A message for everyone in Liverpool

The first man Adam died, the oldest man Methuselah died, the wisest man Solomon died, the meekest man Moses died. 

Patriarchs, prophets, princes, princesses, prime ministers, presidents, politicians, philosophers, peasants and paupers all die. 

The mighty Pharaohs passed away, the conquering emperors of Rome had to succumb to this mighty foe, Alexander the Great could not withstand the onslaught of death. 

The rich, the poor, the famous, the unknown, the wise and unwise, the religious and the heathen, the terrorist and the law abiding alike must fall beneath its cruel stroke.

Don't waste my death!

www.seekthetruth.org.uk
I was reading recently in the business section of The Daily Telegraph, the comments of the Royal Bank of Scotland boss John Hourican who has left his job, he was the Investment Banking boss and as he left his job he made this statement, “Don’t waste my death” as they ordered them to recognise public anger over libel scandal that led to his resignation.

Don’t waste my death. It made me think really about the fact there are people in this world’s history and their death has been for a purpose. Most of us don’t actually realise it but our own death will have a purpose. The Bible teaches that, “the wages of sin is death”a. 

The reason behind any individual’s death is the principle of sin and wrong doing. We don’t intentionally enter into it but as a result of one man’s sin, we are all condemned. Everyone of us practices sin and that corroborates and confirms the fact we were born as sinners, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”b and our death is a direct result, there’s a correlation between our behaviour and our moral standing before God and our sin, which ends in death.

My message really isn’t to point out to you that your death is significant though it’s not the end I must say, it’s the death of your body. There is a moral death, that’s with you in life, dead in sin. That's the death that’s separating you eternally from the presence of God, who is life and light and liberty and joy and peace. That’s something you don’t want. 

But I would like you to think about these words for a second or two, because I could imagine my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ saying, “don’t waste My death”. The Lord Jesus Christ came from Heaven to earth, He came and lived a very humble and ordinary life upon this earth. He lived His days upon the earth showing to men the love and kindness of God. He died upon a cross and took the judgement, the legal consequences of sin on our behalf so that we might be forgiven. But if we refuse to believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God, if we refuse to accept His forgiveness, if we refuse to accept the eternal life that He offers, we waste His death.

Can I say to you today? Don’t waste the death of Jesus, trust Him, confess your sin to Him, accept the eternal life He offers to you. 

a-Romans 6v23
b-Romans 3v23 

400 YEARS

What an interesting Book the Bible is! A remarkable collection of sixty-six individual books bound into one priceless volume. There are books of history, books of poetry, and books of prophecy. There are four books telling the lovely story of the life and ministry of Jesus, and there are twenty-one letters written to individuals and to congregations of Christians.

About forty different authors were involved in the writing and although the first and last of these lived centuries apart there is not one mistake, no contradictions and no discrepancies. The Bible is one inspired whole whose great message concerns God and His Son, God’s hatred of sin, and the remedy which has been provided.

And what a variety of men God used as His penmen: rich men and poor men. statesmen and herdsmen, shepherds and fishermen. There were kings, prophets, and poets. One writer was a doctor and one was a tax-collector.

They wrote in such a variety of places too: in palaces and prisons: in mountains and meadows; in deserts and in lonely dwellings; at home and in exile. They wrote in Judea, in Galilee, in Rome, in Corinth, in Ephesus and Patmos. Surely it must be conceded that the Bible is a remarkable Book which everyone should read.

But for many of us, reading would have been a problem for it was written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. These languages meant the precious volume was inaccessible to many who speak only English and so we are indebted to those scholars who over the years have spent long hours of painstaking study and research in translating the sacred writing for us so that we could understand them.

Four hundred years ago in 1611 AD a new translation was printed. It was the work of a group of such scholars, who with royal approval had undertaken the task of translating. Because they had royal authority for their work, and since the King at that time was James 1st, the finished translation became known as ‘The King James Version’ or the ‘K.J.V.’ and was known also as the ‘Authorised Version’ or the ‘AV’.

How important the Bible is to us, revealing the Holy character of God, telling us of His great love for men, but of his equally great abhorrence of sin. He is a God of love but also a God of light who cannot tolerate sin. How could such a God admit men to His heaven when He hates their sin? It seemed an insurmountable problem, but God Himself provided the answer and "the Holy Scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation", 2 Tim.3.15. Paul the Apostle explains, "When the fullness of the time was come God sent forth His Son…to redeem", Gal. 4.4,5. Another Apostle wrote "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins", 1 John. 4. 9,10. The provision of salvation for guilty men cost God His beloved Son and it cost the Son His life. A sinlessly perfect Man suffered and died for sins at Calvary. How? Why? The Bible explains that Jesus the sinless One became a substitute for sinful men. Those who trust Him as Saviour and confess Him as Lord can say simply, "He died for me" or, in the words of yet another Apostle, "He bare our sins in His own body on the tree", 1Pet. 2.24.

O how unlike the complex works of man;

Heaven’s easy, artless unencumbered plan.

Reader, do determine to read and believe the Bible and know the enjoyment of forgiveness now and the assurance of a home in heaven when life is over.

Written by Jim Flannigan for Assembly Testimony and reproduced by permission of Assembly Testimony Magazine

Does God tell lies?

Does God tell lies? - Open Air Preaching in Liverpool City Centre

YouTube Video - Preaching on the street

For more information click on www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Does God tell lies?

Does God tell lies? - Open Air Preaching in Liverpool City Centre

YouTubeVideo - Does God tell lies?

Do churches in Liverpool still believe that Jesus was a real person?

Jesus said - "Love your neighbour". BUT was Jesus even a real 

man. Once in a while someone decides to prove that Jesus is just a 

religious myth! What do YOU think? Was the story of Jesus 

developed to create a religion or to control people? I am not so

sure! Listen and let me know where you think the evidence points. 

https://soundcloud.com/seekthetruthpodcast/seek-the-truth-bible-media-podcasts-is-the-evidence-for-jesus-reliable?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=email

The inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster

This is a term, used increasingly, to describe a situation where the truth has been suppressed, the facts have been misreported and people misled by a string of lies and a web of deceit. This is done deliberately to obscure the truth and to allow the guilty to appear innocent.

Not so long ago the Leveson inquiry attempted to discover the truth behind phone-hacking scandals and shockingly intrusive journalism that had been tolerated for years without people being fully aware of the full extent of such deplorable malpractice. The inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster, when many football fans were trampled to death, was carried out to reveal what really happened on that tragic day of the 15th. April 1989. A concerted effort had been made by the police to shift the blame onto the fans and only now are we discovering who really was to blame and what actually happened. Again and again, demands are made for public inquiries to try to ascertain the facts and disclose the truth. After years of silence and deception, many are finally being brought to justice for crimes they had covered up for decades.

Humans have been involved in cover-up since the dawn of their history; read Genesis chapter 3 and listen to Adam and Eve as they try to shift the blame and distort the facts. How rare it is for people to acknowledge the truth especially when they are at fault; few will willingly bear the blame and confess their wrongdoing. How difficult it is to admit, as did King David in Psalm 51.4, "Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight." God will not tolerate any other attitude; He sees through our deceit and He demands total honesty if we are to be blessed. "Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts …" Psalm 51.6.

My friend, do not attempt to cover up your sin; God cannot be deceived; His all-seeing, penetrating eyes easily pierce the flimsy defence of your deception; He knows the truth; He has witnessed and recorded your every sin; not one has been overlooked or omitted. "… all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do" Hebrews 4.13. "These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; … but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes" Psalm 50.21.

However, the guilty may be pardoned, the lawbreakers can be justified and your every sin can be forgiven. It was when the prodigal son of Luke chapter 15 was prepared to acknowledge that he had sinned, that he received the kiss of forgiveness and the embrace of reconciliation from his father. Guilty though you are, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3.23, yet you can have every charge of guilt removed, never to be raised again. All this has been made possible by the willingness of One Who was sinless, God’s own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to become accountable for our sins and to bear the fearful punishment we deserved. We did all the sinning but He bore all the suffering, "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree" 1Peter 2.24. "Christ died for our sins" 1 Corinthians 15.3.

You can escape the eternal consequences of your sins by trusting the Saviour God provided and by depending alone upon His death to shield you from the just judgment you deserve. Don’t cover up your sins; confess them and find refuge in the One Who "took the guilty sinner’s place and suffered in his stead".

To ask questions or for more information visit seekthetruth.org.uk

Written for FTMP by Assembly Testimony.

Every who reads this blog should read this!

If I could have everything I wanted would I give it up under any circumstances?

http://goodnews4liverpool.wordpress.com/2014/10/13/barrow-in-furness/

Seek the Truth Bible Media Podcast Broadcast from Liverpool

I don't know about you but I would love to have been around when Jesus was on earth. Whatever you think about Jesus Christ, I think many would agree, He was a fascinating person. BUT He was a lot more than that. His claims and awareness were unique! He said He came from heaven to earth. He stated that His death would draw mankind to Him. He promised to rise from the dead and history records that He did. Listen to this podcast and eavesdrop on a conversation that Jesus had with some of His critics. It makes for interesting listening!

https://soundcloud.com/seekthetruthpodcast/seek-the-truth-bible-media-podcasts-jesus-asks-the-questions?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=email

Seek the Truth Bible Media Podcasts Broadcast from Liverpool

I don't know about you but I would love to have been around when Jesus was on earth. Whatever you think about Jesus Christ, I think many would agree, He was a fascinating person. BUT He was a lot more than that. His claims and awareness were unique! He said He came from heaven to earth. He stated that His death would draw mankind to Him. He promised to rise from the dead and history records that He did. Listen to this podcast and eavesdrop on a conversation that Jesus had with some of His critics. It makes for interesting listening!

https://soundcloud.com/seekthetruthpodcast/seek-the-truth-bible-media-podcasts-jesus-asks-the-questions?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=email

Loneliness - it's a major problem in our society!

One of the most undesirable experiences that a person can encounter is that of loneliness. Some look back to childhood days when they were surrounded by family members; there was laughter, companionship, helpfulness, mutual care and love. However the enemy, death, gate-crashed the family and one after another, loved ones were taken and loneliness followed.

Perhaps others feel the emptiness of loneliness because a spouse died after many years of happy marriage. How often we have heard the following sentiment expressed, "It’s not too bad during the day when I can get out and about, but it is when darkness falls and I am alone in the house. A house that formerly was alive with chatter and friendly banter is now silent."

If loneliness on earth for a period of time is so sad and painful, what an awful thing it must be to experience this for eternity. For every soul that dies without Jesus Christ as Saviour the only outlook is the "blackness of darkness forever" Jude v.13. Some foolhardy and spiritually ignorant people have the mistaken idea that when they arrive in hell they will meet their friends and enjoy an eternal party! Since the judgment of God will be absolutely righteous, no two people will have the same sentence allocated to them and so each will be alone for eternity. What a horrendous thought, lonely and in the dark, under the judgment of God for all eternity.

However, there is One Who can save us from such an eternity of woe. In wondrous love God sent His Son to die for sinners. He bore the judgment so that we, so undeserving, could be rescued from hell. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, experienced loneliness in His life. He was, "despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" Isaiah 53.3. We read that He was homeless, John 7.53-8.1 "And every man went unto his own house. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives". He had no comfortable shelter, "Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head" Matthew 8.20. However, when we want to see the depth of the loneliness He suffered for us, we must come to His death. As He anticipated His sufferings He said, "Reproach hath broken My heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none" Psalm 69.20. But it was when He hung in the agony of dark Calvary’s cross He cried, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Matthew 27.46. God left Him alone when "His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree" 1Peter 2.24. 

H. K. Burlingham wrote these words:

"Alone upon His cross, God’s judgment Jesus bore,

He paid in full the cost of glory evermore:

His precious blood was freely shed,

And Jesus crushed the serpent’s head!"

"The blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin" 1 John 1.7.

 By trusting Him as your Saviour you will never experience eternal loneliness, but will enjoy the bliss of His companionship both now and for evermore.

For access to more articles, audio messages and 

video bible teaching visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk.

Written for FTMP by a Guest Blogger (copyright Assembly Testimony)

Liverpool Airport - Arrivals and Departures

There are many thousands of these daily, throughout the world. The population of this world is continually on the move; some journeys are short while others are ‘long-haul’. Some take us to a nearby village while others carry us to distant countries. Some are one-way while others are return journeys. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that, even now, as you are reading this article, there are scores, if not hundreds of travellers who will not arrive at their planned destination.

We are all travellers on the sea of life; carried by the restless tides of time inexorably to eternity, with but one of two destinations before us forever: heaven or hell. An interesting, two-part question was posed by King Artaxerxes in Nehemiah 2.6, "For how long shall thy journey be? And when wilt thou return?"

Annually, many celebrate the date they arrived in this world though none of us remembers that event. In Job 1.21 we read of that humble beginning, "Naked came I out of my mother’s womb …". We began to breathe the polluted air of this sullied environment and our journey on earth began.

In Luke 2.11 we read of the arrival of a unique Person on Planet Earth. "Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour which is Christ the Lord." That day was planned from all eternity. His birth was neither premature nor postponed; at exactly the hour God had predetermined, Mary "brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger." Luke 2.7. The Saviour remembers it well and the subsequent days He spent so profitably here for the glory of His Father.

In Luke 23.33 we read of His arrival at another place; Calvary, the place of His crucifixion. It too had been planned so that He arrived on the very day and date ordained of God. It could not be delayed or derailed; it must be on the day of the Passover for Christ was the Paschal Lamb by God appointed. Have you ever considered, my friend, that He went there just for you, to bear the fearful penalty of your sins and by His death, provide an eternal salvation for your soul?

It was for me, yes, all for me;

O, love of God, so great, so free;

O, wondrous love, I’ll shout and sing,

He died for me. my Lord, the King.

(J. M. Whyte)

A few weeks after that dread experience, He arrived back in His Father’s home and we who have trusted Him, await His arrival in the air to take us to be eternally with Him in heaven.

In Genesis 35.18 we read an interesting statement, "It came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) …". This informs us that death is not the terminus, but a transition from here to eternity. In Luke 16.19-23 we read of two men, representatives of the entire human race, who left this world and arrived in eternity; one in heaven and the other in hell. Where they arrived, has become their endless and changeless abode. They cannot reverse the change and they cannot now opt for the other destination; their choice is irrevocable. In the past hour, thousands have arrived similarly in their chosen, eternal destination. We will all, without exception, arrive there one day.

Most of us will depart this life, suddenly and unexpectedly but our arrival in eternity is beyond all doubt. In love to your undying soul, I ask you, "Eternity, where?"

Trust Christ and enjoy the confidence of the apostle Paul, "… having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better" Philippians 1.23.

Written by Assembly Testimony Publishing as a Guest Blogger

For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Christianity Changes People!

TRUTH U CAN TRUST - DIRECT BIBLE QUOTATIONS - TITUS 2

Please read the bible quote and the comments at the end - thanks.

¹ But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

² That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

³ The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

⁶ Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

⁷ In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

⁸ Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

⁹ Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

¹⁰ Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

¹¹ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

¹⁴ Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

¹⁵ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

A quick reading of this passage from the bible will immediately create the impression that being a Christian changes your life. If you are not a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ I am praying that God will speak to you through His word. If you would like more information have a look at other posts on this blog or access some of the other information through www.seekthetruth.org.uk.

Where can you hear about the bible? Here are some links for you to access this information.

I met a number of people today and had the privilege of chatting to them about Christianity and the need to consider what the bible has to say.

I believe that the biggest issues in life need to be addressed immediately for a number of reasons -

• life is uncertain;
• death is a guaranteed event in all of our lives;
• everything we achieve in this life is only for this life;
• our sin and wrong will catch up with us one day and the final one (there are many more);
• the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ cannot be ignored. 

H G Wells, that famous English writer,  once said "I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history." Quite a statement and one that demands that we consider who Jesus was/is, what his claims are and the effect that ignoring what he said will have on our lives.

This is a reminder of where to find the bible podcasts, videos and blogs that I write and post on a regular basis.

Bible Podcasts (audio talks) - type www.seekthetruth.org.uk into the address bar on your internet search and listen to or download some of the audio messages.

Blogs (written articles) - you are reading one and can come back to read more at any time. Other blogs can found at http://liverpoolphotoblog.blogspot.co.uk/ or http://goodnews4liverpool.wordpress.com.

Radio Programmes - I record a 10 minute slot for internet radio every week. You can also listen to this on Mondays and Saturdays at 9 am and every three hours thereafter on www.vintageradio.org.uk. The program host is Ernie Hardwick and he kindly gives me a weekly slot on his program. Unfortunately I cannot tell where in the hour I will be slotted in so if you are interested you would need to stay tuned in for the hour.

YouTube (Video Bible Teaching and explanations of Christianity) - If you are interested in Bible Teaching you should look at the videos I have recorded on YouTube. You can access by going to www.seekthetruth.org.uk and then clicking on the YouTube icon on the left hand side of the page (the picture above is for illustrative purposes only).

Have a great day,

Stephen

My week in Wallingford

I have been in Wallingford in Oxfordshire this week. A lot of the week has been spent in schools as well as giving public talks in the evenings about some of the big questions we ask in life. We have tackled issues such as: Why trust the bible? Who is God? Who are we? And last night, looking at life through God’s eyes! I don’t know about you but I feel that we need to discuss these questions as they are about the biggest issues we face in life. Don’t get me wrong I believe that there are many other massive issues that we face as a civilization such as terrorism, clean water, famine, HIV, cancer but there is a difference between the questions we have been dealing with and these other issues. The other issues are issues of natural and physical survival but we have been talking about matters of eternal survival. If we solve all the problems that we face on this planet (which would be incredible and worthy of a euphoric response) we are still left with these issues. Issues such as when life is over, what’s next? What if God holds us accountable for our choices and behavior? Who was Jesus, did he really come to tell us about God and to make the ultimate sacrifice to clear our guilt and give us eternal life? Why such intricate and detailed design in our universe if there is no original intelligence i.e. God.

I believe that God has spoken in His word, the Bible. It is not just the writing of men (2 Peter.1.21/2 Timothy.3.16) but the word of God which lives and abides for ever (1 Peter.1.23). It claims (and does) make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy.3.15).

As I close let me tell you about two sessions I had this week with teenagers about The Media and the Christian. As part of their class work they were asked if it was ok to mock and laugh at Christians. To my amazement the majority of them felt that it was not appropriate to mock a Christian's beliefs. They might have been saying that for my benefit but it was an opportunity to explain to them why I am not offended when people mock Christianity. I feel it gives me the opportunity to challenge what they say and to explain what I believe. It was a great opportunity to share the Christian gospel with these young people.

All in all, a very good week.

To read more please go to www.seekthetruth.org.uk and access podcasts and links to YouTube videos.

Stephen

Christianity under attack - listen to this. What do you think?

http://www.archive.org/embed/PodcastAudiosByStephenBaker/Christianity-under-attack.mp3

What is a Christian?

Can you be born a Christian?

Do you need to live to a certain standard and struggle to prove you qualify?

Can your parents make you a Christian?

Does the fact that you are born in a Christian country (so called) mean that you are a Christian?

Does going to Church or reading the bible make you a Christian?

Did I just make these questions up – no, I was asked them today by a girl in Liverpool when I was “street preaching’. She had been told that you became a Christian when you were christened and that if you are born in England you must be a Christian because it is a Christian country (that’s debatable!).

The bible actually says that a person is born into the family of God upon believing. The disciple John wrote in his gospel (John.20.31) ‘these things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ: and that believing you might have life through his name’. I would prefer to trust the teaching of a man who knew and loved Jesus than all the tradition that has built up over the years since then.

What about you, are you a Christian in the Bible sense of the term? It’s vital that you have the right answer!

Watch my latest video about building life on a good foundation at youtube through seekthetruth.org.uk.