Christ Agonised

As we prepare for the Lord's day here are a few thoughts from Psalm 22 that bring us to Calvary. As we think of what the Saviour suffered to redeem us we can see:-

THE TORTURE
'They pierced my hands and my feet.' V16
Was there ever a more cruel form of execution invented by the wicked heart of man than crucifixion. Those Romans soldiers took the Son of God and subjected him to torturous cruelty. They Scourged Him, The Smote Him, They Spat on Him and nailed Him to the tree. What Torture!

THE TAUNTS
'All they that see me laugh me to scorn:' V7
Remember how those Jewish religious leaders who hated Christ mocked Him as He hung on the cross, 'If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross' they said. They did not realise that He could have destroyed them in a moment but he was there doing a work, reconciling a lost mankind to God. Praise His wonderful name.

THE THIRST
'My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws.' V15
The Saviour had not had anything to eat or drink for quite some time, He had lost vast amounts of blood and he was left baking in the middle eastern sun. Not a bit of wonder he cried out from the cross 'I thirst'.

Just think He suffered all this anguish to bring us back to God, a God with whom we were at Enmity. Praise Him Praise Him for he alone is worthy.

It was my Sin that held Him there, until it was accomplished.
His precious blood has brought me life, I know that it is finished.

Heaven's Speaking, Who is Listening?

We all woke up to the news yesterday that another massive earthquake had devastated another part of the world. Many people in Chile had their lives turned upside down in a matter of moments. This event follows hot on the heals of that awful earthquake which took so many lives in Haiti only a few weeks ago. I even remember hearing on the radio a couple of weeks ago that there were earth tremors felt in Count Donegal in Ireland.

To any student of the Bible these events are really the speaking voice of God telling us that the 2nd Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is close at hand. When speaking to His disciples on one occasion he gave them some information about conditions in the world in the run up to His second advent. This discourse is recorded in three of the four gospels, you can be sure when God says something three times he really wants is to take notice. In part of that discourse the Lord Jesus mentioned that there would be earthquakes in different places. Luke says in chapter 21 v11

'And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.'

God is surely speaking to our world in these days, the question is, who is listening?

As Christians we must realise that we are running out of time to win the lost for Christ. We must share the heart of Christ when he said.

'I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.' John 9 v4

Elton's Sodomite Slur

62 year old pop star Elton John made what could only be described as a blasphemous comment in an interview this week saying, "I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man."

Elton certainly was right on two counts, the Lord Jesus Christ is compassionate and He is the most wise God but as for Elton's comment about Christs' sexuality it is a horrible slur on the pure person that is the Lord Jesus. Elton should be glad that Christ is compassionate for if he wasn't Elton could have been struck down for such a comment.

To be a homosexual is to practice open rebellion to the revealed will of God for mankind. The following Scriptures from both the Old and New Testament are self explanatory.

‘Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.’ Leviticus 18 v22

‘Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.’ Jude v7

The Lord Jesus Christ was totally sinless, to suggest that He was gay would be to suggest that He is a sinner. The Scriptures are clear about the Lord Jesus and His perfection.

'Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' Hebrews 4 v 14-15

MY JESUS I LOVE THEE!!!

Shocking Statistic

This weekend we had our 45th Annual Missionary Convention in our Church. This morning we had a visit from a CEF worker who quoted a statistic that was both Shocking and Frightening. Only 12% of the population of the continent of Europe can remember up to 3 of the 10 Commandments.

For anyone interested in seeing souls won for the Lord Jesus Christ this statistic should be a wake up call to us all, it shows us the enormity of the task of evangelising this once Christian Continent. Europe! This is the continent of Huss, of Luther, of Calvin, of Zwingle, of Latimer, of Ridley, of Wesley, of Whitfield, and of Spurgeon to name a few. WHAT A DEPARTURE!

If they don't know the law then how will they ever come to Christ?

'Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.' Gal 3 v24

'The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.' Psalm 19 v7

If people don't know there is a law then how do they know that they have broken it? If they do not know they have broken it then how will they ever understand the need to be saved? Saved, they will say, why what if we done wrong?

There needs to be the presentation of the broken law in our preaching. 88% of people in our continent need to hear such a message.

What are we going to do about that?

Beware the Watchtower

When I arrived home from work one day this week I found a coloured magazine lying on my doormat with the post. On closer examination the magazine was focusing on dealing with stress. This immediately made me suspicious as the cults often use stress in peoples lives as an 'in'.

I quickly turned over to the back to see who had published this little magazine. There it was just as i suspected 'www.watchtower.org'. For anyone who does not know, this is the publishing house of the so called Jehovah's Witness movement although you will have to look hard in their literature to find that admission.

The Russellites as I prefer to call them are a dangerous cult who deny the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Beware of their subtle literature and polished evangelists who may call at your door. What you should do is what the Apostle John urges in his 2ND Epistle:-

'Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.' 2nd John 1 v9-11

Needing God

My friend Richard was speaking at our youth fellowship last night about the sufferings of the Apostle Paul. During his message he made a quote that is worth considering, he said 'people who have nothing depend on God for everything but people who have everything depend on God for nothing.'

In the Church in the 'west' God's people have benefited a great deal from the general prosperity in society. I know there has been an economic reversal in recent years but we in the 21st Century enjoy living conditions that previous generations could only have dreamt of.

Sadly I fear that this prosperity has left God's people feeling self sufficient and as a result they feel no need for God. As Richard said 'they have everything and therefore depend on God for nothing.'

This reminds me of the Church of the Laodiceans that we read about in Revelation chapter 3. The Laodicean Christians thought that they had it all and said of themselves ' I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.'

Christ's opinion of them was very different and He said that they were 'wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.' In fact this church was in such a poor state spiritually that they made Him sick.

Do you need God? Do you?

I need thee every hour!

The Curse of Alcohol

I was speaking with a friend recently who works for the Ambulance Service. He was recounting to me a recent incident where he attended to an extremely ill 'alcoholic' man who was bed ridden. The poor man's brain was so destroyed by the effects of drink that he did not even have the good sense to call for the ambulance. When my friend came across him he had been in bed for several weeks in soiled clothing living in his own urine and excrement. Saddest of all during this time his mate who is also 'alcoholic' was bringing the man drink.

The story reminded me of the very real danger that alcohol can be to an individual. I am sure you are aware of people in your own area or even family who have had their lives destroyed through drink.

It is therefore no surprise that the Bible is full of serious warning about the danger of drink.

'Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.' Proverbs 23 v29-33

This is but one example of many in Scripture and yet, despite all of God's warnings it seems an increasing number of God's people are choosing to partake. I fear such people are storing up for themselves and their children such a lot of trouble for the future.

'Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.' Proverbs 20 v1

Don't allow Satan to allure you and deceive you. Alcohol is a curse!