30th September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 5:33-37 focus v33)


Message (Alan Burke) 


How good are you at keeping your word? Are you one of those people who has to make promises all the time, or to swear by something, or are you the kind of person who people know that if you say you will do something that you will do it? As we come to this passage it doesn’t forbid us to make promises, vows or oaths as some would argue. We can conclude that by letting scripture interpret scripture, God even commands his people to swear by his name (Deut 10:20), Jesus before the Sanhedrin when the high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied (Mt 26:63–64). Jesus recognised the binding nature of the oath in court. Also early Christians didn’t understand this as Jesus forbidding all oaths neither we should we but for the believer we shouldn’t need them, we shouldn’t need to say ‘I promise’, ‘I swear’ ‘I cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye’, no we shouldn’t have to say these things because we should be people of our word. 


Jesus beings teaching on oaths similarly to how he had with Murder, Adultery and Divorce. You might be wondering where it says in scripture, ’Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’? You could try to do an internet search. You’ll not find it though. Unlike what Jesus had death with pertaining to the sixth and seventh commandment which is a narrow understanding of what the scripture was teaching, here he is dealing with a rabbinic paraphrase. In effect it’s a an interpretation of all the passages on oaths and vows in the Old Testament. This was a commonly held view time, it was the way that scripture was understood by many people. Basically it was the understanding that you could make an oath and as long as it wasn’t made in the name of the Lord, then, well, you didn’t really have to keep it. What Jesus was doing here was correcting a misguided interpretation of the scriptures, this time it’s not of the scriptures themselves but how the scriptures in relation to oaths were interpreted. 


We live in a time when people do not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions (2 Tim 4:3-4). If you go into many a Christian book shop they will have many many authors that are teaching things just like the Rabbis that might sound like truth, that might have the appearance of truth but they aren’t. We all need to be careful with what we consume. We should be those who do not just accept what we are told not even by Scott or myself but we should examine it against the scriptures. I’m going to quote from the Westminster Confession of Fatih I.1 Of the Holy Scripture; …therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his Church; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.


For us the Word of God as set forth in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and the supreme standard of the Church. Be careful what we consume, who you listen to, examine everything Scott and I against the scriptures before you, what we believe should be founded upon and agreeable to the Word of God. 


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Q103. What do we pray for in the third petition?
A. In the third petition, which is, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven,” we pray, that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.
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28th September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Obadiah 1v1-21)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


It is always a worthwhile endeavour to consider those of the Jewish faith and the current nation of Israel. Why? Because there can be no room in the Christian heart for arrogance towards the Jews. History hasn’t been kind to the Jewish people and Christians have sometimes acted shamefully towards those who the ignorant have called “Christ killers” As we finish the book of Obadiah I want us to briefly consider our responsibility to those of the Jewish faith.


Firstly, let me stress a few important points. I do not believe that there are two peoples of God - the Jew and the Gentile. I do no believe that the church began at Pentecost. I do not believe that there is a path of salvation for the Jew and one for the Gentile and I do not believe that God has finished with the Jewish people.


Can I support these statements? I think so. In Romans 11 Paul used the image of an olive tree to represent the people of God. He spoke of natural branches symbolising the Jewish people and wild branches symbolising Gentile believers. Natural branches were broken off so the wild branches could be grafted on. Importantly both the natural and wild branches were part of the very same olive tree. The church started when Adam and Eve received coverings from God and their sons later came to worship. If anyone has ever been saved it is by faith in Jesus.


So what is our responsibility to the Jewish people of our own day and age? Some refer to the Jews as “God’s chosen people” and seem to give them a higher status than the Gentiles. Others watch the current conflict and state that the Jews can do what they want because God is on their side. Neither path is to be recommended.


Instead I want us to realise that the Jewish people are still largely without Christ, the Jerusalem temple remains in ruins and every inch of the land of Israel is disputed. Christians argue about the return of Jewish people to the land and wonder when or if the temple will be rebuilt. I prefer to take Paul at his word in Romans 11 and look for the day that a great many Jewish people will come to saving faith in Jesus. They currently reject Christ so that we Gentiles can be brought in. However when the full number of Gentiles has been saved I believe we can and should expect a great Gospel work among the natural branches of God’s one olive tree.


Brothers and sisters, pray for national Israel and ask for an awakening among her people. In many ways Israel resembles Ireland - our shared need is not for clearly defined borders but Christ and Him crucified. To the Jewish people “belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 9v4-5) One day they will also call upon Jesus - thanks be to God.


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Q102 What do we pray for in the second petition? In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come,” we pray, that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.
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27th September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 5:27-32 focus v31-32)


Message (Alan Burke)


I remember some time ago while at a postoffice down the country seeing a card that said “Congratulations You’re Divorced” I think still have the photo I took of it. Inside it said, “You Can Start Living Again”. Our society has lost the sanity of marriage and here as Jesus teaches on divorce I want to start by saying that I know some of you have experienced the pain of first hand, of marriage breakdown that leads to divorce and my intention is not to beat you over the head but to take you to the teaching of Jesus and remind you that there is forgiveness for our sin. 


Here Jesus is teaching that divorce and remarriage without biblical grounds constitutes as adultery because at the time reasons for divorce make no fault divorce today look extremely conservative but the thing is that divorce was always brought about by a man against his wife and I kid you not a man could divorce his wife for speaking to another man along with many many other reasons that to most reasonable people today would seem like madness. Often these women were left destitute and she could either return to her father's household or more often than not had to remarry. 


So Jesus teaching here on divorce and the teaching of what marriages should look like in the New Testament would have been countercultural as it is today. For men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, which is a sacrificial love (Eph 5:22-33). What Jesus does in these two verses is turn the understanding of divorce and the reasons why divorce could be granted on its head as he’s teaches 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Mt 19:9). Divorce was permissible and Deuteronomy 24 gives provisions for that but the emphasis here in the teaching of Jesus is the  sanctity of marriage, he wanted us to see the intent for marriage, how that it shouldn’t be entered in lightly nor exited lightly. Instead of allowing multiple reasons for divorce here Jesus speaks of one, adultery. While divorce was never part of God’s intention for marriage in cases of adultery it is permissible but not demanded. 


Scripture gives one other clear grounds for divorce, adultery is one of them and the other is desertion on the part of an unbeliever (1 Cor 7:10-16). Without biblical grounds the church for its members is tasked with correcting, discipling those who seek divorce. We don’t like the idea of discipline but it is to correct behaviour, it is to call someone to repentance.


If someone is in abusive relationship the person should be removed from that, but the task of discipline is that the guilty party should be rebuked, their behaviour should be corrected so there can be restoration. If they do not, if they refuse to repent, if their behaviour connotes then that person would be excommunicated and called an unbeliever for the sake of the other. If you are unsure what excommunicated means it means that a person is removed from the membership of the church, they are deemed as being lost and that they will face hell. Then the one who has been deserted by their unbelieving spouse would be allowed to remarry for they have been deserted, abandoned, their spouse has not held fast to the promises that they have made.


Sadly though many get divorced even in the church because they have fallen out of love, they are incompatible with one another, because often the selfishness of the human heart and they have not kept the vows that they had made. Divorce is often the easy way out, rather than putting the hard work but it should only be the last resort. God gives us the church to help us through these things, if you are having problems in your marriage reach out to us before it is too late, coming not when things have hit rock bottom. 


The teaching of the word of God on divorce and the teaching of Jesus is not to hit people over the head with a big stick because of their failure in marriage, and if you have been through divorce please know the words of Jesus in Mark Chapter 3:28, where Jesus said  28 I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. Except blasphemy against the spirit (Mk 3:28), know those words are true, as fallen sinful people who have broken relationships know those words of Jesus, if you have repented and believed then you have been forgiven. But marriage is a serious matter, it is seen as serious by God so if you’re married take it seriously and encourage others to do the same. 


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Q 101. What do we pray for in the first petition?
A. In the first petition, which is, Hallowed be thy name,” we pray, that God would enable us, and others, to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known, and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.
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26th September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Obadiah 1v21)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


The final verse of Obadiah doesn’t say “they all lived happily every after” but it does pull every thread together in a hopeful conclusion. It states “Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” (v21) What does this mean? Those who have been saved will dwell on Mount Zion, they will rule over their enemies and the entire Kingdom will belong to the Lord.


Some argue that this will take place during Christ’s earthly millennial reign when He will be joined in Jerusalem by “Saviours” who are given the task of ruling Mount Esau. This is not my theological viewpoint. I believe the one thousand year period in Revelation 20 is the time between Christ’s Ascension and His return. It is not a literal one thousand years but it will be brought to an end with the return of Jesus. It is at this point Mount Zion will be made holy (v17) and those saved will gather before Jesus. Indeed, Christ is currently reigning and will continue to do so until all His enemies are placed beneath His feet (1 Corinthians 15v25).


When these monumental events take place we will see the truth of the words “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21v3-4).


Let it be say that we do not believe in an impotent God who is currently unable to do anything of note in this world. By no means! Satan is not in control but a dog on a leash. Evil abounds but the light still shines. The Gospel is hated but it still continues to the farthest reaches of the world. The Lord is not defeated but He is working out His purposes and all will be brought to completion at the day of Christ. We call this the great consummation, when every piece will be put into place never to be undone.
The destruction of Edom is a small glimpse of the judgement Christ will pour out upon the nations. In fearful terms we are told “If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20v15). I suspect when people say “I don’t want any fire and brimstone preaching.” they mean verses like Revelation 20v15. I never deliberately preach to annoy people but if mere mention of God’s punishment of sin causes you to be angry then perhaps your spiritual condition is not good? Repent and believe the Gospel.


Christ is coming and those saved will take their place in the New Jerusalem which is symbolic of the church (Revelation 21v2). Evil will be done away with, Mount Esau will be reclaimed and every inch of the universe will know that the kingdom belongs to the Lord.  


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Q100 What doth the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us? The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, Our Father which art in heaven,” teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others.
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25th September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 5:27-32 focus v29-30)


Message (Alan Burke)


Body modifications are all the rage these days, from tattoos to piercing and there are some people who seem to take it to the extreme and have had surgery to modify their bodies. Here Jesus teaches about severe body modifications and he does it to confront us with just how serious sin he says if your right eye causes you to sin gouge it out and throw it away and if your right hand causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. Now that is some extreme body modification. The reason given for both gouging out your eye and cutting of your hand is that it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 


But Jesus isn’t teaching us that we literally need to get a rusty spoon to our eye or the meat cleaver to our hand rather what Jesus is doing here is using a hyperbole. A Hyperbole is a metaphor, an exaggerated statement that is not meant to be taken literally but it is used to emphasise to the disciples who were sitting at his feet as well as us just how serious our sin is. 


How many of us think that it would be better to be disfigured in some way today than spend eternity in hell, to loose a hand, a foot, an eye are all favourable than to spend an eternity in hell. To the Jew’s they saw these parts of the body as gifts from God, they were to be precious possessions, and Jesus says to cut them off or remove them rather than to go to hell with them. 


Although cutting off your hand or gouging out your eye you still have another hand and another eye, rather what the point is the seriousness of sin here is not downplayed. It would be better for us to loose a body part than to face hell. It is not the hand or the eye are the true problem, it is the sinfulness of the human heart, it is not the hand or the eye that are the source of sin it is the heart. 


It may be your hand, your foot, your eye, it could be any number of things that we are not willing to be without that are precious to us what is most precious to us because Jesus wants you to know that what ever it is, if that thing is preventing you from entering the kingdom of God, if that is causing you to sin, if that thing is holding you back from salvation, from trusting in him then it would be better for you to not have it than risk being thrown into hell. 


If you are a believer and you are struggling with sin and it’s weighing you down then what you need to do is come before the Lord, confess your sin, and seek to mortify that. It’s not going to be easy, mortifying sin isn’t easy but we do it and we try even when it is hard because we know that sin displeases our heavenly Father and it can destroy. Romans reminds us in view of God’s mercy to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is our spiritual service, let us not be conformed to the patter of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:1-2). If you are struggling with sin seek help from a trusted brother or sister in the Lord. 


And if you are not a believer your sin will lead to hell, when that desire has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death (1 Jam 1:15). Just as the case with Jesus teaching on anger, and now adultery the trust of what is being taught is your sin matters before God and the only way that your sin can be dealt with is through Jesus because there is not one good, only God is good and our sin means we are deserving not of his grace but his wrath. So if you haven’t yet sought forgiveness from the Lord, bowing the knee before him then do it before it is too late.


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Q 99. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called, The Lord’s Prayer.
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24th September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Obadiah 1v19-20)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Despite its age the book of Obadiah remains a thoroughly modern text. How so? On the 7th of October 2023, the terrorist group Hamas launched coordinated attacks against the nation of Israel. Over one thousand people were killed and many others taken hostage sparking a conflict which continues to this very day. Hamas believe that Israel are engaged in an illegal occupation of Palestinian land. Meanwhile Israel argue that their nation is legitimate, it has every right to exists and that their very existence is constantly at stake.


The situation is explained further by the chants in which declare “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” For those chanting such a phrase they are merely singing in support of Palestine freedom. Nevertheless, many Jews hear the same song and consider it a call for their eradication from the Jordan river to the Mediterranean sea. Land remains vitally important in the middle-east.


At the end of Obadiah’s vision, several things can be said to be true. Firstly, Edom was filled with arrogance and pride resulting in Esau’s descendants doing nothing when Jerusalem came under attack. Secondly, as the dust had barely settled in Judah, Edom scoffed at the plight of their cousins and took for themselves some of Judah’s remaining wealth. Thirdly, as fugitives fled Jerusalem, the Edomites stood at the crossroads and handed over their cousins to the enemy. Finally, Edom had come under the judgement of God who promised that Edom would be burnt to stubble leaving nothing behind.


Obadiah paints a bleak picture for us to meditate upon but before the book is closed the final section promises blessing for God’s people - blessing involving land. Although many of the places mentioned in these final verses are unfamiliar to us, the image given is that Judah will one day expand in every direction. Those in the southern region of the Negeb shall take possession of Edom’s Mount Esau (v19a). Those in the fertile western region of the Shephelah will take possession of the land occupied by the Philistines (v19b). In the north, the land promised to Ephraim would be reclaimed (v19c) and in the east “Benjamin shall possess Gilead.” (v19d). 


The judgement upon the enemies of God’s people would be so complete that it would be safe for the exiles to return home (v20). The land of the Canaanites would be taken as far as Zarephath on the Mediterranean  coast in the north. Finally we are told that exiles from Jerusalem now in Sepharad would return and take the cities of the Negeb (v20b). We know the significance and location of Jerusalem and we’ve already stated that the Negeb is the region south of Judah. But where is Sepharad? No one is completely sure. Various solutions have been suggested like Spain, North Africa, Persia and the Greek city of Sardis. Wherever Sepharad was exactly, her exiles would be free to return home.


Some take these verses to look for and expect a period of blessing for national Israel unlike any seen before. The relatively modern revival of the nation of Israel seems to support this view - perhaps the rebirth of the State in 1948 shows the end is near? I’m not so sure. Modern Israel is a largely Christ-less place and is just as worldly as the West. So how should we see these promises of land? Should we expect national Israel to grow and prosper before the end?


Allow me to finish on another path. Brothers and sisters, Christ is coming in judgement and all those who have opposed Him will be found wanting. He is bringing with Him the new heavens and earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3v13). This is our great inheritance when not one inch of this world will know the curse of sin. By the victory of Christ, we will surely inherit the earth. “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13v14) 


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Q98 What is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.
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23rd September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 5:27-32 focus v27-28)


Message (Alan Burke) 


This week we are going to look at a passage which I know will hit some nerves and believe it or not no matter what some people think I don’t like being controversial and rubbing people up the wrong way and I want to say that as we begin. Here Jesus begins similarly to when he addressed anger before. He wasn’t correcting the law of God or adding to it, expanding it in some way, rather he was correcting a misunderstanding of the law. Something that we are all prone to do. 


Taking the seventh commandment, Jesus expounds the full extent of what it requires of us, expounding the law to help us to understand the full extent of what it teaches us. Applying the teaching of the seventh commandment to not only the act but the desire. This teaching doesn’t just apply to those who are married rather it goes much much further, because it applies if you’re single, married, divorced no matter who you are or what stage of life you are at or relationship you are in, it has far reaching implications. Also bear in mind that adultery according to the Old Testament Law so serious was it seen that it was punishable by death, (Deut 22:22, Lev 20:10) and in the time of Jesus it was seen in such light. The seriousness of it had not been watered down as it is today.


Adultery according to Jesus does not require the act, rather just a lustful thought means that you have broken the command, you have committed adultery. Does it mean that we cannot admire someone, comment of their beauty or say that they are handsome? Well no it doesn’t. There are other places in scripture where admiring the beauty of someone or if they are handsome is not seen as sinful so that’s not what we are being told here, that would take the teaching of Jesus too far. Rather the issue here is to look at someone with lustful intent, to have the desire of your heart stirred. (See Gen 29:17, 1 Sam 16:12, 25:3). Nor does the teaching of Jesus equate the act and the look as equally heinous.


What the scripture teaches about marriage, about lust, about divorce is totally counter cultural, the culture that we live in downplays the seriousness of sexual sin and we should be careful because if sin reigns in our life it leads us to hell. Jesus here wants us to understand that adultery begins in the heart, the heart is after all sinful, in fact every inclination and fate thoughts of our hearts are only evil continually, it is the verdict of the Lord on my heart and yours (Gen 6:5 and 8:21). 


How do we respond then? Well we repent of our sin, turn from it and trust in what Christ Jesus has done. If you find yourself battling with lust in your heart it is something that you should look to address. This is something that not only effects men it is woman as well. What makes this so much worse is that today we have at our fingertips a world that the generations before us never had which can feed the fire. What we should be doing as believers is seeking to put the fire out rather than feed it and when we fail to live as we should we look to what Christ has done in his atoning work and marvel that he would die as Issac Watts so eloquently put “for such a worm as I”.




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Q 97. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper?
A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.
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21st September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Obadiah 1v15-18)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


The Edomites had grown sinfully arrogant and proud. They felt secure in their mountain fortresses and rejoiced at the apparent destruction of the Kingdom of Judah. It wasn’t the first time that the Edomites had watched their cousins collapse. The Kingdom of Israel was united for only a brief period of time before splitting into north and south in the year 930BC.
The northern kingdom was called Israel while the southern kingdom was called Judah. Israel existed for just over two hundred years before being destroyed by the Assyrians. Judah continued until 586BC before being overrun by the Babylonians.


I wonder if Edom’s historians gloated over the fall of Israel both north and south? Edom remained strong and prosperous while their cousins down the road had lost everything. The temptation for self-satisfied pride was great and Edom was all too eager to pat themselves on the back. 


However the Lord was moving against Edom and His plan was to restore the fortunes of all of His people. The house of Jacob (representing Judah) would be a fire to Edom (v18a) and they would be joined by the house of Joseph (representing Israel) who would bring flame to the Edomites (v18b). The united people of God would see Esau’s house burned to stubble leaving no survivor behind (v18c).


This language seems incredibly uncompromising to our modern ears. We prefer to think that everyone is fundamentally good and God is not too angry with the state of this world. We admit that there are some very evil people who deserve to be punished but they are in the minority. When the day of the Lord comes people like Hitler are in big trouble but 99% of the rest will be fine.


This talk might make us feel warm and fuzzy but it is simply not true. When we consider the destruction of Edom we must not see it as a mere historical event but also as a glimpse of the judgement to come. If the destruction of Edom was terrible it was a mere shadow of the judgement that the Lamb of God will bring to the world. I have heard God’s acts of judgement which come before the last day described as “pre wrath wrath and pre judgement justice.” I think this a helpful summary. When the wicked are judged on this earth we are seeing a little glimpse of the scale of the final judgement. Indeed when the wicked seem to escape punishment on this earth, they will not and cannot escape the gaze of Jesus when He comes.


May we heed this reality, for the Lord has spoken (v18).


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Q96 What is the Lord’s Supper? The Lord’s Supper is a Sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, his death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.
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20th September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 5:21-26)


Message (Alan Burke)


If you have been following the devotions this week you’ll have heard how Jesus here is expounding the extent of the sixth commandments teaching and in doing so strips all the pretence of our goodness away and leaves us knowing that it is not about what we have done or can do because even our best efforts are filthy rags before a holy God. Deserving of the hell of fire for anger and belittling our bother, insulting them might seem ridiculous but it is with a purpose and that is to drive us to look to the grace of God, not despairing and while if we are relying on our own righteousness then we have absolutely no hope whatsoever we have hope through Jesus Christ who while we were still sinners died for us (Rom 5:8).


As Jesus concludes this teaching on anger he adds a scenario that sees someone with their adversary on their way to court. Notice the change from brother to adversary. If someone is your brother or sister in Christ then this should never be happening as you will have done all that you can to be reconciled to them before it would ever get to this. The picture that is given of making your way to court with an adversary. There is a debt owed of some kind which we can deduce from how they will be thrown into prison until they have paid the last penny as v26 tells us. 


Now there is a precedent here that believers should follow, if there is someone that we have done something on, we should attempt to make redress if we can before it comes to court. Now of course there are some things that must be taken to court, things that we must face the temporal consequences of here in this life and the courts must decide the consequences, trying to sweep things under the carpet as has happened in the past is not an acceptable response in the church. 


This isn’t teaching us that if a believer has been accused of something that is without basis that that they seek to settle out of court, simply roll over. Rather what this is speaking of is if you are the guilty party, this is not speaking of a frivolous accusation. If that is a situation that you find yourself in then you do all that you can to address it, you don’t leave it, you try to sort it out as soon as possible. In the ancient world wasn’t an option, debt was a serious matter. So imagine you’ve borrowed some money, might be to buy a house, new car, holiday and something happens that you can’t pay it back, maybe you wreck the back and can’t work, or loose your job or there is another bill that comes your way and before you know it you’re sinking and the debt has to be paid back but you can’t. 


Well you’d be put in prison, and you would remain in prison for as long as it took you to pay the debt back. In prison how are you going to work to earn money to pay your debt? You can’t, you’d remain there until either you die or someone, a family member or friend pays the debt on your behalf. Look what Jesus says in v26; ‘I tell you the truth, literally the word that is used is “amen”, amen, truly, surly this will be the case, that you will not get out until you have paid the last penny’. 


Anger, belittling someone means that we are all deserving of the fire of hell, I am deserving of the fire of hell and so are you. We owe a debt that none of us can hope to pay, all of us have left the commandments in shatters even if we thought we were doing a pretty good job of keeping them. The law of God deals not only with the action but with the heart and one day we will all come before the Lord Jesus and he will be our judge, he will be our judge and he will be our accuser. We need to be reconciled to him otherwise we will be thrown into the hell of fire for all eternity with no hope of release. 


Colossians 2:14 reminds us what God has done for us, he canceled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross (Col 2:14). While there is none of us are good people, able to keep the commands, while we are deserving of the fire of hell if we repent and believe, if we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ then that debt with its legal demand was nailed to the cross so that as we would come before the judge we would stand not in our own righteousness that are but filthy rags, but we would stand in Jesus’ righteousness. 


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Q95. To whom is Baptism to be administered?
A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible Church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible Church are to be baptized.
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19th September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Obadiah 1v15-18)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


The story of Slawomir Rawicz is controversial and fascinating in equal measure. If you believe Mr Rawicz he and several others escaped from a Soviet prison camp in 1941 before travelling four thousand mile on foot to freedom in India. The journey crossed the Gobi desert, climbed the mighty Himalayas and witnessed the death of many of Rawicz’s companions. Nevertheless, in 1942 the remaining escapees reached freedom far from the horror of the Russian gulag. Some have scoffed at Rawicz’s story and cast doubt at his claims - there is little evidence any such journey took place.


I’ll not tell you what I think about the long walk of Slawomir Rawicz but I know that many think the world will go on forever and they scoff at any talk of a last day. But I am certain that Christ is returning and I am sure that the day of the Lord is bad news for those who reject Jesus - for them there is no escape from the day of the Lord. 


However, the one who has trusted Christ has found an escape from the wrath of God and they will be found on the holy mountain of God called Mount Zion (v17). Zion is the mountain on which the ancient city of Jerusalem was built but it also serves as an image of heaven and God’s rule and reign. In Revelation 14v1 John saw an image of 144,000 standing before Jesus on Mount Zion. This number can be understood as representing the entire church of Jesus Christ. If there were 12 tribes and 12 apostles, 12 times 12 is 144. 144 multiplied by 1000 is 144,000. Why 1000? In Scripture 1000 is seen as a number of great size and scale and so the 144,000 symbolise the church of Christ redeemed throughout human history.


These men and women have found their escape on Mount Zion which throughout the Old Testament symbolises God’s sovereign rule. Where is Jesus now? He is reigning in Zion which is heaven (Psalm 2v6) and all who trust in Him will “possess their own possessions” (v17b). This phrase might cause us to scratch our heads but it simply means that God’s people will have returned to them all that has been lost. No one will be disappointed in heaven.


If Slawomir Rawicz actually made his “long walk” it was a brutal journey indeed. The Christian must be certain that our journey to Zion is guaranteed to hurt. Yet we do despair. In Christ our future is secure and our hope is not misplaced. Psalm 125 is our song “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.”  


Brothers and sisters, keep going.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q94 What is Baptism? Baptism is a Sacrament, wherein the washing with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.
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