[0:00] I'm going to sing to God's praise from Psalm 68, Psalm 68, and from verse 17 to verse 20.
[0:20] God's chariots twenty thousand are, thousands of angels strong, in his holy place God is, as in Mount Sinai, them among.
[0:35] Thou hast, O Lord, most glorious ascended up on high, and in triumph victorious led, captive captivity. Thou hast received gifts for men, for such as did rebel.
[0:49] Yea, even for them that God the Lord in midst of them might dwell. Blessed be the Lord who is to us of our salvation God, who daily with his benefits us plenteously doth load.
[1:04] He of salvation is to God who is our God most strong, and unto God the Lord from death the issues do belong. These verses, Psalm 68, from verse 17 to 20.
[1:20] God's chariots twenty thousand are, thousands of angels strong. O chariots twenty thousand are, thousands of angels strong.
[1:45] An age, o chariots twenty thousand are, thousands of angels strong.
[2:03] Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast received, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious,
[3:10] Amen. Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious,
[4:11] Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Thou hast o'er the heart for glorious, Shall we turn again to the passage that we read together in Paul's epistle to the Colossians, chapter 3.
[4:51] We can read at the beginning of the chapter. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
[5:06] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
[5:17] When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Particularly the words of verse 4.
[5:31] When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. As the nation continues to mourn the passing of the late Queen Elizabeth, we are all exposed to an almost ubiquitous coverage of all the pageantry that surrounds events leading up to the actual day of her burial.
[6:09] And we see and hear various services of commemoration, acts of worship.
[6:22] We also hear many comments from various sources. But personally, what I would say is that one thing that has been impressed upon my own mind is the import of one thing above all else.
[6:43] And that is the importance of the in-Christ relationship. The importance of our relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.
[6:57] If we are not in Christ by faith, it does not matter who or what we are. Here in this letter, the Apostle Paul begins to address that most important subject.
[7:22] And he speaks of four things that must be true and that is true of the Christian believer. They died with Christ, he says.
[7:35] They have been raised with Christ. Their life is filled with God in Christ. And finally, they all without exception shall appear within in glory.
[7:55] And that truth, or these truths, when human reason alone tries to make sense of what is said, you find that it is an almost impossibility.
[8:20] Because to be dead in Christ is not something that a person can actually begin to understand. To be alive in Christ, perhaps, but to be in a relationship with Christ in his death is something that is a mystery.
[8:46] But that's exactly what Paul says. When he died, those who are believers, those who have faith in Christ, died with him.
[9:03] And we either understand what that means or it deeply puzzles us. The renowned Scots preacher, Thomas Boston, once spoke of this relationship with Christ.
[9:27] And he approached it as you would expect somebody of his understanding. And somebody who had a great emphasis on the scripture and the relationship that the scripture brought to our attention.
[9:43] Of a relationship of faith being a relationship that is one that is covenantal. And he speaks of this covenantal relationship that exists between the believer and his God.
[10:04] And he uses as a basis for his understanding this analogy. That a person is either united to the first Adam and attached or united in the stock of the first Adam.
[10:29] Or he is united to the stock of the last Adam. If they are in the stock of the last Adam, they cannot but possess the life that that last Adam is able to imbibe to them.
[10:50] And he begins with that analogy. He begins with that understanding. And he says there are four things that are true of the person who is a believer.
[11:03] First he said they are dead to the law. Coming at Dully. They are dead to the law because they no longer intend to live by reason of their obedience to the law.
[11:26] That is not their source of life. They are not those who intend to inherit eternal life by their law works.
[11:38] So they are dead to the law in that sense. They are dead to themselves, he says. They are no longer living to self.
[11:49] They are dead to sin. It is no longer something that retains them in its group.
[12:02] They have triumphed over sin through Christ. And also, fourthly, he says they are dead to the world. The world is not important to them.
[12:17] And you can understand why he would say that. Because once you die and you are put in the grave, the world has no more interest to you.
[12:31] It has no more relevance to you. You are dead. You are in the grave. But if you are dead in Christ, then the same must be true.
[12:42] Because you have died to the world. And the world is not what is of abiding import to you. Now what that means in the ultimate is that, like the dead, all that belongs to the world is in the grave.
[12:59] But he counsels them here in this passage to fix their eyes, not on the world, but beyond the world.
[13:11] If you be risen with Christ, he says, seek these things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on the things on the earth.
[13:25] Again, for you are dead and your life is hid. With Christ in God. But I want us to focus on that last part here.
[13:37] When Christ, who is so alive, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. The believer has this relationship with Christ, which provides and ensures that they have a certain hope.
[14:01] A hope that the scripture tells us that will not put them to shame. A certain hope. And it's only certain because all of these other things are true.
[14:13] The fact that they are risen with Christ. That they have their attention and their affection fixed upon Christ as he is in glory.
[14:25] When we read the gospel of John, the epistle of John rather, John also shares the opinion of the apostle.
[14:39] The gospel of John, the epistle of John, the epistle of John. Concerning the certainty of what the future holds. That there is a future beyond life in this world.
[14:50] But at the same time, that inside that certainty, contained within it, are certain things that we cannot fully comprehend.
[15:01] That we cannot fully grasp. But they are equally certain. They are certain even though we cannot fully understand all that is contained within the promises that God has given to us in his word.
[15:19] Beloved, he says, now are we the sons of God. That is a certainty. It does not yet appear what we shall be. Again, that is a certainty.
[15:32] We may know from the scripture that there are certain changes that must inevitably take place. And God has not seen foot to reveal what these changes are.
[15:47] But he says, we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him. For we shall see him as he is. I don't know about you, but when you read these words, you believe what they say.
[16:04] And to a degree you understand what they say. But there is an element of mystery contained within them. That, in all honesty, I have no right to expect to understand them until we experience them, perhaps.
[16:19] One thing he does not know. One thing he is assured of. We are obliged.
[16:32] We are required. We understand what the Bible teaches. When Christ shall appear. Our life, he says. Only those who are in Christ.
[16:46] Only those who know Christ as their Lord. Only those who are by faith united to that Christ can say that. And can, in reality, put their hand on their heart and say, I believe this to be true.
[17:02] I don't necessarily understand everything that there is that is contained within that promise. But I do believe that this is what will happen.
[17:16] What Paul is stating here is that the risen Christ is going to appear again. The word that is used is the word that is translated in some places manifested.
[17:28] He is going to be manifested again. He is going to be revealed again. And I suppose you have to believe that if he is not risen, then he cannot be manifested.
[17:44] If he is still dead, if this grave is still containing the body or some grave that holds his body, then this manifestation is not possible. This, on the part of the apostle, is a statement of faith.
[18:00] He shall appear. Christ is going to be revealed at the resurrection. He is going to be revealed with all the glory that the resurrection will present him with.
[18:17] I'm not really sure what that glory involves, what it encapsulates, what it contains. Because, if you can imagine, there is a revealed glory that he possessed in the world as he was, as the divine incognito, as he is called by some divines.
[18:38] His deity was veiled, and yet his glory was an ever-present reality. It didn't mean that it wasn't there.
[18:50] It just wasn't open to the eye to see it. Now, when he rose from the dead, he possessed a glory that others glimpsed for a time.
[19:02] And yet he went up into glory to sit at the right hand of the majesty on high, and doubtless, that glory that is his is of such a nature that it cannot be fully explained.
[19:20] But when he comes, again, that glory will be revealed. And not only will it be revealed, it will be shared.
[19:30] It will be shared with those who are in him. Not necessarily the same glory, but a glory that they derive from him by reason of their relationship with him.
[19:44] There is a remarkable passage in the Old Testament that I'm sure you're familiar with. The words of Job. As Job looks forward with anticipation to the revelation, the manifestation of the Son of God when he comes in his glory.
[20:03] I know, he says, that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself.
[20:21] And mine eyes shall behold, and not another. Now it's difficult for us to understand how Job the saint could see such a vision of glory.
[20:35] And it's even harder for us to understand how he could actually conceive such a vision, how he could actually see such a vision of glory when he was embroiled in the providence that had overtaken him.
[20:57] Suffering the loss of loved ones, of wealth, of health. And yet he was able in the midst of that to say these words. He was able to speak a truth that is a constant truth, that he was able to contemplate such a coming again of Christ.
[21:19] Now, perhaps we can say ourselves that Christ who is our life shall appear. And then shall he also appear.
[21:33] We shall also appear with him in glory. And we can confidently assert that to be what we believe and what we expect to enjoy when everything is going well with us.
[21:48] But it is not the same to say that with conviction and with the assurance that is in the heart and mind of the apostle and of the Old Testament saint.
[22:04] When things are not the way they are at other times. I was thinking of, say, mountaintop experiences.
[22:14] I began to look after sheep when I was very little. I was first of all a gatekeeper. Then I was a gate.
[22:26] Then I was invited to come to a fang. And then I was encouraged and insisted upon to come to a fang. Then I was encouraged to go to the moor and to be involved in gatherings.
[22:38] And on my first visit to Bein Wrager, climbed up to the top in a bright summer's day. And I could see all the way down to the port of Ness.
[22:53] All the way down there. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. I could see clearly. But if you lived in our village, you would know that a lot of the time that small, we call it a bay, but it's only 260 foot high.
[23:12] It was covered in clouds. I remember once going up to the highest mountain in Wales, Mount Snowdon. And going right up to the top in a small railway.
[23:28] I didn't see much from the top. You were in the clouds all the way up. And you couldn't see much. And all I remember, most of it is the cold that was there up at the East Heights.
[23:40] But the point I want to make is this. That the vision that you have of this glory that Christ is in himself.
[23:52] And that he is going to reveal in the second coming. And that his people are going to share. It is not always as apparent.
[24:03] It is not always as clear to us that that is the way it's going to be. We need to understand the truth of God's word.
[24:15] And believe the truth of God's word. For Christ, who is our life. And because he is our life, we are unable to believe what his word says.
[24:29] And what his word says is that he will be manifested yet again to this world. And all the world will see him in his glory.
[24:41] And all who are his shall appear with him in glory. Now that's the simple truth that's contained here. If you remember Paul when he writes this word to the Philippians in the previous epistle.
[24:59] In chapter 3 there he speaks of the fact that God's people are going to not only see him. But be transformed by him.
[25:11] There's just transformation that is promised to them in chapter 3. He shall change our vile body.
[25:22] That it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. According to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
[25:33] Now what that means we may not fully understand. There is a change wrought in him. There is going to be a change wrought by him.
[25:47] And the consummation of all things involves him in doing this. Him coming again. Him being revealed.
[25:57] And revealed to his people. Revealed in his people. And you would think the Bible would take time to explain to us.
[26:09] All that is involved in that. And all that is involved in seeing this. And when we think about the words of John that we quoted earlier.
[26:22] John is quite convinced of the fact that he will come as he said.
[26:33] And that his people will see him as he has promised to reveal himself to them. But at the same time.
[26:46] When we read these words. There is always not an element of doubt. But an element of the hidden mystery.
[26:57] That surrounds the experience of the Lord's people. You know scripture tells us. That Moses wanted to see the face of God.
[27:11] He wanted to be able to see God. And God said. No. If you see my face. Then you will die. And yet. We shall all see the face of Christ.
[27:23] We are told. That the pure of heart shall see God. We are told. That there are many. Ways in which this is going to be possible.
[27:34] However. Mysterious it is. But you know. The fact of the matter. Is that what we are told here. Is not what we shall see.
[27:47] We are not told what we shall see. We are not told. The nature of the vision. That we shall be given. Of the Lord of glory. But what we are told is.
[28:00] That you shall appear. With him in glory. That's the thing. You shall appear with him. In glory.
[28:12] Paul is not. In any way. Doubtful about that. He is. He is certain. That this is what awaits.
[28:22] The child of God. By reason of the fact. That in him. That is what. Is going to be true. If you are risen with Christ.
[28:34] Then this is. What is true. If you are dead. With Christ. This is what. Is true. Because his life is in us. Who are believers in him.
[28:46] John Blanchard. In one of his many books. Quotes the preacher. I think he was a 17th century. Preacher. John Donne. And.
[28:58] I think he. Coming to the end of his. Of his life. Was preoccupied. In his thinking about. This translation.
[29:08] This. This transformation. That was awaiting him. He longed for it to happen. And he anticipated that. Someday soon it would. But in one of his sermons.
[29:19] Coming up to. Close to his death. He said. No man ever saw God. And lived. And yet I shall not live. Until I see God. And when I.
[29:32] Have seen him. I shall. Never die. And it takes a wee bit of. Thinking about the. What he was. Saying.
[29:44] I shall not live. Until I see God. And that is what is true. Whatever. Whatever. People. Make of God's word.
[29:57] The life that. Christ. Has. For them. Must be in them. In order for them. To see him. As he is.
[30:08] By faith. Initially. And. With the eye. Of faith. Perhaps I don't know. How that is. When we shall see him. In his glory. I don't think.
[30:20] Many people. Believe. That all the graces. Are going to be. Suspended. Some. Insist. That only the grace. Of love.
[30:30] Will be in operation. When we get to heaven. But faith. Will be. Put to one side. And hope. Will be swallowed up. With victory. With a. Vision.
[30:41] Vision. But. Whatever we make. Of it. There is the fact. That. We are going to appear. With him.
[30:51] In glory. What makes that. A certainty. Is not the fact. That I wish it so. Or I want it to be so. But that Christ.
[31:02] Through his own death. Ensures. That all who died. In him. Will live. With him. For all eternity. The emphasis.
[31:14] Is not on sight. But on the continued. Presence. With Christ. Manifested. With him. In glory. To be with him. We are told.
[31:24] By the apostle. Is better. By far. Whatever it means. And maybe. There are some people. And they say. Oh. If only I understood it.
[31:35] If only I knew better. What these words meant. Then I would believe. Don't you believe that. Because the believer. He. Takes God's word.
[31:47] For what it is. And he puts his trust. In this word. That tells. Each one of us. What Christ. Has promised to do. And that he will.
[31:59] In the ultimate. Bring. To fruition. All that he has promised. He will bring. The consummation. Of all things. Is just around the corner.
[32:10] For every one of us. We can't count it. In seconds. Or days. Or months. But it is. Closer to us. Now than it ever.
[32:20] Has been. Whatever. Time he chooses. To come. Or God appoints. For his coming. When he comes. He will take his own. To be with him. And they will be with him.
[32:32] For all eternity. Whatever that experience. Involves. May God. Enable each one of us. To be amongst him. Let us pray. We are saved by grace.
[32:47] And it is. By faith. That we. Have come to. Embrace. Christ. For all he is. To his people. We give thanks.
[32:57] That. When he died. His people died. With him. When he rose. His people rose. With him. And when he.
[33:09] Will be revealed. In glory. The glory. That is his. Will be. Replicated. Refract. Reflected.
[33:20] In his people. For he. Is the head. Of his church. And his. Church is his body. And his body. Will be where he is. And the glory. That is his. Will be their glory.
[33:31] And he. Will receive. Their praises. Throughout the endless. Ages of eternity. We pray that. Your people. Would understand. Even in a measure.
[33:42] Something of the awesome nature. Of what that entails. Bless us together. And all. We. Leave in your care. And keeping this evening. Especially the morning. Amongst ourselves.
[33:53] And elsewhere. Forgive our sins. In Jesus name. Amen. I'm going to conclude. With a singing. Psalm 17.
[34:04] In Gaelic. Psalm 17. The last two. Verses. Of the psalm. Cheers. Oh yeah. I'm going to provide. Say that.
[34:15] Into the service. At sea. To the power.
[34:27] came with tr Freddie was born in under raw trees, the very treasures of the old the old people that take away from here but the dead God willił, 6 years of change yet but that time the van begins to take away everyone's good and we'll make the whole true this easy thing to go.
[34:50] wow.
[35:05] wow wow wow yeah yeah Thank you.
[35:49] Thank you.
[36:19] Thank you.
[36:49] Thank you.
[37:19] Thank you.
[37:49] Thank you.
[38:19] Thank you.