WEBVTT 00:00:00.040 --> 00:00:06.980 We're going to begin our praise of God singing in Psalm 145, 145 in the Scottish Psalter. 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:12.820 That's the Long Meter version on page 444, and the tune is Finart. 00:00:16.500 --> 00:00:21.160 O Lord, thou art my God and King, thee will I magnify and praise. 00:00:21.780 --> 00:00:25.960 I will thee bless and gladly sing unto thy holy name always. 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:31.440 Each day I rise, I will thee bless and praise thy name time without end. 00:00:31.940 --> 00:00:37.640 Much to be praised and great God is, his greatness none can comprehend. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:41.960 We're singing verses 1 to 6 on page 444. 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:45.380 O Lord, thou art my God and King. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:59.420 O Lord, thou art my God and King. 00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:09.299 Thee will I magnify and praise. 00:01:09.299 --> 00:01:27.379 I will thee bless and gladly sing unto thy holy name always. 00:01:29.420 --> 00:01:48.599 Each day I rise, I will thee bless and praise thy name time without end. 00:01:48.599 --> 00:02:06.599 Much to be praised and great God is, his greatness none can comprehend. 00:02:06.599 --> 00:02:08.599 I will thee bless and praise and praise. 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:18.780 Grace shall thy works praise unto race. 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:28.419 The mighty earth shew done by thee. 00:02:28.419 --> 00:02:30.419 Thy will speak of thy glorious grace. 00:02:30.419 --> 00:02:35.419 Thy will speak of thy glorious grace. 00:02:35.419 --> 00:02:37.419 Thy will speak of thy glorious grace. 00:02:37.419 --> 00:02:43.419 And honor of thy majesty. 00:02:43.419 --> 00:02:49.419 Thy wondrous works I will recall. 00:02:49.419 --> 00:02:58.419 Thy wondrous works I will record. 00:02:58.419 --> 00:03:08.419 Thy men the might shall be extolled. 00:03:08.419 --> 00:03:15.419 Of all thy dreadful acts. 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:27.419 And I thy greatness will unfold. 00:03:27.419 --> 00:03:28.419 Amen. 00:03:28.419 --> 00:03:29.419 Amen. 00:03:29.419 --> 00:03:30.419 Amen. 00:03:30.419 --> 00:03:31.419 Amen. 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:32.419 Amen. 00:03:32.419 --> 00:03:33.419 Amen. 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:37.419 Amen. 00:03:37.419 --> 00:03:38.419 Amen. 00:03:38.419 --> 00:03:39.419 Amen. 00:03:39.419 --> 00:03:41.419 Amen. 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:43.419 Amen. 00:03:43.419 --> 00:03:44.419 Amen. 00:03:44.419 --> 00:03:46.419 Amen. 00:03:46.419 --> 00:03:47.419 Amen. 00:03:47.419 --> 00:03:48.419 Amen. 00:03:48.419 --> 00:03:49.419 Amen. 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:51.419 Amen. 00:03:51.419 --> 00:03:52.419 Amen. 00:03:52.419 --> 00:03:56.419 Amen. 00:03:56.419 --> 00:03:59.319 in your lordship over all your creation. 00:04:00.459 --> 00:04:02.139 And we thank you that you have given us again 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:04.399 the privilege of coming before you 00:04:04.399 --> 00:04:05.519 as our King in heaven 00:04:05.519 --> 00:04:08.439 to worship you tonight in this place of worship. 00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:11.699 And we bless you for your remembrance of us 00:04:11.699 --> 00:04:13.519 to give us so many things 00:04:13.519 --> 00:04:16.500 that cause us to come before you with thankfulness. 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:20.459 And especially, Lord, we are thankful for the gospel itself, 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:22.759 the revelation you have given us 00:04:22.759 --> 00:04:25.560 and indication of the lot of your people 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:26.980 as they are saved by you. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:29.660 We pray, Lord, that all of those issues 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:32.139 may tonight be precious to us again. 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:34.860 And we thank you that as we come together, 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:37.060 we are guided by your word 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:39.459 in our consideration of these things 00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:42.699 so that we may have our minds enlightened, 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:45.000 our understanding increased 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:47.120 of those wonderful truths 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:49.720 that belong to God and to his salvation. 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:52.180 And we thank you, Lord, tonight 00:04:52.180 --> 00:04:54.240 for the way in which we belong 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:56.480 to a people who worship you regularly 00:04:56.480 --> 00:04:57.720 from week to week. 00:04:58.379 --> 00:05:00.340 And for the many benefits that you give us 00:05:00.340 --> 00:05:01.199 in being together, 00:05:01.939 --> 00:05:03.400 the benefits we have, O Lord, 00:05:03.460 --> 00:05:06.220 of sharing together in the things of the gospel 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:09.060 and sharing together in the knowledge of God 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:10.900 and in communion with God. 00:05:11.340 --> 00:05:12.900 We thank you that our fellowship, 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:13.860 one with another, 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:16.100 and our fellowship that we are, 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:19.860 emanates from that wonderful divine fellowship 00:05:19.860 --> 00:05:22.600 within the depths of the Trinity itself, 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:25.300 where the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:27.960 share together as one God 00:05:27.960 --> 00:05:30.120 in that mysterious fellowship 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:33.400 that we find described in your word. 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:35.180 And we thank you, Lord, 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:38.840 that it is such a wonderful and great mystery, 00:05:39.520 --> 00:05:40.460 that we know it is true 00:05:40.460 --> 00:05:42.400 and we can understand only in part. 00:05:43.160 --> 00:05:44.360 Yet we thank you, Lord, 00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:46.280 for the amount of it 00:05:46.280 --> 00:05:48.100 that we are yet unable to comprehend 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:50.180 as much as what we are. 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:53.040 We thank you for that greatness 00:05:53.040 --> 00:05:54.420 that belongs to you. 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:57.680 And we pray as we come to worship you tonight 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:00.120 that that greatness will once again 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:01.800 be impressed upon our souls 00:06:01.800 --> 00:06:04.060 by the ministry of your Holy Spirit. 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:07.360 Lord, we give thanks again 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:08.540 for this congregation, 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:11.360 for the witness that we bear to you, 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:13.080 and for the way that we seek 00:06:13.080 --> 00:06:14.699 to make you known in our community. 00:06:15.460 --> 00:06:16.699 We pray that every way 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:18.020 in which we seek to do this 00:06:18.020 --> 00:06:20.300 may be blessed and owned by you. 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:22.340 Lord, we confess that we do 00:06:22.340 --> 00:06:24.780 come so far short in everything we do, 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:26.620 in our very inmost thoughts 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:27.759 as well as our actions. 00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:29.680 There are so many things 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:31.340 that we need to confess 00:06:31.340 --> 00:06:33.180 before you are wrong with our lives, 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:35.639 things which your word highlights 00:06:35.639 --> 00:06:38.360 as defects and deficiencies 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:40.420 and sins in our lives. 00:06:40.420 --> 00:06:42.080 But we thank you, Lord, 00:06:42.140 --> 00:06:43.600 that your promise is 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:45.620 that if we come and confess our sins, 00:06:46.259 --> 00:06:47.360 you are faithful and just 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:48.699 to forgive us our sins 00:06:48.699 --> 00:06:50.319 and to cleanse us 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:52.140 from all unrighteousness. 00:06:52.780 --> 00:06:55.660 So we do confess our sins to you tonight. 00:06:56.280 --> 00:06:57.660 And we come to you, Lord, 00:06:57.740 --> 00:06:59.160 with thankfulness, 00:06:59.639 --> 00:07:02.000 as a God who has revealed himself, 00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:05.060 as one who is abundant in pardon. 00:07:05.780 --> 00:07:07.819 And so we pray that as we seek you tonight 00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:09.779 that we may know that pardon 00:07:09.779 --> 00:07:11.599 and cleansing for ourselves. 00:07:12.319 --> 00:07:14.500 Lord, forbid that we should know things 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:16.920 only formally or in an outward fashion. 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:19.120 Give us, Lord, in our familiarity 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:20.199 with your word 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:22.899 to truly know in our inmost souls 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:25.180 to know yourself in communion, 00:07:25.339 --> 00:07:27.060 in fellowship, in friendship. 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:29.560 And we pray that you would draw us 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:31.199 even tonight, Lord, anew 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:33.759 to experience that for ourselves. 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:37.139 Forbid that we should know the gospel so well 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:39.759 and yet be outside of your salvation. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:42.819 Grant, Lord, as we come before you 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:44.019 that any of us this evening 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:46.639 who are yet not saved, 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:49.019 who have not come to bend our knee 00:07:49.019 --> 00:07:50.699 obediently to Christ, 00:07:51.300 --> 00:07:52.699 who have not come fully 00:07:52.699 --> 00:07:55.019 to avail ourselves 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:56.980 of that redemption that is in him, 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:59.500 we ask that you would bless us tonight, 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:01.240 that you would come, Lord, 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:03.740 and show us your love and compassion 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:04.639 and your power 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:06.560 in drawing us to yourself. 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:09.379 Remember our young people, 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:10.540 we pray at this time. 00:08:11.100 --> 00:08:12.720 Lord, remember them tonight 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:13.660 here in the service. 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:16.139 Remember the Bible class 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:17.780 as they meet later on 00:08:17.780 --> 00:08:19.060 after the service. 00:08:19.220 --> 00:08:19.879 We ask, Lord, 00:08:19.960 --> 00:08:21.819 that your blessing will be with them 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:23.759 as they learn the things of God. 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:25.720 We pray that as they continue 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:27.079 to develop in their lives, 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:28.840 that they will do so spiritually 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:30.099 and morally as well 00:08:30.099 --> 00:08:32.740 in a way that we will meet 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:34.639 that which you require of them 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:36.379 and require of us all, 00:08:36.699 --> 00:08:37.939 that we will live lives 00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:39.379 of obedience to Christ, 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:40.860 lives that are pleased 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:41.879 to serve you, Lord, 00:08:41.939 --> 00:08:42.620 in this world, 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:45.059 lives that take up 00:08:45.059 --> 00:08:48.019 the service of Christ 00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:50.399 as something that is honorable 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:52.120 and places honor upon us 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.839 so that we come, Lord, 00:08:53.939 --> 00:08:55.519 to be in the world 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:56.879 as light to your truth. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:59.120 Remember, we pray tonight 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:00.559 all your people 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:01.279 as they gather 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:02.580 wherever that is 00:09:02.580 --> 00:09:03.460 throughout the world. 00:09:04.139 --> 00:09:05.019 We pray for them 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:06.299 and we give thanks, Lord, 00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:08.159 that we here are 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:09.580 but a tiny fragment 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:11.879 of the church of Christ 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:12.799 throughout the world 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:14.620 who meet today 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:15.720 to worship Him 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:17.139 as we do here. 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:19.419 And in places sometimes, Lord, 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:20.580 where your people 00:09:20.580 --> 00:09:22.159 cannot be gathered together 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:23.220 as they would desire, 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:25.440 we pray that you would bless them 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:26.560 whether in their houses 00:09:26.560 --> 00:09:28.020 or individually 00:09:28.020 --> 00:09:29.620 or whatever other circumstances, 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:31.220 Lord, may be theirs. 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:33.420 We pray that all who are your people 00:09:33.420 --> 00:09:34.680 will know tonight 00:09:34.680 --> 00:09:35.360 of your blessing. 00:09:36.440 --> 00:09:37.200 And we ask that 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:38.380 you would bless all 00:09:38.380 --> 00:09:40.020 that we plan to do, Lord, 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:41.480 in these weeks and months ahead. 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:44.020 We pray that as we 00:09:44.020 --> 00:09:45.540 bring these things to you 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:46.520 so you would bless us 00:09:46.520 --> 00:09:48.380 in our planning 00:09:48.380 --> 00:09:49.840 for the holiday club, 00:09:50.380 --> 00:09:51.500 for other activities, 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:51.960 oh Lord, 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:53.420 over the coming weeks and months. 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:55.279 we pray for the camps 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:56.659 that meet in the summer. 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:58.099 We pray that you would bless them, 00:09:58.279 --> 00:09:59.979 bless those who are preparing 00:09:59.979 --> 00:10:01.039 to lead the camps, 00:10:01.459 --> 00:10:02.179 those who will come 00:10:02.179 --> 00:10:04.799 as campers themselves. 00:10:04.979 --> 00:10:06.360 We pray that you would bless 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:07.539 all who help practically. 00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:09.500 We pray that you would grant, 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:09.819 Lord, 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:11.839 that the need for transport, 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.519 the need for chaperones, 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:14.979 the need for help practically 00:10:14.979 --> 00:10:16.139 will be met 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:17.539 by those offering themselves 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:18.699 to that work. 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:19.620 And we pray especially 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:20.799 that you would bless 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:21.959 the young folk themselves, 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:23.340 that you would bless 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:24.120 the message 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:25.700 of your truth to them 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:27.360 and the witness of those 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:29.280 who lead them 00:10:29.280 --> 00:10:29.980 in the camps. 00:10:30.420 --> 00:10:31.300 We ask, Lord, 00:10:31.400 --> 00:10:32.780 for thankful hearts 00:10:32.780 --> 00:10:33.800 as we consider 00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:34.680 the work of camps 00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:35.600 over many years. 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.100 And we do pray 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:37.820 that you would bless 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:39.860 this batch of camps 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:40.300 as well 00:10:40.300 --> 00:10:41.580 in this coming year. 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.420 And Lord, 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.180 we pray that 00:10:43.180 --> 00:10:45.220 they may continue 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:46.660 to bear much fruit 00:10:46.660 --> 00:10:48.060 and that from them 00:10:48.060 --> 00:10:48.740 may emanate 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:49.400 those who will 00:10:49.400 --> 00:10:50.800 yet lead your cause 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:51.679 and come to be 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:52.939 living witnesses 00:10:52.939 --> 00:10:54.099 to you in the world. 00:10:56.439 --> 00:10:57.259 Remember tonight 00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:57.879 those who have 00:10:57.879 --> 00:10:59.740 difficulties and trials 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.500 in their lives. 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:01.899 We pray for those 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:02.299 who are ill 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:03.319 and unable to come 00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:05.019 to be in church anymore. 00:11:05.819 --> 00:11:06.579 We pray, Lord, 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:07.419 that you bless them 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:08.339 in hospital 00:11:08.339 --> 00:11:09.259 and care homes, 00:11:09.699 --> 00:11:10.679 in their own homes. 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:12.039 Remember them, Lord, 00:11:12.079 --> 00:11:12.459 we pray. 00:11:12.579 --> 00:11:13.199 Remember those 00:11:13.199 --> 00:11:14.759 whose faculties 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:15.779 have begun to fail, 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:17.379 especially those 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.919 with mental health issues 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:19.919 and memory issues. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:21.179 Remember those 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:21.839 with dementia. 00:11:22.099 --> 00:11:22.959 Remember those, Lord, 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:24.439 who look after them, 00:11:24.599 --> 00:11:25.579 those who give up 00:11:25.579 --> 00:11:26.599 their time to help 00:11:26.599 --> 00:11:28.019 with various agencies 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:29.199 as well as in the NHS. 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:30.819 Remember the work 00:11:30.819 --> 00:11:31.579 of Marie Curie 00:11:31.579 --> 00:11:32.639 and of Crossroads 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:34.179 and all other agencies, 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:34.539 Lord, 00:11:34.599 --> 00:11:36.439 who help so many families 00:11:36.439 --> 00:11:37.439 from time to time. 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:38.899 Remember the work 00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:39.759 of safe families. 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:40.879 We thank you 00:11:40.879 --> 00:11:41.919 for the way 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:42.879 that they are encouraged, 00:11:43.099 --> 00:11:43.199 Lord, 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:44.159 as they have set up 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:45.139 safe families 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:46.279 here in the town. 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:48.059 We pray that you bless, 00:11:48.059 --> 00:11:48.539 Catherine, 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:49.679 and all the others 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:50.899 who lead the work, 00:11:50.979 --> 00:11:51.459 and we pray 00:11:51.459 --> 00:11:53.539 that they may continue 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:54.699 to be encouraged 00:11:54.699 --> 00:11:56.199 and that many families, 00:11:56.319 --> 00:11:56.699 oh, Lord, 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:57.899 in the difficulties 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.679 at this time 00:11:58.679 --> 00:11:59.919 will find much help 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:00.979 through the work 00:12:00.979 --> 00:12:01.819 of safe families. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:03.319 And so continue, 00:12:03.459 --> 00:12:03.799 we pray, 00:12:03.939 --> 00:12:05.239 to bless us 00:12:05.239 --> 00:12:06.379 with resources, Lord, 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:07.519 that would seek 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.579 to serve you 00:12:08.579 --> 00:12:09.259 in this life, 00:12:09.339 --> 00:12:09.739 that would seek 00:12:09.739 --> 00:12:10.500 to reach out 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.959 in the love of Christ 00:12:11.959 --> 00:12:13.259 to those in our community 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:14.899 who need that help. 00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:16.319 Continue to bless 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:17.620 those who work 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:17.980 with those 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:18.620 who have addictions 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.760 of various kinds. 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:20.920 Remember them, 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:21.400 we pray. 00:12:22.040 --> 00:12:23.020 We pray that you'd 00:12:23.020 --> 00:12:24.020 remember those tonight 00:12:24.020 --> 00:12:25.460 who mourn the passing 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.280 of loved ones 00:12:26.280 --> 00:12:26.960 in the congregation 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:27.780 and beyond. 00:12:28.640 --> 00:12:29.500 Console their hearts, 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:29.940 we pray, 00:12:30.040 --> 00:12:30.540 and give them 00:12:30.540 --> 00:12:31.180 of your peace. 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:33.100 We ask all of these things, 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:33.580 oh, Lord, 00:12:33.680 --> 00:12:34.879 seeking that you would 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:35.820 guide us now further 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:36.620 into your truth. 00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:38.160 Receive us graciously, 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.720 for Jesus' sake. 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:40.400 Amen. 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:40.559 Amen. 00:12:42.939 --> 00:12:44.000 Our second psalm 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:44.620 of praise tonight 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.519 is Psalm 2, 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:46.939 the second psalm 00:12:46.939 --> 00:12:47.500 in the Psalter. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.240 Again, we're singing 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:49.840 from the Scottish Psalter 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:51.159 on page 200. 00:12:53.319 --> 00:12:54.220 The tune this time 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:55.059 is Kilmarnock, 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:57.539 singing verses 1 to 8. 00:13:00.959 --> 00:13:02.039 The focus tonight 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:03.740 is on the kingship 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:04.759 of Jesus. 00:13:05.319 --> 00:13:05.740 We're going to be 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:06.340 looking at that 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.399 from the way 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:08.240 in which the Queen 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:08.659 of Sheba 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.860 came to visit Solomon 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.740 and we'll see 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:11.460 how that relates 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:13.139 to the kingship 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:14.159 of Jesus. 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.200 Our psalms 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.399 all have references 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:17.680 in them to God 00:13:17.680 --> 00:13:18.300 as our King 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:18.919 or Jesus 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:20.820 fulfilled in Jesus 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:22.159 as our King. 00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:23.580 So Psalm 2, 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:24.820 Why rage the heathen 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:26.120 and vain things 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:27.480 why do the people mind? 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:28.919 Kings of the earth 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:29.860 do set themselves 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:31.440 and princes are combined 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:33.039 to plot against the Lord 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:34.440 and His anointed, 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.700 saying thus, 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:36.620 Let us asunder, 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:37.700 break their bands 00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:39.440 and cast their cords 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.380 from us. 00:13:40.520 --> 00:13:41.360 And the psalm goes on 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:42.720 to speak of God 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:45.040 being not in any way 00:13:45.040 --> 00:13:46.620 changed or altered 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:47.880 from His lordship 00:13:47.880 --> 00:13:49.620 despite all the opposition 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.520 that takes place 00:13:50.520 --> 00:13:51.980 even today in the world. 00:13:52.880 --> 00:13:53.860 God's purposes 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:55.580 are never thwarted 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:57.240 and God's King, 00:13:57.400 --> 00:13:58.520 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:13:58.920 --> 00:14:00.360 continues to reign 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:02.200 supremely in heaven. 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:03.580 So let's sing these verses 00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:04.960 from Psalm 2, 00:14:05.060 --> 00:14:06.060 verses 1 to 8 00:14:06.060 --> 00:14:06.980 to God's praise. 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.980 Psalm 2, 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.980 Psalm 2, 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:09.980 Psalm 2, 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.980 Psalm 2, 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:15.420 Why rage the heathen 00:14:15.420 --> 00:14:18.100 and faint things? 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:25.580 Why do the people mind? 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:30.060 Kings of the earth 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:33.180 do set themselves 00:14:33.180 --> 00:14:40.960 and princes are combined 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:48.180 to fought against the Lord 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:49.179 and his anointed, 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:52.519 and his anointed, 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:57.399 saying thus, 00:14:57.399 --> 00:15:02.339 Let us asunder, 00:15:03.339 --> 00:15:06.159 break their bands, 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:14.059 and cast their cords from us. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:19.379 He that in heaven 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:21.219 says, 00:15:21.339 --> 00:15:22.979 Shall I? 00:15:22.979 --> 00:15:30.979 The Lord shall storm them all. 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:37.839 Then shall he speak to them 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.660 in wrath, 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:46.759 in which he vexed them shall. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:52.480 Yet notwithstanding 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:56.259 I have him 00:15:56.259 --> 00:16:03.420 to be my King appointed, 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:08.339 and over the earth 00:16:08.339 --> 00:16:09.199 and over the earth 00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:10.419 of the earth 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.199 of the earth 00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:12.199 of the earth 00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:13.199 of the earth 00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:14.799 I have him 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:19.799 to be my King anointed. 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:24.799 The sure decree 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:29.799 I will declare 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:34.979 the Lord hath said 00:16:34.979 --> 00:16:37.359 to me, 00:16:37.359 --> 00:16:45.059 Thou art my only Son, 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:54.500 yet I have begotten thee. 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:58.539 Ask of me 00:16:58.539 --> 00:17:03.720 and for heritage 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:11.599 and even humbly kind, 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:16.700 and for possession 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:20.580 I do thee 00:17:20.580 --> 00:17:24.259 shall give birth 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:27.960 at both mine. 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:31.799 Now we're going to read 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.740 a portion of God's Word 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:33.600 from the Old Testament 00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:35.200 in the first book of Kings, 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.779 the first book of the Kings, 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.319 and chapter 10. 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:45.899 And we'll read down 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:47.240 as far as verse 13. 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:51.279 So 1 Kings, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.700 chapter 10 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.700 from the beginning 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.359 of the chapter. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.960 Now when the Queen of Sheba 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:01.139 heard of the fame 00:18:01.139 --> 00:18:01.700 of Solomon 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:03.359 concerning the name 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:04.019 of the Lord, 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.799 she came to test him 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.919 with hard questions. 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.919 She came to Jerusalem 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:10.420 with a very great retinue, 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.620 with camels, 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.539 bearing spices, 00:18:12.820 --> 00:18:13.800 and very much gold 00:18:13.800 --> 00:18:15.279 and precious stones. 00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:16.920 And when she came 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:17.460 to Solomon, 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:18.640 she told him 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:20.080 all that was on her mind. 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:22.039 And Solomon answered 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.880 all her questions. 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.420 There was nothing hidden 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.120 from the king 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:26.259 that he could not 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.120 explain to her. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.120 And when the Queen of Sheba 00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:29.660 had seen 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.800 all the wisdom 00:18:30.800 --> 00:18:31.400 of Solomon, 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:33.019 the house that he had built, 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.620 the food of his table, 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:36.440 the seating of his officials, 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:37.820 and the attendance 00:18:37.820 --> 00:18:38.720 of his servants, 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:39.840 their clothing, 00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:41.200 his cup-baders, 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.779 and his burnt offerings 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.460 that he offered 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.860 at the house of the Lord, 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:46.880 there was no more breath 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.420 in her. 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.600 Then she said to the king, 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.240 The report was true 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.860 that I heard 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.680 in my own land 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.460 of your words 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.700 and of your wisdom. 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:56.560 But I did not believe 00:18:56.560 --> 00:18:57.120 the reports 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:58.000 until I came 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:59.519 and my own eyes 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.160 had seen it. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.279 And behold, 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:03.039 the half was not told me. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.519 Your wisdom 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.340 and prosperity 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:06.800 surpassed the report 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.559 that I heard. 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.579 Happy are your men, 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:11.339 happy are your servants, 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.019 who continually stand 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.639 before you 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:14.879 and hear your wisdom. 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.779 Blessed be the Lord 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.419 your God, 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:19.220 who has delighted in you 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.240 and set you 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.460 on the throne of Israel. 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.220 Because the Lord 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:24.599 loved Israel forever, 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.220 he has made you king, 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.700 that you may execute 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:29.039 justice and righteousness. 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:31.399 Then she gave the king 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:32.559 a hundred and twenty 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.599 talons of gold 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:35.480 and a very great quantity 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.159 of spices 00:19:36.159 --> 00:19:37.819 and precious stones. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.700 Never again came 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.539 such an abundance 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.240 of spices 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.980 as these that the queen 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.519 of Sheba 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:45.099 gave to King Solomon. 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:46.759 Moreover, 00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:48.379 the fleet of Hiram, 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.500 which brought gold 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.139 from Ophir, 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.579 brought from Ophir 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.599 a very great amount 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:53.559 of almagwood 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:55.019 and precious stones. 00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:56.700 And the king made 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.620 of the almagwood 00:19:57.620 --> 00:19:59.220 supports for the house 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.860 of the Lord 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:01.500 and for the king's house, 00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:03.480 also lyres and harps 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:04.140 for the singers. 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:06.259 No such almagwood 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:08.080 has come or been seen 00:20:08.080 --> 00:20:08.819 to this day. 00:20:09.840 --> 00:20:10.600 And King Solomon 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.819 gave to the queen 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.340 of Sheba 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:13.580 all that she desired, 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.140 whatever she asked 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.740 besides what was given her 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:18.080 by the bounty 00:20:18.080 --> 00:20:19.000 of King Solomon. 00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:20.660 So she turned 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.920 and went back 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:22.900 to her own land 00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:24.660 with her servants. 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:27.000 And may God 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.740 follow with His blessing 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.779 reading that portion 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.220 of His Word. 00:20:30.300 --> 00:20:30.880 Before we turn 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.240 to look at some 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.940 of the teaching 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:33.720 of that passage, 00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:34.620 let's sing again. 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:35.960 And we're singing 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:37.220 in Psalm 45, 00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:39.860 45a in Sing Psalms. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:42.640 That's on page 56. 00:20:43.840 --> 00:20:44.500 Tune this time 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.380 in Gainsborough, 00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:48.220 singing verses 1 to 6. 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:51.360 A noble theme 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:52.600 inspires my heart 00:20:52.600 --> 00:20:54.339 with verses for the king. 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:56.360 My tongue's a skillful 00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:57.180 writer's pen 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:59.240 composing lines to sing. 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:01.079 You far excel 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:02.079 the best of men. 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:04.140 Your lips are full of grace. 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:06.000 For God has blessed you 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.700 evermore. 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.339 His light shines 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:10.180 on your face. 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:12.480 That's Psalm 45a, 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:14.240 verses 1 to 6 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.900 to tune Gainsborough 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.860 to God's praise. 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:26.119 A noble theme 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:30.779 inspires my heart 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:33.879 with verses 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:38.159 for the king. 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:44.160 My tongue's a skillful 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:48.160 writer's pen, 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:56.060 composing lines to sing. 00:21:56.060 --> 00:22:00.680 You far excel 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:05.680 the best of men. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:14.100 Your lips are full of grace. 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:20.440 For God has blessed you 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:23.680 evermore. 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:27.680 His light shines 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:31.680 on your face. 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:37.680 O mighty one, 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:42.680 take up your sword 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:50.680 and find it on your thigh. 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:56.680 With glorious splendor 00:22:56.680 --> 00:23:00.680 clothe yourself 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:07.680 and with your majesty. 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:14.680 right forth in state, 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.680 victory. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.680 Right forth in state, 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.680 victory. 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:22.680 For meekness, truth and right. 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:27.680 righteousness, truth and right. 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:32.680 Let your right hand 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:35.680 display your deeds 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:45.680 of awesome power and might. 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:50.680 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts 00:23:50.680 --> 00:24:03.680 of those who hate the king. 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:10.680 and all the nations of the earth 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:18.680 into subjection bring. 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:31.680 your royal throne, O God, will last 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:37.680 throughout eternity. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:58.680 your kingdom scepter will be one of truth and equity. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:05.680 Well, let's turn for a short time now together to 1 Kings chapter 10, 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:09.680 especially verses 6 to 9 of this chapter, 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:12.680 where the Queen of Sheba said to the king, 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:17.680 the report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom. 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:22.680 But I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:25.680 And behold, the half was not told me. 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:29.680 Your wisdom and prosperity surpassed the report that I heard. 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:32.680 Happy are your men, happy are your servants, 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:35.680 who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:37.680 Blessed be the Lord your God, 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:41.680 who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel. 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:44.680 Because the Lord loved Israel forever, 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:46.680 he has made you king, 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:51.680 that you may execute justice and righteousness. 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:57.680 Well, sometimes, as you very well know, 00:25:57.680 --> 00:26:01.680 reality does not always match up to hype. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:05.680 You might have read about something that you were going to buy. 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:10.680 You might have looked into the various items like that. 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:12.680 You might have looked into the price of it. 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:14.680 You might have looked at the quality of it described. 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:19.680 You might have looked at the number of stars given by those who were giving a review of them. 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.680 And you might have said, 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:23.680 Well, yeah, okay, I think I quite like that review. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:25.680 I think I'll send for that. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.680 And I'll send for it there. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.680 And then it comes. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:30.680 And when you open it, you think, 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:33.680 Hmm, it's not really what I expected. 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:35.680 It's not really as good as it was described. 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:42.680 It's not really something that matches the hype or the descriptions that were given about it. 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:49.680 We've all been, I'm sure, in that situation, whether we're young or middle-aged or old. 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:54.680 But it's actually the opposite in what you find in this passage. 00:26:54.680 --> 00:27:00.680 Because the Queen of Sheba had heard so much about Solomon in her own land. 00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:04.680 And she heard so much especially about his ability, his wisdom. 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:16.680 The way that he was not just a king who had so many riches, so many things that really fitted with his majesty and his position. 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:20.680 But also his wisdom especially had come to her notice. 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:31.680 And so she came deliberately to Solomon to see him, but to ask him questions and to find out for herself if the reports were actually true. 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:36.680 And instead of saying, well, it wasn't really as good as was described, it was the opposite. 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:39.680 She said, the report was true that I heard in my own land. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:42.680 I didn't believe the reports until I came. 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:45.680 And behold, the half was not told me. 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:51.680 In other words, it just exceeded all the descriptions, all the reports that she'd heard. 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:58.680 There were just nothing quite like the reality itself when she came to experience it for herself. 00:27:58.680 --> 00:28:08.680 Now, of course, Solomon in the Old Testament, like David his father, is set before us as what theologians call a type of Christ. 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:12.680 A representation of Jesus as King. 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:23.680 And when we go to types in the Old Testament, the types that, like here, Solomon is a type or a representation, a foreshadowing of Jesus. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:32.680 You mustn't actually go to the person themselves, like David or Solomon, because when you look at them as persons, as human beings, they're full of failures. 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:38.680 But you look at what they are as kings set by God over his people, Israel. 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:46.680 And you look at the way in which, in terms of their office as king, they represent Jesus as the king of his people. 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:57.680 And you find, when you combine both David and Solomon, that you can then get a complete picture of how that represents the kingship of Jesus. 00:28:57.680 --> 00:29:10.680 David was the conquering king. David was the one who went out so often to conquer his enemies and to bring about a subjection of his enemies so that he established the kingdom. 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:17.680 And then that was followed by Solomon, whose reign was not one of conquering, but one of establishing peace. 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:22.680 A settled reign. A reign in which was marked by peace and prosperity. 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:37.680 And when you combine those two issues as types of Christ, you can see that they combine to tell us in a foreshadowing way that the kingship of Jesus is about bringing people to be conquered by him, 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:45.680 whether we do so willingly, submit ourselves to him or not, or at the end of all things, those who are still hostile to him will still be conquered. 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:53.680 But it's the conquering king and also the following of that by the reign of Jesus as the king of peace. 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:59.680 That's what you find represented in David and in Solomon together. 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:16.680 And when you look at this passage, not only do they represent Jesus as king, but the queen of Sheba in many ways represents the nations of the Gentile world outside of Israel coming actually into the kingdom of God. 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:20.680 The Old Testament is the Old Testament is the fulfillment of that. 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:28.680 You find in the book of Acts especially, you find a reference to the gospel going out to the nations beyond Israel. 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:35.680 And you find people like the Ethiopian eunuch, for example, or the person of Cornelius. 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:45.680 That both of these, as they came from a background outside of Israel, came to realize Jesus as the Messiah and the king. 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:51.680 And so they themselves, in a sense, represent the incoming of the Gentile world. 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:55.680 And that's what you and I are, most of us at least, we're not brought up as Jewish people. 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:59.680 We're brought up as Gentiles, brought up as non-Jewish people. 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:05.680 But the gospel has come throughout the world to embrace the whole world, embrace Jew and Gentile alike. 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:14.680 And as Paul says so often in his epistles, the Jews and Gentiles together make up the one church of God. 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:18.680 There's not a church of the Jews, the church of the Gentiles separately. 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:24.680 They're both together, as Ephesians especially reminds us, that wonderful passage of chapter 2 of Ephesians, 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:33.680 where you find the reconciliation not just of people to God, but of people to each other through the cross of Christ. 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:42.680 So if we take that with us tonight and look at this as a picture, a representation, a foreshadowing of the New Testament kingship of Jesus 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:46.680 and coming to know him as our king, let's see what it's saying to us. 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:49.680 Two things I want to just bring out of the chapter briefly. 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:53.680 First of all, the power behind the throne. 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:56.680 The power behind the throne. 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:59.680 And that is God himself. 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:06.680 Because in verse 9 you find that she is saying to, the queen is saying to King Solomon, 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:14.680 Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel. 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:20.680 In other words, the power behind the throne of Solomon is none less than God himself. 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:27.680 And you see what she's saying here, because the Lord delighted in you, he has set you on the throne of Israel. 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:35.680 It was God's delight in Solomon that led to him being set by God as the king of Judah at this time. 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:41.680 And so you transfer that spiritually to what you find in Jesus himself. 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:50.680 Why is it that Jesus is now set above the whole creation, as it were, and is seated at the right hand of God in heaven? 00:32:50.680 --> 00:32:53.680 Because God the Father delighted in him. 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:59.680 All the way through the New Testament you find references to God's, the Father's delight in Jesus. 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:02.680 Right back to the time that he came to be baptized. 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:11.680 You remember the way in which the voice came from heaven, along with the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. 00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:15.680 And the voice which said, this is my beloved son. 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:20.680 This is my son, the beloved one, in whom I am well pleased. 00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:26.680 In whom I am delighted, is really what that word means as well. 00:33:26.680 --> 00:33:31.680 So just like God delighted in Solomon, which led to his enthronement, 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:37.680 so God's delight in Jesus led to his enthronement in heaven as well. 00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:45.680 Jesus, of course, being the Son of God, God himself, coming, taking our nature, coming into this world, 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:53.680 becoming human in order to accomplish all the work that he came into the world to accomplish as the servant of the Father. 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:58.680 But that's what you find consistently in the Old and New Testaments. 00:33:58.680 --> 00:34:00.680 And there's one marvelous psalm. 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.680 We didn't sing it tonight. 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:06.680 There are quite a number of psalms to do with the kingship of God and of Christ, obviously. 00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:08.680 Psalm 21. 00:34:08.680 --> 00:34:12.680 O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices. 00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:15.680 In your salvation how greatly he exults. 00:34:15.680 --> 00:34:17.680 You have given him his heart's desire. 00:34:17.680 --> 00:34:20.680 You have not withheld the request of his lips. 00:34:20.680 --> 00:34:22.680 For you meet him with rich blessings. 00:34:22.680 --> 00:34:25.680 You set a crown of fine gold upon his head. 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:27.680 He asked life of you. 00:34:27.680 --> 00:34:29.680 You gave it to him. 00:34:29.680 --> 00:34:31.680 Length of days, forever and ever. 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:34.679 His glory is great through your salvation. 00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:38.679 Splendor and majesty you bestow upon him. 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:40.679 For you make him most blessed forever. 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:44.679 You make him glad with the joy of your presence. 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:50.679 And you see the fulfillment of that in Christ is God the Father delighting in him. 00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:56.679 Every single thing that Jesus did as the servant of the Father, the Father took delight in. 00:34:56.679 --> 00:34:58.679 Including the cross. 00:34:58.679 --> 00:35:00.679 Including the cross. 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:03.679 Including the death that Jesus died. 00:35:03.679 --> 00:35:06.679 Which satisfied divine justice. 00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:13.679 Which provided for God the atonement that he sought and required for us to be saved. 00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:18.679 For us to have our sin forgiven and brought to become children of God. 00:35:18.679 --> 00:35:25.679 And you see in verse 9 here in 1 Kings 10 how it goes on to say, 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:33.679 He, because he loved you, he set you as a king that you may execute justice and righteousness. 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:38.679 These are two of the foundational pillars of the kingdom of God. 00:35:38.679 --> 00:35:42.679 And they're here foreshadowed in what's said about Solomon. 00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:48.679 When you think of Jesus, the one who reigns now from the throne of heaven, 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:52.679 these are two of the great principles or pillars of his kingdom. 00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:55.679 Justice and righteousness. 00:35:55.679 --> 00:36:00.679 You know, people ask about or say to us, 00:36:00.679 --> 00:36:02.679 I don't believe God exists. 00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:09.679 And it's not easy to respond to that because they're not prepared very often to listen to what you have to say anyway. 00:36:09.679 --> 00:36:12.679 But one of the things that you can say to them is, 00:36:12.679 --> 00:36:17.679 Well, what is going to happen then if there's no such thing as justice? 00:36:17.679 --> 00:36:21.679 If there's no such thing as God, then there's no perfect justice. 00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:24.679 And if there's no perfect justice, then people are going to live like, 00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:28.679 whether it's a Hitler or a Pol Pot or a Stalin or whoever, 00:36:28.679 --> 00:36:32.679 who were responsible for murdering and killing so many millions of people, 00:36:32.679 --> 00:36:34.679 they don't answer to anyone. 00:36:34.679 --> 00:36:37.679 There's no throne of judgment for them. 00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:42.679 There's no justice for those that they came to slaughter. 00:36:42.679 --> 00:36:44.679 Justice. 00:36:44.679 --> 00:36:46.679 You know, many people may say, 00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:51.679 Well, some of these people who were wicked in this world and died in their wickedness, 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:53.679 they escaped justice. 00:36:53.679 --> 00:36:57.679 Well, they did in the sense of human justice, 00:36:57.679 --> 00:37:01.679 but they did not escape justice because they had to meet with God. 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:04.679 And when you meet with God, you meet with justice. 00:37:04.679 --> 00:37:07.679 You meet with the justice that says about his people, 00:37:07.679 --> 00:37:10.679 I am right in saying that they are my people, 00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:12.679 that they are free from their sin, 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:14.679 that they are justified, that they are righteous, 00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:15.679 that they are my children. 00:37:15.679 --> 00:37:17.679 And you meet justice as well on the other side. 00:37:17.679 --> 00:37:19.679 The justice which says to the wicked, 00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:22.679 I don't know you, depart from me. 00:37:22.679 --> 00:37:27.679 The justice of God is so essential, 00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:31.679 not just to you thinking about God and the existence of God, 00:37:31.679 --> 00:37:33.679 but to think about human society. 00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:36.679 You take out the justice of God from that. 00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:37.679 What are you left with? 00:37:37.679 --> 00:37:39.679 You're left with sheer chaos. 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:43.679 Everybody just does what's right for themselves, 00:37:43.679 --> 00:37:45.679 and they're not accountable to anyone else. 00:37:45.679 --> 00:37:55.679 So, their justice and righteousness as the basis of Solomon's throne, 00:37:55.679 --> 00:38:00.679 set by God to administer these two elements of justice and righteousness, 00:38:00.679 --> 00:38:03.679 and that was always required of the kings in Israel. 00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:05.679 Some of them didn't do that. 00:38:05.679 --> 00:38:11.679 Some of them are unashamedly revealed in Scripture as being unjust, 00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:14.679 as being interested not in justice or righteousness, 00:38:14.679 --> 00:38:17.679 but just in pursuing their own aims. 00:38:17.679 --> 00:38:23.679 But Jesus is the King of justice and the King of righteousness. 00:38:23.679 --> 00:38:29.679 And God delighted in Jesus and delights in Jesus. 00:38:29.679 --> 00:38:34.679 Indeed, that's the basis of our salvation as well, 00:38:34.679 --> 00:38:39.679 the Lord's, God's delight in Jesus, His Son. 00:38:39.679 --> 00:38:45.679 I'll remind you of what it says, just to pick up one verse in Colossians. 00:38:45.679 --> 00:38:50.679 Paul's letter to the Colossians, chapter 1, verse 19, 00:38:50.679 --> 00:38:53.679 where it speaks all the way through these previous verses about Jesus, 00:38:53.679 --> 00:38:56.679 about the Son of God and who He is, 00:38:56.679 --> 00:38:59.679 in Him, by Him were all things created, and so on, 00:38:59.679 --> 00:39:01.679 all the way down through there. 00:39:01.679 --> 00:39:05.679 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:08.679 And He is the head of the body, the church. 00:39:08.679 --> 00:39:11.679 He's the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. 00:39:11.679 --> 00:39:15.679 For in Him the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 00:39:15.679 --> 00:39:18.679 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, 00:39:18.679 --> 00:39:20.679 making peace by the blood of His cross. 00:39:20.679 --> 00:39:25.679 And I'm not personally terribly happy with that translation compared to the older translation, 00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:29.679 because I think it's better saying as it was in the older translation. 00:39:29.679 --> 00:39:40.679 It pleased God that in Him, the Son, all fullness, all the fullness of divinity, of deity, should dwell. 00:39:40.679 --> 00:39:43.679 And the word pleased then covers the rest of the verse as well. 00:39:43.679 --> 00:39:50.679 It pleased God that in Him should all fullness dwell, and that all things be reconciled in Him. 00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:57.679 You see, God took delight in Him, and He took delight in reconciling all things through the work of the Son. 00:39:57.679 --> 00:40:07.679 And so tonight, God's delight in His Son, the exalted Jesus Christ, is set before us for our consideration. 00:40:07.679 --> 00:40:09.679 Why should we delight in Jesus? 00:40:09.679 --> 00:40:14.679 Not just because He becomes our Savior, of course, that's part of it, a very important part, 00:40:14.679 --> 00:40:19.679 but we should delight in Jesus because the Father delights in Him. 00:40:19.679 --> 00:40:26.679 And whatever the Father delights in should be delightful to us as well. 00:40:26.679 --> 00:40:29.679 So there's the God's delight in the King. 00:40:29.679 --> 00:40:37.679 But then in verse 9 also you have the power behind the throne also involves God's love for His people. 00:40:37.679 --> 00:40:39.679 There's verse 9 again. 00:40:39.679 --> 00:40:52.679 You see, that's coming at it from another angle. 00:40:52.679 --> 00:41:00.679 It's saying, because the Lord's delight was in His people, because He loved His people, He made Solomon their king. 00:41:00.679 --> 00:41:09.679 And if you transfer that now to Jesus that this foreshadows, then that becomes so true as well in a much higher sense. 00:41:09.679 --> 00:41:16.679 Because it is the case that God loved His people forever, He has made Christ to be king over them. 00:41:16.679 --> 00:41:29.679 That's interesting, isn't it, that it wasn't the king's love that caused God to love His people. 00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:36.679 It wasn't Solomon's love for God or love for His people that caused God to love them. 00:41:36.679 --> 00:41:42.679 It was God's love for them that caused or lay behind the provision of Solomon as a king for them. 00:41:42.679 --> 00:41:44.679 Same in the New Testament. 00:41:44.679 --> 00:41:48.679 It wasn't anything in us that caused God to provide salvation. 00:41:48.679 --> 00:41:49.679 What is it? 00:41:49.679 --> 00:41:56.679 It wasn't because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. 00:41:56.679 --> 00:41:58.679 That whoever believes in Him should not perish. 00:41:58.679 --> 00:42:01.679 It wasn't because He foresaw that we would believe. 00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:04.679 It wasn't because we're good people already. 00:42:04.679 --> 00:42:08.679 It was because He loved us. 00:42:08.679 --> 00:42:12.679 And because He loved us, He set a king over us. 00:42:12.679 --> 00:42:14.679 He provided a king for us. 00:42:14.679 --> 00:42:19.679 He provided the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:42:19.679 --> 00:42:25.679 The Father's love is indeed the cause of the cross. 00:42:25.679 --> 00:42:32.679 It lies behind the death of Jesus, the obedience of Jesus, the ministry of Jesus. 00:42:32.679 --> 00:42:35.679 Because God so loved His people. 00:42:35.679 --> 00:42:38.679 And there isn't really anything more amazing than that. 00:42:38.679 --> 00:42:44.679 That He should love and set His love on the kind of person that you and I am by nature. 00:42:44.679 --> 00:42:46.679 Because you know you're not perfect. 00:42:46.679 --> 00:42:48.679 And I know I'm far from perfect. 00:42:48.679 --> 00:42:51.679 And you know and I know that we rebel against God. 00:42:51.679 --> 00:42:58.679 That by nature in our hearts, we're not actually open to have God as our King or Jesus as our King. 00:42:58.679 --> 00:43:05.679 And yet, these are the kind of people, sinners, that God loved. 00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:14.679 And God loved to the extent that He sent His Son into the world to die the death of the cross. 00:43:14.679 --> 00:43:19.679 Because, just to go back to this statement by the Queen of Sheba. 00:43:19.679 --> 00:43:30.679 Because the Lord loved Israel forever, He has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness. 00:43:30.679 --> 00:43:41.679 Because God loved His people, He set Jesus as King over them to execute righteousness and justice. 00:43:41.679 --> 00:43:45.679 There's the power behind the throne. 00:43:45.679 --> 00:43:48.679 God's delight in the King. 00:43:48.679 --> 00:43:52.679 And God's love for His people. 00:43:52.679 --> 00:43:55.679 The power behind the throne. 00:43:55.679 --> 00:43:58.679 Secondly, the people before the throne. 00:43:58.679 --> 00:44:10.679 Because she describes here, or she described here in the passage, the kind of people and how she saw the people who were servants of King Solomon. 00:44:10.679 --> 00:44:21.679 You find there, blessed, she said, happy are your men happy, are your servants who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom. 00:44:21.679 --> 00:44:27.679 And there are two things, I think, that come across from that. 00:44:27.679 --> 00:44:32.679 First of all, those people who are before the throne of God are His servants. 00:44:32.679 --> 00:44:43.679 They're standing before the throne, not just to hear His wisdom, but standing ready to serve Him, to hear His word, to carry out His bidding, to do what His will is. 00:44:43.679 --> 00:44:44.679 They are His servants. 00:44:44.679 --> 00:44:45.679 They are His servants. 00:44:45.679 --> 00:44:50.679 Their posture is one of waiting for a word from the King. 00:44:50.679 --> 00:44:53.679 They are there ready to act. 00:44:53.679 --> 00:45:00.679 And in that wonderful passage in Romans chapter 6, I'll leave you to read it through for yourselves afterwards. 00:45:00.679 --> 00:45:14.679 We very often refer to it in any case where Paul is dealing with the translation that takes place from being servants or bond slaves of sin to becoming bond servants of God. 00:45:14.679 --> 00:45:24.679 We come to be taken by God away from serving sin as we are by nature ourselves and turned into servants of God. 00:45:24.679 --> 00:45:28.679 I remember how he puts it there. 00:45:28.679 --> 00:45:34.679 Just as you once presented your member slaves to impurity, so now present your member slaves to righteousness. 00:45:34.679 --> 00:45:38.679 When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 00:45:38.679 --> 00:45:43.679 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? 00:45:43.679 --> 00:45:55.679 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves or bond servants to God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and the end is eternal life. 00:45:55.679 --> 00:46:09.679 And as you read through that passage, Paul deals in a wonderful way with the grace of God, the power of God, by which we are taken from being joined in our natural relation to Adam, 00:46:09.679 --> 00:46:14.679 and then being joined to Jesus by union with him, coming to be saved. 00:46:14.679 --> 00:46:28.679 We come to leave by God's grace our service of sin, and we come to be bond servants of God. 00:46:28.679 --> 00:46:32.679 Blessed, she says, happy are your servants. 00:46:32.679 --> 00:46:37.679 Happy are those who continually stand before you. 00:46:37.679 --> 00:46:44.679 You know, being a servant of Jesus is a position of great honor. 00:46:44.679 --> 00:46:47.679 The world out there will not think so. 00:46:47.679 --> 00:46:53.679 The world out there will say to you young people here tonight, don't actually think of becoming a Christian in your young days. 00:46:53.679 --> 00:46:57.679 You can easily leave that and put it off until you're older. 00:46:57.679 --> 00:46:58.679 Be yourself. 00:46:58.679 --> 00:46:59.679 Do what you want to do. 00:46:59.679 --> 00:47:01.679 Be what you want to be. 00:47:01.679 --> 00:47:04.679 That's fine as far as a career is concerned. 00:47:04.679 --> 00:47:10.679 And I hope you develop in your career in a way that's wonderful in your own situation. 00:47:10.679 --> 00:47:18.679 But don't listen to the voice that tells you just leave your salvation, leave being a servant of Jesus until later in life. 00:47:18.679 --> 00:47:19.679 Why would you? 00:47:19.679 --> 00:47:20.679 Why would you? 00:47:20.679 --> 00:47:22.679 Why would any of us do that? 00:47:22.679 --> 00:47:31.679 When the Bible calls us to become servants of God right through from our youngest days. 00:47:31.679 --> 00:47:36.679 And although the world tells you, you know, it would be far better for you just to please yourself. 00:47:36.679 --> 00:47:40.679 Far better for you just to fit in with what most people think. 00:47:40.679 --> 00:47:46.679 Why would you want to tie yourself down, as the world will put it, to being servants of God? 00:47:46.679 --> 00:48:00.679 Why would you want to tie yourself down to follow the teaching of the Bible when there's a whole world out there waiting for you to explore free from the Bible, free from the teaching of the church, free from the gospel? 00:48:00.679 --> 00:48:02.679 Well, you know where that voice is from. 00:48:02.679 --> 00:48:04.679 It's not from God. 00:48:04.679 --> 00:48:09.679 It's from the evil one, from the enemy of your soul. 00:48:09.679 --> 00:48:20.679 And here's this passage telling us that in a much higher sense, being a servant of God places us on the highest level of privilege. 00:48:20.679 --> 00:48:26.679 You can't be more privileged than to be a servant of Jesus. 00:48:26.679 --> 00:48:32.679 To have that position given you and accepted willingly by you. 00:48:32.679 --> 00:48:44.679 Just as these servants of Solomon were described by the Queen of Sheba as happy are your servants, blessed are your servants, blessed are those who continually stand before you. 00:48:44.679 --> 00:48:46.679 She's envious of these servants. 00:48:46.679 --> 00:48:47.679 She's a queen. 00:48:47.679 --> 00:48:50.679 She has so many people serving herself. 00:48:50.679 --> 00:49:00.679 And yet here she is saying to Solomon, blessed are these people that I'm seeing as your servants, almost saying, I wish I was one of them. 00:49:00.679 --> 00:49:05.679 And don't imagine that what you hear in the world is what's best for you. 00:49:05.679 --> 00:49:09.679 You trust yourself to Jesus. 00:49:09.679 --> 00:49:14.679 Give yourself to him to be his servants. 00:49:14.679 --> 00:49:23.679 And as you do so, you'll become those, you'll join those who have this great honor of serving Christ in this world. 00:49:23.679 --> 00:49:31.679 Because when God's servants leave this world, when they enter into heaven, when Jesus receives them, what does he say? 00:49:31.679 --> 00:49:39.679 He says, well done, good and faithful servant. 00:49:39.679 --> 00:49:43.679 Good and faithful servant. 00:49:43.679 --> 00:49:51.679 You cannot have a better master, a better employer than the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:49:51.679 --> 00:49:55.679 And you cannot have a better position in life than to be his servants. 00:49:55.679 --> 00:49:58.679 It doesn't matter what age we are tonight. 00:49:58.679 --> 00:50:00.679 From the youngest here to the oldest. 00:50:00.679 --> 00:50:10.679 This is our great privilege to be servants of God, servants of Christ, to be under the kingship of Jesus, to serve him all our days. 00:50:10.679 --> 00:50:15.679 So the people before the throne are firstly servants. 00:50:15.679 --> 00:50:18.679 But secondly, they're also students. 00:50:18.679 --> 00:50:21.679 Because you notice what it's saying here in verse 8. 00:50:21.679 --> 00:50:28.679 Happy are your men, happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom. 00:50:28.679 --> 00:50:32.679 They're not just servants of King Solomon. 00:50:32.679 --> 00:50:34.679 They're actually hearing the wisdom of King Solomon. 00:50:34.679 --> 00:50:36.679 They're being taught by King Solomon. 00:50:36.679 --> 00:50:40.679 They're actually taking in all the time what wisdom really is. 00:50:40.679 --> 00:50:45.679 Because Solomon, this wise king, is able to teach them wisdom. 00:50:45.679 --> 00:50:47.679 They can see wisdom in him. 00:50:47.679 --> 00:50:48.679 They can hear wisdom from him. 00:50:48.679 --> 00:50:55.679 How much more is that the case with the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:50:55.679 --> 00:50:58.679 Well, you remember the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:50:58.679 --> 00:51:01.679 We looked at its teaching some time ago now. 00:51:01.679 --> 00:51:07.679 But as we did so, we went through it and saw that it was in all likelihood, 00:51:07.679 --> 00:51:11.679 although Solomon's name isn't mentioned as such as the author, 00:51:11.679 --> 00:51:20.679 but nevertheless it is a book that's associated with Solomon's authorship as the one who is eminently wise. 00:51:20.679 --> 00:51:29.679 And he's known here in the book of Ecclesiastes as the preacher, the words of the preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 00:51:29.679 --> 00:51:35.679 And as we saw going through that, so many times in the book of Ecclesiastes the word vanity is used. 00:51:35.679 --> 00:51:41.679 And vanity is not just what you find in the common use of the word where people are really proud and vain. 00:51:42.679 --> 00:51:48.679 Vanity in this context means emptiness, futility, meaninglessness. 00:51:48.679 --> 00:51:55.679 In other words, what it's really saying to us is you take Jesus out of human existence. 00:51:55.679 --> 00:51:57.679 You take Jesus out of the world. 00:51:57.679 --> 00:52:01.679 You take Jesus out of things altogether and you just leave human beings by themselves. 00:52:01.679 --> 00:52:05.679 And what do you have? You have meaninglessness. You have futility. 00:52:05.679 --> 00:52:07.679 There's no meaning to it all. 00:52:07.679 --> 00:52:14.679 It's Jesus, as we saw, as we read there in one of the verses in Colossians, that holds all things together. 00:52:14.679 --> 00:52:19.679 And without Jesus, you've got vanity and meaninglessness. 00:52:19.679 --> 00:52:24.679 He is, as 1 Corinthians tells us, in the cross and his death that he died especially, 00:52:24.679 --> 00:52:29.679 he's the power of God and the wisdom of God. 00:52:29.679 --> 00:52:38.679 And that's why in all of these references to Queen of Sheba giving to Solomon, you apply them to Jesus in the higher sense. 00:52:38.679 --> 00:52:42.679 Look at verse 3 of this chapter in 1 Kings. 00:52:42.679 --> 00:52:45.679 Solomon answered all her questions. 00:52:45.679 --> 00:52:51.679 There was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. 00:52:51.679 --> 00:53:02.679 Now, that doesn't mean when you go to Jesus with a question that he's going to explain to you every single detail in a way that you can understand. 00:53:02.679 --> 00:53:06.679 There are things in this world that we simply cannot fully understand. 00:53:06.679 --> 00:53:10.679 And sometimes Jesus will say to us, or God will say to us, 00:53:10.679 --> 00:53:17.679 Well, yes, you can bring that to me, but you're not in a position at the moment to actually be able to understand it all. 00:53:17.679 --> 00:53:30.679 And yet, what you have to remember is that there is no question in your mind, in your heart, in your life for which Jesus himself is not the answer. 00:53:30.679 --> 00:53:40.679 It's not just that he has the answer to all our questions, even if he doesn't tell us in all detail what the answer is, but he is the answer. 00:53:40.679 --> 00:53:44.679 The answer to every question that exists for human life. 00:53:44.679 --> 00:53:46.679 How can I be right with God? 00:53:46.679 --> 00:53:51.679 How can I be sure that I will come at the end of my days in the world to be in heaven? 00:53:51.679 --> 00:53:53.679 How can I be saved? 00:53:53.679 --> 00:53:57.679 How can I be forgiven my sins? 00:53:57.679 --> 00:53:59.679 It doesn't matter what question you come to. 00:53:59.679 --> 00:54:03.679 Some of the most momentous questions, but he is the answer. 00:54:03.679 --> 00:54:12.679 And he's God's provision as the answer to all our questions, to all our need, to all our dilemma. 00:54:12.679 --> 00:54:17.679 There wasn't a single question she asked. 00:54:17.679 --> 00:54:19.679 Nothing was hidden from the king. 00:54:19.679 --> 00:54:23.679 There is nothing hidden from your king, Jesus. 00:54:23.679 --> 00:54:27.679 Nothing hidden from him who reigns on the throne of heaven. 00:54:27.679 --> 00:54:36.679 That's why he's able to deal with us on all our need exactly and fully as he does. 00:54:36.679 --> 00:54:39.679 But you notice verse 7. 00:54:39.679 --> 00:54:41.679 Verse 7 says, 00:54:41.679 --> 00:54:42.679 He says, 00:54:42.679 --> 00:54:47.679 I did not believe the reports until I came, and my own eyes had seen it. 00:54:47.679 --> 00:54:50.679 And behold, the half was not told me. 00:54:50.679 --> 00:54:52.679 In other words, the Queen of Sheba was saying, 00:54:52.679 --> 00:54:56.679 I heard such a lot about you, King Solomon. 00:54:56.679 --> 00:55:02.679 I heard so much that it really moved me to leave my own land and come and see you for myself. 00:55:02.679 --> 00:55:03.679 But now she's saying, 00:55:03.679 --> 00:55:11.679 Despite all that I had heard about you, I now know that what is true far exceeds everything I heard about you. 00:55:11.679 --> 00:55:14.679 The half was not told me. 00:55:14.679 --> 00:55:23.679 And you know, when you come to know Jesus for yourself, that's something you begin to realize. 00:55:23.679 --> 00:55:26.679 That however much you knew him and knew about him before then. 00:55:26.679 --> 00:55:30.679 Now you're able to say, you know, there's so much in this. 00:55:30.679 --> 00:55:36.679 It's going to take me a whole eternity to explore everything about Jesus and about his salvation. 00:55:36.679 --> 00:55:43.679 The half has not been told me. 00:55:43.679 --> 00:55:48.679 But you need to come and find that out for yourself. 00:55:48.679 --> 00:55:50.679 Just like the Queen of Sheba said, 00:55:50.679 --> 00:55:57.679 I did not believe until I came and my own eyes had seen it. 00:55:57.679 --> 00:56:02.679 In other words, as she stepped into the palace of King Solomon, 00:56:02.679 --> 00:56:09.679 she began to realize the riches, the grandeur, the wisdom, the abilities of this man 00:56:09.679 --> 00:56:15.679 were far, far greater than what she had heard about in her own land. 00:56:15.679 --> 00:56:19.679 And you need to come into the palace of the King. 00:56:19.679 --> 00:56:21.679 You need to respond to his invitation. 00:56:21.679 --> 00:56:26.679 Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:56:26.679 --> 00:56:29.679 You need to come into the palace of the King. 00:56:29.679 --> 00:56:31.679 You need to come to know Jesus for yourself. 00:56:31.679 --> 00:56:36.679 You need to come and explore the things that the Bible tells you are true about him. 00:56:36.679 --> 00:56:37.679 But see it for yourself. 00:56:37.679 --> 00:56:38.679 Know it for yourself. 00:56:38.679 --> 00:56:40.679 Test it for yourself. 00:56:40.679 --> 00:56:45.679 I don't know if you've ever been to Buckingham Palace. 00:56:45.679 --> 00:56:46.679 I've just been the once. 00:56:46.679 --> 00:56:48.679 I'd read much about it. 00:56:48.679 --> 00:56:52.679 I'd seen photos of some of the contents of it. 00:56:52.679 --> 00:56:58.679 But only by going to take up a tour of the palace, or at least the amount of it that you can see. 00:56:58.679 --> 00:57:01.679 You can see all the special rooms that are there, most of them at least. 00:57:01.679 --> 00:57:06.679 And it's only as you actually go in there and see it for yourself, and as you look around you, 00:57:06.679 --> 00:57:09.679 and as you actually see it with your own eyes, you then realize, 00:57:09.679 --> 00:57:11.679 Oh, this is actually more than I ever thought about. 00:57:11.679 --> 00:57:15.679 This is more than the photos actually showed me. 00:57:15.679 --> 00:57:18.679 And so it is with Christ as well. 00:57:18.679 --> 00:57:26.679 You can only really prove it to yourself by coming to know him, by coming to him. 00:57:26.679 --> 00:57:29.679 And verse 13 finishes with, 00:57:29.679 --> 00:57:39.679 King Solomon gave to the Queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked, besides what was given her, by the bounty of King Solomon. 00:57:39.679 --> 00:57:42.679 Don't you love those words? 00:57:42.679 --> 00:57:55.679 Especially when you apply them to Jesus, that they foreshadow the bounty of King Solomon, the immense riches and ability of King Solomon, the bounty of King Solomon. 00:57:55.679 --> 00:57:59.679 What about the bounty of King Jesus? 00:57:59.679 --> 00:58:02.679 Because that's what he takes you in to experience. 00:58:02.679 --> 00:58:07.679 And there are no limits to the bounty of King Jesus. 00:58:07.679 --> 00:58:18.679 That's all there waiting for you and I to know, for you and I to explore, for you and I to experience. 00:58:18.679 --> 00:58:22.679 The bounty of King Jesus. 00:58:22.679 --> 00:58:27.679 The power behind the throne, the people before the throne. 00:58:27.679 --> 00:58:30.679 Where are you tonight? 00:58:30.679 --> 00:58:34.679 Are you still outside the palace? 00:58:34.679 --> 00:58:40.679 Or have you gone and taken the invitation to come to Jesus? 00:58:40.679 --> 00:58:43.679 To come to know him as your King? 00:58:43.679 --> 00:58:48.679 And to come to explore the bounty of King Jesus? 00:58:48.679 --> 00:58:53.679 May God bless these thoughts on his word and his word to us. 00:58:53.679 --> 00:58:55.679 We're going to sing in conclusion now. 00:58:55.679 --> 00:58:58.679 Our final psalm tonight is Psalm 72. 00:58:58.679 --> 00:59:01.679 Another psalm of kingship. 00:59:01.679 --> 00:59:07.679 Psalm 72, verses 1 to 7. 00:59:07.679 --> 00:59:11.679 This is from St. Sam's to June Warrington. 00:59:11.679 --> 00:59:16.679 Endow the King with justice, Lord, the royal son with righteousness. 00:59:16.679 --> 00:59:22.679 Your people, your afflicted ones, he'll judge with truth and uprightness. 00:59:22.679 --> 00:59:24.679 The mountains will bring peace to them. 00:59:24.679 --> 00:59:26.679 The hills the fruit of righteousness. 00:59:26.679 --> 00:59:29.679 He will defend and save the poor. 00:59:29.679 --> 00:59:31.679 Crush all those who them oppress. 00:59:31.679 --> 00:59:32.679 Verses 1 to 7. 00:59:32.679 --> 00:59:34.679 To God's praise. 00:59:34.679 --> 00:59:35.679 Amen. 00:59:35.679 --> 00:59:54.679 And, O the King with justice, Lord, the royal son with righteousness. 00:59:54.679 --> 01:00:15.679 You people, your afflicted ones, feel charged with truth and uprightness. 01:00:15.679 --> 01:00:24.679 The mountains will bring peace to them. 01:00:24.679 --> 01:00:33.679 The hills the fruit of righteousness. 01:00:33.679 --> 01:00:41.679 He will defend and save the poor. 01:00:41.679 --> 01:00:52.679 And crush all those who them oppress. 01:00:52.679 --> 01:01:00.679 As long as sun and earth enter, 01:01:00.679 --> 01:01:09.679 So will ye live time without end. 01:01:09.679 --> 01:01:18.679 Fill me like showers on the earth. 01:01:18.679 --> 01:01:28.679 Like grains that all will descend. 01:01:28.679 --> 01:01:36.679 The righteous end will blossom forth. 01:01:36.679 --> 01:01:46.679 Throughout his everlasting reign. 01:01:46.679 --> 01:01:54.679 Until the moon no longer shines, 01:01:54.679 --> 01:02:05.679 Peace in abundance will remain. 01:02:05.679 --> 01:02:09.679 If you'll let me get to the main door, please, after the benediction. 01:02:09.679 --> 01:02:17.679 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore. 01:02:17.679 --> 01:02:18.679 Amen. 01:02:35.679 --> 01:02:47.679 Thank you. 01:02:47.679 --> 01:02:48.679 Thank you.