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The Messiah’s Secret Revealed – Friends of God

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John 15: 9 – 15. Acts 10; 44 End

‘Facebook’ is a website where friendships are sought and friends are united. Some people have friendships that started at school and last a life time. Friends are those who know us and accept us for who we are.

Friends in the Bible.  We shared some of the accounts in the Bible were people had a friendship; Abraham’s friendship with God. Elijah with Elisha, Naomi and Ruth, John the Baptist and his disciples, Jesus and his disciples. etc

Whether we’re at school or in the work place, “A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.” Friendships can last a life time. In Proverbs 27: 10 it says, “Never abandon a friend . . either yours or your Father’s.”

Jesus called his disciples ‘friends,’ they believed in him, and he was teaching them to live, abiding, one with Him and putting into practice God’s love and word.

We’ve received the Spirit of love and the word through faith in Jesus.

An example of faith: The new Bank of England bank notes still have on them, “I promise to pay the bearer on demand five pounds.” With the chief cashiers name on it.

We believe the promised word on the bank-note. It comes with the knowledge that the Bank of England has the resources to cover that promise,

so when God says “Ask and you shall receive the Holy Spirit” we can have faith in God’s word, it is backed up with all of creation. 

We have the example of faith receiving the Holy Spirit through believing the word about Jesus in our Acts reading.

Gentile Cornelius and his family and friends heard about Jesus from Peter.

Peter was staying for a few days at his friend Simon’s home at Joppa by the sea-side. There he had a vision from God.

It was of a sheet with creatures on it descending from heaven.

We placed on a sheet toy animals and birds etc We then held the corners of the sheet and raised it up and down three times.

The story continued: Peter was given a word in the vision from God , “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” Peter responded, “No Lord for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” While Peter was thinking about what this meant, three men came to the door asking for him. They told him about Cornelius’ vision and Peter knew that this was in connection with his vision, so he went with them.  Cornelius in anticipation of Peter’s arrival had gathered his family and close friends.

Verse 27 “And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered; 28 and he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit any one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

The Messiah’s Secret Revealed.   During Jesus’ ministry he had bestowed on Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven/God  At Pentecost Peter with a key opened the door of the kingdom to Israel, “Men of Judea,” “Men of Israel,” Acts 2: 14, 22.   Here in Acts 10 with a key he opened the door of the kingdom to the Gentiles. 

The vision that he had from God signified the removal of the barrier of the law that forbid a Jew to associate with a Gentile.   

We are especially thankful for Peter’s ministry to the Centurion Cornelius and his family and friends. We tend to think only of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles                                                                                           

Cornelius told Peter about his vision, “Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the seaside.’ 33 So I sent to you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Peter then began to tell everyone about Jesus, “You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 44 While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

Verse 43 “To him the prophets had borne witness too that everyone who believes in him receive forgiveness of their sins through his name.” Up till them the message was to the Jews and Proselytes (Gentile converts to Judaism)  Acts 2: 10, 14, 22, 29.

Everyone who believes and turns to Jesus receives forgiveness of sin and is saved and it’s not restricted to adults, children are included.

We can have faith in God’s word because Jesus word is truth and he has faithful fulfilled his word to us.

“I do not pray for these only (disciples) but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” Jesus’ prayer John 17: 20, 21

The Trinity are One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, they are three separate persons in their own right that are united in Spirit and Word.

Jesus’ prayer was  answered  Cornelius and his family and friends had heard the word from Peter and believed on their word about him. So for us we receive through the recorded word in the Gospels the Spirit of God’s love that abiding love and word that is our oneness with Jesus and unites the friends of Jesus.

“Beloved let us love one another; for love is of God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.” 1 John 4: 1

God’s love: is the Spirit of God and his love is all-embracing.

His love constantly reaching out to seeking the lost. The Lord has given to us his love to bring the lost to faith.

  • Love that gives freedom

God’s love has no boundaries it’s free from the law kept by rules. God writes His commandments in the heart. It is abhorrent to steal, to lie, etc sometimes we do fall into sin,  John says, “If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just and Jesus will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1: 9

  • Love that is fearless

Love has no fear of death through Jesus conquering death. Many people including Christians suffer the effects of fear: they won’t leave the house, the anxiety of being in crowds, fear of rejection all kinds of fear.

Perfect love casts out fear, God’s Love disarms fear.

  • Abiding in God’s love.

God will act on his abiding  presence our oneness  with Jesus and his word. Jesus working in us, when we pray in the Spirit of God’s love, the things we ask for in prayer will come into being, materialise, like healing those fears.

God’s purpose in loving us is to share his love with our friends and part of that is like Peter telling them about Jesus.

God’s word

  • Jesus is the word of God revealed in the flesh. John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1: 1 He also wrote in his first letter, “We have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.”  1 John 1: 1                               Jesus’ is the word of God clothed in the flesh. Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.”
  • Abiding in Jesus, How do we abide? We read the scriptures and think about what it is saying to us, often the Lord will speak to us through his word, and the Holy Spirit will direct us how to act on the word.

Recently I read in Luke 8: 40 on-wards, the reading is about where the people had to wait for Jesus and as soon as he arrived Jairus asked Jesus to go with him and heal his seriously ill daughter, then a lady caused a delay, she had touched his garment and Jesus wanted to know who had touched him? The news came that Jairus’ daughter had died. But Jesus went just the same and he raised the little girl from the dead. What Jesus was saying to me through this word was about time management    I needed to re-organise my time, to have one day, ‘not preparing’ for the next days’ tasks, and it’s worked..

In our friendship with God our Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit we have the assurance of belonging to the family of  God.

John wrote at the end of his third letter, “Peace be to you, the friends greet you, greet the friends, every one of them.

 Prayer

Lord we pray for your perfect love, releasing anyone here this morning from any aspect of fear. And for anyone who needs assurance that they belong to Jesus in Spirit one with Him. We ask that they would receive assurance. In Jesus’ name Amen

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Everlasting Peace

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Ladies Fellowship 18th April 2018

In the 1990’s leading up to the year 2000, we didn’t seem to think beyond that date. Today our world community of nations feels much smaller and closer that its’ ever been.

There are a number of different views on the scriptures concerning the second coming of Jesus, this view I’ve never looked at before. The everlasting peace agreement that God has promised Israel will be fulfilled after the Millennium battle when Satan is finally defeated.

Every one should have received two maps: the first one covers the nations that are mentioned in our reading Ezekiel 38: 1-6 and a sheet with the verses of scripture.

Ezekiel Chapters 38 & 39 were the last of 6 messages given to Ezekiel during the night. Ezekiel’s messages were to give assurance to the Israeli’s that God would remove the invaders from their land, and he will enter into a peace covenant with them.

Since 1948 Jewish people from across the world have gone to live in Israel.   Ezekiel 36: 24  In our generation we can relate to this scripture as this event takes place after the people of Israel have been gathered into their own land.                                                                                                     .

Ezekiel 38 & 39 has a double fulfilment of this prophecy

Firstly it takes place at the end of the tribulation period and the beginning of the Millennium where the Messiah’s coming with his armies defeats the beast  ‘Antichrist’and his armies Revelation 19: 19 “”And I saw a beast and the Kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who sits upon the horse and against his army, and the beast was captured and with it the false prophet.”

Secondly towards the end of the Millennium period after Satan will be released for a period of time and the final battle takes place against Gog Satan and Magog Revelation 20: 8.

A double prophecy: 2 events.

Jesus tells us “So when you see standing in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation spoken of through the prophet Daniel let the reader understand.” Matthew 24: 15.

Today we may well be in the end times  The words of Jesus tell us that in the last days we can identify Gog from where he comes from in the world and his allies, not all of the nations (world) are involved.                                                                   

Reading is on the sheet, you will see in bold today’s location, it’s found on the map. Ezekiel 38: 1-6  “The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog a ruler of, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of[a] Meshek and Tubal cities in Turkey.  prophesy against him 3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of[b] Meshek and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.5 Persia- Iran, Cush – Sudan or Etheopia and Put – Libya will be with them, all with shields and helmets,6 also Gomer- Turkey with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah – Turkey or Southern Russia from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.” (various theories on the location of some of these place names)Ezekiel_38_map

Gog the antichrist will reflect the spiritual nature of the evil one:  lies, accusations, manipulation, deception and is the enemy of God and humanity.

 Israel’s disobedience God allows Gog to invade Israel.

Verse 10 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme.    After 52 years of Israeli’s living with the Palestinians to solve a huge problem of national security, the constant suicide bombings and threats of invasion. Israel’s leaders decided to build a wall in year 2000 Now a 436 mile long wall that runs through the centre of Israel and around Jerusalem

See map

The wall is the largest construction project ever undertaken by the nation, The leaders of Israel promised that the wall would bring  peace.  But it’s not a peace agreement that enables Israel to dismantle the wall they have built. It is God in his fury that will bring this about, His judgement on his people. God will use Gog to do this!   

Why does he do this?  Israel’s  trust is in a wall  

Therefore, it is unwise to predict a time of everlasting peace for Israel that will see them dismantle the wall through the country, but God will destroy it.

 God will show his sovereignty over Israel     

“Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? 15 You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.” Ezekiel 38: 14, 15.                                

Where Israeli’s are unsuspecting and confident in their safety and security, while in reality a false perception. The Hebrew word “betach” as well as meaning safety, can mean having a false sense of security.                                 

Gog will attack Israel when they least expect it.

 “ . . shall quake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the cliffs will fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground.” Ezekiel 38: 20

The wall falls God has allowed this invasion by Gog and his allies to remove the wall that has divided his land.   God shows His sovereignty over the beast Gog and his allies are defeated.   

“So when you see standing in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation spoken of through the prophet Daniel let the reader understand.” Matthew 24: 15.                 

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 2 Thessalonians 2: 3.

“ He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:  4 .

Rev 17:12 –14. 19: 11-16. Jesus and the armies of heaven defeat Gog the beast. Jesus will come with his heavenly armies and with him his church defeat the beast and his allies. The aftermath, the burial that takes 7 months and the destruction of Gog’s weapons takes 7 years,

”From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.” Rev 19: 15.

“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potters’ vessel.” Psalm 2:8

 The Messiah rules the nations for 1,000 years.

After the tribulation battle, Satan will be bound during the Millennium period. Revelation 21: 1

“So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 38: 23

The final battle against Satan Gog

 Revelation 20: 7, 8.  “When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle; they are as numerous as the sands of the sea. 9 They marched up over the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city.

Clearly John identifies Gog and Magog with Satan and this battle that takes place at Jerusalem.                                                                                                                       

Ezekiel 38: 11 “You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars.”

At the end of the Tribulation period, the wall has gone, so there are no walls around the towns and cities in the Millennium period. It will be an ideal situation for Satan to attack Jerusalem. All the nations of the earth will come against Jerusalem, there’s no mention of a group of kings. Zachariah 14: 2.

The final battle will brings peace an everlasting peace to Israel

God will not leave any Israeli to live among the nations any more, “God says, “I will not let my name be profaned any more; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.” Ezekiel 39: 7.

God will show his sovereignty over Israel. 

“Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God . . . . I will leave none of them among the nations any more; and I will not hide my face any more from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 39:22.

The Millennium nations will be present to observe the destruction of Gog. before the Judgement takes place at the White  Throne.

We thank the Lord our God for the everlasting peace that he has promised will be fulfilled.

Studies: ‘Weekly World Watch’ Andy Walton

‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander.

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The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the First Fruit of the Resurrection

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John 20: 1-9.

The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgins womb and an empty tomb. Jesus entered our world through a door marked ‘No Entrance’ and left through a door marked ‘No Exit’.

The resurrection isn’t part of human expectation. Mary Magdalene finding the stone rolled away was for the benefit of the disciples to see that Jesus had been bodily resurrected.

Mary’s immediate re-action ‘where is his body?’ In a state of shock she ran to the house where the disciples where gathered and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have laid him!” The disciples in Mark’s Gospel were recorded as not believing that he was resurrected,  Luke’s Gospel the disciples thought her words were an ‘idle tale, and they did not believe them.” Mark 16: 13. Luke 24: 11.

Mary and the disciples were having their concept of the resurrection challenged.

The Pharisees believed that the resurrection would take place, on the last day, when the Christ comes.                                                                                                  

Job in his suffering said, “I know that my redeemer lives and at last he will stand upon the earth and after my skin is destroyed then from my flesh shall I see God.” Job 19: 25, 26. Daniel 12:2. Isaiah 26: 19.

Jesus taught that the resurrection would take place on the last day.  John 6: 40. “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life: and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Journey to Heaven by Leila, Leah Bronner

A retired Lecturer on Biblical Studies  quoting from Isaiah 37: 5.  “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to those bones: I will make breath enter into you and you will come to life.”    She  states that, “This imagery is more than a metaphor for the revival of the collective body, it is a graphic depiction of physical resurrection.”

It was more than a resurrection of people returning to their home land. It was speaking of a bodily resurrection.

God challenged the beliefs of the chief priest a Sadducee and the Pharisees. The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection and the Pharisees did believe in the resurrection, but on the last day.

As a result they came before Pilate and said, while he was still alive said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’   They had heard Jesus say, that he would be like Jonah  and rise from the dead after three days. Matthew 12: 40

So they asked Pilate for the tomb to be made secure until after the third day. Pilate accommodated their request sending a guard of soldiers and setting a seal on the stone. Matthew 27: 62-66.

Jesus challenges Christians today on our belief in his resurrection.   Reported by the Telegraph Newspaper BBC Poll taken on Palm Sunday 2017 found 23% of those who call themselves Christians don’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

Among Christians who regularly attend church 57% believe in the resurrection. 9% on non religious people believe in the resurrection.

Comments from the Bishop of Manchester

“This important and welcome survey proves that many British people, despite not being regular churchgoers, hold core Christian beliefs.  Alongside them it finds surprisingly high levels of religious belief among those who follow no specific religion, often erroneously referred to as secularists or atheists.   

The resurrection is essential to the Christian faith. Without the resurrection we are dead in our sins.   

In our reading it took several minutes for Mary Magdalene’s  message to sink in, then Peter and John ran to the tomb to investigate and found it just as Mary had said. Later that day Peter we are told saw the risen Jesus.

John went in and discerned that Jesus was risen from the dead even though he didn’t know the scriptures. The disciples had heard Jesus say that he would be killed and rise on the third day they couldn’t grasp what he was saying and they didn’t question him about it. Luke 9: 45.

John had the assurance that Jesus was risen, maybe Martha shared with John about her conversation with Jesus after the death of Lazarus and those words became real to him.

Jesus had said to Martha, “Your brother will rise again.” She replied, “I know that he will rise at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life, those who believe in me, though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives in me shall never die.” Martha said, “Yes Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” John 11: 24-27.

Her mind set, the resurrection on the last day.

Jesus, however, was saying something to Martha that she didn’t understand   “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Jesus the first fruit of the resurrection.  

Jesus the source of eternal life for all humanity, He has defeated death, dealt with sin, He is resurrected into eternal life, so that all who believe in Him will be resurrected.  

Paul wrote first Corinthian letter, “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruit of those who sleep. When the earthquake struck some of the graves in Jerusalem were opened and after Jesus was resurrected the saints were raised from their graves and went and witnessed in the city.  Matthew 27: 52, 53.

Jesus said, “Those who believe in me, though they die, yet shall they live.”

Two aspects of the resurrection – The Spiritual resurrection and the bodily resurrection.

The spiritual resurrection – Martha didn’t have to wait till the last day to receive eternal life. For anyone today whose faith in Jesus, through repentance their sins are forgiven enter into a relationship  with God in a personal way, and live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Baptised into Jesus’ death and raised up in his resurrection. Both can be experienced in the Spirit at different times.  

The Bodily resurrection –  What the Jewish people didn’t realise that Jesus had to die and be resurrected so that the rest of humanity could be resurrected into his resurrection.                                                                                                

Jesus calls out his church

 In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians: he writes that those who are alive and those who have died, together we meet the Lord in the air. God will gather a person’s ashes that have been scattered, it’s impossible to destroy matter.  God will unite those who have died in Christ with their resurrected spiritual body, and those who are alive their bodies will be transformed into their resurrected body.1 Thessalonians 4: 13- 18    

“And whoever lives in me shall never die.”    After being called out Christians go before the Judgement Seat of Jesus not for judgement, but for rewards. 1 Corinthians 3:  12-15.  2 Corinthians 5: 10.

The resurrection on the last day, Revelation 20: 11 – 15 reveals that it’s at the ‘White Throne’ where the opening of the books and judgement takes place. The Christians who have come to faith after Jesus has called out his church will be raised up into Jesus’ resurrection fulfilling his words that I read in John 6: 40 Everyone who believes in him,  Jesus will raise up on the last day.

God has become one of us  in order to give us eternal life now in the present and to be risen with Christ.  Also to have a resurrected eternal body.

Thank you, Jesus

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Cleopas and the unnamed disciple entered into the New Covenant

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Easter Evening Service

Psalm 105. Exodus 37: 1-14. Luke 24: 13 – 25

Someone said to Joseph of Arimathea, “That was such a beautiful, costly hand-hewn tomb, Why did you give it to someone else to be interred in?  ‘Oh’ said Joseph, “He only needed it for the weekend.

That weekend must have seemed a lot longer to those disciples gathered at the house in Jerusalem.

Cleopas in conversation with the stranger recounted what the women had reported that when they reached the tomb, they found that the stone had been rolled away and there they had seen a vision of angels telling them that Jesus was alive. 

Here the disciples were slow of heart, they did not see the truth revealed straight away.  It took several minutes for their message to sink in, then Peter and John ran to the tomb to investigate.

Cleopas said to the stranger on the road to Emmaus,  was present at the house that Peter and John returned and reported what they had seen the empty tomb, but they had not seen Jesus, after hearing this Cleopas and the other disciple left the house for Emmaus.

From the recorded conversation with the stranger their faith in Jesus was devastated and this maybe had caused them to leave the house and their fellow disciples.

Their faith was hanging by a thread, even though for three years Jesus had prepared them through his teaching to have faith in his words, John 14: 18  “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also.”

Jesus the stranger journeyed with them, as they talked along the way, in response to their conversation Jesus said that they were ‘Slow of heart’

The prophesies in the scriptures he used pointed to their fulfilment in his suffering, death and resurrection, the New Covenant which he established at the Passover Meal.

The Lord revealed to me yesterday, they must have been at the Passover Meal, because they recognised him when he broke the bread. Their eyes were opened at the breaking of the bread and they entered into the New Covenant.

I realise that the gospel writers are specific when they wrote that the 12 disciples are present at the Passover meal, but the other followers are rarely mentioned but were often there with him. When Jesus was arrested  and the disciples were scattered.  “A young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him, but he left his linen cloth and ran away naked.” Mark 14: 51, 52.

It would seem likely that they were present at the Passover Meal as they were there when the women came and told the disciples that Jesus was risen. “Some of those  who were with us went to the tomb.” Luke 24: 24.

In the upper room Cleopas and the other disciple maybe sat listening to Jesus and watched him, “And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, ”Take this, and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”   And he took the bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”   And likewise the cup after supper saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22: 17 – 20.

Jesus’ blood in the New Covenant shed on the cross to redeem the sins of the world, the Passover Lamb’s blood brushed on the door posts and lintels of Cleopas and the other disciple’s hearts, and all those who believe and follow him.

The unleavened bread, bread made without yeast, (the yeast representing sin,) this bread, the  body and blood of Jesus pure and sinless.  ‘Eat and drink in remembrance’ until he returns.

Jesus fulfilled those words found in the Jeremiah covenant, “They shall know the Lord, for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest and I shall not remember their sin anymore.” Jeremiah 31: 34. Hebrews 8: 11

Their eyes were opened at the breaking of the bread they had entered into the New Covenant.

John 14: 20 – 22  Before they left the upper room Jesus spoke to them  interpreting the prophecy of the covenant given to Jeremiah.    20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

The commandment he gave was to love one another, love and forgiveness in the same breath, the father had forgiven the prodigal son before he saw him, he was waiting for his son to turn and love him. The sacrifice has been made, a person has only to turn to Jesus to receive the forgiveness of their sin, as greater love has laid down his life for all humanity.

 That day Cleopas and the other disciple entered into the new covenant to know the actual presence of God not in place in the temple, not meeting God between the Cherubim on the ark of the covenant,  but meeting together with the Father and His Son Jesus within their being.

Cleopas may have been the husband to Mary’s sister who supported Mary the mother of Jesus at the cross. Although the spelling is slightly different. John 19: 25.

They may have been the least well known among his followers, the second disciples name not even recorded by Luke, but they were prepared to follow him, even though they knew that he was unpopular with the Jewish council.

Millions of Christians like myself can identify with the unnamed disciple, but we know that Jesus has found us and made himself known to us and we have entered into the New Covenant.

Why didn’t they go to investigate the reports from the women?

Maybe it was because they felt the least among the followers that they didn’t go to the tomb, but their love and faith in Jesus was all they needed to enter into the new covenant promise.

As we gathered this Easter morning to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, the act of receiving the bread and the wine was very special, It was a moment I shall always cherish. Thank you Jesus.

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Crisis of Faith – The Risk God took of Jesus not going to the Cross

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Good Friday –  Hour at the Cross

‘The risk God took of Jesus not going to the cross.’ (Part 1 of 3 )

There was a crisis of faith going on in Jerusalem, the leaders and people expected the Christ Messiah to bring in a day of wrath. God’s judgement on sin.

Jesus knew this: Luke 12: 49, 50. “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!”

The fire of judgement would not happen until after the Baptism of his death, but the people had been taught from the law that when the Christ came he would live for ever, and so the disciples believed this. John 12: 34

When Jesus said that he would be killed at Jerusalem and be raised on the third day. Peter rebuked Jesus, “God forbid Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Peter had been taught that the Christ, the Messiah would not come and die, but that he would remain for ever. Matthew 16: 22

God had hidden his suffering and death from the leaders and people so that Jesus would be the final sacrifice for sin.

God had given Caiaphas, the Chief priest a  prophecy, “One man would die so that the nation would not perish,” Caiaphas was the head man of the council. John wrote that Jesus should die for the nation. But Caiaphas did not believe in the resurrection, he was a Sadducee. John 11: 47-53

So from that day on they took council how to put him to death.

So it was God’s will that Jesus should die at their hands to fulfil the Jewish Law given to Moses by God. Only they were ignorant of the reason behind it. Acts 3: 17. 13: 27

Cleopas and the other disciple were devastated they too had been taught that when the Christ came he would live forever, “We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel.” Luke 24: 21.

The crisis in the Garden of Gethsemane was the greatest risk

But God’s faith in Jesus his Son was upheld, Jesus wrestled with his thoughts about not to go to the cross, he prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” We read that he could have asked God to send 12,000 legions of angels to his aid.  Matthew 26: 39, 53 RSV Bible

But would God have responded if he had asked? That would have been a crisis of faith for God.

Jesus spoke to those following him as he made his way to Calvary. He said, “Daughters of Jerusalem don’t weep for me,” He went on to indicate the future suffering of the nation. He was the offshoot of the stump of Jesse the tree that had been felled, the dry tree, and he was the green tree with new life. He was to redeem them from the curse put on tree of death and punishment, the cross. Luke 23: 28-31. Isaiah 11: 1

Another high risk was when Pilate asked the crowd to decide who should be set free Barabbas or Jesus. They freed Barabbas. Luke 23: 18

The real freedom from punishment of sin came through Jesus going to the cross 

The risk at the cross

On the cross we understand Jesus was separated from God when he cried out, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” this is where Satan was sifting him like wheat to find sin in him,  to accuse him before Father God, in order to reject his blood having the power to cleanse humanity and the whole creation. Matthew 27: 46. John 12: 24. Luke 22: 31.

After his death the soldiers could have broken his legs, that would have broken the chain of prophesies fulfilled on that day. Dake’s Atonement Study Bible 55 prophesies had been fulfilled which was 36 trillion to 1 (more than one prophecy in a verse)

God’s plan of redemption through Jesus laying down his life, dying on the cross for the sins of the world Satan could find no sin in Jesus, he was defeated and disarmed. Jesus completed his calling, God the Father of Jesus raised Jesus from the dead.

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Palm Sunday – Jesus the Servant King

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Philippians 2: 5 – 11.  John 12: 12 – 19.

Hopes and dreams

The visual aid is from the Easter experience that took place in here last week, ‘Hopes and Dreams’ was their theme for Palm Sunday.

Martin Luther Jr “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

In 1964, 65, 68 the end of discrimination through the Civil Rights Acts.

We understand that the people in Jesus day were hoping and dreaming of the day when God would sent the Saviour, a descendent of King David who would come and set up God’s kingdom on the earth. The term used by the Jewish people Acts 3: 19 ‘The Times of Refreshing’ the re-establishing of the throne and land of King David.

There were two aspects of David the son of Jesse life that was fulfilled in Jesus.

Jesus the Shepherd King

Jesus included in his mission his disciples, it was to take the good news of the coming kingdom to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Matthew 10. 5, 6 records Jesus sending his disciples out with the good news of the coming kingdom, he told them to, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.”

Isaiah wrote of the Saviour, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40: 11

Jesus willed to do his Father God’s will, he had a servants heart, nothing was too much trouble for him, The Centurion sent Jewish elders to Jesus to pray for his servant who was poorly, the elders explained to Jesus that the Centurion had supported the Jews. Jesus responded and went with the elders and as they drew near to the Centurion’s house. The Centurion sent word to him not to come but just say the word and he’ll be healed. Jesus commended him for his great faith.

And in our reading John 12: 17, 18 after he raised Lazarus from the dead, as a result these witnesses recognised that Jesus was the Messiah, God’s Anointed One, their redeemer and Saviour and they told others and they came and  stood on the roadside rejoicing, waving their palm branches. They shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” The Hebrew word  for hosanna ‘‘Hashanah’ meaning ‘Save now’.

Zechariah’s prophecy fulfilled in Jesus, in his humanity the shepherd King, riding into Jerusalem on the ass’s colt.

Visual Aid – The shepherds ministry placed on the road by some of the congregation. Pictures and words of some the healing, miracles and encounters with people that took place during Jesus ministry.

Part 2

 Billy Graham said, “Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has. Out of pain and problems have come the sweetest songs and the most gripping stories.”

The other aspect of King David’ life was that of A WARRIOR KING

David the shepherd had courage to face Goliath, for us Goliath can be a fear, a worry, and we need courage to do the right thing, courage to face the future. Goliath is like the thief that comes only to steal and kill and destroy; Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10: 11

God sent Jesus into the world to redeem us from evil one. The battle was a spiritual one, but he had to do it from our perspective in human form.  He defeated the devil that held the power of death over humanity.

Hebrews 2: 14 “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.”

 Jesus won this victory as we know on the cross, his bloodshed for the sins of the whole world and universe. In his ascension the proof of his victory he entered heaven to a tumultuous welcome.

Psalm 24: 7-10

“Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty, he is the King of glory.

Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi declared: “Jesus’ name, highly exalted  is above all names, that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

On the Easter experience the children were asked what were their hopes and dreams and to “Try to think of something you would like to happen – something really important for you, your family, or the world.”

This morning what are our hopes and dreams, our expectation as a result of our faith in Jesus?

In January the Lord gave me a picture of two rivers one river represented the world, the other represented the river flowing from God.

The scripture I found in Isaiah 8: 6-8. Judah had rejected the rule of God, the rule of God was described as the waters of Shiloh that flow gently. The Lord would bring the waters of the ‘Euphrates the King of Assyria and it would rise and overflow into the river Shiloh and cover Judah. Isaiah’ prophecy came true in 722BC the Assyrian Empire conquered Israel.

In my picture the two rivers were separated by rock. The rock stopped the huge river from overflowing into the other river.

The river of the world was flowing at great speed and volume, with dangerous currents, swirling and consuming everything in its path. This river polluted by the world tipping its pollution into it. Whoever drinks from this river will thirst again. It can’t quench a person’s thirst.

The river from God flowing fast but calm and clear, this water is living water, pure and good to taste, refreshing and quenching the thirst.

Jesus the rock

We have been given strength to witness to the world because we are standing on the rock in Jesu’s victory over the god of this world, and through our faith in Jesus we have the courage to stand for Jesus.

Another person shared his hopes and dreams.

God’s expectation of us – To fulfil the commission Matthew 28: 19, 20   “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We’re called to go and tell people the story about Jesus the shepherd and warrior King, to receive by faith in Jesus, God’s mercy in forgiveness of sins and to receive all the benefits of what Jesus has blessed us with: an abundant life, with the promise, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus is with us always, he lives within us, and his presence gives us hopes and dreams:

( added afterwards –  Further study revealed that the river Shiloh was in association with David’s calm peaceful reign and the river Shiloh originally a stream and it was channelled via an aqueduct to the Pool of Siloam. From this water the priest took water at the Feast of Tabernacles to be poured at the base of the altar in the Temple at Jerusalem.

On the last day of the ‘Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink, out of them shall flow rivers of living water.” John continued to identify the river as the Holy Spirit who came into the world when Jesus was glorified, the Holy Spirit being poured into the hearts of those who believe in Jesus. John 7: 37-39. Acts 2: 17. Joel 2:28.

What the picture signifies when we come to faith in Jesus the world has no dominion over us, Jesus has redeemed us called us by our name, and we belong to God. We are separated from the world. God’s Spirit confirms the existence of God, but the spirit of the world denies the existence of God, so the two don’t mix.

The Israelite was separated from the worship of other gods, as they are today.

The church has been washed by the water of the word, Jesus. We are cleansed from the spirit of the world. We are reminded Jesus prayed for his disciples saying that while they were in the world, but not spiritually part of the world. 

The rock is Christ.

Psalm 89 : 26 “He will cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God and the rock of my Salvation.”

Salvation means being saved by faith in Jesus.

Paul writing to the Corinthians pointed to Jesus being the rock.

1 Corinthians 10: 4 “Moses drank from the rock Jesus.” Numbers 20: 11.

Double meaning: In the book of Numbers the Israelite’s needed water Moses was told by God to strike the rock with the rod, he did and water came out of the rock, a miracle. The water saved the people, the water in reference to Jesus: He gives us life giving eternal water, the Holy Spirit.

Soon after in the Exodus the Israelites 600,000 people crossed the Red Sea into the Shur Desert they ran out of water. They found a pool, but the water was undrinkable it was bitter. The people cried out in anger to Moses, he prayed to the Lord, God told him to throw a tree that lay beside the pool into the water, as a result the water became sweet drinkable.  The cross was in the foreknowledge of God. Acts 2: 17. It’s there in the scriptures in Exodus 15: 25-28

The bitter water represents sin, the tree – Jesus’ cross bearing our sin and the sweet water forgiveness of sin and the giving of the Holy Spirit.

To me it’s a powerful prophecy that was a real life situation of life over death. God in action.

Jesus the rock: we say ‘as solid as a rock, Jesus is the rock of our salvation, it speaks of our salvation being permanent, immoveable.

It’s the house built on the rock that’s stable, everlasting.

(End of added material)

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Mothering Sunday – Moses in the Bulrushes

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Moses in the bulrushes.     Exodus 2: 1- 10. Luke 2: 33 – 35

Faith, hope and love

This true story about Moses in the bulrushes is a fantastic account of living by faith.

In those days the Hebrew people lived by faith in the God of Israel, from the time of Abraham up to Moses.

Martin Luther King Jr said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Corrie Ten Boom wrote, “Faith is the radar that sees through the fog.”

Levi Amram and Jochebed his wife had faith in God’s plans and purposes for their baby son even though Pharaoh had decreed that Hebrew baby boys to be disposed of in the Nile.

Now their son was three months old it must have been harder to hide him as babies cry when they’re hungry,

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews writes that they were not afraid of Pharaoh’s decree.

 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the King’s edict.” Hebrews 11: 23.

They sought God’s help to save their son’s life.

They believed and expected that the God of Israel could change their sons circumstances.

That’s true for us when our faith leads us to pray and expect God to act on our situations.

William Barclay writes: When we pray, remember:

  1. The love of God wants the best for us.
  2. The wisdom of God that knows what is best for us.
  3. The power of God that can accomplish it.

Answered prayer leads to action.

Through their faith Moses parents were inspired to either make or find a basket that they could adapt to float on the waters of the Nile.

visual aid – A lady playing the part of Jochebed placed the baby in the basket and left him on our river scene in the bulrushes.

How hard it must have been for Jochebed his mother to let go of that basket.

Even when our children are older it’s hard to let go, when our girls left home to go to University it really came as a surprise how hard it was to let them go.

And last month our youngest daughter emigrated to Australia. This week we attended a leaving party for our nephew who has gone to Australia. We are trusting that Father God will take care of them, so we let go.

The baby not alone 

He was surrounded by God’s creatures. The children brought  forward and placed on the scene: ducks, mother hen and her chicks, birds WP_20180310_14_17_10_Pro

Hope

C S Lewis wrote, “”If you read history you find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next.”

Our hope rests on God being able to let go when Jesus was born into this world, God in his foreknowledge knowing he would suffer.

In our Gospel reading Simeon’s word to Mary the mother of Jesus, “Behold, (take notice) this child is set for fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against and a sword will pierce through your own soul also that the thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”

Being forewarned by God of the events during Jesus’ life that would cause them to worry about him.

Joseph had a dream

God spoke to Joseph in a dream, he was forewarned to take the young child and his mother to Egypt to escape Herod’s plan of slaying children under 2 years.

Joseph and Mary thought they had lost Jesus.

It’s really an anxious time when your child gets separated from you, while out shopping, so we can feel for Joseph and Mary when. at the age of twelve Jesus went missing and they found him totally unaware of time in the Temple at Jerusalem discussing the scriptures with the teachers listening to them and asking questions. Luke 12: 41-51.

We have incidents to go through with our children that may concern us, but acting on our faith we can put them into the hands of the Lord and rest in the hope that God has the whole picture present and future.

Miriam  the sister of Moses maybe knew about the plan or she saw her mother carry the basket to the river Nile, she watched closely as she waited to see in whose hands he would fall. Perhaps they hoped that the daughter of Pharaoh would come and bathe there.WP_20180310_14_21_44_Pro

The daughter of Pharaoh came down to the river Nile to bathe and she saw the basket and sent her maid to fetch it to her. Opening the basket she heard the babies cry and took pity on him.  The Daughter of Pharaoh named him Moses “Because I drew him from the water”.

Miriam’s hope for her mum that she would look after him , so she recommended to the daughter of Pharaoh that a Hebrew nurse could look after him.

Our Hope is that God is faithful that He will complete what He has begun.

How blessed Jochebed was to have her son in her arms safe and well.

Visual Aid – Baby Moses taken out of basket and given to Jochebed

LOVE

God is love,

How can God love so many of us personally all at once?                            

When someone challenged Galileo to explain how God could be so powerful and yet care for every person, he replied; “The sun, with all those planets revolving around it, are dependent upon it, and it can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if, it had nothing else in the universe to do.”

When I became a Christian I gave our two children to the lord for His hand upon their lives. They have heard the message of the cross and they have responded to it, then when they left home they were free to do their own thing. I had to let go and leave it to the Lord. I have since found that God allows our children to go their own way in order to find God for themselves.

Moses left Egypt

Moses always knew his true identity his mother told him, it was many years later when God intervened in his life to reveal himself to him, and so he fulfilled God’s plan and purpose for his life. Under his leadership the Hebrew people became a nation.

Our eldest daughter she came to a living faith through attending Kay Street Alpha Course. Her faith took on substance, head knowledge became heart knowledge

Our youngest daughter  I’m still praying for her, I believe it will happen one day.

Two years ago my sister’s son called her from Australia and told her that he had accepted Jesus as his Saviour and he recalled the holidays at Holly Bush Christian Camp when he heard and saw people come to faith.  Now he knew it for himself.

God’s Love will never let us go, his love fills the empty space within us that only God can fill.

Faith Hope and Love

Faith in God is where God takes his child by the hand and leads us to hope for the future. Hope reveals a plan of action, where we walk with the Lord following him and all is bound together in love.

Children give out the love gift of flowers.

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Lent Course – Faith in Crisis

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Psalm 73.   Luke 24: 36 – 49

Prayer – Lord may your word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, in Jesus’ name.

Is there a crisis of faith in the UK today?

Many would say “Yes” there is.” The media reflect the changes going on in society.

Ecclesiastes 1:9    “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”

The Psalmist recorded the crisis of faith in Judah; the doubts and fears that brought about the invasion of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon. King Zedekiak had turned away from the God of Israel, even the priests were unfaithful. 2 Kings 25: 8-17.2 Chronicles 36: 19, 20.

As I see it the church is changing, not changing the ‘Good News Message’ about Jesus. But the buildings are changing, even here at St Mary’s we undertook a refurbishment of our building in 2006. Through the events I’ve attended over recent years, I hear Christians are using rented community buildings and I’ve been to meetings in brand new churches but they’re not built in the traditional style with high vaulted ceilings, but instead having a worship area with much lower ceiling, comfy chairs and with several  rooms to accommodate extra activities.

The most important fact is that our bodies are the temple of the living God, The Trinity of God’s presence dwelling within the Christian and not in purpose built buildings.

God’s purpose for calling us is to  walk by faith by having a relationship with the Lord.  To trust God and to be dependent upon him as we serve in the body of Christ

In our Gospel reading the ‘Crisis of Faith’ lasted just over three days from the time of Jesus arrest on the evening or beginning of the Day of Preparation to the  day of Jesus’ resurrection. Luke 24: 21.

The disciples had fled when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, they were in fear of being arrested, and after the crucifixion, they gathered together at the house in Jerusalem.

This was a time of great anxiety and stress

On Friday 16th February I attended a Seminar on “Anxiety and Stress” the speaker was Dr Stephen Critchlow he said, “When stress levels rise, it causes a person withdraw from other people.” We can see that Cleopas and the other disciple in their stress left for Emmaus in the early evening.  But the eleven had stayed together in the house at Jerusalem.

All the disciples and followers were in fear of being rounded up as one of his followers by the Romans. This must have been on their minds as they gathered together in the house. How traumatic it must have been to see Jesus beaten and crucified. They probably felt let down by him. Jesus had been popular among the ordinary people, many had wanted to make him their king. But now their relationship with Jesus was broken.

But on this occasion God had allowed the broken relationship between Jesus’ and the disciples to fulfil His purposes.

The Messiah’s Secret Revealed

Before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion God had hidden from the disciples understanding the scriptures that Jesus had to die, be resurrected and ascend into heaven before the Holy Spirit could come into the world.

Even though Jesus had told them he would die and rise on the third day they couldn’t grasp it. Luke 18: 34.

Here in verse 45 we read he opened their minds to understand the scriptures concerning his death and resurrection, but they had to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit in power at Pentecost before they went out with the news of his resurrection.

Relationships are important to God,

The Bible is all about relationships with God: Abraham’s relationship meant that God’s promises to him are still being answered today. Through Abraham, Moses, Jacob and King David and finally through Jesus the nations of the world are being blessed continually.

For Christians in our personal relationship with God our Father, “If God is your co-pilot swap seats,” Let God take control of your life. “Be patient with others as God has been patient with you,” “Give your troubles to God, He’s up all night anyway.”

For any person who has had a traumatic event in a their life, it can lead to cause mental illness as flash backs bring the circumstances continually back into focus, and with it: hurt, and bitterness. Unless we can truly forgive ourselves and those who have maligned us in some way, these flashbacks will continue to over many years.

Many of the soldiers in both world wars and more recently in Afghanistan have experienced the affects of the trauma of war.

Healing through Jesus’ ministry to us.

The Lord showed me in Luke 24 Jesus’ ministry to his disciples where he walked back in time to the events of the trauma:

When the stranger came along side of Cleopas and the other disciple, he indicated that he did not know what had taken place in Jerusalem, so they poured out with him the events they had witnessed; Jesus being delivered up to be condemned to death by their leaders and they handed him over to Pilate and he declared, “We had hoped that he was the one that would redeem Israel.”

Jesus walking back with the two disciples through their trauma  healing took place as he opened up the scriptures, their hearts burned within them. and later their eyes were opened they realised the stranger was Jesus.

The disciples and followers faith in crisis only lasted a short time. Jesus first healed the broken relationship between him, God and all of his disciples.

On the day of resurrection Peter had seen Jesus, so had some of the women, as they were talking in the house Cleopas and the other disciple joined the eleven disciples.  Jesus appeared in the room, they wondered if he was in a spirit form.  He asked them to touch his body, see my hands and feet that would reveal the marks of the nails. It is noticeable that only the flesh and bones are mentioned.

We spiritually discern that there is no blood, red blood cells in his risen body. His blood was poured out at the cross for the forgiveness of the sin of Israelis and for the people of the world.

The invisible God made visible when Jesus was resurrected.

The Incarnation is where Jesus the invisible God was born into this world God becoming visible. Jesus in his resurrection, he is the invisible God made visible. 

All those present rejoiced when they realised it was Jesus.

Jesus’ ministry is to heal the broken-hearted and to give sight to the blind and it’s the churches ministry today. Jesus’ ministry to all his disciples, he healed their broken hearts. Isaiah 61: 1, 2.

Let Jesus walk back to the point of trauma in your own life and ask in prayer for the Lord’s healing touch, through true forgiveness of those who have been involved at the time and confessing our part in it and asking Jesus’ forgiveness for ourselves and any others involved.

Heavenly Father,

We come before you remembering the trauma that we have experienced, we ask you to walk back with us and for your healing touch as we have heard where you healed your disciples of their trauma. In repentance and faith we ask for forgiveness where we have been hurt by others and were we have had a part in it. We ask for your forgiveness and we forgive those who have sinned against us. Fill us now afresh with your Holy Spirit, In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Prayer Leads to Action

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Luke 6: 12 – 16. Ephesians 6: 18-20.

What qualities and skills do you think Jesus would be looking for in a disciple?

Some of the points people made: Qualities: commitment, honesty, spiritual integrity, faith in Jesus, faith in God.  Skills: good communicators, boatmen for transport, Matthew the Tax Collector for finances, we know Judas looked after the money-box. Help to manage the crowds around Jesus.

The most important:

  • that they had faith in Jesus.

In John’s gospel from the discussions that took place between Andrew and Simon Peter and Philip and Nathaniel we find that they had come to a decision to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. John 1:49.

John the Baptist had witnessed to them that God had revealed to him that Jesus was the Son of God.”This is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” John 1: 33, 34. 49.

God chose 12 disciples

Prayer leads to action, after they were chosen, they were discipled, taught by Jesus a number of things:

  1.  To pray Luke 11: 1-4 records the disciples asking Jesus to teach them to pray: Luke gives a shorter version of the Lord’s prayer.
  2.  He taught them the meanings of his parables about the Kingdom of God.
  3.  They watched him administer healing by the power of his word and spirit.

For us today we apply Jesus teaching.

Jesus taught them that when they prayed not to be like the hypocrites being seen praying on street corners, but to go into a quiet place unobserved by others. For us today to pray unobserved in a quiet place. Matthew 6: 5,6.

Jesus would be where two or three are gathered. In the Garden of Gethsemane he asked disciples Peter, James and John to pray with him. For us it’s good to pray with others especially in a crisis situation. Mark 14: 33

Jesus pointed to his words being Spirit and life.

Jesus said, “63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6: 63.

The words he gave them were living words, coming from God the creator of life. In Luke 9 we read the disciples were ready to go out in his authority with the kingdom message and empowered to heal the sick.

Empowered by Jesus.

Joyce Huggett in her book ‘God’s Springtime’ writes, ‘Just as in Spring, life seems to pour from the ground into every bud and blade of grass, so in the springtime of our lives, God seems to pour new energy into us.”

The energy, in creation bringing forth life by the power of God. She continued quoting Ulrich Shaffer’s prayer, I’ve taken the last verse, “Circulate in me Change and renew because I know that only your Spirit can bring real life and fruit.”

Paul in his letter to the Colossians that Christ lived in them, “Christ in you,” he pointed to the energy that Jesus’ spirit within him mightily supplied him with energy. “For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he (Jesus) mightily inspires within me.” Colossians 1:29.

Jesus prayed for more disciples to take the message out

His prayer was answered and prayer leads to action when the seventy went out with the kingdom message. They prayed for the sick and they were healed. When they returned and told Jesus about their success Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit.

We read in the Acts and the letters the growing ministry of Jesus in people’s lives.

Paul asked the church at Ephesus to pray for an opening to share the good news about Jesus.

Many of us came to faith through someone telling us about Jesus.

Three years ago Paul who came on the Alpha Course at Chatterton Hey from Tekoa House in Rochdale one of Langley House Trusts hostels for the homeless.

Langley House Trust is a Christian Charity

This year Langley House Trust is celebrating 60  years of helping men and women leaving prison not to re-offend. Langley run 18 houses in the UK. The good news is shared in every house and prayers are said with the residents. Many who work in their homes, their lives have been transformed while living there.. Prayers are said at the changing of shifts, and every Thursday at 10am throughout the Charity, Chaplains hold a prayer time for residents and staff.

So Paul heard about Jesus and was prayed for regularly, the staff at the hostel knew he was very poorly, Jesus revealed himself to him, and as a result John made a decision to follow Jesus. He wanted to learn about Jesus so he came on the Alpha Course at Chatterton Hey.

When I met him it was as if he had just come through the door into the kingdom, he had taken off his old clothes and was starting putting on his new clothes belonging to the kingdom of God. He was beginning to be discipled.

Prayer leads to action

Jesus hears our prayers and he intercedes as our high priest before the Father and God answers our prayers.

Archbishop William Temple said, “When I pray, coincidences happen, when I stop praying, the coincidences stop.”

We have people and things we pray for every day. But there will be times when the Lord brings something to our notice that will prompt us to release our faith and God will act and by His power things come into being – materialise, take form.

The Lord has been teaching me that faith is released when we tell someone we have accepted Jesus as our Saviour.

Another example of faith released is when the lady came to Jesus from among the crowd and touched his garment and immediately she was healed. John 5: 28, 34.

Jesus our example: His prayer of thanks to His Father for the bread and the fishes, the prayer was answered when he took some of the bread and fish and before the disciples eyes, he continually broke the bread and fish with his fingers and over 5,000 people were fed. The prayer had materialised, taken form. 

All that has been created and is being created is in God, in His being.

Everything in the universe is at God’s disposal and thinks happen at the blink of an eye, in an instant.

The missionary that Celia Edmondson knew who hadn’t enough money to complete her train journey, prayed for the Lord to undertake and the money fell out of her Bible.

At holly Bush they didn’t have the money to expand their vision to build a church on the farm. God’s provision: the potato pile never reduced in size even though tons of potatoes were taken from the pile.

Thank you for paying for the Job Club, we now have five new people on our ‘Steps to Employment Course’ ten of us altogether.

I’ve brought with me this morning this Board with an outline of a cross, please put your prayers within the cross. We’ll join our prayers with yours on Tuesday afternoon at our group meeting.

Prayer

Lord God, you have commissioned us to pray for the church and people, may we be faithful in our calling. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Faith and Prayer

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Faith and Prayer

Children’s Talk – Prayer bands to remind us to pray.

Colossians 1: 1-14.   Luke 18: 1-8

Two nuns were driving along when they ran out of petrol. Fortunately they could walk to a petrol station, where they asked to purchase a can of petrol. “I’m sorry, sister,” said the attendant, “but all I have for you to carry it in is an old chamber pot.” The nuns agreed that this would be fine. They returned to the car. As they were pouring the petrol into the tank, a man drove by, stopped his car, and said, “Oh sister, if only I had your faith.”

Paul in his letter noted the churches faith in Jesus at Colosse.

Faith is what we plan to do tomorrow, and it’s always in the future. Most of what we do, is in response to having faith in the things unseen.

We have faith in processes: emails texts, postal systems that they will reach their destination and we will receive a reply if we need one.

We put our faith in people like party politicians we consider what they say on issues that concern us and if we go along with what they say, we identify ourselves with them.

Faith in doctors that they will diagnose our illnesses and give the treatment to make us better.

Faith in a football team and decide to become a follower

Faith is associated with our freedom of choice when we are looking for answers to questions about: “Why am I here?” “What is the purpose to life?”

4,200 religious faiths in the world, and there are people, especially people in their twenties and younger  searching for the true way to find God,  and we believe that the Christian Faith reveals the truth, we read about Jesus’ resurrection where over 500 hundred people saw the resurrected Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world revealing Jesus as God made visible in the flesh.  Jesus said, “The truth shall set you free.”

The church at Colosse like the other churches were being challenged by the unbelieving Jews. They followed Paul and Barnabas speaking against what they were saying about Jesus. Acts 14: 19

It is thought the churches  were being challenged by what became known as Gnosticism.

 In my Eyre & Spottiswoode Study Bible. “Gnosticism meaning “Knowledge” Gnosticism was formulated in a Jewish frame work, it deprived Jesus Christ of his unique status as the Son of God and Saviour.” 

In the early church the Christians going through trial’s not of their own making, were being treated as criminals and outcasts.

  “Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.” Hebrews 10: 32, 33. N L T Bible.

“Matthew Henry’s commentary on Hebrews 10: 32, 33 wrote, “And those who have been kept faithful in great trials in a time past have reason to hope for the same grace to help them still to live by faith.”  For many their reason to hope is when faith has been strengthened or increased as suffering draws us closer to the Lord and the Lord upholds us as we go through times of trial.

We read in Jesus’ parable – the King heard the outcry of the woman who continually sought vindication, eventually he responded, But Jesus made the point that God would vindicate, declare innocent his people by a swift response to their prayers.

The Colossians were living the Christian faith and proving their faith . Paul encouraged them as he noted their faith and how God was upholding the truth as their church was growing

We read in Jesus’ parable- he said, ‘Pray and do not lose heart.’

Today in Barnabas Prayer we are asked to pray for the Christians in North Korea who are daily in great danger because of their love for the Lord Jesus.

This prayer has words that relate to Paul’s prayer in Colossians.

Praying that each would be filled with a peace that passes understanding, that they may have no fear as they put their trust in Jesus. For those in brutal prison labour camps, we ask that you would give them grace to endure, that their patience, love and fortitude may be a witness  that draws others to Jesus. Ending with, we ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and for His glory.

Christians need our prayers, and we need their prayers

At the beginning of December I sent an on-line prayer request to CAP Christians Against poverty asking for prayer: for perseverance and for more people to come on the Job Club course.

Just before Christmas I received this card from them, they wrote encouraging words, saying about David the shepherd started out as a shepherd over a small flock in number, compared to the large kingdom God gave him after he was faithful with the little.  They would continue to pray for us.

The card reminded us to be faithful to God’s call and wait for God to give the increase.

Paul ‘s prayer in response to his conversation with Epaphras he has prayed for them to have knowledge of God’s will in order to:  further the outreach in their community at Colossae.

God invites us to pray, to see what His will is, for us to do something to further the spread of the gospel about Jesus.

Spurgeon story

Some students visiting  church in London where invited to see the heating plant of the church. A man lead them down some steps and then opened the door.  In a subdued voice he said, “There, gentlemen, is our heating plant.” What the surprised students saw were approximately 700 people praying for the service which was soon to begin in the tabernacle above.  Then they were further surprised to learn that the friendly host was none other than Spurgeon himself.

Paul’s prayer for wisdom and understanding. Wisdom to work together as a body of believers.

Before we step out in faith, or apply faith in a situation, praying with others first believing that the Lord will give confirmation.

Below my testimony that I’ve never shared in a sermon before and I didn’t intend to share it today.                      (Shorter version this morning)                      In 1992 the Lord gave me a word to start a pottery business for the church, I questioned whether churches had businesses, I asked three ladies at church to pray with me about it. Soon afterwards, one Sunday evening we had a healing service, the lady preacher asked if anyone had any hurts from previous churches that needed healing, everyone there in the Full Gospel Church that evening got up and came to the front for prayer. As a result I was healed and the Lord shortly afterwards called me back into the Anglican Church. (I realised that men and women are equal in ministry) I was continually nudged by the Holy Spirit about the pottery business, so I started going to pottery evening classes at Accrington College. It wasn’t long before I realised I was hopeless at making pots with clay,  also I attended pottery painting classes and again I found I was hopeless, I had no flare, no talent to do it, maybe I had got it wrong and I had wasted my time.

However, I went to buy a kiln at Pilling Pottery, my husband thought that I was starting a new hobby. At Pilling Pottery the Potter Mr Cross had just become a Christian, I shared with him what I felt God had asked me to do, to start a pottery business for our church. Mr Cross told me to buy ready glazed mugs and put transfers on them. I knew God had spoken through him. I went away challenged by the next step that I had to make: to purchase pottery and decorate with floral transfers and Bible verses. I asked the Lord in prayer what Bible texts should be, I was given a picture and word ‘drinking in the promises of God’. Within half an hour I had enough promises to send to the transfer man ‘Photosilk Transfers’ in Burslem  Stoke-on-Trent, England. I travelled around the locality visiting the churches selling my china mugs at basic cost, the church added their profit margin.  Within two years my pottery business was growing I named it after my church ‘St James’.

In 1994 before we went on holiday the Lord gave me a picture of a net being cast and lifted up full of fishes. When we returned from the holiday I had received an order from a lady in Northern Ireland, an order for 12 mugs, I sent the order to her. Further orders came from Mrs Sinclare, she was helping to raise funds to re-roof Dunalong Church, Bready, Strabane. When I received the payment on one of the orders I realised it was from Londonderry where the troubles in Northern Island were going on and where the peace process was in progress. The texts that she had chosen related to their situation: “Do not be afraid,” “Nothing shall be impossible,” “I will never leave you or forsake you,” the beatitudes in single sentences. “All things are possible to them that believe,” “Ask what you will and it shall be done unto you.” God is Love”, “Love, Joy, Peace” and many more.

 It had become apparent why the Lord had wanted this pottery business. 400 mugs with the word speaking into a conflict that had been going on for years, they were added to thousands of prayers and words received from God, and the politicians playing their part, the peace process was successful. Praise the Lord!

(Wikipedia – Strabane suffered extensive damage during the Troubles, from the early 1970s and continuing throughout much of the 1990s, with bombings and shootings commonplace. . . . Strabane was once the most bombed town in Europe per size and was the most bombed town in Northern Ireland.) County of Londonderry or Derry

Answers to prayer increases our faith, and we grow in the knowledge of God in a personal way.

So, God calling for us is to pray in faith, in the Spirit, that is in the power and strength of God that produces endurance believing that Jesus will intercede before God on our behalf, so that the relevant things will happen to initiate a work and to move the work forward.

Prayer is the catalyst that God looks for, to actively work with us.

Finally to pray for the North Korean Church.

“Father in heaven, we pray for our brothers and sisters in North Korea, who live daily in extreme danger because of their love for Jesus Christ. Fill each one with a peace that passes understanding, that they may have no fear as they put their trust in You. For those in brutal prison labour camps, we ask that you would give them grace to endure, that their patience, love and fortitude may be a witness  that draws others to Jesus. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and for His glory.