[0:00] Well friends, I would like to give thanks once again to your minister and to your Kirk Session for the privilege of allowing me to be with you again this Sabbath morning.
[0:16] What a privilege it is for us to be found gathered together in the house of the Lord at this moment in time. And can we just bow in prayer at the start of our worship.
[0:34] O Lord our God we come in the midst of all the worries and all of the chaos that surrounds us in this life of ours.
[0:52] We come Lord asking for thy peace, thy blessed peace to reign in our midst. We come Lord seeking the help of the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we can glorify the Lord in this act of worship.
[1:17] We ask O Lord that thou would put the words into our mouths in order that we would be able to do so.
[1:28] For that is our desire this day. To honour you and to glorify you in all that we do. Bless our time together we pray.
[1:42] Bless us as we praise your holy name. Bless the presenter, our brother with us at this time as he leads us in the praise. And as he preaches the word of God this night.
[1:58] May he also know of your blessed peace. And guide us O Lord so that all honour will belong to you. As we pray and as we proclaim your most glorious word.
[2:12] Go before us in all aspects of our worship in Jesus precious name. Amen. Amen. Our first item of praise this morning is in Psalm 2.
[2:32] Psalm 2. Why rage the... And we shall sing from the beginning down to the end of verse marked 8. Why rage the heathen and vain things?
[2:42] Why do the people mind? Kings of the earth to set themselves and princes are combined. Down to the end of verse marked 8. Ask of me and for heritage the heathen I'll make thine.
[2:56] And for procession I to thee will give earth's utmost line. Shall we sing these words together to the Lord's praise. Why rage the heathen and vain things?
[3:06] Why rage the heathen and vain things?
[3:18] Why do the people mind? Heavens of him and vain think? In the eyes of e Jared and love them things?
[3:31] The people mind of했는데 being said all those names. Thank you.
[4:08] Thank you.
[4:38] Thank you. Thank you.
[5:10] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[5:48] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[6:00] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[6:12] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Shall we come to the Lord in prayer.
[6:26] at most time Shall we come to the Lord in prayer?
[6:41] Oh Heavenly Father we are truly in awe at this time of where we are found gathered and we are truly in awe of the great and wonderful privilege that we have found being gathered here this day how wonderful a thing it is that sinners such as we are would have the desire to come to worship the Lord God Almighty the one who created all things the one who created the heavens and the earth and all that we see around us by the power of his word and Lord we praise your holy name that thou and thy mercy has provided a way for sinners such as we are to be saved in and through the precious blood of Christ which cleanses us of all of our sins and all of our many shortcomings and we give thanks this day
[8:20] O Lord that we don't worship one who is our saviour that came into this world and died and died and rose again and will make intercession for his own people and yet as it was so long ago so it still remains so many in power and in authority plot against the Lord and the Lord's anointed and so many cause chaos and troubles and strife around about us and we live in a time and in a day where O Lord we are almost scared to watch the news throughout the course of the day how things have changed even in the last 24 hours with the war that is going on with Israel and all that has happened with the drones and the missiles in the past few hours from Iran upon Israel and we look back
[10:00] Lord and we are almost in dismay and in fear of what may yet come into this world that thou did create this world of which thou did say that it pleased thee and so much of it now Lord is in chaos and so much of it leaves us terrified we see no end to the war in Ukraine or in Gaza we see things coming to a boiling point time and time again and we know Lord that these wars can come to an end and how we pray that that would be so how we pray that we would not yet see the great fears that are in our hearts how we grieve this day oh Lord seeing innocent people losing their lives in so many brutal and tragic ways how we grieve for the people in Sydney at this time for those six people who were murdered yesterday five women and one man murdered in a shopping mall little did they expect to end up in eternity when they began their shopping that day we pray
[11:41] Lord for all that are affected all the families that are mourning the loss of loved ones all the families that are broken we pray oh Lord for that little nine year old girl who had to have surgery yesterday because of her injuries and her very mother is one of the five women that were killed oh Lord how we pray that the hand of the Lord would be upon these people and that nation at this time and that they would come to the one who offers peace of when we are sorrowing how we pray Lord that out of this violence that souls would be one for Christ we think of closer to home and the knowledge that even in Glasgow yesterday a 17 year old man was murdered on the streets by a 15 year old boy chaos surrounds us
[12:53] Lord we think of we think Lord of that young young boy young man that was killed in the crash of Shetland we think of the tragic death that we had in Stornoway this week of that young woman that went into the great eternity so unexpectedly oh Lord for all that are mourning for all that are broken how we commit them to the throne of grace asking that thou would truly be the God of all comfort to them we remember Lord our young at this time we remember the pressures that are on teachers and upon education upon the chaos that is now caught up in education with regard to of what must be taught as part of the curriculum with regard to LGBT and all these things we see even this week how how even the girl guides is in chaos
[14:03] Lord with regard to the new badge that has been designed there for that organisation guide with pride these badges that they are seeking to sew onto the jumpers of children as young as four oh Lord we wonder when it is all going to stop we wonder will it stop we wonder when thou will come again we pray oh Lord that thou would remember all that are broken with regard to addiction and all that are broken with regard to so many other issues whether it be drinks or drugs or whatever vice they are caught up in the many homes that are suffering seeing their family members self destruct we pray for these individuals and for their families as a whole and we ask
[15:13] Lord that thou would help them in their time of need we pray for the minister of this congregation at this time whilst he is on holiday and ask Lord that wherever he may be that he might know of the peace and the presence of the Lord with him at this time and may he be refreshed for the time when he comes back to preach the word of God to his own flock once again we pray this night for Donnie Rankin as he prepares to preach the word of God as we come Lord asking that thou would help him also we ask Lord that the word would be truly blessed this day where it is truly preached and how privileged we are Lord knowing that even on this very island itself at this time that there are those who gather to worship and yet they know not what they worship and the gods that they worship they will not stand to hold an account of how they live their lives too when life in this world is no more or that thou would make
[16:32] Jesus Christ altogether precious and to each and every single one of us in here this day how we pray Lord that thou would move us all as thou has moved many of us in here to be able to say for me to live is Christ and to die is gain we thank you Lord for our saviour and we thank thee that there is a way available for sinners to be saved and we thank you Lord that within the hearts of many there is this hope of spending eternity with thee forever and ever in glory and we pray Lord that this hope would be at the very center of the hearts of every single person in here this day so we ask Lord now that thou would lead us as we worship bless our time together bless the congregation next door bless all the congregations and all the places throughout the island and
[17:43] UK and world at this time as they preach the word of God bless the ministry missionary organizations and the aid organizations keep them all in safety we ask and grant Lord that we would remember and never forget our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ who have not this great privilege that we have at this time open our open thy word then before us Lord open our mouths and enable us to that the words that would come out of it would honor you in all and in every way possible guide us O great Jehovah as we worship together at this time in Jesus precious name Amen Our reading this day is found in the gospel according to
[18:47] Luke Luke chapter 24 Luke chapter 24 24 and we shall read together from verse 36 down to the end of the chapter Luke chapter 24 chapter chapter 24 and as they were talking about these things Jesus himself stood among them and said to them peace to you but they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit and he said to them why are you troubled and why do doubts arise in your hearts see my hands and my feet that it is I myself touch me and see for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that
[19:53] I have and when he had said this he showed them his hands on his feet and while they still disbelieved for joy they were marvelling he said to them have you anything here to eat and they gave him a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate before them then he said to them these are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled then he opened up their minds to understand the scriptures and said to them thus it is written that Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem you are witnesses of these things and behold I am sending the promise of my father unto you but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high then he led them out as far as
[21:04] Bethany and he lifted up his hands and he blessed them and while he blessed them he parted from them and was carried up into heaven and they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and there and were continually in the temple praising God Amen and may the Lord bless to us that portion from his own holy word we shall sing once again this time in Psalm 22 Psalm 22 and we shall sing together from verse 10 to the end of verse marked 16 Psalm 22 at verse 10 and I was cast upon thy care even from the womb till now and from my mother's belly Lord my God and guide art thou down to the end of verse marked 16 for dogs encompassed me about the wicked that it meet and their assembly me enclosed they pierced my hands and feet shall we sing these words together to the
[22:16] Lord's praise and I was cast upon thy care and I was cast upon my care in from the wounded land and all my love were set me done by unfortunately I doth will I doth grey herné
[23:48] This is me, thy truth shall die on the knee, and holy on his feet.
[24:09] Like what that I'm, for thou my Lord, all that not joy in your heart.
[24:27] Now this my love, and sounds of light, so that it is my heart.
[24:46] My strength is thy, my fortune mine.
[24:58] My tongue is thee the past. My true, my God, my true love, all that not joy in your heart.
[25:24] For yours have come as me, a world that will be in the earth.
[25:43] Then let us end in me, your cause. Then let us end in me, your cause.
[25:57] My heart is on me. We shall find the words of our text this morning in another portion of scripture, in the Gospel of John, at chapter 20.
[26:28] John, chapter 20. John, chapter 20, and if we can read two verses.
[26:46] Verses 19 and verses 20 together. Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
[27:10] And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands, and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.
[27:24] Seeking the Lord. Seeking the Lord's help. Seeking the Lord's help. At this time, I would like to share with you a few thoughts with regard to the risen Lord's first appearance to his disciples.
[27:44] And we see that in verses 19 and in verse 20. And we shall look at the risen Lord's first appearance to his disciples under two headings.
[28:02] In verse 19, we shall see the presentation of Christ. And in verse 20, we shall see the identification of Christ.
[28:15] This is a chapter, as I'm sure you will recall, we have looked at already several times, three times last year.
[28:28] And in these three occasions, we looked at the first 18 verses. And I'd like to carry on with verses 19 and 20 for a little while today.
[28:39] This glorious chapter, this wonderful chapter that speaks of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The hope that those of us who are the Lord's people have within our hearts.
[28:58] This is a glorious chapter of the Word of God. Perhaps even the most glorious chapter of the Word of God.
[29:11] But before we go on to the presentation of Christ, let me begin again, like I did last week, with a question. And the question is similar to last week.
[29:24] I'd like to ask, and ask yourselves, Have you ever in your lives experienced a time where there was a rapid switch of emotion in your life from fear into joy?
[29:39] Was there a time in your life where you were truly terrified? And that terror turned into joy in a very short space of time?
[29:50] I'm sure there are many, and they can say yes, they have experienced that. I experienced it myself in 2004, when our twins were born in this world.
[30:09] In the midst of all the anguish and all the fears that we had, when my wife's organs were going into failure and she had been transferred to Ragmore.
[30:25] And we were praying every day, because we knew that they were going to be born premature. And every day in Ragmore our prayer was, Lord, please don't let them be born today.
[30:39] Maybe tomorrow, but not today. Because each day they were in the womb, we thought they would be that little bit stronger, and that little bit healthier. Until the time in the Lord's providence, where they were born seven weeks early, and spent four weeks in the special care baby unit.
[30:59] And I remember the lead-up to it, and in particular the six hours in the lead-up to it, before going to theatre. And the many fears that filled my mind.
[31:10] Of all that could go wrong. And then in a moment, we heard the crying of a newborn babe. And I will never, ever forget that peace.
[31:27] And I don't think that I'll ever experience the peace of God that I had, and that my wife had, in the midst of all the chaos at that time. And I'm sure there are plenty others who can have similar experiences along these lines today.
[31:46] This experience that we had, this experience that we had, was similar to the experience of the disciples found gathered here this evening, where there was a rapid switch of emotion from fear into joy.
[32:04] In a moment. And that's what came in the words of chapter 20 and in verse 19, when Christ came into their presence with the declaration of peace.
[32:19] I sometimes, as I've said before, think that we live in a time where we only hear about the resurrection at Easter time.
[32:40] I've said this before. And that in some way the resurrection of our Lord is boxed up and we hardly hear anything else about it until that time of year.
[32:53] And that is so wrong. Because there is joy to be found in the resurrection. And the whole life of a Christian, the whole life of everybody who believes in the Lord should be full of the joy of the resurrection that we have in this chapter and in the other Gospels.
[33:22] And notice in John chapter 20 how the scene shifts from the start of the message at verse 1. The scene has shifted from the open tomb in the garden into this room where the disciples are now found gathered in verse 19.
[33:42] The scene has also shifted from the early morning on the first day of the week until the evening time of the first day of the week. And throughout the morning and throughout the afternoon there have been infallible proofs of the resurrection of Christ.
[34:02] And yet the disciples gathered there that evening are still in fear of their lives and still confused as to what is actually going on and whether Christ is alive or not.
[34:20] Christ has already sent news to the disciples in verse 18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had spoken these things unto her.
[34:31] but the reply of the disciples in the other gospels was that they did not believe her account. And yet was there anybody more trustworthy than Mary Magdalene as a credible messenger?
[34:49] she was one who was with these disciples as they travelled for three years from town to town from city to city and yet they did not grasp the message that she sought to bring them.
[35:04] And so Christ then in order to show his love to his own disciples in order to confirm the faith that they had in him especially before they forsook him and fled he comes into them into their presence with a declaration of peace to give them this eyewitness account face to face that they were not believing from the other messengers that they had heard of that day.
[35:39] So let us look for a while at the presentation of Christ that we have before us at this time in verse 19 then the same day at evening being the first day of the week when the doors were shut where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews came Jesus and stood in the midst and said unto them peace be unto you and we read in this verse that the disciples are assembled and we ask the question why and we ask the question how because the last we have read of the disciples is that they have all forsaken Christ and fled they have all parted in their different ways none were present when Christ was crucified other than the beloved disciple who came all the other disciples were posted missing at this time when
[36:46] Christ needed them the most and now we read there together and surely we can see from this that the only thing that would bring them together at this time was all the news that they were hearing from different sources that Christ had risen from the dead despite not fully believing this they were hearing the whispers and they were hearing of the two from Emmaus and they were hearing of the account of the woman and so this draws them to this place where perhaps they had met before in order that they can meet in order that they can gather as one to try as best as they can to identify what it is that is going on at this time and so they meet at this assembly point and they meet in fear and can you picture them there the first time that they have been together since Christ was arrested and here they are apart from
[38:07] Judas and can you picture these disciples broken and fearful and can you picture maybe one of them saying should we pray can you picture another one saying well what do we pray for how do we begin to pray is there any point in prayer and supposing he is alive he is not going to want anything to do with us now can you imagine their confusion can you imagine what is going through their minds as they hear these reports from place to place perhaps they gathered there together in order to discuss whether this was the time for them to stay together or whether this was the time where they should completely part and be away from one another from a safety point of view together as one in Christ because it is no new thing my friends for the disciples to be driven into uncomfortable corners uncomfortable situations those of you who are the
[40:27] Lord's people those of you who trust in Christ know all about that you don't need me to tell you about that there are so many times are there not when the Lord's people are in a sense forced into the chambers and the doors are closed shut for fear has that not been your experience before in the past when persecution and when difficulties come your way these people felt as if they were being persecuted these people although they knew they were not found at the cross that day they knew what Christ was going to go through they knew how he was going to die and now we find them in fear of their very lives thinking that they too might be next and here we are today my friends and you know sometimes
[41:47] I feel as if we are asleep in our comfort because we are not amongst those who are being persecuted around the world at this time in the midst even of the chaos that there is in the world at this time let me read to you just two things from the last steadfast global newsletter a pastor and his wife were among a group of Christians abducted during an attack on a worship service in their village of Beeta on the 30th of January the pastor's two children were also killed during the raid this incident is one of many reported by open doors who say that since the 8th of January 26 Christians have been killed and at least 30 more have been abducted by Islamist terrorists threatening in the northeast region in Uganda a 45 year old
[42:55] Christian evangelist was abducted from his own village in Nicotita on the 8th of March and later killed by extremists infuriated by his street preaching Kisa Masalo's body was found the following day with a note written in Arabic stating we warned you not to convert our Muslim brothers and sisters to Christianity but you failed to heed our warning this has now cost you your life little wonder that these disciples were scared they did not want to be identified as the disciples of Christ in case they were next to be crucified my friends it would shock you today if you knew of the places where the Lord's people meet I'm thinking of a group that I know of right now that are meeting this day in the sewers because that is the safest place for them to meet it is the one place where the authorities won't go looking for them and look at us in the midst of the privileges that we have and could it be in the midst of these privileges that there are still those amongst us who have not fully understood who Christ is and what he endured look at this portion of scripture that we have looked at before in verse 8 we read of the other disciple being John himself who went into the sepulcher and he saw and he believed and then we read in verse 18 of the account of
[44:43] Mary Magdalene giving her account to the disciples and yet they are still terrified they are terrified of the Jewish authorities they are terrified of the Sanhedrin in order that in case they too were going to be the next to put to death so can you picture them in this room can you picture the hopeless state that they are found in can you picture their depression can you understand a little bit of their sorrow and their loneliness and of their helplessness and their feelings of being complete and utter failures had not been present in the time where Christ needed them the most and they are now found gathered here reflecting upon all these things I wonder you know sometimes when I was reading this
[45:43] I wonder as they were found gathered here of course it's all speculation we don't know but I wonder were they remembering at all the words of Jesus the promises of Jesus with regard to all that he had taught and all that they had heard over these three years it would appear not he had warned them of the hatred of this world he had warned them of the persecution that was to come he had warned them in John 15 if the world hate you you know that it hated me in verses 18 to 20 if if you were of the world and the world would love his own but because you are not of the world I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you remember the word that I said unto you the servant is not greater than his lord if they have persecuted me they will persecute you if they have kept my saying they will keep yours also but all these they know not him that sent me
[46:51] I wonder were they thinking of these words if they persecuted me they will also persecute you and in the next chapter of John in chapter 16 Christ speaks to them about persecution in the opening verses these things have I spoken to you that you should not be offended that you shall put you out of the synagogues yeah the time cometh that whosoever will they do unto you because they have not known the father nor me but these things I told you that when the time come you will remember that I told you of them and these things I said unto you at the beginning because I was with you were they thinking of these words whosoever killeth you think that he doeth God service that's what they thought they were doing when
[47:52] Christ was crucified doing God service that's what our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ who are losing their lives around the world those that kill them think that they are doing their God service I wonder how many people will be put to death around the world today in our time of worship here this day and yet we will spend eternity with them not knowing their names or their stories or their experiences but they could not worship like we worshipped and we read here too also that the doors were shut and John writes this for our information for two reasons first of all he says to us that the doors are shut in order that we truly realize and recognize how terror-stricken these men were not only are the doors shut but the doors would have been locked and also it is there in order for us to realize that even
[49:04] Christ was yet going to enter in through these locked doors in a most wonderful way with this resurrection body and here they are together as one but yet they don't want to be seen together as one they rather remain hidden for fear of their lives the doors bolted and them inside fearing for their lives ah ah but there is one that these doors shut will not keep out and he is the Christ and they could not bar his entrance and does this not remind us today my friends that no doors can ever bar Christ from having access to his own people and
[50:10] I would say to you and I would suggest to you that when the Lord appears in this room I would say to you that that was every bit as miraculous as when Christ at the very beginning of this chapter exited from the sepulcher both were equally glorious and when we read these things in John chapter 20 these things are written in order that we will realize that in Christ's resurrected state his body has no earthly limitations now we have read time and time and time again of the wonderful miracles of Christ before he was put to death but we don't hear of things and read of things like
[51:10] I'm going through doors and buildings and walls this shows us the power that he has in his resurrection body and this shows us that this human life is no longer subject in a sense to the conditions of that life that he had in these years in this world as he rises from the dead victorious for his own people and as I said before I do believe that Christ was there and had the ability to appear and disappear in the sepulcher when the two disciples were there and they could not see him but when Mary went in he was there this is all down to the resurrection body that our Lord and our Saviour has and yet this resurrection body that we read of that
[52:13] Christ has in the chapter that we read in Luke it is remarkable it is incredible to read that this body was still a solid body this body was a body that Christ encouraged his disciples to touch and this body was a body of a man who would sit down and eat broiled fish with his own disciples yet he has the power to pass through doors now we will never fully understand the qualities that Christ had in this world and it is beyond us to understand the new qualities that he has in his resurrection body but there is a difference and isn't it interesting to read the word doors plural in chapter 20 and in verse 19 and there are commentators who are of the opinion that it is plural because there was the door that was closed shut perhaps two doors meeting closed shut but there would also have been they make reference of a high gate in the forms of doors before you would reach the door of the entrance of the building that they were in and that too was closed shut so it could very well be that our
[53:45] Lord has passed through more than one door when the plural is set before us well I wonder what the Lord looked like when they saw him I wonder were their eyes dazzled I wonder was it in some way like the transfiguration appearance I wonder was there something there that stood out with regard to Christ of course these things aren't revealed to us but here is Christ now and he is now at the boundary of the time he has in this world for the next 40 days he will not be with the disciples every moment every hour every day every week
[54:52] Christ will just come and Christ will just go as in a sense he is between both worlds in his resurrection body and it's in that state that Christ appears to them and then you see something amazing happens in chapter in verse 19 you see what is amazing that happens is that it is when they are at the fullest point with their doubts when they are at their lowest ebb when they are at the height of their confusion and when they have reached the point where their fears are consuming them it is then that Christ comes in and says peace be to you and he stills their hearts with these words peace be to you do you know it's it's amazing how we never ever read of
[56:03] Christ and coming into this situation and rebuking these men for their unfaithfulness towards them throughout the course of that weekend it is utterly amazing that he does not come in and say and brand them as cowards and say I want nothing else to do with you that is no doubt what they would have expected but you see our Lord knew full well the words of Psalm 103 and verse 10 because he hath not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities that is who Christ is and in Psalm 2 we have read how man declares war upon God and
[57:04] God's reply is simply to laugh and the very first words that the risen Christ says to his disciple is peace shalom meaning peace peace be unto you and this proves to us does it not that here is Christ once again as he has done time and time again and he is not holding any of their failures against them
[58:36] Mereo this this was miraculous unexpected manifestation of himself in his resurrection body revealed to those who had denied Christ some there that said to Christ well I will die for you Christ whatever No matter what the others do, I am willing to lay down my life for you.
[59:07] Others who were there that swore and denied them with curses. Great was to be the reward. And when we read John chapter 20, it's remarkable how calm and tranquil the life of a risen Lord is.
[59:23] When we read this chapter, blissfully just moving about. Just like the Lord God Almighty himself in his resurrected body.
[59:37] What you have here in this verse is the fulfillment of what Christ has already promised to his disciples.
[59:48] In Matthew chapter 18 and in verse 20, he has said, For where the two or three are gathered together in my name, There I am in the midst.
[60:02] And in John chapter 14 and in verses 18 and 27, Has he not said, I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.
[60:14] And then in verse 27, peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, Not as the world giveth, give I unto you, let not your hearts be troubled, neither.
[60:25] Let it be afraid. This is God's perfect timing. Just like last week when we were here and we just spoke about how the Lord hushed to saw a stormy sea.
[60:41] Here what you have before us is the Lord hushing the disciples' fear. And whose words now calm their troubled hearts.
[60:53] And as the Lord bestows this manifestation of peace unto them, It is a signal, it is a sign from him who has conquered death for them.
[61:07] And it is him saying unto them that they can have assurance that he has been victorious over death.
[61:18] And that is what he is saying to us as well today. They could not have gone on to become apostles without this peace being given unto them.
[61:38] These words were the words that were used to banish their fear. Oh how they needed the peace of Christ.
[61:50] And how we today need the peace of Christ. Yes the disciples would still, as disciples, go on to make mistakes.
[62:02] And as apostles go on to make mistakes. Exactly like you and I. But oh how we need the peace of God. And this peace that we are speaking of here my friends.
[62:18] We can never give it to ourselves. God gives it to his people. In the time that they need it the most.
[62:30] And you are here today. And you know exactly what I am talking about. When you are going through that horrendous situation.
[62:44] Where all was rough and stormy round about you. And the Lord's peace came. Like nothing else. This true peace can only be found in Christ.
[63:00] And we are amongst the most privileged people in this world. To experience that peace. And that it is one of the reasons.
[63:15] You know it is so important to become a Christian. Becoming a Christian isn't all about being in heaven. At the end of life's journey. It's about being kept in this world.
[63:31] And experiencing that peace. When we need it the most. They needed it the most.
[63:44] On that day. And it was given unto them. So let's look for a few moments then. At the identification of Christ. We find that in verse 20.
[63:55] And when he had so said. He showed unto them his hands on his side. Then were the disciples glad.
[64:08] When they saw the Lord. It is important my friends. That we understand. How needful it was.
[64:19] For us to understand this peace. That the Lord has bestowed upon them. But not just that. It is also of importance. That we understand. That Christ sought to identify who he was.
[64:32] To his disciples. By showing them his wounds. These wounds were used to identify him.
[64:45] As the risen Christ. We have read in Luke's account. Of what he has said. To the disciples. And here we have in John's account.
[64:59] And Christ is showing them. His wounds. Although there is one disciple missing. Who will not see these wounds.
[65:11] Until the following Sabbath. And these marks of his sacrifice. Now provide the peace.
[65:22] That they have obtained. And it is almost when we read these two verses together. It is as if Christ is saying to them. See my brothers.
[65:34] See my wounds. See what I have endured for you. This is why. You should not fear. And this is what Christ is saying to you and I today.
[65:50] See my wounds. See my scars. I have borne them for you. So that you will believe in the risen Christ.
[66:05] And have no need to fear. Because whatever you go through in life's journey. I will be there with you. And I will grant you peace.
[66:18] At the time you need it the most. You know my friends. It would do us well.
[66:28] If we would from time to time. Just meditate. And adore. As limited as we can. The wounds of Christ.
[66:41] Now let's be. Honest and realistic about this. When Christ was on the cross. He was one who did not even look like a human being.
[66:59] His flesh was torn from limb to limb. His body was full of lacerations.
[67:15] And that body was unbound. In the tomb. But when Christ appears to them that day.
[67:27] It is not the presence of somebody who is black and blue with bruises. And it is not somebody bearing wounds that he bore.
[67:40] From his flesh being torn apart. But simply of the nail marks. On his hands. These are the wounds of Christ.
[67:55] These wounds are there for us to love. And there is healing. In our doubts. And these wounds for Christ. Isn't it remarkable.
[68:10] That the marks of the nails were still showing. On the body of Christ. In his risen glorified state. The marks of the deep wounds remain.
[68:25] But yet there is no agony. For Christ. As he presents himself to these disciples.
[68:38] Because he has been triumphant. Over death. No pain. But Christ's wounds will speak to us here on earth.
[68:49] Because he arose with them. And Christ's wounds. Will no doubt speak in glory. For he ascended with them.
[69:00] But these wounds you see. In verse 20. They are more than an identification. They are all the evidence.
[69:13] That has been needed. In order. That these disciples. And in order. That you and I will realize. That the price of salvation has been paid.
[69:26] And that it has been paid in full. And if we accept this sacrifice. And this substitute. We will have this peace. With God.
[69:39] There are those of you in here today. And you have wounds. I don't know about the wounds. But I'm quite sure you do. Maybe you have scars.
[69:54] From recent years. Or from years of long ago. I don't remember it. But when I was. Fourteen months old.
[70:07] A matter of days. After my sister was born. I somehow managed. To get out of the playpen. And pour boiling water. Over myself. And the next two months.
[70:21] I spent in hospital. As the clothing. That I was wearing. Burnt and melted into my skin. And. Thanks be to God. That I.
[70:31] Don't remember that. And I hated. These scars. Growing up. As a young boy. I was so different.
[70:42] From all the other boys. In the changing room. So different. From all the other boys. When it came to PE. And swimming. Having. Having. Having.
[70:52] These scars. All over my chest. And my shoulders. On my neck. But let me tell you this. I love.
[71:03] These scars. Today. Because. Every time. I look at these scars. They remind me. Of his scars. That he bore.
[71:14] For me. And the time. Will come. When I will get to glory. At the end of life's journey. And there will be no scars. On this new body.
[71:29] Those of you. My friends. Who have scars. Learn. To love them. And thank the Lord.
[71:40] For them. And may God. Remind you. Of Christ's scars. Every time. You look at them. However. Big or small. They may be. This is what the reformers.
[71:54] Called. The great exchange. And these marks. On the body of Christ. That he shows. To his disciples. It shows. And it proves. His marks. Of love.
[72:05] For them. And his marks. Of victory. For them. And his marks. Of peace. For them. The same. As he does. To you. And I. Today. Little wonder.
[72:19] My friends. Little. Wonder. That on. That resurrection. Evening. The disciples. Sadness.
[72:30] Was changed. To gladness. Then. Were the disciples. And. When they saw. The Lord. This.
[72:44] Assembly. Of broken. Distraught. A shameful. People.
[72:56] That knew. Not. What. The next. Step. Was. In that. Room. Have. Now. Experienced. Fellowship. With the Lord. A few.
[73:07] Moments. Later. That. Has. Been. Their experience. As. They. Experienced. The peace. Of the Lord. God. Oh.
[73:20] My friends. If you're in here. Today. And if you are. Tempted. And if you are. Discourished. And if you are. Afflicted. You. Remember. That the Lord.
[73:32] Can do. Great things. For you. In the next. Few. Moments. And in the next. Few. Hours. In the course. Of the events. Of your life. These things.
[73:45] Should be an encouragement. To you. And me. Verses. 19. And 20. If we need. Encouragement. As the Lord's people. Then there it is. That's the.
[73:55] Two verses. In scripture. And it gives you. All the encouragement. You need. Of how the Lord. Looks after. His own. Because.
[74:07] He is the one. Who is the true source. Of spiritual joy. John. Chapter 20. Is the fulfillment.
[74:17] Of another promise. In John. This time. In John. Chapter 16. And in verses. 16. And in verse. 22. Where Christ.
[74:28] Speaks of sorrow. To turn into joy. Where Christ. Tells the disciples. A little while. And you shall not see me. And again. A little while. And you shall see me.
[74:39] Because I go. To the father. Father. And then in verse. 22. And ye now therefore. Have sorrow. But I will see you again.
[74:51] And your heart. Shall rejoice. And your joy. No man. Shall take. From you. These were the promises. That the Lord.
[75:03] Had given to them. And yet. Not one of them. Had remembered. These promises. Jesus. But now.
[75:13] It has come to pass. And Christ. Does. What he promised. He would do. Unto his very disciples.
[75:27] You know. Verses 19 and 20. In conclusion. They tell us. About the two. Particular fruits. That we have. In Christ's. Resurrection body. And in a spiritual kingdom.
[75:39] And they are peace. And they are joy. And can I ask you today. As you begin.
[75:50] To get ready. To walk out this door. Have you got peace. In your heart. With the risen Christ. Have you got joy.
[76:01] In your heart. Because of what the risen Christ. Has done. Can you say. As you walk out that door. That you have met. With the risen Christ.
[76:13] In and through life's journey. And that he has changed your life. So much so. That now you have peace. And you have joy. In your heart. Because of his salvation.
[76:25] If you can say that. You are the most blessed person. In the whole world. Because you my friend. Are on your way to glory. At the end of life's journey.
[76:41] But we don't want just some. To come. We want everybody in here. To experience this peace. And this joy. In this world.
[76:52] We only get moments. We only get pockets. Of true peace. And true joy. But not so in glory.
[77:04] It is eternal. And how can we begin to understand that. Moment. By moment. By moment. Why my friends.
[77:17] Would you want to lose out. On a place in his kingdom. Why would you want to lose out. In not walking with the Lord. In this life. In being kept.
[77:28] And in experiencing his joy. And his peace in this world. Imagine the joy in heaven just now. We don't even know where to start with that.
[77:43] We're like the disciples. In that room. We don't know where to begin with. But looking unto Jesus.
[77:55] In this world. It is salvation. But looking unto Jesus. In the next world. We'll be seeing the king.
[78:08] In all of his glory. And may God in his mercy grant. That this will be the sight. That every single one of us will see.
[78:21] When our time in this world comes to an end. Where we will see the king. In his glory. When we close our eyes. And death in this world. May it be my friends.
[78:38] That we will all. Place our trust. In the risen Christ. This day.
[78:49] And every day. That we live. On mercy's ground. Amen. May the Lord bless to us. These thoughts from his own holy word. We shall conclude.
[79:01] Singing in Psalm 4. Psalm 4. We shall sing together. In Psalm 4. From verse 3 to verse 8.
[79:12] But know that for himself the Lord. The godly man doth choose. The Lord when I on him do call. To hear will not refuse.
[79:23] Down to the end of the psalm. I will both lay me down in peace. And quiet sleep will take. Because thou only me to dwell. In safety. Lord doth make.
[79:33] Shall we sing these words together. To the Lord's place. But know that for himself the Lord. The godly man doth choose. The Lord when I on him do call.
[80:09] To hear will not refuse. The Lord when I on him do call. The Lord when I on him do call.
[80:21] The Lord when I on him do call. He said on psalm.
[80:41] Hedded Thou рыgated.
[81:11] I'm today. There not last the time Nor will it come as all day Upon my heart is sore by thee More gladness I am found And in there where color and white There most is ever known I will hold thee In the earth and peace
[82:13] And quiet sin will be Because I won't leave thee to dwell In safety, Lord, that's near Let us pray in conclusion O Lord our God, how wonderful these words are That we have just sung together But know that for the Lord himself The godly man doth choose The Lord, when I on him do call To hear will not refuse Oh, we think of our brothers and sisters In glory at this time And when they called on the Lord God Almighty In truthful repentance The Lord did not refuse And we gather here today
[83:16] With brothers and sisters Whose experience has been the same And we pray now, Lord As we part from one another That if there be any Who have yet to call upon the Lord That they too would call upon the Lord earnestly Knowing that when seeking the Lord With all of our heart And all of our being He will not refuse his salvation Oh, we give thanks For the joy and the peace That you bestow into our hearts And into our lives As believers in Christ Walk with us then We pray the remainder of this day Grant us travelling mercies to our home And be with our brother Donnie Who preaches tonight in here In this pulpit And our brother Donnie Who also preaches tonight elsewhere
[84:17] Be with them, we pray, Lord And grant liberty And grant that they would both know Much of your nearness and presence Throughout the course of these hours In the afternoon Part us with thy blessing Now we ask in Jesus' precious name Amen