Was Lazarus raised when the Lord Jesus Christ cried with a loud voice, or was he already alive and sitting up inside that tomb before the people standing by heard Him say a word? Read the tense in verse 41 — thou hast heard me — and then ask why a man already raised still had to be commanded to come out of the grave. He came out in the clothes of the dead, and not one of the mourners standing there moved to unwind him until the Lord Jesus Christ spoke again. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

The prophet Hosea's desire was for the nation to come back to the Lord and repent of their backsliding. He knew that God would respond by showing them mercy, if they truly repented. The same Lord Jesus Christ is calling all to come to Him and find mercy today!

This sermon explores the comprehensive nature of divine salvation through the narrative of Jonah. It highlights three key aspects: God's power to save those with little knowledge of Him, His ability to restore backsliding believers, and His resurrection of Jesus from the grave. The preacher emphasizes that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace, whether they are distant idolaters or deeply entrenched in sin. By examining Jonah's journey and its foreshadowing of Christ, the message encourages listeners to trust in God's saving power for their own spiritual renewal and eternal hope. View this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EuIlxfQEUM

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16) ~~~~ This service was taken on Lord's Day afternoon at Milward House Pilgrim Home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. ~~~~ The sermon considers Hebrews 11, focusing on the marks of faith common to all of the biblical figures who died trusting in God's promises without seeing their fulfilment. These marks are set out in Hebrews 11:13-16. The preacher emphasizes that believers are called to embrace these divine promises and live as strangers and pilgrims on earth, seeking a heavenly country rather than worldly attachments. The preacher highlights the solemn reality of backsliding while encouraging steadfastness through God's preserving grace. Central to this message is the assurance that God is not ashamed to be called the God of those who long for their eternal home. Ultimately, the text calls listeners to fix their hope on Christ and prepare to die in faith, confident in the city God has prepared for them.

The sermon examines Jeremiah chapter three to illustrate God's relentless pursuit of His people despite their persistent backsliding and spiritual adultery. The preacher contrasts the righteous reign of King Josiah with the unrepentant hearts of the people, emphasizing that national leadership does not guarantee personal righteousness. Key themes include the definition of true repentance as a change in behavior rather than mere emotion, the severity of sin, and the profound depth of God's mercy which invites return without immediate condemnation. The message concludes by highlighting the Trinitarian conversation in verse nineteen, where the Father and Son collaborate to bring Israel into a covenant relationship through Christ's sacrificial work.

This sermon defines sanctification as God's ongoing work of conforming believers to the image of Christ, emphasizing that spiritual growth is an inevitable result of genuine salvation. The preacher refutes the concept of a permanent 'carnal Christian,' arguing that while believers may backslide or mature at different rates, true regeneration always produces progressive holiness. By examining passages in 1 Corinthians and other epistles, the text demonstrates that every genuine believer is being transformed from glory to glory, even amidst struggles with sin. The message warns against the danger of false assurance, asserting that a lack of spiritual growth indicates a lack of saving faith rather than a unique category of Christian experience. Ultimately, the sermon encourages believers to pursue steady progress in Christlikeness, trusting in God's faithful work from conversion to glorification.

Bible Reading: Psalms 51;Hosea 14 1. Return onto the Lord. (v1) 2. Repentance. (v2) 3. Under the plea. (v3) 4. The Results. (v4)

Hosea tells the backsliding people of Israel in his day that their belief is like a half-baked cake.