WEBVTT

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 Thank you, James, for the warm welcome.

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 Once again, it's lovely to be with you,

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 to be back amongst old friends,

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 and we pray that indeed we'll know God's blessing

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 by his spirit over these days

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 as we come around word and sacrament.

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 Well, friends, we're going to begin

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 by singing to God's praise.

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 We're going to worship his name from Psalm 146.

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 This is a Sing Sam's version on page 191.

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 Psalm 146.

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 We can read at the beginning of the psalm.

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 Praise the Lord, my soul, O praise him.

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 I'll extol him all my days.

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 While I live to God, my saviour,

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 from my heart I will sing praise.

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 Do not put your trust in princes,

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 mortal men who cannot save.

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 All their plans will come to nothing

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 when they perish in the grave.

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 Then down to verse 9 and 10.

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 He frustrates the wicked's purpose,

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 so the Lord through endless days

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 reigns to every generation.

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 Praise your God, O Zion, praise.

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 We'll stand to sing the whole psalm

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 to the praise of God.

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 Praise the Lord, my soul, O praise him.

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 I'll extol him all my days.

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 While I live to God, my saviour,

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 from my heart I will sing praise.

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 Do not put your trust in princes,

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 or tell men who cannot save.

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 All their plans will come to nothing

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 when they perish in the grave.

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 Blessed is the one who truly

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 works for help to Jacob's call.

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 Blessed is the one who places all his hope

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 upon the Lord.

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 He who made the earth and heaven

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 and blesses with all their store.

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 He who keeps his every promise

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 who is faithful evermore.

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 He delivers from oppression

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 and releases the hungry's plight.

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 He releases those in prison

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 to the blind the Lord his side.

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 Those who are bowed down he raises.

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 God delights in righteousness.

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 He protects and cares for strangers,

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 widows and the fatherless.

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 He frustrates the wicked purpose

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 So the Lord through endless days

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 Praise to every generation

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 Praise your God, O Zion, praise.

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 Praise your God, O Zion, praise.

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 Amen.

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 Let's join together and unite our hearts in prayer.

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 Let us pray.

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 Let us pray.

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 Let us pray.

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 Let us pray.

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 Let us pray.

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 Let us pray.

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 Let us pray.

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 Let us pray.

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 Let us pray.

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 Let us pray.

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 Let us pray.

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 Gracious and eternal God,

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 King of kings and Lord of lords,

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 the God of heaven and the God of earth,

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 the one who inhabits eternity,

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 we gather this evening out before you, O Lord,

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 with that longing in our hearts

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 to truly know what it is to worship.

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 You are truly worthy of all praise

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 and adoration of your name being high

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 and lifted up.

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 You are the one to whom we seek to sing praises

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 and even exalt in our hearts.

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 And yet we are so aware that even for this short time

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 as we come together as a people,

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 that without you we can do nothing.

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 We are completely reliant upon you

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 in all that we seek to do in terms of worship,

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 worship, and in service.

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 And in light of this, O Lord,

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 we pray that you might be pleased

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 to fulfill that promise to your people

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 that where two or three gather in your name,

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 you are there in their midst,

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 that for all of us here,

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 we could truly say that we come not in our own name,

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 but in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

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 and that you would honor this

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 by your Holy Spirit coming

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 and applying this word to our hearts

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 and our minds,

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 so that all the more

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 we might bow down before you.

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 And as we reflect upon who you are

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 and what we have from your hand day by day,

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 we cannot but come and give thanks.

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 You are the God who is supplying all of our needs

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 according to your riches and glory,

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 the one who gives unto us health and strength

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 and daily food,

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 the one who's lavishing upon us

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 such an abundance of blessings day by day.

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 Forgive us, we pray, O Lord,

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 for the fact that we are so slow

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 to return thanks to you,

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 that all too often as a people

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 we find ourselves taking from the hand of God,

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 yet are so reluctant to give back.

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 Forgive us, O Lord, for such,

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 and grant unto us that true

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 and that right spirit of thankfulness,

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 not least for these spiritual blessings,

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 the blessings of our soul,

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 that for God so loved the world,

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 he gave his only begotten Son,

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 so that whosoever believes in him

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 should not perish,

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 but have everlasting life.

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 What a wonder it is

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 that we can lay hold of this promise by faith.

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 What a wonder it is

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 that when our health, our strength,

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 and our daily food passes away as it will,

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 that we can lay hold

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 upon the eternal promises of Christ

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 that are indeed yea and amen.

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 And as we gather these days

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 and as we seek to remember,

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 we pray, O Lord,

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 that our hearts and our minds

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 might be taken to Calvary's hill,

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 that we might be enabled

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 to a fresh gaze upon

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 the beauty of our Saviour,

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 the one who was despised

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 and rejected of men,

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 a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief.

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 There was no beauty in him

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 that we should look upon him.

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 But yet there is beauty there,

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 inexpressible beauty,

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 beauty that enables sinners

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 such as us to cry out,

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 He died for me.

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 O Lord, we praise you then

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 for the wonder of what it is

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 to be brought into the royal household of faith

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 with that spirit of adoption

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 whereby we can cry out,

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 Abba, Father.

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 And if there are any here this evening hour

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 who are yet to know what it is

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 to take their place

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 in the banqueting house of the Lord,

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 who perhaps,

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 as we once were ourselves,

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 are strangers both to grace and to God,

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 who know not their danger,

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 who sense not their load,

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 who are quite content

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 going through the realms of time

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 without a word of eternity.

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 We pray, O Lord,

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 that tonight and in the days that lie ahead,

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 your Holy Spirit might be pleased

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 to touch them at their point of need,

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 taking them to that place of darkness

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 to your own most marvellous light

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 from death to life.

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 And if there are any here this evening

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 who do know you in their hearts

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 and love you,

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 but are yet to come

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 and to profess your name

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 for the first time,

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 through perhaps fear of man

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 or whatever reason

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 they are perhaps following from a distance,

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 we pray, O Lord,

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 that you would impress upon them,

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 even through the preaching

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 of your word this evening,

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 the blessing that follows obedience.

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 We know in many ways

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 that the easiest thing is to stay away.

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 We know that all that we are called to do

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 in the name of the Lord

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 appears to be so difficult,

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 a mountain set before us.

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 But yet we know that these thoughts

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 come not from yourself,

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 but from the evil one

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 who seeks to distract us

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 and to destroy our peace

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 and to lead us on a path

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 that does not honour your name.

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 And so help our dear friends here

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 who perhaps have even been on the road

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 for many a year,

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 who are yet to come

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 and to take this step of faith,

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 to know in a very real way

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 that they will not walk on water

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 until they step out of that boat,

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 keeping their eyes upon Jesus,

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 the author and the finisher

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 of their faith.

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 And we thank you, Lord,

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 that you do not call us

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 to go it alone,

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 that you give unto us

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 that helping hand

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 every step of the way.

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 As for many of us here tonight,

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 perhaps we are so acutely aware

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 of the challenges

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 that face us in this wilderness,

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 but yet you've not promised

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 an easy path for any of us,

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 but what you have promised

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 is that you will be with us,

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 that your rod and your staff,

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 that they will comfort us

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 and lead us and guide us

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 as we navigate our way

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 through this scene of time.

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 Be with us, dear congregation,

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 we pray.

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 We give thanks for them

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 and their witness in this town.

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 We pray for all their efforts

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 to reach out

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 with the glorious gospel

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 of Jesus Christ

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 in a world that in many ways

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 is so dark

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 and is so needful

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 of the light of your gospel.

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 We pray that you may give unto them

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 that boldness to go out,

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 not in their own strength,

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 but in the strength

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 of the one who cried out,

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 it is finished,

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 the one who promises to us

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 that he will be with us,

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 that he will honor those

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 who honor them.

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 We pray now that you will

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 lead us in your truth,

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 that you will open out hearts

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 and our minds

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 to incline your voice,

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 to hear what you have

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 to say to us this evening hour.

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 To all we ask,

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 we ask for the forgiveness

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 of our many sins.

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 In Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, friends,

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 we're going to sing once more

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 to the praise of our Lord and Savior

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 from Psalm 46,

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 this time in the Scottish Psalter.

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 Psalm 46.

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 We can pick up our reading

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 at verse 7 of the Psalm.

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 The Lord of hosts upon our side

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 doth constantly remain,

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 the God of Jacob's our refuge

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 us safely to maintain.

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 Come and behold

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 what wondrous works

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 have by the Lord

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 have by the Lord been wrought.

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 Come see what desolations

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 he on the earth

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 hath brought.

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 Down to verse 10.

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 Be still and know

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 that I am God

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 among the heathen.

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 I will be exalted.

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 I on earth

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 will be exalted.

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 I will sing

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 verses 7 to 10

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 to the praise of God

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 standing to sing

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 the Lord of hosts

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 upon our side.

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 Amen.

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 The Lord of hosts

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 upon our side

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 hath constantly

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 hath lost me

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 hath lost me

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 hath lost me

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 hath lost me

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 hath lost me

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 hath lost me

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 hath lost me

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 hath lost me

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 hath lost me

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 hath lost me

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 hath lost me

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 The evil desolation he on the earth hath thrown.

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 Until the ends of all the earth, wars into peace he turns.

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 The glory break, the spear he cut, in fire the child burns.

00:15:53.179 --> 00:16:10.299
 Be still and know that I am gone, upon the hidden eye.

00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:26.559
 Will be exalted, thy honour will be exalted high.

00:16:32.219 --> 00:16:39.199
 Friends, we're going to turn now to read God's word together from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22.

00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:42.959
 Luke, chapter 22.

00:16:44.819 --> 00:16:48.419
 We're going to read two sections of this chapter.

00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:51.939
 Firstly, from verse 14 through to 34.

00:16:53.779 --> 00:17:01.459
 And then we'll pick up our reading at verse 54 through to verse 62.

00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:08.440
 So that's Luke 22, 14 to 34, and 54 to 62.

00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:11.240
 Let us hear the word of God.

00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:22.819
 And when the hour came, he reclined at a table, and the apostles with him.

00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:30.720
 And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:36.700
 For I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:39.000
 And he took a cup.

00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:45.860
 And when he had given thanks, he said, take this and divide it among yourselves.

00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:53.860
 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.

00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.180
 And he took bread.

00:17:56.180 --> 00:18:01.120
 And when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying,

00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:05.160
 This is my body, which is given for you.

00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:08.799
 Do this in remembrance of me.

00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:12.900
 And likewise the cup, after they had eaten, saying,

00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:18.560
 This cup that is poured out for you is a new covenant in my blood.

00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:24.940
 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:29.059
 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined.

00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:34.440
 But woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:40.539
 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:47.700
 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:49.840
 And he said to them,

00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:54.039
 The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them,

00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:58.279
 and those in authority over them are called benefactors.

00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:00.740
 But not so with you.

00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:05.660
 Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest,

00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:08.819
 and the leader as one who serves.

00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:14.600
 For who is the greater, one who reclines at a table or one who serves?

00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:18.219
 Yes, is it not the one who reclines at table?

00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:23.019
 But I am among you as the one who serves.

00:19:24.399 --> 00:19:28.179
 You are those who have stayed with me in my trials.

00:19:28.919 --> 00:19:32.779
 And I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom,

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:37.240
 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom,

00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:41.120
 and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

00:19:42.620 --> 00:19:47.920
 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,

00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:50.559
 that he might sift you like wheat.

00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:54.740
 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail,

00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:58.299
 and when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

00:19:58.299 --> 00:20:00.980
 Peter said to him,

00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:06.299
 Lord, I am ready to go with you, both to prison and to death.

00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:09.339
 Jesus said, I tell you, Peter,

00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:11.960
 the cock will not crow this day

00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:16.759
 until you deny three times that you know me.

00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:19.240
 Then on to verse 54.

00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:22.159
 Then they seized him and led him away,

00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:25.200
 that is Jesus, bringing him into the high priest's house.

00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:28.740
 And Peter was following at a distance.

00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:32.640
 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard

00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:36.340
 and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.

00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:41.200
 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light

00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:43.559
 and looking closely at him, said,

00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:46.620
 This man also was with him.

00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:49.059
 But he denied it, saying,

00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:51.039
 Woman, I do not know him.

00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:54.880
 And a little later, someone else saw him and said,

00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.980
 You also are one of them.

00:20:57.820 --> 00:21:00.500
 But Peter said, Man, I am not.

00:21:01.540 --> 00:21:03.460
 After an interval of about an hour,

00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.560
 still another insisted, saying,

00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:08.360
 Certainly this man also was with him,

00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:10.040
 for he too is a Galilean.

00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.440
 But Peter said, Man,

00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:15.760
 I do not know what you are talking about.

00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:19.020
 And immediately while he was still speaking,

00:21:19.020 --> 00:21:20.360
 the cock crowed,

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:23.240
 and the Lord turned and looked at Peter.

00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:27.420
 And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord,

00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.559
 how he had said to him,

00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:31.140
 Before the cock crows today,

00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:34.539
 you will deny me three times.

00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:38.859
 And he went out and wept bitterly.

00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.359
 And so on.

00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.740
 Amen.

00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:44.799
 We pray God's blessing on that portion of his own holy,

00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:48.019
 inspired and inerrant word.

00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:50.920
 Friends, before we come back to this passage,

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:52.660
 we're going to sing once more.

00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:56.000
 This time from Psalm 9,

00:21:56.180 --> 00:21:57.619
 again in the Sing Psalms,

00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.460
 Psalm 9,

00:21:58.879 --> 00:22:00.799
 9a.

00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:16.440
 We'll pick up our reading at verse 7.

00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.379
 Psalm 9, verse 7.

00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.899
 This is on page 9 of the psalm book.

00:22:19.899 --> 00:22:22.259
 The Lord forever reigns on high.

00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:24.899
 His throne for judgment stands.

00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:27.539
 He'll judge the world in righteousness.

00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:30.139
 With justice rule the lands.

00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:34.480
 The Lord will be a hiding place for those who are oppressed.

00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:41.100
 And he will be a strong defense for those who are distressed.

00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:43.000
 We'll sing down to the end of the verse marked 11,

00:22:43.280 --> 00:22:44.300
 to the praise of God,

00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.280
 standing to sing,

00:22:45.280 --> 00:22:48.480
 The Lord forever reigns on high.

00:22:48.480 --> 00:23:00.019
 The Lord forever reigns on high.

00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:07.980
 His throne for judgment stands.

00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:12.980
 He'll judge the world in righteousness.

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:16.720
 He'll judge the world in righteousness.

00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:25.640
 With justice rule the lands.

00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:41.640
 The Lord will be a hiding place for those who are oppressed.

00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:59.420
 And he will be a strong defense for those who are distressed.

00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:11.160
 All those who know your name, O Lord,

00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:19.380
 In you, there trust will place.

00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:29.200
 For you do not abandon those.

00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:38.319
 For you do not abandon those who are afflicted.

00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:56.099
 Sing praises to the Lord who sits in Zion on his throne.

00:24:56.099 --> 00:25:15.019
 Among the nations of the world proclaim what he has done.

00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:25.899
 Well friends, for a short time, let's turn back together to the chapter that we read in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22.

00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:32.579
 Luke, chapter 22.

00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:42.039
 If we were to take a text this evening, perhaps we could consider the words of verses 31 and 32.

00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:50.200
 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat.

00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:57.200
 But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.

00:25:57.200 --> 00:26:03.420
 And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:23.700
 Well friends, over the course of the weekend, what I'd like to do, or God willing, what I hope to do, is to lay before you something of that great plan of God's redemption.

00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:27.440
 That is, after all, why we are here.

00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:31.779
 What I'm going to do is ask for questions.

00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:37.840
 Tonight we're going to think about why we are here this weekend.

00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:44.600
 And we're going to focus our thoughts and answering this question upon the narrative that we have before us.

00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:46.519
 Why are we here?

00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:54.480
 God willing, tomorrow night, we're then going to answer the question, how has this been made possible?

00:26:55.719 --> 00:27:03.359
 On Lord's Day morning, we'll think about what we've received as a result of that which has been made possible for us.

00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:12.359
 And then God willing, on Lord's Day evening, we'll close by thinking about who this is for.

00:27:13.419 --> 00:27:18.119
 Why, how, what, and who.

00:27:19.219 --> 00:27:23.339
 Now I'm going to begin this evening by asking another question.

00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:28.519
 And as we think about the answer to this question, we hopefully, by the end of the sermon,

00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:35.379
 and we'll be able to answer the overarching question that we're considering, why are we here?

00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:38.579
 And the question I have for you friends is this.

00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:44.160
 Tonight, on Friday the 17th of February, 2023,

00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:49.900
 how is your walk with the Lord?

00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:52.639
 It's a searching question.

00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:54.500
 It's a probing question.

00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:59.599
 It's a question that causes us to stop and to think.

00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:05.839
 And were we to go around this building this evening and ask individuals that very question,

00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:09.960
 I dare say that we would have many different answers.

00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:14.799
 Some of you would say, well, my walk isn't as it should be.

00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:16.680
 It's not what I would like it to be.

00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:22.099
 In fact, if I'm being honest, I feel like I'm following the Lord from afar,

00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:24.259
 and I have been for a while.

00:28:24.419 --> 00:28:27.199
 I present myself outwardly as following the Lord,

00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:30.559
 but in my heart there's something not quite right.

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:35.879
 Perhaps others of you might say, well, I actually feel close to the Lord at the minute.

00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:40.899
 I'm enjoying sweet fellowship with him in his word, in prayer with his people.

00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:46.299
 I would say, yes, I am walking closely with the Lord.

00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:51.259
 Yet if we're being entirely honest, all of us, myself included,

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.980
 those of us who are Christians here tonight,

00:28:54.139 --> 00:29:01.759
 we can identify with both of these feelings and everything in between at one time or another,

00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:09.899
 being close to the Lord or perhaps walking at a distance from him in our heart.

00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:13.700
 But of course, and we'll see this tonight,

00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:18.560
 there's nothing new under the sun.

00:29:19.300 --> 00:29:22.160
 Because here we have our friend Peter.

00:29:23.040 --> 00:29:27.280
 Here we have Peter who, in the space of a few hours,

00:29:27.560 --> 00:29:35.140
 he thought in his own mind's eye that, yes, he was walking closely with the Lord.

00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:40.720
 But then soon after, within a matter of hours,

00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:44.300
 he shows that, in fact, he isn't.

00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:51.100
 So tonight we're going to think about Peter and his denial of Christ under three headings.

00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:56.280
 Firstly, we're going to think about Peter's confidence in himself.

00:29:57.220 --> 00:30:03.700
 Secondly, we're going to think about how he is confronted by Satan.

00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:09.620
 And then lastly, we're going to close by looking at that commitment

00:30:09.620 --> 00:30:15.080
 that is shown to Peter by the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:20.600
 Confidence, confrontation, and commitment.

00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:23.080
 And after having considered these three points,

00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:24.960
 we should be able to answer the question,

00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:29.120
 why are we here this weekend?

00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:33.259
 So here we are in verse 31, 32.

00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:36.219
 And we find ourselves in the upper room.

00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:40.899
 This is, of course, the night before Jesus is crucified.

00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:44.519
 And here he is spending time with his disciples.

00:30:45.159 --> 00:30:47.819
 He's having fellowship with his disciples.

00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:54.239
 He's breaking bread with his disciples in the form of the Lord's Supper.

00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:56.839
 He's having a blessed time.

00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:59.240
 But what do we notice, friends?

00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:04.399
 We notice that no sooner has our blessed time of fellowship

00:31:04.399 --> 00:31:10.399
 had with Jesus and his disciples that it's broken.

00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.639
 It's broken.

00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:17.119
 What we see here is that something comes in

00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:22.059
 that seeks to destroy that blessing.

00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:23.799
 The problem?

00:31:24.679 --> 00:31:28.639
 Well, the problem is that very quickly after having had the Lord's Supper,

00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:31.839
 the disciples, what they do is they forget.

00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:34.779
 They take their eyes off Jesus.

00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:38.940
 They neglect to remember exactly what they've just been doing

00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:41.179
 and who they've been doing it with.

00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:46.940
 And instead, their eyes are focused upon themselves.

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:57.460
 See, in verse 24, I have here.

00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:58.240
 Yes, 24.

00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:02.000
 A dispute also arose among them

00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:08.980
 as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:12.200
 Isn't this just so like us?

00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:16.120
 After a time of great blessing with God's people,

00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:18.660
 around sacrament, around word,

00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:21.519
 isn't it so like us just to be distracted,

00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:24.900
 to be embroiled in disputes and discussions

00:32:24.900 --> 00:32:29.680
 which in reality have no real importance?

00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:32.240
 That's what we see here.

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:35.380
 And of course, this has consequences

00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:39.759
 because when we're in that heady frame of mind,

00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:41.400
 what we find, friends,

00:32:41.580 --> 00:32:44.320
 and we know this knowing what human nature is like,

00:32:44.580 --> 00:32:46.620
 when we've had a dispute over something,

00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:48.960
 something we're intently focused on,

00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:52.880
 what we find is that we have this confidence in ourselves,

00:32:53.640 --> 00:32:55.400
 this assumed confidence,

00:32:56.080 --> 00:32:58.240
 whether it's genuine or not is another thing,

00:32:58.240 --> 00:33:00.519
 but we have this confidence.

00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:02.900
 We're sure that we're right.

00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:07.000
 We're sure that our point of view is the point of view

00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:10.420
 as the disciples themselves were eager to find out

00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:11.400
 who would be the greatest.

00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.259
 Would it be me?

00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:17.380
 And that's what we see with Peter

00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:22.019
 because no sooner has this dispute taken place

00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:27.539
 that Jesus announces the unthinkable to him.

00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:30.279
 Simon, Simon.

00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:31.220
 Just notice that.

00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:32.700
 Simon, Simon.

00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:34.039
 What's Jesus doing here?

00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:39.139
 He's referring to Simon Peter by his old name.

00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:41.619
 Jesus had given to him the name Peter.

00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:44.680
 Now he's been referred to as his old name.

00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.160
 Why?

00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:51.900
 Because he was going to go back very soon to his old ways.

00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:53.300
 And just look at how he says it.

00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.960
 Simon, Simon.

00:33:55.040 --> 00:33:57.380
 There's that tone of disappointment.

00:33:58.519 --> 00:34:02.160
 That tone of a loving heavenly father

00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:03.920
 speaking to a son,

00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:05.800
 of a brother speaking to a brother.

00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:07.660
 Simon, Simon.

00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:09.519
 I don't want you to do this.

00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:12.059
 Simon, Simon.

00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:16.119
 Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you

00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:19.420
 that he might sift you like wheat.

00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:20.880
 And it goes on to say,

00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:22.039
 I tell you, Peter,

00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:25.159
 the rooster will not crow this day

00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:30.820
 until you deny three times that you know me.

00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:32.039
 I wonder, friend, tonight,

00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:35.079
 if you were told that this very evening

00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:37.799
 you would deny the Lord three times

00:34:37.799 --> 00:34:40.579
 with cursing and with swearing.

00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:42.579
 If I was to tell you that,

00:34:42.659 --> 00:34:43.840
 what would your reaction be?

00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:45.279
 Well, you would no doubt,

00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.299
 and me with you,

00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:48.539
 our natural reaction would be to say,

00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:52.880
 never, never would I do such a thing to my Lord.

00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:55.539
 Never would I deny my Savior,

00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:58.480
 certainly not with cursing and with swearing.

00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:02.940
 Peter certainly had that confidence.

00:35:03.739 --> 00:35:06.059
 And in Matthew's account of what we have before us here,

00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:07.759
 he responds by saying,

00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:10.900
 even if I must die with you,

00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:15.139
 I will not deny you.

00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.799
 You've all heard the saying,

00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:20.460
 never say never.

00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.059
 And of course,

00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:22.980
 as the Lord's people,

00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:23.619
 as Christians,

00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:26.039
 this is something that we continually need

00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:27.980
 to take on board.

00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:28.259
 You know,

00:35:28.400 --> 00:35:30.299
 one of the most dangerous things

00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:31.160
 for us to do,

00:35:31.280 --> 00:35:31.480
 friends,

00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.140
 as Christians,

00:35:32.340 --> 00:35:34.820
 is to look upon others

00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:37.400
 who have perhaps fallen into sin

00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:39.300
 and to look upon them

00:35:39.300 --> 00:35:40.500
 with disgust

00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:42.220
 and with disdain

00:35:42.220 --> 00:35:44.580
 and confidently saying out hearts,

00:35:44.640 --> 00:35:46.000
 although we might not articulate it

00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.500
 with our lips,

00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.480
 saying out hearts,

00:35:47.580 --> 00:35:48.620
 I would never do that.

00:35:49.400 --> 00:35:50.480
 Whatever I would do,

00:35:50.620 --> 00:35:53.220
 I would never do that.

00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:55.420
 It's lethal.

00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:59.440
 It's lethal because it shows

00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.519
 that we've lost sight

00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:02.559
 of who we really are by nature.

00:36:03.619 --> 00:36:06.680
 It's lethal because this way of thinking,

00:36:06.840 --> 00:36:09.780
 it overestimates our own strength

00:36:09.780 --> 00:36:12.539
 and ability to resist sin.

00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:15.019
 It's lethal.

00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.639
 We see this with Peter

00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:18.700
 because at its center,

00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:20.059
 this way of thinking

00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:25.300
 is one of the most ugliest sins of all.

00:36:26.420 --> 00:36:27.960
 The sin of pride.

00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:30.780
 And of course,

00:36:30.860 --> 00:36:31.820
 as an aside,

00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:33.180
 when we see our brothers

00:36:33.180 --> 00:36:35.780
 or sisters falling into sin

00:36:35.780 --> 00:36:38.340
 instead of looking down upon them

00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:39.619
 from our ivory tower,

00:36:39.780 --> 00:36:40.659
 what are we to do?

00:36:41.420 --> 00:36:43.059
 We are to draw alongside them.

00:36:43.240 --> 00:36:46.760
 We are to seek to restore them

00:36:46.760 --> 00:36:48.860
 in that same spirit of restoration

00:36:48.860 --> 00:36:51.220
 that has been granted to us

00:36:51.220 --> 00:36:53.039
 as undeserving sinners

00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:55.599
 by our Lord and our Savior.

00:36:55.739 --> 00:36:56.880
 We forget, don't we,

00:36:57.599 --> 00:37:00.480
 who we are in Christ

00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:03.579
 and what he's done for us.

00:37:04.679 --> 00:37:05.039
 And so,

00:37:05.239 --> 00:37:07.039
 such unfounded confidence

00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:09.079
 that here Peter has it

00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:11.940
 only goes on to make him weaker.

00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:13.659
 He who thinks he stands,

00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:15.920
 take heed lest he falls.

00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:17.039
 And that's what happens.

00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:19.679
 His confidence leads him,

00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:21.359
 and this brings us to our second point,

00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:25.259
 to be confronted by Satan.

00:37:26.259 --> 00:37:27.419
 Remember what Jesus said,

00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:33.359
 Satan has desired to sift you as wheat.

00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:37.299
 What a vivid and clear picture this is.

00:37:37.980 --> 00:37:39.419
 When the wheat was harvested,

00:37:39.699 --> 00:37:41.579
 the wheat and the chaff,

00:37:41.659 --> 00:37:42.299
 they were shaken,

00:37:42.399 --> 00:37:45.000
 they were tossed up into the air,

00:37:45.000 --> 00:37:47.460
 and as it was being tossed up into the air,

00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:48.460
 what would happen was

00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:50.400
 that the wind would blow

00:37:50.400 --> 00:37:53.199
 the chaff away

00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:55.340
 and the wheat would be left,

00:37:55.420 --> 00:37:58.519
 the good grain would be left.

00:37:59.019 --> 00:38:00.500
 And that's what Satan's deciding

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.519
 to do with Peter.

00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:02.840
 That's what he's deciding to do

00:38:02.840 --> 00:38:03.480
 with all of us,

00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:04.400
 if the truth be told.

00:38:04.639 --> 00:38:05.659
 That's what he's deciding

00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:06.579
 to do with Peter.

00:38:06.739 --> 00:38:09.019
 He wants to violently shake him

00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:10.380
 to see if really,

00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:11.960
 really this faith

00:38:11.960 --> 00:38:13.420
 that he professes to have

00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:14.019
 is through.

00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:14.619
 After all,

00:38:14.700 --> 00:38:15.639
 look at the many times

00:38:15.639 --> 00:38:16.820
 Peter has blundered.

00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:18.320
 Look at the many times

00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:19.900
 he's let the Lord down.

00:38:20.380 --> 00:38:21.539
 He certainly doesn't look

00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:22.820
 like one of the Lord's people.

00:38:23.059 --> 00:38:23.920
 Let's shake him,

00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:24.900
 let's sift him,

00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:26.840
 let's get to the root of the matter

00:38:26.840 --> 00:38:30.480
 and show him for who he really is.

00:38:33.880 --> 00:38:35.480
 And so he confronts Peter.

00:38:37.119 --> 00:38:39.039
 But what does he confront him with?

00:38:40.180 --> 00:38:41.500
 Does he confront Peter

00:38:41.500 --> 00:38:43.980
 with an obviously glaring sin

00:38:43.980 --> 00:38:48.360
 that would instantly derail Peter,

00:38:48.599 --> 00:38:49.800
 discredit Peter?

00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:51.059
 Is that what he does?

00:38:51.320 --> 00:38:53.320
 Leading Peter into this obvious,

00:38:53.539 --> 00:38:54.219
 heinous sin?

00:38:54.280 --> 00:38:55.019
 Is that what he does?

00:38:55.099 --> 00:38:55.639
 No, it's not,

00:38:55.699 --> 00:38:57.659
 because that's not how Satan operates.

00:38:57.739 --> 00:38:59.980
 He's far more subtle

00:38:59.980 --> 00:39:02.199
 and clever than that.

00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:04.840
 What he does is this.

00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.340
 The next day,

00:39:06.460 --> 00:39:08.219
 when Jesus is being led away,

00:39:08.340 --> 00:39:09.960
 we missed out some of the chapter,

00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:11.659
 when he's being led away

00:39:11.659 --> 00:39:13.360
 by those, of course,

00:39:13.400 --> 00:39:14.679
 who are going to crucify him,

00:39:14.800 --> 00:39:16.619
 he confronts Peter.

00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:19.159
 Satan confronts Peter.

00:39:19.260 --> 00:39:20.460
 What does he confront him with?

00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:21.780
 Well, he confronts him

00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:22.780
 with a temptation.

00:39:23.840 --> 00:39:24.960
 What's the temptation?

00:39:26.119 --> 00:39:28.179
 Well, it's such a subtle temptation,

00:39:28.320 --> 00:39:29.240
 but one that I believe

00:39:29.240 --> 00:39:31.300
 is so real to all of us,

00:39:31.360 --> 00:39:34.320
 that temptation of comfort

00:39:34.320 --> 00:39:36.580
 and of ease.

00:39:37.800 --> 00:39:39.180
 You see, Peter had a choice.

00:39:40.280 --> 00:39:42.100
 Here's his Lord and Savior

00:39:42.100 --> 00:39:44.380
 being led away to be crucified.

00:39:45.420 --> 00:39:46.260
 He has a choice.

00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:48.019
 He can either boldly

00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:49.780
 and publicly identify

00:39:49.780 --> 00:39:52.200
 as a follower of Jesus,

00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:55.800
 or he can remain in the shadows.

00:39:56.920 --> 00:39:58.500
 He can go to the side.

00:39:58.500 --> 00:40:01.699
 He can somehow show

00:40:01.699 --> 00:40:02.719
 that he doesn't really know

00:40:02.719 --> 00:40:03.719
 this man Jesus.

00:40:03.900 --> 00:40:04.699
 Verse 54.

00:40:06.119 --> 00:40:07.159
 Then they seized him

00:40:07.159 --> 00:40:08.179
 and led him away,

00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:09.960
 bringing him into

00:40:09.960 --> 00:40:12.480
 the high priest's house.

00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:13.559
 And what does Peter do?

00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:16.900
 And Peter was following

00:40:16.900 --> 00:40:18.940
 at a distance.

00:40:19.260 --> 00:40:20.480
 That's the first temptation.

00:40:21.159 --> 00:40:22.559
 The subtle temptation.

00:40:23.519 --> 00:40:26.760
 Following at a distance.

00:40:26.760 --> 00:40:29.240
 Having so been confronted

00:40:29.240 --> 00:40:30.260
 with that temptation

00:40:30.260 --> 00:40:31.180
 of comfort,

00:40:31.540 --> 00:40:32.340
 of ease,

00:40:32.420 --> 00:40:34.660
 of taking the easy way out,

00:40:34.680 --> 00:40:35.280
 he does so.

00:40:35.400 --> 00:40:37.480
 He follows Jesus at a distance.

00:40:37.600 --> 00:40:38.640
 No doubt he's embarrassed

00:40:38.640 --> 00:40:40.080
 or he's scared

00:40:40.080 --> 00:40:41.300
 to identify

00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:43.660
 with the Lord Jesus Christ

00:40:43.660 --> 00:40:44.740
 because in doing so,

00:40:44.820 --> 00:40:45.420
 he knows

00:40:45.420 --> 00:40:47.040
 there will be repercussions.

00:40:50.300 --> 00:40:51.880
 There was repercussions,

00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:54.820
 but perhaps not in the way

00:40:54.820 --> 00:40:55.760
 that he expected.

00:40:56.760 --> 00:40:58.500
 Because in following Jesus

00:40:58.500 --> 00:40:59.380
 from a distance,

00:40:59.540 --> 00:40:59.800
 friends,

00:40:59.880 --> 00:41:01.000
 he was putting himself

00:41:01.000 --> 00:41:03.080
 in the perfect place

00:41:03.080 --> 00:41:05.340
 to be confronted further

00:41:05.340 --> 00:41:06.920
 by Satan.

00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:10.240
 And that's again what happens.

00:41:10.720 --> 00:41:12.440
 Because not only does Peter

00:41:12.440 --> 00:41:14.640
 follow Jesus from a distance,

00:41:15.160 --> 00:41:17.160
 but then he goes on further

00:41:17.160 --> 00:41:18.460
 to identify

00:41:18.460 --> 00:41:21.300
 with the enemies of God.

00:41:22.140 --> 00:41:22.860
 Verse 55.

00:41:22.860 --> 00:41:25.519
 And when they had kindled

00:41:25.519 --> 00:41:26.840
 a fire in the middle

00:41:26.840 --> 00:41:27.740
 of the courtyard

00:41:27.740 --> 00:41:30.300
 and sat down together,

00:41:31.620 --> 00:41:33.579
 Peter sat down among them.

00:41:35.000 --> 00:41:36.200
 Then a servant girl,

00:41:36.440 --> 00:41:37.519
 seeing him as he sat

00:41:37.519 --> 00:41:38.140
 in the light

00:41:38.140 --> 00:41:40.539
 and looking closely at him,

00:41:40.700 --> 00:41:41.039
 said,

00:41:41.740 --> 00:41:43.340
 This man also

00:41:43.340 --> 00:41:45.280
 was with him.

00:41:45.280 --> 00:41:47.980
 At this crucial,

00:41:48.300 --> 00:41:49.180
 pivotal point

00:41:49.180 --> 00:41:49.840
 in the life

00:41:49.840 --> 00:41:50.580
 and the ministry

00:41:50.580 --> 00:41:52.060
 of the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:41:52.400 --> 00:41:53.600
 instead of actively

00:41:53.600 --> 00:41:55.080
 being involved

00:41:55.080 --> 00:41:57.040
 with what's going on,

00:41:57.100 --> 00:41:58.720
 instead of spending time

00:41:58.720 --> 00:41:59.480
 with the disciples,

00:41:59.640 --> 00:42:00.700
 perhaps in prayer

00:42:00.700 --> 00:42:02.260
 over the situation

00:42:02.260 --> 00:42:03.320
 that was unfolding

00:42:03.320 --> 00:42:04.600
 before their very eyes

00:42:04.600 --> 00:42:06.380
 or fighting the cause

00:42:06.380 --> 00:42:07.040
 of Christ,

00:42:07.519 --> 00:42:08.600
 trying to be there

00:42:08.600 --> 00:42:09.500
 for his Savior,

00:42:10.120 --> 00:42:10.480
 instead,

00:42:10.680 --> 00:42:11.480
 what do we see?

00:42:11.480 --> 00:42:13.619
 we see Peter

00:42:13.619 --> 00:42:14.579
 abdicating

00:42:14.579 --> 00:42:16.340
 all responsibility

00:42:16.340 --> 00:42:19.199
 and warming himself

00:42:19.199 --> 00:42:21.039
 at the fire

00:42:21.039 --> 00:42:22.099
 of the faithless.

00:42:23.980 --> 00:42:25.480
 This was one

00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:25.840
 who had been

00:42:25.840 --> 00:42:26.840
 so confident

00:42:26.840 --> 00:42:30.139
 and now compromised,

00:42:31.840 --> 00:42:33.679
 weakened in his witness,

00:42:34.679 --> 00:42:35.820
 so that having been

00:42:35.820 --> 00:42:37.139
 confronted by that

00:42:37.139 --> 00:42:38.240
 temptation

00:42:38.240 --> 00:42:39.740
 of comfort

00:42:39.739 --> 00:42:41.259
 and ease,

00:42:41.339 --> 00:42:42.679
 by distancing himself

00:42:42.679 --> 00:42:43.559
 from Jesus,

00:42:43.959 --> 00:42:44.639
 things begin

00:42:44.639 --> 00:42:45.899
 to snowball,

00:42:46.199 --> 00:42:47.039
 to get out

00:42:47.039 --> 00:42:48.599
 of all control.

00:42:48.979 --> 00:42:50.079
 Verse 57,

00:42:50.199 --> 00:42:51.259
 but he denied it,

00:42:51.319 --> 00:42:51.479
 saying,

00:42:51.799 --> 00:42:52.079
 Woman,

00:42:52.259 --> 00:42:53.599
 I do not know him.

00:42:54.319 --> 00:42:55.919
 I don't know this man,

00:42:55.979 --> 00:42:56.459
 he's saying.

00:42:57.219 --> 00:42:58.019
 And a little later,

00:42:58.179 --> 00:42:59.119
 someone else saw him

00:42:59.119 --> 00:42:59.539
 and said,

00:42:59.979 --> 00:43:01.219
 You also are one of them,

00:43:01.259 --> 00:43:02.039
 but Peter said,

00:43:02.199 --> 00:43:02.599
 Man,

00:43:02.939 --> 00:43:05.179
 I am not.

00:43:06.019 --> 00:43:06.659
 And it's not even

00:43:06.659 --> 00:43:08.159
 as if he regretted

00:43:08.159 --> 00:43:08.739
 what he said

00:43:08.739 --> 00:43:10.339
 and wished he hadn't

00:43:10.339 --> 00:43:10.799
 said it.

00:43:10.859 --> 00:43:11.019
 You know,

00:43:11.079 --> 00:43:12.299
 sometimes we say things

00:43:12.299 --> 00:43:14.079
 in the heat of the moment

00:43:14.079 --> 00:43:15.699
 and we wince

00:43:15.699 --> 00:43:16.259
 at the thought

00:43:16.259 --> 00:43:17.119
 that we've just said it,

00:43:17.159 --> 00:43:18.539
 we wished we hadn't said it,

00:43:18.859 --> 00:43:20.000
 we wouldn't say it again.

00:43:20.079 --> 00:43:20.199
 Well,

00:43:20.339 --> 00:43:21.779
 we see that another hour

00:43:21.779 --> 00:43:22.699
 goes past

00:43:22.699 --> 00:43:24.439
 and what does Peter do?

00:43:25.179 --> 00:43:25.939
 He goes on

00:43:25.939 --> 00:43:26.819
 to deny

00:43:26.819 --> 00:43:28.279
 his Savior

00:43:28.279 --> 00:43:29.899
 again.

00:43:29.900 --> 00:43:33.920
 Satan desired

00:43:33.920 --> 00:43:34.940
 to sift

00:43:34.940 --> 00:43:35.860
 Peter

00:43:35.860 --> 00:43:37.079
 as wheat

00:43:37.079 --> 00:43:39.079
 and Peter

00:43:39.079 --> 00:43:39.720
 agreed.

00:43:40.720 --> 00:43:41.400
 As it were,

00:43:41.480 --> 00:43:42.340
 he signed

00:43:42.340 --> 00:43:44.079
 on the dotted line.

00:43:44.240 --> 00:43:45.579
 An important point

00:43:45.579 --> 00:43:46.340
 for all of us

00:43:46.340 --> 00:43:47.360
 to remember,

00:43:47.599 --> 00:43:47.780
 it's

00:43:47.780 --> 00:43:49.619
 so easy,

00:43:49.700 --> 00:43:50.119
 I suppose,

00:43:50.220 --> 00:43:50.480
 for us

00:43:50.480 --> 00:43:51.440
 when we're confronted

00:43:51.440 --> 00:43:52.280
 with the suggestions

00:43:52.280 --> 00:43:52.980
 of Satan

00:43:52.980 --> 00:43:53.280
 that

00:43:53.280 --> 00:43:55.000
 we blame

00:43:55.000 --> 00:43:55.660
 Satan,

00:43:55.659 --> 00:43:58.480
 that we blame

00:43:58.480 --> 00:43:59.019
 Satan

00:43:59.019 --> 00:44:00.440
 for our sins.

00:44:01.139 --> 00:44:02.519
 He made me do it.

00:44:03.420 --> 00:44:03.819
 And of course,

00:44:03.940 --> 00:44:05.259
 Satan does whisper

00:44:05.259 --> 00:44:06.359
 in our ears,

00:44:06.500 --> 00:44:07.699
 sometimes very loudly,

00:44:08.099 --> 00:44:09.940
 sometimes very convincingly,

00:44:10.599 --> 00:44:11.679
 sometimes even

00:44:11.679 --> 00:44:13.460
 as an angel of light.

00:44:14.000 --> 00:44:14.779
 So it's hard

00:44:14.779 --> 00:44:15.460
 to discern

00:44:15.460 --> 00:44:16.000
 if it's

00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:17.420
 from the Lord

00:44:17.420 --> 00:44:18.219
 or if it's

00:44:18.219 --> 00:44:19.579
 from Satan himself.

00:44:19.579 --> 00:44:21.500
 But at the end

00:44:21.500 --> 00:44:22.079
 of the day,

00:44:22.179 --> 00:44:22.880
 we cannot

00:44:22.880 --> 00:44:23.500
 blame

00:44:23.500 --> 00:44:24.079
 Satan

00:44:24.079 --> 00:44:24.699
 for

00:44:24.699 --> 00:44:25.559
 our

00:44:25.559 --> 00:44:26.559
 own

00:44:26.559 --> 00:44:27.599
 sin.

00:44:30.880 --> 00:44:31.900
 So friends,

00:44:32.000 --> 00:44:32.360
 what we

00:44:32.360 --> 00:44:34.599
 have before us

00:44:34.599 --> 00:44:35.559
 here is,

00:44:35.659 --> 00:44:36.259
 is it not

00:44:36.259 --> 00:44:36.739
 a

00:44:36.739 --> 00:44:38.099
 heartbreaking

00:44:38.099 --> 00:44:39.059
 scene?

00:44:40.799 --> 00:44:41.559
 A scene

00:44:41.559 --> 00:44:42.079
 that ought to

00:44:42.079 --> 00:44:43.019
 lead all of us,

00:44:43.119 --> 00:44:44.099
 myself included,

00:44:44.259 --> 00:44:45.000
 to examine

00:44:45.000 --> 00:44:45.579
 ourselves

00:44:45.579 --> 00:44:46.679
 and to

00:44:46.679 --> 00:44:47.579
 remind

00:44:47.579 --> 00:44:48.179
 ourselves

00:44:48.179 --> 00:44:49.019
 that the only

00:44:49.019 --> 00:44:50.000
 confidence we

00:44:50.000 --> 00:44:50.480
 can ever

00:44:50.480 --> 00:44:51.199
 afford to

00:44:51.199 --> 00:44:51.619
 have,

00:44:52.199 --> 00:44:52.480
 it's not

00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:53.179
 in ourselves,

00:44:54.559 --> 00:44:55.019
 it's not

00:44:55.019 --> 00:44:55.739
 in our own

00:44:55.739 --> 00:44:56.860
 estimation

00:44:56.860 --> 00:44:58.139
 of things

00:44:58.139 --> 00:44:59.139
 in this world.

00:45:00.460 --> 00:45:01.159
 The only

00:45:01.159 --> 00:45:01.940
 confidence

00:45:01.940 --> 00:45:02.659
 that we

00:45:02.659 --> 00:45:03.679
 can ever

00:45:03.679 --> 00:45:04.280
 or should

00:45:04.280 --> 00:45:05.119
 ever have

00:45:05.119 --> 00:45:05.780
 should be

00:45:05.780 --> 00:45:06.559
 in the person

00:45:06.559 --> 00:45:07.900
 and in the work

00:45:07.900 --> 00:45:09.139
 of the Lord

00:45:09.139 --> 00:45:10.179
 Jesus

00:45:10.179 --> 00:45:11.380
 Christ.

00:45:13.719 --> 00:45:14.360
 Maybe

00:45:14.360 --> 00:45:14.800
 tonight

00:45:14.800 --> 00:45:15.900
 you're sitting

00:45:15.900 --> 00:45:16.440
 here or

00:45:16.440 --> 00:45:16.960
 perhaps you're

00:45:16.960 --> 00:45:17.460
 joining us

00:45:17.460 --> 00:45:18.219
 online and

00:45:18.219 --> 00:45:20.279
 and you're

00:45:20.279 --> 00:45:20.959
 saying with a

00:45:20.959 --> 00:45:21.599
 heavy heart,

00:45:21.719 --> 00:45:22.239
 that's me.

00:45:23.859 --> 00:45:24.459
 That's me.

00:45:24.559 --> 00:45:25.099
 People around

00:45:25.099 --> 00:45:25.500
 me don't

00:45:25.500 --> 00:45:25.879
 know it,

00:45:25.959 --> 00:45:26.599
 but that's

00:45:26.599 --> 00:45:26.879
 me.

00:45:27.079 --> 00:45:27.439
 You're

00:45:27.439 --> 00:45:28.000
 talking to

00:45:28.000 --> 00:45:28.299
 me.

00:45:28.799 --> 00:45:29.139
 I see

00:45:29.139 --> 00:45:29.879
 myself in

00:45:29.879 --> 00:45:30.579
 this whole

00:45:30.579 --> 00:45:32.259
 situation.

00:45:34.199 --> 00:45:34.339
 Well,

00:45:34.359 --> 00:45:34.599
 friends,

00:45:34.659 --> 00:45:35.339
 if that is

00:45:35.339 --> 00:45:36.119
 you tonight,

00:45:36.359 --> 00:45:36.679
 dear

00:45:36.679 --> 00:45:38.159
 struggling

00:45:38.159 --> 00:45:39.339
 Christian

00:45:39.339 --> 00:45:39.859
 friend,

00:45:39.939 --> 00:45:40.219
 and I'm

00:45:40.219 --> 00:45:40.719
 sure there

00:45:40.719 --> 00:45:41.139
 are some

00:45:41.139 --> 00:45:41.419
 of you

00:45:41.419 --> 00:45:41.739
 here,

00:45:41.839 --> 00:45:42.119
 that is

00:45:42.119 --> 00:45:42.779
 the reality

00:45:42.779 --> 00:45:43.639
 of what

00:45:43.639 --> 00:45:44.199
 it is to

00:45:44.199 --> 00:45:44.419
 be the

00:45:44.419 --> 00:45:44.579
 Lord.

00:45:44.579 --> 00:45:44.759
 We're

00:45:44.759 --> 00:45:45.079
 not good

00:45:45.079 --> 00:45:45.559
 at talking

00:45:45.559 --> 00:45:46.199
 about that,

00:45:46.239 --> 00:45:46.659
 are we?

00:45:47.559 --> 00:45:48.199
 Building one

00:45:48.199 --> 00:45:48.819
 another up,

00:45:48.960 --> 00:45:49.440
 being there

00:45:49.440 --> 00:45:49.840
 for one

00:45:49.840 --> 00:45:50.239
 another,

00:45:51.019 --> 00:45:51.340
 but yet

00:45:51.340 --> 00:45:51.699
 it's so

00:45:51.699 --> 00:45:52.299
 part and

00:45:52.299 --> 00:45:53.000
 partial of

00:45:53.000 --> 00:45:53.639
 what it

00:45:53.639 --> 00:45:54.059
 is to

00:45:54.059 --> 00:45:54.659
 be called

00:45:54.659 --> 00:45:55.179
 from

00:45:55.179 --> 00:45:55.659
 darkness

00:45:55.659 --> 00:45:56.119
 into

00:45:56.119 --> 00:45:56.940
 his

00:45:56.940 --> 00:45:57.739
 marvelous

00:45:57.739 --> 00:45:58.779
 light,

00:45:58.880 --> 00:45:59.119
 that we

00:45:59.119 --> 00:45:59.299
 are

00:45:59.299 --> 00:45:59.840
 warring

00:45:59.840 --> 00:46:00.480
 against

00:46:00.480 --> 00:46:01.699
 principalities

00:46:01.699 --> 00:46:02.920
 and powers

00:46:02.920 --> 00:46:04.059
 each and

00:46:04.059 --> 00:46:04.779
 every day.

00:46:04.780 --> 00:46:05.100
 and if

00:46:05.100 --> 00:46:05.400
 you are

00:46:05.400 --> 00:46:05.980
 in the

00:46:05.980 --> 00:46:06.580
 center of

00:46:06.580 --> 00:46:06.860
 that

00:46:06.860 --> 00:46:07.340
 warfare,

00:46:07.940 --> 00:46:08.340
 if you're

00:46:08.340 --> 00:46:09.460
 so aware

00:46:09.460 --> 00:46:09.860
 of it

00:46:09.860 --> 00:46:10.740
 and you're

00:46:10.740 --> 00:46:11.380
 succumbing

00:46:11.380 --> 00:46:12.500
 time and

00:46:12.500 --> 00:46:13.519
 time again

00:46:13.519 --> 00:46:14.360
 not to

00:46:14.360 --> 00:46:15.120
 make excuse

00:46:15.120 --> 00:46:15.700
 for sin,

00:46:15.760 --> 00:46:16.260
 we do not

00:46:16.260 --> 00:46:16.880
 make excuse

00:46:16.880 --> 00:46:17.320
 for sin,

00:46:17.380 --> 00:46:17.940
 we see the

00:46:17.940 --> 00:46:18.600
 result of

00:46:18.600 --> 00:46:18.860
 sin,

00:46:19.480 --> 00:46:19.880
 we see

00:46:19.880 --> 00:46:20.220
 where it

00:46:20.220 --> 00:46:20.840
 leads us

00:46:20.840 --> 00:46:21.160
 here,

00:46:22.320 --> 00:46:22.640
 and as

00:46:22.640 --> 00:46:23.340
 heartbreaking

00:46:23.340 --> 00:46:24.440
 as this

00:46:24.440 --> 00:46:25.180
 scene is,

00:46:26.620 --> 00:46:27.820
 we can't

00:46:27.820 --> 00:46:28.220
 leave it

00:46:28.220 --> 00:46:28.560
 there,

00:46:29.480 --> 00:46:31.620
 we can't

00:46:31.620 --> 00:46:32.040
 leave it

00:46:32.040 --> 00:46:32.600
 there because

00:46:32.600 --> 00:46:33.280
 we come

00:46:33.280 --> 00:46:34.180
 here tonight

00:46:34.179 --> 00:46:35.859
 around a

00:46:35.859 --> 00:46:36.460
 message of

00:46:36.460 --> 00:46:36.980
 hope,

00:46:38.759 --> 00:46:39.000
 and so

00:46:39.000 --> 00:46:39.179
 as

00:46:39.179 --> 00:46:39.779
 heartbreaking

00:46:39.779 --> 00:46:40.859
 as the

00:46:40.859 --> 00:46:41.359
 scene is

00:46:41.359 --> 00:46:42.019
 before us

00:46:42.019 --> 00:46:42.339
 here,

00:46:42.419 --> 00:46:42.779
 it's not

00:46:42.779 --> 00:46:44.399
 a hopeless

00:46:44.399 --> 00:46:44.960
 scene,

00:46:45.859 --> 00:46:47.440
 this brings

00:46:47.440 --> 00:46:47.899
 us to our

00:46:47.899 --> 00:46:48.819
 final point,

00:46:49.739 --> 00:46:49.899
 the

00:46:49.899 --> 00:46:50.460
 commitment,

00:46:51.359 --> 00:46:52.619
 the

00:46:52.619 --> 00:46:53.079
 commitment

00:46:53.079 --> 00:46:53.960
 shown by

00:46:53.960 --> 00:46:54.419
 the Lord

00:46:54.419 --> 00:46:55.559
 Jesus Christ

00:46:55.559 --> 00:46:56.099
 to a

00:46:56.099 --> 00:46:57.259
 weak and

00:46:57.259 --> 00:46:57.799
 weary

00:46:57.799 --> 00:46:58.519
 sinner,

00:46:59.099 --> 00:46:59.419
 Peter,

00:47:00.480 --> 00:47:00.819
 and to

00:47:00.819 --> 00:47:01.460
 a weak

00:47:01.460 --> 00:47:02.699
 and weary

00:47:02.699 --> 00:47:03.299
 sinner,

00:47:03.659 --> 00:47:03.919
 you,

00:47:04.179 --> 00:47:05.579
 and to a

00:47:05.579 --> 00:47:06.179
 weak and

00:47:06.179 --> 00:47:06.539
 weary

00:47:06.539 --> 00:47:07.099
 sinner,

00:47:08.099 --> 00:47:08.359
 me,

00:47:09.719 --> 00:47:11.059
 and as

00:47:11.059 --> 00:47:11.699
 we reflect

00:47:11.699 --> 00:47:12.480
 upon that

00:47:12.480 --> 00:47:13.799
 commitment,

00:47:14.799 --> 00:47:15.559
 we're led

00:47:15.559 --> 00:47:16.219
 to answer

00:47:16.219 --> 00:47:17.059
 that question,

00:47:17.219 --> 00:47:18.199
 why are

00:47:18.199 --> 00:47:19.079
 we here

00:47:19.079 --> 00:47:20.960
 this weekend?

00:47:21.359 --> 00:47:22.199
 Verse 31,

00:47:22.599 --> 00:47:23.039
 Simon,

00:47:23.599 --> 00:47:24.279
 Simon,

00:47:24.579 --> 00:47:25.119
 behold,

00:47:25.519 --> 00:47:26.059
 Satan

00:47:26.059 --> 00:47:27.319
 demanded

00:47:27.319 --> 00:47:28.419
 to have

00:47:28.419 --> 00:47:28.679
 you,

00:47:29.579 --> 00:47:29.919
 that he

00:47:29.919 --> 00:47:30.699
 might sift

00:47:30.699 --> 00:47:31.219
 you like

00:47:31.219 --> 00:47:31.579
 wheat,

00:47:31.579 --> 00:47:32.099
 but,

00:47:32.099 --> 00:47:32.119
 but,

00:47:32.380 --> 00:47:33.019
 aren't we

00:47:33.019 --> 00:47:33.679
 so thankful

00:47:33.679 --> 00:47:34.179
 for that

00:47:34.179 --> 00:47:34.519
 word,

00:47:34.719 --> 00:47:34.980
 but,

00:47:35.880 --> 00:47:36.319
 but,

00:47:36.319 --> 00:47:38.019
 I have

00:47:38.019 --> 00:47:38.980
 prayed for

00:47:38.980 --> 00:47:40.519
 you that

00:47:40.519 --> 00:47:41.400
 your faith

00:47:41.400 --> 00:47:44.099
 may not

00:47:44.099 --> 00:47:45.539
 fail,

00:47:46.539 --> 00:47:47.239
 because although

00:47:47.239 --> 00:47:48.559
 Satan desired

00:47:48.559 --> 00:47:49.980
 to sift

00:47:49.980 --> 00:47:50.920
 Peter as

00:47:50.920 --> 00:47:51.400
 wheat,

00:47:51.539 --> 00:47:52.019
 and Peter

00:47:52.019 --> 00:47:52.759
 said yes,

00:47:54.179 --> 00:47:54.860
 Jesus said

00:47:54.860 --> 00:47:55.219
 no,

00:47:55.219 --> 00:47:57.559
 just like

00:47:57.559 --> 00:47:58.359
 with Job,

00:47:58.619 --> 00:47:59.119
 the Lord

00:47:59.119 --> 00:47:59.879
 allowed

00:47:59.879 --> 00:48:00.899
 Satan to

00:48:00.899 --> 00:48:01.579
 go so

00:48:01.579 --> 00:48:02.519
 far with

00:48:02.519 --> 00:48:03.139
 Peter

00:48:03.139 --> 00:48:06.119
 in that

00:48:06.119 --> 00:48:06.980
 whole

00:48:06.980 --> 00:48:08.059
 rendezvous

00:48:08.059 --> 00:48:08.459
 that they

00:48:08.459 --> 00:48:09.419
 have here

00:48:09.419 --> 00:48:10.419
 at this

00:48:10.419 --> 00:48:10.799
 time,

00:48:10.859 --> 00:48:11.199
 but no

00:48:11.199 --> 00:48:11.619
 further,

00:48:11.819 --> 00:48:12.480
 no further,

00:48:13.259 --> 00:48:15.699
 Satan

00:48:15.699 --> 00:48:16.500
 might for a

00:48:16.500 --> 00:48:17.799
 time have

00:48:17.799 --> 00:48:18.019
 God

00:48:18.019 --> 00:48:18.639
 Peter's

00:48:18.639 --> 00:48:19.239
 service,

00:48:20.679 --> 00:48:21.079
 he might

00:48:21.079 --> 00:48:21.679
 for a time

00:48:21.679 --> 00:48:22.179
 have your

00:48:22.179 --> 00:48:22.799
 service,

00:48:22.800 --> 00:48:25.019
 but he

00:48:25.019 --> 00:48:25.440
 won't get

00:48:25.440 --> 00:48:26.080
 his soul,

00:48:27.240 --> 00:48:28.140
 he won't

00:48:28.140 --> 00:48:28.600
 get your

00:48:28.600 --> 00:48:29.060
 soul,

00:48:29.200 --> 00:48:29.600
 if you're

00:48:29.600 --> 00:48:30.340
 in Christ

00:48:30.340 --> 00:48:32.140
 tonight,

00:48:33.160 --> 00:48:33.600
 why?

00:48:34.880 --> 00:48:35.300
 Because

00:48:35.300 --> 00:48:35.860
 greater

00:48:35.860 --> 00:48:37.400
 is he

00:48:37.400 --> 00:48:37.780
 that is

00:48:37.780 --> 00:48:38.400
 in you,

00:48:39.200 --> 00:48:39.960
 than he

00:48:39.960 --> 00:48:40.920
 that is

00:48:40.920 --> 00:48:41.440
 in the

00:48:41.440 --> 00:48:41.780
 world,

00:48:41.920 --> 00:48:42.260
 and so

00:48:42.260 --> 00:48:43.000
 no matter

00:48:43.000 --> 00:48:43.940
 how low

00:48:43.940 --> 00:48:44.640
 we go,

00:48:44.700 --> 00:48:45.039
 and maybe

00:48:45.039 --> 00:48:45.660
 tonight you

00:48:45.660 --> 00:48:46.019
 are very

00:48:46.019 --> 00:48:46.320
 low,

00:48:47.320 --> 00:48:48.120
 I don't

00:48:48.120 --> 00:48:48.380
 know,

00:48:49.820 --> 00:48:50.260
 maybe you're

00:48:50.260 --> 00:48:50.760
 very low

00:48:50.760 --> 00:48:51.140
 in your

00:48:51.140 --> 00:48:52.120
 walk with

00:48:52.120 --> 00:48:52.580
 the Lord,

00:48:52.740 --> 00:48:53.760
 and at

00:48:53.760 --> 00:48:54.220
 times you

00:48:54.220 --> 00:48:54.720
 feel like

00:48:54.720 --> 00:48:55.360
 as it were

00:48:55.360 --> 00:48:56.060
 throwing the

00:48:56.060 --> 00:48:56.340
 towel,

00:48:56.500 --> 00:48:56.980
 and giving

00:48:56.980 --> 00:48:57.320
 up,

00:48:57.660 --> 00:48:58.220
 turning your

00:48:58.220 --> 00:48:59.120
 back on

00:48:59.120 --> 00:48:59.560
 the whole

00:48:59.560 --> 00:48:59.860
 thing,

00:48:59.900 --> 00:49:00.600
 it's just

00:49:00.600 --> 00:49:01.380
 too

00:49:01.380 --> 00:49:02.320
 difficult,

00:49:03.040 --> 00:49:04.340
 no matter

00:49:04.340 --> 00:49:05.840
 how low

00:49:05.840 --> 00:49:06.520
 you go,

00:49:07.620 --> 00:49:08.040
 you can

00:49:08.040 --> 00:49:08.280
 have

00:49:08.280 --> 00:49:09.440
 confidence

00:49:09.440 --> 00:49:10.740
 in the

00:49:10.740 --> 00:49:11.840
 one who

00:49:11.840 --> 00:49:12.660
 has committed

00:49:12.660 --> 00:49:14.000
 to you,

00:49:14.540 --> 00:49:15.340
 the one

00:49:15.340 --> 00:49:15.680
 who will

00:49:15.680 --> 00:49:16.580
 never leave

00:49:16.580 --> 00:49:16.800
 you,

00:49:17.220 --> 00:49:18.500
 never forsake

00:49:18.500 --> 00:49:18.740
 you,

00:49:18.739 --> 00:49:19.719
 the one

00:49:19.719 --> 00:49:20.519
 who died

00:49:20.519 --> 00:49:21.419
 on that

00:49:21.419 --> 00:49:22.059
 cross

00:49:22.059 --> 00:49:22.959
 for a

00:49:22.959 --> 00:49:23.319
 reason,

00:49:23.459 --> 00:49:24.139
 the Lord

00:49:24.139 --> 00:49:25.239
 Jesus

00:49:25.239 --> 00:49:26.439
 Christ,

00:49:27.000 --> 00:49:28.259
 and we

00:49:28.259 --> 00:49:28.759
 see that

00:49:28.759 --> 00:49:29.279
 commitment,

00:49:29.459 --> 00:49:29.659
 do we

00:49:29.659 --> 00:49:29.979
 not,

00:49:30.799 --> 00:49:31.219
 in this

00:49:31.219 --> 00:49:31.500
 very

00:49:31.500 --> 00:49:32.059
 statement,

00:49:32.299 --> 00:49:33.000
 I have

00:49:33.000 --> 00:49:34.039
 prayed for

00:49:34.039 --> 00:49:34.500
 you,

00:49:35.339 --> 00:49:35.739
 that your

00:49:35.739 --> 00:49:36.399
 faith

00:49:36.399 --> 00:49:38.479
 fail you

00:49:38.479 --> 00:49:38.779
 not,

00:49:38.859 --> 00:49:39.299
 and what's

00:49:39.299 --> 00:49:39.699
 wonderful

00:49:39.699 --> 00:49:40.199
 about this

00:49:40.199 --> 00:49:40.619
 statement

00:49:40.619 --> 00:49:41.299
 is that

00:49:41.299 --> 00:49:43.599
 it's said

00:49:43.599 --> 00:49:44.639
 before Peter

00:49:44.639 --> 00:49:45.559
 even fell,

00:49:46.739 --> 00:49:47.799
 before Peter

00:49:47.800 --> 00:49:48.220
 fell,

00:49:48.740 --> 00:49:49.400
 he prayed

00:49:49.400 --> 00:49:50.120
 for Peter

00:49:50.120 --> 00:49:51.460
 before Peter

00:49:51.460 --> 00:49:51.880
 sinned,

00:49:51.940 --> 00:49:52.320
 isn't that

00:49:52.320 --> 00:49:52.800
 something,

00:49:53.580 --> 00:49:53.960
 the Lord

00:49:53.960 --> 00:49:54.700
 is always

00:49:54.700 --> 00:49:55.740
 a step

00:49:55.740 --> 00:49:57.200
 ahead of

00:49:57.200 --> 00:49:58.060
 his

00:49:58.060 --> 00:49:59.120
 people,

00:50:00.120 --> 00:50:00.539
 does this

00:50:00.539 --> 00:50:00.980
 mean that

00:50:00.980 --> 00:50:01.360
 Jesus'

00:50:01.920 --> 00:50:02.640
 prayer wasn't

00:50:02.640 --> 00:50:03.039
 answered,

00:50:03.140 --> 00:50:03.900
 you might

00:50:03.900 --> 00:50:04.360
 say well

00:50:04.360 --> 00:50:05.720
 his faith

00:50:05.720 --> 00:50:06.280
 did fail

00:50:06.280 --> 00:50:06.420
 him,

00:50:06.480 --> 00:50:06.680
 did it

00:50:06.680 --> 00:50:06.860
 not,

00:50:06.940 --> 00:50:07.260
 look at

00:50:07.260 --> 00:50:07.720
 what he's

00:50:07.720 --> 00:50:08.420
 just done,

00:50:09.019 --> 00:50:09.800
 he's denied

00:50:09.800 --> 00:50:10.360
 the Lord

00:50:10.360 --> 00:50:11.060
 Jesus three

00:50:11.060 --> 00:50:11.660
 times,

00:50:12.560 --> 00:50:12.820
 and so

00:50:12.820 --> 00:50:13.360
 maybe,

00:50:13.539 --> 00:50:14.320
 maybe Jesus'

00:50:14.600 --> 00:50:15.400
 prayer wasn't

00:50:15.400 --> 00:50:16.100
 answered by

00:50:16.100 --> 00:50:16.580
 God the

00:50:16.579 --> 00:50:16.920
 Father,

00:50:17.460 --> 00:50:17.940
 of course

00:50:17.940 --> 00:50:18.480
 that's not

00:50:18.480 --> 00:50:18.699
 true,

00:50:18.819 --> 00:50:19.559
 we know

00:50:19.559 --> 00:50:20.119
 that's not

00:50:20.119 --> 00:50:20.440
 true,

00:50:21.639 --> 00:50:22.420
 Peter failed

00:50:22.420 --> 00:50:23.079
 himself

00:50:23.079 --> 00:50:23.819
 undoubtedly,

00:50:24.920 --> 00:50:25.299
 but his

00:50:25.299 --> 00:50:26.860
 faith never

00:50:26.860 --> 00:50:27.460
 failed,

00:50:28.000 --> 00:50:28.940
 because his

00:50:28.940 --> 00:50:29.500
 faith is in

00:50:29.500 --> 00:50:29.980
 the finished

00:50:29.980 --> 00:50:30.639
 work of the

00:50:30.639 --> 00:50:31.159
 Lord Jesus

00:50:31.159 --> 00:50:31.659
 Christ,

00:50:31.980 --> 00:50:32.279
 and that

00:50:32.279 --> 00:50:32.819
 can never

00:50:32.819 --> 00:50:33.199
 fail,

00:50:33.380 --> 00:50:34.179
 our faith

00:50:34.179 --> 00:50:35.340
 can flounder,

00:50:36.139 --> 00:50:37.099
 it can waver,

00:50:37.539 --> 00:50:38.179
 that is true,

00:50:38.239 --> 00:50:38.599
 but it can

00:50:38.599 --> 00:50:39.319
 never fail,

00:50:39.500 --> 00:50:40.079
 ultimately,

00:50:40.619 --> 00:50:41.519
 it can

00:50:41.519 --> 00:50:43.159
 never fail,

00:50:43.159 --> 00:50:46.019
 I have

00:50:46.019 --> 00:50:46.619
 prayed for

00:50:46.619 --> 00:50:46.940
 you,

00:50:47.519 --> 00:50:47.899
 that your

00:50:47.899 --> 00:50:48.859
 faith may

00:50:48.859 --> 00:50:49.379
 not fail,

00:50:49.440 --> 00:50:49.920
 why is he

00:50:49.920 --> 00:50:50.319
 praying,

00:50:51.099 --> 00:50:52.079
 why is this

00:50:52.079 --> 00:50:53.219
 intercessory

00:50:53.219 --> 00:50:54.319
 prayer necessary,

00:50:54.319 --> 00:50:54.859
 we might

00:50:54.859 --> 00:50:55.279
 ask,

00:50:56.319 --> 00:50:57.819
 was Peter's

00:50:57.819 --> 00:50:58.339
 sins not

00:50:58.339 --> 00:50:58.799
 going to be

00:50:58.799 --> 00:51:00.019
 defeated once

00:51:00.019 --> 00:51:01.299
 and for all

00:51:01.299 --> 00:51:02.279
 on the cross

00:51:02.279 --> 00:51:03.219
 on Calvary's

00:51:03.219 --> 00:51:03.379
 hill,

00:51:03.500 --> 00:51:04.399
 why pray at

00:51:04.399 --> 00:51:04.679
 all,

00:51:04.819 --> 00:51:05.259
 what's the

00:51:05.259 --> 00:51:05.719
 point of

00:51:05.719 --> 00:51:06.000
 this,

00:51:06.719 --> 00:51:07.019
 it's a

00:51:07.019 --> 00:51:07.879
 good question,

00:51:09.000 --> 00:51:09.379
 well one

00:51:09.379 --> 00:51:10.119
 commentator put

00:51:10.119 --> 00:51:10.839
 it like this,

00:51:10.840 --> 00:51:12.460
 this is not

00:51:12.460 --> 00:51:13.400
 a supplemental

00:51:13.400 --> 00:51:15.220
 work adding

00:51:15.220 --> 00:51:15.800
 to his

00:51:15.800 --> 00:51:16.760
 sacrifice of

00:51:16.760 --> 00:51:17.380
 himself on

00:51:17.380 --> 00:51:17.900
 the cross,

00:51:18.860 --> 00:51:19.559
 but rather

00:51:19.559 --> 00:51:21.039
 a consequential

00:51:21.039 --> 00:51:22.920
 work based

00:51:22.920 --> 00:51:24.220
 on it,

00:51:24.320 --> 00:51:24.800
 this is a

00:51:24.800 --> 00:51:26.420
 fruit of

00:51:26.420 --> 00:51:26.880
 the cross,

00:51:26.960 --> 00:51:27.700
 this prayer

00:51:27.700 --> 00:51:28.539
 is as a

00:51:28.539 --> 00:51:29.280
 result of

00:51:29.280 --> 00:51:29.720
 what's to

00:51:29.720 --> 00:51:30.559
 take place

00:51:30.559 --> 00:51:31.940
 on the

00:51:31.940 --> 00:51:32.260
 cross,

00:51:32.400 --> 00:51:33.140
 a prayer

00:51:33.140 --> 00:51:33.500
 that we

00:51:33.500 --> 00:51:35.160
 see also

00:51:35.160 --> 00:51:36.240
 in John

00:51:36.240 --> 00:51:37.160
 17,

00:51:37.380 --> 00:51:38.140
 and this

00:51:38.140 --> 00:51:38.480
 is one of

00:51:38.480 --> 00:51:38.720
 the most

00:51:38.720 --> 00:51:39.340
 wonderful

00:51:39.340 --> 00:51:39.960
 chapters

00:51:39.960 --> 00:51:40.740
 whereby we

00:51:40.739 --> 00:51:42.519
 see the

00:51:42.519 --> 00:51:43.259
 care and

00:51:43.259 --> 00:51:44.179
 the commitment

00:51:44.179 --> 00:51:45.579
 that the

00:51:45.579 --> 00:51:46.399
 Lord Jesus

00:51:46.399 --> 00:51:48.059
 Christ has

00:51:48.059 --> 00:51:50.039
 for his

00:51:50.039 --> 00:51:51.079
 people.

00:51:53.519 --> 00:51:54.500
 I do not

00:51:54.500 --> 00:51:55.079
 ask for

00:51:55.079 --> 00:51:55.759
 these only,

00:51:56.339 --> 00:51:57.099
 but also for

00:51:57.099 --> 00:51:57.639
 those who

00:51:57.639 --> 00:51:58.319
 will believe

00:51:58.319 --> 00:51:58.899
 in me

00:51:58.899 --> 00:51:59.439
 through their

00:51:59.439 --> 00:51:59.719
 word,

00:51:59.779 --> 00:52:00.159
 this is a

00:52:00.159 --> 00:52:00.739
 high priestly

00:52:00.739 --> 00:52:01.139
 prayer,

00:52:01.819 --> 00:52:02.319
 that they

00:52:02.319 --> 00:52:03.359
 may all

00:52:03.359 --> 00:52:03.939
 be one,

00:52:04.099 --> 00:52:04.579
 just as

00:52:04.579 --> 00:52:05.239
 you Father

00:52:05.239 --> 00:52:06.000
 are in me,

00:52:06.519 --> 00:52:07.139
 and I

00:52:07.139 --> 00:52:07.759
 in you,

00:52:08.279 --> 00:52:08.599
 that they

00:52:08.599 --> 00:52:09.739
 also may

00:52:09.739 --> 00:52:10.519
 be in us,

00:52:10.739 --> 00:52:11.399
 so that

00:52:11.399 --> 00:52:12.019
 the world

00:52:12.019 --> 00:52:13.459
 may believe

00:52:13.459 --> 00:52:14.559
 that you

00:52:14.559 --> 00:52:16.159
 sent me.

00:52:16.799 --> 00:52:17.139
 In verse

00:52:17.139 --> 00:52:17.719
 24,

00:52:17.979 --> 00:52:18.599
 Father, I

00:52:18.599 --> 00:52:19.500
 desire that

00:52:19.500 --> 00:52:20.219
 they also,

00:52:20.219 --> 00:52:20.879
 that's us

00:52:20.879 --> 00:52:21.500
 if it is

00:52:21.500 --> 00:52:21.939
 tonight,

00:52:22.359 --> 00:52:22.839
 Father, I

00:52:22.839 --> 00:52:23.459
 desire that

00:52:23.459 --> 00:52:24.059
 they also

00:52:24.059 --> 00:52:24.539
 whom you

00:52:24.539 --> 00:52:25.079
 have given

00:52:25.079 --> 00:52:26.199
 me may be

00:52:26.199 --> 00:52:27.179
 with me

00:52:27.179 --> 00:52:28.199
 where I

00:52:28.199 --> 00:52:28.879
 am to

00:52:28.879 --> 00:52:29.599
 see my

00:52:29.599 --> 00:52:30.739
 glory that

00:52:30.739 --> 00:52:31.359
 you have

00:52:31.359 --> 00:52:32.159
 given me

00:52:32.159 --> 00:52:33.199
 because you

00:52:33.199 --> 00:52:34.059
 loved me

00:52:34.059 --> 00:52:35.399
 before the

00:52:35.399 --> 00:52:36.119
 foundation

00:52:36.119 --> 00:52:38.319
 of the

00:52:38.319 --> 00:52:38.839
 world.

00:52:39.839 --> 00:52:40.400
 He

00:52:40.400 --> 00:52:41.099
 prays

00:52:41.099 --> 00:52:43.099
 because he

00:52:43.099 --> 00:52:43.639
 loves,

00:52:45.019 --> 00:52:45.619
 because he's

00:52:45.619 --> 00:52:46.139
 committed,

00:52:47.239 --> 00:52:48.000
 committed

00:52:48.000 --> 00:52:49.639
 to that

00:52:49.639 --> 00:52:50.359
 cause,

00:52:51.000 --> 00:52:52.059
 that cause

00:52:52.059 --> 00:52:52.279
 that had

00:52:52.279 --> 00:52:52.880
 been set

00:52:52.880 --> 00:52:54.299
 out from

00:52:54.299 --> 00:52:54.779
 all

00:52:54.779 --> 00:52:56.139
 eternity.

00:52:56.139 --> 00:52:56.219
 eternity.

00:52:58.420 --> 00:52:58.679
 And so

00:52:58.679 --> 00:52:59.119
 we can

00:52:59.119 --> 00:53:00.579
 put an

00:53:00.579 --> 00:53:01.259
 amen to

00:53:01.259 --> 00:53:01.480
 the

00:53:01.480 --> 00:53:01.960
 psalmist

00:53:01.960 --> 00:53:02.379
 when he

00:53:02.379 --> 00:53:02.839
 says,

00:53:02.960 --> 00:53:03.659
 my flesh

00:53:03.659 --> 00:53:04.900
 and heart

00:53:04.900 --> 00:53:06.139
 doth faint

00:53:06.139 --> 00:53:06.960
 and fail,

00:53:07.799 --> 00:53:08.879
 but God

00:53:08.879 --> 00:53:10.500
 doth fail

00:53:10.500 --> 00:53:11.599
 me

00:53:11.599 --> 00:53:12.759
 never.

00:53:13.960 --> 00:53:14.239
 And so

00:53:14.239 --> 00:53:14.679
 to answer

00:53:14.679 --> 00:53:15.719
 the overarching

00:53:15.719 --> 00:53:16.559
 question of

00:53:16.559 --> 00:53:17.279
 tonight,

00:53:17.539 --> 00:53:18.119
 why are we

00:53:18.119 --> 00:53:19.059
 here this

00:53:19.059 --> 00:53:19.480
 weekend?

00:53:19.619 --> 00:53:19.759
 Well,

00:53:19.799 --> 00:53:20.059
 friends,

00:53:20.139 --> 00:53:20.679
 we are here,

00:53:20.759 --> 00:53:21.319
 are we not,

00:53:21.420 --> 00:53:22.379
 to remember

00:53:22.380 --> 00:53:23.140
 and to

00:53:23.140 --> 00:53:24.039
 rejoice in

00:53:24.039 --> 00:53:24.780
 the glorious

00:53:24.780 --> 00:53:26.059
 reality of

00:53:26.059 --> 00:53:26.740
 what it is

00:53:26.740 --> 00:53:27.660
 to be safe

00:53:27.660 --> 00:53:28.780
 and secure

00:53:28.780 --> 00:53:29.559
 in Christ.

00:53:29.640 --> 00:53:30.039
 Not to

00:53:30.039 --> 00:53:30.700
 excuse our

00:53:30.700 --> 00:53:31.019
 sin,

00:53:31.840 --> 00:53:32.579
 far from

00:53:32.579 --> 00:53:32.860
 it,

00:53:33.920 --> 00:53:35.059
 but still

00:53:35.059 --> 00:53:35.840
 to remember

00:53:35.840 --> 00:53:36.680
 that we

00:53:36.680 --> 00:53:37.579
 are safe

00:53:37.579 --> 00:53:38.960
 and secure

00:53:38.960 --> 00:53:40.519
 in Jesus,

00:53:40.680 --> 00:53:41.579
 a glorious

00:53:41.579 --> 00:53:42.619
 reality that

00:53:42.619 --> 00:53:44.240
 we're not

00:53:44.240 --> 00:53:44.740
 to keep

00:53:44.740 --> 00:53:45.579
 to ourselves.

00:53:47.680 --> 00:53:48.320
 Jesus

00:53:48.320 --> 00:53:48.940
 says this

00:53:48.940 --> 00:53:49.480
 to Peter,

00:53:51.440 --> 00:53:52.059
 and when,

00:53:52.059 --> 00:53:52.820
 not if,

00:53:53.000 --> 00:53:53.559
 notice that

00:53:53.559 --> 00:53:54.219
 word when,

00:53:54.759 --> 00:53:55.599
 and when

00:53:55.599 --> 00:53:56.659
 you have

00:53:56.659 --> 00:53:57.340
 returned to

00:53:57.340 --> 00:53:57.519
 me.

00:53:57.599 --> 00:53:58.019
 He had his

00:53:58.019 --> 00:53:58.420
 eye on

00:53:58.420 --> 00:53:58.659
 Peter,

00:53:58.739 --> 00:53:59.380
 he knew

00:53:59.380 --> 00:54:00.159
 that Peter

00:54:00.159 --> 00:54:01.019
 would return

00:54:01.019 --> 00:54:01.559
 just as he

00:54:01.559 --> 00:54:01.840
 has his

00:54:01.840 --> 00:54:02.199
 eye on

00:54:02.199 --> 00:54:02.539
 any

00:54:02.539 --> 00:54:03.539
 wandering

00:54:03.539 --> 00:54:05.199
 lamb of

00:54:05.199 --> 00:54:05.519
 his.

00:54:05.659 --> 00:54:06.500
 When you

00:54:06.500 --> 00:54:07.320
 have returned

00:54:07.320 --> 00:54:08.019
 to me,

00:54:08.880 --> 00:54:09.579
 strengthen

00:54:09.579 --> 00:54:11.139
 your

00:54:11.139 --> 00:54:12.739
 brethren.

00:54:13.340 --> 00:54:13.980
 Strengthen

00:54:13.980 --> 00:54:15.199
 your

00:54:15.199 --> 00:54:16.460
 brethren.

00:54:17.599 --> 00:54:18.079
 Maybe this

00:54:18.079 --> 00:54:18.519
 is a

00:54:18.519 --> 00:54:19.179
 picture of

00:54:19.179 --> 00:54:20.440
 someone here

00:54:20.440 --> 00:54:20.860
 tonight,

00:54:20.960 --> 00:54:21.360
 I don't

00:54:21.360 --> 00:54:21.599
 know,

00:54:21.599 --> 00:54:22.339
 someone who

00:54:22.339 --> 00:54:23.719
 perhaps hasn't

00:54:23.719 --> 00:54:24.279
 been walking

00:54:24.279 --> 00:54:25.059
 closely with

00:54:25.059 --> 00:54:25.480
 the Lord

00:54:25.480 --> 00:54:26.039
 for some

00:54:26.039 --> 00:54:26.539
 time,

00:54:26.880 --> 00:54:27.079
 has

00:54:27.079 --> 00:54:28.679
 strayed,

00:54:29.480 --> 00:54:30.159
 someone perhaps

00:54:30.159 --> 00:54:30.900
 joining us

00:54:30.900 --> 00:54:31.460
 online,

00:54:31.579 --> 00:54:32.019
 I don't

00:54:32.019 --> 00:54:32.319
 know.

00:54:33.440 --> 00:54:34.099
 But what I

00:54:34.099 --> 00:54:34.679
 do know is

00:54:34.679 --> 00:54:35.059
 this,

00:54:35.739 --> 00:54:36.279
 is that you're

00:54:36.279 --> 00:54:37.559
 not to

00:54:37.559 --> 00:54:38.339
 stay away,

00:54:39.619 --> 00:54:40.400
 you're to

00:54:40.400 --> 00:54:41.099
 come back,

00:54:42.319 --> 00:54:42.779
 you're to

00:54:42.779 --> 00:54:43.900
 profess your

00:54:43.900 --> 00:54:45.159
 faith publicly

00:54:45.159 --> 00:54:46.199
 again.

00:54:46.319 --> 00:54:46.639
 He has

00:54:46.639 --> 00:54:47.679
 prayed that

00:54:47.679 --> 00:54:48.539
 your faith

00:54:48.539 --> 00:54:49.860
 will not

00:54:49.860 --> 00:54:50.199
 fail.

00:54:50.199 --> 00:54:50.639
 why don't

00:54:50.639 --> 00:54:51.000
 you come

00:54:51.000 --> 00:54:51.460
 back?

00:54:52.099 --> 00:54:53.019
 Come back

00:54:53.019 --> 00:54:54.460
 and strengthen

00:54:54.460 --> 00:54:54.779
 your

00:54:54.779 --> 00:54:55.239
 brethren.

00:54:56.439 --> 00:54:57.139
 We are

00:54:57.139 --> 00:54:57.799
 a family.

00:54:58.859 --> 00:54:59.319
 We are a

00:54:59.319 --> 00:55:00.059
 church family.

00:55:01.519 --> 00:55:02.019
 And as a

00:55:02.019 --> 00:55:03.099
 family, we

00:55:03.099 --> 00:55:04.000
 long, do we

00:55:04.000 --> 00:55:04.619
 not, and if we

00:55:04.619 --> 00:55:05.019
 don't, there's

00:55:05.019 --> 00:55:05.639
 something far

00:55:05.639 --> 00:55:06.339
 wrong, we

00:55:06.339 --> 00:55:07.199
 long, do we

00:55:07.199 --> 00:55:08.719
 not, to see a

00:55:08.719 --> 00:55:09.819
 long-lost family

00:55:09.819 --> 00:55:10.559
 member coming

00:55:10.559 --> 00:55:11.699
 back to the

00:55:11.699 --> 00:55:12.119
 table.

00:55:13.119 --> 00:55:13.919
 And when they

00:55:13.919 --> 00:55:14.659
 do, what do we

00:55:14.659 --> 00:55:14.919
 do?

00:55:14.920 --> 00:55:15.700
 we rejoice.

00:55:16.940 --> 00:55:17.700
 We praise

00:55:17.700 --> 00:55:18.240
 God.

00:55:18.760 --> 00:55:19.760
 We ourselves

00:55:19.760 --> 00:55:21.099
 are strengthened

00:55:21.099 --> 00:55:22.360
 in our

00:55:22.360 --> 00:55:22.760
 faith.

00:55:22.860 --> 00:55:23.599
 It does our

00:55:23.599 --> 00:55:24.559
 hearts good to

00:55:24.559 --> 00:55:25.800
 see those who

00:55:25.800 --> 00:55:26.480
 perhaps haven't

00:55:26.480 --> 00:55:27.159
 been with us

00:55:27.159 --> 00:55:28.139
 for many a

00:55:28.139 --> 00:55:28.740
 long year,

00:55:28.900 --> 00:55:29.920
 they're back

00:55:29.920 --> 00:55:30.320
 in their

00:55:30.320 --> 00:55:31.559
 rightful place.

00:55:33.960 --> 00:55:35.019
 Because Christ

00:55:35.019 --> 00:55:35.820
 has prayed for

00:55:35.820 --> 00:55:36.139
 them.

00:55:37.619 --> 00:55:38.260
 Their faith

00:55:38.260 --> 00:55:40.340
 will not

00:55:40.340 --> 00:55:41.260
 fail.

00:55:45.340 --> 00:55:45.980
 Maybe you're

00:55:45.980 --> 00:55:46.520
 here tonight

00:55:46.520 --> 00:55:46.880
 and you've

00:55:46.880 --> 00:55:47.940
 never professed

00:55:47.940 --> 00:55:49.420
 and you wonder

00:55:49.420 --> 00:55:50.140
 where you fit

00:55:50.140 --> 00:55:50.880
 into all of

00:55:50.880 --> 00:55:51.260
 this.

00:55:53.720 --> 00:55:54.540
 You might say,

00:55:54.620 --> 00:55:55.140
 well, how can I

00:55:55.140 --> 00:55:56.060
 return when I

00:55:56.060 --> 00:55:56.880
 never went away

00:55:56.880 --> 00:55:57.440
 in the first

00:55:57.440 --> 00:55:57.700
 place?

00:55:57.760 --> 00:55:58.060
 Well, you

00:55:58.060 --> 00:55:58.400
 did.

00:55:59.400 --> 00:56:00.280
 You did go

00:56:00.280 --> 00:56:00.720
 away.

00:56:02.560 --> 00:56:03.280
 Because we've

00:56:03.280 --> 00:56:04.880
 all got

00:56:04.880 --> 00:56:05.320
 that

00:56:05.320 --> 00:56:08.240
 image of

00:56:08.239 --> 00:56:09.039
 Christ

00:56:09.039 --> 00:56:10.019
 within us.

00:56:11.139 --> 00:56:11.719
 That's how

00:56:11.719 --> 00:56:12.079
 we've been

00:56:12.079 --> 00:56:13.519
 made, to

00:56:13.519 --> 00:56:15.079
 serve and

00:56:15.079 --> 00:56:15.679
 to worship.

00:56:17.079 --> 00:56:17.500
 And so for

00:56:17.500 --> 00:56:18.419
 every single

00:56:18.419 --> 00:56:19.179
 man and

00:56:19.179 --> 00:56:19.859
 woman, boy

00:56:19.859 --> 00:56:20.399
 and girl in

00:56:20.399 --> 00:56:20.939
 this world

00:56:20.939 --> 00:56:21.979
 who is not

00:56:21.979 --> 00:56:22.519
 in the way,

00:56:22.599 --> 00:56:23.139
 they've gone

00:56:23.139 --> 00:56:23.959
 astray.

00:56:25.139 --> 00:56:25.859
 They've chosen

00:56:25.859 --> 00:56:27.339
 to go away

00:56:27.339 --> 00:56:27.799
 from their

00:56:27.799 --> 00:56:28.399
 creator.

00:56:29.679 --> 00:56:30.119
 And so the

00:56:30.119 --> 00:56:30.939
 same plea

00:56:30.939 --> 00:56:32.079
 goes to you

00:56:32.079 --> 00:56:33.119
 tonight.

00:56:34.299 --> 00:56:35.059
 Come back.

00:56:36.319 --> 00:56:37.379
 Come back

00:56:37.380 --> 00:56:37.840
 to the

00:56:37.840 --> 00:56:38.180
 Lord.

00:56:39.700 --> 00:56:40.619
 Come back

00:56:40.619 --> 00:56:41.740
 to that

00:56:41.740 --> 00:56:42.579
 place whereby

00:56:42.579 --> 00:56:43.519
 you can come

00:56:43.519 --> 00:56:44.160
 to know not

00:56:44.160 --> 00:56:44.559
 just the

00:56:44.559 --> 00:56:45.640
 creation, but

00:56:45.640 --> 00:56:46.400
 the creator.

00:56:47.160 --> 00:56:48.039
 The one who

00:56:48.039 --> 00:56:48.940
 died on that

00:56:48.940 --> 00:56:49.599
 cross so

00:56:49.599 --> 00:56:50.360
 sinners like

00:56:50.360 --> 00:56:51.640
 us might

00:56:51.640 --> 00:56:52.059
 live.

00:56:52.780 --> 00:56:53.200
 Or maybe

00:56:53.200 --> 00:56:53.740
 tonight you

00:56:53.740 --> 00:56:54.460
 do know him

00:56:54.460 --> 00:56:54.720
 in your

00:56:54.720 --> 00:56:55.119
 heart.

00:56:56.000 --> 00:56:56.380
 Maybe you

00:56:56.380 --> 00:56:56.900
 are one of

00:56:56.900 --> 00:56:57.360
 the Lord's

00:56:57.360 --> 00:56:58.460
 people, but

00:56:58.460 --> 00:56:59.480
 still you

00:56:59.480 --> 00:57:00.000
 haven't

00:57:00.000 --> 00:57:01.500
 professed his

00:57:01.500 --> 00:57:01.940
 name.

00:57:01.940 --> 00:57:05.960
 I'll just

00:57:05.960 --> 00:57:06.320
 look at

00:57:06.320 --> 00:57:06.619
 Peter.

00:57:08.240 --> 00:57:08.960
 You might

00:57:08.960 --> 00:57:09.519
 think, well

00:57:09.519 --> 00:57:09.880
 I've got

00:57:09.880 --> 00:57:10.760
 plenty time.

00:57:11.639 --> 00:57:11.920
 I'll

00:57:11.920 --> 00:57:12.559
 profess in

00:57:12.559 --> 00:57:13.019
 my own

00:57:13.019 --> 00:57:13.619
 good time.

00:57:13.700 --> 00:57:14.059
 Just look

00:57:14.059 --> 00:57:14.559
 at Peter.

00:57:15.940 --> 00:57:16.059
 He

00:57:16.059 --> 00:57:16.920
 followed from

00:57:16.920 --> 00:57:18.619
 afar and

00:57:18.619 --> 00:57:19.340
 what happened?

00:57:20.860 --> 00:57:21.960
 He fell.

00:57:23.019 --> 00:57:23.860
 He followed

00:57:23.860 --> 00:57:24.860
 from afar and

00:57:24.860 --> 00:57:25.420
 he fell.

00:57:26.679 --> 00:57:27.400
 So dear

00:57:27.400 --> 00:57:28.260
 Christian friend,

00:57:28.400 --> 00:57:28.619
 if you

00:57:28.619 --> 00:57:29.000
 haven't

00:57:29.000 --> 00:57:29.800
 professed,

00:57:29.800 --> 00:57:31.160
 if you

00:57:31.160 --> 00:57:31.820
 follow from

00:57:31.820 --> 00:57:33.700
 afar, if

00:57:33.700 --> 00:57:34.380
 you're scared

00:57:34.380 --> 00:57:34.680
 of the

00:57:34.680 --> 00:57:35.400
 consequences

00:57:35.400 --> 00:57:36.560
 of coming

00:57:36.560 --> 00:57:37.220
 out on his

00:57:37.220 --> 00:57:37.820
 side and

00:57:37.820 --> 00:57:38.340
 for everyone

00:57:38.340 --> 00:57:39.019
 knowing that

00:57:39.019 --> 00:57:39.400
 you are a

00:57:39.400 --> 00:57:39.940
 child of

00:57:39.940 --> 00:57:42.440
 God, beware

00:57:42.440 --> 00:57:44.500
 because Satan

00:57:44.500 --> 00:57:45.440
 desires you

00:57:45.440 --> 00:57:45.960
 also.

00:57:47.420 --> 00:57:47.960
 Friend, we

00:57:47.960 --> 00:57:48.700
 know that the

00:57:48.700 --> 00:57:50.620
 blessing follows

00:57:50.620 --> 00:57:51.780
 obedience.

00:57:51.900 --> 00:57:52.480
 Not to say

00:57:52.480 --> 00:57:52.900
 that when we

00:57:52.900 --> 00:57:53.480
 come to the

00:57:53.480 --> 00:57:54.080
 Lord's table

00:57:54.080 --> 00:57:54.980
 somehow our

00:57:54.980 --> 00:57:55.519
 lives are

00:57:55.519 --> 00:57:56.200
 going to be

00:57:56.200 --> 00:57:57.060
 miraculously

00:57:57.060 --> 00:57:57.900
 smooth,

00:57:58.280 --> 00:57:58.820
 sailing,

00:57:58.960 --> 00:57:59.740
 plain sailing,

00:57:59.800 --> 00:58:00.360
 that is not

00:58:00.360 --> 00:58:00.760
 true.

00:58:02.060 --> 00:58:02.640
 But what is

00:58:02.640 --> 00:58:03.500
 true is this,

00:58:04.200 --> 00:58:04.920
 that when we

00:58:04.920 --> 00:58:06.539
 obey we

00:58:06.539 --> 00:58:07.120
 will have

00:58:07.120 --> 00:58:08.240
 that strength

00:58:08.240 --> 00:58:09.000
 that comes

00:58:09.000 --> 00:58:10.000
 from the

00:58:10.000 --> 00:58:10.560
 one who

00:58:10.560 --> 00:58:11.420
 tells us

00:58:11.420 --> 00:58:13.240
 that if we

00:58:13.240 --> 00:58:14.480
 come and

00:58:14.480 --> 00:58:15.019
 if we

00:58:15.019 --> 00:58:16.600
 profess his

00:58:16.600 --> 00:58:17.700
 name publicly

00:58:17.700 --> 00:58:18.960
 he will

00:58:18.960 --> 00:58:19.920
 honour them

00:58:19.920 --> 00:58:21.620
 who honour

00:58:21.620 --> 00:58:22.600
 him.

00:58:22.660 --> 00:58:22.940
 Does that

00:58:22.940 --> 00:58:23.300
 mean you'll

00:58:23.300 --> 00:58:23.960
 be perfect?

00:58:24.080 --> 00:58:24.400
 No it

00:58:24.400 --> 00:58:24.700
 doesn't.

00:58:24.800 --> 00:58:25.220
 Maybe that's

00:58:25.220 --> 00:58:25.480
 what you're

00:58:25.480 --> 00:58:26.060
 waiting for.

00:58:26.320 --> 00:58:26.680
 Maybe you

00:58:26.680 --> 00:58:27.039
 look at

00:58:27.039 --> 00:58:27.539
 yourself and

00:58:27.539 --> 00:58:27.860
 you think

00:58:27.860 --> 00:58:28.500
 well what

00:58:28.500 --> 00:58:29.000
 about this

00:58:29.000 --> 00:58:29.380
 sin in

00:58:29.380 --> 00:58:29.780
 my life

00:58:29.780 --> 00:58:30.039
 and what

00:58:30.039 --> 00:58:30.780
 about that?

00:58:31.340 --> 00:58:31.599
 And you're

00:58:31.599 --> 00:58:32.599
 waiting until

00:58:32.599 --> 00:58:33.300
 all of these

00:58:33.300 --> 00:58:33.800
 sins are

00:58:33.800 --> 00:58:34.760
 eradicated and

00:58:34.760 --> 00:58:35.360
 then you'll

00:58:35.360 --> 00:58:35.679
 come.

00:58:35.800 --> 00:58:36.639
 Well you'll

00:58:36.639 --> 00:58:37.320
 never come.

00:58:38.440 --> 00:58:38.940
 You'll never

00:58:38.940 --> 00:58:39.360
 come.

00:58:40.840 --> 00:58:41.380
 Peter was

00:58:41.380 --> 00:58:41.900
 far from

00:58:41.900 --> 00:58:42.320
 perfect,

00:58:42.519 --> 00:58:42.840
 you are

00:58:42.840 --> 00:58:43.280
 far from

00:58:43.280 --> 00:58:43.679
 perfect,

00:58:44.019 --> 00:58:44.500
 I am

00:58:44.500 --> 00:58:45.019
 far from

00:58:45.019 --> 00:58:45.699
 perfect but

00:58:45.699 --> 00:58:46.579
 still we can

00:58:46.579 --> 00:58:47.800
 profess the

00:58:47.800 --> 00:58:48.639
 one who

00:58:48.639 --> 00:58:49.559
 is perfect.

00:58:49.559 --> 00:58:50.420
 If we love

00:58:50.420 --> 00:58:51.019
 the Lord

00:58:51.019 --> 00:58:52.260
 that is our

00:58:52.260 --> 00:58:53.760
 calling tonight

00:58:53.760 --> 00:58:55.600
 hope to

00:58:55.600 --> 00:58:56.560
 come forward

00:58:56.560 --> 00:58:59.160
 and to

00:58:59.160 --> 00:58:59.740
 show to

00:58:59.740 --> 00:59:00.500
 all those

00:59:00.500 --> 00:59:01.360
 around us

00:59:01.360 --> 00:59:02.740
 that we

00:59:02.740 --> 00:59:03.440
 love the

00:59:03.440 --> 00:59:03.920
 one who

00:59:03.920 --> 00:59:04.980
 has interceded

00:59:04.980 --> 00:59:05.760
 on our

00:59:05.760 --> 00:59:06.900
 behalf,

00:59:07.700 --> 00:59:08.520
 the one

00:59:08.520 --> 00:59:09.220
 who tells

00:59:09.220 --> 00:59:10.540
 us that

00:59:10.540 --> 00:59:11.320
 our faith

00:59:11.320 --> 00:59:13.020
 will never

00:59:13.020 --> 00:59:14.720
 fail us.

00:59:15.780 --> 00:59:16.500
 I wonder

00:59:16.500 --> 00:59:16.900
 if you're

00:59:16.900 --> 00:59:17.320
 waiting.

00:59:19.120 --> 00:59:19.800
 Don't

00:59:19.800 --> 00:59:20.200
 wait.

00:59:20.199 --> 00:59:23.279
 there is

00:59:23.279 --> 00:59:23.879
 no perfect

00:59:23.879 --> 00:59:26.219
 time apart

00:59:26.219 --> 00:59:27.000
 from tonight

00:59:27.000 --> 00:59:29.000
 because today

00:59:29.000 --> 00:59:29.779
 friend is a

00:59:29.779 --> 00:59:31.239
 day of

00:59:31.239 --> 00:59:31.659
 obedience.

00:59:31.939 --> 00:59:32.319
 Let's

00:59:32.319 --> 00:59:32.919
 unite our

00:59:32.919 --> 00:59:33.419
 hearts in

00:59:33.419 --> 00:59:33.739
 prayer.

00:59:37.039 --> 00:59:37.939
 We come

00:59:37.939 --> 00:59:38.419
 oh Lord

00:59:38.419 --> 00:59:39.019
 and we

00:59:39.019 --> 00:59:41.339
 praise your

00:59:41.339 --> 00:59:41.899
 name that

00:59:41.899 --> 00:59:42.419
 you've given

00:59:42.419 --> 00:59:43.460
 unto us a

00:59:43.460 --> 00:59:45.159
 mirror in

00:59:45.159 --> 00:59:45.819
 your word

00:59:45.819 --> 00:59:46.619
 whereby we

00:59:46.619 --> 00:59:47.139
 can see

00:59:47.139 --> 00:59:48.179
 ourselves so

00:59:48.179 --> 00:59:48.699
 clearly.

00:59:50.199 --> 00:59:51.339
 but yet

00:59:51.339 --> 00:59:52.299
 often times

00:59:52.299 --> 00:59:54.000
 we neglect

00:59:54.000 --> 00:59:54.739
 to focus

00:59:54.739 --> 00:59:55.319
 on it.

00:59:56.279 --> 00:59:57.259
 We neglect

00:59:57.259 --> 00:59:58.579
 to look

00:59:58.579 --> 00:59:59.019
 into the

00:59:59.019 --> 01:00:00.019
 realities of

01:00:00.019 --> 01:00:00.779
 what we

01:00:00.779 --> 01:00:01.819
 see therein.

01:00:03.399 --> 01:00:03.799
 But yet

01:00:03.799 --> 01:00:04.399
 it is there

01:00:04.399 --> 01:00:05.339
 for us to

01:00:05.339 --> 01:00:07.000
 know that

01:00:07.000 --> 01:00:08.059
 indeed there

01:00:08.059 --> 01:00:08.599
 is nothing

01:00:08.599 --> 01:00:09.399
 new under

01:00:09.399 --> 01:00:10.019
 the sun

01:00:10.019 --> 01:00:11.659
 that you

01:00:11.659 --> 01:00:12.359
 are God

01:00:12.359 --> 01:00:13.739
 and that you

01:00:13.739 --> 01:00:14.579
 have prayed

01:00:14.579 --> 01:00:15.599
 that our

01:00:15.599 --> 01:00:16.739
 faith will

01:00:16.739 --> 01:00:18.239
 not fail

01:00:18.239 --> 01:00:18.460
 us.

01:00:18.539 --> 01:00:19.019
 We thank

01:00:19.019 --> 01:00:19.319
 you oh

01:00:19.319 --> 01:00:20.059
 Lord for

01:00:20.059 --> 01:00:21.219
 that anchor

01:00:21.219 --> 01:00:21.799
 for our

01:00:21.799 --> 01:00:22.739
 soul sure

01:00:22.739 --> 01:00:23.739
 and steadfast

01:00:23.739 --> 01:00:24.759
 that is to

01:00:24.759 --> 01:00:25.440
 be found

01:00:25.440 --> 01:00:26.139
 in you

01:00:26.139 --> 01:00:27.219
 and you

01:00:27.219 --> 01:00:27.699
 alone.

01:00:28.299 --> 01:00:28.519
 And so

01:00:28.519 --> 01:00:29.079
 help us

01:00:29.079 --> 01:00:29.519
 one and

01:00:29.519 --> 01:00:29.940
 all to

01:00:29.940 --> 01:00:30.699
 be strengthened

01:00:30.699 --> 01:00:31.400
 by this

01:00:31.400 --> 01:00:31.940
 as we go

01:00:31.940 --> 01:00:32.539
 forward

01:00:32.539 --> 01:00:33.719
 into this

01:00:33.719 --> 01:00:34.239
 weekend

01:00:34.239 --> 01:00:34.779
 as we

01:00:34.779 --> 01:00:35.739
 perhaps are

01:00:35.739 --> 01:00:36.920
 so aware

01:00:36.920 --> 01:00:37.380
 of our

01:00:37.380 --> 01:00:38.739
 unworthiness

01:00:38.739 --> 01:00:39.299
 to come

01:00:39.299 --> 01:00:39.799
 and sit

01:00:39.799 --> 01:00:40.139
 at your

01:00:40.139 --> 01:00:40.599
 table

01:00:40.599 --> 01:00:41.940
 that we

01:00:41.940 --> 01:00:42.860
 would have

01:00:42.860 --> 01:00:43.519
 one eye

01:00:43.519 --> 01:00:44.739
 at ourselves

01:00:44.739 --> 01:00:46.479
 that we

01:00:46.479 --> 01:00:47.139
 would have

01:00:47.139 --> 01:00:48.719
 our vision

01:00:48.719 --> 01:00:49.779
 set firmly

01:00:49.779 --> 01:00:51.759
 upon you

01:00:51.759 --> 01:00:53.019
 the one

01:00:53.019 --> 01:00:53.539
 who is

01:00:53.539 --> 01:00:54.059
 worthy

01:00:54.059 --> 01:00:55.359
 for worthy

01:00:55.359 --> 01:00:55.739
 is the

01:00:55.739 --> 01:00:56.059
 lamb

01:00:56.059 --> 01:00:56.779
 who takes

01:00:56.779 --> 01:00:57.939
 away the

01:00:57.939 --> 01:00:58.239
 sin

01:00:58.239 --> 01:00:59.299
 of the

01:00:59.299 --> 01:00:59.659
 world.

01:00:59.819 --> 01:01:00.319
 Go with us

01:01:00.319 --> 01:01:00.699
 then we

01:01:00.699 --> 01:01:01.039
 pray.

01:01:01.519 --> 01:01:01.959
 Forgive us

01:01:01.959 --> 01:01:02.559
 for Jesus

01:01:02.559 --> 01:01:03.139
 sake.

01:01:03.479 --> 01:01:03.819
 Amen.

01:01:05.119 --> 01:01:05.479
 Well we're

01:01:05.479 --> 01:01:05.819
 going to

01:01:05.819 --> 01:01:06.239
 conclude

01:01:06.239 --> 01:01:06.759
 friends

01:01:06.759 --> 01:01:07.439
 singing

01:01:07.439 --> 01:01:07.979
 together

01:01:07.980 --> 01:01:08.780
 from

01:01:08.780 --> 01:01:09.860
 Psalm 73

01:01:09.860 --> 01:01:13.179
 in the

01:01:13.179 --> 01:01:13.559
 Scottish

01:01:13.559 --> 01:01:14.179
 Psalter

01:01:14.179 --> 01:01:19.360
 reading

01:01:19.360 --> 01:01:19.579
 at

01:01:19.579 --> 01:01:19.760
 verse

01:01:19.760 --> 01:01:20.780
 25

01:01:20.780 --> 01:01:27.159
 Whom have

01:01:27.159 --> 01:01:27.519
 I in

01:01:27.519 --> 01:01:28.019
 the heavens

01:01:28.019 --> 01:01:28.460
 high

01:01:28.460 --> 01:01:29.179
 but thee

01:01:29.179 --> 01:01:29.860
 O Lord

01:01:29.860 --> 01:01:30.380
 alone

01:01:30.380 --> 01:01:31.440
 and in

01:01:31.440 --> 01:01:31.880
 the earth

01:01:31.880 --> 01:01:32.360
 whom I

01:01:32.360 --> 01:01:32.980
 desire

01:01:32.980 --> 01:01:33.800
 besides

01:01:33.800 --> 01:01:34.179
 thee

01:01:34.179 --> 01:01:34.699
 there is

01:01:34.699 --> 01:01:35.039
 none

01:01:35.039 --> 01:01:36.740
 my flesh

01:01:36.740 --> 01:01:37.420
 and heart

01:01:37.420 --> 01:01:38.059
 doth faint

01:01:38.059 --> 01:01:38.760
 and fail

01:01:38.760 --> 01:01:40.059
 but God

01:01:40.059 --> 01:01:40.780
 doth fail

01:01:40.780 --> 01:01:41.360
 me never

01:01:41.360 --> 01:01:42.840
 for of my

01:01:42.840 --> 01:01:43.280
 heart

01:01:43.280 --> 01:01:44.099
 God is

01:01:44.099 --> 01:01:44.780
 a strength

01:01:44.780 --> 01:01:46.200
 and portion

01:01:46.200 --> 01:01:47.360
 forever

01:01:47.360 --> 01:01:48.920
 for lo

01:01:48.920 --> 01:01:49.500
 they that

01:01:49.500 --> 01:01:50.059
 are far

01:01:50.059 --> 01:01:50.740
 from thee

01:01:50.740 --> 01:01:51.559
 forever

01:01:51.559 --> 01:01:52.180
 perish

01:01:52.180 --> 01:01:52.619
 shall

01:01:52.619 --> 01:01:53.619
 them that

01:01:53.619 --> 01:01:54.119
 are whoring

01:01:54.119 --> 01:01:54.760
 from thee

01:01:54.760 --> 01:01:55.099
 go

01:01:55.099 --> 01:01:56.300
 thou hast

01:01:56.300 --> 01:01:57.340
 destroyed

01:01:57.340 --> 01:01:57.880
 all

01:01:57.880 --> 01:01:59.340
 but surely

01:01:59.340 --> 01:02:00.360
 it is good

01:02:00.360 --> 01:02:01.019
 for me

01:02:01.019 --> 01:02:02.260
 that I

01:02:02.260 --> 01:02:03.079
 draw near

01:02:03.079 --> 01:02:03.780
 to God

01:02:03.780 --> 01:02:05.180
 in God

01:02:05.180 --> 01:02:05.980
 I trust

01:02:05.980 --> 01:02:07.079
 that all

01:02:07.079 --> 01:02:07.799
 thy works

01:02:07.799 --> 01:02:08.980
 I may

01:02:08.980 --> 01:02:10.039
 declare

01:02:10.039 --> 01:02:10.519
 abroad

01:02:10.519 --> 01:02:11.199
 standing to

01:02:11.199 --> 01:02:11.719
 sing these

01:02:11.719 --> 01:02:12.099
 verses

01:02:12.099 --> 01:02:13.039
 to the

01:02:13.039 --> 01:02:13.500
 praise

01:02:13.500 --> 01:02:14.719
 of our

01:02:14.719 --> 01:02:15.119
 Lord

01:02:15.119 --> 01:02:16.099
 that SEMPEVE

01:02:16.099 --> 01:02:19.079
 Him

01:02:19.079 --> 01:02:19.960
 somewhere

01:02:20.839 --> 01:02:21.460
ize

01:02:21.460 --> 01:02:23.859
 in the

01:02:23.859 --> 01:02:24.279
 heavens

01:02:24.279 --> 01:02:25.960
 heaven

01:02:25.960 --> 01:02:27.159
 up

01:02:27.159 --> 01:02:27.579
 but

01:02:27.579 --> 01:02:29.420
 the

01:02:29.420 --> 01:02:30.199
 O

01:02:30.199 --> 01:02:32.480
 Lord

01:02:32.480 --> 01:02:36.420
 alone

01:02:36.420 --> 01:02:37.659
 and

01:02:38.659 --> 01:02:40.039
 in the

01:02:40.039 --> 01:02:41.460
 earth

01:02:41.460 --> 01:02:55.300
 whom I desire besides thee there is none.

01:02:55.300 --> 01:03:06.699
 My flesh and heart, a kingdom here,

01:03:06.699 --> 01:03:15.699
 but God will fail thee never.

01:03:15.699 --> 01:03:26.699
 For, O my God, God is the strength

01:03:26.699 --> 01:03:35.699
 and portion forever.

01:03:36.699 --> 01:03:47.699
 For, Lord, may that our power profit

01:03:47.699 --> 01:03:56.699
 forever perish thou,

01:03:56.699 --> 01:04:07.699
 then that the warring wrongly go,

01:04:07.699 --> 01:04:16.699
 thou hast destroyed all.

01:04:16.699 --> 01:04:27.699
 But surely it is good for me

01:04:27.699 --> 01:04:36.699
 that I draw near to God.

01:04:36.699 --> 01:05:06.699


01:05:06.699 --> 01:05:13.699
 Amen.

01:05:13.699 --> 01:05:15.699
 Amen.

01:05:15.699 --> 01:05:16.699
 Amen.

01:05:16.699 --> 01:05:18.699
 Amen.

01:05:18.699 --> 01:05:20.699
 Amen.

01:05:20.699 --> 01:05:22.699
 Amen.

01:05:22.699 --> 01:05:24.699
 Amen.

01:05:24.699 --> 01:05:26.699
 Amen.

01:05:26.699 --> 01:05:37.699
 Amen.

01:05:37.699 --> 01:05:39.699
 Amen.

01:05:56.699 --> 01:06:26.679
 Thank you.