Pastor Richard Taylor at Hollybush

Ministry weekend at Hollybush

October 11, 2016

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Richard Taylor

Ive had the privilege of speaking at Hollybush Christian Fellowship for the last 14 years. This is a church set on a farm and pastored for decades by Pastor's Jim and Cynthia Wilkinson. Its a church that has seen many revivals in the past. My wife and I were honoured to minister on the Friday night and all day Sunday. I preached on the blood of Jesus Christ from Hebrew 9,10,11 and the impact was evident by those that responded to the message.

We had plenty of free time on Saturday and visited the beautiful city of York. We enjoyed looking around this historical town before relaxing at our hotel in the beautiful surroundings of Yorkshire at Solberge Hall.

It was exciting to have Jill my wife minister in prayer alongside me and we were so blessed see God at at work in people's lives. Here are some pictures of our weekend in Yorkshire.

Timing is everything

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted… a time to break down, and a time to build up. (Eccl. 3:1-3)

Our modern world has became an instant society and the art of waiting has became a stranger to most of us. The advancement in technology means that at a touch of a button we can access so much so 

quickly. There was a time when we wrote letters to each other and would patiently wait for a response! Today someone sends you an email or text and expects a response within seconds. Instant food, instant banking, instant shopping are all part of our daily world with the promise of fast delivery without delay. This too often has become a challenge to many as the very thought of waiting on God has become alien. The bible exhorts to wait on God and renew our strength, the Lord doesn't always work on our instant time but requires to wait and trust his timing.

Timing has to do with surrender

Can we truly wait on an unanswered prayer, a door to open or for God to deliver us from our present trials? Maybe God is revealing more about the condition of hearts and testing to see if we are surrendered in trusting him when there is no instant answer, response or reply.

God's timing is perfect because he knows the end game, there are times when we are not ready or God is wanting to teach us valuable life lessons. They key is not to get frustrated but keep trusting God in the waiting room.

There's one thing we have learnt as a family in the last few years and that to wait! It's no surprise that the bible tells us that patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. If we try and force what God hasn't endorsed we bring upon ourselves unnecessary pain and problems. 

Trust Gods timing, stay patient because He's faithful and knows whats best for us.

The Peace of God

When we read the New Testament looking to find Bible verses about peace, we find a specific greeting used sixteen times: “Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” This Bible verse about peace from 1 Corinthians 1:3  is found in several other locations. Yet, there is more to “Grace and Peace” than a simple greeting.

In all instances “Grace” is written first. God’s Grace always precedes peace, because true peace begins only when we accept the unmerited favor of God.  Understand Grace, and we know peace.

Grace leading to peace is amplified through Romans 5:1 (NIV):

Bible Verses about Peace: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What is peace? David Jeremiah says it well in Sanctuary.

Because the Holy Spirit is resident in the life of every believer, it becomes possible for every believer to experience peace. For those who have accepted the grace of God, we must now ask, “What exactly is Peace?” A person may grow weary of constant noise, and say, “I just want a little peace and quiet.” We understand what they mean, but the absence of noise is not peace. It would be great if there were no military conflicts, but the absence of war is not peace either. We understand peace when we follow the Bible verses about Peace. 

 

Peace is a product of God design.

 

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ — 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV).

Peace, like creation is not an accident. It is not a condition invented by psychology. God designed it, understands it, and gives it to those he calls.

 

Peace comes from knowing Jesus and is not linked to external circumstances.

 

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross — Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV).

True peace comes from a saving knowledge of Jesus. Peace was designed by God, and comes through the blood of Jesus.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV).

“Believing prayer ushers in God’s peace. Not a random, nebulous, earthly peace, but his peace. Imported from heaven. The same tranquility that marks the throne room, God offers to you.” – Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment Volume II

 

Peace is a vital part of our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. —  Galatians 5:22

Peace is listed in the top three characteristics of the fruit of the spirit. Without love, joy, and peace, there is little hope of accomplishing forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control. All of those characteristics are predicated on the love, joy, and peace of God.

The Psalmist agrees: “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other” — Psalm 85:10 (NIV).

 

Peace is not ours to keep, but ours to share.

 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God—  Matthew 5:9 (NIV).

The peace of God must be evident in us. Others need to see what we have and desire to have it. Then we must be peacemakers, able to share the love of God with a troubled world. Jesus follows with this statement: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” — Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV).

 

Peace is demonstrated to the world through a healthy Church.

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. —   2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV).

Church fights hurt the cause of Christ. To that end the Bible says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” — Romans 14:19 (NIV).

 

Peace is not determined by possessions, or circumstances.

 

The pursuit of peace is more important than the pursuit of possessions, money, or fame. Peace is not determined by where we live, or how much we own. Paul in Philippians 4 amplifies this statement, when he spoke of being wealthy, as well as being poor. He knew what it meant have it all, and to have nothing. In all of those things, he states:

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. — Philippians 4:9,12-13 (NIV).

Dr. David Jeremiah writes in Sanctuary, “All too often we lose our peace in the midst of tragedy and the circumstances of life. When we do that, we have nothing to offer a watching world. If a neighbor comes to us distraught over tragedy and finds us just as undone, what testimony have we given about the peace of Christ, which He promised? It is the Christians in a community who should be able to offer a word of encouragement and comfort during difficult times. But we can only do that if we possess the peace of Christ-that peace which He purchased for us at the price of His own blood.” 

God's Grace

To fully comprehend God’s grace we first need an understanding of covenant. Covenant in its simplest form is an agreement between two parties and usually sealed with a ritual or act of sacrifice. Biblical covenant is demonstrated throughout the scriptures when God made an agreement with man. There are many c!ovenants found within the pages of the Old Testament for example the ‘Abrahamic covenant’.

The Old testament is a covenant within itself it could be cold the Old covenant as God would give man a c!ontract of agreement and if we kept our part of the contract God promises to keep his.

The difference however is that God never breaks his agreement but we do. At Mount Sinai God give us the t!en commandments that became the basis of a contract with man attached to promises.

We broke our agreement and sinned and broke the covenant. This reveals that we could not and cannot k!eep the laws of God or the demands of scripture and fall short every time.

T!hat is why we were given a New covenant (NT). The bible says;

This Covenant of Grace is where God promises eternal salvation to Man based upon the sacrifice of Jesus

on the cross. 

This is called a Covenant of Grace because it is initiated by God, due to no part and worthiness of man, and is unmerited favour received from God.

In this covenant Jesus would become man (John 1:1, 18; Heb. 2:9), be the mediator of a better covenant (Heb. 8:6), and being under the Law (Gal. 4:4) fulfils the Law perfectly (1 Pet. 2:22). Therefore, the righteousness accomplished by Christ is given to the believer, so that he has the righteousness that is not his own but that of Christ (Phil. 3:9). 

The believer's responsibility is to have faith in the work of Christ (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9), a righteousness derived in the New Testament times by faith just as it was in the Old Testament times (Rom. 4:1-11).

The manifestation of the Covenant of Grace was progressively disclosed. It began in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned and God promised a redeemer (Gen. 3:15), to Abraham the promise to bless the nations (Gen. 12:2-3), the covenant of the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28), and believers in the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-37) which is fulfilled in Christ (1 Cor. 11:25).

The blood of Jesus

The Blood

Leviticus 17:11

Without blood there cannot be life in the physical body. That is just as true in the Bible. Blood flows through the Bible just as it does through our veins. The blood of Christ keeps Christianity alive. Someone has said, “Cut the Bible anywhere and it will bleed.” The blood is spoken of 427 times in our Bible, so it is easy to see, this is not a minor theme. Without the blood, the Gospel is dead and we are deprived of eternal life.

Jesus said, “For this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:28
Paul added, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no remission.” He also explained, “We have redemption through the blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:14.

Peter added, “We are not redeemed with silver and gold, and precious stones, but with the precious blood of Christ.”  Peter 1:18

Then John agreed with Peter and Paul, He wrote, “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 1:7

The early church understood the blood...the 22 sermons recorded by the four preachers in the Book of Acts all give the same message, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They understood that His death and the provision of “covering by the blood” was the essential ingredient of the Gospel.

Let’s put the blood of Christ under the microscope and do some forensic study...then we’ll get the complete picture—a portrait of the blood.

I. In Analysis: The Blood Is Perfect

The virgin birth of Christ established His righteousness. Judas cried out. “I have betrayed innocent blood.”

Paul explained, “For He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

Pilate said, “I find in him no fault at all.” John 18:38
Jesus Himself said, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” John 8:46

He was spoken of as, “Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:26 Again, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” I Peter 2:22
John added, “in Him is no sin.” I John 3:5

A natural father would have imparted the sin-nature of Adam to Christ and His death would not have provided redemption. The virgin birth is absolutely essential to the salvation of our souls.

The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was born of a virgin and did not have original sin. Matthew quotes Isaiah the prophet saying,

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Jeremiah the prophet had spoken years before on this. He said, “The Lord hath created a new thing upon the earth, a woman shall compass a man.” Jeremiah 31:22
It certainly was a new thing for a woman without a man to give birth to a child. The Adamic nature is passed to the offspring by the blood line of the man. There were no impurities in the blood of Christ. Everything about Christ was perfect including His blood.

II. In Application: The Blood Is Pure

The writer of Hebrews stated, “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:13,14

When the pure blood of the Saviour is applied to the sinner, it provides cleansing. John explained, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 1:7b.

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus What can make me whole again? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus Oh, precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow No other fount I know
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

Peter wrote, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things...but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” I Peter 1:18, 19

And because it is pure, it is purifying!

III. In Action: The Blood Is Perpetual

The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament were continuous year after year. The blood of bulls and goats provided forgiveness and pardon temporarily only because it pointed to the sacrifice of Christ and His blood being shed for the covering of our sin.

The writer of Hebrews speaks of Christ as one, “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first

for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” Hebrews 7:27

Again Paul tells us that it was, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12 Then again, “But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:26

The Bible states, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12

The death of Christ set into motion a continuous cleansing for those who trust in Him. We are given the gift of eternal life that He purchased with His blood. Thank God we are washed once and for all, forever.

The Bible speaks of the “blood of the everlasting Covenant.” Hebrews 13:20. Our faith in His blood is all it takes to settle it forever and ever.

IV. In Accomplishment: The Blood Is Powerful! The song writer wrote:

Would you be free from the burden of sin? There is power in the Blood
Would you over evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful power in the Blood
There is power, power wonder working power In the Blood of the Lamb

There is power, power wonder working power In the precious Blood of the Lamb

John wrote, “Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.” Revelation 5:9

It takes amazing power to do that! We are told that they overcame the wicked one, Satan, by the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 12:11

It takes a lot of power to do that, too!
False religion has always denied the blood and its power.

Mary Baker Eddy of the Christian Science movement wrote, “The material blood of Jesus is no more efficacious to cleanse from sin when it was shed upon the cursed tree than when it was flowing through His veins.”

R. B. Theime, a Bible teacher in Texas, declared, “The red liquid that ran through the veins and arteries of Jesus’ mortal body is not related to our salvation.”

Of course, these teachers and many like them stand in complete opposition to the Bible that declares, “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

V. In Acquittal: The Blood Is Permanent

Joke—woman at photography studio: “do me justice”/ photographer replied, you don’t need justice, you need mercy!

“Acquit” is a heavy word...it means to pay off, to free, to clear, to absolve. It has a far reaching meaning extending from the past all the way to the future.
Ill.—OJ Simpson was acquitted of murder, and it can never come back on him now in a court of law. Not even “new evidence” can be presented.

You say, yeah, but I don’t believe justice was done. Well, neither do I... but you and I are guilty and we know it...and we don’t want justice, we want mercy! And we need it to be permanent... sins forgiven AND forgotten! “His mercies are new every morning,” the Bible says.

Not only our past sin was covered but also our present and future sins are put under the blood when we trust in Christ as Savior.

Jesus’ blood cleanses from our past sins. Isaiah said, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” Isaiah 44:22 David spoke to this when he stated, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
He promised not to remember them again. “I will remember them no more against you forever.”

Jesus’ blood covers our present sins, both the sins of omission and the sins of commission. Whether it be things we ought to be doing and are not doing or whether it be things we are doing that we ought not to be doing. These are covered fully by His Blood atonement.

Jesus’ blood continues to atone for future sins. This is not to say we can just go ahead and sin...a truly saved person won’t have that attitude. But we can know that despite our very best efforts, we are sinners, and will yet sin, but we don’t have to get saved again. Do we need to confess it to God and make it right? Of course! As we continue to walk thru this life we’ll need daily foot washings, but praise God that one time “all over bath” secures us from all sin: past, present, and future

“The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 1:7 Jesus’ blood conquers all sin!

VI. In Appraisal: The Blood Is Precious

We love to sing, “Oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know. Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.”

Peter used the term precious to describe the Blood of Christ. He said, “But with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” I Peter 1:19

Recently I read a story of a very wealthy old man who had an elaborate collection of Van Gogh and Monet paintings. His only son shared his father’s interest in the rare paintings. They traveled around the world buying these painting wherever they could find them.

The son enlisted in the army and was placed in the medical corps. In a severe battle, while carrying a wounded soldier to safety, the son was seriously wounded himself and died. The mother was dead already and the news of the tragedy devastated the old father. He grieved in loneliness for months.

One day a knock came at his door and when he responded he found a young man with a package. The young man explained that he was one of the several soldiers that the son had carried to safety. Knowing of his interest in paintings he had painted a picture of the son and presented it to the father.

The painting was not rare but was very precious to the old man because it was a good resemblance of his son.

The man moved a very valuable painting from the mantle and placed the picture of his son in its place. Hour after hour he sat in a rocker and gazed up at the image of his beloved son.

When death came the art collection was put up for sale by auction. Hundreds of collectors came to bid. The auctioneer announced that the will stated that the picture of his son was to be auctioned first. A moan of disappointment could be heard from the crowd. “Let’s get on with the real paintings,” one was heard to say.

The son’s picture was held up and the auctioneer cried, “Who will give £100.00, £50.00, £25.00. There was no response. A kind old gentleman in the back asked, “Will you take £10.00.” “Sold,” said the auctioneer. “Good”, cried the crowd. “Now we can get on with the auction.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the auction,” announced the auctioneer. The crowd was puzzled and upset. Then the statement was given. The will declared that the son’s picture was to be sold and the person who took it would get all the rest. The old man who paid £10.00 for the picture of the son was suddenly amazed at the fact that he now owned all the valuable paintings.

When a person takes the Son of God, everything God has is included. We become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus. The precious blood has made it all possible.

VII. In Aggression: The Blood Is Protective

In Exodus 12 the blood was sprinkled on the door posts of the Jewish homes just as the Lord had instructed them. When the death angel came on that faithful night with the awful judgment of death to the first born the Jews were protected by the blood.

It was actually their faith that brought protection. They believed the Word the Lord had given to Moses. They believed it enough to act on it. By following the directions just as the Lord instructed they reaped a great benefit.

God had said, “The blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:13

We still speak of being “under the Blood.” The judgment will not fall on those who have placed their faith in Christ and accepted Him as their Savior.

If you have not gotten under the protection of the Blood of Jesus Christ, I beg you to do so now before the death angel comes to your house.

Do you get the picture today? Can you see Christ’s blood? More importantly, can God see it? If not, all He sees is your sin. Make sure you’re covered...one application will do!