WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.480 We're going to begin our worship by singing to God's praise in Psalm 1, 00:00:04.459 --> 00:00:09.900 in the Scottish Psalter version, Psalm 1, page 200 of the psalm book, 00:00:10.279 --> 00:00:13.560 and the tune is Argyle. We're going to sing the whole of this psalm. 00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:17.160 That man of perfect blessedness who walketh not astray, 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:20.960 and counsel of ungodly men, nor stands in sinners' way, 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:24.719 nor sitteth in a scorners' chair, but placeth his delight 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:29.120 upon God's law, and meditates on his law day and night. 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:31.839 And then we have the promise that there is growth, 00:00:31.980 --> 00:00:35.420 and that he shall be like the tree that grows near planted by a river, 00:00:35.480 --> 00:00:39.700 which in a season yields his fruit, and his leaf fadeth never. 00:00:39.780 --> 00:00:43.960 We'll sing the whole of this psalm to God's praise, and we stand to sing. 00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:44.960 Amen. 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:03.699 Lord, sing the whole of this psalm. 00:01:03.699 --> 00:01:05.700 Amen. 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:07.700 Amen. 00:01:07.700 --> 00:01:09.700 Amen. 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:11.700 Amen. 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:13.700 Amen. 00:01:13.700 --> 00:01:15.700 Amen. 00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:17.700 Amen. 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:19.700 Amen. 00:01:19.700 --> 00:01:21.700 Amen. 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:23.700 Amen. 00:01:23.700 --> 00:01:31.280 Amen. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:32.280 Amen. 00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:35.120 Amen. 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:40.240 Amen. 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:46.420 Amen. 00:01:46.420 --> 00:01:50.340 Amen. 00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:50.719 Amen. 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:55.200 O day and night, 00:01:55.980 --> 00:01:59.039 each of me 00:01:59.039 --> 00:02:02.760 like a tree 00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:05.959 that grows near 00:02:05.959 --> 00:02:09.680 the day I 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:11.919 are there. 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:13.219 When 00:02:13.219 --> 00:02:15.520 chingles 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:16.919 sing 00:02:16.919 --> 00:02:17.919 some 00:02:17.919 --> 00:02:21.359 years is good 00:02:21.359 --> 00:02:24.079 and is 00:02:24.079 --> 00:02:26.560 refrained 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:27.879 never. 00:02:30.179 --> 00:02:32.479 And what 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:34.560 he does 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:35.579 shall 00:02:35.579 --> 00:02:39.119 prosper well, 00:02:39.119 --> 00:02:40.399 thou 00:02:40.399 --> 00:02:42.119 make it 00:02:42.119 --> 00:02:44.919 I'm not 00:02:44.919 --> 00:02:46.399 so, 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:48.840 but like 00:02:48.840 --> 00:02:51.340 they are 00:02:51.340 --> 00:02:52.840 unto 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:54.719 the 00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:55.939 child 00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:57.200 which 00:02:57.200 --> 00:02:58.560 wind 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:00.200 rise to 00:03:00.200 --> 00:03:01.800 and 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:02.840 roll. 00:03:04.840 --> 00:03:05.560 In 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:07.240 judgment 00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:08.840 therefore 00:03:08.840 --> 00:03:10.840 shall 00:03:10.840 --> 00:03:11.680 and 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:12.400 not 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:13.280 stand 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:14.280 such 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:15.280 as 00:03:15.280 --> 00:03:17.280 the 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:18.280 glory 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:20.280 are, 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:22.280 nor 00:03:22.280 --> 00:03:23.280 in 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:24.280 the 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:25.280 strength 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:27.280 we hope 00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:29.280 the just 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:31.280 shall 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:32.280 bring 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:34.719 in 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:35.719 the 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:36.719 name 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:37.719 appear. 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:38.719 For 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:40.719 why 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:41.719 the 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:43.719 ring 00:03:43.719 --> 00:03:44.599 of 00:03:44.599 --> 00:03:46.240 God 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:46.960 he 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:48.020 may 00:03:48.020 --> 00:03:49.599 unto 00:03:49.599 --> 00:03:50.719 the 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:51.719 Lord 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:53.719 is 00:03:53.719 --> 00:03:54.719 known, 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:55.759 when 00:03:55.759 --> 00:04:10.599 high 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:13.319 it's 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:20.339 Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer. Let us pray. 00:04:23.339 --> 00:04:36.439 Lord, our gracious God, we come before you anew this evening thankful for the very fact that we can call upon your name with that great assurance that as we do, you hear and listen to all our cries. 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:55.180 We thank you, Lord, that no matter what our prayer is, whether it's spoken out loud, whether it's the groaning of our hearts, whether it's even just the sighs that come from us, they are all known to you and they all remind you of all our different needs. 00:04:55.899 --> 00:04:58.980 Nothing is hidden from you and for that we give you thanks, O Lord. 00:04:58.980 --> 00:05:03.740 Lord, we do come acknowledging, Lord, our need of you. 00:05:04.020 --> 00:05:09.379 We thank you that we do not depend on ourselves for anything in this world. 00:05:10.080 --> 00:05:12.939 And we thank you that you provide for us in so many ways. 00:05:13.840 --> 00:05:15.140 We thank you for your word. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:21.140 Even as we have sang in that psalm, we are reminded it's the foundation of our lives. 00:05:21.700 --> 00:05:23.840 It is what gives us strength. 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:26.680 It will give us wisdom and help. 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:29.720 It helps us to flourish and to grow. 00:05:30.620 --> 00:05:36.480 And we thank you that there are so many promises in your word that are our meat day by day. 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:44.819 They are what sustains us, even as we enjoy the many blessings of physical food and water for our bodies. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:51.879 We thank you for your word that is truth to our souls and to our very being and to this world as a whole. 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:57.879 For we live in a world where truth has seen us whatever we want to believe ourselves. 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:01.939 Truth has seen us just individualistic in so many ways. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:04.600 But your truth is so different. 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:06.319 It's our foundation. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:08.040 It's our security. 00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:14.319 And we realize that many will try and reject it and put it away. 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:18.260 Many will try and even ban it from so many different places. 00:06:18.840 --> 00:06:20.900 But yet we thank you that it is powerful. 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:21.760 It is active. 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:23.020 We thank you for every way. 00:06:23.860 --> 00:06:26.900 We are so often reminded of the power of your truth. 00:06:26.899 --> 00:06:39.799 We think of Gideon's, as it were, or the Good News Bibles, and how they have been placed in so many different places around the world and spoken to so many different people in very desperate situations. 00:06:40.419 --> 00:06:46.979 Whether it was in hospital or hotels or just by being handed out and distributed in many different places. 00:06:46.980 --> 00:06:58.200 We thank you that many have opened up your truth, maybe not thinking anything of it, maybe skeptical about it, and yet it is spoken powerfully. 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:01.939 And we thank you that that is true for so many of us here. 00:07:02.620 --> 00:07:07.220 That a word that was just black and white before our eyes for so long. 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:09.580 That you made it alive to us. 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:23.719 By your grace, O Lord, you opened our eyes to see and to hear the wonder of your truth, the wonder of the scriptures, the wonder of the beginning of all things and right through to what is yet to come. 00:07:24.039 --> 00:07:31.019 That we have these great assurances that you made all things, that you are the creator of the heavens and the earth. 00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:34.240 That by your word things were spoken into being. 00:07:34.860 --> 00:07:37.399 Things that people might laugh at and mock today. 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:43.659 And yet it is our great assurance and our great hope that your word is powerful. 00:07:44.299 --> 00:07:48.159 That your word speaks to us even to this day through all that you have made. 00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:54.319 But we thank you that your word, the truth of the gospel, has been given by your spirit. 00:07:54.859 --> 00:08:04.859 As it has been breathed out and as people have written it down, your word, as we have it compiled in the word of God before us. 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:10.540 We thank you how it has been kept, the Old and the New Testament bound together. 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:16.319 All your truth there before us, all that we need for life and for eternity. 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:21.980 And so as we open up your truth, we pray to know your power behind it. 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:25.180 Your power speaking to us anew this evening. 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:31.639 Your power reminding us that these words are so precious now as they have ever been. 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:40.879 And we ask, O Lord, that you will help us to give attention to it and to hear it and to do according as it says. 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:48.419 And we do pray, Lord, that as we sing your praise, as we read from your word and as we come to consider it together, 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:50.240 that you will be in our midst. 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:58.559 That you will bless us not just here, but all who tune in online or who listen at different points in these coming days ahead. 00:08:58.559 --> 00:09:03.619 And we pray that you will be pleased to bless all that we seek to do in your name. 00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:09.099 And we thank you for all your encouragement that you give us, that you are a God who is working, 00:09:09.219 --> 00:09:14.779 that you are one who is calling a people to himself, that you are one who is building his church. 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:19.319 And we know that we have but a small part to play. 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:28.179 And yet your command to us is to be ever faithful, to be ever vigilant, to be a people of prayer and patience with you, 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:30.699 a people looking to you for all things. 00:09:31.459 --> 00:09:35.879 And so we commit all that we do in your name to you at this time. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:41.740 Hear our prayers, O Lord, as we think even of the vacancy as we've spoken about it in the intimation. 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:47.960 And looking for that meeting coming up on the 18th, seeking your help and your guidance, 00:09:48.740 --> 00:09:50.560 seeking your spirit to lead us. 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:53.320 May you give us your will, O Lord. 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:58.860 May you show us your paths and teach us, Lord, the way that you would have us to go. 00:09:59.560 --> 00:10:03.860 We thank you too for the encouragement that we see with our young people 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:08.500 and with all the activities going on with the church. 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:14.580 Lord, we thank you that during the week we see so many people coming and going from this place 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:17.200 and hearing of the wonder of your truth. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:22.519 And we do pray that you will bless every endeavor of reaching out with the gospel. 00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:27.139 We pray for the toddler group as it meets tomorrow. 00:10:27.680 --> 00:10:31.139 We pray for our prayer meetings during the week. 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:37.100 We pray for the explorers groups as they have assumed and the big question Bible study. 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:40.699 We pray for the 55 plus and the Fridays at the Free. 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:48.799 All these are activities, Lord, not just for the sake of it, but for reaching out to those around us, 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:54.240 for showing the love of Christ and the concern that we have for all around us 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:59.139 to come and hear of the wonder of a saviour who is Jesus Christ. 00:10:59.139 --> 00:11:03.000 And we thank you that it's a message that is worth telling, 00:11:03.419 --> 00:11:07.600 telling to all and telling to any who come into our paths. 00:11:08.199 --> 00:11:14.539 And so we pray for courage and boldness to speak of the good news of Jesus. 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:19.819 And we thank you that to all the ends of the earth that this message goes out, 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:24.299 that we see and hear of your people far and wide. 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:27.839 We hear of the persecuted church. 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:31.620 We hear of those who are experiencing great trials and troubles. 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:36.479 And yet, even in the midst of that, we can give thanks and rejoice 00:11:36.479 --> 00:11:42.399 that you are the God who is faithful, the God who is with your people in every circumstance, 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:46.979 that you will build your church through the joyous times, 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:51.340 but also through the great trials and tribulations that this world experiences. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:56.519 And we recognize that we need wisdom in how we pray in these things, 00:11:56.560 --> 00:11:58.019 not just to pray for peace, 00:11:58.680 --> 00:12:01.440 but your word reminds us that again and again, 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:04.659 the church is built through times of persecution, 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:07.420 times of hardship, times of sorrow. 00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:13.740 And we pray, Lord, that the joy of the Lord will be the strength to your people 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:17.579 in all of these circumstances, near and far. 00:12:18.599 --> 00:12:22.519 And we do know, Lord, that there are many who go through so many different trials, 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:26.419 even in our own midst of a people here and in our communities. 00:12:26.419 --> 00:12:29.399 We see so many great needs around us, 00:12:29.459 --> 00:12:32.219 even so many that may be hidden from many. 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:36.040 And yet we hear of so much that goes on around us, 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:39.820 and we despair and weep and mourn in the midst of it. 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:43.080 But we thank you for the power of the gospel, 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:46.040 to reach out, the power of the gospel to heal, 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:50.180 to heal hurting, to heal broken hearts, 00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:54.379 to heal even physically at times those who are unwell. 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:57.759 We thank you for the amazing ways that you are able to restore 00:12:57.759 --> 00:13:00.540 and to heal those who are unwell. 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:06.240 And we know at times, Lord, that we go through periods 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:09.959 when these prayers that we offer maybe aren't answered as we would wish. 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:13.819 But even in the midst of that, we look to our Saviour, 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:20.620 the one who in many ways asked that a cup that was so difficult would pass him by. 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.839 And yet his prayer was, 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:25.679 not my will, but yours be done. 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:30.719 And we pray that as we come to you in all our different needs, 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:33.699 that we would be able to pray that prayer, 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:36.959 not my will, but yours be done. 00:13:37.699 --> 00:13:40.639 And that will also be a prayer that comes from faith, 00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:46.759 because faith helps us to understand the things that we do not understand, 00:13:46.839 --> 00:13:48.039 just naturally. 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:53.379 But it helps us to know that your plans and your ways are beyond ours. 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:56.459 And so we pray, build our hearts up, 00:13:56.719 --> 00:13:59.059 build us up in our faith, strengthen us, Lord, 00:13:59.139 --> 00:14:03.099 and help us to know that you are God, 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:05.219 and that with you on our side, 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:08.399 we have that great hope and that great assurance, 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:09.459 that great comfort. 00:14:10.199 --> 00:14:11.579 So bless us, we pray. 00:14:11.719 --> 00:14:14.500 Continue with us in our worship at this time. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:18.879 Bless all who gather in your name in the same way as we do here, 00:14:19.299 --> 00:14:21.940 whether it's our communion services over this weekend, 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:26.000 or as we gather around your word here, 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:29.200 we pray for your word to be blessed to many. 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:32.440 And in this coming week, that you would go with us into it, Lord, 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:37.460 guide us and help us to go into it prayerfully and looking to you, 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.539 fixing our eyes on Jesus, 00:14:39.940 --> 00:14:42.659 the author, the perfecter of our faith. 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:44.579 And so hear our prayers. 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:48.699 And as we pray, we confess our sins anew before you, Lord, 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:52.120 the sins of what we have done or what we haven't done. 00:14:52.219 --> 00:14:55.159 There are so many things that may trouble our hearts, 00:14:55.299 --> 00:14:58.419 but yet we thank you that with you there is forgiveness. 00:14:58.839 --> 00:15:02.899 So hear us, Lord, and heal us and help us in all our different needs 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:06.500 as we ask all in that precious name above every name, 00:15:06.579 --> 00:15:09.120 the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.939 for his sake and glory. 00:15:10.939 --> 00:15:11.699 Amen. 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:13.100 Amen. 00:15:16.219 --> 00:15:20.699 We're going to continue by singing to God's praise in Psalm 127. 00:15:22.459 --> 00:15:26.459 This is in the Sing Psalms version, page 171. 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:30.620 You can sing the whole of this psalm, and the tune is Evan, 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:36.139 a psalm that reminds us that it is the Lord who builds his house, 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:38.919 and that is what we look to at all times. 00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:42.939 Unless the Lord builds up the house, its builders toil in vain. 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:47.799 Unless he keeps the city safe, they vainly watch maintain. 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:48.799 We'll sing the whole of this psalm. 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:50.359 We'll sing the whole of this psalm. 00:15:50.359 --> 00:15:52.879 To God's praise, we stand to sing. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:59.720 Ameri we have a good yet. 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:14.299 A lamp and aď Mephth Stream. 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:21.120 Blessed is the city safe, 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:26.559 Amen, we watch maintain. 00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:36.779 In vain, we rise before the dawn, 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:41.899 And lay out daily, 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:51.659 That you may time for food to eat, 00:16:51.959 --> 00:16:58.699 The images of one's three. 00:16:58.699 --> 00:17:06.700 Some are a precious heritage, 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:13.700 A blessing from the Lord, 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:22.700 The children that are born to us 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:28.700 Are truly His reward. 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:37.700 Like a rose in the waters, 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:44.700 And our children of what do, 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:53.700 The harvest will offer, 00:17:53.700 --> 00:18:00.700 His blessed high God in truth. 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:10.700 Such men will not be put to shame, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:16.700 That will not be their fate, 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:25.700 When they contemplate their hearts, 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:32.700 Who face them in the name. 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.700 Amen. 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.700 Amen. 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.700 Amen. 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.700 Amen. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.700 Amen. 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.700 Amen. 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:40.700 We'll turn together to read God's word 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.700 In the book of Acts, 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:43.700 The Acts of the Apostles. 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:45.700 We're going to read in chapter 1, 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:48.700 Taking up our reading at verse 12. 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:53.700 Acts chapter 1, 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:56.700 Reading at verse 12. 00:18:56.700 --> 00:19:05.700 You'll find this around page 1095 of the church Bibles. 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:12.700 The Acts of the Apostles begins with the ascension of Jesus as He was taken up into heaven. 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:22.700 But He had given instructions to the disciples that they were to wait in Jerusalem until the promise of the Spirit had come upon them. 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:26.700 And as we read in verse 12, 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:28.700 They've seen Jesus depart from them. 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.700 And then it says, 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:33.700 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:35.700 Which is near Jerusalem, 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:38.700 A Sabbath day's journey away. 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.700 And when they had entered, 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:43.700 They went up to the upper room where they were staying. 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:46.700 Peter and John and James and Andrew, 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:48.700 Philip and Thomas, 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:50.700 Bartholomew and Matthew, 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.700 James, 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:53.700 the son of Alphaeus and Simon, 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.700 the Silat and Judas, 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:56.700 the son of James. 00:19:56.700 --> 00:20:00.700 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:03.700 together with the woman and Mary, 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:06.700 the mother of Jesus and his brothers. 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.700 In those days, 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.700 Peter stood up among the brothers. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:14.700 The company of Persians was in all about 120, 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.700 and said, 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.700 Brothers, 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:18.700 the scripture had to be fulfilled, 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:20.700 which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand, 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:24.700 by the mouth of David concerning Judas, 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:28.700 who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:30.700 For he was numbered among us, 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:34.700 and was allotted his share in this ministry. 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:38.700 Now this man bought a field with reward of his wickedness, 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:40.700 and falling headlong, 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:42.700 he burst open in the middle, 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:44.700 and all his bowels gushed out. 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:47.700 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:50.700 so that the field was called in their language, 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.700 a kildama, 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.700 that is, 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:54.700 field of blood. 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:56.700 For it is written in the book of Psalms, 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:59.700 May his camp become desolate, 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:02.700 and let there be no one to dwell in it. 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:06.700 And let another take his office. 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:09.700 So one of the men who have accompanied us 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:13.700 during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:18.700 beginning with the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us, 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:23.700 one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection. 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:25.700 And they put forward two, 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:28.700 Joseph called Barsabbas, 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:30.700 who was also called Justus, 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:32.700 and Matthias. 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:34.700 And they prayed and said, 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:35.700 You, Lord, 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:37.700 who know the hearts of all, 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:41.700 show which one of these two you have chosen, 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:44.700 to take the place in this ministry an apostleship 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:49.700 from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:51.700 And they cast lots for them, 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:53.700 and the lot fell on Matthias, 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:57.700 and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.700 And so on. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:02.700 And may God bless that reading from his word. 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:05.700 Before we turn back to look at this passage, 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.700 we'll sing again. 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:09.700 This time in Psalm 37 in the Scottish Psalter. 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:13.700 Psalm 37, page 252. 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:17.700 We're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7. 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:35.700 There's a contrast here. 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:38.700 Here, when the psalmist then says in verse 3, 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:41.700 Set thou thy trust upon the Lord, 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:44.700 and be thou doing good. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.700 And then at verse 7 it says, 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:47.700 Rest in the Lord, 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:49.700 and patiently wait for him. 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.700 Do not fret. 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:54.700 So there's great reminders for us in these words. 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:57.700 We're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7, 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:59.700 and the tune is Free Church, 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:01.700 and we'll stand to sing. 00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:21.700 For evil do not fret thou not thyself and quietly, 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:29.700 nor do thou let me dare to those 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:37.700 that work iniquity. 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:46.700 For evil may unto the last 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:52.700 should be cut down shall we, 00:23:52.700 --> 00:24:01.700 And like the green and tender hair, 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:08.700 They will never shine away. 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:17.700 Send thou thy trust upon the Lord, 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.700 And be thou doing good. 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:34.700 And stroll thou in the land shall dwell, 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:40.700 And e'er thee thou food. 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:47.700 Feel like thyself in God, 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:57.700 Feel in thy heart's desire to lead. 00:24:57.700 --> 00:25:01.700 Thy way to God, 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.700 God, 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:06.700 For all of it in trust, 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:11.700 In pain to us shall we. 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:16.700 On thy path unto the light, 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:20.700 He shall thy righteousness display, 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:27.700 And be thy righteousness display, 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:37.700 And be thy judgment shall bring forth, 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:45.700 Thy good tide of the day. 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:50.700 Rest in the Lord, 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:58.700 And patiently wait for Him, 00:25:58.700 --> 00:26:01.700 Do not fret, 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:06.700 For Him will cross, 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:10.700 Sing in history, 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:19.700 May success in sin of death. 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:26.700 We can turn back to a reading in the book of Acts chapter 1, 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:31.700 in this section from verse 12 down to verse 26. 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:43.700 We see the disciples return to Jerusalem along with some others that are in the upper room. 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:45.700 And it says in verse 14, 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:55.700 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer together with the woman and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers. 00:26:55.700 --> 00:27:02.700 There's a lot going on in this section, these verses, verse 12 to verse 26. 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:07.700 Now we want to look at it this evening together under the heading of a faithful fellowship. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:15.700 There's a people who are gathered together faithfully in the name of God and waiting on Him. 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:19.700 And in some ways we're following on from where we were last Sunday evening, 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:24.700 when we thought of that great commission where we are told to go. 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:31.700 The disciples were told to go and make disciples of all nations and the promise of the Lord being with them. 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:35.700 And also what Gordon had this morning in John chapter 20, 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:38.700 kind of just comes just before this as well, 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:45.700 where there was an element of doubt with the disciples and Thomas about what was happening, what was going on. 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:50.700 And in all of these situations, it required the same thing. 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:58.700 It all required the Lord's help and looking to the Lord and trusting the Lord and waiting on the Lord. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:28:00.700 And the Lord gives that. 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:07.700 And there's a reminder to us in the book of Acts from the outset that the Lord will fulfill His promises. 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:12.700 And yet, when you look at the beginning of the book of Acts chapter 1, 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:15.700 and you look at the end of the book of Acts, 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:18.700 if you go right to the very last words of the book, 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:25.700 you see a great transformation has taken place from a small beginning here in Jerusalem 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:28.700 with just a few gathered together in the upper room. 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:33.700 You go to the end of the book and you find this man, Paul, 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:38.700 who was converted amazingly, miraculously, by the grace of God, 00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:42.700 and then who went on missionary journeys throughout so many different places. 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:44.700 You find him in Rome. 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:50.700 And the gospel has spread far and wide through so many different places. 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:54.700 What happened in between? 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:57.700 When you look at from Jerusalem to Rome, what was happening? 00:28:57.700 --> 00:29:01.700 The book is called the Acts of the Apostles. 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:06.700 It was about a people who were taking the word out, but it's more than that. 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:12.700 It's about the Lord who was working, who was building His church. 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:17.700 And He was building it in the midst of a time of concern, a time of worry, 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:21.700 a time of anxiety for the disciples. 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:24.700 They have seen His crucifixion. 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:27.700 They've come to see Him in His resurrection body. 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:30.700 And now it's the beginning of the book of Acts. 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:32.700 They've seen Him ascend to heaven. 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:37.700 And there's all these different things going on. 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:43.700 And here is the humble beginnings of the early New Testament church. 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:48.700 Humble in so many ways when you see a dependence on God. 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:54.700 They were all with one accord, devoting themselves to prayer in verse 14. 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:59.700 But it's so interesting that it mentions the names in verse 13. 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:02.700 It names who was there. 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:05.700 The disciples are named. 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:08.700 So this was just a small group. 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:17.700 And it doesn't seem like the beginning of something remarkable, something amazing that's going to take place. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:23.700 That this is going to be the beginning of the New Testament church that's going to go out into all ends of the earth. 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:26.700 It seems unremarkable in so many ways. 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:28.700 Just a small group. 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:33.700 It doesn't seem like much could come from this place. 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:35.700 And yet God was in their midst. 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:38.700 God was working powerfully. 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:40.700 And He was going to use His church. 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:43.700 Going to use His people. 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:52.700 And we see here where faith and trust among a faithful fellowship can make so much difference. 00:30:52.700 --> 00:31:04.700 Though there were few, God had a plan to build them up and to lead them into greater things. 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:09.700 And if we look at ourselves tonight, we might think of ourselves. 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:13.700 We may be not a small group as we would name one another of everybody's here. 00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:18.700 But it wouldn't take us too long, I'm sure, to gather the names of everybody here. 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:23.700 And you look at this list of who is here tonight and you think, we're not that big a group. 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:29.700 We may be bigger than some congregations, but we're still not that big in size. 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:31.700 And what can we do? 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:32.700 What can we achieve? 00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:34.700 Where do we start? 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:37.700 These are often the questions that we ask. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:39.700 What can we do? 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:45.700 Well, we look at ourselves and we say, it's not about us. 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:48.700 It's about God who is with us. 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:52.700 And we think of our own situation just now, a time of vacancy. 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:54.700 It's always a strange time. 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:59.700 And I'm kind of just touching on it this evening because I find it's a strange time for myself. 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:02.700 I've never been in a vacant congregation before. 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:07.700 As a member and as a minister, you're not normally in a vacant congregation. 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.700 This is different. 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:12.700 There is a vacancy in the congregation. 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:15.700 So it's a strange time and we're wondering where we're going. 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:17.700 We wonder what direction we might go in. 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:20.700 But the Lord has a plan. 00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:27.700 And what's important for us is as we see in this section is that we stick to the Lord's plan. 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:37.700 That we look at things in his perspective and not just our own desires, but we seek his will. 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:39.700 That's the key. 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:42.700 We seek his will. 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:51.700 When I was in school, I remember we were always told about safety and the Green Cross Code. 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:57.700 I remember hearing it in primary school and I'm sure to this day that it's a message that's still put out there into schools. 00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:58.700 And we all hear it. 00:32:58.700 --> 00:33:00.700 Maybe we remember it ourselves. 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:04.700 These key steps of what we do with the Green Cross Code. 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:08.700 We stop, we look, and we listen. 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:10.700 That's for our own safety. 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:12.700 It's for our own protection. 00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:17.700 Well, it's these kinds of lessons I want us to think about together this evening from this passage. 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:21.700 For our own good, for our own safety, for the glory of God. 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:27.700 That we are to be a people who stop, who look, and who listen. 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:32.700 And that's really what we see of the church here in the book of Acts. 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:36.700 They stop, they look, and they listen. 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:43.700 And so we're going to look at these three headings and see what it says to us from this passage. 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:48.700 Stop, look, and listen. 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:52.700 First of all we see is stop. 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:59.700 What we find here is that before Jesus left them, he gave them a command. 00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:03.700 They weren't just returning to Jerusalem blindly. 00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:06.700 They weren't returning to do their own thing. 00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:10.699 They were going back to Jerusalem because they had been told. 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:14.699 They had been told to stop and to wait there. 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:19.699 In verse 4, you see there Jesus speaking to them. 00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:32.699 While staying with them, he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which he said, you have heard, you heard from me. 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:35.699 They were given instruction. 00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:41.699 And you can almost say in many ways this was a testing time for them. 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:42.699 Would they listen? 00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:43.699 Would they wait? 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:45.699 Would they stop in this way? 00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:49.699 Or would they go and do their own thing? 00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:54.699 You look at those who are named there in the upper room. 00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:58.699 The first name on the list is Peter. 00:34:58.699 --> 00:35:08.699 And Peter, whenever you look at Peter, you find the one who was so often impulsive, who would go and do things, maybe his own way sometimes. 00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:19.699 But you see him here and you think to yourself, well, is this another time where we're going to see Peter maybe decide to lead them in a different direction, to tell them to do something differently. 00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:21.699 He was known for vast decisions. 00:35:21.699 --> 00:35:29.699 It's maybe not fair, though, because it was a genuine love for the Lord that so often made him impulsive. 00:35:29.699 --> 00:35:33.699 He wasn't one who would really want to sit and wait and stop. 00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:34.699 He was a doer. 00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:39.699 He was one who would go and one who would lead in so many different ways. 00:35:39.699 --> 00:35:40.699 But you find him here. 00:35:40.699 --> 00:35:42.699 He is stopping. 00:35:42.699 --> 00:35:45.699 And with him are others. 00:35:45.699 --> 00:35:46.699 And they're waiting. 00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:48.699 They're waiting. 00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:55.699 And they're learning that it is better to seek the Lord's will rather than their own. 00:35:55.699 --> 00:35:59.699 And isn't that true for us as well? 00:35:59.699 --> 00:36:04.699 How often in our lives do we have to learn these things again and again? 00:36:04.699 --> 00:36:06.699 We take things into our own hands. 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:09.699 We decide ourselves what we're going to do. 00:36:09.699 --> 00:36:10.699 And we find we've been impulsive. 00:36:10.699 --> 00:36:13.699 We've made a rash decision. 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:17.699 And we have to come back and say, Lord, I wasn't patient. 00:36:17.699 --> 00:36:19.699 I didn't stop. 00:36:19.699 --> 00:36:20.699 I didn't listen. 00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:24.699 I need you to re-guide me. 00:36:24.699 --> 00:36:29.699 And just imagine what it was like for this group of believers. 00:36:29.699 --> 00:36:36.699 It's hard to enter into their experience at this point where they've seen the crucifixion. 00:36:36.699 --> 00:36:38.699 They've been with the Lord. 00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:42.699 They've seen his ministry for three years in their midst. 00:36:42.699 --> 00:36:45.699 The amazing miracles he performed. 00:36:45.699 --> 00:36:46.699 The preaching. 00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:48.699 The teaching that he gave them. 00:36:48.699 --> 00:36:51.699 They've seen all this and now he's been crucified. 00:36:51.699 --> 00:36:54.699 And then comes the amazing news. 00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:56.699 He's risen. 00:36:56.699 --> 00:36:58.699 He's not dead. 00:36:58.699 --> 00:36:59.699 He is risen. 00:36:59.699 --> 00:37:01.699 And they've met with him. 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:05.699 And now they've just witnessed his ascension. 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:09.699 And they're being told that there's more to come. 00:37:09.699 --> 00:37:18.699 There is a day coming when the Lord will pour out his spirit upon you and you are to stop and to wait for that. 00:37:18.699 --> 00:37:21.699 There's so many mixed emotions. 00:37:21.699 --> 00:37:23.699 What's this going to mean? 00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:25.699 What's it going to look like? 00:37:25.699 --> 00:37:27.699 What's it going to do for us? 00:37:27.699 --> 00:37:30.699 How long will we have to wait? 00:37:30.699 --> 00:37:32.699 And yet there's this waiting. 00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:36.699 There's this stopping before God. 00:37:36.699 --> 00:37:41.699 They're waiting for God's promise to be fulfilled. 00:37:41.699 --> 00:37:45.699 And they're praying in the midst of it. 00:37:45.699 --> 00:37:51.699 And this stopping just shows that they are trusting God. 00:37:52.699 --> 00:37:57.699 Trusting God that he will prosper them in his time. 00:37:59.699 --> 00:38:01.699 Are we waiting in this way? 00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:04.699 Are we stopping with God at this time ourselves? 00:38:04.699 --> 00:38:07.699 Are we looking to him? 00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:10.699 Are we waiting for the same thing that they were? 00:38:10.699 --> 00:38:15.699 No, we're not waiting for the Holy Spirit to be poured out. 00:38:15.699 --> 00:38:16.699 That has come. 00:38:16.699 --> 00:38:18.699 The day of Pentecost has been. 00:38:18.699 --> 00:38:21.699 The Spirit has been poured out on the church of God. 00:38:22.699 --> 00:38:25.699 Are we waiting for the command to go? 00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:29.699 No, we're not waiting for that either because that has been given. 00:38:29.699 --> 00:38:31.699 We looked at it last week. 00:38:31.699 --> 00:38:33.699 Go and make disciples of all nations. 00:38:33.699 --> 00:38:35.699 The command is there for us. 00:38:35.699 --> 00:38:38.699 So what do we wait for today? 00:38:38.699 --> 00:38:42.699 What do we stop and look to God for today? 00:38:42.699 --> 00:38:47.699 Well, in many ways, we're all looking to God for his help. 00:38:48.699 --> 00:38:52.699 We're looking for God to work in our midst. 00:38:52.699 --> 00:38:55.699 Like we sang in Psalm 127, 00:38:55.699 --> 00:39:01.699 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders build in vain. 00:39:01.699 --> 00:39:02.699 We are waiting. 00:39:02.699 --> 00:39:06.699 We are looking to God to build in our midst. 00:39:06.699 --> 00:39:10.699 We are waiting and looking to God to answer prayer. 00:39:10.699 --> 00:39:12.699 To answer prayer. 00:39:12.699 --> 00:39:14.699 Maybe that we've offered up again and again. 00:39:14.699 --> 00:39:19.699 Or maybe a prayer we've offered up so long ago and it seems unanswered. 00:39:19.699 --> 00:39:21.699 And yet we are to wait on God. 00:39:22.699 --> 00:39:24.699 To stop before God. 00:39:24.699 --> 00:39:28.699 It's not about taking action ourselves, but to look to him. 00:39:28.699 --> 00:39:33.699 To wait on him working by the power of his spirit in our midst. 00:39:33.699 --> 00:39:36.699 We look to that. 00:39:36.699 --> 00:39:38.699 But we look to it in hope. 00:39:38.699 --> 00:39:41.699 We look to it in anticipation. 00:39:41.699 --> 00:39:43.699 All these things can be difficult. 00:39:43.699 --> 00:39:45.699 It can test our patience. 00:39:46.699 --> 00:39:48.699 But we trust. 00:39:48.699 --> 00:39:53.699 We are to trust God in the same way that they did here. 00:39:53.699 --> 00:39:56.699 Waiting can seem an inconvenience. 00:39:56.699 --> 00:39:58.699 It can be frustrating. 00:39:58.699 --> 00:40:01.699 You think just even of the last couple of days. 00:40:01.699 --> 00:40:05.699 And people who have been trying to either fly off the island or fly into the island. 00:40:05.699 --> 00:40:07.699 Waiting at an airport. 00:40:07.699 --> 00:40:08.699 Waiting. 00:40:08.699 --> 00:40:11.699 Watching the fog that just doesn't seem to want to clear. 00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:13.699 Flights being cancelled. 00:40:13.699 --> 00:40:15.699 The frustration of it. 00:40:15.699 --> 00:40:18.699 There can be so much frustration in waiting. 00:40:18.699 --> 00:40:19.699 Waiting. 00:40:19.699 --> 00:40:22.699 And yet to just try and go and fly in the fog would be dangerous. 00:40:22.699 --> 00:40:24.699 It would make no sense. 00:40:24.699 --> 00:40:26.699 You have to stop. 00:40:27.699 --> 00:40:30.699 And sometimes with God we just have to say, 00:40:30.699 --> 00:40:33.699 It is not for us to go. 00:40:33.699 --> 00:40:38.699 It is for us to stop until you show us the way. 00:40:38.699 --> 00:40:41.699 So we stop. 00:40:41.699 --> 00:40:43.699 And we wait on God. 00:40:43.699 --> 00:40:45.699 That is what they were doing here. 00:40:45.699 --> 00:40:47.699 But the second thing we see is, 00:40:47.699 --> 00:40:49.699 They look. 00:40:49.699 --> 00:40:50.699 They look. 00:40:50.699 --> 00:40:51.699 Stop. 00:40:51.699 --> 00:40:52.699 Look. 00:40:52.699 --> 00:40:58.699 And if you want to know if Peter has learned through experience or not, 00:40:58.699 --> 00:41:01.699 You see it here in verse 15. 00:41:01.699 --> 00:41:05.699 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers. 00:41:05.699 --> 00:41:08.699 He stood up. 00:41:08.699 --> 00:41:11.699 Not just to give his own thoughts, 00:41:11.699 --> 00:41:13.699 His own words into this situation. 00:41:13.699 --> 00:41:17.699 He stood up with the word of God. 00:41:17.699 --> 00:41:19.699 He says in verse 16, 00:41:19.699 --> 00:41:24.699 Brothers, the scriptures had to be fulfilled. 00:41:24.699 --> 00:41:29.699 They are looking to the word of God. 00:41:29.699 --> 00:41:32.699 Looking to see what does the word of God tell us? 00:41:32.699 --> 00:41:34.699 What does it teach us? 00:41:34.699 --> 00:41:37.699 It is in the word of God that we read, 00:41:37.699 --> 00:41:40.699 There is nothing new under the sun. 00:41:40.699 --> 00:41:42.699 In Ecclesiastes. 00:41:42.699 --> 00:41:49.699 It is in the word of God that we read that the Lord will hear the cries of his people. 00:41:49.699 --> 00:41:53.699 It is in the word of God that we see so many of his promises. 00:41:53.699 --> 00:41:54.699 So it is the best. 00:41:54.699 --> 00:41:59.699 It is the greatest place to turn and to look to as we seek the Lord's will. 00:41:59.699 --> 00:42:05.699 It is scripture that guides us at all times. 00:42:05.699 --> 00:42:07.699 And as somebody once said, 00:42:07.699 --> 00:42:09.699 If you are looking at the word of God, 00:42:09.699 --> 00:42:11.699 A good question to ask is, 00:42:11.699 --> 00:42:13.699 Or a few different questions to ask is, 00:42:13.699 --> 00:42:17.699 Why did the author include this material at this point? 00:42:17.699 --> 00:42:21.699 What is his line of reasoning? 00:42:21.699 --> 00:42:25.699 What is his purpose? 00:42:25.699 --> 00:42:29.699 What does God want us to know? 00:42:29.699 --> 00:42:31.699 So as you are looking at God's word, 00:42:31.699 --> 00:42:36.699 You can have all these kinds of questions as you are turning to see what it is saying to us. 00:42:36.699 --> 00:42:38.699 What is the reasoning here? 00:42:38.699 --> 00:42:41.699 What is the purpose of what we are reading here? 00:42:41.699 --> 00:42:44.699 What does God want us to know? 00:42:44.699 --> 00:42:48.699 And as you apply that to looking at God's word here, 00:42:48.699 --> 00:42:53.699 And as you see Peter stand in their midst and open up the word of God to them, 00:42:53.699 --> 00:42:55.699 You see the purpose. 00:42:55.699 --> 00:42:57.699 You see the reasoning behind it. 00:42:57.699 --> 00:43:06.699 And it is all reminding the people that God has had a plan and a purpose in all of this long ago. 00:43:06.699 --> 00:43:08.699 The scripture had to be fulfilled, 00:43:08.699 --> 00:43:16.699 Which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas. 00:43:16.699 --> 00:43:22.699 Now David and Judas are hundreds of years apart in the Psalms. 00:43:22.699 --> 00:43:29.699 And in David, what we read of David, you find that so much of it is looking ahead hundreds of years. 00:43:29.699 --> 00:43:35.699 And yet it is God's will that is always being worked out. 00:43:35.699 --> 00:43:41.699 And as they look to the word of God, and as we look to the word of God, 00:43:41.699 --> 00:43:46.699 What we find is the word of God is giving us warnings, it's giving us guidance, 00:43:46.699 --> 00:43:50.699 It's giving us encouragement at every step of the way. 00:43:50.699 --> 00:43:58.699 Just think of the Psalms of David that we sing so often that we know so many of them. 00:43:58.699 --> 00:44:01.699 And just what they are saying to us. 00:44:01.699 --> 00:44:05.699 And you think it is warning us of Judas. 00:44:05.699 --> 00:44:10.699 It is warning them of Judas and turning away from the Lord. 00:44:10.699 --> 00:44:14.699 And the Psalms speak of a saviour who was coming. 00:44:14.699 --> 00:44:18.699 It speaks of the one who would ascend, who would rise from the grave. 00:44:18.699 --> 00:44:23.699 It speaks of all of these things and the wonder of it. 00:44:23.699 --> 00:44:29.699 And so as they were gathered together, they studied the word of God together here. 00:44:29.699 --> 00:44:33.699 There were a faithful fellowship around the word of God. 00:44:33.699 --> 00:44:39.699 Gordon, he mentioned that this morning as well about the need to be together. 00:44:39.699 --> 00:44:45.699 We need a time away by ourselves, but that's not to be our pattern. 00:44:45.699 --> 00:44:50.699 Our pattern is to be together around the word of God. 00:44:50.699 --> 00:44:55.699 And what you notice here is that although there's a small beginning here, 00:44:55.699 --> 00:45:00.699 And although they're still waiting in many ways on what's to come, 00:45:00.699 --> 00:45:02.699 The church is growing. 00:45:02.699 --> 00:45:06.699 They are still seeing the church growing. 00:45:06.699 --> 00:45:14.699 It goes from them being named in the earlier verses in verse 13 to verse 15. 00:45:14.699 --> 00:45:19.699 We're seeing there there's a company of persons that was about 120. 00:45:19.699 --> 00:45:23.699 Now we know numbers aren't important. 00:45:23.699 --> 00:45:29.699 And yet in the early chapters of the book of Acts, you see this growth coming in. 00:45:29.699 --> 00:45:31.699 They're named. 00:45:31.699 --> 00:45:33.699 Then there's 120. 00:45:33.699 --> 00:45:43.699 And before you know it, there's thousands being added to the number being saved right in the very early chapters of the book of Acts. 00:45:43.699 --> 00:45:52.699 And what you're seeing is that God is never abandoning his work or abandoning his people. 00:45:52.699 --> 00:45:55.699 The work of the Lord never stops. 00:45:55.699 --> 00:46:00.699 And so as we look to the word of God in these days, 00:46:00.699 --> 00:46:04.699 In a time of vacancy, although it's a time of change, 00:46:04.699 --> 00:46:06.699 It's not a time of stagnation. 00:46:06.699 --> 00:46:09.699 It's not a time of going backwards. 00:46:09.699 --> 00:46:11.699 It's still the same. 00:46:11.699 --> 00:46:15.699 We're looking to God to build his church. 00:46:15.699 --> 00:46:18.699 And so that as we look to the word of God, 00:46:18.699 --> 00:46:21.699 We see that through the Old and the New Testament, 00:46:21.699 --> 00:46:25.699 There are so many examples to us of the way God works. 00:46:25.699 --> 00:46:31.699 You think of the life of David and how God used him in so many ways. 00:46:31.699 --> 00:46:37.699 You think of Judas and the warning that gives to us of turning away from God. 00:46:37.699 --> 00:46:40.699 You think of Peter himself. 00:46:40.699 --> 00:46:46.699 Like so many of us, we can be glowing hot and cold in different ways and different directions. 00:46:46.699 --> 00:46:49.699 And yet Jesus said to him, 00:46:49.699 --> 00:46:53.699 Peter, you're the rock on which I will build my church. 00:46:53.699 --> 00:46:56.699 You think of Esther in the Old Testament, 00:46:56.699 --> 00:46:59.699 Who says for such a time as this, 00:46:59.699 --> 00:47:05.699 She was there among God's people to work in an amazing way. 00:47:05.699 --> 00:47:11.699 You think of Ruth and how she saw the amazing ways of God working. 00:47:11.699 --> 00:47:17.699 There are so many examples of trust and obedience and looking to God, 00:47:17.699 --> 00:47:21.699 As well as the ones who failed in different ways as well. 00:47:21.699 --> 00:47:24.699 All of which we learn from. 00:47:24.699 --> 00:47:27.699 There are examples of churches. 00:47:27.699 --> 00:47:30.699 As Paul wrote in the New Testament, 00:47:30.699 --> 00:47:33.699 Whether it's to Galatia or Ephesus or Corinth. 00:47:33.699 --> 00:47:35.699 So many different churches. 00:47:35.699 --> 00:47:39.699 The churches that we read of, the seven churches in the book of Revelation. 00:47:39.699 --> 00:47:41.699 We learn so much. 00:47:41.699 --> 00:47:44.699 Where there's warnings and encouragements given. 00:47:44.699 --> 00:47:45.699 Where they've gone wrong. 00:47:45.699 --> 00:47:47.699 What they did right. 00:47:47.699 --> 00:47:51.699 And we learn from the word of God. 00:47:51.699 --> 00:47:53.699 Somebody once said, 00:47:53.699 --> 00:47:57.699 A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. 00:47:57.699 --> 00:48:02.699 Because nobody lives long enough to make them all himself. 00:48:02.699 --> 00:48:07.699 We all make mistakes. 00:48:07.699 --> 00:48:13.699 But we look to the mistakes of others and learn from them. 00:48:13.699 --> 00:48:19.699 And that all comes by looking to the word of God. 00:48:19.699 --> 00:48:24.699 And so at this time we also have a need to look at ourselves. 00:48:24.699 --> 00:48:26.699 To examine ourselves. 00:48:26.699 --> 00:48:28.699 And even examine others around us. 00:48:28.699 --> 00:48:31.699 Whether it's individuals or churches. 00:48:31.699 --> 00:48:36.699 We can learn whether it's to heed warnings where mistakes have been made. 00:48:36.699 --> 00:48:39.699 Or to see a need to change where we can do better. 00:48:39.699 --> 00:48:43.699 It's a time for looking. 00:48:43.699 --> 00:48:46.699 It's a time for learning. 00:48:46.699 --> 00:48:48.699 Days of waiting. 00:48:48.699 --> 00:48:49.699 Days of vacancy. 00:48:49.699 --> 00:48:52.699 They're not days where we do nothing. 00:48:52.699 --> 00:48:56.699 It's days where we are to be a faithful fellowship. 00:48:56.699 --> 00:49:02.699 It's days where we are to look to God and to trust in Him. 00:49:02.699 --> 00:49:07.699 That His word gives us so much that we need to go forward. 00:49:07.699 --> 00:49:12.699 To continue to grow and to learn together. 00:49:12.699 --> 00:49:14.699 So we are to stop. 00:49:14.699 --> 00:49:18.699 We are to look at the word of God. 00:49:18.699 --> 00:49:21.699 And then thirdly and finally, we are to listen. 00:49:21.699 --> 00:49:26.699 We are to listen to what the Lord is saying to us. 00:49:26.699 --> 00:49:31.699 We are not just to be hearers of the word. 00:49:31.699 --> 00:49:33.699 We are to be doers. 00:49:33.699 --> 00:49:41.699 And that's very much what we see as Peter teaches here about Judas and his fall away. 00:49:41.699 --> 00:49:45.699 But also as he's saying here of the need to replace him. 00:49:45.699 --> 00:49:51.699 Just because they were waiting didn't mean that there was nothing to be done. 00:49:51.699 --> 00:49:56.699 There was still work to be done. 00:49:56.699 --> 00:49:58.699 And what did they do? 00:49:58.699 --> 00:50:03.699 Well, you see that in this chapter and in the early chapters here, 00:50:03.699 --> 00:50:10.699 they were very much a faithful fellowship focused around praying and organizing themselves. 00:50:11.699 --> 00:50:16.699 Preparing themselves for this time when the Spirit was going to be poured out. 00:50:16.699 --> 00:50:22.699 They knew it was coming and they prepared themselves in it. 00:50:22.699 --> 00:50:29.699 And as we have time, as we stop, as we look, we are to be a people who listen. 00:50:29.699 --> 00:50:32.699 It wasn't in activity. 00:50:32.699 --> 00:50:34.699 It wasn't just sitting still. 00:50:34.699 --> 00:50:38.699 This waiting on God was an active waiting. 00:50:38.699 --> 00:50:44.699 And Peter stands up as he does and he guides them. 00:50:44.699 --> 00:50:48.699 He helps them along the way and he encourages them. 00:50:48.699 --> 00:50:51.699 And you see these two things stand out. 00:50:52.699 --> 00:50:55.699 Praying and organizing. 00:50:55.699 --> 00:51:01.699 And as a church, these are two things that we should always be looking at for ourselves. 00:51:01.699 --> 00:51:05.699 A praying people and an organizing people. 00:51:05.699 --> 00:51:07.699 A people with a vision. 00:51:07.699 --> 00:51:09.699 A people with a plan. 00:51:09.699 --> 00:51:19.699 A people who are looking to the way ahead as being actively engaged in the ministry and the work of the Lord. 00:51:19.699 --> 00:51:26.699 And the Lord was showing them here through his word just what they were to do. 00:51:26.699 --> 00:51:28.699 And it's nothing new. 00:51:28.699 --> 00:51:32.699 It's what you see throughout the scriptures. 00:51:32.699 --> 00:51:35.699 If you go back to the days of the Exodus. 00:51:35.699 --> 00:51:38.699 In the book of Exodus chapter 2. 00:51:38.699 --> 00:51:44.699 As God was about to lead his people out of Egypt in amazing ways. 00:51:44.699 --> 00:51:47.699 Where they had seen this change that had come in. 00:51:47.699 --> 00:51:49.699 And they were put under harsh labor. 00:51:49.699 --> 00:51:53.699 And they thought God has forgotten about us. 00:51:53.699 --> 00:51:56.699 In chapter 2 of Exodus verse 23 it says. 00:51:56.699 --> 00:52:00.699 During those many days the king of Egypt died. 00:52:00.699 --> 00:52:06.699 And the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. 00:52:06.699 --> 00:52:10.699 Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 00:52:10.699 --> 00:52:12.699 And God heard their groaning. 00:52:12.699 --> 00:52:16.699 And God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 00:52:16.699 --> 00:52:19.699 God saw the people of Israel. 00:52:19.699 --> 00:52:21.699 And God knew. 00:52:21.699 --> 00:52:23.699 God knew. 00:52:23.699 --> 00:52:24.699 God knew. 00:52:24.699 --> 00:52:27.699 God knew what had to be done. 00:52:27.699 --> 00:52:31.699 God had a plan for what was about to take place. 00:52:31.699 --> 00:52:34.699 Matthew Henry writing on these verses. 00:52:34.699 --> 00:52:36.699 The commentator Matthew Henry says. 00:52:36.699 --> 00:52:39.699 Before God unbound them. 00:52:39.699 --> 00:52:43.699 He put it into their hearts to cry out to him. 00:52:43.699 --> 00:52:45.699 Before he unbound them. 00:52:45.699 --> 00:52:49.699 He put it into their hearts to cry unto him. 00:52:49.699 --> 00:52:53.699 And there's so much in that for us as well. 00:52:53.699 --> 00:52:58.699 How God puts it into our hearts to cry out for help. 00:52:58.699 --> 00:53:01.699 Whether it's individuals. 00:53:01.699 --> 00:53:05.699 Whether it's seeing our sin and our need of a savior. 00:53:05.699 --> 00:53:07.699 Before he unbounds us. 00:53:07.699 --> 00:53:11.699 He puts it into our hearts to cry to him for help. 00:53:11.699 --> 00:53:15.699 But also collectively as well. 00:53:15.699 --> 00:53:17.699 It's what we need to do ourselves. 00:53:17.699 --> 00:53:20.699 Before God shows us his way. 00:53:20.699 --> 00:53:21.699 Shows us his will. 00:53:21.699 --> 00:53:26.699 He puts it into our hearts to cry out to him. 00:53:26.699 --> 00:53:30.699 And that's what you see as the people are gathered here. 00:53:30.699 --> 00:53:34.699 As you go down to verse 24. 00:53:34.699 --> 00:53:35.699 Remember. 00:53:35.699 --> 00:53:37.699 They prayed. 00:53:37.699 --> 00:53:38.699 They prayed. 00:53:38.699 --> 00:53:39.699 They cried to God. 00:53:39.699 --> 00:53:43.699 They were seeking someone to replace Judas. 00:53:43.699 --> 00:53:45.699 They didn't know who. 00:53:45.699 --> 00:53:48.699 And so they prayed. 00:53:48.699 --> 00:53:49.699 They prayed. 00:53:49.699 --> 00:53:54.699 Prayer shows their dependence on God. 00:53:54.699 --> 00:53:59.699 And as we think of our own time of vacancy. 00:53:59.699 --> 00:54:02.699 Are we not dependent on God? 00:54:02.699 --> 00:54:06.699 We don't know which way to go. 00:54:06.699 --> 00:54:07.699 Of ourselves. 00:54:07.699 --> 00:54:08.699 We'll have our own ideas. 00:54:08.699 --> 00:54:10.699 But we don't know which way to go. 00:54:11.699 --> 00:54:14.699 We pray to God. 00:54:15.699 --> 00:54:16.699 And so. 00:54:16.699 --> 00:54:18.699 Whenever we are gathered. 00:54:18.699 --> 00:54:20.699 Whether it's on the Lord's day. 00:54:20.699 --> 00:54:22.699 For our worship here. 00:54:22.699 --> 00:54:24.699 We pray for God's help. 00:54:24.699 --> 00:54:28.699 But maybe especially as we gather in times of our prayer meetings. 00:54:28.699 --> 00:54:30.699 Whether it's on Wednesday or a Saturday. 00:54:30.699 --> 00:54:32.699 Or whenever it is. 00:54:32.699 --> 00:54:35.699 Our prayer is to the Lord. 00:54:35.699 --> 00:54:37.699 For guidance. 00:54:37.699 --> 00:54:39.699 And for help. 00:54:39.699 --> 00:54:42.699 And to listen to God. 00:54:42.699 --> 00:54:44.699 When you look at these verses. 00:54:44.699 --> 00:54:47.699 Verse 24 and 25. 00:54:47.699 --> 00:54:48.699 They said. 00:54:48.699 --> 00:54:50.699 In verse 24. 00:54:50.699 --> 00:54:52.699 And they prayed and said. 00:54:52.699 --> 00:54:53.699 You Lord. 00:54:53.699 --> 00:54:56.699 Who know the hearts of all. 00:54:56.699 --> 00:54:57.699 Show. 00:54:57.699 --> 00:54:59.699 Which one of these two. 00:54:59.699 --> 00:55:02.699 You have chosen to take the place. 00:55:02.699 --> 00:55:04.699 In this ministry. 00:55:05.699 --> 00:55:09.699 There's two things to notice here. 00:55:09.699 --> 00:55:11.699 When it speaks in these verses. 00:55:11.699 --> 00:55:13.699 You Lord. 00:55:13.699 --> 00:55:15.699 Who know the hearts. 00:55:15.699 --> 00:55:17.699 Of everyone. 00:55:17.699 --> 00:55:22.699 When you look at that word. 00:55:22.699 --> 00:55:24.699 It takes you back. 00:55:24.699 --> 00:55:25.699 To Samuel. 00:55:25.699 --> 00:55:27.699 When they were trying. 00:55:27.699 --> 00:55:29.699 To choose someone. 00:55:29.699 --> 00:55:31.699 To go with the people there. 00:55:31.699 --> 00:55:33.699 And it says in Samuel. 00:55:33.699 --> 00:55:34.699 I can't remember the verse just now. 00:55:34.699 --> 00:55:36.699 But it says in Samuel. 00:55:36.699 --> 00:55:38.699 That man looks on the outside. 00:55:38.699 --> 00:55:42.699 But God looks on the heart. 00:55:42.699 --> 00:55:43.699 God knew. 00:55:43.699 --> 00:55:46.699 Who would be chosen then. 00:55:46.699 --> 00:55:47.699 And he knew. 00:55:47.699 --> 00:55:48.699 Who would be chosen here. 00:55:48.699 --> 00:55:49.699 Because God looks. 00:55:49.699 --> 00:55:51.699 On the heart. 00:55:52.699 --> 00:55:54.699 And we think of our own hearts. 00:55:55.699 --> 00:55:57.699 And we think that we know. 00:55:58.699 --> 00:56:00.699 We think that we have. 00:56:00.699 --> 00:56:01.699 Maybe the right person. 00:56:02.699 --> 00:56:03.699 In mind. 00:56:04.699 --> 00:56:06.699 But imagine if every one of us. 00:56:06.699 --> 00:56:07.699 Got our own way. 00:56:07.699 --> 00:56:09.699 How many. 00:56:09.699 --> 00:56:10.699 New ministers. 00:56:10.699 --> 00:56:11.699 Would we have here. 00:56:11.699 --> 00:56:15.699 It would be more than one. 00:56:16.699 --> 00:56:17.699 We need to build. 00:56:17.699 --> 00:56:18.699 New mansions. 00:56:18.699 --> 00:56:19.699 To accommodate. 00:56:19.699 --> 00:56:20.699 Our own desires. 00:56:20.699 --> 00:56:21.699 Of who. 00:56:21.699 --> 00:56:22.699 We would want. 00:56:22.699 --> 00:56:24.699 And that's why. 00:56:24.699 --> 00:56:27.699 We need a faithful fellowship. 00:56:27.699 --> 00:56:28.699 To listen. 00:56:28.699 --> 00:56:29.699 To God. 00:56:30.699 --> 00:56:31.699 They prayed. 00:56:32.699 --> 00:56:33.699 And they said. 00:56:33.699 --> 00:56:34.699 You. 00:56:34.699 --> 00:56:35.699 Lord. 00:56:35.699 --> 00:56:36.699 Who know. 00:56:36.699 --> 00:56:37.699 The hearts. 00:56:37.699 --> 00:56:38.699 Of all. 00:56:38.699 --> 00:56:39.699 Show us. 00:56:39.699 --> 00:56:41.699 Which one of these two. 00:56:41.699 --> 00:56:43.699 We need. 00:56:43.699 --> 00:56:44.699 To look. 00:56:44.699 --> 00:56:45.699 To God. 00:56:46.699 --> 00:56:47.699 But you notice. 00:56:47.699 --> 00:56:48.699 The second part. 00:56:48.699 --> 00:56:49.699 There is. 00:56:49.699 --> 00:56:50.699 Well. 00:56:50.699 --> 00:56:51.699 We need. 00:56:51.699 --> 00:56:52.699 You. 00:56:52.699 --> 00:56:53.699 To show us. 00:56:53.699 --> 00:56:54.699 Which one of these two. 00:56:54.699 --> 00:56:55.699 You. 00:56:55.699 --> 00:56:56.699 Have. 00:56:56.699 --> 00:56:57.699 Chosen. 00:56:57.699 --> 00:56:59.699 And what. 00:56:59.699 --> 00:57:00.699 It's saying. 00:57:00.699 --> 00:57:01.699 The Lord. 00:57:01.699 --> 00:57:03.699 Already knew. 00:57:03.699 --> 00:57:04.699 The Lord. 00:57:04.699 --> 00:57:05.699 New. 00:57:05.699 --> 00:57:06.699 It would be. 00:57:06.699 --> 00:57:07.699 Matthias. 00:57:07.699 --> 00:57:08.699 He already knows. 00:57:08.699 --> 00:57:09.699 And so. 00:57:09.699 --> 00:57:10.699 That's. 00:57:10.699 --> 00:57:11.699 The key. 00:57:11.699 --> 00:57:12.699 For us. 00:57:12.699 --> 00:57:13.699 As well. 00:57:13.699 --> 00:57:23.399 our own individual desires. It's not about our choice, but asking the Lord, show us the one 00:57:23.399 --> 00:57:33.739 that you have already chosen. The one whose heart you know for this place. The one that you know 00:57:33.739 --> 00:57:46.739 is the man of your choosing. And so there is our prayer, to pray to the Lord, to show the one that you 00:57:46.739 --> 00:57:57.439 have chosen. And in doing that, we wait on him. There was a young minister, an experienced minister, 00:57:57.440 --> 00:58:04.059 who had a visit from a more senior minister who was staying with him for a few days. And the young 00:58:04.059 --> 00:58:11.760 minister at breakfast one morning decided to ask his guest a few questions. And one of the questions 00:58:11.760 --> 00:58:19.980 he asked was this, can a man be sure that in the hour of uncertainty that he will be rightly led by God? 00:58:19.980 --> 00:58:32.079 Can he feel secure about, against making a false step? He was obviously thinking about his own future, 00:58:32.199 --> 00:58:39.079 what lay ahead, and just how he would know. And the older minister said to him, yes, I'm certain 00:58:39.079 --> 00:58:46.740 we can be secure in God, if he will but give God time. 00:58:46.739 --> 00:58:59.219 As long as you live, remember that, he said, give God time. And it's that wisdom that we don't rush, 00:58:59.779 --> 00:59:07.799 that we don't just go ahead with our own thoughts and our own desires, but we give God time. Time to 00:59:07.799 --> 00:59:16.299 show us together who is the one of his choosing. We look at this chapter and we see 00:59:16.300 --> 00:59:23.539 the work of the Lord is always going on. It's not about huge numbers being involved, it's about 00:59:23.539 --> 00:59:32.140 the word of God. It's about the God who is behind and the spirit who is working. What we are to do is 00:59:32.140 --> 00:59:42.320 to stop and to look and to listen. God still has a work for us to do. No matter how long a vacancy goes on, 00:59:42.320 --> 00:59:52.600 the Lord's work keeps going. And we seek his will in the way ahead. And we are looking to the Lord to 00:59:52.600 --> 01:00:04.000 fulfill his plan and his purposes here for us and through us. But we look to him. Unless the Lord 01:00:04.000 --> 01:00:16.059 builds the house, the builders build in vain. So we look to you, Lord. We pray to you, Lord. We pray, 01:00:16.639 --> 01:00:28.139 show us your ways and teach us your will for us that we might go the way of your choosing. Let us pray. 01:00:28.139 --> 01:00:37.359 Lord, our gracious God, we do thank you for your word and for the promise of your spirit with us. 01:00:37.779 --> 01:00:43.900 We thank you that you have given all that we need. And yet in our hearts, Lord, we can always drift so 01:00:43.900 --> 01:00:51.019 far away. But Lord, teach us to pray and to trust in you, to look for your will and for your guidance 01:00:51.019 --> 01:00:57.099 for us in all things. Individually, Lord, that you would lead us to our saviour, Christ Jesus, 01:00:57.820 --> 01:01:04.300 that we would walk ever closer with him. And in our collective unity, Lord, may you guide us, 01:01:04.400 --> 01:01:10.780 may you protect us, may you keep us at all times trusting and looking to you. And we just pray, 01:01:10.780 --> 01:01:16.340 Lord, your will be done in all things as we ask it in your name. Amen. 01:01:16.340 --> 01:01:35.400 Amen. We're going to conclude by singing to God's praise in Psalm 138. And we'll sing from verse 01:01:35.400 --> 01:01:45.680 three to verse five, these two stanzas, the tune is Herongate. Psalm 138, page 179, verse three, 01:01:45.679 --> 01:01:53.039 the very day I called to you, you gave an answer to my plea. You made me bold within myself with new 01:01:53.039 --> 01:01:59.699 resolve. You strengthened me. We'll sing these two verses three to five to God's praise. 01:01:59.699 --> 01:01:59.899 Amen. 01:02:15.679 --> 01:02:38.679 O Lord, let all ask thee. You made me bold within myself with new resolve. You strengthened me. 01:02:38.679 --> 01:02:56.919 O Lord, let all ask things give praise. When from your mouth they hear your word, 01:02:56.920 --> 01:03:15.079 let them exalt the ways of God. For grace the glory of the Lord. 01:03:16.360 --> 01:03:20.360 After the benediction, I'll go to the door to my left. We'll close the benediction. 01:03:20.360 --> 01:03:32.240 The benediction. 01:03:32.260 --> 01:03:32.920 Amen. 01:03:33.000 --> 01:03:33.960 Amen. 01:03:33.960 --> 01:03:40.860 Amen. 01:03:40.860 --> 01:03:46.740 Amen. 01:03:46.739 --> 01:04:05.079 pupils 01:04:05.079 --> 01:04:05.439 pupils 01:04:05.439 --> 01:04:09.479 pupils 01:04:09.479 --> 01:04:11.119 router 01:04:11.119 --> 01:04:13.519 rearr island