Promises

 

School lesson too discouraging – Ten men (spies) who discouraged the people from going forward in faith. Rather than trusting in the promises of God, they preferred the comfort of Egypt.

So God turned them back into the wilderness for fourty years with this indictment:

“They have disobeyed and tested Me too many times.” Numbers 14:23   They got what they wanted and sorrow therewith.

So I changed the content to next terms lessons, to include the great and precious promises given to those who follow the Lord:

God has said “I will never fail you, I will never forsake you.”  Hebrews 13.5

“If we confess our sins to HIM, He is faithful and just to forgive

us our sins.”  1 John 1

God showed how much He loves us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him”  1 John 4

“My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. I give them Eternal Life and they will never perish.” John 10

Jesus said:  “In My Fathers house are many rooms. I am going to prepare a place for you… that where I am, there you may be also” John 14

Who would be so foolish as to ignore such promises of God’s grace!

And yet many do – with little hope in this life and none in the next.

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Rejoicing

 

The special Bible verse for me this morning:

Written of Jesus Christ our Lord  -  

“ You love HIM even though you have never seen HIM. You trust HIM and even now you rejoice with glorious and inexpressible joy.

Your reward for trusting HIM will be the salvation of your souls.” 

1 Peter 1:8

10 Commands

 

At School we have been teaching the children the ten commandments. Is it relevant???

Yes it is!  - Many children have no sense of values except what they see on screens – TV, smart phones, I pad etc. Hence it is vital to establish the writing of the Lord God to guide their conscience. It also registers a sense of the holiness of God.

Yes it is!  - teaching about Jesus Christ dying for our sins is meaningless if people don’t know what sin is. Paul wrote: “apart from the law , sin lies dead” (Romans 7:8). Thus the law gives meaning to the Lord Jesus Christ dying as a sacrifice for sin.

Yes it is!  - The first commandment points heavenward – to worship the invisible, heaven residing God. He alone is worthy of our devotion and obedience.

Yes it is!  - The last commandment confirms the statement of

Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned” .  From Eve to the present, the sin of covetousness stains every mind.

Yes it is!  - God knows best how to order society. From the days of the week to marriage to loving our neighbour, His way is best.

Does it achieve salvation and eternal life – NO.

Only the LORD God gives eternal life as a gift through His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Law condems us, hence we need a sacrifice.

The Law exemplifies the Holy character  of God

Consciece

 

Activating conscience

The Lord Jesus used various ways to activate the conscience of the people.

1       Raising the standard. eg  “love your enemies”  Matthew 5

2      Referring to the day of judgement eg “They will be judged at the last day by the truth I have spoken”  John 12

3      Reflecting on self  eg “let those who  have never sinned throw the first stone.”  John 8

4      Repentance of sin.  eg “ Go and sin no more”  John 8

5      Remembering God’s law eg “ Moses will accuse you”  John 5

John 3:17

 “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.”

This Bible verse does give eternal hope, but it does not overlook sin or judgement . It does mean that the Almighty God has chosen to first offer salvation to those who choose to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

For those who reject Jesus Christ the LORD, judgement will finally come because they have refused to believe the Gospel of salvation.

An awesome , gracious God.

   An inner voice of conscience.

     A promise of sins removed and eternal life given

      A day of final judgement.

I encourage you to read all the Bible, in particular the section written by John the Apostle. Let the words of Jesus create faith in your mind and heart.

Who is this man?

 

"Jesus awoke and He rebuked the wind and said to the sea: “Peace be still”. The wind ceased and there was a great calm.”

“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4.39)

Jesus – the baby, the boy, the teenager, the tradesman, the man delighting the God the Father.

Christ – The promised King and Messiah anointed by the Holy Spirit

Lord – the one who came down from heaven and now in heaven is Lord of all

Son of God – The only one who represents God perfectly

Saviour – the perfect one who saves from sin and hell

Lamb  of God – He who never sinned, died for sinners

Son of man – He who being man will rule over all people

Prince of peace – His rule as King will bring peace.

Redeemer – We belong to Him, bought by His own blood

King of the Jews – Born into king David’s ancestry, He will reign over all.

High Priest – Presently acting as our intercessor in heaven.

Shepherd – One who cares enough to die for His sheep.

Judge – appointed by God the Father to judge all.

Advocate – pleading before the holy throne for His failing people.

 

Do you know HIM?

Despair or hope

 

We seldom hear from those who are really suffering. So let Jeremiah speak up for them:

“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time as I grieve over my loss.

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:

‘The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction.

Great is Thy faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh each day.

I will say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore I will hope in Him.”

The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for Him and seek Him.’

So what is the best thing I can do for the many migrants moving into this city? I teach them English, show friendship, help with citizenship as a matter of Christian compassion. Their stories of suffering are extreme. Ultimately I want them to find security, safety and fulfillment in knowing the LORD God of Jeremiah! He, in His faithfulness has brought me through tough times and I delight to say to Him:  ‘Great is Your faithfulness”

JRM

Reading this special book

 

Most religions of the world have a focus on one person hoping for enlightenment. The Bible is focused on Jesus the Messiah. The Bible is so much more than a guide book for living. The continuing theme from the many different Old Testament writers, is the hope of the Messiah, the King, the Saviour, the final revealer of the Lord God.

The New Testament was written was written about the life of Jesus the Christ and His being the Messiah, the King, the Saviour for all people.

The first four records of His life describe His birth, His life, His teaching, His miracles, His death and resurrection. The evidence for His claim to be the “Son of the Blessed” (Mark 14), is abundant. The purpose of His death is clearly explained by the Lord Jesus in His own words and the teaching of His Apostles.

We do well to study in depth the subject of Jesus death. The links to the Old Testament are important. But through the New Testament, the focus is on the Lord Jesus Christ alive from death – now in the place of highest honour in heaven.

When reading the New Testament, remember it is about a living person who delights to  act and interact with all who truly trust and love Him.

-      A living Saviour to bring us forgiveness.

-      A living Shepherd to lead us through life.

-       A living Lord to guard and guide us through life.

-       A living Advocate to maintain our fellowship with God.

-       A living King, who will make His appearance at the set time.

 

This is not a dead religion belonging to an ancient past. This is a relationship with a living Lord, achieved by His grace.

jiohnmckee@internode.on.net