.  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.

 

  MARK 13 v 24-41

Sunday is the third of Advent, 

   The return of Jesus and the end of the age is the thought of Advent readings

This Chapter is one of the most Jewish in the Bible, containing Jewish history and ideas. All through it, Jesus is using terms which were well-known to Jews of His day, but are strange to non-Jews.

The subject is referred to in the three Synoptic gospels when Jesus was walking with His Apostles pass the Temple and they remarked how beautiful the building was. Actually it was the grandest building in the world, as large as York Minster in white stone each stone being 40 x 12 feet in size.  Jesus told them that the building, which had taken 54 years to build would be pulled down.  The Apostles asked Him what the signs would be to signify the end of the age, believing the coming down and the end of the age were the same thing. 

The answer Jesus gave was really in two parts.  Jesus could foretell the coming down of the temple, but not even He knew the end time; so He was telling them of the various events that would happen before the Temple came down, all of which would be repeated. in cycles through time, until one such period would be the final one.

The description given here is a fearful one of the sun, moon and stars all failing to give light Then Jesus will appear, coming in majesty of the King of the world with great power and glory. At the same time chaos would occur as people would be scattering in panic from where they were, and false prophets would acting in the place of Jesus. 

Whilst He did not know when this would happen, He knew He would be coming, so He was obviously prophesising. This was however a grave warning leaving us to live in the shadow of eternity.

  Each advent we turn to anticipate the return of Jesus to earth, and consider the situation in which we live.     

     Things are appearing in our day regarding human behaviour, which could be applied to the belief we are right at the edge of the promised return of the Lord, although it is unlikely most of us will be alive at that time. 

     The nuclear threat increases by the day, as nations such as Iran acquire nuclear capability and threaten the peace of the whole Middle East.  North Korea desperately wants to launch an attack on the Unite States, which in reply would obliterate North Korea and possibly mean conflict with China, which paradoxically could resolve the whole issue by cutting off the psychopath ruling North Korea.

 Who would have believed that human men would shoot the parents in front of their children; shoot dogs; burn houses down with women inside; rape women; take away aged people; and behead babies. Yet across the world people in thousands cheer them on.

     The  early Church lived with the expectation that the Second Coming would happen at any moment, and would be preceded by a time when evil would increase, a time when human conduct would be shaken to its moral foundations  There was the idea that the Church would under threat before the end time.  

     These ideas do enshrine a permanent truth, that at some time before the Lord’s return, a period will come when evil meets God in a head on collision.  Paul gives a terrible picture of life in a godless world. 

     We have to consider how that picture relates to our society.  The list is like today’s headlines.  Surely the times we live in fit his description. 

     He is concerned that Christians will fall prey to these conditions and live hypocritical lives, by which they will outwardly appear committed and devoted, but will actually have no inner power to resist. The Churches in this country, have been wide open for anyone to attend, but they are virtually empty, and one of the reasons is there has been a sense of self-sufficiency felt during more prosperous times. 

      Today there is a total breakdown of the home, as men and women put their own desires before those of their husband/wife, and especially the needs of their children. 

     Then we have unholy people, those who are unwilling to observe the basic decencies of life, a flaunting of ungodly actions, a shameless pleasure in doing things to disgust; the sort of behaviour you can find on the streets of our cities, or indeed on television.

     Paul wants us to know there will be dangerous times for Christians.  In many non- Christian lands, Christians face persecution on a daily basis, with threats of violence imprisonment, or even death, for expressing their faith in any way.  Whilst such physical assault is not (yet)meted out in this country, we are under sustained attack on our faith from government legislation, which is distinctly anti-Christian and forces Christians under threat of prosecution, to accept that which is contrary to our belief and Biblical teaching. 

     In addition, we have restrictions placed on us to avoid upsetting other faiths and non-Christians, to such an extent that our Bibles cannot be openly displayed in public libraries, and charities which dare mention God or Christ, are denied charitable status. 

     But the New Testament everywhere seeks to convince, that the Church is the most important body of people in the world, around which God builds society. 

     Paul however warns about those who hold an outward form of religion, but whose lives deny the power thereof.  There are people today who are being exposed to the Bible, who will sing hymns, and go through ritual that is being celebrated in Churches across the country, yet during the week reflect attitudes described in such a way that destroys the fabric of society.  

     It is a great tragedy for our children, in that they are growing up not knowing the stories of Jesus, or other Biblical stories as was once the case.  In many homes, this is due to the fact the parents do not have the time, inclination, or knowledge to help them. Take that, and the fact that with the omission of religious teaching in (state)schools as part of their education,  you realise just how spiritually deficient our children are. It would be so more beneficial if the State could be a little concerned with their religious education, rather than be obsessed with giving them sexual education, and probably solve a lot more problems. 

     Now compare the situation in Muslim homes, where children are given regular instruction from the Koran, and furthermore, will not allow their holy book to be abused as we allow our Bible to be. 

     So these verses are descriptive of our day, of a society which will forsake a Christian consensus and live, not by Christian principles, which lead to health and wholeness of body, mind and spirit, and permits people to live at peace and enjoy their lives, but by substituting principles of their own.     

     We are submerged in a world that is committed to falsehood, which is why we are called to proclaim the truth.

     If ever the Word of God was needed, it is never more so than now.  It calls for people to turn back to God who is ready and able to meet the needs of everyone who turns to Him.  The message we have for the world is centred upon the person of Jesus Christ. 

In this Chapter, the words of Jesus, yet to be fulfilled, the return of Jesus is

contrasted to His First coming. He came first as a tender child in weakness of a poor woman, in a manger at Bethlehem, not noticeably known. The second time, He will come in dignity with many angels around Him. and to be known across the world

He came first to suffer by bearing our sins, and to be horrifically crucified. The next time, to reign and  claim the kingdoms over which He will rule. He will righteously judge all people, and He will reap what we have sewn, and reward all who have been faithful to Him.  The Jesus who bore a Cross shall wear a crown.

The Jesus of Nazareth who was despised, and had His gospel rejected, shall appear as Judge, and all shall appear before Him. He will gather all His true people, and angels shall help in finding His people. they will be cared for, and be protected when judgement is made.  The wrath of God will fall on non-believers, but a joyful meeting, of all believers in the faith, of every country and of all ages.

Jesus spoke of the fig tree, just as it can be taken that budding leaves tell summer is near, there will be events fulfilled which will tell the coming of the Lord is near.

All Christians should act carefully in the days ahead, such is a duty not to be neglectful.  Jesus once rebuked the Jews for not recognizing the signs of the time, and wants us to be ready.

In to-day’s verses, we see how Jesus so carefully tells of His predictions being fulfilled.  He warns heaven and earth may pass away, but His words will never do so.  This should encourage Christians and the Church, to notice with care the Word of God and teach as it is written, and not rewritten a some are doing

Within each one of us there is a need for things which money can’t buy, and desires which we cannot express.  Whilst the majority may not be willing to accept it, we all need a spiritual life.  We need God and the forgiveness which He offers in Jesus Christ.  Without this our souls are restless

Let us leave this chapter with a sure conviction of the truth of the predictions, and live ready to meet the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M

 

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

Ephesians 6 v 10

On Sunday, people will gather once again on this special day, to remember the great sacrifices made by men/women, many of whom paid the supreme sacrifice of their lives, whilst others were injured and disabled for life.

As the years roll by, the number of those who were alive during the last World War grows ever smaller reducing by the year. But the memories do not fade, as we recall how this nation stood alone on the brink when all seemed to be lost and there was even talk of surrender. But God raised up a man who refused to surrender and instead rallied the nation to perform such heroic deeds.

How sad and shameful so many young people do not, and will not, try to learn of this glorious chapter of our history, never having had to endure the horrors and hardship of war. Such has been the direction of education in recent years in (state) schools, they have little or no knowledge of what was done that they may have all the privileges they now enjoy. To so many Churchill is the name of a dog representing an Insurance Company rather than one of the greatest Prime Ministers of this country.

We think of the brave young men, some barely left College, who defended our skies or were shot down over German cities; others who perished on a French beach, or drowned in deep waters, or were tortured in a Japanese prison camp; they gave their lives for principles they loved or believed in.

We have to add those who fought and died in Afghanistan and Iraq in wars which should never have been started, as we replaced one horror for even worse.

All these men and women would have cried for the ideals which took their lives, to be remembered and honoured. What would they say if they knew what things were going on this country now? Would they wonder if their great sacrifices were worthwhile as they looked at us?



How disillusioned, as they looked at their injuries; those who came home with shattered limbs, or blind eyes, and saw people making huge compensation claims for minor injuries, and taking legal action for hurt feelings caused by mere words.

How would they react to see some pumped up public official saying the flag they fought under could not be displayed lest it upset someone from another country?

Those men and women had a faith and a belief, and now we Christians have to take over that fight. As they fought the Battle of Britain, we must fight For Britain.

The world has largely rejected Christianity, without having anything to put in its place to combat the evils of the world. All we hear today is about ‘human rights,’ yet in all walks of public life, even to the highest level of government; we have flagrant deceit, corruption, being economical with the truth and unrestricted immorality, the sort of behaviour which sends out the wrong message to the young and gullible.

Under the guise of equality, all manner of restrictions are being enacted to restrain freedom of speech and religious faith. People can be perfectly equal without being the same. Not so long ago we had a Prime Minister who by his intransigence made freedom of religious expression a legal offence, and so a greater penalty could be given than if convicted for burglary or physical assault.

Christian principles and values were the foundation of this nation’s base, as were many of the social institutions and the legal system of the country. Our nation’s future depends on the acceptance of the standards of the Bible.

Not all who condemn the moral slide are bigoted and narrow minded. Those who fought for their country, all those veterans knew what counted in life as they fought for a safer world. The men on the fighting lines knew things had to get better. .

We have a society which is encouraged to forsake a Christian consensus and live, not by Christian principles, but by substituting other principles. We are submerged in a world that is committed to falsehood, which is why we are called to proclaim the truth.

Today, there will be people in all our Churches who would not normally be there, thus revealing a spiritual content in their lives. Indeed, almost all people have some spiritual longing; there are so many of these people who would be of enormous value to the Church and who in turn could add so much to their lives. Within each one of us there is a need for things which money can’t buy, and desires which cannot express. Whilst the majority may not be willing to accept it, we all need a spiritual life. We need God and the forgiveness, which He offers in Jesus Christ. Without this our souls are restless. The only obstacle is a lack of motivation.

Many people are like the two British soldiers who found themselves lost in the deserts of Iraq. They eventually came across an American Officer in his jeep. As they approached him they didn’t even bother to salute and simply blurted out ‘excuse me mate, can you tell us where we are?’ The General took umbrage at their casual attitude and sternly replied, ‘Do you know who I am?’ at which one of the soldiers turned to the other and said, ‘Now we are in real trouble, we don’t know where we are and he doesn’t know who he is!’

Neither do we know who we are and why we are here, so we just live for today and who cares about tomorrow. And that is how we will remain unless there is some communication from the outside, from the One who has made us. A godless self-centred life is a fruitless and empty one.

We need a daring programme of revival, which God is challenging us to make. We within the Church need to ensure our services are always meaningful and encouraging. However, there is reluctance within some Churches to preach a vibrant Biblical message for fear of being criticised as being offensive to other faiths.

Whilst Christianity has been the faith of this country for centuries, in recent times our Churches have retreated and allowed a secular agenda to exercise undue influence on both society and the Church. People, I believe, are longing for and wanting spiritual leadership. Our strength is limited only by our faith. Will that faith let us move mountains or stumble over mole hills?

Wen you become a Christian you effectively become like a soldier, there is warfare between what the world wants and what God has laid down, and we enter a battlefield. The Bible calls on us to stand firm and not yield.

When the Romans invaded a country they would burn their boats so there could be no means of retreat, hence the saying burning your boats. God is telling us He will give us all the power we need and the Bible calls on us to put on the whole armour of God.

In today’s passage Paul is giving guidance and draws on the imagery taken from a Roman soldier’s uniform with a portrayal of Christian life as a warfare, using spiritual metaphors for the resources given to the Christian soldier.

Paul looks at the belt which holds the soldier’s uniform together, a breastplate to defend his heart, sandals specially made with spikes in the soles to enable to get a good foothold on the ground to dig his feet in and a helmet to protect his head. A shield protects him from the darts of the enemy and he has a sword to go on the attack.

Applying them to the Christian, Paul is referring to the belt of truth which is the gospel, which holds our faith, and we must have a pure heart to live according to that truth, and then stand firm and not let our head be turned by false teaching.

Every army needs to attack, and we should be promoting Christianity as vigorously, as other faiths push their faith, armed with the two edged sword of truth. Our faith is not someone has made up; it is based on the historical and divine Jesus Christ who calls for people to turn back to God. Never let us be ashamed to tell of a Saviour who gave His life on the Cross, so that all we unworthy people may have our sins forgiven because He died that we may be made righteous for heaven when our life on this earth is over.

All who treasure the Christian faith, and the memory of those who gave their lives to preserve a Christian heritage, must work and pray for a spiritual revival of the Christian Church. The valiant hearts that died to preserve the loveliness of these lands we call Great Britain, will not be failed by God.

May we, on this special day, well remember the sacrifices others made that we might be here at this hour? We must never ever forget the lives of so many gallant young men and women given that we may have peace in our lives

I want us to remember also those brave young American men, who joined our nation in the fight for freedom on the shores of France as the invasion of Europe was made, and the airmen who flew planes from our air fields nightly over enemy territory, some never to return, but who are still in our thoughts as we see their graves in the American cemetery in England so far from their native land.

Whenever I visit this so beautifully kept ground,with the graves neatly arranged, I feel so sad that in those graves are young mens bodies, and I wonder how the parents must feel that they never had the opportunity to say good-bye. There must be bitter feelings as we see the selfish behavior of some young people today.

When you attend Church in Sunday, or listen to broadcasts of services, think of the vast loss of so many young men and women. and give appreciation for whose lives were cut short in defending freedom that we can live peacefully and be able to remember them.