WEBVTT

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 40. We're singing verses 1 to 9.

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

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

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

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 I sought the Lord, his answer came, from fears he set me free.

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 They look to him and shine with joy, they are not put to shame.

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 This suffering man cried to the Lord, from him deliverance came.

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 The angel of the Lord surrounds and guards continually all those who fear and honor him.

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 He sets his people free.

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 Come, taste and see, the Lord is good, who trusts in him is blessed.

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 O fear the Lord, you saints, with need you will not be oppressed.

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 Psalm 34, these verses will stand to sing.

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 At all times I will praise and bless the Lord.

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 At all times I will bless the Lord.

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 I'll praise him with my voice.

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 Because I glory in the Lord.

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 Let troubled souls rejoice.

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 Together let us praise the Lord.

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 Lord, exalt his name with me.

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 I sought the Lord, his answer came.

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 From fear she set me free.

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 The Lord, his name is blessed.

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 They look to him and shine with joy.

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 They are not put to shame.

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 The suffering man cried to the Lord.

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 From whom the deliverance came.

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 The angel of the Lord surrounds and guards continually.

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 He sets his people free.

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 All those who fear and honor him.

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 He sets his people free.

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 He's a land of tego фильма.

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 He wants to hang.

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 The Lord roles are blessed.

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 From her heart, he desires, will not obst gaz.

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 The Lord resistant hablades, will not społec.

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rays must of87s face with yesterday,

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 O fear the Lord violad in his flesh.

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 and heaven is blessed.

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 O dear the Lord,

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 you sins with me,

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 you will not be oppressed.

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 Once again, let's join together in prayer.

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 Let's call upon the Lord in prayer.

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 Our gracious and ever-blessed God,

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 help us to draw near to you,

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 believing that you are,

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 that you are the one who rewards

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 those who diligently seek you.

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 We thank you, O Lord, for this renewed opportunity,

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 for every time we come,

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 we pray that you would fill us

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 with a sense of privilege,

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 that you would enable us, Lord,

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 to see how unworthy we are,

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 that we should come into your presence,

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 that we should have admission

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 into your holy presence.

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 And as we also seek, Lord,

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 that you would impress

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 our unworthiness upon us,

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 help us also to realize

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 your worthiness to be praised.

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 And give us once again, Lord,

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 tonight to see the ground

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 upon which we approach you

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 in the person and in the work

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 of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 We give thanks, O Lord,

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 that all the blessings we receive

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 come to us through him.

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 Because they come to us through him,

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 we give thanks that they are secure for us,

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 that they are guaranteed forevermore

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 to be blessings

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 that will be enjoyed by your people.

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 And we thank you that as you join us to him,

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 as we come in faith,

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 as we come giving ourselves

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 trustingly to him,

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 we thank you, Lord,

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 for the way in which you have promised us

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 that all the good things

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 that he has procured for his people

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 are made over to us.

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 We give thanks even in providence

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 that all things work together for good

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 to those who love the Lord,

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 to those who are the called

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 according to your purpose.

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 We bless you for the spiritual gifts,

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 especially,

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 that accrue to us

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 and are dispensed to us

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 even on a daily basis.

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 We give thanks for those, O Lord,

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 that you have given to your people

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 that are given once and for all.

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 The gift of forgiveness of sin,

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 of justification of the righteousness

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 that comes to us,

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 the righteousness of Christ

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 that is imputed to us

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 and received by faith alone.

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 And we bless you, Lord,

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 once that this has been accomplished

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 and applied to us.

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 It is something that remains in place

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 and will be so forevermore.

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 We thank you for the gift

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 and the privilege and the benefit

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 of your sanctifying work

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 through your Spirit,

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 the grace of adoption

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 by which we are received

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 into the number of God's children.

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 We thank you, Lord,

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 for all the practical gifts

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 and all the things that follow on

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 from those great spiritual realities.

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 We thank you for your fatherly care,

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 for the way that you look after

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 your people so well,

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 even in times of your providence

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 being mysterious to them.

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 Lord, we thank you that in your wisdom

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 you are directing all things

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 towards that glorious end for them

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 that will bring them into

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 your everlasting kingdom,

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 that will make them princes

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 in your presence,

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 that will truly give them

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 to reflect forever

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 and be always in the image of Christ,

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 glorifying the Lord God.

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 Lord, bless us, Lord,

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 we pray as we gather here

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 in your presence once again

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 under your word.

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 Bless your word to us

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 and help us to be thankful for it.

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 Lord, you have called us

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 by your word already to praise you.

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 You have given us in your word

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 so much that we can use in your praise.

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 You have given us matters to sing.

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 You have given us prayers

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 that are recorded for us,

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 the prayers of your people

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 in different circumstances,

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 not only in the book of Psalms,

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 but in other places

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 throughout your word.

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 We find those who addressed you

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 having their prayers recorded

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 for our benefit.

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 We pray, Lord,

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 that you would help us

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 to follow their example,

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 to enter into that engagement

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 with you that they engaged in,

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 and to experience the benefits

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 that they experienced,

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 not only during their time of prayer,

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 but also in response to it

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 as you answered their cry

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 and brought to them

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 the blessings that you had for them.

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 And we thank you

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 that we have in our congregational life

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 so much that we give thanks for

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 as we come towards the end

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 of this current year.

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 We give thanks, Lord,

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 for all that you have been to us,

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 for everything that we have known

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 of your goodness

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 stretching out before us.

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 We think of the words of the psalmist

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 who also could refer to your goodness,

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 and an exclamation say,

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 how great is your goodness

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 to those who fear you,

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 laid up for those who fear you,

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 going ahead of those who fear you.

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 And we give thanks, Lord,

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 for the prospect

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 of more of your goodness

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 being experienced by us,

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 and the ways in which

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 your goodness is extended to us.

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 Lord, we pray your blessing

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 upon our gathering this evening.

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 Grace us, we pray,

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 with your presence.

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 Help us to know

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 that you are here for our good,

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 that you are here because

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 you take delight

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 in meeting with your people,

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 that your favor is upon them,

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 that you are committed

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 to their welfare,

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 to their advancement

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 in righteousness

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 and in eternal life.

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 And we thank you, O Lord,

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 that as we come to you

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 in the name of Christ,

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 all of these great blessings

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 are assured in him

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 for all the promises of God

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 are yea and amen in him.

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 And we thank you tonight, Lord,

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 that we come on the basis

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 of all that he is,

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 all that he has done,

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 all that he will yet do.

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 We pray, Lord,

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 your blessing for

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 all our families tonight

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 as we think of them.

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 Wherever they are in the world,

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 we commit them to you.

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 We ask, Lord,

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 that you would bless them

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 in all the different

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 family circles

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 that we represent here,

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 and all those who belong to us

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 and are near and dear to us.

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 We think of them, Lord,

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 at this time,

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 as we look towards

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 the end of this year

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 and the beginning of a new one,

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 we pray that you would

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 fill our lives with hope,

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 with the hope of the gospel,

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 with the hope that you bring

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 to your own saved people.

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 And we ask, Lord,

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 that as we pray for them,

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 we ask that you would do for them

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 more than we can ask or think,

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 for this is how you term yourself

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 in the Scriptures

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 as our God,

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 the God who is able

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 to do exceeding abundantly

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 above all that we are able

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 to ask or think.

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 Oh, God, we thank you

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 that there is no limit

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 to your ability

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 and that you are the God

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 who has surprised

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 your people so often

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 and even at times

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 when they were despondent

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 and beginning to doubt

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 and to fail,

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 you entered into

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 their circumstances

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 and you brought them

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 such an experience

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 as lifted them up

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 and revived and quickened

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 their souls.

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 We pray in our day, Lord,

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 too, that you would do this

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 for us.

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 We confess, O Lord,

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 that at times we feel despondent,

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 that we find as we look out

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 over the world

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 and as we see the state

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 of the world,

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 as we find so much rebellion

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 against you,

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 as we find so many alternatives

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 to trusting in you,

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 and even as we look in

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 in ourselves, O Lord,

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 and find that there is so much

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 there in our own hearts

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 and minds

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 that we would rather

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 it were not there at all,

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 doubts and fears

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 and failings.

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 Lord, we pray that

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 in your mercy

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 that you would lift us up,

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 that you would enable us

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 even tonight

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 for these few moments

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 to have a heavenly experience

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 through your blessing

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 of what it is

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 to come to know you,

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 to follow you,

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 to be blessed by you.

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 Lord, remember,

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 we pray all those tonight

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 who do not have

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 the capacity

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 to be here,

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 we think especially

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 of those who are ill,

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 those who belong to us

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 as a congregation,

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 in hospital

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 or in care homes

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 or elsewhere.

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 Remember them,

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 Lord, at this time,

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 we pray.

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 Graciously bless those

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 who are bereaved,

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 those who sorrow

00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:11.000
 over the loss

00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:11.779
 of loved ones,

00:12:12.439 --> 00:12:13.519
 and reflect in times

00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.159
 gone by

00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:15.379
 of loved ones

00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:16.059
 who are with them

00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:17.319
 and are now no more here,

00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:18.399
 whether it be

00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:19.419
 in recent bereavement

00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:21.179
 or even back in time.

00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:22.759
 Grant, Lord,

00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:23.919
 your comfort

00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:24.819
 and your direction

00:12:24.819 --> 00:12:25.439
 for them.

00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:26.819
 Remember again

00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:27.420
 our children,

00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:28.379
 our young people,

00:12:28.520 --> 00:12:29.280
 our young adults,

00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:30.780
 those who are here,

00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:31.240
 O Lord,

00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:33.240
 and are going through school

00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:33.920
 at this time

00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:34.920
 and facing challenges

00:12:34.920 --> 00:12:36.140
 in school

00:12:36.140 --> 00:12:37.060
 as regarding

00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:38.320
 their belief

00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:39.040
 in the Bible,

00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:40.320
 their belief in Christ

00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:41.580
 as the Savior.

00:12:42.160 --> 00:12:43.620
 Sanctify your word

00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:43.940
 to them,

00:12:44.020 --> 00:12:44.420
 we pray.

00:12:44.760 --> 00:12:46.200
 Sanctify their young lives.

00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:47.640
 Give them to be rooted

00:12:47.640 --> 00:12:48.940
 and grounded in you

00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:50.180
 as their Savior.

00:12:50.940 --> 00:12:51.600
 Hear the prayers

00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.380
 of those who pray

00:12:52.380 --> 00:12:52.820
 for them

00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:54.120
 in their own families

00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.080
 and in their relatives.

00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:56.919
 Grant the teaching

00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:57.639
 that they receive

00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:58.779
 at home or in church

00:12:58.779 --> 00:12:59.879
 will continue

00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:01.139
 to be blessed by them.

00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:02.740
 Bless our leaders,

00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:03.299
 we pray,

00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:04.360
 at this time

00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.120
 in the congregation,

00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:06.440
 those who give

00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:06.919
 so willingly

00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:07.759
 of their time

00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.159
 to teach

00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:09.980
 our young children

00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:11.700
 to enable them also

00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:12.340
 to engage

00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:13.480
 in different activities.

00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:14.500
 Lord,

00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.580
 we commit them to you

00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:16.320
 and ask that

00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:17.360
 you would continue

00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.820
 to bless these activities

00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:20.259
 and these groups

00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:20.899
 and gatherings

00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:22.080
 from time to time.

00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:23.060
 Lord,

00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:23.819
 we pray that

00:13:23.819 --> 00:13:24.839
 there may be

00:13:24.839 --> 00:13:26.319
 a lasting fruit

00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:27.439
 of harvest

00:13:27.439 --> 00:13:28.219
 of righteousness

00:13:28.219 --> 00:13:29.919
 in these young lives.

00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:30.839
 We know they face

00:13:30.839 --> 00:13:32.399
 so many challenges,

00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:32.879
 Lord,

00:13:32.959 --> 00:13:33.659
 in these days.

00:13:34.359 --> 00:13:34.939
 We know that

00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:35.919
 the world out there

00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:37.539
 holds out so much

00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:38.979
 sinful attraction

00:13:38.979 --> 00:13:39.759
 for them

00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:40.799
 and that seeks

00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:41.759
 to draw them away

00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.399
 from the things

00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.000
 of Christ.

00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.519
 We pray that

00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:45.699
 you would sanctify them,

00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:46.679
 that you would

00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:47.339
 protect them

00:13:47.339 --> 00:13:48.179
 and shield them

00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:49.639
 by your own power

00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.719
 and that you would

00:13:50.719 --> 00:13:51.299
 prove to be

00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:51.739
 for them,

00:13:51.859 --> 00:13:51.959
 Lord,

00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:52.540
 a God

00:13:52.540 --> 00:13:53.840
 who is so

00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:55.160
 worthy of our trust

00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:56.320
 and we pray

00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:56.780
 that you would

00:13:56.780 --> 00:13:57.320
 give them

00:13:57.320 --> 00:13:58.400
 in their young days

00:13:58.400 --> 00:13:59.360
 to trust in you.

00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.800
 We ask that you

00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:01.820
 bless now

00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:02.860
 as we gather together

00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:03.720
 all other gatherings

00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.540
 of your people

00:14:04.540 --> 00:14:05.820
 in this town

00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:06.320
 and throughout

00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.080
 our nation.

00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.460
 Bless us,

00:14:08.540 --> 00:14:08.920
 we pray,

00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.340
 throughout

00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:10.759
 our own presbytery

00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.860
 and our own denomination.

00:14:12.700 --> 00:14:13.259
 Remember us,

00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:13.500
 Lord,

00:14:13.540 --> 00:14:14.600
 we pray as a church.

00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:15.940
 We give thanks

00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:17.460
 for all the upholding

00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:18.139
 and the strengthening

00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:19.559
 and the encouragements

00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:20.580
 that you have given us

00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:22.319
 over these past years

00:14:22.319 --> 00:14:23.819
 when we have faced

00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:25.000
 this COVID pandemic

00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:26.879
 and had so many challenges,

00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:27.259
 Lord,

00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:28.120
 in your providence.

00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.399
 We give thanks

00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.779
 for your guidance of us,

00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:31.899
 for the wisdom

00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:33.080
 that you imparted,

00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:34.159
 for the way

00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:35.439
 in which you upheld us

00:14:35.439 --> 00:14:36.419
 and strengthened us

00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:37.860
 and enabled us,

00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:38.139
 Lord,

00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:38.980
 to be encouraged

00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:40.539
 by knowing of others

00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:41.100
 who had turned

00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.819
 to the gospel

00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:43.559
 and turned to yourself

00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:44.559
 and gave evidence

00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.819
 that they had come

00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:47.300
 to trust in the living God.

00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.240
 Oh,

00:14:48.280 --> 00:14:48.840
 remember us,

00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:49.060
 Lord,

00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:50.020
 we pray in these days

00:14:50.020 --> 00:14:50.520
 to come

00:14:50.520 --> 00:14:51.879
 and grant that you

00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:52.620
 would remove

00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:54.040
 this virus,

00:14:54.280 --> 00:14:55.200
 this pandemic

00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:57.020
 so that we may see

00:14:57.020 --> 00:14:58.020
 your own intervention,

00:14:58.780 --> 00:14:59.440
 that we may find,

00:14:59.700 --> 00:14:59.780
 Lord,

00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:01.080
 that we are released

00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:01.960
 from the restrictions

00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:02.900
 we presently

00:15:02.900 --> 00:15:03.960
 are observing

00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:05.060
 and especially

00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:05.860
 we pray this,

00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:06.140
 Lord,

00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:07.840
 for our church gatherings

00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:08.680
 that we give thanks

00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:09.660
 for being able

00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:10.700
 to gather in this way

00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:12.340
 and for the technology

00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.420
 that enables others

00:15:13.420 --> 00:15:14.180
 to join us,

00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:14.440
 Lord,

00:15:14.520 --> 00:15:14.920
 online.

00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:16.319
 We do pray

00:15:16.319 --> 00:15:16.979
 that we may

00:15:16.979 --> 00:15:18.120
 in days to come

00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:18.819
 be pleased

00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:19.919
 to be able

00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:20.500
 to have

00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.919
 the final restrictions

00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:22.639
 removed

00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.379
 so that we may sing

00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.799
 with gusto once again

00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:27.259
 so that we may come

00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.139
 to observe

00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:28.839
 and partake

00:15:28.839 --> 00:15:30.279
 of the Lord's Supper.

00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:32.139
 And in all of these things,

00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:32.399
 Lord,

00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:33.759
 hear us as we cry out

00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:34.139
 to you

00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.319
 for we acknowledge

00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:36.159
 that you alone

00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:36.819
 are God,

00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:38.219
 that you preside

00:15:38.219 --> 00:15:39.240
 over all the events

00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:39.819
 of life

00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:41.199
 and that it is

00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:42.000
 your prerogative

00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.620
 to bring

00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.519
 or to remove

00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.840
 whatever you have

00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:46.139
 seen fit to impose

00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:47.720
 in your own providence

00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.379
 and government

00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:49.759
 at this time.

00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:51.059
 And so remember,

00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:51.720
 again,

00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.879
 our leaders in the nation

00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.000
 as we continue

00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.000
 to pray for them,

00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.439
 we do pray again

00:15:56.439 --> 00:15:56.939
 that you would

00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:57.759
 bless them

00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.939
 by giving them

00:15:58.939 --> 00:16:00.019
 to acknowledge you,

00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:01.699
 to be turned

00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:02.679
 into your ways

00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:04.539
 and to show forth

00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.319
 in their lives

00:16:05.319 --> 00:16:06.199
 evidence

00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:07.079
 that they indeed

00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:07.980
 are turned

00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.759
 into wisdom

00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.720
 and in the ways

00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.500
 of your peace.

00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:12.019
 Receive us now,

00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:13.159
 we pray and hear

00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.620
 our prayer

00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.559
 and forgive our sin

00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:16.240
 for Jesus' sake.

00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:16.819
 Amen.

00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:19.840
 We're going to read

00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.500
 from God's Word

00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.659
 now in the book of Acts.

00:16:23.319 --> 00:16:24.279
 The book of Acts

00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.079
 in chapter 8,

00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:25.939
 we're reading

00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:27.819
 from verse 26

00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:30.740
 and we'll read

00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.240
 to the end

00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.120
 of the chapters.

00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:34.000
 That's the book of Acts

00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:34.699
 chapter 8

00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:36.939
 and at verse 26.

00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:48.360
 Now an angel

00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:48.820
 of the Lord

00:16:48.820 --> 00:16:49.700
 said to Philip,

00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:50.760
 Rise and go

00:16:50.760 --> 00:16:51.720
 towards the south,

00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:52.840
 to the road

00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.560
 that goes down

00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.360
 from Jerusalem

00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.080
 to Gaza.

00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:57.540
 This is a desert place

00:16:57.540 --> 00:16:58.720
 and he arose

00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.300
 and went.

00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:00.540
 And there was

00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:01.220
 an Ethiopian,

00:17:01.380 --> 00:17:01.800
 a eunuch,

00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:02.660
 a court official

00:17:02.660 --> 00:17:03.400
 of Candace,

00:17:03.900 --> 00:17:05.320
 queen of the Ethiopians,

00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:06.559
 who was in charge

00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.460
 of all her treasure.

00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.000
 He had come

00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.639
 to Jerusalem

00:17:09.639 --> 00:17:10.339
 to worship

00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:11.899
 and was returning

00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:13.379
 seated in his chariot

00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:14.599
 and he was reading

00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:17.000
 the prophet Isaiah.

00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.599
 And the spirit

00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:19.439
 said to Philip,

00:17:19.659 --> 00:17:20.359
 Go over

00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:21.480
 and join this chariot.

00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:22.960
 So Philip ran

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.519
 to meet him

00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:24.339
 and heard him

00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.099
 reading Isaiah

00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:25.619
 the prophet

00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.319
 and asked,

00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.919
 Do you understand

00:17:27.919 --> 00:17:28.639
 what you are reading?

00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:30.099
 And he said,

00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.159
 How can I

00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:32.460
 unless someone

00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.139
 guides me?

00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:34.700
 And he invited

00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.560
 Philip to come up

00:17:35.560 --> 00:17:36.280
 and sit with him.

00:17:37.280 --> 00:17:37.980
 Now the passage

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.600
 of the scripture

00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:39.360
 that he was reading

00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:39.920
 was this,

00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:41.320
 Like a sheep

00:17:41.320 --> 00:17:41.880
 he was led

00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.560
 to the slaughter

00:17:42.560 --> 00:17:44.020
 and like a lamb

00:17:44.020 --> 00:17:45.040
 before its shearer

00:17:45.040 --> 00:17:45.520
 is dumb,

00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:46.980
 so he opens

00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:47.840
 not his mouth.

00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.620
 In his humiliation

00:17:49.620 --> 00:17:51.140
 justice was denied him.

00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.660
 Who can describe

00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.580
 his generation?

00:17:54.280 --> 00:17:55.000
 For his life

00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.840
 is taken away

00:17:55.840 --> 00:17:56.640
 from the earth.

00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:58.480
 And the eunuch

00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.160
 said to Philip,

00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:00.580
 About whom,

00:18:00.820 --> 00:18:01.400
 I ask you,

00:18:01.560 --> 00:18:02.200
 does the prophet

00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:02.880
 say this?

00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.319
 About himself

00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.539
 or about someone else?

00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.340
 Then Philip

00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:08.120
 opened his mouth

00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:09.360
 and beginning

00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.259
 with the scripture

00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.019
 he told them

00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:11.779
 the good news

00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.559
 about Jesus.

00:18:13.620 --> 00:18:14.220
 And as they were

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.180
 going along the road

00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.860
 they came to some water

00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:17.700
 and the eunuch said,

00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:19.080
 See, here is water.

00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.140
 What prevents me

00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:20.920
 from being baptized?

00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:22.740
 They commanded

00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.940
 the chariot to stop

00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:25.200
 and they both

00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.620
 went down

00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:26.220
 into the water,

00:18:26.360 --> 00:18:27.279
 Philip and the eunuch

00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.240
 and he baptized him.

00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.059
 And when they came

00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:31.059
 up out of the water

00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.080
 the Spirit of the Lord

00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:33.339
 carried Philip away

00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:34.659
 and the eunuch

00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:35.759
 saw him no more

00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:37.579
 and went on his way

00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.339
 rejoicing.

00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.599
 But Philip found himself

00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:41.419
 at Azotus

00:18:41.419 --> 00:18:43.240
 and as he passed through

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.359
 he preached the gospel

00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:46.019
 to all the towns

00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.879
 until he came

00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:48.259
 to Caesarea.

00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.379
 Once again we pray

00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:50.879
 that God

00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:52.500
 will bless to us

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.599
 this reading of his word

00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:55.720
 to his own praise.

00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:57.639
 Let's again sing his praise

00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:59.159
 this time in Psalm 36.

00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:02.740
 Again it's in Psalm 36

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.460
 at verse 5.

00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:05.880
 That's on page 44.

00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.880
 Verses 5 to 10.

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.060
 Your steadfast love

00:19:11.060 --> 00:19:12.240
 is great, O Lord.

00:19:12.840 --> 00:19:14.180
 It reaches heaven high.

00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:15.720
 Your faithfulness

00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.320
 is wonderful

00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:17.779
 extending to the sky.

00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.380
 Your righteousness

00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:20.360
 is very great

00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:21.120
 like mountains

00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:22.080
 high and steep.

00:19:22.800 --> 00:19:23.400
 Your justice

00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.779
 is like ocean depths

00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.920
 both man and beast

00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.540
 you keep.

00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:28.019
 How precious

00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.519
 is your steadfast love

00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.819
 what confidence

00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.599
 it brings

00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:33.359
 both high and low

00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.359
 find shelter

00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:35.460
 in the shadow

00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.259
 of your wings.

00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:37.720
 They feast within

00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.339
 your house

00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:39.420
 and drink from streams

00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:40.379
 of your delight

00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:41.700
 for with you

00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.859
 is the source of life

00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:44.019
 in your light

00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:44.920
 we see light.

00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.759
 To those who know you

00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.579
 as their God

00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:49.019
 your steadfast love

00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.599
 impart

00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:51.700
 maintain your righteousness

00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.480
 to those

00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.559
 of pure

00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.960
 and upright heart.

00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:57.380
 these verses 5 to 10.

00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.519
 Your steadfast love

00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:00.519
 is great, O Lord.

00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:08.840
 Your steadfast love

00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:12.259
 is great, O Lord.

00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:18.940
 It reaches heaven high.

00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:22.940
 Your faithfulness

00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:26.940
 is wonderful

00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:34.940
 extending to the sky.

00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:38.940
 Your righteousness

00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:43.940
 is any big

00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:46.940
 like mountains

00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.940
 like mountains

00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:50.940
 high and steep.

00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:53.940
 Your justice

00:20:53.940 --> 00:21:00.940
 is like ocean depths

00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:05.940
 of love and beast

00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:07.940
 you keep.

00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:12.160
 how precious

00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:17.940
 is your steadfast love

00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:21.940
 what confidence

00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:25.940
 it brings

00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:30.940
 for thy and love

00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:35.940
 find shelter in

00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:42.940
 the shadow of your wings.

00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:45.940
 the feast

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.940
 the feast

00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.940
 within

00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:49.940
 your house

00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.940
 and drink

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:54.940
 from streams

00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:56.940
 of your

00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.940
 delight

00:21:57.940 --> 00:22:03.940
 or with you

00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:07.940
 is the source

00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.940
 of life

00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.940
 of life

00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:12.940
 in your light

00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:14.940
 we see

00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:15.940
 light

00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.940
 in your light

00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.940
 we see

00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.940
 light

00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.940
 to those

00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:22.940
 who know you

00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:24.940
 you

00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.940
 do not serve

00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:27.940
 your steadfast love

00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:29.940
 in heart

00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.940
 you stand fast

00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.940
 love

00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:33.940
 and heart

00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:35.940
 maintain your righteousness

00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:37.940
 to those

00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:39.940
 of good

00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:41.940
 and a bright heart

00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:43.940
 of good

00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:51.940
 and a bright heart

00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:59.940
 if you turn with me please now to the passage we read in Acts chapter 8

00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:07.940
 and we can consider this together this evening from verse 26 through to the end of the chapter

00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:12.940
 chapter 8 of the book of Acts

00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:18.940
 let me just read verse 35 which we are going to take as the focal point of our study this evening

00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:27.940
 then Philip opened his mouth and beginning with the scripture he told him the good news about Jesus

00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:32.940
 he told him the good news the gospel about Jesus

00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:39.940
 very interesting the way that the book of Acts brings together in these chapters

00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:45.940
 an account of the conversion of three specific people three specific individuals

00:23:45.940 --> 00:24:01.940
 and these three representatives these three individuals are representatives of the way in which humanity was divided into three great groupings all the way from the Old Testament onwards from the time when the

00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:09.940
 from the time of the sons of Noah onwards you remember the sons of Noah Ham and Shem and Japheth

00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:17.940
 and how you find described in Genesis chapter 10 what's usually referred to as the table of the nations

00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:20.940
 you find there a description of their descendants

00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:27.940
 those that were descended from these three sons of Noah Ham and Shem and Japheth

00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:36.940
 and as you find here a description of the Ethiopian eunuch followed by the conversion of Saul of Tarsus who became Paul the apostle

00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:40.940
 and then in chapter 10 the conversion of Cornelius a centurion

00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:47.940
 so you find these three groupings of humanity represented in these three individuals

00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:50.940
 you recall after chapter 10 of Genesis

00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:55.940
 in chapter 11 you have the story the account of the Tower of Babel

00:24:55.940 --> 00:25:01.940
 the Tower of Babel is the way in which it describes the way in which

00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:05.940
 fallen humanity trying to look after itself themselves

00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:07.940
 without God

00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:10.940
 came to have a plan that he tried to put into action

00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:12.940
 and began to put into action

00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:16.940
 which was to build a great tower

00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:18.940
 right up to the heavens

00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:21.940
 and to preserve for themselves a name

00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:24.940
 to keep themselves without any reference to God

00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:28.940
 and God looked down and came down as you know

00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:30.940
 and interrupted their plans

00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:34.940
 and humanity came to be scattered

00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:37.940
 from there over the face of the earth

00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:40.940
 and he confounded their languages

00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:44.940
 he actually brought about the difference of languages

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:48.940
 by which you find from then onwards in different parts of the world

00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:52.940
 that his language developed so people could not understand one another

00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:55.940
 unless they learned each other's languages of course

00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.940
 in the New Testament

00:25:57.940 --> 00:26:01.940
 that process is reversed in Christ

00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:06.940
 because you find in the second chapter of the book of Acts

00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:08.940
 that wonderful account of all of these people

00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:10.940
 that come from different parts of the world

00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:14.940
 to actually stand there in the presence of God

00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.940
 and the day of Pentecost

00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:18.940
 and the spirit of the Lord came

00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:21.940
 and you remember the wonderful description there

00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:24.940
 of people hearing the apostles in their own language

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:28.940
 as if they were indeed at home

00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:32.940
 and then you find here these three representatives

00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.940
 as you find them there described

00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:37.940
 the descendants of Ham and Shem and Japheth

00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:40.940
 the Ethiopian eunuch representing Africa

00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:43.940
 where Ham, the descendants of Ham, settled

00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:48.940
 and then you find Shem who is of the Jewish

00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:51.940
 Jewish descent from Shem

00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:54.940
 covenant people, the people that became Israel

00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:58.940
 and then you find Japheth who is you might say

00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:01.940
 the other parts of Europe especially

00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:04.940
 in contrast with those two others

00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:09.940
 well in this very context in these chapters in Acts

00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:13.940
 you find these three groupings are actually brought together

00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:17.940
 as it were in these three individuals that represent them

00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:20.940
 and what you find in that is this wonderful emphasis

00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:22.940
 that's elsewhere of course in the New Testament

00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:29.940
 especially that divided humanity is reunited in Christ's people

00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:34.940
 because Christ's people draw people from all these parts of the world

00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:37.940
 into the one family of God

00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:40.940
 when we come to have our trust in Christ

00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:42.940
 and come to be Christ's people

00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:44.940
 when we are adopted into the family of God

00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:47.940
 we join people from all the different parts

00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:50.940
 especially from these three sections of humanity

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:54.940
 that are brought together so that the division is no longer there

00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:58.940
 they are spiritually one in Christ Jesus

00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:02.940
 and that itself is a great emphasis that you can follow out

00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:04.940
 in the teaching of the New Testament

00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:06.940
 in some of the epistles especially

00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:09.940
 so here is what you find in these chapters

00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:12.940
 but we are focusing in on the Ethiopian eunuch

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:19.940
 this descendant of Ham as he is described for us in these passages

00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:23.940
 now first of all I want to just deal with the situation

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:27.940
 the situation that led to the meeting between this eunuch

00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.940
 he is not named

00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:31.940
 and this man Philip

00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.940
 who is an evangelist

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:35.940
 and he went about here preaching the gospel

00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:37.940
 circumstances

00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:40.940
 the situation that led to them coming together

00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:42.940
 and meeting together

00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:44.940
 to the Ethiopian's advantage

00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:46.940
 the second thing we can see in the passage

00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:50.940
 is the explanation which led to the Ethiopian's conversion

00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:54.940
 the way that Philip explained to him

00:28:54.940 --> 00:28:58.940
 the meaning of this scripture that he was reading in Isaiah 53

00:28:58.940 --> 00:29:00.940
 and then beginning at that scripture

00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:04.940
 he told them the good news about Jesus

00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:06.940
 so the two things briefly tonight

00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:08.940
 we are looking at the situation

00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:10.940
 which brought them together

00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:12.940
 and the explanation

00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:16.940
 that brought conversion to the Ethiopian

00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:18.940
 here is the situation first of all

00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:22.940
 as you find it described in the chapter here

00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:24.940
 and throughout the book of Acts

00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:26.940
 it is an interesting study in itself

00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:32.940
 to actually follow out the way that the book of Acts sets out

00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:36.940
 God's plan as something that has always been set

00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:38.940
 whether it is for individuals

00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.940
 or for nations

00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:41.940
 or for different groups of people

00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:43.940
 but you will find that God's plan

00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:45.940
 as it is set

00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:46.940
 and brings people together

00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:50.940
 and means people also sometimes parting from each other

00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.940
 whatever the plan is

00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:53.940
 whether it is for individuals

00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.940
 for families

00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.940
 for nations

00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.940
 for empires

00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:58.940
 God has already planned

00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.940
 God has purposed

00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:01.940
 that the purpose of God is there

00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:03.940
 and everything that happens

00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:05.940
 falls within that purpose of God

00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:08.940
 and that is a very important thing for us to remember

00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:10.940
 that everything comes about

00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.940
 by the will of God

00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:14.940
 by the purpose of God

00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:16.940
 that has set things in place from all eternity

00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:20.940
 that does not mean we do not have to exercise our own minds

00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:23.940
 that we do not have liberty to actually consider

00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:25.940
 consider the gospel call

00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:28.940
 and respond to the call of Jesus in the gospel

00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:30.940
 it is not a predetermined state

00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:35.940
 where you do not find people being able to exercise their own minds

00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:38.940
 the gospel addresses our minds

00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:40.940
 addresses our thought processes

00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:42.940
 and addresses our hearts

00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.940
 addresses our conscience

00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:45.940
 that is by the way

00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:46.940
 that is by the way

00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.940
 but he is bringing together

00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.940
 this man

00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:51.940
 who is seeking the meaning of this scripture

00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:52.940
 and also

00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.940
 this Philip

00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.940
 this evangelist

00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:58.940
 who is specifically set by God

00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.940
 set apart

00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:01.940
 to be a gospel preacher

00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:03.940
 to be one who explains the gospel

00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:06.940
 and the meaning of Christ especially

00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:09.940
 remember in the shorter catechism

00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.940
 as you learnt

00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:11.940
 most of you will have learnt

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:13.940
 the shorter catechism at some point

00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.940
 and question 11

00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:18.940
 what are God's works of providence

00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:20.940
 God's works of providence

00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.940
 are his most holy

00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:23.940
 wise and powerful

00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:25.940
 preserving and governing

00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:27.940
 all his creatures

00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:29.940
 and all their actions

00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:32.940
 and although there is a liberty

00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:35.940
 and contingency within God's plan

00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:37.940
 nevertheless God's plan is God's plan

00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.940
 God's providence

00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:40.940
 is his most holy

00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:41.940
 wise and powerful

00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:43.940
 preserving and governing

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.940
 all his creatures

00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:46.940
 and all their actions

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.940
 and there is many a day

00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.940
 you are thankful for that

00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:49.940
 as a Christian

00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:50.940
 that is not left

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:52.940
 you are not left to your own devices

00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.940
 that you are not left to make up

00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:54.940
 your own plan

00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:55.940
 as to what your life is

00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:57.940
 that you are not left to look out

00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:58.940
 in the world and think

00:31:58.940 --> 00:32:00.940
 well who is actually in control

00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.940
 of this world

00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:03.940
 who is in charge of these proceedings

00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.940
 this God is

00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.940
 and that is all the way through

00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:07.940
 the book of Acts

00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:09.940
 as it is in scripture as well

00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:12.940
 of course in Jerusalem at this time

00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:15.940
 this man was returning from Jerusalem

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.940
 we were told that he was

00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:18.940
 an important official

00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:20.940
 in the court of Kandasi

00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:22.940
 who was queen of the Ethiopians

00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.940
 he was in charge in fact

00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.940
 of her treasury

00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:26.940
 he had come up to Jerusalem to worship

00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:28.940
 and he was returning to Ethiopia

00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.940
 to his own place

00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:32.940
 he was returning to his own country

00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:34.940
 sitting in a chariot

00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.940
 it wouldn't have been

00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.940
 a grand stately chariot

00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:37.940
 but nevertheless

00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.940
 he was being

00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:40.940
 he was being driven along

00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.940
 in a chariot

00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:43.940
 and that was him making his way

00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:45.940
 from Jerusalem back home

00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:48.940
 and Jerusalem at the time of course

00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:50.940
 was in a state of high excitement

00:32:50.940 --> 00:32:51.940
 he had been to Jerusalem

00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:53.940
 he had obviously heard of things

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.940
 he had perhaps witnessed things

00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.940
 in Jerusalem as well

00:32:55.940 --> 00:32:57.940
 during these very heady days

00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:59.940
 leading up to the crucifixion

00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:00.940
 the trial

00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:02.940
 the crucifixion of Christ

00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.940
 the death of Christ

00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:04.940
 the resurrection of Christ

00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:06.940
 following three days afterwards

00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:09.940
 an intense time in Jerusalem

00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:11.940
 an intense time for the people

00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:13.940
 just to consider what was going on

00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:15.940
 what was the reason for all of these things

00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:18.940
 and people of course like the apostles

00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:19.940
 preaching the gospel

00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:22.940
 and themselves struggling to understand

00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:25.940
 until the spirit came at Pentecost

00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:27.940
 what all of these things meant

00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:29.940
 at least meant in detail

00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:31.940
 so remarkable events

00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:33.940
 of Jesus' death

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.940
 and his resurrection

00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:35.940
 and all these things

00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.940
 surrounding that

00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.940
 would have been very much

00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.940
 in the mind of this man

00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:40.940
 and I think he would probably

00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:41.940
 have been very much influenced

00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:43.940
 by the things that he saw

00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:44.940
 and heard in Jerusalem

00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.940
 at that time

00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:47.940
 and was on his way home

00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:49.940
 but reading the scroll of Isaiah

00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:51.940
 he was reading this book

00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:53.940
 that we know as the book of Isaiah

00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.940
 and as he was reading

00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:56.940
 he was making his way home

00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:58.940
 he had obviously been

00:33:58.940 --> 00:33:59.940
 in some way or other

00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:01.940
 struck by this passage

00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:03.940
 and as he was looking at this passage

00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.940
 he was wondering

00:34:04.940 --> 00:34:06.940
 what does this passage mean?

00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:09.940
 Who is this prophet Isaiah

00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:10.940
 speaking about?

00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:12.940
 What does it mean that he's saying

00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.940
 he has believed our report?

00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:15.940
 What does it mean that

00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:17.940
 here's someone who was bruised

00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:19.940
 for our iniquities?

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:21.940
 Who was put to death for our sins?

00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:24.940
 Who is he speaking of?

00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:26.940
 He was wrestling with this passage

00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.940
 in his mind

00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:30.940
 as he made his way back home

00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.940
 he was searching

00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:33.940
 for the meaning of this passage of Isaiah

00:34:34.940 --> 00:34:36.940
 there's the Ethiopian

00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:39.940
 that's his set of circumstances

00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:41.940
 that's how things have worked for him

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:44.940
 and into the picture comes Philip

00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:47.940
 this man who's been set apart by God

00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:48.940
 now previously you read about him

00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:50.940
 we didn't read from the beginning of the chapter

00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:52.940
 but you go back to verse 4

00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:54.940
 you can see those who were scattered abroad

00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:57.940
 that was in the persecution that broke out there

00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.940
 scattered throughout Judea and Samaria

00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.940
 except the apostles

00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:04.940
 Saul of course at that time

00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:06.940
 Saul who became Paul the apostle

00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:07.940
 was still ravaging the church

00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:08.940
 as you see there

00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:10.940
 so the scattering took place

00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:12.940
 and Philip went down to the city of Samaria

00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:15.940
 and proclaimed to them the Christ

00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.940
 and the crowds with one accord

00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:19.940
 paid attention to what was being said by Philip

00:35:19.940 --> 00:35:22.940
 when they heard him and saw the signs that he did

00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:24.940
 many unclean spirits came out of many

00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:27.940
 who were possessed crying with a loud voice

00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:30.940
 and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed

00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:33.940
 so there was much joy in that city

00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:37.940
 there you see Philip already working as an evangelist

00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.940
 as someone who's preaching the gospel

00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:40.940
 explaining the gospel

00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:42.940
 and it's that Philip that now comes

00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:43.940
 in verse 26

00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:47.940
 to be instructed by God through an angel

00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.940
 to go up from where he is

00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:50.940
 to go towards the south

00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:54.940
 to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza

00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:57.940
 he's now given specific instructions

00:35:58.940 --> 00:35:59.940
 and what do you next read?

00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:03.940
 you read that he arose and went

00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:06.940
 and he ran down that road

00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:07.940
 down that road

00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:14.940
 and he was actually responding to the instruction of God

00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:17.940
 and as the instruction went ahead

00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:20.940
 to tell him to go over and join this chariot

00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.940
 in verse 30

00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:23.940
 Philip ran to him

00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:25.940
 and then he heard him

00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:26.940
 he would have been speaking out loud

00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.940
 reading the scroll of Isaiah

00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:30.940
 reading this passage

00:36:30.940 --> 00:36:31.940
 he heard him

00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.940
 as he was reading this out loud

00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:34.940
 but you see the emphasis there

00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.940
 and just

00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:37.940
 don't just pass over it too quickly

00:36:38.940 --> 00:36:39.940
 you see it saying

00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.940
 the spirit said

00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:41.940
 go over and join this chariot

00:36:41.940 --> 00:36:43.940
 so Philip ran to him

00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:47.940
 yes I'm sure there was an amount of catching up to do

00:36:48.940 --> 00:36:49.940
 but Philip ran to him

00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:50.940
 he didn't take his time

00:36:51.940 --> 00:36:52.940
 he didn't walk

00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.940
 he didn't amble over

00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:54.940
 he didn't say

00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.940
 I'll just take it easy

00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:56.940
 and I'll catch up with him sometime

00:36:56.940 --> 00:36:57.940
 he ran to him

00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.940
 and that itself is making a point for us

00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:00.940
 I think tonight

00:37:00.940 --> 00:37:01.940
 that for all of us

00:37:01.940 --> 00:37:02.940
 is very important

00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:03.940
 especially for all of us

00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:05.940
 who seek to make Jesus known

00:37:05.940 --> 00:37:07.940
 to explain the meaning of the gospel

00:37:07.940 --> 00:37:08.940
 to people around us

00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:09.940
 or even in our own families

00:37:10.940 --> 00:37:11.940
 because here is this man Peter

00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:13.940
 he is running for this work

00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.940
 this is an important work

00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.940
 this is so important that he runs

00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:18.940
 to the accomplishment of it

00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:21.940
 as we come to the end of this

00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:24.940
 very challenging year as it's in sight

00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:25.940
 and as we hope for

00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:27.940
 much more liberty

00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:29.940
 to be engaged in the gospel

00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:30.940
 for God

00:37:30.940 --> 00:37:31.940
 in this year to come

00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:32.940
 as we pray for

00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:33.940
 and as we hope

00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:34.940
 and as we trust

00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:35.940
 will be the case

00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:39.940
 let's make it a year of running

00:37:39.940 --> 00:37:41.940
 let's make it a year of being eager

00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:44.940
 to actually bring the gospel

00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:45.940
 to that world out there

00:37:45.940 --> 00:37:47.940
 let's make it a year of running

00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:48.940
 with a message

00:37:48.940 --> 00:37:49.940
 such as Philip has here

00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:50.940
 the message of the gospel

00:37:50.940 --> 00:37:51.940
 the message of the gospel

00:37:51.940 --> 00:37:52.940
 because that world

00:37:52.940 --> 00:37:53.940
 in its epidemic

00:37:53.940 --> 00:37:54.940
 in this pandemic

00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:56.940
 and its post pandemic state

00:37:56.940 --> 00:37:57.940
 as at all times

00:37:57.940 --> 00:37:59.940
 is going to be very needy

00:37:59.940 --> 00:38:00.940
 of that message

00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.940
 not only very needy

00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:02.940
 but perhaps

00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:03.940
 actually more ready

00:38:03.940 --> 00:38:04.940
 than it's been before

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.940
 because people undoubtedly

00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:07.940
 will have been

00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:09.940
 and are asking questions

00:38:09.940 --> 00:38:10.940
 maybe not to the extent

00:38:10.940 --> 00:38:11.940
 that you'd like

00:38:11.940 --> 00:38:13.940
 maybe not to the extent

00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:15.940
 that those in high government

00:38:15.940 --> 00:38:17.940
 are asking these serious questions

00:38:17.940 --> 00:38:18.940
 but people undoubtedly

00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.940
 are asking the question

00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:21.940
 well where is there a meaning

00:38:21.940 --> 00:38:22.940
 to this pandemic

00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:24.940
 what is there to this pandemic

00:38:24.940 --> 00:38:26.940
 more than just an actual

00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:28.940
 physical phenomenon

00:38:28.940 --> 00:38:29.940
 what is there more to it

00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:30.940
 than an illness

00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:32.940
 what is there to it

00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:34.940
 more than just something

00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:35.940
 that's come upon us

00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:36.940
 as out of nowhere

00:38:36.940 --> 00:38:38.940
 and people are asking

00:38:38.940 --> 00:38:39.940
 certain questions

00:38:39.940 --> 00:38:41.940
 to do with spiritual matters

00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:43.940
 is there any connection

00:38:43.940 --> 00:38:44.940
 with God

00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:46.940
 is God speaking to us

00:38:46.940 --> 00:38:47.940
 through this

00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:48.940
 is this something

00:38:48.940 --> 00:38:50.940
 that I can use

00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:53.940
 in order to try and find out

00:38:53.940 --> 00:38:54.940
 more about God

00:38:54.940 --> 00:38:55.940
 is this something

00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:56.940
 that will help me

00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:58.940
 towards closing in with God

00:38:59.940 --> 00:39:00.940
 all of these

00:39:00.940 --> 00:39:01.940
 and other questions

00:39:01.940 --> 00:39:02.940
 are being asked

00:39:02.940 --> 00:39:04.940
 and as they're being asked

00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:06.940
 so you and I

00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:08.940
 as those who know the gospel

00:39:08.940 --> 00:39:09.940
 are being tasked

00:39:09.940 --> 00:39:11.940
 by the same providence

00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:13.940
 that brought these two people together

00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:14.940
 as it will bring us together

00:39:14.940 --> 00:39:15.940
 God willing

00:39:15.940 --> 00:39:17.940
 over the next few months

00:39:17.940 --> 00:39:18.940
 over the next year

00:39:18.940 --> 00:39:21.940
 so God is tasking us

00:39:21.940 --> 00:39:22.940
 as he tasked Philip

00:39:22.940 --> 00:39:25.940
 go near to that person

00:39:25.940 --> 00:39:27.940
 go near to these people

00:39:27.940 --> 00:39:29.940
 tell them why Jesus

00:39:29.940 --> 00:39:30.940
 is important to you

00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:32.940
 tell them what the gospel

00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:33.940
 is about

00:39:33.940 --> 00:39:35.940
 tell them that there is an answer

00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:37.940
 to our human dilemma

00:39:37.940 --> 00:39:38.940
 and our human problem

00:39:38.940 --> 00:39:40.940
 and our human failures

00:39:40.940 --> 00:39:42.940
 and our human weakness

00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:43.940
 and tell them

00:39:43.940 --> 00:39:44.940
 that the answer is not

00:39:44.940 --> 00:39:45.940
 in our own human strength

00:39:45.940 --> 00:39:47.940
 in human ingenuity

00:39:47.940 --> 00:39:48.940
 in technology

00:39:48.940 --> 00:39:49.940
 in any of these things

00:39:49.940 --> 00:39:50.940
 important or they may be

00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:51.940
 the answer is in Jesus

00:39:51.940 --> 00:39:53.940
 the answer is in Christ

00:39:55.940 --> 00:39:57.940
 and that's the providence

00:39:57.940 --> 00:39:59.940
 that led to them meeting

00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:02.940
 and we need to catch up

00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:03.940
 as this man Philip did

00:40:03.940 --> 00:40:05.940
 to catch up with this chariot

00:40:05.940 --> 00:40:07.940
 we need to catch up

00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:08.940
 with those who are lost

00:40:08.940 --> 00:40:10.940
 because they are perishing

00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:13.940
 they don't know much

00:40:13.940 --> 00:40:14.940
 of the gospel

00:40:14.940 --> 00:40:15.940
 many of them

00:40:15.940 --> 00:40:17.940
 and most of them

00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:18.940
 that do know something

00:40:18.940 --> 00:40:19.940
 of the gospel

00:40:19.940 --> 00:40:20.940
 have chosen just to ignore it

00:40:20.940 --> 00:40:22.940
 chosen that it is not for them

00:40:23.940 --> 00:40:25.940
 and we can't just leave things

00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:26.940
 as if to say

00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:28.940
 well that is their choice

00:40:28.940 --> 00:40:29.940
 let's just move on

00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:31.940
 that is not what God has placed

00:40:31.940 --> 00:40:32.940
 in our hearts

00:40:32.940 --> 00:40:34.940
 he has placed in our hearts

00:40:34.940 --> 00:40:35.940
 he has placed in our hearts

00:40:35.940 --> 00:40:38.940
 the burden of making Jesus known

00:40:39.940 --> 00:40:40.940
 the burden of explaining

00:40:40.940 --> 00:40:42.940
 as this Philip did to this eunuch

00:40:42.940 --> 00:40:45.940
 telling the good news about Jesus

00:40:45.940 --> 00:40:46.940
 amongst all the bad news

00:40:46.940 --> 00:40:48.940
 amongst everything that

00:40:48.940 --> 00:40:50.940
 fills people's hearts

00:40:50.940 --> 00:40:51.940
 with sadness

00:40:51.940 --> 00:40:52.940
 with sorrow

00:40:52.940 --> 00:40:53.940
 with pain

00:40:53.940 --> 00:40:54.940
 with anxiety

00:40:54.940 --> 00:40:55.940
 with issues of health

00:40:55.940 --> 00:40:57.940
 whether mental or physical

00:40:57.940 --> 00:40:59.940
 all of the things that cause distress

00:40:59.940 --> 00:41:00.940
 distress to people

00:41:00.940 --> 00:41:02.940
 God has an answer to that

00:41:02.940 --> 00:41:04.940
 it may not take everything away

00:41:04.940 --> 00:41:06.940
 from the lives that people experience

00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:07.940
 and have

00:41:07.940 --> 00:41:09.940
 but it will certainly bring

00:41:09.940 --> 00:41:10.940
 solid basis

00:41:10.940 --> 00:41:11.940
 and meaning

00:41:11.940 --> 00:41:13.940
 and above all righteousness

00:41:13.940 --> 00:41:15.940
 into their lives

00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:18.940
 remember

00:41:19.940 --> 00:41:21.940
 providence in this year

00:41:21.940 --> 00:41:22.940
 in my life

00:41:22.940 --> 00:41:23.940
 and in your life

00:41:24.940 --> 00:41:25.940
 is going to bring people together

00:41:25.940 --> 00:41:27.940
 in different circumstances

00:41:27.940 --> 00:41:29.940
 ask in those circumstances

00:41:29.940 --> 00:41:30.940
 of yourself

00:41:30.940 --> 00:41:33.940
 what is this for me

00:41:33.940 --> 00:41:35.940
 in terms of making Jesus known

00:41:36.940 --> 00:41:38.940
 how do I use this

00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:40.940
 to the gospel's advantage

00:41:41.940 --> 00:41:42.940
 if God has brought about

00:41:42.940 --> 00:41:43.940
 this providence

00:41:43.940 --> 00:41:45.940
 that's brought me to meet

00:41:45.940 --> 00:41:46.940
 with such and such a person

00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:49.940
 there must be something in here

00:41:49.940 --> 00:41:51.940
 that has to do with Jesus

00:41:51.940 --> 00:41:52.940
 and making Jesus known

00:41:52.940 --> 00:41:54.940
 and telling the good news

00:41:54.940 --> 00:41:55.940
 about Jesus

00:41:55.940 --> 00:41:56.940
 about Jesus

00:41:58.940 --> 00:41:59.940
 and is that not why

00:41:59.940 --> 00:42:00.940
 we're here this evening

00:42:01.940 --> 00:42:02.940
 because God

00:42:02.940 --> 00:42:03.940
 in his providence

00:42:04.940 --> 00:42:05.940
 has made a way for you

00:42:05.940 --> 00:42:07.940
 to come to be under the gospel

00:42:07.940 --> 00:42:08.940
 tonight

00:42:08.940 --> 00:42:09.940
 and God in his providence

00:42:09.940 --> 00:42:10.940
 has brought a way

00:42:10.940 --> 00:42:12.940
 for me to stand in this pulpit

00:42:12.940 --> 00:42:13.940
 and declare to you

00:42:13.940 --> 00:42:14.940
 the good news about Jesus

00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:15.940
 there's the same thing

00:42:15.940 --> 00:42:16.940
 that happened here

00:42:16.940 --> 00:42:17.940
 in the book of Acts

00:42:17.940 --> 00:42:18.940
 between this Ethiopian

00:42:18.940 --> 00:42:19.940
 and Philip

00:42:19.940 --> 00:42:21.940
 as providence brought them together

00:42:21.940 --> 00:42:23.940
 as the circumstances

00:42:23.940 --> 00:42:24.940
 the situation brought them together

00:42:24.940 --> 00:42:27.940
 these two men

00:42:27.940 --> 00:42:28.940
 out of all that was happening

00:42:28.940 --> 00:42:29.940
 in the world

00:42:29.940 --> 00:42:30.940
 but you can see

00:42:30.940 --> 00:42:31.940
 every single thing

00:42:31.940 --> 00:42:32.940
 that happened

00:42:32.940 --> 00:42:33.940
 in the lead up to this

00:42:33.940 --> 00:42:35.940
 was for this specific purpose

00:42:35.940 --> 00:42:37.940
 that Philip would actually tell this man

00:42:37.940 --> 00:42:39.940
 the good news about Jesus

00:42:39.940 --> 00:42:41.940
 all the things that had gone before

00:42:41.940 --> 00:42:43.940
 and all the things that came after

00:42:43.940 --> 00:42:45.940
 all fitted towards this specific moment

00:42:45.940 --> 00:42:47.940
 this important moment

00:42:47.940 --> 00:42:48.940
 this crucial moment

00:42:48.940 --> 00:42:51.940
 of Philip telling this man

00:42:51.940 --> 00:42:52.940
 the good news about Jesus

00:42:52.940 --> 00:42:58.940
 so that's the situation

00:42:58.940 --> 00:43:00.940
 that led to their meeting

00:43:01.940 --> 00:43:02.940
 God in charge

00:43:03.940 --> 00:43:04.940
 God arranging it

00:43:05.940 --> 00:43:06.940
 and these two people

00:43:06.940 --> 00:43:07.940
 who had never met each other before

00:43:08.940 --> 00:43:09.940
 and here they are

00:43:09.940 --> 00:43:10.940
 in a critical meeting

00:43:10.940 --> 00:43:11.940
 a crucial moment

00:43:11.940 --> 00:43:13.940
 for both of them

00:43:13.940 --> 00:43:14.940
 especially for the Ethiopian

00:43:14.940 --> 00:43:16.940
 but for Philip too

00:43:16.940 --> 00:43:18.940
 because he is serving the Lord

00:43:19.940 --> 00:43:20.940
 and as he is

00:43:20.940 --> 00:43:21.940
 brought by God

00:43:21.940 --> 00:43:22.940
 to meet with this man

00:43:23.940 --> 00:43:24.940
 so they come to meet

00:43:24.940 --> 00:43:26.940
 in this extraordinary meeting

00:43:27.940 --> 00:43:28.940
 which has always been planned

00:43:28.940 --> 00:43:29.940
 by God

00:43:30.940 --> 00:43:31.940
 and which is going to lead

00:43:31.940 --> 00:43:32.940
 to this Ethiopian conversion

00:43:33.940 --> 00:43:34.940
 and not only that

00:43:34.940 --> 00:43:35.940
 but who knows

00:43:35.940 --> 00:43:37.940
 because you read afterwards

00:43:37.940 --> 00:43:39.940
 he went away to his own land

00:43:39.940 --> 00:43:40.940
 he went on his way rejoicing

00:43:40.940 --> 00:43:43.940
 who knows what the outcome of this was

00:43:44.940 --> 00:43:45.940
 in Ethiopia

00:43:45.940 --> 00:43:46.940
 in the place in Ethiopia

00:43:46.940 --> 00:43:47.940
 wherever he belonged to

00:43:48.940 --> 00:43:49.940
 who knows how many people came

00:43:50.940 --> 00:43:51.940
 to have the good news

00:43:51.940 --> 00:43:52.940
 about Jesus

00:43:53.940 --> 00:43:54.940
 spoken to them

00:43:54.940 --> 00:43:55.940
 from this Ethiopian

00:43:56.940 --> 00:43:57.940
 who had come himself

00:43:57.940 --> 00:43:58.940
 to have it spoken to him

00:43:59.940 --> 00:44:00.940
 in this extraordinary meeting

00:44:00.940 --> 00:44:01.940
 between himself

00:44:02.940 --> 00:44:03.940
 and Philip

00:44:04.940 --> 00:44:05.940
 well it's extraordinary in many ways

00:44:06.940 --> 00:44:07.940
 in many other ways

00:44:07.940 --> 00:44:08.940
 it's just ordinary

00:44:08.940 --> 00:44:09.940
 it's just the events of

00:44:09.940 --> 00:44:10.940
 another day

00:44:10.940 --> 00:44:11.940
 in Philip's life

00:44:12.940 --> 00:44:13.940
 and so it will be

00:44:14.940 --> 00:44:15.940
 God willing for you and for me

00:44:15.940 --> 00:44:16.940
 as each day passes

00:44:16.940 --> 00:44:18.940
 and gives way to another day

00:44:19.940 --> 00:44:20.940
 there's another time

00:44:20.940 --> 00:44:21.940
 in God's providence

00:44:22.940 --> 00:44:23.940
 when something comes our way

00:44:24.940 --> 00:44:25.940
 and something to do with Jesus

00:44:26.940 --> 00:44:29.940
 is brought before us

00:44:30.940 --> 00:44:31.940
 to disseminate

00:44:32.940 --> 00:44:33.940
 to speak out

00:44:33.940 --> 00:44:34.940
 others about

00:44:34.940 --> 00:44:35.940
 in the circumstances

00:44:35.940 --> 00:44:37.940
 of God's wise providence

00:44:38.940 --> 00:44:39.940
 but secondly

00:44:39.940 --> 00:44:40.940
 let's look at the explanation

00:44:41.940 --> 00:44:42.940
 which led to his conversion

00:44:43.940 --> 00:44:45.940
 because as Philip responded

00:44:45.940 --> 00:44:47.940
 and ran to this chariot

00:44:48.940 --> 00:44:49.940
 he heard this man reading

00:44:49.940 --> 00:44:50.940
 Isaiah the prophet

00:44:51.940 --> 00:44:53.940
 and he asked

00:44:54.940 --> 00:44:56.940
 the passage he was reading

00:44:57.940 --> 00:44:58.940
 was chapter 53

00:44:58.940 --> 00:44:59.940
 as we know it

00:45:00.940 --> 00:45:01.940
 in the prophecy of Isaiah

00:45:01.940 --> 00:45:02.940
 and

00:45:02.940 --> 00:45:05.940
 well isn't that a remarkable providence

00:45:05.940 --> 00:45:06.940
 itself

00:45:06.940 --> 00:45:07.940
 because

00:45:07.940 --> 00:45:08.940
 here is Philip

00:45:09.940 --> 00:45:10.940
 a man used by God

00:45:10.940 --> 00:45:11.940
 to teach people about Jesus

00:45:12.940 --> 00:45:13.940
 to present the good news

00:45:14.940 --> 00:45:15.940
 and here is someone

00:45:15.940 --> 00:45:17.940
 who has already given him an opening

00:45:17.940 --> 00:45:18.940
 because he's reading

00:45:18.940 --> 00:45:19.940
 in the Old Testament

00:45:20.940 --> 00:45:21.940
 probably the passage

00:45:21.940 --> 00:45:22.940
 that's most clearly to do

00:45:23.940 --> 00:45:24.940
 and most detailed

00:45:25.940 --> 00:45:26.940
 with regard to the death

00:45:26.940 --> 00:45:27.940
 and the circumstances

00:45:27.940 --> 00:45:28.940
 of the death of Christ

00:45:28.940 --> 00:45:31.940
 no preacher could ask

00:45:31.940 --> 00:45:32.940
 for a better

00:45:32.940 --> 00:45:33.940
 or more advantageous

00:45:34.940 --> 00:45:35.940
 situation than that

00:45:36.940 --> 00:45:37.940
 it's as if you had all

00:45:38.940 --> 00:45:39.940
 come tonight

00:45:39.940 --> 00:45:40.940
 and were just crowding

00:45:40.940 --> 00:45:41.940
 around this pulpit

00:45:41.940 --> 00:45:42.940
 saying tell me the meaning

00:45:42.940 --> 00:45:43.940
 of this passage

00:45:43.940 --> 00:45:44.940
 please explain to me

00:45:44.940 --> 00:45:45.940
 this passage

00:45:45.940 --> 00:45:46.940
 well I hope you've come

00:45:47.940 --> 00:45:48.940
 of course

00:45:48.940 --> 00:45:49.940
 seeking to have scripture

00:45:49.940 --> 00:45:50.940
 explained to you

00:45:50.940 --> 00:45:51.940
 and seeking that the Lord

00:45:51.940 --> 00:45:52.940
 will actually direct

00:45:52.940 --> 00:45:53.940
 your heart to the

00:45:53.940 --> 00:45:54.940
 to the knowledge of Christ

00:45:54.940 --> 00:45:55.940
 through this very scripture

00:45:55.940 --> 00:45:56.940
 through this very scripture itself

00:45:56.940 --> 00:45:58.940
 as he led this Ethiopian

00:45:58.940 --> 00:45:59.940
 through Philip

00:45:59.940 --> 00:46:00.940
 to come to understand it

00:46:00.940 --> 00:46:01.940
 but what an amazing

00:46:01.940 --> 00:46:03.940
 and wonderful opportunity

00:46:03.940 --> 00:46:04.940
 for Philip

00:46:05.940 --> 00:46:06.940
 here's just a text

00:46:06.940 --> 00:46:07.940
 as it were

00:46:07.940 --> 00:46:08.940
 dropped into his lap

00:46:09.940 --> 00:46:10.940
 as he heard this man

00:46:10.940 --> 00:46:12.940
 reading the prophecy of Isaiah

00:46:13.940 --> 00:46:14.940
 who could ask for more

00:46:15.940 --> 00:46:16.940
 what greater advantage

00:46:16.940 --> 00:46:17.940
 could he have than that

00:46:18.940 --> 00:46:19.940
 a preacher of the gospel

00:46:20.940 --> 00:46:21.940
 a man seeking the meaning

00:46:21.940 --> 00:46:22.940
 of scripture

00:46:22.940 --> 00:46:25.940
 and reading this passage

00:46:25.940 --> 00:46:26.940
 that's all to do

00:46:26.940 --> 00:46:27.940
 with a prophecy

00:46:27.940 --> 00:46:29.940
 of the coming Messiah

00:46:29.940 --> 00:46:30.940
 and the sufferings

00:46:30.940 --> 00:46:31.940
 and the death of Jesus

00:46:33.940 --> 00:46:34.940
 and so

00:46:34.940 --> 00:46:35.940
 Philip

00:46:36.940 --> 00:46:37.940
 proceeds to guide him

00:46:37.940 --> 00:46:38.940
 to Jesus

00:46:39.940 --> 00:46:40.940
 and there are three

00:46:40.940 --> 00:46:41.940
 brief points

00:46:41.940 --> 00:46:42.940
 I want to mention

00:46:43.940 --> 00:46:44.940
 in Philip's guiding

00:46:44.940 --> 00:46:45.940
 of this man to Jesus

00:46:46.940 --> 00:46:47.940
 because they're important

00:46:47.940 --> 00:46:48.940
 too in regard to

00:46:48.940 --> 00:46:49.940
 the opportunities

00:46:49.940 --> 00:46:50.940
 we have ourselves

00:46:50.940 --> 00:46:52.940
 to come to know

00:46:52.940 --> 00:46:53.940
 Jesus for ourselves

00:46:53.940 --> 00:46:55.940
 or else to try and guide

00:46:55.940 --> 00:46:56.940
 by God's help

00:46:57.940 --> 00:46:58.940
 others to Jesus as well

00:46:58.940 --> 00:46:59.940
 the first thing you notice

00:47:00.940 --> 00:47:01.940
 is that Philip began

00:47:02.940 --> 00:47:03.940
 by addressing his understanding

00:47:04.940 --> 00:47:05.940
 Philip ran to him

00:47:05.940 --> 00:47:06.940
 and heard him reading

00:47:06.940 --> 00:47:07.940
 and he said

00:47:07.940 --> 00:47:08.940
 do you understand

00:47:09.940 --> 00:47:10.940
 what you are reading

00:47:11.940 --> 00:47:12.940
 how you see

00:47:12.940 --> 00:47:13.940
 the first point

00:47:13.940 --> 00:47:14.940
 that Philip wanted to make

00:47:14.940 --> 00:47:15.940
 the thing that he wanted

00:47:15.940 --> 00:47:16.940
 this Ethiopian's mind

00:47:17.940 --> 00:47:18.940
 to focus upon

00:47:18.940 --> 00:47:19.940
 was his understanding

00:47:19.940 --> 00:47:20.940
 of the passage

00:47:20.940 --> 00:47:21.940
 do you understand

00:47:21.940 --> 00:47:22.940
 he was hearing him

00:47:22.940 --> 00:47:23.940
 reading it

00:47:23.940 --> 00:47:24.940
 do you understand

00:47:24.940 --> 00:47:25.940
 what you are reading

00:47:25.940 --> 00:47:27.940
 what an important emphasis

00:47:27.940 --> 00:47:28.940
 what a key point

00:47:28.940 --> 00:47:29.940
 that is

00:47:29.940 --> 00:47:30.940
 because it's crucial

00:47:30.940 --> 00:47:31.940
 that we understand

00:47:31.940 --> 00:47:32.940
 the scriptures

00:47:32.940 --> 00:47:33.940
 I don't mean by that

00:47:33.940 --> 00:47:34.940
 that you understand

00:47:34.940 --> 00:47:35.940
 everything that's in

00:47:35.940 --> 00:47:36.940
 the Bible

00:47:36.940 --> 00:47:37.940
 completely

00:47:37.940 --> 00:47:38.940
 and totally

00:47:39.940 --> 00:47:41.940
 but understand it

00:47:41.940 --> 00:47:42.940
 in the sense

00:47:42.940 --> 00:47:43.940
 in which Philip

00:47:43.940 --> 00:47:44.940
 meant it

00:47:44.940 --> 00:47:45.940
 understand it

00:47:45.940 --> 00:47:46.940
 for your saving benefit

00:47:46.940 --> 00:47:48.940
 understand it

00:47:48.940 --> 00:47:49.940
 savingly

00:47:49.940 --> 00:47:50.940
 understand it

00:47:50.940 --> 00:47:51.940
 so that

00:47:51.940 --> 00:47:52.940
 it brings to you

00:47:52.940 --> 00:47:53.940
 the knowledge of Christ

00:47:53.940 --> 00:47:54.940
 and brings you

00:47:54.940 --> 00:47:55.940
 into that living union

00:47:55.940 --> 00:47:56.940
 with Christ

00:47:56.940 --> 00:47:57.940
 that's the question

00:47:57.940 --> 00:47:58.940
 that God

00:47:58.940 --> 00:47:59.940
 is addressing to you

00:47:59.940 --> 00:48:00.940
 through the gospel

00:48:00.940 --> 00:48:01.940
 tonight

00:48:01.940 --> 00:48:02.940
 and he's addressing me

00:48:02.940 --> 00:48:03.940
 as well

00:48:03.940 --> 00:48:04.940
 just because

00:48:04.940 --> 00:48:05.940
 I happen to preach

00:48:05.940 --> 00:48:06.940
 the gospel

00:48:06.940 --> 00:48:07.940
 doesn't mean that

00:48:07.940 --> 00:48:08.940
 I don't need

00:48:08.940 --> 00:48:09.940
 this passage

00:48:09.940 --> 00:48:10.940
 or this question

00:48:10.940 --> 00:48:11.940
 addressed to myself

00:48:11.940 --> 00:48:12.940
 let's just all

00:48:12.940 --> 00:48:13.940
 think of ourselves

00:48:13.940 --> 00:48:14.940
 in the place

00:48:14.940 --> 00:48:15.940
 of this eunuch

00:48:15.940 --> 00:48:17.940
 and God addressing us

00:48:17.940 --> 00:48:18.940
 through the speaker

00:48:18.940 --> 00:48:19.940
 of the gospel

00:48:19.940 --> 00:48:21.940
 and God saying to us

00:48:21.940 --> 00:48:23.940
 do you understand

00:48:23.940 --> 00:48:25.940
 what you are reading

00:48:25.940 --> 00:48:27.940
 have you found Christ

00:48:27.940 --> 00:48:29.940
 in the gospel

00:48:29.940 --> 00:48:31.940
 you understand it

00:48:31.940 --> 00:48:33.940
 in terms of its outward meaning

00:48:33.940 --> 00:48:34.940
 you understand

00:48:34.940 --> 00:48:36.940
 the account it gives

00:48:36.940 --> 00:48:37.940
 of various events

00:48:37.940 --> 00:48:38.940
 you understand

00:48:38.940 --> 00:48:39.940
 that these actually

00:48:39.940 --> 00:48:40.940
 took place

00:48:40.940 --> 00:48:41.940
 as the gospel record

00:48:41.940 --> 00:48:43.940
 actually brings before you

00:48:43.940 --> 00:48:44.940
 but then the understanding

00:48:44.940 --> 00:48:46.940
 that Philip is talking of

00:48:46.940 --> 00:48:47.940
 is an understanding

00:48:47.940 --> 00:48:48.940
 of your mind

00:48:48.940 --> 00:48:49.940
 an understanding

00:48:49.940 --> 00:48:50.940
 of your will

00:48:50.940 --> 00:48:51.940
 an understanding

00:48:51.940 --> 00:48:52.940
 of your heart

00:48:52.940 --> 00:48:54.940
 do you understand

00:48:54.940 --> 00:48:56.940
 what you are reading

00:48:56.940 --> 00:48:58.940
 is your heart in it

00:48:58.940 --> 00:49:00.940
 is Jesus real to you

00:49:00.940 --> 00:49:01.940
 in it

00:49:01.940 --> 00:49:02.940
 you could put it that way

00:49:02.940 --> 00:49:04.940
 is Jesus real to you

00:49:04.940 --> 00:49:05.940
 is God real to you

00:49:05.940 --> 00:49:07.940
 in your reading of scripture

00:49:07.940 --> 00:49:08.940
 in your reading of

00:49:08.940 --> 00:49:09.940
 this book

00:49:09.940 --> 00:49:10.940
 this word

00:49:10.940 --> 00:49:11.940
 that God

00:49:11.940 --> 00:49:13.940
 has so freely given to you

00:49:13.940 --> 00:49:14.940
 what an important question

00:49:14.940 --> 00:49:15.940
 that is

00:49:15.940 --> 00:49:17.940
 because there are many people

00:49:17.940 --> 00:49:19.940
 maybe some even here tonight

00:49:19.940 --> 00:49:20.940
 who are very familiar

00:49:20.940 --> 00:49:21.940
 with the Bible

00:49:21.940 --> 00:49:23.940
 many familiar with

00:49:23.940 --> 00:49:25.940
 the terms of the gospel

00:49:25.940 --> 00:49:27.940
 with the teaching of the gospel

00:49:28.940 --> 00:49:30.940
 but still don't know Christ personally

00:49:30.940 --> 00:49:35.940
 still aren't united to Christ

00:49:35.940 --> 00:49:36.940
 savingly

00:49:36.940 --> 00:49:39.940
 still haven't put their trust

00:49:39.940 --> 00:49:40.940
 in him

00:49:40.940 --> 00:49:42.940
 still haven't received him

00:49:42.940 --> 00:49:43.940
 as he is offered

00:49:43.940 --> 00:49:44.940
 in the gospel

00:49:44.940 --> 00:49:45.940
 still haven't

00:49:45.940 --> 00:49:46.940
 willingly

00:49:46.940 --> 00:49:47.940
 surrendered their heart

00:49:47.940 --> 00:49:48.940
 to him

00:49:48.940 --> 00:49:50.940
 to be ruled by him

00:49:50.940 --> 00:49:51.940
 if that is you tonight

00:49:52.940 --> 00:49:53.940
 then here is God

00:49:53.940 --> 00:49:54.940
 asking you

00:49:54.940 --> 00:49:55.940
 do you understand

00:49:55.940 --> 00:49:56.940
 what you are reading

00:49:56.940 --> 00:49:57.940
 and here is God

00:49:57.940 --> 00:49:58.940
 saying to you

00:49:58.940 --> 00:49:59.940
 listen to what this passage

00:49:59.940 --> 00:50:00.940
 is saying

00:50:00.940 --> 00:50:01.940
 about this man

00:50:01.940 --> 00:50:02.940
 and about how

00:50:02.940 --> 00:50:03.940
 this Philip

00:50:03.940 --> 00:50:05.940
 Philip dealt with him

00:50:05.940 --> 00:50:06.940
 and how he brought him

00:50:06.940 --> 00:50:08.940
 to the understanding

00:50:08.940 --> 00:50:09.940
 that he needed to have

00:50:09.940 --> 00:50:10.940
 and it is crucial

00:50:10.940 --> 00:50:12.940
 we understand these things

00:50:12.940 --> 00:50:13.940
 if you cast your mind back

00:50:13.940 --> 00:50:14.940
 to the other book

00:50:14.940 --> 00:50:16.940
 that Luke wrote

00:50:16.940 --> 00:50:18.940
 he wrote the book of Acts

00:50:18.940 --> 00:50:19.940
 and he also wrote

00:50:19.940 --> 00:50:20.940
 the gospel of Luke

00:50:20.940 --> 00:50:21.940
 as we know it

00:50:22.940 --> 00:50:23.940
 you remember in the last chapter

00:50:23.940 --> 00:50:24.940
 of Luke's gospel

00:50:24.940 --> 00:50:25.940
 Luke 24

00:50:26.940 --> 00:50:27.940
 at verse 27

00:50:27.940 --> 00:50:29.940
 that Jesus drew near

00:50:29.940 --> 00:50:31.940
 to these two disciples

00:50:31.940 --> 00:50:32.940
 disciples who were

00:50:32.940 --> 00:50:33.940
 about seven miles

00:50:33.940 --> 00:50:34.940
 from Jerusalem

00:50:34.940 --> 00:50:35.940
 walking to

00:50:35.940 --> 00:50:37.940
 the village called Emmaus

00:50:37.940 --> 00:50:38.940
 and verse 28

00:50:38.940 --> 00:50:39.940
 they drew near

00:50:39.940 --> 00:50:40.940
 to the village

00:50:40.940 --> 00:50:41.940
 to which they were going

00:50:41.940 --> 00:50:42.940
 Jesus acted as if

00:50:42.940 --> 00:50:43.940
 he were going further

00:50:43.940 --> 00:50:45.940
 but they urged him

00:50:45.940 --> 00:50:46.940
 strongly saying

00:50:46.940 --> 00:50:47.940
 stay with us

00:50:47.940 --> 00:50:48.940
 for it is towards evening

00:50:48.940 --> 00:50:49.940
 and the day is now

00:50:49.940 --> 00:50:50.940
 far spent

00:50:50.940 --> 00:50:51.940
 so he went in

00:50:51.940 --> 00:50:52.940
 to stay with them

00:50:52.940 --> 00:50:53.940
 while he was at the table

00:50:53.940 --> 00:50:54.940
 with them

00:50:54.940 --> 00:50:55.940
 he took bread

00:50:55.940 --> 00:50:56.940
 and blessed it

00:50:56.940 --> 00:50:57.940
 and broke them

00:50:57.940 --> 00:50:58.940
 and their eyes were opened

00:50:58.940 --> 00:50:59.940
 and they recognized him

00:50:59.940 --> 00:51:00.940
 and he said

00:51:00.940 --> 00:51:01.940
 did not our hearts

00:51:01.940 --> 00:51:02.940
 burn within us

00:51:02.940 --> 00:51:03.940
 while he talked to us

00:51:03.940 --> 00:51:04.940
 on the road

00:51:04.940 --> 00:51:05.940
 and opened to us

00:51:05.940 --> 00:51:06.940
 the scriptures

00:51:06.940 --> 00:51:09.940
 Jesus had opened

00:51:09.940 --> 00:51:11.940
 to opened the scriptures

00:51:11.940 --> 00:51:12.940
 to them

00:51:12.940 --> 00:51:13.940
 because he had spoken to them

00:51:13.940 --> 00:51:14.940
 on the way

00:51:14.940 --> 00:51:16.940
 as he had drawn them

00:51:16.940 --> 00:51:18.940
 into the conversation

00:51:18.940 --> 00:51:19.940
 as to what had happened

00:51:19.940 --> 00:51:20.940
 in Jerusalem

00:51:20.940 --> 00:51:21.940
 in these days

00:51:21.940 --> 00:51:22.940
 something like we've said

00:51:22.940 --> 00:51:23.940
 in our introduction

00:51:23.940 --> 00:51:24.940
 to our study

00:51:24.940 --> 00:51:25.940
 this evening

00:51:25.940 --> 00:51:26.940
 well he's

00:51:26.940 --> 00:51:27.940
 they said

00:51:27.940 --> 00:51:28.940
 this is what happened

00:51:28.940 --> 00:51:29.940
 some of those

00:51:29.940 --> 00:51:30.940
 who went to the tomb

00:51:30.940 --> 00:51:31.480
 they found it

00:51:31.480 --> 00:51:31.940
 just as the women

00:51:31.940 --> 00:51:32.940
 had said

00:51:32.940 --> 00:51:33.940
 but they didn't see

00:51:33.940 --> 00:51:35.940
 and then he

00:51:35.940 --> 00:51:36.940
 began to speak to them

00:51:36.940 --> 00:51:37.940
 of the scriptures

00:51:37.940 --> 00:51:38.940
 and the prophets

00:51:38.940 --> 00:51:39.940
 beginning with Moses

00:51:39.940 --> 00:51:41.940
 and all the prophets

00:51:41.940 --> 00:51:42.940
 he interpreted to them

00:51:42.940 --> 00:51:43.940
 in all the scriptures

00:51:43.940 --> 00:51:44.940
 the things

00:51:44.940 --> 00:51:46.940
 concerning himself

00:51:46.940 --> 00:51:48.940
 what a commentary

00:51:49.940 --> 00:51:50.940
 what a sermon

00:51:50.940 --> 00:51:53.940
 the son of God himself

00:51:53.940 --> 00:51:54.940
 the savior

00:51:54.940 --> 00:51:56.940
 explaining to these men

00:51:56.940 --> 00:51:57.940
 leading these men

00:51:57.940 --> 00:51:58.940
 through the scriptures

00:51:58.940 --> 00:51:59.940
 beginning with Moses

00:51:59.940 --> 00:52:01.940
 and then through the prophets

00:52:01.940 --> 00:52:06.940
 he interpreted to them

00:52:06.940 --> 00:52:07.940
 in all the scriptures

00:52:07.940 --> 00:52:10.940
 the things concerning himself

00:52:10.940 --> 00:52:12.940
 he opened their mind

00:52:12.940 --> 00:52:15.940
 he set before them

00:52:15.940 --> 00:52:17.940
 the truth of the things

00:52:17.940 --> 00:52:18.940
 that they had just said

00:52:18.940 --> 00:52:19.940
 they had heard

00:52:19.940 --> 00:52:20.940
 and were witnesses of

00:52:20.940 --> 00:52:23.940
 but now he's opening their minds

00:52:23.940 --> 00:52:25.940
 to understand the scriptures

00:52:25.940 --> 00:52:26.940
 do you understand

00:52:26.940 --> 00:52:27.940
 said Philip

00:52:27.940 --> 00:52:28.940
 the things

00:52:28.940 --> 00:52:29.940
 that you're reading

00:52:29.940 --> 00:52:33.940
 and have we prayed today

00:52:33.940 --> 00:52:35.940
 before we came to church

00:52:35.940 --> 00:52:37.940
 we prayed to God

00:52:37.940 --> 00:52:38.940
 to give us an understanding

00:52:39.940 --> 00:52:42.940
 to give us more than a mental understanding

00:52:43.940 --> 00:52:45.940
 to give us that spiritual recognition

00:52:45.940 --> 00:52:46.940
 and understanding

00:52:46.940 --> 00:52:47.940
 of Jesus himself

00:52:47.940 --> 00:52:48.940
 to find him

00:52:48.940 --> 00:52:50.940
 in the scriptures

00:52:50.940 --> 00:52:51.940
 that's the first point

00:52:51.940 --> 00:52:52.940
 he began

00:52:52.940 --> 00:52:53.940
 with the understanding

00:52:53.940 --> 00:52:54.940
 and then he moved on

00:52:54.940 --> 00:52:56.940
 to respond to the interest

00:52:56.940 --> 00:52:58.940
 that this man had

00:52:58.940 --> 00:52:59.940
 because the man said

00:52:59.940 --> 00:53:00.940
 verse 31

00:53:00.940 --> 00:53:02.940
 how can I understand

00:53:02.940 --> 00:53:04.940
 unless someone guides me

00:53:04.940 --> 00:53:06.940
 and he invited Philip

00:53:06.940 --> 00:53:08.940
 to come up and sit with him

00:53:08.940 --> 00:53:10.940
 and we're told the passage

00:53:10.940 --> 00:53:11.940
 that he was reading in Isaiah

00:53:11.940 --> 00:53:13.940
 and then verse 34

00:53:13.940 --> 00:53:14.940
 the eunuch said to Philip

00:53:14.940 --> 00:53:16.940
 about whom I ask you

00:53:16.940 --> 00:53:17.940
 does the prophet say this

00:53:17.940 --> 00:53:18.940
 about himself

00:53:18.940 --> 00:53:20.940
 or about someone else

00:53:20.940 --> 00:53:22.940
 he began with focusing

00:53:22.940 --> 00:53:23.940
 on the understanding

00:53:23.940 --> 00:53:25.940
 and then as this man responded

00:53:25.940 --> 00:53:26.940
 and as he said

00:53:26.940 --> 00:53:27.940
 something more

00:53:27.940 --> 00:53:29.940
 about his search for the truth

00:53:29.940 --> 00:53:30.940
 and the meaning of this passage

00:53:30.940 --> 00:53:32.940
 Philip responded

00:53:32.940 --> 00:53:34.940
 with the truth about Jesus

00:53:34.940 --> 00:53:36.940
 he explained to him

00:53:36.940 --> 00:53:39.940
 he told him in the scripture

00:53:39.940 --> 00:53:41.940
 the good news about Jesus

00:53:41.940 --> 00:53:42.940
 well of course

00:53:42.940 --> 00:53:43.940
 that's what we want to see

00:53:43.940 --> 00:53:44.940
 isn't it

00:53:44.940 --> 00:53:46.940
 in this coming year

00:53:46.940 --> 00:53:47.940
 we want to see people

00:53:47.940 --> 00:53:49.940
 taking up an interest in Jesus

00:53:49.940 --> 00:53:52.940
 this is not conversion for this man

00:53:52.940 --> 00:53:53.940
 he's not yet changed

00:53:53.940 --> 00:53:54.940
 but he has that interest

00:53:54.940 --> 00:53:56.940
 and Philip responds

00:53:56.940 --> 00:53:57.940
 to that question

00:53:57.940 --> 00:53:58.940
 to that interest

00:53:58.940 --> 00:54:00.940
 to that desire of this man

00:54:00.940 --> 00:54:01.940
 and this is what he then does

00:54:01.940 --> 00:54:02.940
 he explains to him

00:54:02.940 --> 00:54:04.940
 he tells him

00:54:04.940 --> 00:54:07.940
 the good news about Jesus

00:54:07.940 --> 00:54:10.360
 and obviously that

00:54:10.360 --> 00:54:11.480
 was blessed

00:54:11.480 --> 00:54:13.159
 to the man

00:54:13.159 --> 00:54:15.780
 now you notice what he's saying

00:54:15.780 --> 00:54:16.800
 beginning

00:54:16.800 --> 00:54:18.579
 with this scripture

00:54:18.579 --> 00:54:20.019
 that's what

00:54:20.019 --> 00:54:21.500
 the key really was

00:54:21.500 --> 00:54:22.840
 as far as Philip was concerned

00:54:22.840 --> 00:54:24.320
 God had actually

00:54:24.320 --> 00:54:25.840
 placed this in his lap

00:54:25.840 --> 00:54:27.460
 and he took the scripture

00:54:27.460 --> 00:54:28.360
 and he worked out

00:54:28.360 --> 00:54:28.960
 from there

00:54:28.960 --> 00:54:30.920
 to explain the things of Christ

00:54:30.920 --> 00:54:32.679
 to present the good news

00:54:32.679 --> 00:54:33.420
 of Christ

00:54:33.420 --> 00:54:35.019
 and that's such an important point

00:54:35.019 --> 00:54:36.559
 that world out there

00:54:36.559 --> 00:54:38.219
 is filled with bad news

00:54:38.219 --> 00:54:39.440
 that world out there

00:54:39.440 --> 00:54:40.739
 is filled with bad thoughts

00:54:40.739 --> 00:54:41.799
 about this gospel

00:54:41.799 --> 00:54:43.019
 about this Jesus

00:54:43.019 --> 00:54:44.019
 about your worship

00:54:44.019 --> 00:54:45.599
 about the church of God

00:54:45.599 --> 00:54:46.920
 about the emphases

00:54:46.920 --> 00:54:48.139
 that you find in the Bible

00:54:48.139 --> 00:54:49.219
 that contradicts

00:54:49.219 --> 00:54:51.159
 and is very antagonistic

00:54:51.159 --> 00:54:52.840
 to the ways of the world

00:54:52.840 --> 00:54:53.320
 especially

00:54:53.320 --> 00:54:54.659
 in those

00:54:54.659 --> 00:54:56.880
 in those ways of the world

00:54:56.880 --> 00:54:58.400
 that are in direct contrast

00:54:58.400 --> 00:54:59.779
 to the ways of God

00:54:59.779 --> 00:55:04.820
 and that's what Philip did

00:55:04.820 --> 00:55:06.260
 he began with the scripture

00:55:06.260 --> 00:55:07.380
 and that's where we begin

00:55:07.380 --> 00:55:08.860
 you don't begin

00:55:08.860 --> 00:55:10.680
 with any kind of philosophy

00:55:10.680 --> 00:55:11.380
 you don't begin

00:55:11.380 --> 00:55:12.160
 with something

00:55:12.160 --> 00:55:13.300
 that you think yourself

00:55:13.300 --> 00:55:14.500
 is maybe adequate

00:55:14.500 --> 00:55:15.400
 for the moment

00:55:15.400 --> 00:55:17.820
 he began with this scripture

00:55:17.820 --> 00:55:20.019
 you always come to work

00:55:20.019 --> 00:55:21.420
 from scripture

00:55:21.420 --> 00:55:22.700
 into your situation

00:55:22.700 --> 00:55:24.140
 not from the situation

00:55:24.140 --> 00:55:25.160
 into the scriptures

00:55:25.160 --> 00:55:27.820
 he began with the scripture

00:55:27.820 --> 00:55:28.740
 and of course it means

00:55:28.740 --> 00:55:29.800
 a certain knowledge

00:55:29.800 --> 00:55:31.200
 of scripture is necessary

00:55:31.200 --> 00:55:32.940
 but that's what he did

00:55:32.940 --> 00:55:35.079
 he began with this scripture

00:55:35.079 --> 00:55:37.980
 and it really reminds us

00:55:37.980 --> 00:55:38.400
 doesn't it

00:55:38.400 --> 00:55:40.700
 that here is in Isaiah 53

00:55:40.700 --> 00:55:43.320
 a scripture about Jesus

00:55:43.320 --> 00:55:44.720
 it doesn't matter

00:55:44.720 --> 00:55:45.539
 where you begin

00:55:45.539 --> 00:55:46.639
 in the Bible

00:55:46.639 --> 00:55:48.139
 but somewhere or other

00:55:48.139 --> 00:55:48.760
 there's a road

00:55:48.760 --> 00:55:49.780
 that leads to Jesus

00:55:49.780 --> 00:55:51.360
 Jesus is really

00:55:51.360 --> 00:55:52.320
 the centerpiece

00:55:52.320 --> 00:55:53.179
 Jesus is really

00:55:53.179 --> 00:55:55.220
 the very center

00:55:55.220 --> 00:55:56.340
 of God's truth

00:55:56.340 --> 00:55:57.139
 he is the way

00:55:57.139 --> 00:55:57.679
 the truth

00:55:57.679 --> 00:55:58.460
 and the life

00:55:58.460 --> 00:56:00.159
 and even if you begin

00:56:00.159 --> 00:56:01.460
 with a historical passage

00:56:01.460 --> 00:56:02.440
 in the Old Testament

00:56:02.440 --> 00:56:03.980
 there may be no specific

00:56:03.980 --> 00:56:05.059
 reference to Jesus

00:56:05.059 --> 00:56:06.019
 in the passage

00:56:06.019 --> 00:56:07.360
 but somewhere

00:56:07.360 --> 00:56:08.260
 as you study it

00:56:08.260 --> 00:56:08.980
 and as you relate it

00:56:08.980 --> 00:56:09.760
 to other passages

00:56:09.760 --> 00:56:11.320
 God will actually

00:56:11.320 --> 00:56:13.059
 lead you to Jesus

00:56:13.059 --> 00:56:14.159
 he'll lead you

00:56:14.159 --> 00:56:15.300
 to the Savior himself

00:56:15.300 --> 00:56:16.599
 because that's what

00:56:16.599 --> 00:56:17.159
 it's all about

00:56:17.159 --> 00:56:18.019
 that's what the gospel

00:56:18.019 --> 00:56:18.880
 is about

00:56:18.880 --> 00:56:19.840
 that's where the gospel

00:56:19.840 --> 00:56:21.720
 is in Christ himself

00:56:21.720 --> 00:56:24.179
 so he began

00:56:24.179 --> 00:56:25.059
 with that scripture

00:56:25.059 --> 00:56:26.679
 and he told him

00:56:26.679 --> 00:56:27.860
 the good news

00:56:27.860 --> 00:56:29.019
 about Jesus

00:56:29.019 --> 00:56:31.420
 the other point

00:56:31.420 --> 00:56:31.900
 to make there

00:56:31.900 --> 00:56:32.539
 before we finish

00:56:32.539 --> 00:56:33.039
 is this

00:56:33.039 --> 00:56:35.239
 the gospel

00:56:35.239 --> 00:56:37.199
 is a positive

00:56:37.199 --> 00:56:38.599
 emphasis

00:56:38.599 --> 00:56:40.440
 it is

00:56:40.440 --> 00:56:41.460
 the good news

00:56:41.460 --> 00:56:42.719
 about Jesus

00:56:42.719 --> 00:56:44.840
 you might say

00:56:44.840 --> 00:56:45.860
 there's some bad news

00:56:45.860 --> 00:56:46.759
 in the Bible as well

00:56:46.759 --> 00:56:47.539
 of course there is

00:56:47.539 --> 00:56:48.960
 it's bad news

00:56:48.960 --> 00:56:50.199
 in the way that it tells me

00:56:50.199 --> 00:56:51.219
 I'm a lost sinner

00:56:51.219 --> 00:56:52.900
 it's bad news

00:56:52.900 --> 00:56:53.739
 to be able to

00:56:53.739 --> 00:56:55.500
 to reckon with the fact

00:56:55.500 --> 00:56:56.179
 that I'm not able

00:56:56.179 --> 00:56:57.199
 to save myself

00:56:57.199 --> 00:56:58.579
 by my own efforts

00:56:58.579 --> 00:57:00.179
 that my own righteousness

00:57:00.179 --> 00:57:01.000
 that my own

00:57:01.000 --> 00:57:02.579
 as Paul found out

00:57:02.579 --> 00:57:03.059
 for himself

00:57:03.059 --> 00:57:04.159
 my own attempts

00:57:04.159 --> 00:57:05.199
 at pleasing God

00:57:05.199 --> 00:57:06.199
 will never go anywhere

00:57:06.199 --> 00:57:07.939
 near far enough

00:57:07.939 --> 00:57:09.439
 I don't need

00:57:09.439 --> 00:57:10.639
 any way to have that

00:57:10.639 --> 00:57:11.319
 because Christ

00:57:11.319 --> 00:57:12.500
 has already done that

00:57:12.500 --> 00:57:14.039
 so you see

00:57:14.039 --> 00:57:14.859
 the bad news

00:57:14.859 --> 00:57:15.639
 that tells you

00:57:15.639 --> 00:57:16.500
 you can call it

00:57:16.500 --> 00:57:17.000
 bad news

00:57:17.000 --> 00:57:17.960
 it's in a sense

00:57:17.960 --> 00:57:18.859
 it's all good news

00:57:18.859 --> 00:57:19.799
 because it's telling us

00:57:19.799 --> 00:57:20.159
 truth

00:57:20.159 --> 00:57:22.679
 but what feels like

00:57:22.679 --> 00:57:23.480
 bad news

00:57:23.480 --> 00:57:24.599
 and appears to be

00:57:24.599 --> 00:57:25.419
 bad news

00:57:25.420 --> 00:57:26.619
 in emphasizing

00:57:26.619 --> 00:57:27.619
 our sinfulness

00:57:27.619 --> 00:57:28.500
 and our need

00:57:28.500 --> 00:57:29.780
 is something

00:57:29.780 --> 00:57:30.400
 that you bring

00:57:30.400 --> 00:57:31.119
 under the light

00:57:31.119 --> 00:57:32.119
 of the good news

00:57:32.119 --> 00:57:33.579
 because however

00:57:33.579 --> 00:57:34.760
 you feel about yourself

00:57:34.760 --> 00:57:36.220
 and it's not all

00:57:36.220 --> 00:57:37.159
 about feelings anyway

00:57:37.159 --> 00:57:37.539
 I'm sure

00:57:37.539 --> 00:57:38.099
 but whatever

00:57:38.099 --> 00:57:39.680
 conclusions we come

00:57:39.680 --> 00:57:40.659
 to about ourselves

00:57:40.659 --> 00:57:42.360
 the good news

00:57:42.360 --> 00:57:43.340
 always has something

00:57:43.340 --> 00:57:44.320
 that actually

00:57:44.320 --> 00:57:45.579
 counteracts that

00:57:45.579 --> 00:57:47.680
 and the gospel

00:57:47.680 --> 00:57:49.159
 is good news

00:57:49.159 --> 00:57:49.680
 friends

00:57:49.680 --> 00:57:50.880
 as we reach

00:57:50.880 --> 00:57:52.180
 towards the end

00:57:52.180 --> 00:57:52.740
 of this year

00:57:52.740 --> 00:57:53.460
 and anticipate

00:57:53.460 --> 00:57:54.539
 God willing

00:57:54.539 --> 00:57:55.400
 a year to come

00:57:55.400 --> 00:57:56.480
 with more gospel

00:57:56.480 --> 00:57:56.900
 freedoms

00:57:56.900 --> 00:57:57.519
 as we said

00:57:57.519 --> 00:57:58.760
 we pray for

00:57:58.760 --> 00:58:00.000
 remember

00:58:00.000 --> 00:58:01.280
 that presenting

00:58:01.280 --> 00:58:02.039
 the gospel

00:58:02.039 --> 00:58:03.340
 is about

00:58:03.340 --> 00:58:04.320
 good news

00:58:04.320 --> 00:58:05.559
 it's bringing

00:58:05.559 --> 00:58:06.139
 to people

00:58:06.139 --> 00:58:07.079
 positive

00:58:07.079 --> 00:58:09.000
 good news

00:58:09.000 --> 00:58:10.980
 the good news

00:58:10.980 --> 00:58:12.340
 is Jesus

00:58:12.340 --> 00:58:13.179
 the good news

00:58:13.179 --> 00:58:13.760
 is Christ

00:58:13.760 --> 00:58:14.800
 the good news

00:58:14.800 --> 00:58:15.940
 is God's salvation

00:58:15.940 --> 00:58:16.500
 in him

00:58:16.500 --> 00:58:17.760
 that's why

00:58:17.760 --> 00:58:18.240
 this man

00:58:18.240 --> 00:58:20.019
 why Philip

00:58:20.019 --> 00:58:20.920
 guided this man

00:58:20.920 --> 00:58:21.740
 to Jesus

00:58:21.740 --> 00:58:22.519
 why it's Jesus

00:58:22.519 --> 00:58:23.460
 that he brought out

00:58:23.460 --> 00:58:25.639
 of this passage

00:58:25.639 --> 00:58:27.700
 make sure

00:58:27.700 --> 00:58:29.019
 that you don't

00:58:29.019 --> 00:58:29.980
 present the gospel

00:58:29.980 --> 00:58:31.039
 as bad news

00:58:31.039 --> 00:58:32.840
 or if there is

00:58:32.840 --> 00:58:33.760
 elements to it

00:58:33.760 --> 00:58:34.340
 that people might

00:58:34.340 --> 00:58:35.440
 think of as bad news

00:58:35.440 --> 00:58:37.780
 don't leave them there

00:58:37.780 --> 00:58:39.599
 emphasize

00:58:39.599 --> 00:58:40.480
 the positive

00:58:40.480 --> 00:58:41.659
 good news

00:58:41.659 --> 00:58:42.340
 that the gospel

00:58:42.340 --> 00:58:42.880
 is

00:58:42.880 --> 00:58:44.700
 that Christ

00:58:44.700 --> 00:58:45.720
 is good news

00:58:45.720 --> 00:58:46.820
 you see

00:58:46.820 --> 00:58:47.740
 it concludes now

00:58:47.740 --> 00:58:49.019
 and we're concluding

00:58:49.019 --> 00:58:50.059
 a sermon with us

00:58:50.059 --> 00:58:52.559
 as he guided him

00:58:52.559 --> 00:58:53.300
 to Christ

00:58:53.300 --> 00:58:55.659
 then we read

00:58:55.659 --> 00:58:55.900
 that

00:58:55.900 --> 00:58:56.719
 when they

00:58:56.719 --> 00:58:57.400
 came up

00:58:57.400 --> 00:58:58.199
 from Philip

00:58:58.199 --> 00:58:59.420
 having baptized him

00:58:59.420 --> 00:59:00.360
 in the water

00:59:00.360 --> 00:59:02.139
 the Lord

00:59:02.139 --> 00:59:02.619
 carried

00:59:02.619 --> 00:59:03.460
 the spirit of the Lord

00:59:03.460 --> 00:59:04.500
 carried Philip away

00:59:04.500 --> 00:59:05.759
 and the eunuch

00:59:05.759 --> 00:59:06.960
 saw him no more

00:59:06.960 --> 00:59:08.280
 and he went on

00:59:08.280 --> 00:59:09.320
 his way rejoicing

00:59:09.320 --> 00:59:10.119
 perhaps that word

00:59:10.119 --> 00:59:10.579
 and

00:59:10.579 --> 00:59:11.759
 might have been

00:59:11.759 --> 00:59:12.619
 better translated

00:59:12.619 --> 00:59:13.099
 but

00:59:13.099 --> 00:59:14.820
 or for he went

00:59:14.820 --> 00:59:15.920
 on his way rejoicing

00:59:15.920 --> 00:59:16.699
 it's actually

00:59:16.699 --> 00:59:17.460
 the word for

00:59:17.460 --> 00:59:19.099
 literally in the scripture

00:59:19.099 --> 00:59:20.059
 the spirit of the Lord

00:59:20.059 --> 00:59:21.000
 carried Philip away

00:59:21.000 --> 00:59:22.159
 and the eunuch

00:59:22.159 --> 00:59:23.139
 saw him no more

00:59:23.139 --> 00:59:23.920
 but the eunuch

00:59:23.920 --> 00:59:24.699
 saw him no more

00:59:24.699 --> 00:59:25.679
 went on his way

00:59:25.679 --> 00:59:26.179
 rejoicing

00:59:26.179 --> 00:59:26.960
 you see what it's saying

00:59:26.960 --> 00:59:27.420
 is this

00:59:27.420 --> 00:59:29.079
 here is a man

00:59:29.079 --> 00:59:30.920
 who came to Philip

00:59:30.920 --> 00:59:32.159
 or Philip came to him

00:59:32.159 --> 00:59:33.440
 this interaction

00:59:33.440 --> 00:59:34.559
 happened between them

00:59:34.559 --> 00:59:35.940
 he had all these

00:59:35.940 --> 00:59:37.019
 questions for Philip

00:59:37.019 --> 00:59:38.240
 Philip brought him

00:59:38.240 --> 00:59:39.039
 and guided him

00:59:39.039 --> 00:59:39.740
 to Christ

00:59:39.740 --> 00:59:41.539
 and having done that

00:59:41.539 --> 00:59:43.599
 that was it

00:59:43.599 --> 00:59:46.320
 Philip was taken away

00:59:46.320 --> 00:59:48.320
 the man had no

00:59:48.320 --> 00:59:49.080
 further need of

00:59:49.080 --> 00:59:49.820
 Philip at that

00:59:49.820 --> 00:59:50.640
 time at least

00:59:50.640 --> 00:59:52.120
 you see what it's

00:59:52.120 --> 00:59:52.700
 saying he went

00:59:52.700 --> 00:59:53.340
 on his way

00:59:53.340 --> 00:59:54.920
 rejoicing

00:59:54.920 --> 00:59:56.800
 Philip was gone

00:59:56.800 --> 00:59:58.500
 in a sense

00:59:58.500 --> 00:59:59.059
 the man couldn't

00:59:59.059 --> 00:59:59.660
 care less

00:59:59.660 --> 01:00:01.500
 he had somebody

01:00:01.500 --> 01:00:02.180
 else in the

01:00:02.180 --> 01:00:02.800
 carriage with him

01:00:02.800 --> 01:00:03.059
 now

01:00:03.059 --> 01:00:04.760
 somebody else

01:00:04.760 --> 01:00:05.559
 was beside him

01:00:05.559 --> 01:00:07.039
 or even in him

01:00:07.039 --> 01:00:08.720
 in his chariot

01:00:08.720 --> 01:00:10.400
 and that was

01:00:10.400 --> 01:00:10.900
 Jesus

01:00:10.900 --> 01:00:14.099
 and as Philip

01:00:14.099 --> 01:00:14.820
 went his way

01:00:14.820 --> 01:00:16.519
 as Philip was

01:00:16.519 --> 01:00:17.079
 taken away

01:00:17.079 --> 01:00:18.360
 by the Lord

01:00:18.360 --> 01:00:20.000
 so this man

01:00:20.000 --> 01:00:20.780
 continued in his

01:00:20.780 --> 01:00:21.139
 way

01:00:21.139 --> 01:00:23.280
 rejoicing

01:00:23.280 --> 01:00:24.940
 can you imagine

01:00:24.940 --> 01:00:25.240
 it

01:00:25.240 --> 01:00:27.139
 here's a man

01:00:27.139 --> 01:00:27.960
 Philip

01:00:27.960 --> 01:00:28.860
 who told him

01:00:28.860 --> 01:00:29.400
 all of these

01:00:29.400 --> 01:00:30.160
 good things

01:00:30.160 --> 01:00:31.200
 who explained

01:00:31.200 --> 01:00:31.740
 the gospel

01:00:31.740 --> 01:00:32.760
 to him so well

01:00:32.760 --> 01:00:33.820
 who brought him

01:00:33.820 --> 01:00:34.579
 and guided him

01:00:34.579 --> 01:00:35.200
 to Jesus

01:00:35.200 --> 01:00:37.019
 and although

01:00:37.019 --> 01:00:37.720
 Philip is now

01:00:37.720 --> 01:00:37.960
 gone

01:00:37.960 --> 01:00:38.519
 this man is

01:00:38.519 --> 01:00:39.220
 rejoicing

01:00:39.219 --> 01:00:42.219
 he's rejoicing

01:00:42.219 --> 01:00:42.819
 because he's

01:00:42.819 --> 01:00:43.599
 found Christ

01:00:43.599 --> 01:00:44.159
 or Christ

01:00:44.159 --> 01:00:45.259
 has come to

01:00:45.259 --> 01:00:46.319
 fill his life

01:00:46.319 --> 01:00:48.299
 and so we're

01:00:48.299 --> 01:00:49.659
 back to the

01:00:49.659 --> 01:00:50.279
 question that we

01:00:50.279 --> 01:00:50.959
 began with

01:00:50.959 --> 01:00:53.059
 do you understand

01:00:53.059 --> 01:00:54.679
 the things that

01:00:54.679 --> 01:00:55.199
 you're reading

01:00:55.199 --> 01:00:58.039
 is Jesus real

01:00:58.039 --> 01:00:58.619
 for you

01:00:58.619 --> 01:01:00.059
 tonight

01:01:00.059 --> 01:01:01.799
 in the gospel

01:01:01.799 --> 01:01:03.219
 let's pray

01:01:03.219 --> 01:01:06.919
 almighty God

01:01:06.919 --> 01:01:07.659
 we thank you

01:01:07.659 --> 01:01:09.059
 for the gospel

01:01:09.059 --> 01:01:10.880
 we thank you

01:01:10.880 --> 01:01:11.639
 that it is so

01:01:11.639 --> 01:01:13.159
 positively good

01:01:13.159 --> 01:01:14.179
 news for us

01:01:14.179 --> 01:01:16.179
 Lord of God

01:01:16.179 --> 01:01:17.340
 we give thanks

01:01:17.340 --> 01:01:17.920
 that into the

01:01:17.920 --> 01:01:18.420
 darkness

01:01:18.420 --> 01:01:19.840
 of our sinfulness

01:01:19.840 --> 01:01:20.460
 the darkness

01:01:20.460 --> 01:01:21.299
 of this world

01:01:21.299 --> 01:01:22.779
 you brought

01:01:22.779 --> 01:01:23.599
 the good news

01:01:23.599 --> 01:01:24.360
 of Christ

01:01:24.360 --> 01:01:26.239
 you sent your

01:01:26.239 --> 01:01:26.920
 son as the

01:01:26.920 --> 01:01:27.500
 good news

01:01:27.500 --> 01:01:27.940
 in his own

01:01:27.940 --> 01:01:28.320
 person

01:01:28.320 --> 01:01:29.759
 and we thank you

01:01:29.759 --> 01:01:30.639
 that this gospel

01:01:30.639 --> 01:01:31.980
 contains that

01:01:31.980 --> 01:01:32.519
 good news

01:01:32.519 --> 01:01:33.340
 in its proclamation

01:01:33.340 --> 01:01:35.259
 that he came

01:01:35.259 --> 01:01:36.219
 to give us life

01:01:36.219 --> 01:01:37.539
 that we might

01:01:37.539 --> 01:01:38.079
 have it more

01:01:38.079 --> 01:01:38.799
 abundantly

01:01:38.799 --> 01:01:40.420
 bless your word

01:01:40.420 --> 01:01:41.219
 to us once again

01:01:41.219 --> 01:01:41.699
 we pray

01:01:41.699 --> 01:01:43.179
 receive our worship

01:01:43.179 --> 01:01:43.880
 and cleanse us

01:01:43.880 --> 01:01:44.739
 from all our sin

01:01:44.739 --> 01:01:46.340
 for his name's

01:01:46.340 --> 01:01:46.599
 sake

01:01:46.599 --> 01:01:47.199
 amen

01:01:47.199 --> 01:01:50.739
 well let's conclude

01:01:50.739 --> 01:01:51.259
 we're singing

01:01:51.259 --> 01:01:51.899
 tonight in

01:01:51.899 --> 01:01:52.519
 conclusion in

01:01:52.519 --> 01:01:53.379
 psalm 51

01:01:53.379 --> 01:01:56.059
 psalm 51

01:01:56.059 --> 01:01:56.339
 in the

01:01:56.339 --> 01:01:56.619
 Scottish

01:01:56.619 --> 01:01:57.119
 Psalter

01:01:57.119 --> 01:01:59.379
 verses 11

01:01:59.379 --> 01:02:00.139
 to 15

01:02:00.139 --> 01:02:21.779
 verse 11

01:02:21.779 --> 01:02:23.299
 to 15

01:02:23.300 --> 01:02:24.680
 of psalm 51

01:02:24.680 --> 01:02:33.519
 cast me not

01:02:33.519 --> 01:02:35.340
 from thy

01:02:35.340 --> 01:02:36.539
 sight

01:02:36.539 --> 01:02:38.600
 nor take

01:02:38.600 --> 01:02:41.120
 thy holy

01:02:41.120 --> 01:02:43.260
 spread

01:02:43.260 --> 01:02:47.200
аемся

01:02:47.200 --> 01:02:50.140
 peace

01:02:50.140 --> 01:02:58.200
 which

01:02:59.800 --> 01:03:00.220
 is

01:03:00.220 --> 01:03:02.220
 and

01:03:02.219 --> 01:03:20.219
 Then will I teach thy wisdom to those that transgress or cheat,

01:03:20.219 --> 01:03:38.219
 And those that send her shall then be turned head unto thee.

01:03:38.219 --> 01:03:57.219
 O God of my salvation, Lord, live from blood guilt in it.

01:03:57.219 --> 01:04:14.519
 Set free, then shall my tongue cover sing of thy righteousness.

01:04:14.519 --> 01:04:31.519
 Thy closeness, O Lord, by thee, let them be opened.

01:04:31.519 --> 01:04:51.199
 Then shall thy praises by my heart have brought people shared.

01:04:51.199 --> 01:05:02.960
 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore. Amen.