Acts 4:13-22
Over the last three decades, we are witnessing at an unprecedented rate, the speed and rapidity at which the Judaeo-Christian foundations of the West are been ripped up before our very eyes. Those in the seat of power and governance who have the power to change and effect laws are passing laws that are forcing Christians to have choose between Christ and a law that is at odds with God’s. In the mid-19th century as the British Empire was moving towards its height, Queen Victoria was asked by an African prince, “What is the secret of England’s greatness and Britain’s glory?” Our Queen did not speak of the number of her fleet, nor the strength of her armies. She did not mention her abundance of merchandise, nor of her inexhaustible wealth. Instead, she handed the prince a beautifully bound copy of the Bible and said…”this is the secret of England’s greatness”. Sadly, this is no longer the case as righteousness has made way for ungodliness and iniquity of every filthy kind.
This sermon is a great encouragement to the Body of Christ who find themselves in such an hour as this. As the light rains are felt before the storm clouds break, so already, Christians in the Western world are beginning to experience their first taste of persecution in what will be an unleashing of Satan's wrath in the days and years ahead. Be of good cheer dear Brethren, God will give us the wisdom, power and boldness to be witnesses for Jesus Christ by the baptism of the Holy Spirit which He has promised. This is no time to cower, in that hour of testing, we must be found seeking the Lord in prayer!
Deuteronomy 28:1-14
Obedience and the blessing attached to it, can often get lost amidst the many admonitions and warnings found in Holy Scripture against disobedience. So often we have as Christians the mindset, ‘I’d better obey or else...’, rather than seeing the blessing of obedience!!
What has God been speaking to you about about in your life? What sin sin has He been pleading with you to forsake? What act of love has He been calling you to undertake? Oh! dear soul...without further delay, set you heart and mind to obey and think not of temporal loss in light of the blessing that awaits when God's people walk in obedience!
Matthew 6:24
The heart of man is designed such that it can only serve one master. Our Lord stated emphatically: “No man can serve two masters: for he will either hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon”.
This sermon delivers a very serious challenge, calling forth the body of Christ to make a choice whom they will serve!! There is no place in the vocabulary of Christianity for mixture! We’re either hot for Christ or cold; we have either both feet in or both feet out, we cannot serve God in half measure!! As this sermon draws to a close, practical steps are offered on how to revive and maintain the flame of burning love in our hearts for Jesus Christ.
Matthew 12:18-21
A bruised reed and a smoking flax...two emblems employed by our Lord denoting the weakness and frailty of man. Sin laden and burden borne with the cares of life - Christ came into the world to seek and save such as these!! Oh what hope for sinners, glad tidings to the meek! For those who stoop to receive Him eternal life but for the proud and impenitent, a certain looking for of judgment when He shall appear the second time in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God.
Oh! dear soul...now is the acceptable time; behold now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). While the door of mercy is open, let us seek the Lord, for there is coming a day when mercy shall cease. In that day there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth!