Jesus Christ Is The Only Way Out Of Judgment. He Is The Only Way Into Salvation.

Unbelievers have ridiculed “fire and brimstone” preaching. We cannot, however, allow their scornful attitude to lead us to dismiss “fire and brimstone” preaching. We dare not say that such preaching belongs to the past. We must note that the Bible preaches “fire and brimstone.” We must ask, “How does the Bible preach “fire and brimstone”?” The fact that the Bible preaches “fire and brimstone” means that this emphasis on divine judgment must not be excluded from our preaching in today’s world. The way that the Bible preaches “fire and brimstone” teaches us that we must always preach with a view to leading men and women to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Jesus Christ is the only way out of judgment. Jesus Christ is the only way into salvation. We hear the Gospel. we hear its promise. We hear its warning. The Gospel places us at a cross-roads. Each of us must decide. We must come to Christ. We must trust Him as our Saviour. We must come to Him, believing that He died on the Cross for us. We must come to Him and receive His free gift of the forgivenss of our sins. It is only through faith in Him that we will come to know, for ourselves, the truth of the final words of Psalm 11: “upright men will see His face” (verse 7).

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God’s Way of Salvation (Psalm 11)

We Have The Great Promise Of The Gospel ... There Is Also The Strong Warning Of The Gospel.

We have the great promise of the Gospel. In Christ, there is full salvation for all who come to God through Him. Alongside this great promise, there is also the strong warning of the Gospel. We read the solemn words of Psalm 11:6 – “On the wicked he will rain fire and brimstone; a scorching wind will be their lot” “Fire and brimstone” – What are we to say about this? We must note that Psalm 11 doesn’t end with “fire and brimstone.” It ends with the words: “upright men will see His face” (Psalm 11:7). God doesn’t want to leave us where He finds us. He doesn’t want to leave us trembling in fear of “fire and brimstone.” He speaks to us of these things so that we might see our need of the Saviour. He speaks to us of these things so that we might”flee from the wrath to come” (Luke 3:7). He speaks to us of these things so that we might find our way to the Cross of Christ. He speaks to us of these things so that we might learn to confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
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God’s Way of Salvation (Psalm 11)

God's Way Of Salvation

Our faith is built on a secure foundation. How do we know this? – “The LORD is on His heavenly throne” (Psalm 11:4). Knowing that the Lord is King, we are assured that God’s way of salvation is the one way of salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith. This salvation is centred on Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus Christ that we find the grace of God. It is Jesus Christ in whom we put our trust. Jesus Christ is God’s way of salvation. Through Jesus Christ, we have received salvation. There is no other way of salvation. God’s Kingship is revealed in His way of salvation. There is only way of salvation. It is God’s way of salvation. By grace through faith – This is God’s way of salvation. When we refuse to accept God’s way of salvation, we refuse to acknowledge His Kingship. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). We dare not attempt to dispute this point with God. Who are we to argue with God? We may attempt to save ourselves. We will not succeed. When we attempt to save ourselves, God looks upon us and He sees our sin. In ourselves, we are not “the righteous.” We may think that we are “righteous.” In God’s eyes, we are “the wicked.” This is the truth concerning every one of us: “There is no one righteous, not even one … all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23). There is only one way in which “the wicked” can become “the righteous.” We must come to the God of perfect holiness through faith in Jesus Christ. We must remember that “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). This is God’s way of salvation. We don’t tell God that He has to save us because we think that we have earned the right to be saved. He tells us that we are sinners. He tells us that we need to be saved. He tells us that “Jesus Christ is able to save to the uttermost completely those who come to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25).

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God’s Way of Salvation (Psalm 11)

God Is Holy. He Calls Us To Be Holy.

* We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
* We need to feed on the Holy Scriptures.
* We need to worship the holy God.
* The holy God leads us in the way of holiness.
* We walk in the way of holiness when we keep our eyes on our holy Saviour.
* In the way of holiness, we are supported by the prayers of our holy Saviour.
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Here's a link to the full post from which this sermon outline is taken.

Seventh Sunday of Easter: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1 (or Jeremiah 10:1-10a); Psalm 108; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19

“What Are We To Be In Christ?

- We are to be believers in Christ. We receive the Spirit by faith (Galatians 3:14).

- We are to be followers of Christ. We are to live the life of a disciple. We must always remember that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). True faith expresses itself in a changed life - “I will show you my faith by what I do” (James 2:18).

- We are to be witnesses for Christ. We are not to keep our faith to ourselves. We are to share our faith with others.

Get Ready For The Lord's Return.

Luke 12:35-59
Get ready for the Lord's return (Luke 12:40). We pray "Thy Kingdom come." We also pray, "Thy will be done on earth." (Matthew 6:10). "Seek first His Kingdom" (Matthew 6:33) - This is to be our greatest priority while we are here on earth. We are to wait on the Lord and renew our strength. This has to do with here-and-now. The teaching of the Lord concerning His return is to be the inspiration for our Christian living. "I will come again" (John 14:3). "This Jesus will come" (Acts 1:11). Our life is to be a prayer: "Come, O Lord" (1 Corinthians 16:22). He says, "I am coming soon." We say, "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20). This is to be more than words. This is life , the whole of life, lived in the light of His coming. The return of the Lord is not to be put to the back of our mind. It is to be at the forefront of our attention: "You also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour" (Luke 12:40).

Jesus Is The Rock Of Our Salvation.

Jesus is the Rock of our salvation. He's the solid Rock upon which our faith is built. He's "the Church's one Foundation." He's the Sure Foundation upon which the Church is built. Jesus tells a story about two builders. The wise builder builds his house on the rock. The foolish builder builds his house on the sand. Jesus is teaching us to build our life on Him. How are we to build our life on Him. In Ephesians 2:20, we learn that we build our life on Jesus when we build on the teaching of the apostles and prophets. This point is emphasized in the hymn, "Jesus loves me": "Jesus loves me. This I know, for the Bible tells me so." How do we know that Jesus loves us? - "The Bible tells me so." The prophets looked forward to His coming. They said, "He will come." The apostles looked back to His coming among them. They said, "He has come." We need the Old Testament Scriptures. We need the New Testament Scriptures. From both Testaments, we learn of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

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Here's a link for the rest of this sermon - Sermons on Luke's Gospel - Luke 6:43-49

Called To A Life Of Obedience

We've been thinking about forgiveness, repentance and conversion. We now turn our attention to obedience. Those who have received the forgiveness of their sins, turning to the Lord and receiving new life from Him, are called to live in obedience to Him. Jesus obeyed God perfectly. His obedience to God was very different from the religion of the Pharisees. In our obedience to God, we are to follow Jesus. We are not to be modern-day Pharisees. ... Here's a link to the rest of this sermon: Sermons on Luke's Gospel - Luke 6:1-11

Don't Think, "Glory For Me." Think, "Glory To God."

Mark 10:32-52

Jesus was ‘going up to Jerusalem’ - to the Cross (32). He came to die, ‘to give His life as a ransom for many’ (45). The death of Christ lies at the very heart of the Gospel (1 Peter 1:10-12; 1 Corinthians 1:23 & 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; 1 John 1:7, 2:2; Hebrews 2:9). Don’t think, ‘Glory for me’ (37). Think, ‘Glory to God’ (43-44): ‘God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Galatians 6:14). Bartimaeus cried out to the Lord for mercy (47). ‘How embarrassing’, some people thought - ‘how undignified’ (48). When God is at work, some people don't like it! They like everything to be dignified - dull and dead! When God is at work, people get converted. This may not please the 'critics', but it pleases God - and that’s what matters. Cry to God for mercy. Your prayer will be heard - and answered.

"Let Christ Be Born In You ... "

Let Christ be born in you! - "O Holy Child of Bethlehem ... Be born in us today".
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Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7

'The old, old story - it is ever new'. With each passing year, we move further away from the time when Christ was born. Further away from the time when He was born, but not further away from Him - He is still 'Emmanuel...God with us' (1:23)! We may never visit the place where He was born. Many visit Bethlehem as tourists without becoming worshippers. They look at the place where He was born - but they do not love Him! They have 'no room' in their hearts for Him (2:7). There is a place where you can find Jesus. Love will grow, worship will become real, when you find Him - in your heart! 'O come to my heart, Lord Jesus. There is room in my heart for Thee' (Mission Praise, 697). Don't just remember His birth. Experience it - 'O Holy Child of Bethlehem...Be born in us today'(Church Hymnary, 172).

Let’s Be Like Jesus - Walking In The Ways Of Our Heavenly Father.

Ahab’s repentance (1 Kings 21:27) didn’t last long! He continued to live in sin (22:8). He died in shame (1 Kings 22:37-38). Ahab’s son - Ahaziah - was just like his father - ‘a chip off the old block’: ‘He … provoked the Lord, the God of Israel to anger in every way that his father had done’ (1 Kings 22:51-53). Jehoshapat was a different type of king - ‘he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord’ (1 Kings 22:43). Here, we catch a glimpse of our Lord Jesus Christ - ‘I do as the Father commanded Me’ (John 14:31). Don’t be like Ahaziah -‘he walked in the ways of his father… the ways of sin’ (1 Kings 22:52). Let’s be like Jesus - Walking in the ways of our Heavenly Father. God says to us, ‘This is the way; walk in it’ (Isaiah 30:21). Let us say, ‘As for God, His way is perfect’ (2 Samuel 22:31). Let us pray, ‘Our Father in heaven… Your will be done (Matthew 6:9-10).

"Is There Any Hope For Us? ... "

Is there any hope for us? Our situation seems hopeless - until we look to Jesus.

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Job 40:15-41:34

"Who can stand before Me?" (41:10). God puts this question to every one of us. God's Word gives two answers to this question. The first answer speaks to us of our sin. The second answer speaks to us of our Saviour. The first thing God says to us is this: "There is no-one righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10). The question is asked, "ho shall ascend the hill of the Lord? Who shall stand in His holy place?" The answer is given, "He who has clean hands and a pure heart...He will receive blessing from the Lord" (Psalm 24:3-5). We read these words, and we wonder, "Is there any hope for us?" Our situation seems hopeless - until we look to Jesus, the Man "without sin", "the beloved Son with whom God is well pleased", the Saviour who "died for our sins" (Hebrews 4:14-16; Matthew 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:3).

"Come To The Saviour ... "

Come to the Saviour. Look to Him for His blessing. He will not disappoint you.
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"Can God spread a table in the wilderness?" (Psalm 78:19). We are living in a spiritual wilderness. We wonder, "Can God continue to bless us in this wilderness?" How does God's Word answer our question? - "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.". In the "wilderness", there are many "enemies". There is also the "table". At the "table", God blesses us - "You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows" (Psalm 23:5). We are in the "wilderness", surrounded by many "enemies". What are we to do? - We must come to the "table" - the Lord's Table. We must come to Christ. We must drink from "the cup of salvation" (Psalm 116:7). Come to the Saviour. Look to Him for His blessing. He will not disappoint you. You will be "anointed with the oil of gladness". His blessing will be poured upon you "like precious oil" (Psalms 45:7; 133:2).

"In Jesus Christ, There Is Great Salvation."

In Jesus Christ, there is great salvation. Make sure that you receive God's salvation.

"When The Son Of Man Comes ... "

"When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?" Pray that your love for Him will not grow cold. Pray for faith to stand firm to the end.

The Holy Spirit Empowers Us To Be Followers Of The Lord.

Paul's life was not easy. His life story was not always a glowing success story. He suffered persecution because of his faithfulness to Christ and the Gospel. He spent time in prison because he refused to compromise his commitment to Christ. How was he able to remain faithful to Christ in such difficult circumstances? The answer is quite simple: the Holy Spirit. How did the Holy Spirit work in Paul's life? How does the Holy Spirit work in our lives? The Holy Spirit empowered Paul to be a disciple of Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be followers of the Lord.

"The Word Of Our God Will Stand For Ever."

In Isaiah 40:8, we learn that "the Word of our God will stand for ever". Jesus says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away" (Mark 13:31). The Word which Jesus Christ speaks to us now is nothing less than the Word of God. We are born again through His Word (1 Peter 1:23-25). We grow in Christ through His Word (1 Peter 2:1-3). There must be no compromising of our faithfulness to His Word (2 John 7-11).

Jesus Christ - "God with us" (Matthew 1:23) - is truly God and truly Man (2).

Jesus Christ came down from heaven for us - men and women - and for our salvation. The personal name, "Jesus", means "Saviour" or "Jehovah (the God of Israel) helps." Jesus does not simply point to the God of salvation. Jesus is the God of salvation: "He is God the Saviour. He is Christ the Lord, ever to be worshipped, trusted and adored." If Jesus Christ was no more than the greatest man who ever lived, the greatest witness to God's salvation, it would be utterly blasphemous to call Him, "the Saviour." By calling Jesus "Saviour", we are not saying that man saves himself. We are saying that the Man, Jesus, is God the Saviour: "When we call Him Saviour, we call Him by His Name." When the Bible says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31), this is entirely different from a call to have the same faith which Jesus had. We are called to put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was not a sinner, who, like us, needed to receive salvation from God. Jesus Christ is the perfect Saviour from whom believing sinners receive eternal salvation.

Jesus Christ - "God With Us" (Matthew 1:23) - Is Truly God And Truly Man (1).

Jesus Christ is not merely the greatest man who ever lived. He is "God with us" - truly God and truly Man. God says, "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14). Jesus says, "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). We cannot say how Jesus Christ can be "God with us". We cannot understand how He can be truly God and truly man. We do not, however, have the right to say, "A true man cannot at the same time be truly God." We must acknowledge the truth of God's Word which says, ""With God nothing will be impossible" (Luke 1:37). Looking at the Man, Jesus Christ, we have no right to say that His life began at Bethlehem. We must acknowledge the truth of Jesus' words, "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). These words indicate to us that Jesus Christ is the eternal God. We have no right to say that God cannot take on human form. Who are we to say what God can do and what God cannot do? If we believe that God is Almighty, how can we doubt His power to become Man in the person of Jesus Christ? Scripture makes it clear that Jesus Christ is more than a mere man since He is no less than God Almighty.

Wise Men (And Women) Still Seek Jesus (2).

Matthew 2:1-12

What a great difference there is between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God which is Jesus Christ! In Matthew 2, we see the wisdom of man. Herod thought he was smart (vs. 8, 12). God is not impressed by man’s wisdom - “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever, I will thwart … Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world” (1 Corinthians 1:19-20). The wisdom of God is very different from the wisdom of this world. God’s wisdom fills us with joy (Matthew 2:10). God’s wisdom leads us to worship Christ (Matthew 2:2, 11). The wise men brought costly gifts to Jesus. This runs counter to the wisdom of this world. Worldly wisdom tells us to acquire riches rather than giving them away to Jesus. When we give ourselves to Jesus, the world may say, “What a waste!” The Word of God assures us that giving our time, talents and money to the Lord is never a waste. When, in joyful worship, we give ourselves to Jesus, He saves us from wasting our lives on things that can never satisfy. Looking to Him, we become less attached to the things we cannot keep - material possessions - and we learn to treasure the one thing that remains forever - eternal life.