WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:03.480 Let's begin our worship singing in Psalm 113. 00:00:05.179 --> 00:00:07.960 113, that's on page 393. 00:00:10.980 --> 00:00:12.580 The tune is St. Columba. 00:00:12.919 --> 00:00:14.339 We'll sing the whole of the psalm. 00:00:15.620 --> 00:00:17.820 Praise God, ye servants of the Lord. 00:00:18.400 --> 00:00:20.420 O praise the Lord's name, praise. 00:00:21.219 --> 00:00:23.000 Yea, blessed be the name of God 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:25.019 from this time forth always. 00:00:25.580 --> 00:00:27.500 From rising sun to where it sets, 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:28.940 God's name is to be praised. 00:00:28.940 --> 00:00:31.600 Above all nations, God is high. 00:00:32.100 --> 00:00:34.840 Above heavens, his glory raised. 00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:36.740 And so on through to the end of the psalm. 00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:39.560 Praise God, ye servants of the Lord. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:52.840 Praise God, ye servants of the Lord. 00:00:52.840 --> 00:01:00.740 O praise the Lord's name, praise. 00:01:00.740 --> 00:01:10.120 Yea, blessed be the name of God. 00:01:10.120 --> 00:01:18.020 From this time forth always. 00:01:18.020 --> 00:01:27.780 From rising sun to where it sets, 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:35.680 God's name is to be praised. 00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:45.079 Above all nations, God is high. 00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:45.099 Above all nations, God is high. 00:01:45.099 --> 00:01:49.060 Above all nations, God is high. 00:01:49.060 --> 00:01:53.219 God is high. 00:01:53.219 --> 00:01:55.799 As many login, if you see you in the wall. 00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:56.840 Go home, if you areThe biblical peace andapi, 00:01:57.060 --> 00:02:00.859 For by your surrendering peace and인지 money have a chance. 00:02:00.900 --> 00:02:03.620 For by your return, 00:02:03.980 --> 00:02:05.500 Jesus, bless the cross, God is high. 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:10.719 Though may you see you in the wall. 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:11.219 for divorce. 00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:13.759 For life, you will allow more than you see you. 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:14.500 of 00:02:14.500 --> 00:02:17.000 things 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:19.000 to see 00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:21.319 in 00:02:21.319 --> 00:02:22.879 men 00:02:22.879 --> 00:02:24.739 under 00:02:24.739 --> 00:02:27.000 the dark 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:29.000 he 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:31.000 from 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:33.000 the dust 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:35.000 that pays 00:02:36.079 --> 00:02:37.000 the pure 00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:39.000 that 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:41.000 ready 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:43.000 hope 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:45.000 doth lie 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:47.199 and 00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:48.680 from 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:49.539 the 00:02:49.539 --> 00:02:50.740 earth 00:02:50.740 --> 00:02:53.280 ill is 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:55.219 the man 00:02:55.219 --> 00:02:57.000 oppressed 00:02:57.939 --> 00:02:58.840 with 00:02:58.840 --> 00:03:01.000 poverty 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:04.000 that 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:05.000 he 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:07.000 may 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:08.000 hide 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:09.000 free 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:10.000 him 00:03:10.840 --> 00:03:12.000 advance 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:14.180 and 00:03:14.180 --> 00:03:15.400 when 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:16.439 the 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:18.060 princes 00:03:18.060 --> 00:03:20.000 sent 00:03:20.819 --> 00:03:22.000 with 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:23.000 those 00:03:23.580 --> 00:03:24.000 that 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:25.000 all 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:26.000 his 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:27.000 people 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:29.000 are 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:31.000 the 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:32.000 chief 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:33.000 he 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:34.000 princes 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:36.000 reign 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:42.000 名 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:42.879 low 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:44.000 of 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:47.000 rest 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:52.060 he 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:54.420 is 00:03:54.420 --> 00:03:56.939 the 00:03:56.939 --> 00:03:58.060 anner 00:03:58.060 --> 00:04:05.080 Handsome, mother, full of joy. 00:04:05.860 --> 00:04:12.099 Praise to the Lord, give me. 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:18.379 Let's now call upon the Lord in prayer. 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:20.240 Let's join together in prayer. 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:27.019 Lord, we give thanks for these great words 00:04:27.019 --> 00:04:30.159 where we are reminded of your own condescension 00:04:30.159 --> 00:04:31.979 and love and mercy toward us. 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:35.599 For you are described as the one who humbles himself 00:04:35.599 --> 00:04:38.539 to see everything that is in heaven and earth. 00:04:39.259 --> 00:04:41.839 And we acknowledge, Lord, with thankfulness tonight 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:44.479 that you humbled yourself even to come 00:04:44.479 --> 00:04:46.819 to the point of death on the cross 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:50.579 so that your people might come to enjoy life with you. 00:04:51.539 --> 00:04:54.740 We thank you, Lord, tonight for this privilege we have once again 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:57.220 of gathering together to praise you 00:04:57.220 --> 00:04:59.699 for all that you are, for all that you have done, 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:02.259 for all that you continue to do, 00:05:02.900 --> 00:05:05.620 and for all the promises we have of what you will do yet. 00:05:06.519 --> 00:05:09.019 We give thanks, O Lord, that you are incomparable, 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:11.079 that there is none like you, 00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:14.840 that you are worthy to be worshipped, 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:17.439 and you alone are worthy to be worshipped. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:19.680 We thank you tonight, Lord, 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:22.939 for the privilege we have of engaging in worship together. 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:26.699 We thank you for the privilege we have 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:28.519 of coming individually before you, 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:31.980 even in the privacy of our own hearts and our own homes. 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:33.920 But we thank you, O Lord, 00:05:33.980 --> 00:05:37.220 that you commend to us the gathering of your people together, 00:05:38.100 --> 00:05:41.540 and that you take delight in coming to meet with your people 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:42.819 as they are gathered together, 00:05:43.339 --> 00:05:44.439 even as we are now. 00:05:44.439 --> 00:05:47.759 We pray, O Lord, that we may know your presence, 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:50.620 that your own touch may be upon us, 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:53.199 that our minds may be opened once again 00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:54.379 to receive the gospel, 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:57.220 to receive the teaching of your word. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:05:59.620 Help us, we pray, to come willingly 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:02.040 to submit our mind to your word. 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:04.740 We know that your word has your own authority, 00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:07.399 that it carries that great imprint 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:09.720 of your own authority upon it. 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:12.180 We pray that as we give respect 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:15.199 to all that you have revealed of yourself in your word, 00:06:15.780 --> 00:06:18.500 of all that you tell us of the creation we belong to, 00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:20.980 and of ourselves as human beings. 00:06:21.780 --> 00:06:23.500 O Lord, we thank you especially 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:26.180 for the emphasis we have in your word, 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:28.199 on your love and on your mercy, 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:31.319 on your provision of grace and compassion 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:33.319 in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:36.480 of salvation in abundance in him. 00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:38.259 And we thank you tonight 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:40.060 that we have access to you through him 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:42.460 in such a way that would come, Lord, 00:06:42.840 --> 00:06:44.259 directly into your presence 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:45.680 to speak with you in prayer, 00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:49.200 as well as to give our voices to your praise. 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:51.759 Help us, Lord, we pray tonight 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:53.379 to be concerned, 00:06:53.580 --> 00:06:56.480 to gather once more into our hearts 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:57.740 the teaching of your word, 00:06:58.319 --> 00:06:59.960 and to do so with a resolve 00:06:59.960 --> 00:07:02.180 that we will apply it to our lives 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:03.840 in the way we live from day to day. 00:07:04.679 --> 00:07:05.939 And we give thanks, O Lord, 00:07:06.019 --> 00:07:08.919 that your word is especially relevant for us 00:07:08.919 --> 00:07:10.739 in the age that we belong to, 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:13.419 as it has been in every age before now 00:07:13.419 --> 00:07:15.839 and every age that will follow us. 00:07:16.719 --> 00:07:19.419 And we thank you that your word itself 00:07:19.419 --> 00:07:21.599 has taken account of all our conditions, 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:24.199 all our circumstances and states 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:26.579 in which we find ourselves in this life. 00:07:27.479 --> 00:07:28.519 And we give thanks, Lord, 00:07:28.599 --> 00:07:31.099 for the comprehensiveness of your word, 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:34.480 that it includes all such human situations, 00:07:34.780 --> 00:07:36.500 so that you address us, Lord, 00:07:36.580 --> 00:07:38.340 in your truth in a way 00:07:38.340 --> 00:07:39.740 that will benefit from it. 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:43.080 We pray your blessing to be with us here 00:07:43.080 --> 00:07:44.620 as a congregation of your people 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:45.960 from week to week. 00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:47.540 We give thanks, Lord, 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:49.860 for all that we are able to engage in 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:51.500 from one Sabbath to the next, 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:54.120 and for the things that take place here 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:56.000 in the name of the congregation 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:58.560 from week to week, 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:00.620 during weeknights and weekdays as well. 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:02.480 And we give thanks, Lord, 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:03.300 for the testimony 00:08:03.300 --> 00:08:05.740 that we are able to give to the gospel 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:07.660 and to the love of Christ, 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:09.319 whether it be practically 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:10.620 or in other ways expressed. 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:13.439 We pray that all of these efforts 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:14.639 will meet with your blessing. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:16.019 We ask, Lord, 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:17.259 for the work that is done 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:19.100 from the youngest group 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:19.720 in the congregation 00:08:19.720 --> 00:08:22.860 through to the over 55s 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:23.379 and fellowship. 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:26.519 And we ask that all of these activities, 00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:28.180 Lord, may be blessed by you. 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:29.759 We pray for those 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:31.259 who enjoy coming together 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:33.220 to meet together informally 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:34.779 and for the way 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:35.860 that this will continue 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:36.539 on Fridays 00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:38.779 and the weeks and months to come. 00:08:39.439 --> 00:08:40.220 We ask, Lord, 00:08:40.319 --> 00:08:42.000 that all of the ways 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:42.740 in which we seek 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:45.039 to present the love of Christ 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:46.799 and in which we seek 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:48.000 to engage with others 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:50.159 in practical provision for them, 00:08:50.679 --> 00:08:52.139 that you would be pleased to bless it. 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:53.960 We pray your blessing 00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:54.759 for our children. 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:56.460 We pray for them, Lord, 00:08:56.580 --> 00:08:58.480 in creche and in tweenies 00:08:58.480 --> 00:08:59.539 and in Sunday school 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:02.240 and in the YF and Bible class. 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:04.159 We thank you for them. 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:05.419 We thank you for the encouragement 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:06.279 it gives us 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:07.580 that they belong 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:09.039 to our congregation here. 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:10.700 And we give thanks, Lord, 00:09:10.779 --> 00:09:11.620 that we are encouraged 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:13.879 that parents bring their children 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:16.399 to be participants in worship 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:18.340 and engaged, O Lord, 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:19.700 in the teaching of your truth. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:21.879 We pray that that will be blessed 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:23.320 to themselves as parents 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:25.200 as well as to their children. 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:26.720 And we ask that you would 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:28.259 help us constantly, Lord, 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:29.899 to bear our children 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:30.659 and young people 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:32.340 and parents before you in prayer. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:34.100 For we know that we live 00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:35.700 in difficult times, O Lord, 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:37.100 that in your wisdom 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:37.779 and providence 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:38.939 you have brought to us 00:09:38.939 --> 00:09:40.799 situations that we would not 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:42.120 have anticipated 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:44.960 or wanted to be part of ourselves. 00:09:45.740 --> 00:09:46.960 And yet this in your wisdom 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:47.940 is what you have done 00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:50.259 and you have come, Lord, 00:09:50.320 --> 00:09:52.320 to make challenges 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:53.759 and difficulties for us 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:56.139 in these days in which we live. 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:57.300 And yet we give thanks 00:09:57.300 --> 00:09:59.600 that these are but further opportunities 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:01.560 to present our testimony 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:02.860 and witness to the Lord 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:05.340 and to the sufficiency of His grace. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:07.400 And we pray that you would bless us 00:10:07.400 --> 00:10:08.200 in that regard. 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:10.240 We ask your blessing too, Lord, 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:11.879 tonight for all those 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:13.800 who are preparing to go to camps, 00:10:14.420 --> 00:10:15.100 those who are preparing 00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:16.300 as leaders of camps. 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:18.940 And we pray, as we've been reminded 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:20.740 in our notices today, Lord, 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.639 we pray for the church in Moldova, 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:25.460 for those who are preparing there 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:26.180 for a camp, 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:27.540 and we pray for those 00:10:27.540 --> 00:10:28.820 who are engaged in help 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:29.940 and fundraising here. 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:32.080 Bless them and encourage them. 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:34.460 Lord, we know how close they are 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:36.120 to conflict now 00:10:36.120 --> 00:10:37.540 in their own part of the world 00:10:37.540 --> 00:10:38.960 and the difficulties 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:40.740 that have been made for them 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:42.500 by an influx of so many people 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:43.740 from Ukraine 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:45.779 during the conflict there. 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:47.220 We pray, Lord, 00:10:47.299 --> 00:10:47.899 that you would bless 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:49.019 your church there too. 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.840 And we ask that you would bring 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:52.680 about peace in these areas. 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:54.259 We long, Lord, 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:56.279 to see the cessation of war. 00:10:56.940 --> 00:10:58.460 We pray for tyranny 00:10:58.460 --> 00:10:59.200 to be overcome. 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:00.820 We pray, Lord, 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.519 that your people 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:02.379 may be encouraged 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:03.840 in all of these lands. 00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:06.320 And we pray that we may hear 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:07.299 with interest 00:11:07.299 --> 00:11:08.539 of developments 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:09.480 from day to day 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:10.480 so that we can come 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:14.420 and bring our informed prayers 00:11:14.420 --> 00:11:16.300 to you in their regard. 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:18.259 We ask, O God, too, 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:19.600 that you would continue 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:22.220 to bless those who prepare 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:24.139 for other ways of outreach 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.659 in our own locality here. 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.639 And we ask that you would lead us 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.519 as a congregation. 00:11:29.180 --> 00:11:30.620 And as we are burdened 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:31.580 for those around us, 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:33.500 we pray that you would increase 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:34.180 that for us, 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:34.960 that you would help us 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:36.680 to see the plight 00:11:36.680 --> 00:11:38.379 of those who live without Christ, 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:41.379 those who face a lost eternity, 00:11:42.160 --> 00:11:43.379 and those around us, Lord, 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:45.220 who are so unfamiliar 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:46.080 with the gospel, 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:48.000 even though it is with us 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:48.580 in abundance. 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:50.120 Oh, bless them. 00:11:50.180 --> 00:11:51.400 We pray and bless the gospel 00:11:51.400 --> 00:11:52.960 throughout our communities. 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:54.120 Bless our schools. 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:55.720 Bless our teachers. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:57.240 Bless each and all, O Lord, 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:59.200 who witness to you 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:00.139 in this regard. 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.060 We pray for them 00:12:01.060 --> 00:12:02.320 and the challenges 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:03.160 that they face 00:12:03.160 --> 00:12:04.160 in our day as well. 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:05.679 And we ask that they 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:06.939 and our parents together 00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:08.620 may come to know 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:09.860 your leading and guidance 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:11.740 during this difficult time. 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.799 We ask you a blessing, too, 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:15.199 for those tonight 00:12:15.199 --> 00:12:16.139 who mourn the passing 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:16.839 of loved ones, 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:18.659 who continue to mourn 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:19.519 over their passing, 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.759 who still feel the pain 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:23.699 of parting in their hearts. 00:12:24.219 --> 00:12:25.539 Lord, we pray that you would 00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:26.980 bless them with your comfort. 00:12:27.719 --> 00:12:29.199 Be pleased to strengthen them, 00:12:29.319 --> 00:12:29.939 Lord, we pray, 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:31.480 and encourage them 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:32.220 at this time. 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:33.860 We ask for those 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:34.320 who are ill 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:35.700 and pray for those 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:36.320 in hospital. 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:37.940 We give thanks for those 00:12:37.940 --> 00:12:38.639 who have recovered. 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:40.279 We pray that you would 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:41.740 bless them as they return home. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:43.620 We pray, O Lord, 00:12:43.680 --> 00:12:44.379 that all of those 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.000 that we know 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.180 are laid aside 00:12:46.180 --> 00:12:46.820 at this time 00:12:46.820 --> 00:12:48.080 will know your blessing 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:49.000 for themselves 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:50.279 and for their families. 00:12:51.160 --> 00:12:52.019 And we pray for 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:53.000 little Everly, Lord, 00:12:53.060 --> 00:12:54.040 as she has been safely 00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:54.980 delivered. 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.360 And we pray 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:57.540 that your blessing 00:12:57.540 --> 00:12:58.480 will be with her 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.759 in her young life. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:01.419 Bless her, we pray, 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:03.720 and be with Kiana and Alistair, 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.480 her parents, 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:05.819 with her grandparents. 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:06.939 We thank you 00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:08.460 for hearing our prayers 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:09.019 for them 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.620 and for our safe delivery. 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:11.240 And we pray 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.500 that you would continue 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:13.279 to bless them 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:13.860 as a family 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.460 in these days to come. 00:13:16.319 --> 00:13:16.840 Now, Lord, 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:17.819 we ask that you would 00:13:17.819 --> 00:13:19.779 hear us in our prayers here 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:21.240 and that you would bless us 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:22.960 and bless all, O Lord, 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:24.059 others whom we 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:25.939 remember as well before you. 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:27.900 and we pray 00:13:27.900 --> 00:13:29.060 that you would continue 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:30.320 to provide for us 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:31.980 even more than we are able 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:33.240 to ask or even think. 00:13:33.760 --> 00:13:34.600 For we pray all 00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:35.460 seeking cleansing 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:36.820 from all our sin. 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.400 For Jesus' sake. 00:13:38.780 --> 00:13:39.100 Amen. 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:42.360 We're going to sing 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:42.760 once again 00:13:42.760 --> 00:13:43.440 to God's praise. 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:44.260 We're singing this time 00:13:44.260 --> 00:13:45.820 in Psalm number 30. 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.060 Psalm 30, 00:13:48.160 --> 00:13:49.180 that's in the Sing Psalms 00:13:49.180 --> 00:13:51.080 on page 35. 00:13:52.760 --> 00:13:53.700 The tune this time 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:54.500 is St. Minver. 00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:57.540 We're singing verses 00:13:57.540 --> 00:13:59.140 9 to 12. 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:03.900 What gain will my destruction bring 00:14:03.900 --> 00:14:05.280 if I descend to death? 00:14:05.760 --> 00:14:06.980 Will dust proclaim 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.960 your faithfulness 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:09.120 or praise you 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:09.920 with its breath? 00:14:10.560 --> 00:14:11.540 Hear as I cry, 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:12.580 O Lord my God, 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.740 and listen to my plea. 00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:15.240 Come to my aid 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.100 in my distress. 00:14:16.660 --> 00:14:18.560 Have mercy, Lord, on me. 00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:20.440 You turned my wailing 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:21.180 into dance. 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:23.180 No longer was I sad. 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.720 My sackcloth gone, 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:26.200 you gave me clothes of joy, 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:27.680 and I was glad. 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:29.200 Therefore, my heart 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:30.100 will sing to you 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:32.040 and never cease to praise. 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:34.019 To your great name, 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:35.160 O Lord my God, 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.940 I will give thanks 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:37.920 always. 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:38.899 These verses then 00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:40.000 to God's praise. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:52.799 What gain will my destruction bring 00:14:52.799 --> 00:15:00.019 if I descend to death? 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:09.500 will dust proclaim your faithfulness, 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:17.279 or praise you with its breath? 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:26.759 O Lord my God, 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:32.759 and listen to my plea. 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:43.500 Come to my aid in my distress. 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:50.240 Have mercy, Lord, on me. 00:15:50.240 --> 00:16:00.720 You turned my wailing end to dance. 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:07.980 No longer was I sad. 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:12.580 My sackcloth gone, 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:19.960 you gave me clothes of joy, 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:24.460 and I was glad. 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:34.519 Therefore, my heart will sing to you, 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:41.660 and never cease to praise. 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:46.259 To your great name, 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:51.279 O Lord my God, 00:16:51.339 --> 00:16:57.139 I will give thanks always. 00:16:57.139 --> 00:17:02.399 Now let's read from God's Word. 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.120 We're reading tonight 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.779 in 1 Thessalonians. 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.920 Paul's first letter 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.119 to the Thessalonians. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:11.480 And it's chapter 2 at verse 17 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:14.500 through to the end of chapter 3. 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:22.559 So it's 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:25.099 and from verse 17. 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:32.700 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, 00:17:32.800 --> 00:17:33.780 for a short time, 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.920 in person, not in heart, 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.980 we endeavored the more eagerly 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:40.380 with great desire to see you face to face. 00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:43.020 Because we wanted to come to you, 00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:45.020 I, Paul, again and again, 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.660 but Satan hindered us. 00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:48.720 For what is our hope, 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.780 or joy, or crown, or boasting 00:17:50.780 --> 00:17:53.100 before our Lord Jesus at his coming? 00:17:53.800 --> 00:17:54.720 Is it not you? 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:57.200 For you are our glory and joy. 00:17:58.220 --> 00:18:00.019 Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:02.299 we were willing to be left behind 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:03.360 at Athens alone. 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.700 And we sent Timothy, our brother, 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:07.259 and God's co-worker 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.519 in the gospel of Christ, 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.660 to establish and exhort you 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:11.579 in your faith. 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.500 Let no one be moved 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.759 by these afflictions. 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.799 For you yourselves know 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.299 that we are destined for this. 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:20.159 For when we were with you, 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.579 we kept telling you beforehand 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:24.000 that we were to suffer affliction 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:26.159 just as it has come to pass, 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.099 and just as you know. 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.740 For this reason, 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.879 when I could bear it no longer, 00:18:32.399 --> 00:18:34.359 I sent to learn about your faith 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:36.200 for fear that somehow 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.159 the tempter had tempted you 00:18:38.159 --> 00:18:40.200 and our labor would be in vain. 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:42.559 But now that Timothy 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.839 has come to us from you 00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:46.039 and has brought us the good news 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:47.379 of your faith and love 00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:49.259 and reported that you always 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.299 remember us kindly 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.939 and long to see us 00:18:51.939 --> 00:18:53.639 as we long to see you. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.759 For this reason, brothers, 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:58.000 in all our distress and affliction, 00:18:58.619 --> 00:19:00.379 we have been comforted about you 00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:01.359 through your faith. 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.220 For now we live 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:05.399 if you are standing fast in the Lord. 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.299 For what thanksgiving 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:09.139 can we return to God for you? 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:11.139 For all the joy that we feel 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:12.959 for your sake before our God, 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:15.120 as we pray most earnestly 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.039 night and day, 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:18.660 that we may see you face to face 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:20.480 and supply what is lacking 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:21.340 in your faith. 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:24.640 Now may our God and Father himself 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:26.319 and our Lord Jesus 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.880 direct our way to you, 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:30.220 and may the Lord make you increase 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:31.460 and abound in love 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:33.420 for one another and for all, 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.259 as we do for you, 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.079 so that he may establish 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:38.860 your hearts blameless in holiness 00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:41.400 before our God and Father 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:44.060 at the coming of our Lord Jesus 00:19:44.060 --> 00:19:46.920 with all his saints. 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:50.360 We pray that God, once again, 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.540 will follow with his blessing 00:19:51.540 --> 00:19:53.780 this portion of his word. 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:57.160 We're singing next in Psalm 68. 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:00.740 Psalm number 68, 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:02.259 this again is in the Scottish Psalter 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.860 on page 305, 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:07.780 and tune this time in St. Lawrence. 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:12.220 Singing verses 32 to 35. 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:19.859 O all ye kingdoms of the earth, 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.399 sing praises to this King, 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:24.200 for he is Lord that ruleth all, 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:26.299 and to him praises sing. 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.920 To him that rides on heaven of heavens 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:30.339 which he of old had found, 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.819 lo, he sends out his voice, 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:35.180 a voice in might that doth abound. 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:38.120 Strength unto God do ye ascribe, 00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:40.740 for his excellency is over Israel. 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:43.660 His strength is in the clouds most high. 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.920 Thou art from thy temple, 00:20:46.060 --> 00:20:46.880 dreadful Lord, 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:49.440 Israel's own God is he, 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:52.360 who gives his people strength and power. 00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:55.360 O let God blessed be. 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:57.180 So these verses to the tune, 00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:57.840 St. Lawrence, 00:20:58.360 --> 00:21:00.620 O all ye kingdoms of the earth. 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:18.319 Sing praises to this King, 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:26.159 For he is Lord that ruleth all, 00:21:26.159 --> 00:21:32.879 and to him praises sing. 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:40.679 To him that rides on hands of heavens 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:47.680 which he of old had found, 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:53.799 lo, he sends out his voice, 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:55.620 a voice, 00:21:55.620 --> 00:22:02.660 and light that doth abound. 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:10.779 Strength unto God do ye ascribe, 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:22.779 For his excellency is over his heart, 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:28.099 Well his strength has stayed, 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:33.019 the gods' most high. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:38.079 Thou art from thy temple, 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:38.539 Thou art from thy temple, 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.059 Thou art from thy temple, 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:41.099 or art, 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:47.980 Israel's own God is he, 00:22:47.980 --> 00:23:02.299 Who gives His people strength and power, O Lamb of blessed be. 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:08.220 Now please turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:17.180 And we're just bringing our studies through this chapter to an end this evening, looking at verse 58. 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:24.059 1 Corinthians chapter 15, and the final verse of the chapter. 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:36.019 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:42.440 Now there's a very important word at the beginning of that verse, the word therefore. 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:51.440 Maybe it doesn't seem that important, but it's one of those important joining words that you find all the way through, especially through Paul's epistles, 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:59.539 where what he's doing by using the word therefore is taking everything that he has said in the previous verses of this great chapter, 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:04.759 and he's actually now channeling them all into this final conclusion. 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:12.859 If you think of the great doctrine of the resurrection that we've gone through, both Christ's own resurrection, 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:19.819 the resurrection of the Lord's people, and the defeat of death, as we saw there last time. 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:28.140 If you take that as a great reservoir of truth, if you like, and here is Paul, if you like, just opening the sluice gate, 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:36.680 and out comes this rushing torrent of truth of doctrine, and it actually hits this particular point, this practical point, 00:24:37.040 --> 00:24:41.180 be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:24:41.540 --> 00:24:46.740 And that's consistent with the way the Bible brings us doctrine so often, isn't it? 00:24:46.780 --> 00:24:53.280 Some of the biggest points of teaching, some of the deepest truths that you find, 00:24:53.279 --> 00:25:02.319 even truths that we cannot really plumb the whole depths of, but they're so often used in such a way that will affect us practically. 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:08.460 For example, you think of the Lord himself and his compassion and the humbling of himself. 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:12.359 And not only is that given us so that we'll appreciate what he's done, 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:20.839 but so that we'll carry that with us and apply it into the kind of life and lifestyle that the Lord requires of his people. 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:31.359 You'll find the same here, having looked at the defeat of death and all of this great mighty doctrine of Christ's resurrection and our resurrection. 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:38.199 Here it is now flowing into this final verse, this conclusion by which he wraps up this point 00:25:38.199 --> 00:25:45.539 and by which he applies all the weight of that doctrine into this practical application 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:53.059 as to what a Christian congregation should be, what a Christian life consists of, what Christian service is about. 00:25:54.019 --> 00:26:01.079 Therefore, my beloved brothers, in relation to everything I said, is what he means. 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:06.500 Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:12.559 And it's also important how he speaks there about them as his beloved brothers. 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:16.000 And of course, that means the women as well as the men. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:22.200 All the people, the saints in this church in Corinth, as they're believers in Christ, 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:27.980 he's embracing them in this terminology where he says, my beloved brothers. 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:31.420 And that's quite remarkable when you think about it. 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:38.539 Because here's a church that really gave the apostle so many headaches, so many sleepless nights. 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:45.980 He's written this epistle to them that's full of counsel, of advice, of rebuke, of teaching, 00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:49.220 because in many ways they were all over the place doctrinally. 00:26:49.820 --> 00:26:54.200 They were riven with divisions, all sorts of things as you go through the chapter, 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:56.640 as you read the things that Paul is saying to them. 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:59.759 And yet here he is coming to the end of this epistle near enough. 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:03.080 And he's saying, therefore, my beloved brothers. 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:09.520 You see, he's not saying to them, I know what you've done, and I can't really speak to you in love. 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:11.180 Yet that's what he's doing. 00:27:11.620 --> 00:27:16.620 I'm speaking to you as my beloved brothers, my beloved fellow Christians. 00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:20.860 And you know, that reminds us tonight of something very important. 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:24.800 Remarkable as this is indeed in Paul's writing. 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:29.000 It's something that is so applicable to our Christian life in its entirety, 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:34.099 where the lesson is that love is foundational to everything we do. 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:40.480 Love is foundational to the life of the church, to the interaction of Christians with each other, 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:45.480 to the way in which we seek to live together in the gospel, in which we worship God, 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:50.359 in which we reach out with the gospel, in which we face difficulties and challenges and trials. 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:53.339 But love has to undergird everything. 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:55.919 My brothers in love, he's saying. 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:58.139 This is what he's saying, therefore. 00:27:58.919 --> 00:28:00.220 Saying, this is who you are. 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:02.279 And saying, this is what I've said to you. 00:28:02.939 --> 00:28:03.740 Be steadfast. 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.659 Be immovable. 00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:08.939 Always abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:15.579 Now, there are three things that we can do in dividing up the verse. 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:22.980 First of all, here is Paul giving a job description of what the Christian life or a Christian congregation is about. 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:26.220 He calls it the work of the Lord. 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.539 That's the job description. 00:28:28.899 --> 00:28:38.240 And then secondly, he gives an indication of the type of workers that are required by God to fit that job description to carry it out. 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:45.559 And the kind of workers he's looking for are workers that have these three terms applicable to them. 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.160 Those who are steadfast. 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:48.140 Those who are immovable. 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:51.380 Those who abound in the work of the Lord. 00:28:51.380 --> 00:29:00.740 So that's the kind of type of workers, the qualities, the characteristics of the workers in the work of the Lord. 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:04.340 People who are steadfast, immovable, and always abounding. 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:08.680 And then he gives us, thirdly, an incentive for this work. 00:29:08.780 --> 00:29:14.180 The incentive being knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 00:29:14.560 --> 00:29:16.100 That's the incentive he gives us. 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:18.340 That's just confining to the context. 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:23.099 You can find many other aspects of that incentive to work for Christ elsewhere. 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.279 But that's what he's saying here. 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:29.439 Knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:37.779 The job description, the types of workers required, and the incentive for the work. 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:41.000 Well, let's look at that and apply it to ourselves. 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:55.740 And, you know, this is one of those verses where, as often in the Bible, you find remarkably combined within a short space, such as in this verse, you actually find challenge and promise tied together. 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:59.660 Challenge and promise tied together. 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:05.779 Because obviously there's challenge there to be steadfast, to be immovable, to always abound in the work of the Lord. 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:08.379 And there's a significant challenge for us. 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:14.819 But then he comes with this great promise, knowing that in the Lord your neighbor is not in vain. 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:19.680 So the job description is, first of all, it's comprehensive. 00:30:20.660 --> 00:30:23.440 It's the work of the Lord. 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:29.099 And he doesn't confine that to what you do on a Sunday or what you do on a midweek prayer meeting. 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:36.679 The work of the Lord is the work that you carry with you as a Christian into every aspect of your daily life. 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:41.119 Because that's what really the Christian life is about. 00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:48.039 It's not just something that you do at special times or at significant points in your life or in your week. 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:53.639 When he says here, the work of the Lord, it's not to be detached from your everyday life. 00:30:53.640 --> 00:31:02.840 You know, sometimes we fall into the trap of dividing our spiritual life from our secular life. 00:31:03.040 --> 00:31:07.400 Or dividing what is spiritual or religious from what is secular. 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:12.460 But for the Christian, that distinction is actually not really valid. 00:31:13.320 --> 00:31:19.940 Because what you are in your spiritual life is intimately connected with what you are practically in your everyday life. 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:29.460 The work of the Lord is something that you do not just in terms of the church or in the work the church might give us to do or we be volunteers in. 00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:36.259 The work of the Lord is the work you do at home as a parent. 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:38.680 The work you do in school as a teacher. 00:31:38.840 --> 00:31:41.559 The work you do in hospital as a nurse or a doctor. 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:45.840 The work you do, whatever it is you find in the practical issues of your life. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.660 That's the work of the Lord. 00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:50.620 That's strictly speaking where the Lord has put you. 00:31:51.100 --> 00:31:57.980 So that all the things that you learn from the gospel that you want to carry forth into your life, that's where they come to be applied. 00:31:59.140 --> 00:32:05.000 The work of the Lord does not make that divide or distinction between the religious and the secular. 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:10.000 It's all spiritual as far as this teaching is concerned. 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:14.220 The work of the Lord is something that you find in every area of life. 00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:18.980 Think, for example, how the apostle wrote to the Colossians. 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:24.360 And in chapter 3 of Colossians, in verse 23, this is how he addressed them. 00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:29.200 Where he was talking there about the practicalities of their Christian life. 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:33.740 Put on, he says, as God's chosen one, holy and beloved. 00:32:33.860 --> 00:32:41.400 Put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiving one another. 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:48.420 And above all these things, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:52.080 See how like that is to this verse we're looking at tonight. 00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:58.299 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful. 00:32:58.419 --> 00:33:00.579 And he finishes there in verse 17 by saying, 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:12.099 And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:15.740 Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:20.559 Whatever you do in word or deed, do it unto the Lord. 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:26.519 He's spoken about that earlier in the chapter, that you are doing it to the Lord and for the Lord. 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:30.240 It's one of the crucial things in our Christian testimony. 00:33:30.679 --> 00:33:32.839 One of the crucial things in our daily life. 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:37.039 That we do everything for the Lord and to the Lord. 00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:38.859 It doesn't matter where we are. 00:33:39.419 --> 00:33:45.480 We always have to think about it as being for the Lord and do it for the Lord and to his praise. 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:55.839 Because you'll find throughout the Bible, and not least in Paul's epistles, an emphasis against falling into the trap of men-pleasing or people-pleasing. 00:33:57.000 --> 00:34:05.220 People-pleasing is, in many ways, the bane of our daily life when we aren't living it for Christ. 00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:14.960 Because if we're not living it to the praise of Christ and seeking to do things for him, then we're going to be pleasing ourselves or just living so as to please others instead of him. 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:20.119 Whatever you do, do it unto the Lord and not to people, is what he's saying. 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:28.099 And come, he's saying, and whatever you do in word or in action, do it for the Lord. 00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:42.679 Those who look after tweenies, those who look after creche, those who engage in the Sunday school, those who work in the practicalities throughout the week, parent and toddler groups. 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:52.659 Whatever it is you think of in the congregation's life, wherever the love of Christ practically is to be shown, that is a spiritual activity. 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:57.359 That is something that should be done unto the Lord and not to people. 00:34:58.359 --> 00:35:03.579 And it doesn't matter what area of life the Lord has called us to be engaged in in our everyday lives. 00:35:03.899 --> 00:35:16.579 For the Christian, he or she brings the life of Christ, the values of Christ, the principles of Christ, the love of Christ into these situations. 00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:27.759 And of course, as I said at the beginning, that is one of the great challenges of the Christian life, that we live in such a way as lives unto the Lord. 00:35:28.799 --> 00:35:31.759 But it's not just comprehensive, including all of that. 00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:38.319 It's also very intensive, this work of the Lord, because at the end of the verse there, he uses the word labor. 00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:46.160 And it's a very interesting word that he uses there, because the word that really has packed into it a whole lot of energy. 00:35:47.220 --> 00:35:51.320 You go back to Luke chapter 5 and verse 5. 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:58.559 You remember that incident where the disciples had been fishing and unsuccessfully had fished all night and caught nothing. 00:35:59.039 --> 00:36:03.960 And Jesus came to them and said, go out into the deep and let down your nets again for a catch. 00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:08.720 And Peter said to him, Lord, we have toiled all night and caught nothing. 00:36:09.139 --> 00:36:12.460 Nevertheless, at your word, I will let down the net. 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:14.019 That's the word toiled. 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:15.840 We have toiled all night. 00:36:16.220 --> 00:36:19.900 Have you seen any of these fishing programs from time to time that you get on television? 00:36:20.240 --> 00:36:21.920 You don't need to see them to realize this. 00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:26.340 But if you've seen them, it really brings home to you the toil of a life of fishing. 00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:30.760 The toil of being engaged in the fishing industry. 00:36:30.760 --> 00:36:37.760 Because it is really testing, tiring, trying work. 00:36:38.840 --> 00:36:43.860 And that's the word that Paul is using here of the work of the Lord. 00:36:45.260 --> 00:36:47.620 It is a labor in which we are engaged. 00:36:47.720 --> 00:36:49.260 It's not something that's a hobby. 00:36:50.240 --> 00:36:52.600 It's not something that we're just doing as a pastime. 00:36:52.599 --> 00:37:01.059 The work of the Lord requires our commitment, requires our labor, requires our energy being given to it. 00:37:02.259 --> 00:37:06.900 And I think that's why, for example, you find the apostle writing to Timothy. 00:37:07.059 --> 00:37:13.400 And it seems by all accounts most commentators out of the view that Timothy was a fairly timid person. 00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:16.380 Although there are many ways in which he had strengths, of course. 00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:27.000 But in writing to Timothy in his first letter to Timothy, the Lord, in 1 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 8, spoke like this to Timothy, 00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:32.160 where he spoke about the sufferings he himself was engaged in. 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:45.019 And where he said that in that way, he said, we are to actually take to ourselves, sorry, 2 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 8, 00:37:45.399 --> 00:37:55.579 therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. 00:37:55.899 --> 00:37:59.179 Share in the sufferings of the gospel, he's saying to Timothy. 00:37:59.179 --> 00:38:04.899 In other words, he's saying, you know, when people hear that I'm his prisoner, that I'm Christ's prisoner, 00:38:05.219 --> 00:38:12.779 when you have to tell people that this is really what the apostle Paul now his situation is, he's imprisoned, 00:38:13.419 --> 00:38:14.739 don't be ashamed of that. 00:38:14.899 --> 00:38:23.179 And don't you be ashamed of taking full responsibility for the gospel, for presenting the gospel as it should be presented. 00:38:23.339 --> 00:38:24.980 Don't actually hold back on it. 00:38:24.980 --> 00:38:32.599 He doesn't mean by that, don't be tactless, just force people, trying to force people into a way of thinking. 00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:33.539 That's not what he's saying. 00:38:33.619 --> 00:38:39.820 But he's saying, don't be intimidated by the opposition you're going to face. 00:38:39.820 --> 00:38:49.660 Don't regard the difficulties and the trials, and he puts here, the labor of the gospel in any way as putting you off, 00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:58.300 giving your full attention in such a way as you take your own share, he says to Timothy, of the afflictions of the gospel. 00:38:58.300 --> 00:39:12.160 We live, friends, in days when this whole idea of offending people is very much in the current language of the age. 00:39:12.700 --> 00:39:15.700 People will turn around to others and say, I'm offended by that. 00:39:16.260 --> 00:39:17.460 You can't say that about me. 00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:18.100 I'm offended. 00:39:19.600 --> 00:39:22.800 And because I'm offended, I just reject what you're saying altogether. 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:27.460 And this whole business about holding back from offending people. 00:39:27.560 --> 00:39:28.440 Now, don't get me wrong. 00:39:28.740 --> 00:39:34.240 I don't mean we should be brusque or brash or bad language or anything like that in our dealings with people. 00:39:35.340 --> 00:39:41.400 But when you go to somebody and say to them, this is God's word in the Bible as far as I'm concerned. 00:39:41.920 --> 00:39:45.600 Have you considered what the Bible says about your need to be born again? 00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:52.400 Or however tactfully you put it, and the person comes to be offended by that and say, well, I'm taking offense at that. 00:39:52.619 --> 00:39:53.679 What do you say to yourself? 00:39:53.839 --> 00:39:56.480 You say to yourself, well, that's what the gospel is designed to do. 00:39:58.759 --> 00:40:06.199 I don't come to realize myself as a sinner before God without being myself naturally offended at that. 00:40:06.199 --> 00:40:23.399 And it's only as I come to realize that God is offending my own natural judgment, my own natural inclination, my own natural view of myself, my particular regard for myself, tendency to elevate myself, to think well of myself. 00:40:23.399 --> 00:40:30.939 It's when God pulls that to pieces and offends you in that sense of the word that you then begin to realize what the truth is. 00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.699 It's labor. 00:40:36.199 --> 00:40:37.960 It has its difficulties. 00:40:39.119 --> 00:40:41.379 But what rewards it actually brings as well. 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:46.079 And of course, the days in which we're living, it's not entirely new. 00:40:46.719 --> 00:40:59.219 But all of the ways in which the gospel is being opposed politically and in other ways, the danger is that we come to the whole idea of free speech being closed down. 00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:03.339 Some people might think, well, that might be a good thing. 00:41:03.340 --> 00:41:09.240 But you wouldn't find such horrible things said in social media or wherever. 00:41:09.720 --> 00:41:12.260 Well, maybe that's the case in some people's thinking. 00:41:12.400 --> 00:41:13.920 But let's, friends, forget. 00:41:14.220 --> 00:41:21.140 Let's not forget that free speech is one of the great marks of a democratic, free society. 00:41:21.139 --> 00:41:33.900 And whoever offended we might be at what they say of the Lord Jesus Christ, of ourselves as a Christian church, of the gospel as what we seek to commend to people, 00:41:33.900 --> 00:41:40.920 they have the freedom to say that even if you and I think they're entirely wrong in saying it. 00:41:40.920 --> 00:41:52.720 And that means you have the freedom to speak about Jesus, to present Jesus, to support the claims of Jesus, to present the claims of Christ to the world in which we live. 00:41:53.059 --> 00:41:55.780 Because if you close down free speech, you close down the gospel. 00:41:56.460 --> 00:42:03.099 And if you close down the gospel, how are people going to hear of their need of salvation, of their need of Jesus? 00:42:03.099 --> 00:42:08.619 Don't be intimidated against speaking up for Christ. 00:42:08.719 --> 00:42:10.679 Don't be intimidated about your witness. 00:42:10.799 --> 00:42:11.960 That's what he's really saying. 00:42:12.519 --> 00:42:15.739 And all of that, you can see, has risen out of the word labor. 00:42:16.880 --> 00:42:18.339 Here is the job description. 00:42:19.179 --> 00:42:21.759 It's comprehensive and it's intensive. 00:42:21.760 --> 00:42:28.820 But it's got great rewards because God himself, Christ himself, is behind it. 00:42:29.120 --> 00:42:31.780 As he said there in the passage in Colossians, we read, 00:42:32.960 --> 00:42:38.320 You serve whatsoever you do, do in word or deed unto the Lord Christ. 00:42:38.720 --> 00:42:40.820 For you serve the Lord Christ. 00:42:42.120 --> 00:42:43.600 That's what you keep in mind. 00:42:44.260 --> 00:42:45.140 Who's my boss? 00:42:45.900 --> 00:42:47.380 Who am I answerable to? 00:42:48.020 --> 00:42:50.400 Who is it my privilege to work for? 00:42:50.400 --> 00:42:52.200 It's the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:42:52.900 --> 00:42:55.320 And when you're privileged to work for the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:42:55.460 --> 00:42:57.680 in whatever area of life he situates you, 00:42:57.900 --> 00:43:00.720 it's your greatest privilege to serve him. 00:43:01.400 --> 00:43:07.000 Because he came into this world as the servant of the Father. 00:43:08.980 --> 00:43:14.760 To give the kind of service that culminated in the death he died on the cross. 00:43:14.760 --> 00:43:19.120 And surely none of us today or tonight will say, 00:43:19.260 --> 00:43:20.000 Well, I know that. 00:43:20.400 --> 00:43:27.660 But surely he doesn't expect me to actually give of myself to the extent that I'm laboring, 00:43:28.260 --> 00:43:30.180 that I'm finding it a challenge, 00:43:30.420 --> 00:43:35.380 and that I'm seeking in the work of the Lord just to do my utmost. 00:43:35.520 --> 00:43:36.000 Well, he is. 00:43:36.320 --> 00:43:38.080 He did his utmost for us. 00:43:38.079 --> 00:43:42.199 The least we can do is labor for him, 00:43:42.920 --> 00:43:46.380 is serve him in whatever way we can. 00:43:47.079 --> 00:43:48.519 So there's the job description. 00:43:48.659 --> 00:43:51.039 Briefly, the type of work is required. 00:43:51.119 --> 00:43:53.119 Well, the three terms are be steadfast, 00:43:53.599 --> 00:43:54.559 be immovable, 00:43:55.139 --> 00:43:58.019 be always abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:43:58.579 --> 00:44:03.460 Be steadfast is a word which means pretty much similar to immovable, 00:44:03.460 --> 00:44:11.380 but I think it focuses especially on the establishment of our lives in the truth of God. 00:44:11.480 --> 00:44:14.940 So you come to be rooted in the truth of God immovably. 00:44:15.699 --> 00:44:18.000 And you know how important that is to the apostle, 00:44:18.159 --> 00:44:21.760 where you find him elsewhere talking about false teaching, 00:44:21.840 --> 00:44:23.659 and the need to face up to false teaching, 00:44:23.760 --> 00:44:25.240 and overcome false teaching. 00:44:25.239 --> 00:44:30.479 And none of us can say we're immune to the effects of false teaching, 00:44:31.379 --> 00:44:36.939 or sometimes even to the attraction of false teaching to our everyday lives. 00:44:37.000 --> 00:44:43.639 That's where you find so much given these days to lifestyles that are labeled Christian, 00:44:44.199 --> 00:44:46.099 but are denounced by the Bible. 00:44:46.239 --> 00:44:46.959 Why is that? 00:44:47.879 --> 00:44:50.439 Because people have lost their grounding in the truth. 00:44:51.339 --> 00:44:53.779 People have lost their grounding in what the Bible is. 00:44:53.780 --> 00:44:55.740 You always have to ask yourself, 00:44:56.080 --> 00:44:57.380 what is the Bible? 00:44:57.500 --> 00:44:59.300 Before you ask yourself, what does it say? 00:45:00.700 --> 00:45:04.660 It's only as you realize that the Bible is the Word of God, 00:45:04.940 --> 00:45:06.860 it is God speaking to us. 00:45:07.880 --> 00:45:09.120 That's what it is. 00:45:10.019 --> 00:45:13.240 And then you ask, well, as God's Word, what does it say to me? 00:45:14.340 --> 00:45:15.720 What does it require of me? 00:45:15.780 --> 00:45:16.860 What does it promise me? 00:45:17.720 --> 00:45:19.340 What are the great encouragements in it? 00:45:20.500 --> 00:45:22.120 What are the great challenges in it? 00:45:22.119 --> 00:45:24.559 Be steadfast. 00:45:24.679 --> 00:45:27.039 Be anchored in the truth. 00:45:27.519 --> 00:45:32.420 Because you see, it's what you believe in many ways that leads to what you do. 00:45:32.799 --> 00:45:36.460 And it's what you believe that feeds into the work of the Lord. 00:45:37.299 --> 00:45:43.019 It's what you actually have as your belief, as you're grounded in the truth of God. 00:45:43.019 --> 00:45:45.480 And that's why, as we said at the beginning, 00:45:45.800 --> 00:45:50.679 all of this wonderful body of teaching in this chapter itself, 00:45:51.340 --> 00:45:54.460 as we compared it to a great reservoir of truth, 00:45:54.980 --> 00:45:57.099 and now he's opening the sluice gate, he's saying, 00:45:57.599 --> 00:45:59.699 well, this is really what you must be in the world, 00:45:59.800 --> 00:46:03.019 but I want you to take everything I've said about the resurrection, 00:46:03.300 --> 00:46:04.559 about the defeat of death, 00:46:04.820 --> 00:46:07.639 about the glorious, glorious victory of Jesus, 00:46:08.019 --> 00:46:10.599 and the glorious victory of His people in Him, 00:46:10.599 --> 00:46:12.860 let that affect how you live. 00:46:13.219 --> 00:46:16.019 Let that affect how you are and your standing in the truth, 00:46:16.119 --> 00:46:17.579 how you relate to other people. 00:46:17.980 --> 00:46:19.360 Be steadfast. 00:46:19.460 --> 00:46:22.219 Be rooted immovably in the truth. 00:46:22.339 --> 00:46:23.900 And then be immovable. 00:46:23.900 --> 00:46:30.599 Don't be deflected, really, in other words, by the likes of persecutions. 00:46:30.860 --> 00:46:34.740 Now, persecution takes different forms, as you well know. 00:46:35.820 --> 00:46:39.860 If you lived in a place like Russia, North Korea, 00:46:41.019 --> 00:46:44.599 places like that in the world, and there are many of them, 00:46:45.260 --> 00:46:48.039 where you try to live your life consistently as a Christian, 00:46:48.680 --> 00:46:51.039 where you try publicly to witness as a Christian, 00:46:51.039 --> 00:46:54.480 you would find that far, far more difficult than in Stornoway. 00:46:55.480 --> 00:46:56.440 You know that. 00:46:57.880 --> 00:47:00.480 But persecution takes different forms. 00:47:01.599 --> 00:47:04.159 There's a lot more to persecution than state persecution, 00:47:05.000 --> 00:47:06.940 or persecution from those in authority, 00:47:07.519 --> 00:47:10.219 although the apostles, of course, knew all about that. 00:47:10.980 --> 00:47:16.900 It's persecution when you find yourself maligned or misrepresented, 00:47:17.400 --> 00:47:19.239 deliberately misrepresented. 00:47:19.239 --> 00:47:22.299 It's people speaking about you, things which are not true, 00:47:22.359 --> 00:47:26.599 and which you find difficult to answer or to deflect. 00:47:28.639 --> 00:47:32.939 Persecution in deprivations of opportunities for work. 00:47:34.099 --> 00:47:40.219 It shouldn't be the case, but it is the case that people are not given the opportunity of 00:47:40.219 --> 00:47:41.879 employing because they're openly Christian. 00:47:41.880 --> 00:47:48.500 People are sacked because they've said things which they believe is true to the Bible, 00:47:49.099 --> 00:47:52.840 and therefore it doesn't fit the spirit of the age, 00:47:52.900 --> 00:47:55.640 so you can't say those sort of things, you can't believe those sort of things, 00:47:55.780 --> 00:47:56.800 so you're dismissed. 00:47:57.920 --> 00:48:00.420 There are many people in our country who are like that, 00:48:01.099 --> 00:48:02.420 who have faced that problem, 00:48:03.160 --> 00:48:06.780 and sometimes have gone to court very successfully at times, thankfully, 00:48:06.780 --> 00:48:10.040 and had these verdicts overturned, 00:48:10.040 --> 00:48:12.019 these conclusions overturned, 00:48:12.019 --> 00:48:18.920 so that their stand for Jesus publicly is something that has been honored. 00:48:20.660 --> 00:48:23.880 All different kinds of persecutions. 00:48:23.880 --> 00:48:27.320 And what the apostle is saying here, 00:48:28.099 --> 00:48:29.460 be immovable. 00:48:30.660 --> 00:48:35.420 Don't let the thought of the difficulties of the Christian life deflect you. 00:48:36.599 --> 00:48:40.039 Don't let that put you off being true to Jesus, true to God. 00:48:42.059 --> 00:48:44.260 Which is why you find the likes of Peter himself. 00:48:45.039 --> 00:48:50.460 I'm actually saying in 1 Peter, again, if I can just briefly turn this up for you, 00:48:50.579 --> 00:48:52.160 in 1 Peter chapter 4. 00:48:52.159 --> 00:48:54.019 Of course, 1 Peter, as you know, 00:48:54.119 --> 00:48:58.259 is a letter that's written primarily to those who are suffering for their faith, 00:48:58.719 --> 00:49:01.139 being persecuted for their faith in different ways, 00:49:01.579 --> 00:49:03.699 scattered throughout various regions, as he says. 00:49:04.279 --> 00:49:08.719 And in chapter 4 and verses 14 to 16, this is what Peter says. 00:49:09.079 --> 00:49:10.159 If you are insulted… 00:49:11.579 --> 00:49:13.599 Well, we can read from verse 12 there, 00:49:14.519 --> 00:49:15.219 where he's saying, 00:49:15.299 --> 00:49:20.199 Beloved, don't be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, 00:49:20.199 --> 00:49:23.419 as though something strange were happening to you. 00:49:23.859 --> 00:49:24.839 What he means by that is, 00:49:25.159 --> 00:49:28.379 don't think that suffering for the sake of Christ, 00:49:28.439 --> 00:49:29.419 for the name of Christ, 00:49:29.659 --> 00:49:32.679 is somehow out of place in your following of Him. 00:49:33.119 --> 00:49:35.739 Somehow out of character for God to do that. 00:49:35.819 --> 00:49:36.199 No, he says, 00:49:36.939 --> 00:49:39.279 don't regard it as something strange, 00:49:39.379 --> 00:49:40.219 but rejoice, 00:49:40.219 --> 00:49:43.859 insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, 00:49:44.079 --> 00:49:47.819 that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. 00:49:48.439 --> 00:49:50.459 Take the long-term view, he's saying. 00:49:51.119 --> 00:49:53.759 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, 00:49:54.179 --> 00:49:55.419 you are blessed, 00:49:56.179 --> 00:50:01.439 because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 00:50:01.440 --> 00:50:04.200 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, 00:50:04.700 --> 00:50:05.280 or a thief, 00:50:05.420 --> 00:50:06.240 or an evildoer, 00:50:06.300 --> 00:50:07.159 or as a meddler. 00:50:07.820 --> 00:50:10.599 Yet, if anyone suffers as a Christian, 00:50:11.280 --> 00:50:12.860 let him not be ashamed, 00:50:13.619 --> 00:50:16.980 but let him glorify God in that name. 00:50:18.400 --> 00:50:21.820 Again, hugely challenging words. 00:50:22.760 --> 00:50:24.920 But they keep us on the right track, don't they? 00:50:25.559 --> 00:50:28.119 They keep us in being true to Jesus, 00:50:28.119 --> 00:50:31.199 and keeping our view of the work of the Lord 00:50:31.199 --> 00:50:33.039 as a work that we're involved in 00:50:33.039 --> 00:50:35.539 steadfastly and immovably, 00:50:35.980 --> 00:50:39.079 and not being deflected by the spirit of the age 00:50:39.079 --> 00:50:41.099 or by whatever we meet in the world. 00:50:41.779 --> 00:50:42.299 And he says, 00:50:42.759 --> 00:50:43.159 thirdly, 00:50:43.279 --> 00:50:44.900 abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:50:44.960 --> 00:50:45.880 Now, you like this word. 00:50:46.219 --> 00:50:47.920 It's a word that Paul uses very often. 00:50:48.400 --> 00:50:50.000 He loves the word himself, obviously. 00:50:50.960 --> 00:50:52.960 Abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:50:53.059 --> 00:50:56.059 After all, he wrote to the Philippians, for example, 00:50:56.059 --> 00:51:00.259 let your love abound more and more. 00:51:00.900 --> 00:51:02.860 What a remarkable man this was. 00:51:03.840 --> 00:51:06.960 Here he is, having reached a great level of love, 00:51:07.199 --> 00:51:08.980 when he can actually say in truth 00:51:08.980 --> 00:51:12.500 that he is addressing these difficult Christians 00:51:12.500 --> 00:51:15.360 in Corinth in the spirit of love, 00:51:15.460 --> 00:51:16.679 my beloved brethren. 00:51:17.239 --> 00:51:19.039 And what he's saying to the Philippians is, 00:51:19.539 --> 00:51:22.299 I want my love, and I want your love, 00:51:22.960 --> 00:51:24.840 to abound more and more. 00:51:24.840 --> 00:51:29.860 Am I satisfied tonight with the level of my love? 00:51:30.039 --> 00:51:32.079 Are you satisfied with the measure of love 00:51:32.079 --> 00:51:34.140 that is in place in your life? 00:51:34.400 --> 00:51:35.320 I ought not to be. 00:51:35.420 --> 00:51:36.180 You ought not to be. 00:51:36.260 --> 00:51:38.600 Because God will have us to increase in it, 00:51:38.980 --> 00:51:40.940 to abound in it more and more. 00:51:41.000 --> 00:51:44.059 And he uses that word of other things as well. 00:51:44.480 --> 00:51:45.440 For example, Romans. 00:51:45.980 --> 00:51:47.140 Just to take another verse, 00:51:47.240 --> 00:51:49.680 Romans 15 at verse 13. 00:51:49.679 --> 00:51:54.599 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, 00:51:55.119 --> 00:51:56.919 so that by the power of the Holy Spirit 00:51:56.919 --> 00:51:59.579 you may abound in hope. 00:52:00.199 --> 00:52:01.500 Here is the apostle saying, 00:52:02.159 --> 00:52:04.259 do you have a living hope in Jesus? 00:52:04.699 --> 00:52:06.299 He's saying, well, that's great. 00:52:06.799 --> 00:52:07.659 But increase it. 00:52:07.879 --> 00:52:09.699 Look for it to be increased. 00:52:10.460 --> 00:52:13.500 Use the ways in which God has provided for you, 00:52:13.500 --> 00:52:15.099 that your hope may increase, 00:52:15.340 --> 00:52:16.699 that your love may increase, 00:52:16.860 --> 00:52:20.360 that your Christian life may continue to grow and increase, 00:52:21.360 --> 00:52:22.900 that it may abound, 00:52:24.019 --> 00:52:27.820 always abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:52:27.820 --> 00:52:30.240 In other words, 00:52:30.300 --> 00:52:32.039 whatever we're doing for the Lord tonight, 00:52:33.780 --> 00:52:36.000 and he's not saying to us, 00:52:37.120 --> 00:52:37.300 you know, 00:52:37.360 --> 00:52:40.420 you really need to be forced into something more than you're doing. 00:52:41.280 --> 00:52:43.420 We all have responsibilities in life. 00:52:44.240 --> 00:52:47.100 We all need to look after ourselves, 00:52:47.280 --> 00:52:47.900 our families, 00:52:48.220 --> 00:52:48.620 work, 00:52:48.740 --> 00:52:49.460 things like that. 00:52:50.240 --> 00:52:52.700 Whatever we're doing for the Lord and wherever it is, 00:52:53.519 --> 00:52:55.539 whether it's actually in the church itself, 00:52:55.539 --> 00:52:58.380 strictly or as Christians in our communities. 00:52:59.539 --> 00:53:00.079 He's saying, 00:53:00.519 --> 00:53:02.559 always abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:53:03.000 --> 00:53:05.759 Seek to be growing in what you do for Christ. 00:53:06.759 --> 00:53:09.320 Don't be satisfied with being static, 00:53:10.340 --> 00:53:12.119 with reaching a plateau, if you like, 00:53:12.159 --> 00:53:12.960 and saying, well, that's it. 00:53:13.000 --> 00:53:14.039 Really, I've reached that now, 00:53:14.579 --> 00:53:16.840 and the rest of my life I can just live on that level. 00:53:18.639 --> 00:53:21.159 We can't say that as ministers of the gospel, 00:53:21.940 --> 00:53:25.000 and it's a danger that we would do that. 00:53:26.039 --> 00:53:27.880 That I would come to the pulpit tonight and say, 00:53:28.000 --> 00:53:28.579 well, you know, 00:53:28.639 --> 00:53:30.360 I've been a preacher for over 30 years, 00:53:30.480 --> 00:53:33.159 so I can just rely on something I've done before, 00:53:33.239 --> 00:53:35.360 and the Lord will help me if I just pick up a text 00:53:35.360 --> 00:53:38.960 and just try and present that text from what I know already. 00:53:39.059 --> 00:53:40.300 That's not the work of the Lord. 00:53:40.380 --> 00:53:43.059 That's not always abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:53:43.119 --> 00:53:45.739 And it's the same in every area in which a Christian is involved. 00:53:46.539 --> 00:53:49.259 Always abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:53:49.259 --> 00:53:53.199 Always seeking to add to what you're doing for the Lord. 00:53:53.199 --> 00:53:56.679 That's the type of worker required. 00:53:56.819 --> 00:53:59.439 Steadfast, immovable, always abounding. 00:54:00.519 --> 00:54:04.359 And thirdly, along with a job description and the type of worker, 00:54:04.919 --> 00:54:06.179 he gives us the incentive, 00:54:06.879 --> 00:54:12.839 knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 00:54:13.699 --> 00:54:17.279 Now, cast your mind back to earlier in the chapter in verse 14, 00:54:17.280 --> 00:54:22.040 and these words in vain actually occur there as well. 00:54:22.220 --> 00:54:23.720 If Christ has not been raised, 00:54:24.300 --> 00:54:26.100 then our preaching is in vain, 00:54:26.700 --> 00:54:28.680 and your faith is in vain. 00:54:28.780 --> 00:54:31.920 Remember we said that if we don't believe in the resurrection, 00:54:32.100 --> 00:54:34.240 if we don't think and believe Christ was risen, 00:54:34.340 --> 00:54:36.180 then whatever we do is futile. 00:54:36.240 --> 00:54:37.140 That's what the word means. 00:54:37.200 --> 00:54:37.860 It's in vain. 00:54:38.440 --> 00:54:40.100 It has no purpose to it. 00:54:40.099 --> 00:54:42.619 Now he's saying, 00:54:43.319 --> 00:54:47.139 in the Lord your labor is never in vain. 00:54:47.960 --> 00:54:49.739 It's never without purpose. 00:54:50.339 --> 00:54:51.779 It's never futile. 00:54:52.039 --> 00:54:54.699 Even if you think you're getting very little in result, 00:54:55.539 --> 00:54:58.900 your labor in the Lord is never futile. 00:54:59.019 --> 00:55:00.079 It's never in vain. 00:55:00.079 --> 00:55:05.519 But you also take this from that expression, 00:55:07.319 --> 00:55:12.299 that the Christian life is the life that's filled with purpose. 00:55:14.679 --> 00:55:17.239 Every other life and lifestyle, you might say, 00:55:17.279 --> 00:55:18.460 comes short of this. 00:55:19.900 --> 00:55:22.599 However serious and however helpful 00:55:22.599 --> 00:55:25.440 other forms of life might be to us 00:55:25.440 --> 00:55:26.960 and by us to others, 00:55:26.960 --> 00:55:28.980 the Christian life, 00:55:29.059 --> 00:55:31.019 life in the Lord, 00:55:31.740 --> 00:55:33.179 labor in the Lord, 00:55:34.000 --> 00:55:35.780 is never in vain. 00:55:36.139 --> 00:55:36.760 In other words, 00:55:37.340 --> 00:55:38.699 your life as a Christian 00:55:38.699 --> 00:55:40.940 is filled with purpose. 00:55:41.960 --> 00:55:43.380 God has made it that way. 00:55:43.740 --> 00:55:45.420 It's the only life lived 00:55:45.420 --> 00:55:48.099 that brings purpose and satisfaction 00:55:48.099 --> 00:55:50.079 that really meets, if you like, 00:55:50.119 --> 00:55:53.119 the end for which we were created in the beginning, 00:55:53.119 --> 00:55:56.159 to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. 00:55:56.960 --> 00:55:59.880 And that's what being in Christ does. 00:56:01.500 --> 00:56:03.579 And that's what being out of Christ 00:56:03.579 --> 00:56:05.760 can never achieve. 00:56:07.699 --> 00:56:09.500 Knowing that in the Lord, 00:56:10.579 --> 00:56:13.400 your labor is never in vain. 00:56:14.340 --> 00:56:15.619 Well, the whole chapter, 00:56:16.500 --> 00:56:17.659 you might say, 00:56:17.740 --> 00:56:20.460 is summed up adequately in these words. 00:56:20.460 --> 00:56:24.199 And it underlines for us the importance, 00:56:25.039 --> 00:56:26.440 indeed how crucial it is, 00:56:26.500 --> 00:56:29.000 to be found in Christ. 00:56:30.320 --> 00:56:34.139 To be found in Him through faith and trust, 00:56:34.820 --> 00:56:38.079 through having come to receive Him for ourselves 00:56:38.079 --> 00:56:39.720 and place our trust in Him. 00:56:40.119 --> 00:56:41.480 To be found in Him, 00:56:41.579 --> 00:56:43.840 as Paul says in Philippians chapter 3, 00:56:43.840 --> 00:56:46.140 I count all things but loss. 00:56:46.600 --> 00:56:48.579 Everything else compared to this 00:56:48.579 --> 00:56:50.360 pales into insignificance 00:56:50.360 --> 00:56:52.760 that I might be found in Him. 00:56:53.800 --> 00:56:56.100 Not having a righteousness of my own, 00:56:56.860 --> 00:56:58.920 but the righteousness which is of God 00:56:58.920 --> 00:57:00.000 by faith, 00:57:00.079 --> 00:57:01.280 the righteousness of faith 00:57:01.280 --> 00:57:03.180 through faith in Christ. 00:57:03.179 --> 00:57:07.460 Friend, are you still out with Christ? 00:57:11.039 --> 00:57:13.839 What is your relationship to eternity tonight? 00:57:15.480 --> 00:57:18.079 What is your relationship to the death 00:57:18.079 --> 00:57:19.659 that's spoken of in this chapter? 00:57:21.099 --> 00:57:23.259 Is it the one that can say, 00:57:23.379 --> 00:57:25.059 O death, where is your sting? 00:57:25.679 --> 00:57:27.619 O grave, where is your victory? 00:57:28.059 --> 00:57:29.339 Thanks be to God, 00:57:29.399 --> 00:57:30.679 who gives us the victory 00:57:30.679 --> 00:57:32.419 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:57:32.420 --> 00:57:32.539 Christ? 00:57:35.780 --> 00:57:37.800 Or is it something less than that? 00:57:39.820 --> 00:57:41.059 Is it for you, 00:57:41.880 --> 00:57:43.980 who knows the gospel so well, 00:57:45.740 --> 00:57:48.180 who we dearly love in the gospel, 00:57:49.019 --> 00:57:50.300 as preachers of the gospel, 00:57:50.400 --> 00:57:51.720 as ministers of the gospel, 00:57:52.400 --> 00:57:55.200 is it still for you 00:57:55.200 --> 00:57:57.400 a life not in Christ? 00:57:59.280 --> 00:58:01.019 A life unsaved? 00:58:02.420 --> 00:58:03.980 A life without hope. 00:58:06.380 --> 00:58:07.800 A life in which, 00:58:08.700 --> 00:58:11.059 instead of filled with purpose, 00:58:12.740 --> 00:58:13.880 it is empty of it 00:58:13.880 --> 00:58:18.380 and filled with nothing more than this world. 00:58:18.380 --> 00:58:19.380 Be steadfast. 00:58:19.380 --> 00:58:21.380 Be steadfast. 00:58:21.380 --> 00:58:23.539 Be immovable. 00:58:24.340 --> 00:58:26.539 Be always abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:58:27.500 --> 00:58:29.200 For as much as you know that in the Lord 00:58:29.200 --> 00:58:31.760 your labor is never in vain, 00:58:32.360 --> 00:58:32.800 wherefore, 00:58:33.440 --> 00:58:36.099 my beloved Christians, 00:58:37.340 --> 00:58:38.480 let this be so 00:58:38.480 --> 00:58:40.500 of you as well. 00:58:40.500 --> 00:58:41.780 Let's pray. 00:58:41.780 --> 00:58:41.800 Let's pray. 00:58:44.579 --> 00:58:45.780 Our gracious God, 00:58:45.880 --> 00:58:47.000 we thank you for the way 00:58:47.000 --> 00:58:49.539 in which your truth addresses us. 00:58:50.420 --> 00:58:52.039 Help us never to mishandle it, 00:58:52.800 --> 00:58:54.300 to treat it inappropriately. 00:58:55.340 --> 00:58:56.340 Lord, help us always, 00:58:56.420 --> 00:58:57.679 as we are thankful for it, 00:58:58.340 --> 00:59:00.280 to place our own minds under it 00:59:00.280 --> 00:59:01.260 and under its teaching. 00:59:02.260 --> 00:59:03.579 And help us tonight, Lord, 00:59:03.679 --> 00:59:06.159 to take with us all that you have said 00:59:06.159 --> 00:59:07.219 in this great chapter 00:59:07.219 --> 00:59:09.659 that we've been looking at over these months. 00:59:10.539 --> 00:59:11.500 And we pray that 00:59:11.500 --> 00:59:13.439 the resurrection of our Lord 00:59:13.439 --> 00:59:15.019 may be thrilling to our souls, 00:59:15.500 --> 00:59:18.379 that our own prospect of resurrection in Him 00:59:18.379 --> 00:59:21.699 may truly feed into our lives each day, 00:59:22.599 --> 00:59:23.579 and that we may, therefore, 00:59:24.139 --> 00:59:26.099 go on with steadfastness 00:59:26.099 --> 00:59:27.639 and being immovable 00:59:27.639 --> 00:59:28.899 and always abounding 00:59:28.899 --> 00:59:30.799 in the work of the Lord. 00:59:31.419 --> 00:59:32.299 We thank you, Lord, 00:59:32.399 --> 00:59:33.619 for the way in which 00:59:33.619 --> 00:59:35.339 coming to know you as a Savior 00:59:35.340 --> 00:59:37.880 fills our lives with purpose, 00:59:38.740 --> 00:59:40.140 which were empty of it before. 00:59:41.100 --> 00:59:42.460 And so hear us now, we pray, 00:59:42.980 --> 00:59:44.280 and pardon our many sins 00:59:44.280 --> 00:59:45.120 and receive us 00:59:45.120 --> 00:59:46.660 for Jesus' sake. 00:59:46.800 --> 00:59:47.079 Amen. 00:59:50.160 --> 00:59:51.100 Let's conclude now 00:59:51.100 --> 00:59:52.760 by singing to God's praise 00:59:52.760 --> 00:59:55.440 in Psalm 98. 00:59:56.720 --> 00:59:58.600 Psalm 98 from verse 9. 00:59:58.700 --> 01:00:00.720 That's on page 129. 01:00:00.720 --> 01:00:00.780 Psalm 98. 01:00:05.340 --> 01:00:06.860 We're singing from verse 4. 01:00:06.940 --> 01:00:08.360 The tune this time is St. Magnus. 01:00:10.820 --> 01:00:13.120 From verse 4 through to verse 9. 01:00:14.860 --> 01:00:16.500 Acclaim the Lord, O all the earth. 01:00:17.100 --> 01:00:18.440 Shout loudly and rejoice. 01:00:18.880 --> 01:00:20.260 Make music and be jubilant. 01:00:20.720 --> 01:00:22.300 To Him lift up your voice. 01:00:23.100 --> 01:00:24.620 With heart make music to the Lord. 01:00:24.880 --> 01:00:26.340 With harp His praises sing. 01:00:26.900 --> 01:00:28.600 With trumpet and with horn rejoice 01:00:28.600 --> 01:00:29.960 before the Lord the King. 01:00:30.760 --> 01:00:32.320 Let earth, the sea, and all in them 01:00:32.320 --> 01:00:33.840 rejoice triumphantly. 01:00:33.840 --> 01:00:35.660 Let streams clap hand 01:00:35.660 --> 01:00:36.600 and mountains sing 01:00:36.600 --> 01:00:38.260 together joyfully. 01:00:39.019 --> 01:00:40.720 Now let them sing before the Lord 01:00:40.720 --> 01:00:42.820 who comes to judge the earth. 01:00:43.460 --> 01:00:45.100 He'll judge the world in righteousness, 01:00:45.980 --> 01:00:48.280 the peoples in His truth. 01:00:49.480 --> 01:00:51.460 These are great words of praise to God, 01:00:52.420 --> 01:00:54.100 words that ought not to make us gloomy, 01:00:54.360 --> 01:00:55.980 because we're really singing 01:00:55.980 --> 01:00:57.860 about the triumph of God Himself. 01:00:58.620 --> 01:00:59.480 And we've been looking at 01:00:59.480 --> 01:01:01.079 the triumph of God over death, 01:01:01.079 --> 01:01:02.980 especially in the resurrection 01:01:02.980 --> 01:01:04.860 in 1 Corinthians 15. 01:01:04.860 --> 01:01:06.599 So these verses then, in conclusion, 01:01:07.299 --> 01:01:09.779 acclaim the Lord, O all the earth. 01:01:09.780 --> 01:01:20.460 acclaim the Lord, O all the earth. 01:01:20.460 --> 01:01:24.960 Shout loudly and rejoice. 01:01:24.960 --> 01:01:31.960 Make music to the Lord, 01:01:31.960 --> 01:01:40.440 to Him lift up your voice. 01:01:40.440 --> 01:01:47.699 With heart make music to the Lord, 01:01:47.699 --> 01:01:52.960 with heart His praises sing. 01:01:52.960 --> 01:02:01.220 With trumpet and with horn rejoice, 01:02:01.220 --> 01:02:07.780 before the Lord the King. 01:02:07.780 --> 01:02:15.340 Let earth, the sea, and all in them 01:02:15.340 --> 01:02:19.960 rejoice triumphantly. 01:02:19.960 --> 01:02:28.599 Let streams clap hands and mountains sing, 01:02:28.599 --> 01:02:33.559 together joyfully. 01:02:35.559 --> 01:02:42.740 Now let them sing before the Lord 01:02:42.739 --> 01:02:48.500 who comes to judge the earth. 01:02:48.500 --> 01:02:55.379 He'll judge the world in righteousness, 01:02:55.379 --> 01:03:01.379 the peoples in His truth. 01:03:01.380 --> 01:03:05.460 After the benediction, I'll go to the main door. 01:03:07.140 --> 01:03:09.380 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 01:03:09.480 --> 01:03:10.760 the love of God the Father, 01:03:11.220 --> 01:03:12.800 and the communion of the Holy Spirit 01:03:12.800 --> 01:03:15.000 be with you all now and evermore. 01:03:15.000 --> 01:03:15.840 Amen. 01:03:31.380 --> 01:03:32.380 Let them play together. 01:03:32.380 --> 01:03:33.079 Thank you so much. 01:03:33.079 --> 01:03:45.160 There we. 01:03:45.160 --> 01:03:50.940 There are other ways that our God has come from?