EPHESIANS 5 V15 - 21

Sometimes the way to live in a holy manner is not made clear.  A foolish person has no plan for life, and misses the opportunity to work for God in an evil world. We are to be accurate in our lifestyle,  

There is the temptation to think if the majority behave in a certain way, it is fair for them to do so, and then say God will understand, and so they fail to live the Christians life as it should be lived according to the teaching we are given in Scripture. It is however totally unacceptable for Christians to think we can be casual in our lifestyle, indulging especially in moral conduct, that gives an impression we are hypocrites, yet it is a sad fact that there are those who shamelessly parade their hedonistic lifestyle. If we are not ruthless with sin in our lives, then what impression is that giving to our world?

The world is shutting God out of their lives and many are suffering the consequences. Let us provide the evidence that living according to that which God and Jesus laid down, adds to a better and worthy life, and not subscribe to all the whims and fancies of society; people should be able to distinguish the nonbeliever from the true believer.

In v 18 the Bible states do not get drunk with wine, be filled with the Spirit. Wine was the staple drink in Paul’s time, and was fermented to preserve it from turning into vinegar. Whereas wine can control the mind, and impair one’s judgement and lead to debauchery, in contrast  being filled with the Spirit leads to self-control along with the fruits of love, joy, kindness patience and gentleness, and gives a regular pattern or life. We should not give the impression that being a Christian involves giving up things, unless the bible commands doing so. There are Christians who say we should not drink alcohol , or go to the cinema, or dancing; if a Christian truly believes such activities are wrong, then it is perfectly acceptable for them to abstain, but they should not try to force their feelings on to others. This can do more harm than may be intended, and give cause to criticise our faith as intrusive.

As Christians we maintain our life style into our workplace, in our homes, and essentially in our worship place, so that wherever we are we representing the Lord with credit and not shame.

Make music in our hearts to God (v 19) – Not only do we express out joy with audible singing of praise to our God, but we are to do so from our hearts. Our praise to God is not a case of singing audible hymns, but our hearts need to go out to God in joyful worship as well. This will mean that our thoughts about God will be so great, that we cannot help but sing praise to our great God in our hearts if not in audible voices. The early Church was a singing Church, which came from being filled with the Spirit, joining in singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and making music to the Lord.  Psalms were canticles, and were separated from general music of praise

So true worship is not just singing a hymn or a modern song, but it involves engaging our hearts in joyful worship, and adoration of God through Jesus Christ God's Son, is what every sincere Christian desires to do. Even if our audible voices are not tuneful its what is in our hearts that counts, it might not sound pleasant to others but if our heart is in it is extremely tuneful to our God

The early Church was a thankful Church, giving thanks to God in his grace had stooped to save them, and for all things which happened in their lives, and doing so in the name of Jesus, thereby trusting him as a mediator with God the Father. It was also was one where people honoured one another, and that was because they revered Jesus Christ and recognised the dignity of each person so mutual respect became easy.

Remember how God so richly blessed that early Church. The Bible states they devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles, which is why they got God’s Blessing.  Will the Church of to-day receive God’s blessing. I would think not, and the way the Church is falling apart give some credibility to that opinion.  Consider some of the points made in his passage.,   Paul told Timothy to use every opportunity to spread the gospel, and we have to practise that advice wisely.  This does not mean constantly harassing people with Scripture, but when there will be opportunities to do so which will fit in with the situation, we should be ready to encourage them to turn to the Lord. We all have limited time so let's make sure that we do not waste the time God has given to us and let us look for those God given opportunities

If the Church is to make a difference, it has to be making its influence felt, instead of being fearful of upsetting the activists in society.  A lifeboat is of no use standing polished and shiny in a station when people are in peril on the seas, it has to be out rescuing those facing being drowned; and that as Christians and the Christian Church is what we must be doing.

If the church is disunited and fighting within itself, then is that living out our faith accurately? Perhaps the church today is in great danger of failing to live out real Christianity, and it is giving the wrong impression about matters of conscience. When churches are loveless places, and when they are hypocritical places, then is it any wonder that people today have no idea what the Christian faith is all about.

  If someone asked me what the Church stands for, I would not be able to answer. I could of course tell what the Church should and was meant to stand for, which is now rather different. Consider therefore, the following points.

If Christ was at the heart of all our teaching; we would not be hesitant in adhering to the commands he gave prior to his departure.  We are not following the doctrines of the Bible, we are deliberately following the doctrines of the mixed up world we live in.  The Methodist Church has overwhelmingly decided to accept same sex partnerships as marriage, which directly contradicts that which is at the heart of God’s teaching.

God made man and woman to live and have children as a family, the bedrock of society, and the Church has ridiculed that.  The Church of England will soon follow with bishops and Archbishops in support. One bishop who has openly called for the bible teaching on sexuality and marriage to be ignored, now wants to change the words, in the name of God the Father and God the Son, to be gender neutral so we will have God the parent and God the child,

The guidelines of God’s teaching, which he laid down in Holy Scripture are not being followed, and it is becoming obvious that the only Churches we will find true teaching will be the black Pentecostal Churches.  We adopt much of American culture, some of which we could do without, but what a blessing if we could adopt some of its evangelism.

We Praise God for His Glorious Gospel and he Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 L U  K  E   19v 1-10

The Gospel message on Sunday next, is the story of Jesus and Zaccheus.  Jesus is  passing through Jericho, in which city there lived Zaccheus, a prominent tax collector.

The city was a wealthy place, different from that which is mentioned in the Old Testament. Herod the Great had obtained the city from Caesar Augustine and made a viaduct, a fortress and a monumental palace.  It had the approach to Jerusalem, a river crossing, and was called the City of Palms.

The tax collectors collected money from people and became very rich, Zaccheus  being at the top of the collectors, was the most hated man of the area. He was very rich, but not happy.  Inevitably, he had no friends and was lonely, for he had made himself an outcast. He had heard that Jesus was friends with some tax collectors and sinners, and so was determined to find Jesus. and no  one would stop him. 

Despised and hated, he wanted the love of God. He knew people might attack him, so was on his own mission.  He was a small man capable of climbing a tree, which  was seen to be like the English oak tree. He then made  a decision, that he would give half of the money fraudulently obtained from people, and with the other half he would give to people he had improperly taken money, especially on family  he deprived of food; the story ends with great words.

‘The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost’,  In the New Testament, it does not mean doomed, it means in the wrong place.  A family is lost when it goes out of its  own place into a wrong place,  A person is lost when they wander away from God; and is found once again in the rightful place, just as a child in the household of the family of the Father

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The verses describe the conversion of a soul,  Like the stories of Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman, the story of Zaccheus should be studied.  The Lord Jesus never changes; what He did for the man in this story, He is able and willing to do for us.

We learn firstly, that no one is too bad to be saved, or is beyond the power of Christ’s grace.  We are told of  a wealthy man becoming a disciple of Christ.  We see the rich man entering the Kingdom of God.  We see clear proof that all things are possible with God.

The door of hope which the Gospel reveals to sinners, is wide open.  Let us not be narrow-minded to shut it  We should never be afraid  to maintain, that Christ is able to save the worst, and that the vilest of sinners, may be freely forgiven if they will only come to Him. We should offer the Gospel to all, telling there is hope  if they will repent and believe.  Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, Some people may think this as foolish, but such doctrine  is the Gospel of Him who saved Zaccheus at Jericho.  Hospitals may discharge people who are deemed to be incurable, but there are no cases under the Gospel.  Anyone who comes to Christ may be healed.

We learn secondly from these verses, how little and insignificant are the things on which a soul’s salvation lies.  We are told Zaccheus sought to see who Jesus was, and yet could not because He was too small. Curiosity and only such, appears to be the motive of his mind, and he was ready to gratify it.  He climbed a tree, and on that small action so far as eyes could see, there lay the salvation of his soul.  Jesus stood under the tree and said, ‘Come down, I must abide at thy house’.  From that moment, Zaccheus was am altered man, and that night he became a Christian.

Never despise the day of small things, never reckon anything little that men and women, by ways of the Holy Spirit, are wondrous and mysterious.  In every work, there must be a beginning, and in spiritual work that beginning is small. A careless brother may turn and come to Church, do not let the motives be a question. Let it be far better to help, so that one day he may receive Christ readily.

We learn thirdly,  compassion to words of sinners, and His power to change hearts.

Unasked, He offers Himself to be a guest at the house of a sinner.

It is not possible with such a passage as this, to exalt too highly the grace of the Lord Jeus Christ, There is within Him an infinite readiness to receive, a chance to save sinners.  Above all, we cannot hold too firmly that salvation not of works, but of grace.  Let us grasp these doctrines firmly, and not let them go. The price is high. Grace, free grace, is the only thought which gives people rest in a dying hour.  Let us proclaim these doctrines, and bid all, to come to Jesus Christ, just as they are, and not wait in the vain hope that they can make themselves worthy to come.  Tell that Jesus Christ waits for them, and will dwell in their poor hearts.  He states, ‘behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with him and he with me

We learn lastly, that converted sinners will always give evidence of their conversion.  We are told that Zaccheus stood and said unto the Lord,’ take half of my goods, I give unto the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation I will repay fourfold’.  There was unmistaken proof that Zaccheus had a new nature.  When a wealthy Christian begins to distribute his riches, and as extortioner begins to make restitution, we may well believe that old things have passed away, and all things become new.  There was decision in that speech. Freely pardoned and raised from death to life Zaccheus felt he was ready to show whose he was and whom he served.

He desires to give proof he was a believer, and walk in the steps as Zaccheus, who will announce the sins which formerly beset him.  A believer should live as a believer and confess they know Christ

Let us turn from the passage, remembering the last verse; the Son of Man came into the world to seek and save that which was lost.  It is as Savior more than a Judge, that Christ desires to beknown. let us show we know Him as such;  let us take care our soul is saved. Once converted and saved, we shall say, what shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits.  Once saved, we shall not complain hat self-denial like that of Zaccheus, is a real requirement.

 

Praise God for His Glorious Gospel and the Lord Jesus for His saving power.

 

Nehemiah 8 ,v.1 to 4,  8 to 12

 

This morning I want to turn with you to the reading from the Book of Nehemiah, in the Old Testament

    

Nehemiah was a Jew taken into exile by the Babylonians, and after they had been defeated by the Persians, he became a cup bearer to the King, and later became civil governor of Jerusalem.  

 

The people of Israel had been taken into captivity, and after 70 years were returning to Jerusalem, their spiritual homeland and capital then in ruins, to rebuild their lives and homes. 

 

The walls of the city had been destroyed and needed to be rebuilt been created.  Nehemiah realized, that a nation needs more than material works and wealth, there was a need for a firm spiritual and moral foundation as well as wealth and material things.

 

Ezra, the priest was present and preached the Scriptures to them.   In what is perhaps a new passage of Scripture for you, we have a glorious story of a people who gathered without coercion, devoting themselves to standing for something like five/six hours.

 

This indicates the tremendous desire of these people for truth. No complaining there if the service went over the hour! Some times when I first visit a Church I ask the Vicar/Minister for guidance, as to how long I am  expected to preach, and often told well after ten minutes people will begin to shuffle their feet.  (Not so bad in the Free Churches.)

Notice also, that the place where they met was by the Water Gate, the seventh gate, a prominent number to the Jews, a number meaning perfection.  There were a series of gates, sheep, fish, east, etc. this gate was the symbol of the Word of God -- the water of the Word. There could have been no more appropriate place for them to assemble.

This teaching had such a profound effect upon the people, that we are told they wept as they listened. They did so because they realized how their lives had gone astray, and they had wrong thoughts and ways.  When God’s people get away from loving, and reading, and obeying the Word of God, they lose the blessing of God upon their lives. The cause of their problems lay in their own thoughts and attitudes. These people saw the holiness of God, contrasted against the evil of man.

What a marvelously clear statement of how a church service ought to be conducted! The primary business of Christians is to understand the Word of God, so as to think God's thoughts after him -- to learn to think like God. It is not only important to know what the Scripture says, it is even more important to know what it means!

It is refreshing to see there are many Churches in the United States of America, where the main service contains just music and a Bible reading based on a Chapter of Scripture.

We so desperately need to tell in simple terms how he loves us, wants us to be saved, and for that purpose he sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world, to show us by word and example how that becomes possible when we obey all that he tells us in that holy book we call the Bible.

God’s purpose for the Church is to preach the gospel message contained in the Bible, which we acknowledge is the authoritative Word of God, to an unbelieving world, and to lead people to salvation. This is what makes us unique and special, if we fail to do so, there can be no purpose in there being a Church, and we just become an irrelevancy.

 

In order to help us, do this according to his wishes, God created spiritual boundaries, and we should not wander beyond what the Bible sets out for us.

 

It is because preachers have extended their remit beyond God’s boundaries, and gone off message, that the Church is falling apart in the West; people now are confused as to what the Church believes.  God wants to preach his Word, not express our opinions or think we have a better idea

 

The purpose of coming to Church, should be to join with other Christians in singing praise to God, listening to His Word, having it fearless and boldly preached, so there is spiritual nourishment for the week ahead, and to join in  prayer for the needs of the world and ourselves.

There are Church members, who live knowingly and deliberately against God’s teaching, yet hypocritically carry on doing so. How God must weep when sees people singing hymns of praise in Church, listening to the Bible, (sometimes even preaching it) and then behaving totally in contradiction to what he has laid down.

When the Bible is faithfully preached as it is written, it points out the way are going astray, how far we have wandered from the pureness of Christ in thought word and deeds. How we all sin, most often by mistake or carelessness, and God provided a way of forgiveness in letting Jesus die a cruel death on the Cross, so that all who accept Jesus death wll be forgiven.

The whole Bible is about God’s offer of salvation through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.

In the Old Testament Jesus is predicted. 

    In the Gospel Jesus is revealed. 

        In Acts Jesus is preached.

            In the Epistles Jesus is explained.

                In Revelation Jesus is anticipated.  

 

 The great tragedy of our day, is how few churches seem to understand this power of Scripture. Across the country, there are churches in which there is little life. The services are dull and dreary, because the Word of God is not central. Whenever there has been a revival in the Church, at the forefront were men like Charles and John Wesley or Evan Roberts in the 1904 Welsh revival, men who were boldly preaching the Bible.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, one of the greatest preachers of modern times once stated, ‘the primary task of the Church and Christian Ministers is the preaching of the Word of God.  The decadent times in the history of the Church, have always been when such preaching has declined.’

The Church was founded on the teaching of the Apostles, and such was authoritative because it came from our Lord Himself, who claimed he was the only way to God. We should not be afraid to state this, for the Bible states ‘we do not have a spirit of timidity, we have the power of God’.

What should occupy our minds, is to consider if the Church is still preaching the message of the Apostles, and is it fit for the purpose Christ and His Apostles built it?  That is a hard question to answer; in places yes, especially the Pentecostal Churches; but in the main denominational Churches, only to a limited extent.

The Church of England  has gone further than could have been imagined or believed.

In a statement on his official website, the senior churchman said he now “sincerely” believes that same-sex sexual intimacy is permissible in “stable, committed and faithful relationships”.

This is at odds with the Church of England’s current teaching, based on the Bible, that sexual intimacy is permissible only within man-woman marriage.

The Bible states, ‘do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind’. All our minds have to become transformed and adjusted to receive, and obey, what God expects from us.

It is fair to say Britain is in moral decline. It is like a car parked on a hill when someone releases the brake and it careers downward.  There is so much evil in society, even listening to news broadcasts creates fear. Murder was for so long a rare and major crime, now it is a daily occurrence hardly worthy of more than a passing paragraph in a newspaper. Fraud, theft, corruption stems from top of society to the bottom. 

Of all that is happening today, the most frightening thing is the lack of a sense of sin in society, a total lack of moral values -- but they do not feel they are doing anything wrong.. That is what the Word of God is given to correct. It awakens afresh an awareness of what is causing the wrong. 

All the time honoured beliefs of morality and ethics have been abandoned so that nothing is considered immoral or improper by society. What is most alarming is that no one in authority seems to be concerned

 

We have allowed secularists, atheists and activists to influence society and take over the country, in the process they are trying to silence us and forcing us not only to accept, but approve all they call for.

 

The Church, which is meant to be the conscience of the nation, has in the mainline denominations, conversely accepted, adopted and embraced behaviour specifically condemned by Scripture. The Church is expected to preach the gospel and abandon sin.  Now there has been a call to abandon the gospel and preach sin.

Scripture reveals that as individuals, we have turned our backs on God's ways, and ignored his teaching. We have failed the young people who see an institution created by God for the purpose of providing spiritual and moral guidance, failing to point out what are clearly called sins in the Bible, and either incapable or unwilling to offer better. Children are now denied these foundations and are growing up without knowing the country’s religious faith and heritage.

It is so easy to say that is just being old fashioned and dismiss. Old fashioned we may be, but we didn’t have 1in 2 divorce rate—such anti-social behavior and juvenile delinquency- the highest abortion rate in Europe-= the highest number of teenage pregnancies in Europe-and the lowest Church attendance, we knew what being a Christian meant.

A lot of people are now trying to discredit the Bible.  Can we then be sure the Bible is true?

The Bible comes to us from God, written over a period of thousands of years, consisting of 66 books, written by a wide variety of authors, each with different characters and occupations, living at different times over the years, most of them not knowing others yet what they wrote was never in contradiction, and was all as God wanted. The most sophisticated computer could not have composed such perfect harmony; the only explanation is the Holy Spirit was the guide and one dictating.

 

Martin Luther stated ‘the true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God.’  This is the message the Church should now be preaching, but instead too many are more concerned with following an equality agenda which is obsessing the country. Luther’s stance was that any issue which tended to overshadow the gospel must be ignored and abandoned.  He recalled the Church to follow he gospel.

 

Most of the men who wrote the Bible were simple fishermen, shepherds and the like, without a degree amongst them, and were moved by the Spirit of God. If they went before a selection committee for Church ministry, I doubt they would have been chosen.

 

That may seem hard or even cynical, but it is not meant to be, I say it seriously and being realistic. The teaching of the Apostles would be too fundamental for selectors to accept, for Christian orthodoxy has now been replaced by equality and diversity consideration.  I can say with confidence, preferment in the Church of England is dependent upon accepting not the Bible’s moral and ethical teaching, more on the calls of society’s activists.

 

Men and women have given their lives to take the Bible to the utmost parts of the earth and to live in primitive conditions.  Most could have earned an enormous amount more money with comfortable lives, but chose to serve the Lord. They were mostly well educated and learned people with brilliant minds, who God will richly reward.

 

It would be interesting to know how many church members have bibles in their homes yet never bother to read them.  I think the majority of Church people rarely read a bible in their own time and place.

It was once custom to have bible in pews and members could follow the readings for themselves as they were being read out, and follow as the sermon was preached. Most Churches had a Bible study class meeting , which has now a rare meeting.

 

If the churches of this land were faithful to the Bible preaching what it was saying, without amendments, do you think the nation would be in the condition that it is today?  Never has the Bible been more needed than now

 

Liberalism is tearing the Church apart by trying to supplant biblical authority for cultural expression and denying the infallibility of the Bible with trendy social issues replacing the Cross of Christ. The Church should be the moral conscience and voice of the nation, providing spiritual disinfectant on the evil of society.

    

We have to accept that if you state you believe in the full authority of the Bible you will find many will oppose you, and even those close to you will challenge you, perhaps within your own family. You will be called narrow minded, bigoted or of having some kind of phobia.   How disheartening to hear from pulpits that we must not take the Bible too literally; or that there will be atheists in heaven.  The time may come when those of us who stand firmly on the Bible will be frozen out, and attempts will be made to silence us.

 

All Christians at this perilous time need to think of what we can offer to God.  To paraphrase a famous saying, ‘think not what God can do for me, but what can I do for God’.

The greatest revival in the history of this country took place under the ministry of Charles and John Wesley.  The once great Methodist Church was built on a strong Biblical foundation.  If they were alive today they would have much to say at the way the Church has failed to proclaim the message they left, that salvation was through Christ alone, the value of a person’s life was measured by their faith; by the manner in which they lived their lives, and the doctrine of heaven and hell. 

Their legacy has been passed down through the ages to the Church they founded.  This should not be betrayed. Charles was one who wrote as he thought and he saw the importance of conversion and a personal relationship to Jesus Christ.   He became vividly convinced of the message of salvation, and saw clearer than ever before how faith in Jesus Christ could change a person’s life.  This was the message he would take to as many people as he could, particularly to the poorer classes.  He preached that the value of a person’s life was to be measured by their faith.

 

I close with the words of John Wesley, who with his brother Charles led such a great revival in this country.

. ‘I want to know one thing, the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this end He came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. Give me that book! At any price give me the Book of God

 

Praise God for His Holy Gospel.  May His Holy Name be Glorified

 

 

 

 

R E F O R M A T I O N  S U N D A Y

This Sunday we celebrate the anniversary of the Protestant Reformation which took place 508 years past on October 31. Only a limited number of Churches in the United Kingdom will make a special service, and I suspect many members will have no knowledge of its importance and significance, which is due to the fact their Church has not preached about it. In the United States, it has to their credit, been given a rightful place on their Church programmes. God bless America!
The Protestant Reformation was a revival of religion, and a return to the preaching of the gospel. It is one of the great events in Christian history, which is widely remembered and celebrated across the world. In Europe understandably, there may be some reluctance.
On 10th of November 1483, Martin Luther was born in Germany, and was studying to become a lawyer. Whilst walking home with friend one day, there was a severe weather storm with thunder and lightning. His friend was struck by the lightning and died, causing Luther to become very frightened, so much he prayed, that if delivered safe he would become a monk. This he did, entering an Augustine Monastery in Erfurt in July 1705.
He was zealous and studied hard, but became disheartened by feeling he was too unworthy of God, and burdened by guilt, he bound himself to confessions. He would pray every day for at least two hours; he would fast and sleep, on stone floors of the Monastery. He was doing his very best to earn his way to heaven, but never thought he had done enough. In the cold winter nights in Northen Germany, he would stay out all night to purify his soul. He would confess his sins to a Priest
Each day, then return to his cell and remember there was something else , The harder he tried the less peace he had.

His tutor Joseph Staupitz intervened, and suggested he went to University of Wittenberg and teach the Bible. He did so, and became a Professor in Bible teaching. It was whilst doing this, he came to Romans 1 v. 16/17, and he recognized the answer to all his problems. He read that no one should be ashamed of the gospel, which was the power of God saving everyone who believes, and tells that God makes us righteous, and the gospel accomplishes from start to finish by faith, that a righteous person through faith has life.
Luther understood the just are saved by faith through faith, and the Church was giving false teaching. It is God who makes us righteous, we cannot do it ourselves, purely by God’s grace which is unmerited and freely given through Jesus Christ.

The words, the just shall live by faith, were the start of the Reformation. Now, inspired by his discovery, he found a copy of the Holy Scriptures in the library of the Monastery.
Staupitz sent Luther to Rome, hoping he would find comfort for his soul, but the city was a disappointment to him. He found many shrines and Churches, and he prayed in each one. He also found Rome was an immoral place, and had done nothing to impress him.
He found the Church, where it was thought Jesus had attended, with stairs leading to the top of the building, and the stairs had to be taken by knees with a prayer being made.
As Luther started, he felt a voice was saying to him, the just shall live by faith, until he reached the final stair. He could not understand what was happening to himself. Suddenly, he realized. We are justified by faith.
He then returned to Wittenburg, and began to preach the good news of the free grace of God, and that God wanted all people to be saved, if they turned and followed Jesus. Luther felt a sense of guilt in leaving out Jesus.
The Gospel spread in Wittenburg, and further, but then Luther was to face another practice.
At that time, a new Pope wanted to rebuild the basilica of St Peter’s cathedral in Rome, and sent a missionary named Johann Tetzel around to all the Churches to raise money. The Roman Church, which was Catholic at that time, was using indulgences, as it was held when a person died they went to a place called purgatory, whilst their ultimate fate was decided, but if you paid a sum of money to the Church, your soul would be released and go straight to heaven. It was even extended, so that you could pay an indulgence for someone close, and further extended so you could pay for any sins you may commit in the future. Tetzel toured around the Country selling the indulgences with a little rhyme, ‘when in the box a coin dings, a soul from heaven flings.’
Luther realized the corruption in the Church’s message, there was no such place as purgatory, for one could only be saved by believing in Jesus Christ. He then posted a list of 95 theses on the door of the Cathedral in Wittenberg, in which the gospel message was explained.

The doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church has been that of Apostolic Succession, that from Peter the first Pope, all successive Popes through the years, Tradition and teaching are the way to salvation. Protestants believe the Bible teaching that before anyone can be saved, they must accept Jesus died on the Cross to be a Savior for all sin, and must believe He died and  was resurrected.

Luther’s intention was to start a debate by theologians, and the theses were in Latin for that purpose. The printing press had been established, and without his knowledge, the words he wrote were translated into German, and other languages, and the message spread across Europe.
He was called before the Pope and Church leaders, and told he must recant, but said the epic words, ‘my conscience is taken captive by the Word of God, I cannot recant so help me God. Here I stand I can do no other.’
How wonderful, if all clergy could say likewise when we are called to compromise on our preaching.
Luther was challenged to engage in a debate with a Dr Eck, a reputed debater, and although told not to attempt to face a man of such fame, he did so and caused his opponent to be the loser. He was  ordered to attend a Council at Worms.

Luther was warned by friends not to attend, because sometime earlier a man named John Hus had attended, having been assured of his safety, but was nevertheless sentenced to be burned at the steak.
Luther went to the meeting, at which were Archbishop, bishops, Dukes and Counts, and Vatican authorities, representatives of other countries.
Luther, with copies of his writings laid out on a table, he was asked if the books were his and whether he stood by their contents. Luther confirmed he was the author, but requested time to think about the answer to the second question. He was given twenty hours. He prayed, consulted friends, and gave his response the next day.

I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures, or by clear reason, for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves.  I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.
At that time, the Emperor Charles 5th from Spain came to power as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He was not pleased with Luther’s stance and wanted to kill Luther, but he needed the co-operation of Germany where Luther lived.
He was called to consider his statements, and when he persisted, was ordered to be taken away to be killed.
On his journey to the place of execution, he was seized by supporters and taken to Wittenberg Castle where he was given a room. He translated the whole of the New Testament from Greek to German.
Luther’s courage and brilliance of mind, caused seismic reaction throughout the Church in Europe, and across eventually the world, and still has effects today. How dearly there is a need for a new Reformation in the Church today, which has capitulated to outside forces, obsessed with causes which are abhorrent to Scripture, yet are readily accepted by the highest echelons of the Church. How God must weep, when he sees how his Church has let Him down and betrayed Him. This is why we cannot expect God to bless the Church, when it colludes with a decadent society.

All Christians, especially those of the Protestant Church, but also embracing members of to-day’s Roman Catholic Church, who are treasured members of Christian Church body, and are not represented by the past, should remember with grateful appreciation Luther’s restoration of the Bible. How tragic there are members of Christian Churches who live and endorse words and actions which are contrary to the Scriptures.

The Reformation teaching was based on four  solas (alone or only)

• Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone): The Bible is the sole infallible and final authority for all matters of Christian faith and practice. This stood in contrast to the Catholic Church, which regarded papal authority and church tradition as equal to Scripture.
• Solus Christus (Christ Alone): Salvation is achieved through the mediatorial work of Jesus Christ alone, who serves as the sole mediator between God and man. The Reformers rejected the Catholic Church's veneration of saints and the authority of priests to mediate salvation.
• Sola Fide (Faith Alone): Justification—being declared righteous in God's sight—is received by faith alone, apart from any human works or merit. This was a direct contradiction of the Catholic doctrine that salvation was granted by a combination of faith and good works.

• Sola Gratia (Grace Alone): Salvation is a gift of God's grace alone and is not earned by human effort. The Protestant Reformers opposed the sale of indulgences and other practices that suggested people could manipulate or earn God's favor.

 

Praise God for His Holy Gospel, May His Holy Name be Glorified.

 

 

 

 John 14  v 14

The passage I have chosen to write about this week contains words which are so relevant to Christian living and belief. Jesus was speaking to His disciples shortly before going to the Cross, teaching and giving guidance, and that same teaching is passed down for the benefit of all Christians throughout the ages.
In what has become a largely heathen country, there will be many who may ask, who was Jesus, what would you answer?  I would say. you should be asking me who Jesus IS?, for he is not dead. As a hymn states,
I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
          Moving on to his life’s work, he performed all God had called for him to do, travelling, preaching and healing, many people who saw him make the blind see, the deaf hear, lepers were cured, and the dead restored to life.
         He preached that the Kingdom of God was coming, when men would see the need for righteousness, and sought to free people from sinning. He taught that whilst much was offered for the future, God was still acting then. Many thought he was a prophet and ruler for Israel, who would establish the nation as a strong power. Some recognized the relationship with God, and gave their lives to him.
         On his journey he met his Apostles in what is known as the Upper Room for the ‘Last Supper’ with them, which we remember when we celebrate the service of Holy Communion in our Churches. Whilst there, he told them he was going to leave them, which left them devastated, for their lives were lived around him. He called them his ‘little children’, like a father would do if leaving the family for a period.
            Jesus is here telling His Apostles He was going to leave them, for He was going on a journey He had to take alone. The Apostles were devastated at the thought. Perhaps you can imagine their feelings if you reflect on how people feel when a Minister they are happy with, suddenly tells them that he is moving to another Church. This invariably causes sadness, unless there is a poor relationship. I have experienced leaving on three occasions in ministry, and it is hard to disassociate oneself completely when there has been mutual happiness.
               Jesus called on them to love one another, a fundamental principle of our faith, yet we find some awful failings to obey that command.  He told them to ‘love one another’, He meant we should get along with each other. We are not talking of physical love, or even sentimental feelings, but rather fellowship, compassion, tolerance and loyalty. We are not called upon to ‘like’ everybody, indeed, there are people in the Church you just couldn’t possibly like, they are so unlikeable.
         He was calling on them to stay together and be faithful to each other, something all Christians should show as an example to the world. So often Christians are seen to be fighting with each other, due to some following a false line of teaching and not obeying Scripture, when they should be seen as a happy family. This is a complete turn off to people who do not normally attend Church.
           When non-Church people see Christians as a mixed gathering of different ages, different sexes, different backgrounds, getting on and being happy together, they will be inspired by us and respond, but if they see us as an arguing fractious lot, falling out all the time, they will justly say ‘look at those hypocritical Christians.’                 Jesus was speaking to His disciples, teaching and giving guidance, and that same teaching is passed down for the benefit of all Christians throughout the ages.
           Jesus said, ‘do not let your hearts be troubled’. The heart is the seat of all our emotions, and when that is upset it affects thoughts and actions and causes personal disturbance. Jesus wanted to reassure them He was not forsaking them. He calls for trust in Himself as well as in God.
            Since we are also disciples of Jesus, we can rightly include ourselves in words like this, we must ask ourselves, "Is it wrong for Christians to be troubled like this? Are we expected never to succumb to moments of pressure, or to feel anxious and worried? Are we supposed to be cheerful and confident all the time?" Many Christians think this is what this verse means. But they forget that Jesus himself was not immune to this kind of reaction to pressure.
         Thus, it is clear that we may expect to feel troubled at times. Christians are exposed to pressure and danger. We have the record of the epistles to confirm this. The apostles went through times of great peril, during which they feared and trembled.
            He told them they were to believe in Him, as well as God. Most people believe in God, but have less thought for Jesus. He was putting Himself alongside God and wanted them to trust Him and maintain a personal relationship.
      He said there were many rooms in His Father’s house, meaning heaven, and He was going to prepare a place for them. This meant there was the prospect of living for ever with Him there.
              When Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for them, this was referring to the fact He was going to the Cross, to die for the forgiveness of sins for all people, and by that one death He was making it possible for them, and for all who through the ages would turn and accept him as Savior to be forgiven of all sin.
               This passage is widely quoted in funeral services, when people wrongly assume that everyone is automatically going to heaven. I have taken hundreds of funerals, and there has never been doubt in anyone’s mind, that the deceased is going to heaven, irrespective of the life led, or never even thought of Jesus. Nowhere in the Bible is this view upheld. Jesus was very clear in His teaching that it certainly was not so.

            In parable after parable, He spoke of two roads, of sheep and goats, of tares and wheat, of heaven and hell. Of people who accepted him, and those who did not, so determining their future eternal life.
           Whilst it may be comforting to believe that we can all get to heaven regardless of one’s beliefs, and we like to please our fellow men and women, it is quite cruel to mislead if it is not true. It is like telling a blind person standing on the sidewalk of a major road it is safe for him to cross when ready. If we say to someone who has no Church commitment, has only a tenuous belief in Jesus Christ, never reads a Bible or prays, that they are going to Heaven we are deliberately misleading them
            In this passage before us He is talking to His followers, people who have made a personal commitment to accept Him as Savior. This is why it is so important for each person to make his/her own decision, whether to follow Jesus in His teaching, commands and demands He makes on us.
          It is easy to say I am a Christian, easy to say I read the Bible. 95% of the population today believe as long as you are honest, kind and helpful to others, and do no harm, you are a fully-fledged Christian. Jesus speaks firmly and rather profoundly, when He says not all who think they are to enter the Kingdom of heaven will in fact do so.
          If you want to go to stay at a hotel in some foreign country, you invariably go to a travel agent, who arranges everything for you, and when you arrive at the hotel, they have a reservation waiting. You cannot just turn up because you think you are entitled to stay there without some preparation.
         In v 4/5,Jesus suggests that they know the way to the place where he was going. When Jesus said this, Thomas asked Him how they could know when they didn’t know the way. This brought forth from Jesus that profound immortal statement, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’
            In verse 6 Jesus makes a profound statement which goes to the heart of Christian faith and belief. He states He is the only way to God. This is not generally liked, as it is seen as being too restrictive, too bigoted and intolerant, and to be judgmental is not liked. Consequently, some clergy will not quote it, whilst others just will not accept it. Frankly, I think if any man/woman does not accept this verse, then they should not be allowed to preach, for they are betraying the Lord who said it, and the Church which they serve.
         Jesus warns us that there must be a clear acceptance of His teaching and total obedience to it. Just to recite a creed and attend Church is not enough. We honor Jesus by calling Him Lord, and sing hymns expressive of our devotion to Him. The lips that sing His praise should never be the lips that challenge Holy Scripture.
          God is present in Jesus, as part of the human scene. God wants to bless all people and save them, but God’s salvation brings judgement, and all will one day face this, for God has appointed Jesus to be the judge. He warns those who do not do his will face the possibility of eternal loss.
         T   he temptation for us, as Christians, is to say what makes us popular. Too many preachers have forgotten about being authentic; about being true to the Gospel we have been entrusted with by our Lord; to be true to our values, and to proclaim them without embarrassment and fear.
          The Bible tells us we must contend for the faith once given to Christians. The faith once given, means the faith that which was given by the Apostles, who had been taught by Jesus, and which was blessed by He came to love, heal and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon
          What exactly does Jesus mean when he says, we can only come to the Father through Him alone. Some time ago I went to Birmingham, and had to find an address. I asked a man passing if he could tell me the way and he answered, ‘it is pretty difficult for you to get there on your own, but I am going that way and could take you’. He got into my car and we went directly there. That is what Jesus does for us. He says you can’t get there on your own but I will direct you, guide you, and take you myself. He is saying there is no other way. This is an exclusive offer.
            Jesus spent His entire ministry telling that we are separated from God through sin, and only He could obtain forgiveness for us, so we have to make a choice whether to follow Him or face the consequences.
                  The common belief these days, is that all religions lead to God, which Christians cannot accept. No other faith had a man who died on a Cross to grant universal forgiveness, no other faith had a man who rose from the dead.
Jesus said He was the truth. If a person is to teach moral truth that person’s character must be worthy. It is not enough to just say the words, one’s life must exemplify morality. This is why it is so wrong that the Church is condoning immoral action, and appointing homosexual clergy when the Bible does not approve of such conduct. This does not mean we discount people, but rather seek to preach that which Scripture states. Only Jesus can claim moral perfection, which is why He can say ‘I am the truth’.
            Jesus claims exclusive way to God, and since we are totally dependent upon Him for the understanding of truth and for eternal life, it naturally follows that no one can come to the Father other than by and through Him.
The Church in general in its desire to be nice and friendly to all, with a craving to please society in general, has sought to promote not only a soft line on salvation and judgement, but to seek a close dialogue with other faiths.
            I cannot understand how we can share in multi-faith worship and maintain Biblical integrity. Whilst I believe we should respect other faiths, and try to live amicably with them, in view of the unique teaching of our Lord (here set out in verse 6 that He alone is the way to God we cannot justify sharing in multi faith services when our beliefs are so different, and it is matter of recognising the          unique authority of Jesus.

            We Must remember, other faiths have their own gods and beliefs, and are more committed to their holy books than Christians are to the Bible. We  are likely to offend them in sharing services when we claim so faithfully about Jesus.
            Only Christianity maintains that Jesus Christ as divine and salvation was earned by Jesus on the Cross. But we have the words of our Lord Himself, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’. Jesus is quite unequivocal. This is not generally liked as it is seen as being too restrictive, too bigoted and intolerant, and to be judgmental is not liked.
        All other faiths see Jesus as a good man in the social sense or a prophet at best. Indeed, the Islamic faith states, ‘God has no son’, which is in direct contravention of Jesus nature.
            I do admire the devotion and loyalty of Islam. Muslims in Islamic countries are Muslims in the full sense of the word, and they find difficulty in understanding how people who live in Christian lands reject their faith so completely. Why, on the Lord’s birthday so many get drunk and engage in orgies. They will fight and defend their faith, and the men will not feel embarrassed or ashamed to be seen going to worship. Put many Englishmen in a Church and they feel lost and disorientated.
         Jesus warns us that there must be a clear acceptance of His teaching and total obedience to it. Just to recite a creed and attend Church is not enough. We honor Jesus by calling Him Lord and sing hymns expressive of our devotion to Him. The lips that sing His praise should never be the lips that start trouble.
         In verse 12, Jesus told them that while they waited they would be doing the works that He had done and even greater works. This was proved when Peter preached his Pentecost sermon and 3,000 were converted as a result. This was more conversions at any one time than Jesus Himself had made.
          Jesus goes on to say that praying in His name would make it possible. When we pray in the name of Jesus, it means that we want to obey Him, seeking of what He would approve, and wanting to pray as Jesus Himself would pray if He was with us. Jesus promised that if we ask Him for anything in His name, He will do it, for this will give praise to God His Father.
         Jesus said, ‘if we love Him and obey Him, He will ask God to give us a Comforter, in other words help, and that help will be for all time.. He makes the point that if we do truly love Him, we will have no difficulty in obeying Him.
Jesus tells His disciples when He leaves them, they will not be alone, for God will send another who will stay and never leave them. He refers to the Holy Spirit as the ‘Comforter’, and just as God sent Jesus, He is sending the Holy Spirit who will help them to do their mission in the same way as He did.
         Jesus will be in heaven continually making intercession for them, from His seated position at the right hand of the throne of God, but they would also have the Holy Spirit right alongside of them in every situation that they would ever face, whether or not that situation was good or bad. The Spirit will lead us into all truth, and by truth we mean understanding the mind of God.
         Jesus tells His disciples they are to go on doing the things He commanded and the Holy Spirit will help them to do so. He goes on to say the Holy Spirit will live in them and will be in all Jesus’ followers for all time. When He returns to heaven to His Father, the Holy Spirit will take His place to create a relationship with God, so uniting Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the Trinity.
         There has always been difficulty in people’s minds in understanding the person and work of the Holy Spirit. If asked most people would be able to say who God the Father was; who Jesus the Son was; but many would find themselves struggling to answer who God the Holy Spirit was..
         The word helper in the biblical sense literally means, ‘called to the side of.’ During His time here the Apostles had lived with Jesus and He had always been there to help them in every kind of situation and experience. Jesus is now assuring them that even though He would not be there for them physically in the future, as He had been there for them in the past, another helper was going to be supplied for them by His Father.       

            Jesus said the world at large cannot receive the Holy Spirit. In today’s society God has little relevance, if any, in many people’s lives, and anyone so minded to exclude Him will not have that gift of the Spirit which God is graciously providing; that gift is only for the believers in Christ. This is a motive for Christian believers to bring those they love to know Christ in the way they do, for belief is not something one inherits, it is decision time for all. Jesus was explaining that when we turn to Him we join a family, we become children of God, and Jesus works through us as try to serve Him.
           Jesus said to them, "I will not abandon or leave you as orphans in a storm; I will come to you." In just a little while I will be gone from the world, but I will still be present with you. He did not mean His resurrection; He was speaking of coming to them in the person of the Holy Spirit who would indwell them.
If we do not through disobedience or sin offend, then we will with the eyes of faith be able to see our resurrected Lord living in us and through us.
         One of His disciples asked Him why He was only going to reveal Himself to them and not to the world at large. Jesus replied that He would only reveal Himself to those who loved Him. By that He meant those who would keep His commandments, and pray to Him, something unbelievers will not do. If anyone doesn’t obey Him they obviously cannot love Him.
             At Pentecost the Church became born, a community of people who believed in Jesus Christ; people who belong to one family of God and to each other as well .This tremendous event of the giving of the Holy Spirit, which saw eleven frightened men restrained from preaching, turn into new personalities strengthened to go forward boldly witnessing in Jerusalem and throughout the ancient world, has been followed over 2,000 years of human history. In that period men and women with brilliant minds, have been ready to forego the opportunity of earning large incomes in order to serve their Lord, often in the most primitive conditions. Such people do not do so without motivation.
         Let this be the faith we adopt, and believe and not that now being re-interpreted to suit modern culture. Our faith is not something someone made up, it is historical and spiritual.

 

Jesus is the way; the  way to heaven and peace with God.  Through His blood, we

Have access into God’s presence

Jesus us the truth;  the whole substance of true religion without which the mind of all people requires.

Jesus is the life; the sinner’s claim to eternal life and pardon, the believer’s root of spiritual life and holiness.  He who believes in Him has eternal life.

 

Praise God for His Glorious Holy Gospel.

 

L U K E  18  v 1-8

The  Gospel reading for Sunday services, comes from the parable of the persistent widow. Jesus takes the parable to tell His disciples the effect, that they should always pray and not lose heart, but to be persistent as the widow was.   The widow represents the poor, needy and the oppressed, and persistence is the only way of obtaining justice.

Jesus explained the parable Himself, and stated  we should pray without fainting. These words are connected with the doctrine of his second coming, which is the subject hidden in the rest of the Chapter, and in the following chapter,  These long intervals between the first and second comings, which Jesus is telling His disciples to keep up.

The verses tell us the importance of perseverance in prayer.  To convey this, Jesus takes a fearless widow, who obtained justice from a wicked magistrate by sheer importunity.  Though I fear not God nor man, said the magistrate, yet because this woman troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by which continual coming. she wearies me.

Jesus applied the meaning of the parable. If causing so much persistence to a  man, how much more for the children of God from a righteous Judge. Their Father in heaven.

Prayer is described as the life blood of Christianity, and is evidence of conversion. Whatever is the subject, prayer is for our soul’s health.  It is more easier to begin to pray than it is to  keep up.  To go on praying is faith. People are apt to get weary and so give way to those who say prayer is of no use. Then it is time to read this parable.  We must recollect, that the Lord told us to pray and not faint.

Intercessions in services is easy for some, but some are hard to listen to as people will try to mention every social organization in existence and all emergency units.  Others are a joy to listen to.  I had a young woman who was the finest one I heard over the years. Concise, easy to hear, yet fully completed within a few minutes .Praying must not be rushed, but prayed steadily whatever is being prayed.

These verses secondly, tell that God has elect people on earth who are under His special care.  Election is a truth, which should call forth praise and thanksgiving from all Christians.  Except God chose them, and called them. They would never call God, who chose some from His goodness without any goodness from them.  The world may scoff at the doctrine of election, but believers who know their own  heart, will ever bless God for election, without which there would be no salvation.

Election is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby before the foundations of the world were laid. He declared to deliver from condemnation, those He chose in Christ .

Let us look at the marks of election. They are laid down in Scripture.  Inseparable from Christ, with faith and conformity to Him.  It was Paul who said, the working faith and patient hope and laboring of the Thessalonians, that he knew their election.

God’s people are essentially praying people.  No doubt these are the persons whose prayers are formal and hypo-scriptural, but a prayerless man must never be called a man of God.

Lastly, these verses teach us that true faith will be found very scarce at the end of the world. The Lord Jesus revealed this by asking a solemn question.  When the Son of Man comes, shall He find daith on the earth?   The question shows the uselessness of expecting all the world would be consulted before He comes again.

It show the foolishness of saying all are good, and that differing in outward matters are all right at heart and a joy to hear.

Where is the use after all of ignoring facts under our own eyes- facts in the world-facts in churches; where is faith to be seen?  How many read what  the Bible states?

How many live as if they believe that Christ died for them, and there is judgement in heaven, and there is a hell.  These are sinful and serious questions which demand an answer. If we have faith ourselves? If we have, let us bless God for it.  It is a great things to believe all the Bible, it is matter for daily thankfulness if we feel our sins and trust in Jesus  We may be frail and weak and erring.  But do we believe, that’s the question.  If we believe we shall be saved,  But he that believeth not, shall not have life and shall die in sin 

Praise God for His Holy Gospel