WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.700 our worship by singing to God's praise in Psalm 46 in the Scottish Psalter. 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:13.259 Psalm 46, we'll sing from verse 1 to verse 7, the tune of Stroudwater. 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:19.400 And we're going to sing at the beginning there, God is our refuge and our strength and straights 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:25.300 a present deed. Therefore, although the earth remove, we will not be afraid. We'll sing 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:28.820 from verse 1 to 7 and we stand to sing to God's praise. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:47.320 What is the refuge and our strength, in states a present deed? 00:00:47.320 --> 00:01:02.320 Therefore, although the earth remove, we will not be afraid. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:20.640 The hills and lakes the seas because, O waters' roaring bay, 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:38.019 and troubled, we gave all the hills by swearing seeds to shame. 00:01:38.019 --> 00:01:59.019 I've lived by the hills, who sins to man, the city of our God, the holy place. 00:01:59.019 --> 00:02:12.019 When the Lord most dying is abode. 00:02:12.020 --> 00:02:28.020 But in the place of earth doth dwell, the king shall now renew. 00:02:28.020 --> 00:02:46.020 The Lord to have an help, a will, a love by the very blue. 00:02:46.020 --> 00:02:47.020 The heart of heaven and give place. 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:50.980 Therefore, if you watch the sea, the kingdom's rud naj部分. 00:02:50.980 --> 00:02:52.020 In the stream we ост maiorianos'i, the king mysteries 6 ao Gene. 00:02:52.020 --> 00:02:53.020 If you Bros. one cum you and me are not be afraid. 00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:57.020 The one dic ai Carl, ror ten High-vez-z�zffeост, in verse 1. 00:02:57.020 --> 00:03:03.020 The guy best temps, in verse 1. 00:03:03.020 --> 00:03:20.879 The Lord of God, that in His voice, the earth did mend for fear. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:36.879 The Lord of hosts upon our side, doth constantly lead. 00:03:36.879 --> 00:03:54.719 The Lord of Jesus, that refuge has saved me to make Him. 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:03.039 We'll unite our hearts together in a short word of prayer. Let us pray. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:03.439 Amen. 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:12.180 Lord our God, we thank You as we come to worship You this day, that we are reminded in the words that we sang, 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:18.300 that You are a refuge and a strength to Your people, that You are one who is there to call upon. 00:04:18.899 --> 00:04:25.759 And we just thank You that You have that promise to us, that as we gather here in Your name today, that You are with us. 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:31.379 And may we know that in a real way. May we know You speaking in Your word to us, 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:40.680 and may we know Your peace and presence with us, still as before You at this time, as we look to You as God and Lord of all. 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:46.719 We do thank You for all who are here today and all who are tuning in online. 00:04:47.399 --> 00:04:52.139 We thank You for young and old alike, that together we come to worship Your name. 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:58.339 And we do pray for our holiday tweenies and the creche going on over this holiday time. 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:04.079 We thank You for the young ones who have been so regular and so faithful attending over these summer months. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:08.560 And we pray for our young people, Lord, that You will bless them and be with them. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:13.459 Thank You for all who help in the creche and tweenies over these weeks as well, 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:17.879 and that together they would know Your blessing and Your presence with them. 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:21.079 And we think of schools going back in this coming week. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:28.319 We pray for the teachers, the staff, and all the children, Lord, that Your blessing and peace would be on the day schools as well, 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:35.300 as they begin a new session, a new term of teaching, and especially as children move up classes, 00:05:35.980 --> 00:05:41.420 maybe beginning primary school for the first time or secondary school for the first time. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:44.960 And we pray for Your help and Your protection over each one. 00:05:45.780 --> 00:05:49.920 And that as a church family, they would be in our prayers at all times, 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:52.720 that You would look down upon us and bless us. 00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:57.639 So hear our prayers and continue with us now as we continue to worship You 00:05:57.639 --> 00:06:00.460 and as we continue to seek to hear from You. 00:06:00.879 --> 00:06:05.660 We ask all these things in our prayers in Jesus' name for His sake and glory. 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:06.500 Amen. 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:06.620 Amen. 00:06:08.860 --> 00:06:11.279 It's good to see young ones here today. 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:13.959 We do remember you in prayer. 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:18.040 As you go back to school this week, I know you won't want to be reminded of going back to school. 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:21.639 And maybe you're thinking already that come Thursday morning, 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:27.319 you'll be thinking, maybe what excuse could I make not to go to school? 00:06:27.899 --> 00:06:28.939 Maybe you're starting to think of that. 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:33.720 Maybe the teachers are starting to think of what excuse they could make not to go to school. 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:37.580 And we always think about times when we make excuses. 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:40.620 Excuses for different things. 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:44.860 So maybe you're thinking, well, on Thursday morning, I could make an excuse not to go to school 00:06:44.860 --> 00:06:46.920 because I'm not feeling well. 00:06:47.380 --> 00:06:51.000 Or maybe it's an excuse, oh, the weather's too bad for going to school. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:52.460 Or all these kinds of things. 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:57.840 But even as adults, as we grow up, we make excuses for different things as well. 00:06:57.839 --> 00:07:02.679 We make excuses if we lose a football match or any sports game. 00:07:03.099 --> 00:07:05.939 We maybe blame it was the referee's fault. 00:07:06.039 --> 00:07:07.159 That's our excuse. 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:09.519 That goal was offside. 00:07:09.679 --> 00:07:11.379 That's the excuse for losing. 00:07:12.339 --> 00:07:13.879 Or maybe you like to go fishing. 00:07:14.539 --> 00:07:15.679 I like to go fishing. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:20.659 And I've got a big, big book of excuses for not catching fish. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:23.479 And I just delve into it from time to time. 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:29.000 And most times when I go out fishing, I need an excuse so it's either too bright or too dark. 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:31.540 It's too warm or it's too cold. 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:34.300 There's not enough water or there's too much water. 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:37.840 There's always an excuse for not catching a fish. 00:07:38.700 --> 00:07:40.819 But we're always making excuses. 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:45.540 But in the Bible, we read about a time when people made excuses. 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:50.939 And it was an excuse for not coming to a great banquet, to a feast. 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:55.400 And there was three different people who made excuses. 00:07:56.319 --> 00:08:01.700 We read of it in Luke chapter 14 at verse 17 through to verse 20. 00:08:02.280 --> 00:08:03.879 It was a time of a great banquet. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:07.920 And the master sent out a servant to invite people to come. 00:08:08.780 --> 00:08:12.700 And it says, but they all alike began to make excuses. 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:14.180 They all had excuses. 00:08:14.180 --> 00:08:15.860 One said, I've bought a field. 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:18.019 I must go and see it. 00:08:18.400 --> 00:08:19.879 Please excuse me. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:22.040 Another said, I've bought a yoke of oxen. 00:08:22.100 --> 00:08:23.060 I've bought cattle. 00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:24.980 I'm going to examine them. 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:26.579 Please excuse me. 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:30.160 Another said, I've just got married. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:36.340 And therefore, I cannot come, making an excuse not to come to a great banquet. 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:41.139 When we think of the Bible and what it's saying to us, it's inviting us. 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:49.360 It's inviting us to come to this banquet, to come to this feast, this feast of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:56.379 Think of invitations to church as we think of inviting people along back to church Sunday. 00:08:56.519 --> 00:09:02.059 It's an invitation to come and hear the word of God, to come and hear about this wonderful Savior. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:05.099 And so often we make excuses. 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:08.219 I'm too tired to go to church. 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:10.059 I'm too busy to go to church. 00:09:10.119 --> 00:09:11.399 I'm too young to go to church. 00:09:11.459 --> 00:09:13.239 I'm too old to go to church. 00:09:13.319 --> 00:09:14.579 We all make excuses. 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:18.800 But it's reminding us here that we are to come. 00:09:19.420 --> 00:09:22.700 There's no excuse not to come to Jesus. 00:09:23.920 --> 00:09:26.280 We all make excuses for different things. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:29.879 Trying to cover up where we fall short at times. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:33.040 But with Jesus, there's no excuse. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:36.100 He's inviting us all to come. 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:38.159 Let's not make an excuse. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:45.740 But let's come and find in him one who is so precious, so wonderful, a Savior for us. 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:49.399 So there's no excuses for us. 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:53.040 We're going to say the Lord's Prayer together now. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:59.560 Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:01.340 Thy kingdom come. 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:04.860 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:07.580 Give us this day our daily bread. 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:11.759 And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:16.259 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:20.259 For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:21.379 Amen. 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:25.080 Well, let's sing again to God's praise. 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:28.899 And during this singing, if the young ones are going out to 20s, they can do so then. 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:31.560 We're going to sing in Psalm 52. 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:34.700 Sing Psalms Version, page 69. 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:40.060 We're singing from verse 5 down to verse 9. 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:41.680 And the tune is St. Andrew. 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:48.460 Psalm 52 at verse 5. 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:52.300 But God will surely bring you down to ruin and disgrace. 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:55.779 He will uproot you from your tent and from your dwelling place. 00:10:56.340 --> 00:11:01.039 The psalmist here is speaking about those who are not trusting in God. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:03.699 But then in verse 8, you see this change. 00:11:03.699 --> 00:11:07.740 But I am like an olive plant in God's house growing free. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:13.240 I trust in God's unfailing love to all eternity. 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:17.639 We'll sing from verse 5 to verse 9 to God's praise. 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:35.460 But God will surely bring you down to ruin and disgrace. 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:52.540 He will have fruit you from your chains and from your dwelling place. 00:11:52.539 --> 00:12:01.539 He will snatch you from the land of life. 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:02.539 The psalmist here is speaking about those who are not trusting in God. 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.539 The psalmist here is speaking about those who are not trusting in God. 00:12:03.539 --> 00:12:04.539 He will not trusting in God. 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:05.539 And the psalmist here is speaking about those who are not trusting in God. 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:06.539 He will not trusting in God. 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:07.740 The psalmist here is speaking about those who are not trusting in God. 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:24.580 The righteous keep in this world dear, then they will laugh and sing. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:39.580 It is the man who for this reign of God did not rely. 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:55.580 He trusted in his wealth and power to raise himself on high. 00:12:55.580 --> 00:13:11.580 But I am like a royal man in course us growing free. 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:25.740 I just ignores the giving love to all eternity. 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:35.580 I'll praise you ever for your peace. 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:42.580 My hope is in your name. 00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:58.879 And in the mansions of your sins, I will rest all your things. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:13:59.879 Amen. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:07.620 We'll turn together now to read God's word. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:10.879 We're going to read in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:17.120 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, taking up our reading at verse 17. 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:21.500 And then we read into chapter 3 down to the end there. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:31.120 You find this around page 1188 or thereabouts. 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:37.539 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 at verse 17. 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:42.039 Paul writing here from prison. 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:48.360 They're writing to the church in Thessalonica where he had been for a time, set up a church, 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.779 and now he's writing to them. 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:54.419 And we see in verse 17 how he describes that he was torn away from them. 00:14:54.539 --> 00:15:00.579 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person, not in heart, 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:05.379 we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:07.779 because we wanted to come to you. 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.959 I, Paul, again and again. 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:12.279 But Satan hindered us. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:19.779 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:21.639 Is it not you? 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:24.659 For you are our glory and joy. 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:30.779 Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone. 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:35.959 And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's co-worker in the gospel of Christ, 00:15:35.959 --> 00:15:42.179 to establish and exhort you in your faith that no one be moved by these afflictions. 00:15:42.839 --> 00:15:45.959 For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:51.399 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:55.220 just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 00:15:55.220 --> 00:16:00.300 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, 00:16:00.800 --> 00:16:05.500 for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:08.899 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:12.840 and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported, 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:18.060 that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you. 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:22.060 For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction, 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:26.119 we have been comforted about you through your faith. 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:30.699 For now we live if you are standing fast in the Lord. 00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:34.459 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:38.359 for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:43.079 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face, 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:46.479 and supply what is lacking in your faith. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:53.539 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you, 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:59.000 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, 00:16:59.420 --> 00:17:00.680 as we do for you, 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:04.880 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:12.140 before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:13.800 and so on. 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:16.560 And may God bless that reading from his word. 00:17:16.820 --> 00:17:19.540 I will again just unite our hearts in a word of prayer. 00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:20.280 Let us pray. 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:27.460 Our Father in heaven, as we read these words, 00:17:27.580 --> 00:17:32.620 we are reminded not of Paul's concern for a church in Thessalonica alone, 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:36.099 but for your great concern for your church, 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:41.679 your church down through every generation and through every place in this world. 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:47.459 We thank you that you are a God who remembers your people near and far, 00:17:48.139 --> 00:17:54.879 that you are one who has a desire for your people to grow in faith and knowledge of you 00:17:54.879 --> 00:17:59.699 and the wonder of your grace and salvation that there is in Christ Jesus, 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:04.240 and that you would see others being drawn to you as well. 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:09.580 And we thank you for the church in the world that is the light of hope. 00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:14.519 We thank you that the gospel is there to lead and to guide 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:18.600 and to show us in all our needs that there is a Savior, 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:21.299 that there is one who we can come to, 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:25.940 one who is able to bring us from darkness into your wonderful light. 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:29.519 And so we pray for your gospel as it goes out today, 00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:31.980 as it goes out here and far and wide, 00:18:32.820 --> 00:18:34.860 that it will be a word blessed by you, 00:18:35.320 --> 00:18:38.840 that you would be pleased to accompany it by the power of your Spirit, 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:41.420 that you would minister to our hearts, 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:44.420 that you would minister to our very soul and being, 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:48.480 that the excuses that we so often make in our hearts, 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:52.360 that you would help us to see that they are so meaningless before you, 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:55.799 but that the way is prepared, the banquet is set, 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:59.939 and that we are to accept that wonderful invitation to come 00:18:59.939 --> 00:19:05.099 and find our rest and find peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:08.659 So bless us today, Lord, as we worship you. 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:11.639 Bless us as we offer up our prayers to you, 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.959 prayers for one another, 00:19:13.199 --> 00:19:17.579 prayers for our communities and our nation and the world in which we live. 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:20.879 when we see, O Lord, the distress around us, 00:19:20.919 --> 00:19:24.939 when we see our own nation and all the different places 00:19:24.939 --> 00:19:27.399 that have been affected by riots in this week, 00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:29.559 turmoil near and far, 00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:33.679 we do pray, Lord, for you to come in your power. 00:19:34.419 --> 00:19:36.059 When we have turned away from you, 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:38.439 we see the serious consequences 00:19:38.439 --> 00:19:42.299 of rejecting God as our Lord and as our God, 00:19:42.879 --> 00:19:44.939 of not having you rule over us. 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:49.039 We do pray, Lord, that you will bring us to that place. 00:19:49.340 --> 00:19:53.860 We would say that God is our refuge and our strength, 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:57.920 that we would hear that echoed throughout our nation once again, 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:01.700 that you would draw us to see our great need 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:04.880 and yet a great saviour that you are. 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:08.500 We pray, Lord, for your peace and your help 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:10.920 in the midst of all of these things. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:13.620 We pray that for our world, O Lord, 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:15.639 in so many different parts of it 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:19.059 and yet we thank you that the gospel is a truth 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:20.679 that still goes out in power, 00:20:21.179 --> 00:20:23.399 that you are indeed building your church, 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:26.839 that there are so many people near and far 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:29.199 being drawn to you in the midst of affliction. 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:33.039 Even as we have read of in this wonderful letter 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:34.199 to the Thessalonians, 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:36.839 we thank you that in their affliction 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:39.679 that they were still trusting and growing in faith. 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:44.580 We thank you that as true for people near and far today, 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:47.640 that in times of great need, 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.440 in times of great uncertainty, 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:52.620 that there are people who are fully trusting 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:55.019 and growing in their faith and knowledge of you. 00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:58.220 May you continue to hear the prayers of your church, 00:20:58.900 --> 00:21:00.700 that you would do us good, O Lord, 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:04.039 that you would send your spirit upon us to bless us. 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:06.879 We do thank you as a congregation here 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:09.339 that we can look to you in all things, 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:11.200 that you are one who is with us 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:13.000 in all our different needs. 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:16.099 You are with us as a people collectively 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:18.659 and also in our homes and in our families. 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:21.359 In all our different needs, Lord, 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.440 they are known to you. 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.299 We thank you that in prayer 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:26.819 we have that access to the one who is able, 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:29.440 the one who is able to do abundantly more 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:31.059 than all that we ask or imagine. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:34.460 And so, Lord, give us that faith to approach you 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:37.000 and to commit ourselves, our loved ones, 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:40.799 and our church and community as a whole into your hands. 00:21:41.379 --> 00:21:45.179 We do pray for blessing over your church here 00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:46.379 and throughout our islands. 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:49.139 We pray your blessing on all our endeavors 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:50.759 to reach out with the gospel. 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:54.139 We think of our communion season coming up, 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:56.159 not just here, but throughout our island. 00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:59.539 We pray much blessing upon the preaching of your word 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:01.180 and the fellowship of your people. 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:05.500 We thank you, too, for opportunities to invite people, 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:07.379 whether it's to the church day out 00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:09.019 or to the back to church Sunday. 00:22:09.659 --> 00:22:12.059 We do pray for your leading and your guiding in that. 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:14.980 We ask, O Lord, that you will guide us 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.579 in these things by your Spirit. 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.779 And we do pray, O Lord, 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:24.659 for all the different aspects of our congregation. 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:29.160 We think of families in need of times of ill health, 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:30.460 of sorrow and grief, 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:33.500 but also times of joy and gladness. 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:35.640 As we think of a wedding in this coming week 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:37.100 connected to our congregation, 00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:40.700 we pray for Mark Morrison and Leah Duncan 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.640 and their families. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:44.519 We ask your blessing to be over them, O Lord, 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:47.420 as they unite together in this way. 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.920 We pray that you will lead them and guide them 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:51.480 and watch over them each day, 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:53.599 and that you would bless them abundantly. 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:56.519 We do pray for our nation as well, 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.319 as we have mentioned, 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:59.680 the assisted suicide bill 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:01.640 and the dangers it brings. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:04.620 Lord, we commit that to you, O Lord, 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:07.259 that there will be a good response against it, 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:09.220 that we will be able to represent 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.940 not just ourselves, 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:12.880 but your word and your truth, 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.420 that life is precious, 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:17.220 and that we are to see that in every way, 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:19.319 that you are the giver of life. 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.759 And we pray, Lord, 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:22.259 that we would realize 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:24.439 that our lives are in your hands 00:23:24.439 --> 00:23:27.159 and help us and help those who need you 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:29.819 in particular ways in this sense, O Lord, 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:31.859 to know your presence and your help. 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:34.159 So we pray for our government 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:36.480 as they make decisions over it, Lord. 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:38.419 Give wisdom, give help, 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:40.099 give your spirit to them 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:42.579 to know what is right and what is good. 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:46.439 Lord, we ask all these things dependent upon you 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:49.220 and thankful for your grace that is always sufficient. 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.460 So may you hear our prayers. 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.680 May you go before us. 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:54.539 May you do us good in all things 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:57.380 as we ask all with the forgiveness of our sins. 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:59.200 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:04.160 We'll again sing to God's praise 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:06.279 this time in Psalm 106 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.839 in the Scottish Psalter, 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:10.859 page 378. 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:14.740 Psalm 106. 00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:17.619 We'll sing from verse 1 to verse 5, 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:19.000 the tune is Huddersfield. 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:22.139 Give praise and thanks unto the Lord, 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.660 for bountiful is he. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:27.740 His tender mercy doth endure unto eternity. 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:30.460 We'll sing from verse 1 to 5 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.879 to God's praise. 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.079 Amen. 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:44.559 Give praise and thanks unto the Lord, 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:51.519 for bountiful is he. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:25:05.879 His tender mercy doth endure unto eternity. 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:15.559 God's mighty words to God express, 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.460 God's mighty words to God express, 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:23.599 God's holy word of his praise, 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:32.599 blessed are they that judgment keep, 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:39.599 and just be pure, O praise. 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:49.019 Remember me, Lord, with the love, 00:25:49.379 --> 00:25:55.599 which thou divine just may, 00:25:55.599 --> 00:26:04.599 with thy salvation, O my God, 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:12.599 to listen to me, Lord, hear. 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:21.879 And thy thy chosen's will be see, 00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:28.599 and in their joy rejoice, 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:37.599 and in their joy rejoice, 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:45.599 triumph with cheerful voice. 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:46.079 Amen. 00:26:50.419 --> 00:26:54.899 We can turn back to our reading in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:59.059 We're going to look at these last verses of chapter 2, 00:26:59.159 --> 00:27:01.779 verse 17 to verse 20, 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:04.659 although they're all connected with what we're reading. 00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:06.919 In the whole of chapter 3 as well, 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:09.419 where Paul is showing us his great concern 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:15.060 for the people of Thessalonica and what's happening with them, concern for their faith, 00:27:15.100 --> 00:27:21.400 and he has this encouraging report that comes from Timothy, as you see in chapter 3, verse 6, 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:28.960 to the end. But we want to think about where that concern comes from and the confidence it brings to 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:33.480 him as well. And we're going to do that this morning and then connect it with this evening as 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:40.740 well. We're going to think about a theme. Have you ever been speaking to someone, maybe about a book 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:47.880 you've read or a film or a TV series you've watched and you've thought that book was excellent, was just 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:54.079 so good, or that TV show was just brilliant, and they're asking you, well, what reason would you 00:27:54.079 --> 00:28:00.599 give me? What it's about and why I should watch it or why I should read it? And you start maybe just 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:07.199 trying in a few words to explain to the people, this is why you should read it. Maybe you're 00:28:07.199 --> 00:28:13.019 describing the kind of theme that there is, maybe a romantic novel or a movie, maybe it's a comedy or 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:20.199 an action thriller or a real life story. And you try and describe maybe a few of the characters in it 00:28:20.199 --> 00:28:26.119 and just the outline of the storyline or if there's an evil villain, as it were, in it as well. You're 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:31.799 trying to just in a few words sum up a reason why they should engage, why they should read, or why 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:40.059 they should watch. But what about if you were asked about the Bible? We think about maybe our back to 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:47.739 church Sunday, an invitation to come to church, and someone asks you, well, why? Why should I engage 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:56.039 with the Bible? What's it about? How would you sum it up as to why someone should take it seriously? 00:28:56.839 --> 00:29:03.200 Why someone should seriously consider an invitation to come and hear the Word of God? What's it telling 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:11.039 us? What's the story? What's it about? And so today I want us to consider this in two different ways. 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:18.420 This morning as we're looking at Thessalonians here, we're going to think about it in summary as it is, 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:26.659 sinners in need of salvation. That's what this book is about, sinners in need of salvation, 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:34.420 and that salvation is found in Christ. And then this evening we're going to be looking at Isaiah chapter 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:40.799 40. I'm thinking of another way of summarizing what the Word of God is saying and the weary 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:47.980 given strength. It's the way that we're looking at it this evening, the weary given strength in the Lord. 00:29:48.899 --> 00:29:55.960 But this morning we're thinking of sinners in need of salvation. And what we see as Paul is writing 00:29:55.960 --> 00:30:02.559 to the church at Thessalonica is just that. He's writing to sinners in need of salvation. 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:09.779 They've been saved, you could say. The church has been established there, but still they are sinners, 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:17.940 just as we all are. Sinners in need of salvation. But that that salvation is in Christ. 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:25.200 And that is what keeps us going. And so what we see with Paul here as he's writing to them is this 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:35.420 gospel concern. He has this concern for them. But he's also got this confidence. This confidence. 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:43.140 Now put yourself in this situation. You have to go away from home. Maybe for different reasons, 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:50.460 but you have to go away from home for a time. What would you miss most? What would fill your mind and 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:58.180 your thoughts most as you're thinking back to home? It could be maybe a certain food you enjoy that you 00:30:58.180 --> 00:31:04.960 can't get where you are. It could be something that you wish you had. Maybe you're missing something 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:10.880 that you had at home that you no longer have. Maybe it's the weather, although it's unlikely here. 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:16.460 Hopefully you'd have better weather somewhere else. But there's always things that if we have to go away 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:24.420 from home that we would miss. But the most likely thing that we would miss when we're away from a place 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:31.539 is people. People. So whether it's moving away, whether it's working away for a time, whether it's 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:40.320 studying away, we're going to miss people. And here as Paul is writing to the Thessalonians, 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:47.240 it's because of that very fact. It's the exact situation that Paul finds himself in. He is missing 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:53.940 the people of Thessalonica. He's had to leave them behind. It says here he's been torn away 00:31:53.940 --> 00:32:00.779 from them. There's a sudden removal from them. He's been torn away and he's missing these people. 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:07.860 He's concerned for these people. And so that's where this letter comes from, a letter to encourage 00:32:07.860 --> 00:32:14.500 them, to strengthen them, to find out how they are, to find out how they are going on. He's remembering 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:23.100 these sinners in need of salvation. A people he loves and a people he's concerned for. There were some who 00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:29.679 were saying in Paul's day that he was writing to them or there with them to make a name for himself 00:32:29.679 --> 00:32:37.819 or for praise that he might get. But as you read through this letter, you see there's a genuine love 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:43.699 for the people that he's writing to. A people that he's missing, that he's longing for. 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:53.680 And when we think of ourselves as a church and as a people, is this something that we have as well? 00:32:54.580 --> 00:33:02.259 This longing for one another, this longing for those around us, this gospel concern for those around us, 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:10.000 maybe even sitting beside us, a gospel concern for people as we all are sinners in need of salvation. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:19.599 Paul here gives us the realities of what life is like in the faith. As he's writing this letter, 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:26.319 he's writing encouragement, he's writing motivations to them, he's writing about the afflictions that 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:30.920 they will suffer. There's all of these things and that they are to have a vision of God in the midst 00:33:30.920 --> 00:33:38.480 of it all. They are truths that we can rely on. But in these verses, in verse 17 to 20, we see what's at 00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:46.759 the heart of it all is a gospel concern. And we see three things in these verses. There's a gospel 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:54.400 concern, there's a gospel challenger, but there's a gospel confidence. We just want to look at these 00:33:54.400 --> 00:34:03.120 three things for a short time. The gospel concern that we see first of all. There's a great hope in 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:11.559 the gospel. If you've come to believe in Christ, you realize how empty life was before and how much 00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:18.300 difference that the Lord Jesus makes in our lives day by day, not just when we come to worship, not just 00:34:18.300 --> 00:34:24.840 as we join together on the Lord's day, but every day of life, the difference it makes to know Christ 00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:33.900 Jesus as our Lord. And we realize this hope, this hope as Paul has, and has seen many in Thessalonica 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:43.300 come to know this hope in Christ, and how this hope goes on and works in our lives. And we realize 00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:51.120 it works in our emotions and in our experience as well, how the Lord changes our whole outlook, 00:34:51.220 --> 00:35:00.220 our whole being. And as we see this, we realize too that our concerns for other things, they don't 00:35:00.220 --> 00:35:06.820 just vanish. They don't just go. As Paul said here that there were afflictions that he had told them 00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:13.940 about, that they would be real. And yet he's still showing them that there is this hope. But he's 00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:22.600 concerned for them. He's concerned for them. And you see that in verse 17. We've been torn away from you, 00:35:22.700 --> 00:35:32.820 brothers, for a short time. In person, not in heart. We endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you 00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:40.140 face to face. What a wonderful love there was for Paul to these people. 00:35:41.260 --> 00:35:49.559 Torn away in person, but not in heart. They were still very much in his heart, even though there was a 00:35:49.559 --> 00:35:58.700 distance. And there's this longing to see them because of this gospel concern. To see how they are going, 00:35:58.699 --> 00:36:05.359 to see how they are growing, to see how they are going on in the midst of their afflictions. He's got 00:36:05.359 --> 00:36:12.259 this concern for them. They're not forgotten. They are constantly in his thoughts and in his prayers. 00:36:13.299 --> 00:36:20.699 How are they? How are they getting on? Just think back a few months to lambing season. 00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:28.960 And if you love your sheep, it's an emotional time. It's a time when you're anxious about the sheep and 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:36.519 the lambs as they are about to be born. And if the weather's poor or if it's wet and windy, you can't 00:36:36.519 --> 00:36:41.579 just forget about them. And maybe there's a time when you maybe have to go to work or you have to go away 00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:46.500 somewhere else. You have to leave them for a time. And it can be hard, especially if you think that sheep 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:53.699 is about to lamb. And you can't be there for them. It's on your mind. And you're wondering how they are 00:36:53.699 --> 00:37:00.179 and how they'll be when you get back. A shepherd and a relationship with their sheep, when they love 00:37:00.179 --> 00:37:05.800 them in that way, there's a real concern. And that's so often the image that we have in the Scriptures. 00:37:06.639 --> 00:37:14.440 With Paul, we see it here. He's concerned as a shepherd of the sheep. He's concerned for his people. 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:21.559 He's wondering how they are, how they're getting on, how they're going on in the faith. He's been 00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:33.139 torn away from them. But yet there's still this gospel concern. Now perhaps we haven't felt that kind of 00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:42.659 separation, that sense of being aware ourselves in the way that Paul was here. But should we not have 00:37:42.659 --> 00:37:50.960 that concern for one another? Concern for those around us? The concern that we are reminded that 00:37:50.960 --> 00:38:00.759 God has for his people. When we see the sin and the separation it brings from God, how we see sheep 00:38:00.759 --> 00:38:08.940 who have gone astray, when we see a people who are lost in this world, does that not lead us to concern? 00:38:08.940 --> 00:38:16.659 Well, God is concerned. And God was so concerned about this that he made every provision. 00:38:18.099 --> 00:38:23.760 And that's what Paul is reminding the church at Thessalonica, as he does the churches throughout 00:38:23.760 --> 00:38:31.780 the New Testament, that in Christ they have a shepherd. In Christ they have one who loves them 00:38:31.780 --> 00:38:41.500 and who has given his life for them. But do we have that gospel concern? Do you have it in your heart 00:38:41.500 --> 00:38:47.820 today if you're not believing in the Lord Jesus Christ? Does it concern you? Are you just making 00:38:47.820 --> 00:38:56.220 your excuses to turn away? I've got to do this, I've got to do that. I've got to be, sort this out in my 00:38:56.219 --> 00:39:02.980 life first. Or I'm getting past it now, I can't come. There's all kinds of excuses that will come to 00:39:02.980 --> 00:39:14.459 our minds. But the Lord puts a concern in your heart for your soul. And praise God he does, that the Lord 00:39:14.459 --> 00:39:22.480 disturbs us in this way. Paul couldn't just sit there and have no thought of these people. He was concerned 00:39:22.480 --> 00:39:30.039 and he was praying for them. And our prayer is today as well, that all of us together would be 00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:37.360 stirred up in this gospel concern. What does Paul do in his concern and his absence from them? 00:39:37.800 --> 00:39:44.460 Well you see it in chapter 1 verse 2. He says, we give thanks to God always for all of you, 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:52.920 constantly mentioning you in our prayers. Constantly mentioning you in our prayers. 00:39:54.059 --> 00:40:02.579 Prayers. Praying to God. Sinners in need of salvation. And salvation is from God. And here Paul 00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:10.220 is endeavouring to see them face to face with great desire so that he can share in that fellowship once 00:40:10.219 --> 00:40:17.859 more. And to share the gospel with them. So there's gospel concern at the heart of this. 00:40:19.059 --> 00:40:25.879 But the second thing we see here is there's a gospel challenger. And when you think of reading a book or 00:40:25.879 --> 00:40:32.679 watching a movie or a TV series, there's often, as we see, there's the good ones and there's the evil 00:40:32.679 --> 00:40:41.519 villain. But this is not just a story that we want to engage with. This is reality that we see here with 00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:47.980 Paul. He's got his love for the people at Thessalonica. And his love is only increased when he thinks of the 00:40:47.980 --> 00:40:57.359 one who is challenging the gospel. And you see this in verse 18. We wanted to come to you, I, Paul, again and 00:40:57.360 --> 00:41:10.880 again. But Satan hindered us. Satan hindered us. Satan is real. Satan tries to intervene. Satan tries to 00:41:10.880 --> 00:41:16.860 spoil. That is what he wants. In every aspect of our lives, he wants to spoil things. 00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:25.860 But you ask, well, why is Satan here? Why is he interested in this? Well, it's because good things 00:41:25.860 --> 00:41:32.860 were happening. The church in Thessalonica had grown. There was people coming to faith. There was this joy 00:41:32.860 --> 00:41:40.500 in their midst. The joy of salvation. And Satan doesn't want it. He doesn't want people believing. He 00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:48.960 doesn't want unity. He doesn't want the gospel spreading. And so he's active. And we see that 00:41:48.960 --> 00:41:57.019 here with Paul. Satan hindered us. Whatever way it was, he managed to get a way that stopped, that 00:41:57.019 --> 00:42:06.679 prevented Paul coming. One person put it like this. There's a being in this world that is older than 00:42:06.679 --> 00:42:14.199 humanity that has a design to destroy you forever. That's the seriousness of Satan. 00:42:15.659 --> 00:42:24.899 Satan, the destroyer. Satan, the enemy. And Paul knows this with all his heart. He knows that Satan 00:42:24.899 --> 00:42:31.739 is an enemy. Satan is an adversary that's to be taken seriously. And that's something, as well as we 00:42:31.739 --> 00:42:38.639 believe in God, that we believe in Christ Jesus, that we believe that there is a devil, that there 00:42:38.639 --> 00:42:45.479 is Satan too, that there is an adversary. And that when things are going well, he wants to come in 00:42:45.479 --> 00:42:53.239 and spoil. And so we need to be on our guard. Paul, writing to the church at Ephesus in the last chapter 00:42:53.239 --> 00:42:59.379 of Ephesians, speaks about the whole armor of God that we need to put on because we are dealing with 00:42:59.380 --> 00:43:08.059 principalities and powers in this world, enemies of God. But we have the word of God. We have the Holy 00:43:08.059 --> 00:43:17.240 Spirit. We have prayer. We have all this equipment that we can use and to be on our guard at all times. 00:43:17.980 --> 00:43:24.119 Even just look back to last weekend and the week leading up to it with the holiday club. We had a 00:43:24.119 --> 00:43:31.779 blessed time. We had a time of real encouragement, a time of real joy. But how many of you have faced a 00:43:31.779 --> 00:43:42.019 hard week this week? After that high point, after that joyous time, Satan comes in. The adversary's there. 00:43:42.480 --> 00:43:50.639 He's hindering. He's prowling all the time. He's always there to try and take our joy away. 00:43:50.639 --> 00:43:56.799 When the gospel is active. When the gospel is working, Satan is trying to hinder. 00:43:58.039 --> 00:44:09.199 As Charles Spurgeon once said, consider how precious a soul must be when God and the devil are both after it. 00:44:09.879 --> 00:44:17.079 How precious a soul is when God and the devil are both after it. 00:44:17.079 --> 00:44:25.840 But greater is he who is with us. But when we look to the Lord, he is greater. He is more powerful. 00:44:26.599 --> 00:44:35.579 He has conquered this enemy. Martin Luther, in his hymn, A Mighty Fortress is the Lord, he reminds us in 00:44:35.579 --> 00:44:43.420 that of the reality of Satan. He says in one verse, for still our ancient foe doth seek to work his woe. 00:44:43.420 --> 00:44:52.480 His craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate. He's reminding us there the cruel foe who is active. 00:44:53.619 --> 00:45:02.159 But he goes on in that hymn to speak of the one who is able to help. That God the Lord is a mighty fortress. 00:45:02.320 --> 00:45:07.880 And that we can be victorious with the right man on our side, as he describes. 00:45:07.880 --> 00:45:16.260 And who is that? Christ Jesus. It is he. That he is on our side. 00:45:17.500 --> 00:45:21.460 Christ died to free us from our sin. 00:45:22.340 --> 00:45:27.039 And so there is this gospel challenger. There is this one who seeks to hinder. 00:45:27.340 --> 00:45:31.420 How do we fight him? Well, we are too weak ourselves to do it. 00:45:31.420 --> 00:45:36.340 But the right man is on our side when we trust in Jesus. 00:45:37.860 --> 00:45:41.180 And that's the reality, the gospel challenger. 00:45:41.860 --> 00:45:47.780 Sinners in need of salvation, we have Christ Jesus on our side. 00:45:48.480 --> 00:45:51.159 But the reality is that there is that challenger. 00:45:51.720 --> 00:45:56.260 There is that active one who is trying to take us away. 00:45:56.260 --> 00:46:04.500 But then as we conclude here, we see, as well as this challenger, there is this gospel confidence. 00:46:05.680 --> 00:46:07.120 In verse 19 and 20, 00:46:07.200 --> 00:46:13.580 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? 00:46:13.980 --> 00:46:19.680 Is it not you? For you are our glory and our joy. 00:46:20.040 --> 00:46:25.840 He has this confidence that Christ is able to keep them. 00:46:26.260 --> 00:46:32.580 Sinners in need of salvation have a saviour who is Christ the Lord. 00:46:34.060 --> 00:46:39.260 Satan tried to hinder, but instead of seeing that as a problem that could not be overcome, 00:46:40.040 --> 00:46:46.460 it was an opportunity to present the glory of God and the assurance of God with them. 00:46:46.540 --> 00:46:48.720 And that they press on in hope. 00:46:49.500 --> 00:46:52.080 That they go on in hope. 00:46:52.079 --> 00:46:57.880 There are so many things that take our joy away or seek to take our joy away. 00:46:58.539 --> 00:47:00.920 But we are to stay focused on Christ. 00:47:01.960 --> 00:47:04.619 I remember sitting at Glasgow Airport one time. 00:47:05.920 --> 00:47:08.960 It was a Friday and on the Wednesday evening, I think it must have been, 00:47:09.059 --> 00:47:13.279 there was a game at Hamden Park where Scotland were playing against someone. 00:47:13.380 --> 00:47:14.559 And they'd been beaten heavily. 00:47:14.559 --> 00:47:18.000 It hadn't been a good night for Scottish football. 00:47:18.860 --> 00:47:24.179 And yet here on Friday afternoon, I was sitting in Glasgow Airport watching people going past. 00:47:25.440 --> 00:47:29.940 And every second person was wearing a Scotland top or a kilt. 00:47:30.299 --> 00:47:32.019 Big groups just going past. 00:47:32.139 --> 00:47:33.480 They were going to the next game. 00:47:33.599 --> 00:47:35.900 They were going to, must have been playing away somewhere. 00:47:36.019 --> 00:47:38.980 They were flying out to watch Scotland play the next game. 00:47:38.980 --> 00:47:44.900 Even after a heavy defeat, there were all these thousands of fans following the team, 00:47:45.099 --> 00:47:47.679 thinking it can only get better. 00:47:49.240 --> 00:47:52.659 Still with that hope of better results ahead. 00:47:54.400 --> 00:47:59.099 But as Christians, when we have our days of these results, 00:47:59.199 --> 00:48:01.280 when things don't seem to be going our way, 00:48:01.420 --> 00:48:03.800 we still have hope and a greater hope. 00:48:03.800 --> 00:48:10.060 And we can be confident in this hope because we are pressing on in Christ. 00:48:11.019 --> 00:48:17.060 And that's the hope that Paul has here for the believers of Thessalonica. 00:48:17.820 --> 00:48:19.620 These sinners in need of salvation. 00:48:20.300 --> 00:48:24.980 The hope that he has is that they will receive the joy, the crown, the boasting 00:48:24.980 --> 00:48:28.100 on the day of the Lord's return. 00:48:30.180 --> 00:48:33.400 He's encouraging to press on, to press forward. 00:48:33.800 --> 00:48:36.700 Despite these afflictions that they suffer. 00:48:37.539 --> 00:48:41.180 And you could look at Paul's own life and see, 00:48:41.300 --> 00:48:43.420 well, how could you explain this, Paul? 00:48:43.480 --> 00:48:47.000 How could you explain this gospel, this affliction? 00:48:47.160 --> 00:48:50.660 I mean, how are you going to encourage people to come and hear about Jesus 00:48:50.660 --> 00:48:54.500 when there's so much that's going to be challenging and hard and difficult? 00:48:55.340 --> 00:48:57.640 Well, Paul could look at his own life and say, 00:48:57.720 --> 00:48:59.180 well, I've gone through this. 00:48:59.179 --> 00:49:03.659 You read in 2 Corinthians 11, verse 23, 00:49:03.919 --> 00:49:06.819 and he's talking there about the false apostles, 00:49:07.599 --> 00:49:08.659 false teachers. 00:49:08.799 --> 00:49:11.719 And he says, are they servants of Christ? 00:49:13.500 --> 00:49:15.139 He says, I am a better one. 00:49:15.779 --> 00:49:18.559 I'm talking like a madman with far greater labors, 00:49:19.719 --> 00:49:20.559 far more imprisonments, 00:49:21.699 --> 00:49:25.139 with countless beatings, often near death. 00:49:25.139 --> 00:49:29.219 Five times I received the hand of the Jews, 00:49:29.359 --> 00:49:30.879 forty lashes less one. 00:49:31.460 --> 00:49:33.619 Three times I was beaten with rods, 00:49:33.839 --> 00:49:35.119 once I was stoned. 00:49:35.719 --> 00:49:37.480 Three times I was shipwrecked, 00:49:37.819 --> 00:49:39.799 a night and a day adrift at sea. 00:49:40.460 --> 00:49:43.000 Unfrequent journeys and dangers from rivers, 00:49:43.239 --> 00:49:44.319 dangers from robbers, 00:49:44.859 --> 00:49:46.179 danger from my own people, 00:49:46.379 --> 00:49:47.139 danger from Gentiles, 00:49:48.219 --> 00:49:49.079 danger in the city, 00:49:49.279 --> 00:49:50.199 danger in the wilderness, 00:49:50.519 --> 00:49:51.420 danger at sea, 00:49:52.139 --> 00:49:53.859 danger from false brothers. 00:49:53.860 --> 00:49:55.820 You think to yourself, 00:49:56.000 --> 00:49:58.019 all that is is danger and challenges. 00:49:59.460 --> 00:50:00.660 And you ask Paul, 00:50:00.780 --> 00:50:03.340 well, Paul, what are you saying to us? 00:50:05.200 --> 00:50:07.280 You suffered in all of these things. 00:50:07.559 --> 00:50:09.079 What's in it for you? 00:50:10.200 --> 00:50:11.660 Why do you do this? 00:50:12.559 --> 00:50:13.860 Why does he do it? 00:50:14.559 --> 00:50:18.280 Well, he tells us here in verse 19 and verse 20. 00:50:18.380 --> 00:50:20.920 He says, I do it for you. 00:50:20.920 --> 00:50:23.680 And I do it for the Lord, 00:50:24.599 --> 00:50:27.400 the Lord who has suffered for me. 00:50:29.280 --> 00:50:32.900 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting 00:50:32.900 --> 00:50:35.900 before our Lord Jesus at his coming? 00:50:36.460 --> 00:50:37.940 Is it not you? 00:50:38.880 --> 00:50:42.940 For you are our glory and our joy. 00:50:42.940 --> 00:50:46.039 People in Thessalonica were saying, 00:50:46.200 --> 00:50:47.519 Paul's in it for money. 00:50:48.480 --> 00:50:49.740 Paul's in it for ambition. 00:50:50.000 --> 00:50:52.039 Paul's in it in praise for himself. 00:50:52.539 --> 00:50:54.619 Paul says, you want to know why I'm in it? 00:50:55.320 --> 00:50:56.880 I'm in it for you. 00:50:58.179 --> 00:51:01.139 You sinners in need of salvation. 00:51:02.639 --> 00:51:04.220 And to put it like this, he says, 00:51:04.420 --> 00:51:06.539 this is what we are looking ahead to. 00:51:06.619 --> 00:51:08.920 This is what the hope is for the Christian. 00:51:08.920 --> 00:51:11.480 This is what the scripture says to us 00:51:11.480 --> 00:51:13.220 from our need of a sinner 00:51:13.220 --> 00:51:14.980 from the very beginning in Genesis 00:51:14.980 --> 00:51:17.360 to the end of Revelation 00:51:17.360 --> 00:51:19.300 where we see the day of the Lord 00:51:19.300 --> 00:51:21.420 and the crown of appearing 00:51:21.420 --> 00:51:23.480 before our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:51:23.599 --> 00:51:25.340 The one in that wonderful image 00:51:25.340 --> 00:51:27.940 who receives his people, 00:51:28.079 --> 00:51:29.300 who welcomes them in, 00:51:29.639 --> 00:51:31.519 who wipes away the tears. 00:51:32.320 --> 00:51:35.400 When the sinners see their salvation, 00:51:36.099 --> 00:51:37.800 they see their Savior. 00:51:38.920 --> 00:51:41.360 And that is Paul's joy. 00:51:42.619 --> 00:51:44.880 That is what makes me do this. 00:51:45.539 --> 00:51:47.920 That is the confidence I have 00:51:47.920 --> 00:51:50.579 as you see him echoing throughout his letters. 00:51:51.480 --> 00:51:54.000 That he who has begun a good work 00:51:54.000 --> 00:51:56.659 will keep you until that day. 00:51:58.519 --> 00:52:00.980 The Lord is coming. 00:52:00.980 --> 00:52:05.740 And you know in Paul's day, 00:52:06.440 --> 00:52:07.699 when people would come, 00:52:07.860 --> 00:52:08.880 important people, 00:52:09.579 --> 00:52:11.139 emperors or important figures 00:52:11.139 --> 00:52:12.219 would come into cities 00:52:12.219 --> 00:52:13.820 such as Thessalonica, 00:52:14.420 --> 00:52:16.240 the city would put a crown 00:52:16.240 --> 00:52:17.619 onto these people 00:52:17.619 --> 00:52:18.940 because they were important. 00:52:19.099 --> 00:52:21.219 They were showing their respect, 00:52:21.400 --> 00:52:22.980 their honor to that person. 00:52:22.980 --> 00:52:25.559 But when you look at this 00:52:25.559 --> 00:52:26.639 and what Paul is saying, 00:52:26.719 --> 00:52:27.940 it's almost like the reversal. 00:52:30.119 --> 00:52:32.280 The one who deserves the crown 00:52:32.280 --> 00:52:34.880 wore the crown of thorns 00:52:34.880 --> 00:52:36.420 on the cross. 00:52:36.420 --> 00:52:40.700 But what does he give to his people? 00:52:40.700 --> 00:52:44.460 What is our hope or joy or crown of boasting 00:52:44.460 --> 00:52:47.260 before our Lord Jesus at his coming? 00:52:47.680 --> 00:52:48.820 It is you. 00:52:50.159 --> 00:52:52.539 It is the fact that the Lord's people 00:52:52.539 --> 00:52:55.260 will be presented to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:52:55.260 --> 00:52:57.460 and receive that crown. 00:52:59.140 --> 00:53:01.700 Sinners need salvation. 00:53:03.100 --> 00:53:05.080 But the gospel tells us 00:53:05.080 --> 00:53:07.840 that there is a saviour. 00:53:09.200 --> 00:53:11.160 We need a gospel concern 00:53:11.160 --> 00:53:13.700 for ourselves and for others. 00:53:14.340 --> 00:53:15.620 We need to know the reality 00:53:15.620 --> 00:53:17.120 of a gospel challenger, 00:53:17.260 --> 00:53:18.640 one who seeks to hinder. 00:53:19.700 --> 00:53:20.760 But above all, 00:53:20.860 --> 00:53:23.120 we need that gospel confidence 00:53:23.119 --> 00:53:27.000 that there is a saviour for all, 00:53:27.619 --> 00:53:29.440 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:53:30.119 --> 00:53:32.900 And the offer is there to us all 00:53:32.900 --> 00:53:33.960 to come. 00:53:35.079 --> 00:53:36.799 We make our excuses. 00:53:37.940 --> 00:53:40.179 But let's not have any more excuses. 00:53:41.339 --> 00:53:42.239 Let us come, 00:53:42.900 --> 00:53:44.859 for the banquet is ready. 00:53:46.000 --> 00:53:48.839 We are sinners in need of salvation. 00:53:49.599 --> 00:53:50.559 And in Christ, 00:53:51.159 --> 00:53:52.420 we have a wonderful, 00:53:52.420 --> 00:53:54.420 wonderful and precious saviour. 00:53:54.820 --> 00:53:55.740 Let us pray. 00:53:57.599 --> 00:53:59.139 Our Father in heaven, 00:53:59.240 --> 00:54:00.139 we do rejoice 00:54:00.139 --> 00:54:02.200 in your goodness to us 00:54:02.200 --> 00:54:03.900 that in the midst of all 00:54:03.900 --> 00:54:05.420 of this world's afflictions 00:54:05.420 --> 00:54:08.019 that we have a wonderful saviour in Christ, 00:54:08.639 --> 00:54:10.260 one who has borne our sins, 00:54:10.579 --> 00:54:11.260 one who came 00:54:11.260 --> 00:54:14.480 to save sinners such as we are. 00:54:14.980 --> 00:54:15.980 And we pray, Lord, 00:54:16.039 --> 00:54:17.019 that you will help us 00:54:17.019 --> 00:54:18.880 to lean upon and look to him 00:54:18.880 --> 00:54:20.139 as the one, 00:54:20.139 --> 00:54:21.599 the only one 00:54:21.599 --> 00:54:23.279 who is able to save. 00:54:23.379 --> 00:54:24.639 Hear our prayers, Lord, 00:54:24.699 --> 00:54:25.759 and continue with us. 00:54:26.119 --> 00:54:26.980 That's all we ask. 00:54:27.059 --> 00:54:28.559 We ask in his precious name. 00:54:29.059 --> 00:54:29.359 Amen. 00:54:29.360 --> 00:54:29.500 Amen. 00:54:33.180 --> 00:54:34.980 We'll conclude by singing 00:54:34.980 --> 00:54:36.160 to God's praise 00:54:36.160 --> 00:54:37.579 in Psalm 43. 00:54:39.579 --> 00:54:41.720 This is the Sing Psalms version, 00:54:41.920 --> 00:54:42.960 Psalm 43, 00:54:43.559 --> 00:54:45.620 page 54 of the psalm books. 00:54:48.900 --> 00:54:50.880 We'll sing from verse 3 00:54:50.880 --> 00:54:52.500 to verse 5 00:54:52.500 --> 00:54:53.620 to the end of the psalm. 00:54:54.480 --> 00:54:55.980 The tune is rocking him. 00:54:55.980 --> 00:54:57.440 O send your light forth 00:54:57.440 --> 00:54:58.360 and your truth. 00:54:58.500 --> 00:54:59.559 Let them direct me 00:54:59.559 --> 00:55:00.300 in your grace 00:55:00.300 --> 00:55:00.980 and bring me 00:55:00.980 --> 00:55:02.780 to your holy hill 00:55:02.780 --> 00:55:05.599 and to your sacred dwelling place. 00:55:05.679 --> 00:55:07.460 We'll sing from verse 3 to 5 00:55:07.460 --> 00:55:08.780 to God's praise. 00:55:08.780 --> 00:55:09.179 Amen. 00:55:09.179 --> 00:55:21.139 O send your light forth and your truth. 00:55:21.139 --> 00:55:24.639 Let them die 00:55:24.639 --> 00:55:30.519 in your grace 00:55:30.519 --> 00:55:31.980 and bring me 00:55:31.980 --> 00:55:32.980 and bring me 00:55:32.980 --> 00:55:33.759 and bring me 00:55:33.759 --> 00:55:38.980 to your holy hills 00:55:38.980 --> 00:55:48.219 and to your sacred dwelling place. 00:55:48.219 --> 00:55:53.179 And to God's altar 00:55:53.179 --> 00:55:57.179 I will move 00:55:57.179 --> 00:55:59.779 to God 00:55:59.779 --> 00:56:01.779 my joy 00:56:01.779 --> 00:56:05.679 and my delight 00:56:05.679 --> 00:56:12.519 and I will face you 00:56:12.519 --> 00:56:16.139 with the hand 00:56:16.139 --> 00:56:20.440 O God you are 00:56:20.440 --> 00:56:25.519 my God of might 00:56:25.519 --> 00:56:31.759 What are you 00:56:31.759 --> 00:56:32.480 about 00:56:32.519 --> 00:56:33.980 Christ 00:56:33.980 --> 00:56:34.800 sua 00:56:34.800 --> 00:56:35.400 나는 00:56:35.400 --> 00:56:35.599 For 00:56:35.599 --> 00:56:36.579 Why are you 00:56:36.579 --> 00:56:38.440 倒 00:56:38.619 --> 00:56:39.679 lest 00:56:41.719 --> 00:56:42.980 spirit 00:56:42.980 --> 00:56:44.820 utan 00:56:45.179 --> 00:56:45.920 iska 00:56:45.920 --> 00:56:46.019 Declaration 00:56:46.019 --> 00:56:47.259 ируj 00:56:47.259 --> 00:56:47.880 ins 00:56:47.880 --> 00:56:48.599 hen 00:56:48.759 --> 00:56:49.599 With 00:56:50.159 --> 00:56:50.699 name 00:56:50.699 --> 00:56:51.980 drained 00:56:52.099 --> 00:56:53.099 and 00:56:53.099 --> 00:56:53.900 ücken 00:56:55.519 --> 00:57:03.340 Savior and thy God is King. 00:57:05.559 --> 00:57:06.840 Close to the benediction. 00:57:07.280 --> 00:57:10.280 Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, 00:57:10.719 --> 00:57:12.619 Father, Son and Holy Spirit 00:57:12.619 --> 00:57:15.019 rest upon and abide with you all 00:57:15.019 --> 00:57:16.699 now and forevermore. 00:57:17.079 --> 00:57:17.420 Amen. 00:57:20.099 --> 00:57:21.300 As I was saying, 00:57:21.400 --> 00:57:22.960 if you would just remain in your seats 00:57:22.960 --> 00:57:23.619 for a few minutes, 00:57:23.619 --> 00:57:25.960 I'm going to invite Scott to come forward. 00:57:26.199 --> 00:57:28.819 I thought Fiona's disappeared as well. 00:57:37.099 --> 00:57:38.359 I'll just come down. 00:57:53.619 --> 00:58:02.779 And you come. 00:58:02.780 --> 00:58:14.320 Do you want to sit down? 00:58:14.320 --> 00:58:21.539 All right, folks. 00:58:21.660 --> 00:58:24.340 Well, many of you are aware 00:58:24.340 --> 00:58:26.140 that Scott and Fiona have practically moved.