WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.560 Silence is a powerful thing, and yet we come today to praise God and thank Him that we can lift our voices up to Him in praise as well on this Remembrance Day. 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:22.420 Our theme this morning is the mountain of the Lord, the place that we can come to and find help and refuge in all our times of need. 00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:27.440 And our first singing is from Psalm 121, the Scottish Psalter version. 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:33.939 A psalm that speaks to us of that place that we can look to. 00:00:35.179 --> 00:00:38.719 I to the hills will lift mine eyes from whence doth come my need. 00:00:39.380 --> 00:00:43.760 My safety cometh from the Lord who heaven and earth hath made. 00:00:44.400 --> 00:00:48.040 We're going to sing the whole of this psalm, verse 1 to 8. 00:00:48.120 --> 00:00:51.760 The tune is French, and we stand to sing to God's praise. 00:00:51.760 --> 00:00:51.820 Amen. 00:00:51.820 --> 00:01:08.819 I to the hills will lift mine eyes from whence doth come my need. 00:01:08.819 --> 00:01:24.419 My safety cometh from the Lord who heaven and earth hath made. 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:32.420 Thy food he'll not let slide nor will. 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:40.000 His slumber that he keeps. 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:49.000 Behold he that keeps Israel. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:53.000 His slumber that he keeps. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:56.000 His slumber that he sleeps. 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:57.000 The Lord he keeps. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:01.000 The Lord he keeps. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:05.000 The Lord thy shade. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:11.000 On thy right hand doth stay. 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:21.000 The moon by night they shall not smite. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:28.000 Nor yet the sun by day. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:38.000 The Lord shall keep thy soul he shall. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:44.000 Preserve thee from all hell. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:51.000 Henceforth thy going out and in. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:03:01.000 God keep forever well. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:07.240 Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer. 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:07.939 Let us pray. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:13.379 Our Father in heaven, as we come in worship of you this day, 00:03:13.379 --> 00:03:16.379 as we come even in that moment of silence, 00:03:16.379 --> 00:03:23.379 we thank you that around the world today there are people who are just like us coming to hear your word 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:29.379 and to pause in these moments of remembrance of so much that was done for us. 00:03:29.379 --> 00:03:32.379 As we remember the many who lay down their lives, 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:37.379 who suffered in so many ways that we might have the freedom that we have today. 00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:46.379 We thank you that today we come with that silence, but also with the great joy that you are a God who speaks to us. 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:53.379 That even in the words that we have sung, that you remind us that there is great praise to be offered up to you, 00:03:53.379 --> 00:03:56.379 the maker of heaven and earth. 00:03:56.379 --> 00:04:02.379 And we thank you that young and old together here we come with so much to give thanks for. 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:05.379 And we just ask your blessing on all that we do today. 00:04:05.379 --> 00:04:09.379 Thankful for the freedom that is ours in our land. 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:12.379 Thank you for the freedom to come and worship you. 00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:17.379 And we pray that you will protect us and keep us in these freedoms. 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:24.379 That in our world, O Lord, that's full of troubles, that we remember that you are God and the God who is able to give peace. 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:29.379 And so we remember, Lord, your cause throughout the world today. 00:04:29.379 --> 00:04:34.379 And remember us here, O Lord, as we come as families and as a congregation to you. 00:04:34.379 --> 00:04:38.379 We do thank you for the promise of your presence with us. 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:44.379 May you look down upon us. May you bless your word to us this day and to all who hear it near and far. 00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:46.379 That it will be a powerful word. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:49.379 A word that we are reminded of what a great God you are. 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:57.379 And for all that you have given us in that great and wonderful provision that you have made for our salvation, for our safety. 00:04:57.379 --> 00:05:01.379 The Lord Jesus Christ, may we praise his name. 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:07.379 And may he be lifted up before us today in all that we do, that all glory would be his. 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:14.379 So hear our prayers. Bless us. Bless the children as they go through to the tweenies and the Sunday school and the Bible class. 00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:17.379 Lord, be with them there and all our young people, all our families. 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:19.379 Watch over us and bless us together. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:24.379 That's all we ask. We ask in Jesus' name and for his sake. Amen. 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:29.379 It's good to be together for worship today. 00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:31.379 And of course, today is Remembrance Day. 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:35.379 And I'm sure maybe in school you've been remembering that as well. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:41.379 I was in Laxdale School on Friday where we had the Remembrance Assembly and other schools have been doing it as well. 00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:46.379 It's an important time for us to remember what was done for us in the past. 00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:51.379 But in the midst of it all, what we remember too is our great God. 00:05:51.379 --> 00:05:55.379 Our great God who watches over us at all times. 00:05:55.379 --> 00:06:00.379 And the God who is a refuge and a strength for his people in all times. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:03.379 Times of joy and times of need. 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:09.379 I want to share something with you about something I learned in the October holidays when we were away on holiday. 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:16.379 We went to visit the island of Jersey, which is one of the Channel Islands and it's very close to France. 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:21.379 You can actually see France on the horizon if you're in the right place on Jersey. 00:06:21.379 --> 00:06:25.379 But it belongs to the United Kingdom, as part of the United Kingdom. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:29.379 And during the Second World War, it was a part of the United Kingdom. 00:06:29.379 --> 00:06:34.379 But in 1940, it was invaded by the German army. 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:38.379 And for the next nearly five years, the Germans occupied. 00:06:38.379 --> 00:06:41.379 That means they were there that whole time. 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:46.379 That was where they were keeping people under their rule. 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:52.379 And as we were visiting Jersey, there were some interesting places that you could go and see the history of the place. 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:55.379 And especially from the Second World War. 00:06:55.379 --> 00:06:59.379 One of the places we went to visit what's called the war tunnels. 00:06:59.379 --> 00:07:07.379 And here on the side of a hill, the Germans used slaves to dig tunnels into this hill. 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:10.379 So it would be a place of protection for them. 00:07:10.379 --> 00:07:14.379 They were ruling over the island and all its people. 00:07:14.379 --> 00:07:24.379 And if you were a resident on Jersey, you belonged to the United Kingdom, you were under German rule, you had to have what they call an identity card. 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:33.379 And when we went to visit the war tunnels, we were all given, as we went in, an identity card that reminded us of people from the past. 00:07:33.379 --> 00:07:37.379 So four of us went in and we got four identity cards. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:41.379 And these are the cards, the same kind of cards that the people in Jersey had. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:42.379 I know it's difficult to see. 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:47.379 I put them through on the table next door when I go through for the coffee and you can see it there. 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:52.379 And on these cards, what you have is a picture of the Persian. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:55.379 And then you have their name and address and date of birth. 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:58.379 And also down the other side, there's details about them. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:02.379 Their color of hair, their color of eyes, and these kinds of things. 00:08:02.379 --> 00:08:05.379 And it's stamped as well and they had to sign it. 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:11.379 And what this meant was that if they were out and about and they were stopped by a German soldier, 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:17.379 they had to show this identity card to show that they belonged to the police and show them who they were. 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:20.379 And really, it's what kept them safe during that time. 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:24.379 Because if they didn't have that, they were in danger of being put in prison. 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:29.379 And so these were important cards for them to have. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:36.379 And it's amazing just to think of how these are real people, real names of people who lived there in that time. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:43.379 And this time of remembrance is a time when we remember so many different people and so many different names. 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:45.379 Names of people we maybe never knew. 00:08:45.379 --> 00:08:50.379 And yet important names, maybe even names belonging to our own families. 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:57.379 But what's important for us today as well is to remember that we need like an identity card as well. 00:08:57.379 --> 00:09:01.379 Something that will keep us safe in times of trouble. 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:04.379 And it's not an identity card like this. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:09.379 But it's more our identity card that is found in the Bible. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:11.379 Who do we belong to? 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:15.379 And who is our safety found in? 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:17.379 Do we belong to Jesus? 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:20.379 That's the important question for us today. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:23.379 Is our identity found in Jesus? 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:27.379 Is our name known to Him in that way? 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:30.379 We are marked safe by Him. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:35.379 Well, to be safe with Him is to believe in Him. 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:37.379 That's what the Bible teaches us. 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:40.379 To be safe in Him is to believe in Him. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:42.379 And then He knows us by name. 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:45.379 He calls us by name to follow Him. 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:48.379 And we're safe with Him. 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:51.379 So much of our history has so much that is sad. 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:59.379 And when we think of what Jesus has done for us, that makes us sad as well because He had to die for our sins. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:01.379 But yet He rose again. 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:07.379 Today we remember the many who gave their lives for us in conflicts in the past. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:10.379 But remember today good news as well. 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:14.379 Of Jesus who came to save His people. 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:17.379 Of Jesus who rose from the dead. 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:24.379 And of Jesus who gives a promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him. 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:27.379 So may we find our identity in Him. 00:10:27.379 --> 00:10:28.379 And be known by Him. 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:31.379 By believing in Him. 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:35.379 We're going to say the Lord's Prayer together now. 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:39.379 Our Father which art in heaven. 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:41.379 Hallowed be Thy name. 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:43.379 Thy kingdom come. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:46.379 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:49.379 Give us this day our daily bread. 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:53.379 And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:56.379 And lead us not into temptation. 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:58.379 But deliver us from evil. 00:10:58.379 --> 00:11:02.379 For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:03.379 Amen. 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:08.379 We'll again sing to God's praise. 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:10.379 Now we're going to sing in Psalm 27. 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:13.379 Verses 1 to 5 in the Scottish Psalter. 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:19.379 Psalm 27, page 236. 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:29.379 We sing from the beginning of the Psalm down to verse 5. 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:30.379 The tune is Jackson. 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:35.379 The Lord's my light and saving health who shall make me dismayed. 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:39.379 My life's strength is the Lord of whom then shall I be afraid. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:48.379 When as my enemies and foes, most wicked persons all, to eat my flesh against me rose, they stumbled and did fall. 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:57.379 And the psalmist goes on to describe coming into the place of the Lord and seeing the beauty of the Lord as the place of refuge for his people. 00:11:57.379 --> 00:12:00.379 Psalm 27, we'll sing from verse 1 to 5. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:02.379 We stand to sing. 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:19.379 The Lord's my light and saving health who shall make me dismayed. 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:32.379 My life's strength is the Lord of whom then shall I be afraid. 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:59.379 When as mine enemies and foes, most wicked persons all, to eat my flesh against me rose, they stumbled and did fall. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:12.379 Against me though an host encamp my heart yet fearlessness. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:25.379 Though war against me rise, I will be confident in this. 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:38.379 One thing I of the Lord desired and will seek to obtain. 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:50.379 That all days of my life I may within God's house remain. 00:13:50.379 --> 00:14:03.379 That I the beauty of the Lord behold me and admire. 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:16.379 And that I in his holy place may reverently inquire. 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:29.379 For he in his pavilion shall be hide in evil days. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:43.379 In secret of his tent may hide and on a rock may raise. 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:48.379 In secret of his holy place may be buried. 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:52.379 We'll turn together now to read God's word in the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:56.379 In Isaiah chapter 2. 00:14:56.379 --> 00:15:00.379 You'll find this around page 685 of the church Bibles. 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:06.379 Isaiah chapter 2. 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:15.379 We're going to read the whole of this chapter. 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:17.379 Isaiah chapter 2. 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:22.379 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:30.379 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of mountains. 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:33.379 And shall be lifted up above the hills. 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:35.379 And all the nations shall flow to it. 00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:37.379 And many people shall come and say, 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:47.379 Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of God, the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:50.379 And that we may walk in his paths. 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:55.379 For out of Sion shall go the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 00:15:55.379 --> 00:16:01.379 He shall judge between the nations and shall decide disputes for many people. 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:07.379 And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:11.379 Nations shall not lift up sword against nation. 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:15.379 Neither shall they learn war any more. 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:20.379 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:30.379 For we have rejected your people, the house of Jacob, because they are full of things from the east and of fortune tellers like the Philistines. 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:33.379 And they strike hands with the children of foreigners. 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:39.379 Their land is filled with silver and gold and there is no end to their treasures. 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:44.379 Their land is filled with horses and there is no end to their chariots. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:46.379 Their land is filled with idols. 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:52.379 They bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:56.379 So man is humbled and each one is brought low. 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.379 Do not forgive them. 00:16:57.379 --> 00:17:04.380 Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the Lord and from the splendor of his majesty. 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:08.380 The haughty looks of man shall be brought low. 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:10.380 And the lofty pride of men shall be humbled. 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:14.380 And the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:24.380 For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up and it shall be brought low. 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:30.380 Against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up and against all the oaks of Bashan. 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:35.380 Against all the lofty mountains and against all the uplifted hills. 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:40.380 Against every high tower and against every fortified wall. 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:46.380 Against all the ships of Tarshish and against all the beautiful craft. 00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:49.380 And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled. 00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:52.380 And the lofty pride of men shall be brought low. 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:56.380 And the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. 00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:59.380 And the idols shall utterly pass away. 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:02.380 And people shall enter the caves of the rocks. 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:06.380 And the holes of the ground from before the terror of the Lord. 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:09.380 And from the splendor of his majesty. 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:12.380 When he rises to terrify the earth. 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:15.380 Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath. 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.380 For of what account? 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:18.380 In that day mankind will cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold. 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:21.380 Which they made for themselves to worship. 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:24.380 To the moles and to the bats. 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:28.380 To enter the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs. 00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:30.380 From before the terror of the Lord. 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:33.380 And from the splendor of his majesty. 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:36.380 When he rises to terrify the earth. 00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:40.380 Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath. 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:43.380 For of what account is he? 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:44.380 And so on. 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:47.380 May God bless that reading from his word. 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:50.380 As again just bow heads in a word of prayer. 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:52.380 Let us pray. 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:55.380 Lord our gracious God. 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:56.380 As we read your word. 00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:58.380 We are reminded of so much. 00:18:58.380 --> 00:19:01.380 Of the world in which we live today. 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:04.380 Of how relevant your word is to this day. 00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:05.380 To days of old. 00:19:05.380 --> 00:19:08.380 And even the days that are ahead of us. 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:10.380 It is a word that holds through. 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:13.380 Down through all the generations. 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:15.380 It speaks of man. 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:17.380 It speaks of what we are. 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:19.380 It speaks of our desires. 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:21.380 Which are so often away from you. 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:25.380 And as we see in this chapter that we have read. 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:28.380 We see both blessings and we see warnings. 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:32.380 We see the warnings of what it means to make idols. 00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:33.380 And to go our own way. 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:38.380 We see what it means when man seeks to worship himself. 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:41.380 When we lose sight of God. 00:19:41.380 --> 00:19:42.380 In so many ways. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:46.380 So Lord we live in a world that has done this and is doing this. 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:50.380 We are reminded that there is sin in the heart of all. 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:54.380 As we think today on this remembrance day. 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:58.380 As we think of the evil that came to the fore. 00:19:58.380 --> 00:20:00.380 For a generation past. 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:03.380 As we think of the wars that took place. 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:07.380 In our land and in so many nations of the world. 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:12.380 When we see the power of evil and all that it brought into our world once more. 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:16.380 Through the wickedness of man towards man. 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:21.380 We know oh Lord and we hear so much of the atrocities of war. 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:25.380 Not just in the past but even in our day as well. 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:28.380 When we see the suffering of so many. 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:30.380 When we think of the bloodshed. 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:32.380 When we think of the lives lost. 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:35.380 When we think of the innocent who suffer. 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:37.380 Young and old alike. 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:41.380 We think of what sin has done to our world. 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:44.380 And yet still as humanity we seek. 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:46.380 Our own good to our own ends. 00:20:46.380 --> 00:20:48.380 Through our own means. 00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:52.380 But we thank you God today that you remember us. 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:55.380 And that you are a God who is there. 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:59.380 A God who has been gracious to his people in the past. 00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:03.380 A God who was warning his people through Isaiah. 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:05.380 In the passage that we have read. 00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:08.380 Of the need to humble ourselves before you. 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:12.380 Before that great day of terror of the Lord's coming. 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:14.380 When you will restore all things. 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:16.380 When you will make all things new. 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:21.380 When you will turn the implements of war into implements of peace. 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:24.380 When you will bring your people to yourself. 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:26.380 When you will gather them in. 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:28.380 From north, south, east and west. 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:30.380 All who have trusted in you. 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:32.380 We are reminded, O Lord. 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:35.380 That there is a great day ahead for your people. 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:37.380 But it is also a day of terror. 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:39.380 For those who would perish. 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:43.380 For those who have put their trust in their own idols. 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:44.380 Made by their own hands. 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:46.380 For those who today. 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:49.380 Put their trust in these things still. 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:53.380 And we look to seek progress in the ways of man. 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:55.380 Instead of the ways of the Lord. 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:58.380 We pray that your spirit will be with us. 00:21:58.380 --> 00:22:01.380 That you would bring a spirit of peace upon us. 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:03.380 As a people here, O Lord. 00:22:03.380 --> 00:22:06.380 That we would know your presence with us. 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:10.380 That we would be made thankful for the freedom that is ours. 00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:13.380 That we would be made thankful for all that has been done for us. 00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:17.380 That we would be especially thankful for the peace of God. 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:20.380 That passes all understanding. 00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:21.380 And we pray to know it. 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:25.380 And for many to know it in our midst and around us as well. 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:27.380 That you would lead us in these days. 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:29.380 And teach us by your word. 00:22:29.380 --> 00:22:32.380 That through humility would come to the fore. 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:36.380 For it is through humility that there can be unity and peace. 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:40.380 And through humility, Lord, we would see so much good in this world. 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:44.380 And so we pray, O Lord, that you will humble us. 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:48.380 That you will teach us to make the best of our days. 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:51.380 And we think of the freedom that we have. 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:53.380 O Lord, that we would honour that freedom. 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:57.380 That we would honour you as our Lord and as our God. 00:22:57.380 --> 00:23:01.380 And so that today, as we have so many burdens to bring to you in prayer. 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:06.380 That today, when we see a world in so much turmoil and chaos. 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:11.380 Today, as we see a world where wars still go on. 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:13.380 As we think of conflicts in the Middle East. 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:16.380 As we think of Russia and the Ukraine. 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:19.380 As we think of so many parts of the world, O Lord. 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:21.380 When there are people suffering. 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:25.380 We pray, Lord, for you to bring peace into our midst. 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:28.380 We pray for your protection for your people. 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:32.380 We pray for you to turn us to you in a great day of prayer. 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:34.380 To cry out to the Lord in our trouble. 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:38.380 And to know the rescuing that you are able to give. 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:40.380 That you are a God of salvation. 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:42.380 A God of promise. 00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:46.380 We thank you that even as we look back to the generations past. 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:49.380 When we think of the first world war. 00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:51.380 We think of the second world war. 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:53.380 And conflicts even since then. 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:56.380 So we remember the great sacrifice that was made. 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:59.380 We give you thanks for bringing us through these years. 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:03.380 We bring you thanks, O Lord, for restoring our land. 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:05.380 And giving us great blessings. 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:09.380 And we think of times of revivals. 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:11.380 Even since the end of these wars. 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:13.380 We thank you for them. 00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:15.380 And for the way you blessed your word. 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:19.380 And yet today we see such a great turning away from it. 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:23.380 And so our prayer is, O Lord, again revive us. 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:25.380 Bring us to you. 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:27.380 To humble ourselves before you. 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:30.380 Help us to be a people who will honour you. 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:32.380 Honour you on this, your day. 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:37.380 As we think of what may happen in this week ahead. 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:39.380 As we've been praying for. 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:43.380 And continue to pray about the issue of Tesco opening on your day. 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:46.380 And the plans that they have for our week today. 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:49.380 We know, O Lord, that when we feel helpless. 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:55.380 That we bring these things to you as the God who is able to do abundantly more than we ask or imagine. 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:59.380 And so we pray, Lord, that you will humble us. 00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:01.380 That we will be humble before you. 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:06.380 And that you will humble those in positions of making these decisions. 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:08.380 That they will be humbled by you. 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:09.380 By the prayers of your people. 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:11.380 By the power of your spirit. 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:13.380 To turn away from that. 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:15.380 And to honour you in all that they do. 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:19.380 We pray that for our nation and for our island as a whole. 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:21.380 That in all things we would seek to do it. 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:24.380 For your glory and for your name's sake. 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:29.380 Help us to be a people who abide by your truth and in your truth. 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:32.380 For in your truth there is life. 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:34.380 And life abundant. 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:37.380 So hear our prayers for these matters. 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:39.380 Hear our prayers for all our people. 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:41.380 For those in need today. 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:43.380 For those who mourn in our midst. 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:47.380 Mourn in the midst of this day but also in days of old. 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:52.380 People who still remember those who may be lost in times of conflict. 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:56.380 Families that grieve in the midst of all of these days. 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:58.380 We pray for your comfort. 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.380 For your blessing. 00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:00.380 For your peace. 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:03.380 For those who are unwell in hospital and homes. 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:09.380 For those who are waiting on or going through times of treatment and operations. 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:11.380 Lord we commit them to you. 00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:13.380 For all of us together as a people. 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:14.380 We know. 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:16.380 O Lord a day of your favour. 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:17.380 A day of your blessing. 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:22.380 Hear our prayers for our land and for the nations of the world today. 00:26:22.380 --> 00:26:24.380 As so many will pause in remembrance. 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:29.380 As your word is spoken and read and heard by so many. 00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:32.380 We pray that it will be blessed to all ends of the earth. 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:34.380 Hear our prayers. 00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:35.380 Continue with us. 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:37.380 Pardoning all our sin. 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.380 That's all we ask. 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:39.380 We ask in Jesus name. 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.380 And for his sake. 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:41.380 Amen. 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:47.380 Let's again sing to God's praise. 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:49.380 This time we sing in Psalm 65. 00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:51.380 Psalm 65. 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:54.380 Let's sing Psalms version on page 82. 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:57.380 And the tune is Huddersfield. 00:26:57.380 --> 00:27:02.380 We're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7. 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:06.380 And Zion praise awaits you Lord. 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:08.380 To you our vows will pay. 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:10.380 To you all people will come near. 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:12.380 You hear us when we pray. 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:14.380 In verse 6 it says, 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:16.380 By strength and power you formed the hills. 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:18.380 You hushed the ocean's voice. 00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:21.380 You calmed the tumult of their waves. 00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:23.380 And stilled the people's noise. 00:27:23.380 --> 00:27:25.380 We'll sing these verses. 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:27.380 In verses 1 to 7. 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:29.380 To God's praise we stand to sing. 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:30.380 Let's pray. 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:30.380 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:30.380 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:30.380 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.380 Let's pray. 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:32.380 Let's pray. 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:33.380 Let's pray. 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:33.380 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.380 Let's pray. 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:35.380 Let's pray. 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:38.380 Let's pray. 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:38.380 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:40.380 Let's pray. 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.380 Let's pray. 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.380 Let's pray. 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:43.380 Let's pray. 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:45.380 Let's pray. 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:46.380 Let's pray. 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:46.380 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:48.380 Let's pray. 00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:50.420 Let's pray. 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:50.420 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:50.420 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:52.420 Let's pray. 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.420 00:27:59.380 --> 00:28:22.380 us when we pray. When we were overwhelmed by sins and guilt upon us lay, you pardoned 00:28:22.380 --> 00:28:43.680 all our trespasses and washed our guilt away. How blessed are those you choose and bring 00:28:43.680 --> 00:29:03.680 within your courts of grace, where filled with blessings and your house and your most holy 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:25.680 place. With awesome deeds of righteousness, you answered us, O God, our Savior and hope 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:45.740 of farthest seas and all the earth abroad. By strength and power you formed the hills, 00:29:45.740 --> 00:30:06.660 you hushed the ocean's voice, you calmed the tumult of their waves, and still the people's 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.740 voice. 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:19.680 We can turn back together with me to Isaiah chapter 2, and our focus this morning is on 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:27.019 verses 1 to verse 5, that first part of the chapter that speaks about the mountain of the 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:33.220 Lord. You read there at verse 2, it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:38.120 of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of mountains, and shall be lifted 00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:44.460 up above the hills, and all the nations shall flow to it. And many people shall come and say, 00:30:44.620 --> 00:30:51.120 come, let us go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may 00:30:51.120 --> 00:30:54.579 teach us his ways, and so on. 00:30:54.579 --> 00:31:03.980 Well, as we come today to think of Remembrance Sunday and Remembrance Day, a time of reflection, 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:10.799 as we pause and look back, it is a time of worship, and we thank God for that, that we have the freedom 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:17.879 to come and worship him today, a freedom that may not have been ours had that great sacrifice not been 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:25.560 made for us. But it is, of course, a day when we come ultimately to worship God and praise his name. 00:31:26.280 --> 00:31:34.380 We sing these words in Psalm 65, and Zion, praise awaits you, Lord. It is a time to give thanks 00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:39.980 to God, and we want to do that by looking to God's word, and we're going to look at these verses before 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:47.200 us, verse 1 to 5 of Isaiah chapter 2, and just think of the mountain of the Lord and see that there is a 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:57.160 place that the Lord calls all nations and all people to come to. When you think of times of war, 00:31:57.799 --> 00:32:04.680 high points, vantage points, hilltops, whatever you want to call them, they are always important 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:13.980 places in times of conflict. Why so? Well, when you think of them, kind of high points, they are points 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:20.019 where you can see what is coming. You can see what is around you, and so they've always been 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:28.360 important. That's why you find many castles built on top of hills, so they could see what was coming 00:32:28.360 --> 00:32:36.400 all around them. You think of times of conflict in the Second World War, you see so many accounts told 00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:43.519 of battles being fought over hills, so there'll be a sense of controlling the area around them. 00:32:44.100 --> 00:32:49.400 They are important places. They give you an advantage over your enemy of being able to see 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:59.440 and have protection around you. And today, as we come and give thanks to God for his protection over us 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:06.799 in the midst of times of conflict in the past, when so many people lost their lives, we are thankful we 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:16.660 can come to God, who is a high point, who has that high point over us in all things, because God alone 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:25.519 sees and knows all things. Isaiah is writing here to the people of God, who have drifted away from God, 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:32.420 and they have started to put other things on their mountains, other idols that they would worship, 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:39.200 other places that they would go to, idols made of silver and gold with their own hands, as you see 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:46.220 described in the latter part of chapter 2. They've started to make their own places of worship, their own 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:53.359 gods that they would worship. But God is reminding them through Isaiah that he is the one who is to be 00:33:53.359 --> 00:34:01.039 lifted high. He is the one who is to be raised up, and he is the one that they are to come to and find 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:09.739 their place of praise. When you think of advancement in technology and the advantage of being able to see 00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:17.819 from great heights, and you think of what is available to wars, to armies around the world today, 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:25.500 in the sense of satellites up in space, and the vision that they give of the earth below, it's amazing 00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:32.200 when you see the great details that they can see from that high point, and the advantage that it gives, 00:34:32.300 --> 00:34:40.640 and yet still, it's nothing compared to the height of God. It's nothing compared to the vision that God has 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:49.699 of his people, and the knowledge that he has of his people, of all nations, and all people of this world. 00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:58.859 And Isaiah, he didn't have any satellites that could show him what was going on around, and yet what he had 00:34:58.859 --> 00:35:08.819 was a vision from God, that God gave him a vision that the people needed to hear. In verse 1 of this chapter, 00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:17.519 it says, the word that Isaiah, the son of Amos, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, that the Lord gave 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:24.700 him this prophecy, this vision, and that's what you see revealed through the book of Isaiah, Isaiah showing 00:35:24.700 --> 00:35:31.840 the people who God is, who they are, and their great need of God, of what was in store for them in the 00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:38.800 present, of what they had done in the past, and what was ahead of them in the future. And for ourselves, 00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:46.940 today, it is God's word that speaks to us, in the midst of remembering today conflicts past, 00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:52.539 in remembering those who gave their lives in the midst of these conflicts, and remembering 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:59.900 conflicts ongoing throughout our world, and the many who serve in the armed forces far and wide 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:08.080 throughout the world. Today is a day of remembering these things, but remembering the God who is over all. 00:36:08.820 --> 00:36:17.380 The God who Isaiah's vision saw concerning the people then, but a word that speaks to us today. 00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:27.360 Isaiah is warning his people to find safety at the mountain of the Lord, in the presence of God. 00:36:27.800 --> 00:36:33.920 For when days of trouble come, and ultimately when the day of the Lord comes, as Isaiah goes on to speak 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:41.700 of in this chapter and throughout this book, our safety, our refuge can only be found in God, 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:49.599 because there is nothing else in this world that offers us victory. Isaiah is writing at a time, 00:36:50.240 --> 00:36:57.619 not that war is going on for them, but a time of war is about to come upon them. When they are going to 00:36:57.619 --> 00:37:05.199 be taken into exile, when they are going to be invaded by an army, their protection must be in God. 00:37:06.179 --> 00:37:13.119 And for ourselves today, as we see troubles around us, or as we think of peace that we do have in the 00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:19.639 midst of troubles around us, we are reminded too of our greatest conflict. And that is the conflict 00:37:19.639 --> 00:37:27.400 that goes on in the heart of every man, woman, boy, and child in this world. The conflict that causes wars. 00:37:28.199 --> 00:37:37.139 It is sin. The sin that is in us all. And the sin that is evil in this world and causes so much evil 00:37:37.139 --> 00:37:46.920 and hurt in this world. The sin that keeps us apart from God and away from God. We are reminded that it is 00:37:46.920 --> 00:37:56.179 through faith in God and trusting in God that only then can we find peace and protection and prosperity 00:37:56.179 --> 00:38:05.319 through him. Where do we go for this victory? Where do we go to seek this peace? Well, Isaiah is telling 00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:13.740 the people that they are to come to the mountain of the Lord, to the place where God is worshipped, 00:38:13.980 --> 00:38:20.300 to the place where God is lifted up. And I want us to think of three things about this place today. 00:38:20.860 --> 00:38:31.660 It is a place of promise. It is a place of peace. And it is a place of praise. So the first thing we see 00:38:31.659 --> 00:38:41.359 here today is it is a place of promise. Isaiah, as he saw these things concerning Judah and Jerusalem, 00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:49.679 what he saw covered a great period of time, not just for his own day and for the people's time then, 00:38:50.179 --> 00:38:56.480 but looking ahead to the days before them, looking ahead to even New Testament days and to our day, 00:38:56.480 --> 00:39:02.579 and even further beyond that to the days that we don't even see ahead of us yet. We cannot see, 00:39:02.659 --> 00:39:09.300 but we have the vision that God is showing us a day of the Lord's coming, the day of the Lord's 00:39:09.300 --> 00:39:16.139 return. Isaiah's vision was looking to all of these things and it was looking to them in the midst of 00:39:16.139 --> 00:39:26.240 the promises that God was making. Isaiah here is showing them the mountain of the house of the Lord, 00:39:26.239 --> 00:39:33.839 a place that will be established as the highest of mountains, it says in verse 2 there. It is a place 00:39:33.839 --> 00:39:44.000 of God's making. It is a place for the time of God's choosing, a place where God is going to bring 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:54.179 his people together. And as we look to that place, we see it as a place that is full of God's promises. 00:39:54.179 --> 00:40:03.279 There's so much of this place that is the not yet, that is still to come. But there's so much of this 00:40:03.279 --> 00:40:10.940 place that is the already, that is for us today as we await this great day of the Lord. 00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:22.079 And when we think of Isaiah's prophesying here, what he does is not just look into the people's sense of 00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:31.179 curiosity. It's not for their just a sense of curiosity, wondering what's ahead for them. It's not just for 00:40:31.179 --> 00:40:37.679 us to be curious about, well, maybe this is one thing that could be ahead of us. This is maybe one 00:40:37.679 --> 00:40:45.839 direction we might go in. People always want to try and think about the future. You see that 00:40:45.839 --> 00:40:53.079 in verse 6 of this chapter, for you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob, because they are 00:40:53.079 --> 00:41:00.539 full of things from the east and of fortune tellers, like the Philistines. They were curious to hear what 00:41:00.539 --> 00:41:05.840 the future held for them. And they were looking in all different kinds of places for what the future 00:41:05.840 --> 00:41:14.099 might hold for them. And they weren't listening to the Lord. And for ourselves today, the same is 00:41:14.099 --> 00:41:21.880 through. The word of God is given to direct us, to show us the ways ahead of us, to show us the great 00:41:21.880 --> 00:41:29.160 evil of sin in our hearts, to show us a great Savior who has come in Christ, to show us that the day of 00:41:29.160 --> 00:41:35.660 the Lord is a day ahead of us all, a day where every knee will bow and tongue confess that he is Lord. 00:41:36.400 --> 00:41:42.460 And yet still we want to be curious about, well, that may be just one option. Maybe there's something else. 00:41:43.500 --> 00:41:50.720 But God's word wasn't just given to a curious people. It's given to a people with a great need. 00:41:50.719 --> 00:41:57.699 God's word that gives us a great challenge to believe in him and a great assurance for those 00:41:57.699 --> 00:42:04.480 who do, that there is safety in the Lord, that there is great comfort in the Lord, for the Lord 00:42:04.480 --> 00:42:14.279 is a God of promise, a God who has promised us so much. He promised a son. He promised one who 00:42:14.279 --> 00:42:19.919 would come to save us. Isaiah shows so wonderfully later on. He has fulfilled it. 00:42:20.719 --> 00:42:28.799 And when he says that the day of the Lord is coming, he will fulfill it. In the New Testament, 00:42:28.939 --> 00:42:36.559 when Paul is writing to the church at Thessalonica in chapter 4, he is there speaking about the day 00:42:36.559 --> 00:42:43.239 of the Lord, the coming of the Lord Jesus. He concludes in verse 18 by speaking about this, 00:42:43.239 --> 00:42:50.959 Therefore, comfort one another with these words. Comfort one another with these words. 00:42:52.000 --> 00:42:59.139 The Lord's mountain, the Lord who is working in all of these things, the Lord who is promising 00:42:59.139 --> 00:43:07.239 these things, is there to speak a word of comfort to those who believe and put their trust in him. 00:43:07.239 --> 00:43:19.639 It is a sign of God's working. What is the promise that we have here? The Lord will establish his mountain. 00:43:20.779 --> 00:43:28.239 That is the promise of God. So when we look back in the past and we look to conflicts in the past, 00:43:28.239 --> 00:43:37.459 we see a people and nations who have tried to raise themselves up, to make themselves into the God of 00:43:37.459 --> 00:43:46.259 this world. But they are brought down. And only the mountain of the Lord is the place that will last. 00:43:46.879 --> 00:43:53.699 When it says there in verse 2, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the 00:43:53.699 --> 00:43:59.919 highest of mountains and lifted above the hills. It is a reminder that God is over all. 00:44:01.239 --> 00:44:10.299 Whether it's nations or just a group of people or even individuals who try and raise themselves up 00:44:10.299 --> 00:44:18.739 above God and have power over others through war and terror and all of these things, God is saying, 00:44:18.739 --> 00:44:28.500 they will be brought low. They will be brought down and I will be lifted up. For the mountain of the Lord 00:44:28.500 --> 00:44:38.419 is established. His rule is not something temporary. There are times when he allows wars and conflicts. 00:44:38.519 --> 00:44:43.279 You see that in the scriptures itself. For the people in Isaiah's days, there was a time when they were 00:44:43.280 --> 00:44:49.760 allowed to be brought into exile. But he's saying the day of the Lord is still coming. The mountain of the 00:44:49.760 --> 00:45:00.519 Lord is still established. And how is his rule going to be? How is his rule going to stand? Well, we see it 00:45:00.519 --> 00:45:09.480 through Jesus Christ. In John chapter 12, it says, now is the time of judgment on this world. Now, 00:45:09.480 --> 00:45:17.000 the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men 00:45:17.000 --> 00:45:27.059 to myself. In verse 2 of Isaiah here, it says, all the nations shall flow to it, to the mountain of the 00:45:27.059 --> 00:45:35.920 Lord, to the place where the Lord is establishing his kingdom. And so that's what we have here. We have a 00:45:35.920 --> 00:45:44.400 reminder that God is working. We may not see it finished yet. But it's not to say that it's not 00:45:44.400 --> 00:45:52.940 established and it will stand forever. Winston Churchill, in 1942, after a victory in North Africa, 00:45:53.360 --> 00:46:00.019 he said this in one of his speeches. He said, now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of 00:46:00.019 --> 00:46:09.820 the end, but it's perhaps the end of the beginning. There was a long way to go. And when we look to the 00:46:09.820 --> 00:46:16.280 Lord establishing his kingdom here in Isaiah's day, even in our own day, it is not the end, 00:46:17.739 --> 00:46:24.719 but it's the beginning of the end. The Lord is establishing his throne, a throne that will last 00:46:24.719 --> 00:46:33.459 for a, and for ourselves to know what is ahead of us would be so great in so many ways. And you think 00:46:33.459 --> 00:46:40.239 back to the days of the trenches in World War I, when people couldn't see a way ahead in the midst of 00:46:40.239 --> 00:46:46.419 this, or during the Second World War, in the early years, when it just seemed to be nation after nation 00:46:46.419 --> 00:46:52.219 being conquered. Where was the end to come? There was no end to be seen. It was so uncertain. 00:46:52.219 --> 00:47:00.679 And yet a nation called on God in prayer. A day of prayer was called by the nation. 00:47:01.259 --> 00:47:08.299 And they looked to what was established, the rule of God, because God is a God of promise. 00:47:09.119 --> 00:47:15.699 And for our day today, we need the same, to call on the Lord and to see that his kingdom, 00:47:15.899 --> 00:47:21.699 his mountain is established. It shall not be overthrown. And that we are to trust 00:47:21.699 --> 00:47:28.339 in the promises of God. The second thing we see here is the mountain of the Lord is a place 00:47:28.339 --> 00:47:36.679 of peace, a safe haven that people can come to. How can we know peace? How could people know 00:47:36.679 --> 00:47:44.839 peace in the days of Isaiah? Well, when you look at these verses, it says about many people shall come. 00:47:44.840 --> 00:47:51.100 Come, it says in verse 3, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, 00:47:51.559 --> 00:47:59.579 that he may teach us his ways, and that we may walk in his paths. It is about following the Lord. 00:48:00.700 --> 00:48:06.260 They thought they had peace when they listened to all the false prophets around them, who said, 00:48:06.260 --> 00:48:13.860 all is well. And they were being convinced by this, and yet the reality was so very different. 00:48:14.680 --> 00:48:21.780 And they wouldn't listen to Isaiah. Chapter 1 makes it clear for us, the people in Isaiah's day were 00:48:21.780 --> 00:48:29.540 rebellious, how they shunned God. And the second part of chapter 2 shows us the consequences of that. 00:48:29.539 --> 00:48:37.239 But Isaiah is calling them to return. Come, go up the mountain of the Lord to the house of God, 00:48:37.380 --> 00:48:46.559 that he may teach us his ways. It is a call to return, a call to repent. And for every nation of 00:48:46.559 --> 00:48:53.239 the world today, and when we hear and see a day of remembrance where God's word is put before people, 00:48:53.239 --> 00:49:03.199 it is a day of a call to remember and to repent of how we have forgotten the price that has been paid 00:49:03.199 --> 00:49:12.000 for our peace, of how we have forgotten the God who is able to give peace, because we are so convinced 00:49:12.000 --> 00:49:22.459 by those who teach us otherwise. In order to know this peace, we are to come to the mountain of the Lord, 00:49:22.460 --> 00:49:31.940 to the place where God teaches, to the place where God speaks, not to the mountains as in Isaiah's day 00:49:31.940 --> 00:49:37.460 that were being established by others with the idols and the false gods that they worshipped, 00:49:38.320 --> 00:49:48.079 but to come to God who is able to bring peace. In any conflict, a signing of a peace treaty 00:49:48.079 --> 00:49:56.880 is a time when peace comes. It's hard to imagine the feeling that people would have had 00:49:56.880 --> 00:50:08.099 on the 11th of November, 1918. As we think of that coming tomorrow, and we think of the 11th hour of the 11th day, 00:50:08.099 --> 00:50:20.500 of the 11th month, it takes us back to a time, a time when peace was declared. And it's just so hard to imagine, 00:50:20.900 --> 00:50:28.699 after all that they'd come through, what that meant. But put ourselves into that situation when we think of 00:50:28.699 --> 00:50:32.839 the greatest act that has been the greatest act that has been done for us to bring us peace. 00:50:33.939 --> 00:50:41.639 As Christ himself went to the cross, he went having spoken these words to his people. 00:50:41.639 --> 00:50:43.699 In John 14, he said, 00:50:44.159 --> 00:50:50.960 Peace, I leave with you my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. 00:50:50.960 --> 00:50:59.519 Peace, do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. He spoke these words of peace, 00:50:59.599 --> 00:51:06.360 the same words that he speaks at the beginning of that chapter. He is going to prepare a place for 00:51:06.360 --> 00:51:14.840 his people. And he says, let not your hearts be troubled. The troubles of this world, they overwhelm us. 00:51:14.840 --> 00:51:24.640 The troubles of this world, they make us see that we don't have peace in this world unless we have Christ. 00:51:26.400 --> 00:51:33.079 And the question is, do you have that peace? Have you come to that place, to the mountain of the Lord, 00:51:33.180 --> 00:51:41.420 to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach you his ways, that you might know his peace? 00:51:41.420 --> 00:51:51.119 Today is our day we remember the peace and the price that was paid for it. But the greatest price of all 00:51:51.119 --> 00:52:02.599 was paid by Christ, who gave his life. Isaiah was looking ahead to this day and further beyond it to 00:52:02.599 --> 00:52:09.539 the day when the Lord will judge between all nations and ultimately bring peace. In verse 4, 00:52:09.539 --> 00:52:18.079 he shall judge between the nations and shall decide disputes for many peoples. It is not the rulers of 00:52:18.079 --> 00:52:26.960 this world who will do it. It is God. And instead of destruction, he says, there will be production. 00:52:27.900 --> 00:52:34.659 He shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not lift up 00:52:34.659 --> 00:52:43.639 sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. That peace is only found in Christ 00:52:43.639 --> 00:52:51.960 and in his day. In his day of coming, when he will ultimately bring peace for us. 00:52:51.960 --> 00:53:01.260 We hear these words at this time of year in different places. At the going down of the sun and in the 00:53:01.260 --> 00:53:14.420 morning, we will remember them. And also for your tomorrows, they gave our, we gave our today. And so it's 00:53:14.420 --> 00:53:26.900 important for us to remember all that has been done for us to bring us peace. That Christ gave all for our peace. 00:53:29.400 --> 00:53:33.980 Finally, we see too that this place is a place of praise. 00:53:33.980 --> 00:53:42.360 There is no other place that we could go to at this time that could offer us hope and praise. 00:53:43.199 --> 00:53:51.679 We think of the great devastation of war and the great price that was paid. It can leave us so overwhelmed 00:53:51.679 --> 00:53:59.740 with emotion. I was sharing yesterday the remembrance service down in Melbourne of how someone had described 00:53:59.739 --> 00:54:08.299 a scene. A scene that if you put every soldier who lost their life in the first world war from the British 00:54:08.299 --> 00:54:16.119 servicemen, if you lined them up for a breast, it would stretch 97 miles. 00:54:17.759 --> 00:54:23.579 It's the equivalent of seeing this line of men who lost their lives that would stretch from the butt of Lewis 00:54:23.579 --> 00:54:28.079 through Barvis, through Barvis, through Barvis, through Barvis, through Barvis, through Barvis, 00:54:28.079 --> 00:54:32.920 down to Harris, over the Clesham, through Tarbert, all the way to Leavarborough. 00:54:33.980 --> 00:54:40.380 That would be the length of this line of men who lost their lives for a breast. 00:54:41.500 --> 00:54:49.519 It's hard to comprehend the loss that was there in the midst of these conflicts. 00:54:49.519 --> 00:54:54.099 And it's hard to see praise in the midst of that. 00:54:55.059 --> 00:54:59.880 And we can only see praise when we see the God who has delivered us. 00:55:00.480 --> 00:55:06.300 Because it is only through looking to him and trusting in him that we see a world that can be 00:55:06.300 --> 00:55:11.159 a better place with him at the heart of all that we do and all that we see. 00:55:12.219 --> 00:55:14.980 That we would praise his name. 00:55:14.980 --> 00:55:19.420 And when you think of what Isaiah is showing the people here, 00:55:19.880 --> 00:55:24.539 when he's saying, come, let us go up to the house of the mountain of the Lord. 00:55:24.860 --> 00:55:30.039 Come, let us go up that he may teach us his ways, that we might walk in his paths. 00:55:30.840 --> 00:55:34.820 Come, that we might praise the Lord, he is saying. 00:55:35.519 --> 00:55:39.320 In Psalm 65, in Zion, praise awaits you, Lord. 00:55:39.320 --> 00:55:41.660 To you our vows we'll pay. 00:55:42.260 --> 00:55:44.900 To you all people will come near you. 00:55:45.080 --> 00:55:47.180 Hear us when we pray. 00:55:47.960 --> 00:55:52.160 There is praise that he is the one who is able to bring peace. 00:55:53.240 --> 00:55:58.000 As you go through Isaiah, you see how much the people endured in their time. 00:55:58.100 --> 00:56:01.080 The conflicts and hardships that came their way. 00:56:01.559 --> 00:56:03.360 There's nothing new under the sun. 00:56:03.600 --> 00:56:06.240 It goes on generation after generation. 00:56:06.239 --> 00:56:12.839 And yet later on in Isaiah 66, the Lord speaks a word of peace to them. 00:56:13.579 --> 00:56:16.859 In verse 12, for this is what the Lord says. 00:56:17.339 --> 00:56:25.099 I will extend peace to her like a river and a wealth of nations like a flooding stream. 00:56:26.019 --> 00:56:28.279 And then it goes on in verse 19 and 20. 00:56:28.279 --> 00:56:32.339 A sign will go out among many lands and to the distant islands 00:56:32.339 --> 00:56:35.899 that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. 00:56:36.239 --> 00:56:39.319 They will proclaim my glory among the nations. 00:56:39.959 --> 00:56:42.979 And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations 00:56:42.979 --> 00:56:48.159 to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord. 00:56:48.159 --> 00:56:57.879 Today, our longing would be that in the midst of remembering the loss that has been done on our behalf, 00:56:58.940 --> 00:57:03.440 that we would remember the Lord who is worthy of praise. 00:57:04.299 --> 00:57:07.259 That we would not forget the Lord. 00:57:07.260 --> 00:57:13.200 And our praise can only be increased the more we see our need. 00:57:14.000 --> 00:57:17.540 The more we see what the Lord spares us from. 00:57:17.900 --> 00:57:25.300 Not just wars in this life, but the eternity that is before us. 00:57:25.300 --> 00:57:29.120 Thomas Watson, the Puritan pastor, he said this, 00:57:29.760 --> 00:57:34.620 eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset. 00:57:35.620 --> 00:57:39.019 A day that has no sunset for the godly. 00:57:39.460 --> 00:57:41.100 A wonderful day. 00:57:41.099 --> 00:57:44.259 But then he goes on to say this, 00:57:44.259 --> 00:57:49.839 eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise. 00:57:51.179 --> 00:57:59.099 And there is the warning of what it means for those who don't come to the mountain of the Lord. 00:57:59.739 --> 00:58:03.940 To the one who is worthy of all our praise. 00:58:03.940 --> 00:58:09.360 Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset. 00:58:10.280 --> 00:58:16.300 But eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise. 00:58:17.300 --> 00:58:25.460 The warning that we see in what the vision of Isaiah is here is a warning to ourselves today. 00:58:26.139 --> 00:58:29.519 That in the midst of all that goes on, 00:58:30.360 --> 00:58:33.220 in the midst of our remembrance today, 00:58:33.940 --> 00:58:35.380 we are to look to God. 00:58:36.019 --> 00:58:37.760 The God of promise. 00:58:38.679 --> 00:58:40.139 The God of peace. 00:58:41.320 --> 00:58:45.619 And the God who is worthy of all our praise. 00:58:45.960 --> 00:58:51.720 We remember today all who gave for our freedom. 00:58:52.559 --> 00:58:55.900 Who paid the greatest price of all. 00:58:56.720 --> 00:58:57.940 Who gave their lives. 00:58:59.840 --> 00:59:03.619 We see names on war memorials. 00:59:03.940 --> 00:59:07.880 And you see their age on war memorials. 00:59:07.920 --> 00:59:09.860 So many were so young. 00:59:10.679 --> 00:59:14.460 Who left these shores and never returned. 00:59:15.260 --> 00:59:16.400 We remember them. 00:59:16.400 --> 00:59:19.700 But let us remember above all. 00:59:20.400 --> 00:59:21.579 The God who knows. 00:59:22.340 --> 00:59:23.760 The God who sees. 00:59:24.539 --> 00:59:26.039 The God of promise. 00:59:27.079 --> 00:59:28.320 The God of peace. 00:59:29.320 --> 00:59:32.260 And the God we praise for our freedom. 00:59:33.539 --> 00:59:37.980 Let us not neglect the freedom that we have. 00:59:38.720 --> 00:59:40.460 The God who has given it. 00:59:40.460 --> 00:59:43.800 And let us praise his name. 00:59:43.800 --> 00:59:45.159 Let us pray. 00:59:45.159 --> 00:59:49.059 Our Father in heaven. 00:59:49.059 --> 00:59:52.900 We do give you thanks for all the deliverance you give to us. 00:59:53.480 --> 00:59:57.779 The deliverance of peace for our land in times of trouble. 00:59:58.420 --> 01:00:02.259 But above all, Lord, the deliverance you give for our sin. 01:00:03.059 --> 01:00:04.679 For the evil within us. 01:00:05.239 --> 01:00:07.960 And for the heart that is so far from you. 01:00:07.960 --> 01:00:10.860 We thank you that you came to us. 01:00:11.199 --> 01:00:12.960 That you did not shun us. 01:00:13.740 --> 01:00:15.300 That you gave so much. 01:00:15.900 --> 01:00:18.599 Even your son, Christ Jesus our Lord. 01:00:19.179 --> 01:00:22.460 That he might come into this troubled world. 01:00:22.900 --> 01:00:25.699 And give up peace that is beyond this world. 01:00:25.699 --> 01:00:30.339 And we pray, Lord, that you will bless us with your peace today. 01:00:31.059 --> 01:00:35.500 And we pray that peace for all nations and people of this world. 01:00:35.960 --> 01:00:38.199 That you would draw us to yourself. 01:00:38.819 --> 01:00:45.359 That you would be pleased, O Lord, to hear your people crying out to you in all our needs. 01:00:46.099 --> 01:00:47.759 Lord, have mercy on us. 01:00:48.000 --> 01:00:49.539 And turn us towards you. 01:00:49.939 --> 01:00:51.559 As we ask it in Jesus' name. 01:00:52.119 --> 01:00:52.500 Amen. 01:00:55.699 --> 01:01:00.000 We're going to conclude by singing to God's praise in Psalm 18. 01:01:00.119 --> 01:01:01.219 And the Sing Psalms. 01:01:06.219 --> 01:01:09.399 We'll sing from verse 1 to verse 6. 01:01:11.399 --> 01:01:14.500 Psalm 18 on page 19 of the Psalm books. 01:01:14.599 --> 01:01:15.939 The Sing Psalms version. 01:01:16.659 --> 01:01:18.000 Verse 1 to 6. 01:01:18.519 --> 01:01:19.899 And the tune is Rockingham. 01:01:20.500 --> 01:01:21.859 I love you, Lord. 01:01:22.039 --> 01:01:23.219 You are my strength. 01:01:23.319 --> 01:01:25.619 A fortress is the Lord to me. 01:01:25.699 --> 01:01:27.960 My rock and my deliverer. 01:01:28.199 --> 01:01:30.279 For refuge to my God. 01:01:30.399 --> 01:01:31.119 I flee. 01:01:31.259 --> 01:01:33.139 We'll sing from verse 1 to 6. 01:01:33.460 --> 01:01:34.399 To God's praise. 01:01:34.399 --> 01:01:34.799 Amen. 01:01:34.799 --> 01:01:35.399 Amen. 01:01:37.399 --> 01:01:43.219 I love you, Lord. 01:01:43.480 --> 01:01:47.239 You are my strength. 01:01:47.239 --> 01:01:56.939 A fortress is the Lord to me. 01:01:56.939 --> 01:02:05.939 My rock and my deliverer. 01:02:05.939 --> 01:02:14.500 For refuge to my God I flee. 01:02:14.500 --> 01:02:24.500 He is my stronghold and my shield. 01:02:24.500 --> 01:02:34.420 The Lord who saves me by his might. 01:02:34.420 --> 01:02:43.860 I'll call on him and give him praise. 01:02:43.860 --> 01:02:44.860 I'm safe. 01:02:44.860 --> 01:02:46.200 I'm safe. 01:02:46.200 --> 01:02:52.980 He puts my foes to flight. 01:02:52.980 --> 01:03:02.760 The cords of death entangled me. 01:03:02.760 --> 01:03:12.260 Destruction hurt me like a wave. 01:03:12.260 --> 01:03:21.500 And circled by the snares of death. 01:03:21.500 --> 01:03:30.960 I face the terrors of the grave. 01:03:30.960 --> 01:03:40.460 In my distress I called on God. 01:03:40.460 --> 01:03:50.360 I cried out to the Lord for aid. 01:03:50.360 --> 01:03:59.420 He from his temple heard my voice. 01:03:59.420 --> 01:04:08.760 He listened to the prayer I made. 01:04:08.760 --> 01:04:12.700 After the benediction I'll go to the door to my left. 01:04:12.800 --> 01:04:13.940 We'll close with the benediction. 01:04:14.840 --> 01:04:24.580 Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. 01:04:24.579 --> 01:04:45.619 Amen. 01:04:45.619 --> 01:05:15.599 Thank you. 01:05:15.619 --> 01:05:45.599 Thank you.