So let's begin our worship by singing to God's praise from Psalm 72 in the Scottish Psalter on page 312.
! Psalm 72 on page 312.
It is a psalm about the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, and rejoicing in Him and in the peace that He brings and in the endurance of His reign.
We're singing at verse 1.
O Lord, Thy judgments give the King, the Son, Thy righteousness. With rightly shall Thy people judge, Thy poor with uprightness.
The lofty mountains shall bring forth unto the people peace. Likewise, the little hills, the same shall do by righteousness.
And we're going to sing from verse 1 to the end of the verse marked 7, and we're singing to the tune Evan.
So we stand to sing to God's praise.
O Lord, Thy judgments give the King, the Son, Thy righteousness. With rightly shall Thy people judge, Thy poor with uprightness.
The lofty mountains shall bring forth unto the people peace. Likewise, the little hills, the same shall do by righteousness.
The people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, the people voyque, voyque, voyque, voyque, voyque, voyque, voyque, voyque, voyque, voyque, voyque, voyque voyque, voyque voyque, voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque
They shall be feared while sun and doom do last wages all.
Like rain on moon grass he shall grow or search on earth that fall.
The just shall flourish in his days and prosper in his reign.
He shall while the moon endure a hundred feet maintain.
Let's join together in prayer. Let's bow our heads in prayer.
Almighty and most gracious God, we rejoice once more in the worship of your name.
We rejoice in your word that we have sung together.
We rejoice in the knowledge that your son is crowned as king.
We rejoice in the knowledge of the peace which he has secured by his saving work.
We rejoice in the knowledge that his kingdom knows no end, that it shall endure forever.
We rejoice in the knowledge of the salvation that is freely offered to us in the gospel of Jesus Christ, your son.
We rejoice in the knowledge that that gospel offers to us a pathway into your everlasting kingdom
to be the kingdom of God, to be citizens in the kingdom of heaven,
to have you as our father here in this world, caring as I'm watching over us
and rejoicing in the knowledge that such care will lead us safely through this world
amidst of all of its turmoil and uncertainty
and will bring us at last into your everlasting kingdom.
We give thanks to you for this day, for the Lord's day.
We give thanks to you for the significance of this Lord's day, of this Easter Sunday.
We give thanks to you that your son was raised by you from the dead.
We give thanks to you for the way in which you received his finished work.
We give thanks to you for the way in which your plans succeeded
in his life and his death and in his resurrection.
And we rejoice in the knowledge tonight that the glory belongs to him
and that you have indeed crowned him with glory and with honor.
And help us as we reflect on these things during the whole of this day.
Help us with faith, we do pray.
Help us so that we would not treat the story of the resurrection of your son
like any other story.
Save us from dismissing it when we close this day and move on to another day.
Help us to understand the reality of the resurrection of your son
as the great moment of the work of your redemption.
As a great moment in which the destiny of this world has been changed
and has been secured forever.
And help us, O Lord God, to understand
that on this Lord's day, like every other Lord's day,
the gospel demands our attention.
That it demands our faith.
That it does demand our wholehearted commitment.
Commitment to you as our God.
Commitment in discipleship to follow your son.
And commitment to serve you here in this world
as long as we are in it.
So bless your word to us tonight, O Lord our God.
Instill within us that deep desire
to respond in love to the news of the death and resurrection of your son
and understanding its personal significance
to be able to speak of it with joy and with gladness
and to speak of it with love to those who are around us in life
who, although today may be interested in the story,
have no interest in the real meaning of it.
So bless our hearts, we do pray in that way this evening together.
Bless to us this whole day.
And bless all those who came under the sound of the gospel,
not only in our own congregation here,
but across our island communities
and even throughout our land on this Easter Sunday.
We give thanks to you for every mention of the death and resurrection of your son.
And we pray that all who heard would know something of the power with which
you did raise your son,
that power working in their hearts
to bring about new life,
to bring about new birth,
and to bring about a new hope
and the hope of a new and a greater and a better day.
And so we pray that you will follow
the message of Easter and the preaching of your word
with the power of your Holy Spirit,
that it may indeed bring forth fruit in the lives of all those
who came in contact with your word today,
and that we may truly see your kingdom coming
and evidence of your work,
that you are indeed building your church
around us in our congregations,
around us in our families and in our communities,
that you are making your name great,
and that you are causing people who are far from you
to be near to you
and to walk with you
and to find peace and rest in you
as their God and as their Saviour.
I give thanks to you for all those who
gather with us this morning.
I pray that you will bless all of our homes
and our families and all of our people.
I give thanks to you for all who have gathered together here
this evening as well for this time of worship.
I pray that you will bless each and every heart
before you, O Lord your God.
From the youngest to the oldest,
you are the God who,
as a word for each and every one of us,
help us to understand the gospel tonight,
we do pray,
and help us to hear your voice
and your claims upon us,
and help us to recognize
the authority of your word
and the authority of your voice,
and give it to us, we pray,
a heart that will respond
in obedience to your call
and your claims upon us,
and bless every heart and life
with their own different experiences in life,
their burdens, their concerns,
their anxieties,
their joys, and their sorrows.
We commit all to your care,
and pray that all would know
in the midst of whatever their experience
and circumstance might be,
that they would know that you are the God
who is suited to their every need,
who is rich in your grace,
and who is able to supply their needs
from your riches in glory
by Jesus Christ,
your Son.
We pray for your blessing
to be upon all of the homes
of our congregation.
We remember them before you this evening.
Be with the homes
where there are people
who are unwell,
people who are frail and weak,
who are confined in their homes.
We remember also those
who mourn and grieve,
and we pray your comfort for them,
that you will be near to them,
O Lord your God.
Continue to remember
Ian Faragey and his family
in their time of grief and sorrow.
I pray that you will bless
and comfort them today,
that you will near to them
and give to them
a sense of the hope of the gospel,
giving them joy in their hearts
in the midst of their loss,
and pray that they may know
your comforting presence
at this time,
O Lord your God.
We pray for your blessing
to be upon all the nations
of the world today.
We ask you, O Lord God,
to enter in and to intervene
and to even interrupt
the course of the destiny
of the people during these days,
and the peoples of the world,
different ways in which
there is chaos
and there is disorder.
We pray you to come
and cause your light to shine
in people's hearts and minds,
and especially in those
who are leaders,
who make important decisions
that affect not only
their own nations,
but other nations as well.
We pray you for wisdom
and for grace
and for light
in all of the decisions
that they do make,
and pray that you will indeed
restore order and peace
to the lives of people
across the world,
and that on this Easter Sunday
you will cause your power
to be sent to every corner
of this world,
and that in the personal power
of your Holy Spirit
that you would work
and bring the benefits
of the resurrection
of Jesus Christ
to reach the hearts
and lives of the people
in every corner of this world,
to relieve the oppressed,
and to comfort those
who are broken,
and to restore order
in communities
and the nations of the earth.
We pray you to have mercy,
O Lord of God.
We pray for your blessing
to be upon us
as a congregation
of your people.
We continue to look to you
and to wait upon you.
We recognize that you are
the God whose church it is,
and we pray for your leading
and for your guiding.
We pray that we would have
that spirit of prayer
which engages with you
and which leaves us
sensitive to your direction
and to your hand upon us.
And so we pray that you will
bless us and provide for us
a pastor that will be over us
in the gospel
along with Reverend Calamurda
that you will bless and guide
and lead us during these days
and to make provision
of the person of your choosing
and of you preparing
to lead this congregation
in the ongoing service
of the gospel
and in the missionary work
of the kingdom of heaven.
So bless us, we pray,
as we commit ourselves to you.
Bless us, we gather later on
for the Easter praise and quiz.
Pray that you will bless to us
to continue to reflect
on the resurrection
and on Easter.
And pray that you will bless
the hearts of all those
who gather
and help us to rejoice in you
in all that we do
on this Lord's Day
and all the days of our lives
to find our joy in you
as the great God
and Saviour that you are.
So help us as we continue
before you.
Bless to us your word
as we come to read it
and to share in it
as we continue to sing from it.
We pray that you will give to us
freedom and joy
in doing so we do ask
and keep from us
anything that would spoil
our attention
and that would distract us
in the short time
that we are together.
Here I pray,
we ask unto mercy
that we ask these things
for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
We return to praise God
this time in Psalm 34
in Sing Psalms.
It's on page number 40.
Psalm 34 at verse number 15
is on page 41.
And we're singing
at verse number 15.
And we come to verse 20
and the reference there
to the fact that
their bones
shall not be broken.
These verses are referred to
when we read of Christ Jesus
on the cross at Calvary.
So once more,
the Psalm refers to
the Messiah,
to the Lord Jesus
and to his redeeming work.
We're singing at verse 15
down to the end of the Psalm.
The tune is Bedford.
The Lord,
the Lord's eyes
are upon the just.
He listens to their plea.
The wicked he rejects
and blots
from earth
and their memory.
We stand to sing
from verse 15
to the end of the Psalm
to God's praise.
The Lord's eyes
are upon the just.
He listens
and blots
from earth
their memory.
The righteous
cry
the Lord
responds
and frees
them
when
dispressed.
The Lord
throws near
the broken
heart
and rescues
that he
pressed.
From all
the
davels
of the
just
the Lord
will set
them free.
The
Lord
protects
His
every bone
and broken
none
will be.
The
wicked
are
dark
condemned
to
death
all
those
who
hate
the
just.
God
saves
His
own
they're
not
condemned
for
in
the
Lord
they
die.
God
to
hear
the
word
of
God
and
we
read
from
the
New
Testament
from
the
gospel
according
to
John
and
in
chapter
number
20.
John
chapter
20
and
we're
reading
at
verse
number
19.
John
20
verse
19.
Let
us hear
the
word
of
God.
On the
evening
of that
day
the
first
day
of
the
week
the
doors
being
locked
where
the
disciples
were
for
fear
of
the
Jews
Jesus
came
and
stood
among
them
and
said
to
them
peace
be
with
you
when
he
had
said
this
he
showed
them
his
hands
and
his
side
then
the
disciples
were
glad
when
they
saw
the
Lord
Jesus
said
to
them
again
peace
be
with
you
as
the
father
has
sent
me
even
so
I
am
sending
you
and
when
he
had
said
this
he
breathed
on
them
and
said
to
them
receive
the
Holy
Spirit
if
you
forgive
the
sins
of
anyone
they
are
forgiven
if
you
withhold
forgiveness
from
anyone
it
is
withheld
now
Thomas
one of
the
twelve
called
the
twin
was
not
with
them
when
Jesus
came
so
the
other
disciples
told
him
we
have
seen
the
Lord
but
he
eight
days
later
his
disciples
were
inside
again
and
Thomas
was
with
them
though
the
doors
were
locked
Jesus
came
and
stood
among
them
and
said
peace
be
with
you
then
he
said
to
Thomas
put
your
finger
here
and
see
my
hands
and
put
out
your
hand
and
place
it
in
my
side
do
not
disbelieve
!
believe!
Thomas
answered
him
my
Lord
and
my
God
Jesus
said
to
him
have
you
believed
because
you
have
seen
this
blessed
are
those
who
have
not
seen
and
yet
have
believed!
Now
Jesus
did
many
other
signs
in the
presence
of the
disciples
which
are not
written
in this
book
but
these
are
written
so
that
you
may
believe
that
Jesus
is
the
Christ
the
Son
of
God
and
that
by
believing
you
may
have
life
in
his
name
Amen
that
is
the
word
of
God
we
bless
to
us
our
reading
from
it
we
turn
now
to
sing
in
Psalm
number
118
and
we're
singing
at
verse
number
22
and
we're
on
page
399
Psalm
118
at
verse
number
22
and
in
my
view
at least
there is
the
greatest
Easter
Sunday
Psalm
that we
have
in
the
whole
of
the
Psalter
Psalm
118
and
we're
singing
from
verse
number
22
and
it's
all
really
about
what
has
happened
to
the
Lord
Jesus
and
how
God
has
reversed
the
judgment
of
men
and
has
made
his
son
the
cornerstone
that
stone
is
made
head
cornerstone
which
builders
did
despise
this
the
doing
of
the
Lord
and
wondrous
in
our
eyes
so
sing
verse
22
to
the
end
of
the
psalm
and
the
tune
is
martyrdom
!
that
stone
is
made
in
cornerstone
which
builders
did
despise
!
this
is
the
doing
of
the
Lord
and
wondrous
in
our
eyes
this
is
the
day
God
made
in
it
will
joy
triumphantly
save
now
I
pray
thee
Lord
I
pray
send
thy
prosperity
blessed
is
thee
in
God's
great
name
that
cometh
us
to
save
we
from
the
house
which
to
the
Lord
pertains
you
blessed
God
is
the
Lord
to
unto
us
have
made
light
to
our
eyes
bind
thee
unto
the
altars
short
with
forth
the
sacrifice
thou art
my
God
I
thee
exalt
my
God
I
will
thee
praise
give
thanks
to
God
for
he
is
good
his
mercy
lasts
always
amen
let's
turn
together
to
John
chapter
20
and we
can read
again at
verse
number
19
John
chapter
20
and at
verse
19
John
on the
evening
of
that
day
the
first
day
of
the
week
the
doors
being
locked
with
the
disciples
were
for
fear
of
the
Jews
Jesus
came
and stood
among
them
and said
to his
disciples
peace
be
with
you
and so
on down
through
the rest
of
this
chapter
now we
all love
a good
story
and some
people are
better at
telling story
than others
George
Whitefield
was
wrongly
accused
of being
a great
preacher
because he
was before
he was
converted
an actor
and he
had a
very special
poetic way
of preaching
the gospel
and people
would listen
to him
forever
but he
was able
to preach
like that
because
he
understood
the
reality
of the
truths
of the
gospel
that he
preached
and we
come to
the story
of Easter
and we
want to
make sure
as we
do so
that as
much as
we like
a good
story
we don't
simply
want to
hear a
story
we want
to understand
the reality
and the
truths
that are
in the
story
and that
are so
important
to each
and every
one of
us
and when
we reflect
on Easter
weekend
and Good
Friday
and Easter
Sunday
these are
perhaps the
defining
moments
and events
in the
kingdom of
God
that God
has worked
in a special
way on both
of these
days to
bring us
we heard
this morning
to bring
his plans
to the
point at
which the
goal has
been achieved
and God's
kingdom is
now being
built
I want
to look
at these
verses
this evening
and to
in a sense
continue
with the
theme of
the morning
that there
is a
plan
and to
remember
especially
that as
we read
through this
story and
the story in
the gospel
according to
Luke
what we do
understand
more than
anything else
that as much
as it is
great to
see things
the important
thing that
Jesus himself
reminds the
disciples in
Luke 24
the important
thing is
that we
understand
what the
Bible says
and we
understand
the
Old Testament
promises
behind the
cross on
which Jesus
died
we come to
understand
the Old
Testament
promises
that lie
behind the
resurrection
and the
power with
which Jesus
was raised
it's coming
to understand
our Bibles
and when we
come to
think of
believing what
the Bible
says
we believe
with our
minds
and we
take to
heart
what we
begin to
understand
we don't
simply
parkour
our
understanding
and our
intellect
when we
come to
receive
Jesus
and the
gospel
it's
something
that we
do
understanding
what we
are doing
and this
evening I
want us to
bear that
in mind
as we
go through
this passage
because it
highlights a
lot of
these things
and I
want to
see the
way in
which
John
in writing
and the
way with
Jesus
in interacting
addresses
the needs
of the
disciples
and
going on
to look
at these
things
we bear
in mind
and remind
ourselves
the significance
of the
resurrection
of Jesus
that it
is the
final
turning
point
in God's
plan
and from
the moment
of the
resurrection
of Jesus
that we
have a
clear
pathway
for the
first
time
from the
resurrection
to the
eternal
kingdom
of God
the way
is now
clear
sin has
been dealt
with
death
has been
overcome
and we
have this
pathway
so how
this evening
can we be
on this
pathway
and how
can we
believe
and have
faith
and ensure
that we
are going
to the
best
and the
correct
destination
so this
evening
I want
us to
think of
Jesus
and the
kingdom
demands
of Easter
Sunday
I want
to think
first of
all of
the
peace
and there
is a
moment
here in
this
passage
from
verse 19
and it's
a moment
that's
really
significant
and it's
a moment
where
Jesus
himself
on the
evening
of that
day
the first
day of
the week
the day
on which
he has
loosened
the doors
were locked
for the
disciples
were for
fear of
the Jews
now we
can understand
why they
were afraid
we can
understand
why the
door was
locked
because their
master
their lord
the person
whom they
had trusted
had been
captured by
their enemies
he had been
put to
death
and we
can understand
why they
may be
in fear
of their
own lives
and therefore
they are in
this room
and the
door is
locked
and into
that room
comes
the lord
jesus
he comes
and he
stands
in the
midst
and his
very
appearance
is the
first signal
that we
have
that something
is different
about the
lord jesus
now after
his
resurrection
and there
is that
sense in
which he
is able
to stand
in the
midst of
this people
without coming
in the
door
he is able
because of
who he
is to
stand in
their
midst
but as
he comes
to stand
in their
midst
and to
say to
them
peace
be with
you
i want us
to notice
that there
are two
particular
moments
that the
disciples
have
experienced
here
and the
first moment
is that
this is a
god moment
because as
soon as
jesus says
to them
peace
be with
you
it reminds
them
and it
should
remind us
of the
way in
which
down through
the old
testament
at particular
times
when the
angel of
the lord
god himself
appeared to
the people
of god
and they
recognized
that it
was the
angel of
lord
they were
afraid
and we
see that
happening to
to gideon
and judges
chapter 6
the angel
of the lord
spoke to
him
and he
was afraid
because he
had seen
the angel
of the lord
face to
face
it's something
that should
not happen
and somebody
live
and in that
moment
the angel
of the lord
says to him
peace be
with you
do not
fear
you shall
not die
this is
a god
moment
who has
suddenly appeared
in this room
behind locked
doors
it is
nothing
less
than the
son of
god
who has
been
raised
from the
dead
and as
soon as
he stands
before them
it is a
god moment
for them
and as we
reflect and
think of the
resurrection of
the lord
jesus
we need to
remind ourselves
that as he
does appear
to them
and as he
appears to
us here in
the gospel
this is a
god moment
it is a
simple story
of something
miraculous
it is a
moment when
they come
face to
face with
the son
of god
who is
the equal
with god
who is
god of
himself
it is
a god
moment
and along
with that
it is also
a peace
moment
or a cross
moment
because when
he
says to
them
peace
be with
you
it is a
reminder
to us
that he
is the
one
in the
words of
paul
that he
god is
making peace
through the
blood of
the cross
and so
in this
moment
when he
stands
with them
the jesus
who has
promised
them
my peace
i give
to you
not as
the world
gives to
you
here he
is
speaking
to them
of that
peace
god
has
demanded
peace
in his
relationship
with a
lost
world
god
has
demanded
he has
asked
that this
peace
be
accomplished
through the
work of
jesus christ
who goes
to calvary's
cross on
good friday
the demand
is there
there must
be the
sacrifice
there must
be the
substitute
there must
be the
death of
a son
in order
to establish
peace
and so
in this
upper room
in the midst
of all
the fears
it becomes
a cross
moment
as well
as a
god
moment
the peace
has been
secured
god's
demands
have been
met
and as
soon as
they
recognize
that jesus
is here
then it is
peace for
them
and it is
peace for
the whole
world
and we
ourselves
need to
recognize
that the
very
resurrection
of jesus
is both
of these
things for
ourselves
that
easter
sunday
has the
god
moment
and it
also has
the
cross
moment
that
lying
behind it
is the
finished
work of
the lord
jesus
on good
friday
at three
o'clock
in the
afternoon
he said
it is
finished
and peace
has been
secured
the ransom
price has
been paid
and on
easter
sunday
it is
the
declaration
that god
has accepted
the ransom
that the
demands of
justice
have been
made
and there
is peace
with a
lost
world
and
tonight
we celebrate
once more
the
resurrection
of the
lord
jesus
because
it does
speak to
us
of the
very
peace
with
god
of which
we all
have such
a great
need
and paul
in writing
to romans
and in
chapter 5
speaks of
the way
in which
being justified
by faith
we have
peace
with god
and so
because jesus
is no longer
on the cross
and no longer
living under
the shadow
of the cross
he is now
proclaiming the
peace
that he has
secured
through the
cross
and that
comes to
light
on this
great
morning
there is
peace
and tonight
we want
to experience
the reality
of that
peace
the shush
that comes
from
knowing
that we
have peace
with god
and as we
wonder at
the glory
of the lord
jesus christ
on this
resurrection
morning
on this
first day
of the
week
that the
peace
that flows
from the
fact that
he stands
with his
disciples
that peace
may descend
upon us
and we
may experience
that peace
in our
hearts
and when
these moments
become
living and
real to
them
what do you
think they
need more
than anything
what they
need more
than anything
is the
confirmation
that this
indeed is
the jesus
of nazareth
who was
crucified
on calvary's
cross
on friday
afternoon
they need
the confirmation
the evidence
that he is
one
and the
same
person
so what
did jesus
do to
drive home
the point
what did
jesus do
for them
when he
had said
this
he showed
them
his hands
and his
side
there's
the evidence
what they
were looking
for and
what they
needed
was
continuity
between
the son
of god
who came
into the
mansion
in bethlehem
who lived
his life
as a young
child
who began
his ministry
when he
was 30
who performed
a powerful
ministry
who was
captured by
his enemies
and was
crucified
there needs
to be that
continuity
the confirmation
that this
is the
same
person
that now
stands with
them
and
when he
shows them
his
hand
his hands
and his
side
we see
clearly that
there's a cross
connection
because he
was
he was
suspended
on calvary's
cross
but
significantly
he doesn't
show them
his hands
and his
feet
he shows
them
his hands
and his
side
and that
makes
this
makes a
Christ
connection
with the
way in which
he shows
them the
evidence
why is the
side
important
because
there were
three
crucified
together
and when
the time
came to
make sure
that they
were dead
before the
Sabbath day
and the
soldiers
went to
break their
legs
to make
sure that
they would
die before
the day
was out
they found
that Jesus
was already
dead
there were
two criminals
with broken
legs
there was
one saviour
with a
pierced
side
so that
it would
be fulfilled
what he
sang in
Psalm 34
that a
bone of
him
would not
be broken
it's
convincing
it drives
home the
point
it brings
the peace
to be
full of
meaning
for them
personally
it's the
restoration
of the
relationship
with the
Lord Jesus
and because
of that
when he
showed them
his hands
and his
side
the
disciples
were glad
when they
saw the
Lord
it seems
to be
the case
that that's
what clenched
everything
for the
disciples
when they
were sure
of the
evidence
and sure
of the
continuity
between the
cross
and that
moment
then they
were glad
and sometimes
we're glad
over certain
things and
perhaps glad
things didn't
happen and
glad things
did happen
but this
gladness
goes deeper
than that
it's the
gladness
that we
hear of
in the
Psalms
so often
in the
Old Testament
and in
other parts
of the
Old Testament
it's the
gladness
that's
connected
to
understanding
that God
is
accomplishing
his word
and fulfilling
his promises
with regard
to everlasting
and eternal
salvation
what is the
gladness
why are they
glad
it's because
they recognize
this moment
they recognize
the plan
of God
the purpose
of God
and know
they have
the peace
of God
through the
Lord Jesus
Christ
they are
glad
they have
joy
and they
rejoice
and tonight
that's where
God wants
to bring us
on this
Easter Sunday
to bring us
through the
story
to bring us
through these
moments
and to come
to the place
where we are
convinced in
our hearts
that it is
the Jesus
who died
who is alive
that he has
secured peace
and to find
in our hearts
that joy
the joy
that Simeon
had when he
held the
child Jesus
in his arms
he saw
God's
salvation
it's that
deep seated
joy
which reaches
our innermost
being
and which
gives to us
to sing
the song
of God's
deliverance
the peace
do we sense
that peace
on this
Easter Sunday
do we sense
that joy
the unspeakable
joy that
comes from
from discovering
that the
resurrected
Lord
is our
Lord
and is
our
Savior
and he
has
established
our
peace
with God
and given
to us
that new
relationship
with him
and so we
have
the peace
the demand
for peace
it's God's
demand
that there
must be
peace
and the
demand is
fully met
and there is
peace for all
those who
hear the
good news
and to
receive it
with
gladness
secondly
we see
there is
participation
in verse
number
21
we read
Jesus said
to them
again
peace
be with
you
as the
father
has sent
me
even
so
I am
sending
you
there is
a work
to be
done
there is
there has
to be
continuity
in the
work
continuity
and his
passion
was important
here is the
same
Jesus
but Jesus
now
reminds them
that his
work is
going to
continue
through
them
and
as
the
father
hath sent
me
it's
God
the
father
sending
the
son
with
the
emphasis
on
the
authority
of
the
father
to
send
the
son
out
into
the
world
and
to
connect
this
lost
world
with
the
father
who
sends
and
to
do
that
through
the
work
of
the
one
who
is
sent
he
is
sent
on
a
mission
with
the
authority
of
God
and
so
he
has
finished
his
work
and
just
like
that
Jesus
now
telling
them
even
so
I
am
sending
you
and
although
we
don't
want
to
go
into
the
differences
in
this
verse
there
are
two
verbs
used
for
the
sending
and
the
first
verb
that
speaks
of
the
father
sending
the
Lord
Jesus
the
emphasis
is
on
authority
the
second
verb
even
so
I
am
sending
you
the
emphasis
is
on
participation
it's
joining
in the
same
work
it's
becoming
part
of
the
whole
and
as
surely
as
Jesus
was
conscious
in
every
step
that
he
took
of
the
fact
that
he
was
here
to
serve
the
father
to
do
the
will
of
the
father
and
always
delighting
in
doing
so
knowing
that
he
was
the
saint
!
one
so
now
Jesus
wants
them
to
understand
that
he
is
sending
them
they
are to
participate
in the
same
mission
and in
the same
work
and of
course it is
true
that a
work has
been
finished
on
Good
Friday
it is
true that
the evidence
of that
is that
Jesus
rose on
Easter
Sunday
that
work
has
been
finished
but
the
mission
of
God
has
not
yet
been
concluded
there is
a work
to be
done
in
serving
God
and
continuing
the
mission
of
God
in
reconciling
the
world
to
himself
and
they
are
not
to
stay
in
that
upper
room
in
the
confines
of
it
and
in
the
comfort
of
it
and
with
the
presence
of
Jesus
in
it
they
are
not
going
to
stay
there
and
enjoy
that
moment
precious
as
it
is
instead
of
doing
that
Jesus
is
sending
them
out
into
the
world
and
John
speaks
in
chapter
10
about
Jesus
himself
being
set
apart
and
sent
by
the
father
and
so
here
is
Jesus
setting
them
apart
and
sending
them
out
as
we
see
in
Acts
chapter
1
and
through
the
book
of
Acts
sending
them
out
to
continue
the
ministry
of
the
gospel
and
the
mission
of
God
and
to
ensure
that
this
good
news
spreads
forth
out
into
the
world
in
which
they
are
living
participation
God
wants
to
remind
us
all
this
evening
that
our
enjoyment
of
salvation
is
actually
experienced
in
our
obedience
to
his
command
to
serve
him
in
the
gospel
service
as we
follow
the
Lord
Jesus
as
our
master
we
are to
show
forth
what
he
has
done
we
are
to be
his
servants
and
so
we
come once
more to
the sense
of the
demands
of the
kingdom
on
Easter
Sunday
here
is
the
command
the
demand
from
Jesus
to
you
and
to
me
the
disciples
were
told
you'll
be
witness
to
me
in
Jerusalem
and
to
the
very
ends
of
the
earth
well
tonight
the
disciples
are not
here
tonight
you are
here
and I
am
here
and
there
is
a
work
that
continues
and
because
of
the
urgency
of
the
salvation
of
those
who
have
not
yet
found
the
peace
is
there
not
an
urgency
to
unfold
our
hands
and
to
begin
to
serve
and
to
ensure
that
we
are
walking
this
world
delighting
in
the
will
of
God
which
is
directing
us
to
serve
others
as
Jesus
served
us
and
served
the
world
in
which
he
lived
participation
it's
the
demand
of
the
Lord
Jesus
it's
for
all
of
us
tonight
that
we
receive
of
the
peace
that
we
share
the
peace
and
that
we
take
delight
in
serving
the
Lord
Jesus
because
he
came
to
serve
and
to
give
his
life
a ransom
for
many
and
the
moment
that
the
word
of
God
reminds
you
and
to
me
of
our
need
to
serve
the
first
objection
so often
is
I
cannot
do
that
I'm
not
able
to
do
that
I
don't
have
the
gifts
I
don't
have
the
talents
to
do
that
well
in
the
call
of
Jesus
in
him
sending
his
disciples
and
in
recognizing
their
demand
for
ability
and
power
to
do
so
addresses
that
very
demand
before
they
are
able
even
to
respond
and
how
does
he
do
that
when
he
had
said
this
he
breathed
on
them
and
said
to
them
receive
the
Holy
Spirit
there
is
a
new
creation
there
is
a
new
work
and
there
is
a
promise
being
fulfilled
and
Jesus
throughout
his
conversation
with
the
disciples
in
chapters
14
to
16
reminds
him
repeatedly
that
it
is
to
their
advantage
that
he
goes
because
if
he
doesn't
go
the
helper
the
Holy
Spirit
will
not
come
but
if
he
does
go
he
will
send
him
here
is
the
power
the
enabler
the
guide
the
help
the
one
is
going
to
give
them
strength
in
their
every
time
of
need
and
more
especially
the
power
to
make
their
witness
effective
and
when
I
read
John
chapter
16
that's
exactly
what
Jesus
promises
I
will
send
the
helper
he
will
convict
the
world
of
sin
and
of
righteousness
and
of
judgment
the
sin
that
they
don't
believe
in
me
of
righteousness
because
I
go to
the
father
of
judgment
because
the
prince
of
this
world
the
ruler
of
this
world
is
judged
There's
a
complete
gospel
message
that
is
entrusted
to
them
and
the
success
of
that
gospel
is
dependent
not
upon
them
but
on
the
power
of
the
Holy
Spirit
that
comes
to
dwell
in
their
hearts
and
Jesus
in
that
very
context
said
to
them
he
is
with
you
in
me
and
he
shall
be
in
you
and
he
breathes
upon
them
in a
kind
of
precursor
of
what
happens
in
Acts
number
two
receive
the
Holy
Spirit
there
are
no
excuses
God
is
with
them
his
demand
on
them
is
that
they
serve
him
their
demand
for
power
and
their
complaint
that they
cannot
do so
has
been
answered
by
him
because
he
gives
them
the
power
for
success
and
surely
this
evening
that's
an
encouragement
to
us
our
words
can
feel
to be
so
empty
and
meaningless
our
messages
of the
gospel
can
feel
the
same
and
day
after
day
and
month
after
month
and
year
after
year
we
speak
the
gospel
in
our
church
service
we
speak
the
gospel
in
our
families
amongst
our
friends
and
amongst
our
colleagues
and
those
who
share
life
with
us
and
we
see
so
little
success
but
the
encouragement
is here
that it
is
God
that does
the
work
that
he
works
through
your
service
and
mine
to
build
his
kingdom
and
our
sense
of
inability
and
weakness
is
not a
reason
for us
not to
serve
but it
is
a
pointer
for us
to
think
of
the
power
that
dwells
within
us
which
Christ
has
given
to
us
in
the
power
of
his
Holy
Spirit
so
that
with
his
power
we
are
able
to
serve
him
the
Jesus
who
served
his
father
with
the
same
power
and
with
the
same
devotion
is
calling
you
and I
this
evening
to
follow
in
his
footsteps
to
continue
the
work
that
he
had
begun
and
are
you
tonight
willing
to
hear
his
demand
are
you
willing
to
respond
in
faith
and
in
love
because
of
what
he
has
done
for
you
are
you
willing
to
trust
in
the
power
of
his
Holy
Spirit
that
works
only
when
you
are
serving
and
not
before
the
success
comes
in
the
moment
of
our
obedience
in
doing
the
things
that
God
and
the
Lord
Jesus
commands
us
to
do
participation
the
demands
of
the
kingdom
it's
for
you
it's
for
me
it's
for
all
of
us
who
are
disciples
of
the
Lord
Jesus
so
there is
peace
there is
participation
and
finally
there is
persuasion
and
there is
somebody
absent
from
this
group
and
when
we
are
absent
from
anything
so
often
we
have
missed
opportunities
and
when
this
group
of
disciples
met
on
this
first
Lord's
day
this
first
day
of
the
week
Thomas
was
not
with
them
he
was
absent
and
because
he
was
absent
he
missed
out
on
what
they
had
experienced
he
had
absented
himself
and
the
Bible
doesn't
tell us
why he
did
so
but
the
Bible
gives
us
some
kind
of
overview
of
the
kind
of
person
Thomas
was
he
was
kind
of
tenacious
in the
sense
that
he
wanted
when
Lazarus
was
dead
let us
go and
die
with
him
there's
that
kind
of
tenacity
about
him
and
about
his
faith
but
he
was
also
a
realist
and
he
was
also
somebody
who
wanted
to
have
evidence
before
he
believed
we
don't
know
where
you
are
going
he
says
to
the
Lord
Jesus
so
how
can
we
know
the
way
he
had
desires
he
was
tenacious
he
was
inquisitive
but
he
was
perhaps
also
a
pessimist
and
that
left
him
that
he
was
not
with
the
other
disciples
and
perhaps
that
description
of
Thomas
this
evening
describes
you
in
its
detail
having
desires
for
the
Lord
Jesus
being
tenacious
in some
ways
and
showing
that
and
in
being
part
of
the
work
and
the
kingdom
of
the
Lord
Jesus
in
the
world
realizing
that
you need
more
before
you are
to
believe
but
yet
being
inquisitive
about
the
very
things
that
God
has
spoken
and
decided
to
understand
these
important
truths
Thomas
was
not
with
them
and
perhaps
because
you're
like
Thomas
perhaps
you have
missed
opportunities
and
we know
that
God
is
sovereign
and
that
his
plan
is
outworked
but
nevertheless
at
a
human
level
there
are
places
that
you
and
I
should
have
been
in
and
we
weren't
there
and
we
missed
opportunities
and
tonight
you may
have
missed
opportunities
because
of
your
Thomas
like
kind
of
character
and
because
you
refused
and
you're
looking
for
something
more
so
they
told
him
the
story
they
were
he
was
the
first
person
that
they
served
they
begin
this
work
by
telling
Thomas
what
they
had
seen
themselves
and
I
wonder
then
if
he
realized
that
he
had
missed
an
opportunity
I
wonder
then
if
he
regretted
that
he
wasn't
with
them
that
instead
he
had
chosen
to
be
alone
but
when
he
hears
the
news
he
makes
his
own
demand
and
he
demands
in
verse
number
25
unless
I
see
his
hands
the
mark
of
the
nails
and
place
my
finger
into
the
mark
of
the
nails
and
place
my
hand
into
his
side
I
will
never
believe
there
is
total
resistance
unless
his
demands
are
made
and
we
may
think
that
that's
being
unrealistic
and
we
may
think
that
proves
Thomas
is
a
doubter
my
view
is
that
that's
not
the
case
my
view
is
that
he
is
asking
for
the
very
things
that
they
saw
he
had
missed
the
opportunity
he
wasn't
there
but
he
wants
to
see
the
same
evidence
the
same
marks
he
wants
to
see
them
physically
and
to
touch
them
physically
and
unless
he
sees
that
he
will
never
ever
believe
it's
a
double
negative
in
the
Greek
language
and
that's
an
emphatic
no
I
will
never
believe
and
maybe
tonight
you
yourself
may
have
placed
conditions
before
God
and
no
matter
how
much
you
feel
moved
under
the
gospel
towards
faith
in the
Lord
Jesus
you
are
stopping
short
of
coming
to
that
faith
because
you
have
placed
demands
before
God
and
if
these
demands
are
realistic
and
if
they're
correct
to
make
because
we're
not
expected
to
believe
in
what
we
don't
understand
but
we
may
make
demands
that
are
not
realistic
and
that
are
an
expression
of
our
belief
and
for
unbelief
and
therefore
refuse
!
to
believe
he
makes
his
demands
and
Jesus
responds
to
these
very
demands
and
eight
days
later
that's
the
second
Lord's
day
in the
county
of the
Jews
so
he
appears
on the
first
Lord's
day
and
then
the
next
Lord's
day
he
appears
to
them
again
same
conditions
peace
and
then
he
said
to
Thomas
put
your
finger
here
and
see
my
hands
and
put
out
your
hand
and
place
it
in
my
side
do
not
disbelieve
but
believe
Jesus
is
giving
him
exactly
what
he
asked
for
but
it
is
accompanied
by
a
rebuke
and
the
rebuke
is
something
that
I
want
us
to
think
about
as
we
come
to
a
close
and
the
picture
that
we
have
in
the
words
of
Jesus
when
he
says
to
him
do
not
disbelieve
!
believe
it
gives
us
the
image
of
a
pathway
and
the
pathway
begins
at the
passion
of the
Lord
Jesus
and
it
ends
at the
place
of
unbelief
and
because
of the
words
of the
Lord
Jesus
here
to
Thomas
is
already
on that
journey
away
from
the
Lord
Jesus
away
into
the
place
of
unbelief
it's
a
pathway
that
we
can
so
easily
step
onto
and
once
we
step
onto
it
so
easy
to
come
off
it
and
Jesus
in that
sense
is
saying
don't
carry
on
this
pathway
to
unbelief
instead
believe
be
persuaded
and
accept
the
truth
about
me
the
risen
resurrected
Lord
and
there
Thomas
looks
and
makes
that
great
confession
my
Lord
and
my
God
he
recognizes
immediately
that this
is a
God
moment
he
recognizes
immediately
that this
is the
savior
of the
world
that he
is the
covenant
king
of Israel
who has
come to
give himself
and who
has
redeemed
his people
and is
now
beginning
this new
exodus
in their
lives
he
recognizes
exactly
who
Jesus
is
and I
wonder
tonight
if you're
on that
pathway
that you
have come
close
to Jesus
and
failed
to
believe
and
because
of that
failure
and because
of your
wrong
demands
that you're
on this
trajectory
away
from
that
person
whom you
need
more than
anyone
else
the
pathway
to
unbelief
tonight
God
is
calling
you
back
from
that
pathway
he
is
rescuing
you
from
going
in
that
direction
and by
his
response
to
Thomas
he
the
experience
of Thomas
has
caused
the Lord
Jesus
to think
of you
and to
think
of me
to think
of the
church
beyond
the time
of Thomas
and the
disciples
and that's
why he
says
have you
believed
because
you
have
seen
me
blessed
are
those
who
have
not
seen
and
yet
have
believed
we
tonight
are not
going to
see
the hands
or the
side
of the
Lord
Jesus
but we
have
the
confirmation
of the
Bible
of the
word
of God
and
Jesus
spoke
to the
disciples
on
the road
to
Emmaus
and he
made
that
quite
clear
should
not
the
scripture
be
fulfilled
and from
Moses
down
through
the
Old
Testament
he
showed
them
the
truths
concerning
himself
and
tonight
Jesus
wants
to
encourage
you
to
believe
in
his
word
it
is
the
sure
word
the
certain
word
of
God
the
promises
of
God
no
vision
will
come
to
save
you
the
truths
of
the
gospel
are
the
place
where
you
need
to
place
your
faith
to
find
your
security
and
to
have
the
experience
that
Paul
speaks
of
in
Romans
10
that
if
you
confess
with
your
mouth
the
Lord
Jesus
and
if
you
believe
in
your
heart
that
God
raised
him
from
the
dead
you
shall
be
saved
you
won't
see
the
evidence
that
Thomas
saw
but
you
have
the
truth
you
have
the
promise
of
the
Lord
Jesus
and
tonight
you
are
blessed
if
you
believe
highly
favored
to
be
envied
more
than
anyone
else
in
the
world
if
you
believe
the
truths
of
the
gospel
and
Jesus
Christ
is
your
Savior
and
may
God
help
us
to
think
of
the
peace
of
God
to
wrestle
with
the
importance
of
our
participation
in
the
work
of
the
kingdom
of
God
and
to
be
persuaded
at
last
to
believe
in
the
name
of
the
Lord
Jesus
that
he
has
been
raised
from
the
dead
and
so
that
we
might
also
be
saved
may
God
bless
his
word
to
us
let
us
pray
most
gracious
God
we
bow
before
you
thankful
to
you
for
your
word
that
it
is
the
is
powerful
that
it
is
full
of
all
that
we
need
for
our
salvation
and
help
us
oh
Lord
to
receive
it
as
we
hear
it
help
us
with
faith
in
our
hearts
to
believe
your
promises
to
accept
the
offer
of
salvation
and
to
know
your
son
as
our
saviour
as
we
journey
on
through
life
and
to
know
what
it
is
to
find
our
joy
and
our
gladness
in
you
and
the
paths
that
lead
at
last
to
everlasting
life
so
hear
of
prayer
and
accept
us
for
Jesus
sake
Amen
the
closing
psalm is
psalm number
22
in
Sing
Psalms
and
we're
singing
at
verse
number
22
and
it's
on
page
27
and
we know
of course
that this
psalm is
a psalm
about
the
Messiah
it's
a psalm
about
the
cross
and
the
suffering
of
the
Lord
Jesus
on
the
cross
we're
singing
from
verse
22
which
speaks
of
the
message
to
his
brothers
now
to
my
brothers
I'll
declare
the
praises
of
your
glorious
name
within
their
gathering
I
will
stand
and
you
renown
I
will
proclaim
from
verse
22
to
verse
25
and
the
tune
is
Warrington
now to
my
brother
shall
declare
the
praises
of
your
glory
name
within
their
gathering
I
will
stand
and
your
renown
I
will
proclaim
praise
him
all
you
that
fear
the
Lord
give
honour
to
him
Jacob
praise
all
Israel's
children
worship
and
down
to
love
before
his
face
he
has
not
scorned
the
suffering
which
on
the
afflicted
one
mislead
he
did
not
hide
his
face
from
men
but
listen
to
his
cry
for
aid
you
are
the
theme
of
all
my
praise
within
the
great
assembly
Lord
before
for
all
those
who
fear
your
name
I
will
fulfill
my
solemn
word
now
the
benediction
I'll go
to the
main
door
the
grace
of the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
the
love
of
God
the
Father
and
the
fellowship
of
the
holy
God