WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.200 our worship by singing to God's praise. This is on page 40 of the psalm book, Psalm 34. 00:00:08.279 --> 00:00:15.040 We're going to sing from verse 8 down to verse 14, the tune of St. Columba. And this psalm, 00:00:15.220 --> 00:00:20.160 in the verses that we're singing, it gives us this invitation that we're looking at today to come. 00:00:21.240 --> 00:00:28.660 Verse 8 begins, come, taste and see, the Lord is good, who trusts in him is blessed. And verse 11 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:34.140 uses the same word. It says, come here, my children, gather round and listen to my word, 00:00:34.480 --> 00:00:40.799 and I will help you understand how you may fear the Lord. We're going to sing from verse 8 to 14, 00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:43.460 and we stand to sing to God's praise. 00:00:58.659 --> 00:01:02.719 The Lord is blessed. 00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:11.799 O fear the Lord, who sings with me, 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:19.299 You will not be oppressed. 00:01:19.299 --> 00:01:25.120 The Lord, who sings with me, 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:29.299 The Lord, who sings with me, 00:01:29.299 --> 00:01:35.299 And I will forget fruit, 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:44.900 But those who wait upon the Lord 00:01:44.900 --> 00:01:52.500 Will all my many new 00:01:52.500 --> 00:02:01.800 Come here, my children, gather round 00:02:01.800 --> 00:02:09.060 And listen to my word 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:18.180 And I will let you understand 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:26.000 How you may fear the Lord 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:34.960 Does anyone delight in life 00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:42.379 And long to see good days 00:02:42.379 --> 00:02:51.240 And keep your tongue from evil's feet 00:02:51.240 --> 00:02:57.960 Your lips from lying grace 00:02:57.960 --> 00:03:07.379 If I can turn from evil past 00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:15.300 And that is what is right 00:03:15.300 --> 00:03:23.379 Decide to know the way of peace 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:31.799 I assume it with your mind 00:03:31.799 --> 00:03:37.939 We're going to come to God in prayer 00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:39.599 Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:42.800 Lord our gracious God 00:03:42.800 --> 00:03:45.379 We thank you for the beauty of this day 00:03:45.379 --> 00:03:48.039 That it is a day that you have made for us 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:50.120 And help us to delight in it 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:54.640 And to delight in not just the beauty of the sun shining upon us 00:03:54.640 --> 00:03:57.039 And the beauty of all that we see around us 00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:59.039 But the beauty of your word 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:01.319 And the beauty of the message that it gives 00:04:01.319 --> 00:04:04.680 We thank you that it is a word that speaks to us all 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:07.740 We thank you that it is a word that invites us to come 00:04:07.740 --> 00:04:10.460 And taste and see of the goodness of God 00:04:10.460 --> 00:04:12.599 It invites us as children 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:16.340 To come and hear, to gather round and hear your word 00:04:16.339 --> 00:04:19.500 And we thank you for that delight that we have today 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:20.799 And being able to do so 00:04:20.799 --> 00:04:22.579 And may you bless all that we do 00:04:22.579 --> 00:04:24.219 Here in the church 00:04:24.219 --> 00:04:26.119 And as the young ones go out to 00:04:26.119 --> 00:04:29.259 Cresce and Twin East Sunday School and Bible class 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:32.219 We pray that you will be with us in all of these things 00:04:32.219 --> 00:04:34.379 That you will guide us and help us 00:04:34.379 --> 00:04:36.659 In all that we do and all that we say 00:04:36.659 --> 00:04:38.179 And Lord bless us 00:04:38.179 --> 00:04:40.019 Bless us with your presence 00:04:40.019 --> 00:04:41.899 Bless us with your peace 00:04:41.899 --> 00:04:44.659 That peace that passes all understanding 00:04:44.660 --> 00:04:47.000 We pray to know it in our hearts 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:48.840 And help us to know Lord 00:04:48.840 --> 00:04:51.380 That you speak to us through the Bible 00:04:51.380 --> 00:04:52.420 Through your word 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:54.640 And may it be what directs us today 00:04:54.640 --> 00:04:55.540 In all our days 00:04:55.540 --> 00:04:57.820 As we ask all of these things 00:04:57.820 --> 00:05:00.140 Knowing how often we fall short 00:05:00.140 --> 00:05:02.500 How often we fail you in different ways 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:05.420 But thankful for your good mercy towards us 00:05:05.420 --> 00:05:07.680 So bless us and be with us we pray 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:09.800 And pardon our sins in Jesus name 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:10.820 Amen 00:05:10.819 --> 00:05:15.219 A word to the young ones before you go out 00:05:15.219 --> 00:05:17.939 It was great to see so many of you 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:20.159 Yesterday as we had our church day out 00:05:20.159 --> 00:05:22.159 First time in a long time 00:05:22.159 --> 00:05:24.500 That the sun has shone for so long 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:27.039 I think I saw on the weather charts last night 00:05:27.039 --> 00:05:28.920 That Stornway had the most sunshine 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:31.060 In the whole country 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:33.560 So we really couldn't have picked a better day 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:35.199 To have our church day out 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:37.100 And it was good to enjoy being together 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:38.680 Enjoying time on the beach 00:05:38.680 --> 00:05:40.879 Enjoying time having games 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:42.759 And I'm sure you've all got your different highlights 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:44.000 Of the day 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:45.680 Maybe it was enjoying the food 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:47.860 Just enjoying being with friends 00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:50.639 Or enjoying taking part in the sports 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:54.160 And I was so delighted to be on the winning team 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:55.259 Of the tug of war 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:57.439 It was just so good 00:05:57.439 --> 00:06:00.100 I mean I expected the men to win 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:00.699 And they did 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:01.819 Isn't that right? 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:02.460 Is that true? 00:06:02.960 --> 00:06:06.280 Yes, no 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:07.739 No 00:06:07.739 --> 00:06:09.619 It was actually when I woke up 00:06:09.619 --> 00:06:10.419 In the middle of the night 00:06:10.419 --> 00:06:12.019 I had a dream that we won 00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:14.139 But we hadn't 00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:16.059 We were well beaten 00:06:16.059 --> 00:06:18.459 But I'm sure the ladies had a quad 00:06:18.459 --> 00:06:20.239 Tied to one end of the rope 00:06:20.239 --> 00:06:22.339 That was just pulling in that direction 00:06:22.339 --> 00:06:24.679 But it was a great day out 00:06:24.679 --> 00:06:26.879 And the tug of war reminds me 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:29.139 Of what we're looking at in the Bible today 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:30.879 And what we look in the Bible so often 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:32.759 It's this idea of being pulled 00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:34.759 In different directions 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:38.000 God is trying to bring us to himself 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:39.719 He's inviting us to himself 00:06:39.719 --> 00:06:42.259 There's that pull towards him 00:06:42.259 --> 00:06:44.759 But so often there's other things 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:45.980 That are pulling us away 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:48.019 In a different direction 00:06:48.019 --> 00:06:49.459 There's so many things 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:51.199 That will distract us from God 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:53.300 And keep us not looking to God 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:54.019 And yet he's still 00:06:54.019 --> 00:06:55.759 Every time we come and hear his word 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:57.360 Every time we look to him 00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:58.219 He's pulling us 00:06:58.219 --> 00:07:00.519 He's calling us back to himself 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:02.699 And so maybe we're in a bit of 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:04.319 A tug of war today 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:05.699 Young and old alike 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:06.519 We're being pulled 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:08.319 In different directions 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:10.919 But the Bible reminds us 00:07:10.919 --> 00:07:13.479 That when we know God 00:07:13.479 --> 00:07:15.319 When we trust him 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:17.359 He has a hold on us 00:07:17.359 --> 00:07:18.919 A strong hold 00:07:18.919 --> 00:07:21.899 And he'll never let us go 00:07:21.899 --> 00:07:25.419 We'll never be on the losing side with him 00:07:25.419 --> 00:07:27.579 Because he keeps us safe 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:29.459 And he keeps us secure 00:07:29.459 --> 00:07:30.459 So no matter what else 00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:31.519 Pulls us away 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:33.279 In a different direction 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:35.459 As we trust in him 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:38.500 He has a hold on us 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:40.539 That is truth 00:07:40.539 --> 00:07:43.159 The truth at the start of my talk 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:45.259 Was the men didn't win 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:47.359 But the truth with God 00:07:47.359 --> 00:07:50.439 Is that he has won the victory for us 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:53.299 And that we are secure with him 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:55.379 So as we go into that struggle 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:57.120 That pulling in different direction 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:58.800 Trust God 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:00.300 And he will keep 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:01.280 A hold 00:08:01.280 --> 00:08:02.500 Of you all 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:04.120 And we're going to say 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:05.660 The Lord's Prayer 00:08:05.660 --> 00:08:06.639 Together now 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:07.340 So we'll say 00:08:07.340 --> 00:08:08.319 The Lord's Prayer 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:10.040 Our Father 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:11.360 Which art in heaven 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:13.420 Hallowed be thy name 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:15.139 Thy kingdom come 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:17.219 Thy will be done on earth 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:18.599 As it is in heaven 00:08:18.599 --> 00:08:20.300 Give us this day 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:21.319 Our daily bread 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:23.339 And forgive us our debts 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:25.519 As we forgive our debtors 00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:28.019 And lead us not into temptation 00:08:28.019 --> 00:08:30.300 But deliver us from evil 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:32.200 For thine is the kingdom 00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:34.799 The power and the glory forever 00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:35.980 Amen 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:39.340 We're going to sing again 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:40.240 To God's praise 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:41.740 This time in Psalm 95 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:45.300 Page 357 of the Psalm books 00:08:45.300 --> 00:08:48.039 Psalm 95 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:52.320 We're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 6 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:54.639 And during this singing 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:56.399 Those going out to the Sunday school 00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:58.019 You can come out through this door 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:59.399 To my left 00:08:59.399 --> 00:09:02.779 So we're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 6 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:04.940 Again there's this great invitation 00:09:04.940 --> 00:09:05.720 In the Psalm 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:06.500 Come 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:07.520 O come 00:09:07.520 --> 00:09:09.200 Let us sing to the Lord 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:09.600 Come 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:11.060 Let us everyone 00:09:11.060 --> 00:09:12.580 A joyful noise 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:13.560 Make to the rock 00:09:13.560 --> 00:09:15.420 Of our salvation 00:09:15.420 --> 00:09:17.260 The tune is done firmly 00:09:17.260 --> 00:09:19.220 And we're going to stand to sing 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:20.260 To God's praise 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:27.700 O come 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:29.580 Come let us sing 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:32.580 To the Lord 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:36.259 Come let us 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:37.580 Everyone 00:09:37.580 --> 00:09:42.580 A joyful noise 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:46.580 Sing to the Lord 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:50.900 All our salvation 00:09:50.900 --> 00:09:51.400 All our salvation 00:09:51.400 --> 00:09:58.720 Let us speak for His presence 00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:06.580 Come with praise and thankful voice 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:14.020 Let us sing songs to Him with grace 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:20.019 And make a joyful noise 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:22.799 For God 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:23.679 On God 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:25.720 And make God 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:28.460 And make Him 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:32.500 Above all God 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:34.720 See His 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:37.720 Death softly 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:42.199 Have thou in His hand 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:47.799 The strength of ills is His 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:56.079 Give Him the spacious sea beyond 00:10:56.079 --> 00:11:02.359 For He the sin did may 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:10.180 That wide and also from His hands 00:11:10.180 --> 00:11:13.980 His form of thirst 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:23.519 O come and let us worship Him 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:23.580 Let us worship Him 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:29.759 Let us fow them with hope 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:33.740 And on our beach 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:37.139 Before the Lord 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:39.680 Our maker 00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:42.680 Let us fall 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:50.459 We will turn together to read 00:11:50.459 --> 00:11:51.419 In God's Word 00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:52.759 We are going to read in the New Testament 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:54.620 And in the Gospel of Luke 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:56.939 Luke chapter 15 00:11:56.939 --> 00:12:01.000 We are going to read from verse 11 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:03.500 Down to the end of this chapter 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:06.500 Luke chapter 15 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.679 And at verse 11 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:10.559 You will find it around page 1054 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:15.299 It's a well-known parable 00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:16.299 That Jesus told 00:12:16.299 --> 00:12:18.299 The parable of the prodigal son 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:21.139 So we are going to read from verse 11 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:23.399 And he said 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:25.679 There was a man who had two sons 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:27.819 And the younger of them said to his father 00:12:27.819 --> 00:12:30.579 Father, give me the share of property 00:12:30.579 --> 00:12:31.779 That is coming to me 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:34.759 And he divided his property between them 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.819 Not many days later 00:12:36.819 --> 00:12:39.019 The younger son gathered all he had 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:41.539 And took a journey into a far country 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:44.139 And there he squandered his property 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:45.120 And reckless living 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:47.519 And when he had spent everything 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:49.740 A severe famine arose in that country 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:51.279 And he began to be in need 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:54.399 So he went and hired himself out 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:56.679 To one of the citizens of that country 00:12:56.679 --> 00:13:00.500 Who sent him into his field to feed pigs 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:03.600 And he was longing to be fed 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:05.779 With the pods that the pigs ate 00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:08.120 And no one gave him anything 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:11.480 But when he came to himself 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.000 He said 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:14.799 How many of my father's hired servants 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:16.679 Have more than enough bread 00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:18.580 But I perish here with hunger 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:21.820 I will arise and go to my father 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:23.500 And will say to him 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:26.240 Father, I have sinned against heaven 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.120 And before you 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:30.360 I am no longer worthy to be called your son 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:33.600 Treat me as one of your hired servants 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:36.480 And he arose and came to his father 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:39.200 But while he was still a long way off 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:41.740 His father saw him and felt compassion 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:45.440 And ran and embraced him and kissed him 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:47.779 And the son said to him 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:50.500 Father, I have sinned against heaven 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.399 And before you 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:54.779 I am no longer worthy to be called your son 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:57.819 But the father said to his servants 00:13:57.819 --> 00:14:00.299 Bring quickly the best robe 00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:01.639 And put it on him 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:03.860 And put a ring on his hand 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.220 And shoes on his feet 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:07.360 And bring the fattened calf 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:07.959 And kill it 00:14:07.959 --> 00:14:10.000 And let us eat and celebrate 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:12.439 For this my son was dead 00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:13.519 And is alive again 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:15.659 He was lost and is found 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:18.079 And they began to celebrate 00:14:18.079 --> 00:14:20.919 Now his older son was in the field 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:23.319 And as he came and threw near in the house 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:24.879 He heard music and dancing 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:26.860 And he called one of the servants 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:28.860 And asked what these things meant 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:30.520 And he said to him 00:14:30.520 --> 00:14:32.340 Your brother has come home 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:35.040 And your father has killed the fattened calf 00:14:35.040 --> 00:14:38.460 Because he has received him back safe and sound 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:41.420 But he was angry and refused to go in 00:14:41.420 --> 00:14:44.500 His father came out and entreated him 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:46.040 But he answered his father 00:14:46.040 --> 00:14:49.440 Look, these many years I have served you 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:51.820 And never disobeyed your command 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:54.920 Yet you never gave me a young goat 00:14:54.920 --> 00:14:57.180 That I might celebrate with my friends 00:14:57.180 --> 00:14:59.720 But when this son of yours came 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:03.560 He who has devoured your property 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:04.900 With prostitutes 00:15:04.900 --> 00:15:07.100 You killed the fattened calf for him 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:09.200 And he said to him 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:11.580 Son, you are always with me 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:13.620 And all that is mine is yours 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:16.460 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:19.320 For this your brother was dead and is alive 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:22.160 He was lost and is found 00:15:22.160 --> 00:15:23.480 Amen 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:26.700 And may God bless that reading from his word 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:29.519 Let's again just bow our heads in a word of prayer 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:30.200 Let us pray 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:33.780 Lord our gracious God 00:15:33.780 --> 00:15:36.360 As we continue to look to you in worship 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:38.480 And look to you for your help 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:40.700 And for your spirit to be with us 00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:42.080 As we read your word 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:44.180 And as we come to open it up together 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:47.879 We thank you that it is what is called the gospel 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:49.519 The good news 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:53.859 And that we live in a world that still has good news 00:15:53.859 --> 00:15:55.439 To be offered to all 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:58.239 In the midst of all the bad and sad news 00:15:58.239 --> 00:15:59.519 That we so often hear 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:02.299 We thank you that the word of God 00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:03.559 Is that good news 00:16:03.559 --> 00:16:07.379 That it speaks to us of such a gracious God 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:09.459 Even as we have read of in this passage 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:13.100 We thank you that it reminds us of ourselves 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:14.200 In so many ways 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:17.060 How we can go wandering away from you 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:20.600 How we can think that we have freedom away from you 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:22.180 And yet oh Lord 00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:24.340 Help us to come to our senses 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:26.100 Even as the prodigal son 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:27.639 And to realise 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:29.500 That you have all that we need 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:31.940 And that you are all that we need 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:35.100 And so may you help us to come to you today 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:37.340 To come hearing your word 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:39.360 To come tasting of your goodness 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:41.680 To come and worship you 00:16:41.680 --> 00:16:42.940 With all our hearts 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:44.060 And all that we are 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:47.139 And we do thank you for all who are here today 00:16:47.139 --> 00:16:49.639 We thank you for seeing so many young ones 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:51.300 Going out to the Sunday school 00:16:51.300 --> 00:16:52.500 And to the Bible class 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:54.040 And we pray for them Lord 00:16:54.040 --> 00:16:56.780 That as they begin their classes today 00:16:56.780 --> 00:16:58.580 And as they have begun school 00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:59.980 In these last few weeks 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:01.639 Lord we pray for your blessing 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:03.560 Your protection over each one of them 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:06.000 And all our homes and our families 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.220 Lord we ask for you 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:08.799 To be with us Lord 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:10.079 In all our different needs 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:11.400 You know them 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:13.240 You know our very hearts 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.140 You know all the 00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:16.359 The pools that are on it Lord 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:17.640 Pulled towards you 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:19.539 And pulled in other different directions 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:22.660 But we thank you for the strength that you have 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:25.119 That you are mighty and powerful to save 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:27.319 That you hold on to your people 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:29.700 With an everlasting arm 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:32.480 An arm that is full of power and might 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:35.480 And so help us to put our trust in you 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:37.319 And to know that you are with us 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.460 That you are for us 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:40.160 And we do pray Lord 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:41.440 That you will guide us 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:43.380 Even in these days ahead 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:44.539 As we go into this week 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:46.099 And you bless us 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:47.539 In all that it entails 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:49.660 Returning to our homes 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.519 And our families 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:52.660 Returning to our workplaces 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.660 In this coming week 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:54.920 Our places of study 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:56.680 Whatever we do Lord 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:58.720 We thank you that there is that promise 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.019 That you go with us 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:02.920 And so we pray that even your word 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.980 As we hear it today 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:04.940 And as we study it 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:06.119 Would go with us too 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:08.079 That it would be a word 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:09.759 That resonates in our hearts 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.539 A word that speaks to us 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:14.079 A word that we are able to share with others 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:15.859 To tell others what we have heard 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:18.279 What we have seen of your goodness 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.920 And we thank you that 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:21.200 There is that assurance 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:23.079 That even as we come to church today 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:25.259 As we come back to church 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:26.519 As we may be calling it 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:29.160 That your church is a people 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:31.380 That your church is a people 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.279 That you are saving 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:34.779 A kingdom that you are building up 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:38.279 A church that nothing will conquer or defeat 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:40.200 And so we pray Lord 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.100 That your church 00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:43.620 Not just here and throughout our islands 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:45.240 Or even our nation 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.740 But to all ends of the earth 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.240 To all corners of the world 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:49.080 In which we live 00:18:49.080 --> 00:18:51.500 Might know your power even today 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.880 That as your truth is proclaimed 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:56.000 That it would be mighty to save 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:58.019 So Lord hear our prayers 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.460 Continue with us Lord 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:01.160 Today and in all the days 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.759 May you be our help 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.639 And our strength 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:05.139 As we ask all 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:06.279 Pleading with you 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:08.019 For forgiveness for all our sin 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.579 That you might cleanse us 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.779 And pardon us anew 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:12.720 As we ask all in Jesus name 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.879 And for his sake 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.740 Amen 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:20.380 We're going to sing again 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.480 Before we turn back 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:23.039 To look at this passage together 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:24.980 We're singing in Psalm 43 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.859 In the Sing Psalms 00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:28.900 Page 54 of the Psalm books 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:36.160 Psalm 43 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:42.920 A psalm that reminds us 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:45.360 Of how God's truth goes out 00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:46.779 And encourages our hearts 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:48.220 Encourages our souls 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:50.620 To know that we have a God 00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:51.340 Who is with us 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:53.480 A God who is on our side 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.940 Come vindicate me 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.620 Oh my God 00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:56.779 Against this nation 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:58.240 Plead my cause 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:00.060 Deliver me from wicked foes 00:20:00.060 --> 00:20:00.860 And hypocrites 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:02.800 Who break your laws 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:04.119 And in verse 3 it says 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:05.539 Oh send your light forth 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.960 And your truth 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.259 Let them direct me 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.639 In your grace 00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:12.139 And bring me to your holy hill 00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:15.180 And to your sacred dwelling place 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.779 We're going to sing 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.919 The whole of this psalm 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:18.159 The tune is Rockingham 00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:20.180 And we stand to sing 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:22.180 Amen 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:26.180 Amen 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.259 Amen 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:29.339 Defeat me 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:32.379 Oh my God 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:37.540 Against this nation 00:20:37.540 --> 00:20:41.680 Plead my cause 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:45.840 Deliver me 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:50.240 From wicked foes 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:54.420 And hypocrites 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:59.220 Who break your laws 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:04.380 To harm my stronghold 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:08.519 And my God 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:12.640 Why them have you 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:16.920 Rejected me 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:22.380 I must act all 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:26.580 While thou thou art in greed 00:21:26.580 --> 00:21:34.680 Untaunted by the enemy 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:39.840 O send your light 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:43.980 For thou art in greed 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:49.840 Let them direct me 00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:53.840 In your grace 00:21:53.840 --> 00:22:01.840 And bring me to your holy hill 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:11.139 Into your sacred dwelling place 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:13.139 And to your sacred dwelling place 00:22:13.139 --> 00:22:17.000 And to God's altar 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:21.000 I will call 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:26.160 To God my joy 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:30.299 And my delight 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:36.160 And I will praise you 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:40.160 With the heart 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:43.320 O God you are 00:22:43.320 --> 00:22:44.600 O God you are 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:49.320 My God of might 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:54.480 Why are you 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:54.759 Why are you down 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.480 Why are you down 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:59.140 So my soul 00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:03.559 Why are you so 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:07.779 Disturbed in me 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:11.059 Trust God 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:17.319 For I will praise him yet 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:20.000 My Savior 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.019 My Savior 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:24.179 And my God 00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:25.859 Is he 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:33.319 For our time 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.379 We're going to turn back 00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:35.539 And look at the passage 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:37.419 We read in Luke chapter 15 00:23:37.419 --> 00:23:39.740 And this parable 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.939 Of the prodigal son 00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:42.939 Luke chapter 15 00:23:42.939 --> 00:23:43.500 Now folks 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.200 It's going to be on 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:45.759 Verse 11 to 24 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:47.460 I just want to read 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.259 A couple of verses 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:49.500 So as we go into it 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.379 Verse 17 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:52.480 Speaks of the son 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.379 Who had gone away 00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:54.200 From the father 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:54.799 And says 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:56.379 But when he came to himself 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:56.920 He said 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:58.920 How many of my father's 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.920 Hired servants 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:01.379 Have more than enough bread 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.960 But I perish here 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.519 With hunger 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.759 I will arise 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.900 And go to my father 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.960 And will say to him 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.319 Father 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.619 I have sinned 00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.400 Against heaven 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.299 And before you 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.819 I am no longer 00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:12.879 Worthy to be called 00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:13.440 Your son 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.660 Treat me as one 00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:16.200 Of your hired servants 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:18.040 And then it says 00:24:18.040 --> 00:24:18.660 And he arose 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.860 And came to his father 00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:21.460 But while he was still 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.360 A long way off 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:24.320 His father saw him 00:24:24.320 --> 00:24:26.040 And felt compassion 00:24:26.040 --> 00:24:26.640 And ran 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:28.200 And embraced him 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:29.660 And kissed him 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:34.440 Back to church Sunday 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:36.660 Is what we have called today 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:38.040 Maybe you're here 00:24:38.040 --> 00:24:38.700 Because you got 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.840 An invitation card 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:41.279 That had these words on it 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:43.000 Maybe you saw the banner 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:44.779 Outside the church 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:46.220 What is 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:47.680 Back to church Sunday 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.319 What does it mean 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.220 And what's it 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.259 All about 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:52.039 Well 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:53.339 It's more than just 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:53.799 Coming 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:55.079 To a building 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:57.079 It's more than just 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:57.700 Trying to get 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:59.119 Someone off your case 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:00.099 Maybe someone's been 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.639 Asking you for a while 00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:02.799 To come back to church 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.180 And you think 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.720 Well I'll just 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.899 Do it now 00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:05.720 And that'll be it 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.539 Done with 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:08.480 It's maybe something 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.500 You think you already 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.740 Know what it's going 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.220 To be like 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.859 Maybe you think 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.559 You know what 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:14.099 It's like in the past 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.639 And it's just 00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.559 Just the same 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.839 I wasn't listening then 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.940 I'm not going to listen 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.839 Now 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:20.500 There's so many ways 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.759 We can think about 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.980 Coming back 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.079 To church 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:25.980 But whether you've 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:27.339 Never been to church 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.319 Whether you haven't 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.039 Been to church 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.740 For years 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.519 Or even if you're 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.500 Coming back today 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.379 After being here 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.180 Last week 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:34.720 There's something 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.220 We all 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.480 Have in common 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.940 And it's that 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.599 None of these 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.160 Are the way 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:40.579 That we are to come 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:42.380 Back to church 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.519 It's not just 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.819 Coming back 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:46.519 To see a building 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.059 It's not just 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.779 Coming back 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:49.200 To please someone 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.279 It's not just 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.039 Coming back 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.039 Out of habit 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.640 It's more than that 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:55.380 Coming back 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.140 To church 00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:57.579 Even coming back 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:57.980 To church 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.960 Week by week 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.759 If we're in that 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.259 Routine 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.099 In that habit 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:02.940 It's to meet 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.900 With someone 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:05.860 It's to meet 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.779 With someone 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.399 Special 00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:09.000 And to hear 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.099 A story 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:11.240 That changes 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.799 Lives 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.479 And continues 00:26:12.479 --> 00:26:13.299 To change 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.819 Lives 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.099 Continues to change 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:16.099 Even the Christian's 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:16.359 Life 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.119 Week by week 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:18.619 Day by day 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:20.539 It's a glorious 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:20.559 It's a glorious 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.179 Story 00:26:21.179 --> 00:26:22.819 About a glorious 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.779 Saviour 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:25.379 A Saviour 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:25.979 Who is 00:26:25.979 --> 00:26:26.739 Jesus 00:26:26.739 --> 00:26:28.859 That's who we 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.259 Come 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.399 To meet 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:30.959 With here 00:26:30.959 --> 00:26:32.599 That's the purpose 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.279 Of coming 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.099 Back 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.979 To church 00:26:34.979 --> 00:26:36.819 To realise 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.779 That we have 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.679 A loving God 00:26:38.679 --> 00:26:39.219 Who is the 00:26:39.219 --> 00:26:40.000 Father we see 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.179 Described in this 00:26:41.179 --> 00:26:41.959 Parable of the 00:26:41.959 --> 00:26:42.859 Prodigal son 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:44.259 A loving God 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:44.899 Who has given 00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:46.019 Us his own 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:47.159 Son Jesus 00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:48.619 Who has given 00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:49.539 A son Jesus 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.199 That we might 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:51.759 Know the joy 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:53.379 Of salvation 00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:54.719 In him 00:26:54.719 --> 00:26:56.500 Now what was 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.479 Your expectation 00:26:57.479 --> 00:26:58.299 Maybe coming 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.000 To church 00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.379 Today 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.119 What was your 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:00.579 Thinking 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.639 Coming to 00:27:01.639 --> 00:27:02.019 Church 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.519 Today 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.839 Maybe you're 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.259 Thinking even 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.719 With the sun 00:27:04.719 --> 00:27:05.599 Shining outside 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:06.119 I could be 00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:06.899 Doing so many 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.500 Other different 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.419 Things today 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:10.000 Maybe your 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.779 Expectation was 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.500 Just to come 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.579 And to go 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.980 Maybe your 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.740 Expectation was 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.259 To sit 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:15.859 And just not 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.319 Listen 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:18.279 But even the 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:18.819 Psalms that we 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.420 Have been singing 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:20.259 They remind us 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.680 That we are to 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.680 Come and sit 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.200 And listen 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.880 And hear 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:23.900 And worship 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:25.759 Worship the God 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.500 Who is speaking 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.140 To us 00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:27.880 And to come 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:29.059 And to know 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.740 Him as he 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.779 Speaks to us 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:32.579 Through his 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:33.059 Word 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:35.140 And Jesus 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.880 We find in 00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.940 The gospels 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.680 Whether it's 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:38.900 Matthew, Mark, Luke 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.420 Or John 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:39.859 As you look 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:40.380 Through them 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.320 You find 00:27:41.320 --> 00:27:41.780 Jesus 00:27:41.780 --> 00:27:42.460 Who was 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.260 A great 00:27:43.260 --> 00:27:44.380 Storyteller 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.580 He often 00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:46.780 Used stories 00:27:46.780 --> 00:27:47.900 Or parables 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.440 As they're 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:48.900 Called 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:49.820 To speak 00:27:49.820 --> 00:27:50.640 To the crowds 00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.000 Who had 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.820 Gathered round 00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:52.380 To speak 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:52.800 To them 00:27:52.800 --> 00:27:53.640 About their 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:54.120 Lives 00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:54.460 And their 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.380 Circumstances 00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:55.740 And what 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.220 Was going 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.560 On 00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:57.620 But also 00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:58.220 To speak 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.700 To them 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.560 In a 00:27:59.560 --> 00:28:00.220 Special way 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.900 That reminded 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.420 Them of 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.000 Their need 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.240 Of God 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.900 And that's 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.460 What we see 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.500 In this 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.020 Parable 00:28:07.020 --> 00:28:07.380 We think 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.520 Of storytelling 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:10.039 Maybe you've 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.119 Known people 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:11.420 Who would 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.500 Tell stories 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.180 Maybe you know 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:13.639 People even 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.200 Today who 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.299 Tell stories 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:16.639 But storytelling 00:28:16.639 --> 00:28:17.660 In many ways 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.559 Is a dying 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:19.200 Art 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.240 Now that we 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:20.700 Have so many 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.319 Other forms 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.259 Of communication 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.200 Is often 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.759 Through a 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.200 Screen 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.660 A one 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:24.920 Way 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:25.660 Communication 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:25.879 And we're 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:26.460 Just listening 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.279 But it's 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.680 So much 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.180 Better to 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:28.519 Be in the 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:28.940 Company 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.640 Of someone 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:30.339 Who is 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:30.839 Telling 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.619 A story 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.980 And here 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.279 As the 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:33.799 People were 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.460 Gathered 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.119 Around 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:35.680 Jesus 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.680 They were 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.559 Here listening 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.180 To this 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:39.019 Man who 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.420 Was just 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.359 An incredible 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:40.839 Man 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.500 They were 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.140 Astonished 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.440 At him 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.059 So often 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:43.319 And what 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:43.559 He was 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:43.940 Saying 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.220 And what 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:44.480 He was 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:44.920 Doing 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.660 And they 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.119 Were hearing 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.720 Jesus 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.259 The son 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.940 Of God 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.799 Speaking 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.400 To them 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:51.240 And today 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:51.859 It is the 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.220 Same 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.220 For us 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.860 We meet 00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:54.200 With this 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:54.559 Great 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.200 Storyteller 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:55.539 We meet 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.180 With Jesus 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:57.120 Jesus 00:28:57.120 --> 00:28:57.779 Who speaks 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.579 To us 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.920 And speaks 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.240 To us 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.799 Here today 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.380 Through this 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:01.860 Parable 00:29:01.860 --> 00:29:02.680 Of the 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.259 Prodigal 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.720 Son 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:05.360 But what's 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:06.360 This story 00:29:06.360 --> 00:29:07.039 About 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:08.759 Maybe you've 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.220 Heard the 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:09.920 Story before 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.539 Maybe you've 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.380 Grown up 00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:11.960 Hearing this 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.380 Story 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:12.680 And you've 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:12.940 Heard it 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.400 Maybe many 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:13.920 Times 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.500 The parable 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:14.779 Of the 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.220 Prodigal 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:15.539 Son 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:15.900 It's a 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.440 Well known 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:17.240 Story 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.799 That Jesus 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.420 Told 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:19.839 But what's 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:20.539 It about 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.740 Your 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.160 Immediate 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.599 Reaction 00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:22.920 Maybe 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.400 It's about 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:24.319 This young 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:24.819 Son 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.160 Who just 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:25.660 Wanted to 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.380 Live life 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:26.660 To have 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.059 Freedom 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:27.400 To get 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:27.759 Away 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.400 From 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:28.900 Everything 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:30.700 Maybe you 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:30.940 Think it's 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.339 About the 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:31.740 Older 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:31.980 Brother 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.339 The one 00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:32.460 Who 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.099 When this 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.799 Young son 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.299 Came back 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.579 He was 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.019 Jealous 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.339 He was 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:35.819 Angry 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:37.099 He didn't 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:38.099 Wanted to 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:38.899 He squandered 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.460 His 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:40.599 Inheritance 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.480 He treated 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:41.799 Them 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.700 Unfairly 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.460 Unjustly 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:43.619 And he 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:43.740 Was 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.379 Just 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:44.700 Not 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.200 Wanting 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.439 Anything 00:29:45.439 --> 00:29:45.899 To do 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:46.220 With 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:46.460 Them 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:48.519 Is 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:48.659 That 00:29:48.659 --> 00:29:48.759 What 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:48.919 The 00:29:48.919 --> 00:29:49.220 Story 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:49.339 Is 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:49.579 About 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:51.099 Well 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:51.419 Neither 00:29:51.419 --> 00:29:51.599 Of 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:51.799 These 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:51.919 Are 00:29:51.919 --> 00:29:52.039 The 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.240 Main 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.899 Character 00:29:52.899 --> 00:29:54.220 See 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.399 The 00:29:54.399 --> 00:29:54.559 Main 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.039 Character 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.299 In 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.539 This 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:56.019 Story 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.659 As 00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:56.960 Jesus 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.200 Is 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.519 Telling 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:57.700 It 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:57.939 Is 00:29:57.939 --> 00:29:58.119 The 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:58.579 Father 00:29:58.579 --> 00:30:00.039 And 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.179 The 00:30:00.179 --> 00:30:00.839 Father's 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.579 Response 00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:01.919 To 00:30:01.919 --> 00:30:02.179 His 00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:02.559 Son 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:06.000 We're going to look at his response to the younger son today. 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:11.659 And in this we see the great invitation of the gospel. 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:16.879 That's the title of our sermon this morning, the invitation to come. 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:18.980 To come. 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:26.179 We see this father who is already looking for his son as he comes to return to him in verse 20. 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:32.980 While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion and ran to him and embraced him and kissed him. 00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:36.720 It's like Jesus is telling the crowd. 00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:39.600 He's telling ourselves, this is who we need. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:43.080 This is the father that you are to come to. 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:47.759 To come and know the warmth of this welcome. 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:53.779 And to see the glory and the power that is in Jesus himself. 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:58.899 The one who is, as the Bible describes, the way to the father. 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:00.480 Come. 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:05.259 Come is what the Bible so often says to us. 00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:05.680 Come. 00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:06.500 Come. 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:08.000 No matter what our situation. 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:10.299 No matter what our circumstances. 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:12.500 The text on the invitation card was, 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:16.599 Come, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:19.019 Wonderful invitation. 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.220 Come. 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:20.299 Come. 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:27.700 When you think of the word come itself, if you take each letter of that word, you could put it like this. 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:32.620 Come, because Christ offers me everything. 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:36.880 Christ offers me everything. 00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:47.200 And that's what we see with this young son who goes away from his father, but who comes home, as it were. 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:52.340 So we're going to see three things in this parable for ourselves today. 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:56.920 Three things that we can relate to, I'm sure, ourselves in many ways. 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:02.920 We can relate to this younger brother. 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:05.720 And the first thing I want to see is a recognition. 00:32:06.660 --> 00:32:07.480 A recognition. 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:15.500 When you read of this young brother, do you see yourself, the young son, do you see yourself in him? 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:21.120 I'm sure many of us can look at this young son and think, that's me. 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:25.400 That's maybe me just now, or that's been me in the past. 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:29.480 You recognize the kind of situation he's in. 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:33.019 You recognize the kind of attitude that he has. 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:38.299 He's just, in his life, he wants to get away and have freedom. 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:42.420 He wants to enjoy his life, but everything seems to be just restricting him. 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:50.019 And he's like so many, so many since Jesus told this parable down through all the generations. 00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:54.720 Right to this very day, there's so many who can relate to this young son. 00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:59.500 Men and women, boys and girls, down through all the generations. 00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:06.059 This kind of attitude, this kind of outlook on life is so often a stage that we come to ourselves. 00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:09.779 A position we find ourselves in. 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:13.759 And what is it that we see? 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:21.480 Well, it's like Jesus is describing so many that are brought up, as it were, around church circles. 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:32.779 Like many of us today, we may have even brought up either going to church or knowing about church in a Christian community where we see so many different churches. 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:36.640 And it can leave us asking so many questions. 00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:40.900 It can even leave us looking around and think, what's the point in it? 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:43.420 Oh, I just want to get away from this. 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:47.120 It just seems to stifle our lives. 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:51.900 It seems to just tell us, you can't do this, you can't do that. 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:57.200 It's so often the way we think of the community that we live. 00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:58.800 We've been there. I've been there. 00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:04.759 And we start speaking to ourselves just like this younger son and saying, I want my freedom. 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:08.980 I want to get away from all of this. 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:12.980 And you see it in this young son. 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:15.420 He said in verse 12, 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:19.639 Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me. 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.900 Give me my share. 00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:23.360 Give me my inheritance. 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:29.500 Give this to me so that I may go away and live my life, enjoy my life. 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:31.199 He wants to be his own boss. 00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:32.800 He wants to do his own thing. 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:37.599 He wants to live life the way he sees fit himself. 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:44.579 It's like that cry in Braveheart that Mel Gibson so often puts out, if you've watched the film. 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:46.239 The cry, freedom. 00:34:47.699 --> 00:34:50.360 That's what this young son wants. 00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.779 He wants his freedom. 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:55.380 He thinks he recognizes his need in life. 00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:58.699 He thinks he recognizes how he wants to live his life. 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:01.539 He wants to get away from all of this. 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:04.139 He wants to be free. 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:12.779 But you realize the seriousness of his request when you recognize in verse 12 what that actually means. 00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:17.839 When he says, Father, give me the share of the property that is coming to me. 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:21.500 It should only come when the father dies. 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:26.940 And he's basically almost saying to his father, I wish you were gone. 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:33.980 I wish you would just let me have my freedom and live my life. 00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:42.539 And can we not relate to that, recognize that perhaps in ourselves today or in our past? 00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:51.960 This recognition that all we want is to do things in our own way and on our own terms. 00:35:51.960 --> 00:36:00.320 We're almost saying to God, that's what the parable is telling us, God, we don't want you. 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:03.159 We want nothing to do with you. 00:36:03.179 --> 00:36:08.639 I just want to get away from you and have my freedom, have my life. 00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:13.699 This is what he thinks that he needs. 00:36:14.779 --> 00:36:16.239 And so he goes away. 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:19.519 Goes away to enjoy himself, or so he thinks. 00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:22.639 And it goes on to outline his life. 00:36:23.319 --> 00:36:27.819 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had, took a journey into the far country, 00:36:27.879 --> 00:36:32.299 and there squandered his property and reckless living. 00:36:33.679 --> 00:36:35.980 This is the freedom that he was looking for. 00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:37.960 This is what he was wanting to enjoy. 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:42.679 This is what he thought he recognized life to be. 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:45.000 Living life to the full. 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.679 Enjoying himself. 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:48.019 Having his liberty. 00:36:48.760 --> 00:36:51.880 And yet it's described as reckless living. 00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:53.820 Reckless living. 00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:55.960 And that's what it is. 00:36:56.639 --> 00:37:00.159 Because without God, our lives are in danger of ruin. 00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:05.000 The parable is called the parable of the prodigal son 00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:12.880 because prodigal means spending our resources just lavishly and freely but recklessly. 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:15.559 It's about an extravagance. 00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:20.279 And that's the way he wants to live his life. 00:37:20.279 --> 00:37:22.059 Is that you today? 00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:26.460 Is that the way you want to live your life? 00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:28.079 Is that the way you are living your life? 00:37:28.139 --> 00:37:29.960 Just give me my freedom from God. 00:37:30.299 --> 00:37:32.279 Give me my freedom from this place. 00:37:32.779 --> 00:37:33.619 These people. 00:37:33.759 --> 00:37:35.840 Let me just get away from it all. 00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:39.019 Maybe you've been running away like this. 00:37:39.700 --> 00:37:42.519 Looking for answers in many different places. 00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:45.160 Hoping to come to the point where you're able to say, 00:37:45.660 --> 00:37:47.500 Now I'm free. 00:37:49.200 --> 00:37:53.460 Running away so often seems like the answer. 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:59.860 Running away is where we think we recognize the answer to all our problems. 00:37:59.860 --> 00:38:02.099 But it's not. 00:38:03.519 --> 00:38:08.579 And the son soon recognizes the emptiness of it all. 00:38:09.579 --> 00:38:17.140 He soon recognizes just how far away he has gone to the extent that when a severe famine comes, 00:38:17.300 --> 00:38:20.400 he ends up living with pigs. 00:38:22.140 --> 00:38:25.840 Just wanting to eat some of their food. 00:38:25.840 --> 00:38:30.720 His life just comes to a low ebb. 00:38:31.760 --> 00:38:34.320 In his freedom, he's not free. 00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:38.240 He doesn't have what he expected. 00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:44.700 All that he thought he would recognize as good for him and good for his life, good for his freedom, 00:38:45.220 --> 00:38:46.320 it's nothing. 00:38:47.460 --> 00:38:48.440 It's empty. 00:38:51.019 --> 00:38:55.019 And do you recognize that in your own life today? 00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:59.760 Running from God just leaves you empty. 00:39:00.880 --> 00:39:05.120 You can imagine the crowd who are hearing this story. 00:39:06.140 --> 00:39:11.100 They're hearing Jesus telling this, and they're shocked by it. 00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:12.860 The behavior of this son. 00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:14.940 And they would be thinking, 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:20.700 We're going to hear something here about what Jesus will do to those who turn their back on him. 00:39:20.699 --> 00:39:22.699 How he's going to punish them. 00:39:22.779 --> 00:39:24.699 How he's going to be hard upon them. 00:39:24.859 --> 00:39:27.460 That they're going to get what's coming to them. 00:39:28.659 --> 00:39:32.619 This son, they're probably waiting just for him to come back, 00:39:32.659 --> 00:39:35.299 and then they're going to see how he's going to be treated. 00:39:35.300 --> 00:39:39.260 Well, it's not what they expect. 00:39:40.780 --> 00:39:43.680 Perhaps today, you're coming back to church. 00:39:43.780 --> 00:39:47.080 You're thinking, you know what kind of response you would get. 00:39:48.200 --> 00:39:51.300 You think you're maybe going to be judged or looked down on. 00:39:51.860 --> 00:39:53.220 You don't deserve anything. 00:39:53.219 --> 00:39:53.859 Anything. 00:39:55.719 --> 00:39:59.639 And yet we see the response of this young son. 00:40:00.299 --> 00:40:02.739 And the response of the father. 00:40:03.919 --> 00:40:07.539 And how different they might be to our expectations. 00:40:08.159 --> 00:40:11.619 How different they were to the expectations of the crowd that was looking on. 00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:15.959 Because when you look at the response, which is the second thing we see here. 00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:19.419 We see first the response of the son. 00:40:19.420 --> 00:40:21.599 It says in verse 17, 00:40:21.720 --> 00:40:23.559 When he came to himself, he said, 00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:27.700 How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, 00:40:27.780 --> 00:40:30.200 but I perish here with hunger. 00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:36.099 The life of freedom and joy that he was wanting to have it hadn't lasted long. 00:40:36.960 --> 00:40:38.920 It wasn't what he anticipated. 00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:40.920 It wasn't what he expected. 00:40:41.099 --> 00:40:44.139 He had spent all his money on reckless living. 00:40:44.220 --> 00:40:46.380 And then this famine arrived in the country. 00:40:46.500 --> 00:40:47.900 And he had nothing. 00:40:47.900 --> 00:40:50.480 He was left empty handed. 00:40:51.480 --> 00:40:56.099 I'm sure many of his friends were turning his back on him. 00:40:56.160 --> 00:40:57.539 Once the money was gone. 00:40:57.840 --> 00:40:59.480 Once all the fun was gone. 00:40:59.940 --> 00:41:01.700 Once the trials came. 00:41:01.780 --> 00:41:02.380 They were gone. 00:41:02.460 --> 00:41:04.380 And he's left by himself. 00:41:07.180 --> 00:41:10.360 And the crowd watching Jesus telling this story. 00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:10.780 They're thinking, 00:41:11.420 --> 00:41:13.519 Here comes the crux. 00:41:14.260 --> 00:41:17.760 Here comes when we see what's going to happen to him. 00:41:17.760 --> 00:41:19.460 The punchline is coming. 00:41:20.620 --> 00:41:22.560 But it's not what they expected. 00:41:24.820 --> 00:41:25.720 The son says, 00:41:25.820 --> 00:41:27.580 I will rise and go to my father. 00:41:27.980 --> 00:41:28.760 And we'll say to him, 00:41:28.760 --> 00:41:32.160 Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 00:41:32.260 --> 00:41:33.760 So he has this response. 00:41:34.500 --> 00:41:37.780 He almost knows where he needs to go. 00:41:37.900 --> 00:41:40.400 But his expectation is so low now 00:41:40.400 --> 00:41:44.480 that he's only going to be just like a servant in his father's house. 00:41:44.539 --> 00:41:46.639 He doesn't deserve anything. 00:41:48.460 --> 00:41:49.559 But it says this, 00:41:49.680 --> 00:41:52.039 He came to himself. 00:41:53.840 --> 00:41:55.980 And it's a wonderful phrase that. 00:41:56.559 --> 00:42:01.860 Because it reminds us all that no matter how far away from God we've tried to run, 00:42:01.860 --> 00:42:05.700 that there is always a point where we can come to our senses, 00:42:05.920 --> 00:42:07.019 come to ourselves, 00:42:07.519 --> 00:42:08.039 and think, 00:42:08.599 --> 00:42:10.140 Is there not better? 00:42:11.480 --> 00:42:15.160 Is there not hope in this world for me? 00:42:15.159 --> 00:42:18.440 Is there not something I can look forward to, 00:42:18.480 --> 00:42:19.679 something I can enjoy? 00:42:20.519 --> 00:42:23.559 The course that starts this week and Thursday evening, 00:42:23.659 --> 00:42:25.259 it's about hope explored. 00:42:25.739 --> 00:42:28.399 It's about looking into this in more detail and thinking, 00:42:28.559 --> 00:42:29.079 There is. 00:42:29.279 --> 00:42:32.000 There is more that we can enjoy in this life. 00:42:33.000 --> 00:42:36.279 There is more to life than just finding my freedom myself. 00:42:36.280 --> 00:42:40.100 It's about finding our freedom in Christ. 00:42:41.820 --> 00:42:45.620 And this is the beginning of this son coming to his senses, 00:42:45.820 --> 00:42:46.840 coming to realize, 00:42:47.440 --> 00:42:49.620 I have done wrong against God. 00:42:50.380 --> 00:42:53.460 I have done wrong against my father, as he describes here. 00:42:53.519 --> 00:42:55.120 We have done wrong against God, 00:42:55.260 --> 00:42:57.720 but that we can still come to him. 00:42:58.280 --> 00:43:01.260 That's the invitation of the gospel. 00:43:01.440 --> 00:43:03.660 That's the invitation of the word of God. 00:43:03.960 --> 00:43:05.519 It's for all to hear. 00:43:05.519 --> 00:43:08.320 Every one of us to come. 00:43:09.380 --> 00:43:11.639 To come, whether it's for the first time, 00:43:11.900 --> 00:43:13.239 for the hundredth time, 00:43:13.420 --> 00:43:16.699 no matter how often we've already come back to church, 00:43:17.719 --> 00:43:20.360 it's about coming back to our Savior, 00:43:20.519 --> 00:43:21.759 coming back to Jesus, 00:43:21.960 --> 00:43:22.900 day after day, 00:43:23.460 --> 00:43:24.519 week after week, 00:43:25.139 --> 00:43:27.340 and keeping close to him, 00:43:27.739 --> 00:43:31.039 because he realizes there is better. 00:43:32.099 --> 00:43:34.480 When we go away from God, 00:43:34.480 --> 00:43:37.219 when we do as the son did initially, 00:43:37.340 --> 00:43:38.920 when he asked for his inheritance, 00:43:39.119 --> 00:43:40.480 run away from God, 00:43:40.699 --> 00:43:41.800 what was he doing? 00:43:42.099 --> 00:43:43.740 Was he stopping worshipping? 00:43:45.059 --> 00:43:46.099 He wasn't. 00:43:46.800 --> 00:43:48.059 When we go away from God, 00:43:48.119 --> 00:43:49.940 it doesn't mean we worship nothing. 00:43:50.719 --> 00:43:53.719 We worship something else in the place of God. 00:43:53.719 --> 00:43:56.299 He was worshipping the money, 00:43:56.299 --> 00:43:56.879 his inheritance. 00:43:57.059 --> 00:43:58.679 He was worshipping his freedom, 00:43:58.819 --> 00:43:59.599 his lifestyle. 00:43:59.899 --> 00:44:01.839 All of these things were his God. 00:44:03.619 --> 00:44:06.599 But these gods left him empty. 00:44:08.679 --> 00:44:10.059 There's a song that's sung. 00:44:10.179 --> 00:44:10.500 It's called, 00:44:10.579 --> 00:44:12.439 I'm Coming Back to the Heart of Worship. 00:44:12.859 --> 00:44:13.959 And it says this, 00:44:14.000 --> 00:44:15.199 it's all about you. 00:44:15.259 --> 00:44:16.919 It's all about you, Jesus. 00:44:16.920 --> 00:44:20.320 I'm sorry, Lord, 00:44:20.480 --> 00:44:21.780 for the thing I've made, 00:44:21.880 --> 00:44:23.579 when it's all about you, 00:44:23.639 --> 00:44:25.760 it's all about you, Jesus. 00:44:27.460 --> 00:44:29.119 We end up worshipping 00:44:29.119 --> 00:44:31.139 the idols of this world, 00:44:31.260 --> 00:44:33.180 the false hopes of this world, 00:44:33.240 --> 00:44:34.680 when we run away from God. 00:44:35.639 --> 00:44:37.599 But he invites us to come back. 00:44:38.780 --> 00:44:42.099 He invites us to come to himself. 00:44:42.099 --> 00:44:46.159 Now, this young son, 00:44:46.599 --> 00:44:48.659 he'd forgotten many things, 00:44:49.400 --> 00:44:53.179 but he hadn't forgotten his home. 00:44:54.460 --> 00:44:57.159 He hadn't forgotten his home 00:44:57.159 --> 00:44:58.739 or his father. 00:44:59.860 --> 00:45:00.639 In verse 18, 00:45:00.739 --> 00:45:02.759 I will rise and go to my father 00:45:02.759 --> 00:45:03.819 and will say to him, 00:45:04.299 --> 00:45:06.860 Father, I have sinned against heaven 00:45:06.860 --> 00:45:09.059 and before you. 00:45:12.099 --> 00:45:14.679 He hadn't forgotten 00:45:14.679 --> 00:45:16.139 that there was a place 00:45:16.139 --> 00:45:17.440 for him to go. 00:45:19.940 --> 00:45:21.239 And maybe you had forgotten 00:45:21.239 --> 00:45:23.039 that there was a church 00:45:23.039 --> 00:45:23.819 to come to. 00:45:24.440 --> 00:45:25.559 Maybe you had forgotten 00:45:25.559 --> 00:45:26.860 that there was a place 00:45:26.860 --> 00:45:27.400 you could come. 00:45:27.480 --> 00:45:28.599 Maybe you thought it was a place 00:45:28.599 --> 00:45:30.319 you wouldn't be welcome. 00:45:31.920 --> 00:45:33.980 But everyone is welcome. 00:45:35.239 --> 00:45:37.199 Everyone is invited to come. 00:45:37.960 --> 00:45:40.579 To come because here we see 00:45:40.579 --> 00:45:43.380 that we need this father ourselves. 00:45:43.759 --> 00:45:44.539 All of us. 00:45:44.659 --> 00:45:45.340 Each one of us. 00:45:45.460 --> 00:45:46.799 We need God. 00:45:48.279 --> 00:45:50.500 And so his answer was, 00:45:51.019 --> 00:45:52.279 I'll go home. 00:45:53.819 --> 00:45:54.880 I'll go home. 00:45:56.659 --> 00:45:58.400 How many of us have longed 00:45:58.400 --> 00:45:59.900 to get away from home? 00:46:00.380 --> 00:46:01.500 In our young days, 00:46:01.559 --> 00:46:03.079 we've longed to get away 00:46:03.079 --> 00:46:04.699 and just enjoy life, 00:46:04.840 --> 00:46:05.500 live life. 00:46:06.139 --> 00:46:08.360 And it wasn't what we expected. 00:46:08.360 --> 00:46:12.400 But the wonder of God's grace 00:46:12.400 --> 00:46:14.700 is that it so often speaks to us 00:46:14.700 --> 00:46:17.800 and reminds us that there is a place 00:46:17.800 --> 00:46:23.460 and that the father hasn't forgotten about us. 00:46:24.620 --> 00:46:25.940 You see, the father here, 00:46:26.620 --> 00:46:29.880 his response in verse 20, 00:46:30.820 --> 00:46:32.680 while he was still a long way off, 00:46:32.740 --> 00:46:34.360 his father saw him and felt compassion 00:46:34.360 --> 00:46:36.760 and ran and embraced him 00:46:36.760 --> 00:46:37.740 and kissed him. 00:46:39.320 --> 00:46:41.120 What he didn't expect, 00:46:41.599 --> 00:46:44.140 he got and got it in abundance. 00:46:46.320 --> 00:46:48.960 It's an amazing picture there 00:46:48.960 --> 00:46:50.039 of just the grace 00:46:50.039 --> 00:46:52.760 and the love of God. 00:46:52.760 --> 00:46:57.000 Ronrig sang a song, 00:46:57.060 --> 00:46:58.000 it's a Gaelic song, 00:46:58.160 --> 00:46:58.920 Chile Migachi. 00:47:00.200 --> 00:47:01.740 I'll return home. 00:47:03.040 --> 00:47:05.080 And it says in the line as well, 00:47:05.160 --> 00:47:05.840 chachadil mi, 00:47:06.600 --> 00:47:07.320 gynchail mi, 00:47:07.580 --> 00:47:08.240 gynmog rach. 00:47:09.240 --> 00:47:10.660 I will not sleep 00:47:10.660 --> 00:47:11.760 until I return 00:47:12.300 --> 00:47:13.520 to my love. 00:47:13.519 --> 00:47:17.579 And that's the way 00:47:17.579 --> 00:47:19.460 we should be with God. 00:47:21.259 --> 00:47:22.280 Return home. 00:47:23.639 --> 00:47:24.619 Even if it means 00:47:24.619 --> 00:47:26.340 sleepless nights, 00:47:27.400 --> 00:47:28.000 unrest, 00:47:28.239 --> 00:47:28.920 because God 00:47:28.920 --> 00:47:31.579 so often stirs up an unrest in us 00:47:31.579 --> 00:47:33.119 like he did in this young son. 00:47:33.840 --> 00:47:34.920 He wasn't resting. 00:47:35.360 --> 00:47:36.440 He wasn't happy. 00:47:37.400 --> 00:47:39.320 He wasn't enjoying life 00:47:39.320 --> 00:47:41.400 until he came to his senses 00:47:41.400 --> 00:47:43.700 and returned home. 00:47:46.160 --> 00:47:47.840 Even to be a servant, 00:47:47.980 --> 00:47:48.780 that he says. 00:47:50.700 --> 00:47:51.800 It's a time 00:47:51.800 --> 00:47:53.680 to come home. 00:47:54.960 --> 00:47:55.980 Not just 00:47:55.980 --> 00:47:57.519 back to church 00:47:57.519 --> 00:47:58.680 in the sense of being 00:47:58.680 --> 00:47:59.880 in a seat 00:47:59.880 --> 00:48:02.400 or being part of the worship service 00:48:02.400 --> 00:48:04.220 sitting in or tuning in online, 00:48:05.260 --> 00:48:07.300 but coming home 00:48:07.300 --> 00:48:08.760 to Jesus. 00:48:09.320 --> 00:48:10.720 to come 00:48:10.720 --> 00:48:12.800 because Christ 00:48:12.800 --> 00:48:14.039 offers me 00:48:14.039 --> 00:48:15.280 everything. 00:48:18.620 --> 00:48:20.100 There is a response 00:48:20.100 --> 00:48:20.860 of the son 00:48:20.860 --> 00:48:22.500 and the response 00:48:22.500 --> 00:48:23.559 of the father. 00:48:23.660 --> 00:48:24.960 The third and final thing 00:48:24.960 --> 00:48:25.820 we see here 00:48:25.820 --> 00:48:28.059 is the rejoicing. 00:48:29.039 --> 00:48:30.340 The rejoicing. 00:48:32.380 --> 00:48:33.519 The expectation 00:48:33.519 --> 00:48:35.059 of returning home 00:48:35.059 --> 00:48:35.740 for the son 00:48:35.740 --> 00:48:37.019 was that he would receive 00:48:37.019 --> 00:48:37.680 nothing. 00:48:37.679 --> 00:48:40.019 just wanted to be 00:48:40.019 --> 00:48:41.319 a servant. 00:48:42.159 --> 00:48:43.279 Just wanted to have 00:48:43.279 --> 00:48:45.279 a little bit of food. 00:48:46.659 --> 00:48:48.059 And he comes to the father 00:48:48.059 --> 00:48:48.899 in verse 21. 00:48:49.079 --> 00:48:49.319 He says, 00:48:49.419 --> 00:48:49.639 Father, 00:48:49.739 --> 00:48:51.159 I have sinned against heaven 00:48:51.159 --> 00:48:52.460 and before you. 00:48:52.539 --> 00:48:53.739 I am no longer worthy 00:48:53.739 --> 00:48:55.759 to be called your son. 00:48:57.539 --> 00:48:58.599 And that's the way 00:48:58.599 --> 00:48:59.719 we can look at ourselves. 00:48:59.839 --> 00:49:01.059 I'm not worthy. 00:49:01.059 --> 00:49:03.159 I'm not worthy 00:49:03.159 --> 00:49:04.880 of any of this love 00:49:04.880 --> 00:49:05.900 of God. 00:49:06.599 --> 00:49:07.739 I'm not worthy 00:49:07.739 --> 00:49:08.420 because of the way 00:49:08.420 --> 00:49:09.719 I've lived my life, 00:49:09.799 --> 00:49:10.619 that we have gone away 00:49:10.619 --> 00:49:11.239 from God, 00:49:11.320 --> 00:49:12.299 that we have shunned him 00:49:12.299 --> 00:49:13.000 and just turned 00:49:13.000 --> 00:49:14.840 my back 00:49:14.840 --> 00:49:15.519 on him. 00:49:18.039 --> 00:49:19.219 And you can imagine 00:49:19.219 --> 00:49:19.599 again 00:49:19.599 --> 00:49:20.960 the crowd here. 00:49:21.719 --> 00:49:22.279 The expectation 00:49:22.279 --> 00:49:23.139 of the crowd 00:49:23.139 --> 00:49:23.539 would have been 00:49:23.539 --> 00:49:24.500 that this young man, 00:49:24.920 --> 00:49:25.960 he was going to be given 00:49:25.960 --> 00:49:26.840 the punishment 00:49:26.840 --> 00:49:27.920 that he deserves. 00:49:28.559 --> 00:49:30.039 The father will sort him out. 00:49:30.400 --> 00:49:31.300 The father will make him, 00:49:31.420 --> 00:49:31.980 pay him back 00:49:31.980 --> 00:49:32.980 every last penny 00:49:32.980 --> 00:49:34.220 that he owes. 00:49:35.539 --> 00:49:37.320 And we feel this burden, 00:49:37.519 --> 00:49:38.200 this weight. 00:49:39.599 --> 00:49:41.659 How can I possibly come? 00:49:41.700 --> 00:49:42.720 How can I repay 00:49:42.720 --> 00:49:43.740 a Lord 00:49:43.740 --> 00:49:44.820 who I've shunned 00:49:44.820 --> 00:49:46.079 and turned my back on? 00:49:47.940 --> 00:49:49.039 And yet we are reminded 00:49:49.039 --> 00:49:51.599 it was not about us 00:49:51.599 --> 00:49:52.740 paying the price. 00:49:54.159 --> 00:49:55.599 When you look at the gospel, 00:49:55.740 --> 00:49:56.539 the good news 00:49:56.539 --> 00:49:58.039 and the invitation 00:49:58.039 --> 00:50:00.000 that it gives to us 00:50:00.000 --> 00:50:00.659 to come, 00:50:01.159 --> 00:50:02.739 it's come to Christ. 00:50:02.960 --> 00:50:04.320 Christ who offers me 00:50:04.320 --> 00:50:05.259 everything. 00:50:05.980 --> 00:50:06.980 Christ who has done 00:50:06.980 --> 00:50:09.000 everything for me. 00:50:10.800 --> 00:50:11.920 Christ who went 00:50:11.920 --> 00:50:12.860 to the cross 00:50:12.860 --> 00:50:13.619 to pay 00:50:13.619 --> 00:50:15.079 for my sins. 00:50:16.119 --> 00:50:17.259 Christ who has risen, 00:50:18.139 --> 00:50:19.000 who has ascended, 00:50:19.800 --> 00:50:20.960 who is coming again. 00:50:21.659 --> 00:50:22.239 It's not about 00:50:22.239 --> 00:50:22.940 what we do, 00:50:23.019 --> 00:50:23.920 it's about what he 00:50:23.920 --> 00:50:24.980 has done 00:50:24.980 --> 00:50:25.840 for us. 00:50:27.699 --> 00:50:28.880 We have to come 00:50:28.880 --> 00:50:29.500 acknowledging 00:50:29.500 --> 00:50:30.639 our sin 00:50:30.639 --> 00:50:31.380 against him. 00:50:32.039 --> 00:50:33.039 But not come 00:50:33.039 --> 00:50:33.940 with our own 00:50:33.940 --> 00:50:34.599 expectations 00:50:34.599 --> 00:50:35.599 of what we need 00:50:35.599 --> 00:50:36.179 to do. 00:50:38.099 --> 00:50:39.420 Perhaps your expectation 00:50:39.420 --> 00:50:40.320 coming here 00:50:40.320 --> 00:50:41.940 is very little. 00:50:43.719 --> 00:50:44.559 You're thinking 00:50:44.559 --> 00:50:46.780 just lowly 00:50:46.780 --> 00:50:47.599 of yourself, 00:50:49.079 --> 00:50:49.760 undeserving 00:50:49.760 --> 00:50:50.860 of any of this. 00:50:51.659 --> 00:50:52.300 Maybe you're even saying, 00:50:52.300 --> 00:50:53.180 I don't want 00:50:53.180 --> 00:50:54.300 any of it. 00:50:56.220 --> 00:50:57.360 But the amazing 00:50:57.360 --> 00:50:58.480 thing about the gospel 00:50:58.480 --> 00:51:00.080 is it's an offer. 00:51:00.860 --> 00:51:01.920 It's an offer 00:51:01.920 --> 00:51:03.320 to us all 00:51:03.320 --> 00:51:04.880 to come. 00:51:07.080 --> 00:51:08.039 And when we see 00:51:08.039 --> 00:51:09.580 the love of God 00:51:09.580 --> 00:51:09.960 here, 00:51:10.960 --> 00:51:11.820 what does 00:51:11.820 --> 00:51:12.480 the Father 00:51:12.480 --> 00:51:13.080 give 00:51:13.080 --> 00:51:14.080 to the Son? 00:51:15.039 --> 00:51:15.980 The last thing 00:51:15.980 --> 00:51:16.640 the crowds 00:51:16.640 --> 00:51:17.400 would have expected 00:51:17.400 --> 00:51:18.000 to hear, 00:51:18.680 --> 00:51:19.940 the best robe, 00:51:19.940 --> 00:51:21.740 a signet ring, 00:51:21.900 --> 00:51:22.860 give him shoes, 00:51:22.860 --> 00:51:24.500 go and kill 00:51:24.500 --> 00:51:26.240 the fattened calf. 00:51:27.300 --> 00:51:29.039 All of the best, 00:51:30.139 --> 00:51:31.400 all of the goodness 00:51:31.400 --> 00:51:32.200 and love 00:51:32.200 --> 00:51:32.800 of God 00:51:32.800 --> 00:51:33.740 is seen in this. 00:51:35.500 --> 00:51:36.360 The kindness, 00:51:36.639 --> 00:51:37.179 the mercy, 00:51:37.659 --> 00:51:38.340 the grace 00:51:38.340 --> 00:51:39.320 is overwhelming. 00:51:40.300 --> 00:51:41.400 It breaks us 00:51:41.400 --> 00:51:43.619 to think 00:51:43.619 --> 00:51:44.659 how undeserving 00:51:44.659 --> 00:51:45.340 we are 00:51:45.340 --> 00:51:47.200 and how much 00:51:47.200 --> 00:51:48.039 God wants 00:51:48.039 --> 00:51:48.680 to give 00:51:48.680 --> 00:51:49.400 and has 00:51:49.400 --> 00:51:50.240 given. 00:51:54.320 --> 00:51:55.200 The Son 00:51:55.200 --> 00:51:56.120 here realizes 00:51:56.120 --> 00:51:56.740 he doesn't 00:51:56.740 --> 00:51:57.519 deserve it. 00:51:59.100 --> 00:52:00.100 But nonetheless, 00:52:00.519 --> 00:52:01.300 he gets it. 00:52:02.420 --> 00:52:02.960 And that's 00:52:02.960 --> 00:52:03.420 grace. 00:52:04.640 --> 00:52:05.420 The grace 00:52:05.420 --> 00:52:06.880 of God. 00:52:07.940 --> 00:52:08.380 He 00:52:08.380 --> 00:52:10.000 has paid 00:52:10.000 --> 00:52:11.240 the price. 00:52:13.260 --> 00:52:13.880 All our 00:52:13.880 --> 00:52:14.360 debts 00:52:14.360 --> 00:52:16.059 all our 00:52:16.059 --> 00:52:16.780 sins, 00:52:17.519 --> 00:52:18.140 all our 00:52:18.140 --> 00:52:18.880 forgetfulness 00:52:18.880 --> 00:52:19.720 of God. 00:52:21.320 --> 00:52:21.700 Jesus 00:52:21.700 --> 00:52:22.660 has paid 00:52:22.660 --> 00:52:23.840 the price. 00:52:24.980 --> 00:52:25.680 And he 00:52:25.680 --> 00:52:26.079 says, 00:52:26.440 --> 00:52:26.760 come. 00:52:28.400 --> 00:52:28.960 Christ 00:52:28.960 --> 00:52:29.720 offers 00:52:29.720 --> 00:52:30.579 me 00:52:30.579 --> 00:52:31.740 everything. 00:52:33.160 --> 00:52:33.480 There was 00:52:33.480 --> 00:52:34.000 a father 00:52:34.000 --> 00:52:34.660 called 00:52:34.660 --> 00:52:35.740 Patrick 00:52:35.740 --> 00:52:36.200 Henry 00:52:36.200 --> 00:52:37.360 and he 00:52:37.360 --> 00:52:37.820 knew his 00:52:37.820 --> 00:52:38.360 life was 00:52:38.360 --> 00:52:38.780 coming 00:52:38.780 --> 00:52:39.780 to an 00:52:39.780 --> 00:52:40.260 end and 00:52:40.260 --> 00:52:40.500 he was 00:52:40.500 --> 00:52:41.260 sorting out 00:52:41.260 --> 00:52:41.559 his 00:52:41.559 --> 00:52:42.519 will. 00:52:42.519 --> 00:52:44.340 he had 00:52:44.340 --> 00:52:44.820 a family 00:52:44.820 --> 00:52:45.099 and his 00:52:45.099 --> 00:52:45.519 family were 00:52:45.519 --> 00:52:46.259 to receive 00:52:46.259 --> 00:52:47.199 all that 00:52:47.199 --> 00:52:47.460 he had. 00:52:47.500 --> 00:52:47.679 He was 00:52:47.679 --> 00:52:48.380 quite a 00:52:48.380 --> 00:52:49.000 rich man. 00:52:50.539 --> 00:52:50.840 And he 00:52:50.840 --> 00:52:51.320 said this, 00:52:51.400 --> 00:52:51.579 I have 00:52:51.579 --> 00:52:53.019 now disposed 00:52:53.019 --> 00:52:53.759 of all my 00:52:53.759 --> 00:52:54.559 property to 00:52:54.559 --> 00:52:55.159 my family. 00:52:55.280 --> 00:52:56.320 He arranged 00:52:56.320 --> 00:52:57.000 it all so 00:52:57.000 --> 00:52:57.400 what they 00:52:57.400 --> 00:52:57.679 were to 00:52:57.679 --> 00:52:57.980 get. 00:52:58.980 --> 00:52:59.320 But then 00:52:59.320 --> 00:52:59.719 he said, 00:52:59.800 --> 00:53:00.039 there is 00:53:00.039 --> 00:53:01.039 one more 00:53:01.039 --> 00:53:01.699 thing I 00:53:01.699 --> 00:53:02.159 wish I 00:53:02.159 --> 00:53:02.699 could give 00:53:02.699 --> 00:53:02.960 them. 00:53:03.920 --> 00:53:04.380 And that 00:53:04.380 --> 00:53:05.239 is faith 00:53:05.239 --> 00:53:06.259 in Jesus 00:53:06.259 --> 00:53:06.860 Christ. 00:53:06.860 --> 00:53:09.200 if they 00:53:09.200 --> 00:53:10.160 had that 00:53:10.160 --> 00:53:11.079 and I 00:53:11.079 --> 00:53:11.420 had not 00:53:11.420 --> 00:53:12.059 given them 00:53:12.059 --> 00:53:12.960 a single 00:53:12.960 --> 00:53:13.500 penny, 00:53:13.620 --> 00:53:14.039 he said, 00:53:14.579 --> 00:53:15.160 they would 00:53:15.160 --> 00:53:15.480 have been 00:53:15.480 --> 00:53:16.000 rich. 00:53:17.820 --> 00:53:18.559 But if 00:53:18.559 --> 00:53:18.940 they had 00:53:18.940 --> 00:53:19.880 not that 00:53:19.880 --> 00:53:20.760 and I 00:53:20.760 --> 00:53:21.140 had given 00:53:21.140 --> 00:53:21.900 them all 00:53:21.900 --> 00:53:22.599 the world, 00:53:23.640 --> 00:53:23.980 they would 00:53:23.980 --> 00:53:24.720 be poor 00:53:24.720 --> 00:53:25.800 indeed. 00:53:27.940 --> 00:53:28.840 This young 00:53:28.840 --> 00:53:29.280 son, 00:53:29.900 --> 00:53:30.420 just like 00:53:30.420 --> 00:53:31.000 ourselves, 00:53:31.920 --> 00:53:32.400 he thought 00:53:32.400 --> 00:53:33.079 his riches 00:53:33.079 --> 00:53:33.800 was found 00:53:33.800 --> 00:53:34.920 in living 00:53:34.920 --> 00:53:35.519 life to 00:53:35.519 --> 00:53:36.079 the fool, 00:53:36.679 --> 00:53:37.259 but living 00:53:37.259 --> 00:53:38.119 it recklessly 00:53:38.119 --> 00:53:39.139 without God. 00:53:40.239 --> 00:53:40.900 And he 00:53:40.900 --> 00:53:41.440 ended up 00:53:41.440 --> 00:53:42.019 poor. 00:53:43.360 --> 00:53:44.139 But in 00:53:44.139 --> 00:53:44.780 coming back 00:53:44.780 --> 00:53:45.139 to the 00:53:45.139 --> 00:53:46.699 father and 00:53:46.699 --> 00:53:47.360 in receiving 00:53:47.360 --> 00:53:48.139 his mercy, 00:53:49.259 --> 00:53:50.780 he ended 00:53:50.780 --> 00:53:52.059 up rich. 00:53:54.119 --> 00:53:54.559 There's a 00:53:54.559 --> 00:53:56.360 time to 00:53:56.360 --> 00:53:56.780 come to 00:53:56.780 --> 00:53:57.440 your senses. 00:53:58.880 --> 00:53:59.460 There's a 00:53:59.460 --> 00:54:00.900 time to 00:54:00.900 --> 00:54:01.559 come home 00:54:01.559 --> 00:54:03.360 and to 00:54:03.360 --> 00:54:03.900 see the 00:54:03.900 --> 00:54:04.480 father you 00:54:04.480 --> 00:54:04.920 thought, 00:54:04.920 --> 00:54:05.900 he won't 00:54:05.900 --> 00:54:06.340 welcome 00:54:06.340 --> 00:54:06.740 me, 00:54:07.800 --> 00:54:08.740 but to 00:54:08.740 --> 00:54:09.680 realize he 00:54:09.680 --> 00:54:10.480 longs for 00:54:10.480 --> 00:54:10.680 you. 00:54:11.680 --> 00:54:12.180 He's 00:54:12.180 --> 00:54:12.880 looking for 00:54:12.880 --> 00:54:13.019 you. 00:54:13.039 --> 00:54:13.320 Even as 00:54:13.320 --> 00:54:13.800 a father 00:54:13.800 --> 00:54:14.440 here was 00:54:14.440 --> 00:54:15.019 looking for 00:54:15.019 --> 00:54:15.420 his son, 00:54:15.460 --> 00:54:15.900 he saw 00:54:15.900 --> 00:54:16.619 him a 00:54:16.619 --> 00:54:17.260 long way 00:54:17.260 --> 00:54:17.760 off and 00:54:17.760 --> 00:54:18.320 ran 00:54:18.320 --> 00:54:19.599 towards 00:54:19.599 --> 00:54:19.880 him. 00:54:22.720 --> 00:54:23.579 But the 00:54:23.579 --> 00:54:25.139 Lord is 00:54:25.139 --> 00:54:25.740 waiting for 00:54:25.740 --> 00:54:26.980 you to 00:54:26.980 --> 00:54:27.360 come. 00:54:28.880 --> 00:54:29.539 The 00:54:29.539 --> 00:54:29.920 invitation 00:54:29.920 --> 00:54:31.579 is there. 00:54:32.800 --> 00:54:33.260 Come, 00:54:33.260 --> 00:54:34.960 Christ 00:54:34.960 --> 00:54:36.500 offers me 00:54:36.500 --> 00:54:37.100 everything. 00:54:37.740 --> 00:54:38.340 Not just 00:54:38.340 --> 00:54:38.860 come back 00:54:38.860 --> 00:54:39.380 to church 00:54:39.380 --> 00:54:40.960 today and 00:54:40.960 --> 00:54:41.560 that's it. 00:54:41.740 --> 00:54:42.160 You can go 00:54:42.160 --> 00:54:42.740 away and 00:54:42.740 --> 00:54:43.160 not come 00:54:43.160 --> 00:54:43.840 back again. 00:54:45.180 --> 00:54:45.940 But to 00:54:45.940 --> 00:54:46.740 come today, 00:54:47.680 --> 00:54:49.240 not to a 00:54:49.240 --> 00:54:49.860 building, 00:54:50.640 --> 00:54:51.260 but to a 00:54:51.260 --> 00:54:52.920 person who 00:54:52.920 --> 00:54:53.500 is Jesus 00:54:53.500 --> 00:54:54.180 Christ. 00:54:55.320 --> 00:54:55.780 And to 00:54:55.780 --> 00:54:56.180 come to 00:54:56.180 --> 00:54:57.340 him tomorrow 00:54:57.340 --> 00:54:58.780 and every 00:54:58.780 --> 00:55:00.240 day to 00:55:00.240 --> 00:55:00.840 entrust 00:55:00.840 --> 00:55:01.579 your whole 00:55:01.579 --> 00:55:02.680 life and 00:55:02.680 --> 00:55:03.280 your being 00:55:03.280 --> 00:55:03.940 to him. 00:55:04.880 --> 00:55:05.519 For he 00:55:05.519 --> 00:55:06.220 loves you 00:55:06.220 --> 00:55:07.620 and longs 00:55:07.620 --> 00:55:08.000 for you 00:55:08.000 --> 00:55:09.000 to come 00:55:09.000 --> 00:55:09.360 home. 00:55:10.700 --> 00:55:11.000 Come. 00:55:11.680 --> 00:55:12.600 Come today. 00:55:13.579 --> 00:55:14.340 Come tomorrow. 00:55:14.519 --> 00:55:14.900 Come in the 00:55:14.900 --> 00:55:15.539 week ahead. 00:55:16.120 --> 00:55:16.720 Come to him 00:55:16.720 --> 00:55:17.340 for all 00:55:17.340 --> 00:55:18.260 eternity and 00:55:18.260 --> 00:55:19.440 know that 00:55:19.440 --> 00:55:20.039 love of 00:55:20.039 --> 00:55:21.780 Christ that 00:55:21.780 --> 00:55:22.320 wants what 00:55:22.320 --> 00:55:23.500 is best for 00:55:23.500 --> 00:55:23.820 you. 00:55:24.880 --> 00:55:25.300 Come, 00:55:25.300 --> 00:55:27.080 because Christ 00:55:27.080 --> 00:55:27.980 offers me 00:55:27.980 --> 00:55:28.980 everything. 00:55:29.820 --> 00:55:30.240 Let us 00:55:30.240 --> 00:55:30.480 pray. 00:55:33.480 --> 00:55:33.960 Our 00:55:33.960 --> 00:55:34.580 Father in 00:55:34.580 --> 00:55:35.100 heaven, we 00:55:35.100 --> 00:55:35.600 thank you 00:55:35.600 --> 00:55:36.519 that you 00:55:36.519 --> 00:55:36.980 are one who 00:55:36.980 --> 00:55:37.400 will never 00:55:37.400 --> 00:55:37.920 turn us 00:55:37.920 --> 00:55:38.500 away from 00:55:38.500 --> 00:55:39.180 yourself, but 00:55:39.180 --> 00:55:39.539 that you 00:55:39.539 --> 00:55:40.019 are even 00:55:40.019 --> 00:55:41.060 today looking 00:55:41.060 --> 00:55:41.640 out for 00:55:41.640 --> 00:55:42.200 us, that 00:55:42.200 --> 00:55:42.400 you are 00:55:42.400 --> 00:55:43.019 longing for 00:55:43.019 --> 00:55:43.360 us to 00:55:43.360 --> 00:55:43.880 come home 00:55:43.880 --> 00:55:45.320 and help 00:55:45.320 --> 00:55:45.800 us, Lord, 00:55:45.900 --> 00:55:46.380 to know that 00:55:46.380 --> 00:55:46.940 in you we 00:55:46.940 --> 00:55:48.320 have one who 00:55:48.320 --> 00:55:48.820 will give us 00:55:48.820 --> 00:55:49.260 a warm 00:55:49.260 --> 00:55:50.500 welcome, who 00:55:50.500 --> 00:55:51.060 will receive 00:55:51.060 --> 00:55:51.880 us gladly, 00:55:52.700 --> 00:55:53.420 that even as 00:55:53.420 --> 00:55:54.000 the Father 00:55:54.000 --> 00:55:54.519 said in 00:55:54.519 --> 00:55:55.320 this passage, 00:55:55.920 --> 00:55:56.579 this my 00:55:56.579 --> 00:55:57.260 son who 00:55:57.260 --> 00:55:58.039 was lost, 00:55:58.420 --> 00:55:58.820 he is 00:55:58.820 --> 00:55:59.260 found. 00:56:00.119 --> 00:56:00.699 We pray, 00:56:00.900 --> 00:56:01.219 Lord, to 00:56:01.219 --> 00:56:01.639 know that 00:56:01.639 --> 00:56:03.079 rejoicing even 00:56:03.079 --> 00:56:03.599 today in 00:56:03.599 --> 00:56:04.000 our own 00:56:04.000 --> 00:56:05.260 hearts, that 00:56:05.260 --> 00:56:05.519 we would 00:56:05.519 --> 00:56:06.579 come from 00:56:06.579 --> 00:56:06.960 being a 00:56:06.960 --> 00:56:07.519 people who 00:56:07.519 --> 00:56:08.099 are lost 00:56:08.099 --> 00:56:08.559 and running 00:56:08.559 --> 00:56:09.239 away from 00:56:09.239 --> 00:56:10.440 God to 00:56:10.440 --> 00:56:10.760 being a 00:56:10.760 --> 00:56:11.780 people who 00:56:11.780 --> 00:56:12.539 are trusting, 00:56:13.159 --> 00:56:13.360 who are 00:56:13.360 --> 00:56:14.099 receiving that 00:56:14.099 --> 00:56:15.019 welcome home 00:56:15.019 --> 00:56:15.980 and knowing 00:56:15.980 --> 00:56:17.280 the love of 00:56:17.280 --> 00:56:17.860 God and 00:56:17.860 --> 00:56:19.219 rejoicing in 00:56:19.219 --> 00:56:19.760 your goodness 00:56:19.760 --> 00:56:20.679 to us through 00:56:20.679 --> 00:56:21.739 Jesus Christ. 00:56:22.320 --> 00:56:23.000 So hear our 00:56:23.000 --> 00:56:23.659 prayers and 00:56:23.659 --> 00:56:24.320 continue with 00:56:24.320 --> 00:56:24.619 us. 00:56:25.099 --> 00:56:26.219 We ask the 00:56:26.219 --> 00:56:26.920 forgiveness of 00:56:26.920 --> 00:56:27.579 our sin in 00:56:27.579 --> 00:56:28.380 Jesus' name. 00:56:28.860 --> 00:56:29.280 Amen. 00:56:35.960 --> 00:56:36.920 We're going to 00:56:36.920 --> 00:56:37.659 conclude by 00:56:37.659 --> 00:56:38.260 singing to 00:56:38.260 --> 00:56:39.019 God's praise 00:56:39.019 --> 00:56:39.539 in Psalm 00:56:39.539 --> 00:56:42.219 100 in 00:56:42.219 --> 00:56:42.900 the Scottish 00:56:42.900 --> 00:56:43.500 Psalter 00:56:43.500 --> 00:56:43.980 version, 00:56:44.320 --> 00:56:45.860 page 362, 00:56:49.219 --> 00:56:50.320 the first 00:56:50.320 --> 00:56:50.960 version of 00:56:50.960 --> 00:56:51.440 the Psalm, 00:56:51.559 --> 00:56:52.300 Psalm 100. 00:56:53.000 --> 00:56:54.599 Page 362, 00:56:54.679 --> 00:56:55.079 we'll sing 00:56:55.079 --> 00:56:55.760 the whole of 00:56:55.760 --> 00:56:56.400 this Psalm, 00:56:57.719 --> 00:56:58.699 a Psalm that 00:56:58.699 --> 00:57:00.699 just reminds us 00:57:00.699 --> 00:57:01.400 of giving 00:57:01.400 --> 00:57:02.579 praise to 00:57:02.579 --> 00:57:03.079 God and 00:57:03.079 --> 00:57:03.739 coming into 00:57:03.739 --> 00:57:04.440 his presence 00:57:04.440 --> 00:57:04.900 and going 00:57:04.900 --> 00:57:06.159 on in 00:57:06.159 --> 00:57:07.199 his strength. 00:57:07.860 --> 00:57:08.380 All people 00:57:08.380 --> 00:57:08.739 that on 00:57:08.739 --> 00:57:09.219 earth do 00:57:09.219 --> 00:57:09.559 dwell, 00:57:09.739 --> 00:57:10.139 sing to 00:57:10.139 --> 00:57:10.559 the Lord 00:57:10.559 --> 00:57:11.260 with cheerful 00:57:11.260 --> 00:57:11.840 voice, 00:57:12.300 --> 00:57:12.760 and serve 00:57:12.760 --> 00:57:13.380 with mirth 00:57:13.380 --> 00:57:14.059 his praise 00:57:14.059 --> 00:57:14.800 forth tell, 00:57:15.280 --> 00:57:15.820 come ye 00:57:15.820 --> 00:57:16.579 before him 00:57:16.579 --> 00:57:18.000 and rejoice. 00:57:18.119 --> 00:57:18.460 The tune 00:57:18.460 --> 00:57:18.960 is Old 00:57:18.960 --> 00:57:20.340 100th and 00:57:20.340 --> 00:57:20.880 we'll stand 00:57:20.880 --> 00:57:21.500 to sing the 00:57:21.500 --> 00:57:22.360 whole of 00:57:22.360 --> 00:57:23.000 this Psalm. 00:57:27.000 --> 00:57:29.000 All people 00:57:29.000 --> 00:57:31.000 that on 00:57:31.000 --> 00:57:32.700 earth do 00:57:32.700 --> 00:57:34.019 dwell, 00:57:35.700 --> 00:57:37.599 sing to 00:57:37.599 --> 00:57:39.240 the Lord 00:57:39.240 --> 00:57:41.440 with cheerful 00:57:41.440 --> 00:57:44.240 voice, 00:57:44.240 --> 00:57:46.780 and serve 00:57:46.780 --> 00:57:47.480 with 00:57:47.480 --> 00:57:48.240 marvelous 00:57:48.240 --> 00:57:51.420 praise for 00:57:51.420 --> 00:57:52.920 tell, 00:57:52.920 --> 00:57:55.420 come ye 00:57:55.420 --> 00:57:57.800 before him 00:57:57.800 --> 00:58:00.519 and rejoice. 00:58:00.519 --> 00:58:05.159 all that the 00:58:05.159 --> 00:58:07.159 Lord is 00:58:07.159 --> 00:58:08.159 God 00:58:08.159 --> 00:58:09.159 did 00:58:09.159 --> 00:58:11.159 deed, 00:58:11.159 --> 00:58:13.159 without 00:58:13.159 --> 00:58:14.159 doubt 00:58:14.159 --> 00:58:15.159 it 00:58:15.159 --> 00:58:17.599 he did 00:58:17.599 --> 00:58:18.840 us 00:58:18.840 --> 00:58:19.159 say, 00:58:19.159 --> 00:58:21.159 we 00:58:21.159 --> 00:58:23.579 are his 00:58:23.579 --> 00:58:33.119 not 00:58:33.119 --> 00:58:34.019 love he 00:58:34.019 --> 00:58:34.219 in 00:58:34.219 --> 00:58:34.279 not 00:58:34.279 --> 00:58:34.920 bad 00:58:34.920 --> 00:58:35.900 is 00:58:35.900 --> 00:58:36.559 weary 00:58:36.559 --> 00:58:36.659 to 00:58:36.659 --> 00:58:37.099 take 00:58:37.099 --> 00:58:39.759 o'er 00:58:39.759 --> 00:58:40.960 into 00:58:40.960 --> 00:58:42.099 and 00:58:42.099 --> 00:58:42.940 his 00:58:42.940 --> 00:58:43.299 ire 00:58:43.299 --> 00:58:43.840 to 00:58:43.840 --> 00:58:44.019 earth 00:58:44.019 --> 00:58:44.679 fors 00:58:44.679 --> 00:58:45.139 lee 00:58:45.139 --> 00:58:46.219 is 00:58:46.219 --> 00:58:47.139 un 00:58:48.299 --> 00:58:49.440 irtland 00:58:49.440 --> 00:58:55.920 Proach with joy his courts and two. 00:58:55.920 --> 00:59:04.840 Praise God and bless his name always. 00:59:05.400 --> 00:59:13.920 For it is simply so to do. 00:59:13.920 --> 00:59:23.579 For why the Lord our God is good, 00:59:23.940 --> 00:59:32.079 his mercy is forever sure, 00:59:32.800 --> 00:59:40.840 his truth at all times firmly stood, 00:59:40.840 --> 00:59:49.720 and shall form his true age in truth. 00:59:51.800 --> 00:59:54.200 After the benediction I'll go to the main door. 00:59:54.340 --> 00:59:55.680 We'll just close with the benediction. 00:59:56.079 --> 00:59:59.180 Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, 00:59:59.640 --> 01:00:03.920 Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all 01:00:03.920 --> 01:00:06.320 now and forever. Amen. 01:00:10.840 --> 01:00:12.600 Amen. 01:00:29.720 --> 01:00:32.740 Amen. 01:00:32.739 --> 01:01:02.719 Thank you.