Day's 51-60

Day 51
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Job 38
Message Alan Burke 
What is going on, like really, we were all eagerly awaiting Boris to come and say life can go back to normal, so we could go see our families, have a party in the back garden, what ever it was we wanted but it hasn’t come. If you watched Sunday nights address to the nation you were probably left scratching your heads, left none the wiser. We may not have the answer to ‘why’ it’s all like this, ‘why’ it hasn’t gone back to normal but instead of the ‘why’ maybe we need to look the the one ‘who’ is sovereign over it all, sovereign over every part of this world and every part of our lives, the LORD God.
Today we look to Job once more remember how, He is blameless, upright, someone who turned away from evil and a man who fears God (1:1). He was a family man (1:2) and a successful business man (1:3). Indeed he would often intercede for his family just in case they sinned against God in their hearts (1:5). However, by the end of the chapter Job has lost everything due to the malice of Satan. Then three friends and Elihu pointed the finger at Job, assuming that in one way or another his circumstances and/or response revealed a rejection of the God whom he claimed to serve faithfully. They told him to repent or expect further judgment.
Finally (Ch. 38) the Lord responds to Job, out of the whirlwind (1), but instead of God answering his questions, Job must answer God. Here the Lord God takes Job by the hand as such, taking him on a tour of the universe, to consider the beauty, the wonder and order of the created world. As Job had lamented his birth and life (Ch. 3), the Lord asks him about the birth of the universe itself (38:4-11). Then the Lord asks the question of Job, have you governed creation that you benefit from (12-38)? The magnificence of all that is described, its unfathomable glory may not have been the answer Job wanted or expected never mind us and we may have been left asking, ‘but what has this to do with the suffering of Job, why his this innocent man suffered?’ But this answer of God reveals our own limitedness, our ignorance, even the most wise and learned of the human race cannot begin to understand the mystery of the universe or its creator. Paul in Romans 11 reminds us;
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34  “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counsellor?”
35  “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
Job had been invited by God to consider these things, instead of answering the 'why’ to his questions, God answers ‘who’ and it left him speechless (4:1-2). Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (6:24-34) tells us to look to the birds, consider the lilies, and the grass of the field for what we need is to put God and his Kingdom at the very centre of our lives, knowing that through Christ Jesus we are his, and making His rule and our relationship Him our priority. For every day He has planned for us, and nothing we can do, worry and anxiety cannot add a single day to our lives, let tomorrow bring what it will bring, the Lord reigns over it all. We may not have the answer to ‘why’ Boris didn’t give us what we wanted, the ‘why’ we can’t go to beach, the ‘why’ we can’t have family over, what we need is not the answer to ‘why’ instead we need to look the the one ‘who’ is sovereign over it all, sovereign over every part of this world and every part of our lives, the LORD God, Father, Son and Spirit the Triune God. “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 51
What is forbidden in the second commandment? 
The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, (Deut. 4:15–19, Exod. 32:5,8) or any other way not appointed in his Word. (Deut. 12:31–32)
Day 52
Pray (AC-ts)
Read - Joel 2.28-32
Message - Scott Woodburn
The Holy Spirit was not silent or inactive in the days of the Old Testament. He was there in creation (Genesis 1.2). Moses was filled by the Holy Spirit and we see that gift shared among 70 others (Numbers 11.16-17). Those involved in the construction of the tabernacle were also filled by the Spirit (Exodus 31.1-6; 35.30-36.2). The Spirit rushed upon David anointing him and equipping him for the work ahead (1 Samuel 16.13). Indeed if anyone was to be saved in the days of the Old Testament, the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Spirit was required. In Hebrews 11 we read that without faith is is impossible to please God (11.6) and this comes in the midst of a list of Old Testament believers all described as being "of faith". We know that faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2.8) and so we see the necessity of the Spirit's work in the Old Testament. However just as Old Testament believers looked forward to a Saviour who they could see in the shadows (Hebrews 10.1), so too the Spirit's work would be magnified after Jesus had completed His work. Sinclair Ferguson argues that in the Old Testament the Spirit's work among the people of God was "enigmatic, sporadic, theocratic, selective and in some respects external." In simple terms it was there but wasn't on a scale of what we enjoy today. We see a longing for more in the prayer of Moses "Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!" (Numbers 11.29). That cry would be echoed in Joel 2.28-32 in a word of prophecy that would be fulfilled at the day of Pentecost (Acts 2.1-21). As Peter stood to preach he was aware of the significance of what was going on. In verse 16 he is clear that what is taking place was a fulfilment of Joel's prophecy. The Spirit had been poured out and a new age of special revelation had arrived. Dreams and visions would be received, the Gospel would be preached and the message would be authenticated by signs and wonders which were the true sign of an apostle (2 Corinthians 12.12). The Bible would be completed and the church of Jesus Christ would grow, made up of all flesh, Jew and Gentile alike trusting in Christ. As the last Apostle was called home, these amazing days came to a close. Signs and wonders would cease and God's prophetic Word was finished. Some today long for another Pentecost, but it is a misguided longing. Pentecost could no more be repeated than Calvary. Yet we do not despair because the impact of Pentecost can still be felt. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved and everyone who has been saved receives the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We don't need to seek a so called "second blessing" and today the Spirit's work is not just among a certain few. Paul tells us in Romans 8.9 "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." If you belong to Christ, by faith, you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. How blessed are we! John Owen once said that the greatest privilege of the Old Testament church was to hear news of the things that we now enjoy and take for granted. We have the Spirit. We have the completed Word. We have a full picture of redemption. We see Christ and His work played out fully and today we are fully equipped for the work that is ahead. The Spirit prays for us (Romans 8.26). He makes our evangelism effective as He convicts sinners (John 16.8). He leads us in all truth. He declares the things of God to us (John 16.13-15). He produces fruit in us (Galatians 5.22-23) and most of all He glorifies Christ. What a privilege it is to be on this side of Calvary & Pentecost, but what a greater joy it will be when faith becomes sight and we sing the praises of the Lamb in the company of Believers from every age. None of it would be possible without the work of our Triune God, working throughout eternity, in perfect unity, Father, Son & Holy Spirit. So in response to these realities "let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5.26) and let us flee the works of the flesh "sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." (Galatians 5.19-21) Instead, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5.25)
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Confession of Faith
Q52 What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment? The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.
Day 53
Pray (AC-ts)
Read - Acts 9.1-19
Message - Scott Woodburn
It has been a long time since you last shared the Gospel with Stephen. You still love him, he is your brother after all, but what's the point? He seems so hard against Jesus and the last thing you want is another fight. The same could be said for your old friend Jane. As teenagers you guys lived in each other's pockets. You went on all the youth weekends together and you even served on an overseas team. You've still got the hooded sweatshirt from that trip but Jane "doesn't do God" anymore and the last time you saw her was an awkward accidental chat in Asda. Hopeless isn't it? We all know Stephens and Janes. We all know the pain of loved ones who no longer or never did believe. What's to be done? Firstly a reminder. The situation isn't hopeless. We remain convinced and unashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for all who will believe (Romans 1.16). Who would have thought such a man as Saul could have been saved? Breathing out threats and murder against the church with letters in his pocket to have Christians bound and brought to Jerusalem (v1-2). Hopeless, utterly hopeless, until he was confronted by the crucified and risen Christ. None of us will be saved as dramatically as Saul (v3-9) but don't lose sight of what is going on when the Gospel is preached. The Gospel isn't being nice to your neighbour and cutting their grass. It is a declaration of the good news. "Christ crucified for sin and raised for our justification" (Romans 4.25) we cry or "Christ died for the ungodly"(Romans 5.6) we proclaim. As the Gospel is shared, sinners are being confronted by the crucified and risen Christ. Many a meeting passes with no response, many a conversation ends with no repentance, but then, wonderfully, the scales fall from the eyes of a broken sinner and with eyes of faith they see Jesus. No wonder we are unashamed of the Gospel. "Faith comes through hearing and hearing the word of Christ." (Romans 10.17). If you or I can be saved then even those we consider "Saul" can be saved. Secondly, salvation is a supernatural work (John 3.8). If anyone is to be saved it requires the work of the Holy Spirit. Don't miss this! Your carefully constructed Gospel meting may have the right hymns, the right lighting and the right books on a wee table at the back but if the Spirit doesn't work no one will be saved. As the Gospel spread from Jerusalem to the world, the church devoted themselves to the things of God and the Lord gave the increase (Acts 2.42-47). This isn't a call to laziness in our evangelism, or the old attitude that says "God will convert the heathen without you or me." Not at all. But if your mission team spends more time on the colour of the hooded sweatshirt than calling upon the Lord in prayer, I humbly suggest it's focus is entirely wrong. Finally, to close, another reminder. If your husband is never converted or your best friend doesn't trust Christ, this isn't on you. Again this isn't a call to laziness but a call to remember who you are in Christ. Like Saul who soon became Paul, you have been converted to Christ and your standing with the Lord is radically different (Ephesians 2.11-13). God has declared you righteous in His sight and this declaration was not dependant upon you seeing 100 sinners converted in your lifetime. Be much in prayer. Be zealous in evangelism. Be faithful in the things of God. But always remember that your loved one's lack of faith isn't because you didn't do enough. Do not allow the enemy to rob you of your joy by convincing you that salvation is all about you. It's not and never has been. "Salvation belongs to the Lord!" (Psalm 3.8) As Saul set out for Damascus he had no notion that his life was about to change. He had no plans to be converted to Christ. Yet in this episode and in our imperfect evangelistic efforts we remember that God is sovereign. He would save Saul and use him to take the Gospel to the Gentiles (v15-16). So weep about your loved ones but not in despair. Instead, rest in the saving sovereignty of God and be always ready to declare "Behold the Lamb of God who comes to take away the sin of the world!" (John 1.29)
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q53 Which is the third commandment? The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Day 54
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Colossians 2:6-15
Message Alan Burke 
Since the end of March some of you may have noticed especially if you have walked past the manse the pile of brambles, branches and even a bath lying at the side of the house. I’ve been using some of my evenings to clear out a bit of the back garden, even taken a couple of trees down that were looking worse for wear. Chopping the trees down was the easy part, the hard part came when I tried to remove one of the stumps, chopping, digging, pulling, pushing and I still haven’t got very far. The trees were firmly rooted which they need to be to withstand the assaults of the good Norn Irish weather, the winds and storms that they have been battered with throughout the years. Today as we look to Paul and Timothy letter to the church in Colossae the failed attempt at removing that tree stump struck me as I read these verses, hopefully you will understand why in a moment.
This letter is one that Paul wrote in response to some of the nonsense that was being spouted by false teachers and to act as a corrective as well as an encouragement to the beliers in their growth towards maturity. He had just warned them about deceptive teaching, the dangerous threat that were in their midst, it may have sounded reasonable, persuasive to them (4). In response to this threat, here Paul teaches them and us how to withstand and avoid the nonsense that was and continues to be spouted by some, by encouraging them to continue on, on the basis of what they have already come to know in Christ. Look at the wording that he uses, as you have received Christ Jesus as ‘Lord’. As ‘Lord’, what Paul is saying to the church is, as they have received Christ Jesus as ‘Lord’ they have submitted to Jesus as their Lord, as they accepted his rule, His lordship over their entire lives, in every situation, in every aspect of it they are to continue in him, walk in him, embracing the truth and the implication of that truth. 
They are also to be firmly rooted, if that tree stump wasn’t firmly rooted I’d have had no problem tearing it out, actually the wind and the storms would have taken care of it for me long before now, but when a tree is firmly rooted, it can take a hammering from the wind and storms. For believers the in Colossae as well us us, what is needed is to be firmly rooted in Christ to be able to deal with the winds and storms of this life, rooted in Christ Jesus as ‘Lord’ rooted in the teachings that were given to us by him and his apostles. We are also to build up in him and establish the faith, another analogy by Paul to emphasise this point, we are to build up, the opposite of tear down, building each other up on the truth of scripture not in the nonsense that so often comes as we try to keep a foot in the culture and a foot in the church, we should be very careful of who we listen to, who we are reading, just because the book claims to be ‘christian' doesn’t mean its not filled with nonsense, we need to walk in what we received, rooted in what we received, built up in what we received, to be established in the faith, and what did we receive, Christ Jesus the Lord of all, and when we do this we will abound not with gurning but with thanksgiving. 
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 54
What is required in the third commandment?
The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’ s names, (Matt. 6:9, Deut. 28:58) titles, (Ps. 68:4) attributes, (Rev. 15:3–4) ordinances, (Mal. 1:11,14) Word, (Ps. 138:1–2) and works. (Job 36:24)
Day 55
Pray (AC-ts)
Read - Revelation 10&11
Message Scott Woodburn
After Christ opens the seventh seal the trumpet judgements begin. They mirror the events outlined during the opening of the seven seals but this time from the perspective of the unsaved world. God's judgement burns against sinful humanity and yet tragically the response isn't one of repentance (9.20-21). Just as seal six was followed by an interlude, so too the pattern is repeated after trumpet six. As chapter ten begins a mighty angel comes down from heaven (v1). We have reason to believe this messenger of God is none other than Christ Himself. He is described as being robed in a cloud (v1), used elsewhere to describe God alone (Psalm 97.2). He has a rainbow above His head (v1), we remember similar in Revelation 4.3 around God's throne. His voice is like a lion's roar (v3), we recall that Christ is the Lion of Judah. He comes speaking a true word, God swearing by Himself showing the authenticity of the message (v6; Hebrews 6.13). All that God wills, will be accomplished (v7). Christ gives John a little scroll (the same scroll that Jesus took from the Father's hand) and urges Him to eat it (v9), to devour it and then to preach its message (v11). As God speaks, much of what we receive is sweet like honey, but much tastes bitter (v10). Nevertheless, let God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3.4) as the message goes forward to the people of the earth (v11). Before the seventh trumpet blows, chapter eleven shows us the church, here described as the temple and as two witnesses. The language of the people of God being a temple is not new (Ephesians 2 v19-22) and biblically the authenticity of a message is established by the testimony of two witnesses (Deuteronomy 19v15). So here in the interlude is another picture of the Bride. She takes the message of the Gospel into the world and faces persecution as she goes (v2). Indeed as the ministry of the church comes to an end it seems as if the world (described here as a great city called Sodom & Egypt (v8)) and Satan (v7) has triumphed over the people of God. The church appears defeated and left dead in the street. The world celebrates that the message of the Gospel seems to have been snuffed out but vindication comes as Christ returns and His people are raised again to life (v11-12). What are we to make of these two vivid chapters? In a word my brothers and sisters, confidence. Confident in the message, which is God given. Confident in the mission, as we go forward into the world. Confident in the church, vulnerable yet victorious. Confident that evil, though appearing rampant, has lost, is losing and will lose. Confident in Christ, who sends us, protects us and one day will receive us to Himself. I won't pretend that life for the Christian will be easy but these verses again show us that God knows His people as He measures the temple (v1). How we need that comfort! As this world moves towards the end the church can expect the world to rage against it with an increasing ferocity. But child of God it will only be for a short time, described here as 42 months (v2) or 1260 days (v3). What do these numbers mean? If 7 denotes perfection, then 42 months/1260 days is half of 7 years. The church must therefore endure for a little while and then rest forever, utterly confident that God is in charge of the clock. So Church of Christ, keep on, press on and speak on, for "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8v18)
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q55 What is forbidden in the third commandment? The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh himself known.
Day 56 - The LORD’s Day
Question 56
What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
The reason annexed to the third commandment is, That however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment. (1 Sam. 2:12,17,22,29, 1 Sam. 3:13, Deut. 28:58–59)
Day 57
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Genesis 12:1-9
Message Alan Burke
Up to this point in Genesis the narrative was primarily focused on the terrible consequences of sin after the fall. Adam broke the covenant of works and all mankind faced alienation from God, but that wasn’t the end of the story, remember that God had pronounced Grace to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15), that one would come to crush or bruise the head of the Serpent, this was the first announcement of the gospel, there is a sense that the Old Testament is the outworking of this promise. God out of his mere good pleasure entered into a covenant of grace to deliver His image bearers out of the estate of sin and misery. Here God reaches down to call Abram to himself. God by his mere good pleasure, by his own divine election, his choosing was calling Abram. It wasn’t that Abram was a cracking lad, upright among his community, who everyone knew was destined for great things, of course not. Abram was a sinner, just like you and I, he would make some terrible errors in judgment, sin heinously but God called this sinner to himself in his grace. God’s call was not because he deserved it. 
Abram was called to leave his pagan ways behind, leave everything he knew, a home where he would have been comfortable , follow the Lord of all and enter into a covenant relationship with him, he declared the blessing that would come if he would put his faith in the God of these promises (1-3). These promises were that he would be a great nation, that he would be blessed and those who bless him would be blessed, those who curse him would be cursed. Abram trusted in God, and the Lord counted him as righteous on account of his faith in Him (Gen. 15:6). Later this promise given to him was clarified, God said, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” This promise is further clarified, when God said to Abraham: “In your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 22:18) The apostle Paul, identifies this “offspring” as Christ. So we have God’s immutable promise that through Christ all the nations of the world will be blessed. Like Abram, God today counts us righteous, he justifies us not because we are great specimens of humanity, we are pillars of the community, rather it is only if we trust in His promises through Christ Jesus alone, through faith in Him alone (Gal. 2:15-16).
I want to take you to the words of Jesus as we finish in Luke 13:33, where he says… “Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple”, we must be willing to put God first in our lives, when we put more importance in our comforts, homes, families, what ever we hold dear and put him above all else, for most of us that will not mean we have to leave everything to follow the Lord but it should mean that we are putting God above all other things serving him not ourselves.
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 57
Which is the fourth commandment?
The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it. (Exod. 20:8–11)
Day 58
Pray (AC-ts)
Read - Psalm 2
Message - Scott Woodburn
It's hard not to shrink when we watch the news. The preacher tells us that God is sovereign but it certainly doesn't seem like it in North Korea or Syria. There is all too often a disconnect between what we know to be biblically true and how we react when the latest headlines appear. I wonder how the Lord views the headlines? We are told in Psalm 2. The nations rage and the peoples plot (v1). The kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord and His Anointed One Jesus (v2). They say let's throw off God and His demands (v3). Nothing has changed since the garden. How does God respond? Amazingly, with laughter (v4). He holds them in derision (v4b) - God mocks the rebels. It's like an adult laughing at the bold claims of a toddler. God is utterly sovereign and laughs in the face of his opponents. Sometimes however laughter comes as a result of nerves. Perhaps the Lord's laughter hides His worry? Not one little bit. The Lord speaks in His wrath (God's righteous anger) and His opponents are utterly terrified (v5). What does He say that is so terrifying? He has set His King in place (v6). Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm. In simple terms, it is a Psalm about the Messiah who is Jesus and it is Jesus the nations need fear. We see the Covenant of Redemption in the next verses. We know from Scripture that our God deals with sinful humanity by means of a promise or covenant (Genesis 15). Lesser known is the promise made between Father, Son and Spirit to redeem a people from the world. We call this promise the Covenant of Redemption. In simple terms, the Father chooses the people (Ephesians 1v4), the Son dies for the people (John 6v38) and the Spirit calls the people (John 3v5). Here the Covenant of Redemption is fulfilled as the Triune God works in perfect unity. The Father speaks to His only begotten Son (v7). Jesus is begotten not created. He is the eternal Son. The Father promises the Son a people (v8) and a throne from where He will rule with an iron rod (v9). This news should warn the rebels (v10). Their response should be the fear of the Lord and trembling worship (v11). The Psalm ends with a call to "kiss the Son" to avoid His wrath (v12). It is an image of submission to the divine King. In ancient times the ambassadors of a ruler or king would wear the king's ring on their hand as a visible symbol of authority. A sign of your submission to that ruler would be to kiss the ring on the hand of the ambassador. Today we must "kiss the Son" to be saved. We must receive Him by faith and submit to the divine rule and reign of Christ. Those who do this are to be called "blessed", in Christ they will find refuge in this life and the next (v12b). It's hard not to shrink when we watch the news but today "Christ executes the office of King in  calling  out  of the  world  a  people  to  himself,  and  giving  them  officers,  laws,  and  censures,  by  which  he  visibly governs  them;  in  bestowing  saving  grace  upon  his elect,  rewarding  their  obedience,  and  correcting them  for  their  sins,  preserving  and  supporting  them  under  all  their  temptations  and  sufferings, restraining  and  overcoming  all  their  enemies,  and  powerfully  ordering  all  things  for  his  own  glory, and  their  good;  and  also  in  taking  vengeance  on  the  rest,  who  know  not  God,  and  obey  not  the gospel.” (Larger Catechism, Q45) Christ must reign until all His enemies are destroyed (1 Corinthians 15v25) Sleep well Christian.
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q58 What is required in the fourth commandment? The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself.




Day 59
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Jonah 3
Message Alan Burke 
Have you ever wanted a second chance, to try and prove yourself, that relationship that ended so horrendously, a second chance so that you can show that you are sorry, show that you have learnt from that indiscretion, or your stupidity or failing. We all have! There are times that we have been given a second, third, fourth, lots of second chances even when we have been undeserving of them. Well when the word of the LORD came to Jonah, telling him to go and preach against Nineveh, Jonah went on the run, he fled (1:3). I get what he was trying to do, after all the word of the LORD was to tell people that they were evil, wicked, sinners, reprobates, pagans, scumbags, however you want to put it and for Jonah he was going to have to be the one who took the message, was tasked with telling it how it was. Running sounds like the easier option, but it wasn’t, it never is.
Here Jonah is given a second chance to go and take the message to Nineveh, the LORD had dealt with Jonah as a father would his child, he had allowed Jonah to go his own way, letting him realise the misery, the consequences of his choices, then corrects the rebellious Jonah telling him once more to go and preach that message that God had given him (3:1). The message was both simple and frightening, in forty days would be overthrown (3:4). The word overthrown is the same used of what was to take place and did take place against Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:21), what Nineveh faced was total destruction for their sin.
Jonah was to preach the message of judgement upon the Ninevites, when he does the most remarkable thing happens, more remarkable than Jonah inside the belly of a big fish for three days (1:17), it was that the people of Nineveh heard the message of the Lord and repented, they believed God (3:5). From the greatest to the least, both men and beasts were to wear sackcloth, and fast, calling out to the mighty God, turning from evil, hoping the Lord would show mercy (3:6-9). The king and all the people turned from evil, they repented, turning from their sin to God, affirming the truth of God’s word. Our Father will always freely forgive those who turn to Him, and they had shown that their repentance was genuine (Acts 26:20). Jonah was given a second chance but he was resentful of the second chance given to the Ninevites, in the object lessons that follows in the wideness, the Lord's mercy and compassion is revealed (4:5-11).
I want to draw out some implications from this, Jonah the second chance prophet experienced the grace of God, he did not hold Jonah's sin against him, neither does God hold our sin against us through Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:19) and he corrects us just as he had corrected Jonah (Heb. 12:7-11). Secondly Jonah was called to do what, to show by his actions that God is love, to have a puppet ministry, start a drama group or preach, to declare God’s judgement? Remember Jesus opening words were repent and believe the good news (Mark 1:15), Jesus himself on numbers occasions said go and preach this message to his disciples, remember the words of Jesus in the great commission, we are to Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation, to proclaim to speak, like a herald to announce publicly (Mark 16:15) that’s what we are called to do, the gospel is good news for all who repent. This is the message that our nation needs, we did not need a ‘UK Blessing’ we needed to call the UK to repentance, because we are worse than the Ninevites, we killed 1 in 4 babies in the womb last year, as a nation we commit genocide, this is a godless nation who needs to be called to repent and believe the good news (Mark 1:15). Likewise God calls his people to repentance (2 Chron 7:14), we must humble ourselves before God, turning to the Lord Jesus Christ remembering The Lord is good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon him (Ps 86:5).
I close with the words of Revelation 3:1b-3 that are a challenge to us the church …I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 59
Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?
From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath. (Gen. 2:2–3, 1 Cor. 16:1–2, Acts 20:7)




Day 60
Pray (AC-ts)
Read - Matthew 6.5-15
Message - Scott Woodburn
Put your hand up if prayer is always easy. Keep it up if prayer is always a delight. Raise it higher if prayer is a constant in your life. If your hand is still in the air then blessed are you. "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." The catechism makes it sound so simple but I can't honestly say that this has always been my experience. Nevertheless I'm always thankful for the Lord's teaching on prayer. Christ begins by warning us that prayer is not an exercise in being seen (v5). This isn't to say that we shouldn't meet together to pray, instead it is a warning against a heart attitude that wants to show the world how holy we are. Instead find a quiet corner and call upon the Lord (v6). Another warning is to avoid overcomplicating prayer. I've sometimes urged our prayer gatherings "not to pray a sermon". A sincere prayer of four stumbling words is perfectly acceptable. A prayer that is focused on saying all the right theological phrases is more about the one praying rather than the Lord (v7). Thankfully Jesus helps us in our prayers. The whole bible guides us in prayer but the Lord's prayer is particularly helpful. We approach the Lord in prayer reverently, approaching the thrice holy God (v9a), praying that His name will be "hallowed" or glorified in all things (v9b). We pray that His kingdom will advance at the expense of the enemy (v10a). We ask that He would help us to obey His will in all things as it is done in heaven (v10b). We pray that He would graciosuly meet our daily needs (v11). We cry that He would forgive us our sins and that He would help us to forgive others (v12). Perhaps this verse highlights why prayer is so often difficult. We have no problem asking for daily bread and we absolutley want to be forgiven, but forgiving others? After what they have done? After what they have said? No way. But let the Word of God challenege you today. This isn't a Presbyterian prayer but the Lord's prayer. This comes from the mouth of God. "Teach us to pray Lord" we ask, and teach us He does. When you pray, ask that the Lord will forgive you, as you forgive others. The Lord has no regard for your confession if you remain hard against your neighbour (v14-15). Imagine when lockdown is over. You haven't seen "that person" in months, but there she is, standing in Poundland. There he is, drinking coffee in Montalto. Forgive as you have been forgiven. Finally we pray and recognise that the Christian engages daily in a spiritual battle. We ask that the Lord would keep us from temptation and sin and that He would help us and deliver us when we are being tempted (v13). We have been praying the Lord's prayer each week in our online services. We can't hear each other but I think it is a wonderful thing for us to connect by saying these familiar words together on the Lord's day. God is wonderfully gracious in giving us His Word and by teaching us in this manner. The Lord's prayer can be prayed everyday word for word and we can learn from the pattern it sets to influence all of our prayers. Prayer is rarely easy but it is always essential. So don't be the guy who says he wants to get fit as he reaches for another biscuit. If prayer is hard or a consistently small part of your Christian life...pray.
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q60 How is the sabbath to be sanctified? The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.