[0:00] it's very high up here but anyway not to worry we're here to worship and to praise God and we'll begin our evening service tonight by singing to God's praise in Psalm 34 Psalm 34 verses 1 to 10 God will I bless all times his praise my mouth shall still express my soul shall boast and God the meek shall hear with joyfulness down to the end of verse 10 the lions young may hungry be and they may lack their food but they that truly seek the Lord shall not lack any good these verses to God's praise God will I bless all times his praise my love shall still express my soul shall the Lord shall not lack any good these verses to God's praise my love shall not lack any good these verses to God with joyfulness the Lord with me let us exalt his name together
[1:41] I saw the Lord he had done me me from a huge river the Lord he had done me me me the Lord he had done me me me me me Bye-bye.
[2:34] Porque la God bless you.
[3:07] God bless you.
[3:37] God bless you.
[4:07] God bless you.
[4:37] God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you.
[4:49] God bless you.
[5:21] God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you.
[5:33] God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you.
[5:45] God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you.
[6:23] We thank you for the hope that he gives us. And Lord, we thank you as your people tonight, that for those who are in Christ, that the best is yet to come. Oh Lord, we just thank you.
[6:37] Lord, from the depth of our heart, with all that is within us, for all that you have done for us. Lord, you could have left us the way that we were, but no, in love and in mercy, you came to seek and to save that which was lost.
[6:56] Oh, thank you, Jesus, for all that you have done for us. Remember us, Lord, in your love and in your mercy. Lord, we are a poor and unneedy people, as the psalmist said so long ago, and the case hasn't changed.
[7:12] Even tonight, we are still in poverty and we're in need. And Lord, our world is in need. As we look round about, as we see so much of man's inhumanity to man, and we see, Lord, the way that sin has ravished the whole of creation.
[7:30] And we would ask, Lord, that in those places, where there is war, that you would intervene and bring about reconciliation. In places like the Ukraine, in Gaza, in Sudan, and Lord, in other parts of Africa.
[7:47] They tell us that in these days, there are 27 wars going. And Lord, all the focus on this moment in time is on Gaza. And Lord, we just pray that, Lord, in your love and in your mercy, that you would bring about some sort of reconciliation in these days.
[8:06] But we know that ultimately, the only real solution to all these problems is the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ again. And so we say, Lord, come, Lord Jesus. Come in your power. Come in your mercy.
[8:22] And come and help us and come and save us. Lord, remember all those who are in need. Remember them, Lord, even tonight. Those who are mourning the loss of loved ones.
[8:33] Those who are broken in heart and in mind. One way or another, we pray, Lord, that you would meet their need. And that you would help them and that you would encourage them along life's way.
[8:46] Because life is, for so many, such a struggle in these days. And so difficult and so hard. And Lord, we just pray that you would minister to them in a way that no other can.
[9:01] And we read about your work, Lord, as you minister to Martha and Mary. And Lord, in the days so long ago. And nobody can minister like you can.
[9:14] We, at best, are poor comforters. But you are the great comforter. You are the physician who is able to heal the soul. Remember them. Lord, in your love and mercy.
[9:25] Remember those, Lord, who are concerned over their health in these days, Lord. And who are worried about appointments and maybe operations coming up in the future.
[9:36] We pray, Lord, that you would be very near to them. And that you would uphold them in these difficult days. Remember those, Lord, as well, who are persecuted for their faith.
[9:47] Lord, we don't see so much of it in our own country. But in other places. Lord, there is great persecution going on. And remember them, Lord, in China and North Korea and Myanmar and Bhutan and Laos and Kathmandu and Nepal.
[10:06] Remember them, Lord, in Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea and the Yemen and the Sudan. And we think of them, Lord, in Iraq, Iran and Syria and Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
[10:18] And, Lord, as we look further afield into the Democratic Republic of Congo. We remember them as well in Nigeria. And, Lord, in Ghana and other parts of Africa where it's so hard, Lord, just to keep going from day to day.
[10:36] But yet, Lord, they are suffering terribly. Remember our brothers and our sisters in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Lord, uphold them and strengthen them and encourage them, Lord, along life's way.
[10:50] Because, Lord, they need it even more than we do. So, remember them in your mercy. Remember your cause tonight, Lord, throughout the world. Wherever the gospel is proclaimed.
[11:02] Lord, that it would go out in power. That the Lord Jesus Christ would be lifted up high. And that many would be drawn to him. And that he would see the travail of his soul.
[11:13] And that he would be satisfied. Oh, Lord, remember it. In our day and in our generation. Lord, we hear so much about revivals and so many other things in the years gone by.
[11:27] But, Lord, our eyes are upon you. We look into you as the God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. The God who is able to do above and beyond anything.
[11:38] That we can ask or think. Even in 2023. As it draws to a close. Lord, you are able to move amongst men and women in their souls.
[11:51] And bring them to a saving knowledge of you. God, that you would do it. And, God, that you would be moving. Not just in this village. But in our island home.
[12:02] And in our country. And in our nation. And, Lord, as we do that. We remember those who are over us in power. The first minister. The prime minister.
[12:13] The king. Lord, that you would open their minds. And open their hearts. To the loveliness and the beauty of Jesus. And, Lord, that they would be drawn to him.
[12:23] In a day of grace and of mercy. Remember them, Lord. And remember us all. Remember all who are without you. Even tonight. Lord, we have them in our homes. We have them in our families.
[12:34] Who are indifferent to Jesus. And to the gospel. And the claims that he has upon their lives. And we pray, Lord, tonight. That you would just work in their hearts and souls.
[12:46] Lord, we know that Paul plants Apollos waters. But God alone gives the increase. And, Lord, we believe tonight.
[12:57] That you want to give us an increase. And we pray, Lord, that you would minister. To those whom we have known. Those whom we have grown up with. And those whom we love. So remember them, Lord.
[13:08] In your love and mercy. Remember us here. As we seek to worship you. And, Lord, we would pray. That your hand would be upon us for good. That we would know something of your help.
[13:18] And that we would know something of your encouragement. And that we would know something of your blessing. And, Lord, we would know the reality. Of the assurance of the promise. That when we draw near to you.
[13:30] That you will draw near to us. And that you are the God who inhabits the praises of his people. So remember us now, Lord. And be with us. And take away sin. For Jesus' sake.
[13:41] Amen. Amen. If you turn in your Bibles into the Old Testament. Into the book of Isaiah. Isaiah chapter 55.
[13:52] Isaiah chapter 55.
[14:12] Verse 1. O everyone that thirsteth. Come ye to the waters. He that hath no money. Come ye. Buy and eat. Yea, come buy wine and milk.
[14:23] Without money and without price. Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread. And your labour for that which satisfieth not. Hearken diligently unto me and eat.
[14:36] That which is good. And let your soul delight itself in fatness. incline to me your ear come unto me here and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David behold I have given him for a witness to the people a leader and a commander to the people behold I shall call a nation that thou knowest not and nations that knew not he shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the Holy One of Israel for he hath glorified thee seek ye the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is near let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon for my thoughts are not your thoughts neither your ways my ways saith the Lord for as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts for as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven and returneth not hither but watereth the earth that it maketh it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater so my shall my word goeth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void but shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the place where unto I sent it for ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands and instead of the thorn shall come up the firth tree and instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle and it shall be to the Lord for a name for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off and God will bless his word to his son will further worship God by singing to his praise in Psalm 105 verses 1 to 7 give thanks to God call on his name to men his deeds make known sing ye to him sing psalms proclaim his wondrous works each one see that ye in his holy name do glory do a card and let the heart of every one rejoice that seeks the Lord because he and he only is the mighty Lord our God and his most righteous judgments are in all the earth abroad these verses to God's praise give thanks to God call on his name to men his deeds make known sing ye to them sing sing ye to him sing ye to him the who mais do a deregeline do thy ...
[18:18] afford and let the heart of everyone rejoice that seeks the Lord the Lord of my in and his men with steadfast heart seeking his blessing down his gracious his seeking contend thy in God thou the one that he has come which of the he shall breathe his wonderful heart that the the church of which come his heart your sin he he and his heart and his life and his and his heart and his heart and his temple to and his and 남 known
[20:21] He and the only is the mighty Lord of all.
[20:34] And His holy King, the righteous and the Son, in all the earth above.
[20:58] Gracious God, we need your help. We need the presence of your Spirit. To move amongst hearts and from pew to pew. And even in the pulpit, we need your help.
[21:11] Because we are poor and we are needy. And we need your presence more than we need anything else in our lives. So be with us and bless your word.
[21:22] And take away sin for Jesus' sake. In this chapter, I'm only looking at one verse I've already been preaching on part of this chapter.
[21:33] Before, and this verse seeks. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found. And call upon him while he is near. There's about 30 exhortations in scripture to seek the Lord.
[21:50] Matthew 6, 33. Jesus said, seek first the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness. And all other things shall be added to you.
[22:02] And that was Jesus' priority in life. Working for the kingdom. Seeking the kingdom. Seeking his Father's face and his Father's presence.
[22:15] We often read about Jesus after a day going up into the mountain and seeking the Lord in prayer. And his righteousness.
[22:27] We see that. Is that the way we are? Is that our priority in life? That the main thing in our lives is to be seeking God.
[22:40] And coming to know him. And coming to understand him. Seeking him in his word. And, you know, in Psalm 119, verse 2.
[22:55] One of the ones I have been thinking of singing. It says there. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies. And seek him with a whole heart.
[23:08] Isn't that lovely? Their whole heart was in seeking the Lord. And I would encourage you tonight. To seek him with your whole heart.
[23:20] Don't be like Solomon. Solomon. Whose heart was turned away by the things of this world. And beautiful women. Seek him with a whole heart.
[23:36] Solomon, at the end of his day. Died a very sad and broken man, I think. One of the commentators said about Solomon.
[23:48] Solomon that he was the wisest fool that ever lived. He had heard God's voice. God had come to him.
[23:59] God had spoken to him. In a way that he hadn't spoken to any others. And God had blessed him. In his kingship. And in everything that he was doing.
[24:11] God prospered him. And yet. His heart was divided. Amongst many other things. And you know. I think in 2023.
[24:23] That's a problem with many of us. We're caught up in so many things in the world. That our hearts decided. And in the Psalm 105. That we sung.
[24:35] Sing. Seek the Lord and his strength. Seek his face evermore. And we should rejoice when we're seeking him. When did you last come into God's house?
[24:45] And you were like the Psalmist. I joyed when to the house of God. Go up. They said to me. You know. You know. When the faith mission were down in point. I got an awful lift from that.
[24:59] My heart was uplifted. Gathering with God's people. In God's house. Worshipping him. Praising him. Along with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
[25:11] And it was a joy to be there. And every time we gather. And every time we meet with God. It should be an encouragement to us. It should be a joy. Do you know.
[25:22] There are many places in this world. Where they can't sing like we can tonight. Where they can't worship openly like we can tonight. And yet. Here we are in this place.
[25:33] And we can lift up our hearts and our voices. To God in prayer. And we can praise him. From the very depth of our hearts. I hope we are worshipping him.
[25:44] With a whole heart. We are to seek his face forever. Because the best is yet to come. As my own ministers say so often.
[25:57] The best is yet to come. And for the Christian. That's a reality. Because if you read there. In Revelation 21.
[26:08] I saw a new heaven. And a new earth. And the day would come. That when. There would be no more pain. There would be no more sadness. There would be no more sorrow.
[26:20] All these things would pass away. And that's a reality. That's a reality. When we get to heaven. And God himself. Is going to wipe away.
[26:32] Every tear. From our eyes. And so often. In this world. We weep. And we shed tears. We are. Bombarding on every side.
[26:43] With. Sadness. And pain. And disappointment. But the day will come. When there will be none of that. Because the best is yet to come.
[26:54] As the. The apostle said. That I hath not seen. Or ear heard. Hasn't even entered. The heart of man. What God has prepared.
[27:05] For those who love him. And that's a fact. We can't even imagine it. We can't get close to it. But you know. When you. When you.
[27:17] When you. When you. Get married. And. You go to a new house. And things like that. And. It might not be a hundred percent.
[27:28] But you have a picture in your eye. What it's going to be like. Well. It's going to be even greater than that. Because God's going to do it.
[27:42] God himself is going to prepare it. Jesus says that I have gone to prepare a place for you. If it were not so. I would have told you. And this. This chapter here.
[27:52] It's written. By Isaiah. The son of Amos. And he's. He's like the fifth evangelist. Isaiah has more revelations about.
[28:05] The future. And the coming kingdom. Than many others had. And he puts it in such a lovely way. And here we are.
[28:18] And he's saying. He's saying at the beginning of the chapter. Everyone that's thirst. Come to the water. Come and buy. Without money. And without price. Here's what the.
[28:29] One of the old divine said. It's the poor man's market. You come. You can't come. And you can't buy. Without money.
[28:41] Without price. And the only cost. Is not to you. And not to I. It's to the seller. As Peter says.
[28:54] In his epistle. You were not bought. With corruptible things. Like silver and gold. But with the precious blood of Christ. And what a cost that was.
[29:08] What a price that Jesus had to pay. For our salvation. On Calvary 3. And not only was it. Was it.
[29:19] To come and buy. To all. It was a universal call. Wasn't just to the Jews. Was to the Gentiles.
[29:30] It was to you and I as well. All who are invited. To the feast. The only qualification. You have. For coming. Is that you thirst.
[29:42] And he invites you. To come. And it was a universal call. Come. And here he says. And your soul shall live. And then in verse 6.
[29:53] He says. Seek. Call. And forsaken. Forsake your sins. And turn to the Lord. God. And then. There's a nearnessness.
[30:05] In that message. Seek him. While he is near. Call upon him. While he will be found.
[30:17] What are you seeking tonight. For yourselves. What are you seeking. As you gather in God's house. Are you truly seeking him.
[30:30] Are you truly seeking him. Can we say like Paul. That I might know him. That I might know him.
[30:42] And the fellowship of his suffering. Some just want to know. But Paul wanted to go deeper. And further. He wanted to know the. Fellowship of his suffering.
[30:58] And be conformed. To the resurrection. What are we seeking tonight. Here ourselves. Are we making the most. Of every opportunity.
[31:10] When we gather together. Together. To worship him. And to praise him. Or are we like. So many just.
[31:21] Going through the motions. And mark in time. Out of habit. To pass an hour. To hear what they'll say. About God tonight.
[31:32] As I said before. Can we say then. Like the psalmist. I joyed. Went to the house of God. It was a privilege.
[31:42] It was a joy. It was an encouragement. To my soul. Or can we sing. Like the psalmist said. In another place. Lord thee. My God. I lairly seek.
[31:52] My soul. Dath thirst for thee. Do we have that soul thirst. Tonight. Within us. For God. Do we have that soul thirst.
[32:03] Within us. For God. And what do we think. Of Jesus. What do you think. Of Jesus. When.
[32:14] When. When. When the disciples. Were asked. Jesus says. Well. Who do men say. That I am. Oh well. He did. One of the. Prophets.
[32:25] Elijah. One of these guys. It's all. John the Baptist. But he turned to Peter. And he says.
[32:36] Who do you say. That I am. And he says. You are the Christ. He says. The son of the living God. And Jesus says.
[32:48] Blessed are you. Simon. And Jonah. No one. But my father. In heaven. Could have revealed this to you. You know. You rejoice tonight.
[32:59] If God has revealed to you. Who Jesus was. And rejoice. If he means everything to you.
[33:11] That you. Were willing to seek him. Above all others. Is that what we are thinking about.
[33:21] Or. You know. Are we thinking tonight. Like so many. We are thinking of tomorrow. We are planning and scheming. Well. What are we going to do. On the cross tomorrow.
[33:33] Are we going to shift the sheep. Or are we going to do this. Or are we going to do that. Or. How are we going to. Make more money. Or whatever. That's what's going through.
[33:45] People's minds in church. Because. I know. Because I've been there. It's been going through. My own mind. Worrying about the problems. Of today. And tomorrow. And what are we going to do.
[33:56] But Jesus tells us. Not to worry about those things. He's in earnest. And our eternal future.
[34:11] Depends on how we answer these questions. Our eternal future. Depends on it. You know. We're so diligent. As I say. Seeking the things of the world.
[34:24] Making money. And. Building houses. These are all legitimately good things. And. Buying new cars. And. Getting nice gardens. And doing this.
[34:34] That. And the next thing. Around the house. Whatever we try to do. We're really good at it. We're good at planning it. We're good at scheming it. All these material things.
[34:48] But I tell you tonight. I think we're lazy. About the good of our souls. The most precious gift. That you've been given from God.
[34:58] Is your soul. And we're lazy about it. The wise would say.
[35:08] Seek him early in life. Seek him earnestly. Because.
[35:19] God deserves. The best part of your life. God. Doesn't deserve the leftovers. Especially those who are young tonight.
[35:30] And. They haven't come to trust him. He doesn't want the leftovers. Another said. I would not give the world my heart.
[35:42] And then profess my love. I would not feel my strength depart. And then I service prove. I would not. With swift wingity.
[35:53] Seel on this world's errands go. And labour up the heavenly hill. With weary feet and slow. That's the way it is with so many.
[36:07] Our souls. Have been left to the last. And we've gotten on. And we're stressed out. By the world.
[36:18] And by living in it. By its problems. By the hype. Life isn't easy. Life is difficult. Life is hard.
[36:30] In the day and generation. That we're living in. Young and old. They're confronted. By problems on every side. And if it isn't.
[36:42] By work. Or whatever. There's that social media. That can destroy your reputation. In a minute. But. Jesus puts life.
[36:55] In his proper perspective. When we go back. To Matthew 6. 33. Seek God. First the kingdom of God.
[37:06] And his righteousness. And all other things. Shall be added to you. And you say. The fourth thing. Well. Peter.
[37:17] The apostle. Was concerned too. He says. Lord. We've left everything for you. We've left homes. And to give up. The employment. The fishing. The lot. Lord.
[37:28] And Jesus. And Jesus. Turn around. And said to him. No man. Has left home. Or house. Or whatever. And he's not received. Much more.
[37:39] And in the time to come. Eternal life. You'll never be the loser. For putting God. First in your life.
[37:50] and a man from this village taught me that nearly 40 years ago you'll never be the loser for putting God first everything that causes you worry food, clothing how are you going to pay the next bill the council tax, everything that comes against us make it a priority in your lives every day to seek him in word seek him at the prayer seek him at the means of grace sometimes as somebody said to me you might have to struggle to get up a wee hour earlier to do it, but do it it's worth doing it he's worth seeking, he's worth it all Jeremiah says seek you me with all your hearts and when you seek me with all your heart then you will find me you don't seek God in vain as Isaiah says if we seek with all our hearts then we will find him he will come to us he will speak to us he's speaking to us tonight through his word he'll speak to us when we're in the place of prayer he'll speak to us when we're down when the world has buffeted us from every side even in the midst of the storms of life as the disciples found out so long ago and Jesus said to them why are you so fearful and he said to the waves be still be still and Jesus can calm the waves can calm the storms in your life even tonight in the same as he did 2000 years ago it was it was an earnest plea to seek the Lord but it's also an urgent plea to seek the Lord it's urgent he says while he may be found while he may be found and while he is near while he is near while we're still in a day of grace and we're on measures ground and so often he's speaking to us at the expense of others and we're seeing it in our village we're seeing it in our island when young and old are taken from time to eternity in the twinkling of Hanai he's speaking to us when he's convicting us when our hearts are soft and when our consciences are tender and God is speaking into us we should listen to him we need to be in time we need to be in time because the day is going to come for the whole of mankind the day is going to come when he's not going to be found he says there in Genesis my spirit shall not always thrive with man it shall not always thrive with man and you know we're not to let Esau be our example
[41:51] you remember the story of Jacob and Esau and Esau counted his birthright does nothing he sold it for a bowl of stew he sold it for a bowl of stew and it tells us there that he sought repentance repentance he sought repentance it should make us weep but he couldn't find it he was rejected he was rejected and you know that's the way that it's going to be for many they're going to leave it too late you know the story so well about Pharaoh when Moses came to him let my people go and he hardened his heart to Moses and to God and then the day finally came his experience where God hardened his heart and Pharaoh was lost with his armies and those people who came out of the promised land who had seen
[42:59] God's hand working and moving in their midst they started mourning they started gumbling they started complaining about God they were complaining about Moses and they were complaining about Aaron and God rejected them and they never entered the promised land the only ones that got in there of that number was Caleb and Joshua how I wish in our island that we had more Caleb in our day and generation where he said that this day he says you know what Moses promised me this day he says I'm 85 years old and I'm able to go in and to go out to war as I was the day that Moses promised me and he says give me the mountain and at 85 years old
[44:00] Caleb went out and he took that mountain he was able because he was right with God he was in communion with God he was seeking God's help he was seeking God to fulfil his promise to him and he never gave up not even after 40 odd years he still believed God for his promise it's earnest and it's urgent because life is so uncertain and so many of us take so much for granted we think that as yesterday was so today will be and as well tomorrow and yet we forget her illness can strike a home and a family in the twinkling of an eye and you know we take good health so much for granted and we learn at the expense of others at the young at the old at the middle aged and you know as the old saying goes the grave is always hungry it's never satisfied and it's urgent because as I said we've we're health is not guaranteed but we're frail and fragile creatures of the dust and illness can overtake us at any time and you know as I heard probably 30 years ago the deathbed is no place to seek the Lord because he'll be too busy with illness and sickness to seek him and I hear it and I've said it myself well there's plenty of time that's one of our fears there's plenty of time but my friends there isn't you don't know what's around the corner for you this is the day now is the day of salvation now is the day to seek the Lord not when the best years of your life are gone and you know if I had a show of hands for a show of hands tonight here how many of you wanted to go to heaven
[46:40] I'm sure every hand would go up but if I put it another way and said who is sure of going to heaven then there would be a different result from the show of hands who is sure are you sure the only surety is to be in Christ is to seek him while he is to be found is to call upon him while he is near and to turn from our evil ways because it's urgent because judgment is looming as the apostle says it's a point it's a point men once to die and after that the judgment that's not Donnie Rankin's take on it that's the Bible's take on it and the writer there's speculation about who is the writer to the Hebrews some say
[47:48] Paul but I don't think it was how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation I'll tell you there is no escape there is no escape and it's final if we neglect it we neglect it at our parent salvation is urgent because we're neglecting the need of our never dying souls and we're putting it off and off and that's what Felix did you remember the story when Felix was interviewing Paul he was talking to Paul there and Paul was there reasoning with him about righteousness self-control and the judgment to come and as Paul spoke Felix was trembling and that was the time that Felix should have turned to Paul and said like the Philippian jailer what must I do to be saved but instead he turns round and he says
[48:49] I hear you at a more convenient season and that's what many are doing even in the island of Lewis tonight will hear at a more convenient season and I've gone over scripture backwards and forwards a few times and I don't read anywhere where Felix came to that place where God spoke to him again he had the opportunity and he neglected it and it passed by him he neglected it and it passed by him and you know we make many excuses some of them can be valid excuses but at the end of the day all they really are are excuses you know we say well I'm not good enough you were invited to the feast and he says come you don't have to have the money you don't have to have anything just come and he said you're good
[49:56] I'm not good enough none of us are good enough you say I'm not holy he never asked you to be holy he never asked you to be righteousness to be righteous all he asked you was to come he just asked you to come and we make so many excuses why we can't come because of our inability our lack of our holiness our lack of our goodness but at the end of the day they're all excuses and you know the world will always hinder a seeking soul the world will always hinder you we need to be more like Mary remember the story of Mary and Martha there was Martha she was busy in the kitchen preparing doing that and the next thing and there was Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus Mary had chosen the good part which would never be taken from her and how
[51:06] I wish many more in our island who hear the gospel faithfully preached sabbath by sabbath and during the week at the prayer meeting how they would choose the good part being found with Jesus being found at his feet listening to his words seeking him in prayer worshiping in song and praise singing not ah א listen rise to was the one that we have to worry about.
[53:18] Because he said, therefore, tonight thy soul shall be required of thee. Thy soul shall be required of thee.
[53:34] And you know that there are some who won't even see tomorrow, like the rich farmer. They won't see tomorrow. Tomorrow will never come.
[53:51] We're always good at putting things off. We're good at it. And the world will always find a way to hinder us. Isn't it so strange so often that maybe more so in the evenings when you set aside time to pray and read?
[54:16] And then out of the blue, the phone rings. And what happens? You distract it. You distract it. You distract it. And that happens so often.
[54:28] I found that out in my own cause. It happens so often. And then we get caught up in something else. And instead of picking up and reading the Bible, we pick up and read the newspaper or put on the television.
[54:39] When I was going out first, the minister said to me at the prayer meeting, to others that were there, how easy it is to come home and sit down, pick up the newspaper, or more so on how they switch on the television rather than pick up the Bible and read it.
[55:10] That was the truth. And he told it from his heart. And you know, you switch on your television today. And all you're hearing is bad news.
[55:23] Wars, rumors of wars on every side. You pick up the Bible. And it's good news. It's encouragement for the soul, for the body as well.
[55:36] It's good news. And you know, we're so good. We get caught up in things and we're so good at making excuses. Do you remember the story of the rich man who invited guests to a feast?
[55:51] And they all said that they would come. Yes, I'll come, no bother. But you see, when the time came and the day came for them to come, they all made excuses.
[56:03] I've got a yoke of oxen. I've got to prove them. I've bought a field. I've got to go and see it. I married a wife and I can't come just now. And that's all these things were.
[56:16] And they were excuses. They were excuses to keep us away from God's house, from God's worship and God's praise. That's all they were.
[56:28] And tonight, when the Holy Spirit is knocking at the door of your heart, are you going to turn them away and say no?
[56:41] No tonight. Another convenience season. I haven't time just now. Or will you say like this to others, we won't have this man to reign over us.
[56:55] How I wish we were more like Levi or Matthew, the tax collector. When Jesus says to him, come, he says, and follow me.
[57:08] He left everything. He left the booth behind. He left his living behind. He left the Lord. And he came and followed Jesus. And he wasn't the loser for it.
[57:20] And we weren't the loser for it either. Because we've got Matthew's gospel to turn to tonight. He left all and followed him. And you know, when Elisha was called to follow Elijah, Elisha got the yoke for the oxen.
[57:43] And he burnt it. He killed the oxen and he made a great feast. Gave it to the friends and to the neighbors. And he went and followed Elijah.
[57:57] He burnt his bridges. He burnt his bridges. The same as Matthew burnt his bridges. And Peter burnt his bridges. And I could name others throughout the Bible that burnt their bridges.
[58:10] And we must burn our bridges as well. We must say cheerio to the old. If any man will follow me, Jesus says, Let him deny himself.
[58:22] Take up the cross and follow me. And you know, The hardest thing to do Is to deny self. But I'll tell you when you do, He's worth it all.
[58:33] If you could open a window into heaven tonight And say to the martyrs or the covenanters, Was he worth it? Yes, Yes, They would say.
[58:46] And they would do it all over again. Each and every one of them. They would say, Jesus was worth it all. And even if you asked William Borden, I don't know if you knew about him, But he was a rich American.
[59:00] And at 16 years old, He went on a cruise. His parents put him on a cruise. But God was working in his heart. And he laid upon him a burden for the lost.
[59:13] And that burden grew greater. And he faced great opposition from his family. His inheritance was pretty much gone.
[59:24] But he wrote in the back of his Bible, No reserve. And then, He went to Egypt and he contracted Spinal Bifida.
[59:39] And another was put in the back of his Bible. No retreat. We must have no reserve. And any man putting his hand to the plough, And looking back, Is no fit for the kingdom of God.
[59:56] No retreat. And then his last entry, In the back of his Bible, Was no regret. He was worth it all.
[60:09] The hymn writer says, Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, My life, My all. And it's urgent tonight, Because the desire, To seek Jesus, Is Jesus is actually seeking you.
[60:26] Jesus is touching your soul, He's touching your conscience, And he's drawing you to himself, Because God is concerned, And God cares, And God loves you, And God doesn't want you to perish.
[60:41] He doesn't want you to perish. And he has a deep concern for you, And that concern, Is proven in John 3, 16, God so loved the world, That he gave his only begotten son, That whosoever believes in him, Should not perish, But have everlasting life.
[60:59] Jesus is in earnest, He's in earnest, The issues are serious, In life and death, And Jesus is in earnest, That's the reality, We need to be in Christ, When the day comes, That we depart this world, Because if we are out of Christ, We are lost, And perish forever.
[61:36] But Jesus didn't come, To condemn you tonight, He came to save you, Because he loves you, And cares for you, And you know, We're reminded in Amos, Chapter 4, Where he says, To the people of Israel, Prepare, To meet thy God, We're living in a day, Of grace and mercy, We're living in a day, Of opportunity, We're living in a day, Where we can prepare, Because we're still, On mercy's ground, I'll just close with this, It's a poem I learned, Many years ago, Time is gliding swiftly by, Death and judgment, Throath nigh, Do the arms of Jesus fly, Be in time, Oh I pray you count the cost, Dare the fatal line is crossed, And your soul in hell is lost,
[62:38] Be in time, Sinner heed the warning voice, Make the Lord your final choice, There and then all heaven, Will rejoice, Be in time, Come from darkness into light, Come like Jesus, Make you right, Come believe his life tonight, Be in time, If you've never sought the Lord, Seek him now, Seek him now, If you're back, If you're back slidden, From the Lord, He once followed him, Now is the time to seek him, He'll fan that little flame, Flicker into a flame, Because he loves you, If your heart is cold, He'll warm it up, He'll warm it up, And he'll make you, Warm again,
[63:40] And you know, I hear so many, Christians, How are you doing, Oh I'm just plodding along, Well the main thing is, That you're plodding, In the right direction, And that you're not, Standing still, If you're standing still, Tonight as a Christian, Then I would say, That you're not growing in grace, You're not growing in knowledge, And you're not growing in love, Because you're not in the place, Where you should be, At the means of grace, At the throne of grace, And in his word, And if you say to me, Well I'm doing this, I'm doing that, I don't care, Suppose when you've got a Bible, The size of the gable end, Of this church, If you're not moving forward,
[64:41] With Jesus, And you're backslidden, We need to be moving forward, We need to be seeking, Emergency, Earnestly, And we need to trust, Not just for this time, But for eternity as well, May God bless us, And encourage us, As we, Worship together, We'll, Seek him in our word of prayer, Lord we, O God, O Father, Just make us, Help us to be urgent, Help us to be earnest, As we seek thee, And Lord, Help us to see, The urgency of needing to seek thee, In a day of grace and mercy, And help us, Really to see, From the bottom of our hearts, How much, That Jesus loved us, And that he cared for us, And Lord,
[65:42] That that love, Would reciprocate towards him, From our own hearts, Because love that is so amazing, So divine, It demands my soul, My life, My all, Because Lord, You're worth everything, That we can give you, We are only poor souls, Lord, Who are, Not worthy of the least, Of thy mercies, But we praise you, For your kindness to us, So be with us, And bless us, In our homes, And in our families, In the day, And the week ahead, And watch over us, And grant us, Travelling mercies, Back to our homes, And take away sin, For Jesus' sake, Amen, We'll close, By singing to God's praise, In, Psalm 89,
[66:47] I think it's right, John Wood, Isn't it? Amen, John Wood, What's the verses?
[67:05] 15 to 18. 15, Verses 15 to 18. O greatly blessed the people are, The joyful sound that know, In brightness of thy face, O Lord, They ever on shall go, They in thy name, Shall all the day rejoice, Exceed in thee, And in thy righteousness, Shall they, Exalted be on high, For God is our defence, And he doeth, Does safety bring, The Holy One of Israel, Is our almighty King.
[67:33] These verses to God's praise. Amen. O greatly blessed the people, The joy of the Lord, The joy of the Lord, In brightness of thy face, O Lord, In heaven, O God, On earth, In devil's holy, In heaven, Inest, Lord, The joy of the Lord, Many blessings and toch não some sude, verão, In l budgeting, Graça, Amen.
[68:30] Amém. God bless you.
[69:08] God bless you.
[69:38] God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forevermore. Amen.
[70:05] Amen. Amen. Amen.