WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.879 Well, we're going to begin our worship now. We're singing, first of all, from Psalm 47, 00:00:04.740 --> 00:00:11.179 in the same psalms version on page 62. I'll sing the whole of that version of the psalm. 00:00:11.679 --> 00:00:16.879 All nations, clap your hands and shout. Let joyful cries to God ring out. 00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:22.260 How awesome is the Lord, most high, great King who rules the earth throughout. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:26.600 He has subdued beneath our feet the nations who had been our foes, 00:00:26.600 --> 00:00:32.500 in blessing Jacob, whom he loved, a heritage for those he chose. 00:00:33.340 --> 00:00:39.400 So Psalm 47, that's verses 1 to 9, these verses to God's praise. 00:00:56.600 --> 00:01:13.500 How awesome is the Lord, most high, great King who rules the earth throughout. 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:29.500 He has subdued beneath our feet the nations who have been our foes, 00:01:29.500 --> 00:01:45.799 in blessing Jacob, whom he loved, a heritage for us he chose. 00:01:45.799 --> 00:02:01.459 God has gone up with shouts of joy, the Lord of it that drowned this sound. 00:02:01.459 --> 00:02:09.639 Sing praise, sing praise to God whose hand. 00:02:09.639 --> 00:02:16.459 To God our King let praise upon. 00:02:16.460 --> 00:02:46.439 For God our King let praise upon. 00:02:46.439 --> 00:03:16.419 God our King let praise upon. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:19.979 He is the Lord. 00:03:21.979 --> 00:03:23.719 Let's call upon the Lord now in prayer. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:25.079 Let's join together in prayer. 00:03:25.080 --> 00:03:37.100 Lord our God, we give thanks tonight that you are greatly exalted and that we sing your praises to one who is greatly exalted. 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:45.519 Exalted above all that you have created, exalted above our lives here on earth and all other parts of the great universe. 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:46.520 Lord our Lord, we give thanks to God. 00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:52.120 That you have created the planets, the stars, all that we find, O Lord, in existence. 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:54.120 You preside over them. 00:03:54.120 --> 00:04:01.159 And so we come before you with awe and with reverence, with respect, with devotion, with worship. 00:04:01.159 --> 00:04:03.159 For you alone are worthy of our worship. 00:04:03.159 --> 00:04:04.699 For you alone are worthy of our worship. 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:07.039 And you are worthy of our worship, O Lord. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:17.920 And you have revealed to us so many aspects of your being and of your works, your great acts of redemption, especially that make you worthy of our worship and our praise. 00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:21.480 Help us, we pray, to praise you aright. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:24.220 Help us to praise you in a right spirit. 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:25.960 A spirit of faith. 00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:31.100 A spirit of rejoicing in what you have done and in all that you continue to do. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:37.300 And enable us, Lord, as we come, like the psalmist, to rejoice in those works of God. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:41.639 Help us, we pray, to receive once again the teaching of your word. 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:49.300 Lord, so that as we receive that teaching of your word into our very souls, our lives may be affected positively by it. 00:04:49.879 --> 00:04:52.199 We thank you again tonight for your word. 00:04:53.099 --> 00:05:02.259 We thank you, Lord, that you remembered us in such a way as to bring to us such a great message of hope and of redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:12.180 We thank you that these things have now been recorded over the course of many centuries so that we have that complete record in our own hands. 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:16.199 A word that we can truly come to at any time. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:19.519 A word that we are privileged to know as your word. 00:05:20.159 --> 00:05:24.539 A word in which we find so much, Lord, that is revealed to us. 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:28.240 That is for our benefit and for your glory. 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:31.819 We pray that you would help us to prize your word. 00:05:32.519 --> 00:05:38.660 Remember us, Lord, we pray, as we handle it in speaking and in hearing in all aspects of our worship. 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:40.579 As we sing your praise. 00:05:41.220 --> 00:05:46.060 As we anticipate, O Lord, these activities and services in this week to come. 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:49.420 O Lord, help us to rely upon yourself. 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:55.160 And we think especially of those that are applicable to our own congregation here. 00:05:55.160 --> 00:06:02.520 Lord, we ask that your blessing will accompany all that we seek to do in your name from day to day and week to week. 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:07.420 We give thanks, Lord, for all that takes place, for the many activities. 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:13.500 Yet we realize, O Lord, that our lives, though packed with many good things, 00:06:14.160 --> 00:06:18.500 require that your own Holy Spirit will bless us and bless them to us. 00:06:19.280 --> 00:06:22.520 We pray that that will be our case, Lord, in this week to come. 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:31.159 We pray that you would bless the services associated with our day of prayer and with our thanksgiving. 00:06:31.859 --> 00:06:36.039 Lord, we give thanks for all the good things we receive from your hand. 00:06:36.779 --> 00:06:39.139 We give thanks for your faithfulness to us. 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:44.680 We give thanks for the assurance you give us that you will always be with your people, 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:49.539 that you will always be their God and their stay through life. 00:06:49.540 --> 00:06:57.000 And we give thanks to the Lord for every aspect of your dealings with us and kindness and providence. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:03.660 And we give thanks for the assurance your word gives us that even along with those things that comfort us 00:07:03.660 --> 00:07:11.840 and give us great enjoyment, even the very difficulties and pains and travels of life are blessed to your people. 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:20.419 And so we pray, Lord, for thankfulness and the assurance that your word gives us that all things do work together for good 00:07:20.419 --> 00:07:26.000 to those who love the Lord, to those who are called according to his purpose. 00:07:26.859 --> 00:07:33.639 We pray that you'd bless us, Lord, as we anticipate the remembrance of your death in the Lord's Supper once again. 00:07:33.639 --> 00:07:38.259 We ask, Lord, that you would be with us in power and in might. 00:07:38.919 --> 00:07:44.180 And we pray that both the word preached and the sacrament itself will be blessed to us. 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:52.019 We pray that it might be used, Lord, by you to deepen our relationship with you, our appreciation of you. 00:07:52.699 --> 00:07:57.740 We ask, Lord, that as we find your word and sacrament conjoined, 00:07:57.740 --> 00:08:04.420 that we might be furthered in our faith, furthered in our commitment to you, our love for you, 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:08.400 and our respect for your ways. 00:08:09.480 --> 00:08:16.740 Remember, we pray, Lord, also as we come together to give thanks on these services of thanksgiving. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:19.120 We pray your blessing for such. 00:08:19.280 --> 00:08:21.800 We pray for the young ones. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:24.620 We ask that you'd bless them in the Presbytery camp. 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:27.500 We pray your blessing, O Lord, to be with them. 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:34.220 We pray for Marianne and Joanna as they anticipate again running trauma healing courses. 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.899 We pray for them. 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:40.240 We pray that many will come to benefit from that. 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:42.399 We ask, O Lord, that you would encourage them. 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:50.759 And we pray that you would use it as a means towards dealing with trauma and crisis in the lives of people. 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:55.580 But we give thanks especially for the fact that you are the great physician. 00:08:55.580 --> 00:09:02.600 There is none like you, O Lord, in terms of dealing with our need to be healed both in mind and body. 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:11.040 We pray, Lord, for those tonight who have such trauma and difficulty in their lives for various reasons in your providence. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:16.959 We thank you that we thank you that we can come to you at any time and lay our concerns before you. 00:09:17.599 --> 00:09:29.500 And we give thanks, O Lord, that you invite us even to come and lay these things in your presence and open up our arms towards you and receive the many promises in your word. 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:59.480 Lord, that you blesses us, O Lord, that you bless them and bless their friends. 00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:10.940 We pray in these difficult times for them that you would, Lord, look upon them in your mercy and grace and provide them with the strength and the wherewithal that they require. 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:17.419 Remember all, O Lord, who are going through treatment at this time and who anticipate that in days to come. 00:10:17.419 --> 00:10:30.839 We ask that you would graciously use the skills that you have given to people in surgical skills and other ways of dealing with our needs. 00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:38.839 Lord, we ask that your own blessing will make us thankful for such provisions and will use these to our betterment. 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:43.180 And we pray that you would bless now the world in which we live. 00:10:43.780 --> 00:10:56.080 O Lord, we find every day we live accounts of atrocities and violence and accounts of people who are gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:11:06.400 And, Lord, we pray for the power of the gospel to once again come to be known in our land in a much greater way than it is at present. 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:11.019 We long for days, Lord, of reviving and quickening power. 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:19.159 We pray that you would maintain us, Lord, and increase our interest in these things and learning from times in the past. 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:26.899 When you have visited us, Lord, and we thank you that your word uses this great word, visitation and visiting. 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:31.459 And when you come with your blessing to your people, so you visit them. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:37.740 And you visit them in a way that will be concerned for their well-being. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:44.019 Visit us, Lord, we pray, as a people, as a nation, as a congregation, as a church. 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:48.939 And grant us grace, Lord, as we set these things before you. 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:57.240 We give thanks that you are able to do for us, exceeding abundantly, above all that we are able to ask or even think. 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:59.340 Hear us, Lord, we pray now. 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:00.360 Continue with us. 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:03.779 Pardon our many transgressions and cleanse us freely. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.539 For Jesus' sake. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:06.059 Amen. 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:10.019 We'll praise God once again. 00:12:10.099 --> 00:12:16.679 This time we're singing from Psalm 1, the first psalm in the Psalter, in the Scottish Psalter, on page 200. 00:12:19.459 --> 00:12:25.199 That man hath perfect blessedness, who walketh not astray in counsel of ungodly men, 00:12:25.459 --> 00:12:30.219 nor stands in sinner's way, nor sitteth in the scornish chair, 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:37.300 but placeth his delight upon God's law, and meditates on his law day and night. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.279 We'll sing the whole psalm. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:42.000 Psalm 1, that man hath perfect blessedness. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:57.000 That man hath perfect blessedness, who walketh not astray, 00:12:57.000 --> 00:13:14.860 and can't do it, nor stand in sinner's way, nor siteth in the scornish chair, 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:19.740 a place that is divine. 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:30.740 And one God saw and meditates on his holy night. 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:42.740 He shall be like a tree that grows near planted by a river, 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:53.740 which in his season yields his true, and in his name he fatheth never. 00:13:53.740 --> 00:14:04.740 And all the gods shall prosper well, the wicked are no soul. 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:15.740 And like the hour unto the jaff which wind thys to and fro, 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:27.740 In judgment therefore shall no stand such as ungodly are, 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:38.740 nor in his name he fatheth not fear. 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:40.740 Nor in his name he fatheth not fear, nor in his name he fatheth not fear. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:50.740 For wide the way of glory men come to the Lord his throne, 00:14:50.740 --> 00:15:01.740 where as the way of glory men shall quite be overthrown. 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:08.740 Well, let's turn now to read God's word from the prophecy of Malachi, 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:13.740 the last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament. 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:21.740 And the last chapter, sorry, the chapter 3 of Malachi, 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:36.740 We'll read just where the division is there in the ESV from chapter 2, verse 17. 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:42.740 You have wearied the Lord with your words, but you say, 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:44.740 How have we wearied him? 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:48.740 By saying, Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:50.740 and he delights in them. 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:53.740 Or by asking, Where is the God of justice? 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:57.740 Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. 00:15:57.740 --> 00:16:01.740 And the Lord whom ye seek will suddenly come to his temple, 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:04.740 and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight. 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:08.740 Behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:13.740 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:17.740 For he is like a refiner's fire and like foolish soap. 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:23.740 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:30.740 and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:34.740 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord, 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:38.740 as in the days of old and as in former days. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:41.740 Then I will draw near to you for judgment. 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:44.740 I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:48.740 against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:51.740 against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.740 the widow and the fatherless, 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:56.740 against those who thrust against the sojourner. 00:16:56.740 --> 00:17:00.740 And do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts. 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:03.740 For I, the Lord, do not change. 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:07.740 Therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:12.740 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes, 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:14.740 and have not kept them. 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:19.740 Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:22.740 But you say, How shall we return? 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.740 Will a man rob God? 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:26.740 Yet you are robbing me. 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:28.740 But you say, How have we robbed you? 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:31.740 In your tithes and contributions. 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:33.740 You are cursed with a curse, 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:36.740 for you are robbing me the whole nation of you. 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:39.740 Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.740 that there may be food in my house. 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:45.740 And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:48.740 if I will not open the windows of heaven for you, 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:53.740 and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:55.740 I will rebuke the devourer for you, 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:58.740 so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:03.740 And your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:06.740 Then all nations will call you blessed, 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:11.740 for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:14.740 Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:17.740 But you say, How have we spoken against you? 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:21.740 You have said, It is vain to serve God. 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:24.740 What is the profit of our keeping his charge, 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:27.740 or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:30.740 And now we call the arrogant blessed. 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:32.740 Evil doers not only prosper, 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:36.740 but they put God to the test and they escape. 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:39.740 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:42.740 The Lord paid attention and heard them. 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:45.740 And a book of remembrance was written before him, 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:48.740 of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:51.740 They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:55.740 in the day when I make up my treasured possession. 00:18:55.740 --> 00:19:00.740 And I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:06.740 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:13.740 between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:18.740 And again, we pray that the Lord will bless to us this portion of his word. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:21.740 Before we turn to some parts of that chapter, 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:25.740 let's sing again in Psalm 34 this time. 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:29.740 Psalm 34, page 247. 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:32.740 Psalm 34 in the Scottish Psalter, 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:35.740 singing verses 7 to 11. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:40.740 The angel of the Lord encamps and round encompasseth 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:42.740 all those about that do him fear, 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:44.740 and them delivereth. 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:47.740 Oh, taste and see that God is good, 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:49.740 who trusts in him is blessed. 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:51.740 Fear God his saints, 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:54.740 none that him fear shall be with want oppressed. 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:57.740 The lion's young may hungry be, 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:59.740 and they may lack their food, 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:03.740 but they that truly seek the Lord shall not lack any good. 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:05.740 Oh, children, hither do ye come, 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:07.740 and unto me give ear. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:10.740 I shall you teach to understand 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:13.740 how ye the Lord should fear. 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:17.740 And these verses 7 to 11 of Psalm 34. 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:29.740 The angel of the Lord encamps 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:35.740 and round encompasseth 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:44.740 all those about that do him fear, 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:50.740 and them delivereth. 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:58.740 Oh, taste and see that God is good, 00:20:58.740 --> 00:21:04.740 who trusts in him is blessed. 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:09.740 Dear God his saints, 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:19.740 and that him fear shall be with want oppressed. 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:27.740 The lions young may hungry be, 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:34.740 and they may lack their food, 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:48.740 but they that truly seek the Lord shall not lack any good. 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:57.740 O children, hither do ye come, 00:21:57.740 --> 00:22:03.740 and unto me give ear. 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:11.740 I shall you teach to understand 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:20.740 how ye the Lord should fear. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:24.740 Now please turn with me to the passage we read in Malachi. 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:30.740 Malachi chapter 3, and reading from verse 16. 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:34.740 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:37.740 The Lord paid attention and heard them, 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:40.740 and a book of remembrance was written before him 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:43.740 of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:46.740 They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:50.740 in the day when I make up my treasured possession. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:54.740 And I will spare them as a man spares the son who serves him. 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:59.740 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:05.740 between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:12.740 Well, I'm sure we're all very familiar with books of remembrance. 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:17.740 Book of remembrance, these books are usually volumes 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:21.740 in which people write their names and maybe comments as well, 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:24.740 particularly at times when some tragedy has taken place 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:29.740 and people are constrained to go and sign that book of remembrance 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:32.740 just to show affinity with those who are suffering. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:39.740 And so these in various contexts are things we're very familiar with from time to time. 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:45.740 And here we have a book of remembrance mentioned as the Lord's Book of Remembrance. 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:52.740 And the image that you have here of a book of remembrance being written and open before the Lord 00:23:52.740 --> 00:24:00.740 is an image really that sets out for us the Lord's attentive listening and recording of his people, 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:04.740 especially as they're mentioned here as they spoke often with one another. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:07.740 And the Lord paid attention. 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:13.740 And therefore the Book of Remembrance is Malachi's way of describing that God recorded. 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.740 And God records. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:22.740 And God of course always in his own mind and his perfect memory and perfect attention 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:25.740 is always aware of what's going on. 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:32.740 But it's especially here mentioned that he gives this particular attention to his people 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:37.740 as they meet together, as they discuss together, as they speak together, 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:42.740 and as they actually come to esteem the Lord's name. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:50.740 So here we have in the Book of Malachi something which is applicable to every age of the church, 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:53.740 every age including our own. 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:59.740 And here are many, many aspects of what you might say are wonderful promises from the Lord 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:08.740 with regard to how we conduct ourselves and how we would seek to be as these people were in those days. 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:17.740 Now Malachi's prophecy seems to have been written about the same time as Ezra, Nehemiah, 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:24.740 in that period of history where we find many things in Nehemiah and Ezra recorded 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:28.740 that very much mirror what you find in the Book of Malachi as well. 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:33.740 Some of the same conditions, some of the same descriptions, the same problems, 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:36.740 same things that the Lord was pointing out. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:44.740 And you find in Malachi that there's a close affinity between Malachi and these books of Nehemiah and Ezra. 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:50.740 In other words, it was a time of, as you go through Malachi, you can see it was a time of disillusionment 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:53.740 on the part of the Lord's covenant people. 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:56.740 Not just disillusionment, but a time of doubt. 00:25:56.740 --> 00:26:01.740 A time indeed of them breaking their covenant relationship with God. 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:07.740 Often through the Book of Malachi you find the concept of a covenant mentioned. 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:14.740 And the people themselves in their disobedience and in their casting off a proper view of God 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:17.740 had come to break their side of the covenant. 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:23.740 And you can see how that is mentioned in various ways throughout the Book of Malachi. 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:28.740 So in that context of people, even as you've read in this chapter itself tonight, 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:35.740 people saying, as the Lord through Malachi disputed with them, 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:42.740 disputing really what the Lord was saying to them and calling into question the Lord's own faithfulness in fact. 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:50.740 And really calling into question whether or not it was profitable for them to serve the Lord anymore. 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:56.740 Things which really mark other generations of course as well, not least our own. 00:26:56.740 --> 00:27:04.740 But in this time of doubt, of challenge, of disillusionment, there are a people mentioned who are different. 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:09.740 Those people who feared the Lord spoke with one another. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:20.740 In other words, in that context of departure from the Lord, of disillusionment, of lack of faith, of accusations against God, 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:27.740 here were a people, here were a group of people, here was a remnant if you like, here was a certain number of people. 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:29.740 And we'll see how they're described here. 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:34.740 And we'll see how they're described in a way that's very relevant to our own situation as well. 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:45.740 Here are a people who were different, who stood out because of the way in which they were distinguished from the others that are mentioned, 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:48.740 who are disillusioned and finding accusations against the Lord. 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:55.740 You see that word, then, at the beginning of the verse, of verse 16, is very important. 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:59.740 Then, those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:06.740 In that context, in the way in which they were surrounded by this disillusionment and speaking against the Lord. 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:09.740 When you contrast verse 16 with verse 14, 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.740 You have said, 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:12.740 It is vain to serve God. 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:19.740 What is the profit of our keeping his charge, or of walking as in mourning before the Lord? 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:26.740 This was their own accusation against the Lord, against what they saw as God not actually supporting them. 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:31.740 Then, those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:40.740 And, sometimes, we may not think that the world out there is really taking much notice of us. 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:43.740 But, that's not the case. 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:46.740 As we meet even here this evening, as we've met on this Lord's Day, 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:50.740 as we seek to sanctify the Lord's Day to the Lord, 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:54.740 as we come together to worship the Lord in public worship, 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:57.740 that is being noticed maybe not as much as we'd like. 00:28:57.740 --> 00:29:01.740 But, here is something that's saying to us, in the context of our day, 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:04.740 in the context of departure from the ways of the Lord, 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:06.740 accusations against the Lord, 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:08.740 unbelief and atheism, 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:13.740 and all of these other things that mark us sadly all too much as a society, as a people, 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:19.740 then, in that context, we are called upon to be the people of God. 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:21.740 To be distinct. 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:24.740 To be different to the world around us. 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:30.740 And, there are two things in these verses that I want to just bring out. 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:33.740 First of all, the Lord's people in conversation. 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:36.740 The Lord's people in conversation. 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:39.740 Those who feared the Lord, then those who feared the Lord, 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:43.740 spoke with one another, or spoke often with one another. 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:47.740 And, they're described as those who esteemed His name, 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:52.740 those who feared the Lord, and that they spoke with one another. 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:58.740 And, the descriptions are really important in the context of Malachi's day, 00:29:58.740 --> 00:30:03.740 and of our own day as well, of such massive and sad departure from the ways of the Lord. 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:07.740 They are, first of all, a people who feared the Lord. 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:11.740 Those who feared the Lord, spoke often one to another. 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:15.740 That is the basic requirement of a Christian life. 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:22.740 Yes, I know that you can say there are so many things that are basic requirements to a Christian life, 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:29.740 such as faith in Christ, belief in the Word of God, and what it says to us, acceptance of all of that. 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:36.740 But, the fear of the Lord really stands foundational to the life and the lifestyle of God's people. 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:39.740 And, it has been the case in every age. 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:45.740 And, it's actually a rather sad thing that this description has not quite passed out of use, 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:47.740 but almost passed out of use. 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:50.740 Because, if you went back forty or fifty or more years ago, 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:55.740 you'll find this description far more commonly used than it is nowadays. 00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:58.740 For the people of God, they are God-fearers. 00:30:58.740 --> 00:31:02.740 They are God-fearers. 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:10.740 And, the fear of the Lord throughout the Bible is something that stands as a basic element in a godly life. 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:12.740 What is the fear of the Lord? 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:15.740 It's not the kind of thing that you find people thinking it is, 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:21.740 where they think, well, that's just cringing when you think about God and what God has revealed. 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:24.740 The fear of the Lord is being afraid of God. 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:28.740 The fear of the Lord is just that which you don't want in your life. 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:30.740 That's how some people think about it. 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:33.740 But, actually, it's the very opposite. 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:40.740 Because, the fear of the Lord is really that kind of attitude and lifestyle 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:49.740 that involves reverence for God, obedience to God, love for God, love for His Word, love for His actions, 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:57.740 love for Himself and what He does, devotion to Him, concern to honour Him in the presence of others. 00:31:57.740 --> 00:32:00.740 That's what characterises the fear of the Lord. 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:05.740 And that fear of the Lord is what marked these people, among other things. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:13.740 It's a term of honour to be known as a God-fearer or as God-fearing people. 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:18.740 Yes, I know that the world will always throw that at us as a negative. 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:20.740 Oh, these are God-fearers. 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:22.740 You don't want to be a God-fearer. 00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:28.740 That's just something that takes away much of the joy from your life. 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:30.740 These God-fearers, they're killjoys. 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:33.740 You don't want to have that sort of lifestyle. 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:38.740 Well, here is the Bible telling us, actually, positively, it's the very opposite. 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:45.740 The person that truly fears the Lord is the person that knows what true joy really is. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:54.740 There is no true joy apart from your trust in the Lord, your obedience, your love, your devotion to Him, your acceptance of His ways. 00:32:54.740 --> 00:33:01.740 Then, those who feared the Lord, they spoke with one another. 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:03.740 They were God-fearers. 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:13.740 Isn't that your own and my own concern tonight in the face of rampant wickedness and arrogant ungodliness? 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:16.740 That you and I would be known as a God-fearer? 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:18.740 A God-fearing person? 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:23.740 A person who respects the Lord, the ways of the Lord, the truth of God? 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:28.740 Who would stand by those things in such times as in Malachi's day? 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.740 A person who respects the Lord, the way of the Lord is the Lord. 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:38.740 That we would be known then, that we would be known now as people who are God-fearing people? 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:44.740 It's one of the most positive things you can say about someone, that they fear the Lord. 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:47.740 Is that not your own concern? 00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:51.740 Is that not something you'd want more and more to be true about yourself? 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:55.740 Well, they were known as those who feared the Lord. 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.740 And what else were they known as? 00:33:56.740 --> 00:34:00.740 Those who esteemed His name. 00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:04.740 Again, it's repeated there, who feared the Lord, the end of verse 16. 00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:08.739 Who feared the Lord and esteemed His name. 00:34:08.739 --> 00:34:16.739 Now, esteemed means not just valued it, but gave it much thought so as to value it. 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:20.739 These people, they didn't just think of God now and again. 00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:26.739 They didn't just give their minds to thinking about God and who He was and what He had done for them. 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:31.739 Just occasionally, this was something that characterized their daily life. 00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:34.739 This was something that accompanied their fear of the Lord. 00:34:34.739 --> 00:34:42.739 Indeed, you can't think of fearing the Lord without consistently thinking upon His name and esteeming His name. 00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:46.739 Thinking through the meaning of the name of God. 00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:57.739 The name of God in the Bible is something that is a summary, if you like, of His attributes or His qualities or His actions. 00:34:57.739 --> 00:35:05.739 God makes a name for Himself by His great acts of creation and redemption. 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:09.739 Particularly in redeeming His people. 00:35:09.739 --> 00:35:10.739 He makes a name for Himself. 00:35:10.739 --> 00:35:13.739 He gives Himself a reputation. 00:35:13.739 --> 00:35:21.739 He builds His reputation, if you like, on His great acts by which He is revealed. 00:35:21.739 --> 00:35:26.739 And these people esteemed His name. 00:35:26.739 --> 00:35:29.739 They prized the works of the Lord. 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:34.739 They prized the revelation He had made of Himself to them. 00:35:34.739 --> 00:35:45.739 And you remember how that's so much tied by John, for example, in his first chapter of his Gospel. 00:35:45.739 --> 00:35:52.739 Where you find him mentioning there Jesus, that He came into the world as the light and so on. 00:35:52.739 --> 00:35:56.739 And in verse 12 of the first chapter, 00:35:56.739 --> 00:35:58.739 Well, he says, first of all, He was in the world. 00:35:58.739 --> 00:36:01.739 The world was made by Him, yet the world did not know Him. 00:36:01.739 --> 00:36:05.739 He came to His own and His own people did not receive Him. 00:36:05.739 --> 00:36:13.739 But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. 00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:18.739 To all who received Him, who believed in His name. 00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:20.739 How He had revealed Himself. 00:36:20.739 --> 00:36:21.739 How He had revealed Himself. 00:36:21.739 --> 00:36:23.739 The God revealed in Jesus Christ. 00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:28.739 You see, the two things that are inseparably tied together. 00:36:28.739 --> 00:36:31.739 Believing in the name of God. 00:36:31.739 --> 00:36:42.739 And you'll find the name of God as also that which they received Jesus and believed in His name. 00:36:42.739 --> 00:36:43.739 Two things. 00:36:43.739 --> 00:36:44.739 Receiving. 00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:45.739 Believing in His name. 00:36:45.739 --> 00:36:48.739 In other words, believing in the name of Jesus. 00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:49.739 Believing in the name of God. 00:36:49.739 --> 00:36:52.739 It's not a merely intellectual exercise. 00:36:52.739 --> 00:36:57.739 It's not just something you do as academically, if you like. 00:36:57.739 --> 00:36:59.739 You're maybe thinking of theology. 00:36:59.739 --> 00:37:03.739 And people who love theology and love studying theology. 00:37:03.739 --> 00:37:05.739 That's not enough to save us. 00:37:05.739 --> 00:37:07.739 Good though it might be. 00:37:07.739 --> 00:37:17.739 Indeed, a love for theology itself, while good in itself, could actually lead you away from believing in God in the sense of receiving Christ. 00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:19.739 Because the two things, they go together. 00:37:19.739 --> 00:37:24.739 They believed in His name, but they received Him. 00:37:24.739 --> 00:37:29.739 So here again is a question for me and for you tonight. 00:37:29.739 --> 00:37:31.739 You believe in Christ. 00:37:31.739 --> 00:37:34.739 You believe that He came into the world. 00:37:34.739 --> 00:37:36.739 You believe He died on the cross. 00:37:36.739 --> 00:37:38.739 You believe He rose again from the dead. 00:37:38.739 --> 00:37:41.739 You believe because the Bible tells you. 00:37:41.739 --> 00:37:49.739 But as you're believing in His name, accompanied by, inseparable from, receiving Him. 00:37:49.739 --> 00:37:56.739 It's not enough for us in preaching the gospel to ask or to present the truth of the Bible in such a way that says, 00:37:56.739 --> 00:37:58.739 Do you believe in Christ? 00:37:58.739 --> 00:38:02.739 You also have to say along with that, Have you received Christ? 00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:05.739 Here is God's great gift. 00:38:05.739 --> 00:38:07.739 Have we received it? 00:38:07.739 --> 00:38:09.739 Have we said, Thank you, Lord. 00:38:09.739 --> 00:38:11.739 I'm glad to make it mine. 00:38:11.739 --> 00:38:13.739 I'm pleased that it's come to me. 00:38:13.739 --> 00:38:14.739 And I thank you for it. 00:38:14.739 --> 00:38:20.739 And I want to hold on to it and put my trust in this Jesus. 00:38:20.739 --> 00:38:23.739 They esteemed His name. 00:38:23.739 --> 00:38:25.739 They valued. 00:38:25.739 --> 00:38:28.739 They prized the name of God. 00:38:28.739 --> 00:38:30.739 The revelation that God had made of Himself. 00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:34.739 The God who had revealed Himself. 00:38:34.739 --> 00:38:39.739 Isn't that what makes us different, friends, tonight? 00:38:39.739 --> 00:38:43.739 That in our context as well, just as in the days of Malachi, 00:38:43.739 --> 00:38:48.739 we are a people, surely, who are not ashamed to be known as the God-fearers, 00:38:48.739 --> 00:38:52.739 who are not ashamed to be known as those who esteem the name of God. 00:38:52.739 --> 00:38:55.739 Because when you look out there and listen to what's happening in the world, 00:38:55.739 --> 00:39:03.739 the one thing that's obvious is that so, so many people despise the name of God rather than esteem it. 00:39:03.739 --> 00:39:08.739 And don't think upon the name of God in any other way but to dismiss it. 00:39:08.739 --> 00:39:10.739 And that's the great challenge for us with the Gospel. 00:39:10.739 --> 00:39:13.739 That's the world in which we need to reach out with the Gospel. 00:39:13.739 --> 00:39:15.739 That's the condition of the world. 00:39:15.739 --> 00:39:20.739 That's the condition of your soul and mine before we came to know the Lord and came to receive Him. 00:39:20.739 --> 00:39:24.739 That's what these people were. 00:39:24.739 --> 00:39:26.739 They were God-fearers. 00:39:26.739 --> 00:39:32.739 They were those who esteemed the name of God. 00:39:32.739 --> 00:39:35.739 In other words, we could put it this way. 00:39:35.739 --> 00:39:39.739 How precious is Jesus to us tonight? 00:39:39.739 --> 00:39:44.739 How precious is the name of God? 00:39:44.739 --> 00:39:47.739 How precious is He Himself? 00:39:47.739 --> 00:39:50.739 How precious is His redemption to us? 00:39:50.739 --> 00:39:55.739 How precious is all that He has revealed of Himself to us? 00:39:55.739 --> 00:40:00.739 Do we esteem that as these people esteemed it? 00:40:00.739 --> 00:40:04.739 And the third thing is they spoke with one another. 00:40:04.739 --> 00:40:11.739 These people who feared the Lord, who esteemed His name, then they spoke with one another. 00:40:11.739 --> 00:40:16.739 See, they were a small group compared to the majority. 00:40:16.739 --> 00:40:21.739 And in that context in which they lived, it was important for them to look after each other, 00:40:21.739 --> 00:40:25.739 to speak with one another, to speak about the Lord to one another, 00:40:25.739 --> 00:40:28.739 to speak about the things of their day to one another, 00:40:28.739 --> 00:40:33.739 to encourage one another in continuing to believe and to serve the Lord. 00:40:33.739 --> 00:40:39.739 They valued this and found it edifying, 00:40:39.739 --> 00:40:43.739 because that's really built into the whole thrust of meaning in the passage, 00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:49.739 that then these people who feared the Lord, who esteemed His name, spoke with one another. 00:40:49.739 --> 00:40:51.739 They really were saying, this passage is really saying to us, 00:40:51.739 --> 00:40:55.739 these people were of the view that just could not live without speaking to one another. 00:40:55.739 --> 00:41:00.739 They could not actually live successfully or profitably without speaking to one another. 00:41:00.739 --> 00:41:05.739 You see, we saw very recently a short study on the gathered church, 00:41:05.739 --> 00:41:09.739 the different aspects of being gathered together, 00:41:09.739 --> 00:41:15.739 and the importance of different emphases in the Bible about the people of God gathered together 00:41:15.739 --> 00:41:17.739 and aspects of that gathering. 00:41:17.739 --> 00:41:19.739 Well, this is really essentially the same thing. 00:41:19.739 --> 00:41:22.739 They valued speaking together. 00:41:22.739 --> 00:41:24.739 They valued gathering together. 00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:27.739 They valued it because in the context in which they lived, 00:41:27.739 --> 00:41:28.739 they lived. 00:41:28.739 --> 00:41:35.739 It was vital to them not only to be the people of God visibly in that society, 00:41:35.739 --> 00:41:41.739 but actually to encourage one another to go on to persevere, 00:41:41.739 --> 00:41:49.739 to keep the faith, to be faithful, all of these things. 00:41:49.739 --> 00:41:53.739 In other words, they strengthened one another. 00:41:53.739 --> 00:41:59.739 When you look through the prophecy of Malachi, as we said, go back to chapter 1, verse 13, 00:41:59.739 --> 00:42:03.739 and you'll find, but you say, this is God saying to the people, 00:42:03.739 --> 00:42:06.739 but you say, what a weariness this is. 00:42:06.739 --> 00:42:09.739 And you snorted, says the Lord of hosts. 00:42:09.739 --> 00:42:14.739 You bring what has been taken by violence, or as lame or sick, 00:42:14.739 --> 00:42:19.739 and this you bring as your offering, shall I accept that from your hand, says the Lord. 00:42:19.739 --> 00:42:22.739 You see, these people lived at a time when others were saying, 00:42:22.739 --> 00:42:26.739 ah, well, you know, the things that we don't want to use ourselves, 00:42:26.739 --> 00:42:28.739 that's good enough for the Lord. 00:42:28.739 --> 00:42:31.739 The kind of animals that have something wrong with them, 00:42:31.739 --> 00:42:35.739 we'll keep the best for ourselves, but we can use the rest really in the services of the temple 00:42:35.739 --> 00:42:38.739 or of whatever, that'll do for the Lord. 00:42:38.739 --> 00:42:43.739 And serving the Lord, they find, in terms of what Malachi is drawing their minds to, 00:42:43.739 --> 00:42:47.739 what a weariness that is, what a weariness the Lord's day is to them, 00:42:47.739 --> 00:42:51.739 what a weariness the Sabbath is to them. 00:42:51.739 --> 00:42:55.739 You and I surely want to be different to that. 00:42:57.739 --> 00:43:01.739 Count up the number of empty seats here tonight. 00:43:01.739 --> 00:43:05.739 And place that against those in this town itself, 00:43:05.739 --> 00:43:08.739 who in their heart of hearts are saying, 00:43:08.739 --> 00:43:12.739 worshiping the Lord, going to church, what a weariness that is. 00:43:12.739 --> 00:43:14.739 What a waste of time. 00:43:14.739 --> 00:43:19.739 What a waste of an hour when I could be watching television, 00:43:19.739 --> 00:43:23.739 or being on the internet, or just having a good time in some other way. 00:43:23.739 --> 00:43:27.739 Well, here was Malachi saying, 00:43:27.739 --> 00:43:33.739 then those who feared the Lord, against those difficulties of his day, 00:43:33.739 --> 00:43:35.739 and those tendencies and actions of his day, 00:43:35.739 --> 00:43:38.739 activities of Malachi's day, 00:43:38.739 --> 00:43:41.739 are saying they spoke to one another. 00:43:41.739 --> 00:43:51.739 Don't we really value the privilege we have of speaking about the things of God to one another? 00:43:51.739 --> 00:43:59.739 Of actually having the time and the facility and the freedom in God's providence to do that. 00:43:59.739 --> 00:44:02.739 Value that time, friends. 00:44:02.739 --> 00:44:08.739 Use it as something which is so precious to you, 00:44:08.739 --> 00:44:10.739 that you say, as these people were saying, 00:44:10.739 --> 00:44:13.739 we have to speak to one another, 00:44:13.739 --> 00:44:18.739 because we're in a context where there's so much opposition to what we believe in, 00:44:18.739 --> 00:44:20.739 and what we're doing. 00:44:20.739 --> 00:44:25.739 And to do that, as Hebrews put it, as we saw one of these studies, 00:44:25.739 --> 00:44:30.739 don't neglect the assembling of yourselves together as the custom of some is, 00:44:30.739 --> 00:44:32.739 but encourage one another. 00:44:32.739 --> 00:44:35.739 And so much more as you see the day approaching. 00:44:35.739 --> 00:44:39.739 We'll see that in a minute, the day of judgment that Malachi spoke of. 00:44:39.739 --> 00:44:42.739 So here's the first thing, the Lord's people in conversation, 00:44:42.739 --> 00:44:44.739 the Lord's people who feared the Lord, 00:44:44.739 --> 00:44:47.739 the Lord's people who esteemed his name, 00:44:47.739 --> 00:44:51.739 and the Lord's people who spoke to one another. 00:44:51.739 --> 00:44:56.739 And then he says that a book of remembrance was written before the Lord, 00:44:56.739 --> 00:45:00.739 and written by him, 00:45:00.739 --> 00:45:03.739 and kept before him for those who feared the Lord. 00:45:03.739 --> 00:45:08.739 But you see, it says the Lord paid attention and heard them. 00:45:10.739 --> 00:45:14.739 That's so important in thinking of this book of remembrance, 00:45:14.739 --> 00:45:17.739 which is an imagery really, because there's no literal book, 00:45:17.739 --> 00:45:19.739 as you very well know, in heaven. 00:45:19.739 --> 00:45:22.739 God doesn't actually write there with a pen things in a book. 00:45:22.739 --> 00:45:29.739 It's just an image to teach us and to tell us about God paying attention and hearing his people. 00:45:29.739 --> 00:45:31.739 But how precious that is. 00:45:31.739 --> 00:45:33.739 Here is God actually saying, 00:45:33.739 --> 00:45:36.739 I pay attention to the gatherings of my people. 00:45:36.739 --> 00:45:39.739 I give attention to their prayers. 00:45:39.739 --> 00:45:40.739 I give attention to their worship. 00:45:40.739 --> 00:45:43.739 I give attention to their songs of praise. 00:45:43.739 --> 00:45:51.739 I pay special attention to my people as they speak often to one another. 00:45:51.739 --> 00:45:55.739 The Lord paid attention and heard them. 00:45:55.739 --> 00:46:01.739 In other words, the Lord is really giving a special attention to his people's fellowship, 00:46:01.739 --> 00:46:03.739 to his people's meetings with one another, 00:46:03.739 --> 00:46:05.739 his people's love for one another, 00:46:05.739 --> 00:46:09.739 his people speaking about the things of God to one another. 00:46:09.739 --> 00:46:11.739 Here's an amazing thing. 00:46:11.739 --> 00:46:13.739 Here's a precious thing. 00:46:13.739 --> 00:46:15.739 As we're here tonight, 00:46:15.739 --> 00:46:17.739 speaking about the things of God, 00:46:17.739 --> 00:46:21.739 listening to the Word of God in heaven, 00:46:21.739 --> 00:46:23.739 God is paying attention. 00:46:25.739 --> 00:46:27.739 God is listening in. 00:46:27.739 --> 00:46:30.739 And not only is he listening in, 00:46:30.739 --> 00:46:34.739 but he's listening in with a view to marking that by his favour. 00:46:34.739 --> 00:46:38.739 Are we amazed at that? 00:46:38.739 --> 00:46:42.739 Does that not add an element to your worship and praise 00:46:42.739 --> 00:46:46.739 that as we come together to speak about the things of God, 00:46:46.739 --> 00:46:50.739 that we speak with one another and speak about the Lord himself, 00:46:50.739 --> 00:46:53.739 that the Lord pays attention and hears that. 00:46:53.739 --> 00:46:56.739 And he puts it into his book of remembrance. 00:46:56.739 --> 00:46:57.739 In other words, 00:46:57.739 --> 00:47:00.739 he marks it down in his memory. 00:47:00.739 --> 00:47:05.739 He continues to give regard to it. 00:47:05.739 --> 00:47:11.739 What an incentive for us to gather to worship the Lord, 00:47:11.739 --> 00:47:15.739 that God himself says of it, 00:47:15.739 --> 00:47:17.739 I'm hearing you. 00:47:17.739 --> 00:47:19.739 I'm looking in upon you. 00:47:19.739 --> 00:47:23.739 I'm regarding your talking about me with favour, 00:47:23.739 --> 00:47:25.739 with delight. 00:47:28.739 --> 00:47:30.739 He paid attention and heard. 00:47:30.739 --> 00:47:32.739 And he, as we said there, 00:47:32.739 --> 00:47:33.739 he records it, 00:47:33.739 --> 00:47:35.739 he bears it in mind. 00:47:35.739 --> 00:47:38.739 A book of remembrance was written before him. 00:47:39.739 --> 00:47:42.739 And the words before him there are also very important. 00:47:43.739 --> 00:47:45.739 Because anything that's before the Lord 00:47:45.739 --> 00:47:49.739 is always there specifically in his sight. 00:47:49.739 --> 00:47:51.739 Specifically under his, 00:47:51.739 --> 00:47:54.739 under his perfect attention. 00:47:55.739 --> 00:47:57.739 He's giving that attention to them. 00:47:57.739 --> 00:48:00.739 That's what it means this book of remembrance 00:48:00.739 --> 00:48:01.739 wasn't before him. 00:48:02.739 --> 00:48:03.739 It's there, as it were, 00:48:03.739 --> 00:48:05.739 open before his sight. 00:48:05.739 --> 00:48:08.739 And he's constantly looking in upon it. 00:48:08.739 --> 00:48:13.739 Constantly bearing in his own mind his people. 00:48:13.739 --> 00:48:17.739 And they're speaking with one another. 00:48:18.739 --> 00:48:21.739 In an age of decadence. 00:48:22.739 --> 00:48:23.739 An age of arrogance. 00:48:24.739 --> 00:48:27.739 An age of opposition against God. 00:48:28.739 --> 00:48:30.739 An age of ridiculing the Gospel. 00:48:31.739 --> 00:48:35.739 An age of stating categorically that God does not exist. 00:48:36.739 --> 00:48:38.739 That it's a waste of time to think about God. 00:48:38.739 --> 00:48:42.739 And to think about anything at all. 00:48:42.739 --> 00:48:44.739 The Bible tells you about serving God. 00:48:44.739 --> 00:48:46.739 Committing your life to God. 00:48:46.739 --> 00:48:49.739 And having a lifestyle that seeks to fit in 00:48:49.739 --> 00:48:50.739 with God's own standard. 00:48:50.739 --> 00:48:51.739 Waste of time. 00:48:52.739 --> 00:48:54.739 This decadence age will tell you. 00:48:54.739 --> 00:48:55.739 What's the point? 00:48:55.739 --> 00:48:57.739 I have a life to live. 00:48:57.739 --> 00:48:58.739 I want to enjoy myself. 00:48:59.739 --> 00:49:01.739 I want to do things as I please. 00:49:02.739 --> 00:49:03.739 As I think best. 00:49:03.739 --> 00:49:07.739 Well here are people who lived in that kind of age. 00:49:08.739 --> 00:49:09.739 Or very similarly anyway. 00:49:10.739 --> 00:49:12.739 But as they met together. 00:49:12.739 --> 00:49:13.739 As they spoke with one another. 00:49:14.739 --> 00:49:15.739 The Lord was assuring them. 00:49:16.739 --> 00:49:18.739 I'm listening to you. 00:49:19.739 --> 00:49:21.739 I'm marking up favorably. 00:49:22.739 --> 00:49:24.739 What you are actually doing as my people. 00:49:24.739 --> 00:49:27.739 This book is open. 00:49:28.739 --> 00:49:29.739 Before the Lord. 00:49:30.739 --> 00:49:32.739 And of course there's a lot of challenge in that for us too. 00:49:33.739 --> 00:49:35.739 But what an encouragement. 00:49:36.739 --> 00:49:38.739 That in terms of our fellowship together. 00:49:39.739 --> 00:49:41.739 And our seeking to be faithful to God. 00:49:41.739 --> 00:49:43.739 And what we do in our daily life. 00:49:44.739 --> 00:49:45.739 God is taking note. 00:49:46.739 --> 00:49:48.739 God is marking it down. 00:49:48.739 --> 00:49:52.739 And tonight surely that's your concern. 00:49:53.739 --> 00:49:55.739 Surely that's our concern as a people. 00:49:56.739 --> 00:49:58.739 That tonight together and individually. 00:49:59.739 --> 00:50:02.739 We would be marked down in God's book of remembrance. 00:50:03.739 --> 00:50:05.739 That we would be a people of which God is saying. 00:50:06.739 --> 00:50:07.739 I approve of that. 00:50:09.739 --> 00:50:11.739 I delight in that. 00:50:12.739 --> 00:50:13.739 I mark that up. 00:50:14.739 --> 00:50:16.739 As something that pleases me. 00:50:18.739 --> 00:50:20.739 He paid attention. 00:50:20.739 --> 00:50:21.599 And heard. 00:50:21.739 --> 00:50:23.539 And he recorded their actions. 00:50:23.739 --> 00:50:24.119 And thirdly. 00:50:24.739 --> 00:50:26.619 He promised them security. 00:50:27.739 --> 00:50:28.659 See he goes on to say. 00:50:28.759 --> 00:50:29.439 The passage says. 00:50:29.679 --> 00:50:31.379 They shall be mine. 00:50:31.579 --> 00:50:32.679 Says the Lord of hosts. 00:50:33.319 --> 00:50:36.139 In the day when I make up my treasured possession. 00:50:36.859 --> 00:50:38.039 And I will spare them. 00:50:38.119 --> 00:50:39.619 As a man spares his son. 00:50:40.239 --> 00:50:41.259 Who serves him. 00:50:41.859 --> 00:50:42.779 Now that reference to. 00:50:43.199 --> 00:50:43.719 The day. 00:50:44.059 --> 00:50:46.079 When I make up my treasured possession. 00:50:46.239 --> 00:50:47.719 The old translation was. 00:50:47.719 --> 00:50:48.959 When I make up my jewels. 00:50:50.159 --> 00:50:51.139 It's a reference. 00:50:51.839 --> 00:50:53.719 Really going way back to Exodus. 00:50:54.480 --> 00:50:57.039 In the way that God described his people. 00:50:57.659 --> 00:50:59.099 These people that he was taking out. 00:50:59.559 --> 00:51:00.579 Taking out of Egypt. 00:51:00.719 --> 00:51:02.000 And on into the promised land. 00:51:02.459 --> 00:51:03.279 They were his. 00:51:03.719 --> 00:51:05.119 As the old version puts it. 00:51:05.119 --> 00:51:06.359 His peculiar treasure. 00:51:07.279 --> 00:51:08.299 Maybe not the best words. 00:51:08.619 --> 00:51:09.439 Nowadays peculiar. 00:51:09.439 --> 00:51:11.419 It has different nuances of meaning. 00:51:11.779 --> 00:51:14.339 But it means a special treasure. 00:51:14.459 --> 00:51:15.779 That's what the words literally mean. 00:51:15.780 --> 00:51:19.280 The special treasure of the Lord. 00:51:20.260 --> 00:51:22.600 The treasure that he prizes for himself. 00:51:23.400 --> 00:51:25.160 That is exactly what is meant in this. 00:51:25.660 --> 00:51:26.160 That they. 00:51:26.600 --> 00:51:28.580 When I make up my treasured possession. 00:51:28.940 --> 00:51:31.320 When I reveal my jewels. 00:51:31.480 --> 00:51:33.180 When I reveal my people. 00:51:33.180 --> 00:51:34.980 As my prized possession. 00:51:35.580 --> 00:51:38.080 As my sparkling riches and jewels. 00:51:38.720 --> 00:51:39.960 When I reveal them. 00:51:40.180 --> 00:51:41.260 When that day comes. 00:51:41.340 --> 00:51:42.300 When the day of judgment. 00:51:42.300 --> 00:51:43.660 And brings them out. 00:51:43.740 --> 00:51:45.580 In the presence of everybody else. 00:51:48.140 --> 00:51:49.340 Then they will be seen. 00:51:50.120 --> 00:51:51.200 That they are mine. 00:51:52.360 --> 00:51:53.360 They shall be. 00:51:54.160 --> 00:51:54.580 Mine. 00:51:56.880 --> 00:51:58.560 Here's Malachi in his day. 00:51:58.660 --> 00:51:59.039 Facing. 00:51:59.560 --> 00:52:00.280 People who are saying. 00:52:00.380 --> 00:52:01.180 Well what's the point. 00:52:01.620 --> 00:52:02.840 Of serving the Lord. 00:52:03.519 --> 00:52:04.500 Other people who might say. 00:52:04.580 --> 00:52:04.740 Well. 00:52:04.960 --> 00:52:06.060 I don't believe he exists. 00:52:06.160 --> 00:52:06.360 Really. 00:52:06.420 --> 00:52:07.360 Even if I once did. 00:52:07.360 --> 00:52:09.220 And in our own day. 00:52:09.320 --> 00:52:09.800 We find. 00:52:09.800 --> 00:52:10.579 So much. 00:52:11.420 --> 00:52:11.860 That's. 00:52:13.059 --> 00:52:14.019 That's really just. 00:52:14.320 --> 00:52:15.059 Gone back. 00:52:15.200 --> 00:52:15.940 From our confidence. 00:52:15.940 --> 00:52:17.300 In the word of God. 00:52:18.360 --> 00:52:18.740 And. 00:52:19.099 --> 00:52:19.539 So often. 00:52:19.780 --> 00:52:20.300 We'll say. 00:52:20.400 --> 00:52:20.720 Are you sure? 00:52:20.760 --> 00:52:22.120 You don't believe these things anymore. 00:52:23.260 --> 00:52:24.019 Look at how. 00:52:24.420 --> 00:52:25.099 Human knowledge. 00:52:25.340 --> 00:52:26.059 Has increased. 00:52:26.240 --> 00:52:27.300 You've got how scientific. 00:52:28.140 --> 00:52:29.240 Discoveries have increased. 00:52:29.340 --> 00:52:30.579 Look at all of the technology. 00:52:30.579 --> 00:52:31.300 That's come in. 00:52:31.360 --> 00:52:32.099 By which we're able. 00:52:32.559 --> 00:52:33.720 To be far more advanced. 00:52:33.800 --> 00:52:34.539 Than they were certainly. 00:52:34.640 --> 00:52:36.000 Back in the days of the Old Testament. 00:52:36.160 --> 00:52:37.099 Even the days of Paul. 00:52:37.099 --> 00:52:37.179 Paul. 00:52:41.019 --> 00:52:42.480 But here's the Lord saying. 00:52:44.299 --> 00:52:45.440 None of that. 00:52:45.980 --> 00:52:47.019 Has displaced. 00:52:47.179 --> 00:52:47.920 This fact. 00:52:49.279 --> 00:52:50.719 That God has a people. 00:52:52.000 --> 00:52:52.860 That God. 00:52:52.980 --> 00:52:53.719 Pays attention. 00:52:53.719 --> 00:52:54.539 To his people. 00:52:55.819 --> 00:52:56.579 And that his people. 00:52:56.699 --> 00:52:57.759 Seek to serve him. 00:52:58.079 --> 00:52:58.599 As God. 00:52:58.679 --> 00:52:59.779 Fears in this world. 00:53:00.900 --> 00:53:02.000 And when that day. 00:53:02.000 --> 00:53:03.119 Of judgment comes. 00:53:03.639 --> 00:53:04.159 The day. 00:53:04.259 --> 00:53:05.000 When he makes up. 00:53:05.219 --> 00:53:05.880 His treasure. 00:53:06.079 --> 00:53:06.559 Possession. 00:53:07.099 --> 00:53:08.339 When he brings it out. 00:53:08.400 --> 00:53:08.980 Into the open. 00:53:09.039 --> 00:53:09.319 And says. 00:53:09.420 --> 00:53:09.539 Look. 00:53:09.819 --> 00:53:10.799 These are the people. 00:53:10.900 --> 00:53:11.779 That you despised. 00:53:11.940 --> 00:53:12.900 To the rest of those. 00:53:12.980 --> 00:53:13.779 Who are on looking. 00:53:14.179 --> 00:53:14.500 Sadly. 00:53:14.619 --> 00:53:15.360 At that day. 00:53:18.360 --> 00:53:19.460 They will be known. 00:53:19.719 --> 00:53:20.519 Then especially. 00:53:21.519 --> 00:53:22.960 As my treasured. 00:53:23.019 --> 00:53:23.460 Possession. 00:53:23.460 --> 00:53:26.639 What does it matter. 00:53:26.639 --> 00:53:26.659 What does it matter. 00:53:26.659 --> 00:53:27.480 What the world thinks. 00:53:27.480 --> 00:53:28.000 About you. 00:53:29.599 --> 00:53:30.519 What does it matter. 00:53:30.579 --> 00:53:31.579 What atheism says. 00:53:31.579 --> 00:53:32.220 About you. 00:53:33.679 --> 00:53:34.579 What does it matter. 00:53:34.659 --> 00:53:35.920 What any powers. 00:53:35.920 --> 00:53:37.059 That are against the gospel. 00:53:37.059 --> 00:53:38.300 Thinks of you. 00:53:38.679 --> 00:53:39.440 What does it matter. 00:53:39.440 --> 00:53:40.639 When people ridicule. 00:53:40.760 --> 00:53:41.380 The Christ. 00:53:41.380 --> 00:53:42.679 That you want to serve. 00:53:43.740 --> 00:53:44.420 Well it matters. 00:53:44.539 --> 00:53:45.579 To a great extent. 00:53:45.699 --> 00:53:46.300 In many ways. 00:53:46.380 --> 00:53:46.840 It matters. 00:53:46.840 --> 00:53:47.079 But. 00:53:47.539 --> 00:53:48.099 What does it matter. 00:53:48.500 --> 00:53:48.940 Ultimately. 00:53:48.940 --> 00:53:50.720 When you know. 00:53:50.720 --> 00:53:51.380 That God. 00:53:51.960 --> 00:53:52.920 Is actually going to. 00:53:53.099 --> 00:53:54.420 Bring out his people. 00:53:54.539 --> 00:53:55.340 In a way that says. 00:53:55.840 --> 00:53:57.059 These are my jewels. 00:53:58.420 --> 00:53:59.260 What does it matter. 00:53:59.340 --> 00:54:00.000 What the world thinks. 00:54:00.079 --> 00:54:00.300 Of you. 00:54:00.599 --> 00:54:01.380 If you're amongst. 00:54:01.500 --> 00:54:02.039 The treasured. 00:54:02.039 --> 00:54:02.960 Possession of the Lord. 00:54:03.079 --> 00:54:04.000 If you belong. 00:54:04.380 --> 00:54:05.099 To Christ. 00:54:05.700 --> 00:54:06.760 If he is yours. 00:54:07.400 --> 00:54:08.220 If you're saved. 00:54:08.320 --> 00:54:09.380 By faith in him. 00:54:09.460 --> 00:54:10.200 Through faith in him. 00:54:10.659 --> 00:54:11.599 All of these things. 00:54:11.760 --> 00:54:12.599 What does it matter. 00:54:12.599 --> 00:54:13.700 At the end of the day. 00:54:14.420 --> 00:54:15.360 All that matters. 00:54:15.460 --> 00:54:16.159 Is that we have. 00:54:16.820 --> 00:54:17.300 The Lord. 00:54:17.460 --> 00:54:18.260 Jesus Christ. 00:54:18.320 --> 00:54:18.920 As our Savior. 00:54:18.940 --> 00:54:19.099 Savior. 00:54:20.900 --> 00:54:21.960 And that this God. 00:54:22.500 --> 00:54:23.460 Who's revealed to us. 00:54:23.539 --> 00:54:23.960 In Malachi. 00:54:24.099 --> 00:54:24.960 And throughout the Bible. 00:54:25.599 --> 00:54:26.900 Is on our side. 00:54:27.960 --> 00:54:28.700 And says. 00:54:28.960 --> 00:54:30.179 These are my people. 00:54:31.400 --> 00:54:32.360 These are the people. 00:54:32.360 --> 00:54:33.099 I've redeemed. 00:54:34.280 --> 00:54:35.360 They are my treasured. 00:54:36.320 --> 00:54:36.800 Possession. 00:54:38.039 --> 00:54:39.179 And rejoice tonight. 00:54:39.760 --> 00:54:41.079 If you're in Christ. 00:54:42.039 --> 00:54:43.880 You can rightly rejoice. 00:54:45.300 --> 00:54:46.579 Because whatever happens. 00:54:46.659 --> 00:54:47.079 In the world. 00:54:47.139 --> 00:54:48.079 Or even whatever happens. 00:54:48.200 --> 00:54:48.619 To you. 00:54:49.179 --> 00:54:51.239 Nothing is going to displace that. 00:54:51.900 --> 00:54:52.839 That great fact. 00:54:52.839 --> 00:54:54.039 Of being God's treasure. 00:54:54.199 --> 00:54:54.759 Possession. 00:54:56.500 --> 00:54:58.039 And of God before us. 00:54:59.039 --> 00:55:00.039 As the apostle said. 00:55:00.119 --> 00:55:00.480 Well who. 00:55:01.199 --> 00:55:01.699 Ultimately. 00:55:01.839 --> 00:55:03.059 Can be against us. 00:55:04.779 --> 00:55:06.299 And I will spare them. 00:55:07.179 --> 00:55:07.759 He says. 00:55:07.819 --> 00:55:08.420 The second thing. 00:55:08.500 --> 00:55:09.259 He's not just saying. 00:55:09.599 --> 00:55:10.179 They'll be revealed. 00:55:10.179 --> 00:55:11.380 As a special treasure. 00:55:11.900 --> 00:55:13.460 I will spare them. 00:55:14.179 --> 00:55:14.960 In the judgment. 00:55:14.960 --> 00:55:16.400 They will not be overwhelmed. 00:55:16.400 --> 00:55:17.940 The judgment. 00:55:17.940 --> 00:55:17.960 The judgment. 00:55:17.960 --> 00:55:19.019 Will not touch them. 00:55:19.420 --> 00:55:19.860 Condemningly. 00:55:20.420 --> 00:55:22.000 I will spare them. 00:55:22.480 --> 00:55:22.680 How? 00:55:23.079 --> 00:55:23.820 As a man. 00:55:24.019 --> 00:55:24.960 Spares his son. 00:55:25.079 --> 00:55:25.820 Who serves him. 00:55:26.079 --> 00:55:26.860 In other words. 00:55:27.480 --> 00:55:28.160 They avoid. 00:55:28.280 --> 00:55:28.800 The lot. 00:55:28.960 --> 00:55:29.599 Of those. 00:55:29.680 --> 00:55:30.860 Who are going to be condemned. 00:55:31.220 --> 00:55:32.680 Those who are going to be lost. 00:55:33.099 --> 00:55:34.320 Those who are going to be damned. 00:55:34.320 --> 00:55:35.220 Because these are the words. 00:55:35.280 --> 00:55:36.099 The Bible uses. 00:55:36.099 --> 00:55:36.259 Christians. 00:55:38.199 --> 00:55:39.960 But they're not going to be amongst them. 00:55:40.719 --> 00:55:42.639 They're going to be different then as well. 00:55:43.079 --> 00:55:45.000 And they're going to be seen to be different. 00:55:46.900 --> 00:55:48.799 Because God is going to spare them. 00:55:50.139 --> 00:55:51.900 God is not going to bring them into. 00:55:52.519 --> 00:55:54.440 The condemnation that others will have. 00:55:56.239 --> 00:55:58.719 And I will spare them as a man spares his son. 00:55:58.799 --> 00:55:59.319 In other words. 00:56:01.000 --> 00:56:03.159 It's not going to be a reluctant sparing. 00:56:03.159 --> 00:56:04.159 As if God was saying. 00:56:04.279 --> 00:56:04.379 Well. 00:56:04.719 --> 00:56:06.059 It's something I have to do. 00:56:06.139 --> 00:56:06.980 So I'll do it. 00:56:08.839 --> 00:56:10.480 When a man spares his own son. 00:56:10.519 --> 00:56:11.579 He does it out of love. 00:56:12.779 --> 00:56:13.839 Out of affection. 00:56:15.179 --> 00:56:16.500 Out of a due regard. 00:56:16.500 --> 00:56:17.679 For him as his son. 00:56:19.440 --> 00:56:20.219 And God is saying. 00:56:20.739 --> 00:56:22.679 That's how I will spare my people. 00:56:23.639 --> 00:56:25.119 That's how I protect them. 00:56:25.539 --> 00:56:27.000 That's how I look after them. 00:56:28.440 --> 00:56:30.059 That's how I regard them. 00:56:31.480 --> 00:56:33.119 They are my special treasures. 00:56:33.159 --> 00:56:33.960 Pleasure and possession. 00:56:34.859 --> 00:56:36.299 And when the day of judgment comes. 00:56:36.359 --> 00:56:37.179 They will be revealed. 00:56:38.139 --> 00:56:39.619 As people who are spared. 00:56:39.980 --> 00:56:41.719 By me and my love. 00:56:44.719 --> 00:56:46.500 As a man spares his son. 00:56:47.179 --> 00:56:48.159 Who serves him. 00:56:50.259 --> 00:56:51.420 Not reluctantly. 00:56:52.699 --> 00:56:54.960 But the Lord will delight in doing so. 00:56:55.960 --> 00:56:57.119 As he has delighted. 00:56:57.779 --> 00:56:59.059 In saving them. 00:56:59.719 --> 00:57:00.539 In the first place. 00:57:00.539 --> 00:57:03.340 Then once more. 00:57:03.739 --> 00:57:05.320 You shall see the distinction. 00:57:05.320 --> 00:57:06.719 Between the righteous and the wicked. 00:57:07.360 --> 00:57:08.880 Between the one who serves God. 00:57:08.960 --> 00:57:10.039 And the one who does not. 00:57:11.840 --> 00:57:13.739 There will be no doubters at that day. 00:57:13.739 --> 00:57:14.739 Nobody on that day. 00:57:14.739 --> 00:57:16.939 Nobody on that day will say. 00:57:17.019 --> 00:57:18.379 Well I still don't believe you Lord. 00:57:19.500 --> 00:57:20.879 Still don't believe the Bible. 00:57:21.879 --> 00:57:23.879 Still don't believe the things I heard in the gospel. 00:57:27.279 --> 00:57:28.539 Then you shall return. 00:57:28.659 --> 00:57:29.599 Is the way it says literally. 00:57:29.779 --> 00:57:31.899 Which is really an ironic touch. 00:57:32.000 --> 00:57:33.979 Because the Lord was appealing to these people. 00:57:34.059 --> 00:57:34.919 To return to him. 00:57:35.519 --> 00:57:36.039 But he says. 00:57:36.159 --> 00:57:37.259 Then on that day. 00:57:37.599 --> 00:57:38.719 On the day when I make up. 00:57:38.719 --> 00:57:40.139 My treasured possession. 00:57:40.739 --> 00:57:42.239 You shall see the distinction. 00:57:43.299 --> 00:57:44.099 Between the righteous. 00:57:45.259 --> 00:57:45.799 And the wicked. 00:57:48.879 --> 00:57:50.539 Please don't wait for that day. 00:57:54.299 --> 00:57:56.099 Don't think that you've got enough time. 00:57:59.519 --> 00:58:01.000 Don't think that you can afford. 00:58:01.000 --> 00:58:02.840 To just leave it. 00:58:03.539 --> 00:58:05.579 And that somehow things will fall into place. 00:58:05.579 --> 00:58:06.380 With your soul. 00:58:09.340 --> 00:58:11.820 Don't leave it until that day dawns. 00:58:13.219 --> 00:58:14.500 God will bring forth. 00:58:14.500 --> 00:58:16.679 His treasured possession of his people. 00:58:17.760 --> 00:58:19.079 And the distinction then. 00:58:19.199 --> 00:58:20.340 Between the righteous and the wicked. 00:58:20.860 --> 00:58:22.019 Will be all too clear. 00:58:23.360 --> 00:58:24.840 Do something about it now. 00:58:25.900 --> 00:58:27.519 Do something about it today. 00:58:27.639 --> 00:58:28.780 That's why you have the gospel. 00:58:28.780 --> 00:58:31.900 That's why the loving appeal. 00:58:31.900 --> 00:58:32.560 Of the gospel. 00:58:32.780 --> 00:58:33.180 I know that. 00:58:33.500 --> 00:58:34.960 Our presentation of it. 00:58:35.080 --> 00:58:35.680 Mine included. 00:58:35.840 --> 00:58:36.680 May not sometimes. 00:58:37.260 --> 00:58:38.760 Come across as very loving. 00:58:40.019 --> 00:58:41.440 But that's what it is. 00:58:42.680 --> 00:58:44.480 It's a loving appeal. 00:58:44.480 --> 00:58:45.560 To you tonight. 00:58:45.560 --> 00:58:46.720 If you're not in Christ. 00:58:48.100 --> 00:58:48.780 Receive him. 00:58:49.480 --> 00:58:50.800 Put your trust in him. 00:58:51.680 --> 00:58:53.420 Take him as God offers him. 00:58:55.140 --> 00:58:55.660 Become. 00:58:56.180 --> 00:58:57.840 One of those God fearers. 00:58:58.000 --> 00:58:58.440 On earth. 00:58:58.780 --> 00:59:02.019 Esteem his name. 00:59:03.840 --> 00:59:05.680 Join the company of God's people. 00:59:05.840 --> 00:59:06.980 Who speak to each other. 00:59:07.300 --> 00:59:08.680 Of those things of God. 00:59:11.420 --> 00:59:12.840 And have your security. 00:59:13.760 --> 00:59:15.500 In God's book of remembrance. 00:59:16.960 --> 00:59:19.160 In all that God is for his people. 00:59:20.560 --> 00:59:22.019 Because there's no security. 00:59:22.800 --> 00:59:23.820 Anywhere else. 00:59:24.820 --> 00:59:26.440 Except in Christ for us. 00:59:27.160 --> 00:59:27.640 Let's pray. 00:59:27.639 --> 00:59:29.719 Lord our God. 00:59:29.719 --> 00:59:32.379 We once again give thanks for your word. 00:59:33.319 --> 00:59:35.559 And we give thanks for the way in which your word. 00:59:36.159 --> 00:59:38.960 Leads us into eternal verities and truths. 00:59:39.960 --> 00:59:41.500 And we bless you tonight Lord. 00:59:41.579 --> 00:59:44.900 That we have come once again to touch on the things of eternity. 00:59:45.579 --> 00:59:46.819 The things of salvation. 00:59:47.699 --> 00:59:50.259 The things in which you are presented to us in your word. 00:59:50.260 --> 00:59:50.580 Lord. 00:59:50.580 --> 00:59:53.160 As the God and Savior of your people. 00:59:54.400 --> 00:59:57.180 And Lord we pray that you bless your word to us once again. 00:59:58.140 --> 01:00:01.700 And grant to go before us into the remainder of this week. 01:00:02.260 --> 01:00:03.300 Hear us now we pray. 01:00:03.460 --> 01:00:04.420 And pardon our sin. 01:00:04.920 --> 01:00:05.940 For Christ's sake. 01:00:06.080 --> 01:00:06.380 Amen. 01:00:06.380 --> 01:00:06.500 Amen. 01:00:06.500 --> 01:00:12.440 Let's conclude by singing in Psalm 25. 01:00:13.860 --> 01:00:15.860 Singing from the Sing Psalms this time. 01:00:16.380 --> 01:00:17.219 Page 29. 01:00:20.019 --> 01:00:23.159 And from verse 8 down as far as verse 15. 01:00:23.159 --> 01:00:30.599 Words that speak about the fear of the Lord in verse 12. 01:00:31.119 --> 01:00:32.699 And in verse 14 as well. 01:00:32.799 --> 01:00:36.179 God's friends are those who fear his name. 01:00:36.299 --> 01:00:37.179 So from verse 8. 01:00:37.239 --> 01:00:38.859 Because the Lord is just and good. 01:00:39.519 --> 01:00:41.619 He shows his paths to all who stray. 01:00:42.279 --> 01:00:44.039 He guides the meek in what is right. 01:00:44.539 --> 01:00:47.399 And teaches them his holy way. 01:00:47.400 --> 01:00:50.380 So from verse 8 through to verse 15. 01:00:50.480 --> 01:00:51.280 To God's praise. 01:00:51.280 --> 01:01:03.760 Because the Lord is just and good. 01:01:04.119 --> 01:01:11.599 He shows his paths to all who stray. 01:01:11.599 --> 01:01:20.839 He guides the meek in what is right. 01:01:20.839 --> 01:01:29.839 And teaches them his holy way. 01:01:29.839 --> 01:01:38.719 To those who keep his covenant cross. 01:01:38.719 --> 01:01:45.719 He shows his love consistently. 01:01:45.719 --> 01:01:46.719 He shows his love consistently. 01:01:47.719 --> 01:01:55.980 For you are in sin, O Lord thy God. 01:01:56.399 --> 01:01:58.719 For you are in sin, O Lord thy God. 01:01:58.719 --> 01:02:03.719 For you are in sin, O Lord thy God. 01:02:03.719 --> 01:02:12.719 Who then are those who fear the Lord? 01:02:12.719 --> 01:02:21.719 He'll teach to them the chosen way. 01:02:21.719 --> 01:02:27.219 God's friends are those who fear his name. 01:02:27.219 --> 01:02:34.719 God's friends are those who fear his name. 01:02:34.719 --> 01:02:48.719 God's friends are those who fear his name. 01:02:48.719 --> 01:02:58.099 With them whose covenant he will share 01:02:58.099 --> 01:03:06.659 My eyes are always on the Lord 01:03:06.659 --> 01:03:14.859 Feel free my feet from every snare 01:03:14.860 --> 01:03:19.280 I'll go to the main door after the benediction tonight. 01:03:20.940 --> 01:03:29.420 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore. Amen. 01:03:44.860 --> 01:03:46.860 Amen. 01:04:14.860 --> 01:04:15.860 Amen.