:38.

In contrast, the “sighted religious leaders” addressed Jesus the other way; they said “this Man is a sinner” John 9:24. They were finally forced to acknowledge that Christ had performed a notable miracle. The blind man saw, while the sighted men were blind to “the light of the world” John 9:5.

2^ND POINT: Parties to the miracle.

The entire chapter is dedicated to this miracle and its effects. While Jesus performed the miracle and later spoke again with the man who had been healed, the man himself was the focus of the account. The chapter reports a series of deep conversations, between: a. Jesus and His disciples, b. between the man and the Pharisees, c. between the parents and the Pharisees, and between the d. man and Jesus Himself.

3^RD POINT: How the story unfolds.

One Sabbath as Jesus and His disciples passed by, they asked Him about a man born blind. “Who sinned?” Jesus replied was not sin that caused his man’s blindness, (why do we still think if someone is sick they must have done wrong?).

Acting as the “light of the world” John 9:5, Jesus restored the blind man’s sight. The miracle set off an uproar even the man’s neighbours could not believe he was the same person. The man explained what happened and how Jesus gave him sight.

The neighbours brought the man to the Pharisees, who cross-examined him. The miracle caused a debate among these religious leaders. Some argued that a person who would “work” on the Sabbath could not possibly be from God. Others objected, “How can a… sinner do such signs?” When the man himself was asked, he replied, “He is a prophet.”

The parents insisted that this was their son, and that he had been blind since birth. But they were afraid to say any more, because they knew the leaders had agreed to expel from the synagogue anyone who declared that Jesus was the Christ. Frustrated and angry, the Jews again called for the man whose sight had been restored.

Under their aggressive questioning, the man asked, perhaps tongue in cheek, if “you also want to become His disciples.” When the leaders reacted angrily, the man expressed amazement. “Since the world began,” no one had opened the eyes of one born blind. “If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing” John 9:33. This was rejected by the religious leaders, and the man was cast out

Jesus then found him and asked if he believed in the Son of God. As soon as the man learned that Jesus was the Son of God, he believed and worshiped God. Christ then explained the meaning of the miracle. Jesus had come to make a difference between the blind and the sighted.

His presence showed that those in Israel who claimed to have spiritual insight were actually blind, while those considered spiritually blind recognized Christ, and were given sight. The remark insulted the Pharisees, who challenged him: “Are we blind also?”

CONCLUSION:

What a miracle, sight to blind eyes, within and without.

THE HOLY SPRIT IN YOUR LIFE.

2011-07-31T09:24:00.001+01:00

The Holy Spirit Baptism.

Reading: Acts 19:1-2.

“Then he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit” Acts 19:2.

Have you ever thought that something is missing in your life? In the past it maybe that you needed love, transport, a job, a home etc.

Then there is that missing link with God. You where looking for something. And I pray that each one of us here today has already found salvation through Jesus Christ.

Now, again may I ask the question? “In your Christian walk with Christ right now, is there something missing in your life?” “Have you receive the Holy Spirit now that you believe?” If not there is a missing element in your walk with Christ.

Example:

Maybe one day I will come into some extra money, and because of our friendship and love I bought you a brand new car. Having parked it in the car park, after the service I hand you the keys, go on and enjoy your new car. Here is an example of your new car.

It a great colour, but no.....

It has a V8 engine, but no.....

It has 215 bhp, 0-60 in 5 sec, top speed of 175 mph, but no....

I will do 65 mpg, but no....

The car tax is £15 per year, but no....

I have paid the insurance and the servicing for 3 years.

I could go on and on about this car I would give you, but you would keep butting in “But, it has no wheels.” Okay it has no wheels, but it is still a brand new car.

Or in other words. You maybe a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, but have you received the Holy Spirit in your life yet? If not, there is a missing element in your life. If you want to “move on” (the wheels to your Christian life) in Christ, you need the indwelling Holy Spirit. Have you receive the Holy Spirit now that you believe?”

1^ST POINT: WHY DO WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES.

A missing element can make a world of difference. When something important is missing it can have shattering effects. That is why Jesus told His disciples to “tarry (wait) for the power of the Holy Spirit in your lives.”

We are not the first to miss this essential ingredient in our Christian life. After Jesus’ crucifixion the disciples are quite, reserved, scared, in hiding, and hampered by a survival mentality. They were missing something. But suddenly on the Day of Pentecost, they become a world-shattering force that changed the world! If we are going to impact our world and our generation it is vital that we discover and secure this missing element in our life.

In this text, Paul came into contact with some Christians and immediately addressed their missing element in their Christian walk. So he addressed them with this question: “Have YOU received the Holy Spirit now that you believe?” Make this a personal question while I am speaking.

Why is it so crucial for us to have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

1. Power to Witness.

The Holy Spirit is vital because He enables and empowers us to witness. The Holy Spirit is not just about “feelings” and “other tongues.” His purpose is to give us that extra amount of courage and desire to share the gospel with others. It was not natural ability or boldness that caused the first “Pentecostal disciples” to become great witnesses.

It was after they had received the Holy Spirit that they were able to get out of their circle and comfort zone to reach out to others. Acts 1:8 tells us from the very beginning that we will receive power to witness when we receive. The Holy Spirit is not just for you it is really about those you are called to reach. It is time for you to get so filled with the power of the Holy Spirit that you cannot be contained.

So full of the Spirit that you will not be intimidated or embarrassed to open your mouth and be a witness for Christ. The Holy Spirit is the missing element.

2. Comfort.

The Holy Spirit is also vital because He is our comforter. Some of you are facing some awful situation when you go home. Your home life is in a mess. Depression, anger, bitterness may be normal. However, the Holy Spirit is the comforter that can help you stay calm, cool, and collected in any situation. Even facing the hardest situations you can have peace and comfort in your soul.

The same could be said about your work place, your marriage, or life in general. If you are dreading going home. If you are facing tough circumstances and a tough environment and do not know how you are going to make it. You need the Holy Spirit.

3. Communicator.

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” Romans 8:26-2.

The Holy Spirit is our direct wireless telephone to God. When we pray in other tongues we are praying in a special prayer language that allows us to communicate with God and we pray what we should pray even when we do not what we should pray. I Corinthians 14:2. It is a language that only God can understand. It is icing not the whole cake. It is one important part.

4. Convector.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” John 16:7-8.

It is vital for us to have the Holy Spirit for the Holy Spirit is the difference He is the one who will convict us and cause us to desire and live righteously in the middle of sin filled society. Many of you have a hard time knowing what is right or what is wrong, but if you have the Holy Spirit He will help you discover what you should do.

Many of you are going to go home after being set free this week and struggle and stumble because you having something missing. The Holy Spirit is that extra ingredient that will give you the ability to live holy and righteous. Galatians 5:16-25 tells us the secret to remaining holy in our society. It is the Spirit! You need Him!

2^ND POINT: HOW DO I RECIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Simple, right now!

a. God has offered us a gift. To receive a gift all we have to do is accept it. We cannot earn it nor do we need to beg for it. Peter’s instructions on the Day of Pentecost are still good. Repent and receive. Simply accept. You simply have to believe and receive. Luke 11:11-13. You need to understand that God wants you to have the Holy Spirit. He will not withhold Him from you!

b. Open your mouth - Acts 2:4.
It is the Spirit that speaks, but it is your voice. They spoke. They had to open their mouth and use their voice and then the Holy Spirit took over.

We must open our mouth. You need to understand that every time anyone in the Bible was filled with the Holy Spirit they had to speak. We must understand that out of our praise in our own tongue the Holy Spirit will take over and give utterance. Some Christians ask to receive the Holy Spirit and then they clamp their mouth shut. How can the Spirit speak if you do not give Him voice?

CONCLUSION:

Can you make it without the Holy Spirit? Yes, but without it is much harder. It is like having a car with no wheels. I want to ask you the same question today, one more time.

Have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit? If not, you are missing a very vital, important element in our life.

UNANSWERED PRAYER

2011-07-24T07:01:00.003+01:00

PRAYING IN TIMES OF NEED.

Everyone in a desperate need may cry out “Oh my God!” Even those that have no belief in a personal God. If there is a God in the heavens that made this universe, earth and mankind, surely He would be there for us when we need help.

The Bible makes it clear that God, our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. Yet, God cannot be YOUR Heavenly Father without you coming into relationship with Him. Jesus His Son said you must be “born again” from above. Or in other words the ABC “Accept, and Believe God’s Son carried your sin (wrongs) to the cross, and Confess your faith in that fact.”

Now believers (Christians) those that have faith in a living personal God in the Heavens, let us get back to the question of prayer. We all experience times when, though we pray for God to act right away, He does not. What are the reasons for the delay?

a. Someone near to you had been very ill, you prayed for healing but they died after all. Was your prayer unanswered?

b. An opening came up in your work place. You looked right for the job, and you felt it was your time to receive the promotion. You prayed that God would help you, but you never had the job. Was your prayer unanswered?

In many areas of prayer, unanswered prayer is one of the biggest problems that we face as Christians. We believe in prayer; we practice prayer; but it seems that many of our prayers are not answered. “Why do prayers go unanswered?” Is the most asked question given to church leaders?

Waiting on God for answered prayer is not easy, yet faith and trust are needed (Hebrews 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that:

1. Your focus is on Him.

2. Your motive for asking is God-honouring.

3. You are dealing with sin in your own life.

4. Then believe that His response will be for your (or their good when praying for others) and for His glory.

Then God will answer your prayer.

Are you running on empty?

2011-07-18T05:56:00.001+01:00

Are you running on Empty.

Reading: 2 Kings 4:1-7.

Have you ever been shocked to find that your car is running on “empty” so says the petrol gauge, and you have no idea how far the next petrol station is? Or at tea time your fridge is empty and your cupboards? Maybe you found your wallet empty at the check out? Or more so is your life empty?

In our text, a man died and left his wife penniless. She had no husband, no money, no food, no income, and no government aid to apply to, in other words she had no hope for the future. All she had was 2 sons, and the creditors were about to come take them as slaves (the law allowed for this at this time).

She had one more thing: a little pot of oil. Every other pot in the house was empty, every vessel empty, every jar empty, and every cupboard empty, every pocket and purse was found empty. In her emptiness, she went to the Prophet Elisha, and she learned something. What God can do with an empty vessel!

1^ST POINT: GOD USED WHAT SHE HAD AND MORE.

“Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbours--empty vessels; do not gather just a few” 2 Kings 4:3.

The prophet Elisha did not tell her to go try and borrow food from neighbours or oil or money, no he said to go and borrow as many empty jars as possible. It was like the Prophet Elisha was saying, woman, you have got a lot of emptiness in your life, so gather together some more emptiness.

Then go back to your empty house and your empty cupboards, and close the door behind you.

She then set out all those empty jars and vessels took her little jar of oil and poured it into one of the empty jars. It was filled full, and yet her jar was still full and not empty. She filled the 2^nd/ 3^rd/ 4^th/ many more? Finally, she said, hand me another, and her son said, that is it, there is no more empties!

Notice what happened when there was no more emptiness? “The oil stopped flowing” verse 6. God meets the needs of His people. But let us make a spiritual application from this story: If you are not experiencing God’s presence in your life, it may be that you are “empty”!

2^ND POINT: WE SERVE A GOD THAT SPECIALIZES IN FILLING YOUR EMPTINESS.

In creation He hung the universe into an expanse of emptiness. He hung the stars upon nothing (He turned nothing into something, and then He hung it on nothing!)

Look at John 6 and the feeding of the 5,000 plus empty stomachs.

1. The Disciples said, let us just get rid of the problem, tell them to go away

Jesus said, that is not right, they will faint on the way home, they are running on empty.

2. Phillip said, let us raise the money. He did some figuring and found it would take 200 days’ wages to buy enough bread. (Money’s not the solution to every problem, it cannot buy everything! House, but not a home; bed, but not a good night’s sleep; medicine, but not good health; beautiful church building, but not the power of God!)

3. Andrew found little boy with small lunch, and said, it is not much, but it is a start!

4. Jesus had the true solution as he took the little boy’s lunch and demonstrated that little is much when God is in it! In all FOUR gospels, Jesus gave thanks prior to the breaking of the bread, showing the multitudes that only God can fill their emptiness!

In John 2 Jesus filled some empty wash pots, at a wedding feast, a village event that the whole village came out for in those days. The unthinkable happened: the host ran out of wine and the people began to whisper about the problem, until the whole crowd knew. He allowed them to feel their emptiness; He waited until they ran out of options, and then He took empty water pots, filled them with water, and then worked the miracle!

And the joy that the world has to offer is just temporary, it always runs out, the result is always a void left over, an emptiness. But the joy of the Lord is ever new and ever satisfying! The devil offers you world’s best at first, until you get hooked, and then it is all downhill from there. Hebrews 11 talks about the pleasures of sin “for a season.”

But Jesus gives a miraculous joy that never ends. He gives us His best from the start, and somehow, miraculously makes the joy grow and get even better! Truly, every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.

CONCLUSION:

Jesus took empty water pots that were used in those days for external washing, and made them useful for something internal, something deeper and more satisfying. He created something fulfilling, and He used their emptiness to do it!

God took empty vessels, and filled them with oil, until they overflowed. God can take your emptiness, and save you and give you hope, and He can fill you with His Holy Spirit. For we serve a Lord that specializes in filling emptiness!

8 Signs of a Healthy Prayer Life

2011-07-15T13:08:00.000+01:00

8 Signs of a Healthy Prayer Life

1. Prays frequently and persistently

2. Asks in faith

3. Acknowledges God's will

4. Depends on the Holy Spirit

5. Avoids selfish and hypocritical prayers

6. Accepts when God says no

7. Knows what to do when God seems silent

8. Listens for God to answer