WEBVTT

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 Any who wish to come to take communion for the first time are warmly encouraged and invited to do so.

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 The session has already been opened earlier this week and will be ready to meet with any in the congregation who wish to do this for the first time.

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 After the service tonight, anybody who wishes to do that are asked please to come forward and just either come back in or stay in.

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 But if they take their place at the front here, we'll then meet with them in the session room afterwards.

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 And I do hope that there are some and that they'll be encouraged to come and do this.

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 So let's worship God. We're going to sing in Psalm 118.

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 Psalm 118. That's on page 155. Sing Psalm's version to the tune of Old 100.

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 O thank the Lord for he is good. His steadfast love endures always.

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 Now let the house of Israel say his love will last through endless days.

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 And let the house of Aaron say his love forever will endure.

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 Let those who fear the Lord declare his love will stand forever sure.

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 Down to verse 9. It's better far to trust the Lord than look for help to man's defense.

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 It's better far to trust the Lord than in a prince have confidence.

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 So Psalm 118. These verses to God's praise.

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 O thank the Lord for he is good.

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 His steadfast love endures always.

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 His steadfast love endures always.

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 Now let the house of Israel see.

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 His love will last through endless days.

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 And let the house of Israel see.

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 And let the house of Israel see.

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 His love forever will endure.

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 Let those who fear the Lord declare.

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 His love will stand forever sure.

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 I cried in a wish to the Lord.

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 He answered me and set me free.

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 The Lord is with me.

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 The Lord is with me.

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 I'll know near.

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 All time can be but due to me.

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 The Lord is with me.

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 The Lord is with me constantly.

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 He is the one who is me.

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 I'll look Israel upon my foes.

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 I will love me to be a place.

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 God.

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 It's better.

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 It's better part to trust the Lord.

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 who called him to man's deep pains,

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 they paid their part to trust the Lord,

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 and in a print of confidence.

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 Let's now engage in prayer.

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 We'll call upon the Lord in prayer.

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 Amen.

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 Gracious and eternal God,

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 we draw near to you this evening,

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 knowing that these words we have sung

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 are words that we speak from the heart,

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 that we come before you as we seek to do at all times,

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 believing that you are,

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 and that you are the rewarder of those

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 who diligently seek you.

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 We thank you, Lord, tonight for your word

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 that has spoken to us already,

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 and as it brings before us the greatness of God,

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 so also we are encouraged to live by trust

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 and in the fear of the Lord.

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 Lord, we pray tonight for your blessing.

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 We pray that your Holy Spirit will take your word

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 and make it effective in our experience.

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 We pray that each of us may look back upon these moments

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 and realize that we have indeed met with God,

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 that you have been pleased to draw near to us.

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 We thank you for every privilege

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 that attends our worship,

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 and we know that our worship itself

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 is our highest privilege in this life,

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 and to come to be engaged wholeheartedly

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 in the worship of the living God,

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 to have been given that desire from yourself,

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 from your Holy Spirit,

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 to draw near to God

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 in such a way that will exalt

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 and praise his holy name.

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 Lord, we thank you for every blessing we receive from you,

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 and we know that we receive blessings

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 each day of our lives.

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 We confess, O Lord, we receive blessings

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 that we fail to realize at the time are blessings,

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 but looking back upon them,

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 we see that they are indeed blessings from your hand.

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 We give thanks for the blessings

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 even that cause us at times

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 to question and to be dismayed,

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 the blessings that attend

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 the sufferings and the anxieties of your people.

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 And we ask that we may draw our encouragement

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 from your word at such times also.

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 We have many instances, Lord,

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 in the words we sing in the Psalms

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 of people who were downcast,

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 people who searched for answers

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 in different ways to the issues of life,

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 and who came nevertheless to express

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 their questions and their thoughts to God,

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 and came especially into a spirit of worship

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 and of adoration,

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 realizing that God alone is great

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 and that he doesn't actually owe us any answers,

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 and yet he is pleased so often to give them.

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 We thank you, O Lord,

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 for all that we anticipate tomorrow on the Lord's Day.

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 And we thank you for the continuing remembrance

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 of the death of the Lord

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 in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper,

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 not only here but throughout the world,

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 wherever it is administered,

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 wherever your people gather together

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 to remember the Lord's death

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 in partaking of the bread and of the cup.

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 Lord, we pray that this may be a blessing to us

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 this time as a congregation,

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 and we pray that all who partake of it

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 will know that blessing attending

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 the action of doing so.

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 We pray that you would strengthen

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 the faith of your people.

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 We pray that they may look forward

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 in greater hope,

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 having their vision expanded

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 even beyond what it is at present,

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 so as to look into those wonderful things

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 of eternity,

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 and looking towards the marriage supper

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 of the Lamb,

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 which will replace forevermore

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 this Lord's Supper here on earth.

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 We thank you for all who come

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 to profess their faith,

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 who come to partake of the supper

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 from time to time.

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 We pray for any tonight, Lord,

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 who may be contemplating

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 coming to do this for the first time.

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 We pray that you would encourage them.

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 Help them, Lord.

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 We pray to have confidence in you

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 and not in themselves.

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 Help them even in the midst of many questions

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 and maybe even doubts.

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 Help them, Lord,

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 never to doubt in yourself

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 and to bring all their doubts

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 to be pacified

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 under the assurance

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 that you give us in your word

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 that when we do this

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 in remembrance of you,

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 so you bless that to your people.

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 We pray that you would grant to us,

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 Lord, as a congregation,

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 that we may continue to know

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 your blessing in the gospel.

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 And we ask that you would come

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 to bless us in such a way

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 that we will be a blessing to others,

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 that others will be drawn

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 to the Lord himself

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 through the testimony

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 and witness of the church.

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 We ask tonight for those

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 who are unwell,

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 for those who can't be with us here,

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 who have not been able to come

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 to take communion for some time.

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 We thank you, Lord,

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 for the way in which you promised

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 to be with them.

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 We thank you that they're able

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 to partake through the vehicle

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 of online services,

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 that they are able to hear your word

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 and have broadcast live

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 the worship of your people.

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 We pray that you bless them.

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 Bless especially, Lord,

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 those who may be downcast in mind,

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 those who may have mental health issues

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 to contend with,

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 those who are seriously ill,

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 those recovering from surgery.

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 All those, Lord,

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 we commend to you

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 that we know

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 belong to us as a people.

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 We pray that you bless them tonight.

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 And we ask that we may constantly

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 bear in mind those

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 of lesser privileges

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 than we have ourselves.

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 Remember those who have

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 disablement of various kinds

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 in body or mind.

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 We ask, Lord,

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 that they too will be blessed,

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 for you are able to

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 reach with your blessing

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 into the furthest,

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 inmost recesses of our souls.

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 Remember,

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 to those who mourn

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 the passing of loved ones,

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 Lord,

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 we have had another funeral today

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 and some recently,

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 and most weeks we know of

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 those who have lost loved ones.

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 We pray, Lord,

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 that you'd bless them.

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 We pray that you would comfort them.

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 We pray that your own presence

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 may be given to them.

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 We pray that any of them

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 who have not yet come

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 to embrace you

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 and live by faith in you

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 will be persuaded

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 even through these

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 as means towards

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 enlightening their soul

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 and giving them

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 that inner desire after you.

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 Gracious one,

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 we pray that you would bless

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 even such difficulties

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 and trials

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 in our lives

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 as human beings.

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 And now we ask your blessing

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 to be with us here

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 as we further wait upon you.

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 And as we turn to your word,

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 we pray especially

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 that your Holy Spirit

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 will take it

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 and enlighten our minds

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 through it.

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 and give us, Lord,

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 we pray,

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 that reception to your word

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 so that we may

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 indeed grow by it.

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 And help us

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 as we interact

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 with your word tonight

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 and at all times

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 that we may give it

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 that due attention

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 that it requires.

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 Help us now then,

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 we pray,

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 and pardon our many sins

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 and receive us graciously

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 for Jesus' sake.

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 Amen.

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 We're going to sing once again

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 to God's praise

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 and this time

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 our psalm of praise

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 is Psalm 130,

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 the prayer of Psalm 130

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 on page 421.

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 We're singing to the tune

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 Martyrdom,

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 words in which

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 the wonder of the psalmist

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 is expressed

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 as he takes issue

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 with the way

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 that God,

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 if he were to mark iniquity,

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 neither he nor anyone else

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 could stand,

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 but there is yet

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 forgiveness with God

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 so that he may be feared.

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 So we'll sing these verses

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 to the tune Martyrdom.

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 Lord, from the depths

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 to thee I cried,

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 my voice, Lord,

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 do thou hear.

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 The whole psalm.

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 Lord, from the depths

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 to thee I cry,

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 my voice, Lord,

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 have lest in you.

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 I'm here unto my salvation, holy,

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 I'm not yet to hear.

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 Lord, who shalt thou in thine, O Lord,

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 Sure smart iniquity,

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 But yet with thee,

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 For in places,

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 The fear thou mayest be.

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 I wait for long, my soul doth lay,

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 My hope is in this word.

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 More than they have,

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 For morning watch,

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 My soul waits for the Lord.

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 I say, Lord, may thou to watch,

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 The morning light to see,

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 Let Israel open the door,

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 For within mercy be.

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 On plentious redemption,

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 Is ever found with him,

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 And from all his equities,

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 The Israel shall redeem.

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 Let's turn now to read God's word,

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 And there's two passages tonight

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 From the gospel according to Mark.

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 First of all, Mark chapter 8,

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 And at verse 27,

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 And then we'll turn to Mark chapter 15,

00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:43.220
 From verse 16.

00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.960
 First of all, Mark chapter 8,

00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:55.720
 Beginning at verse 27,

00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:59.580
 And Jesus went on with his disciples

00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:01.639
 To the villages of Caesarea Philippi,

00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:04.320
 And on the way he asked his disciples,

00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:06.639
 Who do people say that I am?

00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:08.199
 And they told him,

00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:09.360
 John the Baptist,

00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.819
 And others say Elijah,

00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.340
 And one of the prophets.

00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.259
 And he asked them,

00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:16.019
 But who do you say that I am?

00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.879
 Peter answered him,

00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.580
 You are the Christ.

00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:21.600
 And he charged them strictly

00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:23.519
 To tell no one about him.

00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.679
 And he began to teach them

00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:26.539
 That the Son of Man

00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.819
 Must suffer many things,

00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:30.039
 And be rejected by the elders,

00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:31.059
 And the chief priests,

00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.860
 And the scribes,

00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:33.059
 And be killed,

00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:35.639
 And after three days rise again.

00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.939
 And he said this plainly.

00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:39.899
 And Peter took him aside,

00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:41.419
 And began to rebuke him.

00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:44.000
 But turning and seeing his disciples,

00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:46.000
 He rebuked Peter and said,

00:16:46.699 --> 00:16:48.279
 Get behind me, Satan,

00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.639
 For you are not setting your mind

00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.860
 On the things of God,

00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:53.759
 But on the things of man.

00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:55.720
 And he called to him,

00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:56.939
 The crowd with his disciples,

00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:57.779
 And said to them,

00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.840
 If anyone would come after me,

00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:01.159
 Let him deny himself,

00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.939
 And take up his cross,

00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:03.679
 And follow me.

00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:05.980
 For whoever would save his life,

00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:06.659
 Will lose it.

00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.679
 But whoever loses his life,

00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:10.500
 For my sake and the gospels,

00:17:10.899 --> 00:17:11.659
 Will save it.

00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:13.940
 For what does it profit a man,

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.159
 To gain the whole world,

00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:17.059
 And forfeit his life?

00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.200
 For what can a man give,

00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.599
 In return for his life?

00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.980
 For whoever is ashamed of me,

00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.859
 And of my words,

00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.460
 In this adulterous,

00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.659
 And sinful generation,

00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.779
 Of him will the Son of Man,

00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.740
 Also be ashamed,

00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:32.500
 When he comes in the glory of his Father,

00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:35.160
 With the holy angels.

00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:38.440
 And if we turn to chapter 15,

00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:41.120
 We'll read from verse 16.

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:46.380
 Verses 16 to 32.

00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:51.760
 And the soldiers led Jesus away,

00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.960
 Inside the palace,

00:17:53.560 --> 00:17:53.960
 That is,

00:17:54.020 --> 00:17:55.080
 The governor's headquarters,

00:17:55.820 --> 00:17:56.680
 And they called together,

00:17:56.800 --> 00:17:57.820
 The whole battalion,

00:17:58.560 --> 00:17:59.380
 And they clothed him,

00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:00.460
 In a purple cloak,

00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:02.000
 And twisting together,

00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:03.040
 A crown of thorns,

00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:04.060
 They put it on him,

00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:06.280
 And they began to salute him,

00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:06.880
 Hail,

00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:08.360
 King of the Jews.

00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.420
 And they were striking his head,

00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:10.980
 With a reed,

00:18:11.540 --> 00:18:12.520
 And spitting on him,

00:18:12.520 --> 00:18:13.300
 And kneeling down,

00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:14.320
 In homage to him.

00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:16.279
 And when they had mocked him,

00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:17.099
 They stripped him,

00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:18.179
 Of the purple cloak,

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.319
 And put his own clothes on him,

00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.839
 And they led him out,

00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.799
 To crucify him.

00:18:23.679 --> 00:18:24.519
 And they compelled,

00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.460
 A passerby,

00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:26.539
 Simon of Cyrene,

00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:28.019
 Who was coming in,

00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:28.639
 From the country,

00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:30.000
 The father of Alexander,

00:18:30.179 --> 00:18:30.679
 And Rufus,

00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:32.500
 To carry his cross.

00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.259
 And they brought him,

00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:35.919
 To the place called Golgotha,

00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:36.960
 Which means,

00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:38.099
 Place of a skull.

00:18:38.939 --> 00:18:39.740
 And they offered him,

00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:41.099
 Wine mixed with myrrh,

00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.919
 But he did not take it.

00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:44.860
 And they crucified him,

00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:47.039
 And divided his garments among them,

00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.640
 Casting lots for them,

00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:50.640
 To decide what each should take.

00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.779
 And it was the third hour,

00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.920
 When they crucified him,

00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:56.640
 And the inscription of the charge against him,

00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:56.920
 Read,

00:18:57.340 --> 00:18:58.560
 The King of the Jews.

00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:01.320
 And with him they crucified two robbers,

00:19:01.800 --> 00:19:02.700
 One on his right,

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.759
 And one on his left.

00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:05.779
 And those who passed by,

00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:06.580
 Derided him,

00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.720
 Wagging their heads,

00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:08.220
 And saying,

00:19:08.300 --> 00:19:08.539
 Aha,

00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.560
 You who would destroy the temple,

00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:12.420
 And rebuild it in three days,

00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.420
 Save yourself,

00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:15.420
 And come down from the cross.

00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:17.740
 So also the chief priests,

00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:18.580
 With the scribes,

00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:20.420
 Mocked him to one another,

00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:20.820
 Saying,

00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:22.080
 He saved others,

00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:24.060
 He cannot save himself.

00:19:25.060 --> 00:19:25.820
 Let the Christ,

00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.680
 The King of Israel,

00:19:26.800 --> 00:19:28.080
 Come down now from the cross,

00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.740
 That we may see,

00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:30.920
 And believe.

00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:33.580
 Those who were crucified with him,

00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:36.039
 Also reviled him.

00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.660
 Amen.

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:39.320
 May God add his blessing,

00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:41.519
 Now to the reading of his word.

00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.799
 When we turn to these passages,

00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.960
 We'll sing once more,

00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:47.220
 This time in Psalm 48a,

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.980
 On page 63 of the psalm books,

00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:51.319
 Psalm 48a,

00:19:51.939 --> 00:19:53.319
 Singing to the Tune Free Church,

00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:56.779
 And we're singing verses 9 to 14,

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.159
 From verse 9,

00:19:58.679 --> 00:19:59.720
 To the end of the psalm,

00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.740
 Page 63.

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:06.220
 We contemplate your steadfast love,

00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.059
 Within your house,

00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.680
 O God,

00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.279
 For like your name,

00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:10.319
 Your praise extends,

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.720
 Through all the earth abroad,

00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:13.819
 All that you do is righteous,

00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.319
 Lord,

00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:16.180
 Mount Zion's joy is great,

00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:18.359
 And Judah's towns rejoice,

00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:20.740
 As they your judgments celebrate,

00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.779
 Round Zion walk,

00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:23.940
 And count her towers,

00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.740
 View every citadel,

00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.740
 So that to children yet unborn,

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:30.079
 Her story you may tell,

00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.839
 For God the Lord,

00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.880
 Who is our God,

00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.519
 Forever will abide,

00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.740
 He is our God forevermore,

00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:39.000
 And to the end,

00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.380
 Our guide.

00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:43.059
 So these verses from verse 9,

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:45.799
 We contemplate your steadfast love.

00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:58.960
 We contemplate your steadfast love,

00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:03.299
 Within your house,

00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:05.799
 O God,

00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:10.139
 For like your name,

00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:14.180
 Your praise extends,

00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:20.180
 Through all the earth abroad,

00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:28.440
 All that you do is righteous,

00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:30.039
 Lord,

00:21:30.320 --> 00:21:36.180
 And Zion's joy is great,

00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:43.180
 And Judah's town rejoice,

00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:51.180
 As they your judgments celebrate,

00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:57.180
 Round Zion walk,

00:21:57.180 --> 00:22:01.360
 And count her towers,

00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:05.180
 View every citadel,

00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:12.180
 So that to children yet unborn,

00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:16.180
 Yet unborn,

00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:22.180
 Hearts only you may tell,

00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:30.279
 For God the Lord who is,

00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:38.279
 Our God forever will abide,

00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:47.279
 He is our God forevermore,

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:54.279
 And to thee our guide.

00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:59.799
 Please turn with me now to Mark chapter 15,

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:03.000
 Mark chapter 15,

00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:06.619
 And reading at verse 21,

00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:10.980
 And they compelled a passerby,

00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:12.059
 Simon of Cyrene,

00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:14.240
 Who was coming in from the country,

00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:16.200
 The father of Alexander and Rufus,

00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:19.200
 To carry his cross,

00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:22.039
 The cross of Jesus,

00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:22.759
 That is.

00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:27.080
 We're going to focus tonight,

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.600
 And in the two services tomorrow,

00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.880
 On certain references to,

00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.840
 And aspects of the cross.

00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.319
 We'll look at it tonight,

00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:36.620
 In terms of Simon,

00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:38.700
 Carrying Christ's cross.

00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:40.180
 Tomorrow,

00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:42.700
 We'll look at Matthew's account of the crucifixion,

00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:45.779
 Where we read that soldier sat down,

00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:47.120
 And watched,

00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.380
 Or kept watch,

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.600
 At the cross,

00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:51.559
 So observing the cross.

00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:53.360
 And then God willing,

00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:53.960
 Tomorrow evening,

00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:55.340
 We'll look at John's gospel,

00:23:56.080 --> 00:23:57.400
 Where he tells us about,

00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.819
 Nicodemus,

00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:00.660
 And Joseph of Arimathea,

00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:03.640
 Who dealt so lovingly,

00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:05.120
 With the body of Jesus,

00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:07.480
 Taking it down from the cross,

00:24:08.040 --> 00:24:10.140
 And placing it in the sepulcher.

00:24:11.580 --> 00:24:12.460
 So the cross,

00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.920
 Will feature largely,

00:24:14.340 --> 00:24:15.420
 In our services,

00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:17.240
 As you might indeed expect,

00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:19.120
 Given that it's a communion time.

00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.259
 And of course by the cross,

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:23.500
 The Bible does give us,

00:24:23.580 --> 00:24:24.360
 As here,

00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:26.140
 The word cross,

00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:28.540
 Just referring to the wooden cross,

00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:30.380
 That Jesus was crucified,

00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:30.940
 On.

00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.400
 So there's that cross,

00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:33.019
 Literally,

00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.120
 That wooden cross.

00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:34.940
 But of course,

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.960
 Most of the time,

00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.540
 Especially in the epistles,

00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:39.100
 You'll find the cross mentioned,

00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:40.840
 In terms of referring,

00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:43.259
 As a reference to the death of Jesus.

00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:44.900
 For example,

00:24:45.040 --> 00:24:46.540
 Paul in Ephesians 2,

00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:47.259
 And verse 16,

00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:49.759
 Speaks of the blood of his cross.

00:24:50.360 --> 00:24:52.240
 That by which we are reconciled,

00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:54.900
 By which we are come to know peace with God,

00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:57.140
 The blood of his cross.

00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.279
 In other words,

00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.860
 The cross in that context,

00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.919
 Obviously means,

00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:02.219
 Far more than just,

00:25:02.459 --> 00:25:03.299
 The wooden cross,

00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:04.039
 On which Jesus,

00:25:04.219 --> 00:25:05.619
 Was actually crucified.

00:25:06.199 --> 00:25:07.419
 As you know very well yourselves,

00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:07.939
 It means,

00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:10.479
 The death that Jesus actually died,

00:25:10.919 --> 00:25:13.000
 On that literal wooden cross.

00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.299
 So it refers,

00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.399
 Especially to,

00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.299
 His death,

00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.399
 And the kind of death,

00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.479
 That he died.

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.219
 So our relationship,

00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.619
 With the cross,

00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:24.240
 Really effectively means,

00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.479
 Our connection,

00:25:25.719 --> 00:25:27.039
 With the death of Jesus.

00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.359
 Whenever you find,

00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:29.579
 The cross mentioned,

00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.819
 As something that features,

00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.579
 In relation to the faith,

00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:33.519
 Of God's people,

00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.740
 Their hopes,

00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.460
 Whatever else,

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.759
 You find in reference,

00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:38.680
 To their relationship,

00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:40.019
 With the cross,

00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.740
 It always is,

00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.659
 The relationship,

00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.920
 With Jesus himself,

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:45.240
 That's actually set down there.

00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.980
 Not being ashamed,

00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.960
 Of the cross,

00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.339
 Means,

00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:50.099
 Not being ashamed of Christ,

00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.920
 Or of the death,

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.680
 That he died,

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.920
 On the cross.

00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:54.500
 And of course,

00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.440
 It's also used,

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.039
 As we've read,

00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:56.820
 And we'll go back to,

00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:58.400
 This passage in chapter 8,

00:25:58.500 --> 00:26:00.060
 Near the end of our study this evening,

00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.680
 It also means,

00:26:02.300 --> 00:26:03.779
 Used figuratively,

00:26:04.800 --> 00:26:06.400
 In the way in which it does,

00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:08.539
 Feature in chapter 8 there,

00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:10.140
 Where Jesus says,

00:26:10.800 --> 00:26:12.420
 If anyone would come after me,

00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.820
 Let him deny himself,

00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.680
 Take up his cross,

00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.100
 And follow me.

00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.539
 So there's a reference,

00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.100
 To something,

00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.380
 That's at the heart,

00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.660
 Of discipleship,

00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:23.840
 It involves,

00:26:23.840 --> 00:26:26.100
 Taking up our cross,

00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.360
 We'll take a look at that,

00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.519
 Because obviously,

00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.580
 It's related to,

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.320
 What you find here in Simon,

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.279
 Taking the cross of Jesus,

00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:35.740
 And carrying the cross of Jesus,

00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:37.160
 From this moment,

00:26:37.560 --> 00:26:38.920
 That he was compelled,

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.080
 To do so.

00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:41.940
 And now,

00:26:42.040 --> 00:26:43.540
 As you look at this passage,

00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.720
 Let's take,

00:26:44.800 --> 00:26:46.519
 All of that with us,

00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:47.259
 That we've mentioned,

00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:49.220
 And see what this is actually,

00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.120
 Saying to us.

00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:51.919
 What did this mean,

00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:53.299
 For Jesus,

00:26:53.459 --> 00:26:54.139
 First of all,

00:26:54.719 --> 00:26:55.639
 That this man,

00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.719
 Simon of Cyrene,

00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:58.339
 Was compelled,

00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.659
 To carry the cross,

00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:01.679
 Of Jesus.

00:27:01.979 --> 00:27:02.939
 What would that have meant,

00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:04.699
 For Jesus himself?

00:27:05.899 --> 00:27:06.479
 And secondly,

00:27:07.179 --> 00:27:07.879
 We'll have a,

00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:09.579
 We'll look at the reference here,

00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:11.179
 To the sons,

00:27:11.679 --> 00:27:12.479
 Of this man,

00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:12.939
 Simon,

00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:14.739
 He's known as the father,

00:27:14.739 --> 00:27:15.519
 Of Alexander,

00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:17.279
 And Rufus.

00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:18.779
 Wonder why that,

00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.980
 Is actually mentioned.

00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.240
 Thirdly,

00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.920
 We'll go back to chapter 8,

00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.399
 And see,

00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:25.619
 The image of discipleship,

00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:26.980
 As it's set out,

00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.680
 By way of,

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.160
 Referring to carrying,

00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.319
 Or taking up,

00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:32.059
 Our cross as well.

00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.440
 So there's an interaction,

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.619
 An interrelation,

00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:36.099
 Between these passages.

00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:37.599
 What did this mean then,

00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:38.399
 For Jesus?

00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.139
 They compelled,

00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.259
 A passerby,

00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.319
 Simon of Cyrene,

00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:43.519
 To carry his cross.

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.500
 It was,

00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:46.039
 Almost always the case,

00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:46.940
 That a person,

00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:48.120
 Going out to be crucified,

00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.600
 Having been tried,

00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.400
 And condemned,

00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:52.000
 Would actually carry,

00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:52.940
 The cross,

00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:53.860
 On which he,

00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.080
 Was going to be crucified.

00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.600
 Sometimes it was just the,

00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.860
 The bar,

00:27:58.320 --> 00:27:59.259
 To which his hands,

00:27:59.299 --> 00:27:59.900
 Would be tied,

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.660
 But most often,

00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.360
 It would be the whole,

00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.460
 Of the cross.

00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.360
 That was then fixed,

00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:03.980
 In the ground,

00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.519
 And the person,

00:28:05.840 --> 00:28:06.920
 Crucified to it.

00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.380
 So they were,

00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.320
 They were always,

00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:09.360
 Expected,

00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.000
 Or made,

00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:10.640
 To carry,

00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.940
 Their own cross,

00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:12.900
 Most of the time.

00:28:13.580 --> 00:28:14.660
 And this is what happened,

00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.940
 With Jesus at first.

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.740
 You go to John's gospel,

00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.960
 Chapter 19 and verse 17,

00:28:20.300 --> 00:28:21.940
 You'll see that Jesus there,

00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.420
 Began the journey,

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.279
 Carrying his cross.

00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:26.759
 But here,

00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:28.519
 They compelled this man,

00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:28.940
 Simon,

00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:30.720
 To carry the cross,

00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:32.220
 Instead of leaving it,

00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.820
 With Jesus himself.

00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:35.040
 Now why was that?

00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.740
 Well they compelled him,

00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:37.920
 The word compelled,

00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:39.420
 Means he was forced into it,

00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.759
 He didn't necessarily,

00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.700
 Want to do it,

00:28:42.120 --> 00:28:43.820
 But they forced him into it,

00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:45.339
 They compelled him,

00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.500
 They took him,

00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.579
 They took hold of him,

00:28:47.879 --> 00:28:48.399
 They grabbed him,

00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:48.879
 And just said,

00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:49.939
 This is what you're doing,

00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.119
 You're going to carry,

00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:52.179
 This cross,

00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.379
 Of this man,

00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.779
 You're going to take it,

00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:56.419
 Until we reach the place,

00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:57.799
 Where it is going to be crucified.

00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:00.439
 And you might think that,

00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:02.619
 The main reason they would do that,

00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:05.179
 Is that Jesus by this time,

00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:07.240
 Was feeling the effects,

00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.379
 Of his flogging,

00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.679
 Of the abuse,

00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:11.579
 That was meted out to him,

00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:14.279
 And that he was beginning to flag,

00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.500
 Maybe even,

00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:17.319
 On the point of collapse,

00:29:17.699 --> 00:29:18.419
 Some people think,

00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.319
 That that's the reason,

00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:21.819
 Why Simon was compelled,

00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.079
 And taken,

00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.699
 As a substitute,

00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.740
 For Jesus himself,

00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.279
 To carry,

00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.960
 The cross of Christ,

00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.159
 From this time onwards,

00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:31.279
 To the place of crucifixion,

00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.059
 And indeed,

00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:33.079
 That's a very,

00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:35.019
 Very understandable way,

00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.779
 Of looking at it,

00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:37.559
 Because by this time,

00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.899
 The abuse that Jesus,

00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.899
 Had been through,

00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.720
 Was tremendous,

00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.519
 He had been flogged,

00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.859
 He had been abused,

00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.480
 There was so much,

00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:48.159
 As you read through the gospel accounts,

00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.899
 Of his trial onwards,

00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.119
 And of course,

00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.440
 Before that too,

00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.960
 There was a lot of suffering,

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.079
 In the life of Jesus,

00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:57.539
 So by this point,

00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.799
 It's understandable,

00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.379
 That he would be tired,

00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:01.720
 That he would be almost,

00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:03.480
 Giving way under the weight,

00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.480
 Of the cross,

00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.960
 It wasn't a light thing,

00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:07.880
 It was substantially heavy,

00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:08.980
 And so,

00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.000
 You can see,

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.819
 That there's a,

00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.759
 In that point of view,

00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:14.740
 That he was just too weak now,

00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.680
 To carry it further,

00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.240
 That that's the reason,

00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:18.519
 That they compelled Simon,

00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:20.880
 To carry the cross for him,

00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:23.279
 But there's another view,

00:30:23.840 --> 00:30:24.440
 And that's the view,

00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:26.660
 We're going to tease out tonight,

00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.900
 For a little time,

00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:30.840
 And this other line of thought,

00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:33.039
 Actually has to do with,

00:30:33.360 --> 00:30:34.700
 Christ's humiliation,

00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:36.420
 That this was,

00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:36.440
 That this was,

00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:36.900
 In fact,

00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:39.240
 A humiliation for Jesus,

00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.920
 That somebody had to carry the cross,

00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.620
 For him,

00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:44.120
 Instead of himself,

00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.400
 That he was deprived,

00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:46.519
 Of the opportunity,

00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:48.220
 Of taking that cross,

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.480
 On which he was to be crucified,

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.920
 All the way through,

00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:51.559
 To Calvary,

00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:53.279
 The place of crucifixion,

00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:57.440
 There's a line of thought,

00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.759
 Always in the gospels,

00:30:58.920 --> 00:31:00.779
 An underlying message,

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:03.559
 That actually sets out,

00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:06.200
 What you understand,

00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.559
 As you read the gospel,

00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:10.000
 By actually showing us,

00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.240
 The lack of understanding,

00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:13.440
 Of those that are spoken about,

00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:14.339
 In the gospel,

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.099
 Such as here,

00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:15.759
 Let me give you,

00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:16.980
 An example of that,

00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:18.079
 Chapter 15 here,

00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:20.220
 Verses 16 to 19,

00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.079
 You'll find the,

00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.859
 Account there,

00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:25.220
 Of the way in which,

00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.500
 A crown of thorns,

00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:27.160
 Was twisted,

00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:28.380
 And put on him,

00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:29.160
 And they began to,

00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.340
 Salute Jesus,

00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:30.779
 Hail,

00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.140
 King of the Jews,

00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.680
 Striking him with a reed,

00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:34.680
 Mocking him,

00:31:34.840 --> 00:31:36.259
 Stripping him of the purple cloak,

00:31:36.360 --> 00:31:37.600
 Putting on his own clothes again,

00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.580
 Leading him out,

00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:39.779
 To crucify him,

00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.259
 Hail,

00:31:40.580 --> 00:31:41.500
 King of the Jews,

00:31:41.580 --> 00:31:42.600
 Now as you read that,

00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.480
 As a reader,

00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:44.720
 Who knows the gospel,

00:31:45.060 --> 00:31:46.040
 As someone who knows,

00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:47.180
 Who Jesus was,

00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:47.860
 And is,

00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.060
 You're saying to yourself,

00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.720
 As you read that,

00:31:49.800 --> 00:31:50.860
 But he was the king,

00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.720
 They were mocking him,

00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:54.120
 As if he wasn't the king,

00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:55.940
 They were using that title,

00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.980
 And the opportunity,

00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:58.360
 To mock him with it,

00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.380
 Although you know,

00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:00.120
 At the same time,

00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:00.960
 As you read that,

00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:01.860
 That they were wrong,

00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:03.600
 That they were actually using,

00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:05.080
 A truth about Jesus,

00:32:05.580 --> 00:32:06.320
 In their way,

00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.100
 Mocking him,

00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.220
 But you know,

00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:09.100
 That that is actually,

00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:10.620
 The truth about Christ,

00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.840
 As you read that,

00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.960
 The same in verse 26,

00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:15.420
 As you go forward there,

00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:15.860
 You'll see,

00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.500
 The same sort of idea,

00:32:17.580 --> 00:32:18.580
 Coming across to you,

00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:20.580
 The inscription of the charge,

00:32:20.580 --> 00:32:21.400
 Against him read,

00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:23.519
 The king of the Jews,

00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:25.220
 And then verse 32,

00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:27.680
 You find a similar thing there,

00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.220
 Let Christ,

00:32:28.339 --> 00:32:29.400
 The king of Israel,

00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:31.240
 Come down now from the cross,

00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:33.400
 That we may see and believe,

00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:34.759
 In other words,

00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:36.920
 The passage is presenting us,

00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:39.519
 With the fact that Jesus was the king,

00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:41.420
 Not recognized here,

00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.460
 Crucified,

00:32:42.860 --> 00:32:44.079
 But nevertheless crucified,

00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:46.299
 As the king that he was,

00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:48.019
 But unrecognized,

00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:50.839
 What are we saying by that?

00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.980
 Well,

00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.720
 The fact that he was,

00:32:52.959 --> 00:32:54.099
 Actually the king,

00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.579
 Meant that he could,

00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.779
 Requisition anything,

00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.879
 For his own needs,

00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:01.019
 Out of the whole creation,

00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:03.079
 You go back to chapter,

00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.799
 14 for example,

00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:07.279
 And the way in which,

00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:08.599
 The upper room,

00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:09.720
 The room in which,

00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:12.220
 The Passover was to be,

00:33:12.419 --> 00:33:13.059
 Prepared,

00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:14.619
 On the first day,

00:33:14.659 --> 00:33:15.519
 Of the unleavened bread,

00:33:15.919 --> 00:33:16.939
 When they were sacrificing,

00:33:17.179 --> 00:33:18.559
 When they sacrificed the lamb,

00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.839
 His disciples said,

00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:21.240
 Where will you have us go,

00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:22.139
 And prepare for you,

00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:23.299
 To eat the Passover?

00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:25.480
 And he sent two of his disciples,

00:33:25.679 --> 00:33:26.240
 And said to them,

00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:27.419
 Go into the city,

00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:29.039
 And a man carrying a jar of water,

00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:29.720
 Will meet you,

00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:30.619
 Follow him,

00:33:30.899 --> 00:33:32.019
 And wherever he enters,

00:33:32.179 --> 00:33:34.059
 Say to the master of the house,

00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.819
 The teacher says,

00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:37.799
 Where is my guest room,

00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:39.919
 Where I may eat the Passover,

00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:41.379
 With my disciple?

00:33:41.679 --> 00:33:42.440
 And he will show you,

00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.700
 A large upper room,

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.619
 Furnished and ready,

00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:45.500
 There,

00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.639
 Prepare for us.

00:33:46.639 --> 00:33:47.220
 Now notice,

00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:49.360
 What they were to say was,

00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.860
 The teacher is saying,

00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:54.180
 Where is my guest room?

00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.000
 He wasn't going to say,

00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:56.960
 They weren't going to say,

00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:58.259
 To the owner of this house,

00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.980
 Where is your guest room?

00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:01.000
 Where is the room,

00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:02.579
 In which you entertain guests,

00:34:02.620 --> 00:34:03.000
 At dinner?

00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:05.220
 It is the master who sent us,

00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:05.960
 And he is saying,

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:08.639
 Where is my guest room?

00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:10.099
 He's requisitioning,

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.960
 That guest room,

00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.860
 For himself,

00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:12.960
 Because ultimately,

00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:13.720
 He owns it,

00:34:13.720 --> 00:34:15.360
 As he owns the whole creation,

00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.880
 He is in the world,

00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:18.480
 As the king of the creation,

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:20.059
 Unrecognized,

00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:21.420
 In the state that he's come,

00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:22.559
 In the state of a servant,

00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:24.220
 But underneath it all,

00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.440
 He is the king,

00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:26.579
 And he is the one,

00:34:26.700 --> 00:34:28.640
 Who actually owns everything,

00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:30.240
 Into which he's come,

00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:36.240
 And he has rights to it,

00:34:36.239 --> 00:34:40.419
 And what this is leading up to,

00:34:40.479 --> 00:34:40.899
 Is this,

00:34:41.979 --> 00:34:43.839
 You cannot,

00:34:43.839 --> 00:34:46.199
 Bestow more humiliation,

00:34:46.919 --> 00:34:47.779
 On a king,

00:34:48.379 --> 00:34:49.500
 Than to deprive him,

00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:50.699
 Of what is his right,

00:34:51.939 --> 00:34:53.359
 Of what he owns,

00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:55.019
 Of what belongs to him,

00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:57.699
 And what they're doing,

00:34:57.779 --> 00:34:58.779
 In taking the cross,

00:34:59.119 --> 00:35:00.379
 Away from Jesus,

00:35:01.299 --> 00:35:02.379
 Is depriving him,

00:35:02.379 --> 00:35:03.879
 Of the right to carry,

00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:04.780
 That cross,

00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:06.360
 To the place of crucifixion,

00:35:06.660 --> 00:35:08.000
 He will not be able,

00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:08.599
 To say,

00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:10.220
 Even as criminals,

00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.320
 Did say,

00:35:11.640 --> 00:35:12.660
 At least I was able,

00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:13.940
 To carry my cross,

00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:15.320
 Until I reached the place,

00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.640
 Where they crucified me,

00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:19.619
 They took that away from him,

00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:22.180
 They took that privilege,

00:35:22.300 --> 00:35:22.720
 If you like,

00:35:22.780 --> 00:35:23.720
 Away from him,

00:35:24.680 --> 00:35:27.820
 And so they,

00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:29.059
 Grabbed this man,

00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:30.140
 Simon of Cyrene,

00:35:31.140 --> 00:35:32.920
 And the message of Mark,

00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.619
 Really is,

00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:35.019
 As we're taking it,

00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:36.140
 In this line of thought,

00:35:36.760 --> 00:35:37.900
 That the king,

00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:38.980
 Is being deprived,

00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:40.420
 Of something,

00:35:40.559 --> 00:35:41.460
 That he had every right,

00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.380
 To requisition,

00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:43.780
 That he had every right,

00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:44.519
 To himself,

00:35:45.260 --> 00:35:45.900
 The privilege,

00:35:46.640 --> 00:35:47.340
 Of carrying,

00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.640
 This cross,

00:35:48.820 --> 00:35:48.900
 Solemn,

00:35:49.559 --> 00:35:50.820
 Course though that was,

00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:53.039
 And so,

00:35:53.700 --> 00:35:55.079
 To deprive a king,

00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:56.160
 Of anything,

00:35:56.320 --> 00:35:57.300
 That belongs to him,

00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:58.820
 Rightly,

00:35:59.579 --> 00:36:00.180
 Is to,

00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:01.639
 Give him,

00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:03.099
 The greatest,

00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:03.119
 The greatest,

00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.940
 Humiliation,

00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.219
 To,

00:36:04.219 --> 00:36:04.960
 The greatest,

00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:05.719
 Humiliation,

00:36:05.719 --> 00:36:08.339
 After the,

00:36:08.339 --> 00:36:09.399
 First world war,

00:36:10.819 --> 00:36:11.239
 Tsar,

00:36:11.319 --> 00:36:11.779
 Nicholas,

00:36:12.139 --> 00:36:12.619
 The second,

00:36:12.779 --> 00:36:13.239
 Of Russia,

00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:14.579
 Who was,

00:36:14.839 --> 00:36:15.699
 At that time,

00:36:15.859 --> 00:36:16.719
 The most powerful,

00:36:16.719 --> 00:36:17.980
 Man on earth,

00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.299
 And probably,

00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:20.359
 The richest man,

00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:20.839
 On earth,

00:36:21.399 --> 00:36:22.519
 He had fabulous,

00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:23.059
 Wealth,

00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:24.559
 He had fabulous,

00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:25.099
 Power,

00:36:25.259 --> 00:36:25.659
 Or at least,

00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:27.679
 Almost total power,

00:36:27.799 --> 00:36:28.860
 He was an autocrat,

00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:30.179
 He could requisition,

00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:31.340
 Anything in Russia,

00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:32.659
 For his own use,

00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:33.880
 That's who he was,

00:36:34.099 --> 00:36:35.500
 That's the status he had,

00:36:36.219 --> 00:36:38.019
 And to actually deprive him,

00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:38.940
 Of any of that,

00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:39.699
 Would be to say,

00:36:40.159 --> 00:36:41.539
 This is not rightly you,

00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.699
 So you can't have it,

00:36:43.239 --> 00:36:44.799
 And when you see,

00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:45.799
 What happened to him,

00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:48.480
 When,

00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:50.539
 He abdicated,

00:36:50.719 --> 00:36:51.719
 When the Bolsheviks,

00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:52.279
 Took over,

00:36:53.059 --> 00:36:53.559
 And another,

00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:55.179
 A government,

00:36:55.460 --> 00:36:55.940
 Was placed,

00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:57.400
 Instead of,

00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:58.059
 The Tsar,

00:36:58.139 --> 00:36:59.199
 Ruling over the country,

00:37:00.219 --> 00:37:00.559
 He went,

00:37:00.659 --> 00:37:01.139
 You might say,

00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:01.559
 Literally,

00:37:02.400 --> 00:37:02.920
 From,

00:37:03.279 --> 00:37:04.900
 His grand palace,

00:37:06.239 --> 00:37:06.940
 To,

00:37:07.940 --> 00:37:09.139
 A railway carriage,

00:37:10.199 --> 00:37:10.960
 To other places,

00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:11.619
 Of residence,

00:37:11.759 --> 00:37:12.860
 Before he was shot,

00:37:13.380 --> 00:37:14.420
 Along with his family,

00:37:15.320 --> 00:37:15.940
 Now you can see,

00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:17.239
 How that is from,

00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:18.219
 One level,

00:37:18.619 --> 00:37:20.199
 To a much lower level,

00:37:20.759 --> 00:37:21.659
 And you can see,

00:37:21.739 --> 00:37:22.579
 That depriving,

00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.340
 The Tsar,

00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:24.699
 Of his possessions,

00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:26.279
 That belonged to him,

00:37:26.659 --> 00:37:26.880
 Have,

00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:27.679
 Whatever you might say,

00:37:27.719 --> 00:37:29.039
 About how he got them,

00:37:29.319 --> 00:37:30.440
 We're not going into that,

00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:30.799
 But,

00:37:30.920 --> 00:37:31.739
 They were his,

00:37:32.219 --> 00:37:33.000
 They belonged to him,

00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:34.239
 They belonged to his family,

00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:35.579
 And to deprive him,

00:37:35.579 --> 00:37:36.719
 Of the right to have them,

00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:37.920
 And even of the right,

00:37:38.000 --> 00:37:38.239
 For his,

00:37:38.319 --> 00:37:39.099
 To his life,

00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:41.000
 Was to actually,

00:37:41.739 --> 00:37:42.739
 Bestow the greatest,

00:37:42.739 --> 00:37:43.599
 Humiliation,

00:37:43.599 --> 00:37:46.179
 On that,

00:37:46.179 --> 00:37:46.199
 On that,

00:37:46.199 --> 00:37:48.139
 Tsar of Russia,

00:37:48.139 --> 00:37:50.539
 But that's nothing,

00:37:51.539 --> 00:37:52.239
 Or very little,

00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:53.099
 Compared to,

00:37:53.799 --> 00:37:55.420
 Taking from Jesus,

00:37:56.539 --> 00:37:57.880
 The rights that were his,

00:37:58.319 --> 00:37:59.759
 As the king of creation,

00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:01.400
 Now bear in mind,

00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:03.179
 They weren't doing this,

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:05.039
 In a way that Jesus himself,

00:38:05.779 --> 00:38:07.000
 Had nothing to do with it,

00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:08.639
 He gave himself over,

00:38:08.639 --> 00:38:10.099
 To the abuse,

00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:10.619
 That he suffered,

00:38:10.699 --> 00:38:11.739
 He gave himself over,

00:38:11.739 --> 00:38:12.960
 To the deprivations,

00:38:13.319 --> 00:38:14.579
 That he needed to go through,

00:38:14.659 --> 00:38:15.940
 As the savior of his people,

00:38:16.139 --> 00:38:17.319
 He gave himself over,

00:38:17.319 --> 00:38:18.839
 To everything that happened to him,

00:38:18.859 --> 00:38:19.839
 And was done to him,

00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:21.179
 And he did so willingly,

00:38:21.259 --> 00:38:22.900
 It was part of his will,

00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:24.159
 It was part of his suffering,

00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:25.379
 For his people,

00:38:26.339 --> 00:38:27.559
 Everything that he did,

00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:28.519
 He did willingly,

00:38:28.940 --> 00:38:29.619
 For his people,

00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:31.219
 And nevertheless,

00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:34.440
 To deprive him of this,

00:38:35.079 --> 00:38:36.519
 Is depriving him of something,

00:38:37.379 --> 00:38:38.239
 That he had a right,

00:38:38.239 --> 00:38:38.839
 To himself,

00:38:39.599 --> 00:38:40.239
 And you know that,

00:38:40.419 --> 00:38:41.439
 That carries on,

00:38:41.619 --> 00:38:42.139
 All the way through,

00:38:42.219 --> 00:38:42.799
 To the cross,

00:38:43.759 --> 00:38:45.059
 He was deprived,

00:38:45.399 --> 00:38:46.839
 Of all vestiges,

00:38:46.959 --> 00:38:47.619
 Of status,

00:38:48.279 --> 00:38:49.979
 Nothing was left him,

00:38:50.699 --> 00:38:51.779
 Really outwardly,

00:38:51.819 --> 00:38:53.659
 That showed his kingship,

00:38:54.019 --> 00:38:54.819
 He was deprived,

00:38:55.459 --> 00:38:56.319
 Of status,

00:38:56.439 --> 00:38:57.059
 He was deprived,

00:38:57.179 --> 00:38:57.879
 Of comfort,

00:38:58.979 --> 00:38:59.619
 He was deprived,

00:38:59.759 --> 00:39:00.259
 Of everything,

00:39:00.439 --> 00:39:01.439
 That he had a right to,

00:39:02.159 --> 00:39:02.799
 And when it came,

00:39:02.879 --> 00:39:03.859
 To the cross itself,

00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:05.179
 He was deprived,

00:39:05.319 --> 00:39:06.819
 Even of his clothes,

00:39:07.339 --> 00:39:08.139
 They stripped him,

00:39:08.239 --> 00:39:10.019
 And you mustn't think,

00:39:10.559 --> 00:39:11.539
 That they left him,

00:39:11.819 --> 00:39:12.219
 Something,

00:39:13.099 --> 00:39:13.739
 Of the clothes,

00:39:13.839 --> 00:39:14.579
 That he was wearing,

00:39:14.839 --> 00:39:15.679
 They didn't,

00:39:15.879 --> 00:39:18.000
 Even the inner tunic,

00:39:18.719 --> 00:39:19.959
 Which was one piece,

00:39:20.479 --> 00:39:21.659
 Worn next to the skin,

00:39:23.259 --> 00:39:23.779
 That too,

00:39:23.839 --> 00:39:25.039
 Was removed from him,

00:39:25.039 --> 00:39:27.320
 Because,

00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:28.320
 He was put,

00:39:28.320 --> 00:39:29.579
 To an open shame,

00:39:30.639 --> 00:39:33.320
 The shame,

00:39:33.320 --> 00:39:34.119
 Of the cross,

00:39:34.219 --> 00:39:34.759
 The shame,

00:39:34.920 --> 00:39:36.440
 That he despised,

00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:37.719
 The shame,

00:39:37.820 --> 00:39:38.539
 That he took,

00:39:39.079 --> 00:39:40.320
 Willingly to himself,

00:39:41.199 --> 00:39:42.099
 As the writer,

00:39:42.199 --> 00:39:42.679
 To the Hebrews,

00:39:42.840 --> 00:39:43.320
 Puts it,

00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:47.220
 That's the shame,

00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:49.160
 That we remember,

00:39:49.260 --> 00:39:49.920
 When we remember,

00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:50.860
 The Lord's death,

00:39:51.539 --> 00:39:52.780
 In the Lord's supper,

00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:55.160
 The shame,

00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:55.820
 That Jesus,

00:39:56.100 --> 00:39:56.880
 Experienced,

00:39:57.320 --> 00:39:58.240
 And suffered,

00:39:58.880 --> 00:40:00.260
 So that you and I,

00:40:00.420 --> 00:40:01.220
 Would not be put,

00:40:01.720 --> 00:40:03.420
 To an everlasting shame,

00:40:04.180 --> 00:40:05.760
 Now you compare that,

00:40:06.320 --> 00:40:07.680
 With the first Adam,

00:40:07.679 --> 00:40:09.879
 And Eve,

00:40:10.199 --> 00:40:11.239
 Having been created,

00:40:11.419 --> 00:40:12.039
 By God,

00:40:12.919 --> 00:40:13.759
 Placed amongst,

00:40:13.899 --> 00:40:14.659
 The garden of Eden,

00:40:14.719 --> 00:40:15.779
 With all its plenty,

00:40:16.460 --> 00:40:17.419
 You contrast that,

00:40:17.480 --> 00:40:17.899
 With Jesus,

00:40:18.019 --> 00:40:18.699
 The son of God,

00:40:18.739 --> 00:40:19.319
 The creator,

00:40:19.739 --> 00:40:20.960
 Who came into this world,

00:40:21.199 --> 00:40:21.940
 He wasn't placed,

00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:23.059
 In the midst of plenty,

00:40:23.299 --> 00:40:24.619
 He willingly gave himself,

00:40:24.719 --> 00:40:25.039
 To be,

00:40:25.599 --> 00:40:26.899
 In the midst of poverty,

00:40:27.239 --> 00:40:28.299
 In the midst of want,

00:40:28.399 --> 00:40:29.359
 In the midst of suffering,

00:40:29.759 --> 00:40:30.500
 In the agonies,

00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:31.159
 That he suffered,

00:40:31.319 --> 00:40:32.879
 Right through to the cross itself,

00:40:34.299 --> 00:40:35.199
 And look at this,

00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:37.319
 What does Genesis tell you,

00:40:37.679 --> 00:40:38.559
 About the man,

00:40:38.619 --> 00:40:39.259
 And the woman,

00:40:39.879 --> 00:40:41.119
 When you look at the final part,

00:40:41.199 --> 00:40:42.559
 Of Genesis chapter 2,

00:40:42.719 --> 00:40:43.619
 Verse 25,

00:40:45.419 --> 00:40:46.579
 The man and the woman,

00:40:47.379 --> 00:40:48.359
 They were naked,

00:40:49.279 --> 00:40:52.119
 And were not ashamed,

00:40:53.239 --> 00:40:54.919
 There was no shame,

00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:57.239
 Because there was no sin,

00:40:58.259 --> 00:41:00.500
 And whenever you find,

00:41:01.159 --> 00:41:01.500
 Jesus,

00:41:02.279 --> 00:41:03.679
 And his cross mentioned,

00:41:04.960 --> 00:41:06.259
 Think of the shame,

00:41:06.260 --> 00:41:08.140
 Think tomorrow,

00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:09.100
 As you remember him,

00:41:09.120 --> 00:41:09.700
 In his death,

00:41:09.820 --> 00:41:10.780
 In the Lord's supper,

00:41:11.300 --> 00:41:12.440
 Think of the shame,

00:41:12.780 --> 00:41:14.040
 That he put himself to,

00:41:14.620 --> 00:41:15.160
 Willingly,

00:41:16.120 --> 00:41:16.880
 For you,

00:41:17.000 --> 00:41:18.040
 And for me,

00:41:18.040 --> 00:41:21.340
 Think of how,

00:41:22.500 --> 00:41:23.740
 It reached to the extent,

00:41:23.840 --> 00:41:24.080
 Even,

00:41:25.400 --> 00:41:26.560
 Of being completely,

00:41:26.720 --> 00:41:27.900
 And utterly deprived,

00:41:28.460 --> 00:41:29.720
 Of everything,

00:41:29.900 --> 00:41:30.580
 That was his,

00:41:31.480 --> 00:41:32.180
 Outwardly,

00:41:32.179 --> 00:41:35.099
 That's what it meant,

00:41:36.239 --> 00:41:36.719
 Compelling,

00:41:36.719 --> 00:41:37.419
 This man,

00:41:37.559 --> 00:41:38.460
 Simon of Cyrene,

00:41:38.639 --> 00:41:40.739
 To carry his cross,

00:41:41.460 --> 00:41:43.460
 And look at,

00:41:43.599 --> 00:41:43.879
 Secondly,

00:41:44.960 --> 00:41:46.219
 The sons of Simon,

00:41:46.339 --> 00:41:47.179
 That are mentioned here,

00:41:47.739 --> 00:41:49.519
 The father of Alexander,

00:41:50.139 --> 00:41:50.859
 And Rufus,

00:41:50.980 --> 00:41:51.639
 They compelled,

00:41:51.639 --> 00:41:52.779
 Simon,

00:41:53.119 --> 00:41:53.659
 Their father,

00:41:53.960 --> 00:41:54.839
 To carry the cross,

00:41:54.919 --> 00:41:55.539
 Now why are they,

00:41:55.779 --> 00:41:56.519
 Mentioned there,

00:41:56.519 --> 00:41:56.860
 Well we,

00:41:57.059 --> 00:41:57.900
 Don't want to speculate,

00:41:58.539 --> 00:41:59.519
 But when you go to,

00:41:59.800 --> 00:42:01.000
 Paul's letter to the Romans,

00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:03.019
 And chapter 16,

00:42:03.759 --> 00:42:04.659
 And verse 13,

00:42:04.739 --> 00:42:05.259
 You'll find,

00:42:05.780 --> 00:42:07.019
 A mention there,

00:42:07.460 --> 00:42:08.480
 Of such a name,

00:42:08.659 --> 00:42:09.460
 As Rufus,

00:42:10.400 --> 00:42:10.759
 And,

00:42:11.699 --> 00:42:12.380
 At verse,

00:42:12.380 --> 00:42:14.400
 Verse 13,

00:42:14.500 --> 00:42:15.739
 Of Romans 16,

00:42:15.739 --> 00:42:17.979
 Where you find,

00:42:18.979 --> 00:42:20.479
 This name appearing,

00:42:20.879 --> 00:42:21.339
 Rufus,

00:42:22.379 --> 00:42:23.439
 And greet,

00:42:23.799 --> 00:42:24.319
 Rufus,

00:42:24.699 --> 00:42:26.219
 Chosen in the Lord,

00:42:26.779 --> 00:42:27.779
 Also his mother,

00:42:28.179 --> 00:42:28.919
 Who has been a mother,

00:42:29.079 --> 00:42:29.519
 To me,

00:42:29.719 --> 00:42:30.139
 As well,

00:42:30.219 --> 00:42:31.059
 This is Paul writing,

00:42:31.419 --> 00:42:31.959
 To the Romans,

00:42:32.079 --> 00:42:33.419
 Now there's a very early tradition,

00:42:34.179 --> 00:42:35.779
 That Mark actually,

00:42:35.859 --> 00:42:36.739
 Wrote his gospel,

00:42:37.339 --> 00:42:38.679
 To Christians in Rome,

00:42:39.399 --> 00:42:41.139
 And it could very well be,

00:42:41.599 --> 00:42:42.559
 That the Rufus,

00:42:43.559 --> 00:42:45.519
 Who is the son of Simon,

00:42:45.519 --> 00:42:47.059
 Who carried the cross of Jesus,

00:42:47.780 --> 00:42:48.759
 Is the same Rufus,

00:42:48.800 --> 00:42:49.780
 As you find mentioned,

00:42:50.400 --> 00:42:51.960
 In that last chapter,

00:42:51.960 --> 00:42:52.559
 Of Romans,

00:42:53.679 --> 00:42:55.099
 Whether that's the case,

00:42:55.199 --> 00:42:55.519
 Or not,

00:42:55.579 --> 00:42:56.980
 It's an interesting observation,

00:42:57.759 --> 00:42:58.440
 We can't say,

00:42:58.440 --> 00:42:59.500
 It is definitely,

00:42:59.659 --> 00:43:00.519
 The same person,

00:43:00.880 --> 00:43:02.539
 But it's a very interesting link,

00:43:02.599 --> 00:43:03.880
 It's an intriguing link,

00:43:04.980 --> 00:43:06.039
 It could very well,

00:43:06.320 --> 00:43:07.139
 Be the case,

00:43:07.699 --> 00:43:08.179
 Especially,

00:43:08.420 --> 00:43:10.039
 If Mark indeed wrote,

00:43:10.440 --> 00:43:12.079
 To Christians in Rome,

00:43:12.719 --> 00:43:14.759
 And you can carry that forward,

00:43:14.760 --> 00:43:15.660
 Into how intriguing,

00:43:15.780 --> 00:43:16.320
 A thing it is,

00:43:16.380 --> 00:43:17.520
 That this man,

00:43:17.600 --> 00:43:18.680
 Simon of Cyrene,

00:43:18.980 --> 00:43:20.140
 Would have been influenced,

00:43:20.300 --> 00:43:21.000
 Positively,

00:43:21.100 --> 00:43:21.980
 By being forced,

00:43:22.120 --> 00:43:23.920
 To carry the cross of Christ,

00:43:24.440 --> 00:43:25.380
 And that his two sons,

00:43:25.460 --> 00:43:26.380
 Then became followers,

00:43:26.520 --> 00:43:27.460
 Of Jesus as well,

00:43:27.720 --> 00:43:28.580
 Or at least one of them,

00:43:28.640 --> 00:43:29.140
 Rufus,

00:43:30.020 --> 00:43:31.080
 Well be that as it may,

00:43:31.880 --> 00:43:33.540
 It raises interesting,

00:43:33.600 --> 00:43:35.220
 Points and suggestions,

00:43:35.920 --> 00:43:37.940
 But it does actually remind us,

00:43:37.940 --> 00:43:39.500
 Of the importance,

00:43:39.500 --> 00:43:40.500
 Of family,

00:43:40.500 --> 00:43:41.099
 Of family,

00:43:41.720 --> 00:43:42.300
 Christianity,

00:43:42.300 --> 00:43:44.240
 Because for one reason,

00:43:44.320 --> 00:43:44.720
 Or another,

00:43:45.360 --> 00:43:46.900
 These people are mentioned here,

00:43:46.980 --> 00:43:47.960
 Along with their father,

00:43:48.340 --> 00:43:49.460
 Alexander and Rufus,

00:43:49.500 --> 00:43:50.740
 They were known to Mark,

00:43:51.039 --> 00:43:51.539
 Obviously,

00:43:51.740 --> 00:43:52.340
 They were known to,

00:43:52.599 --> 00:43:53.820
 Those that Mark was reading,

00:43:53.960 --> 00:43:55.079
 Was writing to,

00:43:55.900 --> 00:43:57.240
 And that's especially interesting,

00:43:57.880 --> 00:43:59.000
 If he indeed was writing,

00:43:59.380 --> 00:44:00.400
 To those in Rome,

00:44:01.159 --> 00:44:02.059
 And reminds us of,

00:44:02.059 --> 00:44:03.579
 How important it is,

00:44:04.179 --> 00:44:05.440
 To actually pass on,

00:44:05.619 --> 00:44:06.679
 To our family,

00:44:06.779 --> 00:44:08.039
 And through family life,

00:44:08.480 --> 00:44:09.920
 The truth about the cross,

00:44:10.259 --> 00:44:11.579
 The truth about Christ,

00:44:12.099 --> 00:44:13.500
 The reality of the cross,

00:44:13.820 --> 00:44:15.159
 The importance of the cross,

00:44:15.259 --> 00:44:16.779
 The significance of the cross,

00:44:17.259 --> 00:44:17.900
 The significance,

00:44:18.079 --> 00:44:18.699
 As we'll see now,

00:44:18.900 --> 00:44:20.279
 Of carrying the cross,

00:44:20.619 --> 00:44:21.279
 Ourselves,

00:44:21.579 --> 00:44:22.059
 In a moral,

00:44:22.279 --> 00:44:23.079
 Spiritual way,

00:44:23.539 --> 00:44:25.159
 So what it meant for Jesus,

00:44:25.840 --> 00:44:27.460
 And this intriguing reference,

00:44:28.139 --> 00:44:29.019
 To the sons,

00:44:29.460 --> 00:44:30.519
 Of Simon,

00:44:31.019 --> 00:44:31.579
 Alexander,

00:44:31.579 --> 00:44:32.400
 And Rufus,

00:44:33.219 --> 00:44:34.420
 But let's turn back to,

00:44:34.840 --> 00:44:35.799
 Mark chapter 8 now,

00:44:35.860 --> 00:44:36.759
 For a final point,

00:44:37.360 --> 00:44:38.219
 Which is the image,

00:44:38.259 --> 00:44:39.199
 Of discipleship,

00:44:39.259 --> 00:44:40.059
 That you find there,

00:44:40.659 --> 00:44:42.579
 In references to carrying,

00:44:42.980 --> 00:44:44.259
 Or taking up the cross,

00:44:45.019 --> 00:44:45.940
 Mark chapter 8,

00:44:46.420 --> 00:44:47.759
 And at verse 34,

00:44:48.279 --> 00:44:49.340
 He called to him,

00:44:49.420 --> 00:44:50.559
 The crowd with his disciples,

00:44:51.119 --> 00:44:51.920
 And said to them,

00:44:52.259 --> 00:44:53.880
 If anyone would come after me,

00:44:54.340 --> 00:44:55.940
 Let him deny himself,

00:44:56.460 --> 00:44:57.900
 And take up his cross,

00:44:58.460 --> 00:45:00.039
 And follow me,

00:45:00.039 --> 00:45:01.380
 And you can see,

00:45:01.380 --> 00:45:02.179
 The three elements,

00:45:02.360 --> 00:45:03.679
 That are so closely,

00:45:03.679 --> 00:45:04.940
 Joined together there,

00:45:05.360 --> 00:45:06.340
 That each of them,

00:45:06.440 --> 00:45:07.559
 Really amounts to the same thing,

00:45:07.599 --> 00:45:08.079
 As the rest,

00:45:08.599 --> 00:45:09.119
 In other words,

00:45:09.179 --> 00:45:10.500
 To deny yourself,

00:45:11.340 --> 00:45:11.820
 Essentially,

00:45:12.039 --> 00:45:12.639
 Is the same as,

00:45:12.800 --> 00:45:14.119
 Taking up your cross,

00:45:14.500 --> 00:45:15.599
 And that's the same,

00:45:15.679 --> 00:45:16.599
 As following Jesus,

00:45:16.699 --> 00:45:17.920
 If we're following Jesus,

00:45:18.420 --> 00:45:19.300
 It involves,

00:45:19.679 --> 00:45:20.659
 Self-denial,

00:45:21.239 --> 00:45:22.239
 And self-denial,

00:45:22.559 --> 00:45:23.159
 Involves,

00:45:23.619 --> 00:45:25.539
 In a spiritual way,

00:45:25.980 --> 00:45:27.159
 Taking up the cross,

00:45:27.159 --> 00:45:28.319
 Now think of what it meant,

00:45:28.879 --> 00:45:29.799
 As you saw,

00:45:29.799 --> 00:45:30.960
 Simon of Cyrene,

00:45:31.440 --> 00:45:33.159
 Carrying the cross of Jesus,

00:45:33.480 --> 00:45:34.179
 Jesus himself,

00:45:34.299 --> 00:45:35.879
 Carrying his cross before that,

00:45:36.159 --> 00:45:37.000
 When you saw,

00:45:37.119 --> 00:45:38.839
 Anybody carrying a cross,

00:45:38.980 --> 00:45:40.379
 To a place of crucifixion,

00:45:40.719 --> 00:45:41.599
 You undoubtedly,

00:45:41.759 --> 00:45:42.879
 Were able to say then,

00:45:43.139 --> 00:45:44.980
 That person is going to die,

00:45:45.299 --> 00:45:47.399
 That person is going to their death,

00:45:48.359 --> 00:45:49.779
 They're carrying the instrument,

00:45:50.079 --> 00:45:51.779
 Of their death on their shoulders,

00:45:51.780 --> 00:45:54.360
 There's no other conclusion,

00:45:55.200 --> 00:45:55.980
 It means,

00:45:56.340 --> 00:45:57.960
 Certain death,

00:45:59.060 --> 00:46:00.680
 And when you take that with you,

00:46:01.220 --> 00:46:02.140
 To what it means,

00:46:02.240 --> 00:46:03.460
 To carry the cross,

00:46:03.700 --> 00:46:05.160
 As a disciple of Jesus,

00:46:05.700 --> 00:46:06.900
 To deny yourself,

00:46:06.960 --> 00:46:07.940
 If you would follow him,

00:46:08.340 --> 00:46:09.680
 He must deny himself,

00:46:10.060 --> 00:46:11.220
 Take up his cross,

00:46:11.260 --> 00:46:12.000
 And follow me,

00:46:12.420 --> 00:46:13.120
 It does mean,

00:46:13.120 --> 00:46:15.360
 That there's a death involved,

00:46:15.740 --> 00:46:17.400
 In coming to follow Jesus,

00:46:18.000 --> 00:46:18.980
 That there's a death,

00:46:19.980 --> 00:46:20.740
 To self,

00:46:20.739 --> 00:46:23.239
 You deny yourself,

00:46:23.759 --> 00:46:25.239
 You take up your cross,

00:46:25.519 --> 00:46:26.179
 In other words,

00:46:26.559 --> 00:46:27.319
 You're determined,

00:46:27.839 --> 00:46:29.539
 As you begin to follow Jesus,

00:46:29.699 --> 00:46:31.659
 And continue to follow Jesus,

00:46:32.259 --> 00:46:32.839
 You actually,

00:46:32.979 --> 00:46:35.719
 Are expressing your desire,

00:46:35.939 --> 00:46:36.579
 To die,

00:46:36.879 --> 00:46:38.919
 To every form of self,

00:46:39.359 --> 00:46:40.899
 Self-righteousness,

00:46:41.279 --> 00:46:42.439
 Self-confidence,

00:46:43.139 --> 00:46:44.199
 Self-pleasing,

00:46:44.759 --> 00:46:46.000
 However many times,

00:46:46.399 --> 00:46:48.839
 Other references to self,

00:46:48.939 --> 00:46:49.699
 You can find,

00:46:49.699 --> 00:46:51.119
 As part of our,

00:46:51.239 --> 00:46:52.500
 Sinful condition,

00:46:52.980 --> 00:46:55.039
 Our sinful way of life,

00:46:55.519 --> 00:46:56.419
 Self is always,

00:46:56.500 --> 00:46:57.259
 At the heart of it,

00:46:57.659 --> 00:46:59.279
 That's why we need to deny it,

00:46:59.439 --> 00:47:00.639
 By the grace of God,

00:47:00.819 --> 00:47:02.460
 By the power of God's spirit,

00:47:02.819 --> 00:47:04.139
 But when you see somebody,

00:47:04.339 --> 00:47:05.159
 Coming to say,

00:47:05.259 --> 00:47:06.279
 I am now a Christian,

00:47:06.519 --> 00:47:07.839
 You expect that person,

00:47:07.980 --> 00:47:08.599
 To be putting,

00:47:08.599 --> 00:47:10.339
 Self to death,

00:47:10.799 --> 00:47:13.759
 To be dealing with sin,

00:47:13.760 --> 00:47:15.560
 In such a way,

00:47:15.680 --> 00:47:17.120
 That once rid of it,

00:47:17.900 --> 00:47:18.380
 Finally,

00:47:18.600 --> 00:47:19.400
 Once and for all,

00:47:19.680 --> 00:47:21.260
 But all the way through this life,

00:47:21.660 --> 00:47:23.240
 Struggling with it many times,

00:47:23.300 --> 00:47:23.720
 As we all,

00:47:23.820 --> 00:47:24.040
 I'm sure,

00:47:24.140 --> 00:47:24.440
 Do,

00:47:25.160 --> 00:47:25.740
 And nevertheless,

00:47:25.980 --> 00:47:27.280
 In the struggles that you have,

00:47:27.380 --> 00:47:28.020
 With sin,

00:47:28.120 --> 00:47:28.820
 As you're conscious,

00:47:29.180 --> 00:47:29.720
 Of sin,

00:47:29.800 --> 00:47:30.420
 As you're conscious,

00:47:30.420 --> 00:47:31.760
 Of needing daily,

00:47:31.900 --> 00:47:32.600
 To express,

00:47:33.040 --> 00:47:34.400
 Your sin to God,

00:47:34.440 --> 00:47:35.680
 And your sorrow to Jesus,

00:47:36.080 --> 00:47:37.360
 That you are still,

00:47:37.440 --> 00:47:38.180
 Finding yourself,

00:47:38.660 --> 00:47:40.020
 Sinning against him,

00:47:40.019 --> 00:47:41.440
 Even same sins,

00:47:41.519 --> 00:47:43.099
 Perhaps as you've done many times,

00:47:44.000 --> 00:47:45.179
 But as you do so,

00:47:45.820 --> 00:47:46.539
 You do so,

00:47:46.679 --> 00:47:47.460
 And I do so,

00:47:47.559 --> 00:47:47.860
 Hopefully,

00:47:48.579 --> 00:47:49.619
 With this desire,

00:47:49.800 --> 00:47:50.920
 With this mindset,

00:47:51.159 --> 00:47:51.559
 That says,

00:47:51.659 --> 00:47:52.019
 Lord,

00:47:52.219 --> 00:47:55.119
 I want to put this self to death,

00:47:55.639 --> 00:47:56.599
 I don't want anymore,

00:47:56.599 --> 00:47:58.360
 To live for myself,

00:47:58.820 --> 00:48:00.599
 To live for my own righteousness,

00:48:01.219 --> 00:48:03.800
 To live as if I could look after my own life,

00:48:04.139 --> 00:48:06.239
 To live as if I could by myself,

00:48:07.219 --> 00:48:08.420
 Prepare for eternity,

00:48:08.420 --> 00:48:13.680
 Let him deny himself,

00:48:14.720 --> 00:48:15.480
 But you notice,

00:48:15.740 --> 00:48:16.599
 The context there,

00:48:16.700 --> 00:48:18.079
 In Mark chapter 8,

00:48:18.619 --> 00:48:21.440
 And especially verses 31 to 33,

00:48:22.340 --> 00:48:23.599
 Here is Jesus teaching,

00:48:24.340 --> 00:48:25.220
 Disciples,

00:48:25.360 --> 00:48:26.539
 That the son of man,

00:48:26.639 --> 00:48:27.159
 That's himself,

00:48:27.619 --> 00:48:28.780
 Must suffer many things,

00:48:28.880 --> 00:48:30.360
 And be rejected by the elders,

00:48:30.659 --> 00:48:31.639
 And the chief priests,

00:48:31.700 --> 00:48:32.420
 And the scribes,

00:48:32.440 --> 00:48:33.039
 And be killed,

00:48:33.380 --> 00:48:35.400
 And after three days rise again,

00:48:35.400 --> 00:48:37.519
 He said this plainly,

00:48:38.420 --> 00:48:40.920
 And Peter took him aside,

00:48:41.159 --> 00:48:43.139
 And began to rebuke him,

00:48:44.500 --> 00:48:45.639
 Peter took him aside,

00:48:45.960 --> 00:48:46.460
 And said,

00:48:46.539 --> 00:48:47.780
 As we find in other gospels,

00:48:48.240 --> 00:48:50.460
 The record of the other gospels,

00:48:50.800 --> 00:48:51.260
 Peter said,

00:48:51.480 --> 00:48:53.340
 This is not going to happen to you,

00:48:53.680 --> 00:48:54.900
 Put that out of your mind,

00:48:55.119 --> 00:48:56.440
 This is not why you're here,

00:48:56.599 --> 00:48:57.800
 You're not going to die,

00:48:58.539 --> 00:48:59.740
 That's not what's going to happen,

00:48:59.880 --> 00:49:01.260
 We won't allow that to happen,

00:49:01.260 --> 00:49:03.480
 All of that was built into his thinking,

00:49:03.580 --> 00:49:04.340
 Into his words,

00:49:05.040 --> 00:49:07.020
 But turning and seeing his disciples,

00:49:07.440 --> 00:49:08.900
 Jesus rebuked Peter,

00:49:09.240 --> 00:49:09.740
 And said,

00:49:09.860 --> 00:49:10.760
 Get behind me,

00:49:10.840 --> 00:49:11.100
 Satan,

00:49:11.520 --> 00:49:13.240
 For you are not setting your mind,

00:49:13.380 --> 00:49:14.620
 On the things of God,

00:49:14.760 --> 00:49:15.960
 But on the things of man,

00:49:16.000 --> 00:49:17.200
 What's happening there?

00:49:17.400 --> 00:49:18.300
 What's happening there,

00:49:18.300 --> 00:49:19.620
 Is that Satan,

00:49:20.000 --> 00:49:22.260
 Is trying to divert Jesus,

00:49:22.260 --> 00:49:24.260
 From the whole purpose,

00:49:24.900 --> 00:49:26.240
 Of his being in this world,

00:49:26.239 --> 00:49:28.119
 That's why,

00:49:28.479 --> 00:49:30.039
 When Jesus replied,

00:49:30.199 --> 00:49:30.599
 He said,

00:49:31.059 --> 00:49:32.139
 Get behind me,

00:49:32.679 --> 00:49:33.039
 Satan,

00:49:33.159 --> 00:49:33.539
 He didn't say,

00:49:33.679 --> 00:49:34.239
 Get behind me,

00:49:34.319 --> 00:49:34.500
 Peter,

00:49:34.599 --> 00:49:35.299
 Get behind me,

00:49:35.699 --> 00:49:35.979
 Satan,

00:49:36.119 --> 00:49:38.079
 Satan operating through Peter,

00:49:38.419 --> 00:49:39.359
 Through Peter's thoughts,

00:49:39.479 --> 00:49:40.699
 Through Peter's words,

00:49:41.259 --> 00:49:42.699
 Trying to divert Jesus,

00:49:42.819 --> 00:49:43.479
 From the path,

00:49:43.599 --> 00:49:44.879
 That led to the cross,

00:49:46.099 --> 00:49:47.119
 And when you go back to,

00:49:47.839 --> 00:49:49.699
 The temptation in the wilderness,

00:49:50.379 --> 00:49:50.939
 That you find,

00:49:51.179 --> 00:49:52.359
 Recorded in the gospels,

00:49:53.159 --> 00:49:55.079
 Of Matthew and of Luke,

00:49:55.079 --> 00:49:56.719
 You'll actually find,

00:49:56.920 --> 00:49:58.340
 That this is precisely,

00:49:58.340 --> 00:49:59.420
 The same thing,

00:49:59.599 --> 00:50:01.019
 That Satan is aiming at,

00:50:01.619 --> 00:50:02.480
 Where he says,

00:50:02.559 --> 00:50:03.079
 He shows them,

00:50:03.440 --> 00:50:03.739
 The whole,

00:50:03.840 --> 00:50:05.039
 All the kingdoms of the world,

00:50:05.099 --> 00:50:06.019
 And the glory of them,

00:50:06.059 --> 00:50:06.420
 And says,

00:50:06.920 --> 00:50:09.079
 All this I will give you,

00:50:09.639 --> 00:50:10.619
 If you fall down,

00:50:10.679 --> 00:50:11.519
 And worship me,

00:50:12.059 --> 00:50:13.579
 What is that saying essentially,

00:50:13.679 --> 00:50:14.519
 It's saying to Jesus,

00:50:15.079 --> 00:50:16.340
 You don't need to go through,

00:50:16.400 --> 00:50:17.139
 With the cross,

00:50:17.699 --> 00:50:18.440
 You don't need,

00:50:18.519 --> 00:50:19.599
 In order to gain,

00:50:19.719 --> 00:50:20.579
 These kingdoms,

00:50:21.079 --> 00:50:22.119
 You don't need to actually,

00:50:22.199 --> 00:50:22.699
 Go through,

00:50:23.059 --> 00:50:23.440
 Finally,

00:50:23.759 --> 00:50:24.860
 With the kind of death,

00:50:24.860 --> 00:50:25.700
 That's ahead of you,

00:50:25.900 --> 00:50:26.460
 That you're saying,

00:50:26.539 --> 00:50:27.079
 Is ahead of you,

00:50:27.120 --> 00:50:27.760
 In the cross,

00:50:28.280 --> 00:50:28.960
 All you've got to do,

00:50:29.039 --> 00:50:29.920
 Is fall down,

00:50:29.980 --> 00:50:30.820
 And worship me,

00:50:31.480 --> 00:50:31.980
 And of course,

00:50:32.059 --> 00:50:33.500
 Jesus dismissed him,

00:50:34.200 --> 00:50:35.500
 But it reminds you,

00:50:35.579 --> 00:50:35.920
 Doesn't it,

00:50:35.940 --> 00:50:37.660
 That the path,

00:50:37.660 --> 00:50:38.380
 For Jesus,

00:50:39.059 --> 00:50:39.980
 Was one of,

00:50:40.780 --> 00:50:41.519
 Well we can say,

00:50:41.640 --> 00:50:42.620
 Self-denial,

00:50:42.720 --> 00:50:43.680
 If we say it carefully,

00:50:43.820 --> 00:50:44.480
 Because of course,

00:50:44.940 --> 00:50:45.780
 Jesus did not have,

00:50:45.880 --> 00:50:46.940
 Any personal sins,

00:50:46.940 --> 00:50:47.620
 Of his own,

00:50:48.420 --> 00:50:49.480
 With which he struggled,

00:50:50.340 --> 00:50:51.340
 But nevertheless,

00:50:51.340 --> 00:50:52.720
 There was always,

00:50:52.720 --> 00:50:52.740
 There was always,

00:50:52.740 --> 00:50:53.660
 The temptation,

00:50:54.120 --> 00:50:55.760
 Particularly from the evil one,

00:50:56.019 --> 00:50:56.640
 And from what was,

00:50:56.760 --> 00:50:57.440
 Thrown at him,

00:50:57.500 --> 00:50:58.260
 By the world,

00:50:58.620 --> 00:51:00.000
 Always the temptation,

00:51:00.480 --> 00:51:01.720
 Not to proceed,

00:51:02.079 --> 00:51:02.760
 The temptation,

00:51:03.079 --> 00:51:03.740
 To go back,

00:51:04.240 --> 00:51:05.039
 The temptation,

00:51:05.260 --> 00:51:06.460
 Not to finish the work,

00:51:07.460 --> 00:51:09.519
 And that's why,

00:51:09.640 --> 00:51:10.240
 It's tied up,

00:51:10.320 --> 00:51:11.220
 In Mark chapter 8,

00:51:12.079 --> 00:51:13.760
 With the self-denial,

00:51:13.880 --> 00:51:14.740
 That is involved,

00:51:15.300 --> 00:51:16.800
 In following Christ,

00:51:16.800 --> 00:51:18.800
 Because when you're,

00:51:18.800 --> 00:51:19.620
 Following Christ,

00:51:20.320 --> 00:51:21.080
 You're following,

00:51:21.200 --> 00:51:21.960
 His example,

00:51:22.880 --> 00:51:24.380
 For one thing as well,

00:51:25.019 --> 00:51:26.200
 And the example he said,

00:51:26.300 --> 00:51:26.680
 Was,

00:51:27.380 --> 00:51:28.240
 See it through,

00:51:29.500 --> 00:51:30.519
 Do God's will,

00:51:31.300 --> 00:51:32.320
 Don't be diverted,

00:51:33.060 --> 00:51:34.680
 Don't take a step back,

00:51:35.360 --> 00:51:37.180
 Don't let Satan divert you,

00:51:37.960 --> 00:51:38.860
 Don't let your mind,

00:51:38.960 --> 00:51:39.580
 Actually be,

00:51:40.100 --> 00:51:41.260
 Taken aside,

00:51:41.500 --> 00:51:43.440
 And focus on something else,

00:51:43.440 --> 00:51:44.080
 Instead of,

00:51:44.480 --> 00:51:45.120
 Following him,

00:51:45.440 --> 00:51:45.980
 Faithfully,

00:51:45.980 --> 00:51:47.880
 If anyone will come after me,

00:51:48.460 --> 00:51:49.820
 Let him deny himself,

00:51:50.460 --> 00:51:52.059
 Take up his cross,

00:51:52.599 --> 00:51:53.960
 And follow me,

00:51:55.659 --> 00:51:56.360
 Well you might say,

00:51:56.420 --> 00:51:56.760
 Jesus,

00:51:57.760 --> 00:51:59.619
 Is setting the bar very high,

00:52:00.840 --> 00:52:02.539
 Well of course he is,

00:52:03.099 --> 00:52:04.420
 Very high indeed,

00:52:05.320 --> 00:52:06.300
 And he goes on to say,

00:52:06.860 --> 00:52:08.320
 For what does it profit,

00:52:08.440 --> 00:52:08.760
 A man,

00:52:09.099 --> 00:52:10.599
 Whoever would save his life,

00:52:10.679 --> 00:52:11.240
 Will lose it,

00:52:11.699 --> 00:52:12.900
 Whoever loses his life,

00:52:12.900 --> 00:52:13.619
 For my sake,

00:52:13.679 --> 00:52:14.300
 And the gospels,

00:52:14.340 --> 00:52:15.079
 Will save it,

00:52:15.079 --> 00:52:16.639
 For what does it profit,

00:52:16.739 --> 00:52:18.000
 A man to gain the whole world,

00:52:18.440 --> 00:52:19.659
 And forfeit his life,

00:52:19.759 --> 00:52:20.599
 What can a man give,

00:52:20.619 --> 00:52:21.619
 In return for his life,

00:52:21.619 --> 00:52:23.199
 For whoever is ashamed,

00:52:23.199 --> 00:52:23.880
 Of me,

00:52:24.139 --> 00:52:25.099
 And of my words,

00:52:25.400 --> 00:52:26.440
 In this adulterous,

00:52:26.519 --> 00:52:27.639
 And sinful generation,

00:52:28.079 --> 00:52:28.659
 Of him,

00:52:28.719 --> 00:52:29.619
 Will the son of man,

00:52:29.719 --> 00:52:30.299
 Be ashamed,

00:52:30.559 --> 00:52:31.319
 When he comes,

00:52:31.400 --> 00:52:32.599
 In the glory of his father,

00:52:32.599 --> 00:52:33.699
 With the holy angels,

00:52:33.699 --> 00:52:35.939
 Of course,

00:52:35.939 --> 00:52:36.279
 Of course Jesus,

00:52:36.279 --> 00:52:36.299
 Of course Jesus,

00:52:36.299 --> 00:52:37.859
 Is setting the bar very high,

00:52:38.179 --> 00:52:39.399
 But why is he doing that,

00:52:39.899 --> 00:52:41.379
 It's not,

00:52:41.379 --> 00:52:42.739
 So that you,

00:52:42.819 --> 00:52:43.980
 And I will turn away,

00:52:44.079 --> 00:52:44.299
 And say,

00:52:44.379 --> 00:52:45.339
 That's just too much,

00:52:45.419 --> 00:52:46.919
 That's just asking too much,

00:52:46.919 --> 00:52:48.919
 That's what happened,

00:52:48.980 --> 00:52:49.960
 In John's gospel,

00:52:50.460 --> 00:52:51.619
 Remember in chapter 6,

00:52:51.719 --> 00:52:51.980
 Many,

00:52:52.319 --> 00:52:53.879
 Who are following him outwardly,

00:52:53.960 --> 00:52:55.139
 Then turned away from him,

00:52:55.239 --> 00:52:56.839
 And walked no more with him,

00:52:57.659 --> 00:52:58.839
 When Jesus then turned,

00:52:59.039 --> 00:52:59.960
 To the disciples,

00:53:00.139 --> 00:53:00.659
 And asked them,

00:53:00.659 --> 00:53:02.579
 Do you also want to go away,

00:53:02.679 --> 00:53:03.940
 Will you also go away,

00:53:05.139 --> 00:53:05.920
 And then Peter,

00:53:06.179 --> 00:53:08.000
 Again spoke up,

00:53:08.059 --> 00:53:08.519
 Your member,

00:53:09.259 --> 00:53:10.799
 Or to whom shall we go,

00:53:12.440 --> 00:53:13.480
 You have the words,

00:53:13.960 --> 00:53:15.219
 Of eternal life,

00:53:16.019 --> 00:53:18.899
 And we have come to believe,

00:53:18.899 --> 00:53:20.039
 That you are the Christ,

00:53:20.639 --> 00:53:22.440
 The holy one of God,

00:53:23.679 --> 00:53:25.440
 How can we turn away,

00:53:26.819 --> 00:53:27.559
 How can we,

00:53:28.079 --> 00:53:29.039
 Not deny ourselves,

00:53:29.219 --> 00:53:30.239
 And keep following you,

00:53:30.659 --> 00:53:32.379
 No,

00:53:32.420 --> 00:53:33.799
 It's not so that we'll turn away,

00:53:34.699 --> 00:53:35.579
 It's not so that we'll say,

00:53:35.699 --> 00:53:37.500
 That bar is set too high for me,

00:53:38.879 --> 00:53:40.460
 It's not so that you'll find,

00:53:40.899 --> 00:53:42.119
 In anything there at all,

00:53:42.179 --> 00:53:42.859
 An encouragement,

00:53:43.099 --> 00:53:44.599
 Not to follow him any longer,

00:53:45.379 --> 00:53:46.899
 It's not so that you'll say,

00:53:47.119 --> 00:53:48.199
 That bar is so high,

00:53:48.339 --> 00:53:50.039
 I can't possibly join those,

00:53:50.279 --> 00:53:51.519
 Who are going to take communion,

00:53:52.079 --> 00:53:52.440
 Tomorrow,

00:53:53.440 --> 00:53:55.599
 That's not why he's doing it,

00:53:56.500 --> 00:53:57.599
 Why else?

00:53:58.519 --> 00:54:00.539
 Well it's so that you will not be surprised,

00:54:00.659 --> 00:54:02.559
 When you meet the challenges,

00:54:02.559 --> 00:54:04.119
 That are involved in being a Christian,

00:54:04.119 --> 00:54:07.440
 So that you'll not be surprised,

00:54:07.579 --> 00:54:09.139
 When the world challenges you,

00:54:10.000 --> 00:54:11.559
 When there are struggles,

00:54:11.559 --> 00:54:13.139
 That you need to overcome,

00:54:14.099 --> 00:54:15.960
 When there are temptations,

00:54:16.259 --> 00:54:17.199
 To go back,

00:54:18.199 --> 00:54:20.219
 Whatever comes our way,

00:54:20.299 --> 00:54:21.319
 By way of challenges,

00:54:21.320 --> 00:54:25.300
 They're part and partial,

00:54:25.300 --> 00:54:27.140
 Of following him,

00:54:27.140 --> 00:54:30.960
 And because they belong to following him,

00:54:31.960 --> 00:54:33.039
 He himself,

00:54:33.280 --> 00:54:34.960
 Is more than capable,

00:54:35.360 --> 00:54:37.860
 Of upholding us through them,

00:54:38.559 --> 00:54:39.460
 During them,

00:54:39.900 --> 00:54:40.559
 Beyond them,

00:54:41.019 --> 00:54:41.680
 Above them,

00:54:41.679 --> 00:54:45.379
 If anyone will follow me,

00:54:46.980 --> 00:54:48.480
 Let him deny himself,

00:54:48.599 --> 00:54:49.539
 And take up his cross,

00:54:49.859 --> 00:54:51.759
 And follow me,

00:54:52.579 --> 00:54:55.659
 Tonight I hope,

00:54:55.739 --> 00:54:57.899
 We're not in any way ashamed of Christ,

00:54:59.139 --> 00:54:59.599
 You know,

00:54:59.659 --> 00:54:59.960
 Because,

00:55:00.199 --> 00:55:02.099
 To turn away from,

00:55:02.319 --> 00:55:03.219
 What he commands,

00:55:04.299 --> 00:55:05.639
 In disobedience to him,

00:55:05.639 --> 00:55:06.719
 Is effectively,

00:55:06.919 --> 00:55:07.879
 To be ashamed of him,

00:55:07.880 --> 00:55:10.780
 Whether it's in going to the Lord's table,

00:55:11.300 --> 00:55:13.539
 Or any other aspect of life,

00:55:14.140 --> 00:55:15.500
 If we're turning away,

00:55:15.599 --> 00:55:16.700
 From doing what we know,

00:55:17.019 --> 00:55:18.539
 The Lord requires us to do,

00:55:18.599 --> 00:55:19.760
 Or commands us to do,

00:55:20.360 --> 00:55:21.119
 Then effectively,

00:55:21.280 --> 00:55:22.760
 That is being ashamed of him,

00:55:23.539 --> 00:55:25.420
 Not coming to do what he says,

00:55:26.000 --> 00:55:27.160
 Knowing that he has promised,

00:55:27.800 --> 00:55:28.820
 He will never leave us,

00:55:29.140 --> 00:55:30.500
 And never forsake us,

00:55:31.619 --> 00:55:32.680
 And so you find there,

00:55:32.680 --> 00:55:33.780
 In these verses,

00:55:33.980 --> 00:55:34.900
 In Mark chapter 8,

00:55:35.820 --> 00:55:37.380
 The encouragement,

00:55:37.880 --> 00:55:39.960
 To come and follow him,

00:55:40.640 --> 00:55:42.440
 Into every avenue,

00:55:42.440 --> 00:55:44.300
 Of Christian discipleship,

00:55:44.940 --> 00:55:46.579
 And you will never find,

00:55:47.099 --> 00:55:48.619
 There's too much in that,

00:55:48.680 --> 00:55:49.200
 For Jesus,

00:55:50.059 --> 00:55:51.400
 To actually cope with,

00:55:51.519 --> 00:55:52.500
 And carry you through,

00:55:53.440 --> 00:55:55.320
 That's his promise to you,

00:55:55.579 --> 00:55:57.200
 That's the reality of it,

00:55:57.980 --> 00:55:59.559
 And that's why,

00:55:59.559 --> 00:56:00.180
 When we come,

00:56:00.680 --> 00:56:01.720
 To the Lord's supper,

00:56:03.200 --> 00:56:04.619
 As he himself said,

00:56:04.740 --> 00:56:05.340
 This do,

00:56:05.340 --> 00:56:07.400
 In remembrance,

00:56:07.400 --> 00:56:07.440
 In remembrance,

00:56:07.760 --> 00:56:08.460
 Of me,

00:56:09.019 --> 00:56:10.559
 In remembrance,

00:56:10.559 --> 00:56:12.519
 Of his suffering,

00:56:13.440 --> 00:56:14.420
 In remembrance,

00:56:14.420 --> 00:56:15.660
 Of the deprivation,

00:56:15.660 --> 00:56:16.480
 That he suffered,

00:56:17.240 --> 00:56:18.280
 In remembrance,

00:56:18.280 --> 00:56:19.600
 Of how low,

00:56:19.720 --> 00:56:20.420
 He was brought,

00:56:20.539 --> 00:56:21.160
 And how willing,

00:56:21.240 --> 00:56:22.420
 He was to be brought low,

00:56:23.140 --> 00:56:24.680
 In remembrance,

00:56:25.680 --> 00:56:27.519
 Of what he had to endure,

00:56:27.519 --> 00:56:29.739
 In remembrance,

00:56:29.739 --> 00:56:29.800
 In remembrance,

00:56:29.800 --> 00:56:29.820
 In remembrance,

00:56:29.820 --> 00:56:31.300
 Of the death he died,

00:56:32.440 --> 00:56:33.420
 In remembrance,

00:56:33.659 --> 00:56:34.679
 That your sin,

00:56:35.159 --> 00:56:36.599
 Was placed upon him,

00:56:37.500 --> 00:56:38.759
 So that you wouldn't pay,

00:56:39.239 --> 00:56:40.420
 Eternally for it,

00:56:41.800 --> 00:56:42.980
 Remembrance,

00:56:42.980 --> 00:56:45.300
 Of Christ himself,

00:56:45.940 --> 00:56:46.980
 So Simon,

00:56:47.840 --> 00:56:49.360
 Carrying Christ's cross,

00:56:50.559 --> 00:56:51.740
 Is a reminder to us,

00:56:51.780 --> 00:56:52.699
 Of the importance,

00:56:53.780 --> 00:56:55.179
 Of willingly coming,

00:56:55.280 --> 00:56:56.039
 To follow him,

00:56:57.119 --> 00:56:58.300
 And take the steps,

00:56:58.380 --> 00:56:59.139
 That are involved,

00:57:00.039 --> 00:57:00.719
 In showing,

00:57:01.559 --> 00:57:02.320
 We love him,

00:57:02.920 --> 00:57:03.800
 Who first,

00:57:04.460 --> 00:57:05.240
 Loved us,

00:57:05.780 --> 00:57:06.320
 Let's pray,

00:57:06.320 --> 00:57:10.080
 Almighty God,

00:57:10.180 --> 00:57:12.240
 We know,

00:57:12.240 --> 00:57:12.900
 That your word,

00:57:12.960 --> 00:57:13.660
 Requires us,

00:57:13.800 --> 00:57:15.320
 To look beyond,

00:57:15.440 --> 00:57:16.340
 Our own strength,

00:57:17.120 --> 00:57:18.080
 And we thank you,

00:57:18.120 --> 00:57:18.800
 For the assurance,

00:57:18.960 --> 00:57:19.500
 You give us,

00:57:20.260 --> 00:57:21.160
 That your strength,

00:57:21.240 --> 00:57:22.019
 Is made perfect,

00:57:22.160 --> 00:57:22.760
 In our weakness,

00:57:23.700 --> 00:57:24.860
 That your strength,

00:57:24.960 --> 00:57:26.080
 Comes into its own,

00:57:26.780 --> 00:57:28.019
 When we come to acknowledge,

00:57:28.200 --> 00:57:28.780
 Our weakness,

00:57:28.960 --> 00:57:29.680
 And our inability,

00:57:30.280 --> 00:57:31.000
 Of ourselves,

00:57:31.980 --> 00:57:32.840
 Lord bless us,

00:57:32.940 --> 00:57:33.320
 We pray,

00:57:33.900 --> 00:57:34.600
 As once again,

00:57:34.680 --> 00:57:35.860
 We come to your word,

00:57:36.320 --> 00:57:37.059
 And learn,

00:57:37.160 --> 00:57:37.680
 Its teaching,

00:57:37.800 --> 00:57:38.380
 For ourselves,

00:57:38.559 --> 00:57:39.140
 We thank you,

00:57:39.660 --> 00:57:40.740
 For the many details,

00:57:40.920 --> 00:57:41.960
 That are given us there,

00:57:42.559 --> 00:57:43.620
 Of the sufferings,

00:57:43.660 --> 00:57:44.240
 Of the Lord,

00:57:45.000 --> 00:57:45.760
 Of his commitment,

00:57:45.920 --> 00:57:46.760
 Even to the death,

00:57:46.800 --> 00:57:47.400
 Of the cross,

00:57:48.400 --> 00:57:49.180
 And of how that,

00:57:49.240 --> 00:57:50.519
 Itself sets for us,

00:57:51.120 --> 00:57:51.680
 A path,

00:57:51.780 --> 00:57:52.200
 That we too,

00:57:52.260 --> 00:57:52.840
 Must follow,

00:57:53.700 --> 00:57:54.600
 So bless us now,

00:57:54.680 --> 00:57:55.019
 We pray,

00:57:55.100 --> 00:57:56.519
 And continue to watch over us,

00:57:56.940 --> 00:57:58.000
 Into the following day,

00:57:58.039 --> 00:57:58.760
 If it please you,

00:57:59.240 --> 00:58:00.100
 We ask it all,

00:58:00.200 --> 00:58:01.120
 For Jesus' sake,

00:58:01.559 --> 00:58:01.940
 Amen.

00:58:04.480 --> 00:58:05.900
 Well our final psalm of praise,

00:58:05.900 --> 00:58:08.300
 Just now is Psalm 138,

00:58:08.700 --> 00:58:11.700
 Psalm 138,

00:58:11.760 --> 00:58:12.860
 On page 180,

00:58:15.860 --> 00:58:17.300
 Singing these three verses,

00:58:17.460 --> 00:58:18.220
 Six to eight,

00:58:20.780 --> 00:58:21.180
 The tune,

00:58:21.539 --> 00:58:21.900
 I'm told,

00:58:22.019 --> 00:58:23.079
 Is O Wally Wally,

00:58:24.139 --> 00:58:25.240
 Otherwise known as,

00:58:25.400 --> 00:58:27.200
 When I survey the wondrous cross,

00:58:28.639 --> 00:58:29.980
 So verse six,

00:58:30.039 --> 00:58:30.940
 On page 180,

00:58:30.940 --> 00:58:33.360
 Although the Lord God dwells on high,

00:58:33.860 --> 00:58:35.579
 The lowly person he protects,

00:58:36.200 --> 00:58:37.119
 Whereas the proud,

00:58:37.240 --> 00:58:37.900
 And haughty one,

00:58:38.300 --> 00:58:39.460
 He knows afar off,

00:58:39.539 --> 00:58:40.400
 And rejects,

00:58:40.679 --> 00:58:41.539
 Although I walk,

00:58:41.579 --> 00:58:42.539
 A troubled path,

00:58:43.039 --> 00:58:44.059
 Your tender care,

00:58:44.119 --> 00:58:45.220
 Preserves my life,

00:58:45.780 --> 00:58:46.740
 You raise your hand,

00:58:46.740 --> 00:58:47.800
 Against my foes,

00:58:48.320 --> 00:58:49.139
 Your right hand,

00:58:49.220 --> 00:58:50.720
 Saves me from their strife,

00:58:51.400 --> 00:58:52.679
 The Lord will certainly,

00:58:52.800 --> 00:58:53.300
 Fulfill,

00:58:53.720 --> 00:58:54.220
 For me,

00:58:54.300 --> 00:58:54.860
 The purpose,

00:58:54.980 --> 00:58:55.619
 He commands,

00:58:55.619 --> 00:58:57.960
 Your love endures forever,

00:58:58.159 --> 00:58:58.420
 Lord,

00:58:59.119 --> 00:59:00.139
 Preserve the works,

00:59:00.480 --> 00:59:01.779
 Of your own hands,

00:59:02.339 --> 00:59:03.400
 Although the Lord God,

00:59:03.719 --> 00:59:04.799
 Dwells on high,

00:59:04.800 --> 00:59:23.120
 The lowly person,

00:59:23.120 --> 00:59:27.160
 He put it,

00:59:27.519 --> 00:59:31.120
 Whereas the proud,

00:59:31.119 --> 00:59:39.219
 Now I hour him from your life,

00:59:39.219 --> 00:59:39.900
 If it's free,

00:59:39.960 --> 00:59:40.199
 And he failed to Butter,

00:59:40.539 --> 00:59:41.099
 The coming to me,

00:59:41.099 --> 00:59:44.940
 Aris,

00:59:44.940 --> 00:59:48.659
 Although I walk,

00:59:48.940 --> 00:59:53.440
 I mong with my a troubled path,

00:59:53.980 --> 00:59:56.259
 Your tender care,

00:59:57.759 --> 01:00:00.639
 Preserves my love,

01:00:00.639 --> 01:00:10.879
 You'll meet your heart against my foes.

01:00:11.259 --> 01:00:19.639
 Your right hands in me from their strife.

01:00:19.639 --> 01:00:28.379
 The Lord will certainly fulfill.

01:00:29.179 --> 01:00:35.920
 For me, the power holds the command.

01:00:37.599 --> 01:00:45.639
 Your love endures forevermore.

01:00:45.639 --> 01:00:54.539
 Please bear the word of your own hand.

01:00:55.480 --> 01:00:58.259
 If you allow me to get to the main door, please, after the benediction.

01:00:59.579 --> 01:01:03.179
 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father,

01:01:03.699 --> 01:01:07.099
 and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore.

01:01:07.519 --> 01:01:07.859
 Amen.

01:01:15.639 --> 01:01:16.139
 Amen.

01:01:16.139 --> 01:01:16.639
 Amen.