WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.259 Can I give you all a very warm welcome to our service today as we come together to worship 00:00:06.259 --> 00:00:06.740 God. 00:00:07.219 --> 00:00:09.720 Just a few of the notices to highlight before we go on. 00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:11.160 You'll have it on your notice sheet there. 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:14.339 I just remember there's tea and coffee in the hall afterwards. 00:00:14.599 --> 00:00:17.940 You're very welcome to join together there through in the hall. 00:00:19.300 --> 00:00:21.160 The service is next Lord's Day. 00:00:21.500 --> 00:00:24.960 Remember there'll be no Gaelic service in the morning due to the baptism service in 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:25.460 the church. 00:00:25.460 --> 00:00:29.960 And the morning service will be taken by the Reverend James McKeever and the English 00:00:29.960 --> 00:00:31.420 service here in the church. 00:00:31.539 --> 00:00:32.920 I will be taking that myself. 00:00:33.859 --> 00:00:39.460 So thank you from the Stornoway Christian Bookshop for all the support from local churches at 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:41.079 this time and indeed throughout the year. 00:00:41.799 --> 00:00:46.079 We thank them for that and thank them for all the work they do there in the bookshop. 00:00:47.560 --> 00:00:50.679 There's a number of notices about upcoming events as well. 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:54.859 I'll not go through them in detail, but you can see that there's volunteers required for 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:59.479 different things if you're willing to help with the hall during this coming week. 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:03.539 Thursday, Friday, there's the Goddess Good Africa. 00:01:03.820 --> 00:01:04.760 Lunch is there. 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:11.079 There's this free breakfast on the Sunday morning, next Sunday morning at 8.30. 00:01:11.579 --> 00:01:14.200 Again, if you're able to help with that, then you can get in touch. 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:20.820 And also with help with the visiting cruise ships coming into the town. 00:01:21.460 --> 00:01:25.120 Volunteers are needed there to greet visitors to the church during that time. 00:01:25.299 --> 00:01:30.980 So just read through the notices in your own time and see if you're able to help with any 00:01:30.980 --> 00:01:32.140 of these events. 00:01:33.500 --> 00:01:38.640 Well, we come to worship God today and we're going to begin by singing to his praise in Psalm 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:39.640 130. 00:01:40.980 --> 00:01:45.980 In the Scottish Psalter, Psalm 130, page 421. 00:01:47.060 --> 00:01:49.099 We're going to sing the whole of this psalm. 00:01:50.700 --> 00:01:54.740 Lord, from the depths to thee I cried, my voice, Lord, do thou hear. 00:01:55.260 --> 00:01:59.540 And to my supplications voice give an attentive ear. 00:01:59.540 --> 00:02:03.040 We'll sing the whole of this psalm to God's praise. 00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:25.819 Lord, from the depths to thee I cried, my voice, Lord, do thou hear. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:45.859 Unto my supplications voice give an attentive ear. 00:02:45.860 --> 00:03:04.860 Lord, who shall stand if thou, O Lord, choose mark iniquity. 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:25.860 But yet with thee, forgiveness is that fear thou mayest be. 00:03:25.860 --> 00:03:37.540 I wait for God, my soul doth wait. 00:03:37.540 --> 00:03:46.460 My hope is in his word. 00:03:46.460 --> 00:03:52.460 More than may not. 00:03:52.460 --> 00:03:53.460 More than may not. 00:03:53.460 --> 00:03:57.840 More morning watch. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:07.300 My soul doth wait for the Lord. 00:04:07.300 --> 00:04:14.300 I say, Lord, may not. 00:04:14.300 --> 00:04:18.759 May not to watch. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:27.300 The morning light to see. 00:04:27.300 --> 00:04:39.120 Let Israel hope in the Lord. 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:48.300 Lord, with him mercy speak. 00:04:48.300 --> 00:05:06.300 And plentious preemption is ever found within. 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:27.300 And from all his iniquities he Israel shall redeem. 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:28.280 Amen. 00:05:34.020 --> 00:05:36.360 We'll come to God now in prayer. 00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:37.160 Let us pray. 00:05:41.400 --> 00:05:47.500 Our gracious Father in heaven, we rejoice to be able to approach your throne 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:54.160 and to come in worship before you as a holy God, a just and a loving God, 00:05:54.160 --> 00:06:01.720 a God with whom there is much redemption as we have sung about for we recognize our unworthiness 00:06:01.720 --> 00:06:07.420 to stand before you and the psalmist says who can stand before you if you were to mark your 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:14.820 iniquities against us but yet there is forgiveness with you and so we thank you that we can come in 00:06:14.820 --> 00:06:22.140 and through the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the one who came for sinners the one who 00:06:22.139 --> 00:06:30.579 came to lay down his life the one who gave his life as a ransom for many and we rejoice to be able to 00:06:30.579 --> 00:06:38.620 praise to worship to sing your praise to lift up our voices rejoicing in the promise that as we come 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:45.139 to worship that you are in the midst to bless and may you fill our hearts with a sense of thankfulness 00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:51.939 today thankful for the freedoms we enjoy thankful for the many privileges and blessings that are ours 00:06:51.939 --> 00:06:58.560 but above all may you make us thankful for the salvation that is to be found in Christ Jesus 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:05.779 and so we pray for your people here today those who who trust in you with all their hearts that you 00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:12.819 will strengthen that you will lead us in our faith that you will help us to walk closely with you 00:07:12.819 --> 00:07:20.959 we pray for those who are maybe as yet strangers to you in that way they long for you in all their 00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:27.839 hearts they are seeking for you but may be struggling in different ways with assurance with confidence 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:34.819 in you with an unworthiness in and of themselves but we thank you that your spirit works in our hearts 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:42.519 to remind us that salvation is not of ourselves but in the one who is the way the truth and the life 00:07:42.519 --> 00:07:50.139 and so may you help any here who are struggling in that way to fix their eyes on Jesus and you 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:56.919 and to find in him the one who is able to help in all our needs and others may be lord who 00:07:56.919 --> 00:08:03.359 just have no interest in you at times lord we know that not just here but throughout our land 00:08:03.359 --> 00:08:09.139 throughout our nation and throughout our world today there are so many who are blind to your goodness 00:08:09.139 --> 00:08:16.979 who are indeed strangers to grace and we pray for the power of your spirit the power of your word 00:08:16.979 --> 00:08:25.159 to convict and convert and to bring people to salvation to bring people to repentance and to a 00:08:25.159 --> 00:08:31.099 knowledge of their need of Christ so we pray for the blessing of your spirit on your word proclaimed 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:37.700 far and wide that you will be in the midst of all who gather in your name that you will gather a 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:44.259 people to yourself and for yourself we thank you for the assurance in your word that you are building 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:51.160 your church we thank you that we take heart in that that even in days when there seems to be 00:08:51.160 --> 00:08:57.780 little progress to that end in our eyes we thank you that you are working out your purposes and providence 00:08:57.780 --> 00:09:03.820 to your end and for your good we know that in the difficulties in life we learn so much 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:10.379 and even more than in the good times we know that in the struggles we realize our full dependence upon 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:17.540 you for when the way is easy we find that we put our own we put trust in and of ourselves for all 00:09:17.540 --> 00:09:24.460 things but help us lord that we would recognize our dependence upon you more and more we recognize 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:32.340 the days we live in are so difficult for many we recognize oh lord the financial pressures on people 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:38.180 just now with increasing costs of living in so many different parts and so many different ways 00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:46.240 and we pray lord for your church to have a burden a real burden for people around us to look out for 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:53.240 our neighbors to love our neighbors as ourselves and we thank you for every endeavor to to minister to 00:09:53.240 --> 00:10:00.019 and to reach out to those who are around us we thank you for all the activities of the congregation 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:05.679 here and even in this coming week we pray your blessing on all that will be done in your name 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:11.439 we thank you for the work with our young people for the the twinnies and the creche as they meet today 00:10:11.439 --> 00:10:17.819 you bless all who help there and the children together as they gather for it lord we we pray that 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:23.439 you look after them and show your blessings upon them remember all our young people throughout these 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:30.260 holidays just now we particularly remember those who are at camp or going to camp in these coming weeks 00:10:30.260 --> 00:10:36.680 we pray that'll be a real blessing upon our young people during these weeks ahead remember the leaders 00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:43.580 and all who organize and help to run the camps as well we pray for strength and help to each one of them 00:10:43.580 --> 00:10:51.720 may your spirit be with them we thank you for the the church being open in these coming days ahead 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:58.980 with the festival taking place an opportunity to to open our doors here for visitors to come in and to 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:06.340 to see the church to to meet with people we pray that will be a real sense of your your presence in that to 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:13.259 watch over all our people and our communities in these days ahead lord in the midst of all that goes on may 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:22.299 people be reminded of the the great hope that is found in jesus christ alone may we come to sing praises 00:11:22.299 --> 00:11:29.139 and praise his name remember the preaching of your word we thank you for the ministry of your word today 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:35.299 and also as we look forward god willing to it next week with baptisms to take place we pray for your 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:41.379 blessing on on the children to be baptized and their parents and families as well we thank you for all our 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:48.320 young people and pray your covenant blessing on each and every one of them we thank you too for the 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:54.740 the marriage that took place here on friday we pray for madhia and john ross asking your blessing on them 00:11:54.740 --> 00:12:01.100 as a couple that we pray for them lord that you will bless them and look after them day by day and 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:08.200 remember their families too may you be near to them all so lord we pray your blessing on us today and 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:14.120 throughout the day and may we know your mercy and your peace upon us so we ask you'll go before us 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:21.120 and pardon us all our sin as we ask it all in jesus precious name and for his sake amen 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:34.840 well we're going to just share a word with the young people just now it's lovely to see you here today 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:41.460 to hear you it's great to always to hear young voices in our midst and i know it's your holiday 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:45.500 time but it's so good that you're still coming to church during the holidays it's so important that 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:51.160 we don't see a holiday as a time to take a holiday from church because it's great to come together and to 00:12:51.160 --> 00:12:58.480 hear the word of god i want to tell you something that that happened to me this week and perhaps you 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:08.180 were aware of this happening as well many of you maybe heard a noise a loud noise on thursday on 00:13:08.180 --> 00:13:16.120 thursday morning i was sitting in the study about 10 o'clock i started to hear this noise this really 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:23.600 loud noise i just wasn't sure what it was so i looked out my window i thought maybe it's my next 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:29.279 door neighbor playing loud music or something like that but no the noise didn't seem to be coming from 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:36.019 there at all so i just went outside i opened the door and i was hearing this loud ringing noise a 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:42.860 siren was going off and it was so loud you could probably hear it all over stornway because that was 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:49.240 the whole idea behind it because i remembered then that i'd read the day before on the internet that 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:57.759 there was going to be this alarm going off it was the alarms to do with the gas plant and it was telling 00:13:57.759 --> 00:14:05.600 us that this is just a test this is just testing the the sound system the sirens going off so that in 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:12.419 case there was an emergency they would know it works and that people can hear this siren all over the 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:18.620 place so did anybody else hear the noise put up your hand if you heard that loud noise there's maybe one or 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:26.700 two who heard the noise all right but what it was doing it was warning us of danger warning us of 00:14:26.700 --> 00:14:32.639 something going wrong and that if we were to hear it we were to know that something was going wrong and 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:40.679 do something about it we want to know where we're to go maybe to find a safe place to go and then i read 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:48.180 a verse in the bible reminds us of just the way that siren reminds us of hearing god's word and it's a 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:55.679 version of the old testament in a book called joel and in joel chapter 2 we read these words it says 00:14:55.679 --> 00:15:04.359 blow a trumpet in sion sound an alarm on my holy mountain let all the inhabitants of the land 00:15:04.359 --> 00:15:12.659 tremble for the day of the lord is coming it is near so the prophet called joel there in the old 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:19.899 testament he was god was saying to him to to blow this trumpet to sound this alarm on the mountain 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:27.620 so that people could hear and what were they to hear well they were to hear that the lord was coming 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:33.839 that the lord was coming so this was something they needed to hear so in order that they could find a safe 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:41.819 place to go and in our own life too that is what we hear from god as well as we come to hear what the 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:49.520 bible says to us we are hearing as it were god blowing this trumpet sounding this alarm in our midst 00:15:49.520 --> 00:15:57.420 making us aware of the dangers that are around us but reminding us of the place that we are to go to find 00:15:57.420 --> 00:16:07.960 refuge and that place is to come to put our trust in the lord jesus the bible warns us it sounds the 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:16.139 siren sounds the alarm this loud noise going off but it tells us to find our safety to find our security 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:25.680 in the lord jesus and so week by week even day by day we're hearing this alarm going off and we are to 00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:34.220 listen to it and to find our safety in the lord jesus so just like the gas sirens going off and warning 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:41.879 us the load is a test of danger that is what the word of god does for us all too it warns us of the 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:50.600 dangers we're in but the way we can find safety in jesus so may we come to know that safety and security 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:59.100 for all of us that we find in the lord jesus well together we're going to to say the lord's prayer you 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:03.899 have it on your order ourselves on the notice sheet and we'll say the lord's prayer together 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:14.180 our father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:23.579 as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:33.079 and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom the power and the glory 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:40.919 forever amen and may god bless his word on these thoughts to us we're going to sing again to god's 00:17:40.919 --> 00:17:50.919 praise now we're singing in psalm 86 in verse 1 to 7 in the scottish psalter psalm 86 00:17:50.920 --> 00:18:04.880 we find this on page 340 psalm 86 at verse 1 oh lord do thou bow down thine ear and hear me graciously 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:13.680 because i sore afflicted am and am in poverty we'll sing from verse 1 to verse 7 to god's praise 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:35.019 o lord do thou bow down thine ear and hear me graciously 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:54.019 because i sore afflicted am and am in poverty because i sore afflicted am and am in poverty 00:18:54.539 --> 00:19:08.119 because i Have a coldly let my heartaltine ear and be graciously 00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:12.240 o yeaUR to hаль to die in the scottish psalmília 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:14.460 O O how might know thy son sister world 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:14.559 in grace? 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:16.519 O thou my God thoupinest hay and O Lord 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.119 I shall grandeaf sa naturale earth and observe no 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:35.119 O my Lord, my servant's sake, that puts his trust in me. 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:55.359 Say unto me, I daily cry, be merciful to me. 00:19:55.359 --> 00:20:15.779 Rejoice, my servant's soul, O Lord, I lift my soul to thee. 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:34.779 For thou art gracious, O Lord, and ready to forgive. 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:54.779 And rich in mercy, all that call upon me to relieve. 00:20:54.779 --> 00:21:15.779 Hear, Lord, my prayer unto the voice of my request attend. 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:35.779 In troublous times I call on thee, for thou wilt answer sin. 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:36.779 Amen. 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:15.279 When he had gone out, Jesus said, 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:20.059 Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:28.460 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:32.680 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:39.140 You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:42.200 Where I am going, you cannot come. 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:46.680 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. 00:22:47.060 --> 00:22:51.180 Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:58.200 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. 00:22:58.200 --> 00:23:01.440 Simon Peter said to him, 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:03.380 Lord, where are you going? 00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:05.620 Jesus answered him, 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:11.200 Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterwards. 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:13.279 Peter said to him, 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:15.940 Lord, why can I not follow you now? 00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:18.779 I will lay down my life for you. 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.700 Jesus answered, 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:23.380 Will you lay down your life for me? 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:29.840 Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow till you have denied me three times. 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:33.120 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:36.620 Believe in God, believe also in me. 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:39.740 In my Father's house are many rooms. 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:44.980 If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:51.420 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:54.360 that where I am, you may be also. 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:57.920 And you know the way to where I am going. 00:23:58.980 --> 00:24:00.160 Thomas said to him, 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:02.819 Lord, we do not know where you are going. 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:04.680 How can we know the way? 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:07.039 Jesus said to him, 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:10.680 I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:14.539 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:18.480 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:22.120 From now on, you do know him and have seen him. 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:24.500 Philip said to him, 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:28.220 Lord, show us the Father and it is enough for us. 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.360 Jesus said to him, 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:34.539 Have I been with you so long that you still do not know me, Philip? 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:37.720 Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:40.980 How can you say, show us the Father? 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:45.460 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:50.400 The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own authority, 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:54.380 but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:59.559 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:03.579 or else believe on the account of the works themselves. 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:06.480 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:10.419 whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.859 and greater works than these will he do, 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:14.859 because I am going to the Father. 00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:17.699 Whatever you ask in my name, 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.519 this I will do, 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:22.399 that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:25.659 If you ask me for anything in my name, 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.539 I will do it. 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.799 And so on. 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:31.720 And may God bless that reading from his word. 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:34.700 Before we turn to look at this passage, 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:36.799 we're going to sing again in Psalm 19, 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.980 in the Scottish Psalter, 00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:40.740 Psalm 19 at verse 7, 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:43.100 page 223. 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:46.779 We're going to sing from verse 7 to verse 11. 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:52.019 God's law is perfect and converts the soul and sin that lies. 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:54.779 God's testimony is most sure 00:25:54.779 --> 00:25:57.660 and makes the simple wise. 00:25:57.660 --> 00:26:01.079 We'll sing from verse 7 to 11 to God's praise. 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:23.759 God's law is perfect and converts the soul and sin that lies. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:42.259 God's testimony is most sure and makes the simple wise. 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:52.599 The statutes of the Lord are right, 00:26:52.599 --> 00:27:00.259 And do rejoice the heart. 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:18.259 God's law is perfect and the Lord's command is pure and of light to the eyes depart. 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:21.319 God's law is perfect and the soul and the heart. 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:31.079 God's law is perfect and of light to the deep-ass life itself. 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:33.660 God's law is perfect, 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:38.640 God's lawafred and imagine you come all around. 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:56.980 The judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 00:27:56.980 --> 00:28:17.279 They more than gold, they much shine gold to be desired are. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:36.440 Than honey, honey from the cold that dropeth sweeter far. 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:54.440 Moreover they thy servant lord, how he is right to frame. 00:28:54.440 --> 00:29:14.820 A great reward provided is for them that keep the same. 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:26.480 Well, can we turn back to our reading in the Gospel of John chapter 14. 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:30.559 And we're going to read at verse 5 and verse 6. 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:36.599 Where we read the question of Thomas to the Lord Jesus and Jesus' response to it. 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:42.359 Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going. 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:44.879 How can we know the way? 00:29:45.719 --> 00:29:51.359 Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:56.559 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:29:57.879 --> 00:30:02.379 Thomas' question and the Lord's response to it. 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:06.139 As I was saying to the young ones just before they went out. 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:09.559 We were mentioning about the noise we were hearing on Thursday. 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:14.139 And the gas warning siren was quite an eye-opener. 00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:17.000 I remember hearing it maybe a number of years ago. 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:24.539 But just hearing it again and just how loud it is and how far and wide it can be heard. 00:30:24.659 --> 00:30:26.240 It's quite an eye-opener. 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.440 And what about yourselves? 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:31.960 I mean, maybe some of you have heard it on numerous occasions. 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:35.539 And when you hear it, what goes through your mind? 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:38.840 What if it was real? 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:40.740 What would you do? 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.400 Where would you go? 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:47.019 Maybe the only time you hear it just now is when they're doing a test. 00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:50.160 But what would happen if it was for real? 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:52.100 Would you know where to run? 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:54.640 Would you even know what it was? 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:59.780 Maybe you've heard it over many years and now you just ignored it. 00:31:00.320 --> 00:31:06.080 Maybe you were hearing it for the first time on Thursday and wondering, what is that noise? 00:31:07.340 --> 00:31:11.920 It's a reminder to us in how we can be with the gospel as well. 00:31:12.560 --> 00:31:17.140 Perhaps you've heard the warning of the gospel on numerous occasions. 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:22.660 And like you say about the gas warning sign, it's just a warning. 00:31:22.820 --> 00:31:23.800 It's not real. 00:31:24.560 --> 00:31:28.460 And the more often you hear the gospel, you almost come to that conclusion. 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:31.060 Oh, it's just the word of God. 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:33.560 We'll hear it again another time. 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:35.460 It's not really that real. 00:31:36.600 --> 00:31:40.000 Or perhaps like hearing the siren for the first time. 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:44.520 You're hearing the gospel for the first time and wondering, what is this? 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:47.279 What is this warning you're talking about? 00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:50.400 What is this danger that I might be in? 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:56.180 The gospel warning is going off all the time. 00:31:56.639 --> 00:32:01.200 And it's warning us of the imminent danger that we are in. 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:04.559 It's asking us, are you safe? 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.519 Do you have security? 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:10.139 Do you know where to go in your day of trouble? 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:13.839 Are you on the right way? 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:16.599 Are you going on the right path? 00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:20.439 Are you running away from trouble and finding refuge? 00:32:21.139 --> 00:32:25.039 Or are you running into trouble and running into danger? 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:32.459 The word of God tells us that when Jesus returns, he's going to come quickly. 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:38.279 We're not going to have a warning moments before or days before saying, 00:32:38.399 --> 00:32:40.959 oh, he's coming on such and such a day. 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:45.460 He's going to come, as the word of God says, like a thief in the night. 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:52.259 Just like we were on Thursday just going about our normal day-to-day routines and the silence 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.039 are going off. 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:55.420 So it'll be in the Lord's return. 00:32:55.559 --> 00:33:00.480 We will all be going about our day-to-day business, doing our normal routine. 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:08.900 But as Joel says in that chapter in the Old Testament, the warning sound is going off and 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:11.519 the day of the Lord's return is imminent. 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:15.539 The question is, do we know the way to safety? 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:18.599 Do we know the way to salvation? 00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:26.240 Well, here in the passage before us, we see Thomas and the disciples who are gathered together 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.359 with the Lord Jesus. 00:33:28.199 --> 00:33:33.859 They're with him just hours before he's going to go to the cross. 00:33:34.199 --> 00:33:36.959 They're hearing what he has to say. 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.899 They're fearful. 00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:42.519 They're frightened of what lies ahead for them. 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:46.099 Jesus has told them he is going to die. 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:50.579 He has told them that there is one who is going to betray him. 00:33:50.939 --> 00:33:54.000 He has told another that he is going to deny him. 00:33:54.099 --> 00:33:56.319 He has given them all of these warnings. 00:33:57.399 --> 00:34:03.119 He has told them that where he is going, they cannot come as yet. 00:34:03.959 --> 00:34:09.360 And in all of this discussion that the disciples are having with Jesus, it's leaving the disciples 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:11.539 with many different questions. 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:17.480 And perhaps that's the way we are when we come to hear the gospel as well. 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:22.139 We hear everything that Jesus is saying to us and we have all these questions running 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:23.159 around our mind. 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:25.759 We have all these questions we want to ask. 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:28.460 And if you have questions, do ask them. 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:33.539 Because you'll often find that the questions you have, they may seem silly to you, but they're 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:36.519 the same questions that other people will have too. 00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:41.619 So we look at God's word and see what it's saying to us. 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:48.420 And Thomas and the disciples in the midst of worry and anxiety and fear, they're seeking 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:58.800 direction and they're being told by Jesus where that refuge is, where that direction is found 00:34:58.800 --> 00:35:04.699 when Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:35:04.699 --> 00:35:08.019 I'm sure many of you are avid readers. 00:35:08.219 --> 00:35:12.500 You enjoy reading a book, especially maybe at this time of year, if you're going away 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:17.379 on holiday, you maybe take a book or two with you to read this on your holiday time. 00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:19.339 It may be a novel. 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:21.899 It may be an autobiography or something like that. 00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:24.359 Where do you start reading the book? 00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:27.699 Do you just open it at any page and start reading? 00:35:27.859 --> 00:35:33.980 Do you open it at the middle and start reading backwards or going from the middle towards the 00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:35.599 end and then go to the start? 00:35:36.699 --> 00:35:41.079 Well, if you read a book like that, you're maybe not going to understand or to know what's 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:43.159 happening at that particular point. 00:35:43.699 --> 00:35:47.740 When we're reading a book, we should often begin at the beginning. 00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:50.840 You enter into the story. 00:35:51.240 --> 00:35:54.920 You find out from the beginning what's going on, what's happening. 00:35:55.460 --> 00:35:56.719 You enter into a story. 00:35:56.719 --> 00:35:58.599 Sometimes it's happy. 00:35:59.379 --> 00:36:00.619 Sometimes you laugh. 00:36:01.259 --> 00:36:02.339 Sometimes it's sad. 00:36:02.419 --> 00:36:03.819 And sometimes you will cry. 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:08.799 But when you read the Bible, how do you read the Bible? 00:36:09.619 --> 00:36:12.599 Yes, we can open it anywhere and start reading. 00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:17.579 You can pick a verse, as it were, or pick a book or a chapter and just start reading. 00:36:17.879 --> 00:36:20.419 And it'll always have something to say to you. 00:36:20.420 --> 00:36:26.000 But as well with the Bible, we are to see it from beginning to end. 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:31.860 Whether we're thinking of the whole Bible or a book of the Bible, read it from the beginning 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:33.360 to the end. 00:36:34.200 --> 00:36:38.740 And when you think of the Gospels, read them from the beginning through to the end. 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:44.300 And you see the outworkings of what Jesus came to do in this world. 00:36:45.180 --> 00:36:47.240 Sometimes it'll make you happy. 00:36:47.239 --> 00:36:50.279 Sometimes it'll make you sad. 00:36:50.759 --> 00:36:54.959 And that's the reality of the world that we live in. 00:36:55.799 --> 00:36:59.439 But it's the most important book for us to read. 00:36:59.839 --> 00:37:02.699 It tells us the greatest story ever told. 00:37:03.439 --> 00:37:05.879 It shows us where we are going wrong. 00:37:06.000 --> 00:37:08.639 It shows us how we can be right with God. 00:37:09.659 --> 00:37:14.339 And so today we think of how important it is to read this book. 00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:20.720 It reminds us that in Jesus, we have one who is able to give us hope. 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:26.039 And as you think about what is happening in these verses before us, and indeed in this 00:37:26.039 --> 00:37:32.600 section of John's Gospel, when you think of Jesus with his disciples and the worries and 00:37:32.600 --> 00:37:38.400 anxieties that they have, it's the common theme in our own lives as well. 00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:44.240 Our own fears, our own worries, our own anxieties going forward. 00:37:44.760 --> 00:37:46.320 Looking for direction. 00:37:47.099 --> 00:37:51.139 Looking for a way in life that will give us hope, that will give us peace. 00:37:51.780 --> 00:37:53.380 And where do we find it? 00:37:54.200 --> 00:37:57.079 Well, verse 6 gives us the answer. 00:37:58.180 --> 00:37:59.380 Jesus said to him, 00:37:59.380 --> 00:38:08.260 And it's these words I want us just to think about today. 00:38:08.720 --> 00:38:13.960 Jesus saying, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:38:14.140 --> 00:38:19.140 And as we think about looking for direction and hearing the warning of the Gospel today, 00:38:19.539 --> 00:38:23.160 to think about these three things that Jesus is saying. 00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:28.539 First of all, we see Jesus say, I am the way. 00:38:29.879 --> 00:38:31.659 I am the way. 00:38:32.859 --> 00:38:40.219 Martin Luther once called John chapter 14 the best and most comforting sermon preached by 00:38:40.219 --> 00:38:42.799 Christ while on this earth. 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:49.759 A jewel and a treasure not purchasable with any of the world's goods. 00:38:49.760 --> 00:38:53.440 Why did he see so much in it? 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:55.940 Well, you just have to read the opening verse. 00:38:56.300 --> 00:38:57.840 Verse 1 of this chapter. 00:38:58.060 --> 00:39:00.640 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:39:01.420 --> 00:39:02.760 Believe in God. 00:39:03.480 --> 00:39:06.080 Believe also in me. 00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:10.400 If we are looking for a way, 00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:15.300 just as Thomas is looking for a way as he asks this question, 00:39:15.640 --> 00:39:18.160 what does that indicate to us? 00:39:18.159 --> 00:39:21.940 It means there is an uncertainty. 00:39:22.699 --> 00:39:24.019 We're not sure. 00:39:24.859 --> 00:39:26.500 We are maybe lost. 00:39:27.379 --> 00:39:28.759 We've lost our way. 00:39:29.259 --> 00:39:31.379 We've lost direction in our life. 00:39:31.819 --> 00:39:36.420 It's leaving us confused as to where we've been and where we're going. 00:39:37.359 --> 00:39:43.379 And so this question that Thomas has here is a question we might have ourselves. 00:39:44.319 --> 00:39:47.199 We do not know where you are going. 00:39:47.199 --> 00:39:50.339 How can we know the way? 00:39:50.980 --> 00:39:53.739 How can we know the way? 00:39:54.799 --> 00:40:01.579 You would say that Thomas may be the only one who is a little uncertain here. 00:40:01.579 --> 00:40:10.019 But the great thing as you read in the wider context of this verse is that he is not the only one who has this question. 00:40:10.980 --> 00:40:13.739 He's often referred to as doubting Thomas. 00:40:13.860 --> 00:40:15.860 Maybe a little unfairly. 00:40:16.340 --> 00:40:21.480 Because you see there are others who have very similar questions here as well. 00:40:21.480 --> 00:40:24.500 Peter in chapter 13. 00:40:24.500 --> 00:40:26.380 In verse 37. 00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:27.519 Peter said to him, Lord. 00:40:28.219 --> 00:40:29.579 In verse 36. 00:40:30.179 --> 00:40:31.599 Simon Peter said to him, Lord. 00:40:31.740 --> 00:40:33.519 Where are you going? 00:40:34.500 --> 00:40:36.340 So he has a question. 00:40:37.219 --> 00:40:39.199 Peter has this question. 00:40:39.760 --> 00:40:41.500 In verse 8 of chapter 14. 00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:42.740 Philip. 00:40:42.920 --> 00:40:45.139 Another of the disciples has a question. 00:40:45.300 --> 00:40:45.519 Lord. 00:40:46.119 --> 00:40:47.280 Show us the Father. 00:40:47.699 --> 00:40:49.059 And it is enough for us. 00:40:49.059 --> 00:40:51.739 They all have their questions. 00:40:53.779 --> 00:40:58.400 It's a great reminder to us that we will all have questions too. 00:40:59.199 --> 00:41:02.199 We will all have our own uncertainties. 00:41:02.739 --> 00:41:04.440 They are all troubled. 00:41:05.139 --> 00:41:06.480 They are all anxious. 00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:10.500 And you are never alone in your anxiety in this world. 00:41:11.099 --> 00:41:15.199 You are never alone in your questions in this world. 00:41:15.199 --> 00:41:16.839 Even Thomas. 00:41:17.079 --> 00:41:18.919 As he says here in verse 5. 00:41:19.039 --> 00:41:19.759 It's not, Lord. 00:41:20.179 --> 00:41:23.460 I don't know where you are going. 00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:24.239 It's we. 00:41:24.879 --> 00:41:27.359 We do not know where you are going. 00:41:27.480 --> 00:41:29.739 How can we know the way? 00:41:30.839 --> 00:41:33.099 He's asking almost on behalf of the others. 00:41:34.039 --> 00:41:36.699 They all want to know this way. 00:41:37.179 --> 00:41:38.899 They are all troubled. 00:41:38.900 --> 00:41:42.780 And that's the great response to Jesus here. 00:41:42.840 --> 00:41:45.160 He says it twice in this chapter. 00:41:45.740 --> 00:41:46.360 In verse 1. 00:41:46.500 --> 00:41:48.180 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:41:48.780 --> 00:41:50.619 And in verse 27. 00:41:50.940 --> 00:41:51.599 He says. 00:41:52.000 --> 00:41:52.900 Peace I leave with you. 00:41:52.940 --> 00:41:54.380 My peace I give to you. 00:41:54.660 --> 00:41:56.220 Not as the world gives. 00:41:56.380 --> 00:41:57.300 Do I give to you. 00:41:57.420 --> 00:41:59.760 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:42:00.539 --> 00:42:01.960 Twice he says that. 00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:05.220 Twice he gives them comfort. 00:42:05.219 --> 00:42:08.559 And the greatest comfort he is giving them. 00:42:08.980 --> 00:42:11.500 Is that they can know the way. 00:42:12.439 --> 00:42:15.959 They can know the way that they are to go. 00:42:16.819 --> 00:42:19.459 There are many times in life. 00:42:19.619 --> 00:42:21.019 Where we maybe come to a point. 00:42:21.139 --> 00:42:21.619 And we say. 00:42:22.099 --> 00:42:24.899 I just don't know where I am going. 00:42:25.599 --> 00:42:28.279 I just don't know now which way to turn. 00:42:28.839 --> 00:42:31.579 I have tried so many things. 00:42:32.619 --> 00:42:33.779 And you maybe ask yourself. 00:42:33.780 --> 00:42:37.800 Well does the Bible really give me any help. 00:42:38.220 --> 00:42:40.920 Is that a place that I can turn. 00:42:41.060 --> 00:42:42.140 And look and seek. 00:42:42.540 --> 00:42:45.060 For an answer to the way in which I am to go. 00:42:45.860 --> 00:42:46.380 Yes. 00:42:47.840 --> 00:42:50.500 Because it is God's word to us. 00:42:50.640 --> 00:42:51.820 In our times of trouble. 00:42:52.420 --> 00:42:54.500 When Jesus himself says. 00:42:55.140 --> 00:42:56.960 I am the way. 00:42:58.000 --> 00:42:59.360 When you are anxious. 00:42:59.840 --> 00:43:01.060 You look to me. 00:43:01.059 --> 00:43:01.539 Believe. 00:43:03.079 --> 00:43:03.559 Believe. 00:43:04.119 --> 00:43:05.039 In God. 00:43:05.119 --> 00:43:05.539 He says. 00:43:05.739 --> 00:43:06.079 Believe. 00:43:06.920 --> 00:43:07.440 Also. 00:43:07.940 --> 00:43:08.480 In me. 00:43:09.480 --> 00:43:10.900 I will show you. 00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:12.599 The way you are to go. 00:43:13.079 --> 00:43:13.779 I am going. 00:43:13.940 --> 00:43:14.460 He says. 00:43:14.920 --> 00:43:16.360 To prepare a place. 00:43:16.699 --> 00:43:17.179 For you. 00:43:17.880 --> 00:43:18.599 And if I go. 00:43:18.719 --> 00:43:19.920 To prepare a place for you. 00:43:19.980 --> 00:43:20.940 I will come again. 00:43:21.820 --> 00:43:23.759 And will take you to myself. 00:43:24.539 --> 00:43:25.480 That where I am. 00:43:25.559 --> 00:43:26.480 You may be also. 00:43:26.480 --> 00:43:28.760 And Thomas is wondering. 00:43:29.340 --> 00:43:30.380 Where is this? 00:43:31.119 --> 00:43:32.599 How do we find our way. 00:43:32.940 --> 00:43:33.940 To this place. 00:43:34.679 --> 00:43:36.820 To this place that the Lord is preparing. 00:43:37.300 --> 00:43:38.880 Our ultimate aim in life. 00:43:38.980 --> 00:43:40.719 Our ultimate goal and destination. 00:43:41.300 --> 00:43:43.340 Should be too long to be with the Lord. 00:43:43.440 --> 00:43:44.480 For all eternity. 00:43:44.480 --> 00:43:45.280 For all eternity. 00:43:46.780 --> 00:43:49.320 And Thomas' question is answered by Jesus. 00:43:49.320 --> 00:43:50.119 Who says. 00:43:50.760 --> 00:43:52.480 I am the way. 00:43:52.480 --> 00:43:56.460 Everything else you are looking for in life. 00:43:57.179 --> 00:43:58.840 I am the way. 00:43:59.659 --> 00:44:00.659 I am the one. 00:44:01.159 --> 00:44:02.280 That you are to follow. 00:44:03.559 --> 00:44:04.880 The second thing. 00:44:05.619 --> 00:44:07.360 In Jesus' response here. 00:44:07.440 --> 00:44:07.860 He says. 00:44:08.300 --> 00:44:09.980 I am the truth. 00:44:11.219 --> 00:44:13.380 If someone is giving you advice. 00:44:13.719 --> 00:44:14.500 Or help. 00:44:15.260 --> 00:44:18.199 The question that naturally comes to our minds is. 00:44:18.599 --> 00:44:20.199 How can I be sure? 00:44:20.199 --> 00:44:25.299 Can I depend on what this person is saying to me? 00:44:26.179 --> 00:44:30.439 Can I truly rely on this advice that I am being given? 00:44:31.579 --> 00:44:33.339 And as you read the Bible. 00:44:33.500 --> 00:44:35.199 As well as asking questions. 00:44:36.000 --> 00:44:38.079 It is also answering questions. 00:44:38.419 --> 00:44:41.439 In a way that gives us such great assurance. 00:44:42.159 --> 00:44:44.339 It gives us such great confidence. 00:44:44.340 --> 00:44:46.579 Thomas. 00:44:47.280 --> 00:44:48.400 Thomas' question. 00:44:48.860 --> 00:44:50.240 Is given this assurance. 00:44:50.340 --> 00:44:50.980 And the answer. 00:44:51.660 --> 00:44:52.360 When he is asking. 00:44:53.079 --> 00:44:54.260 We do not know. 00:44:54.600 --> 00:44:55.460 Where you are going. 00:44:55.600 --> 00:44:56.980 How can we know the way? 00:44:57.519 --> 00:44:58.980 He is also asking behind that. 00:44:59.160 --> 00:45:00.400 How can I be sure? 00:45:00.500 --> 00:45:02.480 How can we be sure? 00:45:03.480 --> 00:45:05.380 And Jesus knows this. 00:45:06.400 --> 00:45:07.740 And that is why he says. 00:45:08.460 --> 00:45:10.760 I am the truth. 00:45:10.760 --> 00:45:14.180 I am the truth. 00:45:14.780 --> 00:45:15.940 The word. 00:45:15.940 --> 00:45:17.680 That became flesh. 00:45:18.340 --> 00:45:19.580 And dwelt among us. 00:45:20.300 --> 00:45:21.640 The word of life. 00:45:22.480 --> 00:45:24.060 The word that points us. 00:45:24.460 --> 00:45:25.800 To the way to the father. 00:45:25.920 --> 00:45:27.620 The way to salvation. 00:45:28.520 --> 00:45:29.600 But the question is. 00:45:29.960 --> 00:45:30.880 Do you believe. 00:45:31.120 --> 00:45:32.620 What the Bible says? 00:45:33.300 --> 00:45:35.480 Do you believe it with all of your heart? 00:45:36.500 --> 00:45:38.000 Do you believe the assurances. 00:45:38.220 --> 00:45:38.820 The promises. 00:45:39.200 --> 00:45:40.180 That it gives. 00:45:41.340 --> 00:45:43.960 Throughout the Old and the New Testament. 00:45:44.160 --> 00:45:45.500 You often find people. 00:45:46.120 --> 00:45:47.120 Who didn't believe. 00:45:48.020 --> 00:45:48.960 Who turned away. 00:45:49.480 --> 00:45:50.660 From the word of God. 00:45:51.520 --> 00:45:53.100 Earlier in John's gospel. 00:45:53.640 --> 00:45:54.760 In chapter 6. 00:45:54.900 --> 00:45:56.780 Verse 60 and 66. 00:45:57.940 --> 00:45:59.680 There there are large crowds. 00:45:59.900 --> 00:46:01.420 Who have gathered round Jesus. 00:46:02.340 --> 00:46:03.660 But what it says is. 00:46:04.100 --> 00:46:06.320 Many of them found it too hard. 00:46:07.000 --> 00:46:08.560 Too difficult to understand. 00:46:08.660 --> 00:46:09.300 And what happened. 00:46:09.300 --> 00:46:10.860 They turned away. 00:46:11.900 --> 00:46:13.380 They didn't follow him. 00:46:13.700 --> 00:46:14.260 Anymore. 00:46:15.660 --> 00:46:16.420 The way was. 00:46:16.519 --> 00:46:18.019 Was too hard for them. 00:46:19.100 --> 00:46:19.940 And for ourselves. 00:46:20.080 --> 00:46:20.960 There will be times. 00:46:21.200 --> 00:46:22.660 When the way is hard. 00:46:23.220 --> 00:46:23.920 When the way. 00:46:24.380 --> 00:46:24.940 Is difficult. 00:46:25.700 --> 00:46:26.539 And that's. 00:46:26.660 --> 00:46:27.180 When we need. 00:46:27.500 --> 00:46:28.100 The truth. 00:46:28.820 --> 00:46:29.940 To understand. 00:46:30.340 --> 00:46:31.080 The truth. 00:46:31.660 --> 00:46:32.340 Of Jesus. 00:46:32.560 --> 00:46:32.840 Saying. 00:46:32.840 --> 00:46:33.680 In this world. 00:46:33.680 --> 00:46:35.500 You will have many troubles. 00:46:35.500 --> 00:46:37.000 But be of good courage. 00:46:37.000 --> 00:46:38.260 For I have overcome. 00:46:38.260 --> 00:46:39.059 The world. 00:46:39.880 --> 00:46:41.240 To rely on these words. 00:46:41.320 --> 00:46:42.039 He says here. 00:46:42.420 --> 00:46:43.700 Let not your hearts. 00:46:43.700 --> 00:46:44.460 Be troubled. 00:46:45.120 --> 00:46:46.180 Believe in God. 00:46:46.800 --> 00:46:47.780 Believe also. 00:46:48.200 --> 00:46:48.640 In me. 00:46:48.639 --> 00:46:52.059 It's to find. 00:46:52.059 --> 00:46:53.099 Our way. 00:46:53.099 --> 00:46:54.539 And those difficulties. 00:46:54.759 --> 00:46:55.460 To believe. 00:46:55.960 --> 00:46:56.400 The truth. 00:46:56.480 --> 00:46:57.179 And not just then. 00:46:57.379 --> 00:46:58.219 Turn away. 00:46:58.940 --> 00:47:00.179 Or as some people do. 00:47:00.239 --> 00:47:01.319 Not just turning away. 00:47:01.319 --> 00:47:02.019 From Jesus. 00:47:02.159 --> 00:47:02.519 But they. 00:47:02.659 --> 00:47:04.000 They change the message. 00:47:04.000 --> 00:47:04.799 Of Jesus. 00:47:05.199 --> 00:47:06.739 To make it easier. 00:47:07.239 --> 00:47:08.079 To make it more. 00:47:08.539 --> 00:47:09.179 Compatible. 00:47:09.179 --> 00:47:10.239 To our lives. 00:47:10.239 --> 00:47:10.839 Jesus. 00:47:11.439 --> 00:47:12.000 Jesus. 00:47:12.199 --> 00:47:12.679 Says. 00:47:13.459 --> 00:47:14.899 Stick to the truth. 00:47:15.819 --> 00:47:16.879 Believe me. 00:47:17.419 --> 00:47:17.939 I. 00:47:18.179 --> 00:47:19.139 Am the truth. 00:47:20.719 --> 00:47:21.859 Abraham Lincoln. 00:47:22.459 --> 00:47:23.579 The former president. 00:47:23.799 --> 00:47:24.899 In the United States. 00:47:25.679 --> 00:47:26.779 Was once having. 00:47:26.959 --> 00:47:27.699 A discussion. 00:47:27.839 --> 00:47:28.319 A debate. 00:47:28.439 --> 00:47:28.899 With someone. 00:47:29.099 --> 00:47:29.500 Who was. 00:47:30.459 --> 00:47:31.019 Unconvinced. 00:47:31.219 --> 00:47:31.719 By anything. 00:47:31.719 --> 00:47:32.919 That Abraham Lincoln. 00:47:32.919 --> 00:47:33.539 Would say. 00:47:33.679 --> 00:47:34.639 Especially when it came. 00:47:35.059 --> 00:47:35.819 To the matters. 00:47:35.939 --> 00:47:36.519 Of faith. 00:47:37.599 --> 00:47:38.179 And Abraham Lincoln. 00:47:38.179 --> 00:47:38.779 Was getting. 00:47:39.199 --> 00:47:40.199 So fed up. 00:47:40.239 --> 00:47:41.159 In this debate. 00:47:41.219 --> 00:47:41.899 And discussion. 00:47:41.899 --> 00:47:42.779 That he was having. 00:47:43.779 --> 00:47:44.500 And he said. 00:47:44.500 --> 00:47:44.979 To the man. 00:47:45.019 --> 00:47:45.579 Who was debating. 00:47:45.579 --> 00:47:45.979 With him. 00:47:45.979 --> 00:47:46.299 He said. 00:47:46.299 --> 00:47:46.539 Well. 00:47:46.599 --> 00:47:47.279 Let's see then. 00:47:47.739 --> 00:47:48.659 How many legs. 00:47:48.659 --> 00:47:50.039 Has a cow got? 00:47:51.319 --> 00:47:51.879 Four. 00:47:52.159 --> 00:47:52.979 Said the man. 00:47:53.819 --> 00:47:54.599 A little annoyed. 00:47:54.719 --> 00:47:55.459 By the question. 00:47:55.519 --> 00:47:56.039 Of course. 00:47:56.399 --> 00:47:57.199 It's four. 00:47:58.500 --> 00:47:59.119 And Abraham Lincoln. 00:47:59.119 --> 00:47:59.379 Said. 00:47:59.459 --> 00:47:59.739 Yes. 00:47:59.899 --> 00:48:00.599 That's right. 00:48:00.719 --> 00:48:01.579 You're right there. 00:48:02.399 --> 00:48:03.019 Now he said. 00:48:03.099 --> 00:48:04.259 Suppose you call. 00:48:04.359 --> 00:48:05.539 The cow's tail. 00:48:05.979 --> 00:48:06.579 A leg. 00:48:07.479 --> 00:48:08.399 How many legs. 00:48:08.500 --> 00:48:08.759 Then. 00:48:09.119 --> 00:48:10.159 Would the cow have? 00:48:11.179 --> 00:48:11.439 Well. 00:48:11.479 --> 00:48:11.939 The man said. 00:48:12.059 --> 00:48:12.619 Five. 00:48:12.699 --> 00:48:13.299 Of course. 00:48:14.359 --> 00:48:15.219 So confident. 00:48:15.639 --> 00:48:16.519 In his reply. 00:48:18.259 --> 00:48:19.000 And Abraham Lincoln. 00:48:19.119 --> 00:48:19.299 Said. 00:48:19.359 --> 00:48:19.539 Well. 00:48:19.659 --> 00:48:19.879 Now. 00:48:20.419 --> 00:48:20.879 That's. 00:48:20.879 --> 00:48:21.719 Where you're wrong. 00:48:22.759 --> 00:48:23.139 You see. 00:48:23.539 --> 00:48:23.959 Calling. 00:48:23.959 --> 00:48:25.539 The cow's tail. 00:48:25.639 --> 00:48:26.119 A leg. 00:48:26.779 --> 00:48:27.839 Doesn't make it. 00:48:28.059 --> 00:48:28.459 A leg. 00:48:29.959 --> 00:48:30.279 And yet. 00:48:30.339 --> 00:48:31.139 That's the way. 00:48:31.619 --> 00:48:32.439 We are sometimes. 00:48:32.439 --> 00:48:33.339 With the Bible. 00:48:34.279 --> 00:48:35.439 We change. 00:48:35.440 --> 00:48:36.740 Or try to change. 00:48:36.740 --> 00:48:37.300 The truth. 00:48:37.400 --> 00:48:38.539 And make it into something. 00:48:38.860 --> 00:48:39.659 It's not. 00:48:40.820 --> 00:48:42.500 If the Bible tells us. 00:48:42.780 --> 00:48:43.820 Something is wrong. 00:48:44.139 --> 00:48:45.000 It's wrong. 00:48:45.960 --> 00:48:46.860 No matter how much. 00:48:46.860 --> 00:48:48.200 You try and change it. 00:48:48.340 --> 00:48:48.920 To something. 00:48:49.000 --> 00:48:50.179 That seems so right. 00:48:50.179 --> 00:48:50.639 And good. 00:48:50.700 --> 00:48:51.800 If the Bible says. 00:48:51.800 --> 00:48:52.440 It's wrong. 00:48:52.720 --> 00:48:53.460 It's wrong. 00:48:54.460 --> 00:48:56.000 And if the Bible says. 00:48:56.179 --> 00:48:57.260 It's right. 00:48:57.659 --> 00:48:58.700 It is right. 00:48:59.480 --> 00:49:00.179 You cannot. 00:49:00.559 --> 00:49:01.000 Change it. 00:49:01.039 --> 00:49:01.839 No matter what. 00:49:01.939 --> 00:49:02.439 You try. 00:49:02.679 --> 00:49:03.119 To do. 00:49:03.239 --> 00:49:03.919 To change it. 00:49:03.960 --> 00:49:05.419 To suit your own desire. 00:49:05.699 --> 00:49:06.419 You cannot. 00:49:08.419 --> 00:49:09.059 And that's why. 00:49:09.139 --> 00:49:09.960 Jesus says. 00:49:10.039 --> 00:49:10.759 In this chapter. 00:49:10.899 --> 00:49:10.980 That. 00:49:10.980 --> 00:49:12.299 He is. 00:49:12.679 --> 00:49:13.339 The truth. 00:49:14.439 --> 00:49:15.859 There is no other way. 00:49:15.960 --> 00:49:16.460 To the Father. 00:49:16.559 --> 00:49:17.599 There is no other way. 00:49:17.759 --> 00:49:18.859 To salvation. 00:49:19.519 --> 00:49:20.500 There is no other way. 00:49:20.659 --> 00:49:21.960 To peace with God. 00:49:22.480 --> 00:49:23.039 Except. 00:49:23.480 --> 00:49:24.239 Through him. 00:49:25.219 --> 00:49:25.859 You cannot. 00:49:26.159 --> 00:49:26.719 Change it. 00:49:27.279 --> 00:49:27.719 You cannot. 00:49:28.219 --> 00:49:28.679 Adapt it. 00:49:28.699 --> 00:49:29.879 To your own way. 00:49:30.139 --> 00:49:30.939 Or to suit. 00:49:31.019 --> 00:49:31.739 Your own need. 00:49:32.539 --> 00:49:33.500 It is truth. 00:49:34.480 --> 00:49:35.859 This is the truth. 00:49:37.019 --> 00:49:37.480 He. 00:49:37.859 --> 00:49:38.899 Is the truth. 00:49:39.419 --> 00:49:40.639 And we can be sure. 00:49:40.639 --> 00:49:41.059 Of that. 00:49:41.219 --> 00:49:41.719 Because it is. 00:49:41.839 --> 00:49:42.699 Jesus himself. 00:49:42.980 --> 00:49:44.219 Who tells us. 00:49:45.159 --> 00:49:45.599 He says. 00:49:45.839 --> 00:49:46.199 I. 00:49:46.719 --> 00:49:47.319 Am. 00:49:47.659 --> 00:49:48.379 The truth. 00:49:49.559 --> 00:49:51.099 The question is. 00:49:51.779 --> 00:49:52.980 Do you believe. 00:49:53.779 --> 00:49:54.960 Do you believe. 00:49:55.099 --> 00:49:56.239 That he is the truth. 00:49:57.279 --> 00:49:58.259 And what difference. 00:49:58.260 --> 00:49:59.420 Does it make. 00:50:00.520 --> 00:50:01.160 What difference. 00:50:01.160 --> 00:50:01.700 Does it make. 00:50:01.700 --> 00:50:02.800 If I believe this. 00:50:03.040 --> 00:50:03.800 Or not. 00:50:04.720 --> 00:50:05.180 Surely. 00:50:05.420 --> 00:50:06.540 There are many ways. 00:50:06.540 --> 00:50:07.180 To God. 00:50:07.920 --> 00:50:08.340 Surely. 00:50:08.420 --> 00:50:09.380 There are many ways. 00:50:09.580 --> 00:50:10.500 To peace. 00:50:11.700 --> 00:50:12.160 Well. 00:50:12.200 --> 00:50:12.640 The Bible. 00:50:12.640 --> 00:50:13.220 Says. 00:50:13.300 --> 00:50:13.940 There isn't. 00:50:14.780 --> 00:50:15.800 Without him. 00:50:16.040 --> 00:50:17.080 We perish. 00:50:17.780 --> 00:50:18.840 Without him. 00:50:19.040 --> 00:50:20.000 We are lost. 00:50:20.760 --> 00:50:21.420 Without this. 00:50:21.580 --> 00:50:22.060 Truth. 00:50:22.059 --> 00:50:22.179 Truth. 00:50:22.900 --> 00:50:23.799 Your eternity. 00:50:24.400 --> 00:50:25.400 Is so different. 00:50:26.559 --> 00:50:27.380 You perish. 00:50:28.599 --> 00:50:29.779 But with him. 00:50:30.340 --> 00:50:31.480 Is truth. 00:50:32.159 --> 00:50:33.079 And with him. 00:50:33.179 --> 00:50:33.619 As we see. 00:50:33.759 --> 00:50:34.219 Finally. 00:50:34.759 --> 00:50:35.360 There is. 00:50:35.599 --> 00:50:36.079 Life. 00:50:38.440 --> 00:50:39.799 Thomas's question. 00:50:40.259 --> 00:50:40.639 Lord. 00:50:41.199 --> 00:50:42.099 We do not know. 00:50:42.219 --> 00:50:42.840 Where you are going. 00:50:43.000 --> 00:50:43.320 How. 00:50:43.799 --> 00:50:44.440 Can we know. 00:50:44.440 --> 00:50:45.019 The way. 00:50:45.980 --> 00:50:46.559 As well as. 00:50:46.900 --> 00:50:47.539 Behind it. 00:50:47.619 --> 00:50:48.639 Looking for direction. 00:50:48.639 --> 00:50:49.440 As well as. 00:50:49.519 --> 00:50:50.719 Behind that question. 00:50:51.039 --> 00:50:52.539 Looking for assurance. 00:50:53.219 --> 00:50:54.199 Behind it too. 00:50:54.359 --> 00:50:55.219 Is the search. 00:50:55.219 --> 00:50:56.319 For salvation. 00:50:57.219 --> 00:50:57.859 This search. 00:50:58.059 --> 00:50:58.719 For peace. 00:50:59.719 --> 00:51:00.519 This search. 00:51:00.879 --> 00:51:01.659 For something. 00:51:01.799 --> 00:51:02.579 That will truly. 00:51:02.859 --> 00:51:03.739 Satisfy. 00:51:04.159 --> 00:51:04.859 In life. 00:51:05.920 --> 00:51:06.539 And Jesus. 00:51:06.759 --> 00:51:07.199 Says. 00:51:07.599 --> 00:51:08.539 I am the way. 00:51:09.199 --> 00:51:10.159 I am the truth. 00:51:10.239 --> 00:51:11.000 And then thirdly. 00:51:11.519 --> 00:51:12.440 I am. 00:51:12.960 --> 00:51:13.699 The life. 00:51:15.179 --> 00:51:16.619 When you read a book. 00:51:17.480 --> 00:51:18.460 There is a story. 00:51:18.460 --> 00:51:18.820 Line. 00:51:18.960 --> 00:51:19.400 Running. 00:51:19.400 --> 00:51:20.179 Through it. 00:51:20.980 --> 00:51:21.380 A book. 00:51:21.480 --> 00:51:22.340 It is a story. 00:51:22.460 --> 00:51:22.740 About. 00:51:23.179 --> 00:51:24.079 Maybe a person. 00:51:24.199 --> 00:51:24.659 If you are reading. 00:51:24.659 --> 00:51:25.500 An autobiography. 00:51:25.659 --> 00:51:26.460 It tells you. 00:51:26.539 --> 00:51:27.039 Their upbringing. 00:51:27.460 --> 00:51:28.139 Their life. 00:51:28.220 --> 00:51:28.980 And what they have done. 00:51:29.500 --> 00:51:30.340 There is this theme. 00:51:30.460 --> 00:51:31.340 Running through it. 00:51:31.960 --> 00:51:33.019 Or there is a story. 00:51:33.019 --> 00:51:33.720 Behind it. 00:51:34.000 --> 00:51:34.639 An event. 00:51:35.460 --> 00:51:37.039 Or an action story. 00:51:37.099 --> 00:51:37.740 Or something like that. 00:51:37.800 --> 00:51:38.519 There is this theme. 00:51:38.820 --> 00:51:39.440 Running through. 00:51:39.519 --> 00:51:40.260 That is obvious. 00:51:40.420 --> 00:51:41.059 From beginning. 00:51:41.360 --> 00:51:41.860 To end. 00:51:43.460 --> 00:51:44.780 And if you ask yourself. 00:51:44.880 --> 00:51:45.639 That question. 00:51:45.980 --> 00:51:46.860 Of the Bible. 00:51:46.860 --> 00:51:48.880 What is the theme. 00:51:48.880 --> 00:51:50.059 That runs. 00:51:50.240 --> 00:51:50.860 Through the Bible. 00:51:50.860 --> 00:51:51.620 From beginning. 00:51:51.620 --> 00:51:52.539 To end. 00:51:53.880 --> 00:51:55.140 Or what is the theme. 00:51:55.260 --> 00:51:55.880 That you read of. 00:51:56.079 --> 00:51:57.740 In the Gospel of John. 00:51:58.360 --> 00:51:59.440 From the beginning. 00:51:59.440 --> 00:52:00.180 Of the Gospel. 00:52:00.640 --> 00:52:01.660 Through to the end. 00:52:02.579 --> 00:52:04.480 It is the recurring theme. 00:52:04.539 --> 00:52:04.980 Isn't it? 00:52:05.820 --> 00:52:06.740 It is the theme. 00:52:06.840 --> 00:52:07.460 Of life. 00:52:08.579 --> 00:52:10.220 And of eternal life. 00:52:11.120 --> 00:52:12.079 Of our sin. 00:52:12.079 --> 00:52:14.099 And the consequences of it. 00:52:14.219 --> 00:52:15.239 The pain of death. 00:52:15.319 --> 00:52:16.179 That that has brought. 00:52:16.900 --> 00:52:18.099 The theme that you see. 00:52:18.239 --> 00:52:19.139 Running throughout. 00:52:20.039 --> 00:52:21.119 From the fall. 00:52:21.480 --> 00:52:22.400 Back in Genesis. 00:52:22.799 --> 00:52:24.139 And the pain that that brought. 00:52:24.840 --> 00:52:25.679 Running through. 00:52:25.860 --> 00:52:26.659 To revelation. 00:52:27.119 --> 00:52:28.980 And the hope of eternal life. 00:52:29.039 --> 00:52:30.139 For all who believe. 00:52:30.579 --> 00:52:31.759 It is that life. 00:52:32.019 --> 00:52:33.699 Is found in one place. 00:52:34.480 --> 00:52:35.920 The God who gives. 00:52:36.659 --> 00:52:38.319 And the God who takes away. 00:52:38.320 --> 00:52:41.519 And the life that you speak. 00:52:41.640 --> 00:52:43.059 That John speaks of. 00:52:43.140 --> 00:52:44.019 In his Gospel. 00:52:44.140 --> 00:52:45.059 Again and again. 00:52:45.860 --> 00:52:46.720 Is this hope. 00:52:47.059 --> 00:52:48.640 Of eternal life. 00:52:49.900 --> 00:52:50.980 Whether you are looking at. 00:52:51.080 --> 00:52:51.780 John 3. 00:52:52.400 --> 00:52:52.880 16. 00:52:53.059 --> 00:52:54.059 That great verse. 00:52:54.180 --> 00:52:54.900 That speaks of. 00:52:55.240 --> 00:52:56.220 The eternal life. 00:52:56.400 --> 00:52:57.820 That is found in Christ. 00:52:58.600 --> 00:52:59.800 Or if it is towards. 00:53:00.000 --> 00:53:01.039 The end of his Gospel. 00:53:01.160 --> 00:53:02.280 In chapter 20. 00:53:02.660 --> 00:53:03.700 At verse 30. 00:53:04.120 --> 00:53:05.000 When there is a sort of. 00:53:05.160 --> 00:53:06.720 Summary of the whole Gospel. 00:53:06.880 --> 00:53:07.140 There. 00:53:07.519 --> 00:53:07.960 It says. 00:53:07.960 --> 00:53:10.039 Now Jesus did many other signs. 00:53:10.039 --> 00:53:11.699 In the presence of his disciples. 00:53:12.059 --> 00:53:14.019 Which are not written in this book. 00:53:14.679 --> 00:53:15.880 But these are written. 00:53:16.400 --> 00:53:17.420 So that you may believe. 00:53:17.420 --> 00:53:19.240 That Jesus is the Christ. 00:53:19.340 --> 00:53:20.360 The Son of God. 00:53:21.019 --> 00:53:22.179 And that by believing. 00:53:22.840 --> 00:53:24.579 You may have life. 00:53:25.139 --> 00:53:26.380 In his name. 00:53:28.059 --> 00:53:29.320 It is the theme. 00:53:29.639 --> 00:53:30.840 That runs throughout. 00:53:31.599 --> 00:53:32.159 Life. 00:53:32.880 --> 00:53:33.760 And the life. 00:53:33.980 --> 00:53:35.079 That Jesus offers. 00:53:35.420 --> 00:53:36.059 This life. 00:53:36.579 --> 00:53:37.179 Eternal. 00:53:37.179 --> 00:53:38.500 This life. 00:53:38.500 --> 00:53:39.899 That gives hope. 00:53:39.899 --> 00:53:41.480 To our troubled hearts. 00:53:43.219 --> 00:53:44.119 This hope. 00:53:44.299 --> 00:53:45.059 That is for all. 00:53:45.399 --> 00:53:46.159 Who will believe. 00:53:47.699 --> 00:53:49.219 I read a powerful testimony. 00:53:49.379 --> 00:53:49.879 Of a girl. 00:53:50.659 --> 00:53:51.279 Whose life. 00:53:51.359 --> 00:53:51.839 At once. 00:53:51.960 --> 00:53:52.519 Revolved. 00:53:52.579 --> 00:53:53.579 Around drugs. 00:53:54.659 --> 00:53:55.440 Her lifestyle. 00:53:55.440 --> 00:53:56.940 Had gone in that direction. 00:53:57.299 --> 00:53:58.299 And the only thing. 00:53:58.299 --> 00:53:59.299 That mattered to her. 00:53:59.339 --> 00:53:59.940 The only thing. 00:54:00.019 --> 00:54:00.859 That she craved. 00:54:01.199 --> 00:54:02.279 Day by day. 00:54:02.639 --> 00:54:03.899 Was getting the drugs. 00:54:03.899 --> 00:54:05.059 That kept her going. 00:54:05.059 --> 00:54:06.519 The drugs. 00:54:06.519 --> 00:54:07.480 That she believed. 00:54:07.480 --> 00:54:09.739 Would fully satisfy her. 00:54:11.440 --> 00:54:12.199 Until. 00:54:12.559 --> 00:54:13.900 Someone told her. 00:54:14.039 --> 00:54:15.159 About something else. 00:54:15.219 --> 00:54:17.079 That could transform her life. 00:54:17.659 --> 00:54:18.599 And that would leave her. 00:54:18.719 --> 00:54:19.719 Fully satisfied. 00:54:20.719 --> 00:54:21.639 And that something. 00:54:21.779 --> 00:54:22.860 Was the Lord Jesus. 00:54:22.860 --> 00:54:25.640 And she came. 00:54:26.220 --> 00:54:26.960 To believe. 00:54:27.680 --> 00:54:28.360 She came. 00:54:28.620 --> 00:54:29.420 To faith. 00:54:29.519 --> 00:54:30.000 With help. 00:54:30.099 --> 00:54:30.920 She overcame. 00:54:31.099 --> 00:54:31.920 Her addiction. 00:54:32.059 --> 00:54:33.500 And she found that joy. 00:54:33.840 --> 00:54:34.960 That is only found. 00:54:35.079 --> 00:54:35.700 In Christ. 00:54:36.840 --> 00:54:37.980 And she lives. 00:54:38.480 --> 00:54:39.099 For him. 00:54:40.180 --> 00:54:41.640 He has given her life. 00:54:42.320 --> 00:54:42.940 And life. 00:54:42.940 --> 00:54:43.660 To the full. 00:54:44.880 --> 00:54:46.140 And you maybe say to yourself. 00:54:46.240 --> 00:54:47.880 But my life's not like that. 00:54:48.960 --> 00:54:49.760 My life. 00:54:50.180 --> 00:54:51.780 Hasn't gone that far down. 00:54:51.780 --> 00:54:51.860 Him. 00:54:54.280 --> 00:54:56.380 Well think of Thomas's question. 00:54:56.640 --> 00:54:56.920 Here. 00:54:57.200 --> 00:54:58.660 And the one who was asking it. 00:54:58.880 --> 00:55:00.800 On behalf of the other disciples. 00:55:01.040 --> 00:55:01.240 Too. 00:55:01.940 --> 00:55:03.300 Their lives weren't bad. 00:55:04.240 --> 00:55:05.980 But they still needed help. 00:55:06.660 --> 00:55:07.920 They needed a savior. 00:55:08.660 --> 00:55:09.780 They needed life. 00:55:10.260 --> 00:55:11.900 And that life was only found. 00:55:11.900 --> 00:55:12.600 In Christ. 00:55:13.620 --> 00:55:14.980 We all have sinned. 00:55:15.240 --> 00:55:16.460 And fall short. 00:55:16.920 --> 00:55:18.360 Of the glory of God. 00:55:18.360 --> 00:55:20.980 Every one of us. 00:55:22.120 --> 00:55:24.519 The girl whose addiction was broken. 00:55:24.680 --> 00:55:25.220 She found. 00:55:26.099 --> 00:55:26.780 Satisfaction. 00:55:27.360 --> 00:55:28.380 In Christ Jesus. 00:55:31.860 --> 00:55:33.840 And that is the only place. 00:55:34.700 --> 00:55:35.980 Any of us will find. 00:55:36.599 --> 00:55:37.660 Through satisfaction. 00:55:37.820 --> 00:55:38.760 It's the only place. 00:55:38.840 --> 00:55:39.460 Any of us. 00:55:40.000 --> 00:55:41.039 Will find life. 00:55:42.260 --> 00:55:43.260 It is in him. 00:55:43.260 --> 00:55:46.800 A man called Thomas Kempis. 00:55:46.880 --> 00:55:47.500 Once said. 00:55:48.160 --> 00:55:49.120 Without the way. 00:55:49.680 --> 00:55:50.820 There is no going. 00:55:51.780 --> 00:55:53.080 Without the truth. 00:55:53.560 --> 00:55:55.240 There is no knowing. 00:55:56.180 --> 00:55:57.420 And without the life. 00:55:58.100 --> 00:55:59.860 There is no living. 00:56:02.060 --> 00:56:03.340 That is life. 00:56:03.720 --> 00:56:04.960 Without Christ. 00:56:06.020 --> 00:56:07.180 There is no going. 00:56:07.680 --> 00:56:08.680 There is no knowing. 00:56:08.800 --> 00:56:09.760 There is no living. 00:56:10.560 --> 00:56:11.420 But with him. 00:56:11.700 --> 00:56:12.960 You have all of these. 00:56:13.760 --> 00:56:14.580 You have the way. 00:56:15.080 --> 00:56:15.660 The truth. 00:56:16.220 --> 00:56:17.020 And the life. 00:56:18.380 --> 00:56:18.740 And maybe. 00:56:19.560 --> 00:56:21.440 You are seeing the place. 00:56:21.940 --> 00:56:23.020 That you want to go. 00:56:24.260 --> 00:56:25.400 Maybe you are hearing. 00:56:25.820 --> 00:56:26.980 Of this savior. 00:56:27.120 --> 00:56:28.460 This wonderful savior. 00:56:28.640 --> 00:56:29.300 Christ Jesus. 00:56:29.380 --> 00:56:29.960 And you are wondering. 00:56:30.300 --> 00:56:31.260 I can see it. 00:56:31.320 --> 00:56:31.820 But how. 00:56:32.240 --> 00:56:33.020 Do I get there. 00:56:33.120 --> 00:56:34.200 Sometimes it feels. 00:56:34.520 --> 00:56:35.860 Like you are in a maze. 00:56:37.180 --> 00:56:37.640 A maze. 00:56:37.760 --> 00:56:38.560 That has got the sign. 00:56:38.559 --> 00:56:39.440 In the middle. 00:56:39.500 --> 00:56:40.059 And you know. 00:56:40.299 --> 00:56:41.179 Where you have got to go. 00:56:41.239 --> 00:56:42.440 But you just can't find. 00:56:42.799 --> 00:56:43.519 The direction. 00:56:44.360 --> 00:56:45.619 Every turn you take. 00:56:45.679 --> 00:56:46.679 It is another dead end. 00:56:48.759 --> 00:56:49.539 But you know. 00:56:49.619 --> 00:56:50.159 There is a way. 00:56:51.219 --> 00:56:52.440 Because someone has gone. 00:56:52.440 --> 00:56:53.159 Before you. 00:56:54.920 --> 00:56:56.320 And Jesus says. 00:56:56.719 --> 00:56:57.679 That he goes. 00:56:57.799 --> 00:56:58.659 Before us. 00:56:59.440 --> 00:57:00.619 And it may seem. 00:57:00.779 --> 00:57:01.299 Like the way. 00:57:01.440 --> 00:57:02.059 Is so difficult. 00:57:02.179 --> 00:57:02.719 And we can't. 00:57:02.980 --> 00:57:04.440 Just find the way. 00:57:04.440 --> 00:57:07.119 But he is saying. 00:57:07.780 --> 00:57:09.500 I am the way. 00:57:10.559 --> 00:57:12.019 I will show you. 00:57:13.099 --> 00:57:14.340 In all the realities. 00:57:14.820 --> 00:57:16.159 Of this world. 00:57:16.800 --> 00:57:18.019 In all the questions. 00:57:18.139 --> 00:57:18.760 And direction. 00:57:18.980 --> 00:57:19.880 You may be seeking. 00:57:20.039 --> 00:57:20.579 To find. 00:57:21.519 --> 00:57:21.960 He. 00:57:22.679 --> 00:57:23.240 Is. 00:57:23.679 --> 00:57:24.280 The way. 00:57:25.619 --> 00:57:27.200 When you put your trust. 00:57:27.599 --> 00:57:28.260 In him. 00:57:28.900 --> 00:57:29.579 He promises. 00:57:29.780 --> 00:57:30.880 Never to leave you. 00:57:30.880 --> 00:57:33.380 That he will stay beside you. 00:57:33.420 --> 00:57:34.579 That he will guide you. 00:57:34.960 --> 00:57:35.519 Along. 00:57:35.960 --> 00:57:36.400 The way. 00:57:37.720 --> 00:57:38.099 And so. 00:57:38.099 --> 00:57:38.960 If you are. 00:57:39.599 --> 00:57:39.980 Looking. 00:57:40.500 --> 00:57:41.059 And seeing. 00:57:41.160 --> 00:57:41.579 And longing. 00:57:41.820 --> 00:57:42.720 For that direction. 00:57:43.880 --> 00:57:44.340 Trust. 00:57:44.539 --> 00:57:45.780 With all your heart. 00:57:46.260 --> 00:57:46.840 In the Lord. 00:57:46.960 --> 00:57:47.940 Jesus Christ. 00:57:49.220 --> 00:57:50.039 And as. 00:57:50.700 --> 00:57:51.780 God's people. 00:57:52.780 --> 00:57:53.619 When you know. 00:57:53.800 --> 00:57:54.280 The way. 00:57:55.140 --> 00:57:56.680 Your greatest desire. 00:57:56.820 --> 00:57:57.260 And love. 00:57:57.780 --> 00:57:58.059 Should be. 00:57:58.140 --> 00:57:58.740 Tell others. 00:57:58.840 --> 00:57:59.700 Of that way. 00:57:59.699 --> 00:58:01.399 J.C. 00:58:01.519 --> 00:58:01.879 Ryle. 00:58:02.000 --> 00:58:02.799 Put it like this. 00:58:02.839 --> 00:58:03.199 He said. 00:58:03.319 --> 00:58:04.239 Tell the young. 00:58:04.799 --> 00:58:05.619 Tell the poor. 00:58:05.819 --> 00:58:06.719 Tell the aged. 00:58:07.219 --> 00:58:07.980 Tell the ignorant. 00:58:08.199 --> 00:58:08.859 Tell the sick. 00:58:09.039 --> 00:58:09.879 Tell the dying. 00:58:10.379 --> 00:58:11.219 Tell them all. 00:58:11.219 --> 00:58:12.079 About Christ. 00:58:13.119 --> 00:58:14.319 Tell them of the power. 00:58:14.919 --> 00:58:16.159 Tell them of his love. 00:58:16.899 --> 00:58:18.579 Tell them of his doings. 00:58:19.079 --> 00:58:20.039 Tell them of all. 00:58:20.139 --> 00:58:20.919 That he has done. 00:58:21.179 --> 00:58:22.539 For the chief of sinners. 00:58:22.759 --> 00:58:23.199 Tell them. 00:58:23.439 --> 00:58:24.939 What he is willing to do. 00:58:24.980 --> 00:58:26.159 Until the last day. 00:58:26.159 --> 00:58:26.899 Of time. 00:58:27.619 --> 00:58:28.239 Tell them. 00:58:28.699 --> 00:58:29.119 Over. 00:58:29.119 --> 00:58:30.460 And over. 00:58:30.460 --> 00:58:31.219 Again. 00:58:31.219 --> 00:58:31.460 Again. 00:58:33.019 --> 00:58:34.500 The gospel. 00:58:34.859 --> 00:58:35.339 Siren. 00:58:35.579 --> 00:58:36.099 Sounds. 00:58:36.599 --> 00:58:37.119 Again. 00:58:37.359 --> 00:58:37.719 Today. 00:58:39.699 --> 00:58:41.179 It's not just. 00:58:41.460 --> 00:58:41.900 A test. 00:58:42.799 --> 00:58:43.779 It's not just. 00:58:43.859 --> 00:58:44.559 Something that you say. 00:58:44.639 --> 00:58:45.179 Don't worry. 00:58:45.719 --> 00:58:46.359 It's just. 00:58:46.799 --> 00:58:47.400 A test. 00:58:47.719 --> 00:58:48.880 Nothing to worry about. 00:58:50.039 --> 00:58:51.259 It's always. 00:58:51.519 --> 00:58:51.839 Real. 00:58:52.659 --> 00:58:53.779 And it always. 00:58:53.980 --> 00:58:54.339 Needs. 00:58:54.859 --> 00:58:56.000 A response. 00:58:56.000 --> 00:58:58.780 The siren. 00:58:58.780 --> 00:58:58.860 The siren. 00:58:59.280 --> 00:58:59.880 Sounds. 00:59:00.880 --> 00:59:02.260 But will we heed. 00:59:02.539 --> 00:59:03.219 The warning. 00:59:04.219 --> 00:59:05.679 We thank God. 00:59:06.360 --> 00:59:07.579 That Jesus says. 00:59:08.340 --> 00:59:09.480 I am the way. 00:59:09.840 --> 00:59:10.980 And the truth. 00:59:11.340 --> 00:59:12.460 And the life. 00:59:13.460 --> 00:59:14.599 With Thomas. 00:59:15.119 --> 00:59:15.900 With Peter. 00:59:16.420 --> 00:59:17.099 With Philip. 00:59:17.179 --> 00:59:18.159 And the other disciples. 00:59:18.159 --> 00:59:19.679 Who were looking for a way. 00:59:20.119 --> 00:59:20.980 Looking to know. 00:59:20.980 --> 00:59:22.360 Where Jesus was going. 00:59:22.440 --> 00:59:23.440 And the way to him. 00:59:23.820 --> 00:59:25.000 We thank God. 00:59:25.320 --> 00:59:26.940 That we have the response. 00:59:27.860 --> 00:59:29.119 That we look to Jesus. 00:59:29.260 --> 00:59:29.960 Who says. 00:59:30.519 --> 00:59:31.579 I am the way. 00:59:32.139 --> 00:59:33.019 And the truth. 00:59:33.579 --> 00:59:34.480 And the life. 00:59:36.320 --> 00:59:37.400 As the bell. 00:59:38.320 --> 00:59:38.980 The siren. 00:59:39.139 --> 00:59:39.760 Goes off. 00:59:39.760 --> 00:59:40.320 Again. 00:59:41.139 --> 00:59:42.380 Will you come. 00:59:43.179 --> 00:59:43.960 And follow. 00:59:44.320 --> 00:59:44.840 Him. 00:59:44.840 --> 00:59:47.579 And find your refuge. 00:59:48.120 --> 00:59:48.800 In him. 00:59:49.420 --> 00:59:50.700 Who gives life. 00:59:51.519 --> 00:59:52.880 Who shows the way. 00:59:53.660 --> 00:59:54.600 And who is. 00:59:55.300 --> 00:59:56.079 The truth. 00:59:56.980 --> 00:59:58.000 May God bless. 00:59:58.640 --> 00:59:59.539 These thoughts. 01:00:00.100 --> 01:00:00.539 To us. 01:00:05.620 --> 01:00:07.460 We're going to sing. 01:00:07.800 --> 01:00:08.620 In conclusion. 01:00:08.840 --> 01:00:10.160 In Psalm 25. 01:00:11.519 --> 01:00:13.380 In the Sing Psalms version. 01:00:13.380 --> 01:00:16.720 Psalm 25. 01:00:18.260 --> 01:00:19.740 At verse 4. 01:00:21.660 --> 01:00:22.300 O Lord. 01:00:22.619 --> 01:00:23.559 Reveal to me. 01:00:23.559 --> 01:00:24.360 Your ways. 01:00:24.539 --> 01:00:25.960 And all your paths. 01:00:26.420 --> 01:00:27.400 Help me to know. 01:00:28.059 --> 01:00:28.519 Direct. 01:00:28.700 --> 01:00:29.340 And guide me. 01:00:29.340 --> 01:00:30.320 In your truth. 01:00:30.860 --> 01:00:31.720 Instruct me. 01:00:32.160 --> 01:00:32.920 In the way. 01:00:33.400 --> 01:00:33.860 To go. 01:00:34.380 --> 01:00:35.579 We'll sing from verse 4. 01:00:35.680 --> 01:00:36.940 To the end of verse 9. 01:00:37.340 --> 01:00:38.800 To God's praise. 01:00:43.380 --> 01:00:44.380 O Lord. 01:00:44.380 --> 01:00:44.980 O Lord. 01:00:44.980 --> 01:00:47.980 Reveal to me. 01:00:47.980 --> 01:00:51.019 Your ways. 01:00:51.019 --> 01:00:56.180 And all your paths. 01:00:56.180 --> 01:01:00.420 Help me to know. 01:01:00.420 --> 01:01:02.260 Direct. 01:01:02.260 --> 01:01:05.420 And guide me. 01:01:05.420 --> 01:01:09.579 In your truth. 01:01:09.579 --> 01:01:12.579 Instruct me. 01:01:12.579 --> 01:01:15.579 In the way. 01:01:15.579 --> 01:01:18.579 To go. 01:01:18.579 --> 01:01:24.380 You are my Savior. 01:01:24.380 --> 01:01:28.739 And my God. 01:01:28.739 --> 01:01:30.739 All day. 01:01:30.739 --> 01:01:35.519 I hope. 01:01:37.819 --> 01:01:46.759 Remember Lord. 01:01:47.419 --> 01:01:48.339 Your love. 01:01:48.339 --> 01:01:50.059 Praise God. 01:01:50.059 --> 01:01:58.179 past ages you have shown. 01:01:58.179 --> 01:02:07.639 Do not recall my sins of youth 01:02:07.639 --> 01:02:17.519 or my rebellious evil ways. 01:02:17.519 --> 01:02:26.880 Remember me in your great love 01:02:26.880 --> 01:02:37.320 for you, O Lord, are good always. 01:02:37.320 --> 01:02:46.619 Because the Lord is just and good, 01:02:46.619 --> 01:02:55.980 He shows His path to all who stray. 01:02:57.279 --> 01:03:05.619 He guides the meek in what is right 01:03:05.619 --> 01:03:14.980 and teaches them this holy way. 01:03:14.980 --> 01:03:15.179 Amen. 01:03:18.179 --> 01:03:22.280 After the benediction, I'll go to the door to my left-hand side. 01:03:22.400 --> 01:03:24.019 We'll close with the benediction. 01:03:24.019 --> 01:03:30.980 now may grace mercy and peace from god father son and holy spirit 01:03:30.980 --> 01:03:36.980 rest upon and abide with us all now and forevermore amen 01:03:54.019 --> 01:04:03.460 a