31st December 2022


Pray (ACts)


Read (Hebrews 13v8-16, 20-24)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


There is something quite wonderful and yet terrifying about a new year. Wonderful because another opportunity has come for us to implement great changes in our lives. Terrifying because we have not one clue about anything that will take place over the next 365 days.


I don't know how this devotion finds you on the last day of 2022 but I'm excited to finish the year with another look at Christ. When midnight comes may you remember that the most important things in this world have not changed one little bit. Christ is above all and Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (v8). The fancy word for this is "immutability" which simply speaks about the unchanging nature of the Lord. He doesn't change and He cannot change for He is immutable. No matter what this new year brings we can be confident that our Saviour will be as unchangingly faithful as He has always been.


Hold fast to such truth! It is tempting to follow "diverse and strange teachings" (v9) but may your year be grounded in the central timeless truth of Scripture. A few years ago a famous preacher made quite a noise about the colour of the moon and in this letter the Hebrews kept looking back to their Jewish roots scratching their heads about certain types of food. Brothers and sisters, may you flee from irrelevant babble and instead be strengthened by grace in 2023 zealously pursuing the meat of God's Word.


The Christian has the privilege of worshipping at an altar which is heavenly not earthly (v10). We no longer visit the priests of the old covenant who would bring animal blood inside the holy place and then burn the animal carcass outside the camp (v11). The old covenant system was temporary and has passed away and so in 2023 may we remember that rather than being in the shadows we have the substance of God's promises in Christ. He was the one who was taken outside the city and crucified so that we might be sanctified (v12) and so may we go to Him, follow Him and willingly bear the reproach of being associated with Him (v13).   


I suspect that the passing of time causes us concern because it reminds us of the fleetingness of life and that when all is said and done none of us are the captain of our own destiny. I don't write this as a rebuke but as a simple reminder. Life is fleeting and none of us are in control, but when all is said and done that's perfectly okay. As followers of Christ we understand that we have no lasting city upon this earth (v14) and so our focus is on the heavenly city where we will dwell forever.


2023 might be wonderful or awful. 2023 might see prayers answered or apparent silence from the heavenly realm. 2023 might be just another year or it could be our last year. No matter what comes, today we resolve to fill our new year with constant praise of our glorious God (v15) and ceaseless good works (v16). This is the fruit of lips and hands that have been transformed by Christ and this is the fruit that pleases the Lord (v16b).


Dear brothers and sisters, I hope and pray that 2023 will be incredibly fruitful for you and yours. May the days of joy outweigh the days of sorrow. May you accept the teaching from God's Word that you will receive (v22). May your love for the saints only increase (v23-24a). May grace be with all of you (v25). 


"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (v20-21)


Pray (acTS)
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Q38 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection? At the resurrection, believers, being raised up to glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
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30th December 2022


Pray (ACts)


Read - Mark 6:47-52


Message - Alan Burke


“First Posted Year 2 Day 296 - 12th Jan”


If you have ever taken the ferry across to the mainland, you may have been caught in the midst of a storm that causes the ferry to rise and fall with the swells of the sea. If you have you can testify that it is not the most enjoyable experience. Now imagine being on a boat about 27ft/8m long, 8ft/2.4m wide, powered by a sail, the wind battering against you so that the sail was down and you were struggling to go anywhere for hours and hours on end. Doesn’t sound like fun! With Jesus praying on the mountain side this is what the disciples were experiencing. 


There while they are struggling, Jesus goes out to them, they are tired, no they are exhausted, likely soaked to the skin, straining with all that is with in them, all that’s left to get where they want to go. And Jesus goes out to them out walking in the water, this shouldn’t surprise us, after all he had calmed the storm (Mk 4) he had healed many, raised the little girl from death to life (Mk 5:21-43), fed the five thousand (Mk 6:30-44), he had shown his power over creation, his power over sickness and death itself, he had shown his creative power to his disciples and now reveals his absolute power over all of creation doing what no man can do by walking on the water. 


We’re told how Jesus was about to pass the disciples by and when they saw him walking on the lake it was too much for them, they thought he was a ghost. This was like nothing they had ever witnessed before, they were terrified, but then He spoke and told them to take courage it is I don’t be afraid, climbing into the boat with him (49-52). Here in these verses we have so much going. Firstly maybe you thought with the comment at the end of v48, he was about to pass them by as something almost horrific, uncaring, showing no compassion. After all these disciples of Jesus were in the boat, snuggling for hours to try and get to the place that he was sending them. 


Why would Jesus do that!? Why did Jesus mean to pass them by!? Well here Jesus was teaching them through what was happening, something that they would understand later, only after Jesus had died and rose again, and for those who read this gospel who knew their scriptures of the Old Testament would have seen and understood. What Jesus said to them when he told them to take courage makes that clear, although we loose it in translation, the Jesus said literally, “take courage “I AM” do not fear.” (V51). 


Jesus' actions and words reveal that he is the incarnate Creator, that he is the saviour. In their fear he does not rebuke them, instead assures them, climbs into the boat with them, the wind died down and look at what we are told, they were completely amazed. The word here means to be amazed beyond comprehension, amazed is that of aww and fear! Now with Jesus on the boat, they began to learn more of who he was and is, the terror had changed awe and fear.


Their problem was their hearts were hardened, think of it, they had seen much, they had seen many signs and wonders, they had done much themselves, but they had failed to understand the identity of the one that they were with, how they were in the presence of the living God. Not because they couldn’t see or hear, not because they weren’t intelligent, it is because their hearts were hard.  


The only hope for any of us is that the Lord God himself works. God had promised to his people… I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Eze 36:26). The only hope for sinners is that God works within. When we think of those around us it is dependant on the work of God from beginning to end, it is God who must work salvation in them, let us pray that God would give them what they need, hearts not that are hardened, hearts not of stone but of flesh that hear and respond to the gospel. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q37 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, (Heb. 12:23) and do immediately pass into glory; (2 Cor. 5:1,6,8, Phil. 1:23, Luke 23:43) and their bodies, being still united to Christ, (1 Thess. 4:14) do rest in their graves, (Isa. 57:2) till the resurrection. (Job 19:26–27)
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29th December 2022


Pray (ACts)


Read (Hebrews 13v7, 17-19)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


What is the relationship between a Christian and the leaders of their local church? Perhaps this isn't a question that you have ever given much thought to, but it is a concern of Holy Scripture and therefore it should be something that concerns us. So what should our relationship with our church leaders be like? 


Firstly, we are to remember them (v7). This isn't a call to think about them occasionally but instead to pray for them (v18).  Brothers and sisters, how often do you pray for the leaders in your local church? May I be so bold to ask you to pray for your leaders every single day of 2023? That may seem excessive but I can assure you, I am a weak and imperfect leader and I value and need the prayers of the saints. Ask specifically that your leaders will act honourably in all things so that we may be blessed by a clear conscience (v18). In other words may we not meet slander with slander or lies with lies. May our conduct bring glory to Christ as we serve Him in His church.


Pray for the practical concerns of your leaders too. Paul wanted to be with the Hebrews in person and so asks that they would pray earnestly for his rapid return to their fellowship (v19). Brothers and sisters, pray for your leaders as they travel to and from hospital visits. Pray that your leaders won't forget their own families. Pray that they would have time to enjoy rest and a round of golf. Pray for them continually, specifically, earnestly and practically in 2023.  


One area in Edengrove that falls upon my shoulders is the speaking of the word of God (v7b). Please remember me in this work. You would be surprised at how often the preparation time for the preaching of the Bible is squeezed by other things in the life of our congregation. I'm not belittling those other activities I'm merely reminding us all that the preaching of God's Word is essential to the health of a local fellowship. Pray for the Word read and especially preached and the men called to undertake this work.


Secondly, we are to consider our leaders lives and imitate their faith (v7b). This is a high and heavy challenge to the leaders of any fellowship. I pray two things in this area...that we leaders would walk rightly before the Lord setting an example in all things and that church members would be prepared to humbly follow the example set. This requires diligence from church leader and church member alike. To the leader I humbly ask - is your example worth following? To the member I humbly enquire - are you teachable and prepared to follow your leaders?


Thirdly, we are to obey and submit to our leaders (v17a). This is easy when our leaders make decisions that we agree with but much more difficult when we question the path that we are being asked to walk. But brothers and sisters, please seek to obey and follow your leaders as a matter of urgency. They are called to watch over your soul and will one day give an account to the Lord for their work (v17b). Church leaders should not be tyrants who run churches as their own personal kingdoms. Instead they are to be wise, prayerful and zealous for the things of God. Obey and submit to such leaders.


Finally, we are to make sure that the work of our leaders is a joy and not something that causes them to groan (v17b). I think that this is perhaps the most challenging and difficult of all of Paul's exhortations in these verses. In my life I speak regularly with other church leaders and unfortunately the spirit of the age seems to be one of constant discouragement. Are church leaders always complaining over nothing? Perhaps. But what if the modern church has forgotten what she is supposed to be and instead has become Tesco with a Christian veneer? Just like in Tesco we are happy if everything is in stock but we are always prepared to give the checkout operator a piece of our mind when things go wrong. Brothers and sisters, we are not Tesco or just another service provider in your life. We belong to the most glorious body on earth, the church of Jesus Christ. Therefore make the work of your leaders a joy. Pray for them, talk to them, encourage them, listen to them and show up for the joyous leader is a tremendous advantage to the church (v17b).


So brothers and sisters, what is your relationship with your church leaders? May the answer reflect the call of today's verses - for the sake of Christ and His Bride the Church.


Pray (acTS)
Sing
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Q36 What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification? The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.

28th December 2022


Pray (ACts)


Read - Mark 6:45-46


Message - Alan Burke


“First Posted Year 2 Day 294 - 10th January 2022”


With the feeding of the five thousand over, Jesus made the disciples get on the boat and go ahead of him. If you take a quick look over to John’s gospel, 6:15 you will discover that after the feeding of the five thousand the people were intending to make Jesus king by force, so that explains why Jesus ‘made’ the disciples go. After all they were as likely to jump on the band wagon as the rest of these people for they expected an earthly king who would overthrow Roman rule. So Jesus ‘made’ them go head of him to Bethsaida. 


The disciples are gone, Jesus dismisses the crowd, and as the great multitude start to disperse, Jesus leaves them and he goes to pray (46). This is something that we have seen before in Mark’s gospel, back in chapter 1 after he had healed many, while it was still dark he got up and went to a secluded place to pray. Likewise here Jesus goes off alone, to pray! We see this in the gospel of Matthew, Luke and John also. The importance of prayer is seen in the life of Christ, many of us would just be off to the next thing, but here Jesus intentionally goes, even thought he was and is in eternal communion with the Father, he still goes off to pray, for he knew that success in his ministry required time in prayer. Throughout his ministry he took time to pray to commune with God the Father. Wee question for you, you know it’s coming but I’m not asking it to guilt you, make you feel like a rubbish Christian, I’m only asking for your benefit, how’s your prayer life?


We all know that we should pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17), and it is such a privilege and responsibility after all we are able to commune with our creator. We here we are reminded by the actions of our saviour Jesus Christ the importance of the need to commune with our heavenly Father in prayer, for help, for him to sustain us. This is a privilege that we have, to come into the presence of the Living God to speak to him, with our hearts laid bare before him. Each time in Mark’s gospel we are told of Jesus going to pray (1:35, 6:45, 14:35-39) it was when he faced something that lay ahead, he prayed in what he faced. 


The disciples saw this, in how Jesus would go to pray, go off by himself, he wasn’t like the pharisees who prayed in front of everyone who tried to gain the approval of men, no, Jesus quietly went to pray, pouring out his soul to the Father. This is why the disciples desired in Luke that he would teach them how to pray (Lk 11:1). The simple acrostic A.C.T.S. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication, helps us to see the priority of what we should be praying to the Lord as we come to the Him in prayer. This is why we use this acrostic in these devotions. For as we come in adoration, praising him and as we do we realise out need of confession, when we have confessed our sin we overflow with thanksgiving for what God has done and then in supplication as we pray for others. 


On Sunday in the sermon I will talk to the boys and girls about this, but I’m going to leave you with what I plan to say to them. “Boys and girls, do you know how to say something is great or amazing or wonderful? I imagine you do, we call that ‘adoration’. Boys and girls, I have another question, do you know how to say sorry? Of course you do, we call that ‘confession’. Boys and girls do you know how to say thank you? Try it for me, say thank you, great job, we call that ‘thanksgiving’. Last one, do you know how to ask for help? I know you do and when we ask for help in prayer for others that’s called ‘supplication’. Boys and girls, in prayer we should do these things, say Lord, your amazing, wonderful, we should say sorry for our sin, we should say thank you for what God has done, and we should as for help for ourselves and others, I know you can do all those things, when you come before God you don’t need to say big words, talk to him in prayer, adoring, saying how great he is, confessing, saying sorry, thanksgiving, saying thanks and supplication asking for help.” It doesn’t need to be complicated, keep it simple, use His word as a guide and know the privilege you have. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q35 What is sanctification?
Sanctification is the work of God’ s free grace, (2 Thess. 2:13) whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, (Eph. 4:23–24) and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. (Rom. 6:4,6, Rom. 8:1)
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27th December 2022


Pray (ACts)


Read (Hebrews 13v1-6)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


As we read the Scriptures a good question to ask is "how should I respond to what I am reading?" Answering such a question may lead to you to praise as you fall before the Lord in humble adoration. But another response will see change in our lives as we respond to the glory of the Gospel by humble service.


Hebrews is almost at an end but before the Apostle puts a full-stop on his letter he urges the Hebrews to respond to what they have heard. They are to continue loving each other within the fellowship (v1). This sounds so basic that we wonder why Paul stresses it, but do we genuinely love our brothers and sisters in the Lord? As a year draws to a close isn't it time to put aside all bitterness in our hearts towards our fellow Christians? Isn't it time to forgive the grievances that we have been carrying for years? Brothers and sisters, let brotherly love continue.


The love that we show should also be extended to strangers. The Hebrews are commanded to show hospitality to those they don't know (v2). In Paul's day you couldn't search the internet to book an airbnb when you were travelling. Christians might arrive in Rome and have no family or friends and nowhere to go. In such a situation the Hebrews were to show hospitality to strangers. A Christian from Ephesus should have been able to find a warm welcome in Rome. To underline the importance of hospitality, the Apostle reminds the Hebrews of when Abraham entertained three strangers who appeared by his tent (Genesis 18). Who were these men? Two angels and THE angel of the Lord whom we believe to be an appearance of Christ in the Old Testament. Brothers and sisters, open your homes to the church of Jesus Christ.


Additionally the old saying "out of sight, out of mind" wasn't to apply to the Hebrews. They were to remember their fellow Christians who found themselves in prison and those who were mistreated for their faith (v3). Perhaps we don't know any Christian who currently meets these standards but nevertheless we are to care for those who are struggling. We can send a meal, we can visit in a hospital ward, we can send flowers and we can pray. Brothers and sisters, care for one another.


Furthermore, the Hebrews were to honour marriage ensuring the marriage bed wasn't a place for adultery but a place that was esteemed and upheld (v4). The gift of physical intimacy is from the Lord and Christian spouses are to enjoy each other's bodies as an expression of their commitment and love. Therefore we are not to cheat on our wives with the woman next door and we are not to invite the milkman into our bedrooms when our husband goes to work. Brothers and sisters, honour God by honouring marriage.


Finally, the Christian is to be marked by a right relationship with money. Money is not sinful but the love of money certainly is. We are keep ourselves free from a love of money and to foster a contentment with the things we have (v5). How many of us opened endless gifts on Sunday and still headed for the sales on Monday? Brothers and sisters, use money rightly and rejoice in the things that God has blessed you with.


Some of these "responses" require more effort than others. Perhaps we excel at brotherly love but fall down at the love of money? Perhaps we have a wonderful and faithful physical relationship with our wife but trip up when it comes to hospitality? None of us are perfect but as a new year approaches may we seek the Lord in repentance, humbly asking Him to sanctify us. When midnight comes and 2022 turns to 2023 may we enter a brand new year remembering that the Lord will indeed continue to sanctify His people and grow them up in good works.


We can be confident of the work of sanctification (v5-6) for the Lord will never leave us or forsake us (Joshua 1v5). Indeed in the year to come may our lives be marked by the fear of the Lord rather than man. In the end humanity can't rob us of our heavenly reward. The Lord is our helper my dear brothers and sisters, therefore in the coming months respond to Him in service and praise.


Pray (acTS)
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Q34 What is adoption? Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
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26th December 2022


Pray (ACts)


Read - Luke 1:39-50 (focus v46-50)


Message - Alan Burke


“First posted Year 2 Day 268 - 15th December”


It’s hard for us to truly appreciate the significance of the announcement of Gabriel to Mary. Yes there was hope of Jesus, a saviour, who would have the throne of his father David, whose kingdom would be without end (29-33) this hope was indeed a wonderful one. Do not forget though what lay ahead for Mary, for at age thirteen maybe fourteen as an unmarried woman betrothed in a culture where reputation and chastity meant something, the entirety of her future of everything was now uncertain. She would have to deal with the constant questioning about the legitimacy of her son, Jesus himself faced it as the jews sarcastically said things to him like “We are not illegitimate children,” (Jn 8:41). For Mary the road ahead was going to be a tough one yet she in faith submitted to the Lord. Although Mary had not asked or demanded a sign and went forward in faith, the Lord by his grace gave her such a wonderful confirmation in Elizabeth and the words she spoke to her. 


Those words of Elizabeth acted as a conformation of what she had already been told and in response Mary praises the Lord. It’s as if the words of Elizabeth are a trigger for her to verbalise what the Lord is doing. Mary  believes by faith and so her joy is great and her soul magnifies the Lord. This song of praise known as the Magnificat, from it’s opening word in Latin, it speaks of the Lord’s concern for the poor and despised of this world and the rejection of the rich and the proud, we see that as in v47-50, how ‘God Lifts the Humble’ and in v51-55 how ‘God Humbles the Proud’. As she begins by praising the Lord, her spirit rejoices, that is her inmost being praises the Lord, her heart, mind, all of her is praising, rejoicing. The reason why is that God is acting on her behalf and he is acting on His peoples behalf through her. She rejoices in God her Saviour (47), and the saviour of his people, understanding that this is what the Lord had been doing throughout the ages for his people, throughout redemptive history, how he had promised to bring salvation to them. 


Mary understood something that for many people they find hard to grasp, as she rejoiced, she did so not in her current situation but in God her Saviour. She knew that she needed saving by God, she knew that she was a sinner just like all of us, for each one of us, every person on this planet has sinned against God, the only human to ever escape the stain of original sin was Jesus. Mary’s joy comes in and through this child who was to come, and has come and will come again, for as the angel Gabriel had told her is name would be Jesus, meaning God saves, this child would bring salvation to his people, he is the Savior of sinners who would soon be born (Matt 1:21). This child to come can only be our Saviour if we know we need saved, if we understand our sinful condition, then we will be able to understand the joy that Mary had in the salvation of God. 


For Mary knows that the God that she praises, is gracious and faithful to those who fear him, who acknowledge him rightly. For his changeless faithfulness has been clear, for all in ever generation of the people of Israel and Mary sings of how such faithfulness will also be for future generations of God’s people (48). God’s favour is specifically directed at those who fear God, Mary is a God fearer, who acknowledges the holy and exulted position of her God. His mercy extent to those who fear him, those who acknowledge him rightly, we fear God today (Proverbs 9.10) with a filial fear - a fear a child has for their parent. We know how powerful He is and we know He will one day pour out His anger upon those who stand against Him, who have not trusted in the Saviour, but for those who do his mercy extends to them (50).


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q33 What is justification?
Justification is an act of God’ s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, (Rom. 3:24–25, Rom. 4:6–8) and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, (2 Cor. 5:19,21) only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, (Rom. 5:17–19) and received by faith alone. (Gal. 2:16, Phil. 3:9)
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24th December 2022


Pray (ACts)


Read (Hebrews 12v18-29)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Tomorrow is a day that many gifts will be given and many will be received. Perhaps you are hoping for something special? Perhaps you want receipts attached to every gift for when you inevitably return them for something else or perhaps you can't wait for all the fuss to be over? Regardless of our feelings about Christmas Day, the Christian has received something far greater than the usual pants, socks and aftershave.


To help us understand what we have been given, the Apostle uses the example of two mountains. The first is Mount Sinai where Moses received the ten commandments written on tablets of stone. We all have our Sunday school images of a happy Moses coming down the mountain with the tablets in his hands but Paul deals with the reality.


When the Lord appeared to Moses on Sinai He commanded that no one was to come near to the mountain or even touch it. If man or beast broke this rule then they were to be put to death (v20). When the Lord came to Sinai there was thunder and lightning and a thick cloud on the mountain. A loud trumpet blast caused the people to tremble. The mountain was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended in fire and in response the whole mountain trembled greatly. The trumpet sound continued and grew louder and louder until finally the Lord spoke like thunder causing even Moses to tremble in fear at Mount Sinai (v21).


The first mountain declared the holiness of God and His unapproachability by sinful man. Our hands and our hearts are unclean and what we need is someone to stand in the gap between us and the awe inspiring majestic holy, holy, holy, Lord. Thanks be to God because Christ is the one who stood in our place.


Therefore, the Apostle writes that we have not come to Sinai but instead we have arrived at Mount Zion. Zion is the mountain on which Abraham took his son Isaac, it would later be the site of the city of Jerusalem and later still it would be the place that the temple was built. But Paul doesn't urge us to go and worship in the earthly Jerusalem at the remains of the temple destroyed by the Romans. Instead Zion acts as a signpost to greater heavenly realities.


When we think of Zion we think of heavenly glory and the access we have to God through faith in the Son. No longer do we tremble and quake keeping our distance from the Lord but now by the blood of Christ we can draw near. The Christian no longer lives at Sinai but our permanent address is Zion (v22-24). Sinai represents the old covenant and Zion the new (v24).


In light of this we are not to seek a return to Sinai as some of the Hebrews were considering. Christ's work is complete and sufficient and we are to pay heed to Him who warns us from heaven (v25). In other words we are to stand firmly rooted in Christ for a day is coming that the entire universe will be shaken at the return of Jesus (v26). On that great and terrible day only those who have received Christ and entered into His Kingdom will stand (v27).


I have no idea what you will receive tomorrow morning but I am sure that from Christ we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken (v28). In light of this truth let us draw near to God worshipping Him in reverence and awe (v28). He is a consuming fire (v29) but by faith we are not consumed. Happy Christmas to you and yours and wherever you spend tomorrow please never forget that because of Jesus your dwelling place now and forever is Zion.


Pray (acTS)
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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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23rd December 


Pray (ACts)


Read - 1 John 1:29


In the wonder of the revelation that God gave John the Baptist, to be able to confess that “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29). The Lord Himself in the fullness of time had sent His Son. The Son whom Abraham’s near sacrifice of his son Isaac was prophetically pointing forward to what God would do, to the actual sacrifice by God of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary, in which He showed His great love for the world, not His cruelty. Abraham receiving his son back from death, typifies Christ’s resurrection from death on the cross.  Jesus is that which the sacrificial system of the Old Testament was pointing forward to, and Jesus in His sinless life and sacrificial death was the suffering servant of Isaiah 53, who was like a lamb to the slaughter, who was crushed but victorious (10-12). For He the Lord Jesus Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed (1 Co 5:7), for we have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot (1 Pe 1:19).


While this confession of John the Baptist of how Jesus is the lamb of God looks back to that which the Old Testament had been pointing to throughout but it is also to what he would do for us. In the book of Revelation we see the wonder and the glory of the lamb of God and the provision that has been made for us. I have paraphrased some of the following passages due to length. 


Revelation 5, there was the Lamb standing, as though it had been slain… And when the lamb had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God  from every tribe and language and people and nation, In that revelation John looked, and heard voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!” (Paraphrased Rev 5:6–12).


It is from the Lamb that wrath will be poured out on an unbelieving world (Rev 6:16). It is the Lamb who enables the great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, to come and stand before the throne and before the Lamb. (Paraphrased Rev 7:9). Who have been washed in his blood and their robes have been made white (7:14), who will have triumphed though the blood of the Lamb (Paraphrased Rev 12:11), and whose book contains all the names of those whose name has been written before the foundation of the world in the Lambs book of life (Paraphrased Rev 13:8), therefore if you have ears to hear of who the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is and all that He has done then turn to Him, trust in Him, for all who believe in His name will be saved and only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life (21:27), who will enter the garden city, to the very presence of God. 


What Christmas is about is not the presents the things that we can so often make it rather it is the wonder of the redemption that we have been freely given in Christ Jesus. He is the most precious gift of all. The Christmas story doesn’t begin with a manger nor does it end with the cross or the resurrection, instead it ends with us before the throne looking upon the glorified Lamb, on that day all who believe will join with the chorus “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and donor and glory and blessing!”. Let us celebrate at this time of year His first coming for “Worthy is the Lamb!” (Rev 5:12).


Message - Alan Burke


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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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22nd December 2022


Pray (ACts)


Read (Hebrews 12v1-17)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Have you ever heard the phrase "life is a marathon not a sprint"? It means that we not to burn ourselves out too soon because a long road is in front of us. The Christian life is a marathon not a sprint and we run that marathon with endurance. No one wants to run any race loaded down with baggage and so as we run the race we are take off the weight of sin (v1). The Christian is justified yet sinful but as we trust the promises of God like the cloud of witnesses in chapter 11 we are to press on knowing that we stand forgiven by faith in Christ.


I have never run an actual marathon but I'm told that there comes a moment when you "hit the wall". Apparently in such a moment you feel like you can't continue and many athletes give up and stop. The Christian often knows what it is to "hit the wall" in our walk with the Lord but when we do we are to look to Jesus (v2). He is the one who has both founded and perfected our faith (v2). This means that salvation depends on Christ. He laid the foundations of our faith by His obedient life and sacrificial death. He moved from death to life and is alive forevermore at the right hand of God (v2b). By His death He finished or perfected His work and by faith in Christ, He makes perfect all who draw near.


Therefore as we run the Christian race we are to constantly keep Christ in sight. Jesus faced incessant hostility during His earthly ministry and we shouldn't be surprised when we face the same (v3). Yet when we do meet opposition we are not to grow weary or fainthearted (v3b). Christ didn't give up and we shouldn't either. Where do our difficulties come from? Sometimes from those who oppose the Gospel but more often than not our biggest opponent is the person we see every morning in the mirror.


Thus far our difficulties have not resulting in our blood being shed or our lives being taken and so until that day we are to enter into a struggle with indwelling sin (v4). My brothers and sisters, we are not perfect people and our motives, attitudes and actions are all tainted by sin. We must war against sin. We must make a daily practice of repentance. We must seek the Lord as He ministers to us by the ordinary means of grace.


Regardless of opposition from outside or inside, the Lord uses difficulty to discipline us and grow us up in the faith. Discipline sounds like a dirty word and surely a loving God and discipline don't go together? But they certainly do. The Lord has received us as children and like any good parent the Lord brings discipline to us because He loves us. The Apostle underlines his point by quoting from Proverbs 3v11-12 “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”


And so we can say with confidence that the Christian will often know difficulties but we can be equally confident that the Lord uses all things for our good. If we know His discipline then it assures us that we are His children (v7). Those who do not know this discipline are not legitimate children of the King (v8). Therefore we are to receive the Lord's discipline with joy. We received discipline from our parents and respected them, so we should accept the discipline of the Lord with even more maturity (v9). The Lord works in this way to sanctify us and while we know that discipline is painful - God is working in us to produce the fruit of righteousness and holiness (v10-11). He is preparing us for heaven.


Brothers and sisters, you may be aware of the heavy hand of God's discipline and perhaps you believe that you can go no further. But please hear me...lift your eyes to Christ and consider Him. Lift your hands and strengthen your knees (v12). May the Lord straighten the path before you and heal your sore aching joints (v13). Respond to opposition and discipline by making peace with those around you (v14). Strive and hunger for holiness without which you will not see the Lord (v14b). Dig out any "root of bitterness" in your heart for this only causes trouble to you and to others (v15). Learn the lesson from individuals like Esau who followed his sinful desires and later found no opportunity to repent (v16-17).


The Christian life is certainly a marathon and it will inevitably hurt, sting and wound. But dear brothers and sisters, press on. The Lord who has begun the work in you will continue and finish it and when the marathon is over we will discover that Christ Himself will carry us across the finish line.


Pray (acTS)
Sing
WSC
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.

21st December 


Pray (ACts)


Read - 1 John 1:29


Message - Alan Burke


As we think of Christmas according to John’s gospel we have been thinking of this confession of John the Baptist who was enabled by God to see how Jesus was the Lamb of God. For Jesus is the one, who provided a sacrifice that was once and for all, where Issac asked “where is the lamb” the entirety of the Old Testament had been pointing to the one who would come, Jesus was and is the Lamb of God. His purpose in coming was to deal with the disease that we all have, sin. I hope that as you read this you will know what sin is, maybe you know the catechism answer that summarises the teaching of scripture which is “Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God” (WSC14). There are of course many people today that dismiss sin, who think that we are born inherently good and to them the bibles teaching on sin is abusive. The reality is something different, David confessed in Ps 51 how he was brought forth in iniquity and in sin did his mother conceive him (51:5). 


Sin is a disease that we all try to cover up, but only when we understand the gravity of problem that we are able to look for the right cure. It is not that we are sinful because of the sins we commit, rather the sins that we commit are the outworking of who we are, for we are sinful. Each and every time we sin, we show that sinful nature. Also sin is defined not first in relation to one another as creatures, but is defined in our relation to God the Creator, it is God orientated, when we put ourselves and our wills, wants, wishes above God, that is sin. 


God demands the same from us as He did from Adam, obedience to His word, to His law, it is the same that He has demanded of every human being. Yet though Christ… “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Rom 8:3-4). God the Father sent His Son to be the sinless Lamb, (Heb 7:26), to be our sin-bearer (2 Cor 5:17-21). For Jesus was the true and better Adam. Jesus obeyed the word of the Father, his obedience came from His love for His Father, He committed no sin, (1 Peter 2:21–25), and not even His contemporaries were able to convict Him of transgression (John 8:46). Jesus kept the whole law for us, it was not only was his death substitutionary but also His life. And in his death, he willingly laid down His life for His flock (John 10:1–18).


Jesus became sin for us (2 Cor 5:21), in doing so he received the wrath of God that was due to the sins of His people. Through faith there is a glorious exchange, the righteousness of Christ is placed upon us, through His substitutionary life and death, in how he dealt with Sin. For the believer they can have confidence in this glorious exchange. Our sin should drive us to Jesus, knowing that it is reliant on the Lamb of God who came to take away sin, God’s amazing love should drive us Him, it is so counter intuitive, as God meets our greatest need for it is not what we deserve but rather what He gives us freely through the Lamb, Jesus Christ.It is to Him that we must look, for when He is our focus, then that will be worked out in our lives. For it’s not about you, it’s not about me, it’s the opposite of how this world works and what we teach our children, for what matters is not how good we are, how smart we are, how pretty, handsome, what matters is Jesus.


Jesus, the Lamb of God.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC 
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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