[0:00] Welcome to our service this evening, a special welcome to any who may be visiting with us. We will resume our public worship of God by singing from Psalm 19.
[0:16] Psalm 19 and we're singing from verse 9 down to the end of the psalm. Psalm 19 from verse 9 to the end.
[1:00] A great reward provided is for them that keep the same. Who can his errors understand? O cleanse thou me within from secret faults.
[1:13] Thy servant keep from all presumptuous sin. And do not suffer them to have dominion over me. Then, righteous and innocent, I from such sin, from much sin shall be.
[1:27] The words which from my mouth proceed, the thoughts sent from my heart. Accept, O Lord, for thou my strength and my redeemer art.
[1:39] We can sing these verses, Psalm 19 from verse 9 to the end. Unspotted is the fear of God and does endure forever. Unspotted is the fear of God and does endure forever.
[2:05] The judgments of the Lord are good and righteous altogether.
[2:23] Unspotted is the fear of God and does not endure forever.
[2:53] O best we ever find, A great reward of the world, Born heavy is thy true pain, A great reward provided is, For they must keep us safe.
[3:36] Who can this ever understand, O cleanse thy me within, From secret faults I shall keep, From all place I can sing, And do not suffer, And do have come never over me, Then righteous ungiveable sin, high from mercy shall be.
[4:46] The words which from my heart proceed, the thoughts sent from my heart.
[5:05] Accept, O Lord, for my strength and my redeemed heart.
[5:25] Let us join together in prayer. O Lord, O God, as we call upon your name, we give thanks for the opportunity to gather as we do, to commence our worship with the words of the psalmist upon our lips, words that remind us of the preciousness of your own word, the meaningfulness of that word.
[5:57] To your people in particular. It is a word that we have found very often to conform to our own peculiar circumstances in ways that defy understanding.
[6:16] Sometimes we turn to your word and we are downcast and we find that the psalmist meets us even in the depths.
[6:31] We find inexpressible joy in our heart at the thought of salvation and our enjoyment of it.
[6:42] And yet the psalmist meets us at the pinnacle. And we acknowledge that that is so because your word is special.
[6:57] Your word is unique in that it brings to us by means of the spirit.
[7:07] All the felt experiences of your people. All the particular theologies that conform to these experiences.
[7:23] Where your word speaks to us of divine holiness, righteousness. Where your word speaks of us or speak to us of the eternity that is yours alone.
[7:39] That you are a God who is the creator of heaven and earth. Who by divine fear brought into being all that exists.
[7:50] That you breathed life into the creatures that occupy space and time. And we see there so much evidence of a God whose word teaches us that you are a good God.
[8:08] And we stand to worship as we come together to seek your face. May we experience that as something that we delight in.
[8:22] May your people be encouraged in their faith. May they be filled full of excitement even at the thought of meeting with Christ unto the world.
[8:35] We would pray for those who are yet to be numbered amongst them. To experience the life that your word brings. That it is the entrance of your word that brings light.
[8:50] And we pray that that may take place even now. We ask your blessing to be upon our service here. Upon the gathering of your people.
[9:05] And all the gatherings of your people throughout our communities. In the island, in our nation. And throughout the world. Lord, we give thanks for your day.
[9:18] And we give thanks for the rest. That has been secured for us. And that is demonstrated by the day.
[9:28] That bears your name. We pray for your blessing upon all that has been done in your name throughout the world. The various gatherings of your people.
[9:40] Sometimes in large numbers. Sometimes in the twos and threes. We pray for your blessing upon all that has been done in your name. Your name to the glory of that name.
[9:51] May the missionary activity of the church secure souls for the glory of that name. We pray for a day of power. We pray for a day of power.
[10:04] Lest the day of reckoning come. Because surely we are told that that day awaits. And before that day comes. And before that day comes. It is our desire that those that we know and love would be ready for it.
[10:21] As your word instruct us. To be ready for in such an hour as you know not. The son of man will come.
[10:34] We pray for your blessing upon the proclamation of the truth. And ask especially that it would not fall to the ground without. Providing the blessing that you have ordained for all who are under it.
[10:54] We remember in your presence those who cannot be with us here in this place. Those who belong to the fellowship of the congregation. Those who are in membership.
[11:06] Those who are adherents. And who have walked steadfastly with the Lord's people for many years. Now they are housebound.
[11:17] And they are denied access to the public means. We do not wish anything for ourselves. That we do not wish for them. So bless them where they are.
[11:28] Whether they are in their own homes. In homes appointed for their care. And also in the hospital and hospice.
[11:40] We are mindful of some that belong to our congregation. Who are at this very moment within these places. May you bless them.
[11:51] Far more richly than we could ever seek for them. Because you have the ability to do for them what we cannot. Guide the hands of those entrusted with their care.
[12:06] Deliver them from evil. And enable them to experience healing. Wind up the wounds of those who are afflicted by reason of bereavement.
[12:20] We acknowledge in your presence that here we have no continuing city. That we are pilgrims and sojourners. As our fathers before us.
[12:32] The day will come when our races run. May it be a day when victory is ours through Christ. The one who rose from the dead.
[12:46] And ascended to glory. And received the victor's crown from the father's hand. We pray for your blessing upon our nation.
[12:57] For our king. His family. Those who govern in his name. May thou mercyfully undertake for them. And may you in mercy touch their lives.
[13:12] So that those who have that authority and power. That they would use it wisely. For whether they believe themselves answerable to the populace or not.
[13:28] They are answerable to the one who is king of kings. Lord over all. May remember the nations of the earth in totality. Those war-torn regions.
[13:39] These peoples who are displaced by reason of war. Those who have suffered losses of loved ones. The frail elderly and the weak and infirm young.
[13:54] We remember them to you. And ask Lord that you would bring peace. Where there is this peace. We ask for the peacemakers.
[14:05] That they may be empowered. To go into such places. Even theatres of war. And there to seek to. Bring warring factions.
[14:18] Together. And that they may resolve the issues. That are beyond man to resolve. With your help. So hear our prayers.
[14:28] And we ask that you would remind us. Of the one who is. Who is our God. And who is our Saviour. That we may receive blessing from his hand.
[14:40] Bless the singing of your word. And the reading of the truth. And contemplations upon it. In Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Let us sing now to God's praise.
[14:56] Psalm 43. Psalm 43. We are singing the whole of the Psalm. Metrical Psalm 43. The whole Psalm.
[15:07] Judge me O God. And plead my cause against the ungodly nation. From the unjust and crafty man. O be thou my salvation.
[15:18] For thou the God art of my strength. Why thrust thou me thee through? For the enemy's oppression. Why do I mourning go?
[15:29] O send thy light forth. And thy truth. So let them be guides to me. And bring me to thine holy hill. Even where thy dwellings be. Then when I to God's altar go.
[15:43] To God my chiefest joy. Yea God my God. Thy name to praise. My harp I will employ. Why art thou then cast down my soul?
[15:54] What should discourage thee? And why with vexing thoughts. Art thou disquieted in me? Still trust in God. For him to praise.
[16:05] Good cause I yet shall have. He of my countenances the health. My God. That doth me save. The whole of Sam. 43 to God's praise. Judge me O God.
[16:16] And plead my cause. Judge me O God. Plead my cause.
[16:28] Against yon God. Reignation. From the unjust and wealthy man.
[16:42] For the enemy's oppression. O be thou my salvation. For thou the God.
[16:54] Son andhovah. But your strength. My heart. My strength. Why trust thou me. Eat all. For the enemy's oppression.
[17:11] Why do I more kingdom go? O send thy light for thy truth, let them be guide to me, and bring me to thy holy hill, even where thy dwellings be.
[17:47] Then will I to God's altar call, to God my chief has joined, ye God my God, I aim to raise my heart, by will and ploy.
[18:19] Why, after then, cast my soul, what should this guarantee?
[18:33] And why with wishing, cause thy duties quieted in me?
[18:49] Still trust in God, for him to raise who calls thy extra while.
[19:04] Be all my guidance, is the health might, for thou thou hast me saved.
[19:20] Let us hear God's word as we find it in the epistle of Paul to the Galatians, chapter 6.
[19:31] We'll read the whole chapter, Paul's epistle to the Galatians, chapter 6.
[19:45] Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
[20:02] Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
[20:14] But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.
[20:26] Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked.
[20:39] But whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. But he that soweth to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.
[20:54] And let us not be weary in well-doing. For in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
[21:12] Ye see, how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised.
[21:24] Only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law, but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
[21:38] But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
[21:49] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
[22:06] From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
[22:20] Amen. To the Lord, that is blessing, to our reading of this word, and to his name be the praise. We're going to continue singing God's praise at Psalm 22.
[22:37] Singing to God's praise, Psalm 22, verse 23. Praise ye the Lord who do him fear, him glorify all ye.
[22:54] The seed of Jacob fear him all, that Israel's children be. For he despised not, nor a part that afflicted's misery, nor from him hid his face, but heard when he to him did cry.
[23:10] Within the congregation great my praise shall be of thee. My vows before them that in fear shall be performed by me. The meek shall eat and shall be filled.
[23:23] They also praise shall give unto the Lord that do him seek. Your heart shall ever live. All ends of the earth remember shall and turn the Lord unto.
[23:34] All kindreds of the nations to him shall homage too, because the kingdom to the Lord doth appertain as his. Likewise among the nations the governor he is.
[23:49] And so on. These verses to God's praise. Psalm 22, verses 23 to 28. Praise ye the Lord who do him fear, and glorify all ye.
[24:00] Praise ye the Lord. Make him fear, and glorify all ye.
[24:21] The seed of trick, the fear, the fear, and moan, that Israel's children be.
[24:40] For he despised, nor nor the poor, the afflicted's mystery, nor from him, his face, nor from him, his face, when he to them to cry.
[25:20] Within the calm, vacation great, my praise shall be of thee.
[25:40] My God's before, then the tent field shall be performed by me.
[26:00] The meek shall eat, and shall be filled, and also praise shall give.
[26:20] And to the Lord, that you will seek, your heart shall ever live.
[26:40] All ends of the earth remember shall and turn the Lord and turn the heart captured, behold, and o'er ChristEst played, our countenance of the nations,�트 convainment rushing through, the Bethany.
[27:18] Because the King comes together, To the Lord that appertains us is.
[27:39] Likewise among the nations. The governor he is.
[28:03] You can turn to the portion of scripture that we read. Paul's epistle to the Galatians. Chapter 6.
[28:14] And we'll read again verse 14. But God forbid that I should glory. Saving the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[28:26] By whom the world is crucified unto me. And I unto the world. God forbid that I should glory.
[28:38] Saving the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Well we're going to bring our study in the epistle.
[28:49] To our conclusion this evening. Noting these. Last words of the apostle. The apostle. And.
[29:03] I think it would be safe to say. That what he says. At the end of this letter. It is a. A reaffirmation.
[29:15] Of what he has. Said. Throughout. Their. Preacher. Teacher. Right. Tim Keller. Summarises it in this way.
[29:28] He says that. Paul. Wants to. Convince them. That. Real Christianity. Is a matter of. Inward.
[29:38] Change. Not external. Observance. And that it is. Substantial. And not. Superficial.
[29:49] And throughout. That is. What. Paul. Emphasizes. He is. Counteracting.
[30:00] The claims. Of some. That insist. That. In. Tandem. With. The Christian. Profession. That they make. That they should.
[30:11] Continue. To practice. The former. Riduals. And. Law. Keeping.
[30:21] That was under. The old. Dispensation. In many respects. Our thoughts. Tonight. Are a continuation. Of.
[30:32] This morning's. Message. That. Placed. Belief. In the Christian. Gospel. And. The gospel.
[30:44] That put. Christ. Crucified. Front. Front. And. Center. Is. All. Important. In the heart. And mind. Of the apostle.
[30:58] So. We want to look. At these verses. In particular. This verse. In particular. But taking. To account. What has been said. Before. And.
[31:09] Suppose. The opening. Verse 11. Of this final. Of this final. Section. That we're looking at. Seems. A bit strange. They don't seem to be.
[31:21] Very meaningful. You see. How large. A letter. That I have written. Unto you. With my own hand. And it doesn't matter. Who you read.
[31:32] Concerning. These words. They are. All of. The one mind. In that. There is no. Clarity. With regard.
[31:44] To. What Paul means. By. That statement. I think. Collectively. They would all. Come to. To. A number.
[31:56] Of conclusions. Without. Any. Clear. Evidence. From. What is written. As to. What is meant. By it.
[32:08] For example. Some. Are. Quite. Confident. In. Asserting. That the apostles. Has.
[32:18] Written. Written. This letter. But. Using. The pen. Of. Some. Other. Individual. That he. Has. Simply. Dictated.
[32:29] The letter. Up. Until. This. Point. But. As he. Comes. To the. End. Of. The letter. It. Seems. That he. May. Have.
[32:39] Taken. The. Writing. Of. It. As. Something. That he. Himself. Wishes. To do. And.
[32:50] The reason. Why. That is. Suggested. Is. That. We. Frequently. Come. Across. The. The. Assertion. That Paul. Suffered. From. Poor. Eyesight.
[33:01] And. Because. Of. His. Prude. Eyesight. When. It. Came. To. To. To. Writing. The. Lecter. Or. This. Part. Of. The. Lecter. That.
[33:12] His. Writing. Required. Him. To. Use. Larger. Lecters. That's. Only. A. Suggestion. A.
[33:22] Further. Suggestion. Is. That. Because. Of. The. Nature. Of. The. Lecter. At. The. Point. At. Which. The. Lecter. At. The. At. The. Point. At. Which. These. Words. Have. Been. Written. He.
[33:32] Wants. To. Conclude. With. With. Certainty. And. With. Clarity. That. It. Is. As. If. He. Is. Writing. These.
[33:43] Last. Few. Words. In. Capital. Lecter. Remember. He. Is. Writing. In. Greek. And. Not. In. English. So. That. For. Emphasis. Sake.
[33:53] His. Writing. Is. Capitalized. Now. All. Of. These. Things. Are. Speculations. They're. Just. Considerations. That. People.
[34:04] Want. To. Arrive. At. Based. On. Wanting. To. Come. To. A. Proper. Understanding. Of. What. We. Have. Before. Us. But. What. Really. Matters.
[34:14] To. Paul. And. What. Really. Matters. To. Us. Who. Are. Reading. This. Is. The. Emphasis. That. He. Has. Placed. All. The. Way. Through. Upon.
[34:26] The. Passion. Of. The. Lord. Jesus. Christ. His. Death. On. The. Cross. And. The. Certainty. That. All.
[34:36] Can. Have. Who. Put. Their. Trust. In. Him. That. Their. Salvation. Is. Secure. In. Him. That. They. Do. Not. Need. Them.
[34:49] Any. More. Secure. Than. They. Are. In. Him. Already. So. I. Want. Us. To. Think. About. The.
[35:00] Centrality. That. Paul. Gives. To. Christ. At. This. Point. In. The. Letter. The. Emphasis. The. Importance. The. Affirmation.
[35:12] Of. Our. Truth. That. Is. Is. Uh. Brought. To. The. Attention. Of. The. Reader. Throughout. That. Is.
[35:22] That. What. Matters. Is. That. Jesus. Christ. Died. For. Sinners. The. Systematic. Theologian.
[35:34] Robert. Raymond. Talking. About. The. Role. That. Christ. Has. As. The. Redeemer. Of. Sinners. Speaks. About.
[35:44] Christ. In. His. Three. Four. Offices. Prophet. Priest. And. King. And. In. That. Discussion. Of. Of.
[35:55] The. Role. Of. Christ. In. These. Officers. He. Says. Christ. Meets. And. Fulfils. All. The. Needs. Of. Men. As. Prophet. He. Meets.
[36:05] The. Problem. Of. Man's. Ignorance. Supplying. Him. With. Knowledge. As. Priest. He. Meets. The. Problem. Of. Man's. Guilt. Supplying. Him. With. Righteousness. As. King.
[36:16] He. Meets. The. Problem. Of. Man's. Weakness. And. Dependence. Supplying. Him. With. Power. And. Protection. That's. A. Brilliant. Summary.
[36:27] Of. The. Role. Of. Christ. In. The. Offices. That. He. Occupies. Prophet. Priest. And. King. And. Throughout.
[36:38] This. Epistle. You. Could. Argue. That. Paul. Has. Alluded. To. Each. One. Of. Them. In. Different. Ways. At. Different. Times. But. Always. Reminding. Those.
[36:49] Who. Are. Most. Affected. By. Error. And. Heresy. And. Teaching. That. They. Do. Not. Need. To. Go. Beyond. Christ.
[37:01] To. Secure. Salvation. Salvation. Is. There. And. They. Cannot. Enhance. It. They. Cannot. Take. Away. From. It. Anything.
[37:11] That. They. Do. As. Long. As. They. Look. To. Him. So. I. Want. Us. To. Think. Of. This. Verse. In. Particular. And. Think.
[37:23] Of. It. In. This. Way. That. We. We. Have. To. Understand. First. Of. All. What. Is. Meant. By. The. Cross. Of. Christ.
[37:33] Because. There. Is. A. Breath. To. That. Statement. A. Depth. To. It. It. Has. A. Meaning. Which. Ought. To. To. Be. Dictated. By. Context.
[37:45] The. Cross. Of. Christ. We. All. Understand. What. It. Means. And. I. Am. Sure. If. I. Was. Able. To. To. Scan. Your. Brains.
[37:56] At. This. Moment. When. I. Make. The. Statement. The. Cross. Of. Christ. There. Could. Be. Any. Number. Of. Meanings. In. Your. Head. And.
[38:08] They. Would. All. Be. Right. But. There. Is. A. Breath. Of. Meaning. To. The. Statement. The. Cross. Of. Christ. And. Context.
[38:19] Demands. That. We. Understand. That. Secondly. We. See. The. Apostle. Strenuously. Emphasize.
[38:31] The. Place. The. Cross. Ought. To. Have. In. The. Experience. Of. The. Lord's. People. God. Forbid. He. Says. That. I. Should. Glory. Save.
[38:42] In. The. Cross. Of. Our. Lord. Jesus. Christ. And. The. Third. Thing. Which. We. Can. Say. A. Bit. About. Is. The.
[38:53] Impact. The. Cross. Had. Upon. Paul. Which. We. Can. Also. Anticipate. To. Be. An. Impact. Had. Upon. Every. Individual. Who.
[39:05] Comes. In. Contact. With. Christ. Through. The. Cross. And. Which. Ought. To. Ensure. That. We. Are. That.
[39:16] We. Are. Convinced. Of. Of. Of. Our. Place. Of. Of. Safety. And. Peace. In. Him. Well.
[39:28] As I. Said. I'm. Sure. All. Of. You. Understand. This. All. Of. You. Appreciate. This. That. Throughout. The. Reading. Of. The. New. Testament. When. It. Speaks. Of. The. Cross. Of. Christ.
[39:39] You. Could. Say. It. Is. Their. Teaching. About. Teaching. Something. About. The. Historical. Nature. Of. The. Death. Of. Christ. Christ. Died.
[39:49] On. The. Cross. We. Know. That. The. Cross. Meaning. A. Wooden. Construction. Shaped.
[39:59] In. A. Cross. Where. His. Feet. Were. Nailed. To. His. Hands. Were. Nailed. To. And. He. Was. Fixed. Between. Heaven. And. Earth. On.
[40:10] A. Cross. A. Means. That. Was. Customary. At. That. Moment. For. Executing. Criminals. So.
[40:21] The. Cross. In. That. Sense. Is. This. Clearly. Understood. Bias. But. We. Also. See. See. The. Use. Of. The.
[40:31] Word. Cross. As. Being. Something. That. Speaks. Of. The. Particular. Nature. Of. The. Sufferings. Of. Christ. Not. Just. Physical.
[40:42] Sufferings. Resulting. From. Being. Nailed. To. The. Cross. But. The. Nature. Of. The. Sufferings. Of. Christ. That. Were. That.
[40:53] Were. Atoning. That. Is. That. The. Sufferings. Of. The. Cross. Are. Often. Referred. To.
[41:04] As. Being. Being. The. Means. By. Which. Sin. Was. Being. Guilt. Through. The. Death. Of. Christ. The.
[41:15] Message. Of. The. Cross. Is. The. The. Message. Of. Atonement. That. Is. The. Message. Of. Sinners. Coming.
[41:26] To. Experience. Peace. With. God. Through. The. Death. Of. Jesus. Christ. On. The. Cross. The. Cross. Speaks.
[41:37] Of. The. Death. Of. One. Who. Was. Just. Dying. In. The. Place. Of. The. Un. Just. It. Speaks. Of. Substitutionary.
[41:48] Atonement. It. Means. So. Many. Different. Things. In. That. Respect. And.
[41:59] It. Is. Half. Times. That. The. Scripture. Speaks. Of. The. Cross. In. That. Way. And.
[42:09] The. Glory. Of. The. Cross. Is. Not. Just. That. That. That. Jesus. Died. Physically. But. That. The. Nature. Of. His. Death.
[42:21] Ensures. That. Salvation. Of. Sinners. Is. Possible. It. Is. Also. True. That. Sometimes. We. Speak. Of. The. Cross. And.
[42:31] What. We. Mean. By. The. Cross. And. The. Cross. Of. Christ. As. Something. That. Is. Born. By. Those. Who. Are. Follow.
[42:43] Christ. Must. Take. Up. Their. Cross. And. Follow. Him. They. Are. His. Disciples. They. Are. Believers. In. Him. And. As. Such.
[42:53] They. Can. Anticipate. And. Expect. That. They. Will. Suffer. Because. Of. Their. Testimony. And. Because. Of. Their. Witness. To.
[43:03] Him. It. Costs. To. Follow. Christ. And. There. Is. Always. A. Cost. Implication. So. Just.
[43:15] With. These. Three. Thoughts. You. Will. Understand. That. The. Cross. Of. Christ. As. It. Comes. Before. The. Mind. Of. Paul. He.
[43:25] Wants. Us. To. Understand. That. The. Cross. Is. Something. To. Be. Gloried. In. And. That. Contrasted.
[43:37] With. The. Thought. As. We. Understood. Today. That. Is. Shame. Attached. To. The. Cross. That. There. Is. An.
[43:48] Understanding. That. Those. Who. Were. Crucified. On. The. Cross. Were. In. Some. Way. Cursed. And. Because. Of. That. They.
[43:58] Were. To. Be. Dismissed. From. Thought. And. There. Is. No. Doubt. That. Christ. Is. The. Sin. Bearer. And. As. Such. He. Bears. The. Cross. He. Bears.
[44:08] The. Curse. Of. The. Cross. But. The. Cross. In. The. Eyes. Of. Many. Who. See. It. And. Hear. Of. It. It. Is. A. Swear. Word. It. Is. Something. That.
[44:19] Is. Equated. In. Their. Minds. And. To. Their. Way. Of. Thinking. With. Somebody. Who. Deserves. To. Be. Despised. And. Rejected. Which. Is. What. Christ.
[44:29] Was. But. That. Thought. Is. Something. That. Comes. Before. Paul's. Mind. Because. He.
[44:40] Says. God. Forbid. That. I. Should. Glory. In. Anything. Else. But. The. Cross. Of. Christ. In. Other. Words. I. Am. Somebody. Who.
[44:50] Delights. In. The. Cross. I. Am. Somebody. Who. Appreciates. The. Cross. For. What. It. Is. Is. But. Again. The. Context. Shows.
[45:01] Us. Why. He. Is. Saying. That. Because. He. He. Emphasizes. This.
[45:11] With. The. Words. God. Forbid. That. I. Should. Make. In. Oito. That. I. Should. In. Any. Way. Feel. Embarrassed. About. Shamed.
[45:22] About. The. Cross. Of. Christ. And. The. Real. Desire. Of. The. Judaizers. The. Real. Desire. Of. Those.
[45:32] That. Paul. Is. Resisting. The. Real. Desire. Of. Those. Who. Are. In. Opposition. To. The. Gospel. Is. That. They. In. Some. Way. Elevate.
[45:43] Themselves. To. A. Position. Of. Of. Vain. Glory. And. In. This. Particular. Instance.
[45:54] What. They. Are. Thinking. Of. Is. In. Some. Way. Undermining. The. Truth. That. The. Believer. Has. Committed. To. And. Taking. From.
[46:04] Them. Their. Trust. In. The. Gospel. And. By. Doing. Doing. So. Seeking. Glory. For. Themselves. Because. The. Judaizers.
[46:15] And. Those. Who. Followed. In. Their. Example. Nothing. Better. Could. Occur. Than. By. Making. Christian. Believers. Adopt.
[46:25] Practices. That. Were. Negated. By. The. Cross. Here. He. Mentioned. Circumcision. But.
[46:37] Circumcision. Was. Not. The. Exclusive. The. Only. Thing. That. The. Judaizers. Were. Wanting. To. Do. Those. People. Who. Wanted.
[46:48] To. Elevate. The. Ceremonial. Law. Who. Wanted. To. Elevate. The. Practices. That. They. Themselves. Were. Willingly. Bound.
[46:58] By. But. To. Bind. The. Christian. Under. These. Things. So. That. Their. Lives. Would. Be. Nunified. As. Christians. By. Doing. What.
[47:08] They. Wanted. And. Paul. Adds. To. This. And. He. Says. They. Are. Doing. This. In. Order. To. Boast. In.
[47:19] Your. Flesh. They. Are. Doing. This. In. Order. To. Boast. To. Others. This. Is. What. We. Have. Made. These. Christians. Do. We. Have. Made.
[47:29] Them. Revert. To. The. Kind. Of. Life. That. They. Forsook. To. Embrace. Christ. And. Paul. Knows. All. About.
[47:39] This. Paul. Knows. All. About. What. It. Was. To. Live. A. Life. Where. He. Where. He. Trusted. In. The. Jewish.
[47:50] Way. Of. Life. And. The. Practices. Remember. Philippians. Three. A. Description. There. Of. Paul. As. He. Was. Before.
[48:00] Grace. Took. Him. From. That. Life. Though. I. Might. Also. Have. Confidence. In. The. Flesh. If. Any. Other. Man.
[48:11] Thinketh. That. He. Hath. Whereof. He. Might. Trust. In. The. Flesh. I. More. He. Says. Circumcised. The. Eighth. Day. Of. The. Stock. Of. Israel. Of. The. Tribe. Of. Benjamin. And.
[48:21] Hebrew. Of. Limeless. This.
[48:33] Is. Me. Pre. Christ. These. Are. The. Things. I. Was. Proud. Of. These. Are. The. Things. I. Boasted. In. My. Spiritual. Pedigree.
[48:45] The. Fact. That. I. Was. Circumcised. The. Fact. That. I. Bore. The. Marks. In. My. Body. That. Told. Others. Of. My. Relationship. To. Abraham. Of. Old.
[48:58] But. Paul. Says. All. These. Things. Are. Vain. All. These. Things. Are. Foolishness. To. Those. Who. Say. Other.
[49:09] With. The. Cross. Is. Foolishness. It. Is. An. Offense. But. To. Paul. And. To. Those. Who. Knew. Christ. To.
[49:21] Those. Who. Know. The. Christ. Of. God. As. Lord. Of. Their. Lives. He. Is. The. Only. One. Worthy. To. Glory. In. I.
[49:32] Think. That's. Something. That. You. Should. Notice. How. Perspective. Changes. Just. Focus. Momentarily. On. The. Person. Of. Paul.
[49:43] Pre. Grace. The. Things. That. Were. All. Important. To. Him. Are. Forsaken. By. Him. When. Grace. Comes. Into. His. Experience.
[49:53] When I was thinking of this I was reminding myself of what was true of me in my youth and many others like me.
[50:07] The things that took up our time. The things that took up our attention. The things that took up our affection even. And they were all important.
[50:20] You devoted your life to these things. And then all of a sudden. These things. Were shown for what they were.
[50:32] And. The ties that. Snared you. Into an affection for them. Was broken. It was all change.
[50:46] You know if there's anything that convinces me. Of the work of grace in the life of an individual. Is. Is. It is this. When that change is wrought in a person.
[51:00] When the things that were so. Much. You know. Filling your cup. So much so. That you couldn't imagine.
[51:12] Living your life without these things. And then God took them away. But he didn't just take away. These things. He put in their place.
[51:23] The things that were of worth. The things that really mattered. And that was what was true. For Paul. What did it matter to him.
[51:34] That he was. A descendant of. Of. The patriarchs. The writer.
[51:48] F.F. Bruce. Quotes the words of a hymn. And he says this. I never knew myself. As a sinner.
[51:58] Nor recognized Christ. As my saviour. Until. Upon the cross. I saw my God. Who died to meet the law.
[52:09] That I had broken. Then I saw. My sin. And then. My saviour. I could not see that.
[52:22] Nor any other person. Until your eyes. Were taken. To look upon. Christ the saviour. That's why the boast of Paul. Changes. He makes a boast.
[52:33] Of the cross of Christ. The cross of our Lord. Jesus Christ. He says. And then we have the impact.
[52:48] Upon Paul. The change. Wrought in him. The change was. By. Him. By the cross.
[53:00] By whom the world. Is crucified. Unto me. And. I. Unto the world. The world.
[53:11] Crucified to me. What do we think. That means. Very often. We talk about. The experience.
[53:22] Of. The. Christian. When they are dealing. With. Sin. And when they are dealing. With.
[53:33] Sin. In themselves. And they're talking about. The old man. And the new man. And the death. Of the old man. And the life. That is in the new man.
[53:44] And they say. The life. That is in the new man. Is. A life. That sees also. The death. Of the old.
[53:55] But the death. Of the old. Is a slow death. It's a crucifixion. Of the old. It takes time. Which in a way.
[54:06] Means. Makes sense. But that's not what Paul. Is referring to here. He is referring. I think.
[54:17] To the relationship. That. Every one of us. Has. With the world. In which we live. David Campbell.
[54:27] A preacher. Says this. Human society. That is aligned. With the devil. Is under the dominion. Of sin. And is thoroughly.
[54:38] Anti-God. In its thinking. Practices. And religion. To that world. Paul. Has been crucified. To that world.
[54:52] So. Has every. Other. Believer. It is. A crucifixion. Of. The world. And it's.
[55:03] Twofold. The world. Is crucified. To me. And I. To the world. Why. Duplicate it. Surely. It's the same thing. Surely.
[55:14] It means. The same thing. Well. We know. That the world. Still has. Its influence. But its power. Is diminished.
[55:28] If we. Yield ourselves. As Christians. To the word. Of God. If we. Yield ourselves. To the teaching. And the direction. Of God's Holy Spirit.
[55:41] We see. How. The word. Influences. Our relationship. To the world. Okay.
[55:54] A thought. Coming to my mind. Just now. I can't quite. Get a hold of it. I think. It goes something. Like this. It's about. The person.
[56:05] Who's struggling. With sin. In their life. And the question. Is asked. Why. Why is it. Why is it. That the person. Who is a believer. Has this struggle.
[56:16] With sin. And sometimes. Sin. Gets the better. Of them. Some. Sometimes. Their heart. Is run over. To things.
[56:26] That they should not. Be. Allowing their heart. To gravitate towards. The question. Is asked. Why. Why. Why.
[56:37] Is. The old man. Sometimes. Stronger. Than. The man. That is born again. That is. That is. A new man. And the answer.
[56:48] That was given. By somebody. Was. Well. The person. That will win. Is the one. That you feed. The most. The one.
[56:59] That you feed. The most. I think. Behind that thought. Is this. That if you. If you are in the world. And if your heart. And mind.
[57:09] Is steep. In worldly. Things. Then it is. No wonder. That you are. Drawn. More and more.
[57:20] Into. The way. The world. Influences you. But if. You are. More. Intent.
[57:31] On allowing. The word of God. To influence. What you think. And where you go. And how you behave. The more. You are able. To resist.
[57:42] The drawing power. Of the world. But it is. That Paul. Is not. Saying here. That the world.
[57:53] Is dead to me. And dying. To the world. Maybe he could say it. Better than anybody else. But what he is saying. Is that the world. Is crucified to me.
[58:04] And I. To the world. He understands. The disparity. He understands. The difference. He understands. The. The. The. The difference.
[58:16] That the cross. Of Christ. Has made. To him. That the person. Of Christ. Has made. To him. Someone made this remark.
[58:28] And it's a statement. Worthy of reflection. You may query it. You may think. About it. And it's really. A statement. About. How.
[58:39] We are. In this world. That is. Dominated. By. Anti-Christian. Thoughts. Anti-Christian.
[58:49] Actions. Despising. The Christ. Of the cross. And. This person. Said. To go back.
[59:01] Into that. World. The world. Of. God. Lessness. The world. World. Of. Self. Pleasing. The world.
[59:13] Of. Fleshly. Idolatry. To go back. To that. You have. To step over. The cross. Of Christ. To do it.
[59:25] In other words. You can't. Just do it. Without. Without. Experiencing. Recrimination. In your own. Heart. Of hearts. Paul. Writes.
[59:36] That Jesus. Has made. Peace. By way. Of the cross. You read. The epistle. To the. Colossians. The cross. Is all things. To him.
[59:47] The cross. Is the means. By which. His salvation. Is secure. The cross. Is the very thing. That allows. Him. To do. What he does.
[59:59] Without. A big good. Without. Without. Shame. Without. Embarrassment. As we said. In his preaching. Christ matters. Christ. Is all.
[60:10] In all. I came across. This story. And with this. I'm going to finish. The story. Of an old. Christian. Lady.
[60:21] And it is said. Of this old. Lady. That. The older. She got. It was more. Apparent. Than. That it was. Anything else. Was. That. Her love.
[60:32] For Christ. Was. Growing deeper. And deeper. But as she came. To the end. Of her days. She. Suffered. A terminal. Illness. That confined.
[60:43] Her to her bed. And she. Was wracked. In pain. And a Christian. Friend. Came to visit her. And the Christian.
[60:54] Friend. Saw. How. How. She suffered. And. How. Her. Her. Life. Was limited. Because of that. Suffering. And she.
[61:06] She. Queried. How she was. In her. Suffering. And what she did. Was remarkable. She. Lifted up.
[61:18] Her hands. She. And she. Said. There are no. Nails. There. He.
[61:28] Had the nails. But I. Have the peace. She. Pointed. To her brow. And she. Said. There is.
[61:39] No. Crown. There. No. Crown. Of. Thorns. He. Had the crown. I. Have the peace. And she. Pointed. To her side.
[61:51] Said. No. Spear. There. He. Had the. Spear. But I. Have the peace. And that. Was the assurance.
[62:02] She had. Even on her. Deathbed. For the cross. Of Jesus. Christ. Was her. All. All. In all. The cross.
[62:13] Of Jesus. Christ. Was something. She. Gloried in. Even in death. The cross. Of Jesus. Christ. Was what. Separated her.
[62:24] From this world. Even while she was still in it. Well that is what will separate. Us from the world.
[62:35] Ultimately. The cross of Jesus Christ. Paul. Lived his life. Proclaiming that Christ. Christ.
[62:46] And he says. From henceforth. Let no man trouble me. For I bear in my body. The marks of the Lord Jesus. I don't know what that means. I don't know if it means.
[62:57] His. Sufferings. On behalf of the Lord. He had many. He had many. Because he witnessed.
[63:08] To the truth of Christ. In his life. No matter what. Brethren. He said. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be with your spirit. Listen to the world.
[63:20] And the world. Will do its utmost. To deprive you. Of. All that the cross means. Listen to the word.
[63:31] Of God. That speaks to you. Of the cross. And God forbid. That you should. Do anything. But glory. In that. If you are his.
[63:43] Let us pray. Oh Lord. Oh God. We give thanks. That you are. The God. Who has made provision. For the sinner. In me. We pray.
[63:54] For your blessing. On us. On this world. That we have. Reflected on. Over the last. Few weeks. We pray. That it would be. The means. By which.
[64:05] We. Resist. All who would. Deny Christ. Watch over us. Each one. Cleanse from our sins. In Jesus name. Amen. Our closing psalm.
[64:20] Psalm 98. Psalm 98. And we are singing. The first four. Stanzas of the psalm. O sing a new song. To the Lord.
[64:31] For wonders he hath done. His right hand. And his holy iron. In victory hath won. The Lord God. Whose salvation. Hath caused to be known.
[64:42] His justice. In the heathen sight. He openly hath shown. He mindful of his grace. And truth. To Israel's house. Hath been. And the salvation.
[64:52] Of our God. All ends. Of the earth. Have seen. Let all the earth. Into the Lord. Send forth. A joyful noise. Lift up your voice. Allow to him.
[65:03] Sing. Praises. And rejoice. O sing. A new song. To the Lord. For wonder she hath done. O sing.
[65:14] A new song. To the Lord. For wonder. He hath done.
[65:29] His right hand. And his holy iron. His right hand. His right hand. His right hand.
[65:42] And his holy arm. His victory. has won.
[65:55] The Lord. God. His salvation. Hath caused it.
[66:08] To be known. His justice. His justice. In the heathen side.
[66:22] His justice. In the heathen side. He all.
[66:35] The need. Hath done. He mindful.
[66:48] To Israel's arms of pain And the salvation of our God And the salvation of our God All ends of the earth have seen Let all the earth enter the heart Send forth a joyful night Lift up your voice Allowed to Him
[67:53] Lift up your voice Allowed to Him Sing graces and rejoice May they grace, mercy, and peace From God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit Dressed and abide with you all over and always Amen