Philippians 1 verses 3/11

This passage of Scripture is the Epistle for Sunday.

The chief theme of this Letter is encouragement.  Paul wants the Philippians to live out their lives as citizens of a heavenly like colony, as evidenced by a growing commitment of service to God and to one another, amidst an unholy environment in an area we know as Macedonia.  This Church was special to Paul, in that this was the first Church he founded, and now he is writing to them from a prison cell.

There is Christian joy, which the Letter portrays.  In this passage we see an emphasis on joy, so much it has been termed as the Epistle of joy.

He begins with the joy of Christian prayer, bringing those we love, to the mercy seat of God.

There is the joy that Jesus Christ preached. When a man enjoys a great blessing, his first effort is to share it, and there is the joy that the gospel is being preached across the world.

There is the joy of faith. If Christianity does not make a person happy, it will not make them happy at all.

There is the joy of seeing Christians in fellowship. There is no peace for anyone in a broken relationship.  Only in Christ can there be the happiness of perfect relationships.

There is joy in the news of the loved one.  Life is full of separations, and there is joy when we hear of them coming to see us.

There is the joy of suffering for Christ. A privilege, for it is an opportunity to show beyond all doubt, our loyalty. and we are able to keep the rebuilding of the Kingdom f God.

There is the joy of Christian hospitality.  There is the closed door and the open door, where there is a welcome  to let a friend know they are still loved.

There is joy of the man (woman) in Christ. We have already seen that to be in Christ, is to live in  His presence, and human nature to be happy, when we are with a Christian whose friendship is valued by us

There is joy for the man(woman)who has won one soul for Christ.  The Philippians were Paul’s joy and crown, for he was the one to bring them to Christ,  the joy is more, with one knowing they have made someone to be a fellow Christian.  I, with fellow Ministers of the gospel, have the joy of looking back with fond remembrance, of those we had the privilege of making them Christians.

He begins by expressing his gratitude and affection for them, followed by praying their holiness would increase. Along with Timothy, he gives the standard greeting of Christians, that of grace. And calls himself a servant.

 

Paul found joy in the Church, a theme which runs through the Letter despite, the fact that it can be sometimes a heartache; which is the reality of any Church.  The Church was his life, as it has been mine for many years and I love the Church, and now without having the responsibilities of a parish, I have the added joy of going to so many lovely Churches.

Paul had visited Philippi some years before writing this Letter, and had preached the gospel, and brought many to faith in Christ Jesus.  They had supported him financially, and after a period had elapsed, had sent him another gift which caused this response.

We live in a far different world, but the essential doctrines of the Church are the same, which indicates that this Letter speaks clearly to us and we can learn from it what makes Christianity distinctive from other faiths.

The foundation for spiritual growth is to recognise that it is God who calls us, and spiritual progress depends on what God does.  God is faithful and promises believers He will be with us until Jesus returns.  Paul is confident that God is at work in their Church because He always finishes that which He creates.

There are times in a Church when you feel God at work, but this has to be recognised.  Just as some people will go to a building site and see a mass of rubble, others will recognise a building under construction.  We have to be conscious of God’s presence and respond.

In verses 7/8 Paul speaks of loving this Church and having it on his heart.  He longs to see them and of all the Churches this was his particular one, the one he is most fond of, probably because it was his first founding Church. 

I can understand his feelings.  I now visit a lot of Churches, and whilst I enjoy going to all of them, there is one I love being placed at above all others.  The reception I get probably appeals in a way it shouldn’t, and to be told how the people appreciate traditional Bible preaching, makes all the preparation feel worthy, but most of all we believe in the same doctrines of faith.

Paul was passionate about gospel partners.  There was a bond, and whilst he could have reminded them of many things, what excited him was their partnership in the gospel.  There is one thing in coming to Church, and yet another to let the Church into your heart.  Paul is telling us it is a whole hearted commitment to living and telling the truth; to have a 100% commitment to the work of fellowship in the family of the Church, and you give yourself fully.

Paul likened the Church to a body, when one part is hurt it is felt right through one’s system.  We feel the same when a member of the Church acts in a way which is detrimental to the faith, for it rebounds on the wider Church.  We have seen how one denomination behaves in a way which is contrary to Scripture and receives massive publicity, which is then attached to other more faithful Churches.

There is a call to see one another as a family related in a different way to our biological family.  We may not have the same genes, but we have the same grace.  We trust in Jesus, and His death on the Cross assures us we are sinners forgiven with a promise of eternal salvation.

In he final verses of this passage Paul tells them he is praying for them and for what is best for them.  We should all do this for our own particular Church, and seek God’s will for us and not that of the most vociferous member.

It is difficult at this time with a shortage of  preachers. A Church needs a consistent message which it cannot get if it is receiving a variety of preachers.  One week there is a preacher with an evangelical message, the next week there is liable to be one with a totally different belief, where the connection with Scripture is purely coincidental.  This was a weakness Charles Wesley noted with an itinerant ministry and w as against it.

Paul prays for an abounding love which can overflow to others.  This does not mean sentimentalism or emotionalism. And also calls for excellence in the Church.  A| Church should delight at being known as place where the gospel is boldly and faithfully preached. 

This longing for Churches with a bible message has led to such disappointment and concern amongst Methodists, once a strong evangelical movement, now betraying their founder who preached a completely different message regarding marriage. John Wesley firmly taught marriage was one man and one woman, and would feel shocked, that the decision was carried to have same sex partners receiving a marriage ceremony, especially as each member was not consulted on this occasion as it was when first raised two years previously, and clearly rejected.  Obviously no chances were to be given members a second time.

We should aim to have the kind of life depicted by Paul, and stand out in the world as place which has something special to offer, rather than a community centre with a religious flavour. 

Most of all we should avoid trying to imitate society and adopt its practices; the first Christians conquered just by being Christians.  Unless we observe Biblical conditions we will never experience the blessings.

My God bless you and be with you.

 

  

 

John the Baptist.    Luke 3

 

If you study your Bible you will find there is a gap of four hundred years between the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, and the first book of the New Testament Matthew.  There was no one outstanding figure, no one to prophesy to the people.

Then all of a sudden there comes on the scene a man called John the Baptist.  He was referred to in the Scriptures as one chosen to prepare the way for the Lord, and in Luke we read that he was chosen before his birth.  He proved to be a very special person.

Jesus made special mention of him, describing him as a burning and shining light with no other man comparable to him.  He lived out in the wilderness close to wild beasts alongside the river Jordan, wearing clothes of camel hair tied with a leather belt.  He ate honey and locusts.

John was a fearless preacher, who attacked the religious leaders of his day, calling them a brood of vipers, he even attacked the king for immoral living, which caused him to be arrested and subsequently beheaded, yet crowds of people flocked to hear him preaching his call for them to repent of their sins.

Those who listened to him, wondered who he was as he spoke so authoritatively.  They thought he might be one of the great prophets returned.  But he was a humble man, who never sought public acclaim, and was never willing to compromise or seek greatness.  He referred to himself, as one not even fit to untie the sandals of the One was to come.

In every Bible story, there is inevitably a lesson for us today.  John was a holy man who tried to live a worthy and good life, and as Christians that should be our aim.

 There is a lesson for preachers, in that there was a man who was prepared to speak the truth and was not afraid to be criticised, and he didn’t seek to modify his message to please those around him.  How many would be prepared to speak forthrightly in our Cathedrals, indeed how many would be allowed to. 

John said what he believed God wanted him to say, what people needed to hear rather than consider what they wanted to hear.  People went to hear him, because whether they agreed with him or not there was substance in what he said, and that is a difference in many Churches to day.

I listen to sermons today, and sometimes I pray that no stranger was in Church that day or they would be put off for life.  We must not be afraid of upsetting people, but as long as a preacher is not offensive, for which there would be no justification, it should be remembered that a sermon should stimulate thinking, and most reasonable people would welcome that however much they disagreed with content.

As John was near the end of his life he was kept in a dungeon at a place in the North East corner of the Dead Sea, an extremely hot and oppressive spot.  He had criticised Herod for his immoral lifestyle, and this was the punishment.

He was a sad and disillusioned man, for his ministry was over and he feels alienated as people appeared to have forgotten him, especially when Jesus was the focus of attention and he himself faced death.

John had always spoken strongly and faithfully about Jesus, and he felt Jesus was doing nothing to help him, and wonderd if in fact Jesus was the promised Messiah.  Doubt had entered his mind, which probably affects most people at times, for one senior cleric once stated, that if you never had any doubts you had never done any serious thinking.

In order to clear his mind, John asked his disciples to see Jesus and ask Him if he really was the One they were expecting.  Jesus told those disciples to go and tell John of what Jesus had actually done, in answering prayer and that things happen in God’s own time. 

However hard to accept, God has His own plans and Jesus will return one day to pronounce judgement.

We know, ultimately John offended the king's wife, and when she got the opportunity took revenge.  Her daughter danced erotically before the king, and was promised anything she asked for, and at her mother's insistence asked for the head of John the Baptist.  The king regretful, but unwilling to be humiliated agreed.

Jesus knew people could fall away, and give in when things appeared to be going wrong for them. It still happens, and we can be very cruel within the Church sometimes by careless talk, but on other occasions deliberately. I had a lady in my Church who worked very hard for the Church, and demonstrated her faith in a very practical way. She trained to be a Reader, was PCC Secretary, and if anyone fell ill was the first to offer practical assistance to help them through their illness. What you might say ‘an ideal Christian’.

Sadly, a new Vicar had a wife who was so intensely jealous that some other woman could be more popular than her, that she made life intolerable for her, causing my friend to leave the Church and fall away for a time. There can be no justification for animosity within a Church.

If you have felt disappointed, or feel no one cares for you remember this passage, knowing there will be judgment one day, and all who do goodness will be welcomed into God’s Kingdom.
There comes times of suffering and weakness in all our lives. We may suffer loss, or have some seemingly impossible matter to deal with. It is so easy to give in, but if you do give in, it can be so hard to get back.
There are so many ill minded people who long to destroy our faith, some within positions of influence in society, and too many politicians who want to take Christianity out of the public domain; their words may appear attractive when you are downcast. If you have trusted God and for some reason nothing has happened, your faith will be under severe attack.

John acts as a warning to us, but he came out of his difficulty. You too can. Think of that great hymn by Ray Palmer, ‘my faith looks up to thee.’ Above all, never let doubt lead you to a spiritual desert. It is sad when someone loses their faith, and like many Ministers I have seen it too often. You may think it can’t happen to you, but it can.

May you be inspired and your faith be made strong by the story of this unique and Godly man, whom Jesus described John as  ‘ there being non born of woman who is greater’.

May God’s Holy Name be praised and God for ever be glorified.

 

.  LUKE 21, v  25-38

“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.  People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  Then everyone will see the Son of Man[a] coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

 Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree.  When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near.  I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place.  Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,  like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.  Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

 Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.  The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him

 

This coming Sunday is the First Sunday in Advent, when the Gospel reading will be from Luke in Chapter 21 beginning in verse25; Luke’s gospel is the one we will be turning to almost each Sunday.

The reading foretells of the return of Jesus at some future date, and offers guidance as we think of that return.  Jesus tells the signs, and what we can expect to happen.  The description portrays the terrible circumstances accompanying this return. There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars; and on earth nations will be distressed and confused; the sea and waves will be roaring and the hearts of people failing them, for fear of looking after these things which are falling on earth; the powers of heaven will be shaken, and Jesus will come on a cloud.

This seems a frightful picture. One thing is clearly made plain, the second coming will be attended by all, which can make it frightening to the senses of hearts and minds.

When Moses received the Commandments on Mount Sinai, he feared and shook, it was so terrible.  The return of Jesus, when He comes in power and glory, will possibly be much more terrible. The Apostle Paul said, knowing the terrors of the Lord, we persuade men.

The thoughtless and unrepentant people may tremble when they hear this return of Christ. What will they do when business suddenly stops, and the precious things of this world become worthless; when the graves are opened and the sound of a trumpet is calling people to face judgement; what happens when that same Jesus whose gospel has been neglected shall appear in the clouds of heaven, and put down every enemy?  There will be probably be panic calls for the hills to fall on them.  But if a person has never called on Christ for help before, any call will be in vain.

How happy will be those who have called on Jesus for help when n need, and who have placed trust and faith on Him.

In a more pleasant scene, we find how complete will be the security of Christians at His coming. Christians are people who have accepted Jesus in this world and worshipped Him, rather than those who deceive themselves, by thinking an odd visit to a Church when something interests them, or of not being of any other faith. The Lord said to his disciples, when these things come to pass, look up and lift your heads for your redemption is near.

The Second Coming may be terrible to the ones who had not recognized Jesus, but for the believer can have no fear, only joy. The complete deliverance from sin, the world and the devil, are close at hand, and soon there will be farewell to sickness, sorrow, death and temptation.  The day the unbelievers shall lose everything, is the day the believers  earn their eternal reward. The hour when the worldly man’s hopes shall perish, shall be the day when the believers day is exchanged for joyful possession.

The servant of God, should look forward to the return of Christ.  A little time shall come, and will not stop.  The words of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled. The Lord God shall wipe away all tears from all faces, and the rebuke of His people shall be shaken from this world for ever.

We see from this passage, how useful it is to watch for the signs of the time  in the Second Advent of Christ. Our Lord teaches this lesson from a parable. Behold the fig tree and other trees; when they shoot forth, you see and know of your own sign of summer is at hand. So likewise, when these things come to pass, you know the Kingdom of God is at hand.

The disciples wrongly supposed the Messiah’s Kingdom would be ushered in by worldly peace.  Our Lord on the contrary tells them, that the signs which shall immediately precede it, shall be wars, confusions and distress.

The general duty of these words teach us are plain. We are to watch carefully the public events of the times we love.  We are not to be absorbed in politics, but to mark public events  We are to diligently study the signs of the time; by doing so, the day of Christ will not come to us unawares.

The Protestant Church is to preach the Gospel to all- the general interest in the state of the Jews, the shaking of governments-the rise and progress of infidelity, are all the signs peculiar to one day.

We should not let those who mock us shake our faith. If God states something, He will bring it to pass, and the probability and profitability of it, are matters which should not trouble us at all.  That Christ should come to the world and reign, is not to be compared to that when He came to suffer death on a Cross. This time He will come in glory and wear a crown.  He has said this, and He will do it.

These verses lead to the conclusion our Lord’s practical discourse.  They give the answer to all who condemn the study of unfulfilled prophecy. Let it be known of the danger which even the holiest believer faces in this world.  Jesus said to his disciples, take heed to yourselves, lest your  hearts be overcharged with the cares of life, so that day come upon you unawares.

These words were mot delivered to the Pharisees, the Sadducees or Herodians, they were said to Peter, James and John, and the other Apostles.  They were given to men who had given up everything for the sake of Christ, and had proved the reality of their faith, by willing obedience and steady loyalty to their Master. Yet even to them. The Lord holds out the peril of worldly passions.

The warning should teach us the immense importance of humility.  There is no sin so great but a great saint may fall into it. Noah escaped from the flood, but later turned to drunkenness; Abraham was the father of the faithful, but later lied when he said Sarah was his sister instead of wife; Lot was not part of the wickedness of Sodom, yet later fell to sin; Moses was the meekness man on earth yet later spoke angrily; David was a man after God’s own heart yet fell into adultery.  These examples emphasise the warnings from the Lord.

The importance of worldly spirit should warn us.  Excess in eating and drinking, is not the only excess which may injure us. There is an excess about the innocent things of life which can injure us.

The precise date of the Lord’s return has been withheld from us  by God. No man has any idea of the day.  The teaching of Scripture is clear and unmistakeable. Whenever it takes place, it will be a sudden and unexpected event. All will be going on as usual, even among true believers there will be expectation.  The King of Kings will appear and the dead will be raised;  unbelief will wither away.

The Gospel does not call on us to retire from earthly life, or to neglect the duties of life. It does not call on us to retire to hermitages or monasteries, it calls on us to live as people who expect the Lord.

We finally hear from these verses, the special duties of believers in respect of the Second Advent of Christ.  The Lord sums up under two deeds.  Watchfulness, to live on guard, remembering evil is all around us; to pray always and speak to God daily, and for grace to lay aside every weight, and everything which might interfere with our readiness to meet our Lord.

May God’s Holy Name be praised and He for ever be glorified

 

                   Acts 2 verses 42-47

  On Sunday next, it is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new year in The Church calendar, with our Gospel readings based mostly on the Gospel of Luke, the only non-Jewish Bible writer.

 This is a good opportunity for all Christians to renew their commitment to he Bible and the Church.  There will be quite a number of people not able to attend Church from physical or medical reasons, and others through business commitments, but you can always be able to hear services on radio, television or sermons online.

People generally have different attitudes towards the Church. 

We have to consider why this is so.   It is true that we are living in a post Christian age, where the majority of people have little or no time for God and His Church, unless they want a baptism or wedding, and then they find God and His Church can be useful.  The majority of people however do claim to be Christians, yet do not want to attend Church. 

There are of course the usual excuses, such as, ‘you don’t have to go to Church to be a Christian.  I have to concede some Churches do not encourage attendance, but there are more than one to choose from. You do need to select where the Bible is actually preached.  

  Another excuse is ‘Can’t we read the Bible at home and listen to services on the radio?’  which they never consider doing anyway. Many people truly unable to attend would be delighted to be able to attend, as gratitude for being so able.

There are very few people who would seriously deny there is a God, indeed the majority own up to believing in our God, but that is as far as they go. I once heard a humanist preacher telling a funeral service to  do a nmber of things, and if they don’t work, then turn to God.     

 Today, there are all kinds of organisations to cater for social needs, and the Church is often seen as a sort of social organisation, with a spiritual flavour.  There are parts of the Church which encourage this image, as more attention is paid to that side than the spiritual.  So we should remember when the disciples sought out Jesus to attend to people’s needs, He replied that what He came for was to preach the gospel.  Whilst He did perform many acts of mercy, His main purpose of preaching was made clear That I suggest. should be the attitude the Church takes, namely that we will engage in social activity, and see the Church is the centre for that activity, but never at the neglect or reduction of our main purpose.

The Bible, sees the Church as much more than just another social organisation.  Paul gave instructions in several of his New Testament Letters, as to how we should conduct ourselves in relation to the Church.  He called the Church a pillar and support of the truth, the household of God.  This means the Church ha a special importance in God’s plan.  It also means we ought to know how we are to live and function within that plan.

So let us look at the model of a Christian Church, as seen in Scripture in that first Christian Church, and perhaps find a reason why it was so revered, and the people so ready to attend without any coercion or demands upon them.

First, it was a Bible based Church.  They were devoted to the Apostles teaching, it captivated them.  It was about Jesus, who He was, what He came to do,  how to obey Him and about His second coming  to judge the world.  In other words, the whole Christian faith.  This is the formula for to-day, accompanied by stirring hymns with melodious tunes. All the great evangelists over the years, Moody, Booth, Stott, Billy Graham, used music, which makes people ready to listen to those words they sang being further turned into gospel teaching.

A Danish philosopher once stated, whereas Jesus came and turned water into wine, the modern Church has managed to something altogether more difficult, to change wine into water. .  Many will agree with him as we have watered down the gospel of our Lord, so that people are confused as to what they exactly should believe. 

The wonderful thing is, that we can be in the same position as those early Christians, as God has graciously left us with copies of those Bible classes.  It is called the New Testament.  A Church which is spiritually healthy, will make the teaching of the Bible its primary task.  And indeed, it is those evangelical Churches which are biblically based, and doctrinally sound, which are thriving.

The writer was not wrong when he referred to clerical banalities.  I have been to many services in which Jesus, the Cross, and the Bible were never mentioned. The only justification for a sermon, is to teach from the Bible, which of course requires time in preparation, research, study and prayer, which many preachers are not willing to give.

Secondly, they were a caring Church, a Church of fellowship.  They shared each others burdens and needs.  Some were strangers from other places, now they are one in Christ and could live and talk with each other. 

I have mentioned previously was at one time in Mombasa where ships brought in Christian missionaries from many countries.   With Church members we would meet them coming into Kenya, and although we had never met before, we were able to get together and feel quite at ease with each other in a way we could never have done with non Christians.  Brothers and sisters in Christ.  No other organisation could successfully act in that way; different ages, genders, races, skin colour. Different languages.

The Bible uses several names to describe God’s people, and the most powerful is that of a family.  In families we are related to one another, a bond based on allegiance and fidelity.  A family consist of different ages,  different sexes, different experiences and background, and it is God’s way of providing for His people to grow together.  This is why we need to come to learn the Bible from readings and sermons, praying together for our needs and the world’s, praising God as we sing together, sharing the bread and wine in Holy Communion, as we remember what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. 

Thirdly, they were a committed Church.  They met regularly.  There are those for whom the Church is a second choice.  There are times in all our lives when personal situations arise which call for our attention, but for some, Church will take second place in our list of priorities, something which Jesus Himself condemned.    

It can be so easy to go with the flow and give up, which is why the Bible urges Christians to be together. Each year hundreds of people give up worship.  There  many reasons, pressures of the world, ridicule from friends, family trouble, a bad experience at a church, all of which are expressly good reasons for going to church.

Fourthly they were a growing Church as their numbers increased rapidly.  We must remember, Christianity spread throughout the ancient world without any radio, television, or any means of mass communication.  If we expect great things from God, great things will happen.  If we today want to see the Church grow, we have to be devoted to the task.

When life gets hard for people, they are more inclined to think of the Church and for a lot of people life has become very hard.  The Church should be ready to offer its services and greet these people.

When we have an election in which the parties post through our doors, letters telling us all the wonderful things they can offer. I believe this is what the Church should try doing as we have more to offer, and more truthful also  We used to do this in my Church.  In simple terms, let people know we care, have good music, tell Bible stories in plain words and would really like to see them. 

It required effort, and only produced a small return I suppose, in view of the number we sent out, but Jesus in His parable of the sower, taught only one seed in five produced good fruit.  The American Churches do much to advertise their presence, and their congregations are strong. Business would not spend millions on advertising, if it didn’t produce results, and we are on the Lord’s business.    

I readily understand the problems that exist with village Churches, where the Vicar has more than one Church to care for, and it is not my place to make suggestions, but I am sure in many cases a more concentrated effort could be made.

In spite of living in a world of opposition, we must hold fast to the faith in which we believe. and draw near to God with a sincere heart.  We are under so much pressure by press, television to turn away from fundamentals, and government legislation works against us. The messengers of secularism and multiculturalism, are given so much attention.

 I pray that it will be a time of great happiness and fellowship, and that you will prove to be a  Bible based Church, caring, committed and in all, a growing Church. 

There will be times when a member of the clergy at any level, will seek to  gain attention by uttering some outrage false doctrine. Do not be mislead by such statements. Remember the words of Jesus to,  let them alone, forsake them. Jesus went on to say any doctrine which in any way contradicted the Word of God was false.  There could be no greater authority,

 

May God be with you. May God be glorified

 

 

 

 M A T T HE W 15 V 10-20

Jesus is speaking to a crowd of people which had gathered, and His words for a Jew, were the most startling.  He does not only condemn the ritual of the Scribes and Pharisees with their ceremonial, He rejects  large part of the book of Leviticus in the Bible. This was a contradiction of the elders and the  Scripture.

 The words of Jesus cancel out the food laws. The laws may still stand as a matter of health and hygiene and medical  wisdom, but could not ever stand again as matters of religion. Once and for all; Jesus lays down what matters is not the state of man’s observance, but a state of man’s heart.

 The Scribes and Pharisees were shocked; the very ground of their religion was cut.  The statement was alarming and revolutionary. If Jesus was right, all their  religion was wrong. They  identified  religion with pleasing God, and the observance of rules and regulations, which had to do with cleanliness, with what man ate and how he washed his before eating. Jesus identified religion with a man’s heart, and said frankly to do with their method.  He said the Scribes and Pharisees were blind guides, who had no idea of the way to God, and if people followed them they would stray off the road and fall into a ditch                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               If religion consists of external regulations,  and observances, it is two things. It is too far easy. Its is easier to abstain from certain foods, and to wash hands in a certain way, than to live and forgive the  unlovely and unbelievable, and to help the needy at the cost of one’s own time, comfort and pleasure.  We still have not learned the lesson.

 To go to Church regularly, to give liberally, to be a member of a Bible reading group are all external things. They are means to religion, but they are not religion; for  we can never too often remind ourselves that religion consists of personal relationships, and an attitude to God and our fellow people

 Further, if religion consists of external regulations, it is quite misleading. Many a man has a faultless life in externals, but has the wrong and evil thoughts in his heart, and the teaching of Jesus is, that all the outward observances in the world, cannot atone for a heart where pride and bitterness hold sway.

 It is the teaching of Jesus  that the part of a man that matters is the heart, for they shall see God.  What matters to God, is not so much how we eat, but why we eat, not so much what we do, but what we wish our hearts to do.

 It is in the teaching of Jesus, which condemns every one of us-  in that no man can call himself a good man, because he observes external regulations; he can only call himself a good man when his heart is pure.

There are two sayings of Jesus in this passage.  One regards false doctrine, and the other false teaching.

 Regarding, false doctrine, Jesus states it is a duty to oppose it and it is totally destructive, and should be forsaken. Jesus said every plant that my Father did not plant should be uprooted; let them alone. ( I wish  this could be followed in all our Churches)

 It is clear, that the disciples were surprised at the strong language of the Lord about the  Pharisees and their traditions.  They had probably been used to accept them from youth, and to regard them as the best of men. They were startled to hear Jesus denouncing them as hypocrites, and charging them with transgressing the Commandments f God. Knowest thou, they said, that the Pharisees were offended. To this question we are grateful for our Lord’s explanatory declaration, one which perhaps never received the  notice it deserves.

 The plain meaning of our Lord’s words is, that false doctrine was a plant to which no mercy should be shown.

 It was a plant that His Father had not planted, and a plant to be uprooted, and whatever offence it may cause. It is no charity to spare it, for it was  injurious to the souls of people. It mattered nothing if it was planted by those in high office or learned.  If it contradicted the Word of God, it ought to be opposed, rejected and refuted. The disciples  were therefore understanding it was right to resist all teaching  that was unscriptural, and to let alone and forsake all instructors who persisted in it.  Sooner or later, they will find that all false doctrine will completely be overthrown and put to shame, and nothing will stand, but that which is built on the Word of God.

 There are lessons of deep wisdom in this saying of Jesus, which throws light on the duty of many professing Christians.  Let us scan them well, and see what they are. It was practical obedience which produced the glorious Protestant Reformation, its lessons deserve close attention.

We see the duty of boldness in preaching; no fear of giving offence, no thought of censure, when the truth of  God is in peril.  If we are true followers of the Lord, we should be speaking out as unflinching witnessesof error.  Truth should not be suppressed, because men are wicked and blind.

 We see once again, the duty of forsaking false teachers if they will not give up their delusions.  No false delicacy, no false humility should make us turn from leaving any Minister of the Church, who contradicts the Word of God. It is our peril if we submit to unscriptural teaching. As the quote states, it can never be right to follow the blind into a ditch.

In the last place, we see the patience when false preaching abounds. We may take comfort from the fact it will not stand long, God will defend the cause of His own truth. Every heresy shall be round up. We are not to fight with external weapons, but wait, preach and pray.

 Respecting the heart, our Lord states it is the source of all sin and defilement. The Pharisees thought all holiness depended on meats and drinks, on bodily washings and purifications. They held that traditions were pure and clean in God’s sight,, and all who neglected were impure. The Lord dismissed this doctrine by showing His disciples that the foundation of all defilement, was within the man. 

Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, thefts and false witnesses, blasphemies, all which defile a man. He who would serve God, needs something  more important than body worship; they want a clean heart.

 What an awful picture of human nature, and drawn by one who knew what is in man. What can the proud and self-righteous say, when they read sch a passage as this. It is the true and faithful account of the hearts of mankind. May God grant that we may ponder it well.

Let its be a settled resolution, in all our religion our hearts shall be the main thing

We give thanks for the Word of God.  May God be glorified

 

 H E B R E  W S  10 v 25

 

As members of a human family, we like to meet with brothers and sisters in our parents’ home, and as members of a Church family we should welcome the chance to meet with our Christian brothers and sisters. 

A Church family is unique, in that it consists of different ages, backgrounds, experiences and sexes.  It is where God provides for us, to be come equipped to carry out His message to the world.  We sing praise together, pray for each other and for the worlds needs, share bread and wine in Holy Communion, and remember what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. 

We live in two worlds.  We live in the earthly world but we also live in the world of the Spirit, and there is always the danger we can forget about God, and become so involved in earthly activities.  

The Bible says, ‘let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another’.  We need to meet with others to have fellowship, to gain and give encouragement.  Each of us has to make an effort.  Most people believe in God, and many have a respect for the Church, but that is as far as it goes.  They don’t want God or the Church to intrude into their lives, unless of course they want a baptism or wedding and then both can become useful. 

But just believing in God’s existence is not enough we have to draw near to Him and the only way is through Jesus Christ.  There is one way, one Saviour, one way to eternal life.

Jesus is described in the Bible as the great High priest of God.  The function of a priest is to be a bridge between God and man, so that we can come into God’s presence, and Jesus makes that possible.  Jesus can take us into the very presence of His Father. 

Some people treat Church like a petrol station.  They go to refill their spiritual tanks, and although there are lots of people on the forecourt, don’t wan t to get involved with them, but just drive in fill up and shoot off. 

There are many, far too many people in recent times, who have forsaken Church and it can be so very easy to give up, go with the flow and fall away.  Once this is done, it is often hard to get back into the practice of coming to Church.  This is why the Bible urges the need for Christians to be with each other. 

There are numerous reasons for people giving up worship.  There are the cynical voices pouring scorn making people feel doubtful.  There are forces of secularisation, now given so much attention and credence.   There are pressures from within families, where some members are anti-church, notably husbands regarding their wives.  The worry about taking a public stand, and indeed, from within the Church itself. 

I know a lady who was a wonderful practising Christian, as practical as one might be.  Always the first to offer help when any member was unwell, or in difficulty.  Very active in the Church, taking a leading role in all activities, social and religious.  PCC Secretary, trained to be a Lay Reader, and then a new Vicar came to the Church with a wife, who was one of the most unpleasant women I have ever met.  She was intensely jealous of anyone likely to overshadow herself or husband, and made the other lady’s life so difficult she gave up attending a Church she had attended for many years.  Perhaps the lady was wrong in not moving to another Church, but when you have been attending a Church for which you have become so attached, it can on a human scale be quite demoralising.  

   should not be tempted to separate ourselves from those who are joined to us by a common faith. Meeting and following Christ can be costly, but mostly well rewarded.  We must always be aware of the fact, that in many parts of the world, Churches cannot exist, nor can Christians meet with other Christians, for fear of imprisonment or even death.  Increasing hostility is being displayed in countries like Egypt, Pakistan, and Nigeria, where Churches are burned down and bombed.  Here we still have freedom to worship, but if not cherished and valued and fought for, will be lost. 

We are living in an increasing anti-Christian environment, with so called Equality and Diversity laws making it hard for Christians to express themselves, as public servants strive to find ways of excluding Christian expression. 

Coming to Church, should be like sons and daughters coming to meet with their (heavenly) Father in complete harmony.  My sons regularly visit my wife and self, and I would be very concerned if they did not.  Our heavenly Father is also upset, when His children neglect Him. 

 But there is one thing I feel needs to be stressed.  We should ensure the Church we attend is one faithful to God’s Word, and seeks to build each other up through the Scriptures, and where the true gospel is preached.

 We have to acknowledge however sadly, this is not always the case, so it serves no purpose going to a Church which fails to do these things.  Too many preachers have their own agenda, which is created around a morality not supported by Scripture, and where the teaching is given to subscribe to the culture of the day. 

You must find a Bible based Church.  Research in America has shown that going to Church and meeting with fellow believers, is good for your health.  A survey in North America of 4,000 people, found that older people especially who attended Church, were less depressed and far healthier that their non religious counterparts. 

There are few people who can say with hand on heart, I have no worries, problems, everything in my life is sunshine and roses.  We all need spiritual fulfilment..  To all who are worried Jesus says, ‘come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls’  He is saying He is waiting for you and has got the help if you only will go to Him. 

Jesus added, ‘take my yoke upon you’.  A yoke was a wooden frame, placed on a persons shoulder, in order to make a load easier to carry.  So Jesus is saying, let me help you carry your burden.  I

In John’s gospel, we have the promise of Jesus that He will never turn anyone away. 

Let us therefore draw near to God. holding firmly to your belief,  and never give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us always give each other encouragement.  Don’t let unpleasant people, secularists, or anyone else hold you back.  Remember too, Jesus said if anyone rejected Him, He will one day reject them. Such a fate is too horrible to consider. 

 

We acknowledge and praise God’s Holy Name. May He be gloorified

 

M A T T H E W 7 Verses 13 to 27


This passage was part of Christ's Sermon on the Mount. A huge crowd had gathered around Jesus as He preached to them. In order that they would live lives worthy of being his followers, he is telling them what is expected of them, which will lead to eternal salvation.

Christ has been describing up to this point. the character of Christians, and the rules by which they are to walk. Now He explains the way of salvation. Jesus always taught there were. two destinies in life, and dependent on how we respond, lies the future life when this present one is over.

Jesus was always eager to point out, that there were just two options to choose from, what is known as the narrow way or the broad way. Two roads to follow in life, one leading to Kingdom of God and heaven, and the other to hell. Jesus only allows one choice; people may prefer selection, but within the Church this means following the Way and Word of God, or that of man. No sitting on verbal fences.

Jesus speaks to us, regarding our journey to Heaven. We have to decide which road we take, it is like coming to a crossroads, each road going in the opposite direction.

The Rabbis, taught that salvation was an assured thing for Jews as God’s chosen people, but Jesus was not following a nationalistic course, and warned that non -Jews would be admitted onto his kingdom. This caused one man to ask Jesus if only a few would be saved, but Jesus did not give a direct answer, he just said make sure you are.

The broad road is overcrowded, many people crushed on to it. Noboundaries, all accepted, the immoral, hypocrites, selfish who only believe in themselves, those who bear malice, led permissive life, rejected Christ as Saviour. The door is very wide, the road is the highway to hell .

There are others who say, just follow your conscience, which is deluding yourself, for your conscience has become hardened and adjustable. Your conscience is no longer a safe guide.

One can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate, the road is difficult, and only a few find it. The boundaries on this road are clearly defined, and limited to true believers, who have tried to live moral lives worthy of the Lord’s support.

The road will not be overcrowded, for fewer people have chosen to enter. You enter one by one to Jesus who said, I am the door, no one enters except through me.

The Psalmist stated, those who accept the Word of God bear much fruit, and those same believers accept the death of Jesus on the Cross was what saved them, and made them righteous to God. The boundaries on this road are clearly defined, and limited to true believers, who have tried to live moral lives worthy of the Lord’s support.

We must not follow a fashion, and swim in the stream among others with whom we live. He tells us the way to everlasting life is narrow, and few travel on it. He tells us the way to eternal destruction is broad and many are on it.

The moment you reached the age of accountability, you must choose which road to follow.

Being narrow these days. means you are classed as bigoted or phobic. You are expected to be broad minded, be modern, 2+2=5. The road is narrow, because it is the way of truth and truth is always narrow. It is the way of holiness and righteousness.

Jesus said there is a life to come and it is a long life, it is eternal, and there are only two destinies, and as you come to the crossroads, you alone choose, God will not push you. He gave you the ability to choose and lets you do so. Where you end up in eternity, will be determined by which road you take, so what you do in the world is important.

One of these roads leads to destruction the other to life with Jesus. He took time to remind people of the seriousness of salvation. He wanted all to be sure of the future. People do prefer the easy road in life, but Jesus made it plain He wants us to journey down the difficult road and enter the narrow gate.

Neither can the narrow road be pursued, if we are motivated by a desire to please society. True disciples of Jesus Christ, will not play to the galleries nor form values according to the passing approval of people in general. God’s approval is all that matters.

Jesus warned of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really vicious wolves.

He went on to say, not everyone that says Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of heaven. Some people think everything a Minister of the Church states is to be believed, which could be a mistake. Some preachers interpret Bible teaching to suit their own beliefs and desires.

The day of Judgement will reveal many truths. Where people thought of others as being perfect Christians, they may be shocked to know thereal person.

Another lesson is that of two people those who hear and then act, as others will gear ad do nothing. The one who hears Christian preaching and practices what is heard, is like a man who builds a house on rock. He goes further to believe in Christ, repents, and lives a holy life. When the storm comes, the house is on a good foundation, and withstands.

Another man hears Christian teaching and never goes any further; he is like the man who built his house on sand, and when storm comes the house is severely damaged.

This brings the sermon the mount to an end. Such a sermon has never been made before or after, than this masterpiece.

The Church has perpetuated a misguided belief, and is guilty of what could reasonably be called deceit and false teaching. In the service, and at burial, people are assured that the deceased is destined for eternal life in heaven, irrespective of what kind of life had been led.

Whilst we all want to exercise compassion and consolation, this can be given without misinterpreting the Scriptures. It is time we showed personal integrity and reverence for God, in our teaching, and in these two verses, Jesus has laid down for us what options there are for us, and we have to decide now in his life.

This is what Jesus taught so many years ago, but it is still a moral and spiritual lesson for us to-day. We are living in very unsettled times. Many businesses, organisations, societies and groups have suffered greatly because of this deadly virus which has plagued the earth, and no one more so than the Church. People have been denied the right to attend worship. We were told we could meet, provided no more than 30 were present, although some of the Churches I visit would consider it great to have 30 at any time, but people have now got into the habit of listening to and watching services through the internet, and many in the older age range have lost the urge to return to Churches, which will mean the Churches will not survive.

The casual way in which the Church has treated the Word of God, willprove in a lot of cases to be their downfall. When people who have faithfully attended Church to find poorly put together services, have now seen inspiring services, especially if you have seen the televised United States Churches, it will not be an encouragement to return.

From its first days, the Church has had to face powerful forces giving much opposition to the gospel message, and now the attack is stronger than ever. The Bible states, for we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places .

Those of us who have been worshipping members of the Church of England, have found we have been put out of the world Anglian Communion, because of the decision of the bishops of the Church, to sanction prayers of blessing for same sex marriages.

The Church of England has until recently, been the primary member of the World Anglican Communion, with the Archbishop of Canterbury counted as leader; that ended this week. The remaining 75% of world Anglicans in other countries, has maintained commitment to the traditional orthodoxy and authority of the Word of God, and has considered the Church of England as more concerned to please the world.

This is deeply regrettable, but was an obvious course that would be taken. This is the first break of the Anglican Communion since the Reformation. Even more concerning, from within the Church itself. Incredulously, from the highest Offices there are calls to abandon Bible teaching on moral matters, and, but the bishops carried on.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has astonished and shocked many people by stating any two people, two men or two women, straight or gay, can enter into an intimate relationship if they are in a stable relationship, and be welcomed to the Church.

The Church in this, and other Western nations has reached crossroads, and must make a decision which road it is going to follow along. The present situation, in which the Bible has in so many places been either discarded or vandalised to accommodate popular opinion, cannot continue. If necessary, there can be a parting of ways, in which the liberal wing with its secular activists partners, can take the broad road, and let the evangelical biblical people make their way with Jesus on the narrow road. Jesus set guidelines which have been removed, so a decision has to be made whether we are following God made religion, or man-made, one or the other.

We need to look back to the Reformation and learn from it, that the Bibleguides the Church, and the voice of God is not being listened to. Biblical doctrine only must be used; Jesus said, ‘ the Scriptures cannot be broken’, which means that all the Bible contains cannot be annulled.

If the doctrines within are not accepted, it must be asked is it being suggested the Bible is untrustworthy; is the Church no longer to take its authority, for at present Church leaders are tearing up the doctrines and introducing man- made ones.

For centuries, the Church toiled to preserve the teaching of the Apostles, a message firmly believed to be God given, and God watched over his Church. We must trust in God to continue, and deal with those who seek to abandon him.



We praise God’s Holy Word and pray He may be glorified.