WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:03.200 Let's begin our worship this evening singing Psalm 96. 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:08.500 Psalm 96 from the Scottish Psalter, page 358. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:11.099 And we're singing to a tune, Glasgow. 00:00:12.220 --> 00:00:15.339 Psalm 96, verses 8 to 13. 00:00:16.019 --> 00:00:19.500 Give thee the glory to the Lord, that to his name is due. 00:00:20.059 --> 00:00:23.120 Come ye into his courts, and bring an offering with you. 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:26.640 In beauty of his holiness, O do the Lord adore. 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:31.859 Likewise, let all the earth throughout tremble his face before. 00:00:32.520 --> 00:00:36.620 If you're able to stand, please do join us standing to sing these verses. 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:40.659 Give ye the glory to the Lord, that to his name is due. 00:00:46.659 --> 00:00:55.100 Give ye the glory to the Lord, 00:00:55.100 --> 00:01:02.100 that to his name is due. 00:01:02.100 --> 00:01:19.099 Come ye into his courts, and bring an offering with you. 00:01:19.099 --> 00:01:36.099 In beauty of his holiness, O do the Lord adore. 00:01:36.099 --> 00:01:54.099 Like wise, let all the earth throughout tremble his face before. 00:01:54.099 --> 00:02:12.099 Among the heaven-sick or rings, the world shall steadfastly. 00:02:12.099 --> 00:02:30.099 He feeds from whom he shall judge the people righteously. 00:02:30.099 --> 00:02:48.099 Let him speak up before the Lord, and let the earth rejoice. 00:02:48.099 --> 00:02:57.620 Let seems and all that is dwelling, Let see and all that is dwelling, 00:02:57.620 --> 00:03:06.419 Cry out and make a noise. 00:03:06.419 --> 00:03:24.500 Let fields rejoice on everything that springeth on the earth. 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:42.420 Lain woods and every tree shall sing with gladness and with birth. 00:03:42.419 --> 00:03:59.719 Before the Lord, because he comes to judge the earth, comes he. 00:03:59.719 --> 00:04:16.120 He'll judge the world with righteousness, the people faithfully. 00:04:19.779 --> 00:04:23.120 Let's unite our minds again once more in prayer. 00:04:23.240 --> 00:04:24.240 Let's call upon the Lord. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:35.439 Almighty and gracious God, when we come once again into your presence to worship your glorious name, 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:44.560 we thank you for the detail and for the expressiveness of your word that talks about the creation itself rejoicing in your presence, 00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:49.699 rejoicing even in the prospect of your coming to judge the world. 00:04:49.699 --> 00:05:00.899 And Lord, while we may think in our hearts at times that coming to judge the world on the part of God is not a matter for expressing rejoicing, 00:05:00.979 --> 00:05:02.620 yet it is, we know, for your people. 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:06.860 We know that when you come to judge, you will do so righteously. 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:17.560 You will do so to set everything in its final place and to execute the justice that this world so largely lacks down to the course of history. 00:05:17.560 --> 00:05:24.319 And we give thanks to our Lord for the prospect that you people have of your coming in your glory. 00:05:25.280 --> 00:05:33.000 You're coming to reveal yourself as the glorious Savior who died for them and rose again and was exalted to glory. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:42.639 And we give thanks, O Lord, that that appearance is going to be so much more majestic and glorious than we can now imagine. 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:49.860 And we give thanks that the whole creation will see it, that everyone who has ever lived will see it, 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:58.039 and that every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:03.879 We thank you, Lord, for this time together once again here to worship you. 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:07.000 And we thank you that we come around your word. 00:06:07.819 --> 00:06:10.579 And we pray that your word will again be blessed to us. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:15.379 Make us thankful, O Lord, that your word is so freely available to us, 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:21.759 that we have so many opportunities to read it, to hear its teaching, to study it for ourselves, 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:26.180 to apply its teaching to the world as well as to ourselves. 00:06:26.180 --> 00:06:33.060 We thank you for the privilege of being together with like-minded people who come to worship you 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:37.959 and who come together to worship you and to value being together 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:43.500 and to express their thankfulness for the fellowship your people have with one another. 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:47.019 Lord, we ask us, we call upon you in prayer, 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:51.639 that we may know your Holy Spirit guiding our thoughts and our words 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:57.060 and help us as we set things before you in prayer, with thanksgiving, 00:06:57.599 --> 00:07:01.360 with supplication, with petition, with our requests. 00:07:02.219 --> 00:07:05.180 That we may do so, Lord, in the confidence that you hear us, 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:08.180 that you hear us ever towards your people, 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:12.939 that your promise is that you will never not be listening to them, 00:07:13.779 --> 00:07:16.039 that you will always give heed to what they say, 00:07:16.899 --> 00:07:19.779 because your word tells us that even our very sighs, 00:07:19.779 --> 00:07:22.500 those things that we express to you, 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:26.319 not so much in word, but in the intents of our heart 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:29.859 and in sometimes the sighs of our minds and hearts 00:07:29.859 --> 00:07:33.839 over the sorrows that we find in the world and in our own experience. 00:07:34.559 --> 00:07:36.279 We give thanks that you read them. 00:07:37.159 --> 00:07:40.719 We give thanks, Lord, that even the very tears of your people 00:07:40.719 --> 00:07:45.419 are set in your bottle, in your flask, 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:48.399 so you collect them and you store them up. 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:51.259 And we thank you that you take note of them 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:54.279 so that they are recorded by you, 00:07:54.839 --> 00:07:56.620 that you may come and comfort them. 00:07:57.359 --> 00:08:01.379 We thank you tonight, Lord, that you are such a great God 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:03.919 and that in your greatness you have come 00:08:03.919 --> 00:08:06.339 and stooped down to this needy world. 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:10.339 Not only have you done so in giving us your word, 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:13.199 you have given us your word personified 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:15.279 in the person of your Son. 00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:19.839 You have come into this world to become one of us 00:08:19.839 --> 00:08:21.679 in your own human nature. 00:08:22.339 --> 00:08:25.979 And we thank you that that is ever joined to your person, 00:08:26.179 --> 00:08:29.019 to the glorious person of the Son of God 00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:31.479 and will be so forevermore. 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:34.300 We thank you for all that you achieved 00:08:34.300 --> 00:08:37.860 during this time that you lived in this world, 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:39.480 in our humanity. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:43.860 We bless you, Lord, for the wonderful way 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:45.700 in which you minister to your people 00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:48.659 through your death and resurrection from the dead, 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:52.019 for the way you still do so from your throne on high 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:55.639 and through your Holy Spirit minister to us 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:59.419 comfort and guidance, rebuke and teaching. 00:09:00.179 --> 00:09:02.120 And we thank you for all of that, O Lord, 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:04.639 for we know that our development, 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:07.919 if our trust is in you, is safe in your hands. 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:11.240 So bless us, Lord, again as we come together 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:12.899 as a congregation of your people. 00:09:13.699 --> 00:09:16.799 We thank you for all that you continue to be for us, 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:19.120 for all you continue to do for us, 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:21.459 for the many encouragements you give us 00:09:21.459 --> 00:09:22.299 from week to week. 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:26.220 We thank you, O Lord, as we express our note 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:28.720 of changes that take place even from week to week 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:31.059 in the congregation, with illness, 00:09:31.059 --> 00:09:33.939 with some passing from the scene of time, 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:36.819 with different changes that we take note of 00:09:36.819 --> 00:09:40.279 in ourselves and family experiences and life. 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:43.220 Lord, as we carry these things into your presence 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:45.740 this evening, we pray that you would meet us 00:09:45.740 --> 00:09:46.699 in your own strength. 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:50.480 We pray that you would enable us to rejoice before you, 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:53.299 no matter what our circumstances may be. 00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:55.399 Lord, we know that we are, 00:09:55.899 --> 00:09:58.600 because of our very sinful bias and intent, 00:09:58.959 --> 00:10:01.919 that we are so prone to look upon things darkly 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:05.139 and so prone, Lord, to look upon things 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:07.620 with a sense of despondency. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:10.980 And yet teach us, we pray, to rejoice in you, 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:13.080 to rejoice in your salvation, 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:17.759 to rejoice in every prospect of further blessing from you. 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:20.960 And we ask, Lord, tonight that you would bless 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:22.399 every gathering of your people. 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:25.419 We pray that you would remember all who gather 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:27.659 in very different circumstances, two hours. 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:30.620 Throughout the world, we know that there are many tonight 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:35.500 who meet in circumstances of persecution, 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:39.700 of poverty, of deprivation, of famine, 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:43.659 and so many other things that blight people's lives. 00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:47.779 We think of, too, those, Lord, who meet in areas 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:51.940 of natural disaster, earthquake, mudslides, 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:56.039 so many things, oh, Lord, that from time to time 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:58.599 we hear of in different parts of the world 00:10:58.599 --> 00:11:02.199 and sometimes even in our own nation as well. 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:07.000 Lord, teach us, we pray, to have our trust in you 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:10.259 so that whatever may happen, like the psalmist, 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:13.860 we may say that God is our refuge and our strength 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:17.959 and strength in a very present help in our time of need. 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:20.419 And that even though the creation itself 00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:22.740 would be seen as in upheaval, 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:27.479 and even though human society may be in upheaval, too, 00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:31.079 will help us to find out rest and repose in you 00:11:31.079 --> 00:11:35.120 and to be sure, oh, Lord, that you do all things well. 00:11:36.099 --> 00:11:39.319 We ask your blessing tonight for those who help us 00:11:39.319 --> 00:11:41.459 in different ways throughout life. 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:45.579 We think tonight, Lord, of those who give up their time 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:49.879 to look after patients in hospitals and other clinics 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:55.220 and who express, Lord, their love and dedication through that. 00:11:55.900 --> 00:11:57.040 Bless our care homes. 00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:58.560 Bless those who work in them. 00:11:59.560 --> 00:12:01.180 Bless those who work in our districts. 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:04.520 Bless, Lord, our district nurses, our carers. 00:12:05.160 --> 00:12:06.560 Be with them in all that they do. 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:09.180 Bless the various charities, Lord, 00:12:09.300 --> 00:12:12.640 that help in different ways in our locality 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:14.179 and throughout the land. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:17.679 We think especially of the likes of Crossroads, 00:12:17.939 --> 00:12:18.699 Macmillan nurses, 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:22.059 others, Lord, who give up their time so willingly 00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:26.259 and are so precious to those who come under their care. 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:30.460 We think, too, Lord, of the MND Scotland, 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:33.600 when we know recently of Doddy Weir's passing 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:38.799 and his commitment to MND fundraising and research. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:41.479 But we pray, too, Lord, with thankfulness 00:12:41.479 --> 00:12:45.959 for the way that MND Scotland was set up in our own locality 00:12:45.959 --> 00:12:48.659 and through Peggy and her late husband. 00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:51.859 We bless you, Lord, for that and for the progress 00:12:51.859 --> 00:12:54.479 that was made and is made in that charity 00:12:54.479 --> 00:12:56.179 even to the present day. 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:58.939 And we pray for them all and pray for Peggy 00:12:58.939 --> 00:13:02.779 as she continues to have a certain role within them. 00:13:02.859 --> 00:13:06.000 We ask, oh, Lord, that all of these and other charities 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:09.779 who so faithfully work in our midst may come to know 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:11.360 continued blessing and encouragement. 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:13.899 Remember the work of safe families 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:16.840 as they set up their work here in Stornoway 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:17.720 and in the islands. 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:22.179 We pray, Lord, for those who are established already 00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:25.159 as workers with them. 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:28.299 We pray as they expect to take up the work 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:30.879 more meaningfully and fully in the new year 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:32.740 when others are recruited. 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:36.180 We pray, Lord, that many families will benefit from it. 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:39.360 We pray that you would bless them to that end. 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:42.440 Remember the food bank and those who need 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:43.720 the provisions made there. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:46.519 Gracious Lord, we commit all to you 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:49.200 who are suffering in different ways at this time 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:52.299 from financial loss, from loss of work, 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:54.779 from deprivation of other kinds. 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:58.399 We pray, too, for those who are at this time 00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:00.720 caught up in the addictions 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:03.740 that we find in our age of drink, of drugs. 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:06.379 We pray for those who are helping them 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:08.820 and seeking to come alongside them 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:10.740 to give them strength and support. 00:14:11.420 --> 00:14:12.500 We think of our own David 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.920 and ask that you would bless him 00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:15.879 as he worked with Road to Recovery. 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:18.019 We pray for all others, Lord, 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:20.300 who give assistance, even quietly 00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:22.300 and in a way that's unobserved 00:14:22.300 --> 00:14:24.660 in so many ways in our locality 00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:25.660 and in our society. 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:28.440 Bless every effort made, especially, 00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:31.560 to bring the love of Christ 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:33.420 before this needy world. 00:14:34.160 --> 00:14:36.640 Grant, O Lord, that you would grant 00:14:36.640 --> 00:14:39.540 to extend the borders of your kingdom 00:14:39.540 --> 00:14:42.060 by bringing many needy sinners, 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:43.180 such as we all are, 00:14:43.880 --> 00:14:46.060 into your care and under your compassion. 00:14:46.920 --> 00:14:48.520 Receive our thanks now, we pray. 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:50.640 Continue with us here and bless us 00:14:50.640 --> 00:14:52.640 and pardon our many sins. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:54.639 For Jesus' sake. Amen. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:59.159 Let's sing some more verses to God's praise 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:01.319 in Psalm 27. 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:07.139 Our focus tonight is on Nehemiah 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:09.439 and Nehemiah chapter 8 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:13.039 where we find reference to the joy of the Lord. 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:17.240 And so our passages for praise, for singing, 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:19.580 refer in some ways to joy 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:23.259 and to the joy of believing especially. 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:26.520 Psalm 27, this is on page 32, 00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:28.600 singing to the tune Argyle, 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.420 verses 4 to 6. 00:15:30.420 --> 00:15:32.560 One thing I'll plead before the Lord, 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:34.920 this I'll seek always, 00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:36.700 that I may come within God's house 00:15:36.700 --> 00:15:38.960 and dwell there all my days, 00:15:39.400 --> 00:15:41.060 that on the beauty of the Lord 00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:42.900 I constantly may gaze, 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:45.740 and in His house may seek to know 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:48.740 direction in His ways. 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:51.440 So we'll sing verses 4 to 6 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.399 to God's praise. 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:52.519 Amen. 00:15:52.519 --> 00:16:06.519 One thing I'll plead before the Lord, 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:13.519 and this I'll seek always, 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:15.519 that I may come within God's house, 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:24.519 that I may come within God's house 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:31.519 and dwell in all my days, 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:41.659 that on the beauty of the Lord 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:47.659 I constantly engage, 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:58.659 and in His house may seek to know 00:16:58.659 --> 00:17:06.659 direction in His ways. 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:16.660 For in His dwelling He will keep, 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:23.660 the sibling troubled day, 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:33.660 within His tent He'll shelter me, 00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:41.660 and on our walk He reign. 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:51.660 My hand will then be lifted high, 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:58.660 above my enemies, 00:17:58.660 --> 00:18:08.660 and in His tent I'll sacrifice, 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:17.660 with shouts of joy and grace. 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:21.660 Now let's turn to the book of Nehemiah, 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:24.660 and reading Nehemiah chapter 8. 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:26.660 We'll just read through the whole chapter. 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:30.660 Nehemiah chapter 8 from the beginning. 00:18:30.660 --> 00:19:00.640 Nehemiah chapter 9. 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.660 And he read from it, 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:04.660 He read from it, facing the square before the water gate, 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:06.660 from early morning until midday, 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:08.660 in the presence of the men and the women 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:10.660 and those who could understand. 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:16.660 And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:22.660 And Ezra, the scribe, stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:29.660 Beside him stood Mattathiah, Shema, Ananiah, Uriah, Ilkiah, and Masaiah on his right hand, 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:39.660 and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashem, Hashpadana, Zechariah, and Meshulam on his left hand. 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:42.660 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:51.660 and Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.660 And all the people answered, 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:56.660 Amen, Amen, lifting up their hands. 00:19:56.660 --> 00:20:01.660 And they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.660 Also, 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:04.660 Jeshua, Bani, 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.660 Sherebiah, 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.660 Jamin, 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.660 Aqub, 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.660 Shabbathiah, 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:09.660 Hodiah, 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:10.660 Masaiah, 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.660 Azariah, 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.660 Josephbad, 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.660 Hanan, 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.660 Pelaiah, 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.660 and the Levites, 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:17.660 helped the people to understand the law, 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:20.660 while the people remained in their places. 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:23.660 They read from the book from the law of God clearly, 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:28.660 and they gave the meaning so that the people understood the reading. 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:30.660 Nehemiah, who was the governor, 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:32.660 and Ezra the priest and scribe, 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:34.660 and the Levites who taught the people, 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:36.660 said to all the people, 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:39.660 This day is holy to the Lord your God. 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:41.660 Do not mourn or weep. 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:45.660 For all the people wept as they heard the words of the law. 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.660 Then he said to them, 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:48.660 Go on your way. 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:50.660 Eat the fat and drink sweet wine, 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:53.660 and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready. 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:56.660 For this day is holy to our Lord. 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:58.660 Do not be grieved, 00:20:58.660 --> 00:21:01.660 for the joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:04.660 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:07.660 Be quiet, for this day is holy. 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.660 Do not be grieved. 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:11.660 And all the people went on their way to eat and drink, 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:13.660 and to send portions, 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:15.660 and to make great rejoicing, 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:18.660 because they understood the words that were declared to them. 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:20.660 On the second day, 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:23.660 the heads of the fathers' houses of all the people, 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:25.660 with the priests and the Levites, 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:27.660 came together to Ezra the scribe, 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:29.660 in order to study the words of the law. 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:32.660 And they found it written in the law, 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:37.660 that the Lord had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths, 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:39.660 during the feast of the seventh month, 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:41.660 and that they should proclaim it, 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:45.660 and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem. 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:47.660 Go out to the hills, 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:51.660 bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:55.660 and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written. 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:57.660 So the people went out, 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.660 and brought them, 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.660 and made booths for themselves, 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:01.660 each on his roof, 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.660 and in their courts, 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:04.660 and in the courts of the house of God, 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:06.660 and in the square at the water gate, 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:09.660 and in the square at the gate of Ephraim. 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:13.660 And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity, 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:16.660 made booths, and lived in the booths. 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:25.660 And there was a very great rejoicing. 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:29.660 Day by day, from the first day to the last day, 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:32.660 he read from the book of the law of God. 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:35.660 They kept the feast seven days, 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.660 and on the eighth day, 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:41.660 there was a solemn assembly according to the rule. 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:45.660 Once again, we pray for God to bless this portion of his word. 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:47.660 To us this evening. 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.660 Let's sing once again. 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:50.660 We're singing now in Psalm 89. 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:52.660 Again, it's the Scottish Psalter, 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:55.660 Psalm 89, verses 15 to 18. 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.660 The tune is Newington. 00:22:57.660 --> 00:23:03.660 O greatly blessed the people are, 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:05.660 the joyful sound that know. 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:08.660 In brightness of thy face, O Lord, 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.660 they ever on shall go. 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:13.660 They in thy name shall all the day rejoice exceedingly. 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:18.660 And in thy righteousness shall they exalted be on high. 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:22.660 Because the glory of their strength doth only stand in thee. 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:26.660 And in thy favor shall our horn and power exalted be. 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:31.660 For God is our defense, and he to us doth safety bring. 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:36.660 The Holy One of Israel is our almighty King. 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:39.660 These verses O greatly blessed the people are. 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:43.660 O greatly blessed the people are, 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:51.660 O greatly blessed the people are, 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:56.660 The joyful sound that know. 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:58.660 The joy of the sound that know. 00:23:58.660 --> 00:24:04.660 In brightness of thy face, O Lord, 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:11.660 O Lord, they ever on shall go. 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:13.660 O Lord, they ever on shall go. 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:26.660 They in thy name shall all the day rejoice exceedingly. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:41.660 And in thy righteousness shall they exalted be on high. 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:56.660 Because the glory of their strength doth only stand in thee. 00:24:56.660 --> 00:25:11.660 And in thy favor shall our Lord and power exalted be. 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:26.660 For God is our defense, and he to us doth safety bring. 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:41.660 The Holy One of Israel is our almighty King. 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:50.660 Let's now turn to the passage that we read in Nehemiah chapter 8, 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:54.660 especially verses 9 to 12, this middle section. 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:59.660 Nehemiah chapter 8, from verse 9 to 12, 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:01.660 where we find Nehemiah saying, 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:04.660 This day is holy to the Lord your God. 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:08.660 Do not mourn or weep, for all the people wept as they heard the words of the law. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:12.660 And he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink sweet wine, 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:15.660 send portions to anyone who has nothing ready. 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:19.660 For this day is holy to the Lord, and do not be grieved, 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:23.660 for the joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:31.660 Now this passage has two matters which some might find contradictory. 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:37.660 I'm not saying anyone here will, but some people would say to you that these are indeed contradictions. 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:41.660 Two things are holiness and joy. 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:49.660 The world will say to you, I just don't understand how you can tell me that a person who is holy, 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:53.660 who keeps the words as far as possible of God's truth, God's word, 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:56.660 who believe in the Bible, who believe in this God of the Bible, 00:26:56.660 --> 00:27:02.660 and that you don't understand how you can tell me that these people really have joy in their lives. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:04.660 Because to much of the world out there, as you know, 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:10.660 believing the Bible, following Jesus, giving your life to God, 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:14.660 and for God to have control over your life willingly on your part, 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:16.660 is really not something that fills you with joy. 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:18.660 That's how the world thinks of it. 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:20.660 Maybe that's how we once thought of it ourselves. 00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:28.660 But here's a passage that brings together very clearly holiness and joy. 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:33.660 This day is holy to the Lord, and rejoice in it, he's saying, 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:38.660 do not weep, for it is a day that's holy to the Lord. 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:45.660 And if you think about it, you can answer that thought that the world will say to you, 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:52.660 that you can't actually have holiness and rejoicing together at the same time. 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:54.660 You can say, well, do you expect to go to heaven? 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:56.660 Would you like to go to heaven? 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:58.660 Is that what you want to do at the end of your course? 00:27:58.660 --> 00:28:00.660 Yeah, of course I want to go to heaven. 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:03.660 Well, do you think heaven's going to be a place of holiness? 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:05.660 Of course it is. 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:13.660 Heaven is where, in perfection, holiness and rejoicing are so linked together, 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:18.660 that is the ongoing experience of the church glorified. 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:25.660 Heaven is where holiness, a holy people made perfectly holy in Christ, 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:32.660 continually rejoice in the presence of God, rejoicing in his salvation. 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:36.660 So here is Israel having come back. 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:40.660 These people have come back from their captivity in Babylon all these years 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:44.660 under Nehemiah's leadership and Ezra the scribe as well, 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:48.660 the priest, rather, as they take charge of developments. 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:56.660 The purpose and the aim is to reestablish a people here, a worshipping people, 00:28:56.660 --> 00:29:00.660 a people who will be gathered around the word of God once again, 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:06.660 and form a people who will be known as the people of God in covenant with him. 00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:12.660 And it's for that that they're repairing the temple, which had fallen into disrepair all these years. 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:15.660 And in fact, this is why they're building the temple. 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:21.660 It's so that there will be a community of worshipping believers once again in Jerusalem. 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:28.660 And here we have Nehemiah telling us something from the calendar of the Jews at the time. 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:36.660 We're told when these events took place and that this was in fact this particular month of the year 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:45.660 when on this month of the year certain feasts took place or festivals took place in Israel. 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:52.660 And they were following this as they were discovering it more and more again from the word of God, from the law of God. 00:29:52.660 --> 00:30:00.660 And in this series of festivals you have such as on the tenth day of the month, you have the Day of Atonement. 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:06.660 You also have it culminating in the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths, as it's called here, 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:13.660 where, as we read here, they were given to great rejoicing because the Feast of Tabernacles, 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:18.660 as they had to make up these booths with palm branches and other branches, 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:22.660 it was a reminder to them of all their travels through the wilderness for the 40 years. 00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:27.660 They didn't have a stable place in which to live until they got to the Promised Land. 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:34.660 And so the Feast of Tabernacles was a feast and a celebration of God's keeping of them, 00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:40.660 of God's goodness to them, of God's leading them and bringing them safely through to the land of promise. 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:47.660 That's why there was such rejoicing as they considered the goodness of God in all that He had done for them. 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:56.660 And here in this passage then you find in this particular part of it, verses 9 to 12 that we're looking at tonight, 00:30:56.660 --> 00:31:00.660 two things especially that come across to be emphasized. 00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:06.660 First of all, there's the people's desire for God's Word, particularly God's law. 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:09.660 This is the book they called for the book of the law. 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:14.660 They told Ezra, the priest and the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, 00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:18.660 they said, bring before us, they said to Ezra especially, 00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:23.660 bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord has commanded Israel. 00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:26.660 So there's a desire here for the Word of God. 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:34.660 Here they are rebuilding the community and here they are at this juncture ready now to ask for this particular, 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:41.660 this particular, on this particular occasion in relation to the Feast of Bulls and other feasts that they anticipate, 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:44.660 bring the book of the law of God. 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:46.660 Let's have the book. 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:48.660 Let's have God's Word. 00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:50.660 And that's what happened. 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:56.660 Second thing that comes across clearly is the people's response to God's Word, 00:31:56.660 --> 00:32:00.660 mainly the response of weeping, as we'll see, 00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:07.660 which was then redirected by Nehemiah into joy, into rejoicing. 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:13.660 That's a very important thing for us to notice as well as we'll come to that point in our study this evening. 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:17.660 Well, here's the people's desire, first of all, for God's Word. 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:19.660 They asked for the book. 00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:21.660 Look at the first verse of the chapter. 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:26.660 In fact, all the people gathered as one man into the square before the water gate 00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:33.660 and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:35.660 So Ezra brought the book of the law. 00:32:35.660 --> 00:32:39.660 Now we're not told exactly what book of the law this was. 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:46.660 Was it the whole of these five books of Moses from Genesis through to the five books at the beginning of the Bible as we have it? 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:53.660 We think it probably more likely that there would be extracts here from the likes of Deuteronomy, 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:57.660 often called the book of the law, and Leviticus from chapter 23 especially, 00:32:57.660 --> 00:33:05.660 that speaks of these feasts in a series of feasts that the Lord had commanded Moses to set before the people. 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:09.660 In any case, it was the book of the law that's all we're told about it. 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:12.660 And that came from the people themselves. 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:16.660 You see, this was not the leaders like Nehemiah and Ezra saying to the people, 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:20.660 now we want you to gather on a particular occasion. 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:25.660 We want you to gather here at this water gate in the square here. 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:28.660 We want you to gather because we're going to bring the book of the law of God. 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:30.660 We're going to read that. 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.660 We're going to explain that to you. 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:34.660 So gather there at this particular point in the week. 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:37.660 No, it came from the people. 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:41.660 The people gathered as one man. 00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:43.660 You see, that's so important. 00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:46.660 They gathered there with a united desire. 00:33:46.660 --> 00:33:55.660 They gathered there with a mindset on the word of God to be brought out and read in their presence and explained in their presence. 00:33:55.660 --> 00:33:58.660 It wasn't imposed by anyone. 00:33:58.660 --> 00:33:59.660 It wasn't foisted upon them. 00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:01.660 It didn't come from the people. 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:06.660 And you notice verse 2 as well, that they brought the book of the law. 00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:08.659 They brought the law before the assembly. 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:18.659 And the assembly was comprised both men and women and all who could understand what they heard on the first day of the seventh month. 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:21.659 And again, that's emphasized a bit later. 00:34:21.659 --> 00:34:27.659 It was including all those who could understand, all those who could hear and understand the word. 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:29.659 Their children were there. 00:34:29.659 --> 00:34:34.659 Their children were there having come to an age, at least they could listen to the word and have it explained to them. 00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:36.659 And what a great emphasis that is. 00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:40.659 Here are the people all together, young and old together. 00:34:40.659 --> 00:34:46.659 And they're saying with one voice and they're saying with one mind, bring out the book of God. 00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:49.659 Bring the book of God to us so that we'll hear it. 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:50.659 Hear it. 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:53.659 What a tremendous advantage Ezra had. 00:34:53.659 --> 00:34:59.659 He didn't have to start appealing to people to come to gather together to hear the word of God. 00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:08.659 Ezra didn't have to use other means by which to try and persuade people that it would be good for them to come to gather together to hear what God had to say through his word. 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:11.659 No, the people said, this is what we want. 00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:14.659 This is what we at this moment need. 00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:17.659 Bring out the book of the law. 00:35:21.659 --> 00:35:26.659 And that's itself so important for our position this evening. 00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:32.659 Because that's why you've come to gather here this evening, is it not? 00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:39.659 You've come to gather as worshippers of God, but central to that worship is this book. 00:35:39.659 --> 00:35:41.659 Why is this pulpit placed here? 00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:51.659 Not just to make it convenient to speak, although it is that just as in Ezra's day, they made a platform of wood to enable Ezra's voice to carry forward. 00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:57.659 This part of the church isn't physically any more holy than that part you're sitting in. 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:58.659 It's a convenience. 00:35:58.659 --> 00:36:08.659 It has that height to it that enables you to see who's speaking and therefore hopefully more readily listen and take in the words that are being spoken. 00:36:08.659 --> 00:36:10.659 But it's where the Bible is placed. 00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:12.659 You have it in your possession. 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:23.659 But the Bible that's preached from is here in your sight so that the focus will be indeed on the word of God, on the word brought out, as it were, before you. 00:36:23.659 --> 00:36:26.659 And really, that's why you've come here tonight, isn't it? 00:36:26.659 --> 00:36:31.659 With this mind, as you're coming to church, you're saying, here's the minister. 00:36:31.659 --> 00:36:36.659 We're going to come so that the minister will open up the word of God to us. 00:36:36.659 --> 00:36:46.659 That it will be read in our presence and hopefully by God's blessing, he will be used to help us to understand what this book is saying to us. 00:36:46.659 --> 00:36:53.659 You haven't called me to be your minister to give some sort of political treatise to you. 00:36:53.659 --> 00:37:13.659 You haven't asked me tonight to be your minister to come and preach from this Bible so that somehow or other there'll be a message that has to do with certain things that are current in the political world or in the sporting world or to do with global warming or any of those issues, however important they may or may not be in your or other people's experience. 00:37:13.659 --> 00:37:18.659 You have come here tonight and your concern is bring out the book. 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:20.659 Bring out the Bible. 00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:22.659 Bring out the word of God. 00:37:22.659 --> 00:37:25.659 Let's hear God speak. 00:37:25.659 --> 00:37:30.659 Let's hear what God has to say to us through his word. 00:37:30.659 --> 00:37:34.659 Give us God's word. 00:37:34.659 --> 00:37:35.659 And that's what we have. 00:37:35.659 --> 00:37:36.659 That's what we have. 00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:37.659 That's what we have before us. 00:37:37.659 --> 00:37:46.659 That's why we are so needy of your prayers and our own prayers to have God enable us to open up this book. 00:37:46.659 --> 00:37:53.659 And as they did on that occasion to give an explanation of its meaning as far as is possible for us. 00:37:53.659 --> 00:38:08.659 This is our great privilege that we have this Bible and we have it opened and we have it in our reformed church practice of being central to our worship and to our services. 00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:09.659 Because it is God's word. 00:38:09.659 --> 00:38:10.659 Because it is God's word. 00:38:10.659 --> 00:38:13.659 And there is something else in it that is important as well. 00:38:13.659 --> 00:38:22.659 A survey has been carried out by a certain organization in the USA and I am quite sure that the results will be very similar in our own country as well. 00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:28.659 And it is over the last couple of years or from some point in 2021 into this year. 00:38:28.659 --> 00:38:36.659 And that survey found that there was a dramatic decline in the number of people who responded to the survey. 00:38:36.659 --> 00:38:41.659 A dramatic decline on their own private or personal use of the Bible. 00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:45.659 And they related those who were doing the survey. 00:38:45.659 --> 00:38:55.659 Some at least said they were relating that very much to the COVID situation where people were not able for a long time to gather together in church physically. 00:38:55.659 --> 00:38:57.659 And that that in fact had an impact. 00:38:57.659 --> 00:39:07.659 As one of the one professor in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Professor Don Whitney, he put it this way. 00:39:07.659 --> 00:39:15.659 Isolation from other Christians has had a lethal impact on private Bible reading. 00:39:15.659 --> 00:39:24.659 When people are not in church, they're not reminded of the blessings of Scripture and its importance in their lives. 00:39:24.659 --> 00:39:30.659 And they aren't encouraged by other Christians sharing about their own Bible reading. 00:39:30.659 --> 00:39:39.659 And he finishes by saying this, churches are also the main place where people learn how to read the Bible. 00:39:39.659 --> 00:39:53.659 In other words, although you have so many advantages now to you, so many books you can read about Bible study, so many ways that help you to try and work through the various parts of the Bible to understand it. 00:39:53.659 --> 00:40:00.659 There is no substitute for gathering together for the Word of God to be expounded to us. 00:40:00.659 --> 00:40:10.659 And for us to share together in that experience of understanding the Bible and coming to have our minds collectively under the Word of God and the light of God's truth. 00:40:10.659 --> 00:40:27.659 That's a privilege as people that we come as they did here to say, get the book for us, open up the book for us, tell us what the book says, guide our minds to God through His Word. 00:40:27.659 --> 00:40:29.659 And that's what they did. 00:40:29.659 --> 00:40:30.659 And that's what they did. 00:40:30.659 --> 00:40:33.659 They were taught, secondly, the people's desire for God's Word. 00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:38.659 They asked for the book, but they were taught from the book, from verse 3 right through there to verse 8. 00:40:38.659 --> 00:40:40.659 You'll see the details of that. 00:40:40.659 --> 00:40:44.659 Not only did they read the Word to them, but they gave the sense. 00:40:44.659 --> 00:40:53.659 They actually went through the people and gave the sense of the Word to them, what the Word actually meant. 00:40:53.659 --> 00:41:03.659 And the names, actually, of the people, a bit of a challenge reading through it, but the names are given of those who helped explain what the Word meant. 00:41:03.659 --> 00:41:05.659 They went in amongst the people. 00:41:05.659 --> 00:41:14.659 They went through the crowd there, and they stopped, obviously, giving instructions as to what directions, as to what the Word, this law of God actually meant. 00:41:14.659 --> 00:41:18.659 They read and they gave the sense that you defined there in verse 3. 00:41:18.659 --> 00:41:27.659 He read it, facing the square from early morning to midday, and the men and women and those who could understand. 00:41:27.659 --> 00:41:31.659 Then from verse 7, you see there the names that are given. 00:41:31.659 --> 00:41:35.659 They helped the people to understand the law while the people remained. 00:41:35.659 --> 00:41:43.659 They read from the book, from the law of God clearly, and they gave the meaning so that the people understood the meaning. 00:41:43.659 --> 00:41:45.659 Now, that's what we're about. 00:41:45.659 --> 00:41:54.659 That's why it's so important in our services that the Word of God is read and expounded and read clearly. 00:41:54.659 --> 00:41:56.659 I know it's so important. 00:41:56.659 --> 00:42:03.659 I'm not saying I'm good at it by any means, but it's so important to have the Word of God read clearly. 00:42:03.659 --> 00:42:12.659 Even if you've got a Bible open in front of you, but especially on occasion like that when they didn't have the Word written as we do today for each of them. 00:42:12.659 --> 00:42:16.659 It's important to read the Word clearly. 00:42:16.659 --> 00:42:25.659 And to read the Word clearly so that the words are expressed properly, so that the emphasis is given where it should be given. 00:42:25.659 --> 00:42:29.659 And of course, that's so important in our understanding of the Bible. 00:42:29.659 --> 00:42:32.659 We don't just read it monotonously. 00:42:32.659 --> 00:42:42.659 We don't just read it as if there was no need to express in certain places a depth of meaning or a heightened of excitement or whatever. 00:42:42.659 --> 00:42:46.659 All of that comes into the Word of God as we read it. 00:42:46.659 --> 00:42:55.659 And as we read it from the pulpit, it should be something we always remember, though we do often forget, I'm sure. 00:42:55.659 --> 00:42:58.659 And as I said, we're not by any means experts in that. 00:42:58.659 --> 00:43:04.659 But we try and tell our trainee ministers, and it's always, I hope, something has done, 00:43:04.659 --> 00:43:10.659 how important it is to read the Word of God clearly and expressively. 00:43:10.659 --> 00:43:14.659 But even more important, to give the sense of it. 00:43:14.659 --> 00:43:15.659 That's what they said. 00:43:15.659 --> 00:43:17.659 They read the Word clearly. 00:43:17.659 --> 00:43:26.659 And they also read it and gave the meaning so that the people understood the meaning. 00:43:26.659 --> 00:43:33.659 That, of course, is central to our worship, to our experience as gathered worshipers together. 00:43:33.659 --> 00:43:36.659 So there's the desire of the people. 00:43:36.659 --> 00:43:40.659 And you can follow that yourselves, I'm quite sure, tonight. 00:43:40.659 --> 00:43:43.659 That's the desire in your own heart. 00:43:43.659 --> 00:43:47.659 You're saying to me, open up the book to us. 00:43:47.659 --> 00:43:50.659 Tell us what God has laid upon your heart. 00:43:50.659 --> 00:43:59.659 Bring out the sense, the meaning of the Word of God so that we will hear God Himself speaking to us. 00:43:59.659 --> 00:44:05.659 And so, secondly, we come to the people's response to God's Word. 00:44:05.659 --> 00:44:10.659 Again, you'll find the response in verse 3, also verses 5 to 6. 00:44:10.659 --> 00:44:14.659 Verse 3 there, he read this and they listened. 00:44:14.659 --> 00:44:18.659 And then at verse 5, you'll find this emphasis here. 00:44:18.659 --> 00:44:21.659 He opened the book in the sight of all the people. 00:44:21.659 --> 00:44:23.659 For he was above all the people. 00:44:23.659 --> 00:44:25.659 And as he opened it, all the people stood. 00:44:25.659 --> 00:44:28.659 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. 00:44:28.659 --> 00:44:31.659 And all the people answered, Amen, lifting up their hands. 00:44:31.659 --> 00:44:36.659 And they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 00:44:36.659 --> 00:44:45.659 And the important thing, of course, is that they were so eager to hear the Word of God. 00:44:45.659 --> 00:44:49.659 They were eager to hear what God had to say to them. 00:44:49.659 --> 00:45:02.659 And they regarded, in other words, they regarded the Book of the Law as God Himself speaking to them from this Word that He had given through Moses. 00:45:02.659 --> 00:45:05.659 And that's essentially still the case. 00:45:05.659 --> 00:45:19.659 You know, some people will ridicule the idea if you tell them that you are actually listening to the voice of God when you come to have the Bible expounded or even read for yourselves, but especially preached if it's preached faithfully. 00:45:19.659 --> 00:45:24.659 That is essentially God speaking to you and to me, to our souls. 00:45:24.659 --> 00:45:25.659 People will ridicule that. 00:45:25.659 --> 00:45:27.659 They say, of course, that's not God speaking. 00:45:27.659 --> 00:45:29.659 That's just a book like any other book. 00:45:29.659 --> 00:45:31.659 But you know that's not true. 00:45:31.659 --> 00:45:43.659 You know that when God blesses this Word, when the Holy Spirit comes to lay this Word on your heart, when the preaching of the Gospel is blessed to you, it is the voice of God that you're hearing. 00:45:43.659 --> 00:45:54.659 When the Lord brings out your own sense of sin, when He brings Jesus and all His beauty before you, and God is, through His Word, drawing your attention to that, who is speaking? 00:45:54.659 --> 00:45:55.659 Whose voice are you hearing? 00:45:55.659 --> 00:45:56.659 Whose voice are you hearing? 00:45:56.659 --> 00:45:58.659 It's not a mere human voice. 00:45:58.659 --> 00:46:01.659 It's the voice of God. 00:46:01.659 --> 00:46:04.659 It's God who is addressing you tonight. 00:46:04.659 --> 00:46:05.659 Remember that. 00:46:05.659 --> 00:46:09.659 I am just a poor human being. 00:46:09.659 --> 00:46:11.659 I'm just a sinful man. 00:46:11.659 --> 00:46:16.659 Saved by the grace of God, I trust. 00:46:16.659 --> 00:46:18.659 But an instrument, nevertheless. 00:46:18.659 --> 00:46:20.659 An instrument in the hand of God. 00:46:20.659 --> 00:46:23.659 So that you will hear the voice of God. 00:46:23.659 --> 00:46:26.659 So that you will listen to the voice of God. 00:46:26.659 --> 00:46:29.659 So that you will say, don't just bring out the book, but speak to us. 00:46:29.659 --> 00:46:30.659 Give the meaning. 00:46:30.659 --> 00:46:32.659 Because I want to hear God. 00:46:32.659 --> 00:46:34.659 I want to hear God's voice. 00:46:34.659 --> 00:46:41.659 I want to be able to close out all the noise of the world, even for an hour or half an hour or whatever, so that I can listen to God. 00:46:41.659 --> 00:46:44.659 I need God speaking to me. 00:46:44.659 --> 00:46:47.659 I need God to tell me how to run my life, how to live my life. 00:46:47.659 --> 00:46:56.659 I need God to tell me about Himself, about what makes Him glorious and majestic and holy. 00:46:56.659 --> 00:47:00.659 I need to have His gospel explained. 00:47:00.659 --> 00:47:03.659 I want to hear His voice. 00:47:03.659 --> 00:47:08.659 And what did they do when the word was read and expounded? 00:47:08.659 --> 00:47:11.659 Well, first of all, they wept. 00:47:11.659 --> 00:47:13.659 They wept. 00:47:13.659 --> 00:47:15.659 Why did they weep? 00:47:15.659 --> 00:47:18.659 Because, of course, it was the book of the law of God. 00:47:18.659 --> 00:47:22.659 And the law of God exposes our sin. 00:47:22.659 --> 00:47:27.659 It exposes our sin so as to make us know our guilt. 00:47:27.659 --> 00:47:33.659 And we feel and know our defilement, our rebelliousness in the presence of God. 00:47:33.659 --> 00:47:39.659 We know our unholiness in the presence of this holy God. 00:47:39.659 --> 00:47:49.659 Because God comes to hit our conscience with giving us the knowledge of ourselves and what we are and what we're like. 00:47:49.659 --> 00:47:56.659 And how we have rebels against Him and how we are undeserving of the least of His mercies. 00:47:56.659 --> 00:48:04.659 And when God brings that conviction of sin to a smaller or greater extent, it varies between one individual and another. 00:48:04.659 --> 00:48:10.659 But to some extent or other, you and I will weep. 00:48:10.659 --> 00:48:19.659 You and I will say, Lord, I confess that I am dirty in your sight that I'm guilty. 00:48:19.659 --> 00:48:21.659 I confess that I've wronged you. 00:48:21.659 --> 00:48:25.659 I confess that I continue to sin despite all you tell me. 00:48:25.659 --> 00:48:30.659 I confess, O Lord, that I'm unworthy of the least of your mercies. 00:48:30.659 --> 00:48:33.659 That I'm so unlike what I should be. 00:48:33.659 --> 00:48:40.659 The people wept when the law of God affected their hearts. 00:48:40.659 --> 00:48:43.659 But it wasn't left at that. 00:48:43.659 --> 00:48:48.659 And that's really what God's Word, the brilliance of God's Word. 00:48:48.659 --> 00:48:54.659 That when God comes to lay your sin upon your heart, He doesn't do that just to hurt you. 00:48:54.659 --> 00:48:59.659 And when you weep under the Word of God, God doesn't say, well, that's all I'm interested in. 00:48:59.659 --> 00:49:04.659 That you come to know your sin and that you weep over this sin that you know is true of yourself. 00:49:04.659 --> 00:49:06.659 I want you now, He says, to know the Gospel. 00:49:06.659 --> 00:49:08.659 I want you to know salvation. 00:49:08.659 --> 00:49:15.659 I want you to know the brilliance of Jesus as the answer to your sin and to your lostness. 00:49:15.659 --> 00:49:18.659 And that's what Nehemiah did. 00:49:18.659 --> 00:49:25.659 Ezra rather said to them, this day is holy to the Lord your God. 00:49:25.659 --> 00:49:27.659 Do not mourn or weep. 00:49:27.659 --> 00:49:31.659 For all the people wept as they heard the words of the law. 00:49:31.659 --> 00:49:33.659 Then he said to them, go on your way. 00:49:33.659 --> 00:49:35.659 Do not be grieved. 00:49:35.659 --> 00:49:37.659 By which he means, don't be sorrowful. 00:49:37.659 --> 00:49:39.659 Don't be despondent. 00:49:39.659 --> 00:49:43.659 For the joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:49:43.659 --> 00:49:49.659 And these words in verse 9 through to verse 11 really effectively mean literally, be at peace. 00:49:49.659 --> 00:49:50.659 Don't be grieved. 00:49:50.659 --> 00:49:51.659 Be at peace. 00:49:51.659 --> 00:49:53.659 He's not just saying to them, be quiet. 00:49:53.659 --> 00:49:54.659 Don't say anything. 00:49:54.659 --> 00:49:57.659 What he's really saying is, don't weep. 00:49:57.659 --> 00:50:05.659 Don't think that this day because it's a holy day is a day for your mourning and just leaving it at that. 00:50:05.659 --> 00:50:14.659 What he's saying is, now that you know something that makes you mourn, I want you now to be directed into what will make you rejoice. 00:50:14.659 --> 00:50:17.659 This day is holy, therefore rejoice. 00:50:17.659 --> 00:50:24.659 You see, the Lord's day, Sabbath day sometimes call it. 00:50:24.659 --> 00:50:28.659 It's the Lord's day, the New Testament age. 00:50:28.659 --> 00:50:30.659 The Lord's day is a holy day. 00:50:30.659 --> 00:50:39.659 The holiness of the Old Testament Sabbath day has not gone away just because we know it in the New Testament age as the day of the Lord. 00:50:39.659 --> 00:50:41.659 Today is a holy day. 00:50:41.659 --> 00:50:46.659 God sanctified this day and set it apart and made it holy. 00:50:46.659 --> 00:50:50.659 Did he do that so that we be filled with gloom? 00:50:50.659 --> 00:50:52.659 Of course not. 00:50:52.659 --> 00:51:04.659 The fact is, it's a holy day where we come to give time to God, to his gospel, to his nature, to ourselves, to salvation, to his worship. 00:51:04.659 --> 00:51:07.659 All of the things that we're familiar with on the day of God. 00:51:07.659 --> 00:51:12.659 It's a holy day, but it's a day for us to rejoice in the Lord. 00:51:12.659 --> 00:51:15.659 For the joy of the Lord is our strength. 00:51:15.659 --> 00:51:18.659 You see, that's what we said at the beginning. 00:51:18.659 --> 00:51:26.659 Those two things that so much are kept apart by the world, that are not understood really to be in friendship, if you like, with each other. 00:51:26.659 --> 00:51:28.659 Holiness and joy. 00:51:28.659 --> 00:51:30.659 And here they are together. 00:51:30.659 --> 00:51:31.659 Don't weep, said Ezra. 00:51:31.659 --> 00:51:32.659 Don't weep, said Ezra. 00:51:32.659 --> 00:51:34.659 This day is holy to the Lord. 00:51:34.659 --> 00:51:35.659 So don't be despondent. 00:51:35.659 --> 00:51:36.659 Don't weep. 00:51:36.659 --> 00:51:40.659 For the joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:51:40.659 --> 00:51:47.659 You see, holiness and a holy day doesn't expel joy. 00:51:47.659 --> 00:51:52.659 That doesn't mean you can't have joy when you're thinking about holiness. 00:51:52.659 --> 00:51:54.659 It's far, far from it. 00:51:54.659 --> 00:52:05.659 Holiness is not that sort of austere, grim thing that the world will tell you it is, or that the world thinks it is, or perhaps even some Christians think it is. 00:52:05.659 --> 00:52:12.659 Jesus himself was perfectly holy. 00:52:12.659 --> 00:52:15.659 But he rejoiced. 00:52:15.659 --> 00:52:17.659 He rejoiced in spirit. 00:52:17.659 --> 00:52:22.659 He rejoiced when he saw the gospel through the apostles being blessed. 00:52:22.659 --> 00:52:25.659 He gave thanks to the Father. 00:52:25.659 --> 00:52:35.659 I know our holiness and a holy life and a holy day and holiness as a concept is no enemy of joy. 00:52:35.659 --> 00:52:37.659 That's a misunderstanding. 00:52:37.659 --> 00:52:40.659 That's what the devil would try and persuade you is true. 00:52:40.659 --> 00:52:43.659 That's what the world thinks is true. 00:52:43.659 --> 00:52:47.659 But no, it's not true. 00:52:47.659 --> 00:52:50.659 This day is holy to the Lord. 00:52:50.659 --> 00:52:53.659 Therefore, don't be grieved. 00:52:53.659 --> 00:52:56.659 For the joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:52:56.659 --> 00:52:58.659 You see, the world can't see this. 00:52:58.659 --> 00:53:01.659 The world just cannot see how these two things belong together. 00:53:01.659 --> 00:53:04.659 So you and I have to show them. 00:53:04.659 --> 00:53:07.659 You have to show them that this is a day, yes, it's holy to the Lord. 00:53:07.659 --> 00:53:10.659 You have to show them that the Christian life is a holy life. 00:53:10.659 --> 00:53:14.659 But it's not a life that squeezes out joy just because it's holy. 00:53:14.659 --> 00:53:19.659 It's a life that seeks to mirror Jesus himself, of course. 00:53:19.659 --> 00:53:23.659 It's a life that's led by the Spirit of God. 00:53:23.659 --> 00:53:26.659 But you have to show the world because it doesn't understand us. 00:53:26.659 --> 00:53:34.659 But it has to see it in your life and mine that joy does not depend on the level of health that you enjoy. 00:53:34.659 --> 00:53:37.659 It doesn't depend on how well off you are in the world. 00:53:37.659 --> 00:53:40.659 It doesn't depend on your status in society. 00:53:40.659 --> 00:53:42.659 It doesn't depend on your achievements. 00:53:42.659 --> 00:53:46.659 You can have all of these things in abundance and still be miserable. 00:53:48.659 --> 00:53:53.659 And you can lack all of these things and be the happiest person in the world. 00:53:54.659 --> 00:53:59.659 Because the joy of the Lord is not dependent on the likes of these things. 00:53:59.659 --> 00:54:02.659 The joy of the Christian life. 00:54:02.659 --> 00:54:05.659 The joy that is commended to us here. 00:54:05.659 --> 00:54:07.659 The joy of the Lord. 00:54:07.659 --> 00:54:09.659 That's the joy of knowing God. 00:54:09.659 --> 00:54:12.659 The joy of knowing his salvation. 00:54:12.659 --> 00:54:15.659 The joy of being united to Jesus. 00:54:15.659 --> 00:54:19.659 The joy of knowing that your life is secure in his hands. 00:54:19.659 --> 00:54:23.659 The joy of knowing that you have passed things over to him. 00:54:23.659 --> 00:54:26.659 And that by faith you have been unable to do that. 00:54:26.659 --> 00:54:29.659 The joy of serving God in the world. 00:54:29.659 --> 00:54:31.659 The joy of being a disciple. 00:54:31.659 --> 00:54:37.659 The joy that is yours in prospect of this complete joy that exists in heaven. 00:54:37.659 --> 00:54:41.659 The joy of the Lord. 00:54:41.659 --> 00:54:42.659 The joy of the Lord. 00:54:42.659 --> 00:54:44.659 He said is your strength. 00:54:44.659 --> 00:54:50.659 If there's one thing that that world out there needs tonight to see. 00:54:50.659 --> 00:54:53.659 It is real lasting joy. 00:54:53.659 --> 00:54:54.659 Joy. 00:54:54.659 --> 00:54:56.659 Listen to your news reports. 00:54:56.659 --> 00:54:57.659 Read the newspapers. 00:54:57.659 --> 00:55:00.659 Whatever else it is you have access to. 00:55:00.659 --> 00:55:06.659 And all you'll find or by and large what you'll find is just gloom and depressing. 00:55:06.659 --> 00:55:09.659 And things which are really, whether they're deliberately chosen or not. 00:55:09.659 --> 00:55:15.659 But it seems to me that sometimes they are deliberately chosen by whatever news channel you're on. 00:55:15.659 --> 00:55:19.659 And it's repeated on the 24 hour news time after time after time. 00:55:19.659 --> 00:55:26.659 All the things that are taking place in the world that really do fill you with gloom if that's all there was. 00:55:26.659 --> 00:55:28.659 And that's what the world is facing. 00:55:28.659 --> 00:55:31.659 That's what the world is being fed all the time. 00:55:31.659 --> 00:55:36.659 Okay, you'll occasionally get a story that's really quite nice. 00:55:36.659 --> 00:55:40.659 A story that's got a happy ending to it or whatever. 00:55:40.659 --> 00:55:43.659 But by and large it's doom and gloom. 00:55:43.659 --> 00:55:47.659 It makes you depressed if that's all there was to this life. 00:55:47.659 --> 00:55:52.659 This world needs Jesus. 00:55:52.659 --> 00:55:56.659 This world needs the joy of the Lord. 00:55:56.659 --> 00:56:00.659 That world out there that doesn't read its Bibles. 00:56:00.659 --> 00:56:02.659 Where's it going to see the joy of the Lord? 00:56:02.659 --> 00:56:08.659 Where is it going to have evidence that there is a joy that surpasses any mere human joy? 00:56:08.659 --> 00:56:10.659 It has to see it in our lives, friends. 00:56:10.659 --> 00:56:13.659 It has to see it in the lives of God's people. 00:56:13.659 --> 00:56:19.659 And it has to be seen as a joy that is our strength. 00:56:19.659 --> 00:56:22.659 That's what Nehemiah, what Ezra is emphasizing. 00:56:22.659 --> 00:56:24.659 The joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:56:24.659 --> 00:56:26.659 Your strength is not in your own ability. 00:56:26.659 --> 00:56:32.659 Your strength is not in looking at the world in a gloomy and depressive outlook. 00:56:32.659 --> 00:56:36.659 What gives you strength is to rejoice in Christ. 00:56:36.659 --> 00:56:39.659 To rejoice in His salvation. 00:56:39.659 --> 00:56:41.659 To rejoice in His Lordship. 00:56:41.659 --> 00:56:45.659 To rejoice in the fact that there's no one like Him. 00:56:45.659 --> 00:56:50.659 To rejoice in the fact especially that He has triumphed over death. 00:56:50.659 --> 00:56:56.659 That He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 00:56:56.659 --> 00:56:59.659 And that your life is in His hands. 00:56:59.659 --> 00:57:06.659 And that the Gospel invites everyone who hears the Gospel and to whom we can witness 00:57:06.659 --> 00:57:10.659 that this Jesus is for them as well. 00:57:10.659 --> 00:57:19.659 I had a text or saw it up on a WhatsApp from a friend, the fellow pastor I mentioned previously, 00:57:19.659 --> 00:57:21.659 Sergei Nakhlov in Kyiv. 00:57:21.659 --> 00:57:24.659 And in the past week or so he had a message up. 00:57:24.659 --> 00:57:25.659 He has one up every day. 00:57:25.659 --> 00:57:27.659 He has more than one up every day. 00:57:27.659 --> 00:57:29.659 But here he was in Kyiv. 00:57:29.659 --> 00:57:35.659 And you remember Kyiv in the past week has been hit by strikes from Russia. 00:57:35.659 --> 00:57:39.659 Missiles knocked out a lot of the infrastructure. 00:57:39.659 --> 00:57:41.659 Many parts of the city in darkness. 00:57:41.659 --> 00:57:44.659 People having to go back into the basements and so on. 00:57:44.659 --> 00:57:48.659 And there was a photo that he had taken of himself on the phone. 00:57:48.659 --> 00:57:50.659 In the darkness. 00:57:50.659 --> 00:57:52.659 Holding a candle. 00:57:52.659 --> 00:57:57.659 And in his other arm, a copy of his Bible. 00:57:57.659 --> 00:58:02.659 And the candle lit up his face and the Bible. 00:58:02.659 --> 00:58:08.659 And as it lit up the Bible and his face, in the midst of that he was beaming. 00:58:08.659 --> 00:58:11.659 He was obviously full of joy. 00:58:11.659 --> 00:58:13.659 Smiling as he held up this Bible. 00:58:13.659 --> 00:58:19.659 And he had quoted in the text, Isaiah chapter 9 verse 1. 00:58:19.659 --> 00:58:23.659 The people who walk in darkness shall see a great light. 00:58:23.659 --> 00:58:28.659 Upon those who live in the shadow of death, a light shines. 00:58:28.659 --> 00:58:31.659 Just picture that picture. 00:58:31.659 --> 00:58:33.659 The candle, the Bible, his beaming face. 00:58:33.659 --> 00:58:37.659 Those who dwell, they live in the shadow of death. 00:58:37.659 --> 00:58:39.659 All around them, the shadow of death. 00:58:39.659 --> 00:58:43.659 Upon them, a light shines. 00:58:43.659 --> 00:58:46.659 And then he commented this. 00:58:46.659 --> 00:58:47.659 As a prayer. 00:58:47.659 --> 00:58:53.659 Lord, grant us to see your light in the darkness. 00:58:53.659 --> 00:58:57.659 And in this light, to see the surrounding world. 00:58:57.659 --> 00:58:58.659 Amen. 00:58:58.659 --> 00:59:05.659 There is a man who knows what joy is. 00:59:05.659 --> 00:59:09.659 There is a man who knows where to find his joy. 00:59:09.659 --> 00:59:14.659 There is a man who can look out on a world in darkness physically, literally. 00:59:14.659 --> 00:59:18.659 As well as the darkness of evil that's trying to annihilate them. 00:59:18.659 --> 00:59:25.659 There is a man along with his colleagues and his fellow congregation there in Kyiv. 00:59:25.659 --> 00:59:27.659 Who knows the joy of the Lord. 00:59:27.659 --> 00:59:29.659 Who has a beaming face. 00:59:29.659 --> 00:59:33.659 Surrounded by darkness and the threat of death. 00:59:33.659 --> 00:59:38.659 And the joy of the Lord is his strength. 00:59:38.659 --> 00:59:41.659 I wish I had it to that extent. 00:59:41.659 --> 00:59:47.659 I wish I had it to that degree. 00:59:47.659 --> 00:59:50.659 To that degree that he has. 00:59:50.659 --> 00:59:53.659 And there is no reason I cannot. 00:59:53.659 --> 00:59:58.659 Because the same God that's his God is my God and your God. 00:59:58.659 --> 01:00:02.659 And maybe the reason we don't have it as he has it. 01:00:02.659 --> 01:00:05.659 Is that we haven't asked for it enough. 01:00:05.659 --> 01:00:09.659 And we don't appreciate our need of it enough. 01:00:09.659 --> 01:00:13.659 And only when the times of great darkness move in. 01:00:13.659 --> 01:00:18.659 Do we then realize what we've lost if we've lost the joy of the Lord. 01:00:18.659 --> 01:00:24.659 Because the joy of the Lord is our strength. 01:00:24.659 --> 01:00:27.659 And not only so but finally. 01:00:27.659 --> 01:00:30.659 Not only were they all attentive. 01:00:30.659 --> 01:00:33.659 Wept and then were led to joy. 01:00:33.659 --> 01:00:35.659 But this is final point. 01:00:35.659 --> 01:00:37.659 They shared out that joy. 01:00:37.659 --> 01:00:40.659 See they discovered in the book of the law. 01:00:40.659 --> 01:00:44.659 The instructions about the booths and living in booths. 01:00:44.659 --> 01:00:48.659 And they as Ezra went on here in verse 11. 01:00:48.659 --> 01:00:49.659 On to verse 12. 01:00:49.659 --> 01:00:52.659 The people went on their way to eat and to drink. 01:00:52.659 --> 01:00:53.659 And to send portions. 01:00:53.659 --> 01:00:55.659 To make great rejoicing. 01:00:55.659 --> 01:00:58.659 Because they had understood the words that were declared to them. 01:01:00.659 --> 01:01:02.659 They shared the joy. 01:01:03.659 --> 01:01:06.659 As they shared out portions from what they had been eating. 01:01:06.659 --> 01:01:08.659 And this feast that they'd had. 01:01:08.659 --> 01:01:10.659 It wasn't privatized. 01:01:10.659 --> 01:01:13.659 It wasn't something they could keep to themselves. 01:01:13.659 --> 01:01:15.659 God was saying to them. 01:01:15.659 --> 01:01:16.659 Share it out. 01:01:16.659 --> 01:01:18.659 Go to those who don't have it. 01:01:18.659 --> 01:01:20.659 Or haven't made preparation for it. 01:01:20.659 --> 01:01:23.659 Take these portions of what you've eaten and drunk. 01:01:23.659 --> 01:01:24.659 And take it to them. 01:01:24.659 --> 01:01:26.659 Help them. 01:01:26.659 --> 01:01:29.659 And bring them into the celebrations too. 01:01:29.659 --> 01:01:35.659 Isn't that what the gospel is all about for us too? 01:01:35.659 --> 01:01:38.659 Isn't that what the Christian life is about? 01:01:38.659 --> 01:01:40.659 Isn't that what celebrating the joy of the Lord. 01:01:40.659 --> 01:01:43.659 And the salvation of the Lord is about? 01:01:43.659 --> 01:01:46.659 It's not so that you and I can keep it to ourselves. 01:01:46.659 --> 01:01:50.659 There's a world out there that needs to know the joy of the Lord. 01:01:50.659 --> 01:01:55.659 And you and I have to distribute that to them as much as we can. 01:01:55.659 --> 01:01:57.659 Here we are in times. 01:01:57.659 --> 01:01:58.659 Really hard times. 01:01:58.659 --> 01:01:59.659 I've mentioned in prayer. 01:01:59.659 --> 01:02:01.659 A number of agencies. 01:02:01.659 --> 01:02:04.659 Such as Safe Families UK for example. 01:02:04.659 --> 01:02:06.659 They're setting up here now. 01:02:06.659 --> 01:02:11.659 And this is going to be a means by which you and I can actually contribute. 01:02:11.659 --> 01:02:14.659 By their training and by their leadership. 01:02:14.659 --> 01:02:18.659 To engage with very, very needy people in our own society. 01:02:18.659 --> 01:02:20.659 In our own locality. 01:02:20.659 --> 01:02:24.659 Families have been transformed already throughout the UK. 01:02:24.659 --> 01:02:29.659 And I know that from our own son-in-law who is managing. 01:02:29.659 --> 01:02:33.659 A manager of Safe Families in the West Lothian area. 01:02:33.659 --> 01:02:39.659 And there was a report in the, I can't remember if it was in the paper or the news certainly there. 01:02:39.659 --> 01:02:44.659 That people were noting from the council's point of view. 01:02:44.659 --> 01:02:46.659 The local authority point of view. 01:02:46.659 --> 01:02:50.659 That there had been such a decrease. 01:02:50.659 --> 01:02:53.659 In people needing the use of social services. 01:02:53.659 --> 01:02:56.659 Since Safe Families came on the scene. 01:02:58.659 --> 01:02:59.659 That's no surprise. 01:02:59.659 --> 01:03:01.659 Because Christians were mobilized. 01:03:01.659 --> 01:03:02.659 Christians were encouraged. 01:03:02.659 --> 01:03:05.659 Christians actually gave themselves. 01:03:05.659 --> 01:03:08.659 To volunteer to help through Safe Families. 01:03:08.659 --> 01:03:10.659 To be in touch with families. 01:03:10.659 --> 01:03:12.659 To sit alongside needy people. 01:03:12.659 --> 01:03:15.659 Even for just to go and sit with them and say, 01:03:15.659 --> 01:03:16.659 Look, I'm here. 01:03:16.659 --> 01:03:17.659 Is there anything I can do for you? 01:03:17.659 --> 01:03:18.659 Just tell me. 01:03:20.659 --> 01:03:25.659 And hopefully, we'll have a speaker early in the new year from Safe Families. 01:03:25.659 --> 01:03:28.659 So that we ourselves can engage with the work they're doing. 01:03:28.659 --> 01:03:30.659 And contribute hopefully to it. 01:03:31.659 --> 01:03:33.659 But here is the principle of it. 01:03:33.659 --> 01:03:36.659 In Nehemiah's day through what Ezra is saying. 01:03:36.659 --> 01:03:38.659 Take portions. 01:03:38.659 --> 01:03:41.659 Bring them to anyone who has nothing ready. 01:03:41.659 --> 01:03:46.659 For this day is holy to the Lord our God. 01:03:46.659 --> 01:03:49.659 So here is the joy of the Lord. 01:03:49.659 --> 01:03:51.659 Here were the people saying, 01:03:51.659 --> 01:03:52.659 Bring us the book. 01:03:52.659 --> 01:03:54.659 Here is the book opened. 01:03:54.659 --> 01:03:58.659 Here is the book leading them to know the joy of the Lord. 01:03:58.659 --> 01:04:02.659 Here is then from that, this great directive. 01:04:02.659 --> 01:04:04.659 Share out the joy. 01:04:04.659 --> 01:04:07.659 Let's do that too. 01:04:07.659 --> 01:04:10.659 May God bless His word to us. 01:04:10.659 --> 01:04:15.659 Let's conclude by singing to God's praise in Psalm number 4. 01:04:15.659 --> 01:04:19.659 Psalm number 4 in Sing Psalms. 01:04:19.659 --> 01:04:21.659 That's from page 4. 01:04:21.659 --> 01:04:23.659 Singing verses 4 to 8. 01:04:23.659 --> 01:04:25.659 And the tune is Wallace. 01:04:25.659 --> 01:04:32.659 In anger do not break God's law. 01:04:32.659 --> 01:04:34.659 Consider and be still. 01:04:34.659 --> 01:04:38.659 Present a righteous sacrifice and wait upon His will. 01:04:38.659 --> 01:04:40.659 Oh, who can show us any good? 01:04:40.659 --> 01:04:42.659 I hear so many say, 01:04:42.659 --> 01:04:45.659 O Lord shine on us with your light. 01:04:45.659 --> 01:04:48.659 Show us your face, I pray. 01:04:48.659 --> 01:04:51.659 And so on through to the end of the psalm to God's praise. 01:04:51.659 --> 01:05:07.659 In anger do not break God's law. 01:05:07.659 --> 01:05:10.659 Consider and be still. 01:05:10.659 --> 01:05:14.659 Consider and be still. 01:05:14.659 --> 01:05:28.659 Present the righteous sacrifice and wait upon His will. 01:05:28.659 --> 01:05:29.659 And wait upon His will. 01:05:29.659 --> 01:05:31.659 And wait upon His will. 01:05:31.659 --> 01:05:35.659 And wait upon His will. 01:05:35.659 --> 01:05:48.659 Oh, who can show us any good? 01:05:48.659 --> 01:06:04.659 I hear so many say, O Lord shine on us with your light. 01:06:04.659 --> 01:06:14.659 Show us your face, I pray. 01:06:14.659 --> 01:06:23.659 Show us your face, I pray. 01:06:23.659 --> 01:06:32.659 You fill my heart with greater joy. 01:06:32.659 --> 01:06:39.659 And others may have come. 01:06:39.659 --> 01:06:57.659 As they rejoiced at armless time, when great and white above. 01:06:57.659 --> 01:07:07.659 When great and white above. 01:07:07.659 --> 01:07:16.659 I will lie down and sleep in peace. 01:07:16.659 --> 01:07:17.659 My heart will rescue. 01:07:17.659 --> 01:07:23.659 My heart will rescue. 01:07:23.659 --> 01:07:38.659 For you alone, O gracious Lord, will keep me safe.