WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.060 And we're going to begin now by singing to God's praise in Psalm number 63. 00:00:04.060 --> 00:00:07.600 ! This is from the Scottish Psalter, Psalm number 63. 00:00:07.599 --> 00:00:17.060 It's on page 295 in the Blue Books, and the tune is Weatherby, Psalm 63. 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:43.700 As I have seen thee heretofore within thy holy place, since better is thy love than life, 00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:50.500 my lips thee praise shall give. I in thy name will lift my hands and bless thee while I live. 00:00:51.179 --> 00:00:54.719 Even as with marrow and with fat my soul shall fill it be. 00:00:55.400 --> 00:01:00.180 Then shall my mouth with joyful lips sing praises unto thee. 00:01:00.780 --> 00:01:06.859 To the end of verse 8, Psalm 63, verses 1 to 8, and the tune is Weatherby, 00:01:06.859 --> 00:01:09.480 Lord, thee my God, I'll early see. 00:01:09.480 --> 00:01:10.040 Amen. 00:01:36.859 --> 00:01:57.900 Let thy heart shines, when no water shines, but thy thy power may behold, 00:01:57.900 --> 00:02:07.960 Behold, the brightness of thy face, 00:02:07.960 --> 00:02:18.280 as I have seen thee near to forth 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:26.300 within thy holy place. 00:02:26.300 --> 00:02:36.300 Since betterness, thy love the night, 00:02:37.300 --> 00:02:44.300 my mercy reign shall give. 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:55.540 I give, I give, will end my arms. 00:02:55.539 --> 00:03:03.539 I bless thee, my life, I live. 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:08.539 I pass with my, 00:03:08.539 --> 00:03:21.539 O angel, my soul shall be let thee, 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:31.539 and shall my love with joyfulness 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:39.539 sing Christmas unto thee. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:50.539 When I do thee upon my bed, 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:58.539 remember with delight, 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:04.539 and wake on thee, 00:04:04.539 --> 00:04:06.539 I meditate, 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:17.539 and watch this all the night. 00:04:17.540 --> 00:04:27.540 In shadow, I live, I enjoy, 00:04:27.540 --> 00:04:37.540 for thou my help us be. 00:04:37.540 --> 00:04:45.540 My soul thee follows hard, 00:04:45.540 --> 00:04:54.540 and thee thy light and dust sustain. 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:55.540 Amen. 00:04:55.540 --> 00:04:57.540 Let us bow and pray. 00:04:57.540 --> 00:04:58.540 Amen. 00:04:58.540 --> 00:05:03.540 The psalmist said, 00:05:03.540 --> 00:05:05.540 Lord, thee my God, 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:06.540 I'll early seek. 00:05:06.540 --> 00:05:09.540 My soul doth thirst for thee. 00:05:09.540 --> 00:05:11.540 And we pray that we also 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:13.540 will have that thirsting soul 00:05:13.540 --> 00:05:15.540 where we'll be seeking after the living 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:16.540 and through God. 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:18.540 Help us, Lord, 00:05:18.540 --> 00:05:21.540 to realize that above all that we need 00:05:21.540 --> 00:05:25.540 and all that we should have in this world, 00:05:25.540 --> 00:05:27.540 the greatest blessing is to have you 00:05:27.540 --> 00:05:29.540 as our Lord and our Savior. 00:05:29.540 --> 00:05:32.540 And we pray that you will open our hearts 00:05:32.540 --> 00:05:33.540 and open our minds 00:05:33.540 --> 00:05:36.540 to discover more of you in the truth. 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:38.540 We give thanks, Lord, 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:39.540 for your word, 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:42.540 because it is truly a lamp to our feet 00:05:42.540 --> 00:05:43.540 and a light to our path. 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:45.540 We give thanks, Lord, 00:05:45.540 --> 00:05:48.540 for the reality of your truth 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:50.540 and for the way it shows us 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:52.540 so much of who you are 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:55.540 and indeed of who we are ourselves. 00:05:55.540 --> 00:05:58.540 And it reveals to us our duties 00:05:58.540 --> 00:06:01.540 and our responsibilities before you. 00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:04.540 And so we pray for help and grace 00:06:04.540 --> 00:06:07.540 that we might walk in your paths. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:09.540 Because we have to confess, O Lord, 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:11.540 that so often we are wayward. 00:06:11.540 --> 00:06:15.540 So often we walk with a limb spiritually. 00:06:15.540 --> 00:06:18.540 So often we wander spiritually. 00:06:18.540 --> 00:06:20.540 So often, Lord, 00:06:20.540 --> 00:06:23.540 we need the good shepherd going out after us. 00:06:23.540 --> 00:06:26.540 And so we pray that you will bless 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:28.540 every single one of us here tonight 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:31.540 and that our focus will be entirely upon yourself. 00:06:31.540 --> 00:06:35.540 We pray that we may be able to see you 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:38.540 as the great, mighty Lord of heaven and earth, 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:43.540 the one who spoke this very world into existence, 00:06:43.540 --> 00:06:46.540 the one who spoke the planetary system, 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:49.540 the one who spoke all things into being. 00:06:49.540 --> 00:06:53.540 And we worship you tonight as the great creator God 00:06:53.540 --> 00:06:56.540 and the one who has not only brought life 00:06:56.540 --> 00:06:59.540 but continues to sustain life. 00:06:59.540 --> 00:07:02.540 And the God who rules and overrules all things. 00:07:03.540 --> 00:07:05.540 And that we give thanks, Lord, 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:08.540 that even when our world, as we look out, 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:10.540 may appear chaotic, 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:12.540 that there is no chaos with you. 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:16.540 And that you will order and bring things to a conclusion 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:19.540 in your own way and at your own time. 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:22.540 And so we pray that every day that we might live 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:24.540 with an expectant heart, 00:07:24.540 --> 00:07:28.540 because one day the Lord will return without any warning. 00:07:28.540 --> 00:07:32.540 The word of God tells us to watch and to be ready. 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:35.540 And so we pray that we might have that spirit 00:07:35.540 --> 00:07:38.540 and that we might have that eye of faith 00:07:38.540 --> 00:07:40.540 looking ever towards the heavens. 00:07:40.540 --> 00:07:44.540 We pray that you will bless each and every one of us tonight 00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:46.540 as we gather round your word. 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:50.540 And we pray that you will open that word into our hearts, 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:51.540 into our minds, 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:53.540 and that it will go down deep, 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:55.540 that it will affect us. 00:07:55.540 --> 00:07:59.540 Forbid, Lord, that we just come here as a sense of duty, 00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:02.540 like marking a card and then going away, 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:06.540 that we might come with a genuine desire in our heart 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:08.540 to know more of you, 00:08:08.540 --> 00:08:11.540 that there might be a true longing within our heart 00:08:11.540 --> 00:08:15.540 to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:20.540 And we pray that we will not be those who simply hear the word 00:08:20.540 --> 00:08:22.540 and don't do it. 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:26.540 That we pray, O Lord, that our lives might be lives of faith 00:08:26.540 --> 00:08:30.540 and help us to remember that what is not of faith is sin. 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:34.539 And so we pray that faith will govern and guide us 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:39.539 as we focus upon you as we journey through this life. 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:43.539 We pray that you will be merciful to us as we come confessing our sin. 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:47.539 We confess our sins personally, individually, 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:52.539 and we also confess our sin collectively as a body of your people. 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:55.539 And ask for that cleansing and that forgiveness, 00:08:55.539 --> 00:09:00.539 which is yours to give and which was achieved by yourself. 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:07.539 And we pray that we might know what it is to be rid of the guilt and the shame that sin brings. 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:10.539 And to have the peace of God that passes all understanding. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:15.539 And to have the freedom that comes in Jesus Christ. 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:21.539 We pray that you will bless everybody here tonight according to our own individual needs. 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:25.539 We all come with our own issues in life. 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:29.539 And for some people, they might have very sad hearts. 00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:31.539 And yet they're hiding it. 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:35.539 For other people, life might be going very well just now. 00:09:35.539 --> 00:09:39.539 We're all in different situations with different circumstances. 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:45.539 But we pray, O Lord, that you will help each and every one of us according to our own particular needs. 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:47.539 Bless homes. 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:48.539 Bless families. 00:09:48.539 --> 00:09:51.539 Bless husbands and wives. 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:53.539 Bless them. 00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:54.539 Bless parents. 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:55.539 Bless children. 00:09:55.539 --> 00:09:57.539 Bless grandparents. 00:09:57.539 --> 00:10:06.539 Bless those who are so old now and infirm that they are no longer able to get out and about. 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:10.539 And in fact, are now at a stage where they need to be cared for. 00:10:10.539 --> 00:10:12.539 We pray that you will be with them. 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:16.539 And we give thanks, Lord, for all the care that we have in this community. 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:20.539 And we give thanks, Lord, for the many blessings that are brought through that. 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:23.539 We pray, Lord, for those who are in hospital. 00:10:23.539 --> 00:10:24.539 Those who are unwell. 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:28.539 Those who are maybe waiting for treatment or undergoing it. 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:29.539 Or likewise for surgery. 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:32.539 We pray, Lord, your blessing upon them. 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:35.539 And we give thanks for all that is done for us. 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:42.539 We give thanks for our hospitals and for all that is done in so many different aspects and ways. 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:44.539 And we give thanks, Lord. 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:46.539 Help us always to be giving thanks. 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:52.539 Because so often we can take for granted and just look and say, well, this is what's due us. 00:10:52.539 --> 00:10:54.539 This is what's all right. 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:58.539 Help us to remember that everything ultimately comes from your hand. 00:10:58.539 --> 00:11:01.539 And so we pray that we might have thankful hearts. 00:11:01.539 --> 00:11:08.539 And that we might not be slow in giving the Lord thanks for all the many blessings that we receive from you. 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:12.539 Pray to bless all the different activities of this congregation. 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:16.539 As there will be a return to school tomorrow. 00:11:16.539 --> 00:11:19.539 And return to all the activities. 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:21.539 We pray your blessing upon all that is done. 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:29.539 Those who commit week by week and month by month to the ongoing work that takes place. 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:34.539 We give thanks for them, for their willingness, and for their love for you. 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:36.539 We pray that you'll bless them. 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:42.539 Bless all who attend from the senior fellowship right all the way down to the creche. 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:44.539 And ask your blessing upon them. 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:47.539 We pray your blessing upon our young ones growing up. 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:49.539 And a day full of challenges. 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.539 Yes, opportunities. 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:54.539 But a very different day to the day even when we grew up ourselves. 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:56.539 And so we pray for them. 00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:57.539 And you will bless them. 00:11:57.539 --> 00:12:00.539 Bless all the instruction that they receive at home. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:03.539 And the instruction that they receive in Sunday school. 00:12:03.539 --> 00:12:05.539 And the youth fellowship. 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:06.539 And at the various clubs. 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:09.539 We ask, Lord, your blessing upon them. 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:12.539 We pray that you will bless teachers as they go back. 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:14.539 And pray safety upon the pupils. 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:18.539 We pray that you will be with us nationally and internationally. 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:21.539 Pray your blessing upon our leaders. 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:24.539 And ask, Lord, that you will grant them divine wisdom. 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:26.539 Even if they don't acknowledge you. 00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:28.539 Even if they don't look for it. 00:12:28.539 --> 00:12:30.539 But it is our duty. 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:33.539 Our duty to pray for our King. 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:37.539 It's our duty to pray for those in authority over us. 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:38.539 And so we pray for them. 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:42.539 Because if they don't pray, then who's going to pray? 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:47.539 And so we pray that that wisdom from above will be given to lead us in the right way. 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:49.539 We pray for truth to prevail. 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:57.539 And we pray that you will raise up your people into places of position of prominence and authority. 00:12:57.539 --> 00:13:01.539 And so that their witness will be a good one in the day that we live. 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:03.539 We pray for peace on earth. 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:05.539 Oh, Lord, how we long. 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:11.539 That nations would lay down their arms so that conflict would cease. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:19.539 And we realize that in so many parts of this world, right now, people are living in fear. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:22.539 People are so apprehensive. 00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:26.539 They don't know what the next moment is going to bring. 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:29.539 We don't understand that, where we live. 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:33.539 We give thanks for the safety and security we enjoy here. 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:36.539 But it's not like that for many people in this world. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:40.539 There's so much suffering, bloodshed, hatred, violence. 00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:46.539 Oh, Lord, we long for a day when that violence will cease. 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:50.539 And people will be able to live side by side, one with another. 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:59.539 And it is really only in and through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, where that radical, powerful change can take place. 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:03.539 And so we pray for the spread of your word globally tonight. 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:07.539 And we pray that many will come under the sound of the gospel. 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:10.539 And that many will respond to the gospel. 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:16.539 And so we pray your blessing upon your word, wherever it is preached throughout the nations of this world. 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:21.539 We pray your blessing on the 40th reunion that took place. 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:28.539 And we give thanks for these times along the way, where there's a time of meeting up together, time of reflecting, 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:33.539 often time too of sadness of those who are no longer part of the group. 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:35.539 And we pray your blessing upon them. 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:39.539 And we give thanks, Lord, for the friendships that we make in life. 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:43.539 Often school friends become lifelong friends. 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:48.539 And we give thanks, Lord, for the way that these things enhance and enrich our lives. 00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:50.539 Watch over us then as we wait upon you. 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:52.539 And take away from us our every sin. 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:55.539 In Jesus' name we ask it. Amen. 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:59.539 We're going to sing again from Psalm 32. 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:02.539 And this is in Sing Psalms, Psalm 32. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:04.539 We're going to sing verses 1 to 7. 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:07.539 It's on page 38 of the Tunis Arlington. 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:10.539 Psalm 32. 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:11.539 Psalm 32. 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:12.539 Psalm 32. 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:17.539 Verses 1 to 7. 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:26.539 How blessed the one who has received forgiveness for a sin, whose sins are covered from God's face, 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:29.539 whose debt is cancelled in God's grace. 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:31.539 There's no deceit in him. 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.539 Psalm 32. 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:36.539 When I kept silent, all my bones with groaning were worn out. 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:39.539 Beneath your hand I felt entrapped. 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:44.539 Both day and night my strength was sapped, as in a summer drought. 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:48.539 Then I laid bare my sin to you, the guilt that lay within. 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:51.539 I said, O Lord, I have transgressed. 00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:54.539 And you forgave when I confessed. 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:57.539 You pardoned all my sin. 00:15:57.539 --> 00:16:00.539 Psalm 32, verses 1 to 7. 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.539 The Tunis Arlington. 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:06.539 How blessed are the one who has received forgiveness for his sin. 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:11.539 How blessed are the one who has received forgiveness for all his sin, whose sins are covered from God's face, 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:16.539 whose death is God's face, whose death is God's face, whose death is God's face, 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:23.539 whose death is cancelled in God's face, whose death is cancelled in God's face, 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:38.539 whose death is cancelled in God's face, 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:46.939 Death is counseled in God's grace. 00:16:46.939 --> 00:16:54.579 There's no deceit in heaven. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:17:05.059 When I kept silent all my wounds, 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:13.159 With rolling weather worn out, 00:17:13.159 --> 00:17:23.440 Beneath your hand I felt a child. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:33.319 O day and night my strength was soft, 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:41.419 Out in the summer cold. 00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:51.419 Then I leave my sin to you, 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:59.519 The guilt that me within. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:10.519 I said, O Lord, I love God's grace, 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:19.519 And you for me claim I confess, 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:28.519 You pardon all my sins. 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:37.519 So let the glory pray to you, 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:46.519 While you are to be found. 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:57.519 Surely when waves are singing past, 00:18:57.519 --> 00:19:07.519 And mighty waters rising fast, 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:16.519 You keep them safe and sound. 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:24.619 You are my hiding place, 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:31.519 O Lord, my true security. 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:44.519 You keep me safe in troubled days, 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:54.519 You circle me with joyful grace, 00:19:54.519 --> 00:20:04.519 When you have set me free. 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:10.519 Let's turn to read God's word now, 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:12.619 In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:15.519 2nd Corinthians, and chapter 5. 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:18.519 2nd Corinthians, chapter 5. 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:29.519 And we'll read the chapter. 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:31.519 For we know that if the tent, 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.519 Which is our earthly home, 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.519 Is destroyed, 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:35.519 We have a building from God, 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.519 A house not made with hands, 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:39.519 Eternal in the heavens. 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:42.519 For in this tent we groan, 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:44.519 Longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:47.519 If indeed by putting it on, 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:49.519 We may not be found naked. 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:52.519 For while we are still in this tent, 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.519 We groan, being burdened, 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:56.519 Not that we would be unclothed, 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:58.519 But that we would be further clothed, 00:20:58.519 --> 00:21:00.519 So that what is mortal 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:02.519 May be swallowed up by life. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:05.519 He who has prepared us 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:07.519 For this very thing is God, 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:11.519 Who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:14.519 So we are always of good courage. 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:17.519 We know that while we are at home in the body, 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:19.519 We are away from the Lord. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:21.519 For we walk by faith, 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:23.519 Not by sight. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:25.519 Yes, we are of good courage, 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:27.519 And we would rather be away from the body, 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:29.519 And at home with the Lord. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:32.519 So, whether we are at home or away, 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:35.519 We make it our aim to please Him. 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:37.519 For we must all appear 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:39.519 Before the judgment seat of Christ, 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:43.519 So that each one may receive what is due, 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:45.519 For what he has done in the body, 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:47.519 Whether good or evil. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:50.519 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:52.519 We persuade others. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:56.519 But what we are is known to God, 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:59.519 And I hope it is known also to your conscience. 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:03.519 We are not commending ourselves to you again, 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:06.519 But giving you cause to boast about us, 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:11.519 So that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance, 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:14.519 And not about what is in the heart. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:17.519 For if we are beside ourselves, 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.519 It is for God. 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:20.519 If we are in our right mind, 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:22.519 It is for you. 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:25.519 For the love of Christ controls us, 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:27.519 Because we have concluded this, 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.519 That one has died for all, 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:31.519 Therefore all have died. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:33.519 And he died for all, 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:36.519 That those who live might no longer live for themselves, 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:38.519 But for him, 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:41.519 Who for their sake died and was raised. 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:44.519 From now on, therefore, 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:47.519 We regard no one according to the flesh. 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:50.519 Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:53.519 We regard him thus no longer. 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:55.519 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:57.519 He is a new creation. 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:59.519 The old has passed away, 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:01.519 Behold, the new has come. 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.519 All this is from God, 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:07.519 Who through Christ reconciled us to himself, 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:10.519 And gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:12.519 That is, in Christ, 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:16.519 God was reconciling the world to himself, 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:19.519 Not counting their trespasses against them, 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:23.519 And entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:26.519 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:29.519 God making his appeal through us. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:32.519 We implore you on behalf of Christ, 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:34.519 Be reconciled to God. 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:38.519 For our sake he made him to be sin, 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:40.519 Who knew no sin, 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:45.519 So that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.519 Amen. 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:49.519 And may God bless to us this reading of his own holy word. 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:52.519 I'm going to sing again now in Psalm 73, 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:54.519 From the Scottish Psalter. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.519 Psalm 73, 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.519 From verse 23, 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.519 To the end, 00:23:58.519 --> 00:24:00.519 And the tune is Tiverton. 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.519 Psalm 73, 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.519 At verse 23, 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:08.519 Page 316. 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.519 Nevertheless, 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:09.519 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.519 O Lord, 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.519 I am with thee. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:14.519 Thou dost me hold by my right hand, 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:16.519 And still upholdest me. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:18.519 Thou with thy counsel, 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.519 While I live, 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:21.519 Wilt me conduct and guide. 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:23.519 And to thy glory afterward, 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:25.519 Receive me to abide. 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:27.519 Whom have I in the heavens high, 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.519 But thee, O Lord, alone? 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:31.519 And in the earth whom I desire, 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:33.519 Besides thee there is none. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:36.519 My flesh and heart doth faint and fail, 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:38.519 But God doth fail me never. 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:41.519 For of my heart God is a strength, 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:43.519 And a portion forever. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:45.519 Verses 23 to 28, 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.519 Psalm 73, 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.519 Nevertheless, 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.519 Continually. 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:56.519 Nevertheless, 00:24:56.519 --> 00:25:00.519 Continually, 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:02.519 O Lord, 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.519 I am with thee. 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:16.519 Thou dost me hold by my right hand, 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:22.519 And still upholdest me. 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:28.519 Thou with thy counsel, 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:49.559 Orth voyque voyque 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.559 00:25:58.519 --> 00:26:07.900 The heaven's sight, but thee, O Lord, alone. 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:15.960 Hath in the earth, through thy desire, 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:22.900 besides thee there is none. 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:31.600 My flesh and heart doth inch and veil, 00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:37.600 but God doth veil me never. 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:46.600 For of my heart God is the strength 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:52.719 and portion forever. 00:26:52.719 --> 00:27:02.299 For, O they that are far from thee, 00:27:02.679 --> 00:27:08.980 forever perish shall, 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:17.259 they plant a holding from thee, O 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:23.980 the past destroyed all. 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:32.900 But surely it is good for thee, 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:38.980 that I draw near to all. 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:47.940 And, O I just, that all my words 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:53.799 I may declare abroad. 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:01.960 Let's turn back again to the chapter we read 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:04.180 in 2 Corinthians chapter 5. 00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:07.960 And it's a fairly long section, 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:09.160 so I'm not going to read it all, 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.880 but from verse 14. 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:14.560 And I'm not going into every verse of it 00:28:14.560 --> 00:28:17.720 or every aspect of it, 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:21.060 but just looking at it quite simply. 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:24.440 For the love of Christ controls us, 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.960 because we have concluded this, 00:28:27.100 --> 00:28:29.180 that one has died for all, 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:30.660 therefore all have died. 00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:32.420 And he died for all, 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:34.080 that those who live might no longer 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:35.080 live for themselves, 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:38.620 but for him who for their sake 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:40.120 died and was raised. 00:28:41.340 --> 00:28:42.440 And then in verse 18, 00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:42.920 we read, 00:28:43.060 --> 00:28:44.120 all this is from God, 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:47.200 who through Christ reconciled us 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.060 to himself 00:28:48.060 --> 00:28:50.500 and gave us the ministry 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.700 of reconciliation. 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.940 That is, in Christ, 00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:56.039 God was reconciling the world 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.860 to himself. 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.539 Verse 20, 00:28:58.620 --> 00:29:00.980 therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:03.599 God making his appeal through us. 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:06.180 We implore you on behalf of Christ, 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:08.360 be reconciled to God. 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:11.360 For our sake he made him to be sin 00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:12.339 who knew no sin, 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:14.500 that in him we might become 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:16.079 the righteousness of God. 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:19.680 Now we know that Paul was a man 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.460 who was on a mission, 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:25.099 and Paul loved the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:28.440 Paul lived for the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.720 and Paul in the end 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:32.120 was going to lay down his life 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:34.740 for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.799 And he tells us here 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:38.460 that it is the love of Christ 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:40.279 that controls him, 00:29:40.360 --> 00:29:41.400 or as we have in the AV, 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:43.299 constrains him. 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:46.320 And that was very true 00:29:46.320 --> 00:29:47.279 in Paul's life. 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:50.019 This was the driving force. 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:51.980 This is what propelled him on. 00:29:52.580 --> 00:29:54.120 This is what gave the impetus 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:54.940 to his life, 00:29:55.640 --> 00:29:58.120 this sense of the love of Christ. 00:29:58.440 --> 00:30:02.340 Of what God had done in Christ for Paul, 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:05.640 and what God in Christ was doing for Paul. 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:08.140 And if you're a believer tonight, 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:09.759 you can echo the same, 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:13.400 that what God has done for you in Christ, 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:16.019 and what God is doing for you in Christ. 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:19.279 And Paul sees this amazing love 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:22.580 in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:25.259 And when Paul talks about 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.500 the death of Jesus Christ, 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:27.679 he isn't just talking about 00:30:27.679 --> 00:30:29.480 a historical fact. 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.799 You know, quite often people, 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.819 they will talk about 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:34.079 the death of Jesus, 00:30:34.939 --> 00:30:36.240 and they will say that, 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.980 yes, Jesus died on a cross. 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:40.579 And they will think of Jesus' death 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:42.599 no more than any other person 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:44.279 who was maybe executed. 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.240 And they will say, 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.939 well, he was either hung, 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:48.699 or he was crucified, 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:50.079 or he was beheaded, 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.699 or whatever. 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.519 And it's a historical fact. 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:54.519 And they think about it like that. 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.099 And there's others 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:56.619 who might go a little further on, 00:30:56.679 --> 00:30:57.299 and they might say, 00:30:57.699 --> 00:30:58.879 well, Jesus Christ was 00:30:58.879 --> 00:31:00.699 a really quite remarkable person. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:04.539 His teaching was so extraordinary, 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:08.819 and his moral life was beyond blemish 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:10.220 in any shape or form. 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:13.779 And he died the way he lived, 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:17.440 a life of just self-sacrifice. 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:20.559 And he died for what he taught. 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:23.099 And a lot of people look at it 00:31:23.099 --> 00:31:23.799 just like that, 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:24.240 and they say, 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:26.720 he left a great example for us. 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:30.119 That's not how Paul is looking at it, 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.579 and neither should we. 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:35.159 Because Paul is looking at why he died. 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:37.899 What was taking place on the cross 00:31:37.899 --> 00:31:39.059 as he died. 00:31:39.679 --> 00:31:41.460 Because that is at the very heart 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:44.839 of what Christianity really is all about. 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.639 And that is why Paul, 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:49.419 he says earlier on in Corinthians, 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:52.779 for I decided to know nothing among you 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:55.819 except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.919 And that was a great message 00:31:57.920 --> 00:32:00.140 of all the early church, 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:02.000 was preaching Jesus Christ 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.900 and him crucified. 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:04.920 And when they talked and preached that, 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:07.440 it was what took place, 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:09.220 and what that involved, 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:11.820 and what it was for us as well. 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:14.800 So what was Christ doing on the cross? 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:16.440 Well, there's two or three things 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:17.039 that we can see. 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.680 Well, one of them, 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.880 if we go right to the end, 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.759 we see this word righteousness, 00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:22.340 that we might become 00:32:22.340 --> 00:32:24.080 the righteousness of God. 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:27.819 So, an incredible transaction 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:29.139 took place on the cross. 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:33.079 Because the problem for all of us 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:36.139 is that we don't have righteousness ourselves. 00:32:36.919 --> 00:32:37.960 The Bible tells us 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:39.279 what a righteousness is like. 00:32:39.439 --> 00:32:40.500 It's like filthy rags. 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:42.939 You know, sometimes when you're in the city, 00:32:43.179 --> 00:32:45.299 you sometimes see a poor, 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:47.399 down and out, 00:32:47.439 --> 00:32:50.079 a poor beggar in a doorway. 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:51.659 And they're looking utterly 00:32:51.659 --> 00:32:53.159 and absolutely disheveled. 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.599 Their clothes are torn. 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.899 Their face is dirty. 00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:57.119 And you say, 00:32:57.179 --> 00:32:59.039 oh, what a poor soul that is. 00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:01.819 Well, with regard to our righteousness, 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:04.359 that's how it is in God's sight. 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.579 Not one of us 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:07.939 is able to say to the Lord, 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.359 because I've done this, 00:33:09.619 --> 00:33:10.659 because I've done that, 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:12.240 I have a claim upon you. 00:33:13.199 --> 00:33:15.139 And that's really hard for us 00:33:15.139 --> 00:33:16.079 to get hold of. 00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:18.379 Because we cling, 00:33:18.380 --> 00:33:20.380 it's very hard to uncover 00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:21.840 self-righteousness. 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.880 And it's very hard 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:25.720 for self-righteousness to be broken. 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:29.020 Because we kind of judge one another. 00:33:30.040 --> 00:33:31.540 And a lot of people will say, 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.980 they look around and they say, 00:33:33.060 --> 00:33:34.440 well, I know I'm not perfect. 00:33:34.580 --> 00:33:36.260 I know I would never dare 00:33:36.260 --> 00:33:37.300 to say I'm perfect. 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:40.680 But I'm a pretty decent citizen. 00:33:41.620 --> 00:33:42.460 Never done anything 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:44.420 drastically wrong. 00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:47.500 And sometimes you look at somebody 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:47.960 and you say, 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:49.220 oh, see what he did, 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:49.900 see what she did. 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:51.319 I would never have done that. 00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:52.720 And so we kind of, 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:54.460 we puff ourselves up. 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:57.059 That's a self-righteousness. 00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:59.880 It's very judgmental self-righteousness. 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.819 But it's within us all. 00:34:01.900 --> 00:34:03.220 It's part of who we are. 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:04.619 It's part of what we are. 00:34:05.619 --> 00:34:07.039 And we somehow think 00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:08.280 at the end of the day, 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.199 the Lord will say, 00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:11.420 well, I know that you're not perfect. 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.139 And I know that, 00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:13.960 but it's going to be all right. 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.480 No, it doesn't. 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.119 It's not. 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:17.039 That's not the way it works. 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:20.380 God says that, 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.119 as we said, 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:22.139 oh, right, you're right. 00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:24.079 There is none righteous. 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.839 No, not one. 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:27.659 In the whole wide world, 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:28.239 ever, 00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.500 there's not one 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:31.099 that has ever been righteous. 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:34.279 And because we are unrighteous, 00:34:34.359 --> 00:34:36.500 it means that we are guilty 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.460 before God. 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:40.860 that we have no place of protection, 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.980 that we have no shelter, 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:44.360 because we're under, 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:45.440 Scripture tells us, 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.420 under God's wrath, 00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:48.480 because of our unrighteousness. 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.780 But on the cross, 00:34:51.840 --> 00:34:53.659 God was doing something amazing. 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:55.699 It was like, 00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:57.619 people describe it 00:34:57.619 --> 00:34:59.159 like in a bookkeeping term. 00:34:59.159 --> 00:35:00.819 And you have, 00:35:01.259 --> 00:35:02.239 on the one side, 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:04.379 you have all the wrongs. 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:07.299 And there's all your sin, 00:35:07.699 --> 00:35:09.480 past, present, future. 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:11.299 All recorded. 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.920 Everything you've said, 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:13.960 everything you've done, 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:15.659 everything you've ever thought. 00:35:15.879 --> 00:35:16.539 It's all there. 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.599 And on the other page 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.859 is Christ's righteousness. 00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:22.519 And on the cross, 00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:25.140 a transfer was taking place. 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:28.380 Where all our sin 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:29.500 was being placed 00:35:29.500 --> 00:35:31.120 to Christ's account. 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:33.660 That's what he was experiencing 00:35:33.660 --> 00:35:35.660 through the abandonment 00:35:35.660 --> 00:35:36.780 and forsakenness 00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:38.200 when God's wrath 00:35:38.200 --> 00:35:39.519 was being poured upon him. 00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:41.460 For our sin. 00:35:42.760 --> 00:35:43.880 But more than that, 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.579 Christ's righteousness 00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:47.360 has been placed 00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:48.320 to our account. 00:35:48.700 --> 00:35:49.840 It's not that all of a sudden 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.900 we become perfect 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:52.360 and altogether righteous. 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:55.120 But in legal terms, 00:35:55.200 --> 00:35:56.620 as God looks on us, 00:35:57.900 --> 00:35:59.240 once you become a believer, 00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:00.620 God looks at you 00:36:00.620 --> 00:36:01.320 through Jesus. 00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:03.579 And as he looks at you 00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:04.280 through Jesus, 00:36:04.460 --> 00:36:05.720 he sees the perfect 00:36:05.720 --> 00:36:07.600 righteousness of his Son. 00:36:08.680 --> 00:36:09.860 And so you're accepted 00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:12.260 because of what Jesus Christ 00:36:12.260 --> 00:36:12.760 has done. 00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:14.340 And so there's this 00:36:14.340 --> 00:36:15.600 incredible transaction 00:36:15.600 --> 00:36:18.000 taking place on the cross. 00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:19.000 And sometimes it's hard 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:20.440 for us to understand that 00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:21.679 and to understand 00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:24.239 that we are as righteous 00:36:24.239 --> 00:36:25.360 as we will ever be 00:36:25.360 --> 00:36:26.219 in God's sight. 00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:29.079 There's another level, 00:36:29.179 --> 00:36:29.420 of course, 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:30.199 we know with regard 00:36:30.199 --> 00:36:31.380 to our ongoing sin 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:32.039 and such like. 00:36:32.280 --> 00:36:33.519 But in legal terms, 00:36:33.780 --> 00:36:34.739 that's how it is. 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:37.619 But another thing 00:36:37.619 --> 00:36:38.420 was taking place 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:39.019 on the cross 00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:39.880 and we see that 00:36:39.880 --> 00:36:41.840 in verses 18 and 19 00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:43.960 because it tells us here 00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:45.100 that God, 00:36:45.280 --> 00:36:45.920 through Christ, 00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:47.920 reconciled us to himself. 00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:49.100 Verse 19, 00:36:49.600 --> 00:36:50.300 in Christ, 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.900 God was reconciling 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:53.860 the world to himself. 00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:55.820 Because you see, 00:36:56.160 --> 00:36:56.860 by nature, 00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:58.579 we're alienated from God. 00:36:59.900 --> 00:37:00.320 God, 00:37:00.860 --> 00:37:02.280 we're estranged from God. 00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:04.380 That's our default position. 00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:06.600 We don't want God. 00:37:07.160 --> 00:37:08.500 We're ignorant of God. 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:08.659 God, 00:37:08.659 --> 00:37:11.199 don't care about God. 00:37:11.300 --> 00:37:11.960 I suppose if you went 00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:13.099 around Stornway tonight 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:14.059 and you did a survey, 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:15.159 there'd be a lot of people 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:15.699 who would say, 00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:17.659 I don't believe in God. 00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:19.420 I never think about God. 00:37:19.820 --> 00:37:21.219 I don't care about God. 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:23.139 And people often find 00:37:23.139 --> 00:37:24.519 that God's word, 00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:25.400 when they hear it, 00:37:26.179 --> 00:37:26.880 they find that 00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:28.719 his word is intolerable 00:37:28.719 --> 00:37:30.400 and that his law 00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:31.480 is distasteful. 00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:32.659 And they say, 00:37:32.739 --> 00:37:33.059 no, 00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:34.260 I don't want this. 00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:36.340 As we're hearing this morning, 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:38.320 we want our life 00:37:38.320 --> 00:37:39.780 and we don't want anything 00:37:39.780 --> 00:37:41.240 cutting across our life. 00:37:42.120 --> 00:37:43.000 And that's so true. 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:45.200 That's the way we are by nature. 00:37:45.600 --> 00:37:46.519 It's my life 00:37:46.519 --> 00:37:48.300 and I will live it my way 00:37:48.300 --> 00:37:50.740 and I'm not in any way ready 00:37:50.740 --> 00:37:52.860 to live my life 00:37:52.860 --> 00:37:54.800 with somebody else ruling, 00:37:55.240 --> 00:37:56.740 somebody else on the throne 00:37:56.740 --> 00:37:57.440 of my heart. 00:37:57.700 --> 00:37:58.440 It's mine. 00:37:58.960 --> 00:37:59.420 Me. 00:37:59.780 --> 00:38:00.200 Mine. 00:38:00.199 --> 00:38:02.619 And so, 00:38:02.899 --> 00:38:03.480 by nature, 00:38:04.199 --> 00:38:05.919 we are alienated. 00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.879 We're strangers to God. 00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:08.719 We're at enmity. 00:38:08.839 --> 00:38:09.679 We're told in Scripture 00:38:09.679 --> 00:38:11.539 that the haters of God, 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.719 who is the Lord, 00:38:13.799 --> 00:38:14.579 it says in Scripture, 00:38:14.679 --> 00:38:15.759 that we should obey him. 00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:17.879 Also, remember what it says, 00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:19.460 we will not have this man 00:38:19.460 --> 00:38:20.679 rule over us. 00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:22.679 So, you see, 00:38:22.779 --> 00:38:24.439 there's this alienation 00:38:24.439 --> 00:38:26.199 which needs reconciliation. 00:38:27.819 --> 00:38:29.579 So, reconciliation is essential, 00:38:29.579 --> 00:38:31.360 but here's the thing. 00:38:32.340 --> 00:38:33.679 It's not just us 00:38:33.679 --> 00:38:36.199 that have to be reconciled to God, 00:38:36.819 --> 00:38:39.940 but God has to be reconciled to us. 00:38:42.159 --> 00:38:44.159 And that's a serious thing. 00:38:45.259 --> 00:38:45.599 Why? 00:38:45.759 --> 00:38:46.219 Because, well, 00:38:46.940 --> 00:38:48.840 we know the story in Genesis 3. 00:38:48.940 --> 00:38:49.799 We know what happened. 00:38:50.659 --> 00:38:52.460 We remember the story of the fall, 00:38:52.860 --> 00:38:54.799 of how Adam and Eve disobeyed God. 00:38:55.759 --> 00:38:58.299 And how do we find Adam and Eve after that? 00:38:58.300 --> 00:38:59.780 We find them outside the garden. 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:03.340 How did they end up outside the garden? 00:39:03.460 --> 00:39:04.220 Did they get lost? 00:39:04.360 --> 00:39:06.680 Did they sort of wander out? 00:39:06.800 --> 00:39:08.260 And did Adam turn to Eve and say, 00:39:08.320 --> 00:39:08.760 oh, you know, 00:39:09.120 --> 00:39:10.760 we've gone outside the garden here. 00:39:10.820 --> 00:39:12.240 We'll have to try and get back in. 00:39:12.300 --> 00:39:12.519 No. 00:39:13.400 --> 00:39:14.240 What did God do? 00:39:14.240 --> 00:39:16.160 He drove them out of the garden. 00:39:17.640 --> 00:39:18.740 He expelled them. 00:39:18.739 --> 00:39:21.459 And more than that, 00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:23.839 there was an angel with a flaming sword 00:39:23.839 --> 00:39:26.419 barring their way back in, 00:39:27.339 --> 00:39:28.839 lest they come to the tree of life. 00:39:29.939 --> 00:39:31.759 So, from that moment on, 00:39:32.459 --> 00:39:35.639 we need reconciliation with God, 00:39:35.739 --> 00:39:38.139 but God has to be reconciled to us as well. 00:39:39.099 --> 00:39:40.719 Because God is against us. 00:39:40.799 --> 00:39:42.119 His wrath is against us. 00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:43.679 We're told that in Romans, 00:39:43.799 --> 00:39:44.659 that the wrath of God 00:39:44.659 --> 00:39:46.299 is revealed from heaven 00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:47.780 against all ungodliness. 00:39:48.120 --> 00:39:48.600 As we say, 00:39:48.660 --> 00:39:49.980 that's a default position. 00:39:51.760 --> 00:39:52.019 You know, 00:39:52.060 --> 00:39:53.260 it's a grim situation. 00:39:54.340 --> 00:39:55.440 But that's how it is. 00:39:56.680 --> 00:39:57.720 And that's the wonder 00:39:57.720 --> 00:39:59.019 of what has happened here. 00:39:59.900 --> 00:40:01.120 That there's reconciliation. 00:40:01.120 --> 00:40:03.840 And the wonderful thing is 00:40:03.840 --> 00:40:05.100 that God, 00:40:06.220 --> 00:40:08.120 the God who has been wronged, 00:40:09.160 --> 00:40:10.300 is the author 00:40:10.300 --> 00:40:11.880 of this reconciliation. 00:40:11.880 --> 00:40:12.079 reconciliation. 00:40:13.460 --> 00:40:13.700 Now, 00:40:14.320 --> 00:40:15.820 usually when we think 00:40:15.820 --> 00:40:16.619 of reconciliation 00:40:16.619 --> 00:40:18.099 in human terms, 00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:19.539 in our everyday thing, 00:40:19.920 --> 00:40:21.760 we always talk about negotiation. 00:40:23.059 --> 00:40:24.039 Supposing it's just 00:40:24.039 --> 00:40:24.860 within a family, 00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:25.900 supposing there's a breakup 00:40:25.900 --> 00:40:26.619 in a family, 00:40:27.700 --> 00:40:27.900 there's, 00:40:28.559 --> 00:40:29.200 you try and, 00:40:29.280 --> 00:40:29.700 and you need, 00:40:29.820 --> 00:40:31.300 you need both parties 00:40:31.300 --> 00:40:32.420 coming together. 00:40:32.660 --> 00:40:33.440 You'll often see it 00:40:33.440 --> 00:40:35.240 in employment, 00:40:35.400 --> 00:40:35.880 in work. 00:40:36.740 --> 00:40:37.940 And you'll see that 00:40:37.940 --> 00:40:40.460 the workers 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:42.400 and the management 00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:44.400 have reached an impasse. 00:40:45.659 --> 00:40:46.840 And often you'll find 00:40:46.840 --> 00:40:48.220 there's a strike 00:40:48.220 --> 00:40:49.000 takes place. 00:40:49.440 --> 00:40:50.519 Because neither side 00:40:50.519 --> 00:40:51.079 will agree. 00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:52.800 And there's an ongoing strike. 00:40:52.800 --> 00:40:54.679 And then all of a sudden 00:40:54.679 --> 00:40:55.000 you see, 00:40:55.159 --> 00:40:55.139 oh, 00:40:55.159 --> 00:40:56.380 there's talks taking place. 00:40:57.000 --> 00:40:57.840 There's negotiation. 00:40:58.860 --> 00:40:59.860 And when there's negotiation 00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:00.659 taking place, 00:41:00.700 --> 00:41:01.420 there's always hope 00:41:01.420 --> 00:41:01.900 that there'll be 00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:03.300 an outcome, 00:41:03.380 --> 00:41:04.119 a good outcome. 00:41:05.019 --> 00:41:06.079 We see it again 00:41:06.079 --> 00:41:08.380 in global conflicts. 00:41:09.500 --> 00:41:10.719 And we've seen it 00:41:10.719 --> 00:41:11.819 with the likes of Ukraine 00:41:11.819 --> 00:41:12.500 and in Gaza. 00:41:12.699 --> 00:41:13.059 And you're saying, 00:41:14.039 --> 00:41:15.000 just it's ongoing. 00:41:15.179 --> 00:41:15.679 And then you hear 00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:16.659 there might be talks. 00:41:17.079 --> 00:41:18.199 And there's always this hope. 00:41:18.279 --> 00:41:18.500 Oh, 00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:20.900 the moment people start talking, 00:41:21.299 --> 00:41:21.599 you're saying, 00:41:21.719 --> 00:41:21.840 well, 00:41:22.159 --> 00:41:23.440 hopefully, 00:41:23.840 --> 00:41:25.119 hopefully this will bring 00:41:25.119 --> 00:41:25.679 a solution. 00:41:25.900 --> 00:41:26.819 Hopefully we'll get 00:41:26.819 --> 00:41:27.619 things together. 00:41:30.139 --> 00:41:31.279 Is that how it was 00:41:31.279 --> 00:41:32.119 with us and God? 00:41:32.119 --> 00:41:32.400 No. 00:41:33.420 --> 00:41:34.840 Because we couldn't 00:41:34.840 --> 00:41:36.780 negotiate with God. 00:41:37.380 --> 00:41:37.840 We had nothing 00:41:37.840 --> 00:41:38.920 to negotiate with. 00:41:40.220 --> 00:41:41.180 We couldn't even 00:41:41.180 --> 00:41:42.100 approach God. 00:41:43.200 --> 00:41:44.140 So this is the 00:41:44.140 --> 00:41:45.220 extraordinary thing 00:41:45.220 --> 00:41:46.340 that God 00:41:46.340 --> 00:41:47.320 is the one. 00:41:47.440 --> 00:41:48.440 He is the initiator 00:41:48.440 --> 00:41:48.820 of it. 00:41:49.460 --> 00:41:50.240 God is the one 00:41:50.240 --> 00:41:51.320 who has 00:41:51.320 --> 00:41:52.579 initiated 00:41:52.579 --> 00:41:53.539 and that was what 00:41:53.539 --> 00:41:54.440 Christ was doing 00:41:54.440 --> 00:41:55.039 on the cross. 00:41:56.100 --> 00:41:56.460 However, 00:41:56.579 --> 00:41:57.760 there were negotiations. 00:41:58.940 --> 00:42:00.039 And the negotiations 00:42:00.039 --> 00:42:01.019 that took place 00:42:01.019 --> 00:42:02.200 with regard to 00:42:02.200 --> 00:42:02.800 reconciliation 00:42:02.800 --> 00:42:03.920 took place in heaven. 00:42:03.920 --> 00:42:06.119 because Christ, 00:42:06.360 --> 00:42:07.320 the Son of God, 00:42:07.840 --> 00:42:09.300 entered into a covenant 00:42:09.300 --> 00:42:10.539 with God the Father. 00:42:11.820 --> 00:42:13.240 So the negotiation 00:42:13.240 --> 00:42:14.920 for the reconciliation 00:42:14.920 --> 00:42:16.300 took place in heaven 00:42:16.300 --> 00:42:18.440 where the Son 00:42:18.440 --> 00:42:19.960 agreed to come 00:42:19.960 --> 00:42:21.340 in our nature. 00:42:21.519 --> 00:42:22.079 Think of it. 00:42:22.099 --> 00:42:22.920 The Son of God, 00:42:23.720 --> 00:42:24.780 the one who is equal 00:42:24.780 --> 00:42:25.860 in power and glory 00:42:25.860 --> 00:42:26.680 to the Father, 00:42:28.099 --> 00:42:29.200 took our nature, 00:42:29.340 --> 00:42:30.599 became one with us 00:42:30.599 --> 00:42:31.880 to be our representative 00:42:31.880 --> 00:42:32.920 in this world 00:42:32.920 --> 00:42:34.640 in order to 00:42:34.640 --> 00:42:36.099 reconcile us 00:42:36.099 --> 00:42:38.380 to God the Father. 00:42:39.780 --> 00:42:40.820 And so all this 00:42:40.820 --> 00:42:41.660 was taking place 00:42:41.660 --> 00:42:42.320 on the cross 00:42:42.320 --> 00:42:44.160 where God was 00:42:44.160 --> 00:42:46.340 reconciling us 00:42:46.340 --> 00:42:48.820 to himself 00:42:48.820 --> 00:42:49.860 through the work 00:42:49.860 --> 00:42:50.500 of Christ. 00:42:52.260 --> 00:42:53.099 And again, 00:42:53.260 --> 00:42:53.920 when you think 00:42:53.920 --> 00:42:54.519 of the cross 00:42:54.519 --> 00:42:55.059 and you think 00:42:55.059 --> 00:42:55.940 of these hours 00:42:55.940 --> 00:42:57.940 of desolation 00:42:57.940 --> 00:42:58.880 and isolation 00:42:58.880 --> 00:43:00.760 and abandonment 00:43:00.760 --> 00:43:01.519 for Christ, 00:43:02.840 --> 00:43:04.820 what was he suffering? 00:43:05.240 --> 00:43:05.320 Right? 00:43:05.840 --> 00:43:06.800 Try and turn this 00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:07.380 personally. 00:43:08.920 --> 00:43:09.680 And you think, 00:43:10.500 --> 00:43:11.360 try and say to you, 00:43:11.460 --> 00:43:11.660 right, 00:43:11.880 --> 00:43:13.599 for the next three hours, 00:43:14.320 --> 00:43:15.519 I'm going to list 00:43:15.519 --> 00:43:17.960 every wrong deed 00:43:17.960 --> 00:43:19.079 that I have done 00:43:19.079 --> 00:43:20.260 that I can remember. 00:43:20.260 --> 00:43:22.300 and I'm going 00:43:22.300 --> 00:43:23.160 to write it down. 00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:25.020 And I'm going 00:43:25.020 --> 00:43:25.760 to write down 00:43:25.760 --> 00:43:27.480 everything wrong 00:43:27.480 --> 00:43:28.380 that I said. 00:43:29.500 --> 00:43:30.320 And you're writing 00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:31.040 down things 00:43:31.040 --> 00:43:32.200 that you're ashamed of, 00:43:32.680 --> 00:43:33.720 things that embarrassed 00:43:33.720 --> 00:43:34.100 you, 00:43:34.900 --> 00:43:35.640 things that you felt 00:43:35.640 --> 00:43:36.860 real guilt about, 00:43:37.940 --> 00:43:38.560 things that you 00:43:38.560 --> 00:43:39.800 were remorseful about, 00:43:40.060 --> 00:43:41.420 and you so wish 00:43:41.420 --> 00:43:42.080 that you had never 00:43:42.080 --> 00:43:42.660 said them 00:43:42.660 --> 00:43:43.640 or never done them. 00:43:44.840 --> 00:43:45.600 And what about 00:43:45.600 --> 00:43:46.240 our thoughts? 00:43:47.380 --> 00:43:48.140 Imagine if there's 00:43:48.140 --> 00:43:49.280 a big screen here 00:43:49.280 --> 00:43:50.360 at the back of the pulpit. 00:43:51.640 --> 00:43:52.920 And every thought 00:43:52.920 --> 00:43:55.000 that you thought 00:43:55.000 --> 00:43:57.400 was screened up there. 00:43:59.360 --> 00:44:00.240 Every thought. 00:44:01.500 --> 00:44:02.320 And when you think 00:44:02.320 --> 00:44:03.360 of all the filth 00:44:03.360 --> 00:44:04.440 and the anger 00:44:04.440 --> 00:44:05.160 and the murder, 00:44:05.320 --> 00:44:06.240 every commandment 00:44:06.240 --> 00:44:06.880 is breached 00:44:06.880 --> 00:44:07.780 in our mind. 00:44:08.060 --> 00:44:09.019 Every single one. 00:44:10.480 --> 00:44:11.240 Can you imagine 00:44:11.240 --> 00:44:12.080 the shame 00:44:12.080 --> 00:44:13.120 and embarrassment 00:44:13.120 --> 00:44:14.340 and the sense 00:44:14.340 --> 00:44:14.840 of guilt 00:44:14.840 --> 00:44:15.519 we would have 00:44:15.519 --> 00:44:16.760 if it was all 00:44:16.760 --> 00:44:17.780 screened 00:44:17.780 --> 00:44:18.460 for everybody 00:44:18.460 --> 00:44:19.040 to see, 00:44:19.620 --> 00:44:20.080 I don't think 00:44:20.080 --> 00:44:20.600 we'd ever come 00:44:20.600 --> 00:44:21.120 out of the house 00:44:21.120 --> 00:44:21.480 again. 00:44:22.860 --> 00:44:24.060 Well, on the cross, 00:44:24.880 --> 00:44:26.140 Christ was bearing 00:44:26.140 --> 00:44:28.280 all our guilt, 00:44:28.660 --> 00:44:29.680 all our shame, 00:44:30.140 --> 00:44:31.280 all our embarrassment, 00:44:32.140 --> 00:44:33.600 all the defilement 00:44:33.600 --> 00:44:35.060 of our sin 00:44:35.060 --> 00:44:36.280 and our iniquity, 00:44:36.460 --> 00:44:36.920 everything. 00:44:36.920 --> 00:44:39.139 and he was enduring 00:44:39.139 --> 00:44:40.960 the Father's wrath 00:44:40.960 --> 00:44:42.380 upon him 00:44:42.380 --> 00:44:43.659 for our sin. 00:44:45.139 --> 00:44:46.200 It's that personal 00:44:46.200 --> 00:44:48.079 because sometimes 00:44:48.079 --> 00:44:48.780 we look at it 00:44:48.780 --> 00:44:49.840 in an abstract way. 00:44:50.220 --> 00:44:51.180 But this was personal, 00:44:51.599 --> 00:44:52.280 right on. 00:44:53.280 --> 00:44:54.360 And there was nothing 00:44:54.360 --> 00:44:55.059 for Christ 00:44:55.059 --> 00:44:55.940 but silence. 00:44:56.780 --> 00:44:57.519 He couldn't hear 00:44:57.519 --> 00:44:58.579 the walk of the Father 00:44:58.579 --> 00:44:59.920 or the talk of the Father, 00:45:00.579 --> 00:45:01.519 just his anger. 00:45:01.519 --> 00:45:03.380 And this is what 00:45:03.380 --> 00:45:04.019 he was doing 00:45:04.019 --> 00:45:05.280 for us 00:45:05.280 --> 00:45:06.780 in order that 00:45:06.780 --> 00:45:08.780 we can be reconciled. 00:45:09.500 --> 00:45:10.039 What was 00:45:10.039 --> 00:45:11.639 keeping us away 00:45:11.639 --> 00:45:14.159 had to be removed. 00:45:15.179 --> 00:45:15.679 And of course, 00:45:15.739 --> 00:45:16.539 it is the work then 00:45:16.539 --> 00:45:17.420 of the Holy Spirit 00:45:17.420 --> 00:45:18.300 to apply 00:45:18.300 --> 00:45:20.039 that to our hearts. 00:45:20.900 --> 00:45:21.539 And that is what 00:45:21.539 --> 00:45:22.420 Paul talks about 00:45:22.420 --> 00:45:23.360 in verse 17. 00:45:23.500 --> 00:45:23.699 Therefore, 00:45:23.840 --> 00:45:24.340 if anyone 00:45:24.340 --> 00:45:25.500 is in Christ, 00:45:25.559 --> 00:45:26.579 he is a new creation. 00:45:26.940 --> 00:45:28.099 The old has passed away 00:45:28.099 --> 00:45:30.000 because the new 00:45:30.000 --> 00:45:30.619 has come. 00:45:31.519 --> 00:45:32.719 And that's exactly 00:45:32.719 --> 00:45:33.420 what happens 00:45:33.420 --> 00:45:34.619 when we come to faith. 00:45:35.519 --> 00:45:36.539 It's a new creation. 00:45:36.900 --> 00:45:37.960 Every bit as powerful 00:45:37.960 --> 00:45:39.400 and as awesome 00:45:39.400 --> 00:45:40.960 as the original creation. 00:45:41.599 --> 00:45:42.400 At the very start, 00:45:42.519 --> 00:45:42.960 God said, 00:45:43.159 --> 00:45:43.739 let there be light. 00:45:43.820 --> 00:45:44.559 And there was a day 00:45:44.559 --> 00:45:46.219 God said 00:45:46.219 --> 00:45:47.539 into your heart, 00:45:47.880 --> 00:45:49.159 let there be light. 00:45:50.440 --> 00:45:51.159 And you saw 00:45:51.159 --> 00:45:51.659 in a way 00:45:51.659 --> 00:45:52.699 you never saw before. 00:45:53.300 --> 00:45:54.460 You saw the way 00:45:54.460 --> 00:45:55.099 of salvation. 00:45:56.079 --> 00:45:57.159 You saw Christ 00:45:57.159 --> 00:45:58.500 as your Savior. 00:46:00.019 --> 00:46:00.300 And 00:46:00.300 --> 00:46:02.140 everything changed 00:46:02.140 --> 00:46:03.440 because you have 00:46:03.440 --> 00:46:04.480 new desires, 00:46:04.940 --> 00:46:05.620 new aims, 00:46:05.780 --> 00:46:06.400 new ambitions, 00:46:06.720 --> 00:46:07.340 new hopes. 00:46:08.860 --> 00:46:09.740 The Word of God, 00:46:10.360 --> 00:46:11.220 you might have been used 00:46:11.220 --> 00:46:12.120 to reading the Bible, 00:46:12.280 --> 00:46:13.620 but it was maybe 00:46:13.620 --> 00:46:14.820 just out of habit 00:46:14.820 --> 00:46:15.960 or out of duty. 00:46:16.840 --> 00:46:17.760 But now this book 00:46:17.760 --> 00:46:18.600 has become precious 00:46:18.600 --> 00:46:19.080 to you. 00:46:19.640 --> 00:46:20.260 And every day 00:46:20.260 --> 00:46:20.960 you go to it 00:46:20.960 --> 00:46:21.800 because it gives you 00:46:21.800 --> 00:46:22.920 food for your soul, 00:46:23.180 --> 00:46:24.120 gives you nourishment, 00:46:24.500 --> 00:46:25.420 gives you light. 00:46:25.420 --> 00:46:27.200 it sets out 00:46:27.200 --> 00:46:27.800 before you 00:46:27.800 --> 00:46:29.480 the whole future 00:46:29.480 --> 00:46:31.700 of what's ahead 00:46:31.700 --> 00:46:32.180 for you. 00:46:32.860 --> 00:46:33.760 This book is just 00:46:33.760 --> 00:46:35.059 the most amazing book 00:46:35.059 --> 00:46:35.659 in the world. 00:46:36.780 --> 00:46:37.700 And that is because 00:46:37.700 --> 00:46:39.019 you are now 00:46:39.019 --> 00:46:41.139 a new creation. 00:46:41.780 --> 00:46:42.860 And this is all part 00:46:42.860 --> 00:46:44.000 of what the Lord 00:46:44.000 --> 00:46:45.420 has done for us, 00:46:45.480 --> 00:46:46.880 what God was doing 00:46:46.880 --> 00:46:47.420 for us 00:46:47.420 --> 00:46:48.539 in Christ Jesus. 00:46:49.639 --> 00:46:51.320 And so because of this, 00:46:51.380 --> 00:46:52.400 now there's lots of things 00:46:52.400 --> 00:46:53.220 we could look at, 00:46:53.219 --> 00:46:55.259 but because of this, 00:46:55.739 --> 00:46:56.719 it tells us now 00:46:56.719 --> 00:46:58.579 that we are ambassadors 00:46:58.579 --> 00:46:59.439 for Christ. 00:47:00.480 --> 00:47:01.379 Prior to that, 00:47:01.439 --> 00:47:02.139 it tells us 00:47:02.139 --> 00:47:03.039 that we no longer 00:47:03.039 --> 00:47:04.439 live for ourselves, 00:47:05.079 --> 00:47:05.819 but we live 00:47:05.819 --> 00:47:07.259 for Christ. 00:47:09.439 --> 00:47:10.319 That'll tell you 00:47:10.319 --> 00:47:11.259 exactly tonight 00:47:11.259 --> 00:47:11.919 where you are. 00:47:12.339 --> 00:47:14.639 Who do you live for? 00:47:15.859 --> 00:47:16.679 Is it yourself? 00:47:18.179 --> 00:47:20.359 Or is it for Christ? 00:47:23.219 --> 00:47:24.339 You know that 00:47:24.339 --> 00:47:27.379 sometimes we fear 00:47:27.379 --> 00:47:28.139 that we're not living 00:47:28.139 --> 00:47:28.739 for Christ 00:47:28.739 --> 00:47:29.179 in the way 00:47:29.179 --> 00:47:29.799 that we should. 00:47:31.339 --> 00:47:31.819 But you know, 00:47:32.019 --> 00:47:33.059 one of the things 00:47:33.059 --> 00:47:34.399 that makes it so clear 00:47:34.399 --> 00:47:35.059 to us is, 00:47:35.579 --> 00:47:36.179 you know when you 00:47:36.179 --> 00:47:37.019 do anything wrong 00:47:37.019 --> 00:47:37.779 or say wrong 00:47:37.779 --> 00:47:38.639 or you think wrong, 00:47:40.059 --> 00:47:41.619 what's your immediate thought? 00:47:42.119 --> 00:47:43.399 I'm letting Christ down. 00:47:44.879 --> 00:47:45.839 It's not letting yourself down. 00:47:45.859 --> 00:47:46.399 There was a day 00:47:46.399 --> 00:47:46.939 you only thought 00:47:46.939 --> 00:47:48.039 about letting yourself down. 00:47:49.000 --> 00:47:49.500 You never thought 00:47:49.500 --> 00:47:50.099 about the Lord. 00:47:50.099 --> 00:47:51.579 Oh, I've let myself 00:47:51.579 --> 00:47:52.599 down badly here. 00:47:52.599 --> 00:47:53.519 That's not the way 00:47:53.519 --> 00:47:54.179 you think now. 00:47:54.860 --> 00:47:55.179 You say, 00:47:55.259 --> 00:47:55.739 oh Lord, 00:47:55.799 --> 00:47:56.659 have mercy on me. 00:47:57.199 --> 00:47:58.239 Oh, forgive me Lord. 00:47:58.900 --> 00:47:59.920 I shouldn't have said that. 00:47:59.980 --> 00:48:01.000 I shouldn't have done that. 00:48:01.579 --> 00:48:02.259 What on earth 00:48:02.259 --> 00:48:02.839 has been going on 00:48:02.839 --> 00:48:03.380 in my head? 00:48:04.099 --> 00:48:04.839 Because you're living 00:48:04.839 --> 00:48:05.500 for Christ. 00:48:05.679 --> 00:48:05.880 You see, 00:48:05.920 --> 00:48:06.799 it's all changed. 00:48:07.460 --> 00:48:08.400 That's the way you live. 00:48:09.000 --> 00:48:09.679 Every day, 00:48:10.460 --> 00:48:11.059 you're living 00:48:11.059 --> 00:48:12.579 not for yourself, 00:48:12.699 --> 00:48:13.199 but you're living 00:48:13.199 --> 00:48:13.880 for Christ. 00:48:14.679 --> 00:48:15.759 But we're told here 00:48:15.759 --> 00:48:16.779 that we are ambassadors. 00:48:17.539 --> 00:48:18.019 Ambassadors. 00:48:18.019 --> 00:48:18.460 Therefore, 00:48:18.719 --> 00:48:19.759 we are ambassadors 00:48:19.759 --> 00:48:20.659 for Christ. 00:48:20.659 --> 00:48:22.639 God making 00:48:22.639 --> 00:48:23.379 his appeal 00:48:23.379 --> 00:48:24.179 through us. 00:48:24.879 --> 00:48:25.500 Isn't that amazing? 00:48:26.159 --> 00:48:26.779 All of us. 00:48:27.399 --> 00:48:28.139 God is making 00:48:28.139 --> 00:48:28.759 an appeal 00:48:28.759 --> 00:48:30.139 through us. 00:48:31.359 --> 00:48:31.579 Now, 00:48:31.639 --> 00:48:32.219 an ambassador, 00:48:32.719 --> 00:48:33.219 as you know, 00:48:33.259 --> 00:48:33.699 is somebody 00:48:33.699 --> 00:48:35.059 who represents 00:48:35.059 --> 00:48:35.940 king and country. 00:48:36.960 --> 00:48:37.879 And when an ambassador 00:48:37.879 --> 00:48:40.099 goes to a certain place, 00:48:40.799 --> 00:48:41.639 he's not there 00:48:41.639 --> 00:48:42.259 in any way 00:48:42.259 --> 00:48:42.799 or shape 00:48:42.799 --> 00:48:43.239 or form 00:48:43.239 --> 00:48:44.359 to represent himself. 00:48:44.359 --> 00:48:45.019 He's not there 00:48:45.019 --> 00:48:46.139 for his own glory, 00:48:46.299 --> 00:48:47.359 his own honor. 00:48:48.179 --> 00:48:48.659 It's got nothing 00:48:48.659 --> 00:48:49.319 to do with him. 00:48:50.319 --> 00:48:51.259 It's all got to do 00:48:51.259 --> 00:48:51.920 with the king 00:48:51.920 --> 00:48:52.980 and the country 00:48:52.980 --> 00:48:54.159 that he represents. 00:48:54.339 --> 00:48:55.179 So it is for you 00:48:55.179 --> 00:48:55.759 and for me. 00:48:56.039 --> 00:48:56.839 It's not about us. 00:48:57.559 --> 00:48:58.460 It's all about 00:48:58.460 --> 00:48:59.259 the Lord. 00:49:00.599 --> 00:49:01.460 The ambassador 00:49:01.460 --> 00:49:02.219 has to be 00:49:02.219 --> 00:49:03.539 absolutely faithful 00:49:03.539 --> 00:49:05.279 to the message 00:49:05.279 --> 00:49:06.859 that he or she 00:49:06.859 --> 00:49:07.420 brings. 00:49:08.259 --> 00:49:09.199 Not at liberty 00:49:09.199 --> 00:49:10.480 to add to it. 00:49:10.899 --> 00:49:11.739 Not at liberty 00:49:11.739 --> 00:49:12.719 to detract 00:49:12.719 --> 00:49:13.219 from it. 00:49:14.219 --> 00:49:14.980 Neither are we. 00:49:16.159 --> 00:49:17.000 We're not at liberty 00:49:17.000 --> 00:49:18.219 to say, 00:49:18.360 --> 00:49:18.480 well, 00:49:18.980 --> 00:49:19.559 you might say, 00:49:19.639 --> 00:49:19.739 well, 00:49:19.760 --> 00:49:20.280 this is a rather 00:49:20.280 --> 00:49:21.380 strong message. 00:49:22.159 --> 00:49:23.320 This is a bit hard. 00:49:24.460 --> 00:49:25.420 This might make people 00:49:25.420 --> 00:49:26.239 feel uncomfortable. 00:49:26.440 --> 00:49:27.380 I'd better water it down 00:49:27.380 --> 00:49:27.739 a bit. 00:49:27.960 --> 00:49:28.559 We're not at liberty 00:49:28.559 --> 00:49:29.260 to do that. 00:49:29.800 --> 00:49:30.820 This is God's word. 00:49:31.039 --> 00:49:32.119 This is God's message. 00:49:33.260 --> 00:49:34.000 And it has to be, 00:49:34.219 --> 00:49:34.860 it's a message 00:49:34.860 --> 00:49:36.159 that has to be delivered 00:49:36.159 --> 00:49:37.179 faithfully 00:49:37.179 --> 00:49:38.139 and honorably. 00:49:39.079 --> 00:49:39.920 Some people want 00:49:39.920 --> 00:49:41.400 a kind of a pick-and-mix Bible. 00:49:41.519 --> 00:49:42.300 I'll take this bit 00:49:42.300 --> 00:49:42.860 and this bit, 00:49:43.179 --> 00:49:43.460 but oh, 00:49:43.519 --> 00:49:45.280 that's too harsh. 00:49:45.280 --> 00:49:46.240 I'm not having anything 00:49:46.240 --> 00:49:47.000 to do with that. 00:49:47.080 --> 00:49:47.240 No. 00:49:47.660 --> 00:49:48.560 We've got to be honest 00:49:48.560 --> 00:49:49.200 and faithful 00:49:49.200 --> 00:49:50.300 with everything. 00:49:51.460 --> 00:49:52.519 But you'll also notice 00:49:52.519 --> 00:49:53.180 what it says. 00:49:53.960 --> 00:49:54.800 We appeal. 00:49:55.440 --> 00:49:56.240 God is making 00:49:56.240 --> 00:49:57.360 his appeal through us. 00:49:57.680 --> 00:49:59.100 We implore you 00:49:59.100 --> 00:50:00.580 on behalf of Christ 00:50:00.580 --> 00:50:01.500 to be reconciled 00:50:01.500 --> 00:50:01.880 to God. 00:50:02.800 --> 00:50:03.280 Implore. 00:50:05.800 --> 00:50:06.960 When we're preaching 00:50:06.960 --> 00:50:08.420 or when we're witnessing, 00:50:08.660 --> 00:50:09.820 it's not just sort of a, 00:50:10.180 --> 00:50:10.420 well, 00:50:10.519 --> 00:50:11.320 it's not a lecture. 00:50:11.740 --> 00:50:12.100 It's not a, 00:50:12.200 --> 00:50:12.260 well, 00:50:12.580 --> 00:50:13.260 here it is, 00:50:13.260 --> 00:50:14.320 I'm going to tell you 00:50:14.320 --> 00:50:15.019 a few things. 00:50:16.240 --> 00:50:17.380 This is serious stuff. 00:50:17.480 --> 00:50:18.120 We're dealing with 00:50:18.120 --> 00:50:19.660 the most important thing 00:50:19.660 --> 00:50:20.519 in our life, 00:50:20.760 --> 00:50:21.380 our soul, 00:50:21.620 --> 00:50:22.240 our future, 00:50:22.400 --> 00:50:23.140 our destiny. 00:50:24.660 --> 00:50:25.220 And that is why, 00:50:25.560 --> 00:50:25.980 you see, 00:50:26.060 --> 00:50:26.560 the Lord is, 00:50:27.320 --> 00:50:28.080 you can almost see 00:50:28.080 --> 00:50:28.900 a desperation 00:50:28.900 --> 00:50:29.960 in the Lord 00:50:29.960 --> 00:50:31.480 that the word of God 00:50:31.480 --> 00:50:32.160 will go out 00:50:32.160 --> 00:50:33.340 and that people will hear. 00:50:34.580 --> 00:50:35.960 Because it's only here 00:50:35.960 --> 00:50:36.800 in this world 00:50:36.800 --> 00:50:38.200 that this message 00:50:38.200 --> 00:50:39.220 is proclaimed, 00:50:39.400 --> 00:50:40.519 not proclaimed in heaven. 00:50:41.340 --> 00:50:42.200 Everybody in heaven 00:50:42.200 --> 00:50:43.100 has heard the message 00:50:43.100 --> 00:50:44.320 and responded to it. 00:50:44.320 --> 00:50:45.800 It's not proclaimed 00:50:45.800 --> 00:50:46.300 in hell 00:50:46.300 --> 00:50:47.500 because the day 00:50:47.500 --> 00:50:48.280 of the good news 00:50:48.280 --> 00:50:48.760 is over, 00:50:48.860 --> 00:50:49.800 the day of opportunity 00:50:49.800 --> 00:50:50.460 is gone. 00:50:53.240 --> 00:50:53.680 Sadly, 00:50:53.820 --> 00:50:54.480 there will be many 00:50:54.480 --> 00:50:54.960 in hell 00:50:54.960 --> 00:50:56.740 who heard the message 00:50:56.740 --> 00:50:59.539 and they will, 00:50:59.800 --> 00:51:00.880 throughout an endless 00:51:00.880 --> 00:51:01.519 eternity, 00:51:01.519 --> 00:51:02.220 wish that they 00:51:02.220 --> 00:51:03.840 responded to it. 00:51:04.420 --> 00:51:05.380 But it's too late. 00:51:05.960 --> 00:51:07.059 It's a fearful thought. 00:51:07.059 --> 00:51:09.460 And so there is 00:51:09.460 --> 00:51:10.400 this urgency 00:51:10.400 --> 00:51:12.139 about it all. 00:51:13.119 --> 00:51:13.599 And in fact, 00:51:13.739 --> 00:51:14.420 further back, 00:51:14.759 --> 00:51:16.199 Paul says, 00:51:17.739 --> 00:51:18.759 we have to 00:51:18.759 --> 00:51:20.619 implore people 00:51:20.619 --> 00:51:21.599 on behalf of Christ. 00:51:21.739 --> 00:51:21.940 Why? 00:51:22.079 --> 00:51:22.320 Because, 00:51:22.539 --> 00:51:22.940 verse 10, 00:51:23.599 --> 00:51:24.779 for we must all 00:51:24.779 --> 00:51:25.559 appear before 00:51:25.559 --> 00:51:26.500 the judgment seat 00:51:26.500 --> 00:51:27.119 of Christ 00:51:27.119 --> 00:51:28.960 so that each one 00:51:28.960 --> 00:51:29.699 may receive 00:51:29.699 --> 00:51:30.400 what is due 00:51:30.400 --> 00:51:31.380 for what he has done 00:51:31.380 --> 00:51:31.920 in the body, 00:51:32.279 --> 00:51:33.159 whether good or evil. 00:51:33.159 --> 00:51:33.699 Now, 00:51:33.759 --> 00:51:34.239 there's a lot of, 00:51:34.480 --> 00:51:35.619 there's a lot in that. 00:51:36.639 --> 00:51:37.440 But there's one thing 00:51:37.440 --> 00:51:38.199 I'm just going to say 00:51:38.199 --> 00:51:38.579 just now. 00:51:38.659 --> 00:51:39.339 We've got to remember 00:51:39.339 --> 00:51:40.339 that sitting on 00:51:40.339 --> 00:51:41.879 the great white throne 00:51:41.879 --> 00:51:43.159 will be 00:51:43.159 --> 00:51:44.559 the Son of God, 00:51:44.920 --> 00:51:46.359 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:51:47.099 --> 00:51:48.480 in all his majesty 00:51:48.480 --> 00:51:49.420 and in his glory. 00:51:51.079 --> 00:51:51.899 And I'll have to, 00:51:52.239 --> 00:51:52.619 tonight, 00:51:53.179 --> 00:51:54.859 I will have to stand there 00:51:54.859 --> 00:51:55.639 and answer 00:51:55.639 --> 00:51:56.819 for tonight. 00:51:57.739 --> 00:51:58.859 Was I faithful? 00:51:59.799 --> 00:52:00.799 Was I in any way 00:52:00.799 --> 00:52:01.779 seeking my own honour 00:52:01.780 --> 00:52:02.860 or own glory? 00:52:03.340 --> 00:52:04.660 Was I absolutely faithful 00:52:04.660 --> 00:52:05.400 to the message 00:52:05.400 --> 00:52:06.060 that was given? 00:52:06.820 --> 00:52:08.000 You will have to give 00:52:08.000 --> 00:52:08.500 an account 00:52:08.500 --> 00:52:10.240 for what you did with it. 00:52:11.300 --> 00:52:12.200 Did you accept 00:52:12.200 --> 00:52:14.120 or did you reject? 00:52:15.160 --> 00:52:16.080 And if you reject, 00:52:16.400 --> 00:52:17.720 you're telling Jesus, 00:52:18.300 --> 00:52:19.120 the one who tonight 00:52:19.120 --> 00:52:20.140 is offering you 00:52:20.140 --> 00:52:20.960 himself, 00:52:21.640 --> 00:52:22.940 I chose to reject you. 00:52:24.140 --> 00:52:24.660 Well, 00:52:24.920 --> 00:52:25.560 it's solemn 00:52:25.560 --> 00:52:27.519 because if you reject 00:52:27.519 --> 00:52:28.180 Jesus, 00:52:28.680 --> 00:52:29.500 what's the outcome? 00:52:30.100 --> 00:52:31.060 He rejects you. 00:52:31.780 --> 00:52:32.820 depart 00:52:32.820 --> 00:52:34.540 from me. 00:52:35.600 --> 00:52:36.320 Imagine these, 00:52:36.400 --> 00:52:37.640 the final words 00:52:37.640 --> 00:52:39.060 ever hearing 00:52:39.060 --> 00:52:39.960 from Christ. 00:52:40.980 --> 00:52:41.660 Depart 00:52:41.660 --> 00:52:42.600 from me. 00:52:44.380 --> 00:52:45.600 And so it's important 00:52:45.600 --> 00:52:47.900 that you respond 00:52:47.900 --> 00:52:49.200 to this message 00:52:49.200 --> 00:52:51.040 because all the doing 00:52:51.040 --> 00:52:51.740 has been done. 00:52:52.300 --> 00:52:53.000 The reconciliation 00:52:53.000 --> 00:52:54.280 has taken place. 00:52:55.780 --> 00:52:56.240 God 00:52:56.240 --> 00:52:57.180 initiated, 00:52:58.080 --> 00:52:58.560 Christ 00:52:58.560 --> 00:52:59.540 did it, 00:52:59.539 --> 00:53:01.019 and it's there 00:53:01.019 --> 00:53:02.039 ready for you 00:53:02.039 --> 00:53:02.519 tonight. 00:53:03.480 --> 00:53:04.619 All you have to do 00:53:04.619 --> 00:53:05.340 is ask him 00:53:05.340 --> 00:53:06.920 into your life 00:53:06.920 --> 00:53:08.739 to accept him 00:53:08.739 --> 00:53:10.179 and to believe. 00:53:10.460 --> 00:53:11.340 It's as simple 00:53:11.340 --> 00:53:12.000 as that. 00:53:13.199 --> 00:53:13.920 And the moment 00:53:13.920 --> 00:53:14.440 you do, 00:53:15.219 --> 00:53:15.739 you become 00:53:15.739 --> 00:53:17.119 a new creation 00:53:17.119 --> 00:53:18.599 where you're able 00:53:18.599 --> 00:53:19.179 to see 00:53:19.179 --> 00:53:20.539 and to believe 00:53:20.539 --> 00:53:21.719 and understand 00:53:21.719 --> 00:53:23.079 in a way 00:53:23.079 --> 00:53:23.639 that you never 00:53:23.639 --> 00:53:24.300 did before. 00:53:24.420 --> 00:53:24.960 Let us pray. 00:53:24.960 --> 00:53:26.280 Lord our God, 00:53:26.360 --> 00:53:27.500 we pray to bless us. 00:53:28.820 --> 00:53:29.579 We give thanks 00:53:29.579 --> 00:53:31.559 for this message 00:53:31.559 --> 00:53:32.380 that we have, 00:53:33.199 --> 00:53:33.659 a message 00:53:33.659 --> 00:53:34.420 that is often 00:53:34.420 --> 00:53:34.920 weighty, 00:53:35.720 --> 00:53:36.220 a message 00:53:36.220 --> 00:53:37.460 that is wonderful. 00:53:38.519 --> 00:53:39.220 And we pray 00:53:39.220 --> 00:53:40.220 that we may 00:53:40.220 --> 00:53:41.220 respond to it 00:53:41.220 --> 00:53:42.019 in a right way. 00:53:43.039 --> 00:53:43.579 Our days 00:53:43.579 --> 00:53:44.220 are short. 00:53:45.079 --> 00:53:45.659 One day 00:53:45.659 --> 00:53:46.599 our time 00:53:46.599 --> 00:53:47.320 of opportunity 00:53:47.320 --> 00:53:48.380 will be no more. 00:53:48.380 --> 00:53:48.500 Lord, 00:53:49.079 --> 00:53:50.460 and it won't be long 00:53:50.460 --> 00:53:51.340 until all of us 00:53:51.340 --> 00:53:52.180 will be standing 00:53:52.180 --> 00:53:53.519 before that 00:53:53.519 --> 00:53:54.599 great white throne. 00:53:55.619 --> 00:53:56.200 Oh Lord, 00:53:56.300 --> 00:53:57.460 have mercy upon us. 00:53:58.260 --> 00:53:58.820 Take us all 00:53:58.820 --> 00:53:59.940 to our homes safely. 00:54:00.880 --> 00:54:01.980 Pray to bless 00:54:01.980 --> 00:54:02.800 this congregation. 00:54:03.260 --> 00:54:04.140 We pray your blessing 00:54:04.140 --> 00:54:05.539 on Calamurdo 00:54:05.539 --> 00:54:06.140 and Joanne 00:54:06.140 --> 00:54:06.660 and family 00:54:06.660 --> 00:54:07.500 at this time 00:54:07.500 --> 00:54:10.440 of a wee break 00:54:10.440 --> 00:54:10.900 for them. 00:54:11.000 --> 00:54:12.200 May they have 00:54:12.200 --> 00:54:13.200 recharging 00:54:13.200 --> 00:54:14.599 and renewing 00:54:14.599 --> 00:54:15.559 in themselves. 00:54:16.160 --> 00:54:17.039 We pray for Colin 00:54:17.039 --> 00:54:18.000 the Inter Moderator, 00:54:18.579 --> 00:54:19.400 ask your blessing 00:54:19.400 --> 00:54:20.480 upon him as well. 00:54:21.340 --> 00:54:21.880 And pray, Lord, 00:54:21.940 --> 00:54:22.980 that you will direct us 00:54:22.980 --> 00:54:23.519 and lead us 00:54:23.519 --> 00:54:24.480 as a congregation, 00:54:24.699 --> 00:54:25.440 lead us forward 00:54:25.440 --> 00:54:26.340 in the right way. 00:54:27.300 --> 00:54:28.260 As the psalmist said, 00:54:28.320 --> 00:54:29.320 show me thy ways, 00:54:29.420 --> 00:54:29.900 O Lord. 00:54:30.599 --> 00:54:31.400 We pray that that 00:54:31.400 --> 00:54:32.000 might be 00:54:32.000 --> 00:54:33.659 our prayer collectively. 00:54:34.579 --> 00:54:35.099 Show us 00:54:35.099 --> 00:54:35.860 your ways, 00:54:35.960 --> 00:54:36.420 O Lord. 00:54:36.639 --> 00:54:37.519 Take away from us 00:54:37.519 --> 00:54:37.960 our sin, 00:54:38.039 --> 00:54:38.800 in Jesus' name. 00:54:38.980 --> 00:54:39.260 Amen. 00:54:41.900 --> 00:54:42.559 We're going to 00:54:42.559 --> 00:54:43.239 conclude singing 00:54:43.239 --> 00:54:44.659 in Psalm 126. 00:54:45.139 --> 00:54:45.559 And this is 00:54:45.559 --> 00:54:46.599 in Sing Psalm, 00:54:46.719 --> 00:54:47.780 Psalm 126. 00:54:48.559 --> 00:54:49.099 I'm going to sing 00:54:49.099 --> 00:54:49.920 the whole psalm. 00:54:51.019 --> 00:54:51.960 And the tune is 00:54:51.960 --> 00:54:52.639 Denfield. 00:54:55.900 --> 00:54:57.079 And there we have 00:54:57.079 --> 00:54:58.039 a picture of 00:54:58.039 --> 00:55:00.380 going out 00:55:00.380 --> 00:55:01.480 mourning, 00:55:01.920 --> 00:55:03.039 going out with tears 00:55:03.039 --> 00:55:03.619 of grief, 00:55:03.739 --> 00:55:04.619 bearing the seed, 00:55:04.800 --> 00:55:05.539 sowing the seed, 00:55:05.639 --> 00:55:07.199 because sowing the seed 00:55:07.199 --> 00:55:07.980 can be hard. 00:55:08.480 --> 00:55:09.300 But there's a great 00:55:09.300 --> 00:55:10.280 encouragement 00:55:10.280 --> 00:55:11.179 coming back 00:55:11.179 --> 00:55:12.760 with songs of joy 00:55:12.760 --> 00:55:14.559 bearing harvest sheaf. 00:55:14.559 --> 00:55:15.820 Psalm 126. 00:55:15.820 --> 00:55:17.259 When Zion's fortunes 00:55:17.259 --> 00:55:18.179 God restored, 00:55:18.519 --> 00:55:19.599 it was a dream 00:55:19.599 --> 00:55:20.299 come true. 00:55:20.940 --> 00:55:21.619 Our mouths 00:55:21.619 --> 00:55:22.199 were then 00:55:22.199 --> 00:55:22.880 with laughter 00:55:22.880 --> 00:55:23.340 filled, 00:55:23.460 --> 00:55:24.059 our tongues 00:55:24.059 --> 00:55:24.940 with songs 00:55:24.940 --> 00:55:25.340 anew. 00:55:25.840 --> 00:55:26.820 The nation said, 00:55:26.820 --> 00:55:27.720 the Lord has done 00:55:27.720 --> 00:55:28.559 great things 00:55:28.559 --> 00:55:29.220 for Israel. 00:55:29.900 --> 00:55:30.580 The Lord did 00:55:30.580 --> 00:55:31.420 mighty things 00:55:31.420 --> 00:55:31.940 for us. 00:55:32.580 --> 00:55:33.800 Enjoy our hearts 00:55:33.800 --> 00:55:34.600 new will. 00:55:35.519 --> 00:55:37.000 Restore our fortunes, 00:55:37.100 --> 00:55:37.840 gracious Lord, 00:55:37.900 --> 00:55:38.600 like streams 00:55:38.600 --> 00:55:39.740 in desert soil. 00:55:40.600 --> 00:55:41.960 A joyful harvest 00:55:41.960 --> 00:55:42.860 will reward 00:55:42.860 --> 00:55:43.980 the weeping 00:55:43.980 --> 00:55:45.400 sower's toil. 00:55:45.400 --> 00:55:46.559 1, 2, 6, 00:55:46.639 --> 00:55:47.340 a whole psalm 00:55:47.340 --> 00:55:48.460 to the tune 00:55:48.460 --> 00:55:49.019 Denfield. 00:55:49.019 --> 00:55:49.460 Amen. 00:55:54.139 --> 00:56:00.139 When Zion's fortunes 00:56:00.139 --> 00:56:02.360 God restored, 00:56:02.920 --> 00:56:06.360 it was a dream 00:56:06.360 --> 00:56:09.420 come true. 00:56:10.019 --> 00:56:11.960 Our mouths 00:56:11.960 --> 00:56:13.519 were then 00:56:13.519 --> 00:56:16.000 with laughter 00:56:16.000 --> 00:56:17.420 filled, 00:56:17.880 --> 00:56:19.679 our tongues 00:56:19.679 --> 00:56:21.579 with songs 00:56:21.579 --> 00:56:23.699 anew. 00:56:25.340 --> 00:56:27.340 The nations 00:56:27.340 --> 00:56:28.820 say, 00:56:29.220 --> 00:56:31.220 the Lord 00:56:31.220 --> 00:56:32.800 has done 00:56:32.800 --> 00:56:35.079 great things 00:56:35.079 --> 00:56:38.519 for Israel. 00:56:38.519 --> 00:56:42.519 the Lord 00:56:42.519 --> 00:56:44.559 in mighty 00:56:44.559 --> 00:56:46.239 things 00:56:46.239 --> 00:56:47.840 for us 00:56:47.840 --> 00:56:50.079 and joy 00:56:50.079 --> 00:56:51.900 and hearts 00:56:51.900 --> 00:56:54.980 new will. 00:56:55.659 --> 00:57:00.940 Restore our fortunes, 00:57:01.059 --> 00:57:03.360 gracious Lord, 00:57:03.739 --> 00:57:05.780 like streams 00:57:05.780 --> 00:57:09.780 in desert soil. 00:57:09.780 --> 00:57:14.780 A joyful harvest 00:57:14.780 --> 00:57:17.780 will reward 00:57:18.480 --> 00:57:20.780 the weeping 00:57:21.500 --> 00:57:24.780 sower's toil. 00:57:24.780 --> 00:57:25.780 singing, 00:57:25.780 --> 00:57:25.780 00:57:25.780 --> 00:57:25.780 00:57:25.780 --> 00:57:25.780 00:57:25.780 --> 00:57:26.780 singing, 00:57:26.780 --> 00:57:26.780 00:57:26.780 --> 00:57:26.780 00:57:26.780 --> 00:57:28.019 singing, 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:28.019 00:57:28.019 --> 00:57:49.059 Let your heavenly singing, 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:49.059 --> 00:57:49.059 00:57:58.019 --> 00:58:04.039 grace, mercy, and peace of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rest and abide upon each one of you 00:58:04.039 --> 00:58:08.400 now and forevermore. Amen. I'll go to the door on my right. 00:58:28.019 --> 00:58:30.019 Amen.