WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.280 Well, for our time we can turn back to their reading in Psalm 24. 00:00:05.280 --> 00:00:08.400 Just consider this psalm together. 00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:15.240 In verse 5 it says, 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:20.280 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:27.460 Such is the generation of those who seek and who seek the face of the God of Jacob. 00:00:30.219 --> 00:00:33.980 Well, we're entering into a new year and as we do so, 00:00:33.980 --> 00:00:42.540 we always have that maybe sense of anticipation and maybe trepidation as to what may lie ahead for us in the year before us. 00:00:42.620 --> 00:00:46.219 But who is it that is leading us into the year? 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:48.960 Who are we putting our trust in? 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:53.980 And as we stand at what is often described as the gate of the year, 00:00:54.259 --> 00:00:57.120 is it the Lord, the one going before us? 00:00:58.060 --> 00:01:03.299 Well, this psalm reminds us of what it is to have the Lord going before us 00:01:03.299 --> 00:01:06.219 and who the Lord going before us is. 00:01:06.379 --> 00:01:07.640 He is the King. 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:11.219 And not just the King, he is the King of glory. 00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:17.379 And he is the one that we are to look to as we go forward into this year. 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:22.819 Psalm 24 is in the midst of this collection of psalms. 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:30.539 Really, there's three psalms that you could take together from Psalm 22, then 23, and then Psalm 24. 00:01:30.759 --> 00:01:34.379 Psalm 23 is always the one we maybe know so well. 00:01:34.479 --> 00:01:35.799 We sing it so often. 00:01:36.579 --> 00:01:40.439 We are reminded there of the shepherd who leads his sheep. 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:49.780 And it's very much, as you look at Psalm 23, it's that journey of life through all the different experiences of ourselves as people. 00:01:50.400 --> 00:01:57.979 Whether it's through the calm waters or the valleys of the shadow of death, we have that constant promise of the Lord with us. 00:01:57.980 --> 00:02:05.359 Psalm 23 is a precious psalm in that sense because it reminds us that for those who trust in the Lord, 00:02:05.840 --> 00:02:11.780 there is that end in sight where goodness and mercy shall follow all the days of our lives, 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:15.939 and then we shall dwell in the house of the Lord all our days. 00:02:15.939 --> 00:02:21.020 So there's that great comfort and that great assurance in that psalm. 00:02:21.759 --> 00:02:25.000 But Psalm 23 can leave us with a question. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:28.840 How do we find our way to this place? 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:32.340 How do we come to know the shepherd? 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:36.680 Well, it is to know who that shepherd is. 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:43.599 It is to know the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who is the shepherd of his people. 00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:53.620 And this cluster of psalms reminds us of who this shepherd is, who this Jesus is, who this Christ is. 00:02:53.620 --> 00:03:02.560 In Psalm 22, we see there the shepherd laying down his life for his sheep. 00:03:02.980 --> 00:03:07.840 Psalm 22 is a psalm that Jesus quoted on the cross. 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:10.740 My God, why have you forsaken me? 00:03:11.719 --> 00:03:16.580 And we see in that psalm just how the shepherd lays down his life. 00:03:16.580 --> 00:03:19.200 So he has come that we might have life. 00:03:19.300 --> 00:03:23.640 He gave his life that we might have that life in full. 00:03:24.420 --> 00:03:28.000 And then you have Psalm 23, as we've seen there, 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:32.860 just that wonderful reminder of the shepherd's leading, the shepherd's care. 00:03:33.700 --> 00:03:36.220 But then we come to Psalm 24. 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:42.620 And then we see here the shepherd being crowned with glory. 00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:52.800 And the shepherd, again, just with this vision of leading his people, leading the host of his people into glory. 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:58.159 And so there is this leading theme in Psalm 24 as well. 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:01.020 It's very much a psalm of procession. 00:04:01.020 --> 00:04:09.460 And as we think of going into a new year, as we think of it in that sense of going on a journey into the unknown, 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:15.080 there's so much that lies before us that is unknown to us at this time, 00:04:15.140 --> 00:04:18.220 but that the Lord will reveal as the days go on. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:23.460 And we seek the Lord's will as we go forward into this new year. 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:27.599 But the question is, are we going forward with the King? 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:37.620 Are we going forward looking to the King of glory and entrusting ourselves to him in all these things? 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:42.719 Is he going to be our joy in this year? 00:04:43.500 --> 00:04:46.379 There is great joy to be found in him. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:54.480 As verse 5 here makes clear for us, he will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 00:04:54.680 --> 00:04:57.639 God is able to provide abundantly. 00:04:57.719 --> 00:05:05.079 And that's what this psalm reminds us of, the abundance of God, the abundance grace he gives. 00:05:05.959 --> 00:05:09.279 So we go on in our journey of life. 00:05:09.860 --> 00:05:14.319 And it can be said of some in life that people have lost their way. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:17.259 It's a phrase that we hear used. 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:19.899 People who have lost their way. 00:05:20.099 --> 00:05:28.519 Perhaps things were going well in life, but life has taken a turn, a twist along the way in a different direction. 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:32.860 And that life can sometimes leave us in that situation. 00:05:33.379 --> 00:05:37.019 We so often think of it for others who have lost their way, 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:42.279 but the reality is that we are all, we have all lost our way in this world. 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:45.739 But it's the shepherd who brings us back. 00:05:46.419 --> 00:05:49.439 And that's the great hope of these psalms. 00:05:50.119 --> 00:05:54.979 That as we look to them, we see we as a people have lost our way. 00:05:55.459 --> 00:05:59.399 But that the shepherd came to gather his people. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:04.079 And we see in Psalm 22 that the cost of our care. 00:06:04.179 --> 00:06:07.899 We see in Psalm 23 the beauty of this care. 00:06:07.899 --> 00:06:11.819 And Psalm 24 speaks of how to know this care. 00:06:12.919 --> 00:06:16.359 There is an authority of God in this psalm. 00:06:16.859 --> 00:06:23.279 That he is the one who all people will come under this authority and this rule one day. 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:27.979 There is a standard expected in this psalm. 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:33.399 We see what is required of those who will come into God's presence. 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:39.819 And we see too the rule of God here as well. 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:41.599 The rule of our king. 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:44.179 The one who will rule forever. 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:49.479 And so we have this king in this psalm. 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:51.379 But is he our king? 00:06:52.419 --> 00:06:54.399 And as we enter into this year, 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:58.339 may we find that this is the king that we are looking to. 00:06:58.339 --> 00:07:05.199 This is the king we are entrusting ourselves, our congregation, our community, all things to. 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:11.679 That the king of glory would lead us and go before us into this new year. 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:16.979 So we're going to see three things from this psalm. 00:07:17.419 --> 00:07:20.899 And it's like this procession going forward. 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:23.539 And we're struggling to find our way. 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:28.439 Maybe our life has taken a different path, an unexpected turn. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:32.680 But we are being brought on track by looking to the Lord. 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:38.020 And the three things that we're going to see are, first of all, the Lord's authority. 00:07:39.460 --> 00:07:44.939 Because the journey here begins with a recognition of God's authority. 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:47.560 The very first words of this psalm. 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:51.620 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:55.839 The world and all those who dwell therein. 00:07:57.120 --> 00:08:00.600 Everything belongs to God. 00:08:01.540 --> 00:08:03.620 Ourselves included. 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:07.620 All our days belong to God. 00:08:08.939 --> 00:08:13.379 The psalms that we have sung, very often they think of time. 00:08:13.379 --> 00:08:18.779 And in verse 15 of Psalm 71, it says in the middle of that verse, 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:23.060 Even all the day, for I thereof, the numbers do not know. 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:25.699 There is this uncertainty on our side. 00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:28.719 We don't know the numbers of our days. 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:30.779 But God does. 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:33.860 And that's what this psalm reminds us. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:37.720 The earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof. 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:40.500 Everything that we see around us. 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:46.519 And when you think of it, when we look at the marvel of the created world, 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:51.960 For he is the one who has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers, 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:53.100 Verse 2 says, 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:56.840 There is this wonder of creation all around us. 00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:59.700 The beauty of his creation. 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:03.320 And we see it again and again, day by day. 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:06.320 We walk around and we see the skies. 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:07.220 We see the earth. 00:09:07.320 --> 00:09:08.200 We see the seas. 00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:10.340 We see all of these things. 00:09:10.540 --> 00:09:14.820 And they speak to us of the wonder of creation. 00:09:16.160 --> 00:09:20.860 Just a number of days ago, I was over in Uig at a cemetery over there. 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:28.700 And we have had a great spell of weather recently where it's just been so calm and so mild, so peaceful. 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:38.940 And that even standing in a cemetery and looking around there in Cliff and Uig, you're surrounded by just the beauty of creation. 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:46.020 The cliffs, the sea, the shore, the sky, everything just so peaceful and so calm. 00:09:47.540 --> 00:09:53.200 And yet in the midst of that, there is something that reminds us of what is wrong in this world. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:56.640 As you stand in a cemetery before an open grave. 00:09:57.580 --> 00:10:02.020 And these are the things that speak to us again and again in the course of our days. 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:05.300 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness is the Lord's. 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:10.100 And all those who dwell therein, we belong to the Lord. 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:13.940 So we see the beauty of creation in many ways. 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:17.259 But we see the horror of sin before us too. 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:22.040 And a cemetery and an open grave is where you maybe see it most vividly. 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:24.100 There is peace. 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:26.659 And yet there is worry. 00:10:26.940 --> 00:10:27.580 There is fear. 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:30.800 What does the end mean? 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:36.679 Well, it's to find ourselves under the Lord's authority. 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:43.819 Because we are reminded here that God has made all things and he has made us. 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.979 He has made us. 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:48.620 We are his. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:51.359 All those who dwell therein. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:55.979 But we are reminded here that God has not abandoned us. 00:10:56.979 --> 00:10:59.579 God has not just left us to ourselves. 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:03.440 But that he is still claiming us. 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:07.440 That he still has that claim on his people. 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:09.379 We belong to him. 00:11:10.400 --> 00:11:13.480 And that the words he reminds us that there is help. 00:11:14.420 --> 00:11:17.080 That it's not dependent on us. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:22.220 But it's looking to the Lord, the King of glory. 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:25.660 The earth is the Lord's. 00:11:26.040 --> 00:11:29.400 It all belongs to him. 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:33.280 But the attitude of many is that, no, it's not his. 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.040 It's mine. 00:11:34.780 --> 00:11:35.600 It's my life. 00:11:35.780 --> 00:11:36.480 It's my way. 00:11:36.820 --> 00:11:37.620 It's my choice. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:38.879 All of these things. 00:11:39.300 --> 00:11:40.000 It's ours. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:44.720 And you see it so often when you look at the history of the world. 00:11:44.780 --> 00:11:46.840 You think of New Year's honors list. 00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:54.160 And so many of them receive honors for what they've offered up to society and the world in so many different ways. 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:57.919 It's given, in some cases, rightful honor. 00:11:57.919 --> 00:11:59.319 That they've done well. 00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:01.299 They've done good in this world. 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:05.139 But it's ultimately all of God. 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:11.899 When we think of everything that this world has created, invented, and brought forth. 00:12:12.059 --> 00:12:14.039 Whether it's mechanical. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.799 Whether it's to do with health. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:16.819 Whatever it is. 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.679 Whatever we've built. 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:18.639 Whatever we've done. 00:12:19.939 --> 00:12:20.500 Electricity. 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:20.919 Light. 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:21.279 Light. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:21.899 All of these things. 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:24.219 We can give praise and glory to others. 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:27.500 But it's all of the Lord. 00:12:28.339 --> 00:12:31.120 There is nothing that we can do apart from him. 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:35.740 It is all under his authority and his sovereignty. 00:12:36.599 --> 00:12:38.839 Abraham Kuyper, he said this. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:45.919 There is not one square inch of this entire creation about which Jesus Christ does not cry out, 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:47.699 This is mine. 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:49.719 This belongs to me. 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:53.639 Everything belongs to him. 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:56.259 Ourselves included. 00:12:57.099 --> 00:13:03.939 But as we go into a new year, that can either be a comfort or a distress to us. 00:13:05.199 --> 00:13:10.000 And what we want to find is, as we go into this new year, that we are looking to this Lord. 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:11.259 Looking to this King. 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:14.179 And have that assurance in him. 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:17.799 Isaiah reminds us of what trusting in the Lord means. 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:19.039 And Isaiah 43. 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:22.659 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you. 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:24.459 O Jacob, he who formed you. 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:26.620 O Israel, fear not. 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.299 For I have redeemed you. 00:13:28.699 --> 00:13:30.039 I have called you by name. 00:13:30.599 --> 00:13:31.459 You are mine. 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:36.079 That is that assurance of God to his people in these words. 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:39.219 But then he gives assurance of being with them on the journey. 00:13:40.079 --> 00:13:42.759 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. 00:13:42.759 --> 00:13:45.539 And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:48.360 When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:51.000 And the flame shall not consume you. 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:56.399 There is that assurance that as we are looking to this Lord, our King, 00:13:56.960 --> 00:14:02.000 the earth is the Lord's and belongs to him, that we have him with us. 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:05.200 Do you know that today? 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:11.340 Is that where your trust is today as we go on on this journey? 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:15.080 There was a man called James Simpson. 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:16.480 James Young Simpson. 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:18.639 He was a sir by name. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.679 As well, he was a doctor. 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:26.000 And he was famous for many, much progression in medicine and medical procedures. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:28.799 And he was once doctor of Queen Victoria. 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:36.279 But he was once asked in his life, what was the greatest discovery he had ever made? 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:45.120 And his reply was this, that I am a sinner and that Jesus Christ is our great Savior. 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:51.179 His greatest discovery in the midst of everything that he had done was that he was a sinner 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:53.919 and that Jesus was our great Savior. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:59.120 Is there anything greater that we could discover for ourselves? 00:15:00.219 --> 00:15:07.659 To recognize we are sinners, great sinners, but that Jesus is our great Savior. 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:11.839 We are all under the authority of the Lord. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:15.579 The earth is the Lord's and everything they're in. 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:19.059 So how are we going forward? 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:22.059 Are we looking to him as our King? 00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:24.739 That's the first thing that we see. 00:15:24.819 --> 00:15:26.639 We have the Lord's authority. 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:29.139 Secondly, we see the Lord's standards. 00:15:31.439 --> 00:15:36.439 And in our journey here, it's like we're approaching a place. 00:15:37.099 --> 00:15:38.259 In verse 3. 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:41.939 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:46.219 And who shall stand in his holy place? 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:50.620 How are we going to get in? 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:56.019 We can be journeying in this life and thinking that things are going well. 00:15:56.100 --> 00:16:02.060 But when it comes to the end, when it comes to that realization of a destination before us, 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:06.420 we can stop and wonder, how do we go forward? 00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:13.979 We can be excited about going to a place or going to some kind of occasion. 00:16:14.939 --> 00:16:18.879 But then as we get closer to it, doubts start to come in. 00:16:19.099 --> 00:16:20.459 Fear starts to come in. 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:23.819 For example, maybe you've had this in the past. 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:26.199 You're a good singer and you love singing. 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:29.919 And someone asks you, will you go on stage and sing? 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:36.139 And your initial response is, yes, I'd love to go on stage and sing. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:41.000 But the closer it's coming, the more nervous you're getting. 00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:48.500 And then to go on to the stage or to appear beside the stage and to see an audience in front of you, 00:16:48.579 --> 00:16:54.259 suddenly that fear just increases and you're not wanting to go forward. 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:56.939 You can't see yourself going in. 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:59.900 And that's where the phrase stage fright comes from. 00:17:00.780 --> 00:17:02.300 Where you think, I can do this. 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.160 I want to do this. 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:04.100 I'd love to do it. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:06.740 And yet the fear takes over. 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:11.860 And that can happen to us in so many ways in life. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:18.100 Even if we apply it to church and what lies ahead of us in this year in church, 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:20.820 there can be so many things that we want to do. 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:23.500 There can be so many things we're desperate to do. 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:28.220 Maybe there's people at home today just desperate to come to church, but there's that fear. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.920 How can I come? 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:33.960 Or there's that fear of going to a prayer meeting. 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:38.000 There's that fear of going to the Lord's table. 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:41.859 We want to do it, but there's a fear within us. 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:47.119 And so as we think of what we want to do for the Lord in this coming year, 00:17:47.179 --> 00:17:49.740 how we want to honor him in this year, 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:52.599 and all that we would love to give to him in this year, 00:17:52.659 --> 00:17:57.179 there's always that fear that comes into our mind as well. 00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:02.139 And especially when we see what's before us, 00:18:02.179 --> 00:18:07.699 when we see the Lord and his standards and what he might expect of us, 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:11.720 because we're shown that in these verses. 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:14.319 So the question is asked in verse 3, 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:18.200 who shall ascend and who shall stand in his holy place? 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:21.840 We're shown then the standards in verse 4. 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:25.240 He who has a clean hands and a pure heart, 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:28.759 who does not lift up his soul to what is false 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:31.920 and does not swear deceitfully. 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:38.580 The question that lies within us is so often, 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:41.279 how can I go forward with the Lord? 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:44.400 Because the questions that we see in Scripture 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:46.820 are so often associated with that. 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:50.720 The Philippian jailer, as he brought them out of the jail, 00:18:50.800 --> 00:18:51.080 he said, 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:54.060 Sir, what must I do to be saved? 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.900 That question. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.920 Or the rich young man who came to Jesus, 00:18:58.920 --> 00:19:03.660 as a good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:08.620 These are the questions that resonate in our hearts. 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:12.180 How can I find myself right with God? 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:14.519 And if this is the standards expected, 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:17.980 clean hands and a pure heart, 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.900 do I have that? 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:22.340 Clean hands. 00:19:23.300 --> 00:19:26.300 There's that outward aspect of our lives, 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.440 a pure heart. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.720 What is within. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:31.580 And so we look at ourselves and we say, 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.640 I don't. 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:36.880 My hands are filthy with all that I've done in life. 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:39.220 My heart is filthy. 00:19:40.620 --> 00:19:41.980 The sin within me. 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.500 And we think, 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.860 I cannot go. 00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:46.680 I cannot ascend this hill. 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:50.259 I cannot stand in this holy place. 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:54.980 And so we're put off going forward. 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:59.279 It's like it's an impossible requirement for us. 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:03.140 But it doesn't end there looking to ourselves. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:06.099 And thankfully it doesn't. 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:09.339 So as we are going into a new year, 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:12.599 we are reminded our hands are unclean. 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:14.259 Our heart is impure. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:18.700 But yet in verse 5 it says, 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:21.740 He will receive blessing from the Lord 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:26.500 and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:30.819 Such is the generation of those who seek him. 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:36.059 who seek the face of the God of Jacob. 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:40.639 So we can never reach these standards. 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:42.439 We can never attain them. 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:46.559 But he gives us that invitation 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:48.759 to seek him 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:50.759 and to look to him. 00:20:50.939 --> 00:20:52.779 He will receive blessing from the Lord 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:54.639 and our righteousness, 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:56.940 which is filthy rags. 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.039 It says, 00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:01.000 and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:04.519 He is the one who enables us to stand 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:07.119 and to ascend this hill 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:10.539 and to appear before the Lord. 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.759 Not through ourselves, 00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:16.619 but through what Christ has done for us. 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:19.359 And so all the fears that we have 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:20.740 for this year ahead, 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:23.059 all of the desires we have for the Lord, 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:25.180 we are to look to him 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:28.019 and to trust in him. 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.480 And again, 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:30.880 Scripture is full of those 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:33.400 who came to the Lord in this way, 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:35.059 depending on him. 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:36.799 And some of them are so surprising. 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:40.339 The woman who had the issue of blood 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:42.140 in the Gospel of Mark, 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:44.359 Mark chapter 5, verse 28, 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:46.000 she saw Jesus. 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:47.019 And what did she say? 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:50.879 If I touch even his garments, 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.819 I will be made well. 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.980 Simple faith. 00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:59.160 If I could just touch his garments. 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:02.339 She didn't see herself as worthy. 00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:04.139 She didn't see herself as able 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:05.139 to come forward 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:07.559 in this proud and boastful way. 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:09.259 But just humbly, 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:11.720 if I can just touch his garments. 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:15.940 Or the leper in Mark 1, verse 40, 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.299 who came to Jesus, 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:20.240 imploding him and kneeling, 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:20.980 said to him, 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.279 if you will, 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:23.660 you can make me clean. 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:27.920 There's just that dependence on him. 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:30.960 Our hands are unclean. 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:33.880 Our hearts are impure. 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:36.319 We can come to Jesus and say, 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:37.240 if you will, 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:39.180 you can make me clean. 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:43.440 And what did Jesus do to the leper? 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.140 It says, 00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:45.299 moved with pity, 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.160 he stretched out his hand 00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:47.920 and touched him 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.700 and said to him, 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:51.299 I will be clean. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:55.180 That is the authority that he has. 00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:58.200 That is the power that he has. 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.640 So whose hands are pure, 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:02.840 whose heart is pure, 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.960 whose hands are clean. 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.680 Not ours, 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:09.360 but the one who has gone to the hill for us. 00:23:10.600 --> 00:23:12.160 The one who we are to go with 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:13.640 into this year 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:15.220 was Charles Spurgeon, 00:23:15.340 --> 00:23:15.820 who said, 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:18.140 Our Lord Jesus Christ 00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:20.420 could ascend the hill of the Lord 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:22.240 because his hands were clean 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:24.200 and his heart was pure. 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:26.259 And if we by faith 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:28.779 are conformed to his image, 00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:30.680 we shall enter too. 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:33.440 By faith. 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:36.279 So we can go on 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.980 looking to him. 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.779 That is the way 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.279 to go forward. 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:43.160 So the third thing we then see 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:45.400 is the Lord's reign. 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:48.480 As the psalm concludes 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.820 in verse 7 00:23:49.820 --> 00:23:50.759 to the end, 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:53.519 the king of glory 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.180 is here 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:56.059 leading his people. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.580 They couldn't ascend, 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.259 but he can. 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.539 And so it says, 00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.680 Lift up your heads, 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.360 O gates, 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:04.240 and be lifted up, 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.299 O ancient doors, 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:06.799 that the king of glory 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:08.059 may come in. 00:24:08.479 --> 00:24:10.179 Who is the king of glory? 00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:12.719 The Lord strong and mighty, 00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:14.399 the Lord mighty in battle. 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:16.000 Lift up your heads, 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.519 O gates, 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:18.359 and lift them up, 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:19.500 O ancient doors, 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:21.179 that the king of glory 00:24:21.179 --> 00:24:22.000 may come in. 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:24.119 Who is the king of glory? 00:24:24.479 --> 00:24:26.099 The Lord of hosts. 00:24:26.699 --> 00:24:29.639 He is the king of glory. 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:33.740 The door will be open 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.460 to the Lord, 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:38.040 but also to his people, 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:40.520 because he is the one 00:24:40.520 --> 00:24:41.640 who will keep us 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:43.000 as we look to him. 00:24:44.040 --> 00:24:45.560 Jude makes that clear 00:24:45.560 --> 00:24:46.880 in his letter 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.880 in the New Testament. 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:50.020 In Jude verse 24, 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:52.259 Now to him who is able 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.660 to keep you from stumbling 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:55.079 and to present you 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:56.639 blameless before the presence 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:58.460 of his glory with great joy, 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:00.700 to the only God our Saviour, 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:02.539 through Jesus Christ our Lord, 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:04.519 be glory, majesty, dominion, 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.900 and authority before all time 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.920 and now and forever. 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.240 Amen. 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.160 The one who is able 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.539 to keep you from stumbling 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:14.639 and present you blameless, 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.119 clean hands, 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.819 and a pure heart through him, 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:19.980 in the presence of his glory 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:21.079 with great joy. 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:22.339 That is the joy 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:24.259 that we see in this psalm 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.119 as the procession 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:26.899 comes to a close. 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.299 The king of glory 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.700 entering in 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:31.500 with all his people. 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:34.480 And he is the king 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:36.700 who is mighty in battle. 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.619 He is the one 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:40.259 who earned out to battle 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:42.000 and returns victorious, 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:44.359 reminding us of that victory 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.700 in the cross. 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:48.100 How are we made pure? 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.120 How are we made clean? 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:51.100 It's because he gave 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:53.160 himself for us. 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:55.860 And so we have that reminder, 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.940 we look to Jesus 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:59.100 who has gone up that hill. 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:00.720 We look to him 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:02.740 who has gone before us 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:04.860 in all of these things. 00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:07.120 He has won the victory. 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:09.400 And we look to him 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:11.059 who will come and lead us 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:14.319 into glory by his glory. 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:16.000 because he is 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:18.559 the king of glory. 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:21.319 Glory represents 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:23.740 the presence of God, 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:25.500 a divine presence. 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.079 And as we look 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.899 in the New Testament, 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:30.220 we see that this presence 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:32.619 is seen in Jesus Christ. 00:26:34.179 --> 00:26:35.939 In John 8, verse 12, 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:37.220 when Jesus spoke there, 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:37.519 he says, 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.939 I am the light of the world. 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:40.500 Whoever follows me 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.939 will not walk in darkness, 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:44.559 but will have the light of life. 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.420 That is the light 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:47.259 of the glory of God, 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:49.380 leading his people 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:50.680 in the way. 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.720 And so we have 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.180 that promise 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.539 of this light, 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:57.440 the king of glory 00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:58.740 going with us. 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:01.320 So we are to look to him. 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:03.320 As we go into 00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:05.059 this year ahead, 00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:05.840 are we setting 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:08.039 that king before us? 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:09.700 Are we looking 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.859 to him? 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.680 There's a poem 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.759 that says this, 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:16.240 Another year is dawning, 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.259 dear Father, 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.960 let it be, 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.220 in working 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.279 or in waiting, 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:21.799 another year with thee. 00:27:22.379 --> 00:27:23.700 Another year of progress, 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:25.099 another year of praise, 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:27.079 another year of proving 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.980 thy presence 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.139 all the days. 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:31.299 Another year of mercies, 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.359 of faithfulness 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.940 and grace. 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:35.319 Another year of gladness, 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:38.279 the glory of thy face. 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.879 When we lose 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:42.460 our way in life, 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.439 as we do, 00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:44.919 as we have done 00:27:44.919 --> 00:27:45.960 and maybe we are doing, 00:27:47.179 --> 00:27:48.139 we are to come back 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:49.200 and see the one 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.779 who is the king 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:52.179 of glory. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:54.599 The one who has 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.799 authority 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:57.319 over all things. 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.839 The earth is the Lord's 00:27:58.839 --> 00:28:00.000 and the fullness 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.139 that of everything 00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:02.819 belongs to him. 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:04.559 and the one 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:06.559 who has standards 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:08.740 of clean hearts, 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.539 pure hearts 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.460 and clean hands, 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:11.659 standards that we 00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:13.159 cannot achieve ourselves 00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:14.039 but that we look to 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:15.899 in his righteousness. 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:18.179 And as we look 00:28:18.179 --> 00:28:18.919 to the king 00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:21.000 who goes before us, 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:22.939 may he light 00:28:22.939 --> 00:28:24.079 our way 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.879 and may we seek 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:27.399 to honour him 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:29.159 and to know victory 00:28:29.159 --> 00:28:30.399 with him 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:31.840 as the king 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:33.000 of battle 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.759 who has gone 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.560 for us 00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:36.519 to win that war 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:38.000 and the king 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:39.160 who leads 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.000 his people 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.580 home, 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.280 the Lord 00:28:41.280 --> 00:28:42.500 of hosts, 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.259 the king 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.759 of glory. 00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:47.480 As we enter 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.440 in the gate 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.740 of the year, 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.320 how we opened 00:28:51.320 --> 00:28:52.060 up the gate 00:28:52.060 --> 00:28:53.300 for the Lord 00:28:53.300 --> 00:28:53.960 of glory 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:55.500 to go with us, 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.700 to lead us. 00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:58.540 May it be so. 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.960 individually, 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.440 as families 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.680 and as a congregation, 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:03.940 may we know 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.399 the king 00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:04.980 of glory 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.659 with us, 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:07.319 supplying our needs 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.279 today 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:08.960 and in all 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:10.339 the days ahead. 00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:11.740 Let us pray. 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.599 Lord, 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.759 our gracious God, 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.440 we thank you 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.720 for your faithfulness 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.759 towards us, 00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:21.259 for your sovereignty 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.180 over us, 00:29:22.619 --> 00:29:23.399 that you have not 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:24.619 abandoned the world 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.500 that is yours, 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:26.700 that everything 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.159 within it 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:28.320 belongs to you, 00:29:28.820 --> 00:29:29.960 that you hold 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:32.019 all that is yours 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.940 and your people 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.480 to you, 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.400 that you have 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:35.259 that everlasting 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:37.000 hold upon them. 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.220 We thank you 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.279 for your standards. 00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:40.740 We thank you 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.900 that we see them 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:43.120 as we look 00:29:43.120 --> 00:29:43.880 to ourselves 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:45.160 as so imperfect. 00:29:46.060 --> 00:29:46.840 Our hands 00:29:46.840 --> 00:29:47.620 are not clean, 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.300 our hearts 00:29:48.300 --> 00:29:49.160 are not pure, 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.900 but yet we confess 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.600 these sins 00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:52.300 before you 00:29:52.300 --> 00:29:52.940 and thank you 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.779 for the righteousness 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.680 of Christ 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.820 that is able 00:29:55.820 --> 00:29:56.860 to make us whole. 00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:58.299 And we thank you 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:59.100 for our King, 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:01.120 the Lord of glory, 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:02.279 the King of glory. 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:04.320 May he go before us 00:30:04.320 --> 00:30:05.100 in every day 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:05.900 of this year. 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.480 May we confess 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.500 all things 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:09.259 before him, 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.400 but may we look 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:10.860 to him, 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.380 trusting in him, 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.920 seeking to honour 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.799 our King 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.980 and live for him 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:17.100 as he lived 00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:17.779 and died 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:19.360 and rose for us. 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:21.180 So hear our prayers 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.600 and go before us now, 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:24.279 forgiving all our sin 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:25.299 in Jesus' name. 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.299 Amen. 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.799 Our closing psalm 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:38.240 is the psalm 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.179 that we've been looking at. 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.839 We're going to sing 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.740 Psalm 24, 00:30:40.939 --> 00:30:43.039 the Sing Psalms version. 00:30:43.199 --> 00:30:44.459 We'll sing from verse 7 00:30:44.459 --> 00:30:46.000 down to the end 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:47.519 of this psalm, 00:30:47.939 --> 00:30:48.959 page 28 00:30:48.959 --> 00:30:50.099 of the psalm books. 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:54.439 And after we've concluded 00:30:54.439 --> 00:30:55.199 the singing, 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:56.759 I'll pronounce the benediction. 00:30:56.899 --> 00:30:58.399 I'll go to the main door then 00:30:58.399 --> 00:30:59.939 and then just a reminder 00:30:59.939 --> 00:31:01.099 there's tea and coffee 00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:02.839 served in the hall next door. 00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:03.819 Everybody's very welcome 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:05.319 to come through there 00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:06.119 for that time. 00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:07.639 And also today 00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:08.559 there is a collection 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:10.500 for the congregation's 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.539 benevolent fund. 00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:13.079 So we're going to sing 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:14.119 from verse 7 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:14.980 down to the end 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.579 of the psalm. 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.599 You ancient gates, 00:31:17.159 --> 00:31:18.039 lift up your heads, 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:19.659 your doors be opened wide. 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:21.579 So may the King of glory 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:23.259 come forever to abide. 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:25.599 But who is this exalted King? 00:31:25.679 --> 00:31:27.240 What glorious King is he? 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:29.279 It is the Lord of strength 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.740 and might, 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:31.439 the Lord of victory. 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.639 We'll sing from verse 7 00:31:32.639 --> 00:31:33.779 to the end of the psalm 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:35.159 to God's praise. 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:42.320 You ancient gates, 00:31:42.320 --> 00:31:47.320 lift up your heads, 00:31:47.320 --> 00:31:53.240 you doors be opened wide. 00:31:53.580 --> 00:31:59.380 So may the King of glory come 00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:03.759 forever to abide. 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:13.440 But who is this exalted King? 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:19.319 What glorious King is he? 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:26.579 It is the Lord of strength and might, 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:30.920 the Lord of victory. 00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:39.400 It is the Lord of strength and might, 00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:44.360 the Lord of victory. 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:54.860 You ancient gates, lift up your heads, 00:32:54.859 --> 00:33:00.859 your doors be opened wide. 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:07.439 So may the King of glory come 00:33:07.439 --> 00:33:12.859 forever to abide. 00:33:12.859 --> 00:33:21.859 But who is this exalted King? 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:27.859 Who can this sovereign be? 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.859 the Lord of victory? 00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:31.859 The Lord of victory. 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:40.240 He is King of glory and mighty. 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:44.240 The Lord of glory and mighty. 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:50.240 The Lord of glory and mighty. 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:52.240 The Lord of glory and mighty. 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.240 The Lord of glory and mighty. 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:55.240 The Lord of glory and mighty. 00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:57.640 The Lord of glory and mighty. 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.640 00:33:57.640 --> 00:34:14.440 Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:17.159 Amen. 00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:21.599 Amen. 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:26.800 Amen. 00:34:30.760 --> 00:34:36.260 Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit 00:34:36.260 --> 00:34:40.360 rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. 00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:41.280 Amen. 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:46.440 Amen.