WEBVTT

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 Then we're going to begin our worship and we're singing firstly in Psalm 125, Psalm 125 in the

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 Scottish Psalter, page 419. Today we're singing Psalm 125, 126, 127 and 128, just as a series of

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 psalms. So 125, they in the Lord that firmly trust shall be like Zion Hill, which at no time can be

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 removed but standeth ever still. And so on to the end of the psalm. We stand to sing if you're able to stand.

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 Time can be removed but standeth ever still. As round about Jerusalem, the merchants stand all way.

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 The Lord is full, the compass so, from henceforth and foray.

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 For ill men's rod upon the road, all just men shall not lie.

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 Lest righteous men set forth their hands unto iniquity.

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 Do thou do all those that be good, thy goodness for him far.

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 And do thou good to those that are upright within their heart.

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 God shall lead for the world, even if they are iniquity.

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 But as for such as turn aside, after their crooked way, God shall lead for the wicked men.

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 Let's join together now in prayer, a prayer especially for the children and for the young folks just now.

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 Lord, our God, we thank you on this lovely bright day that we come before you as a people who worship you and to confess you as our God.

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 And we thank you today that this is an opportunity, Lord, for us to worship you and in the worship find further fellowship with you and knowledge of you.

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 We thank you today that you give us these opportunities to draw aside from our normal course of activity in the world and to come together on the Lord's day to worship the Lord, to be together as his people and to share in that fellowship with him and with each other.

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 Bless our children, we pray today.

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 Lord, be with them during these times and grant to them again that they may increase in the knowledge of your own will and of your word and that they may find by your grace that they apply these things to their lives each and every day.

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 Remember them, we pray, from the youngest in creche through to those in Bible school, Bible class, we pray that your blessing will be with them.

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 And we ask that they will know day by day of the power of your truth working in their lives.

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 And so receive our thanks, we pray.

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 Continue to guide us and bless us and pardon our many sins for Jesus' sake.

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 Amen.

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 In Psalm 142, it's just for the children and young folks, Psalm 142,

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 we find David in a cave.

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 He was being chased by his enemies.

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 He found refuge in a cave.

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 And this was a psalm that he wrote while in the cave or thought about in the cave.

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 It's really a prayer that he made from the cave to God.

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 And in verse 3, he says,

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 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way.

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 Now there's a wonderful verse for memory for those in the Sunday school and for children always looking for verses to learn.

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 Here's one verse you could learn.

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 It's quite short, but it's also important.

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 It tells us about how God looks after his people in all their situations.

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 Even though David was in danger and hiding from his enemies, he said to God,

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 When my spirit faints within me, in other words, when I'm really afraid, you know my way.

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 God's eye is upon him.

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 God knows his way.

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 For my recent birthday, the family got together and actually got a wonderful gift for me.

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 It's a bird feeder.

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 And you might say, what's wonderful about a bird feeder?

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 A bird feeder is available from many sources.

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 But this bird feeder is good because it has a hidden camera in it.

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 And it takes videos.

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 As soon as a bird lands on the tray, it triggers the camera.

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 The camera takes a video as long as that bird is moving.

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 The movement begins the camera.

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 When the movement stops, the camera stops.

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 And it records it onto a little card inside the camera.

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 And it's been absolutely wonderful to see close up these birds who have no idea they're being filmed or videoed.

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 But you can see all the birds that land there.

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 So far, we've seen chaffinches.

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 Even a turtle dove the other day or a collared dove actually landed on there.

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 There's been green finch.

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 There's been sparrows.

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 Different kinds of birds over the course of these few weeks.

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 And it reminded me about some things that are important for us in our spiritual understanding as well.

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 Such as the verse I've just read.

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 Here was David saying in the cave.

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 Nobody was seeing him there.

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 He was safe from his enemies.

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 He was hiding, at least, from his enemies.

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 And yet he says,

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 Whatever our circumstances are like, however difficult your lives may be,

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 whatever challenges you're facing as children or young people,

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 be thankful that God actually knows exactly where you are, exactly what you're doing.

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 He's seeing you all the time.

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 You might say that although he sees you all the time,

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 there are special occasions, especially when we have a need of really being helped.

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 That is, I is special.

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 Just like the camera is triggered by the movement of the birds,

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 so God's heart is moved when he finds us crying out to him

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 out of circumstances that are challenging and difficult.

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 You know, he said, my way.

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 Now, there's another side to that as well.

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 Well, just as that camera picks up the movement of the bird without them knowing about it,

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 so God is watching our lives all the time.

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 And as well as being really comforting for us

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 to know that God is looking over us when we have difficulties in our lives,

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 it's also a challenge for us to know that God is looking in on our lives

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 at every time.

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 Whatever we're doing, God sees it.

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 And that should be a means of keeping us from doing things which are wrong,

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 keeping us from even thinking wrong thoughts.

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 God sees into our minds.

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 And as he sees into our minds, the Bible reminds us that he reads our minds.

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 He knows our thoughts.

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 So I hope today that that little bird table and its camera

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 are a symbol for you or a picture for you

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 of something very, very comforting, very assuring,

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 that God watches over us when we place our trust in him,

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 but also that God looks in on our lives

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 just to actually see what we're doing

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 from day to day, from moment to moment,

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 every time he's looking in on us.

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 So there's a very important verse for us to remember.

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 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way.

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 So practice that through the day to day.

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 And as you do so, let that word, let that verse sink into your mind

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 and use it in your life so that when you have a difficulty,

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 you'll turn to God and say,

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 Lord, I'm thankful that you know my way,

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 that you know my circumstances.

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 So now let's say the Lord's Prayer once again together.

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 Our Father, which art in heaven,

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 hallowed be thy name.

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 Thy kingdom come.

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 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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 Give us this day our daily bread.

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 And forgive us our debts,

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 as we forgive our debtors.

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 And lead us not into temptation,

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 but deliver us from evil.

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 For thine is the kingdom

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 and the power and the glory forever.

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 Amen.

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 Now we're going to sing again.

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 This time we're singing Psalm 126.

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 Again, it's on page 419.

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 When Zion's bondage God turned back,

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 as men had dreamed were we,

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 then filled with laughter was our mouth,

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 our tongue with melody.

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 And you can see in this psalm

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 that even people who don't follow the Lord

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 can actually know and see

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 when the Lord has blessed his people.

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 It says there in verse 3,

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 among the heathen,

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 they said the Lord great things

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 for them has wrought.

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 In other words, the world,

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 people who watch us all the time,

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 can see when God has blessed our lives

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 and we tell them

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 about how God has been good to us.

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 So Psalm 126,

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 When Zion's bondage God turned back.

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 When Zion's bondage God turned back,

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 as men that dreamed were we,

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 then filled with laughter was our mouth,

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 our tongue with melody.

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 They among the heathen said the Lord,

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 great things for them hath brought.

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 The Lord hath done great things for us,

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 when joy to us is brought.

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 As streams of water in the sun,

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 our bondage Lord recall,

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 whose soul in tears and reeping time,

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 of joy in joy they shall.

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 that man who bare in precious seed,

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 in going forth the poor,

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 he does bring him back his sheep,

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 rejoice in shall return.

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 Our reading of God's Word this morning

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 is from 2 Samuel,

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 the second book of Samuel,

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 and chapter 6.

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 And we're reading from the beginning.

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 That's the second book of Samuel,

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 and chapter 6,

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 it's around about page 310 or so,

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 in your church Bibles,

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 if you're using these.

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 So we'll read verses 1 to 19.

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 David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel,

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 30,000,

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 and David arose and went with all the people

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 who were with him from Baljudea

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 to bring up from there the ark of God,

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 which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts,

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 who sits enthroned on the cherubim.

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 And they carried the ark of God on a new cart

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 and brought it out of the house of Abinadab,

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 which was on the hill.

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 And Uzzah and Ahio,

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 the sons of Abinadab,

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 were driving the new cart

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 with the ark of God.

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 And Ahio went before the ark.

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 And David and all the house of Israel

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 were making merry before the Lord

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 with songs and lyres and harps

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 and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

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 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon,

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 Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God

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 and took hold of it,

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 for the oxen stumbled.

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 And the anger of the Lord

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 was kindled against Uzzah,

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 and God struck him down there

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 because of his error,

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 and he died there beside the ark of God.

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 And David was angry

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 because the Lord had burst forth against Uzzah,

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 and that place is called Perez Uzzah

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 to this day.

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 And David was afraid of the Lord that day

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 and said,

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 How can the ark of the Lord come to me?

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 So David was not willing

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 to take the ark of the Lord

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 into the city of David,

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 but David took it aside

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 to the house of Obadedum the Gittite.

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 And the ark of the Lord remained

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 in the house of Obadedum the Gittite

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 for three months.

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 And the Lord blessed Obadedum

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 and all his household.

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 And it was told King David,

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 The Lord has blessed the household

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 of Obadedum,

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 and all that belongs to him

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 because of the ark of God.

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 So David went and brought up

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 the ark of God

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 from the house of Obadedum

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 to the city of David

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 with rejoicing.

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 And when those who bore

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 the ark of the Lord

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 had gone six steps,

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 he sacrificed an oxen

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 and a fattened animal.

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 And David danced before the Lord

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 with all his might.

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 And David was wearing

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 a linen ephod.

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 So David and all the house of Israel

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 brought up the ark of the Lord

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 with shouting

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 and with the sound of the horn.

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 As the ark of the Lord

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 came into the city of David,

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 Michal, the daughter of Saul,

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 looked out of the window

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 and saw King David

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 leaping and dancing

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 before the Lord.

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 And she despised him in her heart.

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 And they brought in

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 the ark of the Lord

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 and set it in his place,

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 inside the tent

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 that David had pitched for it.

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 And David offered

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 burnt offerings

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 and peace offerings

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 before the Lord.

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 And when David had finished

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 offering the burnt offerings

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 and the peace offerings,

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 he blessed the people

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 in the name of the Lord of hosts

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 and distributed among

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 all the people

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 the whole multitude of Israel,

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 both men and women,

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 a cake of bread,

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 a portion of meat,

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 and a cake of raisins

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 to each one.

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 Then all the people departed,

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 each to his own house.

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 May God again follow

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 with his blessing

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 of reading that portion

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 of his word.

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 Let's again engage in prayer.

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 We do give thanks,

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 O Lord, again for your word

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 and for every portion of it,

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 for we recognize

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 your own hand

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 as the one who has authored

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 and produced this word for us

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 and caused it

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 to be put into writing

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 in a language

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 that we ourselves

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 can understand.

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 We thank you today, Lord,

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 for the value

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 that's placed upon your word

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 by your people now

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 and having been the same

00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:08.000
 throughout all generations.

00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.299
 We thank you for the liberty

00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.059
 that we have

00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:12.440
 to read your word in peace,

00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.140
 the liberty we have

00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:15.339
 to hear it explained,

00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:17.720
 to find it for ourselves,

00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:19.859
 a word that speaks to us

00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:21.299
 of our own lives personally

00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.819
 and of the world

00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:23.700
 in which we live.

00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.119
 It speaks to us

00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:26.680
 of things past in history

00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:28.279
 and things to come

00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.019
 in your prophecy.

00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:31.100
 We bless you, O Lord,

00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:32.700
 that every aspect of your word

00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.320
 remains the truth,

00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:36.720
 however much things may change

00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:38.620
 from one generation to another.

00:17:39.320 --> 00:17:39.940
 We bless you

00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:41.720
 for your unchanging word today.

00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:42.920
 We thank you

00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:43.660
 for its relevance

00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:45.279
 to our own situation today.

00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.580
 We bless you

00:17:46.580 --> 00:17:47.500
 that it never loses

00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.200
 its relevance.

00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:49.900
 And we thank you, Lord,

00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.779
 that however many

00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:52.539
 may turn aside from it

00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.560
 or cast it aside,

00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:55.279
 we pray, O Lord,

00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:57.019
 for grace to retain your word

00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:58.119
 with relish

00:17:58.119 --> 00:17:59.539
 and with love in our hearts.

00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.480
 That we might be like the psalmist

00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:03.039
 to hid your word in his heart,

00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.759
 to hide it not only

00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:07.059
 in a way that treasured it there,

00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:08.359
 but also so that it might

00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.879
 be seen through

00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:11.139
 in the life that he lived

00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:13.019
 in accordance with your word.

00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.359
 We ask, Lord,

00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.240
 that you would give us

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.460
 an increased burden

00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.940
 for this in our own lives.

00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.759
 And for we need a world

00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.700
 in which your people

00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.940
 are shown to be

00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:23.140
 a people of your word,

00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.500
 a people in which

00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:26.420
 your word shines out,

00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.960
 and a people who come

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:31.200
 to speak of that word

00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:33.519
 approvingly to the generation

00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.460
 they belong to.

00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.900
 We ask, Lord,

00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:36.460
 as a people,

00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.360
 as a congregation,

00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:39.140
 that we may indeed be,

00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:40.539
 as Paul would say

00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.420
 to the Philippians,

00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.640
 holding forth

00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.740
 the word of life,

00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.960
 so that we may hold it forth

00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:47.320
 for our own use

00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:48.799
 and for the knowledge

00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:50.019
 of those around us.

00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.460
 Lord, help us never

00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.859
 to be ashamed of your word.

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.700
 Help us never to be

00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:57.799
 in a frame of mind

00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.619
 that would doubt

00:18:58.619 --> 00:19:00.220
 the veracity,

00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.139
 the truthfulness,

00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.500
 or the authority

00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.299
 of your word.

00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:04.740
 Help us always

00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.480
 to be sure

00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.680
 that your word

00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.259
 is superior

00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.900
 to every human ideology,

00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:11.079
 every human source

00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.700
 of knowledge

00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.359
 that we have.

00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.920
 We thank you, Lord,

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.359
 for all that we come

00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:16.220
 to learn during

00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.500
 the course of our years,

00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.920
 and yet we pray

00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:19.680
 that your word

00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:20.960
 may continue

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:22.480
 to be fundamental

00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.380
 and foundational

00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.799
 to our thoughts

00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.720
 and our conclusions

00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:27.279
 and our way of life.

00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.180
 And so,

00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:28.880
 blessed to us,

00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:29.720
 we pray today,

00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:31.519
 as we gather once again

00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.880
 here to hear

00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.819
 what the Lord God

00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.819
 would say to us.

00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:35.920
 Bless us,

00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.339
 we pray,

00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.579
 that we may speak

00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:38.160
 in your name

00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:39.759
 and hear in your name,

00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:41.279
 that we may come together

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.299
 to realize,

00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:42.859
 O Lord,

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.299
 that this itself

00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.859
 is such an important occasion

00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:47.879
 because it is so intimately

00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:49.240
 connected to eternity

00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:50.839
 and to our meeting

00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.799
 with you at last.

00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:52.960
 And we pray

00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:53.579
 that your word

00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.139
 may continue

00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:55.159
 to prepare us

00:19:55.159 --> 00:19:57.279
 for that great eventuality,

00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.639
 for we know

00:19:58.639 --> 00:19:59.579
 that after we leave

00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.180
 this world,

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.440
 we will not have

00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.139
 the opportunity

00:20:02.139 --> 00:20:04.099
 of having your word

00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.799
 declared to us

00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:06.799
 or preached to us

00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:08.379
 or read for ourselves.

00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.259
 We thank you

00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:10.559
 for the opportunities

00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.779
 we have through life

00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:13.720
 to know you in word

00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.720
 and in providence.

00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:15.700
 Lord,

00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.579
 we pray that you,

00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.779
 by your Holy Spirit,

00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.539
 enable us to profit

00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:21.639
 from those great opportunities

00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.339
 we have.

00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:23.960
 Bless us,

00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:24.759
 we pray,

00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.279
 in the world

00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.299
 in which we are set.

00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.200
 Bless us in our life

00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.079
 as a congregation.

00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.299
 We ask,

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:30.740
 O Lord,

00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:32.460
 that you would be pleased

00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.399
 to once again

00:20:33.399 --> 00:20:35.279
 continue to provide for us.

00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.599
 Provide for us,

00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:37.019
 we pray,

00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.700
 spiritually,

00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:38.579
 morally,

00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.420
 financially.

00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.000
 Provide for us,

00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.339
 Lord,

00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.039
 encouragement

00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.740
 that would strengthen us

00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.619
 from day to day.

00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.000
 Provide for us

00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.539
 in the teaching

00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.359
 of our children.

00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:48.379
 We ask,

00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:48.679
 Lord,

00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.659
 when the Sunday School

00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:51.799
 requires more resources

00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:53.419
 in terms of those

00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:54.139
 who would teach

00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:54.919
 our young people,

00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:55.339
 Lord,

00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:56.259
 we ask that you would

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.679
 lay this upon

00:20:57.679 --> 00:20:58.959
 the hearts of those

00:20:58.959 --> 00:20:59.980
 you would want to come

00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:01.199
 and help out

00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:01.799
 with the teaching

00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:02.459
 of the children.

00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.619
 And we ask,

00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:03.959
 Lord,

00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.139
 that in the search

00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:07.379
 for suitable teachers

00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:08.399
 for the Sunday School,

00:21:08.919 --> 00:21:09.699
 you would help those

00:21:09.699 --> 00:21:10.799
 who presently serve,

00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:12.039
 grant to them,

00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.359
 Lord,

00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.639
 that they may know

00:21:13.639 --> 00:21:14.680
 that we value them

00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.460
 and that they are

00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.619
 so precious to us

00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.639
 as they give off

00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:18.799
 their time so readily

00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:21.079
 to this important work.

00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.259
 And we ask

00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:23.359
 that those who are taught

00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:24.680
 will come themselves

00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.259
 one day

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.500
 to take the place

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.099
 of teachers,

00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:27.500
 Lord,

00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:28.919
 over young people

00:21:28.919 --> 00:21:29.899
 yet to be born.

00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.119
 And we pray

00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:31.680
 that you would

00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:33.099
 continue to provide

00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:34.279
 for us as a people

00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:36.539
 so that through the gospel,

00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:37.700
 not only may

00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.779
 our own lives flourish,

00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:40.039
 but that of our community

00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.639
 as well

00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:42.099
 as we come under

00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:42.660
 your blessing

00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.359
 as we pray.

00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:44.920
 And so we ask

00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.700
 your blessing now

00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:47.720
 for all of our number

00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.420
 today who are

00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.559
 in specific needs.

00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.339
 We think of those

00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:51.779
 who are ill

00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.460
 and ask that you

00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:53.220
 would bless them,

00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.460
 some in hospitals,

00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.639
 some in care homes,

00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:57.339
 some in their own homes.

00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.960
 We pray your blessing

00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.519
 upon them,

00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.420
 lay your good hand

00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.000
 upon them

00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.259
 for their healing

00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:03.220
 if it please you.

00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:04.160
 And grant,

00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:04.420
 Lord,

00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.279
 we pray to those

00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.940
 too who have

00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:07.580
 mental health issues

00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:09.000
 and struggle at times

00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:10.860
 through the course of life.

00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.400
 Be pleased,

00:22:11.540 --> 00:22:11.660
 Lord,

00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.860
 we pray to help them.

00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.540
 We ask for any,

00:22:14.820 --> 00:22:15.000
 O Lord,

00:22:15.080 --> 00:22:15.960
 today who have

00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:17.560
 troubles with addictions

00:22:17.560 --> 00:22:18.740
 of various kinds.

00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.300
 We ask that you

00:22:20.300 --> 00:22:21.180
 bless the efforts

00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.100
 made to help them.

00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.259
 And we pray

00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.800
 that you would

00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:24.340
 release them,

00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:24.620
 Lord,

00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:26.240
 from such addiction

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.200
 if it please you.

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.340
 And we ask

00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.259
 that the help

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.000
 they receive

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.200
 may truly be

00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:32.380
 of benefit to them.

00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:33.660
 and we ask

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.080
 that you would

00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:35.100
 bless all who help

00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:36.260
 in that way.

00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.760
 We pray that you

00:22:37.760 --> 00:22:38.140
 would bless

00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:39.220
 our health centers,

00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.800
 bless our hospital

00:22:40.800 --> 00:22:42.900
 and our hospice

00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:43.960
 and our care homes.

00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:44.980
 Lord,

00:22:45.040 --> 00:22:45.660
 we ask that you

00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.400
 would be pleased

00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.680
 to continue

00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.480
 to bless us

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.740
 and to provide

00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.980
 resources for us

00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:52.220
 in regard to

00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:53.560
 this important aspect

00:22:53.560 --> 00:22:54.960
 of our life

00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.820
 in this community.

00:22:56.780 --> 00:22:57.560
 Remember those

00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:58.740
 who are in authority

00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.700
 over us today.

00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:00.920
 Bless them here

00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:02.240
 locally in the Corlea.

00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.740
 Bless them also

00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.360
 nationally

00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:05.540
 in Edinburgh

00:23:05.540 --> 00:23:06.640
 and in London

00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.660
 and Westminster.

00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.380
 Gracious Lord,

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.660
 we know from

00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:11.340
 your providence

00:23:11.340 --> 00:23:13.000
 that we live

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.300
 in tumultuous times,

00:23:15.020 --> 00:23:15.820
 times when we

00:23:15.820 --> 00:23:16.460
 can look back

00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.500
 upon a great shift

00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.140
 of thinking,

00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.680
 a great shift

00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.860
 in those things

00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:21.920
 that are regarded

00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.800
 as priorities

00:23:22.800 --> 00:23:24.320
 compared to past ages.

00:23:25.060 --> 00:23:25.340
 Lord,

00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.040
 we pray that

00:23:26.040 --> 00:23:26.600
 you would provide

00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:27.180
 for us.

00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.400
 And we pray

00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.020
 when there is

00:23:29.020 --> 00:23:30.380
 so much uncertainty

00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:31.020
 and indeed

00:23:31.020 --> 00:23:32.020
 at times turmoil

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.379
 amongst those

00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:34.259
 who rule over us.

00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:34.759
 We pray

00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.920
 that you would

00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.700
 bring stability

00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.599
 through the gospel,

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.639
 that you would

00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.259
 turn people

00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.019
 to yourself,

00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.079
 that those who

00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.079
 exercise government

00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.720
 over us

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.839
 and high office

00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.539
 in our land,

00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.480
 O Lord,

00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.019
 our God,

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.779
 that they may come

00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.859
 to be guided

00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.819
 by your truth

00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:50.680
 and set in your ways

00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:52.160
 and come to commend

00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:53.900
 you to the people

00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.960
 over whom

00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.819
 you have set them.

00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.019
 Graciously,

00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:57.319
 Lord,

00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:57.839
 hear us

00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.379
 as we pray

00:23:58.379 --> 00:23:58.959
 for them.

00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.240
 We know

00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:00.679
 that it is

00:24:00.679 --> 00:24:01.399
 our privilege

00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:02.899
 as well as

00:24:02.899 --> 00:24:03.459
 the instruction

00:24:03.459 --> 00:24:04.220
 of your word

00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.679
 to pray for those

00:24:05.679 --> 00:24:06.359
 who are in authority

00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:06.980
 over us.

00:24:07.639 --> 00:24:07.779
 Lord,

00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.379
 we do so

00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:09.259
 willingly today.

00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.359
 We ask

00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:10.799
 your blessing

00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:12.399
 to be with the world

00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:13.179
 in which we live.

00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.339
 We extend our prayers

00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:14.659
 today,

00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.000
 Lord,

00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:16.779
 to this world

00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.679
 and to its many,

00:24:17.679 --> 00:24:18.899
 many troubles.

00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:19.659
 We pray

00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:20.759
 for places

00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:22.359
 where there is

00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:23.279
 today war

00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:24.379
 and the threat

00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:24.920
 of terror,

00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.299
 loss of life,

00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.619
 different places

00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.180
 in the world

00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.940
 where we find

00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:30.200
 this constantly

00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:30.819
 before us

00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:32.000
 in your news reports.

00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.019
 Lord,

00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.460
 we pray

00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.359
 that all the efforts

00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.240
 made for peace

00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.399
 might truly

00:24:36.399 --> 00:24:37.619
 prove successful,

00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.599
 but we pray

00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:39.740
 especially

00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.480
 for the peace

00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:42.180
 that only you

00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.920
 can create,

00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.519
 the peace of Christ,

00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.559
 the peace that

00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.539
 comes through the gospel.

00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:47.579
 Lord,

00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.000
 we pray

00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.779
 that you bless

00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:50.539
 every evangelistic

00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:50.960
 endeavor,

00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:52.200
 even in these

00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.899
 very difficult

00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.780
 circumstances

00:24:53.780 --> 00:24:55.140
 in these places

00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.800
 in the world.

00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.259
 Bless your word

00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:57.720
 there too,

00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.240
 we pray,

00:24:58.800 --> 00:24:59.420
 and bless your

00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.320
 believing people

00:25:00.320 --> 00:25:01.560
 as they continue

00:25:01.560 --> 00:25:02.220
 and struggle

00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.180
 against so many

00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:04.720
 different types

00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.380
 of adversity

00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:06.880
 to hold true

00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.600
 to your word

00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.600
 and, Lord,

00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.840
 to know your blessing,

00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.019
 keeping them

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.900
 and guiding them

00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.720
 and blessing them.

00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:13.960
 And so we pray

00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.920
 now that your blessing

00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.500
 will continue

00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.200
 with us here.

00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:17.700
 Hear us in our prayer

00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.680
 and cleanse us

00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.400
 from our sin.

00:25:19.800 --> 00:25:20.920
 For Jesus' sake.

00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.460
 Amen.

00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.800
 We'll sing once more

00:25:24.800 --> 00:25:25.460
 to God's praise

00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:25.840
 this time,

00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.000
 Psalm 127,

00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.700
 before we turn

00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:30.259
 to a verse or two

00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.420
 in 2 Samuel

00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.040
 where we read.

00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.840
 Psalm 127,

00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.740
 page 171,

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:39.560
 and sing the whole

00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:40.500
 of that psalm again

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.280
 from verse 1.

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.519
 Unless the Lord

00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.680
 builds up the house,

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.300
 its builders toil

00:25:45.300 --> 00:25:45.800
 in vain.

00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.560
 Unless he keeps

00:25:47.560 --> 00:25:48.400
 the city safe,

00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:50.140
 they vainly watch,

00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:50.900
 maintain.

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:52.460
 in vain you rise

00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.320
 before the dawn

00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:54.600
 and late hours

00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:55.400
 vainly keep,

00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:56.740
 that you may toil

00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.700
 for food to eat.

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.980
 He gives his loved ones

00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:01.019
 sleep.

00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.519
 Psalm 127,

00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.500
 Unless the Lord

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:05.160
 builds up the house.

00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:13.720
 unless the Lord

00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:17.900
 builds up the house,

00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:21.860
 its builders toil

00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:24.460
 in vain,

00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:29.060
 unless he keeps

00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.059
 the city safe,

00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:33.000
 the city safe,

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:37.799
 they vainly watch,

00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:39.059
 maintain.

00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:45.599
 In vain you rise

00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:49.579
 before the dawn

00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:51.139
 and late hours

00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:52.960
 and late hours

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:56.419
 vainly keep,

00:26:56.419 --> 00:27:00.460
 that you may toil

00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:05.379
 for food to eat.

00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:11.139
 He gives his loved ones

00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:12.639
 sleep.

00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:18.540
 Sons are a precious

00:27:18.540 --> 00:27:21.380
 heritage,

00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:29.320
 a blessing from the Lord.

00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:35.279
 The children that are born

00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:38.099
 to us

00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:44.059
 are truly his reward.

00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:54.679
 like arrows in a warrior's hand,

00:27:54.679 --> 00:28:01.619
 our children of one's youth,

00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:07.359
 the man who's quivered

00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:10.219
 full of them

00:28:10.219 --> 00:28:17.579
 is blessed by God in truth.

00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:26.639
 Such men will not be poor to shame,

00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:33.200
 that will not be their fate,

00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:37.120
 when they condemn

00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:41.880
 against their foes,

00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:49.040
 who face them in the gate.

00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:52.820
 Well, please turn with me now

00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:54.880
 to 2 Samuel chapter 6.

00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:57.700
 Reading again at verse 11,

00:28:58.160 --> 00:29:00.880
 2 Samuel 6 at verse 11.

00:29:02.060 --> 00:29:03.320
 And the ark of the Lord

00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:04.440
 remained in the house

00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:06.000
 of Obadedam the Gittite

00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.540
 for three months.

00:29:08.080 --> 00:29:10.060
 And the Lord blessed Obadedam

00:29:10.060 --> 00:29:11.160
 and all his household.

00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:13.640
 And it was told King David,

00:29:14.300 --> 00:29:15.180
 the Lord has blessed

00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:16.960
 the household of Obadedam

00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:19.000
 and all that belongs to him

00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:22.480
 because of the ark of God.

00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:28.440
 I want to take these two verses

00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:30.700
 under the heading today

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:32.759
 of a blessed household.

00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:37.039
 We've seen a massive shift

00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:38.860
 in Western civilization

00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:41.559
 over many years now, sadly,

00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:44.299
 in terms of what are set out

00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:46.500
 as principles and values

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:48.940
 that people hold to in their society.

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:51.380
 And that massive shift

00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.160
 has meant that

00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:54.340
 as the Bible has been rejected

00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:55.340
 increasingly,

00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:57.400
 so what we call

00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:58.840
 moral absolutes,

00:29:59.100 --> 00:29:59.500
 in other words,

00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.640
 absolute truth,

00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.700
 the truth of God

00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:03.100
 has set out for us

00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.840
 in the Bible

00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:06.360
 as that has been discarded

00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:08.000
 increasingly or set aside,

00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:10.160
 so other things have followed

00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:12.660
 where throughout society

00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:14.860
 you can see a great shift

00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:16.320
 in people's thinking

00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.679
 as to what is important,

00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.720
 what should be foundational

00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:21.379
 for individual life,

00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:23.519
 for communal life,

00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:25.480
 for national life, indeed.

00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.099
 The more the Bible

00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:28.799
 has been set aside

00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.379
 and replaced

00:30:29.379 --> 00:30:30.679
 with human ideologies

00:30:30.679 --> 00:30:32.619
 and other ideologies

00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.819
 of different kinds,

00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.599
 so the more we've seen

00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:37.700
 that massive shift in value

00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:39.299
 in terms of principles

00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:41.200
 and what is important

00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:42.899
 for our way of life.

00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.339
 And that's had

00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:46.619
 a drastic effect,

00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.919
 that redefinition

00:30:47.919 --> 00:30:49.039
 of such things

00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:50.399
 as truth itself.

00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:51.359
 Ask anybody

00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:52.839
 in the street today

00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:54.399
 what they think truth is,

00:30:54.879 --> 00:30:55.960
 and you're very seldom

00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:57.319
 going to get them saying,

00:30:57.419 --> 00:30:58.159
 well, truth is

00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:58.940
 especially

00:30:58.940 --> 00:31:00.500
 what God has set out

00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:00.940
 for us

00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:02.200
 in Holy Scripture.

00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.039
 Truth is,

00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:05.139
 in many ways,

00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.220
 people's thinking

00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:07.279
 of truth is

00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:09.119
 truth is what you make of it.

00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:11.419
 Truth is what works for you.

00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:13.399
 Truth is what is

00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:14.659
 really maybe

00:31:14.659 --> 00:31:16.039
 the view of a majority

00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:17.299
 as to what ought to be

00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.339
 the principles

00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:20.059
 and values of society.

00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.639
 And it's not just that.

00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.159
 It's been

00:31:22.159 --> 00:31:24.440
 a time of redefining

00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.440
 not just truth,

00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:26.359
 but redefining

00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:27.119
 other things

00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:27.960
 follow on from that,

00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:29.299
 redefining marriage,

00:31:29.399 --> 00:31:29.940
 for example,

00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:32.119
 redefining gender,

00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.680
 and the whole concept

00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:36.740
 of what a family is

00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:38.819
 is part of that great shift

00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:40.859
 part of that great change,

00:31:41.179 --> 00:31:42.399
 part of that thinking.

00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.179
 And that's what I want

00:31:44.179 --> 00:31:45.279
 to focus on today,

00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.819
 how you get from

00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.599
 these verses

00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:49.279
 things which are important

00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.000
 in our thinking

00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:51.159
 of what is a family,

00:31:52.179 --> 00:31:53.720
 what is a family for,

00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:55.399
 what are the benefits

00:31:55.399 --> 00:31:56.519
 of family life,

00:31:57.159 --> 00:31:58.139
 what should be

00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:59.519
 the starting point

00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.460
 for family life,

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:00.899
 and of course

00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:02.419
 that has to be Scripture.

00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:03.259
 That's why we're going

00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:03.759
 to Scripture,

00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:04.339
 where we're going

00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:05.839
 to these verses today.

00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:07.059
 What does God say

00:32:07.059 --> 00:32:08.399
 about the family,

00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:09.419
 what constitutes

00:32:09.419 --> 00:32:10.039
 a family,

00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:11.720
 and what other things

00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.599
 are related to

00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:14.539
 the concept of a family

00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:16.039
 as far as the Bible

00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:16.779
 is concerned?

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.599
 So we're looking at that

00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:19.759
 under the heading

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:21.799
 of a blessed household,

00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:22.480
 because that's what

00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:23.699
 this household became

00:32:23.699 --> 00:32:25.659
 and was due to the ark,

00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:27.119
 as David was told

00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:28.059
 here in verse 12,

00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:29.359
 the Lord has blessed

00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:30.959
 the household of Obidadum,

00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:32.619
 and all that belongs to him,

00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:35.500
 because of the ark of God.

00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:36.799
 I will look more

00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:38.119
 into what that means,

00:32:38.219 --> 00:32:39.219
 the ark of God,

00:32:39.439 --> 00:32:40.619
 what that signified,

00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:41.979
 and why it's especially

00:32:41.979 --> 00:32:43.399
 related to the blessing

00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:45.039
 of Obidadum's house.

00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.279
 First of all,

00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.559
 I want to look at this word

00:32:47.559 --> 00:32:49.619
 household itself.

00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:52.659
 A blessed household.

00:32:53.639 --> 00:32:55.199
 There isn't any single word

00:32:55.199 --> 00:32:56.659
 in the Old Testament

00:32:56.659 --> 00:32:58.819
 for family,

00:32:58.939 --> 00:32:59.919
 and not as the equivalent

00:32:59.919 --> 00:33:01.519
 at least of the word family

00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.819
 as we use it.

00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:04.400
 The nearest thing to it

00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:06.319
 is this word household.

00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:07.619
 You find that often,

00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.000
 of course,

00:33:08.379 --> 00:33:09.180
 in the Old Testament,

00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:10.759
 also in the New Testament.

00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:12.359
 The word household

00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:14.480
 encapsulates what the Bible

00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:16.099
 means by family

00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:17.680
 and by family life.

00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.379
 And it means,

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:21.000
 when you use the word household,

00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:22.139
 and you find it this way

00:33:22.139 --> 00:33:22.660
 in the Bible,

00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:23.960
 it actually means

00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:25.859
 all who live

00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:27.059
 in one home

00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:28.220
 or under one roof.

00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.839
 And of course,

00:33:29.900 --> 00:33:30.600
 in those days,

00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.940
 and even to this day,

00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:33.200
 it means more than just

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:34.360
 a father and mother

00:33:34.360 --> 00:33:35.079
 and children.

00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:36.860
 It also means

00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:38.039
 servants,

00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:39.240
 relatives.

00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:41.140
 In the Old Testament days,

00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:41.559
 there were

00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:43.339
 especially well-off families

00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:44.519
 like Abraham's family,

00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:45.140
 for example.

00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:47.319
 He had a steward,

00:33:47.880 --> 00:33:48.519
 somebody who looked

00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.720
 after the household,

00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.700
 who was charged

00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.480
 with managing

00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.400
 the household.

00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.420
 And they became

00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:54.680
 part of the household.

00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:56.220
 And also,

00:33:56.340 --> 00:33:58.279
 you had other servants

00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:58.940
 or slaves

00:33:58.940 --> 00:34:00.180
 in the household as well.

00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:00.340
 So,

00:34:00.580 --> 00:34:01.720
 all that came under

00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:03.039
 that one roof

00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:04.160
 are regarded as

00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:05.259
 the household.

00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:07.120
 They are the family

00:34:07.120 --> 00:34:08.639
 in the extended sense,

00:34:08.700 --> 00:34:09.320
 you might say.

00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.700
 And that carries

00:34:10.700 --> 00:34:11.880
 into the New Testament

00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.500
 as well.

00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.500
 You remember,

00:34:13.680 --> 00:34:14.000
 perhaps,

00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:16.000
 in Acts chapter 2,

00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:16.880
 sorry,

00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:17.960
 Acts chapter 10

00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.099
 and verse 2,

00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:20.460
 the household there

00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.400
 of Cornelius.

00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:23.360
 There was a man

00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:24.180
 in Caesarea,

00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:25.599
 a centurion,

00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:26.739
 a devout man

00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:28.339
 who feared God

00:34:28.339 --> 00:34:30.339
 with all his household.

00:34:31.219 --> 00:34:31.839
 And it describes

00:34:31.839 --> 00:34:32.339
 later on

00:34:32.339 --> 00:34:33.460
 how that household

00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.299
 was brought together

00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:35.219
 to hear the preaching

00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:35.940
 of God's Word

00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.440
 from Peter

00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:38.279
 and how that household

00:34:38.279 --> 00:34:39.399
 comprised not just

00:34:39.399 --> 00:34:40.159
 Cornelius

00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:41.299
 and his immediate family

00:34:41.299 --> 00:34:42.879
 but his servants

00:34:42.879 --> 00:34:44.119
 and all those

00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:44.940
 who comprised

00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:46.299
 that group of people

00:34:46.299 --> 00:34:48.259
 known as his household.

00:34:49.419 --> 00:34:49.619
 So,

00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:50.299
 a household

00:34:50.299 --> 00:34:52.159
 is somebody,

00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:53.839
 is everybody really

00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:55.320
 living under the one roof,

00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:56.900
 the immediate family,

00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:58.079
 and those others

00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:59.840
 in connection

00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:00.680
 with that family.

00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:01.480
 That's what you say

00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.320
 is the meaning

00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:02.980
 of household

00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:04.480
 in the Old Testament.

00:35:04.640 --> 00:35:04.760
 Now,

00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:06.059
 I'm not going to go into this

00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:07.600
 in terms of applying it

00:35:07.600 --> 00:35:08.100
 to the church,

00:35:08.200 --> 00:35:09.120
 but you realize that,

00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:10.120
 you know yourselves,

00:35:10.240 --> 00:35:11.600
 that the description,

00:35:11.740 --> 00:35:13.539
 the household of God

00:35:13.539 --> 00:35:15.000
 is actually used

00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:15.900
 for the church.

00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.260
 The household

00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:18.559
 of God.

00:35:18.620 --> 00:35:19.120
 In other words,

00:35:19.119 --> 00:35:21.199
 it is the dwelling place

00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:22.000
 of God,

00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:24.259
 but in that dwelling place,

00:35:24.380 --> 00:35:25.480
 the church is

00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:26.599
 the home,

00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:27.159
 if you like,

00:35:27.179 --> 00:35:27.619
 of God

00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:29.000
 where all his people

00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:30.380
 also live together

00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:31.039
 or are gathered.

00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:31.859
 That, of course,

00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:33.339
 is a spiritual meaning

00:35:33.339 --> 00:35:34.460
 of household.

00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:36.139
 But the household,

00:35:36.299 --> 00:35:36.639
 literally,

00:35:37.219 --> 00:35:38.679
 is like Obadadum here.

00:35:39.259 --> 00:35:39.960
 The household

00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.799
 of Obadadum

00:35:40.799 --> 00:35:41.880
 was himself,

00:35:42.279 --> 00:35:43.259
 his immediate family,

00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:44.440
 servants,

00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.299
 all others

00:35:45.299 --> 00:35:45.799
 who lived

00:35:45.799 --> 00:35:47.039
 under that roof.

00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:49.340
 And secondly,

00:35:49.820 --> 00:35:51.679
 let's think of that household

00:35:51.679 --> 00:35:54.139
 as the basic unit

00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:56.759
 in human society.

00:35:57.400 --> 00:35:58.880
 The basic unit

00:35:58.880 --> 00:36:00.699
 in human society.

00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:02.380
 Around the household

00:36:02.380 --> 00:36:03.300
 of Obadadum

00:36:03.300 --> 00:36:04.779
 were other households.

00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:06.000
 And together,

00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:07.279
 all of these households

00:36:07.279 --> 00:36:08.820
 made up that community

00:36:08.820 --> 00:36:10.619
 of which the household

00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:12.059
 of Obadadum

00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:12.759
 was a part.

00:36:13.820 --> 00:36:15.759
 And every household,

00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:17.019
 as it forms part

00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:17.780
 of a community,

00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:19.280
 that household

00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:20.360
 is itself

00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:21.659
 a basic unit

00:36:21.659 --> 00:36:24.119
 of that wider structure.

00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:25.820
 And you can apply that,

00:36:25.900 --> 00:36:26.019
 really,

00:36:26.139 --> 00:36:26.639
 to the whole

00:36:26.639 --> 00:36:27.900
 of human society.

00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:28.159
 Now,

00:36:28.199 --> 00:36:29.019
 let me just take you back

00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:30.000
 to Genesis,

00:36:30.159 --> 00:36:31.099
 to the beginning of things,

00:36:31.199 --> 00:36:32.360
 to the creation

00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:34.579
 of human households,

00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:36.159
 beginning with the creation

00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:36.920
 of marriage.

00:36:37.619 --> 00:36:38.559
 Genesis 2

00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:40.119
 and from verse 18.

00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:42.400
 Then the Lord God said,

00:36:42.940 --> 00:36:43.699
 It is not good

00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:44.280
 that the man

00:36:44.280 --> 00:36:45.039
 should be alone.

00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:45.759
 That was Adam.

00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:47.640
 I will make a helper

00:36:47.640 --> 00:36:49.560
 fit or suitable for him.

00:36:50.040 --> 00:36:50.980
 So out of the ground,

00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:52.360
 the Lord God formed

00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:53.440
 every beast of the field,

00:36:53.520 --> 00:36:54.620
 every bird of the heavens,

00:36:55.180 --> 00:36:56.020
 brought them to the man

00:36:56.020 --> 00:36:57.160
 to see what he would call them.

00:36:57.200 --> 00:36:57.800
 And you read down

00:36:57.800 --> 00:36:58.340
 through there

00:36:58.340 --> 00:37:01.380
 until he discovered

00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:03.380
 or Adam proclaimed

00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:04.100
 there was nobody

00:37:04.100 --> 00:37:05.460
 like himself.

00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:08.700
 Until he actually found

00:37:08.700 --> 00:37:09.980
 this woman

00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:11.160
 that God had created.

00:37:12.160 --> 00:37:13.100
 He took one of his ribs,

00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:14.579
 closed up its place

00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:15.279
 with flesh.

00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:16.319
 He made into a woman.

00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:17.920
 He brought her to the man

00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:18.559
 and the man said,

00:37:18.739 --> 00:37:19.619
 This at last is bone

00:37:19.619 --> 00:37:20.400
 of my bones

00:37:20.400 --> 00:37:21.940
 and flesh of my flesh.

00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:23.019
 She shall be called woman

00:37:23.019 --> 00:37:24.239
 because she was taken

00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:24.940
 out of man.

00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:25.880
 Therefore,

00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:27.679
 see the next thing,

00:37:28.199 --> 00:37:28.579
 therefore,

00:37:28.839 --> 00:37:29.880
 a man shall leave

00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.400
 his father

00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:31.039
 and his mother

00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:32.380
 and hold fast

00:37:32.380 --> 00:37:33.139
 to his wife

00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:35.019
 and they shall become

00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:36.219
 one flesh.

00:37:36.299 --> 00:37:37.199
 What's happening there?

00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:37.900
 Well,

00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:38.819
 it says there's a man

00:37:38.819 --> 00:37:39.619
 leaving his father

00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:40.000
 and mother.

00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:41.880
 There is the household

00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:42.739
 he belongs to

00:37:42.739 --> 00:37:44.360
 and in order to have

00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:45.159
 a marriage

00:37:45.159 --> 00:37:47.519
 and to cleave to his wife,

00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:48.940
 he leaves that household

00:37:48.940 --> 00:37:49.659
 he belonged to

00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:51.179
 and he sets up another one.

00:37:51.699 --> 00:37:52.480
 Another household

00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:53.659
 beginning with the marriage

00:37:53.659 --> 00:37:54.500
 of himself

00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:55.320
 and his wife.

00:37:55.780 --> 00:37:55.960
 And then,

00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:56.280
 of course,

00:37:56.340 --> 00:37:57.400
 as you go through

00:37:57.400 --> 00:37:58.360
 the book of Genesis,

00:37:59.019 --> 00:38:00.940
 you'll find children

00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:02.780
 born to that couple

00:38:02.780 --> 00:38:04.440
 and therefore becomes

00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:05.099
 a household

00:38:05.099 --> 00:38:06.579
 in the sense of having

00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.199
 husband,

00:38:07.619 --> 00:38:08.000
 wife,

00:38:08.000 --> 00:38:08.739
 children

00:38:08.739 --> 00:38:10.179
 and eventually

00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:11.780
 servants as well.

00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.320
 So,

00:38:13.380 --> 00:38:14.099
 the ideal

00:38:14.099 --> 00:38:15.480
 in a family

00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:16.219
 is father,

00:38:16.699 --> 00:38:17.199
 mother,

00:38:18.019 --> 00:38:18.420
 children.

00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:19.440
 That is,

00:38:19.519 --> 00:38:20.000
 you might say,

00:38:20.179 --> 00:38:21.280
 the nuclear family.

00:38:21.380 --> 00:38:22.199
 The nucleus

00:38:22.199 --> 00:38:24.420
 of the wider household

00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:25.760
 is in the marriage

00:38:25.760 --> 00:38:26.519
 relationship

00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:27.519
 and the children

00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:28.219
 that are born

00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:28.800
 to them

00:38:28.800 --> 00:38:30.159
 in that marriage.

00:38:31.380 --> 00:38:32.619
 Ideal is the father,

00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:33.579
 the mother,

00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:34.440
 the children

00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:36.039
 and others then

00:38:36.039 --> 00:38:37.300
 are added on to that

00:38:37.300 --> 00:38:38.320
 household.

00:38:38.720 --> 00:38:38.840
 Now,

00:38:38.880 --> 00:38:40.120
 you have blameless,

00:38:40.220 --> 00:38:41.100
 I'm calling it

00:38:41.100 --> 00:38:42.580
 blameless exceptions

00:38:42.580 --> 00:38:44.120
 and the Bible

00:38:44.120 --> 00:38:44.760
 takes account

00:38:44.760 --> 00:38:45.320
 of these

00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:47.060
 and these blameless

00:38:47.060 --> 00:38:48.060
 exceptions are,

00:38:48.120 --> 00:38:48.580
 for example,

00:38:49.440 --> 00:38:50.039
 singleness

00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:51.640
 where there is

00:38:51.640 --> 00:38:52.320
 no marriage.

00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:53.539
 That's not a

00:38:53.539 --> 00:38:54.860
 dishonorable situation.

00:38:55.660 --> 00:38:56.280
 That's not a

00:38:56.280 --> 00:38:57.060
 dishonorable thing

00:38:57.060 --> 00:38:57.920
 in the eyes of God.

00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:58.280
 In fact,

00:38:58.640 --> 00:38:59.180
 when you go to

00:38:59.180 --> 00:39:00.060
 Paul's writings,

00:39:00.680 --> 00:39:01.580
 he actually says

00:39:01.580 --> 00:39:02.660
 that being single

00:39:02.660 --> 00:39:03.460
 and unmarried

00:39:03.460 --> 00:39:04.820
 has great advantages

00:39:04.820 --> 00:39:05.519
 spiritually

00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:06.280
 and certainly

00:39:06.280 --> 00:39:07.259
 in terms of

00:39:07.259 --> 00:39:08.340
 serving the Lord.

00:39:08.920 --> 00:39:09.840
 It's not far

00:39:09.840 --> 00:39:10.860
 from being despised,

00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:11.639
 far from something

00:39:11.639 --> 00:39:12.539
 that makes you

00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:13.500
 of a lower status.

00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:14.519
 It actually gives you

00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.440
 many advantages

00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:17.300
 rather than have

00:39:17.300 --> 00:39:18.719
 a household

00:39:18.719 --> 00:39:19.659
 where there's a marriage

00:39:19.659 --> 00:39:20.119
 where you look

00:39:20.119 --> 00:39:20.780
 after your children

00:39:20.780 --> 00:39:21.559
 where that takes up

00:39:21.559 --> 00:39:22.099
 your time

00:39:22.099 --> 00:39:23.099
 and your resources.

00:39:23.860 --> 00:39:24.059
 However,

00:39:24.159 --> 00:39:24.380
 that's,

00:39:24.500 --> 00:39:25.219
 you might say,

00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:26.739
 a blameless exception.

00:39:27.159 --> 00:39:27.759
 The other blameless

00:39:27.759 --> 00:39:28.300
 exception

00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:29.420
 that comes to mind

00:39:29.420 --> 00:39:30.259
 is a marriage

00:39:30.259 --> 00:39:31.059
 where there are

00:39:31.059 --> 00:39:31.860
 no children,

00:39:31.860 --> 00:39:32.860
 children,

00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:34.920
 where children

00:39:34.920 --> 00:39:35.640
 can be adopted,

00:39:35.820 --> 00:39:36.000
 of course,

00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:36.559
 but what I mean

00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:36.940
 is where there

00:39:36.940 --> 00:39:38.260
 are no natural children.

00:39:38.940 --> 00:39:39.440
 That, again,

00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:40.380
 is not to be seen

00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:41.840
 in any way negatively

00:39:41.840 --> 00:39:43.180
 as if God was cursing

00:39:43.180 --> 00:39:44.360
 that relationship.

00:39:44.680 --> 00:39:45.800
 It's not to be seen

00:39:45.800 --> 00:39:46.640
 as other than just

00:39:46.640 --> 00:39:47.680
 with God's arrangement.

00:39:48.740 --> 00:39:49.400
 And it brings

00:39:49.400 --> 00:39:51.000
 its own challenges

00:39:51.000 --> 00:39:52.039
 but also its own

00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:53.700
 benefits as well.

00:39:54.860 --> 00:39:55.880
 But then we live

00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:57.539
 in a fallen world.

00:39:58.220 --> 00:39:58.860
 And while there are

00:39:58.860 --> 00:39:59.700
 these blameless

00:39:59.699 --> 00:40:00.299
 exceptions,

00:40:01.039 --> 00:40:01.879
 we know very well

00:40:01.879 --> 00:40:02.419
 ourselves

00:40:02.419 --> 00:40:03.480
 that there are

00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.299
 other exceptions

00:40:04.299 --> 00:40:05.659
 where sin,

00:40:05.980 --> 00:40:06.759
 the sin that is

00:40:06.759 --> 00:40:07.559
 in each one of us,

00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:08.339
 the sin that came

00:40:08.339 --> 00:40:08.939
 into the world

00:40:08.939 --> 00:40:10.299
 and set about

00:40:10.299 --> 00:40:13.099
 destroying relationships

00:40:13.099 --> 00:40:14.039
 and destroying

00:40:14.039 --> 00:40:15.419
 individuals

00:40:15.419 --> 00:40:16.579
 in their own lives

00:40:16.579 --> 00:40:16.899
 too,

00:40:17.719 --> 00:40:19.159
 where that is set in

00:40:19.159 --> 00:40:20.159
 as we live

00:40:20.159 --> 00:40:21.639
 in a fallen world.

00:40:22.179 --> 00:40:23.079
 So we've seen

00:40:23.079 --> 00:40:23.799
 exceptions

00:40:23.799 --> 00:40:26.099
 to the family

00:40:26.099 --> 00:40:27.699
 as God's ideal

00:40:27.699 --> 00:40:29.500
 over the years

00:40:29.500 --> 00:40:30.219
 that set in

00:40:30.219 --> 00:40:30.819
 from the time

00:40:30.819 --> 00:40:31.399
 of the fall

00:40:31.399 --> 00:40:32.359
 of Adam onwards.

00:40:33.419 --> 00:40:33.919
 In other words,

00:40:34.779 --> 00:40:35.480
 an increase

00:40:35.480 --> 00:40:36.419
 in such things

00:40:36.419 --> 00:40:37.179
 as divorce,

00:40:37.779 --> 00:40:38.679
 cohabitation,

00:40:39.699 --> 00:40:41.699
 and same-sex relationships,

00:40:42.259 --> 00:40:42.919
 and especially

00:40:42.919 --> 00:40:43.639
 in our own day,

00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:44.199
 those things

00:40:44.199 --> 00:40:45.079
 have been multiplied

00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:47.460
 sadly more so

00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:48.500
 than at other times.

00:40:49.879 --> 00:40:50.659
 We live

00:40:50.659 --> 00:40:52.079
 in that fallen world

00:40:52.079 --> 00:40:52.919
 and are susceptible

00:40:52.919 --> 00:40:54.639
 to all of these

00:40:54.639 --> 00:40:55.359
 breakdowns

00:40:55.360 --> 00:40:55.860
 in marriage

00:40:55.860 --> 00:40:56.460
 and homes

00:40:56.460 --> 00:40:57.140
 and families

00:40:57.140 --> 00:40:57.920
 and households

00:40:57.920 --> 00:41:00.360
 and we're very much

00:41:00.360 --> 00:41:01.120
 aware of that

00:41:01.120 --> 00:41:02.320
 in our own day.

00:41:02.780 --> 00:41:03.200
 So you see,

00:41:03.300 --> 00:41:03.720
 the household

00:41:03.720 --> 00:41:05.079
 is no longer

00:41:05.079 --> 00:41:06.059
 regarded widely

00:41:06.059 --> 00:41:07.539
 as the basic unit

00:41:07.539 --> 00:41:09.000
 in human society

00:41:09.000 --> 00:41:10.760
 because the redefinition

00:41:10.760 --> 00:41:11.340
 of family

00:41:11.340 --> 00:41:12.740
 has really redefined

00:41:12.740 --> 00:41:13.880
 household as well.

00:41:14.640 --> 00:41:15.559
 We're living in times

00:41:15.559 --> 00:41:16.180
 when people say,

00:41:16.340 --> 00:41:16.599
 well, you know,

00:41:16.640 --> 00:41:17.300
 you should get rid

00:41:17.300 --> 00:41:18.120
 of this idea

00:41:18.120 --> 00:41:19.620
 of the nuclear family

00:41:19.620 --> 00:41:20.160
 of father,

00:41:20.559 --> 00:41:20.840
 mother,

00:41:21.539 --> 00:41:22.280
 and children

00:41:22.280 --> 00:41:23.940
 if God blesses them

00:41:23.940 --> 00:41:24.519
 with children

00:41:24.519 --> 00:41:25.460
 or father

00:41:25.460 --> 00:41:26.300
 and mother,

00:41:26.559 --> 00:41:27.619
 husband and wife.

00:41:28.360 --> 00:41:28.780
 These things

00:41:28.780 --> 00:41:29.440
 are outdated.

00:41:29.940 --> 00:41:30.960
 We need something new

00:41:30.960 --> 00:41:31.780
 for this century

00:41:31.780 --> 00:41:32.460
 we belong to.

00:41:32.760 --> 00:41:33.920
 We need something new,

00:41:34.179 --> 00:41:35.139
 something fresh,

00:41:35.260 --> 00:41:36.019
 something different

00:41:36.019 --> 00:41:36.740
 to what the Bible

00:41:36.740 --> 00:41:37.559
 actually says,

00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:39.139
 something different

00:41:39.139 --> 00:41:40.240
 to these Old Testament

00:41:40.240 --> 00:41:41.619
 ideas or New Testament

00:41:41.619 --> 00:41:42.240
 ideas.

00:41:42.559 --> 00:41:44.019
 You need to redefine things.

00:41:44.119 --> 00:41:44.380
 Come on,

00:41:44.440 --> 00:41:45.440
 keep up with the times.

00:41:45.940 --> 00:41:46.700
 That's not what people

00:41:46.700 --> 00:41:47.460
 want nowadays,

00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:48.700
 so we need to reject

00:41:48.700 --> 00:41:49.780
 all of these previous

00:41:49.780 --> 00:41:51.559
 models or ideals

00:41:51.559 --> 00:41:52.519
 of family life

00:41:52.519 --> 00:41:53.519
 of what a household

00:41:53.519 --> 00:41:54.000
 is like

00:41:54.000 --> 00:41:54.860
 and what it's for.

00:41:57.920 --> 00:41:59.340
 Way back in 1980,

00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:01.360
 nearly a quarter

00:42:01.360 --> 00:42:02.259
 of a century ago,

00:42:03.340 --> 00:42:04.380
 a book came out

00:42:04.380 --> 00:42:04.679
 called

00:42:04.679 --> 00:42:05.840
 Who Needs the Family?

00:42:06.300 --> 00:42:07.119
 Written by a man

00:42:07.119 --> 00:42:09.139
 called Olaf R. Johnston.

00:42:10.699 --> 00:42:11.900
 And in that book

00:42:11.900 --> 00:42:13.599
 he says as follows,

00:42:13.719 --> 00:42:15.500
 the family chronicles

00:42:15.500 --> 00:42:17.619
 of Genesis 11 to 50,

00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:18.380
 verses,

00:42:18.539 --> 00:42:19.880
 that's chapters 11 to 50,

00:42:20.500 --> 00:42:21.199
 are packed

00:42:21.199 --> 00:42:22.000
 to the very end

00:42:22.000 --> 00:42:22.480
 of the book

00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:23.800
 with intense

00:42:23.800 --> 00:42:25.079
 personal records

00:42:25.079 --> 00:42:26.599
 of family life,

00:42:27.159 --> 00:42:27.559
 jealousy,

00:42:28.199 --> 00:42:28.539
 hatred,

00:42:29.079 --> 00:42:29.480
 betrayal,

00:42:30.159 --> 00:42:30.860
 revenge,

00:42:31.480 --> 00:42:32.079
 scheming,

00:42:32.380 --> 00:42:32.960
 and deception,

00:42:33.460 --> 00:42:34.679
 as well as

00:42:34.679 --> 00:42:35.300
 forgiveness,

00:42:36.139 --> 00:42:36.820
 faithfulness,

00:42:36.960 --> 00:42:37.820
 and joy.

00:42:39.179 --> 00:42:39.780
 And he went on

00:42:39.780 --> 00:42:40.059
 to say,

00:42:40.159 --> 00:42:41.179
 few can fail

00:42:41.179 --> 00:42:41.800
 to sense

00:42:41.800 --> 00:42:43.860
 the utter modernity

00:42:43.860 --> 00:42:45.719
 of this ancient account

00:42:45.719 --> 00:42:46.920
 full of deep perception

00:42:46.920 --> 00:42:48.420
 of the dynamics

00:42:48.420 --> 00:42:49.679
 of family relationships.

00:42:49.679 --> 00:42:51.440
 It is no mere

00:42:51.440 --> 00:42:52.519
 modern discovery

00:42:52.519 --> 00:42:53.839
 that the family

00:42:53.839 --> 00:42:54.739
 can be the focus

00:42:54.739 --> 00:42:56.379
 of destructive urges,

00:42:57.019 --> 00:42:58.139
 a place of damage

00:42:58.139 --> 00:42:59.219
 and despair,

00:42:59.219 --> 00:43:01.419
 as well as of love

00:43:01.419 --> 00:43:02.739
 and security.

00:43:03.799 --> 00:43:05.679
 Scripture constantly warns

00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:06.759
 about the way

00:43:06.759 --> 00:43:07.699
 human sin

00:43:07.699 --> 00:43:09.639
 can turn the source

00:43:09.639 --> 00:43:10.859
 of great blessing

00:43:10.859 --> 00:43:12.500
 into the source

00:43:12.500 --> 00:43:13.619
 of greatest damage

00:43:13.619 --> 00:43:15.139
 and torment.

00:43:15.139 --> 00:43:18.859
 that was 1980.

00:43:20.059 --> 00:43:21.179
 How much more

00:43:21.179 --> 00:43:21.960
 is it the case

00:43:21.960 --> 00:43:23.500
 that his words

00:43:23.500 --> 00:43:24.519
 are true

00:43:24.519 --> 00:43:25.359
 in the generation

00:43:25.359 --> 00:43:26.699
 that we actually

00:43:26.699 --> 00:43:27.379
 belong to,

00:43:27.940 --> 00:43:29.019
 where the household,

00:43:29.480 --> 00:43:30.279
 where the basic,

00:43:30.500 --> 00:43:31.599
 where the nuclear unit

00:43:31.599 --> 00:43:32.759
 of the family

00:43:32.759 --> 00:43:34.480
 has been so redefined

00:43:34.480 --> 00:43:35.539
 and indeed

00:43:35.539 --> 00:43:36.139
 in many places

00:43:36.139 --> 00:43:37.239
 so despised.

00:43:37.699 --> 00:43:38.000
 You,

00:43:38.119 --> 00:43:38.500
 friends,

00:43:38.619 --> 00:43:40.059
 have the benefit

00:43:40.059 --> 00:43:41.299
 of knowing the gospel,

00:43:41.819 --> 00:43:43.199
 of having your Bibles,

00:43:43.199 --> 00:43:44.739
 of knowing the teaching

00:43:44.739 --> 00:43:45.579
 of your Bibles.

00:43:45.859 --> 00:43:47.139
 You live in a society

00:43:47.139 --> 00:43:47.899
 that's largely

00:43:47.899 --> 00:43:49.399
 discarding those things,

00:43:49.759 --> 00:43:50.519
 that's shedding

00:43:50.519 --> 00:43:51.659
 the influence

00:43:51.659 --> 00:43:52.579
 of that truth

00:43:52.579 --> 00:43:53.839
 day by day.

00:43:54.319 --> 00:43:55.299
 You have the benefit

00:43:55.299 --> 00:43:56.119
 of knowing

00:43:56.119 --> 00:43:56.839
 what your Bible

00:43:56.839 --> 00:43:57.739
 teaches you

00:43:57.739 --> 00:43:59.119
 about family life,

00:43:59.339 --> 00:44:00.099
 about what a family

00:44:00.099 --> 00:44:00.859
 consists of,

00:44:01.039 --> 00:44:02.219
 what a household is

00:44:02.219 --> 00:44:03.239
 and what it's for.

00:44:04.079 --> 00:44:05.359
 And we have to express

00:44:05.359 --> 00:44:06.439
 our thankfulness

00:44:06.439 --> 00:44:06.919
 to God

00:44:06.919 --> 00:44:07.939
 that we are in

00:44:07.939 --> 00:44:09.199
 this privileged position,

00:44:09.759 --> 00:44:10.639
 but we have to do it

00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:11.839
 by living out

00:44:11.839 --> 00:44:12.579
 the ideals

00:44:12.579 --> 00:44:13.559
 of God

00:44:13.559 --> 00:44:15.000
 in a family setting,

00:44:15.139 --> 00:44:16.460
 in family life.

00:44:17.339 --> 00:44:18.480
 Because the household

00:44:18.480 --> 00:44:20.339
 remains the basic unit

00:44:20.339 --> 00:44:22.039
 of human society,

00:44:22.339 --> 00:44:24.379
 even if we find it

00:44:24.379 --> 00:44:25.279
 largely discarded

00:44:25.279 --> 00:44:26.119
 as an ideal.

00:44:27.299 --> 00:44:28.579
 For us as Christians,

00:44:28.940 --> 00:44:29.839
 for us who follow

00:44:29.839 --> 00:44:30.460
 the gospel,

00:44:31.059 --> 00:44:32.039
 for us who value

00:44:32.039 --> 00:44:33.059
 the truth of God,

00:44:33.219 --> 00:44:34.119
 it must remain

00:44:34.119 --> 00:44:34.699
 this way.

00:44:35.420 --> 00:44:36.539
 And the more you see

00:44:36.539 --> 00:44:38.259
 the family broken up,

00:44:38.339 --> 00:44:38.900
 the more you see

00:44:38.900 --> 00:44:40.179
 the ideal of the family

00:44:40.179 --> 00:44:40.919
 discarded,

00:44:41.399 --> 00:44:42.799
 the more fractured

00:44:42.799 --> 00:44:43.899
 human society

00:44:43.899 --> 00:44:44.639
 will become.

00:44:45.539 --> 00:44:46.419
 You can see that

00:44:46.419 --> 00:44:47.419
 in the generation

00:44:47.419 --> 00:44:48.339
 we belong to.

00:44:48.879 --> 00:44:50.059
 It's not the only reason,

00:44:50.279 --> 00:44:51.759
 but one of the main reasons

00:44:51.759 --> 00:44:52.819
 why you find

00:44:52.819 --> 00:44:53.480
 so much

00:44:53.480 --> 00:44:57.119
 of a breakdown,

00:44:57.440 --> 00:44:57.879
 so much

00:44:57.879 --> 00:44:59.179
 in society

00:44:59.179 --> 00:45:00.599
 of fractures,

00:45:00.779 --> 00:45:01.519
 of tensions,

00:45:02.299 --> 00:45:03.000
 all of the things

00:45:03.000 --> 00:45:03.719
 that follow on

00:45:03.719 --> 00:45:05.199
 from a family unit

00:45:05.199 --> 00:45:06.099
 being broken up.

00:45:06.259 --> 00:45:07.000
 And the ideal

00:45:07.000 --> 00:45:07.819
 of the family

00:45:07.819 --> 00:45:08.440
 at the center

00:45:08.440 --> 00:45:09.239
 of society

00:45:09.239 --> 00:45:10.559
 being discarded.

00:45:11.039 --> 00:45:11.359
 Friends,

00:45:11.519 --> 00:45:12.219
 we have to

00:45:12.219 --> 00:45:13.619
 counter that

00:45:13.619 --> 00:45:15.199
 with our own

00:45:15.199 --> 00:45:16.059
 family lives.

00:45:16.899 --> 00:45:17.639
 Here's the challenge

00:45:17.639 --> 00:45:18.279
 for us today

00:45:18.279 --> 00:45:19.479
 as we live

00:45:19.479 --> 00:45:20.099
 as husbands,

00:45:20.659 --> 00:45:21.099
 wives,

00:45:21.579 --> 00:45:21.979
 children,

00:45:22.459 --> 00:45:23.939
 that we follow

00:45:23.939 --> 00:45:24.639
 the ideal

00:45:24.639 --> 00:45:26.639
 that God has given us

00:45:26.639 --> 00:45:27.519
 in His Word

00:45:27.519 --> 00:45:28.339
 where the household

00:45:28.339 --> 00:45:29.739
 is to be the basic

00:45:29.739 --> 00:45:31.239
 unit of human society.

00:45:31.799 --> 00:45:32.919
 And where the more

00:45:32.919 --> 00:45:33.799
 that's the case,

00:45:34.279 --> 00:45:35.459
 and especially the more

00:45:35.459 --> 00:45:36.199
 like the household

00:45:36.199 --> 00:45:37.099
 of Obidadum,

00:45:37.699 --> 00:45:38.939
 was blessed by God

00:45:38.939 --> 00:45:39.899
 where there's a blessed

00:45:39.899 --> 00:45:41.399
 household due to the

00:45:41.399 --> 00:45:42.319
 presence of God

00:45:42.319 --> 00:45:43.239
 as we'll see in a minute,

00:45:43.739 --> 00:45:44.799
 that proves to be

00:45:44.799 --> 00:45:45.639
 so influential

00:45:45.639 --> 00:45:47.559
 in any community,

00:45:47.699 --> 00:45:48.579
 in any society.

00:45:50.659 --> 00:45:51.199
 Household,

00:45:51.579 --> 00:45:52.679
 what it means.

00:45:53.079 --> 00:45:53.779
 People together

00:45:53.779 --> 00:45:55.199
 under one roof.

00:45:55.899 --> 00:45:56.839
 People in the structures

00:45:56.839 --> 00:45:58.079
 that God Himself

00:45:58.079 --> 00:45:59.639
 has defined for us

00:45:59.639 --> 00:46:00.879
 at His creation.

00:46:02.079 --> 00:46:02.599
 Husband,

00:46:03.099 --> 00:46:03.559
 wife,

00:46:03.559 --> 00:46:04.420
 father,

00:46:04.799 --> 00:46:05.059
 mother,

00:46:05.320 --> 00:46:05.699
 children,

00:46:06.500 --> 00:46:07.079
 others in the

00:46:07.079 --> 00:46:07.940
 extended family.

00:46:08.320 --> 00:46:08.920
 Household.

00:46:09.340 --> 00:46:10.179
 The household

00:46:10.179 --> 00:46:11.519
 being the basic

00:46:11.519 --> 00:46:12.880
 unit of human society

00:46:12.880 --> 00:46:13.599
 all the way

00:46:13.599 --> 00:46:14.440
 through the Bible,

00:46:14.980 --> 00:46:15.739
 you will find that

00:46:15.739 --> 00:46:17.139
 in some way or other

00:46:17.139 --> 00:46:18.139
 mentioned as

00:46:18.139 --> 00:46:19.039
 significant.

00:46:19.840 --> 00:46:20.840
 How the household

00:46:20.840 --> 00:46:21.980
 proves to be

00:46:21.980 --> 00:46:23.980
 part of the gel,

00:46:24.099 --> 00:46:24.579
 if you like,

00:46:24.759 --> 00:46:26.340
 that holds human society

00:46:26.340 --> 00:46:26.900
 together

00:46:26.900 --> 00:46:28.159
 in a proper way.

00:46:28.500 --> 00:46:28.820
 And the more

00:46:28.820 --> 00:46:29.960
 the household disappears,

00:46:30.159 --> 00:46:31.299
 the more that gel

00:46:31.300 --> 00:46:32.360
 is lost

00:46:32.360 --> 00:46:33.160
 and the influence

00:46:33.160 --> 00:46:34.240
 is lost

00:46:34.240 --> 00:46:36.039
 until the household

00:46:36.039 --> 00:46:37.620
 continues to be

00:46:37.620 --> 00:46:38.460
 the basic unit

00:46:38.460 --> 00:46:39.680
 in human society.

00:46:39.800 --> 00:46:40.539
 Thirdly and finally,

00:46:41.600 --> 00:46:43.220
 what is a blessed household?

00:46:44.039 --> 00:46:44.860
 Well, let me take you

00:46:44.860 --> 00:46:45.539
 back to the words

00:46:45.539 --> 00:46:46.539
 of our text today.

00:46:47.240 --> 00:46:48.320
 The ark of the Lord

00:46:48.320 --> 00:46:49.320
 remained in the house

00:46:49.320 --> 00:46:50.000
 of Obidadim,

00:46:50.060 --> 00:46:50.519
 the Gittite,

00:46:50.940 --> 00:46:51.680
 for three months

00:46:51.680 --> 00:46:52.300
 and the Lord

00:46:52.300 --> 00:46:53.480
 blessed Obidadim

00:46:53.480 --> 00:46:54.880
 and all his household.

00:46:55.039 --> 00:46:55.880
 And it was told

00:46:55.880 --> 00:46:56.600
 King David,

00:46:57.080 --> 00:46:58.039
 the Lord has blessed

00:46:58.039 --> 00:46:58.680
 the household

00:46:58.680 --> 00:46:59.460
 of Obidadim

00:46:59.460 --> 00:47:00.840
 and all that belongs

00:47:00.840 --> 00:47:01.300
 to him

00:47:01.300 --> 00:47:03.639
 because of the ark

00:47:03.639 --> 00:47:04.820
 of God.

00:47:06.179 --> 00:47:07.019
 That was the reason

00:47:07.019 --> 00:47:08.059
 why the Lord

00:47:08.059 --> 00:47:09.199
 blessed this household,

00:47:09.360 --> 00:47:10.559
 because the ark

00:47:10.559 --> 00:47:11.039
 of God

00:47:11.039 --> 00:47:12.139
 was stationed there

00:47:12.139 --> 00:47:12.960
 for these months.

00:47:13.220 --> 00:47:13.860
 And as long as

00:47:13.860 --> 00:47:14.720
 the ark was there,

00:47:14.960 --> 00:47:16.139
 the blessing of God

00:47:16.139 --> 00:47:16.480
 followed.

00:47:16.579 --> 00:47:17.519
 Now, what was the ark?

00:47:17.860 --> 00:47:18.280
 Well, the ark,

00:47:18.380 --> 00:47:18.900
 of course, you know

00:47:18.900 --> 00:47:20.900
 from Exodus chapter 25

00:47:20.900 --> 00:47:24.420
 is that wooden chest

00:47:24.420 --> 00:47:25.579
 made of acacia wood

00:47:25.579 --> 00:47:26.699
 overlaid with gold

00:47:26.699 --> 00:47:28.739
 in which Moses

00:47:28.739 --> 00:47:29.419
 was instructed

00:47:29.419 --> 00:47:30.819
 to make for the tabernacle.

00:47:30.939 --> 00:47:32.879
 It was one of the most important,

00:47:33.079 --> 00:47:34.559
 if not the most important,

00:47:34.779 --> 00:47:35.919
 article of furniture

00:47:35.919 --> 00:47:37.000
 in the tabernacle

00:47:37.000 --> 00:47:40.859
 where above the box,

00:47:40.960 --> 00:47:42.480
 above the ark itself,

00:47:42.480 --> 00:47:44.419
 was placed the mercy seat

00:47:44.419 --> 00:47:45.299
 with the cherubim.

00:47:46.199 --> 00:47:47.039
 And it was there

00:47:47.039 --> 00:47:48.619
 that God revealed himself,

00:47:49.419 --> 00:47:50.619
 the cloud that dwelt

00:47:50.619 --> 00:47:51.599
 above the mercy seat,

00:47:51.639 --> 00:47:52.839
 indicating the presence

00:47:52.839 --> 00:47:53.500
 of God.

00:47:53.500 --> 00:47:56.360
 The ark is always associated

00:47:56.360 --> 00:47:58.119
 with the presence of God.

00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:59.860
 And where you find at times

00:47:59.860 --> 00:48:01.059
 the people of Israel

00:48:01.059 --> 00:48:02.239
 putting their trust

00:48:02.239 --> 00:48:02.940
 in the ark,

00:48:03.059 --> 00:48:03.820
 but not having

00:48:03.820 --> 00:48:04.920
 the presence of God,

00:48:05.219 --> 00:48:06.639
 having disobeyed God,

00:48:06.940 --> 00:48:07.900
 having gone away,

00:48:08.300 --> 00:48:09.280
 as on one occasion,

00:48:09.420 --> 00:48:10.440
 fighting the Philistines,

00:48:10.559 --> 00:48:11.659
 where the ark of God

00:48:11.659 --> 00:48:12.400
 was captured,

00:48:14.119 --> 00:48:15.079
 where the sons of Eli,

00:48:15.239 --> 00:48:16.119
 Hophni and Phinehas,

00:48:16.179 --> 00:48:17.019
 were killed.

00:48:17.500 --> 00:48:19.239
 When the news came back

00:48:19.239 --> 00:48:20.820
 to old Eli

00:48:20.820 --> 00:48:21.760
 as he sat waiting

00:48:21.760 --> 00:48:23.079
 for a report of the battle,

00:48:23.500 --> 00:48:25.480
 what made him fall

00:48:25.480 --> 00:48:26.119
 off backwards

00:48:26.119 --> 00:48:26.960
 off his stool

00:48:26.960 --> 00:48:29.219
 to his death,

00:48:29.300 --> 00:48:29.719
 eventually,

00:48:30.440 --> 00:48:31.619
 difficult though it was

00:48:31.619 --> 00:48:32.599
 to know that his sons

00:48:32.599 --> 00:48:33.260
 had died,

00:48:33.780 --> 00:48:35.079
 what really struck him

00:48:35.079 --> 00:48:36.280
 was the fact

00:48:36.280 --> 00:48:37.440
 that the ark of God

00:48:37.440 --> 00:48:38.760
 had been captured

00:48:38.760 --> 00:48:39.860
 by the Philistines.

00:48:41.000 --> 00:48:41.940
 The very thing

00:48:41.940 --> 00:48:42.639
 that indicated

00:48:42.639 --> 00:48:44.119
 the presence of God

00:48:44.119 --> 00:48:45.400
 was gone.

00:48:46.840 --> 00:48:47.239
 And so,

00:48:47.500 --> 00:48:48.480
 that word,

00:48:49.000 --> 00:48:49.719
 Ichabod,

00:48:50.539 --> 00:48:51.480
 as a name for one

00:48:51.480 --> 00:48:52.420
 of the children born

00:48:52.420 --> 00:48:52.760
 then,

00:48:53.679 --> 00:48:54.579
 was actually given

00:48:54.579 --> 00:48:55.599
 in relation

00:48:55.599 --> 00:48:56.260
 to the loss

00:48:56.260 --> 00:48:56.780
 of the ark.

00:48:56.860 --> 00:48:56.960
 So,

00:48:57.039 --> 00:48:57.400
 the ark

00:48:57.400 --> 00:48:58.940
 associated always

00:48:58.940 --> 00:48:59.699
 with the presence

00:48:59.699 --> 00:49:00.380
 of God,

00:49:00.780 --> 00:49:01.460
 and you take that

00:49:01.460 --> 00:49:01.940
 on board

00:49:01.940 --> 00:49:02.440
 when you look

00:49:02.440 --> 00:49:03.500
 at what these verses

00:49:03.500 --> 00:49:03.980
 are saying.

00:49:04.059 --> 00:49:04.659
 Verse 12,

00:49:04.780 --> 00:49:05.599
 the Lord has blessed

00:49:05.599 --> 00:49:06.420
 the household

00:49:06.420 --> 00:49:07.320
 of Obidadim

00:49:07.320 --> 00:49:09.559
 because of the ark

00:49:09.559 --> 00:49:10.539
 of God.

00:49:11.119 --> 00:49:11.420
 That's,

00:49:11.559 --> 00:49:11.699
 of course,

00:49:11.800 --> 00:49:12.219
 fulfilled

00:49:12.219 --> 00:49:13.420
 in the New Testament

00:49:13.420 --> 00:49:14.260
 because the presence

00:49:14.260 --> 00:49:14.940
 of God

00:49:14.940 --> 00:49:15.800
 is no longer

00:49:15.800 --> 00:49:17.860
 above a wooden chest

00:49:17.860 --> 00:49:18.619
 like the ark.

00:49:18.619 --> 00:49:20.099
 it's now in his people.

00:49:20.380 --> 00:49:21.539
 He lives in their hearts.

00:49:22.019 --> 00:49:22.859
 God actually comes

00:49:22.859 --> 00:49:24.420
 to make a dwelling place

00:49:24.420 --> 00:49:25.359
 for himself

00:49:25.359 --> 00:49:26.159
 in the hearts

00:49:26.159 --> 00:49:26.719
 of his people

00:49:26.719 --> 00:49:27.559
 so that together

00:49:27.559 --> 00:49:28.239
 they constitute

00:49:28.239 --> 00:49:28.759
 the home

00:49:28.759 --> 00:49:29.699
 God has made

00:49:29.699 --> 00:49:30.259
 for himself.

00:49:30.380 --> 00:49:30.980
 John 14,

00:49:31.139 --> 00:49:31.960
 verse 23.

00:49:32.400 --> 00:49:33.739
 That's the blessed household,

00:49:33.960 --> 00:49:34.539
 the household

00:49:34.539 --> 00:49:35.480
 that has God

00:49:35.480 --> 00:49:36.359
 at its heart,

00:49:36.859 --> 00:49:37.339
 the household

00:49:37.339 --> 00:49:38.380
 where God lives,

00:49:39.139 --> 00:49:40.039
 where God is real,

00:49:40.559 --> 00:49:41.779
 where God is worshipped.

00:49:44.679 --> 00:49:45.319
 What is it,

00:49:45.359 --> 00:49:45.799
 can we say,

00:49:45.900 --> 00:49:47.199
 about that household

00:49:47.199 --> 00:49:48.299
 that makes it special?

00:49:49.500 --> 00:49:50.699
 Why is a household

00:49:50.699 --> 00:49:51.779
 as the household

00:49:51.779 --> 00:49:52.480
 of God

00:49:52.480 --> 00:49:53.859
 so distinct

00:49:53.859 --> 00:49:54.659
 and so important

00:49:54.659 --> 00:49:56.179
 in this day

00:49:56.179 --> 00:49:56.699
 and generation

00:49:56.699 --> 00:49:57.539
 we belong to?

00:49:58.739 --> 00:49:58.960
 Well,

00:49:59.039 --> 00:49:59.599
 four things,

00:49:59.679 --> 00:49:59.900
 I think,

00:49:59.940 --> 00:50:00.319
 at least,

00:50:00.319 --> 00:50:01.460
 you can mention.

00:50:02.099 --> 00:50:02.819
 We can mention

00:50:02.819 --> 00:50:04.219
 other things

00:50:04.219 --> 00:50:05.539
 related to that

00:50:05.539 --> 00:50:06.500
 you could think

00:50:06.500 --> 00:50:07.359
 of yourselves too.

00:50:08.099 --> 00:50:08.900
 A blessed home

00:50:08.900 --> 00:50:10.059
 has God

00:50:10.059 --> 00:50:10.839
 at its heart

00:50:10.839 --> 00:50:12.239
 and one of the

00:50:12.239 --> 00:50:13.219
 significant elements

00:50:13.219 --> 00:50:14.839
 there is parental faith,

00:50:15.619 --> 00:50:16.239
 the faith

00:50:16.239 --> 00:50:17.779
 of the parents

00:50:17.780 --> 00:50:18.580
 or parent,

00:50:19.460 --> 00:50:20.019
 the faith

00:50:20.019 --> 00:50:21.019
 that actually

00:50:21.019 --> 00:50:22.120
 teaches children

00:50:22.120 --> 00:50:23.200
 the importance

00:50:23.200 --> 00:50:24.800
 of the Word of God

00:50:24.800 --> 00:50:25.900
 and the worship of God.

00:50:26.500 --> 00:50:27.120
 What has to be

00:50:27.120 --> 00:50:27.940
 in our homes

00:50:27.940 --> 00:50:28.580
 must begin,

00:50:28.700 --> 00:50:29.140
 first of all,

00:50:29.160 --> 00:50:29.960
 in our hearts.

00:50:31.280 --> 00:50:32.100
 Where our hearts

00:50:32.100 --> 00:50:33.120
 don't have the presence

00:50:33.120 --> 00:50:33.800
 of God,

00:50:33.940 --> 00:50:35.060
 our home is not going

00:50:35.060 --> 00:50:35.720
 to have the presence

00:50:35.720 --> 00:50:36.340
 of God.

00:50:36.660 --> 00:50:37.340
 Where our hearts

00:50:37.340 --> 00:50:38.140
 have God present,

00:50:38.240 --> 00:50:39.300
 if this is dwelling place

00:50:39.300 --> 00:50:40.120
 of God

00:50:40.120 --> 00:50:40.900
 in our souls

00:50:40.900 --> 00:50:41.660
 individually,

00:50:42.080 --> 00:50:42.540
 in the souls

00:50:42.540 --> 00:50:43.120
 of fathers

00:50:43.120 --> 00:50:43.700
 and mothers,

00:50:43.820 --> 00:50:44.860
 then that's passed on

00:50:44.860 --> 00:50:46.000
 to the children

00:50:46.000 --> 00:50:46.860
 by way of them

00:50:46.860 --> 00:50:47.539
 being taught

00:50:47.539 --> 00:50:48.559
 these things of God.

00:50:48.920 --> 00:50:50.500
 The fact that God

00:50:50.500 --> 00:50:51.599
 is in that home

00:50:51.599 --> 00:50:53.420
 makes all the difference.

00:50:55.320 --> 00:50:56.440
 That's why it's wonderful

00:50:56.440 --> 00:50:57.019
 to have

00:50:57.019 --> 00:50:58.680
 Christian families,

00:50:58.800 --> 00:50:59.320
 families

00:50:59.320 --> 00:51:01.280
 who profess God

00:51:01.280 --> 00:51:03.180
 as their God,

00:51:03.579 --> 00:51:04.860
 who want God

00:51:04.860 --> 00:51:06.220
 to be the God

00:51:06.220 --> 00:51:07.039
 of their children,

00:51:07.660 --> 00:51:08.440
 their grandchildren.

00:51:10.400 --> 00:51:11.200
 We're blessed

00:51:11.200 --> 00:51:12.519
 with having many of those

00:51:12.519 --> 00:51:12.559
 families,

00:51:13.079 --> 00:51:14.219
 and it's something

00:51:14.219 --> 00:51:15.219
 we need to pray over.

00:51:16.320 --> 00:51:17.840
 Pray for God's protection

00:51:17.840 --> 00:51:19.559
 over parents

00:51:19.559 --> 00:51:20.699
 who are seeking

00:51:20.699 --> 00:51:21.780
 to bring up children

00:51:21.780 --> 00:51:23.119
 in a way that

00:51:23.119 --> 00:51:24.099
 teaches them

00:51:24.099 --> 00:51:25.019
 the things of God

00:51:25.019 --> 00:51:25.980
 in a generation

00:51:25.980 --> 00:51:26.639
 that largely

00:51:26.639 --> 00:51:27.480
 doesn't want to know,

00:51:27.800 --> 00:51:28.259
 and not only

00:51:28.259 --> 00:51:29.000
 doesn't want to know,

00:51:29.059 --> 00:51:29.539
 but it's really

00:51:29.539 --> 00:51:30.619
 against those ideas

00:51:30.619 --> 00:51:32.099
 and those ideals.

00:51:33.599 --> 00:51:34.420
 Parental faith

00:51:34.420 --> 00:51:36.199
 at the heart of things,

00:51:36.259 --> 00:51:36.860
 first of all,

00:51:37.239 --> 00:51:37.920
 and then the home

00:51:37.920 --> 00:51:38.800
 benefits from that.

00:51:38.860 --> 00:51:39.759
 You see many instances

00:51:39.759 --> 00:51:40.400
 in the Bible

00:51:40.400 --> 00:51:41.940
 where a home

00:51:41.940 --> 00:51:42.559
 has benefited

00:51:42.559 --> 00:51:43.260
 from the fact

00:51:43.260 --> 00:51:44.119
 that the parents

00:51:44.119 --> 00:51:45.260
 or a parent

00:51:45.260 --> 00:51:47.139
 has had faith in God.

00:51:47.860 --> 00:51:49.720
 That brings blessedness

00:51:49.720 --> 00:51:51.440
 into that home.

00:51:52.300 --> 00:51:52.980
 The second thing

00:51:52.980 --> 00:51:53.860
 is worship.

00:51:54.480 --> 00:51:55.220
 A blessed home

00:51:55.220 --> 00:51:56.159
 is a home

00:51:56.159 --> 00:51:57.320
 where worship

00:51:57.320 --> 00:51:58.599
 exists meaningfully,

00:51:59.079 --> 00:52:00.400
 where the Word of God

00:52:00.400 --> 00:52:01.039
 is read,

00:52:01.380 --> 00:52:02.139
 where the Word of God

00:52:02.139 --> 00:52:02.960
 is explained,

00:52:03.659 --> 00:52:04.940
 where the Word of God

00:52:04.940 --> 00:52:06.159
 is important,

00:52:06.880 --> 00:52:07.619
 where prayer

00:52:07.619 --> 00:52:08.599
 is exercised,

00:52:08.960 --> 00:52:09.740
 where praise

00:52:09.740 --> 00:52:10.200
 to God

00:52:10.200 --> 00:52:11.139
 is exercised.

00:52:11.139 --> 00:52:12.099
 It's a miniature,

00:52:12.259 --> 00:52:12.460
 really,

00:52:12.519 --> 00:52:12.940
 of the life

00:52:12.940 --> 00:52:13.559
 of the church.

00:52:14.460 --> 00:52:15.199
 The household

00:52:15.199 --> 00:52:15.839
 of God

00:52:15.839 --> 00:52:16.480
 that the church

00:52:16.480 --> 00:52:18.319
 is has its miniature

00:52:18.319 --> 00:52:19.079
 in the home

00:52:19.079 --> 00:52:20.159
 as the household

00:52:20.159 --> 00:52:21.079
 where father,

00:52:21.519 --> 00:52:21.779
 mother,

00:52:22.079 --> 00:52:22.859
 children together,

00:52:23.000 --> 00:52:23.719
 and others maybe

00:52:23.719 --> 00:52:26.079
 share in the Word

00:52:26.079 --> 00:52:26.599
 of God

00:52:26.599 --> 00:52:27.719
 with each other.

00:52:28.839 --> 00:52:29.159
 Worship

00:52:29.159 --> 00:52:30.920
 in our homes

00:52:30.920 --> 00:52:31.940
 is crucial.

00:52:31.940 --> 00:52:37.220
 How many homes

00:52:37.220 --> 00:52:38.280
 in Stornoway today

00:52:38.280 --> 00:52:41.420
 have worship

00:52:41.420 --> 00:52:42.920
 as a feature

00:52:42.920 --> 00:52:43.760
 of their life?

00:52:46.000 --> 00:52:47.000
 I'm quite sure

00:52:47.000 --> 00:52:47.440
 they're in

00:52:47.440 --> 00:52:48.559
 a majority

00:52:48.559 --> 00:52:50.500
 compared to those

00:52:50.500 --> 00:52:51.059
 that do.

00:52:53.340 --> 00:52:54.300
 But as it was

00:52:54.300 --> 00:52:54.960
 for Joshua,

00:52:55.800 --> 00:52:56.880
 as he declared

00:52:56.880 --> 00:52:57.579
 at one time

00:52:57.579 --> 00:52:58.679
 in the book

00:52:58.679 --> 00:52:59.219
 of Joshua

00:52:59.219 --> 00:53:00.199
 chapter 24,

00:53:01.899 --> 00:53:02.779
 choose this day

00:53:02.779 --> 00:53:03.619
 whom you will serve,

00:53:03.679 --> 00:53:04.579
 he said to the people.

00:53:04.899 --> 00:53:05.940
 As for me

00:53:05.940 --> 00:53:07.119
 and my household,

00:53:07.779 --> 00:53:09.139
 we will worship

00:53:09.139 --> 00:53:09.679
 the Lord.

00:53:09.799 --> 00:53:10.480
 We will have

00:53:10.480 --> 00:53:11.019
 the Lord

00:53:11.019 --> 00:53:12.319
 as our God.

00:53:12.960 --> 00:53:13.819
 We will serve

00:53:13.819 --> 00:53:14.659
 the Lord.

00:53:15.159 --> 00:53:15.940
 That's the conviction

00:53:15.940 --> 00:53:16.599
 of your heart

00:53:16.599 --> 00:53:17.159
 surely today.

00:53:17.500 --> 00:53:18.219
 That's the conviction

00:53:18.219 --> 00:53:19.259
 of the hearts

00:53:19.259 --> 00:53:20.239
 of all today here

00:53:20.239 --> 00:53:20.919
 who are parents

00:53:20.919 --> 00:53:21.739
 or grandparents

00:53:21.739 --> 00:53:23.019
 who want their homes

00:53:23.019 --> 00:53:23.719
 to be blessed,

00:53:23.859 --> 00:53:24.980
 who want their homes

00:53:24.980 --> 00:53:25.659
 and their children

00:53:25.659 --> 00:53:26.359
 and their relatives

00:53:26.360 --> 00:53:27.079
 to be blessed.

00:53:27.340 --> 00:53:28.700
 It begins in your own heart,

00:53:29.140 --> 00:53:30.300
 it moves from your own heart

00:53:30.300 --> 00:53:31.340
 to your practice

00:53:31.340 --> 00:53:31.980
 in the home

00:53:31.980 --> 00:53:33.440
 of having the Word read,

00:53:33.559 --> 00:53:34.700
 having the Word explained,

00:53:35.099 --> 00:53:36.220
 taking time with the children

00:53:36.220 --> 00:53:37.039
 to explain it,

00:53:37.140 --> 00:53:38.420
 which I know many of you do.

00:53:38.519 --> 00:53:40.320
 I'm not saying this

00:53:40.320 --> 00:53:41.700
 because it's not the case.

00:53:42.480 --> 00:53:43.380
 But just to reiterate

00:53:43.380 --> 00:53:44.140
 the importance

00:53:44.140 --> 00:53:45.800
 of those issues

00:53:45.800 --> 00:53:46.800
 for ourselves today,

00:53:47.920 --> 00:53:48.940
 there's parental faith,

00:53:49.460 --> 00:53:50.480
 there is worship,

00:53:50.599 --> 00:53:51.480
 the worship of God,

00:53:52.039 --> 00:53:53.160
 and there is what I'm calling

00:53:53.160 --> 00:53:55.059
 shaping of lives.

00:53:55.059 --> 00:53:56.980
 The shaping of lives,

00:53:57.420 --> 00:53:57.860
 for example,

00:53:58.059 --> 00:53:59.579
 in Ephesians especially,

00:54:00.239 --> 00:54:01.440
 the Apostle Paul wrote

00:54:01.440 --> 00:54:03.279
 to families,

00:54:03.440 --> 00:54:04.920
 but he differentiated there.

00:54:05.019 --> 00:54:06.920
 He gave a word firstly

00:54:06.920 --> 00:54:09.539
 to husbands and wives

00:54:09.539 --> 00:54:10.920
 and their marriage relationship.

00:54:11.619 --> 00:54:12.779
 He then passed that on

00:54:12.779 --> 00:54:13.739
 to children

00:54:13.739 --> 00:54:16.259
 and then even to slaves

00:54:16.259 --> 00:54:17.579
 or to servants in the home.

00:54:17.940 --> 00:54:18.659
 He had instruction

00:54:18.659 --> 00:54:19.599
 from the Word of God,

00:54:19.639 --> 00:54:20.099
 from God,

00:54:20.199 --> 00:54:21.799
 to each of those elements

00:54:21.799 --> 00:54:23.360
 in a household.

00:54:23.360 --> 00:54:25.120
 And you remember what he said,

00:54:25.200 --> 00:54:25.539
 children,

00:54:25.940 --> 00:54:27.300
 as far as children were concerned,

00:54:27.880 --> 00:54:29.680
 he then said,

00:54:29.860 --> 00:54:30.960
 honor your father and mother,

00:54:31.079 --> 00:54:32.820
 obey your parents in the Lord,

00:54:33.320 --> 00:54:34.220
 for this is right.

00:54:34.620 --> 00:54:35.039
 Fathers,

00:54:35.240 --> 00:54:36.680
 do not provoke your children

00:54:36.680 --> 00:54:37.320
 to anger,

00:54:37.960 --> 00:54:38.780
 but bring them up

00:54:38.780 --> 00:54:39.640
 in the discipline

00:54:39.640 --> 00:54:41.039
 and instruction

00:54:41.039 --> 00:54:42.380
 of the Lord.

00:54:42.980 --> 00:54:43.680
 In other words,

00:54:43.720 --> 00:54:44.099
 these words,

00:54:44.200 --> 00:54:45.720
 discipline and instruction,

00:54:45.920 --> 00:54:46.559
 really mean that

00:54:46.559 --> 00:54:49.420
 in this blessed home,

00:54:49.519 --> 00:54:50.539
 in this godly home,

00:54:50.599 --> 00:54:51.700
 the home that has God

00:54:51.699 --> 00:54:52.619
 at his heart.

00:54:53.179 --> 00:54:54.480
 It's a place where

00:54:54.480 --> 00:54:56.399
 children's will

00:54:56.399 --> 00:54:57.879
 is shaped through training

00:54:57.879 --> 00:55:00.039
 and where children's minds

00:55:00.039 --> 00:55:01.699
 are shaped through teaching.

00:55:01.939 --> 00:55:03.119
 Two things always go together.

00:55:03.559 --> 00:55:04.619
 Where a children's will

00:55:04.619 --> 00:55:05.899
 is shaped through training,

00:55:06.059 --> 00:55:06.899
 through seeing the parents

00:55:06.899 --> 00:55:07.719
 as an example,

00:55:08.199 --> 00:55:09.699
 and the teaching they receive

00:55:09.699 --> 00:55:11.099
 instructs their mind,

00:55:11.519 --> 00:55:12.539
 the mind and the will,

00:55:12.879 --> 00:55:13.559
 as they're shaped

00:55:13.559 --> 00:55:14.819
 by the truth of God.

00:55:15.439 --> 00:55:16.119
 And that's literally

00:55:16.119 --> 00:55:16.839
 what it means

00:55:16.839 --> 00:55:18.099
 in that context

00:55:18.099 --> 00:55:18.799
 in Ephesians.

00:55:19.159 --> 00:55:20.179
 Our children are to be

00:55:20.179 --> 00:55:21.460
 trained, shaped.

00:55:21.539 --> 00:55:22.759
 Just like you train a plant

00:55:22.759 --> 00:55:24.219
 to follow a certain direction,

00:55:25.239 --> 00:55:26.000
 you train it,

00:55:26.079 --> 00:55:26.759
 you shape it.

00:55:27.419 --> 00:55:28.599
 That's what's needed

00:55:28.599 --> 00:55:29.619
 for our lives as well.

00:55:29.659 --> 00:55:31.059
 And it's the Word of God

00:55:31.059 --> 00:55:33.319
 that brings that shaping

00:55:33.319 --> 00:55:34.279
 to our lives.

00:55:35.099 --> 00:55:35.940
 It's the Word of God

00:55:35.940 --> 00:55:36.859
 that brings about

00:55:36.859 --> 00:55:38.619
 that training

00:55:38.619 --> 00:55:40.159
 of our lives.

00:55:41.659 --> 00:55:43.339
 So there's parental faith,

00:55:44.059 --> 00:55:44.779
 there's worship,

00:55:45.579 --> 00:55:46.339
 a blessed home,

00:55:46.659 --> 00:55:47.739
 it's one where shaping

00:55:47.739 --> 00:55:49.019
 takes place for ourselves

00:55:49.019 --> 00:55:50.239
 as adults and parents,

00:55:50.599 --> 00:55:51.819
 for children as well.

00:55:52.519 --> 00:55:53.219
 And fourthly,

00:55:54.079 --> 00:55:54.839
 and not least,

00:55:55.319 --> 00:55:56.219
 where the Lord's day

00:55:56.219 --> 00:55:56.899
 is honoured.

00:55:58.559 --> 00:55:59.459
 And I'm putting that in

00:55:59.459 --> 00:56:00.319
 because it's something

00:56:00.319 --> 00:56:02.439
 which we have to remind ourselves

00:56:02.439 --> 00:56:03.379
 is a feature

00:56:03.379 --> 00:56:04.959
 of a blessed home.

00:56:05.959 --> 00:56:07.619
 A home where the Lord's day

00:56:07.619 --> 00:56:08.699
 is honoured.

00:56:09.599 --> 00:56:10.500
 Where our children,

00:56:11.279 --> 00:56:12.619
 if we have children with us,

00:56:13.299 --> 00:56:14.519
 as we have today here,

00:56:14.519 --> 00:56:16.280
 come to realise the value

00:56:16.280 --> 00:56:18.219
 of being with others

00:56:18.219 --> 00:56:20.000
 in the public worship of God,

00:56:20.539 --> 00:56:22.280
 to be part of the visible church

00:56:22.280 --> 00:56:23.440
 that worships God

00:56:23.440 --> 00:56:24.960
 and has that privilege

00:56:24.960 --> 00:56:26.199
 of worship

00:56:26.199 --> 00:56:28.099
 and of rest spiritually.

00:56:28.880 --> 00:56:30.219
 It's a home where worship

00:56:30.219 --> 00:56:32.099
 is a familiar feature,

00:56:32.460 --> 00:56:33.579
 where the Lord's day

00:56:33.579 --> 00:56:35.239
 is a familiar feature,

00:56:35.500 --> 00:56:36.300
 where the Lord's day

00:56:36.300 --> 00:56:37.860
 is seen to be different

00:56:37.860 --> 00:56:39.800
 to the other days of the week.

00:56:39.860 --> 00:56:40.579
 Not talking about

00:56:40.579 --> 00:56:42.920
 legalistic observance

00:56:42.920 --> 00:56:44.300
 of rules and regulations,

00:56:45.139 --> 00:56:46.800
 but out of love for God,

00:56:47.519 --> 00:56:48.760
 where we actually value

00:56:48.760 --> 00:56:49.519
 His Word

00:56:49.519 --> 00:56:51.180
 and His day

00:56:51.180 --> 00:56:52.519
 and His people

00:56:52.519 --> 00:56:56.720
 and His own setting

00:56:56.720 --> 00:56:57.840
 of family life

00:56:57.840 --> 00:57:00.019
 in His own ideals.

00:57:01.579 --> 00:57:03.740
 Now, the greatest endorsement,

00:57:03.820 --> 00:57:04.960
 I think, of family life

00:57:04.960 --> 00:57:07.180
 really comes from

00:57:07.180 --> 00:57:08.059
 the incarnation

00:57:08.059 --> 00:57:09.980
 of the Son of God,

00:57:10.579 --> 00:57:11.760
 of the coming of Jesus,

00:57:11.760 --> 00:57:12.740
 the Son of God,

00:57:13.240 --> 00:57:14.600
 taking human nature

00:57:14.600 --> 00:57:15.320
 to Himself

00:57:15.320 --> 00:57:16.180
 and continuing

00:57:16.180 --> 00:57:17.800
 to be God

00:57:17.800 --> 00:57:18.400
 and man

00:57:18.400 --> 00:57:19.620
 in His own person.

00:57:20.200 --> 00:57:21.480
 That really is

00:57:21.480 --> 00:57:22.660
 the greatest endorsement,

00:57:22.720 --> 00:57:23.160
 I would feel,

00:57:23.740 --> 00:57:28.700
 of family life

00:57:28.700 --> 00:57:29.800
 because He came

00:57:29.800 --> 00:57:30.500
 to be born

00:57:30.500 --> 00:57:31.780
 into a family.

00:57:32.440 --> 00:57:33.840
 I'm turning to Luke chapter 2,

00:57:34.880 --> 00:57:35.820
 where you find Him there

00:57:35.820 --> 00:57:37.280
 with Mary, His mother,

00:57:37.400 --> 00:57:37.940
 and Joseph,

00:57:38.100 --> 00:57:38.560
 her husband,

00:57:39.360 --> 00:57:40.380
 regarded there

00:57:40.380 --> 00:57:41.400
 as His parents

00:57:41.400 --> 00:57:42.619
 as they went

00:57:42.619 --> 00:57:43.260
 to Jerusalem

00:57:43.260 --> 00:57:44.640
 every year

00:57:44.640 --> 00:57:45.460
 at the Feast

00:57:45.460 --> 00:57:46.039
 of the Passover.

00:57:46.140 --> 00:57:46.460
 And you remember

00:57:46.460 --> 00:57:47.300
 when He was 12,

00:57:48.019 --> 00:57:48.680
 they found Him

00:57:48.680 --> 00:57:49.559
 in the temple

00:57:49.559 --> 00:57:51.380
 teaching and disputing

00:57:51.380 --> 00:57:52.920
 with those who were skilled

00:57:52.920 --> 00:57:53.900
 in the teachings

00:57:53.900 --> 00:57:54.559
 of the law.

00:57:55.099 --> 00:57:55.579
 And of course,

00:57:55.680 --> 00:57:56.579
 they turned back

00:57:56.579 --> 00:57:57.440
 and went to look for Him.

00:57:57.760 --> 00:57:58.180
 This is where

00:57:58.180 --> 00:57:58.760
 they found Him.

00:57:59.680 --> 00:57:59.860
 And

00:57:59.860 --> 00:58:04.619
 He said to them,

00:58:05.880 --> 00:58:07.000
 His mother said to them,

00:58:07.000 --> 00:58:07.780
 Your father and I

00:58:07.780 --> 00:58:08.519
 have been searching

00:58:08.519 --> 00:58:09.800
 for you in great distress.

00:58:10.420 --> 00:58:11.039
 He said to them,

00:58:11.099 --> 00:58:12.300
 Why are you looking for me?

00:58:12.980 --> 00:58:13.679
 Do you not know

00:58:13.679 --> 00:58:14.380
 that I must be

00:58:14.380 --> 00:58:15.579
 in my father's house?

00:58:16.340 --> 00:58:17.659
 And they did not understand

00:58:17.659 --> 00:58:18.059
 the things

00:58:18.059 --> 00:58:18.900
 that He was saying to them.

00:58:19.340 --> 00:58:20.059
 And He went down

00:58:20.059 --> 00:58:20.480
 with them

00:58:20.480 --> 00:58:21.639
 and came to Nazareth

00:58:21.639 --> 00:58:24.019
 and was submissive to them.

00:58:24.820 --> 00:58:25.519
 And His mother

00:58:25.519 --> 00:58:26.199
 treasured up

00:58:26.199 --> 00:58:26.860
 all these things

00:58:26.860 --> 00:58:27.360
 in her heart.

00:58:27.420 --> 00:58:27.659
 You see,

00:58:27.920 --> 00:58:28.559
 He spoke about

00:58:28.559 --> 00:58:29.559
 His father's house,

00:58:30.179 --> 00:58:31.400
 the spiritual dwelling

00:58:31.400 --> 00:58:32.400
 place of God

00:58:32.400 --> 00:58:33.940
 which was associated

00:58:33.940 --> 00:58:34.840
 then with the temple

00:58:34.840 --> 00:58:35.699
 where they found Him.

00:58:35.699 --> 00:58:37.399
 But then He went home

00:58:37.399 --> 00:58:38.879
 to His own household

00:58:38.879 --> 00:58:40.619
 and He was submissive

00:58:40.619 --> 00:58:41.339
 to them there.

00:58:41.939 --> 00:58:43.099
 The Son of God

00:58:43.099 --> 00:58:44.879
 in our human nature,

00:58:45.179 --> 00:58:46.279
 the Son of God

00:58:46.279 --> 00:58:48.739
 being an obedient child.

00:58:49.939 --> 00:58:51.219
 At 12 years of age,

00:58:51.699 --> 00:58:52.719
 He submitted Himself

00:58:52.719 --> 00:58:53.379
 to the authority

00:58:53.379 --> 00:58:54.139
 of His parents

00:58:54.139 --> 00:58:55.679
 even though He knew

00:58:55.679 --> 00:58:57.319
 they were somewhat wrong

00:58:57.319 --> 00:58:57.919
 in their thinking

00:58:57.919 --> 00:58:59.219
 of why He wasn't

00:58:59.219 --> 00:59:00.079
 actually with them

00:59:00.079 --> 00:59:00.919
 on the journey.

00:59:02.039 --> 00:59:02.839
 Then you see this.

00:59:03.879 --> 00:59:05.239
 And Jesus increased

00:59:05.239 --> 00:59:06.539
 in wisdom

00:59:06.539 --> 00:59:07.619
 and in stature

00:59:07.619 --> 00:59:09.139
 and in favor

00:59:09.139 --> 00:59:09.899
 with God

00:59:09.899 --> 00:59:10.519
 and man.

00:59:11.439 --> 00:59:12.219
 Now that's not just

00:59:12.219 --> 00:59:12.919
 tacked on

00:59:12.919 --> 00:59:14.739
 to the previous verses

00:59:14.739 --> 00:59:15.839
 loosely

00:59:15.839 --> 00:59:17.299
 or just added

00:59:17.299 --> 00:59:18.179
 just by way

00:59:18.179 --> 00:59:19.259
 of an added thought.

00:59:20.119 --> 00:59:21.099
 What that is telling us

00:59:21.099 --> 00:59:21.439
 is that

00:59:21.439 --> 00:59:22.759
 the context

00:59:22.759 --> 00:59:24.039
 in which Jesus

00:59:24.039 --> 00:59:24.859
 increased

00:59:24.859 --> 00:59:25.659
 in wisdom

00:59:25.659 --> 00:59:26.899
 and in stature

00:59:26.899 --> 00:59:27.919
 and in favor

00:59:27.919 --> 00:59:28.599
 with God

00:59:28.599 --> 00:59:29.119
 and man

00:59:29.119 --> 00:59:30.619
 was in His family home,

00:59:31.039 --> 00:59:32.339
 in His family setting,

00:59:32.340 --> 00:59:33.960
 and being brought up

00:59:33.960 --> 00:59:35.559
 there as a child

00:59:35.559 --> 00:59:36.400
 in that family

00:59:36.400 --> 00:59:37.600
 that He had willingly

00:59:37.600 --> 00:59:38.720
 given Himself to.

00:59:39.980 --> 00:59:41.559
 There is your great example.

00:59:42.519 --> 00:59:43.740
 There is your endorsement

00:59:43.740 --> 00:59:44.320
 of family

00:59:44.320 --> 00:59:46.140
 and of family life.

00:59:46.880 --> 00:59:47.840
 It's stamped

00:59:47.840 --> 00:59:49.400
 by the Son of God

00:59:49.400 --> 00:59:50.700
 in His incarnation

00:59:50.700 --> 00:59:53.079
 as the central,

00:59:53.720 --> 00:59:54.400
 important,

00:59:55.200 --> 00:59:56.400
 instructive unit

00:59:56.400 --> 00:59:58.720
 in human society.

00:59:59.860 --> 01:00:00.920
 Today we belong

01:00:00.920 --> 01:00:02.599
 to a household.

01:00:03.940 --> 01:00:04.940
 Today we find

01:00:04.940 --> 01:00:05.440
 the household

01:00:05.440 --> 01:00:06.660
 as the basic unit

01:00:06.660 --> 01:00:08.519
 of human society.

01:00:09.180 --> 01:00:09.740
 Even today

01:00:09.740 --> 01:00:10.820
 that's still the case.

01:00:11.740 --> 01:00:12.860
 And today we find

01:00:12.860 --> 01:00:14.320
 a blessed household

01:00:14.320 --> 01:00:15.639
 as a household

01:00:15.639 --> 01:00:16.539
 where the presence

01:00:16.539 --> 01:00:18.019
 of God is known,

01:00:18.680 --> 01:00:20.980
 where God is worshipped,

01:00:21.559 --> 01:00:22.519
 where His truth

01:00:22.519 --> 01:00:23.579
 shapes our lives,

01:00:23.579 --> 01:00:25.420
 and where the Lord's day

01:00:25.420 --> 01:00:27.699
 is an important feature

01:00:27.699 --> 01:00:28.779
 of it.

01:00:29.819 --> 01:00:30.559
 And may God bless

01:00:30.559 --> 01:00:31.159
 these thoughts

01:00:31.159 --> 01:00:33.139
 to us today.

01:00:33.480 --> 01:00:34.360
 We're going to conclude

01:00:34.360 --> 01:00:34.799
 by singing

01:00:34.799 --> 01:00:35.739
 in Psalm 128,

01:00:36.940 --> 01:00:37.699
 128,

01:00:38.619 --> 01:00:40.059
 page 172.

01:00:45.579 --> 01:00:46.799
 How blessed are all

01:00:46.799 --> 01:00:47.679
 who fear the Lord,

01:00:47.779 --> 01:00:48.659
 who walk the way

01:00:48.659 --> 01:00:49.559
 that He has shown.

01:00:50.179 --> 01:00:51.480
 Success and blessing

01:00:51.480 --> 01:00:52.360
 will be yours.

01:00:52.360 --> 01:00:53.800
 You will eat the fruit

01:00:53.800 --> 01:00:54.840
 that you have grown.

01:00:55.460 --> 01:00:56.160
 Your wife will be

01:00:56.160 --> 01:00:57.039
 a fruitful vine,

01:00:57.140 --> 01:00:57.900
 and round your table

01:00:57.900 --> 01:00:58.620
 will be placed.

01:00:59.140 --> 01:00:59.660
 Your children,

01:00:59.920 --> 01:01:00.840
 like young olive shoots,

01:01:00.980 --> 01:01:01.800
 thus he who fears

01:01:01.800 --> 01:01:02.760
 the Lord is blessed.

01:01:03.500 --> 01:01:04.340
 May you behold

01:01:04.340 --> 01:01:05.340
 Jerusalem's good.

01:01:05.920 --> 01:01:07.140
 From Zion may God's

01:01:07.140 --> 01:01:07.960
 blessing flow.

01:01:08.680 --> 01:01:09.760
 Your children's children

01:01:09.760 --> 01:01:10.820
 may you see.

01:01:11.579 --> 01:01:12.920
 May God on Israel

01:01:12.920 --> 01:01:14.579
 peace bestow.

01:01:14.640 --> 01:01:15.320
 We'll stand to sing

01:01:15.320 --> 01:01:15.860
 these verses.

01:01:15.860 --> 01:01:22.260
 How blessed are all

01:01:22.260 --> 01:01:26.460
 who fear the Lord,

01:01:26.460 --> 01:01:30.500
 who walk the way

01:01:30.500 --> 01:01:34.559
 that He has shown.

01:01:34.559 --> 01:01:38.559
 Success and blessing

01:01:38.559 --> 01:01:42.099
 will be yours.

01:01:42.099 --> 01:01:46.539
 You will eat the fruit

01:01:46.539 --> 01:01:50.039
 that you have grown.

01:01:50.039 --> 01:01:54.039
 Your wife will be

01:01:54.039 --> 01:01:59.340
 a fruitful vine,

01:01:59.340 --> 01:02:03.220
 and round your table

01:02:03.220 --> 01:02:07.220
 will be placed.

01:02:07.220 --> 01:02:09.720
 Your children,

01:02:09.720 --> 01:02:15.600
 like young olive shoots,

01:02:15.600 --> 01:02:19.460
 thus he who fears,

01:02:19.880 --> 01:02:23.780
 the Lord is blessed.

01:02:23.780 --> 01:02:27.160
 may you behold

01:02:27.160 --> 01:02:32.120
 Jerusalem's good.

01:02:32.760 --> 01:02:37.120
 From Zion may God's

01:02:37.120 --> 01:02:40.160
 blessing flow.

01:02:40.160 --> 01:02:44.300
 Your children's children

01:02:44.300 --> 01:02:48.160
 may you see.

01:02:49.220 --> 01:02:52.160
 May God on Israel

01:02:52.159 --> 01:02:56.480
 Israel peace bestow.

01:02:57.639 --> 01:02:58.539
 This morning I'll go

01:02:58.539 --> 01:02:59.119
 to the door here

01:02:59.119 --> 01:02:59.759
 to my left.

01:03:01.079 --> 01:03:02.039
 Now may the grace

01:03:02.039 --> 01:03:03.279
 of the Lord Jesus Christ,

01:03:03.379 --> 01:03:04.579
 the love of God the Father,

01:03:05.059 --> 01:03:05.699
 and the communion

01:03:05.699 --> 01:03:06.619
 of the Holy Spirit

01:03:06.619 --> 01:03:07.639
 be with you now

01:03:07.639 --> 01:03:08.500
 and evermore.

01:03:08.500 --> 01:03:09.279
 Amen.

01:03:22.159 --> 01:03:27.539
 Thank you so much.

01:03:27.639 --> 01:03:28.219
 I hope you wonderful

01:03:28.219 --> 01:03:30.099
 for all your time.

01:03:30.099 --> 01:03:31.500
 All my time I should

01:03:31.500 --> 01:03:36.980
 tohida Him,

01:03:49.420 --> 01:03:51.039
 to shepherd him Melanna