Spring
1986
FROM
PASTOR GEOFFREY WARD
At
this time of year the professing Church world-wide, consisting both of believers
and unbelievers, remembers particularly the death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
The
death and resurrection of Christ the Incarnate Son of God are the most
remarkable events in all history and undoubtedly the most important subjects
that can engage the believer’s mind, because the believers all, both for time
and for eternity, depend on them.
The
uniqueness of the death of Christ can be demonstrated in various ways. Centuries
before it was foretold with an amazing fullness of detail by the Old Testament
prophets. They described the promised Messiah not only as a Person of high
dignity and as One Who would perform wondrous miracles, but also as One Who
would be despised and rejected of men and Whose life would be terminated by a
death of shame and violence. In addition they affirmed that not only would He
suffer at the hands of men but the “It
pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief” [Isaiah 53 v 10]
and “Awake O sword against my Shepherd and against the man that is my fellow
saith the Lord of Hosts; smite the Shepherd” [Zechariah 13 v 7].
The
supernatural phenomena which attended Christ’s death clearly distinguishes it
from all other deaths. The sun being obscured at midday without any natural
cause, the earthquake which burst open the rocks and laid open the graves, and
the rending of the veil of the temple from the top to bottom that He Who was
hanging on the Cross was no ordinary Sufferer. So too that which followed the
death of Christ is equally noteworthy. Three days after His body had been placed
in Joseph’s tomb and the sepulchre sealed, He by His Own power [John 2 v 19,
10 v 18] burst asunder the bonds of death and rose in triumph from the grave and
is now alive holding the keys of death and Hades in His hands.
Not
only was the death and resurrection of Christ the central theme of apostolic
preaching and the principle subject of their writings, but it is also remembered
and celebrated in Heaven; the theme of the songs of the redeemed in Glory is the
Person and Blood of the Saviour, “Saying
with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and glory
and blessing” [Revelation 5 v 12].
Now
it is evident from all these facts that there is something peculiar in the death
of Christ which unmistakably separates it from all other deaths, and therefore
renders it worthy of our most diligent study. We should earnestly endeavour to
ascertain why the Son of God was subjected to a death of shame by wicked men and
why that Jehovah smote Him and exactly what has been accomplished thereby.
Why
was Jesus Christ the Son of God crucified on Calvary’s Hill? In order to
answer this question we need to go back to the Garden of Eden shortly after the
creation. We read in the opening chapters of Genesis how that the first man Adam
and his wife Eve were tempted by the Devil and that how they succumbed to his
temptations and ate the forbidden fruit, thereby disobeying God’s specific
demand, resulting in Adam and all his posterity being plunged into a state of
sin and misery, “Wherefore, as by one
man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all
men for that all have sinned. “ [Romans 5 v 12]. God’s Holy Law was
broken and mankind was alienated from God and brought in a state of depravity
and a deep rooted hatred for God and His Law [Romans 8 v 7].
Sin
has produced a tremendous gulf between the thrice Holy God and the rebellious
children of Adam. Man had no ability whatever to fill in or pass over that gulf.
Not only is he alienated from his Maker [Ephesians 4 v 18] but the law which he
has broken insists in full repayment, and this man is incompetent to render.
Thus his case is desperate indeed.
What
man needed was a Mediator, a Mediator acceptable to that God Whom man had so
grievously offended, a Mediator both willing and qualified to undertake for him.
But where was such a Person to be found? Where was One Who could bridge the
awful gulf sin had made?
God
provided the answer in His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Who was “born
under the law to redeem them that were under the law” [Galations 4 v 4
& 5]. On the Cross at Calvary He suffered the penalty of the broken law
which was our due, the punishment of which is eternal damnation.
That
this atoning death of Christ had its source in the Will of God is plainly
declared in Acts 2 v 23, “Him being
delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God”. Though it
was accomplished in the fullness of time, it was resolved before time, decreed
and enacted in Heaven by the Eternal Three. We read in Revelation 13 v 8 of the
“Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”. That love was the
motive-spring which caused God to provide for us an atoning sacrifice for our
sins and is clear from the well-known words of John 3 v 16 “For
God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son”. So too in I
John 4 v 9 & 10, “In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent
His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. Herein is
love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation for our sins.” It was “in love that He predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to Himself” [Ephesians 1 v 5].
So
we can see that it was to redeem His people that Christ went all the way to
Calvary and suffered the just for the unjust in order that He could bring us
into a saving relationship with Himself.
And
so we come to the other great event of the Easter story, namely the resurrection
of Christ from the dead. If Christ had not risen from the dead then we would
still have been in our sins and “of all
men most miserable” [I Corinthians 15 v 19] says the Apostle Paul in his
defence of the resurrection.
This
teaching of the resurrection which is one of the main tenets of the Christian
faith has been subjected to scorn and ridicule particularly over the last one
hundred years since the rise of Higher Criticism or Liberal Theology. Modernists
have invented all sorts of theories in order to deny this marvellous event. To
briefly mention a few which are widely held by modernistic teachers within the
larger denominations:
[a]
The falsehood theory - This is to effect that the disciples practised
deliberate deception by stealing the body from the grave and then declaring that
the Lord had risen.
[b]
The swoon theory - According to this theory Jesus did not really die but
merely fainted, while it was thought that He actually died.
[c]
The vision theory - In their excited state of mind the disciples dwelt so
much on the Saviour and on the possibility of His return to them, that at last
they actually thought they saw Him.
These
theories are nothing but the invention of the depraved minds of unregenerate
men. Belief in the physical resurrection is absolutely essential to the
Christian faith. We cannot deny the physical resurrection of Christ without
denying the veracity of the writers of Scripture since they represent the
resurrection as a fact. It was the culminating proof that Christ was the very
Son of God. The atoning work of Christ if it was to be effective at all had to
terminate not in death but in life. Furthermore it was the Father’s seal on
the completed work of Christ, the public declaration of its acceptance. Finally
it was His entrance on a new life as the risen and exalted Head of the Church
and the Universal Lord. This enabled Him to apply the fruits of this redemptive
work to His people. Surely we can sing at this Easter time;
Up
from the grave He arose,
With
a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He
arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And
He lives for ever with the saints to reign.
He
arose, He arose,
Hallelujah,
Christ arose.
oOo
THE
LADIES’ FELLOWSHIP
Mrs
Ward
Once
again it is time to report on the Ladies’ Fellowship and praise and
thanksgiving must go to our Blessed Lord for all His great goodness towards us.
On
December 11th we had our Christmas Evening and we went to Tullymore
House and a lovely evening we had. I think each year we go it is better than the
year before. To all those who helped in any way I say ‘Thank you’, for that
is what makes the evening so successful.
We
went to visit the Ladies’ Fellowship at Dunsevrick. It was a snowy night but
the Lord had His hand upon us and we praise Him for His preservation. It was a
blessed time together. We had singing, testimonies and a message from the Lord.
We were blessed after sitting at the Master’s feet.
On
29th January we had a visit from Mr McQuitty, representing the
Gideons. It was good to renew fellowship and to hear of the openings there are
for the Word of God. How much do we treasure the Word of God in these days?
Miss
Liz Blair from CEF was our speaker for the month of February. Liz has a great
interest in the boys and girls and she showed us some interesting slides. She
impressed upon us this vital work among our young folk. It was good to hear of
the different children coming and putting their faith in Christ.
We
were to have a visit from Pastor Robert Boggs on 12th March but it
was overlooked. The Lord knows all about us; He never makes a mistake. We
carried on and had a blessed time around the Throne of Grace. On April 9th
DV we are looking forward to a visit from Mr James McKeown representing SGM. We
all know James; he has a special place in our hearts; so this being our last
Fellowship meeting of the season I would urge you to come and support our dear
brother who works so hard for the Lord.
We
have our Fellowship Prayer Meetings each month taken so ably by some of our
ladies. I do thank them for their help in this way. The Lord has blessed us as
they brought a message from the Lord. Our Prayer Meetings continue throughout
the summer months. Do come and join us and enjoy the presence of the Lord.
Sweet
hour of prayer,
Sweet
hour of prayer,
That
calls us from a world of care,
And
bids us at our Father’s Throne
Make
all our wants and wishes known.
oOo
“I
AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE”
by
Adeline Larkin
I
am the Way
So
just follow Me
Though
the way be rough
And
you cannot see …
I
am the Truth
Which
all men seek
So
heed not ‘False Prophets’
Nor
the words that they speak …
I
am the Life
And
I hold the key
That
opens the door
To
Eternity …
And
in this dark world
I
am the Light
To
the Promised Land
Where
there is no night!
John
14 v 6, 8 v 12
“I
am the Way, the Truth and the Life … I am the Light of the world”
oOo
SORRY
… TOO LATE!
By
Diane Alexander
One
day a lady rushed to catch a train home after work. As she approached the
station, seeing a train off in the distance the railway porter cried out,
“Sorry, ma’am, but you’re TOO LATE, the train has gone ten minutes ago!”
When
we think of this how would we respond if someone was to say to you, “SORRY …
TOO LATE”.
For
what reason does the man, woman, boy or girl of the world not take time to take
thought of the things being of great importance - OUR SALVATION, OUR ETERNAL
DESTINY.
In
CHILDHOOD too HAPPY, they say, “plenty of time, I’m too young, want to enjoy
life, I don’t want to be bothered with religion now”.
In
YOUTH too BUSY, they say, “Plenty of time, I have to study for exams, I have
to give all my time to sport, pleasure and earning money. No time for religion
now, I don’t want to be bothered with these things now.”
In
MANHOOD, in WOMANHOOD, they say: “Plenty of time, too much to occupy my mind,
too many responsibilities, house and family to keep, business demands. I don’t
want to be bothered with religion now”.
In
OLD AGE, they say: “Too tired, need my rest, had a hard life, worldly habits
contracted years ago become confirmed, I don’t want to be bothered with
religion now”.
In
DEATHBED, they say: “Too ill to stop and think, too much pain and suffering,
no longer a willing heart, no concentration, I don’t want to be bothered with
religion now … ah! But in Deathbed - “SORRY…TOO LATE”, my friend,
opportunities gone, spirit gone from the body, no movement, no conversation…
DEATH
… at last with its horrifying cries ring out “SORRY … TOO LATE, SORRY …
TOO LATE”.
Sinner
be wise to the fact, think of this as a serious matter. God was our sin-bearer,
the very fact that He bore our sin in His own body provides a way by which God
can forgive and save sinful men, women, boys or girls.
“Is
there a reason you should delay?”
Do
you prefer to have the world and its pleasures and at the last be stamped across
your life… “SORRY … but you were TOO LATE”. No friend you don’t want
this; so what prevents you … THE WORLD, THE PLEASURES, THE SIN?
Does
the cry still echo: TIME ENOUGH, I DON’T WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH RELIGION NOW
… TIME ENOUGH, I DON’T WANT TO BE BOTHERED … I DON’T WANT TO BE BOTHERED
.. I DON’T WANT … DEATH. SORRY … TOO LATE.”
“If
we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. “ I John 1 v 9
oOo
God
make my thoughts like little quiet sheep,
And
keep them in thy sight
Through
the dark house, the dusk and dawn between,
Guide
them and guard them from the steep ravine.
Often
they stray upon the moor of fear
Lost
on its rocky height;
Oh,
in Thy peaceful pastures let them sleep.
Shepherd
my thoughts like little quiet sheep,
And
fold them in at night.
oOo
YOUNG
PEOPLES’ FELLOWSHIP
by
Linda Cameron
“Great
is the Lord, and greatly to be praised”.
Psalm 48 v 1
On
3rd February our meeting took the form of a discussion. Christian
Relationship was the topic of the discussion and nearly everyone had something
to say.
Our
next meeting was on 17th February, which Mr Dunlop and Mr McQuitty
from Gideon International took. They gave us a very interesting talk on how the
Gideons started and what they do with the Holy Scriptures all around the world.
On
10th March we had a testimony time in which almost everyone took part
and for which we praise God. This type of meeting seems to be a great favourite
amongst our young people as the attendance seems to show.
The
young people are also looking forward to their annual outing on Easter Monday.
By popular demand we are returning to Newcastle. We trust and pray that the
weather will stay dry at least.
Our
weekend to Kilkeel is planned for 11th - 13th April [DV]
where Pastor Eddie Rea will be our guest speaker. I would ask you to pray for
Eddie at this time as he prepares for these meetings, and that we might have a
blessed time around God’s Word.
When
on the cross I see the Lord,
Who
bore my sin and took my place
To
bring me happiness.
Oh
matchless love to bleed and die,
To
give a sinner such as I
Such
joy and happiness.
Help
me to serve You all my day;
My
life live only to Your praise;
For
that brings happiness!
Then
in Eternity I’ll stand
With
God’s redeemed from every land -
ETERNAL
HAPPINESS.
oOo
“I
BELIEVE”
by
Margaret Carlisle
“For
the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”
Luke
19 v 19
It
brings joy to my heart to be able to testify as to what the Lord has done for
me, and when I think about the abundance of blessings and gifts the Lord has
given to me, my mind always goes back to Calvary, for it was there Jesus gave
His life, shed His precious blood, and died a death of shame for one so unworthy
as I. But for 41 years I had no time in my life and no place in my heart for
Jesus, but the wonderful part is that for every second of that time Jesus never
stopped loving me. Praise His Holy Name.
I
was born in Scotland, but my family came to Ireland for a time during the war
and returned back when I was fourteen, I enjoyed all the worldly pleasures that
City life had to offer, but you know when the Lord has a plan for your life He
uses many different ways to bring you to a knowledge of Himself.
It
began for me with the sudden death of my first husband. I wondered where I would
have been if the Lord had taken me instead. Some years later I felt led to take
my two sons away from City life and decided to come back to Ireland where I had
spent some happy childhood years. It was then the Lord spoke again in the same
way when my home was destroyed in a bomb, but the Lord was merciful and spared
my family and myself, and again I wondered where I would have been if the Lord
had taken me, The third time was when my youngest son came home from Church and
told me he had given his life to Jesus. I was overjoyed and he asked my why,
when I was so happy for him, I was not saved myself; he asked me did I not love
Jesus? I had great difficulty holding back the tears and in the days ahead I
asked myself this same question many times.
A
few years later I was invited by a dear Christian friend to a mission that the
Rev. Sam Workman was holding, and on the fourth night, Friday 28th
January 1983, I confessed I was a sinner, unworthy and undeserving of such a
love and I asked Jesus into my heart and into my life and I rejoice that my name
is now written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and no matter what the future holds
I have a Friend Who sticks closer than a brother.
Although
I know not how to pray or praise Him as I ought for redeeming my soul, while the
Lord giveth me breath I will never cease to try. I have since had the joy of
seeing my husband and my cousin saved and I praise God for their salvation as I
do for my own.
“And
I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten”
Joel 2 v 25
oOo
MISSIONARY
NEWS
by
Desmond Shaw
He
expecteth - but He heareth still the bitter cry, from earth’s millions “Come
and help us, for we die”.
Time
is passing so quickly and much has happened since our last missionary report.
The missionary weekend has come and gone, and different missionaries have been
to the Church all representing different countries and we have learned much
about the work of God in other places. The money from our Missionary Enterprise
has been distributed and letters of thanks from those who received money are
displayed on the Church noticeboard. [Please take a look for yourselves.] All
the missionary societies who received money were indeed deeply grateful for the
support we gave them. So again in the Lord’s Name and in their name a big
‘Thank you’ to those of you who have been faithful in your giving.
I
have received many missionary letters from the different missionaries and I
would like to share some news with you. I had a letter on Wednesday 12th
from our young brother, Geoffrey McGrath, and he asked to be remembered to all
of you, and especially he would covet your prayerful support in these days as he
would seek God’s definite plan for his life. Let us all get behind our young
brother and remember him daily in our prayers.
I
myself have been challenged once again by the letter for the Barfoot family CEF.
150 million children in Europe who have never heard of the Lord Jesus -
staggering isn’t it! Pray for John and Irene, Sharon and Mark, also the other
CEF workers here, there and yonder; remember what the Master said “Suffer
the little children to come unto me.”
Some
of you have already received the ACRE prayer letter and we have once again been
challenged to the great need in the land of Brazil. It’s good the hear that
James and Dorrie have settled in well and are seeing a work begun amongst John
Marinho’s family circle. Pray for the ACRE family in Brazil and Portugal, and
the Canary Islands.
From
OMS comes many exciting reports of how God is moving in Equador, Japan, Brazil.
Indonesia is where Nancy Gill is labouring under much opposition from those
involved in Spiritualist Worship. Nancy was planning to visit an old man who was
in touch with all sorts of spirits; well she received a threatening letter
saying that a satanic attack had been released against her personally; this
letter seemed to come from the old man himself. Nancy writes, “At such times
no person can help except through prayer - what a joy to prove that our God is
above all gods and in His Name all power must submit”. She asks for more
prayer and still hopes to make this visit when the time is right. Pray on!
From
Spain another writes, “The song - Our Lord reigns, has reached Spain. What a
sight in Barcelona. 1500 young people, born again, acknowledge the fact that God
Almighty reigns.”
Those
of us who were at the Church on Tuesday 11th will not soon forget the
visit of our brother, Ronnie McCracken [Messianic Testimony]. The compassion and
love this brother has for others could be seen from his very countenance and was
felt throughout the Church. Let us never forget the work amongst the Jewish
people, as he said. “Our Best Friend was a Jew and let us never forget those
of His own people with religion and no Saviour” - remember we have in the home
in Dublin an old man afraid to trust the Saviour Who has come.
Please
continue to pray for our own missionaries each where God has called them - Sam
and Anna, James and Audrey McKeown, and again Geoffrey. Remember especially our
own Pastor as he prepares to go to Eastern Europe in May, that God will bless
him and make him a blessing to others.
‘Hold
the fort for I am coming’
Jesus
signals still
Wave
the answer back to Heaven
‘By
Thy grace we will.’
The
sum of £780 was lifted at our Missionary weekend. This has been equally divided
amongst the societies represented.
oOo
“At
their wit’s end, they cry unto the Lord in their troubles, and He bringeth
them out”
Psalm
107 27 & 28
Are
you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”
Christian,
with troubled brow?
Are
you thinking of what is before you,
And
all you are bearing now?
Does
all the world seem against you,
And
you in the battle alone?
Remember
- at “Wit’s End Corner”
Is
just where God’s power is shown.
Are
you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”
Blinded
with wearying pain,
Feeling
you cannot endure it,
You
cannot bear the strain,
Bruised
through the constant suffering,
Dizzy,
and dazed and numb?
Remember
- at “Wit’s End Corner”
Is
where Jesus loves to come.
Are
you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”
Your
work before you spread,
All
lying begun unfinished,
And
pressing on heart and head,
Longing
for strength to do it,
Stretching
out trembling hands?
Remember
- at “Wit’s End Corner”
The
Burden-Bearer stands.
Are
you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”?
Then
you’re just in the very spot
To
learn the wondrous resources
Of
Him Who faileth not;
No
doubt to a brighter pathway
Your
footsteps will soon be moved,
But
only at “Wit’s End Corner”
Is
the “God Who is able” proved.
Agnes
Kelso
oOo
CHILDREN’S’
CORNER
SONGS
ABOUT JESUS
The
big house and the little house stood side by side. In the big house lived some
children who had many beautiful toys and clothes, but they didn’t know very
many songs. In the little house lived some children who had nearly new clothes
and toys. But they knew many songs. The father and mother and the children in
the little house sang and sang and sang. They sans songs about raindrops and
swings and balls. But best of all they sang about Jesus.
“Sing!”
said the children from the big house.
“What
shall we sing?” asked the children from the little house.
“Sing
all kinds of songs! And sing about Jesus,” said the children from the big
house.
So
the children in the little house sang all kinds of songs. Then they ended with
this one:
Just
because He loved us so,
Jesus
died once long ago.
But
He rose on Easter Day,
Now
let us all His people say,
Jesus
lives! Jesus lives!
Oh
be happy, Jesus lives!
“We
like that song,” said the children of the big house. “But we don’t know
what it means.”
The
mother of the children in the little house explained, “Jesus is God’s Son.
He came to earth and died to be punished for our sins. Jesus came back to life
on the first Easter Day, and He went back to Heaven to God.”
“What
is Jesus like? Does He know about me?” asked one of the children from the big
house.
“Yes,”
answered the mother of the children from the little house. “Jesus knows each
one of you, and loves you. We are sure He is kind and loving even though we
haven’t seen Him yet.”
Then
the children from the big house asked “Can you teach us songs about the Lord
Jesus?”
“Yes”
answered the children of the little house. Then they sang their favourite songs
about Jesus over and over again. And the children of the big house sang with
them as well as they could.
It
was time for the children of the big house to go home. “But we’ll come back
again,” they said, “Because we want to learn more about Jesus.”
Perhaps
you would like to learn more about Jesus and what He did for your on Calvary.
Then look up and write out the words of Jesus from the Cross in these verses
listed below.