Last week I was in Southport each day running a Street Meeting. The aim of the week's events was to bring to the folks in the main shopping area the message of the Bible, give the opportunity to listen, to ask questions, disagree etc.
Most of us will have a view about what we think of 'street preachers'. The reaction you get from people as they pass by is so varied. One lady clapped when I finished speaking (that doesn't happen often), some people start off annoyed by your presence but end up agreeing that the message of the Bible should be brought to people's attention - it's up to them to decide what they want to do with it. Some curse, swear and generally abuse. How do you react when you hear a street preacher? Do you feel they are forcing you to listen, do you find the message offensive or is it just annoying that these folk feel that they have to preach what they believe at you!
I am convinced that people need to hear that they have broken God's law, that they are in danger of eternal punishment and that God has provided salvation through the death of His Son, Jesus. What do you think?
When you read this please e-mail at stephen.baker1@virgin.net and tell me. I would love to hear.
Stephen
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Happiness or Joy
When I was young I heard a man explaining the difference between happiness and joy; not that I was aware that there was a difference. Happiness he said was a response to the good 'happenings' in your life whereas joy was a deeper thing that did not depend on your circumstances being good.
What about you? Is it only when the 'happenings' in your life are good that you are happy or do you have joy no matter the circumstances. Now do not get me wrong we are not saying that we should be on a high all the time, or running about constantly laughing but I have met folks who had an inner peace, a contentment, a joy even when times were tough. The Bible says 'godliness with contentment is great gain'(1 Timothy 6.6).
There is an old prophet in the Bible (Habbakuk) and as he faced the downfall and distress of his people (Israel) he said these words 'athough the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; and the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD is my strength'. What a viewpoint! Everything goes bust, your world falls apart - yet you have something that outlasts it all - salvation. Have you got it? The word of God says you can - 'through faith in Christ Jesus'.
What about you? Is it only when the 'happenings' in your life are good that you are happy or do you have joy no matter the circumstances. Now do not get me wrong we are not saying that we should be on a high all the time, or running about constantly laughing but I have met folks who had an inner peace, a contentment, a joy even when times were tough. The Bible says 'godliness with contentment is great gain'(1 Timothy 6.6).
There is an old prophet in the Bible (Habbakuk) and as he faced the downfall and distress of his people (Israel) he said these words 'athough the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; and the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD is my strength'. What a viewpoint! Everything goes bust, your world falls apart - yet you have something that outlasts it all - salvation. Have you got it? The word of God says you can - 'through faith in Christ Jesus'.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sunny Scotland
We came up to Scotland for a few days to visit my parents. As we were going to Scotland we did not pack summer clothes and we were caught out. I was roasted in my jeans and heavy shoes. The weather was spectacular and we had a lovely time round the banks of Loch Lomond and Strathclyde Park. It would have been more worthwhile to have been well prepared. Thinking things through in advance has its advantages.
Moving into more important areas of life; how prepared are you spiritually? The Old Testament prophet Amos advised the nation of Israel to prepare to meet God (Amos 4.2). When I read and understand what the rest of the Bible teaches I find that it would be advisable for everyone to make preparation for their meeting with God. The Bible teaches that a Day of Judgement is coming (Daniel 12.12/John 5.29) and that all of us will be acountable for everything we do and say (Matthew 12.36). These facts alone raise very important and serious issues about how we live.
The gospel message explains that there is a way of escape from conviction by God. His just and legal sentence of the second death can be avoided if we follow the advice that is given in the word of God. It is as follows:
1. Consider and understand your guilt before God.
2. Confess your sin to God and agree with His sentence of death against us.
3. Consider the death of the Lord Jesus in payment for your sin. Rest on Him as Lord & Saviour.
4. Believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead three days after His death.
5. Accept Jesus Christ as the only saviour of sinners.
You can be saved if you come to God, turn from your sin and believe the gospel. I trust that you will know God's richest blessing.
Stephen
Moving into more important areas of life; how prepared are you spiritually? The Old Testament prophet Amos advised the nation of Israel to prepare to meet God (Amos 4.2). When I read and understand what the rest of the Bible teaches I find that it would be advisable for everyone to make preparation for their meeting with God. The Bible teaches that a Day of Judgement is coming (Daniel 12.12/John 5.29) and that all of us will be acountable for everything we do and say (Matthew 12.36). These facts alone raise very important and serious issues about how we live.
The gospel message explains that there is a way of escape from conviction by God. His just and legal sentence of the second death can be avoided if we follow the advice that is given in the word of God. It is as follows:
1. Consider and understand your guilt before God.
2. Confess your sin to God and agree with His sentence of death against us.
3. Consider the death of the Lord Jesus in payment for your sin. Rest on Him as Lord & Saviour.
4. Believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead three days after His death.
5. Accept Jesus Christ as the only saviour of sinners.
You can be saved if you come to God, turn from your sin and believe the gospel. I trust that you will know God's richest blessing.
Stephen
Friday, May 15, 2009
My week
I have had a great week this week - not that other weeks are boring. I went to Aberdeen last Saturday to speak at a conference. It was really encouraging to meet believers who are keen to be involved in what God is doing in the world today. We heard from Ian Burness of Echoes of Service about how God is saving people in other countries today and using them to reach their own people with the good news of God's saving grace. I was asked to tell folks about the work that I do pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ in Liverpool, the North West of England and further afield.
Sunday saw us start a Gospel Mission in Haydock near Liverpool. A friend of mine came up from Southampton to help me and this has really been a bonus. Another friend and I have been preaching at these meetings about God's plans for the future of this planet and for mankind. It is really exciting (and worrying at times) when you realise that Jesus will come again. The birth pangs of His coming could be taking place even now - economic turmoil, wars and rumours of wars, increased seismic activity in the earth's crust. The first thing that will happen is that the Lord Jesus will return to the skys above the earth and remove all the believers from the earth. This will be a silent coming but will no doubt cause great (if brief) consternation in the world. Jesus said clearly to His followers in John 14 'I will come again'. Other New Testament Bible references back this up. After His coming the world will be exposed to seven years of great trouble and turmoil. In the Bible the second half of this period is called 'the great tribulation'. This period of time will be preceded by apparent peace and tranquility. First Thessalonians chapter five states 'For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them'. The prospect of this is scary though not for the believer in Jesus Christ. If you are (or get saved) you will escape the wrath (anger) of God (see Romans 5:9). God is angry because of my sin and your sin but His Son, the Lord Jesus, died for our sins. Whosoever believes in Him shall be saved. We are accountable for what we do and God has defined what is right and wrong in His word, the Bible.
The future of our planet and the souls of those who live (and have lived) on it are in the hands of God. Today you can hear His voice, repent (change your mind, turning from sin) and be saved. Tomorrow may be too late.
May God encourage those of us who are believers to rejoice in what He has done and those who do not believe to 'call upon the name of the Lord'. It's not too late as I write!
Sunday saw us start a Gospel Mission in Haydock near Liverpool. A friend of mine came up from Southampton to help me and this has really been a bonus. Another friend and I have been preaching at these meetings about God's plans for the future of this planet and for mankind. It is really exciting (and worrying at times) when you realise that Jesus will come again. The birth pangs of His coming could be taking place even now - economic turmoil, wars and rumours of wars, increased seismic activity in the earth's crust. The first thing that will happen is that the Lord Jesus will return to the skys above the earth and remove all the believers from the earth. This will be a silent coming but will no doubt cause great (if brief) consternation in the world. Jesus said clearly to His followers in John 14 'I will come again'. Other New Testament Bible references back this up. After His coming the world will be exposed to seven years of great trouble and turmoil. In the Bible the second half of this period is called 'the great tribulation'. This period of time will be preceded by apparent peace and tranquility. First Thessalonians chapter five states 'For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them'. The prospect of this is scary though not for the believer in Jesus Christ. If you are (or get saved) you will escape the wrath (anger) of God (see Romans 5:9). God is angry because of my sin and your sin but His Son, the Lord Jesus, died for our sins. Whosoever believes in Him shall be saved. We are accountable for what we do and God has defined what is right and wrong in His word, the Bible.
The future of our planet and the souls of those who live (and have lived) on it are in the hands of God. Today you can hear His voice, repent (change your mind, turning from sin) and be saved. Tomorrow may be too late.
May God encourage those of us who are believers to rejoice in what He has done and those who do not believe to 'call upon the name of the Lord'. It's not too late as I write!
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