[0:00] Hello, welcome everyone to our service this evening. Those who are here in person and those who are watching online, we welcome you in the Lord's name. We pray that our time together will be blessed as we gather under his word and sing praises to our Saviour.
[0:17] We shall begin our worship by singing to God's praise in Psalm 89. In the Scottish Psalter, Psalm 89, on page 345, 345, from verse Mark 13.
[0:40] Psalm 89, verse Mark 13. Thou hast an arm that's full of power. Thy hand is great in might, and thy right hand exceedingly exalted is in height.
[0:56] Justice and judgment of thy throne are made the dwelling place. Mercy accompanied with truth shall go before thy face.
[1:08] O greatly blessed the people are, the joyful sound that know, in brightness of thy face, O Lord, they ever on shall go.
[1:18] They in thy name shall all the day rejoice exceedingly, and in thy righteousness shall they exalted be on high.
[1:30] Because the glory of their strength doth only stand in thee, and in thy favour shall a horn and power exalted be. These verses, verses 13 down to the end of verse Mark 17.
[1:45] Thou hast an arm that's full of power. We'll stand to sing. Thou hast an arm that's full of power.
[2:01] Thy hand is great in might, and thy right hand exceedingly exalted is in height.
[2:20] Justice and judgment of thy throne, mercy accompanied with truth shall go before thy face.
[2:47] O greatly blessed the people are, the joyful sound that know, and in brightness of thy face, O Lord, they ever on shall go.
[3:12] Then thy name shall all the day rejoice exceedingly, and in thy righteousness shall they exalted be on high.
[3:41] Because the glory of their strength doth only stand in thee, and in thy favour shall I warn, and power exalted be.
[4:11] Before we pray, could we turn to the word of God in the Gospel of Mark. We'll have three shorter readings this evening, so we'll have one before a time of prayer, and then we'll follow on with the other two.
[4:28] And we'll use all our readings in our sermon. So the Gospel of Mark, chapter 4, and we'll read the short verses from verse 21 down to 25.
[4:43] It's titled, A Lamp Under a Basket. And he said, Jesus, to them, is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand, for nothing is hidden except to be made manifest, nor is anything secret except to come to light.
[5:11] If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. And he said to them, pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.
[5:27] For the one who has, more will be given. And from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
[5:40] Amen. May the reading of God's word be blessed to us, and may we have an ear to hear it. May we count right near to the Lord in prayer.
[5:50] Let us pray together. Our Father in heaven, we thank you for this hour.
[6:02] Help us to be still in it. Help us to have an ear to your word. For your word is to us, a lamp indeed.
[6:16] And when we consider ourselves here, Lord, we pray, that each of us would consider it a privilege. May we consider ourselves lucky, to be sat in a place like we are, where the gospel is preached, on your day, morning and evening, where we can come and hear of it, without worry of attack, not prejudice.
[6:48] Lord, we pray, that in the freedom of the gospel, we may see it freely working, in our lives, in our communities, and in our hearts.
[7:02] Lord, we pray, may your words take root within us. May we be good soil for your word to grow.
[7:16] May we take it, and may it be nourished in our hearts. May it be a source of strength to each of us. And Lord, if it is not, we pray, that it would be tonight.
[7:31] We pray, that you would speak, as you have promised to, through your word, and through the preaching of it. Lord, it is not the preacher, we come to hear, but we come to hear, your word, before us, speaking to us.
[7:50] Sometimes it convicts us. Sometimes it guides us. Sometimes it is hard to hear what you say to us. Sometimes we don't want to hear it.
[8:04] And sometimes we want to cover it up and put it away. Lord, may tonight be a night where we have open hearts, open ears, open eyes, to hear what you shall say to us.
[8:22] let us not be concerned for the things of the world. Lord, we pray, keep them from us. Keep the devil from us, from entering our minds, from distracting us of what we shall do in the week ahead.
[8:39] Lord, may this time be a time of solace under your word, where we can indeed feel the nourishment of it in our hearts.
[8:55] For when we look around us in the world, we see confusion and disarray. and we pray for the nation of Ukraine.
[9:06] Lord, a nation that is at war. Lord, we pray you be with the people. People who have been taken from their homes, who flee for safety.
[9:22] Watch you over them. Watch you over the children. Watch you over the families. Lord, provide for them. Give them shelter.
[9:36] Give them food. Give them safety. And we pray for your people in that nation. People that stay, people that flee, people that fight.
[9:49] Lord, we pray that these who remain, those who go amongst the nation, the gatherings of men and women who are lost, let them be lights.
[10:07] Equip them, prepare them for what they are about to experience and what they do experience. Let the light of the gospel shine in the midst of turmoil, in the midst of a world that is dark and cruel and hard, in the midst of sin, in the midst of sin that entered in through our own sinful eye, through our own greed.
[10:36] That's not the way it was meant to be. Lord, we pray that you would be with them and we pray these things in your name.
[10:47] We pray that you would be a strength to them and we pray as you command us to for the enemies and our enemies. Lord, we pray for the nation of Russia.
[11:01] We pray for the soldiers that come and attack. We pray that you open their eyes to what they are doing. We pray for Putin.
[11:14] We pray and we don't know what to pray for. But we pray that you would be at work there. Lord, help us not to be afraid to ask for big things of you.
[11:33] Give us a confidence to do so. Your word can be set before him as any other men that is in us in this world. And be a light of understanding and awakening.
[11:47] Lord, pray that you bring peace to that nation. That's all we can pray for.
[11:57] That's sometimes. We don't know what to pray for. But pray for peace and outwork it according to your will. And Lord, we consider in the morning we have been attacked by a virus as a world.
[12:11] and now there is a threat of war possibly. When will we learn? Are these from your hand we ask? Are we like Pharaoh of old who would give an ear to the gospel or give an ear to the words of Moses but then turn our hearts against it?
[12:34] Lord, pray that we are not like these, like that man. Lord, give us a heart of faith to trust in your word as we see you outworking things.
[12:51] And these things are according to your will and according to your purpose. So help us to trust in you. Give us peace amongst the storm.
[13:06] And that is truly what peace is. when everything else around us is falling apart, you give us peace and you promise to us peace not as the world gives.
[13:21] But you give us peace in a way that we find it hard to explain. But go no else where can we but turn our face to you, O Lord, the one who died on the cross for us.
[13:43] May we remember what he has done for us. May we not become so familiar with that image, these words, that we do not really consider what it really is.
[13:58] It was a man of love giving his life for those he loved. Lord, help us to understand. Help us to see the love that you have for us as we are sat here tonight.
[14:18] Lord, we thank you for each one. We thank you for the ministry that is here. We pray for James and all that he does. We pray for the vacancy that we have, that you would bring someone to us, that you would provide a servant to fill the space.
[14:39] Remember Kenny I and his retirement also. Be with him. And all those ministers that are retired, Donald who was with us today, Kenneth Ferguson and others, as they continue to preach the gospel in vacant congregations.
[15:01] and we remember the vacant congregations. Be with them, O Lord, we pray. Provide for them in ways that you can, in your timing, suitable for their needs.
[15:13] Lord, be with us. We thank you for this time that you have given to us. Help us to treasure it. All these things we ask by the name and power of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
[15:29] Amen. We'll continue in reading the word of God by turning to the gospel of Luke this time.
[15:43] And then we'll skip backwards to the gospel of Matthew. So Luke chapter 11 at verse 33. Luke chapter 11 verse 33.
[16:00] No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket but on a stand so that those who enter may see the light.
[16:18] Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light. But when it is bad, your body is full of darkness, therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.
[16:37] If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be holy bright, as when a lamp with its rays light.
[16:50] And let us continue over back the way to Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, at verse 13.
[17:04] Matthew 5, 13. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?
[17:25] It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
[17:48] In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
[18:02] Amen. In the reading of God's word, be blessed to those who hear. Help us to see it. We'll continue in our praise by singing Sing Psalms, Psalm 119.
[18:20] Sing Psalms, Psalm 119, on page 165. That's verses 129 down to 136.
[18:33] 129 down to 136.
[18:49] Your statutes, Lord, are wonderful, so I obey them from my heart. Your words, as they unfold, give light, and truth to simple minds impart.
[19:02] With open mouth, I pant and yearn to know the laws that you proclaim. Show me the mercy you extend to those who love and praise your name.
[19:13] Direct my footsteps in your word. Let sin not hold me in its sway. From man's oppression, set me free, that your commands I may obey.
[19:24] Upon your servant, shine your face. teach me the statutes you have made. My eyes shed streams of bitter tears, because your law is not obeyed.
[19:36] We'll sing these verses to God's praise. Your statutes, Lord, are wonderful, and we'll stand to sing. Your statutes, Lord, are wonderful, so I obey them from my heart.
[20:04] Your words as they unfold you lie, and truth to simple minds impart.
[20:20] with open mouth I hand and yearn, to know the laws that you proclaim, show me the mercy you extend, extend, to those who love and praise your name.
[20:58] Direct my first steps in your heart, let sin not hold me in its way, from man's oppression set me free, that cure no man's I may obey.
[21:35] Upon your sermons shine your face, love is not obey.
[21:48] Teach me the sanctity you have made, my eyes shed streams of bitter tears, because your love is not obey.
[22:10] God is not obey. Amen. God is not to see you as as I mentioned earlier, we are going to do so in the order of the way we read them in Mark, Luke and Matthew.
[22:36] the passage we read in Mark, chapter 4 and verse 21. I hope I'm not going to give you too much page flicking back and forth. but if I make it clear what I intend to do, hopefully it will be easier for you to follow.
[22:52] So we'll go Mark, Luke and then back to Matthew. And we'll look at these accounts that we read together. Every one of them, of our readings, presents to us the same image of a basket and a lamp every time we are words spoken by Christ.
[23:13] And every time a lesson for us to take note of. And the lamp here is specifically an oil type lamp every time.
[23:24] And the stand that is mentioned is specifically a lamp stand every time. And the basket, now that gives us a bit more clarity of what's been said here as well.
[23:37] And we might think of a wicker style kind of basket, what has its kind of weaves to it, and would allow some sort of light to pass through it.
[23:49] But in the Greek word, it actually translates as more of a bowl or a bucket. Now that changes it.
[24:02] If it were a bucket. Because that would blank out every piece of light. But in any case, it is an instrument for dry measuring.
[24:16] Now if it was something of woven material, most likely it would be of a fine construction. Fine enough so that small dry items wouldn't pass through it.
[24:27] But in all understanding of whatever this bucket, bowl, basket looked like. It seems that it would be capable of suffocating the lamp.
[24:42] And blanking out any light that would have come from that oil lamp. And maybe being placed over it for any period would extinguish it entirely.
[24:59] And this is a repeated teaching from Jesus. And it's as simple as it can be. A newly lit lamp covered with a basket.
[25:12] But it defies any sense. Why would you cover the light that you just lit? It equates to going out and going to light a fire in the morning. And then coming back with a bucket of water and throwing it over it.
[25:26] Or making your dinner and then seasoning it with a shovel of sand. It makes no sense. It just seems ridiculous to do something like that.
[25:38] It's so unconventional and maybe that's why it sticks in our minds so much. Maybe it is one of the most memorable teachings of Christ to us.
[25:53] And when we teach people, just in a general sense, we hope that the recipient will listen. So that they gain an understanding. So then, with that understanding, they can then go out and carry out tasks that they would be competent enough to do.
[26:14] Or duties that would be required of them. They listen, they understand, and then they are able to do. But I'm sure there's a few teachers amongst us here that will say, that's not often the case.
[26:30] Often, what you say goes in one ear and out the other. Or they hear, but they just don't get it. They don't understand what's been said.
[26:41] Or maybe even after all that effort of getting them to understand it, it just never out works as anything that they will ever do. Or anything that we would have ever hoped would happen.
[26:56] And in each use of this picture, though the picture is similar, there's differences in the words that follow every time. And each reading has its place in the context of the chapter.
[27:12] And maybe you can go back afterwards the service and look at the whole context of the chapter and see how it relates to the passage. But we're just going to take each instance that we read there.
[27:24] Each lamp raises a fundamental point for the Christian that is worth tying together. And it is relatable to that teaching process to hear, to understand or to see, and then to go and do.
[27:45] The first passage in Mark makes a reference to hearing. The second passage in Luke speaks of our sight. And the last passage in Matthew has a focus on actions or works.
[27:59] So we hear in Mark 4. We gain sight in Luke 11. And we work in Matthew 5. So we'll take these as our points.
[28:12] So we'll begin in the Gospel of Mark, in what we hear. Now of all our senses, surely the most influential of these is what we hear and what we see.
[28:27] These two senses determine how we understand things. And I suppose we can say that they are our primary learning devices.
[28:39] For often their first learning point is to hear. And that's how we teach. And Jesus loved to teach the people. Using relatable parables and stories like we have read.
[28:57] Like the lamp and the basket. But in Mark 4, what is the lamp in our passage? What does it say in verse 22?
[29:11] For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest, nor is anything secret to come to light. And we ask, well, what light has been made manifest to us?
[29:24] What is it that was hidden from us? Is the Lord not seen in the wonder of creation? Is the light of a creator not evident in our body?
[29:40] Maybe we don't see it like that. Many people don't. Is there not an evidence of a creation in our soul? So, is this not a light manifesting itself to us?
[29:56] The grace of God shines through his general revelation in his creation to all men. This is a gift in a sense of his light.
[30:08] Providing the expanse of creation as a dwelling place. And this world with all intricacies of its construction, its order and its cycles, its forming of each of us that are sat here, as a conscientious being.
[30:31] And maybe we can admit that it does point to a greater source. But creation in a sense, it's just a ray of this revelation.
[30:44] To man. A ray of this light that has been revealed. Because the greatest light that has been revealed to man is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
[30:57] This is the lamp that is revealed to everyone here that is gathered tonight. This is the gospel light we lift up in this place. Here tonight.
[31:11] That we want to place on a stand so that everyone would see it. With the hope that the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit would enter into the ears of men with surpassing radiance.
[31:29] This is the revealed gospel light. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has died for you. Because he had a heart of obedience to God and he has a heart of love for man.
[31:45] And that means everyone sitting here tonight. He knows what it means if you were to perish.
[31:56] And in a sense he knows that greater than we do. Maybe he knows it in its full measure of what it would mean for man to perish.
[32:09] And out of his love provides an escape. And his loving kindness. At the cost of giving the entirety of all he ever could give.
[32:22] His life. And even to the extremities and agonies of the cross in such an extreme way. Because he loves you.
[32:33] And to him you are worth. Going through all that. In order that you would be redeemed.
[32:46] In order to provide salvation. If you believe in this man. Provide salvation from an eternal separation.
[32:58] To an eternal presence in heaven. In heaven. He gave us life. In order that you would have hope in death. And is that not a light.
[33:10] To you today. Is this not a special. Revelation. Indeed. That has been made manifest. To us.
[33:23] Who are gathered here. It is. It's a treasure. And in his providence. Maybe that is why you are here.
[33:35] Now. Tonight. Because he wants you to hear this message. He wants. You to understand. What he has done for you.
[33:47] He wants to reveal this light. To you. That you may see. That you may hear. And understand. And understand.
[33:59] He is a man. That will meet you. At your need. Have you heard. That he loves. To sit. With the sinner. He loves. To accompany.
[34:10] The sick. To enrich. The poor. To comfort. The mourning. And to make. First. Those in this world.
[34:21] That are considered. The poor. The poor. Look at. Our passage again. Verse. 23. If anyone. Has ears. To hear.
[34:31] Let him hear. If you have ears. To hear. Let him hear. But he continues. To reinforce. That point.
[34:43] And he said to them. Pay attention. To what you hear. Well. Are you listening. To this word.
[34:54] Are you giving this word. Your attentiveness. To what. Has been said. In its entirety. Of this.
[35:07] Revealed. Gospel light. To you. Sitting here. Tonight. Are you hearing. The light. Of the world. Speaking to you.
[35:18] Today. Jesus Christ. Is he. The light. Of your life. Listen. To the light. Of the revealed.
[35:29] Gospel message. Christ. Will speak. Through it. And he will be heard. At the reading. Of this word. And if you have heard.
[35:42] Give thanks. To the Lord. That he gave you. An ear. To hear it. What a treasure. It is. This revelation.
[35:53] This light. And this light. Deserves. To be lifted up. Given a place. Of honor.
[36:07] This gospel message. Deserves. Honor. It is worthy. Of our admiration. And at very least. It demands.
[36:19] Our reverence. But we know. The truth. Of this world. Is that many. Wish. To put. A bucket. Over the Bible.
[36:34] Unlike our image. It's in a sense. Just. Defies any sense. Every man. Every man. Shall die. Every man. Shall die. But they don't want.
[36:48] The hope. They don't want. The escape. It's crazy. When you don't hear.
[37:00] When you don't see. When you don't understand. They put a bucket. Over. The light. Of the gospel message. And it makes no. Sense.
[37:11] At all. Pray that. People. Hear. The gospel message. And he says.
[37:22] He can. This passage. It's all. Shall be made manifest. Secrets. Will come to light. See. There's no hiding. From this light. He who places.
[37:34] This light. Before men. As their salvation. Also does so. As their judge. And these things. Are not strange. To our ears.
[37:46] Either. The authority. Of Christ. Over us. It's just. Maybe we don't like.
[37:57] To hear it. And maybe. We are guilty. Of. Having the bucket. In our hand. When we hear. These things. Of a judge.
[38:08] A righteous judge. That will judge us. Maybe we want. To blank that out. I sat in church.
[38:19] Many a times. Trying to blank out. The word of God. Speaking to me. But all will be revealed.
[38:33] There is no hiding. From God. From God. It's maybe something I learned. I just had to give in.
[38:45] Your sin. And all our sins. Will be exposed. By the light. Of truth. Truth. Because the truth. Of light.
[38:56] Is that. It reveals. In its nature. The lights. When they come on. They reveal. This building. Otherwise. We wouldn't see it. Clearly.
[39:07] The truth of light. Is that it reveals. And it will reveal. Everything. In us. That we do not want. Others. To see. Things we do not.
[39:18] Want to reveal. That Christ. That Christ. Will judge us. By them. Righteously. And we. Can say nothing. Because.
[39:29] We have to acknowledge. The truth of it. Maybe even. It would be. One of the memories. Of the time.
[39:40] You sat. Under the words. But you refuse. To hear it. We are not going to add. To that. Today. Are we?
[39:51] That we would. Put a bucket. Over. This word. Again. And further. To the thought. Of hearing. Here. Are. The verses.
[40:02] Of 24. Through. To 25. Where it speaks. Of paying attention. With the measure. You use. It will be measured. To you. And still more.
[40:13] Will be added. From the one. Who has. More will be given. And from the one. Who has not. Even what he has. Will be taken away. And briefly. This speaks. Of judging again.
[40:24] According to how. You live. And live. Towards others. This is for us all. We will be judged. By what we do. What you have.
[40:35] How we have lived. What we have given. For God. Will all be counted. For the one. Who hears. And who lives. His life. According to the light.
[40:46] That is revealed. And the gospel. Truth. Will be given. All the more. But the one. Who doesn't. Will be robbed. Of the comforts. That they clung.
[40:57] To. It's a good. And gracious light. Whatever way. You look at it. The revealing. Of light. Is truth.
[41:08] Whether it is. The glories. Of heaven. That you are. Thinking of. Or the anguishes. The anguishes. Of hell. It's a good light.
[41:19] Because it's a light. Of truth. And it speaks. To us all. Truth. And if anything. That any of us. Would want to know.
[41:30] It's truth. So we know. So we understand. What we have to do. Where we have to go. This is.
[41:42] A good light. No matter. Which way. You look at it. How will they believe. Of whom. They have never heard. Believing. Comes through. Hearing.
[41:53] This is a fundamental. Truth. Of gospel. Message. It must be preached. And shared. But only then. Will we see. And believe. Turn with me. If you will.
[42:04] To. Luke. Luke. 11. Verse. 34. I'll try. And be a bit quicker. With my next few points. Luke.
[42:15] 11. 33. No one. After. Lighting. A lamp. Puts it. In a cellar. Or under a basket. But on a stand. So that those who enter.
[42:27] May see the light. Your eye. Is a lamp. Of your body. When your eye. Is healthy. Your whole body. Is full. Of light. The eye. To the.
[42:38] Eye. Light. Is everything. We would have no sight. If it were not. For light. And in a sense. What we hear. Will influence our sight. If we have an ear. To hear.
[42:49] Christ. Speak. We gain a greater sight. Of his ways. A sight. That can be seen. In understanding. And I suppose. An example. Of this is. And it doesn't happen.
[43:00] To everyone. But when people. Are converted. Often. You hear them say. You know. I can't believe. The wonder of creation. You know. I look at it. The creation.
[43:11] And it all seems new to me. And it's marvelous. And wonderful. It's the same. Same world. They've been living in. Nothing's changed. But it's just almost as if scales. Have fallen off their eyes. You see.
[43:22] It doesn't happen to everyone. But you do hear that. It's revealed. The light. It's revealed to them. And the beauty of the world. And the wonder of creation. Becomes clear to them. Because the light. Has illuminated.
[43:33] Their eye. And the lamp or light. Here. It's marvelous. And the world. The wonder of creation. Becomes clear to them. Because the light.
[43:44] Has illuminated. Their eye. And the lamp or light. The lamp or light. Here. Is pictured. Also. As one.
[43:55] That enables. Entry. Into a building. Or such like. It says. In verse. 33. No one. After lighting a lamp. Puts it in a cellar. Or under a basket.
[44:06] But on a stand. So that those who enter. May see. The light. Now. There's a world of difference. Between hearing the gospel message. And seeing it.
[44:17] Entry. And sight. It speaks of belief. And immediately. We might think. Of the words of John Newton.
[44:28] Where he says. I was blind. But now I see. He was never blind physically. But he gained that sight.
[44:40] Of the light. Illuminating. His soul. And often we see. To ourselves that. I just didn't see it.
[44:52] If our first light was the word. Given and preached to the people. Our second light. Is the light of inward illumination. Where the person.
[45:03] Believes it. Like. When the student. Understands. And you can say. Almost like. When the penny. Drops. And they get it.
[45:14] And they grasp it. The light. That shines. Into you. Infiltrates. To your soul. Comforts.
[45:26] And joy. Almost like. The reappearing of a son. After. A long winter. Winter. People enjoy it. We long for that.
[45:37] To happen again. When your eye. Is healthy. And your whole body. Is full of light. Jesus. Will have. An illuminating.
[45:49] Effect. Upon your soul. And this. Should be. An enjoyment. To you. With an intention. That you enjoy. Him. Forever.
[46:00] But this. Christ. Who told the people. To pay attention. And hearing. Also comes. With a warning. In our sight. And he says. In verse 35. Be careful.
[46:11] Lest the light. In you. Be darkness. And yet. Maybe you can ask. Well. How can this be? If we receive the light. How can it be darkness? Well. Essentially.
[46:22] It's. Deception. Or misunderstanding. The light. The light. We think. It's good. But. In fact. It can be bad.
[46:33] For us. And this. Easily happens. Maybe. Maybe it's too easily happened. Remember. The fall of man. The serpent. Spoke.
[46:45] First to Eve. The serpent spoke. And then it says. That she saw the fruit. As good. God told her. The fruit was not. To be eaten.
[46:56] This was all. The understanding. That she needed. She was not. To eat it. But it's often the case. When. Soon enters.
[47:07] Into your lives. We may initially. Think it's bad. And after a few words. From a crafty deceiver. One that can disguise. Himself.
[47:18] As an angel of light. Soon. Soon. We convince ourselves. That. Well. Maybe these things. Are good. After all. Maybe these things.
[47:29] Are okay. Pay attention. To what you hear. Be careful. Of what you believe. You see. The student. That does not.
[47:40] Understand. Correctly. Will be prone. To making the most. Mistakes. In his actions. In his actions. In its discussions. Spot on. With all.
[47:51] Men. Ends. But experience. But. Insylophone. Now. It's not that. No one. In your experience.
[48:03] ileen. He doesn't shine in the same way as the simple, obedient, faithful believer that understands his Savior in a personal way.
[48:21] And that person seems completely bright, wholly bright like our passage. And I hope you've experienced that from people.
[48:32] But it's almost like you can feel the brightness and the light that's illuminating their soul come out of them and illuminate ourselves as we sit in their company.
[48:46] Our salvation is a light that should never be hidden. And we should never hinder the light from entering. Because the placement of this light is also vital.
[49:02] The light of the workings within our soul that has illuminated our souls should be lifted up at every opportunity. See what Christ has done for me.
[49:13] And maybe the strength and brightness of it is directly related to how we understand. And our experience.
[49:27] Personally. Of Christ working in our lives. Where do you place this light as a believer in Christ? Is he forefront of your focus? A light to every step you take.
[49:39] A light of strength to your soul. So have you lifted him up in your life? And declared him as a light that will shine in you and over you.
[49:53] We hear the light. But when the light enters and gives illumination in our lives, there will undoubtedly be an output. Let us turn to Matthew 5.
[50:07] We hear the light. The light illuminates us. And then there is an output of works in Matthew 5.
[50:19] What is the light in our passage? You are the light of the world. A city set and a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand.
[50:34] And it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others. So that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
[50:48] The light is undoubtedly the Christian. Spurgeon wrote, and it sounds almost contradictory at the beginning. But the world does not read the Bible.
[51:09] The world reads Christians. You are the light of the world. The Bible is not the light of the world. It is the light of the church.
[51:21] But the world does not read the Bible. The world reads Christians. You are the light of the world. It comes with a responsibility when you read it like that.
[51:37] The Bible is a light to you here. And the light has had great effect on us as believers in our church. But it says in our passage that you are the light of the world.
[51:52] Because the world doesn't know the Bible. It needs to hear it. But you need to tell them. So do I.
[52:03] And in everything I'm saying, I'm saying it to myself first. Every Christian sitting here is a light. And I'm sure you've seen the pictures and photographs taken from the satellites of the world.
[52:20] In darkness. And all the glittering lights shining upon its face. I imagine it's something like that. You are lights among the darkness.
[52:34] The darkness of this world. And the end of verse 15 it says. To give light to all in the house. So we're lights to one another in the household of God.
[52:47] We spoke of the household of God in the morning. And we can enlighten one another in many ways. And encourage one another in many ways. But it says in verse 16.
[52:59] In the same way, let your light shine before others. You are the lights in the dark world. In your work.
[53:10] In your literal homes. With your friends. We are not to hide with them in the darkness. We are to be different and set apart. And a lamp is entirely different from the darkness.
[53:26] That is what you are. Christian believer. The Lord's people are like that walled city pictured here. The glow that shines out from the boundaries of this walled city.
[53:43] You can always imagine it. You don't see the source of the light. But you see its glow. You see the glow up on the sky. And it's an undeniable glow.
[53:56] The world reads the Christian. They may not see the source in you. They may not see where that light comes from.
[54:09] But they hopefully see the glow. In the darkness. Every reason for us to pay attention.
[54:21] And be careful. To the word of God. Christians must not be afraid. To be placed on the lamp stand. God wants you.
[54:33] To shine for him. In the church and in the world. Because all enlightenment. Worked within you.
[54:44] Is done. With an expectation of good work. Of good fruit. First Peter says. That you may proclaim the excellencies of him. Who called you out of the darkness.
[54:57] Into his light. Well. It's not quite that. It's that you may proclaim the excellencies of him. Who called you out of darkness.
[55:09] Into his marvelous light. This light is marvelous. You see the student is taught. He gains understanding.
[55:21] But it's no use. If he does nothing with it. He's taught for a reason.
[55:34] But in every light. Of ours. That radiance. Comes from Christ. And his glory. And the enjoyment that that light.
[55:46] Brings. And the illuminating effect of it. And we are the ones. That it says of. In the passage. See. Your good works.
[55:58] And give glory. To your father. As in heaven. We are to glorify God. And really. We will find the purpose of life.
[56:10] In these lights. Man's chief friend. Is to glorify God. And to enjoy him forever. We will glorify God. By our works. We will enjoy him.
[56:21] As that light. Illuminates us. And we hear that light. Speaking to us. But we must mention. The basket. You see.
[56:32] Every basket. Is out working. In a sense. Of the devil. Frustrating. The eternal plans. Of God. Every basket. Is placed.
[56:43] To restrain. The light. Dampen. The light. In every case. The basket. Tries to suffocate.
[56:53] The light. The light. Of the gospel. The light. Of saving. Grace. Within the believer. Sure. We all know. What that feels like.
[57:04] The light. Of good fruits. In the believer. From the one. That has faith. Pay attention. Be careful.
[57:19] Darkness. Is not far. From us. In fact. It may. Just be right. Above us. Because. It is at every. Stage. You will try.
[57:29] And suffocate. You. Every stage. That we have read. Here. That. Mentions. A basket. Being placed. Over the light. You just. Don't do it. You don't want it. To happen. It makes no sense.
[57:40] The devil. Comes. With every. Attempt. At every. Stage. To suffocate. You. From the light.
[57:51] Or to suffocate. The light. In you. In your reading. In your prayer. In your meditations. In your witnessing. Whatever it is. And I'm sure.
[58:01] Every Christian. Here. Can confess. That he. Has made. The word. Dim. To us. At times. In our lives. He has.
[58:14] Dimmed. The belief. That we've had. Of the salvation. We have found. In Christ. And we ask. Ourselves. Where we ever saved. He can doom.
[58:25] The works. Of our hands. For the glory. Of God. Or whatever works. It is. But Christ. Will never. Allow you. To be extinguished.
[58:36] He will never. Extinguish. Any of these. Lights. And you may feel. As a Christian. Just. As a little light.
[58:49] But in a world. Of complete darkness. You know what I'm going to say. In a world. Of complete darkness. A little. Light. Makes all the difference.
[59:01] The smallest. Of gold. Glows. Changes everything. In complete darkness. You may not feel. You may not feel. Bright. But to men.
[59:14] In utter darkness. You may be a beacon. Every Christian. Here is a beacon. Beacons.
[59:25] Are lights. Of guidance. To give direction. To give safety. Beacons. Give the people. Reassurance. When they see them. The gospel.
[59:38] The salvation. That we have. In Christ Jesus. The outworkings. Of good fruit. In our lives. Are beacons. To men and women. In darkness. These things.
[59:48] Are not meant. To be covered up. They're meant. To be revealed. They're meant. To be shared. And the Christian. Has a responsibility. To shine.
[59:58] Like a beacon. That points. Lost sinners. To Christ. This is the way.
[60:10] To Christ. I'll show you. What Christ. Has done for me. I was reminded. In the last few weeks.
[60:20] And it's worthy. To reiterate. A thought. That have we. As Christians. Lost a love. For the lost.
[60:31] Have we. As Christians. Lost a love. For the lost. And I can't help. But feeling. That if we have. That maybe. There's a basket.
[60:41] Over us. Restraining us. Restraining. That light. Shining out. Of us. Do we really. Believe. In the reality. Of hell. And those.
[60:54] That we rub. Shoulders with. In our day-to-day lives. They will go there. If they do not. Understand this light. Or see this light. Or know this light.
[61:05] The light of the world. Jesus Christ. Christian. Give your thoughts. To this tonight. Shortly. We will walk. Back outside.
[61:15] That door. Into darkness. Literally. And spiritually. To. But ask yourself. How bright.
[61:26] Am I. And if you feel dark. Pray. That God. Would lift. Baskets. From my eyes. My ears.
[61:37] My life. My works. And maybe. It's just. The prayer. Of saying. Lord. Make me. Willing. To be. Placed. On a lampstand.
[61:47] For you. Often. We want. To hide. As we walk. Home. In the darkness. Pray. That the Lord.
[61:58] Would make me. A light. And we would be. Unashamed. In all. That we do. To bring. Glory. To God. And maybe.
[62:11] We're not. All Christians. Here. But everyone. Here. Has had. The light. Revealed. To them. By God's. Grace. Many.
[62:22] Sit here. Every week. Under it. And maybe. They don't. Really. Hear it. Or don't. Trust. In this light. I pray.
[62:32] That the Lord. Makes you. See it. And if. There's a bucket. In your hand. Do not. Cover. This light. The devil.
[62:45] Will do. Everything. He can. To make you. Place. Every light. In. Of the gospel. In darkness. When you leave.
[63:00] Tonight. Don't think. Of the others. That have been lost. Think of yourselves. What will Christ. What will you say. To Christ.
[63:10] When he says. That. I gave you. My light. Week. After week. And you covered it up. This was the greatest privilege. Man can receive.
[63:22] The world is dark. I gave you light. Did you put a bucket on it? Did you cover it up? Well the Christian faith.
[63:36] Is one. Of new beginnings. In a sense. In a sense. Covering up this moment. It doesn't really change things. You've heard the gospel.
[63:48] You know the light. And the truth of it. And it has been shown before you. Tonight. In a sense. You have no excuse. Pray for yourselves.
[64:01] That the light. Would be revealed to you. I know. There are many. Praying for you here. And maybe sitting beside you.
[64:14] Pray the light of Christ. Would come. To souls that are in darkness. For whoever. Believes in him. Shall not remain.
[64:24] In darkness. He is a light. Uncomparable. To anything the world. Can offer. And you know that.
[64:37] You know that light. The light that came. So that you would not. Perish. Pray that you see it. Pray that each of us.
[64:49] Hears it. Believes in it. And will be one. That will go. And glorify God. In everything.
[64:59] That they do. May these thoughts. Be blessed to us. We'll conclude in praise. And then a short prayer. We'll sing in Psalm 100.
[65:10] Scottish Psalter. Psalm 100. Of the Scottish Psalter.
[65:21] All people. All people. On earth do dwell. Sing to the Lord. With cheerful voice. Himself with mirth.
[65:33] His praise forth tell. Come ye before him. And rejoice. Know that the Lord. Is God indeed. Without our aid.
[65:43] He did us make. We are his flock. He doth us feed. And for his sheep. He doth us take. O enter then. His gates with praise. Approach with joy.
[65:54] His courts and two. Praise Lord. And bless his name always. For it is seemly so to do. For why the Lord. Our God is good.
[66:05] His mercy is forever sure. His truth at all times. Firmly stood. And shall from age. To age endure. We'll stand together.
[66:17] And we'll sing. These verses. All people. That on earth. Do dwell. Thank you. All people.
[66:29] That on earth. Do dwell. Sing to the Lord. With cheerful voice.
[66:39] And serve with mirth. This praise. Forth tell. Come ye before him. And rejoice.
[66:52] Know that the Lord. Is God indeed. With thy direct. He did us make.
[67:04] We are his flock. He doth us feed. And for his sheep. He doth us take.
[67:16] And for his sheep. He doth us take. O enter there. He lives.
[67:27] He is with grace. Approach with joy. His courts and two. Praise Lord. And blesses.
[67:40] His name always. For it is simply so to do. For why the Lord.
[67:52] Our God is good. His mercy is forever sure. His truth.
[68:03] At all times. For me stood. And shall from age to age. In true. And shall from age to age.
[68:18] In true. Conclude in a word of prayer. Our Father in heaven. May your light. Be shone before us.
[68:28] With all its truth. An illuminating light. That we pray. Would work as effectively. Within us. Lord be with us. As a light of guidance.
[68:39] In the days ahead of us. Whatever that holds forth. That we will be reliant upon you. Your spirit. Guide us. Your word. Teaching us. And knowing.
[68:51] A relationship. And a trust. Upon. The Father that is. Our Father. A personal Father. A trustworthy Father. May the blood of Christ.
[69:05] Be an illuminating light. To the souls. That are lost in sin tonight. Make us lights. For your glory. Make us lights. For your glory.
[69:16] We pray. By the name and power. Of our Savior. Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
[69:28] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. A osób.
[69:43] Amen. Amen.
[69:55] Amen. A salv e a war.