WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.500 Well, Psalm 96 in the Scottish Psalter, we're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7. 00:00:08.380 --> 00:00:13.179 We'll sing a new song to the Lord, sing all the earth to God. To God sing, bless his name, 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:20.859 show still his saving health abroad. Verse 1 to 7, and the tune is Southwark. We stand to praise God. 00:00:20.859 --> 00:00:41.100 O sing a new song to the Lord, sing all the earth to God. To God sing, bless his name, 00:00:41.100 --> 00:01:00.380 show still his saving health abroad. Among the heathen angels his glory to declare, 00:01:00.380 --> 00:01:12.379 and unto all the people show his works at what rest are. 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:24.379 For great the Lord and greatly is to be magnified. 00:01:24.379 --> 00:01:36.379 Ye worthy to be near to see above all gods beside. 00:01:39.259 --> 00:01:50.379 For all the gods are idols of which slighted nations fear. 00:01:50.379 --> 00:02:03.379 But our God is the Lord, by whom the heavens created were. 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:15.379 Great honor is before his face, and majesty divine. 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:29.379 Strength is within his holy place, and their beauty shine. 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:41.379 Do ye ascribe unto the Lord, all people in the time. 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:54.379 Glory to ye unto the Lord, and mighty by the sky. 00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:56.379 Amen. 00:03:00.519 --> 00:03:03.240 I will come to God in prayer. Let us pray. 00:03:05.479 --> 00:03:13.620 Our Father in heaven, we thank you for the great privilege and beauty that there is in worshiping your name. 00:03:14.079 --> 00:03:20.539 We thank you that we come singing praise to you, and help us that we will come to sing a new song 00:03:20.539 --> 00:03:25.539 to the Lord and join in with all the earth as we offer up our praise to you today. 00:03:25.539 --> 00:03:30.539 We thank you that your people gather to worship just as we do, 00:03:30.539 --> 00:03:34.759 from the rising to the setting of the sun on this your own day. 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:40.280 And we pray your blessing on our time together, and your word to us, 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:46.039 that you will minister to all our hearts and speak to us powerfully through your word. 00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:50.799 We thank you, Lord, that we come, for you invite us. 00:03:51.400 --> 00:03:53.879 Your word does say to come to you. 00:03:54.539 --> 00:03:57.680 And so many invitations go out to us, Lord. 00:03:57.759 --> 00:04:02.699 We pray that we will always, first and foremost, hear your invitation to us, 00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:05.539 and that we would worship you with all our hearts. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:09.399 So may you encourage us and build us up through your word. 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:14.240 Lord, bless us all together, both in our service and in the Sunday school, 00:04:14.340 --> 00:04:16.139 the creche and the tweenies too, Lord. 00:04:16.220 --> 00:04:20.620 May we all know that you are with us and that you are near to us, 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:24.780 that you are our help and our strength on a daily basis. 00:04:25.379 --> 00:04:27.060 Bless the young ones, Lord, we pray. 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:27.959 Look after them. 00:04:28.540 --> 00:04:31.220 Be with them in this week when there will be a holiday weekend. 00:04:31.879 --> 00:04:34.300 Take care of both children and families, 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:37.460 and give rest to teachers too over the weekend. 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:44.579 We pray, Lord, your blessing on all our people as we commit ourselves into your hands. 00:04:45.099 --> 00:04:50.560 Go before us, we pray, and we ask all things for the forgiveness of our sins. 00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:51.759 In Jesus' name. 00:04:52.299 --> 00:04:52.699 Amen. 00:04:54.859 --> 00:04:59.539 I'll just say a word to the young ones before you go out to Sunday school and creche in Twenies. 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:01.120 It's good to see you today. 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:07.220 I was just wondering this morning about the idea of that word saying in the prayer, 00:05:07.780 --> 00:05:11.519 to come, to come and to worship God. 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:13.759 It's an invitation to us. 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:17.100 And getting an invitation is a wonderful thing. 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:18.500 We often get invitations. 00:05:19.180 --> 00:05:22.019 Maybe you get invitations to birthday parties. 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:24.660 You get invitations to weddings. 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:28.439 Maybe just now you're starting to hear about invitations. 00:05:28.700 --> 00:05:32.820 Maybe to where you're going to have your Christmas dinner or Christmas parties. 00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:34.580 And all of these kinds of things. 00:05:34.700 --> 00:05:41.120 Today there's an invitation going out for children to come to the holiday club on Saturday the 17th. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:44.060 So it's always great to get invitations. 00:05:44.300 --> 00:05:45.600 It's an exciting thing. 00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:50.980 And when someone invites you, it makes you sometimes feel special. 00:05:51.700 --> 00:05:53.379 That someone's remembered you. 00:05:53.939 --> 00:05:58.879 And it also makes you maybe feel excited that there's something to look forward to. 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:03.740 That there's going to be something involved in the invitation that you've received. 00:06:03.900 --> 00:06:04.840 Maybe it's food. 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:06.200 Maybe it's a party. 00:06:06.320 --> 00:06:08.100 Maybe there's something about the invitation. 00:06:08.260 --> 00:06:10.460 It's going to be a special time. 00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:17.239 Well, the greatest invitation that we have is the invitation that Jesus gives to us. 00:06:17.799 --> 00:06:23.240 When he speaks to us in his word, he so often tells us to come to him. 00:06:24.359 --> 00:06:28.039 An example is in Isaiah chapter 55. 00:06:29.099 --> 00:06:31.419 There it says to us in verse 1, 00:06:31.419 --> 00:06:34.740 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:38.179 And he who has no money, come, buy and eat. 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:40.199 Come, buy wine and milk. 00:06:40.459 --> 00:06:42.779 Without money and without price. 00:06:42.859 --> 00:06:44.120 There's a great invitation there. 00:06:44.159 --> 00:06:44.620 It doesn't matter. 00:06:45.159 --> 00:06:46.319 You don't need money to come. 00:06:46.419 --> 00:06:47.359 He says, just come. 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:49.099 Come and take this. 00:06:49.180 --> 00:06:49.759 It's free. 00:06:50.359 --> 00:06:53.259 And that's the invitation of the gospel. 00:06:53.919 --> 00:06:56.599 Jesus says to us to come. 00:06:57.659 --> 00:07:03.279 And that word come, you can maybe break it down by its letters and just take this with you. 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:07.839 When Jesus says to us to come, think of it like this. 00:07:08.359 --> 00:07:10.240 Who is the invitation from? 00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:12.719 It is from Christ. 00:07:12.719 --> 00:07:16.319 Christ himself is inviting us to come. 00:07:16.899 --> 00:07:18.199 So that's the C. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:20.099 And then you think of O. 00:07:20.859 --> 00:07:22.639 Christ offers. 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:27.579 He is putting out an offer to us, an invitation to us. 00:07:27.979 --> 00:07:30.519 And we need to respond to that. 00:07:30.519 --> 00:07:32.419 So the O is he offers. 00:07:32.419 --> 00:07:32.439 He offers. 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:33.859 M. 00:07:34.579 --> 00:07:35.299 Me. 00:07:36.219 --> 00:07:38.799 It's a personal invitation. 00:07:39.459 --> 00:07:47.159 It's an invitation to you today, every one of you, to come to Jesus who offers me. 00:07:48.299 --> 00:07:49.139 And then E. 00:07:49.659 --> 00:07:50.879 What does he offer us? 00:07:51.879 --> 00:07:52.459 Everything. 00:07:53.299 --> 00:07:54.699 He offers us everything. 00:07:54.699 --> 00:08:00.360 He offers us this great promise of life through him. 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:02.240 So come, he says. 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:06.720 Christ offers me everything. 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:17.480 So may we hear this invitation, every one of us, and come to the Lord Jesus who will give to us everything we need for life and for eternity. 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:21.720 Well, let's say the Lord's prayer together now. 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:51.700 Amen. 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:56.060 We're going to sing together now to God's praise in Psalm 10. 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:59.160 It's in the Sing Psalms version on page 12. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:02.660 Psalm 10. 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:06.080 We're singing at verse 12. 00:09:07.300 --> 00:09:09.779 Psalm 10 at verse 12. 00:09:12.340 --> 00:09:15.080 Arise, Lord, lift up your hand. 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:16.820 Do not forget the poor. 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:21.700 Why does the wicked say of God my conduct he'll ignore. 00:09:21.760 --> 00:09:27.060 We're going to sing from verse 12 to the end of the Psalm and the tune is Stroudwater. 00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:33.759 Arise, Lord, lift up your hand. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:39.359 But I, Lord, lift up your hand. 00:09:39.359 --> 00:09:47.299 Do not forget the poor. 00:09:47.299 --> 00:10:04.059 Why, master, waken, saint of God, my God, that ye may know? 00:10:04.059 --> 00:10:22.000 But you, O God, you see such a strong, and you will bring me rest. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:39.120 The pain of peace is just in you, you help the Father less. 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:56.120 Lord, bring the wicked persons power, and all into the heart. 00:10:56.120 --> 00:11:13.480 For all the evil which he thought would never be my does. 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:30.480 The Lord will never make us king, his throne will always stand. 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:47.480 The hidden nations of the world will perish from this land. 00:11:47.480 --> 00:12:03.480 O Lord, the needy once desired, you answered from all night. 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:21.480 You give encouragement to them, and listen to their cry. 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:38.480 For you, the fiend of fatherless, and those who are oppressed. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:56.840 So that from fear of mortal land, the helpless make our rest. 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:05.360 I will turn together to read in God's word. 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:06.960 We're reading two passages. 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:10.879 First of all, in the Gospel of John, and chapter 1. 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:14.379 The Gospel of John, chapter 1. 00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:18.680 And we read from the beginning of that chapter down to verse 18. 00:13:22.560 --> 00:13:24.280 John 1 at verse 1. 00:13:24.900 --> 00:13:30.639 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:33.160 He was in the beginning with God. 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:36.200 All things were made through him. 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:40.200 And without him was not anything made that was made. 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:44.960 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 00:13:45.680 --> 00:13:49.740 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:53.900 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:55.379 He came to the light. 00:13:55.379 --> 00:14:01.019 He came as a witness to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:06.199 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:11.220 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:15.139 He was in the world, and the world was made through him. 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:17.460 Yet the world did not know him. 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:22.560 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:29.899 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:37.579 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:41.840 And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us. 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:49.860 And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son, from the Father, full of grace and truth. 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:53.280 John bore witness about him, and cried out, 00:14:53.900 --> 00:15:00.800 This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me. 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:06.440 And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:09.300 For the law was given through Moses. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:13.380 Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 00:15:14.300 --> 00:15:15.860 No one has ever seen God. 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:21.540 The only God who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:26.800 Our second reading is going back to our study in 1 Peter. 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:29.420 We're reading in chapter 2. 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:33.740 1 Peter chapter 2. 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:37.700 We're going to read from verse 1 down to verse 8. 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:49.140 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 00:15:49.800 --> 00:15:57.320 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation, 00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:00.800 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:09.620 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men, but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:15.939 you yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house, 00:16:16.599 --> 00:16:24.359 to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:26.800 For it stands in Scripture, 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:33.740 Behold, I am laying in Sion a stone, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:38.060 and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame. 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:41.139 So the honor is for you who believe. 00:16:41.680 --> 00:16:43.120 But for those who do not believe, 00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:47.460 the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, 00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:52.780 and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. 00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:59.639 They stumble because they disobey the word as they were destined to do. 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.200 Amen. 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:05.299 And may God bless these readings from his word. 00:17:06.120 --> 00:17:08.319 We'll join together in a word of prayer. 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.059 Let us pray. 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:16.200 Our Father, in heaven, as we come to your word, 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:19.579 may we realize just the power that is found therein, 00:17:20.419 --> 00:17:22.559 that we would recognize its authority. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:25.480 It is a word given by you, 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:28.200 inspired through your spirit, 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:33.419 as he gave words to men to write for us to receive. 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:38.940 We thank you that you have given us a word that guides us in this world, 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:42.700 that has guided generation after generation, 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:47.619 reminding us, Lord, of the great gift that you have given to this world, 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:51.559 your own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:55.220 the one who was with you in the beginning, as we have read, 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:58.339 the one through whom all things were made, 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:04.079 and yet the word, as we read, that became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:10.980 We thank you that Jesus came to make his habitation here with us, 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:15.899 that in all our needs he saw and you sent. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:22.119 And we thank you that your word reminds us that he has given all for us, 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:25.939 that he came to lay down his life for us, 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:28.899 that we might have life through him. 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:31.200 And help us, Lord, then, 00:18:31.280 --> 00:18:34.080 that as we come to your word anew today, 00:18:34.800 --> 00:18:38.560 that we would have a real longing for it and a thirst for it, 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.620 that you would come, Lord, 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:44.100 by your power to minister to our hearts, 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:48.000 to speak to us a word that we may understand 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:53.079 and to recognize the great power and authority that is behind your word, 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:57.740 that your word calls us with that great invitation to come, 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:02.119 to come and see the Christ who offers everything for us 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:06.199 and who offers everything to us. 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:09.379 We pray, Lord, that your spirit will be with us, 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:11.940 to lead us and to guide us in all things. 00:19:12.820 --> 00:19:16.700 We thank you that your word is personal to us, 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.580 that it ministers to us, 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:21.280 not just as a congregation of your people 00:19:21.280 --> 00:19:24.320 or as the nations of the world, 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:28.360 although it speaks widely and powerfully in that way. 00:19:29.060 --> 00:19:33.220 We thank you that there is a personal nature to it as well, 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:38.520 that your word reminds us that our very names are known unto you, 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:43.440 the very number of the hairs on our heads are all accounted to you. 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.779 We are so personal to you. 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:48.559 You have made us, you have formed us, 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.740 and you have made us with a purpose. 00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:55.660 And we pray that our purpose and all our great needs 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:59.519 will be met in you, in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:02.779 Help us to know that you are with us, 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:04.240 for that is your promise. 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:09.200 Whenever we go through great trials or tribulations, 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:12.680 even as we are thinking of from this letter of Peter 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:14.240 to a scattered people, 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:17.259 we know the great promises of the hope 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:19.200 that you give to your people 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:22.259 in every circumstance, in every generation, 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:24.420 that you minister to us. 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:28.559 You tell us, Lord, that though there will be difficulties 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:31.099 and that they may not be removed from us, 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:34.339 they will not ultimately harm us 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:36.079 when our trust is in you. 00:20:36.679 --> 00:20:39.460 For we are being refined, even in the fire, 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:42.759 that we will be found precious in your sight, 00:20:43.179 --> 00:20:44.919 that you would take away all the blemishes 00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:45.980 that are within us, 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.919 the sins of our hearts, 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:49.000 our shortcomings, 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:52.380 O Lord, how so often we sin against you. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:55.759 But we thank you for your great forgiveness 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:59.500 and for the way you form us and shape us 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:02.039 and mould us as your people. 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:05.299 We pray that you will build us up, O Lord, 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:08.920 and that you will draw us and guide us 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:10.980 by your Spirit day by day. 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:14.740 We thank you for your cause throughout our land 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:16.500 and throughout the world. 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:19.720 When we know, Lord, the many great difficulties 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:21.519 that surround our people 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:23.700 and people far and wide, 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:27.680 when there is oppression among the nations of this world, 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:31.579 when there is so much that leaves us 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:33.579 asking the question, Lord, 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:35.220 even as the psalmist asked, 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:38.000 Arise, Lord, lift up your hand. 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:40.220 Do not forget the poor. 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:42.839 Why does the wicked say of God, 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:44.940 My conduct he'll ignore? 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:47.100 We know that you never ignore 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:48.519 the conduct of the wicked, 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:51.460 but that, Lord, you will bring justice, 00:21:52.080 --> 00:21:55.100 that you will bring forth all that is deserving 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:56.740 upon all of us as sinners. 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:59.400 But we pray, Lord, for you to have mercy, 00:22:00.080 --> 00:22:01.940 to reach down to the needy ones, 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:04.820 to hear prayers from here, 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.860 to hear them on high, 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:08.000 and to give encouragement 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:10.519 to each and every one as we need. 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:12.360 Far and wide, Lord, 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:14.939 may your people know you as their Lord 00:22:14.939 --> 00:22:16.779 and as their God, 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:19.500 the one who is perfect in every way 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:22.559 and able to supply our every need. 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:25.139 Give us grace for each day, Lord, 00:22:25.199 --> 00:22:26.699 and help us in all we do 00:22:26.699 --> 00:22:28.899 to do it for your glory. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:31.519 We thank you to be able to be involved 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.979 in the work of your kingdom, 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:36.400 and we continue to pray for the gospel ministry 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:39.019 here in our islands and in our town 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:41.319 and for ourselves as a congregation. 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:44.740 Bless every endeavor to minister to people, 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:48.500 young and old and throughout our communities. 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:51.059 We pray for the holiday club planned 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:52.440 for the Christmas time 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:54.120 and pray your blessing on it 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:55.660 that you will indeed be in the midst 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.599 of all that we do in your name there. 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:59.619 We pray for the work 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:01.279 collecting for the baby bank. 00:23:02.179 --> 00:23:05.759 We, Lord, hear that there is such a pressing need 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.459 and an increasing need for it. 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.939 And we pray, Lord, 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:10.119 that you will help us 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:11.799 to try and meet these needs 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:13.279 in whatever way we can 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:15.379 to support and to encourage. 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.799 We thank you for the work 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:19.099 going into the production 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:23.219 of the WFM recipe book. 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:24.639 We thank you for all the work 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:26.000 that's been done over the years 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.480 and the great blessing it's been 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:30.740 to so many causes throughout the world. 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:32.380 And we pray, Lord, 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:34.059 that you will continue to bless 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:36.119 and encourage that work 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:37.440 and that ministry too. 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:39.259 We do pray, Lord, 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:40.380 for our communities, 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:42.039 for those who need you, 00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:43.039 those who are unwell, 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:46.099 those who are troubled in heart and spirit, 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:49.259 those who are mourning and grieving 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.819 in our midst at this time. 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:52.220 We know, Lord, 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:54.019 the needs that are many around us. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:56.160 And we pray for your comfort 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.400 of the Holy Spirit 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:59.240 to surround and to help 00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:01.339 all who need you at this time. 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.500 All who call upon your name, 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:05.619 may you hear their cries, 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.200 O Lord, 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:08.259 and draw near to us, 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.059 as we call, 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:11.460 for help in our times of need. 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.319 We thank you that you are indeed 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:15.139 a refuge and a strength. 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.759 And may we know your ever-present aid. 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:20.160 May you bless your word to us now 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:22.759 as we continue to sing your praise 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:24.700 and to hear your word. 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.779 Blessed to all our needs 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:28.120 and to all our hearts. 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:30.320 Uphold us throughout this day 00:24:30.320 --> 00:24:33.320 and guide us in everything that we do. 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:36.000 Bless the ministry of your word today 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.540 and into the evening as well. 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:39.680 Remember Scott as he ministers tonight. 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.340 Be with him. 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:42.600 Bless him and uphold him too. 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.380 And all your servants, 00:24:44.540 --> 00:24:45.340 near and far. 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.959 So go with us now 00:24:46.959 --> 00:24:48.859 and pardon us all our sin. 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.519 As we ask all things 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.199 with the forgiveness 00:24:51.199 --> 00:24:53.299 offered in Christ's name. 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:55.379 We ask it through that powerful 00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:56.319 and mighty name. 00:24:56.939 --> 00:24:58.500 The word that became flesh 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.659 and dwelt among us. 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.559 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.839 To him be glory now and always. 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:04.740 Amen. 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:11.079 We will sing to God's praise 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:12.439 in Psalm 118 00:25:12.439 --> 00:25:14.759 in the Scottish Psalter. 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:17.679 Page 399 of the Psalm books. 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.699 Psalm 118 00:25:20.699 --> 00:25:23.099 singing at verse 19 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:26.819 to verse 26. 00:25:26.959 --> 00:25:28.579 So set ye open unto me 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:30.439 the gates of righteousness 00:25:30.439 --> 00:25:32.799 then will I enter into them 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:35.419 and I the Lord will bless. 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:37.139 And we see in verse 22 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:39.439 words quoted in our reading 00:25:39.439 --> 00:25:40.740 in 1 Peter. 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:43.279 The stone is made head cornerstone 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:45.179 which builders did despise. 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:47.259 This is the doing of the Lord 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:49.240 and wondrous in our eyes. 00:25:49.320 --> 00:25:51.580 We'll sing verse 19 to 26 00:25:51.580 --> 00:25:52.759 to God's praise 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:54.120 and the tune is credited. 00:25:54.179 --> 00:26:02.479 D. 00:26:02.479 --> 00:26:03.459 He'll sing verse 19 to 26 in the show called 00:26:03.459 --> 00:26:06.959 drowned in the wedding 00:26:06.959 --> 00:26:08.899 of righteousness. 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:10.820 righteousness. 00:26:12.780 --> 00:26:14.540 Then will 00:26:14.540 --> 00:26:16.340 lie and 00:26:16.340 --> 00:26:18.259 turn into 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:20.880 him, and 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:22.580 now the 00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:24.540 Lord will 00:26:24.540 --> 00:26:26.720 bless. 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:29.200 Then since 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:31.820 the age of 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.820 God 00:26:32.820 --> 00:26:35.380 died, the 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:37.460 just shall 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:40.579 enter in. 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.779 The 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.860 will 00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:43.940 lie 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.680 for 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.680 the 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:48.480 weakest, 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.559 and 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.579 thus 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:51.360 my 00:26:51.360 --> 00:26:52.680 safety 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:54.140 be. 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.160 That 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.240 stone 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.100 is 00:26:59.100 --> 00:27:00.140 written 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:01.940 for 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.940 our 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.640 soul, 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.920 which 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.900 filled 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.740 our 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:08.019 city 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:10.160 skies. 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:12.539 This is 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.140 the 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:14.279 truth 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:16.180 of 00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:17.120 the 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:17.859 Lord, 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:19.059 and 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:20.839 wondrous 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:22.120 in 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:22.960 our 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:24.920 eyes. 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:27.140 This is 00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:28.140 the 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:29.019 day 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:30.220 God 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.220 made 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:33.420 in it, 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:33.960 with 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:35.259 and 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:37.340 miss 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:40.860 God's 00:27:40.860 --> 00:27:42.000 love he 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:46.400 an 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:46.680 daughter. 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:50.100 Now, 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.480 to 00:27:55.480 --> 00:28:09.880 Blessed is he in God's great name, that cometh us to save. 00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:24.880 We compromise, praise to the Lord, pertain to blessed heart. 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:35.839 If we can turn back to our reading in 1 Peter chapter 2. 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:44.519 We're looking through the verse 1 to verse 8 of this chapter as we continue our study in this letter. 00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:48.599 1 Peter chapter 2, just read again at verse 4. 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:57.959 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men, but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 00:28:58.699 --> 00:29:05.399 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house. 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.159 And so on. 00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:10.959 Just see these words at the beginning of verse 4. 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:13.019 As you come to him. 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:16.039 And we read of who this is. 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.940 It's the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:20.700 We read of it in John's Gospel 2. 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:24.740 That great word that was with God in the beginning. 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:27.599 The word through whom all things were made. 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:32.240 And the word that became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:36.460 The word that is truth and in whom there is glory. 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:43.840 And as Peter is writing to this scattered church, people scattered far and wide, 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:47.519 he is writing with this great truth to them. 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:52.660 Reminding them of what God, who God is and what he's saying to them. 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:58.279 Both in what he says himself as he writes, but also as we see very often through his letter, 00:29:58.360 --> 00:30:00.680 he quotes from the Old Testament. 00:30:00.840 --> 00:30:05.360 He reminds them so often of the truth that they already have. 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:09.019 The truth that God has spoken in the past. 00:30:09.159 --> 00:30:11.319 We saw it the last time we were looking at this. 00:30:11.439 --> 00:30:15.099 He quoted from the Old Testament in the end of chapter 1. 00:30:15.199 --> 00:30:20.199 All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. 00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:22.679 The grass withers, the flower falls. 00:30:23.439 --> 00:30:26.839 But the word of the Lord remains forever. 00:30:27.479 --> 00:30:30.579 The word of the Lord remains forever. 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:35.179 The word that is truth is the foundation of life. 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:38.939 And this truth is all about Jesus. 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:43.439 That's what he is reminding the people of in this letter. 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:46.839 The truth that Jesus is always with them. 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:53.519 No matter what they're experiencing, no matter what trials and tribulations that they are going through, 00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:57.879 that they would know that Jesus is always with them. 00:30:57.880 --> 00:31:00.300 We've seen it already in how he is. 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:04.240 Their hope that salvation is through him. 00:31:04.780 --> 00:31:10.880 That in their future, security has its foundation through faith in him. 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:14.080 It's all about Jesus. 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:21.060 And all the time, day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year, 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:25.599 we are hearing more and more of Jesus. 00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:32.299 His gospel, the truth, the word that became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:31:33.159 --> 00:31:38.099 But as Peter is writing to the people then, and even as he's speaking to ourselves today, 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:43.639 the question on our hearts should be, what are we doing with him? 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:46.659 What are we doing with him? 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:49.900 Do we just hear and let it pass by? 00:31:50.580 --> 00:31:55.680 Or are we hearing and being changed by the power of this word? 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:59.720 Do you believe him? 00:32:00.840 --> 00:32:03.400 And do you believe his power? 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:07.700 Do you believe that there is power in this word as you hear it read? 00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:10.180 Or as you read it yourself? 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:17.820 As you come here today or as you listen online, do you know the power of this word? 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:23.539 And do you understand what it can do or even what it is doing in you? 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:30.759 We've been thinking the last time we were met together about how Peter was moving from looking up 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:39.000 to the holiness of God, to looking out and to seeing how this word and truth ministering in our hearts 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:42.559 affects how we live and move in this world. 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:49.279 We were particularly thinking last time about how we are to love one another earnestly. 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:56.460 That through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and trusting and obedience to his word, 00:32:56.460 --> 00:33:00.160 that we are to go forward loving one another. 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:05.559 And as he continues, he's bringing more and more ingredients into our lives, 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:10.440 how we are to live outwardly with our eyes fixed on Jesus. 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:18.400 But it's always in remembering the truth of this unchanging and powerful word. 00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:28.620 And this is our main focus together this morning, this power of this word and how it's able to transform lives. 00:33:29.660 --> 00:33:30.880 It's done it before. 00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:32.820 It'll do it again. 00:33:33.540 --> 00:33:38.440 And the question is, are you allowing that power to change your own heart? 00:33:39.560 --> 00:33:43.720 Story told of a Christian man who had a good friend. 00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:46.160 He was a real special friend to him. 00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:55.140 But this friend was very antagonistic towards the gospel, towards the word of God. 00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:58.300 He didn't want to know anything about God's word. 00:33:58.700 --> 00:34:03.200 He enjoyed his friendship with his Christian friend, but that's as far as it went. 00:34:04.100 --> 00:34:06.560 He was saying, don't talk to me about your faith. 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:08.940 Don't talk to me about Christ. 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:16.280 And the Christian friend was just desperate to share the word with him in some form or other. 00:34:17.200 --> 00:34:22.200 And so what he decided was that he would leave a Bible for the man in his home. 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:26.460 And the man's wife put the Bible into the study. 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:36.000 And when the man who was so antagonistic towards the gospel saw the Bible, he was enraged about this. 00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:37.280 He was furious. 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:43.400 And he picked up the Bible and he started to rip the pages out of the Bible. 00:34:43.800 --> 00:34:46.980 He began to throw the pages into the fire. 00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:48.780 He just wanted rid of it. 00:34:48.780 --> 00:34:52.840 Page after page, he was ripping it out and throwing it into the fire. 00:34:53.640 --> 00:35:00.400 One point, as he was throwing the pages, one blew back and fell on the floor beside him. 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:06.760 He bent down to pick up that page, going to throw it back into the fire. 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:12.440 When he glanced at the words on the page, which went like a dagger through his heart. 00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:16.619 It was Matthew chapter 24, verse 35. 00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.300 And it says, 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:24.679 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away. 00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:27.940 And that word went into that man's heart. 00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:36.019 And it was the beginning of God starting to transform the heart that was so hard to soften it and to melt it 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:39.860 and to bring to realize the power that is behind that word. 00:35:39.860 --> 00:35:42.599 The power of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:45.720 And he couldn't get away from these words. 00:35:46.220 --> 00:35:50.320 For days afterwards, these words were just going round in his head. 00:35:50.720 --> 00:35:56.300 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word will not pass away. 00:35:57.240 --> 00:36:04.420 And over time, he came to bow the knee to the Lord Jesus Christ, the author of that word. 00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:08.980 And he came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart. 00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:16.860 A heart that was so enraged and angry against God, melted by the power of this word. 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:18.400 And this word is powerful. 00:36:19.219 --> 00:36:20.500 It changes hearts. 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:22.219 It changes lives. 00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:25.240 And whose heart doesn't need change? 00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:27.880 All our hearts need change. 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:34.179 And that change comes through this word of God changing our hearts. 00:36:34.179 --> 00:36:41.099 Solomon, in the book of Proverbs, reminds us that the heart is the center of our lives. 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:44.799 He says in Proverbs 4 verse 23, 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:51.839 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life. 00:36:52.919 --> 00:36:58.500 Open your heart to this word, for that's the spring of life. 00:36:58.500 --> 00:37:06.320 So there's three things I want us to see in verse 1 to verse 8 as we think about the truth and the power of this word. 00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:11.239 How it continues to infiltrate our hearts and take over our hearts. 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:15.260 And we see first it's a word that gives life. 00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:21.519 Secondly, we see it's a word that builds up but also causes stumbling. 00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:27.699 And thirdly, we'll see it's a word, a truth that gives recovery. 00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:33.980 First thing we see is it's a truth that gives life. 00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:37.880 How important are our Bibles? 00:37:38.239 --> 00:37:41.820 How important is the word of God to you today? 00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:48.320 We would only know probably how important it is if we were no longer had it. 00:37:48.320 --> 00:37:52.420 If the word of God was taken from us. 00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:56.940 Other books can be good to read and good for us. 00:37:57.519 --> 00:38:01.240 But nothing compares to the word of God. 00:38:02.140 --> 00:38:06.720 Just imagine what life would be like without this word. 00:38:07.660 --> 00:38:12.200 And without this Jesus who is the cornerstone of it. 00:38:12.280 --> 00:38:14.380 What kind of people would we be? 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:17.380 What kind of world would we live in? 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:24.079 Well, we're giving it a hint of it as the world continues to push out God's word. 00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:31.599 When it all becomes about ourselves and our own motives and desires in life. 00:38:32.160 --> 00:38:35.840 We become very selfish, inward looking, greedy. 00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:38.119 Just looking after number one. 00:38:38.200 --> 00:38:40.200 No concern for others. 00:38:41.220 --> 00:38:44.660 Where would we be without the grace and love of God? 00:38:44.659 --> 00:38:47.460 The importance of this word. 00:38:47.960 --> 00:38:53.399 Again, as outlined by Peter for us as he continues in this letter. 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:59.839 He places such importance on the word of God again and again. 00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:03.079 Speaking God's word to them. 00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:05.559 Reminding them of the word that they have. 00:39:05.640 --> 00:39:10.019 How it has been the foundation of all life up till then. 00:39:10.220 --> 00:39:13.539 And from that point too to this day and going forward. 00:39:14.100 --> 00:39:17.120 The word of God remains forever. 00:39:18.760 --> 00:39:20.180 But when we push it away. 00:39:20.620 --> 00:39:23.640 It only leads us down a path of destruction. 00:39:23.639 --> 00:39:24.639 Rejecting the word. 00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:33.819 It leads us away from the God who is able to give life. 00:39:34.559 --> 00:39:36.139 And give to the full. 00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:41.400 And you get the impression here as he goes on into chapter 2. 00:39:42.859 --> 00:39:46.539 This is again on the basis of the word remaining forever. 00:39:46.539 --> 00:39:50.920 But how we are to be obedient to the word and love one another earnestly. 00:39:50.920 --> 00:39:52.659 He says in verse 1. 00:39:53.239 --> 00:40:00.460 Put away all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all slander. 00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:06.880 All these things that lead to so much sin in this world. 00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:10.579 All these things that lead us down the wrong path. 00:40:11.219 --> 00:40:14.119 He's saying put them away. 00:40:14.119 --> 00:40:19.400 Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander. 00:40:19.519 --> 00:40:22.920 The things that we see so rife in our world today. 00:40:23.099 --> 00:40:26.400 And we have to guard our own hearts against too. 00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:30.460 Because as we let these things into our hearts. 00:40:30.779 --> 00:40:31.940 They take over. 00:40:32.779 --> 00:40:34.139 And that is what we become. 00:40:35.099 --> 00:40:36.380 And so he is saying no. 00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.980 Put these things away. 00:40:38.539 --> 00:40:39.500 Put them off. 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:41.900 But as well as putting that away. 00:40:41.900 --> 00:40:45.880 He tells us what to put in its place instead. 00:40:46.760 --> 00:40:47.880 Put these things away. 00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:49.559 But then he says in verse 2. 00:40:49.780 --> 00:40:51.019 Like newborn infants. 00:40:51.260 --> 00:40:54.220 Long for the pure spiritual milk. 00:40:54.700 --> 00:40:56.900 That by it you may grow up to salvation. 00:40:57.660 --> 00:41:01.599 If indeed you have tasted the Lord is good. 00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:03.500 Put these things away. 00:41:04.039 --> 00:41:05.960 And instead crave. 00:41:06.280 --> 00:41:06.840 Long for. 00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:10.660 Desire this pure spiritual milk. 00:41:10.880 --> 00:41:12.940 That you may grow up to salvation. 00:41:13.800 --> 00:41:16.500 What is this milk that gives salvation. 00:41:16.700 --> 00:41:17.360 Gives life. 00:41:17.539 --> 00:41:18.240 Gives growth. 00:41:19.059 --> 00:41:21.200 It is the word of God. 00:41:22.220 --> 00:41:23.820 And when you think of that picture. 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:25.280 Like newborn infants. 00:41:25.740 --> 00:41:28.920 Long for the pure spiritual milk. 00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:31.920 You can picture a newborn baby feeding. 00:41:32.720 --> 00:41:34.800 And just the thirst that is being quenched. 00:41:34.900 --> 00:41:35.599 And that longing. 00:41:36.180 --> 00:41:38.559 From that life giving milk. 00:41:39.559 --> 00:41:41.400 Often brings to my mind too. 00:41:41.800 --> 00:41:43.740 When you think of sometimes animals. 00:41:43.980 --> 00:41:47.559 And how they desire that life giving milk too. 00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:49.680 You think of lambing time. 00:41:49.780 --> 00:41:51.559 And maybe when you have had a pet lamb. 00:41:52.059 --> 00:41:54.139 And you have had to feed it by the bottle. 00:41:54.139 --> 00:41:57.079 And when that lamb comes to get his bottle. 00:41:57.159 --> 00:41:59.400 It's almost pulling the bottle out of your hand. 00:41:59.839 --> 00:42:01.859 It's got that longing for that milk. 00:42:02.799 --> 00:42:06.839 Is that the kind of longing that we have for the word of God? 00:42:07.859 --> 00:42:10.739 Remember seeing one film clip of a calf. 00:42:10.819 --> 00:42:11.719 A young calf. 00:42:12.099 --> 00:42:14.639 Who was being fed in a stall. 00:42:15.259 --> 00:42:16.299 Not by a bottle. 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:20.000 But by a bucket of milk being placed in front of it. 00:42:20.440 --> 00:42:22.879 And how do you think that calf drank the milk? 00:42:22.880 --> 00:42:26.000 Was it just a little sip with its tongue? 00:42:26.619 --> 00:42:27.000 No. 00:42:27.539 --> 00:42:28.500 Not at all. 00:42:29.180 --> 00:42:32.400 The calf was sticking its head right into the bucket. 00:42:32.900 --> 00:42:35.160 Fully immersed in the bucket of milk. 00:42:35.900 --> 00:42:36.579 Snorting it. 00:42:36.700 --> 00:42:37.440 Sucking it up. 00:42:37.860 --> 00:42:39.700 When the calf came up out of the milk. 00:42:39.840 --> 00:42:42.079 It snorted milk out its nose. 00:42:42.420 --> 00:42:43.780 It was just so full on. 00:42:44.720 --> 00:42:47.180 And then it just stuck its head straight back. 00:42:47.400 --> 00:42:49.960 Into that bucket of life giving milk. 00:42:49.960 --> 00:42:52.320 Again we think. 00:42:52.699 --> 00:42:56.619 Is that the longing that we have for this word? 00:42:57.280 --> 00:42:58.960 This powerful word. 00:42:59.240 --> 00:43:01.980 That is able to change our hearts. 00:43:02.119 --> 00:43:03.320 To guide our hearts. 00:43:03.579 --> 00:43:05.920 And to guard our hearts. 00:43:06.579 --> 00:43:09.519 We should be immersed in this word. 00:43:09.699 --> 00:43:10.280 Craving. 00:43:10.920 --> 00:43:12.059 Longing for it. 00:43:12.599 --> 00:43:14.260 We have it before us. 00:43:14.740 --> 00:43:16.579 Let us use it. 00:43:16.579 --> 00:43:19.860 This word gives life. 00:43:20.559 --> 00:43:23.639 This word changes people. 00:43:24.319 --> 00:43:26.519 And changes us for the better. 00:43:27.659 --> 00:43:29.279 I'm sure many of you. 00:43:29.319 --> 00:43:32.380 Or maybe all of you have heard of the man Charles Spurgeon. 00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:34.559 You'll have heard him quote it. 00:43:34.679 --> 00:43:36.659 You'll have maybe read his works. 00:43:37.340 --> 00:43:41.159 A man who did remarkable work for the Lord during his years. 00:43:41.159 --> 00:43:44.559 Have you ever read about his conversion? 00:43:45.539 --> 00:43:48.079 He was converted at the age of 15. 00:43:48.799 --> 00:43:50.960 He'd been brought up in a Christian home. 00:43:51.599 --> 00:43:53.319 And he tried to read the Bible. 00:43:53.440 --> 00:43:54.940 And say his prayers himself. 00:43:55.460 --> 00:43:57.679 But he knew that there was something missing. 00:43:58.619 --> 00:44:00.699 He just wasn't fulfilled. 00:44:00.819 --> 00:44:03.500 He was feeling quite miserable and low in his life. 00:44:04.539 --> 00:44:07.480 But there was this one Sunday at the age of 15. 00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:09.199 And he was on his way to church. 00:44:09.300 --> 00:44:10.519 To his regular church. 00:44:11.159 --> 00:44:13.179 But the night was snowing. 00:44:13.840 --> 00:44:14.340 And cold. 00:44:14.440 --> 00:44:17.000 And he got caught up in this snowstorm. 00:44:17.800 --> 00:44:20.460 And he ended up going down an alley just to take shelter. 00:44:21.240 --> 00:44:24.539 Expecting to continue on to his own church once it had passed. 00:44:25.260 --> 00:44:28.599 But what happened was he ended up seeing another church. 00:44:28.719 --> 00:44:31.800 An old Methodist church with a small congregation. 00:44:32.179 --> 00:44:34.539 So he nipped in there just to take shelter. 00:44:34.539 --> 00:44:37.480 And as he was sitting in there. 00:44:37.920 --> 00:44:39.599 The regular preacher wasn't there. 00:44:39.699 --> 00:44:43.380 And was a substitute as he calls it in his testimony. 00:44:43.619 --> 00:44:44.679 He came into the pulpit. 00:44:45.539 --> 00:44:47.139 And the man who was preaching. 00:44:47.279 --> 00:44:49.779 He said he didn't have much to say. 00:44:50.639 --> 00:44:54.980 And he just kept repeating the text that he was preaching from. 00:44:55.639 --> 00:44:59.420 And the text was from Isaiah chapter 45 verse 22. 00:44:59.420 --> 00:45:03.099 Which says look unto me and be ye saved. 00:45:03.639 --> 00:45:05.019 All the ends of the earth. 00:45:05.139 --> 00:45:08.300 For I am God and there is none else. 00:45:09.920 --> 00:45:12.860 And that word cut him to the heart. 00:45:13.860 --> 00:45:17.480 And that night God really worked in him. 00:45:17.860 --> 00:45:22.119 And brought that assurance of salvation into his heart. 00:45:22.119 --> 00:45:26.359 God's word is powerful. 00:45:27.000 --> 00:45:29.960 So we are to put away all that hinders. 00:45:29.960 --> 00:45:36.039 And instead crave this spiritual milk like newborn infants. 00:45:36.599 --> 00:45:38.659 If we have tasted the Lord as good. 00:45:39.119 --> 00:45:40.960 We long for more. 00:45:41.900 --> 00:45:44.679 The second thing we see here is the truth. 00:45:45.179 --> 00:45:49.239 It builds up and causes to stumble. 00:45:49.239 --> 00:45:53.419 It's as if he takes us next into the building site. 00:45:54.439 --> 00:45:59.219 And you see in going forward into verse 4 there. 00:45:59.299 --> 00:46:00.659 As you come to him. 00:46:00.979 --> 00:46:03.519 A living stone rejected by men. 00:46:03.979 --> 00:46:07.579 He's talking here about the construction that goes on. 00:46:08.519 --> 00:46:11.399 The cornerstone which is Christ. 00:46:12.059 --> 00:46:15.539 Everything else is built on him. 00:46:15.539 --> 00:46:18.619 It's all about Christ. 00:46:18.739 --> 00:46:20.679 And how we are to come to him. 00:46:20.880 --> 00:46:22.360 To worship him. 00:46:23.320 --> 00:46:28.139 You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house. 00:46:28.219 --> 00:46:29.900 To be a holy priesthood. 00:46:29.980 --> 00:46:32.719 To offer spiritual sacrifices. 00:46:33.360 --> 00:46:35.900 We are to be a people who worship. 00:46:37.279 --> 00:46:38.900 This truth. 00:46:39.259 --> 00:46:41.599 It builds us up. 00:46:41.599 --> 00:46:44.579 And what Peter is saying here is. 00:46:45.199 --> 00:46:47.019 You are to come to him. 00:46:47.639 --> 00:46:50.360 To constantly come to him. 00:46:50.420 --> 00:46:52.219 As you come to him. 00:46:52.619 --> 00:46:56.019 Who is a living stone rejected by men. 00:46:57.059 --> 00:47:00.219 He is saying keep coming to this word. 00:47:00.900 --> 00:47:04.559 He doesn't just mean keep coming to church each week. 00:47:04.619 --> 00:47:08.079 He doesn't mean just keep tuning in online each week. 00:47:08.079 --> 00:47:12.699 What he means is keep coming to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:47:13.500 --> 00:47:17.759 Keep building yourself up on the foundation that is Christ. 00:47:17.960 --> 00:47:21.440 Believing in him with all your heart. 00:47:22.119 --> 00:47:26.420 For it says whoever believes will not be put to shame. 00:47:27.579 --> 00:47:30.799 Whoever believes will not be put to shame. 00:47:31.440 --> 00:47:37.079 People today are always trying to find the plan for recovery. 00:47:37.079 --> 00:47:41.079 In so many different ways and formats in life. 00:47:41.199 --> 00:47:42.920 People are looking for recovery. 00:47:43.440 --> 00:47:44.940 In so many different ways. 00:47:45.019 --> 00:47:47.759 We think of economic recovery just now. 00:47:47.840 --> 00:47:51.000 The Chancellor putting out another budget this week. 00:47:51.059 --> 00:47:54.639 And looking for a way for our nation to recover. 00:47:55.440 --> 00:47:58.420 And a plan being put into place. 00:48:00.000 --> 00:48:02.940 We are to follow this plan for recovery. 00:48:02.940 --> 00:48:06.320 Because that is the way we will make progress. 00:48:07.559 --> 00:48:12.900 But so often the plans for recovery have no word of God. 00:48:14.320 --> 00:48:16.260 And what Peter is saying here is. 00:48:16.340 --> 00:48:18.800 As he looks to a people scattered. 00:48:19.280 --> 00:48:19.780 Discouraged. 00:48:19.880 --> 00:48:20.920 Going through trials. 00:48:21.079 --> 00:48:21.639 And they are thinking. 00:48:21.840 --> 00:48:23.079 How can we recover? 00:48:23.220 --> 00:48:24.760 How can we come through this? 00:48:25.220 --> 00:48:27.440 He is saying it is not about your plans. 00:48:27.440 --> 00:48:31.260 It is not about rejecting Jesus. 00:48:31.500 --> 00:48:35.480 What you need is Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. 00:48:36.400 --> 00:48:40.099 The stone upon which everything else is built. 00:48:40.320 --> 00:48:41.960 Because we are not going to recover. 00:48:42.639 --> 00:48:44.519 We are not going to be in the right plan. 00:48:44.720 --> 00:48:48.139 Unless we have him as the cornerstone. 00:48:48.139 --> 00:48:52.299 And so the gospel says come. 00:48:52.879 --> 00:48:54.739 Come to him. 00:48:55.480 --> 00:48:58.900 Come to the one who is the living stone. 00:48:59.699 --> 00:49:01.960 He was rejected by men. 00:49:02.920 --> 00:49:07.199 But in the sight of God chosen and precious. 00:49:07.980 --> 00:49:11.420 And how precious is this cornerstone. 00:49:11.779 --> 00:49:15.099 How important is this cornerstone. 00:49:15.099 --> 00:49:18.579 It is of greatest importance to us. 00:49:19.239 --> 00:49:21.079 Without the right foundation. 00:49:21.619 --> 00:49:24.279 Everything else will crumble. 00:49:25.059 --> 00:49:28.199 And the gospel is our foundation. 00:49:28.460 --> 00:49:32.420 Because Jesus Christ is the heart of that gospel. 00:49:33.119 --> 00:49:35.339 It is all about him. 00:49:36.619 --> 00:49:39.699 Romans chapter 1 verse 16 says. 00:49:39.699 --> 00:49:42.980 For I am not ashamed of the gospel. 00:49:42.980 --> 00:49:46.300 For it is the power of God to salvation. 00:49:46.960 --> 00:49:49.300 For everyone who believes. 00:49:51.280 --> 00:49:55.380 Faith and believing is at the heart of this gospel. 00:49:56.240 --> 00:49:58.880 We are to believe in him. 00:49:59.019 --> 00:50:01.699 The honor is for you who believe. 00:50:02.019 --> 00:50:03.639 It says in verse 7. 00:50:04.460 --> 00:50:05.219 So do you? 00:50:05.639 --> 00:50:08.519 Do you believe in the Lord Jesus? 00:50:09.019 --> 00:50:12.219 Do you believe in his gospel and its power? 00:50:12.219 --> 00:50:15.980 Romans 1 verse 16 says. 00:50:16.199 --> 00:50:18.659 I am not ashamed of the gospel. 00:50:18.659 --> 00:50:21.139 I am not stumbling over the gospel. 00:50:21.239 --> 00:50:23.079 I am not stumbling over Jesus. 00:50:23.699 --> 00:50:24.480 My faith. 00:50:25.000 --> 00:50:25.759 My trust. 00:50:26.480 --> 00:50:27.079 Is in him. 00:50:28.199 --> 00:50:29.659 But if you are ashamed. 00:50:30.739 --> 00:50:32.019 If you do not believe. 00:50:32.119 --> 00:50:33.519 You are just pushing that away. 00:50:33.959 --> 00:50:35.779 You are stumbling over the very thing. 00:50:36.079 --> 00:50:37.419 That is able to save. 00:50:37.619 --> 00:50:39.279 The very thing that has the power. 00:50:39.280 --> 00:50:40.620 To save you. 00:50:41.240 --> 00:50:43.240 When it speaks there in Romans. 00:50:43.240 --> 00:50:44.760 Of the power of God. 00:50:44.760 --> 00:50:46.120 To salvation. 00:50:46.120 --> 00:50:47.760 The word there for power. 00:50:47.920 --> 00:50:49.540 In the Greek is dunamis. 00:50:50.780 --> 00:50:52.420 And that is where our word today. 00:50:52.640 --> 00:50:54.420 For dynamite comes. 00:50:55.060 --> 00:50:56.220 That is the power. 00:50:56.420 --> 00:50:58.160 That is behind this word. 00:50:58.600 --> 00:50:59.580 That is the power. 00:50:59.820 --> 00:51:01.800 That is behind this truth. 00:51:02.260 --> 00:51:03.519 It is dynamite. 00:51:03.960 --> 00:51:04.980 It is explosive. 00:51:04.980 --> 00:51:08.780 It is power to break into our hearts. 00:51:09.420 --> 00:51:12.559 As you look across to our nation these days. 00:51:12.619 --> 00:51:15.940 As you see the work going on for the new pier there. 00:51:16.240 --> 00:51:18.920 And you will hear it through certain points too. 00:51:19.000 --> 00:51:20.579 The breaking of the rocks. 00:51:21.119 --> 00:51:23.260 Those rocks that are so hard. 00:51:23.579 --> 00:51:26.420 Being broken down bit by bit. 00:51:26.539 --> 00:51:28.219 And then those rocks being used. 00:51:28.539 --> 00:51:30.599 As the foundation of the new pier. 00:51:30.599 --> 00:51:34.400 Well our foundation is Christ. 00:51:35.500 --> 00:51:37.159 And it is his truth. 00:51:37.559 --> 00:51:39.900 That breaks down our hard hearts. 00:51:40.039 --> 00:51:42.000 Through the power of this word. 00:51:42.119 --> 00:51:44.679 The dynamite of this word. 00:51:45.319 --> 00:51:47.900 It is a word that is powerful. 00:51:48.480 --> 00:51:50.699 And able to save. 00:51:51.579 --> 00:51:54.139 You are either being built up by it. 00:51:54.480 --> 00:51:57.539 Or you are stumbling over it. 00:51:57.539 --> 00:52:00.599 But Peter says to come. 00:52:01.139 --> 00:52:02.619 To come to him. 00:52:03.279 --> 00:52:05.860 Who is the living stone. 00:52:06.599 --> 00:52:08.300 He may have been rejected by others. 00:52:08.400 --> 00:52:10.920 He may be being rejected by many today. 00:52:11.639 --> 00:52:13.179 But you are to come. 00:52:13.679 --> 00:52:16.179 And to put your trust in him. 00:52:17.779 --> 00:52:20.059 And as Peter finally as we see here. 00:52:20.400 --> 00:52:22.699 As he is speaking these words to them. 00:52:22.699 --> 00:52:25.159 He is reminding that this truth. 00:52:25.339 --> 00:52:26.079 This word. 00:52:26.619 --> 00:52:28.359 Points to recovery. 00:52:29.419 --> 00:52:31.739 The reason why the word became flesh. 00:52:32.319 --> 00:52:33.599 And dwelt among us. 00:52:33.839 --> 00:52:35.460 Was for our salvation. 00:52:36.279 --> 00:52:38.319 That we might find our hope. 00:52:38.679 --> 00:52:40.500 In the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:52:41.000 --> 00:52:41.639 And again. 00:52:41.879 --> 00:52:44.819 You just go back to chapter 1. 00:52:44.939 --> 00:52:45.639 As we were thinking. 00:52:46.119 --> 00:52:48.039 The foundation of this truth. 00:52:48.139 --> 00:52:50.259 It is really what is in verse 19. 00:52:50.260 --> 00:52:54.340 It is all about the precious blood of Christ. 00:52:55.120 --> 00:52:57.460 What he has done for us. 00:52:57.540 --> 00:52:58.320 The foundation. 00:52:58.520 --> 00:53:00.140 The cornerstone is Christ. 00:53:00.580 --> 00:53:03.500 And what he has done for us. 00:53:03.920 --> 00:53:08.080 We are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. 00:53:09.200 --> 00:53:12.200 Do you believe the word of God? 00:53:13.100 --> 00:53:15.480 Do you believe that is the good news. 00:53:15.500 --> 00:53:18.700 As it is preached to you at the end of chapter 1. 00:53:18.699 --> 00:53:24.079 Do you believe that this word is able to change hearts. 00:53:24.219 --> 00:53:26.559 To change even your heart. 00:53:27.239 --> 00:53:30.000 It is a powerful word. 00:53:30.639 --> 00:53:34.519 It is a word that has changed hearts over years. 00:53:35.419 --> 00:53:38.399 And many have testified and do testify. 00:53:38.399 --> 00:53:42.799 About knowing the power that there is in this word. 00:53:43.779 --> 00:53:46.859 It is the power of God to salvation. 00:53:46.860 --> 00:53:49.380 And I want to leave you today. 00:53:49.660 --> 00:53:50.960 With a testimony. 00:53:52.079 --> 00:53:53.340 A testimony of one. 00:53:53.780 --> 00:53:56.880 Who came to experience this power for himself. 00:53:57.559 --> 00:53:58.900 Even though he felt. 00:53:59.400 --> 00:54:00.300 So unworthy. 00:54:00.900 --> 00:54:01.840 And that his heart. 00:54:02.340 --> 00:54:04.579 Was not able to be changed. 00:54:04.720 --> 00:54:05.579 He came to know. 00:54:05.980 --> 00:54:07.140 The power of God. 00:54:07.680 --> 00:54:09.500 And the truth of God's word. 00:54:09.579 --> 00:54:11.320 That was able to transform. 00:54:11.900 --> 00:54:12.800 His life. 00:54:13.840 --> 00:54:15.320 It is a powerful testimony. 00:54:15.320 --> 00:54:17.400 It is a moving testimony. 00:54:18.440 --> 00:54:20.000 And it is a testimony that was told. 00:54:20.539 --> 00:54:22.100 By a preacher in the past. 00:54:22.280 --> 00:54:23.840 Called Charles Finney. 00:54:24.480 --> 00:54:25.880 Dr. Charles Finney. 00:54:26.700 --> 00:54:28.260 And he was once preaching. 00:54:28.820 --> 00:54:29.940 In the city of Detroit. 00:54:30.460 --> 00:54:31.180 In Michigan. 00:54:31.320 --> 00:54:32.420 In the United States. 00:54:34.420 --> 00:54:35.480 And that night. 00:54:35.600 --> 00:54:37.160 There was a man in the congregation. 00:54:38.160 --> 00:54:39.420 A man who was known. 00:54:39.600 --> 00:54:42.000 By so many who belonged to that congregation. 00:54:42.000 --> 00:54:44.400 A man who was known. 00:54:45.019 --> 00:54:47.340 For stumbling in so many ways. 00:54:47.340 --> 00:54:48.000 In life. 00:54:49.039 --> 00:54:50.340 Who rejected. 00:54:50.780 --> 00:54:51.840 The Lord Jesus. 00:54:52.019 --> 00:54:53.500 And who in the eyes of so many. 00:54:53.619 --> 00:54:54.500 Had no interest. 00:54:54.980 --> 00:54:55.320 In him. 00:54:56.159 --> 00:54:57.599 But this man that night. 00:54:57.980 --> 00:54:59.559 He was under conviction. 00:55:00.619 --> 00:55:02.320 The Lord was speaking. 00:55:02.800 --> 00:55:03.980 Into his heart. 00:55:03.980 --> 00:55:06.099 And that night. 00:55:06.099 --> 00:55:07.679 Dr. Charles Finney. 00:55:07.679 --> 00:55:08.440 Was preaching. 00:55:09.019 --> 00:55:10.760 On a text from 1 John. 00:55:11.500 --> 00:55:12.519 Chapter 1. 00:55:13.480 --> 00:55:14.300 The text was. 00:55:14.519 --> 00:55:15.980 The blood of Jesus Christ. 00:55:16.559 --> 00:55:17.559 God's son. 00:55:18.159 --> 00:55:19.360 Cleanseth us. 00:55:19.840 --> 00:55:21.079 From all sin. 00:55:21.719 --> 00:55:22.219 That was. 00:55:22.659 --> 00:55:23.639 What he was preaching. 00:55:24.719 --> 00:55:25.880 After the service. 00:55:26.519 --> 00:55:27.940 The man who was under conviction. 00:55:28.099 --> 00:55:29.559 He went to Dr. Finney. 00:55:29.940 --> 00:55:30.940 And asked him. 00:55:31.139 --> 00:55:32.320 If he would walk home. 00:55:32.320 --> 00:55:32.840 With him. 00:55:34.019 --> 00:55:34.960 Some of the others. 00:55:34.960 --> 00:55:35.620 In the church. 00:55:35.740 --> 00:55:36.660 Knowing that man. 00:55:37.019 --> 00:55:38.559 They advised against him. 00:55:38.640 --> 00:55:39.200 Going with him. 00:55:40.260 --> 00:55:41.440 But Charles Finney. 00:55:41.539 --> 00:55:42.480 Felt that he should. 00:55:43.600 --> 00:55:44.420 And so he went. 00:55:44.820 --> 00:55:45.880 And walked home. 00:55:46.059 --> 00:55:46.440 With him. 00:55:47.420 --> 00:55:48.740 And when they reached. 00:55:48.840 --> 00:55:49.559 A building. 00:55:50.420 --> 00:55:51.039 The stranger. 00:55:51.220 --> 00:55:52.000 The strange man said. 00:55:52.059 --> 00:55:53.059 I want you to come in. 00:55:53.200 --> 00:55:53.700 Here. 00:55:54.160 --> 00:55:54.800 With me. 00:55:55.800 --> 00:55:56.800 And they went in. 00:55:56.920 --> 00:55:57.559 And stranger. 00:55:57.720 --> 00:55:58.500 Locked the door. 00:55:58.580 --> 00:55:59.180 Behind him. 00:55:59.660 --> 00:56:00.460 And put his key. 00:56:00.460 --> 00:56:01.559 The key in his pocket. 00:56:01.660 --> 00:56:02.039 But he said. 00:56:02.320 --> 00:56:03.539 Don't be afraid. 00:56:04.380 --> 00:56:06.080 I'm not going to hurt you. 00:56:06.539 --> 00:56:08.240 I just want to ask you. 00:56:08.580 --> 00:56:09.700 A few questions. 00:56:10.980 --> 00:56:11.960 The first question. 00:56:12.039 --> 00:56:13.260 He asked of Charles Finney. 00:56:13.380 --> 00:56:13.500 Was. 00:56:14.280 --> 00:56:15.420 Do you believe. 00:56:15.980 --> 00:56:17.000 What you preached. 00:56:17.340 --> 00:56:17.740 Tonight. 00:56:19.420 --> 00:56:20.800 Dr. Charles Finney. 00:56:21.000 --> 00:56:21.880 Responded by saying. 00:56:22.220 --> 00:56:23.580 I most certainly. 00:56:24.340 --> 00:56:24.519 Do. 00:56:25.860 --> 00:56:27.000 Well the man continued. 00:56:27.640 --> 00:56:28.920 You see this building. 00:56:28.920 --> 00:56:29.400 We're in. 00:56:30.320 --> 00:56:30.980 Here we are. 00:56:31.059 --> 00:56:31.559 In this room. 00:56:31.559 --> 00:56:32.820 It's the back. 00:56:32.820 --> 00:56:33.779 Of the bar. 00:56:34.139 --> 00:56:35.099 Which I own. 00:56:36.579 --> 00:56:37.059 And he said. 00:56:37.739 --> 00:56:38.299 Wives. 00:56:38.820 --> 00:56:39.980 Come into my bar. 00:56:40.279 --> 00:56:41.360 With their babies. 00:56:42.159 --> 00:56:42.880 Begging me. 00:56:42.940 --> 00:56:44.119 Not to sell drinks. 00:56:44.380 --> 00:56:45.119 To their husbands. 00:56:46.079 --> 00:56:46.299 And yet. 00:56:46.500 --> 00:56:46.940 I turn. 00:56:47.000 --> 00:56:48.000 A deaf ear. 00:56:48.179 --> 00:56:49.019 To their cry. 00:56:49.900 --> 00:56:50.179 Dr. 00:56:50.279 --> 00:56:50.539 Finney. 00:56:50.980 --> 00:56:51.679 Tell me. 00:56:52.239 --> 00:56:52.920 Can God. 00:56:53.039 --> 00:56:53.559 Forgive. 00:56:53.719 --> 00:56:54.679 A man like me. 00:56:56.039 --> 00:56:56.539 Dr. 00:56:56.619 --> 00:56:57.239 Finney replied. 00:56:57.239 --> 00:56:58.459 I have. 00:56:58.459 --> 00:56:58.479 I have. 00:56:58.559 --> 00:56:59.559 But one authority. 00:57:00.259 --> 00:57:01.439 The word of God. 00:57:01.500 --> 00:57:02.119 Which says. 00:57:02.659 --> 00:57:04.359 The blood of Jesus Christ. 00:57:04.500 --> 00:57:05.359 God's son. 00:57:05.959 --> 00:57:06.979 Cleanseth us. 00:57:07.339 --> 00:57:08.639 From all sin. 00:57:10.079 --> 00:57:10.539 The man. 00:57:10.619 --> 00:57:10.979 Kyron. 00:57:11.119 --> 00:57:11.279 Saying. 00:57:11.559 --> 00:57:12.699 That's not all. 00:57:13.899 --> 00:57:14.839 In another room. 00:57:14.919 --> 00:57:15.500 Back there. 00:57:15.500 --> 00:57:16.440 I run. 00:57:16.440 --> 00:57:16.460 I run. 00:57:16.539 --> 00:57:17.579 A gambling hall. 00:57:18.300 --> 00:57:19.519 It's not enough. 00:57:19.659 --> 00:57:20.079 That we get. 00:57:20.460 --> 00:57:21.500 People to spend. 00:57:21.619 --> 00:57:22.559 Their money on drink. 00:57:23.059 --> 00:57:23.960 We make sure. 00:57:24.059 --> 00:57:24.360 That we get. 00:57:24.559 --> 00:57:25.440 Every penny. 00:57:25.440 --> 00:57:26.039 Of them. 00:57:26.760 --> 00:57:27.360 Of them. 00:57:27.659 --> 00:57:28.559 By taking them. 00:57:28.559 --> 00:57:29.699 Into the gambling room. 00:57:29.760 --> 00:57:31.260 And fixing the cards. 00:57:31.260 --> 00:57:32.440 So they're never. 00:57:32.440 --> 00:57:33.400 Going to win. 00:57:34.480 --> 00:57:35.180 And we send. 00:57:35.460 --> 00:57:36.240 These men home. 00:57:36.340 --> 00:57:37.100 To their families. 00:57:37.220 --> 00:57:38.300 Their hungry families. 00:57:38.800 --> 00:57:39.440 Penniless. 00:57:40.620 --> 00:57:41.020 Dr. 00:57:41.140 --> 00:57:41.520 Finney. 00:57:41.680 --> 00:57:42.160 Tell me. 00:57:42.220 --> 00:57:42.560 Honestly. 00:57:43.100 --> 00:57:43.860 Can God. 00:57:44.000 --> 00:57:44.580 Forgive. 00:57:45.100 --> 00:57:45.680 A man. 00:57:45.760 --> 00:57:46.280 Like me. 00:57:48.100 --> 00:57:48.700 And again. 00:57:48.800 --> 00:57:49.000 Dr. 00:57:49.060 --> 00:57:49.720 Finney replied. 00:57:50.260 --> 00:57:50.580 Again. 00:57:50.620 --> 00:57:50.880 He says. 00:57:51.080 --> 00:57:51.560 I have. 00:57:51.660 --> 00:57:52.580 But one authority. 00:57:52.580 --> 00:57:53.640 The word of God. 00:57:53.800 --> 00:57:54.340 Which says. 00:57:54.860 --> 00:57:56.420 The blood of Jesus Christ. 00:57:56.620 --> 00:57:57.440 God's son. 00:57:57.760 --> 00:57:58.720 Cleanseth us. 00:57:58.860 --> 00:57:59.740 From all sin. 00:58:01.260 --> 00:58:03.160 The man carried on. 00:58:03.240 --> 00:58:03.680 And said. 00:58:04.320 --> 00:58:05.460 That's not all. 00:58:07.000 --> 00:58:08.260 Across the street. 00:58:08.260 --> 00:58:09.000 Is my home. 00:58:09.700 --> 00:58:10.540 Where my wife. 00:58:10.620 --> 00:58:11.500 And my little daughter. 00:58:11.500 --> 00:58:11.900 Live. 00:58:13.140 --> 00:58:14.260 Neither of them. 00:58:14.380 --> 00:58:15.780 Has heard a kind word. 00:58:15.780 --> 00:58:16.460 From me. 00:58:16.820 --> 00:58:18.100 In five years. 00:58:19.540 --> 00:58:20.820 I'm an awful husband. 00:58:21.520 --> 00:58:22.880 I'm an awful father. 00:58:23.400 --> 00:58:24.620 I'm an awful man. 00:58:25.940 --> 00:58:26.360 Dr. 00:58:26.480 --> 00:58:26.780 Finney. 00:58:27.420 --> 00:58:28.740 Do you think God. 00:58:29.640 --> 00:58:30.760 Could forgive. 00:58:30.760 --> 00:58:31.600 A man. 00:58:32.160 --> 00:58:32.900 With a heart. 00:58:32.960 --> 00:58:33.600 Like that. 00:58:34.900 --> 00:58:35.280 Dr. 00:58:35.400 --> 00:58:36.460 Finney carried on. 00:58:37.300 --> 00:58:38.400 With his head lowered. 00:58:39.000 --> 00:58:39.660 And his eyes. 00:58:39.740 --> 00:58:40.620 Beginning to fill. 00:58:40.720 --> 00:58:41.320 With tears. 00:58:41.460 --> 00:58:41.780 He said. 00:58:41.840 --> 00:58:42.360 My friend. 00:58:43.040 --> 00:58:43.800 You have painted. 00:58:43.940 --> 00:58:44.800 One of the darkest. 00:58:44.800 --> 00:58:45.520 Pictures. 00:58:46.340 --> 00:58:47.220 I have ever. 00:58:47.940 --> 00:58:48.900 Gazed on. 00:58:50.080 --> 00:58:50.820 But still. 00:58:51.200 --> 00:58:52.700 I have one authority. 00:58:53.860 --> 00:58:54.500 The blood. 00:58:54.680 --> 00:58:55.900 Of Jesus Christ. 00:58:56.620 --> 00:58:57.680 Cleanseth us. 00:58:58.140 --> 00:58:59.180 From all sin. 00:58:59.179 --> 00:59:02.319 The word. 00:59:02.319 --> 00:59:03.559 Was taking hold. 00:59:04.019 --> 00:59:05.279 Of the man's heart. 00:59:06.819 --> 00:59:07.759 Finney prayed. 00:59:07.819 --> 00:59:08.319 With a man. 00:59:08.960 --> 00:59:10.019 The man opened the door. 00:59:10.139 --> 00:59:11.019 And ushered him out. 00:59:11.079 --> 00:59:11.759 Into the night. 00:59:12.500 --> 00:59:13.259 And he stayed. 00:59:13.379 --> 00:59:14.019 In that room. 00:59:14.139 --> 00:59:14.919 All night. 00:59:16.159 --> 00:59:17.460 Until daybreak. 00:59:18.460 --> 00:59:19.079 He ripped. 00:59:19.639 --> 00:59:20.480 Every deck. 00:59:20.480 --> 00:59:21.259 Of cards. 00:59:21.440 --> 00:59:22.599 That was in that building. 00:59:22.599 --> 00:59:23.719 He poured. 00:59:24.059 --> 00:59:25.059 Every bottle. 00:59:25.659 --> 00:59:26.619 Down the sink. 00:59:27.259 --> 00:59:27.880 And he poured. 00:59:28.000 --> 00:59:28.539 His heart. 00:59:28.960 --> 00:59:29.960 Out to God. 00:59:30.900 --> 00:59:31.460 And the Lord. 00:59:31.779 --> 00:59:32.420 Cleansed. 00:59:32.819 --> 00:59:33.440 Him from all. 00:59:33.519 --> 00:59:33.980 His sin. 00:59:35.900 --> 00:59:37.059 He went across. 00:59:37.179 --> 00:59:37.480 The road. 00:59:37.539 --> 00:59:38.000 In the morning. 00:59:38.059 --> 00:59:38.579 And he sat. 00:59:38.679 --> 00:59:39.259 In the living room. 00:59:40.059 --> 00:59:40.940 And his little girl. 00:59:41.099 --> 00:59:41.539 Called. 00:59:42.000 --> 00:59:42.299 Daddy. 00:59:43.539 --> 00:59:43.799 Mom. 00:59:43.860 --> 00:59:44.639 Mom says. 00:59:44.779 --> 00:59:45.239 Breakfast. 00:59:45.599 --> 00:59:46.179 Is ready. 00:59:47.440 --> 00:59:48.559 When he replied. 00:59:48.880 --> 00:59:49.860 With a kind. 00:59:49.860 --> 00:59:51.019 And polite word. 00:59:51.559 --> 00:59:52.039 His daughter. 00:59:52.039 --> 00:59:52.880 Ran back. 00:59:52.880 --> 00:59:53.280 To his. 00:59:53.700 --> 00:59:54.380 To her mother. 00:59:54.500 --> 00:59:54.900 And said. 00:59:55.380 --> 00:59:56.180 Dad spoke. 00:59:56.280 --> 00:59:56.980 Nice to me. 00:59:58.220 --> 00:59:59.039 Something's wrong. 01:00:00.240 --> 01:00:00.780 And the mother. 01:00:01.280 --> 01:00:02.140 Followed the little girl. 01:00:02.240 --> 01:00:03.320 Back into the living room. 01:00:03.700 --> 01:00:04.480 And that man. 01:00:04.680 --> 01:00:05.780 Called them both. 01:00:06.280 --> 01:00:06.700 Took them. 01:00:06.740 --> 01:00:07.220 Each one. 01:00:07.260 --> 01:00:07.740 On each knee. 01:00:07.780 --> 01:00:08.539 And he explained. 01:00:08.660 --> 01:00:09.800 To their amazement. 01:00:10.460 --> 01:00:11.320 That they had. 01:00:11.320 --> 01:00:12.200 A new husband. 01:00:13.000 --> 01:00:14.079 And a new father. 01:00:15.039 --> 01:00:15.400 He said. 01:00:15.480 --> 01:00:16.160 I'm done. 01:00:16.700 --> 01:00:17.860 With that business. 01:00:18.099 --> 01:00:19.200 Across the street. 01:00:19.899 --> 01:00:20.399 Christ. 01:00:20.399 --> 01:00:21.379 Is now. 01:00:21.519 --> 01:00:22.259 My master. 01:00:25.619 --> 01:00:26.659 The blood. 01:00:27.179 --> 01:00:28.399 Of Jesus Christ. 01:00:28.579 --> 01:00:29.159 Cleanseth. 01:00:29.659 --> 01:00:30.619 From all sin. 01:00:31.579 --> 01:00:32.839 That is how powerful. 01:00:33.379 --> 01:00:33.879 It is. 01:00:33.960 --> 01:00:34.799 To take hold. 01:00:34.859 --> 01:00:35.539 In the hearts. 01:00:36.079 --> 01:00:36.679 That are even. 01:00:37.159 --> 01:00:37.939 Harder than anything. 01:00:38.019 --> 01:00:38.759 We could imagine. 01:00:38.899 --> 01:00:39.500 Ourselves. 01:00:39.679 --> 01:00:40.759 All our hearts. 01:00:41.179 --> 01:00:42.279 Are so hard. 01:00:43.239 --> 01:00:44.059 That man. 01:00:44.679 --> 01:00:45.259 Went on. 01:00:45.399 --> 01:00:46.439 To follow Jesus. 01:00:46.679 --> 01:00:47.939 The rest of his days. 01:00:47.940 --> 01:00:49.780 Serving the Lord. 01:00:49.780 --> 01:00:51.579 Through that church. 01:00:52.179 --> 01:00:53.360 A great lesson. 01:00:53.880 --> 01:00:55.559 About a faithful preacher. 01:00:56.059 --> 01:00:57.639 Who had every trust. 01:00:57.980 --> 01:00:59.360 In the word he preached. 01:01:00.099 --> 01:01:01.420 And a faithful man. 01:01:01.980 --> 01:01:03.039 Who came to believe. 01:01:03.260 --> 01:01:03.860 And go on. 01:01:04.260 --> 01:01:05.179 In the strength. 01:01:05.639 --> 01:01:06.360 Of the Lord. 01:01:07.360 --> 01:01:08.360 It is a word. 01:01:08.880 --> 01:01:09.860 That is powerful. 01:01:10.860 --> 01:01:12.179 And the word says. 01:01:12.639 --> 01:01:12.980 Come. 01:01:12.980 --> 01:01:13.300 Come. 01:01:13.960 --> 01:01:14.480 Come. 01:01:14.820 --> 01:01:16.619 To every one of us. 01:01:17.139 --> 01:01:18.280 Because Christ. 01:01:18.639 --> 01:01:19.760 Offers me. 01:01:20.420 --> 01:01:20.940 Everything. 01:01:22.059 --> 01:01:23.000 Let us come. 01:01:23.539 --> 01:01:24.019 And know. 01:01:24.400 --> 01:01:25.079 The power. 01:01:25.500 --> 01:01:26.480 Of this word. 01:01:26.599 --> 01:01:27.380 To crave. 01:01:27.579 --> 01:01:28.139 And long. 01:01:28.400 --> 01:01:28.820 For it. 01:01:29.260 --> 01:01:30.420 Not to stumble. 01:01:30.639 --> 01:01:31.260 Over it. 01:01:31.820 --> 01:01:32.840 But to be built. 01:01:32.920 --> 01:01:33.820 Up by it. 01:01:34.199 --> 01:01:35.139 To all grace. 01:01:35.260 --> 01:01:35.840 And glory. 01:01:36.420 --> 01:01:37.019 By the Lord. 01:01:37.139 --> 01:01:38.079 Jesus Christ. 01:01:38.679 --> 01:01:39.460 May he bless. 01:01:39.820 --> 01:01:40.599 His word. 01:01:40.900 --> 01:01:41.360 To us. 01:01:41.360 --> 01:01:45.880 We'll conclude. 01:01:46.000 --> 01:01:46.620 By singing. 01:01:47.240 --> 01:01:48.440 To God's praise. 01:01:48.539 --> 01:01:49.800 In Psalm 34. 01:01:50.780 --> 01:01:51.780 In the Scottish. 01:01:52.240 --> 01:01:53.260 Psalter version. 01:01:53.420 --> 01:01:54.340 Psalm 34. 01:01:54.880 --> 01:01:56.019 At verse 5. 01:01:58.260 --> 01:01:59.200 We'll sing. 01:01:59.519 --> 01:02:00.960 Down to verse 9. 01:02:01.200 --> 01:02:02.019 They looked to him. 01:02:02.120 --> 01:02:02.860 Enlightened were. 01:02:02.940 --> 01:02:03.579 Not shamed. 01:02:04.000 --> 01:02:04.940 Were their faces. 01:02:05.079 --> 01:02:06.460 This poor man cried. 01:02:07.019 --> 01:02:07.700 God heard. 01:02:07.780 --> 01:02:08.620 And saved him. 01:02:08.800 --> 01:02:11.120 From all his distresses. 01:02:11.119 --> 01:02:13.000 We'll sing from verse 5 to 9. 01:02:13.440 --> 01:02:14.579 To God's praise. 01:02:14.579 --> 01:02:23.299 They looked to him. 01:02:23.299 --> 01:02:27.460 And lighted were. 01:02:27.819 --> 01:02:29.579 Not shamed. 01:02:31.000 --> 01:02:33.579 Where their faces. 01:02:33.579 --> 01:02:34.579 This poor man died. 01:02:34.579 --> 01:02:38.579 This poor man died. 01:02:38.579 --> 01:02:43.799 All hurt and sick. 01:02:43.799 --> 01:02:50.579 It from all his distresses. 01:02:50.579 --> 01:02:59.000 The angel of the Lord. 01:02:59.000 --> 01:03:04.519 set up. 01:03:11.019 --> 01:03:12.960 On God's death. 01:03:12.960 --> 01:03:17.300 that Somehow 01:03:17.539 --> 01:03:37.220 and 01:03:37.219 --> 01:03:39.139 in the 01:03:39.139 --> 01:03:40.019 midst 01:03:40.019 --> 01:03:42.919 fear 01:03:42.919 --> 01:03:44.579 God 01:03:44.579 --> 01:03:45.299 is 01:03:45.299 --> 01:03:46.639 saints 01:03:46.639 --> 01:03:49.019 and that 01:03:49.019 --> 01:03:50.919 in fear 01:03:50.919 --> 01:03:53.139 shall be 01:03:53.139 --> 01:03:54.559 with 01:03:54.559 --> 01:03:56.199 what 01:03:56.199 --> 01:03:57.299 opens 01:03:57.299 --> 01:04:03.259 after the benediction I'll go to the main 01:04:03.259 --> 01:04:05.059 door we'll close with the benediction 01:04:05.059 --> 01:04:06.819 now may grace 01:04:06.820 --> 01:04:09.019 mercy and peace from God 01:04:09.019 --> 01:04:11.320 Father Son and Holy Spirit 01:04:11.320 --> 01:04:12.960 rest upon and 01:04:12.960 --> 01:04:14.920 abide with you all now and 01:04:14.920 --> 01:04:16.420 forevermore. Amen.