New Focus Church: Recent Episodes
New Focus Church
God's foreknowledge is not merely knowing the future. It is His eternal loving wisdom. It is personal, purposeful, particular and perfecting for the people He loved before time and whose salvation and glory He has ordered and secured.
Luk 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
Luk 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
God's calls His people from death to life, darkness to light with an effectual, spiritual call of grace. He calls us to conviction for sin, conversion through faith, conformity to Christ and completion in glory. God calls and His people are 'the called in Jesus Christ'.
Luk 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Luk 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Luk 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luk 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
We speak often of the Lord's love for His people, rightly so. It is the most wonderful, gracious mercy upon the face of this earth. However, today I want to briefly mention our love for the Lord. I hope to show you that it is wonderful, too.
Luk 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
Luk 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Our God and Father has promised to do His people good and bring us to glory. All that we see around us, all that we experience, endure and enjoy is for our spiritual good and eternal glory.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is all-wise, all-knowing and all-powerful. To Him, Jude says, is due all glory and majesty, dominion and power. Such is the sovereign God we worship and the Saviour in whom we trust. He is able to keep us from falling, keep us holy, keep us fit for glory and keep us happy. He is the great Amen!
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Jude wishes to encourage the Lord's people in the gospel of God's grace and the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is this mercy that will bring all Christ's redeemed people to heavenly glory. He also instructs us to act with compassion to those around us while being ready to rebuke those who deal deceitfully with the gospel of grace.
Luk 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luk 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luk 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Luk 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Luk 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luk 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luk 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Jude concludes his denunciation of the ungodly men who have crept into the congregations of the Lord's people by revealing the source of their problem. The do not have the Spirit of God in them. They are unregenerate and they are unbelieving. The speak of faith but have none. The speak of new life but they remain dead in trespasses and sins.
Luk 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luk 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Luk 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luk 1:80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Enoch was a prophet of God and a man of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ from before the days of Noah and the flood. His faith is acknowledged in Hebrews where we are told that he pleased God. Enoch was a sinful man as we all are sinful but God was pleased with Enoch for Christ’s sake and justified this old saint by the blood and righteousness of his Saviour. Enoch walked with God and his testimony though small is a precious witness to the grace of God in Christ.
Luk 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Luk 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luk 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Luk 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Luk 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
Luk 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
Luk 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Luk 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Luk 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Jude lists four powerful descriptions to underscore the barrenness of these graceless men in the church fellowship. He likens them to clouds without water, trees without fruit, roaring, foaming waves and wandering stars. The metaphors emphasise the futility and sterility of a Christless gospel. When there is no spiritual life in a man and no gospel truth in his ministry there can be no lasting usefulness to his labours.
Jude warns the Lord's people to beware of brute beasts who enter the churches of Christ with the errors of false worship. He employs examples from Cain, Balaam and Korah.
Michael the archangel is very likely the Lord Jesus Christ by a heavenly name. Michael contended with Satan to deliver Jeshua from the devil’s accusations. Our Lord Jesus Christ has delivered His church from under the curse of Moses’ law and brought us peace with God.
Luk 1:57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
Luk 1:58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
Luk 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
Luk 1:60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
Luk 1:61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
Luk 1:62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
Luk 1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
Luk 1:64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
Luk 1:65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
Luk 1:66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Jude provides three examples of past judgments inflicted by the holy Lord God so the Lord's people may know how serious is false doctrine and how condemnable those who preach it within the assemblies of God's people.
Luk 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luk 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Luk 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
Luk 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Luk 1:51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Luk 1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
Luk 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Luk 1:54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
Luk 1:55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Luk 1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Jude gives Christ's church three characteristics to identify the ungodly men who have crept into the church with their errors and evil conduct. They corrupt the grace of God. They deny the Lord God. They deny the efficacy of the work of Christ. Mark those men and earnestly contend for the truth.
Luk 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
Luk 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
Luk 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Luk 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Luk 1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luk 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Luk 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Jude’s message for the Lord’s people is an instruction to contend for the truth against those who would deny the doctrine and teaching of our common salvation once delivered to the saints by the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles.
God’s mercy, peace and love are everlasting and constant to His people in Christ. Nevertheless, Jude knows we often fail to enjoy and lay hold upon these truths because our faith is weak and falters. Therefore, Jude prays that new and fresh applications of these three graces be granted and multiplied that Christ’s people may be helped through their Christian pilgrimage.
Luk 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luk 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
Luk 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luk 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luk 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Luk 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luk 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Jude tells us that He is a servant of Jesus Christ sent to minister to the church of Jesus Christ. He identifies the Lord's people by three blessed characteristics. We are sanctified by the Father, we are preserved in Jesus Christ, we are called to experience salvation by God the Holy Spirit.
Luk 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Luk 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
Luk 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Luk 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Luk 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
Luk 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
Luk 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luk 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luk 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
Luk 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
Luk 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luk 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luk 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Psa 48:1 A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
Psa 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
Psa 48:3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
Psa 48:4 For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
Psa 48:5 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
Psa 48:6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
Psa 48:7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
Psa 48:8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
Psa 48:9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
Psa 48:10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
Psa 48:11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
Psa 48:12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
Psa 48:13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
Psa 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Micah 2:10 Arise ye, and depart; for this is not yourrest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.
Isaiah preached the Lord Jesus Christ to his Old Testament congregation of faithful believers; a remnant people. He preached judgment for sin, grace for sinners and the glories of the Saviour Jesus Christ. We thank the prophet for His faithful testimony. We thank His Lord for so great salvation.
Man's reason causes him to imagine he knows how to pleased God. It gives him a false notion of holiness. Christ's coming was a new beginning for all those called to faith in Him. We are accepted in Christ and made perfect and holy in the Lord.
Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Job 19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ ask their Saviour and Deliverer for many things to help, comfort and protect us from the troubles of life. However, sometimes our troubles bring us most good by exercising our faith and drawing us closer to the Lord. The Lord will rend the heavens and come down but it may not be in the way we desire or for the outcome that we ask.
God the Father has ‘made us meet’ to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. Paul could not describe sovereign grace better. From eternal love, election, justification, calling, and all other graces, God supplies every requirement to fit His people for glory. Our Lord Jesus Christ has set us free from the power of sin and Satan. He has delivered us from the power of darkness. This liberating work of God will be the focus of our attention in the sermon tomorrow.
1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Co 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1Co 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
The Lord Jesus Christ was a victim in death but also a conqueror. In dying the Saviour entered the strong man’s house and spoiled His goods. He triumphed over sin, Satan, world, death, and the grave. He defeated every spiritual enemy of His and ours, especially the devil, who leads men captive at his will. Christ spoiled and triumphed over Satan, with principalities and powers, leading captivity captive. Though Satan bruised Christ’s heel, Christ crushed the serpent’s head.
Gal 6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
Gal 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Gal 6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Gal 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Gal 6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. To the Galatians written from Rome.
Almighty God has placed watchmen upon the walls of Zion and preachers in the church of Jesus Christ. These watchmen and preachers defend and support the Lord's people by preaching the truths of God's word, the gospel of Jesus Christ and the doctrines of free and sovereign grace.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
When the Lord Jesus came into this world He told the people of Nazareth that He was the One of whom Isaiah wrote. The Lord Jesus has fulfilled all the promises Isaiah foretold He would. We are blessed with beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of salvation and a robe of righteousness in our Saviour.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
If we take the opening words of this chapter as being spoken by God the Father to the Lord Jesus Christ in His mediatorial office then we can discern many times when the Lord did indeed Arise and Shine in the service of God and in obedience to His word.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Isaiah knew of the coming Redeemer. He knew a lot about the promised Messiah who is the Lord Jesus Christ. In this chapter the faithful prophet encouraged the remnant people of His age with views of the coming Messiah that described His successful work.
Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Gal 5:8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
Gal 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Gal 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Gal 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Isaiah speaks of the fastings of the Lord’s people as a picture of worship. The worship sought by the Lord is not exclusive, inward-looking and self-serving. It is to be manifested in outward acts of kindness to those in need. Evidence of grace in the lives of God’s people is to show mercy to others. The Lord Jesus Christ tells His church, ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven’.
Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Sin is a disturbing, distressing and ultimately destroying enemy of men and women. There is no rest for the wicked, and no real peace in time or in eternity. The Lord Jesus Christ alone can supply the grace needed to bring peace into the lives of men and women because the Lord has made peace with God for all for whom He died. Christ inherited the people God chose for Himself in eternity. He will gather them to Himself in time through the preaching of the gospel. He promises His elect, I will heal, I will guide, I will comfort, I will inspire, I will console.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Gal 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Gal 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
God's blessings come to those who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are united with our brothers and sisters in Christ and enabled to worship with joy and gratitude for all the Lord has dome for us. We are blessed to be cared for, loved, accepted and protected by our Lord God.
Gal 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Gal 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Gal 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Gal 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Gal 4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Gal 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Gal 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
The Lord Jesus Christ gained the Church of God for His prize upon His successful sacrifice. His Father gave Him the Bride whom He loved and for whom He had died. This fulfilled the covenant of grace, here called the sure mercies of David. It is God's good pleasure to gather His people to Christ, pardon and cleanse their sins in Christ's blood and give them the joy of victory as we journey to heaven.
Gal 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
Gal 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Gal 4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
Gal 4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Gal 4:20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Husband of His Church and cherishes His Bride with everlasting love and everlasting kindness. He has promised never to leave us and to teach us personally of His grace and goodness.
Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, orrather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Gal 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Gal 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Gal 4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
Gal 4:13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
Gal 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
The Lord Jesus Christ was the Representative of His church and Substitute for His people when He died on the cross. He suffered for our sins, justifies our souls and intercedes for us everlastingly before His Father. All we are and have is because of what He accomplished for us in His death.
Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Gal 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
The Lord's commands are His enablings and everything the Lord requires from His people He freely gives to them. Here the Lord tells His people to awake, put on strength, put on beautiful garments, break forth into joy, depart from false religion and behold the Lord Jesus Christ. And everything He asks of us, He provides for us.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The Lord Jesus Christ is near to those who fear God and seek for righteousness and salvation in Him. However, we still have many trials to experience, our cup of trembling, in this life. Nevertheless, The Lord's people will be successful and the gospel with be preached for the gathering in of the elect.
Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
In His humanity the Lord Jesus was given skill, testimonies and promises by His Father. Here Isaiah tells God's people about some of the covenant gifts Christ received to fulfil His redemptive work.
Gal 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
In the covenant of grace our Lord Jesus Christ undertook to redeem His people from their sins. The Father undertook to uphold the GodMan and sustain Him in His task. The Holy Spirit promised to gather in every soul for whom Christ died.
Gal 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Gal 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of His people having shed His blood to bring us to God. He is also our Teacher and Leader, teaching us in the gospel and leading us as His little flock through the wilderness of the Life.
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Lord Jesus Christ will take vengeance on this present evil age just as God avenged His Old Testament people in Isaiah's day. Let the OT types be a warning to the world. For the sake of Christ's glory and the honour of His Bride the Lord will visit the iniquity of the anti-Christ powers of this world.
Gal 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Gal 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Gal 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Our God is sovereign in all His ways. He does what pleases Him and His counsel will stand. Our blessed Saviour is faithful to keep, faithful to fulfil and faithful to save His church and people. Not one of His spiritual Israel will ever be lost or go uncared for and unprotected all the days of their lives.
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
Gal 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ successfully accomplishes its purpose to gather God's elect to Himself. It declares the message that we have both a just God and Saviour who makes His people righteous and enables us to believe. Our Lord Jesus Christ is a faithful and worthy God and Saviour.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Our Lord Jesus Christ will have His inheritance of the people whose salvation He secured at Calvary. They are an ancient, appointed people, called into union with Christ in the covenant of grace and set apart for all time and eternity in their beloved Saviour. The sins if these chosen people are removed from before God’s sight having been blotted out and carried away by their Redeemer. These great promises are the foundation of our everlasting security and eternal joy.
Gal 2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Gal 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Gal 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
Gal 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
God has a people whom He calls His own. They are His people of choice, precious in His sight and loved from before time. They are redeemed by Him, created by Him and called by Him to everlasting life in Jesus Christ. The people are called Judah and Israel, not because they are Jews but because they have the same faith as Abraham; faith in Jesus Christ.
Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Gal 2:12 For before that certain came from James, hedid eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Gal 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightlyaccording to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
The Lord Jesus Christ is God’s elect servant in the covenant of grace. He alone could serve as Mediator to reconcile God and fallen man. In His great work our Saviour was upheld by His Father and in turn Christ gently and tenderly upholds His people in the midst of their troubles. He saves our souls, teaches us the gospel and places a new song of praise in our hearts.
Gal 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Gal 2:6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat,(whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Gal 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Gal 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemedto be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.Gal 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
The Lord Jehovah has revealed to His people His great works of creation, providence and salvation that we might be comforted as we trust in Him. Jehovah called the Som Jesus Christ in eternal council to stand Surety for His people and to come and suffer as Substitute for their sins. All we who are chosen in Christ have much to thank God for.
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, lookingfor the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
The Lord Jehovah is the source of all true comfort in thisworld. He teaches us of that comfort in the scriptures of comfort and calls for preachers of comfort to bring His message to His people. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest comfort for our souls and by it believers experience and enjoy spiritual comfort in their daily lives.
Hezekiah’s House of Precious Things were not really precious at all but it took a chastening rebuke from the Lord by the prophet Isaiah to expose the king’s foolishness and return him to trust in God. For believers the gospel and God’s grace and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself have all become precious and we have come to learn that we who are His are the Lord’s own House of Precious Things.
Gal 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Gal 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Gal 2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
Gal 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:Gal 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Hezekiah is reprieved from his illness and imminent death but the lesson for us today is not simply that he lived a further fifteen years. We see in the king’s prayer how he traced his blessing to God’s covenant grace, God’s love and forgiveness and trusted God for everlasting spiritual life as well as his extra years in this world. Hezekiah was a believer who proved the Lord to be faithful in all His ways.
Gal 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them whichwere apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again untoDamascus.
Gal 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalemto see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Gal 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, saveJames the Lord's brother.
Gal 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you,behold, before God, I lie not.
Gal 1:21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syriaand Cilicia;
Gal 1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches ofJudaea which were in Christ:
Gal 1:23 But they had heard only, That he whichpersecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Gal 1:24 And they glorified God in me.
Hezekiah’s act of spreading before the Lord the source and cause of his trouble is an example for all the Lord’s people challenged by the trials of this world and the weakness of our flesh. Whether it is external oppression by others or inward wrestling in our own flesh through sin or sickness the Lord will hear the prayers of His people as we spread our need before Him.
Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Gal 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Hezekiah’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was more than a match for Rabshakeh’s rantings yet the Lord’s enemy attacked the gospel and the comfort of the Lord’s people in ways that can take their toll. We are blessed to have Hezekiah’s example to teach us how to withstand the onslaughts of evil.
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Isaiah tells us of God who saves and a Way of holiness. This points to the Lord Jesus Christ who is a Saviour who enables, a Saviour who secures, a Saviour who gladdens and a Saviour who finishes. He is a Saviour to trust in time and for eternity.
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Gal 1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
Gal 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Gal 1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
God's judgment against sin is graphically portrayed in this chapter where it is described as 'The Sword Of The Lord'. God will judge sin and must obtain satisfaction for every transgression of His holy law. By grace God's elect discover the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Substitute sin-bearer and find peace with God through Him.
I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our King. He is altogether lovely to His people. In His holiness and all His divine attributes He is Beautiful. In His character by love, faithfulness, goodness and every high quality He is beautiful. In all His covenant offices and accomplishments as our Saviour He is beautiful.
2Th 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
2Th 3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
2Th 3:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Our Lord Jesus Christ promises to protect His people and save His church from all our foes. He is our hiding place from the wind, our covert in the storm. He is all our righteousness and promises to supply peace, quietness and assurance for ever.
Our Lord Jesus Christ fought for His people's salvation on the cross. He won the victory and He has given it to us. Our Saviour told Isaiah, descending He will fight, defending He will deliver, passing over He will preserve. All this He has done and continues to do. Our Husband is a man of war as well as our Prince of Peace.
2Th 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2Th 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2Th 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
2Th 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the source of all salvation. Some rest in their faith, others in their works, some in their church, some in their minister’s praise. Only by resting in the completed work of Christ on the cross can a weary soul find rest. Only in our Saviour is there grounds for quietness of spirit and confidence of heart.
2Th 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
2Th 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Empty religion that tries to approach God with sacrifices and worship God with the lips but not the heart is an offence to Him. Only true spiritual worship founded upon the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and offered spiritually by faith is acceptable to God. Isaiah comforts the Lord's people by pointing them to the Redeemer, reassuring them about God's purpose to save and the promise that Christ's church shall be taught the doctrine of grace.
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2Th 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is The Sure Foundation upon whom His people are safe and secure for all eternity. He is our Tried Stone, always dependable and trustworthy. He is our Precious Corner Stone upon whom His church stands and His people rest secure.
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Our Lord Jesus Christ everlastingly guards His people whom He calls His vineyard. He grafts them into Himself, the True Vine, that they might be fruitful through all the earth. He gathers them to Himself that they might be numbered in His church and arrayed in glory as His Bride.
2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Isaiah looked forward with eager hope to the gospel day in which we live. He was blessed to see the day of the Lord and the success of the Saviour as He opened wide the gates of the church and brought many ‘sons unto glory’. Isaiah saw the blessings of imputed righteousness, peace with God, enlargement of the church, regeneration and full gospel blessing. What comforted Isaiah are the privileges we enjoy.
The mountain of the Lord is His church. God’s elect people are redeemed by Christ’s blood, called in grace by the Holy Ghost and protected in the palm of The Father’s hand. This is Mt Zion where God reigns in the midst of His people. Isaiah gives us three promises from the Lord concerning what He shall do ‘in this mountain’. In God’s church He will feed His people with gospel fare, unveil their eyes to heavenly truth and destroy their enemies that they be no longer troubled.
Our sovereign and holy God is the judge who comes in righteousness to turn this world upside down. Yet, the Lord’s people are safeguarded and protected by the Saviour Himself who visits His own children with mercy, comfort and strength in their trials in this world.
Our Lord Jesus Christ visited the city of Tyre to bless its inhabitants with the gospel. He visits His people still to bring mercy and grace. When the Lord visits His people with transforming grace they are transformed and filled with new passions, new purpose and new life in Christ. The people of Tyre made their living from sea-trade but when the Lord visited Tyre what had once supported the worship of Baal was now directed to the glory of God and preaching of the gospel.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is a ‘nail in a sure place’. The souls of all God’s elect hang upon the person and work of the blessed Saviour Jesus Christ within the covenant of purposes of God. He is all our salvation and He is all our desire. On the cross the Saviour hung between heaven and earth. There all our sin was laid on Him and carried by Him.
Many believers struggle with personal assurance but the scriptures tell us full assurance is God’s gift to those who see the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice, receive the Holy Spirit’s ministry to our hearts and bodies, and understand God’s faithfulness. Our assurance is not based upon our feelings but upon God’s promises and He is dependably faithful and true.
Our Lord Jesus Christ promised His people that the Father's pleasure was to give them the kingdom of glory. Daniel, too, knew that the Saints would possess the kingdom of the Son of Man. God gives grace and glory to His people. Grace in salvation and glory in His everlasting kingdom. Those to whom He gives grace He will certainly preserve & bring into glory.
Quick means alive and Paul tells the Lord's people they have been made alive by the power of God when they were dead in their sins. Salvation is a sovereign work of God and quickening brings a new creation, spiritual occupation and life-long transformation. It begins a good work and God's mercies are new every morning.
The Lord Jesus Christ is a suitable Saviour for sinners like us. His perfect life and willing death was crowned by resurrection and glory. He is also a selective Saviour for He bought with His death and brought to salvation all those placed into His hand by elective decree. He is also a successful Saviour; all for whom He died are justified, redeemed, reconciled and heirs of glory by the merits of His precious blood.
The Biblical doctrine of unconditional election to salvation is denied and misrepresented by many but it is the foundation of God's covenant purposes of grace and truth. Believers rejoice to know that their great God and loving Saviour has accomplished and supplied a full, free and complete salvation according to His good will and sovereign purpose.
If we are to have a proper estimation of our condition as sinners before God we ought to hear what God says about it. The verdict is not good. We are fallen, contrary and rebellious people opposed to God. It takes a work of grace to make the change our hearts and that work is sovereignly God’s alone.
Isaiah served God as a prophet and as a watchman. Preachers are watchmen, too. They watch for danger from without the church and trouble from within. Let every watchman answer the earnest enquiry, ‘Watchman, what of the night?’ Let every believer ask that question with humble honesty. Let us all remember the principal Watchman over our souls is our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth thesesayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which builthis house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and thefloods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: forit was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth thesesayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, whichbuilt his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and thefloods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: andgreat was the fall of it.
The Lord Jesus Christ has provided a way of escape for sinners like us. Isaiah warned his age not to rely upon the strength of flesh and spiritually all believers must learn the same lesson both for salvation and in their pilgrim journey. The Lord teaches us to trust not in our own abilities but in Him.
More information available at
Website: www.newfocus.church
Magazine: www.go-newfocus.co.uk
New Focus Church Online : www.youtube.com/@NewFocusChurchOnline
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour who was sent to Egypt; what a great Saviour He is! Isaiah’s audience must have been filled with amazementto hear the prophet speak of Egypt’s salvation and Assyria’s deliverance. These are the blessings of gospel days when God’s elect shall be redeemed to God by Christ’s blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
Here Isaiah teaches us about the Lord’s elect, a scattered and peeled people. He shows us how the Lord Jesus Christ is an ensign and a trumpet to call God’s remnant people from amongst the nations. He teaches us how to interpret enduring trials and he confirms the promises that we shall be presented to God as a holy, perfect people in Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Holy One of Israel and the eyes of His people discern and discover Him by faith to be the giver of grace and bringer of peace. In Christ we have complete redemption, complete pardon and the perfect justifying righteousness of God. Christ is our full, free and sufficient salvation.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the subject of Isaiah’s prophecy. It is He whose kingdom is established in mercy, who sits on a throne of truth and who dispenses righteousness to His people. May the burden of Moab continue to speak to lead the Lord’s little ones under the protection of His wings.
In his pride the King of Babylon set himself up as God, claiming divinity and personifying the religion of man’s fallen, sinful heart. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the true morning star. Salvation and healing are to be found only in the power of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Isaiah records a series of 'burdens'. These burdens reveal the character of God; His holiness, sovereignty and distinguishing love. They also teach us how we should understand the unfolding of world events. They also point us to the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah's message is still relevant today for the people of God!
It is our privilege to praise God for the excellence of the Lord Jesus Christ and the greatness of all His accomplishments. It is also our privilege to declare His doings to those around us in the world. May God give us grace and opportunity, with comfort and joy as we worship Him and serve His cause.
Isaiah rejoiced in the glorious person of the Messiah, seeing in Him many wonderful pictures of divine salvation and spiritual life. Here are seven names and roles explained by Isaiah to the people of his day by which the loveliness of the Lord Jesus Christ is explained, and by which Isaiah shows he grasped the worldwide effect and success of the gospel.
The Lord’s elect people are a remnant people who have escaped from judgment and death through the sacrifice and deliverance of their Saviour. The remnant stay upon the Lord in truth, they return to the Lord, and they prove the Lord faithful. These lessons Isaiah taught to the encouragement and comfort of the Lord’s elect then, and they shall remain and encouragement for all time for the Lord’s church from every nation. The elect are be saved because of the appointing and anointing of our Saviour to His task.
The Lord’s people of Isaiah’s day and during the following years waited patiently for the coming of the promised child, the Son of God. Today we are blessed to have seen in all its glory the wonderful work of redemption and grace by the Lord Jesus Christ. Both they, and we, look to Christ by faith, trusting in the power and efficacy of His blood.
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, comforted the Lord’s elect people, His children, in the Old Testament as well as He comforts us today. Then He gave signs, made promises and sometimes showed Himself to His people to encourage them through their trials. In today’s service we consider Immanuel’s land, Christ our Sanctuary, and a wonderful revelation of Christ and His gathered people to a waiting, watching prophet.
When God sent Isaiah and his son with good news to wicked king Ahaz, the king mocked the message and the messenger. Ahaz denied God's goodness and determined to save himself by his own means. There is a judgment coming for all who reject God's gospel. Yet all through the difficult years ahead the Lord's elect were comforted by the fact that sooner or later a remnant will return, Immanuel would be born of a virgin and God's way of salvation fulfilled.
Isaiah saw the Lord Jesus Christ ‘high and lifted up’. This is our glorious, victorious Saviour. Isaiah saw Him as He truly is: the sovereign God, the King in His Kingdom, ruling and reigning according to His good pleasure. Here are seven views Isaiah received in seeing his Saviour in this way. May we thus see Him, too.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever, and everywhere in scripture where the Lord Jesus Christ is found is as relevant yesterday, today and forever. Isaiah preached many years ago but his message is relevant to us today, warning of judgment to come for the wicked and God’s faithfulness in Jesus Christ to the elect remnant.
The Lord Jesus Christ was foreseen by Isaiah. He looked forward to a time when the beauty and glory of the Messiah would be seen through all the earth. With this prophecy he encouraged and comforted the elect of his own day as he anticipated the fruitfulness of Christ in bringing many sons to glory.
The Lord Jesus Christ is always pleased to comfort, defend and represent His people whom He loves with an everlasting love. He calls us ‘righteous’ because we are pure, clean and holy in Him. He calls us, ‘my people’ because He owns us as our Creator, Redeemer and Bridegroom. He calls us ‘the poor’ because we are the blessed poor whom He has fitted to receive all the riches of His grace and glory.
The Lord Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection established His kingdom, sent forth His ministers and is not victoriously gathering God’s elect from all the nations of the world. Isaiah saw this great work of the last days seven centuries before Christ came. He encouraged the Lord’s people of his age with this prophecy. We should be encouraged in its fulfilment.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the subject of all the scripture and the message of redemption and salvation is clearly seen in Isaiah’s prophecy by those to whom the gospel is revealed. Isaiah tells us the Lord God has a remnant people chosen by grace whose sins shall be purely purged and who will be washed and made clean in the blood of Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord our Shepherd. David knew this and writes beautifully and preciously of his personal relationship with the Lord Jesus his Shepherd. What better way to begin our New Year than being reminded, ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want’ and shall be, ‘all the days of my life’.
The Lord Jesus Christ was announced by the angel with these words, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’. The gospel takes away our fear. It brings good tidings of great joy because our Saviour, Christ the Lord is born.
The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world in ‘the fulness of time’. That is, He came when God had prepared all the circumstances for His manifestation. The people, the places, the timing and the events of Christ’s birth were not left to chance but purposefully organised so that everything promised, prophesied and appertaining to Christ’s birth would be exactly as God had planned.
The Lord Jesus Christ’s coming was promised and prophesied. The Old Testament believers had lots of knowledge about the Messiah’s coming and many glorious aspects of Christ revealed to them concerning His nature, character, work and accomplishments. Our Saviour’s name ‘shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace’.
The world had not long been created when Satan in the form of a serpent tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God’s command. The result was not the blessedness man hoped for but shame, guilt and expulsion from the presence and fellowship of God. Yet, even in the very process of declaiming sin and bringing judgment our Lord God gave mankind hope by pointing forward to a Seed who would destroy the works of the devil. It pleased the Lord that our Redeemer be bruised, yet our Saviour in turn has by His suffering bruised that old serpent’s head and destroyed the works of the devil.
At the Saviour’s ascension we are told Christ was received up into heaven, that is, He was received with praise, glory and worship as the victor returned from the fight. As believers we look forward to the day we shall be caught up by Him, ever to dwell with Him, our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Our Saviour’s great commission to His disciples was that they preach the gospel to every creature. It was the gospel for free, sovereign grace that must be preached. The message of particular redemption, complete forgiveness and justifying righteousness for God’s people by the death of Jesus Christ. That is the gospel. Nothing else will do. May the Lord give us boldness to continue to preach the same gospel to our generation that the Apostles preached to theirs.
20 November 2022
Our Saviour’s Resurrection Day visits totalled five and each of them was designed to help, support, encourage and comfort His people for the challenges they faced. Being visited by the risen Christ is a privilege granted exclusively to the Lord’s elect and a gift discovered by faith each time the gospel is preached to the heart of a child of God.
For the women present that morning by the empty tomb, and all who believe their testimony, and the testimony of scripture, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the indisputable fact that fuels our faith. By Christ’s resurrection we have the good hope of entering heaven with these very bodies suitably changed, there to experience and enjoy life with Christ forever.
The burial of the Lord Jesus Christ is as much an integral part of the gospel as the death and resurrection of Christ, Paul tells us. Here we consider the fact of Christ's burial, the scriptural significance of Christ's burial, and the power and comfort of Christ's burial for God's people.
As our Lord Jesus Christ hung on the cross there was three hours of darkness and an earthquake which shattered rocks and opened graves. Nature groaned as the Son of God suffered. The Saviour felt the absence of His Father’s comfort in the midst of His trials but He drank the cup of suffering to the end and with the satisfaction of God’s justice came a return of the sun and the rending of the temple veil that shielded the holy of holies. A new and living way of access to God was now opened for sinners.
Our Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering did not end with His physical abuse at the hands of His enemies. Throughout these first three hours of His hanging on the cross the soldiers who crucified Him, the thieves with whom He was crucified, the passers-by, the religious Jews all shouted scorn at the pitiful figure and tempted Him to prove His claims and come down from the cross. But our Saviour would not be distracted from His great work and for the love of His people and for the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross, despising the shame.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was brutally treated by Pilate’s soldiers before being crucified. He was physically abused and mocked and paraded to the amusement of His enemies. A crown of thorns was placed on His head and a reed sceptre in His hand. His foes knelt before Him in mock worship. As Christ’s enemies satisfied their evil desires on the Son of God they unwittingly fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ’s death, and verified the truth of Holy Scripture.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was delivered by Pilate to be crucified but Barabbas went free. In today’s passage we see the worthiness and suitability of Christ to save and learn about our own guilt as robbers, rebels and murderers before God. Barabbas is a type of all God’s elect in their natural state.
02 October 2022
Our Lord Jesus Christ was bound by His enemies and delivered to Pilate. Here we learn about the Lord’s suretyship, His kingly office and the meaning of His silence before His accusers.
Peter’s denial of the Lord Jesus Christ was a grave matter and brought about the fall of this dear saint. How prone we all are to sin and how easily we become ensnared by fear and lies. Yet, Peter was a child of grace, an heir of salvation, and the Lord Jesus, despite the offence caused looked lovingly and mercifully upon His needy friend.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was accused of all manner of crimes and condemned to death as guilty. His foolish judges did not know what they were talking about. But God the righteous judge imputed the sin of His chosen, elect people to their Surety. He laid their sin on His Son. He made Christ, who knew no sin to be sin for us, and righty, truly, legally and justly declared Him guilty of death.
Our Lord Jesus Christ met those who came to arrest Him in Gethsemane with boldness and courage yet He was also meek and compliant to the will of His Father that He might fulfil all that was written in the scriptures and satisfy His obligations in the covenant of grace.
The suffering for sin of our Lord Jesus Christ commenced in the Garden of Gethsemane where His soul-suffering is described as Him being ‘in an agony’, ‘exceeding sorrowful unto death’. Here our Saviour felt the judgment of God and the temptation of the devil. Here He lay alone without human support and carried the weight of His people’s sin.
Our Lord Jesus Christ left Jerusalem for the Mt of Olives and Gethsemane, crossing over the Kidron brook. Despite all that lay before Him His thoughts were upon the wellbeing of His people and He tells Peter and the disciples that though they all will be offended because of Him this night He has prayed for them that their faith fail not. Blessed Jesus!
Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper on this evening before His death. When we share in the bread and wine of communion with faith we are showing forth His death and testifying of our hope and trust in the cleansing power of His blood. It is a precious witness to our souls and to one another.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is our passover. He told His disciples that one of them would betray Him to death, generating amongst them great sorrow, self-doubt and self-examination. Our Saviour also preached to them about divine sovereignty and human responsibility for sin.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was the anointed one of God, set apart to redeem, reconcile and save all God’s elect. Here at Bethany a dear lady anticipates the Lord’s death for His people by anointing His head with very precious spikenard. The act pleased the Saviour despite the murmuring of some disciples. He declared that her act would be remembered wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached through the whole world.
Our Blessed Saviour spent much of His final week busily teaching, preaching and ministering to His people and disciples. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday had been days full of activity. On Thursday the Lord would eat the Passover and begin His soul-suffering in Gethsemane. But Wednesday is remarkably silent. None of the Gospel writers speak about the Saviour's activities on this day. It is Silent Wednesday.
The Saviour warned His disciples to take heed, watch and pray and these admonitions apply not only to the times of the disciples’ lives but continue as a proper response from believers to the challenges of every age. The Lord has left His church with a task and a witness to every generation – to every man his work – to take heed, watch and pray, lest coming suddenly He find us sleeping.
When the Lord Jesus explained to His disciples about the coming destruction of Jerusalem, and the temple, He expressly gave warning and advice and comfort to His chosen people, His elect. For their sakes the days of terror would be lessened, they would not be seduced by the false prophets of freewill, works-religion, and they would all be gathered in by the coming of Christ in His power in the gospel.
The Lord Jesus Christ provided His disciples with ‘signs of the times’ for the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. He also warned them to be alert to false and deceptive Christs, to take heed to recognise and avoid false doctrine, and also of the need for the Lord’s preserving care for His church. These are lessons for all His people in every age.
The Lord Jesus Christ pointed out to His disciples a certain poor widow whose faith brought her to give a gift to the Lord in gratitude and praise for her Saviour. He taught them, and us, that our gifts of worship and service must be offered in faith and all we have body and soul is only what He has first given to us.
The Lord Jesus Christ asked, “What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?” It is an essential question. Our Lord Jesus is the Messiah of God. He is the God Man mediator according to the scriptures. If we are to know Him and love Him and serve Him it can only be as we learn of Him in scripture by divine revelation. May we so learn Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples and His church that true worship is spiritual worship, built on a knowledge of gospel truth and inspired by personal faith in Jesus Christ. May none of us be content merely to be ‘near the kingdom of God’. May we rather be like those who listened to the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, and who ‘seek … first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness’, ‘Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe’ (Matthew 6:33; Romans 3:22).
The Lord Jesus Christ met His antagonists head on when they came attacking His doctrine and ministry. In so doing He teaches us not only that these bodies of ours shall rise gloriously from the dead as spiritual bodies, but that the Gospel of new life in Christ is the only message by which sinners can be saved and find comfort in death.
The Lord Jesus Christ calls upon His people to render to God the things that are God’s. There is but one way to do this and that is by faith. We honour God, worship God, love God, serve God, and obey God to the extent that we trust in Him through the faith of Jesus Christ which He has given to His people for that purpose.
The Lord Jesus Christ often taught using parables. The parable of the fraudulent tenants gives an overview of mankind’s rebellion and opposition to God from the beginning of time to the slaying of God’s own precious Son at Calvary. However, there will be a reckoning, and destruction will overtake all who reject God’s marvellous salvation in Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ faced His enemies in the temple as they demanded He give an account of Himself, and the authority by which He did and said the things He did. The Lord requires an answer first from them which they are unwilling to supply, whereupon the Saviour declaims their hypocrisy.
The Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples using many wonderful miracles including, and perhaps surprisingly, a withered fig tree! He told them that faith in God was at the heart of all true religion and the power that would attend their own ministries in the years to come.
The Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem and “looked round about upon all things”. The Lord was no sightseeing tourist, however. This insight and awareness teaches us the Lord knew all that was happening and how to interpret the events and needs of those around Him. We see in His words and actions the glory of His divine majesty and the humility of human need. These endear us to the One who alone could stand in our place and save our souls.
The Lord Jesus Christ sat upon a donkey, an ass and the colt of an ass, on the final part of His journey into Jerusalem where He would suffer and die for His people. Why a donkey now after years of walking, and why an unbroken colt upon whom never man sat?
The Lord Jesus Christ appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos and declared, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev 1:18). Believing this makes a difference at to how we live and what we look forward to enjoying.
The Lord Jesus Christ met Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, on the road out of Jericho. Bartimaeus certainly was blind but he knew his Bible and he knew too, that Jesus Christ, the Son of David, could heal the blind. He believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah so he cried out, ‘Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me’. Jesus did have mercy for He never disappoints anyone who comes to Him in faith.
The Lord Jesus Christ gave His disciples three great lessons following a less than great request from James and John. They were: a beautiful statement of God’s covenant purpose, a patient re-statement of true Christian character, and a delightful confirmation of limited, substitutionary atonement. James’ and John’s request for pre-eminence was unfortunate but we can thank them for it in light of these blessed truths it elicited from the Saviour.
The Lord Jesus Christ went before His disciples as they travelled up to Jerusalem where He would be crucified. Such was the zeal of our Saviour that He must press on to meet the ‘due time’ for His suffering and death. The Lord is our Forerunner, our Intercessor and Mansion-builder and has gone before us to prepare the way that we might follow after Him confidently and with joy.
27 March 2022
The Lord Jesus Christ meets the Rich Young Ruler. This young man is eager for religion but grieved at the cost of spiritual life. He spends his life meticulously following God’s law only to discover he has never grasped its spiritual tenor and never felt the power of its curse. The Lord Jesus shows him that far from obeying the law from his youth, as he assumed, he has stumbled at the very first step and must obtain the righteousness of another if eternal life is to be enjoyed.
The Lord Jesus Christ calls us to come to Him as little children. When we do He embraces us in His arms, lays His hand upon us, and intercedes with His Father on our behalf.
The Lord Jesus Christ’s comments on divorce and remarriage went to the heart of man’s sinful condition. We act from the hardness of our hearts, we decide in our own self-interest. But God’s way is a better way, and in Jesus Christ sinners can find redemption, forgiveness and everlasting joy.
Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches His disciples and us about the horrors of hell that we all may know what God has saved us from, and what God has saved us to, by the death of our Saviour.
The Lord Jesus Christ reminds His disciples about God's elective purpose and the spiritual and eternal blessings that flow to all believers because they belong to Christ.
The Lord’s disciples failed to understand His teaching about His imminent suffering, death, resurrection and ascension and Mark says they were 'afraid to ask' for an explanation. The Lord, therefore, shows them His kingdom is not about greatness but about service, not about personal glory but about personal sacrifice and He Himself is our example.
The Lord Jesus Christ healed the son of a man struggling with faith. In doing so the Saviour teaches us all something about faith, and encourages us to cry with those in need, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief”.
Our Lord’s Transfiguration was a unique and glorious revelation of His glory and honour. By it we see His majesty, His supremacy, His sacrifice and His grace. By it we see Jesus only.
The Lord Jesus teaches His disciples what it means to follow Him. Following Christ is a spiritual experience. We follow Him by faith. We stand for His truth, serve His calling and rejoice in His sovereign grace and glory. Following the Lord in this life will bring Christ’s people honour in heaven in the life to come.
The Lord Jesus is speaking openly about His coming suffering, death and resurrection. Peter rebukes the Lord and is in turn rebuked by the Lord because Peter has a taste for the things that be of this world and does not savour the things that be of God.
True faith is a heart experience, what Paul calls “believe in thine heart”. I know anyone can say “I believe in Jesus”, or “Jesus is the Christ”, perhaps Judas was present here, and did. But let us not get precious about examining others when the Lord’s question is direct, intimate & personal. “Whom do you say I am?”
The healing of a blind man in two stages by the double touch of the Saviour’s hand reminds us that though the grace and goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ is the same for all His people our own personal experiences of it may differ. Entrance into light and understanding may be immediate for some, and more gradual for others, yet our salvation in Christ is the same.
Moses interceded for the Children of Israel following the affair of the golden calf. Doing so he teaches us about our Great Intercessor the Lord Jesus Christ.
Isaiah chapter 9:6, 7 promised the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ into the world as a child born, and a son given. This prophecy assured generations of believers in the Old Testament to await and look for the coming Saviour. It was just a matter of time. There was no doubt He would come and accomplish all that was foretold of Him, for the Zeal of the LORD will perform it.
The Lord Jesus Christ warns His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. He was warning them against the errors of freewill and works-righteousness. These doctrinal errors are still dangerous to believers today.
When the Lord Jesus fed 4000 people with seven loaves and a few fishes He was also teaching the disciples lessons about their Apostolic ministry.
The Lord Jesus Christ's miracle healed a deaf man but also points us to the healing of the soul that comes of hearing the gospel with spiritual ears. These ears to hear Jesus gives. Jesus who has done all things well.
The Lord Jesus Christ travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon to meet a Syrophoenician woman and heal her daughter.
Religion deals in vain with our outward conduct but the Lord Jesus Christ gives His people a new heart.
The Lord Jesus distinguishes between those who worship with a true heart and the empty hypocrisy of lip service religion.
When a sinner reaches out in faith and touches the Lord Jesus Christ something extraordinary occurs. Mark tells us, "As many as touched him were made whole".
Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke in word and deed. This miracle taught His disciples to look beyond natural power for the Kingdom of God is spiritual.
NewFocus.church
This miracle of the Lord Jesus Christ enlarged His disciples' view of gospel ministry and preaching.
John's death teaches us lessons about those who like Herod hear the gospel and are affected, but not saved.
When Lord Jesus Christ was rejected by the people of Nazareth He nevertheless found time to heal 'a few sick folk'.
The raising of Jairus' daughter teaches us about faith, the nature of the gospel, and the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel is not 'easy-believism' but the Lord Jesus Christ's doctrine of sovereign grace given to those "with ears to hear".
The Lord Jesus Christ informs His disciples what to expect when their preaching ministry begins.
The Lord Jesus Christ tells His disciples that the message of the gospel is not what men and women assume it is but what God says it is. It is Jesus Christ's gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ tells His disciples that salvation is all the work of God - root, fruit and shoot.
Sermons from Mark's Gospel of Jesus Christ. This sermon records the deliverance of the Gadarene Demoniac from the Legion of devils.