WEBVTT

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 Thank you, James. It's a privilege and a joy to be with you once more this evening to worship

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 together the living God. Let me read to you just these few words from his word before we sing

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 praise together to his name. Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. Let

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 us worship him together, singing to his praise from Psalm 96a. Psalm 96a and sing Psalms, page 126

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 in our Blue Psalm books, page 126. Singing Psalm 96a from the beginning, we'll sing to verse 9.

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 Sing a new song to the Lord. Sing praises to his name and his salvation day by day that all the

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 earth proclaim. His glory and his mighty deeds to every land declare how great and awesome is the

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 Lord with him no gods compare. Psalm 96a, we'll sing to verse 9 to the praise of God.

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 Lord with him no gods. Sing a new song to the Lord. Sing praises to his name and his salvation day by day that all the earth

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 sing a new song to the Lord. Let his salvation day by day that all the earth proclaim. Let glory and his mighty deeds to every day of the earth.

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 to every land declare. To every land declare. How great and awesome is the Lord. With him no gods compare.

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 All other gods are good and stone. The Lord may tell us high. All power and majesty are missed.

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 All nations do. The Lord has guide. The glory that is due.

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 All nations do. The Lord has guide. The glory that is due.

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 All nations do. The Lord has guide. The glory that is due.

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 All nations do. The Lord has guide. The glory that is due.

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 All nations do. The Lord has guide. The glory that is due.

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 The glory that is due. The glory that is due.

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 Holy that is true.

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 Glory and strength, and strength to God, and praise his name anew.

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 And turn his course with joy and ring, and offer him with you.

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 Worship the Lord in holy fear, all earth before him.

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 Let us join in prayer together. Let us pray.

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 Worship the Lord in holy fear, let all the earth before him bow.

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 Lord our gracious God, this evening from the outset of our time together,

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 we would acknowledge your greatness, your majesty, your holiness.

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 We acknowledge that you are altogether other, that you are our creator, sustainer, sovereign ruler,

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 majestic and glorious in power and strength and wisdom and might.

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 Lord, we humble ourselves before you this night.

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 And we know that that is the spirit and attitude and mindset of worship,

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 to bow before you, our creator, and to say in our hearts and to acknowledge in our songs,

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 the Lord, he is God, the Lord, he is God.

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 And so we pray that you would, Lord, look upon us in favour this evening.

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 That you would open your word to our hearts,

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 and in your spirit open our hearts to your word.

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 That we would again acknowledge and study and reflect on the good news of Jesus Christ.

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 This gospel of grace, this declaration that in him, your son,

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 there is forgiveness and freedom, there is life and immortality,

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 and it is ours through Jesus.

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 For we know that the wages of sin is death,

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 but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

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 And so we come, Lord, before you,

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 and we humbly seek your presence and seek your face through Jesus.

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 It is all of him.

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 He is our hope, our joy, he is our surety,

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 he is our mediator, our intercessor,

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 our redeemer, our saviour,

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 Lord, King and Friend.

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 He is Lord of Lords, Lord of all.

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 And so we would acknowledge tonight the good news of Jesus.

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 He would lift up his name on high.

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 And we give thanks tonight that we know his name.

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 And we have come to know that by day and by night he is with and before and around his people.

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 For the Lord has said he will build his church,

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 and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

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 And so we tonight, Lord, would ask for your grace and strength

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 to don the armour of God as we are called to do,

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 to face the weak to come prepared fully in heart and mind and soul.

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 By worshipping you aright this evening, Lord,

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 we put you at the beginning of this week.

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 And we ask in so doing that you would be honoured

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 and that you would be pleased to dwell among us, Lord,

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 and bless us with your grace.

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 That we would be strengthened with your might in our inner beings,

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 ready and fit and willing to run the race that is set before us,

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 looking unto Jesus, the author and completer of our faith,

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 who for the joy set before him despised the shame.

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 Oh, Lord, our God, we think of the race set before us

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 because of the cross set before him.

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 And we ask tonight that we would maintain a sense of perspective

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 as we go through life and as we run our course.

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 At times, Lord, we are imbalanced,

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 we get selfish, we get impatient,

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 we become demanding before you.

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 Forgive us, Lord, for these times when we get things so badly wrong,

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 when we forget our place,

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 when we forget that you are almighty God,

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 glorious in power and wondrous in might,

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 amazing in grace.

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 Lord, at times we lift up our prayers to you

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 in a spirit that is less than satisfactory,

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 in a spirit that is perhaps demanding,

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 in a spirit of seeking after ourselves.

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 Forgive us.

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 And Lord, lead us to seek your ways

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 and to know your paths.

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 Give us that teachableness of heart

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 that we would say, here am I, Lord, send me.

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 And may we go into the week ahead conscious

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 that you have set us here

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 as signposts and missionaries,

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 each and every one of us,

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 missionaries in our districts and across our island.

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 And we thank and praise you, Lord,

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 that there are so many of your people

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 who are so called to be missionaries

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 here on our own island,

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 in our own districts.

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 And so we pray tonight

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 that as the word is preached here

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 and across our island,

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 that your people would be encouraged

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 and nourished and built up,

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 that we would be stimulated

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 to go into the week ahead

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 and to make Jesus known.

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 Sometimes, Lord, this is difficult to do.

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 Sometimes we are uncertain

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 of how to share our testimony,

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 how to share our faith.

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 Lord, give us grace and insight,

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 understanding, wisdom, patience,

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 tenacity and courage,

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 for we need all of these things

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 to make Jesus known.

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 And so we would seek to share

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 the good news of Jesus Christ,

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 the gospel of grace with those around us

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 and beside us,

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 in our homes, in our communities.

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 And we pray, Lord,

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 that as that witness unfolds this week,

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 that you be pleased to bless

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 the labors of your people,

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 for it is not in vain

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 that we labor in the Lord.

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 We look to you, Lord, and pray

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 that the gospel would flourish,

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 that it would take root in hearts and lives,

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 that men and women,

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 and boys and girls,

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 would be held and constrained

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 in their awareness

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 of their need of salvation

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 and see in Christ the Savior.

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 For it is through him,

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 through this man,

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 that is preached the forgiveness of sins.

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 This is the message of salvation

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 that the Christian church

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 has declared loud

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 and declared strong and clear

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 down through the generations.

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 May we continue to do so

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 as we build on the labors

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 of those who have gone before us.

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 May we continue to be faithful

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 to the task.

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 May we be good soldiers

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 of Christ Jesus.

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 May we endure hardship

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 as at times we must.

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 And may we look unto the one

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 who has called us to run our race,

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 sharing the message

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 of forgiveness in him

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 to all around.

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 We pray then, Lord,

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 for your work here in Stornoway.

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 We pray for James and Donna,

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 for Calamurdo and Joanne

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 and their families.

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 We pray, Lord,

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 that you would uphold them

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 and keep them in their ministry

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 here in the town.

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 That you be with the elders

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 and deacons

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 and all those involved

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 in Sunday school

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 and creche

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 and mother and toddler

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 and all the activities

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 that are ongoing,

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 the work that so many

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 put their hand to

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 here in the congregation

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 in Stornoway.

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 And may it continue

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 to be an encouragement

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 to all of us

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 that we too, Lord,

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 would follow this example

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 and work as hard as we can

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 where you have placed us

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 to your glory

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 and to the furtherance

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 of the gospel.

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 We long for the day

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 when we will see

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 men and women

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 and homes and families

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 transformed by grace.

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 So, Lord,

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 we pray for conversions tonight.

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 We seek conversions

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 through the preaching

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 of the word.

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 We ask that many

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 in our districts

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 would be brought

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 under conviction of sin

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 and there in Christ

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 to find relief

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 and peace and joy

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 for in him

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 there is forgiveness.

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 In him

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 there is plenteous redemption.

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 Lord,

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 we ask for your blessing

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 across our island

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 and nation.

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 We pray that you

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 would raise up leaders

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 who would be unashamed

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 of the testimony

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 of the gospel,

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 unashamed of naming

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 Jesus as Savior.

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 We long for leaders

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 who in the public square

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 would reflect

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 a love for Jesus

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 and would have at heart

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 an honouring of his word

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 that they would be

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 clearly people of prayer,

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 people of faith,

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 people who would

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 set an example

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 that they, Lord,

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 would lead us

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 by themselves

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 being led by you.

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 We long for this,

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 for an upturn

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 in our nation's spirituality,

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 for an outpouring

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 of the Spirit

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 to an extent

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 that we could not

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 contain it

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 or even begin

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 to imagine it,

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 but that many

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 in our land

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 would come to know

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 Christ Jesus

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 for themselves.

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 We pray, Lord,

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 that you'd remember us

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 this time as a nation

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 as we pray

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 for our parliament,

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 our leaders,

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 our politicians.

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 We remember

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 our armed forces.

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 We pray for the

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 emergency services

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 and the National

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 Health Service staff,

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 those who look after us

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 and do so much

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 on our behalf

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 to keep us safe

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 and to look after

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 those who are ill

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 and those who are housebound.

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 We remember carers

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 who are under

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 particular pressure

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 and stress

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 at this time.

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 And we ask, Lord,

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 that you would watch

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 over them

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 and bless them

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 in the wonderful work

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 they do across

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 our communities

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 in helping those

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 who are housebound

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 and unable

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 to leave homes

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 and unable

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 to join us

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 in worship,

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 unable to spend

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 time with family,

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 unable to do so much

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 because of ill.

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 Lord,

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 we pray tonight

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 for those bereaved.

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 We pray for those,

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 Lord,

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 who have known

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 sadness and loss

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 in their lives

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 and continue to feel

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 that the weight

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 of that loss.

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 We near them,

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 Lord,

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 and grant them

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 that peace

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 that passes understanding.

00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.500
 Be with them

00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.199
 in your grace

00:13:40.199 --> 00:13:40.939
 and in your mercy,

00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:41.519
 we pray.

00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:43.000
 And so, Lord,

00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:43.860
 we ask tonight

00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:45.139
 that you would open

00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:46.460
 your word to us,

00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:47.519
 that we would hear

00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:49.199
 something of the wonder

00:13:49.199 --> 00:13:50.559
 and splendor

00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:51.500
 and scope

00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.199
 of the gospel.

00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.980
 And all these things

00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:54.539
 we ask

00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:56.039
 through Jesus Christ,

00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:57.159
 our Lord and Savior.

00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:58.079
 Amen.

00:14:03.079 --> 00:14:04.480
 We'll turn again

00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:06.299
 to sing to God's praise.

00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:07.779
 Sing Psalms

00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:08.839
 in Psalm 65.

00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:11.459
 Psalm 65,

00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:13.059
 singing from verse 8.

00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:14.659
 That's page 82

00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:15.860
 in our blue psalm books.

00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:17.539
 Page 82.

00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:20.219
 Psalm 65,

00:14:20.699 --> 00:14:21.659
 singing from verse 8.

00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:22.879
 Those who inhabit

00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:23.879
 distant lands

00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:25.120
 with all regard

00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.819
 your ways,

00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:27.620
 where morning dawns

00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.760
 and evening fades,

00:14:28.920 --> 00:14:29.840
 you call forth

00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:31.100
 songs of praise.

00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:32.420
 You tend the land

00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:33.080
 and water it,

00:14:33.160 --> 00:14:33.940
 you make it rich

00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:34.420
 and good,

00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:35.520
 as you ordain

00:14:35.520 --> 00:14:36.820
 your streams are full

00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:38.840
 to give the people food.

00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.000
 Psalm 65,

00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:41.600
 we'll sing from verse 8

00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.260
 to 13

00:14:42.260 --> 00:14:43.580
 to God's praise.

00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:43.780
 Amen.

00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:56.820
 Psalm 66,

00:14:56.820 --> 00:14:57.820
 singing from verse 9.

00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:59.820
 When morning dawns

00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:00.820
 and evening fades,

00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:03.820
 you call for songs of praise.

00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:07.820
 When morning dawns

00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:13.220
 and evening fades,

00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:19.820
 you call for songs of praise.

00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:26.420
 to take the land

00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:30.620
 and water it,

00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:38.040
 you make it rich and good.

00:15:38.040 --> 00:15:43.040
 As you ordain,

00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:47.420
 your streams are full

00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:54.419
 to give the people food.

00:15:54.419 --> 00:16:01.019
 the grace of the earth

00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:04.819
 of the land,

00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:12.299
 you heaven off the ground,

00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:17.299
 you soften it

00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:21.799
 with showers of rain

00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:26.879
 and make its crops

00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:28.699
 above.

00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:35.199
 You end the year

00:16:35.199 --> 00:16:38.699
 with truthfulness,

00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:45.419
 your harvest overflow,

00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:56.019
 the grass that flourishes again,

00:16:56.019 --> 00:17:04.019
 the hills with madness glow.

00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:09.819
 The birds to stream

00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:14.119
 with thoughts are cold,

00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:21.119
 the meadows covering.

00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:26.519
 Above, he's there

00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:30.919
 themselves with corn,

00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:39.119
 they shout for joy and sing.

00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:45.859
 A song of gratitude

00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:46.979
 and thankfulness

00:17:46.979 --> 00:17:49.479
 for God's provision toward us,

00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:51.699
 his grace poured out

00:17:51.699 --> 00:17:52.659
 in that psalm.

00:17:52.919 --> 00:17:53.799
 We'll read together

00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.839
 from his word,

00:17:54.939 --> 00:17:55.659
 first of all,

00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.039
 from the Old Testament

00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:58.539
 and the prophecy of Isaiah,

00:17:58.979 --> 00:18:00.099
 chapter 40.

00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:02.699
 Isaiah and chapter 40,

00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:04.139
 we'll read from verse 18,

00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:06.139
 and then we'll turn forward

00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:08.480
 in our Bibles to the Gospel of John

00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:10.400
 and chapter 3.

00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:13.140
 Reading first of all,

00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.040
 then, from Isaiah

00:18:14.040 --> 00:18:15.920
 and chapter 40,

00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:18.440
 and verse 18.

00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:29.200
 A section that is all about

00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:30.920
 the greatness of God.

00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:33.160
 To whom, then,

00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.320
 will you liken God?

00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:37.120
 Or what likeness compare with him?

00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.220
 An idol?

00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:40.320
 A craftsman casts it,

00:18:40.580 --> 00:18:42.600
 and a goldsmith overlays it with gold

00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:44.759
 and casts for it silver chains.

00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:47.039
 He who is too impoverished

00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.720
 for an offering

00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.720
 chooses wood

00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.680
 that will not rot.

00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:52.059
 He seeks out a skillful craftsman

00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:53.440
 to set up an idol

00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.579
 that will not move.

00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.319
 Do you not know?

00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.660
 Do you not hear?

00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.559
 Has it not been told you

00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.240
 from the beginning?

00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.920
 Have you not understood

00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:03.759
 from the foundations of the earth?

00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.759
 It is he who sits above

00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:07.079
 the circle of the earth,

00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.240
 and its inhabitants

00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:10.259
 are like grasshoppers,

00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:12.240
 who stretches out the heavens

00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.079
 like a curtain

00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:14.379
 and spreads them

00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:15.819
 like a tent to dwell in,

00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:18.039
 who brings princes to nothing

00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.119
 and makes the rulers

00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.579
 of the earth as emptiness.

00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.839
 Scarcely are they planted,

00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:23.939
 scarcely sown,

00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.480
 scarcely has their stem

00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.559
 taken root in the earth

00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.799
 when he blows in them

00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.500
 and they wither

00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.319
 and the tempest

00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.899
 carries them off like stubble.

00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.059
 To whom, then,

00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:34.599
 will you like compare me?

00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:36.539
 That I should be like him,

00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.839
 says the Holy One.

00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:40.019
 Lift up your eyes on high

00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:42.119
 and see who created these.

00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:43.459
 He who brings out

00:19:43.459 --> 00:19:44.659
 their host by number,

00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:46.559
 calling them all by name,

00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:48.500
 by the greatness of his might,

00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:50.579
 and because he is strong in power,

00:19:50.899 --> 00:19:52.319
 not one is missing.

00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:54.199
 Why do you say,

00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:54.759
 O Jacob,

00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:55.979
 and speak, O Israel,

00:19:56.179 --> 00:19:57.879
 my way is hidden from the Lord,

00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.819
 and my right is disregarded

00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.719
 by my God?

00:20:01.719 --> 00:20:02.759
 Have you not known?

00:20:02.919 --> 00:20:03.759
 Have you not heard?

00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:06.219
 The Lord is the everlasting God,

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.919
 the creator of the ends

00:20:07.919 --> 00:20:08.419
 of the earth.

00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:10.079
 He does not faint

00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:11.019
 or grow weary.

00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.379
 His understanding

00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:13.019
 is unsearchable.

00:20:13.919 --> 00:20:14.699
 He gives power

00:20:14.699 --> 00:20:15.559
 to the faint

00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.299
 and to him

00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.339
 who has no mighty

00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.500
 increases strength.

00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:20.439
 Even youth shall faint

00:20:20.439 --> 00:20:21.379
 and be weary

00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:22.379
 and young men

00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:23.740
 shall fall exhausted,

00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:25.319
 but they who wait

00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:26.019
 on the Lord

00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:27.519
 shall renew their strength.

00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.879
 They shall mount up

00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:30.059
 with wings like eagles.

00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.399
 They shall run

00:20:31.399 --> 00:20:32.259
 and not be weary.

00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.599
 They shall walk

00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:35.339
 and not faint.

00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:38.000
 And turning forward

00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.480
 to the Gospel of John,

00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.959
 reading from chapter 3,

00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:43.099
 the Gospel of John

00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:44.839
 and chapter 3.

00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:59.859
 We'll read the most famous of words

00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.639
 in this chapter

00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:01.859
 from verse 16.

00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:05.619
 For God so loved the world

00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:07.119
 that he gave his only Son

00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:09.019
 that whoever believes in him

00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.959
 should not perish

00:21:09.959 --> 00:21:11.479
 but have eternal life.

00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:13.699
 For God did not send his Son

00:21:13.699 --> 00:21:14.399
 into the world

00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:15.740
 to condemn the world,

00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.439
 but in order that the world

00:21:17.439 --> 00:21:19.039
 might be saved through him.

00:21:19.899 --> 00:21:21.039
 Whoever believes in him

00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.019
 is not condemned,

00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:24.139
 but whoever does not believe

00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:25.359
 is condemned already

00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:27.219
 because he has not believed

00:21:27.219 --> 00:21:27.759
 in the name

00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:29.339
 of the only Son of God.

00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:31.139
 And this is the judgment.

00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.599
 The light has come

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.439
 into the world

00:21:33.439 --> 00:21:35.379
 and people loved the darkness

00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.639
 rather than the light

00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:38.759
 because their deeds were evil.

00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:41.119
 But everyone who does wicked things

00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:41.980
 hates the light

00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:43.879
 and does not come to the light

00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.779
 lest his deeds should be exposed.

00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:48.759
 But whoever does what is true

00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:50.339
 comes to the light

00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:52.619
 so that it may be clearly seen

00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:53.859
 that his deeds

00:21:53.859 --> 00:21:55.419
 have been carried out

00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:56.819
 in God.

00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:57.799
 Amen.

00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:59.659
 And may the Lord bless

00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:01.099
 the reading of his word

00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:02.720
 to his own name.

00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:05.359
 We'll sing again to God's praise

00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:06.700
 before considering together

00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:08.059
 this evening these words.

00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.839
 And we'll sing from the Psalter,

00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.339
 Psalm 130.

00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:13.039
 Psalm 130.

00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:16.220
 A song of redemption.

00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:18.099
 A song of provision

00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:21.240
 that is found in the Lord.

00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:22.659
 Psalm 130.

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.980
 Page 421

00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:27.400
 in our blue Psalm books.

00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.500
 Lord, from the depths

00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.720
 to thee I cried.

00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:31.980
 My voice, Lord,

00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.759
 do thou hear

00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:34.620
 unto my supplications voice.

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:36.420
 Give an attentive ear.

00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:38.140
 Lord, who shall stand

00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:39.059
 if thou, O Lord,

00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.900
 shouldst mark iniquity?

00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.599
 But yet with thee

00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:44.140
 forgiveness is

00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:45.180
 that feared

00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:46.599
 thou mayest be.

00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:48.259
 We'll sing the whole Psalm

00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.440
 to God's praise.

00:22:49.440 --> 00:23:09.519
 Lord, from the dead to thee I cry, my voice for to the hear.

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:28.259
 Come to my supplications, Lord, in an attempted ear.

00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:45.259
 Lord, who shall stand in thine, O Lord, to spark in liberty?

00:23:45.259 --> 00:24:05.259
 But yet with thee forgiveness is the fear, the vainest being.

00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:25.259
 I wait for God, my soul doth wait, My hope is in His word.

00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:45.259
 For love, yea, love, for morning watch, My soul waits for the Lord.

00:24:45.259 --> 00:25:04.259
 On same or now, they have to watch, The morning light to see.

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:24.259
 Let Israel open the Lord, For with Him mercy's thee.

00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:43.259
 On grandiacal redemption, His name were found within,

00:25:43.259 --> 00:26:02.539
 And from all His iniquities, He Israel shall redeem.

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:11.160
 Let us pray together for a moment.

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:17.400
 Lord, our dependence upon you is complete, is total.

00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:22.539
 We seek your face, and by your spirit we ask you would lead us this evening

00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:30.579
 as we consider your word, this eternal truth contained in scriptures and provided toward us.

00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:32.099
 What gracious provision.

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:36.759
 Lord, we thank you that we meet tonight around the word of God,

00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:40.640
 and that brings us to the God of the word.

00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:46.200
 And as we worship and sing and pray and now study the scriptures together,

00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:49.220
 we ask above all that you be glorified,

00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:53.640
 and all that is done and said here would be pleasing and acceptable in your sight.

00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:56.200
 Lord, draw near to us.

00:26:56.920 --> 00:27:00.720
 And may we heed the Spirit's leading this evening,

00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:03.640
 and may we respond to your graciousness.

00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:06.640
 May we respond to the gospel.

00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:11.220
 And may we go from here knowing it's good to be here.

00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:13.660
 Bless, Lord, your word to us, we pray.

00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:15.500
 In Jesus' name, amen.

00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:15.700
 Amen.

00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:22.380
 Well, if you would open your Bibles at the gospel of John in chapter 3,

00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:24.200
 where we read from together already,

00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:31.380
 you will open your Bible at probably the most famous verse of the whole scripture.

00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:35.480
 John 3 and verse 16 is the Bible in miniature.

00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:37.900
 It is the gospel in summary.

00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:44.320
 And I'd like us to think about it this evening and to learn together what it has to teach us about the gospel,

00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:47.620
 and above all, what it has to teach us about God.

00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:53.720
 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

00:27:54.280 --> 00:28:00.920
 that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:11.019
 I wonder sometimes what people who have never been to Scotland actually think of Scotland.

00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:16.640
 They might be depending on a tourist or a relation or someone who's lived here,

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:19.120
 telling them what our country is like.

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:23.100
 They might take their impression from the internet, from a travel magazine,

00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:25.779
 from a postcard, from TV, who knows?

00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:31.619
 I just wonder sometimes if they envisage pipers and haggis in every corner,

00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:36.420
 and the low mists and the songs that just float up and down our land.

00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:41.420
 I wonder if they ever think of the rain and the midges and all that stuff.

00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:47.119
 And I sometimes think about that because I often wonder, more so,

00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:53.480
 what people think about God without ever coming to his word.

00:28:53.480 --> 00:29:00.039
 And I think that's a massive problem in our own time, in our own land, this very evening.

00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:06.259
 There are vast numbers of people tonight who have a concept of God,

00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:10.599
 call it a theology of God, perhaps that's pushing things.

00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:14.120
 They have an idea, a system, a scheme,

00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:18.740
 whereby they think of God along their terms,

00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:23.039
 without ever coming to the word he has given us.

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:26.700
 And that's something we must be on our guard against.

00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:29.920
 Friends, this evening, if you have a concept of God,

00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:33.559
 if you have an imaginary thought about what God is like,

00:29:33.619 --> 00:29:36.779
 and you have framed your thinking in isolation to the word,

00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:41.720
 then you need to stop now and come to this text with me this evening

00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:46.559
 and think about what this tells us about the living God,

00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:48.159
 the God of the word.

00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:55.160
 And I would say also right from the off that we shouldn't understand the Bible or approach the Bible

00:29:55.160 --> 00:30:02.380
 thinking that it's a book that is set before us to convince us about the existence of God.

00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:05.620
 That is not the Bible's focus and purpose.

00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:10.160
 The Bible has not been given to us this evening to answer the question,

00:30:10.320 --> 00:30:11.180
 does God exist?

00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:15.120
 That question is not addressed by the Bible.

00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:18.620
 The question the Bible addresses is not,

00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.940
 does God exist?

00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:23.360
 But what is God like?

00:30:24.820 --> 00:30:30.299
 And John 3 and verse 16 brings us right to the heart of the matter.

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:41.740
 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:47.180
 It's a very high probability that most of us here know the words off by heart.

00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:52.919
 So I approach a text like this that's so well known with a level of trepidation

00:30:52.919 --> 00:30:57.059
 because it's a text that will always feature in any preaching ministry

00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:59.460
 because it's so deep and wide and beautiful.

00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:01.639
 There is so much here of God.

00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:07.059
 There is so much here of the gospel that it would take many, many visits to this text

00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:10.700
 to begin to just scratch the surface.

00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:12.980
 But it's good this evening to think about God.

00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:15.799
 That's why he raised up his church.

00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:19.339
 The church militant is here to profess faith in Christ

00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:21.639
 and declare the unsearchable riches of Christ,

00:31:21.919 --> 00:31:23.200
 to preach the cross.

00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:25.859
 And we will never exhaust that subject.

00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:30.559
 We read from Isaiah in chapter 40 and verse 18 begins,

00:31:30.659 --> 00:31:32.819
 To whom then will you liken God?

00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:36.039
 Or what likeness compare with him?

00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:37.879
 And then it says toward the end,

00:31:37.979 --> 00:31:40.019
 Lift up your highs on high and see.

00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:42.219
 Who created these things?

00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:44.500
 He who brings out their host by number,

00:31:44.679 --> 00:31:46.479
 calling them all by name.

00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:48.579
 This is God, the God of wonders,

00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:51.240
 the God of power, almighty God.

00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:54.359
 Wondrous in power and glorious in might.

00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:57.379
 And so we come to this answer he has given us.

00:31:57.459 --> 00:32:03.019
 And we come humbly and carefully to listen to what God has to say to us

00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:06.699
 in this most famous of texts.

00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:12.299
 And above all, we seek to form our thinking of God and toward God

00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:14.159
 based upon his word.

00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:17.980
 So there are a few things to think of this evening.

00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:21.660
 I want to think with you first of all, from John 3 and verse 16,

00:32:22.060 --> 00:32:23.680
 about what God has done.

00:32:24.540 --> 00:32:26.900
 What God has done.

00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:30.680
 God is a God of love.

00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:33.400
 Love flows from him.

00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:35.440
 It is part of who he is.

00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:38.500
 It is of his very essence.

00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:41.720
 And as we read through various passages in the scripture,

00:32:42.100 --> 00:32:46.860
 we come to see more and more of who God is and what God is like.

00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:49.960
 John, as he wrote of the love of God,

00:32:50.080 --> 00:32:52.759
 particularly in his letters.

00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:57.640
 And if I could just turn very quickly to 1 John in chapter 4,

00:32:58.080 --> 00:33:02.000
 to consider just a few things there we're told here of the love of God.

00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:05.440
 In chapter 4 of 1 John and verse 9,

00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:08.720
 in this the love of God was made manifest among us,

00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:10.960
 revealed, confirmed, declared,

00:33:11.400 --> 00:33:14.420
 that God sent his only Son into the world.

00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:18.819
 There is the declaration and affirmation and confirmation

00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:21.200
 of the love of God,

00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:24.200
 so that we might live through him

00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:27.440
 in his love for us.

00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:30.559
 He has sent his only Son into the world,

00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:33.839
 so that we might live through him.

00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:35.940
 Such is God's love

00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:37.179
 and its intensity

00:33:37.179 --> 00:33:38.859
 and its perfection

00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:40.139
 and its purity.

00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:43.919
 That God has made provision for sinners

00:33:43.919 --> 00:33:45.200
 in sending his Son.

00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.759
 And this is love.

00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:48.700
 Not that we have loved God,

00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:50.200
 but that he loved us

00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:52.559
 and sent his Son to be the propitiation

00:33:53.179 --> 00:33:54.099
 for our sins.

00:33:54.379 --> 00:33:54.940
 Beloved,

00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:57.059
 if God so loved us,

00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:59.339
 we also ought to love

00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:00.319
 one another.

00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:03.179
 That's why love must be at the center

00:34:03.179 --> 00:34:05.559
 of any gospel preaching

00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:07.099
 and gospel declaration,

00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:10.699
 because it is of the essence of our God.

00:34:11.259 --> 00:34:12.579
 And in his love,

00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:15.380
 he has provided his Son,

00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:17.440
 for God so loved the world

00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:19.380
 that he gave.

00:34:19.759 --> 00:34:21.480
 And that's the key word

00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:23.119
 in John 3 and verse 16

00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.659
 when it comes to thinking about

00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.819
 what God has done.

00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:27.300
 We speak of his character,

00:34:27.580 --> 00:34:28.240
 his nature,

00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.420
 being perfect

00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:30.500
 and pure

00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.519
 in love.

00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:33.780
 And we see that in his love,

00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:34.640
 he acts.

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:36.960
 It's not just words with God.

00:34:37.640 --> 00:34:38.780
 It's actions.

00:34:39.260 --> 00:34:40.340
 And in his love,

00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.680
 because of his love,

00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:43.100
 through his love,

00:34:43.740 --> 00:34:45.420
 he gave.

00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:48.320
 God gave.

00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:51.480
 It's wonderful just to pause

00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.680
 and think and reflect

00:34:52.680 --> 00:34:54.280
 for a few moments about this,

00:34:54.780 --> 00:34:56.360
 to think of the love

00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.500
 of our God.

00:34:58.300 --> 00:35:00.680
 His love is limitless.

00:35:01.220 --> 00:35:02.700
 And this is how one writer

00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:03.340
 sums it up.

00:35:04.140 --> 00:35:05.740
 The magnitude of his love

00:35:05.740 --> 00:35:07.019
 is matched

00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:08.400
 by the magnitude

00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:09.820
 of his gift.

00:35:10.600 --> 00:35:12.620
 The magnitude of his love

00:35:12.620 --> 00:35:14.000
 is matched

00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:15.200
 by the magnitude

00:35:15.200 --> 00:35:16.559
 of his gift.

00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:18.039
 And when people ask you,

00:35:18.320 --> 00:35:19.139
 what gift?

00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:21.179
 What's God ever done for me?

00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:22.920
 Remind them

00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:24.960
 that he who did not

00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:26.579
 spare his own son,

00:35:26.799 --> 00:35:28.699
 but delivered him up

00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:29.860
 for us all,

00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:31.619
 how will he not also

00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:33.019
 with him graciously

00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:34.860
 give us all things?

00:35:35.759 --> 00:35:37.099
 He gave all.

00:35:38.059 --> 00:35:39.900
 The magnitude of his love

00:35:39.900 --> 00:35:41.139
 is matched

00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:42.420
 by the magnitude

00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:43.559
 of his gift.

00:35:44.619 --> 00:35:45.380
 How many people

00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:46.480
 in Stornoway tonight

00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:47.539
 and across our land

00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:47.920
 are thinking,

00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:48.340
 well,

00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:49.760
 what's God ever done

00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:50.260
 for me?

00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:52.440
 What's God ever given me?

00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:54.039
 Particularly when things

00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.660
 go bad

00:35:54.660 --> 00:35:55.559
 and when life

00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:56.960
 takes a downward turn

00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:58.019
 where there's a period

00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:59.360
 perhaps of ill health

00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:00.840
 or bereavement

00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:02.900
 or financial strain

00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.539
 and pressure,

00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:04.519
 unemployment,

00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:05.740
 when relationships

00:36:05.740 --> 00:36:06.480
 break,

00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.900
 when things get bad,

00:36:08.180 --> 00:36:09.300
 when brokenness

00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:09.780
 comes in,

00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:10.619
 when there's addiction,

00:36:11.019 --> 00:36:12.000
 people lash out

00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.539
 at God

00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:13.960
 and blame God

00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:15.159
 and shake their fist

00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:15.760
 at God

00:36:15.760 --> 00:36:16.699
 and will have nothing

00:36:16.699 --> 00:36:17.719
 to do with God

00:36:17.719 --> 00:36:18.960
 and if ever he gets

00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:20.159
 a passing thought

00:36:20.159 --> 00:36:20.599
 as well,

00:36:20.739 --> 00:36:21.800
 what's he ever done

00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:22.420
 for me?

00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:23.920
 And the tragedy

00:36:23.920 --> 00:36:25.119
 about that mindset

00:36:25.119 --> 00:36:26.400
 and that heart condition

00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:27.320
 is that it goes

00:36:27.320 --> 00:36:28.380
 straight past

00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:29.739
 this open declaration

00:36:29.739 --> 00:36:30.840
 of what God

00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:32.099
 has already done.

00:36:32.679 --> 00:36:33.679
 In love,

00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:35.039
 he's provided

00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:37.320
 his very own son.

00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:38.260
 You see,

00:36:38.300 --> 00:36:38.800
 the gospel's

00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:39.960
 not a bedtime story.

00:36:40.120 --> 00:36:40.700
 It's not about

00:36:40.700 --> 00:36:41.560
 a bunch of rules.

00:36:41.660 --> 00:36:42.260
 It's not about

00:36:42.260 --> 00:36:43.600
 a code of conduct

00:36:43.600 --> 00:36:45.360
 for religiously minded people.

00:36:45.700 --> 00:36:46.360
 The gospel,

00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.320
 as we've already noted

00:36:47.320 --> 00:36:48.580
 this weekend,

00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:49.700
 it's not a message

00:36:49.700 --> 00:36:50.660
 about religion.

00:36:50.900 --> 00:36:51.620
 It's a message

00:36:51.620 --> 00:36:52.660
 of salvation.

00:36:53.560 --> 00:36:54.300
 For I'm not ashamed

00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:55.000
 of the gospel

00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:56.080
 for it is the power

00:36:56.080 --> 00:36:57.280
 of God to salvation

00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:58.920
 to all who believe.

00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.960
 It's about salvation

00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:02.200
 and being saved

00:37:02.200 --> 00:37:03.280
 and how does it,

00:37:03.539 --> 00:37:04.620
 how do we get there?

00:37:04.620 --> 00:37:05.980
 It comes from God.

00:37:06.080 --> 00:37:07.560
 It pleased God

00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:09.719
 from all eternity

00:37:09.719 --> 00:37:11.599
 to ordain

00:37:11.599 --> 00:37:12.779
 and appoint Jesus

00:37:12.779 --> 00:37:14.519
 as our mediator.

00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:16.239
 It's paraphrasing

00:37:16.239 --> 00:37:17.380
 our own confession

00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:18.039
 of faith.

00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:19.639
 For God so loved

00:37:19.639 --> 00:37:20.360
 the world

00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:21.779
 that he gave.

00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:23.400
 He gave his son.

00:37:24.119 --> 00:37:25.179
 And the gospel tonight

00:37:25.179 --> 00:37:26.139
 stands upon

00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:26.940
 this historical

00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:28.380
 giving of Jesus.

00:37:28.960 --> 00:37:30.480
 We have to assert

00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.139
 and maintain

00:37:31.139 --> 00:37:31.799
 and defend

00:37:31.799 --> 00:37:32.340
 that the one

00:37:32.340 --> 00:37:33.539
 who from all eternity

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.519
 was with the Father,

00:37:34.679 --> 00:37:35.179
 through whom

00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:36.460
 all things were made

00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:36.900
 and through,

00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.820
 by whom all things

00:37:37.820 --> 00:37:38.639
 are sustained,

00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:39.820
 by whom all things

00:37:39.820 --> 00:37:40.559
 were created,

00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:42.340
 as a result of his

00:37:42.340 --> 00:37:43.119
 being given,

00:37:43.679 --> 00:37:44.740
 became flesh

00:37:44.740 --> 00:37:45.780
 and dwelt

00:37:45.780 --> 00:37:47.039
 among us.

00:37:48.280 --> 00:37:49.280
 He is the image

00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:50.559
 of the invisible God,

00:37:51.320 --> 00:37:52.059
 the firstborn

00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:53.019
 over all creation.

00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:54.360
 By him all things

00:37:54.360 --> 00:37:55.039
 were created

00:37:55.039 --> 00:37:56.039
 through him

00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:56.800
 and for him.

00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:58.599
 In him all the fullness

00:37:58.599 --> 00:37:59.179
 of God

00:37:59.179 --> 00:38:00.539
 was pleased to dwell.

00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:03.179
 How long have we got

00:38:03.179 --> 00:38:04.279
 to unpack

00:38:04.279 --> 00:38:05.559
 these words?

00:38:06.099 --> 00:38:06.860
 A lifetime

00:38:06.860 --> 00:38:08.039
 isn't long enough.

00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:10.279
 The fullness of God

00:38:10.279 --> 00:38:12.440
 was pleased to dwell.

00:38:13.719 --> 00:38:15.139
 This is our Savior.

00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:17.239
 And this is our song.

00:38:17.759 --> 00:38:19.039
 And this is who

00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:20.440
 God the Father

00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:21.519
 gave.

00:38:21.759 --> 00:38:22.179
 Why?

00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:24.380
 Because of his love.

00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:26.119
 What God

00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:27.719
 has already done.

00:38:27.719 --> 00:38:29.819
 You see,

00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:30.539
 he came

00:38:30.539 --> 00:38:31.839
 to finish a work.

00:38:32.339 --> 00:38:32.779
 He came

00:38:32.779 --> 00:38:33.399
 to complete

00:38:33.399 --> 00:38:34.099
 a task.

00:38:34.359 --> 00:38:35.099
 He was given

00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:35.699
 to do

00:38:35.699 --> 00:38:37.239
 and to do that

00:38:37.239 --> 00:38:38.379
 he gave himself

00:38:38.379 --> 00:38:39.419
 to death,

00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:40.159
 even death

00:38:40.159 --> 00:38:40.879
 on a cross.

00:38:41.759 --> 00:38:43.299
 He took our place.

00:38:43.980 --> 00:38:45.199
 He paid our price.

00:38:46.299 --> 00:38:47.059
 If you this evening

00:38:47.059 --> 00:38:47.659
 are asking,

00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:49.159
 what's God

00:38:49.159 --> 00:38:49.980
 ever done

00:38:49.980 --> 00:38:50.599
 for me?

00:38:50.599 --> 00:38:52.299
 Your answer

00:38:52.299 --> 00:38:53.139
 is the cross.

00:38:54.799 --> 00:38:56.039
 And the response

00:38:56.039 --> 00:38:57.199
 to your question

00:38:57.199 --> 00:38:58.259
 is one

00:38:58.259 --> 00:38:59.019
 that the gospel

00:38:59.019 --> 00:38:59.500
 raises.

00:39:00.199 --> 00:39:00.940
 What have you

00:39:00.940 --> 00:39:01.579
 done

00:39:01.579 --> 00:39:03.059
 about what

00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:03.900
 God has done

00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:04.360
 for you?

00:39:05.019 --> 00:39:05.539
 Have you come

00:39:05.539 --> 00:39:05.940
 to him?

00:39:06.900 --> 00:39:07.779
 Have you pled

00:39:07.779 --> 00:39:08.839
 for his mercy

00:39:08.839 --> 00:39:09.519
 and forgiveness?

00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:10.940
 Have you sought

00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:11.819
 his grace

00:39:11.819 --> 00:39:12.599
 in your heart

00:39:12.599 --> 00:39:13.980
 to take your sins

00:39:13.980 --> 00:39:14.440
 away?

00:39:14.880 --> 00:39:15.480
 Have you come

00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.279
 to him and cried

00:39:16.279 --> 00:39:17.380
 out the great

00:39:17.380 --> 00:39:18.099
 New Testament

00:39:18.099 --> 00:39:19.380
 prayer of confession?

00:39:19.380 --> 00:39:21.079
 Lord, be merciful

00:39:21.079 --> 00:39:22.019
 to me, a sinner.

00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:23.800
 Because that's

00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:24.660
 where we all begin.

00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:26.599
 And that's the point

00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:27.860
 where we all must come

00:39:27.860 --> 00:39:29.000
 in order to reckon

00:39:29.000 --> 00:39:29.460
 with God.

00:39:29.519 --> 00:39:30.039
 We must come

00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:30.420
 to him

00:39:30.420 --> 00:39:32.039
 on his terms,

00:39:32.220 --> 00:39:33.200
 by his appointed

00:39:33.200 --> 00:39:33.840
 means,

00:39:34.900 --> 00:39:36.000
 through our mediator,

00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:37.280
 our redeemer,

00:39:38.320 --> 00:39:39.579
 the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:39:39.680 --> 00:39:40.400
 What God

00:39:40.400 --> 00:39:41.960
 has done.

00:39:42.640 --> 00:39:43.099
 I want to think

00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:43.920
 secondly with you

00:39:43.920 --> 00:39:44.480
 about this.

00:39:45.019 --> 00:39:45.820
 What God

00:39:45.820 --> 00:39:46.440
 is doing.

00:39:46.960 --> 00:39:47.340
 Because this

00:39:47.340 --> 00:39:48.400
 incredible text

00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:50.019
 refers not just

00:39:50.019 --> 00:39:50.740
 to the past

00:39:50.740 --> 00:39:51.820
 but to the present.

00:39:52.139 --> 00:39:52.519
 For God

00:39:52.519 --> 00:39:53.800
 so loved the world

00:39:53.800 --> 00:39:54.579
 that he gave

00:39:54.579 --> 00:39:55.480
 his only son

00:39:55.480 --> 00:39:56.860
 that whoever

00:39:56.860 --> 00:39:59.139
 believes in him,

00:39:59.740 --> 00:40:00.920
 that whoever

00:40:00.920 --> 00:40:01.820
 believes in him

00:40:01.820 --> 00:40:03.079
 should not perish

00:40:03.079 --> 00:40:03.980
 but have

00:40:03.980 --> 00:40:05.079
 eternal life.

00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:05.920
 So if God

00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:06.460
 has already

00:40:06.460 --> 00:40:07.579
 done something,

00:40:07.820 --> 00:40:08.539
 what is it God

00:40:08.539 --> 00:40:09.559
 is now doing?

00:40:09.760 --> 00:40:10.619
 And what God

00:40:10.619 --> 00:40:11.320
 is doing

00:40:11.320 --> 00:40:12.900
 is calling us

00:40:12.900 --> 00:40:14.019
 to his son.

00:40:14.160 --> 00:40:14.980
 This is my

00:40:14.980 --> 00:40:15.960
 beloved son.

00:40:16.260 --> 00:40:17.139
 Hear him.

00:40:17.139 --> 00:40:19.059
 This is my

00:40:19.059 --> 00:40:19.839
 beloved son

00:40:19.839 --> 00:40:20.460
 in whom

00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:21.139
 I am well

00:40:21.139 --> 00:40:21.839
 pleased.

00:40:22.199 --> 00:40:22.679
 And as John

00:40:22.679 --> 00:40:23.199
 the Baptist

00:40:23.199 --> 00:40:24.159
 said when he

00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:24.559
 saw him,

00:40:24.679 --> 00:40:25.079
 he couldn't

00:40:25.079 --> 00:40:25.879
 contain himself.

00:40:25.980 --> 00:40:26.339
 He couldn't

00:40:26.339 --> 00:40:27.059
 keep the words

00:40:27.059 --> 00:40:27.259
 in.

00:40:27.480 --> 00:40:27.819
 He just

00:40:27.819 --> 00:40:28.500
 blurted out,

00:40:28.579 --> 00:40:29.199
 behold,

00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.000
 the Lamb

00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:30.579
 of God

00:40:30.579 --> 00:40:31.159
 who takes

00:40:31.159 --> 00:40:31.699
 away the

00:40:31.699 --> 00:40:32.119
 sin of the

00:40:32.119 --> 00:40:32.579
 world.

00:40:32.879 --> 00:40:33.279
 And he

00:40:33.279 --> 00:40:33.779
 does.

00:40:34.879 --> 00:40:35.199
 And there

00:40:35.199 --> 00:40:36.059
 are testaments

00:40:36.059 --> 00:40:36.799
 to that

00:40:36.799 --> 00:40:37.699
 saving work

00:40:37.699 --> 00:40:38.440
 in here

00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:39.059
 this evening.

00:40:39.480 --> 00:40:39.960
 Many,

00:40:40.139 --> 00:40:40.900
 many people,

00:40:41.259 --> 00:40:41.659
 men and

00:40:41.659 --> 00:40:42.039
 women and

00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:42.559
 boys and

00:40:42.559 --> 00:40:42.879
 girls,

00:40:43.079 --> 00:40:43.440
 who have

00:40:43.440 --> 00:40:44.039
 come to know

00:40:44.039 --> 00:40:44.779
 Jesus in

00:40:44.779 --> 00:40:45.259
 their own

00:40:45.259 --> 00:40:45.920
 hearts,

00:40:46.599 --> 00:40:46.900
 who have

00:40:46.900 --> 00:40:47.460
 prayed the

00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:47.920
 prayer of

00:40:47.920 --> 00:40:48.199
 faith,

00:40:48.559 --> 00:40:48.960
 come into

00:40:48.960 --> 00:40:49.599
 my heart,

00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:50.300
 come into

00:40:50.300 --> 00:40:50.860
 my heart,

00:40:51.360 --> 00:40:51.820
 come into

00:40:51.820 --> 00:40:52.259
 my heart,

00:40:52.380 --> 00:40:52.920
 Lord Jesus,

00:40:53.539 --> 00:40:54.259
 come in today,

00:40:54.420 --> 00:40:54.920
 come in to

00:40:54.920 --> 00:40:55.300
 stay,

00:40:56.039 --> 00:40:56.420
 come into

00:40:56.420 --> 00:40:56.980
 my heart,

00:40:57.119 --> 00:40:57.659
 Lord Jesus.

00:40:59.119 --> 00:40:59.880
 This is a

00:40:59.880 --> 00:41:00.440
 message of

00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:01.159
 salvation.

00:41:01.920 --> 00:41:02.279
 And that's

00:41:02.279 --> 00:41:03.139
 probably why

00:41:03.139 --> 00:41:03.880
 in John's

00:41:03.880 --> 00:41:04.519
 writings,

00:41:04.840 --> 00:41:05.259
 between his

00:41:05.259 --> 00:41:05.900
 gospel and

00:41:05.900 --> 00:41:06.360
 his letters,

00:41:06.400 --> 00:41:06.759
 when we put

00:41:06.759 --> 00:41:07.300
 them together,

00:41:07.579 --> 00:41:08.279
 we find the

00:41:08.279 --> 00:41:09.380
 word life

00:41:09.380 --> 00:41:11.340
 36 times.

00:41:11.980 --> 00:41:12.380
 It's a

00:41:12.380 --> 00:41:12.800
 message of

00:41:12.800 --> 00:41:13.400
 life.

00:41:13.640 --> 00:41:13.880
 And look

00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:14.100
 what he

00:41:14.100 --> 00:41:14.660
 says here,

00:41:14.900 --> 00:41:15.140
 that you

00:41:15.140 --> 00:41:15.640
 should not

00:41:15.640 --> 00:41:16.140
 perish but

00:41:16.140 --> 00:41:17.300
 have eternal

00:41:17.300 --> 00:41:18.780
 life.

00:41:19.600 --> 00:41:20.360
 Christ wants

00:41:20.360 --> 00:41:21.000
 to bring us

00:41:21.000 --> 00:41:21.680
 from death

00:41:21.680 --> 00:41:22.340
 to life,

00:41:22.580 --> 00:41:23.220
 from darkness

00:41:23.220 --> 00:41:24.039
 to light,

00:41:24.400 --> 00:41:25.460
 from estrangement

00:41:25.460 --> 00:41:25.960
 to being

00:41:25.960 --> 00:41:26.640
 children of

00:41:26.640 --> 00:41:27.060
 God,

00:41:27.220 --> 00:41:27.760
 not just

00:41:27.760 --> 00:41:28.340
 bringing us

00:41:28.340 --> 00:41:28.840
 into the

00:41:28.840 --> 00:41:29.400
 palace,

00:41:29.660 --> 00:41:30.039
 not just

00:41:30.039 --> 00:41:30.440
 bringing us

00:41:30.440 --> 00:41:30.840
 into the

00:41:30.840 --> 00:41:31.200
 kingdom,

00:41:31.500 --> 00:41:31.960
 but bringing

00:41:31.960 --> 00:41:32.360
 us right

00:41:32.360 --> 00:41:32.720
 into the

00:41:32.720 --> 00:41:33.240
 family of

00:41:33.240 --> 00:41:33.740
 God.

00:41:34.080 --> 00:41:34.480
 This is

00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:35.180
 grace.

00:41:36.720 --> 00:41:37.160
 Because,

00:41:37.360 --> 00:41:37.660
 friends,

00:41:37.860 --> 00:41:38.240
 in and of

00:41:38.240 --> 00:41:38.780
 ourselves,

00:41:38.920 --> 00:41:39.560
 what are we?

00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:40.160
 We're

00:41:40.160 --> 00:41:40.519
 sinners.

00:41:41.840 --> 00:41:42.120
 Look at

00:41:42.119 --> 00:41:42.539
 the last

00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:43.019
 verse of

00:41:43.019 --> 00:41:43.619
 this famous

00:41:43.619 --> 00:41:44.059
 chapter,

00:41:44.219 --> 00:41:44.779
 John 3

00:41:44.779 --> 00:41:45.440
 and verse

00:41:45.440 --> 00:41:46.259
 36.

00:41:47.299 --> 00:41:47.659
 We have

00:41:47.659 --> 00:41:48.299
 a solemn

00:41:48.299 --> 00:41:49.139
 perspective

00:41:49.139 --> 00:41:49.960
 and balance

00:41:49.960 --> 00:41:51.460
 presented by

00:41:51.460 --> 00:41:52.480
 God so

00:41:52.480 --> 00:41:53.079
 that tonight

00:41:53.079 --> 00:41:53.799
 each one of

00:41:53.799 --> 00:41:54.319
 us can go

00:41:54.319 --> 00:41:56.519
 home and

00:41:56.519 --> 00:41:56.900
 be under

00:41:56.900 --> 00:41:57.900
 no illusion,

00:41:58.579 --> 00:41:59.639
 no uncertainty

00:41:59.639 --> 00:42:00.639
 as to where

00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:01.500
 we stand

00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:03.159
 tonight before

00:42:03.159 --> 00:42:04.179
 our living

00:42:04.179 --> 00:42:04.659
 God.

00:42:05.099 --> 00:42:05.259
 Whoever

00:42:05.259 --> 00:42:06.059
 believes in

00:42:06.059 --> 00:42:06.500
 the Son

00:42:06.500 --> 00:42:08.159
 has eternal

00:42:08.159 --> 00:42:08.659
 life.

00:42:08.980 --> 00:42:09.179
 Whoever

00:42:09.179 --> 00:42:09.880
 does not

00:42:09.880 --> 00:42:10.359
 obey the

00:42:10.359 --> 00:42:10.819
 Son shall

00:42:10.820 --> 00:42:11.320
 not see

00:42:11.320 --> 00:42:11.620
 life,

00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:12.300
 but the

00:42:12.300 --> 00:42:12.820
 wrath of

00:42:12.820 --> 00:42:13.320
 God

00:42:13.320 --> 00:42:13.920
 remains

00:42:13.920 --> 00:42:14.480
 on him.

00:42:16.140 --> 00:42:16.720
 Solemn

00:42:16.720 --> 00:42:17.220
 words,

00:42:17.940 --> 00:42:18.420
 searching

00:42:18.420 --> 00:42:19.200
 words,

00:42:20.100 --> 00:42:20.559
 words that

00:42:20.559 --> 00:42:20.940
 I believe

00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:21.480
 the Spirit

00:42:21.480 --> 00:42:22.039
 will use

00:42:22.039 --> 00:42:22.519
 this evening

00:42:22.519 --> 00:42:23.240
 to seek

00:42:23.240 --> 00:42:23.800
 you out

00:42:23.800 --> 00:42:24.800
 and to

00:42:24.800 --> 00:42:25.240
 stir up

00:42:25.240 --> 00:42:25.940
 your conscience

00:42:25.940 --> 00:42:27.019
 so that

00:42:27.019 --> 00:42:27.559
 you would

00:42:27.559 --> 00:42:28.400
 come to

00:42:28.400 --> 00:42:28.780
 Christ

00:42:28.780 --> 00:42:29.260
 yourself,

00:42:29.400 --> 00:42:29.840
 that you

00:42:29.840 --> 00:42:30.240
 would come

00:42:30.240 --> 00:42:30.620
 and ask

00:42:30.620 --> 00:42:31.200
 the question,

00:42:31.519 --> 00:42:32.039
 what must

00:42:32.039 --> 00:42:32.559
 I do

00:42:32.559 --> 00:42:32.960
 to be

00:42:32.960 --> 00:42:33.260
 saved?

00:42:33.460 --> 00:42:33.740
 What

00:42:33.740 --> 00:42:34.320
 did Paul

00:42:34.320 --> 00:42:34.700
 say?

00:42:34.820 --> 00:42:35.320
 Believe

00:42:35.320 --> 00:42:36.340
 in the

00:42:36.340 --> 00:42:36.860
 Lord Jesus

00:42:36.860 --> 00:42:37.440
 Christ,

00:42:37.720 --> 00:42:38.160
 and you

00:42:38.160 --> 00:42:38.559
 will be

00:42:38.559 --> 00:42:39.200
 saved.

00:42:39.760 --> 00:42:40.039
 Believe.

00:42:40.039 --> 00:42:42.800
 And there

00:42:42.800 --> 00:42:43.340
 it is,

00:42:43.820 --> 00:42:44.659
 the gospel

00:42:44.659 --> 00:42:45.779
 in a moment

00:42:45.779 --> 00:42:46.460
 of time

00:42:46.460 --> 00:42:46.980
 as the

00:42:46.980 --> 00:42:47.420
 Philippian

00:42:47.420 --> 00:42:48.239
 jailer fell

00:42:48.239 --> 00:42:48.699
 to his

00:42:48.699 --> 00:42:49.460
 knees in

00:42:49.460 --> 00:42:50.259
 desperation,

00:42:50.699 --> 00:42:51.639
 knowing his

00:42:51.639 --> 00:42:52.159
 heart and

00:42:52.159 --> 00:42:52.460
 in his

00:42:52.460 --> 00:42:53.099
 spirit something

00:42:53.099 --> 00:42:53.900
 was wrong,

00:42:54.300 --> 00:42:55.199
 sensing the

00:42:55.199 --> 00:42:56.019
 void between

00:42:56.019 --> 00:42:56.440
 him and

00:42:56.440 --> 00:42:57.079
 God,

00:42:57.420 --> 00:42:57.900
 sensing that

00:42:57.900 --> 00:42:58.340
 he couldn't

00:42:58.340 --> 00:42:59.079
 get across

00:42:59.079 --> 00:42:59.679
 it himself,

00:42:59.940 --> 00:43:00.460
 he cries

00:43:00.460 --> 00:43:00.619
 out,

00:43:00.699 --> 00:43:01.079
 what must

00:43:01.079 --> 00:43:01.420
 I do

00:43:01.420 --> 00:43:01.759
 to be

00:43:01.759 --> 00:43:01.980
 saved?

00:43:02.039 --> 00:43:02.179
 Haven't

00:43:02.179 --> 00:43:02.500
 we all

00:43:02.500 --> 00:43:02.920
 done that,

00:43:03.000 --> 00:43:03.259
 Christian

00:43:03.259 --> 00:43:03.779
 friends?

00:43:04.519 --> 00:43:04.779
 Yes,

00:43:04.840 --> 00:43:05.360
 we have.

00:43:05.639 --> 00:43:06.039
 That's what

00:43:06.039 --> 00:43:06.599
 brings us

00:43:06.599 --> 00:43:07.460
 to Christ,

00:43:07.800 --> 00:43:08.279
 acknowledging

00:43:08.279 --> 00:43:08.759
 our need

00:43:08.760 --> 00:43:09.540
 for him,

00:43:09.740 --> 00:43:10.140
 and so we

00:43:10.140 --> 00:43:10.520
 come in

00:43:10.520 --> 00:43:11.060
 repentance

00:43:11.060 --> 00:43:11.840
 and faith,

00:43:12.100 --> 00:43:12.320
 and we

00:43:12.320 --> 00:43:12.920
 come to

00:43:12.920 --> 00:43:13.100
 him,

00:43:13.220 --> 00:43:13.640
 and we

00:43:13.640 --> 00:43:14.180
 come to

00:43:14.180 --> 00:43:14.480
 him in

00:43:14.480 --> 00:43:15.140
 conscious

00:43:15.140 --> 00:43:16.100
 awareness of

00:43:16.100 --> 00:43:16.860
 his summons,

00:43:16.940 --> 00:43:17.660
 his invitation

00:43:17.660 --> 00:43:18.400
 to come in

00:43:18.400 --> 00:43:19.460
 faith and

00:43:19.460 --> 00:43:20.060
 believe.

00:43:20.740 --> 00:43:21.200
 And look what

00:43:21.200 --> 00:43:21.720
 this verse

00:43:21.720 --> 00:43:22.160
 says,

00:43:22.800 --> 00:43:23.100
 whoever

00:43:23.100 --> 00:43:24.520
 believes in

00:43:24.520 --> 00:43:24.740
 him,

00:43:24.800 --> 00:43:25.120
 there's the

00:43:25.120 --> 00:43:25.840
 key word,

00:43:26.440 --> 00:43:26.700
 when we

00:43:26.700 --> 00:43:27.100
 think about

00:43:27.100 --> 00:43:27.600
 what is

00:43:27.600 --> 00:43:28.320
 God doing?

00:43:28.700 --> 00:43:29.200
 What's God

00:43:29.200 --> 00:43:29.760
 doing in

00:43:29.760 --> 00:43:30.340
 Stornoway,

00:43:30.400 --> 00:43:30.980
 in Scotland,

00:43:31.140 --> 00:43:31.840
 across the

00:43:31.840 --> 00:43:32.060
 world,

00:43:32.320 --> 00:43:32.800
 now,

00:43:32.900 --> 00:43:33.480
 this evening?

00:43:33.480 --> 00:43:36.820
 God is

00:43:36.820 --> 00:43:38.039
 saving those

00:43:38.039 --> 00:43:38.860
 who come

00:43:38.860 --> 00:43:39.360
 in faith

00:43:39.360 --> 00:43:39.760
 to his

00:43:39.760 --> 00:43:40.099
 son.

00:43:40.740 --> 00:43:41.079
 And who

00:43:41.079 --> 00:43:41.639
 are they?

00:43:42.280 --> 00:43:42.719
 Here they're

00:43:42.719 --> 00:43:43.199
 defined,

00:43:44.360 --> 00:43:44.740
 whoever,

00:43:46.179 --> 00:43:46.599
 whoever.

00:43:48.139 --> 00:43:48.400
 See,

00:43:48.500 --> 00:43:48.719
 friends,

00:43:48.760 --> 00:43:49.159
 we don't

00:43:49.159 --> 00:43:49.460
 know.

00:43:50.280 --> 00:43:50.920
 We only

00:43:50.920 --> 00:43:51.519
 see the

00:43:51.519 --> 00:43:51.880
 outward,

00:43:52.579 --> 00:43:53.159
 but God

00:43:53.159 --> 00:43:53.599
 looks at

00:43:53.599 --> 00:43:54.320
 the heart.

00:43:55.340 --> 00:43:55.960
 God knows

00:43:55.960 --> 00:43:57.059
 tonight what

00:43:57.059 --> 00:43:57.539
 we've done

00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:58.559
 with this

00:43:58.559 --> 00:43:59.059
 gospel,

00:43:59.699 --> 00:44:00.139
 and what

00:44:00.139 --> 00:44:00.559
 we've done

00:44:00.559 --> 00:44:01.059
 with his

00:44:01.059 --> 00:44:01.519
 son.

00:44:02.519 --> 00:44:03.139
 He knows

00:44:03.139 --> 00:44:03.659
 that if we

00:44:03.659 --> 00:44:04.500
 have responded

00:44:04.500 --> 00:44:05.300
 in faith,

00:44:05.739 --> 00:44:06.199
 He knows

00:44:06.199 --> 00:44:06.500
 if we

00:44:06.500 --> 00:44:07.079
 have stayed

00:44:07.079 --> 00:44:08.500
 back uncertain,

00:44:08.880 --> 00:44:09.679
 unconvinced,

00:44:09.759 --> 00:44:10.699
 and unconverted,

00:44:11.000 --> 00:44:11.539
 waiting for

00:44:11.539 --> 00:44:12.400
 another time,

00:44:12.659 --> 00:44:13.119
 waiting for

00:44:13.119 --> 00:44:13.780
 that eternal

00:44:13.780 --> 00:44:14.340
 tomorrow.

00:44:14.460 --> 00:44:15.019
 There's always

00:44:15.019 --> 00:44:15.860
 tomorrow when

00:44:15.860 --> 00:44:16.400
 it comes to

00:44:16.400 --> 00:44:16.920
 the gospel,

00:44:17.219 --> 00:44:17.719
 the great

00:44:17.719 --> 00:44:18.539
 lie of

00:44:18.539 --> 00:44:18.960
 Satan.

00:44:19.340 --> 00:44:20.039
 Don't worry

00:44:20.039 --> 00:44:20.539
 about this,

00:44:20.579 --> 00:44:21.179
 that's fine,

00:44:21.440 --> 00:44:22.000
 the gospel's

00:44:22.000 --> 00:44:22.480
 a great

00:44:22.480 --> 00:44:22.980
 message,

00:44:23.280 --> 00:44:23.780
 the gospel

00:44:23.780 --> 00:44:24.400
 has changed

00:44:24.400 --> 00:44:24.940
 lives,

00:44:25.239 --> 00:44:25.679
 and yes,

00:44:25.719 --> 00:44:26.199
 it's true,

00:44:26.320 --> 00:44:26.780
 but listen,

00:44:27.199 --> 00:44:27.619
 you've got a

00:44:27.619 --> 00:44:28.320
 lot to see

00:44:28.320 --> 00:44:28.500
 to,

00:44:28.559 --> 00:44:28.820
 you're only

00:44:28.820 --> 00:44:29.340
 young.

00:44:29.940 --> 00:44:30.480
 Let's think

00:44:30.480 --> 00:44:30.820
 about this

00:44:30.820 --> 00:44:31.280
 at the next

00:44:31.280 --> 00:44:31.740
 communion,

00:44:32.060 --> 00:44:32.480
 let's think

00:44:32.480 --> 00:44:32.780
 about it

00:44:32.780 --> 00:44:33.660
 next Sunday,

00:44:33.940 --> 00:44:34.460
 let's think

00:44:34.460 --> 00:44:34.740
 about it

00:44:34.740 --> 00:44:34.960
 when you

00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:35.420
 talk to

00:44:35.420 --> 00:44:35.760
 this one

00:44:35.760 --> 00:44:36.120
 or talk

00:44:36.120 --> 00:44:36.460
 to that

00:44:36.460 --> 00:44:36.620
 one,

00:44:36.840 --> 00:44:38.060
 any time

00:44:38.060 --> 00:44:39.280
 but God's

00:44:39.280 --> 00:44:39.720
 time,

00:44:40.580 --> 00:44:41.360
 and God's

00:44:41.360 --> 00:44:42.420
 appointed time

00:44:42.420 --> 00:44:43.340
 for dealing

00:44:43.340 --> 00:44:44.200
 with salvation

00:44:44.200 --> 00:44:45.780
 is now,

00:44:46.519 --> 00:44:46.980
 when in

00:44:46.980 --> 00:44:47.800
 his spirit

00:44:47.800 --> 00:44:48.760
 and in

00:44:48.760 --> 00:44:49.460
 his grace

00:44:49.460 --> 00:44:49.860
 and in

00:44:49.860 --> 00:44:50.480
 his mercy

00:44:50.480 --> 00:44:51.100
 and in

00:44:51.100 --> 00:44:51.880
 his providence

00:44:51.880 --> 00:44:53.080
 he presents

00:44:53.080 --> 00:44:54.000
 his gospel

00:44:54.000 --> 00:44:54.700
 to you,

00:44:55.340 --> 00:44:55.580
 saying,

00:44:55.780 --> 00:44:56.560
 come to

00:44:56.560 --> 00:44:57.220
 me,

00:44:57.920 --> 00:44:58.460
 and I

00:44:58.460 --> 00:44:58.800
 will give

00:44:58.800 --> 00:44:59.380
 you rest.

00:44:59.380 --> 00:45:00.680
 this is

00:45:00.680 --> 00:45:01.280
 the wondrous

00:45:01.280 --> 00:45:02.039
 invitation

00:45:02.039 --> 00:45:02.700
 and summons

00:45:02.700 --> 00:45:03.140
 of Jesus

00:45:03.140 --> 00:45:03.800
 Christ.

00:45:05.280 --> 00:45:05.880
 The magnitude

00:45:05.880 --> 00:45:06.720
 of his love

00:45:06.720 --> 00:45:07.820
 is matched

00:45:07.820 --> 00:45:08.640
 by the

00:45:08.640 --> 00:45:09.140
 magnitude

00:45:09.140 --> 00:45:10.660
 of his

00:45:10.660 --> 00:45:11.180
 gift,

00:45:11.840 --> 00:45:12.619
 and his

00:45:12.619 --> 00:45:13.340
 gift is

00:45:13.340 --> 00:45:14.039
 nothing other

00:45:14.039 --> 00:45:15.079
 and no one

00:45:15.079 --> 00:45:16.240
 less than

00:45:16.240 --> 00:45:16.900
 his son.

00:45:17.340 --> 00:45:18.160
 So John 3

00:45:18.160 --> 00:45:19.079
 and 16

00:45:19.079 --> 00:45:20.260
 is vast

00:45:20.260 --> 00:45:21.019
 in its

00:45:21.019 --> 00:45:21.980
 teaching of

00:45:21.980 --> 00:45:23.260
 the scope

00:45:23.260 --> 00:45:23.579
 of the

00:45:23.579 --> 00:45:24.000
 gospel,

00:45:24.000 --> 00:45:25.159
 incredible

00:45:25.159 --> 00:45:27.539
 in the

00:45:27.539 --> 00:45:27.960
 lengths

00:45:27.960 --> 00:45:28.440
 that God

00:45:28.440 --> 00:45:28.900
 will go

00:45:28.900 --> 00:45:29.239
 to.

00:45:29.699 --> 00:45:29.980
 It's

00:45:29.980 --> 00:45:30.460
 tremendous

00:45:30.460 --> 00:45:31.199
 in what

00:45:31.199 --> 00:45:31.599
 it sets

00:45:31.599 --> 00:45:32.360
 before us.

00:45:32.699 --> 00:45:33.360
 First of

00:45:33.360 --> 00:45:33.539
 all,

00:45:33.579 --> 00:45:33.800
 in what

00:45:33.800 --> 00:45:34.219
 God has

00:45:34.219 --> 00:45:34.519
 done,

00:45:34.599 --> 00:45:34.800
 and we

00:45:34.800 --> 00:45:35.239
 can call

00:45:35.239 --> 00:45:35.539
 that a

00:45:35.539 --> 00:45:35.820
 statement

00:45:35.820 --> 00:45:36.559
 of fact.

00:45:36.860 --> 00:45:37.119
 He has

00:45:37.119 --> 00:45:37.559
 given

00:45:37.559 --> 00:45:38.260
 his son.

00:45:38.579 --> 00:45:39.219
 Golgotha

00:45:39.219 --> 00:45:40.260
 was 2,000

00:45:40.260 --> 00:45:41.179
 years ago,

00:45:41.480 --> 00:45:41.820
 and now

00:45:41.820 --> 00:45:42.400
 tonight we

00:45:42.400 --> 00:45:43.000
 have the

00:45:43.000 --> 00:45:43.460
 complete

00:45:43.460 --> 00:45:44.099
 canon of

00:45:44.099 --> 00:45:44.579
 scripture

00:45:44.579 --> 00:45:45.219
 in a

00:45:45.219 --> 00:45:45.619
 language

00:45:45.619 --> 00:45:46.260
 and version

00:45:46.260 --> 00:45:46.639
 we can

00:45:46.639 --> 00:45:47.380
 read easily

00:45:47.380 --> 00:45:47.880
 and follow.

00:45:48.039 --> 00:45:48.159
 Isn't

00:45:48.159 --> 00:45:48.880
 God good?

00:45:49.599 --> 00:45:49.860
 Isn't

00:45:49.860 --> 00:45:50.699
 God gracious

00:45:50.699 --> 00:45:51.519
 and loving

00:45:51.519 --> 00:45:52.280
 and merciful?

00:45:52.280 --> 00:45:52.900
 And that

00:45:52.900 --> 00:45:53.340
 he's given

00:45:53.340 --> 00:45:53.780
 us this

00:45:53.780 --> 00:45:54.380
 message of

00:45:54.380 --> 00:45:54.840
 his son

00:45:54.840 --> 00:45:55.420
 tonight in

00:45:55.420 --> 00:45:56.040
 a way we

00:45:56.040 --> 00:45:56.440
 can sit

00:45:56.440 --> 00:45:57.260
 in comfort,

00:45:57.880 --> 00:45:58.640
 not worried

00:45:58.640 --> 00:45:59.040
 about the

00:45:59.040 --> 00:45:59.740
 police kicking

00:45:59.740 --> 00:46:00.100
 in the

00:46:00.100 --> 00:46:00.360
 door,

00:46:00.440 --> 00:46:00.840
 not worried

00:46:00.840 --> 00:46:01.140
 about being

00:46:01.140 --> 00:46:01.720
 dragged off

00:46:01.720 --> 00:46:02.180
 to prison,

00:46:02.440 --> 00:46:02.960
 not under

00:46:02.960 --> 00:46:03.580
 persecution,

00:46:03.960 --> 00:46:04.240
 but in

00:46:04.240 --> 00:46:05.260
 wonderful comfort

00:46:05.260 --> 00:46:06.060
 and security

00:46:06.060 --> 00:46:07.700
 with plenty

00:46:07.700 --> 00:46:08.740
 provided for

00:46:08.740 --> 00:46:09.019
 us,

00:46:09.340 --> 00:46:09.600
 and we

00:46:09.600 --> 00:46:10.480
 can reflect

00:46:10.480 --> 00:46:11.980
 tonight for

00:46:11.980 --> 00:46:12.860
 this half

00:46:12.860 --> 00:46:13.620
 hour together

00:46:13.620 --> 00:46:14.800
 on the

00:46:14.800 --> 00:46:15.180
 wonderful

00:46:15.180 --> 00:46:16.480
 gospel and

00:46:16.480 --> 00:46:17.060
 provision of

00:46:17.060 --> 00:46:17.560
 Christ.

00:46:19.060 --> 00:46:19.580
 For God

00:46:19.580 --> 00:46:20.000
 did not

00:46:20.000 --> 00:46:20.519
 send his

00:46:20.519 --> 00:46:21.620
 son into

00:46:21.620 --> 00:46:21.860
 the world

00:46:21.860 --> 00:46:22.380
 to condemn

00:46:22.380 --> 00:46:22.880
 the world,

00:46:23.320 --> 00:46:23.720
 but in

00:46:23.720 --> 00:46:24.240
 order that

00:46:24.240 --> 00:46:24.660
 the world

00:46:24.660 --> 00:46:25.039
 might be

00:46:25.039 --> 00:46:26.820
 saved through

00:46:26.820 --> 00:46:27.140
 him.

00:46:28.000 --> 00:46:28.760
 Let's make

00:46:28.760 --> 00:46:29.039
 it more

00:46:29.039 --> 00:46:29.800
 personal on

00:46:29.800 --> 00:46:30.079
 that.

00:46:30.940 --> 00:46:31.360
 How about

00:46:31.360 --> 00:46:31.660
 you?

00:46:32.760 --> 00:46:33.480
 Because that's

00:46:33.480 --> 00:46:34.680
 the essence

00:46:34.680 --> 00:46:35.440
 and question

00:46:35.440 --> 00:46:35.800
 of the

00:46:35.800 --> 00:46:36.220
 gospel.

00:46:37.200 --> 00:46:37.440
 God

00:46:37.440 --> 00:46:38.260
 searches the

00:46:38.260 --> 00:46:39.720
 heart and

00:46:39.720 --> 00:46:40.200
 he's asking

00:46:40.200 --> 00:46:40.960
 now this

00:46:40.960 --> 00:46:41.380
 evening,

00:46:41.800 --> 00:46:42.660
 individually,

00:46:43.220 --> 00:46:43.740
 what have

00:46:43.740 --> 00:46:44.340
 you done

00:46:44.340 --> 00:46:44.980
 with my

00:46:44.980 --> 00:46:45.420
 son?

00:46:46.480 --> 00:46:46.820
 What have

00:46:46.820 --> 00:46:47.240
 you done

00:46:47.240 --> 00:46:47.700
 with my

00:46:47.700 --> 00:46:48.140
 gospel?

00:46:48.760 --> 00:46:49.140
 What have

00:46:49.140 --> 00:46:49.500
 you done

00:46:49.500 --> 00:46:49.840
 with this

00:46:49.840 --> 00:46:51.220
 knowledge that

00:46:51.219 --> 00:46:51.879
 you have?

00:46:52.339 --> 00:46:52.659
 What have

00:46:52.659 --> 00:46:52.959
 you done

00:46:52.959 --> 00:46:53.319
 with the

00:46:53.319 --> 00:46:53.739
 Bible?

00:46:54.219 --> 00:46:54.519
 What have

00:46:54.519 --> 00:46:54.879
 you done

00:46:54.879 --> 00:46:55.159
 with your

00:46:55.159 --> 00:46:55.619
 need to

00:46:55.619 --> 00:46:56.379
 be forgiven?

00:46:57.379 --> 00:46:57.719
 Will you

00:46:57.719 --> 00:46:59.000
 still stay

00:46:59.000 --> 00:46:59.419
 away?

00:47:00.179 --> 00:47:00.539
 Will you

00:47:00.539 --> 00:47:01.000
 still

00:47:01.000 --> 00:47:01.759
 prevaricate,

00:47:02.259 --> 00:47:02.679
 debate,

00:47:03.199 --> 00:47:03.619
 argue?

00:47:04.279 --> 00:47:04.559
 Will you

00:47:04.559 --> 00:47:06.219
 still get

00:47:06.219 --> 00:47:06.639
 into a

00:47:06.639 --> 00:47:07.279
 remonstrance

00:47:07.279 --> 00:47:07.559
 and a

00:47:07.559 --> 00:47:08.199
 standoff

00:47:08.199 --> 00:47:08.839
 with God?

00:47:09.399 --> 00:47:09.719
 Will you

00:47:09.719 --> 00:47:10.339
 rail against

00:47:10.339 --> 00:47:10.779
 the Holy

00:47:10.779 --> 00:47:11.939
 Spirit and

00:47:11.939 --> 00:47:12.539
 continue to

00:47:12.539 --> 00:47:13.239
 say in

00:47:13.239 --> 00:47:13.719
 your hardness

00:47:13.719 --> 00:47:14.199
 of heart,

00:47:14.480 --> 00:47:15.119
 what's God

00:47:15.119 --> 00:47:15.679
 ever done

00:47:15.679 --> 00:47:16.459
 for me?

00:47:17.219 --> 00:47:17.579
 Or will

00:47:17.579 --> 00:47:18.039
 you now,

00:47:18.279 --> 00:47:18.719
 friends,

00:47:18.719 --> 00:47:20.219
 stop and

00:47:20.219 --> 00:47:20.819
 pause and

00:47:20.819 --> 00:47:21.239
 think.

00:47:22.099 --> 00:47:22.759
 He sent

00:47:22.759 --> 00:47:23.539
 his son

00:47:23.539 --> 00:47:25.079
 in love.

00:47:25.599 --> 00:47:26.379
 He gave

00:47:26.379 --> 00:47:27.779
 everything.

00:47:29.019 --> 00:47:29.399
 And that's

00:47:29.399 --> 00:47:30.059
 why as we

00:47:30.059 --> 00:47:30.719
 go through

00:47:30.719 --> 00:47:31.359
 the wonderful

00:47:31.359 --> 00:47:32.059
 book of the

00:47:32.059 --> 00:47:32.579
 Acts of the

00:47:32.579 --> 00:47:33.099
 Apostles,

00:47:33.199 --> 00:47:33.579
 we read of

00:47:33.579 --> 00:47:34.379
 tremendous

00:47:34.379 --> 00:47:35.279
 instances

00:47:35.279 --> 00:47:37.339
 of clarity,

00:47:38.000 --> 00:47:38.559
 of great

00:47:38.559 --> 00:47:39.079
 theology,

00:47:39.439 --> 00:47:40.199
 but great

00:47:40.199 --> 00:47:41.119
 simplicity as

00:47:41.119 --> 00:47:41.239
 well.

00:47:41.299 --> 00:47:41.679
 Listen to

00:47:41.679 --> 00:47:42.399
 Acts 13

00:47:42.399 --> 00:47:42.799
 and verse

00:47:42.799 --> 00:47:44.000
 26.

00:47:45.119 --> 00:47:45.519
 Brothers,

00:47:45.919 --> 00:47:46.319
 sisters,

00:47:46.539 --> 00:47:47.079
 sons of the

00:47:47.079 --> 00:47:47.579
 family of

00:47:47.579 --> 00:47:48.299
 Abraham and

00:47:48.299 --> 00:47:48.920
 those among

00:47:48.920 --> 00:47:49.259
 you who

00:47:49.259 --> 00:47:49.980
 fear God

00:47:49.980 --> 00:47:50.840
 to us has

00:47:50.840 --> 00:47:51.460
 been sent

00:47:51.460 --> 00:47:52.279
 the message

00:47:52.279 --> 00:47:53.819
 of this

00:47:53.819 --> 00:47:55.099
 salvation.

00:47:55.840 --> 00:47:56.199
 And again

00:47:56.199 --> 00:47:56.739
 down Acts

00:47:56.739 --> 00:47:57.360
 13 and

00:47:57.360 --> 00:47:59.019
 verse 38.

00:47:59.500 --> 00:47:59.900
 Let it be

00:47:59.900 --> 00:48:00.460
 known to

00:48:00.460 --> 00:48:01.079
 you therefore

00:48:01.079 --> 00:48:01.940
 brothers that

00:48:01.940 --> 00:48:02.940
 through this

00:48:02.940 --> 00:48:03.960
 man forgiveness

00:48:03.960 --> 00:48:05.440
 of sins is

00:48:05.440 --> 00:48:06.860
 proclaimed to

00:48:06.860 --> 00:48:08.159
 you and

00:48:08.159 --> 00:48:09.059
 by him

00:48:09.059 --> 00:48:10.360
 everyone who

00:48:10.360 --> 00:48:11.940
 believes is

00:48:11.940 --> 00:48:12.880
 freed.

00:48:13.980 --> 00:48:14.219
 Isn't that

00:48:14.219 --> 00:48:14.940
 wonderful that

00:48:14.940 --> 00:48:15.480
 God has been

00:48:15.480 --> 00:48:16.779
 so plain and

00:48:16.780 --> 00:48:18.060
 clear and

00:48:18.060 --> 00:48:19.140
 purposeful,

00:48:19.940 --> 00:48:20.540
 tender and

00:48:20.540 --> 00:48:21.519
 compassionate and

00:48:21.519 --> 00:48:22.780
 gracious and

00:48:22.780 --> 00:48:23.780
 ensuring tonight

00:48:23.780 --> 00:48:24.540
 we'd be here for

00:48:24.540 --> 00:48:25.960
 this short time,

00:48:26.780 --> 00:48:27.360
 the end of the

00:48:27.360 --> 00:48:28.180
 month of August

00:48:28.180 --> 00:48:30.160
 2022, the

00:48:30.160 --> 00:48:31.000
 year opening up

00:48:31.000 --> 00:48:31.920
 ahead of us and

00:48:31.920 --> 00:48:33.660
 the week closing

00:48:33.660 --> 00:48:34.380
 in already.

00:48:35.660 --> 00:48:36.340
 And God in his

00:48:36.340 --> 00:48:37.620
 providence has

00:48:37.620 --> 00:48:38.900
 appointed this time

00:48:38.900 --> 00:48:39.660
 in this moment

00:48:39.660 --> 00:48:41.840
 that the gospel

00:48:41.840 --> 00:48:43.320
 would come before

00:48:43.320 --> 00:48:43.920
 you again.

00:48:43.920 --> 00:48:46.400
 that Christ in

00:48:46.400 --> 00:48:47.720
 his claims over

00:48:47.720 --> 00:48:48.740
 you would come

00:48:48.740 --> 00:48:49.659
 before you again.

00:48:50.460 --> 00:48:50.940
 That our

00:48:50.940 --> 00:48:51.700
 condition as

00:48:51.700 --> 00:48:52.860
 sinners would

00:48:52.860 --> 00:48:53.659
 come before you

00:48:53.659 --> 00:48:54.099
 again.

00:48:54.860 --> 00:48:56.079
 And again God

00:48:56.079 --> 00:48:56.940
 is calling in his

00:48:56.940 --> 00:48:58.800
 mercy, come to

00:48:58.800 --> 00:48:59.440
 my son.

00:49:00.519 --> 00:49:01.200
 Come to the

00:49:01.200 --> 00:49:01.900
 one who was

00:49:01.900 --> 00:49:03.059
 dead and now

00:49:03.059 --> 00:49:03.740
 was alive.

00:49:04.240 --> 00:49:04.880
 Come to the

00:49:04.880 --> 00:49:05.579
 one who gave

00:49:05.579 --> 00:49:07.220
 himself for

00:49:07.220 --> 00:49:07.599
 you.

00:49:07.820 --> 00:49:08.420
 The great

00:49:08.420 --> 00:49:09.680
 declaration of

00:49:09.680 --> 00:49:10.800
 Paul's earliest

00:49:10.800 --> 00:49:11.460
 letter to the

00:49:11.460 --> 00:49:12.420
 Galatians, the

00:49:12.420 --> 00:49:12.920
 life I now

00:49:12.920 --> 00:49:13.159
 live.

00:49:13.360 --> 00:49:13.800
 I live by

00:49:13.800 --> 00:49:14.380
 faith in the

00:49:14.380 --> 00:49:15.000
 son of God

00:49:15.000 --> 00:49:16.320
 who loved me

00:49:16.320 --> 00:49:17.039
 and gave

00:49:17.039 --> 00:49:17.960
 himself for me

00:49:17.960 --> 00:49:18.860
 and to give

00:49:18.860 --> 00:49:19.980
 himself for him

00:49:19.980 --> 00:49:20.440
 what did he

00:49:20.440 --> 00:49:20.679
 do?

00:49:20.900 --> 00:49:22.740
 He became a

00:49:22.740 --> 00:49:23.240
 curse.

00:49:24.220 --> 00:49:24.740
 That's what the

00:49:24.740 --> 00:49:25.579
 cross was.

00:49:26.880 --> 00:49:27.460
 It's an awful

00:49:27.460 --> 00:49:27.940
 scene.

00:49:28.820 --> 00:49:29.220
 It's a scene

00:49:29.220 --> 00:49:29.940
 that we have to

00:49:29.940 --> 00:49:30.740
 study and

00:49:30.740 --> 00:49:31.659
 survey but

00:49:31.659 --> 00:49:32.940
 friends let us

00:49:32.940 --> 00:49:34.059
 do so in awe

00:49:34.059 --> 00:49:34.740
 and wonder,

00:49:35.260 --> 00:49:35.800
 humility,

00:49:36.639 --> 00:49:37.139
 patience,

00:49:37.519 --> 00:49:38.220
 tenderness.

00:49:38.960 --> 00:49:39.539
 The son of

00:49:39.539 --> 00:49:40.920
 God, dead

00:49:40.920 --> 00:49:41.659
 on a cross

00:49:41.659 --> 00:49:42.980
 for the sins

00:49:42.980 --> 00:49:43.679
 of the world.

00:49:44.559 --> 00:49:45.340
 Him who was

00:49:45.340 --> 00:49:46.460
 no sin.

00:49:46.880 --> 00:49:47.500
 How is it put

00:49:47.500 --> 00:49:48.259
 in Romans in

00:49:48.259 --> 00:49:49.059
 chapter 8?

00:49:50.000 --> 00:49:50.920
 As Paul begins

00:49:50.920 --> 00:49:52.619
 to unpack this,

00:49:53.119 --> 00:49:53.860
 Romans 8 and

00:49:53.860 --> 00:49:54.759
 verse 32,

00:49:55.219 --> 00:49:55.840
 he who did

00:49:55.840 --> 00:49:56.599
 not spare his

00:49:56.599 --> 00:49:57.300
 own son but

00:49:57.300 --> 00:49:57.840
 gave him up

00:49:57.840 --> 00:49:58.440
 for us all,

00:49:58.759 --> 00:49:59.139
 how will they

00:49:59.139 --> 00:49:59.900
 not also with

00:49:59.900 --> 00:50:00.679
 him graciously

00:50:00.679 --> 00:50:01.800
 give us all

00:50:01.800 --> 00:50:02.539
 things?

00:50:04.000 --> 00:50:04.599
 The son of

00:50:04.599 --> 00:50:06.019
 God given

00:50:06.019 --> 00:50:07.779
 to death.

00:50:07.780 --> 00:50:09.560
 and he

00:50:09.560 --> 00:50:10.180
 died there

00:50:10.180 --> 00:50:10.820
 to complete

00:50:10.820 --> 00:50:11.300
 the work

00:50:11.300 --> 00:50:11.840
 the father

00:50:11.840 --> 00:50:12.240
 had given

00:50:12.240 --> 00:50:12.840
 him to do

00:50:12.840 --> 00:50:13.820
 in this

00:50:13.820 --> 00:50:14.440
 eternal

00:50:14.440 --> 00:50:15.120
 covenant,

00:50:15.840 --> 00:50:16.500
 this covenant

00:50:16.500 --> 00:50:18.320
 of redemption.

00:50:19.220 --> 00:50:19.600
 So maybe

00:50:19.600 --> 00:50:20.160
 you think

00:50:20.160 --> 00:50:21.080
 that it

00:50:21.080 --> 00:50:21.820
 doesn't apply

00:50:21.820 --> 00:50:22.240
 to you,

00:50:22.300 --> 00:50:23.160
 doesn't extend

00:50:23.160 --> 00:50:23.640
 to you,

00:50:23.880 --> 00:50:24.360
 maybe you

00:50:24.360 --> 00:50:24.780
 think you're

00:50:24.780 --> 00:50:25.260
 not good

00:50:25.260 --> 00:50:25.720
 enough,

00:50:26.320 --> 00:50:26.740
 maybe you

00:50:26.740 --> 00:50:27.340
 think you've

00:50:27.340 --> 00:50:28.060
 got time,

00:50:28.240 --> 00:50:28.500
 friends,

00:50:28.580 --> 00:50:29.560
 whatever you're

00:50:29.560 --> 00:50:30.800
 lining up in

00:50:30.800 --> 00:50:31.480
 your lines of

00:50:31.480 --> 00:50:32.580
 defense to

00:50:32.580 --> 00:50:33.340
 resist the

00:50:33.340 --> 00:50:34.220
 gospel call

00:50:34.220 --> 00:50:34.980
 in your heart,

00:50:35.460 --> 00:50:36.160
 I would urge

00:50:36.160 --> 00:50:36.620
 you to put

00:50:36.620 --> 00:50:37.320
 them aside,

00:50:37.780 --> 00:50:38.480
 listen to the

00:50:38.480 --> 00:50:38.880
 words you've

00:50:38.880 --> 00:50:39.340
 just sung

00:50:39.340 --> 00:50:39.860
 together,

00:50:40.260 --> 00:50:41.260
 and plenteous

00:50:41.260 --> 00:50:42.560
 redemption is

00:50:42.560 --> 00:50:43.380
 ever found

00:50:43.380 --> 00:50:43.920
 with him,

00:50:44.180 --> 00:50:44.519
 that's a

00:50:44.519 --> 00:50:45.280
 wonderful Old

00:50:45.280 --> 00:50:46.260
 Testament word,

00:50:46.560 --> 00:50:47.060
 that word

00:50:47.060 --> 00:50:47.240
 there,

00:50:47.400 --> 00:50:48.340
 plenteous in

00:50:48.340 --> 00:50:49.060
 the Hebrew

00:50:49.060 --> 00:50:49.900
 is rabba,

00:50:50.240 --> 00:50:50.580
 and it

00:50:50.580 --> 00:50:51.260
 speaks of

00:50:51.260 --> 00:50:52.500
 abundance,

00:50:52.860 --> 00:50:53.320
 and a

00:50:53.320 --> 00:50:54.280
 great abundance,

00:50:54.740 --> 00:50:55.220
 so there's an

00:50:55.220 --> 00:50:56.300
 abundance of

00:50:56.300 --> 00:50:56.640
 what?

00:50:57.000 --> 00:50:57.600
 Redemption,

00:50:58.000 --> 00:50:58.360
 and it's

00:50:58.360 --> 00:50:59.120
 ever found

00:50:59.120 --> 00:50:59.620
 with him,

00:50:59.880 --> 00:51:00.280
 and from

00:51:00.280 --> 00:51:00.980
 all his

00:51:00.980 --> 00:51:01.560
 iniquities,

00:51:01.820 --> 00:51:02.360
 he Israel

00:51:02.360 --> 00:51:03.240
 shall redeem.

00:51:04.240 --> 00:51:04.980
 What do we

00:51:04.980 --> 00:51:05.540
 need to do?

00:51:06.400 --> 00:51:06.860
 We need to

00:51:06.860 --> 00:51:07.500
 acknowledge your

00:51:07.500 --> 00:51:07.920
 sin,

00:51:08.639 --> 00:51:09.259
 and cry out

00:51:09.259 --> 00:51:09.880
 for forgiveness,

00:51:10.719 --> 00:51:11.400
 and come to

00:51:11.400 --> 00:51:12.440
 him for his

00:51:12.440 --> 00:51:12.779
 mercy.

00:51:12.940 --> 00:51:13.239
 Friends,

00:51:13.320 --> 00:51:13.739
 the Bible

00:51:13.739 --> 00:51:15.079
 nowhere delutes

00:51:15.079 --> 00:51:16.519
 or denies the

00:51:16.519 --> 00:51:17.199
 awfulness of

00:51:17.199 --> 00:51:17.579
 sin.

00:51:17.840 --> 00:51:18.320
 That's what the

00:51:18.320 --> 00:51:18.960
 world does.

00:51:19.659 --> 00:51:20.099
 That's what

00:51:20.099 --> 00:51:20.960
 cultural thinking

00:51:20.960 --> 00:51:21.500
 does.

00:51:22.039 --> 00:51:22.480
 That's what

00:51:22.480 --> 00:51:23.340
 world leaders do

00:51:23.340 --> 00:51:23.639
 who are not

00:51:23.639 --> 00:51:24.300
 interested in the

00:51:24.300 --> 00:51:24.679
 gospel.

00:51:24.960 --> 00:51:25.599
 They dumb it

00:51:25.599 --> 00:51:26.079
 down,

00:51:26.500 --> 00:51:27.259
 and they expect

00:51:27.259 --> 00:51:28.139
 and demand the

00:51:28.139 --> 00:51:28.719
 church to do

00:51:28.719 --> 00:51:29.000
 likewise,

00:51:29.099 --> 00:51:29.940
 to dumb down

00:51:29.940 --> 00:51:30.800
 the teaching of

00:51:30.800 --> 00:51:31.300
 the gospel,

00:51:31.500 --> 00:51:32.179
 not to talk

00:51:32.179 --> 00:51:32.820
 about sin,

00:51:33.059 --> 00:51:33.800
 not to mention

00:51:33.800 --> 00:51:34.440
 hell,

00:51:34.620 --> 00:51:35.280
 not to raise

00:51:35.280 --> 00:51:35.880
 the issue of

00:51:35.880 --> 00:51:37.019
 judgment and

00:51:37.019 --> 00:51:38.600
 God's eternal

00:51:38.600 --> 00:51:39.700
 damnation that

00:51:39.700 --> 00:51:40.620
 waits all those

00:51:40.620 --> 00:51:41.460
 who turn away

00:51:41.460 --> 00:51:41.820
 from him.

00:51:41.840 --> 00:51:42.400
 As the gospel

00:51:42.400 --> 00:51:42.780
 says,

00:51:42.860 --> 00:51:43.519
 whoever does not

00:51:43.519 --> 00:51:44.220
 obey the Son

00:51:44.220 --> 00:51:45.120
 shall not see

00:51:45.120 --> 00:51:45.420
 life,

00:51:45.480 --> 00:51:46.039
 but the wrath

00:51:46.039 --> 00:51:47.080
 of God remains

00:51:47.080 --> 00:51:47.680
 on him.

00:51:48.120 --> 00:51:49.039
 God is love

00:51:49.039 --> 00:51:49.920
 and light

00:51:49.920 --> 00:51:50.780
 and truth

00:51:50.780 --> 00:51:51.640
 and mercy

00:51:51.640 --> 00:51:52.539
 and wrath,

00:51:54.100 --> 00:51:54.760
 and God's

00:51:54.760 --> 00:51:55.360
 wrath will be

00:51:55.360 --> 00:51:55.880
 poured out

00:51:55.880 --> 00:51:56.600
 upon sin,

00:51:56.900 --> 00:51:57.500
 and unless and

00:51:57.500 --> 00:51:58.220
 until you come

00:51:58.220 --> 00:51:58.900
 to Christ,

00:51:59.180 --> 00:51:59.680
 and under his

00:51:59.680 --> 00:52:00.100
 cover,

00:52:00.380 --> 00:52:00.840
 and under his

00:52:00.840 --> 00:52:01.360
 righteousness,

00:52:01.560 --> 00:52:02.039
 the wrath of

00:52:02.039 --> 00:52:03.140
 God remains on

00:52:03.139 --> 00:52:03.359
 you.

00:52:03.579 --> 00:52:04.119
 That's what the

00:52:04.119 --> 00:52:04.920
 scripture tells

00:52:04.920 --> 00:52:05.259
 us,

00:52:05.559 --> 00:52:06.099
 and we'll be

00:52:06.099 --> 00:52:06.920
 tied to church

00:52:06.920 --> 00:52:07.559
 if ever we

00:52:07.559 --> 00:52:08.859
 move away from

00:52:08.859 --> 00:52:09.779
 this declaration

00:52:09.779 --> 00:52:11.159
 of good news.

00:52:11.980 --> 00:52:12.480
 I read the other

00:52:12.480 --> 00:52:13.879
 day a nice story

00:52:13.879 --> 00:52:14.879
 about Voltaire,

00:52:15.099 --> 00:52:15.879
 can't claim to

00:52:15.879 --> 00:52:16.539
 know much about

00:52:16.539 --> 00:52:16.940
 the man,

00:52:17.460 --> 00:52:17.980
 but I know he

00:52:17.980 --> 00:52:19.339
 was a 17th

00:52:19.339 --> 00:52:20.500
 century critic,

00:52:20.719 --> 00:52:21.119
 thinker,

00:52:21.279 --> 00:52:21.719
 philosopher,

00:52:21.920 --> 00:52:22.259
 writer,

00:52:22.400 --> 00:52:22.799
 and he had a

00:52:22.799 --> 00:52:24.039
 great career of

00:52:24.039 --> 00:52:24.879
 poking fun at

00:52:24.879 --> 00:52:25.719
 the church and

00:52:25.719 --> 00:52:26.500
 tearing away at

00:52:26.500 --> 00:52:27.519
 the tenants of

00:52:27.519 --> 00:52:28.039
 the church,

00:52:28.679 --> 00:52:30.139
 and as one of

00:52:30.139 --> 00:52:30.920
 history's best

00:52:30.920 --> 00:52:31.759
 known atheists,

00:52:31.859 --> 00:52:32.779
 he often stated

00:52:32.780 --> 00:52:34.380
 by the time I

00:52:34.380 --> 00:52:34.920
 am buried,

00:52:35.060 --> 00:52:35.760
 the Bible will

00:52:35.760 --> 00:52:36.920
 be non-existent.

00:52:38.160 --> 00:52:38.820
 A few years

00:52:38.820 --> 00:52:39.720
 after his death,

00:52:40.019 --> 00:52:40.920
 the Geneva Bible

00:52:40.920 --> 00:52:42.200
 Society purchased

00:52:42.200 --> 00:52:43.360
 his home and

00:52:43.360 --> 00:52:44.460
 turned it into a

00:52:44.460 --> 00:52:45.360
 print shop for

00:52:45.360 --> 00:52:45.940
 Bibles.

00:52:47.300 --> 00:52:48.820
 God will not

00:52:48.820 --> 00:52:49.880
 be mocked.

00:52:52.380 --> 00:52:53.900
 God had the

00:52:53.900 --> 00:52:54.720
 last word with

00:52:54.720 --> 00:52:55.260
 that man,

00:52:55.860 --> 00:52:56.480
 and we remember

00:52:56.480 --> 00:52:57.420
 his arrogance,

00:52:57.720 --> 00:52:58.560
 his atheism,

00:52:59.100 --> 00:52:59.760
 his emptiness,

00:52:59.760 --> 00:53:00.180
 and his

00:53:00.180 --> 00:53:01.340
 hopelessness,

00:53:02.020 --> 00:53:02.460
 his being

00:53:02.460 --> 00:53:03.420
 bound in by

00:53:03.420 --> 00:53:04.740
 this humanism

00:53:04.740 --> 00:53:05.660
 and this

00:53:05.660 --> 00:53:06.460
 atheism,

00:53:06.840 --> 00:53:07.720
 this pluralism

00:53:07.720 --> 00:53:08.060
 that said,

00:53:08.180 --> 00:53:08.680
 anything but

00:53:08.680 --> 00:53:09.000
 God,

00:53:09.640 --> 00:53:10.420
 don't bring this

00:53:10.420 --> 00:53:11.160
 message of

00:53:11.160 --> 00:53:12.140
 personal salvation

00:53:12.140 --> 00:53:12.740
 to me and a

00:53:12.740 --> 00:53:13.400
 need for forgiveness.

00:53:13.500 --> 00:53:14.260
 How dare you?

00:53:14.500 --> 00:53:15.060
 And what we have

00:53:15.060 --> 00:53:15.840
 in Voltaire is

00:53:15.840 --> 00:53:17.280
 this shaken

00:53:17.280 --> 00:53:17.880
 fist,

00:53:18.680 --> 00:53:19.280
 this arrogant

00:53:19.280 --> 00:53:20.540
 denial of giving

00:53:20.540 --> 00:53:21.540
 God his place

00:53:21.540 --> 00:53:22.380
 in our hearts.

00:53:23.080 --> 00:53:23.980
 And what does

00:53:23.980 --> 00:53:24.540
 God do?

00:53:25.320 --> 00:53:26.540
 He comes to us

00:53:26.539 --> 00:53:28.519
 again and

00:53:28.519 --> 00:53:30.059
 again and

00:53:30.059 --> 00:53:31.460
 again in

00:53:31.460 --> 00:53:32.179
 his gospel and

00:53:32.179 --> 00:53:32.840
 in his grace,

00:53:33.139 --> 00:53:33.380
 saying,

00:53:33.619 --> 00:53:34.840
 whoever believes

00:53:34.840 --> 00:53:36.599
 in him should

00:53:36.599 --> 00:53:37.559
 not perish but

00:53:37.559 --> 00:53:38.159
 have eternal

00:53:38.159 --> 00:53:38.460
 life.

00:53:38.500 --> 00:53:38.900
 And this is the

00:53:38.900 --> 00:53:39.460
 last thing.

00:53:40.000 --> 00:53:40.840
 What God has

00:53:40.840 --> 00:53:41.699
 done, a

00:53:41.699 --> 00:53:42.199
 statement of

00:53:42.199 --> 00:53:42.639
 fact.

00:53:43.119 --> 00:53:44.039
 What God is

00:53:44.039 --> 00:53:45.139
 doing, a

00:53:45.139 --> 00:53:45.820
 statement of

00:53:45.820 --> 00:53:46.639
 promise.

00:53:46.779 --> 00:53:47.759
 He's saving to

00:53:47.759 --> 00:53:48.279
 the uttermost

00:53:48.279 --> 00:53:49.380
 those who call

00:53:49.380 --> 00:53:49.880
 upon him.

00:53:50.039 --> 00:53:50.400
 Then there's

00:53:50.400 --> 00:53:51.079
 this last thing,

00:53:52.300 --> 00:53:53.119
 what God will

00:53:53.119 --> 00:53:53.460
 do.

00:53:54.320 --> 00:53:55.219
 And this is a

00:53:55.219 --> 00:53:55.759
 statement of

00:53:55.759 --> 00:53:56.300
 intent.

00:53:56.539 --> 00:53:59.440
 whoever believes

00:53:59.440 --> 00:54:00.179
 in him should

00:54:00.179 --> 00:54:01.619
 not perish but

00:54:01.619 --> 00:54:02.840
 have eternal

00:54:02.840 --> 00:54:03.420
 life.

00:54:04.079 --> 00:54:04.820
 Now the Bible

00:54:04.820 --> 00:54:05.719
 takes this

00:54:05.719 --> 00:54:06.960
 teaching of

00:54:06.960 --> 00:54:07.779
 what it is to

00:54:07.779 --> 00:54:08.719
 perish before

00:54:08.719 --> 00:54:09.139
 God.

00:54:10.119 --> 00:54:10.779
 It's called

00:54:10.779 --> 00:54:11.559
 the second

00:54:11.559 --> 00:54:12.179
 death.

00:54:12.920 --> 00:54:13.500
 It's called

00:54:13.500 --> 00:54:15.440
 banishment in

00:54:15.440 --> 00:54:16.500
 a place called

00:54:16.500 --> 00:54:17.440
 hell.

00:54:18.679 --> 00:54:19.619
 John 3, 36

00:54:19.619 --> 00:54:20.559
 makes it clear,

00:54:21.159 --> 00:54:22.000
 the wrath of

00:54:22.000 --> 00:54:23.239
 God remains on

00:54:23.239 --> 00:54:23.539
 him.

00:54:24.420 --> 00:54:25.079
 It's possibly

00:54:25.079 --> 00:54:25.699
 the most

00:54:25.699 --> 00:54:27.419
 unpopular

00:54:27.419 --> 00:54:29.259
 teaching in

00:54:29.259 --> 00:54:29.500
 the New

00:54:29.500 --> 00:54:29.939
 Testament

00:54:29.939 --> 00:54:31.199
 today in

00:54:31.199 --> 00:54:32.399
 many denominations

00:54:32.399 --> 00:54:33.239
 that profess to

00:54:33.239 --> 00:54:33.960
 be Christian.

00:54:34.579 --> 00:54:34.980
 They have

00:54:34.980 --> 00:54:35.779
 Christian above

00:54:35.779 --> 00:54:36.539
 their door.

00:54:37.359 --> 00:54:37.859
 When you go

00:54:37.859 --> 00:54:38.819
 inside, you'll

00:54:38.819 --> 00:54:39.339
 hear none of

00:54:39.339 --> 00:54:39.779
 this.

00:54:40.460 --> 00:54:40.719
 Why?

00:54:41.679 --> 00:54:42.319
 Because it's

00:54:42.319 --> 00:54:42.819
 offensive.

00:54:43.859 --> 00:54:44.419
 Because it's

00:54:44.419 --> 00:54:44.980
 difficult.

00:54:45.559 --> 00:54:46.179
 Because it's

00:54:46.179 --> 00:54:46.759
 searching.

00:54:47.460 --> 00:54:47.980
 Because it's

00:54:47.980 --> 00:54:48.919
 not the God

00:54:48.919 --> 00:54:49.719
 who's on a

00:54:49.719 --> 00:54:50.319
 shelf in a

00:54:50.319 --> 00:54:51.199
 box, kept

00:54:51.199 --> 00:54:51.960
 there nice and

00:54:51.960 --> 00:54:52.960
 neat for Easter

00:54:52.960 --> 00:54:53.639
 and Christmas

00:54:53.639 --> 00:54:54.559
 and baptisms

00:54:54.559 --> 00:54:55.039
 and weddings

00:54:55.039 --> 00:54:55.679
 and funerals.

00:54:56.119 --> 00:54:56.579
 This is the

00:54:56.579 --> 00:54:57.500
 God of wonders,

00:54:58.460 --> 00:54:58.960
 the God of

00:54:58.960 --> 00:54:59.539
 might and

00:54:59.539 --> 00:55:00.440
 splendor, who

00:55:00.440 --> 00:55:01.440
 is holy and

00:55:01.440 --> 00:55:02.400
 just and of

00:55:02.400 --> 00:55:03.380
 pure horizon to

00:55:03.380 --> 00:55:03.840
 behold in

00:55:03.840 --> 00:55:04.220
 equity.

00:55:04.519 --> 00:55:05.000
 A God who

00:55:05.000 --> 00:55:05.720
 calls us to

00:55:05.720 --> 00:55:06.480
 account and

00:55:06.480 --> 00:55:07.099
 who tells us

00:55:07.099 --> 00:55:07.659
 that the day

00:55:07.659 --> 00:55:08.880
 is coming when

00:55:08.880 --> 00:55:10.119
 he will appoint

00:55:10.119 --> 00:55:11.039
 the end of

00:55:11.039 --> 00:55:12.059
 time and usher

00:55:12.059 --> 00:55:12.820
 in eternity.

00:55:13.240 --> 00:55:13.980
 And that day

00:55:13.980 --> 00:55:14.760
 is coming.

00:55:15.059 --> 00:55:15.740
 We don't know

00:55:15.740 --> 00:55:16.500
 when it will be,

00:55:16.619 --> 00:55:17.420
 none of us do.

00:55:17.920 --> 00:55:18.260
 And when the

00:55:18.260 --> 00:55:19.280
 JWs and the

00:55:19.280 --> 00:55:19.820
 Mormons and the

00:55:19.820 --> 00:55:20.240
 rest of them

00:55:20.240 --> 00:55:21.260
 ring your doorbell

00:55:21.260 --> 00:55:22.040
 and start talking

00:55:22.040 --> 00:55:22.460
 to you about

00:55:22.460 --> 00:55:23.260
 fulfillment of

00:55:23.260 --> 00:55:24.360
 prophecies, don't

00:55:24.360 --> 00:55:25.280
 listen to them.

00:55:25.580 --> 00:55:26.000
 They don't know

00:55:26.000 --> 00:55:26.280
 what they're

00:55:26.280 --> 00:55:27.020
 talking about.

00:55:27.280 --> 00:55:27.800
 They've created

00:55:27.800 --> 00:55:28.640
 a scheme of

00:55:28.640 --> 00:55:29.440
 teaching and

00:55:29.440 --> 00:55:30.680
 thinking that's

00:55:30.680 --> 00:55:31.840
 in isolation to

00:55:31.840 --> 00:55:32.440
 God's word.

00:55:32.580 --> 00:55:33.400
 Nobody knows

00:55:33.400 --> 00:55:33.960
 the day or the

00:55:33.960 --> 00:55:34.220
 hour.

00:55:35.120 --> 00:55:35.600
 We just know

00:55:35.600 --> 00:55:36.080
 it's coming.

00:55:37.220 --> 00:55:37.660
 And we know

00:55:37.660 --> 00:55:38.020
 that we need

00:55:38.020 --> 00:55:38.500
 to be ready.

00:55:39.640 --> 00:55:40.340
 And this is

00:55:40.340 --> 00:55:40.780
 the ultimate

00:55:40.780 --> 00:55:41.340
 question.

00:55:42.000 --> 00:55:42.920
 Are you

00:55:42.920 --> 00:55:43.580
 ready?

00:55:44.460 --> 00:55:45.140
 Are you ready

00:55:45.140 --> 00:55:45.960
 for that day?

00:55:46.320 --> 00:55:46.940
 Because here

00:55:46.940 --> 00:55:47.660
 we're told that

00:55:47.660 --> 00:55:48.540
 God is coming

00:55:48.540 --> 00:55:49.440
 again and he

00:55:49.440 --> 00:55:50.140
 will judge the

00:55:50.140 --> 00:55:50.560
 world in

00:55:50.560 --> 00:55:50.860
 righteousness.

00:55:50.860 --> 00:55:51.519
 Read through

00:55:51.519 --> 00:55:52.720
 Thessalonians and

00:55:52.720 --> 00:55:53.440
 the other letters

00:55:53.440 --> 00:55:53.900
 where the

00:55:53.900 --> 00:55:54.740
 apostle is

00:55:54.740 --> 00:55:55.980
 moved to

00:55:55.980 --> 00:55:57.200
 explain and

00:55:57.200 --> 00:55:58.140
 express the

00:55:58.140 --> 00:55:59.700
 teaching of

00:55:59.700 --> 00:56:00.059
 Jesus.

00:56:00.320 --> 00:56:01.340
 He came once,

00:56:02.000 --> 00:56:03.220
 will come again

00:56:03.220 --> 00:56:05.099
 to judge the

00:56:05.099 --> 00:56:06.260
 world in

00:56:06.260 --> 00:56:06.820
 righteousness.

00:56:08.160 --> 00:56:08.720
 It's a day of

00:56:08.720 --> 00:56:09.140
 reckoning.

00:56:10.220 --> 00:56:10.740
 It's a day of

00:56:10.740 --> 00:56:12.680
 accounting when

00:56:12.680 --> 00:56:13.680
 all will stand

00:56:13.680 --> 00:56:14.280
 before the

00:56:14.280 --> 00:56:15.140
 judgment seat.

00:56:15.960 --> 00:56:16.380
 And there the

00:56:16.380 --> 00:56:17.320
 question will be,

00:56:17.920 --> 00:56:18.700
 what did you do

00:56:18.700 --> 00:56:19.400
 with my son?

00:56:19.400 --> 00:56:21.500
 So friends,

00:56:21.559 --> 00:56:22.099
 what God will

00:56:22.099 --> 00:56:23.420
 do is the

00:56:23.420 --> 00:56:24.380
 very essence

00:56:24.380 --> 00:56:25.180
 of the gospel.

00:56:25.740 --> 00:56:26.280
 It's what gives

00:56:26.280 --> 00:56:26.860
 the Christian

00:56:26.860 --> 00:56:28.220
 church her

00:56:28.220 --> 00:56:28.740
 sense of

00:56:28.740 --> 00:56:29.559
 urgency,

00:56:30.780 --> 00:56:31.519
 her determination

00:56:31.519 --> 00:56:32.519
 and mission,

00:56:33.519 --> 00:56:34.599
 her clarity of

00:56:34.599 --> 00:56:35.039
 thought in

00:56:35.039 --> 00:56:36.559
 forming strategies

00:56:36.559 --> 00:56:38.360
 and plans and

00:56:38.360 --> 00:56:39.280
 developing courts

00:56:39.280 --> 00:56:39.940
 of the church.

00:56:40.059 --> 00:56:40.320
 Why?

00:56:40.840 --> 00:56:41.500
 To feel good

00:56:41.500 --> 00:56:42.240
 about ourselves

00:56:42.240 --> 00:56:43.220
 and to think,

00:56:43.300 --> 00:56:43.800
 well, we've done

00:56:43.800 --> 00:56:44.460
 well, haven't we?

00:56:44.460 --> 00:56:45.519
 Let's wave the

00:56:45.519 --> 00:56:46.079
 flag of our

00:56:46.079 --> 00:56:46.619
 denomination.

00:56:46.820 --> 00:56:47.920
 Not for a

00:56:47.920 --> 00:56:48.260
 minute.

00:56:48.800 --> 00:56:49.139
 It's not what

00:56:49.139 --> 00:56:49.659
 it's about.

00:56:50.679 --> 00:56:50.960
 We don't

00:56:50.960 --> 00:56:51.920
 impress the

00:56:51.920 --> 00:56:52.380
 Lord with

00:56:52.380 --> 00:56:53.059
 these things.

00:56:54.159 --> 00:56:54.740
 Our sense

00:56:54.740 --> 00:56:55.400
 of urgency

00:56:55.400 --> 00:56:56.480
 comes simply

00:56:56.480 --> 00:56:57.720
 in wanting

00:56:57.720 --> 00:56:59.119
 people lost

00:56:59.119 --> 00:56:59.780
 in sin

00:56:59.780 --> 00:57:01.960
 to be saved.

00:57:03.000 --> 00:57:03.840
 This is a

00:57:03.840 --> 00:57:05.019
 message of

00:57:05.019 --> 00:57:05.840
 salvation,

00:57:06.619 --> 00:57:07.320
 not a

00:57:07.320 --> 00:57:08.760
 message of

00:57:08.760 --> 00:57:09.260
 religion.

00:57:09.260 --> 00:57:09.360
 salvation.

00:57:10.540 --> 00:57:11.440
 Christ Jesus

00:57:11.440 --> 00:57:12.600
 came into

00:57:12.600 --> 00:57:13.160
 the world

00:57:13.160 --> 00:57:14.440
 to save

00:57:14.440 --> 00:57:14.840
 sinners.

00:57:15.860 --> 00:57:16.720
 He came in

00:57:16.720 --> 00:57:17.320
 to seek

00:57:17.320 --> 00:57:18.120
 and to

00:57:18.120 --> 00:57:19.420
 save the

00:57:19.420 --> 00:57:19.920
 lost.

00:57:20.700 --> 00:57:20.960
 I'll share

00:57:20.960 --> 00:57:21.260
 with you a

00:57:21.260 --> 00:57:21.820
 nice story

00:57:21.820 --> 00:57:22.360
 I read just

00:57:22.360 --> 00:57:22.960
 as we close

00:57:22.960 --> 00:57:24.880
 of a

00:57:24.880 --> 00:57:25.880
 sculpture,

00:57:26.260 --> 00:57:26.980
 a sculpture

00:57:26.980 --> 00:57:27.440
 that was made

00:57:27.440 --> 00:57:28.460
 by Michelangelo.

00:57:29.280 --> 00:57:29.960
 Michelangelo was

00:57:29.960 --> 00:57:30.660
 consumed with

00:57:30.660 --> 00:57:31.580
 self-loathing

00:57:31.580 --> 00:57:32.520
 and self-criticism

00:57:32.520 --> 00:57:33.180
 as he came to

00:57:33.180 --> 00:57:33.700
 the end of his

00:57:33.700 --> 00:57:34.680
 life and he

00:57:34.680 --> 00:57:35.820
 rarely finished

00:57:35.820 --> 00:57:36.940
 the sculptures

00:57:36.940 --> 00:57:37.500
 he began.

00:57:37.620 --> 00:57:37.920
 All his

00:57:37.920 --> 00:57:38.620
 finished works

00:57:38.620 --> 00:57:38.900
 are from

00:57:38.900 --> 00:57:39.480
 early in his

00:57:39.480 --> 00:57:39.840
 career.

00:57:40.280 --> 00:57:40.960
 He was free

00:57:40.960 --> 00:57:41.700
 and expressed

00:57:41.700 --> 00:57:42.360
 his amazing

00:57:42.360 --> 00:57:43.099
 skills to

00:57:43.099 --> 00:57:44.300
 sculpt marble

00:57:44.300 --> 00:57:45.139
 things that

00:57:45.139 --> 00:57:45.599
 today are

00:57:45.599 --> 00:57:46.740
 still looked

00:57:46.740 --> 00:57:47.500
 at in awe.

00:57:47.579 --> 00:57:47.960
 But toward

00:57:47.960 --> 00:57:48.519
 the end of

00:57:48.519 --> 00:57:49.019
 his life he

00:57:49.019 --> 00:57:49.539
 began to

00:57:49.539 --> 00:57:50.280
 lose patience

00:57:50.280 --> 00:57:50.760
 with himself

00:57:50.760 --> 00:57:51.180
 and he was

00:57:51.180 --> 00:57:51.740
 so critical

00:57:51.740 --> 00:57:52.300
 he would

00:57:52.300 --> 00:57:53.160
 destroy his

00:57:53.160 --> 00:57:53.639
 works and

00:57:53.639 --> 00:57:53.860
 he'd been

00:57:53.860 --> 00:57:54.260
 working on

00:57:54.260 --> 00:57:54.460
 three,

00:57:54.579 --> 00:57:54.760
 four,

00:57:54.900 --> 00:57:55.519
 five years.

00:57:55.619 --> 00:57:55.840
 One of

00:57:55.840 --> 00:57:56.460
 them was

00:57:56.460 --> 00:57:57.280
 the Florentine

00:57:57.280 --> 00:57:57.960
 Pieta.

00:57:59.180 --> 00:57:59.519
 It's a

00:57:59.519 --> 00:58:00.380
 sculpture that

00:58:00.380 --> 00:58:01.160
 as far as

00:58:01.160 --> 00:58:01.800
 we can tell

00:58:01.800 --> 00:58:02.300
 he lost

00:58:02.300 --> 00:58:03.019
 patience with

00:58:03.019 --> 00:58:03.639
 after working

00:58:03.639 --> 00:58:04.079
 on it for

00:58:04.079 --> 00:58:04.539
 a number of

00:58:04.539 --> 00:58:05.260
 years and

00:58:05.260 --> 00:58:05.720
 he began to

00:58:05.720 --> 00:58:06.460
 smash it up

00:58:06.460 --> 00:58:06.940
 with a hammer

00:58:06.940 --> 00:58:07.280
 and then he

00:58:07.280 --> 00:58:07.860
 left it.

00:58:08.900 --> 00:58:10.240
 Then some

00:58:10.240 --> 00:58:11.160
 time later

00:58:11.160 --> 00:58:12.260
 a young

00:58:12.260 --> 00:58:12.920
 sculptor

00:58:12.920 --> 00:58:13.880
 apprentice was

00:58:13.880 --> 00:58:14.480
 brought in

00:58:14.480 --> 00:58:15.940
 to restore

00:58:15.940 --> 00:58:16.680
 the damaged

00:58:16.680 --> 00:58:17.960
 work that the

00:58:17.960 --> 00:58:18.900
 master craftsman

00:58:18.900 --> 00:58:20.099
 had abandoned.

00:58:20.900 --> 00:58:21.460
 And over

00:58:21.460 --> 00:58:23.340
 time and

00:58:23.340 --> 00:58:24.460
 with patience

00:58:24.460 --> 00:58:25.840
 and skill

00:58:25.840 --> 00:58:26.700
 and ability

00:58:26.700 --> 00:58:28.079
 that masterpiece

00:58:28.079 --> 00:58:29.079
 was returned

00:58:29.079 --> 00:58:30.059
 to its former

00:58:30.059 --> 00:58:31.680
 state telling

00:58:31.680 --> 00:58:32.539
 the story

00:58:32.539 --> 00:58:34.099
 that Michelangelo

00:58:34.099 --> 00:58:35.039
 had started

00:58:35.039 --> 00:58:36.220
 but hadn't

00:58:36.219 --> 00:58:36.739
 finished.

00:58:36.959 --> 00:58:37.179
 It's a

00:58:37.179 --> 00:58:38.159
 wonderful story

00:58:38.159 --> 00:58:40.279
 of restoration

00:58:40.279 --> 00:58:42.799
 and I think

00:58:42.799 --> 00:58:43.579
 that's a theme

00:58:43.579 --> 00:58:44.219
 that we find

00:58:44.219 --> 00:58:44.619
 here in

00:58:44.619 --> 00:58:45.179
 John 3

00:58:45.179 --> 00:58:45.819
 16.

00:58:46.899 --> 00:58:47.439
 For God

00:58:47.439 --> 00:58:48.039
 so loved

00:58:48.039 --> 00:58:48.439
 the world

00:58:48.439 --> 00:58:48.679
 that he

00:58:48.679 --> 00:58:49.219
 gave his

00:58:49.219 --> 00:58:50.119
 only son

00:58:50.119 --> 00:58:51.319
 that whoever

00:58:51.319 --> 00:58:52.259
 believes in

00:58:52.259 --> 00:58:53.599
 him should

00:58:53.599 --> 00:58:55.099
 not perish

00:58:55.099 --> 00:58:56.659
 but have

00:58:56.659 --> 00:58:57.719
 eternal life.

00:58:58.719 --> 00:58:59.259
 Christ would

00:58:59.259 --> 00:59:00.419
 restore you

00:59:00.419 --> 00:59:01.559
 to communion

00:59:01.559 --> 00:59:02.299
 with God

00:59:02.299 --> 00:59:02.819
 the Father.

00:59:03.619 --> 00:59:04.099
 Christ would

00:59:04.099 --> 00:59:04.779
 restore you

00:59:04.780 --> 00:59:05.380
 to a place

00:59:05.380 --> 00:59:06.040
 of favour

00:59:06.040 --> 00:59:07.040
 and grace

00:59:07.040 --> 00:59:07.780
 and blessing

00:59:07.780 --> 00:59:08.680
 and peace.

00:59:09.840 --> 00:59:10.380
 That's what

00:59:10.380 --> 00:59:11.320
 Christ does

00:59:11.320 --> 00:59:12.660
 to all those

00:59:12.660 --> 00:59:13.300
 who come to

00:59:13.300 --> 00:59:14.540
 him in faith

00:59:14.540 --> 00:59:15.340
 to all those

00:59:15.340 --> 00:59:15.940
 who come to

00:59:15.940 --> 00:59:16.620
 him in repentance

00:59:16.620 --> 00:59:17.880
 to all those

00:59:17.880 --> 00:59:18.440
 who come to

00:59:18.440 --> 00:59:19.220
 men and women

00:59:19.220 --> 00:59:19.860
 and boys and

00:59:19.860 --> 00:59:20.940
 girls in

00:59:20.940 --> 00:59:21.500
 repentance

00:59:21.500 --> 00:59:22.960
 and wholeheartedness

00:59:22.960 --> 00:59:24.060
 and that's why

00:59:24.060 --> 00:59:24.460
 we have these

00:59:24.460 --> 00:59:26.000
 wonderful statements

00:59:26.000 --> 00:59:26.840
 such as this

00:59:26.840 --> 00:59:27.800
 in Romans 8

00:59:27.800 --> 00:59:28.380
 verse 1

00:59:28.380 --> 00:59:29.300
 there is

00:59:29.300 --> 00:59:30.280
 therefore now

00:59:30.280 --> 00:59:32.280
 no condemnation

00:59:32.280 --> 00:59:34.080
 for those

00:59:34.080 --> 00:59:36.040
 who are in

00:59:36.040 --> 00:59:37.660
 Christ Jesus.

00:59:38.660 --> 00:59:39.580
 Are you?

00:59:40.900 --> 00:59:41.980
 Are you in

00:59:41.980 --> 00:59:42.540
 Christ?

00:59:43.200 --> 00:59:44.120
 Thanks be to

00:59:44.120 --> 00:59:44.519
 God.

00:59:45.260 --> 00:59:45.820
 But if you're

00:59:45.820 --> 00:59:46.880
 not in Christ

00:59:46.880 --> 00:59:48.420
 I ask you

00:59:48.420 --> 00:59:49.760
 in this moment

00:59:49.760 --> 00:59:50.440
 of silence

00:59:50.440 --> 00:59:51.040
 we're going to

00:59:51.040 --> 00:59:51.600
 bow together

00:59:51.600 --> 00:59:52.120
 in prayer

00:59:52.120 --> 00:59:53.500
 call out to

00:59:53.500 --> 00:59:53.740
 him

00:59:53.740 --> 00:59:54.900
 seek him

00:59:54.900 --> 00:59:55.860
 and seek

00:59:55.860 --> 00:59:56.480
 the forgiveness

00:59:56.480 --> 00:59:57.140
 of heart

00:59:57.140 --> 00:59:57.920
 that only

00:59:57.920 --> 00:59:58.800
 Christ can

00:59:58.800 --> 00:59:59.940
 effect by the

00:59:59.940 --> 01:00:00.580
 spirit and in

01:00:00.579 --> 01:00:01.259
 his grace

01:00:01.259 --> 01:00:02.719
 to restore

01:00:02.719 --> 01:00:03.579
 you from

01:00:03.579 --> 01:00:04.340
 alienation

01:00:04.340 --> 01:00:05.179
 and distance

01:00:05.179 --> 01:00:05.860
 and hardness

01:00:05.860 --> 01:00:06.500
 of heart

01:00:06.500 --> 01:00:07.639
 to being

01:00:07.639 --> 01:00:08.699
 made new

01:00:08.699 --> 01:00:10.079
 and being

01:00:10.079 --> 01:00:10.819
 made right

01:00:10.819 --> 01:00:11.480
 with God

01:00:11.480 --> 01:00:13.059
 may he bless

01:00:13.059 --> 01:00:14.480
 us that this

01:00:14.480 --> 01:00:15.199
 would be so.

01:00:15.480 --> 01:00:15.940
 Let's pray

01:00:15.940 --> 01:00:16.619
 together for a

01:00:16.619 --> 01:00:17.000
 moment.

01:00:19.880 --> 01:00:20.519
 Our

01:00:20.519 --> 01:00:21.400
 gracious God

01:00:21.400 --> 01:00:22.759
 we bow

01:00:22.759 --> 01:00:23.079
 in your

01:00:23.079 --> 01:00:23.539
 presence

01:00:23.539 --> 01:00:24.319
 we thank

01:00:24.319 --> 01:00:25.739
 you that

01:00:25.739 --> 01:00:26.000
 you have

01:00:26.000 --> 01:00:26.639
 given us

01:00:26.639 --> 01:00:27.340
 the gospel.

01:00:28.759 --> 01:00:29.539
 Thank you

01:00:29.539 --> 01:00:30.119
 Lord God

01:00:30.119 --> 01:00:30.440
 that we

01:00:30.440 --> 01:00:31.179
 have this

01:00:31.179 --> 01:00:31.719
 word of

01:00:31.719 --> 01:00:32.339
 life

01:00:32.339 --> 01:00:33.900
 the promise

01:00:33.900 --> 01:00:34.579
 of life

01:00:34.579 --> 01:00:35.259
 in Christ

01:00:35.259 --> 01:00:35.719
 Jesus

01:00:35.719 --> 01:00:37.339
 tonight

01:00:37.339 --> 01:00:37.880
 Lord we

01:00:37.880 --> 01:00:38.279
 pray you

01:00:38.279 --> 01:00:38.759
 would bless

01:00:38.759 --> 01:00:39.279
 your word

01:00:39.279 --> 01:00:39.679
 to our

01:00:39.679 --> 01:00:40.299
 hearts

01:00:40.299 --> 01:00:41.359
 that we

01:00:41.359 --> 01:00:41.779
 might take

01:00:41.779 --> 01:00:42.259
 your word

01:00:42.259 --> 01:00:42.799
 into our

01:00:42.799 --> 01:00:43.400
 life and

01:00:43.400 --> 01:00:44.199
 home with

01:00:44.199 --> 01:00:44.619
 us this

01:00:44.619 --> 01:00:45.219
 evening to

01:00:45.219 --> 01:00:46.559
 reflect upon

01:00:46.559 --> 01:00:47.460
 your amazing

01:00:47.460 --> 01:00:48.239
 grace

01:00:48.239 --> 01:00:49.719
 that you

01:00:49.719 --> 01:00:50.440
 gave your

01:00:50.440 --> 01:00:51.239
 son in

01:00:51.239 --> 01:00:51.719
 love

01:00:51.719 --> 01:00:52.619
 and he

01:00:52.619 --> 01:00:52.960
 came

01:00:52.960 --> 01:00:53.539
 willingly

01:00:53.539 --> 01:00:53.859
 in

01:00:53.859 --> 01:00:54.519
 obedience

01:00:54.519 --> 01:00:54.840
 sins

01:00:54.840 --> 01:00:57.539
 and died

01:00:57.539 --> 01:00:58.099
 in our

01:00:58.099 --> 01:00:58.820
 place and

01:00:58.820 --> 01:00:59.099
 in our

01:00:59.099 --> 01:00:59.579
 stead on

01:00:59.579 --> 01:01:00.219
 the cross

01:01:00.219 --> 01:01:02.159
 by his

01:01:02.159 --> 01:01:03.360
 wounds we

01:01:03.360 --> 01:01:03.840
 are healed.

01:01:04.980 --> 01:01:05.679
 We give

01:01:05.679 --> 01:01:06.320
 thanks that we

01:01:06.320 --> 01:01:06.659
 have a

01:01:06.659 --> 01:01:07.079
 redeemer.

01:01:07.920 --> 01:01:08.300
 We give

01:01:08.300 --> 01:01:08.960
 thanks that we

01:01:08.960 --> 01:01:09.519
 know him as

01:01:09.519 --> 01:01:10.840
 our saviour and

01:01:10.840 --> 01:01:11.460
 we pray now

01:01:11.460 --> 01:01:12.259
 Lord God for

01:01:12.259 --> 01:01:12.940
 your blessing to

01:01:12.940 --> 01:01:13.900
 rest upon those

01:01:13.900 --> 01:01:14.420
 this evening

01:01:14.420 --> 01:01:15.619
 who may be

01:01:15.619 --> 01:01:16.539
 struggling with a

01:01:16.539 --> 01:01:17.400
 sense of sin

01:01:17.400 --> 01:01:18.039
 who may be

01:01:18.039 --> 01:01:18.840
 struggling with a

01:01:18.840 --> 01:01:19.239
 sense of

01:01:19.239 --> 01:01:19.920
 estrangement.

01:01:19.920 --> 01:01:20.599
 Lord open

01:01:20.599 --> 01:01:21.400
 their eyes

01:01:21.400 --> 01:01:22.180
 open their

01:01:22.180 --> 01:01:22.860
 hearts

01:01:22.860 --> 01:01:24.119
 draw them

01:01:24.119 --> 01:01:24.860
 to Jesus

01:01:24.860 --> 01:01:26.440
 there to

01:01:26.440 --> 01:01:27.780
 meet with

01:01:27.780 --> 01:01:28.420
 the one who

01:01:28.420 --> 01:01:28.900
 is all

01:01:28.900 --> 01:01:29.460
 together

01:01:29.460 --> 01:01:29.980
 lovely

01:01:29.980 --> 01:01:31.119
 the one who

01:01:31.119 --> 01:01:31.880
 is the

01:01:31.880 --> 01:01:32.320
 way

01:01:32.320 --> 01:01:33.820
 the truth

01:01:33.820 --> 01:01:34.860
 and the

01:01:34.860 --> 01:01:35.480
 life

01:01:35.480 --> 01:01:36.619
 in his name

01:01:36.619 --> 01:01:37.400
 we ask it

01:01:37.400 --> 01:01:38.380
 amen

01:01:38.380 --> 01:01:47.860
 we'll turn to

01:01:47.860 --> 01:01:48.579
 sing psalms

01:01:48.579 --> 01:01:49.039
 this evening

01:01:49.039 --> 01:01:49.539
 and we'll sing

01:01:49.539 --> 01:01:50.779
 from psalm 34

01:01:50.779 --> 01:01:51.900
 in verse 7

01:01:51.900 --> 01:01:53.519
 to close our

01:01:53.519 --> 01:01:54.159
 service

01:01:54.159 --> 01:01:55.900
 psalm 34

01:01:55.900 --> 01:01:58.279
 and we'll sing

01:01:58.279 --> 01:02:00.039
 from verse 7

01:02:00.039 --> 01:02:00.779
 we'll sing to

01:02:00.779 --> 01:02:01.940
 verse 11

01:02:01.940 --> 01:02:02.619
 to God's

01:02:02.619 --> 01:02:03.119
 praise the

01:02:03.119 --> 01:02:03.659
 angel of the

01:02:03.659 --> 01:02:04.460
 Lord surrounds

01:02:04.460 --> 01:02:05.759
 and guards

01:02:05.759 --> 01:02:07.019
 continually all

01:02:07.019 --> 01:02:08.119
 those who fear

01:02:08.119 --> 01:02:08.440
 and honour

01:02:08.440 --> 01:02:09.800
 him he sets

01:02:09.800 --> 01:02:10.440
 his people

01:02:10.440 --> 01:02:11.559
 free come

01:02:11.559 --> 01:02:12.519
 taste and see

01:02:12.519 --> 01:02:13.139
 the Lord is

01:02:13.139 --> 01:02:13.699
 good who

01:02:13.699 --> 01:02:14.480
 trusts in him

01:02:14.480 --> 01:02:15.099
 is blessed

01:02:15.099 --> 01:02:16.179
 oh fear the

01:02:16.179 --> 01:02:16.759
 Lord you

01:02:16.759 --> 01:02:17.400
 saints with

01:02:17.400 --> 01:02:18.400
 need you

01:02:18.400 --> 01:02:19.400
 will not be

01:02:19.400 --> 01:02:20.420
 oppressed

01:02:20.420 --> 01:02:21.860
 psalm 34

01:02:21.860 --> 01:02:23.220
 verses 7

01:02:23.220 --> 01:02:24.280
 to 11

01:02:24.280 --> 01:02:25.039
 and at the end

01:02:25.039 --> 01:02:25.740
 if you give me a moment

01:02:25.740 --> 01:02:27.019
 just to get to the main door

01:02:27.019 --> 01:02:28.079
 please that would be

01:02:28.079 --> 01:02:28.900
 appreciated

01:02:28.900 --> 01:02:29.800
 we'll sing from

01:02:29.800 --> 01:02:30.579
 verse 7

01:02:30.579 --> 01:02:31.680
 to God's praise

01:02:31.679 --> 01:02:43.219
 prayer for the Lord's

01:02:43.219 --> 01:02:43.500
 you

01:02:43.500 --> 01:02:44.559
 love the Lord is

01:02:44.559 --> 01:02:44.819
 and guards

01:02:44.819 --> 01:02:47.899
 pant mutually

01:02:47.900 --> 01:02:58.539
 All those who fear that God and Him

01:02:58.539 --> 01:03:04.900
 He sets His people free

01:03:04.900 --> 01:03:14.160
 From this town see the Lord is true

01:03:14.159 --> 01:03:21.319
 Who trusts in Him is blessed

01:03:21.319 --> 01:03:29.159
 O fear the Lord, you saints with me

01:03:29.739 --> 01:03:37.159
 You will not be oppressed

01:03:37.159 --> 01:03:46.159
 We of my own state grow weak and faint

01:03:46.159 --> 01:03:53.159
 And hunger for their food

01:03:53.159 --> 01:04:01.159
 But those who wait upon the Lord

01:04:01.159 --> 01:04:08.159
 Will not lack any good

01:04:08.159 --> 01:04:17.159
 Come here, my children, gather round

01:04:17.159 --> 01:04:24.159
 And listen to my word

01:04:24.159 --> 01:04:33.159
 And I will help you understand

01:04:33.159 --> 01:04:40.159
 How you may fear the Lord

01:04:40.159 --> 01:04:44.819
 May the blessing of God Almighty

01:04:44.819 --> 01:04:46.899
 Father, Son and Holy Spirit

01:04:46.899 --> 01:04:49.299
 Rest on you and those whom you love

01:04:49.299 --> 01:04:50.559
 Now and forever

01:04:50.559 --> 01:04:51.440
 Amen

01:04:51.440 --> 01:04:56.440
 Amen