church4u

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Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear… God is IN trouble. He is the shelter in your storm. Come under the shelter of God’s grace. God is our stronghold. Our fortress. He is all-powerful. David cried: Psalm 18:2, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust... God is ever ready to give the help we need. God is our VERY PRESENT HELP. At times we cry, like David, Psalm 12:1 Help, LORD… Know that He is PRESENT with you. As He was present… • With Daniel in the lion’s den - and he could fall asleep! • With Joseph in the pit, the prison, and the palace • With Jonah inside the fish • Withe three men inside the burning fiery furnace • With Job on the ash heap • With David in the cave • With John the Baptist in Herod’s prison He is very present. We can shelter in the centre of God’s will. He’s the refuge for us to escape to, and the strength we need to help us manage and press on… Therefore we will not fear. Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. He says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Mark 4:37-39 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. Jesus is the one who put them in the boat. He’s the one that took them there… 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Jesus was with them. He would not allow them to perish. He stilled their storm and calmed their fears. He commanded the wind and waves to be still. And there was a great calm. How is our faith during our storms of life? He can say the word. He can still the storm we’re going through. He can deliver us by the power of his word. It was a big storm. But an even bigger God. When the storms come. When life is not fair… There is a confidence you can have in God. Jesus is with us. We will make it to the other side. He speaks Peace. God called Job perfect and upright, the best of the best… God allowed boils to cover Job from head to toe, as he sat on an ash heap. Job was faithful… through the storm of life. Truly our Lord cares - for troubled hearts and homes. He came on a mission to save the lost. He cares. He's not far away. He is PRESENT. "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). What a comfort! His arms will carry us through. He will gather the lambs with His arm. --Isaiah 40:11. Your heavenly Father constantly watches over you. In this world of sin and suffering, we know that our God does care. So what are we to do with our troubles? 1. Talk with Him Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Give your situation over to God, in the day of trouble: Psalm 50:15 …call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. He is close by. Even in our darkest hours - in the time of crisis. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 2. Trust Him God is big enough and strong enough - He has all the power it takes to look after you and your problems! Trust God - to take care of your problems. Leave them in His hands. Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. God is our refuge IN the storm – even the hardest times of affliction and spiritual attack. Trust Him - His comforting presence is our very present help in time of trouble. 3. Transfer it! Transfer your troubles into His hands. 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. It says cast - how much - ALL your cares and worries on Him - Because HE CARES FOR YOU. Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. He will sustain you. He will take care of you. You first have to cast your burden on Him. We may not understand the hurts of life we sometimes face, yet we can learn to trust God in them. 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. Reach out to others with the caring love of Christ.

Matthew 18:3 Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Our Lord commends childlikeness. How are we to be as little children? As a little child… 1. LEARNS Children want • to FIND OUT - about life • They want to learn and grow • to explore • to ask a lot of questions Our Lord says, “…receive the kingdom of God as a little child” Luke 18:17. Be receptive to God. Children have a thirst for knowledge. May we also keep that desire to learn. He says, Matthew 11:29 …Learn of Me… Jeremiah 10:2 Learn NOT the way of the heathen… God made children to be teachable. Are we learning of Him - of our Lord? Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning… A child can learn a foreign language a lot easier than an older person can. They love to learn. They can absorb knowledge more easily. What about us, spiritually? Will we be like children? Are we wanting to learn the things that our Father wants us to know? Are we willing to learn from those whom the Lord has placed in our lives? Be a learner. A student of the Word of God. Will we be as a young child - as a piece of living clay, with a soft and yielding heart? Will we have that same child-like desire to learn about God, and be willing to keep on learning? Let’s keep that childlike spirit of wanting to learn and grow. Let’s keep that humility as we learn. As far as our knowledge goes, we really only have a bucket-load of the ocean. Here’s another thing we can appreciate about children… Another way we would do well to be as a little child… Is that a little child… 2. LAUGHS Children can quickly make their own fun and happiness - they play games. They can skip and play - and they make the most of each moment. Psalm 144:15 …happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Children love life. They know how to enjoy life. They know how to play. Let’s not lose that. As “grown ups” sometimes we can lose that kind of joy. We can get too serious. Too busy. That we don’t take time to enjoy life. That life more abundant that our Lord wants for us. Children get on with life. They find ways to have joy and fun. Let us have that heart of joy - that delight in our Father’s world. Our Heavenly Father want for us to have true joy and fulfilment! He wants what is best for us. Be filled with Joy, in His love. Let's get our relationships right with others in the world. Let us humble ourselves. Let us have a spirit of forgiveness. Let us put things right. We have a great Reason: • to enjoy life • to be happy - to be glad • to sing - with joy in our heart - deep down in our heart He puts a • smile in my soul • laugh in my heart • joy in my life We may go through the toughest time, but there’s still joy in our life, deep in our heart. 2 Corinthians 7:4 …I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 5 …we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us… Let’s not forget to enjoy God’s gifts, and enjoy our relationship with our heavenly father who loves us so. Let’s be alike to a child, also, as a little child… 3. LOOKS for Help - Cries OUT A child knows, that… • They are Weak and helpless • They know they need Help Psalm 12:1 starts off with two words of prayer we can all use: Help, Lord!… Children are Dependent. Children look to their parents. They look for help – they look to their parents when they hurt. Like children, we can depend on our Heavenly Father for all we need… He is there to help us through. We can have a simple trust and dependence on God. To have faith in His fatherly care. To be Dependent on the Arms of the Father. Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. God wants us to run to Him. He won't reject us. He won't turn us away. Run into the Father's arms today. God hears simple prayer. Will we have the simple faith of a child? Simply believe. A small child lets you pick them up and carry them. They trust. They believe. The child doesn't get worried that you might drop him. Are we like that with God? Or do we doubt Him? Children don't worry about food or clothing. They know that they'll be looked after. Be like children. Trust Him. Don't worry about "things". God knows perfectly what we have need of. Let's be hungry and desiring God's Word so that we can grow as strong, mature believers. 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. God wants us to humble ourselves and know simple faith. Children don't have a lot of doubts. They have trust. They are quick to believe what they are told. Let us be quick to believe what God says to us. Let’s become as little children and take God at His Word and simply trust Him. Learn of Him. Take hold of His hand by simple faith and receive His gift. It’s the simplicity that is in Christ.

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What lessons can we learn from the life of Elijah? God wrought a work of revival in Elijah's day. Where is the LORD God of Elijah? He is still the living God. Elijah came from nowhere. He was an unknown, a nobody. 1 Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite... said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. Elijah means “my God is Jehovah”. Elijah was human. He had real human frailties and feelings. James 5:17 …a man subject to like passions as we are. He fled from a woman, yielded to discouragement, and ran away from duty. Even so, Elijah is a Role Model for us. He relied on God. Elijah was called a Man of God. 1 Kings 17:24 ...Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth. The Word of God was at work in his life. 1 Kings 17:2 And the word of the LORD came unto him… He applied the Word. The Hand of God was upon his life. The power of the Holy Spirit. 1 King 17:46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab... God was in action in Elijah’s life. He had faith, courage and zeal. He stood up to danger, royalty, and famine. Elijah had the courage to stand for God’s truth and rebuke the king for his evil ways. 1 Kings 18:17 Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? Elijah wasn't afraid to speak out against evil. Ahab promoted the worship of Baal. The nation was backsliding. Elijah was willing to trouble those at ease in Zion. He confronted sin. Elijah repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 1 Kings 18:30. God’s people had neglected the worship and honour of God. Elijah restored and revived faith and true worship. Elijah killed the enemies of God - the False Prophets. He confronted the worshippers of Baal. 1 Kings 18:40 …Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. The evil seed had to be destroyed. Elijah withstood the apostate king, the backslidden nation, and the idolatrous priesthood. He cut out the cancer of the false prophets and their evil. He dealt severely with error. To promote truth you have to fight error. Let us also get back the uncompromising stand. Elijah was mighty in prayer; he prayed earnestly (James 5:17). Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He is alive: He is real, alive, active. He is the true and living God. He is still real and present and ready to meet our deepest needs. God answers prayer. 1 Kings 17:22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. Elijah heard the voice of the Lord, and the Lord heard the voice of Elijah. The Lord cares, He sustains, He provides and blesses His children with gifts and graces. Elijah was in touch with God. James 5:16-18 … The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Elijah was a man just like us. An ordinary man. The spirit of Elijah was the spirit of prayer. He prayed earnestly. Literally, He prayed in prayer. God actively worked in answer to prayer. Elijah prayed and God answered - with food and - with fire. Elijah was sustained by ravens, the widow and the angel. “The God that Answereth” must be the living and true God. 1 Kings 18:24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. Elijah’s prayers were simple and reverent: 1 Kings 18:36-37 ...Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Elijah talked about the God before whom I stand… he knew the presence of God. The secret place of the most High. Elijah restored the altar— it speaks to us of access to God. 1 Kings 18:37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell… And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He is Jesus Christ the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever. Elijah was subject to like passions as we are. He was very human. Let us listen for the still, small voice. His leading and guidance. Know that God will answer your need. There is a sound of abundance of rain. The blessing of God is there for us, as we trust in Him.

What does the Bible say about man's relationship with God? Our Lord tells us: …thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment… Has God got first place in our lives? Without God’s love, all of our religious works and efforts are only a “sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal”. Let's love God with our HEART. Our love relationship with God is a decision of the heart. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. Yet we can know a deep love relationship with God. God's Spirit creates a new heart within us. Our heart can be the dwelling place of God – Romans 5:5 …the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost… Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. Does God dwell in your heart? Does your love for God come from your whole heart? Let's love God with our SOUL. The soul is our whole personality - our energy, emotion, and willpower. We have been designed with a soul, as a creature that is only fulfilled by having the Lord God in the centre of our lives. Let's love God with our MIND. Our mind can be evil, vain, corrupt, defiled – even blinded. Is our mind surrendered to His ways? Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. May God protect our minds from unholy influences. Let’s use our mind for God, and develop our minds in right thinking. Let's love God with our STRENGTH. This talks of our human energy, effort, and might. It can mean to give Him our resources — time, energy, our gifts, and abilities. God’s love translates into our everyday life. We can love God so, that He counts us His friend. Exodus 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. We can develop a relationship with God. Friendship with God. It is faithful love. He loves us when we don’t deserve it. Proverbs 18:24 tells us …there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. He’ll stick with you. By faith we can be His friend. He can be our friend. Abraham knew such a friendship with God: James 2:23 …Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Our Lord is called a friend of sinners. He is a friend of those who are undeserving, who simply trust Him. His love is the greatest love. John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Our Lord is the greatest friend. He laid down His life for us. God’s love is Calvary love. John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. God’s love should mark how we live. God wants that for His church. Revelation 3 tells of the church at Philadelphia. God honoured this church. They had remained faithful and had held fast God’s Word. God's true believers of the last days will be such a church. “Philadelphia” means brotherly love. Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. We belong to God’s family – as brothers and sisters together. We are God’s family because of the Love of God. Hebrews 13:1 tells us, “let Brotherly love continue”. Keep on loving. Our Lord Jesus said, "Love as I have loved you." There’s a lack of love nowadays. These are the last days. Loveless days. Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Let’s aim to demonstrate the love of Christ in our relationships with others. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Put God’s love into action in your life. We can not only know the love of God, and know God as our true friend, but we can see His love flow in our life to others.

How can we know God’s will for our life? Guidance 101. A crash course. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. May we be living sacrifices, surrendered to the will of God. Let us yield to God’s best for our lives, even if it is costly. God reveals us His will for us in some clear ways: 1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. God’s will for the unbeliever is Salvation: 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. God’s will for the unbeliever is Spirituality. Ephesians 5:17-18 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; The will of God can be: Directive, Permissive, and Overruling. - God’s “Directive” will is what He directs. - God’s “Permissive” will is what He allows. - God’s will can also be “Overruling” where he acts to intervene and overrule what is happening. Here are some Principles of Guidance: Firstly, Apply your knowledge of Biblical principles. Psalms 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Don't go contrary to scripture. A second principle is: Surrender to the Holy Spirit. Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. A third principle is: Aim to grow spiritually: to mature in Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ… As to categories of the will of God, we see the Viewpoint will of God - What does He want me to think? Do we seek after that? Isaiah 55:6-9 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near… For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD… Do we seek to see things from God’s point of view? God’s perspective? Secondly, consider the Operational will of God? What does He want me to do? Does what we are doing or contemplating to do bring God glory? 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Thirdly, there’s the Geographical will of God - Where does God want me to be? Jonah, for example, went to go the opposite way to where God directed him. We need to be sensitive to where God is leading us, and go there! God’s will encompasses all of life: • Salvation - 1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. • Sanctification - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication… • Spirituality - again - Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; • Thanksgiving - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. • Suffering - 1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. • 1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. • Trusting - Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. • Good Works - 1 Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: In seeking God’s will is about a matter we can receive Guidance through… - Prayer - Applying the mind to carefully consider the matter - The Word of God - Providential circumstances - The filling of the Spirit - Fellowship and confirmation concerning the matter - Applying the scriptures we know, and - Heeding the godly counsel of others. What will our response be to the will of God? • Will we SUBMIT to it? Yield to His will. Romans 6:13 … yield yourselves unto God… • KNOW it. Romans 12:2 …be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. • GROW in it… 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Behold Him today. See Him there, at Calvary. Turn with me to… The first Gospel. The Gospel of Isaiah. It was written about 700 years BC. So Isaiah was not an eyewitness of Christ, as the other Gospel writers. He foresaw these events. Experience… with me… the cross. Behold: 1. His SORROWS His compassion for us. In other words, what we see is - your pain in His heart. Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Despised and rejected - hated, scorned, forsaken. A Man of Sorrows. Pains and anguish. Acquainted with grief - he was used to it. He knows your pain. Your anxiety. We did not value or regard Him. See Him, in the Bitterness of Gethsemane. The Olive press. See His tears. Jesus wept - for a world chained by sin. His breaking heart. His yearning love. There was a sign on a garage: “We can mend everything but a broken heart”. Jesus can. See His mother, weeping. Treated with contempt. Treated as worthless. Unloved. Unwanted. Mankind still spits out His name as a swear word, thoughtlessly, blasphemously. The horror of the cross. The place of Humiliation. Hatred. Behold: His Sorrows. Behold: 2. His SUFFERINGS Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. See His Bleeding. His spasms. His pain. His sufferings were a grotesque agony. The ordeal. The extreme weariness. The despair. As a lamb slaughtered. As a leper avoided. As a victim hurt. As a criminal punished. He carried our sorrows - our pains and torments. He endured the smiting of men, and the striking of God. He was stricken of God, afflicted. Consider: The torment. The torture. The terror. The gloomy darkness. That he should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9. It was the cords of love that held Him there to the cross. It was shocking. He was defaced. Mutilated. Disfigured. He looked no longer human. He was made a curse for us. Galatians 3:13. We cannot conceive the exhaustion. The weight. He bore it willingly, patiently. The horrific humiliation and shame. Behold: His Sorrows. Behold: His Sufferings. Behold: 3. His SACRIFICE His was a willing sacrifice. Isaiah 53:5-7 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. He was wounded - pierced, stabbed. The iniquity of us all - our guilt. We are healed - made whole. He became sin for us. “Jesus became the greatest lair, perjurer, thief, adulterer and murderer that mankind has ever known - not because He committed these sins but because he was actually made sin for us” - so said Luther. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He carries the weight - He lifts it off us. Our pollution… laid on Him. He has made full satisfaction. His work is sufficient for all. Efficient for all who call. This great sacrifice was a sweet smelling savour. Strong smell of perfume. It tells of the travail of his soul. Travail - as of the pain of childbirth - His body wracked with searing pain - it was especially painful. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He cried out: It is finished. This was the cry of victory. Payment has been made. We Behold: His Sorrows. Behold: His Sufferings. Behold: His Sacrifice. This avails today: For us: This gives to us… Our reason for Purity. He has come to purify unto Himself a people. He makes us as clean can be. Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. The cleansing blood is our reason for Purity. Also, it’s our reason for Peace - the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. We have Shalom today. Wholeness. Reconciliation. And, this gives to us, our reason for Praise. Isaiah 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. He shall be exalted. Extolled - lifted up - and honoured. He who was an object of honour will be the One due praise. He is due our praise today. Behold Him.

What's baptism all about? A brief study, some testimonies, and a recent baptism service. In Acts chapter 8 it tells of Philip witnessing to a man – a eunuch from Ethiopia - he'd been talking about you know the lamb that was slain - the Messiah of Isaiah 53. And Philip preached unto him Jesus. It says, as they went on their way they came unto certain water and the eunuch said: See here is water what doth hinder me to be baptised? And Philip said, If thou believe us with all thine heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptised him. Who is baptism for? It is for people who gladly receive the word. It tells us that in Acts 2:41, they gladly received the word and they were baptised. A woman named Lydia heard the word, and her heart the Lord opened. And she attended unto the things which was spoken of Paul and, Acts 16 15, say: And she was baptised and her household. So baptism is for people whose heart the Lord has opened. God opens wide the heart of a man and a woman, and His light can enter and bring that hope of salvation to the darkened soul. It's faith that saves us; it's not the baptism. The Bible talks about believer’s baptism – we believe – and then we get baptised. This word, baptism, means to dip, to immerse in water. So that's the significance of it. Baptism is the outward manifestation of the inward transformation. It's your testimony of your faith. You're testifying of your faith. There's nothing magic about the water - the water really is a picture - a symbol - a sign. What’s of real significance is that step of faith; to go down into and come up out of the water like the eunuch did. Baptism is a public witness of your faith in Christ as the Son of God, crucified, buried and raised from the dead. That's the picture of the going down into, as in burial, then the coming up out of the water, signifying resurrection. It is a witness of new life. Baptism shows your identity with Christ. It signifies who you belong to. It's called a burial in Colossians 2. It talks about buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead. These folk that are being baptised today are showing a public testimony of their faith in Christ. Baptism does not save you. It is a figure - a sign- a type - a picture - of the salvation already received. So it's an outward sign of an inward event - an outward sign of an inward change. Baptism identifies a person as a disciple of Christ. It celebrates their passing from the old way of life to the new life in Christ. The person who was previously dead in sin is pictured as buried – and is now alive - living eternally; spiritually alive. Baptism is a symbol of dying with Christ, towards sin and receiving new life in Christ. It pictures the believer raised to eternal life with Christ. Why should a person be baptised? It's our Lord's command. He says, go and baptise. It is an act of obedience. Our Lord Himself was baptised, as that perfect example. And so we are to follow His steps. As Philip began preaching, Acts 8:12, the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, it says they were baptised, both men and women. Baptism is for believers; men who believe and women who believe. As Philip told the eunuch, when he was asked, what hinders me - what's stopping me from being baptised? He says, if you believe with all your heart then you can be baptised.

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Beautiful homes are to be given away in the Perfect City. The Lord Jesus tells of this city: “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). It is a City with Many Homes "In My Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2). This is… a City without Tears, Pain or Death. "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4). Everything is New "...I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5). It is a City of Great Beauty "He... shewed me that great city... Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal (Revelation 21:10-11). A City with Pure Water Supply "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb" (Revelation 22:1). It’s a City with Abundant Fruit "On either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month…" (Revelation 22:2). It is a City without Hunger or Thirst "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more…" (Revelation 7:16-17). A City without Tears “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17). A City without Sin "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Revelation 21:27). We cannot describe the beauty, splendour, and glory of Heaven: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). There stands the awesome throne of God, perfect angels, and a street of transparent gold. In that heavenly city wondrous trees grow beside a sparkling river of life. There They Eat of the Tree of Life "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Revelation 2:7). Heaven is a place of everlasting life. There They Rest from Their Labours "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord… saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them" (Revelation 14:13). All pain, all death, all sighing shall flee away. It’s a City with Perfect Government – it’s where God's throne is. Revelation 4:2 …behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. Heaven is supremely governed by God Himself. It’s City with Perfect Worship. "They... serve Him day and night, in His temple... and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever…" (Revelation 7:15, 4:10-11). All of the pain, the sorrow and grief of earth are past forever. In Heaven there will be no sickness, no hospitals, no poverty, no cripples, no blindness. There will be no death, no broken homes, no prisons... In Heaven there is perfect security. There is joy unspeakable and full of glory. Heaven is a place of perfect righteousness. No sin can enter there. It’s a place of unspeakable beauty. A beautiful street, paved with gold like transparent glass. Heaven is a place of perfect sight, perfect light. Nothing that stains or soils. There’s only One Way to the City. Jesus said, "l am the WAY… no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6). "As many as received Him (The Lord Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God…" (John 1:12). There’s Free Transportation to the City. The Lord Jesus said, "I will come again, and receive you (who have trusted Me as your Saviour from sin) unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:3). Heaven is a place of reward. Our Lord says, Great is your reward in Heaven (Matthew 5:12). There is laid up an inheritance incorruptible (1 Peter 1:4). We will abide in the very presence of God forever. Here we find "pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11). Let us "Lay up treasures... not on earth, but in Heaven." Invest in souls; invest in Bibles; invest in missionaries; invest in spreading the Gospel around the world. Our Lord called Heaven the "Father's House" (John 14:2), and a father's house is also a children's home. Heaven is a Prepared Place For Prepared People. Do you have plans for residence in this "better country"? Paul refers to our citizenship as being "in heaven, from which also we look for the Saviour" (Philippians 3:20). Free Titles are offered to Homes of the City. Every child of God has Eternal Life. Jesus said, "He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him (God) that sent Me, hath everlasting life" (John 5:24). Now is the preparation Time for Entering the City "Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). "Seek those things which are above" (Colossians 3:1). Heaven is not only a real place but it is our eternal dwelling place, if we are His children.

In Luke 16 we catch a glimpse of life after death. Two men – two destinies. A certain rich man lived like a king. He knew pride, selfishness, worldly ease, and also the neglect of God. No thought of God, or of his soul. He had made no preparation for eternity. A certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores. Lazarus was powerless, and poverty stricken. Covered with sores. Yet, Lazarus was prepared for eternity. Death is CERTAIN. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Lazarus knew a place of blessing, refreshment, rest, and relationship. Of the other man it says: in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments… In Hell he had all his faculties: sight, feeling, conscience, and memory. He knew a longing that could not be satisfied. He himself was a beggar now. He was refused. Not even a drop of water. He said: I am tormented in this flame. For the believer death means to be “with Christ” – it is “far better” Philippians 1:23. To be “Absent from the body” is to be “present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). The rich man was told, Remember. The lost have a vivid memory. In Hell he had a conscience – he recalled memories. He knew regrets, remorse; lost opportunities. It tells, “there is a great gulf fixed”. There was no escape. Hell is a place of despair. Of concern. Hell should prompt us to care, to prayer, to share. In Hell they want people to go and testify. Hell is a reality: Psalm 9:17 —The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the nations that forget God. Our life in this world will have consequences in the next. There is need of warning. The Lord spoke more about the woes and terrors of Hell than about the joy and bliss of Heaven. Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Jesus preached on Hell more than any other character in the Bible. Three times He said: "Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched". For every sermon He preached on Heaven, He preached two on Hell. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Where is Hell located? Hell is at the end of a Christless life. Hell has no exit. There is no escape- ever. It is final and forever. Christ died to save you, but you refused His mercy and rejected His grace; it is forever and forever too late. What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:26). The Bible describes Hell: A Place of... Eternal separation from God. Hell is a Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:15). A place of everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). A furnace of fire (Matthew 13:42). A place of everlasting, unquenchable fire. "The fire shall never be quenched". A place of everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46). Of pitch blackness - unending blackness of darkness, forever (Jude 13). A place where they gnaw their tongues (Revelation 16:10). A place where they drink the wine of the wrath of God (Revelation 14:10). A place from which the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and forever- no rest day and night (Revelation 14:11). It is a place where they do not want their loved ones to come - a place of torment (Luke 16:28). A place where there are murderers, liars, the fearful and abominable (Revelation 21:8). Hell is a Place of Damnation (Matthew 23:33). It is a place of sorrows - of weeping. A place of torment (Luke 16:23) - of full consciousness - The rich man saw and spoke and felt, both physically ("being in torments") and emotionally (wanting to warn his brethren). Hell will be a place of unending memories and regret - people will recall the opportunities missed. One of the horrors of hell is the unending memory of a misspent life – Son, remember. Hell is a place of unanswered prayer. A place of God's Fury - God's Wrath. Place of Everlasting burnings and Devouring fire (Isaiah 33:14). Place of everlasting shame and contempt. Place of Groans, Wailing, of Gnashing of teeth. Place of Conscious pain, unsatisfied desires. A place of Everlasting chains. It is the place of the Second death. A place of Fire and Brimstone. A place of Extreme Suffering Forever and forever. A place of Judgment. A place of Misery, of Vile Companionship. A place of utter Hopelessness. In Hell there is no Hope. No chance of trusting Christ. Hell is Real. Perhaps we have not let the reality of hell grip our souls. Hell should Motivate Us. The eternity of Hell's sufferings should motivate us to be more zealous and eager to tell people of the only One who is able to rescue them. Christ saves from Hell: The Lord Jesus has paid the penalty of sin and there is no need for anyone to go to Hell. Flee from the wrath to come. Flee to the arms of Christ and be saved forever. Know His saving today!

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Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible. Job the man lived 4000 years ago. Job 1:1-5 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. He was a righteous man. …the greatest of all the men of the east… Job cared for his family and acted as the priest of his home. Now enters satan, the accuser. God calls Job, my servant Job. 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. In just a few moments Job suffered huge, tragic, sudden loss. Job 1:20-21 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In his overwhelming grief, yet Job sought God. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Job is sat on a pile of ashes. Job 2:9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. Job sat and waited for God to redeem his life. He trusted God’s goodness in the face of all that was not good. Job's friends just blamed and accused him - that God must be punishing Job for some sin. Over 80% of the book of Job is poor advice that Job’s friends gave him. They misunderstood God’s purposes. In chapter 3 Job cursed the day of his birth. Job was spiritually, mentally, and emotionally broken. His life was consumed with misery. Job 5:7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. We can trust that whatever He does — and whatever He allows — is perfect. Job’s faith yet held fast.Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. We can trust Him. Job knew what trouble was… Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Our faith outlasts these earthly days of trouble. We have an eternal hope. Job declared his faith in his redeemer. Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Trust Him through your suffering. Walk with Him. Job 23:12 …I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Esteem the Word of God. Job revered and honoured God as His maker and creator… Job 26:7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. Job honoured God, even in his pain… Job 28:28 …Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Elihu finally spoke. He talked of how suffering is God’s way to teach, discipline and refine. Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind... Job had talked so much when he knew so little. Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. We can know that God can do all things. We can yield to His will. He has the power to remove our suffering if He so chooses. No matter what, yet we can trust Him. He is always in control. Even when our suffering is a part of His sovereign plan, we can trust Him. The Lord will sustain His people through it all for His purposes and glory. Job 42:5-6 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. We are completely dependent on God. Let us learn to totally trust Him. Job turned to God in humble repentance. Job kept his faith. Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. We see that throughout the entire book, Job prayed, struggled, and eventually overcame. He never stopped having a relationship with God. Job lost just about everything - but he did not lose his faith in God. Job’s faith held steady, even though he suffered times of despair. Even though he did not understand what was happening. Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning... We can learn from the endurance of Job.

I speak of the Shame of a Nation. Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. We are a nation that should be ashamed. A godless land. Sin is a reproach. Sin perverts and pollutes a people. The book of Proverbs contrasts righteousness and sin. It talks a lot about wisdom and foolishness. There’s two paths we can take. The wise way and the foolish way. Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. We can choose wisdom, or we can choose folly. Australia is rotten. A cesspool of sin. We are a nation of fools. At the heart of our folly is unbelief. This is our nation’s shame. Psalm 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Here is the fool, defined. He does not seek God. He denies God. It seems most people care little for what is moral and right. Right is wrong and wrong is right. Children are being routinely killed in their mothers’ wombs. People see this somehow as a good thing. A sign of progress. Minds are filled up with brain-scrambling music, full of obscenities and cursing. Shame, Australia, shame. There’s a deliberate decay, a breakdown of the home and of decency. A fouling up of what is pure and wholesome. All the while the evidence is staring them in their face and they deny Him. …they are without excuse… We’re being dumbed down, and desensitised. Debased. And of course there’s confusion everywhere. Masculine women. Effeminate men. The average Aussie cares little for truth. Surely, it seems, God's hand is writing on the wall. Is there any hope? Yes, thankfully. There is. The Bible shows us that real wisdom comes from God. For those who will seek it. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. God is the starting point in the search for true wisdom. Wisdom starts with God. We have an urgent need of reprogramming. We need a mindshift to right thinking. It’s going to take applied truth. Proverbs 23:12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. Wisdom comes from God. And He wants us to have it. Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Wisdom STARTS WITH knowing God. A companion of fools shall be destroyed. Are you bound for the Celestial City or the City of Destruction? If you’re headed for destruction I would urge you: "Get off the Bus." Proverbs 4:14. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. The majority take the crowded road that leads to destruction. We have to take the road less travelled. Exodus 23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil… True wisdom starts by listening to God. Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: The wise will listen. They are willing to learn. The fear of God is a fountain of life. Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. The wise can know true joy. God gives it. The wise will control their tongue; their temper. The wise will be diligent in their work. The wise will look after their health. The wise will be honest. The wise will heed God’s counsels. Proverbs 4:5-9 Get wisdom, get understanding… Wisdom is something we can actually have. We can ASK God for wisdom… James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Wisdom brings discernment… so we can know the true from the false. True wisdom is to know God, by faith. The backslider is filled with folly. Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways… O the folly of those who neglect their soul! The fool neglects their spiritual life. They do not care about the fear of God. We must realise our need of spiritual life. The awful truth is that most will come to the end of their earthly journey and have to say: “I am not saved.” Jeremiah 8:20 - “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and WE ARE NOT SAVED.” The greatest folly of all is to not be saved. The folly of unbelief. The folly of backsliding. Realise the folly, the shame, of a God rejecting life. The heart reason a man is a fool is because he has rejected God. It is pride. Unbelief has a foolishness to it. It is destruction. Damnation. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. The key message of Proverbs is “Get wisdom or act and look like a fool!”

1 Corinthians 1:23 "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness..." They had One Message. One Sermon. They Preached CHRIST... The Message was plain and simple. Christ and Him crucified. It wasn't hard to understand - It was not a difficult, technical thing... It wasn't a religion of man's efforts, or good works, or a religion of complicated rituals, traditions and ceremonies. What did they preach? We hear, of Philip… Acts 8:5, 35 Philip "preached Christ unto them." His Message was Christ - Not: Prosperity, Holy Laughter - Not Legalism, Tradition, Dead Theology. Life changing Truth: The Saviour. The Lifechanger. They would not stop. Acts 5:42 "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." CHRIST and HIM CRUCIFIED... This is our message. THE CROSS: Here is where the Christian life begins - at the Cross... Our emphasis, our priority - our focus is the same message: Christ crucified. WHAT Was the Cross FOR? BY THE CROSS... WE CAN RECEIVE GOD'S PLAN FOR MAN: Here’s how He shows His great Love toward us: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Here’s how we can know GOD'S PEACE: The peace of God which passeth all understanding… Peace in heart and mind and soul. He "...made peace through the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20) He’s extended GOD'S PARDON: Full Forgiveness is available, by His grace. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7) BY THE CROSS WE CAN BECOME... GOD'S PROPERTY: He owns us - He's paid an awesome price... "the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28) By His precious blood we're brought close; we become His children "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13) We are the reason for Christ crucified. It was FOR OUR SINS: "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3) "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness..." (1 Peter 2:24) "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows... But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised tor our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5) We can have forgiveness. We can know a wholeness, now. We're living in an age of Information and Knowledge... - Lots of things we can know about - what is it that really matters? - what really counts... The believers were a School with one Subject. Christ was the Subject, and Christ the Teacher. Paul says: 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. It is not what you know - it's Who you know. The Bible says that Knowledge puffs up — Some will parade around and show off their knowledge. Some highly qualified people are, like the Bible says, “ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Our faith is not a "know about Him" - but to actually Know Him. We can come as a little child. We can come to Know Him - Personally know Him - in a wonderful, meaningful, Personal Relationship. Life is meaningless without knowing the Saviour. There's many subjects to learn in the school of life. What matters is that we know Him. We can know more and more about the Lord Jesus. It's a tremendous, growing relationship. If we’re saved we’ve got reason to sing. We have… ONE SERMON – To tell of Him ONE SUBJECT – To know Him ONE SONG – To love Him. Do we?

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