[0:00] I'd like to extend a warm welcome to everyone that has joined with us at a time of worship this morning.
[0:11] We pray that as we do so we would know God's blessing over us. Just to highlight a couple of things from the intimation sheet. Everyone is welcome to join after the service for a cup of tea.
[0:26] Visitors of course, very welcome to come join with us and meet with us. It's good to have you with us if you are visiting. So please do come through, be encouraged to come.
[0:38] This evening's service, I'll take that. And of course no Sunday school during the school holidays today. Just one more thing to highlight, the midweek meeting, Thursday the 14th of August, will be taken by Malcom MacLeod Steadfast Global.
[0:54] So be encouraged to come to that meeting. So let us join together in worshiping God by singing in Psalm 40, the Scottish Psalter.
[1:08] Psalm 40 from the beginning of that psalm. Singing down to the end of double verse Mark 5. Psalm 45 I waited for the Lord my God, and patiently did bear.
[1:25] At length to me he did implying my voice and cry to hear. He took me from a fearful pit and from the miry clay, And on a rock he set my feet, establishing my way.
[1:40] way. He put a new song in my mouth, our God to magnify. Many shall see it and shall fear, and on the Lord rely. O blessed is the man whose trust upon the Lord relies, respecting not the proud nor such as turn aside to lies. O Lord my God, fool many out, the wonders thou hast done. Thy gracious thoughts to us were far above all thoughts are gone. In order none can reckon them, to thee if them declare and speak of them, I would they more than can be numbered. I will sing these words to God's praise. I waited for the Lord my God and patiently did bear.
[2:26] I waited for the Lord my God and patiently did bear. A pledge to me he didn't fly.
[2:54] My voice and cry to hear. He took me from the fearful face and from the mighty place.
[3:22] And on our road he set my feet. He established him my way. He put a new song in my mind.
[3:52] A miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle miracle O blessed is the man whose trust upon the Lord be mine.
[4:41] Respecting not the proud or such.
[4:52] A stubborn sight to life. O Lord my God to many of the wonders of love.
[5:20] Thy gracious souls to us were found. The blood of all souls have gone.
[5:40] In order not rest on them. To thee is then declared.
[5:58] And seek of them. When I hold them whole.
[6:10] That can be numbered up. Amen. Amen.
[6:21] We will now join together in prayer. Amen. Amen. Our Lord and our God. We give you thanks for the day that you have given to us.
[6:36] And an opportunity to come and worship your name. To sing praises to you. To read your word. And to meditate on it. And Lord we pray as we do so you would open our eyes to understand and our ears to hear.
[6:50] By the power of your spirit. A word in season to our hearts and our minds. That will speak to us and encourage us on the way. And even a word that will convict us.
[7:01] May be a word that will convert us. Lord by the power of your spirit we ask. Be with us in our gathering. Be over us. Guard us. Protect us.
[7:12] And Lord we pray with thankfulness in our hearts. That we can do so freely. We do not have the threat of persecution over us in these days.
[7:23] And we ask that this would continue. That we would have the freedom to draw near to you openly and publicly. To call all to come.
[7:35] And worship the living God. And Lord as we come before you. Give us an understanding of who we are. Truly as we draw near to our holy, holy, holy God.
[7:52] The almighty and powerful God. Give us an understanding of who you are. What you have created. What you have done for us.
[8:05] Open our eyes. That we may behold great wonders as we have sung. Wonders that we cannot number. Wonders that we desire to know all the more of.
[8:21] As we seek you this morning. Lord we pray. That you will guide us in your word. That you will speak to us in it.
[8:32] And we ask likewise. As the gospel goes out across our nation. We ask that you would bless us. We ask that you would give strength to those who declare it.
[8:45] Who preach it. Faithfully Lord we pray. And encourage your labourers. Where you have placed them. That they may see fruit for their labourers.
[8:57] Knowing that your word will not return empty nor void. And that they can go forth. Sowing the seed of the gospel. Assured that you will make it flourish in your time.
[9:11] And Lord we pray. With thankfulness in our hearts. For the gospel of Jesus Christ. We give thanks for your son.
[9:24] That willingly came and gave himself for us. That we should be set free. From the burden of sin. If we accept him.
[9:34] Receive him. And believe in him. Lord place Jesus before us. That we would receive him.
[9:46] That we would trust in him. That we would give of our lives. To him who gave his life for us. That was his great love.
[9:58] For you. And for me. For each of us. Gathered here. That we would know the greatness. Of his love. And coming to redeem the people.
[10:12] God himself. Lord we. Ask. That we would understand these things. That we would know our sin.
[10:25] And have it. As a sin. That would have us running to you. Knowing. That we carry this great burden. On our back. Knowing that we can be free of it.
[10:37] If we fall at the cross. And we fall and bow the knee to Jesus Christ. To be our savior. And that if we do.
[10:48] We have the great assurance and promise. To be adopted and received into. The family of God. To receive into that household.
[11:01] And all its privileges. That we may enter into the joy of the Lord. In your time. Give your people assurance of your promises.
[11:13] In your word. That they may lay hold on them. And trust in them. Every day. That we would be faithful witnesses. As we live our lives.
[11:25] In our homes. And in our communities. In our workplaces. In school. Wherever you place us Lord. That we would be lights in darkness. And that we would be bold for you.
[11:40] That we would be not ashamed of the gospel. And that we would be freely sharing it with others. As our hope. As our life. As nothing else that the world can offer.
[11:53] Many seek the treasure of this world. They find themselves lost. Or does it profit a man if he gains it.
[12:06] And loses his soul. And Lord. We just ask. And call upon you this morning. To be with us.
[12:18] And to keep us. In every step. In every moment of our lives. At every age of our lives. Guide us. Be our shepherd. We pray for this congregation.
[12:31] We pray for them in their time of vacancy. And we ask that it would be a blessing. To them even now. But that you would be preparing. A servant. And a minister. To be over them.
[12:43] To be a faithful preacher. And pastor to the people. And Lord. Likewise. We pray for many other congregations. That we know of in our presbytery. Across our denomination.
[12:57] In different presbyters also. The need of labourers. The need of preachers. We give thanks. For those who. Willingly give of their time.
[13:10] To preach the gospel. To help. To help. To help. Your cause. In their weakness. Even as they feel unable.
[13:21] And incapable. To do it. We pray. They will find their strength in you. So we ask that you would raise up men. To fill these positions.
[13:33] And fill these vacancies. And that the gospel. Would flourish. Through them. And they would come. With joy. At the harvest.
[13:45] For all we ask. Be with us in our time together. Speak to us we pray. In Jesus name. Amen. Amen. I just want to say. A couple of words.
[13:56] To the young ones. I've got something here. To show you. Anyone know what this is? Yeah.
[14:07] Yeah. Magnifying glass. This. This magnifying glass. I've never seen a magnifying glass. Like this one before. Because it's got a light in it too. So you can see things really well.
[14:18] And what a magnifying glass is. It'll make things bigger. For you to see. So I can look at the words. In the soundbook here. And I'll make them bigger. And I can see all the detail in it.
[14:32] And I could take something else. I can look at the microphone here. And all the bits here. And I can look at the detail of it. I can see lots of different scratches on it. And lots of different marks.
[14:43] That I've taken from here. And all the different edges here. That are a wee bit worn. That's a good thing. And you can see lots of details. That you wouldn't normally see.
[14:54] If you didn't have a magnifying glass. And we can walk past lots of different things in this world. If you took like a wee flower. You could walk past it.
[15:05] And not pay any attention to it. But if you took it. And you put the magnifying glass over it. And you looked at the detail of it. You'd probably be amazed.
[15:16] At just how intricate it is. How delicate it is. How beautifully created it is. And you'd be looking at it and thinking. Wow.
[15:27] Isn't that amazing. I pass this every day. And I don't pay attention to the little details. Of God's creation.
[15:37] God has created this. And I don't notice it. You know there's a verse in the Bible.
[15:48] In Psalm 34. That says. Oh magnify the Lord with me. And let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord.
[16:00] He heard me. And he delivered me from all my fears. Oh magnify the Lord with me. There's lots of people.
[16:12] That think. Or they don't want a God. In this world. But what the psalmist here is saying. Magnify the Lord with me.
[16:24] At least what he's saying is. To stop. And to think about God. To open up the Bible. And to look at it.
[16:35] Slowly and carefully. As he would look at that flower. Look at all the details. Of God's word. The Bible. Because all these little details.
[16:47] In the Bible. Tell us more about what God. Is like. And if we. Like the flower. Of whatever you're looking at.
[16:57] You see all the details of it. You see the creation of God. You're amazed. At it. And likewise. The same way.
[17:09] When we read our Bibles. When we open it up. And we stop. And we take. Even just one verse. Just look at it. With great detail.
[17:20] To see. What does this tell me about God? Does this show me anything about God? God. And when we do that. I can guarantee you.
[17:33] That you will be amazed. At God. Because. When we understand God. God. We should be amazed by it.
[17:45] All that he has done for us. All that he is. All that he has created. When we stop. And we look at a. Small part of the Bible.
[17:56] We should be amazed by God. And if God doesn't amaze you. Pray. To God.
[18:07] To show you. A story. Or a passage. Or a verse in the Bible. That will make. You amazed by him. That you look at the details.
[18:20] And you see. How great God's love is. For you. When you stop the cross. And you see what Jesus has done for you.
[18:31] That you will be amazed. And. That you will. As the psalm says. Praise God. Because he is so amazing.
[18:45] He has done a great work. And he loves you greatly. So that you. Exalt. The name of God. Together.
[18:57] As we do this morning. So I pray that. Even as we look at the Bible. This morning. We would maybe see details in it. That will help us.
[19:08] Praise God. For who he is. And what he has done for us. So when you see a man to find glass. I want you to remember. Of the details of God's creation.
[19:19] But I want you to remember. To look at the details. In God's word. The Bible. So that you. Will be amazed. By him.
[19:31] Okay. So thank you all. For listening. We are going to sing again. Once more. In Psalm 56. That's the Scottish Psalter version again.
[19:43] Psalm 56. From verse 5. To the end of that psalm. A psalm that speaks about the psalmist's troubles.
[19:55] And. That God. Will hear him. And that he trusts in God. And that he says. That what can man do to him. And that will be fitting for our sermon this morning.
[20:07] And our reading. From verse 5. It says. Each day they rest my words. Their thoughts against me. Are all for ill. They meet me.
[20:18] They lurk. They mark my steps. Waiting my soul to kill. But shall they by iniquity. Escape thy judgment so. O God with indignation.
[20:29] Down do thou the people throw. And verse 11. In God I trust. I will not fear.
[20:40] What man can do to me. Thy vows upon me are. O God. I render praise to thee. Wilt thou not. Who from death me saved.
[20:52] My feet from falls keep free. To walk before God in the light. Of those that let me be. So we'll sing these words to God.
[21:05] Praise from verse 5. Each day they rest my words. Their thoughts against me. At all for ill. Each day they rest my words.
[21:21] Their thoughts. Is he an old father? miracle.
[21:31] They meet, they mark, they mark my chest, retain my soul to kill.
[21:50] But shall they die iniquity, escape thy judgment so.
[22:10] O God with a dignity and judge to serve the people's throne.
[22:30] My one place of one place happy, thy know's there number two.
[22:51] And to thy thoughts open, my tears are laid on them like her.
[23:11] My foes shall when I die turn back.
[23:23] I know God is for me.
[23:33] In God's Word I'll face His Word.
[23:45] And God shall please be. In God I trust, I will not fear.
[24:04] What man can do to me. Thy vows upon me are.
[24:22] O God, I'll render this to Thee.
[24:33] Will thou not who from death be saved?
[24:45] I'll be from false keep free. To walk before God is the light of those that live in me.
[25:14] We'll turn now to our scripture reading and we'll find that in the Gospel of John chapter 14. We'll have two readings this morning.
[25:26] Firstly, the Gospel of John 14 and then secondly in that same Gospel in chapter 20. So we'll begin in chapter 14 and we'll begin our reading at verse 15.
[25:42] John 14 verse 15. Let us hear God's Word. John 14. John 14.
[25:53] John 14. John 14. John 14.
[26:26] more, but ye see me. Because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them. He it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings. And the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father which sent me. These things I have spoken unto you, being yet present with thee. But the Comforter, which is the Holy
[27:44] Ghost whom the Father will send in thy name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with thee, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard now I said unto you, I go away. And I come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father. For my Father is greater than I. And I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you. For the Prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father.
[28:43] And as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. And also if you would turn with me in that same gospel to chapter 20 and verse 19. 20 verse 19 takes us to the account where the resurrected Jesus meets with the disciples. And we'll read to verse 23. Then the same day and evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had said, so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you, as my Father has sent me, even so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost, whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them, and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained. Amen.
[30:12] In the reading of God's word we are blessing to all who have heard and read. Before coming back to that passage, we'll sing once more in Psalm 26. Psalm 26, from the beginning of that Psalm, down to verse map 7, 5 stanzas.
[30:32] Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. I trusted also in the Lord. Slide therefore shall not I.
[30:44] Examine me and do me proof. Try my heart and reigns, O God, for thy love is before my eyes. Thy truth paths I have trod. With persons vain I have not sat, nor with dissemblers gone.
[30:59] The assembly of ill men I hate, to sit with such I shun. So, verse 1 to the end of verse 7. To God's praise, judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity.
[31:14] Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity.
[31:31] I trusted all, though, when the Lord cried, Therefore shall not I.
[31:51] Examine me and do me proof.
[32:02] Thy heart and reigns, O God, For I have lived before my life.
[32:22] Thy truth the sight of the road. With parents, O God, for I have lived before my life.
[32:32] With parents, O God, for I have lived before my life. I have no sight, nor riches and blurt gone.
[32:50] Thy miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of miracle of I'll wash and purify.
[33:30] So to thine holy altar go, And God's last sin will lie.
[33:48] That I will always hope and curing Make us wish and be clear.
[34:08] And tell of all thy mighty words, That great and wondrous heart.
[34:27] Turn back with me to the passage we read in chapter 20, At account of the disciples' meeting with the risen Lord Jesus in the locked room.
[34:42] And we'll read again at verse 21. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you, As my Father has sent me, Even so I send you.
[35:00] This account, as we have said, The second recorded resurrection appearance of Jesus in the Gospel of John.
[35:11] The first of course is Jesus appearing to Mary at the tomb, Where she thought he was a gardener, But realised that it was indeed her Lord.
[35:22] And she ran back to the disciples to tell them. And now we come to this second appearance that I want to give attention to this morning.
[35:34] It occurs on the same day. The first day of the wake. Mary has gone to the tomb at sunrise. And now it tells us that in this evening hour in verse 19.
[35:46] The first day of the wake. The disciples are locked in this room. Because they're scared of the Jews. And Jesus comes into their presence miraculously.
[36:00] And in between these two accounts, When you go to the Gospel of Luke, We have an account that seems to happen in between. Where Jesus walked with the two on the Emmaus Road.
[36:12] And that's a fascinating account as well. And we must ask, Well why has John chosen just to pick Mary's account, And then this account of the disciples. And this is a fascinating account of the two on the Emmaus Road.
[36:27] We cannot say for sure. But what we can say for sure is that, John has specifically chosen these accounts for a purpose.
[36:40] He has constructed his Gospel for a reason. And that reason is found in verse 31. That anyone who reads these things might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
[36:58] And that believing you might have life in his name. Why it is not included?
[37:13] Why it is not included?
[37:26] Again we cannot say. But John himself concludes this Gospel by saying that, Supposing that every word was written and told about Jesus.
[37:37] There wouldn't be enough room in the world to contain all that is written. What we have here is a select account for a purpose. Chosen by John.
[37:49] And I hope that purpose will become clear to us as we study it. Now I want to present an image to you as we begin. You know yourself. You can't do everything in this life on your own.
[38:03] You need someone to help you at times. Things that you just can't do and you don't know how to do. And you need someone else to do it for you. Even if you do know how to do everything, you still can't manage it because time restricts you or your ability.
[38:18] You need to delegate tasks. And normally what we do is we would delegate simpler tasks that others could do that they won't knock out for us. And it will be done well.
[38:29] And if you think about a business, you think about maybe a boss that has established a business, he has set up this business, his own business, and he will delegate simpler tasks to other people.
[38:43] And he will keep the more crucial elements to himself. That will decide how the business is run. But I want you to imagine that at a time that this boss, this man, this manager, has to set aside the reins and hand it over to someone else.
[39:01] And I want you to think about the person that you would be looking for to hand it over to you. You would be looking for someone that would be very competent in his work. Someone that would be knowledgeable.
[39:12] Someone that would be experienced. Someone that would be trustworthy and reliable to fill his boots to ensure that his business would continue running smoothly. And what he's doing is he's looking for the best person he can find to take over.
[39:27] And in our passage today, there's a handover going on in one sense. Jesus, as he has been saying to his disciples in chapter 14, he has to leave this world.
[39:42] He can't remain with them. He makes great promises in chapter 14. And chapter 14 is a great chapter to come back to again and again. And to study with the magnifying glass and to look at all the details of it.
[39:55] Chapter 14 is brilliant. We have an account here where Jesus comes into their presence. After having left them, after having died.
[40:08] And he's going to hand over his work. As the Father sent him, he is now going to send it.
[40:19] What a task. What a task for these disciples to be sent. To go out into this world to face the great opposition that Jesus faced.
[40:32] To face the hostility that this world has shown Jesus. To face the threat of death that they put Jesus to. And you look at the men that he has.
[40:45] You look at the men that he has handing over this hugely important work to. And you can study these men in the Gospels. He has, even in this passage, they are scared.
[41:00] They are confused. They have proven themselves to be unreliable. Unfaithful by running away from Jesus.
[41:13] Leaving him on his own. These disciples have been expedient to do this work. They are lacking knowledge and understanding. Lacking the understanding that Jesus has helped you.
[41:25] They do this work and be sent as Jesus was sent. It's one of these moments when you think and you stand back not knowing what would happen.
[41:38] It's one of these moments where you would think that this isn't going to work. And if you think about the businessman that would hand over his business to people who were inexperienced, lacking in knowledge, scared, confused, unfaithful, unreliable.
[41:54] You'd know and you'd think this isn't going to work. And using that understanding and our own minds and our own reasoning, we could understand and say that the work of Jesus would stop.
[42:12] But it strangely never. And it continues to this day, miraculously using men and women of the same character.
[42:25] To go out and be sent with the gospel. To do great and mighty works in Jesus' name. So it immediately says to us that there is something more going on here than me to understand.
[42:41] There is something more going on here than the mere ability of these men. For what should have fallen on its face has continued throughout the ages.
[42:53] These are the men that you read about in the Acts as you go into it. Chapter 17 verse 6. Who turned the world upside down.
[43:04] These men who are in this locked room are the same ones that have turned the world upside down. And I want us to look at this passage here this morning.
[43:17] And to see what Jesus gives to them. The first thing he gives them is peace. Then he gives them a purpose. And then he gives them the power to do a disaster thing.
[43:31] So the first thing we see that he gives them is peace. Peace was something that was promised to them in chapter 14. And peace is something that he welcomes them with when he arrives in this locked room.
[43:45] And so whichever time you wish that you were a fly on the wall. Is it not in this locked room with the disciples? When they are trying to weigh up everything that has been happening this day.
[43:57] Everything that has happened in the last few days even. Jesus has been taken away. Jesus has been crucified. They thought he was going to be their king and lead them in this world. And now he is gone.
[44:09] But Mary has come this morning. Peter has run to the tomb and seen that the grave is empty. The tomb is empty. Maybe the two from Emmaus have made their way back to the disciples here and told them about Jesus appearing to them.
[44:22] I wonder what they are saying. I wonder what questions they had. They had seen the Lord.
[44:33] Was the undeniable claim of Mary. And those who had seen him. And maybe you are sceptical of that claim this morning.
[44:45] How could someone come back from the dead? How could they have seen this Lord once more? And rightly so because it was not something easily processed to our understanding.
[45:00] But I want you to see that. When you look at these men. When you look at the character of these men. And you look at them here.
[45:11] That you look at the difference. That meeting with the risen Lord Jesus made in their life. Turned them around. Absolutely transformed them.
[45:23] To go out. To be the people that they are not. To be the people that they are not. Meeting with the risen Lord Jesus. Set them out with confidence. Courage.
[45:34] Braveness and boldness. To share the gospel no matter what. The risen Lord Jesus. It is convincing proof. If you are doubting. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus this morning.
[45:47] When you look at these men. And the change that occurred in them. We have these disciples locked in this room. And it tells us it is for fear of the Jews.
[45:59] And what the Romans would do if they had. Killed a leader. Or condemned a pastor. And they would have killed a leader. Or condemned a practice.
[46:10] They would seek out those who were associated with that movement. So Jesus has been killed. And anyone else that would have been associated with that movement.
[46:21] Would have been liable to death as well. So that they would eradicate that movement. And they would not cause unrest amongst the people. And so their life is on the line here.
[46:32] Of what they think. Of what they think. They are hiding from the Jewish leaders. Who would have pointed them out to the Roman authorities. The Jewish leaders. Were not aligned with what Jesus is teaching in Men's Salmon.
[46:47] They didn't like what Jesus is saying. And so they handed him over. To be killed. To be put in Tammy's miracle. To be put in Tammy's miracle. To be put in Tammy's miracle.
[46:58] To be put in Tammy's miracle. To be put in Tammy's miracle. To be put in Tammy's miracle. To be put in Tammy's miracle. To be put in Tammy's miracle. Tammy's miracle. But Jesus comes into this locked room with peace.
[47:10] He welcomes them with peace. These men that were feared for their lives, these men that abandoned him, these men that ran away and left him to be on his own, Jesus doesn't show any frustration and anger towards them for the way they acted.
[47:32] But they ran away because they didn't want to die. They ran away because they were fearful for their lives. They wanted to protect their lives. And that's the same reason now they're hiding here. They're scared to die.
[47:44] They didn't want to die. Jesus comes into this presence and he says, peace be to you. A standard welcome in the day, but in spectacular circumstances.
[48:02] To be fearful of their lives and then to have this man appear before them increases their fear in many ways.
[48:14] But the presence of Jesus is something that brings peace. Right in the middle of their greatest fear of their lives.
[48:27] Right in the hiding away from the world in this locked room. Jesus is here to bring peace to them. And the world is looking for peace, isn't it?
[48:39] You want peace. I want peace. It's almost like we're programmed to seek after peace. And many people will try and work around their own peace. Providing peace for themselves.
[48:52] Or whatever means or ways they do it. But there's always something to spoil the peace that we create. Peace is always best when it's given to you.
[49:06] You imagine a child that's scared in the night. The presence of a mother or a father brings peace to them. And settles their worries by saying it's going to be okay.
[49:23] And the presence of Jesus here, who is far greater apparent, who is the Prince of Peace, appears to the disciples here, and gives them the greatest peace that they could ever know.
[49:42] The believer in Jesus Christ has peace in their life. That is what he gives to the believer. A peace not of this world as we read in chapter 14.
[49:56] Peace that passes all understanding. And maybe you've seen this change in someone's life. Maybe you've seen someone go through the most, what should have been the most fearful of experiences.
[50:10] Where their life is maybe on the line. And you have seen in them a peace that passes your understanding. A peace that makes you question, why do they have peace?
[50:23] And a peace that points you to look at the source of their peace which is given to them through the Lord Jesus Christ. These men had peace after meeting with Jesus.
[50:41] Because they knew that even though they themselves would die, they would live. He made peace for the one who is fearful here.
[50:57] And he makes peace still for those that are fearful today. Those who are scared in this life. Those who feel like their lives are upside down. Those who feel like locking themselves away.
[51:11] Even those who are scared to die. It is the Lord Jesus. The living Lord Jesus. Who will give you this peace.
[51:23] Today. Peace is a great treasure for the Christian house. Peace changes your life. Transforms you.
[51:38] But so does having a purpose. And that's their second point. They receive peace. But so also what they receive in this passage is a purpose in their life.
[51:49] They are sent as the Father has sent them. This is their purpose. And when we don't have a purpose in our lives.
[52:01] We feel lost. And when we feel lost and we feel like we don't have a purpose to do. We can begin to think that we don't have a purpose.
[52:14] Ourselves. Personally. Personally. It's a huge thing. To feel that way. I'm sure many of you have asked.
[52:25] Why am I here? And what is my purpose? I'm sure many of us have. But to know our purpose changes our lives.
[52:36] And the Westminster Divines, when they wrote the Catechisms, knew that purpose of man was the greatest question to begin with.
[52:49] What is the chief end of man? What is man's purpose? To glorify God and to enjoy him forever. That is our greatest purpose.
[52:59] And that is where we will find our purpose. In glorifying God. We will find our enjoyment in him. These disciples, in his purpose, would go out to glorify God.
[53:13] And no doubt, they found enjoyment in it. Peace of heart. And purpose in their life. Like nothing else in this world could give to them.
[53:28] Jesus comes to send them out into this world. This is the handover. To carry on the work that Jesus came to do.
[53:43] And that work is not to pay for sins. It's in Jesus' work. It's a special work that Jesus came to do. And only Jesus could do as a sacrifice in the land.
[53:56] But what Jesus did in the beginning of his ministry. It's recorded in Mark 1. Is that he proclaimed the gospel. He went out to all the people.
[54:08] He went out to the people that were sick and ill. And he went out to the gospel to them. This is the work that he did. The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand.
[54:20] Repent and believe. The gospel is what Jesus went out to do. And now he is sending them out. With that same message.
[54:31] To repent and believe. In the gospel of Jesus Christ. Calling people to believe in him. The man that died on the cross.
[54:42] To pay for their sins. They went out as changed men. Having met with the living Jesus.
[54:54] They went out even ready to die. Because they knew. The gospel was real. And for many of them.
[55:04] It did sadly mean the giving of their life. But they were willing to do it. And it was a radical change from the men we meet with here in the locker room.
[55:15] Meeting with Jesus. It takes a fear out of death for them. Meeting with Jesus. Reminds him of the promises that he made for them in chapter 40.
[55:32] That he would not leave them as often. That he would be with them. That he would be a prayer at home for them. Even at that section that we didn't read. They go out with boldness.
[55:45] The very ones that ran from death. Ran as far away from the could. Are running straight into the battlefield. For the gospel. For Jesus Christ.
[55:57] For the salvation of souls. For the glory of his name. They have a great purpose. In being sent. In the name.
[56:09] Of the family. I wonder what they thought. Of themselves. Their ability.
[56:22] To go out. They probably thought. I am not the man for the job. How can I do it? Feeling weak. The spirit was promised to them.
[56:38] To be with them. In this purpose. They received the power. Of the spirit. Coming upon them. Which would give them the strength.
[56:50] For the day. There is. Peace given to them. They are directed. With a new purpose.
[57:00] With a new purpose. In their life. But they are equipped. To go. With the presence. Of this spirit. That would not leave them. As orphans.
[57:11] But would give them. The strength. And power. To go out. With great confidence. Leaning on the words. That Jesus made to them. In the promises.
[57:22] Of chapter 14. And other promises. This spirit. Was a teaching spirit. That would remind them. Of all that he had taught them. And the promises.
[57:33] That he had made for them. That they would lean upon them. Knowing. That even. If they die. They shall live.
[57:44] And knowing. Because. As we read in chapter 14. Because I live. Ye also. Also. Shall. Live. We like.
[57:56] To have power. And strength. Within us. We like. To be strong. And we like. To feel like. We are strong enough. To face the difficulties. Of this world.
[58:07] And there are. Definitely. Times. Where we do. We feel like. We are strong enough. For the occasion. But sure. As anything. There are definitely. Days.
[58:18] Where we do not. Feel. Strong enough. Where we feel like. We can't face. What is said before us. When we feel like. We want to lock ourselves. Away in the room. And hide.
[58:30] From all of this. Going on in our lives. Because we know. We are weak. And we know. That we do not have. Strength to face it. And maybe we know. That there is nothing left. In our tank.
[58:40] To give. As it were. The disciples are here. Blocked away. Feeling weak.
[58:52] But Jesus comes. To give them. This spirit. Which he breathed on them. Receive you.
[59:03] The Holy Ghost. They needed this help. They needed this strength. As we do. In our daily lives. There is much.
[59:16] In this world. That will leave us. Feeling. Like we should lock ourselves away. But as believers. The Lord will prepare us.
[59:27] The Lord will equip us. And we are to have the confidence. To trust in the promises. That are made to us in scripture. That we lay hold of them.
[59:38] And embrace them. In the most difficult. And fearful circumstances. Of our lives. Knowing that he will not leave us. As orphans. He will keep us.
[59:49] And that in fact. He is providing a home. For us. The peace was not their own. The purpose. Which they were given.
[59:59] Was not their own. And the power. Which was bestowed on them. Was not their own either. It was all given. From God. It is the same.
[60:11] For us today. We receive. Great gifts. From the risen Lord Jesus. Great gifts.
[60:22] But we probably all long for. Deep down. We long for peace. We long for purpose. And we long to have the strength. To do what is asked of us. And to face the difficulties.
[60:34] Of this day. And we can do. Our utmost. To try and conjure them up. In our own world. To fabricate them. By our own doing. And yet.
[60:45] We are left wagging. Because we do not. Receive it from God. But when we do. We are given.
[60:56] Exactly. What we need. We are given. The peace. That passes. Our understanding. We are given. A purpose. Maybe that we never thought.
[61:07] We would end up doing. But we find our purpose. We find our reason. In life. And then. If we do what we can. To glorify God's name.
[61:19] And that if we do. Follow. That will. In our lives. We shall surely. Have enjoyment. In it. And yet. He is there.
[61:31] In the presence. Of the Spirit. To help us. Each and every day. In the difficulties. Of life. In all our weaknesses.
[61:45] To go out. With the gospel. To share it. If it's not by word. In the way we act. To imitate.
[61:56] Jesus Christ. In loving one another. Bading one another's burdens. Praying for one another. Jesus here.
[62:09] Gifts to disciples. Great gifts. Of peace. Purpose. And power. Meeting with the risen Lord Jesus.
[62:22] Transforming their lives. With these qualities. Has you met with the risen Lord Jesus? Do you know.
[62:35] Peace surpasses all understanding. Do you have a great purpose in your life. For the glory of God. And as you do it.
[62:46] Do you rely on his strength. And the power of the Holy Spirit. That indwells you. Jesus is a man. Who hands over.
[62:58] His task. To these weak men. The task. Is. In many respects. In our. In our weaknesses.
[63:10] In our fears. And our frailties. To go out. With the gospel. Of Flora's glory. May this gospel.
[63:21] Radically. Change you. In your life. And as a Christian. To give you.
[63:32] The greatest of confidence. To do great things for God. But to trust in him. Even in death.
[63:46] As he promised. Because he lives. So also. Shall you live. What a great promise to lay hold. What a transforming word.
[63:57] To believe. Let the gospel transform you. Like it transformed the disciples. That you embrace it.
[64:08] And believe it. With all your heart. And all these promises. Will be yours. And you will. Be with him. In his presence. In glory.
[64:19] Forever. What a thought. And I leave it with you. This morning. We'll conclude our time. By singing. And then a short prayer.
[64:30] We will sing in Psalm 118. From the beginning of that psalm. A call to praise God.
[64:46] For his steadfast love. That does not fail. Even in the distresses of our life. The Lord answer us. Even in the troubles. He set us free.
[64:57] Because this psalm knows. That the mighty Lord is on his side. And he will not be afraid. We'll praise the Lord. For he is good. His mercy last is ever.
[65:09] Let those of Israel now say. His mercy faileth never. Now let the house of Aaron say. His mercy last is ever. Let those that fear the Lord now say.
[65:19] His mercy faileth never. I in distress called on the Lord. The Lord did answer me. He in a large place did me set. From trouble made me free.
[65:31] The mighty Lord is on my side. I will not be afraid. For anything that man can do. I shall not be dismayed. Let us sing these words to God's praise.
[65:43] So praise the Lord. For he is good. His mercy last is ever. O praise the Lord.
[65:53] For he is good. His mercy last is ever.
[66:05] Let those of Israel now say.
[66:16] His mercy last is ever. Let those of Israel now say.
[66:35] His mercy last is ever. His mercy last is ever. Let those of Israel now say.
[66:50] His mercy last is ever. His mercy last is ever.
[67:02] I am distressed. I am distressed. Lord, O Lord. The Lord.
[67:14] The Lord did answer me. He is not a large place did me set.
[67:32] From trouble made me free. The mighty Lord is on my side.
[67:52] I will not be afraid. For anything that man can do.
[68:10] I shall not be dismayed. I will conclude and pray.
[68:21] I will stand to pray. Amen. Our Lord and our God. We pray that you would have met with us this morning. We pray that we would be people that know that your mercy lasteth ever.
[68:36] And that your mercy faileth never. And that in the uncertainties of his life, you would give us peace. In the lostness and wanderings of this world, you would give us a purpose.
[68:52] And in our weaknesses, you would make us strong. Amen. All for your glory and all for your name, we ask in Jesus' name.
[69:04] Amen.