Waterford Christian Assembly

The apostle Paul suffered incredible hardships for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a message that offended many people, and in fact had at one time so enraged him that he had been actively involved in persecuting those who accepted the gospel. But when he came face to face with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6), his life and energies were radically redirected to promoting the message he once opposed.

The word “gospel” simply means “good news” and St. Paul tells us that the message he preached is “the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). He wrote:

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. (Romans 1:1-4) More »

One of the great themes of the Bible is God’s love. Perhaps one of the best known verses in the Bible is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Let us note several things about this mighty love.

First, the source of this love is God. The Bible tells us that love is essential to God’s character. The Bible teaches us that one of the reasons we are to love each other is because God is love (1 John 4:7-11) and if we are born of God we share His nature. And because God is love, He took the initiative to love us when there was nothing loveable about us.

Second, consider the extent of God’s love: “God so loved the world.” I fear that many people don’t consider this remarkable. They are so familiar with the truth of God’s love that they somehow consider this His obligation to us as His creatures. But the reality is that while God is the Creator of all men, all men have rebelled against God and regularly ignore Him in their daily activities. Paul tells us: More »

The Bible claims to be God’s revelation. If this claim is false, the Bible is a fraud and should be rejected as a dependable moral guide. But this would mean we have no reliable information about what God is really like and what He expects of us. However, if this claim is true, and God has indeed revealed His character and purposes, and recorded them in the Bible, then we are obligated to hear what He has to say and to respond to Him. As the author of the book of Hebrews said, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks,” (Hebrews 12:25). So, let’s consider together three important issues:

Does it matter what you believe?
Many people are under the delusion that in matters of religion people are free to believe whatever they want and it doesn’t make any difference, as long as people are sincere about their beliefs. This indicates that either they don’t consider spiritual beliefs to be issues of truth, or else they don’t believe that truth is absolute. Indeed, it would seem that many people consider spiritual truth to be a matter of preference, no different than a favourite colour or flavour. “You like your religion and I like mine, so let’s leave each other alone.”

But the great issues that religion deals with are not in the same category as colours and flavours. They deal with the great philosophical questions of life: Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? What happens when I die? And these are issues that demand an answer founded on truth and reality, not on fairy tales or personal preference. More »

I have recently watched a few episodes of a program about Border Control in Australia. The Customs and Immigration officers have the difficult job of trying to determine whether the passengers arriving at the airport will be allowed into the country. Can you imagine having travelled thousands of miles only to be turned back at the airport because you don’t have the right kind of visa?

The majority of people in this country believe in heaven (though many question the reality of hell) and are hopeful that when they die, they will be granted entrance into heaven. Well, the consequences of being turned back at the gates of heaven are far worse than being turned back at the Australian airport. At least there you have the opportunity to return home. But if you get turned back at the gates of heaven, there is only one other option (whether you believe in hell or not!).

Do you know what visa you need for entry to heaven? Over the years, we have asked many people here in Waterford what they are depending on to get into heaven and one of the most common answers we’ve had is something like, “I’ve never done any harm to my neighbour.” Is that really the best you’ve got? If that is all that is required to get into heaven, does it matter what religion I am, or what I believe? If that is all that is required to get into heaven, then why did Jesus die?

Ultimately, your opinion or my opinion have no relevance to the reality of the entry requirement for heaven. It will do you no good to say at the gates of heaven (if you were even given the opportunity), “But I thought…”, or “My parents taught me…”, or “My priest said…” God has spoken and His decision is final. Ignorance of His Word is no excuse. (If you don’t have a copy, just ask, and we will be glad to give you a New Testament, free of charge). In fact, one simple chapter of the Bible will tell you what you need to know. More »

Valerie Everett /Foter

Perhaps you might think that it is your health. We tend to take our health for granted but when our health suffers, we suddenly realise how tremendously important it is.

Perhaps you might think that it is your financial well-being. In these days of recession and job losses, many are struggling to make ends meet. And even many who are better off have perhaps also experienced significant loss of revenue, or a declining retirement portfolio.
But are these really your greatest needs?

In the Gospel according to Mark we read of an unfortunate man who was paralysed. Unable to fend for himself, he was nonetheless blessed with caring friends who were willing to go to extreme lengths to help him. They had heard of the miracles of Jesus and thought that if they could bring their friend to Jesus, He would be able to heal his paralysis.
But when they arrived at the house where Jesus was, they couldn’t get near because of the great crowd of people pressing about Him. In their desperation, they decided that drastic measures were called for and climbed the stairs to the flat roof of the house and dug an opening large enough to fit his stretcher through. Then they lowered the paralysed man into the house. More »

Leo Reynolds /Foter

I have often thought that selling insurance must be a tough job. I hate to spend money for something that I hope I will never need, but on the other hand you don’t want to be caught without it when you do need it.

I also know from experience that talking to people about death is neither comfortable nor popular but we also know that it is something we will all face, hopefully later rather than sooner. But you and I both know it is an appointment we cannot avoid.

We do not know when our appointment with death will come but we do know that it will come. So doesn’t it make sense to prepare for the unavoidable?

The Bible tells us that not only is death an unavoidable reality but that judgement is also. “It is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgement,” (Hebrews 9:27).

It is becoming increasingly common for people to tell me that when you die you’re dead and that’s the end of it. This may bring them some personal relief from feelings of guilt but it certainly doesn’t provide much relief from the feelings of grief at the death of a loved one. Regardless, we mustn’t decide truth on issues of our feelings. So how can we know?

The Bible tells us of One who did come back from the dead, the Lord Jesus. He claimed, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live,” John 11:25. Now that is an enormous claim. But He backed up the claim with His own resurrection. He confidently asserted, “I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again,” John 10:17-18. But is there any evidence for this? More »

M 93 /Foter

Imagine arriving at your local Mercedes Benz dealership with an old, beat-up car fit only for the scrap heap and driving away with a brand-new, top-of-the-range Merc in the colour of your choice– without paying a single cent! Wouldn’t that be a great exchange? Somehow I can’t imagine the government approving that kind of scrappage deal!

Well, according to the apostle Paul, an even better scrappage deal was put into place through the work of Christ on the cross. The concept is simple and the implications astounding– and remarkably, very few seem to be interested in taking God up on the offer.

Essentially, what God says is, “Bring me all your sins and in exchange, I’ll give you my righteousness.” More »

Images_of_Money /Foter

The farmer stood on the porch of his fine old home gazing out over his many acres. He had never enjoyed scenery as beautiful to him as his own land seemed that day.

However, he was “not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21) because he had ignored the need of his im­mortal soul. As he stood gloating over his land, a worker appeared with his horse. Jumping into the saddle he galloped away.

Up the lane a little distance old Hans, the farm hand, was working. Hans had just unpacked his lunch. He removed his hat, and with folded hands, he was returning thanks to the Giver of all good gifts when he heard his employer’s voice: “Hans, how are you today?”

“Oh, is it you, sir?” responded the old man, looking up. “I didn’t hear you coming. I’ve got­ten somewhat deaf lately and my sight is failing too.”

“But you look very happy, Hans.”

“Happy? Yes, I’m definitely happy! I have many reasons to be. My heavenly Father gives me clothing and daily bread. I have a roof over my head and a good bed to sleep in. That is more than my precious Saviour had while He lived down here on earth. I was just thanking God for all His mercies when you appeared.”

The landlord glanced at Hans’ meager lunch— a few slices of bread and a piece of fried pork. “And that is the kind of food you are thanking God for! I would feel quite deprived if that were all I had for dinner.” More »

hans s /Stock Photos

David is one of the great heroes of Jewish history. From humble beginnings as a shepherd boy, he rose to great prominence as the head of the royal dynasty of Israel. The modern state of Israel features the Star of David on its flag as its national symbol, a symbol derived from the ancient prophecy of Balaam: “A star shall come out of Jacob; a scepter shall rise out of Israel,” Numbers 24:17.

David was chosen by God to shepherd God’s people Israel (Psalm 78:70-72) because he was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). His skill as a harpist gave him entrance to the royal court to sooth Saul’s distressed spirit (1 Samuel 16:14-23) and as the author of nearly half of the Psalms, he was recognised at his death as the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1). More »