Expecting the unexpected

Life is so unpredictable. At times this can be very exciting and sometimes it can be very frightening.

We knew that the rainfall was going to be heavy. We have procedures in place to warn of floods. But as mere mortals we cannot control the rain and have to try to cope with what is inevitable as well as possible.

There are many other situations like this in life. Illness cannot be avoided at times and many circumstances are outwith our control, the ultimate being death. We may be able to take our life (by force - it is very sad when someone gets to that level of despair) but we cannot and do not live for ever and we have no power over the day of our death.

There is hope however. The only man who ever lived who had control over death was Jesus, the Son of God. Not only did he bring at least three people back to life (see the Bible - John 11/Luke 8.41-56/Luke 7.11-18) but he voluntarily sacrificed his life when he died on the cross. I am not only referring to his going to the cross willingly but that when it came to his death, life did not ebb away (as it would with us) but that he consciously sacrificed his life that we might have life (see Luke 23.46).

The profound message of Christianity is this.

Sin has consequences morally in the Court of Heaven. God is loving and unfailingly holy. His distaste of sin is such that it would be an affront to his character to allow beings into his presence who have been marked by sin. The dilemma is that God wants to share life with his creatures but his creatures by willful disobedience have distanced themselves from Him.

Enter, the Son of God. The divine plan was this. The Son of God would become man as a result of a miraculous conception but a normal birth. His life of thirty years would be clear evidence not only of his divinity (His miracles etc) but of His holiness and flawless character. As man He could die but as He was without sin (fault) His death would be payment for guilty humanity. God could still be holy and yet in His love offer individuals pardon and forgiveness.

So how do you get this forgiveness. Well God treats his creatures as thinking individuals. He has given them the capacity to choose. The offer is on the table. Consider, grieve about and admit your sin to God (not a Priest nor anyone). Believe and depend on what the Lord Jesus has done and accept Him as your Saviour.

I cannot describe the change that you will find when you come. It cannot be defined in words. It does not guarantee a problem free existence. It will bring about changes in your lifestyle (not enforced changed as a result of rules but changes in interests and desires for the better). It will mean your guilty status before God has been resolved. You will be saved for ever.

Read the Bible, seek the Lord while He may be found.

God sees me - wow!

In Liverpool, at the moment, there is a big tent in Sefton Park. It is at the entrance near St Hilda's School. If you are anywhere near Liverpool you should come and have a look.

What is it all about? Well some Christians in Liverpool are so excited about the fact that God wants to bring salvation to the people of Liverpool that they have erected the Tent in the Park for the month of June.

Each night there is a session at 8 p.m. apart from Saturday when it is at 7 p.m.

What will you find if you go? You meet will people who are already believers (not just in God but they have personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and have been saved (if you do not know what that means then come along - the good news is all about clearing our guilt before God, about getting our sins forgiven, about peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ). You will also meet people who do not believe (yet) but are interested in finding out the truth.

The guy who is preaching is pretty dogmatic, clear in his thinking, approachable, interested in helping people come to God. Actually he has dedicated his life to preaching this message (i.e. he gave up his job and spends all his time doing this).

If you come ask for me, if I am there I would love to have a chat.

See you there, Stephen