WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.020 Well, we begin our worship this evening by singing to God's praise. 00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:05.620 We're singing in Psalm 50, the first version of the Psalm, 00:00:06.560 --> 00:00:09.880 on page 276 of the Psalm books. 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:14.200 Psalm 50, the first version, verse 1 to verse 6, 00:00:15.019 --> 00:00:19.640 we'll be reminded of how the Lord calls us to worship, how he speaks. 00:00:19.740 --> 00:00:23.379 The mighty God, the Lord, has spoken and did call. 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:27.100 The earth from rising of the sun to where he hath his fall. 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:31.340 From out of Sion Hill we chow excellency and beauty. 00:00:31.600 --> 00:00:34.820 The perfection is God shined gloriously. 00:00:35.400 --> 00:00:40.520 We'll sing from verse 1 to verse 6, the tune is Dennis, and we stand to sing. 00:00:57.100 --> 00:00:59.100 The Lord, has spoken and did call. 00:00:59.100 --> 00:01:15.099 The earth from rising of the sun to where he hath his fall. 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:34.099 From out of Sion Hill, which of excellency and beauty, 00:01:34.099 --> 00:01:46.099 the perfection is God shined gloriously. 00:01:46.099 --> 00:01:48.079 It's theman that before the heaven was delivered to the heaven of Sion Hill, 00:01:48.219 --> 00:01:49.099 which is the name of Sion Hill more than why I was gonna say, 00:01:49.299 --> 00:01:51.099 His love, and way to mark this one of his fares. 00:01:51.099 --> 00:01:52.000 The nation accounted for the broken days, 00:01:52.459 --> 00:01:56.000 by all over much for the sea. 00:01:56.099 --> 00:02:00.759 moved gr Please tell the world to chợ Że of the War. 00:02:00.759 --> 00:02:01.719 I am네 Caerksaver and I aḿer board, 00:02:01.799 --> 00:02:04.439 and I am � Danske naif. 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:20.439 The Lord in fire shall waste great storms, shall round the fountain be. 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:36.500 Unto the heavens near, he from above shall fall. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:53.500 Unto the earth, like wise the deep, may judge his people all. 00:02:53.500 --> 00:03:08.500 You can't let my sins unto the other deep. 00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:17.500 Those art, white, sark, and white, shall be. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:25.500 Are coming on with me. 00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:40.500 And then the heavens shall its righteousness declare. 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:58.500 Because the Lord himself is chief, by whom men judge shall die. 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:06.000 We come to God in prayer. Let us pray. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:07.000 Amen. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:05:06.000 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:36.000 00:05:36.000 --> 00:06:06.000 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:36.000 00:06:36.000 --> 00:07:06.000 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:11.459 Marvel and amazed at the word of our Lord and the person who is Jesus Christ. 00:07:11.959 --> 00:07:14.379 The word that became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:17.920 And so we pray for your power in all of these things. 00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:25.379 We pray, Lord, that you will help us as we gather as your people here to have prayerful hearts. 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:27.800 To have hearts for your kingdom. 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:32.519 To have hearts, O Lord, to pray for your kingdom to come in our midst. 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:35.199 For how we need you, Lord, in these days. 00:07:35.919 --> 00:07:38.759 How we long for you to come in your power. 00:07:39.299 --> 00:07:42.519 How we long for you, Lord, to revive us as a people. 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:44.519 Revive us as a nation. 00:07:44.699 --> 00:07:45.859 Revive us as a world. 00:07:46.539 --> 00:07:50.039 When we see in our own experience, Lord, and with our own eyes. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:52.839 How frail we are as a people. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:58.599 How often we hear of or see others, Lord, who are suffering in different ways. 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:04.540 How often we maybe look at ourselves, O Lord, and see our ever-changing bodies and features. 00:08:05.260 --> 00:08:07.900 How quickly the years go on and pass us by. 00:08:08.580 --> 00:08:14.760 But, Lord, we pray that in the midst of all that changes around us, that we would see the one who changes not. 00:08:15.320 --> 00:08:17.840 The one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:22.319 And that we would recognize, O Lord, the urgency of the gospel. 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:25.479 That we would recognize it for ourselves personally. 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:28.799 That we would recognize it for those around us, too. 00:08:29.399 --> 00:08:31.479 That there are many who are perishing this day. 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:35.000 Who are lost, O Lord, and heading for a lost eternity. 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:38.259 And we pray, Lord, that you will burden us in prayer. 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:41.679 And to pray for your spirit to come in power. 00:08:42.319 --> 00:08:44.600 To come, O Lord, and convict and convert. 00:08:44.600 --> 00:08:49.040 To come, as we have seen in your word in many generations. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:52.360 As we have seen in our own islands, in our own nation. 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:53.759 And so many nations of the world. 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:56.500 Down through every generation, Lord. 00:08:56.560 --> 00:09:01.379 You have brought many people to feel that they are in a powerful position. 00:09:02.060 --> 00:09:06.220 Many people and generations who feel there is no need of God. 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:08.680 That we can go on in our own strength. 00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:12.959 But so often you remind us that we come to the point and recognize. 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:15.319 That apart from you, we can do nothing. 00:09:15.859 --> 00:09:19.079 You bring us to see the error of our ways. 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:22.059 And we pray, Lord, that you will do that in our land. 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:24.699 And for our people far and wide. 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:26.879 That you will bring us to see, O Lord. 00:09:26.939 --> 00:09:28.399 That as we cast you out. 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:30.819 We are casting out all that is good. 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:32.459 All that is right. 00:09:32.979 --> 00:09:34.639 All that is godly. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:36.259 And for our gain. 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:39.299 O Lord, we can do nothing without you. 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:41.240 So, Lord, may you come. 00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:44.179 May you bless those in authority over us. 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:45.879 May you bless them, Lord, we pray. 00:09:45.960 --> 00:09:49.480 As we have seen and continue to see the turmoil of our nation. 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:54.360 In political ways and in practical ways throughout our land. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:58.159 O Lord, we see so much that has changed so quickly. 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:02.100 But we pray, Lord, that you will teach us in the midst of it all. 00:10:02.719 --> 00:10:04.299 To look to and trust in you. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:06.079 That you will help us to be courageous. 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:07.759 To be bold. 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:11.120 To be a people of strong conviction for your cause. 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:13.019 And to uphold it, Lord. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:14.740 To speak of it. 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:16.279 The wonders of your grace. 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:17.919 The wonders of salvation. 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:22.319 The wonders that you can do for all of your people. 00:10:23.079 --> 00:10:25.299 And so we ask, O Lord, that you will hear us. 00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:27.059 As we call upon you. 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:30.359 Remember us too in our homes and in our families. 00:10:30.979 --> 00:10:33.079 We thank you for this holiday time. 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:35.000 When we have visitors in our midst. 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:39.039 And when many of our own people will be traveling to and fro as well. 00:10:39.739 --> 00:10:42.299 We thank you for friends and families being together. 00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:44.659 And even with us here this evening. 00:10:45.299 --> 00:10:47.319 And we pray, Lord, your blessing on us. 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:48.279 In all our homes. 00:10:48.479 --> 00:10:50.259 And in all our different needs. 00:10:50.359 --> 00:10:52.019 As we commit ourselves to you. 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:54.879 We thank you that you are the one who is near. 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:57.080 And the one who is able to help. 00:10:57.340 --> 00:11:00.019 Whether it be in times of joy and gladness. 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:03.059 Or whether it be in times of sorrow and sadness. 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:07.720 And we do, Lord, commit to you all that goes on among our people. 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:09.259 Remember those who are unwell. 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:11.379 Remember those who are in hospital. 00:11:11.899 --> 00:11:14.279 Remember those who are laid aside at this time. 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:16.139 Lord, that you will draw near. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:20.320 That you will take anyone who is worried and anxious. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:22.920 That they will be able to cast their burdens upon you. 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:25.879 For you are the God who cares for us. 00:11:26.520 --> 00:11:29.720 We do pray, Lord, your blessing over us in that way. 00:11:30.160 --> 00:11:32.460 For all who mourn and grieve at this time. 00:11:32.900 --> 00:11:35.980 We pray comfort and blessing towards them. 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:38.600 That you, O Lord, as the God of all comfort. 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:41.080 Will come and draw near to them. 00:11:41.780 --> 00:11:43.360 We give you thanks too, Lord. 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:46.640 For weddings coming up in these coming days. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:48.199 We pray for Emma and Donald. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:52.819 We pray for them as they come together, Lord. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:53.879 That you will bless them. 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:55.240 That you will watch over them. 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:57.899 We pray for Gary and Catherine too, Lord. 00:11:57.939 --> 00:12:01.199 That you will be with them in their upcoming wedding day as well. 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:04.000 We ask, O Lord, that you will surround them as couples. 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:05.319 As families. 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:07.120 That your good hand be with them. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:09.799 That you will bless them not just in this coming week. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:12.039 But in all the days ahead, O Lord. 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:13.799 That you will surround them with your love. 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:16.100 With your grace and with your mercy. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:19.399 We ask all things now, Lord, looking to you. 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:20.860 That you would go before us. 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:23.159 Even into this week ahead, O Lord. 00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:26.100 Look after our children and school teachers. 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:28.279 And all the staff during holiday times. 00:12:28.439 --> 00:12:31.240 And as we approach Easter weekend as well. 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:34.220 As we think of all that has been done for us. 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:37.539 As we remember our Lord who came into this world. 00:12:37.659 --> 00:12:39.179 To seek and to save sinners. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:43.120 As we consider the great price that he bore for us. 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:45.700 As he went to the cross at Calvary. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:47.480 As there he died. 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:49.539 The death that we deserved. 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:52.980 There he bore the pains and the sins of this world. 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:55.039 But we thank you that in it all. 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:57.820 In all the darkness of Good Friday. 00:12:58.460 --> 00:13:01.139 That there is the hope of the resurrection too. 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:04.299 That on the third day he rose again. 00:13:04.299 --> 00:13:08.679 And that he rose triumphantly over death and over sin. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:12.599 And may we rejoice in the hope of the resurrection. 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:17.240 May it be blessed to people far and wide in these coming days. 00:13:17.459 --> 00:13:18.939 To remember the Lord. 00:13:19.339 --> 00:13:20.399 And to look to him. 00:13:20.939 --> 00:13:22.899 So Lord, we ask we'll do that even now. 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:25.359 That we'll be able to fix our eyes on Jesus. 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.359 And our praise. 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:27.079 And our worship. 00:13:27.599 --> 00:13:29.839 And all that we do would be to your glory. 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:32.300 And with the forgiveness of all our sins. 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:34.500 As we ask it in Jesus name. 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:35.340 Amen. 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:40.660 Let's continue to sing to God's praise. 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:42.639 This time we're singing in Psalm 111. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:45.960 Again the Scottish Psalter version. 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.100 Psalm 111. 00:13:47.560 --> 00:13:50.600 We'll sing from verse 1 to verse 5. 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:54.300 Psalm 111 at verse 1. 00:13:54.780 --> 00:13:57.180 Praise ye the Lord with my whole heart. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.980 I will God's praise declare. 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:03.720 Where the assemblies of the just and congregations are. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:06.139 We'll sing from verse 1 to 5. 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.519 In the tune is Winchester. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:09.320 We stand to sing. 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:09.420 Amen. 00:14:13.420 --> 00:14:19.519 Praise ye the Lord with my whole heart. 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:23.920 I will God's praise declare. 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:37.039 Where the assemblies of the just and congregations are. 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:42.039 The home of the Lord with my whole heart. 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:44.120 The home of the Lord with my heart. 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:49.039 And great love of all measure. 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:56.299 So turn they are of every one. 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:57.339 That doth tarde about the home. 00:14:57.339 --> 00:15:01.159 That doth very snake pleasure. 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:08.879 His one most honour of ours. 00:15:09.219 --> 00:15:14.579 Most glorious and pure. 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:25.580 And his unchanging righteousness forever doth endure. 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:38.580 It works most wonderful he hath made to be thought upon. 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:50.320 The Lord is gracious and he is full of compassion. 00:15:52.440 --> 00:16:03.580 He giveth me come to all those that truly do him fear. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:15.580 And evermore his covenant he in his mind will bear. 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:26.820 We're going to turn together to reading God's word now in the Gospel of Mark. 00:16:28.520 --> 00:16:30.940 Mark's Gospel, chapter 6. 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:34.520 We take up our reading from the beginning. 00:16:36.540 --> 00:16:41.560 We just want to notice the context here as we take up our reading in chapter 6. 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:51.440 It's following on from Jesus performing miracles among the people there when he healed the woman who had the issue of blood for 12 years 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:55.400 and also raised from the dead, Jairus' daughter. 00:16:55.399 --> 00:17:01.340 As we'll see in the Gospel of Mark, things move along at a pace. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:07.139 And as we come into chapter 6, we see Jesus and his disciples with him, 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:11.279 moving on through villages and towns and the Gospel with them. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:16.920 That's going to be our theme this evening as we think of the Gospel passing by. 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:22.420 So in Mark, chapter 6, from verse 1, we read down to verse 13. 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:29.340 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 00:17:30.060 --> 00:17:32.519 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue. 00:17:33.320 --> 00:17:35.600 And many who heard him were astonished, saying, 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:38.200 Where did this man get these things? 00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:41.120 What is the wisdom given to him? 00:17:41.800 --> 00:17:45.620 How are such mighty works done by his hands? 00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:53.279 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:56.479 And are not his sisters here with us? 00:17:57.179 --> 00:17:59.339 And they took offence at him. 00:17:59.939 --> 00:18:01.259 And Jesus said to them, 00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:05.359 A prophet is not without honour except in his hometown, 00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:08.299 and among his relatives and his own household. 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:15.459 And he could do no mighty work there except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:19.359 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. 00:18:20.199 --> 00:18:23.059 And he went about among the villages teaching. 00:18:23.959 --> 00:18:28.179 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, 00:18:28.679 --> 00:18:31.539 and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 00:18:32.239 --> 00:18:36.599 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff, 00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:40.739 no bread, no bag, no money in their belts, 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:46.220 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:48.000 And he said to them, 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:52.759 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:55.420 And if any place will not receive you, 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:57.140 and they will not listen to you, 00:18:57.380 --> 00:19:03.019 when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them. 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:07.980 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:15.339 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. 00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:16.519 And so on. 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:19.740 And may God bless that reading from his word. 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:23.539 Again, turn to sing to God's praise. 00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:25.680 This time we're singing the Sing Psalms Version, 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:30.559 Psalm 43, page 54 of the psalm books. 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:34.819 Psalm 43 in the Sing Psalms, page 54. 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:38.220 We can sing the whole of this psalm together. 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:41.899 Come, vindicate me, O my God. 00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:45.079 Against this nation, plead my cause. 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:49.740 Deliver me from wicked foes and hypocrites who break your laws. 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:52.039 Now verse 3, we have these words, 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:55.500 and we pray for that power in our land today. 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:58.480 O send your light forth and your truth. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:03.360 Let them direct me in your grace and bring me to your holy hill, 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:06.579 into your sacred dwelling place. 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.980 We'll sing the whole of this psalm. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:09.380 The tune is Rockingham. 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:11.299 And we stand to sing. 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:11.799 Amen. 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.059 Amen. 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.140 Amen. 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.700 Amen. 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:12.759 Amen. 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:12.799 Amen. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.299 Amen. 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:13.380 Amen. 00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:15.380 Amen. 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:17.380 Amen. 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:19.380 Amen. 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:21.380 Amen. 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.380 Amen. 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:23.380 Amen. 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:24.380 Amen. 00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:25.380 Amen. 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.380 Amen. 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:27.380 Amen. 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.380 Amen. 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:29.380 Amen. 00:20:58.380 --> 00:21:10.560 My God, why then have you rejected me? 00:21:10.560 --> 00:21:20.820 Why must I know about in me, 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:30.819 and draw in light the enemy? 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:39.819 O send your light for a new truth, 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:49.819 let them die in your name. 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:58.819 I'll take me to your holy hill, 00:21:58.819 --> 00:22:08.819 and to your sacred dwelling place. 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:17.819 Then to God's altar I will go, 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:28.819 to God's my joy and my delight. 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:37.819 And I will praise you with the high. 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:48.819 O God, you are my God on high. 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:57.819 Why are you down, not so my soul? 00:22:57.819 --> 00:23:07.819 Why are you so disturbed in me? 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:16.819 Trust, Lord, for I will praise him yet. 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:27.819 My Savior, now my God is me. 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.819 Amen. 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:30.819 Amen. 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.819 Amen. 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:34.819 Amen. 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:36.819 Amen. 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:39.819 I'm going to turn back together to our reading in the Gospel of Mark. 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:45.819 These verses that we read together in chapter six from verse one down to verse 13. 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:50.179 we're just taking into account all that we see in these verses of 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:55.339 jesus and the disciples going out with the word of god with the gospel 00:23:55.339 --> 00:24:01.460 to many different places now as we look at this gospel we can take 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:06.539 verse six as we read it there just as a text he said 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:13.179 he marveled because of their unbelief and he went about among 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:19.840 the village's teaching as you go through the gospel of of mark 00:24:19.840 --> 00:24:23.400 as you read through it you find it's very fast 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:28.340 paced things move on very quickly from section to section 00:24:28.340 --> 00:24:32.500 even just considering coming into chapter six here what 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:36.060 what we had just before immediately before this was jesus 00:24:36.060 --> 00:24:39.600 healing the woman who had the issue of blood and also 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:45.099 raising to life jesus's daughter and then you would think there may be a 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:47.599 pause there just so people would have a chance to 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:51.919 ask questions or maybe to fill in all that's happened but then you're almost 00:24:51.919 --> 00:24:56.059 immediately moving on to the next part he went away from there it says 00:24:56.059 --> 00:25:02.299 in verse one of chapter six he came to his own hometown and it's a theme that you 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:05.740 find right throughout this gospel it moves on 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:11.160 very quickly the word immediately appears quite often at different parts 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:15.740 throughout this gospel things moving on at pace things moving on 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:22.059 very quickly and as we come to look at this passage this evening 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:25.700 in a sense that's part of what we're thinking about this 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:29.279 this evening together is how things move along so quickly 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:35.779 for us we often think about the phrase where has the time gone 00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:40.039 and we maybe say that to ourselves so often 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:43.639 in so many different experiences where has 00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:49.079 the time gone and the difference it makes in our lives 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:51.960 maybe the older we get the more we look back 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:55.440 and we start to look at many different things and how they've changed 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:58.900 over time where has the time gone 00:25:58.900 --> 00:26:03.259 time passing quickly is sometimes seen 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:07.880 in a positive way you hear the phrase too time flies 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:12.779 when you're having fun when things are going well when there's much to enjoy in 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:15.960 life you find that time can pass very quickly 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:21.480 i'm sure teachers and pupils people are enjoying a holiday over the next few 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:27.319 weeks they'll look back in a fortnight's time and think wow how quickly time went by 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:30.220 and yet when you're looking at it maybe when you're in school 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:33.880 you're thinking oh how slowly time is moving on 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:37.299 when you're enjoying yourself when you're having fun time seems 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:41.920 to go past so quickly time flies when you're having fun 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:44.819 we also look at our lives in other different ways 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:48.799 and find things that are passing us by so quickly 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:53.579 we think of even just looking around ourselves here this evening when we have 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:57.379 families gathered together people who have children you see them 00:26:57.379 --> 00:27:02.319 growing up and how quickly the time goes past how quickly 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:07.359 our children grow how quickly as we said holidays can go past how quickly 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:11.799 the years go by we see it about so many different things 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:17.779 in our life and that sometimes leads us to a sense of concern 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:22.299 time flies when we're having fun there's a positive sense in that 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:25.359 but there's also a concern when we think about the time 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:28.099 going past so quickly especially when we think of 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:33.980 years going past so quickly for us it should make us ask the question well 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:38.599 what have i done or what am i doing with my time 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:42.980 what am i doing with all the time that i have 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:47.419 so time passes by so quickly and you think of 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:51.719 this gospel written 2 000 years ago it seems 00:27:51.719 --> 00:27:58.519 such a long long long time ago and yet down from this period down through all 00:27:58.519 --> 00:28:01.699 the generations to our own day to day everyone who 00:28:01.699 --> 00:28:06.519 has been alive throughout that period would say the same thing time is passing by 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:12.099 so quickly two thousand years there's nothing in the sight of god sounds a 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:14.740 long time in our experience but it's nothing 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:20.740 in the sight of god but this passage reminds us too that just as time 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:24.480 is moving past so quickly there's something else 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:29.420 that can pass us by so quickly too and that is 00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:36.300 the gospel the gospel is passing us by so quickly 00:28:36.300 --> 00:28:40.720 here we are gathered again we're here in the gospel 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:45.320 what are we doing with it it's passing us by once again 00:28:45.320 --> 00:28:48.180 are we allowing it to penetrate are we listening 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:52.200 to what it's saying or do we just keep going and we're going to have another 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:55.320 opportunity to hear it again and again the gospel 00:28:55.319 --> 00:29:00.019 is passing us by and as you look at chapter 6 here 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:03.579 that's what we're reminded of just how quickly 00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:09.119 the gospel is passing by jesus it says in verse 1 he went away from 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:11.980 the way he had been where these miracles had taken place 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:16.779 came to his hometown with the disciples and there it says in verse 2 on the 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:18.399 sabbath he began to teach 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:25.880 in the synagogue he began to teach in verse 6 at the end of that verse it 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:28.500 says he went about among the villages 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:33.140 teaching then in verse 7 he called the 12 and began 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:36.380 to send them out two by two and gave them authority 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:39.820 over the unclean spirits he put them away 00:29:39.820 --> 00:29:44.980 to go and teach the gospel was passing people by 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:51.740 here and that's a concern and it should be a concern for ourselves 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:58.259 what are we doing with the gospel as we're hearing it are we just allowing it 00:29:58.259 --> 00:30:03.019 to pass us by or are we listening to the urgency of it are we listening 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:09.000 to what it's saying to us and the need to recognize what the gospel is all about 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:14.900 what the gospel is teaching us the need of a savior and the need to 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:20.580 listen to the lord jesus christ and it need to realize that he is the only one 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:27.300 that can save us from our sins the gospel is good news 00:30:27.300 --> 00:30:33.620 and how do we need good news today so here the gospel is being spread 00:30:33.620 --> 00:30:37.940 throughout towns and villages passing people by 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:45.420 and today the gospel is passing by too passing through our nation passing through 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:50.200 our lands passing to all ends of the earth in so many different ways 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:53.700 but immediately here the context this evening it's passing 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:57.759 by ourselves passing through our ears passing 00:30:57.759 --> 00:31:04.039 into our hearts but is it taking hold in that place do we listen 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:11.720 listen to the gospel as we hear it or do we ignore it do we just let it pass us by 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:17.740 and want nothing more to do it what do with it well as we see in this passage 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:25.599 the people who heard the gospel there was both a positive response to it 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:36.079 and also a negative response and that's so often the case with the gospel and even to this day that's 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:42.019 the way it so often lands with people today there will be those who will respond positively 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:49.419 those who love to hear the gospel those who long to hear more of the gospel of this good news 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:57.900 of the lord jesus christ how it encourages us how it builds us up how it strengthens us for our day-to-day 00:31:57.900 --> 00:32:04.980 lives how it helps us to go into the week that lies ahead how it gives us courage and boldness 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:11.180 to go out into the world around us knowing that with the lord on our side we have this mighty 00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:18.140 god the lord with us the one who has spoken the one who has called us to follow him 00:32:18.140 --> 00:32:28.120 so there are those who respond positively but there are also those who respond in a negative sense 00:32:28.120 --> 00:32:35.520 in a negative way those who will just let it pass by take no heed listen to nothing that it says and 00:32:35.520 --> 00:32:42.480 just let it go maybe to come back and hear it another time god willing but for now i want nothing 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:48.080 more of it for the rest of the week i can manage by myself through the week that lies ahead i can 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:55.919 go on in my own strength it's nice maybe to hear it just now but that's all i need but we are being 00:32:55.919 --> 00:33:03.599 reminded in god's word again and again how much we need the gospel how much we need the lord jesus 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:09.619 christ and we're reminded of it through his word we're reminded of it through his providence and the 00:33:09.619 --> 00:33:19.159 world in which we live how apart from him we can do nothing we can do nothing in our own strength and so 00:33:19.159 --> 00:33:29.500 i want us to think of the positives and the negatives here of the gospel passing by the positives and the 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:36.799 negatives of the gospel passing by we're going to start with the negatives of the gospel passing by 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:43.519 we want to end on a positive note but we will start by looking at the negatives of the gospel 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:52.359 passing by and there's two negatives i want us to take from this passage and you say to yourself well 00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:59.680 how can there be anything negative about the gospel passing by you think if the gospel is going out 00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:07.480 that's all that matters that's all that counts god can do so much as the gospel is passing by people it's 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:13.380 him alone who has the power to save the power to salvation so how can there be anything negative 00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:23.079 about the gospel passing by well we see it in different ways here and especially we see it 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:33.319 among the people in this passage and we see it in the way that they respond and the two ways that we want 00:34:33.319 --> 00:34:41.739 to see the negatives here is how they respond as jesus is teaching how they respond to all they're seeing 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:51.920 of this jesus and the first negative we see is how they respond to jesus and especially the kind of 00:34:51.920 --> 00:35:00.579 the questions that they ask as they are hearing him teaching and how we see here the negative side of 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:09.780 the gospel passing by how dismissive people are we read that in verse first of all in verse 2 and verse 3 00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:15.920 on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue and many who heard were astonished saying 00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:25.680 where did this man get these things what is the wisdom given to him how are such mighty words done 00:35:25.680 --> 00:35:34.579 works done by his hand is not this the carpenter the son of mary the brother of james and joses and judas 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:44.460 and simon and are not his sisters here with us and they took offense to him they were astonished 00:35:44.460 --> 00:35:52.019 by all that they heard and all that they saw and yet they took offense to him and you see the negative 00:35:52.019 --> 00:36:00.960 here is the way they respond to jesus the way they respond to all that jesus is doing in their midst and 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:10.780 especially the kind of questions that they ask of him or ask of those around them he had taught them 00:36:10.780 --> 00:36:19.220 and he had done miracles in their midst but the question isn't who is this the question is how 00:36:19.220 --> 00:36:29.220 how can this be how can these things happen and if you just go back to chapter 4 and the end of 00:36:29.220 --> 00:36:36.920 chapter 4 in verse 35 down to the end of that chapter there you see a very different response to 00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:43.740 jesus in the midst of a miracle his disciples were with him in this boat as they were crossing over 00:36:43.740 --> 00:36:55.240 the sea and a great storm arose and the disciples first response is in verse 38 do you not care that we 00:36:55.240 --> 00:37:03.079 are perishing it's as if they think jesus has no interest in us no concern for what's happening here 00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:10.059 and jesus he awoke and he rebuked the wind and said to the sea peace be still and the wind ceased and 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:17.179 there was a great calm and he said to them why are you so afraid have you still no faith 00:37:17.179 --> 00:37:25.579 but look at the response of the disciples in verse 41 they were filled with great fear 00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:35.840 and that's a reverent fear a godly fear and said to one another who then is this that even the wind 00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:44.619 and the sea obey him and you see the difference there who then is this that the wind and the waves obey 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:52.880 him whereas in chapter 6 here the response of the people is not who is this that he can do all of 00:37:52.880 --> 00:38:00.000 these things but it's how where did he get his wisdom from how can these things how are such mighty 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:09.740 works done by his hands instead of being the right fear of god in their hearts marveling at who it is 00:38:09.740 --> 00:38:19.579 that before is before them and asking who is this and why is he doing this instead of seeing themselves 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:28.199 as they should or as the disciples were reverently having this godly fear of jesus there's almost just 00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:36.639 this nature of how can this be possible and so we so many people respond today as well instead of 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:45.319 seeing jesus and all that he's done saying who is this how much do we need this man jesus what can he do 00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:53.860 for us even now they're asking how how can that be possible you don't need to believe that that's 00:38:53.860 --> 00:39:01.400 just a load of nonsense isn't he the carpenter as it says here or the carpenter's son as it says in 00:39:01.400 --> 00:39:07.880 other places isn't he just the son of mary isn't he only the brother of james and joses and judas and 00:39:07.880 --> 00:39:17.660 simon isn't this just a normal man how is this possible with him instead of seeing who he is instead 00:39:17.660 --> 00:39:25.460 of having this awe and wonder and marvel at is this this not the son of god is this not the messiah 00:39:25.460 --> 00:39:35.079 who god has sent into our midst we see so often in the gospels especially these two kinds of responses 00:39:35.079 --> 00:39:42.500 people who see jesus and the miracles he performs and the wonders of his teaching and are astonished 00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:50.940 in the right sense of the word and don't just turn that against him and throw him away as it were 00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:57.739 they took offense to him it says here so when you take offense to jesus today and just push him away 00:39:57.739 --> 00:40:09.139 and that's the negative of the gospel passing by we we fail to realize who it is we fail to realize 00:40:09.139 --> 00:40:19.399 what has been done for us we fail to realize the miracle of jesus in our midst that god sent his son 00:40:19.400 --> 00:40:26.660 and that he is passing us by the one who has the words of eternal life 00:40:26.660 --> 00:40:38.760 jesus came to seek and to save they're not asking who is this they're asking how 00:40:38.760 --> 00:40:48.760 as the gospel passes by ourselves today what is our response are we asking how 00:40:48.760 --> 00:40:58.820 is this possible or are we asking who who is this and how can i know him how can i know more of this 00:40:58.820 --> 00:41:08.320 jesus and the wonders of what he has done the second negative we see here of the gospel passing by 00:41:08.320 --> 00:41:17.700 is the hardness of their hearts we see that in verse 6 he marveled because of their 00:41:17.699 --> 00:41:25.719 unbelief he was amazed at their lack of faith now he had seen it with the disciples 00:41:25.719 --> 00:41:31.399 in chapter 4 he said to them do you still not have faith 00:41:31.399 --> 00:41:37.699 but here he's marveled that even in the midst of the teaching and everything that he's doing 00:41:37.699 --> 00:41:45.079 he's marveled because of their unbelief now what's interesting here is he's not 00:41:45.079 --> 00:41:53.059 amazed he's not marveling at their sinfulness he's not astonished at how sinful they are 00:41:53.059 --> 00:42:02.000 what's astonishing is their unbelief the hardness of their hearts because jesus knew coming into this 00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:09.099 world that he was going to be despised and rejected and all of these things that there was going to be 00:42:09.099 --> 00:42:18.079 he's coming into a sinful world among sinful people but yet he's left here marveled because of their 00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:27.079 unbelief in the midst of all that he's doing for them and somebody once said this the greatest obstacle 00:42:27.079 --> 00:42:36.579 to faith is not the failure of god to act he has done his part it is the unwillingness of mankind 00:42:36.579 --> 00:42:51.279 to respond and believe god has done all for us and yet still there's unbelief still there's this hardening 00:42:51.279 --> 00:42:58.319 of hearts and the hardening of hearts here is almost deadening the work of of god in their midst 00:42:58.320 --> 00:43:05.400 it says in verse 5 he could do no mighty work there except that he laid his hands on a few sick people 00:43:05.400 --> 00:43:12.539 and healed them they didn't want to know they didn't want jesus in their midst they didn't want 00:43:12.539 --> 00:43:21.620 his miracles or his blessing in any way and so what did he do he moved on he went on as it says at the end 00:43:21.619 --> 00:43:30.319 of verse 6 he went about among the villages teaching he carried on the gospel was passing by and in the 00:43:30.319 --> 00:43:39.139 hardness of their heart they were missing the blessing of christ in their midst and to this day it's an 00:43:39.139 --> 00:43:47.460 attitude that's prevalent in our society this hardening of heart this turning away from god this 00:43:47.460 --> 00:43:55.659 offense to the gospel and to the church to the cross to everything that christ has done for us this 00:43:55.659 --> 00:44:03.220 this hardening of heart against it and the sad thing about it just as it is in this passage 00:44:03.220 --> 00:44:09.519 just as it is today that people do not realize who they are hardening their hearts against 00:44:09.519 --> 00:44:19.280 that they do not realize what he has come to done to do and why they're missing out on so much 00:44:19.280 --> 00:44:27.719 jesus is such an offense to people we're seeing it again and again in these days that anything to do 00:44:27.719 --> 00:44:34.280 with christ anything to do with faith anything to do with christianity it's held with suspicion and 00:44:34.280 --> 00:44:45.080 contempt at times and the cross becomes the symbol of offense without realizing the wonder of the cross 00:44:45.080 --> 00:44:54.200 that jesus came to the cross to save us from our sins but we we push it away a few years ago it's a 00:44:54.200 --> 00:44:59.880 number of years ago now i remember reading about someone who made a comment on the british flag 00:44:59.880 --> 00:45:07.119 and the british flag that's made up of of three different crosses and you see the colors there in 00:45:07.119 --> 00:45:14.539 the flag the red the white the blue and it's the red and the blue that that make up the crosses 00:45:14.539 --> 00:45:22.640 and the person was saying the british flag will soon have to change because the crosses that make it up 00:45:22.640 --> 00:45:29.820 have become such an offense to people they'll want it removed and what are we left with then 00:45:29.820 --> 00:45:39.500 we're left with the white flag of surrender we're surrendering ourselves over to our sin giving up all 00:45:39.500 --> 00:45:47.580 that is good and powerful of the cross of christ and waving the white flag of surrender through the hardness 00:45:47.580 --> 00:45:59.780 of our hearts that's the negative of the gospel passing by the hardening of hearts surrenders ourselves 00:45:59.780 --> 00:46:13.300 to sin and surrendered ourselves to a lost eternity the gospel is passing by and it's passing by so quickly 00:46:13.300 --> 00:46:25.539 and what are we doing with it are we listening to it are we asking the wrong questions of it the how 00:46:25.539 --> 00:46:35.140 instead of the who are we hardening our hearts in unbelief or are we seeking to come and bow before 00:46:35.139 --> 00:46:47.619 the lord the gospel passes by and we need to see our need of it as it does and that's what leads us to the 00:46:47.619 --> 00:46:56.299 positives to the positives of the gospel passing by and there's two i want to take from this passage this 00:46:56.300 --> 00:47:06.180 evening and the first and the first and the greatest positive is this the gospel is passing by that god 00:47:06.180 --> 00:47:17.640 hasn't turned silent towards us that god hasn't turned away completely from us but that god is speaking 00:47:17.640 --> 00:47:25.180 and that god has spoken as he has in the past as we're reminded in the book of hebrews have he spoken 00:47:25.179 --> 00:47:34.259 in the past through the prophets in the old testament and how now he is speaking through his son christ jesus 00:47:34.259 --> 00:47:41.359 and that's the wonder of the gospel that we see here in mark that as jesus is passing through 00:47:41.359 --> 00:47:49.179 towns and villages as the gospel is passing by there is the positive in it they are hearing the gospel 00:47:49.179 --> 00:48:00.919 and that's the same for ourselves today as well that god is speaking the mighty god the lord has spoken 00:48:00.919 --> 00:48:08.839 and did call that's the psalm that we sung earlier and that that is true today as well that the mighty god 00:48:08.839 --> 00:48:17.460 the lord is still speaking and what does that remind us of it reminds us of the love of god 00:48:17.460 --> 00:48:24.480 to this world to this world and to his people that he has not rejected us that he has not left us 00:48:24.480 --> 00:48:32.480 to our own desires entirely but that god is still there to be turned god is still there to be heard 00:48:32.480 --> 00:48:42.960 and to believe that he loves us with such a great love that god his word his gospel is being 00:48:42.960 --> 00:48:51.220 being proclaimed it's the greatest positive we can have there was a man called henry ward beecher 00:48:51.220 --> 00:48:58.860 and he was an old preacher and he loved to to go and encourage young preachers and to help them 00:48:58.860 --> 00:49:04.360 along the way and he'd been listening to this young preacher preach one day and he said to him after 00:49:04.360 --> 00:49:11.079 he'd been preaching he said you love to preach don't you and the young preacher replied i surely do i do i 00:49:11.079 --> 00:49:20.780 love to preach but then his response to this young preacher was but do you love the people to whom you're 00:49:20.780 --> 00:49:28.300 preaching do you love the people to whom you're preaching and that was a lesson for the young preacher 00:49:28.300 --> 00:49:35.519 it's not just about to love to preach the word of god but to love the people who you're preaching to 00:49:35.519 --> 00:49:42.660 that's not just a lesson for the preacher it's a lesson for us all a lesson for us all when it comes 00:49:42.660 --> 00:49:50.019 to the gospel passing by and the positives that there are in it that we are to be salt and light in this world 00:49:50.019 --> 00:49:57.699 that we are to love the word of god with all our hearts but that we are to love our neighbor as 00:49:57.699 --> 00:50:06.059 ourselves too that we are instruments to carry the gospel to share the gospel to show and live out the 00:50:06.059 --> 00:50:14.039 gospel among the people around us now that is our duty that we see the great love of god towards us 00:50:14.039 --> 00:50:22.099 that he loves us that he speaks to us that he encourages us and that we would go from here even 00:50:22.099 --> 00:50:32.360 this evening with that sense of joy and love in the lord to love those around us god's love is unchanging 00:50:32.360 --> 00:50:39.460 it is a steadfast love and we are reminded of it throughout the scriptures again and again so many 00:50:39.460 --> 00:50:48.139 people will if they do have any word of god's to say well if he is real how can he allow so much evil 00:50:48.139 --> 00:50:58.159 and sorrow and sadness in this world and they say that can't be a god of love and yet god himself 00:50:58.159 --> 00:51:07.880 says and i say just one passage we could take i say a 45 verse 22 he says turn to me and be saved all you 00:51:07.880 --> 00:51:20.780 ends of the earth for i am god and there is no other there is no other way to salvation there is no other way to peace and eternal life but through him 00:51:20.780 --> 00:51:30.880 and he says to all the ends of the earth to all who will listen he speaks this mighty god the lord and he says turn 00:51:30.880 --> 00:51:41.440 turn turn to me and be saved there is his love the love that he provided for and the sacrifice of his own son 00:51:41.440 --> 00:51:47.079 that he would be lifted up and that people would look to him and be saved 00:51:47.079 --> 00:51:53.860 and so we see in this passage even as jesus sends out others as he sends out the 12 00:51:53.860 --> 00:52:02.140 he sends him out with authority to go and proclaim the gospel to all ends of the earth as you carry on 00:52:02.140 --> 00:52:10.019 into the book of acts the aim of the church should always be to proclaim the good news of jesus christ 00:52:10.019 --> 00:52:21.400 to all ends of the earth and we take heart in that that the gospel is still passing by 00:52:21.400 --> 00:52:30.940 we think of texts where jesus shows his love his compassion as he sees in matthew 9 for example towards 00:52:30.940 --> 00:52:37.460 the end of that chapter as he sees the people as sheep without a shepherd he has compassion on them 00:52:37.460 --> 00:52:44.740 and he says this the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few ask the lord of the harvest therefore 00:52:44.739 --> 00:52:52.599 to send out workers into his harvest field that's not just to send out preachers ministers in the gospel 00:52:52.599 --> 00:53:00.759 that the church as a whole would be sent out into the harvest field to reap the harvest the positive 00:53:00.759 --> 00:53:10.019 even today and here in the passages the gospel is passing by the good news is still with us 00:53:10.019 --> 00:53:18.420 the final thing we take from this passage is the positive of the fact that the gospel can make all 00:53:18.420 --> 00:53:29.759 the difference the gospel can make all the difference as it's as jesus says there he marveled because of their 00:53:29.759 --> 00:53:38.820 unbelief the fact that they couldn't grasp for themselves how much they needed the gospel how much the 00:53:38.820 --> 00:53:49.220 gospel could make such a difference in their life they failed to believe they failed to trust 00:53:49.220 --> 00:54:00.480 in that and what difference can the gospel make to us well even if you go back into chapter 5 you think of the 00:54:00.480 --> 00:54:08.180 woman with the issue of blood you think of jesus's daughter you think of the disciples in the storm in chapter 4 00:54:08.179 --> 00:54:14.519 you read through the gospel of mark and you see for yourself the difference the gospel makes 00:54:14.519 --> 00:54:26.639 it is a power of god to salvation it is a way to eternal life but the question is do we believe it 00:54:26.639 --> 00:54:35.879 do we believe with all our heart that the gospel can make all the difference in our lives do we believe in 00:54:35.880 --> 00:54:43.519 all our heart that it can make the difference in the lives of those around us if i were to ask you this 00:54:43.519 --> 00:54:52.180 evening to put up your hand if you believe in god i'm sure the majority of hands i hope would go up 00:54:52.180 --> 00:54:58.360 if i was to ask you to put up your hand if you believe in the lord jesus christ 00:54:58.360 --> 00:55:08.320 i hope and i'm assured that most of the hands here would go up but there's a difference between 00:55:08.320 --> 00:55:17.579 believing these things and having faith in these things i want to share with you a story about 00:55:17.579 --> 00:55:27.880 a man who was a tightrope walker his name was charles blondin and he was a famous tightrope walker in 00:55:27.880 --> 00:55:36.239 the 1800s mid-1800s and especially famous for walking across a tightrope across niagara falls 00:55:36.239 --> 00:55:43.559 and he would do it in many different ways he would walk across it he would dance across it 00:55:43.559 --> 00:55:50.820 he would go across it blindfolded and large crowds would gather and watch him going back and forth on 00:55:50.820 --> 00:55:58.119 this tightrope with the niagara falls below him and they were awestruck by the way it looked so simple 00:55:58.119 --> 00:56:06.799 to him there was this one day it was in august 1859 and he was going across the tightrope with a wheelbarrow 00:56:06.800 --> 00:56:14.160 and he went back and forth with a wheelbarrow no problem he put a load of bricks into the wheelbarrow 00:56:14.160 --> 00:56:23.140 again back and forth no problem then he turned to the large crowd that had gathered he says who here 00:56:23.140 --> 00:56:30.360 believes that i could take a man across in the wheelbarrow across on the tightrope everyone cheered 00:56:30.360 --> 00:56:37.099 and put up their hands they all believed that he could do it so then he turned to the crowd and asked 00:56:37.099 --> 00:56:45.519 who will volunteer to go in the wheelbarrow and all the hands immediately went down no one was willing 00:56:45.519 --> 00:56:52.720 to volunteer to go into the wheelbarrow to go across on one hand they believed that he could do it 00:56:52.719 --> 00:56:58.899 but on the other hand there was no faith to trust that they could do it for him 00:56:58.899 --> 00:57:09.019 and when we think of the gospel passing us by this evening when we think of all that goes on 00:57:09.019 --> 00:57:19.559 in our lives we may be saying our hearts yes i believe in god yes i believe in the lord jesus christ 00:57:19.559 --> 00:57:30.679 but the question is do you have faith in him are you putting yourself over to him with that sense of 00:57:30.679 --> 00:57:41.579 entrusting everything to him that he holds you in his hands that he has your soul secure for all 00:57:41.579 --> 00:57:55.239 eternity do you believe but do you have faith the gospel is passing by it's passing by so quickly 00:57:55.239 --> 00:58:06.219 and the years go past so quickly and the gospel we hear again and again maybe we believe it 00:58:06.219 --> 00:58:17.059 the question is how much do we believe it with all our heart and do we have faith in the lord jesus 00:58:17.059 --> 00:58:26.319 that he is able to carry us from time to eternity secure with him 00:58:26.319 --> 00:58:35.399 the gospel is passing by we see negatives where people ask the wrong questions 00:58:35.400 --> 00:58:44.200 the how instead of the who and the why he's done it we see people who respond with unbelief 00:58:44.200 --> 00:58:53.960 and hard hearts but we rejoice that the gospel is still passing by that we still have the opportunity 00:58:53.960 --> 00:59:01.059 that we still hear it but we ask the question are we of unbelief 00:59:01.059 --> 00:59:11.900 or do we believe that he is god and that jesus christ has come into this world but more than that do we have 00:59:11.900 --> 00:59:23.099 faith do we have faith in him that he will hold us secure for all eternity that is the gospel 00:59:23.099 --> 00:59:36.380 jesus will keep us secure and we need faith in the gospel to hear it as it's passing by and to believe 00:59:36.380 --> 00:59:48.339 with all our heart and that is why we look to god the mighty god the lord has spoken and did call the gospel 00:59:48.340 --> 00:59:57.220 is passing us by again don't let it pass by in unbelief but believe let us pray 00:59:57.220 --> 01:00:07.019 our father in heaven we rejoice that you speak and help us to have ears to hear what you say to us 01:00:07.019 --> 01:00:13.400 we thank you that the gospel is good news for us that the gospel is what can make all the difference 01:00:13.400 --> 01:00:20.840 in our hearts and in our lives and we pray lord for your spirit to apply it to our hearts and to give 01:00:20.840 --> 01:00:28.400 us not just belief in our hearts but through faith and repentance and turning to you so lord we ask you 01:00:28.400 --> 01:00:34.059 continue with us to guide us bless us and watch over us in jesus name amen 01:00:34.059 --> 01:00:46.940 we're going to conclude by singing to god's praise in psalm 147 the sing psalms version page 193 01:00:46.940 --> 01:01:02.679 psalm 147 page 193 we sing from verse 15 to verse 18 this is a psalm that reminds us of 01:01:02.679 --> 01:01:11.039 the power of god's word and how sometimes it seems to go out on hard ground but how it has the power 01:01:11.039 --> 01:01:18.779 to melt the hardened hearts to all the corners of the earth the lord's commands proceed for when he 01:01:18.779 --> 01:01:25.960 speaks his word goes forth through all the world with speed he spreads the snow as wool the frost like 01:01:25.960 --> 01:01:35.000 ashes on the land he hurls forth icy hail like stones who can such cold withstand but when he sends his 01:01:35.000 --> 01:01:43.519 mighty word and makes the warm winds blow the frozen waters start to melt and once again to flow we'll 01:01:43.519 --> 01:01:48.960 sing these three stanzas to god's praise the tune is arlington and we stand to sing 01:01:48.960 --> 01:02:11.980 to all the corners of the earth the lord's commands proceed for when he speak his word was soared for when he 01:02:11.980 --> 01:02:13.980 speaks haha 01:02:23.099 --> 01:02:30.300 my name is my name is our pray his ways to request a symbol to register for when he speaks his word goes soared for when he speaks his word goes soared for quand he speaks his word goes soared for when he speaks his word goes soared for when it speaks the ground goes soared to 다음에 he speaks that debtor will grow 01:02:30.300 --> 01:02:34.519 The world will speak. 01:02:35.160 --> 01:02:43.680 He spreads as slow as wool across. 01:02:44.039 --> 01:02:51.060 Like ashes on the land. 01:02:51.059 --> 01:03:00.219 He hurls for my sea hell like stones. 01:03:00.579 --> 01:03:09.460 He hurls for my sea hell like stones. 01:03:09.880 --> 01:03:15.460 Who can such wool withstand? 01:03:15.460 --> 01:03:26.559 But when he sends his mighty word. 01:03:27.000 --> 01:03:34.179 And makes the warm winds blow. 01:03:34.760 --> 01:03:43.220 The frozen waters start to melt. 01:03:43.219 --> 01:03:52.379 The frozen waters start to melt. 01:03:52.779 --> 01:03:58.899 And once again to flow. 01:04:01.799 --> 01:04:04.579 After the benediction I'll go to the door to my left. 01:04:04.699 --> 01:04:06.000 We'll close with the benediction. 01:04:06.000 --> 01:04:16.780 Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. 01:04:17.260 --> 01:04:17.679 Amen. 01:04:36.000 --> 01:04:36.619 Amen. 01:04:36.619 --> 01:04:36.639 Amen. 01:04:36.739 --> 01:04:39.679 Amen. 01:04:39.800 --> 01:04:41.260 Amen. 01:04:41.260 --> 01:04:42.420 Amen. 01:04:42.420 --> 01:04:43.079 Amen. 01:04:43.579 --> 01:04:44.360 Amen. 01:04:45.260 --> 01:04:46.719 Amen. 01:04:47.360 --> 01:04:47.880 Amen. 01:04:47.980 --> 01:04:48.480 Amen. 01:04:48.519 --> 01:04:49.000 Amen. 01:04:49.119 --> 01:04:49.639 Amen. 01:04:49.639 --> 01:04:51.500 Amen. 01:04:51.539 --> 01:04:52.780 Amen. 01:04:52.780 --> 01:04:53.840 Amen. 01:04:54.280 --> 01:04:56.880 Amen. 01:04:56.880 --> 01:04:57.079 Amen. 01:04:57.400 --> 01:04:59.480 Amen. 01:04:59.559 --> 01:05:01.500 Amen.