Bible reading (1 John 1: 1-7)
That which was from the
beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have
looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
(For the life was
manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that
eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
That which we have seen
and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and
truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And these things write
we unto you, that your joy may be full.
This then is the message
which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him
is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have
fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the
light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood
of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Introduction
Good to be here at
Milton Keynes sharing fellowship with you all today.
May the Lord’s Name be
glorified as we open and share His Precious Word.
FEM was and is called of God.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1: 9)
Our fellowship was founded in Heaven. It comes from above. Everything starts in heaven and FEM certainly did. It was founded in the heart and faithfulness of God.
It was called into existence from way beyond the clouds. FEM had and has a heavenly calling. It is a calling that magnifies the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not dramatize or glamorize. We do not engineer the work of the Holy Spirit by fighting over doctrinal controversies. In general terms we thank God that Calvin gave his Institutes and Wesley gave his Journals
We preach and glorify Jesus Christ He alone shed his blood on Calvary. He alone is the Saviour of men, there is no other Name given among men by which we can be saved. Our fellowship is with Him. God is faithful by whom you were called into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ. He alone is the living foundation of our fellowship.
FEM today extends the right hand of
fellowship.
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. (Galatians 2:9)
Eyes meet across the room. The JCJ fellowship was in session Paul and Barnabus faced the esteemed men deemed to be leading pillars in the early church.
Tension turned to trust, the distance between them dissolved. Grace was seen and received by all concerned. It was a positive meeting and it was a practical meeting. Things were said so that later from that meeting things might be done!
As it was yesterday at the JCJ in Jerusalem so it is today at the FEM in Milton Keynes
Today Terry Colin Andrew Morris and Steve receive their certificates diplomas and ministerial credentials. Brethren enjoy the moment for you have all studied and worked hard – dedication and application has been recognised and rewarded.
Perhaps you will be able to display it in your study at home as a reminder of this day and of your calling in the Service of the Saviour. May God mightily use you on earth as we make our way to heaven together!
We give you the right hand of fellowship.
The hand of the Lord is laid on every member and friend and visitor in this place now.
FEM is fellowship of the mystery.
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:9)
FEM is a fellowship walking in bright light.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 6-7)
John the loving disciple at one time a fisherman gives a decisive word of caution here. Could it be possible to have a head full of scripture and a heart full of sin?
Some have walked away from the Lord with a Bible tucked under their arm
No we walk in His brilliant light. The darkness is unable to dim that Heavenly light.
Around my little gold fish pond in the garden at home are some solar lights taking the
light from the sun during daylight hours and then shining out like warning beacons through the darkness of the night time. Darkness never prevents the light shining.
Gospel light is best in the dark!
The wonderful manifesto concerning the Kingdom of Heaven Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5: 14-16)
FEM is a Gospel (Evangelistic) Movement.
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (Galatians 3:8)
The gospel has been around a long time. The Old Testament is full of the gospel of Jesus – Messiah – Saviour - the Coming One – The Promised One.
The world waited for heaven to move.
The silence of years was broken by the scream of the baby. The cry from the manger announced the arrival of Jesus - the incarnation, the invasion the intrusion of divinity into humanity. The hands that made the entire universe now held pieces of wood in a carpenter’s workshop. He would with personal power and authority preach the Kingdom of God.
Jesus could jump well in these matters and he easily cleared the hurdles of the dispensationalist dogma. His was a new and living way. With a voice as clear as the note on the rams horn in the temple He was the way the truth and the life.
One cannot keep Jesus in any theological box neither can we keep Him in any book in fact in keeps jumping out of the Holy Bible into the hearts and life’s of people like you and me!
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (Matthew 9: 35-36)
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Now as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. (Mark 1:1, 14-16)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
FEM is an Enabling and Effective Ministry
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)
FEM has a whole range of continuing ministries.
Our present work is predated to 1896. We hold all previous members in high regard.
And pray that new friends will be added to take the FEM forward with new vision.
FEM Evangelical Academy gives students the opportunity to study and fit themselves for service for the Lord Jesus.
We publish a quarterly magazine designed for preachers and interested friends and members. It is aptly called ‘Sounding the Trumpet’ The magazine is entirely written and produced by FEM members. Copies available for you to sample. Take one as you leave the service.
Preachers serving local churches and visiting churches on invitation to do so.
Pastors with Churches and some of our Pastors seeking Churches,
We have Chaplains in Asda Supermarkets. Chaplains serving on the Railway systems.
We have Evangelists preaching the Gospel where ever they are invited.
We have Bible Teachers unfolding the Living Word of God
We have world wide internet ministries on our FEM Website
Also David Moody ‘Honest to God’
His ‘Encouragement Email’ is a popular and regular feature.
With Gary Hall ‘Living Word Bible Church’
Sony and kindle ebook reader contains a free library of 711 Christian books.
Again Ian Rowley with ‘Evangelistic Ministries’
My personal site ‘Colours of the Trinity’
These provide 24 hour ministry across the world.
FEM has a specially designated Facebook page access is for members only
Again some of our members have their personal pages for contact and witness.
Conclusion
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; (1Timothy 1:12)