WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.440 Let's turn again to the chapter we read in Hebrews, Hebrews chapter 11. 00:00:07.379 --> 00:00:12.439 We read at verse 14 there, 14 to 16. 00:00:12.560 --> 00:00:12.439 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.619 Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 00:00:39.399 --> 00:00:43.500 Now we all know that we live in a very beautiful world. 00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:51.079 And there are many times that we stop and we take note of wonderful things that happen. 00:00:51.260 --> 00:00:53.719 Sometimes we are aware of the beauty. 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:55.620 Sometimes we see beautiful sunsets. 00:00:55.619 --> 00:01:01.939 Sometimes we can be driving along and we don't have to go anywhere further than our own island 00:01:01.939 --> 00:01:06.179 to admire some of the beauties of creation. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:10.359 And we're able to say, well it is, it's a wonderful world. 00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:12.920 And we enjoy many things. 00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:18.079 There are many exciting times, many inspirational times, many wonderful times 00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:24.840 that we have enjoyed throughout different experiences, different situations and such like. 00:01:25.620 --> 00:01:31.880 And yet our text shows us that the people that the apostle is talking about 00:01:31.880 --> 00:01:35.960 are people who were looking for another country. 00:01:36.980 --> 00:01:41.000 The country, this world, was a world that didn't satisfy them. 00:01:41.800 --> 00:01:43.960 They were looking for someone better. 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:50.179 And while they had, there's no doubt about it, many blessings and many favors, 00:01:51.139 --> 00:01:53.639 this world did not ultimately satisfy. 00:01:54.539 --> 00:01:59.479 The way that this world was going, the way that, or what this world lived for, 00:01:59.979 --> 00:02:01.939 was not ultimately what they lived for. 00:02:02.319 --> 00:02:04.299 They were looking for something else. 00:02:04.299 --> 00:02:12.060 And if you're a Christian here tonight, you can identify with what these patriarchs of old were like. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:16.379 Because you can understand a wee bit of these things. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:19.900 You see, the apostle has been writing about these patriarchs, 00:02:19.979 --> 00:02:21.479 Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:26.939 And although they had been promised the land of Canaan, 00:02:27.219 --> 00:02:30.939 they were told, remember how it was promised to first to Abraham and then to Isaac, 00:02:31.259 --> 00:02:32.959 promised to Abraham and his descendants, 00:02:33.459 --> 00:02:35.579 promised to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:39.019 And yet all the time, throughout their lifetime, 00:02:39.179 --> 00:02:42.479 they lived in that land as pilgrims and strangers. 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:47.639 They weren't able to actually call it their own land. 00:02:48.079 --> 00:02:50.120 That was something that was to come later on. 00:02:50.120 --> 00:02:55.340 And all the time they lived, they were, as we say, living like pilgrims and strangers. 00:02:55.759 --> 00:02:57.840 There's a great example of that. 00:02:58.200 --> 00:03:02.300 Remember when Sarah, Abraham's beloved wife, died. 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:09.020 Abraham didn't even own a stone of that land. 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:10.520 None of that land. 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:12.219 Although God said, this is your land. 00:03:13.620 --> 00:03:17.580 Remember, he couldn't just go and bury Sarah. 00:03:17.580 --> 00:03:25.060 He had to buy a plot of land in order for him to bury his wife. 00:03:26.140 --> 00:03:27.200 Didn't own any of it. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:32.160 And yet God had promised him, this is all going to be your land. 00:03:33.200 --> 00:03:36.220 And the amazing thing is that there was no disappointment in the life of, 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:41.200 in the whole lifetime of Abraham regarding this promise. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:46.780 Because he was seeing, yes, that God would fulfill exactly what he said. 00:03:47.459 --> 00:03:50.339 But he was also looking way beyond. 00:03:51.079 --> 00:03:55.539 Because he was seeing the heavenly city that he was traveling to. 00:03:56.179 --> 00:04:02.419 And we read there that it's the heavenly one who's builder and maker is God. 00:04:02.419 --> 00:04:09.679 So in Abraham's life, in Isaac's life, in Jacob's life, there was a refusal to look back. 00:04:10.459 --> 00:04:16.379 And all the time there was this progression, this moving forward, looking ahead. 00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:20.939 And that is the way the believer goes in life as well. 00:04:21.319 --> 00:04:23.159 We don't spend our life looking back. 00:04:23.719 --> 00:04:25.839 We spend our life looking forward. 00:04:26.099 --> 00:04:27.219 It's all ahead. 00:04:27.220 --> 00:04:30.520 You see, Abraham, way back, had been a very wealthy man. 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:34.500 And he lived, he had an inheritance in Ur of the Chaldees. 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:35.420 That was his place. 00:04:36.700 --> 00:04:39.060 And you remember how God came to him and called him out. 00:04:40.220 --> 00:04:42.340 And God called Abraham to leave everything. 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:45.800 He had to leave his homeland, his inheritance. 00:04:46.520 --> 00:04:47.460 He had to leave everything. 00:04:47.580 --> 00:04:49.980 And God said, I'm going to take you out from here. 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:58.040 He called him out, and I'm going to show you a land that will become your land, which will belong to you and to all your descendants. 00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:03.540 And he promised Abraham a great future and that he would be the father of many. 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:06.879 And, of course, Abraham spiritually is the father of the faithful. 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:13.659 And, of course, also of, you could say, of the whole Jewish race. 00:05:14.699 --> 00:05:25.139 And, in fact, we could almost, we could say of the Arabic race as well, because that's where we know of Isaac and Ishmael. 00:05:25.540 --> 00:05:28.439 There was this division that took place there. 00:05:29.779 --> 00:05:34.800 And at no time do we find Abraham along the years saying, oh, I wish I hadn't left her. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:36.780 I was far better off than her. 00:05:37.900 --> 00:05:39.720 I had everything going for me. 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:41.300 Life was easy. 00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:42.240 It was straightforward. 00:05:42.980 --> 00:05:45.280 I had a settled place every day. 00:05:45.639 --> 00:05:48.400 I was in the same place, and life was easy. 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:52.040 But now here I am every day, every year. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:52.860 I'm on the move. 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:53.560 I'm moving. 00:05:53.980 --> 00:05:59.240 And there's nowhere in this whole place that I can say, well, this is home. 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:01.600 This is me settled here forever. 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:07.840 But Abraham, he's not thinking along these lines. 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:10.080 That didn't occupy his thinking. 00:06:10.200 --> 00:06:11.320 The past was past. 00:06:11.900 --> 00:06:17.860 Out of the Chaldees, as far as he was concerned, was the city of destruction, like in Pilgrim's Progress. 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:20.540 It was the place he had been delivered from. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:22.160 God had called him out. 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:28.960 And even though Lot, remember how Lot went to Sodom, Abraham would have nothing to do. 00:06:29.020 --> 00:06:35.020 Although he prayed for Lot and Sodom, Abraham would have nothing to do with Sodom. 00:06:36.320 --> 00:06:42.200 Remember when Lot and his wife and some of the family were delivered from Sodom. 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:46.240 It tells us that Lot's wife looked back. 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:49.680 Although she was taken out of Sodom, Sodom wasn't taken out of her. 00:06:50.719 --> 00:06:52.279 Sodom was deep in her heart. 00:06:52.899 --> 00:06:55.339 And she was looking back longingly, fondly. 00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:56.399 That's my place. 00:06:56.719 --> 00:06:57.699 These are my people. 00:06:57.819 --> 00:06:59.779 And remember, she perished. 00:07:01.060 --> 00:07:04.800 Because she was not like Lot, who looked ahead. 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:07.279 Not like Abraham, who looked ahead. 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:10.180 And the looking back is fatal. 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:15.199 We find it exemplified in the rich young ruler who came to Jesus. 00:07:15.400 --> 00:07:17.420 A very, very promising young man. 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:21.840 And he looked the kind of person that this is going to be a great follower of Jesus. 00:07:23.579 --> 00:07:26.899 And Jesus acknowledged this was a lovely young man. 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:34.100 And yet when Jesus spelled out the cost involved in following Jesus, 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:39.180 the cost of being a Christian, that man went away sorrowful. 00:07:40.180 --> 00:07:44.800 Because he couldn't give up his idols, his wealth. 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:47.699 This was his actual God. 00:07:48.100 --> 00:07:49.240 Not that money is wrong. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:55.800 But if our focus is in any way of the Lord onto it, then it is wrong. 00:07:56.620 --> 00:07:57.780 And he went away sorrowful. 00:07:57.779 --> 00:08:02.000 And you see, the devil is always trying to make us look back. 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:04.039 And maybe tonight you might be here as a Christian. 00:08:04.299 --> 00:08:06.419 And that's what he's trying to make you do right now. 00:08:06.659 --> 00:08:07.679 Making you look back. 00:08:08.979 --> 00:08:11.539 And remembering it when, before you became a Christian. 00:08:11.679 --> 00:08:12.759 Remember, it was a lot easier. 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:15.299 Didn't have the hassles you have now. 00:08:16.179 --> 00:08:18.559 Didn't have the struggles and battles that you have now. 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:22.439 And the devil is great at getting hold. 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:25.660 Once he gets out of mind going in a certain way, he goes for it. 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:28.439 But always remember this, the devil is a liar. 00:08:28.780 --> 00:08:29.620 Satan is a liar. 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:31.319 And he's been a liar from the beginning. 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:38.919 So you see these, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, they were men that looked ahead. 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:40.879 The past was in the past. 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:42.580 And they were looking forward. 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:50.399 Because they had discovered, like you have discovered, that this world does not ultimately satisfy. 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:54.139 This world cannot give deep-rooted satisfaction. 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:55.439 It's like chasing the wind. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:57.159 You cannot catch it. 00:08:58.120 --> 00:08:59.659 You can have moments here and there. 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:01.019 You can have fleeting times. 00:09:01.539 --> 00:09:09.799 But you don't get anything that the world can give that goes right down deep and satisfies the deepest parts of our being. 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:11.059 It doesn't happen. 00:09:12.599 --> 00:09:17.519 And this world is a place where we do become weary. 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:25.419 And you see, once we've tasted who Jesus is, once we have come to taste that the Lord is good, 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:29.719 we have come to find what we know we were looking for. 00:09:30.479 --> 00:09:32.039 This is what I've been looking for. 00:09:32.699 --> 00:09:39.399 Because in Christ there is a meaning and a purpose and a satisfaction to life. 00:09:39.399 --> 00:09:45.699 But you're absolutely persuaded that this is the right way. 00:09:46.659 --> 00:09:48.360 You know that there is no other way. 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:51.720 As Jesus said to the disciples, will you also go away? 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:54.779 And Peter said, well, to whom else can we go? 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:56.720 We've been elsewhere. 00:09:57.579 --> 00:09:59.699 You've got the words of eternal life. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:03.419 And the Christian will say, you'll say that tonight as well. 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:04.759 Where else can I go? 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:06.099 I've been there. 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:08.479 That's why I'm here now. 00:10:08.939 --> 00:10:11.500 Because Jesus has the words of eternal life. 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:17.419 And this world, while it cannot give us deep-rooted and meaningful satisfaction, 00:10:18.579 --> 00:10:20.459 it's also a world of sorrow. 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:24.139 Sorrows are always round some corner. 00:10:24.899 --> 00:10:29.059 There's always some hidden grief that comes on us in a way. 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:34.779 And we long for the day when sorrows and griefs will be no more. 00:10:35.739 --> 00:10:39.519 We long to be in that place where God will wipe away all tears. 00:10:40.419 --> 00:10:41.919 What a wonderful prospect. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:45.659 But that will never be the case in this world. 00:10:47.199 --> 00:10:49.299 And again, this world is a place of sin. 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:51.259 We know it all too well within ourselves. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:58.519 And sin not only affects our own lives, but it affects the whole of society. 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:01.799 Society is crippled because of sin. 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:03.620 It's a great plague. 00:11:04.779 --> 00:11:08.879 And we again long for a world where there will be no more sin. 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:10.580 No more sin personally. 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:13.460 No more sin in the environment. 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:16.480 Not a cloud of sin to stain anything. 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:19.399 And so that's part of why we're looking ahead. 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:26.679 Again, so often in this world as Christians, we feel, don't we? 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:29.379 We feel inadequate and worthless in our service. 00:11:29.579 --> 00:11:32.740 Sometimes we feel that what we're doing, oh, we often say, 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.819 I wish I could do it better. 00:11:33.959 --> 00:11:37.699 I wish in some way that I was a far better Christian. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:40.399 What I try to do, I can't do it properly. 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:43.419 I just, I seem to make a mess of everything I try to do. 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:47.120 You know, when we get to glory, our service will be perfect. 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:52.080 There will be no imperfect service in glory. 00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:53.700 Isn't that wonderful? 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:56.179 There will never be a wrong motive. 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:59.220 You know, people can do very good things with wrong motives. 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:02.659 There'll be no wrong motive in glory. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:06.860 There'll be no sense of unworthiness or any of these things. 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:08.120 No stain of pride. 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:11.080 Again, there can be pride in what we do. 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:13.600 Trying to take some honor to ourselves. 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:15.419 There'll be none of that ever in glory. 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:20.720 So the Christian is somebody who longs for the heavenly country. 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:26.720 And this desire for the better country, the heavenly one, 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:32.320 is a desire that I would say is unique to the Christian. 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:44.060 Because, you see, only the person who has come to faith really desires the heaven that's spoken about in Scripture. 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:53.300 And the reason I say that is because if you ask a lot of people, just generally, 00:12:53.299 --> 00:12:56.339 what do you hope for when you die? 00:12:56.479 --> 00:12:58.479 A lot of people say, oh, I'd like to go to heaven. 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:03.339 But heaven, as far as they're concerned, is some kind of hazy idea. 00:13:04.059 --> 00:13:06.559 And heaven is simply a better alternative to hell. 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:09.039 And that's basically what it is. 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:14.199 They have this idea of some dreamy place, a way up, and everything will be good. 00:13:15.339 --> 00:13:21.639 But what we've got to remember is that that's not the heaven that the Bible shows us. 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:26.159 And I think if a lot of people were honest, they would say, 00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:29.559 I would actually like, if possible, to stay in this world forever. 00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:32.939 Remember when I was preaching there last Sunday, 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:35.600 how there was a... 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:45.240 It would have been inevitable if Adam and Eve had not taken off the tree of the knowledge of good and evil 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:51.860 and had eventually reached to the tree of life and taken it, 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:53.159 then they would have lived forever. 00:13:53.759 --> 00:14:01.039 That is why God put the angel with the flaming sword guarding the tree of life. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:07.539 Because once they fell, it was in order that the Lord tells us that. 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:09.980 Lest they get to the tree of life and live. 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:17.340 It would be the worst catastrophe ever if we were to live forever in a fallen state in this world. 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:24.720 And so the thing is that the non-Christian, not saying all non-Christians, 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:31.159 but the majority of non-Christians would rather that they could live forever and ever and ever in this world. 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:36.159 And heaven is simply a better alternative than hell, 00:14:36.339 --> 00:14:41.579 knowing that there will come a time when we have to leave this world. 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:49.719 But the thing is that when you analyse what heaven is, 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:54.360 heaven is being in the immediate presence of Christ. 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:59.560 It's where all Christ's people come together to be with him, 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:02.820 where he will be at the centre, where he will be shepherding us. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:06.480 Just as he shepherded his people while he was here in this world, 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:11.019 he will shepherd his people throughout the endless ages of eternity. 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:18.100 And he will be receiving their undying praise and honour forever. 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:21.460 And the Christian longs for that. 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:28.000 The non-Christian, the person who doesn't want Christ, 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:30.860 can't really long for that. 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:31.940 It's logical. 00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:34.580 If they don't want Christ here, 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:35.879 if they say, 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:40.779 I don't want Jesus as my Lord, as my King, 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:44.940 then it's almost inevitable that you couldn't bear 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:48.040 being in his immediate presence forever and ever. 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:50.000 That's the actual logic. 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:53.639 I think you will know a lot of where you are 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:56.159 by answering, 00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:01.100 thinking of yourself as you come to leave this world. 00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:04.019 What is it that you would really like? 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:08.040 Is it to be taken into the presence of Christ? 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:13.580 Or would you prefer that it went into a state of nothingness? 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.519 That that would be the end? 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:19.059 Some people believe that when you die, you die, 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:20.220 and that's the end of everything, 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:22.079 which we know is not true. 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:25.659 Ask yourself that. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.079 Answer that honestly. 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.820 And if you can say, 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:32.980 my desire is to be in the immediate presence of Christ, 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:37.340 then I would say that the Lord is in your heart, 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:40.180 or certainly the Lord is working in your heart. 00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:43.100 And you see, there's a real desire. 00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:47.800 Now, of course, it's inevitable that we always have a fear of death, 00:16:47.900 --> 00:16:49.500 of what it will entail. 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:51.779 What will it involve for me? 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.940 When I come to die, how will I die? 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.779 We have no idea. 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:59.419 For some people, it can be a very long, drawn-out, difficult process. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.899 For some people, it's immediate. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:01.779 We don't know. 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:05.160 The Lord in his mercy has hidden these things from us. 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:08.799 But there is, it's called the last enemy, death. 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:11.660 But in a sense, the Christian never dies. 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:14.740 Jesus said that with regard to the resurrection and the life. 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:17.620 Whoever believes in me shall never die. 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:20.940 We shall never taste what death really is. 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:24.980 The moment we breathe our last in this world, 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:28.039 we're ushered straight into the presence of the Lord. 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:31.759 So that's the beauty of it. 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:34.620 Yes, we may fear the process, 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:39.559 but we look forward to what follows straight on. 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:43.559 And if that desire is in your heart, 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:46.619 if you have the desire for heaven, 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:50.700 for being with Christ, 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:53.259 that desire is not natural. 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.599 It's not your own desire. 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:57.919 It's put in your heart by God's Spirit. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:01.480 And when the Spirit puts a desire in your heart, 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.940 it's not to play games with you. 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.659 It's to fulfill. 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:09.079 The Spirit will never put a desire in your heart 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:10.460 and then say, 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:12.319 I'm not going to give you what you desire. 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:15.679 The desire that is placed there by the Spirit 00:18:15.679 --> 00:18:20.399 is a desire that will be fulfilled in due time. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.460 And you know, the wonderful thing is, 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:25.639 however great your desire is 00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:28.159 for the day when you long to be in the company 00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:29.439 and the presence of Christ 00:18:29.439 --> 00:18:31.299 and when you will resemble him, 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:34.700 which is one of the most extraordinary expressions in Scripture, 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:36.339 it tells us we shall be like him. 00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:38.200 We shall see him as he is 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.259 and we shall be like him. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:42.200 It's nothing like the desire 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:46.660 that the Lord Jesus Christ has for you to come home. 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:50.879 I don't think we think sufficiently 00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:52.779 of what the Bible tells us. 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:54.519 Remember in the high priestly prayer 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:57.480 before Jesus died on the cross, 00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.400 he said, 00:18:58.400 --> 00:19:08.360 In the heart of Jesus, 00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:11.120 there is a longing for the day 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:13.080 when you, as a Christian, 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:15.560 will come home to be with himself. 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:18.740 You must always remember that. 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.680 However great our desire is, 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:24.500 it's nowhere near the desire that Jesus has 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:26.420 for you to come home. 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:27.859 And he has said, 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:29.440 I go to prepare a place for you 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.380 and I will come again 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:31.240 and I will take you, 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:33.480 I will receive you to be with myself. 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:34.779 And in the meantime, 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:36.000 he's preparing us 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.259 for the place 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:39.160 that he has prepared. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.859 And then it tells us here 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:44.519 that 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:47.220 they desire a better country, 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.279 that is a heavenly one. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:50.220 Therefore God is not ashamed 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:52.299 to be called their God. 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:52.879 You know, 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:54.700 that's quite an extraordinary statement. 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:57.379 God is not ashamed 00:19:57.379 --> 00:19:59.819 to be called your God. 00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:00.919 If you're a Christian tonight, 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.659 God's not ashamed 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.799 to be called your God. 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.059 And when you think, 00:20:05.139 --> 00:20:06.519 when I think of my life, 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:09.000 of how often we've let the Lord down, 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:11.500 how often we've failed him, 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.440 how often we've backslidden, 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.720 how seldom sometimes 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.759 we speak to him, 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.339 to call him. 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:18.559 You know, 00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:21.519 if you had a friend in this world 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:24.039 who never ever got in touch with you, 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.059 if you were a member of your family 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:27.680 and they never ever, 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.759 you were waiting every day, 00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:30.079 every night for a phone 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.299 or a message or something, 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.480 never got in touch, 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.660 it was really, 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:36.059 it'd be heartbreaking, 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.680 wouldn't it? 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.740 I often wonder 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:40.160 how it is for the Lord 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.039 when we're silent, 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:43.119 when we don't go to him, 00:20:43.139 --> 00:20:44.339 when we forget about him, 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.819 when we don't think about him. 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.660 Sometimes at the end 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.680 of a very rushed day, 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.180 we might say, 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.579 oh, you know, 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.680 I haven't really been thinking 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.700 about the Lord today. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:55.000 He's waiting for us, 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:57.140 waiting for us to come to him. 00:20:58.140 --> 00:21:00.160 Yet despite all that, 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.660 despite all our failings, 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.680 our backslidings, 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.600 our wrongdoing, 00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:06.200 how often we get it wrong, 00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:09.120 he's still not ashamed 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:12.700 to be called your God. 00:21:13.820 --> 00:21:14.799 I find that quite 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:16.140 an extraordinary statement, 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.580 that this is what 00:21:17.580 --> 00:21:18.420 the Lord of glory 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.420 is actually saying. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.320 And he's not ashamed 00:21:22.320 --> 00:21:24.240 because he will receive 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:27.120 never-ending praise and glory 00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:30.120 because of what his son, 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.080 Jesus Christ, 00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:32.340 has done in your life. 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:35.400 And he looks on you 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:37.039 through his son 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:39.420 and he takes great delight. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.660 Even in his world, 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.700 you're precious to him. 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:42.200 Remember, 00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:42.940 in this world, 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:45.519 you are his inheritance. 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:47.019 out of everything else 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.139 in this whole wide world, 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.259 God is only going to take 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:49.799 one thing, 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:50.920 his inheritance 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.720 at his people. 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:52.500 You? 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.819 Isn't that a wonderful thought? 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:57.000 And so you're precious to him. 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.379 He's not ashamed 00:21:59.379 --> 00:22:01.960 to be called your God. 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:05.460 And he's not ashamed 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.559 of those who have not 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.099 been ashamed. 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.059 It tells us that, 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:10.559 that God will not be ashamed 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.680 of those who have not 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:12.839 been ashamed of him 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:13.799 in this world. 00:22:15.199 --> 00:22:15.519 You see, 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.759 we're told not only 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.319 to believe 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.220 but to confess. 00:22:18.699 --> 00:22:19.419 It's a great thing. 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.939 It's a great opportunity 00:22:20.939 --> 00:22:21.619 we have 00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:23.480 to confess Christ, 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:24.859 to own him 00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:25.559 as our Lord 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.299 and our God. 00:22:27.419 --> 00:22:28.019 And the Lord 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:29.319 will never be ashamed 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.220 of anybody 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:32.179 who stands up for him, 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.619 who witnesses for him, 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.879 who acknowledges 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:36.000 the Lord 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.299 as their Lord. 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.699 Sadly, 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:40.779 the reverse is true. 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:43.119 God says that 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:44.000 he will be ashamed 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.740 of those 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:46.500 who are ashamed 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.039 of him. 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.139 Isn't that an awful prospect, 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.079 an awful thought? 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:53.099 And then we see 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:54.240 finally what it says, 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.519 for he has prepared 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.440 for them 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.119 a city. 00:22:59.059 --> 00:23:00.279 Two very brief things 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.680 in that. 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.220 The city 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:03.720 is the very opposite 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.759 of the wilderness, 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.599 the desert place. 00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:06.500 The desert place, 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.079 the wilderness, 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.660 which we sang about 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.839 in Psalm 107, 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.579 is a place 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:12.099 of restlessness. 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.179 The place 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:13.839 there's nowhere 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.779 to settle down. 00:23:14.919 --> 00:23:15.740 There's no rest. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:18.199 You're always wandering. 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.279 No place 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.179 to call home. 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:22.480 But the city 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.079 is different. 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.240 When people built 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.679 a city, 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.240 it was there 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.619 to be, 00:23:25.959 --> 00:23:27.299 it was the permanent place. 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.000 It was a place, 00:23:28.179 --> 00:23:28.879 this is where 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:31.019 I'm going to be forever 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.299 in this world. 00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:33.279 And so cities 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:33.819 were built. 00:23:33.959 --> 00:23:34.519 It was a place 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.659 of permanence. 00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:37.399 And that's what 00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:38.079 heaven is. 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:39.000 It's a place 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.879 of permanence. 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.179 This world, 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.500 there is nothing 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.039 permanent. 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.980 In glory there is. 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.139 And although 00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:47.759 it is here 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.559 called a city, 00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:49.679 it is also called 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.939 our home, 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.279 our heavenly home. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:53.799 You know, 00:23:53.899 --> 00:23:54.159 there's no, 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.220 we often say it, 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.319 there's no place 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:56.839 like home. 00:23:57.439 --> 00:23:57.859 Particularly, 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.139 you know, 00:23:58.179 --> 00:23:58.859 if you've been away 00:23:58.859 --> 00:23:59.559 somewhere or 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.439 you've been 00:24:00.439 --> 00:24:01.559 on a hard day, 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.279 you're kind of, 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:03.879 you're tired 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.480 physically, 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:05.119 you're tired 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:05.619 mentally, 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.659 you come into 00:24:06.659 --> 00:24:07.359 your own house 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:08.259 and you flop down 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.659 and you say, 00:24:08.699 --> 00:24:08.779 oh, 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.539 it's good to be home. 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.459 We often say that, 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:11.859 haven't we? 00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:12.179 Oh man, 00:24:12.239 --> 00:24:12.839 there's no place 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.299 like home. 00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:14.199 It's great to get home. 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:16.359 Well, 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:17.219 we're all going to say 00:24:17.219 --> 00:24:18.679 that when we get 00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:19.139 to heaven. 00:24:19.719 --> 00:24:19.979 Oh, 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.879 there's no place 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:21.419 like home. 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:22.500 In this world, 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.299 we have to go back 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:23.579 out. 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.359 Next day, 00:24:24.439 --> 00:24:25.119 again we go, 00:24:25.459 --> 00:24:26.119 or maybe again 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:27.000 later that evening. 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.939 But in glory, 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.639 there's no more 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.500 going back out. 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:31.939 It is there 00:24:31.939 --> 00:24:32.719 the place of 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.180 permanence, 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.079 of satisfaction, 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.200 of joy, 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:36.980 of peace, 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:38.100 of togetherness. 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:39.819 It's a wonderful, 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.779 wonderful thought. 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.059 So the city 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.640 is a place 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.480 of permanence. 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.299 The city is also, 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.539 it implies 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.460 a great crowd. 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:50.120 You look at the desert 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:51.200 and there's a tent here, 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.940 a tent there, 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.980 or maybe a few 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:54.100 tents gathered there, 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:55.180 but it's kind of 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.819 more the place 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.640 of isolation, 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.559 loneliness. 00:24:59.319 --> 00:24:59.819 Heaven is the 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.420 very opposite. 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.960 There's a huge crowd. 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.559 We're going to sing 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.900 in Psalm 72 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.799 in a few minutes. 00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.880 The city shall 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.640 be flourishing, 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.920 the citizens abound 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.980 in number like 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.240 unto the grass 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.900 that grows 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.799 upon the ground. 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.039 You go up to 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:14.779 Goatill Park 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.680 and try and count 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.420 all the blades 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.259 of grass there, 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.160 or to the 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.160 castle green. 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.039 Imagine trying to 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.920 count every blade 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.660 of grass there. 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.700 You'd give up. 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.120 It's innumerable. 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:25.920 Well, that's what 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.840 it's talking about, 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.000 the number 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.740 and glory. 00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:30.740 And you know, 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.860 amongst all that 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.240 number, 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:34.119 often in huge 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:34.639 crowds, 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.559 people can feel 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.819 isolated and lonely 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.419 and alone 00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:38.799 and shy and 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.379 embarrassed. 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.679 That'll never be the 00:25:40.679 --> 00:25:41.439 case in glory. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.919 It'll be all 00:25:43.919 --> 00:25:44.399 together, 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:46.039 all with one voice. 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:46.599 There'll be no 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.419 disagreements, 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.459 no fallouts. 00:25:49.459 --> 00:25:50.699 Everybody together 00:25:50.699 --> 00:25:52.119 in unity. 00:25:53.219 --> 00:25:54.000 Nobody feeling 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.379 awkward, 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.279 nobody feeling 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.659 lonely, 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.559 nobody feeling 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:56.959 shy, 00:25:56.959 --> 00:25:57.819 nobody feeling 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.399 unworthy. 00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:00.960 all together, 00:26:01.540 --> 00:26:02.080 forever, 00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:03.820 singing praise 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.560 to the Lord. 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.620 It's a wonderful 00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:06.220 prospect. 00:26:07.280 --> 00:26:07.780 And no wonder 00:26:07.780 --> 00:26:08.620 the Christian is 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:09.480 somebody who's not 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.100 looking back, 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:10.740 but is looking 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.180 ahead. 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.120 Are you looking 00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:14.960 ahead tonight? 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:16.940 Is that where 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:18.620 your focus is? 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.980 Because every day 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.580 is taking us 00:26:20.580 --> 00:26:21.400 closer and closer 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:22.740 to the end 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.720 in this world. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:26.400 Do you find 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.200 that your thoughts 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.180 are drifting 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:29.160 maybe more 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:29.680 and more 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:31.000 to what lies 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.440 ahead? 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.920 Or do you live 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.540 in the past? 00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:34.820 Now I know 00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:35.480 there are certain 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.120 things that 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:37.840 with regard to 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.420 people and 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:38.840 memories, 00:26:39.060 --> 00:26:39.500 don't get me 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:39.780 wrong, 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.460 which will take 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.080 our mind 00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:42.320 to the past 00:26:42.320 --> 00:26:42.960 and there's 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.500 nothing wrong 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:43.820 with that. 00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:44.640 That's right, 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.240 it's a natural 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.960 thing we do. 00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.060 But with regard 00:26:47.060 --> 00:26:47.740 to where we're 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.160 going, 00:26:48.280 --> 00:26:48.660 where our 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:49.759 identity is, 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.840 do you find 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.419 that it's been 00:26:51.419 --> 00:26:52.419 drawn heavenwards? 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.179 Are you living 00:26:54.179 --> 00:26:55.039 purely for this 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.399 world? 00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:57.679 Well remember 00:26:57.679 --> 00:26:58.519 Jesus says 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.059 the world is 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.459 going to give 00:26:59.459 --> 00:26:59.859 you nothing 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.959 and whatever 00:27:00.959 --> 00:27:01.359 the world 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:01.899 gives you 00:27:01.899 --> 00:27:02.299 it's going 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.559 to take 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.059 it back. 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.279 What Jesus 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:04.859 gives you 00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:05.519 is permanent, 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.240 it's forever. 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.000 And Jesus 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.419 is saying 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:08.859 tonight, 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:10.139 I am the 00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:10.439 door, 00:27:10.639 --> 00:27:10.919 I'm the 00:27:10.919 --> 00:27:11.599 door to 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:11.879 heaven, 00:27:12.199 --> 00:27:12.500 I'm the 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:12.819 way. 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.179 If you've 00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:15.720 never asked 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.139 him into 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:16.619 your heart 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.159 before, 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.079 do so 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.179 before you 00:27:19.179 --> 00:27:19.740 leave here. 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.539 Let us 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:20.819 pray. 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.059 Lord our 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.359 God, 00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:23.000 we pray 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.480 to bless 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:23.879 us and 00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:25.359 we give 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:25.899 thanks of 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:26.199 what you 00:27:26.199 --> 00:27:26.659 set out 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.279 before us 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.559 in your 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:27.879 word. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.240 We give 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.599 thanks, 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:28.939 Lord, 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.759 for the 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.000 great 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.599 examples 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.139 that these 00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:31.639 people in 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:32.119 the past 00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:32.679 were to 00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:32.959 us. 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:34.399 Your word 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.139 tells us 00:27:35.139 --> 00:27:36.119 that their 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.619 lives are 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.399 recorded there 00:27:37.399 --> 00:27:38.139 as examples 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:38.819 for us. 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:39.799 So many 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.319 spiritual 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.179 truths and 00:27:41.179 --> 00:27:41.639 spiritual 00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:42.319 lessons to 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:42.899 be gleaned 00:27:42.899 --> 00:27:43.299 from it. 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:44.859 We pray, 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.179 Lord, 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:45.519 that you 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:45.980 will help 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:46.220 us, 00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:46.720 take us 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.179 all home 00:27:47.179 --> 00:27:47.699 safety, 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:48.480 do us 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:48.819 good, 00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:49.740 grant us 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.339 your grace, 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.019 your help, 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.400 and your 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:51.900 strength. 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:52.480 Have 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.180 mercy upon 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:53.420 us, 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:53.900 we pray, 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.940 cleansing us 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.319 from our 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:55.940 every sin. 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:56.900 In Jesus' 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.420 name we 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:57.880 ask it. 00:27:58.120 --> 00:27:58.380 Amen. 00:27:58.380 --> 00:28:01.480 We're going 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.080 to conclude 00:28:02.080 --> 00:28:03.200 our service 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.660 singing to 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.080 God's 00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:05.380 praise in 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:07.040 Psalm 72, 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.780 the psalm we 00:28:07.780 --> 00:28:08.480 just quoted 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.720 from the 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.020 Scottish 00:28:10.020 --> 00:28:10.540 Psalter, 00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:11.620 Psalm 72, 00:28:13.540 --> 00:28:14.500 verses 16 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.280 to 19. 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:17.160 Psalm 72, 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.340 verses 16 00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:20.160 to the end, 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:20.480 from the 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:20.720 middle, 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.180 it's the 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.540 middle of 00:28:21.540 --> 00:28:22.920 verse 16, 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.720 the last 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.660 four stanzas. 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:27.560 The city 00:28:27.560 --> 00:28:28.140 shall be 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:28.680 flourishing, 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:29.500 her citizens 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.279 abound in 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.140 number shall, 00:28:31.300 --> 00:28:31.800 like to the 00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:32.840 grass that 00:28:32.840 --> 00:28:33.540 grows upon 00:28:33.540 --> 00:28:34.100 the ground. 00:28:34.820 --> 00:28:35.400 His name 00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:36.259 forever shall 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.740 endure, 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.660 last like the 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.340 sun it shall. 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.740 Men shall be 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.640 blessed in him, 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.440 and blessed all 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.480 nations shall 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.040 him call. 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:44.300 Now blessed 00:28:44.300 --> 00:28:44.940 be the Lord 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.500 our God, 00:28:45.540 --> 00:28:46.040 the God of 00:28:46.040 --> 00:28:46.440 Israel, 00:28:47.040 --> 00:28:47.680 for he alone 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:48.440 doth wondrous 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:48.860 works, 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:50.100 and glory that 00:28:50.100 --> 00:28:50.580 excel. 00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.360 Blessed be his 00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:53.279 glorious name 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.700 to all 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.279 eternity, 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.619 the whole 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.000 earth. 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.599 Let his 00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:57.500 glory fill. 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.539 Amen. 00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.619 So let it 00:28:59.619 --> 00:28:59.879 be. 00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:00.899 Page 314, 00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.579 Psalm 72, 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.019 from the 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.359 Scottish 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:03.720 Psalter, 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.139 middle of 00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:04.759 verse 16, 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:05.160 the tune 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:05.319 is 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:05.779 Effingham. 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.599 This is 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:06.519 the 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:13.720 city 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:15.700 shall 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.559 be 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:19.399 flourishing, 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.960 our 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:23.160 citizens 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.320 of 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:23.980 Tammy 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.320 ! 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:23.980 Tammy 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.320 ! 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:23.980 Tammy 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.320 ! 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:23.980 Tammy 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.320 ! 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:23.980 Tammy 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.320 ! 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:23.980 Tammy 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.320 ! 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:23.980 Tammy 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.320 ! 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:23.980 Tammy 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:23.980 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:28.540 ! 00:29:28.540 --> 00:29:28.540 00:29:28.540 --> 00:29:30.040 Tammy 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.040 00:29:53.160 --> 00:30:16.040 But like the sun is young, then shall we rest in the rest, all nations shall therefore. 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:34.039 Now rest in me, the Lord, the Lord, the Lord, the Lord, O days I am. 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:50.039 For ye alone, the wondrous world, in glory God's best. 00:30:50.039 --> 00:31:08.039 Blessed be his glorious name to all eternity. 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:26.039 The whole earth, the glory of God, and in so let it be. 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:36.019 Now may the greatest mercy and peace of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rest and abide upon each one of you, now and forevermore. Amen. 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:40.039 Amen. 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:10.039 Amen. 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:12.039 Amen. 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:14.039 Amen.