Archives for April 2019

   ‘I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
   When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:12-18).

Jesus is alive! John heard a voice like the sound of a trumpet and then he lists nine attributes of Christ that are seen through His magnificent appearance. We will be looking at this glorious manifestation in detail.

1) His Robe

2) His Golden Sash

3) His Head and Hair

4) His Eyes

5) His Feet

6) His Voice

7) His Right Hand

8) His Mouth

9) His Face

It is interesting to note that when Jesus speaks to each of the seven churches He makes Himself known by highlighting a particular attribute of His appearance, or a description of Himself by one of His many titles. Jesus speaks out of who He is. To hear God’s voice we need a greater vision of Christ’s glory.

What is it going to be like when we stand before Jesus? Will we have the strength to remain standing or will we fall at His feet? Receive the revelation of the glory of Jesus Christ. If you have not surrendered your heart and life to Him, then I encourage you to do that now. To be saved you must confess that Jesus is Lord!

God bless you this Easter, as you rejoice in the fact that Jesus is alive!

Pastor Matthew

‘For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified…. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory’ (1 Corinthians 2:2,8).

I want you to take yourself back to the time when Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth. Imagine what was it like to be one of His first disciples. You saw His miracles, how He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead and drove out unclean spirits. You saw His power to multiply food, to calm the sea and to walk on water. You saw His glory with your own eyes and heard His teaching, as He proclaimed the heavenly kingdom.

After all that Jesus had done, would you be faithful in following Him or would you turn away and deny His name? At one point all the disciples deserted the Lord. Would you stand firm or would you crucify Jesus?

1) If you were Judas would you betray the Lord? (Matthew 26:20-28).

2) If you were Peter would you disown the Lord? (Matthew 26:31-35).

3) Would you fall asleep when Jesus asks you to watch and pray? (Matthew 26:36-46).

4) Could you betray the Lord with a kiss? (Matthew 26:47-50,56).

5) Could you condemn Jesus along with the priests? (Matthew 26:57-68).

6) Will you still acknowledge Christ when He is taken for trial? (Matthew 26:58,69-75).

7) What would you say when the crown calls for Christ’s crucifixion?

(Matthew 27:15-26).

8) Would you strike the Lord and spit in His face if you were a Roman soldier?

(Matthew 27:27-31).

9) Would you mock Jesus and nail Him to the cross? (Matthew 27:32-46,50).

    ‘Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen’ (Revelation 1:7).

Our sin nailed Jesus to the cross. Those who reject God’s love prove by their disobedience that they would crucify Him again if they had the chance. Would you crucify Jesus, or would you bow before Him saying, “My Lord and my God”?

God bless you as you esteem and honour the crucifixion of Christ, Pastor Matthew.

 

‘For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come I will give further directions’ (1 Corinthians 11:23-34).

The apostle Paul focuses on the Last Supper, the night of Christ’s betrayal, when our Saviour had this significant meal with His disciples in fulfilment of the Passover. Out of that Paul gives a strong teaching on the importance of getting our lives right with the Lord. I want us to look at four aspects regarding holy communion that will help us in our relationship with Christ. They are:

1) Remembrance

2) Proclamation

3) Anticipation

4) Recognition

I hope that as you partake of communion today the reality of Christ will be so strong that you are overwhelmed by His love and grace. God bless you, Pastor Matthew