L U K E 15  v11-23

Sunday is Fathers’ Day. This was introduced to equal Mothers’ Day which was a traditional biblical story T.hey do not have the same reception as Mothers’ Day. There is a need to look at the situation in to-day’s culture. We have the appalling state of there being many homes in which there is no father, often because the father abandons the home he helped to create.  A child requires both parents, and has characteristics of both to support its life. I have chosen to take a famous story of a real loving father.

This  is the well-known story of the prodigal son, who went to his father and asked to claim the inheritance that would be his on the father’s death, which by Jewish law he was not entitled until his father died. His father pleads with him not to leave, but the son is determined to go and live in the big city with all its attractions. Forsaking his father and brother.  He gathered all belongings and turned them into cash, with his inheritance.  Greed so often turns to loss, and in the son’s case he could have had land and cattle, which he surrendered.
Life started well for him, he gained many friends, living the high life until he money ran out, and then his friends ran out just as quickly. Left bereft, he found a job feeding pigs, an animal which was an affront to a Jew, and was forced to eat their food. Eventually when he came to his senses, he gave up and decided to return to his father and beg forgiveness.
The father had never given up hope of his son returning, and each day would look up the road leading to his home,  constantly hoping to see his son walking back.  Then when the day came, and he saw his son a long way off, so he rushed out to greet the boy with loving arms and compassion, emphasizing his great love for the son.  He dismissed all the son’s apologies. He created a lavish feast, which upset the faithful son who had not been treated with such attention as his wayward brother. The father assures that son of the love he had for him who had always been appreciated.

The message we should see in this passage is,  that God is like the forgiving father in the story, who rejoices when a person falls away from Church, is found and welcomed back. The Bible tells that all heaven rejoices when one lost sinner repents and returns. God is always ready to welcome and forgive.

There are people with sensitive minds with reluctance to cone to worships lest they are rejected, and I have on several times found this among women, who are also made to fear by husbands.  All can be assured God will always welcome new people, and will receive sinners. God sent His Sn to seek and save the lost.

It must be ensured, that any new or returned person should be welcomed by friends and clergy

There are so many, who for college or employment living lonely lives away from their home.  Life to-day is full f temptations witch television encouraging them to go wrong. There are often Church midweek clubs for such people,
.Jesus came down to earth to give His life on a Cross, to pay the price for forgiveness for all who return to Him. He did so to be the ‘good shepherd’. Always searching for the lost. Jesus always showed concern, He never just wrote a person off.
But what are the Lord’s representatives on earth doing to search for the lost? How many Ministers when they notice a person missing from the Church seek to find out why? I would think not many, they just accept the loss. How many members do anything to seek lost friends from the fellowship? Jesus sent His Apostles to seek and heal, as He did Himself.
I know a Vicar who retired from full-time ministry, and helped out at his local parish Church by taking services when a vacancy occurred. He never took any fee or expenses as he was entitled to do, and when the pandemic came and he was forced by law not to attend, he did not return again, as a new Vicar was appointed. He has never been visited or even called by phone, to enquire his state of health at any time. I do know Churches where they have a telephone check on people are noticed missing.
I would be quite pleased if someone sought my help, and feel thrilled I was able to help, as when two American Christians wrote to me seeking an explanation of Scripture. I was always under the impression it was an essential part of Christian ministry to search and seek the lost..

The congregations are  noticeably smaller than previously. Age and illness obviously are a reason, but people also fall away out of boredom, frustration or just disappointment, and even disgust. There is a sense of spiritual hunger for the Bible, which has become for too many in the Church as just a handy accessory. The sermon is seen as a tedious necessity to fill in a few minutes. I have actually been told that by a Vicar, when it should be the central piece. This has been abandoned because some minority faction might be upset at the teaching, which comes from God. I know members of the Methodist Church were shocked to find their Church was allowing same sex partners to be allowed to have services of marriage, and have left for another Church.
The Church was once a voice of reason and carried an authority. Politicians took notice and acted accordingly. Now notice is not taken. We even have a Labour Member of Parliament wanting Parliament to intercede and force the Church to allow two people if the same sex marriage, irrespective of the fact that goes against Bible teaching.

The Church will suffer greatly in future unless there is a change of attitudes among the younger generations. There is too much a inclination to follow a social gospel rather than a spiritual one The Churches which are moving forward are those of independent evangelical nature, where there is no fear of teaching directly from the

There is a sense of spiritual hunger, for the Bible has become for too many in the Church as just a handy accessory. The sermon is seen as a tedious necessity to fill in a few minutes. I have actually been told that by a Vicar, when it should be the central piece.

Recently, a young working man has been preaching in London and no doubt elsewhere, and has had a massive following without any disorder.  This is evidence of what some of us have been saying that when people hear a proper preaching of the Gospel they will attend.  I wonder how many who were at such gatherings  would have filled Churches.

It does not help when clergy are seen on television speaking of climate change or political remarks which does not help, nor when calls are made for the Bible teaching on morality be abandoned because some minority faction might be upset at the teaching, which comes from God. The Church will suffer greatly in future unless there is a change of attitudes among the younger generations. There is too much a inclination to follow a social gospel rather than a spiritual one
The Churches which are moving forward are those of independent evangelical nature, where there is no fear of teaching directly from the Bible.( Without any amendments.)

Sunday was once Church day and families did attend, and homes were more than places just to eat, they were stable foundations of the country.  If greetng

 cards and celebrations held for father’s day, it is hypocritical to forget the

 heavenly Father.Jesus’ involment with sinners ,urging us to welcome all to

 our Churches and join us in a Christian community.

Praise God for His Holy Gospel and glorify His Name

  

 M A T T H E W  10   V24-39 

Jesus had just appointed twelve Apostles, and is in this passage giving them instructions and advice for the work they are going to do       in his name. Jesus is warning His disciples they must expect to be treated as He was.

The Jews had a saying, ‘ it is enough for the slave to be as his master’ and in the later days to use it in a special way. Jerusalem was destroyed so completely, a plough could be used  across its destruction. The Jews were dispersed throughout the world and they lamented and complained about the terrible fate that had happened to them.  The Rabbis said to them, that when God’s Temple was destroyed, how can any Jew  complain about his personal misfortune.

There is a warning, that as Christ had to carry a cross so must the individual Christian do so.  When Christianity costs us something, we are close to the fellowship Of Jesus Christ, and if we know the sufferings of His fellowship, we shall think we are treading where the saints trod, and elsewhere where Jesus trod.         

 The opponents of Jesus called him Beelzebub, meaning he was the devil, so he said by calling him that, it makes his followers be condemned. He tells his followers they should not be afraid, for whilst up to then the Jews were noted for their secrecy, a time would come when all will be revealed about them and they would be exposed to the world. Jesus said there would be those who would want to kill or harm them, but whatever they could do to the body, only God could harm the soul. Sparrows were cared for by God, and nonecould even fall to the ground without God knowing, and if God was always watching over us and will protect us from harmThey were to  speak with boldness the things He had taught them. They must tell others what He had taught, here is the function of a preacher.  First the preacher listens to Christ  and he then becomes the voice of Christ. The famous Scottish preacher John Knox, said he feared God so much he feared no man

A Christian should not fear anyone when speaking for Christ. Jesus stated that man could do no harm, and any on who fails to do so is guilty of infidelity. Man can harm a man’s body, but God can cause the death of a soul.

Jesus wanted his people to acknowledge him, but some were denying any relationship with him. He also wanted them to realise his followers would be challenged and persecuted just for being his people.

Finally, he said he did not come to bring peace to the earth, but rather a sword.  

So what message is there for us? If we are really faithful followers of Jesus, we will let him be our example and try to practise his ways, and most certainly follow his teaching.

Today, Ministers of the Church are ever ready to give different interpretations of Scripture for fear of upsetting people, or/and because the Bible is unacceptable to them in its original form.

As I have said many times, we cannot claim to be Christians if we come to hear all Jesus is and said, and then ignore to do our own thinking. Paul made it clear in his Letters that it was false, and clearly unacceptable, to listen to the words of Scripture, and then go and do the opposite of his commands

But things are going beyond that even. There are clergy who from the highest level to the lowest, who are deliberately and purposely, teaching and practising that which is complete contradiction to what they are bound to preach. This is blatant arrogance, and a betrayal of vows made by Ministers at Ordination, and a number of bishops are campaigning for same sex marriage, and this means the abandonment at  their consecration service..

Jesus was here warning them to count the cost of following him, knowing that his followers would face hardship abuse and be isolated from, friends. He always sought quality, never quantity, just people ready to be loyal to him.

Christian Concern is a legal defence team, formed to help Christians who are penalised in any form, because of having expressed a belief. So many cases have been reported to them that they are constantly defending in the Courts.

I have stated before how politicians in this country don’t do God; it has become an anathema to them. We have had a continuous line of Prime Ministers, who have been anxious to create legislation which offends Christianity, and in addition have made laws to prosecute any who dare criticise the same.

Jesus tells how God will protect us. He states that we may suffer from physical and verbal attacks which may harm us, but no one can affect or harm our soul. Jesus does this with an illustration.

Sparrows are the smallest of creatures, and a penny is the lowest form of currency, yet God cares for all the sparrows which can be bought for so little. How much more will he care for the sons and daughters in his Christian family, when he knows so much about them,.

God will care for all who stand firm in faith, answering prayers when we turn to him, if we are asking for that which is within his purpose. But remember just as an earthly father will at times not answer what his children ask for, only because he will know to grant what they ask for may not be in their best interests or even harm.

I have heard preachers say you can’t ask God for trivial things, like make it possible for me to find a parking space, to find a lost article, and the like; but God wants to be involved in all parts of our lives, and if he is so prepared to grant big requests, why is it not acceptable to ask for the smallest. The Bible tells us to make our request to God for all things, and it does not put a stipulation regarding the prayer request.

Finally, Jesus warns he did not come to bring peace, rather a sword, by which he means opposition. He came to earth to proclaim the gospel, which would lead to division. He knew that even among families there will be friction because of him.  How true I have found this to be so.

I had a lady who joined my congregation who had a most captive personality. Within a short time, she brought in other women with their children, and even extended her participation to hold Bible study meetings in her home.   Her husband worked away from home for weeks at a time. One evening he called home, and heard voices on the phone and asked for an explanation. When she told him, it was a Church meeting, he gave her an ultimatum, give up Church or give up your marriage. Because of her two young children, we didn’t see her again.   The same has happened when children have been drawn to a Church, and found objection from their parents and relationships are broken.

Like all Ministers, I have been ready always, to visit any member admitted to hospital. It was a common request from men, not to go  and see  them in hospital if dressed in clerical dress.

Why do so many men think Jesus died only for women, and was not interested in the male gender. Muslim men are proud of their faith, and vigorously defend and admit to it, and deserve much applause for doing so. There is the stupid belief it  makes them look weak, and think it less macho to stand and declare your faith, so run   away like a frightened child.

 

Be bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with you. May the Lord bless you  

 

              2 Corinthians 5 v 20.to 6 v 10

 

In this Epistle, the words of Paul are particularly relevant, be reconciled to God.’

The passage begins telling us we are ambassadors for Christ, and an ambassador is someone who represents their Sovereign in a foreign nation. As Christians, we are citizens of two nations; our national one in which we observe our country’s rules, but also in the Kingdom of God whose rules we are committed to obey. Wherever we reside, we are to represent God faithfully and devotedly, living according to his Word, and being a credit to him

We have the awesome duty of bringing people back into a living relationship with God; that is what we are here for, to lead people to God.  We are the hands, feet and mouth of God on earth.  Jesus said He would build His Church and He meant He would do this through His followers. 

We are living in a world which is hostile to Christians, materialism and hedonism are big factors in people’s lives, and God is seen as a restrictive force. But there is a need for a spiritual dimension in every person’s life, and the Church is the only body which can provide that need.

When God looks at our world, He sees the hurt in people's lives, the misery they are going through. He sees all the hatred, violence and bitterness.

This is a troubled world; so many people with problems, financial, moral, domestic, spiritual, and breakdowns.  There are people in our towns and cities, living lives isolated from family and friends, victims of broken marriages or romances, or just lonely people.  Some have become prisoners of alcohol, drugs, or some other addiction, and long to break free from that addiction and find freedom.  The Bible gives a simple answer, turn to God.

Praise God for His Holy Gospel.

              

  

R O M A N S              Chapter 1

 

One of the outstanding passages, and perhaps one of the most encouraging, is that in the first chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

This chapter is the Epistle for the service on Sunday, and further chapters wil be the Epistle for several weeks.

I have always liked to preach from Paul, who has been described by many famous preachers, his voice being described as the voice of God. For some reason, probably having heard others talking, some women call him as being anti-women, which is shown to be incorrect  as you read through Romans. I have been told numerous times by women that they have not liked my sermon; when I tell them I am talking about one of the great names of  the Bible, it made little acceptance.  One woman was jumping up and down in her seat whilst I was preaching, she was so furious.

‘I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.  For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: the righteous shall live by faith’. 

Paul is writing to Christians in Rome, the mightiest city of the day, a city full of learning, yet also full of immorality, where Christianity would not be appreciated; and he was ready and eager to go and preach the gospel, no matter what the cost, even though Christians were in danger of persecution; a sort of London of the day.

Paul says he was not ashamed, in fact he glorified in the gospel, and that is what all Christians should do.  But sadly, I fear we all do not. How many Church members are embarrassed when asked if they believe?  Indeed. how many are ready to acknowledge they attend Church?  How would we answer is asked, to give our opinion on moral questions?   If you are not ashamed you are ready to speak out about your faith.  

Some people are fearful of their friends finding out they attend Church, in case they get mocked, or because it might restrict the way they want to behave.  Remember the words of Jesus, ‘for whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this sinful and adulterous generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when He comes back.

Preachers should be prepared to tell the Bible as it is written, telling people what they need to hear, rather than what they might like to hear.  Preachers can however be intimidated, and be frightened of upsetting modern susceptibilities. To preach fundamental truth, will inevitably cause some upset. If people are upset, they should consider why.  But let us take heart from Paul, who faced all that could be put against him, and so caused Christianity to spread throughout the ancient world, and is still by his words reaching out to people for His Lord.

I have been to three services in recent times, when there has been a child being baptized , with people who have not been to Church for a long time, if ever.  What an opportunity of preaching the gospel, yet there has been a nebulous sermon meaning absolutely nothing.

Then look at what is meant by the gospel   How many Christians I wonder, would be able to answer if asked what the gospel is?  The gospel is a simple story of a baby, born to a young Jewish girl by divine and virginal conception, who lived a sinless life until God called Him to die on a Cross, so that all who truly believe in Him and accept Him as their Lord and Savior, will have all their wrongdoings forgiven, so that one day they will live for ever with Him in heaven.

There is false teaching being given from within the Church, that all will go to heaven. The funeral liturgy gives that clear impression. It is said that God would not send anyone to hell, and that is right, but people choose to go there by their own neglect.  To believe as some do, and preach that everyone will go to heaven, is nowhere stated, nor can be found in the Bible. 

We Ministers are constantly meeting bereaved people, who sincerely believe their loved ones are bound for heaven, despite never having a religious thought or action in their lives.  We are too compassionate to make any comment in such a situation, but it is a terribly sad feeling and situation to be in, when you know the Bible’s teaching.   

The gospel is the story of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to be crucified for our sins in order to reconcile us to God.  Why should anyone be ashamed to tell that story?  We all no doubt are ashamed of things we have done in our lives, and the things we have said but wished we hadn’t, and that is understandable.  But we allow ourselves to become ashamed of something for which there is no need to be ashamed of. 

Righteousness.  We cannot make ourselves righteous before God, but we can be through Jesus’ atoning death.  Jesus acts as a bridge between God and us, putting us in good standing in God’s eyes, making it thus possible for us to be acceptable to God. This is God’s powerful way of bringing all who believe to heaven.  We are saved by grace (Great Riches At Christ’s Expense) through faith.  The gospel is the power that gives us salvation. 

Faith. You must have faith and believe. We are prepared to place our faith in many people, but reluctant to trust in God.  We travel by plane, and put our faith that the pilot knows what he is doing, although we know nothing about him. If you go to the doctor for some illness and he gives you a prescription, you then get dispensed and take, trusting the doctor and the chemist, but you don’t just leave it in a cupboard if you want to get better.  So with the gospel. There is no point in just seeking a spiritual prescription; you can listen for some inspiration, but then act upon it by faith, which means reaching out to God and accepting the gospel, and come to live by the Scripture.  . 

For all who believe. This power is for everyone who believes.  This means more than just believing there is a God, the devil accepts that; believing means making a commitment.  Too many say they believe but do nothing, which is why regular preaching of the gospel is important.

They are religious, and even show some outward inclinations toward Christianity. They come from a Christian background. They think that Jesus was a great religious figure. But they have not believed in Christ. Though the gospel is God's power for salvation, because they have not believed, they have not experienced this power nor have they known the gospel for what it truly is.The reason so many people are not willing to accept the Bible, is because the message is too simple. We know there are many people who are not prepared to accept the Bible story, as they find it too incredible to believe.  They are more ready to listen to the strident outpourings of nauseating, insulting, self- indulgent secularists.  For others, accepting the gospel would mean a change of hedonistic lifestyle.  It means accepting a standard of morality they are not prepared to accept. 

You will find theologians complicating matters by having all kind of discussions, on who wrote this and that, and it is all very well for academics sitting in their common rooms to do this for their amusement, but it sends out a wrong message. 

Martin Luther was so inspired by this passage; the Reformation was based on the words, the just shall be saved by faith, it caused him to start the Protestant Reformation, and if all preachers were inspired similarly there would be less empty seats in Churches.   Let us proceed by faith and never ever be ashamed.

Looking at verses 18 to 32, three times it is stated ‘God gave them up’. God abandoned those who engaged in immoral relationships. The Bible states, they know God’s decree, that those who practice such things , yet they not only do them, but give approval to those who practice them.’

The wrath of God was displayed for those who not only offended, but did so deliberately,

There is opportunity for those who wish to live with someone of the same sex to do so in civil union, but  there should be realization that the Church has its own faith and faithfulness to the Scriptures .It would be interesting to know how many who wish to have a ceremony, ever attend Church.

In a speech, the new Pope Leo corrected a previous approval of marriage in secular places. Saying marriage was a sacred act to be performed before God in Church between man and woman. How good it is to find the most prominent Church leader in the world to speak truth

The wrath of God is righteously revealed against sinners, and his anger is a response to human wickedness.  The Bible states, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against ungodliness and unrighteousness, by those who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. This indicates God’s moral character, and his sense of justice. Nations have gone their own way, and often protected sinners and made life easier for them, by making laws protecting those whose activities are contrary to Scripture. This in turn has led to honorable people who have taken an alternative attitude, to be suspended from their place of employment.

The greatest aim of activists who wish to destabilize society, is the family. Totalitarian regimes have all chosen such attacks. Strife is played up and families break, and a route taken is by sexuality. Today, we see this being played out with sex dominating all forms of entertainment, with the internet excelling into pornography.

The saddest and most tragic result of such immorality, is the number of innocent and lovely young women being sexually attacked, and bodies being found in rivers. The impression being created, is that sex now is an inevitable part of relationships.

The most wonderful and fulfilling gift God gave mankind, is that of a man and woman being united in Holy Matrimony . This leading to the two making a family, in which all members share, love, and care for each other. If such can be broken up, there will be chaos. The one body that can overcome such tragedy is the Church. Jesus said ,to Peter, ‘feed my sheep’; a call to all the Lord’s followers to make the love of God and Jesus known, spreading the gospel in simple and plain words. The Church should not be seen as merely a profession for men and women, with personal ambition, but the voice, feet and hands of God on earth.

The last words of Jesus on this earth, were a call for the gospel to go to all nations. All Christians should do their part in return for the sacrifice so readily given by Jesus on the Cross.

Praise God for His Holy Gospel 

l

 M A T T H E W  25  V 9-30

The service for this Sunday, comes from Matthew’s story of the Parable of the talents. 

The Master in the story, gave three of his servants varying amounts of talents according to his assessment of their ability.  To the first he gave five, two to the second, and just one to the third. They were entrusted with the money, to care for it whilst he was away.  There were no banks at that time, so some people buried any valuables in the ground to hide them

After a long time absent, the master returned, and sent for the servants, to collect his money. The one with five talents had used the money to make five more, the second used his two to another two, the third servant had buried his talent in the ground for safety, had not earned anything. 

The amounts made were not the main issue, what concerned the master was the faithfulness of his servants, who would be given appointments with responsibilities. The third servant’s action resulted in the misrepresentation of his master, which created a perception of laziness and bad stewardship.  The master was not pleased and told the servant he should have converted the money.

In the Old Testament, servants were forbidden to charge other Israelites interest, but it was permissible to charge interest from money which came from Gentiles.  However, the central point concerns being a faithful servant of all that God has entrusted to one’s care.

Using one’s God given abilities wisely and productively, is a vital point of discipleship, and will be rewarded with more chances of additional opportunities to serve God.

The parable is to direct our minds to the second advent of Christ, and the members of the professing Church of Christ. The practical lesson of vigilance.  We learn that all true Christians have received something from God . We are all God’s servants and have talents trusted to our care. 

The word talent, generally applied to those of exceptional ability. and are called talented. In the sense which our Lord used the word parable, it applies to all baptized people without exception.

We are all talents in God’s sight, anything whereby we may glorify God.

Our gifts influence money, knowledge, health. Strength. Time senses, reason. Intellect, memory. They are all bestowed by God. We are God’s stewards and debtors.

We learn secondly that many make a bad use of the privileges we receive. I the parable one dug earth and buried the man’s money to represent a large class of people.

To hide our talent is to represent neglect of opportunities of glorifying God. Those who do not read a Bible, do not pray, do not observe the Sabbath day, the unbelievers, all are alike, burying in the ground. All could be better than they are, instead of daily robbing God. He has lent the much for no return.

We learn thereby, all true Christians must have a day of reckoning with God.  The parable tell us the time he came for the master to reckon with nth o them

There is judgement for all of us.  Words in the Bible have no meaning if there is no judgement, it is just trifling with Scripture. No matter what our physical condition, rich or poor learned or not, there is no escape answering for our works.  We meet God face to face and shall have to render an account for every privilege granted to us. We shall be dealt with as responsible people, and to whom much has been given much will be expected.

We learn that all true Christians will receive a reward on the day of reckoning.  Those who used the Lord’s money will be reckoned as good and faithful servants and told to enter into the joy of the Lord. The best of Christians needs the blood of the atonement. The least and lowest of believers, among God’s servants believe he/she is counted among God’s servants and find their labor has not been in vain.  They will discover that their efforts to please God will be receive. Every hour served, or spent in Christ’s service, every word spoken, all will be marked in the Book of Remembrance.

     Finally, all faithful members of the Church will face judgement, and as the servant who buried the money was condemned, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  There will be no use for the unconverted Christian on the last day.  The reasons which they pretend to satisfy themselves will be found useless. The judge of all the earth will be found to have done right.  The ruin of a lost soul will be our own fault.  Thousands living without Christ and without conversion yet pretending they cannot help it.  All the time they will know by their conscience, they are guilty. We are all talented people and glorify God,

We should learn from this parable all professing Christians receive something. Our gifts, money, knowledge, time, intellect, affections, all are talents.

We learn secondly that many make a bad use of privileges and merci.es they receive from God.  We see the man who dug and hid his. To hide any talent is not glorifying God. Daniel once said we are like an unconverted person. We learn thirdly that all professing Christians should remember that one day they will all appear for recognizing before God,

We learn lastly that unconverted will be cast away with thousand without Christ, without interest, pretending they did not know anything about Christ.

Let us leave the parable with a solemn determination, by God’s grace never to be satisfied with a profession of Christianity,

 

WE give thanks to God for his Holy Gospel and seek to glorify Him.

 

 v

       Luke 8 v 22-25

 

This week’s gospel passage is one recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke’s gospels.  It is the story of when Jesus was asleep in a boat on the Sea of Galilee and a storm blew up.

The sea is 8 miles across and 15 miles long and is 600 feet below hills on either side.  At times winds blow between the hills and can whip up the water and create difficult conditions on the water. This is what happened on this occasion.

The Apostles had set out with |Jesus to cross the lake, and during the crossing Jesus fell asleep due to being very tired.  He had had a busy day healing people and teaching the crowd, which was the reason He wanted to cross the lake so He could have some peace and quiet, being physically exhausted. This shows the humanity of Jesus who experienced all the motions we feel.

 Suddenly a storm of great proportions blew and caused water to swamp the boat.   The sea of all the natural phenomena causes much fear, but these were experienced fishermen used to the sea, so Jesus would have left them with complete confidence to cope with the uncertainties of the weather. They knew that particular lake and would have had experience of its vagaries.  This must have been therefore a particularly violent storm  When the boat began to take in water the Apostles became afraid and woke Jesus, telling Him they feared drowning, but it appeared to them Jesus just wasn’t interested.

The question they asked Jesus, is one which many people will have asked in their own minds when faced with some problem or disaster in their life. ‘Jesus don’t you care?  Maybe there is someone who will read this letter who feels like asking that very question because of some spiritual, domestic or economic worry. 

When He is awakened, Jesus causes the wind and waters to subside, which they did, and then rebukes the men by asking them where their faith is. The fact they called urgently on Jesus suggests they had some faith that He could save them. His actions did however cause them to be struck with amazement that such miraculous power was being displayed before their eyes.

Television brings into our homems incredible pictures of nature’s power in action, and we see storms pounding our shores with the consequent damage they cause.  Just recently we have witnessed horrific winds in America’s South, where cars and homes have been lifted up and carried away.  Imagine some clergyman standing in the middle of a town and crying ‘be still’.  What do you think your reaction would be?; yet this actually happened that day on the Sea of Galilee, but this was no ordinary man.

If Jesus was to ask you the same question He asked the Apostles, (where is your faith) how would you answer?  The Apostles had lived and travelled with Jesus and seen just how miraculous and powerful He could be, yet still panicked when a difficult occasion arose. Do we not do likewise?

Perhaps for many people, the fact they have managed to cope with their lives for a long time, and have littler contact with the Lord, fail to realise the help that could be available to them.  For others, they have no time to spare for God or Jesus, but when disaster strikes the first thing they do is to question why God let it happen and where was He then. 

This I read was the oft repeated cry when the Twin Towers were struck in America. The answer is,.He was in the same place in all the years before when people were not interested. People cannot treat God as if He doesn’t exist and ignore Him, until suddenly they feel a need of His help and expect Him to be at their beck and call.

 

Christ has promised to be at our side through all our life, but He expects us to show our loyalty to Him.  When anyone feels the need to cry out, ‘why God haven’t you done anything,’ remember what God has done for us when He gave His Son to die on the Cross, and Jesus us from the gravest peril we could ever face, the judgement of God because of our sins.

 

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

 THE TRINITY                  2 Corinthians 13 v 14

The Epistle for today comes from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthian Church. This is one of two of Paul’s Letters to that Church which was situated in the heart of Corinth, a major trade centre and seaport where several cultures and religions met.

On Sunday, the Church celebrates Trinity Sunday. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all

Paul has been writing to the Church in Corinth and ends the Letter with the Trinitarian benediction. This verse has ever since has been read at Churches in every country in most services each Sunday at some point.

The doctrine of the Trinity is an important doctrine, although is hard to understand and even harder to explain, which is why a lot of preachers try to avoid doing so. All our services begin with the words, ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and we often end with the same and baptise with those words.

We speak of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, but the Bible states,’ hear O Israel the Lord our God is one God’, who is present in all three. God was fully God when He made the world. God was/is fully God living in the saving grace of Jesus. God is fully God when He lives in the power of the Holy Spirit. These are not three different Gods but one, with three different qualities. Let us look at each.

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul wants us to know, when he speaks of the grace of Jesus, you and I achieve salvation because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the Cross, that gracious act of undeserved kindness ,who gave His life willingly so that we are made right with God. Great Riches At Christ’s Expense. We are spared any punishment for our sins. This is why Jesus was sent by God for that purpose; this is the heart of the gospel message.

The love of God the Father.
When people speak of love generally, it is either an emotional feeling, or even more so something sensual. We are plagued with many songs all about love, but the deepest and truest love stories are those which are mysterious and profound.

Paul wanted us to fully appreciate the love of God, which is beyond all understanding, and which cared for the world so much He sent His only Son to suffer such a cruel death on the Cross so we should not perish. God’s love is extended to all His children, just as an earthly father loves his own. But such love is for His own, just as an earthly father loves his own. We are God’s children only, when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Remember the words of the Bible, Jesus said.’ no one comes to the Father except through me’. This is why it is vitally important for us to have those we love come to know the love of God by turning to Jesus; there is no other way.
God is a righteous and just God and as such, demands payment for sin, which has been met by Jesus on the Cross.

Imagine a Judge in a Court of law, who has before him a woman who has stolen food to feed her child, because she has no money to afford it. He imposes a fine, which the woman pleads she cannot pay, so the judge has to impose a penalty, but in pity writes a cheque and pays himself. Such is God’s action to us.

But Jesus stated clearly, when he prayed to the Father that not all people were children of God, only those who turned to follow Jesus. (John 17)

Paul then turns to the third person of the Trinity the Holy Spirit.
Paul is saying there is a fellowship all Christians enjoy and experience through the Holy Spirit, and that that experience is what unites them. We are no longer out of relationship with God, we think of Him as a Father.

You and I as Christians, achieve salvation because of the sacrifice made on the Cross, that gracious act of Jesus enable us to know the love of God through the gift of God the Holy Spirit. This must flow out over the whole Church, and there should never be any difficulty or hindrance in Christians being able to relate to each other, even if we have not previously met.

But the Church is not a social club, where we meet for an hour or so once a week. There has to be the truth of the Bible present in our heart and mind. We can meet as strangers, and part as brothers and sisters.

At one time I lived in Mombasa Kenya, a major port on the East coast of Africa. Regularly ships would bring missionaries from other lands, principally from the United States, and whilst Americans are generally friendly people, we were able to engage with them in a way which we would not with other people, simply because we have the same God, same Father and the same Savior, same Spirit within us. No difference because of nationality, race or color of skin.

The fellowship of the Holy Spirit is just one of the blessings of being in Christ, that we can know a bond which stretches across time and space, to unite us with many we have never met and barriers are broken down in the fellowship of believers

We become Christians through the grace of Jesus; the love of God allows us to walk in that grace and the Holy Spirit brings us to be at one with each other, which can stop all in fighting and the rivalry which sometimes invades and infects a Church.

May we experience that amazing grace in our lives and be true disciples of Jesus. And may God bless His words to the learning of His love for us. And may His Holy Name be ever glorified

 A R  E  Y O U  A  C H R I S T I A N?  (or are just an almost one)

The gospel message in Church in Sunday is one to celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the day the Church was born. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached a message to the crowds who had gathered at the festival.  Those who accepted the message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day; such was the work of the Holy Spirit.

     It may have been that this was in a distant age, but it is still a model which could serve us well in the present day.

     The essential ingredient is that it was a bible believing one.  This may seem to be obvious, but it is far from being so now,; in too many churches the bible has been cast aside
I The Bible states, ‘they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching’.  It must be remembered the teaching of the Apostles was special, for they were taught by the Lord, and God richly blessed their ministry. To authenticate that, they were able to perform miraculous acts, and obviously made a deep impression, for the people we are told devoted themselves to attend.  There was no coercion or inducements; they were filled with awe and inspiration.  Accompanying the bible teaching, they were singing and praising God. How many services do you attend where you come away inspired and filled with awe?
 Here is there recipe for successful worship; joyful praise and faithful bible teaching. People like to sing, and must have tunes that are pleasing to sing. When we have faithful preaching of the Bible coupled with such praise, we can wait for God to bless us  .A significant sentence ends this passage; and the Lord added to their numbers. It is God who adds to a Church.  He may use a preacher, and work through him, but it is God who turns a heart towards Jesus and gives  at person the choice of responding or rejecting the offer to follow Jesus

I .want to turn to a verse in Acts of the Apostles, ‘almost you persuade me to be a Christian’. (Acts 26 v 28)
During my years of ministry I have interviewed many people regarding baptisms, weddings or funerals, and the most common statement made is ‘we don’t go to church, but we are Christians’; or,’ ‘you don’t have to go to Church to be a Christian as long as you are a good person’. This is always volunteered, sometimes challengingly, indeed even aggressively; I suppose to ease the conscience. For someone who has no religious association or commitment, to speak in such manner to a Pastor, may seem to be arrogant.

A lady who was a stalwart of her local church once said to me ‘ I heard a man say on Songs of Praise last week that he had attended Church for many years, but had only just become a Christian. What did he mean?’
This is a popular reaction. It is just assumed, that if one is not an atheist or member of another faith one is per se a Christian. There is a little more to it than that.

The word Christian, was originally a term of derision against the first followers of Jesus, and it is fast becoming an abusive term in this country by public officials, secularists and the judiciary, who want to eradicate Christianity from public life.

To become a Christian, there must be an encounter with Jesus Christ. People have been urged to declare themselves a Christian, without being told what that entails. Being born in a Christian country, to Christian parents, in a Christian home, does not make one a Christian. You cannot inherit Christianity. It is more than living up to a system of morals or ethics. Even Church attendance, however necessary and how much it is part of Christian life, does not on its own make you one. There has to be a conscious decision made, in which one wants to invite Christ into their life. You realise you have been offending against God, and now want to live a life as laid down by Jesus, and have Him come in to your life to give it new direction.

The Bible says, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and so we need forgiveness, and the only way we can get God’s forgiveness is through Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross to pay the penalty for our misbehaviour. You need saving from your sins, and the only way is through Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made on the Cross. You have to realise that, and decide you need His forgiveness. You then make a positive decision that you will turn to Christ and follow His way of living.

That deliberate decision, and subsequent commitment, may come from hearing a preacher. A lady used to visit my Church very irregularly, and one day she came and after the service said, ‘whenever I come here I feel you are getting at me’. I pointed out that as I was unaware she would be attending, it may be that someone higher than me was getting at her.

It may come reading the Bible; even if you have read something many times, one time God will use that word to speak to you.  It may come from seeing a poster with a religious message. The London City Mission posted many messages on the underground system, which spoke vividly to people. I found that posters with a catchy message on, placed on the Church notice board had an effect too.
People have on many occasions been introduced by a friend, which is why it is so important to let people know of our Churches and what they can offer.   However it comes, you will know it has come. Christianity is not a vague feeling, it is something you can know, and you will know.   In each situation, God will act when He knows you are ready, and you will   have His touch on your heart and will respond.

This will necessitate a change in living. You know there are certain activities which are no longer acceptable; the ways of the world are replaced by the ways of Christ. This will mean you will inevitably declare yourself to be a Christian, which will involve mockery and taunting, and mean you can’t join in any falsehoods, immorality or things unethical anymore.

Of course there will be temptations to face. There will be Sunday mornings when you will not feel like going out to Church and you think, ‘oh they won’t miss me at church this morning’. Never feel you won’t be missed. Whilst I am sure your fellow Church members will miss you, God will certainly miss you. Church should come before the golf club or shopping trip or whatever. It is only one hour per week for most people, and if we can’t give that, then there is certainly something very amiss in our life.

The reason there is so much unhappiness, trouble, and broken homes in the nation, is through the absence of Christian values. Children are facing a deprived life in many homes, as parents do not have the time, inclination, or belief, to teach their children basic bible stories, and so many children haven’t the faintest knowledge of any character or major festivals of the Church. A lot of schools have virtually given up teaching Christianity, often in preference to other faiths.

Be ready to take a full part in Church life, and enjoy the joy of coming to share worship with your fellow Christians. The Church is here to bring people to knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is not a spiritual dispensary to hand out soothing syrup, but to proclaim God’s Message as it is written. We take the bread and wine at the table of our Lord, when we remember His blood shed on the cross for us, and as we eat the bread we remember the broken body given for us. Jesus can become very close.

The Roman Catholic Church, and Anglican High Churches,(Virtually the same)in some of those Churches, add that the bread and wine become the body of Christ which is quite wrong. The two subjects are to remind us, of the sacrifice Jesus made to pay the penalty for sour sinning.  A Christian needs discipline in his/her life, for the Bible says we have to take on those who are out to make us give in.

The Bible likens the relationship of Christ and the Church, to that of a husband wife relationship in marriage. When a man proposes to a woman to marry him, and she agrees, they remain unmarried until they promise their commitment to each other in the marriage service. They then begin their life together facing both difficulties and happiness, together. So, in the Christian life it is when we declare our commitment to Christ, we become a Christian and face life with Him in all that life puts before us.

We all have to ask, ‘am I living the Christian life?’ People like to divide the world into two groups, the good and bad, with ourselves of course in the good category. It is too easy to see people behaving worse than us, and convince ourselves we are all right. The point is, whilst some are offending worse than us, we are all offending in some way. We may not plant bombs like some do, but the tongue can be equally explosive in its own way. So let us consider Christian living.
Jesus said, ‘behold I stand at the door and knock and if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.’ In the East inviting a person to sit and eat with you, infers you are inviting that person to have a special place in your life.

If there is anyone reading this message who has not yet invited Jesus into their life, then I urge you to consider making that decision, and give Him that special place in your life, He is waiting at the door for your invitation.

But let us have sincerity. Today a cushy Christianity obtains in many places, with the intention to say pleasant words which people want to hear. Rogue traders make goods, and put the stamp of a famous name on them. Rogue Christian teachers are putting God’s stamp on their own brand of Christianity, even supporting behaviour, which at one time would not even be mentioned.

We are witnessing in this country at the present time, a rush of politicians wanting to put their name to Christianity. One leader, how important Christianity is, even professing evangelical zeal for the faith; yet he is the one who had a passion for same sex marriage, without anyone being allowed by law to exercise their right of conscience against it. One Minister stated the importance of the faith, and nobly restored the right of Councils to include prayers in their meetings, following a Court’s ruling against it, but at the same time his Department, which owns public buildings refused to allow Christian organisations to hold meetings, because of their objection to the same sex marriage bill. True profession is matched by action.

There were members of a government with a policy, of waging an attack on the Roman Catholic Churches wonderful adoption agencies, so sacrificing the chances of children from being placed into loving homes, because it properly refused to place children into care of two same sex people. There was also the concern the children would be told of Christianity.  It is total and disgraceful hypocrisy, to loudly proclaim Christianity and advocate and support that which is un-Christian.

Our nation so badly needs Christian men and women who are altogether Christians, not almost ones, especially in Churches and in government. On one occasion a proposal was made in Parliament with a Christian sense, and a prominent member if government replied, we don’t do God.

Now compare a situation which arose, just near the same time in the United States of America. A Senator had been the victim of a shooting, and when he returned after sick leave, he said sitting in Congress, his faith had helped his recovery ; and all the members clapped and applauded him. (They do God)

We pray for those who are almost Christian, that God may touch their hearts.



May God’s Holy Name be praised and He be Glorified. 

 

 J O H N 20 v19-end

The Gospel passage for this Sunday comes from John’s gospel in Chapter 20, and is the story of Jesus appearance to His Apostles in the Upper Room on the evening of the first Easter Sunday.

The Apostles were in the Upper Room, terrified in fear for their lives. This was because rumours had been spread around Jerusalem that they must have stolen the body of Jesus, and they feared the authorities might take action against them. The doors were firmly shut, yet Jesus appeared in the room to their amazement, but also joy. This suggests that His body was a supernatural body, and so if we are to be like Him in heaven, our future bodies will also be supernatural. Jesus was giving a demonstration in confirmation He was alive. This was no animation of a corpse; it was Jesus in a new form of being which could pass through doors.

You can imagine the reaction of the Apostles who must have thought they were hallucinating, for most people do at some time have visions, especially if you are longing for someone whom you never expected to see. The Apostles were delighted to see the Lord however.

Jesus greeted them with the traditional Jewish greeting Shalom, words which mean not only ‘peace be with you’, but every kind of blessing. He then showed them His hands and side, to prove that it was the same Jesus they had known when they were with Him, but by showing His wounds it verified that this was the Jesus who had been on the Cross and was now an alive person,

The Apostle Thomas was not present, but would not believe when he was told they had seen the Lord, and refused util he could examine the body of the Lord. When Jesus returned the next week, he was challenged to touch on the body of Jesus, but he declined and answered my Lord and my God. Jesus was not impressed, and praised those who believed by faith not by seeing proof.

We have to sympathize with Thomas, who just a natural fellow responding as most people would not accept a dead man was alive.
Then Jesus gave them command saying, just as God had sent Him, He was now sending them out to preach the gospel in His name. This is essentially and fundamentally what the Church should and must be doing, preaching the gospel that He left us. and abandoning all the modern fancy ideas aimed at pleasing society. We don’t go out saying the Bible says…,but, I’ve got a better idea, we go in His name saying what He said.

Jesus then when parting, He again said ‘peace be with you’ as a form of good-bye, and then breathed on them. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus, and He now tells the Apostles, as God had given Him the Holy Spirit, He (Jesus) was giving them the power of the Holy Spirit to go out and tell the world about His offer of eternal salvation for all who accepted and believed in Him. If anyone did not, they were condemned eternally.

Jesus has passed on this mission to the Church all down the ages, to go out and speak for His message, so that when people hear that message from us, they are indirectly hearing the words of our Lord.
Jesus also said He was giving them the Holy Spirit, in which they could forgive people’s sins, or if necessary to refuse to do so. It is from this passage that the Churches of Catholic persuasion, Roman or Anglican, claim authority to pronounce absolution. This is contrary to Scripture, which teaches that only God can give forgiveness, and there is nothing in the Bible that I can find, which supports priestly absolution.

Every Christian can seek forgiveness from God directly, but if we are considering wanting to make a confession of sins, and seeking assurance, then for good order and discipline, one could reasonably state a priest is the person to approach, rather than just any member of the Church. I have known instances, where people have met for

study groups, and during the meeting been invited and encouraged to speak out on personal troubles, which is quite seriously unwise, as there is no moral demands on friends to keep confidentiality. There is no doubt that by talking out a worrying matter, it can ease one’s mind, but a priest (or ordained minister) is the one who should be approached, bound as he is not to reveal any confidence.

What Jesus is meaning, is that when the Apostles were convinced a person had truly repented of their sins and accepted Jesus as Savior, they could be assured God had forgiven them; but if as on a later occasion when Peter was not assured of a person’s sincerity, they could not be given assurance of forgiveness.

The Church has to a large degree lost its purpose for being; we are here to preach the gospel, but there is a greater desire in many places to be more busy in social activities as well as political. Bishops were very active in advising how to vote in the Brexit referendum, and some are now participating with advice how to vote in elections. If they were as active in advising how to fill the Churches, which are emptying at an alarming rate, they would be fulfilling their proper day job.

God wants us to be out into the world doing what Jesus did. At His baptism, God sent the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove on to Jesus, so that He could go in the name of God and make disciples. Now Jesus is sending us out in the power of the Holy Spirit to be His hands and feet and voice.

This chapter will not be fully explained in some Churches today, as there will be a problem, namely that there are clergy who do not believe in the physical resurrection. A man who had challenged the resurrection was some years ago, being consecrated into his Office as a Bishop in York Minster. Later the same night a bolt of lightning struck and blew out the rose window of the Cathedral. When this was suggested to be God venting His anger, that was mocked and ridiculed by the liberal establishment, yet there was no such experience in any other part of the city. People will say about a passage you can’t expect me to believe that, it is now 2026. Yet they will believe many things even harder to understand.

A team of meteorologists, studied weather maps of the whole county area at the time of the incident, and those experts unanimously declared the only answer can be, it was an act of God.. Senior men of the Church did not

accept their verdict, stating God would not do that ‘these days’
If I press 13 buttons on my mobile phone, I will within seconds speak to someone in China, the words flying across thousands of miles, across millions of other messages being transmitted. Explain that. You drink white milk taken from a black cow, which eats green grass without working it out. Why do people limit the power of God? But they do. You hold meetings in your Churches, a function of the Church Council is to promote mission in the parish. Without a fixed spiritual leader this is a difficult task, 

One essential for every Church I have always believed, is to emulate business. Firms spend millions on advertising their product; we are in the Lord’s business, and have what no other business can offer, yet we fail to circulate any message.

I published my Church magazine for 17 years, and so have had an interest in Church magazines. I find articles about past events, articles of much interest to members, but little or nothing for the outsider; never a gospel message. We hold Church fetes to which locals attend, and what a great effort is made to make cakes and collect items all for sale, and work hard in the process. Yet how much effort is made to get people inside the main building; in most events little, if any, effort is made in advertising our Sunday Services. Compare with the publicity political parties use, and little of it is true. We are to be equally vibrant with our unique message, which makes an offer no other party or institution can.

We have just come out of Easter, and most Churches had large attendances, responding to glorious hymns and

preaching about Jesus, This proves people do still have a need and desire to worship if they are offered such similar services, Obviously we can’t offer Carols, but Our hymn books are filled with delightful spiritual hymns and music of Charles Wesley.

There is a young man who holds public meetings in the city, an ordinary working class man, who preachers all about J, waving his   Bible, telling that we all should read it, and massive crowds listen to him, supporting him

No shouting him down.  If he can draw so many to hear the gospel (God bless him) why can’t the Church?

Because he speaks their way in clear unmistakeable words, getting to the heart of  the gospel.

When you receive Communion this Sunday, you are part of a tradition which has been passed down from that Upper Room. Many people have tried, and are now trying harder than ever to take Christianity out of public life, but while empires have come and gone, the Christian Church has survived, and millions and millions of people have found their lives enriched by their faith, and the words of Jesus are still relevant, ‘the gates of hell will not prevail against it’. There may be resistance in this and other Western nations, but in Africa, China and beyond there is massive turning to the Lord Jesus; devoted Christians face opposition in countries where Christianity is not the main faith, and yet are leading others to hear of Jesus.

The Church in England has adopted the false doctrine of accepting same sex marriage, and cannot therefore expect God’s blessing, but there are still many Churches who have rejected that doctrine.
When Jesus was first seen after His resurrection by Mary Magdelene, He told her to go and tell His Apostles. Such a challenge is laid on all Churches and Christians, go and tell you have found Jesus.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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