Year 3 Day 28 


Pray (ACts)


Read - Daniel 7v13-28


Message - Scott Woodburn
All kingdoms pass away but the kingdom of Jesus never will. This isn't wishful thinking, it is the testimony of the Word of God. Daniel in a night vision had witnessed the rise and fall of four beasts upon the earth. The beasts represented successive world empires, each of which would have their day but would eventually leave the scene of time. But Daniel had also seen the throne room of Almighty God who was reigning over the kingdoms of man.


As Daniel continued to gaze into heaven he saw "one like a son of man" come before the Ancient of Days (v13). Who did Daniel see? He caught a glimpse of the Lord Jesus Christ. We know this because Scripture interprets Scripture. In the New Testament the term "son of man" is used eighty eight times to speak of Christ. It is a title to show His humanity. Jesus is true God, true man and without sin. Christ is the son of man.


So Daniel sees God the Son coming before God the Father and to Jesus is given power and dominion and a kingdom that will never pass away (v14). Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome have all had their day but the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ endures and will never ever fade away. Daniel was alarmed by what he had witnessed but he was told that the followers of God will receive the kingdom and possess it forever (v18). This brings us great assurance. No matter where we live and no matter how wicked the government, "let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12v28-29)


Daniel was comforted but wanted to know more about the terrifying fourth beast. It was different from the others. It had teeth of iron and claws of bronze and it had ten horns on its head (v19-20). There was another horn that rose up and it spoke boastful things and waged war against the people of God (v21). What did he see?


Daniel had witnessed the rise of Rome. It would have great power symbolised by the ten horns and eventually Rome's emperors would war against the people of God and demand to be worshipped as divine. The little horn however would represent wicked Roman emperors like Nero but also multiple opponents of the church over many years.


The age between Christ's ascension and His return will be marked by fierce opposition to the Gospel. Even now many have risen who are against Christ. The Scriptures speak of these individuals as "antichrist", they seek to take Christ's place and claim the worship that is due only to Almighty God. Rome's emperors could be considered as "antichrist" but even after Rome's downfall, the spirit of antichrist continued.


Daniel is told that the "little horn" will wage war against the people of God until Christ's return. Then will come the last judgement and the giving of the kingdom to the saints (v22). Throughout history and especially just before Christ's return there will be those who speak against God, who wear out God's people and will overstep their power and authority (v25). This will continue "for a time, times and half a time" (v25). Throughout Scripture this period is described in various ways but it represents the period we are currently in - we are between the first and second coming of Jesus.


Brothers and sisters, as history moves forward to the return of Christ, kingdoms will continue to rise and fall., antichrists will come and go and eventually one final Antichrist will oppose the Lord upon this earth. I do not write these things to make you afraid. Daniel saw them and his colour changed but nevertheless he stored them up in his heart (v28). I would urge you to do the same. Be aware of the enemy and his schemes. Understand that there are antichrists in this world with a final one to come. Be discerning about what you hear and accept as truth. Yet nevertheless see again that the Son of Man will not be moved. The antichrist may rage but he will surely be destroyed by the Lamb of God. Come Lord Jesus!


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q32 What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life? They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them.
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Year 3 Day 27


Pray (ACts)


Read - Ezekiel 1:1-3


Message - Alan Burke


You might have read these verse from the beginning of the book of Ezekiel and been left at least at points scratching your head. Like when was the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day that Ezekiel was among the exiles by the Kebar River and where is the Kebar River? We are then told he saw visions of God and the next thing it is the fifth of the month, the fifth year of the exile! Before we think of those questions and likely a few more I’ll tell you a bit about the book of Ezekiel. Well it’s about the prophet Ezekiel, the title of the book is a give away and it records his preaching to the people of God of the divine judgement upon His people for their faithlessness. Yet it ends with the message of restoration, of hope, but it is not for the peoples sake but for God’s purposes in bringing forth a redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ. The name Ezekiel means “God strengthens” or “May God strengthen,”


These opening verses give us some context, firstly we are told in that it was ”In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day”. It is unusual, but when we know that the age that priests began their priestly duty in the temple in Jerusalem was thirty it begins to make sense. God was calling Ezekiel to begin his priestly service, not in the temple but  among the exiles in Babylonia. We know that it is Babylonia because it is there that the river Kebar was and verse three makes clear to us even if we missed it that this is taking place in the land of the Babylonians. So Ezekiel, far away from the promised land, living as an exile, at the age that he would have been going forward to begin his priestly duties in the temple, instead sees the heavens opened and saw a vision of God calling him to be a prophet. 


Then in verse two we are told it was the “fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin”. This helps us date what is going on here, the exile of King Jerhoiachin began in 597 B.C. when Jerhoichain was 18 at the time and had been king for only three months (2 Kings 24:8) and so it is 593 B.C.. And Ezekiel himself was part of the second group of people that Nebuchadnezzar took from Judah to Babylon, what Nebuchadnezzar was doing was taking the best of the best from Judah as punishment for their revolt under the reign of Jehoiakim. 


Ezekiel, “saw visions of God” (v1) and “the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest” (v3) and even in the land of the Babylonians “There the hand of the Lord was upon him” (v3). So Ezekiel an exile, among the exiles, far away from the dwelling place of God, unable to begin or fulfil his duties as a priest. Yet what is abundantly clear from the outset, as Ezekiel saw visions of God as the word of the Lord came to him, as the hand of the Lord was upon him is that the Lord was at work, speaking to these exiles.  


Even though God symbolically dwelt in Jerusalem the Lord God is not like the gods of the nations, limited and bound to a place, no He is the God of all the earth, the true and living God who is the God of all of creation. Their God, our God, the living and true God is the God of all the earth. For us from the outset this is a reminder that should give us comfort. The Lord God we come before today isn’t confined by a building, a place, there is nowhere that is beyond his reach or we can hide as Jonah found out the Lord God is God of all the earth and he dwells in us by the Holy Spirit, and one day we will dwell with him for eternity, that is our hope, whether we feel like we are in distant lands in exile God is with us, with you as you repent and believe by His Spirit.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q31 What is effectual calling?
Effectual calling is the work of God’ s Spirit, (2 Tim. 1:9, 2 Thess. 2:13–14) whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, (Acts 2:37) enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, (Acts 26:18) and renewing our wills, (Ezek. 36:26–27) he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. (John 6:44–45, Phil. 2:13)
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Year 3 Day 25


Pray (ACts)


Read - Daniel 7v1-12


Message - Scott Woodburn
The book of Daniel is incredibly beloved and well known by Christians. We have heard the stories from childhood about the golden idol, the fiery furnace, the mysterious hand and the lion's den. But as we turn to chapter seven, suddenly the book shifts from familiar stories to strange, colourful visions. Indeed it jumps from Darius and takes us back in time to the days of Belshazzar the king of Babylon (v1). In those days Daniel was laying on his bed when he received a vision by night (v2). 


Daniel saw four great beasts coming from the sea (v3). In prophetic books the sea is a place of chaos, danger and storm. The first beast represented Babylon. It was like a lion with eagle's wings denoting its strength and speed of growth. Yet the wings were plucked off and beast was given the mind of a man and made to stand on two feet (v4). This is a reminder of Nebuchadnezzar's insanity and the eventual weakening and fall of Babylon.


The second beast was like a bear which like the lion was another dangerous animal. It was raised up on one side ready to pounce on any opponent and it had ribs in its mouth showing that it was fierce and had already devoured some enemies. It was told to arise and devour much flesh (v5). The bear was the coming Persian empire which would become the dominant world power after Babylon's fall.


The next beast was a leopard with four wings and four heads (v6). The number four in prophetic books denotes creation - think about the four points of a compass - this leopard would have dominion over a vast area of territory and would be swift in its rise to dominance. The leopard was the Greek empire under Alexander the Great. Alexander's empire was huge in scale and he had achieved it rapidly, dying when he was only thirty-two. After his death his empire was divided between his four generals represented here by the leopard's four heads.


The fourth and final beast was terrifying, dreadful and exceedingly strong with iron teeth in its mouth (v7). This beast was different from the others and Daniel didn't compare it to any known animal. Indeed this beast had ten horns. Just as four denotes creation and seven denotes perfection then so too does ten denote a number of great size or fullness. Peter would later ask Jesus if he should forgive his brother seven times (Matthew 18v21-22). The Lord replied "seventy times seven" or in other words we are to forgive consistently and completely. Seven times ten is seventy and seventy multiplied by seven is four hundred and ninety. Jesus wasn't teaching that we should forgive four hundred and ninety times and then stop. His point was our forgiveness should be of great a scale, it should be fulsome.


Here Daniel sees an image of the coming Roman empire. It's ten horns show that Rome would be great in power and size and scale and from Rome would come a "little horn" (v8) with eyes like a man and a boastful mouth (v8). Here we see Rome's emperors who would eventually declare themselves to be "gods" and demand the worship and adoration of their people.


Despite Daniel's terror at the four beasts he would soon have his eyes lifted away from temporary empires to the throne room of God Himself. Daniel looks and he sees "the Ancient of Days" taking His throne. This is an image of Almighty God whose clothes and hair are white as snow. He is holy, He is pure, He is without sin. He sits on a throne with fiery wheels showing that He is omnipresent - there is nowhere that our God does not reign. From His throne the Lord sends forth a fiery judgement upon His enemies (v10) and He is served by millions of angels and redeemed sinners (v10).


Rome's leaders may have boasted in their own greatness but they were no match for the Ancient of Days who destroyed the fourth beast and took the power away from the rest (v11-12).


In this extraordinary vision we catch a little glimpse of heaven. There is no panic in Paradise as the beasts rage upon the earth. Instead the Lord God is in complete and utter control. There was no one from the days of Babylon to Rome and no one since who has ever caused the Lord an anxious thought. Nebuchadnezzar couldn't, Alexander couldn't, Nero couldn't and Putin certainly can't. Brothers and sisters, if you find yourself increasingly anxious at the state of this world - look up. The Lord reigns. You can rest.


Pray (acTS)


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Q30 How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ? The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
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Year 3 Day 24


Pray (ACts)


Read - Mark 9:30-32


Message - Alan Burke


Jesus Christ was raised from the dead! That is the wonderful news that we are taught in the scriptures. He was raised for our justification and for our own resurrection, we will be raised also with physical bodies (Rom 6:5). Although we haven’t got to the crucifixion and resurrection in the gospel of Mark, we once more focus on it as we will do this Sunday as we think to this passage as Jesus once more predicts His death and resurrection to his disciples. Look back though if you have your bibles before you, in chapter 8:31, he had predicted that he must suffer, be rejected, be killed and after three days rise. Then earlier in chapter 9 after the transfiguration he told his disciples v9 as they were coming down from the mountain not to tell anyone until they had seen the Son of man rise from the dead, which the disciples discussed what it meant (10). 


Think back though to what we were learning of earlier in the week, the boy with an evil spirit. When Jesus commanded the spirit out the boy lay, looking like a corpse and people said “He’s dead” (26).  Yet in what looked like death there was something else, there was salvation, Jesus took him by the hand lifted him to his feet and we are told in v27 in the NIV that he ‘Stood up’ in the ESV and KJV it is ‘arose’. The same greek word is used in 8:31, it is also used in 9:10, v31 and 10:34 and two other times (12:23, 25), each time the word is used for resurrection from the dead. The disciples had discussed what rising from the dead meant and here Jesus shows them as he raises and restores this boy. It points forward to Jesus’ own death and resurrection. Jesus is teaching his disciples in the midst of this miracle of what he himself would do. Then once more he teaches them about his death and resurrection (31). 


For what faced Jesus, was betrayal, death and that he would rise (31). The betrayal into the hands of men is speaking of all humanity. Jesus came to be betrayed in to the hands of men, for humanity, it was our sin that made this necessary, it was us that caused him to be handed over to die, betrayed, killed, yet the wonderful hope that is portrayed here is that after three days he would rise. Although the disciples did not understand this, and they were afraid to ask him about it. The one whom through all things were made, who rules over the heaven and the earth, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, who came as one of us, gave up the highest pinnacle of glory to take on our humanity, instead of exalting himself he came and humbled himself, to betrayed, killed and rise. 


He who had the privileges that were rightly his as King of the universe, gave them up to become a baby bound for the cross. Jesus went to the cross out of love, demonstrated that he truly shared the divine nature of God, who is love (1 John 4:8).  And For this reason God raised him to life and highly exalted him, entrusting him with the rule of the cosmos and giving him the name that is above every name. There is none to be found either in heaven or in earth that is equal to his, name. In the death of Christ, see, and taste, and ponder, and feel, and recognise the unmerited goodness of God, and the love of Christ toward us, in the resurrection we see the wonder of what God has done and this work is applied to us by the work of the Holy Spirit within us, this great and immeasurable, wonder that our Saviour Christ Jesus regardless of his position humbled himself and his life for our sakes.


I’ll leave you with this. This coming Lord’s day is the day on which churches across this land and world will celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, while there are others who are from the Orthodox tradition will celebrate the resurrection next Sunday (that’s the 24th). We often miss it but we there is a reason why we worship on a Sunday and not on Saturday which would be the Jewish Sabbath, it is because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Lord’s day, the resurrection day was a Sunday and every one of them and there is 52 in the year that we mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ, each is as important as the other. 


Pray (acTS)


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Q29
How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us, (John 1:11–12) by his Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5–6)
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Year 3 Day 23 


Pray (ACts)


Read - Daniel 6


Message - Scott Woodburn
Empires rise and fall but the world's hatred of the church remains. There may have been a new boss in town but his staff were still filled with jealousy towards Daniel. King Darius had recognised that Daniel was a trustworthy individual and planned to put him charge over the whole kingdom (v3). But the other members of the king's cabinet sought to find fault in Daniel (v4) and they eventually realised the only way they could destroy him was by attacking his faith in the Lord (v5).


All the king's men set in motion a wicked scheme. They encouraged Darius to enforce a new law that said the people of his kingdom were to pray only to Darius for a period of thirty days. Anyone breaking this rule would be thrown into a den of lions (v7). Daniel knew that the law had been passed but regardless he continued to pray to the Lord three times a day (v10). His opponents seized on the opportunity to report Daniel's prayer life to the king reminding their master that anyone refusing to pray to him alone should be thrown into the lion's den (v13).


Darius was downhearted by the turn of events. He held Daniel in high regard and so he did his best to avoid punishing him (v14). Nevertheless his advisors reminded him that under the law of the Medes and Persians no law established by the king could be changed (v15). We shouldn't underestimate the vindictiveness of sinful men nor should we underestimate the foolishness of rushed decisions. Both had conspired against righteous Daniel.


So Daniel received the punishment of the lion's den while Darius declared “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” (v16) Darius may have foolishly listened to his advisors but he was genuinely concerned about Daniel. He fasted all night, he did not sleep and in the morning he rushed to the lion's den to see Daniel's fate (v19).


Darius in great anguish cried out “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” (v20) The answer was yes. Daniel reported that the Lord had sent an angel to shut the lion's mouths. No harm had come to Daniel because frankly he had done nothing wrong.


Darius was genuinely relieved (v23) and responded in two ways. Firstly, he had the conspirators, their wives and their children thrown to the lions (v24). Behold the sinful wicked rage of human kings! Secondly, he wrote to everyone in his kingdom and declared “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring for ever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” (v26-27)


In Daniel we see a little glimpse of the Christ to come. Like Jesus, Daniel had to endure the lies and vindictiveness of his enemies. Like Jesus, Daniel called upon the Lord to deliver Him and like Jesus, Daniel came out of his tomb in the morning alive and well.


Brothers and sisters, in this world we will have trouble. Do not be surprised at trials when they come and do not be shocked by the lies and malice of those who hate you for your faith in Christ. But in the midst of the storm know that the Lord remains sovereign over the forces of this world. He will not let you perish and He will vindicate you on the last day. Just as our God shut the mouths of the lions, so too will he shut the accusations of our enemies. Trust Him, call upon Him and once again realise that our God is good to those who fear Him. He is the living God, enduring for ever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end!


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Q28 Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation? Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
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Year 3 Day 22


Pray (ACts)


Read - Mark 9:21-27


Message - Alan Burke


Things had gone from bad to worse for this father, he had brought his son to the disciples of Jesus and they had failed to do anything to help him and as the boy is brought to Jesus things get worse, as the boy is in the midst of violent convulsions Jesus asks the boys father, how long as he been like this. This question of Jesus is an invitation for the father to tell yes of his son condition, what affliction that they had faced but it is also an invitation for this man to declare his heart. For the man had come to the disciples in hope, he had come in faith. So the father pours out his hear to Jesus, telling him of what had happened, asking Jesus to have pity on us and help. It wasn’t just the son who was afflicted by this demon but also the father who had brought him. 


We loose something here in translation, for the literal translation is “Help us and have compassion on us.”. This man is asking Jesus for his compassion, the source of this fathers hope is in the compassion of Jesus who had compassion on so many throughout his ministry. He comes knowing that God is compassionate and gracious, how much he knew is debatable, but he knew enough that he had faith in Jesus. The response of Jesus to this man, shows his compassion towards him, for he tells him, ‘everything is possible for him who believes’. 


These words of Jesus to this father are not an all encompassing promise, these words of Jesus aren’t saying… “anything is possible, you just have to believe it will happen, think positively and you’ll be able to do it because nothing is impossible for God”. Rather it teaches us that if we believe that nothing is too difficult for God, that there is no limits on the power of God even when our experience seems to indicate otherwise. It means we can come before the Living God with confidence and are free to ask him whatever we want, as long as we realise that God will answer according to His will (1 John 3:21–22; 5:14).


To these words of Jesus, in the midst of all that he faced this man says; “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” In the midst of it all, in the midst of the failure of the disciples to do anything for his son, who was in the midst of violent convulsions, this is a cry of faith. He had faith, he did believe, he confessed his faith in the power of Jesus although he also humbly and honestly asked help to overcome his unbelief. What we have in this man is faith mixed with doubt, his faith is real, likewise his doubt is real. After all he had just seen the failure of the disciples to do anything to help his son, they were unable to do anything to help, they were part of the problem that left this man with faith mixed with doubt. Jesus in v25 acts. He commands the spirit to leave and never enter again, to the onlookers they think and say that he is dead but in what looked like death there was something else, there was salvation. 


Two things I want to leave you with today. Firstly in death there is hope, in His death Jesus Christ to the wrath of God for all those who repent and believe, in His death there is salvation. It doesn’t mean that everything here and now is going to be great, far from it, yes everything is possible and the Lord will act according to His will but that is not a promise of heaven on earth. Secondly this man had faith but was full of doubt, Jude 22, tells us to be merciful to those who doubt. Real faith is often mingled with doubts, yes we want to keep moving forward, to grow and grow, move from faith to faith and grace to grace, but there are moments that it’s just not like that. We will all have plenty of valleys, plenty of troughs, this man was in a valley, a tough, and he asked Jesus to help him overcome his unbelief. Asking for help in your unbelief, in doubts in struggles, we have a compassionate God who hears us when we pray, whom we can come before in the midst of what ever we face.


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Q27 Wherein did Christ’ s humiliation consist?
Christ’ s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, (Luke 2:7) made under the law, (Gal. 4:4) undergoing the miseries of this life, (Heb. 12:2–3, Isa. 53:2–3) the wrath of God, (Luke 22:44, Matt. 27:46) and the cursed death of the cross:; (Phil. 2:8) in being buried, (1 Cor. 15:3–4) and continuing under the power of death for a time. (Acts 2:24–27,31)
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Year 3 Day 21


Pray (ACts)


Read - Daniel 5


Message - Scott Woodburn
Only the Lord knows the condition of Nebuchadnezzar's heart. Did the king finally repent? Did Nebuchadnezzar receive Christ as his Saviour? Only God knows and eternity will tell the tale. Regardless it seems like the future generations of Babylonian kings had forgotten the mighty deeds of God that Nebuchadnezzar once proclaimed.


Nebuchadnezzar had once foreseen Babylon's coming end and his vision would come to fruition in the days of Belshazzar. Babylon was on the decline but instead of leading the fight against Babylon's enemies, king Belshazzar was having a drunken party using some of the golden vessels that had once been located in Jerusalem's temple (v1-4). The Persians were outside the gates of Babylon while Belshazzar was drinking toasts to his false gods (v4).


The Lord is patient towards humanity but eventually His patience wains. As Belshazzar drank, the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall of the king's palace (v5). The event knocked all of the confidence and bravado out of Belshazzar (v6) and he called for his advisors to come and interpret the message on the wall (v7). But the message could not be interpreted and the colour drained from Belshazzar's face (v9).


Thankfully Belshazzar's wife remembered that in the days of Nebuchadnezzar a man called Daniel had been able to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve problems (v12). If anyone could explain the mysterious message on the wall it would be Daniel. So Belshazzar called for Daniel and promised him riches and power if he could interpret the message on the wall (v13-16).  


Daniel had no interest in the king's gifts (v17) and before he interpreted the handwriting he reminded Belshazzar of the history of Nebuchadnezzar. God had given Nebuchadnezzar his power and his kingdom (v18). But just as the Lord had given Nebuchadnezzar his kingdom, so too he had taken it away and made Nebuchadnezzar like a beast of the field (v21). Nebuchadnezzar wasn't restored until he realised the greatness and sovereignty of God. None of this was new to Belshazzar. Daniel reminded him "you knew all this" and yet he had not learned any lessons from the past. Belshazzar had not humbled his heart before the Lord and he had even mocked the Lord by using the temple's golden vessels to worship false gods (v23).


The message on the wall was not good. The hand had written "Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin." (v25) Mene was interpreted to mean "God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end" (v26) Tekel was explained as saying "you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting" (v27) and  Peres stated "your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” (v28) In simple terms, God was about to humble Belshazzar - Babylon would fall and a new superpower would rise.


Belshazzar kept his word and rewarded Daniel (v29) but it would be the last act of his reign. That very night he was killed and Darius the Mede took over Babylon (v30-31).


We often act like Belshazzar. We assume there will always be a tomorrow and perhaps we'll deal with the Lord when that day finally arrives. My friends remember that tomorrow is guaranteed to no one - the wise individual is quick to repent and trust the Lord. Belshazzar was a fool and died surrounded by riches but in desperate spiritual poverty. Do not follow his example.


"The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3v9)


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Q26 How doth Christ execute the office of a king? Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
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Year 3 Day 20


Pray (ACts)


Read - Mark 9:14-20


Message - Alan Burke


I think it’s fair to say that faith isn’t just plain sailing and we see that here today in more than one way. First there is Peter James and John who had been with Jesus at the Transfiguration, they now come down and they are greeted with the other disciples, a large crowd but there too are teachers of the law arguing with them. There is nothing said of the reason for the argument but likely as the passage continues it is because a man had brought his son to the disciples of Jesus and they were unable to help. The boy was possessed by a spirit and the outworking of that is horrific. Even though that Jesus’s disciples had before in the gospel of Mark cast out demons, here they had here failed to do anything for this boy (6:7, 13, 30). The crux of it as we will see clearly as the passage goes on is that they had went on auto pilot, they had forgotten that in all things they were dependant not on themselves but on another. 


The detail that the boys father gives, of what his son faced is striking. It’s awful! Many have in an attempt to explain what is going on and this miracle have seen what is described and attributed what this boy faced as the condition epilepsy. Symptoms yes that are often associated with epilepsy, yet Mark emphasises that what this boy faced was not an illness, rather it was demon possession, and the the boy’s father graphically and painfully testifies to what his son faced. The unfolding scene that has seen arguing and strife, failure, pain and suffering, Jesus responds and it is one of Judgement. Yes the disciples had been left and they had let everything get out of hand but it not on the disciples Jesus exclaims “O unbelieving generation”, rather it is in judgement at the unbelieving nature of the crowd and the people of God.  Exasperated at this unbelieving crowd before Him, Jesus asks how long? 


O unbelieving generation was aimed at the crowd whereas this question was aimed towards the disciples. It coveys not a desire to get rid of them but exasperation at how little time he has left to teach them and prepare them for what lay ahead. Preparing these mediocre disciples for His betrayal, death and resurrection and when He ascended, leaving them to take the gospel out teaching others, making disciples. After this exasperated cry, in the midst of the unbelief of the people, in the midst of the failures of the disciples to do anything without him Jesus takes action, asking for the boy to be brought to Him. 


Look though to what we are told, v20, that as soon as they had brought the boy, “when the spirit saw Jesus the boy is thrown into violent convulsions. It is at this point the condition that was described by the father becomes a reality to all who look on, as they see the impact that this is having on this boys life. Here though the point is made that the seizures are not coincidental, rather it was because the spirit saw Jesus. The spirit knew that its rule over the boy would soon end, what initially comes in the presence of Jesus is not peace, but suffering. This is a terrible graphic scene that is made worse because of the presence of Jesus, in fact things get much worse before they get better for this boy. 


Here what we see is that in the presence of Jesus, where He is working there is opposition. This truth that is portrayed here and is seen in the gospel and Jesus warns us of is something we might shy away from but that when Jesus is present, when He is at work by The Holy Spirit working among His people there is going to be opposition. Here this evil spirit was doing all that he could in this boy and likewise Satan, the evil one will do all that he can in this world, in this place and in our lives to try to destroy, tear down, thwart the plans and purposes of God amongst His people. Faith isn’t plain sailing, our lives aren’t plain sailing and ultimately it is because this world is fallen and sinful, we are fallen and sinful and until Jesus makes all things new (Rev 21:5) we shouldn’t it to be plain sailing, but for the believer we have that sure and steadfast hope in the midst of it all because of Christ Jesus.  


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Q25 How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, (Heb. 9:14,28) and reconcile us to God; (Heb. 2:17) and in making continual intercession for us. (Heb. 7:24–25)
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Year 3 Day 18 


Pray (ACts)


Read -  Daniel 4v1-37


Message - Scott Woodburn
Nebuchadnezzar was a man who had seen the great and mighty works of God and as chapter four begins he is determined to let everyone know exactly that. He declared "How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation." (v3) It would appear that Nebuchadnezzar was slowly coming to the realisation that his false gods could not compare with the living God and yet tragically it seems that he couldn't quite resist putting the Lord alongside all of the other "gods" of Babylon.


Nebuchadnezzar was in his palace when he had another troubling dream (v5). He saw a giant tree which reached up to heaven and could be seen throughout the world (v10-11). It was a fruitful tree which provided shade for the animals and food for the people (v12). But an angel came from heaven and commanded the tree to be chopped down leaving only a stump (v15). The angel then referred to the tree as "he" commanding that "he" should lose his mind and be given the mind of a beast until a complete time had passed (v16). This would take place to show that God was sovereign and He rules the kingdoms of men and gives power to whomsoever He pleases (v17).


So to have his dream interpreted Nebuchadnezzar called Daniel to his palace. Despite understanding the majesty of God, Nebuchadnezzar still called Daniel by his pagan name Belteshazzar and he still recognised Daniel as having the spirit of the the holy "gods". This wasn't a saved man, instead Nebuchadnezzar was a committed polytheist - he recognised many gods.


Daniel was dismayed by the content of the dream - its message wasn't positive and Daniel knew that it referred to Nebuchadnezzar. The tree represented the king whose greatness had reached to heaven and his rule to the ends of the earth (v22). But the chopping down of the tree foretold that Nebuchadnezzar would lose his mind, he would dwell with the beasts of the field and he would be driven away from humanity (v25). This illness would strike Nebuchadnezzar for a complete time (v25) until he realised that almighty God rules the kingdoms of men and gives power to whomsoever He pleases (v26).


Daniel understood the severity of the dream and his counsel was forthright. Nebuchadnezzar was to repent and turn from his sins (v27). Sadly it would appear that the king refused to listen. Twelve months later he was still filled with arrogance and pride as he marvelled at his kingdom (v30). At that moment the Lord spoke against Nebuchadnezzar and he immediately lost his mind and made his dwelling amongst the beasts (v31-33). Some think Nebuchadnezzar was struck by lycanthropy which is an illness that makes the sufferer believe that he is a wolf.


By the grace of God, after a complete period of time, Nebuchadnezzar came to realise his foolishness. He lifted his eyes to God and praised and honoured Him (v34). The king understood that only the kingdom of God lasts forever (v34) and He stands over humanity without equal (v35). Nebuchadnezzar's reason returned to him and his kingdom grew (v36) and it seems that the pagan king continued to worship the Lord (v37). Yet as we read the words of king Nebuchadnezzar it does not appear that he heeds Daniel's call to repent. He is restored to health, his kingdom continues to prosper, he even praises the Lord but nowhere do we find him confessing his sin and falling humbly before the Lord.


What are we to make of this chapter? Nebuchadnezzar was to learn the hard way that God along is king. One day everyone who has ever walked this earth will stand before the Lord. It is an unavoidable interaction. We can be more certain of meeting the Lord on the final day than we can be sure we'll see tomorrow. How will we face that day? It isn't enough to say that you believe God exists and that He sovereign over all. The demons believe that God exists and they tremble at the thought (James 2v19) but they are not saved. What is required is turning away from sin (repentance) and a turning to Jesus (faith).


I hope Nebuchadnezzar was a saved man. I hope that the king eventually came to throw himself upon the mercy of God. I hope Nebuchadnezzar today rejoices in heaven. But you and I cannot do anything for him now - where his eternal destination is has already been set. This is not the case with you. Today it may seem to you that the Lord's hand of judgement is heavy upon you, your life is a mess and you do not know which way to turn. Let me counsel you the way Daniel once counselled Nebuchadnezzar. My friends, repent of your wicked deeds and believe the Gospel. Only those who have trusted Christ will be saved. Here is your pressing need of this or any day - trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q24 How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet? Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.

Year 3 Day 17


Pray (ACts)


Read - Mark 9:9-13


Message - Alan Burke


Remember the Bible is about One Lord, One People, One Plan and here after Jesus transfiguration Jesus along with Peter, James and John make their way down the mountain once more we are reminded of this truth. Jesus told his disciples not to tell anyone for the same reason that led Peter to rebuke Jesus and it was because people were filled with misunderstandings of the purpose in the coming Christ. They were looking for, they expected a conquering Messiah and as Jesus told them they were to keep quiet until He had risen, it is clear that they still did not understand. Instead of asking Jesus what is initially is troubling them as they discus what rising form the dead means, they instead ask Jesus about Elijah. It is a question that comes out of Malachi 4:5. For there the Lord though the prophet Malachi tells us that; 


“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes” (Mal 4:5). 


The explication was that Elijah would come, knowing that his appearance would mean that the day of the Lord and the Kingdom of God was near. This was the commonly held expectation, and when he came he would lead the people in a spirit of repentance, bring restoration. Elijah was to come and do the preparatory work for the coming of the Messiah. Peter, James and John had just seen Elijah there, how then are the people of God so unprepared for His coming, that they would reject him and kill Him? But Elijah had indeed come as Jesus response. In Matthew’s gospel in the parallel account we are told; 


“Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist” (Mt 17:13). 


For John the Baptist was not a reincarnated Elijah, instead he came as the last Old Testament prophet in the "spirit and power of Elijah” as the gospel of Luke tells us (1:17), he came before Jesus to “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Mal 4:6). He came fulfilling Malachi and the promise of God so before Jesus, John came, as Elijah was to come before the Christ the Messiah. John came and called people to repent of their sin, he fulfilled the mission of Elijah, he prepared the way for Jesus, the Savior and Son of God. John had come, and to John who came in the spirit and power of Elijah, he suffered, he was imprisoned for telling the truth, for preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He came as the forerunner of the gospel and was beheaded by Herod, he suffered and died at the hands of sinful men. The forerunner of the Messiah was dealt with severely, should there be any surprise about the fait of the Messiah himself?


We can easily miss it but read Exodus 24, for in what happens there and here there are many similarities. There we have three named individuals along with Moses who ascend the mountain, here it is Jesus and three named individuals. There they saw the glory of God, here they saw the glory of God, there the closed covered the mountain, here the cloud covered the mountain, there the Lord spoke from heaven here the Lord spoke from Heaven. Mark expects us to read this passage and to see the similarities, just as the events in Exodus 24 momentous event in redemptive history so too are the events that take place in this passage for the Bible is about One Lord, One People, One Plan. Moses who was the mediator of the Old Covenant, Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant, who comes to redeem us from slavery, not a slavery in Egypt but who are slaves to sin and death. That is why Jesus came, to die that we might be freed from our bondage, be freed from the power of sin and the fear of death, that is the wonder of what God has done for us through His only begotten Son, who has brought redemption for all who repent and believe. That is the wonder of the Gospel, that Jesus the Son of God came that we might know salvation. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q23 What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation. (Acts 3:21–22, Heb. 12:25, 2 Cor. 13:3, Heb. 5:5–7, Heb. 7:25, Ps. 2:6, Isa. 9:6–7, Matt. 21:5, Ps. 2:8–11)  
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