Joy of Salvation: Longford Church 15/8/99
Open in prayer.
Introduce myself. From Manchester. Graduated from London last year. Year out with MCM.
Psalm 62: 5 - 8
ONE WAY: "Find rest, o my soul, in God alone"
There is only one way to be saved and get to heaven. Bunch of keys. I have many keys, but only one of them will unlock the door to my house. Jesus' death is the only way for us to be saved from the death penalty which we should have received because of our sins.
God gives us rest. Matt 11:28
STRENGTH: "He is my fortress, I shall not be shaken"
"He is my mighty rock, my refuge"
Storms yesterday. Life can sometimes be like that. Wind and rain battering us from all sides. Temptations. False teaching. Only God can shelter us from the storm. Wise and foolish builders - the only foundation to build on is God the rock.
Sum up salvation
TRUST: "Trust in him at all times, O people"
People let you down, but God never lets you down. 100% reliable. My old car. Never quite sure if it would get you there or not. God isn't like that. He always keeps his promises.
HONESTY: "Pour out your hearts to him"
Be honest with God. Personal experience - whilst working at the mission. Knew the fact that I'd been saved but didn't feel any joy. It was just a cold fact. Totally honest with God - told him that I didn't love him as much as I wanted to. He really blessed me and gave me a clear vision of himself.
We can't hide anything from God. In order to have a proper relationship with him we need to be honest with him and tell him everything that concerns us. When you pour out a jug of water, it all comes flooding out - there's no picking and choosing. So it should be with us and God.
Hebrews 12: 2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus"
So that we can see people and situations as God sees them.
Challenge - have you accepted Jesus as your saviour? Are you filled with the joy that the Holy Spirit gives? If there's anything you want prayer for, or anything you don't understand or agree with please talk to me or Dave or Jill afterwards. We are happy to pray with people.
Close in prayer.
Psalm 51: 12 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
