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[0:01] We shall begin singing to God's praise from Psalm 34. Psalm 34, and at verse 8. O taste and see that God is good, who trusts in him is blessed.

[0:20] Fear God who sins, none that in fear shall be with want oppressed. The lion's young may hungry be, and they may lack their fruit. But they that truly seek the Lord shall not lack any good.

[0:34] O children, hither do ye come, and unto me give ear. I shall you teach to understand how ye the Lord should fear. But man is he that life desires, to see good would live long.

[0:48] Thy lips refrain from speaking guile, and from ill words thy tongue. Depart from ill, do good. Seek peace, pursued earnestly.

[1:00] God's eyes are on the just, his ears are open to their cry. The face of God is set against those that do wickedly. That he may quiet out from the earth, cut off their memory.

[1:15] And so on. We shall sing these verses of Psalm 34 from Peret. O taste and see that God is good, who trusts in him is blessed.

[1:25] God is good, who trusts in him is blessed.

[1:48] Fearful Jesus, don't you, that he will. Fear, who sins in him, ways of snapping.

[2:01] Fear, who histories in him, ways of snapping slash��. Fear, who cis in him is blessed. Fear, who serves in him, that he will may all come from within.

[2:12] CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS

[3:14] CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS administrator Thine will shrink from the seeking God, and from the works I done.

[3:58] Keep our throne and look, seek His birth to eternally.

[4:16] For strides are on the trust His ears, and open to their guide.

[4:34] The faith of the Lord is set against those that He will believe, that He will require from the air that of their memory.

[5:15] Let us join together in prayer. Have a blessed God as we gather in Your presence. At this time of worship, we give thanks that we can do so publicly, and that we can do so in company with those who would desire to worship the God who is God over all.

[5:42] You are the Almighty. You are the God, Jehovah, the one who is from everlasting to everlasting, before whom the knees of past generations bowed, and to whom homage was paid as King over all.

[6:04] We bless you and thank you that, as the ancient of days, your time is without end. It has no beginning, and it cannot be spoken of as anything that is other than to be continued.

[6:27] We bless your name. We bless your name. That as we reflect upon the glory that is alone yours, that we can even, in our puny and sin-affected way, worship you acceptably.

[6:50] We worship you acceptably. Not because of our verbiage, not because of our speech, our capacity to come into your presence with words that we are satisfied with, and we believe that you are pleased to accept because of their quantity or their quality, but because you have persuaded us to come in and through the passion of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in whose name we are gathered, whose grace we seek, and whose intercession we rely on.

[7:33] We pray that you would bless all who are present in this building, thankful for each and every one of them, thankful for those who know you personally, who know you as their God and who honour you as their King, who most of all know you as their Redeemer, their Saviour, the one upon whom their salvation depends, through Christ, to whom they look, thankful for the power of his sacrifice for sin, the power of the shed blood, the power of the cross, upon whose efficacy they depend, no matter how often they are confronted by their own pollution as fallen creatures, their disobedience, their flagrant neglect of provisions made for the well-being of their soul, whether it is in public or in secret.

[8:42] You are still willing to receive such to yourself, and you have decreed that way of access that has been opened to them, that they avail themselves of it, and sometimes they find themselves coming, and they are weary, and they are battle-torn, they have experienced the fearful onslaughts of this world, and the enemy of their souls at work in it.

[9:21] They have been engaged in trying to maintain their witness, even in the face of desperate hostility.

[9:32] At other times they come, shame and face it, because they know that when they come, they come as those who have, in many ways, followed the example of the Apostle Peter, when they were so self-reliant, and so independent of spirit, and yet found that when the testing came, that they were insufficient to resist, the wiles of the devil, who is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, and they found themselves back on their heels, and found themselves deflated and defeated, and with the fearful thought that this was their final condition, but they've made their way by your grace into the path wherein they met with yourself, and you graciously encouraged them, to come and to receive healing at your hand.

[10:36] So we pray that your people, with all their varying needs, that you would remember them this day, those who are of our number, who cannot be here because of ill health, we pray for them in their homes, we pray for them where they are being cared for, by others in hospitals and care homes, remember any who may be undergoing treatment, for whatever ails them, that that treatment would be successful, and that they would experience recovery, under your hand.

[11:11] we remember the truth that says to each of us, that even though this body of ours, which is decrepit at best, may faint and fail, that God will never fail us.

[11:29] and we pray that you would encourage your own amongst all such, to rest upon the finished work of Christ.

[11:39] we pray for those who are yet to know you, and yet who discover your grace at work in their life.

[11:49] They may not appreciate it as grace, they may not understand it to be grace, and yet you are graciously undertaking for many in this world, by virtue of others who plead their cause, and others who seek to encourage them, to turn their face to Christ.

[12:11] We would ask that all such who turn to the gospel, be persuaded of their need, and encouraged to make use of the provision, that is set before them, by which they are encouraged to embrace Jesus Christ, as he is freely offered, in that gospel.

[12:32] Remember those who are grieving today, and sorrowful. We know that your voice is heard, in different parts of this world, at different times.

[12:43] Sometimes it is in close proximity to ourselves, and you take from our midst, those that we were fellow sojourners with, amongst them, your own people.

[12:55] We give thanks that, when we mourn their passing, that we do so, not as those who are without hope, but with the blessed assurance, that they have gone to be with the Lord, which is far better.

[13:10] we pray, we pray, we pray, Lord, that you would magnify your name, amongst us, as a nation, and as a generation, that you would remember, our communities, at large, remember those in government, over us, nationally, whether it be, at Hollywood, or Westminster, or local government, we pray, that all engaged in such work, in the first instance, know the wisdom, to commit their cause, to Christ, and that those who so do, can be assured, that whatever it is, that results from their endeavour, that even, in the face of, of seeming defeat, that the glory, shall be used, at the end, so remember us, in mercy, pour out your spirit, upon us, as a people, remember the nations, of the earth, that are undergoing, terrible trials, and tragedies, which we cannot enter into, we know that there are diseases, in this world, for which there are no cure, and they have, the mastery, over many societies, even, we have discovered, in these last few, months, how fragile, our human existence is, in the ravages, that we see, of the result of COVID, and were it not, for your grace, we would, not only, continue to, to experience it, but we would, succumb to it, but mercyfully, you have given, given, provision, so that, this would be, stayed at the present, whether this will be, the ultimate end, of it or not, we pray for those, affected by it, currently, and those engaged, in their care, remember those, who breathe, the loss of loved ones, who have, lost their lives, as a result of it, remember, the nations, that are ill prepared, for such, diseases, and we pray, for mercy, for all, who are, facing death, with, a future, that is, is, decidedly, uncertain, because of their, ignorance of, of God, and, your son,

[15:44] Jesus Christ, Lord, hear us, mercyfully, undertake for us, bless your word, as we read it, and bless all, that is done, in our midst, among young, our old, among families, or individuals, keep us, with our face, turned towards you, our God, in heaven, pardon us, in Christ, the Redeemer, which maybe we would ask it, Amen.

[16:13] We shall read, from the scriptures, of the New Testament, we're going to read, from Paul's epistle, to the Philippians, the first chapter, Philippians, chapter one, and we can read, from verse 12, to the end, from verse 12, down to the end, of the chapter, but I would, you should understand, brethren, that the things, which happened, unto me, have fallen out, rather, unto the furtherance, of the gospel, so that my bonds, in Christ, are manifest, in all the palace, and in all, other places, and many, of the brethren, in the Lord, walking confident, by my bonds, are much more bold, to speak the word, without fear, some indeed, preach Christ, even of envy, and strife, and some also, of good will, the one, preach Christ, of contention, not sincerely, so posing, to add affliction, to my bonds, but the other, of love, knowing, that I am set, for the defence, of the gospel, what then, notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth,

[17:43] Christ is preached, and I therein, do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice, for I know, that this shall turn, to my salvation, through your prayer, and the supply, of the spirit, of Jesus Christ, according, to my earnest, expectation, and my hope, that in nothing, I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now, also Christ, shall be magnified, in my body, whether it be, by life, or by death, for to me, to live is Christ, and to die, is gain, but if I live, in the flesh, this is the fruit, of my labour, yet what I shall, choose, I walk not, for I am an astray, to be twixt two, having a desire, to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better, nevertheless, to abide, in the flesh, is more needful, for you, and having this confidence,

[18:44] I know, that I shall abide, and continue with you, all, for your furtherance, and draw your faith, that your rejoicing, may be more abundant, in Jesus Christ, for me, by my coming, to you again, only let your conversation, be as it cometh, the gospel, only let your conversation, be as it cometh, the gospel of Christ, that whether I come, and see you, or else be absent, I may hear, of your affairs, that ye stand fast, in one spirit, with one mind, striving together, for the faith, of the gospel, and in nothing, terrified, by your adversaries, which is to them, an evident token, of perdition, but to you, of salvation, and that of God, for unto you, it is given, in the behalf of Christ, not only, to believe on him, but also, to suffer, for his sake, having the same conflict, which he saw, in me, and now, here, to be, in me, amen, may the Lord, at his blessing, to this reading, of his word, and to his name, be the praise, boys and girls, before you go out, to Sunday school, today, just a, a quick word, to you,

[20:15] I'm sure, that you've heard, many people, pray, at least, if you come to church, you will hear, the likes of myself, engage, in prayer, and we call, upon the name, of God, and ask, many petitions, in the name, of Jesus Christ, and sometimes, we believe, what we're asking for, is something, that God, will answer, perhaps not, in the way, that we ask, but, certainly, in the way, that God, wants, to answer, the apostle, James, tells us, he, he asks, the question, is there any, of you, afflicted, any of you, if you're, unwell, and, he says, if that is the case, then, you have to pray, and, if anybody, is happy, or merry, let them sing, psalms,

[21:26] I wonder, if we do that, how often, do we do that, sometimes, we may, pray, before we, sing a psalm, because we're happy, but it's quite, interesting, that, the apostle, sees something, like this, that is, suitable, to us, to sing, when we're happy, and, not just to sing, but to sing psalms, and, then he says, in that passage, that the prayer of faith, the prayer of faith, will avail, us, much, but, save the sick, save the sick, and, the, fervent, the effectual, fervent prayer, of the righteous, he tells us, avails much, and, sometimes, I often wonder, myself, just, for myself, I wonder, what is wrong, with, the prayers, that I, come to God with, that I, very often, don't see, the answers, to these prayers, that,

[22:27] I would want, and, when we look, at the Bible, it tells us, about certain people, and the example, that's given, by the apostle James, is the, example of Elijah, in the old testament, who prayed, to God, and, the heavens, we are told, withheld rain, for a while, and brought rain, after a while, but as a historian, possibly, I know I've told it, more than once, but it's told, about a person, who belonged, to the west side, and he had a very, very, good name, amongst God's people, and a very, positive name, he was called, happy Norman, happy Norman, and, happy Norman, was somebody, who was quite well known, amongst God's people, but, he had a friend, and, she was called, Gormilia, a Gormilia McLean, and, the story goes, that,

[23:29] Gormilia, who was very fond, of happy Norman, noticed, that his shoes, were very warm, and, that they needed, to be replaced, so, she said to him, why don't we pray, that God, would give us, a pair of shoes, for you, so, that's what they did, they stopped, and, they just went, together, to pray, to God, so that Norman, would get a pair of shoes, I don't know, if you've ever had to pray, for a pair of shoes, maybe you've seen, very fancy, once you want, a nice pair of trainers, and you've said, maybe if I pray, I'll get these trainers, from my parents, even though they're, a hundred pounds, or more, well, you can try, if you want, maybe God, will answer your prayer, but Norman, needed, his shoes, because, the, he didn't think, they were, they would do him, but, this lady thought, that, he needed a new pair, so they prayed, and then they parted, and Norman, was on his way home, and, in those days, there wasn't many cars, on the road, and Norman was making, his way by foot, and he stopped off, at the house, of someone he knew, and, probably for a cup of tea, or a rest, and, it just so happened, that, the, family, in that house, had a son, who had a good job, on the mainland, and, he had been home, and, he had left, a pair of boots, behind, and, the lady, without asking,

[25:17] Norman anything, decided, that Norman, would benefit, from these boots, and, it just so happened, that the boots, were the right size, for Norman, he got them, just like that, but not only, did he get, the pair of boots, but there was a brand new, pair of shoes, as well, and, he got the shoes, as well, and, Norman, at once, understood, that the boots, were the answer, to his prayer, but the shoes, they were the answer, to Gormilia's prayer, I wonder if, we're as, happy to pray, to God, for things, like they were, and believing, that he can answer, and I believe, that the Bible, encourages us, to pray, for things, that, God will be glorified by, he himself, will, help us decide, whether, the things, we're asking for, are right, or to his glory, but we should, never, not ask, because he himself, will keep us right, and I hope, every one of us, will continue, to bring your prayers, before God, we're going to sing, there as you go out, some verses, from,

[26:37] Psalm, 19, Psalm, 19, God's law, is perfect, verse 7, God's law, is perfect, and converts, the soul, in sin, that lies, God's testimony, is most sure, and makes, the simple wise, the statutes, of the Lord, are right, and do rejoice, the heart, the Lord's command, is pure, it doth light, to the eyes, impart, unspotted, is the fear, of God, and doth endure, forever, the judgments, of the Lord, are true, and righteous, altogether, they more, than gold, yea, much fine gold, to be desired, are, than honey, honey from the comb, that droppeth, sweeter far, moreover, they thy servant, warn, how he his life, should frame, a great reward, provided is, for them, that keep, the same, who can, as errors, understand, or cleanse, the me within, from secret faults, my servant, keep, from all, presumptuous, sin, we can sing, these verses, from verse 7, of verse,

[27:49] Psalm 19, God's law is perfect, and converts, the soul, in sin, that lies, God's law is perfect, and converts, the soul, in sin, and lies, God's testimony, and brings, and brings, the simple, the wise, the statutes, of the Lord, are right now, to rejoice, the heart, the Lord, the storm, and his pure, and death, night, through the eyes, impart, and spot, and the Lord, the judgements, of the Lord, are true, and righteous, the God.

[29:47] For the God, and keep, in his blood, and without him, and his brother, that daddy, he, heavenly drop, O that open sweetened heart Moreover did I say that more That he haste my duty And this reward all I did For them that keep the same

[30:52] Who can do seder shall Your side, O friends, that be within From secret walls I said And keep the same And just in A short while to the passage we read in Philippians chapter 1 and verse 21.

[31:43] Philippians chapter 1 and verse 21. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

[31:53] Particularly these words for to me to live is Christ. I have to say that I often think about the preaching of God's word and the emphasis of that preaching.

[32:23] Whether the balance is as it ought to be or not. It's a challenge to the preacher to ensure that the preacher preaches the whole counsel of God.

[32:38] And to make sure that people who are hearing God's word preached hear everything that they're meant to hear. And that there's nothing that they're meant to hear that is excluded.

[32:54] And it may be that there is an imbalance in preaching at times which needs to be corrected. So that's the way my thought processes were going.

[33:09] And I was thinking well how often do I preach about the future? How often do I put emphasis on death and what lies beyond?

[33:25] And I suppose I do have to emphasize that. And maybe you would say that there is another emphasis on that. And I don't think that should be a surprise to you.

[33:39] Because for one reason everybody is going to die. Don't have escaped your notice. Nobody is excluded from that fact.

[33:51] We're all going to die. And it's of the greatest import that when it comes to the time for us to die that we're ready to die.

[34:04] That's surely understandable. That every one of us when we come to die that we're ready to die. And the Bible leaves us in no doubt that when a person dies they will have to give an account to God.

[34:29] The scripture reminds us that at the point of death immediately judgment follows.

[34:39] That's why we're ready to die. That we're ready to die. That we're ready to die. That we're ready to die. That we're ready to die. That we're ready to die. Whether you believe that or not. It's, I suppose, really something that you must answer to.

[34:58] But the thing is, as far as I'm concerned, all I can tell you is what the Bible tells you. And the Bible tells us that when we die we will appear before God to give an account to him for how we have lived in his world.

[35:18] And what happens beyond that will depend upon what has come before that. Now, I know there are people and they don't believe that.

[35:32] And even though they say they do, I think their life gives it away. Because clearly their life is lived as if this time, this moment where they must come before God to be judged is not going to happen.

[35:52] If you just give you two quotations from the Apostle Paul. Where he states that, quite obviously. We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

[36:06] That everyone may receive the things done in his body, whether it be good or bad. In Romans, again, the same truth is stated by him.

[36:18] We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God.

[36:32] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Now, whether you agree that that is a truth, that is going to be fulfilled, is a matter for you.

[36:52] But I don't think any one of us can dispute the fact that that is what the Apostle Paul taught. That is what he himself believed.

[37:02] That these verses, there is no other way of reading them. There is no other way of understanding them. He is saying something quite simple. When you die, you will appear before God to be judged.

[37:18] Not only is this true of the person who is not a believer. It is true of every person. Every person, be they saint or sinner, nobody is excluded from that.

[37:34] And what we are encouraged to do is make sure that when this happens, we are prepared for it. Paul makes no attempt to qualify the statement.

[37:48] He says, all persons, believer and unbeliever, and all deeds. The theologian John Murray says, it is because God is God and there is none else that he must bring the whole panoramic of history, or panorama of history before him for final adjudication.

[38:11] Everything must be judged with equity. Everything. All must appear. Saint and sinner, believer and unbeliever. Now, Paul, the apostle, clearly teaches that.

[38:28] And he teaches it because he believes it. And he believes it because God has given it to him to believe. And he is quite persuaded that when that time comes for him, that he is content to go to judgment.

[38:53] Now, he is not content to go to judgment because he is going to avoid it. But because he knows what awaits him when he gets to judgment. He understands.

[39:05] He understands and is confident that whatever death may bring, however it may come, when he is going to be judged. When he will be judged, he knows from his words here, he knows that he is going to die and he is going to be with Christ.

[39:23] And there is no question in his mind about that. And there is no question in his mind that whatever death means for him, it will be better than anything he has ever had before in his life.

[39:40] And he is quite convinced that he is going to be ushered into the presence of Christ. And that's important.

[39:53] I think the passage reminds us not only of judgment, but of what awaits the believer. You know, very often when we are conducting a funeral service or a wake and we are dealing with the death of someone that we knew, who knew the Lord and who professed to know the Lord and whose life witnessed to that fact, that we can go to passages of scripture and we can quote verses that teach us what is true of them.

[40:29] Because it's a great comfort to know that when a person dies, that they are going to be with the Lord, which is far better. There's a psalm there that we often hear sung, now at a wake.

[40:48] And I often, you know, it's a psalm that's symbolic in many respects. It's Psalm 45.

[40:58] And it goes like this. The daughter of the king, all glorious is within. And with embroideries of gold her garments wrought have been.

[41:11] She cometh to the king in robes with needle wrought. The virgins that do follow her shall unto thee be brought.

[41:21] They shall be brought with joy, with mirth on every side, into the palace of the king, and there they shall abide. Now that word, that Bible verse, these words of the psalmist, they are so full of meaning.

[41:41] And sometimes you find yourself and you are seeing almost something that can't be seen with the naked eye. You're seeing this person that you knew in the world being translated into the presence of the God of glory.

[42:03] Into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it's a wonderful thought, an awe-inspiring thought. And when the Holy Spirit comes and opens the eyes of our understanding, and we see just a glimpse of that.

[42:18] It's a marvelous experience. But I was saying to myself, well, it's very good and very helpful and very wholesome to think for a time about what it is that needs to be true about the believer at death.

[42:42] And to encourage people to prepare for their death. And to ensure that when they die, they know where they're going because they have made business with God and allows them to do that.

[42:59] But while it's important, and while it's necessary, and while it's something that we must emphasize, the Christian experience is more than just the experience of death.

[43:17] The Christian experience is more than just the experience of anticipating going into heaven. And it's good that the Christian can anticipate what heaven is going to be like.

[43:32] And can look at the promises of God. And be persuaded that these promises are theirs. But, you see, the Christian is somebody who is not just going to die in the Lord.

[43:51] The Christian is someone who has lived for the Lord. They have been amongst those who are in Christ.

[44:03] And by faith in the Lord, their life and their conduct is regulated by that relationship that they have with Christ.

[44:15] And you can't have this wonderful hope that the gospel gives to you without at the same time being persuaded that the life that you've lived up until that point has been a life that you've lived because Christ is your life.

[44:39] Paul is saying here, for to me, to live is Christ. And to die is gain. Sometimes we dwell on the whole passage, I suppose, tells us how Paul is here dealing with this situation.

[44:59] And how he is having to manage the thoughts that he has in the situation that has affected him. And the things that he has to encounter and endure as a Christian believer, as an apostle.

[45:15] But one thing is certain is that whatever he sees his life consists of, whatever it is that is part of his life, he is persuaded of this, that his life is lived in the light of his relationship with Christ.

[45:33] Christ. Christ is at the heart of what he believes. Christ is at the source of his life. And without Christ, there is no life, you could say.

[45:47] That's really what I would want to speak about very briefly today. What it is that we can understand that makes the Christian life special.

[46:02] What makes the Christian life different to the life of any other person. Why would anybody want to be a Christian and yet at the same time go on living as if they were not Christian.

[46:19] Just doing the same things that anybody else did, whatever they may be in the world. So there are one or two things that I've just thought of speaking about to see if we can understand where Paul is coming from.

[46:40] When he's speaking about the life of a believer. His own life as a believer. Your life if you're a believer. Or if you're not a believer, what's the difference between the way you live your life and the way they live their life.

[46:57] If you think of the words in verse 20 there. He says, according to my earnest expectation and my hope.

[47:08] That in nothing I shall be ashamed. But that with all boldness as always. So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body. Whether it be by life or by death.

[47:23] That word is key. This is what Paul wants to do. He wants to magnify Christ.

[47:35] By his life or by his death. There's three different translations that I came across for this word magnify. Christ may be exalted or Christ may be honoured by my life.

[47:52] Christ may be magnified by the way that I live my life. What that means is that the person of the Lord Jesus Christ I suppose.

[48:04] Must be thought of in the experience of the believer as coming first. Jesus Christ is considered to be the person who has a priority in the life of the believer.

[48:19] Do you agree with that? Do you understand when you think of yourself a Christian? If that is what you are.

[48:31] That Christ is given the priority in your life. Or if you're not a Christian and you're looking at a Christian. And you're considering what their life is like.

[48:44] Would you say about their life that at the centre of their life is Christ? Is Christ given the priority? And that's an important question.

[48:56] I remember. I'm sure they're still available today. Some young Christians. People who came to faith as young people.

[49:11] And they would wear jewellery. Or sometimes a bangle or a bracelet. Sometimes it was made of small, square, coloured, dice-like figures.

[49:29] Sometimes it was just a rubber band. But on that bracelet would be the words W.

[49:39] W, or letters W, W, G, D. W, W, J, D. And that was meant to convey a truth.

[49:50] And meant to remind the young believer of the fact that they were someone who now had a relationship with Christ.

[50:01] The words, the letters were suggestive of this. What would Jesus do? What would Jesus do?

[50:12] So if you were wearing a bracelet like that, that would be the question you would ask yourself. In any kind of situation that you found yourself in. Well, what would Jesus do if this was what confronted him?

[50:28] Or if this was being said, or if this was being done, what would Jesus do? And then if you were able to think that through you would ask yourself the question, well, what must I do?

[50:44] Now the thing is, that wasn't an original thought. It's not a modern thought. Even though it's contemporised and it's put into a situational ethics kind of thing.

[51:01] So that we all need to understand that the Christian life is lived in the here. And no, we can't live in the past. We can't live our life the way Christians, like Happy Norman, lived his life.

[51:15] He lived a hundred years ago nearly. And his situation was completely different to our situation. But he lived as a Christian in that situation.

[51:28] The same way we who are Christians in the present day must live the Christian life in this present day. And we deal with situations not of a hundred years ago, but of the current day.

[51:41] Of the present generation. And the challenges that meet us may be completely different to the challenges of our past generation. But we meet them if we are Christians as Christians.

[51:56] And we ask the question, the same way past Christians did. What must I do to live a life that is consistent with the relationship that I have with Christ?

[52:11] What would he do? What must I do? If you go back to the Old Testament, even before Christ was in the world. Psalm 16 there.

[52:23] The psalmist says, He says, We must encourage ourselves in that.

[52:58] And understand that that is something that we can relate to and appreciate for what it is. If you remember how there are examples of plenty in the scripture.

[53:14] Think of Daniel, for example, and his friends. They were aware of what God had witnessed to. What God had revealed to them.

[53:25] What God had set before them as the path of life. What they were to do. What they could not do. And even though it meant for them that they were going to be cast into a fiery furnace.

[53:38] They were prepared to do that because they understood what God's will for them was. And that was what they wanted to do. What's what they were set upon doing.

[53:49] Even though it involved a cost for them. We've got another example. In the life of Moses. In Hebrews 11 we read the following.

[54:00] He chose to suffer with the people of God. You know, it's not something that he had to do.

[54:19] But something he chose to do. Something. He had a path that he wanted to follow. Because God was going to be glorified in it and by it.

[54:31] He chose to do something that was better for himself. And better for his soul and to the glory of God.

[54:42] When he could have chosen differently. Some people would add, you know, he couldn't. He couldn't. He had to do what he had. But no. That is not right. When you approach something like that.

[54:55] From that kind of stance. You're going into the mind of God. And you're saying, well, God had this prospect. This future aspect.

[55:06] This God had a picture of what Moses was going to do eventually. But every one of us. We work our way through life. And we deal with each day as it comes.

[55:19] We deal with each hour of every day as it comes. Our thought processes are there. And then. And we need to respond in the way that God would have us respond.

[55:32] With the light that he gives us on the right response and the wrong response. Now what I'm saying is this. That living with Christ is a sensible awareness that Christ is ever present.

[55:47] That he is never far from you. That he is always with you. That his eye is upon you. Not as someone who is a slave master.

[55:58] Forcing you to do what you don't want to do. But to encourage you and to build you up. And to bring you forward in a way that's good for yourself.

[56:08] He is with you. And he is someone who encourages you to live for him. Not for yourself. I'm sure there are Christians who will tell you.

[56:23] If you're not a Christian. That there's no pleasure in sin. And they're doing that for the best of reasons. But they're not telling the truth. Because sin quite often is pleasurable.

[56:38] Sin quite often is pleasurable. But it never comes without consequences. It always comes with a price.

[56:50] And that price is often too heavy a price to pay. Even when we enter into sin knowingly.

[57:03] And we don't think about the cost. That cost may not be immediate. But it will be there eventually. For the Christian.

[57:16] Paul says. That to deny oneself. Is something that we should do. Even the things that are legitimate. When he writes. As a letter to.

[57:29] The Corinthian. He says. It's good. Neither to eat flesh. Nor to drink wine. Nor anything. Whereby your brother stumbles. There's a higher priority.

[57:42] There's a higher calling. There's a greater need. And the Christian. Is someone. Who because they are living. Not for themselves. But for Christ.

[57:53] Not. To the exclusion of Christ. In any area of our life. But. In the life that we live. For him. I live in the flesh.

[58:05] This is the fruit of my labour policies. Yet what I shall choose. I want. Perhaps we could also. Note. That.

[58:17] When a person. Becomes. A Christian. You become. To realise. The importance. That is. Of this. Christ likeness.

[58:30] And you will say. Perhaps. Oh that's impossible. Nobody is like Christ. Nobody. Can ever be like Christ. He was unique. But for the Christian.

[58:42] Christ likeness. Is something. That is. Aspired. To. But only. With God's help.

[58:55] Very often. He teaches. By way of example. He teaches. The believer. To follow. Him. In the way. That he does.

[59:05] Certain things. How he behaves. Towards people. In need. How he. Demonstrates. A heart. Full of love. For the needy. How he is. Compassionate.

[59:15] How he. Relates. To those. Who are. Embroiled. In sin. And need to be. Saved from sin. All of these things. Are seen. In his life. And you ask yourself. A question.

[59:26] How do I. Food. Food into this. How do I. Follow Christ. How am I. Going to be like Christ. In this. There is nothing.

[59:36] That the Christian. Is asked to do. As hard. As to turn. The other cheek. Yet Christ. Teaches us. That the Christian. Is required.

[59:48] To do that. If you go to read. Isaiah 53. If you read. That. Read there. That Christ. Turned his face. To the smiter.

[60:00] He was. Oppressed. And afflicted. And yet he opened. Not his mouth. That's not easy. That's the way. Christ was. It's very often.

[60:12] Not the way. I am. But we are. Meant. To learn. From Christ. And be. In her Christ likeness. In areas.

[60:22] Of her life. That are challenging. And testing. And trying. To be as like him. As we possibly can. Because it's important. For us. Because it's necessary.

[60:32] For us. Because it's. It's what is expected. Of us. As Christians. And with this. He had been. I think. It's possible. I was reading.

[60:44] A book recently. And it. A history book. A history. Of the. The church. And it goes. Back into the days. Of the early.

[60:55] New testament church. And relates. The. The amount of suffering. That was endured. By Christian believers. Then. The many.

[61:06] Who were martyred. Because of the faith. That they had in Christ. And the brutality. That was. Exercised. Towards them. Towards them. It's the story of one.

[61:18] One young girl. And she was. She was beaten. First of all. Then she was whipped. In order to make a recant. Of her profession.

[61:30] In Christ. And she refused to do that. Because Christ. Had never done anything. To her. Her. And because she refused.

[61:40] To recant. They took her. Into the. Arena. And they tied her. To a stake. And released her. A bull. Into the arena.

[61:50] Where she was. Goed to death. And the amount. Of. Of different. Methods. Of brutal. Brutal destruction. Of the Christian.

[62:02] Believer. It's. It's. It's horrendous. It shows. The enmity. That was in the heart. Of people. Against God.

[62:13] Against Christ. Against the people. Who followed Christ. And you can't understand. Why that hostility. Is there. At one level. But God tells you. That.

[62:24] It's there. Because. Of who he is. Well. There are many other things. That we could talk about. About.

[62:35] To live. This Christ. I suppose. Martin Lloyd-Jones. Has got. You know. He discounts. Several things. He says. The Christian.

[62:46] Is not to be like. A. An Epicurean. An Epicurean. Was. Somebody. Who. Whose philosophy.

[62:57] Was. Eat. Drink. And be merry. Eat. Drink. And be merry. A Christian. Can't. Be like that. Nor. Can they. Be stoics.

[63:08] A stoic. Was somebody. Who was. Well. What's for me. Won't go by me. An attitude. Where. You're thinking. Well. I might as well. Grin and bear it.

[63:21] Or the synod. Who. Believes that. Well. This world. Is. Someone. A world. That is. Meaningless.

[63:33] Did a study. Recently. In the book. Of Ecclesiastes. And. The writer. There. Seems. To suggest. That. Everything. Has no meaning. Life.

[63:44] Has no meaning. No purpose. If you think that. You're in a bad way. And the. Real meaning. Of life.

[63:56] Exclude. Christ. Christ. From it. And. You're really. Up against it. Christlessness. Is.

[64:07] Something. That is. A snare. To the person. Because. The world. God. Created it. For his glory. Those.

[64:18] Who are in it. Are to live. To his glory. Exclude. Christ. From that. And. The world. Begins. To. To. Disintegrate.

[64:29] The world. And your activity. In it. Makes no sense. And I think. The conclusion. That Martin Lloyd-Jones. Came to us.

[64:40] At the heart. Of the Christian. Life. Is love. It has. To be love. God. So. Loved. The world. That he. Gave his only. Begotten son.

[64:52] Christ. Loved. So that he. Gave. His own. Soul. To death. If you go. Forward. To the words. Of the apostle.

[65:02] John. Who is described. As opposed. By many. As the apostle. Of love. The apostle.

[65:12] Who. Who spoke. Often. Of love. And in the first epistle. In chapter four. He. He. Speaks.

[65:22] At. Of the believer. We have known. And believed. The love. That God. Hath to us. God is love. And he. That dwelleth. In love. Dwelleth. In God.

[65:33] And God. In him. Herein is our love. Made perfect. That we may have. Boldness. In the day of judgment. Because as he is. So are we. In this world.

[65:44] It's interesting. That John. John. John. There speaks. Of judgment. And. He. Speaks. Of the believer. Who is prepared.

[65:55] For judgment. Because. They live. In this love. Relationship. With Christ. The believer. Is someone. Who delights. In the company.

[66:06] Of the Lord. And saviour. Jesus Christ. They fellowship. With him. And those. Who are. In love. With him. Well.

[66:17] Maybe. These are just. A few thoughts. But. The thought. Behind it all. For me. To live. Is Christ.

[66:28] For me. To live. Is Christ. And. Before. You can ever say. To die. Is gain. That must be true.

[66:40] If it's not true. You can. Forget it. Judgment. Awaits. God. Awaits. Christ. Awaits. And.

[66:51] He will. Bring us. To answer to him. For our deeds. In the flesh. Good and evil. And that means. What it says. Let us pray.

[67:02] Lord. God. In heaven. Help us. To believe. That you are God. Indeed. That you are our God. And there is no God. But. But you. And that you have decreed.

[67:13] In your word. That we will answer. To you at the last. But we are to live. For you. In this world. You have given us the opportunity. Not one of us can.

[67:24] Can believe. That that opportunity. Is. Is a. A limitless. Time.

[67:36] How many live their lives. In this world. And they're thinking. They're looking. They're anticipating. At some point. In the future. To make peace with God. To put things right.

[67:48] With God. To. To. Make restitution. In some way. And then. Content. That. All would be.

[67:58] As it should. For eternity. We. We. Acknowledge. That. This thinking. Is wrong. And we pray. That it. Would be right. It.

[68:08] In our hearts. If. It is. Thinking. That we. Are. In. The grip. Of. God. Before us. Pardoning. Every sin. In Jesus name.

[68:19] Amen. Our closing. Psalm. Psalm 16. Psalm 16. Psalm 16. At verse. Eight. We quoted. These.

[68:29] Versions. In. Versions. In part. Before me. Still. The Lord. I said. Says it is so. That he. Doth ever stand. At my right hand. I shall not.

[68:40] Move it be. Because of this. My heart. Is glad. And joy. Shall be expressed. Even by my glory. And my flesh. In confidence. Shall rest. Because my soul.

[68:52] Engraved to dwell. Shall not be left. By thee. Nor wilt thou. Give thine holy one. Corruption. To see. Thou wilt me show. The path of life. Joys.

[69:02] There is full store. Before thy face. At thy right hand. Are pleasures. Evermore. Before me. Still. The Lord. I said. Before me.

[69:19] Still. The Lord. I said. Still. The.

[69:32] Snape. The Lord. The? I said. I shall not do with thee, because all this my heart is not, a joy shall be expressed.

[70:14] If I thy glory and my rest, then God will rest.

[70:31] Because my soul in Israel shall not be left by thee, nor will thou give thine holy one for a gentle sea.

[71:08] Thou wilt be chosen, path of life, O joy, O joy, this full storm, O joy, O joy, O joy, O joy, O joy, O joy, O joy, I will receive thee, O joy, and my offer.

[71:48]  May grace, mercy and peace from God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit rest and abide with you all now and always Amen