WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:05.580 Good morning. It's an honor to be here and our sympathies brother with you. Indeed. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:11.740 I enjoyed much fellowship with Michael, Johnny's dad, and thankfully he is with the Lord. 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:16.500 Yeah, we meet in Douglas, Betsy, my wife and I. Sorry she couldn't be here. 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:20.699 She has a touch of a cold, so have I. So apologies if I haven't shaken your hands. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:21.980 I'd love to, but I don't want to afflict you. 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:29.219 I grew up in Limerick. I was a Roman Catholic and I got saved and I was in Mallow Street Hall. 00:00:29.919 --> 00:00:35.460 Betsy worked actually with Crossworld, which is now, or was, UFM. 00:00:36.019 --> 00:00:42.119 And we met in Limerick. So we married and that was 89. I should remember that. 00:00:42.700 --> 00:00:49.980 And we went to the States in 95 and hearing about the challenges, we decided we would come back. 00:00:49.980 --> 00:00:52.659 She's a biblical counselor. She got two doctorates in that. 00:00:52.659 --> 00:01:00.679 And I was able to retire from my job. And we decided we would come back and serve and do what we can here. 00:01:00.899 --> 00:01:05.519 So we attend Douglas. We live in Shan Valley more. If you haven't heard of that, that's okay. 00:01:06.039 --> 00:01:08.799 You've probably heard of Mallow and Mitchelstown, which is between those two towns. 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:10.500 So that's us. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:15.939 And one hope of yours for the coming year? 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:16.819 Oh, the rapture. 00:01:19.239 --> 00:01:24.640 That's a good question. I used to set goals. I don't know how many here have set resolutions already. 00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:28.140 You're wise. They don't really laugh, do they? 00:01:28.140 --> 00:01:32.280 You know, I'd like the fellow who said I was told I could lose weight if I joined the gym. 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:34.280 I didn't know I had to show up, you know. 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:36.480 But I like to set goals. 00:01:36.579 --> 00:01:43.439 And I used to set spiritual goals, like read some biographies and maybe read a few biographies of good Christian missionaries. 00:01:44.740 --> 00:01:46.780 Get through my Bible maybe once, if not. 00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:49.019 I haven't done it yet, but I'd like to get through it twice a year. 00:01:50.140 --> 00:01:52.640 But I'm getting in shape. You know, we always like to do that. 00:01:53.299 --> 00:01:54.920 Brilliant. Brilliant. Can I pray for you? 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:56.000 Sure, brother. Thank you. 00:01:56.000 --> 00:02:01.980 Lord, we just thank you for what you've given Peter from your word to share with us this morning. 00:02:02.900 --> 00:02:08.659 Thank you for his willingness to come and be with us here and for the preparation he's put into this. 00:02:09.340 --> 00:02:16.120 Now, Lord, we pray that you'd work in our hearts, that you'd open our ears to hear wonderful things from your word. 00:02:16.280 --> 00:02:17.960 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:21.300 Amen. And thank you for the refreshment here. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:25.000 Try to make sure that stays there. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:27.000 So, again, Happy New Year. 00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:30.180 I remember last year like it was yesterday. 00:02:30.819 --> 00:02:32.479 It's the only day of the year I could say that. 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:37.139 But it's wonderful to hear your singing and to enjoy fellowship. 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:46.420 I've gotten to know your Pastor Johnny from the prayer meetings where they diligently come and pray for the churches in the area here and enjoyed fellowship with him. 00:02:46.419 --> 00:02:49.519 So, it is an honor to speak here today, brother. 00:02:49.579 --> 00:02:50.299 I appreciate that. 00:02:50.300 --> 00:02:54.920 You have a wonderful gentleman here looking after you. 00:02:54.920 --> 00:02:54.980 Yeah. 00:02:54.979 --> 00:03:02.579 I don't know if you guys need any structure for your Bible reading throughout the course of the year, but I left you one of these at the back of the church. 00:03:03.299 --> 00:03:06.359 Sometimes it's challenging, I find, to go through Genesis to Revelation. 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:09.500 And you may have seen this 52-weekly Bible plan. 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:11.959 It's a way of reading through different books throughout the week. 00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:13.480 So, if you think that's a help. 00:03:13.879 --> 00:03:18.420 If you have a good plan working, I'm not trying to interrupt it, but this might enhance it or whatever. 00:03:18.920 --> 00:03:21.780 Also, I came across something called How to Have a Holy Hour. 00:03:22.480 --> 00:03:24.760 And it divides it into 11 different sections. 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:32.039 It says, you know, the best thing we can do when we come before God is to humble ourselves and to confess our sin, that we are broken, sinful people. 00:03:32.579 --> 00:03:33.919 But to then give him praise. 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:35.979 And it's self-explanatory. 00:03:36.139 --> 00:03:37.359 But then to wait upon God. 00:03:37.659 --> 00:03:39.919 And then to read his words so he can speak to us. 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:41.840 And then intercede for others. 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:43.519 And then have our own petitions. 00:03:44.099 --> 00:03:45.159 And then to be thankful. 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:46.659 And then to sing. 00:03:46.759 --> 00:03:50.139 Now, if you prefer to do that in your head, to be nice to your neighbors, that's okay. 00:03:50.139 --> 00:03:54.500 But then to meditate upon, have something that you can read that will encourage you. 00:03:54.619 --> 00:03:56.439 Some writing, some book or whatever. 00:03:57.139 --> 00:03:59.319 And then listening for what he has to tell us to do today. 00:03:59.879 --> 00:04:01.839 And finish with psalms and praise as well. 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:03.339 So, I left them out there as well. 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:04.899 They may be an encouragement to you. 00:04:06.519 --> 00:04:07.459 It's a new year. 00:04:08.539 --> 00:04:09.560 I read this this morning. 00:04:09.659 --> 00:04:11.379 It says, welcome to flight 2023. 00:04:12.339 --> 00:04:13.639 We're preparing to take off. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:17.199 Make sure your attitude and blessings are secured and locked in an upright position. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:20.759 All self-destructive devices should be turned off at this time. 00:04:21.319 --> 00:04:23.659 All negativity, hurt, and discouragement should be put away. 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:27.459 Should we lose altitude during the flight, reach up and pull down a prayer. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:29.599 Prayers will be automatically engaged by fate. 00:04:29.959 --> 00:04:32.300 Once your fate is activated, you can assist other passengers. 00:04:32.839 --> 00:04:34.159 No baggage allowed in this flight. 00:04:34.599 --> 00:04:35.699 The captain has cleared us. 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:37.980 Destination greatness or glory. 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:39.199 Book your flight. 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:40.980 But I thought that was interesting. 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:45.779 Because of the beginning of the year, I want us to look at the man called Abraham. 00:04:45.779 --> 00:04:47.719 The great father of our faith. 00:04:47.799 --> 00:04:48.619 The friend of God. 00:04:49.119 --> 00:04:50.719 Because he set out on a journey. 00:04:51.039 --> 00:04:53.399 And this is a journey for us, 2023. 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:59.619 If you look at Hebrews chapter 11, we'll read there about Abraham and his faith. 00:05:00.059 --> 00:05:01.719 And I was thinking about this. 00:05:01.799 --> 00:05:03.399 What would be the title I would put on this? 00:05:03.559 --> 00:05:09.179 But I would say his faith in the midst of all the adversities that he had to deal with in his life. 00:05:10.039 --> 00:05:12.259 It says in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 8, 00:05:12.259 --> 00:05:19.779 By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go and to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. 00:05:20.420 --> 00:05:22.959 And he went out not knowing where he was going. 00:05:24.159 --> 00:05:30.159 By faith, he went to live in the land of promise as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:32.180 heirs with him of the same promise. 00:05:32.719 --> 00:05:37.719 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 00:05:37.720 --> 00:05:45.680 By faith, Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she had considered him faithful who had promised. 00:05:46.340 --> 00:05:54.720 Therefore, from one man and him as good as dead were born descendants, as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of the sands by the seashore. 00:05:55.380 --> 00:06:01.240 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and grieved them afar off. 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:04.740 And have acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:08.360 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:14.100 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 00:06:14.660 --> 00:06:18.699 But as it is, they desire a better country that is a heavenly one. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:23.540 Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 00:06:23.540 --> 00:06:27.060 By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. 00:06:27.780 --> 00:06:35.500 And he who had received the promise was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 00:06:36.400 --> 00:06:42.580 He considered God was able to even raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:44.780 And may God bless the reading of his word. 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:46.720 Let's call and speak to the author. 00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:48.300 Father, we thank thee for thy word. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:51.920 We thank thee for all the blessings that we have. 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:53.660 And that has been prayed already. 00:06:53.780 --> 00:06:58.180 And as we ask thee to speak to hearts here today, as we ask it in Jesus' precious name. 00:06:58.439 --> 00:06:58.759 Amen. 00:07:00.259 --> 00:07:03.160 I was thinking about the faith that Abraham had. 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:07.259 And we see here, by faith, it says he was called to go and he obeyed. 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:13.580 By faith, he sojourned, or he occupied himself in tents, like as a temporary dweller here. 00:07:13.580 --> 00:07:17.379 Because he looked for a city whose builder and maker was God. 00:07:17.900 --> 00:07:21.900 By faith, Sarah was strengthened, given power to conceive. 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:27.020 And by faith, he was tested to offer up his only son, Isaac. 00:07:32.340 --> 00:07:33.759 Abraham was called to obey. 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:37.240 And as you know, we're called to obey the gospel. 00:07:38.020 --> 00:07:39.420 It's interesting when you think about Adam. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:45.139 All he had to do in the Garden of Eden was not take from the fruit of the forbidden tree. 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:48.779 But for the sinner today, he has to actually act. 00:07:48.860 --> 00:07:49.819 He has to do something. 00:07:50.219 --> 00:07:53.219 He must come to Christ and receive the Lord as his Savior. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:56.099 Moving is not easy. 00:07:56.620 --> 00:07:57.919 I've only had about eight of them. 00:07:58.300 --> 00:07:59.519 And two of them were international. 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:03.939 And it takes some planning and it takes some work. 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:06.159 Abraham had to go 1,200 miles. 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:08.180 And that was a bigger challenge for him. 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:09.699 He'd never been to where he was going. 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:11.419 He didn't know the location. 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:15.500 When you leave somewhere, you sever your roots. 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:16.840 There's a rootlessness. 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:18.660 There's a loneliness. 00:08:19.460 --> 00:08:20.280 There's an isolation. 00:08:20.840 --> 00:08:21.939 And there's an uncertainty. 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:24.740 You know, I was driving on the other side of the road. 00:08:24.840 --> 00:08:25.840 And I had to change all that. 00:08:25.900 --> 00:08:26.879 You guys haven't caught up yet. 00:08:26.900 --> 00:08:28.620 I have to go back and change all that. 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:30.879 But there is a sense in which I don't have that continuity. 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:32.000 The friends I used to have. 00:08:32.060 --> 00:08:33.320 The church people I used to have. 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:36.440 The stores I used to go for my shopping. 00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:37.220 The people I'd meet. 00:08:37.299 --> 00:08:37.820 The postman. 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:38.639 All that is different. 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:39.500 You have to change. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:43.560 There's a certain amount of difficulty in thinking about doing that. 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:46.360 And you may have experienced that in your life as well. 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:48.779 There was plenty of other challenges for Abraham. 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:52.080 He was going to find a land that he was supposed to have. 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.060 And it's already occupied. 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:55.279 His seed would be many. 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:57.120 But then he doesn't have a child. 00:08:57.120 --> 00:09:01.519 And then he was finally told he was going to have a child when he was 99. 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:04.740 And his wife was pretty much done childbearing. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:09.320 And then he was to offer up this child as a sacrifice. 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:11.820 So those were many challenges that he faced. 00:09:12.919 --> 00:09:17.019 You know, if you had been speaking with Abraham and asked him about his plans. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:19.740 And he said, like, I'm going somewhere where I've never been. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:21.700 Because God has appeared to me. 00:09:21.740 --> 00:09:22.639 And I'm going to have a son. 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:26.779 You know, if I tell people today that I believe the world was made in six days. 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:29.659 And that it's been about 4,000 years since the flood. 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:32.100 And I'm going to heaven by faith in Christ. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:36.399 They might also look at me and say, wow, he's got pretty incredulous beliefs, doesn't he? 00:09:36.940 --> 00:09:42.379 On the other hand, you believe that this big chunk of matter came flying out of the sun. 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:44.560 And cooled off for millions of years. 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:48.779 And then somehow this rock had some moisture come out of nowhere. 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:50.399 And then out of it came life. 00:09:51.579 --> 00:09:53.799 You know, watch where you're stepping on the rocks. 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:56.319 You might be stepping on somebody's grandfather someday, you know. 00:09:57.000 --> 00:10:00.600 So, I'm confident in what I believe through the word of God. 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:08.559 There was three religions now, you know, in this world that look at Abraham as a very, you might say, important leader. 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:11.459 Islam, the Jew, and of course, Christianity. 00:10:11.460 --> 00:10:11.580 Christianity. 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:16.500 We see many things in the beginning of the Bible in Genesis. 00:10:16.700 --> 00:10:20.660 We see the beginning of creation, man, and the nations, and Israel. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:22.480 But also the beginning of judgments. 00:10:22.920 --> 00:10:26.180 Because we have Adam expelled from the garden. 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:27.660 We have the flood of Noah. 00:10:28.040 --> 00:10:29.400 We have the Tower of Babel. 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:31.360 And then we come to Abraham. 00:10:31.900 --> 00:10:32.500 Here's a guy. 00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:36.820 He's in the land of what we might say is Iraq today. 00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:38.379 And he's in Ur of the Chaldees. 00:10:39.020 --> 00:10:39.740 And he's an idolater. 00:10:40.760 --> 00:10:43.600 And the grace of God comes to him and speaks to him. 00:10:44.060 --> 00:10:45.340 But it comes to every one of us. 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:49.920 He says, come unto me, all yet weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:10:50.040 --> 00:10:51.500 Abraham got a call from God. 00:10:52.780 --> 00:10:56.900 Every one of us gets a call from God to come to the Son, to come to Christ as our Savior. 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:59.520 Have you listened to his call to you? 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:02.020 Have you come to Christ and trusted him? 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:08.379 I hope that this is the best thing you can do on the first day of 2023 is to get right with God, to heed his voice. 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:17.980 Abraham got a distinct call from God to come, as he said, to leave his land, to go where he would bless him, a land that he would give to him. 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:21.240 You know that there was times, we know, when Abraham wavered. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:27.000 But, you know, when you look back and you think of what challenges he had and what he didn't have, 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:29.240 he didn't have the indwelling Holy Spirit. 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:32.519 He didn't have the full canon of Scripture to look back on. 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:35.240 And as Paul says, these things are written for our example. 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:41.320 He didn't look back and be able to see that the child that was born in Bethlehem would be nailed to the cross for sin 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:43.220 and understand the fullness of redemption. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:47.299 He believed in it and was redeemed, was righteous before God. 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.759 But he didn't have all that. 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:53.240 So if I could judge Abraham sometimes, he might sit down and say to me, how's your walk going? 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:55.860 With all that you have, how are you doing? 00:11:55.860 --> 00:12:01.740 You know, when you get a new clock, there's no one here, but I won't keep you forever. 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:04.980 When you get a new clock, you have to set it to the right time, don't you? 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:09.139 I used to fly a small plane in the States, and we'd have a compass. 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:15.080 And then we had this dial which had all the numbers of the compass, but it wasn't actually linked to the North Pole. 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:19.759 So you had to set this one to the actual compass itself, so you'd be flying in the right direction. 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:27.279 And it's actually terribly sad that some people, some pilots mistakenly didn't set their compass right. 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:32.439 Instead of flying 270, they set it to 27, or the other way around. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:37.439 But anyhow, they were flying west over the jungle, and 12 people lost their lives because they had to land in the jungle. 00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:38.840 Small things. 00:12:39.539 --> 00:12:44.500 So my point is, beginning of the new year, set your compass to an eternal compass. 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:47.139 We're living for eternity, not for time. 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:49.139 And we have to set our compass that way. 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:55.539 Sometimes, you know, you've often stopped at an airport, but you haven't stayed long. 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:56.200 You're in transit. 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:58.519 You may never visit that airport again the rest of your life. 00:12:59.059 --> 00:13:00.919 And that's true, in a sense, about this world. 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.659 We're here temporarily, like Abraham. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:03.759 We're dwelling in tents. 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:07.600 We're not putting deep roots down because the Lord is coming back for us. 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:09.139 This world is not our home. 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.820 We're bound for that beautiful city. 00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:18.760 My Lord has prepared for his own, where all the redeemed of all ages sing glory around the white throne. 00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:21.160 You know, it's interesting about Abraham. 00:13:21.400 --> 00:13:24.600 If you walk down the street sometimes, he could run into a guy called Shem. 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:28.820 Because Shem, Noah's son, actually lived around the same time as Abraham. 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:33.620 So there wasn't a whole lot of time difference between these because they lived long lives. 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:35.720 And as I say, he lived near Iraq. 00:13:36.560 --> 00:13:39.380 But he was challenged to go and follow the Lord. 00:13:39.380 --> 00:13:40.900 And it says he obeyed. 00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:45.260 No doubt he faced challenges to his fate. 00:13:45.660 --> 00:13:47.660 He didn't actually go because he felt like going. 00:13:48.640 --> 00:13:51.280 You know, sometimes we might think I'll do something if it feels right. 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:54.120 We shouldn't choose our actions based on how you feel. 00:13:55.300 --> 00:13:55.780 And you know what? 00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:59.840 He probably wouldn't have got a whole lot of confirmation, as we might say, from people around him. 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:03.540 If he said, I'm thinking of going to Mesopotamia or to Canaan. 00:14:03.660 --> 00:14:04.520 I'm from leaving here. 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.780 I've never been there before. 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:10.039 And I don't think people, people might have raised their eyebrows and said, you know, Abraham's going out somewhere. 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.179 He doesn't know where he's going. 00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:13.779 He wouldn't have got much information from that. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:20.579 You know, when I discovered that I was a lost sinner, that my righteousness, I was raised as a Roman Catholic. 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:25.040 And for 20 years, I did all that I felt was right to get right with God. 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:30.460 I attended Mass, novenas, climbed mountains, fasted on the islands for weekends and whatnot. 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:33.740 I did all I thought until a guy showed me all our righteousness. 00:14:34.020 --> 00:14:36.240 There was filthy rags and we're all as an unclean thing. 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:37.259 Wow. 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.419 Out the window. 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.559 All my efforts. 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:42.299 Well, I don't feel like I need to be saved. 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:46.179 It's interesting that you got saved and I really think you've got something wonderful. 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:49.899 You've got a great joy and I just would like to have it, but I just don't feel. 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:52.500 And then he said, you know, the Bible says your heart's deceitful. 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:57.299 Oh, so that's why I don't feel lost or believe I'm lost. 00:14:57.700 --> 00:14:59.039 Yes, because your heart's deceiving you. 00:14:59.059 --> 00:14:59.899 What does the Bible say? 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:00.580 It says you're lost. 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:01.679 I believe the Bible. 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:05.960 From that point on, I knew I was a lost sinner and I needed to be saved. 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:08.860 And I got a call from God to come to Christ. 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:16.980 I wasn't coming because you might say I thought it would feel good or because other people in my family or other friends were telling me to do it. 00:15:17.400 --> 00:15:19.240 I was trying to escape the wrath of God. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:21.180 The judgment of God was upon me. 00:15:21.280 --> 00:15:22.160 I was a guilty sinner. 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:24.259 If my heart stopped, I'd wake up in hell. 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:25.680 That's what I seriously believed. 00:15:28.040 --> 00:15:34.980 When I did trust in the Lord, I remember one time I would always love to visit an uncle I used to know in Dublin. 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.980 He was a very nice fellow. 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:39.500 But my family were saying to him, did you hear what happened to Peter? 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:43.720 He's left the church and he's joined these Christians and it's terrible. 00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:45.580 He said, wow. 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:49.899 He said, well, he comes to visit me and we get on great and he lives a good life. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:51.060 I think it's good. 00:15:51.800 --> 00:15:53.840 So God was gracious in that instance. 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.899 But he went out not knowing. 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:59.899 Again, trusting God, walking by faith, not by sight. 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:03.500 There was no app or GPS to get to where he had to go. 00:16:04.319 --> 00:16:06.559 It says the evidence was not visible to him. 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:11.419 You know, there's a time when I did fly a plane and we intentionally flew in clouds 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:17.679 because the objective was to get you to understand how to fly your plane based on all these instruments that are in front of you. 00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:20.959 Because you'll have this little plane, you see, and you'll know exactly. 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:22.480 You won't be able to feel that in the plane. 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:27.860 I could think I'm flying like this and I could be flying like this if I'm looking for a horizon when there isn't any. 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:30.180 So you have to trust in these instruments. 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.200 Absolutely. 00:16:31.800 --> 00:16:34.120 Or you'll spin out of the clouds into the ground and crash. 00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:36.159 Sometimes it feels like that. 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:37.659 I'm trusting God. 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.840 I'm trusting his word. 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:45.440 My senses don't actually maybe tell me this is the way to go, but I'm trusting God and I'm trusting in his word. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:47.940 There was one time to become a pilot. 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:50.440 You had to fly to a destination 100 miles away. 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.820 You've never been there before. 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.899 Find the airport and land. 00:16:55.060 --> 00:17:00.899 Well, I got to the airport, but it was kind of like I got the GPS, got me right there. 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:02.500 I couldn't actually see it visibly. 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:11.099 So we are experienced at becoming humble when you're a pilot and you ask the pilot in the tower, the guy in the tower, can you help me? 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:14.759 And he'll give you a direction and you follow that direction and you get there. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:21.200 You know, sometimes you have to be in contact with God because he sees the overall picture, 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:23.759 the overall picture, like the guy in the tower. 00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:24.880 He sees all the other planes. 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.759 He sees the whole thing. 00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:29.319 We only see this and we have to trust in his voice. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:36.200 I don't know if you ever read a book called Lessons from a Sheepdog by Philip Keller, but a very nice story. 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:42.000 And he had a very devoted sheepdog that he would send to get the sheep when they would be lost or stuck somewhere. 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:47.559 And sometimes he had to send that sheep through hedges and thorns and thistles and whatever. 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:49.660 The dog had no understanding. 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:53.200 He didn't understand exactly, but he was obedient to the utmost. 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:55.640 And I'm sure it hurts sometimes for that dog. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:18:00.220 But devotion to the master, he pursued and he got that sheep out. 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:08.740 Abraham, it says, sojourned in a land of promise in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob in the ears. 00:18:09.320 --> 00:18:13.259 And we are also journeying and we will someday be forever with the Lord. 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:18.000 There's a hymn that says, forever with the Lord, amen, so let it be. 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:21.500 Life from the dead is in that word, tis immortality. 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:24.240 Here in this body, pent absent from him I roam. 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:28.359 Yet nightly pitched my moving tent, a day's march nearer home. 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.559 We are here temporarily. 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.980 Someday we will soon be with our Lord. 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:37.379 Again, circumstances probably wouldn't have encouraged Abraham to leave. 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:40.180 I mean, Ur of the Caldades, that's like Dublin, Ireland. 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.619 That's like London in England. 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:43.899 And he would have had prime real estate. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:47.379 You're going to sell that at this price in the market right now? 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:50.599 And again, he was faithful. 00:18:51.719 --> 00:18:57.759 You know, Peter, when the Lord told him to cast his nets out, he was a little hesitant, you know. 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:59.239 He's a carpenter. 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.479 I'm a fisherman. 00:19:01.179 --> 00:19:02.099 But I put one out. 00:19:02.179 --> 00:19:04.299 Out of respect, he put one net out and the net broke. 00:19:05.179 --> 00:19:07.899 That's why the net broke, because he limited what Christ could do. 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:10.680 Sometimes we limit what we think God can do. 00:19:11.540 --> 00:19:15.720 And blessing to Peter came at that point in time, and the boats actually began to sink. 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:16.440 They were overflowing. 00:19:16.820 --> 00:19:18.860 And Peter could have said, now you want me to leave the business? 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:22.900 When the Lord, if I could have you, I could really make a lot of money on it. 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:24.300 No, but the Lord says, come follow me. 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:30.700 So sometimes circumstances didn't tell Abraham or even Peter, this is what you should do. 00:19:31.120 --> 00:19:32.340 You have to trust in the Lord. 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:39.539 It says that Abraham, his father's name was Terah, and his father had three sons, and one of them, Haran, died. 00:19:40.959 --> 00:19:47.639 And it seems like Abraham got the call, but we don't hear that Terah got the call, or Lot, his nephew, that he brought with him. 00:19:48.439 --> 00:19:55.159 And when they get to his place called Haran, or Haran, which is actually similar to the place, to the name of Abraham's father, 00:19:55.699 --> 00:19:59.819 or his brother, his father's other son who died, Terah didn't move on from there. 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:01.639 And he passed away there. 00:20:02.379 --> 00:20:04.619 Maybe he couldn't get over the loss of that son. 00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:08.980 But also, he's a picture of the flesh that holds us back. 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:13.599 I mean, Abraham made progress, and in those days, respecting your father was very important. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:18.419 But Terah just didn't seem to, you know, they've traveled 800 miles already. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.899 Let's settle down here. 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:22.839 Now, things are doing good, so maybe we should stay here. 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:26.059 Prosperity isn't exactly the answer either. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:28.339 Should I stay here because things are going well? 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:30.859 If God wants me to move, no, I should obey him. 00:20:31.959 --> 00:20:38.539 When I was a first believer in Christ, and I decided I should attend Sunday morning in Mallow Street Hall in Limerick, 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:42.559 and that meant, of course, leaving the Catholic Church, 00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:46.699 it was difficult because I would come home for lunch, and, did you go to Mass? 00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:47.119 No. 00:20:47.439 --> 00:20:48.059 And war. 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.639 You know, why didn't you? 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:54.000 So, for a while there, I decided, you know, I just don't like these battles. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:59.599 So, I decided, on the way home from Christian Church, I stopped outside the Catholic Church, 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:02.319 walked in, picked up the brochure, and came home, slapped it down on the table. 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.519 The war was over. 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.779 For a while. 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:09.960 And, of course, in my heart, I'm thinking, you know, that's not really being genuinely honest. 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:13.819 I'm not going to Mass, but I'm giving the impression that I'm going just to stop them fighting with me. 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:18.839 So, I finally said, you know, I'm going to the Christian Church, and I'm not going to Mass, 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:21.039 and, oh, you ruined Christmas, and whatever else. 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:24.000 But then, you know, amazingly, it backed off. 00:21:24.159 --> 00:21:27.480 It's like, when I took a stand, and I said, this is what I'm doing, I'm following the Lord, 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:30.659 it seems like things got a little easier. 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:35.799 It's almost like I had to go through the obedience, and then the Lord blessed us. 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:40.839 In the book of Acts, it says that Stephen, in chapter 7, 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:43.599 he tells us that God called Abraham. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:48.519 Now, you know, if you read your Genesis Bible, it says God called Abraham and Haran. 00:21:49.679 --> 00:21:52.439 But he actually, Stephen says, he called him before he left Haran. 00:21:52.699 --> 00:21:55.480 So, he was reaffirming his call to him this time. 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:59.959 It's almost like Abraham didn't get any more light until he followed the light that God had given him. 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:01.319 So, he reaffirmed his call. 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:04.699 And that's good, too, because we'll discover another part of the Bible. 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.659 Abraham went down to Egypt when there was a famine. 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.919 And that wasn't the right thing to do. 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:11.240 This is a new year. 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:12.680 God is a God of new beginnings. 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:16.759 And God comes back to Abraham and says, look, you made an effort. 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.759 You stopped here. 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:20.680 Come, I want you to obey me and to follow me. 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:24.140 And as I said, his father, Terah, is a picture of the flesh. 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:27.039 And that may have been an issue that sidetracked him. 00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:29.360 But, you know, it's easy to get bogged down. 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.000 Have you been bogged down? 00:22:31.300 --> 00:22:34.960 Is there something that's bogged you down from following and from serving your Lord and Savior? 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:44.500 And again, we find out that we are reminded in Romans that when you're baptized, you actually are saying something in that. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:48.680 You're going to die to self and you're going to live to newness of life to Christ. 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.200 And you are dead. 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.900 You are dead to the flesh. 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:53.180 You are dead to the world. 00:22:53.180 --> 00:23:01.519 If you're a soccer fan of Man United and you pass away and your coffin is going by the stadium and they score a goal, it doesn't matter. 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.180 You are dead to that. 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:04.680 There is no response. 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.019 And that's what Paul says. 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:10.120 Reckon yourselves dead to this world and alive to Christ. 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:13.060 It says, Abraham saw the promises of far off. 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:17.799 And, you know, he really is a man of faith with what he knew. 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.099 And yet he trusted God. 00:23:19.399 --> 00:23:20.839 He didn't see all that we saw. 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.399 He built altars. 00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:30.500 And, you know, one of the places that he stayed in Bethel and A, or I think it's Shechem, was the place where Jesus stopped to speak with a woman of Samaria. 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:32.799 He saw them afar off indeed. 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:39.299 And, you know, when he arrived in the land, he was a little discouraged because it says the Canaanite was in the land. 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:42.000 And, you know, I visited some towns around us. 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:45.299 And sadly, you know, we love to share the gospel. 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:51.000 And one time I got to this place and there was people there and they were peddling false doctrine. 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:54.339 And I'm like, oh, looking back, the Canaanite was in the land. 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.159 And I said, what am I going to do? 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:57.339 Am I going to engage these people? 00:23:57.419 --> 00:23:59.919 But they're always twisting scripture and you never get anywhere with them. 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.240 So I'm going to pray. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:06.619 And I prayed and I walked up and there was a new believer challenging this person at the same time. 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:13.599 And so I met a new believer and we had joy and her husband was singing musically Amazing Grace on the other side of the street. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.939 But he was discouraged. 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.500 And you know what? 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:21.459 Despite that discouragement, it says God came to him and repeated his promises to him. 00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:22.419 Fear not. 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:26.439 There are things that will discourage us in this life, in this year. 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:29.779 There are things that sometimes we will come up against that are difficult. 00:24:30.299 --> 00:24:31.659 But God says, fear not. 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:33.039 He has given us his promises. 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:34.700 He cherishes us. 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:41.000 And whatever physical objectives that were in front of Abraham, he couldn't get around or couldn't see through. 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.399 God says, fear not. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.519 There is nothing impossible with God. 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:46.059 Do we need to be reminded of his promises? 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:48.960 He will never leave us, nor forsake us. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:50.639 Nothing will separate us from his love. 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:53.920 Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. 00:24:54.619 --> 00:24:56.420 And when he comes, he will take us to be with him. 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:58.759 And wherever he is, we will be also. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.960 God was going to give him the land. 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:04.720 And he was going to be there by faith, trusting in God. 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:08.720 You see, those people, there are many people who might look like they're going to heaven. 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.360 They might be in the right place even. 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.500 They might be in a church. 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:14.960 The Canaanite was in the land, but he wasn't there by call of God. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.759 And he wasn't there by faith. 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:22.860 And when the children of Israel would get to the land, they would first of all have the Passover. 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:26.240 They would recognize the Redeemer, the Lamb of God. 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:30.059 And they would go through the Red Sea, dead to the world and alive to Christ. 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:31.359 And that's how they got to the land. 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.380 And that's a picture for you and I. 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.660 How do we get to salvation? 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.480 We come to the Lamb of God. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:40.720 We recognize that God has taken our sin and placed it on his own son. 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.700 Are you listening? 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:49.059 And if we take that gift of eternal life, he takes that perfect righteousness of Christ and imputes it unto us. 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.420 And we have eternal life. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:54.180 And so the Canaanite was in the land, but he wasn't there by God's plan. 00:25:54.960 --> 00:26:03.019 Jesus said, I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep by the gate but climbs up some other way is a thief and a robber. 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:07.900 There was a man who came to a wedding one time and he didn't have the right garment on and he was thrown out. 00:26:08.060 --> 00:26:09.279 You might say, what's that all about? 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.560 Well, you know what? 00:26:10.580 --> 00:26:12.920 He could have got the right garment from the owner. 00:26:13.560 --> 00:26:17.860 If we don't have the perfect righteousness of Christ, we cannot enter into heaven because it's a holy place. 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:20.819 Why didn't he go get the right garment? 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:22.299 Pride. 00:26:22.959 --> 00:26:24.839 There's two things someone said keep you out of heaven. 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.139 Pride and unbelief. 00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:32.779 And pride is such a serious sin that it takes eternity, eternity of judgment for God to deal with it. 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:34.919 There's an eternal judgment for pride. 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:37.179 But there's also a wonderful reminder. 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:41.619 What the blood of Jesus Christ has done on the cross can save us and cleanse us from all our sin. 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:44.159 The power of the blood of Christ. 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:50.279 I also think that it's interesting we often think about a land of Canaan as the place in heaven. 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:52.740 But there's a sense in which it's for us today. 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.380 We have many blessings. 00:26:54.600 --> 00:26:56.240 Paul speaks of in Ephesians chapter 1. 00:26:56.300 --> 00:26:58.120 We are blessed with all spiritual blessings. 00:26:58.800 --> 00:27:00.160 If you're in Christ, you're justified. 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.740 You're made righteous. 00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:04.960 You're chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. 00:27:05.040 --> 00:27:08.700 You're predestined to be with him before him to the praise of his glory. 00:27:09.340 --> 00:27:12.259 We are seen as glorified in him through Christ. 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.960 We have many things to enjoy. 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:17.720 It says, Abraham pitched between Bethel and Hay. 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:20.839 One means the house of God and the other means a heap of ruins. 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:23.579 We're in the world, but we're not out of the world. 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:25.960 And we're heading to the city of Zion. 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:28.940 And again, faith comes by hearing his word. 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:31.240 I mentioned that there was a famine. 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:35.440 And he decided to help the situation by going down to Egypt. 00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:36.779 So there was some scarcity. 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.579 But he thought of a solution. 00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:40.700 And he goes down to Egypt. 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:45.000 And if you know the story there, he does one good thing, right? 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.640 He compliments his wife. 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:48.340 You know, you're a fair woman. 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:52.740 But then he kind of shouldn't have said any more after that. 00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:53.779 But say, you're my sister. 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:55.420 Which technically he was, but she wasn't. 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:56.279 But, you know. 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:59.299 And sometimes we try to help God along with our plans. 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:04.720 And of course, as that guy, that counselor says, how's that been working for you? 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:07.279 But, you know, it's not plain sailing always. 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:09.819 Jesus said we will suffer persecution. 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:11.819 There will be divisions amongst families. 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:13.160 It won't always be comfortable. 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:18.980 And he doesn't say that to discourage you, but so that you won't be blindsided in your obedience in following him. 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:23.740 Because we must trust and obey, as the hymn says, for there is no other way. 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:26.420 Maybe you felt like you're not part of a group sometimes. 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:28.140 You're isolated because you're a Christian. 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:31.420 It says Jesus had nowhere to lay his head. 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:34.039 Noah preached for a hundred years. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:38.180 That's a long time to be scoffed and to be mocked at and to stand still for God. 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:42.779 But I'm glad that I did because he does strengthen us and he does come with us. 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:46.480 And he does actually promise us strength for the way. 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:51.279 You might say, I'm not going to be sure how I can get over that mountain that's ahead of me. 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.700 Or I get through that valley. 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:58.180 But Isaiah, in chapter 40, says he will bring the mountains down and he will bring the valleys up. 00:28:58.900 --> 00:29:01.519 It says, Behold, the Lord will come with a strong hand in his arms. 00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:02.500 She'll rule for him. 00:29:03.060 --> 00:29:05.740 Behold, his reward is with him and his work before him. 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:09.819 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd and he shall carry the lambs in his arms. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:15.160 There's times when we need to know his comfort and his presence and he will be there for us. 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:19.799 What God asks you to do, he provides the strength for you. 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:22.799 What God asks you to do, he provides the strength for. 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:28.180 And you're not responsible to fix all the negative attitudes of people around you before you obey God. 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:31.880 Because some people may object to it and you're not responsible to straighten them out. 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.339 God wants obedience. 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:35.039 And that's something we can learn from Abraham. 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:37.059 What decides your obedience? 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.120 Is it others' approval? 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:45.819 If I had been deciding to obey God based on my feelings or the approval of others or circumstances, it wouldn't have happened. 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.779 So that's one thing. 00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:51.920 I was certain of the call of God to escape the wrath and his judgment. 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:54.059 What can you learn from the lessons? 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:56.440 Abraham was ready to obey God. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:59.660 Abraham obeyed God when it didn't make sense. 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:02.580 He eventually did not delay in obeying God. 00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:06.720 And he would soon grow to not let anyone interfere with him obeying. 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:10.080 And he understood that obeying God was an act of worship. 00:30:10.580 --> 00:30:13.160 We give honor and glory to him when we serve him. 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:15.480 And Abraham also trusted in God. 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:17.400 There was also comfort promised to him. 00:30:18.060 --> 00:30:21.120 I enjoy the verse in Isaiah chapter 65 verse 17. 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.380 The Lord says, 00:30:22.540 --> 00:30:25.060 Behold, I create a new heavens and a new earth, 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:28.860 and the former things shall not be remembered nor come to mind. 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:31.879 That tells me that the glory of heaven, 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.799 the glory of the presence of God, 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:34.759 will be so glorious 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:37.979 that my mind won't even be able to have room in it 00:30:37.979 --> 00:30:39.939 to comprehend all the things that are here, 00:30:40.179 --> 00:30:40.939 that were here, 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:43.159 that caused me such anxiety or whatever, 00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:44.979 that are all going to be burnt up anyhow. 00:30:45.719 --> 00:30:48.000 Because of the glory of the new heavens and the new earth, 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:50.539 we won't even remember the former things. 00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:54.000 Whether it's the cliffs of Moor or Yellowstone Park or whatever, 00:30:54.419 --> 00:30:57.579 the beauty of the glory of God will surpass them all, 00:30:57.579 --> 00:31:00.019 and we will not remember these things. 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:03.279 Hebrews tells us that there are better things. 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.019 Like Abraham, 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:05.899 our obedience should be swift, 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.839 and it should rely on God. 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.359 You know, God is a counselor. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:11.079 My wife's a counselor, I mentioned, 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.179 and she does some counseling. 00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:13.059 But God is also, 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:14.500 was Abraham's friend and counselor. 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.679 You know, if you have a friend, 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:17.819 you can be open with that person 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:19.839 and tell them all the challenges you might have. 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.579 And Abraham was like saying, 00:31:21.679 --> 00:31:23.559 Oh, I don't have an heir. 00:31:23.699 --> 00:31:26.019 Maybe my servant here in my house can be my heir. 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:27.199 No, you will have an heir. 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:28.059 Of your own. 00:31:28.439 --> 00:31:29.379 What about Ishmael? 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:29.720 No. 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:32.179 And it's times that God has to tell Abraham, 00:31:32.359 --> 00:31:33.579 Stop this line of thinking. 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.859 You know, if somebody calls you up, 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.460 and they're a scam caller, 00:31:38.139 --> 00:31:38.819 and trust me, 00:31:38.879 --> 00:31:41.399 if they really want gift cards from you to pay your tax bill, 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.299 you know that's a scam. 00:31:42.419 --> 00:31:44.079 The revenue commissioners don't take credit, 00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:47.019 gift cards for your taxes. 00:31:47.699 --> 00:31:48.779 You hang up on that. 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:51.439 Now, if there's a line of thinking in your brain 00:31:51.439 --> 00:31:52.679 that's contrary to what God says, 00:31:52.679 --> 00:31:53.779 you've got to hang up on that too. 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:56.299 And trust in God and serve him. 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:58.359 Obedience, as I mentioned, brings blessing. 00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:00.019 When Peter obeyed, 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:02.180 the ship was sinking. 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:04.240 And when Abraham obeyed, 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:06.019 what does it say in Romans chapter 4? 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:07.779 He was counted righteous. 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:10.119 Righteousness was imputed to him. 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:11.500 Maybe I should explain that. 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:14.619 Something that's assigned by inference. 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:16.920 Well, that's even more challenging perhaps. 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.460 But it's like this. 00:32:19.060 --> 00:32:20.960 I'm not righteous before a holy God. 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:23.700 But Jesus died in my place. 00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:25.620 And when I discovered, for me, 00:32:25.840 --> 00:32:27.039 how I was right with God, 00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:28.640 it was waking up one night thinking, 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:28.960 you know, 00:32:29.560 --> 00:32:30.539 if you wake up in eternity, 00:32:30.660 --> 00:32:31.420 you wake up in hell. 00:32:31.560 --> 00:32:32.460 And I thought to myself, 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.980 well, that's exactly what I deserve anyway. 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:37.420 But I remember that Jesus paid the price. 00:32:38.080 --> 00:32:39.039 And by accepting that, 00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:40.380 Jesus, God was able to say, 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:42.200 I am accepting this on your behalf. 00:32:42.660 --> 00:32:43.400 So it's almost like 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:44.660 he's looking upon me 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.980 as being perfectly righteous, 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:46.960 even though I'm not. 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.580 He's imputing it to me 00:32:48.580 --> 00:32:50.319 because of the righteousness of Christ. 00:32:50.600 --> 00:32:51.680 He took my sin 00:32:51.680 --> 00:32:53.240 and imputed it to his own son. 00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:55.480 And he takes the perfect righteousness of Christ 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.480 and imputes it to me. 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:58.059 And that's the grace of God. 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:59.519 It's available to everybody, 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:01.059 but it's only to those who come 00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:02.519 and accept Christ. 00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:05.080 I think Abraham's faith peaked 00:33:05.080 --> 00:33:07.960 when he was asked to offer up his son Isaac. 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:09.519 And he was willing to do that 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:11.220 because of his love for God. 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:11.860 He didn't know, 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.519 but he knew, 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:14.579 he knew that God was going to 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.799 somehow still promise, 00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:17.019 fulfill his promises 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:18.380 and raise up a seed. 00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:19.440 How is he going to do that? 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.279 He's going to have to 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:21.279 either erase him from the dead. 00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:23.180 If you look at the story 00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:24.640 of him taking Isaac up, 00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:25.839 it says, 00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.100 he told the men, 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:29.000 it was three days journey. 00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:30.319 Isn't that interesting? 00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.740 In the heart of Abraham, 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:35.079 his son Isaac was dead for three days. 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.480 Three days and three nights, 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.680 the Lord was in the grave. 00:33:38.380 --> 00:33:38.900 Isn't it interesting 00:33:38.900 --> 00:33:40.819 that he puts the wood on Isaac 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:42.659 isn't it the son of God 00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:44.139 that carried the cross to Calvary? 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:45.679 And he didn't know, 00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:46.659 but he said to his men, 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:47.439 we will return. 00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:49.240 He must have known somehow 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.299 that God was going to 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.279 raise him from the dead 00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:52.319 or as we saw, 00:33:52.419 --> 00:33:53.059 he intervened 00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:54.259 and he stopped them 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:55.939 from taking the life of his own son. 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.119 You know, 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:57.819 that's why I said, 00:33:57.879 --> 00:33:58.359 I don't set, 00:33:58.720 --> 00:34:00.919 I don't set resolutions 00:34:00.919 --> 00:34:02.200 because usually they fail. 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.000 I set goals. 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:04.559 And sometimes, 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.799 if I want to win 00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:06.660 the Dublin Marathon 00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:08.539 but not change my diet 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.460 or get much exercise, 00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:09.840 well, 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.559 that's not happening. 00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:12.840 So am I sacrificing 00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:14.380 something else 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.679 to get another goal? 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.460 So sometimes, 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.739 I might have to give something up 00:34:17.739 --> 00:34:19.260 to get what I really want. 00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:21.179 And Abraham wanted to please God 00:34:21.179 --> 00:34:21.860 even if it meant 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:23.139 his own son. 00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:23.780 But of course, 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:25.119 God didn't do it 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:26.059 because he wanted to 00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.860 have him do that 00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:28.340 but just to bless him. 00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.219 And in blessing, 00:34:29.340 --> 00:34:29.880 he did because 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.380 he could see 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:31.380 his heart was for him. 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:32.820 If there's, 00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.900 he is no fool 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:35.480 who gives up 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:36.380 what he cannot keep 00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:37.519 to gain 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.420 what he cannot lose. 00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:40.160 He is no fool 00:34:40.160 --> 00:34:40.599 who gives up 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.280 what he cannot keep. 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:42.619 What this world can give me, 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:43.940 I cannot keep anyway. 00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:45.740 But what Christ can give me 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.440 is eternal. 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.400 So in summary, 00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:50.780 Abraham pushed through 00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:51.640 not being able to see 00:34:51.640 --> 00:34:52.300 what was ahead. 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.480 He pushed through 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.780 the desires of the flesh. 00:34:55.220 --> 00:34:55.920 He pushed through 00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:57.019 the opinions of others, 00:34:57.240 --> 00:34:58.240 the desires of the world. 00:34:58.900 --> 00:34:59.640 And he pushed through 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.879 physical impossibilities 00:35:00.879 --> 00:35:02.500 even when the evidence 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.619 did not make sense. 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:05.139 How was he able to do that? 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:06.480 Three things. 00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:08.839 He was confident 00:35:08.839 --> 00:35:10.480 as to the call of God. 00:35:10.779 --> 00:35:11.400 He was certain 00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:12.259 to the call of God. 00:35:12.759 --> 00:35:13.739 He was confident 00:35:13.739 --> 00:35:15.679 in the strength of God 00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:16.379 in Christ. 00:35:16.819 --> 00:35:17.619 But he was also 00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.480 in contact 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.559 with the person 00:35:19.559 --> 00:35:20.599 and the presence of God 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.779 because he built altars 00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:23.319 and he worshipped God. 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.420 And that's why 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:25.059 I encourage you, 00:35:25.139 --> 00:35:26.119 if you don't have an altar, 00:35:26.259 --> 00:35:27.400 a place where you can go 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:28.759 and talk to God 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:30.000 and have him speak to you, 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.300 hopefully those things 00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:31.740 that I mentioned 00:35:31.740 --> 00:35:32.240 at the beginning 00:35:32.240 --> 00:35:33.380 will be an encouragement 00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:33.880 to you. 00:35:34.680 --> 00:35:36.120 And in times of difficulties, 00:35:36.120 --> 00:35:37.800 we find that the Lord 00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:38.840 does hold on to us. 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:40.600 That's why I picked that song 00:35:40.600 --> 00:35:41.520 that's been in my heart, 00:35:41.740 --> 00:35:43.160 He Will Hold Me Fast. 00:35:43.720 --> 00:35:44.480 Let us pray 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.580 and then we will go 00:35:45.580 --> 00:35:45.960 and sing, 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:47.360 He Will Hold Me Fast. 00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.320 Father, 00:35:48.380 --> 00:35:49.280 we do thank Thee again 00:35:49.280 --> 00:35:49.960 for Thy Word. 00:35:50.680 --> 00:35:51.840 We thank Thee for the reminder 00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:52.780 and for the blessings 00:35:52.780 --> 00:35:53.540 that we see 00:35:53.540 --> 00:35:54.000 that happened 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:55.000 in the life of Abraham. 00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:56.820 And from Him 00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:57.760 truly would come 00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:58.239 a blessing 00:35:58.239 --> 00:35:59.039 to the Jew 00:35:59.039 --> 00:35:59.760 and the Gentile 00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:01.219 because the one who came 00:36:01.219 --> 00:36:02.420 was the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:03.380 And we thank Thee, Father, 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:04.579 for His love for us 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:06.199 and for His death for us 00:36:06.199 --> 00:36:06.800 and for the hope 00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:07.659 that we have in Him. 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:09.940 He may come this year, 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:11.000 what a joy that would be. 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:12.199 Help us, Father, 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:13.219 to whatever comes, 00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:14.159 to trust in Him 00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:15.079 and His precious Word 00:36:15.079 --> 00:36:16.039 and to know 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:16.820 the wonderful truth 00:36:16.820 --> 00:36:17.460 of His promises 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:18.480 to be with us 00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:19.440 and that greater 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:20.260 is He that is in us 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:21.280 than He that is in the world 00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:23.039 and that He will hold us fast 00:36:23.039 --> 00:36:23.779 not just now 00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:25.279 but even unto the end 00:36:25.279 --> 00:36:25.820 of the ages. 00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:26.940 We give thanks 00:36:26.940 --> 00:36:27.820 for those that were here 00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:28.579 and pray for them. 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:30.460 In Jesus' precious name, 00:36:30.679 --> 00:36:30.920 Amen. 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:31.119 Amen. 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:55.039 Amen.