WEBVTT

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 We're going to begin our worship by singing to God's praise.

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 We're going to sing in Psalm 95 in the Scottish Psalter.

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 Psalm 95, page 357.

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 We're going to sing from verse 1 to 6, and the tune is Gainsborough.

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 O come, let us sing to the Lord.

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 Come, let us, everyone, a joyful noise make to the rock of our salvation.

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 We'll sing from verse 1 to 6 to God's praise.

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 O come, let us sing to the Lord.

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 Come, let us, everyone, a joyful noise make to the rock of our salvation.

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 Let us sing for His presence.

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 Come, let us sing to Him with grace and make a joyful noise.

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 For God, the great God and great King, above all gods He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 He is.

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 the sin did me.

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 Let my hand also

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 from his hands

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 its form at first

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 dictate.

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 O come and let us

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 worship him

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 let us bow down

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 with hope

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 and on our knees

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 before the Lord

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 our maker

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 let us fall.

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 Let's bow our heads together

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 in a word of prayer

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 let us pray.

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 Lord our gracious God

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 as we bow before you

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 as we come

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 before you as a people

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 who know the sin of our hearts

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 we know Lord

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 the wickedness that there is

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 within us

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 we know unworthy

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 how unworthy we are

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 of any of your mercies

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 and yet we still come

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 before you thankful

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 that the way

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 is open for us

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 that the way we come

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 is not through our own merits

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 or our own worthiness

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 but through

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 the worthiness of the lamb

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 that was slain.

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 And we thank you that

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 the words that we

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 have sung remind us

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 of how worthy

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 you are of all our praise.

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 as you invite us

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 to come and sing

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 to the Lord

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 with the voices

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 that you have given

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 to us.

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 Lord we know

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 that our voices

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 are so often

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 can be used

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 against you

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 and against others

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 and against

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 your cause

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 in so many ways

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 but we thank you

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 for the way

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 that you put a new song

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 in our mouth

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 a song that

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 gives praise

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 to you

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 a song to magnify

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 and glorify

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 your name.

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 And so we pray Lord

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 that together

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 as we worship

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 this evening

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 as we give praise

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 to you

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 as we give thanks

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 to you

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 as we come

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 seeking forgiveness

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 for all our sin

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 as we come

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 seeking your help

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 in so many

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 different situations

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 and circumstances

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 going on

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 within us

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 or around us

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 we thank you

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 that you are a God

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 who hears

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 a God who is able

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 to answer

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 our prayers

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 and to answer them

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 so much

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 with so much more

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 than we can ask

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 or imagine

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 and Lord

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 we are dependent

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 upon you

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 even as we have

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 sung of the wonder

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 of your power

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 of creation

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 that you are the one

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 who made the depths

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 of the earth

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 and the strength

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 of the hills

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 the spacious seas

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 that belong to you

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 for you did make them

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 and even the lands

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 that are around us

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 Lord

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 you say

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 that they took their form

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 from your hand

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 at first

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 and although we see

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 the mark of mankind

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 in so many ways

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 how we have

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 altered the creation

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 and built our own kingdoms

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 built up things

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 for ourselves

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 we thank you

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 that there is no kingdom

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 mightier than yours

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 that there is no power

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 greater than yours

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 that there is no authority

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 over yours

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 and we thank you

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 that in all things

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 as we come

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 dependent upon you

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 that you are one

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 who is mighty

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 in all ways

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 you are the rock

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 of our salvation

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 you are the one

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 who is able

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 to give us salvation

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 for you are provided

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 for us in every way

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 as we have reflected

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 already today

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 on the wonder

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 of the death

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 of Jesus

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 and the resurrection

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 and the wonder

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 of the power

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 that there is

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 in that

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 and the reminder

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 too that there is

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 that he will come again

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 for that final resurrection

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 and call each of us

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 to himself

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 to give account

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 for all that we have done

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 in this life

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 whether for good

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 or for evil

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 we thank you

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 for those who are in Christ

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 it is a day

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 when we will rejoice

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 a day when we will see

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 him as he is

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 and it is hard

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 for us to imagine

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 what that will be like

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 for even as your word says

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 we but see

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 through a glass

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 dimly at this time

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 our vision is so blurred

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 in so many ways

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 but we thank you

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 that we look forward

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 to a day

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 when we will see clearly

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 we will see the lamb

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 the Lord Jesus

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 we will see him

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 in glory

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 and so Lord

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 we pray

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 to know more of you

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 to understand you better

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 to come

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 and to acknowledge

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 our dependence

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 and need upon you

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 and to

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 to even cry out

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 to you anew

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 to have mercy upon us

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 and to have mercy upon

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 all around us

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 and this world

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 in which we live

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 and all its different needs

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 we see the weakness

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 and frailty

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 of our being

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 in so many different ways

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 we see it in illness

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 we see it in wars

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 and conflicts

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 of different kinds

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 we see it

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 in famine

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 and natural disasters

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 we see it

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 when we are overwhelmed

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 by the powers

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 of this world

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 and yet we thank you

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 that as Jesus

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 came into this world

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 he reminded us

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 that he has power

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 over all things

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 even to the wind

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 and to the waves

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 to say peace

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 be still

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 and help us Lord

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 to at this time

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 call upon you

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 in that way

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 that you will help us

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 to be still

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 even at this time

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 to be still before you

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 as a holy God

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 to be still before you

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 as a people

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 waiting upon you

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 as we approach

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 your word Lord

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 may we come

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 prayerfully

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 and looking to you

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 to speak

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 that we might have ears

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 to hear what you would say

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 as again we are reminded

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 of your word

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 and its power

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 and yet

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 how many

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 ignore it

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 and belittle it

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 in so many ways

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 but we thank you

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 for your spirit

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 that is able

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 to convict

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 and to convert

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 we thank you

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 for the power

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 of the spirit

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 to apply your word

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 to each and every one of us

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 in all our different needs

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 to build us up

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 to encourage us

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 to rebuke us

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 whatever it is Lord

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 whatever experience

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 we are going through

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 you know our needs

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 for we call upon you

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 as our father in heaven

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 and as your children Lord

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 you know everything

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 nothing hidden from you

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 nothing that we can hide

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 in our hearts

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 for it is all revealed

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 to you already

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 even the words

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 that we speak Lord

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 they are known to you

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 before we open our mouths

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 and so Lord

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 we thank you

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 that you are near

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 and that you are with us

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 we pray your blessing

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 over us as a people

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 as we go on

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 in the week ahead

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 Lord

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 watch over us

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 be with us

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 be our shepherd

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 be our guide

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 lead us in the right paths

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 lead us according

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 to your word

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 and to your truth

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 and above all Lord

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 may we know

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 that wonder

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 of your presence

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 as we go on

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 in this life

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 and in its journey

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 for us

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 we do commit ourselves

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 and all our different needs

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 Lord

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 and giving thanks to you

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 for your goodness

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 to us

00:09:52.199 --> 00:09:53.459
 even in this past week

00:09:53.459 --> 00:09:55.259
 we thank you for

00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:57.059
 the carry night

00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:58.099
 on Friday evening

00:09:58.099 --> 00:10:00.159
 and for the joy

00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:01.259
 of being gathered together

00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:02.259
 there in fellowship

00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:02.839
 and under

00:10:02.839 --> 00:10:04.779
 the banner of your name

00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:06.579
 being gathered together

00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:08.420
 to give thanks to you

00:10:08.420 --> 00:10:09.180
 for the works

00:10:09.180 --> 00:10:10.460
 of the camps

00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:11.480
 over many years

00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:12.240
 and to hear

00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:14.600
 Hannah speaking about it

00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:14.860
 Lord

00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:15.800
 so encouraging

00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:17.180
 as a camper

00:10:17.180 --> 00:10:18.120
 and now as a leader

00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:20.320
 we see the amazing work

00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:21.080
 that has been done

00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:23.320
 over nearly 65 years

00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:23.660
 now

00:10:23.660 --> 00:10:25.300
 through the free church camps

00:10:25.300 --> 00:10:26.900
 and we give you thanks

00:10:26.900 --> 00:10:27.820
 for all who have

00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:29.300
 been so touched

00:10:29.300 --> 00:10:29.960
 by them

00:10:29.960 --> 00:10:31.420
 for the way your gospel

00:10:31.420 --> 00:10:32.140
 has gone out

00:10:32.140 --> 00:10:33.400
 to so many people

00:10:33.400 --> 00:10:34.440
 over these years

00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:35.920
 and changed

00:10:35.920 --> 00:10:36.640
 and transformed

00:10:36.640 --> 00:10:37.640
 so many lives

00:10:37.640 --> 00:10:38.740
 and we pray

00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:39.380
 your blessing

00:10:39.380 --> 00:10:40.140
 and encouragement

00:10:40.140 --> 00:10:40.960
 in the camps

00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:42.620
 for this coming year

00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:43.140
 as well

00:10:43.140 --> 00:10:44.200
 as all the preparations

00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:44.880
 are made

00:10:44.880 --> 00:10:46.580
 and as all is done

00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.820
 prayerfully

00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:48.980
 and practically

00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:50.140
 to make things ready

00:10:50.140 --> 00:10:50.400
 Lord

00:10:50.400 --> 00:10:51.420
 we pray for help

00:10:51.420 --> 00:10:52.140
 and encouragement

00:10:52.140 --> 00:10:52.840
 to leaders

00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:53.580
 to cooks

00:10:53.580 --> 00:10:54.960
 and to campers

00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:55.520
 as well

00:10:55.520 --> 00:10:56.640
 we thank you

00:10:56.640 --> 00:10:57.600
 for those who are going

00:10:57.600 --> 00:10:58.900
 from our own number here

00:10:58.900 --> 00:11:00.060
 both as campers

00:11:00.060 --> 00:11:00.660
 and leaders

00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:01.860
 and we ask

00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:02.820
 that you would bless

00:11:02.820 --> 00:11:03.820
 them in that time

00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:04.420
 and bless them

00:11:04.420 --> 00:11:05.100
 even as they think

00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:05.720
 about going

00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:06.980
 and look forward

00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:07.760
 to it Lord

00:11:07.760 --> 00:11:09.400
 may they be encouraged

00:11:09.400 --> 00:11:10.200
 and built up

00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:10.720
 through it

00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:12.760
 we thank you too Lord

00:11:12.760 --> 00:11:14.720
 for the ministry

00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:15.420
 of the gospel

00:11:15.420 --> 00:11:17.420
 throughout our islands

00:11:17.420 --> 00:11:17.860
 here

00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:18.440
 we thank you

00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:19.520
 for the encouragements

00:11:19.520 --> 00:11:20.780
 of communion seasons

00:11:20.780 --> 00:11:22.600
 and for the joy

00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:24.100
 of your word

00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:24.879
 being blessed

00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.320
 and your power

00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:27.040
 being seen

00:11:27.040 --> 00:11:28.100
 in the saving

00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:28.840
 of people

00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:30.040
 we thank you

00:11:30.040 --> 00:11:30.840
 for the encouragement

00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:31.800
 of new members

00:11:31.800 --> 00:11:32.760
 in so many different

00:11:32.760 --> 00:11:33.660
 congregations

00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:34.959
 and we pray

00:11:34.959 --> 00:11:35.259
 Lord

00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:36.719
 that even going forward

00:11:36.719 --> 00:11:37.399
 we will hear

00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:38.079
 and know more

00:11:38.079 --> 00:11:39.519
 of that joy

00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.439
 of salvation

00:11:40.439 --> 00:11:42.500
 thankful for the rejoicing

00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:42.939
 in heaven

00:11:42.939 --> 00:11:43.899
 over one sinner

00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:44.779
 who repents

00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.799
 and may we rejoice

00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:47.539
 with those who rejoice

00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:48.719
 even in these ways

00:11:48.719 --> 00:11:50.219
 we pray your blessing

00:11:50.219 --> 00:11:50.839
 on the communion

00:11:50.839 --> 00:11:51.659
 in Garibus

00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:52.839
 this coming weekend

00:11:52.839 --> 00:11:55.339
 be with Reverend Hugh Ferrier

00:11:55.339 --> 00:11:56.620
 as he ministers there

00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:58.220
 and be with the congregation

00:11:58.220 --> 00:11:58.939
 as a whole

00:11:58.939 --> 00:11:59.299
 Lord

00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:00.980
 bind them together

00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:01.600
 in the bonds

00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.340
 of your love

00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:03.159
 under the banner

00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:04.159
 of your truth

00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:05.680
 we pray Lord

00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:06.440
 too for

00:12:06.440 --> 00:12:08.360
 our nation

00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:09.060
 as a whole

00:12:09.060 --> 00:12:09.860
 we pray for

00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:11.540
 all the different needs

00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:12.860
 we see surrounding us

00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:14.220
 we know Lord

00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:14.879
 there are many

00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:16.779
 but none are hidden

00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.379
 from you

00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:18.100
 and so Lord

00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:19.259
 hear the praying

00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:20.620
 people that you have

00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:21.800
 throughout all corners

00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:22.639
 of our land

00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:24.220
 and to the far ends

00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:24.980
 of the earth

00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:25.639
 we thank you

00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.120
 that you have

00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:26.860
 your people

00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.379
 and even today

00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:29.019
 as a day

00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:30.399
 when your word

00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:31.360
 is heard

00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.220
 and read

00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:33.740
 and maybe

00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:34.439
 at other times

00:12:34.439 --> 00:12:35.580
 when it's

00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:36.600
 for many people

00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:37.399
 not heard

00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:39.039
 the rest of the year

00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:39.840
 apart from maybe

00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:41.200
 occasionally Christmas

00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:42.360
 and Easter

00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:44.059
 we thank you Lord

00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:44.779
 for the power

00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.419
 of your word

00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.080
 and we pray

00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:47.299
 that to all ends

00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:48.259
 of the earth today

00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:49.379
 you will bless it

00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:50.559
 in the preaching

00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:50.960
 of it

00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:51.659
 and the proclamation

00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.259
 of it

00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.220
 and even in the hearing

00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:53.679
 of it

00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:55.259
 that it will touch

00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:55.779
 hearts

00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:57.299
 and bring new life

00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:58.899
 to many people

00:12:58.899 --> 00:12:59.960
 so Lord

00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:01.240
 continue to bless us

00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:02.059
 now as we look

00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:02.539
 to you

00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:03.980
 go before us

00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.299
 Lord

00:13:04.299 --> 00:13:05.439
 as we commit ourselves

00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:07.179
 again into your hands

00:13:07.179 --> 00:13:08.519
 watch over us

00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:08.819
 Lord

00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:09.419
 and come

00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:11.419
 near to us

00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:11.879
 as we seek

00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:13.000
 to come near to you

00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:14.299
 and pardon us

00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:15.299
 in all our sin

00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:16.700
 as we ask all

00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.319
 with the forgiveness

00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:18.059
 of our sin

00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:19.659
 in Jesus precious name

00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:21.120
 and for his sake

00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.620
 and glory

00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:22.539
 we ask it all

00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:23.480
 Amen

00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:27.920
 Let's sing again

00:13:27.920 --> 00:13:28.399
 together

00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.440
 to God's praise

00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:29.820
 we're singing

00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:31.080
 in Psalm 42

00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:33.600
 in the Scottish Psalter

00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:37.220
 page 262

00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:45.899
 Psalm 42

00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:47.480
 on page 262

00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:48.060
 we're going to sing

00:13:48.060 --> 00:13:48.879
 from verse 1

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.960
 down to verse 5

00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:51.740
 and the tune

00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:52.420
 is Weatherby

00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:54.120
 like as the heart

00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.240
 for water brooks

00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:55.819
 and thirst

00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:56.879
 of pant and bray

00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.539
 so pants my longing

00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:59.579
 soul O God

00:13:59.579 --> 00:14:00.199
 that come

00:14:00.199 --> 00:14:01.620
 to thee I may

00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.799
 Psalm 42

00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.799
 from verse 1

00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.419
 to 5

00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:05.120
 we stand

00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:05.860
 to sing

00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:19.600
 to the same

00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.820
 God wants to have

00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:22.519
 and pray

00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.060
 soatt the heart

00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:24.899
 to the next

00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:25.820
 he or LO

00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:30.200
 so grant my longing

00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:32.259
 soul O God

00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:41.960
 O God, that come to thee I live.

00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:51.860
 My soul for God, the living God,

00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:59.019
 doth thirst when shall I near.

00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:08.279
 Unto thy countenance approach,

00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:15.279
 and then God's sight appear.

00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:25.340
 My tears are hard to me be meet,

00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:32.340
 both in the night and day.

00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:40.340
 While unto me continually,

00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:49.600
 where is thy godless sin?

00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:59.340
 My soul is poured out in me,

00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:06.340
 when this I think upon.

00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:15.340
 Because that with the multitude

00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:23.340
 I neartofore had gone.

00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:33.399
 With every true God's house I went,

00:16:33.780 --> 00:16:40.340
 with voice of joy and praise.

00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:50.379
 Yea, with the multitude that kept

00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:57.340
 the solemn holy days.

00:16:57.340 --> 00:17:07.340
 O why art thou cast down, my soul?

00:17:07.340 --> 00:17:14.340
 Why in me so dismayed?

00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:24.720
 Trust God, for I shall praise him yet.

00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:31.339
 This countenance is my name.

00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:32.339
 Amen.

00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:33.339
 Amen.

00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:34.339
 Amen.

00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.339
 Amen.

00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:36.339
 Amen.

00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.339
 Amen.

00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:39.799
 We can turn together to read God's word

00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:43.599
 now in the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.599
 1 Corinthians.

00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:47.000
 Reading in chapter 1.

00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:51.980
 1 Corinthians chapter 1.

00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:55.199
 We'll take up our reading at verse 10.

00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:58.439
 Reading down to verse 25.

00:17:58.440 --> 00:18:03.440
 1 Corinthians chapter 1.

00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:05.240
 Reading at verse 10.

00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:08.960
 I appeal to you, brothers,

00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:11.620
 by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.840
 that all of you agree

00:18:12.840 --> 00:18:15.200
 and that there be no divisions among you,

00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:17.660
 but that you be united in the same mind

00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.799
 and the same judgment.

00:18:19.620 --> 00:18:22.519
 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people

00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:24.980
 that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.

00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:27.980
 What I mean is that each of you says,

00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:31.960
 I follow Paul, or I follow Apollos,

00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:35.740
 or I follow Cephas, or I follow Christ.

00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:38.039
 Is Christ divided?

00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:40.860
 Was Paul crucified for you?

00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:44.220
 Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:50.360
 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gais,

00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:54.740
 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.

00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:59.200
 I did baptize also the household of Stephanas.

00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:03.839
 Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.

00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:07.759
 For Christ did not send me to baptize,

00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:09.619
 but to preach the gospel,

00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:13.059
 and not with words of eloquent wisdom,

00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:17.439
 lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:22.359
 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing,

00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:25.099
 but to us who are being saved,

00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:27.459
 it is the power of God.

00:19:28.159 --> 00:19:29.179
 For it is written,

00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:32.420
 I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:36.680
 and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.

00:19:37.860 --> 00:19:39.740
 Where is the one who is wise?

00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.519
 Where is the scribe?

00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:44.160
 Where is the debater of this age?

00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:48.220
 Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:51.080
 For since in the wisdom of God,

00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:54.680
 the world did not know God through wisdom,

00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:58.360
 it pleased God through the folly of what we preach,

00:19:58.359 --> 00:20:00.799
 to save those who believe.

00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:03.819
 For Jews demand signs,

00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:06.159
 and Greeks seek wisdom.

00:20:06.919 --> 00:20:09.179
 But we preach Christ crucified,

00:20:09.919 --> 00:20:11.719
 a stumbling block to the Jews,

00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:13.659
 and folly to Gentiles.

00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.879
 But to those who are called,

00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.699
 both Jews and Greeks,

00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:20.359
 Christ is the power of God,

00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.599
 and the wisdom of God.

00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:26.439
 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men,

00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:30.940
 and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.299
 And so on.

00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:35.519
 And may God bless that reading from his word.

00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:39.700
 Before we turn back to consider some of this passage,

00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:43.500
 we're going to sing once again to God's praise in Psalm 147.

00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.880
 Psalm 147.

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:49.779
 Sing Psalm's version on page 192.

00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:53.420
 I'm going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7.

00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:56.139
 The tune is Creditan.

00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:59.579
 Psalm 147 at verse 1.

00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.480
 O praise the Lord, how good it is

00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:03.420
 to sing him songs of praise.

00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:05.639
 How pleasant to give thanks to him

00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:08.559
 for all his gracious ways.

00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:10.440
 We'll sing from verse 1 to 7.

00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:12.279
 Standing to sing.

00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:24.399
 O praise the Lord, how good it is

00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:29.940
 to sing him songs of praise.

00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:59.920
 And bless him songs of praise.

00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:16.200
 He heals his people's broken hearts,

00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:21.880
 restores the fruits and blame.

00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:28.880
 He sets the number of the stars,

00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:34.880
 and calls them each by day.

00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:42.560
 Tis our Lord, and great in power,

00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:47.200
 his wisdom is profound.

00:22:48.800 --> 00:22:54.880
 The Lord sustains the weak but cast,

00:22:54.880 --> 00:23:00.880
 the wicked to the ground.

00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:08.880
 Sing to the Lord with thankfulness,

00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:13.880
 with joy his praise proclaim.

00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:22.120
 And with the music of the heart,

00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:27.880
 give glory to his name.

00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:38.000
 We can turn back to our reading in 1 Corinthians chapter 1.

00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:40.980
 We can read again at verse 17.

00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:45.060
 1 Corinthians chapter 1 at verse 17.

00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:48.059
 For Christ did not send me to baptize,

00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:50.359
 but to preach the gospel,

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:53.519
 and not with words of eloquent wisdom,

00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:57.759
 lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

00:23:57.759 --> 00:24:02.759
 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing.

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:05.759
 But to us who are being saved,

00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:09.240
 it is the power of God.

00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:11.519
 Especially those words in verse 18.

00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:15.640
 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing.

00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:17.640
 But to us who are being saved,

00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:20.640
 it is the power of God.

00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:26.640
 As Paul is writing here to the church at Corinth,

00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:30.640
 he's writing to a place and a people that he loved very much.

00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:34.640
 A place where he had seen the gospel blessed in the past,

00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:36.640
 and people coming to faith.

00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:39.640
 But Corinth was a large,

00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:42.640
 bustling city, an important place of commerce,

00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:45.640
 an important place of business,

00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:48.640
 strategically placed where people would be passing through it

00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:52.640
 on their journeys from north, south, east, and west.

00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.640
 So in that sense,

00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:57.640
 it was cosmopolitan in so many different ways,

00:24:58.640 --> 00:25:02.640
 and yet a place where the gospel at one time flourished.

00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:04.640
 But being such a place as this,

00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:06.640
 with different people coming through,

00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:10.640
 it was a place full of different ideas and different teachings.

00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:13.640
 And there was always people coming and going

00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:15.640
 who had this new kind of teaching,

00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:18.640
 something new to be listened to and heard.

00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.640
 And in many ways,

00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:24.640
 Paul was seen as just one of those people who had come.

00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:26.640
 And he'd come with something new.

00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.640
 He'd come with the gospel,

00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:29.640
 and people had listened.

00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:31.640
 But as is always the danger,

00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.640
 as is always the case,

00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:35.640
 there's a danger of being drawn away to something else,

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:37.640
 to something different,

00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:39.640
 and to something new.

00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:43.640
 There was all kinds of wisdom as the people saw it.

00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:46.640
 And yet, as Paul is writing to them,

00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:50.640
 he's reminding them of the foolishness of going away

00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:54.640
 from what was central and most important to faith,

00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:56.640
 to life, to their salvation.

00:25:56.640 --> 00:26:00.640
 And that is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:03.640
 And especially the heart of the gospel,

00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:06.640
 which is the cross of Christ.

00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:10.640
 And that is what we've been reflecting on already today,

00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.640
 this morning,

00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:13.640
 as we think of this Easter Sunday,

00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:17.640
 the day that reminds us so much of the power of the cross,

00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:20.640
 that Christ died for our sins,

00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:22.640
 but that on the third day,

00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:24.640
 he rose again.

00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:27.640
 And this is the word that he has preached to them,

00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:31.640
 and the word that he is encouraging them in as well.

00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:33.640
 And he gives them this challenge in verse 18,

00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:36.640
 as to what way they are living,

00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:38.640
 what way they are going.

00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:41.640
 For the word of the cross is folly,

00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:45.640
 foolishness to those who are perishing,

00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:48.640
 but to us who are being saved,

00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:51.640
 it is the power of God.

00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:57.640
 If there is one thing you could change in your life,

00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:59.640
 or you could add to your life,

00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.640
 what would it be?

00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:05.640
 If you were given an opportunity to ask for one thing,

00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:08.640
 what would that be?

00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:11.640
 In the Old Testament,

00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:13.640
 in the book of 2 Chronicles 1,

00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:15.640
 chapter 1,

00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:19.640
 there you read of someone who was given such an opportunity as this.

00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:22.640
 And that man was Solomon.

00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:25.640
 In that passage, in verse 7,

00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:27.640
 it says that in the night,

00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:31.640
 God appeared to Solomon and said to him,

00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:34.640
 ask what I shall give you.

00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:36.640
 Ask what I shall give you.

00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:38.640
 God came to him and said,

00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:41.640
 what do you want me to give to you?

00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:43.640
 How would you reply?

00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:44.640
 What would you ask for?

00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:46.640
 Well, this is what Solomon asked for.

00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:48.640
 Solomon said to God,

00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:51.640
 you have shown great and steadfast love to David,

00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.640
 my father,

00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:55.640
 and have made me king in his place.

00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.640
 Oh Lord God,

00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:58.640
 let your word to David,

00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.640
 my father,

00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.640
 now be fulfilled,

00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:05.640
 for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.

00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:13.640
 Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people.

00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:18.640
 For who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?

00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:24.640
 That opportunity that Solomon had, he asked for wisdom and knowledge.

00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:32.640
 And the Lord gave it to him in abundance along with other things because he had asked wisely.

00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:35.640
 There was a king, King Solomon being asked,

00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:38.640
 what do you want me to do for you?

00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:44.640
 But it's not just to kings and people that might be seen as important that God gives that opportunity

00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:47.640
 and asks that question of us well.

00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:54.640
 In the New Testament, in the Gospel of Mark, you read of a blind beggar, Bartimaeus.

00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:57.640
 And he's in many ways asked that same question.

00:28:57.640 --> 00:29:03.640
 Jesus is passing by and he's crying out to him and Jesus turns and says to him,

00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:06.640
 what do you want me to do for you?

00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:14.640
 Here is the blind beggar and this opportunity for asking of the Lord anything that this world has to offer.

00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:16.640
 And what does he ask for?

00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:20.640
 He says, Lord, that I might see.

00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:22.640
 Wisdom again is there.

00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:31.640
 Not just physical seeing, but seeing Jesus and following Jesus along the way.

00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:38.640
 In all the things that we could be offered in this world, is wisdom our priority?

00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:41.640
 Is that what we're looking for?

00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:45.640
 Or are we getting caught up in the foolishness of this world?

00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:48.640
 Of the foolishness that despises the cross?

00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:50.640
 That shuns the cross?

00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:55.640
 That pushes the cross out of the way as something insignificant or unimportant?

00:29:55.640 --> 00:30:07.640
 Well, Paul here is writing to the church of Corinth and to ourselves, reminding us of the importance of the wisdom, the power, and the knowledge that the cross has to give.

00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:17.640
 The church in Corinth then was a place that seemed to be full of wisdom, but so easily getting led astray.

00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:20.640
 And that's what Paul highlights for us further down in verse 20.

00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:22.640
 He says,

00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.640
 Where is the one who is wise?

00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.640
 Where is the one who is wise?

00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.640
 Where is the scribe?

00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:28.640
 Where is the debater of this age?

00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:34.640
 Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:40.640
 Anything the world has to offer us is foolishness before God.

00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:43.640
 God is wisdom.

00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:45.640
 And that is what we need.

00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:49.640
 And so how do we consider the word of God?

00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:58.640
 How do we consider the word of the cross as we hear today and as we hear it every time we come under the gospel, the word of God?

00:30:58.640 --> 00:31:00.640
 How do we take it?

00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:02.640
 What do we do with it?

00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:11.640
 Do we see the cross as the power of God to salvation or do we see it as just foolishness?

00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:16.640
 But foolishness, it says, for those who are perishing.

00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:29.640
 Well, as we look at this passage together this evening, we see that Paul came into Corinth, this busy city, this busy place where much ideas were being put forth,

00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:46.640
 where many teachings were being put forth, and he comes again just to remind them to keep their eyes on the cross of Christ, to keep their eyes on the gospel, to listen to the gospel, to see the gospel, not just a means among others,

00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:55.640
 to see the gospel not just as something that will get you out of a tight spot for a time and then you can go back to your previous ways,

00:31:55.640 --> 00:32:00.640
 but to see what the gospel speaks to and who it speaks to.

00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:14.640
 It speaks to us all as lost sinners in need of salvation and that the gospel speaks of salvation being found in Jesus Christ alone.

00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:19.640
 What distinguishes the Christian faith from any other?

00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:29.640
 Surely it is the cross where God gave his son to die for our sins.

00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:33.640
 No other religion has that.

00:32:33.640 --> 00:32:43.640
 Christ on the cross crucified is the heart of our salvation and our hope.

00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:48.640
 And that's what he wants the church at Corinth to see.

00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:51.640
 The cross and its power.

00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:54.640
 Its power to save.

00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:58.640
 So how do we view the cross?

00:32:58.640 --> 00:33:03.640
 There's three things from verse 18 I want us to think about together this evening.

00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:08.640
 And it's really just taking from the words of this verse.

00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:12.640
 The first thing is the word of the cross.

00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:14.640
 What does that mean?

00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:21.640
 The second thing is the foolishness of the cross as it's seen by many.

00:33:21.640 --> 00:33:26.640
 But then thirdly, we want to see the power of the cross.

00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:31.640
 So the first thing we want to look at is the word of the cross.

00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:36.640
 For the word of the cross, it says at the beginning of verse 18.

00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:46.640
 As Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, it's into the midst of this struggle.

00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:53.640
 The struggle between all the different teachers and scribes as we're seeing in verse 20.

00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:56.640
 The debaters of the age.

00:33:56.640 --> 00:34:01.640
 Many people are coming to Corinth and giving their own message.

00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:03.640
 They'll have their own gods.

00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.640
 They'll have their own teaching.

00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:06.640
 They'll have their own ideas.

00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:09.640
 And Paul is coming into the midst of this and saying,

00:34:09.640 --> 00:34:12.640
 Well, who are you going to listen to?

00:34:12.640 --> 00:34:15.640
 Which word are you going to listen to?

00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:22.639
 And there are those who are coming who are perhaps more able speakers, more able debaters.

00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:25.639
 They're more eloquent in their speech.

00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:27.639
 They have fancy words.

00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:29.639
 They have fancy ideas.

00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:34.639
 They're very persuasive in many different ways.

00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:38.639
 But what does Paul say about himself?

00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:45.639
 Well, in verse 17, where we read there, we see Paul came in weakness, really, and in much trembling.

00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:49.639
 He did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel.

00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:57.639
 And not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

00:34:57.639 --> 00:35:02.639
 He didn't come to change anything that God had given to him.

00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:10.639
 He didn't come to try and make it more persuasive himself or more powerful or eloquent himself that it might appeal to people.

00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:15.639
 He came with the word of the cross.

00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:21.639
 Lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:28.639
 Nothing was to detract from the cross of Christ and the power that was already there.

00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:33.639
 Christ sent him to preach the gospel.

00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:37.639
 And that is what we have today, to this very day.

00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:40.639
 It doesn't maybe come always eloquently.

00:35:40.639 --> 00:35:44.639
 It doesn't come with words of wisdom.

00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:51.639
 But it's still the power of the cross of Christ that is able to save.

00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:53.639
 And that is what we need.

00:35:53.639 --> 00:36:00.639
 And we are not to listen to those who would seek to change it or to downplay the cross as central.

00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:04.639
 Or to see it as something gory and just to be put to one side.

00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:10.639
 The idea of Jesus Christ being crucified, having to die for our sins.

00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:15.639
 To do something that surely we could do ourselves and manage ourselves.

00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:18.639
 People want to make the message more palatable.

00:36:18.639 --> 00:36:21.639
 To make it more pleasing to the ear.

00:36:21.639 --> 00:36:23.639
 But there is no way away from it.

00:36:23.639 --> 00:36:28.639
 If we try and do that, we are emptying the cross of Christ of its power.

00:36:28.639 --> 00:36:35.639
 And it's the word of the cross that we need to hear.

00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:38.639
 Take the cross out of the gospel.

00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:40.639
 And no more is it good news.

00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:43.639
 No more is it the way to salvation.

00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:46.639
 Because there is only one way to salvation.

00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:52.639
 And that is through Christ and the cross and its power.

00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:55.639
 One preacher once said this about it.

00:36:55.639 --> 00:37:04.639
 The old bloody message of the cross is quickly being replaced by a bloodless message that lacks power and lacks hope.

00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:13.639
 Instead of hearing the devastating but life changing news that we are sinners in need of salvation through the shed blood.

00:37:13.639 --> 00:37:17.639
 People hear a message that tells them, I'm okay.

00:37:17.639 --> 00:37:19.639
 You're okay.

00:37:19.639 --> 00:37:23.639
 And that's always the danger with the gospel.

00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:28.639
 That we empty it of its power by taking the cross out of it.

00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:33.639
 By focusing on ourselves or bringing change for good from ourselves.

00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:35.639
 That is not the answer.

00:37:35.639 --> 00:37:40.639
 The resurrection on Sunday doesn't start with us.

00:37:40.639 --> 00:37:47.639
 It starts and finishes with Christ and the cross.

00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:54.639
 And how does Paul himself view the word of the cross?

00:37:54.639 --> 00:37:59.639
 He views it in his own testimony as the only way to salvation.

00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:02.639
 Because there was nothing that he could do himself.

00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:03.639
 And he knows that.

00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:05.639
 He acknowledges that now.

00:38:05.639 --> 00:38:07.639
 But he didn't always.

00:38:07.639 --> 00:38:11.639
 In the book of Philippians chapter 3.

00:38:11.639 --> 00:38:15.639
 You see that Paul once had confidence in flesh.

00:38:15.639 --> 00:38:18.639
 Confidence in himself.

00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:21.639
 And he says this in Philippians 3 verse 4.

00:38:21.639 --> 00:38:25.639
 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also.

00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:30.639
 If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh.

00:38:30.639 --> 00:38:31.639
 I have more.

00:38:31.639 --> 00:38:35.639
 Circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel.

00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:37.639
 The tribe of Benjamin.

00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:38.639
 A Hebrew of Hebrews.

00:38:38.639 --> 00:38:40.639
 As to the law a Pharisee.

00:38:40.639 --> 00:38:44.639
 As to seal a persecutor of the church.

00:38:44.639 --> 00:38:47.639
 As to righteousness under the law.

00:38:47.639 --> 00:38:48.639
 Blameless.

00:38:48.639 --> 00:38:52.639
 There is his list as it previously stood.

00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:56.639
 There is what he could present before God in his own eyes.

00:38:56.639 --> 00:38:59.639
 He had all of these things.

00:38:59.639 --> 00:39:02.639
 All of these things he could call on.

00:39:02.639 --> 00:39:05.639
 Confidence in the flesh.

00:39:05.639 --> 00:39:06.639
 His circumcision.

00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:07.639
 His people.

00:39:07.639 --> 00:39:08.639
 His works.

00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:09.639
 His seal.

00:39:09.639 --> 00:39:11.639
 All of these things he had.

00:39:11.639 --> 00:39:14.639
 And what changed?

00:39:14.639 --> 00:39:20.639
 His realisation of Christ and the cross.

00:39:20.639 --> 00:39:23.639
 Because he goes on to say in verse 7 there.

00:39:23.639 --> 00:39:26.639
 As to righteousness under the law.

00:39:26.639 --> 00:39:27.639
 Blameless.

00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:29.639
 But he says.

00:39:29.639 --> 00:39:31.639
 But whatever gain I had.

00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:33.639
 I counted as loss.

00:39:33.639 --> 00:39:36.639
 For the sake of Christ.

00:39:36.639 --> 00:39:37.639
 Christ.

00:39:37.639 --> 00:39:43.639
 His testimony was to the cross of Christ.

00:39:43.639 --> 00:39:46.639
 The word of the cross.

00:39:46.639 --> 00:39:52.639
 And then his preaching is all about Christ and the cross.

00:39:52.639 --> 00:39:53.639
 As he says.

00:39:53.639 --> 00:39:56.639
 But we preach Christ crucified.

00:39:56.639 --> 00:39:59.639
 That is the gospel.

00:39:59.639 --> 00:40:02.639
 He never loses that.

00:40:02.639 --> 00:40:05.639
 And he never loses the wonder of it either.

00:40:05.639 --> 00:40:09.639
 As he's preaching and teaching to so many people.

00:40:09.639 --> 00:40:11.639
 In so many different places.

00:40:11.639 --> 00:40:13.639
 It's always with the cross.

00:40:13.639 --> 00:40:17.639
 And the word of the cross at the heart of his message.

00:40:17.639 --> 00:40:20.639
 As he writes to the Romans in chapter 11.

00:40:20.639 --> 00:40:21.639
 He says.

00:40:21.639 --> 00:40:25.639
 Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God.

00:40:25.639 --> 00:40:28.639
 He's still in awe of it all.

00:40:28.639 --> 00:40:31.639
 How unsearchable are his judgments.

00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:33.639
 And how inscrutable his ways.

00:40:33.639 --> 00:40:36.639
 For who has known the mind of the Lord.

00:40:36.639 --> 00:40:38.639
 Or who has been his counsellor.

00:40:38.639 --> 00:40:40.639
 Or who has given a gift to him.

00:40:40.639 --> 00:40:42.639
 That he might be repaid.

00:40:42.639 --> 00:40:45.639
 For for him and from him.

00:40:45.639 --> 00:40:46.639
 And through him and to him.

00:40:46.639 --> 00:40:48.639
 Are all things.

00:40:48.639 --> 00:40:51.639
 To him be glory forever.

00:40:51.639 --> 00:40:52.639
 Amen.

00:40:52.639 --> 00:40:56.639
 So he has the word of the cross.

00:40:56.639 --> 00:40:58.639
 Always to the fore.

00:40:58.639 --> 00:41:02.639
 Not some new wisdom with eloquent words.

00:41:02.639 --> 00:41:06.639
 In case the cross be emptied of its power.

00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:10.639
 The cross is always to the fore.

00:41:10.639 --> 00:41:13.639
 And so it should be for ourselves too.

00:41:13.639 --> 00:41:16.639
 To always have the cross of Christ.

00:41:16.639 --> 00:41:18.639
 As all that we are doing.

00:41:18.639 --> 00:41:20.639
 All that we are seeing.

00:41:20.639 --> 00:41:22.639
 Is for the glory of God.

00:41:22.639 --> 00:41:27.639
 And what is the word of the cross to you today?

00:41:27.639 --> 00:41:30.639
 What does it say to you today?

00:41:30.639 --> 00:41:35.639
 Does it not speak of the word of victory.

00:41:35.639 --> 00:41:37.639
 Over sin and death.

00:41:37.639 --> 00:41:43.639
 If we take that cross away from the gospel.

00:41:43.639 --> 00:41:44.639
 We empty it.

00:41:44.639 --> 00:41:46.639
 Of that power.

00:41:46.639 --> 00:41:49.639
 There is no longer victory over sin.

00:41:49.639 --> 00:41:50.639
 And death.

00:41:50.639 --> 00:41:52.639
 If you take the cross away.

00:41:52.639 --> 00:41:54.639
 The word of love.

00:41:54.639 --> 00:41:55.639
 And grace.

00:41:55.639 --> 00:41:56.639
 Is gone.

00:41:56.639 --> 00:41:59.639
 Take the cross away.

00:41:59.639 --> 00:42:00.639
 And the word of power.

00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:01.639
 And salvation.

00:42:01.639 --> 00:42:02.639
 Is no more.

00:42:02.639 --> 00:42:05.639
 Because all of these things.

00:42:05.639 --> 00:42:09.639
 Are found at the cross of Christ.

00:42:09.639 --> 00:42:12.639
 That is what the word of the cross is.

00:42:12.639 --> 00:42:14.639
 Someone else put it.

00:42:14.639 --> 00:42:16.639
 He came to pay a debt.

00:42:16.639 --> 00:42:18.639
 He didn't owe.

00:42:18.639 --> 00:42:20.639
 Because we owed a debt.

00:42:20.639 --> 00:42:22.639
 We couldn't pay.

00:42:22.639 --> 00:42:26.639
 The word of the cross.

00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:27.639
 People will dismiss it.

00:42:27.639 --> 00:42:28.639
 And belittle it.

00:42:28.639 --> 00:42:33.639
 But we look to the one.

00:42:33.639 --> 00:42:34.639
 To the one.

00:42:34.639 --> 00:42:35.639
 Who hung.

00:42:35.639 --> 00:42:36.639
 On the tree.

00:42:36.639 --> 00:42:40.639
 Somebody else put it like this.

00:42:40.639 --> 00:42:41.639
 When you think of the cross.

00:42:41.639 --> 00:42:42.639
 And how.

00:42:42.639 --> 00:42:44.639
 The world tries to dismiss it.

00:42:44.639 --> 00:42:45.639
 Even conquer it.

00:42:45.639 --> 00:42:47.639
 As we might see it.

00:42:47.639 --> 00:42:48.639
 He said.

00:42:48.639 --> 00:42:49.639
 The cross.

00:42:49.639 --> 00:42:51.639
 Cannot be defeated.

00:42:52.639 --> 00:42:53.639
 For it is.

00:42:53.639 --> 00:42:54.639
 Defeat.

00:42:54.639 --> 00:42:57.639
 The cross.

00:42:57.639 --> 00:42:59.639
 Of Christ.

00:42:59.639 --> 00:43:00.639
 Is powerful.

00:43:00.639 --> 00:43:01.639
 Powerful.

00:43:01.639 --> 00:43:03.639
 And the word of the cross.

00:43:03.639 --> 00:43:04.639
 Is salvation.

00:43:04.639 --> 00:43:06.639
 And that salvation.

00:43:06.639 --> 00:43:08.639
 Cannot be defeated.

00:43:08.639 --> 00:43:11.639
 Because that is where.

00:43:11.639 --> 00:43:12.639
 The victory.

00:43:12.639 --> 00:43:13.639
 Was won.

00:43:13.639 --> 00:43:14.639
 The word.

00:43:14.639 --> 00:43:16.639
 Of the cross.

00:43:16.639 --> 00:43:17.639
 Is powerful.

00:43:17.639 --> 00:43:19.639
 But then.

00:43:19.639 --> 00:43:20.639
 Secondly.

00:43:20.639 --> 00:43:21.639
 We see.

00:43:21.639 --> 00:43:22.639
 The folly.

00:43:22.639 --> 00:43:24.639
 The foolishness.

00:43:24.639 --> 00:43:25.639
 Of the cross.

00:43:25.639 --> 00:43:28.639
 The word of the cross.

00:43:28.639 --> 00:43:29.639
 Is folly.

00:43:29.639 --> 00:43:30.639
 To those.

00:43:30.639 --> 00:43:31.639
 Who are perishing.

00:43:31.639 --> 00:43:35.639
 What does this mean?

00:43:35.639 --> 00:43:36.639
 The word.

00:43:36.639 --> 00:43:38.639
 Is being ignored.

00:43:38.639 --> 00:43:39.639
 The word.

00:43:39.639 --> 00:43:40.639
 Is being.

00:43:40.639 --> 00:43:41.639
 Put away.

00:43:41.639 --> 00:43:42.639
 As foolish.

00:43:42.639 --> 00:43:43.639
 And when you think of.

00:43:43.639 --> 00:43:46.639
 Who Paul was writing to.

00:43:46.639 --> 00:43:47.639
 You see it.

00:43:47.639 --> 00:43:48.639
 Later on.

00:43:48.639 --> 00:43:49.639
 In verse 22.

00:43:49.639 --> 00:43:51.639
 The Jews demand signs.

00:43:51.639 --> 00:43:52.639
 And the Greeks.

00:43:52.639 --> 00:43:53.639
 Seek wisdom.

00:43:53.639 --> 00:43:55.639
 These were the majority.

00:43:55.639 --> 00:43:56.639
 Of people.

00:43:56.639 --> 00:43:58.639
 That the.

00:43:58.639 --> 00:43:59.639
 The gospel.

00:43:59.639 --> 00:44:00.639
 Was coming to.

00:44:00.639 --> 00:44:01.639
 In Corinth.

00:44:01.639 --> 00:44:02.639
 Jews.

00:44:02.639 --> 00:44:03.639
 And Greeks.

00:44:03.639 --> 00:44:05.639
 And how did they.

00:44:05.639 --> 00:44:06.639
 View.

00:44:06.639 --> 00:44:07.639
 The cross.

00:44:07.639 --> 00:44:08.639
 Well they.

00:44:08.639 --> 00:44:09.639
 Viewed it as.

00:44:09.639 --> 00:44:10.639
 Folly.

00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:11.639
 As foolishness.

00:44:11.639 --> 00:44:13.639
 The cross.

00:44:13.639 --> 00:44:14.639
 For the Jews.

00:44:14.639 --> 00:44:15.639
 Was.

00:44:15.639 --> 00:44:16.639
 Something that is.

00:44:16.639 --> 00:44:17.639
 Cursed.

00:44:17.639 --> 00:44:19.639
 And.

00:44:19.639 --> 00:44:20.639
 To worship.

00:44:20.639 --> 00:44:21.639
 The cross.

00:44:21.639 --> 00:44:22.639
 In any way.

00:44:22.639 --> 00:44:23.639
 Would be.

00:44:23.639 --> 00:44:24.639
 Revolting.

00:44:24.639 --> 00:44:25.639
 Wrong.

00:44:25.639 --> 00:44:26.639
 Because.

00:44:26.639 --> 00:44:27.639
 God.

00:44:27.639 --> 00:44:28.639
 Wasn't.

00:44:28.639 --> 00:44:29.639
 Going to send.

00:44:29.639 --> 00:44:30.639
 A savior.

00:44:30.639 --> 00:44:31.639
 Into this world.

00:44:31.639 --> 00:44:32.639
 Who would die.

00:44:32.639 --> 00:44:33.639
 In such a way.

00:44:33.639 --> 00:44:34.639
 This was madness.

00:44:34.639 --> 00:44:35.639
 This was just.

00:44:35.639 --> 00:44:36.639
 Foolishness.

00:44:36.639 --> 00:44:37.639
 To them.

00:44:37.639 --> 00:44:38.639
 They just.

00:44:38.639 --> 00:44:39.639
 Couldn't.

00:44:39.639 --> 00:44:40.639
 Get their heads.

00:44:40.639 --> 00:44:41.639
 Around it.

00:44:41.639 --> 00:44:42.639
 And the same.

00:44:42.639 --> 00:44:43.639
 For the Greeks.

00:44:43.639 --> 00:44:44.639
 For the Greeks.

00:44:44.639 --> 00:44:45.639
 The cross.

00:44:45.639 --> 00:44:46.639
 Was something.

00:44:46.639 --> 00:44:47.639
 That was used.

00:44:47.639 --> 00:44:48.639
 To put murderers.

00:44:48.639 --> 00:44:49.639
 To death.

00:44:49.639 --> 00:44:50.639
 It was the.

00:44:50.639 --> 00:44:51.639
 Ultimate.

00:44:51.639 --> 00:44:52.639
 Disgrace.

00:44:52.639 --> 00:44:53.639
 The cross.

00:44:53.639 --> 00:44:54.639
 And the idea.

00:44:54.639 --> 00:44:55.639
 Of a savior.

00:44:55.639 --> 00:44:56.639
 To the Greeks.

00:44:56.639 --> 00:44:57.639
 Coming in this way.

00:44:57.639 --> 00:44:58.639
 Again.

00:44:58.639 --> 00:44:59.639
 Was foolishness.

00:44:59.639 --> 00:45:00.639
 And to them.

00:45:00.639 --> 00:45:01.639
 To worship.

00:45:01.639 --> 00:45:02.639
 The cross.

00:45:02.639 --> 00:45:03.639
 In any way.

00:45:03.639 --> 00:45:04.639
 Would be just.

00:45:04.639 --> 00:45:05.639
 Superstitious.

00:45:05.639 --> 00:45:06.639
 And so.

00:45:06.639 --> 00:45:07.639
 Here.

00:45:07.639 --> 00:45:08.639
 They are.

00:45:08.639 --> 00:45:09.639
 The debaters.

00:45:09.639 --> 00:45:10.639
 Of the age.

00:45:10.639 --> 00:45:11.639
 The scribes.

00:45:11.639 --> 00:45:12.639
 And all of.

00:45:12.639 --> 00:45:13.639
 These people.

00:45:13.639 --> 00:45:14.639
 Coming.

00:45:14.639 --> 00:45:15.639
 The words.

00:45:15.639 --> 00:45:16.639
 Of wisdom.

00:45:16.639 --> 00:45:17.639
 But as.

00:45:17.639 --> 00:45:18.639
 The Lord.

00:45:18.639 --> 00:45:19.639
 Is saying.

00:45:19.639 --> 00:45:20.639
 As Paul.

00:45:20.639 --> 00:45:21.639
 Is saying.

00:45:21.639 --> 00:45:22.639
 The world.

00:45:22.639 --> 00:45:24.639
 Of the world.

00:45:24.639 --> 00:45:25.639
 It is foolish.

00:45:25.639 --> 00:45:26.639
 To think.

00:45:26.639 --> 00:45:27.639
 Anything else.

00:45:27.639 --> 00:45:29.639
 Apart from the cross.

00:45:29.639 --> 00:45:30.639
 As the way.

00:45:30.639 --> 00:45:31.639
 To salvation.

00:45:31.639 --> 00:45:32.639
 It stands.

00:45:32.639 --> 00:45:33.639
 As a.

00:45:33.639 --> 00:45:34.639
 A sign.

00:45:34.639 --> 00:45:35.639
 For us.

00:45:35.639 --> 00:45:37.639
 The consequences.

00:45:37.639 --> 00:45:38.639
 Of sin.

00:45:38.639 --> 00:45:39.639
 Is death.

00:45:39.639 --> 00:45:41.639
 And here.

00:45:41.639 --> 00:45:42.639
 Is where death.

00:45:42.639 --> 00:45:43.639
 Is being dealt.

00:45:43.639 --> 00:45:44.639
 With.

00:45:44.639 --> 00:45:46.639
 That Jesus died.

00:45:46.639 --> 00:45:47.639
 For our sin.

00:45:47.639 --> 00:45:49.639
 And to ignore this.

00:45:49.639 --> 00:45:50.639
 To ignore this.

00:45:50.639 --> 00:45:52.639
 Is to be foolish.

00:45:52.639 --> 00:45:53.639
 And it is.

00:45:53.639 --> 00:45:54.639
 As it says here.

00:45:54.639 --> 00:45:55.639
 To perish.

00:45:55.639 --> 00:45:56.639
 To perish.

00:45:56.639 --> 00:45:59.639
 Eternally.

00:45:59.639 --> 00:46:00.639
 Is what.

00:46:00.639 --> 00:46:01.639
 Behind.

00:46:01.639 --> 00:46:02.639
 These words.

00:46:02.639 --> 00:46:04.639
 We live in a world.

00:46:04.639 --> 00:46:05.639
 Where you see.

00:46:05.639 --> 00:46:06.639
 Many.

00:46:06.639 --> 00:46:07.639
 Signs.

00:46:07.639 --> 00:46:08.639
 That.

00:46:08.639 --> 00:46:09.639
 Indicate.

00:46:09.639 --> 00:46:10.639
 Danger.

00:46:10.639 --> 00:46:11.639
 You think of.

00:46:11.639 --> 00:46:12.639
 A transformer.

00:46:12.639 --> 00:46:13.639
 Behind.

00:46:13.639 --> 00:46:14.639
 A large.

00:46:14.639 --> 00:46:15.639
 Metal.

00:46:15.639 --> 00:46:16.639
 Fence.

00:46:16.639 --> 00:46:17.639
 Is a sign.

00:46:17.639 --> 00:46:18.639
 On the sides.

00:46:18.639 --> 00:46:19.639
 Probably on all sides.

00:46:19.639 --> 00:46:20.639
 Of it.

00:46:20.639 --> 00:46:21.639
 Danger.

00:46:21.639 --> 00:46:22.639
 High voltage.

00:46:22.639 --> 00:46:24.639
 Do not enter.

00:46:24.639 --> 00:46:26.639
 Danger of death.

00:46:26.639 --> 00:46:27.639
 All the signs.

00:46:27.639 --> 00:46:28.639
 Are there.

00:46:28.639 --> 00:46:29.639
 And you ignore them.

00:46:29.639 --> 00:46:31.639
 At your own risk.

00:46:31.639 --> 00:46:32.639
 You ignore them.

00:46:32.639 --> 00:46:34.639
 At your own peril.

00:46:34.639 --> 00:46:37.639
 So why would you go and climb over that fence.

00:46:37.639 --> 00:46:40.639
 When it's got these signs up.

00:46:40.639 --> 00:46:44.639
 Of the danger that exists there.

00:46:44.639 --> 00:46:46.639
 And so many people.

00:46:46.639 --> 00:46:48.639
 Have ignored these signs.

00:46:48.639 --> 00:46:50.639
 And they've perished.

00:46:50.639 --> 00:46:53.639
 And so it is with the gospel.

00:46:53.639 --> 00:46:55.639
 And the word of the cross.

00:46:55.639 --> 00:46:58.639
 It's foolishness to those.

00:46:58.639 --> 00:46:59.639
 Who are perishing.

00:46:59.639 --> 00:47:02.639
 If we listen to the wisdom of this world.

00:47:02.639 --> 00:47:04.639
 We are foolish.

00:47:04.639 --> 00:47:07.639
 And we are perishing.

00:47:07.639 --> 00:47:10.639
 It can sound eloquent.

00:47:10.639 --> 00:47:12.639
 It can sound persuasive.

00:47:12.639 --> 00:47:13.639
 It can sound as.

00:47:13.639 --> 00:47:15.639
 The wisdom of our day.

00:47:15.639 --> 00:47:16.639
 And our age.

00:47:16.639 --> 00:47:17.639
 Is just to shun the bible.

00:47:17.639 --> 00:47:18.639
 As outdated.

00:47:18.639 --> 00:47:20.639
 And old fashioned.

00:47:20.639 --> 00:47:21.639
 And all of these things.

00:47:21.639 --> 00:47:24.639
 But to deny it.

00:47:24.639 --> 00:47:25.639
 Is to deny.

00:47:25.639 --> 00:47:27.639
 The power of God.

00:47:27.639 --> 00:47:29.639
 And the power of God.

00:47:29.639 --> 00:47:30.639
 To salvation.

00:47:32.639 --> 00:47:34.639
 C.S. Lewis once wrote.

00:47:34.639 --> 00:47:36.639
 Atheists express.

00:47:36.639 --> 00:47:39.639
 Their rage against God.

00:47:39.639 --> 00:47:41.639
 Although in their view.

00:47:41.639 --> 00:47:43.639
 He does not exist.

00:47:43.639 --> 00:47:46.639
 And you see.

00:47:46.639 --> 00:47:49.639
 The way the wisdom of this world today.

00:47:49.639 --> 00:47:51.639
 Rages against God.

00:47:51.639 --> 00:47:54.639
 Anything to do with a Christian faith.

00:47:54.639 --> 00:47:56.639
 Stirs up a rage.

00:47:56.639 --> 00:47:57.639
 And a hatred.

00:47:57.639 --> 00:47:59.639
 Against God.

00:47:59.639 --> 00:48:01.639
 And as Lewis said.

00:48:01.639 --> 00:48:03.639
 In their view.

00:48:03.639 --> 00:48:05.639
 God doesn't exist.

00:48:05.639 --> 00:48:06.639
 God doesn't exist.

00:48:06.639 --> 00:48:09.639
 But as we often say.

00:48:09.639 --> 00:48:12.639
 There is that God shaped void.

00:48:12.639 --> 00:48:14.639
 In us all.

00:48:14.639 --> 00:48:18.639
 And just like the high voltage sign.

00:48:18.639 --> 00:48:20.639
 Where there are warning signs.

00:48:20.639 --> 00:48:23.639
 The cross stands as a warning.

00:48:23.639 --> 00:48:24.639
 To every generation.

00:48:24.639 --> 00:48:27.639
 That apart from this.

00:48:27.639 --> 00:48:29.639
 You are perishing.

00:48:29.639 --> 00:48:30.639
 You are foolish.

00:48:30.639 --> 00:48:31.639
 And you are foolish.

00:48:31.639 --> 00:48:32.639
 To ignore it.

00:48:32.639 --> 00:48:34.639
 To ignore it.

00:48:34.639 --> 00:48:35.639
 Take note.

00:48:35.639 --> 00:48:36.639
 Of the word.

00:48:36.639 --> 00:48:37.639
 Of the cross.

00:48:37.639 --> 00:48:40.639
 Don't let it be foolishness.

00:48:40.639 --> 00:48:42.639
 That leads to you.

00:48:42.639 --> 00:48:43.639
 Perishing.

00:48:43.639 --> 00:48:46.639
 And the cross is.

00:48:46.639 --> 00:48:48.639
 A reminder to us.

00:48:48.639 --> 00:48:49.639
 Of the love.

00:48:49.639 --> 00:48:50.639
 Of God.

00:48:50.639 --> 00:48:52.639
 We are foolish.

00:48:52.639 --> 00:48:54.639
 To ignore the love.

00:48:54.639 --> 00:48:55.639
 Of God.

00:48:55.639 --> 00:48:57.639
 The finished work.

00:48:57.639 --> 00:48:58.639
 Of God.

00:48:58.639 --> 00:48:59.639
 Of God.

00:48:59.639 --> 00:49:00.639
 On that cross.

00:49:00.639 --> 00:49:01.639
 Through Christ.

00:49:01.639 --> 00:49:02.639
 When he said.

00:49:02.639 --> 00:49:03.639
 It is done.

00:49:03.639 --> 00:49:04.639
 It is finished.

00:49:04.639 --> 00:49:06.639
 And how.

00:49:06.639 --> 00:49:07.639
 Even with the thief.

00:49:07.639 --> 00:49:08.639
 Beside him.

00:49:08.639 --> 00:49:09.639
 On the cross.

00:49:09.639 --> 00:49:10.639
 Who turned to him.

00:49:10.639 --> 00:49:12.639
 And cried out to him.

00:49:12.639 --> 00:49:13.639
 Remember me Lord.

00:49:13.639 --> 00:49:18.639
 He gave him that wonderful response.

00:49:18.639 --> 00:49:20.639
 Today you will be with me.

00:49:20.639 --> 00:49:21.639
 In paradise.

00:49:21.639 --> 00:49:26.639
 Dwight Moody wrote about that.

00:49:26.639 --> 00:49:27.639
 As Christ was.

00:49:27.639 --> 00:49:29.639
 Crucified there.

00:49:29.639 --> 00:49:30.639
 With a thief.

00:49:30.639 --> 00:49:31.639
 Beside him.

00:49:31.639 --> 00:49:32.639
 He said this.

00:49:32.639 --> 00:49:33.639
 Of the thief.

00:49:33.639 --> 00:49:34.639
 Who turned to him.

00:49:34.639 --> 00:49:35.639
 In that way.

00:49:35.639 --> 00:49:36.639
 He said.

00:49:36.639 --> 00:49:37.639
 The thief.

00:49:37.639 --> 00:49:38.639
 Had nails.

00:49:38.639 --> 00:49:39.639
 Through both his hands.

00:49:39.639 --> 00:49:41.639
 So he could not work.

00:49:41.639 --> 00:49:42.639
 And a nail.

00:49:42.639 --> 00:49:44.639
 Through each foot.

00:49:44.639 --> 00:49:46.639
 So that he could not run errands.

00:49:46.639 --> 00:49:47.639
 For the Lord.

00:49:47.639 --> 00:49:49.639
 He could not lift a hand.

00:49:49.639 --> 00:49:50.639
 Or a foot.

00:49:50.639 --> 00:49:52.639
 Toward his salvation.

00:49:52.639 --> 00:49:54.639
 And yet Christ.

00:49:54.639 --> 00:49:55.639
 Offered him.

00:49:55.639 --> 00:49:57.639
 The gift of God.

00:49:57.639 --> 00:49:58.639
 And he took it.

00:49:58.639 --> 00:49:59.639
 Christ.

00:50:00.639 --> 00:50:02.639
 Threw him a passport.

00:50:02.639 --> 00:50:03.639
 And took him into.

00:50:03.639 --> 00:50:04.639
 Paradise.

00:50:05.639 --> 00:50:06.639
 The thief.

00:50:06.639 --> 00:50:07.639
 Could do nothing.

00:50:08.639 --> 00:50:09.639
 For his own salvation.

00:50:10.639 --> 00:50:11.639
 Neither.

00:50:11.639 --> 00:50:12.639
 Can we.

00:50:12.639 --> 00:50:13.639
 We are fools.

00:50:13.639 --> 00:50:15.639
 To think that we can.

00:50:17.639 --> 00:50:18.639
 Instead.

00:50:18.639 --> 00:50:19.639
 We are to come.

00:50:19.639 --> 00:50:20.639
 Saying nothing.

00:50:20.639 --> 00:50:21.639
 In my hands.

00:50:21.639 --> 00:50:22.639
 In my hands.

00:50:22.639 --> 00:50:23.639
 I bring.

00:50:23.639 --> 00:50:25.639
 Simply to thy cross.

00:50:25.639 --> 00:50:26.639
 I cling.

00:50:28.639 --> 00:50:29.639
 The cross.

00:50:29.639 --> 00:50:31.639
 Is foolishness.

00:50:31.639 --> 00:50:32.639
 To those.

00:50:32.639 --> 00:50:33.639
 Who are perishing.

00:50:33.639 --> 00:50:34.639
 So why.

00:50:34.639 --> 00:50:35.639
 Would we be fools.

00:50:35.639 --> 00:50:37.639
 When God.

00:50:37.639 --> 00:50:38.639
 Is calling us.

00:50:38.639 --> 00:50:39.639
 To himself.

00:50:39.639 --> 00:50:40.639
 Through the cross.

00:50:40.639 --> 00:50:41.639
 To come.

00:50:41.639 --> 00:50:42.639
 And see the way.

00:50:42.639 --> 00:50:43.639
 To salvation.

00:50:43.639 --> 00:50:44.639
 The way.

00:50:44.639 --> 00:50:45.639
 Prepared.

00:50:45.639 --> 00:50:46.639
 Right through.

00:50:46.639 --> 00:50:47.639
 The Old Testament.

00:50:47.639 --> 00:50:48.639
 Looking.

00:50:48.639 --> 00:50:49.639
 Ahead.

00:50:49.639 --> 00:50:50.639
 To the cross.

00:50:50.639 --> 00:50:51.639
 And the way.

00:50:51.639 --> 00:50:52.639
 We see the cross.

00:50:52.639 --> 00:50:53.639
 And Christ.

00:50:53.639 --> 00:50:54.639
 Crucified.

00:50:54.639 --> 00:50:55.639
 Proclaimed.

00:50:55.639 --> 00:50:56.639
 Through.

00:50:56.639 --> 00:50:57.639
 The New Testament.

00:50:57.639 --> 00:50:58.639
 It's there.

00:50:58.639 --> 00:50:59.639
 Before us.

00:50:59.639 --> 00:51:00.639
 All the time.

00:51:00.639 --> 00:51:01.639
 Even when you go back.

00:51:01.639 --> 00:51:02.639
 To the Old Testament.

00:51:02.639 --> 00:51:03.639
 Go to Ezekiel.

00:51:03.639 --> 00:51:04.639
 And you see there.

00:51:04.639 --> 00:51:05.639
 God.

00:51:05.639 --> 00:51:06.639
 Calling his people.

00:51:06.639 --> 00:51:07.639
 He says.

00:51:07.639 --> 00:51:08.639
 In Ezekiel 33.

00:51:08.639 --> 00:51:09.639
 Verse 11.

00:51:09.639 --> 00:51:10.639
 Say to them.

00:51:10.639 --> 00:51:11.639
 As I live.

00:51:11.639 --> 00:51:12.639
 Declares the Lord God.

00:51:12.639 --> 00:51:13.639
 I have no pleasure.

00:51:13.639 --> 00:51:14.639
 In the death.

00:51:14.639 --> 00:51:15.639
 Of the wicked.

00:51:15.639 --> 00:51:16.639
 But that the wicked.

00:51:16.639 --> 00:51:17.639
 Would turn.

00:51:17.639 --> 00:51:18.639
 From his way.

00:51:18.639 --> 00:51:19.639
 And live.

00:51:19.639 --> 00:51:20.639
 Turn back.

00:51:20.639 --> 00:51:21.639
 Turn back.

00:51:21.639 --> 00:51:22.639
 Turn back.

00:51:22.639 --> 00:51:23.639
 From your evil ways.

00:51:23.639 --> 00:51:24.639
 For why.

00:51:24.639 --> 00:51:25.639
 Will you die.

00:51:25.639 --> 00:51:26.639
 O house.

00:51:26.639 --> 00:51:27.639
 Of Israel.

00:51:28.639 --> 00:51:29.639
 The cross.

00:51:29.639 --> 00:51:30.639
 Cries out.

00:51:30.639 --> 00:51:31.639
 Today.

00:51:31.639 --> 00:51:32.639
 It's crying out.

00:51:32.639 --> 00:51:33.639
 With a warning.

00:51:33.639 --> 00:51:35.639
 That we are perishing.

00:51:35.639 --> 00:51:36.639
 If we ignore it.

00:51:36.639 --> 00:51:38.639
 We are to hear.

00:51:38.639 --> 00:51:39.639
 The word.

00:51:39.639 --> 00:51:40.639
 And see the cross.

00:51:40.639 --> 00:51:41.639
 As the power.

00:51:41.639 --> 00:51:42.639
 Of God.

00:51:42.639 --> 00:51:43.639
 To salvation.

00:51:43.639 --> 00:51:45.639
 And that's the last thing.

00:51:45.639 --> 00:51:46.639
 We want to see.

00:51:46.639 --> 00:51:48.639
 From this verse.

00:51:48.639 --> 00:51:49.639
 It says.

00:51:49.639 --> 00:51:50.639
 But.

00:51:50.639 --> 00:51:51.639
 To us.

00:51:51.639 --> 00:51:52.639
 Who are being saved.

00:51:52.639 --> 00:51:53.639
 It is the power.

00:51:53.639 --> 00:51:54.639
 Of God.

00:51:55.639 --> 00:51:56.639
 And isn't it great.

00:51:56.639 --> 00:51:57.639
 Isn't it wonderful.

00:51:57.639 --> 00:51:59.639
 That we have the cross.

00:51:59.639 --> 00:52:01.639
 Why would we want.

00:52:01.639 --> 00:52:02.639
 To get rid of the cross.

00:52:02.639 --> 00:52:03.639
 In any way.

00:52:03.639 --> 00:52:04.639
 Shape.

00:52:04.639 --> 00:52:05.639
 Or form.

00:52:05.639 --> 00:52:06.639
 Because.

00:52:06.639 --> 00:52:07.639
 We are reminded here.

00:52:07.639 --> 00:52:08.639
 It is.

00:52:08.639 --> 00:52:09.639
 The power.

00:52:09.639 --> 00:52:10.639
 Of God.

00:52:10.639 --> 00:52:11.639
 To salvation.

00:52:11.639 --> 00:52:14.639
 It is the only.

00:52:14.639 --> 00:52:15.639
 Way.

00:52:15.639 --> 00:52:16.639
 To salvation.

00:52:16.639 --> 00:52:18.639
 And when we see.

00:52:18.639 --> 00:52:20.639
 The cross.

00:52:20.639 --> 00:52:22.639
 And we see the salvation.

00:52:22.639 --> 00:52:23.639
 That is offered here.

00:52:23.639 --> 00:52:24.639
 It is.

00:52:24.639 --> 00:52:25.639
 A divine.

00:52:25.639 --> 00:52:26.639
 Salvation.

00:52:26.639 --> 00:52:27.639
 It's a salvation.

00:52:27.639 --> 00:52:28.639
 That can only come.

00:52:28.639 --> 00:52:29.639
 From God.

00:52:29.639 --> 00:52:30.639
 Because.

00:52:30.639 --> 00:52:31.639
 It is the power.

00:52:31.639 --> 00:52:32.639
 Of God.

00:52:32.639 --> 00:52:33.639
 To salvation.

00:52:33.639 --> 00:52:34.639
 Because.

00:52:34.639 --> 00:52:35.639
 We are.

00:52:35.639 --> 00:52:36.639
 Powerless.

00:52:36.639 --> 00:52:37.639
 We are dead.

00:52:37.639 --> 00:52:38.639
 In our sin.

00:52:38.639 --> 00:52:40.639
 We are lost.

00:52:40.639 --> 00:52:44.639
 But Jesus came.

00:52:44.639 --> 00:52:46.639
 To save us.

00:52:46.639 --> 00:52:47.639
 From our sin.

00:52:47.639 --> 00:52:48.639
 And therefore.

00:52:48.639 --> 00:52:49.639
 We can rejoice.

00:52:49.639 --> 00:52:50.639
 In the cross.

00:52:50.639 --> 00:52:52.639
 Not as.

00:52:52.639 --> 00:52:53.639
 Something.

00:52:53.639 --> 00:52:54.639
 Disgusting.

00:52:54.639 --> 00:52:55.639
 As the Jews.

00:52:55.639 --> 00:52:56.639
 Would see it.

00:52:56.639 --> 00:52:57.639
 Or.

00:52:57.639 --> 00:52:58.639
 Something.

00:52:58.639 --> 00:52:59.639
 That just.

00:52:59.639 --> 00:53:00.639
 Is so superstitious.

00:53:00.639 --> 00:53:01.639
 Would see it.

00:53:01.639 --> 00:53:02.639
 In Paul's day.

00:53:02.639 --> 00:53:03.639
 But that we would see.

00:53:03.639 --> 00:53:04.639
 The wonder of it.

00:53:04.639 --> 00:53:06.639
 That God.

00:53:06.639 --> 00:53:07.639
 Sent his son.

00:53:07.639 --> 00:53:09.639
 Into this world.

00:53:09.639 --> 00:53:10.639
 To live.

00:53:10.639 --> 00:53:11.639
 And to die.

00:53:11.639 --> 00:53:15.639
 To die.

00:53:15.639 --> 00:53:16.639
 In our place.

00:53:16.639 --> 00:53:20.639
 And when we put our faith.

00:53:20.639 --> 00:53:21.639
 In the Lord Jesus.

00:53:21.639 --> 00:53:22.639
 We know.

00:53:22.639 --> 00:53:23.639
 This power.

00:53:23.639 --> 00:53:24.639
 Of God.

00:53:24.639 --> 00:53:25.639
 For ourselves.

00:53:25.639 --> 00:53:28.639
 It is the power.

00:53:28.639 --> 00:53:29.639
 Of God.

00:53:29.639 --> 00:53:30.639
 To salvation.

00:53:30.639 --> 00:53:31.639
 The one.

00:53:31.639 --> 00:53:32.639
 Who is able.

00:53:32.639 --> 00:53:33.639
 To break.

00:53:33.639 --> 00:53:34.639
 All the chains.

00:53:34.639 --> 00:53:35.639
 Of sin.

00:53:35.639 --> 00:53:36.639
 That hold us.

00:53:36.639 --> 00:53:37.639
 The one.

00:53:37.639 --> 00:53:38.639
 Who is able.

00:53:38.639 --> 00:53:39.139
 To make us.

00:53:39.139 --> 00:53:39.639
 A new person.

00:53:39.639 --> 00:53:41.639
 A new people.

00:53:41.639 --> 00:53:42.639
 The one.

00:53:42.639 --> 00:53:43.639
 Who is able.

00:53:43.639 --> 00:53:44.639
 To bring us.

00:53:44.639 --> 00:53:45.639
 Away from condemnation.

00:53:45.639 --> 00:53:46.639
 Because now.

00:53:46.639 --> 00:53:47.639
 There is no condemnation.

00:53:47.639 --> 00:53:48.639
 For those.

00:53:48.639 --> 00:53:49.639
 Who are in Christ.

00:53:49.639 --> 00:53:50.639
 Jesus.

00:53:50.639 --> 00:53:52.639
 And that is.

00:53:52.639 --> 00:53:53.639
 Under.

00:53:53.639 --> 00:53:54.639
 The cross.

00:53:54.639 --> 00:53:55.639
 Of Christ.

00:53:55.639 --> 00:53:56.639
 And its power.

00:53:56.639 --> 00:53:58.639
 John.

00:53:58.639 --> 00:53:59.639
 Newton.

00:53:59.639 --> 00:54:00.639
 Wrote.

00:54:00.639 --> 00:54:01.639
 These words.

00:54:01.639 --> 00:54:02.639
 When he was looking.

00:54:02.639 --> 00:54:03.639
 To the cross.

00:54:03.639 --> 00:54:04.639
 He said.

00:54:04.639 --> 00:54:05.639
 Alas.

00:54:05.639 --> 00:54:06.639
 I knew not.

00:54:06.639 --> 00:54:07.639
 What I did.

00:54:07.639 --> 00:54:08.639
 But now.

00:54:08.639 --> 00:54:09.639
 My tears.

00:54:09.639 --> 00:54:10.639
 Are vain.

00:54:10.639 --> 00:54:11.639
 Where shall.

00:54:11.639 --> 00:54:12.639
 My trembling.

00:54:12.639 --> 00:54:13.639
 Soul.

00:54:13.639 --> 00:54:14.639
 Be hid.

00:54:14.639 --> 00:54:15.639
 For I.

00:54:15.639 --> 00:54:16.639
 The Lord.

00:54:16.639 --> 00:54:17.639
 Have slain.

00:54:17.639 --> 00:54:18.639
 A second.

00:54:18.639 --> 00:54:19.639
 Luke.

00:54:19.639 --> 00:54:20.639
 He gave.

00:54:20.639 --> 00:54:21.639
 I freely.

00:54:21.639 --> 00:54:22.639
 All forgive.

00:54:22.639 --> 00:54:23.639
 This blood.

00:54:23.639 --> 00:54:25.639
 Is for thy ransom.

00:54:25.639 --> 00:54:26.639
 Paid.

00:54:26.639 --> 00:54:27.639
 I die.

00:54:27.639 --> 00:54:28.639
 That thou.

00:54:28.639 --> 00:54:29.639
 Mayst.

00:54:29.639 --> 00:54:30.639
 Live.

00:54:30.639 --> 00:54:31.639
 That is the wonder.

00:54:31.639 --> 00:54:32.639
 Of the word.

00:54:32.639 --> 00:54:33.639
 Of the cross.

00:54:33.639 --> 00:54:35.639
 He died.

00:54:35.639 --> 00:54:36.639
 That we.

00:54:36.639 --> 00:54:37.639
 Might live.

00:54:37.639 --> 00:54:38.639
 And John.

00:54:38.639 --> 00:54:39.639
 In his gospel.

00:54:39.639 --> 00:54:40.639
 Expresses that.

00:54:40.639 --> 00:54:41.639
 So wonderfully.

00:54:41.639 --> 00:54:42.639
 For us as well.

00:54:42.639 --> 00:54:43.639
 In chapter 5.

00:54:43.639 --> 00:54:44.639
 Verse 24.

00:54:44.639 --> 00:54:45.639
 He says.

00:54:45.639 --> 00:54:46.639
 Truly.

00:54:46.639 --> 00:54:47.639
 Truly.

00:54:47.639 --> 00:54:48.639
 I say to you.

00:54:48.639 --> 00:54:49.639
 Whoever.

00:54:49.639 --> 00:54:50.639
 Hears my word.

00:54:50.639 --> 00:54:51.639
 And believes.

00:54:51.639 --> 00:54:52.639
 Him who sent me.

00:54:52.639 --> 00:54:53.639
 Has.

00:54:53.639 --> 00:54:54.639
 Eternal.

00:54:54.639 --> 00:54:56.639
 He does not come.

00:54:56.639 --> 00:54:57.639
 Into judgment.

00:54:57.639 --> 00:54:58.639
 But has passed.

00:54:58.639 --> 00:54:59.639
 From death.

00:54:59.639 --> 00:55:01.639
 To life.

00:55:01.639 --> 00:55:04.639
 Passed from.

00:55:04.639 --> 00:55:05.639
 Perishing.

00:55:05.639 --> 00:55:07.639
 In our foolishness.

00:55:07.639 --> 00:55:09.639
 To being saved.

00:55:09.639 --> 00:55:11.639
 By the power of God.

00:55:11.639 --> 00:55:13.639
 In the cross.

00:55:13.639 --> 00:55:17.639
 What is our.

00:55:17.639 --> 00:55:18.639
 Thought.

00:55:18.639 --> 00:55:19.639
 Of the cross.

00:55:19.639 --> 00:55:20.639
 Today.

00:55:20.639 --> 00:55:21.639
 Do.

00:55:21.639 --> 00:55:22.639
 Do we see it.

00:55:22.639 --> 00:55:24.639
 As just foolishness.

00:55:24.639 --> 00:55:26.639
 And perish.

00:55:26.639 --> 00:55:28.639
 Or do we see it.

00:55:28.639 --> 00:55:29.639
 Its power.

00:55:29.639 --> 00:55:30.639
 To salvation.

00:55:30.639 --> 00:55:31.639
 All around.

00:55:31.639 --> 00:55:32.639
 The world.

00:55:32.639 --> 00:55:33.639
 Today.

00:55:33.639 --> 00:55:34.639
 The gospel.

00:55:34.639 --> 00:55:35.639
 Is heard.

00:55:35.639 --> 00:55:38.639
 And the gospel.

00:55:38.639 --> 00:55:40.639
 At its core.

00:55:40.639 --> 00:55:41.639
 Is the cross.

00:55:41.639 --> 00:55:43.639
 Of Christ.

00:55:43.639 --> 00:55:45.639
 And its power.

00:55:45.639 --> 00:55:46.639
 To transform.

00:55:46.639 --> 00:55:54.879
 form. And we don't lose heart in all that we do for the Lord. We don't lose heart as we seek the

00:55:54.879 --> 00:56:06.019
 Lord. As he calls us to himself, we see Christ as our hope for eternity. I'll leave you with a story

00:56:06.019 --> 00:56:14.219
 about John Wesley. When he was returning home one evening after being out preaching, he was robbed

00:56:14.219 --> 00:56:22.099
 and the thief came to him and stopped him in his tracks and asked him for the money that he had.

00:56:23.439 --> 00:56:32.279
 John Wesley was only able to say, well, I just have a few coins, but I also have this Christian

00:56:32.279 --> 00:56:42.159
 literature. The thief was disappointed and yet he took the little money that Wesley had. Now you or I,

00:56:42.159 --> 00:56:48.000
 we might be just terrified at that moment and just want the thief to disappear away from us.

00:56:48.719 --> 00:56:57.519
 But as the thief ran away, John Wesley called out to him and said, stop, I have something else to give

00:56:57.519 --> 00:57:04.559
 you. And the thief just stopped and turned in surprise. And John Wesley said to him, my friend,

00:57:04.559 --> 00:57:16.599
 you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here's something to remember. The blood of

00:57:16.599 --> 00:57:27.059
 Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. As the thief hurried away, John Wesley prayed that his words might

00:57:27.059 --> 00:57:37.119
 bear fruit in that thief. Many years passed. And one Sunday when John Wesley had finished preaching a

00:57:37.119 --> 00:57:45.219
 Sunday service, he was greeting people at the door. And this man approached him, a stranger in his eyes,

00:57:45.279 --> 00:57:53.739
 as he thought, and introduced himself. And he was surprised to learn that this was the thief he had met that

00:57:53.739 --> 00:58:02.199
 night. And the thief. And the thief was now a Christian and a successful businessman. His life had been

00:58:02.199 --> 00:58:13.079
 transformed. And he said to John Wesley, I owe it all to you. And John Wesley's response was immediately to say,

00:58:13.079 --> 00:58:21.659
 not to me, not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin.

00:58:23.179 --> 00:58:36.119
 The cross is powerful to save. It can save you. It can save me as we fix our eyes on Jesus.

00:58:36.119 --> 00:58:49.980
 It's not about eloquent words of wisdom. It's about Christ crucified. There is the power of God to

00:58:49.980 --> 00:59:00.079
 salvation. May we know more of that saving power in our own life and in our own experience and in our

00:59:00.079 --> 00:59:10.860
 lives of our community and our land and this world that Christ would be glorified and his name be praised.

00:59:11.179 --> 00:59:12.000
 Let us pray.

00:59:15.119 --> 00:59:23.579
 Lord our God, we can bring nothing to you, but we thank you that we have a cross to cling to,

00:59:23.579 --> 00:59:33.019
 that we have the power of God before our eyes as we think of Christ crucified for our sins. As we think

00:59:33.019 --> 00:59:40.619
 of all that was done for us, Lord, why would we ever want to turn away? And yet in our foolishness,

00:59:40.719 --> 00:59:49.400
 we so often neglect these things. And we just pray, Lord, for your spirit to provoke us, Lord,

00:59:49.400 --> 00:59:57.920
 to stir us up in our hearts and in our minds, to always have that cross before us, to always see

00:59:57.920 --> 01:00:07.000
 its power and Christ as our saviour and as our Lord. We thank you for the wonder of it, for your love

01:00:07.000 --> 01:00:14.320
 towards sinners such as we are. We pray, Lord, that you will make us thankful that the way to salvation

01:00:14.320 --> 01:00:22.700
 has been made plain for us. So help us, Lord, to go on in your strength and to rejoice in the hope

01:00:22.700 --> 01:00:28.260
 that is Christ our Lord as we ask it all in his name. Amen.

01:00:32.820 --> 01:00:37.220
 We're going to conclude by singing again in Psalm 147.

01:00:37.219 --> 01:00:50.859
 Psalm 147 at verse 15, the three stanzas down to verse 18, the tune is Arlington.

01:00:50.859 --> 01:00:59.239
 To all the corners of the earth, the Lord's commands proceed, for when he speaks, his word goes forth

01:00:59.239 --> 01:01:06.000
 through all the world with speed. He spreads the snow as wool, the frost like ashes on the land.

01:01:06.000 --> 01:01:14.139
 He hurls forth icy hail like stones who can such cold withstand. But when he sends his mighty word

01:01:14.139 --> 01:01:23.199
 and makes the warm winds blow, the frozen waters start to melt and once again to flow. We'll sing

01:01:23.199 --> 01:01:25.960
 these three stanzas to God's praise.

01:01:25.960 --> 01:01:44.339
 To all the corners of the earth, the Lord's commands proceed.

01:01:44.340 --> 01:01:53.480
 For when he speaks, his word goes forth. For when he speaks, his word goes forth.

01:01:53.480 --> 01:02:07.340
 For when he speaks, his word goes forth. Through all the world will speak.

01:02:07.340 --> 01:02:30.340
 He spreads the snow as wool, the frost like ashes on the land. He hurls forth icy hail like stones.

01:02:30.340 --> 01:03:00.320
 Thank you.

01:03:00.340 --> 01:03:25.780
 The warm winds flow, the frozen water start to melt, and once again to flow.

01:03:25.780 --> 01:03:26.780
 Amen.