WEBVTT

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 Now we're going to begin our worship singing today firstly in Psalm 34, Psalm number 34,

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 that's on page number 40, a tuneless St. Stephen.

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 At all times I will bless the Lord, I'll praise Him with my voice.

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 Because I glory in the Lord, let troubled souls rejoice.

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 Together let us praise the Lord, exalt His name with me.

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 I sought the Lord, His answer came, from fears He set me free.

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 The theme of our sermon this morning is Jesus, the light of the world,

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 and that's following on from the Young Folks Club yesterday,

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 which had that theme of Jesus, the light of the world.

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 And in this psalm we find those who are looking to God, who look to Him,

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 that means believing in Him, trusting in Him, that they come to shine with joy.

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 They are like lights, as God gives them that joy.

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 So Psalm 34, verses 1 to 9,

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 At all times I will bless the Lord.

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 At all times I will bless the Lord, I'll bless Him with my voice.

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 Before us I will bless the Lord, let the Lord, let the troubled souls rejoice.

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 To get that grace, praise the Lord, and so will live with me.

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 I sought the Lord, His answer came, from fears He set me free.

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 To get that grace, praise the Lord, let the Lord be with me.

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 To get that grace, praise the Lord, let the Lord be with me.

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 He set His people free.

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 Come, take and see the Lord's truth, who does the heaven is blessed.

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 O hear the Lord, you say, you will not be oppressed.

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 Let's now pray briefly.

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 Our prayer, first of all, is focusing on the children and the young folks.

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 Lord, our gracious God, we thank you that we are together once again here to worship you.

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 And we thank you for the guidance you give us in your word as to how we are to come to worship you.

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 And in what spirit and frame of mind we ought to come to give praise to your name.

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 Help us, Lord, as we have been singing of those who look to you and were brought to shine with joy.

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 That we too, Lord, we pray to shine with that joy that knows Jesus as the joy of the world and the joy of our lives as well.

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 We ask today your blessing, Lord, to follow what was done yesterday at the club.

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 And we pray for all the children who attended, for their families and parents.

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 We pray for the children here today.

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 We give thanks for them and we give thanks, Lord, for the interest their families show in bringing them to church,

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 bringing them to the gospel and teaching them the things of God.

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 Lord, bless them, we pray today, and graciously apply your word to their hearts.

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 Help them in their young lives, Lord, as they develop to continue to look to you

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 and to continue to see you as the light of the world so that they may be guided in that right path

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 and be kept, Lord, and protected from all the evil that is in the world.

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 Lord, we know that there is much darkness in the world, many things that are contrary to what you tell us in your word

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 and would lead us astray and lead us into a different kind of life to what you require of us.

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 And so we pray that you would continue, Lord, to give us your light

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 and to enable the children themselves to walk by the light of your word to guide them through life.

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 Receive our thanks now and go with us into what remains of this day and of this service now.

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 And all we ask is with the pardon of our sin, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

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 Now, yesterday you had Jesus as the light of the world, as the theme of the conference,

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 and that's what we're following through today as well.

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 I was reading recently about a little boy in America,

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 and the little boy had been given some verses to learn or some scripture to learn,

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 and it was in fact this scripture, Jesus being the light of the world.

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 And he was to recite or remember the words of that verse when it came to the assembly

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 or the program that they had for Christmas.

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 So his mum was a wee bit afraid that he wouldn't remember the words.

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 I suppose all mums are like that, or all dads are like that,

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 when their children are taking part in a Christmas concert or something,

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 there's always the fear, well, I hope they don't forget what they were meant to say.

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 And sure enough, this mum was afraid that her little boy would actually remember,

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 would forget the words.

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 So what she did was she made sure that she got a place in the front row of those who were at the assembly,

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 so that if she saw the wee boys beginning to struggle for remembering the words,

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 she would just mouth them and hopefully he would follow.

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 And that's what happened.

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 Sure enough, he actually forgot the words when he came to this line.

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 So as mum went,

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 and the boy still didn't know anything of what she was saying,

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 so the silence just continued.

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 And then she leaned forward out of her seat and whispered,

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 Jesus is the light of, I am the light of the world, is what she said.

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 And the boy said,

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 my mum is the light of the world.

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 And of course that destroyed any sense of concentration.

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 And of course, his mum wasn't the light of the world,

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 or she might have been very bright.

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 Jesus is the light of the world.

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 And that's what the Bible, of course, tells us.

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 That's what we're going to be looking at today.

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 Because the Bible tells us that there is a lot of darkness in the world, bad things.

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 There's a lot of darkness in ourselves as well until Jesus gives us his light.

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 And it's the light of Jesus that enables us to see properly into the darkness

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 and to shine on our lives in such a way that provides for us a safe way onto heaven.

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 Because if we listen to a lot of other voices that tell us,

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 no, you should do this.

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 Forget about God.

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 Forget about the Bible.

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 Jesus, the light of the world.

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 You don't need all of that stuff.

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 Well, that's going to lead us into darkness and into trouble.

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 And we know that that's not going to be good for us at all.

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 So Jesus, as the light of the world, has given us his word,

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 which also is described as a light for our feet in the Psalms.

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 And apart from everything else, Jesus himself is the light of the world.

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 And as he shines brightly into our lives, what does he show?

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 He shows us that we need himself.

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 He shows us that we actually need to have our sins forgiven,

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 that we need to be cleaned up spiritually,

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 and he's the one who forgives our sins.

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 That's why he was given the name Jesus.

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 Remember that the angel came to Joseph and said,

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 Don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife.

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 For the child that will be born, she will bear a son,

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 and you will call his name Jesus,

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 for he will save his people from their sins.

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 That's what his name Jesus really is about.

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 The Savior who saves his people from their sins.

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 So today, as you've been learning about Jesus, the light of the world,

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 we're going to be looking in the sermon later

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 at how we come to know this light for ourselves,

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 and how we need his light in our lives,

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 whatever age we're at.

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 And you today as children are not too young at all

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 to know Jesus for yourselves as the light of the world,

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 the light that gives us eternal life.

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 Now we're going to say the Lord's Prayer together at this point,

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 so let's just say the Lord's Prayer.

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 Our Father, which art in heaven,

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 hallowed be thy name.

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 Thy kingdom come.

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 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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 Give us this day our daily bread,

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 and forgive us our debts,

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 as we forgive our debtors.

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 And lead us not into temptation,

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 but deliver us from evil.

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 For thine is the kingdom,

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 and the power and the glory forever.

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 Amen.

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 I'm going to sing again now.

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 This time we're singing from Psalm 119.

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 It's on page 163,

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 verses 105 to 112.

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 The tune this time is Eventide.

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 And there's the words there that tell us about God's Word being a lamp

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 that shines us for our feet, for our path.

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 Your Word's a lamp that shines before my feet.

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 It is a light that guides me on my way.

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 The oath that I have taken,

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 I have confirmed that all your righteous laws I will obey.

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 We'll sing the four stanzas down to verse 112.

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 Your words, a lamp that shines before my feet.

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 Your words, a lamp that shines before my feet.

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 It is a light that guides me on my way.

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 The oath that I have taken,

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 I have taken, I confirm,

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 that all your righteous laws I will obey.

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 O Lord, you know that I have suffered much.

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 All night that hasOH keep my mind.

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 My rest.

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 Set the lower

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 O Lord, I will notice,

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 We guide you wholly off,

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 Though constantly my life is in my hands,

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 Although the wicked set us there for me,

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 I have not left the path of your commands.

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 Your statutes are my heritage always,

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 And every day they make my heart rejoice.

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 My heart is set on keeping your degrees,

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 And to the very end they are my choice.

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 Let's now read God's Word as we find that today in the Gospel of John.

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 John chapter 9, and we're going to read verses 1 to 25.

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 So John chapter 9 from the beginning.

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 As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from birth,

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 And his disciples asked him,

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 Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,

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 That he was born blind?

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 Jesus answered,

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 It was not that this man sinned, nor his parents,

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 But that the words of God,

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 The works of God might be displayed in him.

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 We must work the works of him who sent me,

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 While it is day, night is coming,

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 When no one can work.

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 As long as I am in the world,

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 I am the light of the world.

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 Having said these things,

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 He spat on the ground and made mud with saliva.

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 Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud,

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 And said to him,

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 Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,

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 Which means scent.

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 So he went and washed and came back seeing.

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 The neighbors and those who had seen him before,

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 As a beggar, were saying,

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 Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?

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 Some said,

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 It is he.

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 Others said,

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 No, but he's like him.

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 He kept saying,

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 I am the man.

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 So they said to him,

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 Then how were your eyes opened?

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 He answered,

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 The man called Jesus made mud,

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 And anointed my eyes,

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 And said to me,

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 Go to Siloam and wash.

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 So I went and washed and received my sight.

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 They said to him,

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 Where is he?

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 He said,

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 I don't know.

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 They brought to the Pharisees,

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 The man who had formerly been blind,

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 And now it was a Sabbath day,

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 When Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes,

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 So the Pharisees again asked him

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 How he had received his sight.

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 And he said to them,

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 He put mud on my eyes,

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 And I washed and I see.

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 Some of the Pharisees said,

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 This man is not from God,

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 For he does not keep the Sabbath.

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 But others said,

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 How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?

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 And there was a division among them.

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 So they said again to the blind man,

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 What do you say about him,

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 Since he has opened your eyes?

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 He said,

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 He is a prophet.

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 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind,

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 And had received his sight,

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 Until they called the parents of the man

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 Who had received his sight,

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 And asked them,

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 Is this your son,

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 Who you say was born blind?

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 How then does he now see?

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 His parents answered,

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 We know that this is our son,

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 And that he was born blind.

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 But how he now sees,

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 We do not know,

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 Nor do we know who opened his eyes.

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 Ask him.

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 He is of age.

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 He will speak for himself.

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 His parents said these things,

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 Because they feared the Jews.

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 For the Jews had already agreed,

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 That if anyone should confess Jesus to be the Christ,

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 He would be put out of the synagogue.

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 Therefore his parents said,

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 He is of age.

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 Ask him.

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 So for the second time,

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 They called the man who had been blind,

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 And said to him,

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 Give glory to God.

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 We know that this man is a sinner.

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 He answered,

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 Whether he is a sinner,

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 I do not know.

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 One thing I do know,

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 That though I was blind,

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 Now I see.

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 And so on,

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 And may God bless to us that reading

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 From his holy word.

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 Let's now engage in prayer once again.

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 Let's call upon the Lord.

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 Our gracious God,

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 We do give thanks that you are the one who opens the eyes of the blind.

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 That you are the one whom your people call

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 As the God who has done miraculous things.

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 And we know that while this miracle

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 That we've been reading about here,

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 Lord,

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 That happened so long ago,

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 Is now in the past,

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 And was a natural opening of the eyes.

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 We thank you,

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 Lord,

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 For these spiritual openings that you cause,

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 That enable us to see and to know yourself.

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 We have thanks,

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 Lord,

00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:58.319
 For that great truth of your word,

00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:00.659
 That your people are able to testify

00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:02.980
 That whereas they were once blind,

00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:04.740
 Yet now they see.

00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:08.019
 And that they attribute this to your amazing grace.

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.660
 We thank you,

00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:09.859
 Lord,

00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:13.019
 Today that you are still opening eyes

00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:15.180
 In various places throughout the world,

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:17.019
 And even amongst ourselves.

00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:19.859
 That you are the one who brings your light

00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:22.099
 Into the darkness of human life.

00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:24.059
 And that you are the one who,

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:26.019
 As the light scatters the darkness.

00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.700
 And we thank you,

00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:27.940
 Lord,

00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.680
 That we ourselves can look to you

00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:31.579
 To enlighten us today,

00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:34.740
 And to bring to us that light of life,

00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:36.819
 Which you alone are able to give.

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:39.240
 And we thank you for the opportunity

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.019
 We have now

00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:43.160
 To worship you together here in this place.

00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.700
 And we thank you,

00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:44.920
 Lord,

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.620
 That as we worship you here together,

00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:49.539
 And so you impress upon us from your word,

00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:52.220
 The many reasons why we worship you.

00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:54.960
 The many things concerning your great name,

00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:57.279
 That constrain us to worship you.

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:59.079
 To give glory to your name.

00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:01.180
 To uplift your name in worship.

00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:03.920
 And we thank you as we bow in your presence,

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:06.400
 That you are worthy of that worship,

00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:08.340
 That worship of heaven itself,

00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.340
 Which is perfect.

00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:12.160
 And that worship that we seek to give you,

00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:12.460
 Lord,

00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.560
 As we come together today.

00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.500
 Bless us then, we pray,

00:20:16.560 --> 00:20:17.880
 And bless your word to us.

00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:20.920
 Help us to see by the light of your truth.

00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:24.140
 Enable us to have the testimony of the psalmist,

00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:26.220
 Who could say as we have been singing,

00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:26.600
 Lord,

00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:29.400
 That your word was a lamp to his feet,

00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:31.140
 A light to his path.

00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:33.240
 We thank you for your word.

00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:35.580
 We thank you for all that it contains.

00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:38.500
 For the many ways in which it brings to us

00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:42.720
 Such great truths that we are required to believe.

00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.780
 And that we do believe, Lord,

00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:47.160
 Despite the fact that so many of them

00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.860
 Are beyond our full understanding.

00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.900
 Give us faith, we pray,

00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.200
 To embrace your word.

00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:56.040
 Faith to live by the light that it gives us.

00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:59.879
 Faith to trust in you through what your word tells us about you,

00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.379
 And about ourselves.

00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.680
 And we do give thanks today,

00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:07.420
 That your word does not withhold the truth from us,

00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.779
 About ourselves,

00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:11.159
 About the world in which we live,

00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:14.019
 And about why we are in the state we are in,

00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.720
 In our lostness,

00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.779
 And in our sinfulness.

00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:20.759
 And that it does not hide from us the solution that you have provided,

00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.920
 In the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:24.140
 The light of the world.

00:21:25.100 --> 00:21:26.019
 We thank you, Lord,

00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:28.539
 That you came into this world of darkness.

00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:31.080
 And that as the light that you are,

00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:35.240
 That you came to scatter the darkness in human life.

00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:38.220
 We pray today, Lord, for all your people.

00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:41.440
 We ask that you would bless them throughout the world today.

00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.880
 Lord, we know that there are many of them

00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:46.539
 In very different circumstances to ours.

00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:50.180
 That many of them know the power of darkness

00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:52.580
 Even more than we ourselves know.

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.799
 The pressure of persecution,

00:21:55.759 --> 00:22:00.100
 The constraint that they are under from evil forces and powers

00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:04.200
 That seek to have them follow the works of darkness.

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.700
 Lord, we give thanks that

00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:10.860
 No amount of power on the part of darkness

00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:15.120
 Is able to drive out the light that you create

00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:16.919
 In the hearts of your people.

00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.459
 And we pray, Lord,

00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.039
 That today,

00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:21.699
 Your people throughout the world may be encouraged.

00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:24.579
 Even despite the many difficulties they face.

00:22:25.199 --> 00:22:27.119
 We pray for them today that they may know

00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:29.739
 That you have given them the light of your truth.

00:22:30.459 --> 00:22:31.939
 And the light of your truth is

00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:34.639
 A light that is always inextinguishable.

00:22:35.199 --> 00:22:36.759
 And we'll lead them safely on.

00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:39.079
 Bless them especially in places where

00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.659
 Persecution,

00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:42.259
 Where war,

00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:42.820
 Where terror,

00:22:43.060 --> 00:22:44.300
 Where deprivation

00:22:44.300 --> 00:22:45.920
 Is faced by them.

00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.700
 We thank again,

00:22:48.320 --> 00:22:48.580
 Lord,

00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:50.380
 Of the nation of Ukraine.

00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.400
 And we pray for them today

00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:54.580
 As they continue to suffer

00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:56.759
 Adversity and suffer attack

00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:58.600
 From Russian forces,

00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.620
 From missiles,

00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:02.960
 From strikes against their infrastructure

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:05.040
 That seeks to demoralize them.

00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:05.980
 We pray that you would

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:07.660
 Maintain in them, Lord,

00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:10.279
 That spirit that they have shown thus far.

00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:12.380
 The spirit not only of resistance,

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:14.600
 But on the part of many of them,

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.960
 The spirit of trusting in the living God

00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:18.800
 And trusting in Him

00:23:18.800 --> 00:23:20.460
 For their salvation,

00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.600
 For not only this darkness

00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:25.320
 That's come to invade their land,

00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:28.660
 But also that moral and spiritual darkness

00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:32.800
 That they seek to be extinguished, Lord.

00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:35.140
 We pray that in our own land too,

00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:37.320
 The way in which darkness

00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:39.920
 Has so much come upon us

00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:40.440
 As a people

00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.940
 Instead of the light of the gospel.

00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:43.060
 Oh, Lord,

00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:45.240
 We pray that the light of the gospel itself

00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:47.000
 Might be blessed by you

00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.720
 To our good.

00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:50.080
 And we pray that that will penetrate

00:23:50.080 --> 00:23:52.500
 To every area of our society,

00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:54.220
 To those in government over us,

00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.600
 Right through to those

00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:57.220
 Who are in the greatest need.

00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.400
 Gracious Lord,

00:23:58.460 --> 00:24:00.080
 We ask for your blessing.

00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.199
 We pray that you would

00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:02.839
 Turn us to yourself

00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.659
 And enable us

00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:05.939
 To know you as the light of life,

00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.619
 But ourselves as a people.

00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.460
 For this is why

00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:10.139
 You came into the world

00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:11.460
 As you tell us in your word.

00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:14.059
 You came that we might have life

00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:16.919
 And have it the more abundantly.

00:24:17.919 --> 00:24:18.419
 And so, Lord,

00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:20.259
 We pray that today

00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:22.279
 Your light will truly come

00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:25.259
 To enlighten our paths through life

00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:27.779
 So that we may follow you safely.

00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:30.019
 We pray your blessing for all today

00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:32.279
 Who have difficulty,

00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:34.240
 Trials, adversity.

00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.440
 We pray especially today, Lord,

00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.359
 For these families

00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:39.720
 Belonging to us as a congregation

00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:42.240
 That mourn the passing of loved ones

00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:44.279
 In this past week itself.

00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:46.059
 Lord, we pray for them,

00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:47.480
 For those who have had funerals

00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.960
 In the past days.

00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.160
 For those who are expecting

00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:52.319
 Funerals in this week to come

00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:54.940
 Graciously provide for them, we pray.

00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.720
 Grant them your comfort.

00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:58.640
 Lord, bless those who are ill

00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.539
 At this time too.

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.920
 Bless those who are receiving treatment.

00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.860
 Those who have gone through surgery.

00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:06.319
 Those who have been waiting a long time

00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.680
 For treatment or surgery

00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:10.240
 Due to the circumstances, Lord,

00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:13.140
 That prevail in our land at this time.

00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.940
 We ask that You would bless them.

00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:16.519
 We pray that You would bless

00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:18.039
 The National Health Service too.

00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:20.059
 So much in the news, O Lord,

00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.819
 In these days.

00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:22.740
 And we pray that You would continue

00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:24.500
 To provide resources

00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:27.039
 By which they may fully engage

00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.480
 In the work You have called them to.

00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:31.799
 And we pray for everyone involved

00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.980
 In the work of the NHS.

00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:35.279
 But we pray especially for those

00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:37.419
 Who are at the front line of services

00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:39.619
 And serve You so diligently

00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.619
 From day to day

00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:42.839
 In hospices and hospitals

00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:44.759
 And in various clinics

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.759
 Throughout our land.

00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:47.240
 Lord, we pray

00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:48.379
 That You would continue

00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:49.519
 To encourage them

00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.900
 And that You would continue

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:52.180
 To provide them

00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:55.059
 With not only substantial

00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:59.000
 And sufficient monetary gain

00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.599
 But also

00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:01.980
 That You would give to them, Lord,

00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.160
 The strength of spirit

00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:04.859
 By which to continue

00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:06.079
 In the face of

00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.440
 What may at times

00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.599
 Be so discouraging.

00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:10.220
 Remember the preaching

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.039
 Of Your Word.

00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.799
 Remember today Your Word

00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.879
 As it goes forth, Lord,

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.839
 Throughout our land.

00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:16.659
 Remember every congregation

00:26:16.659 --> 00:26:18.019
 Where Your Word is proclaimed.

00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:20.679
 Graciously provide for Your people

00:26:20.679 --> 00:26:22.980
 The strength and the encouragement

00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:24.619
 To go on serving You

00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:26.619
 To be lights in this world.

00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:29.039
 Continue with us now, we pray here.

00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:31.579
 And help us as we sing Your praises.

00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:33.199
 And as we come shortly

00:26:33.199 --> 00:26:34.919
 To look into Your Word

00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:36.599
 And seek its meaning for our lives.

00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.539
 Lord, we pray that

00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:40.759
 We may know the guidance of Your Spirit

00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:42.119
 Giving to us

00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:44.419
 What we ourselves don't have.

00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:46.740
 The light of Your truth to be blessed.

00:26:47.399 --> 00:26:49.299
 Hear us, we pray for Jesus' sake.

00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.199
 Amen.

00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:52.959
 We're going to sing

00:26:52.959 --> 00:26:54.220
 Before we turn to God's Word.

00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:54.980
 Sing once more.

00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:56.879
 This time it's in Psalm 27.

00:26:58.179 --> 00:27:00.439
 And it's on page 236.

00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:03.519
 Psalm 27 from the beginning.

00:27:03.639 --> 00:27:04.699
 Verses 1 to 5.

00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:08.840
 To the tune Jackson.

00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:11.400
 The Lord's my light

00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.940
 And saving health.

00:27:13.080 --> 00:27:14.640
 Who shall make me dismayed?

00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:16.920
 My life's strength is the Lord.

00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:18.720
 Of whom then shall I be afraid?

00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.960
 When as mine enemies and foes

00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.420
 Most wicked persons all

00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:25.080
 To eat my flesh against me rose

00:27:25.080 --> 00:27:28.019
 They stumbled and did fall.

00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:29.519
 These verses, Psalm 27.

00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:32.080
 Verses marked 1 to 5.

00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.919
 The Lord's my light.

00:27:33.919 --> 00:27:33.939
 The Lord's my light.

00:27:37.939 --> 00:27:42.119
 The Lord's my light

00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:45.559
 And saving health

00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:52.139
 He shall make me dismayed

00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:58.000
 My light's strength is the Lord.

00:27:58.000 --> 00:28:05.180
 Of whom then shall I be afraid?

00:28:07.340 --> 00:28:11.100
 When at my end

00:28:11.100 --> 00:28:14.700
 Mees and foes

00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:20.140
 Most wicked persons all

00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:25.300
 To eat my flesh

00:28:25.300 --> 00:28:29.200
 Against me rose

00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:36.180
 They stumbled and did fall.

00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:40.580
 Against me though

00:28:40.580 --> 00:28:44.320
 And who stand calm

00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:48.279
 My heart yet fear

00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:50.379
 And sins

00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:53.379
 Though Lord

00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:55.379
 Against me

00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:58.859
 Christ I have

00:28:58.859 --> 00:29:02.179
 Be confident

00:29:02.179 --> 00:29:06.019
 In this

00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:08.639
 One thing

00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:10.640
 I offer

00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:13.640
 For desire

00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:16.700
 And will see

00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:19.640
 To obtain

00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:27.080
 That all days of my life

00:29:27.080 --> 00:29:28.840
 I may

00:29:28.840 --> 00:29:32.900
 Within God's heart

00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:34.640
 Remain

00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:38.520
 That I

00:29:38.520 --> 00:29:39.800
 The purity

00:29:39.800 --> 00:29:44.180
 Of the Lord

00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:46.700
 Behold me

00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:48.700
 And admire

00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:52.600
 That I

00:29:52.600 --> 00:29:55.980
 In this

00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:57.180
 Holy

00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:58.800
 Place

00:29:58.800 --> 00:29:59.700
 May

00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:11.640
 For

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:11.660
ижу

00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:12.519
OME

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:44.980
 Let's turn again for a short time to John's Gospel, chapter 8 this time, and the words

00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:46.440
 you find in verse 12.

00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:50.720
 John chapter 8 and verse 12.

00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:55.440
 Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world.

00:30:55.440 --> 00:31:03.200
 Lord, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:10.360
 When you look at the structure of John's Gospel, it's really interesting how you find him making

00:31:10.360 --> 00:31:13.900
 statements like these, what's usually called the I am statements.

00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:19.320
 Here it's I am the light of the world, but there are several of these throughout the

00:31:19.320 --> 00:31:20.980
 Gospel of John, as you know, I'm sure.

00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:26.599
 And the interesting thing is that the statements themselves are often, not always, but often

00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:32.759
 accompanied by a miracle that helps to explain what he meant by the statement.

00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:38.920
 For example, here you find, I am the light of the world, and you have to take this passage

00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:44.660
 with you right into the next chapter, because there he opens the eyes of a man born blind

00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:51.460
 to illustrate the fact that Jesus brings light to the blind, and of course that is also the

00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:55.420
 case spiritually, which is what these miracles really reveal to us.

00:31:55.480 --> 00:32:01.259
 You find the same chapter 6, when he spoke of himself as the bread of life, that's related

00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:04.120
 to the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000.

00:32:04.820 --> 00:32:10.560
 You find in chapter 11, Jesus saying to Martha, I am the resurrection and the life.

00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:15.940
 Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:17.000
 me shall never die.

00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:18.079
 Do you believe this?

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:25.139
 And he demonstrated the truth of that by the miracle of raising her brother, Lazarus, back

00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:26.079
 from the dead.

00:32:26.599 --> 00:32:33.639
 In other words, there is an explanation in miracle of the words that he uses to speak about himself,

00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:36.000
 I am such and such.

00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:43.180
 And here you find, we see the light of the world, I am the light of the world, illustrated,

00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:48.819
 if you like, as we said, by the following miracle in chapter 9 here of the gospel.

00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:56.119
 Now, it's interesting that when Jesus says, I am the light of the world, I am the bread

00:32:56.119 --> 00:33:03.200
 of life, he's taking what we know as ordinary aspects of life as we know it, things in the

00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:10.160
 natural world such as light and bread and so on, and he's using them in a way that provides

00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:12.380
 profound spiritual teaching.

00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:17.980
 That's one of the features of John's gospel, that he takes such things as here in the words

00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:24.160
 of Jesus, things like light and darkness, and presents the truth, spiritual and moral truth,

00:33:24.380 --> 00:33:29.200
 through these things so that we can better understand these concepts for ourselves.

00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:34.120
 And as you know, light has certain properties.

00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:36.319
 Light moves.

00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:42.660
 Light is really a form of radiation in a sense, electromagnetic radiation.

00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:45.539
 That's about as far as I know the physics of it.

00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:52.880
 I know that light is something that travels very fast, and light, of course, is measured

00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:55.880
 by scientists in those terms.

00:33:56.400 --> 00:34:00.620
 And light is made up, white light, made up of the spectrum of light.

00:34:00.760 --> 00:34:05.880
 All the colors that you know make up the spectrum, which you can see when white light is divided

00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:09.340
 into the color spectrum by putting it through a prism of some kind.

00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:14.700
 So light has lots of properties, things that are true about it, things that you can measure,

00:34:14.700 --> 00:34:18.360
 things that actually define it as light.

00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:22.079
 But darkness has no properties.

00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:26.980
 Darkness has no properties.

00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:28.460
 Why is that?

00:34:28.640 --> 00:34:33.539
 Because darkness really, essentially, is the absence of light.

00:34:34.620 --> 00:34:41.720
 Where you find darkness, you can say for certain, there is no property of light in this place.

00:34:41.719 --> 00:34:49.739
 It's only when light comes into a dark place that the darkness is then ended, because that's

00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:51.219
 one of the things that light does.

00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:56.419
 The properties of light are properties that remove darkness.

00:34:56.939 --> 00:35:03.019
 Wherever you shine a light into darkness, the effect is that the darkness is done away with.

00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:08.159
 And that's really so interesting when you come to think of what Jesus is saying here.

00:35:08.159 --> 00:35:10.579
 I am the light of the world.

00:35:11.399 --> 00:35:16.759
 Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:22.739
 In other words, he's really saying it is possible, and indeed it's true, that people walk in darkness.

00:35:22.859 --> 00:35:28.699
 He means spiritual and moral darkness because they don't have the light of Jesus in their lives.

00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:33.019
 And it doesn't matter how well constructed their life may be.

00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:38.119
 It doesn't matter how much they may live a decent and high-quality moral life.

00:35:38.199 --> 00:35:41.659
 It doesn't matter how much they might have achieved in society.

00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:47.219
 What Jesus is saying is, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness.

00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:52.659
 And by implication, whoever does not follow him is walking in darkness.

00:35:52.659 --> 00:36:01.480
 We need the light of Jesus in order to avoid walking in the darkness or to be delivered from the darkness

00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:04.759
 that is naturally true of every one of us.

00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.420
 So, two things.

00:36:06.500 --> 00:36:09.599
 First of all, Jesus as the light of the world.

00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:16.659
 You remember in 1 John 1, verse 5, that John begins that first epistle that he wrote by…

00:36:16.659 --> 00:36:20.819
 In chapter 1, verse 5, he gives a definition there of God.

00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:27.379
 God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

00:36:27.799 --> 00:36:32.940
 And you come to John's gospel, and you discover that Jesus is the light of the world,

00:36:33.079 --> 00:36:36.839
 and that he's the light of the world as God, because Jesus is God.

00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:41.299
 In other words, what we remember at this time of year in terms of the Christmas story,

00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:45.440
 whatever term we use, and it's not just at Christmastime we remember it,

00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:51.740
 Jesus, the Son of God, coming into the world, the Son of God, taking our human nature to himself,

00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:55.880
 joining it to himself, working the work that the gospel tells us about,

00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:59.039
 especially culminating in the cross and in his resurrection.

00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:01.159
 That is God.

00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:05.500
 That is the light that God has always been.

00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:10.340
 And he's come into the world in the person of Jesus,

00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:15.760
 not just a human being that he chose to represent him,

00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:21.280
 but a human nature that he joined to his own divine person,

00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:23.980
 the Son of God.

00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:28.000
 Or as John puts it in the beginning of the gospel here,

00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:32.700
 the Word which was with God, and the Word was God.

00:37:33.240 --> 00:37:35.519
 Light reveals itself.

00:37:35.519 --> 00:37:39.360
 God revealed himself in the person of Jesus.

00:37:39.900 --> 00:37:41.199
 God is light.

00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:44.500
 The light came into the world in the person of Jesus

00:37:44.500 --> 00:37:47.360
 to lighten up the darkness for us,

00:37:47.699 --> 00:37:49.259
 to deliver us from darkness.

00:37:49.840 --> 00:37:53.199
 That's essentially what is in this definition

00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:54.219
 that Jesus is saying,

00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:56.820
 I am the light of the world.

00:37:57.500 --> 00:37:58.900
 Now, the context here is interesting.

00:37:58.900 --> 00:38:04.900
 As I said, you go back to the previous chapter as well, in fact,

00:38:05.280 --> 00:38:06.519
 and on into chapter 9.

00:38:07.220 --> 00:38:10.539
 And in verse 37 of the previous chapter 7,

00:38:11.579 --> 00:38:13.340
 you find on the last day of the feast,

00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:16.340
 the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out,

00:38:16.400 --> 00:38:20.079
 If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.

00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:24.260
 And you have to follow that right through into chapter 9

00:38:24.260 --> 00:38:26.800
 because it's the same incident, really,

00:38:26.800 --> 00:38:29.240
 that you've got different aspects of brought before you.

00:38:29.280 --> 00:38:30.940
 And the interesting thing there, the important thing,

00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:34.200
 is that the feast there was the Feast of Tabernacles,

00:38:35.740 --> 00:38:38.160
 an annual event for Israel,

00:38:38.340 --> 00:38:40.220
 which followed through into the days of Jesus.

00:38:40.980 --> 00:38:42.200
 And during that time,

00:38:42.840 --> 00:38:47.180
 the practice was they would actually light up

00:38:47.179 --> 00:38:51.379
 four gigantic candelabras,

00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:52.339
 you might say they were,

00:38:52.339 --> 00:38:56.980
 or four gigantic chandeliers, you might call them,

00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:57.899
 but out in the open,

00:38:58.480 --> 00:39:01.399
 massive, massive things filled with lights.

00:39:02.079 --> 00:39:06.440
 And we're told that the light from these four giant lights

00:39:06.440 --> 00:39:10.779
 would actually go out and flood the whole town with light.

00:39:10.780 --> 00:39:14.560
 And you can imagine Jesus in that context

00:39:14.560 --> 00:39:17.460
 and with that background and in these circumstances

00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:19.400
 and with all that going on,

00:39:19.720 --> 00:39:20.920
 standing up and saying,

00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:23.360
 I am the light of the world.

00:39:23.540 --> 00:39:24.560
 Here is Jesus saying,

00:39:25.040 --> 00:39:26.500
 these lights that you are seeing,

00:39:26.900 --> 00:39:27.800
 they're brilliant lights,

00:39:27.880 --> 00:39:29.040
 they're shining up the town,

00:39:29.140 --> 00:39:32.080
 the whole city is actually invaded by this light

00:39:32.080 --> 00:39:33.320
 and covered by this light.

00:39:33.560 --> 00:39:35.480
 But I am the light of the world.

00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:39.960
 And whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,

00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:42.480
 but have the light of life.

00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:47.320
 So the incarnation, as we call it,

00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:50.500
 the coming of the Son of God into the world,

00:39:50.699 --> 00:39:51.840
 the Christmas story,

00:39:52.460 --> 00:39:56.119
 it's about the light that God is

00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:58.960
 in the person of Jesus, His Son,

00:39:59.760 --> 00:40:01.280
 coming into this world

00:40:01.280 --> 00:40:05.440
 so that He now is the light of the world

00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:08.120
 and that those who follow Him

00:40:08.120 --> 00:40:10.960
 should not walk in darkness,

00:40:11.840 --> 00:40:13.260
 but have the light of life.

00:40:13.620 --> 00:40:15.620
 You'll find back in the Old Testament

00:40:15.620 --> 00:40:18.260
 such verses as, for example,

00:40:18.920 --> 00:40:20.680
 you find in Isaiah chapter 9,

00:40:21.540 --> 00:40:22.900
 we quote them very often,

00:40:23.019 --> 00:40:23.900
 or you'll find them maybe

00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:26.120
 on your Christmas cards as well.

00:40:26.120 --> 00:40:27.740
 If you come to have Christmas cards,

00:40:27.739 --> 00:40:30.579
 you'll find such verses as this

00:40:30.579 --> 00:40:31.899
 in chapter 9, verse 2,

00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:34.299
 the people who walked in darkness

00:40:34.299 --> 00:40:35.679
 have seen a great light.

00:40:36.299 --> 00:40:38.500
 Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness,

00:40:39.099 --> 00:40:41.659
 on them has light shined.

00:40:41.739 --> 00:40:42.959
 And you go down through the chapter,

00:40:43.419 --> 00:40:44.339
 you come to verse 6,

00:40:44.419 --> 00:40:46.000
 for unto us a child is born,

00:40:46.439 --> 00:40:47.639
 to us a son is given,

00:40:47.739 --> 00:40:49.919
 the government shall be upon his shoulder,

00:40:50.059 --> 00:40:51.759
 and his name shall be called Wonderful,

00:40:52.079 --> 00:40:53.799
 Counselor, Mighty God,

00:40:53.899 --> 00:40:54.799
 Everlasting Father,

00:40:55.039 --> 00:40:56.539
 Prince of Peace, and so on.

00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:58.099
 That is obviously a prophecy

00:40:58.099 --> 00:40:59.980
 about the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:41:00.099 --> 00:41:01.659
 In Matthew 4, verse 16,

00:41:02.139 --> 00:41:03.699
 that passage from Isaiah is quoted

00:41:03.699 --> 00:41:06.579
 in respect to Jesus being born into the world,

00:41:07.059 --> 00:41:08.900
 Jesus being the light of the world.

00:41:09.199 --> 00:41:11.059
 Here is John saying the same thing,

00:41:11.139 --> 00:41:13.099
 I am the light of the world.

00:41:15.579 --> 00:41:17.320
 Friends, there is no other light

00:41:17.320 --> 00:41:20.300
 that is adequate to meet

00:41:20.300 --> 00:41:22.539
 the requirements of the darkness.

00:41:24.119 --> 00:41:26.259
 Our world has so much in it today,

00:41:26.260 --> 00:41:29.820
 that fills us with almost a sense of despair.

00:41:29.820 --> 00:41:32.440
 Our own land has so much in it

00:41:32.440 --> 00:41:35.320
 that you can attribute to the works of darkness,

00:41:35.900 --> 00:41:36.380
 to the work,

00:41:36.580 --> 00:41:40.600
 to the mind of darkness,

00:41:40.720 --> 00:41:42.240
 to the mindset of darkness.

00:41:44.460 --> 00:41:48.040
 What is going to scatter that darkness,

00:41:48.180 --> 00:41:50.120
 that moral and spiritual darkness?

00:41:50.119 --> 00:41:52.960
 Those things that we know are contrary,

00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:54.659
 so much to the Word of God,

00:41:55.599 --> 00:41:58.519
 so much to the Word as a light to our feet.

00:41:59.179 --> 00:42:00.859
 So many attempts made,

00:42:01.619 --> 00:42:03.219
 even on the part of those in government,

00:42:03.500 --> 00:42:05.619
 to extinguish the light of the world,

00:42:05.920 --> 00:42:07.719
 to extinguish the light of the gospel,

00:42:08.099 --> 00:42:10.819
 to extinguish the moral and spiritual light

00:42:10.819 --> 00:42:13.059
 that's provided for us in Jesus Christ,

00:42:13.279 --> 00:42:14.579
 in the preaching of the gospel,

00:42:15.039 --> 00:42:17.639
 in the emphasis of Jesus alone being the way,

00:42:17.639 --> 00:42:19.940
 the truth and the life that leads us to God,

00:42:20.119 --> 00:42:21.420
 that leads us to salvation.

00:42:22.819 --> 00:42:26.359
 And the only antidote to that darkness

00:42:26.359 --> 00:42:28.139
 and to these movements of darkness

00:42:28.139 --> 00:42:30.099
 is the light of the world,

00:42:30.400 --> 00:42:31.839
 is the blessing of the gospel,

00:42:32.159 --> 00:42:33.920
 is Jesus coming to show Himself

00:42:33.920 --> 00:42:35.339
 as the light of the world.

00:42:36.339 --> 00:42:38.239
 Because there is no alternative

00:42:38.239 --> 00:42:41.059
 to lighten up our path.

00:42:41.819 --> 00:42:43.019
 There's nothing in between,

00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:44.419
 morally and spiritually,

00:42:44.779 --> 00:42:46.099
 there's nothing in between

00:42:46.099 --> 00:42:47.979
 darkness and light,

00:42:48.199 --> 00:42:49.819
 the light that Jesus is.

00:42:50.519 --> 00:42:52.959
 You don't find shades of truth.

00:42:53.439 --> 00:42:56.039
 You don't find penumbras, if you like,

00:42:56.079 --> 00:42:59.319
 in terms of moral or spiritual attributes.

00:42:59.659 --> 00:43:01.039
 There is light in the darkness.

00:43:02.319 --> 00:43:03.799
 And if we're not in the darkness,

00:43:04.359 --> 00:43:06.319
 we're in the light and vice versa.

00:43:06.320 --> 00:43:08.539
 I am, he says,

00:43:09.220 --> 00:43:11.360
 the light of the world.

00:43:12.580 --> 00:43:14.980
 But then he talks about following Him.

00:43:15.019 --> 00:43:16.160
 Whoever follows me

00:43:16.160 --> 00:43:17.860
 will not walk in the darkness,

00:43:18.000 --> 00:43:20.600
 but will have the light of life.

00:43:21.200 --> 00:43:22.720
 Well, following the light,

00:43:22.800 --> 00:43:24.260
 obviously following Jesus.

00:43:24.740 --> 00:43:25.820
 What does that mean?

00:43:26.500 --> 00:43:28.400
 How do we come to follow Jesus?

00:43:29.039 --> 00:43:30.740
 What is it to come to know Him

00:43:30.740 --> 00:43:33.000
 as the light of our life,

00:43:33.000 --> 00:43:35.019
 so that we will have what he calls

00:43:35.019 --> 00:43:36.519
 the light of life?

00:43:37.719 --> 00:43:39.840
 Well, John's gospel actually tells us

00:43:39.840 --> 00:43:42.380
 in many ways what that involves.

00:43:42.559 --> 00:43:43.659
 And we don't need to go out with

00:43:43.659 --> 00:43:45.860
 John's gospel for our study today

00:43:45.860 --> 00:43:47.920
 to see the answer to the question,

00:43:48.059 --> 00:43:50.739
 what is involved in following Jesus

00:43:50.739 --> 00:43:52.519
 as the light of the world?

00:43:53.260 --> 00:43:54.519
 Well, there's first of all,

00:43:55.039 --> 00:43:56.280
 coming to Him.

00:43:57.059 --> 00:43:58.340
 Let me just cast your mind back,

00:43:58.380 --> 00:43:59.159
 if you follow me through,

00:43:59.159 --> 00:44:02.159
 and just look up chapter 3 with me just now,

00:44:02.239 --> 00:44:04.539
 chapter 3 and verse 21.

00:44:09.460 --> 00:44:13.500
 We can read from verse 19.

00:44:14.179 --> 00:44:15.639
 John chapter 3, verse 19.

00:44:15.759 --> 00:44:16.679
 This is the judgment.

00:44:17.759 --> 00:44:19.420
 The light has come into the world,

00:44:20.000 --> 00:44:21.500
 and people loved the darkness

00:44:21.500 --> 00:44:22.679
 rather than the light,

00:44:23.079 --> 00:44:24.659
 because their deeds were evil.

00:44:25.059 --> 00:44:27.219
 For everyone who does wicked things

00:44:27.219 --> 00:44:28.459
 hates the light,

00:44:29.019 --> 00:44:30.719
 and does not come to the light,

00:44:31.259 --> 00:44:32.980
 lest his deeds should be exposed.

00:44:33.859 --> 00:44:35.379
 But whoever does what is through

00:44:35.379 --> 00:44:36.519
 comes to the light,

00:44:37.099 --> 00:44:38.839
 so that it may be clearly seen

00:44:38.839 --> 00:44:41.159
 that his deeds have been carried out

00:44:41.159 --> 00:44:42.500
 in God.

00:44:43.419 --> 00:44:44.539
 Now, you can see the two

00:44:44.539 --> 00:44:48.239
 contrasting groups there

00:44:48.239 --> 00:44:48.899
 that are mentioned,

00:44:49.019 --> 00:44:50.259
 those who come to the light

00:44:50.259 --> 00:44:52.939
 and those who don't come to the light.

00:44:53.419 --> 00:44:54.659
 And there's a little explanation

00:44:54.659 --> 00:44:57.399
 as to why it is some come to the light

00:44:57.399 --> 00:44:59.879
 and why it is some don't come to the light.

00:45:00.899 --> 00:45:01.819
 And indeed, you'll find

00:45:01.819 --> 00:45:03.539
 something like that illustrated

00:45:03.539 --> 00:45:05.719
 in the natural world as well.

00:45:05.819 --> 00:45:06.899
 There are different creatures

00:45:06.899 --> 00:45:08.719
 that help to illustrate

00:45:08.719 --> 00:45:10.099
 that very point for us.

00:45:10.639 --> 00:45:13.279
 If you light a lamp or something outside,

00:45:13.739 --> 00:45:15.460
 especially on a nice evening,

00:45:15.699 --> 00:45:17.019
 when it comes to darkness,

00:45:17.819 --> 00:45:19.500
 you'll find a lot of moths

00:45:19.500 --> 00:45:21.579
 attracted to that light.

00:45:21.719 --> 00:45:23.039
 Light attracts the moths.

00:45:23.039 --> 00:45:23.900
 They come to it.

00:45:24.480 --> 00:45:26.079
 They flutter around it for ages.

00:45:29.519 --> 00:45:30.659
 But if you have

00:45:30.659 --> 00:45:34.480
 a creature like a cockroach,

00:45:36.539 --> 00:45:38.119
 and cockroaches are scurrying about

00:45:38.119 --> 00:45:39.360
 in the darkness of a room,

00:45:40.480 --> 00:45:41.719
 and when you put the light on,

00:45:42.259 --> 00:45:43.500
 what do the cockroaches do?

00:45:43.579 --> 00:45:45.539
 They scurry back somewhere

00:45:45.539 --> 00:45:47.340
 for cover away from the light.

00:45:47.759 --> 00:45:48.559
 I'm not saying that.

00:45:49.059 --> 00:45:50.659
 Don't think that there are cockroaches

00:45:50.659 --> 00:45:51.219
 in the moths,

00:45:51.219 --> 00:45:52.239
 not as far as I know,

00:45:52.759 --> 00:45:53.919
 but that's the property,

00:45:54.480 --> 00:45:56.119
 and that's what cockroaches do

00:45:56.119 --> 00:45:57.179
 and creatures like that.

00:45:57.519 --> 00:45:58.859
 As soon as the light goes on,

00:45:59.599 --> 00:46:00.959
 the cockroach just makes its way

00:46:00.959 --> 00:46:01.619
 into somewhere

00:46:01.619 --> 00:46:03.099
 where it can hide in the darkness.

00:46:04.039 --> 00:46:05.139
 As soon as the light comes on,

00:46:05.639 --> 00:46:07.319
 the moth is attracted to the light

00:46:07.319 --> 00:46:08.399
 and comes to the light.

00:46:09.839 --> 00:46:10.659
 That's how it is

00:46:10.659 --> 00:46:12.579
 in our human life as well.

00:46:12.639 --> 00:46:14.000
 That's what Jesus is saying here,

00:46:14.399 --> 00:46:16.159
 what John is saying in chapter 3,

00:46:16.219 --> 00:46:16.819
 as we've read.

00:46:16.820 --> 00:46:18.340
 Whoever does truth

00:46:18.340 --> 00:46:20.519
 comes to the light,

00:46:20.900 --> 00:46:22.880
 that his deeds may be clearly seen

00:46:22.880 --> 00:46:24.840
 that they are carried out in God.

00:46:25.480 --> 00:46:27.200
 Everyone who does wicked things

00:46:27.200 --> 00:46:28.180
 hates the light

00:46:28.180 --> 00:46:29.800
 and does not come to the light,

00:46:29.880 --> 00:46:32.160
 lest his deeds should be exposed.

00:46:32.620 --> 00:46:33.840
 That's exactly how it is

00:46:33.840 --> 00:46:34.860
 in your life and mine.

00:46:35.860 --> 00:46:37.600
 Because when we come to think

00:46:37.600 --> 00:46:38.539
 about our lives,

00:46:38.640 --> 00:46:39.500
 when we come to think about

00:46:39.500 --> 00:46:40.980
 our relationship with God,

00:46:41.620 --> 00:46:43.200
 our relationship to God's truth,

00:46:43.199 --> 00:46:45.219
 we are very much aware

00:46:45.219 --> 00:46:46.480
 whether we're actually

00:46:46.480 --> 00:46:49.099
 concerned or desirous

00:46:49.099 --> 00:46:50.199
 of coming to God

00:46:50.199 --> 00:46:52.219
 or else staying away from Him.

00:46:52.579 --> 00:46:54.339
 What did Adam and Eve do

00:46:54.339 --> 00:46:55.199
 once they fell,

00:46:55.779 --> 00:46:56.859
 once they became sinners,

00:46:57.019 --> 00:46:58.519
 once they became afraid of God?

00:46:59.219 --> 00:47:00.839
 They went and tried to hide from Him.

00:47:01.839 --> 00:47:03.299
 Instead of being out in the light

00:47:03.299 --> 00:47:04.460
 like they were created,

00:47:05.139 --> 00:47:06.239
 they wanted somewhere dark,

00:47:06.319 --> 00:47:06.899
 somewhere to hide,

00:47:07.000 --> 00:47:07.939
 somewhere away from God

00:47:07.939 --> 00:47:08.679
 if it were possible,

00:47:08.779 --> 00:47:09.599
 which it wasn't.

00:47:10.199 --> 00:47:12.000
 But that's our natural human heart.

00:47:12.000 --> 00:47:14.619
 That's our natural human desire

00:47:14.619 --> 00:47:16.300
 to be away from the light,

00:47:17.159 --> 00:47:18.440
 to actually have our deeds

00:47:18.440 --> 00:47:19.320
 kept, as it were,

00:47:19.599 --> 00:47:21.940
 away from the eye of God,

00:47:22.440 --> 00:47:23.880
 from the verdict of God,

00:47:24.079 --> 00:47:25.840
 from the declaration of God

00:47:25.840 --> 00:47:26.739
 as to what we're like

00:47:26.739 --> 00:47:28.019
 and how He sees us.

00:47:28.500 --> 00:47:29.719
 But God is light.

00:47:30.880 --> 00:47:31.760
 And whatever is true

00:47:31.760 --> 00:47:33.179
 of your life and my life,

00:47:33.739 --> 00:47:34.860
 God is seeing it anyway

00:47:34.860 --> 00:47:36.019
 whether we try to hide it

00:47:36.019 --> 00:47:36.860
 from Him or not.

00:47:37.460 --> 00:47:38.699
 And sometimes we're experts

00:47:38.699 --> 00:47:39.880
 at hiding things

00:47:39.880 --> 00:47:41.059
 from other people.

00:47:41.059 --> 00:47:43.019
 We cannot hide things from God

00:47:43.019 --> 00:47:46.179
 because He is that eternal light

00:47:46.179 --> 00:47:48.139
 that shines in every way

00:47:48.139 --> 00:47:49.119
 into our life

00:47:49.119 --> 00:47:50.659
 to discover what's there

00:47:50.659 --> 00:47:51.500
 in our lives.

00:47:51.619 --> 00:47:52.279
 But here we are.

00:47:53.039 --> 00:47:54.460
 Whoever does the truth,

00:47:55.059 --> 00:47:55.659
 John is saying,

00:47:55.860 --> 00:47:57.480
 comes to the light

00:47:57.480 --> 00:48:00.639
 that his deeds may be made manifest,

00:48:00.940 --> 00:48:02.039
 that they may be made clear

00:48:02.039 --> 00:48:04.139
 that they are in God.

00:48:04.139 --> 00:48:04.940
 Now, how do we come?

00:48:05.940 --> 00:48:07.219
 How do we come to God

00:48:07.219 --> 00:48:08.539
 as the light?

00:48:10.239 --> 00:48:11.159
 Well, we come to God

00:48:11.159 --> 00:48:11.699
 as the light

00:48:11.699 --> 00:48:14.039
 because Jesus,

00:48:15.039 --> 00:48:15.699
 as the light,

00:48:16.039 --> 00:48:17.199
 shines into our hearts

00:48:17.199 --> 00:48:18.619
 and shows us our need of Him.

00:48:19.920 --> 00:48:20.779
 And He shows us

00:48:20.779 --> 00:48:21.739
 that we are, in fact,

00:48:21.839 --> 00:48:23.259
 darkness in ourselves,

00:48:23.259 --> 00:48:25.159
 even if we think well

00:48:25.159 --> 00:48:25.779
 of ourselves,

00:48:25.839 --> 00:48:26.480
 as all of us,

00:48:26.699 --> 00:48:27.960
 I'm sure, do naturally.

00:48:27.960 --> 00:48:30.920
 But in terms of God's acceptance

00:48:30.920 --> 00:48:32.539
 and God's approval,

00:48:32.679 --> 00:48:33.420
 we need more than

00:48:33.420 --> 00:48:34.199
 our own opinion.

00:48:35.420 --> 00:48:36.360
 We need more than

00:48:36.360 --> 00:48:37.000
 what other people

00:48:37.000 --> 00:48:37.880
 might tell us.

00:48:38.960 --> 00:48:39.920
 We need more than

00:48:39.920 --> 00:48:41.440
 the philosophies of this world.

00:48:41.440 --> 00:48:45.200
 We need to be right with God.

00:48:46.280 --> 00:48:47.220
 So, we come to Him

00:48:47.220 --> 00:48:47.800
 in repentance.

00:48:48.820 --> 00:48:50.159
 We confess our sins.

00:48:50.820 --> 00:48:52.380
 We pray for His forgiveness.

00:48:52.960 --> 00:48:54.519
 We pray for His acceptance.

00:48:55.440 --> 00:48:56.539
 We come to ask Him

00:48:56.539 --> 00:48:57.619
 to shine more light

00:48:57.619 --> 00:48:58.519
 into our lives,

00:48:58.579 --> 00:49:00.240
 to show up what is there

00:49:00.240 --> 00:49:00.960
 that still needs

00:49:00.960 --> 00:49:02.039
 to be attended to.

00:49:02.659 --> 00:49:03.980
 We want God's approval.

00:49:05.059 --> 00:49:06.460
 We seek God's approval.

00:49:06.800 --> 00:49:07.500
 So, how do we get

00:49:07.500 --> 00:49:08.139
 God's approval?

00:49:08.260 --> 00:49:09.220
 We come to Jesus

00:49:09.220 --> 00:49:10.740
 as the light of the world.

00:49:10.739 --> 00:49:12.319
 We come to ask Him

00:49:12.319 --> 00:49:13.299
 to receive us,

00:49:13.659 --> 00:49:14.659
 to forgive our sin,

00:49:14.759 --> 00:49:15.619
 to cleanse us,

00:49:15.819 --> 00:49:17.839
 not just to dress us up

00:49:17.839 --> 00:49:18.419
 a little bit

00:49:18.419 --> 00:49:19.679
 or to wash us here and there,

00:49:19.799 --> 00:49:21.139
 to do some sort of

00:49:21.139 --> 00:49:22.439
 repair job on us,

00:49:22.459 --> 00:49:23.099
 but to make us

00:49:23.099 --> 00:49:24.279
 into a new creation,

00:49:24.859 --> 00:49:27.500
 to give us the life

00:49:27.500 --> 00:49:28.459
 that God Himself

00:49:28.459 --> 00:49:30.079
 approves of.

00:49:31.000 --> 00:49:33.679
 We come to the light.

00:49:34.379 --> 00:49:35.619
 We come to the light

00:49:35.619 --> 00:49:36.679
 without confession.

00:49:37.539 --> 00:49:38.419
 And we are assured

00:49:38.419 --> 00:49:40.339
 that God will not actually

00:49:40.340 --> 00:49:41.200
 turn us back.

00:49:41.900 --> 00:49:42.579
 Chapter 12

00:49:42.579 --> 00:49:43.960
 also has a reference

00:49:43.960 --> 00:49:44.840
 to the light

00:49:44.840 --> 00:49:46.300
 and is a point

00:49:46.300 --> 00:49:47.620
 that we can make

00:49:47.620 --> 00:49:48.180
 in relation to

00:49:48.180 --> 00:49:48.640
 what we're saying

00:49:48.640 --> 00:49:49.160
 just now.

00:49:50.160 --> 00:49:51.000
 In chapter 12,

00:49:51.460 --> 00:49:52.800
 verse 35,

00:49:52.800 --> 00:50:01.060
 I love the sound

00:50:01.060 --> 00:50:02.120
 of these turning pages,

00:50:02.920 --> 00:50:04.240
 you know,

00:50:04.240 --> 00:50:04.880
 because it shows

00:50:04.880 --> 00:50:05.580
 that you're following

00:50:05.580 --> 00:50:06.960
 what's being said

00:50:06.960 --> 00:50:08.140
 and there's nothing better

00:50:08.140 --> 00:50:08.620
 for a preacher

00:50:08.620 --> 00:50:09.120
 than to hear

00:50:09.120 --> 00:50:10.060
 an audience

00:50:10.060 --> 00:50:10.820
 or a congregation

00:50:10.820 --> 00:50:11.640
 turning the pages

00:50:11.640 --> 00:50:12.240
 and following

00:50:12.240 --> 00:50:13.200
 the way that

00:50:13.200 --> 00:50:14.700
 we're trying to

00:50:14.700 --> 00:50:15.860
 unfold the truth to you.

00:50:15.860 --> 00:50:17.120
 So chapter 12

00:50:17.120 --> 00:50:19.360
 and verse 35,

00:50:20.539 --> 00:50:21.200
 you can see how

00:50:21.200 --> 00:50:22.579
 the light appears

00:50:22.579 --> 00:50:23.120
 there as well

00:50:23.120 --> 00:50:23.519
 where Jesus,

00:50:23.620 --> 00:50:24.160
 now this is coming

00:50:24.160 --> 00:50:25.400
 to the point

00:50:25.400 --> 00:50:26.420
 in John's gospel

00:50:26.420 --> 00:50:28.079
 where Jesus' public ministry

00:50:28.079 --> 00:50:29.180
 is coming to an end.

00:50:29.740 --> 00:50:30.300
 From now on,

00:50:30.320 --> 00:50:30.940
 He's just going to be

00:50:30.940 --> 00:50:31.960
 speaking mostly

00:50:31.960 --> 00:50:32.880
 to His disciples,

00:50:33.240 --> 00:50:34.360
 but His public ministries,

00:50:34.539 --> 00:50:35.579
 public declarations

00:50:35.579 --> 00:50:37.079
 are almost at an end.

00:50:37.180 --> 00:50:37.960
 And bear that in mind

00:50:37.960 --> 00:50:38.660
 when He says,

00:50:39.320 --> 00:50:40.640
 Jesus said to them,

00:50:40.639 --> 00:50:42.940
 the light is among you

00:50:42.940 --> 00:50:44.719
 for a little while longer.

00:50:45.299 --> 00:50:46.940
 Walk while you have the light,

00:50:47.379 --> 00:50:49.079
 lest darkness overtake you.

00:50:49.719 --> 00:50:51.039
 The one who walks in darkness

00:50:51.039 --> 00:50:51.839
 does not know

00:50:51.839 --> 00:50:52.559
 where he's going.

00:50:53.359 --> 00:50:54.559
 While you have the light,

00:50:55.199 --> 00:50:56.559
 believe in the light

00:50:56.559 --> 00:50:58.239
 that you may become

00:50:58.239 --> 00:50:59.199
 the sons of light.

00:50:59.279 --> 00:51:00.920
 What a great text that is.

00:51:01.679 --> 00:51:03.599
 It almost explains itself to us.

00:51:04.259 --> 00:51:05.619
 While you have the light,

00:51:06.159 --> 00:51:07.420
 believe in the light

00:51:07.420 --> 00:51:08.779
 that you may become

00:51:08.779 --> 00:51:09.960
 the sons of light.

00:51:10.639 --> 00:51:11.179
 In other words,

00:51:11.239 --> 00:51:12.259
 there's the light of the world

00:51:12.259 --> 00:51:12.839
 saying,

00:51:13.420 --> 00:51:14.519
 believe in me,

00:51:14.659 --> 00:51:15.339
 trust in me,

00:51:15.440 --> 00:51:16.099
 come to me,

00:51:16.500 --> 00:51:17.739
 give your life to me,

00:51:18.359 --> 00:51:19.500
 become lights

00:51:19.500 --> 00:51:20.679
 by trusting in me,

00:51:20.900 --> 00:51:21.739
 receive the life

00:51:21.739 --> 00:51:22.940
 that I have to give you.

00:51:23.619 --> 00:51:24.799
 And so you will become

00:51:24.799 --> 00:51:26.039
 the children of light

00:51:26.039 --> 00:51:27.980
 or the sons of light.

00:51:28.739 --> 00:51:29.599
 It's exactly what

00:51:29.599 --> 00:51:30.859
 you have here in our text

00:51:30.859 --> 00:51:31.659
 in chapter 8.

00:51:32.379 --> 00:51:33.440
 Whoever follows me

00:51:33.440 --> 00:51:35.119
 will not walk in darkness,

00:51:35.259 --> 00:51:35.920
 but will have

00:51:35.920 --> 00:51:37.480
 the light of life.

00:51:37.579 --> 00:51:38.819
 So you follow Him

00:51:38.819 --> 00:51:39.480
 by first of all

00:51:39.480 --> 00:51:40.159
 coming to Him.

00:51:40.159 --> 00:51:40.940
 But that's only

00:51:40.940 --> 00:51:42.079
 the beginning of the journey.

00:51:42.739 --> 00:51:43.980
 You then follow Him

00:51:43.980 --> 00:51:45.679
 as the light

00:51:45.679 --> 00:51:46.679
 that Jesus is

00:51:46.679 --> 00:51:47.639
 when you've come to Him.

00:51:48.480 --> 00:51:49.399
 That light then

00:51:49.399 --> 00:51:49.940
 follows you

00:51:49.940 --> 00:51:51.399
 into the journey of life,

00:51:51.500 --> 00:51:52.480
 the journey of your life

00:51:52.480 --> 00:51:53.659
 through this world.

00:51:53.739 --> 00:51:54.319
 That's what He means

00:51:54.319 --> 00:51:55.059
 by walk.

00:51:56.639 --> 00:51:57.699
 You walk

00:51:57.699 --> 00:51:59.119
 after the light

00:51:59.119 --> 00:52:00.079
 that Jesus is.

00:52:00.159 --> 00:52:01.000
 You follow Him.

00:52:01.739 --> 00:52:02.719
 You live life

00:52:02.719 --> 00:52:03.759
 by His terms,

00:52:03.839 --> 00:52:04.519
 in other words.

00:52:04.519 --> 00:52:06.659
 You regard Him

00:52:06.659 --> 00:52:07.320
 as the way,

00:52:07.420 --> 00:52:07.880
 the truth,

00:52:07.920 --> 00:52:08.599
 and the life.

00:52:09.179 --> 00:52:09.920
 And you're concerned

00:52:09.920 --> 00:52:11.699
 to build up your life

00:52:11.699 --> 00:52:13.079
 by more and more

00:52:13.079 --> 00:52:14.340
 being like Himself.

00:52:15.380 --> 00:52:16.900
 I'm old enough now

00:52:16.900 --> 00:52:17.340
 to remember

00:52:17.340 --> 00:52:18.679
 when there were no streetlights.

00:52:19.480 --> 00:52:20.059
 Some of you

00:52:20.059 --> 00:52:20.960
 are perhaps

00:52:20.960 --> 00:52:21.880
 as old as that

00:52:21.880 --> 00:52:22.619
 or even older,

00:52:22.739 --> 00:52:23.199
 but I remember

00:52:23.199 --> 00:52:25.039
 walking home in tongue

00:52:25.039 --> 00:52:26.739
 before there were

00:52:26.739 --> 00:52:27.659
 any streetlights

00:52:27.659 --> 00:52:28.480
 whatsoever there.

00:52:29.480 --> 00:52:30.000
 And although

00:52:30.000 --> 00:52:31.500
 there was an outside light,

00:52:31.840 --> 00:52:32.360
 well, eventually

00:52:32.360 --> 00:52:33.460
 there was an outside light

00:52:33.460 --> 00:52:35.000
 at our house,

00:52:35.079 --> 00:52:35.960
 but if I was walking up

00:52:35.960 --> 00:52:37.019
 that final part of the road,

00:52:37.340 --> 00:52:37.880
 there was simply

00:52:37.880 --> 00:52:39.740
 no streetlights whatsoever.

00:52:39.900 --> 00:52:40.340
 And it's hard

00:52:40.340 --> 00:52:40.920
 for young folks

00:52:40.920 --> 00:52:41.760
 to imagine nowadays

00:52:41.760 --> 00:52:42.619
 what it's like

00:52:42.619 --> 00:52:43.699
 without streetlights.

00:52:44.019 --> 00:52:44.760
 It's darkness.

00:52:46.240 --> 00:52:46.980
 And walking up

00:52:46.980 --> 00:52:49.780
 that part of the road,

00:52:50.059 --> 00:52:50.920
 my native village,

00:52:51.880 --> 00:52:52.380
 honestly,

00:52:52.780 --> 00:52:53.240
 seriously,

00:52:53.960 --> 00:52:54.900
 many a time

00:52:54.900 --> 00:52:55.960
 I was going like this

00:52:55.960 --> 00:52:56.460
 sideways

00:52:56.460 --> 00:52:57.320
 to just work out

00:52:57.320 --> 00:52:58.260
 where is the ditch?

00:52:58.960 --> 00:52:59.559
 So that I wouldn't

00:52:59.559 --> 00:53:00.900
 actually walk into the ditch

00:53:00.900 --> 00:53:02.240
 and then finding out,

00:53:02.360 --> 00:53:02.940
 oh, there's the ditch,

00:53:03.059 --> 00:53:04.159
 so take a step back,

00:53:04.219 --> 00:53:05.639
 go forward another few steps.

00:53:05.820 --> 00:53:06.380
 And eventually

00:53:06.380 --> 00:53:07.519
 you'd reach the house

00:53:07.519 --> 00:53:08.219
 and you'd come to

00:53:08.219 --> 00:53:09.059
 where the light

00:53:09.059 --> 00:53:10.240
 outside the house was.

00:53:10.519 --> 00:53:11.199
 But that's

00:53:11.199 --> 00:53:13.240
 when there's no streetlights,

00:53:13.340 --> 00:53:14.480
 when there's no light,

00:53:14.619 --> 00:53:15.900
 but when there's just darkness,

00:53:16.199 --> 00:53:16.639
 you don't know

00:53:16.639 --> 00:53:17.360
 where you're going.

00:53:19.059 --> 00:53:20.199
 You're fumbling about

00:53:20.199 --> 00:53:20.840
 in the darkness.

00:53:22.099 --> 00:53:23.740
 You're trying to make your way,

00:53:24.539 --> 00:53:24.960
 hopefully,

00:53:25.619 --> 00:53:26.199
 by the way

00:53:26.199 --> 00:53:26.980
 that you yourself

00:53:26.980 --> 00:53:27.980
 think best.

00:53:28.480 --> 00:53:29.800
 And that's what it's like

00:53:29.800 --> 00:53:31.639
 in our human life as well.

00:53:31.699 --> 00:53:33.360
 It's so easy

00:53:33.360 --> 00:53:34.139
 to stray

00:53:34.139 --> 00:53:35.559
 off the verge

00:53:35.559 --> 00:53:36.740
 that keeps you safe,

00:53:38.059 --> 00:53:38.760
 straying onto

00:53:38.760 --> 00:53:40.659
 where the darkness is.

00:53:41.300 --> 00:53:42.219
 So easy

00:53:42.219 --> 00:53:43.340
 just to accept

00:53:43.340 --> 00:53:43.920
 the darkness

00:53:43.920 --> 00:53:44.679
 for what it is

00:53:44.679 --> 00:53:44.960
 and say,

00:53:45.039 --> 00:53:45.099
 well,

00:53:45.139 --> 00:53:46.199
 this is how I've always been.

00:53:48.380 --> 00:53:49.380
 And even though

00:53:49.380 --> 00:53:50.559
 you're not right

00:53:50.559 --> 00:53:51.179
 with God,

00:53:51.860 --> 00:53:52.740
 it's all too easy

00:53:52.740 --> 00:53:53.820
 to let the evil one,

00:53:53.900 --> 00:53:54.599
 the dark power,

00:53:54.699 --> 00:53:55.139
 tell you,

00:53:55.139 --> 00:53:56.359
 it's all right.

00:53:57.199 --> 00:53:58.440
 You've managed so far.

00:53:58.859 --> 00:54:00.400
 You don't need to become religious.

00:54:01.079 --> 00:54:01.980
 You don't need to actually

00:54:01.980 --> 00:54:03.079
 follow Jesus

00:54:03.079 --> 00:54:04.500
 the way other people

00:54:04.500 --> 00:54:05.159
 are following Jesus.

00:54:05.219 --> 00:54:06.359
 That's all right for them.

00:54:07.179 --> 00:54:08.319
 But just listen to what Jesus

00:54:08.319 --> 00:54:08.779
 is saying.

00:54:08.839 --> 00:54:09.879
 I am the light of the world.

00:54:09.980 --> 00:54:11.000
 Whoever follows me

00:54:11.000 --> 00:54:13.199
 will not walk in darkness.

00:54:13.559 --> 00:54:14.859
 You need to follow him

00:54:14.859 --> 00:54:16.359
 or else you're walking

00:54:16.359 --> 00:54:17.079
 in darkness.

00:54:17.859 --> 00:54:18.739
 And I have to put that

00:54:18.739 --> 00:54:19.379
 to my life.

00:54:19.659 --> 00:54:20.400
 You have to put that

00:54:20.400 --> 00:54:20.940
 to yourself.

00:54:20.940 --> 00:54:22.360
 The safe way

00:54:22.360 --> 00:54:23.179
 through life

00:54:23.179 --> 00:54:23.639
 is the way

00:54:23.639 --> 00:54:24.760
 that follows Jesus.

00:54:25.240 --> 00:54:26.039
 The way that has

00:54:26.039 --> 00:54:27.019
 your life

00:54:27.019 --> 00:54:28.220
 in his hands

00:54:28.220 --> 00:54:28.780
 in him

00:54:28.780 --> 00:54:29.860
 as the light.

00:54:32.320 --> 00:54:33.300
 Psalm 27,

00:54:33.440 --> 00:54:34.599
 we sang together,

00:54:34.720 --> 00:54:35.019
 begins,

00:54:35.280 --> 00:54:35.820
 the Lord

00:54:35.820 --> 00:54:38.260
 is my light

00:54:38.260 --> 00:54:40.400
 and my saving health.

00:54:41.079 --> 00:54:41.619
 The Lord

00:54:41.619 --> 00:54:42.539
 is my light.

00:54:43.099 --> 00:54:44.519
 Not my own ingenuity.

00:54:45.079 --> 00:54:45.760
 Not what somebody

00:54:45.760 --> 00:54:46.599
 else tells me.

00:54:46.920 --> 00:54:47.780
 Not what the philosophy

00:54:47.780 --> 00:54:48.760
 of some other religion

00:54:48.760 --> 00:54:49.179
 says.

00:54:49.619 --> 00:54:50.380
 Not a mixture

00:54:50.380 --> 00:54:51.140
 of all kinds

00:54:51.140 --> 00:54:51.720
 of beliefs

00:54:51.720 --> 00:54:52.599
 and somehow or other

00:54:52.599 --> 00:54:53.640
 that provides me

00:54:53.640 --> 00:54:54.440
 a safe way.

00:54:54.660 --> 00:54:55.019
 No, he says,

00:54:55.200 --> 00:54:56.380
 I am the light

00:54:56.380 --> 00:54:57.000
 of the world.

00:54:57.400 --> 00:54:58.760
 Whoever follows me

00:54:58.760 --> 00:55:00.119
 will not walk

00:55:00.119 --> 00:55:00.680
 in darkness

00:55:00.680 --> 00:55:01.740
 but will have

00:55:01.740 --> 00:55:02.800
 the light of life.

00:55:04.820 --> 00:55:05.119
 And you know,

00:55:05.160 --> 00:55:06.200
 some people might be,

00:55:06.300 --> 00:55:07.260
 maybe yourself today,

00:55:07.980 --> 00:55:08.519
 might be afraid

00:55:08.519 --> 00:55:09.700
 to take that step.

00:55:11.140 --> 00:55:11.720
 You might be afraid

00:55:11.720 --> 00:55:12.880
 to just step

00:55:12.880 --> 00:55:13.800
 into the light

00:55:13.800 --> 00:55:14.400
 if you like

00:55:14.400 --> 00:55:15.860
 and begin

00:55:15.860 --> 00:55:16.940
 to follow Jesus

00:55:16.940 --> 00:55:17.780
 and to do so

00:55:17.780 --> 00:55:18.360
 meaningfully

00:55:18.360 --> 00:55:18.860
 and fully

00:55:18.860 --> 00:55:19.519
 and openly.

00:55:20.380 --> 00:55:22.920
 I once read

00:55:22.920 --> 00:55:24.640
 about a young girl

00:55:24.640 --> 00:55:25.599
 whose father

00:55:25.599 --> 00:55:27.079
 was a lighthouse keeper

00:55:27.079 --> 00:55:27.680
 way back

00:55:27.680 --> 00:55:28.420
 in the old days

00:55:28.420 --> 00:55:30.019
 when lighthouse keepers

00:55:30.019 --> 00:55:30.500
 were required

00:55:30.500 --> 00:55:31.640
 to live in lighthouses

00:55:31.640 --> 00:55:33.860
 and she had a little lamp

00:55:33.860 --> 00:55:34.260
 herself

00:55:34.260 --> 00:55:35.320
 that her father

00:55:35.320 --> 00:55:35.900
 had given her

00:55:35.900 --> 00:55:36.960
 so that when they were

00:55:36.960 --> 00:55:37.860
 going to go back

00:55:37.860 --> 00:55:38.920
 upstairs through

00:55:38.920 --> 00:55:39.519
 the lighthouse,

00:55:39.720 --> 00:55:39.960
 of course,

00:55:40.039 --> 00:55:41.079
 the stairs wind round

00:55:41.079 --> 00:55:42.240
 so very quickly

00:55:42.240 --> 00:55:43.599
 her father disappeared

00:55:43.599 --> 00:55:44.780
 as he went ahead

00:55:44.780 --> 00:55:45.780
 of her with his light

00:55:45.780 --> 00:55:47.900
 and she was following

00:55:47.900 --> 00:55:48.980
 with her own little light

00:55:48.980 --> 00:55:50.000
 and she began to panic

00:55:50.000 --> 00:55:50.880
 when her father

00:55:50.880 --> 00:55:52.300
 went round the corner

00:55:52.300 --> 00:55:53.040
 as he went up

00:55:53.040 --> 00:55:53.700
 the round stairs

00:55:53.700 --> 00:55:54.620
 and she said,

00:55:54.720 --> 00:55:55.180
 Dad, Dad,

00:55:55.200 --> 00:55:56.200
 I can't see you.

00:55:57.280 --> 00:55:58.120
 And he said,

00:55:58.320 --> 00:55:59.440
 it's okay.

00:56:00.360 --> 00:56:01.900
 The light you've got

00:56:01.900 --> 00:56:03.019
 is enough

00:56:03.019 --> 00:56:04.220
 for each step.

00:56:05.000 --> 00:56:06.720
 Just look at each step

00:56:06.720 --> 00:56:08.900
 as you carry your lamp

00:56:08.900 --> 00:56:10.200
 and you can go on

00:56:10.200 --> 00:56:11.720
 safely up the stairs.

00:56:12.480 --> 00:56:13.200
 That's what God

00:56:13.200 --> 00:56:14.059
 is telling you today.

00:56:14.599 --> 00:56:16.340
 The light you have today

00:56:16.340 --> 00:56:17.420
 is sufficient

00:56:17.420 --> 00:56:18.880
 for the steps of today.

00:56:19.119 --> 00:56:19.880
 Don't try and live

00:56:19.880 --> 00:56:20.760
 tomorrow today.

00:56:21.420 --> 00:56:22.320
 Don't try and go ahead

00:56:22.320 --> 00:56:22.960
 of yourself

00:56:22.960 --> 00:56:24.500
 and all the fears

00:56:24.500 --> 00:56:25.960
 that that will engender

00:56:25.960 --> 00:56:27.160
 in your own thinking.

00:56:27.500 --> 00:56:28.519
 How am I going to manage this?

00:56:28.579 --> 00:56:29.420
 How am I going to manage that?

00:56:29.619 --> 00:56:30.700
 How is this going to work out?

00:56:30.760 --> 00:56:31.880
 How is that going to work out?

00:56:32.380 --> 00:56:33.940
 Here's the light for today.

00:56:34.380 --> 00:56:35.160
 Here is Jesus

00:56:35.160 --> 00:56:36.500
 for you to follow today.

00:56:37.000 --> 00:56:38.220
 And whatever steps

00:56:38.219 --> 00:56:39.539
 or step you might

00:56:39.539 --> 00:56:40.659
 have to take today,

00:56:41.039 --> 00:56:42.179
 don't look to tomorrow.

00:56:42.739 --> 00:56:43.599
 Look to the light

00:56:43.599 --> 00:56:44.359
 that he is

00:56:44.359 --> 00:56:45.579
 and you'll find

00:56:45.579 --> 00:56:47.579
 that he's more than adequate

00:56:47.579 --> 00:56:49.119
 for the steps

00:56:49.119 --> 00:56:50.219
 you need to take today.

00:56:51.239 --> 00:56:52.619
 I am the light of the world.

00:56:53.159 --> 00:56:54.159
 Whoever follows me

00:56:54.159 --> 00:56:55.459
 will not walk in darkness.

00:56:55.879 --> 00:56:56.399
 But he says,

00:56:56.619 --> 00:56:58.319
 will have the light of life.

00:56:58.379 --> 00:56:58.759
 In other words,

00:56:59.139 --> 00:57:01.399
 the light which consists in life,

00:57:02.139 --> 00:57:03.739
 the life that Jesus gives

00:57:03.739 --> 00:57:05.799
 is here compared to a light.

00:57:05.799 --> 00:57:06.679
 So, you know,

00:57:06.759 --> 00:57:07.399
 that opens up

00:57:07.400 --> 00:57:08.440
 a whole new area

00:57:08.440 --> 00:57:09.500
 of study for us.

00:57:09.860 --> 00:57:10.460
 We don't have time

00:57:10.460 --> 00:57:12.119
 at all to go into it just now.

00:57:12.740 --> 00:57:14.940
 But it's the area of truth

00:57:14.940 --> 00:57:16.960
 that speaks about Christians,

00:57:17.099 --> 00:57:18.139
 the followers of Jesus

00:57:18.139 --> 00:57:20.000
 themselves being light.

00:57:20.460 --> 00:57:20.940
 And you remember

00:57:20.940 --> 00:57:21.940
 that's how Jesus spoke,

00:57:22.340 --> 00:57:23.420
 Matthew 5, 14,

00:57:23.780 --> 00:57:25.720
 you are the light of the world.

00:57:27.579 --> 00:57:28.800
 A city set on a hill

00:57:28.800 --> 00:57:30.079
 cannot be hidden.

00:57:30.940 --> 00:57:32.320
 Neither do people light a candle

00:57:32.320 --> 00:57:34.340
 and put it under a covering,

00:57:34.340 --> 00:57:35.780
 but on a candlestick

00:57:35.780 --> 00:57:37.380
 so that it gives out its light.

00:57:37.880 --> 00:57:38.880
 Here is Jesus saying,

00:57:39.380 --> 00:57:41.000
 when you come to know me

00:57:41.000 --> 00:57:42.800
 as the light of your life,

00:57:43.200 --> 00:57:44.519
 your life is transformed

00:57:44.519 --> 00:57:46.500
 into being a light as well.

00:57:47.380 --> 00:57:48.880
 And this world out there

00:57:48.880 --> 00:57:51.000
 needs not just the light of Jesus

00:57:51.000 --> 00:57:52.740
 as the light of the world,

00:57:52.880 --> 00:57:53.940
 but the light of Jesus

00:57:53.940 --> 00:57:55.519
 in human lives

00:57:55.519 --> 00:57:56.660
 to make them,

00:57:56.800 --> 00:57:57.780
 you and I,

00:57:58.200 --> 00:57:59.380
 lights by which people

00:57:59.380 --> 00:58:01.360
 will see Jesus for themselves.

00:58:01.360 --> 00:58:03.260
 They don't read their Bibles.

00:58:04.860 --> 00:58:06.400
 They don't come to church.

00:58:07.260 --> 00:58:08.440
 They don't know the gospel.

00:58:08.880 --> 00:58:10.180
 Many people out there today

00:58:10.180 --> 00:58:12.240
 in the darkness of sin

00:58:12.240 --> 00:58:13.680
 and of the ways of sin,

00:58:13.960 --> 00:58:15.180
 how are they going to find

00:58:15.180 --> 00:58:16.320
 light for their lives?

00:58:16.599 --> 00:58:17.920
 They're not going to find it in church.

00:58:18.000 --> 00:58:18.880
 They don't come to church,

00:58:18.940 --> 00:58:19.440
 though we want them

00:58:19.440 --> 00:58:20.260
 to come to church.

00:58:20.460 --> 00:58:21.740
 They don't know the gospel.

00:58:21.860 --> 00:58:22.960
 They don't read their Bibles.

00:58:23.400 --> 00:58:24.760
 So they have to see that light

00:58:24.760 --> 00:58:26.380
 in your life and mine.

00:58:26.380 --> 00:58:30.140
 And if your life and my life

00:58:30.140 --> 00:58:31.940
 is not a light for them,

00:58:32.240 --> 00:58:33.440
 then they are going to stay

00:58:33.440 --> 00:58:34.099
 in the darkness

00:58:34.099 --> 00:58:36.220
 unless God miraculously comes

00:58:36.220 --> 00:58:37.340
 to change it for them.

00:58:39.640 --> 00:58:41.140
 So the question you see today

00:58:41.140 --> 00:58:41.860
 is not so much,

00:58:42.360 --> 00:58:44.320
 well, there is this question,

00:58:44.660 --> 00:58:45.780
 do I know Jesus

00:58:45.780 --> 00:58:47.900
 as the light of my life,

00:58:47.940 --> 00:58:49.000
 as the light of the world?

00:58:49.519 --> 00:58:51.140
 Is the light of the world

00:58:51.140 --> 00:58:53.380
 shining in my life today?

00:58:53.500 --> 00:58:54.740
 Have I come to trust Him?

00:58:54.739 --> 00:58:57.559
 Have I come to know

00:58:57.559 --> 00:58:59.359
 the Christmas story for myself

00:58:59.359 --> 00:59:01.339
 in my own inward soul

00:59:01.339 --> 00:59:03.819
 so that I'm no longer

00:59:03.819 --> 00:59:04.839
 walking in darkness,

00:59:05.239 --> 00:59:07.500
 so that I have the light of life?

00:59:07.539 --> 00:59:08.399
 That's the first thing.

00:59:09.719 --> 00:59:10.419
 The second thing,

00:59:11.019 --> 00:59:12.699
 and it is a challenge for me

00:59:12.699 --> 00:59:13.479
 and for you too,

00:59:14.519 --> 00:59:16.759
 is my life.

00:59:17.659 --> 00:59:19.699
 Is our life as a congregation?

00:59:19.879 --> 00:59:20.799
 Because Jesus there was,

00:59:21.259 --> 00:59:21.759
 in Matthew,

00:59:21.879 --> 00:59:23.799
 talking to a crowd

00:59:23.800 --> 00:59:24.600
 of His disciples

00:59:24.600 --> 00:59:25.680
 in the Sermon on the Mount,

00:59:26.539 --> 00:59:28.200
 you are the light of the world.

00:59:29.600 --> 00:59:31.100
 There's our concern today

00:59:31.100 --> 00:59:33.440
 as we come to approach Christmas

00:59:33.440 --> 00:59:35.320
 and give out the Christmas story,

00:59:35.620 --> 00:59:37.060
 but here must be our concern

00:59:37.060 --> 00:59:39.180
 always, every day,

00:59:39.620 --> 00:59:41.240
 every moment of every year

00:59:41.240 --> 00:59:41.980
 that goes by,

00:59:42.220 --> 00:59:43.320
 that as a people

00:59:43.320 --> 00:59:44.600
 and as individuals,

00:59:45.100 --> 00:59:46.400
 we will prove to be

00:59:46.400 --> 00:59:47.519
 the light of the world,

00:59:47.840 --> 00:59:49.580
 the light that shines out

00:59:49.579 --> 00:59:50.380
 by which people

00:59:50.380 --> 00:59:51.400
 see the Lord

00:59:51.400 --> 00:59:54.460
 and by which people

00:59:54.460 --> 00:59:54.980
 will come

00:59:54.980 --> 00:59:56.199
 by His blessing

00:59:56.199 --> 00:59:57.079
 to follow Him.

00:59:58.880 --> 00:59:59.639
 I am

00:59:59.639 --> 01:00:02.039
 the light of the world.

01:00:03.119 --> 01:00:04.099
 Whoever follows me

01:00:04.099 --> 01:00:05.279
 will not walk in darkness,

01:00:05.739 --> 01:00:07.480
 but will have the light

01:00:07.480 --> 01:00:08.480
 of life.

01:00:09.480 --> 01:00:11.059
 To use his own words,

01:00:11.840 --> 01:00:12.880
 come to the light,

01:00:14.380 --> 01:00:15.539
 follow the light,

01:00:15.539 --> 01:00:19.639
 be light for Him.

01:00:20.960 --> 01:00:22.759
 May God bless these thoughts

01:00:22.759 --> 01:00:23.779
 on His Word

01:00:23.779 --> 01:00:24.639
 and bless His Word

01:00:24.639 --> 01:00:26.039
 to us again today.

01:00:26.139 --> 01:00:26.900
 We're going to conclude

01:00:26.900 --> 01:00:28.940
 by singing in Psalm 36.

01:00:31.000 --> 01:00:32.259
 Psalm 36,

01:00:32.420 --> 01:00:33.779
 and the Sing Psalms version again.

01:00:35.179 --> 01:00:36.500
 Verses 5 to 9

01:00:36.500 --> 01:00:37.619
 to the tune London New.

01:00:38.840 --> 01:00:40.400
 That's on page 44.

01:00:40.400 --> 01:00:48.940
 Your steadfast love is great,

01:00:49.099 --> 01:00:49.519
 O Lord,

01:00:49.579 --> 01:00:50.700
 it reaches heaven high.

01:00:51.559 --> 01:00:53.119
 Your faithfulness is wonderful,

01:00:53.780 --> 01:00:55.280
 extending to the sky.

01:00:55.800 --> 01:00:56.900
 And so on to verse 9,

01:00:57.019 --> 01:00:58.000
 which speaks about God

01:00:58.000 --> 01:00:59.700
 being a source of life

01:00:59.700 --> 01:01:00.519
 and light for us.

01:01:00.599 --> 01:01:01.860
 They feast within your house

01:01:01.860 --> 01:01:03.559
 and drink from streams

01:01:03.559 --> 01:01:04.519
 of your delight.

01:01:05.039 --> 01:01:05.760
 What with you

01:01:05.760 --> 01:01:06.960
 is the source of life

01:01:06.960 --> 01:01:08.880
 in your light.

01:01:08.880 --> 01:01:11.440
 we see light.

01:01:12.079 --> 01:01:13.200
 Verses 5 to 9

01:01:13.200 --> 01:01:14.160
 as we stand to sing.

01:01:14.159 --> 01:01:24.279
 Your steadfast love is great,

01:01:24.279 --> 01:01:26.139
 O Lord,

01:01:26.359 --> 01:01:32.639
 it reaches heaven high.

01:01:32.639 --> 01:01:39.639
 Your faithfulness is wonderful,

01:01:39.639 --> 01:01:40.119
 your faithfulness is wonderful,

01:01:40.119 --> 01:01:46.960
 extending to the sky.

01:01:46.960 --> 01:01:51.960
 Your righteousness is wonderful,

01:01:51.960 --> 01:01:56.859
 your righteousness is very great,

01:01:56.860 --> 01:01:57.860
 like light.

01:01:57.860 --> 01:01:58.860
 Your righteousness is great,

01:01:58.860 --> 01:02:02.860
 like mountains high and steep.

01:02:02.860 --> 01:02:03.860
 Your righteousness is great,

01:02:03.860 --> 01:02:07.860
 like ocean and earth,

01:02:07.860 --> 01:02:17.860
 O man and peace to be.

01:02:17.860 --> 01:02:19.860
 O Lord,

01:02:19.860 --> 01:02:26.860
 my precious is your steadfast love,

01:02:26.860 --> 01:02:32.860
 what confidence it brings.

01:02:32.860 --> 01:02:34.860
 For the name of you is Jesus,

01:02:34.860 --> 01:02:37.360
 O enseñ and louvers,

01:02:38.059 --> 01:02:38.360
 O platformer did you pray e'en the sky?

01:02:38.900 --> 01:02:40.860
 O nuestra fields,

01:02:40.860 --> 01:02:41.860
 who areως hot?

01:02:41.860 --> 01:02:42.280
 how are you?

01:02:42.740 --> 01:02:42.940
 as you thunder,

01:02:42.940 --> 01:02:44.980
 the soul of your eyeミー,

01:02:44.980 --> 01:02:49.300
 The shadow of your wings.

01:02:50.300 --> 01:02:58.119
 They feast with the new eyes and trail

01:02:58.119 --> 01:03:05.139
 From saints of pure delight.

01:03:05.139 --> 01:03:13.539
 For with you is the source of life

01:03:13.539 --> 01:03:20.139
 In your light we see light.

01:03:21.860 --> 01:03:24.480
 If you let me get to the main door, please, after the benediction.

01:03:25.840 --> 01:03:29.460
 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father,

01:03:30.019 --> 01:03:34.500
 and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore. Amen.

01:03:43.779 --> 01:03:44.960
 Amen, Father.

01:03:44.960 --> 01:03:46.960
 Amen.

01:03:46.960 --> 01:03:49.259
 Amen, Father.

01:03:49.259 --> 01:03:51.820
 Amen.

01:03:51.860 --> 01:03:52.099
 Amen.

01:03:56.019 --> 01:04:05.960
 Amen.

01:04:05.960 --> 01:04:35.940
 Thank you.

01:04:35.960 --> 01:05:05.940
 Thank you.