8th April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Exodus 8:1-19) Message (Alan Burke) The French eat frogs, actually there are many countries in this world that eat frogs legs and in Indonesia you can get them battered. Go to Scotland and you can get most things battered but in Indonesians outdo the Scotts when it comes to battering frogs legs. I’d be up for giving them a try, battered, curried, in Slovenian a specialty is fried frog legs žabji kraki with lemon and tartar sauce which sounds good to me. I say that but know that there are many of you trying not to wretch because you don’t want to see your breakfast again. That’s just an aside to where were are today or rather this week and that is the plagues that befell on Egypt. I decided to do something a little different with the plagues and rather than go through them all individually I’d focus on one by itself then two-six then seven-nine and finally ten. Maybe it’s not different but I just didn’t want to make the same application for ten weeks in a row. Today’s devotion then deals with the second plague ‘Frogs’ and the third plague ‘Gnats’ and I want to leave you with one application for each plague. Frogs, having a plate of frogs legs versus a plague of frogs legs is something entirely different. While a plague of frogs doesn’t sound too bad but it would sound bad. That’s a wee pun, doesn’t sound bad but it would sound bad because of the croaking, constantly, during the night, the soundtrack to this plague was going to be unrelenting the ear plugs wouldn’t make much of a difference. Frogs in your bed, in your wardrobe, in your toilet, this wasn’t going to be fun. The plague came, the magicians of pharaoh were just as with the first plague by their secret arts were able to reproduce it. Why on earth they would want to I have no idea, surely they had enough frogs but again the magicians did the same things by their secret arts. Moses does so, and notice what he says in v10, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God. What we miss in all of this is that once more God was showing his power over the gods of Egypt. The futility of worship another one of their god’s known as Hekt. The goddess Hekt had the head and sometimes the body of a frog, the frog was sacred in Egypt, it could not be killed, Hekt was the goddess of child birth, in effect the Egyptians were overrun with frogs that they would do nothing about and their gods were shown to be nothing but idols. The Lord is the only living and true God, he is the one and only God and as such he is omnipotent meaning that he is all powerful, it means that our God is the unique all powerful God. Pharaoh was blinded to this truth, he saw the second display of the power of the only living and true God and refused to see and hear. He had asked Moses to intercede for him and the Lord had answered and yet Pharaoh reneged on his promises once again. There Is But One Living And True God. Plague three was Gnats. In truth we don’t know if these were Gnats, lice, flees, midges, sand flies, mosquitoes for the Hebrew word is ambiguous. Either way there was a plague of these wee blighters. While pharaoh’s magicians were able to reproduce the first two plagues they came up empty handed with this one, look to verse 18, when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts they could not. Pharaoh and his magicians whether they realised that they were serving Satan or not they were, they were controlled by “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12), evil forces that had at least enough power to perform a few miracles but they could not produce all that God had done, the magicians could not reproduce it because there is only one God and Satan’s power has its limits. While he can produce all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders (2 Thes 2:9) he is limited. In the end the magicians had to admit to pharaoh that “This is the finger of God”, the word that they use for God is the most generic of all names of God they had come to know the power of the living and true God who rules over all and they were forced to admit that before him they could do nothing, the God of the Israelites was more powerful than any god of Egypt, he ruled over them even though they did not call him Lord for while they knew his power they did not know him personally. The Living And True God Rules Over All even over the evil of this world and Satan. I know this devotion is a little longer than usual today but we come before the only living and true God who rules over all. While false gods remain in this world the day is coming when all will bow down before him, all will confess that Jesus is Lord to the Glory of God the Father (Rom 14:11, Phil 2:10-11). Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q7 What are the decrees of God? The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. (Eph. 1:4,11, Rom. 9:22–23)
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6th April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ecclesiastes 10v10-15) Message (Scott Woodburn) God makes us both wise unto salvation and wise to the world. His word lights the path before us (Psalm 119v105) and in this increasingly mixed up world, we need His guidance more than ever. The Lord’s wisdom is always good, always right and always practical. In what way? Consider a man chopping wood with an old blunt, rusty axe. The wood eventually gets chopped up but the man has to use more and more energy to do the job (v10). If only he had been wise enough to sharpen his axe before the task at hand. In the same way, consider a snake charmer who handles a serpent before he has tried to charm it (v11). The serpent bites the snake charmer who receives no advantage from such an incident. Or consider the fool who talks and talks and talks (v14). His words are many and begin with foolishness (v13) but he is consumed by his lies (v12). All he talks is madness (v13b) and he doesn’t even know the way to the city (v15) or in other words the fool abounds in stupidity. The alternative is a life bathed in the Word and wisdom of God. Paul would remind Timothy “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3v16-17). The Word read and especially preached grows us up in the faith as the Holy Spirit moves in our lives. We won’t get every decision right and Christians aren’t immune from making mistakes but in a world full of foolishness we have been blessed with the unchanging spoken Word of Almighty God. The Word teaches us about who God is and what He expects from us. Furthermore, it directs us in our work and everyday tasks. How do we apply today’s verses? Let me suggest a prayerful and Word based approach to all of life’s hurdles. Don’t rush in with a unsharpened axe or an uncharmed serpent - slow down and seek the wisdom of God. Additionally, be wise enough to tame your tongue - let your words be full of grace and let them be few. Lastly, don’t be the fool walking around Belfast but still having no clue how to get to the city - the Lord has spoken, follow His way. The Word of God is like honey on the lips (Psalm 119v103). May you know its sweetness, for as you trust and lean on the Lord, He will surely make your path straight (Proverbs 3v5-6). Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q6 How many persons are there in the Godhead? There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. 5th April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ex 7:14-25 focus v22-25) Message (Alan Burke) I have to admit there are many details of what took place in this plague and the rest that I would like to know more of but we are not given, rather it is just reported to us. Like that of the Egyptian magicians being able to turn water into blood by the secret arts. These magicians of Pharaoh they were able to replicate, imitate what the Lord had done. It one more confronts us with how there is much more going on in this world that we often try to explain away, ignore, that doesn’t fit into our western scientific rational, the work of Satan in this world. The Egyptian magicians did the same by their secret arts. Moses and Arron had turned the Nile to blood or rather God used them and their obedience to show his power whereas the Egyptians did it by their secret arts. There was a time that we would have called it demonic, dark magic, but what it does here is remind us that there is so much more going on that a mere battle for freedom from slaves against an oppressive nation. All that was being played out here was not simply a dispute between Moses and Pharaoh, a conflict between Israel and Egypt, but this was a battle between God and Satan. This was just another engagement in the invisible war that continually rages between Heaven and Hell. Whether Pharaoh, his wise men and sorcerers realised that they were serving Satan or not, they were controlled by “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12), evil forces that had at least enough power to perform a few miracles. Notice though, however, that the best they could do was to imitate what God did. Pharaoh’s magicians could not turn the blood into water. This is because Satan can only corrupt, never create. The Bible says that “the work of Satan [is] displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” (2 Thess. 2:9). Satan is always a counterfeiter, never an innovator. This victory over Pharaoh, his officials, his wise men and sorcerers, teach us that although Satan’s power is real, it is not absolute. Satan does not have the power to overrule the sovereign God, he can only do what the Lord God allowed him to do. The magicians succeeded in doing what the Lord had commanded but they could not reverse it. As a result of the magicians doing the same things by their secret arts, turning water into blood, and think just how stupid that was, they made things worse not better, well Pharaoh’s heart became hard. What we have is Pharaoh the ruler of the Egyptians showing absolutely no concern for what has happened, contempt even, his magicians were able to do it so he would not listen, he is unconcerned about the plight of his people. While God had hardened his heart Pharaoh’s own sinful nature was resolute in his opposition to the Lord. While the Lord had hardened the heart of Pharaoh, Pharaoh because of his sin had suppressed the truth in unrighteousness. All of us by our very nature do this, we reject the things of God and we are reliant on his mercy to transform our hearts. Pharaoh in the end would not listen, he had seen, he had heard and instead he turned and went into his palace. Pharaoh is not unlike many people who today hear the word of God and reject it, they have heard and look what we are told, that pharaoh did not take even this to heart, nothing. I read this and it is heartbreaking, but we see it don’t we, people who have had ample opportunity but there is nothing. In this passage we have a wonderful reminder who God is, he is sovereign over all, he can turn water into blood and he knows all before it takes place. Also we learn that God’s demands are non nonnegotiable. Why had he sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh it was the same reason that they were sent the first time and will be sent again and again and it was so that the people may go worship Him, to know him, to acknowledge him rightly, to live for him. What is the application of this passage for us, we are to worship the Lord God and him alone, the gods of this world will be brought down by him and he requires the same from all people throughout the ages, our worship. How we is through trusting in his Son the Lord Jesus Christ, all who call on his name will be saved (Acts 16:31), trying to do it our way, or trying to negotiate with God won’t work, it will only lead to death. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q5 Are there more Gods than one? There is but One only, the living and true God. (Deut. 6:4, Jer. 10:10) 4th April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ecclesiastes 10v1-9) Message (Scott Woodburn) The author G. Michael Hopf once wrote “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.” In simple terms Hopf described life under the sun as a merry-go-round on which history keeps repeating as lessons are never learned. Solomon didn’t quite say it in the same way as Hopf but chapter ten gives a similar picture of the world and its troubles. Forebodingly, Solomon describes wisdom as always being in quite a precarious position. Just as a few dead flies cause ointment to spoil (v1), so just a little bit of foolishness can outweigh wisdom and honour (v1b). Fools are even foolish walking down the road (v3) but can you imagine what would happen if a fool made it to the most powerful position in the land? Foolish errors by such a ruler (v5) would have a devastating impact upon the nation. In such a land other fools would rise to the top whilst the rich would sit in a low place (v6). The natural order would be disturbed as slaves would ride horses while the princes walked on the ground (v7). The one who digs a pit would fall into it (v8), the one who drills into a wall would uncover a serpents nest (v8b), the one who was quarrying stone would have rocks fall upon him (v9) and the one who was chopping logs would end up hurt in his endeavour (v9b). At first glance it’s difficult to grasp what Solomon is getting at. Perhaps he was promoting slavery or better health and safety? No. Let me suggest that Solomon was warning us about the potential of foolishness and sin. Where sin abounds, danger lurks around every corner. Paul would use the example of how a tiny amount of leaven had a dramatic impact on the whole lump of dough (Galatians 5v9). In the same manner, a tiny amount of foolishness can disastrously transform a nation, city, workplace, home or church. Brothers and sisters, we are so prone to forgetting what has gone before and becoming distracted by life’s vanities. Sin never sleeps and foolishness can cause so much damage. One wrong decision, one poor choice of words or one foolish boast can set a fire which burns an empire to the ground. What shall be done? When you see a fool go left make sure you go right (v2) for it is there that you will find Jesus. He is the man of Psalm 1 who did not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers. In a world as foolish as this one, we need more of Christ every single day. He is the power and the wisdom of God and the faithful Lord who guides our path. Buy wisdom from Him and don’t sell it for while the world refuses to learn, you’ll find Christ’s yoke easy and His burden light. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q4 What is God? God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. 3rd April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ex 7:14-25 focus v14-21) Message (Alan Burke) We know that there is only One God, the Egyptians though believed in the plethora of gods and the Lord God was making it known to the people of Egypt that all their gods were but idols and he the Lord is God. Here we are told that Moses was to go to Pharaoh early in the morning to ask for the release of the Israelites, he was to wait on the bank of th nile to meet him. We don’t know for sure why Pharaoh was going out to the water, it might have been as simple as he liked the water and was heading out for a wee dander on its banks. But the Nile is important throughout the narrative, we’ll think of that more in the coming weeks but for now what we need to know is that for Egypt the Nile ran and in a sense still runs like an artery through the land. If it wasn’t for the Nile most of Egypt would be a desert, but surrounding the Nile there is life, abundance of life and they worshiped the god of the Nile. When I say god, just like all gods small g of the nations they are but idols, there is but one living and true God which Pharaoh and Egypt were going to discover. Anyway there were three gods associated with the Nile, Osiris, Nu and Hapi. I don’t expect you to know any of them but I want to draw your attention to Hapi. Hapi was a fertility god, the Egyptians called the Nile by the name of this god, Hapi. You can do a wee internet search if you don’t believe me. This god was a bearded man who was pregnant and with breasts. Hapi was the one who gave brith to Egypt and nursed its strength, nourished the entire nation with the water from the Nile. There were songs and prayers to the Nile. The Lord was going to turn this river to blood, Moses with the staff in his hand was to strike the water and it would be changed to blood, the fish in the Nile would die, the river would stink and not be able to drink it’s water. All so that they would know that the Lord is God. For all of Egypt, this would have been unmistakable, their God, their water of life, their most precious natural resource was turned to blood. Can you imagine the response of Pharaoh and the officials never mind the people of the land of Egypt as they saw the Nile before their eyes, the life water of the nation turn to blood? It would have been a living nightmare, it wouldn’t take you long in a hot humid country to think, I need a drink, no like I really need a drink but by water source has turn to blood, what do you do? Hapi their god, the one who gave brith to Egypt and nursed its strength, nourished the entire nation with the water from the Nile was and now as it changed to blood it set of a chain reaction, the water turned to blood, all the fish that were in it died, they begin to decompose and the water that was drinkable, then blood, then the fish begin to putrefy, floating on the blood, the smell of the blood, like a coppery, iron smell, then with the dying fish, it would have been a feast for the nostrils. The fact that the water turned to blood, that the Nile was changed shows God’s sovereignty over all of creation. He is not only able to do miracles he sees and knows what is going to happen before it happens. That should be of comfort to us in our own lives that the Lord is sovereignly at work, he knows and he is able to do what he has promised. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q3 What do the scriptures principally teach? The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. (2 Tim. 1:13, 2 Tim. 3:16) 2nd April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ecclesiastes 9v13-18) Message (Scott Woodburn) There was once a small city which had seen better days. It had at one time been an important centre for trade but it had fallen on hard times and now very few people lived within its walls. Nevertheless, one day a great king came against the city. The king had a great army at his command and he soon set about besieging the city (v14). Humanly speaking all looked lost. How would such a small city stand against a mighty king? It wasn’t by might or power but by the wisdom of a poor wise man (v15). When all others panicked, the wise man kept his head and gave advice that saved the city from the mighty king’s clutches. You’d think that his fellow inhabitants would have made the wise man rich - at the very least they should have made a statue of their hero. But, alas! The wise man was quickly forgotten and life returned to normal (v15b). What conclusions did Solomon draw from this parable? There are three. Firstly, even though the poor man was forgotten along with his wise words, Solomon was convinced that wisdom was better than might (v16) and better than weapons of war (v18). Brothers and sisters, you do not need to meet fire with fire. You do not need to beat your enemy at his own game. Entrust yourself to the Lord and follow his ways even if the whole world doesn’t notice. Secondly, although it is often the case that the loudest voices are heard and the squeaky wheel gets the oil, quiet wisdom is better than foolish shouting. Brothers and sisters, do not despise that gentle voice of wisdom. Appreciate those who love you enough to gently guide you rather than loudly praise you. Finally, a good work of many years can be destroyed by the actions of one sinner (v18). Brothers and sisters, never underestimate sinners and their sin. You may think that “his” gossip is harmless or “her” actions are just a bit of fun but congregations have been destroyed by less. Give the enemy no room to move in your fellowship - close the windows to him and bar the door, for the work of the Gospel is too precious to allow it to be trampled by fools. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q2 What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 1st April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ex 7:14-25 focus v14-18) Message (Alan Burke) In the main there is an assumption in this culture that seems to think science either knows everything or that it can know everything if we only ask the right questions and willing to fund the research accordingly. It is a belief system that is sometimes daubed as Scientism and is an excessive belief in the power of scientific knowledge and techniques. Partly because of this there have been many who have came to the plagues in Egypt and dismissed outright that they are miracles or have sought to explain them from a scientific point of view but there was nothing natural about the plagues, they were supernatural, a miraculous accordance at the Lord’s command. We still find ourselves trying to explain God and his word by our own finite nature and our finite understanding of the universe. We think that the creator God is somehow subject to the same limitations that we ourselves experience, the laws of nature are not chains which the divine legislator has laid upon himself, instead they are threads which he holds in his hand and which he shortens or lengthens at will, he has power over all. Here the Lord speaks once more to Moses. We don’t know where, when or how but the Lord spoke to Moses and gives him instructions to go meet Pharaoh. Here we are told that Pharaoh heart was unyielding, the ESV and the KJV says hardened. Why? Well the Lord had hardened Pharaoh’s heart in judgement against him for refusing to listen. Back when Moses and Aaron had first went to Pharaoh, and he mocked them, in derision asking ‘Who is the Lord’ (5:2). The Lord in his judgment had hardened the heart of Pharaoh further for he had suppressed the truth in unrighteousness, he had been given opportunity but would not hear or listen now he was by the work of the Lord know, indeed all of Egypt would know who the Lord is. What God was about to do and in each one of these miracles, would be an invitation for the Egyptians to believe in the LORD the God of the Israelites. The Lord would make himself known to them, the miraculous events were for that purpose, (7:5; 8:10, 22; 9:14, 16, 29; 14:4, 18) and through them God would bring his people out about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children as well as many other people who went up with them (Ex 12:37-38). The Lord God was going to make his power and glory known and bring out his people, the children of Israel. So that they could serve him, that they could worship him. The Lord was redeeming his people to serve and to worship him. You could ask what is the chief end of the Israelites, to glorify God and enjoy him forever, as they serve and worship him. Pharaoh though refused to listen to the request, he was warned of the consequences if he did not let them go. The Lord was going to turn this river to blood, Moses with the staff in his hand was to strike the water and it would be changed to blood, the fish in the Nile would die, the river would stink and not be able to drink it’s water. All so that they would know that the Lord is God. For all of Egypt, this would have been unmistakable, their god, their water of life, their most precious natural resource was turned to blood. The Lord was turning water to blood, he was bringing judgement upon the Egyptians so that they would know that the Lord is God. This was only the beginning, they could try to ignore it, they could try to explain it away but the Lord is the one who is God alone. All people on this earth are without excuse because God has revealed himself to all people, the Egyptians may have had the plagues, we all see it as the heavens themselves declare God’s glory, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse (Ro 1:19–20). Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q1 What is the chief end of man? Man’ s chief end is to glorify God, (1 Cor. 10:31, Rom. 11:36) and to enjoy him for ever. (Ps. 73:25–28) 30th March 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ecclesiastes 9v11-12) Message (Scott Woodburn) Imagine the peace of mind we would have if we could honestly and accurately predict the future? We would be able to plan for the certain events of 15th March 2047 just as we would be able to prepare for the difficulties of 3rd October 2030. Nevertheless, it is not within our remit to predict anything with certainty. Solomon looked and saw life’s unpredictability. The race was not won by the swift (v11a), the battle wasn’t won by the strong (v11b), the wise person didn’t always have bread (v11c), the intelligent didn’t always enjoy riches (v11d) and the one with knowledge wasn’t always blessed with favour (v11e). None of this seems to make sense and we would much prefer it if life worked simply. In what way? A good person does good things and gets good rewards while a bad person does bad things and gets bad consequences. But we know all too well that this is not how things work. Indeed, life is full of events which come come by “time and chance” (v11f) or in other words, the moments that trouble us come unexpectedly and out of the blue. Both death and trouble come at a time we do not expect (v12). We are like a fish happily swimming along before being caught in a net (v12b) or a bird hunting for worms before having our leg caught in a snare (v12c). The human experience is as Frank Sinatra once sang “riding high in April, shot down in May”. In response we should flee from all arrogance. James would once say “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4v13-14). It is good for us to consider our frailty. Our lives aren’t forever and soon we like vanish like a morning mist. Years before Solomon took his throne, Moses pondered some of the same issues and came to the conclusion that the Lord should teach us to number our days so that we might be wise (Psalm 90v12). That remains an important prayer. What have you been putting off until tomorrow? From whom have you withheld forgiveness? Have you settled accounts with the Lord? Take time right now to consider those questions and to remind yourself that you may not have the next fifty years or even the next fifty days. The reality of life has been accurately summarised by a billboard in Portrush “Life is short, death is sure, sin the cause, Christ the cure.” Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q107 What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach us? The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen,” teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him; and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen. 29th March 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (John 20:1-18 focus v12) Message (Alan Burke) The emotion of all that is playing out here is intense, the pain of loss mixed with the body of Jesus haven for all that Mary knows been taken by grave robbers. There she stood, weeping, looking into the tomb. Anyone near would have heard the sound of Mary with the pain of grief. Looking into the tomb she saw two angels where the body of Jesus had bene laid. In our haste to get to the resurrection of Jesus we often miss the wonder of what is being shown to us in the empty tomb with the angels where Jesus’ body had laid. We are told that one at the head and the other at the foot (12), only in John’s gospel are we told this detail of the angels sitting where Jesus’ body was laid with one at the head and the other at the foot. John wants us to see something, he wants something to register with us, of who Jesus was and is, of what he had done for us, otherwise there is no need to tell us so clearly the position of the angels in the tomb. What we have here is a profound truth that is being conveyed to us that we can just passover without giving much thought to. After the fall God placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. (Gen 3:22–24). The Cherubim there were set to guard the way to the tree of life, they were placed there to protect God’s holiness, to prohibit sinners to access the Lord. Later God when giving the instructions of how to approach Him in worship in the book of Exodus make it clear that he is to be worshiped not by the imaginations of man but as he reveals in his word. In chapter 25 the Lord gives details for how the tabernacle is to be constructed and how his people are to approach him. In the most holy place was to be placed the ark of the covenant, it was a box that that was overlaid with gold, atop of the ark was a gold slab which was known on the mercy seat, on that mercy seat there were two cherubim of hammered gold, one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other (Ex 25:19). It was here between the cherubim that the Lord met his people, he declared to them, There I will meet you (Ex 25:22) Surrounding the most holy place was a curtain that separated the presence of God from the people of God. Once a year on Yom Kippur, known as the day of atonement, the high priest entered the Most Holy place. Blood was spilt to make an atonement for the sin of the people and blood would be sprinkled on the ark of the covenant on the mercy seat between the cherubim to atone for the sins of the people. What John wants us to see that we often miss in our haste is that Jesus has atoned for our sin, for the angels sitting where Jesus’ body was laid with one at the head and the other at the foot that Mary saw before her as she wept pointed to how Jesus had provided the atonement for sin. He was the true propitiation for our sins, the sacrifice of bulls and goats on the day of atonement needed to be reacted every year but the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross atoned for sin, he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn 2:2). Though the death of Jesus Christ came victory. Only a true man could make atonement for the sins of man. The Old Testament sacrificial system shows us this. The animals could not satisfy completely for the sins of men. Only a man, a man who was without sin, could satisfy God's justice. But man is not without sin, and therefore could have no hope in making atonement for himself. So God would, if he were to redeem man and uphold the covenant of grace, have to provide a way for a true man to make atonement for the sins of God's elect. And he did. Christ is our propitiation, he is the one who made amends for all our sin. This is the wonder of the resurrection, though this atonement we have access to God through faith because of Jesus and his atonement for us. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q106 What do we pray for in the sixth petition? In the sixth petition, (which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, (Matt. 6:13)) we pray, That god would either keep us from being tempted to sin, (Matt. 26:41) or support and deliver us when we are tempted. (2 Cor. 12:7–8) 28th March 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ecclesiastes 9v7-10) Message (Scott Woodburn) Simon the Stylite was born in the year 390 and lived over half of his life on a small platform at the top of a column. He chose this path in order to devote himself to an austere yet God-centred life. He had essentials passed up the column regularly but he was so committed to his simple life that he refused to see his mother. Instead he told her that if they were worthy they would see each other in the next life. Some might see Simon as a true Christian man who took seriously a life devoted to God whilst others might consider him an extremist. I’m not going to mock Simon nor will I condemn him. The evidence suggests he was a man utterly committed to Christ and many were deeply challenged by his devotion. But is Simon’s example one that we should follow? I don’t think so. What does the Christian life ordinarily look like? May I describe it as extraordinarily ordinary? What do I mean? Solomon painted a wonderful yet ordinary picture of a joyous life. He urges us to eat and drink with joy and a merry heart (v7). We are to wear white garments with oil upon our heads which symbolise one’s happiness (v8). We are to delight in our husband or wife (v9) and we are to work as hard as we possibly can (v10). He makes no mention of austerity or life on top of a column. But my description of the Christian life was that it is “extraordinarily ordinary” There’s nothing desperately extraordinary about eating our dinner with joy and working hard. So perhaps a Christian’s deeds should be extraordinary? Should we travel the earth preaching the Gospel? Should we swap our homes for a column in the wilderness? Maybe but not usually. The Christian life is extraordinary because it is a life that has been transformed by Christ. Jesus has taken us from spiritual death to life. He has caused us to be born again and with new hearts we freely and willingly choose Christ. Jesus no longer counts our sins against us and His righteousness has been credited to our account. Furthermore, He has given us a place in His church where we experience the extraordinary yet ordinary means of grace. As the Word is preached, as God’s people pray and as we enjoy the sacraments - we grow. The Christian life is extraordinarily ordinary. Brothers and sisters, rejoice in the magnitude of the glorious Gospel of Jesus and in response eat your dinner with joy, love your partner and work as hard as you can. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q105 What do we pray for in the fifth petition? In the fifth petition, which is, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” we pray, that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others. |
Alan
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