We're going to begin our worship by singing to God's praise from Psalm 108.
In the Sing Psalms version, Psalm 108, we're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7.
Page 146 of the psalm book.
O Lord God, my heart is steadfast, and with all my soul I'll sing.
Harp and lyre, I will awaken, and my song the dawn will bring.
A psalm to lead us into worship and praise through singing to his name.
So we'll stand to sing verse 1 to 7 to God's praise.
O Lord God, my heart is steadfast, and with all my soul I'll sing.
Harp and lyre, I will awaken, and my song the dawn will bring.
Lord, my God of the nations, I will forgive you praise.
In the midst of all the peoples, I will sing of you always.
For your steadfast love is powerless, greater than the heavens high.
And your faithfulness towards us reaches even to the sky.
Far above the highest heaven, be exalted, O my God.
And through all the earth around us, let your glory spread abroad.
God has spoken from his temple, from his holy place above.
God has spoken from his holy place above.
I will distribute in trial, every part of Shacken's land.
God has spoken from my Lord.
And the whole of circled valley, I will measure with my hand.
let's draw near to god in prayer let us pray
lord our god our father in heaven we've come to bow before you to worship and praise your name
we come oh lord this evening hour thankful for this your day thankful for every opportunity
we have to worship and praise your name thank you that we can come and sing praise to you
for you alone are worthy of all our praise and we thank you that even when we come
we can feel oh lord the sense of the world in which we live being defeated by sin
and yet as we are reminded in what we have been singing that you are the one who is victorious
that you are the one whose steadfast love is boundless you are the one whose faithfulness
towards us reaches even to the sky as the psalmist describes it and we thank you lord that that
reminds us that the earth is yours the earth belongs unto the lord and all that it contains
and we thank you that that is true to every day of our experience and that no matter what goes on
around us no matter what goes on within us that we are assured that you are god and there is no other
so help us that we will find our confidence in you that we'll be confident in all that you have done
confident in our savior christ jesus confident in your spirit working in this world in which we live
confident of your church being built up day by day i'm confident oh lord that the day will come
when you will come in your triumphal procession you will come oh lord on that day that glorious day
of the final resurrection the day of judgment a day of fear for many but a day of joy for your people
a day oh lord when we will rejoice in you as the one who will make all things new and so we pray lord
that you will fill our hearts with that confident assurance that through faith we have the hope of
all these things the hope of the glory that is ours in christ jesus we pray lord for your church to be
confident we pray that throughout the world as your people gather in your name no matter where it is or no
matter what their experience what their circumstances are that they will all remain confident in you
with that great assurance that great promise that where your people gather in your name that you are
in the midst to bless and so we thank you for the assurance of your presence towards us and towards
all your church this day and always for that is the promise that we have that you are with us always even
to the end of the age and so lord we claim your promises we pray your promises we plead your promises to be
ours in the midst of the generation in which we live that you will come in a day of your power
that you will come with a great blessing for your people that you will come restoring lord so much that
has been ruined by sin that you will come with healing in your wings that you will come oh lord to
restore nations and people to yourself and as we look around us and as we see the miseries of this world
as we see the sorrows and the sadness that's around us day by day we come praying lord for all the
different needs we come again reminded of and thinking of all that's happened in turkey and syria
and the great devastation there because of the earthquake and oh lord we cannot enter into that
experience we cannot understand just what they are going through at this time in many ways
but lord we pray for your mercy towards them we thank you that even after so many days survivors are
still being found how amazing it is to see and hear of people being brought out alive but yet we know the
reality for so many is the pain of death the loss of loved ones and so much of their lives just turned
upside down and we pray lord for your mercy for your blessing over these lands and over these people
and all who seek to help them we know so often lord even in the aid that's given it leads to
dishonesty it leads to corruption and we just pray that those who need it will receive that the the aid that
is given and that you will help people lord to build up from the ruins to build their lives once again
but even in the midst of it all to recognize the need to build on christ as a foundation
as the only security as the only certainty of salvation for this world
and so we pray lord for all the nations of this world for we know that we do not need a natural disaster
to recognize the the state of our world and the perishing nature of it
but we are reminded day by day of all that sin has done in our world and the pain it brings but we
thank you too as we have heard even this day already and as we hear so often that there is the wonderful
light of the gospel and we thank you for it even here in our midst this evening and as it goes out to
all ends of the earth today we thank you that there is a message of hope and that there is hope to be
found in christ jesus and so we remember all who share your word today with so many different people
in so many different places and through all the different languages of this world we thank you that
your gospel is heard by so many tribes and tongues and nations and we pray again your promise for your
word that it will not return to you empty or void but accomplish all for which you have sent it forth
so may your word be blessed today lord and each and every day and as we go into this week lord that
your blessing would go with us and as we anticipate god willing our communion season we do continue to
pray as we prepare ourselves for that as we hear your word and as we prepare prayerfully for it
that your word will be blessed to all of us that we bless lord to members and adherents
and bless to all who come in to hear it we pray lord it'll be a time of rich blessing and fellowship
around your gospel a time of encouragement a time of knowing god with us and so we ask lord that in all
that we do in this coming week we will seek to do it for your glory so remember your servants who will
come to be with us reverend kenny ferguson reverend carl mcdonald reverend dian mccritchie we remember
them lord and pray that you will prepare them and that you will use them in their time here that you
will bless every service of the gospel as we gather around your word we thank you too for the new ministry
beginning in our presbytery today thank you for the induction of revendon mcleod on friday evening
to the congregation in north tolstown for is being preached in this morning by around dian mccritchie
and for his own ministry beginning there this evening even as we are gathered here just now and
we do pray lord for him pray for emma as well we pray for the congregation that truly lord you will
surround them that you will encourage them that you will bless them and use them for your glory
we do pray lord that there'll be a time of encouragement a time of blessing not just for
them but for our presbytery as a whole as we rejoice in this new ministry and we seek lord your blessing
over every congregation belonging to us throughout our islands we remember each one lord praying for
your ministers and for your people far and wide throughout our islands to be the lights of the
gospel throughout our communities here we pray for those in need this evening as well and as we heard
this morning of little lucy beth davis we continue to pray for her and uphold her in prayer we pray lord
for our surgery today that everything would go well with her that you would restore her that you will help
those who are caring for her and looking after her at this time we pray lord that you'll be with her
and with her parents too with nick and laura jane and all the family at this time and we do thank you that
in times such as this that there is a real blessing in praying people and that unity in prayer and help us to
continue to pray for them all that they will be watched over that they will be kept by you and we pray lord for
them to be home again soon so lord look over them and be with them we pray so we commit them to you and many others
lord going through trials just now of ill health and infirmity people confined to their homes and in
in homes just now as well lord we pray for your protection and keeping over us as a people
we pray for comfort to those who mourn we pray lord for your blessing over our communities at large
from young to old alike lord we pray for all our different needs we thank you lord for all who help us
in our different times for the health service for the fire brigade for the police for the ambulance
service for the coast guards lord we know that there are so many different people involved in
in meeting and looking after all our different needs and we thank you for each one and pray your
blessing on them your protection over them we thank you for our schools and our young people
we pray your blessing on them as they go into a new week as they enjoy a time of holiday in this
coming week as well lord may you look after teachers staff parents and children alike may you surround
them and be with them in these days and then all the days ahead you will guide their steps and bless them
lord that in the confusion of this world that they too would know the assurance the comfort the
confidence that there is in christ jesus as our lord so bless us now as we continue in our worship
guide us and keep us all we ask we ask the forgiveness of our sins in jesus name amen
we'll continue to sing to god's praise this time in psalm 24 in the scottish psalter
page 230 of the psalm books psalm 24 page 230
and we'll sing from verse 6 down to the end of the psalm this is the generation that after him
inquire o jacob who do seek thy face with their whole hearts desire he gates lift up your heads
on high ye doors that last foray be lifted up that so the king of glory enter me we'll sing
verse 6 to the end of the psalm to god's praise
this is the generation
the generation that after him inquire o jacob who do seek thy face o jacob who do seek thy face with their whole heart
heart's desire he gets lift up your heads on high ye doors that last foray be lifted up that so the king
lifted up that so the king of glory enter me but who of glory is the king the mighty lord is this
in the sea
in the sea lord that great in might
and strong in the sea
God bless you.
The Lord of hosts and amity.
The King of glory is.
Amen.
I'll return to read God's word this evening in the letter of Paul to the Colossians.
I'm reading in chapter 1.
Paul's letter to Colossians chapter 1.
You can read the whole of this chapter together.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy, our brother.
To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae.
Grace to you and peace from God, our Father.
Father.
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we
heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints because
of the hope laid up for you in heaven.
Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you,
as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing, as it also does among you
since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.
Just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, he is a faithful minister
of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may
be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so
as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every
good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
May you be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, for all endurance and
patience, with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance
of the saints in light.
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved
Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether
thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.
All things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself
all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled
in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above
reproach before him.
If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of
the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I,
Paul, became a minister.
Now I rejoice in my suffering for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking
in Christ's afflictions.
For the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the
stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known.
The mystery, hidden for ages and generations, but now revealed to his saints.
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this
mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present
everyone mature in Christ.
For this I toil, struggling with all his energy, that he powerfully works within me.
And so on.
And may God bless that reading from his word.
We'll again sing to God's praise, this time in Psalm 111, in the Scottish Psalter version,
page 391.
We can sing from verse 1 to verse 5.
Psalm 111, page 391.
From the beginning, praise ye the Lord with my whole heart.
I will God's praise declare.
We are the assemblies of the just and congregations.
We'll sing from verse 1 to 5.
We stand to sing to God's praise.
Amen.
Praise ye the Lord with my whole heart.
I will God's praise declare.
Where the assemblies of the just and congregations are.
The home works of the Lord our God are great above all measure.
So thirdly out of every one that took their hinting pleasure.
His work most honor of the list, most glorious and pure.
And his undated righteousness forever doth endure.
His works most wonderful he hath may to be thought upon.
The Lord is gracious and he is full of compassion.
He give the need to be thought upon.
He give the need unto all those that truly do him fear.
And evermore his covenant he in his mind will bear.
Amen.
We can turn back together this evening to look at some of those verses in Colossians chapter 1.
And we can read again at verse 27.
Colossians chapter 1 and at verse 27.
Here Paul is speaking about his ministry to the church at Colossians.
Speaking in this way of the mystery that was hidden for generations but is now being revealed to them.
How God has made known this great mystery among them.
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery.
Which is Christ in you.
The hope of glory.
Him we proclaim.
Warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom.
That we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Christ in you.
The hope of glory.
Why was Paul making this so clear to the people of Colossians at this time?
That what they had was this need of Christ in them.
The hope of glory.
And as you turn back to the earlier part of this chapter at verse 15.
Where Paul is teaching them of the preeminence of Christ.
How superior Christ is in all things and over all things.
What was the need that the church at Colossae had?
Well as Paul was writing to them.
He was writing to a relatively young church.
Young in terms of their faith.
Where Paul had proclaimed the gospel there before.
And many had come to faith.
But after Paul had gone away.
Others had come into their midst.
Other teachers.
Telling them that they needed more than this gospel.
That they needed to add other things to this gospel.
In order to be assured of their salvation.
And so Paul is writing to these people who are struggling as to whether or not the gospel is enough.
The gospel as they received it is enough for their salvation.
And so as Paul is doing so throughout this letter.
That he's making it very clear to the people.
And also to those who are coming in and teaching in this false way.
That Christ was all that they needed.
That Christ was all sufficient for salvation.
He's saying to them.
What could we possibly add to our salvation that would make it any better?
And so as Paul is writing to them.
The people then would be examining themselves.
They would be looking at themselves.
And wondering about their own lives.
Asking the questions about what they're hearing.
And what they're seeing around them.
What they've heard from Paul on one hand.
Christ is enough.
And what they're hearing on the other hand.
That well maybe Christ isn't enough.
Or you don't even need Christ.
Some would be saying as well.
These false teachers would be coming in with all kinds of different teachings.
So they're weighing up these two arguments.
And what Paul is writing to them to encourage them.
Is to come to know the riches of the mystery that he revealed to them.
The riches of the gospel that he brought to them.
And just the riches that this is able to bring to them.
And satisfy everything that they need.
Christ in you.
The hope of glory.
The hope of seeing and knowing God now.
But also seeing him and knowing him for all eternity.
So he is writing to them in this way.
And again we think of ourselves here today.
And how we come to this gospel.
We come to it again this evening.
But do we recognize that we have all that we need in this gospel.
As we think of the week that lies ahead for us.
As we look forward God willing.
To all that the week will entail.
Whether it's maybe coming to the Hope Explored course on the Tuesday.
Coming to the prayer meeting on the Wednesday or the Thursday.
Or coming to communion services over the weekend.
Or coming or not to the Lord's table.
As we look to ourselves.
As we examine ourselves.
We so often would think.
I'm not worthy of any of this.
I'm not worthy of the hope.
That's being explored as this course is showing.
Being explored.
I'm not worthy of coming among God's people.
At the prayer meeting.
I'm not worthy to come to the communion table.
All of these things we can feel so unworthy of.
But sometimes that's not a bad thing.
Because we have to recognize then.
What makes us worthy.
How we can be worthy.
To come to any of these things.
To approach God in any way.
At any time.
We don't approach Him because we are worthy.
Or we are holy in and of ourselves.
Or righteous in and of ourselves.
We only come through Christ.
That's the only way we can come to God.
And so that is what Paul is writing to the church at Colossae about.
And that's what he's sharing with us this evening as well.
We're not worthy.
But we don't need to add anything else into the mix.
What we need is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
That He is all sufficient.
And in this section that we're reading here in verse 24 down.
Paul is, if you like, shifting his focus from the sufficiency of Christ.
To now looking at how this applies to himself and to the people he's writing to.
But if you look at it, he's speaking about himself and his own experience.
But even as he does so, we're not seeing any less of Christ.
And it's not that Paul's suddenly coming more to the fore in this situation.
No, it's still all about Christ.
Many of the false teachers, they would teach about Christ in one way.
But then the folks would move away from Christ and onto something else.
Or someone else.
But not so as Paul is teaching.
The focus is always on Christ.
Christ shines through in all that he is doing.
In all of his teaching.
And we see that in just how he closes the section on the supremacy of Christ in verse 23.
By explaining that he is now a minister of this message.
And then he moves on to the fact that he is ministering this message to the people.
But yet it's still all about Christ.
Many people have seen Paul look at him and think of him as an arrogant man.
A bossy man.
And sometimes even a cruel man.
And yet the more you look at Paul's writings in the New Testament.
The more you see his humility.
The more you see how he has been transformed by the grace of God.
And that this is what he wants everyone else to know all about.
He has been humbled before God.
And now all he wants to do is that people would come and humble themselves before God.
And recognize that in Christ Jesus they have all that they need.
As James Parker the writer who once said.
The healthy heart is one that bows down in humility.
And rises in praise and adoration.
Bows down in humility.
And rises in praise and adoration.
And the more you look at Paul's life and as his life goes on.
The older he gets.
It's almost like the lower he gets.
He grows downward as one person described it.
His own self-important diminishes.
And it's all about Christ.
He humbles himself.
But he rises up praising the Lord.
And so we want to just look at this Lord that he praised.
This Lord that he knew.
This Lord that he was serving and proclaiming to others.
And think about it in this way.
We want to look at Paul but also see how it applies to ourselves.
And first of all we're thinking of this in light of the gospel that he's sharing.
And the gospel that we're hearing.
And we think first of all of his gospel heart.
How all that he did was with his gospel heart.
This gospel passion.
Then we see his proclamation of this gospel.
And then thirdly we see his desire from it.
So the first thing we want to see is his gospel heart.
What made him alive in Christ.
What made him go about every day was this gospel heart.
This gospel passion.
Knowing Christ Jesus as his Lord.
If you do any kind of online banking.
Or have any kind of online accounts.
And whether you're trying to phone to get into an account.
Or if you're trying to get into it online.
You always have to go through security checks.
You have to answer certain questions.
It'll be questions like.
What was your mother's maiden name?
What was your first school?
What was your first pet's name?
And often we have to struggle and try and remember.
What was the answers to this list of questions?
Because we have to try and remember so many security questions.
But they all have a purpose.
What's the reason for all of these questions.
That you get asked when you're trying to get into important accounts.
It's all about security.
And it's all about your identification.
Making sure that you are who you're saying that you are.
Because we see so often.
And hear so often.
A fraud taking place.
So you have to identify yourself.
By answering all these questions.
Well the false teachers who had come into Colossae.
They were answering these questions on behalf of Paul.
As to where his identity was.
And they were denying Paul's identity as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And in this they were leading people away from Paul's teaching.
And down this wrong path.
Where they felt they had to add something to their faith.
Add something to their salvation.
But all the time.
As Paul is writing to them in this introduction here in chapter 1.
Paul is speaking about his true identity.
And he is saying his identity is in Christ.
In who he is.
And what he has done.
It is all sufficient in Christ.
And it pains him.
That people are saying that he isn't who he says he is.
That his faith isn't real.
Or that his saviour isn't enough.
It pains him.
And so as he is writing to them.
He is assuring them of where his identity is.
And assuring them of who this Christ is.
And he says to them here in verse 23.
Which leads us into the next section.
It says of which I Paul became a minister.
And we often maybe think of this word minister.
As some kind of status.
And it would be easy maybe to slip into that mistake.
But the word minister isn't a word that is higher than other Christians.
The word minister.
The word used here is servant.
It is a word used for deacon.
It is someone who serves.
And that is how Paul is identifying himself.
He is a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is his identity.
This is who he is.
This is his passion.
He is a minister of the gospel.
He is a servant of the gospel.
Anything else that he previously had.
Anything else that he was identifying with.
Before his conversion.
Is gone.
This is who he is.
As he says elsewhere.
For me to live is Christ.
This is where my identity is.
This is all that counts to him.
And it leads us to the question for ourselves.
Is that the kind of heart that we have?
Do we have a minister's heart?
A servant heart?
A heart that comes in obedience and faith to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Seeking to honor him.
And do all things for him.
Seeking to leave all things behind.
And to go forward identifying with Christ Jesus.
I belong to the Lord Jesus.
Making that stand.
As we were hearing this morning.
Letting our light shine before others.
Is that our identity?
Are we a servant like Paul?
And a suffering servant at that.
You see as Paul goes into verse 24.
For I rejoice in my sufferings.
He knows that this ministering.
This servant heart of Christ.
It leads to suffering.
In so many different ways.
Physically.
We know Paul as you read through his letters.
He was beaten.
He was imprisoned.
He suffered so much.
But one of his greatest sufferings.
Was the pain of seeing people.
Led away from Christ.
The pain of seeing those believers at Colossae.
Being listening to these false teachers coming in.
And being led away.
His greatest pain was seeing others suffering.
Not his own pains.
But seeing people being lost to Christ.
Seeing people lost in their sin.
And that's what you see with the servant heart.
That Paul has.
It's a heart for people.
It's a heart for people who are perishing.
A heart for people who are lost.
And the more we come to know the Lord Jesus ourselves.
The more we experience of his grace.
And his love towards us.
The more we feel that pain.
Towards others who are lost.
You know I'm sure you've been watching.
The television these last few days.
With the pictures from Syria.
And Turkey.
And the suffering of the people there.
And you can't be but moved.
Tears will come.
Just looking at these people.
These little children suffering.
Whatever age.
People suffering in so many ways.
You can't be but moved by it.
But when we think.
We just look around ourselves.
And there's suffering people everywhere.
There are people who are perishing.
Without Christ all around us.
And the question is.
Do we have that servant heart.
That suffering heart for them.
Are we moved by that.
That people are perishing.
Do we weep over them.
Do weep over them.
Dwight L. Moody.
Was a famous evangelist in his time.
And he was in London once.
During one of his evangelistic tours.
Many preachers.
Many ministers in England.
Wanted to hear from him.
They wanted to hear what he had to say.
How this man.
Who wasn't well educated.
In so many ways.
But how this man was able to.
Have such a winsome ministry.
Many came to meet with him.
And one day.
There was a meeting in his hotel room.
And three other ministers.
Were in this room with him.
And they were asking him.
You know.
What is it.
In your life.
In your ministry.
That makes such.
A difference.
And he asked the other ministers.
To come.
To the window with him.
And they went up to the window.
And the window of the hotel.
Looked down.
On a park.
And Dwight Moody asked the other ministers.
What do you see.
As you look out the window.
And outside.
There was people.
Buzzing back and forth.
And the other ministers.
Started answering this question.
I'm seeing young people.
I'm seeing old people.
I'm seeing lots of people.
Just dashing to and fro.
All kinds of answers.
As to what.
They were seeing.
Then as.
Dwight L. Moody.
Was looking out the window.
Tears.
Started to roll down.
His cheeks.
And one of the ministers.
Asked him.
What do you see.
Mr. Moody.
His answer was.
I see.
Countless.
Thousands.
Of souls.
That are perishing.
Without Christ.
That is what he saw.
And he was saying to them.
This is the heart.
That you need.
For your ministry.
A heart.
That goes out.
To those.
Who are perishing.
A heart.
Of compassion.
A heart.
Like Christ's heart.
When you think of Christ.
In the gospels.
One time.
When in Matthew 9.
Verse 36.
It says there.
He was seeing the crowds.
And what does it say?
He had compassion.
For them.
Because they were harassed.
And helpless.
Like sheep.
Without a shepherd.
As Jesus saw.
Mary and Martha.
Having lost their brother.
And many people mourning.
Jesus wept.
As Jesus was crucified.
On the cross.
As he saw the crowds.
Around him there.
In their lost state.
What did he say?
Father.
Forgive them.
They know not.
What they're doing.
There is this heart.
Of compassion.
That's the heart.
That Paul was showing.
For his people.
Because that's the heart.
That Christ has.
For his people.
He doesn't want any.
To be lost.
But that all would come.
To Christ.
And find in him.
The hope.
Of glory.
So Paul here.
He is ministering.
With this heart.
Of a servant.
The second thing we see here.
Is his proclamation.
Of this gospel.
He preaches.
This gospel.
To them.
He has become.
A minister.
A steward.
Of this gospel.
So often when people.
Ask about the work.
Of a minister.
It's often the joke.
That he works.
One day a week.
Well this week.
I was in.
Lachsdale school.
A school assembly.
And there was some great questions.
From the children there.
I spent some time.
In one of the classes.
And they were asking questions.
About what was involved.
In the ministry.
And many of them.
Already saying.
The kind of things.
That the minister.
Was involved in.
Whether it's.
Leading worship service.
Or praying with his people.
Or looking after.
The people.
In the congregation.
They had a great idea.
Of what the work.
Of the minister was.
And what was fascinating.
Was.
Every answer they were giving.
Revolved around.
People.
Whether it was.
Preaching the word.
Whether it was visiting.
Or all the things.
It revolved around.
People.
And I think that's.
The key thing here.
With Paul as well.
He's proclaiming the gospel.
But he's always.
Proclaiming it.
As one who is.
Proclaiming it.
To a people.
So his proclamation here.
He describes it.
As a stewardship.
In verse 25.
I became.
A minister.
According to the stewardship.
From God.
That was given to me.
For you.
To make the word of God.
Fully known.
It was making the word.
Of God.
Fully known.
Preaching.
Proclaiming.
The gospel.
To the people.
Around him.
And when we think of.
Of stewards.
Today.
Very often.
We think of situations.
Where we find.
Stewards.
Are in a place.
To control.
Crowds.
Whether it's at.
Festivals.
Or stadiums.
There are always.
Stewards on hand.
To guide people.
And help.
Anyone who's in need.
In many ways.
That's the way a steward was.
In Paul's day as well.
Stewards were those.
Who very often.
Were working.
In the households.
They were entrusted.
With the daily needs.
Of the household.
That they were working for.
Ensuring.
All the family.
Had every provision.
That they needed.
Day after day.
Excuse me.
They were.
Involved.
In looking after everyone.
Within the house.
But the stewards.
They were never.
The master.
They were never.
The ones.
Who were in complete.
Charge.
They were always.
Working.
Under their master's.
Orders.
They were never.
Free.
They were never.
Free.
They were never.
Free.
To just decide.
For themselves.
What could be done.
Or not be done.
Orders.
Were given to them.
And they were to follow.
Those orders.
And that's what you see.
With Paul.
Here as well.
He is describing himself.
As a steward.
As well.
As a servant.
So he is one.
Who is ministering.
Under his master's.
Authority.
He has been given.
The stewardship.
From God.
God is the one.
Who is in complete.
Control.
But God has given him.
This ministry.
This gospel.
To proclaim.
To proclaim the word of God.
Fully known.
To make the word of God.
Fully known.
And what does that mean?
Well it means.
As you see.
In verse 28.
Him we proclaim.
Warning everyone.
And teaching everyone.
With all wisdom.
There's two sides.
To this message.
There is warning.
And there is teaching.
And that's so much.
Of what the gospel.
Is about.
Every day.
And everywhere.
There is warning.
And there is teaching.
There is warning.
To turn to Christ.
In a day.
When he is.
When we are able.
And there is teaching.
To be built up.
In our faith.
In the Lord Jesus Christ.
There was a great storm.
In the north of England.
In the year.
1881.
And a minister.
Was telling the story.
Of how.
Many of the fishermen.
In his congregation.
Had gone out.
To sea.
On the morning.
Of the day.
This storm came.
The weather.
Had been stormy.
For about a week.
Beforehand.
And then.
All of a sudden.
This day.
Of calm.
Had come.
And then.
The fishermen.
All gathered together.
In the harbour.
That day.
And they were determined.
To go out.
And they started.
Loading up their fishing boats.
Getting the crew.
All together.
And ready to go out.
To sea.
To the fishing grounds.
41 boats.
Left the harbour.
This one day.
But before they went out.
The harbour master.
Had put up a signal.
A storm signal.
The warning that a storm.
Was coming.
The harbour master.
Although he'd seen this.
Calm.
Come.
He'd seen the same thing.
Before.
Knowing.
It was just a lull.
In the storm.
But the fishermen.
Were so desperate.
To get out.
To the fishing grounds.
Even just.
For a short time.
They'd lost.
So much time.
And so off they went.
They ignored.
The warning.
And within a few hours.
The fierce storm.
Arrived.
While they were still out.
At sea.
Even though the harbour master.
Had begged them.
Not to go out.
Still.
They went out.
They ignored.
The warning.
And of the.
All the boats.
That went out.
With nearly six.
Five or six men.
In each.
Most were lost.
Only three boats.
Returned.
It was a tragedy.
But they had been warned.
And that's what Paul.
Is doing here now.
He is proclaiming.
This gospel.
He is holding up.
This warning.
Before the people.
Then.
And to ourselves.
As well.
The warning.
Of the storm.
Of judgment.
Paul's ministry.
Is a servant's ministry.
But it's a ministry.
Of proclamation.
And teaching.
Instruction.
Is given.
And that's the instruction.
For ourselves.
Today as well.
To see.
This day.
In which we're living in.
To see.
Our need.
Of the Lord.
Jesus Christ.
To make God.
The word of God.
Fully known.
That there is eternity.
Before us all.
To make God.
The word of God.
Fully known.
That we have all sinned.
Against God.
To make the word of God.
Fully known.
That without him.
We will perish.
But to make the word of God.
Knowing.
That there is a way.
To salvation.
The riches.
Of the glory of Christ.
This gospel.
That he preached.
This gospel.
As he spoke of.
Earlier in this chapter.
In verse 19.
For in him.
All the fullness of God.
Was pleased to dwell.
And through him.
To reconcile to himself.
All things.
Whether on earth.
Or in heaven.
Making peace.
By the blood.
Of his cross.
Showing that there is hope.
And that this hope.
Is the glory.
Of God.
The riches.
Of the glory.
Of the mystery.
Which is Christ.
In you.
The hope.
Of glory.
This is what he proclaims.
Christ.
In you.
The hope.
Of glory.
So there is warning.
And there is teaching.
In this.
The final thing we want to see here is.
His desire.
From this gospel.
We've seen Paul.
With his servant heart.
For the gospel.
His proclaiming the gospel.
Now we ask.
What's his desire.
From this gospel.
Well.
Well it's that sinners.
Will repent.
And that sinners.
Will grow.
In the knowledge.
Of Christ.
Remember.
As we said at the start.
This was a people.
Who are being led.
Astray.
A people who are being told.
You need to add.
X.
Y.
And said.
For your salvation.
To be secure.
But Paul is saying.
No.
All you need.
Is Christ.
And faith.
In the Lord.
Jesus.
Christ.
So he's warning.
And he's teaching.
He's suffering.
For this gospel.
He's weeping over.
A perishing people.
But what he wants is.
That the people.
Will come and know.
Christ.
For themselves.
He has been challenged.
In his identity.
Who he is.
It's been said of him.
He's not.
A teacher.
He's not.
A prophet.
He's not.
A servant.
He's an imposter.
That's what they've been saying.
Of him.
But how does he respond?
He says.
I'm none of these things.
My identity.
Is in Christ.
I am a servant.
Because of.
What he has done.
For me.
And I have this hope.
Of the glory.
That is a mystery.
Which is Christ.
In you.
The hope.
In glory.
So who or what.
Defines you.
What is your.
Identity.
It's such a.
An issue.
Today in the world.
In which we live.
We can identify.
Identify us.
Whatever we want.
But what do you.
Identify in.
Or where is your.
Identity.
We can identify.
In different ways.
We can call ourselves.
Different things.
I'm a member.
I'm an adherent.
I'm a worker.
I'm retired.
We have all of these ways.
Of identifying ourselves.
But is it more important.
That we would say.
I'm a sinner.
Who needs the grace.
Of the Lord Jesus Christ.
That's how Paul.
Identifies himself.
Initially.
But then he says.
His identity.
Is in Christ.
His salvation.
Is secure.
In the Lord Jesus Christ.
This mystery.
Revealed.
Christ in you.
The hope.
Of glory.
The hope.
Of everything.
That we need.
Christ.
Is all.
Or Christ.
Is nothing.
So what is he.
To you.
Tonight.
Where do you stand.
With him.
Paul speaks.
Of this.
Security.
How do we know it.
The warnings.
Ring clear.
For us.
It is to call.
Upon the name.
Of the Lord.
And how can you know.
If you have.
This Christ.
In you.
Well he has implanted.
His love.
In your heart.
And this love.
That you have.
In your heart.
It begins.
To overflow.
And you begin.
To love him.
Because.
We love.
Because he first.
Loved us.
And to know.
This love.
Of Christ.
Is to know.
Christ.
In you.
The hope.
Of glory.
Christ.
And so the call is.
To turn.
To him.
And to find.
Your refuge.
In him.
The glory.
Doesn't belong.
To us.
It's not about ourselves.
Adding anything else.
To our salvation.
That will make us.
Any more secure.
In Christ.
Christ.
Is all.
Sufficient.
You may think.
Of people.
In life.
And you think.
Well.
They're ones.
Who are able.
To say.
That they have done.
So much.
For Christ.
They've got something.
More.
To add.
To what Christ.
Has done.
For them.
Look at what they've done.
For the church.
In this world.
Well.
Listen to this.
Of what Hudson Taylor.
A missionary.
To China.
Who did.
So much.
For the cause.
Of Christ.
There.
Listen to what he once said.
He was to speak.
At a large.
Presbyterian.
Church.
In Melbourne.
Australia.
And the man.
Who was in charge.
Of the service.
Started introducing.
Hudson Taylor.
The missionary.
To China.
And he was using.
All kinds of.
Eloquent.
And glowing.
Terms.
And he spoke.
To the congregation.
Of all that Hudson Taylor.
Had accomplished.
In China.
For the Lord.
And then he introduced him.
As our.
Illustrious.
Guest.
Hudson Taylor.
Taylor.
Stood quietly.
For a moment.
And then he began.
To speak.
And he said.
Dear friends.
I am.
The little servant.
Of an.
Illustrious.
Master.
And that's.
A servant's.
Heart.
It's not.
About us.
It's about.
An illustrious.
Master.
One.
Who has done.
All.
For us.
We don't.
Add.
Anything.
To it.
But we come.
To do all.
In remembrance.
Of him.
Who gave.
Himself.
For us.
Christ.
In you.
The hope.
Of glory.
Pray.
You will have.
This hope.
Today.
And always.
Let us pray.
Our father.
In heaven.
We thank you.
That.
We are.
But servants.
Of such.
An illustrious.
Master.
That we are.
One.
Who has done.
All things.
For us.
And all things.
Perfect.
For we are.
Failures.
In so many ways.
We fall.
Short.
But we thank you.
For the finished.
Work of Christ.
That all is done.
For his people.
But there is nothing.
That we need to bring.
That will do any more.
For us.
But to come humbly.
As servants.
Of you.
So Lord.
We pray.
That you will encourage us.
That even as you warn us.
That you will teach us.
To find.
Our security.
In Christ.
And to know.
That great glory.
That is Christ.
In you.
So bless your word.
To us.
And go with us.
In this week ahead.
And pardon our sins.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
We'll conclude.
By singing.
To his praise.
In the same psalm.
We had before.
Psalm 111.
In the Scottish Psalter.
Psalm 111.
We'll sing.
From verse 6.
To the end.
Of the psalm.
He did the power.
Of his works.
And to his people show.
When he the heathen's heritage.
Upon them did bestow.
We'll sing from verse 6.
To the end of the psalm.
To God's praise.
He did the power.
Of his works.
And to his people show.
When he the heathen's heritage.
Upon them did bestow.
His handy works are truth and right.
For his dominion.
On his holy opponents are sure.
Upkommen true.
Up Safe is in Estonian.
But he never bore and do.
He sent redemption to his will.
His covenant for him
He did all and holy his name
Have reverend his own way
Wisdom's beginning is us here
Good understanding day
Of all that is from us fulfilled
This place sent you forever
After the benediction I'll go to the main door
Now may grace, mercy and peace
From God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Rest upon and abide with us all
Now and forevermore
Amen
Thank you
Godiorump
And forever
and forever
Thank you.