20th March 2024

20th March 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (1 John 5:18-21 focus v19-20)


Message (Alan Burke)


I’m standing here looking out the window as I write this, standing because I’ve wrecked my back and looking out just marvelling at the beauty at what is before me, it is raining and now there is nothing out of the ordinary about that, but I can see the ran droplets falling, there are birds in the air and some resting on the electricity lines, the fairway and the greens of the golf course look lush but there is no one braving the conditions and everything seems to be once more springing to life once more with the buds on the trees, such a variety of greens displayed with the grey rain filled clouds above. All of it is declaring the glory of God, all of it is his creation. Yet as we continue we are told we know that we are the children of God, and the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We are the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ and this world ever since the fall the world we live in changed its alliance, or rather because of the fall it was that this world was given over to Satan! 


Satan became the ruler of the world in its present fallen sinful state and established a reign of sin on this earth. We were handed over to Satan, this world was handed over because we by our nature, that sinful nature belong not to God but to Satan for we are God’s enemies. God gave to Satan what had become his by the fall. This world is Satans kingdom, Ulster is Satans, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Russia, the United States, Ukraine all Satans, yet Satan is on a leash, God will only allow him so far. Likewise in respect to the acts of sinful men God will only allow so much before the sinner meets the judgement of God. While this world is ruled by Satan, while it is his kingdom, while he is a formidable enemy who prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8) God rules sovereignly rules over all and only lets him go so far, and God uses that which Satan meant for evil for His glory and His purposes.


As Jesus proclaimed the time has come the Kingdom of God is near (Mk 1:15), he was announcing how the time had come, their long awaited king was among them although it was not how they expected which can be seen in the expectations of even his disciples. This proclamation was that God was decisively acting on behalf of his people bringing about the Kingdom in the person and work of Jesus Christ in this age. And this kingdom is both now and not yet, it is present and future. The coming of Jesus marked the inauguration of the promised kingdom, for the king dwelt among his people, God was with his people, it is a present reality, for God’s kingdom consists of God’s rule over his people, as the Spirit works within us, when we are freed from our slavery to sin and the flesh. Through faith we are moved from the kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of God as we are born again of the Spirit and are the children of God. 


And the son of God has given us understanding, not because we had it by our nature for we were blind to the things of God but with the work of God within us we have understanding. When we were redeemed by Christ Jesus then we are set free from that slavery bought with a price, we have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ that was spilled for us, he bore the wrath that we deserve and we now belong to him, we are the possession of Christ Jesus, we are born of God the children of God. All of this was so that we might be given understanding, that we may know him who is true. For those who have this understanding then they are in him, he is true God and eternal life. Those who are born of God are kept safe by Him from the evil one and have eternal life. Our God keeps us safe and will bring us to dwell with himself eternally, that is our confidence even though all of what I look out on today has been handed over to Satan. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q98 What is prayer?
Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, (Ps. 62:8) for things agreeable to his will, (1 John 5:14) in the name of Christ, (John 16:23) with confession of our sins, (Ps. 32:5–6, Dan. 9:4) and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies. (Phil. 4:6)