Preached by Rev, Wesley Ellis on 14th June 2009 in Cregagh Congregational Church, Belfast.(Apologies to the preacher if these words are not exactly what you said - they are what I heard through God's voice.)
Psalm 46 (New International Version)
Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. [a]
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields [b] with 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 Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Footnotes:
Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
Psalm 46:9 Or chariots
Why do we have a favourite Psalm? Perhaps it is because the message of the Psalm speaks to us in some way and impacts our lives.
Verse One of this Psalm puts the rest of the passage into context, and verse 10 ends the Psalm beautifully. So we go from
God is... to God speaking - be still and know that He is God. So we start with God is - the pre-existent, omnipotent God - as the focal point and go to verse 10 where the key is to know this God. The modern world is content with ignoring verse 1 and verse 10 by extension, but the Psalmist knew God day to day .Do we have the same faith in all circumstances of our lives? Sometimes it is only when we are at are lowest that we trust Him. All the other things we have hoped for have failed us and we are left with what is real - God - real, alive and here with us.
He is our refuge and strength - it is not that we possess Him and then bring our shopping list to Him BUT we can call Him our God because of our relationship. We can call Him, Abba. This is not God at our beck and call, but He is a personal God in relationship with us. And thus it is hard to take this in, that He is my refuge and strength. How can we fully grasp this truth?
God is our refuge - where do we want to be physically, mentally, spiritually - what do we yearn for and what motivates us? It could be comfort, security through our money, our family, our job, in drink, in drugs. Where is our refuge? In the worst times when all falls apart it can only be in God. A refuge can also be translated "harbour" - a place where we can tie up safely out of the storm. The harbour is not where the ship is to remain - it is only in a storm - so running to find refuge in God is when we have lack of strength or boldness. It is when we cannot cope, and then when the strain subsides God gives us the boldness to continue.
So these ate two aspects to a refuge in tough times and strength to continue onwards. God brings both. He is an ever present help in trouble. We will not fear even when the worst happens. The Psalmist uses the analogy of the earth giving way and the mountains falling.
Verse 4 mentions a river - bringing life into the city of God - a flowing river. God is within her, she will not fall. And so our souls will not fall if we trust in Him - nothing will pluck us from His hand.
Verse 5 - at a time when we are most at risk, God will help. At the break of day we should be conscious of His presence.
Verse 6 - God stands beyond the world, His voice is commanding and powerful.
Verse 7 - He has been with us, look back in our lives and see His hand. And so He will be with us in the future.
Verse 8 - God is in control.
Verse 10 - Be still and know that I am God - when the worst happens - "Be still and know" - take the time to be still and know that He is God.
Verse 11 - Almighty - How strong are we? He is Almighty and He is with us.
Friday 30 July 2010
Monday 26 July 2010
James 4:13-17
Preached by Mark Brown(Belfast Bible College) on 7th June 2009 in Cregagh Congregational Church, Belfast.(Apologies to the preacher if these words are not exactly what you said - they are what I heard through God's voice.)
James 4:13-17 says
13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
It is really easy to take our focus off God as we live our lives and get caught up with things. In this passage James starts with a rebuke to people who are planning, travelling, organising and making money.
v13 is a rebuke and yet there is an element of planning in all of our lives and this must be so. So what is wrong with planning for the future. vs15 gives us the answer - in spite of our planning, God's will in our lives should be paramount - not our plans nor our planning.
Hebrews 1:3 says -
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Christ sustains all things and upholds all things. He is in control, even though we often walk away from Him and boast that we do not need God. When times are easy, it is easy to forget God and believe that we can do all things through our strength.
James 4:14 reminds us that life is short and that God is in control. So we should concern ourselves wit what is important , not so that we can seem to be great BUT that God is seen to be great. Change comes quickly in our lives - but the only important thing is our relationship with God. The highest compliment anyone can pay a Christian is to be called a godly person.
Because life is like a vapour - it is easy to waste our life. Acts 20:24 says- However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
It is a new mindset that we need - in our planning - having God paramount in our lives.
We are Christ's representatives where He has placed us - as individuals and corporately as a Church - to people in the Church and without the Church. He must be above everything else, because of the price He paid. We did not earn the right to be His representatives - His grace means we can be saved. Our great hope is that Christ can transform.
James 4:13-17 says
13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
It is really easy to take our focus off God as we live our lives and get caught up with things. In this passage James starts with a rebuke to people who are planning, travelling, organising and making money.
v13 is a rebuke and yet there is an element of planning in all of our lives and this must be so. So what is wrong with planning for the future. vs15 gives us the answer - in spite of our planning, God's will in our lives should be paramount - not our plans nor our planning.
Hebrews 1:3 says -
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Christ sustains all things and upholds all things. He is in control, even though we often walk away from Him and boast that we do not need God. When times are easy, it is easy to forget God and believe that we can do all things through our strength.
James 4:14 reminds us that life is short and that God is in control. So we should concern ourselves wit what is important , not so that we can seem to be great BUT that God is seen to be great. Change comes quickly in our lives - but the only important thing is our relationship with God. The highest compliment anyone can pay a Christian is to be called a godly person.
Because life is like a vapour - it is easy to waste our life. Acts 20:24 says- However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
It is a new mindset that we need - in our planning - having God paramount in our lives.
We are Christ's representatives where He has placed us - as individuals and corporately as a Church - to people in the Church and without the Church. He must be above everything else, because of the price He paid. We did not earn the right to be His representatives - His grace means we can be saved. Our great hope is that Christ can transform.
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Our Congregational Heritage - The Church Meeting
Preached by Rev, Wesley Ellis on 10th May 2009 in Cregagh Congregational Church, Belfast.(Apologies to the preacher if these words are not exactly what you said - they are what I heard through God's voice.)
This was an extremely challenging message to listen to. If you ever thought that the church meeting was an outworking of democracy - then you need to read these sermon notes.
The Church Meeting
Yes I know it can encompass the colour of the new carpet - but it also encompasses so much more. We make many excuses as why we cannot attend - but perhaps we should think again.
In the Old Testament, God was to be approached in the way He set out, and in no other way. Thus we see the Tabernacle , the priestly system and the sacrifice at the Day of Atonement. The ordinary man did not approach God directly. He approached the priest who would do this on his behalf. This was a tiered and hierarchical system.
So why is there no hierarchical system in the Congregational Church. We have moved towards the understanding of the Priesthood of all believers. So we are autonomous and our government is autonomous. The Church meeting has a real importance within congregationalism.
The Old Testament system showed -
"The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt,because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, "declares the LORD. "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD."I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD."For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
This passage told of the time when God would come to the individual and we could all come to Him. So we have the priesthood of all believers. We have no earthly priest, no need of a system. This is fundamental in the Church meeting. It is not a democracy - in Christ our High Priest, we come into His presence. So in the Church meeting we appear as the body of Christ - as living stones knit together as a royal priesthood. We are His people - His body.
And that body needs a head - that head is Christ. It may look like a democracy when we vote together and are met in the Church meeting. But as we move, we take our will and our impulse from Christ. Thus we have a theocracy in our Church meeting - congregationalism embraces theocracy. So the people of Israel wanted a king like the other nations BUT God himself was to be their King.
Through Christ we have access to God, and He has access to us. In our Church meeting we are listening to the impulses of the head - to Christ. So to look at the democratic idea in the meeting is a dangerous thing. For we have liberty in Christ, but also a responsibility. And so in the Church meeting we empty ourselves of all of our ideas, of our opinions, and open our hearts to Jesus' promptings. He makes known to us what He wants so that we are led collectively and individually.
This was an extremely challenging message to listen to. If you ever thought that the church meeting was an outworking of democracy - then you need to read these sermon notes.
The Church Meeting
Yes I know it can encompass the colour of the new carpet - but it also encompasses so much more. We make many excuses as why we cannot attend - but perhaps we should think again.
In the Old Testament, God was to be approached in the way He set out, and in no other way. Thus we see the Tabernacle , the priestly system and the sacrifice at the Day of Atonement. The ordinary man did not approach God directly. He approached the priest who would do this on his behalf. This was a tiered and hierarchical system.
So why is there no hierarchical system in the Congregational Church. We have moved towards the understanding of the Priesthood of all believers. So we are autonomous and our government is autonomous. The Church meeting has a real importance within congregationalism.
The Old Testament system showed -
- The Holiness of God - for the ordinary man and woman - He is unapproachable.
- The appropriate manner in which God could be approached.
- It is a picture of what was and is to come.
"The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt,because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, "declares the LORD. "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD."I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD."For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
This passage told of the time when God would come to the individual and we could all come to Him. So we have the priesthood of all believers. We have no earthly priest, no need of a system. This is fundamental in the Church meeting. It is not a democracy - in Christ our High Priest, we come into His presence. So in the Church meeting we appear as the body of Christ - as living stones knit together as a royal priesthood. We are His people - His body.
And that body needs a head - that head is Christ. It may look like a democracy when we vote together and are met in the Church meeting. But as we move, we take our will and our impulse from Christ. Thus we have a theocracy in our Church meeting - congregationalism embraces theocracy. So the people of Israel wanted a king like the other nations BUT God himself was to be their King.
Through Christ we have access to God, and He has access to us. In our Church meeting we are listening to the impulses of the head - to Christ. So to look at the democratic idea in the meeting is a dangerous thing. For we have liberty in Christ, but also a responsibility. And so in the Church meeting we empty ourselves of all of our ideas, of our opinions, and open our hearts to Jesus' promptings. He makes known to us what He wants so that we are led collectively and individually.
Tuesday 13 July 2010
Mark 4:30-34
Preached by Joel Prescott(Belfast Bible College) evening 31st May 2009 in Cregagh Congregational Church, Belfast.(Apologies to the preacher if these words are not exactly what you said - they are what I heard through God's voice.)
In this sermon the preacher takes a fresh look at the Parable of the Mustard Seed - with some surprising thoughts.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
33With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
On the face of it this looks like a simple story - so how come the passage ends with the statement that Jesus explained everything to his disciples when they were alone? Why take time to explain if this is a simple story - a small seed growing into a large tree - like the kingdom of heaven.
BUT - a mustard seed usually only grows to about 1m high and by tradition Jews could not plant mustard seeds in their gardens. To a Jew this would be shocking. On the other hand the Jews would be used to kingdoms described as trees -
Daniel 4:10 ff describes Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom -
These are the visions I saw while lying in my bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.
Also read -
Ezekiel 17:22 " 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar.
Mustard is an aggressive, annual weed and is found everywhere. It can create a serious problem when harvesting plants because it can choke the harvest. It can also kill live-stock when mixed with animal feed.
This parable is about the kingdom of heaven - something that Jesus spoke about often - read Mark 4:17, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 12:28, Mark6:9-10, Matthew 24:14. But why preach more about the kingdom and not about salvation? Jesus was explaining that when you put yourself under God's rule, it is about an ongoing process - salvation is the start - the kingdom is the living of that salvation.
What is the kingdom like? It is like a mustard seed.Alexander the Great used the same analogy. When he invaded the Persian kingdom, Darius the Persian king sent Alexander a warning in the form of a large bag of sesame seeds. Each seed was to represent a Persian soldier and show the Greeks how they completely out-numbered. Alexander took some in his mouth and tasted the sesame seeds. He sent Darius a small bag of mustard seed to show that his army though small was extremely aggressive and fierce. Darius tasted the mustard and said that a little mustard seed is more pungent than much sesame.
But Jesus uses the mustard seed in a different way. God uses the small and insignificant to confound and destroy the great and glorious. Just think of David and Goliath, of Joseph rising from slavery to 2nd in charge in Egypt, Daniel is the lion's den, and Jesus as a servant.
Each plant of mustard can produce 2000-3000 seeds. They can survive in the soil for up to 60 years and can grow in any soil. Jesus was saying that his kingdom was a virile, fruitful kingdom - a resilient kingdom. It is a kingdom that that can host the unwanted from society. This kingdom will never take over from a position of strength BUT it grows and spreads despite persecution.
This reminds us of the early Church, and of the churches that are growing throughout our world. China is well on it's way to becoming the largest Christian country on the face of the planet with 80 million people attending (more than are members of the Communist Party). Have a read of the Times Online article -
God is back: How Ned Flanders won the evangelical crusade -Times Online...
May 1, 11:40pm "but the most remarkable example of Flanderism can be found in China's house churches. We recently visited an apartment in a well-heeled district of Shanghai, where a technology executive hosted two dozen clever young Chinese, including several CEOs, a well-known academic and a stem-cell researcher. They spent three hours studying one letter from St Paul. Soon their church will get too big: it will cross the 25-person limit for unauthorised meetings, or one of the neighbours will complain about the hymns or the people hogging the parking spaces. So the church will have to split, guaranteeing its growth. China is well on its way to being the world's biggest Christian country: there are at least 80 million Christians and already more people go to church every week than are members of the Communist Party.
Visit the following website - http://www.persecution.com/
It is the same in Zimbabwe - a small virile and fruitful church growing despite persecution.
Verse 32 suggests that the mustard seed grows into a large tree. But what does this say compared to what we have already seen. Perhaps this talks about growth that is beyond what can naturally be expected - a harvest beyond our endeavours.
Christianity is growing throughout our world despite many people through the ages saying that God is dead.Look at Russia, and China.
Parables are not as simple as they seem and it is no wonder Jesus had to take the time to explain. Often what we take as a moral story with a nice meaning means so much more. Jesus often shocked the religious people of his time using parables. The kingdom of God is not what they had expected.
God works through the small and insignificant. He uses the weak to confound the strong. He came as a servant. He commended the widow for her two pennies. He has given us all something to do. We can all serve Him.
In this sermon the preacher takes a fresh look at the Parable of the Mustard Seed - with some surprising thoughts.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
33With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
On the face of it this looks like a simple story - so how come the passage ends with the statement that Jesus explained everything to his disciples when they were alone? Why take time to explain if this is a simple story - a small seed growing into a large tree - like the kingdom of heaven.
BUT - a mustard seed usually only grows to about 1m high and by tradition Jews could not plant mustard seeds in their gardens. To a Jew this would be shocking. On the other hand the Jews would be used to kingdoms described as trees -
Daniel 4:10 ff describes Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom -
These are the visions I saw while lying in my bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.
Also read -
Ezekiel 17:22 " 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar.
Mustard is an aggressive, annual weed and is found everywhere. It can create a serious problem when harvesting plants because it can choke the harvest. It can also kill live-stock when mixed with animal feed.
This parable is about the kingdom of heaven - something that Jesus spoke about often - read Mark 4:17, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 12:28, Mark6:9-10, Matthew 24:14. But why preach more about the kingdom and not about salvation? Jesus was explaining that when you put yourself under God's rule, it is about an ongoing process - salvation is the start - the kingdom is the living of that salvation.
What is the kingdom like? It is like a mustard seed.Alexander the Great used the same analogy. When he invaded the Persian kingdom, Darius the Persian king sent Alexander a warning in the form of a large bag of sesame seeds. Each seed was to represent a Persian soldier and show the Greeks how they completely out-numbered. Alexander took some in his mouth and tasted the sesame seeds. He sent Darius a small bag of mustard seed to show that his army though small was extremely aggressive and fierce. Darius tasted the mustard and said that a little mustard seed is more pungent than much sesame.
But Jesus uses the mustard seed in a different way. God uses the small and insignificant to confound and destroy the great and glorious. Just think of David and Goliath, of Joseph rising from slavery to 2nd in charge in Egypt, Daniel is the lion's den, and Jesus as a servant.
Each plant of mustard can produce 2000-3000 seeds. They can survive in the soil for up to 60 years and can grow in any soil. Jesus was saying that his kingdom was a virile, fruitful kingdom - a resilient kingdom. It is a kingdom that that can host the unwanted from society. This kingdom will never take over from a position of strength BUT it grows and spreads despite persecution.
This reminds us of the early Church, and of the churches that are growing throughout our world. China is well on it's way to becoming the largest Christian country on the face of the planet with 80 million people attending (more than are members of the Communist Party). Have a read of the Times Online article -
God is back: How Ned Flanders won the evangelical crusade -Times Online...
May 1, 11:40pm "but the most remarkable example of Flanderism can be found in China's house churches. We recently visited an apartment in a well-heeled district of Shanghai, where a technology executive hosted two dozen clever young Chinese, including several CEOs, a well-known academic and a stem-cell researcher. They spent three hours studying one letter from St Paul. Soon their church will get too big: it will cross the 25-person limit for unauthorised meetings, or one of the neighbours will complain about the hymns or the people hogging the parking spaces. So the church will have to split, guaranteeing its growth. China is well on its way to being the world's biggest Christian country: there are at least 80 million Christians and already more people go to church every week than are members of the Communist Party.
Visit the following website - http://www.persecution.com/
It is the same in Zimbabwe - a small virile and fruitful church growing despite persecution.
Verse 32 suggests that the mustard seed grows into a large tree. But what does this say compared to what we have already seen. Perhaps this talks about growth that is beyond what can naturally be expected - a harvest beyond our endeavours.
Christianity is growing throughout our world despite many people through the ages saying that God is dead.Look at Russia, and China.
Parables are not as simple as they seem and it is no wonder Jesus had to take the time to explain. Often what we take as a moral story with a nice meaning means so much more. Jesus often shocked the religious people of his time using parables. The kingdom of God is not what they had expected.
God works through the small and insignificant. He uses the weak to confound the strong. He came as a servant. He commended the widow for her two pennies. He has given us all something to do. We can all serve Him.
Saturday 10 July 2010
Genesis 6:1-23
Preached by Rev, Wesley Ellis on 31st May 2009 in Cregagh Congregational Church, Belfast.(Apologies to the preacher if these words are not exactly what you said - they are what I heard through God's voice.)
There are a number of keywords in this sermon that speak to us today. These words are evident in the life of Noah - FAITH (being sure, being certain, hope, holy fear), OBEDIENCE, ENDURANCE and RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Many would assign the story of Noah, the ark and the word wide flood to a storybook. BUT have a look at the evidence for a word wide flood and you will be amazed.
(Have a look here - http://www.answersingenesis.org/get-answers/features/worldwide-flood-evidence )
Answers in Genesis website says - When the Bible refers to a worldwide Flood in Genesis 7–8, that’s exactly what it means. Not local, not metaphorical, not some crazy dream—the waters covered the whole earth. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Take a look at the evidence right beneath your feet
vs13 - God is going to save Noah and his family BUT the frightening thing is that God regretted having made mankind (what a terrible contemplation). God was grieved and abhorred the sin of that generation, He could not (and still cannot) tolerate sin even in its most minute detail.
God was able to see into the hearts and minds of all men and is able to see our bias towards sin. God concludes that mankind is without redemption even though He wants no-one to perish - but verse 3 makes us understand that His Spirit will not contend with man forever.
It is not that God is incapable of saving,rather that man does not wish to be saved. For over 100 years Noah's generation listened to his preaching and watched him build the ark - all to no avail - only 8 people would be saved. And yet salvation was open to all men.
Noah however was a man of faith - see Hebrews 11:7
"By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
Is faith evident in our life? Are we sure of what we hope for? Are we sure of our escape from the judgment of this world and the destruction to come? Noah was sure even though he lived in a virtual desert. Noah was sure that a flood was coming.
Noah followed God's instructions to the letter. How would we react in such circumstances?
Hope was in Noah's heart because God had put it there. He had hope to escape the coming destruction and hope that the sin of the people would be judged. Are we pushed to the limit in our faith - pressured to conform - pressured to give up our hope in Jesus who is our Ark?
Being sure - is this true of our faith even when we are pressurised? When our faith is tested and we face trials - this is the work of sanctification. And what was meant for evil, God turns to good. And if we are pressurised by sin our our lives, we should repent of that sin and he will re-instate us. Where is the certainty of our faith, the passion that drives us?
Those people could see the ark but not the impending destruction. How much more is this true now? People cannot see the impending destruction because they have been blinded by the god of this age.
In holy fear Noah built the ark, not out of bravado nor out of self-reliance. His faith brought about this holy fear -fear of a Holy God who will judge. He is a loving God and a patient God, but one day His patience will run out and judgement will come.
Does our faith condemn the world? Do we fly in the face of this world, as salt and light. Are we set apart and preaching to this generation by our words and deeds, as Noah was?
Noah was also set apart by his obedience. He spoke to others and he prepared for the destruction to come. God gave him specific instructions of how He wanted things done - this was God's way of salvation. Just as instructions for the tabernacle had come directly from God again to show Israel the way of salvation. Both the tabernacle and the ark are precursors of Jesus.
In Hebrews 5: 8-10
"Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek." What is it that perfects Jesus - it is his perfect obedience to God through his sufferings. Noah was sinless as Jesus is, Noah's righteousness came from obedience to God.
Genesis 6:20 says that Noah did everything God had commanded him - his obedience to the letter - just as Jesus did throughout his life.
Is their obedience in our life? Yes we will get things wrong BUT what is the mark of our life? It should be that we do what God's says despite our failings. So we persevere to the end and that shows our obedience.
Endurance - How are we enduring? It is because of God's spirit in our lives that we can endure.As we live our Christian lives it will get harder - yet we should endure.
Matthew 24 - Jesus said about Noah that he who stands firm to the end is motivated by God's Spirit. This is evidence of faith - that we stand firm to the end. Noah could have used the wood that he had cut to build a retirement hut instead of a boat - but he endured. He endured even though his preaching did not lead to any turning to God. But when we preach the gospel it is for 2 outcomes - (1) The salvation of souls (2) The condemnation of unbelievers
Those who listened to Noah and watched him were condemned
Luke 17:26-27 as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be in the day of the sons of men.
There is nothing new under the sun - Right up to the day of Christ's return people will keep on keeping on.
There are a number of keywords in this sermon that speak to us today. These words are evident in the life of Noah - FAITH (being sure, being certain, hope, holy fear), OBEDIENCE, ENDURANCE and RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Many would assign the story of Noah, the ark and the word wide flood to a storybook. BUT have a look at the evidence for a word wide flood and you will be amazed.
(Have a look here - http://www.answersingenesis.org/get-answers/features/worldwide-flood-evidence )
Answers in Genesis website says - When the Bible refers to a worldwide Flood in Genesis 7–8, that’s exactly what it means. Not local, not metaphorical, not some crazy dream—the waters covered the whole earth. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Take a look at the evidence right beneath your feet
vs13 - God is going to save Noah and his family BUT the frightening thing is that God regretted having made mankind (what a terrible contemplation). God was grieved and abhorred the sin of that generation, He could not (and still cannot) tolerate sin even in its most minute detail.
God was able to see into the hearts and minds of all men and is able to see our bias towards sin. God concludes that mankind is without redemption even though He wants no-one to perish - but verse 3 makes us understand that His Spirit will not contend with man forever.
It is not that God is incapable of saving,rather that man does not wish to be saved. For over 100 years Noah's generation listened to his preaching and watched him build the ark - all to no avail - only 8 people would be saved. And yet salvation was open to all men.
Noah however was a man of faith - see Hebrews 11:7
"By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
Is faith evident in our life? Are we sure of what we hope for? Are we sure of our escape from the judgment of this world and the destruction to come? Noah was sure even though he lived in a virtual desert. Noah was sure that a flood was coming.
Noah followed God's instructions to the letter. How would we react in such circumstances?
Hope was in Noah's heart because God had put it there. He had hope to escape the coming destruction and hope that the sin of the people would be judged. Are we pushed to the limit in our faith - pressured to conform - pressured to give up our hope in Jesus who is our Ark?
Being sure - is this true of our faith even when we are pressurised? When our faith is tested and we face trials - this is the work of sanctification. And what was meant for evil, God turns to good. And if we are pressurised by sin our our lives, we should repent of that sin and he will re-instate us. Where is the certainty of our faith, the passion that drives us?
Those people could see the ark but not the impending destruction. How much more is this true now? People cannot see the impending destruction because they have been blinded by the god of this age.
In holy fear Noah built the ark, not out of bravado nor out of self-reliance. His faith brought about this holy fear -fear of a Holy God who will judge. He is a loving God and a patient God, but one day His patience will run out and judgement will come.
Does our faith condemn the world? Do we fly in the face of this world, as salt and light. Are we set apart and preaching to this generation by our words and deeds, as Noah was?
Noah was also set apart by his obedience. He spoke to others and he prepared for the destruction to come. God gave him specific instructions of how He wanted things done - this was God's way of salvation. Just as instructions for the tabernacle had come directly from God again to show Israel the way of salvation. Both the tabernacle and the ark are precursors of Jesus.
In Hebrews 5: 8-10
"Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek." What is it that perfects Jesus - it is his perfect obedience to God through his sufferings. Noah was sinless as Jesus is, Noah's righteousness came from obedience to God.
Genesis 6:20 says that Noah did everything God had commanded him - his obedience to the letter - just as Jesus did throughout his life.
Is their obedience in our life? Yes we will get things wrong BUT what is the mark of our life? It should be that we do what God's says despite our failings. So we persevere to the end and that shows our obedience.
Endurance - How are we enduring? It is because of God's spirit in our lives that we can endure.As we live our Christian lives it will get harder - yet we should endure.
Matthew 24 - Jesus said about Noah that he who stands firm to the end is motivated by God's Spirit. This is evidence of faith - that we stand firm to the end. Noah could have used the wood that he had cut to build a retirement hut instead of a boat - but he endured. He endured even though his preaching did not lead to any turning to God. But when we preach the gospel it is for 2 outcomes - (1) The salvation of souls (2) The condemnation of unbelievers
Those who listened to Noah and watched him were condemned
Luke 17:26-27 as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be in the day of the sons of men.
There is nothing new under the sun - Right up to the day of Christ's return people will keep on keeping on.
Saturday 3 July 2010
Ezekiel 3:16 and following
Preached by Rev, Wesley Ellis on 17th May 2009 in Cregagh Congregational Church, Belfast.
(Apologies to the preacher if these words are not exactly what you said - they are what I heard through God's voice.)
This is a very challenging message especially to those in authority and in a teaching role - but it also speaks to all Christians - the consequences of when we don't listen to God and act upon what He tells us.
Vs16 - Ezekiel is appointed as the watchman - an important job in the ancient world. The watchman sat at the highest point on the city wall and cried out if the city was under threat. BUT if he failed in his job he would forfeit his life.
Ezekiel was to be the watchman for Israel - he was called to the job by God and equipped for the job by God. And the job was to tell Israel that they had gone away from God.
So we are called to be watchmen vs26 - God said that Ezekiel would only speak God's words - not his own. And we also should speak God's words - it is our responsibility to do what He wants and say what He wants.
To do this we need to be awake to God and His word. God wants to be sovereign over our life and wants us to know His word. Paul said we are not to be peddlers of God's word - that is not to water it down and not to seek to make a profit from it. We don't need to popularise the message - it needs to be made known to those who are perishing - it needs to be told straight.
vs19 - If we don't speak the truth to the wicked man - his blood is on our hands. So we need to call it how it is. Come payday - He will call Ezekiel to account and hold us to account also. It is a high calling Christians are called to.
Ezekiel had to announce just what God would do in a sinful nation and a sinful individual -
Ezekiel 3:7 - God said that the people won't listen - He already knew BUT verses 8 & 9 say that God will make Ezekiel as hard as these people who won't listen. Because in the end the people didn't even listen to God himself.
Have we faithfully proclaimed the gospel to those we know - in our Sunday School class, our work, our family, our friends because in vs 18 God narrows it down to the individual. The message is for each one - "If a man..."So we are culpable for our own sins when we stand before God and what a privilege that He trusts us with the words of life - and what a responsibility!
vs19 - If the man listens - then he will be saved and the preacher saved from the consequences of not preaching. This is the position we take when we become Sunday School Teachers and BB leaders etc. Our telling of the gospel pours light on the way of salvation BUT also pours light on those with a lost eternity.
Hebrews 13:17 talks about the oversight - they are not there to put you down or constrain you BUT we should obey those in authority to speak the word of the Lord into our life. These people watch out for our souls. They have an ownership of the people and their blood because of the position they have been called to and the ministry they have. For they will be called to account of every word spoken. And they must do this with joy because of God's empowering and equipping for the task.
Ezekiel 3:23-24 Ezekiel was indwelt by the Holy Spirit and this enabled him to do his tasks for God. This brought a joy - a joy of doing His will and a joy that he didn't have their blood on his hands. (cf Acts 20:26ff)
(Apologies to the preacher if these words are not exactly what you said - they are what I heard through God's voice.)
This is a very challenging message especially to those in authority and in a teaching role - but it also speaks to all Christians - the consequences of when we don't listen to God and act upon what He tells us.
Vs16 - Ezekiel is appointed as the watchman - an important job in the ancient world. The watchman sat at the highest point on the city wall and cried out if the city was under threat. BUT if he failed in his job he would forfeit his life.
Ezekiel was to be the watchman for Israel - he was called to the job by God and equipped for the job by God. And the job was to tell Israel that they had gone away from God.
So we are called to be watchmen vs26 - God said that Ezekiel would only speak God's words - not his own. And we also should speak God's words - it is our responsibility to do what He wants and say what He wants.
To do this we need to be awake to God and His word. God wants to be sovereign over our life and wants us to know His word. Paul said we are not to be peddlers of God's word - that is not to water it down and not to seek to make a profit from it. We don't need to popularise the message - it needs to be made known to those who are perishing - it needs to be told straight.
vs19 - If we don't speak the truth to the wicked man - his blood is on our hands. So we need to call it how it is. Come payday - He will call Ezekiel to account and hold us to account also. It is a high calling Christians are called to.
Ezekiel had to announce just what God would do in a sinful nation and a sinful individual -
Ezekiel 3:7 - God said that the people won't listen - He already knew BUT verses 8 & 9 say that God will make Ezekiel as hard as these people who won't listen. Because in the end the people didn't even listen to God himself.
Have we faithfully proclaimed the gospel to those we know - in our Sunday School class, our work, our family, our friends because in vs 18 God narrows it down to the individual. The message is for each one - "If a man..."So we are culpable for our own sins when we stand before God and what a privilege that He trusts us with the words of life - and what a responsibility!
vs19 - If the man listens - then he will be saved and the preacher saved from the consequences of not preaching. This is the position we take when we become Sunday School Teachers and BB leaders etc. Our telling of the gospel pours light on the way of salvation BUT also pours light on those with a lost eternity.
Hebrews 13:17 talks about the oversight - they are not there to put you down or constrain you BUT we should obey those in authority to speak the word of the Lord into our life. These people watch out for our souls. They have an ownership of the people and their blood because of the position they have been called to and the ministry they have. For they will be called to account of every word spoken. And they must do this with joy because of God's empowering and equipping for the task.
Ezekiel 3:23-24 Ezekiel was indwelt by the Holy Spirit and this enabled him to do his tasks for God. This brought a joy - a joy of doing His will and a joy that he didn't have their blood on his hands. (cf Acts 20:26ff)
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