[0:00] Well a very good morning to everybody today and pray that you all know God's blessing as we come under his word. It's a great privilege and blessing to come under God's word so as we seek to worship God today we ask that he will be specially close to us.
[0:18] And we're going to begin by reading from Psalm 98, Psalm 98 from verse 3, Psalm 98 verse 3. He mindful of his grace and truth to Israel's house hath been and the salvation of our God all ends of the earth have seen.
[0:37] Let all the earth unto the Lord send forth a joyful noise. Lift up your voice aloud to him sing praises and rejoice. With harp, with harp and voice of psalms unto Jehovah sing. With trumpets, cornets gladly sound before the Lord the King.
[0:53] Let seas and all that fullness roar, the world and dwellers there. Let floods clap hands and let the hills together joy declare.
[1:04] Before the Lord, because he comes to judge the earth, comes he. He'll judge the world with righteousness, his folk with equity. God bless these verses to us.
[1:19] Let us now bow in prayer. Lord, we give thanks for the words that we read there and we give thanks, Lord, that you are the God of creation, the God who rules over everything.
[1:32] All power belongs to you. You are God of heaven and earth and you are the one who is brought into being by the word of your power. You are the God who will also bring to an end everything by the word of your power.
[1:45] Lord, your word reveals to us that it is by your word that even the very graves will open and the dead will rise. It's a prospect that is absolutely beyond our understanding.
[1:58] But the word tells us it is so. The word assures us that the grave is not final. And irrespective of what people may maintain or even believe, we know that death is not the end.
[2:12] And so we ask, Lord, that as we gather before you today, that we may have a sense of your presence and your power in us and upon us. And although we are separate from one another in our various locations, in our different homes or wherever we're gathered to worship at this time, we are aware that you have made it possible for us to worship in this way.
[2:38] We were able to link up. And that's one of the wonderful things about the church of God, that we are one in Christ Jesus. And irrespective of where we are in this world or what our position or what our circumstances are in life, in Jesus Christ we are one.
[2:54] We belong to one family. And help us always to remember that it is your church. It is not our church. Although there are all the different denominations, help us always to remember that it is your church.
[3:07] And that you are the one who has the ultimate authority and rule over your church. And help us, Lord, to be always subject to your rule and to your authority.
[3:19] And to recognise that you are the great shepherd of the sheep. That you are the king. That you are the priest. That you are the prophet. That you are just the wonderful Lord of heaven and earth.
[3:31] And we pray then that as we wait upon you today that we will hear again what God the Lord will speak. May your word become alive in our own lives. And forgive us, Lord, for when we lay your word aside and when we want to do our own thing and go our own way.
[3:49] Forgive us, Lord, for when we are resistant to the ministry of your spirit. Lord, for your spirit is nudging us. For your spirit is pushing us in a particular direction in keeping with your word.
[4:03] And yet, Lord, we remain resistant to that. Because we want to do our own thing and go our own way. Help us, Lord, to follow you every day. Not just now and again. And help us, Lord, to have our timetable as a heavenly timetable.
[4:17] Not the timetable of earth. Because our own timetable and other people's timetable for us may be quite different to the timetable that you have for us. And so we pray that we may be wise to salvation.
[4:33] Wise to your word. And that your word indeed will be our rule. Because, as we're told, the word of God is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy you.
[4:44] Oh, Lord, help us to realise that there is real enjoyment in following you. That it is not something that we do simply of duty, although there is duty in it. And as we come before you, although there is a formality in our worship, it is not with formality.
[5:01] But it is with genuine sincerity of heart. It is longing to know you. And longing to come to understand more and more of who you are. Oh, Lord, be near to us, we pray.
[5:14] And forgive us our sin. We confess our sins individually, personally, as families, as a congregation here in Stornoway. As an island and islands.
[5:26] And as a nation. And nations of this world. Lord, we ask that you'll be merciful to us. Because as you look down upon us. Oh, the iniquity and the sin and transgression.
[5:39] That multiplies every single day. And sin is a cry, as your word tells us. And we pray that as that cry of sin goes up into heaven.
[5:51] That you will be merciful to us. Do not deal with us according to our sin. But in wrath, remember mercy. Oh, revive thy work in the midst of the year. And we pray, Lord, that you'll revive your church.
[6:04] That you'll revive your church here in our own land. In our own nation. That once again, more and more people will turn to look to you.
[6:15] That there will be a growing desire for your word. It might seem impossible. Because year by year, it seems that the cause of Christ here in this country is getting less and less.
[6:26] And the interest in you is becoming less and less. And the word of God seems to be that book which has been pushed aside. And we see it in all areas of society.
[6:38] From our schools upwards. And so we ask, oh Lord, that you'll be merciful to us. That you'll turn us again to your word. We pray that you will be with those who are hurting.
[6:50] We remember again in light of the development of the COVID-19 spread. It seems to be accelerating again. And it appears that we're heading into a second wave.
[7:01] And all the trauma and all the sorrow and all the hurt and all the pain that is attached to that. We pray for our NHS and for our carers. Who will be pushed quite possibly beyond human limits.
[7:18] We know that many were pushed to the very edges before. And we ask, Lord, that you'll be gracious to us. Lord, may you hasten the finding of a really good vaccine that will grant us protection and deliverance.
[7:34] And we pray that we will see your hand in it. That we will give you the honour and the glory in these things. And so we ask, Lord, that you will continue to be gracious to us here.
[7:45] But we ask for all those who know the pain and the sorrow that death has brought. And the added painful circumstances that the illnesses have brought into people's lives.
[7:58] Lord, we pray for those who are sorrowing. Those who are going through difficult times. Lord, help them. Grant them your wisdom and grace. Your strength.
[8:09] Your love. May they have a sense of your compassion. Your arm around them. Lord, may your light lighten their path. Pray, Lord, for those who are facing challenges throughout the week.
[8:21] Ask, Lord, that you will bless them. Pray for those who have tests. Lord, that they might be successful. Those who face problems and issues. Lord, that you will guide them through all these things.
[8:34] Pray, Lord, for those who are facing increased financial difficulties. Because there is so much uncertainty. There is loss of work. Jobs which once seemed to secure and guaranteed.
[8:47] There are now question marks. And there's so much fear and trepidation tied into that. Oh, Lord, our God, we pray that you will be merciful to us. And that in our need, in our growing need nationally, that we will look to you.
[9:02] Oh, Lord, protect us and keep us, Lord, from the devastating financial difficulties that could come from this. We pray that you will be gracious to us.
[9:14] Pray, Lord, that you will bless our young people. As they're back to school, we pray that you're blessing upon them. Bless them with regard to the virtual Sunday school. We give thanks for all the work that has done.
[9:25] And we pray for our parents as well as they are involved in the teaching with our young people. And we give thanks for these things. And as we head into this month, we do remember the great sacrifices that were made in the war and wars for the freedom that we enjoy.
[9:48] We do give thanks, Lord, for the many who lay down their lives. And it is, as we know, the supreme sacrifice. And we pray that we might never forget and that we might remember that the freedoms that we enjoy were bought and won at a fearful price.
[10:06] And make that make us realise, above all, the greatest freedom that we can ever have has been bought at the most awful price ever in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[10:19] Watch over us then and do us good and cleanse us from our every sin, we pray. In Jesus' name we ask it. Amen. Just a wee word to the young people.
[10:31] A couple of weeks ago, I was driving along Springfield Road and just turning down into Smith Avenue. And there was this small, it looked like a small van.
[10:43] It appeared that from where I was driving. It was right in front of me. And as I turned down, I was following it. And what was written on the back is what caught my attention.
[10:55] And it said, don't follow me, follow Ross County. Now, I know that Ross County were up doing some coaching during the October holidays.
[11:05] So I knew that this van, this little van, it seemed to be a van, belonged to the Ross County Football Club. And I suppose a lot of young people, mostly, or I suppose a lot of boys and a growing number of girls who are really into their football.
[11:30] Just as it was when I was growing up. And we all support our different teams. When I was a boy, most people supported either Rangers or Celtic.
[11:45] I supported Aberdeen. And I think it was because next door to us, there was Dr. Morrison, who was from Ness, and his wife. She was also from Ness. And their family, quite a big family, they were all Aberdeen supporters.
[11:59] And I remember they used to give me, just when I was a wee boy, Aberdeen things. And of course, that's, you can't remember how you started. But anyway, that's it.
[12:10] You began to support. You began to follow this particular team. And you can't change halfway through. Because when I was in school, Aberdeen only once ever won a cup.
[12:21] In 1970, they won the Scottish Cup. And I used to say, great supporting Rangers. They used to win cups and leagues. But Aberdeen, of course, when Alex Ferguson came, that all changed.
[12:33] But back in the school, right throughout school, only once won anything. I remember that there seemed to be more Ranger supporters. And they used to sing their songs.
[12:44] And I remember one song they used to sing was, follow, follow, we would follow Rangers. Everywhere, anywhere, and we would follow on. And when I was thinking about the Ross County, I was thinking, well, that's just what they're saying, follow on.
[12:57] Because that's what football fans do, football supporters. They follow their team. That's why it says follow. So they would follow their team to watch them play wherever.
[13:10] But, you know, as I was driving down behind that, the thought came to my mind. Wouldn't it be lovely to see a van having, don't follow me, follow Jesus. In fact, I'm almost sure that I have seen a sticker on the back window of a car saying something like that.
[13:26] But I was saying, that would be really nice. Because following Jesus is the most important thing that we can do in this world. In fact, when Jesus called his disciples, and remember how he called Peter and Andrew and James and John who were fishermen.
[13:45] And he came up to them one day as they were mending their nets. And he said to them, follow me. And it tells us that they left their nets. And they left their boats. And they went to follow Jesus.
[13:55] And Jesus still continues to call people and follow me. And in fact, he says in his word that whoever is going to come after him, that they are to deny themselves.
[14:08] They're to take up their cross. And they are to follow him. And we don't follow him just now and again. Or when we feel like it.
[14:19] When we follow Jesus, we follow Jesus all the time. Every day. Everywhere. Anywhere. And we are to follow him closely.
[14:33] And the best way to follow Jesus is to find out what he wants us to be like. And what he wants us to do. And that's where it's so important that we come to his word, to the Bible.
[14:47] And we hear what he says. Because every day he speaks to us in the Bible. And every day we speak to him. And you know, the more you speak to him.
[14:57] And the more that his word speaks into your heart when you read it or listen to it. The more like him you will become. Which is the greatest thing that can happen for you.
[15:08] And to you in this world. Is to become more and more like Jesus. And the funny thing is.
[15:19] Every week when I'm trying to think of something to say to you. And when I saw that van. A couple of weeks ago straight away. I thought, well if I'll be able to make something into that.
[15:29] So as I was thinking through this. It just made me think. I don't know the words of this ranger song. So I thought, I'll look it up. Because I was just curious.
[15:40] But as I did. And to my shame. I didn't know this. That that ranger song about follow, follow, follow. It's actually based on a hymn that was written.
[15:51] About following Jesus. And the words are beautiful. It says, follow, follow. I will follow Jesus. Anywhere, everywhere I will follow on.
[16:02] Follow, follow. I will follow Jesus. Everywhere he leads me. I will follow on. Walking in his footsteps. Till the crown is won.
[16:14] And today Jesus is saying to you. He's saying, follow me. And you know, if you begin to follow Jesus today. This will be the best day of your life. Because when you begin to follow Jesus.
[16:27] You follow him forever. And there is nothing greater in your life that you can do. Than to follow Jesus. And you're following everywhere.
[16:38] And anywhere. Ask Jesus today. To come into your heart and life. So that today. If you haven't already. Today will be the day. When you begin to follow Jesus.
[16:50] Let's say the Lord's Prayer. Our Father which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
[17:01] And forgive us our debts. As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom. The power and the glory.
[17:12] Forever. Amen. Now we're going to read God's word. I'm going to read from the Gospel of John. John's Gospel. And chapter 5. John chapter 5.
[17:25] And we're going to read from verse 18. This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him. Because not only was he breaking the Sabbath.
[17:37] But he was even calling God his own father. Making himself equal with God. So Jesus said to them. Truly, truly I say to you. The son can do nothing of his own accord.
[17:50] But only what he sees the father doing. For whatever the father does. That the son does likewise. For the father loves the son. And shows him all that he himself is doing.
[18:03] And greater works than these will he show him. So that you may marvel. For as the father raises the dead. And gives life. So also the son gives life to whom he will.
[18:16] The father judges no one. But has given all judgment to the son. That all may honour the son. Just as they honour the father. Whoever does not honour the son.
[18:28] Does not honour the father who sent him. Truly, truly I say to you. Whoever hears my word. And believes him who sent me. Has eternal life.
[18:40] He does not come into judgment. But has passed from death to life. Truly, truly I say to you. An hour is coming. An hour is coming. And is now here.
[18:52] When the dead will hear the voice of the son of God. And those who hear will live. For as the father has life in himself. So he has granted the son also to have life in himself.
[19:05] And he has given him authority to execute judgment. Because he is the son of man. Do not marvel at this. For an hour is coming. When all who are in the tombs will hear his voice.
[19:18] And come out. Those who have done good. To the resurrection of life. And those who have done evil. To the resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on my own.
[19:31] As I hear I judge. And my judgment is just. Because I seek not mine own will. But the will of him that sent me. And I want us to consider the verses from verse 24.
[19:48] Through to verse 29. Won't read it all. But read a wee bit of it. Verse 24 of John 5. Truly, truly I say to you. Whoever hears my word.
[19:58] And believes him who sent me. Has eternal life. He does not come into judgment. But has passed from death to life. Truly I say to you.
[20:09] An hour is coming. And is now here. When the dead will hear the voice of the son of God. And those who hear will live. Do not marvel at this.
[20:20] For an hour is coming. When all who are in the tombs. Will hear his voice. And come out. Those who have done good to the resurrection of life. And those who have done evil. To the resurrection of judgment.
[20:34] Now the strict religious leaders of the day. Couldn't cope with Jesus. It wasn't just that he was radical. And a revolutionary in his sight.
[20:47] Though he was these things in his sight. As far as he was concerned. He was bad. Because he was making claims. That they so objected to. Because he was making the claim.
[20:59] That he was equal to God. And as far as they were concerned. That was just not acceptable. It was to them. It was blasphemy.
[21:10] Of the very very worst. And the sad thing about prejudice. Which filled their hearts is. That prejudice leaves you blind to reality. If you or I are bigoted.
[21:23] Or prejudiced. We cannot see the truth. That's staring us in the face. Because it affects the way we think. It distorts completely. What is in front of us.
[21:34] And these religious leaders. Were men who had studied the law. And they should have known. That they were seeing the law of God. And the word of God.
[21:45] And the prophecies of God. Being fulfilled every day. In the life of Jesus. But because they were so blinkered. They refused to see and accept. Now we saw recently.
[21:57] The healing of the man. At Bethesda. Which is at the beginning of this chapter. And the result of this was. In verse 18. That this is why the Jews. Were seeking all the more.
[22:08] To kill Jesus. But then Jesus goes out of his way. To justify what he has done. And who he is. And he shows. First of all in verse 19. That he is equal to the father.
[22:20] In works. And what Jesus is really saying is. If you are finding fault with me. For healing this man on Saturday. You ought to find fault with God. Because I don't do anything of myself.
[22:33] Everything that I do. I do. Because this is what the father has given me to do. You see the will of Jesus. And the will of the father.
[22:43] Are exactly the same. And so everything that Jesus did in this world. He did. By appointment of the father. And according to the will of the father. However difficult it was.
[22:55] And it was difficult. Because there came a point. You remember in the garden. Where he was seeing into the cup. That he was going to have to drink. Of God's wrath and punishment for sin.
[23:07] When he was going to the cross. And he said. Father if it is possible. Let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will. But as you will.
[23:19] Their wills were. Were in keeping one with another. And the work. The will and the work. Were together. Then in verse 22. Jesus claims. To be at one with the father.
[23:30] With regard to judgment. You see the father. Has committed judgment. To the son. Now. A lot of people don't. Appreciate or realize.
[23:42] That Jesus Christ. Is going to be the judge. Of every single. Human being. And people tend to think of Jesus. Just as the man. A historical figure.
[23:53] But no more than a man. Well. Jesus Christ. Is equal. To the father. Equal in power. And in glory.
[24:04] When he was in this world. That glory was revealed. The majesty of who he. Who he is. And who he was. Was revealed. But it's not revealed today.
[24:17] All his. Splendor. And glory is revealed. And it's very interesting. When you see in the Bible. At any time. That the Lord's presence. Was made known. To people. You see the reaction. You see how Daniel.
[24:29] Daniel fell. Just collapsed. You see. Saul of Tarshish. When Jesus. This Jesus. The man. Jesus. The God man. Who is now.
[24:39] In majesty. And glory. When Saul. Got a little. Glimpse. Of that majesty. And glory. He fell down. As if he was dead. It's the same. As the apostle John. In the book of Revelation. When he got a glimpse.
[24:51] Of the majesty. And glory. Of this Jesus. As he is now. He fell down. As one dead. That's the Jesus. That we will face. It will be in that.
[25:02] Awesome glory. That is his now. And that's. That's what makes. The whole. Idea of judgment. So awful. It's a fearful concept. Heart. Because a lot of people.
[25:13] Think. Ah. The Jesus. Gentle Jesus. Meek and mild. That we sang about. We also read about. The wrath of the Lamb. And so it is a serious. Serious thing.
[25:24] Because you know. The most awful words. That any person. Could ever hear. Is at the end of the day. That Jesus. Will say to us all. Depart. From me. For I never knew you.
[25:36] And he will say to all those. Who have turned their back upon him. And who have completely rejected him. In this world. Depart from me. For I never knew you.
[25:47] And people say. That's unfair. Well. It's logical. Jesus is simply. Giving to people. What they chose. Because right through this life.
[25:58] People were saying to Jesus. Now depart from me. I don't want your word. I don't want you interfering in my life. Leave me alone. I don't want you to. Jesus says. All right. I will.
[26:10] So when you come to the judgment. I will give you. What you chose in this world. Which is to depart from me. You wanted me to depart from you.
[26:20] Now you depart from me. Forever. And I say. See people don't realize. What it is that they do. In rejecting. The Lord Jesus Christ. I pray today.
[26:31] That none of us here. Who are. In listening to this. Will ever hear these words. But rather hear these beautiful words. Come blessed of my father. Enter the kingdom. Prepared for you.
[26:42] Before the foundation. Of the world. Now from. Verse 24 to 29. Jesus talks about. Hearing his voice. He. Hears his word.
[26:54] And we've spoken. Before. About the importance of. Of hearing. The voice. Of the Lord. Of hearing the voice. Of Jesus. The importance of hearing. God's word. And here we see.
[27:06] That there's a vital link. Between hearing the word of Jesus. And believing. That's what it says. Whoever hears my word. And believes. Him who sent me. Has.
[27:16] Eternal life. And you'll notice it says. Has. Eternal life. Whoever believes. Whoever hears. And believes. Has. Not. Will have.
[27:27] Eventually. Has. You see. The moment we come to faith. In Jesus Christ. We enter into life. We enter into life. Eternal. When we die.
[27:38] We don't receive. Another life. It's not like. This is. This is. Your eternal life. This is. Your life as a Christian. Now. But when you die. That's the end of everything.
[27:50] And then. Afterwards. Something new happens. No. The life. That begins. The day. That Jesus Christ. Comes into your heart. And into your life. Is a life.
[28:01] That continues. Forever. And ever. You see. The blessings. The blessings. Begin right away. So a lot of people. A lot of people. Dismiss Christianity.
[28:11] And say. I'm not interested in this. Pie in the sky. And hope everything will be right. When I die. And all this kind of stuff. I want to live life to the full. To enjoy it to the max. I want. I want a full life lived here.
[28:24] I don't want this. Sort of religious thing. I don't want this Christianity. Just gets in the way. Does it? Well. However fulfilled. A life may be lived today.
[28:34] Without Jesus. It's still missing. And I know that. There are many people today. Who can feel very. Satisfied in life. And enjoy life. And I'm not dismissing that.
[28:45] For one moment. But I still maintain. Because it's what the Bible. Shows us very clearly. They are still not enjoying. The level of life.
[28:57] That they can. Because whatever. We have in this world. If only this world. Is our life. Then that all goes.
[29:08] It's fleeting. And you know that. Many of the people. Who have the most in this life. Are incredibly insecure. And some are very unhappy. Our happiness doesn't.
[29:19] Come about just because of what we have. With regard to. The things of this world. Our ultimate happiness. Comes about. By who we have.
[29:30] And that is Jesus Christ. Because the blessings flow. Right away. Right away. Because you see. The moment that you get. The Lord Jesus Christ. Various things happen. In your life. First of all.
[29:41] You have a sense. Of all your sins forgiven. And today. You may not think. That's a big deal. Let me tell you. When you come. To faith in Jesus Christ. And your sins are forgiven. You realize.
[29:51] Just what a big deal it is. Because the burden of guilt. That you've been carrying. And you didn't know it. Is released. It's the most amazing sense. Of freedom and liberty.
[30:03] To know. That your sins have been forgiven. They've been placed upon Christ. That you are. You are now. A free person. And God. Puts his love.
[30:14] Into your life. Into your heart. And we're told. In the word of God. That perfect love. Casts out fear. We have the peace. Of God. That passes all understanding.
[30:26] We have. We have just so many blessings. Our eyes are open. To see things. At a new level. There's a spiritual dimension. To life. So that we. We see God's hand.
[30:36] In everything. And another thing is. This verse shows us. That we don't need to fear. The judgment. Isn't that amazing? This judgment.
[30:47] That is going to come. We don't need to fear it. Because. This is the beauty of it. There is now. No condemnation. To them. That are in Christ Jesus. There are.
[30:57] A royal. Pardon. Has been granted. The prison door is open. We're free to go. No more. Condemned. Dead. You see. As we are. In and out.
[31:08] As we are. By nature. Out of Christ. We are dead. Spiritually speaking. You and I know. There are degrees of deadness. Either a person is dead. Or they're alive.
[31:20] And that is true spiritually as well. And that affects it. As an incredible. Bearing upon our destiny. Upon our future. Because. It's either death or life.
[31:31] Blessing or cursing. It's heaven or hell. This is so serious. And every day. Is taking us closer. To one. Destiny. Or the other.
[31:42] And then in verse 25. Jesus again. Talks about. The life of those. Who hear the son of God. And will live. And he says. The hour is coming. And now is here.
[31:54] You see. Jesus arrival into this world. Heralded. Heralded in. The coming. Of. The new. Testament church. Where we are today.
[32:07] And in a sense. This is the last times. Because there will be nothing else. From the coming of Jesus. First into the world. To the coming. I gave of Jesus. I gave. This is. This is this period. And here.
[32:20] Jesus is saying. All who hear. Hear my voice. Will live. You know. This is the beautiful things. You see. Jesus has established. This new.
[32:30] Testament church. And it has grown. From the smallest. Little beginning. But it has grown. And grown. And grown. And it has continued to grow.
[32:41] It's a. Remember the. The vision that was given. To Nebuchadnezzar. In the book of Daniel. About. The great image. Of the head of gold. And there was the silver. The chest. Of silver. And then there was the brass.
[32:52] And the iron. And the feet of. The feet of iron. And clay. Speaking of. About the great. The great. World empires. But then there was this. The stone. That was made.
[33:02] Without hands. Came down. And crashed into the image. Destroyed the image. And the stone. Grew up. And filled the whole earth. That's the gospel. Of Jesus Christ. That is the kingdom.
[33:14] Of God. And although our cause. May be diminishing. Here. Where we are. In this land. Sadly. And let us pray. That the Lord. Will not remove. His candlestick.
[33:25] From us. That he will not. Turn his back. Upon us. Although he. We deserve. That he would. But pray. That he will have. Continue to have. Mercy upon us. Globally. The gospel.
[33:36] Continues to flourish. And spread. And grow. Doesn't receive the news. In the media. But it is happening. There are thousands. There are millions. Coming to faith. In the Lord.
[33:46] Jesus Christ. And God. Will see to it. That every single. One of his people. Will be kept. Wherever they are. And that they will flourish. And they will grow. And they will witness.
[33:56] And testify to him. And for him. Because ultimately. That is what it is about. And you might feel. Very isolated. Where you are today. You might be on your own. And you might be. The only Christian.
[34:07] In your own home. And Christian at work. In the street. Might be the only one. In school. It might be. And you might be. Feeling low. And lonely. Well the Lord. Has a hold of you.
[34:18] And he will never. Let you go. And he is using you. Where you are. He has put you. In a particular place. For a particular purpose. And reason. One day you will see it. And it is all to do.
[34:29] With the growth. Of his kingdom. And. So we find here. That these words of Christ. That they proved. So true in the lives of many.
[34:41] And still. Are proving through today. And if you have not. Heard the voice of Jesus Christ. Up till now. Ask him. That you will hear.
[34:51] That you will hear today. And that you will begin to follow him. And you know the thing is. The moment that you begin to hear. The voice of Jesus Christ. You will continue. To want to hear that voice.
[35:04] And that's what we do. When we come to the word of God. Because every day. You want to hear afresh. What the Lord has to say to you. I'll hear what God. The Lord will speak to his folk.
[35:15] He'll speak peace. But then in verse 28. It talks about another hour coming. And this is going to be quite an incredible time. A time that we can't understand.
[35:26] Or comprehend. But only faith can lay hold upon it. An hour is coming. When all who are in the tombs. Will hear his voice. And come out.
[35:38] Now that is quite extraordinary. It's remarkable. You and I know that all the shouting in the world. Can't open. Open a grave. Or do anything. But just as spiritually.
[35:52] The voice of Jesus. Brings a response from our hearts. When we come to faith. And where deadness gives way to life. So a day is coming.
[36:03] When the graves will open. At the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. It's quite extraordinary. This is going to be the most physical phenomenon ever.
[36:15] Something the like of which the world has never seen. Because all the tombs. All the graves are going to open. And it's going to be wider than just the graves. It's going to be. Not just every grave.
[36:27] But those who have been burnt. The sea we're told will give up its dead. Those who have had the most spectacular funerals. And have the most ornate headstones.
[36:39] That grave will open. Those who have sadly been. The victims of atrocities. And war crimes. Those who have mass graves. These graves will open. Those who have never even had the.
[36:52] Even had a burial at all. Wherever they will rise. Every single one will rise. And that's what we're told. That the Lord.
[37:03] The Lord will raise them. You know. In the Old Testament. And in the New. There have been glimpses. Given to us of the raising of the dead. Sometimes like Elijah.
[37:13] By God's power. The boy who had just died. Others. It's like. Where Lazarus had been in the tomb. For a wee while. He had already been buried. When he was raised by Jesus.
[37:26] And of course. Jesus himself. Was a great example. Of this resurrection. When he was buried. And he rose. And he appeared. In his body. To not just his immediate disciples.
[37:39] But to hundreds. People can't understand. How this is going to happen. Nor do I. No idea. And I don't know anybody in this world. Who has an idea. But with God.
[37:50] All things are possible. All things. You see. Just for instance. We're living in a world. Where knowledge is expanding. At an incredible rate.
[38:00] If 200 years ago. Or even 100 years ago. You had sat down with somebody. 100 years. Or 150 years ago. And you were able to. Go into the future.
[38:12] To where we are today. And you were to bring a smartphone. To them. And say. You know. Let's see this. I can phone somebody. In America. And we can talk. But not just talk. We can see each other.
[38:23] We can look around. The house that they live in. We can see everything. Around about. What's happening in America. Right here. In your own home. They would say. Don't talk such rubbish. I can't even begin to understand. What you're saying.
[38:34] Nowadays. It's an everyday. In our currents. That's what technology. That's what. The advances are made. And if finite minds. Are able.
[38:45] To tap into these things. How much more. The infinite God. With whom. All things. Are possible. The Old Testament. The Old Testament. Speaks. Of these times.
[38:56] Daniel. In fact. Tells us. Of a time. When those who sleep. In the earth. Will awake. Either to everlasting life. Or to shame. And contempt.
[39:08] Job tells us. Though after my skin. Worms destroy this body. Yet in my flesh. I shall see God. I shall see. For myself. When this event.
[39:19] Is going to take place. I don't know. But the hour is coming. And there is going to be. Some voice. Some cry. We're told in fact. In Thessalonians. It tells us there. About this coming.
[39:30] Of Jesus. And what will take place. For we declare. To you. By a word from the Lord. That we who are alive.
[39:40] And are left. Until the coming of the Lord. Will not precede those. Who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself. Will descend from heaven. With a cry of command. With a voice of an archangel.
[39:53] And with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ. Will rise first. All the believers. Will be the first. That will rise. Isn't that. Isn't that.
[40:03] Isn't that an incredible thought. So there's. There isn't. So many people think. That when you're dead. You're dead. That's it. It's not. Death.
[40:16] Is not. The end. And then Jesus. Goes on to talk about. Those who are good. That they will go to life. And those who have evil. To judgment. Now when Jesus is talking.
[40:27] About good and evil. He's not talking. There. That. Saying that. What we are. Our works. Determine. Our future. Our salvation.
[40:39] Such that we earn. Our salvation. By being either good or bad. We earn our salvation. In and through Jesus Christ. But if we have become. Christians.
[40:50] If we have accepted. Jesus Christ. As our saviour. Then our life. Ought to be a good life. We ought to be living. Like him. That doesn't mean. That we never do anything wrong. Of course we do.
[41:01] We do things that. Are wrong. We say things that are wrong. We think things that are wrong. But the main thrust. Of our life. Is that which. Is reflecting Jesus.
[41:11] And seeking. To do good. And so. We're told in scripture. That our works. Follow us. So what we are here. Is that bearing. Upon. What we will be.
[41:23] In the world. To come. You know. In life. We try to do. And to organise. Our life. And work out. Our life. So that things. Will go well. For us.
[41:33] That's what we do. Well. That being the case. Why is it. That we don't look after. What is the number one.
[41:44] Priority. Within our lives. Is getting our soul. Right with God. Because where our soul goes. Our body is going to follow on. And it's going to be too late. If we die without crying.
[41:55] If we spend our life. Rejecting Jesus. Then. That is a fearful thought. It's not life. But judgment. That's a head. But the Lord is saying.
[42:06] It doesn't need to be like that. I have come in order. To give you life. I have come to make. Make a way to God. Accept me. I am the way. The truth.
[42:16] And the life. Make preparation. For your future. For your soul. And for your body's future. By accepting me.
[42:27] Today. We're told. If you hear his voice. Harden. Not your heart. And today. Jesus is speaking to you. This voice. That we've been.
[42:38] Talking about. This voice. Is speaking to us. In the gospel. And he's inviting you. Today. To come. One day. That voice. Will again be heard. Just as in the very beginning.
[42:49] God said. Let there be. Let there be light. Let there be this. Let there be that. That voice. Will say to the dead. Rise. And everyone. Will rise.
[43:00] But today. The voice. Is speaking in the gospel. Will you. Heed that voice. And listen. Let us conclude singing from Psalm 11.
[43:11] And sing psalms. Psalm number 11. And we're going to sing from verse 4. To the end. Psalm 11. Verse 4. From sing psalms. The Lord is in his holy place. The Lord is on his heavenly throne.
[43:23] His eyes observe the human race. And in his sight each one is known. The Lord examines all the just. The righteous ones he proves and tests. But all those who love wickedness and violence.
[43:37] His soul detests. And so on. The Lord is in his holy place.
[43:48] The Lord is on his heavenly throne. His eyes observe the human race.
[44:05] And in his sight each one is known. The Lord examines all the just.
[44:22] The righteous ones he proves and tests. But all those who love wickedness.
[44:39] And violence his soul detests. Upon the wicked evil reign.
[44:56] His highly gold and silver port. A scorching wind will lead on them.
[45:13] Such punishment will lead their Lord. For God the Lord is righteous too.
[45:30] In righteousness he takes delight. And they alone will see his face.
[45:48] Who had in heart and life upright. Now may the grace, mercy and peace of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
[46:01] Rest and abide upon each one of you now and forevermore. Amen. Please do join us again this evening. If you're able to.
[46:12] And the service at 6.30. Would be conducted by the Reverend James McKeever.