Matthew 15 v 21 /28

Jesus has completed a very hectic ministry in the region of Galilee in the area of Capernaum. He knew He was nearing the end of His earthly ministry, and wanted to rest and teach His Apostles for the future work they would have to do. Jesus has left the area of Galilee completely, and withdrawn into the area of Tyre and Sidon, two places on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in what is now Lebanon. Tyre is about fifty miles south of modern Beirut, and Sidon was halfway between the two. He had gone there for peace and quiet whilst He taught His Apostles.

The cities were outside the boundaries of Israel, and the people were largely Gentiles, but there was a Jewish community. This was the only occasion when Jesus left Jewish territory, and had on His present journey crossed geographical, ethnic, gender and theological boundaries. Later it would mean removing barriers, to enable the gospel to be taken to the whole world.

I have found that quite a number of people found this story hard to understand, as Jesus appeared to be doing something which seems contrary to the image they have of Him, especially in the way He spoke to the woman.

Today many people are anti-Israel and wish to separate from the Jews, but forget the specialness of Israel in the purposes of God. Jesus never implied anything different, but Paul was specially commissioned to bring Gentile and Jews on equal terms. Many of the wonders of technology, which we all enjoy so much, were first discovered and developed in Israel, and given to the wider world in medicine, wireless communication, agriculture and more.

Never overlook the fact that we worship a Jewish Savior, born into a Jewish family, and our God is the God Israel. We teach, (or are meant to) from a Holy Book written by 40 men, 39 of whom were Jews, under the divine inspiration of God. Our faith is not man-made, and is recorded in history by witnesses, which negates any justifiable call for joint worship with other faiths. We respect their right to hold their own beliefs, but they do not acknowledge the divinity of Jesus.

The story revolves around a "Canaanite" woman, turning from her idols to seek the help and mercy of Jesus to cure her daughter’s illness. This is a woman of Canaanite heritage, who were ancestral enemies of Israel, and thereby of Jesus. She has no understanding, or even knowing of the Old Testament. She is not even in a place where she would be in regular contact with those who did. It is likely that she had heard of Jesus as miracle worker in the land of Israel, from those who were now passing through her land, and now she finds that Jesus is in her area.

She went to Him and pleaded for His mercy, which is further evidence that she does understand something of who Jesus is, for by definition, a person who asks for mercy, asks for something that they know that they do not deserve. She turns her back on the idols of her own culture, and turned to Jesus.

She pleaded with Jesus to help her crying out, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed." . Jesus turned His back on her, refusing to answer and His Apostles urged Jesus to chase her away. He then said to her, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel’.

Whilst this was in contrast to Jesus’ last commission to His Apostles to go into the world and make disciples, at the time of this incident it was in the plan of God for Jesus to focus on the Jews, and their spiritual needs.

She then knelt before Jesus, and begged Him to help her. His reply was that it would not be right to take the children’s bread and give it to the dogs. She seems to accept the insult and Jesus’ judgement on her, but still pleaded and said even dogs eat the crumbs from the table.  In Palestine, dogs were wild scavengers, and Canaanites were referred to as such by the Jews who were ancestral enemies of each other.

The woman responded, that extended blessings were mentioned by Abraham to the promised Gentiles, that God’s plan was to bring salvation to His chosen people Israel, and then to Gentiles. The woman was showing an attitude of humble faith, which allowed Jesus to answer, for God responds to all who call on Him in true faith.
Jesus was testing her faith, for it was His way to help all people. The woman was displaying greater faith in Jesus than many of His own people, and Jesus responded by telling her faith was so great and granted her request with the result her daughter was healed.

She was persistent, and such perseverance should be the mark of every Christian, but sadly it is not. Too often we give up when we do not receive a quick reply to our requests. We may even get discouraged, thinking the Lord is no longer listening to us or is ignoring us as He was this woman.

What a beautiful example of the humility and faith, and what a contrast she was to the pride and unbelief of those Jesus had been with in Galilee. She responded in. She responded in complete humility, which is the way each of us should respond
What can we learn from this story.?

This is one of the miracles performed by Jesus, Let us look to see what we can learn from it.

We see first, that true faith may sometimes be found, where it was least expected. A Canaanitic woman cries out to our Lord for help, on behalf of her daughter. ‘have mercy on me’, she says ‘O Lord, thou Son of David’. Such a prayer would have showed great faith, had she lived in Bethany, or Jerusalem. But when we find she came from the coasts of Tye and Sidon, such a prayer may well fill us with surprise. It ought to teach us, that it is truth we have in this passage.

The prayer of this afflicted mother, at first seemed entirely unnoticed. Jesus did not answer a word. Yet she prayed on, ‘Lord, help me’. The saying which fell from our Lord’s lips was discouraging saying,’ I am not sent, but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel’. Yet she prayed on.

The second saying of our Lord, was even less encouraging than the first: It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs’. Yet hope deferred did not make her heart sick. Even then she was not silenced. Then she finds a plea for ‘crumbs of mercy to be granted to her. And her pleas obtained at length a great reward ‘

O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt’. That promise was never yet broken, which stated. Seek and ye shall find.  There is a lesson for us when we pray for ourselves.

We are sometimes tempted to think we get no good for our prayers, and we may as well give up altogether. Let us resist the temptation from the devil, and pray on. For strength to do duty, for grace to bear our trials, for comfort in every trouble. Be sure that no time is so well spent in every day, as that which we spend in prayer. Jesus hears us and in his own good time, will give an answer.

When we pray for others, remember this history. We may have children whose conversion we desire. Relations and friends whose salvation we are concerned. We follow this Canaanite woman, and lay their souls before Christ. Name their names before Him until we have an answer, which might be a long time.

We may seem to pray in vain, and intercede without profit; but never give up. Believe that Jesus is not changed, and he who granted this woman’s request, will also hear us, and will one day give us an answer of peace.


May God’s Holy Name be Glorified. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ




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 JOHN  3  v1-16

Jesus said, Truly, truly, I tell you the truth. Unless you are born again you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

If I were to go and ask people I met passing in the street, ‘are you a Christian, and if so why do you think so? I would in most cases get a reply such as, ‘of course,  I live in this country’ or ‘I am because I believe in God.’  Perhaps a variation on those two.

Billy Graham, relates how at one of his meetings a member of his team asked a man, ‘sir are you a Christian, and the man replied I have been a member of the Church of England all my life, and I am not changing now.

But not all people who attend Church, are in fact Christians in the biblical understanding, either by belief or living.  The gospel this morning is one of the outstanding passages in the whole Bible, and helps define the difference between a true Christian, and a make-believe one.  I hope our study of it, will help you whichever you are, and bring you to a close relationship with Jesus, which is what God wants from all of us. 

Jesus knew and understood all people, it was part of His divine omniscience, knowing the hearts of people.  He was in Jerusalem for the Passover feast, and many people were there who knew of the wonderful deeds, especially the raising of Lazarus from the dead.  He understood, how fickle people could be, so He took care they did not place Him in a disadvantage.

The Chapter begins by referring to Nicodemus. He was a member of the Jewish Government, a Pharisee, a Professor of Theology.  Rich, he tithed part of his income, he was the sort of man many a Minister would welcome to be in his Church.

One evening under a mid-Eastern moonlit sky, he went to see Jesus. We are not told the reason for going at night. Perhaps he did not want to be seen, as it would have been an embarrassment for him, or perhaps the best time to be alone with the Lord.

He addressed Jesus as ‘Rabbi’, showing respect and courtesy to Jesus, for it was an honourable Office to Jews, and Jesus was not entitled to be called Rabbi, for He had not had any Rabbinical training.

 There are people now, who don’t like to acknowledge that they are identified with the Church of Jesus, for fear of embarrassment or through being mocked.  There are many who are too proud to seek Jesus. 

 Nicodemus spoke highly of the work of Jesus, and conceded that God must have been with Him in order to do what Jesus had done. There is no need for anyone fearing to see Jesus, He is there for any person to call on Him at any time.

 Nicodemus recognized that he needed a change in his life, and wanted to go deeper, he wanted what Jesus offered.  Sometimes it may be difficult to admit this, but Nicodemus was ready to face up to it. 

How many of you, might feel you are nice and friendly, honest and do your best to help others, you have attended Church most of your life, but apart from not attending Church, there are many people who have all those qualities who belong to other faiths, or are in fact atheists, more sincere than many Church members.

The religion of Nicodemus was that of doing good works.  The problem with a religion of good deeds is, that we can never know when we have done enough, but that is the basic religion of the world. 95% of the population today, believes that as long as you are honest, kind and helpful to others and do no harm, you are a fully- fledged Christian with a passport to heaven. 

Of the hundreds of funerals I have taken over the years, there has never been any doubt that the deceased had gone to heaven. The sad and cruel factor is, the Church has encouraged people to believe so; if you doubt me, look at the liturgy in the funeral services.

Think for a moment, if you stood before Jesus to day and He asked you why should you be allowed into heaven, what would you say. Is there enough evidence in your life, to justify your admission?

Jesus sensed in Nicodemus, a deep hunger and emptiness.  He sincerely believed he was doing what he thought God wanted from him, yet he had an unsatisfied heart that led him to Jesus and risk incurring the wrath of his people.   

There are many lovely people now, I personally know some of them, who if only the Church would stop pandering to noisy activists, and got down to spell out in simple terms what Jesus and the Bible is calling for, would turn to Christ and be a valuable asset to the Church and Christian faith.

Jesus answered Nicodemus with that phrase, which has been immortalized by evangelical preachers, ‘you must be born again’.  Jesus didn’t say ‘you must think about it’ or ‘you must consider it’.  He said ‘you MUST be born again.’ 

Nicodemus took Jesus’ words literally, and asked ‘how can a man be born when he is old?’  Surely, he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb.  In his heart, there was a great longing.  He could see the effect Jesus was having on crowds, and longed to have that ability.  He knew it was beyond him.

Billy Graham tells the story of a lady on a bus in America sitting next to a Bishop.  She asked him, ‘have you been born again.’  The man answered, ‘I am a Bishop’.  The lady said, ‘I didn’t ask you that.  I asked if you were born again’.  The bishop later said he went home, read this chapter, and realized his life had been missing something real, and he realized what the lady meant.

I get so much pleasure and inspiration, from watching the services from American Churches, where the people seem to be so much more God centred than in this country, and when you see how the people are dressed, as if they were going to meet the Lord, and it is a joy to see them with Bibles in their hands and the joy in their faces. Christianity is a joyful faith, and we should enjoy praising the Lord and following in our Bibles.

Like many people today, Nicodemus felt he was too old to change, too set in his ways, but we can begin anew at any age.  So many people are desperately unhappy and unsatisfied, because they are missing out in their lives.  They seek refuge in alcohol or drugs, or gambling or whatever.  The thought of seeking spiritual help is beyond their minds.

If you think of a birth, the body exists before birth and can move and feel, but knows nothing of this world.  It cannot see nor communicate, yet the world is all around it.  At the moment of birth, the embryo comes in to the world and can see, breathe and make contact.  The baby is born of the flesh. Women go through agony to give birth, and enabling us to live, and continue to give care to their children after birth.

Jesus went through agony, being beaten 39 times with a leather studded belt, He collapsed after being made to carry his own Cross, to die on it after nails had been driven through his hands and feet; and still cares for his children of all ages still.

Jesus told Nicodemus, he needed an experience analogous to his physical birth.  To be born again, is to be changed in such a way, that can only be described as a re-creation. To be born of the Spirit, means to have the Spirit of Jesus Christ living inside of you. It means that God’s gracious love comes and lives inside of your heart, when you are ready to believe that Jesus Christ was Lord and is the Savior of the World. That He died to take upon Himself the sins we have committed, so that we may be forgiven and made righteous before God.

To be born again, you must accept Jesus as your Savior, and you live your life as He has laid down in the Bible  Jesus then said, ‘no one ca n enter the kingdom of God unless born of water and the spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.’  He is saying you have to be baptized, when you confess all wrong doings and repent with a promise not to act or live in any way which contradicts the Bible.  You are then given the Holy Spirit.

The Kingdom of God, is a society in which the will of God is done on earth as it is in heaven.  To lead a life, in which we submit all willingly to the will of God. What Jesus calls for is a complete transformation in our lives.  This means in our thoughts, words and actions. Something which goes beyond irregular attendance at Church, and a casual attitude to faith during the rest of the week.

People come to a point in life, when they feel that they are going through the motion of religion, of having the ritual without there being any sense of the real thing.  If you come to that point in your relationship with God, and it happens to people all the time, you need to come before Jesus and ask Him to come into your life, and give you that new life.

At this time, John had been baptizing, and it was a sensational event.  Many people now superstitiously think, that if they have their babies baptized, that will ensure their entrance into heaven, a sort of once and for life matter, irrespective of a life in between, which is pure superstition.  Water may cleanse, and may make you smell nicer, but that is not enough in God’s eyes.  What it stands for is important, but you have to grasp the full symbolism, which is repentance for sin, and the start of a new way of living. 

Most people don’t want to admit there is anything to repent of, they are perfectly good, and God should recognize that. A Vicar put a notice outside his Church which read, ‘this church is here for sinners.’  The next week two thirds of his congregation were absent.

Jesus referred to the wind blowing, and being heard without it being seen or knowing where it came from, or where it was going.  When we are born again, we feel the Spirit of God inside us.  You don’t see God or control Him, but you see the effects when Jesus takes hold of your life.  You get that missing motivation; worship becomes more meaningful and necessary to you.  You don’t find so many excuses for not coming to Church.

When we are born of the Spirit, we have a new power within us which enables us to be what by ourselves, we could not be. We see what a mighty change our Lord declares, as being necessary for salvation. No one could be His disciples, unless the inner person be cleansed. The change is not a superficial one, it is a change of heart and character, it is a complete resurrection of being.

Jesus gave a good illustration by talking of wind. We may not know where it came from or where going to, but we feel it even though we could not see it, but we may see the effects of it.

Many thousands of people went to the Billy Graham Crusades in the latter half of the last century.  Touched by rousing hymns, massed choirs, sermon by the world’s greatest preacher, they immediately had a Damascus road conversion.  Quite a lot of men became clergy, and even bishops, other went back to their parishes and in the more mundane atmosphere of 1662 Matins, poorly put together services, and indifferent preaching, fell away; whilst others with regular worship and a desire to know the Lord just grew in grace over time.

A person may attend Church regularly, and love God and Jesus, but are deprived of the true gospel through  poor preaching by clergy, who are reluctant to be positive in their sermons lest they upset someone in the congregation. If a preacher does not receive a complaint these days, he/she should start to examine what they are preaching.   Having someone objecting to what you have said in  a sermon, is like having a badge of honor.

Sometimes, after a person has gone to Church for years regularly and felt nothing in particular, and then one day hears a word from the gospel, and it touched their heart, and all worship became more personal and profound.

I attended Church from school days, and it wasn’t until I was living in Mombasa in Kenya, and during a bible study, there learned what born in the Spirit means.  The essentials of the faith are not preached  for congregations to learn.

Jesus referred to an event in the Old Testament, when the Israelites were wandering in the desert, and complained about God, who in His wrath sent snakes which killed people.  When Moses prayed, the Lord told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole, and when anyone was attracted, they would be healed if they looked up at the pole.

God said, ‘my son will be lifted up on a cross, and those who look to Him will be saved from their sins’.

We have the whole message of the gospel in verse 16, ‘God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life,     ’

If you have ever lost a son (or daughter), you will know the sense of loss and pain 

goes with it.  Jesus gave His life for you and me.

 

Give thanks to God for His Holy Gospel. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ

 Turn with me to Matthew’s  gospel in Chapter 4 verses 1-11

This is the story of the temptations faced by Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus begins to show his Messianic powers as he challenges the devil. This is the last preparation before His Ministry begins.   This follows His baptism, in which He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he would be about thirty years old.

The Holy Spirit had empowered Jesus in His earthly life and provides a pattern for the followers of Jesus. God will never tempt anyone to do evil, He does in some circumstances tests a person’s character.

The forty days is  reminiscent of the period faced by Moses forty years in the wilderness with the people of Israel, who, were led into the desert to be tested and humbled, to prove to God that they were able to keep God’s commands.

 Here at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry He is subjected to a similar testing, and will show He will obey every word that comes from God and be faithful.

When we read ‘the devil said to Jesus’. or the devil took Jesus, we are to understand that in a vision, Jesus had these temptations put into His mind.  It is through our innermost thoughts and desires, that the tempter come to us, and his attack is launched in our minds.  To some people the devil can appear very real. 

In verse 2, we read that Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights, so would be extremely hungry.  Jesus endured the his testing obediently.  Forty days are the longest a person can fast without causing bodily harm.  The Israelites with Moses also fasted forty days in the wilderness.

In verse 3 we come to the first temptation. Jesus is asked if he was the Son of God, and of course he was, but was not ging to be tricked into using his divine powers  to make things easier for himself, when Jesus is tempted to turn the stones into bread.

Th desert in which Jesus was, lay between  Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, and called the place of devastation.  It was an area 35 miles by 15, an area of yellow sand and crumbling limestone.  There could be no lonelier a place.  The desert would be littered with little round pieces of lime stone, each of which was exactly like a loaf of bread,  so for someone in a starving state,  Jesus could have turned the stones into bread.                                                                  

There is always the temptation to use powers. God has given us for special reason.  God has given us all gifts, and we have to ask, not what I can make for myself out of them, but what can I do for others. 

In verse 4, it is written, then He quoted Scripture.  In this case He said that we live not only by bread, material food, but also by spiritual food, God’s Word.  This is why we are called to know the Scriptures, that we may be able to answer questions and temptations we may face.

In verse 5 Jesus is at the holy city of Jerusalem at the pinnacle of the Temple.  Jesus is asked to throw himself down, with angles waiting to prevent Jesus from being hurt. Jesus answers him by telling him not to put the Lord God to the test.

In verse 6  the devil’s quotation from the Bible in Psalm 91 is a misuse of Scripture. But Jesus again tells that the devil cannot put God to a test.

A final test is in verse 8. Jesus was on a high mountain when tested to worship the devil, and in return would be given power over all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus exchanged the love of his Father to worship the devil.

The devil left Jesus, who was ministered to by angels.

One sure way to get a following, is to offer people something for free, but Jesus did not come to bribe people, and nor should His Church ever think of doing so. 

Jesus called people to give, and not just to get to feed the hunger in the heart.

 

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ and may God be Glorified.

JOHN 8 v 1-11

We celebrate Ash Wednesday in two days’ time.  Here is the Gospel message.

This passage is a story about a woman, stated to being caught in an adulterous act. It gives an example into the thoughts and ministry of Jesus. He was in Jerusalem and speaking to a crowd of people, and was joined by the Pharisees and religious leaders. They had come to Jesus to try and entrap Him, so that they could accuse Him of acting against Jewish law.

The Pharisees had two witnesses, who had seen a man and a woman engaged in a sexual act. The testimony of the witnesses were required by law, to speak out about anyone committing an act and the woman would be stoned to death. The Pharisees waited to see how Jesus would respond.

There is no knowledge as to whether the woman was married to someone else, or engaged to be married. In such circumstances there was no evidence of adultery.
No one appears to remember, there was a man who must have been involved, who had disappeared from the scene. Societies however, have a higher tolerance for male misconduct, probably being admired with amusement by those present, only the woman left to pay the punishment.

When the witnesses took the woman to Jesus, shouting cries of shame, only the woman was seized upon and dragged for punishment. Jesus set her aside, and was told privately they wanted Him to pass judgment on her and they wanted her to be punished.
Jesus stooped own, writing something in the dust with his finger, and the people gathered demanded an answer. Jesus said, ‘all right. But let the first one who has never sinned throw the first stone.’ Then He stooped down again and wrote with his finger.
He got up to find the crowd had moved away and asked the ‘woman where are your accusers? Didn’t even one condemn you’. 'No Lord' she answered. Jesus replied, ’Neither do I. Go and sin no more.’

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There is nothing in this story to suggest that Jesus was making light of the Seventh Commandment, Our Lord’s enemies took before Him the woman accusing her of adultery, a fact no one was able to prove because they did not know whether she was married. No one thought of asking the man if he was married either.
Jesus knew their hearts, and dealt with them wisely, refusing to pass judgment and silenced them. He did not say she was sinless, he just said they were not the sort of persons to accuse anyone, for not one of them responded when challenged to throw a stone as a sinless person. Their hands were not clean.

There was nothing to substantiate adultery; sin, fornication, or offensive behavior perhaps.

We learn the power of conscience when the accusers heard the condition of throwing if not a sinner, they all ran away. God has taken care to leave with every person, a witness that will .not be heard.

We also learn the nature of true repentance. When Jesus said to the woman ‘Neither do I condemn thee’, He also said ‘Go and sin no more’. He said what was needed, the breaking of sin.

The lesson is, that the very essence of sincere repentance is to forsake sin. Repentance which is of no more than wishing, talking hoping, all of which are worthless to God. Repentance must be a confession of regret.

We should all say we will not rest until we can say to God  I hate sin.

Thank God for His Holy Gospel. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ

 2 Peter.1 v16

I want to turn with you to words of  Peter,. For we have not followed cleverly invented myths when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.       

     As we gather here this morning we reflect on the numbers of people who have come through these doors over the years.  There was a time when the church stood as a beacon of light in a dark world; a place where hope, inspiration and encouragement were given.  Sadly, to-day’s world thinks it can provide such things for themselves without any help from the Almighty.

  These are dark days for the Church in this country.  We live in a society which largely rejects God, and regards Church and Christianity as totally irrelevant to their lives. 

  Many of us here grew up when it was the natural thing as a child,

 to be sent to Sunday school, sing in the church choir, and accompany   parents to Church.  People may not have known the Bible thoroughly, but they knew the main stories and understood what the major festivals meant. 

Young people now know little, if any, about Jesus and the great names of the men and women of the Bible.  Easter and Christmas are times for holidays, presents, and food and drinks. The spiritual meanings of these two major days, mean nothing to them.

The Church was held in general respect, and the Vicar was a prominent member of the community. Politicians were supportive of the Church and were Christian in belief.  This is not so at the present time..                          Now that has all changed. Generations have grown up with having one government ‘Party which doesn’t don’t do God, and any religious education is nothing about the Church or the faith. 

 Politicians have enacted legislation which is offensive to Christian belief and teaching, and which is supported by all parties, .The judiciary seems intent on suppressing every expression of Christian faith by word or symbol.

Contrast that with The United States where politicians from the highest level, proclaim their faith  and respect the Church and its clergy.   

What people fail to realise is that if Christianity is erased from public life it will create a vacuum which will be filled by something else less pleasant.  

Our faith is mocked as being fairy tale stuff, fantasy, pie in the sky, and these are just the polite epithets. 

But we do not follow myths of any kind.  One day people will regret such attitudes.  Jesus made it patently clear that there will come a day of judgement, and in parable after parable warned that we face one of two destinies, one He called heaven and the other hell.  People say God would never send anyone to hell, and that is right; but people may choose for themselves by their lives. Jesus came into the world to save and we as His disciples must try to do His work for Him now.

The greatest revival of Christianity in this country came during the ministry of John/Charles Wesley    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,   and the doctrine of heaven and hell.   They would be horrified that the

         Marriage ordinance of God was being abused.

For many preachers, these are forbidden subjects fearing they may upset people, yet they are essential biblical doctrine and were not forbidden by our Lord.  Today people are being drawn away from the doctrines of the Bible as judgement is becoming a censored word.

It is hard to quote the Bible without someone saying ‘Oh you shouldn’t say that.’  The Bible states, ‘salvation is found in no other name under heaven except Jesus Christ’. 

The Bible states’ Jesus said no one can come to the Father except through me’, yet many preachers are dodging quoting this.  If we avoid telling these verses how are people ever to come to know the gospel which comes from God. 

I have taken services at many villages the last few years, and see the same small congregations, which is so sad.  Residents have so much to be thankful for; beautiful homes in idyllic surroundings, without any of the social ills of the towns and cities.  But let the Church leaders state the Church in those villages will be closed, and see the uproar that would follow.   Whilst they cannot give one hour to God in worship, there is  time to be affronted that their  precious village Church which is so quintessential, and enhances the village image, has been taken away.

We seem to have lost Middle England.

     So things can happen, if we are doing what is right by God. Most of all, we need to look at our services.  I have been to services, and rather than come out inspired I am demoralised, and say to myself what was all that about. Sometimes it seems as if services are done because something has to be done, rather than create an exciting experience.

Often we find the sermon is a homily, to fill in up to ten minutes when it should be the focal point of the service to motivate, and teach and inspire.

What however must be a major concern, is false teaching within the Church.  Unfortunately, as society has turned its back on Biblical teaching, so an increasing number within the Church consider we should re-interpret the Bible to meet their modern ideas of morality.  This suggests that God has got it wrong, and He should be prepared to adjust to the age.  Gpd does not get things wrong.

When I was ordained as a priest in the Church of England, I was asked by my Bishop to affirm that I believed the Bible contained all doctrine required for salvation and I would teach only that in Scripture  and banish doctrines contrary to God’s Word.  The Bishop then gave me authority ‘to preach the Word of God’.  Why do so many preachers renege on their vow?  I heard a Vicar state from the pulpit that she didn’t think the Bible should be taken literally.  What happened to her ordination vows?  Make no mistake, she is not alone. Can you imagine a Muslim preacher challenging the authority of the Koran?

 A church which rejects the teaching of the bible loses its authority.  People have a right to expect men speaking as Ministers of the Church to do so, based on the word of God, and not expressing personal opinions or preferences. The bible must be the supreme court of the church, the final authority in deciding all controversies. Alas in some Churches this is not so.

    For years, first the Labour party and then the Conservatives, spent years in the political wilderness because they sent out mixed messages and no one knew for certain what they really stood for.  The Church by not adhering to Scripture is doing the same, leaving people confused as to what we really believe and offer.   

There is a reluctance by clergy to speak out for fear of being labelled as a bigot or being discriminatory.   It is fair to say Christian preachers tend to modify teaching of traditional values to appeal to contemporary thinking, and for fear of offending one of the many discrimination laws promoted equally vigorously by vociferous minorities, so falling foul of the law, which is not enforced against other faiths with the same enthusiasm as against Christian preachers.  We have gone along with the incredulous acceptance that marriage, ( man and woman) is no longer the bedrock of society, and  is just another form of relationship.  From the highest level of the Church there is a desire to allow same sex marriage.

     All this causes a problem for parish priests, and especially for visiting preachers.  We face a problem and none more so than those of us who want to be true to Scripture, when not everyone is prepared to accept what is written. 

     In effect there are three options open to preachers

    One is to avoid all contentious issues.

        2 To go with the flow.

          3 To be true to Scripture.

We all want to please and satisfy our audience, I can’t imagine anyone wanting to cause offence.  But if preachers are to be true to their calling, and preach with integrity and honor, there are times when I suppose some people may be upset. If, sadly, that happens, there must be doubt in the mind about the way they are living. 

  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 and provides for a stable and well balanced society.

The world’s greatest need is to hear about Jesus Christ. All Christians, not simply all ministers, are commanded in Scripture to share their faith    

We put a lot of energy into fairs, fetes and garden parties, but treat them as just that without trying to reach out to the people who attend

We have parish magazines and newsletters, which mostly tell what HAS happened, and contains articles about gardening or other hobbies, pieces about where people have been, or of memories.  There needs to be also a stimulating, provocative writing on a biblical theme. For 17 years I edited a parish magazine, which always included bible teaching, and I know it was read and appreciated, even when views differed.      

The country is in spiritual death throes and in need of intensive care.  This is why we must contend for the faith.  How God must weep when He sees the Church singing His praise, pretending to be holy, whilst countenancing and failing to speak out on moral issues and totally ignoring His written Word.

 My friends, it is the duty of the Church to teach the gospel and not to budge from it.  We are not to be blown by every new spiritual wind so that we drift from our moorings.  We are not to be superficial believers. Hold fast to the gospel once given by the Apostles who were taught by the Master Himself. 

 One of the biggest problems the Church faces is apathy, which is why Christianity has fallen to such low level.  It is so easy in the times we live in to opt out, saying, ‘there is no point in fighting them.’  Can you imagine what would have happened if Winston Churchill had have said in 1940, ‘there is no use in us fighting, the enemy is too powerful.’  We must stand firm by the Cross.

Let us remember there are Christians being persecuted in non Christian lands with violence, arson, and yes even murder.  Hundreds have been killed in the last few months in Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia and Nigeria. Whole villages ransacked, yet they valiantly fight on for their Lord and Savior.  We must show the same spirit.

Today, no less than in any other age, it is intense biblical integrity that is needed. Fearless courage and conviction, to stand for the truth --that Jesus Christ is the only name that saves.

 

We thank God for His Glorious Gospel and praise the Lord Jesus Christ    

  

    .

M A T T H E W 17, V 1-13

The story of the Transfiguration.
This is one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible. It is called the Transfiguration story, because the clothes of Jesus changed and became so bright, glittering a dazzling white. It comes just after Jesus had been asking His Apostles who they thought He was, and received Peter’s great confession, and after He had told them He was on the way to the Cross to die and then be raised.
Jesus wanted to be on the mountain top, and took with Him on the journey three Apostles with whom He appeared to have a special relationship, namely Peter, James and John; these three Apostles were also with Jesus when He raised Jairus’ daughter, and in His agony in the garden. The mountain was thought to be Mount Hermon, one so high it could be seen from many miles away. The climb must have been strenuous, for Luke tells us they were feeling sleepy and tired.
Jesus was going up the mountain that He might receive God’s confirmation, that it was the intention for Him to go to the Cross. Jesus we find always was anxious to consult with God at His every step. Here is a lesson and good advice for us.
It may be asked, why it was necessary to go up a mountain to pray. If you have ever been to Scottish Highlands, and gone up the mountains to the top of the Cairngorms, you will realize how close you feel to God. You can there gaze down on scenery unsurpassed in any other country, and see one of God’s most glorious creations. You can feel close to God on a mountain top, away from the ordinary things of life.

Mountains figure conspicuously in the Bible. It was on Mount Sinai that Moses received the Commandments; Mount Horeb that God spoke to Elijah.
Jesus we are told was transfigured on this Mountain, meaning His appearance changed, and he met there those two great figures of the Bible, and in the history of Israel; Moses was the greatest law giver, and Elijah the supreme prophet, through whom God spoke. They discussed the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem, and advised Jesus to go on.
People are puzzled as to how God speaks to men, and they scoff at such talk. I believe a lot of what is claimed to be from God is self -manipulated, but I also believe God speaks to us.  He does in several ways, but mostly through preachers.   Many people were converted by one of the posters containing Scriptural messages placed on notice boards  Sometime God speaks through our conscience, or when we pray about something and an answer comes into our mind, not always perhaps the answer we want, although probably for your ultimate good. If you have something worrying you, ask God to help you, telling Him your problem, then wait for an answer.

When Peter realized what was happening, he offered to build three tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. He was struck with awe, and wanted to prolong the experience, and offered to build three tabernacles. Jesus rebuked him, for he was in error in that he was equating Jesus with Moses and Elijah.
We all like to feel we are on top of the world, both figuratively and actually, but most of us live their lives more realistically on the level, or down in a valley.
This can happen at worship. When Billy Graham came to England, thousands went to hear him and came away on a spiritual mountain. They had heard the world’s greatest and most successful preacher, massed choirs singing glorious hymns; then the following Sunday went to Church and realized they had come down to earth with a shattering bump. Instances were quoted of Vicars mocking Billy and wanting their old staid services, some Bishops even wanted to stop him coming. Even now, Church leaders are anxious to change Scripture to meet cultural desires.
The lesson of the Transfiguration, is that we must always let God speak to us and follow His Word; He has a plan for all our lives. When we turn to Him, we too can reach a mountain top, but also we can close our minds to Him and lie in the valley.
This passage tells of Moses, who had died many years before, as did Elijah, yet there they are alive but in glory. This should indicate to us that when our last breath is breathed in this life, there is another to come, another world beyond the grave. We do not say goodbye and

Commit a beautiful body to dust in the ground, we say farewell

and have the assurance that we will meet again in the presence of Christ in heaven.  I  look forward with confidence in meeting my dear wife again.

We have in this transfiguration story the clearest evidence that the dead will rise again. In the two men if the Old Testament who had long been separate, and in them we have the pledge of resurrection. All who have lived and fallen asleep in Christ will be found in safe-keeping

The Humblest servant of God in our days shall live with God, the God the living.

There is much mysterious about the future, things we cannot understand, but let us be sure God has all planned, and Jesus is taking care of those who have gone to be with Him, as He will with us.
You may say you cannot believe this story, be careful you do not confuse the unimaginable with the unbelievable. This story is told by Matthew, Mark and Luke.  This story gives a vision of the glory, which Christ  has prepared for those who received Him as Savior.

 

Give thanks to God for His Holy Gospel, Praise he Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6 v 19-34

      Jesus is still giving his sermon on the Mount . He has told of treasures,  and then turns to the state of anxiety.  He is calling on them not to worry about the things of daily life, the matters of food and drink, or whether they have the proper clothing, for life consists of more than all these items.

He calls on the people to look how the birds live without care, thy don’t store up food because God provides food for them, and God views people as being more valuable creatures than the birds.

      He asks them to consider not worrying about what they will do about the daily needs, for it will make no benefit nor make life longer

      Clothing is not a matter to worry about, for the flowers  which God has created to make a more beautiful world, grow without problems. He mentions Solomon a great king of Israel who had all ceremonial dress, yet his appearance was not as beautiful as the flowers

      Jesus went on to talk about wild flowers, which are collected and were used by people to enable them to have fires. Whilst unbelievers may worry over the basic necessities of life, they being the people of God will be cared for by God, who will provide all they need.  God calls on them to live righteously and to seek to live as in the Kingdom of God, and to live one day at a time, leaving tomorrow as another day in life.

     Jesus is comparing treasures on earth which are corruptible and insecure, whereas treasures in heaven are incorruptible and secure, and can be kept without desperation.

He lists the things he was forbidding. There is not ban on personal possessions, the Bible does not forbid private possessions, or for saving for times which may not be good. The Bible in fact calls on the man to provide for his family. Jesus is actually referring to the selfish accumulation of goods, seeing hearts being attached to treasures, causing people to seek for yet more.  In the ancient world, as in fact with ours, there are plenty of thieves about.

Jesus explains between the choice there is a case of two masters, God and mammon. Some people think they can serve two, but Jesus denies this. He saw this as not possible, for if a man divides, he has in fact turned to Mammon.

Jesus calls on us to look carefully at the situation, and states we must decide which is more worthy of our devotion. He tells his followers not to be preoccupied with own needs, which is the way of the unbeliever. We  are called upon not to be anxious, which is caused by a collection of cares.  Today television, with its display of attractive goods, food, clothing, and many other luxuries, provides many temptations, which should be dismissed. He states to be engrossed in material comforts is a false occupation. Prudent provision for future is acceptable, but self-tormenting is wrong.

Applying to the world we live in, our world moves at a fast pace. Think of the many people going to town centre offices. I saw the masses of people leaving transport in the City of London of a morning, ready to fill a busy day with all sorts of issues to be met causing strain. In addition to work worries, they have their own personal worries, will they get that promotion they are banking on, the targets to be met. Business owners caring for how long they can exist in to-day’s world.

Life is not as peaceful and secure in relationships, as marriages break up constantly. Health is a concern, mortgages and other house necessities.  Worry is a disturbance of the mind, which all these matters create, causing all kinds of body ailments, hair loss, and heart attacks. 

How should we respond?  A Harley Street doctor once advised, in a manner which many listeners would be aggrieved at, he told a patient to read the Bible. This is a wise advice, for Jesus stated, ‘come unto me all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, for I will share your burden. The more we trust Him. the less the worry, a simple way to cure you.

Often  a sense of past failure, or some past occurrences come to haunt us, and little things can hurt much, sometimes added to a sense of guilt. It was to make it possible, for people seeking to face forgiveness, and ease conscience, that God sent Jesus to pay the penalty for all our past errors, when he shed his blood on the Cross. Jesus said he is faithful and just and will forgive us.  What a price Jesus paid, and what pain he endured; what pain for God who sent his Son to suffer that death.

If you have hurt someone, you may suffer continuously until you have faced the person, and sought forgiveness. Then you can leave the past, knowing Jesus has redeemed you.  A trouble with a relationship is an unpleasant matter, and can make life difficult. When two people have been friends for a long time and a break up occurs, that is heart breaking, especially if between a man and a woman,.

So any people rush into marriage, which is madness.  People need to experience time together to find the irritating habits, as well as the romantic. Separation can be painful to both, but one will surely feel it more.

The future is a matter of concern, unless we are well provided for, but no situation is beyond the Lord’s ability to help you deal with it.  If you feel you did not fulfil life’s dream, try and seek help from a close friend, or a helpful Pastor of your local Church may be able to comfort you.

Finally, are you afraid you will be rejected at heaven’s gate?  If you have been faithful to the Lord Jesus and his teaching, he will not leave nor forsake you. So many people who never give a thought to God or his Church, never read a bible or think in a religious way, somehow have come to know there is a passage in John’s gospel where Jesus stated he was going to prepare a place in his Father’s mansion.  Jesus was speaking to his Apostles, and which includes his followers. He was not giving a promise to all and sundry, however much convinced they are that Jesus was. The Bible is of great help to those who have read or been taught it, but so many false teachers have misled others, and people themselves have misread, they are going to be so disappointed one day.

I close with the words of the Apostle Peter, who said, ‘cast all your cares upon Jesus for he cares for you’.  Unto him that is capable to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever.

May God bless His Holy Word to us, and may His Holy name be praised