WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.280 I want to extend a very warm welcome to everybody this morning and particularly any who may 00:00:05.280 --> 00:00:06.200 be visiting with us. 00:00:06.259 --> 00:00:10.980 It's nice to have you here and trust that we'll all know God's blessing and also a welcome 00:00:10.980 --> 00:00:13.259 to those who are joining us online. 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:22.300 Just a small intimation sheet because of the holidays, so just take your time reading through 00:00:22.300 --> 00:00:22.460 it. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:29.100 The one thing to Mr McKeever, the minister, developed a very sore throat and has lost 00:00:29.100 --> 00:00:34.500 his voice, so he'll be unable to take the service this evening, so I'm going to take 00:00:34.500 --> 00:00:35.120 that service. 00:00:35.240 --> 00:00:38.920 So that's the only change that's there. 00:00:39.480 --> 00:00:46.939 We're going to begin singing in Psalm 146, Psalm 146, and we're going to sing, and this 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:53.820 is from the Scottish Psalter, which is on page 445 and verses 1 to 7, the tune of St. Stephen. 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:58.960 Praise God. 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:01.159 The Lord praise, O my soul. 00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:05.640 I'll praise God while I live, while I have being to my God. 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:07.700 In songs I'll praises give. 00:01:08.460 --> 00:01:13.359 Trust not in princes nor man's son, in whom there is no stay. 00:01:13.879 --> 00:01:16.579 His breath departs, to his earth he turns. 00:01:16.719 --> 00:01:18.700 That day his thoughts decay. 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:25.700 O happy is that man and blessed, whom Jacob's God doth aid, whose hope upon the Lord doth 00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:31.320 rest, and on his God is stayed, who made the earth and heavens high, who made the swelling 00:01:31.320 --> 00:01:38.040 deep, and all that is within the same, who truth doth ever keep, who righteous judgment 00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:38.760 executes. 00:01:38.900 --> 00:01:45.760 For those oppressed that be, who to the hungry giveth food, God sets the prisoners free. 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:49.780 Psalm 146, verses 1 to 7. 00:01:49.880 --> 00:01:51.620 The tune is St. Stephen. 00:01:51.620 --> 00:01:57.620 St. Stephen. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:01:58.620 Praise God. 00:01:58.620 --> 00:02:00.540 Praise God the Lord. 00:02:00.680 --> 00:02:01.620 Praise God the Lord. 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:04.620 Praise O my soul. 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:09.879 And praise God the Father. 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:26.879 Why I have thee, into my God, in songs and praises dear. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:43.099 Trust not in Prince's Norman Son, in whom there is no fear. 00:02:43.099 --> 00:03:00.139 His bloody heart, whose earth he turns, the King's thoughts he came. 00:03:00.139 --> 00:03:16.419 O happy is that man unplest, whom Jacob's God can be. 00:03:16.419 --> 00:03:33.859 Whose hope upon the Lord the rest, and on his God is safe. 00:03:33.860 --> 00:03:50.240 Who made the earth of heaven's high, who made the swelling deep. 00:03:50.240 --> 00:04:06.240 And all of us within the city, who truth doth ever be. 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:23.240 Her righteous judgment executes, for those so present like me. 00:04:23.240 --> 00:04:40.100 Where to the hungry give a good God sets the blissful tree. 00:04:42.100 --> 00:04:44.040 Let us pray. 00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:50.939 O Lord our God, as we bow in your presence today, 00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:56.460 we pray that we might be able to praise you with all our being, as long as we live. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:04.439 Your word tells us that the grave doesn't praise you, but in life we do. 00:05:05.200 --> 00:05:07.680 And so we pray that while we have the opportunity, 00:05:08.439 --> 00:05:11.840 that we might give you the praise and honour that is due to your name, 00:05:11.839 --> 00:05:14.139 for you are worthy of all praise and honour. 00:05:15.159 --> 00:05:18.479 Throughout an endless eternity, that's what the saints in glory do. 00:05:19.419 --> 00:05:23.259 And so we pray that as we live out our days here in this world, 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:26.899 that we might be found as people of praise. 00:05:27.819 --> 00:05:34.859 And that we may be engaged in recognising your wonderful works in everything. 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:39.939 We have to confess, Lord, that we do not understand you, 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:44.580 or able to grasp the immensity of who you are. 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:47.680 Because your ways are not our ways. 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:52.120 The things that sometimes appear logical and right to us 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:54.900 are not the way that you think at all. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:58.920 But you have revealed to us many of the things, 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:03.400 although there are hidden things that have not been revealed to us about yourself. 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:06.379 You have chosen to reveal a lot. 00:06:06.839 --> 00:06:09.259 And we give thanks for your word, 00:06:09.419 --> 00:06:12.519 which opens up to us, to our understanding, 00:06:12.719 --> 00:06:16.259 and through your spirit is able to teach us great things, 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:20.679 so that we're able to lay hold upon more and more of just who you are, 00:06:20.739 --> 00:06:22.620 of the nature, the character of God. 00:06:23.679 --> 00:06:26.199 And so we pray that as we gather before you, 00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:29.560 we may seek to give you everything that we have, 00:06:30.139 --> 00:06:32.139 that we may lay ourselves before you. 00:06:32.139 --> 00:06:34.560 And we come so often, when we come under your word, 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:36.919 we are reminded of what we are. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:39.019 And we look at our own lives, 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:41.539 and we see so much of the failure and the sin 00:06:41.539 --> 00:06:44.500 that is such a blot upon who we are. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:47.199 And often when we come under your word, 00:06:47.339 --> 00:06:52.219 we begin to have new intentions of seeking to obey you better. 00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:56.660 But Lord, we know that we are so bound by sin, 00:06:56.660 --> 00:07:01.520 and it causes us to walk with a spiritual limp in our lives. 00:07:02.320 --> 00:07:05.600 But we give thanks for the forgiveness that your word promises 00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:08.520 when we come to you confessing your sin. 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:11.880 And we pray that right now we may be able to do that, 00:07:11.960 --> 00:07:14.020 all of us, from the oldest to the youngest, 00:07:14.440 --> 00:07:17.420 that we will confess our sin within our own heart, 00:07:18.140 --> 00:07:21.180 knowing that you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins, 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:24.400 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:28.220 We pray, Lord, that you will open your word to us today, 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:30.560 that we will hear what God the Lord will speak, 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:34.060 knowing that to his folk he speaks peace. 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:38.560 We pray, Lord, that you will bless us as a congregation. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:41.360 We give thanks, Lord, for the new settlement 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:44.699 as Callum Murdo and Joanne have come with us and their family. 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:49.360 And we give thanks, Lord, for the gifts that you have equipped them with. 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:53.480 And we pray, Lord, that they will be a great blessing to us 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:54.459 and we to them. 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:57.420 We pray for Mr. McKeever just now, 00:07:57.500 --> 00:08:01.180 that you will restore him to full health and strength again soon. 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:04.340 And we thank you for his ministry here 00:08:04.340 --> 00:08:07.300 and pray that you will uphold him and Donna and the family. 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:10.699 Lord, our God, we give thanks for all your servants, 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:12.840 for all who proclaim your word, 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:16.300 for all who are working for you day and night. 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:18.879 We remember Muriel in Cambodia. 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:21.680 We commit her to you and ask that you will be with her 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:27.980 and that you will help her in all the challenges that she faces day by day. 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:31.259 We remember all the missionaries throughout this world. 00:08:31.780 --> 00:08:32.720 Some we know. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:34.899 Probably most we don't. 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:37.860 But we give thanks for all the missionary agencies 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:41.159 that are involved in bringing the gospel 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:43.759 into all the areas of this world. 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:46.399 And we give thanks for the wonderful way 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:48.060 that the gospel touches hearts. 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:50.139 And right throughout this world, 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:52.820 there is a massive global spread of the gospel 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:55.480 that the media doesn't report on. 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:58.560 But we give thanks, Lord, that you know everyone 00:08:58.560 --> 00:09:01.300 that is calling upon your name. 00:09:02.220 --> 00:09:03.600 We pray to bless us here. 00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:06.080 We pray for the tweenies who are in with us just now 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:08.779 and be with them as they make their way back to the hall. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:09.759 We give thanks, Lord, 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:13.539 for all who give of their time and talent and energy 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:16.000 at all the different levels. 00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:19.700 Although the Sunday school is on holiday just now, 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:22.220 we pray for all the Sunday school teachers 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:26.600 and for all who help in the creche and in the tweenies. 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:29.440 And we pray for all the work that's done, 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:32.140 all the youth work and all who are involved in that. 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:33.960 We commit them to your care and keeping. 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:36.360 Pray for our school teachers. 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:38.780 And we ask, Lord, that you'll be with them at this time, 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:40.040 at holiday time. 00:09:40.140 --> 00:09:41.379 And remember all the children. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:42.600 Watch over them. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.200 And we remember the work of the camps. 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:45.280 And we give thanks, Lord, 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:48.259 for the great work that goes on throughout the holidays. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:52.160 And pray that your protection will be known 00:09:52.160 --> 00:09:54.980 and that there will be a great work taking place, 00:09:55.660 --> 00:09:58.840 that seed will be sown and many people come to faith. 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:00.680 Lord, bless us as a nation. 00:10:01.180 --> 00:10:01.840 We need you. 00:10:02.660 --> 00:10:04.400 Lord, we seem to be reeling like, 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:06.300 as it says in the psalm, 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:08.200 they reel and stagger like one drunk. 00:10:08.680 --> 00:10:10.560 But we haven't sometimes realized 00:10:10.560 --> 00:10:11.860 that we're at our woods end. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:15.659 O Lord, may we nationally begin to cry to you. 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:17.680 That almost seems impossible. 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:20.759 But we know that nothing is impossible with you. 00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:22.019 Have mercy upon us. 00:10:22.460 --> 00:10:23.659 Deliver us from ourselves, 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:25.960 from our own stupidity. 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:28.919 And help us, Lord, to have a focus upon yourself. 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:31.300 Lord, we pray then for our leadership. 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:33.860 We ask, Lord, in this time of great instability 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:35.759 throughout this world, 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:38.820 that a greater stability will be brought in. 00:10:38.820 --> 00:10:42.520 And we know that as long as people walk away from the gospel, 00:10:43.040 --> 00:10:44.760 and the more that they push you away, 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:47.080 the more you give us up to ourselves, 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:48.879 the worse things will be. 00:10:49.560 --> 00:10:51.920 Lord, be gracious to us, we pray. 00:10:52.400 --> 00:10:53.500 Bless those who are ill. 00:10:53.680 --> 00:10:56.320 We ask your healing hand to be upon them. 00:10:57.200 --> 00:10:58.960 We pray for those who mourn, 00:10:59.020 --> 00:11:02.260 and we remember the McLeod family in Plasterfield. 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:04.780 Lord, we commit them to your care and keeping. 00:11:04.779 --> 00:11:08.500 And we ask for all whose hearts are sore and heavy 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:09.659 because of bereavement. 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:13.019 Bring in the oil of healing 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:16.799 that you alone can bring into broken hearts. 00:11:17.319 --> 00:11:19.019 We ask, Lord, for our elderly 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:21.819 and those who are coming to the end of their days. 00:11:22.459 --> 00:11:24.939 We pray for any who still don't know you. 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:27.079 Oh, that you would turn them to yourself. 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:29.259 Watch over us then, we pray, 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:32.000 and grant us your grace as we wait upon you. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:34.320 And cleanse us from our every sin. 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:35.799 In Jesus' name we ask it. 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:36.480 Amen. 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:42.639 Just a wee word to the young folk. 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:45.059 And there are a few around, 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:47.000 and of course we've got the tweenies here. 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:51.639 We know that young people are always asking questions. 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:52.460 And that's good. 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:55.720 Of course, it's not just young people that ask questions. 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:57.519 We all ask questions. 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:59.179 It doesn't matter how old we are. 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:01.139 We're always asking questions. 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:03.720 But it's good to ask questions 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:06.500 because it's one of the ways that we learn. 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:08.779 And you know, 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:13.399 God has given us many great things, 00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:15.240 but two of the greatest things 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:16.939 that he has ever given to us. 00:12:17.199 --> 00:12:18.179 One is the Bible. 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:22.240 And when you're in tweenies and in Sunday school, 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:24.379 you learn about the Bible. 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:27.019 The other great thing God has given us 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:28.100 is prayer, 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:30.600 where we speak to him. 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:32.980 The Bible is God speaking to us. 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:34.779 We speak to God in prayer. 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:38.759 So taking the questions that young people, 00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:40.340 and I'm sure you all ask, 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:42.720 with regard to life, 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:45.419 but I'm going to turn these questions 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:47.860 of the who and the what 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:49.460 and the when and the where 00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:51.860 and all these things that young people always ask. 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:52.919 You're always asking, 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:53.340 what, 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:54.200 when, 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:55.100 where, 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:55.820 why, 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:56.759 all these things. 00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:59.039 So the first thing we'll say is, 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:01.480 who should pray? 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:03.159 Who's able to pray? 00:13:04.180 --> 00:13:05.340 Maybe you say to yourself, 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:06.500 I'm too wee to pray. 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.600 Oh no, you're not. 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.539 All of you here today, 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:10.919 you can all pray. 00:13:12.060 --> 00:13:13.580 From the youngest person 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:15.480 to the oldest person, 00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:18.160 you're all able to pray. 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:19.860 God doesn't say to anybody, 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.259 you're too young 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:23.460 or you're too old to pray. 00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:24.259 Isn't that wonderful? 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:27.220 As soon as you're able to talk, 00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:28.820 you're able to pray. 00:13:30.160 --> 00:13:31.000 And then you say, 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:32.600 what do we pray about? 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:35.520 What do you pray about? 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:37.379 Well, do you know what the Bible tells us? 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.140 Everything. 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:40.340 Isn't that amazing? 00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:41.460 Everything. 00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:41.580 Everything. 00:13:42.920 --> 00:13:44.080 Imagine if God said, 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:44.639 well, you can, 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.780 there's only a few things 00:13:45.780 --> 00:13:46.620 you can pray about. 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.660 But he doesn't. 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:49.139 He says, 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.980 in everything, 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.340 pray. 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.280 So it doesn't matter 00:13:54.280 --> 00:13:55.600 how big the thing is, 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:56.860 it doesn't matter 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:58.340 how little the thing is, 00:13:58.860 --> 00:14:00.300 you can bring it to God 00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:01.740 and pray about it. 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:03.800 And again, 00:14:03.920 --> 00:14:04.639 we have to ask, 00:14:05.040 --> 00:14:06.220 when can we pray? 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:09.160 Do you know the great thing? 00:14:09.680 --> 00:14:10.100 Anytime. 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:12.620 You can be in your bed 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.560 and you can pray. 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:15.480 You can be in here 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.320 and you can pray. 00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:17.680 You can, 00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:19.879 during the day, 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.740 during the night, 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:21.660 anywhere, 00:14:22.280 --> 00:14:23.100 at any time, 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.139 you can pray. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.800 That's the wonderful thing about it. 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.040 And again, 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:27.560 we ask, 00:14:27.920 --> 00:14:28.960 where do we pray? 00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:29.500 Well, 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:30.139 obviously, 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.340 we've just prayed here. 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:32.860 But again, 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:33.680 you can pray, 00:14:34.040 --> 00:14:35.540 not just at any time, 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:36.800 but anywhere. 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:37.000 Where? 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.339 You can pray in tweenies, 00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:40.419 you can pray at home, 00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:42.139 you can pray in the playground, 00:14:42.339 --> 00:14:42.819 at nursery, 00:14:43.319 --> 00:14:44.120 at school, 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:45.819 you can pray with your friends, 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:47.259 you can pray with your family, 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:48.459 you can pray in bed, 00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:49.559 you can pray at breakfast, 00:14:49.959 --> 00:14:51.139 you can pray anytime. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.419 And then we ask, 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:55.679 why should we pray? 00:14:56.959 --> 00:14:57.339 Well, 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:57.919 above all, 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.579 we pray 00:14:58.579 --> 00:15:01.120 so that we get to know God better. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:03.220 And there's nobody better 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:04.840 in the whole wide world 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:05.700 that we could know 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:06.720 than God. 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:09.100 You ask God, 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.120 help me, 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:10.480 Lord, 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:12.440 to know you better. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.259 And do you know something? 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:16.659 The more time you spend 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.539 with someone, 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.560 the more you get to know 00:15:19.560 --> 00:15:20.159 that person. 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.919 And the more time you spend 00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:24.039 speaking to God, 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:26.180 the more you'll get to know. 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:28.279 So remember that. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:29.639 Remember, 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:31.039 as we said there, 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.100 the who, 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.100 the what, 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:34.019 the when, 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:35.039 the where, 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:35.960 the why, 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.100 about prayer. 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:39.879 Because God has given us this 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.940 anytime, 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:42.000 anywhere, 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:44.060 day or night, 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:46.460 and we can pray about anything. 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.340 Remember that. 00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:49.500 So we're now going to pray. 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:50.679 We're going to pray 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:51.779 the Lord's Prayer. 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.799 Our Father, 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:55.019 who art in heaven, 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.960 hallowed be thy name. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.960 Thy kingdom come, 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.940 thy will be done on earth, 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.220 as it is in heaven. 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.279 Give us this day 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:05.200 our daily bread, 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.299 and forgive us our debts, 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:09.179 as we forgive our debtors. 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:11.639 And lead us not into temptation, 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:14.039 but deliver us from evil. 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.860 For thine is the kingdom, 00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:17.360 power and the glory, 00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:18.340 forever. 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:19.299 Amen. 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.519 We're going to sing again 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.659 in Psalm 73, 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:24.440 again from the Scottish Psalter. 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:26.280 Psalm 73, 00:16:26.280 --> 00:16:28.640 from the Scottish Psalter. 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:34.240 And we're going to sing 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.360 from verse 23, 00:16:35.520 --> 00:16:37.680 which we find on page 316. 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.520 Psalm 73, 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.500 verse 23. 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.860 Nevertheless, 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:42.980 nevertheless, 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.080 continually, 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.080 O Lord, 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:45.980 I am with thee. 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:47.820 Thou dost me hold 00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:49.320 by my right hand, 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:51.019 and still upholdest me. 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.659 Thou with thy counsel 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.419 while I live, 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:55.159 wilt me conduct and guide, 00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:57.120 and to thy glory afterward 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:58.679 receive me to abide. 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:01.120 Whom have I in the heavens high, 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.460 but thee, O Lord, 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:02.899 alone? 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.099 And in the earth 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.079 whom I desire, 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.799 besides thee there is none. 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.559 My flesh and heart 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.799 doth faint and fail, 00:17:09.919 --> 00:17:11.720 but God doth fail me never. 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.279 For of my heart 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.379 God is a strength 00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:16.299 and portion forever. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.319 We're going to sing 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:18.619 from verse 23 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:19.899 to the end of the Psalm 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:21.000 on page 316, 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:22.579 Psalm 73, 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.799 and the tune is Tiverton, 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:24.839 Nevertheless, 00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.259 Continually. 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:32.679 Nevertheless, 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.679 continually, 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:37.680 O Lord, 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.680 O Lord, 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:41.680 I am with thee. 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:46.080 Thou dost me hold 00:17:46.080 --> 00:17:49.400 by my right hand, 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:54.680 and still upholdest me. 00:17:56.360 --> 00:17:59.960 Thou with thy counsel 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:03.039 while I live, 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:05.899 will be called 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:08.920 the God of the night, 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:15.599 and to thy glory afterward 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:22.480 receive me to abide. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:30.440 Whom have I in the heavens high, 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:33.440 but thee, O Lord, 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.220 O Lord, 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.440 alone? 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:39.440 And in the earth 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:42.440 whom I desire, 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:49.440 besides thee there is none. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:54.440 My flesh and heart 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:57.440 doth faint and fail, 00:18:57.440 --> 00:19:03.440 but God doth fail me never. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:07.440 For of my heart 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:11.440 God is the strength 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:16.440 and portion forever. 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:18.440 For Lord, 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.440 For Lord, 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.440 Lord, 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.440 Lord, 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:22.440 may thou 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:25.440 that are far from thee 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:29.440 forever perish, 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.440 shall. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:35.440 Then that a-boring from thee go, 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:37.440 thou hast destroyed all. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.440 But surely it is good for me, 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.440 thou hast destroyed all. 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:42.440 But surely it is good for me, 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:45.440 that I draw near to God. 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:49.440 But surely it is good for me, 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:51.440 that I draw near to God. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:20:16.440 In God I trust that all thy words I may declare upon. 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:18.440 For Lord, 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:25.440 I am going to read God's word now in the book of the Revelation. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.440 Revelation chapter 3. 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:31.440 Revelation chapter 3. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:33.440 Revelation chapter 3. 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:40.440 Revelation 3. 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.440 Revelation 3. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.440 From the beginning, 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:44.440 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:48.440 The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:50.440 I know your works. 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:54.440 You have the reputation of being alive, but you're dead. 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:59.440 Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:03.440 for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:08.440 Remember then what you received and heard, keep it and repent. 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:13.440 If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:18.440 and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:21.440 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:24.440 people who have not soiled their garments, 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:28.440 and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:32.440 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:36.440 and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:41.440 I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:46.440 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:49.440 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:52.440 The words of the Holy One, the true one, 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:54.440 who has the key of David, 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:59.440 who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:02.440 I know your works. 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:05.440 Behold, I have set before you an open door, 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:07.440 which no one is able to shut. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:10.440 I know that you have but little power, 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:14.440 and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:18.440 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:22.440 who say they are Jews and are not, but lie. 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:26.440 Behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:29.440 and they will learn that I have loved you. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:33.440 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:38.440 I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:41.440 to try those who dwell on the earth. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:43.440 I am coming soon. 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:48.440 Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:53.440 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:56.440 Never shall he go out of it. 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:59.440 And I will write on him the name of my God, 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:03.440 and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:06.440 which comes down from my God out of heaven, 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:09.440 and my own new name. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:14.440 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:18.440 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write, 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:22.440 The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:24.440 the beginning of God's creation. 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:26.440 I know your works. 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:29.440 You are neither cold nor hot. 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:32.440 Would that you were either cold or hot. 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:36.440 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:38.440 I will spit you out of my mouth. 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:44.440 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:50.440 not realizing that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:54.440 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:57.440 so that you may be rich in white garments, 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:59.440 so that you may clothe yourself, 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:02.440 and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:07.440 and solved to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:10.440 Those whom I love I reprove and discipline, 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:12.440 so be zealous and repent. 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:15.440 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:19.440 If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:23.440 I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:28.440 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:33.440 as I also conquered, and sat down with my father on his throne. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:39.440 He who was an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:43.440 Amen. And may God bless to us this reading of his own holy word. 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:48.440 We're going to sing again and sing psalms this time in Psalm 118. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:56.440 Psalm 118, we sing from verses 15 to verse 24. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:58.440 And the tune is, 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:01.440 Psalm 118, that's on page 156. 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:07.440 Verse 15 of Psalm 118. 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:12.440 Triumphant shouts of joy resound in places where the righteous dwell. 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:15.440 The Lord's right hand is lifted high, 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:18.440 His mighty hand does all things well. 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:21.440 I shall not die, but I shall live. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:24.440 The Lord's great works I will proclaim. 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:29.440 The Lord severely chastened me and rescued me from death's domain. 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:32.440 Throw wide the gates of righteousness. 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:34.440 I'll enter and give thanks to God. 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:40.440 This is the gate of God through which the righteous come before the Lord. 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:45.440 From verse 15 through to verse 24 of Psalm 118. 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.440 Tune as we are in. 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:49.440 Triumphant shouts of joy resound. 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:54.440 Triumphant shouts of joy resound. 00:25:54.440 --> 00:26:02.440 I have found shouts of joy resound. 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:10.440 In places with the righteous dwell. 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:12.440 Triumphant shouts of joy resound. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:20.440 Triumphant shouts of joy resound. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:28.820 This mighty hand that's all things well. 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:38.340 I shall not die, but I shall live. 00:26:38.340 --> 00:26:46.340 The Lord's big words I will proclaim. 00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:56.159 The Lord's severe, rechasing me, 00:26:56.559 --> 00:27:04.339 But rescued me from death's domain. 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:14.599 Though wide the gates of righteousness 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:24.419 I'll enter and give thanks to God. 00:27:24.419 --> 00:27:31.559 This is the King of God 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:37.419 Through which the righteous come 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:43.079 Before the Lord. 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:52.899 You answered me, I will advance 00:27:52.899 --> 00:28:00.899 Salvation comes from you alone. 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:10.720 The stone the builders had refused 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:20.539 That's now beyond the cornerstone 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:50.539 00:28:50.539 --> 00:29:20.539 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:22.359 The true one. 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.359 The true one. 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.359 Who has the key of David. 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:27.359 Who opens and no one will shut. 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:30.359 Who shuts and no one opens. 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:37.179 I suppose in the main letter writing today is largely gone. 00:29:37.179 --> 00:29:40.179 Letter writing used to be very much the way 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:44.000 The way that we communicated with one another. 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:48.000 We either phoned people or else we wrote people. 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:50.000 Of course today there's so many different ways 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:53.819 Of texting and messaging and getting in touch with people. 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:57.819 But, and it's a shame that letter writing 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:59.639 Because it was almost an art. 00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:03.639 And it's still nice when somebody writes a letter. 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:07.639 And I'm sure we all when we get a letter we enjoy, enjoy reading it. 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:13.000 Well, here we have probably the greatest letters ever written 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:17.460 Because these are letters that have come from the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:23.460 And they came to what is known as the letters to the seven churches in Asia. 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:32.840 And the thing is that in these letters Jesus reveals to each church exactly how things are. 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:37.779 Because we're always going to remember that the Lord sees completely differently 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:39.840 To the way that you and I see. 00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:41.680 We see in the surface. 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:45.460 We see what's obvious to us. 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:48.779 We make assessments about how things are. 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:53.440 But sometimes our assessments can be way off the mark. 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:55.440 We think we know. 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.440 But often we don't. 00:30:56.440 --> 00:31:00.440 And I think there's a classic example of this here. 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:06.440 When we read there that the church for instance in Sardis, 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:10.440 The previous church we read about at the beginning of this chapter, 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:16.440 They were a church that there was no doubt that they were a church that people talked about. 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:18.440 Because we see what it says. 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.440 I know your works. 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:23.440 You have a reputation of being alive. 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:28.440 If people said, you know, people would be saying in that day, 00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:30.440 Do you know where you want to go? 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:33.440 If you want to go to a vibrant church. 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:36.440 If you want to go to a church where things are really happening, 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:38.440 Go to Sardis. 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:40.440 That was the talk. 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:41.440 That's how people thought. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.440 That's what they thought. 00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:44.440 We're really alive. 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:46.440 What does God say? 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.440 No, you're not. 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:49.440 You're dead. 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:52.440 Isn't that quite a frightening thought? 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:56.440 That a church that thought they were vibrant and alive, 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:58.440 That God said, actually, you're not. 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.440 You're dead. 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:01.440 You see, God sees how it really is. 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:04.440 He sees right into the heart of each one of us. 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:07.440 He knows who we are, what we are. 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:10.440 He knows how we interact with one another. 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.440 He knows our motives. 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:14.440 He knows what we do and why we do. 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.440 He knows our thoughts. 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:18.440 He knows everything about us. 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:22.440 And so that's actually, it's a very, very solemn thing. 00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:26.440 So that's what God is saying of that church in Sardis, 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:27.440 That they are dead. 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:29.440 Just like the church in Laodicea, 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:32.440 The last church in this chapter, 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:34.440 Excuse me, that's spoken of. 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:37.440 Again, they thought they were doing really well. 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:41.440 In fact, they thought that they were doing so well 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:43.440 That they didn't need anything. 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:46.440 They said, you know, we're really getting on. 00:32:46.440 --> 00:32:47.440 We're really prospering. 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:51.440 They actually say, we have need of nothing. 00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:55.440 God's assessment of them was the very opposite. 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:57.440 He said, you know what I'd like to do? 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:59.440 I'd like to spit you out of my mouth. 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:03.440 That's how bad he found that church. 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:09.440 And so, these things, I suppose, challenge us. 00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:13.440 Within a congregation or within the church calendar, 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:17.440 We have what are known as quenal visitations. 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:21.440 Every five years, the Presbyty will visit a congregation. 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:27.440 And they will be able to kind of assess how things are going. 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:32.440 And while these can be quite robust examinations, 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:37.440 And they can get a fair assessment of how things are going. 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:41.440 It's not a real accurate assessment like the Lord would give. 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:45.440 Because the Lord is visiting us all the time. 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:47.440 And he's seeing how things really are. 00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:49.440 He knows how we came to church today. 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:53.440 He knows the attitude of heart we have. 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:55.440 He knows what we think of one another. 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:59.440 Do we come with things in our heart against others? 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:03.440 If so, that's going to militate in our worship. 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:07.440 If we come with things against someone, 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:09.440 It's going to militate against us in our prayers. 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:11.440 Remember what the Lord says, 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:13.440 If you've got anything against someone, 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:15.440 You've got to deal with that first before you pray. 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:19.440 All these things are obstacles to our spiritual life. 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:22.440 All these things grieve God's spirit. 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:27.440 And so, it's very important that we're always examining ourselves. 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:31.440 Of course, Mr. McKeever just now is doing a study on the church. 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:34.440 A very in-depth, a good study. 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:39.440 And one of the things we're realizing is that the church in the New Testament age, 00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:41.440 Of course, is the people of God. 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:47.440 And so, we've got to take all these things to heart as we look at this. 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:50.440 Now, Jesus, the Lord here is giving this. 00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:53.440 He gives a self-declaration to each church. 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:59.440 And he says, excuse me, that he is the holy one and the true one. 00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:03.440 That means that there is no sin or deception. 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:07.440 There is no hint of injustice in the Lord. 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:09.440 He is altogether true. 00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:15.440 Everything that he is, everything that he does is perfect. 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:16.440 It is true. 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:17.440 It is righteous. 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:19.440 It is holy. 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:21.440 It is altogether right. 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:26.440 Remember how Abraham said, shall not the judge of all the earth do right. 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:29.440 And that's exactly what the Lord does. 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:34.440 And then, he goes on to say, who has the keys of David? 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:36.440 Who opens and no one will shut? 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:39.440 Who shuts and no one opens? 00:35:39.440 --> 00:35:43.440 Now, of course, we know that keys are absolutely essential in life. 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:48.440 That a key opens and a key closes. 00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:51.440 And that's exactly how it is. 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:53.440 We're dependent upon keys. 00:35:53.440 --> 00:36:00.440 If, for instance, Roddy was to have lost the keys of the church this morning, which obviously he wouldn't, we wouldn't be in here today. 00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:02.440 It's the keys that are as important as that. 00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:05.440 So keys open and keys lock. 00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:12.440 And so we find here that, saying here, Jesus says that he has the keys of David. 00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:16.440 So we've got to ask ourselves, what do we understand by this? 00:36:16.440 --> 00:36:24.440 Well, if we go back to the Old Testament, we remember how the nation of Israel, they came to a point where they wanted to have a king. 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:27.440 Just like all the other nations round about. 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:31.440 And so the Lord said, okay, a king will be given. 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:35.440 And, of course, you remember that the first king that was chosen was Saul. 00:36:35.440 --> 00:36:41.440 And although Saul had a very good beginning, he very quickly, he fell away. 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:43.440 And Saul was replaced by David. 00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:47.440 And God said, I will give you a man after my own heart. 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:48.440 My choice. 00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:52.440 And, of course, he gave them David, King David. 00:36:52.440 --> 00:37:02.440 And David and his kingdom was a kind of a symbol, a type of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:07.440 Now, we read about the key of David in Isaiah chapter 22. 00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:13.440 Because there was a man of God there who took over from a very worldly man called Shebna. 00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:19.440 And it says here, and I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. 00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:21.440 He shall open and none shall shut. 00:37:21.440 --> 00:37:24.440 And he shall shut and none shall open. 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:34.440 And this key actually opened, this key opened the door to all the wealth and all the power and all the influence of the king. 00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:36.440 It was a very, very important key. 00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:39.440 It was a key that opened to all these things. 00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:42.440 And that's what Jesus is saying. 00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:44.440 He said, that's the key I have. 00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:46.440 I have the key to everything. 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:49.440 I have the key that opens. 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:53.440 In fact, Jesus, as he talks about, he's not just a key, he's a door. 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:55.440 He says, I am the door. 00:37:55.440 --> 00:38:01.440 And so here we find that Jesus is saying, he is the key to life. 00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:07.440 Now, you and I know that many, many people today, in fact, we would say that everybody in life, 00:38:07.440 --> 00:38:10.440 is kind of looking for the meaning of life. 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:11.440 What's it about? 00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:12.440 Where am I going? 00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:15.440 What's it all about? 00:38:15.440 --> 00:38:18.440 And so many people are striving for certain things. 00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:25.440 Some people say, well, you know, if I get wealth, if I get influence, if I get power, 00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:30.440 so many people want a wee bit of power, a wee bit of influence, a wee bit of wealth, a wee bit of popularity, 00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:32.440 a wee bit of, if I get this, if I get that. 00:38:32.440 --> 00:38:35.440 People strive for this in life. 00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:42.440 And, you know, these things, they cannot ultimately satisfy. 00:38:42.440 --> 00:38:44.440 Guaranteed, if you get wealth, you want more. 00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:47.440 If you get power, you want more. 00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:49.440 If you get influence, you want more. 00:38:49.440 --> 00:38:54.440 Nobody who has wealth or influence or power is ever satisfied with what they have. 00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:56.440 They always want more of it. 00:38:56.440 --> 00:39:00.440 And it's one of the hardest things where they have to give up. 00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:09.440 And so these things are, they're fleeting things and they're never satisfying things in and of themselves. 00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:14.440 Because ultimately it's not things that satisfy, but a passion. 00:39:14.440 --> 00:39:15.440 That's Jesus. 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:17.440 And he is the key. 00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:19.440 He's the key to life. 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:25.440 And may I say to anybody in here today who has not found that Jesus is the key to life, 00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:27.440 you don't know what you're missing. 00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:34.440 Because life, when you take Jesus, it's like turning a key and opening a door. 00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:39.440 All of you who are Christians, do you remember what happened when you came to faith? 00:39:39.440 --> 00:39:41.440 It was like, just like that. 00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:47.440 It was like getting a key to opening a door that ushered you into a new world. 00:39:47.440 --> 00:39:49.440 Where you saw things differently. 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:53.440 Where you looked at things in a different way. 00:39:53.440 --> 00:39:56.440 There was a new perspective on life. 00:39:56.440 --> 00:39:59.440 Your movement came from yourself to the Lord. 00:39:59.440 --> 00:40:02.440 You began to see God. 00:40:02.440 --> 00:40:04.440 You began to see God's hand in everything. 00:40:04.440 --> 00:40:08.440 You began to think about yourself in relation to God. 00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:10.440 What can I do for God? 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:13.440 How can I serve God? 00:40:13.440 --> 00:40:17.440 Before you became a Christian, serving God was never on your agenda. 00:40:17.440 --> 00:40:20.440 You never really thought about, you know, I really need to serve God. 00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:21.440 What can I do? 00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:22.440 You do. 00:40:22.440 --> 00:40:24.440 But when you become a Christian, you thought about it. 00:40:24.440 --> 00:40:30.440 And the Lord gives us a sphere of service, wherever we are, wherever we live, whatever we're doing. 00:40:30.440 --> 00:40:39.440 It isn't simply like, say, you say to yourself, well, I can only be a servant, give service to the Lord if I'm a minister or an office payer. 00:40:39.440 --> 00:40:40.440 No. 00:40:40.440 --> 00:40:45.440 Every Christian is giving service to the Lord wherever you are. 00:40:45.440 --> 00:40:47.440 In the home, at work. 00:40:47.440 --> 00:40:50.440 Your place is your ministry. 00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:52.440 It's your field of service. 00:40:52.440 --> 00:40:56.440 And so when you become a Christian, that's what happens. 00:40:56.440 --> 00:40:58.440 One of the things that happens. 00:40:58.440 --> 00:41:06.440 The Lord takes you into this new place where life changes in so many different ways for you. 00:41:06.440 --> 00:41:11.440 And so the Lord says, I've got this key, this key that opens up. 00:41:11.440 --> 00:41:16.440 And he opens up treasures for us that the world can never give. 00:41:16.440 --> 00:41:19.440 He gives us his peace. 00:41:19.440 --> 00:41:21.440 He gives hope. 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:24.440 You know, you look out in the world today. 00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:26.440 There are so many people. 00:41:26.440 --> 00:41:29.440 And they are feeling utterly hopeless. 00:41:29.440 --> 00:41:32.440 There is so much despair in their heart. 00:41:32.440 --> 00:41:34.440 There's so much despair around. 00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:37.440 When we look at the uncertainty of this world. 00:41:37.440 --> 00:41:46.440 And with the whole war in Ukraine and climate change and the whole financial restraints that are placed upon us. 00:41:46.440 --> 00:41:50.440 And food is going up and energy bills and everything is going up. 00:41:50.440 --> 00:41:53.440 And people saying we're living in a hopeless world. 00:41:53.440 --> 00:41:55.440 And there's not a truth in that. 00:41:55.440 --> 00:41:58.440 But there's one place of hope. 00:41:58.440 --> 00:42:00.440 And that is in Jesus Christ. 00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:02.440 He gives hope. 00:42:02.440 --> 00:42:04.440 Because when he gives himself, he gives hope. 00:42:04.440 --> 00:42:09.440 That's one of the things we sang about that in Psalm 146. 00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:11.440 And money can't buy. 00:42:11.440 --> 00:42:13.440 Influence can't get you hope. 00:42:13.440 --> 00:42:16.440 Power can't get you hope. 00:42:16.440 --> 00:42:18.440 Can't get you peace. 00:42:18.440 --> 00:42:20.440 Can't get you the joy of the Lord. 00:42:20.440 --> 00:42:23.440 These things are things money can't buy. 00:42:23.440 --> 00:42:25.440 Influence can't get you. 00:42:25.440 --> 00:42:27.440 Power can't get you. 00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:30.440 But Jesus gives them to you free. 00:42:30.440 --> 00:42:31.440 Because he is the key. 00:42:31.440 --> 00:42:40.440 He is the key to this wealth of his own spiritual blessings and resources. 00:42:40.440 --> 00:42:45.440 And all of us understand that when we come to faith in Christ. 00:42:45.440 --> 00:42:49.440 Doesn't mean that every day we're filled with his peace and filled with his joy. 00:42:49.440 --> 00:42:51.440 Maybe some of you today aren't. 00:42:51.440 --> 00:42:52.440 But it's still there. 00:42:52.440 --> 00:42:55.440 And it will rise back up again. 00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:57.440 Maybe today you're feeling a bit down. 00:42:57.440 --> 00:43:00.440 Maybe today you say, I've lost the joy of the Lord. 00:43:00.440 --> 00:43:02.440 I don't know the peace I once had. 00:43:02.440 --> 00:43:04.440 These things happen sometimes. 00:43:04.440 --> 00:43:06.440 But they haven't been removed. 00:43:06.440 --> 00:43:10.440 And you'll again experience them in their fullness. 00:43:10.440 --> 00:43:13.440 But a key, as we know, doesn't just open. 00:43:13.440 --> 00:43:14.440 A key also locks. 00:43:14.440 --> 00:43:15.440 It closes. 00:43:15.440 --> 00:43:16.440 It closes. 00:43:16.440 --> 00:43:22.440 If you've got valuables, we often use the expression, we put them under lock and key. 00:43:22.440 --> 00:43:24.440 Under somewhere safe. 00:43:24.440 --> 00:43:27.440 So that they'll be secure. 00:43:27.440 --> 00:43:34.440 And when you go to bed at night, unless sometimes, what often happens, we forget to lock our doors. 00:43:34.440 --> 00:43:37.440 But normally, we lock our doors when we go to bed at night. 00:43:37.440 --> 00:43:42.440 Because we want to keep ourselves, our family, everybody safe and secure. 00:43:42.440 --> 00:43:46.440 And you know, that's what the Lord does as well with that key. 00:43:46.440 --> 00:43:49.440 When we come to him, he says, you know what? 00:43:49.440 --> 00:43:51.440 I'm going to lock you into myself. 00:43:51.440 --> 00:43:57.440 From this day on, you are the safest, most secure person in this whole wide world. 00:43:57.440 --> 00:44:01.440 Your world might tumble around you. 00:44:01.440 --> 00:44:03.440 Everybody might leave you. 00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:05.440 But I'm still watching you. 00:44:05.440 --> 00:44:06.440 Not just watching you. 00:44:06.440 --> 00:44:08.440 I've got you safe. 00:44:08.440 --> 00:44:13.440 You are as secure today as ever you will be. 00:44:13.440 --> 00:44:15.440 And that's one of the wonderful things. 00:44:15.440 --> 00:44:21.440 Not just for our days in this world and for time, but right throughout eternity. 00:44:21.440 --> 00:44:23.440 The Lord has you. 00:44:23.440 --> 00:44:30.440 As he says in John's Gospel, that he has his sheep in his hand. 00:44:30.440 --> 00:44:33.440 And then it mentions in the Father's hand. 00:44:33.440 --> 00:44:37.440 And there is no force or no grip in this world. 00:44:37.440 --> 00:44:39.440 There's no force in this world. 00:44:39.440 --> 00:44:44.440 And even supposing all the forces and powers of hell gather together. 00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:50.440 To try to prise open the hand of the Lord to get you out. 00:44:50.440 --> 00:44:52.440 It cannot happen. 00:44:52.440 --> 00:44:54.440 You cannot be safer. 00:44:54.440 --> 00:44:58.440 You cannot be more secure than in the hand of the Lord. 00:44:58.440 --> 00:45:03.440 Because he has locked you with that key into himself forever. 00:45:03.440 --> 00:45:10.440 In fact, in Revelation chapter 1, it tells us, speaks to us about the keys. 00:45:10.440 --> 00:45:18.440 And tells us here in verse 18 or verse 17, fear not, I am the first and the last. 00:45:18.440 --> 00:45:19.440 This is what Jesus says. 00:45:19.440 --> 00:45:23.440 And the living one, I died and behold, I am alive forevermore. 00:45:23.440 --> 00:45:26.440 And I have the keys of death and of hate. 00:45:26.440 --> 00:45:29.440 Use this awful enemy, death. 00:45:29.440 --> 00:45:31.440 We know what death does. 00:45:31.440 --> 00:45:32.440 It invades. 00:45:32.440 --> 00:45:35.440 It takes away those whom we love. 00:45:35.440 --> 00:45:36.440 It takes away family. 00:45:36.440 --> 00:45:38.440 It takes away friends. 00:45:38.440 --> 00:45:39.440 Cold hand. 00:45:39.440 --> 00:45:42.440 We use the expression cold hand of death. 00:45:42.440 --> 00:45:45.440 And there's nothing colder in all this world than death. 00:45:45.440 --> 00:45:47.440 It's that enemy. 00:45:47.440 --> 00:45:48.440 That last enemy. 00:45:48.440 --> 00:45:51.440 And it's something that we recoil from. 00:45:51.440 --> 00:45:57.440 But you know the wonderful thing is, we don't even need to be afraid of death. 00:45:57.440 --> 00:46:02.440 That hope that Jesus gives us is a hope that's there for death. 00:46:02.440 --> 00:46:06.440 Because the wonderful thing is, Jesus says, you know, see death. 00:46:06.440 --> 00:46:09.440 I've actually gone beforehand for you. 00:46:09.440 --> 00:46:10.440 I died for you. 00:46:10.440 --> 00:46:13.440 I went to the cross for you. 00:46:13.440 --> 00:46:16.440 I went and I bore your sins upon myself. 00:46:16.440 --> 00:46:18.440 I did all that. 00:46:18.440 --> 00:46:22.440 But I went under the power of death. 00:46:22.440 --> 00:46:24.440 I went under the power of the grave. 00:46:24.440 --> 00:46:26.440 I was laid into the grave. 00:46:26.440 --> 00:46:28.440 But you know what? 00:46:28.440 --> 00:46:29.440 I rose up. 00:46:29.440 --> 00:46:30.440 I'm the living one. 00:46:30.440 --> 00:46:31.440 That's what he says. 00:46:31.440 --> 00:46:33.440 I'm alive forever more. 00:46:33.440 --> 00:46:35.440 And I have conquered. 00:46:35.440 --> 00:46:36.440 I have the key of death. 00:46:36.440 --> 00:46:38.440 I've conquered it. 00:46:38.440 --> 00:46:40.440 I have the key of the grave. 00:46:40.440 --> 00:46:42.440 I have conquered it. 00:46:42.440 --> 00:46:43.440 Isn't that wonderful? 00:46:43.440 --> 00:46:54.440 Jesus is saying, I am the personal guarantee that what happened to me on that Easter morning will happen to you as well. 00:46:54.440 --> 00:47:10.440 And when it says that I have the keys of death and of Hades, Hades is really, sometimes it's translated as hell, but it is actually the unseen world that is beyond death. 00:47:10.440 --> 00:47:13.440 And that involves the grave. 00:47:13.440 --> 00:47:16.440 It does involve hell and it involves heaven. 00:47:16.440 --> 00:47:25.440 It involves, Hades is really the unseen world that takes place after and which does also involve the grave. 00:47:25.440 --> 00:47:38.440 And so, this is the amazing thing that we said that although Satan will do his worst and Satan will try and derail you as a Christian. 00:47:38.440 --> 00:47:43.440 You know, Satan, the day you become a Christian, you're a marked man in hell. 00:47:43.440 --> 00:47:46.440 And Satan will follow you everywhere. 00:47:46.440 --> 00:47:48.440 And he will try and derail you. 00:47:48.440 --> 00:47:52.440 He will try and spoil your enjoyment of Christianity. 00:47:52.440 --> 00:47:59.440 He will sow seeds of doubt in your mind regarding other Christians and regarding God's promises to you. 00:47:59.440 --> 00:48:04.440 He will do anything and everything to keep the joy of the Lord away from you. 00:48:04.440 --> 00:48:08.440 He will tempt you and try you constantly. 00:48:08.440 --> 00:48:11.440 And he will want to ruin your witness. 00:48:11.440 --> 00:48:13.440 And that's why we need to pray for one another. 00:48:13.440 --> 00:48:19.440 Because there are forces far greater than ourselves out to destroy us every single day. 00:48:19.440 --> 00:48:20.440 You've got to remember that. 00:48:20.440 --> 00:48:23.440 So pray for yourself and pray for one another. 00:48:23.440 --> 00:48:26.440 And he wants to take your soul to hell. 00:48:26.440 --> 00:48:27.440 But you know what? 00:48:27.440 --> 00:48:28.440 He can't. 00:48:28.440 --> 00:48:29.440 He cannot. 00:48:29.440 --> 00:48:30.440 He cannot. 00:48:30.440 --> 00:48:33.440 No matter how much he tries, he cannot. 00:48:33.440 --> 00:48:38.440 The Lord will never, ever, ever lose one that he has saved. 00:48:38.440 --> 00:48:40.440 And that's a great and a wonderful thing. 00:48:40.440 --> 00:48:50.440 And so Jesus, who has the keys, and remember these are the keys that when he locks, nobody can open. 00:48:50.440 --> 00:48:54.440 And when he opens, nobody can shut. 00:48:54.440 --> 00:48:57.440 And that's a wonderful thing here. 00:48:57.440 --> 00:49:02.440 That in the whole domain of death, Jesus is Lord. 00:49:02.440 --> 00:49:03.440 He's in control. 00:49:03.440 --> 00:49:07.440 He alone knows the destiny of each soul. 00:49:07.440 --> 00:49:09.440 You know, people come forward. 00:49:09.440 --> 00:49:14.440 People come to profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, which is a wonderful thing. 00:49:14.440 --> 00:49:17.440 And they come before the Kirk session. 00:49:17.440 --> 00:49:23.440 And the Kirk session, they hear the person will say about, they'll be able to say that they love the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:49:23.440 --> 00:49:25.440 We want to hear that confession. 00:49:25.440 --> 00:49:27.440 Because it's biblical. 00:49:27.440 --> 00:49:29.440 We're told, confess Christ. 00:49:29.440 --> 00:49:31.440 Believe in the heart and confess with the mouth. 00:49:31.440 --> 00:49:40.440 But you know, at the end of the day, a Kirk session has no power over the destiny of any soul. 00:49:40.440 --> 00:49:46.440 Kirk session can only deal with what is seen outwardly. 00:49:46.440 --> 00:49:48.440 The Lord alone knows. 00:49:48.440 --> 00:49:53.440 And you know, we've always got to remember the Lord our God is merciful. 00:49:53.440 --> 00:49:54.440 And he is gracious. 00:49:54.440 --> 00:49:56.440 And he's long suffering. 00:49:56.440 --> 00:49:58.440 And he's slow to wrath. 00:49:58.440 --> 00:50:01.440 And he's not willing that any should perish. 00:50:01.440 --> 00:50:03.440 That's what the word says. 00:50:03.440 --> 00:50:05.440 And what does that not give us hope? 00:50:05.440 --> 00:50:07.440 Does that not give you hope? 00:50:07.440 --> 00:50:09.440 If today you are outside Christ. 00:50:09.440 --> 00:50:12.440 That he's not willing that any should perish. 00:50:12.440 --> 00:50:15.440 And today the invitation is there to you to come to him. 00:50:15.440 --> 00:50:17.440 He's got outstretched arms. 00:50:17.440 --> 00:50:20.440 He's inviting you today if you haven't got right with God. 00:50:20.440 --> 00:50:22.440 And he will give you this hope. 00:50:22.440 --> 00:50:25.440 Not only for time, but also for eternity. 00:50:25.440 --> 00:50:27.440 That's the wonderful thing. 00:50:27.440 --> 00:50:28.440 So he is Lord. 00:50:28.440 --> 00:50:31.440 He is Lord over death as well. 00:50:31.440 --> 00:50:34.440 He is Lord over the destiny of the soul. 00:50:34.440 --> 00:50:41.440 And we've got to remember that we all one day will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. 00:50:41.440 --> 00:50:47.440 On that day he will be displayed in all his royal glory and grandeur. 00:50:47.440 --> 00:50:50.440 Not as a babe of Bethlehem. 00:50:50.440 --> 00:50:54.440 But the king immortal and all powerful. 00:50:54.440 --> 00:50:58.440 And for those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:50:58.440 --> 00:51:01.440 We've said this often enough before. 00:51:01.440 --> 00:51:04.440 He will give them exactly what they wanted. 00:51:04.440 --> 00:51:10.440 But it's only then that they will discover what rejection actually means. 00:51:10.440 --> 00:51:15.440 You see rejection in this world is different to rejection forever. 00:51:15.440 --> 00:51:19.440 Because rejection in this world the Lord is still present. 00:51:19.440 --> 00:51:22.440 In this world his common grace is extended. 00:51:22.440 --> 00:51:25.440 His mercy is, remember what it says, 00:51:25.440 --> 00:51:28.440 Good unto all men is the Lord. 00:51:28.440 --> 00:51:31.440 To everybody God is good. 00:51:31.440 --> 00:51:34.440 But that changes at death. 00:51:34.440 --> 00:51:37.440 That changes in hell. 00:51:37.440 --> 00:51:40.440 And that's the solemnity of it. 00:51:40.440 --> 00:51:44.440 When people say, surely the Lord cannot at the end of the day reject people. 00:51:44.440 --> 00:51:49.440 Well at the end of the day the Lord only gives to people what they've chosen. 00:51:49.440 --> 00:51:51.440 What they wanted in life. 00:51:51.440 --> 00:51:54.440 If people say, I don't want Jesus. 00:51:54.440 --> 00:52:00.440 Jesus at the end will say, alright, I'm going to give you what you wanted in life. 00:52:00.440 --> 00:52:02.440 You didn't want me. 00:52:02.440 --> 00:52:04.440 Here you are forever. 00:52:04.440 --> 00:52:07.440 It's a solemn thought. 00:52:07.440 --> 00:52:13.440 So that's why it is so important that here in life and time that we get right with God. 00:52:13.440 --> 00:52:14.440 And that's what Jesus is. 00:52:14.440 --> 00:52:19.440 I want you today, if you're still outside, to get right with me. 00:52:19.440 --> 00:52:25.440 And so we find that here Jesus has the keys. 00:52:25.440 --> 00:52:28.440 And so we have the keys of death. 00:52:28.440 --> 00:52:30.440 And keys of the grave. 00:52:30.440 --> 00:52:32.440 And keys of heaven. 00:52:32.440 --> 00:52:33.440 And keys of hell. 00:52:33.440 --> 00:52:39.440 But you know for the Christian, as we think of death, which is inevitably coming. 00:52:39.440 --> 00:52:40.440 Do you know something? 00:52:40.440 --> 00:52:43.440 Death actually is your servant. 00:52:43.440 --> 00:52:46.440 Death is for you. 00:52:46.440 --> 00:52:48.440 And you may say that's strange. 00:52:48.440 --> 00:52:51.440 It is, in a sense. 00:52:51.440 --> 00:52:58.440 But in 1 Corinthians, the apostle gives a list of all the things that are for the Christian. 00:52:58.440 --> 00:53:03.440 And included in that list is death. 00:53:03.440 --> 00:53:05.440 That death is for you. 00:53:05.440 --> 00:53:11.440 Death is a chariot that takes you from this world into the presence of the Lord. 00:53:11.440 --> 00:53:22.440 So, although we know that death and the grave and these things are, we talk of the finality, and we've said it so often, the finality of the grave. 00:53:22.440 --> 00:53:24.440 But we've got to remember that the grave is temporary. 00:53:24.440 --> 00:53:27.440 It's a temporary resting place for the body. 00:53:27.440 --> 00:53:29.440 The soul has gone to glory. 00:53:29.440 --> 00:53:32.440 The body is resting in the grave till the resurrection. 00:53:32.440 --> 00:53:41.440 And just when the earth is filled in and the turf rolled over, it's just like going to bed at night for the body. 00:53:41.440 --> 00:53:45.440 Because that's just like there's the blanket, there's the duvet. 00:53:45.440 --> 00:53:47.440 Resurrection morning, it's all opened. 00:53:47.440 --> 00:53:51.440 The body rises to be reunited with the soul. 00:53:51.440 --> 00:53:53.440 That's hope. 00:53:53.440 --> 00:53:56.440 There's nothing else in this world. 00:53:56.440 --> 00:54:00.440 Does anybody else have a message other than the Lord? 00:54:00.440 --> 00:54:02.440 So much hope as that. 00:54:02.440 --> 00:54:03.440 No. 00:54:03.440 --> 00:54:08.440 So today, let us hear the voice of the one who says, I've got the keys. 00:54:08.440 --> 00:54:10.440 I've got the keys of life. 00:54:10.440 --> 00:54:12.440 I've got the keys of death. 00:54:12.440 --> 00:54:14.440 I've got the keys of the afterlife. 00:54:14.440 --> 00:54:18.440 Come to me and put your hand in my hand. 00:54:18.440 --> 00:54:19.440 Let's pray. 00:54:19.440 --> 00:54:21.440 Lord our God, we pray to bless us. 00:54:21.440 --> 00:54:25.440 And we give thanks for tying together and being able to reflect on your word. 00:54:25.440 --> 00:54:29.440 Oh Lord, help us to hear what you say to us. 00:54:29.440 --> 00:54:30.440 Time is short. 00:54:30.440 --> 00:54:33.440 May we indeed put our hand in your hand. 00:54:33.440 --> 00:54:35.440 That hand that's outstretched to us. 00:54:35.440 --> 00:54:38.440 Take away from us our every sin we pray. 00:54:38.440 --> 00:54:39.440 In Jesus name. 00:54:39.440 --> 00:54:40.440 Amen. 00:54:40.440 --> 00:54:44.440 We're going to conclude singing in Psalm 16. 00:54:44.440 --> 00:54:45.440 And sing Psalms. 00:54:45.440 --> 00:54:47.440 Psalm number 16. 00:54:47.440 --> 00:54:50.440 And we're going to sing from verse 8 to the end. 00:54:50.440 --> 00:54:52.440 The tune is Golden Hill. 00:54:52.440 --> 00:54:55.440 Psalm 16. 00:54:55.440 --> 00:54:57.440 Sing Psalms. 00:54:57.440 --> 00:54:59.440 And you'll find that on page 17. 00:54:59.440 --> 00:55:00.440 Psalm 16. 00:55:00.440 --> 00:55:03.440 Before me constantly I set the Lord alone. 00:55:03.440 --> 00:55:07.440 Because he is at my right hand, I'll not be overthrown. 00:55:07.440 --> 00:55:09.440 Therefore my heart is glad. 00:55:09.440 --> 00:55:11.440 My tongue with joy will sing. 00:55:11.440 --> 00:55:16.440 My body too will rest secure in hope unwavering. 00:55:16.440 --> 00:55:19.440 For you will not allow my soul in death to stay. 00:55:19.440 --> 00:55:23.440 Nor will you leave your Holy One to see the tombs decay. 00:55:23.440 --> 00:55:27.440 You have made known to me the path of life divine. 00:55:27.440 --> 00:55:29.440 Bliss shall I know at your right hand. 00:55:29.440 --> 00:55:31.440 Joy from your face will shine. 00:55:31.440 --> 00:55:32.440 8 to the end. 00:55:32.440 --> 00:55:33.440 Psalm 16. 00:55:33.440 --> 00:55:36.440 Before me constantly. 00:55:40.440 --> 00:55:52.440 Before me constantly I set the Lord alone. 00:55:52.440 --> 00:56:09.440 Because he is at my right hand, I'll not be overthrown. 00:56:09.440 --> 00:56:16.440 Therefore my heart is glad. 00:56:16.440 --> 00:56:23.440 My tongue with joy will sing. 00:56:23.440 --> 00:56:41.440 My body too will rest secure in hope unwavering. 00:56:41.440 --> 00:56:54.440 For you will not allow my soul in death to stay. 00:56:54.440 --> 00:56:55.440 Not will you leave your Holy One to see the tombs decay. 00:56:55.440 --> 00:56:56.440 You have made known to me the path of life divine. 00:56:56.440 --> 00:56:57.440 You have made known to me the path of life divine. 00:56:57.440 --> 00:56:58.440 You have made known to me the path of life divine. 00:56:58.440 --> 00:56:59.440 You have made known to me the path of life divine. 00:56:59.440 --> 00:57:00.440 You have made known to me the path of life divine. 00:57:00.440 --> 00:57:05.440 You have made known to me the path of life divine. 00:57:05.440 --> 00:57:11.139 To see the tombs decay. 00:57:13.440 --> 00:57:20.139 You have made known to me. 00:57:20.139 --> 00:57:27.139 The path of life divine. 00:57:27.139 --> 00:57:33.139 Blessed shall I know. 00:57:33.139 --> 00:57:38.139 At your right hand. 00:57:38.139 --> 00:57:46.139 Joy from your face will shine. 00:57:46.139 --> 00:57:52.139 Now may the grace, mercy and peace of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 00:57:52.139 --> 00:57:56.139 Rest and abide upon each one of you now and forevermore. Amen. 00:57:56.139 --> 00:57:59.139 I will go to the. 00:58:26.139 --> 00:58:28.139 Thank you. 00:58:28.139 --> 00:58:29.139 Thank you. 00:58:29.139 --> 00:58:31.139 Thank you. 00:58:31.139 --> 00:58:34.139 Thank you. 00:58:34.139 --> 00:58:38.139 Thank you. 00:58:38.139 --> 00:58:40.139 Thank you. 00:58:40.139 --> 00:58:41.139 Thank you. 00:58:41.139 --> 00:59:11.119 Thank you.