Let us begin our worship this evening by singing to his praise of God in Psalm 103 of the Scottish Psalter.
Psalm 103, Scottish Psalter, you'll find that on page 369 of the Blue Book.
We'll sing from the beginning of that psalm.
Psalm 103 from the beginning, down to verse Mark 5.
O thou, my soul, bless God the Lord, and all that in me is.
Be stirred up his holy name to magnify and bless.
Bless, O my soul, the Lord thy God, and not forgetful be of all his gracious benefits he hath bestowed on thee.
All thine iniquities, who doth most graciously forgive, who thy diseases all and pains doth heal and thee relieve.
Who doth redeem thy life that thou to death mayest not go down, who thee with loving kindness doth and tender mercy's crown.
Who with abundance of good things doth satisfy thy mouth, so that even as the eagle's age, renewed is thy youth.
A psalm that speaks of God's goodness and love towards his people.
It's a psalm that will come back to sing the concluding verses at the end of our worship service.
So let us lift our voices in praise to God.
Let us stand together and sing this.
O thou, my soul, bless God the Lord.
O thou, my soul, bless God the Lord, and all that in me is.
He shed a praise holy name to magnify and bless.
O thou, my soul, bless God the Lord, and all forgetful be.
Of all his gracious benefits he hath bestowed on thee.
To HolzDon osob to oro, and all forgetful be.
All thy basics will look to God, O honourless쟁.
O thou, her affection, thou, myendi, Whate see, appears-tu, leah Teah,Monkey, by Thy wisdomafter, He whom I am
surestセツ близ.
Thank you.
Amen.
We now join together in prayer and join our hearts together.
Amen.
You know all things and you know the hairs that are upon our heads.
You know the anxieties within our hearts.
You know the sadness within our hearts.
And we pray for those who are sad within their heart tonight.
We ask that you would remember them and that we would bring them before you.
That you would be a comfort to them.
And comfort those who mourn we pray.
We just ask that your loving arms would be wrapped around them.
And that you would continue with them.
Step by step in days that are so uncertain.
Days that may be fearful to them.
But as we heard in the morning.
You are one who gives peace.
You are the one that does not bring unto us things like the world does.
You take from us these anxieties and our fears.
And grants to us a peace within our hearts.
When we draw close to you.
And you draw close to us.
So in the gathering of your people.
May we know the closeness of your presence.
And the blessing of your spirit upon us.
As your word is spoken and read aloud tonight.
That it may speak within our hearts.
May it be a convicting voice.
A converting voice.
A strengthening voice.
An encouraging voice to each of us.
That we would know you.
When we gather with a heart and mind.
To seek you.
And so let us do that tonight.
Have a focus upon all the works of God.
And what Christ has done for us on the cross at Calvary.
And through that sacrifice.
We have been redeemed.
There is no other power that can wash away sins.
Sins that separate us from God.
That only through having faith in Christ.
Trusting and resting upon him.
Shall we be granted entry into your presence.
And unto the kingdom of glory.
Let us not forget what awaits those who trust in Christ.
For the hope that is set before us.
A place with no sorrow.
A place with no pain.
A place where we shall adore and look upon.
The lamb that was slain.
But it will be beautiful to us.
And his radiance will illuminate our presence.
And illuminate that land.
Let us keep our mind.
Upon things that are beyond this world.
And attain.
The things that are of.
Everlasting joy.
To the believer in Christ.
Lord we pray.
That as you gather with us here.
We pray for the young ones.
That are within this congregation.
And we are mindful of those.
Who may be away at camps.
We pray for them.
We pray for our own sponsor camp.
Concraig Junior.
And we thank you.
That they have gathered safely together.
And that they went to worship God together today.
That as they join together one another.
May you form lasting friendships there.
And bind them together.
And bind them together with your love.
That they may come to understand.
Your love.
That is not like the love of this world.
It is a love that does not hold grudges.
It is a love.
It is not angered.
It is a love.
That calls to us.
To come to him.
To confess of our sins.
That we may be adopted into the family of God.
Lord we pray.
That as your word has been proclaimed throughout your land.
And this nation.
This island.
That it would go with your blessing.
And that it would go with the power of your spirit.
Lord it is not by any man.
Can the mysterious works be done.
But by the works of your spirit.
Convicting and converting.
And turning souls that lie in sin.
Unto yourself.
Lord we just ask.
That you would bind us together.
In your love.
As we gather here this evening.
We pray.
That you would strengthen each of us.
In our tasks.
In our homes.
In the duties that we have.
Often we feel.
Insufficient.
For what lies ahead of us.
Often we feel weak.
To the tasks that are set before us.
Lord.
Renew us.
As we come before you.
May the strength of that eagle.
That is spoken in Isaiah be ours.
May we walk.
And continue to run.
And striving towards that.
Crown of righteousness.
That shall be ours.
As we walk in faith.
And trust in you.
Be with us.
We pray.
Watch over us.
In Persian.
Watch over us.
In our homes.
Keep us in health.
And strength.
And all this.
We ask.
In the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
We'll continue.
In our praise to God.
By singing in Psalm 32.
In the Sing Psalms version.
We'll find that on page 38.
Of the blue book.
Psalm 32.
From the beginning of that psalm.
Down to verse Mark 7.
How blessed the one who has received.
Forgiveness for his sin.
Whose sins are covered from God's face.
Whose debt is cancelled in God's grace.
There's no deceit in him.
Down to verse Mark 7.
You are my hiding place O Lord.
My true security.
You keep me safe in troubled days.
You circle me with joyful praise.
When you have set me free.
The psalm is speaking of that joy.
In knowing that his sins are forgiven.
And all debt is cancelled.
By the grace of God.
We stand together and sing these words.
How blessed the one who has received.
Forgiveness for his sin.
How blessed the one who has received.
Forgiveness for his sin.
Who united the一起 to return.
The birthday of God.
Where God
Let us pray.
I said, O Lord, I have transgressed, and you forgive when I confess.
You pardoned all my sins.
Let the Godly pay to you, and you are to be found.
Surely when waves are sweeping past, and mighty waters rising past, you'll keep them safe and sound.
You are my hiding place, O Lord, my true security.
You keep me safe and troubled days.
You circle me with joyful praise, and you have set me free.
Amen.
Turn now to our Bibles, and if we could turn to the book of Isaiah.
The prophecy of Isaiah, chapter 1 of that book.
We'll read from the beginning of that chapter down to verse Mark 20.
Let us hear God's word.
The vision of Isaiah, the son of Amos, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Hear, O heavens, and give ye, O earth, for the Lord has spoken.
Children I have reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.
The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know.
My people do not understand.
Ah, sinful nation.
A people laden with iniquity.
Offspring of evildoers.
Children who deal corruptly.
They have forsaken the Lord.
They have despised the Holy One of Israel.
They are utterly estranged.
Why will you still be struck down?
Why will you continue to rebel?
The whole head is sick.
The whole heart faint.
From the sole of the foot to the head, there is no soundness in it.
But bruises and sores and raw wounds, they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil.
Your country lies desolate.
Your cities are burned with fire.
In your very presence, foreigners devour your land.
It is desolate as overthrown by foreigners.
And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.
If the Lord of hosts had not left us, we should have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.
Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Gomorrah.
What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices, says the Lord.
I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts.
I do not delight in the blood of bulls or of lambs or of goats.
When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my coats?
Bring no more vain offerings.
The incense is an abomination to me.
New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations.
I do not endure iniquity and solemn assembly.
Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates.
They have become a burden to me.
I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you.
Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves.
Make yourselves clean.
Remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes.
Cease to do evil.
Learn to do good.
Seek justice, correct oppression.
Bring justice to the fatherless.
Plead the widow's cause.
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.
But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
We turn now also to the book of Revelation, chapter 7.
Read there from verse 9 of that chapter.
Revelation 7.
Reading at verse 9, down to verse 17.
John's vision of a great multitude in heaven.
After this, I looked and behold a great multitude that no one could number from every nation,
from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and the Lamb,
clothed in white robes with pan branches in their hands,
and crying out with a loud voice,
Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.
And all the angels were standing around the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures,
and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying,
Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might
be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying,
Who are these, clothed in white robes,
and from where have they come?
I said, Sir, you know.
And he said to me,
These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.
They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple.
And he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more.
The sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd.
He will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eye.
Amen.
May the reading of God's word be a blessing to us.
We'll join in praise again by singing in Psalm 51.
Psalm 51 of the Scottish Psalter Version.
You'll find that on page 280 of the Blue Book.
Singing from the beginning of that psalm.
After thy loving kindness, Lord,
have mercy upon me,
for thy compassion's great blot out all mine iniquity.
Singing down to verse Mark 7 there.
To thy with hyssop sprinkle me,
I shall be cleansed so.
Yea, wash thy me,
and then I shall be whiter than the snow.
The psalm, part of David's confession of his sin,
as the prophet Nathan came before him.
Let us sing these words to God's praise.
Let us stand and sing.
After thy loving kindness, Lord,
have mercy upon me.
After thy loving kindness, Lord,
have mercy upon me.
For thy compassion's great, Lord,
and the
functions,
for every
owment
and
the
works of
.
The temptations I confess, my sin I ever see.
It will be only a person, in my sight of this hell.
But where thou speak, thou hast be just, and fear in judging still.
The old lion iniquity was born in the womb with him.
My mother also be not thee, in guiltiness and sin.
Call thou with the inward heart, with truth delighted art.
And wisdom thine shall take me home within the hidden heart.
To thy will this soft spring to me, I shall be cleansed so.
Ye wash thou me, and then I shall be whiter than the snow.
I'd like us to turn together to the passage we read in Isaiah.
And give our minds attention in the time that we have to verses 18.
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
There are often times in our lives when we hear things that we don't like to hear.
We may remember the voice of parents telling us that we shouldn't be doing something,
or we shouldn't be going somewhere.
Or maybe we hear someone speak to us against the plans that we have made in our own heads.
Maybe we've had great plans that we've spent a lot of time figuring out.
Could be anything.
We've had this great objective in our mind.
And we've come to discuss it.
And then someone may contradict what we've got in our head
with maybe words that are wiser than how we thought it to be.
Maybe words that we don't like to hear.
Maybe fundamental flaws have been pointed out in our plans.
It's things, when that happens, it's not easy for us to take it in.
Sometimes we can be stubborn to anyone that gives us wise counsel.
And we carry on regardless.
And other times we just need to admit that they are right
and put our pride in our pocket, pride in our pocket in a sense,
and admit that there was a flaw in our plan.
And really what we have to do is weigh things up.
Is what the person telling me, is he right?
Is it true?
And what the other voice that speaks to me says,
we have to weigh things up?
And the prophets in the Old Testament,
they didn't have an easy task.
It was their job to bring a voice of correction to the people in their time.
And the voice that they brought was the voice of the Almighty God
before nations that were in error.
And it was words that were usually contrary
to what the people wanted to hear.
It was words that they didn't like to listen to
because it opposed their actions,
it opposed their desires that were within their hearts.
It was just something they didn't like.
It is no wonder that God spoke of Israel
as being a stubborn and rebellious people so often
because they aimed to do it their way
and do it the way they thought was best.
And yet God comes to them
trying to redirect this stubborn people
back to himself
that they may be corrected
and they may not fall
by the wayside
into error
and do damage to themselves.
This correction of God
the direction of God
the voice of God
by whatever means
it would come to them
and by whatever means it comes to us
should demand our attention.
It should arrest our attention
when we read the word of God
because it is a voice that speaks to us.
It is a guiding voice
that shows us
the way in which we should go
the way in which we should live.
but it is a fatherly voice
as we pray unto our Father
the words that the Father speaks to us.
It's a loving, tender voice
and although it is made in love
sometimes it is things
that are hard to hear.
Sometimes it's things
that are not favourable
to our mind.
And continuing as we have done
in the last few weeks
we were looking at some
Bible similes
we were in Psalm 133 last week.
We look at this verse here
where it describes
the sin of Israel
as scarlet and crimson
doubly crimson
but one that shall make them
and turn them
white as snow
and just like wool.
But as we look at this word
that Isaiah brought
to the people
it is a truthful statement
about their case.
It is truthful
about who they are
before God
but it also gives them
it does not leave them
it gives them
the greatest hope
that God can give them.
The greatest hope
that they could hear.
And so this verse is
to us tonight
maybe something
we don't like to hear
something we don't like
to focus on
when it clearly states
not the
well
it states
the condition
of our nation
in one sense
but it states
the condition
of our hearts
in another sense.
As we come
and draw near
to a holy God
it's not comfortable
for us
to hear these things
but at the same time
we are presented
with the greatest hope
that man could ever hear
and that we
could ever hear.
And it is a point
where we marvel
at the love
that the Father
has to us
and how gracious
God is.
So firstly
we need to set
the scene
in a sense
to gather
what Isaiah
is saying
to the people.
What does Isaiah
say in the context
of this
well known verse?
Firstly
when you look
at the whole chapter
and the initial words
of this chapter
it's not easy listening
and what it does
is point out
the condemnation
of God
to the people.
Asking them
why God
sees them
as so stained.
So that's
our first point.
The condemnation
that God
presents to them.
And yet God
well he's not
all condemning
as some people
like to perceive
him to be.
Because God
calls out
to the people
as he did
then he does
today.
God calls.
That's our second point.
God.
And not only
is he a God
that calls
he is a God
that saves.
He is the one
that washes away
the stains
and the sins
that we have
within our lives
that the nation
has.
He is a God
that cleanses us.
So the condemnation
of God
the calling
of God
and the cleansed
of God
in this chapter.
So let's look
at the condemnation
that is set
before us
in Isaiah's day.
Isaiah was a prophet
to the people
of Jerusalem
and the people
of Israel.
He prophesied
to the southern
kingdom
known as Judah.
And we must
remember firstly
that the words
that Isaiah brings
is truth.
They're words
from God.
They're not words
of his own device.
God is saying
to the people
and he wants
the people
to know
this is how
you are
before me.
This is how
I see you.
God wants
them to see
their sin.
They need
to see
their sin.
God is warning
the people
in Judah
about their
position
when they face
divine justice
of God.
What is it
that leaves him?
doubly stained
in scarlet
and crimson.
Well,
we're presented
with a great
number of facts
through Isaiah's
words.
You can look
back and turn
and see
verse 2.
He speaks
of children
that I have
reared up,
reared and
brought up,
but they have
rebelled
against me.
The children
that have turned
their back
on God.
And then
he goes on
to speak
of the ox
in verse 3,
who knows
its owner.
The donkey
knows its
master's crib,
but Israel
does not
know.
My people
do not
understand.
It's as if
he's saying
that the animals
have more sense
than the people.
The animals
know where
they shall
receive care,
goodness,
nourishment,
and yet
the people
of Israel
aren't so
wise.
They're
abandoning
these things.
They're
walking away
from this
loving,
fatherly
figure who
will provide
for them
in every
way.
Israel,
a rebellion
against God.
They don't
understand.
My people
do not
understand,
he says.
In verse 4,
it continues,
the sinfulness
of the
nation,
laden
with
iniquity,
offspring
of evil
doers
who deal
corruptly.
They have
despised
God,
and what
does it
say at
the end
of verse
4?
They are
utterly
estranged.
They're
cut off
in a sense.
But God
has not
cut them
off.
It's
their own
doing.
They have
rejected
God.
They've
rejected the
fatherly
figure that
cares for
them.
They've
rebelled
against me.
They've
walked
away.
And then
we see
in verse
5,
this is
referred to
a body.
This nation
is referred
to a
body.
Isaiah
says,
they're
like being
sick.
The whole
head is
sick.
The whole
heart is
faint from
the soul
of the
foot even
to the
head.
The whole
being,
of Israel
has this
sickness
in it.
And we
see there's
no strength
to oppose
the nations.
There's no
balm for
their wounds.
They're
struggling on.
It sounds
like they're
killing
themselves
because
they're
living as
they want
to live.
And the
nation that
lives as
it wishes,
that reasons
without God,
that stubbornly
strives on
in their
own way,
will
essentially
slowly
kill itself.
There'll
be no
nourishment,
there'll
be no
balm for
them.
But all
the while,
those people
maintain some
outward profession
of worship.
They maintain
the traditions
of their
fathers in
offering
sacrifice,
and coming
to God
and worship.
You can
see in
verse 11
that they
bring a
multitude of
sacrifices,
but God's
had enough
of the
burnt
offerings.
He does
not delight
in what
he brings
to them.
Trampling
of my
court,
he speaks.
Bring
no more
vain offerings.
It is an
abomination
to me.
They keep
their new
moon and
Sabbath,
they keep
the festivals,
they uphold
these things.
but they're
burdensome to
God now.
Such so
that he
does not
hear the
prayers of
the people.
Now,
you look
at this
people that
is spoken
about here,
and you
think,
they don't
understand.
What are
they doing?
They're
rebelling
against God
in every
way.
What would
you do
with them?
If they
reject someone
that rejects
you,
someone that
goes against
you in
every way,
we are
inclined to
leave them.
We are
inclined just
to forget
about them,
to abandon
someone that
treats us
like that.
We're inclined
to exert
their anger
in return
to the way
that they've
treated us.
when we
think of
the
condemnation
of God,
God does
not condemn
as we
do.
God,
in the
first
instance,
is not
harsh,
wanting to
crush us,
exercising his
power over
us,
abandon us,
reject us.
God is not
like us,
thankfully.
God's
condemnation
is truth
to the
people.
He's
stating the
truth of
the facts
that leave
them condemned
before God.
a selfish
condemnation
that they
have brought
upon
themselves
because
they
have
walked
away.
In a
sense,
it's a
merciful word.
Although it's
condemning,
it's got
mercy strung
through it
because he
wants the
people to
see that
they are
guilty in
every way.
I want
you to
know that
you are
sinful.
And I
want you
to turn
from that
soon.
We
may
recall
instances
in our
lives where
we've done
something wrong.
Throughout
the day,
we come
in the
night time,
we're lying
in bed,
and then
the penny
drops,
and we
say,
oh no,
I did
that wrong
today.
I should
not have
done that
to that
person.
I should
have not
done that
act.
I've done
it wrong.
It's only
afterwards you
realize,
and you
think,
well what am
I going to
do to set
it straight?
because I
cannot leave
it like
that.
I've made
an error.
And you
may be
going round
and round
your head
wondering what
to do.
what have
I done?
You may
worry for
your job,
you may
worry for
your
friendships,
whatever it
is.
It may
cause
anxieties
within your
heart for
the thing
that you
have done,
and you
know you
have been
wrong.
And we
get worried
about these
things in
our lives,
but is it
not a
question we
need to
ask
ourselves,
do we
worry about
eternal
things like
that before
God?
It seems
to me like
we are
people that
are so
complacent
about
eternity
and the
truthfulness
of ourselves
before God.
We seem
to be so
complacent
with it.
The sins
of our
own lives
that leave
that scarlet
mark,
a mark
that is
irremovable
in many
ways,
that crimson
blemish
that stains
and ruins
our garments,
sins that
catch our
eye,
and it is a
sin in the
sight of God,
and it is
a sin that
God cannot
pass by.
God sees
that sin.
He cannot
miss it.
He cannot
forget about
it.
It needs
to be dealt
with.
And we
know we've
all seen
the images
on telly
of red
wine
stained in a
white garment
or a white
cloth,
and to prove
the cleaning
product,
they show it
as pure
white after
it's been
washed.
We need
to be
washed
from the
sin that
stains
our hearts.
We are
inclined to
cover up
the sins
before people,
but we
cannot hide
our sins
from God.
The stain
remains.
In a sense,
it tarnishes
the garments
that we wear.
It tarnishes
our lives
before God.
And our
garments are
so stained
that, well,
they may as
well be all
red, in a
sense.
And as it
was God's
desire that
Israel would
see their
sin, so
it is God's
desire that
we see the
sin in our
lives.
And the
means by
which we
are often
condemned
when we
read his
word, and
it states
the truthfulness
of our
heart, the
errors of
our ways, it
opposes the
desires and
the plans that
we make, some
things that we
don't like to
hear.
Sometimes we
stubbornly
oppose it in
our own
folly.
How does
God see you
tonight?
And although
we are sinners,
and we are
full of
sin and our
garments are
so stained,
God does
not call the
righteous, but
sinners to
repentance.
Though we
state before
God we are
condemned, we
are called.
We are called
by God.
That is our
next point.
As we said,
the condemnation
is a part of
his calling.
It is a
merciful element
of his nature,
that we should
know and that
it should be
real to us.
And you see
the calling
through the
chapter here.
In verse 2,
there is a
hear.
He calls the
people to
hear.
In verse 5,
he questions
the people.
Why do you
continue to
rebel?
Why will you
be struck
down?
The call of
hear comes
again in
verse 10,
to hear his
word.
And then
in verse
18, he
tells the
people to
come now.
Hear my
voice.
Give
consideration to
your ways.
Come and
speak with
me.
Let us
reason together.
After all
his proceeding
words to
Judah, after
all he's
condemned
them of and
shown them
the guiltiness
of their
lives, God
still says
come.
come and
speak with
me.
Come and
reason with
God.
Or come and
dispute with
him.
And really
what it
means is to
weigh up.
Weigh up
God's words
with him.
Weigh up
how God
sees you
in your
life.
Ask God
is it
true.
If this
is the
case, if
you know
you've done
wrong,
why are we
so complacent
about eternal
things?
Why do
we not
seek to
set ourselves
straight before
God and
correct the
error of
our ways?
Our ideas
and our
ways lead
us in a
totally
different
direction
before the
truthful reason
of God.
God.
And then
when you
come to
see that
God still
calls Israel
after their
actions and
after their
sinful,
rebellious
ways,
you think,
well, is
God an
angry God?
No.
Anger
would not
call the
people to
come.
Anger
would not
plead that
they would
understand their
foolishness and
their ways.
grace.
It's grace
because God
is a
gracious
God.
Grace from
a loving
Heavenly
Father that
we hear
His words.
we hear his words tonight
saying
yes sinful child
look at your garments
and see what you're wearing
they are stained
by your sin
but I have grace for you
I call you to come
to me
a call that is extended
to every one of us tonight
who hears his word
as it is proclaimed
and preached
maybe you are one
that has been reared on this word
as Israel was reared
by God
and have walked away
and have turned your back
from following
the guidance of this father
maybe you're one
who has dealt corruptly in your life
and you know that you shouldn't have
maybe you're someone
that doesn't care for this word
care for this word
care to hear God's word
maybe you've despised
Christ
maybe our worship
has fallen into an empty routine
maybe we find ourselves
backslidden
what does God say
to those
who are so sinful
come
hear what I have to say to you
come and reason with me
come and understand
what you are
before my sight
now as we look at ourselves
without this
gracious
lovingly heavenly father
presented before us
we look at the sinfulness
of our garments
the stains
that are upon it
we think
well my sins
have surely provoked
an anger
as we understand
as we would treat people
that God would never
set salvation
before me
that God would be someone
who would not value me
because of what I am
because of what I have done
but that is not true
that is of course
what the devil
wants you to think
God is gracious
and loving
and he provides
the means of grace
to know his grace
and to receive
his grace
he wants you to call
to him
he wants you to
weigh up your case
with him
and speak to him
pray to him
pray with a truthful heart
the truthful state
of yourself
before God
and that God
would work within you
a hatred
of sin
driving you
to repentance
to turn away
from these things
and the ways
in which you lived
your life
because now you see it
that you have made
a mistake
you see the error
of your ways
you see what you are
before God
and you need to turn
God
did not abandon Israel
God did not
reject Israel
nor will he you
yes he acknowledges
the state
of your sin
as we need to do
before God
and you know
what the amazing
thing is
that as we
come before him
with a hatred
of the things
that we have done
and the things
that grieve
our hearts
and our souls
we only see
half of it
in a sense
the garments
that we wear
we see the sins
upon the front
but we don't
see the sins
on the back
God sees
the entirety
of the stains
on your garment
the blemishes
in your life
and still
he calls you
to come
he calls you
to weigh up
your life
before him
it's amazing
this fatherly
figure
that loves
the one
who has walked
away
come
now
and reason
with me
not tomorrow
come now
and you see
the faults
of your life
he will take
these sins
and he will
cleanse them
from you
and those
who come
knowing
and acknowledging
and seeing
the sins
of their lives
coming
in reason
with God
and saying
yes
I have
turned my
back on you
and I have
made a mess
of the way
I have lived
my life
he provides
a means
of washing
you clean
he provides
a meaning
in which
there will be
no more
condemnation
for those
who believe
in Jesus
Christ
to believe
in Jesus
Christ
will wash
that condemnation
away
and wash
the sins
of your
garment
away
as you
turn in
new obedience
to him
how are we
made clean
how are we
cleansed
through
the blood
of the lamb
as we read
of in
revelation
through that
sacrifice
that takes
away the
sin of the
world
the sins
of my
heart
let us
move to
the next
point
of the
cleansed
of God
very briefly
you'll notice
there that
God
calls them
to wash
themselves
in verse
16
wash
themselves
make
yourselves
clean
remove
the evil
of your
deeds
from before
my eyes
salvation
is all
of God
the means
of being
cleansed
is all
of God
but he
asks of
us
to learn
to do
good
to seek
justice
to correct
corruption
that we
do not
continue
living the
lives
that he
has
condemned
and even
as a
Christian
confession
it is a
continuing
confession
and repentance
of the
sins
that we
gather
daily
that we
come before
him
while we
are within
the kingdom
of grace
knowing of
the daily
benefits as
he washes
and cleanses
us in the
blood of the
lamb
and the
sacrifice that
was offered
for soon
and though
we are
called to
come
there is
nothing that
we can do
to actually
cleanse us
the power
and effectiveness
of the
cleansing
is in
Christ
it is
entirely
in Christ
the ones
that were
clothed in
white as
John saw
in the
kingdom of
glory
where those
who brought
their robes
the ones
who washed
their robes
in the
blood of
the lamb
were
cleansed
it's almost
as if they
had that
conscious effort
to come
to that
cleaning
that cleansing
solution
for soon
where there
was no
other solution
to cleanse
their garments
and you
know what
we're speaking
of here
tonight
it is
the whole
cleansing
process
of sin
that we
see
ourselves
before God
that we
turn
from the
filth
that sticks
to our
garments
the sin
in our
lives
before God
we need
to
see
what we
are before
God
it's part
of the
process
that we
hear
his call
as it
is extended
to you
tonight
that you
come
and come
now
confessing
who we
are
and reasoning
with God
that he
is the
one
that will
in return
cleanse
us
to be
cleansed
we must
confess
of our
sins
the
solution
comes
from the
cross
at Calvary
the son
of God
that died
for you
as we
said
God
cannot
just
pass
over
the
stains
and
blemishes
of your
life
they need
to be
paid for
they need
to be
cleansed
and it
is in the
blood of
Christ
that all
this is
cleansed
the son of
God is the
lamb
that was
sacrificed
to satisfy
justice
the blood
of Christ
has the
power
to wash
away
our
sins
if you
come with
your garments
stained
and you
pray to
God
and you
reason
with him
the
truthfulness
of your
life
there's
an assurance
there
even in
this passage
oh your
sins are
like scarlet
and yes
they are
if you
come and
reason
with me
they shall
be washed
away
they shall
be white
as snow
it's not
maybes
or buts
about it
they shall
be washed
away
the question
that we
have to
ask ourselves
is how
do we
react
to this
word
how did
Israel react
to the
word of
Isaiah
and the
words that
he spoke
to them
as they
saw the
truth of
their lives
before God
how do we
react to
the word
of God
when it
speaks that
of us
has been
sinners
that are
likewise
stained
that we
are condemned
before God
without
Christ
and yet he
is one
that is
calling to
you
how are
we reacting
to the
call
of Christ
you suppose
that there
would be a
man standing
at the end
of the road
as he went
down and
left the
church tonight
and he'd
be calling
your name
what would
you do
would you
walk the
other way
and if it
was a call
that was
made in
love
and a
fatherly love
to you
calling
you
are you
going to
rebel
from that
call
are you
going to
walk away
from that
call
or are you
going to
draw near
to him
are you
going to
weigh up
your case
with him
are you
going to
pray to
him
are you
going to
be the
willing and
obedient
one spoken
of in
verse 19
that would
receive and
eat the
good of
the land
but the
warning is
there in
verse 20
if you
refuse and
rebel
you shall
be eaten
by the
sword
judgment
will come
it is the
word of
the Lord
that has
spoken
will you
continue in
stubbornness
as a time
to put your
pride in
our pocket
and turn
to God
and say
yes I
have done
wrong
I have
sinned
before you
and take
the things
of eternity
serious
and though
we are
condemned
the gracious
loving
father
calls you
to come
tonight
to him
why
so that
he may
cleanse
you
and that
he may
wash
your
garments
white
as snow
that they
would become
like wool
that they
would be
pure
and white
and it
speaks
and echoes
of glory
where Christ
was spoken
of
and appearing
in glory
and white
the hair
on his
head
like wool
the hair
on his
head
white
like wool
like snow
the transfigured
Christ
appeared
white
as light
the one
who believes
in Christ
shall be
like him
and received
into glory
through the
blood of the
lamb
we are
cleansed
Christ
is calling
you tonight
come
and reason
with him
may these
thoughts be
blessed to
us
we'll
conclude
our
time of
worship
by singing
in Psalm 103
again
in the
Scottish
Psalter
in
page 369
of the
blue book
Psalm 103
the
Scottish
Psalter
returning
to Psalm
103
the psalm
that speaks
of God's
goodness
and love
towards
his people
we'll sing
there from
verse
marked
8
down to
verse
marked
12
the
Lord
our
God
is
merciful
and
he
is
gracious
long
suffering
and slow
to wrath
and mercy
plenteous
he will
not chide
continually
nor keep
his anger
still
with us
he dealt
not as we
sinned
nor did
requite
at all
for us
the heaven
in its
height
the earth
surmount
far
so great
to those
that do
him fear
his tender
mercy
are
as far
as east
is distant
from the
west
so far
he hath
from us
removed
in his
love
all our
iniquities
the God
that
loves his
people
and calls
them to
come to him
and parts
from them
their sins
let us stand
and sing
together
the Lord
our God
is merciful
and he
is gracious
the Lord
our God
is merciful
and he
is gracious
thanks
always
With us he dealt, nor does we sin, nor did we quite a hell.
For us the heaven in its high, the earth surmounted by.
So great to those that do in fear, his tender mercy's eye.
As far as he's desistened from the west, so far and here.
From the stream who did his love, all our iniquity.
The word of prayer.
Our heavenly Father, we pray that we may see ourselves before you.
The Holy One, a creator of all things.
That we may turn from our ways.
And that you, as we confess our sins to you.
You will part these sins as far as the east is from the west.
Removing all the iniquity of our lives.
And cleansing us in the blood of Jesus Christ.
The one that died for us on the cross at Calvary.
A payment that we should stand for and take.
But yet out of his love and grace.
The loving heavenly Father that loves such a stubborn and rebellious and stiff-necked people.
He comes to us and calls us.
That we may be cleansed.
What a love he extends to us.
May we continue in that love.
And may it continue to amaze us.
Be with us as we part.
And return to our homes we pray.
Watch over us.
Guide us and keep us in your safety.
We ask these things in Jesus name.
Amen.
corporate sjel Day Whitter.
Be with us.
га
Ome
тех
ev
dat
executive
eight
qu
y
cor