Metropolitan Tabernacle

'And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said- Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.' Acts 1.15

Pictured here is the church in Heaven, the people who have come to God from every nation. What is this vast company like, and how did they gain access to Heaven-- What is the 'fountain' of salvation-- And why do many people never find it--

Early in their training by the Lord the disciples are sent on their first preaching mission. They were 'apostles', a special office for the first phase of the church, but their terms of service apply in principle to all believers, and especially preachers.

Ezra 10.6 -Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib- and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water- for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.-

The parable of the good Samaritan exposes the self-righteousness of a hostile questioner. But it also has a fuse attached. Once Christ had died and risen again it would be obvious that the Lord depicted Himself, and how to obtain eternal life.

We trace, via the raising of a girl to life, stages in receiving the gift of salvation. First, recognition of Christ- second, the birth of faith- third, surmounting setbacks- fourth, sincerity- fifth, the vital filter of faith- sixth, how Christ acts- seventh, immediate life.

Paul spells out how God has made salvation possible by the atonement of Christ and the work of the Spirit in the heart. Are our minds set on material things and the 'here and now' or do we know Christ inseparably for life and eternity-

A woman's struggle for healing illustrates our quest for spiritual life. Do we search- Her 'touch' expresses faith, of itself powerless, yet seeking life. Her faith made her 'whole', but the Greek says it 'saved' her. Here also is the message of the miracle to believers.

'Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.' - Ezra 8.21

'This Ezra went up from Babylon- and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given- and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.' Ezra 7.6

'-the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations-.for they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons- so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people..' Ezra 9.1

The unique casting out of demons miracle once debated publicly over months by Gladstone -Prime Minister- and Huxley -'Darwin's bulldog'-. First- the event reviewed- secondly- the Gospel it portrays, especially the three pleas of mankind- and thirdly- its counsel for believers on avoiding backsliding.

Christ said, -I most solemnly assure you- indicating the certainty of a conversion experience to all who hear His Word, believe and respond. Here are the chief exclusive and verifiable facts taught in the Bible, and how Christ may be found personally.

King Solomon spoke for humanity throughout time when he listed the greatest false promises in favour of living an entirely material life without reference to God or spiritual matters. Here are few of them, believed by millions, and how they fail.

Christ begins with an evangelistic commission for all believers. Why do we fail in this- Rewards are promised in this life. Then a parable shows our part and God's, in witness. Finally comes the quelling of the tempest, the encouragement of faith for the work.

Most people cannot live without having opinions and views about life, and how matters should work out for them. From where do we get these views- How do we know if they are true- Will they really help- Can they connect us with God-

Christ's parable of the unforgiving servant is partly a plea for patience and forgiveness on the part of Christians. But it is chiefly a challenge to sincere prayer rather than self-seeking prayer as the only way to reconciliation with God.

A new beginning for a new year from the parable of the sower. Why the Lord used parables. The universal tender of salvation vital. The various states of heart of hearers, with counsel to the unsaved and to believers.

The wise men were noble scholars, priests, and philosophers from the distant East. This search for the incarnate Christ constituted a message from God about the status and future work of Mary's child. Here is their search - and how it may be ours also, leading to God.

First - why born of a virgin- Secondly- 'God with us' - the Saviour's incomparable attributes. Thirdly- why a poor family and lowly birth- Fourthly- why shepherds and what did they symbolise- Treasures of the nativity increase admiration of Christ.