We'll begin our time of worship, returning praise to Psalm 119.
That's in the Sing Psalms version on page 166 of the praise book, Psalm 119.
The beginning of that Psalm at verse 145, page 166 of the blue book.
I call with all my heart, Lord answer me, and then all your decrees I will obey.
I cry aloud to you, Lord save my life, and I will keep your statutes every day.
I rise before the dawn and cry for help, for I have set my hope upon your word.
I stay awake throughout the hours of the night, reflecting on your promises, O Lord.
Lord, in your loving kindness hear my voice, and in your justice save and keep my life.
For those who disregard your holy law approach with schemes of wickedness and strife.
Yet you are near to those who seek you, Lord.
All your commands are true and ever sure.
Yes, from your statutes long ago I learned that you have made them always to endure.
The psalmist there with his whole heart, expressing the love of the Lord and his faithfulness to him and his promises.
Let us stand together and sing these words to God's praise.
I call with all my heart, Lord answer me.
And may all you be peace I will obey.
I cry aloud to you, Lord save my life.
And I will keep your statutes every day.
I rise before the dawn and cry for help.
For I have set my hope upon your word.
I stay awake throughout the hours of night,
Lord, in your loving kindness hear my voice.
And in your justice save and keep my life.
For those who did regard your holy law.
I approach with schemes of wickedness and strife.
Yet you are near to those who seek you, Lord.
All your call that are true and never sure.
Yes, from your statutes long ago I learned.
And you have made them always to endure.
We'll now turn to God in prayer.
Let us pray.
Our Heavenly Father, as we sung there,
that you will be near to all those who seek you.
And so we pray that you would prepare our hearts this evening,
as we come to seek you, to seek your presence,
and to seek to know you being with us.
Lord, make us mindful of what we do when we gather in your name.
If we gather to worship the Lord God Almighty,
the creator of heaven and earth,
the sustainer of each and every one of us.
He holds everything in his hands.
And Lord, you are the one that hears us when we pray.
You know us in a greater sense than we know ourselves.
As we come to you this evening,
we know fine well in ourselves
that we do not deserve you to hear us.
We do not deserve you to listen to our complaints,
our anxieties,
the sorrows of our souls.
But Lord, you do,
because you love us.
And that great expression of your love
was seen in your Son, Jesus Christ,
that he died willingly on the cross for us.
And that we did not choose him,
but that he chose us
and loved us with an everlasting love.
So how else can we come
and gather and worship you
for that love that has been extended to us
with thankfulness and praise in our hearts
to the God that has made everlasting and eternal promises to us
who will not fail us
when we fail him.
Lord,
our salvation does not rest in ourselves,
but in the works of Jesus Christ.
And we pray that Jesus would be a reality to us tonight
as we gather,
that Jesus would come into this building
and speak with us
and to show us who we are before God,
to show us that we are sinful,
to show us that we are guilty.
Lord,
open our eyes
and block our ears
to see ourselves,
but to see the wonderful promises of the gospel,
the wonderful and eternal promises of salvation
for those who believe in Jesus Christ
and who do not trust in themselves.
To whom else can we go?
Nothing in this world offers us anything in comparison.
It is to you that we come.
It is to you that we come with our prayers and our worries.
And Lord,
we ask that you would answer the prayers of your people,
whatever they may be this evening,
in your providence and according to your will.
Hear the cries of those who mourn.
Hear the cries of those who are anxious about their health.
Hear the cries of those who have a concern for their own soul.
Hear the cries of those who have a concern for the souls of those in their families
who do not yet believe in you.
Lord,
by the power of your spirit,
would you work
a mighty work
in the hearts and souls
of the people of this island
and this town.
That people may see
their need of salvation,
see their
eternity in hell
without you.
without a saviour.
That they may come
and run
to you.
Run to the gospel.
Run to Jesus.
Fall at his knees
and have that burden
as Christian had
severed from his back
that would weigh him down
and condemn him
in Bunyan's
Pilgrim's Progress.
Lord,
we pray
that you would take
the burden
of condemnation
away from those
who are feeling it.
Those who feel like
they are not worthy
to have it set free from them.
Those who feel like
Jesus would never
come to me.
Come to them.
In your great compassion
and love,
Lord,
come to those
who even we do not
expect you to come to.
Set them free
so that they can say
there is now therefore
no condemnation
for those that are
in Christ Jesus.
that they may go out
and testify to others
of what Jesus
has done for their soul.
And in this man,
I have a hope
like nothing
in this world
can offer me.
Lord,
we pray
the gospel,
whatever it is preached
today,
would go with that power.
We are particularly
mindful
of those
that have heard,
have joined together
in the Christian
conference this weekend.
We pray for your
blessing over that
and the words
that have been spoken
there and the people
that have joined
together.
We pray your blessing
to pour down
in your spirit
upon them.
They may know
the great privileges
of being your people
and praising you
together.
Lord,
we just pray
for the ministers
of your gospel
that you would
uphold them
and strengthen them.
And even at this
evening hour
when they feel
that they're weakest,
we pray
that in their weakness
they would be strong
and that the power
of the gospel
would work
not through
their strength
but by
your spirit
and your word
faithfully
preached
and taught
week after week.
Lord,
we give thanks
for faithful ministry
in our congregation.
The ministry of
James McKeever
here
and his retirement,
we pray that you
would be with
himself and Donna.
We give thanks
for that faithfulness
to the congregation
and the years
that he gave
in service
to the Lord.
We pray that you
would bless them
in their retirement
and we pray
for Calum
to take up
that extra burden
and responsibility.
We pray for him
and his loss
of his friend.
We pray that you
would be near
to him
and strengthen him.
We give thanks
for Colin
as our inter-moderator.
We pray also
that you would
direct him
and direct us
as a congregation
to a man
of your choosing,
a man set apart
to gather
with your people
here
and to lead us
as an under-shepherd.
Lord,
we pray
as we pray
for someone
to come and lead us
that we would be
prayerful for each other
and mindful
of each other
and helpful
of each other
encouraging one another
every step
of the way.
for we know
that different
afflictions
affect each of us
differently.
One may fall,
one may just trip
on the same affliction
and so help us
to be mindful
and considerate
of each other.
Lord,
help us
to be forgiving
of each other.
Help us
to love
one another.
Help us
to join together
in worshiping you.
Lord,
bind us together
with that love
that we have
in common
with Christ,
that love
of Christ.
May that
bond
and fellowship
go out
into this world
and nation
and we pray
for those
who have
left homes
and families
and followed
the call
of Jesus
to go
to different
nations
to proclaim
the riches
which are
immeasurable
in Jesus Christ.
We remember
Muriel in Cambodia.
We pray for her.
We pray for the girls
that she is with.
We pray for her
in her teaching.
We pray that
she would be a light
there to the people.
We give thank you
for her.
We are mindful
of others
who have done
likewise.
We pray
that you would
uphold them
and give them
strength.
That
they would not
see persecution
but that they
would see
the fruits
of your word
being received
in the hearts
and lives
of believers.
Lord,
we
pray
for our nation
at this time
of election.
We pray
that you would
give wisdom
to the people.
Pray that you would
give us leaders
who hold
to your word.
Revive us
again
as a nation
to come
to remember
Jesus
and to love him
and to acknowledge
God.
For many do not.
Many choose
to forget.
Many
choose
to stamp
it out.
Lord,
in your
great
compassion
and mercy
extend
your
loving
arms
towards
those
that do
so
that they
may turn
to you
and know
you
and believe
in you
and have
eternal life
in you.
Watch over us
in our time
of worship.
Guard us
from the
evil one
and distractions
of the devil.
We ask all
these things
in the name
of Jesus
Christ,
your Son
and our
Saviour.
Amen.
We'll continue
in our praise
by singing
in Psalm 9b
in the
Sing Psalms
version.
You'll find that
on page 10
of the
Blue Praise
Book.
from the
beginning
from verse
9
that
Psalm
9b
page 10
at verse
9
The Lord
is a
stronghold
in times
of distress
a refuge
for those
whom the
wicked
oppress
for your
people
know you
and will
trust in
your grace
you've
never
forsaken
those
seeking
your face.
We'll sing
down to
verse
Mark 20
Arise
O my
God
let not
man
win the
day
let nations
be judged
in your
presence
I pray
O Lord
strike the
nations
put fear
in their
breast
to teach
them
that they
are but
human
at best.
We'll stand
and sing
these words
to God's
praise
the Lord
is a
stronghold
in times
of distress.
The Lord
is a
stronghold
in times
of distress
a refuge
for those
who
the
wicked
oppress
your people
who know
you
will trust
in your
grace
you've
never
forsaken
those
seeking
your
faith.
Praise God
who in
Zion
has
founded
his
throne
proclaim
to the
nations
the needs
he has
done
the cry
of afflicted
what springs
in his
ear
their
blood
he avenges
their
plea
he will
hear
Lord
see what
I
suffer
from
malice
and hate
have
pity
and lift
me
away
from
his
gate
that
I
in
Jerusalem
gave
his
gate
we
proclaim
your
mercy
and sing
to
the
praise
of
your
name
the
nations
are
sung
in
the
pit
they
prepare
their
feet
in
the
net
which
they
had
are
in
fear
the
Lord
by his
justice
has
made
himself
known
and
by
their
own
works
are
the
wicked
cast
down
the
wicked
return
to
the
graves
dark
of
all
nations
and
those
who
are
heedless
of
God
but
God
will
remember
the
cause
of
the
weak
he
will
not
let
perish
the
hope
of
the
me
arise
oh
my
God
let
not
man
win
the
day
let
nations
be
judged
in
your
presence
I
pray
oh
lord
strive
the
nations
who
feel
in
their
breath
to
teach
them
how
they
are
but
human
at
rest
I
will
turn
now
to
read
from
the
word
of
God
we
will
have
two
readings
read
from
the
gospel
of
Mark
first
chapter
15
from
verse
40
then
we will
turn
to
the
gospel
of
John
after
gospel
of
Mark
chapter
15
reading
from
verse
40
the
crucifixion
of
Jesus
and
particularly
thinking
mindful
of
Mary
Magdalene
here
as we
read
these
two
passages
they
were
also
women
looking
on
from
a
distance
among
whom
were
Mary
Magdalene
and
Mary
the
mother
of
James
the
younger
and
of
Joseph
and
Salome
when
he
was
in
Galilee
they
followed
him
and
ministered
to
him
and
there
were
also
many
other
women
who
came
up
with
him
to
Jerusalem
and
when
evening
had
come
since
it
was
a
day
of
preparation
that
is
the
day
before
the
Sabbath
Joseph
of
Armathia
a
respected
member
of
the
council
who
was
also
himself
looking
for
the
kingdom
of
God
took
courage
and
went
to
Pilate
and
asked
for
the
body
of
Jesus
Pilate
was
surprised
to hear
that he
should
have
already
died
and
summoning
the
centurion
he asked
him
whether
he was
already
dead
and
when
he
learned
from
the
centurion
that
he
was
dead
he
granted
he
granted
he
handed
he
handed
him
in
the
linen
shroud
and
laid
him
in
a
tomb
that
had
been
cut
out
of
the
rock
and
he
rolled
a
stone
against
the
entrance
of
the
tomb
Mary
Magdalene
and
Mary
the
mother
of
Joseph
saw
where
he
was
laid
also
we'll
turn
to
the
gospel
of
John
chapter
20
reading
from
the
beginning
of
that
chapter
John
20
reading
down
to
verse
18
let
us
hear
God's
word
now
on
the
first
day
of
the
week
Mary
Magdalene
came
to
the
tomb
early
while
it
was
still
dark
and
saw
that
the
stone
had
been
taken
away
from
the
tomb
so
she
ran
and
went
to
Simon
Peter
and
the
other
disciple
the
one
whom
Jesus
loved
and
said
to
them
they
have
taken
the
Lord
out
of
the
tomb
and
we
do
not
know
where
they
have
laid
him
so
Peter
went
out
with
the
other
disciple
and
they
were
going
towards
the
tomb
both
of
them
were
running
together
but
the
other
disciple
out
ran
Peter
going
to
look
in
he
saw
the
linen
cloths
lying
there
but
he
did
not
go
in
then
Simon
Peter
came
following
him
and
went
into
the
tomb
he
saw
the
linen
cloths
lying
there
and
the
face
cloth
which
had
been
on
Jesus
head
not
lying
with
the
linen
cloths
but
folded
up
in
a
place
by
itself
then
the
other
disciple
who
had
reached
the
tomb
first
also
went
in
and
believed
for
as
yet
they
did
not
understand
the
scripture
that
he
must
rise
from
the
dead
then
the
disciples
went
back
to
their
homes
but
Mary
stood
weeping
outside
the
tomb
and
as
she
wept
she
stooped
to
look
into
the
tomb
and
she
saw
two
angels
in
white
sitting
where
the
body
of
Jesus
had
lain
one
at
the
head
and
one
at
the
feet
they
said
to
her
woman
why
are
you
weeping
she
said
to
them
they
have
taken
away
my
Lord
and
I
do
not
know
where
they
have
laid
him
having
said
this
she
turned
around
and
saw
Jesus
standing
but
she
did
not
know
that
it
was
Jesus
said
to
her
woman
why
are
you
weeping
whom
are
you
seeking
supposing
him
to be
the
gardener
she
said
to
him
sir
if
you
have
carried
him
away
tell
me
where
you
have
laid
him
and
I
will
take
him
away
Jesus
said
to
her
Mary
she
turned
and
said
to
him
in
Aramaic
Rabboni
which
means
teacher
Jesus
said
to
her
do
not
cling
to
me
for
I
have
not
yet
ascended
to
the
father
but
go
to
my
brothers
and
say
to
them
that
I
am
ascending
to
my
father
and
your
father
to
my
God
and
your
God
Mary
Magdalene
went
and
announced
to
the
disciples
I
have
seen
the
Lord
and
that
he
had
said
these
things
to
her
amen
may
the
reading
of
God's
word
be a
blessing
to
all
who
have
heard
it
we'll
continue
in our
praise
by
singing
in
Psalm
63
of
the
Scottish
Psalter
version
you'll
find that
on
page
295
of the
blue
book
Psalm
63
from
the
beginning
of
that
Psalm
Lord
thee
my
God
I
early
seek
my
soul
does
thirst
for
thee
my
flesh
lungs
in a
dry
parched
land
wherein
no
waters
be
that
I
thy
power
may
behold
and
brightness
of
thy
face
as
I
have
seen
thee
heretofore
within
thy
holy
place
singing
down
to
verse
marked
8
and
shadow
off
thy
wings
I
will
joy
for
thou
my
help
has
been
my
soul
thee
follows
hard
and
me
thy
right
hand
doth
sustain
we'll
sing
these
verses
1 to
8
to
God's
praise
Lord
thee
my
God
I'll
early
seek
Lord
thee
my
God
I'll
early
seek
my
soul
the
thirst
for
thee
my
flesh
chomps
in
that
dry
heart
stand
where
there
no
waters
be
that
I
thy
power
made
thee
hold
and
bright
bless
of
thy
face
as
I
have
seen
thee
here
to
pour
within
thy
holy
face
since
beg
to
is
thy
love
and
life
my
lips
thee
grace
shall
give
I
in
thy
name
will
lift
thy
arms
and
bless
thee
why
thy
name
hello
if
might
them
on
me
j
is
unto thee
when
I to
thee upon
my bed
remember
with
delight
and
when
only
I
medited
in watches
of the
night
in shadow
of
thy wings
shall
join
for thou
my
help
hast
been
my
soul
thee
follow
star
and
me
thy
right
hand
does
the
same
turn
back to the
passage that
we read in
gospel of
john
the text
tonight will be
the words in
verse 15
woman
why are you
weeping
whom
are you
seeking
the resurrection
accounts
form the
foundation of
our
christianity
all the
gospel
writers
recorded
and I
believe
there are
ten
differing
accounts
of
jesus
in his
resurrection
state
appearing
to his
followers
of course
in the
period of
40 days
before he
ascended
to glory
in the
gospel of
in the
book of
acts
and this
account that
we have
read of
here
is the
first of
the
resurrection
appearances
and
over the
next few
times that
I
preach
it won't
be
consecutive
weeks
it'll be
elsewhere
but
the next
few times
that I'm
with you
I hope
to
draw
attention
to the
resurrection
appearances
that are
recorded here
in the
gospel of
john
a gospel
that has
been written
with a
purpose
a gospel
that has
been written
with a
purpose
that you
can see
in this
chapter
at verse
30
where john
says that
he has
written these
things so
that you
may believe
that jesus
is the
son of
god
john
wrote all
these things
so that they
would not be
forgotten
john
wrote all
these things
because they
made such
an impression
upon him
john
wrote all
these things
because he
believed in a
risen saviour
and he has
written it
for each
and every
one of us
so that we
may believe
that jesus
is the
son of
god
and that by
believing in
him
each and
every one
of us
may have
life
john in
his gospel
records
four of
the resurrection
appearances
the first
one here
is what
we'll
consider
at the
tomb
secondly
we'll
move into
the locked
room with
the disciples
thirdly
we'll
witness a
personal
conversation
that the
resurrected
lord had
with
thomas
and the
last of
the appearances
is when
jesus
appears on
the shore
and has a
meal with
the disciples
in the
closing
chapter
four
differing
moments
that
radically
influenced
and changed
those whom
he appeared
to
these
resurrection
appearances
they were
key
motivators
for the
early church
of course
they were
who
comes back
from the
dead
who
comes back
from the
grave
to walk
with
and talk
with
to sit
with
and eat
with
those who
had
followed
him
this is
big news
this is
the greatest
news
that these
followers
went on
to tell
everyone
about
and though
this man
died
he's
risen
again
he's
come back
to life
surely
he must
be the
son
of god
and their
testimony
was just
like
Mary's
here in
this chapter
where she
said
I have
seen
the lord
they too
saw
the lord
they knew
there was
no other
news like
this that
everyone had
to hear
about
but when
they went
to the
world with
it
they didn't
really receive
it
with gladness
they hated
it
they didn't
want it
and those
followers
those
apostles
had seen
the resurrected
lord who
sat with
him and
spoke with
him and
ate a
meal with
him
they faithfully
went on
no matter
what
telling this
news to
people that
would not
accept it
faithfully
preaching the
word
even if it
meant that
the majority
of them
would be
brutally
killed
that in
itself is
such a
testimony
to the
reality
that they
knew of
Jesus
Christ
they were
killed
for proclaiming
the greatest
news that
anyone could
have heard
but they
knew they
had seen
someone who
had overcome
death
they knew
the lord's
power was
greater than
death and
so it
motivated the
early church
like nothing
else could
even when
they were
threatened with
death
they knew
that if they
believed in
Jesus they
would have
life and
life eternal
the apostles
came with the
cure to that
lifelong problem
of death
and the world
didn't receive
it
I believe
if they were
going out
today with
it would
be plastered
with fake
news
trying to
silence
the hope
of the
gospel
trying to
silence
that there
is a
cure
to that
power
of death
and this
is something
that Jesus
had been
teaching
those who
followed him
while he
was alive
what was it
Jesus had
said to
those who
followed him
I am
the
resurrection
and the
life
whoever
believes in
me though
he die
yet he
shall
live
and everyone
who lives
and believes
in me
shall
never
die
do you
hear that
everyone
who lives
and believes
in me
shall
never
die
and he
asked a
question
after that
he asked
do you
believe
this
and this
is a
question
that he's
asking each
and every
one of us
tonight
when we
come and
consider
the
resurrected
Lord
Jesus
the
question
is
do you
believe
this
and all
the words
that I
speak
really
it is
a question
that the
risen
Lord
Jesus
who is
alive
today
is asking
each
and every
one of
us
for a
response
to that
question
do you
believe
that he
is the
resurrection
and the
life
so I
pray that
as we
come to
the
resurrection
appearances
that
Jesus
Christ
would
become
a reality
to us
all
and great
motivators
to us
so that
we may
go out
faithfully
and proclaim
the greatest
news
that we
ever could
tell
so looking
at this
first
resurrection
appearance
of Mary
I want
us to
consider
the lost
love
that she
felt in
her heart
at the
loss
of her
good
friend
I
then want
to consider
the goodness
of the
gardener
who appeared
to her
and finally
the true
testimony
that Mary
bore
the lost
love
the good
gardener
and the
true
testimony
so firstly
the lost
love
Horatius
Bonner
says that
he that
loves
Christ
will
long
to
see
him
the
lover
seeks
the
absent
loved
one
the
wife
the
husband
the
child
the
mother
so do
you
your
Lord
it is a
mark of
a disciple
that he
waits for
the son of
God from
heaven
that he
loves
for
looks
for
longs
for
the
appearance
of
Christ
for
we
know
we
know
that
the
greatest
loves
in
this
world
form
the
deepest
of
bonds
and
they
are
bonds
that
we
wish
were
unbreakable
but
yet
with
an
unstoppable
passage
of
time
and
the
unknown
mysterious
providence
of
God
there
is a
severing
that
brings
an
unavoidable
sorrow
into
our
lives
when
love
is
lost
we
know
that
in
our
earthly
relationships
but
the
believer
will
have
a
longing
instilled
within
them
to be
with
Jesus
to
know
more
about
him
to
see
him
again
to
hear
his
words
to
sit
with
him
because
Jesus
is
their
Lord
and
they
love
him
and
it
is
this
longing
love
that
the
believer
should
have
that
we
see
in
Mary
and
we
see
in
our
actions
and
we
can
surely
say
that
Mary
Magdalene
loved
the
Lord
with
a
great
love
and
it's
not
a
love
in a
romantic
sense
but
she
had
lost
a
love
of
someone
whom
she
had
her
whole
life
tied
up
in
the
one
she
adored
the
one
whom
she
loved
being
in
the
company
of
and
sitting
with
and
spending
time
with
she
is a
woman
that
has
been
following
Jesus
whenever
she
could
she
was
at
the
cross
in
chapter
19
verse
25
she
was
at
the
burial
in
chapter
20
verse
1
she
was
among
the
first
here
to
come
and
anoint
Jesus
in
the
tomb
but
she
was
the
last
left
standing
there
when
all
the
other
disciples
returned
home
in
verse
10
and
we
ask
well
why
was
her
love
so
great
for
this
man
and
why
was
she
so
devoted
to
him
well
it's
because
Jesus
turned
her
world
upside
down
she
appears
in
Luke's
gospels
record
in
chapter
8
as
having
seven
demons
cast
out
of her
by
Jesus
and
we
don't
have
all
the
details
of
that
miracle
there
but
we
are
told
that
when
she
was
healed
she
followed
on
after
Jesus
nothing
else
mattered
to
her
and
she
went
with
Jesus
through
all
the
villages
and
through
all
the
cities
she
loved
him
so
much
that
her
whole
life
owed
everything
to
him
because
she
had
set
her
free
from
that
bondage
of
evil
that
had
entrapped
her
and
ruled
her
she
was
free
from
it
she
was
free
to
do
what
she
wanted
and
what
else
could
she
do
but
follow
the
man
that
loved
her
and
saved
her
Jesus
did
the
impossible
for
her
and
Jesus
can
do
the
impossible
for
each
and
every
one
of
us
as
well
maybe
we
think
we
are
so
far
away
from
Jesus
maybe
we
think
well
I've
let
all
the
evil
passions
of
my
life
rule
me
I'm
nowhere
near
this
Jesus
that
he
would
even
consider
touching
me
or
healing
me
maybe
we
have
no
word
of
this
man
that
can
cure
us
from
death
but
Jesus
can
do
the
impossible
Jesus
can
come
and
touch
us
and
set
us
free
from
whatever
is
ruling
us
in
our
lives
and
whatever
rule
in
our
lives
we
feel
that
we
can't
get
away
from
things
that
rule
us
let
us
come
to
the
Lord
but
Mary
was
one
who
had
her
life
tied
up
in
Jesus
it's
as if
all
her
love
had
been
poured
into
this
one
man
all
her
love
had
been
poured
into
this
one
bottle
that
had
been
smashed
on
the
ground
you
hear
people
speaking
financial
terms
they
say
don't
put
all
your
eggs
in
one
basket
don't
put
all
your
money
in
one
pot
you
lose
it
all
in
one
go
if
you
do
and
that's
almost
the
same
as
Mary
has
here
she
put
all
the
love
that
she
had
into
this
man
Jesus
and
at
this
moment
it
seems
like
she's
lost
everything
her
life
had
lost
her
love
she
has
been
separated
from
the
center
of
her
new
life
separated
from
the
meaning
and
the
man
that
gave
her
this
new
life
and
this
separation
caused
a great
sorrow
for her
and her
soul
she
goes
to the
tomb
she
sees
the
door
the
stone
had been
rolled
away
she
runs
to
the
disciples
she
finds
Peter
and
John
there
and
they
immediately
run
to the
burial
site
they
assess
the
tomb
they
see
the
linen
cloths
lying
there
says
that
John
believed
but
we're
also
told
that
they
didn't
quite
fully
grasp
what was
going on
there
in verse
nine
and we
can say
well
who would
really
who would
fully grasp
what's going
on
this has never
happened
before
nothing like
this had
happened
before
and when
you read
verse
11
but
Mary
stood
weeping
outside
the
tomb
in the
light
of
verse
10
the
disciples
had
gone
home
it
seems
like
she
is
the
only
one
left
there
all
alone
it's
as if
she's
just
lost
not
knowing
what
to
do
now
where
to
go
what
to
do
she's
lost
everything
and
she
enters
into
this
conversation
with
two
angels
that
question
her
weeping
and
when
we
read
it
through
John
does
not
emphasize
any
fear
on
Mary's
part
it
seems
like
a
strangely
normal
conversation
other
than
the
question
that
she's
asked
why
are
you
weeping
surely
they
knew
surely
they
knew
why
she
was
weeping
and
we
find
her
answer
there
in
verse
13
they
have
taken
away
my
Lord
and
I
do
not
know
where
they
have
laid
him
she
has
lost
her
Lord
she
has
lost
her
saviour
her
king
she
has
lost
her
love
and
she
seems
like
someone
who
herself
is
now
lost
and
while
this
conversation
is
going
to
take
place
we
can
read
off
this
other
one
that
is
listening
to
everything
that's
going
on
the
gardener
the
unrecognisable
Jesus
is in
the
background
almost
listening
to
this
cry
of
the
woman
who
has
lost
everything
that's
her
second
point
the
good
gardener
Mary's
lost
love
and
now
we
come
to
the
good
gardener
Mary
turns
around
and
sees
this
man
standing
before
her
who
asks
exactly
the
same
questions
as the
angels
do
woman
why
are you
weeping
but also
adds
whom
are you
seeking
now
Jesus
of course
knew the
answer
to
these
questions
and
surely
that
repetition
is an
emphasis
to ask
why
is she
weeping
because
he
knew
that she
had no
reason
to
weep
she
had no
reason
to
seek
the
one
whom
she
loved
the
one
whom
she
looked
for
was
standing
right
in
front
of
her
staring
her
in
the
face
and
the
true
reality
is
that
she
had
not
lost
anything
at
all
and
for
some
reason
or
other
she
assumes
that
Jesus
is
a
gardener
and
continues
to
ask
for
the
body
of
Jesus
so
that
she
could
show
her
love
in
this
one
last
act
in
anointing
the
remains
an act
that she
never
actually
got to
do
and
never
got
to
fulfill
the
gardener
would have
belonged to
one of the
poorest
classes of
people
which is
interesting
that even
in
Jesus'
resurrection
state
he was
of a
humble
appearance
and
this
gardener
appearance
is quite
specific
and many
form a
parallel
here
between
Jesus
and
Adam
Adam's
job
was
to
work
Eden's
ground
and
to
keep
Eden
Adam
was
essentially
a
gardener
but he
was a
gardener
who
failed
and
disobeyed
his
master
and he
was sent
out from
God
and
separated
from
the
presence
of
God
Adam's
disobedience
brought
a great
separation
and in
John's
account
we have
somewhat
of a
parallel
we have
Jesus
here
buried
in a
garden
chapter
19
verse
41
he
appears
then in
the
garden
as a
gardener
calling
the one
that was
with him
woman
initially
just like
Adam
but this
new
Adam
does not
disobey
he obeys
his
Lord
and
because
Jesus
has
obeyed
there
is
no
separation
but
restoration
this
gardener
brings
a
great
restoration
of
the
greatest
love
that
this
woman
knew
this
gardener
binds
the
sorrow
of
a
broken
love
for
Mary
the
woman
who
lost
her
love
woman
why
are
you
weeping
whom
are
you
seeking
she
had
no
reason
to
and
as we
continue
through
in the
passage
it is
an
action
that is
not
explicitly
recorded
but
between
verse
15
and
verse
16
she
at
some
point
must
turn
away
because
she
is
talking
to
Jesus
said
to her
why are
you
weeping
whom
are you
seeking
supposing
him to
be the
gardener
she
answers
requesting
for his
body
and
when
Jesus
says
to
her
Mary
in
verse
16
she
turns
so
at
some
point
she
turned
away
in
her
request
for
the
body
it
may be
wrong
to
assume
it
but
it's
almost
as if
she's
had a
despondent
reaction
to
this
gardener
it's
almost
as if
she's
expecting
absolutely
nothing
from
this
man
which
is
interesting
because
in
reality
she
actually
received
everything
from
that
man
because
all
her
sorrow
all
her
mourning
all
the
plans
all
her
confusions
that
she
had
that
day
were
turned
upside
down
in the
revealing
of
the
name
Mary
her
whole
life
changed
it was
such a
personal
and private
moment
but it
was
actually
a
moment
that
would
change
the
entire
world
Mary
instantly
recognised
that
voice
and
turns
around
with
the
words
Rabboni
which
I
believe
can
also
equate
to
her
calling
him
her
Lord
and
it
says
that
Jesus
said
do
not
cling
to
me
there's
a
bit
of a
dispute
there
as to
whether
that
means
that
she
was
clinging
to
him
which
would
have
been
a
natural
reaction
for
her
in
the
love
that
she
had
for
this
man
or
was
it
Jesus
saying
you
cannot
touch
me
do
not
cling
to
me
do
not
come
near me
because
I
haven't
ascended
to
my
father
but
she
wanted
to
she
wanted
to
embrace
Jesus
regardless
of what
it
means
she
had a
desire
to
embrace
him
and
that
revelation
there
that
was
made
in
the
calling
of
our
name
it
points
you
directly
to
John
chapter
10
where
Jesus
describes
himself
as a
good
shepherd
the
good
shepherd
sorry
those
who
are
his
sheep
he
knows
by
name
and
the
sheep
know
his
voice
Jesus
is
the
good
shepherd
that
cares
for
his
sheep
he
cares
for
Mary
he
cares
for
each
one
of
us
here
and
the
gardener
comes
in
all
that
goodness
Jesus
comes
in
that
same
goodness
to
Mary
restoring
the
separation
of
her
lost
love
the
love
that
was
absent
was
restored
and
it
was
a
love
that
could
never
be
broken
again
for
her
it
is
that
eternal
love
that
the
good
shepherd
has
for
his
flock
it
is
an
eternal
love
that
is
continual
everlasting
unfaltering
unfailing
and
personal
because
that
saviour
knows
your
name
and
he's
calling out
to each
and every
one of
us
tonight
to
come
to him
it
can
bring
so
much
sorrow
to
each
of
us
whatever
our
sorrow
is
caused
by
sin
it
is no
love
like the
lasting
love
that
Jesus
Christ
gives
to us
it
is
an
eternal
unfailing
love
that
gives us
joy and assurance
that we will not be parted
from him.
The things of this world
that we put our love in
are like broken cisterns.
Empty bags
because they're full of holes.
We pour our love
into these things
and we're left unsatisfied
with them.
Because it's not like
the love of Jesus,
the love of God.
Sin that came into this world
separated us from the love
of God in Eden,
but Jesus has come to restore
that greatest love that we can know
and be satisfied with
in his death and resurrection.
Jesus restores our lost love.
Are we going to have a love
like no other love in him?
Because the world will leave you
feeling lost.
All the loves of this world
will leave you feeling lost.
But the good gardener
will compassionately hear your cry.
And if your cry is
that the world has left me lost,
if you've been chasing
after other loves
and trying to fill bags with holes,
trying to fill cisterns
that are broken,
mourn over
the love that you have lost
because we are separated
by sin.
Pray to Jesus
that he would restore
the satisfying and eternal love
of God in your heart
through his death.
That he would reveal himself
to you by calling out your name.
That he would be your good shepherd
to lead you.
And that all your love
would be poured into
this pot of Jesus
that will not break,
that will last forever
and satisfy you eternally.
The good gardener
restored a lost love,
but she had a true testimony
in closing.
The loyalty and love that Mary had
had its great reward.
And the loyalty and love
that the believer has
will also have
a great reward
in seeing Jesus
and hearing his voice.
But it means living a life
testifying
to the resurrected Jesus.
It means saying to others
around us,
I know that Jesus is alive.
I have seen the Lord
as Mary exclaimed
in verse 18.
But Jesus told her
to go with a message.
Go with a message
to the disciples
that I am ascending
to my Father
and your Father
to my God
and your God.
See the message
that she was told
to deliver?
It is a restoration
of the greatest love
that we could know.
because his Father
will be our Father.
His God
our God.
We will know
God
as our Father
and that Father
will love us.
Jesus restores
the greatest love
that we have lost,
that sin brought
through his death
and resurrection.
the separation
made by Adam
is restored
through Jesus
and Mary is saying,
go and tell everyone.
Mary's sorrow
turned to joy
and it is true
maybe in part
that we see
the sorrow
of our soul
and the sorrow
of our foolishness
in following loves
that do not satisfy.
maybe it is a sorrow
in knowing
that we have lost
the love
of God the Father
because sin
has come into
our hearts
and we are all
over the place
and we feel lost.
We do not know
which way to go.
But Jesus
will restore
the satisfying
eternal love
that will direct us
and give us
meaning in our lives.
The greatest meaning
and message
to go out with.
But Mary's message
was an unconvincing
announcement
for many.
The Jews
would not value
the testimony
of a woman
in that time.
They placed
limited trust
on their speech
such that it was
written into
Roman law.
So it was easy
for them to ask
well,
is this true?
Is this woman
telling the truth?
Especially
in Mary's case.
Mary was a woman
possessed
by demons
previously.
It would have been
easy to dismiss
the message
that Mary brought.
She's telling lies.
She's making it up.
It's nonsense.
But her life
had been turned
upside down.
The testimony
of her life
and the way
that she loved
her life,
seeking after
Christ
and delivering
that message.
The way she acted,
the way she spoke,
no doubt
radically changed
her and motivated
her
as it did
the apostles
who saw
the Lord
Jesus
risen.
Who knew
that the Lord
Jesus had spoken
to them.
Who knew
that the Lord
Jesus had died
for them.
They lived
their lives
in a way
that they hadn't
lived in before.
They spoke
in a way
they hadn't
spoken before.
They acted
in a way
they hadn't
acted before.
as the love
of Jesus
changed us.
As the
resurrected
living
Jesus
changed us
so that we
live our lives
upside down
from the way
that we were.
And our
testimony
of our life
will be
to this
risen
Lord
Jesus.
whom we
pour all
our love
into
because we
know
that the
vessel
of his
love
will never
break.
We know
the sorrows
of lost
love
but we
know
that that
sorrow
will never
come to
us
in the
love that
we have
for Jesus
because it
will never
be broken.
It will
last
for all
eternity
and that's
just what
Paul says
when he
asks what
can separate
us from
the love
of Christ.
Neither
death
nor life
nor angels
nor rulers
nor things
present
nor things
to come
nor power
nor height
nor depth
nor anything
else in all
creation
will be able
to separate
us from
the love
of God
and Jesus
Christ
our Lord.
What did
Jesus ask
at the
beginning?
Do you
believe it?
Jesus is
asking you
tonight
Do you
believe it?
Is your
love
poured into
this man?
A love
that we
will never
be separated
from
and a love
that will
last forever.
Do you
believe
in the
resurrected
Jesus
Christ?
Amen.
We
could
include
our
time of
worship
by singing
in Psalm
106
of the
Scottish
Psalter
version
on
page
378.
Psalm
106
on page
378
singing
from the
beginning.
Amen.
tidIGNR
Lord
Amen.
Give praise and thanks unto the Lord, for bounty full is he.
His tender mercy, the angel unto eternity.
God's mighty marks who can express our show for all his grace.
Blessed are the Lord, the judge may keep, and judge thee to always.
Remember me, Lord, with the love which thou tonight dost bear.
With thy salvation, O my God, to visit ye all year.
That I thy chosen, good day see, and in their heart rejoice.
And he will find in heaven's triumphal, cheerful voice.
Amen.
May we rejoice in the love that Jesus has for us, and a love that we will never be separated from,
because you are the risen Lord Jesus, and everyone who believes in you, yet they die, they shall live.
Make this a reality and a truth to us this evening.
As we go to your homes and we part from one another,
may the continual and abiding love of Jesus Christ be known and felt and be with us.
Part us with your blessing, we pray.
In Jesus' name we ask this.
Amen.
Yes.
Amen.