[0:00] We shall begin by singing to God's praise from Psalm 90. Psalm 90 and from the beginning, six sanzas.
[0:14] Lord, thou hast been a dwelling place in generations on, before thou ever hadst brought forth the mountains, great or small. Erever thou hast formed the earth and all the world abroad, even thou from everlasting art to everlasting God.
[0:33] Thou dost unto destruction that man that is mortal turn, and unto them thou say'st again, ye sons of men return, because a thousand years appear no more before thy sight than yesterday when it is past, or than awash by night as with an overflowing flood.
[0:53] Thou carryest them away, they like a sleeper, like the grass that grows at morn are they, at morn it flourishes and grows, cut down and even doth fade, for by thine anger we're consumed, thy wrath makes us afraid.
[1:14] And so on. We can sing these verses, 1 to 7 of Psalm 90. Lord, thou hast been a dwelling place in generations on.
[1:24] Lord, thou hast been a dwelling place in generations on, before thou heaven has brought forth, the mountains great or small.
[2:01] And so on. Lord, thou hast been a dwelling place in generations on, and all the world abroad, he found from everlasting art, to everlasting art, thou dost unto destruction, my blood is born of turn, and unto them I'll cease again, in silence of men return.
[3:08] Because a thousand years of year, no more before my sight, than yesterday when it is past, or thine now washed by night, as with an overflowing blood, the goddess dem away, they light a stream on by the grass, that grows unbornly, and mourneth, and mourneth, and mourneth, and mourneth, and mourneth, but thou not in God's faith.
[4:33] For by thy land can we're consue, till thy wrath makes us away.
[4:52] Let's join together in prayer. Gracious God, enable us to draw near to what is identified in your word as the throne of grace, to solicit mercy, to apply to the God of mercy, to petition the one who is able to hear our pleas, and who has the capacity to answer out of the ample provision that you have made for the sons of men.
[5:41] When we think of the needs of this world, and when we reflect upon those who project themselves as possessors of great wealth and influence, yet they are limited, not just by the fact that they are but creatures of the dust, who have entered into the world, who occupy the scene of time for a fleeting moment, and then are removed.
[6:12] And as your word teaches, who knows, and they do not know who will possess their wealth.
[6:23] When we live in an age where many are disturbed by the ongoings involved in the dispute between nations, and we see the awful destruction that war has brought into the lives of so many.
[6:49] When we read of those who have in this world at this time been the possessors of great wealth, described as oligarchs, and in possession of seemingly infinite resources, and yet in the twinkling of an eye, their access to these possessions are curtailed.
[7:26] But this is but a pale reflection of what it means when our world will come to an end.
[7:37] Whatever that means for us, what it just means for us that our life will come to an end by reason of death, or because in the greater scheme of things the fulfilment of your word will be seen and experienced, where this world will come to an end.
[7:59] We give thanks that you are without end, that you are the God who is God over all, that you have no beginning and you have no end. No matter what the sciences teach for those who delve into the outer regions of space and declare there that this world owes its origin to some catastrophe billions of years in the past.
[8:28] A description which, however it appears to be so well constructed and so believable, yet when it is analysed, it is but conjectured and based upon theories that have been tested and often found to be wanting.
[8:55] We do not rely on man's word, but on your word, and you have given us a word that steadfastly and resolutely reveals to us again and again the false notions that man presents and projects as being, the reality upon which we can rely.
[9:19] We stand before you as those who are following in the footsteps of many who have discovered the truth of God to be something upon which they are willing to rest with their souls.
[9:36] We bless you and thank you for all who have discovered what it is to enter into a saving relationship with God through Christ Jesus, who have discovered the emptiness of this world and the promises that this world holds out to them, but who have discovered the fullness of the promises made by God and who have discovered for themselves how these promises are realised, their hearts made glad by the experience of being enveloped in everlasting arms, in the turmoil of this world, in the tragedies of this world, in the declensions of this world.
[10:29] There was one constant and that was the God who is their God. And we bless you for the evidence that you present to us in your word of lives transformed, hearts transfixed, eyes so taken up with the glory that is in Christ that nothing would take his place.
[10:58] We give thanks for the opportunity to remember him in his death today, to fulfil what is a command given by your Lord to his people, this do in remembrance of me.
[11:16] We bless you and thank you that the word of which we spoke teaches us the meaning of that death, that it was a death that belonged to his people, the death that they rightfully had to encounter because of their sin, because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
[11:37] But he took their place. His death was their death and their death became his death. Their life is now a life without end because his life became their life.
[11:58] And we give thanks for all who have that knowledge and that experience and can speak of it meaningfully. We pray good blessing upon all who belong to the congregation, who were able to sit at your table today and hear your word.
[12:15] And we pray that it would have spoken to them. And that even the handling of the elements, even in such unlikely circumstances as has come upon us at this time, that that itself would not have hindered them from seeing with the eye of faith the wonder of a sacrifice for sin offered on their behalf.
[12:43] We pray for those who were unable to be present, who would have been here, who had their loved. We ask that you would remember all such.
[12:55] Bless the infinite, the aged, the elderly, the housebound, the hospitalised, those bedridden, cared for by others in homes for the elderly.
[13:06] We pray for them as we pray for the care for the care for the care for the care. Remember any who have been committed to the hospice and who have been cared for within these walls, who have the knowledge of a terminal illness from which there is no recovery.
[13:25] But those who know the Lord will know in their heart of hearts that whatever their death is, it is but the door to life without end.
[13:36] And the fullness of joy is promised to all who are your people, whichever way they take and by whichever exit they enter into that experience, the day of their death is far more glorious.
[13:51] We pray for those who are grieving today and we once again have heard of your voice being heard in the community.
[14:02] We pray for those who are grieving and sorrowful and who continue to grieve for their own loved ones as they mark their place that is no longer full.
[14:13] Help us to be reconciled to your will for us. We pray that you would guide us in the truth that speaks to us daily, even in the context of various providence.
[14:29] Remember those who are strangers to you and who have yet to identify your people. God bless you fully. Draw them to yourself that they may see that in Christ alone is the greatest need of their very being made.
[14:47] Whatever it is that we do in this world, and we do much and we do many things, and each of these things that we do, we think that we are going to be satisfied by them.
[14:59] That these pleasures, these enjoyments, these strivings, these struggles will bring us to a place where we are contented, where we are satisfied, where our longings have met, and yet time and time again we have found ourselves at the pinnacle of our endeavours.
[15:18] And we look down and look back upon these things and we despair for rising up before us, and other mountains to conquer, other hills that we must travel.
[15:35] We pray for your wisdom to impact upon our hearts that we may trust in Christ. So draw us to yourself.
[15:46] Bless our homes, our families and all that are near and dear to us. Pour your spirit out upon us as a community, as a congregation. Remember our island, remember our nation, remember all who govern us, the Queen and our family.
[16:03] We pray that you would mercy fully undertake for it, even as she has prayed for by many in this world.
[16:14] We pray for the sinsic world in which we do live, and it is well described. The sickness of sin permeates the atmosphere in which we must breathe until the day dawns when we will breathe no more.
[16:34] We remember the nations where war has torn them asunder. Asunder mercy fully, Lord, undertake for them.
[16:45] Uphold them on the shoulders of prayer, even those who may have little knowledge of them as nations or peoples, yet they can understand and emphasise and be sympathetic towards their needs.
[16:58] So help us to bear one another's burdens even at a throne of grace. Continue to watch over us now, the short time that we are together. Bless us in the reading of your word and in our consideration of it.
[17:13] Cleanse from sin. To all we ask, we ask in Jesus' precious name. Amen. We're going to read from the scriptures of the New Testament and the second epistle general of Peter and Chapter 3.
[17:35] The last chapter of this epistle. 2 Peter, chapter 3. Amen. Amen.
[18:44] But the heavens and the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the deal judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
[18:55] But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
[19:06] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
[19:23] But the day of the Lord will come, as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.
[19:37] The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?
[19:51] Looking for and tasting unto the coming of the day of God, where in the heavens the earth shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.
[20:04] Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.
[20:24] But account of the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul, also according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you.
[20:36] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable rest, as they do also the other scriptures unto their own destruction.
[20:55] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware, lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
[21:10] But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.
[21:21] Amen. The Lord add his blessing to this reading of his word. To his name be the praise. We're going to sing some verses from Psalm 18.
[21:36] Psalm 18 and at verse 28. The Lord will light my candle so, that it shall shine full bright.
[21:49] The Lord my God will also make my darkness to be light. By thee through troops of men I break and them discomfort all.
[22:01] And by my God assisting me I overleap a wall. As for God, perfect is his way. The Lord his word is tried. He is a buckler to all those who do in him confide.
[22:15] Who but the Lord is God? But he who is a rock and stay. Tis God that girdeth me with strength and perfect makes my way. He made my feet swift as the hinds.
[22:30] Set me on my high places. Mine hands to war he taught. Mine arms break bows of steel in pieces. The shield of thy salvation thou didst on me bestow.
[22:44] Thy right hand held me up. And great thy kindness made me grow. And so on. We shall sing these verses. Psalm 18 from verse 28.
[22:55] The Lord will light my candle so that it shall shine full bright. Amen. The Lord will light my candle so that it shall shine full bright.
[23:18] The Lord my God will also make my darkness to be light.
[23:33] By secret truths of men I pray. And then this comes it all.
[23:50] And by my God does this king me. I hope that he will follow.
[24:05] As for God perfect in his way. The Lord is Lord is right.
[24:21] He is a power to all those who do in him confide.
[24:36] Who but the Lord is God but he. Who is the rock and stream.
[24:52] Tis God that girdeth me with strength. He made my peace with us the highest.
[25:17] Set me on my high wishes. Thou didst on me.
[25:53] Thou didst on me. Thou didst on me. Thou didst on me. Thou didst on me.
[26:06] Thy kindness made me grow. We can turn together to the passage that we read from the second epistle general of Peter and chapter 3 and we can read at verse 13. Nevertheless we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot.
[26:53] And blameless. Wherefore beloved seeing that you look for such things be diligent that you may be found of him in peace without spot.
[27:08] And blameless. I don't think I'm being presumptuous if I said that I'm fairly confident that every one of you without exception will know that the Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to come again.
[27:33] I believe that you will know that because of your familiarity with the scripture. Now that doesn't mean that I can go one step further and say that I can confidently assert that you believe what you know the Bible to be saying.
[27:55] It doesn't necessarily follow that just because you know that the Bible says something that you believe the Bible. It would be good of course that that would be the case.
[28:10] That every one of you without exception would not only know what the Bible is teaching but believe it for yourselves. But you can believe and I can assert what the Bible teaches concerning the Lord Jesus Christ coming again.
[28:34] The words of John in his gospel. We often refer to them because they inspire confidence on the part of those who have found that this world is a world that has been changed for them.
[28:56] What has changed it? Well maybe the fact that their loved ones were taken from them. A loved one or somebody that they knew well is no longer with them.
[29:12] And you often hear the words read in John chapter 14. The words of the Lord Jesus. Jesus.
[29:50] They're not difficult to understand. They're not complicated. I think I can understand what he's saying. He's saying categorically that he's going to a place and that place is a place that will be prepared for others to come to that place after him.
[30:10] And he's going to take others there after he goes there. And we know that that is what's going to happen. The Apostle Paul. In his preaching very often refers to this fact.
[30:28] And it inspires confidence in him as a preacher of the gospel. Because he wants others to be inspired by what inspires him.
[30:41] You know Paul we understand is a professor of theology. He's a great teacher of the truth.
[30:54] But the most effective truth in his experience is the truth upon which he relies to sustain him as he lives his life in this world.
[31:08] Because he knows. Because he knows. Every day teaches him that this world is only just a stepping stone to the next.
[31:18] And in his first epistle to the Thessalonians. Again words that we refer to to encourage the grieving and the sorrowful.
[31:29] Particularly those of them who are taken from us that we know to be believers. That we know them to have realized for themselves the promises of the scripture.
[31:49] I would not have you to be ignorant brethren concerning them which are asleep. That you sorrow not even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again.
[32:02] Even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[32:17] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout. With the voice of the archangel. With the trump of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first.
[32:28] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds. To meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[32:41] Wherefore comfort ye one another with these words. The Lord Jesus tells his people.
[32:53] That there is comfort for them even when death comes into their experience. That there is comfort for the grieving and the mourning.
[33:03] Paul tells us the same. And here in the words of Peter. The same truth. Comes to the fore. But Peter like all others.
[33:17] Who preach this. Who teach this. Who insist upon this. Are met with unbelief. So that's why I can say to you.
[33:28] I hope that you know the truth. Because at least when you know the truth. You're one step towards believing the truth. But that step has to be taken.
[33:40] And in Paul's day. In the Lord's day. In Peter's day. Although this truth was held by him.
[33:51] And held by him dearly. He was confronted by those who did not believe that truth. Who did not want to believe it. And whose life was lived accordingly.
[34:11] Because believe it or not. If you don't believe this. It will affect how you live. You know. If you live your life in this world. As if.
[34:22] This life is all that is to it. And I was reading that recently. That it almost inevitably follows.
[34:34] That if a person believes. That this world. The here and the now. Is all there is to it. That. That kind of belief.
[34:45] That kind of thinking. Will alter the way. They live their lives in the world. It is nothing new. It is nothing strange. Let us eat. Drink.
[34:55] And be merry. For tomorrow we die. By that thought it means. Death is the end. That is the punctuation point. Beyond which there is nothing.
[35:07] The sentence. Is at an end. It is a lie. It is not the truth. Whatever they want to believe. Whatever.
[35:18] However they want to live their lives. It is not the truth. Certainly not the truth of God. Because the truth of God. Is different. And Peter.
[35:30] Living in his own day. Was able to say. Well. To be honest. Although I am telling you this. I am preaching this. I am reminding you of this.
[35:40] It is not new. It is nothing new. There is nothing new under the sun. I can go back. Peter says. To the. To the dark recesses of times.
[35:53] I can go back to the days of Noah. That great preacher of righteousness. Who taught. And told the people. That God was going to judge the world.
[36:03] And God was going to bring a flood to bear upon the world. And yet. They did not believe. They did not want to believe.
[36:18] But Peter says. That he won't come with water. He won't come with the flood next time. But with fire. And they would be wise.
[36:31] To be prepared for it. Now. The thing. That is strange. I suppose. To the person who doesn't believe.
[36:46] Is that the believer. Is somebody. Who looks forward. With anticipation. To that. Second coming.
[36:56] Of Christ. That the believer. Is somebody. Who longs for that day. I don't know. I don't know. If you agree with that. Maybe.
[37:07] If you are a believer. Tonight. And you're saying. You're thinking of yourself. Well. You're talking about. Christ coming. And. The words of promise.
[37:20] Given by the apostle Peter. Where. This world. Is going to be destroyed. It's going to be. Burned with fire. Everything in it.
[37:30] Will disintegrate. Will disappear. And you're expecting me. To look forward. With longing. To that day. Well. Only you can answer that.
[37:45] Only you can answer. If you're a believer. Is this. What is true of you. Are you living. In anticipation. Of this happening.
[37:58] Because it's not just. Something that will happen. By itself. You understand. It's not just. The rain. Rain of. Heaven's. Fire. Down upon.
[38:08] The world. And this world. To be destroyed. That's just. One part. Of the whole. That God has promised. In the person. Of Jesus Christ. When he comes. Again. This will.
[38:20] Accompany. His coming. His coming. Will be. Accompanied. With great. Blessing. For the church. His coming.
[38:31] Will be. The final. Act. Of his. Redemptive. Work. Work. Where he. Redeems. The world. And takes. His own. To be with him.
[38:42] To reign. With him. In that world. Whatever. That will involve. We often. Court. E.W. Tozer. And E.W. Tozer. Says this.
[38:53] There are many. People. He says. Who believe. The doctrine. Of the second. Coming. Of Christ. Christ. But there is a.
[39:04] Difference. Between the doctrinal. Belief. In this. In the second. Coming. Of Christ. And the hope. Of the coming. There is a difference.
[39:17] He says. The person. Who understands. The doctrine. And the person. Who has this hope. In them. Those.
[39:28] Who have this hope. He says. Possess. An overwhelming. Sense. Of. Anticipation. An overwhelming.
[39:41] Sense. Of anticipation. Because. God. Is going. To do this. Work. And it will be. A final act. Of. His.
[39:53] Grace. Towards this. This world. Believe it or not. So the question. For you then. Is this. Do you have. What is.
[40:04] Speaks of. I think. That is. A question. Do we have. This hope. Do we have. This anticipation. Do we have. This longing. Because.
[40:18] It will say. Something. About us. No doubt. It's a quick. Key question. Well. Look at this. Text. Particularly. Verse. Fourteen. Wherefore.
[40:28] Beloved. He says. Seeing. That ye look. For such. Things. Be. Diligent. That ye may. Be found. Of him. In peace. Without. Spot.
[40:39] And blameless. There is a diligence. Required. Of us. But of what kind. And what.
[40:51] Shall it produce. In us. When it is. When it is. Experienced. When it is. Put into practice. Well.
[41:05] If you look. Again. At the text. You see. That such. Things. That are looked. For. Are actually. Named. In verses. Twelve. And thirteen. In.
[41:17] Verse. Twelve. We read. Looking for. And tasting. Unto the coming. Of the day. Of God. Wherein. The heavens. Being on fire. Shall be dissolved. And the elements.
[41:27] Shall melt. With fervent. Eat. Nevertheless. We according. To his promise. Look for new heavens. And a new earth. Wherein dwelleth righteousness. We are looking for.
[41:42] And. Expecting. With. With. A strong expectation. The coming. Of the day. Of God.
[41:54] We are looking. For a new heaven. Or heavens. And. A new earth. The believer.
[42:04] Knows. That these things. Will come. To pass. And yet. We know. That a lot of Christians. Have died. Without them. Coming to pass.
[42:16] And that was. The. The. Impetus. For a lot of. Unbelief. In Peter's day. As in our own day. You. You.
[42:29] Preach. A doctrine. And that doctrine. Is clearly. False. It is clearly. False. Because. It has not.
[42:42] Been fulfilled. It is not. Something. That has come to pass. It can't. Be right. But that should not.
[42:52] And does not. Impact upon. The expectation. That the. Apostle. Is insisting. Is part of the experience. Of the believing church.
[43:05] Go right back to. Saint Augustine. The Christian. Whose doctrine. Is well known.
[43:16] To the early church. He wrote. Many years ago. That the promises. Of God. Are apprehended. By faith. Which we understand.
[43:29] God's promises. Are many. And we. Lay a hold of them. By the hand of faith. And he says. Hope cannot reach them. Love cannot understand them.
[43:42] They surpass our language. Around longings. And desires. They may be obtained. But cannot be estimated. Now. Augustine.
[43:53] I suppose. In his own day. Was. Dealing with. Promises. Such as this one. Which. Needed. To be. Confirmed.
[44:04] And. Could not be. Confirmed. Until. The end days. Until. The day of Christ Jesus. Until. The word of God.
[44:16] Came to be realized. In the full. So what did he do. With the promise. Well. He laid hold of it. He held it dear. He looked towards. The word of God.
[44:26] And its fruition. Its fullness. Its. Fulfillment. Was something. That he did not. Question. Or doubt. Because of the one.
[44:37] Who promised. As we said. In the morning. The promises. That Christ gives. We can depend upon them. And be assured. That they will come to pass. But the thing.
[44:52] That we. May question. For ourselves. Is this. That. Looking at. What Augustine.
[45:03] Is referring to here. Looking at. Looking at. What we see. The apostle. Peter. Teach. The apostle. Paul. Teach. The words. Of Christ. Himself. How do we deal.
[45:15] With these words. What do we do. With them. Do we hold them. At an arm's length. Because they're complicated.
[45:28] And because of the passage of time. There's an element of uncertainty. That comes into our thinking. That we're impacted upon. By the thinking of the world.
[45:39] Who dismisses these words. Dismisses these thoughts. You know. I read a lot of sermons. From. From older Christians.
[45:50] Say the likes of. Robert Murray McJane. Or C.H. Spurgeon. And. Some of these sermons. You'll find. They were. They were preached. Many years ago.
[46:02] And. You'll see that. That. Emphasis. Within. Some of these sermons. Changes. With the passage of time. Which is inevitable.
[46:16] You know. If. If you. If you. If you read a sermon. That was preached. Written. Preached and written. By somebody. Say.
[46:27] During the Second World War. Obviously. The emphasis. Within that. Sermon. Would be. On. The. On the. The seriousness of war.
[46:38] And the impact of war. And the. The necessity of. Being ready for death. And so on. But going back to. McChain. And the Boner brothers.
[46:50] One thing that they were. Interested in. And that they were. Very often. Referred to. Was. The end days.
[47:01] The period of time. Whatever. They were. Whatever. Whatever. Measurement. They used. Between. The resurrection. And ascension. Of Christ. And the second coming.
[47:12] Of Christ. And they were. Trying to understand. What would be happening. During that period. And one thing. Of great interest. To them. Was.
[47:23] The salvation. Of the Jews. The preaching. Of the gospel. To the whole world. Resulting. In the bringing.
[47:34] In. Of the Jewish. People. And they anticipated. That. And they thought. This is something. That will happen. You know. They thought.
[47:44] Well the world. Is not going to end. Until this starts. To happen. Once the gospel. Begins to impact. In this. God's ancient people. And bring them in. The branches.
[47:56] Welded back. Into the. The. The. The. The vine. Then. We can be assured. That the world. Is going to come. To an end. And you saw.
[48:07] What I'm saying is. They believed. That was how it was. Going to be. And that emphasis. Was in their preaching. So they were. Anticipating. The coming.
[48:17] Of Christ. There was not. A doubt. In their mind. That Christ. Was going to come. And that when he came. There would be a glory. Accompanying his coming. But there was going to be.
[48:28] A further glory. The kingdom. Of God. Would be extended. Into. God's ancient. People. But.
[48:40] Having said that. There is no doubt. In my mind. They lived. With their eye. Upon a future glory.
[48:51] Where Christ. Would come. And there was. An imminent. Anticipation. Of his coming. So the question.
[49:02] For you. Believer. Is this. How expected. Are you. How. How alive. Are you. In your soul. With regard. To the coming. Of the Lord. Have you.
[49:15] Imbibed. The doctrines. Of the world. Which says. Not going to come. We're looking. At these words. Of yours. And. Mostly. They're fiction. You can't. Prove them. You can't.
[49:26] You can't. Emphasize. The truth of them. Because. The emphasis. Falls. On deaf ears. It's not a world. That I can trust in. That's the. The.
[49:36] The teachings. Of the. Belief. Of this world. But the. Believer. Cannot. Think like that. Nor. Can he.
[49:47] Allow his. Thinking. To be. Influenced. By what the world. Thinks. Our thinking. Should be full.
[49:58] Of Christ. Our thinking. Should be full. Of. What will it be like. When he comes. If he comes. Tonight. What will it be like. Are you ready. For that moment. I don't know. If I am. I should be.
[50:09] And you're saying. Oh you should be minister. You should be. If you're not. How can you expect. Us to be. But how often. Do we talk about it.
[50:20] How often. Do we think about it. How often. Do we. Query. What the new heavens. And the new earth. Is going to be like. You know.
[50:32] There are some people. And. I suppose. We have talked about it. What about this new heaven. And new earth. And new heavens. And new earth. What is it going to be like. And you get people.
[50:43] Who favor continuity. Who enjoy the idea. Of a likeness. A sameness. Some. You know. Nothing too strange. Nothing too different. Just take it.
[50:54] Take out of it. The bad things. Take away the mystery. Take away the. The sadness. Take away the griefs. And the sorrows. That are in the world. We live happily ever after.
[51:06] In a new world. And with new heaven. We'll be happy here. Ever after. That's all it requires. Just a wee tinkering. Or changing this.
[51:16] Or that point. Right. But is that what Peter has in mind. Is that what he's looking at.
[51:28] Is he looking at this world. And he's saying. Oh when the Lord comes. He's just going to have to. Do what he does with ourselves. He's going to just do a wee. You know. Just the way you take the car.
[51:39] To the garage. You don't need a new engine. You don't need a new body. All you need is. Sparkle. Come on. Maybe a touch up. Of paint. Some people think of the world.
[51:50] A bit like that. The world that Christ is going to come to. That's all it's going to. Involve. W.J. Greer.
[52:01] Has written a book about. The coming of the Lord. Or what he anticipates it to be like. And he refers to the words. Of the apostle Peter.
[52:12] And this is what he says. When Christ comes. There is to be. A great conflagration. A great conflagration.
[52:25] A very strong word is used. Of the burning up. Of heaven and earth. A word. Indicating a thorough burning. There will be a cataclysmic.
[52:38] Change at the coming of the Lord. There will be no old world left. That is coming. This sinful world. That rejected him.
[52:50] Will be taken away. And a new world. Put in its place. Where he will reign. Is that anything like.
[53:00] The way you think. Is that anything like. The way you believe. Is going to happen. Well Christ is going to come.
[53:11] He has said. He is going to come. As a judge. Justice will be done. And justice will be seen. To be done. The wicked will no longer.
[53:23] Be allowed to perform. Their wickedness. They will not prosper. They will not be. Anything other than. Brought to account.
[53:33] For their wickedness. And the righteous. Will never again. Have to suffer. Because of their righteousness.
[53:44] But notice. How. Much. Of this doctrine.
[53:54] Impacts. Upon the preaching. Of the apostle. Peter. The apostle Paul. The apostle John. He tells us. In the first chapter. That we are to make.
[54:05] Our calling. And election. Sure. It's interesting. It's a very important. You know.
[54:17] He teaches. The people of God. How they are to live. Whereby. Are given unto us. Exceeding. Great. And precious.
[54:28] Promises. That by these. You might be partakers. Of the divine nature. Having escaped. The corruption. That is in the world. Through lust. And besides this. Giving all diligence.
[54:39] Add to your faith. Virtue. To virtue. Knowledge. To knowledge. Temperance. Temperance. Patience. To patience. Godliness. To godliness. Brotherly kindness. To brotherly kindness. Charity.
[54:50] For if these things. Be in you. And a boundary. Make you. That ye shall neither. Be barren. Nor unfruitful. In the knowledge. Of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh. These things.
[55:00] Is blind. And cannot see afar off. And hath forgotten. That he was purged. From his old sins. Wherefore. The rather brethren. May give diligence. To make your calling. And election.
[55:11] Sure. For if you do these things. You shall never fail. And then he says. This. After all that. He says. For so an entrance. Shall be ministered.
[55:21] Unto you abundantly. Unto this. Everlasting. kingdom of our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ. Is that something.
[55:35] That. Clear. Is that not something. That clearly. Influences. What he has to say. Because. What we do. How we live.
[55:46] Where we expect to go. All hinges upon. This doctrine. This truth. That will be. Realised. In our experience. Those people.
[55:59] Who are Christ's. Will go to be with them. And when they go. To be with them. They. Must be ready. For that day. They must be. Well.
[56:10] That's what he's going. Going on. To say. We are to be. Ready. To be qualified. And fit. Inhabitants.
[56:20] Of this new heaven. And this new earth. When that great day comes. So the question. That he asks.
[56:31] How will it find you? In peace. Without spot. And blameless. He says. You are to. Strive for that. You are to prepare for that.
[56:41] You are to be. Engaged. In the activity. That will. Mark you out. As those. Who know. This great day is coming. We must.
[56:53] As we have said. Today already. Have peace with God. Through the Lord. Jesus Christ. That is. What the scripture. Tells us. That. His people.
[57:05] Have. They possess that. They have made. Peace with God. Through Christ. They have a conscience. That is purged. And pure.
[57:16] Paul writes to the Philippines. He. His prayer for himself. His prayer for the church. Is this. That I be found in him. Not having my own righteousness. Which is from the law.
[57:27] But that which is through faith. In Christ. The righteousness. Which is from God. By faith. That's how Paul wants to be found. Firmly.
[57:40] In place. Firmly. Bound up. In the life of Christ. And the life of Christ. In his own. Writing to. The Galatians.
[57:51] He says. Knowing that a man is not justified. By the works of the law. But by faith in Jesus Christ. Even we have believed in Jesus Christ. That we might be justified.
[58:01] By faith in Christ. And not by works of the law. For by the works of the law. No flesh. Shall be. Justified. He is somebody.
[58:14] Who is. Enlivened. And. Who the spirit of God. Has quickened. And because. That is true of him. Like every other.
[58:24] Saint. Who is God's. Child. God's son. God's daughter. This is what they. Look towards. God's people.
[58:36] Are a sanctified people. You know. When you. When you. When you think about. What God is doing. With regard to the earth. It goes right back. To the beginning.
[58:48] It goes right back. To this world. That has been polluted. And cursed. Because of its pollution. And God is going to remove. The stain of that pollution.
[58:59] By the destruction. Of the world. And is going to. To deal with. The stain of sin. And the experience. Of God's people. Through the blood. Of Jesus Christ. And not one of them.
[59:11] Will be left. The way he found them. Not one of God's people. Will be the way. They were. When God came into. Their experience. In the person. Of Jesus Christ. Sanctifying.
[59:25] Sanctifying. Is something. That God has. And we spoke on Thursday night. About the need. For. For sin. To be dealt with. We spoke about. The way. In which.
[59:37] In which. The Christian. Is somebody. Who is engaged. Daily. In mortification. Paul writes. In his epistle. To the Romans.
[59:47] For if. You live. After the flesh. You shall die. But if you. Through the spirit. Do mortify. The deeds. Of the body. You shall live. For as many. As are led. By the spirit.
[59:58] Of God. They are the sons. Of God. Wherefore. Beloved. Seeing. I look. For such things. Be diligent. That you may be found. Of him.
[60:08] In peace. Without spot. And blameless. That's what that means. God's people. Are preparing.
[60:20] For the day. They are engaged. In this activity. Oh you're saying. You're. You're either. An Armenian. Or you're a hyper. Calvinist. You're not a true.
[60:31] Teacher. Of God's word. What God's word. Is telling. Us. Is that God. It is. That sanctifies. Not me. Sanctifying myself.
[60:46] Well John Murray. Talks about this. And so do. Many other theologians. That. A prepared. People. For a prepared. Places. A simple way. Of putting it. But Murray.
[60:56] Puts it like this. God's working. In us. Is not. Suspended. Because we work. Not as our working. Suspended. Because he works.
[61:08] God works. In us. And we. Also work. But the relation is. That because God works. We work. So that we are.
[61:19] Unspotted. In this day. So that we. Are. In peace. In that day. We are not. Troubled. By our sins. We are not. Troubled. By our conscience.
[61:30] That is in trouble. We are not. Troubled. By. The blame. That sin. Carries with it. Because we have gone. To put our trust. In Christ. And that is our hope.
[61:40] For eternity. Many years ago. Fragments. Of sermons. Prepared.
[61:52] And preached. By. Lachlan. Mackenzie. Were collected. And printed. And. One of his.
[62:03] Collections. Of sermons. Were lectures. He gave. In a prayer meeting. On the. Epistles. Of Peter. And this is what he says. In one of his comments.
[62:14] The glory of God. The honour of our profession. And our own character. Should make. A steady. Universal. Holiness. Our life.
[62:26] Should be without. Spot. And blameness. And if that happens. We shall meet death. Without terror. And the world. See the world.
[62:36] In flames. Without fear. Because. This is what we believe. This is what we know.
[62:47] Is going to happen. Every one of us. Perhaps. By now. We're thinking. Well. We're going to die. Before this happens. Maybe you've figured it out.
[63:02] Maybe you're. Working out. The. The. The odds. What chance. Do you have.
[63:12] To. To live. Before. Christ. Comes. What chance. Do you have. To suffer death. Before Christ. Before Christ. Comes.
[63:23] Maybe. In your mind. This is what you're. Thinking. I won't. I won't. Be around. All I. What I want to do. As a Christian. Is go to sleep.
[63:34] In the arms of Jesus. Slip away. From this world. And. Allow death. To usher me. Into his presence. As. Well.
[63:47] That's. Possible. But. It's not. Predictable. But. One thing. That is. Predictable. And. More than.
[63:57] Possible. Is. Even more. Certain. Than your death. And. That is. That Jesus. Christ. Will. Come. Again. And.
[64:09] When he comes. Again. According. To. The apostle. According. To the writings. Of. Of.
[64:19] Jesus. The word. Of Jesus. Himself. When he comes. It's not. It's not. To go on a holiday.
[64:32] He had business. To do. With the world. When he came. First of all. When he came. In an incarnate. State. When he came.
[64:43] To be man. When he came. To embrace. The sufferings. Of the cross. That was his business. But when he will come again. He has.
[64:55] Unfinished business. That he will complete. And he won't be deterred. From it. He will take his own. To be with him. He will take. All to the throne.
[65:06] Of judgment. He will. Do as the apostle. Peter says here. He will bring. This world. And its ways. To an end.
[65:17] And out. Of that. Will emerge. A new. Heavens. And a new earth. Wherein dwelleth. Righteousness. Whatever that. Entails. Are we prepared.
[65:31] For that. Are we longing. For that. Is that. How our life. Is conducted. In light of these promises.
[65:43] That will be proved. True. I can't answer. For you. Sometimes. I find it hard. To answer. For myself. But the wise man.
[65:55] Would pay heed. To the word. That tells us. This is how. It must be. May God. Bless his word. To us. Let us pray. Oh Lord God.
[66:06] Help us. To believe. The truth. Concerning. The purposes. That you have. For this world. This world. Will not go on. You have decreed.
[66:16] That to be the case. This world. Will be brought. To an end. You will execute. Judgment. Over it. And over. Those who are in it.
[66:27] We bless you. And thank you. For the promises. That. Your people. Can take to themselves. And anticipate. With longing. That you will bring them.
[66:38] To be with yourself. And that. They will not be parted. From you. We ask that you would. Remind us. Of the need. That we have. To be. Always ready. For in such an hour.
[66:49] As we know not. The son of man. Will come. Watch over us. Cleanse from our sins. Jesus name. Amen. We are going to sing.
[67:01] From Psalm 107. Psalm 107. At the beginning. Praise God. For he is good. For still his mercy's lasting be.
[67:13] That God's redeemed. Say so. Whom he from the enemy's hand. Did free. And gathered them. Out of the lands. From north. South. East. And west. They strayed in deserts.
[67:25] Pathless way. No city found to rest. For thirst and hunger. Wherein them faints their soul. When straits them press. They cry unto the Lord. And he them frees.
[67:35] From their distress. Them also in a way. To walk. That right. Deceited guide. That they might. To a city go. Wherein. They might abide. These verses.
[67:46] Praise God. For he is good. For still his mercy's lasting be. Praise God. For he is good.
[67:59] For still his mercy's lasting be. Let God of the funds.
[68:16] For still his mercy. Through the fifties. I've gathered them out of the land, from north, south, east, and west.
[68:41] They strayed in desert, helpless way, no step deep unto rest.
[68:59] For thus, I'm hungered in them face, their soul when strays them past.
[69:15] They cry unto the Lord, and He then flees from their distress.
[69:30] Let them also end our way to all, that right is deep, deep kind, that they might do as they go, when they might abide.
[70:05] Just one intimation, the session will be closed with benediction. Now may grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit rest and abide with you all, now and always. Amen.