WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.000 Amen. 00:00:10.820 --> 00:00:11.640 Do you be seated? 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:15.359 And turn, if you will, to Matthew chapter 24. 00:00:16.219 --> 00:00:17.260 ! Matthew chapter 24. 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:20.059 It should have been Glenn Scrivener 00:00:20.059 --> 00:00:21.980 ! preaching this morning. I was really looking forward 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:23.699 ! to hearing him, as you were. 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:25.000 But he is 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:27.679 self-isolating in Eastbourne. 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:29.839 And I have said, if anyone 00:00:29.839 --> 00:00:31.899 sees him out and about in Eastbourne, 00:00:32.899 --> 00:00:33.780 call me. 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:36.200 So, I know 00:00:36.200 --> 00:00:37.579 you were probably looking forward to a break. 00:00:38.340 --> 00:00:40.140 And so was I. I just 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:41.359 want to speak a little bit about communion 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:44.000 for a moment. You'll see that, 00:00:44.200 --> 00:00:46.219 as Adrian said earlier, we're going to be doing it 00:00:46.219 --> 00:00:46.960 a little bit differently. 00:00:50.820 --> 00:00:52.100 After the hymn, 00:00:52.200 --> 00:00:53.980 after the sermon, there will be hand sanitizer 00:00:53.980 --> 00:00:56.120 that's going around. Great if you could use that. 00:00:56.120 --> 00:00:57.219 That is not baptism. 00:00:57.219 --> 00:00:57.859 All right. 00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:00.159 But please do that. 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:03.000 We're going to be using little cups 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:04.799 just during this period. 00:01:05.879 --> 00:01:07.060 There will be some of you here 00:01:07.060 --> 00:01:08.959 that just feel that you don't want to take communion 00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:10.879 today, and that's really fine. 00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:12.099 You shouldn't feel any pressure 00:01:12.099 --> 00:01:13.960 towards 00:01:13.960 --> 00:01:15.460 that at all. 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:17.420 And I think the servers will go 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:18.879 up and down the rows, 00:01:19.099 --> 00:01:20.219 and so you will be served. 00:01:20.299 --> 00:01:21.340 Have I got that right? 00:01:21.560 --> 00:01:21.680 Okay. 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:23.900 So we don't need to talk about that later. 00:01:24.019 --> 00:01:24.620 You know what's happening. 00:01:24.620 --> 00:01:27.180 Let's bow our heads in prayer. 00:01:30.060 --> 00:01:30.660 Heavenly Father, 00:01:30.780 --> 00:01:33.540 we praise you 00:01:33.540 --> 00:01:34.219 because your Son, 00:01:34.300 --> 00:01:35.140 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:36.359 is the everlasting King. 00:01:38.480 --> 00:01:39.480 We praise you, Jesus, 00:01:39.580 --> 00:01:40.620 that you left the glory 00:01:40.620 --> 00:01:41.719 of heaven 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:44.560 to come and live on this earth, 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:47.219 to die on the cross, 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:48.159 and to bear our sin, 00:01:48.219 --> 00:01:49.380 and to rise from the dead. 00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:51.239 And we praise you 00:01:51.239 --> 00:01:52.839 that by your Holy Spirit 00:01:52.839 --> 00:01:54.399 you are with us even today. 00:01:56.199 --> 00:01:56.839 We praise you 00:01:56.839 --> 00:01:57.259 that one day 00:01:57.259 --> 00:01:58.280 you are coming back again. 00:01:59.879 --> 00:02:01.640 One day every single one of us 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:02.359 will face you, 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:03.039 and we will have to give 00:02:03.039 --> 00:02:04.539 an account of our lives to you. 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:06.759 And so we pray 00:02:06.759 --> 00:02:07.459 that you would help us 00:02:07.459 --> 00:02:08.680 to be ready for that day, 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:09.979 to be active 00:02:09.979 --> 00:02:11.099 in your service 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:12.219 whenever that moment comes. 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:14.479 And please speak to us, 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:17.259 help us to heed your voice, 00:02:17.259 --> 00:02:20.599 and to respond to your love 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:21.659 for your namesake. 00:02:22.019 --> 00:02:22.340 Amen. 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:28.679 We don't really draw the crowds, 00:02:29.239 --> 00:02:29.799 do we? 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:31.620 Christianity 00:02:31.620 --> 00:02:34.239 doesn't dominate the media. 00:02:36.259 --> 00:02:37.099 In this week, 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:39.060 Christianity has not 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:41.459 united and motivated the nation. 00:02:43.219 --> 00:02:45.099 Most people think that 00:02:45.099 --> 00:02:47.199 church this morning 00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:48.060 is irrelevant. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:49.780 Some might even think 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:51.239 it's dangerous. 00:02:52.739 --> 00:02:53.699 And we've seen this week, 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:54.099 haven't we, 00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:54.599 in the media, 00:02:54.699 --> 00:02:56.119 no one has really cared 00:02:56.119 --> 00:02:56.719 for the opinion 00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:57.859 of church leaders. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:00.419 And consequently, 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:02.439 we live in a pretty apathetic 00:03:02.439 --> 00:03:04.399 and a pretty cynical culture. 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:07.179 And so the question is, 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:09.099 where is God today? 00:03:10.179 --> 00:03:11.060 Where is God 00:03:11.060 --> 00:03:12.319 in this world of suffering? 00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:14.759 And why bother with God? 00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:17.340 people are indifferent, 00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:18.199 aren't they? 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:20.579 However, 00:03:20.739 --> 00:03:22.419 in the last week, 00:03:22.519 --> 00:03:23.519 last 10 days, 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:25.120 people have become, 00:03:25.620 --> 00:03:25.979 again, 00:03:26.979 --> 00:03:27.899 once again, 00:03:28.219 --> 00:03:29.479 aware of their fragility 00:03:29.479 --> 00:03:31.099 and their frailty. 00:03:32.780 --> 00:03:34.000 That we're not totally 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:35.099 in control. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:37.759 And life is 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:38.780 brief, 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:39.579 isn't it? 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:41.099 Fragile. 00:03:41.299 --> 00:03:42.079 Hence the panic. 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:44.180 Macbeth, 00:03:44.280 --> 00:03:45.340 reflecting on the brevity 00:03:45.340 --> 00:03:45.700 of life, 00:03:45.760 --> 00:03:46.400 he once said this, 00:03:46.660 --> 00:03:47.700 tomorrow and tomorrow 00:03:47.700 --> 00:03:48.660 and tomorrow 00:03:48.660 --> 00:03:51.220 creeps in this petty pace 00:03:51.220 --> 00:03:52.260 from day to day 00:03:52.260 --> 00:03:53.960 to the last syllable 00:03:53.960 --> 00:03:55.140 of recorded time. 00:03:55.880 --> 00:03:57.320 And all our yesterdays 00:03:57.320 --> 00:03:58.160 have lighted fools 00:03:58.160 --> 00:03:59.620 the way to dusty death. 00:04:00.140 --> 00:04:00.360 Out, 00:04:00.480 --> 00:04:00.760 out, 00:04:01.080 --> 00:04:01.720 brief candle. 00:04:02.540 --> 00:04:02.900 Tomorrow 00:04:02.900 --> 00:04:04.280 and tomorrow 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:05.820 and tomorrow. 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:08.280 And this morning, 00:04:08.359 --> 00:04:08.900 I want us to look 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:10.759 briefly and I hope simply 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:11.579 and I hope clearly 00:04:11.579 --> 00:04:13.840 at the world's tomorrow, 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:16.120 God's tomorrow 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:18.019 and our tomorrow. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:19.980 And I hope to finish today. 00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:22.740 First of all, 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:23.719 the world's tomorrow. 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:27.379 What is the world's tomorrow? 00:04:28.039 --> 00:04:28.519 What is it? 00:04:28.980 --> 00:04:30.620 I wonder if I asked that question 00:04:30.620 --> 00:04:31.620 what you'd shout back at me. 00:04:31.819 --> 00:04:32.740 I think you'd probably 00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:33.839 shout back uncertain. 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:36.219 Now this chapter, 00:04:36.359 --> 00:04:36.699 24, 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:37.659 it's not really an exposition 00:04:37.659 --> 00:04:38.179 this morning 00:04:38.179 --> 00:04:39.539 but we're going to take 00:04:39.539 --> 00:04:40.219 some thoughts here 00:04:40.219 --> 00:04:42.299 from Matthew 24. 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:43.839 It begins with disciples 00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:45.000 looking at the stones, 00:04:45.179 --> 00:04:45.579 doesn't it, 00:04:45.599 --> 00:04:47.199 in the glorious temple 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:47.739 of Jerusalem 00:04:47.739 --> 00:04:49.899 and how wonderful 00:04:49.899 --> 00:04:51.379 those stones are. 00:04:52.339 --> 00:04:53.079 And Jesus says 00:04:53.079 --> 00:04:54.539 to his disciples, 00:04:55.099 --> 00:04:56.599 as great as this building is, 00:04:56.739 --> 00:04:57.679 there won't be one stone 00:04:57.679 --> 00:04:58.579 left upon another 00:04:58.579 --> 00:05:00.139 that will not be thrown down. 00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:02.679 It's precarious even then, 00:05:02.919 --> 00:05:03.599 the world's tomorrow. 00:05:04.679 --> 00:05:05.379 And they ask him, 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:06.239 when will this be? 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:07.219 What will be the sign 00:05:07.219 --> 00:05:08.299 that it's about to happen? 00:05:09.719 --> 00:05:10.959 That the temple in Jerusalem 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:11.419 will fall 00:05:11.419 --> 00:05:12.719 and what will be the sign 00:05:12.719 --> 00:05:13.479 of your coming 00:05:13.479 --> 00:05:14.519 at the close of the age? 00:05:14.579 --> 00:05:15.359 The chapter's divided 00:05:15.359 --> 00:05:16.399 into those two halves. 00:05:17.359 --> 00:05:18.239 The first half about 00:05:18.239 --> 00:05:19.759 the destruction of Jerusalem 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:20.659 and the second half 00:05:20.659 --> 00:05:21.379 about when Jesus 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:22.199 will come again. 00:05:24.659 --> 00:05:25.799 And Jesus goes on 00:05:25.799 --> 00:05:26.899 to stress 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:28.259 the danger 00:05:28.259 --> 00:05:29.599 of the world's tomorrows. 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:32.640 He speaks of wars 00:05:32.640 --> 00:05:33.939 and rumors of wars. 00:05:34.939 --> 00:05:36.180 He speaks of nations 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:38.460 rising up against nations, 00:05:38.580 --> 00:05:39.120 of kingdoms 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:40.260 turning against kingdoms. 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:42.320 He says there'll be famines 00:05:42.320 --> 00:05:43.780 and earthquakes 00:05:43.780 --> 00:05:45.700 in various places 00:05:45.700 --> 00:05:46.140 and so on. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:47.020 And they were signs 00:05:47.020 --> 00:05:47.980 for that generation 00:05:47.980 --> 00:05:48.900 that was listening to him. 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:51.160 And today, 00:05:51.280 --> 00:05:51.800 we know, don't we, 00:05:51.820 --> 00:05:52.640 that in our society 00:05:52.640 --> 00:05:53.960 it's equally uncertain. 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:56.799 Isn't that one of the issues? 00:05:57.779 --> 00:05:59.279 The uncertainty of tomorrow? 00:05:59.599 --> 00:06:02.060 We just don't know, 00:06:02.419 --> 00:06:02.639 do we? 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:04.560 We genuinely 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:07.439 just don't know. 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:09.680 It's unpredictable. 00:06:11.799 --> 00:06:13.019 The writer of the Proverbs 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:13.279 says, 00:06:13.620 --> 00:06:14.939 boast not of tomorrow 00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:17.539 because you do not know 00:06:17.539 --> 00:06:19.099 what a day will bring forth. 00:06:21.299 --> 00:06:22.259 The Apostle Peter says 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:23.039 in 2 Peter 3, 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:25.080 the day of the Lord 00:06:25.080 --> 00:06:27.080 will come 00:06:27.080 --> 00:06:27.819 as unexpectedly 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:28.819 as a thief. 00:06:30.819 --> 00:06:31.420 Then the heavens 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:33.120 will pass away 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:34.140 with a terrible noise 00:06:34.140 --> 00:06:35.800 and heavenly bodies 00:06:35.800 --> 00:06:36.879 will disappear in fire 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:38.720 and the earth 00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:39.400 and everything in it 00:06:39.400 --> 00:06:40.000 will be burnt up. 00:06:40.080 --> 00:06:41.240 It's a terrifying, 00:06:42.100 --> 00:06:43.060 striking phrase. 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:45.480 Jesus speaks here, 00:06:45.520 --> 00:06:45.720 doesn't he, 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:46.340 in verse 29. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:49.600 He speaks of the sun 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:51.040 being darkened, 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:52.240 of the moon 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.460 not giving its light, 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:55.340 stars falling from heaven, 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:56.680 powers of heaven 00:06:56.680 --> 00:06:57.760 shaking. 00:06:58.600 --> 00:06:59.760 It's picture language. 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:02.420 It's apocalyptic. 00:07:02.760 --> 00:07:04.000 It's cataclysmic. 00:07:06.040 --> 00:07:06.860 And the world's tomorrow 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:08.040 is uncertain 00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:11.240 and frankly pretty bleak. 00:07:13.660 --> 00:07:14.780 I think I need to say this, 00:07:14.779 --> 00:07:15.899 that is as true 00:07:15.899 --> 00:07:17.919 today 00:07:17.919 --> 00:07:18.659 as it was 00:07:18.659 --> 00:07:19.500 six months ago 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:21.599 or even 00:07:21.599 --> 00:07:23.179 six years ago 00:07:23.179 --> 00:07:24.000 before any of us 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:24.839 had heard of Brexit 00:07:24.839 --> 00:07:25.599 or coronavirus. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:28.239 That is the nature 00:07:28.239 --> 00:07:29.239 of life. 00:07:30.679 --> 00:07:31.799 It's just that we've become, 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:32.099 haven't we, 00:07:32.119 --> 00:07:32.979 in the last week or so 00:07:32.979 --> 00:07:34.500 more painfully aware 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:35.899 of the frailty 00:07:35.899 --> 00:07:36.879 and fragility of it. 00:07:37.559 --> 00:07:39.199 It's always been the same. 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:41.039 You've just woken up to it. 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:43.100 The uncertainty 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:43.939 of man's tomorrow. 00:07:45.840 --> 00:07:46.340 Secondly, 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:48.520 what about God's tomorrow? 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:51.439 What about God's tomorrow? 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:54.480 The Bible says 00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:55.080 that when it comes 00:07:55.080 --> 00:07:56.000 to closing time, 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.080 it will emphatically 00:07:58.080 --> 00:07:59.340 be the Lord's time, 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:00.920 the Lord's day, 00:08:02.140 --> 00:08:03.040 the day of the Lord. 00:08:03.100 --> 00:08:05.000 There's no uncertainty 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:07.040 about God's tomorrow. 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:09.340 It will be 00:08:09.340 --> 00:08:10.200 the day of the Lord. 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:12.800 He is the one 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:14.040 who's got the whole world 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:16.080 in His hands, 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:17.939 including our very breath 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:18.740 and our health. 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:21.040 He is the one 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:22.160 who is sovereign, 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:23.840 who controls everything. 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:24.780 In Him, 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:25.620 we live 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:26.660 and move 00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:28.360 and have our being. 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:30.300 And nothing 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:31.540 that has happened 00:08:31.540 --> 00:08:32.779 last week 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:33.680 and nothing 00:08:33.680 --> 00:08:34.240 that will happen 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:35.000 this week 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:36.399 is outside 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.800 of His sovereign control. 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:40.679 And the message 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:41.639 to those 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:42.699 first century Christians, 00:08:42.859 --> 00:08:44.179 those persecuted Christians 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:45.019 in the first century, 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:45.459 do you remember? 00:08:45.719 --> 00:08:46.919 When John writes to them 00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:47.799 in the book of Revelation, 00:08:48.179 --> 00:08:49.000 it can be summed up 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:49.939 in one sentence. 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:52.179 The Lord reigns. 00:08:53.859 --> 00:08:54.959 The Lord reigns. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:56.479 The Lord is finally 00:08:56.479 --> 00:08:57.359 and ultimately 00:08:57.359 --> 00:08:58.819 on the throne 00:08:58.819 --> 00:08:59.659 of the universe. 00:09:00.019 --> 00:09:01.099 The Lord is in total 00:09:01.099 --> 00:09:01.799 and utter control. 00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:02.439 control. 00:09:03.859 --> 00:09:04.659 The government 00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:05.500 is on the shoulders 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:06.819 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:08.879 That's the message 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:09.879 of the final book 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:10.459 of the Bible. 00:09:10.839 --> 00:09:11.679 And in Matthew 24, 00:09:12.079 --> 00:09:12.899 Jesus spells out 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:14.079 two great truths 00:09:14.079 --> 00:09:15.079 about God's tomorrow. 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:17.779 That certain tomorrow 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:19.779 that you and I 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:20.299 will face. 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:23.519 And these truths 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:24.199 apply equally 00:09:24.199 --> 00:09:25.819 to Christ's return 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:26.740 or, well, 00:09:26.819 --> 00:09:27.559 to your death, 00:09:27.939 --> 00:09:28.740 whichever comes sooner. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:31.180 The first is this. 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:32.039 It will be unexpected. 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:33.360 Look at verse 36 with me. 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:34.500 Look at verse 36. 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:37.779 But concerning 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:39.000 that day 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:40.399 and hour, 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:42.539 no one knows. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:44.600 Not even the angels 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:45.120 in heaven, 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:47.039 nor the Son, 00:09:48.680 --> 00:09:49.639 but the Father only. 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:52.220 No one knows. 00:09:54.700 --> 00:09:56.299 About 175 years ago, 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:58.399 a Roman Catholic 00:09:58.399 --> 00:09:59.699 priest wrote a book 00:09:59.699 --> 00:10:01.459 predicting that the world 00:10:01.459 --> 00:10:03.559 would end in 1847. 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:06.419 He asked the Roman 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:07.240 Catholic Church, 00:10:07.959 --> 00:10:09.559 he asked his church's authority, 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:10.980 could he have permission 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:11.899 to print the book? 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:13.980 To publish this book 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:15.039 that predicted 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:15.699 that the world 00:10:15.699 --> 00:10:17.259 would end in 1847. 00:10:18.039 --> 00:10:19.159 And the Roman Catholic Church 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:19.720 said, yes, 00:10:19.819 --> 00:10:20.620 you should feel free 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:21.419 to print the book 00:10:21.419 --> 00:10:22.740 in 1848. 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:27.360 And that's very wise, 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:27.740 isn't it? 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:29.799 Very wise pastoral advice 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:31.419 and guidance 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:32.620 because nobody knows. 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:35.519 Nobody knows 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:36.899 the day or the hour 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.100 when Christ is going to return. 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:40.720 The coming of Christ, 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:41.600 it's described as 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:42.899 a thief in the night. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:44.000 If you've ever been burgled, 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:44.759 it's a horrible thing, 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:45.100 isn't it? 00:10:46.680 --> 00:10:47.259 But the thief 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.480 didn't send a postcard 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.299 the week before 00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:49.840 and say, 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:51.620 dear sir or madam, 00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:53.419 I plan to burgle you 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:56.019 3.45 next Wednesday 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:57.240 afternoon. 00:10:57.879 --> 00:10:58.940 You're sincerely the burglar. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:10:59.620 He didn't do that, 00:10:59.679 --> 00:10:59.860 did he? 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:02.019 He didn't leave a voicemail 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:02.560 just to say, 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:03.220 just so you know, 00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:04.080 I'm planning to burgle 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:05.360 the house this evening. 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:06.700 Of course he didn't. 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:08.539 They don't do that. 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:10.539 If you've been burgled, 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:10.960 what is it? 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.660 It's the sense of shock, 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:12.940 isn't it, 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:13.840 when you walk in. 00:11:15.400 --> 00:11:16.840 That sense of utter surprise 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:18.940 that somebody's invaded 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:19.460 your house 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:20.560 and turned out your drawers, 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:22.019 it's created chaos 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:22.840 and it's always 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:23.800 a total surprise 00:11:23.800 --> 00:11:25.139 and Jesus picks up 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:25.680 that analogy. 00:11:27.800 --> 00:11:28.120 And he says, 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.000 if the householder 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:30.120 had known what time 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:30.560 of the night 00:11:30.560 --> 00:11:31.519 the thief was coming, 00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:32.660 well he would have watched. 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.240 He'd been waiting 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.440 at the bottom of the stairs 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:35.379 with a baseball bat, 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:35.780 wouldn't he? 00:11:37.060 --> 00:11:38.100 He'd have not let his house 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.820 be broken into. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:41.519 And he says, 00:11:41.800 --> 00:11:42.320 therefore you, 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:44.360 you also must be ready 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:45.740 because the Son of Man 00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.440 is coming at an hour 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:47.240 you do not expect. 00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:50.879 And if you ever 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:51.660 lock your flat 00:11:51.660 --> 00:11:52.340 or your home 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:53.440 so as to be ready 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:54.420 for a possible thief 00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:55.060 and who doesn't, 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:57.200 how much more important 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:57.740 is it 00:11:57.740 --> 00:12:00.019 to be ready 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:00.980 for the certain coming 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:01.680 of the Lord? 00:12:03.300 --> 00:12:03.740 Unexpected. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:05.160 The second great truth 00:12:05.160 --> 00:12:06.680 about God's tomorrow 00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:07.519 is that it's unwanted. 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:11.220 It's unexpected 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:12.059 and it's unwanted. 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.879 And it's unwanted 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.539 tragically 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:18.000 because so many 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:18.899 are not ready 00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:20.039 to meet Jesus Christ. 00:12:22.199 --> 00:12:23.740 Jesus gives two illustrations 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.699 to emphasize this. 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:25.659 He talks about Noah 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:27.539 in verses 37 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:29.019 and 38. 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:31.600 He says this, 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:34.000 for as were the days 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:34.720 of Noah 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:37.259 so will be the coming 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:39.379 of the Son of Man. 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:45.940 For as in those days 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:46.480 before the flood 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:46.960 they were eating 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:47.460 and drinking 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.200 it's a good thing. 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.139 Marrying 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:49.899 it's a good thing. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:50.540 Giving in marriage 00:12:50.540 --> 00:12:51.060 it's a good thing. 00:12:51.820 --> 00:12:52.540 Until the day 00:12:52.540 --> 00:12:53.000 when Noah 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:54.100 entered the ark. 00:12:56.300 --> 00:12:57.240 And they were unaware 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:59.480 until the flood came 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:00.160 and swept them 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:01.000 all away 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.379 and so it will be 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:02.980 in the coming 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.459 of the Son of Man. 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.439 There were things 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:08.860 that they were 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.639 preoccupied with. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:11.019 They're not necessarily 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:11.899 bad things at all 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:14.219 but just with things 00:13:14.219 --> 00:13:14.879 eating 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.740 and drinking 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:16.219 marrying 00:13:16.219 --> 00:13:17.240 giving in marriage 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.819 but do you notice 00:13:18.819 --> 00:13:19.339 who they're not 00:13:19.339 --> 00:13:20.179 preoccupied with? 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:22.699 Do you notice 00:13:22.699 --> 00:13:23.500 who doesn't occupy 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:24.059 their thoughts? 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:25.939 They're not 00:13:25.939 --> 00:13:26.819 preoccupied with God. 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:29.480 And when Jesus 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:30.360 said they didn't 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:32.200 know until the flood 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:33.020 came and swept 00:13:33.020 --> 00:13:33.600 them away 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.840 there was a sense 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:35.440 in which they did 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:35.700 know. 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:38.240 Because do you 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.860 remember what is 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:39.140 Noah? 00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:40.520 Noah was a preacher 00:13:40.520 --> 00:13:41.200 of righteousness. 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.800 And that ark 00:13:43.800 --> 00:13:44.940 was like a great 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:45.500 visual aid 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:46.660 a great sermon 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:47.800 and Noah was 00:13:47.800 --> 00:13:49.240 consistently preaching 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:50.240 for 120 years 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:50.720 about the coming 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:51.200 of the Lord. 00:13:52.660 --> 00:13:53.240 But no one 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:53.540 listened 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:55.620 and no one 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:55.919 bothered. 00:13:57.360 --> 00:13:58.120 And they couldn't 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:58.599 be bothered 00:13:58.599 --> 00:13:59.959 with God. 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:01.879 And they couldn't 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:02.259 be bothered 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:02.879 with God's 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:03.419 word. 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.299 And so they 00:14:05.299 --> 00:14:06.319 didn't know 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:07.299 until it 00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:07.639 happened. 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:10.599 Isn't that 00:14:10.599 --> 00:14:11.240 equally true 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:11.860 of our society 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:12.219 today? 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.399 So people 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:15.919 say we 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:16.980 can't possibly 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.539 know about 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:17.899 tomorrow. 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.360 So let's 00:14:20.360 --> 00:14:20.879 enjoy ourselves 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.259 today. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:24.000 we entertain 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:24.799 ourselves to 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:25.200 death. 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:27.539 We entertain 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.139 ourselves to 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:28.519 death because 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:29.259 people are not 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:29.779 bothered about 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.460 God or his 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:30.679 word. 00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:31.399 Eat, drink, 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.159 and be merry. 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.059 Or eat, drink, 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.379 and watch 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:34.819 telly. 00:14:35.779 --> 00:14:36.620 For tomorrow 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.319 we die. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.000 Perhaps we do 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:41.279 die. 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.679 But tomorrow 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:44.340 never comes. 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.080 And so your 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:47.819 friends and my 00:14:47.819 --> 00:14:48.580 friends are 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.179 occupied with 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:49.899 everything, aren't 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.179 they, at the 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:50.840 moment except 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:51.320 God. 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.240 And 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.879 indifference to 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:56.300 God and 00:14:56.300 --> 00:14:56.759 his word. 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.280 What's the 00:14:58.280 --> 00:14:58.680 first and 00:14:58.680 --> 00:14:59.420 greatest commandment? 00:14:59.480 --> 00:14:59.840 You know it, 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:00.120 don't you? 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.080 What should be the 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.180 greatest priority in 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:02.780 our lives? 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:03.860 Jesus says it's to 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.580 love the Lord your 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:05.780 God with all your 00:15:05.780 --> 00:15:07.300 heart and mind and 00:15:07.300 --> 00:15:07.899 soul and strength, 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:08.519 everything that you 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:08.820 are. 00:15:10.780 --> 00:15:11.320 In other words, 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.440 to put God at the 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.620 center of our 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:14.660 lives where he 00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:15.519 ought to be and 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.139 where he demands 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:16.500 to be. 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:16.960 God. 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:19.460 The trouble is, if 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:20.519 we believe in 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.440 God at all, we 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:22.960 so often tend to 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.659 assume, don't we, 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.740 that we are the 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.340 center of our 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:25.759 world. 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.159 And if God 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:29.019 exists, well he's 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.220 somewhere out there, 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.620 up in space, and 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.779 occasionally I call 00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.840 him in from time to 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:36.299 time to clear up the 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:36.919 mess that I've got 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.580 myself into. 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.460 I'm the center of my 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.860 world, God is there 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:41.820 up there, and if I 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:43.440 need him I call and 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:44.320 the servant comes 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:44.879 rushing in and 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.420 helps me out. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:47.760 And without 00:15:47.760 --> 00:15:48.920 realizing I treat 00:15:48.920 --> 00:15:50.320 almighty God like a 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:53.000 servant who comes 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.700 in and clears out 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:54.480 the mess and then 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.280 we let him go 00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:55.620 again. 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.060 Because it's not 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:58.879 convenient to have 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.900 God around any 00:16:00.900 --> 00:16:01.160 longer. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.760 But you see, the 00:16:04.760 --> 00:16:05.480 truth this morning is 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.280 God is not a 00:16:06.280 --> 00:16:06.600 servant. 00:16:09.040 --> 00:16:10.040 He is Lord. 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:12.200 He is the Lord. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.800 And we are not at 00:16:15.800 --> 00:16:16.440 the center of the 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:17.780 universe because God 00:16:17.780 --> 00:16:18.080 is. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.180 And the question this 00:16:21.180 --> 00:16:21.960 morning is not why 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:23.260 should you bother with 00:16:23.260 --> 00:16:25.760 God, but why should 00:16:25.760 --> 00:16:26.879 God bother with you? 00:16:29.020 --> 00:16:30.100 Why should God bother 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:30.780 with me when I've 00:16:30.780 --> 00:16:31.700 turned my back on him 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.340 and I've rebelled 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.000 against him and I've 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.820 done my own thing? 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.379 Why should God bother 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:35.960 with me? 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:38.580 And there is no 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:41.520 answer except that 00:16:41.520 --> 00:16:42.200 wonderfully he does. 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:44.759 He does in his 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:45.840 infinite love and his 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.280 mercy. 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.840 But if then I don't 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:51.020 bother with him or 00:16:51.020 --> 00:16:52.300 his word, the Bible 00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:53.560 warns me very clearly 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.460 that judgment will 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:56.720 come on those who do 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:57.480 not know God. 00:16:59.180 --> 00:17:00.280 And who do not obey 00:17:00.280 --> 00:17:01.280 the gospel of our 00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:02.080 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.920 We saw earlier on in 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.680 Matthew's gospel that 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.440 Jesus will have to say 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.480 to many people, 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:10.840 depart from me because 00:17:10.840 --> 00:17:11.880 I don't know who you 00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:12.220 are. 00:17:14.840 --> 00:17:15.780 And Jesus takes the 00:17:15.780 --> 00:17:16.440 example of Noah, but 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.080 he also takes the 00:17:17.080 --> 00:17:17.940 example of daily work. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:18.880 So look at verse 40. 00:17:22.060 --> 00:17:22.880 Again, it's dramatic. 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.940 It's picture language. 00:17:25.060 --> 00:17:25.880 Then two men will be in 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:26.520 the field and one will 00:17:26.520 --> 00:17:27.780 be taken and one will 00:17:27.780 --> 00:17:28.220 be left. 00:17:31.520 --> 00:17:32.360 And two women will be 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.260 grinding at the mill and 00:17:33.260 --> 00:17:34.080 one will be taken and one 00:17:34.080 --> 00:17:34.640 will be left. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.780 And therefore stay awake 00:17:35.780 --> 00:17:36.740 for you do not know on 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.860 what day your Lord is 00:17:37.860 --> 00:17:38.280 coming. 00:17:38.280 --> 00:17:38.480 Amen. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:38.480 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:38.480 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:45.660 One is taken to be with 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:47.840 Jesus, to be with him 00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:49.020 forever in heaven. 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:50.900 The other is left for 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.200 judgment. 00:17:52.800 --> 00:17:53.780 Two men grinding at the 00:17:53.780 --> 00:17:54.820 mill, one taken to be 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:55.820 with Jesus, one left. 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.940 Two men in the same 00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:59.680 business, one taken, one 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.000 left. 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:00.920 Two people working in the 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.820 same office, one taken, 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.240 one left. 00:18:02.300 --> 00:18:02.920 Two people in the same 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.160 house. 00:18:03.540 --> 00:18:04.180 Now I'm going to speak 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.580 again about why I don't 00:18:05.580 --> 00:18:06.380 believe this kind of 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:08.440 people kind of zoomed up 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:08.880 and rapture. 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:10.120 Rapture, I don't believe 00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:10.360 that. 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:10.980 I don't think that's what 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:13.060 Jesus is teaching here. 00:18:13.100 --> 00:18:14.160 Jesus is making a point 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:14.860 and he's making a point 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:15.600 about separation. 00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:17.480 That's his big point. 00:18:19.840 --> 00:18:20.800 Jesus says, watch 00:18:20.800 --> 00:18:22.740 therefore because you do 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.760 not know on what day 00:18:23.760 --> 00:18:24.440 your Lord is coming. 00:18:27.060 --> 00:18:28.040 There is nothing, 00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:29.860 nothing uncertain about 00:18:29.860 --> 00:18:30.460 the Lord's coming. 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.380 There's nothing uncertain 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:36.200 about God's tomorrow. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.759 And although from our 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:40.080 point it will be 00:18:40.080 --> 00:18:41.860 unexpected and tragically 00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:43.279 it may be unwanted by 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:43.680 many. 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.600 But what about our 00:18:45.600 --> 00:18:45.880 tomorrow? 00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:47.080 That's my third point. 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:47.920 What about our tomorrow? 00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:49.900 What about your tomorrow? 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:53.360 John Betjeman was a poet, 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:54.720 writer and a broadcaster. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.819 He died in 1984. 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:57.700 And he wrote this really 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.500 interesting poem, 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.900 Before the Anesthetic, 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.799 it's called, or a real 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.299 fright. 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:06.159 And in this poem, 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.460 John Betjeman imagines 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:09.259 that he's lying in a 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.619 hospital bed in Oxford 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:11.619 before an operation. 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:14.119 And he's listening to the 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:15.099 tolling of St. 00:19:15.159 --> 00:19:15.940 Giles' bells. 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.659 And this is what he writes. 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:22.379 Intolerably sad, 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.000 profound. 00:19:24.139 --> 00:19:24.379 St. 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:25.960 Giles' bells are ringing 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.480 round. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:29.819 Swing up and give me the 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.460 hope of life. 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:33.420 Swing down and plunge 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.400 the surgeon's knife. 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.880 I, breathing for a 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:38.880 moment, see death wing 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:40.460 himself away from me. 00:19:41.120 --> 00:19:42.480 And think as on this 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.700 bed I lie. 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:46.460 Is it extinction when I 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:46.840 die? 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.319 St. 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.960 Giles' bells are asking 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.440 now. 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.819 And hast thou known the 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.140 Lord? 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:54.960 Hast thou? 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.519 St. 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.920 Giles' bells, they 00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.840 richly ring. 00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:01.779 And was that Lord our 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:02.980 Christ and King? 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:04.900 St. 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:07.320 Giles' bell, they hear me 00:20:07.320 --> 00:20:07.860 call. 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.200 I never knew the Lord at 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:10.440 all. 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:14.000 Now lest this I should cease 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.460 to be. 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:17.560 Come, real Lord. 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:20.039 Come quick to me. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:23.899 There are two 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:26.259 appointments that the 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.099 Bible teaches that you 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:27.839 and I must keep. 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.920 And you can't put either 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.920 of them in your diary or 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.680 your Google calendar. 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:34.059 The first is death and the 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.680 second is judgment. 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.960 The first is death and the 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.960 second is judgment after 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.319 death. 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.899 Two future 00:20:41.899 --> 00:20:42.599 certainties. 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.940 The Bible teaches it's 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:47.159 appointed for man once to 00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:48.299 die and after death 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:49.319 comes the judgment. 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:51.659 Are you ready for that 00:20:51.659 --> 00:20:51.960 day? 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.559 I can think of 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:58.919 illustrations. 00:20:59.099 --> 00:21:00.000 I can tell you of people 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.399 who have been taken so 00:21:01.399 --> 00:21:01.779 suddenly. 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.519 But you don't need those 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.519 illustrations this week, do 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:04.619 you? 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:08.200 Not one of us can boast 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:08.980 about tomorrow. 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:12.579 Have you faced this 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.000 fact? 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.399 It shouldn't be such a 00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:15.259 surprise, should it? 00:21:16.399 --> 00:21:17.679 But we all know that in 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:20.120 one sense we are dying. 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.860 We know that. 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.380 Nobody knows whether it 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:25.140 will be a matter of days 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:26.180 or weeks or months or 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.440 years or decades. 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.560 Whatever it is. 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:32.940 But I want to say to you 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:33.640 this morning that the 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:34.799 Bible holds out to you 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.500 this absolute certainty 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:38.060 of knowing the Lord. 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.119 God. 00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:41.379 And so whatever the future 00:21:41.379 --> 00:21:42.759 holds, none of us 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:44.720 here today know what the 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.659 future is going to hold. 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.960 But we can know 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:51.279 that with the Lord the 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:52.379 best is yet to be. 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:56.019 You cannot lose 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:58.899 once you've lost your life 00:21:58.899 --> 00:21:59.539 to Jesus. 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:02.720 But unless you've done 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:04.159 that, you stand to lose 00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:05.180 absolutely everything. 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.559 And so I'd like to ask 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:09.500 you, where do you stand 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.680 in your relationship with 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.039 God? 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.079 What about your 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:14.480 tomorrow? 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.720 Do you know the Lord? 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:21.519 Is he real in your life? 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.399 Have you got that absolute 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:27.000 peace deep within your heart 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.839 that come what may, the 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:31.339 best is yet to be. 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:35.339 The world's tomorrow is 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.880 totally uncertain. 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:41.019 God's tomorrow is totally 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.839 clear. 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.880 But one day you and I are 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.539 going to meet with him. 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:47.880 But what about our 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:48.140 tomorrow? 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:51.619 What about your 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:51.960 tomorrow? 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:55.680 And of course, in one 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:57.340 sense, what happens about 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.680 your tomorrow depends 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:01.259 entirely on your response 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.380 to Jesus Christ today. 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:07.259 What do I mean about 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.779 this response? 00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:08.580 It can be a cliche, 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.019 can't it, that 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.700 preachers use. 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.920 But let me summarize it 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.560 in two words. 00:23:14.060 --> 00:23:14.980 The first word is 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.560 repent. 00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:18.259 The second word is 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.779 receive. 00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:22.299 And if I want to be 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.600 sure that I know 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:24.840 Jesus Christ, there are 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.779 two things that I must 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.079 do. 00:23:26.419 --> 00:23:27.299 And the first is to 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:27.659 repent. 00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:28.839 It's an about turn. 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.819 It's a U-turn. 00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:32.279 That instead of going 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:34.119 through life my way 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:35.579 and doing my own 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:37.359 thing, I've got to be 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:40.000 willing to let go of 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:41.119 whatever is wrong in my 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.500 life. 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:45.399 And with God's help, 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.619 and only with God's help, 00:23:46.679 --> 00:23:47.720 to turn right around 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:50.779 and to give my life to the 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:52.079 Lord Jesus as my Savior 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:54.460 who has died for me on the 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:57.339 cross and is my Lord and 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.299 my King over all. 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.919 And then receive. 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.779 That we're ready to turn 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.480 from what is wrong and put 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:08.119 our lives lock, stock and 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:10.119 barrel into the hands of 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.379 Jesus. 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:13.659 And we can receive Jesus or 00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:14.939 the Spirit of the Lord 00:24:14.939 --> 00:24:16.480 Jesus to come into our 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:18.179 lives and he will be with 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:19.779 us day and night. 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:21.119 He is there when the sun 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:21.579 is shining. 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:23.099 He is there when it's as 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:23.980 dark as can be. 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.960 He is there in our 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:28.359 tomorrow, whatever our 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:29.180 tomorrow holds. 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:31.500 And one day when we walk 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.519 through the shadow of the 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:35.259 valley of death, he will be 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.740 with us. 00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:38.319 And so we won't fear evil. 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.440 Have you got that assurance 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:41.819 today? 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.139 And for those of you who 00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:47.180 would say no or I'm just 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:48.860 not sure, you need to be 00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:53.420 willing to turn around and 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:56.480 to let go of what you know 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.980 is wrong and rebelling 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:59.900 against him and ask the 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:01.060 Lord Jesus Christ into your 00:25:01.060 --> 00:25:01.340 life. 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:05.200 And I know that at the 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.180 moment some of you will be 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:08.140 experiencing tug of war. 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.900 There's a part of us that 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:12.019 wants to do that, isn't 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.180 there? 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.000 And there's a part of us 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.480 that really doesn't want to 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.680 do that because we want to be 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.799 in charge and we don't want 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.900 the Lord Jesus to be in 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.259 charge. 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.480 And I know that struggle. 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:24.420 I felt that struggle. 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:28.080 But how is it working out? 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:30.820 How is it working out with 00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:33.400 you as Lord of your life, 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:35.160 running it as you want and 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.740 calling God in just very 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.180 occasionally? 00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:38.360 How is that working out for 00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:38.480 you? 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:40.060 You've got no answer, have 00:25:40.060 --> 00:25:40.220 you? 00:25:42.320 --> 00:25:44.200 But if you will give in to 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:47.180 God this morning, if you 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:50.400 will repent, if you will 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:53.840 turn from your wickedness 00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:57.160 and receive wonderful life 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:59.779 in Christ, you can have 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:02.140 hope, you can have 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:04.740 certainty, you can have 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.220 confidence. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.740 Let's pray. 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:07.759 Let's pray. 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:21.080 Father, we know that we have 00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:21.480 sinned. 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.440 And we know that we need 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:25.880 your forgiveness. 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:30.240 We thank you for your son, 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.840 the Lord Jesus, dying on the 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:34.420 cross for sinners such as 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:34.680 us. 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:38.180 We pray that by your Holy 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:39.600 Spirit, you would give us the 00:26:39.600 --> 00:26:42.640 help to turn away from all 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:43.920 that is wrong in our lives 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:46.220 and to go with you. 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:52.200 We ask that you would come 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:54.640 into our lives, that you 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:57.940 would be our saviour, that you 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.820 would be our Lord. 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:02.400 Come in by your spirit to be 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.120 with us always. 00:27:03.340 --> 00:27:04.180 We thank you for these 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.200 wonderful promises. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.720 Keep us from a wrong fear, we 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.100 ask. 00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:11.259 In Jesus' name. 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.539 Amen. 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.440 We're going to sing before we 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:17.640 come.