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By praying In Part 2 we looked at how we should give to poor and saw that secrecy was vital and not to look from the approval of other people. Likewise today in Part 3 your prayers ought to be strictly between you and the Lord. You motive is crucial. Matthew 6: 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. v5 If your intention when you pray is to be publicly noticed by man then you are a hypocrite. The praise of man is all you can expect. Pray in secret and store up treasure in heaven. v6 Your prayer should be done in private place away from the gaze of others. This is the kind of prayer Abba Father delights to reward. v7 God is not impressed by our babbling prayers like the unbelievers nor is he impressed by repetitive prayers because he heard you first time. v8 Abba Father knows exactly what you need, even if sometimes you don't. He already knows. Secret praying is seen by God. Public praying is seen by man. Like our giving, our praying seems to work best when offered in private not public. Behaving religiously in public does not impress God one bit! Amen Your Closing Prayer

New 5 part mini-series This week our mini-series topic will be storing up treasure in heaven. Keynote scripture Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Worldly mindedness focuses on material things Heavenly mindedness dwells on the invisible and should in the main be hidden from public view. What earthly treasures does this scripture refer to? What can be destroyed by moths and mice? What can be stolen by thieves breaking into our property? It seems to me that the only thing we can take to heaven are people (especially our families), and this is only achievable by love as exercised in its many and various forms…prayer, giving, sacrifice, fasting, kindness and forgiveness etc. These actions when empowered by your love (see 1 Corinthians 13) which will influence the people who we meet in life e.g. When you love, you show mercy. When you love, you forgive. When you love, you forbear. When you love, you are kind. When you love, you are patient. Where does the love come from? Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Day by day, minute by minute the Holy Spirit is pouring God's agape love into each believer's heart. Let it show! Let it flow! Let it produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life! Amen Your closing prayer. Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy Louisa May Alcott, Little Women (1868)

A study of Mark 9:1, Mark 13:30, and Matthew 10:23. Craig L Blomberg [1] has suggested another approach to Matthew 10 Blomberg suggests we need to focus in on the larger context of Matthew 10:23 (within Jesus’ sermon) on the mission described by Jesus in Matthew 10. Vv. 5–15 seem limited to the immediate circumstances of Jesus sending out the disciples without going with them. Many of the teaching points in these eleven verses surely cannot refer to the longer-term mission of Jesus’s followers. Specifically, when Jesus applies the restriction to going anywhere among the Samaritans and Gentiles but only to the lost people in Israel (vv. 5–6) this contrasts with the instruction (to make disciples of all nations) that Jesus gives in his Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. It is also unlikely that Jesus intended his followers to never take money or extra provisions with them (vv. 9–10) in their later missionary activity, nor always to rely on others’ hospitality for their room and board (vv. 11–12). So it appears that as far into his message as verse 15, he is still speaking of the literal towns in first-century Israel. In verse 16, however, he segways into a longer-term perspective. While it is always true that Christ’s followers should be as “wise as snakes” yet “as innocent as doves” (v. 16), this is particularly relevant for their ministry after his death and resurrection. Verses 17–42 contain warnings against rejection, persecution, hostility, arrest, imprisonment, beatings and even martyrdom for allegiance to Jesus (see esp. vv. 17–23a). Most of the above forms of persecution did not begin until after Jesus’s death, resurrection, and the sending of the Spirit, although it has sadly continued in various parts of the world ever since. The Great Commission to make disciples of all nations includes Israel just as much as any other of the world’s nations. Since verse 23b appears in this precise context, within the same verse as the prediction of persecution, it is best to understand Jesus as teaching the ongoing incomplete nature of the mission to the Jews, with “cities of Israel” is to be understood both literally and (by implication) to refer to all Jewish people everywhere. The Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (or people groups) includes Israel just as much as the rest of the world’s nations. Blomberg then argues that in practical terms the meaning of Matthew 10:23 is that all believers should keep busy being about the Father’s business until the ‘Son of Man’ comes back. Conclusion Our closer look at the above 3 verses clearly demonstrates that Jesus did not claim he would return to earth during his first follower’s lifetime. Further, as far as these three verses are concerned, it is clear that the internal consistency of the bible remains intact and that there is no evidence of Jesus’ words proving unreliable. Amen [1] Craig L. Blomberg is distinguished professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado.

A celebration of Holy Communion: 1st Corinthians 11:23-25 Reading John chapter 6 recently it struck me that this chapter is all about bread. As I read it, things just kept jumping out at me and I feel compelled to write them down. While we are preparing for Communion, we are used to hearing the words of 1 Cor 11:23-25 being read out “…. on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread……….do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” I think the words of Jesus in this chapter will help us to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the Communion and make it a richer experience. We begin with the parable of the Loaves and Fishes. We are told early on in the chapter that. the Pesach (the Passover) was nearby. Jesus sees the crowds and asks Philip where they can buy bread to feed them. My first thought was - as it was near Passover, where the Jews clean their houses of all hametz. (yeast) would there be a shortage of bread? My second thought was – Jesus is the Bread of Life. Was He asking this, knowing ‘I am the bread. I will feed them’? After Jesus crossed over the Galilee to Capernaum people came looking for him, and he challenged them. Beginning with the phrase which is translated ‘most assuredly,’ (in Hebrew ‘Amen Amen’ or ‘yes indeed’) which means ‘listen very carefully’/listen up, he says to them. that they were seeking him because they ate the bread, not because they saw the signs. Then He opens up this deep teaching on the bread. “Do not work for the food which passes away but for the food that stays on into eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For this is the one on whom God the Father has put His seal.” The people then ask Jesus for a sign and say “our fathers ate the manna in the desert as it is. written (says in the Tanakh), ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ When Jesus replies, he says again ‘most assuredly’ ‘yes indeed’ “Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, by my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the Bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Jesus continues by explaining that He is the bread of life and all who believe in Him will never. hunger or thirst and that everyone who believes in Him, He will raise up on the last day. Again Jesus says, ‘most assuredly’ ‘yes indeed’ He who believes in me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and are dead. This is the bread which came down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever, and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” And then again, He says ‘most assuredly’ yes indeed’ (listen up!) “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. (Leviticus 17:11 says that the life of the flesh is in the blood) John 6v58 “This is the bread which came down from heaven – not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” What if we thought on this as we prepare to take Communion! Would not it take us so much deeper into the meaning of it and give us so much more? This was not even Jesus’s last Passover. The next chapter goes on to say that Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles was near) so Jesus is still around then. He was preparing the people ahead of his death! 1 Corinthians 11 v26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” Here is David Stern’s commentary on this verse: - At Passover Jews all over the world retell the story of the plagues and the Exodus and thus proclaim the central fact on which their peoplehood is founded. Likewise, members of the Messianic Community (Believers of Jesus) are to proclaim the death of the Lord as them. exodus from sin and as the basis for their existence. Both proclamations look not only back toward a past redemption but also forward to a future one; hence the proclamation is until He comes the second time.” Jewish New Testament Commentary, David H. Stern By guest blogger Batnabas aka Linda Morris

Jesus explains it to Nicodemus We are reading from the Gospel of John chapter 3 3:1-2 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him. This important man was probably part of the rich and powerful Gurion family. His name was Nicodemus, and he was highly influential Pharisee and religious leader you could say a top man in Israel. Nicodemus addresses Jesus with respect calling him ‘Rabbi or teacher’. Nicodemus thinks that because of the miracles Jesus had performed that God must be with him. 3:3 Jesus anticipates Nicodemus direction of conversation but cuts straight to the chase by saying ‘unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus is telling Nicodemus and in a sense all mankind that a second birth is necessary to enter all God’s ways , purposes, and blessings here on earth. The natural birth gives us the 5 senses and the second birth opens our spiritual senses of hearing, seeing, and sensing the things of God. Without the new spiritual senses how can anyone experience the joys of God’s kingdom or God’s rule in our lives? 3:4 Nicodemus replies Jesus ‘How can a man be born when he is old, can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born’? The idea here is that Nicodemus is saying to Jesus surely you are not suggesting a second physical birth! 3:5 Jesus answered Truly, truly , I tell you that ‘Unless a man be born of water [1] and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’. This means each person who is born in a natural biological and physical birth must also experience a second supernatural spiritual birth as to enable them to enter all the joy and blessings of life in God’s kingdom. 3:6 Jesus now describes the rules of natural and spiritual generation, that which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Jesus is saying that the sinful human nature (the flesh) transmits its fallenness to each baby born through natural childbirth. However, the new spiritual nature can only be transmitted to a person by the Holy Spirit. 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Jesus tells the puzzled Nicodemus, do not be amazed, or surprised or begin to wonder why it is that (Jesus insists) that he must be born again (born anew). As a religious leader Nicodemus was well acquainted with salvation through keeping the torah yet this person Jesus was clearly saying that it was mandatory to be born again to be able to enter God’s kingdom. Something had to happen via the Holy Spirit working on Nicodemus’ heart so that his eyes could open to the Kingdom of God. 3:8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but canst you cannot tell where it comes from, or where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Jesus now gives an illustration or metaphor to help Nicodemus understand what he means. We cannot see the wind, yet we are clearly aware of the effects of the wind. We can hear it and we can see its effects on leaves and trees and plants. In the same way when the wind of the Holy Spirit blows on your soul or mind, we cannot see it but are aware in hearts that new things are taking place. Maybe we can feel compassion or love as never before, or perhaps a new generosity of spirit. The Holy Spirit moves in and through the born-again hearts in a mysterious way as he wills. Nicodemus would be stunned to hear this as he was still focused on keeping the Law. 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, how can these things be? Yet again the stunned Nicodemus asks, ‘how can this be so’? It is clear he had not a clue about how God intended salvation to work. Perhaps his strict training in the Law immunized him to the Gospel? We break off the story at this point to consider what does this mean to you and me? If you are a follower of Jesus, then this story is a good way to introduce Jesus in a conversation that could lead to that person coming to Christ. If you are not yet a follower of Christ , you must realize that Jesus’ stark message to Nicodemus is that we must be born again to enter into God’s realm and enjoy all his wonderful benefits including forgiveness of all your sins. But you say, how can I do it, The bible is clear (Romans 10) says 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. We now need to turn this belief into a prayer spoken from your heart. You can find such a prayer in the link below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/jesus-explains-the-new-birth

You must be born again In John's gospel chapter 3 there is a fascinating discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus which we can follow through verse by verse. 3:1-2 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him. This important man was probably part of the rich and powerful Gurion family. His name was Nicodemus, and he was highly influential Pharisee and religious leader you could say the 'top man' in Israel. Nicodemus addresses Jesus with respect calling him ‘Rabbi or teacher.’ Nicodemus thinks that because of the miracles Jesus had performed that God must be with him. 3:3 Jesus anticipates Nicodemus direction of conversation but cuts straight to the chase by saying ‘unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus is telling Nicodemus and in a sense all humanity that a second birth is necessary to enter all God’s ways, purposes, and blessings here on earth. The natural birth gives us the 5 senses and the second birth open our spiritual senses of hearing, seeing, and sensing the things of God. Without the new spiritual senses how can anyone experience the joys of God’s kingdom or God’s rule in our lives? 3:4 Nicodemus replies Jesus ‘How can a man be born when he is old, can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born’? The idea here is that Nicodemus is saying to Jesus surely you are not suggesting a second physical birth! 3:5 Jesus answered Truly, truly , I tell you that ‘Unless a man be born of water [1] and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’ This means each person who is born in a natural biological and physical birth must also experience a second supernatural spiritual birth that will enable them to enter all the joy and blessings of life in God’s kingdom. 3:6 Jesus now describes the rules of natural and spiritual generation, that which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Jesus is saying that the sinful human nature (the flesh) transmits its fallenness to each baby born through natural childbirth. However, the new spiritual nature can only be transmitted to a person by the Holy Spirit. 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.Jesus tells the puzzled Nicodemus, do not be amazed, or surprised or begin to wonder why it is that (Jesus insists) that he must be born again (born anew). As a religious leader Nicodemus was well acquainted with salvation through keeping the torah yet this person Jesus was clearly saying that it was mandatory to be born again to be able to enter God’s kingdom. Something had to happen via the Holy Spirit working on Nicodemus’ heart so that his eyes could open to the Kingdom of God. 3:8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but canst you cannot tell where it comes from, or where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Jesus now gives an illustration or metaphor to help Nicodemus understand what he means. We cannot see the wind, yet we are clearly aware of the effects of the wind. We can hear it and we can see its effects on leaves, trees, and plants. In the same way when the wind of the Holy Spirit blows on your soul or mind, we cannot see it but are aware in hearts that new things are taking place. We can feel compassion or love as never before, or a new generosity of spirit. The Holy Spirit moves in and through the born-again hearts in a mysterious way as he wills. Nicodemus would be stunned to hear this as he was still focused on keeping the Law. 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, how can these things be? Yet again the stunned Nicodemus asks, ‘how can this be so’? It is clear he had not a clue about how God intended salvation to work. Perhaps his strict training in the Law immunized him to the Gospel? We break off the story at this point to consider what does this mean to you and me? If you are a follower of Jesus, then this story is an effective way to introduce Jesus in a conversation that could lead to that person coming to faith in Christ. If you are not yet a follower of Christ, you must realize that Jesus’ stark message to Nicodemus is that we must be born again to enter God’s realm and enjoy all his wonderful benefits including forgiveness of all your sins. But you say, how can I do it, The bible is clear (Romans 10:9) says that 'if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation'. We now need to turn this belief into a prayer spoken from your heart. Dear Jesus , thank you for taking my punishment on the cross, which I deserve for all the wrong things I have done in the past. Help me turn away (repent) from the ways of this world and all its the false promises. I ask now for your forgiveness and a fresh start in my life. I invite the Holy Spirit into my heart and mind to show me how to live from this time on. Amen If you have prayed this prayer for the first time and meant it, you now need to start praying, reading your bible and find a church where they teach and believe the bible. Bless you , the angels in heaven are rejoicing over your decision to turn to God. Amen Personal Prayer [1] The likely picture here to Nicodemus would be like a mikvah (bath for ritual cleansing) which although enough for physical cleanliness was not enough to cleanse in a spiritual sense,

A study of Mark 9:1, Mark 13:30, and Matthew 10:23 Certain people, usually sceptics, claim that Jesus appeared to have stated in three different bible verses that his second coming would take place before all his first followers had died. The main passages they cite are Mark 9:1, 13:30, and Matthew 10:23. If the sceptics claim is true, then it has big implications for the internal consistency of the bible. If Jesus predicted such a thing and it did not happen, then Jesus’ words could be considered unreliable and therefore a significant part of the New Testament canon could be proven to be untrustworthy. Much has been written about this apparent dilemma however the best studies[1] are able to offer reasonable alternative explanations for all three of these verses after close study. Mark 9:1: KJV [2] In anticipation of the Transfiguration And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. This verse is leading up to the transfiguration, which Jesus’s disciples, Peter, James, and John are about to witness, so Mark is thinking along those lines. The fact that the transfiguration occurs six days later suggests this promise seems to confirm this interpretation, as does Peter’s description of the transfiguration[3]. Mark 13:30: Predicting Jerusalem’s Destruction Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. “These things” refers to what he has just been describing, and in verses 24–27 where Jesus has described his own return to earth. Again, Jesus speaks of “these things happening” in verse 29 as a hint to recognizing that his return is near. This would have Jesus saying something like this, “Once you see I have returned, know that I am near.” This does not make sense. “These things” in verses 29–30 must surely refer to the events described in verses 5–23, all of which can be understood to have been at least provisionally fulfilled in the years between Jesus’s death (AD 30) and the destruction of the temple in AD 70— or you could say a 40-year period, or a biblical generation. Matthew 10:23: Interrupting the disciples’ short-term mission to Israel? But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. This is the most difficult of the three verses to interpret. In verses 5–42, Jesus is teaching the disciples about what to expect as they travel around Israel trying to replicate Jesus’ ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing. Does Jesus think his second coming will happen within a matter of weeks or months? Sceptical people assert that Jesus appears to think that his second advent will happen within a matter of weeks or months. Could it be possible that Jesus could be killed and resurrected, go away into heaven, and then return, all during the comparatively brief period that the apostles are on the road proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom within Israel? This seems highly unlikely. If it were not for the other two passages we discussed, this idea might never have even occurred to anyone. But what then does Jesus mean? Jesus meant he would meet up with his disciples again somewhere before they had completed their mission. By applying Occam’s razor, this would be the simplest answer. Jesus often styled himself as the “Son of Man,” instead of saying ‘I’ as is also the case in Matthew 8:20. Every other time Jesus speaks of the ‘Son of Man’ coming, he refers to his return in glory (in Matthew’s Gospel alone, see 16:27, 28; 24:27, 30, 37, 39, 44; 25:31; 26:64). However the ‘Son of Man’ will return in glory makes the “meeting up with the apostles before their mission trip was over” interpretation unlikely, together with various other interpretations. For example, some have suggested that the coming of the Son of Man could refer to Jesus’s resurrection, to his sending of the Spirit at Pentecost, or to his coming in judgment against Israel with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Sometimes interpreters have tried to strengthen their case for one of these by reinterpreting one or more of the other occurrences of the Son of Man’s coming in Matthew in the same way. In Part 2 we consider an alternative explanation to these passages. [1] Craig L Blomberg -see part 2 [2] See also parallels in Matthew 16:8 and Luke 9:27 [3] See 2 Peter 1:16-18

The 3 parables of Luke 15: the lost sheep , the lost coin, and the lost son. Part 4 The three parables in Luke 15 Definition: A parable means something to ‘lay alongside’ something else. The story in the parable lays it against a truth to make it easier to understand. These three parables are usually thought to be about salvation but let us consider them in the context of fellowship. The parable of the lost sheep Luke 15:1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Lost in this passage does not mean dead, the sheep always refers to believers e.g. not 99 sheep and 1 goat! The 100 sheep belong to the shepherd, but one wanders off out of the shepherd's sight c.f like a Christian getting out of fellowship. The shepherd goes after the lost sheep finds it and put it on his shoulders. That is how the Lord feels when out of fellowship believers are found by him, there is great rejoicing in the same way we rejoice over sinners who come to repentance and faith in Christ. The parable of the lost coin Luke 15:8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbours together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The woman owned the silver coins. Of course, this parable can be applied to the ‘salvation’ situation but does need a bit of tweaking as to who was the owner of the lost coin. Again, there is great rejoicing over a sinner come to repentance i.e. changed their mind. The joy is from God in the presence of the angels. The parable of the lost son 11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! This parable is the best example of how God feels about sinners returning to him. By faith we are all children of God (Galatians). This is a believing family. No matter what we change we remain our father’s son. Life lived out of fellowship does not produce fruit for God. Both sons got their inheritance (v12). God gifts and talents are to be used in his service. The younger son wasted all his inheritance and got out of fellowship with his father. v15 younger son comes into discipline by looking after pigs (no self-respecting Jew would do this). No-one would help him. He was in a bad place with no friends. v17 Comes to his senses, he repents (changes his mind), and he comes to terms with his lifestyle. 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ v20 and the father ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. That is what the Father God did with you and me when we first repented and believed. How might the Father react to our repentance today? v21 Confesses his sins as in 1 John 1:9. Luke 15:22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it and let us eat and be merry. 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. v22 His privileges are fully restored as a son, as are ours when we repent. v23 A feast of celebration is organised, repentance is a time to be celebrated. v24 This father’s love for his lost son reminds us of the fervent love of our heavenly father who embraces us when we confess our sins in repentance. When we do sin, we must keep short accounts with the Lord and come into repentance ASAP. Conclusion Confessing your sins is agreeing with God that it was wrong and inappropriate for us as God’s family, then we can immediately receive our forgiveness by faith and come straight back into fellowship with the Lord. Amen Personal Prayer For an in depth study of this topic please refer to Roger Price audio BBS 012 and BBS 021.

The ongoing remedy for our sin: 1 John 1:9 explained 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. All Christians have an ‘old sin nature’ inside us. See Paul’s comments in Romans about his 'old man'. v9, we need to name our sins before the Lord and somehow God is able to cleanse us from them all –perhaps even the ones we did not remember! This verse is constantly available to all true believers. The verb 'confess' is in the continual tense meaning ongoing. Yes it is available every time as often as we need need it. We receive our forgiveness instantly by faith. This allows us to pick up on our walk with the Lord. Unconfessed sin festers inside us and makes us unable to conduct the Lord’s work. When we confess our sin then we agree with God that it is a sin and are instantly brought back into fellowship. PTL The ongoing remedy for our sin- Keywords ¨       Repent-metanoeo (Greek) means to change your mind. ¨       Confess- homologeo (Greek) means to say the same thing (used in a court of law). Meta =change   noeo = mind So what this word Repentance means is to ‘change your mind.’ This means that we have changed our minds about the sinful things we have previously done and then we agree with God's view of the sin . We then confess (say) to the Lord the particular sin, which means we now are taking the same view as the Lord. Paul called the Jews to repentance (change their minds about Messiah on a big white horse defeating the Roman invaders etc.) Paul called the Gentiles to believe (did not know anything about the Messiah). 2 Cor 7:10 Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians had produced godly sorrow leading them to repentance and life in contrast the world’s sorrow can only produce death. Amen Personal Prayer In Part 4 We consider the three parables in Luke 15 in the context of both salvation and fellowship.

The chastening of the Lord How does God deal with Christians who are out of fellowship?: Hebrews 12: 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. v5 Chastening= humbled by defeat or wrongdoing with a view to doing better rebuke=express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behaviour or actions: scourges= whips v6 When the Lord brings us correction (chastening which may involve grief and pain), we need to be willing to accept it (or even welcome) since we are true sons and daughters of God. We ought to be pleased that the Lord loves us enough to chasten and rebuke us. v7-8 We need to come under his discipline of our Father (discipline is a family matter-see Zechariah 3:3) v10 God only chastens (trains) his children for their benefit which should lead us into holiness. v11 The Lord’s chastening is painful for a season but later brings peace and a more holy lifestyle. Carnal vs Spiritual Christians ¨       Carnal = a Christian who is out of fellowship with Lord ¨       Spiritual = a Christian who is in fellowship with the Lord 1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? A carnal Christian can behave just as badly as an unbeliever. An unbeliever cannot receive the things of God see 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 A spiritual believer can operate through the Spirit, 1 Cor 3v3 mere men= unbelievers Amen In Part 3 we consider what confession and repentance means.

1 John 1:9 The ongoing remedy for our sin In some ways when we get saved or born again the Lord could say ‘I have cleansed every sin from your life so go and sin no more.’ However, we know that we often slip and fall into sin (due to the old sin nature), and we would be stuck in sin if the Lord had not provided an ongoing way to get us back into fellowship with him. That is what we are going to study today ‘how do we keep in continual fellowship with the Lord. We can only bear fruit when we are in fellowship with the Lord and when are in sin we can bear no good fruit. This is like playing badminton say 20 years ago or more, you could only score when serving. The suggestion is that we can bear fruit only when we are in fellowship with God. Relationship versus Fellowship ¨       Relationship is permanent. ¨       Fellowship is conditional. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Salvation has two parts to it: kindred relationship and fellowship. If like me, you agree that once saved always saved then our kindred relationship is permanent (eternal). If you disagree then you must consider just how permanent our relationship with Father God is, and what could break it. However, hopefully we can agree that our relationship is stronger than our fellowship. We are born again into the family of God and are secure in it. Fellowship (koinonia) is our ongoing interaction with God and can be broken quite easily. Amos 3:3 can be understood as ‘how can we walk in agreement with a Holy God’? When we are out of fellowship with him through sin. Fellowship in this context is our old friend koinonia which means an intimate sharing of our life with God and with our fellow believers. Fellowship with Him and One Another 1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. As always when we want to correctly interpret scripture, we need to put in in context. v5-7 God has no darkness or sin in his being whatever and has no truck with sin. If we live in sin our fellowship (koinonia) with God is broken and we are kidding ourselves on (self-deception). If we walk in the Spirit, we are agreed with the Lord, this brings us into fellowship with each other and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. v8 If Christians say that they do not sin then John says that they are lying indicating an aversion to the truth. v9-10 We will return to these verses further into the sermon. In Part 2 we will consider 'the chastening of the Lord'.

What can we learn from them 7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David [1]. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. Jesus Christ is a true descendant of King David in terms of faith and righteousness in contrast to those unbelieving Jews in Philadelphia. Jesus alone as the holder of the key of David has the ultimate executive power over all things in the cosmos with power to allow or to block as He sees fit. The key of David implies the Holder is fully ordained by God. Isaiah shows that all the glory of God’s family is vested in Him who holds the key of David, and that the Holder is like the firmly driven in tent peg that holds everything in the right place. All the honour of Father God’s household is represented as seated in the throne of Jesus Christ. Although this church had grown weak it was still loyal to Jesus and probably had been specifically tested on this matter of loyalty to Him. Those unbelieving Jews were much more like Satan than the righteous Jews as required by the Law since they were the main accusers and persecutors of the Christians in the city. Jesus promises that one day these unrighteous Jews will need to bow and acknowledge that God loves the church members that these Jews had slandered. The open door represents a wonderful opportunity to preach the Gospel and the tone of great comfort implies that the grace of God to empower and sustain the church is fully available. V10 ‘I will keep you from...’ is God’s promise of special protection to His church and specifically that He will in some way intervene to prevent them from going through a terrible ‘hour of trial’ that will affect everyone else alive on the planet. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.12 Those who are victorious I will make pillars in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He comforts this church with the fact that they will not have too long to wait for His coming. Jesus admonishes them to keep their love and faith so that their rewards will be full. To those who overcome the promise is given of eternally playing a key supporting role in God’s Holy Temple i.e. the New Jerusalem. The other rewards include being given a new name. Those who are ready and able should listen to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit. Amen The Church of Philadelphia – Further commentary from Jacky Wilson (the contribution of the late David Hilsley is acknowledged) The Church of Philadelphia was in a centre of Greek civilisation. Founded only 189 years before Jesus, the city had a surprising influence on that area of the ancient world. This Church must have been very vital, for Philadelphia remained an independent Christian city until the close of the fourteenth century, when it was conquered by Turkey. The message in this letter? To endure suffering, stay close to Jesus. Keep his word, and you can withstand anything. Jesus’ Commendation Revelation 3:8 I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Condemnation: Not one word! Counsel: Revelation 3:11 - I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that on one can seize your crown. So who was this church? Well, Philadelphia was a strategically located trade town in Asia. It stood between Rome and the eastern world and was known as “little Athens” because of its many gods and idols. But though it was filled with idolatry, the church remained faithful to Jesus. They had little power, as Jesus mentions in the letter. They also faced persecution from the Jews, which we see in verse 9. But despite weakness and opposition, they trusted his word and remained faithful to him. In a world filled with idolatry, they listened to Jesus alone, and that was their greatest achievement. That’s our call today—listen to and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scriptures must be the centring point of every church Listen to how Jesus introduces himself in verse 7. “The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens, and no one will shut, who shuts, and no one opens.” We have in that single verse a four-fold description of Christ. 1) He’s the holy one. This is the distinctive attribute of God. He’s set apart, perfect, pure. 2) He’s true. He cannot lie. He keeps his word. He’s fully trustworthy always and in every way. 3) He has the key of David. Keys and locks and doors are a sign of power and official authority. Jesus holds the key not to Philadelphia but to the house of David. Remember, God told David that he would establish his kingdom and his son would reign on the throne forever. Jesus is that Son who takes the seat, the eternal throne. 4) He is the one who opens and shuts the doors. He’s sovereign overall. He’s powerful, able to open and shut. These four marks show Christ worthy of our attention. He’s the pure one, the right one, the key to every door. How could we not listen to him? We need this message today because at some point our faith will be tested, just as the Philadelphian church was, and when it is, we need the everlasting word of Jesus to help us stand like oaks of righteousness. So, to that end, let’s consider three truths about the word of Jesus from this passage: 1. The word of Jesus is an open door for his humble people (v. 8). (See above) 2. The word of Jesus is a sure foundation for his suffering people (v. 9-10). 3. The word of Jesus is a promise for his enduring people (v. 11-12). That they have but little power-that’s not an insult or rebuke. It’s just an acknowledgment that they had very little influence in their culture. They were small. Even more, they were persecuted by the Jews who were stronger than them, as we see in verse 9. Yet in the face of opposition, they did not deny their faith in Christ. Jesus wants them to know that the opposition was not their fault. Their suffering wasn’t a result of their lack of faith or anything else. They kept his word. They stood firm. He knows their heart of faith toward him and their love for him. So, to encourage them, Jesus says he set before them an open door, which no one can shut. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” The door symbolises the need for a decision. It’s the entryway into Christ or the barrier keeping one from Christ. So, the door in this context seems to be entrance into Christ’s kingdom. When suffering comes, it’s our reliance on Jesus during suffering that gives us such strong confidence in him. When Jesus is all we have, we realise Jesus is all we need. We see in verse 9 that the Jews in the synagogue of Satan have caused harm to the church. These Jews, Jesus says, are not really Jews, but lie. These Jews didn’t love God. They loved themselves and their power and their status and their self-perceived righteousness. But these Jews didn’t trust Jesus. They, like Satan, set themselves against him. They thought they held the keys to the kingdom, but Jesus is that key, So, church, keep his word with patient endurance because he rewards those who do. See that phrase there in verse 10? “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth” Look at verses 11 and 12. “I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” Jesus is coming soon. Therefore, he says, hold fast. Why: Because Jesus traded in the crown of thorns for the crown of glory, and he gives that crown of glory to all his people suffering the thorns of this world. Jesus holds the keys. He is the door. “Don’t give up. He’s coming soon. Endure! Hold fast! Trust Jesus!” Amen [1] Isaiah 22:20-24 20 “In that day I will summon my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. 21 I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 23 I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a seat of honour for the house of his father. 24 All the glory of his family will hang on him: its offspring and offshoots—all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to all the jars. For full text for printout and access to the other 'The 7 churches of Revelation' click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/the-7-churches-of-revelation-philadelphia