WEBVTT

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 Well friends, good morning. A warm welcome to our service today. May the Lord bless us as together we seek to explore the good news of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

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 We welcome any visitors among us and those joining us online. May the Lord bless us and be near to us as together we worship Him this morning.

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 Well, my name is Colin McLeod and I'm ministering back and with James' recent retirement, the Presbytery have appointed me as your interim moderator.

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 In taking up this role, I count it as a real privilege and I will do everything I can to support Calamurdo and work alongside the Kirk Session and you as a congregation as we seek to work towards filling the vacancy of senior minister in the congregation.

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 I'll say a little bit more about that at the close of the service.

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 I've been asked just to highlight the bulletin sheet that's available today. It's full. I won't even attempt to go through it because it's like an essay.

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 Please do take your time to look through. There's lots of information on there. Upcoming meetings this week all are scheduled.

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 There's tea and coffee in the hall after the service this morning. All are very welcome.

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 On Monday the 15th of July, the Kirk Session will meet in Kennet Street Session room at 7pm. That's an important one to take note, please, Elders.

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 And then also there's a note here about the free breakfast at the free church.

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 If anyone would like to help with the annual free breakfast on Sunday the 21st of July, please email the church office, not the church officer, and get in touch with Peggy McLennan.

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 That's information for you.

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 Also, there was an update shared last night.

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 Sad news that an elder of the congregation, Charlie Finlayson, had passed away.

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 We remember very much the family, Catherine and Rury, and we commend them to the Lord that his peace and mercy would uphold them at this time in their sad loss.

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 We'll be gathered together this morning to worship the Lord.

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 And we begin by singing to his praise from Psalm 121.

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 Psalm 121.

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 Singing the psalm from the Psalter, page 416 in our Blue Psalm books.

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 And we'll sing this whole psalm to the tune French.

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 I to the hills will lift mine eyes.

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 From whence doth come mine aid.

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 My safety cometh from the Lord, who heaven and earth hath made.

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 Thy foot he'll not let slide, nor will he slumber that thee keeps.

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 Behold, he that keeps Israel, he slumbers not, nor sleeps.

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 Psalm 121.

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 We'll stand and sing together.

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 Amen.

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 I to the hills will lift my eyes.

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 From whence doth come my aid.

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 My safety cometh from the Lord, who heaven and earth hath made.

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 Thy foot he'll not let slide, nor will he slumber that thee keeps.

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 Behold, he that keeps Israel, he slumber that thee keeps.

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 Israel, he slumber that thee keeps.

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 The Lord, he keeps the Lord my shape.

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 On thy light and of stay.

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 The Lord, my life, thee shall not spite.

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 Nor yet the sun by day.

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 The Lord, my soul, he shall preserve me from all ill.

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 Henceforth thy going, our children.

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 God keep forever.

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 We'll bow in prayer together.

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 our lord and our god on this your day we bow before you and give you thanks for this opportunity

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 this privilege of singing praise to you the living god together and we ask you lord from

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 the outset of our time as we worship and sing praise as we bow in prayer as we bring to you

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 lord our petitions and as we express to you in prayer the things that are most upon our hearts

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 and minds we do so lord in humility and dependence we bow in reverence and awe and wonder and lord we

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 adore we worship we give thanks to you the living god creator sustainer ruler sovereign over all

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 that we can come to you in prayer what a privilege what a joy and what a blessing and so lord we ask

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 for your hand to be upon us today that you would come in among us and do us good that lord you would

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 bless to our hearts your word the gospel of god this good news of jesus christ and him crucified

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 we bless you for the hope of the gospel the promise of the gospel the life-giving life-changing impact

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 of the gospel upon hearts and lives and may that be so today may men and women and boys and girls be

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 encouraged by the word and may many who as yet remain unconvinced and unconverted be brought in repentance

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 and faith to jesus christ there to receive from him forgiveness and life everlasting we bless you for this

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 message of life that it is a message that resounds from and brings us to the lord jesus christ and in

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 his name we pray lord that you draw near to us that you would bless us renew us forgive us our sin cleanse

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 us and renew us and all that we ask is in jesus precious name amen

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 well i'm sure everybody boys and girls here if we were to total up the number of trips everyone in here

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 is made on the ferry it would be quite significant we've all been there haven't we many times

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 on the the ferry from you can probably hear remember that the names of the previous ferries going back

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 a number of years and now we have of course a lot seaforth i was on there the other day i want to

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 talk to you talk to you about this i was just on the ferry i think last week we're on there

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 sailing across the minch is like a pond beautiful it always is isn't it there's never a wind in the

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 minch so we tell the visitors and then there were dolphins sightings and the usual scramble to the

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 windows and taking pictures of the sea and as we were crossing over an announcement came on over

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 the tannoy from the captain saying that we're going to run a drill they're informing us as passengers

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 we're going to run a drill on the boat don't worry about it we're going to shut the restaurant while the

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 crew practice their drills at sea fair enough so we get to hear and see a drill being carried out

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 as a passenger quite interesting in fact more than interesting it was quite something and every

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 stage through the drill bing bong on the t on the tannoy on the pa the announcer would say crew to

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 stations bing bong crew to next station bing bong crew to the next and so we were able to follow

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 through what was actually happening and at one point we saw quite a few of the crew gather at this spot on

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 the ferry and they slid open the doors and there were hundreds of life jackets just stacked up

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 perfect okay everything i see of course is perfect everything is stowed away tied down lashed secured

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 perfect and it was just it was just just so nice to see that the precision the care and everything

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 that the crew were doing and that's what struck me and that's what i wanted to share with you

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 today the crew were practicing how to make sure everybody on the boat if they needed to

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 would be kept safe by them the crew that's what they were doing practicing what to do

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 in case of an emergency which is something none of us ever want to experience and those who have

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 experienced it well wow to go through something like that at sea and what was really good to see

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 was the crew going through all their practices so they would know what to do if there was a drama

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 and that's the thing we've just sung today a really well-known psalm 121 i to the hills will lift mine

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 eyes from whence hath come my made what a great question that is who's going to help me said the

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 psalmist as he looked to the strength and hills of the hills and looked at the created world around

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 him said who's going to help me if i get into a crisis or a drama my safety cometh from the lord

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 who heaven and earth hath made now that's quite something the psalm writer was caught up with god's

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 power and wonder the the amazing ability of god to say let there be and there was god is the creator of

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 all things and the psalmist was thankful for that but that's not what he was most thankful for it wasn't

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 that god was the maker of all things it was that god was his keeper that's what really thrilled the psalmist

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 thy foot he'll not let slide nor will he slumber that thee keeps behold he that keeps israel he does not

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 slumber he does not sleep six times in this short song of praise the psalm talks about god being the keeper

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 of his people what a wonderful thing that is just to think about for a few minutes today on a sunday

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 morning the lord thee keeps and then verse 7 the lord shall keep thy soul if you're a christian here today

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 that's your song you can say that the lord is not just your maker he is your keeper he is the keeper

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 of your soul and that crew drill on the lock sea forth a few nights ago seeing them practicing how

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 to make sure everyone would be kept safe on the boat if they were needed that reminded me of this

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 great reality in the psalm we've just sung together that when we put our trust in jesus when we ask the

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 lord into our hearts and confess our sin to him and ask him to forgive us and cleanse us and make us new

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 that's exactly what he does and then we speak of him not just as our maker but our keeper the lord

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 shall keep thy soul this boys and girls is not a message for old people it's not a message just for elders

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 or ministers or or church folk this is a message for you today for everyone on our island and in our country

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 that if we put our trust in jesus he will be our keeper and may he bless us as we look to him

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 but we're going to say together the words of the lord's prayer as is the congregation's custom and

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 the words are in the bulletin if you would like to use them we say together our father who art in

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 heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven give us this

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 day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors lead us not into temptation

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 but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever amen

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 well we'll sing again to god's praise from sing psalms in psalm 18 psalm 18 page 19 in our blue psalm

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 books and we're going to sing in psalm 18 from verse 1 to verse 6 to the tune duke street psalm 18 and

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 sing psalm singing from the beginning i love you lord you are my strength a fortress is the lord to me

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 my rock and my deliverer for refuge to my god i flee he is my stronghold and my shield the lord who

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 saves me by his might i'll call on him and give him praise i'm saved he puts my foes to flight psalm 18

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 from verse 1 to 6 we'll stand together

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 i love you lord you are my strength a fortress is the lord to me

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 my lord and my deliverer for refuge to my god i flee he is my stronghold and my shield the lord who saves me by his might

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 I'll count my shield, the Lord who saves me by His might.

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 I'll call on Him and give Him praise.

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 I've saved He puts my foes to fight.

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 A portal of death had tumbled me.

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 Destruction hit me like a wave.

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 Encircled by the stairs of death,

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 I faced the tethers of the cliff.

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 In my distress I called on God.

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 I cried unto the Lord for it.

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 He from His temple heard my voice.

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 He listened to the prayer I made.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 We'll read together this morning from God's Word from the New Testament.

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 Two passages.

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 First of all, from the Acts of the Apostles in chapter 17.

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 The Acts of the Apostles.

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 We'll read in chapter 17.

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 And then we'll turn forward in our Bibles to read in 1 Thessalonians.

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 And the first chapter.

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 So first of all, Acts in chapter 17,

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 where we read of a part of what we call today the second missionary journey.

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 The gospel has been brought by the small missionary team to Europe.

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 Paul, Timothy and Silas, and at some point joined by Luke,

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 begin or continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

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 Here in chapter 17 we read of what happened when they come to the ancient city of Thessalonica.

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 Thessalonica.

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 And when we'll read later the letter Paul would write to these new converts.

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 Chapter 17 in Acts.

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 Now, when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia,

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 they came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue of the Jews.

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 And Paul went in as was his custom.

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 And on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the scriptures,

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 explaining and proving it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead,

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 saying, This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.

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 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas,

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 as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

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 But the Jews were jealous.

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 And taking some wicked men of the rabble,

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 they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar,

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 and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.

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 And when they could not find them,

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 they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities,

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 shouting, These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.

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 And Jason has received them,

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 and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar,

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 saying, There is another king, Jesus.

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 And the people in the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.

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 And when they had taken money, a security from Jason,

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 and the rest, they let them go.

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 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.

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 And when they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.

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 And when we turn forward to 1 Thessalonians,

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 we find in this passage a short, powerful pastoral letter,

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 written a year perhaps later, a number of months later,

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 as far as we can tell, while Paul was ministering in Corinth.

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 And he writes to the church that he was responsible for founding

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 to encourage them and to stabilize them in their faith

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 as they faced a difficult providence.

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 And so we read from chapter 1,

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 Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians

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 and God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Grace to you and peace.

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 We give thanks to God always for all of you,

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 constantly mentioning you in our prayers,

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 remembering before our God and Father

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 your work of faith and labor of love

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 and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 For we know, brothers loved by God,

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 that he has chosen you

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 because our gospel came to you not only in word,

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 but also in power and in the Holy Spirit

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 and with full conviction.

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 You know what kind of men we prove to be among you for your sake.

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 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord,

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 for you received the word in much affliction

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 with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

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 so that you became an example

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 to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achia.

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 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth

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 from you in Macedonia and Achia,

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 but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere,

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 so that we need not say anything.

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 For they themselves report concerning us

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 the kind of reception we had among you

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 and how you turned to God from idols

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 to serve the living and true God

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 and to wait for his Son from heaven,

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 whom he raised from the dead,

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 Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

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 Amen.

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 May the Lord bless his word to our hearts,

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 to his name be all the praise.

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 Let's bow in prayer again for a moment together.

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 Our Lord and our God,

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 we bless and praise you this morning

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 that we have opened in our gathering your word.

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 And we bless you that we are led here

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 to the word that became flesh and dwelt among us,

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 to Jesus Christ the righteous,

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 who came to seek and to save the lost,

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 to call sinners to repentance.

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 And so we pray today, Lord,

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 for this time we are together,

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 that you would bless us and do us good,

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 that you would open our hearts

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 and grant us renewed insight

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 and understanding as to the truths of the gospel,

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 these wonderful doctrines of grace,

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 this message of life and forgiveness

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 and reconciliation in Jesus.

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 For we know that there is no condemnation

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 to those who are in Christ Jesus.

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 And we know that he has come to bring us to God,

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 to deliver us from the wrath to come.

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 What a message, what a hope and what a saviour.

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 And we pray, Lord, this morning

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 that this message would take root in our hearts and lives,

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 shaping us from the inside out,

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 leading us and motivating us

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 to be servants of the living God.

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 That we, as the Christians in Thessalonica,

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 it would show we have turned to God,

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 to serve him,

00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:50.980
 waiting for the appearing of Jesus Christ,

00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:53.100
 our saviour, your son.

00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:55.319
 So we pray, Lord, this day,

00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:58.640
 that your message of truth and love and peace

00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:00.940
 would be blessed to our hearts,

00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:03.440
 that as happened in Thessalonica,

00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:05.480
 the word would be blessed here

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.220
 and it would come home to hearts

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:09.039
 with power and much conviction,

00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.720
 blessed of the Holy Spirit,

00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:12.059
 that there would be joy,

00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.559
 joy in the proclamation of Christ,

00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:16.660
 joy in receiving Christ,

00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:19.720
 joy in knowing forgiveness of sin.

00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:22.700
 We pray, Lord, for your blessing on your word today,

00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.980
 that you would watch over

00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:25.640
 and bless the congregation here

00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:27.220
 at this time of change,

00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.980
 at this time of a new chapter,

00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:31.140
 beginning with the retirement of James,

00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.120
 with James and Donna

00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:34.819
 now moving away from the congregation.

00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:36.639
 Lord, we pray that your hand

00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:38.579
 would rest upon them and their family.

00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:39.919
 And we pray, Lord,

00:21:39.959 --> 00:21:41.959
 for the ongoing work of the gospel

00:21:41.959 --> 00:21:43.519
 here in the congregation.

00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.899
 We pray for Calamurdo

00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:46.559
 and the elders and deacons,

00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:47.659
 the Sunday school teachers,

00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:50.259
 all those who are on tea and coffee rotas,

00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.299
 creche rotas,

00:21:51.419 --> 00:21:52.779
 and who run holiday clubs.

00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:54.159
 The work goes on.

00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:56.739
 And for that, Lord, we praise and thank you

00:21:56.739 --> 00:21:59.000
 that the message of Christ crucified

00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:01.119
 will continue to go forth.

00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.659
 And we pray it would go forth

00:22:02.659 --> 00:22:04.419
 with great power and conviction

00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:05.699
 that men and women

00:22:05.699 --> 00:22:07.439
 and boys and girls in Stornoway

00:22:07.439 --> 00:22:09.959
 would come under the sound of the gospel

00:22:09.959 --> 00:22:12.439
 and commit themselves to the Lord,

00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:14.019
 that they would know that salvation

00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:17.039
 in their souls for themselves.

00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.319
 Lord, this we ask,

00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:20.219
 that your hand would be upon

00:22:20.219 --> 00:22:22.359
 the ongoing work of the ministry

00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:24.059
 here in the congregation.

00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:26.139
 We remember today, Lord,

00:22:26.219 --> 00:22:28.359
 the family of Charlie Finlayson.

00:22:28.939 --> 00:22:30.359
 We pray for Catherine and Rury,

00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:32.219
 and the wider family.

00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:33.319
 We pray, Lord,

00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:34.579
 that your hand would be upon them

00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.399
 at this time.

00:22:35.919 --> 00:22:38.679
 And as we reflect on Charlie

00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:40.079
 and his life and witness

00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.740
 and service in the congregation,

00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:44.139
 may that be a witness

00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:46.240
 that will continue to speak to many.

00:22:46.979 --> 00:22:47.839
 We thank you, Lord,

00:22:47.899 --> 00:22:48.859
 that there are so many

00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:50.119
 who down through the years

00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:51.779
 have served you faithfully

00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:53.439
 in similar ways.

00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:56.100
 And we pray that this great cloud

00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:58.019
 of witnesses would continue

00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.160
 to speak to us

00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.620
 and that we would draw from them

00:23:00.620 --> 00:23:02.700
 an example to follow,

00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:04.799
 a promise to claim,

00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.799
 a race to run,

00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.900
 a battle to fight.

00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:10.559
 And may we do so keeping the focus

00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:12.180
 on our Lord and Saviour,

00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:13.200
 Jesus Christ.

00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:16.019
 Lord, at this time as a nation,

00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.960
 we too are experiencing change.

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.580
 We have a new government,

00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:21.140
 a new prime minister.

00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:23.940
 And Lord, we have been inundated

00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.820
 these past weeks

00:23:24.820 --> 00:23:26.560
 with promise and counter-promise,

00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:28.340
 claim and counter-claim,

00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:31.100
 manifesto and counter-manifesto.

00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:33.160
 Lord, we've heard it all before.

00:23:34.080 --> 00:23:36.200
 And yet we see change.

00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:38.480
 And at this time of change,

00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:40.640
 we remember Jesus Christ,

00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.480
 the same yesterday,

00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:44.600
 today and forever.

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.240
 And we pray, Lord,

00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:48.380
 that the certainty of the gospel

00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:50.700
 would take root in hearts and lives

00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:52.080
 at this time of change.

00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.720
 We pray, Lord,

00:23:52.780 --> 00:23:53.680
 for our new government,

00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:55.520
 for the prime minister,

00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:56.240
 for the cabinet,

00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.380
 for the royal family.

00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:59.120
 And that as an establishment,

00:23:59.420 --> 00:23:59.540
 Lord,

00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:01.340
 there would be a sense

00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:03.700
 not just of importance,

00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:05.120
 but a sense of humility,

00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.860
 a sense of your goodness

00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:07.620
 and greatness,

00:24:08.280 --> 00:24:09.620
 and that the gospel of grace

00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:11.020
 would change hearts and lives.

00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:12.040
 We long for the day

00:24:12.040 --> 00:24:13.960
 when we will see men and women

00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.940
 taking their place

00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.960
 in the public square,

00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.680
 unashamed of the gospel,

00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:19.400
 serving Jesus Christ

00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.259
 as a bright,

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.200
 shining witness

00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:22.579
 in that capacity.

00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:24.700
 So we pray for Christian MPs,

00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.779
 Christian MSPs,

00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.779
 and we pray,

00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:27.460
 and long, Lord,

00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.079
 for the day

00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:28.980
 where they would,

00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.039
 at the heart of government

00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:31.880
 and heart of the legislative process

00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.559
 in our land,

00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.120
 be hungering and thirsting

00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.100
 after righteousness,

00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:37.120
 and be a longing for

00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:38.680
 a knowledge of Christ

00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.480
 and him crucified,

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:40.900
 and an experience

00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:42.319
 of personal salvation.

00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:43.579
 Remember us, Lord,

00:24:43.600 --> 00:24:44.799
 at this time as a nation,

00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:46.319
 and we pray that your hand

00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.240
 would be upon us

00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:49.339
 as this new chapter begins,

00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:50.639
 both here locally

00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:52.059
 and nationally.

00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.220
 Lord, we commend

00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:55.879
 all these things to you.

00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.359
 We come to you

00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.319
 as the King of kings

00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:59.359
 and Lord of lords.

00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:01.240
 We bring to your petitions

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.680
 our cares, your concerns,

00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:03.960
 and we pray, Lord,

00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:05.039
 today for those

00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:06.240
 known to you,

00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.720
 perhaps not known to us,

00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.700
 but known to you,

00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.279
 who are finding things

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.259
 difficult at this time.

00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.619
 We pray for those struggling.

00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.059
 We pray, Lord,

00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.039
 for those who are

00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.599
 finding life hard,

00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.839
 who are weighed down,

00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.679
 who are uncertain,

00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.460
 afraid,

00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:20.519
 lonely,

00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:21.539
 anxious,

00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:22.819
 broken.

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.919
 Lord, we pray above all

00:25:24.919 --> 00:25:25.940
 that they might know

00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.039
 that underneath

00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.579
 are the everlasting arms.

00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.559
 May they know

00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.460
 Jesus Christ

00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.339
 and him crucified

00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:32.700
 by coming to him

00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.819
 in repentance and faith,

00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:34.480
 and may those

00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.419
 of your people

00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:36.639
 draw alongside them

00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.480
 and share a word

00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.079
 in season,

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.639
 and bring, Lord,

00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:41.659
 that offer of life

00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.620
 and that promise

00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:43.960
 of peace of heart

00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.580
 and mind

00:25:44.580 --> 00:25:45.740
 that passes

00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.759
 all understanding.

00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:48.000
 Hear us, Lord,

00:25:48.040 --> 00:25:49.120
 in these things we pray.

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.080
 Draw near to us.

00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:50.980
 Bless your word

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.640
 to our hearts

00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.259
 this morning

00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.400
 for forgive our sin.

00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:54.880
 In Jesus' name

00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:55.500
 we ask it.

00:25:55.840 --> 00:25:56.220
 Amen.

00:25:56.220 --> 00:26:02.000
 We'll sing to God's praise

00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.500
 once more

00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.200
 from the Psalter

00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.180
 in Psalm 84.

00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.200
 Psalm 84,

00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.059
 we'll sing

00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.819
 from the beginning

00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.319
 of the Psalm,

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.779
 page 338

00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:11.279
 in our blue Psalm books,

00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.440
 and we're singing

00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.319
 to the tune

00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.420
 Tramps and Hawkers.

00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.480
 Psalm 84,

00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:16.819
 from the beginning,

00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:18.099
 How lovely is

00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:19.279
 thy dwelling place,

00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.679
 O Lord of hosts,

00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.980
 to me the tabernacles

00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.919
 of thy grace,

00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:23.879
 how pleasant,

00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:24.879
 Lord, they be.

00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.359
 My thirsty soul

00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.399
 longs vehemently,

00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.980
 ye faints thy courts

00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.480
 to see.

00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:31.259
 My very heart and flesh

00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.980
 cry out,

00:26:32.379 --> 00:26:33.139
 O living God,

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:33.939
 for thee.

00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.379
 We'll stand and sing

00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.039
 together.

00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.159
 Amen.

00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:42.659
 How lovely is

00:26:42.659 --> 00:26:45.039
 thy dwelling place,

00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:48.720
 O Lord of hosts,

00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:50.779
 to me.

00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:54.480
 The tabernacles

00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:57.159
 of thy grace,

00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:59.099
 how pleasant,

00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:02.259
 Lord, they be.

00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:06.000
 My thirsty soul

00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:08.579
 longs vehemently,

00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:11.259
 in things I go

00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:13.019
 to see.

00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:17.460
 My very heart

00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.839
 and flesh

00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:20.139
 cry out,

00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:23.220
 O living God,

00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:24.559
 for thee.

00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:27.079
 Behold,

00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:29.639
 the sparrow

00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:32.000
 findeth out,

00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.759
 and house

00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:37.180
 wherein to rest.

00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:39.460
 The swallow

00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:41.059
 also

00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:43.059
 for herself

00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:45.059
 hath purchased

00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:47.000
 said,

00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:48.819
 unless.

00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.500
 In thy

00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:53.119
 known altars

00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:54.440
 where she

00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.359
 stayed,

00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:57.119
 her young

00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:58.639
 what's forth

00:27:58.639 --> 00:28:00.299
 may bring.

00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:02.159
 O the

00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:04.299
 almighty

00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:07.019
 Lord of hosts,

00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:08.700
 through heart

00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.700
 thy God

00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.700
 and King.

00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:12.660
 O the

00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:12.700
 Lord of hosts,

00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.700
 my God

00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.700
 and King.

00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:16.700
 may in thy

00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:18.960
 house not dwell,

00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:20.700
 may ever

00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:22.519
 give me

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:24.019
 praise.

00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.319
 Blessed

00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:26.799
 is the

00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.759
 one

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.700
 whose strength

00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:30.600
 thy heart

00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:31.700
 in whose

00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:33.019
 heart

00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.920
 are

00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:35.880
 thy ways.

00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.019
 Who

00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.700
 passing

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.700
 flood,

00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.700
 obey

00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.700
 God's

00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.380
 will,

00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.380
 heaven

00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.380
 to

00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:45.720
 Jacob

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:47.420
 wells,

00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.380
 also

00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:50.120
 the

00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:50.380
 rain

00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:51.620
 that

00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:52.380
 falleth

00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.840
 down,

00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.720
 that

00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.620
 cools

00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:56.160
 with

00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.380
 water

00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:58.380
 fills.

00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.540
 angels.

00:29:04.540 --> 00:29:05.240
 There are

00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.120
 wonderful words

00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:06.440
 and we,

00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:07.920
 having sung them

00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:08.240
 together,

00:29:08.340 --> 00:29:09.380
 we turn to

00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:10.280
 the second

00:29:10.280 --> 00:29:10.860
 passage we

00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:11.300
 read this

00:29:11.300 --> 00:29:12.220
 morning in

00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.460
 1 Thessalonians.

00:29:14.020 --> 00:29:15.560
 1 Thessalonians,

00:29:15.840 --> 00:29:16.740
 letter of the

00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.720
 Apostle Paul to

00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.920
 this brand new

00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:20.760
 church that he

00:29:20.760 --> 00:29:22.060
 had planted as

00:29:22.060 --> 00:29:23.060
 part of his

00:29:23.060 --> 00:29:24.160
 journeying,

00:29:24.260 --> 00:29:25.240
 what we call

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.620
 today the

00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:26.500
 second missionary

00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.020
 journey.

00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:28.240
 he's left

00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:28.799
 the city

00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.920
 by night

00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.940
 because of

00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.500
 the pressure

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.579
 and opposition

00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:33.160
 of the world

00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:33.740
 around him

00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.839
 and now some

00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:35.559
 months later he

00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.339
 writes back to

00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:36.879
 them and this

00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:37.440
 is the record

00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.420
 we have before

00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:38.700
 us.

00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:39.700
 And I'd like us

00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.460
 to especially

00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:41.359
 notice perhaps

00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:42.079
 in verse 2,

00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.039
 we give thanks

00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:44.119
 to God always

00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:45.240
 for all of you,

00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.559
 constantly mentioning

00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.039
 you in our

00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.460
 prayers,

00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.940
 remembering before

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.680
 our God and

00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.879
 Father your

00:29:50.879 --> 00:29:51.879
 work of faith,

00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.079
 your labour

00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:53.639
 of love,

00:29:54.379 --> 00:29:55.619
 your steadfastness

00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:57.139
 of hope in

00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:58.479
 our Lord

00:29:58.479 --> 00:29:59.599
 Jesus Christ.

00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.719
 I wonder what

00:30:02.719 --> 00:30:03.379
 it is you look

00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:04.319
 for in a

00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:04.819
 church.

00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:06.279
 It's a good

00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.019
 question, it's a

00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.679
 fair question.

00:30:08.479 --> 00:30:09.459
 I'm sure most

00:30:09.459 --> 00:30:10.159
 of us, if not

00:30:10.159 --> 00:30:10.859
 all, have at

00:30:10.859 --> 00:30:11.639
 some point been

00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.299
 on our travels

00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:13.519
 on holiday or

00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.319
 in a town or

00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:14.979
 city we're not

00:30:14.979 --> 00:30:15.559
 very familiar

00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.239
 with and we've

00:30:16.239 --> 00:30:16.879
 looked for a

00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:17.399
 church to go

00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:18.659
 along to and

00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:19.699
 I wonder in

00:30:19.699 --> 00:30:20.439
 doing so what

00:30:20.439 --> 00:30:21.599
 it is you would

00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.039
 look for.

00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:23.680
 What is it you

00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:24.960
 look for in a

00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.359
 church?

00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.339
 What is it you

00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:26.839
 would like to

00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.680
 see when you

00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.579
 walk in?

00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.700
 What is it you

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.139
 would like to

00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:31.399
 experience as the

00:30:31.399 --> 00:30:32.659
 worship begins

00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:34.339
 and unfolds?

00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.359
 What would you

00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:36.980
 hope to feel

00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.559
 while you were

00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:38.940
 there?

00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:39.779
 And above all

00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:41.420
 perhaps, what

00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:42.099
 would you want

00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:43.740
 to hear from

00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:45.220
 the pulpit during

00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:46.119
 that worship

00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:46.779
 service?

00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:47.659
 That's the kind

00:30:47.659 --> 00:30:48.579
 of questions that

00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:49.420
 are in the

00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.980
 background to this

00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.359
 letter.

00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:53.119
 we know from

00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:53.759
 the Acts of

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.339
 the Apostles

00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:55.099
 that Paul and

00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:55.899
 his small team

00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:56.859
 of co-workers

00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:57.379
 brought the

00:30:57.379 --> 00:30:58.059
 gospel to

00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:59.240
 mainland Europe

00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.279
 and he travelled

00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:01.319
 from Philippi to

00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.259
 Thessalonica to

00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.099
 Berea down to

00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.679
 Athens and

00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.259
 Corinth and

00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.419
 Ephesus and

00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:06.659
 overall it seems

00:31:06.659 --> 00:31:07.459
 scholars can

00:31:07.459 --> 00:31:07.939
 piece things

00:31:07.939 --> 00:31:08.299
 together.

00:31:08.419 --> 00:31:09.059
 They think it

00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:09.759
 was about a

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:11.000
 three-year period

00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:12.119
 covering about

00:31:12.119 --> 00:31:14.019
 3,000 miles and

00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.839
 we know we

00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.819
 park the statistics

00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.659
 that what happened

00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.639
 above all was

00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:18.539
 the gospel of

00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.959
 grace took hold

00:31:19.959 --> 00:31:21.159
 in hearts and

00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.660
 lives.

00:31:22.040 --> 00:31:22.519
 Everywhere they

00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.120
 went there was

00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:24.480
 conversions, there

00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.240
 was blessing,

00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:26.279
 churches were

00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:28.380
 planted but no

00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:29.060
 sooner had the

00:31:29.060 --> 00:31:30.060
 light dispelled

00:31:30.060 --> 00:31:30.800
 the darkness

00:31:30.800 --> 00:31:31.960
 than very quickly

00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.960
 opposition came

00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.680
 and these new

00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.759
 churches that we

00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.680
 have the letters

00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.580
 to Galatians,

00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.240
 Ephesians,

00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.279
 the Philippians,

00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:39.060
 the Colossian

00:31:39.060 --> 00:31:39.680
 church, the

00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.240
 church here in

00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:40.740
 Thessalonica,

00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.580
 they were brand

00:31:41.580 --> 00:31:42.480
 new churches,

00:31:42.860 --> 00:31:44.900
 church plants in

00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:46.380
 pagan cities full

00:31:46.380 --> 00:31:47.920
 of darkness and

00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:49.400
 mysticism and

00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:50.420
 pluralism and

00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:51.200
 paganism,

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.460
 emperor worship

00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.600
 was a thing and

00:31:53.600 --> 00:31:54.040
 if you didn't

00:31:54.040 --> 00:31:54.759
 take some

00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:56.540
 spice and

00:31:56.540 --> 00:31:57.440
 sprinkle it on

00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.019
 the altar and

00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:58.680
 say Caesar is

00:31:58.680 --> 00:31:59.940
 God, you'd be

00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.800
 instantly branded

00:32:00.800 --> 00:32:01.600
 as some kind of

00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:02.259
 lunatic, an

00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.820
 atheist, an

00:32:02.820 --> 00:32:03.940
 outcast, someone

00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.820
 to be watched, a

00:32:04.820 --> 00:32:05.920
 troublemaker, some

00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:07.259
 kind of insurgent.

00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.400
 So that was what

00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:09.860
 Christians had to

00:32:09.860 --> 00:32:10.860
 accept right from

00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.340
 the off.

00:32:12.040 --> 00:32:13.060
 And we read

00:32:13.060 --> 00:32:14.480
 through Acts

00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:15.640
 17 and we read

00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:16.480
 it for a purpose

00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.660
 because we read

00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.420
 there the

00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.279
 founding of this

00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:20.039
 church that Paul

00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.680
 is now writing

00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.940
 to, these words,

00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:23.019
 remembering before

00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.839
 our God and

00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.900
 Father your work

00:32:24.900 --> 00:32:25.740
 of faith, your

00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.900
 labour of love and

00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:28.059
 steadfastness of

00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:28.960
 hope in our Lord

00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:29.839
 Jesus Christ.

00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.980
 What do you look

00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.880
 for in a church?

00:32:33.900 --> 00:32:34.539
 This is what the

00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.579
 apostle Paul was

00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:36.200
 looking for.

00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:38.680
 And to see if

00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.720
 these things were

00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.559
 there, what he

00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:42.120
 did was he sent

00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:43.620
 Timothy back.

00:32:43.880 --> 00:32:44.519
 As we piece

00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.420
 things together in

00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:45.940
 the Acts of the

00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:46.980
 Apostles and we

00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:47.720
 read through this

00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.860
 letter, chapter 3

00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:49.940
 tells us we could

00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.799
 bear it no longer,

00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.960
 chapter 3, verse 1,

00:32:52.080 --> 00:32:53.100
 we were willing to

00:32:53.100 --> 00:32:53.920
 be left alone at

00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:55.180
 Athens and we sent

00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:56.180
 Timothy, our

00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:57.400
 brother and God's

00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:58.259
 co-worker in the

00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:58.960
 gospel of Christ,

00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.500
 why?

00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:00.940
 To establish and

00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:02.539
 exhort you in your

00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:04.080
 faith that no one

00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:05.460
 be moved by these

00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.380
 afflictions.

00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:08.299
 This church had

00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:09.240
 known the blessing

00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.299
 of God Almighty,

00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.400
 but also they had

00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:13.559
 already tasted the

00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:14.660
 enmity and opposition

00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:15.740
 and intolerance of

00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.200
 the world.

00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:18.140
 The apostle had to

00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:19.620
 leave Thessalonica

00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:21.000
 under the cover of

00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.500
 darkness.

00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.680
 That's what chapter

00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:24.900
 17 in Acts tells us.

00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:25.980
 There was such an

00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:27.019
 uproar and the

00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:28.420
 riot and the threat

00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:29.599
 and the threat of

00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:30.980
 violence was so real

00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:32.079
 in the air that the

00:33:32.079 --> 00:33:33.000
 brothers in chapter

00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:34.140
 17 and verse 10

00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:35.720
 sent Paul and Silas

00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:37.400
 away by night to

00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:37.839
 Berea.

00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.240
 They had arrived in

00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:40.140
 the daytime as far as

00:33:40.140 --> 00:33:42.000
 we can tell, but such

00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.059
 was the opposition and

00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:44.319
 enmity and hatred they'd

00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:45.439
 experienced that they

00:33:45.439 --> 00:33:46.359
 had to leave under the

00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:47.200
 cover of darkness.

00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.439
 They moved on to

00:33:48.439 --> 00:33:49.500
 Berea and then were

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.759
 told that the Jewish

00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:52.179
 people in Thessalonica

00:33:52.179 --> 00:33:53.359
 heard he was at work

00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:54.319
 in Berea and they

00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:55.200
 came there and stirred

00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:56.059
 up the crowd as well.

00:33:56.179 --> 00:33:57.179
 So in Thessalonica

00:33:57.179 --> 00:33:59.220
 there was real danger

00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:00.939
 and violence and

00:34:00.939 --> 00:34:02.099
 threat and opposition.

00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:03.500
 Paul knew it.

00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:05.379
 And some months later

00:34:05.379 --> 00:34:06.419
 down in Corinth when he

00:34:06.419 --> 00:34:07.679
 could take it no longer,

00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:09.219
 chapter 3, we could

00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:10.340
 bear it no longer.

00:34:10.779 --> 00:34:11.739
 He couldn't take it

00:34:11.739 --> 00:34:12.099
 anymore.

00:34:12.299 --> 00:34:12.899
 He couldn't take the

00:34:12.899 --> 00:34:15.099
 worry, the anxiety, the

00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:16.319
 care he felt for these

00:34:16.319 --> 00:34:18.039
 people and so he sends

00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:19.000
 Timothy and he sends

00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:20.139
 Timothy to a very clear

00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:20.519
 mission.

00:34:20.939 --> 00:34:22.599
 Timothy, travel back up

00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:24.000
 these 300 or so miles to

00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:26.919
 Thessalonica and see if

00:34:26.919 --> 00:34:28.599
 the church has stood the

00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.000
 test.

00:34:29.779 --> 00:34:31.000
 See if they've survived.

00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:32.839
 See if they're growing.

00:34:33.319 --> 00:34:34.879
 Go and see if there's a

00:34:34.879 --> 00:34:36.839
 church of Jesus Christ in

00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:37.439
 Thessalonica.

00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:39.819
 So I'd like us to think

00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:40.820
 about this and what comes

00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:41.920
 out of this background

00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:43.220
 particularly in light of

00:34:43.220 --> 00:34:44.160
 these words here in

00:34:44.160 --> 00:34:45.280
 chapter 1 and verse 3.

00:34:45.660 --> 00:34:46.880
 And notice this morning

00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:47.680
 two things.

00:34:47.780 --> 00:34:48.840
 First of all, the

00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:50.120
 motivation behind this

00:34:50.120 --> 00:34:51.180
 letter being Paul's

00:34:51.180 --> 00:34:52.320
 loving concern.

00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:54.580
 There's a loving concern

00:34:54.580 --> 00:34:55.059
 here.

00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:57.160
 To such a degree that he

00:34:57.160 --> 00:34:57.980
 sends Timothy.

00:34:58.120 --> 00:34:59.260
 He sends his best.

00:34:59.680 --> 00:35:00.580
 He takes Timothy, his

00:35:00.580 --> 00:35:02.059
 right-hand man, and he

00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:03.200
 sends him on a perilous

00:35:03.200 --> 00:35:04.420
 mission on his own by the

00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.720
 look of it, back up the

00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:07.300
 Isthmus from Corinth in the

00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:08.720
 south, back up to the

00:35:08.720 --> 00:35:09.720
 north to Thessalonica.

00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:11.360
 Which was at the time the

00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:12.559
 provincial capital.

00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:14.519
 It was a city of around, as

00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:16.440
 far as we can tell, 200,000.

00:35:16.580 --> 00:35:18.059
 So the population of ancient

00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:20.100
 Thessalonica was just slightly

00:35:20.100 --> 00:35:22.000
 smaller than modern-day

00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:22.500
 Aberdeen.

00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:24.840
 It's a big ancient city.

00:35:25.420 --> 00:35:27.539
 And in that city, there's a

00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.039
 church.

00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:30.059
 There was a church.

00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:32.900
 And Timothy's mission is to

00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:35.120
 go back and see if the church

00:35:35.120 --> 00:35:35.880
 is still there.

00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.519
 That's the interesting

00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:39.400
 background and dynamic.

00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:41.079
 That's the canvas upon which

00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:42.460
 this letter is written.

00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:44.220
 So there's a loving concern

00:35:44.220 --> 00:35:45.139
 here, first of all.

00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:45.920
 We'll look at the loving

00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:47.420
 concern, and then we'll think

00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:49.360
 about the living church that

00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:50.139
 Timothy finds.

00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:52.180
 The loving concern that we see

00:35:52.180 --> 00:35:54.400
 in Paul is, first of all, it's

00:35:54.400 --> 00:35:56.619
 expressed in the language that

00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:58.119
 opens a letter to the church of

00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:58.940
 the Thessalonians.

00:35:59.019 --> 00:36:01.039
 He writes to them, identifying

00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:03.280
 them as to where they are, but

00:36:03.280 --> 00:36:05.220
 more importantly, who they are

00:36:05.219 --> 00:36:06.659
 and whose they are.

00:36:06.899 --> 00:36:08.799
 They are the church in God the

00:36:08.799 --> 00:36:11.159
 Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:12.539
 Grace to you and peace.

00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.980
 And then immediately, there's a

00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:14.879
 switch in the language.

00:36:15.239 --> 00:36:16.939
 We thank, we give thanks to God

00:36:16.939 --> 00:36:18.399
 always for all of you, constantly

00:36:18.399 --> 00:36:20.279
 mentioning you in our prayers,

00:36:20.679 --> 00:36:22.659
 remembering you before our God and

00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:23.039
 Father.

00:36:23.879 --> 00:36:25.179
 And so he talks about them being

00:36:25.179 --> 00:36:28.179
 the church of the Thessalonians

00:36:28.799 --> 00:36:31.960
 in God the Father, who is our God

00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:34.940
 and Father, through our Lord Jesus

00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.559
 Christ.

00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:38.259
 So by the end of verse 3, the

00:36:38.259 --> 00:36:40.460
 language of family is established.

00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:41.539
 There's a bond.

00:36:41.919 --> 00:36:44.359
 And this bond shows and is expressed

00:36:44.359 --> 00:36:46.539
 in Paul's loving concern.

00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:49.619
 He speaks of them as being one.

00:36:50.399 --> 00:36:52.379
 And with absolute certainty and

00:36:52.379 --> 00:36:54.319
 clarity of thought, as he pens this

00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:57.640
 letter down in Corinth, he reflects

00:36:57.640 --> 00:37:01.039
 on their standing in Christ and

00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:03.260
 their bond through Christ.

00:37:03.780 --> 00:37:07.480
 Faith has established a new reality.

00:37:08.260 --> 00:37:10.440
 And that reality is pouring out of

00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:11.420
 Paul's own heart.

00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:14.860
 We give thanks to God always for you,

00:37:15.260 --> 00:37:17.800
 constantly, re-mentioning you in

00:37:17.800 --> 00:37:19.920
 our prayers, remembering before our

00:37:19.920 --> 00:37:20.680
 God and Father.

00:37:20.980 --> 00:37:22.880
 He is so concerned for them.

00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:24.860
 He has such a love for them because

00:37:24.860 --> 00:37:27.059
 he was there when he brought the

00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:27.840
 gospel to them.

00:37:28.200 --> 00:37:29.500
 And what was the message?

00:37:29.820 --> 00:37:32.559
 Chapter 17 in Acts tells us the

00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:34.720
 emphasis Paul brought to ancient

00:37:34.720 --> 00:37:35.400
 Thessalonica.

00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:38.760
 We're told in chapter 17 that he

00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:40.700
 spent three Sabbath days, that's over

00:37:40.700 --> 00:37:42.740
 a period of three weeks as a minimum,

00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:46.820
 explaining and proving it was necessary

00:37:46.820 --> 00:37:49.559
 for the Christ to suffer and to rise

00:37:49.559 --> 00:37:52.539
 from the dead saying, this Jesus who

00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:55.599
 might proclaim to you is the Christ.

00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:59.759
 And so we have Paul emphasizing in a

00:37:59.759 --> 00:38:04.019
 matter of weeks the cross and the

00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:07.639
 resurrection, the death and life of

00:38:07.639 --> 00:38:10.320
 the Lord Jesus Christ and saying, this

00:38:10.320 --> 00:38:12.400
 Jesus who might proclaim to you is the

00:38:12.400 --> 00:38:12.779
 Christ.

00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:14.500
 He preached Christ crucified.

00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:17.400
 And what happened in response to this

00:38:17.400 --> 00:38:17.800
 message?

00:38:18.219 --> 00:38:20.699
 Some were persuaded, as did a great

00:38:20.699 --> 00:38:23.179
 many of devout Greeks and many of the

00:38:23.179 --> 00:38:24.340
 leading women of the city.

00:38:24.539 --> 00:38:27.699
 They were converted because Paul preached

00:38:27.699 --> 00:38:28.260
 Christ.

00:38:28.820 --> 00:38:29.920
 He kept the focus.

00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:32.820
 He was there to tell them not about who

00:38:32.820 --> 00:38:35.059
 he was and what he had achieved.

00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:37.480
 He didn't go there with a CV as many

00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:39.820
 traveling preachers and philosophers did in

00:38:39.820 --> 00:38:40.260
 his day.

00:38:40.639 --> 00:38:42.960
 Many made itinerant speakers, made their

00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:46.320
 living by holding public classes and

00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:46.820
 lectures.

00:38:47.240 --> 00:38:50.059
 They would be paid to perform orations

00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:52.059
 and give great declarations of

00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:54.599
 philosophy and mysticism and all sorts of

00:38:54.599 --> 00:38:55.980
 pluralism and paganism.

00:38:56.220 --> 00:38:58.039
 All sorts of things were rebounding

00:38:58.039 --> 00:38:59.179
 around the city at this time.

00:38:59.260 --> 00:39:00.500
 And many would have thought, oh, here's

00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:01.860
 just another itinerant speaker.

00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:02.820
 Here's another preacher.

00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:04.139
 I wonder what he's got to say.

00:39:05.579 --> 00:39:07.960
 And what he had to say was, this Jesus,

00:39:08.519 --> 00:39:10.599
 whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.

00:39:10.599 --> 00:39:14.860
 Paul's heart for these people is founded

00:39:14.860 --> 00:39:17.480
 in these words in these few short weeks.

00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:19.679
 As far as we can tell, he had a maximum of

00:39:19.679 --> 00:39:21.559
 just a couple of months, maybe eight weeks,

00:39:21.679 --> 00:39:24.299
 ten weeks with them before he had to flee

00:39:24.299 --> 00:39:26.619
 the city or leave the city, I should say,

00:39:26.699 --> 00:39:27.980
 by the cover of darkness.

00:39:28.659 --> 00:39:31.440
 Such was the threat and violence and

00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:33.279
 aggression that the church was now

00:39:33.279 --> 00:39:33.940
 experiencing.

00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:38.000
 And so his loving concern is genuine,

00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:40.219
 he's deep-rooted, he's praying for

00:39:40.219 --> 00:39:42.519
 and really concerned for his fellow believers.

00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:45.199
 And so it comes to the point down there

00:39:45.199 --> 00:39:47.159
 in Corinth a matter of months later,

00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:48.780
 he can't take the worry anymore,

00:39:48.840 --> 00:39:50.320
 he can't take the concern anymore.

00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:52.039
 He wants to know how they're doing

00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:53.559
 and so he sends Timothy.

00:39:54.739 --> 00:39:56.880
 He gives him his best.

00:39:57.719 --> 00:39:59.960
 And so Timothy is sent back to encourage,

00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:03.380
 he is sent back to encourage the people,

00:40:03.579 --> 00:40:05.619
 the languages, his co-work,

00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:08.380
 he's sent back to establish and exhort you

00:40:08.380 --> 00:40:11.000
 in your faith that no one be moved

00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:12.880
 by these afflictions for you yourselves.

00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:15.359
 No, we are destined for this.

00:40:16.299 --> 00:40:18.299
 He doesn't want any Christians sitting there

00:40:18.299 --> 00:40:19.859
 experiencing a difficult providence

00:40:19.859 --> 00:40:21.960
 or a hard time thinking,

00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:23.519
 well, why am I going through this?

00:40:23.920 --> 00:40:26.839
 Surely Christians are not meant to experience this.

00:40:27.420 --> 00:40:29.639
 And he knows that such is the heart

00:40:29.639 --> 00:40:33.699
 of the human heart that we fall over,

00:40:33.699 --> 00:40:35.480
 don't we, we struggle, we're weak,

00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:37.179
 we give in to temptation

00:40:37.179 --> 00:40:39.659
 and then we get into such a confiddle

00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:41.759
 and we think, well, things should go this way

00:40:41.759 --> 00:40:43.099
 and when they don't go that way,

00:40:43.179 --> 00:40:44.259
 we fall apart and think,

00:40:44.279 --> 00:40:45.159
 well, how can this be?

00:40:45.339 --> 00:40:46.719
 Where's God in all of this?

00:40:47.239 --> 00:40:49.659
 And Paul is writing to them to remind them.

00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:52.359
 And the language he uses is remarkable.

00:40:53.439 --> 00:40:58.019
 You yourselves know we are destined for this.

00:40:58.019 --> 00:41:03.599
 We should experience and anticipate difficulty,

00:41:03.980 --> 00:41:07.099
 hardship, challenge, unsettledness.

00:41:08.340 --> 00:41:10.179
 And so Paul's loving concern is that

00:41:10.179 --> 00:41:12.920
 they would be kept on track.

00:41:13.539 --> 00:41:15.559
 He knew they'd be experiencing affliction,

00:41:16.400 --> 00:41:18.400
 opposition and frustration.

00:41:18.619 --> 00:41:20.179
 It was all there and he knew

00:41:20.179 --> 00:41:21.960
 that they would be going through it.

00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:24.280
 He knew and was concerned for them

00:41:24.280 --> 00:41:26.660
 that in what they would be experiencing,

00:41:27.060 --> 00:41:29.240
 they would not be blown off course,

00:41:29.700 --> 00:41:30.800
 that they would not crumble

00:41:30.800 --> 00:41:33.100
 and that they would not collapse in themselves,

00:41:33.980 --> 00:41:35.040
 that they would not become obsessed

00:41:35.040 --> 00:41:36.700
 with the hardship they were going through.

00:41:37.120 --> 00:41:39.180
 And so he says, Timothy, go back

00:41:39.180 --> 00:41:42.220
 and minister to them, pastor to them,

00:41:42.580 --> 00:41:44.680
 look after them and see if the church

00:41:44.680 --> 00:41:46.080
 is standing fast.

00:41:47.120 --> 00:41:49.040
 And he writes, grace to you and peace.

00:41:49.040 --> 00:41:50.700
 What more could he hope for?

00:41:51.100 --> 00:41:52.680
 What more could we today wish for anyone

00:41:52.679 --> 00:41:55.460
 but grace and peace?

00:41:55.639 --> 00:41:59.339
 And there's a clear way we can apply all of this

00:41:59.339 --> 00:42:00.319
 at this point today.

00:42:00.379 --> 00:42:03.019
 We need to pause before thinking about the living church.

00:42:03.679 --> 00:42:05.779
 This loving concern that led to Timothy

00:42:05.779 --> 00:42:08.599
 being sent back on this mission to Thessalonica.

00:42:10.500 --> 00:42:12.980
 If we put ourselves in that position

00:42:12.980 --> 00:42:16.119
 and imagine Timothy coming here,

00:42:16.899 --> 00:42:17.980
 what would Timothy find?

00:42:18.879 --> 00:42:21.139
 What kind of church would Timothy find

00:42:21.139 --> 00:42:22.759
 if he joined us this morning?

00:42:23.279 --> 00:42:24.559
 We know what he'd be looking for.

00:42:25.259 --> 00:42:26.859
 He found it in Thessalonica.

00:42:27.400 --> 00:42:29.859
 He found a living church,

00:42:30.159 --> 00:42:31.599
 defined here in verse 3

00:42:31.599 --> 00:42:34.359
 as a church that was set apart

00:42:34.359 --> 00:42:35.519
 by their work of faith,

00:42:35.599 --> 00:42:37.799
 their labor of love and steadfastness of hope.

00:42:38.480 --> 00:42:39.879
 So here's our challenge

00:42:39.879 --> 00:42:42.259
 by way of application of all of this.

00:42:43.119 --> 00:42:44.400
 If Timothy was to come here,

00:42:44.480 --> 00:42:45.379
 what would he find?

00:42:46.279 --> 00:42:48.500
 Has he spent time moving in amongst you

00:42:48.500 --> 00:42:52.519
 in fellowship and worship and praise and prayer?

00:42:53.179 --> 00:42:54.340
 What would he find?

00:42:55.199 --> 00:42:56.940
 And then what report would he bring back

00:42:56.940 --> 00:42:59.760
 to the apostle of the church in Stornoway?

00:43:00.099 --> 00:43:01.619
 He'd been sent back to establish

00:43:01.619 --> 00:43:03.500
 and exhort them in their faith,

00:43:04.260 --> 00:43:06.219
 reminding them that they're not exempt

00:43:06.219 --> 00:43:09.280
 difficulty, hardship and setbacks.

00:43:10.059 --> 00:43:11.559
 How did you get on, Timothy?

00:43:11.719 --> 00:43:12.380
 What's the message?

00:43:12.500 --> 00:43:13.139
 What's the report?

00:43:13.340 --> 00:43:14.420
 Tell me about the church.

00:43:14.420 --> 00:43:16.680
 That's what happened in Corinth

00:43:16.680 --> 00:43:19.099
 when Timothy eventually caught up.

00:43:19.200 --> 00:43:21.940
 Perhaps it seems maybe it wasn't in Athens.

00:43:22.139 --> 00:43:23.320
 It was maybe either in Corinth

00:43:23.320 --> 00:43:24.300
 or maybe even in Ephesus.

00:43:24.480 --> 00:43:26.579
 Probably Corinth as we try and piece it together,

00:43:26.720 --> 00:43:28.180
 which isn't always that easy to do.

00:43:28.880 --> 00:43:30.579
 But the report he brought back

00:43:30.579 --> 00:43:32.079
 was crystal clear.

00:43:32.480 --> 00:43:36.500
 Whatever city he re-aligned himself with Paul,

00:43:36.800 --> 00:43:37.880
 whatever they were at that time,

00:43:37.920 --> 00:43:39.920
 he brought back a wonderful report.

00:43:39.920 --> 00:43:43.599
 A report that gladdened the heart.

00:43:44.460 --> 00:43:45.639
 Chapter 3, verse 6.

00:43:45.740 --> 00:43:47.280
 Timothy has come to us from you

00:43:47.280 --> 00:43:49.180
 and has brought us the good news

00:43:49.180 --> 00:43:51.840
 of your faith and love and reported.

00:43:52.460 --> 00:43:54.220
 You always remember us kindly

00:43:54.220 --> 00:43:55.940
 and long to see us

00:43:55.940 --> 00:43:57.800
 as we long to see you.

00:43:59.920 --> 00:44:01.519
 There was a description

00:44:01.519 --> 00:44:03.180
 a number of years ago I read

00:44:03.180 --> 00:44:06.940
 of the liner, the old liner,

00:44:07.059 --> 00:44:07.780
 the Queen Mary,

00:44:07.780 --> 00:44:09.240
 that eventually was retired

00:44:09.240 --> 00:44:11.580
 from the transatlantic crossing,

00:44:11.700 --> 00:44:13.720
 was bought by a multi-billionaire

00:44:13.720 --> 00:44:14.380
 over in America

00:44:14.380 --> 00:44:15.800
 and parked up and turned into

00:44:15.800 --> 00:44:19.160
 this five-star luxury hotel complex

00:44:19.160 --> 00:44:21.780
 as part of a massive retail park

00:44:21.780 --> 00:44:23.300
 there over in the States somewhere.

00:44:23.880 --> 00:44:25.180
 And after a number of years,

00:44:25.320 --> 00:44:26.440
 the ship was inspected.

00:44:26.620 --> 00:44:27.500
 From the outside,

00:44:28.260 --> 00:44:31.240
 the Queen Mary looked absolutely incredible,

00:44:31.660 --> 00:44:31.780
 colossal,

00:44:32.600 --> 00:44:34.360
 this vast luxury liner

00:44:34.360 --> 00:44:36.360
 that famed around the world

00:44:36.360 --> 00:44:38.539
 for the luxurious appointments

00:44:38.539 --> 00:44:39.160
 in the ship

00:44:39.160 --> 00:44:40.280
 as she crossed the Atlantic

00:44:40.280 --> 00:44:42.300
 in the 30s and the 40s.

00:44:42.960 --> 00:44:44.820
 But when the ship was inspected,

00:44:45.760 --> 00:44:47.120
 it was found to be

00:44:47.120 --> 00:44:48.940
 in utter disrepair.

00:44:49.800 --> 00:44:52.800
 There was all sorts of issues

00:44:52.800 --> 00:44:53.780
 and problems.

00:44:54.300 --> 00:44:56.079
 The ship had simply suffered

00:44:56.079 --> 00:44:56.940
 from neglect.

00:44:57.720 --> 00:45:00.780
 It had sat in that docking position

00:45:00.780 --> 00:45:03.100
 and her engines,

00:45:03.360 --> 00:45:05.680
 her systems below the waterline

00:45:05.680 --> 00:45:07.519
 were an absolute catastrophe

00:45:07.519 --> 00:45:09.280
 that was going to cost millions

00:45:09.280 --> 00:45:10.680
 to put right.

00:45:10.820 --> 00:45:12.420
 The ship had just suffered

00:45:12.420 --> 00:45:13.140
 from neglect.

00:45:14.840 --> 00:45:15.920
 And that's the kind of picture,

00:45:16.019 --> 00:45:16.320
 I think,

00:45:16.380 --> 00:45:18.400
 that we need to take hold of today,

00:45:18.500 --> 00:45:20.460
 that we would not suffer

00:45:20.460 --> 00:45:21.560
 from neglect

00:45:21.560 --> 00:45:23.660
 and that we would not neglect

00:45:23.660 --> 00:45:24.660
 the cause,

00:45:24.900 --> 00:45:25.440
 the work,

00:45:25.740 --> 00:45:26.340
 the ministry

00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:27.860
 that is to continue

00:45:27.860 --> 00:45:29.220
 here as a congregation

00:45:29.219 --> 00:45:30.399
 among you.

00:45:30.939 --> 00:45:31.779
 Your responsibility

00:45:31.779 --> 00:45:32.579
 and privilege

00:45:32.579 --> 00:45:34.079
 is to serve this community

00:45:34.079 --> 00:45:36.079
 in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:45:36.399 --> 00:45:38.079
 That work goes on.

00:45:39.059 --> 00:45:40.819
 And so we need to ensure

00:45:40.819 --> 00:45:41.879
 the focus remains,

00:45:42.619 --> 00:45:43.439
 that the temperature

00:45:43.439 --> 00:45:44.659
 remains high,

00:45:44.739 --> 00:45:45.319
 that the pulse

00:45:45.319 --> 00:45:46.319
 remains strong,

00:45:46.619 --> 00:45:48.219
 and that fellowship

00:45:48.219 --> 00:45:49.359
 and worship

00:45:49.359 --> 00:45:50.480
 and communion

00:45:50.480 --> 00:45:52.119
 go together.

00:45:53.859 --> 00:45:55.159
 Paul's love and concern

00:45:55.159 --> 00:45:56.239
 brings all this out

00:45:56.239 --> 00:45:57.579
 because that's what Timothy

00:45:57.579 --> 00:45:59.959
 found in ancient Thessalonica

00:45:59.959 --> 00:46:01.519
 and our challenge,

00:46:01.639 --> 00:46:02.339
 our responsibility

00:46:02.339 --> 00:46:04.079
 is that we would seek

00:46:04.079 --> 00:46:06.239
 to achieve the same

00:46:06.239 --> 00:46:07.819
 in our day and age,

00:46:08.259 --> 00:46:08.979
 in our setting.

00:46:09.079 --> 00:46:10.559
 So there's love and concern here.

00:46:11.579 --> 00:46:12.459
 Secondly, of course,

00:46:12.539 --> 00:46:13.519
 there's what Timothy found

00:46:13.519 --> 00:46:14.739
 when he got to Thessalonica.

00:46:15.179 --> 00:46:17.059
 He travelled that 300 or so miles

00:46:17.059 --> 00:46:18.059
 on his own by foot,

00:46:18.279 --> 00:46:19.179
 as far as we can tell,

00:46:19.459 --> 00:46:21.159
 back up to Thessalonica.

00:46:21.679 --> 00:46:23.079
 He went back to the site

00:46:23.079 --> 00:46:24.299
 where the church had been founded

00:46:24.300 --> 00:46:26.080
 and what he found there

00:46:26.080 --> 00:46:27.160
 gladdened his heart.

00:46:28.480 --> 00:46:30.160
 And he brought back to Paul

00:46:30.160 --> 00:46:31.660
 a message of joy

00:46:31.660 --> 00:46:32.680
 and thanksgiving.

00:46:33.420 --> 00:46:34.720
 Timothy in chapter 3

00:46:34.720 --> 00:46:36.220
 has come to you

00:46:36.220 --> 00:46:37.420
 and has brought us

00:46:37.420 --> 00:46:38.860
 the good news

00:46:38.860 --> 00:46:41.080
 of your faith and love.

00:46:41.340 --> 00:46:42.480
 Paul, he would have said,

00:46:42.940 --> 00:46:44.100
 the church has stood

00:46:44.100 --> 00:46:45.240
 the test of time.

00:46:45.560 --> 00:46:46.660
 The church has not been

00:46:46.660 --> 00:46:48.100
 hold beneath the waterline.

00:46:48.400 --> 00:46:49.360
 The church is good.

00:46:49.640 --> 00:46:50.780
 The church is solid.

00:46:51.400 --> 00:46:53.019
 The church is full of faith

00:46:53.019 --> 00:46:55.400
 and love and hope.

00:46:56.380 --> 00:46:57.739
 So what we find here

00:46:57.739 --> 00:46:59.579
 is a wonderful description

00:46:59.579 --> 00:47:01.179
 or definition, if you like,

00:47:01.219 --> 00:47:03.659
 of a living church.

00:47:04.199 --> 00:47:05.539
 A church defined by

00:47:05.539 --> 00:47:07.280
 her work of faith.

00:47:07.659 --> 00:47:09.599
 Faith regardless of the opposition.

00:47:10.219 --> 00:47:10.840
 There was love

00:47:10.840 --> 00:47:12.519
 even though there had been frustration.

00:47:12.759 --> 00:47:13.500
 There was hope

00:47:13.500 --> 00:47:15.280
 even though there had been persecution.

00:47:16.300 --> 00:47:17.619
 What is it that this language

00:47:17.619 --> 00:47:19.259
 tells us then of the living church?

00:47:19.800 --> 00:47:20.820
 Your work of faith,

00:47:20.820 --> 00:47:21.940
 your labour of love

00:47:21.940 --> 00:47:23.400
 and steadfastness of hope.

00:47:23.580 --> 00:47:24.559
 These things

00:47:24.559 --> 00:47:26.820
 are all productive.

00:47:27.019 --> 00:47:28.080
 There's nothing static.

00:47:28.500 --> 00:47:29.519
 There's nothing formal.

00:47:29.800 --> 00:47:30.620
 There's nothing dull.

00:47:30.680 --> 00:47:32.220
 There's no sense of routine here.

00:47:32.539 --> 00:47:34.480
 This is a dynamic

00:47:34.480 --> 00:47:35.980
 and dedicated

00:47:35.980 --> 00:47:37.420
 and determined picture

00:47:37.420 --> 00:47:38.120
 of a church.

00:47:38.460 --> 00:47:40.240
 Their faith is producing works.

00:47:40.559 --> 00:47:43.220
 Their love is producing labour.

00:47:43.480 --> 00:47:44.320
 And their hope

00:47:44.320 --> 00:47:46.420
 is producing steadfastness.

00:47:46.500 --> 00:47:48.800
 That's the phrasing goes on.

00:47:48.800 --> 00:47:50.800
 It's not that their work

00:47:50.800 --> 00:47:52.360
 is then going to lead them to faith.

00:47:52.680 --> 00:47:53.480
 It's the other way around.

00:47:53.560 --> 00:47:55.460
 Their faith is leading them to work.

00:47:55.700 --> 00:47:57.420
 Their love is motivating them

00:47:57.420 --> 00:47:58.140
 to labour.

00:47:58.500 --> 00:47:59.260
 And their hope

00:47:59.260 --> 00:48:00.340
 is leading them

00:48:00.340 --> 00:48:02.800
 to endure with steadfastness.

00:48:03.680 --> 00:48:05.120
 So then we see that

00:48:05.120 --> 00:48:06.660
 as one writer put it

00:48:06.660 --> 00:48:07.720
 very nicely,

00:48:07.860 --> 00:48:08.460
 he put it this way.

00:48:08.920 --> 00:48:10.780
 Theirs was the dynamic

00:48:10.780 --> 00:48:11.900
 outworking

00:48:11.900 --> 00:48:14.800
 of a life transforming principle.

00:48:15.460 --> 00:48:16.480
 It's quite something, isn't it?

00:48:16.480 --> 00:48:18.340
 Timothy found here

00:48:18.340 --> 00:48:20.900
 a dynamic outworking

00:48:20.900 --> 00:48:24.059
 of a life transforming principle.

00:48:24.740 --> 00:48:25.780
 What is that principle?

00:48:26.880 --> 00:48:28.119
 We find it again in Acts.

00:48:28.219 --> 00:48:29.340
 You may remember the story

00:48:29.340 --> 00:48:30.059
 of when the apostles

00:48:30.059 --> 00:48:30.719
 were arrested

00:48:30.719 --> 00:48:31.860
 and incarcerated

00:48:31.860 --> 00:48:33.039
 and the Sanhedrin

00:48:33.039 --> 00:48:34.139
 were gathering the next day

00:48:34.139 --> 00:48:35.199
 to bring them on trial.

00:48:35.519 --> 00:48:36.460
 But that night

00:48:36.460 --> 00:48:37.920
 an angel came in

00:48:37.920 --> 00:48:39.460
 and released them from prison

00:48:39.460 --> 00:48:41.480
 and said to them,

00:48:41.480 --> 00:48:44.099
 go into the temple

00:48:44.099 --> 00:48:46.000
 and tell the people

00:48:46.000 --> 00:48:47.740
 all the words

00:48:47.740 --> 00:48:49.300
 of this life.

00:48:50.760 --> 00:48:51.320
 Life.

00:48:52.380 --> 00:48:53.880
 This is what the gospel is.

00:48:54.159 --> 00:48:55.179
 It's life-giving.

00:48:55.460 --> 00:48:56.579
 It's life-changing.

00:48:56.860 --> 00:48:57.559
 It is the promise

00:48:57.559 --> 00:48:58.960
 of life in Christ Jesus.

00:48:59.260 --> 00:49:00.260
 Something Paul himself

00:49:00.260 --> 00:49:01.240
 never forgot.

00:49:01.719 --> 00:49:03.159
 If you look at 2 Timothy,

00:49:03.420 --> 00:49:04.579
 his final letter

00:49:04.579 --> 00:49:06.139
 written from a prison cell

00:49:06.139 --> 00:49:06.880
 in Rome

00:49:06.880 --> 00:49:08.320
 under the sentence of death,

00:49:08.539 --> 00:49:09.659
 in his first sentence

00:49:09.659 --> 00:49:11.819
 he speaks of the promise

00:49:11.819 --> 00:49:13.339
 of life in Christ Jesus.

00:49:14.099 --> 00:49:15.039
 Life-giving.

00:49:15.460 --> 00:49:16.819
 Life-transforming.

00:49:17.719 --> 00:49:19.339
 The gospel of grace

00:49:19.339 --> 00:49:20.460
 had done its work

00:49:20.460 --> 00:49:21.119
 in the hearts

00:49:21.119 --> 00:49:23.019
 of these brand new Christians.

00:49:23.440 --> 00:49:25.319
 And Timothy comes in among them

00:49:25.319 --> 00:49:28.460
 and finds things going well.

00:49:29.819 --> 00:49:31.079
 And he describes it for us here.

00:49:31.139 --> 00:49:32.099
 He defines it, if you like,

00:49:32.119 --> 00:49:33.079
 as a work of faith.

00:49:33.339 --> 00:49:34.759
 Their faith is active.

00:49:34.760 --> 00:49:37.740
 Their faith is producing

00:49:37.740 --> 00:49:39.740
 work amongst them.

00:49:40.160 --> 00:49:40.680
 Faithfulness.

00:49:40.880 --> 00:49:41.920
 What is this faithfulness?

00:49:42.080 --> 00:49:43.700
 Take up your cross daily

00:49:43.700 --> 00:49:45.940
 and come after me.

00:49:46.180 --> 00:49:47.320
 And it has a purpose,

00:49:47.440 --> 00:49:48.500
 a very clear purpose.

00:49:49.000 --> 00:49:50.460
 As we grow in grace,

00:49:50.840 --> 00:49:52.460
 as we develop our understanding,

00:49:52.600 --> 00:49:53.880
 as we become more mature

00:49:53.880 --> 00:49:54.860
 in the faith,

00:49:55.520 --> 00:49:58.780
 Paul had a very clear purpose in mind.

00:49:59.080 --> 00:50:00.060
 He sent Timothy

00:50:00.060 --> 00:50:02.260
 to exhort and encourage them.

00:50:02.360 --> 00:50:02.680
 Why?

00:50:02.679 --> 00:50:05.079
 And he charged them

00:50:05.079 --> 00:50:06.599
 to walk in a manner

00:50:06.599 --> 00:50:08.399
 worthy of God.

00:50:09.000 --> 00:50:10.279
 To walk in a manner

00:50:10.279 --> 00:50:11.059
 worthy of God.

00:50:11.139 --> 00:50:12.599
 Chapter 2 and verse 12.

00:50:13.419 --> 00:50:14.559
 What a description

00:50:14.559 --> 00:50:16.079
 of the Christian life that is.

00:50:16.960 --> 00:50:17.639
 Have a walk

00:50:17.639 --> 00:50:20.000
 that is worthy of God.

00:50:20.980 --> 00:50:22.000
 That, Christian friends,

00:50:22.059 --> 00:50:23.179
 is our responsibility.

00:50:23.839 --> 00:50:24.859
 Day in and day out.

00:50:25.559 --> 00:50:26.519
 Especially, perhaps,

00:50:26.599 --> 00:50:27.739
 at a time of change.

00:50:28.279 --> 00:50:28.679
 With James retiring

00:50:29.279 --> 00:50:30.519
 and a vacancy

00:50:30.519 --> 00:50:32.000
 of the senior minister post.

00:50:32.000 --> 00:50:32.840
 Now established.

00:50:33.619 --> 00:50:34.619
 What do we do?

00:50:35.000 --> 00:50:35.719
 What do you do?

00:50:36.860 --> 00:50:38.119
 You continue the work.

00:50:38.980 --> 00:50:39.860
 You show forth

00:50:39.860 --> 00:50:40.559
 the praises

00:50:40.559 --> 00:50:41.000
 of the one

00:50:41.000 --> 00:50:41.619
 who called you

00:50:41.619 --> 00:50:42.199
 from darkness

00:50:42.199 --> 00:50:43.880
 into his marvelous light.

00:50:44.099 --> 00:50:45.340
 And you seek in doing so

00:50:45.340 --> 00:50:46.400
 to have a walk

00:50:46.400 --> 00:50:48.019
 that is worthy of God.

00:50:49.559 --> 00:50:50.360
 And that walk

00:50:50.360 --> 00:50:51.500
 that will be worthy of God

00:50:51.500 --> 00:50:52.599
 will be defined

00:50:52.599 --> 00:50:53.460
 in the language

00:50:53.460 --> 00:50:54.239
 of verse 3

00:50:54.239 --> 00:50:55.519
 as a faith

00:50:55.519 --> 00:50:56.699
 that produces works,

00:50:56.960 --> 00:50:57.500
 a love

00:50:57.500 --> 00:50:58.260
 that produces

00:50:58.260 --> 00:50:58.980
 a labor,

00:50:58.980 --> 00:51:00.019
 and a hope

00:51:00.019 --> 00:51:00.699
 that produces

00:51:00.699 --> 00:51:02.260
 a steadfastness

00:51:02.260 --> 00:51:04.179
 in our Lord

00:51:04.179 --> 00:51:05.320
 Jesus Christ.

00:51:07.400 --> 00:51:08.260
 This labor of love

00:51:08.260 --> 00:51:09.240
 is an interesting phrase

00:51:09.240 --> 00:51:09.840
 to think about that

00:51:09.840 --> 00:51:10.380
 for a moment.

00:51:10.820 --> 00:51:11.500
 This labor,

00:51:11.659 --> 00:51:12.119
 it's a word

00:51:12.119 --> 00:51:13.260
 that speaks of

00:51:13.260 --> 00:51:14.219
 difficulty,

00:51:14.539 --> 00:51:15.539
 costly effort.

00:51:15.800 --> 00:51:16.800
 It's not just something

00:51:16.800 --> 00:51:17.900
 that's formality

00:51:17.900 --> 00:51:18.440
 or, oh, well,

00:51:18.440 --> 00:51:19.039
 it's my turn

00:51:19.039 --> 00:51:19.519
 on the rota.

00:51:20.360 --> 00:51:20.980
 Oh, well,

00:51:21.019 --> 00:51:21.599
 I better go

00:51:21.599 --> 00:51:22.860
 and pick up the phone

00:51:22.860 --> 00:51:23.680
 and phone that.

00:51:23.820 --> 00:51:24.519
 So I haven't seen them

00:51:24.519 --> 00:51:25.420
 in church for a while.

00:51:26.240 --> 00:51:26.860
 There isn't that kind

00:51:26.860 --> 00:51:27.380
 of sense of,

00:51:27.519 --> 00:51:28.619
 well, I think

00:51:28.619 --> 00:51:29.940
 I might do that.

00:51:30.019 --> 00:51:30.200
 No.

00:51:30.780 --> 00:51:32.200
 This labor of love

00:51:32.200 --> 00:51:33.840
 is costly.

00:51:34.380 --> 00:51:35.079
 It's effort.

00:51:35.200 --> 00:51:35.780
 It's endeavor.

00:51:36.139 --> 00:51:37.280
 And the emphasis

00:51:37.280 --> 00:51:38.579
 in the ancient Greek word

00:51:38.579 --> 00:51:39.099
 is actually

00:51:39.099 --> 00:51:39.840
 to labor

00:51:39.840 --> 00:51:40.380
 to the point

00:51:40.380 --> 00:51:41.139
 of exhaustion.

00:51:42.079 --> 00:51:42.880
 Do everything

00:51:42.880 --> 00:51:43.660
 you can.

00:51:43.960 --> 00:51:45.019
 That's what this love

00:51:45.019 --> 00:51:45.539
 is.

00:51:45.680 --> 00:51:46.160
 This love

00:51:46.159 --> 00:51:47.420
 that is driving

00:51:47.420 --> 00:51:48.339
 these young,

00:51:48.579 --> 00:51:49.379
 brand new Christians

00:51:49.379 --> 00:51:50.079
 in Thessalonica

00:51:50.079 --> 00:51:51.059
 is a love

00:51:51.059 --> 00:51:51.859
 that is the beating

00:51:51.859 --> 00:51:53.019
 heart of the church

00:51:53.019 --> 00:51:54.039
 of Christ on earth.

00:51:54.539 --> 00:51:55.819
 When we turn together

00:51:55.819 --> 00:51:57.440
 to read of this,

00:51:57.679 --> 00:51:58.379
 we can read in

00:51:58.379 --> 00:51:59.339
 1 Corinthians

00:51:59.339 --> 00:52:00.440
 in chapter 13,

00:52:00.879 --> 00:52:01.659
 a letter that Paul

00:52:01.659 --> 00:52:02.159
 would write

00:52:02.159 --> 00:52:03.259
 four or five years

00:52:03.259 --> 00:52:04.319
 after writing

00:52:04.319 --> 00:52:05.379
 to the Thessalonians.

00:52:05.599 --> 00:52:06.500
 And what does he say

00:52:06.500 --> 00:52:07.379
 of love?

00:52:07.719 --> 00:52:08.500
 Love is patient

00:52:08.500 --> 00:52:09.119
 and kind.

00:52:09.519 --> 00:52:10.399
 Love does not envy

00:52:10.399 --> 00:52:11.000
 or boast.

00:52:11.000 --> 00:52:12.059
 It is not arrogant

00:52:12.059 --> 00:52:12.599
 or rude.

00:52:12.679 --> 00:52:13.480
 It does not insist

00:52:13.480 --> 00:52:14.259
 on its own way.

00:52:14.519 --> 00:52:15.399
 It is not irritable

00:52:15.399 --> 00:52:16.139
 or resentful.

00:52:16.319 --> 00:52:17.179
 It does not rejoice

00:52:17.179 --> 00:52:17.859
 at wrongdoing

00:52:17.859 --> 00:52:18.559
 but rejoices

00:52:18.559 --> 00:52:19.299
 with the truth.

00:52:19.859 --> 00:52:21.239
 Love bears all things,

00:52:21.659 --> 00:52:22.819
 believes all things,

00:52:23.159 --> 00:52:24.219
 hopes all things,

00:52:24.679 --> 00:52:25.960
 endures all things.

00:52:26.879 --> 00:52:28.619
 Love never ends.

00:52:29.679 --> 00:52:30.339
 So now,

00:52:30.920 --> 00:52:31.259
 faith,

00:52:31.619 --> 00:52:31.839
 hope,

00:52:31.960 --> 00:52:32.399
 and love

00:52:32.399 --> 00:52:33.299
 abide.

00:52:34.859 --> 00:52:35.579
 But the greatest

00:52:35.579 --> 00:52:36.259
 of these

00:52:36.259 --> 00:52:37.539
 is love.

00:52:38.219 --> 00:52:38.879
 You can almost

00:52:38.879 --> 00:52:39.399
 imagine

00:52:39.399 --> 00:52:40.239
 Paul

00:52:40.239 --> 00:52:42.219
 listening to

00:52:42.219 --> 00:52:43.219
 Timothy's report

00:52:43.219 --> 00:52:44.239
 and saying,

00:52:44.299 --> 00:52:44.419
 yes,

00:52:44.500 --> 00:52:44.799
 Timothy,

00:52:44.919 --> 00:52:45.480
 that's amazing.

00:52:46.119 --> 00:52:46.959
 They're committed

00:52:46.959 --> 00:52:47.819
 in their faith.

00:52:48.279 --> 00:52:49.159
 Their faith is producing

00:52:49.159 --> 00:52:49.480
 works,

00:52:49.579 --> 00:52:50.359
 but is there love?

00:52:51.839 --> 00:52:52.539
 Is there love?

00:52:53.679 --> 00:52:54.599
 Do they love the Lord?

00:52:55.399 --> 00:52:56.459
 Do they love his cause?

00:52:57.239 --> 00:52:58.319
 Do they love his people?

00:52:58.919 --> 00:52:59.939
 Do they love the gospel

00:52:59.939 --> 00:53:01.459
 of grace that's changed them?

00:53:01.460 --> 00:53:02.280
 Yes,

00:53:02.280 --> 00:53:02.300
 yes,

00:53:02.420 --> 00:53:02.679
 Paul,

00:53:03.280 --> 00:53:04.380
 their love

00:53:04.380 --> 00:53:05.380
 is bringing them

00:53:05.380 --> 00:53:05.960
 to labor.

00:53:06.519 --> 00:53:07.599
 They're working together

00:53:07.599 --> 00:53:08.380
 almost to the point

00:53:08.380 --> 00:53:09.119
 of exhaustion.

00:53:09.480 --> 00:53:10.240
 That's what the love

00:53:10.240 --> 00:53:11.159
 of Christ,

00:53:11.619 --> 00:53:12.360
 when it takes hold

00:53:12.360 --> 00:53:13.539
 in hearts and lives,

00:53:13.860 --> 00:53:14.820
 can result in

00:53:14.820 --> 00:53:16.599
 and should result in.

00:53:16.599 --> 00:53:18.559
 So Paul's question,

00:53:19.360 --> 00:53:20.000
 there's faith,

00:53:20.199 --> 00:53:20.500
 Timothy,

00:53:20.619 --> 00:53:20.759
 oh,

00:53:20.779 --> 00:53:21.339
 that's wonderful.

00:53:22.000 --> 00:53:22.839
 Is there love?

00:53:23.739 --> 00:53:24.619
 And there was.

00:53:25.259 --> 00:53:26.400
 Your work of faith,

00:53:27.079 --> 00:53:28.139
 your labor of love,

00:53:28.659 --> 00:53:30.279
 and your steadfastness

00:53:30.279 --> 00:53:30.779
 of hope.

00:53:32.139 --> 00:53:32.579
 You see,

00:53:32.960 --> 00:53:34.159
 they loved so much,

00:53:34.219 --> 00:53:34.960
 they labored,

00:53:35.400 --> 00:53:36.199
 they worked,

00:53:36.579 --> 00:53:37.940
 they served together.

00:53:38.179 --> 00:53:38.980
 Notice that language

00:53:38.980 --> 00:53:39.619
 at the end

00:53:39.619 --> 00:53:40.980
 of chapter one.

00:53:40.980 --> 00:53:42.259
 You turn to God

00:53:42.259 --> 00:53:42.940
 from idols

00:53:42.940 --> 00:53:44.339
 to serve

00:53:44.339 --> 00:53:45.259
 the living

00:53:45.259 --> 00:53:46.159
 and true God.

00:53:46.619 --> 00:53:47.119
 Here am I,

00:53:47.239 --> 00:53:47.399
 Lord,

00:53:47.519 --> 00:53:48.179
 send me,

00:53:48.359 --> 00:53:48.699
 friends,

00:53:48.819 --> 00:53:49.940
 at a time of vacancy

00:53:49.940 --> 00:53:51.119
 as things progress

00:53:51.119 --> 00:53:52.099
 and come to an end.

00:53:52.839 --> 00:53:53.579
 Be sure to do

00:53:53.579 --> 00:53:54.359
 all you can.

00:53:54.839 --> 00:53:55.559
 If there's a gap,

00:53:55.839 --> 00:53:56.639
 offer yourself.

00:53:57.099 --> 00:53:57.739
 If there's a need,

00:53:58.039 --> 00:53:58.619
 see to it.

00:53:58.920 --> 00:54:00.059
 Don't think someone else

00:54:00.059 --> 00:54:00.579
 will do it.

00:54:00.779 --> 00:54:01.579
 If you can do it,

00:54:01.599 --> 00:54:02.219
 then do it.

00:54:02.559 --> 00:54:03.500
 Do your bit.

00:54:04.139 --> 00:54:04.940
 It's the purpose

00:54:04.940 --> 00:54:05.839
 and responsibility

00:54:05.839 --> 00:54:06.599
 of all

00:54:06.599 --> 00:54:08.139
 to do what they can

00:54:08.139 --> 00:54:09.579
 to the furtherance

00:54:09.579 --> 00:54:10.139
 of the gospel,

00:54:10.139 --> 00:54:10.960
 to the betterment

00:54:10.960 --> 00:54:11.879
 of the congregation.

00:54:12.599 --> 00:54:13.239
 Let there be

00:54:13.239 --> 00:54:13.960
 these marks,

00:54:14.139 --> 00:54:15.000
 this faith

00:54:15.000 --> 00:54:16.039
 that produces works.

00:54:16.440 --> 00:54:17.159
 This love

00:54:17.159 --> 00:54:18.339
 that produces

00:54:18.339 --> 00:54:19.079
 a labour

00:54:19.079 --> 00:54:21.059
 as we serve

00:54:21.059 --> 00:54:22.440
 the Lord Jesus Christ

00:54:22.440 --> 00:54:22.579
 here.

00:54:22.639 --> 00:54:23.179
 There's lastly

00:54:23.179 --> 00:54:23.480
 this,

00:54:23.559 --> 00:54:24.399
 a steadfastness

00:54:24.399 --> 00:54:24.759
 of hope.

00:54:24.940 --> 00:54:25.440
 That's a word

00:54:25.440 --> 00:54:25.859
 that speaks

00:54:25.859 --> 00:54:26.539
 of endurance

00:54:26.539 --> 00:54:27.500
 and my goodness

00:54:27.500 --> 00:54:27.940
 did they need

00:54:27.940 --> 00:54:28.460
 to endure.

00:54:29.239 --> 00:54:29.960
 There'd been hardness,

00:54:30.219 --> 00:54:30.940
 there'd been a riot,

00:54:31.119 --> 00:54:32.019
 there'd been beatings,

00:54:32.059 --> 00:54:32.980
 there'd been violence.

00:54:33.420 --> 00:54:34.000
 The missionaries

00:54:34.000 --> 00:54:34.980
 had had to leave

00:54:34.980 --> 00:54:35.519
 under the cover

00:54:35.519 --> 00:54:36.239
 of darkness.

00:54:37.139 --> 00:54:38.000
 Then the Thessalonian

00:54:38.000 --> 00:54:38.920
 Jewish people

00:54:38.920 --> 00:54:39.699
 heard that there was

00:54:39.699 --> 00:54:40.619
 the work of the gospel

00:54:40.619 --> 00:54:41.119
 was happening

00:54:41.119 --> 00:54:41.619
 down the road

00:54:41.619 --> 00:54:42.000
 in Berea.

00:54:42.000 --> 00:54:42.860
 So they'd get

00:54:42.860 --> 00:54:43.480
 on their horses

00:54:43.480 --> 00:54:44.039
 and they'd go down

00:54:44.039 --> 00:54:44.739
 there and stir up

00:54:44.739 --> 00:54:45.500
 the crowds in Berea.

00:54:45.679 --> 00:54:46.119
 Then they'd have

00:54:46.119 --> 00:54:47.219
 come home to Thessalonica.

00:54:47.420 --> 00:54:47.800
 What would they have

00:54:47.800 --> 00:54:48.280
 done when they came

00:54:48.280 --> 00:54:49.039
 back from Berea?

00:54:49.280 --> 00:54:49.639
 They'd have gone

00:54:49.639 --> 00:54:50.739
 hunting for Christians.

00:54:51.380 --> 00:54:51.659
 They'd have been

00:54:51.659 --> 00:54:52.739
 looking for the gospel.

00:54:53.460 --> 00:54:53.760
 They'd have been

00:54:53.760 --> 00:54:54.900
 looking to identify

00:54:54.900 --> 00:54:56.159
 believers in Christ

00:54:56.159 --> 00:54:57.000
 to give them

00:54:57.000 --> 00:54:57.679
 a hard time

00:54:57.679 --> 00:54:59.000
 and to persecute them

00:54:59.000 --> 00:54:59.840
 and continue

00:54:59.840 --> 00:55:00.760
 in their bitter

00:55:00.760 --> 00:55:01.920
 opposition to the gospel.

00:55:02.280 --> 00:55:03.179
 These people

00:55:03.179 --> 00:55:03.940
 needed

00:55:03.940 --> 00:55:05.320
 steadfastness

00:55:05.320 --> 00:55:05.699
 of hope

00:55:05.699 --> 00:55:06.500
 in our Lord

00:55:06.500 --> 00:55:07.179
 Jesus Christ

00:55:07.179 --> 00:55:08.019
 and such was

00:55:08.019 --> 00:55:08.440
 their hope

00:55:08.440 --> 00:55:08.840
 in him

00:55:08.840 --> 00:55:09.760
 that they endured.

00:55:11.059 --> 00:55:12.300
 They were steadfast.

00:55:13.280 --> 00:55:14.360
 In the New Testament

00:55:14.360 --> 00:55:15.000
 letters

00:55:15.000 --> 00:55:16.079
 we read of hope

00:55:16.079 --> 00:55:17.880
 58 times.

00:55:18.380 --> 00:55:18.880
 There's a reason

00:55:18.880 --> 00:55:19.260
 for that,

00:55:19.300 --> 00:55:19.659
 isn't there?

00:55:20.300 --> 00:55:21.139
 We have hope.

00:55:21.599 --> 00:55:22.619
 Hope in Christ.

00:55:23.760 --> 00:55:24.440
 It's quite interesting

00:55:24.440 --> 00:55:25.519
 how these last few weeks

00:55:25.519 --> 00:55:26.039
 as the election

00:55:26.039 --> 00:55:26.820
 has unfolded

00:55:26.820 --> 00:55:28.059
 that time and time again

00:55:28.059 --> 00:55:28.980
 we've been offered

00:55:28.980 --> 00:55:30.239
 hope and a new promise

00:55:30.239 --> 00:55:31.059
 and a new start

00:55:31.059 --> 00:55:31.599
 and a reset

00:55:31.599 --> 00:55:32.199
 and hope

00:55:32.199 --> 00:55:32.780
 and reignite

00:55:32.780 --> 00:55:33.539
 the flame of hope.

00:55:33.739 --> 00:55:34.099
 You're hearing

00:55:34.099 --> 00:55:36.019
 all these promises

00:55:36.019 --> 00:55:36.860
 they're tripping off

00:55:36.860 --> 00:55:37.900
 the tongues of politicians.

00:55:38.179 --> 00:55:38.599
 They're taking

00:55:38.599 --> 00:55:39.099
 the language

00:55:39.099 --> 00:55:39.699
 of the Bible.

00:55:40.659 --> 00:55:41.159
 They're taking

00:55:41.159 --> 00:55:41.679
 the language

00:55:41.679 --> 00:55:42.719
 of the New Testament

00:55:42.719 --> 00:55:43.420
 and they're turning

00:55:43.420 --> 00:55:43.940
 it into their

00:55:43.940 --> 00:55:44.679
 they're giving it

00:55:44.679 --> 00:55:45.300
 their particular

00:55:45.300 --> 00:55:46.360
 political colour

00:55:46.360 --> 00:55:47.659
 in order to sound

00:55:47.659 --> 00:55:48.300
 good.

00:55:48.579 --> 00:55:49.519
 And it does sound

00:55:49.519 --> 00:55:49.880
 good

00:55:49.880 --> 00:55:51.320
 because a message

00:55:51.320 --> 00:55:51.820
 of hope

00:55:51.820 --> 00:55:53.099
 is what we need.

00:55:54.019 --> 00:55:54.920
 But there is no hope

00:55:54.920 --> 00:55:55.360
 like the hope

00:55:55.360 --> 00:55:56.000
 that comes from

00:55:56.000 --> 00:55:56.480
 knowing the Lord

00:55:56.480 --> 00:55:57.280
 Jesus Christ

00:55:57.280 --> 00:55:58.000
 as your saviour

00:55:58.000 --> 00:55:58.420
 and friend.

00:55:59.559 --> 00:56:00.199
 And I would hope

00:56:00.199 --> 00:56:00.960
 and pray today

00:56:00.960 --> 00:56:01.639
 friends that

00:56:01.639 --> 00:56:03.500
 knowing him as such

00:56:03.500 --> 00:56:05.300
 has been your experience

00:56:05.300 --> 00:56:05.860
 and joy

00:56:05.860 --> 00:56:06.460
 and comfort.

00:56:07.200 --> 00:56:07.640
 And I hope

00:56:07.640 --> 00:56:08.240
 and pray that you

00:56:08.240 --> 00:56:09.019
 would think today

00:56:09.019 --> 00:56:09.820
 well if Timothy

00:56:09.820 --> 00:56:10.700
 came to visit

00:56:10.700 --> 00:56:11.539
 this church

00:56:11.539 --> 00:56:12.640
 and sat beside me

00:56:12.640 --> 00:56:13.539
 would he

00:56:13.539 --> 00:56:14.480
 would he

00:56:14.480 --> 00:56:15.420
 understand

00:56:15.420 --> 00:56:16.480
 that I'm a Christian?

00:56:17.860 --> 00:56:18.760
 Could I share

00:56:18.760 --> 00:56:19.240
 with Timothy

00:56:19.240 --> 00:56:19.880
 if he visited

00:56:19.880 --> 00:56:21.059
 the church here

00:56:21.059 --> 00:56:22.579
 that I have this

00:56:22.579 --> 00:56:23.400
 faith

00:56:23.400 --> 00:56:24.099
 and hope

00:56:24.099 --> 00:56:25.079
 and love?

00:56:26.240 --> 00:56:26.960
 Or would he find

00:56:26.960 --> 00:56:28.039
 you unconvinced

00:56:28.039 --> 00:56:28.880
 and unconverted

00:56:28.880 --> 00:56:29.680
 unmoved

00:56:29.680 --> 00:56:30.400
 uncertain

00:56:30.400 --> 00:56:31.420
 still

00:56:31.420 --> 00:56:32.440
 far off

00:56:32.440 --> 00:56:33.900
 in the darkness

00:56:33.900 --> 00:56:35.420
 refusing

00:56:35.420 --> 00:56:35.920
 to come

00:56:35.920 --> 00:56:36.460
 to Christ

00:56:36.460 --> 00:56:37.039
 refusing

00:56:37.039 --> 00:56:38.099
 to bow the knee

00:56:38.099 --> 00:56:38.519
 refusing

00:56:38.519 --> 00:56:39.220
 to acknowledge

00:56:39.220 --> 00:56:39.460
 him

00:56:39.460 --> 00:56:40.220
 as your Lord

00:56:40.220 --> 00:56:40.680
 and saviour

00:56:40.680 --> 00:56:41.260
 and friend.

00:56:42.340 --> 00:56:42.820
 I would hope

00:56:42.820 --> 00:56:43.180
 and pray

00:56:43.180 --> 00:56:43.720
 that today

00:56:43.720 --> 00:56:44.119
 friends

00:56:44.119 --> 00:56:44.800
 some of this

00:56:44.800 --> 00:56:45.619
 might resonate

00:56:45.619 --> 00:56:46.280
 with you.

00:56:47.880 --> 00:56:48.559
 John Bunyan

00:56:48.559 --> 00:56:48.860
 who

00:56:48.860 --> 00:56:50.000
 famous writer

00:56:50.000 --> 00:56:50.280
 wrote

00:56:50.280 --> 00:56:51.059
 Pilgrim's Progress

00:56:51.059 --> 00:56:51.700
 said this

00:56:51.700 --> 00:56:52.360
 he said that

00:56:52.360 --> 00:56:53.700
 faith is never

00:56:53.700 --> 00:56:54.039
 ill

00:56:54.039 --> 00:56:55.559
 when hope

00:56:55.559 --> 00:56:56.519
 is well.

00:56:57.639 --> 00:56:58.400
 What's our hope

00:56:58.400 --> 00:56:58.759
 today?

00:56:59.559 --> 00:57:00.639
 Jesus Christ

00:57:00.639 --> 00:57:01.599
 the same

00:57:01.599 --> 00:57:02.139
 yesterday

00:57:02.139 --> 00:57:02.679
 today

00:57:02.679 --> 00:57:03.440
 and forever

00:57:03.440 --> 00:57:04.420
 and we look

00:57:04.420 --> 00:57:04.880
 to him

00:57:04.880 --> 00:57:06.039
 for his grace

00:57:06.039 --> 00:57:06.639
 his mercy

00:57:06.639 --> 00:57:07.179
 and peace

00:57:07.179 --> 00:57:08.199
 for his blessing

00:57:08.199 --> 00:57:09.460
 for his sustaining

00:57:09.460 --> 00:57:10.099
 grace

00:57:10.099 --> 00:57:11.039
 for his grace

00:57:11.039 --> 00:57:11.960
 to serve

00:57:11.960 --> 00:57:12.920
 his grace

00:57:12.920 --> 00:57:13.739
 to follow

00:57:13.739 --> 00:57:14.440
 his grace

00:57:14.440 --> 00:57:15.440
 to reach out

00:57:15.440 --> 00:57:16.019
 his grace

00:57:16.019 --> 00:57:16.739
 to continue

00:57:16.739 --> 00:57:17.440
 the ministry

00:57:17.440 --> 00:57:18.579
 in this place

00:57:18.579 --> 00:57:19.259
 as a body

00:57:19.259 --> 00:57:19.980
 of believers

00:57:19.980 --> 00:57:21.019
 as a body

00:57:21.019 --> 00:57:21.480
 of people

00:57:21.480 --> 00:57:22.219
 gathered together

00:57:22.219 --> 00:57:22.860
 to serve

00:57:22.860 --> 00:57:23.639
 this community

00:57:23.639 --> 00:57:25.039
 in his name

00:57:25.039 --> 00:57:26.319
 and may he

00:57:26.319 --> 00:57:26.980
 bless you

00:57:26.980 --> 00:57:28.119
 as you do

00:57:28.119 --> 00:57:28.460
 so.

00:57:29.980 --> 00:57:30.819
 Thomas Chalmers

00:57:30.819 --> 00:57:31.500
 just to close

00:57:31.500 --> 00:57:32.940
 said this

00:57:32.940 --> 00:57:33.739
 the great

00:57:33.739 --> 00:57:34.599
 leader of the

00:57:34.599 --> 00:57:35.159
 free church

00:57:35.159 --> 00:57:35.859
 in the 19th

00:57:35.859 --> 00:57:36.259
 century

00:57:36.259 --> 00:57:36.859
 eminent

00:57:36.859 --> 00:57:37.639
 preacher

00:57:37.639 --> 00:57:38.519
 and theologian

00:57:38.519 --> 00:57:38.980
 scholar

00:57:38.980 --> 00:57:39.519
 said

00:57:39.519 --> 00:57:40.599
 simply this

00:57:40.599 --> 00:57:41.440
 that faith

00:57:41.440 --> 00:57:42.480
 that remained

00:57:42.480 --> 00:57:43.159
 in the head

00:57:43.159 --> 00:57:44.440
 but did not

00:57:44.440 --> 00:57:45.319
 warm the heart

00:57:45.319 --> 00:57:46.480
 and change lives

00:57:46.480 --> 00:57:47.980
 was of no use

00:57:47.980 --> 00:57:48.599
 to us.

00:57:50.079 --> 00:57:50.719
 Timothy

00:57:50.719 --> 00:57:51.679
 found the real

00:57:51.679 --> 00:57:52.119
 thing

00:57:52.119 --> 00:57:53.199
 when he went

00:57:53.199 --> 00:57:53.639
 back to

00:57:53.639 --> 00:57:54.319
 Thessalonica

00:57:54.319 --> 00:57:55.439
 he made

00:57:55.439 --> 00:57:56.079
 an assessment

00:57:56.079 --> 00:57:56.879
 and came

00:57:56.879 --> 00:57:57.379
 back to

00:57:57.379 --> 00:57:57.659
 Paul

00:57:57.659 --> 00:57:57.980
 and said

00:57:57.980 --> 00:57:58.279
 Paul

00:57:58.279 --> 00:57:58.879
 the church

00:57:58.879 --> 00:57:59.500
 has stood

00:57:59.500 --> 00:58:00.259
 what are they

00:58:00.259 --> 00:58:00.539
 like

00:58:00.539 --> 00:58:00.980
 Timothy

00:58:00.980 --> 00:58:01.980
 well

00:58:01.980 --> 00:58:03.519
 I found

00:58:03.519 --> 00:58:03.779
 them

00:58:03.779 --> 00:58:05.579
 and defined

00:58:05.579 --> 00:58:05.919
 them in

00:58:05.919 --> 00:58:06.599
 these ways

00:58:06.599 --> 00:58:07.539
 and as he

00:58:07.539 --> 00:58:08.219
 described them

00:58:08.219 --> 00:58:08.919
 Paul wrote

00:58:08.919 --> 00:58:09.899
 I could speak

00:58:09.899 --> 00:58:10.500
 of their work

00:58:10.500 --> 00:58:11.019
 of faith

00:58:11.019 --> 00:58:11.719
 their labour

00:58:11.719 --> 00:58:12.219
 of love

00:58:12.219 --> 00:58:13.399
 and steadfastness

00:58:13.399 --> 00:58:13.739
 of hope

00:58:13.739 --> 00:58:14.639
 in our Lord

00:58:14.639 --> 00:58:15.319
 Jesus Christ

00:58:15.319 --> 00:58:15.899
 where we know

00:58:15.899 --> 00:58:16.519
 brothers loved

00:58:16.519 --> 00:58:16.960
 of God

00:58:16.960 --> 00:58:17.839
 he has chosen

00:58:17.839 --> 00:58:18.319
 you because

00:58:18.319 --> 00:58:18.879
 our gospel

00:58:18.879 --> 00:58:19.599
 came to you

00:58:19.599 --> 00:58:20.359
 not only in

00:58:20.359 --> 00:58:20.739
 word

00:58:20.739 --> 00:58:21.579
 but also in

00:58:21.579 --> 00:58:22.000
 power

00:58:22.000 --> 00:58:22.699
 and in the

00:58:22.699 --> 00:58:23.359
 Holy Spirit

00:58:23.359 --> 00:58:24.139
 and with

00:58:24.139 --> 00:58:25.379
 full conviction

00:58:25.379 --> 00:58:26.559
 may that be

00:58:26.559 --> 00:58:27.239
 our portion

00:58:27.239 --> 00:58:28.479
 today and

00:58:28.479 --> 00:58:29.259
 ongoing

00:58:29.259 --> 00:58:30.739
 that the word

00:58:30.739 --> 00:58:31.439
 of the Lord

00:58:31.439 --> 00:58:32.199
 would come to

00:58:32.199 --> 00:58:33.619
 us in power

00:58:33.619 --> 00:58:34.839
 and in the

00:58:34.839 --> 00:58:35.639
 Holy Spirit

00:58:35.639 --> 00:58:37.019
 and with full

00:58:37.019 --> 00:58:37.619
 conviction

00:58:37.619 --> 00:58:39.019
 that we would

00:58:39.019 --> 00:58:39.659
 be a people

00:58:39.659 --> 00:58:40.899
 with a faith

00:58:40.899 --> 00:58:41.679
 that was dynamic

00:58:41.679 --> 00:58:43.099
 with a love

00:58:43.099 --> 00:58:43.939
 that is devoted

00:58:43.939 --> 00:58:45.339
 with a hope

00:58:45.339 --> 00:58:46.179
 that is determined

00:58:46.179 --> 00:58:48.199
 looking unto Jesus

00:58:48.199 --> 00:58:48.819
 us and may we

00:58:48.819 --> 00:58:49.619
 all today

00:58:49.619 --> 00:58:50.480
 be found

00:58:50.480 --> 00:58:52.019
 doing just

00:58:52.019 --> 00:58:52.399
 that

00:58:52.399 --> 00:58:53.000
 let's pray

00:58:53.000 --> 00:58:53.519
 for a moment

00:58:53.519 --> 00:58:53.980
 together

00:58:53.980 --> 00:58:56.460
 Lord our God

00:58:56.460 --> 00:58:59.239
 we pray for

00:58:59.239 --> 00:58:59.819
 your blessing

00:58:59.819 --> 00:59:00.339
 today

00:59:00.339 --> 00:59:02.179
 we pray Lord

00:59:02.179 --> 00:59:02.839
 that you would

00:59:02.839 --> 00:59:03.460
 be with us

00:59:03.460 --> 00:59:04.319
 at this time

00:59:04.319 --> 00:59:05.379
 that we might

00:59:05.379 --> 00:59:06.299
 take the word

00:59:06.299 --> 00:59:07.000
 of life

00:59:07.000 --> 00:59:08.359
 the promise

00:59:08.359 --> 00:59:09.079
 of life

00:59:09.079 --> 00:59:10.379
 and that we

00:59:10.379 --> 00:59:10.919
 might take

00:59:10.919 --> 00:59:11.460
 this our

00:59:11.460 --> 00:59:11.939
 saviour

00:59:11.939 --> 00:59:12.539
 into our

00:59:12.539 --> 00:59:13.099
 hearts and

00:59:13.099 --> 00:59:13.679
 lives by

00:59:13.679 --> 00:59:14.699
 acknowledging

00:59:14.699 --> 00:59:15.139
 him as

00:59:15.139 --> 00:59:15.539
 such

00:59:15.539 --> 00:59:16.900
 as the

00:59:16.900 --> 00:59:17.259
 King of

00:59:17.259 --> 00:59:17.699
 Kings

00:59:17.699 --> 00:59:18.400
 and Lord

00:59:18.400 --> 00:59:18.900
 of Lords

00:59:18.900 --> 00:59:19.199
 who in

00:59:19.199 --> 00:59:19.920
 his grace

00:59:19.920 --> 00:59:20.800
 and mercy

00:59:20.800 --> 00:59:22.259
 has seen

00:59:22.259 --> 00:59:23.000
 to it again

00:59:23.000 --> 00:59:23.440
 that we have

00:59:23.440 --> 00:59:24.119
 this opportunity

00:59:24.119 --> 00:59:24.840
 to worship

00:59:24.840 --> 00:59:27.079
 and we pray

00:59:27.079 --> 00:59:27.800
 while we are

00:59:27.800 --> 00:59:28.460
 on mercy's

00:59:28.460 --> 00:59:28.800
 ground

00:59:28.800 --> 00:59:29.699
 that we

00:59:29.699 --> 00:59:30.500
 would respond

00:59:30.500 --> 00:59:31.219
 accordingly

00:59:31.219 --> 00:59:32.840
 that we

00:59:32.840 --> 00:59:33.460
 would respond

00:59:33.460 --> 00:59:34.179
 in faith

00:59:34.179 --> 00:59:35.039
 that we

00:59:35.039 --> 00:59:35.559
 would serve

00:59:35.559 --> 00:59:36.199
 in love

00:59:36.199 --> 00:59:37.039
 that we

00:59:37.039 --> 00:59:37.579
 would endure

00:59:37.579 --> 00:59:38.099
 in hope

00:59:38.099 --> 00:59:39.659
 looking unto

00:59:39.659 --> 00:59:40.139
 Jesus

00:59:40.139 --> 00:59:41.840
 day by day

00:59:41.840 --> 00:59:42.420
 be with us

00:59:42.420 --> 00:59:42.980
 Lord in these

00:59:42.980 --> 00:59:43.659
 things we pray

00:59:43.659 --> 00:59:44.579
 for Jesus

00:59:44.579 --> 00:59:45.059
 sake

00:59:45.059 --> 00:59:45.699
 Amen

00:59:45.699 --> 00:59:51.960
 We'll turn

00:59:51.960 --> 00:59:52.359
 to sing

00:59:52.359 --> 00:59:52.960
 Psalms

00:59:52.960 --> 00:59:54.119
 and we'll

00:59:54.119 --> 00:59:54.619
 sing from

00:59:54.619 --> 00:59:55.960
 Psalm 57

00:59:55.960 --> 00:59:58.679
 Psalm 57

00:59:58.679 --> 01:00:00.279
 and we'll

01:00:00.279 --> 01:00:00.759
 sing from

01:00:00.759 --> 01:00:01.699
 verse 7

01:00:01.699 --> 01:00:08.079
 Psalm 57

01:00:08.079 --> 01:00:09.539
 page 75

01:00:09.539 --> 01:00:10.039
 in our

01:00:10.039 --> 01:00:10.879
 blue psalm

01:00:10.879 --> 01:00:11.099
 books

01:00:11.099 --> 01:00:11.480
 we'll sing

01:00:11.480 --> 01:00:12.339
 from verse 7

01:00:12.339 --> 01:00:13.019
 to the end

01:00:13.019 --> 01:00:14.179
 to the

01:00:14.179 --> 01:00:14.400
 tune

01:00:14.400 --> 01:00:14.940
 Dennis

01:00:14.940 --> 01:00:16.599
 Psalm 57

01:00:16.599 --> 01:00:17.340
 from sing

01:00:17.340 --> 01:00:18.579
 Psalms

01:00:18.579 --> 01:00:19.980
 from verse 7

01:00:19.980 --> 01:00:20.539
 my heart

01:00:20.539 --> 01:00:21.719
 is steadfast

01:00:21.719 --> 01:00:22.159
 Lord

01:00:22.159 --> 01:00:23.119
 with music

01:00:23.119 --> 01:00:23.920
 I will sing

01:00:23.920 --> 01:00:25.119
 awake my soul

01:00:25.119 --> 01:00:25.820
 wake

01:00:25.820 --> 01:00:26.440
 harp

01:00:26.440 --> 01:00:27.179
 and lyre

01:00:27.179 --> 01:00:28.019
 my song

01:00:28.019 --> 01:00:28.960
 the dawn

01:00:28.960 --> 01:00:30.179
 will bring

01:00:30.179 --> 01:00:31.259
 Psalm 57

01:00:31.259 --> 01:00:32.300
 verses 7

01:00:32.300 --> 01:00:32.800
 to 11

01:00:32.800 --> 01:00:34.179
 we'll stand

01:00:34.179 --> 01:00:34.619
 to sing

01:00:34.619 --> 01:00:34.880
 and if you

01:00:34.880 --> 01:00:35.599
 just take

01:00:35.599 --> 01:00:35.940
 your seats

01:00:35.940 --> 01:00:36.280
 for a few

01:00:36.280 --> 01:00:36.559
 minutes

01:00:36.559 --> 01:00:37.039
 after the

01:00:37.039 --> 01:00:37.539
 benediction

01:00:37.539 --> 01:00:38.559
 that would

01:00:38.559 --> 01:00:39.059
 be appreciated

01:00:39.059 --> 01:00:40.019
 Psalm 57

01:00:40.019 --> 01:00:40.780
 we'll stand

01:00:40.780 --> 01:00:41.179
 and sing

01:00:41.179 --> 01:00:47.619
 my heart

01:00:47.619 --> 01:00:48.339
 is

01:00:48.339 --> 01:00:49.879
 steadfast

01:00:49.879 --> 01:00:52.139
 Lord

01:00:52.139 --> 01:00:53.919
 with you

01:00:53.919 --> 01:00:55.379
 sing

01:00:55.379 --> 01:00:57.460
 I will

01:00:57.460 --> 01:00:58.960
 sing

01:00:58.960 --> 01:01:00.419
 awake

01:01:00.419 --> 01:01:03.139
 my soul

01:01:03.139 --> 01:01:04.639
 wake

01:01:04.639 --> 01:01:06.039
 harp

01:01:06.039 --> 01:01:06.839
 and

01:01:06.839 --> 01:01:08.019
 lie

01:01:08.019 --> 01:01:10.559
 my song

01:01:10.559 --> 01:01:11.659
 the dawn

01:01:11.659 --> 01:01:15.179
 will ring

01:01:15.179 --> 01:01:17.179
 among

01:01:17.179 --> 01:01:20.759
 the nations

01:01:20.759 --> 01:01:22.860
 Lord

01:01:22.860 --> 01:01:24.820
 to you

01:01:24.820 --> 01:01:27.500
 I will

01:01:27.500 --> 01:01:29.940
 give praise

01:01:29.940 --> 01:01:31.280
 among

01:01:31.280 --> 01:01:31.340
 among

01:01:31.340 --> 01:01:34.880
 the peoples

01:01:34.880 --> 01:01:36.940
 of the

01:01:36.940 --> 01:01:38.800
 earth

01:01:38.800 --> 01:01:41.420
 my songs

01:01:41.420 --> 01:01:42.980
 of you

01:01:42.980 --> 01:01:44.539
 I'll

01:01:44.539 --> 01:01:46.340
 raise

01:01:46.340 --> 01:01:47.660
 praise

01:01:47.660 --> 01:01:47.720
 praise

01:01:47.720 --> 01:01:48.780
 praise

01:01:48.780 --> 01:01:51.500
 your steadfast

01:01:51.500 --> 01:01:53.660
 love

01:01:53.660 --> 01:01:56.380
 which reaches

01:01:56.380 --> 01:02:00.640
 to the sky

01:02:00.640 --> 01:02:05.500
 your most unfaithfulness

01:02:05.500 --> 01:02:24.699
 will

01:02:24.940 --> 01:02:25.460
 O God

01:02:25.460 --> 01:02:25.900
 exalted

01:02:25.900 --> 01:02:45.780
 God exalted me, and over all the earth below display your majesty.

01:02:45.780 --> 01:02:56.260
 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

01:02:58.519 --> 01:03:10.420
 I just wanted to read very briefly a couple of sentences that for many, many years have been put together to encourage congregations at a time of vacancy and change.

01:03:10.420 --> 01:03:12.880
 Let me just read to you a few snippets from this.

01:03:12.880 --> 01:03:19.740
 As a congregation, you are entrusted with the responsibility of choosing a pastor to be over you in the Lord.

01:03:20.280 --> 01:03:25.460
 Each of you have a duty to take your proper part in this responsibility.

01:03:26.400 --> 01:03:29.880
 In this time of vacancy, we look to the Lord in humility and dependence.

01:03:30.140 --> 01:03:42.220
 It's an extremely important time for you as a congregation, who by definition are a group of people associated together for the furtherance of the gospel of Christ in your community.

01:03:42.880 --> 01:03:57.780
 The filling of a vacancy is to be conducted in a spirit worthy of the religion you profess, worthy of Christ in whose name you are associated, and in such a way as to foster unity and brotherly love.

01:03:58.320 --> 01:04:00.280
 That is sound, sound advice.

01:04:00.280 --> 01:04:09.000
 And may the Lord grant wisdom, discernment, patience and unity of purpose in going forward, for the work of the gospel goes on.

01:04:09.340 --> 01:04:12.660
 Ministry, rotas, clubs, meetings, services, communions.

01:04:13.500 --> 01:04:18.880
 In all of this, I assure you that the prayers of the Presbytery and the wider church are with you.

01:04:19.440 --> 01:04:24.140
 May the Lord grant our prayers for guidance going forward.

01:04:24.400 --> 01:04:25.780
 Thank you for your time today.

01:04:26.040 --> 01:04:27.380
 I'll just pop to the side door.

01:04:27.380 --> 01:04:27.820
 Thank you.

01:04:27.820 --> 01:04:27.880
 Thank you.