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[0:00] We are going to worship God and we're going to sing Psalm 84 from the beginning.

[0:30] O living God, for thee. Behold, the sparrow findeth out an house wherein to rest. The swallow also for herself hath purchased a nest.

[0:42] Even thine own altar where she's safe her young once forth may bring. O thou almighty Lord of hosts art my God and King. Blessed are they in thy house that dwell.

[0:55] They ever give thee praise. Blessed is the man whose strength thou art in whose heart are thy ways. Who passing thoroughbaker's veil therein do dig up wells.

[1:08] Also the rain that falleth down the pools with water fills. And so on. These verses. How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts, to me.

[1:27] May as thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts, to me.

[1:41] The Lord of hosts, to me. The Lord of hosts, to me. Thank you. O le八 Signe. Here we call upon the Herren O Lord of hosts, Tony. And so on. The Lord of hosts, to me.

[1:52] My church is so blockoff. CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS

[2:56] CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS Who art my Lord and King.

[3:47] Blessed are we in thy house again. In the living room.

[4:05] Blessed and stow her. Blessed and primarily.

[4:32] CHOIR SINGS Let us join together in prayer. Let us pray.

[5:07] Ever-blessed God, enable us to come before you in the manner that behoves us to appear in your presence.

[5:21] As those who would desire to worship and to do so wholeheartedly. To do so without ambiguity.

[5:35] Without any sense of merely being in this place to fulfil some other reason. Than the reason that should bring us into your presence.

[5:49] To offer you the praise and the thanksgiving that you are worthy to receive. To acknowledge our indebtedness to you.

[6:01] As those who have sinned against you. And who deserve the undoubted penalty that our sins are worthy of receiving.

[6:21] For we have all sinned and we do come short of your glory. And every sin deserves the wrath and the curse of God.

[6:32] And there are many passages of the scripture that remind us of that. That our confession should be one where acknowledgement is made of our sinfulness.

[6:45] To the degree that we would not and should not do anything other than. Than come as another before us came.

[6:55] Acknowledging our sin from the beginning. Even when we were born into this world. Behold, your servant said, I, an iniquity was formed.

[7:10] Within the womb. My mother also me conceived in guiltiness and sin. And his prayer was in light of how he understood himself under the teaching of your spirit.

[7:28] That he needed to be cleansed from sin. And thoroughly washed. And to come with a confession of sin.

[7:40] And fully understand what that confession entailed. So we do confess our sin. We acknowledge that there may be sins in our lives that we are completely ignorant of.

[7:56] But there are many besides. That we do understand and do know of. And that should bring confusion of face. And the redness of cheeks.

[8:09] That come from appearing in the presence of one who is able to gaze upon our hearts. And to know the nature of our being.

[8:22] That we are sinful in the extreme. That we are indeed those who have a need of confession. And a need of cleansing from all sin.

[8:38] We know again the words of the psalmist. That he was brought to the experience of. Well, the understanding of that experience.

[8:51] Of where he was conscious of you being ever with him. Behind before you have beset. And laid on me your hand.

[9:04] And he cried out from your spirit. Where shall I go from your presence fly? If I go to heaven you are there.

[9:16] And if in hell I lie. We acknowledge Lord that you are omnipresent. That there is nothing that we do that is hidden from your sight.

[9:28] Not just in our actions. But our thoughts. Just as well as our deeds. We cannot hide them from you. All we can do is seek forgiveness and blessing.

[9:42] The blessing of covering. And that can only be supplied by yourself. We know that Adam of old. He came to sense his nakedness.

[9:55] And went about seeking to fashion a covering for that nakedness. To cover his shame. And it was not possible for him to do that.

[10:08] Simply by his own endeavours. Only the provision that you had made for him. Could bring that into being. And at that moment he had to discover for himself.

[10:21] That his covering. Could only be provided. At the cost of. Someone else's death. And in his case.

[10:33] An animal had to be slain. And skins. Provided. That would. Be as an apron for his shame. Pointing forwards to the day.

[10:44] That you would. Supply. Our nakedness. With the covering. That would. Satisfy. Divine justice. And allow us to be reconciled to you.

[10:57] So help us to understand something. Of the teaching of your world. To that end. Bless us. As individuals. Bless us. As homes. And families.

[11:08] Bless our streets. And our neighbourhoods. Our friends. All near and dear to us. Wherever they may be. As this. Time of pandemic.

[11:21] Continues. No matter what optimism. There is. And we're thankful for it. May be grounded. In the sure and certain hope. That the provision you have made for us.

[11:34] For the. Epidemic of our sinfulness. It can only be. Truly met. In the way that you have provided. We give thanks for.

[11:46] This time. Of discovery. Even as you are able to sanctify. These moments that we are under your hand. And there are many who complain about it.

[11:57] And many who. Who are. Obsessively. Depressed by it. May we have the. Positive. Salant on things. That.

[12:08] Would help us to. Be under. Under no illusions. That we are under your hands. And that you have done this. For our. Spiritual. Edification.

[12:19] For the discovery of our need of you. You have. Denuded us. Of all hope. In ourselves. And you have given to us.

[12:30] A true. Sense of. Our hoping in God alone. We pray that. That might be so. But we do pray for those who are unwell. We remember.

[12:42] Those who have succumbed to COVID. Some are. Terribly ill. Because of it. May you get their recovery. We think of the many who are grieving.

[12:52] Because you have taken from them loved ones. They may have. Hope to have their strength restored. Restored. But. You cannot. Resolve.

[13:03] Resolve. The issues that. Have deprived them of their loved ones. Nor are you. Willing to do so. But you tell us that. That we are to.

[13:15] Look to you. The God who is. God over all. Who. Who brings life. And. Who brings life to an end. May we understand the wisdom of.

[13:27] Succumbing. To. To your. Hand upon us. And yielding ourselves to it. Bless. Nurses. Doctors. And carers. Of all descriptions. Bless those responsible for delivering us.

[13:40] From the. Outer riches of diviners. Those scientists who are. Constantly. Seeking to. Provide. A remedy.

[13:52] That would be lasting. We pray that you would. Grant to them wisdom. And that. We give thanks for those of them. Who are. Numbered amongst the believing people.

[14:04] We. Are sorrowful because there are so few. Even amongst those who govern us. We give thanks for. Your believing people. And we pray that you would.

[14:15] Encourage them in their faith. And to be. Fearless in. Standing and being counted. As one of your number. We pray for. The.

[14:26] Various parliaments. For the prime minister. The first minister. We pray that you would. Remember their governments. And we pray that you would. Remember. All who form part of.

[14:38] The ruling authorities. The ruling authorities. In the council. Locally. As well as nationally. We remember those who are responsible.

[14:48] For keeping the peace. And. And. Even at this time of. Of great tragedy. We see. Other tragedies. Lives lost.

[14:58] And. People taking life. And no thought of. What that will mean. For those that they have. For those that they have.

[15:12] Destroyed in such a way. That their. Their own destruction. Could possibly result. As a. As a result of that. We pray then your blessing.

[15:23] On this. Sinsick world of ours. Pour your spirit out upon us. That we would. No idea of. Enlivening and quickening. That the. Pouring out of your spirit.

[15:35] Would. Bring us to our knees. And that we would. Act in accordance. And confess our many sins. So they are great. Hear our petitions. And continue with us.

[15:45] As we turn to your word. Blessed in our reading. Offered and. Reflecting on what it may have. To say to us. Pardoning sin. In Jesus name. Amen. We're going to hear.

[15:58] The word of God. As we have it in. The epistle of James. The epistle general. Of James. And we're going to. Read.

[16:09] The second chapter. James chapter 2. My brethren. Have not the faith. Of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord of glory.

[16:20] With respect of passions. For if there came. Unto you are simply. A man with a gold ring. In goodly apparel. And there coming also.

[16:31] A poor man in vile raiment. And you have respect. To him that weareth. The gay clothing. And saying to him. Sit thou here. In a good place. And say to the poor.

[16:42] Stand thou there. Or sit here. Under my footstool. Are ye not then partial. In yourselves. And are become judges. Of evil thoughts.

[16:54] Hearken. My beloved brethren. Hath not God. Joseph. The poor of this world. Rich in faith. And heirs. Of the kingdom.

[17:05] Which he hath promised. To them that love him. But you have despised the poor. Do not reach men. Oppress you. And draw you before the judgment seats.

[17:15] Do not they blaspheme. That worthy name. By the which ye are called. If ye fulfill the royal law. According to the scripture. Thou shalt love thy neighbor.

[17:26] As thyself. Ye do well. But if ye have respect to passions. Ye commit sin. And are convinced. Of the law's transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law.

[17:39] And yet offend in one point. He is guilty of all. For he that said. Do not commit adultery. Said also do not kill. Now if thou commit.

[17:51] No adultery. Yet if thou kill. Thou art become a transgressor. Of the law. So speak ye. And so do. As they. That shall be judged.

[18:02] By the law of liberty. For ye shall have judgment. Without mercy. That hath showed no mercy. And mercy rejoices. Against judgment. What does it profit.

[18:14] My brethren. Who a man say. He has faith. And have not works. Can faith save him. For brother or sister. Be naked. And destitute. Of daily food.

[18:26] And one of you say. And to them. Depart in peace. Be ye warmed. And filled. Notwithstanding. Ye give them not. These things. Which are needful. To the body.

[18:37] What does it profit. Even so. Faith. If it hath no works. Is dead. Being alone. A man may say. Thou hast faith.

[18:48] And I have works. Show me thy faith. Without thy works. And I will show thee. My faith. By my works. Thou believest. That there is one God.

[19:00] Thou doest well. The devils also believe. And tremble. But would thou know. O vain man. That faith without works. Is dead. Was not Abraham.

[19:11] Our father. Justified by works. When he had offered. Isaac his son. Upon the altar. Seest thou. How faith. Wrought with his works.

[19:23] And by works. Was faith. Made perfect. And the scripture. Was fulfilled. Which saith. Abraham believed God. And it was imputed. Unto him.

[19:34] For righteousness. And he was called. The friend of God. You see then. How that. By works. A man is justified. And not by faith.

[19:45] Only. Likewise. Wise also. Was not Rahab. The harlot. Justified by works. When she had received. The messengers. And had sent them out. Another way.

[19:58] For as the body. Without the spirit. Is dead. So faith. Without works. Is dead. Also. And so on.

[20:09] May the Lord. Add his blessing. To this reading. Of his word. And to his name. Be the praise. I'd like us. To turn now.

[20:20] To. Paul's epistle. To the Ephesians. And chapter 6. And we can read. From verse 10. Finally.

[20:30] My brethren. Be strong. In the Lord. And in the power. Of his might. Put on the whole. Armour of God. That ye may be able. To stand. Against the wiles.

[20:41] Of the devil. For we wrestle not. Against flesh and blood. But against principalities. Against powers. Against the rulers. Of the darkness.

[20:52] Of this world. Against spiritual wickedness. In high places. Wherefore. Take unto you. The whole armour. Of God. That ye may be able.

[21:02] To withstand. In the evil day. And having done all. To stand. Stand therefore. Having your loins. Skirt about. With truth. And having on.

[21:14] The breastplate. Of righteousness. And your feet. Shod. With the preparation. Of the gospel. Of peace. Above all. Taking the shield. Of faith. Wherewith.

[21:24] Ye shall be able. To quench. All the fiery darts. Of the wicked. And take the helmet. Of salvation. And the sword. Of the spirit. Which is.

[21:35] The word of God. And so on. May God. Add his blessing. To a reading of that word.

[21:46] And to his name. Be the praise. Faith. I'd like us. Now to turn. To the last passage. That we. Read there.

[21:56] And we continue. Our study. In this epistle. With the fourth part. Of the Christian soldiers. Armor. The shield.

[22:08] Of faith. And this shield. Is without question. Important. And.

[22:19] We. Need to appreciate. How. Important it is. In order. For us to. Be able to use it. To the best of our ability.

[22:33] Some. Versions. Of their. English. Bibles. They. Have a different. Emphasis. For example. The ESV. States.

[22:45] In all. Circumstances. And some. Prefer. The reading. In addition. To. Rather than.

[22:56] Above all. The Roman soldier. Usually. Had two types. Of shield. Shield. One. One. One. Was small. And strapped. To the. Arum.

[23:07] And it. Usually. Meant. That there was. To. Be some form of. Hand to hand. Combat. God. But the other one. Which is.

[23:18] The one. Which is. More than likely. The one referred to here. By the apostle. And many. Gospel. Commentators.

[23:29] Believe this. To be the case. That. The shield that. Paul had in mind. Was. The. Longer. And wider. Shield.

[23:40] Called. Ascutim. It was. About. Four and a half feet. And two and a half feet. Four and a half feet long. And two and a half. Foot wide. The construction of it.

[23:52] Is thought to have been. Made of wood. For the most part. Sometimes. Two layers of wood. And covered. In metal. Or leather. Strips.

[24:04] Which were soaked. In oil. And. This was meant to give. Whole body. Protection. And.

[24:15] Sometimes. In. Pictures. That we have of. Of. I'm sure that. Artists. Artists. Impression. Of soldiers.

[24:26] In battle. Array. You'll have seen. A line of soldiers. And. They're kneeling behind. Their. Their shield.

[24:38] And. You almost have. An impenetrable. Barrier. To. Any. Frontal. Attack. Now.

[24:49] The construction. Is designed. To protect. As well as. Deflect. Blows.

[25:01] And at the same time. To be used. In. In. In. In. In. In. On the occasion. Of. Another. Form.

[25:11] Of. A. Long. Range. Attack. Which. Was. Either. Spears. Or. Arrows. Or.

[25:22] Darts. As it put. Which were. In flame. In. In. And I think. That is where. Paul. Takes this. An analogy.

[25:32] From. I'm sure. We're all. Used to. Watching. Films. On television. Which. Which. Look. Back.

[25:43] At medieval. Times. And ancient. Days. For such. Battles. Were. Were. Supposedly. Fought.

[25:54] Using. The. The. Stories. That have been. Recorded. For us. And. Firey arrows. Were.

[26:04] Very much. One way. Of. Attacking. The enemy. So. I want us. First of all. To consider. The reason.

[26:16] Why a shield. Is required. And. Secondly. The means. Of. Protections. Protection. That. Paul. Asks.

[26:26] Us. To take. We are. Inclined. To think. Of. A vague. General. Idea. Of. The enemy. However.

[26:37] When you. Read this. Passage. We're. Told. That it. Is. Very. Specifically. The fiery. Darts. Of. The wicked.

[26:49] The fiery. Darts. Of. The wicked. And it seems. To be very. Very. Specific. What Paul. Has. In mind. Granted.

[27:02] He may. Use others. To fire them. But make no mistake. The wicked. Passion. Who. Is at the heart.

[27:13] Of this attack. Is none other than the devil. Satan. Is behind. This assault. Just as there is no point. In firing.

[27:24] Darts. Or arrows. Into the sand. It is. Aimed. At combustible. Material. And very often.

[27:35] That fact. Is what makes. This weapon. So deadly. How can we recognise. The attack. As being from the most malevolent. Of foes.

[27:47] First of all. We have a scriptural warrant. For believing. That this action. Has. Has. His imprint. Upon it.

[28:00] Jesus himself. Attributes. The work of. This sort. To him. The parable. Of the sword. We see. It is. The wicked one. That comes.

[28:11] To sow. The tears. The devil. Is responsible. For that. We see. The result. Of the arrows. Striking home. Identical.

[28:22] To his purposes. These arrows. Arrive. Suddenly. Without warning. An evil. Suggestion. A cruel. Thought.

[28:34] An atheistic. Denial. Of God. Are you familiar. With any of these. Well. Sometimes. These thoughts. Come. Without warning. Sometimes.

[28:45] Without you. Even. Having. Your. Innocently. And. Perhaps. Without any. Thought. Of any of these things. Being. In your mind.

[28:56] All of a sudden. It comes. From nowhere. The. Writer. Preacher. Charles Hodge. Says. It is a common experience.

[29:08] Of the people. Of God. That at times. Horrible thoughts. Unholy. Blasphemous. Skeptical. Malignant. Crowd. Upon the mind.

[29:20] Which cannot. Be accounted for. Any. Ordinary. Law. Of mental action. And which cannot. Be. Dislodged. The type.

[29:31] Of thought. It comes. From nowhere. And without. Warning. And. There's no rhyme. No reason. To it.

[29:41] At times. But you know. How. How disturbing. It is. And how. Debilitating. It is. The preacher. James. Philip. Uses.

[29:53] This illustration. From the experience. Of a young preacher. And he. He quotes. From. The experience. And insists. That it is. A.

[30:05] A true story. And he describes. A young minister. Who has. Completed his. Sermon preparation.

[30:17] For the Lord's day. And. He's been. Hard at work. Preparing his sermon. And. He is now ready. Apart from.

[30:27] The actual preaching. Of it. And. As he says. About him. The man is. Unevangelical. And he loves. His work. And his heart.

[30:38] And soul. Are in it. And has not been. Without fruit. In his ministry. As others. Would be able. To testify. But on the Saturday evening.

[30:49] As he is. Content in. His preparation. He is. Feeding his own soul. On an article. In a magazine.

[31:01] Written by a well-known preacher. And he finds this article. To be very helpful. And very. Very much something.

[31:11] That stimulates his own. Mind. But there is a phrase. In the article. That. Catches his eye. And it starts.

[31:22] A train of thought. And. It. Creates. A stab. Of dismay. And dread. A sales of spirit. And before you know it.

[31:35] His soul is aflame. With doubt. And fear. And. His. His. His. His whole. Ministry. Is. Is.

[31:46] On the rocks. He doubts. His own. Calling. He doubts. His salvation. He doubts. His God. You might not believe that.

[31:58] To be possible. But. But this. He says. Is a true story. And even though he. He manages to go into the pulpit the following day.

[32:10] The. The flames that have been kindled. Are. Burning. Furiously. In his heart and mind. That.

[32:21] That it nearly destroys him. And it came. Comes out of the blue. It comes. Without warning. It comes. From a source that.

[32:34] That if you analyze it. Should have been a source that. That is. Beneficial. And yet that is the. The. Method.

[32:45] That the evil one. Juices. That can come. In many forms. Can be doubts. And fears. Or. Greed. Or covetousness.

[32:56] And all of a sudden. No warning. And that is where the combustible material comes in. Just like the arrow. Is designed to inflame.

[33:07] Where the arrow strikes. In the heart of a sinner. Is the very place. That. The flames. Can.

[33:18] Can be fanned. And. Become an inferno. Before you know it. Saved by grace. But a sinner.

[33:29] For all that. That does the double effect. Of. Having something. To flare up. As well as the mistaken. Belief. That this is where it originates.

[33:40] And this is the thing. When you begin to analyze. Where the thoughts came from. Instinct. Tells you that. It came from within.

[33:52] But. The arrow comes so quickly. And you believe it to be so. When in reality. It is an arrow that comes from outwith.

[34:05] The passion. The apostle describes to us. The shield. The shield. The shield. The shield. Not just any shield. But the shield of faith. The bible describes to us.

[34:18] Protection. From such attacks. In different ways. But faith in Christ. Is essential. You remember. The father of the faithful.

[34:31] Abraham. He. Genesis 15. Describes the object. Of faith. As his shield. And exceeding great reward.

[34:43] The psalmist. On different occasions. Speaks. Of God's word. On Thursday evening. We were. Looking at. The words of Psalm 4.

[34:56] And Psalm 3. Tied along. With it. And. The psalmist. In Psalm 3. Says. Yet.

[35:08] Thou. He says. My shield. And glory art. The uplifter. Of mine head. I cried. And from his holy hill.

[35:20] The Lord. Answer. Made. The Lord. Himself. Is. The shield. To whom you look. David.

[35:31] Is under attack. Many. Were his enemies. And. Every one of them. Were paying for blood. And saying that. No matter whose God was.

[35:43] They could not help him. In Psalm 28. The Lord. Is my strength. And my shield. My heart. Trusts in him.

[35:54] And I am helped. And we can. All. Understand. These words. Because. We have discovered them. If we are Christians. To being.

[36:05] The truth. The. The. Roman soldier. Who. Carries. The shield. Used the shield. To deflect.

[36:16] The attacks. Of the enemy. And we are required. To defend. Against this. Ons. By looking. To God. And if we do not. Do that.

[36:27] And simply. Allow. These. Vile thoughts. To overrun us. It will be. At least. Uncomfortable. And at worst. Destructive. When Peter.

[36:39] And James. The apostles. Call on the believer. To resist the devil. It is not. By their own strength. In that. Epistle.

[36:49] That we read. The apostle. James. Describes. To us. Different.

[37:00] Elements. Of. Faith. In chapter 4. He goes on. To speak. About. The. The.

[37:12] The way. That. We are to. Defend. Ourselves. Against. The attacks. Of the evil one. Submit. Yourselves. He says. Therefore. To God. Resist.

[37:23] The devil. And he will. Flee. From you. Draw nigh. To God. And he will. Draw nigh. To you. Cleanse. Your hands. You sinners. And purify. Your hearts. You double.

[37:34] Minded. Be afflicted. And mourn. And weep. Let your laughter. Be turned. To mourning. And your joy. To heaviness. Humble yourselves. In the sight. Of the Lord.

[37:45] And he shall. Lift you up. The apostle. Peter. Again. He. Is someone. That. Knew much. About the onslaughts.

[37:55] Of the evil one. Humble yourselves. Again. And he says. Therefore. Unto the mighty hand. Of God. That he may. Exalt you. In due time.

[38:06] Casting all your care. Upon him. For he careth. For you. Be sober. Be vigilant. Because your adversary. The devil. As a roaring lion. Walketh about.

[38:18] Seeking whom he may devour. Whom resists. Steadfast. Steadfast. In the faith. Knowing that the same afflictions. Are accomplished.

[38:29] In your brethren. That are in the world. The devil. Would have you believe. And have me believe. That. We have an exclusive experience.

[38:40] When our faith. Is being tested. And yet. Our faith. Is being directed. To God. And to no one else.

[38:55] Psalmist. Again. Let all who take refuge. In you. Rejoice. Let them ever sing. For joy. And spread your protection. Over them. That those who love your name.

[39:07] May exult. Exult in you. For you bless the righteous. O Lord. You cover him with. Favor us with a shield. God's word encourages us.

[39:20] When we are under attack. To lay hold of the shield of faith. We must go to God in prayer. We must look to his word.

[39:32] We must seek the intercession of Christ. On our behalf. Then the onslaught will cease. The evil one will flee. It doesn't mean that he will never try again.

[39:43] Of course he will. As long as we are spared in this world. We will be the target of his arrows. But the same truth applies to you.

[39:58] That was true of Peter. When Jesus spoke of him. And spoke to him. I have prayed. For you. That your faith. Fail you not.

[40:09] And we need to remind ourselves. Of the reality. Of. Of the function of faith. Saving faith.

[40:20] A faith that looks. Unto Jesus. Who is the author and finisher. Thereof. May he bless. To us. These few thoughts.

[40:32] Let us again. Bow in prayer. O Lord our God. We are not. Unaware of the devices.

[40:42] Of the enemy. Not least of his fiery darts. We give thanks. That we are able. To look to one who can quench them. Who can.

[40:54] Extinguish the flame. And deflect the arrows. And ensure that we are safe. We bless you. For the experience. Of the saints.

[41:05] That we can look to. And learn from. And that reminds us. Of the certainty. That their faith. Who perseveres. Therein. To the end.

[41:16] Continue with us. Watching over us. And all we. Leave in your care. And keeping. Even anew. This evening. Bless those of our number. Who are unwell. And we pray.

[41:27] That they would be kept. Even at this time. From the encroaches. Of Satan. Hear our petitions. Cleanse from every sin. In Jesus precious name.

[41:38]  We would ask it. And now. May grace. Mercy. And peace. From God. Father. Son. And Holy Spirit. Be with you all. Now and always. Amen. Amen.