[0:00] We shall worship God and we shall sing to his praise from Psalm 103.
[0:17] Psalm 103, from the beginning of the psalm, down to verse 7. O thou, my soul, bless God the Lord and all that in me is.
[0:31] Be stirred up his holy name to magnify and bless. Bless, O my soul, the Lord thy God, and not forgetful be. Of all his gracious benefits he hath bestowed on thee.
[0:44] All thine iniquities who doth most graciously forgive. Who thy diseases all and pains doth heal and thee relieve. Who doth redeem thy life, that thou to death mayst not go down.
[0:58] Who thee with lovingkindness doth untender measures crown. Who with abundance of good things doth satisfy thy mouth. So that even as the eagle's age renew this thy youth.
[1:12] God righteous judgment executes. For all oppressed ones, his ways to Moses, he his acts, made known to Israel's sons.
[1:23] Verses 1 to 7 of Psalm 103. O thou, my soul, bless God the Lord. Lord, bless God the Lord and all that in me is.
[1:51] written by fan companions, his 1991. Lift Wha associations of the Lord and all that in me they know Him. Fresh minty, Lord God the Lord and all that in me is. AMANDpl with nature sounding as the elders of the Lord.
[2:10] As soon I should the Lord thy kindness not forget who me.
[2:26] Of all his gracious men, they have me showed on thee.
[2:44] Of all thy faith, with his servants, all cancels they forgive.
[3:02] To thy good righteousness, Lord, I pray, God in the healing.
[3:18] To God, may he in thy life our love, to get this heart full down.
[3:38] To thee will love in kindness, just a heart that can mercy cry.
[3:57] To with the broken, broken things, does that get my dying heart?
[4:15] So thy dear, the sick, the sick, the sick, the new and new side.
[4:31] The righteous man, yes, in years long, down, no thres in one.
[4:50] His wisdom, Moses, his hands, make your glorious sons.
[5:12] Let us join together in prayer. Let us pray. Eternal God, as we gather in your presence, we give thanks that we can call upon your name.
[5:24] As those who know that you have a name that is above every name. You are the God of heaven and earth, the God who is from everlasting to everlasting God.
[5:35] The one to whom we come when our needs are great or our needs are many. Knowing that you are able to supply all our needs.
[5:49] We bless your name for the fact that you are able to hear the prayers and petitions of your people, regardless of where they may be.
[6:01] We call upon your name to hear us as the one who is able to minister to our needs when we are in the depths.
[6:20] As your servant, the psalmist said, save me, O God, because the floods do so environ me, that even unto my very soul come in the waters be.
[6:33] I downward in deep mire do so. I downward in deep mire do sink where standing there is none. I am into deep waters come where floods are over me gone.
[6:44] As he goes on to describe the experiences of the psalmist, even experiences that are applied to the passion of the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks that he is able to minister to his children, even his children's children, as they find themselves struggling with what this world brings.
[7:08] We give thanks that you sit on the throne of the universe and even that throne that is occupied by you is the same throne and this occupant is the same.
[7:22] As we gather in the presence of the voice of death that is to us as a nation as you have removed the sovereign from over us in the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
[7:35] We recognize there that even though the reign was like no other in the experience of this country, one of 70 years, that nevertheless it has now come to an end.
[7:48] As she has passed from the scene of time, so another comes to occupy her throne. But your throne is from everlasting to everlasting and the same occupant is on it.
[8:01] The same one who sits as has sat for all time and for all eternity.
[8:12] Thy royal seat, O Lord, forever shall remain the scepter of thy kingdom, that all righteousness maintain. We give thanks that when we come, then you understand the needs of each one of us.
[8:26] We pray for our congregation. We pray for the homes and families within our congregation with their needs. And we bring before you those who are of a broken heart, just as we are obliged to come to you with the needs of a royal family.
[8:45] We pray for them as they grieve and as they mourn the passing of a loved one. We would ask that you would sanctify the voice to them as it must be sanctified to us all.
[8:56] We may resolve to deal with it in pragmatic ways or in ways where we say, well, this is the way of all flesh. But we must understand that you are speaking to us, each one, just as you speak to all who find themselves in the shadow of death.
[9:15] So may you bless them and guard them and keep them and protect them and open the eyes of their understanding. So that even when we see a time of mourning nationally that is so readily turned to a time of celebration for the life that has been lived, that there needs to be balance, needs to be an understanding that all the things that this life brings our way.
[9:43] You are the God who is sovereign in bringing these things. You have given to us the good as well as the evil. You have given to us that which is for our good in the light of eternity.
[9:58] And we pray for that understanding to be ours. So remember all that we leave in your care. We pray especially for the new King Charles III as he prepares to undertake his role already ordained in one sense at the part of that role.
[10:20] But in due time we'll be crowned and undertake the duties of a sovereign which he has already begun. We pray for him, for his consort and for their families.
[10:36] We remember our own families and we pray for them young and old and ask that you would keep each every one. Guard, keep and protect us in the path of life for our life is uncertain.
[10:51] We pray for the nations of the earth. We remember especially parts of the world that know the conflict of war. We pray for Ukraine as we see the ongoing turmoil that is in that nation and all the other nations that are embroiled in warfare of all descriptions, be they civil or war against neighbours.
[11:11] We pray that you would remember all such. 섞edles of us see your newborn wolves. We pray for you torye that you may� you. We pray for your nation to还 conductме famous frames. The world, those who have gone out with the gospel to preach it.
[11:26] To proclaim it. May they be encouraged in their proclamation, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, to sanctify the world as it is preached and proclaimed.
[11:40] It is a holy word. It is a word that has been taken from the lips of the Holy Spirit through the lips of those who would proclaim it, be they prophet or apostle or preacher in the present day.
[11:54] We would ask that it would find a suitable lodgement in the hearts of the hearer, that it may yield to the glory of your name and that those who sow the seed and those who reap would rejoice together.
[12:11] We pray your blessing upon our nation, upon our new Prime Minister. We pray that you would remember her and her family in her role within our nation.
[12:25] So remember us each one. Remember the activities of the congregation, what goes on in the Sunday school. The office bearers as they carry out their business, we bring them to you and ask your blessing upon their roles within our congregation.
[12:46] Remember the Sunday school, the children who attend, their parents, we pray that you encourage them to encourage the children to hear the word and to believe the word and to take it into their hearts.
[13:02] So continue to watch over us and bless us as we read now your word and pardon for our sins. In Jesus' name, Amen. Amen.
[13:21] We're going to hear the word of God as we have it in the New Testament scriptures. We're reading from the Gospel of John and chapter 13, verses 1 to 20.
[13:33] Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
[13:49] And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God and went to God, he was going to start with the cross.
[14:05] He was when he was turned, and lit up his side as garments, and took a towel and girded himself. After that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
[14:21] Then cometh he to Simon Peter, and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.
[14:36] Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
[14:53] And Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit. And ye are clean, but not all, for he knew who should betray him.
[15:08] Therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye not what I have done.
[15:24] Know ye what I have done to you. You call me Master and Lord, and ye say, Well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
[15:37] For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord, neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
[15:51] If you know these things, happy are ye if you do them. I speak not of you all. I know whom I have chosen, but that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
[16:03] He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you, before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
[16:18] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me. And he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. And so on then, may the Lord add his blessing to this reading of his word.
[16:34] And to his name be the praise. Singing to his praise, verses from Psalm 146. Psalm 146.
[16:48] And at the beginning. Praise God, the Lord praise, O my soul. I'll praise God while I live.
[16:59] While I have been to my God in songs, I'll praise his gift. Trust not in princes, nor man's son, in whom there is no stay.
[17:10] His breath departs, to whose earth he turns. That day his thoughts decay. O happy is that man and blessed, whom Jacob's God doth aid, whose hope upon the Lord doth rest, and on his God is stayed.
[17:28] Who made the earth and heavens high. Who made the swelling deep, and all the deep. This within the same.
[17:39] Who truth doth ever keep. Who righteous judgment executes. For those oppressed that be. Who to the hungry giveth food. God sets the prisoners free.
[17:52] The Lord doth give the blind their sight. The bow down doth raise. The Lord doth dearly love all those that walk in upright ways.
[18:04] And so on. These verses 1 to 8 of Psalm 146. Praise God. The Lord praise, O my soul. I'll praise God while I live.
[18:14] Praise God. The Lord bless, O my soul.
[18:27] I'll praise God while I live. While I am here to my heart.
[18:43] And so on. Hallelujah. shooting. Jesus, I'll praise God. If the Lord copy, of Christ's music. Touch me on. To hear God with His King, In His come of Rev迫, Peter Daniel.
[19:05] voiceover giving earth should look in and be of님. His butsingiel precip道, The Lord bathes in the Savior And he will return While he ahem cancers But he will return The خ sender And the love that he is Find Chernoos God The Lord above all, the Lord above all, and I'm not just all this day.
[19:55] To make the earth on the path of the night, the Lord above all, and I'm not just all this day.
[20:19] The Lord above all, the Lord above all, and I'm not just all this day.
[20:49] The Lord above all, the Lord above all, and I'm not just all this day.
[21:08] The Lord above all, the Lord above all, and I'm not just all this day.
[21:30] Amen. Amen. Amen.
[22:03] Amen. Amen. Amen. And it contains mystery, I suppose, pathos, a picture of unfathomable love.
[22:17] But it is pre-eminently a sublime example to God's people and to those who would be one with him in following Jesus.
[22:28] I was checking my notes and I found that I preached four sermons on this section, each one of them perhaps not on the same text as such, but on parts of this passage.
[22:42] But I was drawn to the passage as I was reflecting on some of what we were hearing during these last few sad days, as we were confronted with the sudden passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
[23:05] Many tributes have been given by many people. The common theme had to do with her personal devotion to duty, her humility, her compassion, her integrity.
[23:22] And you will have heard many of these things and more. Many are sorrowful today as they remember the Queen and they grieve as if a member of their own family has died.
[23:43] Now these tributes, I have no reason to believe that they were anything other than deserved. But what prompted me to this passage of Scripture is the description that we have there of many of these laudable tributes and characteristics that are praised, but at an exemplary and an exalted level.
[24:19] All earthly monarchs must vacate their throne. But the one of whom this passage speaks continues to occupy a heavenly throne.
[24:33] The psalmist tells us that he has a kingdom that has no end at all and that it doth through ages all remain. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul describes to us how these words came to be true often.
[24:51] He humbled himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. But that was not at all. But that was not at the end of the matter. God also hath exalted him, Paul says, and given him a name which is above every name.
[25:06] He sits at the right hand of the majesty on high, enthroned, awaiting the day when he will once again come to judge the world. God is not at all.
[25:17] I want us to look at the passage as a whole and pick out four things that the Lord is said to have known. And then two or three things that are said about the disciples and their knowledge or lack of it.
[25:34] Now the fact that Jesus knew anything may not come as a surprise to us if we believe that Jesus is God.
[25:46] He is divine. If you go to the first verse of this book, this gospel, there you'll find that Jesus is described as one who is one with God.
[25:59] He is from the beginning. He is one to whom all the characteristics of the divine being belong.
[26:14] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. Words that remind us of who he is and what he is.
[26:29] He cannot be worshipped if he is not God. The angels have often mistakenly been directed as those who deserve to be worshipped.
[26:43] But no angel is worthy of worship because they are created beings. But as a God-man, there are elements that are the unique province of his humanity.
[26:59] I wouldn't like to spend too much time on this, but it has to be something that we note even in passing, however complicated or complex the thinking may be.
[27:11] The wording of the Shorter Catechism hints at the complexity. When Jesus was born, he became man.
[27:22] He took to himself a true body and a reasonable soul, we are told. Words that suggest to us that it's a quite distinct humanity that he possesses.
[27:35] Professor Donald Macau, Principal Donald Macau, in his writings and his teachings, says he was not at the human level omniscient. He did not know, for example, the time of the Second Coming.
[27:51] As a child, he increased in wisdom. He came better informed. What he knew of the mysteries of God in his capacity as a mediator, he knew only as God the Father revealed them to him through the Holy Spirit.
[28:09] That is something that we find difficult to comprehend why this had to be so. But if it was not so, then why or how could he become a saviour to sinners such as we are?
[28:27] I think in this area we see the fulfilment of what Principal Macau describes. Reading the Gospels, we get used to the words, His hour was not yet come.
[28:40] But then in chapter 12, verse 23, we find the Apostle John there telling us that Jesus was knowledgeable concerning the impending hour.
[28:55] The hour is come that the Son of Man should be glorified. And he understands that to mean his death. Verily, verily I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, and it abideth alone.
[29:09] But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. Jesus knew exactly what he meant, and the implications of what was meant by it.
[29:20] So how totally wonderful that Jesus Christ, knowing this, goes on to do what he does. His knowledge of the suffering that awaits increases as he goes on, and yet he is concerned to educate his disciples as to how to behave because of his great love for them.
[29:45] If we go on to verse 3, we find him there again, indicating to us something that he knows.
[29:57] Jesus, knowing that the Father has given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God and went to God, that says many things to us.
[30:09] Truly, it elevates the Lord Jesus to a position higher than any mere human. God has given him this role to perform.
[30:21] He has come in God's name. He is coming to do God's bidding, and he is to return to the God who sent him. So, Charles Ross suggests that the knowing is not merely knowing, but although he knew, but because he knew.
[30:49] Knowing was one thing, and you could know something and be bound into it as if it was a fait accompli.
[31:01] There was nothing that can be done to avoid the implications of it. But it says more about the knowledge that Jesus had. It was because he knew that he loves.
[31:15] He knows Judas, and he knows the heart of Judas. But even so, it is suggested by some that Jesus performed the menial task of a servant, because none of the disciples wanted to.
[31:31] They were too proud. They were too engaged in this great task that Jesus had called them to. And surely, that didn't involve them in the menial servant prescribed task of washing feet.
[31:50] Jesus saw the big picture. Very often, the downfall of the church is pettiness, the things that matter little blot out what is important.
[32:04] What does it matter? Who washes your feet? But I will wash you. I will show you. I am about my father's business, but I am not too important to neglect what needs to be done.
[32:18] Jesus knew who he was. He knew why he was here. And there was no direct route to God except by way of the cross. Jesus knew who should betray him.
[32:33] In verse 11, Judas had already revealed his heart to Jesus and to others if they had been able to notice the kind of attitude that Judas had.
[32:50] But it seems that they did not. His love of money did not betray him. His attitude to the poor is discussed at seeming squandering of meager resources.
[33:02] Yet he did not identify him. He knew the scripture. He was well aware of what the scripture said concerning the one who'd betray him.
[33:12] Nevertheless, he did not expose him. He knew that he was going to be betrayed by the one who was the son of perdition.
[33:27] Jesus knew the other disciples had experienced the washing of regeneration but not Judas. The theologian Don Carson writes when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples this included the feet of Judas.
[33:47] If this proves anything beyond the unfathomable love and forbearance of the Master it is no right even if performed by Jesus himself that ensures spiritual healing.
[34:01] Washed Judas may have been cleansed he was not. it is a mystery to think of the Lord and Saviour sitting down or kneeling down and washing the feet of all the disciples and Peter can't get to terms with it there's no word about Judas having any difficulty with it.
[34:30] In chapter 6 we read there it is the spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life but there are some of you that believe not for Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him.
[34:58] he knew more than he was lifting on and yet because he knew more his purposes would be served by allowing Judas to do what he was going to do.
[35:20] Many of us can and should say that God is good to us but that alone does not prove the reality of our relationship to him.
[35:31] We may receive much blessing at God's hand and that is true but the fact that he chooses to bless us is not in itself anything that says to us that that blessing is a spiritual blessing to us.
[35:50] In verse 18 we read concerning Judas again I speak not of you all I know whom I have chosen but that the scripture may be fulfilled he that eateth bread with me hath lift up his heel against me now I tell you before it come that when it is come to pass you may believe that I am he and so on we are reminded of the true reason and purpose for the incarnation some could look at the words of Christ as indicative of imperfection if he knew them and chose them then surely his choice of our devil means he is flawed but that is not what Jesus means means them to understand someone some are chosen to life everlasting some to perdition that the choice of the laughter is entirely their own doing
[36:56] Judas knew much about Christ but he chose to despise what he knew Bishop Ryle writes about the devil Satan knows truth but he has no will to obey it and is miserable Judas was no different Jesus confirms the truth of scripture which almost requires the process to be fulfilled in order for the scripture to be true we have shown finally the contrasts between what Jesus knows and ultimately what the disciples do not they see what Jesus is doing but they do not grasp its significance remember in verse 7 Jesus says what I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know hereafter they will later remember and understand the example of
[38:00] Peter's responses ideally suited to reveal deeper truth as one put it concerning Peter is always someone who does his thinking out loud others probably think the same thoughts but they are more muted they're more reserved in the original tongue William Hendrickson points out how much Peter is at odds with what Jesus is doing Lord dost thou my feet wash my feet wash the contrast the Lord of glory washing Peter's dirty feet and he and they did not understand then or for a while afterwards the response was over the top on the part of
[39:01] Peter again if you remember in verse 8 Peter said unto him thou shalt never wash my feet Jesus answered him if I wash thee not thou hast no part with me Simon Peter saith unto him Lord not my feet only but also my hands and my head a typical response on the part of the apostle but verse 12 displays the level of their ignorance it shows how difficult it was for mere mortal minds to understand what Jesus was in the world to do after he had washed their feet and taken his garments and was set down again know ye what I have done to you you call me master and lord and ye say well for so I am if I then your lord and master have washed your feet you also ought to wash one another feet how difficult it was for them to make this connection this is his example to them
[40:14] Calvin maintains that he keeps them in the dark to try their patience but the real reason I think the real lesson is one of self denial prompted by love for others whose example if it is followed will bring great joy that's the thing we can understand we can know what he is saying we can know what his words mean but it requires more than that it requires us to do what he is saying it requires us to put into practice what do you say if you know these things happy are you if you do them and that's the hard part simply knowing is never enough there must be application often it is hard for us to do that but it should never despite how hard it is it should never deter us from attempting to do it we ask that God would enable us each one to find ourselves in the place of a servant ready to do the work of a servant in in in whatsoever way
[41:28] God means us to do it let us pray oh lord oh god as we think of these words we give thanks for the christ of whom these words are true for the example that he shows that he is someone who was willing not just to wash the disciples feet but to come into the world as someone who had a right to the highest throne in the world and who sat upon the highest throne in heaven we pray that you would remind us of that and encourage us to do our utmost for his glory and for his sake watch over us each one cleanse us from sin in Jesus name sing to his praise from Psalm 27 we are going to sing from the beginning the
[42:28] Lord is my light and saving health who shall make me dismayed my life strength is the Lord of whom then shall I be afraid when as mine enemies and foes most wicked passions all to eat my flesh against me rose they stumbled and did fall against me the unhosted camp my heart yet fearless is though war against me rise I will be confident in this one thing I of the Lord desired and will seek to obtain that all days of my life I may within God's house remain that I the beauty of the Lord behold me and admire and that I in his holy place may reverently inquire for he in whose pavilion shall me hide in evil days in secret of his tent me hide and on a rock me raise these verses of psalm 27 from the beginning the
[43:36] Lord's my light and saving health who shall make me dismayed orden –ruit Buch m may patron name Who shall finish me this day?
[44:03] My life's strength is the Lord of whom, then shall I be of thee?
[44:21] When does my creation lose most great nations all?
[44:41] cycling through personagem.
[44:55] And 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.