God's Word For You

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Why MERGER DEMO
is Jesus so important?
Last Updated Sunday, 05 November 2006

WHY IS JESUS SO IMPORTANT?© Rosemary Bardsley 2006

[Five minute mini talk on Colossians 1:15-17; could be expanded for full length message] HE IS THE IMAGE OF GOD

Colossians 1:15a. He shows us exactly what God is like: John 1:18; 10:30; Hebrews 1:3 HE IS THE FIRSTBORN OF
ALL CREATION

Colossians 1:15b. The biblical concept of ‘firstborn’ points to Christ as the One who is the heir of all things
and the One who is in the position of authority and pre-eminence over all things. HE IS THE CREATOR

Colossians 1:16a; John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2 HE IS THE GOAL OF ALL CREATION

All things were made for him .Colossians 1:16b HE IS THE ETERNAL, PRE-EXISTENT ONE

Colossians 1:17a HE IS THE COHESIVE PRINCIPLE OF THE UNIVERSE Colossians 1:17b.

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 God's Word For You

When We Suffer

WHEN WE SUFFER© Rosemary Bardsley 2006 INTRODUCTION

Life was meant to be easy, but our human choice in Genesis 3 brought sin and suffering into the world. We live today
with the results of that choice. Even when we turn to God and believe in him, life is not easy. Sin and suffering confront
us on every side. Trouble and tragedy and trauma hound our footsteps. Sometimes doubts creep into our hearts and
minds and whisper that maybe this whole thing about God is not true, or, that if it is true, it is simply not working for me.

God understands this vulnerability, this fragility, this heaviness of human life. Jesus himself said: ‘Come to me, all
you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest …’ [Matthew 11:28].

In the Bible we are given a sustained look into the turmoil that raged in the heart and mind of one of God’s people
who experienced every level of human suffering. BIBLE READING: Job 23:1-15 SUMMARY OF MESSAGE

Frustration, but also confidence

Comfort and sympathy

Control and completion

Application and adoration FRUSTRATION, BUT ALSO CONFIDENCE [1] Job 23:1-9. A fruitless and frustrating search for
God. God just doesn’t seem to answer.

[2] Job 23:1-9,17. Confidence, nevertheless, that God is there, that God does listen, that God will not condemn him, that
God is at work, even in the darkness. COMFORT AND SYMPATHY

[1] ‘He knows the way that I take’ [Job 23:10a] – God knows about it.

[2] He also knows what it is like – Hebrews 4:15 – 5:9 CONTROL AND COMPLETION

[1] ‘When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold’ [Job 23:10b]

[2] God will work his purpose out, even in and through our suffering [Job 23:13-16; Romans 8;28], even in and through
the evil intentions of Satan towards us [Job Ch 1 & 2; Genesis 45:7; 50:20]. APPLICATION AND ADORATION

[1] Hebrews 12:2-3 – Jesus Christ understands our troubles and completes his work.

[2] Hebrews 12:7; 1 Peter 1:6b-8 – God is at work when we are suffering.[3] The God of Job is also our God
– we cannot see him, but he knows, he understands, he is at work. Nothing can change his purpose. He will do in
us what he wants to accomplish. CONCLUSION AND CHALLENGE Hebrews 12:3,11-13

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 God's Word For You

When God Deserted Jesus

Last Updated Sunday, 05 November 2006

WHEN GOD DESERTED JESUS© Rosemary Bardsley 2006

[A five minute mini-message] SIN SEPARATES FROM GOD

Isaiah 59:2 JESUS TOOK OUR PLACE

2 Corinthians 5:21 JESUS TOOK OUR PUNISHMENT

Isaiah 53:4-6 THAT IS WHEN GOD DESERTED JESUS

Mark 15:34 CONCLUSION

Jesus Christ was rejected so that we could be accepted.

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 God's Word For You

Three Important Facts about Jesus Christ

Last Updated Sunday, 05 November 2006

THREE IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST© Rosemary Bardsley 2006 SUMMARY OF MESSAGE

Jesus Christ – the totality of God’s message

Jesus Christ – the divine Lord

Jesus Christ – the Head of the Church BIBLE READING: Colossians 1:28 – 2:15 INTRODUCTION

False teaching almost always minimizes Jesus Christ and his significance.

The false teachers in Colosse did it.

Contemporary false teaching does it. JESUS CHRIST – THE TOTALITY OF GOD’S MESSAGE The facts:

[1] Jesus is the focus of the gospel message: 1:28 – ‘We proclaim him’; see also Ephesians 3:8; 1
Corinthians 1:22-24; Romans 1:2-3a.

[2] Jesus is God’s long-hidden secret, now revealed: 2:2 – ‘the mystery of God, namely,
Christ’

[3] All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge of God are in Christ: 2:3. [Note also the connection between Christ and
‘all wisdom’ in verse 28.] The application:

[1] Paul stressed this truth about Christ because the false teachers were promoting the belief that Jesus was not the full
and final revelation of God, and that people had to move on from Christ to additional sources of revelation.

[2] Paul was anxious for his readers to look to Christ alone for knowledge of God [1:28; 2:2; 2:4] because it is only from
this knowledge that believers are built up and enriched with complete understanding.

[3] Paul used strong and urgent language [‘admonish’, ‘labour, struggling’] to communicate
his urgency in bringing people back to Jesus Christ as their sole source of knowledge of God. JESUS CHRIST –
THE DIVINE LORD The facts:

[1] The Jesus the Colossians had received was ‘Lord’ [2:6]

[2] The fullness of deity lives in Christ in bodily form [2:9; see also 1:15-17; 1:19]

[3] Christ has authority over every power and authority [2:10; see also 2:15]

Implications of these facts:

[1] We should depend on Christ alone for our spiritual stability and growth [2:6-7]

[2] We should reject man-made teaching [2:8][3] We should have confidence and assurance in the work of Christ for us
[2:9-15] JESUS CHRIST – THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH

[1] He is Head of the church because of his resurrection from the dead [1:19] which confirms his sin-bearing, reconciling
death [1:19-23].

[2] Because he is the Head of the church, the church should trust solely in him, and not in religious ritual or human
experience as suggested by false teaching [2:16-19].

[3] Because he is Head of the church we are subject to him, not to man-made rules and regulations as required by false
teaching [2:20-23]. CONCLUSIONSometimes it is difficult to recognize false teaching. In these chapters from Colossians
Paul gives us two key criteria: any teaching that lures us to knowledge of God additional to Christ, is false; and any
teaching that tempts us to trust in our own performance or experience, instead of Christ, is false.

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 God's Word For You

The Power of God

Last Updated Sunday, 05 November 2006

THE POWER OF GOD© Rosemary Bardsley 2006 INTRODUCTION

Romans 1:14-16. Do we see Christianity or the Christian message as a thing of power? Do we enjoy the power of what
God has done for us in Christ? Or are we ashamed of the gospel, ashamed of being known as a Christian? BIBLE
READING: Ephesians 1:15 – 2:7 OUTLINE

God’s power at work in Christ’s death and resurrection

God’s power at work in our death and resurrection

The implications of God’s power GOD’S POWER AT WORK IN CHRIST’S DEATH AND
RESURRECTION

[1] Jesus died: and the disciples felt: hopeless, despairing [the two on the road to Emmaus – Luke 24]; fear [they
all fled]; denial [Peter]; that it was all finished [they went back fishing.]

[2] But God’s power was in Christ’s death. John 19:10-11a; Revelation 13:8; Mark 10:45. This death was
no accident, but the eternal plan of God.

[3] God’s power in it all was demonstrated by the resurrection. It was mighty power [Ephesians 1:19]; resurrecting,
regenerating, life-giving power [1:20]; victorious, conquering power [1:21-22]. Compare Ephesians 4:8; Colossians 2:15.
Not even death is stronger that God’s power. GOD’S POWER AT WORK IN OUR DEATH AND
RESURRECTION

[1] We were dead: Ephesians 1:1,5; 2:2-3; Isaiah 59:2. A situation of hopelessness, despair, fear, helplessness, in which
we were headed for hell.

[2] God’s power works our resurrection. The same power that raised Christ from death raises those who believe in
him from spiritual death to spiritual life [Ephesians 1:19,20; 2:1-6]. God made us alive, God raised us up, God seated us
with Christ in the heavenly realms. IMPLICATIONS OF GOD’S POWER

[1] For Christ: complete and permanent victory and supremacy – Ephesians 1:19b-23.

[2] For the believer: The knowledge and confidence that our regeneration and redemption depends on this same
awesome power, and because of this, our salvation is as secure and permanent as the victory and supremacy of Christ.
Ephesians 1:18-19.

[3] The magnificence of God’s grace is demonstrated – Ephesians 2:7. CONCLUSION AND CHALLENGE

Romans 1:16. Is the gospel the power of God to you? Are you depending on this powerful and gracious action of God?
Or are you struggling and striving under the impression that you have to lift yourself up by your own bootlaces? That you
have to gain and maintain God’s acceptance by your own efforts.

It is God alone who can lift you up out of sin and death and grant you access into his presence. Recognize your own
weakness, and trust in his power. Recognize your sinfulness and trust in his grace.

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 God's Word For You

The Eternal Purpose of God

Last Updated Sunday, 05 November 2006

THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD© Rosemary Bardelsy 2006

[Alternative title: God’s Big Secret] INTRODUCTION

Talk about secrets.Refer to Luke 10:24 and 1 Peter 1:12b where we learn that prophets, kings and angels all knew that
God had a hidden purpose and wanted to know what God’s secret purpose was. BIBLE READING: Ephesians
1:1-14 SUMMARY OF MESSAGE: The will of the FatherThe work of the SonThe wealth of the children THE WILL OF
THE FATHER

[1] The impossibility of understanding God and his ways: Romans 11:33,34; 1 Corinthians 2:6-9.

[2] But God has revealed himself and his purpose: John 1:18; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Ephesians 1:9; 3:2-5.

[3] What is God’s eternal purpose? His big secret? To gather all things together in one in Jesus Christ, so that
there is one people of God: Ephesians 1:9-10; 3:6,9-12. THE WORK OF THE SON

[1] The human predicament: sinners, ungodly, powerless, God’s enemies: Romans 5:6,8,10; under a curse:
Galatians 3:10; cut off from God: Isaiah 59:2; dead in trespasses and sin: Ephesians 2:1; Romans 6:23a.

[2] The substitutionary death of Christ: he died for us: Romans 5:6,8,10; he became a curse for us: Galatians 3:13; he
bore the penalty of our sins: 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28. THE WEALTH OF THE CHILDREN

Those who believe in Jesus Christ are united to him by that faith. All of his perfect righteousness is credited to them; all
of their judgement was taken by him in such a way that his death is counted theirs. Those who believe in him have been
blessed with every spiritual blessing:

[1] Chosen before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in God’s sight: Christ is our righteousness: 1
Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; in Christ God regards us as holy and blameless: Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:22;
Hebrews 10:10.

[2] Adoption as God’s children: Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5.

[3] God’s immeasurable grace: Ephesians 1:6,7b-8; 2:7.

[4] Redemption – freedom: Ephesians 1:7: from condemnation: John 3:18a; 5:24; Romans 8:1; from the law of sin
and death: Romans 8:2; from the curse: Galatians 3:13.

[5] Forgiveness of all sins: Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 2:13b-14.

[6] The indwelling Spirit of God: Ephesians 1:13; John 14:16-23.

[7] A guaranteed and indestructible inheritance: Ephesians 1:11,14; Colossians 1:12; 1 Peter 1:4. CONCLUSION:

Embrace it: It was the will of God that Christ lived and died so that you could be reunited with God and blessed with
every spiritual blessing that he has to offer you. His purpose is for you to live with peace and joy in his presence, not with
fear of judgement. As Paul urged in 2 Corinthians 6:1, don’t receive this truth in vain. Rather let it impact every
moment of your lives.

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 God's Word For You

My God! My God!
Last Updated Sunday, 05 November 2006

MY GOD, MY GOD!© Rosemary Bardsley INTRODUCTION

We commonly give much importance to ‘death-bed’ requests or utterances. This message looks at the
significance of the last words of Jesus recorded by Matthew and Mark: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?’ Why did he ask this question? And what did he mean? BIBLE READING: Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
REJECTION

[1] By man: Isaiah 53:3 – compare: Peter ‘I do not know this man’ – Mark 14:51; Herod and
his soldiers ‘ridiculed and mocked him ’ – Luke 23:11. [2] By man: Isaiah 53:7 – compare:
soldiers – Matthew 27:27-31.

[3] By man: Isaiah 53:8 – compare: Luke 22:52.[4] By God: Isaiah 53:4 – compare: Matthew 27:43; 27:46.
REJECTION’S REASONS

[1] God’s purpose – Isaiah 53:10: ‘It was the Lord’s will to crush him’. Compare:
Revelation 13:8: the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’; Ephesians 3:11 – ‘according to
his eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus’.[2] God’s purpose in which Christ concurred: Mark
10:45; Mark 8:31; Luke 12:50.

[3] A penalty – ours: Isaiah 53:4-6. Compare: Romans 6:23.

[4] A penalty – ours, not his: Luke 23:20-22; Hebrews 4:15; John 8:46. REJECTION’S RESULTS

[1] The penalty paid in full: Isaiah 53:11b. Compare Romans 5:8; Galatians 3:10,13; 2 Corinthians 5:21;1 Peter 2:24.

[2] The purpose fulfilled – sinners can now be accepted by the holy God: Isaiah 53:10: Romans 8:3-4; Ephesians
1:4-5; John 1:12; Hebrews 2:10. CONCLUSION

God’s answer to Christ’s final question:

Christ was rejected: so that we can be accepted.

Christ was condemned: so that we can be acquitted.

God turned his back on Christ, so that never again will it be necessary for him to turn his back on us. Either we accept
God’s rejection of Christ, our substitute, or we ourselves are still rejected by God, both now and for eternity.

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 God's Word For You

Jesus Christ - the final revelation

Last Updated Sunday, 05 November 2006

JESUS CHRIST – THE FINAL REVELATION© Rosemary Bardsley 2006 SUMMARY

The commands of Christ assume it

The message of Christ expresses it

The nature of Christ necessitates it INTRODUCTION

Contemporary society rejects the idea of absolute truth that is true for all people, at all times and in all places. Much of
contemporary Christianity accepts the concept that there is still more revelation, rejecting the finality of God’s self-
revelation in his Son Jesus Christ. In this message we are looking at Jesus Christ, and asking the question: is Christ
God’s final and absolute word? BIBLE READING: Acts 4:1-21 THE COMMANDS OF CHRIST ASSUME HE IS
GOD’S FINAL WORD

[1] Jesus commands absolute devotion: Matthew 10:37-38

[2] Jesus commands unflinching commitment: Luke 9:57-62

[3] Jesus commands worldwide proclamation: Matthew 28:18-20 THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST EXPRESSES IT

[1] Jesus said ‘I am the way’: John 14:6; 8:12; 10:9

[2] Jesus said ‘I am the life’: John 14:6; 4:10, 14; 6:35; 11:25.

[3] Jesus said God sent his Son that the world might be saved: John 3:14-17 THE NATURE OF CHRIST
NECESSITATES IT

[1] Christ is the unsurpassable Lord of all: John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16-17

[2] Christ is the complete and only Saviour: 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Colossians 2:10a; Hebrews 12:2

[3] Christ is God: Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:15; Colossians 2:9; John 14:9; Matthew 1:23. CONCLUSION

Christ commands absolute devotion, unflinching commitment, worldwide proclamation.

Christ taught that he is the way, the life, God’s way of salvation.

Christ is by nature the unsurpassable Lord of all, the complete and only Saviour, God. Acts 4:12: ‘Salvation is to
be found through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be
saved.’

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 God's Word For You

I am not ashamed
Last Updated Sunday, 05 November 2006

I AM NOT ASHAMED …© Rosemary Bardsley 2006 SUMMARY

The nature of the gospel

The content of the gospel

The necessity for the gospel INTRODUCTION

Have you ever felt ashamed of the gospel? Wondering what people would think of it? … just a fairy tale? …
just religious mumbo jumbo? … not relevant for the real world? Do you ever wish you could identify with Paul who
said ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God …’? BIBLE READING: Romans 1:8-
18 THE NATURE OF THE GOSPEL – Romans 1:16

[1] The gospel is divine in origin: 1 Corinthians 2:7; Hebrews 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:20

[2] The gospel is powerful and centred on a powerful person – Jesus Christ: Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:24;
Romans 1:3-4.

[3] The gospel is aimed at salvation: Romans 1:16; saving people out of death [Ephesians 2:1], out of estrangement from
God [Romans 5:10], and into life [John 3;16], and intimate union with God [John 14:20].

[4] The availability of the gospel if comprehensive – available for all the world, both Jew and Gentile: Romans
1:16; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9.

[5] The promise of the gospel is limited to ‘all who believe’ – Romans 1:16. THE CONTENT OF
THE GOSPEL – Romans 1:17

[1] The righteousness of God – Jesus Christ: Romans 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-
26.

[2] Faith – Romans 1:17: a gift from God [Ephesians 2:8];

[3] Life: Romans 1:17; 1 John 5:12. THE NECESSITY FOR THE GOSPEL – Romans 1:18

[1] The wrath of God: Romans 1:18; God’s attitude to sin: Isaiah 59:2; God’s assessment of sin: Ezekiel
18:4; Compare also Romans 2:5-9; 3:19; Galatians 3:10.

[2] The sinfulness of man: Romans 3:19; Romans 3:20; Romans 3:13. [Examples: Romans 1:19-23, 28-31; 3:9-18]

[3] Hidden truth – Romans 1:18; Romans 1:21. [The proclamation of the gospel brings the truth to light: John 17:3-
5; 2 Corinthians 4:4,6]. CONCLUSION

Paul, knowing the terrible predicament in which the world lives under the wrath of God, and knowing the power of the
Gospel to liberate people, said ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel’. He also said: ‘I am obligated both
to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you.
…’ Do we have this same confidence, this same sense of obligation, this same eagerness …?

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 God's Word For You

Four Things God has Done

Last Updated Sunday, 05 November 2006

FOUR THINGS GOD HAS DONE© Rosemary Bardsley, 2006 INTRODUCTIONThe most important thing is not what the
world is doing, not what we are doing, but what God has done. Let us lift our minds away from the terrible things that are
happening in the world, away from our own personal successes and failures, and fix our minds on God and what he has
done, which is far greater than all the sadness of the world and greater than our own personal despair. In what God has
done we will find reason for a quiet and joyful confidence that will last into eternity. BIBLE READING: Colossians 1:3-14
OUTLINEGod has qualified us for his kingdom

God has changed our status and allegiance

God has liberated us

God has forgiven us GOD HAS QUALIFIED US FOR HIS KINGDOM – Colossians 1:12

[1] God did this at a time when we were not qualified: Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:21.

[2] This is only possible through the death of Jesus Christ: Colossians 1:12a.

[3] Jesus took our sin and guilt so that we can be credited with his righteousness: 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9;
Romans 3:21-22.

[4] Clearly nothing we do makes us fit for God’s kingdom. We cannot earn a place in it. We cannot purchase a
place in it. It is only because of Christ, and in Christ, that we are qualified to share in God’s kingdom: 1
Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 1:12. GOD HAS CHANGED OUT STATUS AND ALLEGIANCE – Colossians 1:13

[1] God rescued us from the dominion of darkness: from the tyranny of Satan: Colossians 2:15; from the darkness of
ignorance of God: 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

[2] God has brought us into the kingdom of his Son. GOD HAS REDEEMED US – Colossians 1:14

[1] The concept of redemption - freedom at a price: Israel redeemed from slavery in Egypt; payment of a ransom price
demanded by kidnappers; redeeming goods from a pawnshop.

[2] The price of spiritual redemption: Jesus Christ: Mark 10:45; 1 Corinthians 6:20a; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:18-19. GOD
HAS FORGIVEN US – Colossians 1:14

Forgiveness is a further definition of redemption.

[1] God sets us free: from the law of sin and death: Romans 8:2; from bondage to the fear of judgement: Romans 8:15.

[2] God cancels our sin debt through the death of Christ for our sins: Galatians 3:10,13 1 Peter 2:24.

[3] God erases the record of our sins: Colossians 2:14. CONCLUSION

All of this is not because of anything we have done, but solely because of the death that Jesus Christ died in our place,
as our substitute.

So, what do we have to do? What does God require of us? Mark 1:15: ‘The time has come. The kingdom of God
is near. Repent and believe the good news.’

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 God's Word For You

Christian Freedom
Last Updated Sunday, 05 November 2006

CHRISTIAN FREEDOM© Rosemary Bardsley 2006 SUMMARY

The purchase of freedom

The content of freedom

The freedom situation INTRODUCTION

‘Redemption’ = freedom at a cost.

Illustrations of redemption concept: kidnapper, slavery, pawn shop – all require the payment of a price before
freedom is obtained.THE PURCHASE OF FREEDOM

[1] Mark 10:45: ‘The Son of Man came … to give his life a ransom for many’.

[2] John 3:16: God so loved that he gave his Son …

[3] Romans 8:3: God … sent his Son … for sin. THE CONTENT OF FREEDOM [1] Freedom from sin’s
penalty: Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 8:1; Galatians 3:13

[2] Freedom from sin’s dominion: Romans 6:17-18; Ephesians 2:10

[3] Freedom from ignorance of God: 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; John 14:8-9; John 1:18; John 1:14

[4] Freedom from fear of God’s wrath: 1 John 4:16-18; Romans 5:1; Hebrews 2:15. THE FREEDOM SITUATION

[1] Not freedom to do as we please: Romans 6:1,2; Galatians 5:13

[2] Freedom to live as God intended: Romans 6:11; Colossians 3:3; Galatians 2:19

[3] Freedom to really love: 1 John 4:19; 1 John 2:5

[4] Freedom to reflect God’s nature: 2 Corinthians 3:18.

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