WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.419 For around 30 years after we moved into this building, I think for actually quite a long time before as well, 00:00:05.860 --> 00:00:08.980 our church secretary or correspondent was Mr David Eard. 00:00:09.400 --> 00:00:14.359 David Eard was the father of David Eard, who is now an elder in the church here. 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:21.600 And one of the duties of the church correspondent was that every Sunday at the end of the breaking of bread service, 00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:26.460 which in those days was the one everyone attended, he would bring us the intimations, the notices. 00:00:27.460 --> 00:00:32.520 And it's fair to say that Mr Eard had a unique style of doing it, what he sometimes lacked in brevity, 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:35.640 certainly made up for in warmth and wit. 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:39.980 But sometimes he had a more difficult duty to perform. 00:00:40.539 --> 00:00:47.280 When someone who was a member of the church had passed away, a mystery was informing us about their death. 00:00:47.859 --> 00:00:53.179 And in just a few sentences, he needed to sum up what had characterised their life. 00:00:53.179 --> 00:00:56.679 And he had a wording that he used very often. 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:00.060 I'm not sure if he always used it, but certainly he used it very often. 00:01:00.700 --> 00:01:08.420 And he would say, she loved the Lord, she loved the Word, and she loved the assembling of God's people. 00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:14.920 She loved the Lord, she loved the Word, and she loved the assembling of God's people. 00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:19.280 And in a sense, that said it all, there would, of course, be a funeral service, 00:01:19.340 --> 00:01:24.420 and someone, quite often my father, would pay more of a personal tribute about the individual's character. 00:01:25.140 --> 00:01:31.319 But actually, when you've said what Mr Eard said, you have probably given as high accommodation 00:01:31.319 --> 00:01:35.260 of someone's involvement in the church as you could. 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:41.500 They loved the Lord, they loved the Word, and they loved God's people. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:49.579 And in Hebrews chapter 10, in this passage we've read, there are three exhortations that the writer brings to us. 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:55.659 And they are about the Lord, the Word, and the Lord's people. 00:01:57.019 --> 00:02:02.260 So in verse 22, the writer says, 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:07.859 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. 00:02:07.859 --> 00:02:10.319 Our relationship with the Lord. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:12.620 Verse 23, he says, 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:18.439 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we possess, for he who promised is faithful. 00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:21.139 God's promises, his word. 00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:23.400 And then from verse 24, he says, 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:30.280 Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. 00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:31.979 God's people. 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:36.079 I want to look very briefly at these three relationships this evening, 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:40.500 and what the writer to the Hebrews has to say about them. 00:02:40.860 --> 00:02:46.460 But before that, just a little bit of background and the earlier verses that we read. 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:52.760 Quite a few of the New Testament letters can quite conveniently be divided into two sections. 00:02:53.480 --> 00:02:58.280 There's a doctrinal section which takes up usually about half the letter, sometimes a bit more. 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:02.319 And then there's a practical section which comes after it. 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:07.979 And the doctrinal sections always have practical implications, and the practical sections include great doctrine. 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:13.099 But I think it's a valid differentiation to make in many of the letters. 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:19.719 And often in the middle, there's a kind of linking passage that links the two sections together, 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:23.180 that closes off one and that introduces the other. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:28.060 So for instance, in Romans, Romans chapter 12 and verse 1, Paul says, 00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:32.719 Therefore, looking back, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:36.859 to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. 00:03:36.860 --> 00:03:41.160 Or in Colossians chapter 3, Paul writes, 00:03:41.260 --> 00:03:42.980 Since then, and again looking back, 00:03:43.060 --> 00:03:44.800 Since then you have been raised with Christ, 00:03:45.360 --> 00:03:47.780 set your heart on things above where Christ is, 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:50.560 seated at the right hand of God. 00:03:51.100 --> 00:03:56.400 And in both cases, he then goes on to some very practical instructions for the Christians. 00:03:57.380 --> 00:04:01.380 And I think in the book of Hebrews, this is that linking passage. 00:04:01.900 --> 00:04:05.680 It takes what the writer has been bringing us in the early part of the book, 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:07.439 particularly from chapter 4 onwards, 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:10.520 and it links it into the latter part of the book, 00:04:10.520 --> 00:04:16.480 which is full of exhortations and also of examples that we should follow. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:20.519 And this little passage, towards the end of chapter 10, 00:04:20.900 --> 00:04:26.680 links the two together, summarizes one, and prepares us for the other. 00:04:28.019 --> 00:04:30.660 So what does the writer say? 00:04:31.460 --> 00:04:35.240 So looking back, the writer says two things. 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:41.019 First of all, he says we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Christ, 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:41.400 Jesus. 00:04:42.100 --> 00:04:47.660 And then he says we have a great high priest over the house of God. 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:51.100 We have access to God's presence, 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:57.480 and we have someone who stands before God and who represents us to him. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:00.560 Now the picture, of course, is from the Old Testament, 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:05.220 and it is of the tabernacle or later of the temple. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:07.680 And within the tabernacle and the temple, 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:10.540 there was an area which was called the Holy of Holies, 00:05:10.579 --> 00:05:13.959 or the most holy place, the writer calls it here. 00:05:15.019 --> 00:05:18.899 And only one person, the high priest, could go into that area 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:23.000 and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:26.199 The normal people, even the normal priests, 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:31.480 would never get to see inside the most holy place. 00:05:31.959 --> 00:05:34.680 That is where the presence of God was, 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:36.199 within the camp of the Israelites, 00:05:36.339 --> 00:05:38.519 or within the temple of the Israelites. 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:41.019 And only one person could go in, 00:05:41.339 --> 00:05:42.600 only once a year, 00:05:42.980 --> 00:05:45.639 and only having followed various rituals 00:05:45.639 --> 00:05:49.240 to make sure he was in the right condition to go there. 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:52.079 And the writer here is saying, 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:53.740 that was the old position. 00:05:54.780 --> 00:05:57.639 But the new position is that all of us 00:05:57.639 --> 00:06:00.360 can go into the presence of God. 00:06:00.879 --> 00:06:03.939 That barrier, that curtain that used to be there, 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:04.920 has gone. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:07.819 And if we are trusting in the Lord Jesus, 00:06:08.340 --> 00:06:10.300 if he is our great high priest, 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:15.420 then we have access into the very presence of God. 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:19.060 And the reason for that is the two things 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:20.620 we'll be thinking about later on 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:22.860 as we take communion together. 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:27.800 It's the blood and the body of the Lord Jesus. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:30.540 So before the priest went in, 00:06:30.860 --> 00:06:32.540 the animal had to be sacrificed, 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:34.120 his blood had to be sprinkled, 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:39.120 and the reparation for sin had to be made. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:41.100 The writer says, 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:43.580 we can enter the most holy place, 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:45.580 not through the blood of animals, 00:06:45.700 --> 00:06:47.100 as the high priest used to, 00:06:47.480 --> 00:06:49.840 but through the blood of the Lord Jesus, 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:53.320 through the sacrifice that he made for us 00:06:53.320 --> 00:06:55.900 when he died on the cross. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:57.560 And he says, 00:06:57.620 --> 00:07:00.960 the curtain that used to be there is gone. 00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:02.140 Now you remember, 00:07:02.260 --> 00:07:04.020 at the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, 00:07:04.460 --> 00:07:05.780 the curtain in the temple 00:07:05.780 --> 00:07:07.680 that separates the most holy place 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:11.199 from the holy place was torn in two. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:15.780 That barrier to entrance to God had gone. 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:17.800 And the writer here says, 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:21.319 the barrier is still gone for us as well. 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:24.560 And what is represented by that 00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:26.740 is the body of the Lord Jesus, 00:07:27.280 --> 00:07:28.860 which was figuratively, 00:07:29.019 --> 00:07:30.060 or literally in many ways, 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:31.980 torn apart for us. 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:34.000 When the Lord Jesus' body 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:35.379 was nailed to the cross, 00:07:35.379 --> 00:07:38.579 when he took our sins on himself. 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:40.719 That is what opened up 00:07:40.719 --> 00:07:44.019 the way of access to God. 00:07:44.719 --> 00:07:47.899 Jesus, who stands between us and God, 00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:50.060 has given us access 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:53.480 into the presence of God. 00:07:54.259 --> 00:07:55.579 So the writer says, 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:59.000 we have a new and living way 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:00.639 open for us. 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:03.279 New and as it was previously unavailable, 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:04.560 those who didn't know Jesus, 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:05.780 as those who had come before, 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:07.240 even the believing Jews, 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:08.160 they couldn't come 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:09.579 in the way that we can. 00:08:09.660 --> 00:08:10.220 It's new. 00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:11.819 And it's living. 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:13.300 It's real. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:14.100 It's active. 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:16.220 And it is based on a saviour 00:08:16.220 --> 00:08:17.319 who has died 00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:19.680 and has risen again. 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:21.480 What a wonderful privilege it is 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:22.759 that we can come 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:23.860 into the presence 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:25.800 of the most holy God 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:27.180 without fear 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:28.459 through the blood 00:08:28.459 --> 00:08:30.040 of the Lord Jesus. 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:32.320 Alongside that, 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:33.720 the writer says, 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:36.620 we also have a great priest 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:39.379 over the house of God. 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:41.420 What is the function of the priest? 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:42.700 It is to make sacrifices. 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:45.000 It is to represent men 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:46.580 before God. 00:08:46.680 --> 00:08:47.220 And we, of course, 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:49.440 are a kingdom of priests 00:08:49.440 --> 00:08:50.960 that we can come directly 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:52.080 into God's presence 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:53.759 and intercede for others 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:54.779 to him. 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:56.519 But the Lord Jesus 00:08:56.519 --> 00:08:58.240 is the great priest 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:00.080 or the great high priest, 00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:02.180 the one who stands 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:03.200 before the Father 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:04.759 and as the hymn said, 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:06.400 the song we listened to earlier said, 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:07.600 whoever lives 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:09.900 and pleads for us. 00:09:10.540 --> 00:09:11.320 And we have someone 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:13.000 in the very presence of God 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:15.240 who is our representative there, 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:16.940 who is our high priest 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:18.580 and who is presenting 00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:20.639 his own sacrifice to God 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.840 as the basis 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:23.740 on which we can come 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:26.160 into the presence of God. 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:28.600 And these two descriptions 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:30.079 very succinctly sum up 00:09:30.079 --> 00:09:31.240 what's gone before 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:32.500 in the book of Hebrews. 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:32.879 And of course, 00:09:32.939 --> 00:09:34.039 there's lots more there, 00:09:34.339 --> 00:09:35.500 but in terms of a summary, 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:37.179 these two really sum it up. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.799 The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:40.740 greater than the sacrifices 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:41.980 in the Old Testament. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:44.319 The priesthood of the Lord Jesus 00:09:44.319 --> 00:09:46.219 greater than the priesthoods 00:09:46.219 --> 00:09:48.100 in the Old Testament. 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:50.439 And so the writer says, 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:52.480 given that, 00:09:53.059 --> 00:09:54.299 given what we've thought about, 00:09:54.439 --> 00:09:55.500 given what's gone before, 00:09:55.500 --> 00:09:56.519 given what we know 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:59.080 about our position before God, 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:01.279 here are three things 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:02.360 to think about. 00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:04.379 Here are three things 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:05.539 that as Christians 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:07.460 should mark us. 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:09.379 And the first of these 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:10.299 is verse 22, 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:12.559 let us draw near to God 00:10:12.559 --> 00:10:14.279 with a sincere heart 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:15.779 and full assurance of faith, 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:17.879 having our hearts sprinkled 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:19.000 to cleanse us 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:20.139 from a guilty conscience 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:22.399 and having our bodies washed 00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:24.840 with pure water. 00:10:25.500 --> 00:10:27.440 So this is about our relationship 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:28.879 with the Lord 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:30.500 and it is characterized 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:32.080 by faith. 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:34.039 By the faith that we have 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:34.940 in the Lord Jesus 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:36.600 and the confidence 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:37.899 that that gives us 00:10:37.899 --> 00:10:39.679 to come into the presence 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:41.340 of God. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:43.539 And we can come without fear, 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:45.460 knowing that the Lord Jesus 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:47.000 has taken all our sin 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:47.759 on himself 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:49.279 and that God, 00:10:49.440 --> 00:10:50.179 on that basis, 00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:51.759 is happy to accept us, 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:53.159 to accept us indeed 00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:54.259 as his children 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:56.799 and to have us come freely 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:58.360 into his presence 00:10:58.360 --> 00:10:59.860 to bring our praise, 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:00.759 our thanksgiving, 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:02.779 our confessions 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:06.039 and our requests to him. 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:09.480 And we can come with confidence. 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:12.039 We can come with the full assurance 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:12.580 of faith, 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.259 says the writer, 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:16.860 as we come with sincere hearts. 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:18.560 But he also says something 00:11:18.560 --> 00:11:19.820 about our condition, 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:20.440 our confidence 00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:22.019 and our condition 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:23.240 as we come. 00:11:23.300 --> 00:11:23.500 He says, 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:25.039 having our hearts sprinkled 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:26.159 to cleanse us 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:27.340 from a guilty conscience 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:29.240 and having our bodies 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:29.779 washed 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:31.919 with pure water. 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:34.600 Now I think the immediate reference 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:35.539 in this verse 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:36.980 is to the Old Testament. 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:38.659 It is to the fact 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:39.720 that the blood 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:40.980 had to be sprinkled 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.940 and the priest 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:42.899 had to go through 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:43.659 the ritual 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:44.740 of cleansing, 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:45.899 of washing himself 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:47.460 in the exact form 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:48.180 stipulated 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:49.680 before he had come 00:11:49.680 --> 00:11:51.000 into the presence 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:52.180 of God. 00:11:53.180 --> 00:11:54.300 But perhaps it is appropriate 00:11:54.300 --> 00:11:55.360 for us to look at it 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:56.340 in a similar kind of way 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:57.159 to the way we looked 00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:57.899 at John 13 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.940 a couple of weeks ago 00:11:58.940 --> 00:12:00.200 in terms of us 00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:01.720 being made clean. 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:03.360 And our hearts 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:04.680 have been cleansed 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:05.700 by the blood 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:07.019 of the Lord Jesus 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:08.360 by his sacrifice 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:09.700 for us. 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:11.740 And that's been symbolized 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:12.140 for many, 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.040 if not all of us, 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:14.020 by going through 00:12:14.020 --> 00:12:15.759 the waters of baptism. 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:17.820 Our bodies in that sense 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:19.080 being washed. 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:20.520 And baptism 00:12:20.520 --> 00:12:21.320 is a representation 00:12:21.320 --> 00:12:22.020 of something 00:12:22.020 --> 00:12:22.620 that's happened 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.580 internally 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:24.879 and is showing 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:25.540 to the world 00:12:25.540 --> 00:12:27.300 that we are different. 00:12:27.420 --> 00:12:28.259 And perhaps the writer, 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:30.259 at least as a secondary thought 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:31.100 in these verses, 00:12:31.640 --> 00:12:32.740 is thinking about 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:33.940 the cleansing internal 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:35.080 of our hearts 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:35.940 and the way 00:12:35.940 --> 00:12:37.020 that is represented 00:12:37.020 --> 00:12:39.020 when we are baptized. 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:40.680 But the key thing 00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:41.820 is we come to God, 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:42.980 we come to him 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:43.640 in faith, 00:12:44.140 --> 00:12:45.340 and we come to him 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:48.060 with real confidence. 00:12:49.560 --> 00:12:50.580 Then in verse 23, 00:12:50.820 --> 00:12:51.580 the writer moves on, 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:53.140 we've got a second exhortation, 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.560 let us hold 00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:55.660 unswervingly 00:12:55.660 --> 00:12:56.259 to the hope 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:57.120 we profess 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:59.160 for he who promised 00:12:59.160 --> 00:13:01.020 is faithful. 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.360 And I've characterized 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.259 that as being 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:04.840 about God's word, 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:05.940 God's promises 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:07.120 to us. 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:09.179 And the key thing 00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:10.179 that should mark us 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:11.440 as we think about them 00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:12.960 is hope. 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:14.659 That we know 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.379 that our God 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:16.080 is faithful, 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.980 that he is reliable, 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:19.379 that he keeps 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:20.080 his promise. 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.919 And so when we come 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:22.399 to him, 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:24.000 we come with a confidence 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:25.659 that he holds us 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:26.820 in our hands 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:28.519 and that he will do 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:30.100 whatever is best 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.259 for us. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:33.759 we should hold 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:35.240 unswervingly, 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:35.980 it says. 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.939 That's quite a strong word 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:37.319 that's used, 00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:38.840 the adverb there, 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:39.980 unswervingly. 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:42.000 We should have a firm 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.879 and steadfast hope 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:44.899 and faith 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:46.240 in the Lord Jesus. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:47.580 Doesn't mean 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.559 we'll never have doubts? 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:49.960 I think probably 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:50.659 all of us 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:51.519 at times 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.819 have doubts. 00:13:53.439 --> 00:13:54.200 But nevertheless, 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:55.779 our faith, 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:56.519 our hope 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.939 in the Lord Jesus 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:59.500 should be something 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:00.580 that sustains us 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:01.840 through the hard times 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.840 as well as 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:04.400 through the easy times. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:04.840 And certainly 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.680 the last few months 00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:06.740 for all of us 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:08.260 in differing ways 00:14:08.260 --> 00:14:09.080 have been 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:10.660 very hard. 00:14:11.140 --> 00:14:11.660 And I hope 00:14:11.660 --> 00:14:12.340 for all of us 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:13.140 that something 00:14:13.140 --> 00:14:13.940 of the hope 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:14.780 that we have 00:14:14.780 --> 00:14:16.140 in the Lord Jesus 00:14:16.140 --> 00:14:17.540 and our knowledge 00:14:17.540 --> 00:14:18.120 of him 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.080 has been able 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:19.880 to sustain 00:14:19.880 --> 00:14:21.900 and strengthen us. 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:22.940 Knowing that 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:23.980 whatever may happen 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:25.140 in our world, 00:14:25.540 --> 00:14:27.060 we are in his hands. 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:28.699 He is ultimately 00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:30.059 in control. 00:14:30.579 --> 00:14:31.419 And we have this 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:33.019 marvellous hope in him, 00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:34.799 not just for this world 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:36.000 and looking for things 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.779 to get better, 00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:38.339 but beyond this world 00:14:38.339 --> 00:14:39.119 we have the hope 00:14:39.119 --> 00:14:40.279 of eternal life 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:41.599 through the Lord Jesus. 00:14:41.739 --> 00:14:42.639 And we should be aiming 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.659 to hold unswervingly 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.799 to that hope 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:46.839 and in the most 00:14:46.839 --> 00:14:47.899 difficult times 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:49.759 lay hold of it 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.619 as the thing 00:14:50.619 --> 00:14:51.799 that helps us through 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:53.099 as we think about 00:14:53.099 --> 00:14:53.899 our relationship 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:55.959 with the Lord Jesus. 00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:58.580 our relationship 00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:59.540 with the word 00:14:59.540 --> 00:15:01.980 characterised by hope. 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.300 And then finally 00:15:03.300 --> 00:15:05.060 in verses 24 and 25 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:06.700 there is our relationship 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.860 with God's people 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:09.200 and I would suggest 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:10.800 that that is characterised 00:15:10.800 --> 00:15:12.400 by love. 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.840 So the writer says 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:14.720 let us consider 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:16.060 how we may spur 00:15:16.060 --> 00:15:17.080 one another on 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:18.900 towards love 00:15:18.900 --> 00:15:21.360 and good deeds. 00:15:22.180 --> 00:15:23.680 Notice the main verb here. 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:25.859 This writer doesn't say 00:15:25.859 --> 00:15:26.839 let us spur 00:15:26.839 --> 00:15:27.759 one another on. 00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:28.739 That's true, 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:29.859 we should be spurring 00:15:29.859 --> 00:15:30.379 one another on, 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:31.479 we should be encouraging 00:15:31.479 --> 00:15:32.519 one another. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:34.339 But the writer says 00:15:34.339 --> 00:15:36.139 let us consider 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:38.059 how we may spur 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:39.359 one another on. 00:15:39.739 --> 00:15:40.359 I think consider 00:15:40.359 --> 00:15:41.299 is an adequate 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.319 translation here 00:15:42.319 --> 00:15:43.479 but perhaps it doesn't 00:15:43.479 --> 00:15:44.859 get across the full force 00:15:44.859 --> 00:15:46.019 of what the writer 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.159 is saying. 00:15:47.859 --> 00:15:48.519 And I found 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.819 a couple of paraphrases 00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:51.299 quite helpful in this. 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:53.379 the Passion Translation 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.879 says that we should 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:57.240 discover creative ways 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:59.039 to spur one another on. 00:15:59.719 --> 00:16:00.839 The message says 00:16:00.839 --> 00:16:03.319 let's see how inventive 00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:05.000 we can be. 00:16:05.359 --> 00:16:06.259 Now there are paraphrases 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:06.959 that are going beyond 00:16:06.959 --> 00:16:08.459 what the original text says 00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:09.719 but I think they get 00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:10.959 something of the flavour 00:16:10.959 --> 00:16:12.000 of it. 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.599 We should be 00:16:13.599 --> 00:16:14.859 consciously thinking 00:16:14.859 --> 00:16:16.500 how can I best 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.779 encourage my Christian 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.779 brothers and sisters 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:20.079 in their walk 00:16:20.079 --> 00:16:21.360 with the Lord Jesus. 00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:23.399 How can I 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:25.039 take every opportunity 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:26.699 to support them 00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:28.620 and to give them 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.579 encouragement 00:16:29.579 --> 00:16:30.659 to keep going 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:32.059 and to follow Jesus 00:16:32.059 --> 00:16:33.319 and to love one another 00:16:33.319 --> 00:16:35.500 and to do good 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.980 in our world. 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.539 And perhaps at times 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.679 we have a bit of a kind of 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:40.959 one size fits all 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:41.600 mentality 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:43.500 in terms of how we think 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.879 people should be acting. 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:46.519 But we should be looking 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:48.000 as a church 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.819 of what is appropriate 00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:49.259 for us 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.279 but also for individuals 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:52.299 as we come alongside them 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:54.019 and we seek to encourage them 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:55.220 in their faith. 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.879 Can we consider 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.100 what are the things 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:58.819 that are going to be 00:16:58.819 --> 00:16:59.799 most effective 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:01.519 in building them up 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.980 in the Lord Jesus. 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:03.399 And of course 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.160 we will point them 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:04.680 to his word 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.599 we may well be reading 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:07.059 God's word with them 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:08.359 and encouraging them 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:08.960 through that 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:10.000 but doing it 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.480 not on a kind of 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.279 rote basis 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.500 this is what you do 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.940 if you're a Christian 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:16.259 rather thinking through 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.420 well what is it 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.279 that people need 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.160 what is this going 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.599 to most encourage them 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:21.740 spur them on 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:23.220 and let's think 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:25.640 how we can do that. 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.460 I think over the last few months 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.900 a good number of people 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.539 in this church 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.400 have been very good 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:31.740 at doing that 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.940 at thinking about 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:33.660 the needs of 00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:34.859 particular individuals 00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:36.180 and at looking 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.420 to meet these needs 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:38.859 and to encourage them 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:39.640 in their faith 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:41.000 and in their walk 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.740 with the Lord Jesus. 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.680 And all of us 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.620 should have that 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.700 as our goal 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:48.279 that we work together 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.920 that we serve together 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:52.019 that we encourage 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.880 one another 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:54.779 in our faith. 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:57.019 And then the last verse 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:58.259 verse 25 00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:59.700 I suspect 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.539 I didn't discuss 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.279 with Graham and Nasser 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:01.900 but I suspect 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:02.860 this may be the verse 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:04.240 that particularly determined 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.220 that this would be 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:05.680 the passage 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.380 we looked at 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:07.320 this evening. 00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:09.179 Let us not give up 00:18:09.179 --> 00:18:09.960 meeting together 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:11.779 as some are in the habit 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.379 of doing 00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:14.059 but let us encourage 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.740 one another 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:16.319 and all the more 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.179 as you see 00:18:17.179 --> 00:18:18.939 the day approaching. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.980 Let us not give up 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.639 meeting together. 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.179 There's an awful lot 00:18:24.179 --> 00:18:24.759 you can do 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.579 by phone 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.720 or by Zoom 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.939 as we've discovered 00:18:27.939 --> 00:18:29.700 over the last few months 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:31.179 but equally 00:18:31.179 --> 00:18:31.960 there's an awful lot 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.960 you can't do 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.859 remotely. 00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:35.579 Being able to sit 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.279 with someone 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:37.259 presumably distance 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.000 at the moment 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:39.480 to talk things through 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.139 to see 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:41.439 their reactions 00:18:41.439 --> 00:18:42.539 and their body language 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.359 and how they're feeling 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:44.500 and how things are going 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:46.259 and to have a much more 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.159 in-depth 00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:48.839 conversation with them 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.960 than you can 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:51.179 over the phone. 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:52.679 When things are 00:18:52.679 --> 00:18:53.539 a bit more relaxed 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.319 than they are now 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:55.759 to be able to put your hand 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.480 around the shoulder 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:58.059 of a brother or sister 00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.779 who is struggling 00:18:58.779 --> 00:19:00.679 as you encourage them 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:01.879 in their faith. 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:03.220 To be able to pray together 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:06.480 as we meet together. 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:09.579 And we need as Christians 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.460 to recognise 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.680 we're not just 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.279 a collection 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.900 of solitary individuals 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:15.120 worshipping Jesus 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.640 and serving him. 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.380 Rather we're the church 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.240 of the Lord Jesus 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:19.900 that meets 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:21.319 at Brunsfield 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:23.180 and we have responsibilities 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:24.779 towards one another 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:26.620 that can only really 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:27.860 be fully discharged 00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:29.079 in person 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.980 when we see 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.940 one another. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.720 And we're wonderful, 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.279 won't it, 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.339 when we're all able 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.539 to be back together 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.899 as a church 00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:37.619 and to share together 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:39.119 in the way 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:40.279 that we've been used to 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.519 in the past. 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.599 But I think there's 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.779 a real encouragement there 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:45.039 as we are able to 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.539 over the coming weeks. 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.099 To meet together 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:49.440 whether it's outside 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:51.160 or whether it's in houses 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:52.319 to be distanced 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.220 to meet together 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.259 and to be able 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.299 to share together 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.359 the things 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:57.920 of the Lord Jesus. 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:58.720 Particularly to look 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.759 for those who perhaps 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.619 need that word 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:01.399 of encouragement 00:20:01.399 --> 00:20:02.599 and whether they're 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:03.459 feeling a bit down 00:20:03.459 --> 00:20:03.979 or whether they're 00:20:03.979 --> 00:20:04.839 perhaps slipping away 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.879 a bit in their 00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:06.779 Christian faith. 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:08.359 But to encourage them 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:10.079 and to strengthen them 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:11.500 in the Lord Jesus. 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:14.879 What is the final incentive 00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.519 for that? 00:20:15.939 --> 00:20:16.939 The writer says 00:20:16.939 --> 00:20:17.959 all the more 00:20:17.959 --> 00:20:19.039 as you see 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:20.739 the day approaching. 00:20:21.459 --> 00:20:22.939 The Lord is coming back. 00:20:23.459 --> 00:20:24.239 We don't know 00:20:24.239 --> 00:20:25.019 when it will be. 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.799 It could be 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.819 very soon. 00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:28.199 And the writer says 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.740 that is a real incentive 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:31.799 for us to encourage 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.440 and strengthen 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:33.039 one another 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:33.920 in our faith 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:35.240 and in our walk 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:36.559 with the Lord Jesus. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.360 It's a real incentive 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.720 not to absent ourselves 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.279 from meetings 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.039 of God's people 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:41.880 but where we can 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:42.660 where it's appropriate 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.100 and I realize 00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:43.580 for everyone 00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:44.759 it's not for everyone 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.460 it's not appropriate 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.200 at the moment 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.380 to meet like this 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:48.299 but where we can 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:49.640 to meet with others 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.940 and to encourage 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.539 one another 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.700 and strengthen 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.319 one another 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:55.080 in our faith. 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:57.279 So three relationships. 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.579 A relationship 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.539 with the Lord 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.539 that should be 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.059 characterized 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:02.539 by our faith 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.579 in him 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:05.039 and thinking 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.299 about our access 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:08.199 to God the Father. 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.240 Let's make good use 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.199 of the access 00:21:10.199 --> 00:21:11.179 that the Lord Jesus 00:21:11.179 --> 00:21:12.699 has given us. 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:13.919 A relationship 00:21:13.919 --> 00:21:14.720 with the word 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.460 characterized 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.619 by our hope 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:18.099 and by the certainty 00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:20.059 of God's promises 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:21.679 and strengthening us 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:23.119 through difficult times. 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.399 And a relationship 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.280 with each other 00:21:25.280 --> 00:21:27.140 characterized by love 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:28.200 and bringing 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.200 mutual support 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.400 and encouragement 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.480 in walking 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:33.000 with the Lord Jesus. 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:34.740 It may be able 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.320 to be said 00:21:35.320 --> 00:21:36.680 of all of us 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:38.480 he loves the Lord 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:40.300 he loves the word 00:21:40.300 --> 00:21:41.460 and he loves 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.120 the gatherings 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:44.040 of God's people. 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.840 Let me pray briefly. 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.860 Father we thank you 00:21:47.860 --> 00:21:48.280 for your word 00:21:48.280 --> 00:21:49.000 to us this evening. 00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:50.200 We thank you 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:51.060 for the writer 00:21:51.060 --> 00:21:51.780 to the Hebrews 00:21:51.780 --> 00:21:52.780 and the great concern 00:21:52.780 --> 00:21:53.600 he had for those 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:54.139 he wrote to. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.799 People were going 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:56.259 through difficult times 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.399 and we thank you 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.199 it is still relevant 00:21:58.199 --> 00:21:59.000 to us today 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.939 that we need to 00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:02.459 remember that we have 00:22:02.459 --> 00:22:03.839 access into your presence 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.799 through the Lord Jesus 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.659 and what a wonderful 00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:07.419 privilege that is. 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.679 That we need to 00:22:08.679 --> 00:22:09.959 cling on to the hope 00:22:09.959 --> 00:22:10.779 that we have 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.099 steadfastly 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:13.219 as we go through 00:22:13.219 --> 00:22:13.939 life's trials 00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:15.599 and that we need 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.119 to consider 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:17.139 how we can best 00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:17.599 encourage 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.740 and strengthen 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.359 one another 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:20.579 in our faith 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.479 in our love 00:22:21.479 --> 00:22:22.759 in our works. 00:22:23.179 --> 00:22:23.879 Help us to learn 00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:24.559 these lessons 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.159 we pray 00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:26.079 and be with us now 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:27.299 as in a few minutes 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.199 we come together 00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:29.279 to share 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.259 the communion 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:31.479 to share the Lord's Supper 00:22:31.479 --> 00:22:32.359 may we do it 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.579 in a way that is 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:35.259 worthy of our Saviour. 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:36.539 We give you thanks 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.799 in Jesus name. 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.019 Amen.