30th June 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Philippians 2:19-24 focus v19)


Message (Alan Burke) 


Expectations vs reality. Our expectations, the beliefs we hold about how things should turn out are one thing while reality is what actually happens and there can be a massive gap between the two that can lead to disappointment and frustration, especially when our expectations are influenced by unrealistic portrayals in media or past experiences. It has happened to all of us, when the expectations we have are one thing and the reality is totally different. From the expectation when we’re out for a meal of how good that steak is going to be and it arrives and instead of serving it just the way you like it, its as tough as an old boot, the expectation that you’re going to manage to do something productive today with the reality that things always get in the way, the expectation that were going to live to we reach one hundred be fit and healthy and the reality for most is that that is wishful thinking. 


The church in Philippi had an expectation that Paul would send Timothy to them. After all they had sent Epaphroditus to him with a monetary gift from the congregation which we can conclude from what Paul said at the beginning of chapter one and later in chapter four (Phl 1:3-5, 4:10-20). It seems that they assumed from what Paul says here that Timothy would be sent and Epaphroditus would remain with Paul.


For obvious reasons Paul himself could not go but he is going to send Timothy to them soon. Now this is as if to say that he is going to send Timothy as soon as possible and not immediately. Look down to v23 where Paul says that ‘I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me’. The reason why Paul didn’t send him immediately is because Timothy was doing all that he could to help Paul with his legal affairs and so important was he in this task that he didn’t want to send him until he knew the result of his trial. So Paul was going to send Epaphroditus to them, then as soon as possible Timothy with the expectation that then Epaphroditus would return to Paul and he is hopeful that he would be cheered when he received news about them. 


Are we those who if Paul was writing to he would be cheered when he received news about us, or would he be filled with sadness that we have ignored the often plain teaching of scripture? God’s word will often get under our skin, it should, Hebrews 4 reminds us that; …the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Heb 4:12–13).


So what is it for us, are we those who will hear, who will live in response to what we read and hear, or will we try to persuade ourselves that that doesn’t speak to me, thinking that we’re already finished our apprenticeship and fully qualified we’ve nothing left to learn? Think to the temptation of Satan to our first parents, when he said to Eve, “Did God really say” and that is often how we are trying to live, and sure now we know better don’t we? 


The church had the expectation that Paul would send Timothy to them and they were going to be disappointed because their expectations were one thing but the reality was something different, Paul still needed Philippi. Yet the clear expectation from the teaching of scripture is that for God’s people we live in response to who he is and what he has done. We hear his word and respond with our lives, that means as those who claim Christ as our own that we should be those respond to what we read and hear rightly. Paul expected to be cheered when he received news about the church in Philippi, I hope it would be the same for you and I.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q8 How doth God execute his decrees?
A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
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28th June 2025


Pray (ACts) 
Read (Hebrews 5v11-14) 
Message (Scott Woodburn) 
We have touched briefly upon the subject of Christ’s priesthood and His relationship to Melchizedek but we’ll have to wait for Paul to continue his thinking. He admits that he has much to say about the topic (v11a) but that it is hard to explain (v11b). This isn’t the Apostle struggling with the complexity of the subject. Instead it’s “hard to explain” because the Hebrews have become “dull of hearing” (v1c). 
This is a damning indictment of this particular church. We think that Paul was probably writing to a church based in Rome and he stresses that by this stage of their Christian walk they should be teachers (v12). In other words they should have grown to such an extent that they should be well grounded in the faith and able to pass that faith on to others. Unfortunately this isn’t the case. Instead of teaching, these men and women need someone to put them over the basics once more (v12b). Like a young child not yet ready for meat, the Hebrews need milk and not solid food (v12c). 
Let’s be clear - milk is good for you and the milk of Christian teaching that you received when young in the faith is really, really good. But in life and in faith we are not to remain on a diet of milk. Paul explains that the one who lives on milk alone is like a child “unskilled in the word of righteousness” (v13). There’s the problem. It is wonderful to know that Jesus died for sin, this is a true and glorious statement. But with that truth well established in our souls, we should seek to know more. 
Who was Jesus? Was He there in the beginning? What role did He have in creation? Was Jesus a good man who became God? Did Jesus sin? Was Jesus God and did He put aside His divinity for 30 odd years on earth? What do we mean when we say Jesus was passively obedient? What is the hypostatic union? Where is Jesus now? Does He still have a body? 
By God’s grace you’ll be able to answer all of those questions and many more. The purpose of this isn’t to boast and draw attention to our great knowledge. Instead we are to desire the things of God and we are to be hungry for His Word. The Christian at any stage of their walk with Christ should seek maturity in the faith and the Christian should always be humble enough to know that we all still have room to grow. 
The benefit is great indeed. As we grow into spiritual maturity we will be able to distinguish between good and evil (v14). We call this discernment and perhaps discernment is one of the least evident attributes of the modern church. As long as something looks and sounds vaguely Christian then we assume that it is. But brothers and sisters we would do well to realise that much of what we see and hear in the modern church is false. 
One of the biggest churches in the USA caused controversy recently when a speaker proclaimed that "When you come to church, when you worship him, you're not doing it for God, really. You're doing it for yourself, because that's what makes God happy.” What do you think of that statement? Is Sunday all about you? How would you respond to your friend that takes such a statement to heart and starts to live it out? 
Respond to this devotion by asking yourself “have I become dull of hearing?” And if you discern that you have indeed switched off from a regular, healthy, meaty diet of God’s Word then please repent. May the Lord unblock our ears and soften our hearts to receive the solid food of His Word. May He sanctify us by His truth and may we be wise and discerning in this crooked generation. For Christ’s sake. Amen.
Pray (acTS) 
Sing 
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Q15 What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created? The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.
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27th June 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Philippians 2:14-18 focus v16-18)


Message (Alan Burke)


The more I hang out with Scott the more I love a wee conspiracy theory, there are lots and some great ones that when you think of it make more sense than what the BBC tries to sell. Although as we all know the BBC is of course it is 100% truth and totally impartial and the last time I sarcastically mentioned that in a sermon I got more pushback than a lot of the things I’ve said recently. The problem is in this world is under the control of the evil one, ie Satan (1 Jn 5:19) and he is the father of those who do not trust Christ Jesus, he is the father of lies and their will is to do their fathers will (Jn 8:44) so we should all have a healthy cynicism of what we are fed by this world. But while on the other hand we should be those who cling to the truth, the only truth that there is, that can be trusted, that can be relied upon, that gives us hope in the midst of this crooked and depraved generation (Phil 2:15) and that is the word of life.   


The word of God as the only infallible truth in this world and we hold it out to world that is perishing for it is the only hope for sinners in need of salvation. For we who have been called from the darkness to the light we should walk in that light and in how we live reflect the truth (1 Pet 2:9, Jn 8:12). For us we are to hold on to the word of life, living in a way that reflects the gospel, it’s importance, we look to the imperatives like that which we have been taught of how conduct ourselves and live in response to the truth of the word of God. And the more that we do this as we grow in our knowledge and love of the Lord the more it encourages others likewise to live in this way. 


For the church in Philippi they should live in this way in order that Paul may boast on the day of Christ. Paul was not telling the church that his salvation depended on their perseverance in the faith, for we are justified by faith alone. Instead Paul was looking toward the heavenly reward that would await him. For the Lord rewards his children based on what they have done in this life, our efforts do not merit our salvation, there are those who come to saving faith on their death bed, there are others who have come to salvation and get so caught up in this world that they fail to live for Christ as they should. This is a man who is not looking for honour and glory for himself but rather he desires that his ministry would bring glory to God, there is God’s work within the life of the believer but also Paul’s responsibility that he had for he had ministered among them, he was aware of his own responsibility in that which he laboured, he saw that the work of God and our responsibility go hand in hand which is true, just as it is in sanctification it is true in all that we do in this life. 


Even if Paul were to be poured out as a drink offering, alluding to what took place in the sacrificial syste (Gen 35:14; Ex 29:40–41; Numb 28:24). Speaking if he were to be martyred, if he was poured out like a drink offering, he was confident that his life was a suitable offering that was given to them for their faith, he had experienced the sacrifice and service that came from his faith the gift that they had sent to him (4:10-20). No matter the out come they were to rejoice because of the confident hope of what lay ahead of Paul and all those who believe. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q14 What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.
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26th June 2025


Pray (ACts) 
Read (Hebrews 5v5-10) 
Message (Scott Woodburn) 
One of the most divisive figures of recent years was President Donald Trump. I remember speaking to a P7 class in Ballynahinch Primary in the days before the American Presidential election and the children were obsessed with Trump. They did impressions of him and shouted “build the wall”. I’d never seen any class pay any attention to politics before or since. Like him or not, Trump was a master of self promotion and for a brief moment in history the world paid attention to the man who told us that everything he ever did was simply the best.
However when it comes to the Lord Jesus, He was no master manipulator or shameless selfpromoter. Jesus did not exalt Himself to become our great high priest but instead He was appointed by God (v5). God the Father said to God the Son “You are my Son, today I have begotten you” and “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (v6). These are direct quotes from Psalm 2v7 and Psalm 110v4 and they speak of the legitimacy of Jesus.
He didn’t grease palms and He didn’t work His way up the ladder. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. What does begotten mean? Jesus is not a wee bit like God, He is the same substance as the Father. In the beginning Jesus was with God and Jesus was God. Additionally Christ is the eternal priest after the order of Melchizedek. Who was Melchizedek? We’ll speak about him more fully in future devotions but we can say that his name means “my king is righteous” and he was king of Salem which is later called Jerusalem. 
Melchizedek is described in Genesis as the “priest of God most high” and so in Melchizedek we see the combination of the roles of priest and king. Melchizedek blessed Abram by declaring “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And in response Abram gave him a tenth (a tithe) of the spoils of war.
In Melchizedek we catch a little glimpse of Christ in type and in shadow. And what do we see? A priest-king and one worthy of our attention. Jesus did not seize these titles but they were bestowed upon Him by God the Father. Yet Jesus isn’t just our priest-king because of His relationship with the Father.
When He took on flesh, Jesus was a man of prayer and not least in the garden of Gethsemane. It was there that He called upon His father “with loud cries and tears” and “He was heard because of His reverence.” (v7). Here is our high priest - the One who even in the midst of suffering approached the Father with full reverence.
Jesus was also fully obedient to the demands of God’s law. Even as He suffered, He did not stumble or sin (v8). Here is our high priest - the One who learned what it was to obey even when the nails were driven into His body. At any moment Christ could have ended it all but instead He walked the path of obedience in the face of anguish.
Finally, Christ is the perfect One who is the source of salvation for all who believe (v9). Paul speaks of Christ “being made perfect” (v9). This doesn’t mean that He was ever imperfect, instead the Apostle means that Jesus grew from childhood to manhood to death and was sinlessly obedient at every turn. He was made perfect or in other words He fulfilled all righteousness.
Here is our high priest - He is not full of boastful bravado but He did everything well. He is not full of arrogance or pride but He was obedient even unto death. We have a high priest over the household of God who is perfect for the role. It was given to Him by the Father and He was the perfectly obedient Son. Remind yourself of this today. No matter what trouble comes your way, Christ is for you.
Pray (acTS) 
Sing 
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Q13 Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created? Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.
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25th June 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Philippians 2:14-18 focus v15)


Message (Alan Burke)


I just discovered that you can get a star named after you for like only thirty quid, you get a wee certificate and everything or you can push the boat out and spend sixty five quid and get an extra bite star and as long as your name isn’t more than twenty five characters you can have a star in the night sky named after you. Like if it was me and you were getting me a star not that I’m tell you you should but hint hint, I’d want more than just ‘Alan Burke’, id’ wan’t ‘The Wonderful Alan Burke’ and that’s only twenty four characters. I’m all excited now because I'll be getting like sixty three stars named after me. 


The reason why I talk about stars is because the NIV says we are to do everything without complaining or grumbling so that we may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. If you’ve have an ESV or a KJV before you you’ll read ‘lights in the world’ rather than stars in the universe. The NIV has gone for a thought for thought translations rather than a literal translation and it is much better translated as ‘lights in the world’. The NIV tries to convey the sentiment that Paul is sharing clearly by using stars in the universe rather than lights in the world. The reason why I suspect is that many of us do not truly appreciate the darkness of this world, we see good, we might think that there is much to laud in this world. The teaching of scripture paints a very different picture of the world and the human race for this is a world of darkness under the power of the evil one (See for example Eph 6:12, 5:8, Jn 3:19, 8:12, 14:30).  


The scriptures make it clear that this world is in darkness, it is Satan’s dominion, people love darkness and are evil. But for the believer we have been brought from darkness into light and we are to shine like lights in the world. Or figuratively as lights in the universe as the NIV says. We are to let our light shine before men, that they might see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matt 5:16). We each one of us who know, who have been illuminated by the light of Christ by the work of the Spirit are to manifest this light, we are those who are in what we do reflect the character of of Christ. Our task as the church as those who have been called from darkness to light is to live in the light and to make known the light of God’s kingdom in how we live and as we proclaim the good news of the Gospel about Jesus Christ the Son of God. 


The reason why God had called a people to himself was that they would be lights to the world. Those who are in Christ act as lights, we are to shine as the Father has made us to do so without grumbling or arguing. We are to be blameless and pure, without fault. We are to DO EVERYTHING without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation. Let us live as the children of God and put these things from us and let us live as lights in the darkness. For all of us, sadly the church often doesn’t shine like lights in the world, or stars in the universe because instead of living as we should, of putting selfish ambition and vain conceit, and living in humility considering other better than ourselves (v3) we live the opposite way and we are quick to complain, grumble, argue. If that is how you find yourself today then repent, for we should live as blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation. 


And just take a moment to think how different our lives and the church families we belong to would be transformed if we sought to live like that. Maybe there are things in the past or present you need to repent of, your attitude, your actions, what you’ve said or not said where you haven’t lived as light in the darkness but help cover up the darkness with more darkness. Let us live as those who we are, light for as Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn 8:12). Let us live as who we are in Christ Jesus. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q12 What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?
A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death.
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24th June 2025


Pray (ACts) 
Read (Hebrews 5v1-4) 
Message (Scott Woodburn) 
It has been said that we should be very careful when choosing our heroes because inevitably they’ll let us down. I once spoke to a lady who told me she would have followed a local politician anywhere such was her esteem for that particular individual. Unfortunately the same man had moved to a political position that she could never support and so with tears in her eyes she told me that she had been betrayed. Perhaps you know the feeling? 
Christians coming out of Judaism would have been very familiar with the high priest and his role in the sacrificial system of ancient Israel. He was chosen from his fellow men to act as an intermediary between them and God (v1). He would bring gifts to the Lord on their behalf and it was his responsibility to offer sacrifices for sins. 
The sacrificial system was only temporary until the arrival of Christ but what made the high priest so effective was that because he was a weak human he could deal gently with those he was called to serve (v2). The people knew that the high priest had been called to an important role by God Himself (v4) but nevertheless he was no better than them. He struggled with his own trials and temptations and therefore he was able to sympathise with their weakness. 
At the same time, the weakness of the high priest meant that something and someone greater was required.


The high priest would offer sacrifices for the people but he also needed to offer sacrifice for his own sins (v3). Do you see the problem? A sinful high priest offered sacrifice for sinful people. The Lord was gracious in implementing such a system. The church before the arrival of Christ looked forward to His coming and they would catch glimpses of Him in the prophets, priests and kings. In the sacrificial system the Lord was slowly but surely revealing the mystery of Christ. 
Finally when Jesus came He brought substance to shadows of the Old Testament. He was called by God just like Aaron was (v4). He is the mediator between God and humanity (v1). He deals gently with His people (v2). BUT…unlike the old system, Christ our great high priest is not beset by weakness. He is the perfect high priest because he does not need to offer any sacrifice for His own sin. 
Be careful when you are choosing your heroes for inevitably they will let you down. Never place your hope or confidence in a sinful human for sooner or later they will fall or disappoint. But Jesus never has and He never will. We no longer move in the shadows for the mystery of the Gospel has been revealed in the person and work of Christ. Look to Him in full faith and assurance for the perfect has come.    
  
Pray (acTS) 
Sing 
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Q11 What are God’s works of providence? God’s works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.
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23rd June 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Philippians 2:14-18 focus v14)


Message (Alan Burke) 


I know some people who should be made to work at in customer service so they have to have to listen to some of the gurning that they give from other people aimed at them and see how they feel. Actually that might be a really bad idea because they might be able to learn some even more hurtful and deeming skills in complaining to other people. Sadly there are some people who just open their mouths and it’s like a stream of vile and some of them don’t even realise they are doing it, it is just who they are and you mightn’t want to slap them you want to high five their face. I probably shouldn’t admit this but I’ve offered more than a few people like this a tissue so that they can dry their eyes. There was a day that I could have offered them a 20p so they could have phoned someone who cared but when was the last time any of us used a phone box!? 


If you’re reading I suspect that you’re not one of those people who are a complainer or an arguer but I’ve over the years met far far far to many in congregations who are tolerated and excused. Now don’t get me wrong if someone has a genuine complaint that the minister is watching 12 hours of Netflix a day, or the organist and one of the choir members are committing adultery well then that is valid. But believers in the church are to conduct themselves as the people of God. After all there is supposed to be unit and humility in the lives of believers as we look to Christ Jesus and what he has done for us.


What makes this all the more striking is the word that Paul uses which the NIV translates as complaining, it is the word grumbling which in the Greek New Testament is uses the same word in Exodus 15 when we are told that the people grumbled against Moses asking what were they to drink, also in Exodus 16 where the whole community then grumbled against Moses and Aaron and how the Lord heard the grumbling of the people and how their grumbling was against him (Ex 15:24, 16:2,7,12. See also 17:3, Num 11:1, 14:2). 


Paul is alluding to the example of the Israelites, the church in Philippi wants are not to live like that generation in the wilderness, they are not to complain, they are not to grumble or argue. In 1 Corinthians Paul used the example of the Israelites in the wilderness to speak to the church that was plagued with dissension and grumbling (1 Cor 10:1-13). Here is the thing, in the wilderness who did the people grumble about, who were they gurning about? It’s not a trick question, they were gurning about Moses and Aaron but ultimately their issue was the Lord. You may not like this but the Lord sets leaders over us, elders. Just as Moses and Aaron were set over the people of God in the wilderness, there were elders who were set over the church in Philippi they are set over you by the Lord God. 


Elders are not like your MP and I marvel at how many people don’t seem to get this, people act like that they can go to the Elder and complain and they will put the minister right but your minister who is an elder, one among a plurality of elders in a Kirk Session is there to lead you and to watch over your soul. They lead the church and if you’re spending your time complaining that you don’t like what they do, how they lead there is either one of two scenarios at play, either a. you are 100% right and your complaining is spot on or b. you are rejecting those whom the Lord have set to rule over you and you are rejecting the Lord and obviously since you’re never wrong it’s scenario b. If that’s true for the best of everyone look for somewhere else to worship but maybe we should all take a look at ourselves and maybe it could be scenario a. If that is the case repent for we are to be a people who do everything without complaining and arguing so that we may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q10 How did God create man?
A. God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
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21st June 2025


Pray (ACts) 
Read (Hebrews 4v14-16) 
Message (Scott Woodburn) 
Every young boy in the 1980’s knew that if you had a problem and no one else could help and if you could find them, then maybe you could hire the A-Team. I had many problems in the 1980’s but I never did manage to find the A-Team. 
If only I’d paid more attention back then when I sat regularly in my local Gospel Hall. They knew what I refused to believe - that Jesus Christ was a Saviour and friend of sinners. As chapter four closes, the Apostle zeroes in on that exact truth. He describes Jesus as our “great high priest” and this description would immediately remind his original hearers of the Jewish high priest. He was a man who would enter behind the curtain into the holy of holies once a year. 
Christ is the true priest. He has passed not through a curtain but through the heavens (v14). He has ascended to glory and even now makes intercession for us. He is the Son of God, true man and without any sin, therefore we are to hold fast our confession. We are to hold fast to what we have believed. 
It’s not always easy to hold fast especially when life is giving us a hammering. We are called names, we are slandered, family life is a mess and we are fairly sure our marriage is falling apart. What is to be done in such circumstances? We are to draw near to the throne of grace (v16). That’s where Jesus is and He is ready, willing and able to help us in every way.  
Christ knows what it is to be human for he was tempted in every respect as we are (v15). That’s an extraordinary truth isn’t it? The Lord knew temptation. He understood the realities of the human condition and yet at no turn, not once, not for a single solitary second did He fall into sin (v15). Jesus sympathises with our weaknesses. He understands. He gets it. He knows and He is able to help. 
As we hold this truth in our hands we are to cling on tightly to it. We know that Christ is for His people and so we can with confidence draw near to His throne (v16). I suspect you wouldn’t barge into the throne room of King Charles III nor would you shove your way into 10 Downing Street. But the Christian has been given extraordinary access and privilege. Because we belong to Jesus we have every right to draw near to Him and when we do we will receive mercy and grace in our time of need (v16b). 
How often do we forget things like this! How often do we find ourselves in trouble and we turn everywhere except heaven! My brothers and sisters, we have a great high priest who ever lives to help us. He doesn’t sleep. He doesn’t take breaks. He doesn’t have His phone set to silent. Christ offers help to His Bride. My friends if this day is too tough for you to face and you weep into your hands…then perhaps it is time for a new posture. 
Look up and draw near. 
Pray (acTS) 
Sing 
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Q9. What is the work of creation? The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.
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20th June 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Philippians 2:12-13)


Message (Alan Burke)


Had your breakfast yet? What did you have? You could leave a wee comment and we can see the variety of the breakfasts that have been ate by the readers of this devotion, but what about breakfast on Tuesday 15th of April earlier this year? That might be an easy answer because you’re one of those people that has the same thing for breakfast every day. Or what about for your dinner on Thursday 13th February? You might have a set weekly meal plan and know what you had for your dinner on the 13th February, but for most of us unless we were too tight to take the better half out on the Friday 14th February you’ve probably no idea just like myself. We had though on Wednesday how we were are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, ie we are to grow in our knowledge and love of God, our sanctification as we grow in our holiness, Christlikeness. 


The Lord has given us aids to help us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, he has given us tools to help us and it is the ordinary means of grace which God has given us whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation (WSC88). God has given us the toolbox we need to help us to strengthen our walk with the Lord, the word read but especially preached, sacraments and prayer aren’t optional, they are not sexy, there is no razzmatazz and yet they are the means that God has given to us to build us in the faith. Through them the Lord works within us strengthening our wills. 


We have been given the tools to help us, it involves us making an effort, we don’t just put the feet up we have to put the effort in, and yet at the same time we can be confident that just as Paul was confident that the Lord who began that good work, would bring it to completion in the church in Philippi (1:6), that he would also act according to his good purpose (2:13) and it is the same for us. What Paul says here gives us assurance, we shouldn’t be filled with fear that we will fall away, that we will fail to reach the finishing line because that we have not done enough, or that we will fall away, second guessing ourselves, can I do enough, will I keep going. But it is not about us, our works, endeavours, show our who we are yet it is about what God has done for us and is doing in us according to his good purpose. 


While we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling we know that in all that we do that this is God’s work within us. It is not that our efforts produce salvation but that God’s work within us leads to us living lives in response. It is as God works we work as a result, as God works within us that is seen in our obedience, for we have incentive in our lives to live this way because of what God has done for us because Christ Jesus left the realms of Glory, to live and die for our salvation. The outworking of what Christ has done is seen in obedience in our lives, in sanctification as we grow in holiness and these are the fruit of God’s work within us. We will continue to struggle with sin throughout our lives, this process isn’t complete in this life but when we enter the next. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q8 How doth God execute his decrees?
A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
​

19th June 2025


Pray (ACts) 
Read (Hebrews 4v1-13) 
Message (Scott Woodburn) 
In the Old Testament the people of God were supposed to enter the promised land where they would find rest in the Lord. With the benefit of hindsight we know that it didn't work out that way. The generation that left Egypt rebelled in the wilderness and failed to enter the land of promise. Eventually a new generation would enter the land but their time there was up and down with the kingdom of Israel and then Judah eventually being overrun by foreign nations. 
But the promise of entering God's rest still stands (v1) with the entry into the land of Judah giving us a little glimpse of the greater rest to come. The one who believes the Gospel will one day enter into eternal rest with the Lord and His people. To have a share in this eternal rest you simply must have faith in Christ. What is faith? Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel. (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q86) 
The Gospel has come to us, just as it came to the Israelites in the wilderness (v2) but the Gospel was of no benefit to the grumblers who had come out of Egypt for they did not have faith. Yet, to all who believe in the name of Christ they already enjoy a Sabbath rest (v8) which is a little foretaste of what is to come. 
The Jewish Sabbath was a Saturday and was a day that was supposed to be free from work and the regular chores of life. Unfortunately many saw it as an opportunity for legalism. They were experts in what shouldn’t be done on the Sabbath and they delighted in pointing out the failures of others in this regard. The Lord Jesus reminds us that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2v27-28) 
Christ’s point was that the Sabbath day was not a day for legalistic righteousness but instead a day that is a blessing from the Lord. It is a day for putting all trivial things to one side and focusing instead on the worship of our Lord. Today there remains a Sabbath rest for God’s people (v8) as we meet each Lord’s Day. The Christian Sabbath is the first day of the week called Sunday - the day on which Christ stood again upon the earth. 
But there is a greater Sabbath to come. When we meet as Christians on the Lord’s Day we should see it as a little glimpse of heaven. By faith we can enjoy the one day in seven which we call Sunday but by the same faith we also look to the day that we enter the eternal rest promised by God. The rebellious Israelites who complained in the wilderness did not get to set foot in the promised land but by faith we will live in the heavenly city where righteousness dwells. 
The Lord Himself has promised these things. He created all things in six days and He rested on the seventh. This doesn’t mean that God is fast asleep, instead God’s rest is symbolic of His rule and reign. Today if you hear His voice remember that His Word “is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (v12-13) 
So may we not choose the path of rebellion like the Israelites in the wilderness. Instead may we put our faith in Christ trusting fully in the promises of God. May we rejoice each Lord’s Day as we take our place in the church of Christ and may we push on, longing to enter the eternal rest of God (v11). Pray (acTS) 
Sing 
WSC
Q7.What are the decrees of God? The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
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