Transcription downloaded from https://yetanothersermon.host/_/stornowayfc/sermons/62754/a-walk-from-earth-to-heaven/.

Disclaimer: this is an automatically generated machine transcription - there may be small errors or mistranscriptions.
Please refer to the original audio if you are in any doubt.


[0:00] I want to extend a very warm welcome to everybody this morning as we seek again to worship God and we pray that as we're here at Stornoway Free Church but as we're aware that the service goes out and it's a wonderful thing where people are able to share in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[0:21] So we pray today that we will hear and know his word and his voice. We're going to begin by reading a few verses from Psalm 112.

[0:32] This is from the Scottish Psalter, Psalm 112 from the Scottish Psalter. And thus we are already told that God's saying, more. Unto the upright light doth rise, though he in darkness be, compassionate and merciful and righteous is he. A good man doth his favour show, and doth to others lend. He with discretion his affairs will guide unto the end. Surely there is not anything that ever shall remove, the righteous man's memorial shall everlasting prove. Psalm 112. Let us bow in prayer.

[1:37] O Lord our God, as we bow before you this morning, we pray that we will know your grace and your blessing. We give thanks Lord for all that you do for us and all that you are in yourself.

[1:52] And we give thanks Lord that you have shown to us so much about who you are. That you indeed have blessed us with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We recognise that it could have been so different, but that in your love and in your grace and in your mercy, you have purposed and planned it this way.

[2:13] And so we pray that we will hear you, and that we will know you, and that we will come to a greater understanding of your ways and your purposes for us. As we journey through this world, it is often a dark world. We are often confused and perplexed by life and by the way that life turns this way and that, by the many events that unfold. And so often we realise that we have no control over so many aspects of life. We believe that even through this virus, it is one of the things that this world has been taught, is that we don't have the control that maybe we thought we had. A lot of people very often felt as masters of their own destiny. But we realise that so often there are twists and turns in life that we could have never foreseen and never even worked out the way it was going to unfold.

[3:12] So we pray, Lord, that we may be willing to submit to your providence and in your providence to discover your grace. And we pray that above all your word will be the rule to direct us as we journey through this world, trying to make sense of sometimes things that appear senseless.

[3:31] But the great thing is our faith is able to lay hold upon the fact that God knows, God reigns, God rules, and that you have a purpose in everything. And we give thanks, Lord, that it is so, that we're not here as random objects bouncing about in a sea of fate, but that there is a predetermined plan and purpose in everything. And that gives us so much assurance and such a sense of security as we journey through this world.

[4:01] And so we pray that we might place our hand in your hand, that there might be that faith in our heart that would rely upon you, that will lean upon you, that will discover more and more of your love and of your grace and of your mercy and of your truth and of your justice and of your peace. Lord, fill our hearts with yourself. And help us, Lord, to look to you. Help us to realize that sin is that great barrier to the enjoyment of fellowship and communion with you. And we confess our sin because so often, Lord, we side with sin, we're drawn into sin, and we find that that sin is such that it blights our fellowship. And we do not enjoy the communion that we can, and maybe sometimes we did enjoy.

[4:52] We pray, Lord, then that you'll bless us today as we wait upon you. Bless young and old alike. Give thanks, Lord, for our young people. Give thanks, Lord, for all that they bring to life and the energy that they bring to life. We pray that you will bless them. And we ask, Lord, that you bless them at time of holiday. And we pray to protect, as we are so conscious, Lord, of this virus again, beginning to spread at an alarming speed. We pray that your protective hand will be upon us. Watch over us here as an island. You have been so gracious to us. May you continue to be so. Remember those in South Houston, Ben Becula, those who have been affected by it. And we pray that there be no further development or spread of it. And that those who have been hit with this virus, that they will all be healed.

[5:47] And we ask, Lord, that you be gracious to them. Be gracious to all, Lord, as hospitals again are beginning to fill up. We pray for those who work on the front line. We give thanks for our NHS and for all our carers in the homes and in our communities, Lord. We are so indebted to them for all that they do.

[6:08] And I ask, Lord, that you will protect them. We, with our emergency services as well, Lord, we commit police and fire and paramedics and the ambulance staff. We commit lifeboat and coast guard and all those who so often even risk their own lives for the good of others. We commit them to your care and keeping. We ask, Lord, that you will be with those who mourn, whose hearts are heavy and sore, those who are broken. Their lives have been turned upside down. They miss their loved ones so much.

[6:44] Lord, it is so difficult when those who have been so much part of our life, those who have journeyed with us through life, those who have shared with us in life. Lord, we commit them, all the grieving hearts to your care. And pray, Lord, that you will bind them up. We give thanks for the great words, the tiny words in Scripture where it says, Jesus wept. Probably the shortest verse in Scripture.

[7:10] And that you will be with each and every one who has broken in heart. Lord, we pray for those who are in hospital, in hospital, in hospital, in hospital, in hospital, in hospital. And that you will be with that you will be with each and every one who has broken in heart. Lord, we pray for those who are in hospital, in their own homes, undergoing treatment or waiting for it. With all the different illnesses, Lord, we are so conscious of how fragile life is. And we pray for healing and restoration. Lord, do us good, we pray, as we wait upon you. Take away your sin. In Jesus' name we ask it. Amen.

[8:01] I'm just going to say a wee word to the young people. Joshua and I were a grandson. We were down at the pier on it was on Wednesday. We went for a wee walk. We were walking all around. We walked all around the pier.

[8:17] And for a wee while we were watching some crows and seagulls fighting over, I don't know where they had got the bread, but there was quite a lot of crusts. They were pulling. One would be pulling from the other.

[8:32] Then we walked on and the tide was really far out. The boats were very low down in the water. So, when we reached the steps, there are steps that will take you right down. And you can see under the pier. So we walked right, right down. And just, we had just turned around and we're starting to come back up. And we both got such a fright because the seal, you know that there's seals here. This seal just came up, just beside us. Oh, Joshua nearly jumped out of his skin. And he kept going, you get such a, such a shock about it. So did I. But then we were walking on and I took notice of this boat, lovely little boat. But it was his name that struck me. It was a wee blue and white boat, just a small, very small boat. Its name was Boy Joshua. And I said to Joshua, look at that boat. I said, that's Joshua. And I kept saying to Joshua. And he wasn't saying anything. That's Joshua. Thank you.

[9:37] And as we turned away, all I heard him say was silly, Papa. And I know Papa is often very silly, but obviously he wasn't understanding what I was saying. But that was the name of the boat. It was called Boy Joshua. And Joshua, in fact, it's a great name. It's a lovely name. Now, we've all got names.

[10:01] And names are very important. I've spoken before about names. And I'm sure you, it'd be interesting to find out why you have the name that you have. Are you called after somebody? Or is it because it's a name that their parents liked? I suppose when I look at Joshua, Joshua, he's Joshua Norman Mackenzie.

[10:32] And on Marie's side, of course, both her grandpas were Norman and her brother is Norman. So her brother Norman and so there's Joshua Norman. And Ewan and Marie both liked the name Joshua. So there's Joshua Norman. But you know, there's a name that they liked and there's a name within the family.

[10:53] But it's that name Joshua that's such a wonderful name. Do you know what it means? It means Jehovah is salvation. Jehovah saves. And to save somebody is really one of the best things that anybody could ever do. Sometimes you will see people getting a medal because they saved somebody from drowning.

[11:14] Maybe they jumped over the pier and saved somebody who was drowning or out of a boat jumped in and saved somebody who was drowning. Sometimes people have rushed into a burning, a blazing house and taken somebody out. And they've saved their life. It's the most amazing, wonderful thing to do.

[11:33] Well, Joshua means God, Jehovah, God is salvation. That's what he does. He saves. That's what Jesus does.

[11:46] Remember, when Jesus was born, the angel said his name is going to be called Jesus because he's going to save his people from their sins. It's a wonderful, wonderful name. And it's a wonderful thing that that God has done. The famous Joshua in the Bible who followed, who took over after Moses. He was the one who led Israel into the land of promise. And he was a picture of what God does. Because Moses who stood for the law, the law, the law can't save us. The law shows us that we need to be saved. It's Jesus. It is Joshua that takes us into salvation, that saves us. So I hope and I pray that you will ask the Lord Jesus that he will save you. Because that's why he came into this world. That's what he came to do.

[12:51] I want you to do two things. First of all, find out the meaning of your name. What does it mean? And ask also, why was I called what I was called?

[13:03] But I want you to remember this name, Joshua. It is such a precious, powerful name. And if you've never read about Joshua in the Bible, he was an amazing man. And you read about Joshua and what he did and how he led Israel into the land of promise. But of course, Joshua is pointing us to the Joshua, God of salvation, God of salvation, to Jesus who saves. And I want you to ask Jesus Christ, Lord, will you please save me?

[13:41] You know what he does when he saves you? When he saves you, he'll take you to himself. He'll have a hold of your hand all through your life. He'll keep you close to himself forever. And then when we come to leave this world, he will take you to be with himself in heaven.

[14:01] That is real salvation, real saving. So you ask Jesus that he will do that for you. 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.

[14:19] Give us this day our daily bread 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 forever. Amen.

[14:34] We're going to read God's word now from Hebrews, Hebrews chapter 11. Hebrews chapter 11. Reading from the beginning, we're going to read the first 16 verses.

[14:49] Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.

[15:00] By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of the things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as accepting his gifts.

[15:19] And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him.

[15:32] Now before he was taken, he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists, and that he rewards those who seek him.

[15:47] By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household.

[15:59] By this he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place, that he was to receive as an inheritance.

[16:14] And he went out in order knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with them of the same promise.

[16:28] For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

[16:45] Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven, and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

[16:59] These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them, and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers, and exiles on the earth.

[17:13] For people who speak thus, make it clear that they're seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.

[17:25] But, as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

[17:38] Amen. And may God bless to us this reading of his own holy word. Now I want us this morning to consider what we find in verse 5. By faith, Enoch was taken up, so that he should not see death.

[17:52] And he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken, he was commended, as having pleased God. And if we were to read the little account that is given to us in Genesis, chapter 5, of Enoch, it tells us, very simply, when Enoch had lived for 65 years, he fathered Methuselah.

[18:20] Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah for 300 years, and had other sons and daughters. Thus, all the days of Enoch were 365 years.

[18:32] Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. And that's what it tells us here, that God had taken him, that he should not see.

[18:44] Enoch was taken up, so that he should not see death. And he was not found, because God had taken him. How's your faith? That's a question that we ask one another, or we should be asking one another, but it's a question that we should actually ask of ourselves as well.

[19:04] How's my faith? How am I doing in the faith? Because Scripture tells us, that we are to examine ourselves. That's what we're told, examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith.

[19:15] That's a very, very important thing, because at the end of the day, the all-important thing, that you must have, in your life, and I must have, in my life, is faith.

[19:28] Because it tells us, it told us in that chapter, that we read there, that without faith, it is impossible, to please God. Now that's a sobering statement. Irrespective of what we may be, or do, in this life, if we don't have faith, we cannot, please God.

[19:47] That's what it tells us. Now, in this epistle, among many other things, we find there's a, a great emphasis, upon the importance of faith, of having clear, and strong faith.

[20:05] Hebrews chapter 3, is a clear warning, against growing unbelief, because it goes on, to show us, the terrible danger, that unbelief poses, to our life.

[20:18] And it gives the example, of Israel. Because Israel, God, remember God, had taken Israel, out of Egypt, he was taking them, to Canaan, to the land of promise. And they ended up, spending, 40 years, 40 years, between leaving Egypt, and getting into, the land of promise, because of unbelief.

[20:38] If they had exercised, faith, and they had walked, with God, they would have been, in Egypt, probably within a year, sorry, in Canaan, probably within a year.

[20:51] But, it took 40 years, and that was because, of their growing unbelief. In the previous chapter, in verse 23, it tells us, let us draw near, with a true heart, in full assurance of faith.

[21:07] And again, we're told that, in verse 38, that true faith, keeps going. But my righteous one, shall live by faith, and if he shrink back, my soul has no pleasure in him.

[21:20] But we are not of those, who shrink back, but of those, who have faith, and preserve their souls. So you see, the great evidence, of faith, of continuing faith, is just that, that you're keeping going.

[21:37] And, I don't know how long, you've been following the Lord, but the fact, that you're still following, is evidence, of the reality, of your faith. Because as you look back, over your life, you can see many things, that, from a human level, could have caused, utter shipwreck, in your life.

[21:56] You can see, how easily, you could have been derailed, how you could have, just gone. And you would be away, living as, you used to, before, you came to faith, in the Lord Jesus Christ.

[22:08] But you're not. And despite all the knocks, and all the bangs, and all the difficulties, and all the trials, and troubles, and all the depressions, and all the dangers, and all the sorrows, that have come into your life, you're still, following the Lord.

[22:24] Why? Because this is real, it is genuine faith. Now, we have a definition, of faith, at the beginning. We have an assurance, of things hoped for, the conviction, of things not seen.

[22:38] In other words, faith makes things, that we don't see, as certain, and real to us, as the things, that we do see. We are as absolutely, you today as a Christian, I today as a Christian, although we've never seen heaven, we've never seen the glory, that lies beyond.

[22:56] We are as, as we are, as we are, of what is happening, around us right now. That's what faith does. It brings what we can't see, into the reality, of where we are, and fully accepting it.

[23:12] It's wonderful. And that's how we live, as Christians. You see, it's by faith, that we accept, the truth of God's word. It's by faith, that we come to, accept the Lord Jesus Christ, as saviour.

[23:28] It's by faith, that we believe, that the world, was created by God. That's what we're told, in verse 2. By faith, we understand, that the universe, was created, by the word of God.

[23:42] It's by faith, we believe, that the Lord Jesus Christ, is coming again. It's by faith, we believe, that the Lord Jesus, hears our cry, when we call to him.

[23:53] It's by faith, that we believe, in the resurrection, of the dead. The unbelieving world, by and large, does not believe, in the coming again, of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[24:06] Many of them, don't believe in him anyway, but they don't believe, in the second coming. In fact, Peter tells us, that in the last days, there will be mockers, and scoffers, and he'll be saying, where is the promise, of his coming?

[24:18] Where's the fulfillment? But you and I, know one day, he's going to come. And the sharper, our eye of faith, the more that, we will be looking out, for that day.

[24:30] In fact, it's a question, we need to ask ourselves, are you today thinking, that maybe, it could be today, that the Lord Jesus Christ, returns? We don't know. Not even the angels, in heaven know, when that will be, but one day, that event, is going to take place.

[24:48] And, when we read through, this chapter, we read through, about all these, great men and women, of long ago, and they were all, noted for their faith. Now, it's not a complete list, but they're noted, because of their faith.

[25:03] And we're told, that these exercised, great faith, and received, a good report. Now, while there are, as we say, there are many names, listed, in this role of, honour, this role of honour, of faith, as it were, there's this man, Enoch, and very little is told, as about him, in the Bible.

[25:26] As we said, we read from, Genesis chapter 5, and just highlighted there, very simply, it tells us, that Enoch, walked with God, and God took him. That's very simply, God took him.

[25:38] Now, it's very interesting, when you read, Genesis 5, now, Mr McKeever, on Wednesday evening, was looking at, Genesis 4, the aftermath, of the fall, and what, what, what happened, looking both, down the line, from, from Abel, and Seth, and also, the line of Cain.

[26:02] And, one of the things, that strikes you, when you come, into Genesis chapter 5, is, it's kind of a, like a, family tree, or genealogies, and it's giving, the generations.

[26:15] And of course, they lived, before the flood, they lived, for a long, long time. but irrespective, of how long, they lived, it, Genesis 5, is full of names, and numbers.

[26:29] Names of people, and the length, of time, that they lived. But it also tells us, and they died. They all died, irrespective, of how long, they lived.

[26:40] Methuselah, nearly lived a thousand years, 969 years, but he died. And that's what's going to happen, unless the Lord Jesus, returns first. It's a solemn reminder to us, that irrespective, of how long we live, that at the end of the day, there will be death.

[26:59] But Genesis 4, and that whole part, is very interesting, because it's there, that we begin to see, the development of, sort of, like musical instruments, and just various, sort of things, achievements, and building, and all the rest of it.

[27:19] And it tells us, how many of the things, in this world, began. But you know, at the end of the day, whatever our achievements, may be, and don't get me wrong, I'm not belittling, the many great achievements, that people, achieve in this world.

[27:37] If we don't achieve, salvation, if we don't, have the Lord Jesus Christ, as our Saviour. do you want us, we've got nothing. We really have nothing. Because we enter death alone, and into the great eternity alone, separate from God.

[27:54] And that is a, that is a picture that, is too awful to contemplate. To be without God, and without hope in this world, ends up, an eternity, without God.

[28:06] So, irrespective of what we achieve, let us make sure, that the achievement, of our life is, that we, that we, seek the Lord, with all our heart. Now, as we read through, and see about Enoch, who we're told, in Jude, I think it is, that he was the seventh from Adam.

[28:27] There are three things, really, that strike us, just in mentioning, that at the age of 65, he became the father of Methuselah, who we mentioned, was the oldest man, who ever lived 969 years.

[28:40] Enoch, was also known, for his godliness, and Enoch, was known, as only one of two men, that never died.

[28:52] Now, one of the things, as you read through, Genesis 4, 5 and 6, is, that the world, was becoming, it was becoming, every year, and every generation, it was becoming worse, and worse, and worse.

[29:08] And it, in fact, it got so bad, by the end, that by the time, it came to, to Noah, that the Lord, this is what, that the Lord had said, that the wickedness of man, was great in the, in the earth, and every intention, of the thoughts, of his heart, was only evil, continually.

[29:30] Yeah, that's extraordinary. everything, every thought, was evil. Everything. And you know, if ever there is an argument, against, evolution, and, out evolving, into, better people, it is the sin, of the human heart.

[29:53] You would say, that by now, as we are here, in the year 2020, that surely, we would have learned, to live, with one another, that the whole world, would now be in peace, and in harmony, it's anything but.

[30:09] It is constantly, war, and rumor, of war, there is hatred, there is bitterness, there is violence, it's, there's no change. the world, that was, spiraling, out of control, against God, where he eventually, came in judgment, against it, because there was only, one family, that he could find, in the whole earth, that Noah, alone, found grace, in his sight.

[30:35] And Noah, his wife, and his three sons, and their wives, were saved, from the flood. That's how low, it had become. But we've seen, the world is, we've seen this, constant, as it were, spiraling, downwards, and downwards, and downwards, away from God.

[30:53] And when we, push God out, it's inevitable, that it's just, debauchery, and corruption, that comes in its wake. But the amazing thing, is that God, will always have his witness.

[31:04] And he had his witness, back then. And so we have, Enoch was a living witness, Noah was a living witness, in his day as well. Irrespective of, how low the cause goes, God will have his people, who are living witnesses, and testifying, to the grace of God.

[31:23] And you know, the holier a person, becomes in their life, and the more Christ-like, they become, the more powerful, that witness is. Now, you don't become holier, and Christ-like, by, being self-righteous.

[31:39] It is, allowing God, to work in you, and through you. It is, seeking that, the Lord Jesus, will through his Holy Spirit, transform your life.

[31:52] And that, through that transformation, that your life, will speak, and witness, and testify, to other people. That's the way it works. Not that we ourselves, it's not, it's not that we're saying, all right, I'm going to be, a good witness here, allowing the Lord, to work through us.

[32:11] Now, it's also interesting, before we, actually, focus, on Enoch as such, that there was another Enoch, in Genesis chapter 4. And this one, this Enoch, was descended from Canaan.

[32:23] As like a lot of people, they wanted their name, to be remembered. And so, he built a city, in order that his name, would be remembered. The funny thing is, that that city, was destroyed in the flood.

[32:36] And, unless we really, with a fine tooth comb, go through Genesis 4, we won't know of this Enoch. But the other Enoch, who didn't go out, to make a name for himself, his name is remembered.

[32:51] Because God, God has witnessed, in his word, of the, this wonderful man, that he actually, pleased God. And God took him.

[33:03] And you know, this is the amazing thing, is that, many of those, who try to make a name, for themselves, are well and truly forgotten. But those, who have tried to live, in order to make a name, for the Lord, the Lord has seen fit, to keep their name going.

[33:19] That's what we write about, in Psalm 112. The righteous man's memorial, shall everlasting prove. So we're told of, Enoch, that he pleased God.

[33:34] Now, wouldn't that be wonderful, to have on your gravestone? You could have put on, Abraham's gravestone, a friend of God. Isn't that wonderful? You could have put on, David's gravestone, a man after God's own heart.

[33:49] You could have put on, Daniel's gravestone, beloved of God. Of course, Enoch didn't have a gravestone. But, what was his, great testimony is, that he pleased God.

[34:05] And, how did Enoch, please God? Well, very simply, that he walked with God. Now, when we walk, when we walk, anywhere, we're going somewhere.

[34:19] And, it's very obvious, that Enoch was somebody, who was walking on earth. But, he was walking towards heaven. Heaven was his aim. Heaven was his goal.

[34:30] And, that's how every Christian, ought to be walking as well, that we're walking, with God. So, Enoch was walking to glory. And, he walked so clearly, and he walked so closely, with God, that one day, God just took him.

[34:43] And, Enoch was no more, in this world at all. Enoch was a man, who was living for another world. And, one day, God just took him, to that other world. And, you know, you and I must remember, that, we are simply pilgrims.

[34:58] That's what the Bible tells us, that we're pilgrims, and strangers in this world. And, yes, we live in this world, and we have a right, to enjoy life, as we go through it, and enjoy all the different things, that happen in life, and the blessings, that come into our life.

[35:15] Of course we do. And, we'd be wrong, to try and live in a way, where we don't enjoy anything. We go through the Bible, and it's very clear, that many of the Old Testament saints, they lived life to the full.

[35:28] But, their focus was, always upon the Lord. And, they hung loosely, to the things of this world. And, so must you and I. That the things in this world, while there are many great blessings, and things to enjoy, they're always, God is hang loose to them, because they are not, the number one priority.

[35:52] God is. And, let us also remember this, that the Bible tells us, that we are being saved, from, this present evil world. So that, when we are saved, we're saved from this world, because, we're told that this world, is going to, melt with fervent, it's going to burn up, everything in it.

[36:11] So that's why it's mad, to give all our time, and all our attention, and all our energy, and all our resources, and all our money, and everything, simply to what, which is, what we're going to have to leave behind, and it's eventually, going to be destroyed.

[36:26] And that's why, we must hang loosely, to these things. Yes, have them, yes, enjoy it, enjoy everything, but remember, that it is only, for a time.

[36:39] What is forever, and what lasts forever, is, our relationship, with the Lord. And so, this is what we ought to pursue, more and more, as we journey, through life.

[36:51] And so, we find that, the moment that we're, born again, we begin to walk. We walk with God, and we walk, towards, the heavenly city.

[37:04] And whenever we walk, with God, that's where God is taking us. The two go together. The moment we're saved, we begin to walk with God, and as we walk with God, we're beginning to journey, to that heavenly city.

[37:16] And the Christian, alone, knows the way. Not that we know, everything that's going to take place, but we know that the way, is in Jesus. Jesus said, I am the way.

[37:27] And the moment, we come to faith, in Jesus Christ, we know that we're, in the right way. That he, knows the way, because he is the way. And so, as we walk, through this world, we walk, with our eyes, fixed upon Jesus.

[37:42] And we walk, let's say this, we walk, looking to the Lord, as our master. He, calls the shots, as it were.

[37:53] He is our master, we are the servant. And we will say, Lord, I will, I will do what you, ask me. Remember when Paul, was converted, Saul, and he says, Lord, what will you have me to do?

[38:08] And that's a cry, that comes from every heart, once we come to faith, in Jesus Christ. Lord, what will you have me to do? And we know that whatever, that God's commands, are right.

[38:21] So, he is our master. So that, we walk with him, as our master. We also walk with him, as our king. He is the ruler, of our life. We are subject to him.

[38:33] And we're happy, with that rule, in our life. We've said it before, the biggest problem, with regard to, faith in Jesus Christ, is people are not prepared, to have another ruler, in their own heart.

[38:47] They want to rule. I want to be in charge, of my life. I do not want, someone else, dictating to me, how I must live.

[38:59] That's a problem. But when we come to faith, when we come to the Lord, Jesus Christ, we are actually happy, for that to happen. Lord, will you take my life? Because I, I can't, I can't, deal with this, anymore myself.

[39:14] I don't know the way, I don't know what to do. Lord, I'm making a mess, of my life. You have to take over. That's what faith does. Comes to the Lord, and is willing, that the Lord, will become king, and ruler in our life.

[39:27] But we don't only, walk with the Lord, as our master, and our king, but also, as a bridegroom. It's a walk of love. Where the two, can two walk together, except that I agree.

[39:40] You don't go, meet somebody, you don't see somebody, coming off the ferry, or off the plane, and say, hey, can I go for a walk with you? They'll think, well, who's this? You don't go walking, with a stranger. You walk, with someone, that you know, and someone, that you love.

[39:58] And that's, that's, what the Lord, is doing with us. And remember this, always remember, the Lord, wants to walk with us, more, than we want to walk with him.

[40:13] If you and I today, could see just how much, the Lord is wanting us, to be walking with him. Because we, his people, are his delight, his portion in this world.

[40:26] And, we sometimes forget that. Back before the fall, Adam, walked with God. The moment the fall came, Adam, ran away, from God.

[40:39] He no longer, wanted to walk, with God. He was scared. But you know, that's where, the Lord finds us. When Jesus, who has come to seek, and to save, he finds us running away.

[40:52] But he has come, to seek, and to save. And the moment, that we're saved, we begin again, to walk with the Lord. And as we said, we walk, when we begin to walk, with the Lord, we're walking, to glory.

[41:05] And so we walk, as we said, we're walking, through this world, every single day. And, as the scripture says, can two walk together, except they be agreed.

[41:16] And you see, that's what happens, when we become Christians. We agree, with what God says. Before that, we didn't. We would pick, and choose, what we might want to, agree with the Bible.

[41:27] But we weren't in agreement, with God. But once we come to faith, in Jesus Christ, we come into, agreement. However, it's very important, as believers, that we are careful, in our work.

[41:43] Because we cannot, enjoy, the intimacy, and the fellowship, with the Lord, if we're living, in sin. If we are, if we're, if we're, of course, we're sinners.

[41:56] But if we're living, in active disobedience, to the Lord. If our lives, are daily, living, in active disobedience, to the Lord. We cannot enjoy, communion, and fellowship, with them.

[42:07] It doesn't work. And so, it's important, that we're, we're seeking, to, to walk, in a right way, in a pure way, in an honest way, before God.

[42:19] And walking, with God, means that we're, walking all the time. Not just on a Sunday, or, on a certain time, for the week, but all the time. Walking with God, is that we have, a vision of God, with us.

[42:31] That we're seeking, to have his presence, with us all the time. We're seeking, to have a spirit, of worship, every day. And that's important. And we should be, seeing God's hand.

[42:43] Ask the Lord, Lord, may I see your hand, in everything. Give me the spirit, of adoration. The spirit of praise, spirit of worship. Asking Lord, for forgiveness, for direction, to be praying, for others.

[42:54] That there's this, constant, interaction, between heaven, and earth. And that's part, and partial, of our lives. Not in a showy way. Can't do in a showy way.

[43:06] If we're doing a showy way, that's not walking, with God. This is privately, this is how we, how we live. And if we do that, then we are, walking with God. And so, this idea of living, and so, we must be, much in prayer, and much in the word.

[43:22] So, Enoch walked with God, and one day, he wasn't, because God took him. Now, I don't know, whether, God revealed, to, someone in his family, what had happened, or whether, somebody, in his family, saw, in the way that, Elisha, was able to see, Elijah, being taken.

[43:44] But anyway, God has made it known, that he just took, Enoch. And, Enoch is only one of two, that have ever been taken, out of this world, without dying.

[43:56] We will all die, unless the Lord Jesus Christ, returns first. And what a day, that would be. I often try and think, imagine, imagine what it would be like, everybody will be going about, their work is normal, and then all of a sudden, the Lord will return.

[44:15] For those who are, alive when the Lord returns, they don't see death. For all the believers, they will be, taken up, to meet the Lord, in the air. The graves will be opened, and the bodies will rise, to be reunited, with the soul, and glory.

[44:32] But you know, the wonderful thing, about Enoch, being taken is, that there were, there are three, people in glory, with their bodies.

[44:44] And the first of those, was Enoch. And he was taken, in the period, from the beginning of the world, to the flood, when the world, was destroyed completely. But Enoch, remained in glory, with a body.

[44:59] And then the next period, was from the flood, to the coming, of the Lord Jesus Christ. And then Elijah, was taken. And then, the other one, in the body, in glory, of course, is our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

[45:15] And so, in each of these, periods in life, before the flood, after the flood, and in gospel times, there is somebody, there in glory, with a body.

[45:26] Assuring the saints, in glory, that they too, will one day, be clothed, with their bodies as well. It will be wonderful. Perfect bodies, that will fit, perfect souls.

[45:41] What a day, only faith, can lay hold on that, can accept that, can understand it, can believe it. What a hope. Are you walking today, with the Lord?

[45:52] If not, it's time to start. Because, surely, you want, at the end of the day, to go to be with the Lord. Well, if you want to go to be with the Lord, begin, by walking with him.

[46:06] And today, is the perfect opportunity, to begin that walk. We're going to conclude singing, from Psalm 22, and sing Psalms, Psalm 22, and sing Psalms, from verse 27, the whole earth, will remember him, and turn towards the Lord, their God.

[46:25] All peoples will bow down to him, the nations, of the world, abroad. Dominion to the Lord, belongs, and over nations, he is king. The rich of all the earth, will feast and worship, with an offering.

[46:40] And so on, to verse 31. The whole earth, will remember him, and turn towards the Lord, their God.

[46:56] All peoples will bow down to him, the nations of the world, abroad.

[47:08] Dominion to the Lord belongs, and over nations, and over nations, he is king.

[47:19] The rich of all, the earth will feast, and worship with an offering, and worship with an offering.

[47:35] All those whose destiny is dust, will humbly kneel before his throne, they cannot keep themselves alive, for they depend on him alone.

[47:59] Hostility will serve the Lord, and generations still to come, will tell our people yet unborn, the righteous acts that he has done, the righteous acts that he has done.

[48:28] Now may the grace, mercy, and peace of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, rest and abide upon each one of you now, and forevermore. Amen. Please join again this evening, if you're able to, the evening service at half past six, and that service will be conducted by the Reverend James McKeever.