A FINE AUTUMN MORNING

AND

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

TO TALK ABOUT

JESUS CHRIST!

The town was moderately busy and some people took the time to speak with us.

Handing over the Good News

Park Street

The Ropery

The Locomotive was on time, and in a rush to be off:-

 

Steaming off .......

I’M GLAD TO SAY

THERE WERE SOME

PEOPLE WHO SPOKE

ABOUT

THE REALLY IMPORTANT

MATTERS OF LIFE.

Good News Table

I spoke with a couple from Bristol where the wife was a believer and the husband wasn’t.

We quickly agreed that we didn’t want to get into an argument, so I proceeded with caution.

Its always challenging to meet couple’s like this, and its usually the husband who is the unbeliever.

He made clear that he wasn’t anti Christianity, that he had no objections to his wife’s beliefs, but simply didn’t believe.

John’s gospel is clear concerning the tragic difference between believers and unbelievers, even if married!

John chapter 3 and verse 36 says:  “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

One enjoys a life which has been given by God and will go on forever, the other a life which will soon run out and suffer the indignation of God against their unbelief!

Few people realise the offensive nature of unbelief. God made all of us, provides a beautiful world for our enjoyment, sent His Son to break the power of sin, raised Him from the dead to establish His triumph over the grave, and yet many people audaciously thumb their nose at Him.

Men are easily offended and soon show their displeasure, just cut in front of another car and you’ll soon feel the heat of ‘road rage’. So foolish when you remember there are no perfect drivers.

God’s ‘wrath’ is the expression of a perfect being’s displeasure at imperfect man’s arrogant unbelief.

The sin of taking all the Creator has provided and misusing it, of knowing that Jesus Christ died to save and choosing to drown.

Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 3 says:  how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him?

1John chapter 5 and verse 10 says:  He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.

Those who ‘will not believe’ will find themselves in the most aweful predicament, shut up to suffer God’s wrath, forever!

As you might imagine, our conversation took on a serious turn for I soon demonstrated that his unbelief is a choice of the will, not a lack of information.

Tragically, man’s unbelief is the clearest evidence that he is a rebel at heart, not simply uninformed.

The Good News is that God has diagnosed man’s condition and personally provided the remedy.

His own dear Son has suffered the wrath of God on the cross at Calvary that all who believe might never experience the wrath of God, surely you must abandon your unbelief and cast yourself upon His mercy. TODAY.

Hebrews chapter 3 and verse 15 says:  “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

The overnight rain passed and left us with a pleasant October day.

We were only to glad to be out to publish the Good News again!

Sir Nigel graced us with his presence, even though he was creating his own black clouds!

Their were a number of people about, enjoying the brief spell of dry weather.

We were set up and ready to speak:

Ready and waiting.

Looking up Market Place

 The first lady to stop said she believed in God and Jesus but was interested in other religions also, especially Buddhism.

While this may seem attractive on the surface, any study of the many, so called gods, quickly reveals their total incompatibility.

In Buddhism there is no actual Supreme Being, no personal God, its actually a very ancient form of Atheism.

Life is about escaping suffering through spiritual disciplines!

The Christian Faith revolves around the existence of a self existing, personal God.

One who is pleased to reveal Himself in time, ultimately assuming real human flesh and suffering on behalf of His people.

Exodus chapter 3 verse 14:  And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

Matthew chapter 1 and verse 23:  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Mark chapter 10 and verse 45:  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

 There is no common ground between Christianity and Buddhism. Like all man made religion Buddhism is at best a self improvement programme and ultimately futile! The Good News Christianity brings is that of the Saviour God who does for us what we could never accomplish by our own efforts.

Acts chapter 4 and verse 12 is very clear:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Nick was able to explain to this dear lady that sin prevents us enjoying God’s presence here or hereafter. That if we are ever to know God and enjoy any assurance of His favour then one must be found who can remove our sin, cancel the record of our madness. That One Is Jesus Christ, and no one else, certainly not you or I with our imperfect ‘good works’.

Romans Chapter 6 and verse 23:  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you have been labouring under the delusion that all religions are equal, perhaps even ‘drawn’ to Buddhism, then you also need to be directed to the Son of God who willingly gave His life for the sins of His people, the one and only way to God.

John chapter 14 and verse 6 is quite clear:   I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Please contact us at:  ryedaleevangelicalchurch@yahoo.co.uk if you need more information or help.

A Fine But Cold Day, But Pickering is Packed with People.

Officially its 1943 and everyone is to dress appropriately!

An excellent opportunity to reach out and talk about the only lasting Peace Maker.

FIRST – SOME PICTURES:

If you can see yourself write a comment and we’ll send you information about finding peace with God.

Looking up Market Place

Looking Down Market Place

Smiddy Hill.

The RoperyBirdgate

While many reveled in the romance of the day, there were some who sought to speak of the reason men fight and the One who intervened to liberate man from its terrible grip.

Jas 4:1  Where do wars and fights come from among you?

Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?

Many stopped to talk, listen, and face the terrible truth that man is at war with God until he is given grace to surrender and believe.

Good news table.

 

The Home Guard

Our Group

 Nick Preached about the need to be rescued to an attentive audience.

Nick Preaching

Asking whether anyone on the beach at Dunkirk would refuse to get in a boat, he challenged all who heard about their refusal to be rescued by Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 1:21

  “you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

 

 

The weather is good today, visitors are fewer, but there’s plenty of opportunity to talk about knowing God through Jesus Christ.

Park Street and Station

The Ropery

Market Place, and yes, that's me.

Fire Brigade are out.

The Train is on time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But Much More Important, so are we!

Bringing words of light and truth to the dark world of Pickering.

Speaking

Waiting

 

My main conversations today were with two separate young women , both called Sarah.

The first one had no understanding of the Gospel, yet believed she ‘might’ meet God one day. Was she perfect? By her own admission she tried to be, but she knew she wasn’t.

Trouble is, God is perfect and His heaven is place for ‘perfect’ people.

Matthew 5:48  “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

I had the privilege of explaining that ‘perfection’ is God’s gift to those who hear and obey His Son:

Matthew 19:21  Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

 You must choose between your possessions and Jesus Christ, otherwise you become just like the the young man referred to above.

Matthew 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

The other Sarah, a young mother, knew that the Gospel were in the New Testament, but knew nothing of its message.

She stood and talked, grappling with what she was hearing about her personal sin and her need of a personal Saviour, she eventually gave way to her young man who insisted on leaving.

Reminds me of Felix when Paul sought to teach him the Truth.

Ac 24:25  Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

 DON’T PUT OFF TILL TOMORROW

WHAT GOD REQUIRES TODAY.

FOR MAN’S TOMMORROW

AND GOD’S TODAY NEVER MEET.

Duncan Matheson

Light and Life.

The weather  was a bit uncertain, but we managed to get out for an hour before the rain came down!

Locomotive

Though it was a ‘Steam Weekend’ and there was lots of steam and soot about, people were less obvious.

Market Place

Park Street

The Ropery

That's me at the table

Only one man stopped to talk today and he kept us busy for about 40 minutes.

An interesting discussion, it ranged from his conviction that we needed to find another word for ’sin’ because no one understood the word any more, to the merits of Barth’s theology which revealed itself in his conviction that the Bible became the Word of God when applied by the Spirit.  He told us that while we spoke of ‘grace’ he would prefer to speak about ‘peace’, he’d trained for the anglican ministry but believed in baptism by immersion, his favourite portion of Scripture was the book of James!

The many doors that opened gave ample opportunity to present Jesus Christ as the one who gives peace to those who confess themselves to be ’sinners’ and cast themselves upon His mercy.

GOSPEL PREACHERS ARE THE TRUE PEACE MAKERS.

Matthew chapter 5 and verse:

9  Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

Telling mankind how to find ‘peace with God’

Romans chapter 5 and verses:

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

That they might know the ‘peace of God’,

Philippians 4, verses:

6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

and thus calling all men everywhere to throw down their arms and end their war against God,

2Corinthians chapter 5 verse:

20  Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

GOOD NEWS INDEED!

Good News, free and satisfying.

Another Fine Saturday Morning. And what better way to spend it than making people aware of the amazing love of the God who forgives sin.

A Busy Market Place.

Park Street seems quieter.

The Ropery is quiet.

The gospel is spread faithfully here, whether there be few or many to receive it.

Graham, Vanessa and Nick, read to speak.

That's me, a clear picture this time.

My conversation with Mark.

Just as we were about finished setting up the table a young man called Mark engaged me in conversation. He was looking for information about places to walk his dog which we were able to furnish. But with it I offered a leaflet which asks, ‘Are you good enough to go to heaven’. Its a very useful tool in bring people to understand their sinfulness and the need of the Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Our conversation went round and round on the same subjects for about half an hour, so I was able to explain the gospel and the need to personally embrace Jesus Christ as Saviour. Mark left with a collection of leaflets, may it be the pleasure of God to bring about his new birth.

Mark is typical of this sceptical generation. They know what they don’t want to believe and confirm it to themselves from a distorted understanding of the Bible.

His Argument was: Men Wrote The Bible, not God. - Now any Christian would answer that man’s involvement in giving us the Scriptures is only part of the story. 40 men did indeed record the words, but each of them was directed by God Himself. The unity of the Bible indicating that the one Supreme Being over saw those who wrote. Peter says this in his second epistle, chapter 1 and verse 21:

“prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

As Micheal Green explains in His Commentary:

“The word moved is a maritime expression (Acts 17:15,17) used of a ship carried along by the wind in its sails. The prophets raised their sails and God filled them, and carried them along in the direction He wished. … Revelation was not a matter of passive reception; it meant active co-operation. God did not use instruments, but men.”

“The Bible was written over a period of about 1,500 years by more than forty different human authors.

From a variety of backgrounds, including Joshua (a military general), Daniel (a prime minister), Peter (a fisherman), and Nehemiah (a cupbearer).

They wrote in different places, Different Continents And Languages

The wilderness (Moses), prison (Paul), and Patmos exile (John). Three different continents (Africa, Asia, Europe), and in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek).

The contents of the Bible deal with many controversial subjects.

Yet, the Bible is a unity.

From beginning to end, there’s one unfolding story -

God’s plan of salvation for mankind. “

From: Answers to Tough Questions What Skeptics Are Asking About The Christian Faith Josh McDowell And Don Stewart McDowell, J., & Stewart, D. D. (1993). Answers to tough questions. Originally published: San Bernardino, Calif. : Here’s Life Publishers, c1980. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Colder but fine, what a privilege to get out to speak with people about the only Saviour and their need of His saving grace in their lives.

Some views of the Town:

If you can see yourself, get in touch we’d love to hear from you. If you can’t see yourself, get in touch anyway!

Looking up Market Place

Looking along the Ropery

Looking along Park Street

Nick And Vanessa are Happy to Be Out Today:

Ready to Serve!

I even managed to get my picture taken

Passing out tracts

I Spoke With Three Believers Today:

Its a real delight to meet those who share the hope that comes from embracing Jesus Christ alone as Saviour.

Jude 3  Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

The first was Toby, a fine young man who was happy to have his picture taken.

Toby, with Locomotive in the Background

We very quickly found that we of one mind, I’d never met him before and may never meet him again as he was in town visiting family.

A simply enquiry as to whether he was ‘born again’ brought out a hearty ‘yes’ and before long we were talking about the Saviour and the need to speak of Him to the people around us.

The concept of being ‘born again’ lies at the heart of the distinction between real and pretend Christians. We know that as our natural birth gave us life in this world, the new birth gives the life of the world to come, right here and now.

A work of God, it opens the heart to love God and turns the feet to follow Jesus. As I didn’t decide to be born naturally, I don’t decide to be born again its the gracious gift of God.

These Bible Verses Explain What Happens:

John 1:12,13  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

1Pe 1:3,4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

1John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.

You are ‘born again’ when God the Holy Spirit gives you new life as you hear the word of God, this new life shows itself in that you turn from sin, to God and like a new born infant cries out, you cry out to Jesus to save you.

Jesus said its absolutely essential if you are to have any hope of seeing or entering the kingdom of God. There are some religious organisations which call themselves ‘churches’  where they say you are born again when a religious official says a few words over you and sprinkles water on your head, they didn’t get that from the Bible, you can’t trust those who add their own ideas to what God has said in Scripture. A very wise man called Agur once wrote:

Proverbs 30:6  Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

Have you been born again?  Is the new birth you describe the same as that which Jesus described to Nicodemus in John chapter 5, its for adults, not babies.

The second was a lady from Staffordshire, she introduced herself as  a Gypsy Believer.

Again we quickly found that we were of the same persuasion, she looks to Jesus Christ for Salvation and Rests in the Work He has done on her behalf. So different to religious people who invariably depend on their own efforts to satisfy the justice of God. Have you ever read these words:

Romans 5:1-4  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

To be ‘justified’ is to be declared not guilty because another has borne your punishment and reconciled you to God. He who has done this is Jesus Christ, the only completely innocent man to have ever lived. The only one who could therefore bear the punishment others deserve for law breaking. As man He stands in the believer’s place, as God the merit of His sacrifice is infinite and therefore sufficient to clear the debt of all who call upon Him to save them.

This is what separates Believers from those trapped on the treadmill of Religion, God has specifically said that Jesus came to set men free, not to entrap them with religious ritual as they strive to gain merit. Let the Bible Speak:

John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Romans 4:7,8  “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,

This is why we are out each week talking to people about the Good News bound up in the Person of Jesus Christ.

We want to tell you about HIM!

The third person, actually a couple who live locally, worship with us regularly. They are like family, born of the same Spirit, partakers of the same hope, we expect to live forever in the presence of God because of the great work which Jesus Christ accomplished by dying and rising from the dead.

Ephesians 4:4-6  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Weather’s fine but definitely cooler.

Still, the freedom to witness of the Risen Saviour gives ample cause to be out speaking to any who will hear.

Looking up Market Place.

Park Street

The Ropery

My First Conversation was with Bob.

A gentleman, who it turned was in his 80’s, he told me he hadn’t heard the Gospel since his childhood, in Sunday school.

Part of that slowly increasing mission field [especially here in Pickering] of older people. They’ve lived a whole life without God and have little sense of urgency about needing to prepare to meet Him.

Mt 24:44  “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Bob said he recognized life was a one way journey and that he was conscious of being statistically nearer the terminus than many others, but felt no need to get ready to get off!

He did take a copy of Ultimate Questions [You can have one too if you will just ask], I pray that the light of God’s glorious grace will shine into his heart.

Matthew records Jesus’ exhortation to get on the right road now rather than waiting till its too late.

Mt 7:13  Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
Mt 7:14  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The Locomotive is always on time.

Nick and Vanessa spoke with Linda

She took away the first of our recorded sermons, ‘Why You Can Trust The Bible’, you can have one if you request it.

Vanessa and I spoke with a Roman Catholic Couple From Leeds.

Quite firm in their commitment to Rome’s teaching, they resisted any probing questions with something like, ‘we don’t want to get into an argument’. Truth is neither did we, but we were persuaded that man will live forever in either heaven or hell, and that only Jesus Christ Himself can save you from the latter. For this reason we dare to cross the barriers of popular convention to press home the importance of knowing Him as Lord and Saviour. Churches can’t save, men can’t forgive sin, God can, will and does!

Acts 4:12  Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 5:31  Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

For this reason, God Willing and weather permitting, we count it a privilege to speak of Christ to all who will stop and listen.

Ready and Waiting!

1Corinthians 9:22  to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Another Fine Day To Be Out And About, But The Town Was Quiet!

Looking down Market Place

Looking up Market Place.

We were unable to be at our regular spot, so set up in the middle of Market Place.

Nick setting out the table.

Good News indeed.

Few people could be persuaded to stop and talk today, our hour had almost finished before Rosalind and Ralph gave me about 30 minutes of their time.

At times the debate was dramatic, but always friendly.

Here are a few BIBLE verses which clarify matters -

Matthew 7:13  Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

The last Word Belongs to Jesus:

John 10: 9  “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

Another fine Saturday

morning and we have

good news to share!

Table Set For Use.

Nick, ready to speak.

PEOPLE WITH WHOM WE SPOKE:

John Explains this in his Gospel, Chapter 3 verse 36

1Thessalonians, chapter 5, and verse 9

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

The 11 am locomotive draws attention.

If only people paid as much attention to preparing to meet our Holy God!

Everyone falls into one of the following two categories, the Good News, is that you can transfer from the first to the second, TODAY!

Revelation chapter 1 and verse 7  :

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Hebrews chapter 9 verse 28  :

Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Mark was the next person with whom I spoke. He was happy to agree to most of the Biblical truth that I shared with him, but kept saying that assurance of sin’s forgiven depended on whether you had enough faith. I happily explained to him that the object of faith was what mattered and not the amount of faith.  It isn’t a form of energy by which we save ourselves, but a resting in the promises and person of Jesus Christ to do for us what we could never do for ourselves. His philosophy leaves him and all like him on a merciless treadmill where you never know when enough is enough. Listen to the Bible:

Galatians chapter 3 verse 22 :

But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Romans chapter 10 verse 9:

if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Acts chapter 16 verse 31

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Nick and Vanessa explaining the amazing grace of God.

Finally, I spoke with Julie. She had previously received and read literature from us, and was happy to receive more. We pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to her, giving her the faith to believe and be saved.

Saving faith may thus be defined as a voluntary turning from all hope and grounds based on self merit, and assuming an attitude of expectancy toward God, trusting Him to do a perfect saving work based only on the merit of Christ. L. S. Chafer, True Evangelism, pp. 55–6 Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn’t you then first discover how much you really trusted it? C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

Market Place

Can you see yourself? Write and let us know, well send you a gift.

Park Street