WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.459 That was Michael Bowen's, or part of Michael Bowen's, paraphrase of Psalm 98, 00:00:06.100 --> 00:00:09.359 and to a very appropriate tune, I think, Beethoven's Ode to Joy. 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:12.179 Now, I'm aware Beethoven's Ode to Joy at the moment is quite political, 00:00:12.679 --> 00:00:15.339 as the anthem of the European Union. Please forget that. 00:00:15.980 --> 00:00:20.080 It is a great tune and a great expression of joy. 00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:27.980 And I was thinking this morning that Psalm 98 we could describe as the Christian's Ode to Joy. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:32.159 Perhaps more accurately, the Christian's Ode to Joy in the Lord, 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:37.060 because joy in itself is a great thing, but really what matters is what our joy is in, 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:41.640 and we find our joy and our strength in God. 00:00:42.600 --> 00:00:46.320 And the psalmist says when we have a real joy in the Lord, 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:49.039 then we're going to want to sing about it. 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:52.280 That is the great thrust of Psalm 98. 00:00:52.740 --> 00:00:57.380 Sing for joy. Sing a new song. Sing for joy to the Lord. 00:00:57.979 --> 00:01:03.159 And I hope this morning we can get some feel of the joy that we can have 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:07.439 as we sing together, as we praise God. 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:10.939 If there's one thing to take away, perhaps, it would be this. 00:01:11.479 --> 00:01:15.939 God wants us to find joy in singing his praises. 00:01:16.099 --> 00:01:21.519 God wants us to find joy in singing his praises. 00:01:21.519 --> 00:01:26.579 During the course of what I have to say, I'm going to refer very frequently to songs. 00:01:27.039 --> 00:01:31.579 Many of them songs written specifically, thinking about Psalm 98. 00:01:31.739 --> 00:01:32.179 Some not. 00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:36.000 But just to remind ourselves of some of the great songs that we have, 00:01:36.319 --> 00:01:41.799 that we can sing, and that we can use to rejoice in our God. 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:45.959 Now before we go into that, perhaps it's worth saying a couple of things. 00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:52.239 One is that for some of you, perhaps, joy is the last thing on your minds this morning. 00:01:52.839 --> 00:01:56.139 Perhaps because of personal illness or of circumstances, 00:01:56.659 --> 00:01:59.939 you find it very difficult to rejoice in God. 00:02:00.019 --> 00:02:03.319 Perhaps you even find it quite difficult to sing some of the songs 00:02:03.319 --> 00:02:05.659 that we've been singing this morning. 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:10.039 And for a speaker to get up and say, let's all rejoice and be glad, 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:14.219 that could actually be the worst thing for you if you don't feel like it. 00:02:14.239 --> 00:02:15.340 So I'm not doing that. 00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:19.759 I recognise that many people are going through hard times. 00:02:20.579 --> 00:02:25.019 And it's very understandable if you don't feel great joy this morning. 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:26.799 Our prayer would be, and your prayer perhaps, 00:02:27.099 --> 00:02:31.299 that God, even in your circumstances, or perhaps by changing your circumstances, 00:02:31.739 --> 00:02:35.459 would be able to give you a real joy in him. 00:02:35.460 --> 00:02:43.439 The thing I want to say is that not all the songs and hymns we sing are in themselves joyful. 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:50.460 Quite a lot of what we sing focuses on our sin or on the suffering of the Lord Jesus. 00:02:51.060 --> 00:02:53.659 And if we sing them with a cheesy grin on our faces, 00:02:54.020 --> 00:02:59.240 that suggests we're not really thinking about the words of what we're singing at all. 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:04.740 And yet, even as we sing songs like that or hymns like that, 00:03:05.420 --> 00:03:09.060 there is an underlying joy if we know the Lord Jesus. 00:03:09.980 --> 00:03:12.260 A joy that our sins are forgiven. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:18.879 A joy that Christ suffered and died, but that he's risen again and he is now triumphant. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:27.120 So even in the solemnity, we can also have a joy in the Lord. 00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:33.280 So we're thinking about singing, we're thinking about joy as we look at Psalm 98. 00:03:33.879 --> 00:03:37.659 If you've got the psalm in front of you, you'll see that it is devised fairly naturally 00:03:37.659 --> 00:03:40.920 into three groups of three verses. 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:45.080 And what I want to do is go twice through each of these three groups 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:47.379 and think about two different things. 00:03:48.200 --> 00:03:51.280 First of all, I want to think about how we should sing. 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:55.620 What does the psalmist tell us about how we should sing God's praises? 00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:58.340 And then I want to think about the why. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:04.020 Why does the psalmist tell us that we should sing and that we should rejoice? 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:08.659 And we will try to cover the whole psalm in these two passes at it. 00:04:08.920 --> 00:04:12.620 Some sections will be covered more in one than in the other. 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:18.079 So first of all, how does the psalmist say that we should sing? 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:21.639 Can I go forward rather than backwards? 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:22.599 There we are. 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:27.979 So he says we should sing freshly, we should sing enthusiastically, 00:04:28.479 --> 00:04:31.079 and we should sing inclusively. 00:04:31.219 --> 00:04:33.300 So verses 1 to 3, particularly verse 1, 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:38.620 the psalmist says that we should be fresh in our worship of God. 00:04:39.219 --> 00:04:42.419 Sing to the Lord a new song. 00:04:42.420 --> 00:04:46.400 Now what the psalmist probably principally means here 00:04:46.400 --> 00:04:53.840 is that we should sing to the Lord in praise of the new things that he is doing among us, 00:04:54.400 --> 00:04:59.740 of the evidences that we have of his grace and of his power. 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:05.060 This psalm is possibly the least helpful of all the headings of all the psalms in our Bible. 00:05:05.420 --> 00:05:07.259 It just says a psalm. 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:10.740 So we don't know anything about the background to it. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:15.959 The psalmist might have been talking about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:19.259 as he thinks about God's great work of salvation. 00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:23.480 He might be thinking of David and his battle with Goliath 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:28.099 and how that freed the Israelites from the tyranny of the Philistines. 00:05:28.699 --> 00:05:30.420 Or he might have been writing much later 00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:34.980 and be thinking of how God brought his people back from the exile in Babylon, 00:05:34.980 --> 00:05:38.700 how he worked in the hearts of the Persian rulers who took over 00:05:38.700 --> 00:05:41.319 and allowed the Jews to go back. 00:05:41.780 --> 00:05:42.540 We don't know. 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:44.620 But the psalmist is saying, 00:05:44.960 --> 00:05:47.600 God has done something wonderful about it. 00:05:47.819 --> 00:05:48.860 What are we about us? 00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:50.060 What are we going to do? 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:54.920 We're going to sing and we're going to rejoice in him. 00:05:56.319 --> 00:06:01.280 I think the lesson for us is that our singing does need to be fresh. 00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:05.979 Many of our songs we sing very regularly and they're great songs, 00:06:06.199 --> 00:06:08.619 but if we get to the stage where we know the words 00:06:08.619 --> 00:06:11.079 and we just sing them almost without thinking, 00:06:11.559 --> 00:06:13.279 then they're not new songs. 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:16.299 They're not in any way fresh to us. 00:06:16.359 --> 00:06:19.179 I think the principle lesson I would take from singing a new song 00:06:19.179 --> 00:06:21.179 is when we sing even old songs, 00:06:21.559 --> 00:06:24.799 we should sing them thinking carefully about what they say 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:27.079 and what they teach us about God 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:31.960 and rejoicing in all that he is and all that he has done for us. 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:35.300 It's good to sing new songs as well. 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:38.900 Old songs, old hymns are wonderful and we want to keep singing them. 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:42.500 Let's never lose the great wealth of Christian music 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:44.360 that we have in our heritage, 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:47.300 but good to have new songs as well. 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:50.740 Many new songs are based on old ones. 00:06:50.740 --> 00:06:54.100 So the psalm, Psalm 98, there were many, many paraphrases 00:06:54.100 --> 00:06:57.400 that I was able to find as I prepared for this morning. 00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:59.840 All the psalms and other portions of scripture, 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:02.300 they have been refreshed and revised, 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:04.939 given new tunes to make them relevant 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:06.800 or make them more relevant and more accessible, 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:10.000 perhaps is the right word, to new generations. 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:12.840 And even some of our old hymns, 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:15.519 some of the modern songwriters have been really good 00:07:15.519 --> 00:07:19.479 at taking them and at refreshing them. 00:07:20.139 --> 00:07:21.779 So for example, Graham Kendrick, 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:23.399 Before the Throne of God Above, 00:07:23.479 --> 00:07:25.479 an old hymn which in many ways was almost forgotten 00:07:25.479 --> 00:07:30.299 by many people and has now been brought with a new tune 00:07:30.299 --> 00:07:32.639 to be really meaningful to many. 00:07:32.719 --> 00:07:34.699 Or Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace, 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:37.779 which again brings a freshness to it. 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:41.060 I'm good to have new new songs as well. 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:42.639 We're really privileged in this church. 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:45.659 We've got some great musicians, some Christian songwriters, 00:07:46.159 --> 00:07:49.139 and they write really good Christian songs. 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:52.680 Let's rejoice in that and enjoy the new songs 00:07:52.680 --> 00:07:55.019 as we would sing them together. 00:07:55.300 --> 00:07:56.860 But even if it's old songs we're singing, 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.439 even if it's very familiar songs, 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:00.319 don't let them become stale. 00:08:00.599 --> 00:08:02.139 We need to keep them fresh. 00:08:02.259 --> 00:08:05.419 We need to keep praising God through them 00:08:05.419 --> 00:08:07.959 and thinking about what we're singing. 00:08:08.459 --> 00:08:10.899 So we are to sing freshly. 00:08:10.899 --> 00:08:15.399 Timothy Dudley Smith did a paraphrase of Psalm 19, 00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:17.159 and perhaps this can sum up what I've said. 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:18.699 In this section, he writes, 00:08:18.799 --> 00:08:20.399 Sing a new song to the Lord. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:23.179 He to whom wonders belong, 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:25.439 rejoice in his triumph, 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:27.199 and tell of his power. 00:08:27.919 --> 00:08:31.599 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:33.899 Secondly, we're to sing enthusiastically. 00:08:34.579 --> 00:08:37.360 Now, I've got a bit of a confession to make here. 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:40.259 When I first typed up in my notes for this, 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:41.980 I wrote exuberantly. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:43.500 And then I thought, 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:45.399 no, we're conservative evangelicals. 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:46.200 We live in Scotland. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:48.500 We don't do exuberant very well. 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:50.600 If we were in Africa or Latin America, we might. 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:53.259 But all of us can be enthusiastic 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:55.879 in our praise for God. 00:08:56.539 --> 00:08:58.259 And in verses four to six, 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:00.820 that really is what the psalmist is saying. 00:09:00.820 --> 00:09:05.860 Be enthusiastic as you come in song to God. 00:09:06.040 --> 00:09:09.220 Shout for joy to the Lord all the air. 00:09:09.300 --> 00:09:12.040 Shout for joy before the Lord, your King. 00:09:12.760 --> 00:09:15.840 And then there is the music that will accompany us, 00:09:16.200 --> 00:09:17.420 the music of the harp, 00:09:17.540 --> 00:09:19.400 the beauty of the harp's music, 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:22.260 the music of the trumpets and the ram's horn, 00:09:22.780 --> 00:09:25.320 great majesty perhaps in them, 00:09:25.460 --> 00:09:27.720 enthusiasm, noise as well. 00:09:28.260 --> 00:09:30.640 They didn't have guitars and keyboards in that day. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:33.360 But I'm sure the psalmist would have included them as well 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:36.179 if he had known about them. 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:38.019 But let me say, 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:40.399 and this is no disrespect to our wonderful band 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:42.779 and the way they serve us and the Lord so well, 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:47.100 the most important thing is not the music from the instruments. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:50.340 It's not even the sound that comes from our mouth, 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:51.919 although that is really, really important. 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:55.879 It's what is in our hearts as we sing. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:59.120 And as we sing, as we worship God together, 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:03.039 are we doing it with hearts that are bubbling over with love 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:05.620 and with praise for him? 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:09.600 Or do we at times just go through the motions? 00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:13.919 John Wesley, the great preacher of a couple of hundred years ago, 00:10:14.299 --> 00:10:15.240 said to his followers, 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:18.799 Sing lustily and with a good courage. 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:23.840 Beware of singing as if you were half dead or half asleep. 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:27.639 Beware of singing as if you're half dead or half asleep. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:29.360 And sometimes perhaps some of our singing 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:32.100 has some of that character to it. 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:33.700 We need to sing out. 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:36.759 We need to sing with joy and with conviction 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:40.080 and not just be going through the motions. 00:10:40.800 --> 00:10:41.879 John Wesley's brother, of course, 00:10:41.940 --> 00:10:43.960 was Charles Wesley, the great hymn writer. 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:45.639 And Charles Wesley wrote, 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:49.699 Rejoice, the Lord is King, your Lord and King adore. 00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:54.559 Mortals give thanks and sing and triumph evermore. 00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:56.360 Lift up your heart. 00:10:57.039 --> 00:10:58.279 Lift up your voice. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:10:59.679 Rejoice. 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:02.819 Again I say, rejoice. 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:07.159 We need to sing enthusiastically. 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:11.720 And then finally, we need to sing inclusively. 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:14.439 And that's in verses seven to nine. 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:16.500 And we have this wonderful picture 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:19.720 that Paul paints for us of creation singing. 00:11:20.400 --> 00:11:22.460 It's not just that we sing as individuals 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:23.420 or sing as a church 00:11:23.420 --> 00:11:25.840 or even join with all the human beings around the world 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:27.680 in singing God's praises. 00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:29.500 The psalmist says, 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:34.120 actually nature itself sings to God. 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:39.640 Creation itself is an evidence of praise to God. 00:11:39.640 --> 00:11:43.020 The seas, the fish, they're praising him, 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:44.879 resounding for him. 00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:46.519 The rivers, they're clapping their hands, 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:47.559 metaphorically, of course. 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:50.480 The mountains are singing for joy. 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:52.639 Sometimes we can almost hear that. 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:53.980 We're out on the mountains 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:56.460 and we hear the wind blowing through, 00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:57.480 perhaps a gentle wind. 00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:58.899 There's real musical quality 00:11:58.899 --> 00:12:00.799 or the waves lapping on the shore or whatever. 00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:03.519 But actually it's also as we look out, 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:06.279 as we see the wonder of God's creation, 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:09.220 does it not at times seem to be singing to us 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:12.459 and put a song in our hearts? 00:12:13.079 --> 00:12:14.839 Creation itself teaches us 00:12:14.839 --> 00:12:16.279 that we should sing 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:19.959 and that we should praise God. 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:22.379 It was David Crowder who wrote, 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:25.079 the flowers of the field are crying to be heard. 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:27.860 The trees of the forest are singing 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:30.919 and all of the mountains with one voice 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:32.940 are joining the chorus of this world 00:12:32.940 --> 00:12:35.779 and I will not be silent. 00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:39.460 I will not be quiet anymore. 00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:40.700 As we see the beauty, 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:42.320 the wonder of what God has done 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:43.159 in his creation 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:46.620 and how it testifies to his greatness 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:49.200 and to his love for us. 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:52.139 We too shouldn't be silent. 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:54.080 We should be joining in 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:58.720 that great chorus of praise and worship. 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:00.379 So we sing freshly, 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:02.639 we sing enthusiastically 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:04.480 and we sing inclusively, 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:06.319 not with other humans 00:13:06.319 --> 00:13:09.159 but with creation itself. 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:12.840 But we don't sing thoughtlessly. 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:15.860 We don't sing for the sake of singing 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:18.559 or because singing just makes us feel good, 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:19.960 feel worshipful. 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:23.680 We sing because of who our God is 00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:25.280 and what he has done. 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:27.259 And so as well as the how, 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:30.240 the psalmist talks to us about the why. 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:32.160 And says three things in that. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:33.500 He says God saves, 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:35.680 God reigns, 00:13:36.400 --> 00:13:38.320 and God judges. 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:40.340 God saves. 00:13:40.400 --> 00:13:42.139 The psalmist talks a lot about that 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:44.680 in verses one to three. 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:47.920 The Lord has done marvellous things 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:48.959 with his right hand 00:13:48.959 --> 00:13:50.199 and his holy arm 00:13:50.199 --> 00:13:51.899 have worked salvation for him. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:54.879 The Lord has made his salvation known 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.939 and revealed his righteousness 00:13:56.939 --> 00:13:58.360 to the nations. 00:13:58.439 --> 00:14:00.699 Let's stop there and pause for a second. 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.459 Because in these verses, 00:14:02.839 --> 00:14:04.019 there is definitely 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:06.000 two complementary things 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.579 the psalmist is talking about. 00:14:08.199 --> 00:14:09.559 He's talking about the God 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:11.159 who saves, certainly. 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:13.279 But he's talking about the God 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:14.019 who is holy, 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.379 his holy arm. 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:17.500 And he's talking about the God 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:19.000 who is righteous. 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:20.659 He's revealed his righteousness 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:22.219 to the nations. 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:25.120 And we can't talk about the God 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.919 who saves 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:27.600 without talking about 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:30.319 why God needs to save. 00:14:31.319 --> 00:14:32.980 If our sin, 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:33.860 if our failure, 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.620 if all things were wrong in our life, 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:36.819 didn't matter, 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:39.439 and God could just overlook them, 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:41.460 then there would be no need 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:43.180 for his salvation. 00:14:44.380 --> 00:14:46.820 If he didn't care about how we live 00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:48.320 or what we do, 00:14:48.780 --> 00:14:50.100 then he wouldn't have needed 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:51.260 to send his son 00:14:51.260 --> 00:14:53.800 to die for us on the cross. 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:56.500 It is because God is holy 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:58.120 and is righteous 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:00.640 that he needs to judge those 00:15:00.640 --> 00:15:02.760 who don't meet his standard. 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:04.840 And it was because of that 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:06.000 that the Lord Jesus 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.800 had to come into the world 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:09.399 to live as a man among us 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:10.959 to die our death 00:15:10.959 --> 00:15:12.659 on the cross at Calvary 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:14.839 so that if we trust in him, 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.279 we can be forgiven 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.339 and we can come into 00:15:17.339 --> 00:15:18.899 a relationship with God. 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:20.039 We're thinking in our earlier service 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:20.659 this morning 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:22.339 of the wonderful relationship 00:15:22.339 --> 00:15:23.399 we have with God 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:24.740 as our heavenly father 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:26.639 who cares about everything 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.059 in our lives. 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:29.639 That is only possible 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:31.659 because of his salvation. 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:34.399 And his salvation is necessary 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:36.500 because we don't come up 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.600 to the standard 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:40.240 that God has set for us. 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.939 So God's salvation, 00:15:42.579 --> 00:15:43.779 God's great work 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:45.019 through the Lord Jesus 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:47.699 is needed because God is righteous, 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:49.559 because God is holy, 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:51.399 and because we need 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:52.840 to have our sins dealt with 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:54.220 before we can have 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:56.439 a relationship with him. 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:58.340 God's salvation. 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.960 And then the last verse 00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:01.539 in the first section 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:04.179 talks about how God's salvation 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:06.679 spreads around the world. 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:07.839 He's remembered his love 00:16:07.839 --> 00:16:08.699 and his faithfulness 00:16:08.699 --> 00:16:09.819 to the house of Israel. 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.899 All the ends of the earth 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:13.480 have seen the salvation 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:15.099 of our God. 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:16.860 In the Old Testament, 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:18.059 we largely read about 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:18.860 God's dealings 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.740 with his people, Israel. 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:24.379 We read about how he chose them 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.179 to be his own, 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.879 how they time and time again 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:27.559 failed him, 00:16:27.599 --> 00:16:29.199 and when they turned back to him, 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:31.439 how he restored them. 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:32.279 to himself. 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.059 It was God 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:35.539 with his people, Israel. 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.539 In the New Testament, 00:16:37.699 --> 00:16:39.019 as foreshadowed in Psalms 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:39.519 like this, 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:41.120 another part of the Old Testament, 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:43.299 we read about how God's salvation 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:45.500 extended from his people, Israel, 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:47.659 to the whole world. 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.000 And his faithfulness to Israel, 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.120 his love to Israel, 00:16:51.219 --> 00:16:53.559 that the psalmist records for us here, 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:56.779 has been seen throughout the world. 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.839 And it's not just the Jews 00:16:58.839 --> 00:17:00.000 to whom God's message 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.460 of salvation comes today. 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:03.039 It's all those 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:04.900 who believe in the Lord Jesus 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:08.440 and choose to follow him. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.960 The love, 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.839 the faithfulness of God 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:13.799 is now universal 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:15.980 to all who put their trust 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:17.140 in Christ. 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:19.119 He is the God 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:20.799 who saves. 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.740 And as we think about that God, 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:24.339 mustn't we sing about him 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:26.480 and mustn't we talk about him 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:26.879 to others 00:17:26.879 --> 00:17:28.059 we were thinking about earlier, 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:31.359 particularly in the children's talk. 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:33.179 Stuart Townsend writes, 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.959 you know this one. 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.879 So with every breath 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:36.799 that I am given, 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:40.000 I will sing salvation song 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:43.039 and I'll join the chorus of creation 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:47.399 giving praise to Christ alone. 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:49.559 Our God saves 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:51.139 and we should sing 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.599 and rejoice about that 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:54.740 and we should go and tell others 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:57.919 that he can be their saviour as well. 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:00.559 Verses four to six now 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:02.179 and they tell us 00:18:02.179 --> 00:18:03.559 that God reigns. 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.539 Mainly just at the end, 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:06.139 most of that is about the exuberance, 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.659 the enthusiasm 00:18:07.659 --> 00:18:09.279 of our saying, 00:18:09.399 --> 00:18:10.740 but at the end 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:12.019 it tells us 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:13.980 the reason for that, 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.539 shout for joy 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:17.759 before the Lord, 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:19.059 the King. 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.619 The psalmist says 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.700 we rejoice in God 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.019 because he saves us. 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.759 We rejoice in God 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:26.220 because he is our Lord. 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:28.059 He is our King. 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.319 He is the one 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.960 who is in control of everything. 00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:32.220 He is the one 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:33.879 who ultimately will be seen 00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:35.480 to be King of Kings 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.819 and Lord of Lords. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.279 And because of that, 00:18:39.659 --> 00:18:40.659 we want to shout 00:18:40.659 --> 00:18:42.879 and rejoice in him. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.639 What does that mean 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:45.399 for us in practice? 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.000 Well, on one hand, 00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:48.379 it would talk to us 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.759 about the devotion, 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:51.579 the obedience 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.559 that we should show 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.119 to the one 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:54.079 who is our Lord 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:55.319 and our King 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:57.039 that having been saved by him, 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:58.079 then we would want 00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:00.420 to do what he commands us to 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:02.680 and be obedient to him. 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:04.379 But it also talks 00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:05.299 and perhaps this is more 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:06.700 what's in the psalmist's mind, 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:08.680 it also talks about the fact 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:10.879 that the Lord cares for his people 00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:13.500 and as he oversees the universe, 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:15.379 as he rules over everything. 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:17.460 He is able to be with us 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:19.259 even through these hard times, 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.500 these difficult times, 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:23.019 and to give us the assurance 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.839 that he is in control 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:26.799 and that with him in control, 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:28.619 his will will be done 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:30.519 for our good. 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.980 God reigns. 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.359 He reigns in power 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:35.079 and he reigns 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:36.460 to give us that confidence 00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:39.319 that we can trust him 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.500 for everything. 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:41.920 Our Lord Jesus 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:43.680 is with us 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.360 through his spirit 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:45.279 if we know him 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:45.820 and love him 00:19:45.820 --> 00:19:46.759 at all times 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:48.180 and his reign 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.160 is in our heart, 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.600 but we can also see 00:19:50.600 --> 00:19:51.200 his reign 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:52.759 around us 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.640 in the world, 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.480 even as we pray 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.500 with the Lord's prayer, 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.800 your kingdom come. 00:19:59.580 --> 00:20:00.420 Robert Lowry 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:01.600 in one of the great times, 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.900 I think more often 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.940 sings a solo now 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:05.279 in than collected, 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.340 but he says this, 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.920 thinking about God's reign, 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.400 no storm can shake 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.560 my inmost calm 00:20:10.560 --> 00:20:12.700 while to that refuge 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.200 clinging, 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:15.800 since Christ is Lord 00:20:15.800 --> 00:20:17.120 of heaven and earth, 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:19.160 how can I keep 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.640 from singing? 00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:22.000 How can I keep 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.500 from singing 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.560 when I have a great 00:20:23.560 --> 00:20:25.500 and a wonderful king 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.880 who is in control 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:28.380 of all things? 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.480 And then finally, 00:20:30.600 --> 00:20:31.380 in the closing verses 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:32.220 of the psalm, 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.779 the psalmist talks about 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:35.519 how God judges. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.500 So he talks about 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.240 the seas 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.079 and the rivers 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.960 and the mountains 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:41.200 and he says, 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.099 let them sing 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:43.139 before the Lord 00:20:43.139 --> 00:20:44.500 for he comes 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.619 to judge the earth, 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.900 he will judge 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:47.400 the people 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.220 in righteousness, 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.980 the world in righteousness 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:51.500 and the peoples 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:53.059 with equity. 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.660 We look around 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.639 our world today 00:20:55.639 --> 00:20:56.559 and we see 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.420 an awful lot 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.579 of injustice. 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.660 We see that 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.480 the world 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.359 is not what 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:03.220 it should be, 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.299 it is not what 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.400 we would want it to be, 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:05.820 it is certainly 00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:06.880 what God 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:08.320 would want it to be 00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:09.920 and perhaps we ask 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.380 why, 00:21:10.540 --> 00:21:12.060 what is going on? 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.860 Well this psalm 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.380 would tell us, 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.259 this whole scripture 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:16.040 would tell us 00:21:16.040 --> 00:21:17.180 that one day 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.120 all that 00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:19.200 will change. 00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:20.320 One day 00:21:20.320 --> 00:21:21.120 the Lord Jesus 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:22.140 will return 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:23.400 and he will return 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:24.160 to rule 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:25.600 and he will return 00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:26.500 in righteousness 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.780 to judge 00:21:27.780 --> 00:21:28.759 the world. 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:30.259 And all of us 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.440 will have to face him 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.660 whether it is those 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:33.440 who know him 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.779 and are called 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.320 to account 00:21:35.320 --> 00:21:35.860 for the things 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.400 we did 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:38.299 in his service 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:39.200 but know that 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.019 we have salvation 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.759 through him 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.880 or those who have 00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:43.059 chosen not to follow him, 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:44.100 not to trust him 00:21:44.100 --> 00:21:45.180 when they will be 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:45.880 subject to his 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.740 ultimate judgment 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:49.340 and to the consequences 00:21:49.340 --> 00:21:51.259 of their sin. 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.700 But we can look forward 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.200 if we know 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:53.880 the Lord Jesus 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:54.779 with confidence 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.480 to that time 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:56.559 when he will return 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.720 and we know 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.619 he will judge 00:21:58.619 --> 00:21:59.200 rightly 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.440 and with 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:01.319 equity. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.159 Job wasn't 00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:03.579 as he said, 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.960 will not the Lord 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.859 of all the earth 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:08.899 do right? 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.200 We know that 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.879 the Lord Jesus 00:22:10.879 --> 00:22:11.919 is coming back 00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:12.799 and that when 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.480 he comes back 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.299 he will judge 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.259 justly 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.659 and fairly. 00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:17.700 And we need 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.460 to make sure 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.759 that our lies 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.319 before him 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:20.659 that we have 00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:21.539 our trust in him 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.200 that our sins 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.879 are forgiven 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:24.159 because we have 00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:25.119 trusted in him 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:26.259 and know that 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.959 his death 00:22:26.959 --> 00:22:28.219 has been sufficient 00:22:28.219 --> 00:22:30.119 for our forgiveness. 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.979 If we don't 00:22:30.979 --> 00:22:32.319 we will face him 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.879 as judge. 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.459 The oldest 00:22:36.459 --> 00:22:38.939 hymn based on 00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:39.519 Psalm 98 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.259 that I came across 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.119 and perhaps the greatest 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:41.759 of them all 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.679 is Isaac Watts 00:22:42.679 --> 00:22:43.319 great hymn 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:44.539 Joy to the World 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.719 which Watts 00:22:45.719 --> 00:22:47.119 took a lot of the Psalms 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:47.979 and applied 00:22:47.979 --> 00:22:49.219 Christian thought 00:22:49.219 --> 00:22:49.619 to them 00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.139 and he did it 00:22:50.139 --> 00:22:50.879 with this one 00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:51.859 and in that 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:54.119 song he says 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:55.879 he rose the world 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:57.739 with truth and grace 00:22:57.739 --> 00:22:59.719 and makes the nations 00:22:59.719 --> 00:23:00.319 prove 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:01.759 the glories 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.519 of his righteousness 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:05.259 the wonders 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:07.399 of his love. 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.599 It's these two 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.579 together isn't it 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.779 that make God 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:12.039 the great judge. 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.279 On the one hand 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.019 he is righteous 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:15.639 he must maintain 00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:17.059 his standards 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.059 he must punish 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.899 sin. 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:20.799 On the other hand 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.359 he has a great love 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:23.899 and he has made provision 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.479 for us 00:23:24.479 --> 00:23:25.719 if we trust in him 00:23:25.719 --> 00:23:27.259 to have our sins 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.240 forgiven. 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.679 Let's all this morning 00:23:29.679 --> 00:23:30.579 make sure that we are 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.699 among those who know 00:23:31.699 --> 00:23:32.959 and are following 00:23:32.959 --> 00:23:33.740 the Lord Jesus 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.319 and that our sins 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:35.839 are forgiven 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.740 and we can truly 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:38.579 sing this great 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.159 psalm 00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:40.339 and sing great songs 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:41.019 together 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.740 with joy. 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.399 God saves 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:45.939 God reigns 00:23:45.939 --> 00:23:47.079 God judges. 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:48.279 In a few minutes 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.019 we'll have the opportunity 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.740 together 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:51.299 to take communion. 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:53.180 When we take communion 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.579 we do a number of things 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.700 as we think about 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.859 the Lord Jesus. 00:23:57.659 --> 00:23:58.680 We look back 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.940 we look back 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.720 to the cross 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.700 where he died 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.960 and to the fact 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.559 that he took 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.139 the punishment 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:05.240 for our sins 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.339 that he is 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:08.039 our saviour. 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.519 He is the God 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.720 who saves. 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.220 We look up 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.359 we look up 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:14.139 and we recognise 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:15.879 that in heaven today 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:17.059 he is crowned 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.720 with glory 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.879 and honour 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:20.200 and we seek 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.320 also to crown him 00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:22.220 in our hearts 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:23.220 with glory 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:24.320 and honour 00:24:24.320 --> 00:24:25.220 to express 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.320 our love for him 00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:28.040 and our devotion 00:24:28.040 --> 00:24:28.740 to him 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.900 because he is 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:30.600 the God 00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:32.520 who reigns. 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.940 And we look forward 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:35.840 we only take communion 00:24:35.840 --> 00:24:37.180 until the Lord Jesus 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.380 returns. 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.960 And we look forward 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.520 to the day 00:24:40.520 --> 00:24:41.720 when he will come back 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.920 and he will be 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:44.400 the righteous judge 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:46.259 and he will restore 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.759 the world 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.519 to the condition 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.700 that it should be in 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:50.680 and he will judge 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.280 the living 00:24:51.280 --> 00:24:52.600 and the dead 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:54.220 with righteousness. 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:56.400 As we take communion 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:56.900 this morning 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.720 let's rejoice 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:59.360 in what he has done 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.640 even as we have 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.519 sadness about 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.780 what it cost 00:25:02.780 --> 00:25:03.320 the Lord 00:25:03.320 --> 00:25:05.360 to take our sins 00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:06.140 let's rejoice 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:06.680 in him 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.820 and let's go into 00:25:07.820 --> 00:25:08.280 the week 00:25:08.280 --> 00:25:09.060 with a song 00:25:09.060 --> 00:25:10.180 on our lips 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:11.340 singing about 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:11.840 the Lord 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.840 with freshness 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:14.399 with enthusiasm 00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:16.139 and recognising 00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:16.839 we're joining 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.480 with the whole 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.139 of creation 00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:20.299 in praising him. 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.819 Let's pray together now. 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.099 Our Father 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.579 we thank you 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.740 for this wonderful psalm 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.299 we thank you 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.599 for what it teaches us 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:30.299 about how we should 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.899 be able to praise you 00:25:31.899 --> 00:25:33.299 to sing your praises 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.480 with real joy 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:36.599 not just words 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.939 not just something 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:39.279 that makes us feel good 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.399 but something 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:41.339 that brings glory 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:42.240 to your name 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.880 and brings joy 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:45.099 to our hearts 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:46.019 and indeed 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.940 to your heart 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:48.279 as you see 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.000 your people 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.299 appreciating 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.019 all that you have 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:52.200 done for them. 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.779 Help us all 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.579 to be able 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.339 to praise 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.559 in that way. 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:57.759 For any who don't 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.519 yet know the Lord 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:58.819 Jesus 00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.779 help them to come 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.579 to put their trust 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.000 in him 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.880 and be able to sing 00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:03.140 that new song. 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.480 For those who are 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.779 going through hard times 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.799 we pray that even 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.319 in them 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.660 you will give a joy 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.380 in the Lord 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:11.160 and a recognition 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:12.400 that ultimately 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.620 you are in control 00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:14.780 and you know 00:26:14.780 --> 00:26:16.220 what is best. 00:26:17.040 --> 00:26:17.600 And for all of us 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:18.640 as in a few minutes 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.840 we've come to 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:21.140 share communion together 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:22.440 we pray that you 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.240 will help us 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.260 to be drawn out 00:26:24.260 --> 00:26:25.280 in a real appreciation 00:26:25.280 --> 00:26:26.160 of the Lord Jesus 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:28.560 and to enjoy 00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:29.780 his presence 00:26:29.780 --> 00:26:31.520 as we remember 00:26:31.520 --> 00:26:32.800 all that he has 00:26:32.800 --> 00:26:33.900 done for us. 00:26:34.300 --> 00:26:35.040 We give you thanks 00:26:35.040 --> 00:26:35.800 and commit ourselves 00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:36.300 to you 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.200 in the name 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.000 of the Lord Jesus. 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.399 Amen.