We join together in the worship of God by singing to his praise in Psalm 25 of the Scottish Psalter version.
Psalm 25, find that in the blue book on page 231.
We'll sing there from verse mark 4 down to verse mark 10.
A psalm that speaks of the individual, the psalmist himself, and we can also likewise echo what he says in our call for help as we gather to worship his name.
Show me thy ways, O Lord, thy paths, O teach thou me, and do thou lead me in thy truth, that in it my teacher be.
For thou art God that dost, to me salvation send, and I upon thee all the day expecting to attend.
We'll sing Psalm 25 from verse mark 4 down to the end of verse mark 10 there, when we'll stand to sing.
Show me thy ways, O Lord.
Amen.
Show me thy ways, O Lord.
Thy paths, O teach thou me,
And do thou lead me in thy truth, that in my teacher be.
For thou art God that dost, to me salvation send, and I upon thee all the day expecting you.
Thy tender mercy, O Lord.
I pray thee to remember,
And thy loving kindness is for thee, I'll be noble forever.
My sins and faults of truth,
Do thou, O Lord, forget,
After thy mercy, O Lord.
After thy mercy, think on me, And for thy goodness claim.
God good and how bright is The way he'll sin and show,
The way he'll sin and show,
The way he'll sin and show, The way he'll sin and show,
The whole mass of the Lord are truth and mercy sure
To those that do his covenant keep and testimonies due
May we join together in prayer. Let us pray.
Our Father in heaven, it is to you this day that we come
And it is to you that we give thanks. You are one that does not leave us.
You are one who is that loving fatherly figure whom we can call to
And in the distress of our souls you hear our cry
And when we don't know the path to walk upon you show us the way
So as we come and draw near to you
Individually and as a gathered people
May we know the blessing of being here
And may you pour down by the power of your spirit
The riches known in Christ Jesus
And how we can be forgiven of our sins
And that we may walk following his example
A sure path to walk upon
And we pray for each that is gathered here
From the youngest to the oldest
We pray for the young that will go through next door
We pray for those who will be leading them
Bless them as they gather together likewise
That they in their young lives may understand and grasp
The wonder and glory and beauty
Of the man Jesus that died on the cross for them
And following him and his ways, his word and his paths
Will lead them upon sure ground and level ways
And though it may be difficult as we grow older
And it is difficult to hold fast
To the confession that we make in Christ Jesus
You are there to uphold us and sustain us
And so it is in that place we come
Looking for your upholding grace and guidance
As we gather together
To offer our worship to you
May it be acceptable and pleasing in your eyes
And may you bless us as we gather in your name
So be with us we pray
Watch over us and guide us at hearts and minds
In this short time that we meet together
Asking the forgiveness and confession of our sins
In Jesus Christ's name, Amen
Just like to say a short word to the young ones
That are here gathered with us
Before you go through and those who will stay with us
On Friday I was at a wedding at the castle
And we were standing outside
Myself and Fiona
We were waiting for
I think it was the bridesmaids to come out
She was always waiting for the bridesmaids to get ready
And I was driving them
Just to make that clear
And you were standing outside
And Fiona looked up
And she said
I've never noticed that before
Above the front door of the castle
I wonder does anyone know
What is written
There's three words written
Above the door
The main door of the castle
Does any young ones know what it is?
I've seen any hands go up
I didn't know
But when you look above the main porch of the castle
It is there written
In the sandstone
It is heart and hand
That's what's written
Heart and hand
It turns out
That's the motto of James Matheson
The Adams
Don't understand what it means entirely
That's what he had
Heart and hand
And when you think about that
Heart and hand
We love things with our heart
And we do things with our hands
And the things that we love with our heart
Are the things that we do
We love playing football
And that's what we do
We use our feet
Don't use our hands for football
If you're playing games
You might love playing different games
And that's what you do
You use your hands
To play different games
But you're standing there
And you think
Well
I wonder
Why that man
Put that there
He built that great castle
And he put
Heart and hand
Above the front door
I was thinking
Well it's usually kings
That live in castles
It wasn't a king that lived in that castle
But usually it is kings
That live in castles
And the greatest king that ever lived
Had a heart and hand
To do
And his heart
And great love
That he had
Was for his people
And that great love
And that great heart
That he had for his people
Meant that he came
And he did
Something great
For all of the people
That he had
A love for
And what Christ's
Greatest love
And the greatest display
Of his heart
Towards the people
That he loved
Was that he died
On the cross
Jesus
Our king
Has a heart
Of love
And that he
Brought himself
To do
The greatest
Display
Of love
That any man
Can do
John 15
Is a verse
That says
No greater love
Has anyone
That he would
Die for them
Or give his life
For them
Jesus
Is a man
That has
That great
Love
For each of us
Every single one of us
And he is
Our king
And he
Has a heart
And hand
To do
Abundantly
Good
And loving
Things
For us
So when you go to the castle
Next time
Above the porch
Look right up
It's right above
On the wall
High up
It's his heart
And hand
And remember
The heart
That Jesus Christ
Has for you
And what he
Did
Because of that
Great love
That he has
May that be
Blessed to you
Let us say
The Lord's prayer
Together
Our Father
Which art in heaven
Hallowed
Be thy name
Thy kingdom
Come
Thy will be done
On earth
As it is in heaven
Give us this day
Our daily bread
And forgive us
Our debts
As we forgive
Our debtors
And lead us not
Into temptation
But deliver us
From evil
For thine
Is your kingdom
The power
And the glory
Forever
Amen
Well thank you all
For listening
Now we'll continue
In our praise
Of God
By singing
In Psalm
145
Of the Scottish
Psalter version
Again
Psalm 145
The first version
You'll find that
On page 442
Of the blue book
Page 442
At the very bottom
Of that page
Verse mark 8
Psalm 145
Verse mark 8
The Lord is very gracious
In whom
Compassions flow
In mercy
He is very great
And is to anger
Slow
The Lord
Jehovah
Unto all
His goodness
Doth declare
And over all
His other works
His tender
Mercies are
We'll sing
Down to verse
Mark 14
Thy kingdom
Shall forever
Stand
Thy reign
Through ages
All
God raises
All that are
Bowed down
And upholdeth
All that fall
We'll sing
These verses
To God's praise
From verse mark 8
Down to verse mark 14
We'll stand to sing
The Lord
Is very gracious
In whom
Compassions flow
The Lord
Is very gracious
In him
All Compassions flow
In mercy
Is very great
And is to honor
His love
The Lord
Behold
The Lord
Jehovah
Unto all
His goodness
I'll declare
And over all
His other words
His tender
Mercies are
The all
Thy works
Shall praise
O Lord
And in thy
Saints
Shall bless
They shall
Thy kingdom's
Glory show
Thy power
Thy speech
To make
The sons
Of men
To know
His acts
All nightly
And all
His kingdom
And all
His kingdom
Excellent
And all
His majesty
Thy kingdom
Shall
Johns
beaten
John
Try
Wake
language
Hung
wieder
upon earth all, upon.
We'll turn now to the Word of God,
and if we could turn to the Gospel of Matthew.
Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13.
And we'll read there from verse Mark 25.
The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13.
I'm reading from verse 25 down to the end of that chapter.
A passage that sets before us a number of parables
that speak about the kingdom of God.
May we hear God's Word.
Verse 24.
He put another parable before them, saying,
The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man
who sowed good seed in his field.
But while his men were sleeping,
the enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat
and went away.
So when the plants came up and bore grain,
then the weeds appeared also.
And the servants of the master of the house
came and said to him,
Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
How then does it have weeds?
He said to them,
An enemy has done this.
So the servants said to him,
Then do you want us to go and gather them?
But he said, No,
lest in gathering the weeds
you root up the wheat along with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest.
And at harvest time I will tell the reapers,
Gather the weeds first
and bind them in bundles to be burned.
But gather the wheat into my barn.
He put another parable before them saying,
The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed
that a man took and sowed in his field.
It is the smallest of all seeds,
but when it has grown it is larger
than all the garden plants
and becomes a tree
so that the birds of the air
come and make nests in its branches.
He told them another parable,
The kingdom of heaven is like leaven
that a woman took and hid
in three measures of flour
until it was all eleven.
All these things Jesus said
to the crowds in parables.
Indeed, he said nothing to them
without a parable.
This was to fulfill
what was spoken by the prophet.
I will open my mouth in parables.
I will utter what has been hidden
since the foundation of the world.
Then he left the crowds
and went into the house.
And his disciples came with him saying,
Explain to us the parable
of the weeds of the field.
He answered,
The one who sows good seed
is the son of man.
The field is the world
and the good seed
is the children of the kingdom.
The weeds are the sons
of the evil one
and the enemy who sowed them
is the devil.
The harvest is the clothes of the age
and the reapers are the angels.
Just as the weeds are gathered
and burned with fire,
so it will be at the close of the age.
The son of man
will send his angels
and they will gather
out of his kingdom
all causes of sin
and all lawbreakers
and throw them
into the fiery furnace.
In that place
there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.
Then the righteous
will shine like the sun
in the kingdom of their father.
He who has ears,
let him hear.
The kingdom of heaven
is like treasure
hidden in a field
which a man found
and covered up.
Then in his joy
he goes and sells
all that he has
and buys in that field.
Again,
the kingdom of heaven
is like a merchant
in search of fine pearls
who on finding one pearl
of great value
went and sold
all that he had
and bought it.
Again,
the kingdom of heaven
is like a net
that was thrown
into the sea
and gathered fish
of every kind.
When it was full
men drew it ashore
and sat down
and sorted the good
into containers
but threw away the bad.
So it will be
at the close of the age.
The angels will come out
and separate the evil
from the righteous
and throw them
into the fiery furnace.
In that place
there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.
Have you understood
all these things?
They said to him,
Yes.
And he said to them,
Therefore,
every scribe
who has been trained
for the kingdom of heaven
is like a master
of a house
who brings out
of his treasure
what is new
and what is old.
And when Jesus
had finished these parables
he went away from there
and coming to his hometown
he taught them
in their synagogue
so that they were astonished
and said,
Where did this man
get his wisdom
and these mighty works?
Is not this
the carpenter's son?
Is not this
mother called Mary?
And are not
his brothers
James and Joseph
and Simon and Judas?
And are not
all his sisters with us?
Where then
did this man
get all these things?
And they took
offence at him
but Jesus said to them,
A prophet
is not without honour
except in his hometown
and in his own household.
And he did not
do many mighty works there
because of their unbelief.
Amen.
May the reading of God's word
speak to us
and be blessed to us.
May we draw again
to God in prayer.
Let us pray.
Our Father in heaven,
we give thanks
for the words
that we have read
and words
that portray
the beauty
of your kingdom
of heaven,
the riches of it,
the outworking of it,
but also
set before us
a stark warning
that there will be
a separation
of the kingdoms
and that
there is a place
where we fear
and tremble at.
And Lord,
we pray
that we would hear
and understand
these things
this morning.
That you would speak
to the heart
of everyone
that is gathered here
and everyone
that is listening online.
That your word
would go with power
and a great effect
convincing
and converting
souls that lie
in sin
to see the folly
of their ways
and how
futile and vain
the things
of the world are
and the things
which our heart,
if we are honest,
hold on to.
But we are inclined
to seek after
the riches
of this world.
We are inclined
to love them.
We are inclined
to set our hands
upon them.
But Lord,
set us apart
this morning
as your people.
People
adhere
of the
measurable
riches
of Christ Jesus
and what
the kingdom
that is prepared
for those
that believe
in him.
We pray
and thank you
for what you
have done
for us.
Things that are
inconceivable
in our minds
and understanding
yet such
is revealed
so that we
are not
ignorant
of it.
That we
may set
our hearts
towards you
and draw
near to you
and hold
fast
to you
confessing
our trust
and belief
in all
that Christ
has done
for us.
And it is
nothing of
ourselves
that we
bring
but it is
to the
glory of
God
and that
we glorify
God
as we
come
and worship
you.
May your
spirit
be active
amongst us
as the wind
that pathes
over the land
and we see
the trees
blow.
May it
have the
effect in our
hearts
that sways
us towards
you and
inclines us
in your
direction
and paths
that should be
followed that
are sure
and steady.
Lord,
we pray
that your
spirit would
come with
power today
in the
gatherings of
your people
and across
our nation
and the
proclamation
of your word
may be
faithful
by your
servants
to reveal
treasures of
old and
treasures that
are new
and reveal
the kingdom
of heaven
that has
been prepared
for the
people.
May we
seek after
this kingdom
the riches
of it
to be a
part of
it
that we
would be
welcomed
into it
we would
respond
to the
call
that is
set before
each of us
this morning
to come
unto Christ
to set
aside
the loves
and the
desires
of our
heart
to forsake
all other
loves
and cling
to him
we pray
that the
beauty of
Christ
would be
revealed
across our
nation
and that
we as a
nation
would not
leave
this great
treasure
forgotten
but that
we would
uplift it
and elevate
it and
share in
its riches
those that
seek and
find joy
in it
and others
can likewise
do so
we pray
for our
nation
and we pray
for those
who rule
us and
govern us
that they
may seek
after your
wisdom
and that
they may
read your
word
and come
under the
means of
your grace
and may
know the
grace
and love
of the
Lord Jesus
Christ
and that
they would
be people
to lead
us in
your ways
and direct
us in
your paths
as they
themselves
look unto
you and
keep their
focus upon
Christ
we pray
and ask
these things
and it
seems such
a great
ask
but you
are a
great God
who answers
people's
prayer
may we
as a
people
pray
great
things
holding
with great
expectation
that you
can do
them
faithfully
holding
on to
your
promises
faithfully
holding
on to
your
kingdom
Lord we
pray this
day
for those
those who
are in
turmoil
of heart
those
who are
uncertain
of what
lies ahead
the hearts
of many
gathered even
in this
building and
listening online
so vast
they are
but you
know every
one of
them
you know
the hairs
upon their
heads
and we
ask that you
would meet
us at our
needs
that we
would come
to you
us that
fatherly
figure who
knows what
is best
for us
confessing
the cries
of our
hearts
and the
groanings
of our
own
spirit
we pray
that you
would be
an aid
and a
strength
to those
who are
in need
those
who are
laid
aside
those
who do
not have
strength
of body
we pray
that you
would give
them strength
of mind
and soul
pray for
those that
look after
them
pray for
those also
who are
mourning the
loss of
loved ones
we pray
that you
would be
their comfort
and guide
pray the
memory of
those who
they have
lost
be blessed
to them
and that
the memories
that do not
part from
us
but leave
scars in
our hearts
bind them
in your
love we
pray and
uphold them
by your
hands
we just
ask that
you would
bless
the works
of our
church
and all
that we
do
here
locally
and
in our
nation
we pray
that you
would bless
every effort
that we put
our hands
to
that it
would be
for your
glory
we remember
the work
of the
camps
we pray
your special
blessing
upon them
and the
young that
gather
they
that they
may
leave
that place
that has
been set
aside
and see
what it
means to
be a
Christian
what it
means to
trust in
Christ
what it
means to
follow your
path
to go in
your ways
we pray
for the
young of
our
nation
and so
we just
ask as we
gather here
in your
name
that you
would be
pleased to
bless us
speak to
us we
pray
open our
eyes to
see
the ears
so we
may
understand
set our
minds upon
your word
without
distraction
keep the
evil one
from us
keep the
evil one
from the
seeds
sprouting
within
our
hearts
and yet
just
ask
and come
to you
confessing
all our
sins
and our
knowledge
that we
have drawn
away from
you so
often in
our lives
that you
are so
kind and
loving to
welcome and
to call us
back and
to redeem
us as your
people so
be with us
we pray
watch over
us guide
us and
keep us
in Jesus
name
amen
we'll
continue in
praise by
singing in
psalm 84
find out on
page 338
of the
blue book
sing from
the beginning
of that
psalm
scottish
psalter
version
familiar
words to
us
how lovely
is thy
dwelling
place
o lord
of hosts
to me
the
tabernacles
of thy
grace
how pleasant
lord they
be
we'll sing
from verse
and if we
could just
sing down
to the
3b
the end
of 3b
even
thine own
altar
where she
is safe
a young
one's
forth may
bring
o thou
almighty
lord of
hosts
who art
my god
and king
will just
sing down
to that
verse
there
3b
let us
praise god
and stand
and sing
this
together
how lovely
is thy
dwelling
place
how lovely
is thy
dwelling
place
o lord
of hosts
to me
the
tabernacles
of thy
grace
how
blessed
lord
may be
my
thirst
is
so
long
dim
and
he
gave
his
thy
court
scurge
my
very
heart
and
flesh
triumph
some
yang
h
and
The soul who also for herself hath purchased in Thine rest.
In Thine own altar, where she's saved, Thy young ones for favoring.
O Thou Almighty, Lord of hosts, who art my God and King.
If you turn back with me to the passage that we read together in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13.
And here in this passage is set before us images that explain and show forth the kingdom of heaven.
And we don't have time to dwell on the whole passage or every image that is set here.
So what I would like to do is take the smaller of these images and set aside the parable of the weeds,
if it is titled such in your Bible.
We'll take the mustard seeds and the leaven.
We'll take the treasure and the pearl.
And we'll take the parable of the net.
And we'll put these together, these five short Bible similes that show us what the kingdom of heaven is like.
And now if you are there listening to Jesus speaking these words,
I'm sure we'd all be excited to hear what he was going to say when he said the kingdom of heaven is like.
But we're not presented for the image as we might expect.
He does not describe a place.
When we describe for someone as some place as like,
if you were to describe this church, you'd say, well, it's full.
It's got wooden pews.
It's got a red carpet.
It's got blue walls and a pink ceiling.
And you may not quite have the image that is before you.
But the images that is presented by Christ here, they're kind of obscure.
They don't tell us really what the kingdom of heaven is like as a place.
It's not John's revelations that we have before us.
And yet it is an interesting point that we ask, well, why has he not explained it like that?
Why has he not explained the kingdom of heaven as a place?
It seems like there's more to it.
Does he mean, well, what does he mean when he speaks of the kingdom of heaven?
Initially we think, well, it's heaven in the heavenly realm.
But is it that or is it something else?
Funnily enough, when you read through these things, we get very little of what heaven is like as a place.
And we actually hear more of what hell is like as a place.
But as we look at these few parables and we put them together,
we must primarily keep in mind that they are all representing the kingdom of heaven.
What does a kingdom consist of in its most basic form?
Well, usually you have a king or a royal seat, a leader as such.
And the kingdom is of a certain territory, a certain area.
It is a place where the king sets out certain rules, certain ways in which the people are to live.
But the essence of the kingdom really is the people.
The people are the strength of the kingdom.
The people who abide by the rules of the king are the completing of the kingdom.
The kingdom of heaven has Christ as its king.
And these parables reveal the outworking of that kingdom.
And the coming of that kingdom, as we pray together in the Lord's Prayer.
Thy kingdom come.
The kingdom of heaven, then, is there not a descriptive sense of what the place is like.
But how this kingdom is outworked and the privileges that contribute to the gathering of the people of this kingdom.
That great effect that the gospel has upon the people.
And the spiritual outworking of that effect of the people that are set aside to be gathered into the kingdom of heaven.
By the work of the gospel.
And the effectual application of that Holy Spirit.
You see, the kingdom of heaven, it has a king.
We said that.
It has king.
Christ is its king.
It has a kingly order.
And means by which the king sets out for the people to live by.
We have that in the word of God.
And there is a place set aside that the king has set aside for the people.
All these things are in place already.
It is just the people that need to be gathered into the kingdom of heaven.
All those who are Christ's are the kings.
The Christian is a son of the king.
And a partaker of that kingdom of heaven.
Each of us are receivers of the kingdom of heaven.
If we believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And it is hard to get our head around these things.
And hard to grasp these things.
But we have before us these images.
That likens it to something else.
That aids our understanding of it.
And we'll fittingly pair them together.
Although we have five.
The last one, the parable of the net.
There are really two divisions in it.
A parable of the mustard seed.
And the leaven.
Can be paired together.
To give us a title of two sizes.
And the following images of the treasure and the pearl.
Sets before us two treasures.
And finally the parable of the net.
Sets before us two gatherings.
Or two separations that are made.
So we have here set before us.
As the kingdom of heaven.
Two sizes.
Two treasures.
And two gatherings.
So we begin with the two sizes.
We look at the grain.
The grain of mustard seed.
And the leaven.
If you look at that section there.
From verse 31.
These two pictures present a great contrast.
And a great impact.
That this kingdom will make.
The mustard seed was a fairly small seed.
About one or two millimeters.
And it would grow into this tree.
That I believe would grow to three or four meters.
As the small quantity of leaven.
That we worked into the dough.
Would have the significance.
Of impacting the whole amount.
And change and convert.
The dough in its entirety.
The seed.
In the first instance.
Is so small and insignificant.
That it could be dismissed.
As invaluable.
If you did not know.
What it was.
Something that could be easily rejected.
But the seed.
In its nature.
Is something.
That grows.
As is.
The kingdom.
The kingdom of heaven.
And it becomes.
The greatest.
Within the whole.
Garden.
The kingdom of heaven.
Becomes the greatest kingdom.
That we could know.
And becomes that safe refuge.
Where the birds of the air.
Take home.
In its branches.
As we sung.
There in Psalm 40.
Of the bird.
That rests.
In the security.
Of the dwelling place.
Of the kingdom.
Such is the kingdom.
Of heaven.
In some man's eyes.
That it is so small.
And insignificant.
The person of Christ.
The word of God.
So despised.
By many.
And rejected.
As being worthless.
And has been trampled upon.
Throughout the ages.
And yet.
The seed of the gospel.
Is a seed.
Which by its nature.
Grows.
Many have viewed it.
As insignificant.
Even those.
In whom that seed.
Has been planted.
And the growth.
That comes with.
The strength.
Of that kinder.
What is weak.
Before men.
Is strong.
And some of the most unlikely.
Seeds.
Have sprouted.
In lives.
The gospel.
Has taken root.
The kingdom.
Of heaven.
Has welcomed.
The most.
Surprising.
People.
In our eyes.
But they are great.
In God's eyes.
And also.
When we speak.
Of Christ.
He was a stone.
That was rejected.
By men.
But he has become.
The corner stone.
Christ.
When he lived.
Was seen as such an insignificant.
Man.
Such an insignificant.
Seed.
But from that.
Seed.
And the apostles.
The few.
The little.
The weak.
That went out.
A great kingdom.
Has come.
A great kingdom.
That is secure.
A great kingdom.
That we ourselves.
Have come.
To rest in.
That seed.
That was.
Ready.
Christ.
That people.
Were ready.
To throw on the rubbish heap.
When he was crucified.
Two men.
Took that.
Body.
And it's as if.
They planted it.
That seed.
And that.
Seed.
The most amazing.
And greatest.
Of all.
Seeds.
That could ever be planted.
That kingdom.
That has come.
From.
Christ.
Also.
Despised.
By men.
Has become.
The greatest.
Of all.
Kingdoms.
Likewise.
The leaven.
The woman.
Took her leaven.
And hides it.
In great quantity.
Of flour.
And dough.
Until the whole.
Mixture.
Is leavened.
And the quantity.
Is said.
To be here.
Enough bread.
To feed.
A hundred people.
The three measure.
It's an abundant.
Amount.
Of dough.
And the sour dough.
The leaven.
I believe.
They would keep.
Keep it aside.
And they would tear.
A bit of it.
And mix it in.
With the dough.
I'm not.
A hundred percent.
Sure on it.
But they would mix it in.
With the dough.
And thus.
That fermented flour.
Would work.
Silently.
Throughout the whole dough.
Changing it into.
A dough.
That would rise.
Into bread.
When baked.
It gives us.
An image.
Of something.
Silent.
Working.
Underneath the skin.
An unstoppable.
Food.
That converts.
The whole mixture.
The kingdom of God.
Works in such a way.
To grow.
To change.
In size.
To gather.
The people.
To draw them in.
And change.
And even.
To change.
Ourselves.
The dough.
The fleaven.
That is.
Mixed in.
With our heart.
Changes us.
Slowly.
And works.
Within us.
That kingdom.
To filter.
Into.
Every.
Extremity.
Of our lives.
That we may.
Reflect.
His.
Glory.
It is.
In each of us.
But.
Who is it.
That needs.
That.
Into.
Our hearts.
It's as if.
Christ's hands.
Are needing it.
Into.
Our being.
And into.
The church.
You could extend.
That.
From ourselves.
Into the church.
And the strength.
Of that.
Kingdom.
Has been mixed in.
And needed in.
And the needing.
May.
Unsettle us.
In our lives.
The uncertainty.
Of our lives.
As Christ.
Outworks.
That kingdom.
In it.
We're left.
Confused.
Of.
Why.
He does.
Such a thing.
And why.
He outworks it.
In such a manner.
But it is so.
That the whole.
Of us.
And the whole.
Of the church.
Will be affected.
By the strength.
Of that kingdom.
He changes.
Our whole being.
He knows best.
He is the loving.
Father.
And we have comfort.
In the uncertainties.
Of life.
And the things.
That turn us.
Upside down.
That it is the hands.
Of God.
That are doing it.
And it will.
Come.
To be the greatest.
Of all things.
So let us turn.
To the two.
Treasures.
From verse 44.
To 46.
We have two treasures.
Set before us there.
Treasures that are of immense value.
Treasures.
That have been found.
And sought out.
The man who dug.
The field.
Seems to give the impression.
That he stumbles across it.
So it was common then.
To bury your treasure.
There was no banks.
To store your valuables.
And it has become.
A forgotten treasure.
By the one who buried it.
The man who dug.
Seems to be surprised.
By its find.
And what a find.
He instantly.
He recognizes.
The value.
Of this treasure.
He knows.
What it is.
And so.
Sets himself.
To sell everything.
That he has.
In order to gain it.
And only by the purchase.
Of the field.
Can he attain.
The treasure.
And say that the treasure.
Is hers.
Of everything.
That he gave.
It is incomparable.
To the treasure.
That is set before.
Such is the kingdom of heaven.
He is full of joy.
At his find.
And by the eternal providence.
Of God.
Some stumble.
Across it.
By surprise.
The power of the gospel.
Is revealed to men.
And women.
By surprise.
Surprise.
And they realize it.
And they grasp it.
And they say.
How was I not told this before?
And they become receivers.
Of the greatest riches.
And treasures.
That they have.
In knowledge.
Righteousness.
Wisdom.
Peace.
And joy.
The gospel is.
The revealed.
Spiritual.
Treasure.
And people.
Who see it.
And know it.
And understand it.
Are possessed.
The treasures.
Of great things.
Supposing.
They forsake.
All other treasures.
That they have.
Some.
It is true.
It is revealed to them.
And it is a surprise.
To them.
That the gospel.
Is such.
But to others.
They seek it out.
With diligence.
And it is much like.
The man.
The pearl.
The merchant.
Who found.
That pearl.
He worked.
With pearls.
He knew.
The value.
Of the pearls.
He had a treasure.
He knew.
The treasure.
Of them.
But there comes.
To him.
One.
Immeasurable.
One.
Greater.
One.
That he forsakes.
All other pearls.
In order.
To gain it.
And I suppose.
We could say.
That it is like.
The man.
Who wants.
To live.
His life.
Well.
And has a multiple.
Of good qualities.
And good pearls.
In his life.
And while they may be.
Admired by others.
And all that he has done.
And all that he has gained.
And all that he has worked for.
He is always dealing.
Back and forth.
With these qualities.
To find his satisfaction.
But never quite.
Gains it.
Until.
He understands.
The gospel.
Until the kingdom.
Of heaven.
Is set before him.
And then all his desires.
Are met.
In this kingdom.
Are met.
In Christ Jesus.
Like the man.
That we found.
This great pearl.
Casts aside.
All other treasures.
As worthless.
To invest.
In this one pearl.
And in this.
He invests.
This is the great treasure.
Set before him.
He knows.
It's value.
He understands.
What is set.
Before.
He knows.
There's no other pearl.
Like the kingdom.
Of heaven.
Do we.
Understand that.
Do we.
Have our.
Desires.
Satisfied.
Like what is set.
Before us.
In the kingdom.
Of heaven.
The man.
Would have secured.
His inheritance.
Selling all.
That he had.
And placed it all.
In this pearl.
Are we.
Such people.
That forsake.
All worldly.
Inheritances.
To receive.
The kingdom.
Of God.
What would it mean.
For you.
To set.
To sell everything.
To gain.
Christ.
If you added up.
The treasures.
And accumulation.
Of your life.
What value.
Does it come to.
Is it enough.
To sell.
To forsake.
The riches.
Of this world.
To receive.
The heavenly.
Kingdom.
Does the kingdom.
Of heaven.
Have such a value.
To you.
More than these things.
And it's not really.
As to us.
To sell everything.
That we have.
In measure.
I suppose.
It does.
But not.
Entirely.
Everything.
Physically.
Materially.
It asks for that heart.
Of first place.
And that if we have.
That heart.
That forsakes all other.
Loves.
And treasures.
That our heart.
Inclines itself to.
In this world.
And we place our hearts.
And our lives.
Entirely.
Upon what is set.
Before you.
In the kingdom of heaven.
What Christ.
Has done.
For you.
It is that image.
Of the heart.
And the hand.
That I said.
To the kids.
That at heart.
Knows.
And understands.
This love.
Forsaking.
All other loves.
And the resulting.
Thing.
Is that at hand.
Is set to do.
And react.
To how that.
Love.
Is implanted.
In our hearts.
So the man here.
Who knows.
And loves.
This pearl.
Forsakes all.
To gain.
What he has.
The two treasures.
Let us look at the two.
Gatherings.
Very briefly.
In the night.
The parable of the night.
Sets before us.
A kingdom.
That gathers.
A kingdom.
That sifts.
All that is good.
And all that is bad.
And it is.
A simple picture.
Maybe simpler.
And more common.
To many of you.
Who are fishermen.
You keep.
What is worth.
And you throw away.
What is worthless.
And it is compared.
To the gathering.
Of the church.
And to the gathering.
Of eternity.
And the judgment.
Ultimately.
Of all men.
The good.
Are safe.
And the evil.
Are cast aside.
And it really needs.
Little of my explanation.
To set before you.
What the kingdom.
Of heaven means.
There are.
Two gatherings.
In this parable.
You can see.
That like a net.
It was thrown out.
Into the sea.
And gathered.
The fish.
Of every kind.
And while it was full.
The men drew it ashore.
And sat down.
And sorted it.
Into containers.
But threw away.
The bad.
There is first.
The gathering.
Of all that was in the sea.
And then.
The gathering.
Of the good.
Likewise.
There are separations.
Equally represented.
By each.
The first.
The net.
Into the sea.
It's like the gathering.
Of the.
People of God.
The gathering.
Of this worldly.
Church.
And it is.
The kingdom.
The king's.
Call.
To everyone.
Today.
Christ's.
Call.
To each of us.
To come.
Into.
The body.
Of the church.
To understand.
And to gain.
Understanding.
To grow.
In wisdom.
Knowledge.
Righteousness.
Peace.
And joy.
But there is a second.
That.
That gathering.
Is made of.
So many.
Varied.
Fish.
Varied.
People.
And there are such.
Amongst it.
That have used.
The church.
For their own.
Satisfactions.
And gratifying.
The evils.
Of their hearts.
Though they are.
Within the body.
But they will be.
Separated.
The good.
Will be gathered.
The evil.
Will be gathered.
Together.
And it is the divine hands.
That will sift.
Such.
The good.
And the bad.
To bring.
Into completion.
The kingdom.
Of heaven.
To gather.
The people.
That has been outworked.
And ultimately.
These divine hands.
At the.
Close of time.
Will gather.
The kingdom.
Of heaven.
Together.
May your kingdom.
Come.
The kingdom.
Of heaven.
Is set.
Before you.
Today.
Do not.
Despise it.
It is.
Within it.
The greatest.
Hope.
That you can have.
And the greatest.
Treasure.
That you could know.
And the greatest.
Security.
For your life.
Have you received.
This kingdom.
Are you part of this kingdom.
Have you understood.
What has been set.
Before you.
Do you see.
The value.
Of the kingdom.
Of heaven.
It is.
To ask ourselves.
To whom.
Will we be gathered.
To where.
Shall we be gathered.
From what.
Shall we be separated.
From.
Are we with the Lord's people.
Are we in the Lord's place.
In the Lord's ways.
And under the Lord's command.
The kingdom of heaven.
Is at work.
Today.
To gather its citizens.
The small.
And the weak.
Shall be great.
The kingdom of heaven.
The forgotten.
Treasure.
Becomes.
The greatest.
To those who know it.
And to those who find it.
And as they find it.
They receive.
The greatest.
Joy.
In Christ.
Jesus.
The kingdom.
Of heaven.
It's a kingdom.
That gathers.
And separates.
Under the divine.
Authority.
To whom.
Are we gathered.
Pray these thoughts.
Be blessed to us.
This morning.
We'll conclude.
In praise of God.
By.
Singing in Psalm 72.
Scottish Psalter.
Version again.
Page 314.
Concluding words of Psalm 72.
Page 314.
Midway through.
Verse 16.
Familiar words again.
And the blessing of the kingdom.
That'll come.
The city shall be flourishing.
Her citizens abound.
A number shall like to the grass.
That grows upon the ground.
His name forever shall endure.
Last like the sun it shall.
And shall be blessed in him.
And blessed.
All nason shall him call.
Now blessed be the Lord our God.
The God of Israel.
For he alone does wondrous works.
In glory that excel.
And blessed be his glorious name.
To all eternity.
The whole earth let his glory fill.
Amen.
So let it be.
Let us stand together.
And sing these words.
The city shall be flourishing.
Our citizens abound.
In number shall lie to the grass.
That grows upon the ground.
It's him forever shall endure.
Thus like the sun it shall.
Men shall be blessed.
In heaven and blessed.
All nations shall be born.
Now blessed be the Lord our God.
And God of Israel.
For he alone does wondrous works.
In glory that excel.
And blessed be his glorious name.
To all eternity.
The whole earth let his glory fill.
Amen.
So let it be.
Close with a word of prayer.
Our Father in heaven, help us to understand these things that we have set our mind to this morning.
And as we part, we pray your blessing upon us.
That we may be received into the kingdom of heaven.
And know through Christ Jesus the security of such a blessing.
And the immeasurable riches of such a place.
May we set our hearts upon you.
And be changed to our heart.
And the love of Christ Jesus that dwells within the believer.
Be with us as we part.
Go forth and go with us.
Be with us in the service in the evening.
We ask God willing.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
Look when you see them.
Good.
I think the love's Dennling.
Amen.