Glen Aros Christian Fellowship
2nd December 2007
In the greatest danger some are kept safe.
In the greatest falling away some are kept pure.
Isaiah 17:6-11
Isa 17:6 Yet gleaning grapes will be left in it, Like the shaking of an olive tree, Two or three olives at the top of the uppermost bough, Four or five in its most fruitful branches," Says the LORD God of Israel.
7 In that day a man will look to his Maker, And his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel.
8 He will not look to the altars, The work of his hands; He will not respect what his fingers have made, Nor the wooden images nor the incense altars.
9 In that day his strong cities will be as a forsaken bough And an uppermost branch, Which they left because of the children of Israel; And there will be desolation.
10 Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, And have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, Therefore you will plant pleasant plants And set out foreign seedlings;
11 In the day you will make your plant to grow, And in the morning you will make your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap of ruins In the day of grief and desperate sorrow.
Look at verse 6
Gleaning grapes will be left in it, Like the shaking of an olive tree, Two or three olives at the top of the uppermost bough, Four or five in its most fruitful branches," Says the LORD God of Israel.
• Gleaning grapes will be left in it
• Like the shaking of an olive tree
• Two or three olives at the top of the uppermost bough
• Four or five in its most fruitful branches
A few grapes two or three olives, four or five left, suggests that there are many that have been picked from the vine, and shaken from the tree!
Look at verse 11
In the day you will make your plant to grow, And in the morning you will make your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap of ruins In the day of grief and desperate sorrow.
• You will make your plant to grow
• You will make your seed to flourish
All the labour to make your plant to grow and it comes to a heap of ruins.
This little remnant of grapes, of olives has escaped the judgment.
Look at Verse 10
10 Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, therefore you will plant pleasant plants and set out foreign seedlings;
There are those at this time who:
• Have forgotten the God of their salvation
• Have not been mindful of the Rock of their stronghold.
The difficulties which were being encountered, that had brought, the numbers down to a few, were because God who was their salvation was forgotten. Those in the land had not been mindful that it was God who was the Rock behind the stronghold of their lives.
Look at verse 7
7 In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel.
There are also those at this time who:
• Look to their Maker
• Will have respect for the Holy One of Israel
Look at Verse 8
8 He will not look to the altars, The work of his hands; He will not respect what his fingers have made, Nor the wooden images nor the incense altars.
• He will not look to the alters
• The work of his hands
• He will not respect what his fingers have made
• He will not respect the wooden images
• He will not respect the incense alters
There is a lot of looking and respecting the Work our own hands!
Isaiah 5:8-12
Isa 5:8 Woe to those who join house to house; They add field to field, Till there is no place Where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land!
9 In my hearing the LORD of hosts said, "Truly, many houses shall be desolate, Great and beautiful ones, without inhabitant.
10 For ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, And a homer of seed shall yield one ephah."
11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them!
12 The harp and the strings, The tambourine and flute, And wine are in their feasts; But they do not regard the work of the LORD, Nor consider the operation of His hands.
13 Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst.
14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged itself And opened its mouth beyond measure; Their glory and their multitude and their pomp, And he who is jubilant, shall descend into it.
15 People shall be brought down, Each man shall be humbled, And the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.
16 But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, And God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness.
17 Then the lambs shall feed in their pasture, And in the waste places of the fat ones strangers shall eat.
Look at Verse 12
12 The harp and the strings, The tambourine and flute, And wine are in their feasts; But they do not regard the work of the LORD, Nor consider the operation of His hands.
There are Feasts taking place at this time, with wine, and musical instruments, but…
• They do not regard the work of the LORD
• They do not consider the operation of His hands
Isaiah is telling the people of his day of a judgement on those who have simply gathered excess for themselves.
• They do not regard the work of the LORD
• They do not consider the operation of His hands
Look at Verse 13
Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst.
• My people have gone into captivity
• Why?
• Because they have no knowledge.
Hosea 4:6
Ho 4:6 my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
• My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
• Because you have rejected knowledge
• I also will reject you from being priest for Me
• Because you have forgotten the law of your god
• I also will forget your children
You see God choose Israel as a choice vine in order that it would bring fourth good grapes.
Back to Psalm 5 and look at Verse 4
Isa 5:4 what more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes?
• What more could have been done to My vineyard
• Why then?
• When I expected it to bring forth good grapes
• Did it bring forth wild grapes?
Look at Verse 7
Isa 5:7 for the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.
• I looked for Justice and received oppression
• I looked of righteousness received weeping.
Look at verse 13
• Their honourable men are famished
• Their multitude dried up with thirst
Isaiah 22:5-11
Isa 22:5 For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity By the Lord GOD of hosts In the Valley of Vision-Breaking down the walls And of crying to the mountain.
6 Elam bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir uncovered the shield.
7 It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys Shall be full of chariots, And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest;
9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, And the houses you broke down To fortify the wall.
11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.
Look at verse 11
11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.
They made a great work for the water of the old pool. They repaired the city of David. They worked hard on it.
But look:
• They did not look to its maker.
• They did not have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago
This is Old Testament. Let me tell you some things do not change!
Remember we are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Look at Ephesians
Ephesians 2:19-22
Eph 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
We today are the dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
You must make sure that you are not like God’s people of old who:
• Have forgotten the God of your salvation
• Have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold.
• Are among those who do not regard the work of the LORD
• do not consider the operation of His hands
• have gone into captivity
• Why?
• Because they have no knowledge.
• They did not look to its maker.
• They did not have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago
Isaiah 35:1-10
Isa 35:1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;
2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, The excellency of our God.
3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you."
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.
7 The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray.
9 No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there,
10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Look at Verse 4
4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you."
• Say to those who are fearful-hearted
• Be Strong!
• Do not fear!
• Behold your God will come with a vengeance
• With the recompense of God
• He will come and save you!
Look at 8
8 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
• A highway shall be there
• A road
• It shall be called the Highway of Holiness
Last time I talked about going through the procedure of having your ear pierced under the law.
But here is the Highway of Holiness that leads to Zion.
Hebrews 6: 9-12
Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Look at verse 9
But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
• Beloved
• We are confident of better things concerning you
• Things which accompany salvation
• Though we speak in this manner
Look at verse 11 + 12
11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
• We desire that each one of you show
• The same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end
• That you do not become sluggish
• But imitate those
• Who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Remember the promise in Psalm 46:1-5
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Look at Verse 5
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
• God is in the midst of her
• She shall not be moved
• God shall help he, just at the break of dawn
Psalm 48:12-14
Ps 48:12 Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers;
13 Mark well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces; that you may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.
You see the Highway of Holiness leads to Zion.
• Walk about her
• Go all around her
• Count her towers
• Mark well her bulwarks
• Consider her palaces
• That you may tell it to the generation following
He will be your guide.
As you live in your generation, get down to the detail of living the Christian life.
Psalm 50:5
Ps 50:5 "Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice."
Have you trusted in the sacrifice of Jesus?
It is not your sacrifice; it is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross that secures you in the covenant.
Are you secure in the Covenant which God has cut in Jesus Christ?
Psalm 25:14
Ps 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.
• The secret of the LORD
• Is with those who fear Him
• He will show them His covenant
His covenant was established at the Cross in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 50: 16
Ps 50:16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth,
Ps 50:17 Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you?
Ps 50:18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers.
19 You give your mouth to evil, And your tongue frames deceit.
20 You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother's son.
21 These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes.
22 "Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver:
23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God."
Look at verse 23
• He who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God
Where are you looking?
Brothers and sisters it is time to order our conduct aright
In the greatest danger some are kept safe.
In the greatest falling away some are kept pure.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
My latest poem
Growing Old, Only Rest
GROWING OLD tells a story of men of bygone days
Who stood in line to march to death?
On all the fields of time they tramp,
Conjured up in twos and threes, and all,
By chiefs who know, the march that disadvantaged men must go
I see the time when men will march the fields no more,
All that come to march with force will silently die
Death will take its full quota. What will the fields do?
Devoid of men and quiet of thunderous
Foot falls, marching endlessly, consuming-time.
The day when men have fallen and silence rules,
No feet to run, or walk, or help to jump high up the air.
No sound to boil the soil of battleground mud.
Rested from their labours long, silenced now, no steps left or right.
Unbreakable command of living, loving, wiseness
From eternity on high, Silence, Silence, no more stories to be told.
The time of men has ended, and silence rules.
The end of man has come, and total instinctive design has come,
Now the silence of men is present, silent history, silent present,
And silent future yet to come, silence! No more marching feet,
No more footfalls, and no more filthy prints, displayed,
No sucking sound squelched in battleground mud.
No more broken stalks of grass and flower, bulb and branch, only silence.
No single outline of married men. No broken drug’gy joints of friendship,
Once bound, no sorrow, no tears, only windless, echoless silence.
Yet, only half an hour of silence, in heaven it takes, before
The noise of praise begins a wonderful cacophony of glory, and beauty.
The resonance of voices rise in everlasting words,
No feet that muddy waters march, and darken, no more;
Only words re created in creative power.
All the inner mechanisms of men have stopped, forever, yes, forever,
And forever, only half an hour of silence in between.
What do you say my friendly marching man?
One day our feet will stop and move no more,
Each toe will wither and decay, blown silently as dust to dust,
That irritates the power of sight
Toe’s no more required to Holy balance, each body’s magnificence,
Splendour to decompose, like ghosts withering away to nothing, as if never there.
No big toe, no little toe, nothing. No metatarsals, strapped together,
By life’s bloody sinew
Men who stretching gloriously in a lifeless effort to produce a future life NOW
No movement, no noise, all is silent, at this moment silent, ever silent, forever,
No more movement, no not one step left to take, it is ended NOW,
And the grand design is NOW COMPLETE.
Now the ‘put your feet up’ long prepared and planned is entered on.
No noise, even silence silenced. Man has rested from his greatest march of effort,
A boundless folly with pain poured out, when only rest was needed. NOW, all is at rest,
The plan of everlasting design Never full filled with marching feet? Noisy silence no,
Silent praise no, NO, when growing old, ONLY REST.
GROWING OLD tells a story of men of bygone days
Who stood in line to march to death?
On all the fields of time they tramp,
Conjured up in twos and threes, and all,
By chiefs who know, the march that disadvantaged men must go
I see the time when men will march the fields no more,
All that come to march with force will silently die
Death will take its full quota. What will the fields do?
Devoid of men and quiet of thunderous
Foot falls, marching endlessly, consuming-time.
The day when men have fallen and silence rules,
No feet to run, or walk, or help to jump high up the air.
No sound to boil the soil of battleground mud.
Rested from their labours long, silenced now, no steps left or right.
Unbreakable command of living, loving, wiseness
From eternity on high, Silence, Silence, no more stories to be told.
The time of men has ended, and silence rules.
The end of man has come, and total instinctive design has come,
Now the silence of men is present, silent history, silent present,
And silent future yet to come, silence! No more marching feet,
No more footfalls, and no more filthy prints, displayed,
No sucking sound squelched in battleground mud.
No more broken stalks of grass and flower, bulb and branch, only silence.
No single outline of married men. No broken drug’gy joints of friendship,
Once bound, no sorrow, no tears, only windless, echoless silence.
Yet, only half an hour of silence, in heaven it takes, before
The noise of praise begins a wonderful cacophony of glory, and beauty.
The resonance of voices rise in everlasting words,
No feet that muddy waters march, and darken, no more;
Only words re created in creative power.
All the inner mechanisms of men have stopped, forever, yes, forever,
And forever, only half an hour of silence in between.
What do you say my friendly marching man?
One day our feet will stop and move no more,
Each toe will wither and decay, blown silently as dust to dust,
That irritates the power of sight
Toe’s no more required to Holy balance, each body’s magnificence,
Splendour to decompose, like ghosts withering away to nothing, as if never there.
No big toe, no little toe, nothing. No metatarsals, strapped together,
By life’s bloody sinew
Men who stretching gloriously in a lifeless effort to produce a future life NOW
No movement, no noise, all is silent, at this moment silent, ever silent, forever,
No more movement, no not one step left to take, it is ended NOW,
And the grand design is NOW COMPLETE.
Now the ‘put your feet up’ long prepared and planned is entered on.
No noise, even silence silenced. Man has rested from his greatest march of effort,
A boundless folly with pain poured out, when only rest was needed. NOW, all is at rest,
The plan of everlasting design Never full filled with marching feet? Noisy silence no,
Silent praise no, NO, when growing old, ONLY REST.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
No more Acting
Preached at Glen Aros Christian Fellowship
Sunday 4th March 2007
Matthew 23:1-31
“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples,
2 saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
3 "Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
4 "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
6 "They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7 "greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'
8 "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
9 "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10 "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
11 "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
14 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.'
17 "Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
18 "And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.'
19 "Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
20 "Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it.
21 "He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it.
22 "And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.
23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
24 "Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
26 "Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
28 "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous,
30 "and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.'
31 "Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
32 "Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt.
33 "Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?
34 "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,
35 "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
36 "Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Look at: V23 & 24
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
· Scribes
· Pharisees
Both of them
· Hypocrites
Three tithes’s paid
· Mint
· Anise
· Cummin
Three weightier mattes left undone
· Justice
· Mercy
· Faith
The people who do this
· Strain out a gnat
· Swallow a camel
The Scribes and Pharisees are enemies to the Gospel.
The Scribes and Pharisees are enemies.
The Scribes and Pharisees keep others away from Jesus.
The Scribes and Pharisees win souls, yes, but for their own glory.
The Scribes and Pharisees steal the Glory that belongs to God.
The Scribes and Pharisees were meticulous in paying tithes of mint, Anise, and Cummin.
The Scribes and Pharisees forgot the weightier mattes.
Look at: V25
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
· Scribes
· Pharisees
Are …
· Hypocrites (actors)
You clean the outside of the cup
You clean the outside of the dish
But…
Inside they are full of
· Extortion
· Self-indulgence
Look at: V26
26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish that the outside of them may be clean also.
Blind Pharisee your outward motives may keep the outside clean.
While the inside is filthy!
You are an actor!
· First cleanse the inside of the cup
· First cleanse the inside of the dish
That the outside of them may be clean also
Look at: V35
35 "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
Blood guilty, and soon they would become guilty of the blood of the one who was speaking to them. They would cry out, ‘…let his blood come upon us, and upon our children…’
You may ask…
…How do I cleanse the inside of the cup?
…How do I cleanse the inside of the dish?
Only one place to go!
That is to God Himself!
How to we approach God?
Look at: Hebrews 4:14-16
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Look at: V16
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
We come…
· Come with boldness
· We come to the throne of grace
· That we may find grace and mercy to help in time of need
Let’s look at it another way…Psalm 51:1-19
“Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your loving kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight-That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-These, O God, You will not despise.
Look at: V14
“Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.”
David is guilty of adultery with Beersheba
David is guilty of murdering her husband
God says of David; “… I have found a man after my own heart…”
Really?
An adulterer!
A murderer!
Yes David is a man of God in spite of all he has done.
He has come with boldness and asked God to cleanse the inside of his life!
He asks God to do what he cannot hope to do by his own efforts!
· Have mercy upon me
· Blot out my transgressions
· Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
· Cleanse me from my sin
He is honest with himself and God
· I acknowledge my transgressions
· My sin is always before me
· Against You, You only, have I sinned
You desire truth in the inward parts
· Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean
· Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
· Make me hear joy and gladness
· Hide Your face from my sins
· Blot out all my iniquities
· Create in me a clean heart
· Renew a steadfast spirit within me.
· Do not cast me away from Your presence
· Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
· Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
· Uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
· Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed
David had bloodguilt; he had murdered to cover up his sin.
David you can’t cover up your own sin.
You have to ask Jesus to cover your sin with his own blood.
Every man and women who rejects Jesus is guilty of His blood!
Every one who receives Jesus His blood covers their sin.
Have you come to Jesus and asked for His forgiveness?
Are you still guilty of His blood?
Then come right now with boldness, you are sitting in His presence. Ask for his grace and mercy.
The blood of Jesus Christ atones for all sin!
No matter what it is!
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lets move on… Philemon 1:1-25
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow labourer,
2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,
9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you --being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ--
10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,
11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,
16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave--a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay--not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.
20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
Look at: V10
“I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.”
Onesimus is a Son to Paul, not a slave, as he was to Philemon!
Onesimus has become a believer, a Son, through the witness and ministry of Paul.
Philemon is also a believer, a Son, through the witness and ministry of Paul.
Now the relationship between Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon has changed forever.
Paul now has two Sons, and they are now, no longer slave, and master.
Philemon and Onesimus are now brothers! Hallelujah!
Look at: V12
“I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart…”
This is a bit of meat, and will need close attention…
Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, saying he is like his own heart. Onesimus is to Paul like his own heart.
Paul is not sending Onesimus back to Philemon so that he can return to his position as a slave. No, Paul is setting His heart free, and he is asking his Son Philemon, to set Paul’s heart free. He is doing this in Onesimus, who is His very heart.
Jesus sets us free so that we may set each other free! Jesus sends to us those who have been in slavery, and says will you set them free. If you do, you are really setting my heart free in this dark world!
Paul is sending Onesimus, back, and saying, he is like my own heart, will you set it free.
Hallelujah! Jesus has set you free
You are like his heart.
You have become the heart of Jesus, by keeping you in this world; He is setting his heart free.
Paul wanted to go to heaven, but for the sake of the brethren, who needed him, he had to stay.
Look at: V16
“…no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”
A beloved brother
More than a slave
Especially to me, says Paul!
My very heart!
But much more to you Philemon!
You were a slave Onesimus
· You came to Jesus
· You believed on his name
· You repented of your sin
· You were baptised in his name
Now you are free from slavery!
You are a son and a Beloved Brother, you have become my very heart I love you so much!
Many are on their way to Glen Aros Christian Fellowship
At this very moment they are in Slavery.
The Sons and brothers are on their way!
When they come will you receive them back as slaves or as Sons?
When they come will you receive them back as your slaves or as beloved brothers?
Jesus is bringing His Sons and Beloved brothers, to us, they represent His very heart.
What kind of welcome will they receive from you?
Look at: V16
“…No longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”
Onesimus’s name derives from a root that means "beneficial"
Look at: V11
“Who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.”
A brother who…
· Was unprofitable
· But now is profitable
· To you
· And to me!
Hallelujah for the Sons, the beloved brothers who are about to return!
They will be profitable to you and me.
Get God’s house ready for the prodigals return.
You are the living house of God.
Are you ready for the returning Sons?
No!
Then come with boldness to the throne of Grace to receive grace and mercy, to cleanse the inside of your life. The sons are on their way home, and Jesus wants you to welcome them home as Sons and brothers, He wants you to welcome them as you would His own heart
Now is the time for preparation!
No more hypocrisy!
Sunday 4th March 2007
Matthew 23:1-31
“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples,
2 saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
3 "Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
4 "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
6 "They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7 "greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'
8 "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
9 "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10 "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
11 "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
14 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.'
17 "Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
18 "And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.'
19 "Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
20 "Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it.
21 "He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it.
22 "And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.
23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
24 "Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
26 "Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
28 "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous,
30 "and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.'
31 "Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
32 "Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt.
33 "Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?
34 "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,
35 "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
36 "Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Look at: V23 & 24
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
· Scribes
· Pharisees
Both of them
· Hypocrites
Three tithes’s paid
· Mint
· Anise
· Cummin
Three weightier mattes left undone
· Justice
· Mercy
· Faith
The people who do this
· Strain out a gnat
· Swallow a camel
The Scribes and Pharisees are enemies to the Gospel.
The Scribes and Pharisees are enemies.
The Scribes and Pharisees keep others away from Jesus.
The Scribes and Pharisees win souls, yes, but for their own glory.
The Scribes and Pharisees steal the Glory that belongs to God.
The Scribes and Pharisees were meticulous in paying tithes of mint, Anise, and Cummin.
The Scribes and Pharisees forgot the weightier mattes.
Look at: V25
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
· Scribes
· Pharisees
Are …
· Hypocrites (actors)
You clean the outside of the cup
You clean the outside of the dish
But…
Inside they are full of
· Extortion
· Self-indulgence
Look at: V26
26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish that the outside of them may be clean also.
Blind Pharisee your outward motives may keep the outside clean.
While the inside is filthy!
You are an actor!
· First cleanse the inside of the cup
· First cleanse the inside of the dish
That the outside of them may be clean also
Look at: V35
35 "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
Blood guilty, and soon they would become guilty of the blood of the one who was speaking to them. They would cry out, ‘…let his blood come upon us, and upon our children…’
You may ask…
…How do I cleanse the inside of the cup?
…How do I cleanse the inside of the dish?
Only one place to go!
That is to God Himself!
How to we approach God?
Look at: Hebrews 4:14-16
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Look at: V16
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
We come…
· Come with boldness
· We come to the throne of grace
· That we may find grace and mercy to help in time of need
Let’s look at it another way…Psalm 51:1-19
“Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your loving kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight-That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-These, O God, You will not despise.
Look at: V14
“Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.”
David is guilty of adultery with Beersheba
David is guilty of murdering her husband
God says of David; “… I have found a man after my own heart…”
Really?
An adulterer!
A murderer!
Yes David is a man of God in spite of all he has done.
He has come with boldness and asked God to cleanse the inside of his life!
He asks God to do what he cannot hope to do by his own efforts!
· Have mercy upon me
· Blot out my transgressions
· Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
· Cleanse me from my sin
He is honest with himself and God
· I acknowledge my transgressions
· My sin is always before me
· Against You, You only, have I sinned
You desire truth in the inward parts
· Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean
· Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
· Make me hear joy and gladness
· Hide Your face from my sins
· Blot out all my iniquities
· Create in me a clean heart
· Renew a steadfast spirit within me.
· Do not cast me away from Your presence
· Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
· Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
· Uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
· Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed
David had bloodguilt; he had murdered to cover up his sin.
David you can’t cover up your own sin.
You have to ask Jesus to cover your sin with his own blood.
Every man and women who rejects Jesus is guilty of His blood!
Every one who receives Jesus His blood covers their sin.
Have you come to Jesus and asked for His forgiveness?
Are you still guilty of His blood?
Then come right now with boldness, you are sitting in His presence. Ask for his grace and mercy.
The blood of Jesus Christ atones for all sin!
No matter what it is!
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lets move on… Philemon 1:1-25
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow labourer,
2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,
9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you --being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ--
10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,
11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,
16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave--a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay--not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.
20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
Look at: V10
“I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.”
Onesimus is a Son to Paul, not a slave, as he was to Philemon!
Onesimus has become a believer, a Son, through the witness and ministry of Paul.
Philemon is also a believer, a Son, through the witness and ministry of Paul.
Now the relationship between Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon has changed forever.
Paul now has two Sons, and they are now, no longer slave, and master.
Philemon and Onesimus are now brothers! Hallelujah!
Look at: V12
“I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart…”
This is a bit of meat, and will need close attention…
Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, saying he is like his own heart. Onesimus is to Paul like his own heart.
Paul is not sending Onesimus back to Philemon so that he can return to his position as a slave. No, Paul is setting His heart free, and he is asking his Son Philemon, to set Paul’s heart free. He is doing this in Onesimus, who is His very heart.
Jesus sets us free so that we may set each other free! Jesus sends to us those who have been in slavery, and says will you set them free. If you do, you are really setting my heart free in this dark world!
Paul is sending Onesimus, back, and saying, he is like my own heart, will you set it free.
Hallelujah! Jesus has set you free
You are like his heart.
You have become the heart of Jesus, by keeping you in this world; He is setting his heart free.
Paul wanted to go to heaven, but for the sake of the brethren, who needed him, he had to stay.
Look at: V16
“…no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”
A beloved brother
More than a slave
Especially to me, says Paul!
My very heart!
But much more to you Philemon!
You were a slave Onesimus
· You came to Jesus
· You believed on his name
· You repented of your sin
· You were baptised in his name
Now you are free from slavery!
You are a son and a Beloved Brother, you have become my very heart I love you so much!
Many are on their way to Glen Aros Christian Fellowship
At this very moment they are in Slavery.
The Sons and brothers are on their way!
When they come will you receive them back as slaves or as Sons?
When they come will you receive them back as your slaves or as beloved brothers?
Jesus is bringing His Sons and Beloved brothers, to us, they represent His very heart.
What kind of welcome will they receive from you?
Look at: V16
“…No longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”
Onesimus’s name derives from a root that means "beneficial"
Look at: V11
“Who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.”
A brother who…
· Was unprofitable
· But now is profitable
· To you
· And to me!
Hallelujah for the Sons, the beloved brothers who are about to return!
They will be profitable to you and me.
Get God’s house ready for the prodigals return.
You are the living house of God.
Are you ready for the returning Sons?
No!
Then come with boldness to the throne of Grace to receive grace and mercy, to cleanse the inside of your life. The sons are on their way home, and Jesus wants you to welcome them home as Sons and brothers, He wants you to welcome them as you would His own heart
Now is the time for preparation!
No more hypocrisy!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Jesus gives us Rest…
Preached at Glen Aros Christian Fellowship Scotland
Sunday 4th of February 2007
Matthew 11:25-30.
At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.
26 "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
27 "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
28 "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Look at Verse 28
• Come to me
• All you who labour
• All you who are heavy laden
• And I will give you rest
Verse 29
• Take my yoke upon you
• Learn of me
• For I am gentle
• For I am lowly in heart
• And you will find rest for your souls
• My yoke is easy
• My burden is light
Jeremiah 6:9-17
Thus says the LORD of hosts: "They shall thoroughly glean as a vine the remnant of Israel; As a grape-gatherer, put your hand back into the branches."
10 To whom shall I speak and give warning, That they may hear? Indeed their ear is uncircumcised, And they cannot give heed. Behold, the word of the LORD is a reproach to them; They have no delight in it.
11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD. I am weary of holding it in. "I will pour it out on the children outside, And on the assembly of young men together; For even the husband shall be taken with the wife, The aged with him who is full of days.
12 And their houses shall be turned over to others, Fields and wives together; For I will stretch out My hand Against the inhabitants of the land," says the LORD.
13 "Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely.
14 They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, 'Peace, peace!' When there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD.
16 Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
17 Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.'
We will not walk in it
We will not listen.
We will not rest in the provision of God!
Look at Verse 16
• Thus says the Lord stand in the ways and see
• Ask for the old paths
• Where the good way is
• And walk in it
• Then you will find rest for your souls
• But they said
• We will not walk in it
• We will not listen to the trumpet of warning!
Walking in the good way, where you find rest for your souls!
But they said, we will not walk in it.
The choice to walk in the good way, asking for the old paths, where the good way is, and they said; ‘we will not walk in it.’
The record of God’s people is a record of choosing their own way!
The prophet Daniel gives us insight.
Listen to the words of his prayer and understand the desperate condition of God’s people at that time.
Daniel 9: 13-19
“Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
4 And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,
5 "we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.
6 "Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land.
7 "O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day-to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.
8 "O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.
9 "To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.
10 "We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.
11 "Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him.
12 "And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem.
13 "As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.
14 "Therefore the LORD has kept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.
15 "And now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name, as it is this day-we have sinned, we have done wickedly!
16 "O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us.
17 "Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate.
18 "O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.
19 "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."
Daniel prays for mercy for God’s people.
Look at Verse 9.
• To the Lord our God belongs
• Mercy
• And forgiveness
• Though we have rebelled against Him
Look at Verse 18
• For we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies
Verse 19
• O Lord, hear!
• O Lord, forgive!
• O Lord, listen
• O Lord, act.
• Do not delay
• For your own sake
• My God
• For your city
• For your people are called by your name!
The trumpet is sounding, and your people have not entered your rest, because of unbelieve!
Have Mercy upon us O Lord!
Come to me and I will give you rest
You will find rest for your souls
To the Lord our God belongs mercy
To the Lord our God belongs forgiveness
Though we have rebelled against him
But that is Old Testament Ronald. So it is, lets go to the New Testament and see if God has changed the gaol posts!
Matthew 20:29 – 34
“Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him.
30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
33 They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."
34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
• "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
• Be quiet!
• But they cried out all the more…
• Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!’
• Jesus stood still
Halliluhjah when Jesus stands still.
When your cry of mercy reaches the ears of Jesus Christ, he stands still.
You become His reason for passing by this way this morning!
• Jesus called them
• Jesus said to them
• What do you want Me to do for you?
• Lord that our eyes may be opened
• Jesus had compassion on them
• Jesus touched their eyes
• Immediately their eyes received sight
• They followed Jesus
What do you want form Jesus?
This is the New Testament! Hallilujah! This is resurrection land where you become the reason for Jesus being here in this building today.
Hebrews 4:14 – 16
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
• Come with boldness to the throne of grace
• Come with boldness to obtain mercy
• Come with boldness to find grace to help in your time of need
• Stand up and come boldly to the throne of grace this morning
• We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses
• Jesus our high priest was in all points tempted as we are
• Yet with out sin
• Stand up and come boldly to the throne of grace this morning
• Come with boldness and receive mercy in your time of need
James 2:8-13
“If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself," you do well;
9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
• At the cross righteousness and peace have kissed, mercy has triumphed over judgement.
To the Lord belongs mercy and forgiveness though we have rebelled against Him!
Psalm 85: 1-13
“LORD, You have been favourable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah
3 You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger.
4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease.
5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?
7 Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation.
8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.
• Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation.
• Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
• Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase.
• Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.
• Thus says the Lord stand in the ways and see
• Ask for the old paths
• Where the good way is
• And walk in it
• Then you will find rest for your souls
• But they said
• We will not walk in it
• We will not listen to the sound of the trumpet
• We will not enter his rest
• All because of unbelief.
Matthew 6:31- 33
"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
• After all these things the Gentiles seek
• Seek first the kingdom of God
• Seek first His righteousness
• And all these things shall be added to you.
James 3:17
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
• But the wisdom that is from above is …full of Mercy
Jude 1:21
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
• Keep yourselves in the stream of the Love of God
• Looking for the mercy that will come to you through the Lord Jesus Christ
• It will surly come to you and bring you to eternal life
Ephesians 2:4 -13
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--
12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
• God who is rich In mercy
• Has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus
• God who is rich in mercy
• In Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ
Romans 9:14 -24
“What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!
15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."
16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth."
18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.”
• I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.
• It is not of him who wills
• It is not of him who runs
• But of God who has mercy
It is not of him who says:
• I will not walk in the good way
• I will not listen to the sound of the trumpet
• I will not enter his rest
It of God who has mercy on us all.
Luke 1:50
“…His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.”
Matthew 12:7
Luke 6:27-34
"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 "bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
29 "To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
30 "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
31 "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 "And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 "And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
• Be merciful
• Just as you Father also is merciful
Enter into the rest of Jesus
Ask for the old paths, where in is the good way and walk in it
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
• Blessed are the merciful
• They shall obtain mercy
Enter the rest of Jesus Christ, be merciful, compassionate, and have pity!
The alternative does not bare thinking about.
Matthew 18:32
"Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'
34 "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
God be merciful to me a sinner
Amen!
Sunday 4th of February 2007
Matthew 11:25-30.
At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.
26 "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
27 "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
28 "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Look at Verse 28
• Come to me
• All you who labour
• All you who are heavy laden
• And I will give you rest
Verse 29
• Take my yoke upon you
• Learn of me
• For I am gentle
• For I am lowly in heart
• And you will find rest for your souls
• My yoke is easy
• My burden is light
Jeremiah 6:9-17
Thus says the LORD of hosts: "They shall thoroughly glean as a vine the remnant of Israel; As a grape-gatherer, put your hand back into the branches."
10 To whom shall I speak and give warning, That they may hear? Indeed their ear is uncircumcised, And they cannot give heed. Behold, the word of the LORD is a reproach to them; They have no delight in it.
11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD. I am weary of holding it in. "I will pour it out on the children outside, And on the assembly of young men together; For even the husband shall be taken with the wife, The aged with him who is full of days.
12 And their houses shall be turned over to others, Fields and wives together; For I will stretch out My hand Against the inhabitants of the land," says the LORD.
13 "Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely.
14 They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, 'Peace, peace!' When there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD.
16 Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
17 Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.'
We will not walk in it
We will not listen.
We will not rest in the provision of God!
Look at Verse 16
• Thus says the Lord stand in the ways and see
• Ask for the old paths
• Where the good way is
• And walk in it
• Then you will find rest for your souls
• But they said
• We will not walk in it
• We will not listen to the trumpet of warning!
Walking in the good way, where you find rest for your souls!
But they said, we will not walk in it.
The choice to walk in the good way, asking for the old paths, where the good way is, and they said; ‘we will not walk in it.’
The record of God’s people is a record of choosing their own way!
The prophet Daniel gives us insight.
Listen to the words of his prayer and understand the desperate condition of God’s people at that time.
Daniel 9: 13-19
“Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
4 And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,
5 "we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.
6 "Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land.
7 "O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day-to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.
8 "O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.
9 "To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.
10 "We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.
11 "Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him.
12 "And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem.
13 "As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.
14 "Therefore the LORD has kept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.
15 "And now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name, as it is this day-we have sinned, we have done wickedly!
16 "O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us.
17 "Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate.
18 "O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.
19 "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."
Daniel prays for mercy for God’s people.
Look at Verse 9.
• To the Lord our God belongs
• Mercy
• And forgiveness
• Though we have rebelled against Him
Look at Verse 18
• For we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies
Verse 19
• O Lord, hear!
• O Lord, forgive!
• O Lord, listen
• O Lord, act.
• Do not delay
• For your own sake
• My God
• For your city
• For your people are called by your name!
The trumpet is sounding, and your people have not entered your rest, because of unbelieve!
Have Mercy upon us O Lord!
Come to me and I will give you rest
You will find rest for your souls
To the Lord our God belongs mercy
To the Lord our God belongs forgiveness
Though we have rebelled against him
But that is Old Testament Ronald. So it is, lets go to the New Testament and see if God has changed the gaol posts!
Matthew 20:29 – 34
“Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him.
30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
33 They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."
34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
• "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
• Be quiet!
• But they cried out all the more…
• Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!’
• Jesus stood still
Halliluhjah when Jesus stands still.
When your cry of mercy reaches the ears of Jesus Christ, he stands still.
You become His reason for passing by this way this morning!
• Jesus called them
• Jesus said to them
• What do you want Me to do for you?
• Lord that our eyes may be opened
• Jesus had compassion on them
• Jesus touched their eyes
• Immediately their eyes received sight
• They followed Jesus
What do you want form Jesus?
This is the New Testament! Hallilujah! This is resurrection land where you become the reason for Jesus being here in this building today.
Hebrews 4:14 – 16
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
• Come with boldness to the throne of grace
• Come with boldness to obtain mercy
• Come with boldness to find grace to help in your time of need
• Stand up and come boldly to the throne of grace this morning
• We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses
• Jesus our high priest was in all points tempted as we are
• Yet with out sin
• Stand up and come boldly to the throne of grace this morning
• Come with boldness and receive mercy in your time of need
James 2:8-13
“If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself," you do well;
9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
• At the cross righteousness and peace have kissed, mercy has triumphed over judgement.
To the Lord belongs mercy and forgiveness though we have rebelled against Him!
Psalm 85: 1-13
“LORD, You have been favourable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah
3 You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger.
4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease.
5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?
7 Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation.
8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.
• Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation.
• Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
• Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase.
• Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.
• Thus says the Lord stand in the ways and see
• Ask for the old paths
• Where the good way is
• And walk in it
• Then you will find rest for your souls
• But they said
• We will not walk in it
• We will not listen to the sound of the trumpet
• We will not enter his rest
• All because of unbelief.
Matthew 6:31- 33
"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
• After all these things the Gentiles seek
• Seek first the kingdom of God
• Seek first His righteousness
• And all these things shall be added to you.
James 3:17
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
• But the wisdom that is from above is …full of Mercy
Jude 1:21
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
• Keep yourselves in the stream of the Love of God
• Looking for the mercy that will come to you through the Lord Jesus Christ
• It will surly come to you and bring you to eternal life
Ephesians 2:4 -13
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--
12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
• God who is rich In mercy
• Has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus
• God who is rich in mercy
• In Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ
Romans 9:14 -24
“What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!
15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."
16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth."
18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.”
• I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.
• It is not of him who wills
• It is not of him who runs
• But of God who has mercy
It is not of him who says:
• I will not walk in the good way
• I will not listen to the sound of the trumpet
• I will not enter his rest
It of God who has mercy on us all.
Luke 1:50
“…His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.”
Matthew 12:7
Luke 6:27-34
"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 "bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
29 "To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
30 "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
31 "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 "And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 "And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
• Be merciful
• Just as you Father also is merciful
Enter into the rest of Jesus
Ask for the old paths, where in is the good way and walk in it
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
• Blessed are the merciful
• They shall obtain mercy
Enter the rest of Jesus Christ, be merciful, compassionate, and have pity!
The alternative does not bare thinking about.
Matthew 18:32
"Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'
34 "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
God be merciful to me a sinner
Amen!
Monday, January 15, 2007
Are you expecting Jesus to return today?
Preached at Glen Aros Christian Fellowship, Scotland.
Sunday 14th January 2007
‘I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, but not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.’
• Are you expecting Jesus to return today?
• Is Jesus coming back for you today?
Let’s look at:
Genesis 7:1
‘Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.’
• Come into the ark, says God
The ark today is the Church, some of you are still outside of the Ark, and you need to come inside!
Not only do you need to come into the church, but your whole household needs to come in too.
Jesus could come back today, and you could be left behind.
Those in the Ark were saved.
All outside the ark perished
When Jesus returns there will be a separation!
Make sure you are in the place safety, the Church, the Ark of God.
Do you believe Jesus is coming today?
• Too early,
• things to happen yet,
• prophecies to be fulfilled,
• People to be saved!
• Mmh!
• I have a lot of things I still want to accomplish before the end!
Well, let’s press on.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Matthew 24:36-44
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
38 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
42 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
43 "But know this that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Look at Verse 39
"And did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.’
• They did not know
• Until (it was too late)
• The flood came and took them all away!
You think you are going to escape. They were all taken away by the flood!
They did not know until it arrived.
Some went to the beach one day to swim, and a tsunami came and washed them all away!
Look at verse 40
40 "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
• One will be taken
• One will be left
Look at Verse 41
41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
• One will be taken
• One will be left
Look at Verse 44
"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
• Be ready for Jesus
• Jesus is coming at an hour you do not expect
Are you expecting the Son of Man, to return today?
Let’s look at Hebrews
Hebrews 11; 5-7
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.’
Look at Verse 5
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
• Before he was taken
• He had this testimony
• He pleased God.
What is your testimony today?
Is God pleased with you today?
Do you believe that the Jesus is coming today, for you?
Look at Verse 7
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.’
• Divinely warned of things not yet seen
• Was moved with godly fear
• He prepared an Ark
• The Ark is the Church, what part are you preparing.
• It was prepared For the saving of his household
Divine warning will prepare you for the coming of Jesus, for the separation of one man from man, and woman from woman!
The divine revelation of God tells us that there is a great separation coming, even as we sit here today God is separating the hearts of men and women. Some of you are receiving the word, and others are rejecting it. Separation goes on every day until the end.
Where do you get your information from?
Noah, through divine revelation, saw things that could not be seen any other way.
Divine revelation tells you that you have to be saved
Divine revelation tells you that you have to come into the Ark
Divine revelation tells you that the Church is the Ark of God
This book defines revelation.
Isaiah 8:20
‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’
You need to hear Jesus speaking to you
In the midst of your struggles, you need to hear Him.
You need to check it out in this book to make sure you are not off the wall.
God did not spare the ancient world, what makes us any different?
2 Peter 2:4-11
‘For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;
5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;
6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;
7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked
8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) --
9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment,
10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,
11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.’
Look at Verse 9
9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment.
• The Lord Jesus knows how to separate the Godly from unjust
He knows how, He’s an expert in the ways of God and man.
Genesis 6:8-13
‘But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
10 And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
13 And God said to Noah, "the end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.’
Look at Verse 8
‘But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
• Have you found grace in the eyes of the LORD?
Look at Verse 9
9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
• Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord
• Noah walked with God
• Noah was a Just man
• Noah was perfect in His generation
Where do you stand before God today?
Psalm 33; 18-22
‘Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy,
19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.’
Divine revelation tells us that Jesus is about to return, His return is immanent!
Are you in the Ark?
Are you in the Church?
Preparing it for the salvation of your whole household
Look at Verse 21, 22
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
• Our heart shall rejoice in Jesus
• Because we have trusted in the holy name of Jesus.
22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.’
• Jesus - Let your mercy
• O LORD
• Be upon us
• Just we hope in you.
Proverbs 10:9
‘He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.’
2 Peter 2:9
‘…then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment…’
• Jesus knows where you are
• And Jesus knows how to separate between the godly and the unjust
• Jesus knows
• His knowledge is perfect
• Jesus makes no mistakes
You may ask this question. ‘if all is well and I have come into the Ark, the Church then why am I like this, why have I all these problems?’
You don’t know what I am going through? I’m pushing forty and full of struggles!
Let’s see what we can do about that!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Genesis 25:20
‘Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian.
21 Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.
23 And the LORD said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger."
Look at Verse 21
V21 Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
• Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife
How important it is for the man in the marriage to plead with the Lord for his wife!
In this case it was barrenness of the womb, but it could be for any reason.
• The LORD granted his plea
Hallelujah! The LORD granted his plea.
Do you know how to plead with LORD on behalf of your wife?
• Rebekah his wife conceived, she became fruitful.
Conception was the result.
Men, of Glen Aros and men of the Body of Christ
Do you know how to plead with the LORD for the barrenness of the body?
Will the LORD grant your plea for the Body of Christ?
Look at Verse 22
22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.
• The children struggled together within her
• She said, ‘if all is well…’
• ‘…Why am I like this?
The wife said ‘if all is well…’ then why am I like this?
Good question.
The conception has come, and the barrenness gone, but ‘why am I like this?’
Praise God she knew where to go with her question.
• She went to inquire of the LORD
Conception is a great thing, but then comes the struggle of the children!
• There is much in the womb, in the body of Christ right now.
• There will also be the struggle that comes with the growth.
• As the body of Christ brings fourth the wonders of the Lord Jesus for our generation there will be struggles.
• You will not understand them.
• You will not understand what is going on except you have the divine revelation which comes to you by pleading and enquiring of God.
• Isaac and Rebecca knew where to find the answer to their struggles and difficulties.
• They went to the LORD. Hallelujah!
• Where do you go in your difficulties?
When we go to the Lord Jesus he speaks with such clarity, but oh, how often we go elsewhere.
• The LORD’S answer came with clarity.
Look at Verse 23
23 And the LORD said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”
In the days to come men women will try to understand what is going on in the body of Christ. There will be conflict of opinion.
You need to be men and women of God who have the voice of the LORD.
Decide this day to be a man or woman who will plead and enquire of the LORD Jesus for His understanding of each event that will surely come!
The one event we can all be assured of is the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a day that will be!
• In the mean time plead with God
• Enquire of God
• Watch unto prayer
Make sure you are in the ark of God, the Church which he has prepared for his people in this hour.
Outside you will perish
Inside you will be saved from the wrath to come.
2 Chronicles 15:7, 8
"But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!"
‘And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and he restored the altar of the LORD that was before the vestibule of the LORD.’
My question at the beginning is now pertinent.
Do you believe the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back?
Are you in the Ark the Church of God?
• Then take courage
• Remove all the abominable idols from your life and the land
• Restore the alter of the Lord Jesus in your heart
• Return to your first love
Matthew 24:44
"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
Rise to the challenge of pleading and seeking the Lord Jesus in this hour, in the hour when He is not expected?
‘By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.’
Help build the Church of God in our generation, Plead with God that her barrenness be finished, and she give birth to many sons and daughters.
Maranatha! Which means ‘the Lord is coming soon?”
Sunday 14th January 2007
‘I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, but not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.’
• Are you expecting Jesus to return today?
• Is Jesus coming back for you today?
Let’s look at:
Genesis 7:1
‘Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.’
• Come into the ark, says God
The ark today is the Church, some of you are still outside of the Ark, and you need to come inside!
Not only do you need to come into the church, but your whole household needs to come in too.
Jesus could come back today, and you could be left behind.
Those in the Ark were saved.
All outside the ark perished
When Jesus returns there will be a separation!
Make sure you are in the place safety, the Church, the Ark of God.
Do you believe Jesus is coming today?
• Too early,
• things to happen yet,
• prophecies to be fulfilled,
• People to be saved!
• Mmh!
• I have a lot of things I still want to accomplish before the end!
Well, let’s press on.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Matthew 24:36-44
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
38 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
42 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
43 "But know this that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Look at Verse 39
"And did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.’
• They did not know
• Until (it was too late)
• The flood came and took them all away!
You think you are going to escape. They were all taken away by the flood!
They did not know until it arrived.
Some went to the beach one day to swim, and a tsunami came and washed them all away!
Look at verse 40
40 "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
• One will be taken
• One will be left
Look at Verse 41
41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
• One will be taken
• One will be left
Look at Verse 44
"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
• Be ready for Jesus
• Jesus is coming at an hour you do not expect
Are you expecting the Son of Man, to return today?
Let’s look at Hebrews
Hebrews 11; 5-7
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.’
Look at Verse 5
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
• Before he was taken
• He had this testimony
• He pleased God.
What is your testimony today?
Is God pleased with you today?
Do you believe that the Jesus is coming today, for you?
Look at Verse 7
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.’
• Divinely warned of things not yet seen
• Was moved with godly fear
• He prepared an Ark
• The Ark is the Church, what part are you preparing.
• It was prepared For the saving of his household
Divine warning will prepare you for the coming of Jesus, for the separation of one man from man, and woman from woman!
The divine revelation of God tells us that there is a great separation coming, even as we sit here today God is separating the hearts of men and women. Some of you are receiving the word, and others are rejecting it. Separation goes on every day until the end.
Where do you get your information from?
Noah, through divine revelation, saw things that could not be seen any other way.
Divine revelation tells you that you have to be saved
Divine revelation tells you that you have to come into the Ark
Divine revelation tells you that the Church is the Ark of God
This book defines revelation.
Isaiah 8:20
‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’
You need to hear Jesus speaking to you
In the midst of your struggles, you need to hear Him.
You need to check it out in this book to make sure you are not off the wall.
God did not spare the ancient world, what makes us any different?
2 Peter 2:4-11
‘For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;
5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;
6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;
7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked
8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) --
9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment,
10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,
11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.’
Look at Verse 9
9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment.
• The Lord Jesus knows how to separate the Godly from unjust
He knows how, He’s an expert in the ways of God and man.
Genesis 6:8-13
‘But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
10 And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
13 And God said to Noah, "the end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.’
Look at Verse 8
‘But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
• Have you found grace in the eyes of the LORD?
Look at Verse 9
9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
• Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord
• Noah walked with God
• Noah was a Just man
• Noah was perfect in His generation
Where do you stand before God today?
Psalm 33; 18-22
‘Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy,
19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.’
Divine revelation tells us that Jesus is about to return, His return is immanent!
Are you in the Ark?
Are you in the Church?
Preparing it for the salvation of your whole household
Look at Verse 21, 22
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
• Our heart shall rejoice in Jesus
• Because we have trusted in the holy name of Jesus.
22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.’
• Jesus - Let your mercy
• O LORD
• Be upon us
• Just we hope in you.
Proverbs 10:9
‘He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.’
2 Peter 2:9
‘…then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment…’
• Jesus knows where you are
• And Jesus knows how to separate between the godly and the unjust
• Jesus knows
• His knowledge is perfect
• Jesus makes no mistakes
You may ask this question. ‘if all is well and I have come into the Ark, the Church then why am I like this, why have I all these problems?’
You don’t know what I am going through? I’m pushing forty and full of struggles!
Let’s see what we can do about that!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Genesis 25:20
‘Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian.
21 Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.
23 And the LORD said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger."
Look at Verse 21
V21 Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
• Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife
How important it is for the man in the marriage to plead with the Lord for his wife!
In this case it was barrenness of the womb, but it could be for any reason.
• The LORD granted his plea
Hallelujah! The LORD granted his plea.
Do you know how to plead with LORD on behalf of your wife?
• Rebekah his wife conceived, she became fruitful.
Conception was the result.
Men, of Glen Aros and men of the Body of Christ
Do you know how to plead with the LORD for the barrenness of the body?
Will the LORD grant your plea for the Body of Christ?
Look at Verse 22
22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.
• The children struggled together within her
• She said, ‘if all is well…’
• ‘…Why am I like this?
The wife said ‘if all is well…’ then why am I like this?
Good question.
The conception has come, and the barrenness gone, but ‘why am I like this?’
Praise God she knew where to go with her question.
• She went to inquire of the LORD
Conception is a great thing, but then comes the struggle of the children!
• There is much in the womb, in the body of Christ right now.
• There will also be the struggle that comes with the growth.
• As the body of Christ brings fourth the wonders of the Lord Jesus for our generation there will be struggles.
• You will not understand them.
• You will not understand what is going on except you have the divine revelation which comes to you by pleading and enquiring of God.
• Isaac and Rebecca knew where to find the answer to their struggles and difficulties.
• They went to the LORD. Hallelujah!
• Where do you go in your difficulties?
When we go to the Lord Jesus he speaks with such clarity, but oh, how often we go elsewhere.
• The LORD’S answer came with clarity.
Look at Verse 23
23 And the LORD said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”
In the days to come men women will try to understand what is going on in the body of Christ. There will be conflict of opinion.
You need to be men and women of God who have the voice of the LORD.
Decide this day to be a man or woman who will plead and enquire of the LORD Jesus for His understanding of each event that will surely come!
The one event we can all be assured of is the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a day that will be!
• In the mean time plead with God
• Enquire of God
• Watch unto prayer
Make sure you are in the ark of God, the Church which he has prepared for his people in this hour.
Outside you will perish
Inside you will be saved from the wrath to come.
2 Chronicles 15:7, 8
"But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!"
‘And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and he restored the altar of the LORD that was before the vestibule of the LORD.’
My question at the beginning is now pertinent.
Do you believe the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back?
Are you in the Ark the Church of God?
• Then take courage
• Remove all the abominable idols from your life and the land
• Restore the alter of the Lord Jesus in your heart
• Return to your first love
Matthew 24:44
"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
Rise to the challenge of pleading and seeking the Lord Jesus in this hour, in the hour when He is not expected?
‘By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.’
Help build the Church of God in our generation, Plead with God that her barrenness be finished, and she give birth to many sons and daughters.
Maranatha! Which means ‘the Lord is coming soon?”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)