WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:08.980 I will extend a very warm welcome to everybody this evening as we come to what is a wonderful 00:00:08.980 --> 00:00:14.900 occasion in many ways and yet it's sad also that we're marking the retirement of Reverend 00:00:14.900 --> 00:00:20.820 James McKeever and giving thanks for his ministry here and also throughout the church. 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:27.100 So there'll be one or two announcements given at the end so we're going to begin our service 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:38.960 singing to God's praise from Psalm 48a verses 8 to 14 that's in Sing Psalms Psalm 48a verses 8 to 14. 00:00:41.780 --> 00:00:50.480 As we have heard so have we seen God's city will endure the Lord Almighty evermore his city keeps 00:00:50.479 --> 00:00:58.459 secure we contemplate your steadfast love within your house oh God for like your name your praise 00:00:58.459 --> 00:01:06.519 extends through all the earth abroad all that you do is righteous Lord Mount Zion's joy is great and 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:13.439 Judah's towns rejoice as they your judgments celebrate round Zion walk and count her towers 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:21.179 view every citadel so that the children yet unborn her story you may tell for God the Lord who is our God 00:01:21.179 --> 00:01:28.319 forever will abide he is our God forevermore and to the end our guide we'll stand to sing 00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:30.319 Psalm 48a verses 8 to 14. 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:32.259 As we have heard so have we seen 00:01:32.259 --> 00:01:32.319 As we have heard so have we seen 00:01:32.319 --> 00:01:44.319 As we have heard so have we seen 00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:46.259 God's city 00:01:46.259 --> 00:01:47.319 God's city 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:47.779 God's city 00:01:47.779 --> 00:01:48.319 God's city 00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:49.219 God's city 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:50.579 God's city 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:53.719 God's city 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:54.519 God's city 00:01:54.519 --> 00:01:55.919 the Lord almighty 00:01:55.919 --> 00:02:05.619 God's city 00:02:05.619 --> 00:02:08.299 God's city 00:02:08.299 --> 00:02:09.199 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:44.299 Thank you. 00:02:44.319 --> 00:03:14.299 Thank you. 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:16.319 Thank you. 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:46.319 Thank you. 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:16.319 Thank you. 00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:18.319 Thank you. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:20.319 Thank you. 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:22.319 Thank you. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:24.319 Thank you. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:26.319 Thank you. 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:28.319 Thank you. 00:04:28.319 --> 00:04:30.319 Thank you. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:31.319 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:02.319 Thank you. 00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:04.319 Thank you. 00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:06.319 Thank you. 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:08.319 Thank you. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:10.319 Thank you. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:12.319 Thank you. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:14.319 Thank you. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:16.319 Thank you. 00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:18.319 Thank you. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:20.319 Thank you. 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:27.339 is there and the glory that has been given to you and the way that the church triumphant 00:05:27.339 --> 00:05:36.899 praises and exalts the Lord. We would find it as we are here so difficult to fully comprehend and 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:44.399 understand. But we give thanks Lord that in Jesus Christ one day that will be our portion and lot 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:51.199 us well. We pray that you will bless us as we wait upon you tonight in the singing of your word, 00:05:51.299 --> 00:05:57.039 in the reading of your word, in the preaching of it. And we give thanks Lord for the occasion which 00:05:57.039 --> 00:06:06.279 brings us together here. And we give thanks Lord for your servant James's ministry here and throughout 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:12.199 the church over the years. We give thanks Lord for the abilities that you gave him and he'd be the 00:06:12.199 --> 00:06:20.360 first to recognize that whatever abilities he had they were given by you. And so we give thanks Lord 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:28.919 for the great administrative ability he had, the pastoring wisdom that he had, the teaching skills 00:06:28.919 --> 00:06:36.639 that he was given where he was able to bring us into pastures new even although sometimes it was 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:45.339 the truth that we were familiar with. We always got a new insight, a new understanding. And so we pray 00:06:45.339 --> 00:06:55.180 Lord that you will bless him and Donna as they enter into a new sphere, a new way, a new time in their lives. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:07:03.219 And we pray that you will bless them with many years of retirement, with health and with strength, 00:07:03.220 --> 00:07:09.500 and that they will know the abundance of your joy, the abundance of your grace, 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:19.780 and the supreme filling of their hearts with your love. And we give thanks Lord for all that they 00:07:19.780 --> 00:07:28.320 brought to this congregation. And we give thanks Lord for such a faithful ministry, such a dedicated 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:36.060 ministry, such a committed ministry. And we give thanks Lord that he touched our hearts and we will 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:45.500 prayerfully remember him and Donna. We also pray for the family. We pray for Kershna and Andy and their 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:53.600 family. We pray Lord for Ian and Annas and their family and we pray for Ali and Eli. Ask Lord that you will 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:59.600 bless them all and that you will guide them and keep them, protect them and lead them in the right way. 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:06.780 We give thanks Lord for your providence that brought Calamurdo and Joanne here and pray your blessing upon 00:08:06.780 --> 00:08:12.760 them. And ask Lord that as we are now entering into a vacancy, we pray your blessing upon the 00:08:12.760 --> 00:08:18.800 intermoderator Colin McLeod. And pray Lord your guidance and your wisdom and direction. 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:26.780 Grant us the patience and the faith to look to you and to wait upon you so that we will be clear in 00:08:26.780 --> 00:08:36.419 the way forward. We are aware that you are far keener that we would know your will than we sometimes 00:08:36.419 --> 00:08:44.860 are to find it. And so we pray Lord that we might wait upon you and learn to do that. We ask that you 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:51.060 will be with us then and also as we will soon make our way through to the hall. We give thanks for the 00:08:51.060 --> 00:08:55.960 wonderful provision that has been made there. We give thanks for all the willing hearts and willing 00:08:55.960 --> 00:09:03.860 hands that were involved in the preparation and all that takes place in this. Lord we give thanks Lord 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:09.740 that you are the God who equips your church with so many different gifts and different abilities. 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:17.840 and it's wonderful to see people working happily and in unity together. Lord we again give thanks Lord 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:27.120 for James service not just here but to the courts of this of the church at large to East Kilbride and to 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:35.759 Knock. And we give thanks Lord for the impact that these ministries had and the lasting good that it 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:43.080 brought. And so we pray that James and Donna will remain in our hearts and remain in our prayers. 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:50.919 And we ask now that as we come to your word that you will bless this word to us. We pray that you 00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:56.799 will have mercy upon us and you will guide us and you will keep us. We remember also the induction 00:09:56.799 --> 00:10:03.860 tonight taking place in Greyfriars. We pray for Ian McCritchie and ask Lord that as he will begin a new 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:10.560 ministry there. That he will know the power of your spirit upon him and that he will be blessed your 00:10:10.560 --> 00:10:18.480 goodness and mercy accompanying him all the days of his life. And that he will know the fruit for his 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:26.300 labor because we know that no labor in the Lord is in vain. Watch over us then we pray. Cleanse us 00:10:26.299 --> 00:10:30.359 from our every sin. In Jesus name we ask all. Amen. 00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:36.659 Calamurda is going to bring the word of God. He's going to read from Joshua to us. 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:45.879 We'll turn to reading God's word. We're going to read in Joshua and chapter 3. 00:10:48.579 --> 00:10:51.679 Joshua chapter 3. We're going to read the whole of this chapter. 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:56.379 Let's hear the word of God. 00:10:58.379 --> 00:11:03.599 Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim and they came to the Jordan. 00:11:04.099 --> 00:11:10.539 He and all the people of Israel and lodged there before they passed over. At the end of three days 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:16.959 the officers went through the camp and commanded the people. As soon as you see the ark of the covenant 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:23.240 of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests then you shall set out from your place 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:30.160 and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it about two thousand cubits in length. 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:38.060 Do not come near it in order that you may know the way you shall go for you have not passed this way 00:11:38.060 --> 00:11:46.120 before. Then Joshua said to the people consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:53.240 among you. And Joshua said to the priests take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the 00:11:53.240 --> 00:12:00.820 people. So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. The Lord said to Joshua 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:09.120 today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel that they might that they may know that as I 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:16.840 was with Moses so I will be with you. And as for you command the priests who bear the ark of the 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:23.740 covenant when you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan you shall stand still in the Jordan. 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:31.360 And Joshua said to the people of Israel come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:38.800 And Joshua said here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without 00:12:38.800 --> 00:12:45.700 fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perisites, the Gergashites, 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:52.740 the Amorites and the Jebusites. Behold the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is 00:12:52.740 --> 00:13:00.180 passing over before you into the Jordan. Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel from each 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:07.620 tribe a man and when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord the Lord of 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:14.279 all the earth shall rest in the waters of the Jordan the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:22.439 flowing and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap. So when the people set out from 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:28.339 their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:35.720 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan and the feet of the priests bearing 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:42.680 the ark were dipped in the brink of the water now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:52.240 of harvest. The waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away at Adam the city that is 00:13:52.240 --> 00:14:01.480 beside Sarathon and those flowing down towards the sea of the Arabah the salt sea were completely cut off 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:09.320 and the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:16.820 stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan and all Israel was passing over on dry ground 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:25.800 until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan. Amen and may God bless that reading from his word. 00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:40.780 Let's turn again to this chapter that we're reading that we've been reading chapter 3 and verse 4 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:49.899 that's what I want us to focus on tonight. It tells us here yet there shall be a distance between you and it 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:57.519 about 200 cubits in length. That's the ark. Do not come near it in order that you may know the way you shall go 00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:01.519 for you have not passed this way before. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:14.819 As we know tonight is a very significant night for the congregation here and also for James and for Donna. 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:23.899 It's a night where we as a congregation bid farewell to them and it's going to be hard for us to imagine 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:32.379 what it's going to be like without James' masterful and calm and yet strong leadership. 00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:43.139 We will miss so much his teaching, his preaching, his pastoring because he has brought us into the word of God 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:51.079 in a wonderful way and we've all been enriched. Every single one of us has learned under his ministry 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:54.220 and some have come to faith under his ministry. 00:15:55.060 --> 00:15:59.900 But it's a feature of this world that all good things come to an end. 00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:05.220 Not a feature of the world to come but a feature of the world that we're living in. 00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:16.300 And when we come to this book, the book of Joshua, we find that the great prophet Moses has died. 00:16:16.300 --> 00:16:20.860 That's how the chapter opens. Moses, my servant, is now dead. 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:26.580 Therefore, arise and lead this people over the Jordan into the land of promise. 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:37.980 And we are thankful that for James, he has come to the three score years and ten in good health and in good strength. 00:16:38.800 --> 00:16:45.039 Because the older people here will be aware that it's been different. 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:53.480 There were three successive ministries here where your minister, they passed away while still in office. 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:57.599 Kenneth McRae, Murdo McCritchie and Murdo Alec MacLeod. 00:16:57.719 --> 00:16:59.179 Three successive ministries. 00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:03.699 So that was a time of great sadness. 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:08.740 And although we're sad tonight with the parting, with James and Donna leaving us, 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:16.179 we're also extremely grateful and thankful for health and strength and for Donna's recovering health. 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:25.259 But the focus that we have here is how God's work continues, irrespective of who is leading. 00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:29.240 Moses is dead, but God's work doesn't stop. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:36.700 And Joshua is now the one who has been assigned to lead Israel into the land of promise. 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:48.580 And I think one of the features of the book of Joshua is where we see so much of having to discover the mind and the will of God. 00:17:49.620 --> 00:17:54.900 That God makes it very clear to them that the only way of true success, 00:17:54.900 --> 00:18:03.080 the only way where they're going to prosper is by waiting upon him and getting their timetable from him, 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:11.360 their strategies from him, their plans from him, and waiting at every stage for the command from God. 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:18.280 And there's a lot of lessons in that for all of us, not just as a congregation, but also individually as well, 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:21.759 that we always get our timetable from the Lord. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.059 It's a journey of faith. 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:29.000 And a journey of faith involves waiting upon the Lord. 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:33.619 And that's very difficult because we live particularly in the age that we live in, 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.140 we live in the age of the instant. 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.379 Everything is instant. 00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:38.440 We expect the instant. 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:40.500 We expect things to happen right away. 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:43.920 And people get frustrated if it doesn't happen right away. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:46.279 But that's not often. 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:48.660 It's not the way that God works. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:51.359 God works very often in a different way. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:56.259 And we know that sometimes God works before we ask. 00:18:57.079 --> 00:19:01.440 Sometimes God works while we're asking. 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:06.359 Sometimes God works immediately after we've asked. 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:13.339 Sometimes God appears not to be working very, very slowly. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:18.359 Sometimes it appears as if God is not working at all. 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:24.299 And there are even times when it appears to us that God is working against himself. 00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:28.859 But that's because our vision and our understanding is so limited. 00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:39.519 And we so often just are so involved in our own wee life and what we have here that we fail to see that God is a big picture. 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:44.699 And a great view of everything at hand. 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:51.000 And so God is teaching the importance of waiting upon him. 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:56.640 And one of the things that we learn as we wait upon the Lord is patience. 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:58.799 One of the most necessary graces. 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:04.680 And in some ways the most difficult to achieve, to reach. 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:08.820 Because there is a natural impatience in all of us. 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:20.539 So here we find that under God's command, Joshua and all Israel make their way to the Jordan River, to the banks of the Jordan. 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:23.939 And we find that the Jordan is in full spate. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:26.700 We find that in verse 15. 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:38.220 It tells us there that, and as soon as the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest. 00:20:38.340 --> 00:20:39.319 And that's when it was. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:45.640 The water, it was almost as if the Jordan was in full spate at that time. 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:55.360 And so God has brought the nation of Israel to this river that is flowing, that is overflowing, that is flooding. 00:20:56.600 --> 00:20:58.980 And Israel are wondering, how are we going to cross? 00:20:59.300 --> 00:21:09.380 Now I'm sure immediately when they came there they would say, which is natural, when we face a problem or a difficulty, there is a natural optimism. 00:21:09.840 --> 00:21:11.440 That we'll find a way. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:21.140 But you and I know the longer that we stand facing the issue, the problem, the more difficult it becomes. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.400 And that's what God is doing. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:29.080 He's bringing Israel to look on this raging torrent of water day after day after day. 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:32.660 And that's what faith does, the journey of faith. 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:35.320 It brings us to face the impossible. 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:39.200 Where at the end we're shut in, as it were, and shut up to God alone. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:42.360 And that's what God often does. 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:45.200 He brings us to the end of ourselves. 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:51.740 Where we can no longer look to our own resources or depend on our own wisdom or our own strength. 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:55.480 Because as long as we can do that, we're very slow to ask God. 00:21:56.680 --> 00:22:03.460 But God so often brings us to the point where there's no one else we can go to. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.840 And we have to say, Lord, help. 00:22:05.100 --> 00:22:06.259 I'm stuck here. 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.779 I don't know what to do. 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:16.220 And so it's important that we understand that God's strategy is primarily a spiritual one. 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:21.440 Because you'll find that in verse 5, we find, 00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:23.399 Then Joshua said to the people, 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:28.920 Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:38.480 Now here's the nation of Israel, and they're just about to go into battle against the nations in the promised land. 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:47.340 And you'd expect the command to be, right, get out your shields, get out your swords, put on your armor, flex your muscles, get ready for fight. 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:47.660 No. 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:50.340 It's consecrate yourselves. 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:52.339 Because the journey is spiritual. 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:54.240 Because the journey is spiritual. 00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:57.000 And we've always got to remember that. 00:22:57.419 --> 00:22:59.859 Every day of our life, the journey is spiritual. 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:06.019 And even though James is now retiring, the journey is still spiritual. 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:07.959 Although it will be different. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:13.219 That doesn't change the main emphasis, the main purpose of life. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:17.859 And our journey in this vacancy is also spiritual. 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:20.619 If we forget that, we've lost our way. 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:27.859 So God is saying to Israel, before you move, consecrate yourselves. 00:23:28.979 --> 00:23:36.259 And we find that what now takes center stage in the crossing is the Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:40.619 which, of course, was kept in the most holy place, the Holy of Holies. 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.619 And it would be worth looking. 00:23:42.219 --> 00:23:43.319 We're not going to do that tonight. 00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:46.419 We don't have time looking at the Ark, what was in it and all. 00:23:46.419 --> 00:23:50.500 But it was, the Ark, of course, symbolized the presence of God. 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:57.359 And on the Ark, there were hooks where staves were put through in order that the priests could carry the Ark. 00:23:58.219 --> 00:24:01.379 And the priests were going to walk to the water. 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:08.379 And the moment they put their feet into the water, the waters of the Jordan were going to stop. 00:24:08.459 --> 00:24:10.399 And Israel were going to pass over. 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:16.099 And that's why the Lord says to them, you have not passed this way before. 00:24:16.439 --> 00:24:18.219 Because everything was changing. 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:22.100 The old order was giving way to a new order. 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:30.920 You see, in the past, as they went through the wilderness, these 40 years, it was a great pillar of cloud that led them by day, 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:35.039 the pillar of fire by night to give them light and warmth. 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:37.740 But it symbolized the presence of God. 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:41.240 But no longer was the pillar of cloud going to be there. 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:45.039 It was the Ark of the Covenant that was going to lead. 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:50.120 Also, for 40 years, they had been fed by manna from heaven. 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:52.380 The manna was going to cease. 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:56.200 And they were going to now eat of the produce of the land. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:58.079 It was all going to be different. 00:24:58.079 --> 00:25:14.539 But you'll notice the key, which is so important, that as the people were to cross over, you find that the Ark was to be carried at a distance of about 200 cubits in length away from them. 00:25:14.919 --> 00:25:16.179 It was a way ahead. 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:17.639 Why? 00:25:18.179 --> 00:25:21.619 So that all the people could look at the Ark. 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:27.799 People weren't taking, what do I do by following the person in front of them? 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:31.359 They were all focused on the Ark. 00:25:32.239 --> 00:25:34.139 When the Ark moved, they moved. 00:25:34.439 --> 00:25:36.500 When the Ark stopped, they stopped. 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.659 So it is for ourselves. 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:41.899 Our eyes must be upon the Christ of the covenant. 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:44.479 And we are to follow him. 00:25:44.479 --> 00:25:49.899 And so it will be also for James as well as he enters into retirement. 00:25:49.900 --> 00:26:02.340 As James comes to hang up his collar, so to speak, after 37 years of wonderful service, his days of service aren't over. 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.019 He'll still be preaching. 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.880 He'll still be teaching. 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.940 He'll still be visiting. 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.759 He'll still be involved. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.920 But it will be different. 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:20.740 Because a lot of the response he sheds, a lot of the responsibilities, a lot of the worries that are part and partial of ministry. 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:29.660 But although we're into what we term retirement, it isn't a retirement from battle. 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:31.920 It isn't a retirement from service. 00:26:32.580 --> 00:26:37.560 It's a retirement from the pastoral work of a congregation. 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:41.599 And so James will need the very same leading. 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:44.659 It's the Lord who led him to this point of retirement. 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:49.839 And I'm sure James looked for the Lord's mind and will in. 00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:51.200 Because it's something we do. 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.399 When do I retire? 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:52.779 When? 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:55.980 We're always looking to the Lord for whatever. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:27:09.380 And so as James comes to this point, as a congregation, let us assure him and Donna and the family that we will continue to remember them in prayer. 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:18.460 Because I remember when I retired myself, it was one thing I asked you to do was to continue to remember us in prayer. 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:24.920 You see, as a minister, there's a lot of pressures, but there's a lot of privileges. 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:31.960 And one of the great privileges is that you're kind of at the center of people's prayers. 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:34.120 And you can't put a price on that. 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:45.740 So I ask you tonight to commit to remembering in prayer James and Donna and the family as they take their leave from us. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:28:01.000 And I cannot let this occasion pass without also just on behalf of the congregation thanking James for his dedicated, committed, faithful work amongst us. 00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:04.980 And I have to add that he was a dream to work with. 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.920 He's unflappable. 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:08.859 Maybe Donna says differently. 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.439 I don't know. 00:28:09.979 --> 00:28:15.759 But he seems he has this calmness, a strong calmness about him. 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:17.259 And he brings that. 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:19.119 And I'm sure we've all been aware of it. 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:24.779 And there's a kind of a quiet authority, not in a bullish way, but in a quiet way. 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:27.379 And we're going to miss that incredibly. 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:36.020 But it's not only us as a congregation that have to give James thanks, but the whole church at large. 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:41.560 Because there were times when James was Presbytery Clark. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:45.140 There were times when James was Assembly Clark. 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:49.220 And there were times when he was both at the same time. 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:53.020 He was both Presbytery Clark and Assembly Clark. 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:56.480 While still pastoring, while still preaching. 00:28:56.480 --> 00:29:02.720 I remember one time speaking to him when he was Assembly Clark and Presbytery Clark. 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:06.480 And I was asking, how do you do it? 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:08.920 I thought about it for a long time afterwards. 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:12.339 And I just said, I could not do that. 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:15.779 He had a tremendous capacity for work. 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:22.960 So the church owes a great debt to you, James, for your service over all the years. 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:30.059 So let us assure you that we will remember you in our prayers. 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:37.539 And it's wonderful, a great blessing to see children, children, children, to see the generations. 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:43.940 And little Isaiah James, who was born just so recently. 00:29:45.179 --> 00:29:52.859 Just kind of wonder if you paid James and Marianne a few quid to name them Isaiah James, 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:55.439 to get James in with the same name as Isaiah. 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:59.179 Because that's quite wonderful in the one breath. 00:30:00.399 --> 00:30:01.939 One, the great prophet. 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:04.639 Mind you, you weren't too bad a prophet yourself. 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:12.520 But let us assure you of our prayers in all the days to come. 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:17.440 Now, as I say, this is just a brief, very brief word that we're having here. 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:22.600 And we'll very shortly be making our way through to the hall afterwards. 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:28.439 But we're going to now sing to God's praise from Psalm 126. 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:34.679 And I think this is a very fitting psalm for any preacher of the word. 00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:39.159 Because there's no doubt that there are times in the ministry when it is tears. 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:44.359 There's no doubt when we feel overwhelmed by everything. 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:48.939 But we see here in Psalm 126 from the Scottish Psalter, 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:54.059 When Zion's bondage God turned back, as men had dreamed were we. 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:58.500 Then filled with laughter was our mouth, our tongue with melody. 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:02.959 They among the heathens said, The Lord great things for them hath wrought. 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:08.539 The Lord hath done great things for us, whence joy to us is brought. 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:10.779 We'll sing the whole psalm. 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:15.879 And if you take your seats, just whenever we finish singing. 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:19.460 When Zion's bondage God turned back. 00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:29.240 When Zion's bondage God turned back, 00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:35.879 As men that dreamed were we, 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:48.920 Then filled with laughter was our mouth, our tongue with melody. 00:31:51.260 --> 00:31:58.120 We among the heathens said the Lord, 00:31:58.120 --> 00:32:04.920 Great things for them hath wrought. 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:19.500 The Lord hath done great things for us, whence joy to us is brought. 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:32.960 On streams of water in the sun, our bondage Lord recall. 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.720 Than hope and she is brought. 00:32:33.720 --> 00:33:00.500 This no Public Harmony 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:14.500 alone 00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:28.819 i'm just gonna a very brief prayer and i'm also going to ask a blessing on the food which we're 00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:35.859 going to enjoy next door afterwards and i'll also say that the live stream which is taking 00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:44.899 which is on going on just now will stop when this service is over and after about 15 20 minutes it'll 00:33:44.899 --> 00:33:50.500 pick up again i'm saying that for those who may be watching on live stream just now it'll pick up 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:56.179 again in the hall in about 15 20 minutes on the same channel the youtube just go to stormy free 00:33:56.180 --> 00:34:06.740 church and it'll pick up again in about 15 to 20 minutes in the hall let us pray lord our god we 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:13.700 give thanks for being able to reflect upon your word and to sing your word and we pray that you 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:20.500 will bless us as we go through to the hall next door we give thanks for these times where we can 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:28.260 have fellowship and friendship where we're able to reminisce where we're able to enjoy the the 00:34:28.260 --> 00:34:34.500 provisions that have been made we give thanks for people's kindness give thanks for all the love 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:41.860 that is involved and we pray your blessing upon each and every one and tonight as we as a congregation 00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:50.900 again express our gratitude and our thanks for the ministry of james and donna here we know that 00:34:50.900 --> 00:34:58.260 what we say will be echoed by the congregations of knock and iskel bride as well and so we pray that 00:34:58.260 --> 00:35:04.740 you'll be with us and that you'll bless all that is set out before us giving you the glory and the 00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:13.859 thanks for everything take away from us our every sin in jesus name we ask it amen now in going out 00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:20.579 if you i know this may take a little but we'll do so as quickly as possible james and donna are going 00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:27.619 to go to the door here to my left the door that leads through to the hall and they will shake hands with 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:36.739 you there so we'll ask them to go to the door and guys don't spend too long hugging donna because we 00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:43.779 we don't have we don't have too long so if you james and donna if you can go to the door and then 00:35:43.779 --> 00:35:49.539 we'll make our way out that way so they get an opportunity to shake hands with you 00:35:57.619 --> 00:36:07.539 okay 00:36:08.739 --> 00:36:09.539 okay