Earlier this year, the 75th Bible-teaching weekend in Northumberland - sponsored by Longhorsley Mission Free Church (celebrating its 150th year) - took place.
It was marked by preaching of a kind some said they had not heard for many years.
Andrew Lucas, of Omagh Evangelical Presbyterian Church, took us to two Psalms. Psalm 63 teaches us three vital lessons about desiring God:
- We are to desire Him for who He is rather than for what He can do (verse 1)
- Those who fear God enjoy the greatest satisfaction (verse 5)
- We can be confident of His blessing both in the present and in the future (verses 7-11)
In Psalm 73 we see Asaph not in a good place. He struggled to see why the godly suffer whilst the ungodly prosper. But God is good to His people (verse 1). He discovered that afresh when he drew near to God (verse 16). His questions were answered. He knew God’s guidance. He knew God as his refuge. And he was inspired to tell others of how good God is.
Mark Fisher, of East Hanney Chapel, Oxfordshire, expounded two chapters of Revelation. In chapter 4 we see the exalted position God occupies. He is on His throne sovereignly ruling over all things for the good of His church and to the glory of His name. He displays why He is worthy of praise. He is the one before whom all living beings are to prostrate themselves in continuous sincere worship. Chapter 5 exalts the worthiness of Jesus, the Lamb of God. He reigns as King. He has redeemed His people and made them kings and priests. He is adored by angels, creatures and people.
I chaired the five meetings, taking attendees to Romans 5v6-7. There, the apostle Paul encourages us to be honest. In our fallen state we are godless, selfish and helpless. Yet there is hope. We have a Saviour who, at just the right time, died for us. His death is both penal and substitutionary. And we can confidently assert that in the gift of His Son God shows His love for us.
It was, indeed, an uplifting weekend.
