After death ( John 11 v 25 )

 Recently a friend attended a funeral,during the funeral the minister taking the funeral said,'we really don't know what happens after death'. I recently read a survey that revealed some ministers in a certain group of churches did not believe in God ,did not believe in the virgin birth or Jesus miracles,the bodily resurrection of Christ,nor did they believe in Jesus teaching on heaven and hell. Why oh why are those  people ministers? it amazes me when I read these things. Yet it should not surprise one , if we go to the OT  we read of many religious leaders turning away from God.What is the answer to this?,very simple,you either accept the clear teaching of scripture or you reject it. It's as simple as that these people have decided not to accept what the Bible clearly teaches.The Word of God beams light into the darkness of death, it tells us that there is an after life,with two destinations,I go to the book of Daniel 12 v2 ,'Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake,some to everlasting life,others to shame and everlasting contempt' In Hebrews 9 v 28,we read ,'Just as people are destined to die once,and after that face judgement'.There is a destination after death,heaven awaits all who have trusted Jesus as their Saviour ,then there is hell for those who have not trusted Jesus.When we trust Jesus our sin is completely forgiven,sin the barrier to heaven is removed, but if we don't trust Christ that barrier remains, and we are shut out of heaven.John 3 v 36.

                                                  'The question is where will you spend

                                                   eternity?'.

More than these. ( John 21 v 15 )

Recently my wife Daphne,myself,my son Evan and his wife Val ,went to see our grandson at his passing out parade,he is in the House Cavalry.It was a wonderful day,it gives one so many nice memories.To see him and others riding on their horses in their wonderful uniforms,many photos were taken,and a good time was had by all. After the event we went for a meal and then a first for us all we went into that world famous store Harrods,it is a vast store full of so many things,it is like an Aladdin's cave,it is situated in a very wealthy area of London,and it is where the wealthy and famous shop. Most people could not afford to do their weekly shop there,alas we will have to stick to our local supermarket.Let none of us envy the wealthy and famous,they can enjoy so much of this worlds goods.Remember what Jesus said how hard it is for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God,to illustrate that He said ,'it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God,it is not impossible for with God all things are possible ( Mark 10 v 23- 27 ) This is not a witch hunt it is simply saying, if we are to be saved we must put God first ,even if it means given up our riches.This does not only apply to riches  as Abraham found out CP Genesis 22.

Don't give up. ( 2 Timothy 4 v 7 - 8 )

 Robert the Bruce became king of Scotland in 1306,although Scotland was ruled by England,so the fight began to free them from English rule which Robert led. It was hard going for he suffered many defeats,  after such a defeat he had to take refuge in a cave,while there he noticed a spider trying to weave a web,but it was not very successful,but it never give up trying, and finally succeeded.Robert thought much on what he had witnessed and from that moment  he again took up the fight against the English, this resulted in 1314 at the battle of  Bannockburn when  he finally defeated the English. He didn't give up, life can be very challenging.,and it is possible that we feel like giving up.The book of Hebrews was written to believers who were facing difficulties and hostilities and were in danger of given up so the author  in chap 11 reminds them of those great people who didn't give up.,but he doesn't stop there,he challenges them to cast off everything that is hindering them ,and to keep their eyes on Jesus who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,despising the shame,and is seated at the throne of God.( Hebrews 12 v 1 - 2)          

                                                          ' When the road is rough and steep,

                                                            fix  your eyes upon Jesus,

                                                            He alone has power to keep,

                                                            Fix your eyes upon Him'.

Eddie. ( Titus 3 v 4 - 8 )

 I was staying in a hotel ,and encountered a man called Eddie,we were both in the restaurant for breakfast,and I had a brief conversation with him.He was older than me,and he said he came originally from Ireland.I cant remember how I did it but I managed to witness to him of my assurance of going to heaven ,his response was,he hoped he would.So I pointed out that because of Christs finished work we can be sure,I assume he was a Roman Catholic,their salvation involves their good works,whereas the scriptures teach,it is by faith alone we are saved.(Ephesians 2v 8-9).Our works no matter how good they are  cannot erase sin, only Christs work on the cross,effectively deals with sin.So that was it,a brief encounter,one can only pray that it spoke to him,and he will put his faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross.

                                                      'Not the labour of my hands

                                                       Can fulfil Thy laws demands;

                                                       Could my zeal no respite know,

                                                       Could my tears for flow,

                                                        All for sin could not atone;

                                                        Thou must save and Thy alone.

                                                        Nothing in my hands I bring,

                                                         Simply to Thy cross I cling.

                                                              Augustus M. Toplady

My idol. ( Exodus 20 v 3 - 5 )

We often people saying so and so is my idol,especially in relation to sport or film stars,I remember visiting a home years ago ,and as I walked though the door,I was confronted with with a large cardboard cut out of John Wayne. Now I don't know if the person saw John Wayne  as his idol,but it looked that way to me ,idolatry is still rife in this modern age. It does not take the shape of a wooden or stone idol,but it is real never the less.Whatever form it comes in it is wrong, for in essence,there is only one God Isaiah 44 v 6,which reads ,'I am the first and the last; apart from me there is no God'.Isaiah in that same chapter points out the worthlessness of idols. Barry Webb writes the following,'Idolatry is the worst sin of all,because it moves God to the periphery of our lives and puts something else in His place'.He also says,'The modern world is no less given over to idolatry than the ancient one,it is just that its cruder forms were more prevalent then'.Think all those things that can become a source of worship, sex,money,pleasure,power ,and a multitude of other things. Christians can be sucked into idolatry consider the wisest king who ever lived became an idolator ,and in doing that he was disobeying God, and his influence,would have caused many to follow in his footsteps.His actions brought judgement upon the nation he ruled.if people throw of the worship of God Jehovah, they will  soon turn to those things that are not gods,in fact they are demonic. It was William Cowper who wrote the following,

                                                                

                                                       'The dearest idol I have known,

                                                        What'er that idol be,

                                                         Help me to tear it from Thy throne

                                                         And worship only Thee.'

A grim fact. ( Romans 6 v23 )

A wise man was out walking, and he saw a lovely baby in a pram full of life,and the wise man said,'but this child shall die.As he walked on he saw a young lad came skipping along,full of the joys of spring,and the wise said ,'he also shall die. As he continued his walk he observed coming out a church,a young couple that had just got married,and he thought about their future,getting a home,having children,and many other things,and then he said ,'they also shall die'.As he walked along he met an old man whom he spoke to,the old man shared many things with him,his past joys ,and even his hope for the future,and as the wise man walked away from him,he thought,'he also shall die'.Why does this world have such a stench of death about it,we are reminded of this in many ways in the continual wars that are raging,and the dreadful natural disasters..It was Martyn Lloyd Jones, who wrote, 'from the moment we are born ,we are dying'. He also said,''that all the trouble in the world today is due to the fact that man is not right with God.'This is because sin has entered into the world ,and the moment it came death became a reality.(Genesis 2 v17/ Romans 5 v12.),Yes the grim fact is this we all shall die,but there is hope,for our lovely Saviour Jesus died that even though we die we shall live (John 11 v25).Through Him sin can be forgiven ,and a new life will be granted to all who trust Him as one's Saviour.

Prayer is! ( Ephesians 6 v 18)

 In a recent sermon I preached on prayer I finished by reading a lovely hymn, by James Montgomery ,I leave it with you.

                                     'Prayer is the soul'sincere desire,uttered or unexpressed,

                                     The motion of a hidden fire,that trembles in the breast.

                                     Prayer is the burden of a sigh,the falling of a tear,

                                     The upward glancing of an eye,when none  but God is near.

                                     Prayer is the simplest form of speech,that infant lips can try;

                                     Prayer the sublimest strains that reach,the Majesty on high.

                                     Prayer is the christian's vital breath,the christian's native air,

                                     His watchword at the gate of death,he enters heaven with prayer.

                                     Prayer is the contrite sinners voice,returning from his way;

                                     While angels in their songs rejoice, and cry,Behold he prays!

                                     O Thou by whom we come to God, the Life,the Truth,the Way!

                                     The path of prayer Thyself hast trod; Lord teach us how to pray!