WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:03.379 Well, let's begin our worship by singing to God's praise. 00:00:03.480 --> 00:00:10.019 We're going to sing in Psalm 147, in the Sing Psalms version, Psalm 147. 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:11.919 Sing Psalms version. 00:00:12.060 --> 00:00:14.120 We're going to sing from verse 1 to 7. 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:16.980 This is page 192. 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:23.519 And it's a psalm that just reminds us about coming to the Lord with praise. 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:28.260 Praise the Lord, how good it is to sing him songs of praise. 00:00:28.260 --> 00:00:33.520 How pleasant to give thanks to him for all his gracious ways. 00:00:33.620 --> 00:00:37.160 We come with these words in mind to praise our God. 00:00:37.520 --> 00:00:41.300 Singing from verse 1 to verse 7 on the Tunis Free Church. 00:00:58.259 --> 00:01:17.259 The Lord, how good it is to sing him for all his gracious ways. 00:01:17.260 --> 00:01:33.260 The Lord builds up Jerusalem and the ages alone. 00:01:33.260 --> 00:01:49.260 To bring the exile's home. 00:01:49.260 --> 00:01:59.260 He heals his people's broken hearts, 00:01:59.260 --> 00:02:05.260 He stores the news that way. 00:02:05.260 --> 00:02:20.259 He sets the number of the stars and rolls very tiny. 00:02:20.259 --> 00:02:22.259 the end of the house and rocks, 00:02:22.259 --> 00:02:24.259 The Lord sustains the defense, 00:02:24.259 --> 00:02:45.560 The Lord must live miy in the 00:02:45.560 --> 00:02:55.060 The wicked to the God. 00:02:55.060 --> 00:03:04.460 Sing to the Lord with handfulness, 00:03:04.939 --> 00:03:12.120 with joy in space proclaims. 00:03:12.120 --> 00:03:20.500 And when the music of the heart 00:03:20.500 --> 00:03:27.460 give glory to his name. 00:03:32.480 --> 00:03:34.840 Let's unite our hearts in prayer. 00:03:34.920 --> 00:03:35.640 Let us pray. 00:03:38.180 --> 00:03:41.700 Our gracious Lord, our Father in heaven, 00:03:41.699 --> 00:03:44.919 we bow in your presence at this time, 00:03:45.119 --> 00:03:47.599 just coming in adoration of you, 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:50.339 coming in praise of you, 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:53.039 with much to be thankful for. 00:03:53.539 --> 00:03:55.419 We thank you for who you are, 00:03:56.119 --> 00:03:57.959 for how we have sung of your greatness 00:03:57.959 --> 00:03:59.219 in this psalm, 00:03:59.859 --> 00:04:02.319 how profound your wisdom is, 00:04:02.359 --> 00:04:03.579 as the psalmist says. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:06.399 And we thank you that your wisdom 00:04:06.399 --> 00:04:08.060 is so much greater than ours. 00:04:08.060 --> 00:04:10.800 Your word reminds us that your ways 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:12.719 are above our ways and your thoughts 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:14.759 above our thoughts. 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:17.939 And so we are reminded by that, Lord, 00:04:18.060 --> 00:04:21.819 that whatever our ways and our own wisdom, 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:25.139 that you are the one who is able to direct us 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:27.779 and to help us to find our security 00:04:27.779 --> 00:04:29.459 and our help in you. 00:04:30.139 --> 00:04:32.379 And we thank you that as we come to you, 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:34.659 we recognize just who you are, 00:04:35.159 --> 00:04:39.139 for your word describes it so wonderfully for us. 00:04:39.839 --> 00:04:42.279 There are so many passages of Scripture 00:04:42.279 --> 00:04:44.480 that we can turn to and we're reminded of 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:46.139 your great power, 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:48.600 your steadfast love, 00:04:49.159 --> 00:04:51.420 your great mercy towards your people, 00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:53.779 the way that you are a God 00:04:53.779 --> 00:04:57.240 who abhors all wickedness, Lord, 00:04:57.519 --> 00:05:00.379 the way that you are in knowledge of all things, 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:03.279 that judgment belongs to you. 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:06.659 But we thank you that you have great power 00:05:06.659 --> 00:05:07.839 over your people, 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:10.540 that you have authority in all things. 00:05:11.180 --> 00:05:13.719 For you are the Lord who builds up Jerusalem. 00:05:14.459 --> 00:05:16.959 You are the one alone who reaches out to Israel, 00:05:17.019 --> 00:05:18.040 as your word says, 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:20.420 to bring the exiles home. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:23.480 We thank you for these wonderful promises 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:24.699 for your people. 00:05:24.699 --> 00:05:28.060 We thank you too that your word speaks of 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:30.519 your great healing power, 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:33.159 that you are the one who is able to heal 00:05:33.159 --> 00:05:35.019 the people's broken hearts, 00:05:35.159 --> 00:05:37.839 to restore the bruised and lame, 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:41.000 so that in the midst of all the authority 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:42.980 and power you have in creation, 00:05:43.159 --> 00:05:44.419 you have numbered the stars 00:05:44.419 --> 00:05:45.659 and called them by name. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:48.379 But you have also seen your people. 00:05:48.919 --> 00:05:50.019 You have numbered them 00:05:50.019 --> 00:05:52.099 and you call them by name as well. 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:54.060 And you know every need, 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:56.620 every personal need, 00:05:56.720 --> 00:05:57.840 every wider need, 00:05:58.400 --> 00:06:00.780 every national and international need 00:06:00.780 --> 00:06:03.080 of your people far and wide. 00:06:03.740 --> 00:06:05.800 And so we call upon your name tonight 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:07.240 as the living God. 00:06:07.700 --> 00:06:10.240 We call upon you as the one, 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.700 the only one who is able to help, 00:06:13.340 --> 00:06:15.200 the only one who is able to bless. 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:17.219 And in all that we see 00:06:17.219 --> 00:06:19.099 as impossible for ourselves, 00:06:19.599 --> 00:06:21.240 we thank you that all things 00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:22.539 are possible with you. 00:06:23.479 --> 00:06:25.620 And so we come this night, Lord, 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:27.699 praying for your church. 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:30.899 We pray that you will build your church up, 00:06:31.599 --> 00:06:33.120 that here in our own midst, 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:34.519 in our town, 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:35.439 in our community, 00:06:36.279 --> 00:06:38.419 in our presence here, Lord, 00:06:38.459 --> 00:06:40.199 that you will build us up as a people, 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:42.079 that you will help us 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:43.779 to be a living people, 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:44.919 an active people, 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:47.800 a people of much faith, 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:48.979 of much prayer, 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:51.500 of much service to you. 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:53.459 We thank you, Lord, 00:06:53.539 --> 00:06:54.500 that you have promised 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:56.360 to build your church up, 00:06:56.860 --> 00:06:58.620 that the very foundation of it 00:06:58.620 --> 00:07:00.339 has been set, 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:03.899 that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:06.159 that he is the one 00:07:06.159 --> 00:07:09.259 upon whom all things are built. 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:11.219 And we thank you, Lord, 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:14.319 that that is such a wonderful reminder to us 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:16.360 of the security of your church. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:18.599 For when the enemy attacks, 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:20.259 as we so often see it, 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:22.079 as we read it in your scripture too, 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:26.019 we are given that wonderful promise 00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:28.459 that though the gates of hell 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:30.599 prevail against your church, Lord, 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:32.459 that it will stand secure. 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:34.519 And so we pray, Lord, 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:36.019 that you will continue to bless 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:38.079 your people near and far. 00:07:38.699 --> 00:07:40.560 As we think of the atrocities 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:43.599 taking place in Israel and Gaza, 00:07:44.359 --> 00:07:46.919 as we think of the devastation, 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:48.379 the loss of life, 00:07:49.339 --> 00:07:52.319 the ongoing conflict, Lord, 00:07:52.979 --> 00:07:54.219 we are just, 00:07:54.919 --> 00:07:56.399 have no words in it, Lord, 00:07:56.699 --> 00:07:58.379 but we cry out to you 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:00.000 that you might have mercy, 00:08:00.599 --> 00:08:01.479 that you might come, 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:01.860 O Lord, 00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:02.720 in your power, 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:04.319 that you might turn 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:06.240 a people to you, 00:08:06.860 --> 00:08:08.400 that peace would come, 00:08:09.200 --> 00:08:10.360 that we would see, 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:10.840 O Lord, 00:08:10.960 --> 00:08:11.680 your hand 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:13.400 in the midst of these 00:08:13.400 --> 00:08:15.200 terrible situations, 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:16.879 that we would see, 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:19.160 even if we don't understand it, 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:21.040 that you would use it for good. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:22.920 We remember and continue 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:24.020 to pray as well 00:08:24.020 --> 00:08:25.600 for other conflicts 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:26.520 around the world, 00:08:26.520 --> 00:08:27.259 as we think of 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:29.399 the Russian and Ukraine 00:08:29.399 --> 00:08:30.800 conflict as well 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:32.000 and ongoing there, 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:34.200 so we pray, too, Lord, 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:35.559 for peace to come. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:38.340 We recognize, too, Lord, 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:39.460 that our world, 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:40.419 in so many ways, 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:42.179 has turned away from you, 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:44.039 but yet we thank you 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:45.779 that throughout the world 00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:48.000 there are signs of growth 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:48.919 and encouragement, 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:51.639 that especially where we see 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:53.120 and hear of people 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:53.960 being persecuted 00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:55.000 for their faith, 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:56.179 suffering for it, 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:57.579 that you are indeed 00:08:57.579 --> 00:08:59.279 giving us strength of faith, 00:08:59.319 --> 00:09:00.439 that we should long 00:09:00.439 --> 00:09:01.319 for ourselves, 00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:03.319 that we would see, 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:03.819 O Lord, 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:06.120 and pray for your church 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:07.979 far and wide, 00:09:08.599 --> 00:09:09.339 that we would pray 00:09:09.339 --> 00:09:10.719 for ourselves, O Lord, 00:09:10.859 --> 00:09:12.679 to be built up 00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:14.139 with a strength of faith 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:15.159 that will stand up 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:16.859 to all the attacks 00:09:16.859 --> 00:09:17.699 that we come under, 00:09:18.359 --> 00:09:19.519 that we would stand up 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.179 with courage and boldness 00:09:21.179 --> 00:09:23.079 and speak out against wrongs 00:09:23.079 --> 00:09:24.740 and seek your good 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:26.019 throughout our land 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:27.240 and for all people. 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:28.720 And for that, 00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:30.279 we pray for all our leaders, 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:30.740 Lord, 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:32.639 from our king 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:35.279 and the royal family 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:35.960 as a whole. 00:09:36.059 --> 00:09:36.259 Lord, 00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:36.819 we pray 00:09:36.819 --> 00:09:38.199 that you will give them 00:09:38.199 --> 00:09:39.259 wisdom to lead 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:41.439 and to rule over a people, 00:09:41.659 --> 00:09:41.860 Lord. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:43.299 We pray for them, 00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:43.539 Lord, 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:44.079 to know 00:09:44.079 --> 00:09:46.019 your spirit working, 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:46.939 to know 00:09:46.939 --> 00:09:48.199 what it is 00:09:48.199 --> 00:09:49.179 to truly believe 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:50.319 in the Lord Jesus, 00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:51.659 to put their faith 00:09:51.659 --> 00:09:52.299 in him. 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:53.519 we ask, 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:53.919 Lord, 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:54.459 that you will 00:09:54.459 --> 00:09:55.679 do them good 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:56.559 to that end. 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:57.959 We pray for 00:09:57.959 --> 00:09:58.959 Prime Minister 00:09:58.959 --> 00:10:00.079 and First Minister 00:10:00.079 --> 00:10:01.779 and Parliaments 00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:03.099 in London 00:10:03.099 --> 00:10:03.659 and Edinburgh. 00:10:04.319 --> 00:10:05.240 We pray again 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:06.519 for your blessing 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:07.179 over them, 00:10:07.859 --> 00:10:08.219 O Lord, 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:09.439 that you would guide them 00:10:09.439 --> 00:10:10.259 to yourself, 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:11.679 that you will humble them 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:13.740 under your mighty hand, 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:15.399 that they would know 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:16.959 your power, 00:10:17.219 --> 00:10:18.019 that they would know 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:20.000 that all authority 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.120 belongs to you. 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:22.340 O Lord, 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:23.620 have mercy on us 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:24.480 in these things. 00:10:25.199 --> 00:10:26.059 We pray too, 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:26.399 Lord, 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:27.980 for our people here 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:29.279 and especially 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:30.299 remembering those, 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:30.639 Lord, 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:32.519 with particular needs. 00:10:32.939 --> 00:10:33.759 We pray for 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:35.399 families going 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:36.240 through times 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.279 of bereavement 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:37.919 just now. 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:38.980 Again, 00:10:39.059 --> 00:10:40.059 we commit the family 00:10:40.059 --> 00:10:41.240 of Asda McKenzie 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:41.860 to you, 00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:43.659 asking for your blessing 00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:44.139 on them, 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:44.419 Lord, 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:45.340 for you to comfort, 00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:46.319 to uphold 00:10:46.319 --> 00:10:47.259 and to strengthen. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:49.139 Remember too, 00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:49.500 Lord, 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:51.419 the MacLeod family, 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.000 Reverend Duncan MacLeod 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:53.620 and Morick 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:55.539 and their other children 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:56.899 and the wider family 00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:57.519 as they will 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.539 come together 00:10:58.539 --> 00:10:59.220 on Tuesday 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:00.019 for the funeral 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:00.740 of Katie. 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:01.980 O Lord, 00:11:02.059 --> 00:11:02.659 in the midst 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:04.659 of that great sorrow 00:11:04.659 --> 00:11:05.299 and pain 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:06.100 that they feel, 00:11:06.819 --> 00:11:08.059 we just pray 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:09.159 for your comfort, 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:10.379 for your promises, 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:11.259 even as we have 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:11.919 sung of, 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:13.480 that you are the one 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.699 who is able 00:11:14.699 --> 00:11:15.360 to heal 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:16.279 the people's 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:17.399 broken hearts. 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:18.639 O Lord, 00:11:18.699 --> 00:11:19.279 we pray 00:11:19.279 --> 00:11:20.139 for your great 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:21.379 mercy and comfort 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:22.500 to them all 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.399 at this time 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:25.179 and others too, 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:25.579 Lord, 00:11:25.699 --> 00:11:26.179 who mourn. 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:26.799 We pray 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:28.980 to be near to them, 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.019 be with all 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:31.259 who are ill 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:32.139 and in hospital 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.279 and homes again, 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:33.579 Lord, 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:34.679 we pray for them. 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:36.079 Be with us all 00:11:36.079 --> 00:11:36.860 as a people, 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:37.879 we pray that 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:39.379 as we even read 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:39.919 your word 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:40.960 and turn to it 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:41.539 this evening 00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:42.139 that you will 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.120 remind us of 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:44.480 what a wonderful 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:45.759 Savior we have, 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:48.080 what a wonderful 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:49.620 sacrifice he has 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:50.600 made for us, 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:52.419 that he has come 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:53.860 to seek 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:54.600 and to save 00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:55.080 sinners. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.740 We thank you, 00:11:56.820 --> 00:11:57.019 Lord, 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:58.279 for the wonderful 00:11:58.279 --> 00:11:59.259 compassion 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:01.320 shown by our Lord 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:02.919 that even as he saw 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:04.200 a crowd helpless 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.080 and harassed 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:05.679 like sheep 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:06.679 without a shepherd, 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:08.180 we thank you 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:09.659 that his gaze 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.379 upon them 00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:11.939 was one of loving 00:12:11.939 --> 00:12:13.000 compassion 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.879 and concern. 00:12:14.719 --> 00:12:15.379 And so we pray 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:15.839 that you will 00:12:15.839 --> 00:12:16.779 fill our hearts 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.599 with that same 00:12:17.599 --> 00:12:18.120 burden 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.879 for all we see 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:20.699 around us, 00:12:21.219 --> 00:12:22.159 that we would have 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:23.139 a great compassion 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:23.819 and concern 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:25.000 for all people 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.519 near and far. 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:27.759 So, Lord, 00:12:27.859 --> 00:12:28.479 may you bless 00:12:28.479 --> 00:12:29.599 your word to us. 00:12:29.719 --> 00:12:30.959 May you help us 00:12:30.959 --> 00:12:32.519 to have understanding 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.199 of what you are 00:12:33.199 --> 00:12:34.299 saying to us. 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.839 May you guide us 00:12:35.839 --> 00:12:36.500 through it. 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:37.759 So, may you continue 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:38.519 to bless us, 00:12:38.679 --> 00:12:38.819 Lord, 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:39.860 and watch over us. 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:40.919 Can we commit 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:41.740 the youth fellowship 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.659 that meets later 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:43.659 to you as well, 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:43.980 Lord, 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:44.860 for your blessing 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:46.700 there upon the young 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.620 people who meet. 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:48.580 We thank you 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:49.899 for Jonathan and Alison 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:50.679 as they host 00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:51.340 and for Hannah 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:52.700 as she comes to speak 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:54.019 and we just pray, 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:54.299 Lord, 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.379 that you will be 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:56.019 in their midst 00:12:56.019 --> 00:12:56.659 as well. 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:57.860 So, Lord, 00:12:57.939 --> 00:12:59.039 continue with us now. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:12:59.860 Go before us 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:00.700 in the week ahead. 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.279 Guide our steps, 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:03.480 guide our thoughts, 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.399 guide our words 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.039 and actions 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:06.720 and all that we do, 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:07.600 may it be, 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.600 to your glory 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.659 and forgive us 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:10.379 our sins, 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:10.820 O Lord, 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.980 as we confess them 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:12.379 on you, 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:14.220 that you will cleanse us 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:15.480 by the precious blood 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.240 of Christ. 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.700 For we thank you 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:19.379 that in the cost 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:20.440 that has been paid, 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:22.060 that there is redemption 00:13:22.060 --> 00:13:23.259 for your people. 00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:25.100 We pray, Lord, 00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:26.860 to know that saving power. 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:28.000 So, bless us, 00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:28.420 we pray, 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.080 and hear us 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:30.560 as we ask all these things 00:13:30.560 --> 00:13:32.060 in Jesus' name. 00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:32.939 Amen. 00:13:32.939 --> 00:13:33.059 Amen. 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:38.000 We'll again sing 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:39.259 to God's praise, 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:40.739 this time in Psalm 87 00:13:40.739 --> 00:13:41.959 in the Singed Psalms, 00:13:42.099 --> 00:13:43.079 page 115 00:13:43.079 --> 00:13:45.619 of the psalm books. 00:13:46.699 --> 00:13:48.219 Psalm 87. 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.159 And we can sing 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:52.759 the whole of this psalm. 00:13:53.599 --> 00:13:54.399 Psalm 87, 00:13:54.599 --> 00:13:55.619 page 115. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:58.440 On Jerusalem's holy mountain, 00:13:58.620 --> 00:14:00.399 he has founded his abode. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:02.799 More than all of Jacob's dwelling, 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:03.980 Sion's gates, 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:06.100 are dear to God. 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:06.679 We'll sing 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:08.700 the whole of this psalm 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:09.820 to God's praise. 00:14:09.820 --> 00:14:39.800 Psalm 87. 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:46.700 Glorious kings of you are spoken, 00:14:47.140 --> 00:14:52.640 Zion, city of the Lord, 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:59.000 May be drawn from all the nations, 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:05.320 As your people I record. 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:09.700 I will name us, 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:12.280 Lord, to know me, 00:15:12.640 --> 00:15:17.140 Egypt, Tyre, and Balea, 00:15:17.140 --> 00:15:20.140 Palestine, 00:15:20.140 --> 00:15:24.379 along with Gershaw, 00:15:24.640 --> 00:15:30.700 I will count us high on war. 00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:32.960 Yet, 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:33.640 Saint, 00:15:33.640 --> 00:15:36.080 it will be said, 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:37.759 O Zion, 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:40.920 This and that 00:15:40.920 --> 00:15:43.920 will hear the old, 00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:46.660 And on her 00:15:46.660 --> 00:15:50.160 the highest blessing 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:52.920 Will descend 00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:56.799 And make us strong. 00:15:56.799 --> 00:16:01.159 For in Zion, 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:04.000 God will enter, 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:09.099 In the people's register, 00:16:09.099 --> 00:16:12.839 They will sing 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:14.899 As saving, 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:20.019 All my fountains 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:23.379 Are in hell. 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:29.679 We turn together 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:30.799 to read God's word 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:31.519 now in the gospel 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.299 of Matthew, 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.480 chapter 9. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:35.759 Matthew, 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:36.799 chapter 9. 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.720 We're going to take up 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:40.039 our reading at verse 9, 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:42.240 reading down to the end 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:44.039 of this chapter. 00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:46.080 Matthew, 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:47.039 chapter 9, 00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:48.560 and taking up 00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:50.279 our reading at verse 9. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.659 In the previous chapter, 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.399 chapter 8, 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:55.759 in the beginning of this chapter, 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:57.299 if you just have a quick glance, 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:59.299 you see Jesus healing 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:01.019 and cleansing many people. 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.580 We see that's a theme 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:04.720 running through these chapters. 00:17:05.620 --> 00:17:06.420 And what we're seeing 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:08.279 is really Jesus' longing 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:10.700 and desire towards a people, 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.079 and we'll see that at the end. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.660 of chapter 9, 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:15.039 which we'll be focusing on 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:16.319 together this evening. 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.519 And let's take up 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:19.079 our reading at verse 9 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:20.079 of chapter 9. 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:23.440 As Jesus passed on from there, 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:25.120 he saw a man called Matthew 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:26.720 sitting at the tax booth, 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.700 and he said to him, 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.859 Follow me. 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:31.380 And he rose and followed him. 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.779 And as Jesus reclined 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:35.039 the table in the house, 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:37.059 behold, many tax collectors 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:38.079 and sinners came 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.940 and were reclining 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:40.620 with Jesus and his disciples. 00:17:40.619 --> 00:17:43.359 And when the Pharisees saw this, 00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:45.199 they said to his disciples, 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:47.219 Why does your teacher 00:17:47.219 --> 00:17:48.619 eat with tax collectors 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.199 and sinners? 00:17:50.179 --> 00:17:51.519 But when he heard it, 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:51.979 he said, 00:17:52.719 --> 00:17:53.719 Those who are well 00:17:53.719 --> 00:17:55.439 have no need of a physician, 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.399 but those who are sick. 00:17:58.259 --> 00:18:00.139 Go and learn what this means. 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.679 I desire mercy 00:18:01.679 --> 00:18:03.039 and not sacrifice. 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:05.159 For I came not to call 00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:05.719 the righteous, 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.079 but sinners. 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:09.839 And the disciples of John 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.559 came to him, 00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:10.899 saying, 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:13.419 Why do we and the Pharisees fast, 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.460 but your disciples 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.539 do not fast? 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:17.419 And Jesus said to them, 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:19.119 Can the wedding guests 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:20.119 mourn as long 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:21.019 as the bridegroom 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.720 is with them? 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.419 The days will come 00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:24.240 when the bridegroom 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.759 is taken away from them, 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.619 and then they will fast. 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:29.500 No one puts a piece 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.839 of unshrunk cloth 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.819 on an old garment, 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.619 for the patch tears 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:34.779 away from the garment, 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:36.839 and a worse tear is made. 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.819 Neither is new wine 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:40.259 put into old wineskins. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.700 If it is, 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.799 the skins burst 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.960 and the wine is spilled 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:46.119 and the skins are destroyed. 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:48.420 But new wine is put 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:50.379 into fresh wineskins, 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:52.700 and so both are preserved. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.859 While he was saying 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:56.819 these things to them, 00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:57.259 behold, 00:18:57.379 --> 00:18:58.339 a ruler came in 00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.819 and knelt before him, 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:00.220 saying, 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:02.879 My daughter has just died, 00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:04.780 but come and lay your hand 00:19:04.780 --> 00:19:06.100 on her and she will live. 00:19:06.860 --> 00:19:07.860 And Jesus rose 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:08.760 and followed him 00:19:08.760 --> 00:19:10.240 with his disciples. 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:11.580 Behold, 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.060 a woman 00:19:12.060 --> 00:19:13.360 who had suffered 00:19:13.360 --> 00:19:14.760 from a discharge of blood 00:19:14.760 --> 00:19:15.700 for twelve years 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.620 came up behind him 00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.120 and touched 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:18.720 the fringe of his garment, 00:19:19.540 --> 00:19:20.980 for she said to herself, 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:23.320 If I only touch his garment, 00:19:23.560 --> 00:19:24.680 I will be made well. 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.660 Jesus turned 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.540 and seeing her, 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.180 he said, 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.840 Take heart, daughter. 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.140 Your faith 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.100 has made you well. 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.720 And instantly, 00:19:33.840 --> 00:19:34.960 the woman was made well. 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:36.820 And when Jesus came 00:19:36.820 --> 00:19:37.720 to the ruler's house 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:39.600 and saw the flute players 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.280 and the crowd 00:19:40.280 --> 00:19:41.260 making a commotion, 00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:41.760 he said, 00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:42.920 Go away, 00:19:43.300 --> 00:19:44.580 for the girl is not dead, 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.400 but sleeping. 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.300 And they laughed at him. 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:49.380 But when the crowd 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.800 had been put outside, 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:51.980 he went in 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.620 and took her by the hand, 00:19:54.100 --> 00:19:55.560 and the girl arose. 00:19:56.320 --> 00:19:57.420 And the report of this 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.120 went through 00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:59.700 all that district. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:02.020 But as Jesus passed on 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.460 from there, 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:03.420 two blind men 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.039 followed him, 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.220 crying aloud, 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:06.660 Have mercy on us, 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.519 son of David. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.779 When he entered the house, 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:11.180 the blind men came to him, 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:12.740 and Jesus said to them, 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:14.119 Do you believe 00:20:14.119 --> 00:20:15.019 that I am able 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.759 to do this? 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.599 They said to him, 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.539 Yes, Lord. 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.400 Then he touched 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:20.980 their eyes, 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:21.359 saying, 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:23.440 According to your faith, 00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:25.079 be it done to you. 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.559 And their eyes 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.200 were opened. 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:29.700 And Jesus sternly warned them, 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.480 See that no one knows 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.400 about it. 00:20:33.120 --> 00:20:34.059 But they went away 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:35.340 and spread his fame 00:20:35.340 --> 00:20:37.279 through all that district. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.660 As they were going away, 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.200 behold, 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.720 a demon-oppressed man 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.900 who was mute 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:44.059 was brought to him. 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.500 And when the demon 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.539 had been cast out, 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.799 the mute man spoke. 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.720 And the crowds marveled, 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.019 saying, 00:20:50.580 --> 00:20:51.740 Never was anything 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:53.100 like this seen in Israel. 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:55.259 But the Pharisees said, 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:57.359 He casts out demons 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:59.599 by the prince of demons. 00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:01.959 And Jesus went throughout 00:21:01.959 --> 00:21:03.559 all the cities and villages, 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.519 teaching in their synagogues 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.699 and proclaiming 00:21:06.699 --> 00:21:07.980 the gospel of the kingdom 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:09.779 and healing every disease 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.480 and affliction. 00:21:11.679 --> 00:21:13.079 When he saw the crowds, 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:15.759 he had compassion for them 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:17.639 because they were harassed 00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:18.219 and helpless, 00:21:18.959 --> 00:21:20.439 like sheep without a shepherd. 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:23.079 Then he said to his disciples, 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:25.539 The harvest is plentiful, 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:27.579 but the laborers are few. 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.639 Therefore, 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.119 pray earnestly 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:31.599 to the Lord of the harvest 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:33.079 to send out laborers 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.539 into his harvest. 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:36.899 Amen. 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:38.319 And may God bless that reading 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:40.279 from his word. 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:44.259 Before we turn back 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:44.980 to that passage, 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.939 we'll again sing 00:21:45.939 --> 00:21:47.039 to God's praise 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.220 in Psalm 103 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:50.939 in the Scottish Psalter version. 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:53.320 Psalm 103, 00:21:53.580 --> 00:21:55.120 page 369. 00:22:00.080 --> 00:22:01.100 And we'll sing 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:02.160 from verse 1 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:04.000 to verse 5, 00:22:04.080 --> 00:22:05.299 the tune is Kilmarnock. 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:07.039 Although my soul 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:08.799 bless God the Lord 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:10.420 and all that in me is, 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.860 be stirred up 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:13.000 his holy name 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.940 to magnify 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.900 and bless. 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.440 We'll sing 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.799 from verse 1 to 5 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:19.279 to God's praise. 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:40.379 O Lord, my soul, best of the Lord, and all that in me is, 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:55.980 He stood up his soul in him, to my life, and all that in me is, 00:22:55.980 --> 00:23:11.980 Bless, O my soul, the Lord, I know, and not forget for thee. 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:27.980 Of all his gracious benefits, he hath which stood on thee. 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:43.980 All thy name, if we're thee to God, most graciously forgive. 00:23:43.980 --> 00:24:00.380 O Lord, my soul, the Lord, my soul, and grace, hath thee and me weary. 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:30.360 O Lord, my soul, best of the Lord, and all that in me is, 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:36.359 O Lord, my soul, best of the Lord, and all that in me is, 00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:51.359 Who with the wonders of good things, does satisfy thy mind, 00:24:51.359 --> 00:25:08.119 So that he can speak, O sing, bring you in his time in good. 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:16.219 can we turn back together to our reading in Matthew chapter 9 00:25:16.219 --> 00:25:23.059 and we can read again at the end of the chapter verse 35 to 38 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:29.859 as you read through these verses we've read together from verse 9 you see Jesus 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:35.919 it said that he's passing on he's moving on he's going from place to place with many different 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:42.800 things happening and he's seeing many different people and then as kind of summarizing at the end 00:25:42.800 --> 00:25:49.320 of the chapter here in verse 35 we see that he continued to go through so many places Jesus went 00:25:49.320 --> 00:25:55.240 through all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel 00:25:55.240 --> 00:26:02.019 of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction then these words when he saw 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:09.059 the crowds he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:16.500 shepherd and he said to his disciples the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few therefore pray 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:24.339 earnestly to the lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:32.980 Jesus as we say has seen many crowds of people in many different circumstances as he's been traveling 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:39.779 around and it's this idea of a crowd as he sees him and what he sees in them that we want to think 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:48.259 about this evening because it says here in verse 36 when he saw the crowds he had compassion for them 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:55.859 compassion because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd so it was something 00:26:55.859 --> 00:27:03.879 that Jesus was seeing in his day and I'm sure something in many ways we see ourselves today too we see many 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:13.379 different crowds around us but how do you react in crowds of people some people find crowds difficult 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:20.820 find it kind of overwhelming and claustrophobic to be in a crowd others love to be in the midst of a crowd 00:27:20.820 --> 00:27:28.340 of people I suppose it might depend sometimes what kind of crowd of people you're with or you're in 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:35.140 if we're gathered together here this evening or if we're in other places where we gather to worship 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:42.260 God with a large crowd of people it can be a real joy and a delight and uplifting to be 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:50.500 among like-minded people lifting our voices and praise to God but other times you can end up in a 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:56.579 crowd and it's not your own fault you end up in a crowd by mistake perhaps you're just walking along 00:27:56.579 --> 00:28:02.259 and all of a sudden you're in the midst of a crowd of people perhaps you are out marching or protesting 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:08.019 about something and you end up just almost being swept along by this crowd and it can be a terrifying 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:16.019 experience a very unnerving experience so a lot of times it depends what kind of crowd we're in and 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:21.539 i'm sure many of us have been in different crowds in different places over the years 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:29.619 whatever crowd you find yourself in wherever you are what's fascinating about crowds is just observing 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:36.579 the variety of people that you find there whatever kind of crowd it is wherever it is 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:43.379 however many people there are what you see is a people who are all made in the image of God 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:51.139 the question very often is is that how we see them and we want to see this evening how 00:28:51.699 --> 00:28:59.939 jesus sees crowds how he sees people and the compassion that he has for them for as a great reminder 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:08.259 to ourselves how we should look out ourselves and see the people around us a reminder of the compassion 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:17.779 of the lord to his people and as you read through the gospel of matthew we are reminded even in this 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:25.940 chapter we've read it in verse 13 why god sent his son into this world why jesus came into this world when 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:33.460 you look at verse 13 of this chapter in the midst of jesus again with being with people sitting with 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:40.420 tax collectors and sinners as the the pharisees would see them but jesus sees them differently 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:47.860 he says in response to the complaints that he receives those who are well have no need of a physician but 00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:56.259 those who are sick in verse 13 go and learn what this means i desire mercy and not sacrifice for i came 00:29:56.259 --> 00:30:08.819 not to call the righteous but sinners that is why jesus came and up until this point in the gospel of matthew we 00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:17.059 learn so much about the authority of jesus who he is as the son of god and why he has come 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:25.859 in the fulfillment of scripture she has come to save his people from their sins 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:32.819 so we've learned you learn up to this point about the power the authority of jesus 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:38.979 and then at the end of chapter 9 this section that we're looking at this evening we come to a kind of 00:30:38.979 --> 00:30:46.339 a point of transition where the focus shifts not just on jesus and all the work that he is doing 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:53.939 and the authority and the power he has but what he wants his people to do and the power and authority 00:30:54.579 --> 00:31:02.740 that he is giving to them as they are being reminded of the people around them as they are to see them as 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:09.699 we will see as the harvest feels the harvest is plentiful and as he goes on from here it's 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:18.019 sending his disciples and sending his people out that they might proclaim the gospel of the kingdom 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:28.180 of god and you see that as you go in to chapter 10 the 12 apostles then being sent out but before 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:35.380 that we come to that and the end of chapter 9 we're seeing just why they were chosen and sent out 00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:45.860 and why jesus continues to send his church out today we are being sent out and we are to be a people who 00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:56.260 have a compassion and a concern for those around us what do we see we see jesus here as he says here in 00:31:56.260 --> 00:32:04.500 verse 36 he had compassion for them and this compassion is then shown in the concern that there will be people 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:12.339 laborers to go out into the fields to go out into the fields to bring in the harvest and as a people as a church that is 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:21.859 the compassion and concern we should have ourselves as well as a church we should long and look around us to see 00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:32.500 the harvests brought in a people brought in to know the lord jesus that the lord would give us the heart of christ himself 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:39.619 for that compassion for that compassion for the lost the christian writer jc ryle he said this once 00:32:39.619 --> 00:32:48.660 a person who does not feel for souls of all unconverted people surely does not have the mind of christ 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:56.259 so what a challenge there is in these words as we think of them in the context of this passage the 00:32:56.259 --> 00:33:04.660 compassion and the concern that jesus showed towards the crowds and as jc ryle says if we don't have that 00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:11.940 feeling for souls of the unconverted people surely then we do not have the mind of christ 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:22.180 we can become distracted even as a church as a body of god's people as a denomination as a church 00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:29.460 worldwide we can become so distracted by so many things that go on things that we think are so 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:36.500 important for our own agendas and our own lives that we can so easily lose sight of what is at the heart of 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:44.259 the gospel that jesus proclaims to us here it is a people who are lost and a people who are perishing 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:54.819 that we would seek to have this compassion and concern that will be infectious to us that we would see the 00:33:54.819 --> 00:34:03.299 lord jesus and what he has done for us that he came for sinners and that he claimed as he claims sinners for 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:11.219 himself that he would equip us as poor sinners as we were thinking this morning as fragile frail jars of 00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:22.259 clay but with a great treasure the gospel the glorious gospel so let's think about christ's compassion and 00:34:22.259 --> 00:34:30.980 christ's concern as we see it in this passage and see what it says to ourselves first of all we think of 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:40.339 christ's compassion and we see it there so clearly in verse 36 when he saw the crowds he had compassion for 00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:52.340 them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd going astray lost no direction in their lives 00:34:53.300 --> 00:35:03.460 and he saw them and he had compassion on them so where does the compassion come from what is the heart what's 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:16.740 behind this compassion well it's the essence of who he is of who jesus is when we think of the word compassion we maybe think of 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:22.980 just one word in english but there's a number of different words that are used for compassion in the greek 00:35:23.780 --> 00:35:32.659 and the one that's used here for compassion in the greek is only used of the lord it's almost like it's a unique 00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:40.500 word that only applies to the lord himself that only he can have this kind of perfect 00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:51.940 compassion because our compassion is never perfect because we are sinners but christ's compassion is perfect 00:35:51.940 --> 00:36:00.420 and when you read where this word is used and used of the lord it's always into circumstances 00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:11.380 of distress and despair and grief but the lord is there showing his wonderful compassion 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:18.340 whether it's seeing crowds as we're seeing here or whether seeing families or individuals 00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:27.539 that jesus has a special compassion for his people unlike anything that we could show 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:37.620 but when you think of who he is should we be surprised of course not we are imperfect but he is perfect 00:36:38.260 --> 00:36:44.500 how could jesus reach out to all the people he did how could he care about so many different people 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:52.900 in so many different situations what motivated him motivated him well you have to go back to who he is 00:36:53.699 --> 00:37:03.300 as the gospel of john reveals to us this is god himself made flesh the word of god who dwells among us who is with us 00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:06.260 who god sent into this world 00:37:06.260 --> 00:37:16.740 jesus born into this world god with us god is behind it he sent his son in this world to 00:37:16.740 --> 00:37:20.100 this world because of his love for the world for the lost 00:37:22.020 --> 00:37:27.540 and so many people look at the old testament and they read it and come away from it with the idea that 00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:34.900 that that god is a cruel god a harsh god a god who is almost full of wrath 00:37:36.179 --> 00:37:43.699 and yet when you read in the new testament of jesus what we see is the exact nature of god who this is 00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:55.139 so it reminds us of god is a god of compassion yes he has wrath and judgment but also such great love 00:37:55.139 --> 00:38:04.980 we are reminded of who jesus is in the book of hebrews chapter one and it says long ago at many times and 00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:12.659 in many ways god spoke to our fathers by the prophets but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:20.500 whom he appointed the heir of all things through whom all he also he created the world and it says he is the 00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:26.019 radiance of the glory of god and the exact imprint of his nature 00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:37.460 god is holy he is a consuming fire he's a god of wrath and judgment but he's also a god of steadfast love 00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:47.860 grace and mercy and compassion so this is the essence of who jesus is and where his compassion 00:38:47.860 --> 00:38:57.059 comes comes from he is not hindered by a fallen sinful nature he is not selfish like we are he goes 00:38:57.059 --> 00:39:01.539 beyond all the flaw flaws and faults that mark us 00:39:04.260 --> 00:39:11.780 but that does not mean we should not long to be like him surely that is the desire of every christian 00:39:11.780 --> 00:39:16.180 to be more christian to be more christian to be more christian to be more christian to be more christian 00:39:16.180 --> 00:39:25.700 so what do we see here of christ jesus we see how he sees the crowd he sees his people he's looking on 00:39:25.700 --> 00:39:34.340 them intently and as he looks upon them he sees them with compassion compassion 00:39:34.340 --> 00:39:43.380 a longing that they would not be lost that they would not be without a shepherd but that they would know what it is to be brought into the fold 00:39:43.380 --> 00:39:47.940 that they would know what it is to have the peace of jesus 00:39:47.940 --> 00:39:51.860 a quick glance over chapter 8 into chapter 9 00:39:51.860 --> 00:39:55.780 it shows us the concern that jesus had 00:39:55.780 --> 00:40:04.180 jesus cleanses a leper he heals a centurion servant he heals peter's mother-in-law he calms a storm 00:40:04.180 --> 00:40:13.380 he delivers men from being demon possessed he heals a paralytic he raises a girl from her deathbed he heals two blind 00:40:13.380 --> 00:40:20.420 men and casts out a demon out of a man who was mute you read through it and you see all of these things 00:40:20.420 --> 00:40:28.500 why because of his compassion he sees a people in need 00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:39.059 jesus knows the pain his people suffer he knows every situation that they are in he knows what it is to be hurt 00:40:39.059 --> 00:40:50.340 deeply but he is also able to help in our hearts to enter into our hearts with us to be there with us 00:40:50.340 --> 00:40:55.300 he sees a people as only he can 00:40:56.820 --> 00:41:03.140 and so it asks us that question how do we look on people 00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:08.500 an american author he's no longer living by the name of stephen covey 00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:16.660 and he wrote a number of books and in one of his books he speaks about an unusual experience he had 00:41:17.619 --> 00:41:20.500 and it was a day when he was on the new new york subway 00:41:21.699 --> 00:41:25.139 and he was traveling on the subway and while he was sitting in one of the cars 00:41:25.699 --> 00:41:30.420 with a number of a large number of other people the place was fairly quiet 00:41:31.460 --> 00:41:35.219 until a man came on who had a couple of children with him 00:41:35.219 --> 00:41:44.259 the man just sat back in his seat and his children just started playing around making much noise and 00:41:44.259 --> 00:41:52.419 disturbing the place causing chaos and it was getting to the other passengers on the tram on the underground 00:41:52.420 --> 00:42:00.500 that they felt that children's behavior was inappropriate that the father should do something about it 00:42:01.139 --> 00:42:07.700 and eventually it got to the point where stephen covey felt that he had to go and speak to the man and so 00:42:07.699 --> 00:42:09.859 he did he went over to him and said look 00:42:10.659 --> 00:42:15.779 your children are being so disruptive can you not do something to settle them down 00:42:17.619 --> 00:42:23.219 at that point the man just who had been sitting with his eyes closed opened his eyes and started looking around 00:42:23.219 --> 00:42:25.299 oh he said i'm sorry you're right 00:42:27.059 --> 00:42:32.579 i should do something about it but then he went on to say this we've just come 00:42:33.219 --> 00:42:38.179 from the hospital where their mother just passed away an hour ago 00:42:38.179 --> 00:42:48.419 and i don't know what to think i don't know what to do and all of a sudden stephen's attitude of 00:42:48.980 --> 00:42:56.099 being annoyed by what was going on was suddenly changed to a thought of compassion for this man 00:42:57.379 --> 00:43:04.579 stephen like so many others had just looked and judged without knowing what was going on in this man's experience 00:43:04.579 --> 00:43:13.860 experience now what's interesting is stephen covey didn't believe in jesus as we believe in him 00:43:15.139 --> 00:43:16.659 but yet he had compassion 00:43:18.500 --> 00:43:27.059 so how much more compassion should we have as the disciples of christ to look around ourselves and not look 00:43:27.059 --> 00:43:32.819 around with eyes of judgment thinking we know exactly what's going on and what needs to be done 00:43:32.820 --> 00:43:42.180 when perhaps behind it all we know nothing of the experience of individuals of families of strangers that we see around us 00:43:44.019 --> 00:43:54.340 compassion starts when we begin to understand the hurts of others and to know that we are one who is able to help 00:43:54.340 --> 00:44:07.539 but do we have that heart and these eyes of compassion for those around us in that way jesus saw the crowds and he had compassion on them 00:44:07.539 --> 00:44:12.260 on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd 00:44:12.260 --> 00:44:23.940 how do we view people how do we see those around us do we look through the eyes of jesus through eyes 00:44:24.500 --> 00:44:29.780 of compassion or do we look with eyes of judgment 00:44:31.700 --> 00:44:39.540 he saw the crowd and had compassion the second thing we see here is christ's concern 00:44:39.539 --> 00:44:43.059 perhaps we do have compassion 00:44:44.259 --> 00:44:45.380 perhaps we do have 00:44:45.380 --> 00:44:50.820 compassion towards not just those we know but those we see around us as well 00:44:51.619 --> 00:44:54.179 but we see with the compassion of jesus here 00:44:55.139 --> 00:44:56.500 it's not a compassion 00:44:57.139 --> 00:44:58.179 without 00:44:58.179 --> 00:44:58.739 action 00:45:00.340 --> 00:45:02.179 you see you see it as you read through 00:45:02.980 --> 00:45:06.340 the book of matthew up to this point he had compassion 00:45:06.340 --> 00:45:10.260 compassion but he was doing something about the needs of the people 00:45:11.380 --> 00:45:20.260 helping us only he could but also teaching his disciples that as they would be sent out that 00:45:20.260 --> 00:45:24.660 they would go with his power with his authority with his help 00:45:25.380 --> 00:45:27.940 and that he would teach them to have that compassion 00:45:28.820 --> 00:45:31.220 for all that they would come into contact with 00:45:31.219 --> 00:45:32.419 as well 00:45:34.099 --> 00:45:35.619 if we think of compassion 00:45:36.419 --> 00:45:38.019 in our own understanding 00:45:39.059 --> 00:45:41.379 compassion is often defined as 00:45:41.939 --> 00:45:44.419 a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness 00:45:44.899 --> 00:45:47.699 for the suffering and a wish to help them 00:45:49.379 --> 00:45:50.579 we cannot maybe reach 00:45:51.219 --> 00:45:55.299 the compassion of jesus that only he could show in a perfect way 00:45:55.300 --> 00:45:59.060 but we should have a compassion that leads to a concern 00:45:59.620 --> 00:46:00.820 to help others 00:46:01.940 --> 00:46:04.820 seeing them as harassed and helpless and not just 00:46:04.820 --> 00:46:05.620 doing nothing 00:46:06.580 --> 00:46:08.660 but asking what can we do 00:46:09.940 --> 00:46:12.180 he's full of compassion here jesus 00:46:12.660 --> 00:46:14.740 but he's also got a plan 00:46:16.100 --> 00:46:18.340 and his plan is for his church 00:46:19.140 --> 00:46:22.500 his church to go out into the harvest fields 00:46:22.500 --> 00:46:28.340 and his church to pray for others from generation to generation to go out 00:46:28.900 --> 00:46:30.579 into the harvest field 00:46:31.619 --> 00:46:35.219 his plan is to send help to a needy people 00:46:36.340 --> 00:46:39.539 and so when you look at verse 37 and 38 00:46:40.099 --> 00:46:43.619 it shows that his compassion leads into this concern 00:46:44.900 --> 00:46:48.340 he said to his disciples the harvest is plentiful 00:46:48.340 --> 00:46:50.100 but the laborers are few 00:46:50.420 --> 00:46:53.860 therefore pray earnestly to the lord of the harvest to send out 00:46:54.420 --> 00:46:56.260 laborers into his harvest 00:46:57.780 --> 00:47:03.380 jesus describes here the people the crowds that he is seeing as the harvest fields 00:47:03.380 --> 00:47:06.340 ripe with grain that are ready to be harvested 00:47:07.300 --> 00:47:11.059 but what he sees is the laborers are few 00:47:11.059 --> 00:47:15.219 but we see that he has a plan 00:47:17.460 --> 00:47:19.779 and his plan is founded on prayer 00:47:21.139 --> 00:47:28.420 he said to his disciples pray earnestly to the lord of the harvest to send out the laborers 00:47:28.980 --> 00:47:30.659 into his harvest 00:47:30.659 --> 00:47:33.940 when you read these words you think 00:47:35.059 --> 00:47:38.259 the prayers that his disciples had at this time 00:47:39.379 --> 00:47:41.859 are they still being answered today 00:47:43.859 --> 00:47:48.500 that they prayed not just for the harvest field as it was in these days 00:47:49.539 --> 00:47:51.699 but that for every generation 00:47:52.819 --> 00:47:54.739 and every nation of this world 00:47:54.739 --> 00:47:59.699 that there would be laborers for the harvest for generations to come 00:48:00.659 --> 00:48:04.739 and that as we pray we enter into this ongoing prayer 00:48:05.459 --> 00:48:08.659 that the harvest would be brought in 00:48:10.099 --> 00:48:11.219 there to pray 00:48:11.779 --> 00:48:17.059 but there to pray earnestly with this heart and eye of compassion 00:48:18.339 --> 00:48:23.619 that they too would see the crowd and would see the need that there is 00:48:23.619 --> 00:48:25.460 that they would go 00:48:26.659 --> 00:48:32.980 as part of jesus's concern to show this compassion and concern to others themselves 00:48:34.420 --> 00:48:37.699 if you go and sit in any public place 00:48:38.579 --> 00:48:43.779 whether it's an airport or a coffee shop or the library or wherever you might go 00:48:44.900 --> 00:48:47.539 a place where people are passing by 00:48:48.739 --> 00:48:52.259 do you ever take time just to look at the people who are around 00:48:52.260 --> 00:48:56.500 the people who are dashing around perhaps if you're 00:48:56.500 --> 00:48:58.660 certainly if you're not so much storing away airport 00:48:58.660 --> 00:49:00.340 but if you go to a bigger airport 00:49:00.820 --> 00:49:02.820 glasgow or heathrow or somewhere like that 00:49:02.820 --> 00:49:04.500 you'll always see people 00:49:05.060 --> 00:49:06.740 dashing around rushing from 00:49:07.300 --> 00:49:10.100 one terminal to another or from one gate to another 00:49:10.660 --> 00:49:12.660 and everybody seems so harassed 00:49:13.540 --> 00:49:16.500 the same with trains and stations and places like that 00:49:16.500 --> 00:49:19.060 you see people who are just dashing around 00:49:19.059 --> 00:49:25.139 you ever stop just to wonder about these people and pray for these people 00:49:26.099 --> 00:49:29.619 with a sense of concern and compassion for them 00:49:29.619 --> 00:49:32.420 whether it's around us here or wherever we go 00:49:33.779 --> 00:49:38.739 that we have a sense of concern and compassion towards them 00:49:40.340 --> 00:49:41.299 and pray for them 00:49:42.179 --> 00:49:45.539 pray for the people who pass by you in the street here 00:49:45.539 --> 00:49:48.900 who pass by you in the coffee shops and other shops 00:49:50.259 --> 00:49:53.460 pray because they are part of the harvest field 00:49:54.099 --> 00:49:56.980 pray that they would come pray for laborers 00:49:56.980 --> 00:49:59.779 whether they be others or ourselves 00:50:00.980 --> 00:50:04.420 that as the lord gives us a burden that we would go 00:50:05.619 --> 00:50:09.699 because that is the prayer that jesus is telling them to have here 00:50:09.699 --> 00:50:13.379 pray earnestly to the lord of the harvest 00:50:13.379 --> 00:50:16.099 to send out laborers 00:50:16.739 --> 00:50:18.259 into his harvest 00:50:18.259 --> 00:50:21.779 and there's a real sense of power behind that word 00:50:21.779 --> 00:50:22.819 send 00:50:24.259 --> 00:50:25.539 it's more than just 00:50:26.259 --> 00:50:27.779 just go out if you want 00:50:29.139 --> 00:50:32.099 there's a sense of power because this is his plan 00:50:32.099 --> 00:50:34.659 plan for his church for his people 00:50:35.940 --> 00:50:38.739 that they would be sent out 00:50:40.099 --> 00:50:41.779 thrust out 00:50:41.779 --> 00:50:44.980 it has almost a violence behind it 00:50:46.420 --> 00:50:48.659 people are being forced out to go 00:50:49.460 --> 00:50:51.219 but it's not so much forced 00:50:51.940 --> 00:50:56.500 but behind this word is the idea of an explosion taking place 00:50:57.219 --> 00:50:59.860 that there's a real sense of power behind 00:50:59.860 --> 00:51:03.940 so they're sent out with the power of god behind them 00:51:03.940 --> 00:51:06.260 and with a real desire to go out 00:51:07.220 --> 00:51:10.660 with a compassion of their savior in their hearts 00:51:11.860 --> 00:51:14.740 a desire for many to be saved 00:51:15.620 --> 00:51:17.300 that is what is behind this 00:51:19.380 --> 00:51:20.820 and is that how we pray 00:51:22.340 --> 00:51:22.740 pray 00:51:23.700 --> 00:51:26.099 lord not just you do the work 00:51:26.099 --> 00:51:28.259 we pray that of course 00:51:29.619 --> 00:51:30.819 but lord help us 00:51:31.539 --> 00:51:32.019 to see 00:51:32.819 --> 00:51:35.380 men women boys and girls 00:51:35.940 --> 00:51:37.219 used in this way 00:51:37.940 --> 00:51:40.019 used by you because the harvest 00:51:40.579 --> 00:51:43.460 is plentiful and the laborers are few 00:51:47.460 --> 00:51:48.900 J.C. Ryle again 00:51:49.619 --> 00:51:50.659 to quote him 00:51:50.659 --> 00:51:54.579 him he reminds us that yes we are doing this 00:51:55.299 --> 00:51:56.739 in the power of god 00:51:58.259 --> 00:52:01.460 he says personal working for souls is good 00:52:01.460 --> 00:52:05.059 giving money is good but praying is best of all 00:52:05.619 --> 00:52:08.819 by prayer we reach him without money 00:52:08.819 --> 00:52:10.179 who money and work 00:52:10.179 --> 00:52:14.980 by prayer we reach him without whom money and work are in vain 00:52:14.980 --> 00:52:18.820 we obtain the aid of the holy ghost 00:52:19.619 --> 00:52:20.820 the holy spirit 00:52:21.699 --> 00:52:24.579 that we have that power with us 00:52:27.059 --> 00:52:28.659 that is often our prayer 00:52:29.219 --> 00:52:32.019 and that should always be our prayer 00:52:32.019 --> 00:52:33.619 prayer 00:52:33.619 --> 00:52:35.139 but behind it too 00:52:35.139 --> 00:52:37.780 is his willingness to go 00:52:39.059 --> 00:52:40.820 this willingness to go 00:52:41.539 --> 00:52:42.500 he says here 00:52:43.300 --> 00:52:46.820 we send out that he would send out laborers into his harvest 00:52:46.820 --> 00:52:49.300 and what happens next in chapter 10 00:52:49.860 --> 00:52:52.579 Jesus sends out the 12 apostles 00:52:54.739 --> 00:52:56.019 they didn't sit back 00:52:56.980 --> 00:52:58.019 they went out 00:52:58.019 --> 00:53:02.099 and what happens at the end of the gospel of Matthew 00:53:02.099 --> 00:53:04.259 in the last chapter chapter 28 00:53:04.820 --> 00:53:07.539 that chapter concludes with the great commission 00:53:09.380 --> 00:53:12.179 go therefore and make disciples of all nations 00:53:12.820 --> 00:53:15.860 baptizing them in the name of the father the son and the 00:53:15.860 --> 00:53:20.420 holy spirit teaching them to observe all that i have commanded you 00:53:20.420 --> 00:53:26.900 and behold i am with you always to the end of the age we do nothing apart from him 00:53:26.900 --> 00:53:29.539 he has promised to be with us 00:53:31.780 --> 00:53:32.900 but we are to go 00:53:34.660 --> 00:53:36.180 they go in chapter 10 00:53:36.740 --> 00:53:37.700 they go at the end 00:53:38.260 --> 00:53:40.740 and they continue to go to this very day 00:53:41.539 --> 00:53:44.420 seeking the power of god with us 00:53:46.579 --> 00:53:49.940 Jesus is concerned for his church 00:53:50.579 --> 00:53:53.300 he has compassion and he has a concern 00:53:53.300 --> 00:53:58.980 and his concern leads to a plan that he will send his people out 00:54:00.500 --> 00:54:05.220 so what hinders this compassion and this concern 00:54:08.340 --> 00:54:09.620 sometimes it's this 00:54:11.060 --> 00:54:11.860 complacency 00:54:11.860 --> 00:54:14.900 i don't know who said this 00:54:15.780 --> 00:54:17.460 but somebody once wrote this 00:54:17.460 --> 00:54:21.619 complacency is a blight that saps energy 00:54:22.260 --> 00:54:25.780 dulls attitudes and causes a drain on the brain 00:54:26.579 --> 00:54:30.420 the first symptom is satisfaction with things as they are 00:54:31.460 --> 00:54:34.260 the second is rejection of things as they might be 00:54:35.220 --> 00:54:40.659 good enough becomes today's watchword and tomorrow's standard 00:54:40.659 --> 00:54:44.579 complacency makes people fear the unknown 00:54:45.139 --> 00:54:48.739 mistrust the untried and abhor the new 00:54:48.739 --> 00:54:50.819 like water 00:54:50.819 --> 00:54:54.659 complacent people follow the easiest course 00:54:55.619 --> 00:54:56.339 downhill 00:54:57.219 --> 00:55:01.539 they draw false strength from looking back 00:55:01.539 --> 00:55:03.619 complacency 00:55:03.619 --> 00:55:04.579 complacency 00:55:04.579 --> 00:55:05.619 complacency 00:55:05.619 --> 00:55:06.099 kills 00:55:06.099 --> 00:55:07.619 complacency 00:55:07.619 --> 00:55:09.619 complacency 00:55:09.619 --> 00:55:12.900 brings everything to a shuddering halt 00:55:14.500 --> 00:55:17.460 we pray to the lord of the harvest 00:55:18.500 --> 00:55:19.539 as we pray 00:55:20.179 --> 00:55:21.300 we are to go 00:55:22.579 --> 00:55:25.380 not satisfied with what we have 00:55:26.019 --> 00:55:28.340 not saying that's good enough 00:55:28.340 --> 00:55:29.300 enough 00:55:29.940 --> 00:55:33.700 but remembering the compassion of christ 00:55:34.340 --> 00:55:37.140 and the concern of christ 00:55:38.820 --> 00:55:41.059 that is how we are to be 00:55:42.980 --> 00:55:46.100 to press on in our walk with the lord 00:55:46.579 --> 00:55:50.340 to not be satisfied with what we are or what we have 00:55:51.380 --> 00:55:54.900 but to always be looking to him for more 00:55:54.900 --> 00:55:58.420 more in ourselves more faith 00:55:58.900 --> 00:55:59.780 more courage 00:56:00.260 --> 00:56:01.300 more boldness 00:56:02.420 --> 00:56:05.380 more in terms of people being saved 00:56:05.700 --> 00:56:10.500 more in terms of laborers being sent out into the harvest field 00:56:11.059 --> 00:56:13.300 more glory to god 00:56:14.980 --> 00:56:17.300 is that our longing 00:56:17.300 --> 00:56:22.660 c.s lewis once wrote these words he said 00:56:23.780 --> 00:56:25.940 when he's talking here about kind of a 00:56:26.660 --> 00:56:32.820 complacency in the midst of a people he says it's it is hard but the sort of 00:56:32.820 --> 00:56:39.860 compromise we're hankering after is harder in fact it is impossible he says about staying as we are 00:56:39.860 --> 00:56:42.180 but he expresses it like this 00:56:43.140 --> 00:56:45.700 we are like eggs at present 00:56:47.140 --> 00:56:50.340 and we can cannot go on indefinitely 00:56:50.900 --> 00:56:53.780 just being an ordinary decent egg 00:56:55.460 --> 00:56:57.220 we must be hatched 00:56:58.099 --> 00:57:00.180 or else we go bad 00:57:02.340 --> 00:57:04.660 we're never to stand still 00:57:04.659 --> 00:57:08.659 we're never to stay as we are 00:57:09.859 --> 00:57:11.139 we are to press on 00:57:11.940 --> 00:57:13.139 being thrust out 00:57:14.019 --> 00:57:14.819 sent out 00:57:15.859 --> 00:57:17.139 not just forced out 00:57:17.940 --> 00:57:19.699 but longing to go out 00:57:20.579 --> 00:57:22.579 and to serve the lord 00:57:23.299 --> 00:57:25.619 to have his compassion 00:57:26.179 --> 00:57:27.619 and his concern 00:57:28.420 --> 00:57:29.699 to pray to him 00:57:30.500 --> 00:57:32.739 whether it be others or ourselves 00:57:32.739 --> 00:57:33.779 to go 00:57:34.819 --> 00:57:36.019 because the fields 00:57:36.019 --> 00:57:37.299 are white 00:57:37.859 --> 00:57:38.659 to harvest 00:57:39.539 --> 00:57:40.339 let us pray 00:57:40.979 --> 00:57:42.579 to the lord of the harvest 00:57:43.059 --> 00:57:44.579 to send out laborers 00:57:45.219 --> 00:57:46.659 into his harvest 00:57:47.299 --> 00:57:48.500 that we would see many 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.859 being drawn in 00:57:50.500 --> 00:57:51.379 for christ 00:57:52.259 --> 00:57:52.979 let us pray 00:57:54.979 --> 00:57:56.579 our father in heaven 00:57:56.579 --> 00:57:57.379 we thank you 00:57:57.939 --> 00:57:59.779 for the power of your word 00:57:59.779 --> 00:58:01.939 we thank you for the power of your spirit 00:58:01.940 --> 00:58:04.900 for the power you afford to your people 00:58:05.619 --> 00:58:07.460 that when we are a people of faith 00:58:07.460 --> 00:58:08.820 and courage and boldness 00:58:08.820 --> 00:58:10.500 that we have that great assurance 00:58:11.300 --> 00:58:12.500 that you are with us 00:58:12.500 --> 00:58:13.860 and so help us lord 00:58:13.860 --> 00:58:14.900 even as we see 00:58:15.460 --> 00:58:17.300 the crowds around ourselves 00:58:17.300 --> 00:58:19.460 how we see so many people 00:58:19.460 --> 00:58:20.340 day by day 00:58:21.139 --> 00:58:22.420 that we would see them 00:58:22.420 --> 00:58:24.820 through the eyes of our lord and savior 00:58:24.820 --> 00:58:25.860 jesus christ 00:58:26.420 --> 00:58:27.860 that we would have compassion 00:58:27.860 --> 00:58:29.300 and concern 00:58:29.300 --> 00:58:29.940 and concern for them 00:58:29.940 --> 00:58:31.539 for they are indeed so many 00:58:31.539 --> 00:58:32.820 like sheep 00:58:32.820 --> 00:58:33.940 without a shepherd 00:58:33.940 --> 00:58:35.220 lord may you 00:58:35.220 --> 00:58:37.140 send laborers out 00:58:37.140 --> 00:58:38.260 may you send them out 00:58:38.260 --> 00:58:39.380 from among ourselves 00:58:39.380 --> 00:58:42.340 and from many other parts of our nation 00:58:42.340 --> 00:58:44.420 and to all ends of the earth 00:58:44.420 --> 00:58:46.980 for the fields are white to harvest 00:58:47.539 --> 00:58:48.500 so we pray 00:58:48.500 --> 00:58:50.500 to the lord of the harvest 00:58:50.500 --> 00:58:53.140 to be with us in all of these things 00:58:53.139 --> 00:58:55.139 so we ask it in jesus name 00:58:55.139 --> 00:58:56.099 amen 00:58:56.099 --> 00:59:03.940 we'll conclude by singing to god's praise 00:59:03.940 --> 00:59:06.099 in psalm 145 00:59:06.099 --> 00:59:08.099 the first version of the psalm 00:59:08.099 --> 00:59:10.099 psalm 00:59:10.099 --> 00:59:12.099 psalm 145 00:59:12.099 --> 00:59:13.699 page 442 00:59:13.699 --> 00:59:16.400 we'll sing from verse 8 00:59:16.400 --> 00:59:18.039 down to verse 11 00:59:18.039 --> 00:59:18.839 the tune is 00:59:18.839 --> 00:59:20.799 amazing grace 00:59:20.799 --> 00:59:24.400 and we see these words in verse 8 00:59:24.400 --> 00:59:26.960 the lord is very gracious 00:59:26.960 --> 00:59:27.799 in him 00:59:27.799 --> 00:59:29.659 compassions flow 00:59:29.659 --> 00:59:32.339 in mercy he is very great 00:59:32.339 --> 00:59:35.000 and is to anger slow 00:59:35.000 --> 00:59:36.159 we're reminded there 00:59:36.159 --> 00:59:38.539 of the steadfast love 00:59:38.539 --> 00:59:39.399 and the compassion 00:59:39.399 --> 00:59:41.099 of our lord 00:59:41.099 --> 00:59:43.179 and that that would be our prayer 00:59:43.179 --> 00:59:44.199 to these words 00:59:44.199 --> 00:59:45.119 as we sing them 00:59:45.119 --> 00:59:46.420 that as we go out 00:59:46.420 --> 00:59:47.279 in the week ahead 00:59:47.279 --> 00:59:48.460 we would go 00:59:48.460 --> 00:59:49.839 in this manner 00:59:49.839 --> 00:59:51.659 we'll sing from verse 8 to 11 00:59:51.659 --> 00:59:52.819 to god's praise 00:59:52.819 --> 01:00:01.679 the lord is 01:00:01.679 --> 01:00:03.059 eto 01:00:03.059 --> 01:00:17.059 inter�avia 01:00:17.059 --> 01:00:22.199 and is to rife 01:00:22.199 --> 01:00:52.179 CHOIR SINGING 01:00:52.199 --> 01:01:11.379 And over all his other words, his tender mercy shall. 01:01:11.380 --> 01:01:32.200 Behold, thy words shall praise, O Lord, and in thy saints shall bless. 01:01:32.199 --> 01:01:49.480 They shall thy kingdom's glory show, Thy power my speech express. 01:01:52.439 --> 01:01:57.259 After the benediction, I'll go to the door to my right. We'll close with a benediction. 01:01:57.260 --> 01:02:09.240 Now may grace, mercy, and peace from God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. Amen.