Friday, November 09, 2012

The Proclaimer, Autumn 2012


Magazine of Crosslanes Chapel

News of the Fellowship
Divine assistance in stormy weather
Feeding sheep or amusing goats - C. H. Spurgeon
The Mystery of Providence - John Flavel
Metrical Psalm 24 - Notes by John Brown of Haddington
I Love the Lord's Day - Robert Murray McCheyne
Have I no evening work for Jesus? - C. H. Spurgeon

Have I no evening work for Jesus?


by C. H. Spurgeon

"In the evening withhold not thy hand." Ecclesiastes 11 : 6

In the evening of the day opportunities are plentiful: men return from their labour, and the zealous soul winner finds time to tell abroad the love of Jesus. Have I no evening work for Jesus? If I have not, let me no longer withhold my hand from a service which requires abundant labour. Sinners are perishing for lack of knowledge; he who loiters may find his skirts crimson with the blood of souls. Jesus gave both his hands to the nails, how can I keep back one of mine from his blessed work? Night and day he toiled and prayed for me, how can I give a single hour to the pampering of my flesh with luxurious ease? Up, idle heart; stretch out thy hand to work, or uplift it to pray; heaven and hell are in earnest, let me be so, and this evening sow good seed for the Lord my God.

The evening of life has also its calls. Life is so short that a morning of manhood's vigour, and an evening of decay, make the whole of it. To some it seems long, but a four pence is a great sum of money to a poor man. Life is so brief that no man can afford to lose a day. It has been well said that if a great king should bring us a great heap of gold, and bid us take as much as we could count in a day, we should make a long day of it; we should begin early in the morning, and in the evening we should not withhold our hand; but to win souls is far nobler work, how is it that we so soon withdraw from it? Some are spared to a long evening of green old age; if such be my case, let me use such talents as I still retain, and to the last hour serve my blessed and faithful Lord. By his grace I will die in harness, and lay down my charge only when I lay down my body. Age may instruct the young, cheer the faint, and encourage the desponding; if eventide has less of vigorous heat, it should have more of calm wisdom, therefore in the evening I will not withhold my hand.

I Love the Lord's Day


by Robert Murray McCheyne

"The Sabbath was made for man"

DEAR FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN,-

As a servant of God in this dark and cloudy day, I feel constrained to lift up my voice in behalf of the entire sanctification of the Lord's day. The daring attack that is now made by some of the directors of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway on the law of God and the peace of our Scottish Sabbath - the blasphemous motion which they mean to propose to the shareholders in February next - and the wicked pamphlets which are now being circulated in thousands, full of all manner of lies and impieties- call loudly for the calm, deliberate testimony of all faithful ministers and private Christians in behalf of God's holy day. In the name of all God's people in this town, and in this land, I commend to your dispassionate consideration the following;

REASONS WHY WE LOVE THE LORD'S DAY.

I. Because it is the Lord's day. -"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice, and be glad in it" (Ps. cxviii. 24). "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day" (Rev. i. 10). It is His, by example. It is the day on which He rested from His amazing work of redemption. Just as God rested on the seventh day from all His works, wherefore God blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it; so the Lord Jesus rested this day from all His agony, and pain, and humiliation. "There remaineth therefore the keeping of a Sabbath to the people of God" (Heb. iv. 9). The Lord's day is His property, just as the Lord's Supper is the supper belonging to Christ. It is His table. He is the bread. He is the wine. He invites the guests. He fills them with joy and with the Holy Ghost. So it is with the Lord's day. All days of the year are Christ's, but He hath marked out one in seven as peculiarly His own. "He hath made it," or marked it out. Just as He planted a garden in Eden, so He hath fenced about this day and made it His own. This is the reason why we love it, and would keep it entire. We love everything that is Christ's. We love His word. It is better to us than thousands of gold and silver. "O how we love His law! it is our study all the day." We love His house. It is our trysting-place with Christ, where He meets with us and communes with us from off the mercy-seat. We love His table. It is His banqueting-house, where His banner over us is love where He looses our bonds, and anoints our eyes, and makes our hearts burn with holy joy. We love His people, because they are His, members of His body, washed in His blood, filled with His Spirit, our brothers and sisters for eternity. And we love the Lord's day, because it is His. Every hour of it is dear to us-sweeter than honey, more precious than gold. It is the day He rose for our justification. It reminds us of His love, and His finished work, and His rest. And we may boldly say that that man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ who does not love the entire Lord's day. Oh, Sabbathbreaker, whoever you be, you are a sacrilegious robber! When you steal the hours of the Lord's day for business or for pleasure, you are robbing Christ of the precious hours which He claims as his own. Would you not be shocked if a plan were deliberately proposed for breaking through the fence of the Lord's table, and turning it into a common meal, or a feast for the profligate and the drunkard? Would not your best feelings be harrowed to see the silver cup of communion made a cup of revelry in the hand of the drunkard? And yet what better is the proposal of our railway directors? "The Lord's day" is as much His day as "the Lord's table" is His table. Surely we may well say, in the words of Dr. Love, that eminent servant of Christ, now gone to the Sabbath above: "Cursed is that gain, cursed is that recreation, cursed is that health, which is gained by criminal encroachments on this sacred day."

II. Because it is a relic of Paradise and type of Heaven.-The first Sabbath dawned on the bowers of a sinless paradise. When Adam was created in the image of his Maker, he was put into the garden to dress it and to keep it. No doubt this called forth all his energies. To train the luxuriant vine, to gather the fruit of the fig-tree and palm, to conduct the water to the fruit-trees and flowers, required all his time and all his skill. Man was never made to be idle. Still when the Sabbath-day came round, his rural implements were all laid aside; the garden no longer was his care. His calm, pure mind looked beyond things seen into the world of eternal realities. He walked with God in the garden, seeking deeper knowledge of Jehovah and His ways, his heart burning more and more with holy love, and his lips overflowing with seraphic praise. Even in Paradise man needed a Sabbath. Without it Eden itself would have been incomplete. How little they know the joys of Eden, the delight of a close and holy walk with God, who would wrest from Scotland this relic of a sinless world! It is also the type of heaven. When a believer lays aside his pen or loom, brushes aside his worldly cares, leaving them behind him with his week-day clothes, and comes up to the and comes up to the house of God, it is like the morning of the resurrection, the day when we shall come out of great tribulation into the presence of God and the Lamb. When he sits under the preached word, and hears the voice of the shepherd leading and feeding his soul, it reminds him of the day when the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed him and lead him to living fountains of waters. When he joins in the psalm of praise, it reminds him of the day when his hands shall strike the harp of God- Where congregations ne'er break up, And Sabbaths have no end.

When he retires, and meets with God in secret in his closet, or, like Isaac, in some favourite spot near his dwelling, it reminds him of the day when "he shall be a pillar in the house of our God, and go no more out." This is the reason why we love the Lord's day. This is the reason why we "call the Sabbath a delight" A wellspent Sabbath we feel to be a day of heaven upon earth. For this reason we wish our Sabbaths to he wholly given to God. We love to spend the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is taken up in the works A necessity and mercy. We love to rise early on that morning, and to sit up late, that we may have a long day with God. How many may know from this that they will never be in heaven! A straw on the surface can tell which way the stream is flowing. Do you abhor a holy Sabbath? Is it a kind of hell to you to be with those who are strict in keeping the Lord's day? The writer of these lines once felt as you do. You are restless and uneasy. You say, "Behold what a weariness is it" "When will the Sabbath be gone, that we may sell corn?" Ah! soon, very soon, and you will be in hell. Hell is the only place for you. Heaven is one long, never-ending, holy Sabbath-day. There are no Sabbaths in hell.

III. Because it is a day of blessings. -When God instituted the Sabbath in paradise, it is said, "God blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it" (Gen. ii. 3). He not only set it apart as a sacred day, but made it a day of blessing. Again, when the Lord Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week before dawn, He revealed Himself the same day to two disciples going to Emmaus, and made their hearts burn within them (Luke xxiv. 13). The same evening He came and stood in the midst of the disciples, and said, "Peace be unto you;" and He breathed on them and said, "receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John xx. 19). Again, after eight days, - that is, the next Lord's day,-Jesus came and stood in the midst, and revealed Himself with unspeakable grace to unbelieving Thomas (John xx. 26). It was on the Lord's day also that the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost (Acts ii. 1 ; compare Lev. xxiii. 15, 16). That beginning of all spiritual blessings, that first revival of the Christian Church, was on the Lord's day. It was on the same day that the beloved John, an exile on the sea-girt isle of Patmos, far away from the assembly of the saints, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and received his heavenly revelation. So that in all ages, front the beginning of the world, and in every place where there is a believer, the Sabbath has been a day of double blessing. It is so still, and will be, though all God's enemies should gnash their teeth at it. True, God is a God of free grace, and confines His working to no time or place; but it is equally true, and all the scoffs of the infidel cannot alter it, that it pleases Him to bless His word most on the Lord's day. All God's faithful ministers in every land can bear witness that sinners are converted most frequently on the Lord's day-that Jesus comes in and shows Himself through the lattice of ordinances oftenest on His own day. Saints, like John, are filled with the Spirit on the Lord's day, and enjoy their calmest, deepest views into the eternal world. Unhappy men, who are striving to rob our beloved Scotland of this day of double blessing, "ye know not what you do." You would wrest from our dear countrymen the day when God opens the windows of heaven and pours down a blessing. You want to make the heavens over Scotland like brass, and the hearts of our people like iron. Is it the sound of the golden bells of our ever-living High Priest on the mountains of our land, and the breathing of His Holy Spirit over so many of our parishes, that has roused up your satanic exertions to drown the sweet sound of mercy by the deafening roar of railway carriages? Is it the returning vigour of the revived and chastened Church of Scotland that has opened the torrents of blasphemy which you pour forth against the Lord of the Sabbath? Have your own withered souls no need of a drop from heaven? May it not be the case that some of you are blaspheming the very day on which your own soul might have been saved? Is it not possible that some of you may remember, with tears of anguish in hell, the exertions which you are now making, against light and against warning, to bring down a withering blight on your own souls and on the religion of Scotland? To those who are God's children in this land, I would now, in the name of our common Saviour, who is the Lord of the Sabbath day, address

A WORD OF EXHORTATION.

1. PRIZE THE LORD'S DAY.-The more that others despise and trample on it, love you it all the more. The louder the storm of blasphemy howls around you, sit the closer at the feet of Jesus. "He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet" Diligently improve all holy time. It should be the busiest day of the seven; but only in the business of eternity. Avoid sin on that holy day. God's children should avoid sin every day, but most of all on the Lord's day. It is a day of double cursing as well as of double blessing. The world will have to answer dreadfully for sins committed in holy time. Spend the Lord's day in the Lord's presence. Spend it as a day in heaven. Spend much of it in praise and in works of mercy, as Jesus did.

II. DEFEND THE LORD'S DAY.-Lift up a calm, undaunted testimony against all the profanations of the Lord's day. Use all your influence, whether as a statesman, a magistrate, a master, a father, or a friend, both publicly and privately, to defend the entire Lord's day. This duty is laid upon you in the Fourth Commandment. Never see the Sabbath broken without reproving the breaker of it. Even worldly men, with all their pride and contempt for us, cannot endure to be convicted of Sabbath-breaking. Always remember God and the Bible are on your side, and that you will soon see these men cursing their own sin and folly when too late. Let all God's children in Scotland lift up a united testimony especially against these three public profanations of the Lord's day.

Metrical Psalm 24



Notes by Rev John Brown of Haddington

Probably this psalm was penned for use of the Hebrews, when David brought up the ark of God to Jerusalem, or when Solomon brought it into the temple, 2 Sam. 6, 1 Kings 8, in order to raise their hearts above their external ceremonies, to a reception of, and walking in Christ, who was thereby prefigured. Observe, (1.) Christ's kingdom of nature, comprehending the whole world and all the inhabitants thereof, ver. 1-2. (2.) His kingdom of grace in the nature of it; the gracious character of its subjects; and their charter to their everlasting happiness above, ver. 3-6. (3.) Under the figure of a call to admit the ark, we have a solemn summons, issued forth by God, for the heavens to receive Jesus, our glorious and almighty King, into their blissful abodes in his ascension; and for us to receive him into our hearts and societies below, ver. 7-10.

While I sing, let me be affected with the double claim the Redeemer hath on me as his creature, and as his ransomed one. Let me try whether I possess the distinguishing characters of a real saint; and whether I have received an abundance of the gift of righteousness, and of blessedness from the God of my salvation. Let me charge, let me rouse up all my inward powers, to receive Jesus Christ the Lord, as made of God unto me, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

1 The earth belongs unto the Lord,
and all that it contains;
The world that is inhabited,
and all that there remains.

2 For the foundations thereof
he on the seas did lay,
And he hath it established
upon the floods to stay.

3 Who is the man that shall ascend
into the hill of God?
Or who within his holy place
shall have a firm abode?

4 Whose hands are clean, whose heart is pure,
and unto vanity
Who hath not lifted up his soul,
nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He from th' Eternal shall receive
the blessing him upon,
And righteousness, ev'n from the God
of his salvation.

6 This is the generation
that after him enquire,
O Jacob, who do seek thy face
with their whole heart's desire.

7 Ye gates, lift up your heads on high;
ye doors that last for aye,
Be lifted up, that so the King
of glory enter may.

8 But who of glory is the King?
The mighty Lord is this;
Ev'n that same Lord, that great in might
and strong in battle is.

9 Ye gates, lift up your heads; ye doors,
doors that do last for aye,
Be lifted up, that so the King
of glory enter may.

10 But who is he that is the King
of glory? who is this?
The Lord of hosts, and none but he,
the King of glory is.

The Mystery of Providence

by John Flavel


“I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me” (Psalm 57:2)

The greatness of God is a glorious and unsearchable mystery. ‘For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great king over all the earth’ (Psalm 47:2). The condescension of the most high God to men is also a profound mystery. ‘Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly’ (Psalm 138:6). But when both these meet together, as they do in this Scripture, they make up a matchless mystery. Here we find the most high God performing all things for a poor distressed creature.

It is the great support and solace of the saints in all the distresses that befall them here, that there is a wise Spirit sitting in all the wheels of motion, and governing the most eccentric creatures and their most pernicious designs to blessed and happy issues. And, indeed, it were not worth while to live in a world devoid of God and Providence.

How deeply we are concerned in this matter will appear by that great instance which Psalm 57 presents us with. It was composed, as the title notes, by David when he hid himself from Saul in the cave. It is inscribed with a double title: ‘Altaschith, Michtam of David.’ ‘Altaschith’ refers to the scope and ‘Michtam’ to the dignity of the subject-matter.

The former signifies ‘destroy not,’ or ‘let there be no slaughter.’ and may either refer to Saul concerning whom he gave charge to his servants not to destroy him, or rather, it has reference to God, to whom in this great exigency he poured out his soul in this passionate ejaculation: ‘Altaschith,’ ‘destroy not.’

The latter title ‘Michtam’ signifies ‘a golden ornament,’ and so is suited to the choice and excellent matter of the Psalm, which much more deserves such a title than do Pythagoras’ Golden Verses.

Three things are remarkable in the former part of the Psalm: his extreme danger; his earnest address to God in that extremity; and the arguments he pleads with God in that address.

His extreme danger is expressed in both the title and the body of the psalm. The title tells us this psalm was composed by him when he hid himself from Saul in the cave. This cave was in the wilderness of Engedi among the broken rocks where the wild goats lived, an obscure and desolate hole; yet even there the envy of Saul pursued him (1 Samuel 24:1, 2). And now he that had been so long hunted as a partridge upon the mountains seems to be enclosed in the net. His enemies were outside the cave, from which there was no other outlet. Then Saul himself entered the mouth of this cave, in the sides and creeks of which David and his men lay hidden, and they actually saw him. Judge to how great an extremity and to what a desperate state things were now brought. Well might he say: ‘My soul is among lions, and I lie even among them that are set on fire’ (verse 4). What hope now remained? What but immediate destruction could be expected?

Yet this does not frighten him out of his faith and duty, but between the jaws of death he prays, and earnestly addresses himself to God for mercy: ‘Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me’ (verse 1). This excellent psalm was composed by him when there was enough to discompose the best man in the world. The repetition notes both the extremity of the danger and the ardency of the supplicant. Mercy, mercy, nothing but mercy, and that exerting itself in an extraordinary way, can now save him from ruin.

The arguments he pleads for obtaining mercy in this distress are very considerable. First, he pleads his reliance upon God as an argument to move mercy. ‘Be merciful unto me O God, be merciful unto me, for my soul trusteth in thee; yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast’ (verse 1). This his trust and dependence on God though it is not an argument in respect of the dignity of the act, yet it is so in respect of the nature of the object, a compassionate God, who will not expose any that take shelter under His wings; also in respect of the promise by which protection is assured to them that fly to Him for sanctuary: ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee’ (Isaiah 26:3). Thus he encourages himself from the consideration of that God in whom he trusts.

He pleads former experiences of His help in past distresses as an argument encouraging hope under the present strait: ‘I will cry unto God most high, unto God that performeth all things for me’ (verse 2).

In these words I shall consider two things: the duty resolved upon, and the encouragement to that resolution. 

The duty resolved upon: ‘I will cry unto God.’ Crying unto God is an expression that denotes not only prayer, but intense and fervent prayer. To cry is to pray in a holy passion; and such are usually speeding prayers (Psalm 18:6; Hebrews 5:7). The encouragements to this resolution are taken from the sovereignty of God and from the experience he had of His Providence.

The sovereignty of God: ‘I will cry unto God most high.’ Upon this he acts his faith in extremity of danger. Saul is high, but God is the most high, and without His permission he is assured Saul cannot touch him. He had none to help, and if he had, he knew God must first help the helpers or they cannot help him. He had no means of defence or escape before him, but the Most High is not limited by means. This is a singular prop to faith (Psalm 59:9).

The experience of His Providence hitherto: ‘Unto God that performeth all things for me.’

The word which we translate ‘performeth’ comes from a root that signifies both to perfect, and to desist or cease. For when a business is performed and perfected, the agentthen ceases and desists from working. To such a happy issue the Lord has brought all his doubtful and difficult matters before; and this gives him encouragement that He will still be gracious, and perfect that which concerns him now, as he speaks: ‘The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me’ (Psalm 138:8).

The Septuagint renders Psalm 57:2: ‘The well-doer saving me,’ ‘who profits or benefits me.’ And it is a certain truth that all the results and issues of Providence are profitable and beneficial to the saints. But the supplement in our translation well conveys the sense of the text: ‘Who performeth all things.’ And it involves the most strict and proper notion of Providence, which is nothing else but the performance of God’s gracious purposes and promises to His people.



Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats

by CH Spurgeon


An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years it has developed at an abnormal rate, even for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing, than hinting to the Church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them. From speaking out as the Puritans did, the Church has gradually toned down her testimony, then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses. 

My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the Church - if it is a Christian work why did not Christ speak of it? 'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature'. That is clear enough, so it would have been if He had added, 'and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel'. No such words, however, are to he found. It did not seem to occur to Him. Then again, 'He gave some apostles, some prophets, some pastors and teachers, for the work of the ministry'. Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people or because they refused? The concert has no martyr roll. 

Again, providing amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all His apostles. What was the attitude of the Church to the world? 'Ye are the salt', not the sugar candy - something the world will spit out, not swallow. Short and sharp was the utterance 'Let the dead bury their dead'. He was in awful earnestness! 

Had he introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into His mission, He would have been more popular when they went back, because of the searching nature of His teaching. I do not hear Him say, 'Run after these people, Peter, and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow - something short and attractive with little preaching - we will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it. Be quick, Peter, we must get the people somehow!' Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them, but never sought to amuse them. In vain will the epistles be searched to find any trace of the gospel of amusement. Their message is. 'Come out, keep out, keep clean out' - anything approaching fooling is conspicuous by its absence. They had boundless confidence in the gospel and employed no other weapon. 

After Peter and John were locked up for preaching, the Church had a prayer meeting, but they did not pray, 'Lord, grant unto thy servants that by a wise and discriminating useof innocent recreation we may show these people how happy we are'. If they ceased not for preaching Christ, they had not time for arranging entertainments - scattered by persecution they went everywhere preaching the gospel. They turned the world upside down, that is the only difference! Lord, clear the Church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her and bring us back to apostolic methods. 

Lastly, the mission of amusement fails to effect the end desired. It works among young converts. Let the careless and scoffers, who thank God because the Church met them half way, speak and testify. Let the heavy laden who found peace through the concert not keep silent! Let the drunkard to whom the dramatic entertainment had been God's link in the chain of their conversion, stand up! There are none to answer! The mission of amusement produces no converts. 

The need of the hour for today's ministry is believing scholarship, joined with earnest spirituality, the one springing from the other as fruit from the root. The need is Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt, that it sets men on fire. 

News of the Fellowship



Back In May we held our 161st. Church Anniversary Services. We were greatly blessed through the ministry of Rev Jeremy Brooks. Since then Pastor Brooks has been inducted into the pastorate at Catshill Evangelical Church. We pray the Lord would richly bless his ministry there. 

During this Queen`s Jubilee year, we have been greatly encouraged, to be able to distribute 100's of Bibles, Gospels and colouring books into 22 schools in the New Forest area. May the Lord continue to bless this endeavour and open many more doors of opportunity.  

For several years we have been door to door visiting in Fordingbridge. Now we are visiting in the Ringwood area beginning with the Wessex Estate in order to spread the glorious  gospel of our Saviour. 

Our open-air services have continued in Ringwood, on our last occasion, we were pleased to give away 10 Bibles. One boy although laughed at by his friends, stopped to listen to our pastor preaching the gospel, later he also came back to thank our pastor and was given a Bible. 

Regularly, Bible tables are set up in Fordingbridge and Ringwood. Bibles and free Christian literature are available to all who pass by. 

In August we held our annual fellowship outing. We went to Anderswood in the New Forest, and were joined with friends from Totton. A blessed time of fellowship was had by all. 

Our evangelistic autumn supper took place in September, and we were greatly encouraged by the numbers who attended. It was good to see people from other churches and a few from our own village. 

On October 5th. we joined with friends from other Churches to pray for the Church and nation. As a Church, we feel our absolute need to pray for our Nation. It is encouraging that many on the same evening, thoughout these Isles, are doing the same. 

The wedding took place on October 13th.  at Holywell Evangelical Church, North Wales of Mr. Mark Adamson and Miss Naomi Lowery. The Service was led by Rev. John Thackway, and our Pastor preached from the Song of Solomon 2:16, "My beloved is mine, and I am his". It truly was a blessed occasion, we pray God`s richest blessing upon Mark and Naomi as they share their future together here at Crosslanes. 

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Autumn Preaching 2012


God willing, the fifth Autumn Preaching meeting at Crosslanes Chapel will be held at 6pm on Saturday 27th October, at the church.

The preacher will be the Rev. Neil Pfeiffer, minister of Peniel Green Congregational Church, Llansamlet, Swansea, Wales.

Refreshments will follow the service.

Rev. Pfeiffer will also preach on the Sabbath (28th October) at 11am and 6pm.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Comfort

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God." Isaiah 40:1.

Delivered on Sabbath Evening, September 21, 1856, by the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon at Exeter Hall, Strand.

WHAT A SWEET TITLE: "My people!" What a cheering revelation: "Your God!" How much of meaning is couched in those two words, "My people!" Here is speciality. The whole world is God's; the heaven, even the heaven of heavens are the Lord's and he reigneth among the children of men. But he saith of a certain number, "My people." Of those whom he hath chosen, whom he hath purchased to himself, he saith what he saith not of others. While nations and kindreds are passed by as being simply nations, he says of them "My people." In this word there is the idea of proprietorship to teach us that we are the property of God.

In some special manner the "Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance." All the nations upon earth are his; he taketh up the isles as a very little thing; the whole world is in his power; yet are his people, his chosen, favoured people, more especially his possesion; for he has done more for them than others; he has bought them with his blood; he has brought them nigh to himself; he has set his great heart upon them; he has loved them with an everlasting love, a love which many waters cannot quench, and which the revolutions of time shall never suffice in the least degree to diminish. "My people!" 

O my hearers, can you by faith put yourselves in that number who believe that God says of them, "My people?" Can you look up to heaven to-night, and say, "My Lord, and my God: mine by that sweet relationship which entitles me to call thee Father; mine by that hallowed fellowship which I delight to hold with thee when thou art pleased to manifest thyself unto me as thou dost not unto the world?" Canst thou, beloved, put thine hand into thine heart and find there the indentures of thy salvation? Canst thou read thy title writ in precious blood? Canst thou by humble faith lay hold of Jesus's garments, and say, "My Christ?" If thou canst, then God saith of thee, "My people;" for if God be your God, and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special, peculiar favour to you; you are the object of his choice, and you shall be accepted, at last, in his beloved Son. 

How careful God is of his people; those of whom he says, "My people;" mark, how anxious he is concerning them, not only for their life, but for their comfort. He does not say, "strengthen ye, strengthen ye my people;" he does not say to the angel, "protect my people;" he does not say to the heavens, "drop down manna to feed my people;"—all that and more also his tender regard secures to them; but on this occasion, to show us that he is not only regardful of our interests, but also of our superfluities, he says, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people." He would not only have us his living people, his preserved people, but he would have us be his happy people too. He likes his people to be fed, but what is more, he likes to give them "wines on the lees well refined," to make glad their hearts. He will not only give them bread, but he will give them honey too; he will not simply give them milk, but he will give them wine and milk, and all the sweet things which their hearts can desire. 

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people;" it is the Father's yearning heart, careful even for the little things of his people. "Comfort ye, comfort ye,"—that one with a tearful eye; "Comfort ye, comfort ye,"—you child of mine with an aching heart "Comfort ye,"—that poor bemoaning one; "Comfort ye, comfort ye—my people, saith your God."

Monday, May 14, 2012

120th Bible League Anniversary

God willing, the 120th Bible League Anniversary service will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday 23rd June 2012 at Westminster Baptist Church, London.

The preacher will be Dr. Alan Cairns.

Dr. Cairns served for 25 years as pastor of Faith Free Presbyterian Church, Greenville, South Carolina, before retiring and being named Pastor Emeritus in 2007. Prior to coming to the United States, he pastored Free Presbyterian churches in Dunmurry and Ballymoney, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Dr. Cairns also held the position Professor of Theology in the Whitefield College of the Bible in Northern Ireland and lectured in what is now Geneva Reformed Seminary in Greenville. As both an author and expositor, Dr. Cairns is revered for his Christ-centered focus and gifts of scriptural insight.

Refreshments will be provided after the meeting

Latest online sermons:

Preached by Rev. Jeremy Brooks at the 2012 Church Anniversary:

If Jesus visited your church (Matthew 21 v12)
Quench not the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5 v 19)

Preached by Rev. Aaron Lewis on Wednesday 9th May 2012:

The doctrine of Justification

Thursday, April 05, 2012

Church Anniversary 2012

God willing, the 161st Anniversary of Crosslanes Chapel will be marked by a Service at 6pm on Saturday 12th May, at the church.

The preacher will be the Rev. Jeremy Brooks of the Protestant Truth Society.

Refreshments will follow the service.

Rev. Brooks will also preach on the Sabbath (13th May) at 11am and 6pm.

Listen online:


If Jesus visited your church (Matthew 21 v 12)
Quench not the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5 v 19)

The Proclaimer, Spring 2012



Magazine of Crosslanes Chapel

News of the Fellowship
Prayer for Church & Nation
Bible Distribution
Divine assistance in stormy weather
Psalm 19 with Notes by John Brown of Haddington
Duties after the Lord's Supper, by John Willison
C H Spurgeon Philippians 4 : 19

Sermon: C. H. Spurgeon

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19

I have seen the Christian man in the depths of poverty, when he lived from hand to mouth, and scarcely knew where he would find his next meal, still with his mind unruffled, calm, and quiet. If he had been as rich as an Indian prince, yet could he not have less care; if he had been told that his bread should always come to his door, and the stream which ran hard by should never dry – if he had been quite sure that ravens would bring him bread and meat in the morning, and again in the evening, he would not have been one whit more calm. There is his neighbour on the other side of the street, not half so poor, but wearied from morning to night, working his fingers to the bone, bringing himself to the grave with anxiety; but this poor good man, after having industriously laboured, though he found that he had gained little with all his toil, yet hath sanctified his little by prayer, and hath thanked his Father for what he had; and though he doth not know whether he will have more, still he trusteth in God, and declareth that his faith should not fail him, though providence should run to a lower ebb than he had ever seen. There is “the peace of God which passeth all understanding”.

I have seen that peace, too, in the case of those who have lost their friends. There is a widow – her much loved husband lies in the coffin; she is soon to part with him. Parted with him she has before: but now, of his poor clay-cold corpse – even of that she has to be bereaved. She looks upon it for the last time, and her heart is heavy. For herself and her children, she thinks how they shall be provided for. That broad tree that once sheltered them from the sun beam has been cut down. Now, she thinks there is a broad heaven above her head, and her Maker is her husband; the fatherless children are left with God for their father, and the widow is trusting in Him. With tears in her eyes she still looks up, and she says, “Lord, Thou hast given, and Thou hast taken away, blessed be Thy name”. Her husband is carried to the tomb; she doth not smile, but though she weeps, there is a calm composure on her brow, and she tells you she would not have it otherwise, even if she could, for Jehovah's will is right.

Duties after the Lord's Supper

A SACRAMENTAL CATECHISM by John Willison (1680-1750)

Concerning Duties Required after Partaking in Communion: part 2.

Q. What is that suitable frame and disposition of spirit which communicants ought to have when they rise and come from the Lord's Table?

A. We ought to come away from this ordinance:
1. In an admiring frame.
2. In a thankful frame.
3. In a rejoicing frame.
4. In a humble frame.
5. In a watchful frame.
6. In a praying frame.
7. In a charitable frame.
8. In a willing and obedient frame.
9. In a fixed and resolute frame.
10. In a longing and heavenly frame.

Continued from last time.

Q. Why should we come from this ordinance in a praying frame? Do we need anything more than God has freely given us?

A.1. Though all things needful are freely promised and sealed to us in the sacrament, yet we must continue to pray for the accomplishment of these promises, Psalm 119:49.

A.2. We must continue to pray for the Spirit's influences and grace to preserve in us that tenderness of heart, warmness of affections, and liveliness of frame which have been wrought in us by means of this ordinance, 1 Chronicles 29:18, Psalm 68:28.

A.3. We must pray for strength to keep the promises and pay the vows which we have made to the Lord at this occasion, and that God may save us from apostasy and backsliding, which our hearts are naturally bent unto, Psalm 17:5.

Q. Wherein lies that charitable disposition which we ought to have when we come away from the Lord's table?

A.1. In bearing good will to the souls of all men, and heartily wishing their welfare, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, 12.

A.2. In having a true love for all the members of Christ's mystical body and in bearing with them, though in various things they differ from us.

A.3. In readiness to relieve the poor and indigent according to our ability, Galatians 6:10.

A.4. In a disposition to forgive those who have been injurious to us. And surely all who have been sharers of God's mercy and grace in the sacrament will come away from it with such a charitable disposition.

Q. What is that willing and obedient frame which communicants ought to have when they come from the Lord's table?

A. It lies in these things:

1. In a grateful sense of the many ties and obligations we are under to serve Him.

2. In making it our great scope and design to approve ourselves to God in all things.

3. In making it our study to know God's mind and will, and what it is that is most acceptable and pleasing to Him.

4. In having a universal respect to all God's commands, and a readiness of mind for every good work.

5. In being active and zealous for the glory of God and the interest of His kingdom among men.

Q. What is that fixed and resolute frame which they ought to have?

A. It is the soul's deliberate and steadfast resolution to adhere to Christ, His ways, and His interests, in the midst of trials and difficulties. We must now be at a point in this matter where we are fully determined, by the grace of God, to look and to go forward in our Christian course, and that no solicitation or temptation shall move us either to look back or to draw back, but that with purpose of heart we will cleave unto the Lord, Psalm 119:30-31, 115, Acts 11:23.

Q. What is the longing and heavenly frame which we ought to have when we come from the Lord's table?

A. It consists in these things:

1. In a firm belief in Christ's second coming, and in the life everlasting.

2. In a lively meditation upon Christ's coming and future glory.

3. In an earnest looking for that blessed hope, and a joyful expectation of the glory to be revealed, Titus 2:13, Romans 5:2.

4. In a constant watching and preparing for the coming of the Bridegroom, Luke 12:36-37.

Q. Are not our hearts prone to lose their tenderness and spirituality after the sacrament? How the shall we retain our liveliness, and keep up in some measure our communion frame even when the communion is over?

A.1. We must have deep impressions of the treachery and falseness of our hearts, and of their woeful, natural bias to depart from God and turn carnal, Hosea 11:7.

A.2. We must be humbled under a sense of our own weakness and insufficiency to preserve our spiritual life, or too humbled as to think a good thought of ourselves; for God gives grace to such humble souls, 1 Peter 5:5.

A.3. We should be keeping up a constant thankful sense of God's kindness to us at the sacrament, and be frequently praising Him for it; and this is an excellent way to engage the continuance of His mercies, Psalm 67:5-6.

A.4. We should be frequently thinking on these affecting sights which we saw at the Lord's table, and study to keep up the impression thereof on our minds. I made mention of these sights before.

A.5. Let us study and learn the art of deriving life and influences from Jesus Christ by a constant and believing dependence upon Him as our Fountain of life and Head of influences, John 10:10.

A.6. Let us watch over our hearts and frames with much holy suspicion and jealousy lest Satan, the world, or our lusts should rob us of the spiritual treasure we have gotten. And especially let us watch against the first declining of the heart and beginning of deadness, and presently cry to the Lord for help and quickening.

A.7. Let us be much in secret prayer, pleading with God for the constant supplies of His Spirit, which are the fire that alone only maintain warmness and liveliness of frame in our souls against all the cold blasts of the devil and the world.

A.8. Let us delight in the company and conversation of lively Christians; for one coal makes another to burn, Hebrews 10:24.

A.9. Let us delight in attending sacrament occasions, and be still longing for the returns of this quickening ordinance, and for the Lord`s special presence therein.

A.10. Lastly, let us always guard against those things that tend to deaden our hearts or that may occasion the losing of our frames. And these I mentioned before when treating the causes of spiritual deadness.

Metrical Psalm 19

Notes by Rev John Brown Haddington

Psalm 19 ,To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

Now the books of God are opened, not for my trial and condemnation in the last judgment, but for my instruction. Let my soul look and read therein (1.) The book of creation and providence, in which all the works of God instruct mankind in general, concerning the eternal wisdom, power and goodness, of their Maker, ver. 1-6. (2.) The book of inspiration; the sure, the right, the pure, the true, the perfect and powerful oracles of which instruct, convert, comfort, and warm the members of the church; and in keeping of which there is an exceeding great and everlasting reward of glory obtained, ver. 7-11. (3.) What conviction of sin! what supplication for pardon of it, and preservation from it! and for the acceptance of our duties through Jesus' blood, doth or ought to ensue upon a proper perusal of these volumes of heaven, ver. 12-14.

While I sing these matters, let me, conscious of my own ignorance and folly, in all things consult the mind of God. Let me blush that my experience of the powerful influences of God's word is so scanty; and that in me, still dwell such fearful remains of sinful corruption. Let me cry mightily to God, for the subduing and destruction thereof.

1 The heav'ns God's glory do declare,
the skies his hand-works preach:
2 Day utters speech to day, and night
to night doth knowledge teach.

3 There is no speech nor tongue to which
their voice doth not extend:
4 Their line is gone through all the earth,
their words to the world's end.

In them he set the sun a tent;
5 Who, bridegroom-like, forth goes
From's chamber, as a strong man doth
to run his race rejoice.

6 From heav'n's end is his going forth,
circling to th' end again;
And there is nothing from his heat
that hidden doth remain.

7 God's law is perfect, and converts
the soul in sin that lies:
God's testimony is most sure,
and makes the simple wise.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right,
and do rejoice the heart:
The Lord's command is pure, and doth
light to the eyes impart.

9 Unspotted is the fear of God,
and doth endure for ever:
The judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.

10 They more than gold, yea, much fine gold,
to be desired are:
Than honey, honey from the comb
that droppeth, sweeter far.

11 Moreover, they thy servant warn
how he his life should frame:
A great reward provided is
for them that keep the same.

12 Who can his errors understand?
O cleanse thou me within
13 From secret faults. Thy servant keep
from all presumptuous sin:

And do not suffer them to have
dominion over me:
Then, righteous and innocent,
I from much sin shall be.

14 The words which from my mouth proceed,
the thoughts sent from my heart,
Accept, O Lord, for thou my strength
and my Redeemer art.

Bible Distribution

Distribution of Bibles and other Scripture portions in the New Forest Area.

Besides the TBS calenders that were delivered into the near vicinity of the Chapel, and the ongoing distribution of Gospels and TBS leaflets in the open air and local towns and villages, last year, for which, we give God alone the praise, we here at Crosslanes Chapel were able to distribute just over 150 Bibles to schools and individuals in the New Forest. With the help of the Wessex Auxiliary of the Trinitarian Bible Society our Pastor was able to give another 152 Bibles into three more schools in the New Forest, Bartley Junior, Brockenhurst Primary, and Milford on Sea Primary, schools.

Beside the Bibles that have gone forth into the schools, the chapel was also able to send over 1800 other TBS items including 120 large print New Testaments and 150 large John's Gospels.

Our Pastor, in delivering some of the Bibles and other items personally to the schools, had the opportunity to speak to over 800 Children concerning the Bible, and particularly the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are truly thankful to God for this opportunity the Lord has granted us, and we pray they many will be made wise unto salvation and come to faith in Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul wrote, in 2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

News of the Fellowship

We were very pleased to welcome Rev. John Thackway from Holywell Evangelical Church, North Wales to our 4th Annual Autumn Meeting. We were greatly blessed through the preaching of God's Word on the Saturday and following Lord's Day.

We were delighted to receive three new Members into our fellowship on 6th. November. They were Mr. and Mrs. Adamson and Mrs. Gould, all who were previous Members at Holywell Evangelical Church, North Wales.

The Annual Luncheon took place on January 12th. We were pleased to welcome friends from other Churches who enjoyed a lovely meal. Our Pastor concluded a happy time of fellowship with an epilogue from God's Word.

We are thankful for the contacts we have had here with a number of schools in the New Forest. For a full report please see the article on Bible Distribution. This year, for which we give God the praise, contact has been made with 12 schools so far. Each school has, or is, receiving a Special edition Queens Diamond Jubilee Bible. In total so far 210 New Testaments have been requested and are being sent into the schools. Along with this, a number of colouring books and bookmarks from the Trinitarian Bible Society. We are also encouraged that one independent school's headteacher, which was visited by our pastor, at the beginning of March, has requested that Bibles be supplied to the pupils leaving the school this summer. We do pray that these young people, aged 16, would be found reading the word of God and blessed by the Lord in their own hearts. We are particularly grateful to Mrs Dorothy Gould and others who have given their to time to prepare the orders for the schools.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Listen online

You can now listen online to gospel sermons on the following texts:
Luke 23 v 48, preached by Rev. Jeremy Brooks on 5th February 2012.
1 Timothy 1 v 15, preached by Rev. Aaron Lewis on 12th February 2012.
2 Timothy 4 v 6, preached by Rev. Aaron Lewis on 4th March 2012.

Thursday, March 01, 2012

Divine assistance in stormy weather



But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Matthew 14 : 30 & 31

Dear brethren, we, in the providence of God, face difficult and testing times. There are seasons when we find our hearts overwhelmed, having sorrow within, each and every day. The Psalmist declared in Psalm 13 : 2 “ How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?” Our Lord said in John 16 : 33 “ In the world ye shall have tribulation:” However, be comforted for the Lord went on to say, “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Dear brethren, in difficult times, we need to look up to our God, to our Redeemer, and remember that is He over all, and He is working His purpose out for our good.

As we come to these words this morning, as a title to this devotional sermon, consider, 'Divine assistance in stormy weather.'

Peter here in the midst of a storm, with doubts troubling his heart, cried out the Lord for help, and through divine assistance was supported. Note that little prayer in this verse, “Lord, save me.” Though brief, it was to the point, earnestly uttered, and truly meant. The prayer was offered, and the Lord hearing his prayer, came to his aid. Having brought him safely into the ship, and causing also the winds to cease, he along with the other disciples was brought safely to the other side. Oh dear brethren, when in straits cry earnestly, from the depths of your heart, unto the Lord for help.

In Psalm 107 : 25 - 28 we read, “For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.”

On a certain occasion, after the feeding of the 5000, our Lord “constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.”

The disciples, having been constrained to do so, entered the ship and made their journey, which, would take them direct into the pathway of a storm. Now, if you go down with me to verse 24, there we read, “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” Those experienced fisherman were confronted with a storm, but oh see here this morning there was divine assistance awaiting them.

Now as we view this scene here, consider with me

1stly Sent into the pathway of a storm.

“ And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.”

Here we are told, He constrained them, that is to necessitate, or compel.

Now, it is very important to recognise that: They must go! My dear friends, there are certain storms we must face. Sometimes, in His providence, the Lord preserves us from some difficulty; we can look back, and consider such times when we were persevered from entering some difficulty. However, at others times, in His providence, He sends us straight into the pathway of some storm.

We see this clearly in Psalm 107 : 25 “For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.” My dear brethren, we begin here; all things are in His providence, there is nothing outside His most holy and wise providence.; It extends to all. In the Westminster Shorter Catechism we read, “God’s works of providence are, his most holy,wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.”

Dear brethren, the storms we face are all in His providence. He has willed them, He has ordered them. Joseph recognised that God was over the difficult and trying situations which he faced because of what his brothers had done.

In Genesis 45 : 4 – 8 “And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”

Note those words, “God sent me!” Although it can be difficult, recognise God's hand in it.

“For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.” He is over all. Samuel Rutherford wrote, “There is no cross or misery that befalls the church of God or any of His children, but is related to God” The Puritan, Thomas Watson wrote, “Whoever brings affliction it is God that sends it.” My friends, look to this truth, and submit to God, and to His providence. Now, some providences are dark and mysterious, and only in heaven may we begin to understand, but remember this, He is working His purpose out for our good. In Romans 8 : 28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” All things, not just the good things, all things, and why, because He so loves you, and desires your good.

Now, take comfort here, as God is in control, He will bring you through. as He did likewise for those disciples. In Psalm 107 : 30 we read “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” He sent, and so He will calm the storm and bring you through. It may be in this life we are brought to a place of calm, a place where we desire to be, and the trial is now behind us. However, consider further, one day He will bring us through them all. They will all be behind us when we reach the desired haven of heaven. Oh, what a blessing it will be, to be there; there will be no more storms, all will be calm, and most wonderful.

2ndly The Storm

Matthew 14:24 “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.”

The ship was tossed with the waves, the reason being, the winds were contrary. Down on the south coast of England there is a place of natural outstanding beauty, called Mudeford. At certain times of the day, the river that flows through that place meets the incoming tide of the sea. At that point the water becomes choppy, and a number of boats passing through, can often find themselves in a measure of difficulty. We face times when the going is not easy. May be it is some family difficulty, some personal trial, some difficulty in the church, or in the presbytery, or sometimes it may be a season when the devil is very active against us. Here below we face tribulation. This world is not heaven, here our joys are interrupted by sorrow.

Pain is known within, tears are shed, and even fear. In Psalm 107 : 27 “They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.” In the midst of a trial one may be at their wits end, knowing fear, even though they have known the Lord for many years. Consider the convoys crossing the Atlantic in the 2nd world war. Many a sailor knew fear in their hearts, not only because of the German U- Boats, but also because of the mountainous seas.

In a time of trial one may not sense the Lord's presence, one feels alone and prayer is difficult. However, take comfort, He is watching you. On this occasion, our Lord was not physically with His disciples to begin with, yet His eye was upon them. In Mark 6: 48 we read “And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: .” He saw them, He sees you, oh take comfort, He is watching you, and all your tears are all collected up in His bottle.

Note further here, He came to their aid. And spoke words of comfort when they were so fearful, thinking He was a spirit.

“And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” He saw them toiling in rowing, struck with fear, in such pity He came to their aid and spoke such comforting words. He will come to your aid! And in His time, will speak, for He takes such pity on you. Are we not dear brethren, so thankful, when the Lord speaks to our soul. In some difficulty, we may be reading the word, when we come across some verse or verses in which the Lord so speaks to us, and we find comfort within. Here He said “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Now, at this point in the storm, take note of the cautious request of Peter, after our Lord had spoken. Peter said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” It was a cautious request, however, now his faith was strengthened a little, and with His eye fixed upon the Lord, and through divine assistance, he was found walking on the water. Yet all was about to change; in verse 30 we read “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” Having taken His eyes off the Lord, and having them fixed on the storm, he began to sink. You may know what a sinking feeling is, and therefore identify yourselves with Peter. Suddenly, fear may come upon you, the clouds have gathered, and you sink into the depths. Recall that David, recorded for us in Psalm 130, was found crying out of the depths. Dear brethren, we face stormy weather.

3rdly An Earnest Cry to the Lord

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”

When you feel you are sinking, cry out to the Lord, “Lord save me,” “help me, deliver me.”

In Psalm 61 : 2 we read, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” In Psalm 107, verses 27 & 28 we read, “They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.” Listen to Spurgeon, “Though at their wits end, they had wit enough to pray.”

In Psalm 130 : 1 & 2, we read, “Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” Dear brethren, Cry out to the Lord. As you do, remember, He delights to hear, and loves to see, His children, doing just this, seeing their total need of Him. No matter how low you feel, or the situation you are in, cry out to the Lord. Octavious Winslow wrote, “Pray, pray, pray! Out of the depths of your difficulty, your need, your sorrow, cry mightily unto God. There is no depth too profound, no darkness so dense, no need so pressing or perplexity so great, but from it you may cry unto God,” He is able to help you in every trial you face, so therefore, earnestly cry out to Him, talk to God, and remember help is so near. It may be just a few words, but oh make sure you utter them!

4thly Divine Assistance.

Now we have already observed the power of Christ, firstly, in coming to them, walking on the sea, and then, secondly, in supporting Peter; so as to walk on the sea, however we are given other instances of His divine power in verses 31 & 32. “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” He supported Peter in the storm, and caused the wind to cease.

Are we not thankful for the gracious hand, or hands of the Lord. In the gospel, Christ hands were stretched out to us, and through the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit within, we received Him. How blessed we were, and how blessed we still are, for He stretches out His hand to believers when they are in straits, to help and comfort them. Oh my dear brethren, there is Divine assistance awaiting us in stormy weather; there will be support! In Isaiah 41 : 10, we read, “ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” “I will” saith the Lord, and so there will be help coming your way. There will be supporting grace, and in time, there will delivering grace.

Consider how He is able to support you through His word. The Psalmist gave this wonderful testimony, recorded for us in Psalm 119 : 49 – 50, “ Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” How the Lord can so take and use His word, what comfort we have from this wonderful book.

Dear brethren there is Divine assistance awaiting you, Divine power is ready to help and support you. Oh be comforted, His eye is on you and He will come to your aid. He will help and He will bring you through. Our Lord not only supported Peter, but also made the wind to cease, and so along with those other disciples Peter arrived safe on the other side. He will bring us through!

Now we must draw to a close, as we do so, note on this occasion our Lord's loving rebuke, recorded for us in verse 31. “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” His faith though it had appeared somewhat strengthened as he walked on the sea towards Jesus, appeared small when he saw the wind boisterous and whilst he was sinking into the sea. Our Lord said to him, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

My dear brethren, where there is but little exercise of faith, a loving rebuke like this is required. In Revelation 3 : 19 our Lord declares, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” He loves you, and He loves me, so He will rebuke us, however, consider also, because He loves us and takes pity on us, He will come to our aid. Divine assistance is awaiting you in the present storm and in the storms to come, He will not forsake you.

Let us be a be people who look up to the Lord by way of faith; let us rest in Him. The Psalmist said in Psalm 37 : 7, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him:” May the Lord help us to rest in Him whilst in stormy weather.

Dear brethren, we have been blessed in the gospel, and we are still blessed; God is a Father to us, Christ is a Shepherd to us, He will lead us to the green pastures and He will be with us in the valleys.

Amen