WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.919 a bible and you can turn to John chapter 4 but you'll also find the words up on the screen. 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:14.359 We're going to read from verse 39 to the end of the chapter. Many of the Samaritans from that town 00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:20.699 believed in Jesus because of the woman's testimony. He told me everything I've ever done. 00:00:21.379 --> 00:00:27.379 So when the Samaritans came to him they urged him to stay with them and he stayed two days 00:00:27.379 --> 00:00:35.240 and because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman we no longer believe 00:00:35.240 --> 00:00:43.060 just because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves and we know that this man really is 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:50.439 the saviour of the world. After the two days he left for Galilee. Now Jesus himself had pointed out that 00:00:50.439 --> 00:00:56.820 a prophet has no honour in his own country. When he arrived in Galilee the Galileans welcomed him. 00:00:57.380 --> 00:01:02.679 They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover festival for they also had been there. 00:01:03.700 --> 00:01:09.960 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee where he had turned the water into wine and there was a certain 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:15.680 royal official whose son lay ill at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:20.579 from Judea he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son who is close to death. 00:01:20.579 --> 00:01:28.159 Unless you people see signs and wonders Jesus told him you will never believe. The royal official said 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:37.799 sir come down before my child dies. Go Jesus replied your son will live. The man took Jesus at his word 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:43.859 and departed. While he was still on the way his servants met him with the news that his boy was 00:01:43.859 --> 00:01:49.039 living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better they said to him yesterday at one in the 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:55.840 afternoon the fever left him. Then the father realised that this was the exact time at which Jesus had 00:01:55.840 --> 00:02:04.760 said to him your son will live. So he and his whole household believed. This was the second sign 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:15.420 Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee. So this is the third of seven signs that John 00:02:15.420 --> 00:02:26.520 records. The healing of the royal official's son. Can we read the signs and respond in the right way 00:02:26.520 --> 00:02:33.560 is a question that sometimes becomes really important. If like me you've ever been bewildered 00:02:33.560 --> 00:02:41.180 by foreign road signs like the time I drove up a Belgian bike lane. Sorry about that Belgium. 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:50.300 Or if you try and decipher those Japanese washing care labels or if you're on a building site and there 00:02:50.300 --> 00:02:55.460 are all kinds of safety guidelines. It's important that we can read the signs and respond in the right 00:02:55.460 --> 00:03:02.700 way. And if that's important for everyday life it's certainly crucial when it comes to John's gospel. 00:03:04.420 --> 00:03:11.520 John in chapter 20 in verse 31 he says these signs, so the seven signs that he has recorded, these signs 00:03:11.520 --> 00:03:20.300 are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing 00:03:20.300 --> 00:03:26.719 you may have life in his name you may have life in his name. So the signs of John are pointers to 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:33.820 the identity of Jesus. He wants to make it clear that Jesus isn't just a good man, good teacher, wise 00:03:33.820 --> 00:03:42.460 or a healer or some political figure. Jesus is the Messiah, God's promised Saviour and that he is the Son of God. 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:49.659 And that he's come on a mission. He's come on a mission to bring life. Life for all who will believe in him, 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:56.879 who will trust in him. And as such it always calls for response. 00:03:58.640 --> 00:04:07.100 Today's story is set against a backdrop. On the one hand there are groups of people who are believing 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:19.519 as Samaritans and then also the backdrop of rejection or failing to recognise the Saviour among the Jewish 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:26.600 people themselves. And against that backdrop there is this personal story. Here is a royal official 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:36.219 with a personal crisis, with a family crisis. Can we imagine how he would feel his son nearing death 00:04:36.220 --> 00:04:45.360 with no help and no real hope? How will he in that setting, how will he read the signs about Jesus 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:57.040 and how will he respond? Right now it is clear that we are in a variety of global crises. 00:04:57.040 --> 00:05:17.740 Maybe today as you listen in you find yourself in a state of fear. Perhaps uncertainty. Maybe high anxiety and stress. 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:24.379 Perhaps frustrated or angry. I was just plain sad. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:37.100 In the middle of our crisis, how will we read the signs? How will we respond to the signs? 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:45.439 Will they lead us, will they draw us to Jesus to find healing and to find hope? 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:56.879 So let's begin to look at our story. The first thing we see as Jesus arrives in Galilee is a flawed welcome. 00:05:58.060 --> 00:06:03.860 There is a problem in the way that he is welcomed. There's a change of location in verse 43. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:11.420 After two days he left for Galilee and that change of location brings a change of attitude. 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:20.720 He's just been in Samaria, a place where many Jews wouldn't even go because the Samaritans were regarded as despised half-breeds. 00:06:21.540 --> 00:06:25.400 They sort of mix and match religion. So they were hated or they were avoided. 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:36.759 And Jesus goes to a Samaritan town and he meets with and spends time talking with and brings salvation to an immoral woman. 00:06:36.759 --> 00:06:47.560 And then following her testimony, a whole town comes to hear and to believe Jesus' words. 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:53.240 These Samaritans see his identity. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:07:01.840 So in the woman's own words, as she leaves meeting with Jesus and goes back into her town, she says, 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:06.259 Come see a man who told me everything I've ever done. Could this be the Messiah? 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:15.740 And then the people in the town, we know that this man really is the saviour of the world. 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:25.319 Here in the story of this town, there is a discovery that God's love is like an ocean with no bottom, with no shore. 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:33.019 This mercy that extends to people who are regarded as nothing and nobody, people who are despised. 00:07:33.019 --> 00:07:46.279 We see the heart of Jesus, which is moved by need and which moves towards those who are suffering and those who need to know God and his hope. 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:51.139 But now he's come to Galilee. Now he's come to his home territory. 00:07:51.779 --> 00:07:57.019 And the emphasis is very much on not the words of Jesus, but what they had seen. 00:07:57.019 --> 00:08:03.120 They welcome Jesus because of what they have seen. 00:08:04.139 --> 00:08:07.599 They are looking for Jesus to do miracles. 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:12.979 That's where their interest seems to begin and end. 00:08:13.359 --> 00:08:15.159 Not in his words, not in his identity. 00:08:15.659 --> 00:08:17.199 They want miracles. 00:08:18.919 --> 00:08:22.560 It's also important, and John really wants to flag this up for us, 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:27.579 that this is taking place, verse 46, in Cana in Galilee. 00:08:28.139 --> 00:08:31.699 So Jesus' first sign in Cana, now his third sign in Cana, 00:08:31.780 --> 00:08:37.679 they create bookends to this whole section from John chapter 2 to the end of John chapter 4, 00:08:38.179 --> 00:08:40.179 with the temple clearing in the middle. 00:08:40.539 --> 00:08:44.039 So what do these signs, as we put them together, what do they teach us about Jesus? 00:08:45.340 --> 00:08:49.320 Jesus turned water into wine to keep a wedding celebration going, 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:55.140 to show that he brings joy, that he brings grace, 00:08:55.980 --> 00:09:01.400 that he is the true bridegroom who ultimately is going to lay down his life, 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:07.040 whose blood will be the wine that creates for lasting eternal joy. 00:09:09.680 --> 00:09:11.320 Then there's the temple clearing. 00:09:12.280 --> 00:09:14.560 And Jesus identifies himself as the true temple. 00:09:14.700 --> 00:09:17.160 He is the way to God, to meet with God. 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:19.519 He's the new centre of worship. 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:22.559 And now here in this third sign, we're going to see him, 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:27.159 in this healing brain, restoration and life. 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:33.500 So the Samaritans see and believe the words of Jesus, 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:36.259 that he is the Messiah, that he's the saviour that God had promised, 00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:41.639 but that the Jews in that section are largely failing to see, 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:46.059 and some are beginning to be resistant to Jesus. 00:09:47.199 --> 00:09:48.460 So there's responses. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:53.179 And so straight away, the question then becomes, well, how are we responding? 00:09:54.659 --> 00:10:01.120 And one thing that becomes clear in this passage is that a superficial welcome of Jesus is not enough. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:07.159 The people in Galilee, they wanted Jesus for what he could give. 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:10.039 Maybe get some people healed, maybe do something wonderful. 00:10:11.179 --> 00:10:14.060 Maybe today we find ourselves thinking, 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:19.580 if I had Jesus, he could maybe give me a bit of peace, which I need right now. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:21.019 Or I could get my life back. 00:10:21.019 --> 00:10:26.019 And so we pray for a while, or we have that sense of looking for Jesus, for what we can get. 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:31.120 In a way, sometimes we can treat Jesus like, 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:37.759 perhaps if there's a friend that we know who has skills or who has access, 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:44.100 sometimes we maybe use that person for what they can supply, 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:47.639 in which case we're not really being true friends at all. 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:54.539 John's gospel is saying to us, we need to receive Jesus for who he is, 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:58.899 to welcome him as the saviour that we need. 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:03.319 Nothing else will suffice. 00:11:03.819 --> 00:11:05.419 So their welcome is flawed. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:11.460 But into that, we see Jesus as a merciful saviour. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:17.120 So we're back in Cana, and we're back in a family situation. 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:18.980 But this is a totally different family story. 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:24.139 So the first time he was in Cana, it was a family wedding celebration. 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:29.279 And Jesus keeps the feast going and provides true joy. 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:31.639 Well, here's a very different story. 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:37.700 Here's a dad who's desperately concerned for his second dying child. 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:42.900 But again, there's another sign that transforms a family. 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:47.220 As we'll see, he transforms a family, not just for now, but for eternity. 00:11:48.020 --> 00:11:52.280 So we meet a royal official in verse 47, 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.460 who hears that Jesus has come back, 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:59.980 and he goes and he begs Jesus to come and heal his son. 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:03.960 Now, what's clear is the royal official is coming with desperation. 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:05.340 He's coming with desperate faith. 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:07.620 It's not clear how much he knows about Jesus. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:15.039 The other Gospels make clear that miracles were part of Jesus' public life from the very beginning. 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:18.820 He was giving windows into God's kingdom, 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:23.820 that he's about restoration and about life and pushing back the forces of darkness. 00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:26.800 Perhaps he has seen some of these miracles. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:29.140 Perhaps he's heard the reports. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:33.960 There's the news spread of this one who is doing miracles. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:36.200 Could he be the Messiah? 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.680 But we don't know. 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:42.940 But what we do know is that however much he has heard about Jesus, 00:12:43.140 --> 00:12:44.379 it leads him to act. 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:52.020 I wonder today, have you begun to see who Jesus truly is? 00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:58.620 Have you begun to see that with his power and with his truth, 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:01.780 that he is the Son of God? 00:13:04.420 --> 00:13:07.020 And have you begun to see why he came? 00:13:08.040 --> 00:13:11.080 That he is responding to our need, to our lostness, 00:13:11.140 --> 00:13:16.800 to the fact that spiritually we are dead because of our sin, 00:13:17.260 --> 00:13:20.000 separated from the one relationship that matters above all, 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:21.140 our relationship with God. 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:24.899 And Jesus has come to be a saviour, to die on the cross, 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:28.399 to go there, to take the punishment for sin, 00:13:28.939 --> 00:13:31.120 to give us forgiveness and eternal life. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:34.819 Have you begun to see that? 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:36.340 Or do you recognise that? 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:39.439 And the question is, will you act on that? 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:51.640 We need to understand it's not how much we know that counts. 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:55.260 It's all about who we know. 00:13:55.259 --> 00:14:00.539 It's not about how strong our faith is. 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:04.340 It's about who our faith is in. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:09.080 So this royal official, he gives us an example to follow. 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:13.620 With however much he knows, he comes to Jesus in faith. 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:18.299 And we see in this, in his experience, 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:20.659 just how merciful Jesus is, 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:25.299 how willing to save and to restore Jesus is. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:28.379 So on the one hand, he can point out the flaw 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:31.279 in the welcome he's received in Galilee. 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:32.600 So in verse 48, 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:35.340 unless you people see signs and wonders, 00:14:35.460 --> 00:14:36.220 Jesus told him, 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.659 you will never believe. 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:41.379 Unlike the Samaritan who believe in the words of Jesus, 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:44.600 unless you see signs and wonders, 00:14:44.680 --> 00:14:45.659 you will never believe. 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:46.700 But what happens next? 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:51.300 Jesus in mercy and compassion gives a sign 00:14:51.300 --> 00:14:55.560 so that the man will believe. 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:58.799 So the royal official said again, 00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:01.559 come down before my child dies. 00:15:01.859 --> 00:15:04.899 Jesus says, go, your son will live. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:07.419 And the man discovers the child was healed 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:10.359 at the very moment that Jesus uttered those words. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:12.500 And so one group, the Samaritans, 00:15:12.599 --> 00:15:15.519 they believe simply because of the words of Jesus. 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:19.219 This royal official, he needs extra assurance. 00:15:19.959 --> 00:15:21.079 And Jesus in mercy, 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.559 Jesus with a gentle heart, 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:26.079 gives that assurance. 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:30.919 So we're getting an insight into the heart of Jesus 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:33.479 for sinners and sufferers 00:15:33.479 --> 00:15:35.599 as we think about this sign. 00:15:36.239 --> 00:15:37.159 We read at the beginning, 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:39.239 that invitation from Jesus, 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:41.439 come to me if you're weak, 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:44.319 come to me if you're burdened, 00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:46.599 and I will give you rest. 00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:48.359 There's no qualifications on that. 00:15:49.479 --> 00:15:52.399 And he tells us why we can come with confidence 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:55.000 it's because he is gentle 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:57.340 and he is humble in heart. 00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:59.919 In just a couple of chapters, 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:02.139 in John chapter 6 and verse 37, 00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:03.340 Jesus will say, 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:05.840 whoever comes to me, 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:09.159 I will never drive away. 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:12.179 I will certainly welcome 00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:15.579 whoever comes to me with faith, 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:19.179 whoever recognises me as saviour, 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:22.059 whoever reaches out, 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.859 cries out, 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:25.099 I will come 00:16:25.099 --> 00:16:28.039 and I will never send them away. 00:16:29.599 --> 00:16:31.000 Do you see 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:33.759 the welcoming heart of Jesus? 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:37.000 Do you hear him 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.639 inviting you 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:40.239 to come to him? 00:16:41.239 --> 00:16:43.139 To invite him in 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:44.179 to your life, 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:46.059 into your circumstances, 00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:48.439 to give you hope, 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.519 to give you peace, 00:16:49.619 --> 00:16:50.899 to give you a future. 00:16:52.739 --> 00:16:54.619 In chapters 2 to 4, 00:16:54.699 --> 00:16:55.859 we get a wonderful picture 00:16:55.859 --> 00:16:57.639 of the mercy of Jesus. 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:58.699 Who are the people that 00:16:58.699 --> 00:17:01.500 respond with faith? 00:17:01.579 --> 00:17:03.779 Who are those that Jesus moves towards? 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:07.339 Those facing shame. 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.859 The bridegroom of the wedding 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.980 who'd failed to provide for his guests. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.960 Facing that public shame, 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:15.500 Jesus steps in. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:18.279 Those who are facing the injustice 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:21.220 of being denied a place to worship, 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:22.740 Jesus steps in 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.279 and clears the temple. 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:27.600 Those whose lives are empty 00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:29.779 and who are despised 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:31.640 because of their 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:33.579 moral behaviour, 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:35.480 the women of Samaria. 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.259 And now, 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:40.120 this man who is desperate 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:42.739 and in a personal crisis, 00:17:43.239 --> 00:17:44.239 all of them 00:17:44.239 --> 00:17:45.439 a weak 00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:46.519 Jesus 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.679 compassion. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.599 Sometimes 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.979 I'm not sure 00:17:51.979 --> 00:17:53.139 that we understand 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:55.039 or that we can ever understand 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:56.359 just how 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:57.500 deep 00:17:57.500 --> 00:18:00.519 the Saviour's love is, 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.939 just how 00:18:01.939 --> 00:18:02.759 merciful 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:04.039 he is, 00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:06.299 that his posture 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.119 towards us 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:07.539 is not 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:09.059 finger wagging, 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:11.819 but arms wide open 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.740 to welcome 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.639 and receive us. 00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:15.480 And now that he's in heaven, 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:17.000 now that he's enthroned 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.539 in glory, 00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:19.220 his heart hasn't changed. 00:18:20.179 --> 00:18:21.019 He still 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:22.419 sends that heart 00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:23.139 of mercy 00:18:23.139 --> 00:18:24.679 to you 00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:26.460 to give you hope 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:26.819 today. 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:30.679 And then we see 00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:32.099 in response 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:33.220 to Jesus' sign, 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:34.000 a family 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.019 who believes. 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.220 There's evidence 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.700 of faith 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.799 in the man. 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:40.059 In verse 50, 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.920 John says, 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.440 the man 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.180 took Jesus 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.339 at his word. 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.480 There's faith. 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.500 Jesus says, 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:47.940 your son 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.460 will live. 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:49.819 The man 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.220 believes, 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:50.900 takes Jesus 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:52.100 at his word. 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.059 When Jesus 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.519 says, 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.460 whoever 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:57.259 believes in me 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.600 will not perish, 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.100 but have 00:18:59.100 --> 00:19:00.180 eternal life, 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:02.200 we can take 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:02.940 him 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:04.039 at his word. 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:04.900 Whoever 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.680 comes to me, 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.100 I'll never 00:19:06.100 --> 00:19:06.920 drive away. 00:19:07.820 --> 00:19:08.600 We can take 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:09.220 him at his word. 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.000 I am the way 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.400 and the truth 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:10.740 and the life. 00:19:10.820 --> 00:19:11.259 No one comes 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:11.740 to their father 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.480 except through me. 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.400 We can take 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:13.940 him at his word 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.500 that if we come 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:14.860 to him, 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.299 then we will 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.420 come to know 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:16.920 our father 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.440 in heaven. 00:19:19.320 --> 00:19:19.560 Now, 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:19.940 Jesus 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:22.340 performs this sign, 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.000 a powerful 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.840 miracle, 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.960 healing the boy 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.080 at a distance, 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.940 backing up 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:29.059 his identity 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:30.580 as saviour 00:19:30.580 --> 00:19:32.519 of the world. 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.559 The official 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.900 has exercised 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.480 faith 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:38.580 and his 00:19:38.580 --> 00:19:39.880 seeing the sign 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:41.519 led to 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.840 believing. 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.299 When he's told 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.200 the boy was healed 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.200 at one in the afternoon, 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.820 the father realised 00:19:48.820 --> 00:19:49.779 this was the exact 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.519 time that Jesus 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.320 said your son 00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:51.759 will live. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.620 So he 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.880 and his whole 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:54.440 household 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.900 believed. 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:57.420 that boy 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.540 was saved 00:19:58.540 --> 00:19:59.240 twice over. 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:00.540 He was healed 00:20:00.540 --> 00:20:01.440 physically 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:03.180 but he was also 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:04.200 healed spiritually. 00:20:05.060 --> 00:20:05.700 Now he too 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.440 is trusting in 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.280 Jesus as saviour. 00:20:07.340 --> 00:20:07.880 Now he too 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.500 has the hope 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.500 of eternal 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.259 life. 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.280 Just a little 00:20:12.280 --> 00:20:13.500 reminder for us 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:15.440 if you're listening 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:15.880 in and you're 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:16.380 a Christian 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:18.940 to be praying 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.500 for your 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.019 family 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.180 and to be 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:22.660 praying for 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:23.259 families, 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:23.840 praying for 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:24.680 families in our 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.140 church. 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:27.259 that salvation 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:27.900 would come 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.560 to whole 00:20:28.560 --> 00:20:29.280 households. 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:30.480 Pray for 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.000 mums and 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.460 dads as 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:31.840 they look 00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:32.400 to teach 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:32.880 the Bible 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:33.259 and to 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.860 pray for 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:34.259 and with 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.660 their children. 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:36.840 Look to 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.400 bring them 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:38.060 up in 00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:38.460 faith 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.540 in challenging 00:20:39.540 --> 00:20:40.360 circumstances. 00:20:42.040 --> 00:20:42.720 I sometimes 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.680 think of 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.780 Jonathan Edwards, 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.680 a theologian 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.240 from a past 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:46.600 century. 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.040 He used 00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:47.259 to, 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:47.780 I think 00:20:47.780 --> 00:20:48.259 daily, 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.360 pray for 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:51.920 six future 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.820 generations, 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.180 praying that 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.500 each of 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.820 them would 00:20:54.820 --> 00:20:55.299 know the 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.680 Lord and 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.400 would serve 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.480 Jesus. 00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:59.019 Important to 00:20:59.019 --> 00:21:00.180 pray for 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:00.820 families and 00:21:00.820 --> 00:21:01.240 households. 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:01.560 But this 00:21:01.560 --> 00:21:02.320 royal official, 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.200 a wonderful 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:04.640 story, 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.120 through his 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:05.620 tears, 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.160 through his 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:07.700 pain and 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.299 anxiety, 00:21:09.060 --> 00:21:09.779 he is able 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.580 to read the 00:21:10.580 --> 00:21:12.060 signs about 00:21:12.060 --> 00:21:12.500 Jesus. 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.880 He came to 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.539 Jesus in 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.799 faith and 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:17.440 he believed. 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:17.580 God, 00:21:17.580 --> 00:21:20.420 we are 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.059 always being 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.620 called to 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:23.759 respond today 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:25.059 to the 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.500 Saviour. 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.380 The Bible 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:27.880 is very 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:28.480 clear. 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.200 There are 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.779 only two 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.420 ways that 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.759 Jesus relates 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.400 to us. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:34.880 Either he 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.420 will relate 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:37.039 to us as 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.920 our judge 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:39.400 if we 00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:40.420 refuse him, 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:41.779 if we 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.759 don't allow 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.460 him to 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.680 deal with 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.220 our sin and 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.700 to forgive 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.299 us, then we 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.460 will pay the 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:47.859 penalty. 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.619 Jesus will 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.000 be the 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.019 judge or 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.619 Jesus will 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.159 relate to 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:51.599 us as a 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:53.659 friend, as 00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:54.500 a Saviour, 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.779 as our 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.639 elder brother, 00:21:58.859 --> 00:22:00.379 as the 00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:00.759 one who 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.799 loves his 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.639 church and 00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:03.079 who gave 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.879 himself for 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.680 the church 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:06.919 so that he 00:22:06.919 --> 00:22:07.299 might have 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.859 the joy of 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:09.799 spending eternity 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.960 with his 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.440 bride. 00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:13.099 His call 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:14.680 has come 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.079 to him, 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:16.559 to believe 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:16.879 that he 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.579 is for 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:19.339 you and 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:20.039 to respond. 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.439 We see 00:22:22.439 --> 00:22:22.919 just how 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:23.919 merciful and 00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:24.740 how loving 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.619 Jesus' 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:26.259 heart is 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.939 towards us 00:22:26.939 --> 00:22:27.939 most clearly 00:22:27.939 --> 00:22:29.159 at the 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:29.699 cross. 00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:30.579 Here's the 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.240 story of a 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.559 son who was 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.339 close to death 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.980 but there at 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.299 the cross 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:35.939 Jesus didn't 00:22:35.939 --> 00:22:36.839 just go close 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.679 to death, 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:39.519 Jesus tasted 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.139 death, 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.759 Jesus died 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.440 and he 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:42.819 didn't die 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.379 for anything 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.299 that he 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:44.660 had done 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.039 wrong, 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:46.420 he died 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:46.859 in our 00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:47.400 place for 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:47.980 our sins. 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:48.599 He didn't 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.279 have to do 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:49.680 that in 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:49.920 love, 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.839 he chose 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.839 to do 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:52.140 that. 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.160 Just as 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:54.680 the father 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:56.480 chose it 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.059 to send, 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:57.759 the son he 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:59.299 loves to 00:22:59.299 --> 00:22:59.779 be our 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.180 Saviour, 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:00.819 so Jesus 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.640 in love 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:04.220 comes and 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.099 he tastes 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:07.180 death and 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.920 there God's 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.799 just anger 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.539 against our 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:11.579 sin falls 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:12.579 not on us 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:12.960 but it's 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.700 funnelled 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:15.680 onto him 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:17.960 so that 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:19.819 we might 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.539 know love, 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.119 we might 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:22.960 know forgiveness, 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.519 we might 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.539 have joy 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.859 in the 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:27.480 family of 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:27.839 God. 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.139 That just 00:23:29.139 --> 00:23:29.740 as this 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.579 family in 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.180 our story, 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:32.539 they had 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.879 joy as 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.619 they welcomed 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:35.419 Jesus into 00:23:35.419 --> 00:23:35.940 their life. 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:37.779 So we 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.359 can have 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:40.799 joy knowing 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:42.599 his mercy 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:44.399 that runs 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:45.740 deeper than 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.759 our circumstances 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:48.179 that is there 00:23:48.179 --> 00:23:49.479 for us in 00:23:49.479 --> 00:23:50.179 our suffering, 00:23:50.719 --> 00:23:51.539 in our sin, 00:23:51.979 --> 00:23:53.039 in our sorrow. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.379 When we 00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:55.799 think about 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.179 signs, 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:56.899 the cross 00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:58.759 itself stands 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.579 as a blazing 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.679 neon sign 00:24:00.679 --> 00:24:02.339 showing us 00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:03.199 the dazzling 00:24:03.199 --> 00:24:04.699 glory of 00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:05.379 God's 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:06.919 merciful love 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:08.860 extended to 00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:10.440 us in 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:10.920 the coming 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.460 of Jesus. 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:13.580 Will you 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:14.019 come to 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.220 him for 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.740 mercy and 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:18.300 rest today? 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.299 God's 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:20.680 love 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.539 to 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:21.799 say, 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.639 let's 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:24.159 pray once 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:24.500 again 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.000 together. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:26.579 Let's 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:26.879 pray. 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.980 Lord God, 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:30.720 we thank 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:32.159 you for 00:24:32.159 --> 00:24:32.700 your son 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.079 Jesus, 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:33.700 for his 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.119 mercy, 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.019 and we 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.480 thank you 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:35.960 that he 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.379 remains 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:38.559 compassionate 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.700 while he 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.460 sits in 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:40.940 the glory 00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:41.500 of heaven, 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.039 ruling and 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.659 reigning over 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.400 all things, 00:24:45.060 --> 00:24:46.100 interceding, 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.120 praying for 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.740 his people, 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:48.400 the church, 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.779 and calling 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.980 others to 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.460 come to 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:51.680 him. 00:24:52.840 --> 00:24:53.240 Lord, 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.660 we pray 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.700 today that 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.200 just as we 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:56.000 see in 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.680 our story 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.080 Jesus' 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:57.779 compassion 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.300 for the 00:24:58.300 --> 00:24:58.640 sick, 00:24:59.320 --> 00:24:59.720 Lord, 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:00.380 we pray 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:01.220 that you 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.600 would show 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:02.779 mercy to 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.220 those who 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:03.820 are sick 00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.800 and suffering. 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.320 It's some 00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:06.660 that we 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.400 know in 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:08.060 our families 00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:08.519 and in 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.660 our friendship 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.259 groups and 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.540 in our 00:25:10.540 --> 00:25:11.140 communities. 00:25:11.800 --> 00:25:12.040 Lord, 00:25:12.100 --> 00:25:12.779 we pray for 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.599 healing and 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.119 restoration. 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:14.920 We thank 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.299 you for 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.160 doctors and 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.799 nurses and 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.700 care workers. 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:18.940 We ask that 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.180 you would 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:19.859 sustain each 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.279 one of 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.579 them. 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:22.019 Lord, 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.399 we thank 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:22.680 you for 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.299 your mercy 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.539 in the 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.299 virus seeming 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.940 to be under 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.799 a greater 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.399 level of 00:25:27.399 --> 00:25:28.000 control and 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.539 we pray 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:28.920 that that 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.519 would continue 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:29.899 in our 00:25:29.899 --> 00:25:30.480 own country. 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:31.899 But we 00:25:31.899 --> 00:25:32.759 also remember 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.839 parts of 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.420 the Americas 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.000 and parts 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.480 of South 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.119 Asia where 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:36.440 there is 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:36.839 still a 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:38.399 huge battle 00:25:38.399 --> 00:25:39.240 going on, 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.339 many lives 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.200 being lost, 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.619 much trauma, 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.319 happening. 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.220 And Lord, 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.859 we pray 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.859 that you 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.779 would show 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.539 mercy. 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.839 Lord, 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.519 we pray 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:52.099 for national 00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:52.859 recovery as 00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:53.899 we turn our 00:25:53.899 --> 00:25:54.579 attention to 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.019 the future. 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.859 We pray for 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:57.079 financial recovery. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.779 We think of 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:59.299 thousands of 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.000 people who 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.039 have been 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.599 made jobless 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:03.500 in the last 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:03.859 week. 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.480 Lord, 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.259 we ask for 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.859 provision. 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.319 We pray 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:09.599 for compassion. 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:10.980 We pray for 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.319 good solutions 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:14.259 for business 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:14.759 leaders, 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:16.279 for governments, 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:18.019 for employers. 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.059 Lord, 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.680 we pray for 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.860 social recovery. 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.059 Having spent 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:23.019 so much time 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.940 on our own, 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.579 we thank you 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.220 for greater 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.299 opportunities to 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.279 see family and 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.680 friends. 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:29.059 We pray that 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.400 as a nation 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:30.940 we'd continue 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.440 to do that 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.240 safely to 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.900 avoid any 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.440 spiking. 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:34.860 But Lord, 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.740 we recognise 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:37.259 maybe in a 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.920 more profound 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.440 way than ever 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:38.960 before how 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.620 important it 00:26:39.620 --> 00:26:40.080 is to be 00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.500 physically 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.880 present with 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.240 the people 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:42.519 that we 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.019 love and 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.640 care about. 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:44.960 And so we 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.500 pray that you 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.980 would bless 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:48.200 us as we 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.299 move towards 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.299 greater relationship. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:50.559 Lord, 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:51.220 we pray for a 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:51.960 recovery of 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.480 emotional health 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.720 because of the 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.240 isolation, 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:55.960 because of the 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.220 fear, 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:56.740 because of 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.440 trauma and 00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:57.980 grief that's 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.740 been experienced. 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.080 Lord, 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.779 may you show 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:01.140 great mercy 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:02.400 to us. 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:03.900 May you provide 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:04.700 true and 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.600 lasting healing. 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:05.639 recovery. 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.279 Lord, 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:07.939 may you provide 00:27:07.939 --> 00:27:09.339 spiritual recovery 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:11.339 that in the 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.539 middle of this 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.699 crisis there 00:27:13.699 --> 00:27:14.099 would be a 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:14.799 turning to 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.419 yourself, 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:16.799 recognising 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.379 that you 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:18.039 and you 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.839 alone ultimately 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:20.279 bring lasting 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:20.779 hope, 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:22.279 lasting healing, 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.359 and you bring 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.819 true life. 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.319 Lord, 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.019 we pray for the 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.899 global church 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.259 today. 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:28.819 We thank you 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.339 for parts of 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:29.799 the world that 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.319 are able to 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:31.099 open up for 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:31.459 worship, 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:32.339 albeit in very 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:32.899 different 00:27:32.899 --> 00:27:33.779 circumstances. 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.139 We pray that 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.420 that would 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.080 encourage our 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:36.520 brothers and 00:27:36.520 --> 00:27:37.160 sisters in 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:37.740 Christ. 00:27:38.280 --> 00:27:38.880 We pray that 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:39.360 they would have 00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:40.000 a sense of 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.980 joy in being 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.500 together. 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.920 We pray too 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.300 that there would 00:27:43.300 --> 00:27:44.040 be joy of 00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:45.220 knowing new 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.040 people joining 00:27:46.040 --> 00:27:46.660 the church. 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.700 Thank you for 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.580 all those stories 00:27:48.580 --> 00:27:50.600 of people in 00:27:50.600 --> 00:27:52.920 this time being 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:54.840 led to online 00:27:54.840 --> 00:27:55.500 church, being 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.259 led to read the 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.840 Bible and to 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.520 pray, and for 00:27:57.520 --> 00:27:58.900 those who have 00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.620 put their faith 00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:00.180 in Jesus. 00:28:00.800 --> 00:28:02.240 We pray to see 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.580 lasting spiritual 00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:05.659 change through 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:06.299 this time. 00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:07.740 And we pray in 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.439 Jesus' name. 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.319 Amen. 00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:14.359 Now, let's sing 00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:14.799 again. 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:15.179 We're going to 00:28:15.179 --> 00:28:16.019 sing from Psalm 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:17.619 146. 00:28:17.679 --> 00:28:17.919 We're going to 00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:18.399 sing the first 00:28:18.399 --> 00:28:19.960 six verses, and 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.599 then we'll sing 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:22.279 the hymn Across 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.000 the Land. 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:30.660 Praise the 00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:32.980 Lord, my soul, 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:35.000 O praise Him. 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:38.140 I'll extol Him 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:40.519 all my days. 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:44.480 While I live to God, 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:48.799 my Savior, from my heart 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:52.619 I will sing praise. 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:57.319 Do not put your trust 00:28:57.319 --> 00:29:01.619 in princes, mortal men 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:04.819 who cannot save. 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:08.779 All their plans will come 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:13.819 to nothing when they perish 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:16.819 in the grave. 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:23.240 Blessed is the one who truly 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:29.079 looks for help to Jacob's God. 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:34.700 Blessed is the one who places 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:41.240 all his hope upon the Lord. 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:47.759 He who made the earth and heaven 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:53.400 and the seas with all their store. 00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:59.220 He who keeps his every promise, 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:05.880 who is faithful evermore. 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:18.420 You're the word of God, the Father, 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:22.140 from before the world began. 00:30:22.820 --> 00:30:26.300 Every star and every planet 00:30:26.300 --> 00:30:30.500 has been fashioned by your hand. 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:34.079 All creation holds together 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:38.759 by the power of your voice. 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:42.519 Let the skies declare your glory. 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:46.480 Let the land and sea rejoice. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:50.240 You're the author of creation. 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:54.660 You're the Lord of every man. 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:58.180 And your cry of love rings out 00:30:58.180 --> 00:31:01.299 across the land. 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:10.559 Yet you left the gaze of angels, 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:14.640 came to seek and save the lost, 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:18.320 and exchanged the joy of heaven 00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:22.480 for the anguish of a cross. 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:26.300 With a prayer you fed the hungry, 00:31:26.800 --> 00:31:30.320 with a word you come to see. 00:31:30.820 --> 00:31:34.240 Yet how silently you suffered 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:38.180 that the guilty may go free. 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:42.180 You're the author of creation. 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:46.580 You're the Lord of every man. 00:31:46.580 --> 00:31:50.120 And your cry of love rings out 00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:53.140 across the land. 00:31:58.140 --> 00:32:02.480 With a shout you rose victorious, 00:32:03.080 --> 00:32:06.680 wresting victory from the grave. 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:10.680 And ascended into heaven, 00:32:11.080 --> 00:32:14.740 leading captives in your way. 00:32:14.840 --> 00:32:18.539 Now you stand before the Father, 00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:22.620 interceding for your own. 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:26.420 From each tribe and tongue and nation, 00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:30.460 you are leading sinners home. 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:34.180 You're the author of creation. 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:38.580 You're the author of creation. 00:32:38.580 --> 00:32:42.200 And your cry of love rings out 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:46.160 across the land. 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:50.240 You're the author of creation. 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:54.640 You're the Lord of every man. 00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:58.220 And your cry of love rings out 00:32:58.220 --> 00:33:00.840 across the land. 00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:16.240 And now let's pray. 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:23.740 Lord God, just as that Samaritan village 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:26.339 said they no longer had to believe 00:33:26.339 --> 00:33:31.099 simply because of the words of this lady, 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:33.180 she testified to who she'd met, 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:35.220 that they had come to know for themselves 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:36.900 Jesus as the saviour of the world. 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:40.900 We pray that that would be our own personal experience, 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:43.759 that we would know Jesus as the saviour of the world. 00:33:43.860 --> 00:33:45.180 We also pray that you'd help us 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:48.320 to share the message of Jesus with others 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:51.800 so that many around us might have that joy 00:33:51.800 --> 00:33:53.740 of knowing Jesus as saviour for themselves. 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:56.980 So we pray that you'd go with us into this new week. 00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:59.019 We ask that you'd give us strength 00:33:59.019 --> 00:34:01.059 for all the tasks and challenges 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:03.400 and opportunities that lie ahead. 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:06.400 May we be conscious that your mercy 00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:08.840 is there for us each step of the way. 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:09.840 Amen. 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.960 Now, just to remind you, 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:15.000 if you belong to our church, 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:16.380 especially Digital Tea and Coffee, 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:18.360 as always, is on at 12. 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:21.660 We have Monday prayer at 8. 00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:25.480 And the community groups are meeting 00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:28.220 to study John's Gospel together. 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:31.579 So hopefully we'll see some of you there 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:36.240 and look forward to sharing with you again soon. 00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:39.519 Okay, take care and God bless. 00:34:48.360 --> 00:35:18.340 Thank you.