WEBVTT

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 to now conduct the worship, and we'll begin by singing in Psalm 138.

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 Psalm 138, that's in the Scottish Psalter, that's on page 431, verses 1 to 5,

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 the tune of St. Paul.

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 Thee will I praise with all my heart.

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 I will sing praise to thee before the gods, and worship will toward thy sanctuary.

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 I'll praise thy name even for thy truth, and kindness of thy love.

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 For thou thy word has magnified all thy great name above.

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 Psalm 138, verses 1 to 5.

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 If you're able to stand, please stand while we sing these verses.

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 Amen.

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 For thou art, I'll praise thy name even for thy truth, and kindness of thy love.

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 I'll praise thy name even for thy truth, and kindness of thy love.

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 For thou art, I'll praise thy name even for thy name.

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 And find all thy great name above.

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 Thou didst me answer in the day, when I to thee detry.

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 For thou art, I am us for thy thy name.

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 For thou art, We are our�� of thy ways of authority, and grace of thy 입니다.

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 For thou art, I am us for thy sins that I am número one for thy faiths, and grace of thy O Cookie Snow.

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 Than月 in Film on iTunes, Comeakenve Of our automatism, God to modem.

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 Thee is for our ticking system Which is

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 For thou art, for our bodily work,'sgest have been saved.

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 Changers of byまずly, and the impotor, our honour people, Perded or other man.

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 How gifted place, O Lord,

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 when a sin from thy mouth shall hear

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 thy true and faithful word.

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 Yea, in the righteous ways of God

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 with gladness they shall sing,

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 for grace the glory of the Lord

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 who doth forever reign.

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 Let's now join together in prayer briefly.

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 We're praying for the young folks

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 on the Sunday school and creche

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 and also the tweenies at this time.

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 Let's call upon the Lord.

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 O Lord, our God, we thank you

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 that our children and young folks

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 can gather with us,

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 that we have a heart's desire for them

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 that they will know you

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 and that they will come to follow you

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 all the days of their lives.

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 And we thank you today, Lord,

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 that they are here with us

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 and we pray for those who are away

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 on holiday at this time

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 and not able to be with us.

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 And we pray for other children too

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 who may have joined us as visitors.

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 We ask that your blessing

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 will be with them today as well

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 as we meet together here to worship you.

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 Help us, we pray,

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 to give attention to your word.

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 Help us to learn from it

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 and help us especially

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 to know yourself

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 and to know the blessing

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 that you have for your people

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 to be our portion today.

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 Receive us, we pray now,

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 and cleanse us from sin

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 in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, a word to the children now

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 before we move on with the service.

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 I'm going to say a number of things to you

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 and I want you to stick up your hand

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 if you think that they are actually true.

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 There are more Lego figures in the world

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 than there are people.

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 Now, there are 8 billion people in the world.

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 That's 8,000 million people in the world.

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 That's a lot of people.

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 And if you think there are more Lego figures

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 than that in the world,

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 stick your hand up.

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 Adults can do it as well if you want.

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 Are there more Lego figures

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 than 8 billion people?

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 What do you think?

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 If you think no,

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 don't put your hand up.

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 If you think yes,

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 put your hand up.

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 Lots of people think

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 that's not true.

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 Some people do think it's true,

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 so they've got their hands up.

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 Okay.

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 What about this then?

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 Astronauts who go into space.

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 When an astronaut goes to space,

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 their body actually grows

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 a bit taller

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 while they're in space

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 and then go back to normal

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 when they come back to Earth.

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 Hands up those who think that's true.

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 Yeah, there's more people

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 think that that's true

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 than the first one.

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 One more for you.

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 A sea lion

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 is the only animal

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 that can clap in time

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 either to music

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 or to a beat.

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 How many people think that's true?

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 A sea lion is the only animal

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 that can clap in time

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 to a beat.

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 Nobody thinks that's true.

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 No hands going up.

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 Okay.

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 Well, let me tell you,

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 all of these are actually true.

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 All of them are true.

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 Yeah.

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 But it's not going to make

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 much difference to your life

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 whether you actually know that

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 or not.

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 I mean,

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 if you hadn't heard

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 any of that today

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 and you went back home

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 and you hadn't learned

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 that there are more

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 Lego figures in the world

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 than human beings

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 and that the astronauts

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 actually grow taller

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 for the time they're in space

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 and that a sea lion

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 can clap in time

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 to music or to a beat,

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 it wouldn't really make

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 much difference to your life

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 if you didn't know that.

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 But let me say something else.

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 God so loved the world

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 that He gave

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 His only begotten Son

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 that whoever believes in Him

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 should not perish

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 but have everlasting life.

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 How many believe

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 that that's true?

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 Every hand should go up.

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 Is there anyone who thinks

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 that that's not true?

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 No.

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 God so loved the world

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 that He gave His only begotten Son

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 that whoever believes in Jesus

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 would not perish

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 but have everlasting life.

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 See, it makes a big difference

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 what you think is true and not

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 when it's really important.

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 Some people say,

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 well, truth is something

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 that I can just believe for myself.

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 If it's true for me,

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 then it doesn't matter

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 about anything else.

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 And some people will say,

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 that's what you should have,

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 that's the kind of attitude

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 you should have to the Bible

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 or to the Gospel.

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 If it's true for you,

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 then that's okay,

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 but it's not true for me.

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 Now, we must never come

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 to the Bible or to church

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 to worship God

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 with thoughts like that.

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 It is important

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 that this is God's truth.

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 It's not just truth

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 for some people,

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 it's truth for everybody.

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 And it's important

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 because it tells us

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 the things

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 that are really,

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 really important for us

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 to believe

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 and to follow

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 and to accept.

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 So today,

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 it doesn't really matter

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 that some things

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 may not be true

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 or some things

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 may be true.

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 It doesn't matter

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 whether you know about them

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 or believe them or not,

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 but it really does matter

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 that you know Jesus

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 for yourself

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 and that you know

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 that Jesus

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 is God's Son

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 who came into the world

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 to save us

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 from our sins.

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 And there's nothing

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 more important

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 for us to know

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 and to know

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 as the truth

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 than that.

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 So today,

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 this truth,

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 God's truth,

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 the truth that's

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 in the Bible

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 is so important

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 compared to many

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 other things

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 that may

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 or may not

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 be true.

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 Now we're going to say

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 the Lord's Prayer.

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 It's on the sheet

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 if you need to follow it.

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 We're doing this

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 because we want to learn

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 the Lord's Prayer

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 off by heart.

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 It's important

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 not just to know

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 the words

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 but to know

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 the meaning of them too.

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 And in fact,

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 certain other passages

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 of the Bible,

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 as much of the Bible

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 as you can,

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 it's important

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 for us to learn

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 and to be able

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 to recite.

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 So let's say

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 the Lord's Prayer then.

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 Our Father,

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 which art in heaven,

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 hallowed be thy name.

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 Thy kingdom come.

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 Thy will be done

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 on earth

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 as it is in heaven.

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 Give us this day

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 our daily bread

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 and forgive us

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 our debts

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 as we forgive

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 our debtors.

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 and lead us

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 not into temptation

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 but deliver us

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 from evil.

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 For thine is the kingdom,

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 the power,

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 and the glory

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 forever.

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 Amen.

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 We're going to sing

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 once again.

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 This time we're singing

00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:50.600
 Psalm 119.

00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:52.240
 In St. Psalms,

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 that's on page 157,

00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:56.420
 verses 1 to 8.

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 Tune this before the throne.

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 Blessed are those

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 of blameless ways

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 who live according

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 to God's Word.

00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:06.480
 Blessed are those

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 who keep His laws,

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 who with their whole heart

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 seek the Lord.

00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:12.279
 Our theme topic

00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:13.379
 for the sermon today

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 is listening to God,

00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:16.620
 following the series

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 we're having

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 on the gathered church,

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 but the gathered church

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 in the sense

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 in which today

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 we're going to look at it

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 as the church gathered

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 to listen

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 to God's voice.

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 These words

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 in our Psalms today

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 have to do

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 mainly with

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 how we're hearing God

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 and how God is speaking

00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:33.759
 to us through His Word.

00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:34.980
 So these words,

00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:35.779
 Blessed are those

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 of blameless ways

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 who live according

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 to God's Word.

00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:40.879
 Let's stand to sing.

00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:48.139
 Blessed are those

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 of blameless ways

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 who live according

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 to God's Word.

00:10:56.699 --> 00:10:59.039
 Blessed are those

00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:01.819
 who keep His laws,

00:11:02.199 --> 00:11:04.419
 who with their whole heart

00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:07.279
 seek the Lord.

00:11:07.699 --> 00:11:09.279
 They keep themselves

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 from doing wrong

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 by walking in His

00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:18.460
 strength with praise.

00:11:18.800 --> 00:11:21.260
 You have established

00:11:21.260 --> 00:11:23.260
 laws on us

00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:26.220
 that are to be

00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:28.260
 open always,

00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:31.700
 that are to be

00:11:31.700 --> 00:11:34.260
 open always.

00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:38.380
 O that my grace

00:11:38.380 --> 00:11:41.320
 were steadfast, Lord,

00:11:41.640 --> 00:11:43.760
 in making your

00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.759
 your deeds

00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:46.819
 leads my aim.

00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:49.580
 So when I think

00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:51.759
 God you commands,

00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:54.580
 I would not feel

00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:57.919
 disgrace or shame.

00:11:58.319 --> 00:11:59.939
 I will praise you

00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:03.759
 with an upright heart,

00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:06.580
 as you just lost

00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:08.759
 are there by me.

00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:11.399
 All your deeds

00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:14.399
 I will obey,

00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:17.899
 do not forsake me

00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:19.879
 utterly,

00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:23.539
 do not forsake me

00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:25.500
 utterly.

00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:30.100
 Let's now turn

00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:31.079
 to read God's Word,

00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:32.480
 and our reading this morning

00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:34.120
 is from Acts chapter 10.

00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:37.039
 The book of Acts chapter 10,

00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.579
 reading from the beginning

00:12:38.579 --> 00:12:40.340
 down as far as verse 33.

00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:54.060
 Acts chapter 10,

00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:55.259
 from the beginning

00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:56.000
 of the chapter.

00:12:56.420 --> 00:12:57.139
 You'll find it around

00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:59.620
 page 1106

00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:01.399
 in the church Bibles

00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.460
 if you're using those.

00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:05.200
 At Caesarea,

00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:05.860
 there was a man

00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:06.920
 named Cornelius,

00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:07.740
 a centurion

00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:09.879
 of what was known

00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:11.360
 as the Italian cohort,

00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:12.799
 a devout man

00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:13.620
 who feared God

00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.600
 with all his household,

00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:16.360
 gave alms generously

00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:17.100
 to the people,

00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.759
 and prayed continually

00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:19.460
 to God.

00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:21.360
 About the ninth hour

00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:21.759
 of the day,

00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:22.519
 he saw clearly

00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.060
 in a vision

00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:24.580
 an angel of God

00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:25.799
 come in and say to him,

00:13:26.180 --> 00:13:26.840
 Cornelius.

00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:28.759
 And he stared at him

00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.759
 in terror and said,

00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.120
 What is it, Lord?

00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:32.879
 And he said to him,

00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:33.519
 Your prayers

00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.279
 and your alms

00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:35.059
 have ascended

00:13:35.059 --> 00:13:35.799
 as a memorial

00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:36.720
 before God.

00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:38.439
 And now send men

00:13:38.439 --> 00:13:38.939
 to Joppa

00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:40.240
 and bring one Simon

00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.539
 who is called Peter.

00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.000
 He is lodging

00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:43.939
 with one Simon

00:13:43.939 --> 00:13:44.620
 at Tanner

00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.759
 whose house

00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:46.919
 is by the seaside.

00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:48.460
 When the angel

00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.240
 who spoke to him

00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:49.819
 had departed,

00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:50.960
 he called two

00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:51.600
 of his servants

00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:52.679
 and a devout soldier

00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:53.559
 from among those

00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:54.340
 who attended him,

00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.720
 and having related

00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:56.759
 everything to them,

00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:57.720
 he sent them

00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:58.360
 to Joppa.

00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:00.300
 The next day

00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:00.720
 as they were

00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:01.379
 on their journey

00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.500
 and approaching the city,

00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:04.000
 Peter went up

00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:04.779
 on the housetop

00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:05.680
 about the sixth hour

00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:06.159
 to pray.

00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:07.980
 And he became hungry

00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.800
 and wanted something

00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:09.300
 to eat.

00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:10.720
 But while they were

00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:11.340
 preparing it,

00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.419
 he fell into a trance

00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:13.720
 and saw the heavens

00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.620
 opened and something

00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.720
 like a great sheet

00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:16.659
 descending,

00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:17.879
 being let down

00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.879
 by its four corners

00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:19.740
 upon the earth.

00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.720
 In it were all kinds

00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:22.240
 of animals

00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.080
 and reptiles

00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:24.300
 and birds of the air.

00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:25.659
 And there came

00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:26.399
 a voice to him,

00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.580
 Rise, Peter,

00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:28.480
 kill and eat.

00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.320
 But Peter said,

00:14:30.800 --> 00:14:32.020
 By no means, Lord,

00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:33.320
 for I have never

00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:33.960
 eaten anything

00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:34.639
 that is common

00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.360
 or unclean.

00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:37.060
 And the voice

00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:37.860
 came to him again

00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.680
 the second time,

00:14:39.420 --> 00:14:40.860
 What God has made clean,

00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.639
 do not call common.

00:14:43.540 --> 00:14:45.040
 This happened three times,

00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.000
 and the thing

00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:46.639
 was taken up

00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.540
 at once to heaven.

00:14:48.780 --> 00:14:49.600
 Now while Peter

00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.160
 was inwardly perplexed

00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:52.280
 as to what the vision

00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:52.960
 that he had seen

00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:53.580
 might mean,

00:14:54.280 --> 00:14:54.600
 behold,

00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.480
 the men who were sent

00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:56.379
 by Cornelius,

00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.200
 having made

00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:58.780
 inquiry for Simon's house,

00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.840
 stood at the gate

00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.000
 and called out

00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:02.520
 to ask whether Simon,

00:15:02.640 --> 00:15:03.420
 who was called Peter,

00:15:03.540 --> 00:15:04.480
 was lodging there.

00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:06.040
 And while Peter

00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:07.300
 was pondering the vision,

00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:09.020
 the Spirit said to him,

00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:09.900
 Behold,

00:15:10.020 --> 00:15:10.960
 three men are looking

00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:11.480
 for you.

00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:13.200
 Rise and go down

00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.120
 and accompany them

00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:15.080
 without hesitation,

00:15:15.800 --> 00:15:16.860
 for I have sent them.

00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:18.720
 And Peter went down

00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.240
 to the men

00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:19.700
 and said,

00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:21.200
 I am the one

00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:22.040
 you are looking for.

00:15:22.140 --> 00:15:22.980
 What is the reason

00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:23.740
 for your coming?

00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.620
 And they said,

00:15:26.060 --> 00:15:26.620
 Cornelius,

00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:27.419
 a centurion,

00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.279
 an upright

00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.580
 and God-fearing man

00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:31.200
 who is well spoken of

00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:32.620
 by the whole Jewish nation,

00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:33.860
 was directed

00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.940
 by a holy angel

00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:36.779
 to send for you

00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:37.820
 to come to his house

00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:39.100
 and to hear

00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.080
 what you have to say.

00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.899
 So he invited them

00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:43.060
 in to be his guests.

00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.639
 The next day

00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.080
 he arose

00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:46.139
 and went away with them,

00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.620
 and some of the brothers

00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.240
 from Joppa

00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:49.080
 accompanied him.

00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.899
 And on the following day

00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:52.000
 they entered Caesarea.

00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:54.740
 Cornelius was expecting them

00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:56.220
 and had called together

00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.059
 his relatives

00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:58.419
 and close friends.

00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.039
 When Peter entered,

00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:00.980
 Cornelius met him

00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.600
 and fell down

00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:02.120
 at his feet

00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:02.860
 and worshipped him.

00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:04.440
 But Peter lifted him up

00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:04.679
 saying,

00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:05.440
 Stand up,

00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:07.100
 I too am a man.

00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:09.100
 And as he talked with them,

00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.019
 he went in

00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.720
 and found many persons gathered.

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.379
 And he said to them,

00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.700
 You yourselves know

00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:15.960
 how unlawful it is

00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.539
 for a Jew

00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.960
 to associate with

00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.960
 or to visit anyone

00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:19.860
 of another nation.

00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:22.259
 But God has shown me

00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.840
 that I should not call

00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.440
 any person

00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.759
 common or unclean.

00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.860
 So when I was sent for,

00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:29.379
 I came without objection.

00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:31.159
 I asked then,

00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.740
 Why you sent for me?

00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.899
 And Cornelius said,

00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.340
 Four days ago,

00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.300
 about this hour,

00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:39.000
 I was praying in my house

00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.840
 at the ninth hour.

00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:40.879
 Behold,

00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:42.019
 a man stood before me

00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.019
 in bright clothing

00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.639
 and said,

00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.399
 Cornelius,

00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:46.279
 your prayer has been heard

00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:46.980
 and your alms

00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.820
 have been remembered

00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:48.740
 before God.

00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.899
 Send,

00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:50.299
 therefore,

00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:50.919
 to Joppa

00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:52.480
 and ask for Simon

00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.419
 who is called Peter.

00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:54.700
 He is lodging

00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:55.700
 in the house of Simon

00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:57.019
 at Tanner by the sea.

00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.919
 So I sent for you

00:16:58.919 --> 00:16:59.539
 at once

00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:01.039
 and you have been

00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.220
 kind enough to come.

00:17:03.180 --> 00:17:03.500
 Now,

00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:03.919
 therefore,

00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.759
 we are all here

00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:07.680
 in the presence of God

00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:09.200
 to hear all

00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.359
 that you have been commanded

00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:12.440
 by the Lord.

00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.180
 Amen.

00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.700
 And may God

00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.700
 follow with this blessing,

00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:16.660
 this reading again

00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.920
 of His Word.

00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.519
 Let us once again

00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.779
 join together in prayer.

00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.380
 Lord,

00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.360
 we give thanks today

00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:26.519
 that we are gathered here

00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.220
 in Your name.

00:17:28.300 --> 00:17:29.120
 We thank You

00:17:29.120 --> 00:17:29.740
 for the purpose

00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.600
 of our gathering,

00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.800
 which is to worship You,

00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:33.820
 to come into Your presence,

00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:35.259
 to draw near to You,

00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:37.060
 and to come, Lord,

00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:38.040
 that we might give You

00:17:38.040 --> 00:17:38.640
 the praise,

00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:39.620
 the worship,

00:17:39.800 --> 00:17:41.160
 the honor that is due to You,

00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:43.060
 that we might also

00:17:43.060 --> 00:17:43.960
 be receivers

00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:45.340
 of Your blessing,

00:17:46.040 --> 00:17:46.880
 and through Your Word

00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.940
 we might come to know

00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:50.000
 more of that wonderful

00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.360
 eternal life

00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:51.980
 that You give

00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:52.660
 to Your people,

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.519
 that we might also

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.640
 be able to encourage

00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.300
 one another

00:17:56.300 --> 00:17:57.460
 in the things

00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.140
 of the Lord.

00:17:59.160 --> 00:17:59.820
 Oh, bless us,

00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:00.300
 we pray,

00:18:00.820 --> 00:18:02.019
 as we come before You.

00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.740
 And that Holy Spirit,

00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.120
 Lord,

00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:05.779
 of whom we were reading

00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.519
 in this passage

00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.279
 of Your Word,

00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.600
 may it please You,

00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:08.800
 Lord,

00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.960
 to bestow Your Spirit

00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:11.079
 today to guide us,

00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.559
 to open our hearts

00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.119
 and minds

00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:14.379
 to receive Your Word,

00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:15.879
 and to enable us,

00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.299
 oh, Lord,

00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:18.099
 to understand more fully

00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:19.119
 and more completely

00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:20.059
 and more accurately

00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:21.299
 those things

00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.480
 that are revealed in it

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.579
 for our edification,

00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.200
 for our growth

00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.799
 in holiness

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.740
 and in the grace

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.799
 and knowledge

00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.419
 of our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:30.839
 Bless us,

00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.419
 then, we pray,

00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.700
 as we come together

00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.919
 in this way once more.

00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:35.779
 We ask that Your blessing

00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.839
 may rest upon us

00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:38.200
 as a congregation

00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.180
 of Your people

00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.880
 and all the congregations

00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:42.000
 we represent today

00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.920
 wherever we live.

00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.340
 Lord, we pray

00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:45.559
 that You would be pleased

00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.740
 to bless Your own Word

00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.460
 in our midst.

00:18:48.080 --> 00:18:49.660
 We ask that You would assure us

00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:51.019
 that where Your people

00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.880
 gather together

00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:52.559
 in Your name,

00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.799
 You are there in the midst.

00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:55.500
 And You are there in the midst

00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:57.220
 because You take delight in them

00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:59.100
 and are pleased to bless them.

00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:01.240
 And we come before You,

00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:01.980
 Lord,

00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:02.799
 also conscious

00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:04.039
 of our unworthiness,

00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:05.120
 of our sinfulness,

00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:07.279
 conscious that we need

00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:08.480
 to confess our sin

00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:09.619
 as we do to You,

00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.599
 conscious that we need

00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:12.299
 Your cleansing

00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.200
 from our sin,

00:19:13.899 --> 00:19:14.859
 Your washing of us

00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:15.940
 by Your Holy Spirit,

00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.879
 that our hearts may be clean,

00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:19.399
 that our hearts may be sprinkled

00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:23.359
 with this power of Your Spirit

00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:25.859
 in forgiving our sins

00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.859
 and cleansing us

00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:28.339
 from our defilement.

00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.480
 And therefore,

00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.819
 that we may come before You,

00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:31.279
 O Lord,

00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:34.160
 with our conscience purged

00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:36.759
 and our sin put behind us.

00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.700
 We come before You,

00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.400
 Lord,

00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.460
 seeking that You would,

00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:42.279
 as we confess our sin,

00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:43.300
 that You would assure us

00:19:43.300 --> 00:19:44.320
 of Your great promise

00:19:44.320 --> 00:19:46.660
 that if we confess our sins,

00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:48.200
 then You are faithful

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.560
 and just to forgive us

00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:50.240
 our sins

00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.920
 and to cleanse us

00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:53.500
 from all unrighteousness.

00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.440
 We ask Your blessing

00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:56.120
 to be with us

00:19:56.120 --> 00:19:57.000
 in all activities

00:19:57.000 --> 00:20:00.160
 related to our congregational life.

00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.800
 We pray for all

00:20:01.800 --> 00:20:02.720
 that will take place,

00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.060
 Lord,

00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:03.740
 by Your will

00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:05.400
 in this week to come.

00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.720
 And we ask

00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.500
 that You would continue

00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.580
 to bless

00:20:08.580 --> 00:20:09.220
 and to own

00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.900
 and acknowledge

00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:11.720
 all that we seek to do

00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.519
 in Your name

00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:14.040
 and accompaniment

00:20:14.040 --> 00:20:15.440
 with the worship services

00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:16.759
 of the congregation.

00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.400
 We ask, too,

00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:18.960
 Your blessing,

00:20:19.040 --> 00:20:19.420
 O Lord,

00:20:19.540 --> 00:20:21.240
 for Nigel Kenny

00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:22.360
 as he comes to speak

00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:22.920
 on Wednesday.

00:20:23.800 --> 00:20:24.779
 We give thanks for him

00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.980
 and from the Christian Institute.

00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.840
 And we ask, Lord,

00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:28.640
 that You would continue

00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.560
 to bless them

00:20:29.560 --> 00:20:31.480
 as they bring to our notice

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.180
 and attention

00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:33.040
 and help us

00:20:33.040 --> 00:20:34.620
 with various materials

00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.860
 and matters

00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:36.600
 that help us

00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.740
 to face the issues

00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.360
 of the day

00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.600
 and those things

00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:40.340
 that are especially

00:20:40.340 --> 00:20:41.620
 of concern to us

00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.880
 in our generation.

00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.780
 And so, remember Him,

00:20:44.840 --> 00:20:45.200
 we pray,

00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:45.800
 as He goes

00:20:45.800 --> 00:20:47.360
 from place to place

00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:49.140
 and as He brings to us,

00:20:49.300 --> 00:20:49.480
 O Lord,

00:20:49.540 --> 00:20:51.140
 the work of the Institute.

00:20:52.280 --> 00:20:53.440
 Remember, too, Lord,

00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.100
 our friends

00:20:54.100 --> 00:20:55.860
 in the international mission

00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.880
 to the Jewish people.

00:20:57.520 --> 00:20:58.580
 We thank You for them

00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.419
 and we pray for them

00:20:59.419 --> 00:21:00.159
 at this time,

00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:02.899
 especially when we know

00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:04.259
 of such heightened tension

00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.379
 in Israel

00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.720
 and in the surrounding area.

00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.759
 We, Lord, ask that You

00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.199
 bless all their missionaries

00:21:10.199 --> 00:21:11.619
 in the various parts

00:21:11.619 --> 00:21:12.199
 of the world

00:21:12.199 --> 00:21:13.159
 where they serve You.

00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.939
 We pray that You would

00:21:14.939 --> 00:21:16.139
 continue to bless

00:21:16.139 --> 00:21:16.859
 their message,

00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:18.480
 bless their witness

00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:20.259
 to the Jewish people,

00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:20.659
 O Lord,

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:22.319
 throughout all these areas

00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.019
 of the world.

00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.919
 Remember, too,

00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:26.579
 that troubled area

00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.139
 of the world,

00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.480
 O Lord,

00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.740
 especially at this time.

00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.980
 We pray for the people

00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.519
 of Israel.

00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:32.960
 We pray for the people

00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.539
 of Gaza.

00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.299
 We pray that You

00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:35.879
 will bless them

00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.579
 at this time

00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.379
 of difficulty,

00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:39.619
 of the outbreak

00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.379
 of war,

00:21:40.939 --> 00:21:41.519
 and the tension

00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.519
 that accompanies it,

00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.319
 and the destruction

00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.639
 that inevitably

00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:45.720
 is part of

00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:47.259
 such a situation.

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.500
 Lord,

00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:48.939
 our God,

00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:50.079
 may it please You

00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:51.740
 to bring about

00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:53.779
 a true and lasting peace.

00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.519
 And may the hearts

00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.339
 of those who are

00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:57.740
 at enmity with You

00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.460
 and with each other

00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.259
 and with the Gospel,

00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:01.199
 may they come to be won

00:22:01.199 --> 00:22:02.299
 by the Holy Spirit,

00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.779
 that they come, Lord,

00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:05.099
 to lay down their enmity,

00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.919
 and especially their enmity

00:22:06.919 --> 00:22:08.000
 against Yourself,

00:22:08.679 --> 00:22:09.240
 and may they come

00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.819
 to know You

00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:11.039
 as the Prince of Peace,

00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:12.720
 the God of peace,

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.519
 the God who brought

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.199
 from the dead

00:22:14.199 --> 00:22:16.179
 our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.099
 We ask Your blessing

00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.139
 for all other parts

00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:20.039
 of the world today,

00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.799
 all other nations

00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.879
 where there is war

00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:25.059
 and where there is terrorism,

00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:27.519
 where there is tension,

00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:28.719
 where there is so much

00:22:28.719 --> 00:22:29.899
 difficulty for people

00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:31.740
 to live their daily lives

00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.339
 in peace.

00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:34.319
 We ask especially again

00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.980
 that You'd remember

00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:38.039
 Ukraine and the situation there.

00:22:38.699 --> 00:22:40.079
 We pray that You'd bless them,

00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:41.059
 and we ask that You would

00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:42.619
 continue to help them

00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.679
 against the aggression

00:22:43.679 --> 00:22:45.299
 of those who have invaded

00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.000
 their country.

00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.639
 We ask, Lord,

00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:49.280
 that You would be pleased

00:22:49.280 --> 00:22:50.540
 to bring about peace

00:22:50.540 --> 00:22:51.320
 there as well,

00:22:52.060 --> 00:22:53.540
 but help us as we pray

00:22:53.540 --> 00:22:54.860
 for peace in our world,

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.900
 Lord, to realize that peace

00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:59.160
 so often comes at a cost.

00:23:00.120 --> 00:23:00.960
 We need to stand

00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.940
 for principles

00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:03.920
 that we know from Your Word

00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.940
 are right and true.

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.940
 We ask, O Lord,

00:23:07.020 --> 00:23:07.880
 that You would continue

00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:10.120
 to bless Your people there

00:23:10.120 --> 00:23:10.620
 especially,

00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.520
 and we ask that You would

00:23:12.520 --> 00:23:15.040
 be pleased to grant them,

00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:16.259
 especially those of them

00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.779
 who remain in Ukraine

00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.779
 as well as those

00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:20.139
 who have gone to other countries.

00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.759
 Lord, remember them,

00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.159
 we pray,

00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:22.879
 as a people,

00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.200
 and the hostility

00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.500
 against them at this time.

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:28.059
 We ask for our own

00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.940
 Ukrainian friends

00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:30.039
 here in the congregation,

00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:31.899
 and the family who have come

00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:32.539
 to be with us

00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.220
 for some time.

00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:33.940
 Bless them.

00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:35.879
 Bless them as they think

00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:37.319
 of situations back home.

00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:39.000
 Bless them here with us,

00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.539
 we pray,

00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:41.000
 and guard them about

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.740
 and keep them

00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.440
 and help them

00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.859
 in their daily lives,

00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.140
 Lord,

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:46.960
 as they adjust at this moment

00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.279
 to being here

00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.920
 in a difficult place for them,

00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.740
 difficult in terms

00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.579
 of their language

00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:54.220
 and of the situation

00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:54.940
 and the culture.

00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.180
 Be pleased, Lord,

00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.000
 to bless them

00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:59.000
 and continue to watch over them.

00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:00.680
 We ask that You would

00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:03.039
 now continue to bless us here

00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:04.039
 as we worship You.

00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:06.240
 We pray that You would help us

00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.960
 to hear Your voice,

00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.960
 to listen to Your voice,

00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:11.880
 to hear us as You speak to us

00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.600
 through Your Word.

00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:14.640
 We ask that You would help us,

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:14.799
 Lord,

00:24:14.860 --> 00:24:16.200
 to focus our mind

00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.660
 on the importance

00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:19.319
 of hearing the living God

00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:21.740
 and coming to respond

00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.940
 to His voice

00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:25.259
 with our obedient response.

00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:27.880
 Lord, grant us these mercies,

00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.380
 we pray,

00:24:28.860 --> 00:24:30.660
 for we ask them in Jesus' name.

00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.640
 Amen.

00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:35.299
 Before we turn to God's Word,

00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.319
 we'll sing once again,

00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:38.440
 again in Psalm 119.

00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:40.600
 And this time we're singing

00:24:40.600 --> 00:24:42.480
 in the Scottish Psalter.

00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.100
 I'm sorry,

00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:45.860
 we're singing in the Sing Psalms

00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:47.700
 on page 165,

00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:51.480
 singing verses 137 to 144.

00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.720
 The tune this time is Warrington.

00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:56.500
 O Lord, You are the righteous one.

00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:59.259
 The statutes that You give are just.

00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:01.660
 You lay down laws of righteousness

00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:04.559
 entirely worthy of our trust.

00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.940
 So, Psalm 119,

00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:08.539
 verses 137 to 144,

00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:10.899
 on page 165,

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.879
 to God's praise.

00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:24.120
 O Lord, You are the righteous one.

00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:32.579
 The statutes that You give are just.

00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:39.500
 You lay down laws of righteousness

00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:49.219
 entirely worthy of our trust.

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:57.519
 My zeal consumes and wears me out,

00:25:57.519 --> 00:26:06.019
 because my foes forget Your word.

00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:14.259
 Your promises are tried and true,

00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:23.319
 and I, Your servant, love them, Lord.

00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:31.720
 O I am lowly undespised,

00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:40.319
 Your peace and time do not forget.

00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:47.559
 Eternal is Your righteousness,

00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:57.759
 true is the law that You have said.

00:26:57.759 --> 00:27:02.259
 The stress and trouble

00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:06.220
 best be done,

00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:14.799
 but Your commands are my delight.

00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:23.039
 Grant wisdom so that I may live.

00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:32.579
 Your statutes are forever mine.

00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:37.339
 Now please turn with me to Acts chapter 10,

00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:38.339
 the passage we read,

00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:42.720
 especially the words we find in verse 33,

00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:45.579
 but we'll need to take these few verses

00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:46.700
 before that as well.

00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:49.400
 And indeed, we read through the whole passage

00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:51.019
 just to give us the buildup

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.880
 to what we find in the verse

00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:54.000
 that we're looking at today.

00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:56.039
 So verse 33,

00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:57.900
 So I sent for you at once,

00:27:58.640 --> 00:28:00.400
 and you have been kind enough to come.

00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:03.160
 Now therefore we are all here

00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.660
 in the presence of God

00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:07.319
 to hear all that you have been commanded

00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.819
 by the Lord,

00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:10.720
 especially that second part of the verse.

00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:13.400
 We are here in the presence of God

00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:15.759
 to hear all that you have been commanded

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:17.680
 by the Lord.

00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:20.100
 So a third in the series,

00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:22.559
 a very short series on the gathered church,

00:28:22.620 --> 00:28:24.180
 where we're looking at matters

00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:28.079
 that are particularly of importance

00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:29.500
 with regard to the church

00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.620
 as gathered together,

00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:32.960
 such as we are today in worship.

00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:36.660
 We've looked previously at Matthew 18,

00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:39.339
 as many as are gathered in the name of Christ,

00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:40.679
 even if there are just two or three,

00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:43.919
 God or Christ is present in the midst.

00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:45.959
 We looked at that passage first of all.

00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:48.220
 Then we looked at Hebrews chapter 10,

00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:50.279
 from the foundation of Jesus

00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:52.019
 being the high priest of His people,

00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:54.519
 that we are to draw near to God.

00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:56.519
 And then it says a number of things

00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.699
 that are related to that,

00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:59.659
 finishing with that we are to

00:28:59.659 --> 00:29:02.419
 draw near to God and be together,

00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.799
 assembling, not forgetting,

00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:05.879
 the assembling of ourselves together,

00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:07.879
 as the custom of some is,

00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:11.519
 but rather that we stimulate one another

00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:13.619
 to love and to good works,

00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:15.099
 another important aspect

00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:16.740
 of our gathering together,

00:29:16.919 --> 00:29:18.639
 along with the worship of God,

00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:20.980
 which is given primary consideration.

00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.319
 And today we're looking

00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:24.500
 at this particular focus

00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:26.379
 on being in the presence of God

00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:28.460
 to hear all that you have been commanded

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.279
 by the Lord.

00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:31.980
 Now, there's a lot to do with

00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:35.279
 attending to the worship of God,

00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:38.779
 and that is more than just listening to God.

00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:39.940
 We're singing His praises.

00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:42.039
 We call upon Him in prayer, as you know.

00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:45.079
 But we're focusing today on this verse

00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:50.079
 as it gives particular interest to us

00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:52.839
 with regard to listening to God.

00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.099
 We're gathered together

00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:56.539
 as the church of God

00:29:56.539 --> 00:30:00.480
 to hear what God has to say to us.

00:30:01.439 --> 00:30:02.199
 And it's interesting,

00:30:02.419 --> 00:30:03.619
 the way that it's put here.

00:30:03.699 --> 00:30:05.659
 We've read through the build-up to it,

00:30:05.719 --> 00:30:06.959
 this man Cornelius,

00:30:07.439 --> 00:30:10.579
 and how the Lord brought this to his house,

00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:13.480
 how He brought him into this situation.

00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.500
 And so our focus,

00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:17.199
 and really this in many ways

00:30:17.199 --> 00:30:18.500
 is a miniature, isn't it,

00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:20.339
 of what the church ought to be

00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:21.839
 or what the gathering of the church,

00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:23.279
 the gathering of the church

00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.539
 in a congregational sense

00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.639
 or even the wider sense

00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:27.019
 or even a smaller sense,

00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:28.299
 how it ought to be.

00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.740
 And the words here, I think,

00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:31.420
 are so appropriate for ourselves,

00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.160
 whether it's here

00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:33.779
 in a congregational setting

00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:35.559
 or a smaller or larger setting,

00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.619
 that we can say

00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:37.660
 we are all here

00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:39.339
 in the presence of God

00:30:39.339 --> 00:30:43.160
 to hear what God has to say to us

00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:45.759
 through the preaching of His Word,

00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:47.440
 the things that are commanded

00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:49.299
 by the Lord.

00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:51.819
 Now, what then can we take

00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:53.700
 from this passage?

00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.519
 Well, first of all,

00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:57.200
 we learn from this

00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:59.980
 the importance of a due preparation

00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:02.740
 to hear God's voice.

00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:06.359
 The importance of a due preparation.

00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:10.659
 The key to any successful project

00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:12.960
 or event is in the preparation.

00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:14.980
 It doesn't matter what you're going to do,

00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:17.180
 whether it's a small or great event

00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.279
 or project,

00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:20.380
 the key is in the preparation.

00:31:21.080 --> 00:31:22.420
 Tradesmen will tell you that

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:23.960
 if you come and say to them,

00:31:24.060 --> 00:31:25.680
 well, that's a really brilliant job

00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.160
 you've made,

00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:27.100
 whether it's painting

00:31:27.100 --> 00:31:28.160
 or joinery,

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.060
 whatever it is,

00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.060
 and they'll tell you,

00:31:30.380 --> 00:31:31.120
 yes, but the secret

00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:32.220
 is in the preparation.

00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.940
 If you do the preparation,

00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.759
 if that's the way it should be,

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:37.380
 then that's really the basis

00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:38.400
 of a good job,

00:31:38.620 --> 00:31:41.500
 the basis of a successful project.

00:31:42.600 --> 00:31:43.500
 And it's the same

00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:46.039
 with our hearing of God's Word.

00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.740
 In many ways,

00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:50.420
 the preparation is as important

00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:52.960
 as the moment you're actually hearing

00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:55.980
 the Word itself being preached to you.

00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:59.019
 And the key, therefore,

00:31:59.119 --> 00:31:59.799
 in the preparation

00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:02.180
 is also in this passage as well.

00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.240
 Because you notice,

00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:05.759
 he called his friends in verse 24.

00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:08.279
 You notice what Cornelius did

00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.819
 when he,

00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.660
 on the following day,

00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:13.440
 as they entered Caesarea,

00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:16.059
 Cornelius was expecting them

00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:17.599
 and had called together

00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:20.399
 his relatives and close friends.

00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.680
 You see, for Cornelius,

00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:22.920
 this was going to be

00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:24.759
 a really important event.

00:32:25.579 --> 00:32:27.539
 He was expecting the apostle Peter.

00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:29.220
 He was expecting him to come

00:32:29.220 --> 00:32:31.000
 with some people accompanying him.

00:32:31.399 --> 00:32:33.180
 And this word expecting

00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.940
 that you find in that verse

00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:38.920
 is really an important word.

00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:40.860
 It's important because it means

00:32:40.860 --> 00:32:42.420
 something more than just

00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:44.559
 a general sort of expectation.

00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:47.700
 Cornelius was expecting them

00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:50.220
 means Cornelius was eagerly

00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:52.080
 looking forward to them coming.

00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:55.580
 Cornelius had his mind set

00:32:55.580 --> 00:32:56.920
 upon them coming

00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:58.180
 and upon Peter especially

00:32:58.180 --> 00:33:00.039
 coming at his invitation

00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:01.039
 to his house

00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:03.059
 to tell them more about the Lord.

00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:05.859
 Cornelius was not a Jew.

00:33:06.139 --> 00:33:07.079
 He was a Gentile.

00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:08.919
 He was a convert to Judaism.

00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:10.859
 He still had a lot to learn,

00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.779
 as you obviously see

00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.759
 from his reaction

00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.679
 when Peter entered.

00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:15.079
 He wanted to worship Peter

00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.440
 until Peter corrected him.

00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.940
 But he was a devout man.

00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.659
 He worshipped God.

00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.139
 He prayed.

00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:20.200
 This was an answer

00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:21.679
 to his prayers to God.

00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:24.119
 And here is Cornelius

00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:25.559
 expecting them.

00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.259
 He had prayed.

00:33:27.659 --> 00:33:28.779
 He knew he was coming.

00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.740
 And the coming of Peter

00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:32.319
 was of such importance to him

00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.679
 that he called together

00:33:33.679 --> 00:33:35.099
 his friends and his relatives

00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:37.279
 to be part of that occasion.

00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.879
 It wasn't enough for him

00:33:39.879 --> 00:33:42.460
 that he was expecting Peter eagerly.

00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.559
 It wasn't enough for him

00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:44.419
 that he was excited

00:33:44.419 --> 00:33:45.099
 at the prospect

00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:46.299
 of this apostle coming

00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:47.319
 to speak to him,

00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:48.740
 to tell him more about the Lord.

00:33:49.899 --> 00:33:51.720
 He wanted others to share

00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:53.059
 in that experience.

00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.659
 He wanted others to come

00:33:54.659 --> 00:33:56.980
 and benefit from that event.

00:33:58.179 --> 00:33:58.539
 And you know,

00:33:58.599 --> 00:34:00.200
 that's what is true for us

00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.039
 as well, isn't it?

00:34:01.080 --> 00:34:01.299
 Surely.

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:03.160
 That we come together here

00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:04.759
 not just for our own sake.

00:34:05.140 --> 00:34:06.580
 We don't just come

00:34:06.580 --> 00:34:07.460
 as individuals.

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.920
 We come collective.

00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:11.119
 We're the gathered church of God.

00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:12.639
 But you want others

00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.940
 to share that experience.

00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:14.880
 Why do you want others

00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:16.199
 to share that experience?

00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.460
 Well, you don't say to people,

00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.740
 come and hear our minister.

00:34:18.940 --> 00:34:20.159
 That's not where you begin.

00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.480
 You begin with saying,

00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:24.480
 there's an important event

00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:26.360
 happening every single Sunday

00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:27.559
 and other times

00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:29.640
 in Stornway Free Church

00:34:29.640 --> 00:34:30.460
 or whatever church

00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:31.320
 we belong to.

00:34:31.740 --> 00:34:32.700
 And it's important

00:34:32.700 --> 00:34:34.800
 because it's made important

00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:36.780
 by the fact that God is there

00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:38.120
 and that God is speaking

00:34:38.120 --> 00:34:39.200
 to us through His Word.

00:34:39.720 --> 00:34:40.539
 Come and hear Him.

00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.500
 That's the conviction,

00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:44.260
 really, isn't it,

00:34:44.260 --> 00:34:45.980
 of what's happening here today.

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:48.280
 We haven't just gathered together here

00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:50.440
 because we have a nice time together,

00:34:50.700 --> 00:34:52.200
 because we enjoy fellowship

00:34:52.200 --> 00:34:52.840
 with each other.

00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:54.260
 That's all part of it,

00:34:54.260 --> 00:34:54.860
 I'm sure.

00:34:55.180 --> 00:34:56.740
 But we have come together today

00:34:56.740 --> 00:34:57.780
 because we're convinced

00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:59.780
 that this is a place

00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.880
 and this is an occasion,

00:35:01.220 --> 00:35:02.380
 this is an event

00:35:02.380 --> 00:35:05.800
 where God comes to speak to us.

00:35:07.540 --> 00:35:08.960
 Where God addresses us

00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:10.220
 through the Bible,

00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:11.360
 through the Word of God

00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:12.120
 being preached.

00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:15.060
 Where God has laid upon

00:35:15.060 --> 00:35:16.340
 a preacher's heart

00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:18.300
 things that He wants to share out

00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:21.200
 and preach to the congregation.

00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.140
 That's what God,

00:35:22.139 --> 00:35:24.359
 that's why God has placed us

00:35:24.359 --> 00:35:25.179
 where we are.

00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.119
 You see,

00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:30.219
 our invitation to others

00:35:30.219 --> 00:35:32.099
 to come to church,

00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:34.179
 however we put it,

00:35:34.759 --> 00:35:36.039
 doesn't really make much difference

00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:36.900
 how we put it,

00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:38.719
 though we have to think carefully

00:35:38.719 --> 00:35:39.440
 about our words,

00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.239
 but we want people

00:35:40.239 --> 00:35:41.219
 to come to church.

00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.359
 We want others

00:35:42.359 --> 00:35:44.379
 who've stopped coming to church

00:35:44.379 --> 00:35:45.819
 or dropped out of the habit

00:35:45.819 --> 00:35:46.859
 of coming to church

00:35:46.859 --> 00:35:47.699
 for whatever reason,

00:35:47.799 --> 00:35:50.259
 especially since the COVID period.

00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:51.480
 We know that there are some people

00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:52.480
 maybe still reluctant

00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:54.560
 to come out physically to church

00:35:54.560 --> 00:35:55.420
 to join others.

00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.600
 All of that is part of

00:35:56.600 --> 00:35:58.420
 where we are as a people

00:35:58.420 --> 00:36:00.180
 and as a congregation

00:36:00.180 --> 00:36:01.420
 and as a community,

00:36:02.040 --> 00:36:03.460
 but however we put it

00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.060
 and however much

00:36:04.060 --> 00:36:05.740
 the invitation is meant,

00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:07.640
 this is the basis of it

00:36:07.640 --> 00:36:10.300
 because we are convinced

00:36:10.300 --> 00:36:12.620
 that the importance

00:36:12.620 --> 00:36:13.640
 of this event

00:36:13.640 --> 00:36:15.960
 is based on the fact

00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:17.060
 that God is here

00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:19.840
 and that God speaks to us

00:36:19.840 --> 00:36:22.799
 and that we should be ready

00:36:22.799 --> 00:36:24.539
 to listen to Him.

00:36:25.779 --> 00:36:26.679
 So the preparation

00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:28.940
 in the preaching of the gospel,

00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:30.299
 the preparation for it

00:36:30.299 --> 00:36:32.179
 is based on the fact

00:36:32.179 --> 00:36:33.659
 that it's an occasion

00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:35.480
 where God speaks to His people

00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:37.539
 and therefore not only

00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.320
 do we want to come

00:36:38.320 --> 00:36:39.960
 to be part of that ourselves,

00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:41.480
 but we want others

00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:42.940
 to share it with us as well.

00:36:43.679 --> 00:36:44.739
 That's where the invitation,

00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:47.059
 that's where the evangelistic emphasis

00:36:47.059 --> 00:36:47.799
 of the church

00:36:47.799 --> 00:36:49.719
 really reaches out to people

00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:51.419
 on the basis of what happens

00:36:51.419 --> 00:36:53.099
 in the preaching of the Word.

00:36:54.939 --> 00:36:55.719
 But there's also,

00:36:56.219 --> 00:36:57.339
 along with calling His friends,

00:36:57.479 --> 00:36:58.479
 this due preparation,

00:36:59.119 --> 00:37:00.919
 there's a readiness to hear.

00:37:01.479 --> 00:37:02.019
 Now he says,

00:37:02.299 --> 00:37:03.399
 we are all here

00:37:03.399 --> 00:37:04.799
 in the presence of God

00:37:04.799 --> 00:37:07.879
 to hear all that you have been commanded

00:37:07.879 --> 00:37:08.919
 by the Lord.

00:37:09.279 --> 00:37:10.939
 They are there in the presence of God,

00:37:11.099 --> 00:37:11.839
 Cornelius is saying,

00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:12.579
 we are all here,

00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:14.880
 and we are here specifically

00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:17.880
 to hear what you have to say,

00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:19.980
 what God has commanded you

00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:21.519
 to say to us.

00:37:23.360 --> 00:37:25.600
 Well, many of us are old enough

00:37:25.600 --> 00:37:27.720
 like I am to go back

00:37:27.720 --> 00:37:29.200
 to pre-television days

00:37:29.200 --> 00:37:32.160
 and even to pre-digital radio days.

00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:34.180
 And when you wanted to listen

00:37:34.180 --> 00:37:35.260
 to something on the radio,

00:37:35.740 --> 00:37:36.640
 I remember as a boy

00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:38.940
 with my father listening

00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:39.719
 to things like

00:37:39.719 --> 00:37:42.139
 international football matches

00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:43.379
 Scotland were playing.

00:37:43.859 --> 00:37:44.940
 You would listen to it on the radio,

00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:46.279
 but you had to tune the radio

00:37:46.279 --> 00:37:47.159
 to the right channel,

00:37:47.239 --> 00:37:48.500
 and sometimes the signal

00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:49.659
 wasn't all that great,

00:37:50.219 --> 00:37:52.119
 and you would hear a lot of whistling

00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:53.579
 and cracking and noises,

00:37:53.960 --> 00:37:55.239
 and then the channel would come up

00:37:55.239 --> 00:37:56.539
 and you'd be listening to it,

00:37:56.799 --> 00:37:57.579
 and then just maybe

00:37:57.579 --> 00:37:58.980
 at a very important part

00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.739
 in the commentary

00:37:59.739 --> 00:38:00.819
 and the radio commentary

00:38:00.819 --> 00:38:02.420
 of it would go again,

00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:03.679
 crackling away,

00:38:03.779 --> 00:38:05.000
 and you'd lose so much of it.

00:38:05.000 --> 00:38:07.579
 But you were trying

00:38:07.579 --> 00:38:08.900
 to tune that radio

00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:10.679
 to the correct position

00:38:10.679 --> 00:38:12.400
 to hear what was being said,

00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:12.960
 and you were really

00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:13.880
 listening keenly,

00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:15.179
 and because you were keen

00:38:15.179 --> 00:38:16.500
 to hear and keen to listen

00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.440
 and keen to actually

00:38:17.440 --> 00:38:19.340
 follow what was being said

00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:21.079
 and hear all the details of it,

00:38:22.139 --> 00:38:23.079
 you wanted to make sure

00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:24.039
 that the tuning

00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:25.500
 was as accurate as possible.

00:38:27.760 --> 00:38:29.039
 And that's really,

00:38:29.679 --> 00:38:30.059
 in a sense,

00:38:30.099 --> 00:38:30.599
 what we're doing

00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:31.300
 with our minds

00:38:31.300 --> 00:38:32.179
 and with our souls

00:38:32.179 --> 00:38:33.260
 as we come to church,

00:38:33.820 --> 00:38:34.820
 as we come to

00:38:34.820 --> 00:38:37.200
 hear the gospel.

00:38:38.380 --> 00:38:39.460
 And as we come to follow

00:38:39.460 --> 00:38:41.320
 the words of Cornelius there,

00:38:41.660 --> 00:38:42.660
 this is how it should be

00:38:42.660 --> 00:38:43.280
 for ourselves,

00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:44.880
 our minds to be tuned

00:38:44.880 --> 00:38:47.580
 accurately and carefully

00:38:47.580 --> 00:38:48.580
 and prayerfully

00:38:48.580 --> 00:38:51.000
 to the voice of God.

00:38:51.720 --> 00:38:52.960
 There's no ordinary voice.

00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:54.660
 There's no ordinary occasion.

00:38:55.300 --> 00:38:56.340
 We may think at times

00:38:56.340 --> 00:38:57.800
 that it's something

00:38:57.800 --> 00:38:59.120
 that we just do habitually,

00:38:59.160 --> 00:38:59.800
 and we do.

00:39:00.140 --> 00:39:00.940
 It is a habit.

00:39:01.019 --> 00:39:01.800
 It's a good habit,

00:39:01.900 --> 00:39:02.800
 but it's more than that.

00:39:02.800 --> 00:39:04.180
 It's something where we,

00:39:04.460 --> 00:39:05.519
 every time we come,

00:39:05.600 --> 00:39:06.180
 should be thinking,

00:39:06.539 --> 00:39:08.000
 I'm there to listen to God.

00:39:08.220 --> 00:39:08.960
 I'm there to listen

00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:09.980
 to what God has given

00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:11.100
 the preacher to say.

00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:13.340
 And however much

00:39:13.340 --> 00:39:14.720
 we've heard it already,

00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:16.400
 it's the same

00:39:16.400 --> 00:39:17.560
 on this occasion

00:39:17.560 --> 00:39:19.539
 as on previous occasions.

00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:20.060
 We're here

00:39:20.060 --> 00:39:21.780
 to listen to God.

00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:23.800
 the larger catechism,

00:39:25.900 --> 00:39:28.100
 question 160,

00:39:28.240 --> 00:39:29.780
 what is required of those

00:39:29.780 --> 00:39:31.940
 that hear the word preached?

00:39:32.240 --> 00:39:33.280
 Important question.

00:39:34.080 --> 00:39:35.400
 It is required of those

00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:36.660
 that hear the word preached

00:39:36.660 --> 00:39:38.980
 that they attend upon it

00:39:38.980 --> 00:39:40.100
 with diligence,

00:39:41.040 --> 00:39:41.600
 preparation,

00:39:42.340 --> 00:39:42.900
 and prayer,

00:39:43.519 --> 00:39:44.660
 that they examine

00:39:44.660 --> 00:39:45.519
 what they hear

00:39:45.519 --> 00:39:46.460
 by the Scriptures,

00:39:47.200 --> 00:39:48.519
 that they receive

00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:50.000
 the truth with faith,

00:39:50.340 --> 00:39:50.719
 love,

00:39:51.179 --> 00:39:51.659
 meekness,

00:39:51.699 --> 00:39:53.099
 and readiness of mind

00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:54.980
 as the word of God,

00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:56.639
 that they meditate

00:39:56.639 --> 00:39:58.699
 and confer of it,

00:39:59.199 --> 00:40:00.300
 that they hide it

00:40:00.300 --> 00:40:01.039
 in their hearts

00:40:01.039 --> 00:40:02.820
 and bring forth

00:40:02.820 --> 00:40:03.719
 the fruit of it

00:40:03.719 --> 00:40:05.320
 in their lives.

00:40:06.420 --> 00:40:06.639
 Now,

00:40:06.679 --> 00:40:07.460
 there's a lot packed

00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:08.860
 into that answer

00:40:08.860 --> 00:40:09.559
 to the question,

00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:10.699
 what is required

00:40:10.699 --> 00:40:11.199
 of those

00:40:11.199 --> 00:40:12.000
 that hear

00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:13.340
 the word preached?

00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:15.019
 but it's such

00:40:15.019 --> 00:40:16.059
 an important issue

00:40:16.059 --> 00:40:18.140
 and so many things

00:40:18.140 --> 00:40:19.079
 that are related to it

00:40:19.079 --> 00:40:19.980
 because it's such

00:40:19.980 --> 00:40:20.900
 an important issue.

00:40:22.640 --> 00:40:23.620
 We are here

00:40:23.620 --> 00:40:24.780
 in the presence of God

00:40:24.780 --> 00:40:25.340
 to hear

00:40:25.340 --> 00:40:26.860
 all that you have been

00:40:26.860 --> 00:40:27.340
 commanded

00:40:27.340 --> 00:40:28.460
 by God

00:40:28.460 --> 00:40:29.720
 to say.

00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:34.900
 I'm always annoyed

00:40:34.900 --> 00:40:38.160
 if I'm on a plane

00:40:38.160 --> 00:40:39.260
 or any place else

00:40:39.260 --> 00:40:41.260
 that has a safety announcement.

00:40:41.260 --> 00:40:43.120
 Just recently

00:40:43.120 --> 00:40:43.660
 on a plane,

00:40:44.600 --> 00:40:45.700
 the safety announcement

00:40:45.700 --> 00:40:46.700
 was about to be made

00:40:46.700 --> 00:40:48.680
 and over the time

00:40:48.680 --> 00:40:49.200
 I came,

00:40:49.420 --> 00:40:49.940
 the announcement,

00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:51.300
 I want you to listen

00:40:51.300 --> 00:40:52.320
 very carefully

00:40:52.320 --> 00:40:53.480
 to this following

00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:55.020
 safety announcement.

00:40:55.480 --> 00:40:56.340
 Even if you heard

00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:57.480
 similar before,

00:40:57.600 --> 00:40:58.540
 this is particularly

00:40:58.540 --> 00:40:59.460
 appropriate

00:40:59.460 --> 00:41:00.440
 to this type

00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:01.180
 of aircraft.

00:41:01.960 --> 00:41:02.160
 So,

00:41:02.240 --> 00:41:02.820
 please put off

00:41:02.820 --> 00:41:03.780
 your headphones,

00:41:04.500 --> 00:41:05.260
 stop your reading,

00:41:05.980 --> 00:41:07.240
 whatever you're doing,

00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:08.200
 please listen

00:41:08.200 --> 00:41:09.660
 and watch the demonstration.

00:41:09.800 --> 00:41:09.980
 And you know,

00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:10.660
 it's really annoying

00:41:10.659 --> 00:41:11.420
 because there was

00:41:11.420 --> 00:41:12.239
 somebody in front of us

00:41:12.239 --> 00:41:13.179
 who just had the earphones

00:41:13.179 --> 00:41:13.799
 on all the time.

00:41:13.879 --> 00:41:14.179
 I don't know,

00:41:14.239 --> 00:41:14.799
 maybe they were listening

00:41:14.799 --> 00:41:15.739
 to it through the earphones.

00:41:15.940 --> 00:41:16.679
 I doubted.

00:41:17.420 --> 00:41:18.139
 And there were other people

00:41:18.139 --> 00:41:18.799
 that were just in

00:41:18.799 --> 00:41:20.480
 conversation so loudly

00:41:20.480 --> 00:41:22.699
 with their fellow passenger

00:41:22.699 --> 00:41:23.940
 that you could hardly hear

00:41:23.940 --> 00:41:24.779
 what was being said

00:41:24.779 --> 00:41:25.719
 because of their voice

00:41:25.719 --> 00:41:26.399
 being raised

00:41:26.399 --> 00:41:27.579
 to get it above

00:41:27.579 --> 00:41:28.299
 the announcement.

00:41:29.500 --> 00:41:30.759
 What's really happening there?

00:41:31.019 --> 00:41:31.859
 There's people being

00:41:31.859 --> 00:41:33.239
 given directions

00:41:33.239 --> 00:41:34.599
 as to their safety

00:41:34.599 --> 00:41:35.920
 and their well-being

00:41:35.920 --> 00:41:37.319
 and they're just hearing

00:41:37.319 --> 00:41:38.019
 it as a noise

00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:38.759
 but they're not really

00:41:38.760 --> 00:41:39.680
 listening to it.

00:41:39.980 --> 00:41:40.580
 They're maybe saying,

00:41:40.780 --> 00:41:41.540
 oh, I heard all this

00:41:41.540 --> 00:41:42.880
 before, I know it all.

00:41:43.500 --> 00:41:44.400
 Or maybe they're saying,

00:41:44.680 --> 00:41:45.500
 well, I don't want to think

00:41:45.500 --> 00:41:46.780
 about this plane crashing.

00:41:46.920 --> 00:41:47.580
 I don't want to think

00:41:47.580 --> 00:41:50.100
 about that sort of disaster

00:41:50.100 --> 00:41:50.820
 so I'm not really

00:41:50.820 --> 00:41:52.040
 going to listen to this.

00:41:52.260 --> 00:41:53.480
 It really scares me.

00:41:54.560 --> 00:41:55.360
 Maybe that's the reason

00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:56.160
 they don't listen.

00:41:57.400 --> 00:41:58.740
 But they should listen.

00:42:00.740 --> 00:42:02.520
 Their safety depends on it.

00:42:02.519 --> 00:42:04.800
 If that were to meet

00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:06.099
 with an emergency,

00:42:06.780 --> 00:42:07.880
 just imagine the panic

00:42:07.880 --> 00:42:09.039
 for people who hadn't

00:42:09.039 --> 00:42:09.780
 been listening to

00:42:09.780 --> 00:42:10.500
 what was being said.

00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:11.179
 What do I do?

00:42:11.460 --> 00:42:13.880
 Where's my life vest?

00:42:15.639 --> 00:42:17.960
 Here, God is doing

00:42:17.960 --> 00:42:19.259
 exactly the same thing

00:42:19.259 --> 00:42:20.059
 but in a much more

00:42:20.059 --> 00:42:20.940
 important way.

00:42:23.460 --> 00:42:24.400
 He's giving you

00:42:24.400 --> 00:42:26.019
 a safety announcement today.

00:42:27.699 --> 00:42:29.360
 He's announcing to you

00:42:29.360 --> 00:42:30.579
 the things that are

00:42:30.579 --> 00:42:31.739
 so crucial to the

00:42:31.739 --> 00:42:32.880
 well-being of your soul,

00:42:32.960 --> 00:42:34.219
 the well-being of your life,

00:42:34.480 --> 00:42:35.460
 to your eternity.

00:42:36.699 --> 00:42:37.779
 And even if it's difficult

00:42:37.779 --> 00:42:39.039
 for us, as it is at times

00:42:39.039 --> 00:42:39.679
 for us naturally,

00:42:39.739 --> 00:42:41.799
 to think about the end of life,

00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:42.739
 what might be true

00:42:42.739 --> 00:42:44.179
 at the end stage of life,

00:42:44.480 --> 00:42:46.219
 what is true about death itself,

00:42:46.319 --> 00:42:47.840
 what is true about eternity,

00:42:48.199 --> 00:42:49.159
 what the Bible has to say.

00:42:49.340 --> 00:42:50.139
 I know it's difficult

00:42:50.139 --> 00:42:51.259
 for us to actually think

00:42:51.259 --> 00:42:52.159
 of those things

00:42:52.159 --> 00:42:52.900
 because they're such

00:42:52.900 --> 00:42:53.679
 serious issues,

00:42:53.960 --> 00:42:55.179
 but it's because they are

00:42:55.179 --> 00:42:56.079
 such serious issues

00:42:56.079 --> 00:42:57.299
 that we have to listen

00:42:57.299 --> 00:42:58.139
 to God.

00:42:58.139 --> 00:43:01.199
 And we have to clear

00:43:01.199 --> 00:43:02.179
 our minds

00:43:02.179 --> 00:43:04.099
 so that we're attuned

00:43:04.099 --> 00:43:05.879
 to the voice of God.

00:43:07.940 --> 00:43:08.879
 The gospel

00:43:08.879 --> 00:43:10.779
 is in many ways

00:43:10.779 --> 00:43:12.000
 God's safety announcement

00:43:12.000 --> 00:43:12.739
 to us.

00:43:14.440 --> 00:43:15.079
 Here is where

00:43:15.079 --> 00:43:16.099
 our security is.

00:43:17.079 --> 00:43:17.579
 Here is where

00:43:17.579 --> 00:43:19.079
 our relationship with God

00:43:19.079 --> 00:43:20.759
 is set out for us.

00:43:21.799 --> 00:43:22.980
 Here is what is most

00:43:22.980 --> 00:43:24.619
 important and crucial

00:43:24.619 --> 00:43:25.279
 for us.

00:43:25.280 --> 00:43:27.000
 And even you young folks

00:43:27.000 --> 00:43:28.560
 today, you're not too young

00:43:28.560 --> 00:43:29.740
 to listen to the voice

00:43:29.740 --> 00:43:30.120
 of God.

00:43:30.220 --> 00:43:30.900
 And I know sometimes

00:43:30.900 --> 00:43:32.460
 you actually show us

00:43:32.460 --> 00:43:33.300
 that you do listen,

00:43:33.360 --> 00:43:33.980
 and that's great

00:43:33.980 --> 00:43:35.160
 to the voice of God

00:43:35.160 --> 00:43:36.340
 because you tell your parents

00:43:36.340 --> 00:43:37.900
 or others when you get home

00:43:37.900 --> 00:43:39.040
 of what the minister was saying

00:43:39.040 --> 00:43:40.180
 or what the children's address

00:43:40.180 --> 00:43:40.860
 was or whatever,

00:43:40.960 --> 00:43:42.100
 and we hope that that's true.

00:43:42.380 --> 00:43:43.640
 But it's important always

00:43:43.640 --> 00:43:44.440
 that you listen

00:43:44.440 --> 00:43:45.720
 to the voice of God

00:43:45.720 --> 00:43:47.100
 in the gospel,

00:43:47.280 --> 00:43:48.300
 in the Word of God,

00:43:48.360 --> 00:43:48.920
 in the preaching

00:43:48.920 --> 00:43:49.720
 of the gospel.

00:43:50.560 --> 00:43:51.780
 So you're never too young

00:43:51.780 --> 00:43:53.780
 to prepare

00:43:53.780 --> 00:43:56.580
 to meet with God.

00:43:57.880 --> 00:43:58.860
 Never too young

00:43:58.860 --> 00:44:00.060
 to serve God.

00:44:01.220 --> 00:44:02.180
 Never too young

00:44:02.180 --> 00:44:03.040
 to be a disciple

00:44:03.040 --> 00:44:03.680
 of Jesus.

00:44:05.340 --> 00:44:06.340
 And so to do so,

00:44:06.840 --> 00:44:07.920
 we listen to God.

00:44:08.019 --> 00:44:08.720
 We are here

00:44:08.720 --> 00:44:10.420
 in the presence of God

00:44:10.420 --> 00:44:11.000
 to hear

00:44:11.000 --> 00:44:12.480
 all that you have been

00:44:12.480 --> 00:44:12.960
 commanded

00:44:12.960 --> 00:44:14.360
 by the Lord.

00:44:15.860 --> 00:44:16.200
 You know,

00:44:16.240 --> 00:44:16.620
 the Bible

00:44:16.620 --> 00:44:18.280
 joins together

00:44:18.280 --> 00:44:18.940
 three things

00:44:18.940 --> 00:44:19.980
 very, very closely.

00:44:19.980 --> 00:44:21.360
 So closely, in fact,

00:44:21.420 --> 00:44:22.579
 that you can't separate them

00:44:22.579 --> 00:44:24.280
 unless you've been

00:44:24.280 --> 00:44:24.920
 deliberately

00:44:24.920 --> 00:44:27.320
 difficult about it.

00:44:28.019 --> 00:44:29.079
 And the three things

00:44:29.079 --> 00:44:30.219
 are hearing,

00:44:31.460 --> 00:44:31.800
 listening,

00:44:32.340 --> 00:44:34.099
 and obeying.

00:44:35.360 --> 00:44:36.360
 Because hearing

00:44:36.360 --> 00:44:36.940
 in the teaching

00:44:36.940 --> 00:44:37.559
 of the Bible

00:44:37.559 --> 00:44:38.539
 generally means

00:44:38.539 --> 00:44:40.079
 that you are listening.

00:44:40.400 --> 00:44:40.860
 It's not just

00:44:40.860 --> 00:44:42.119
 the hearing of a sound.

00:44:42.440 --> 00:44:43.219
 It's the hearing

00:44:43.219 --> 00:44:44.219
 that is listening

00:44:44.219 --> 00:44:45.059
 to what actually

00:44:45.059 --> 00:44:45.860
 is being said,

00:44:45.900 --> 00:44:46.420
 to what God

00:44:46.420 --> 00:44:47.559
 is actually saying to us.

00:44:47.780 --> 00:44:48.699
 And it's with a view

00:44:48.699 --> 00:44:49.820
 to obeying that

00:44:49.820 --> 00:44:50.460
 with a view

00:44:50.460 --> 00:44:51.320
 to actually working

00:44:51.320 --> 00:44:51.920
 that through

00:44:51.920 --> 00:44:53.000
 in your own life.

00:44:53.059 --> 00:44:53.820
 These are the three things

00:44:53.820 --> 00:44:54.240
 the Bible

00:44:54.240 --> 00:44:55.980
 so closely joins together.

00:44:56.460 --> 00:44:56.900
 Sometimes,

00:44:57.120 --> 00:44:57.680
 as we've seen

00:44:57.680 --> 00:44:59.100
 with the safety announcement,

00:44:59.280 --> 00:45:00.019
 people are hearing,

00:45:00.260 --> 00:45:01.440
 hearing the noise of it,

00:45:01.480 --> 00:45:02.320
 but not really listening

00:45:02.320 --> 00:45:02.960
 to the words,

00:45:03.080 --> 00:45:04.860
 not listening precisely.

00:45:05.059 --> 00:45:06.580
 It must never be like that.

00:45:07.500 --> 00:45:07.940
 You and I

00:45:07.940 --> 00:45:09.580
 must never get so used

00:45:09.580 --> 00:45:10.720
 to the preaching

00:45:10.720 --> 00:45:11.440
 of the gospel

00:45:11.440 --> 00:45:12.880
 or to reading

00:45:12.880 --> 00:45:13.320
 the Bible

00:45:13.320 --> 00:45:14.100
 for ourselves

00:45:14.100 --> 00:45:15.840
 that we will just do it

00:45:15.840 --> 00:45:16.780
 as a matter of fact

00:45:16.780 --> 00:45:18.000
 and a matter of form

00:45:18.000 --> 00:45:19.480
 and think that we've

00:45:19.480 --> 00:45:20.800
 just ticked that box.

00:45:23.219 --> 00:45:24.119
 We are here

00:45:24.119 --> 00:45:25.360
 in the presence of God

00:45:25.360 --> 00:45:26.780
 to hear,

00:45:27.420 --> 00:45:28.440
 to listen,

00:45:29.019 --> 00:45:31.820
 to have our minds

00:45:31.820 --> 00:45:32.440
 attuned

00:45:32.440 --> 00:45:34.280
 to what God

00:45:34.280 --> 00:45:35.860
 is actually saying to us

00:45:35.860 --> 00:45:37.360
 through the message

00:45:37.360 --> 00:45:38.059
 of the gospel.

00:45:38.920 --> 00:45:40.219
 So that's the due

00:45:40.219 --> 00:45:41.559
 preparation,

00:45:42.559 --> 00:45:43.920
 due preparation

00:45:43.920 --> 00:45:44.880
 that flows into

00:45:44.880 --> 00:45:46.440
 what we actually do

00:45:46.440 --> 00:45:47.680
 while we're here

00:45:47.680 --> 00:45:48.980
 in church,

00:45:49.039 --> 00:45:50.180
 while we're gathered together

00:45:50.180 --> 00:45:51.039
 under the gospel.

00:45:51.599 --> 00:45:52.420
 But there's something else

00:45:52.420 --> 00:45:54.220
 that I want to mention

00:45:54.220 --> 00:45:55.440
 as our second main point

00:45:55.440 --> 00:45:56.940
 is that we are all here,

00:45:57.320 --> 00:45:58.260
 not just to hear

00:45:58.260 --> 00:45:58.980
 all that you've been

00:45:58.980 --> 00:46:00.019
 commanded by God,

00:46:00.280 --> 00:46:00.840
 but he's saying

00:46:00.840 --> 00:46:01.920
 we are all here

00:46:01.920 --> 00:46:03.260
 in the presence

00:46:03.260 --> 00:46:04.780
 of God.

00:46:05.900 --> 00:46:06.539
 We are here

00:46:06.539 --> 00:46:08.039
 in the presence of God.

00:46:08.139 --> 00:46:08.539
 He didn't say

00:46:08.539 --> 00:46:09.519
 we are all here

00:46:09.519 --> 00:46:10.079
 in the presence

00:46:10.079 --> 00:46:10.920
 of each other.

00:46:11.019 --> 00:46:11.980
 We are all here together.

00:46:12.099 --> 00:46:12.619
 That was true.

00:46:12.619 --> 00:46:13.659
 We are here,

00:46:13.719 --> 00:46:14.039
 he says,

00:46:14.139 --> 00:46:16.099
 in the presence of God.

00:46:16.859 --> 00:46:17.259
 And you know,

00:46:17.299 --> 00:46:17.960
 in many ways,

00:46:18.819 --> 00:46:21.839
 we might say

00:46:21.839 --> 00:46:22.599
 that that's one

00:46:22.599 --> 00:46:23.679
 of the most important

00:46:23.679 --> 00:46:24.699
 issues for us

00:46:24.699 --> 00:46:26.239
 to have in our minds

00:46:26.239 --> 00:46:27.739
 as we come together

00:46:27.739 --> 00:46:28.400
 collectively

00:46:28.400 --> 00:46:29.719
 to worship the Lord.

00:46:29.940 --> 00:46:31.039
 That we are,

00:46:31.299 --> 00:46:31.859
 in fact,

00:46:32.199 --> 00:46:33.039
 in the presence

00:46:33.039 --> 00:46:34.199
 of God.

00:46:35.259 --> 00:46:35.739
 And the more

00:46:35.739 --> 00:46:36.739
 we fill our mind

00:46:36.739 --> 00:46:38.460
 with the facts of that,

00:46:38.539 --> 00:46:39.380
 with the fact of that,

00:46:39.440 --> 00:46:40.619
 with the factuality of that,

00:46:40.679 --> 00:46:41.699
 with the truth of that,

00:46:41.699 --> 00:46:42.899
 the more you and I

00:46:42.899 --> 00:46:43.659
 will be prepared

00:46:43.659 --> 00:46:44.259
 to listen.

00:46:44.439 --> 00:46:45.199
 Because if we come

00:46:45.199 --> 00:46:46.779
 consciously to church

00:46:46.779 --> 00:46:48.000
 or to wherever else we are,

00:46:48.059 --> 00:46:48.719
 even if we're just reading

00:46:48.719 --> 00:46:50.019
 the Bible on our own,

00:46:50.939 --> 00:46:52.119
 if we come conscious

00:46:52.119 --> 00:46:53.500
 of the fact that

00:46:53.500 --> 00:46:55.000
 it's God's presence

00:46:55.000 --> 00:46:55.639
 we are in,

00:46:55.699 --> 00:46:56.980
 we're always in God's presence

00:46:56.980 --> 00:46:57.579
 in a sense,

00:46:57.659 --> 00:46:59.399
 we're never out of God's sight,

00:46:59.500 --> 00:47:00.939
 but it's a special sense

00:47:00.939 --> 00:47:02.159
 in which we come

00:47:02.159 --> 00:47:03.399
 into God's presence

00:47:03.399 --> 00:47:04.559
 as we come together

00:47:04.559 --> 00:47:05.179
 collectively

00:47:05.179 --> 00:47:06.639
 as a gathered church

00:47:06.639 --> 00:47:07.460
 to worship Him.

00:47:07.679 --> 00:47:08.480
 We're in the presence

00:47:08.480 --> 00:47:09.159
 of God

00:47:09.159 --> 00:47:10.639
 in that special sense

00:47:10.639 --> 00:47:11.339
 of which the Bible

00:47:11.339 --> 00:47:12.039
 often speaks,

00:47:12.199 --> 00:47:14.559
 that we draw near to God.

00:47:15.679 --> 00:47:16.359
 And we saw that

00:47:16.359 --> 00:47:17.159
 in Hebrews 10.

00:47:17.940 --> 00:47:19.000
 You'll find in Hebrews 4,

00:47:19.059 --> 00:47:19.839
 verse 16,

00:47:20.539 --> 00:47:21.599
 let us draw near

00:47:21.599 --> 00:47:23.480
 to the throne of grace,

00:47:24.139 --> 00:47:25.460
 that we may receive

00:47:25.460 --> 00:47:27.960
 mercy and obtain grace

00:47:27.960 --> 00:47:30.299
 to help in time of need.

00:47:32.440 --> 00:47:34.039
 James 4, verse 8,

00:47:34.679 --> 00:47:36.019
 draw near to God

00:47:36.019 --> 00:47:38.019
 and He will draw near

00:47:38.019 --> 00:47:38.539
 to you.

00:47:39.440 --> 00:47:40.099
 So when we come

00:47:40.099 --> 00:47:41.059
 to gather together

00:47:41.059 --> 00:47:42.679
 as the gatherer church

00:47:42.679 --> 00:47:43.159
 of God,

00:47:43.219 --> 00:47:44.320
 we are drawing near

00:47:44.320 --> 00:47:44.940
 to God.

00:47:45.280 --> 00:47:46.300
 And as we're drawing

00:47:46.300 --> 00:47:47.179
 near to God

00:47:47.179 --> 00:47:47.840
 as we gather,

00:47:48.099 --> 00:47:50.000
 we do so mindfully.

00:47:50.239 --> 00:47:51.320
 We do so mindful

00:47:51.320 --> 00:47:51.920
 of the fact

00:47:51.920 --> 00:47:53.079
 that it is God

00:47:53.079 --> 00:47:54.659
 that we approach,

00:47:54.780 --> 00:47:55.679
 that we're in the presence

00:47:55.679 --> 00:47:56.380
 of God.

00:47:57.380 --> 00:47:58.280
 And that's what makes

00:47:58.280 --> 00:47:58.860
 the occasion

00:47:58.860 --> 00:48:00.280
 truly special

00:48:00.280 --> 00:48:01.759
 and significant to us,

00:48:02.500 --> 00:48:03.320
 that we're not just

00:48:03.320 --> 00:48:04.280
 meeting together,

00:48:04.280 --> 00:48:05.720
 we're meeting together

00:48:05.720 --> 00:48:06.600
 in the presence

00:48:06.600 --> 00:48:07.360
 of God.

00:48:09.980 --> 00:48:10.840
 How important

00:48:10.840 --> 00:48:13.240
 is that to yourself

00:48:13.240 --> 00:48:13.680
 today?

00:48:16.080 --> 00:48:17.600
 Is that how you prepare

00:48:17.600 --> 00:48:18.580
 to come to church

00:48:18.580 --> 00:48:18.960
 today?

00:48:20.560 --> 00:48:21.560
 Did you prepare

00:48:21.560 --> 00:48:22.340
 by saying,

00:48:22.740 --> 00:48:24.040
 I know that I'm going

00:48:24.040 --> 00:48:24.940
 to be with others

00:48:24.940 --> 00:48:26.100
 coming into the presence

00:48:26.100 --> 00:48:26.580
 of God,

00:48:26.640 --> 00:48:27.260
 so I've really got

00:48:27.260 --> 00:48:28.300
 to think about that?

00:48:29.120 --> 00:48:29.980
 I've got to think

00:48:29.980 --> 00:48:30.800
 about the privilege

00:48:30.800 --> 00:48:31.460
 of that,

00:48:31.540 --> 00:48:32.800
 the importance of that?

00:48:32.800 --> 00:48:34.420
 I know that I'm going

00:48:34.420 --> 00:48:35.060
 to a place

00:48:35.060 --> 00:48:36.640
 which is associated

00:48:36.640 --> 00:48:37.740
 with God speaking

00:48:37.740 --> 00:48:38.500
 through the preaching

00:48:38.500 --> 00:48:39.080
 of the Word.

00:48:39.320 --> 00:48:40.160
 I need to prepare

00:48:40.160 --> 00:48:40.620
 for that,

00:48:40.700 --> 00:48:41.240
 I need to pray

00:48:41.240 --> 00:48:41.940
 about that,

00:48:42.440 --> 00:48:43.039
 I need to think

00:48:43.039 --> 00:48:43.920
 about what that means

00:48:43.920 --> 00:48:44.640
 to myself,

00:48:44.840 --> 00:48:45.760
 is that how you came,

00:48:46.160 --> 00:48:47.320
 is that how you prepared?

00:48:49.180 --> 00:48:49.980
 And when you think

00:48:49.980 --> 00:48:50.600
 about the fact

00:48:50.600 --> 00:48:51.780
 that God is speaking,

00:48:51.920 --> 00:48:52.600
 that that's what makes

00:48:52.600 --> 00:48:54.180
 the occasion very special

00:48:54.180 --> 00:48:54.800
 through the preaching

00:48:54.800 --> 00:48:55.420
 of the Word,

00:48:56.300 --> 00:48:56.980
 did you invite

00:48:56.980 --> 00:48:58.100
 somebody else to come?

00:49:00.300 --> 00:49:01.000
 Did you say

00:49:01.000 --> 00:49:01.600
 to somebody,

00:49:01.599 --> 00:49:03.779
 look, I really would like

00:49:03.779 --> 00:49:04.679
 you to come to church

00:49:04.679 --> 00:49:05.400
 with me today,

00:49:05.480 --> 00:49:06.799
 it's important?

00:49:09.319 --> 00:49:10.619
 Did you invite someone

00:49:10.619 --> 00:49:12.440
 to church?

00:49:13.639 --> 00:49:14.900
 When did you last

00:49:14.900 --> 00:49:16.059
 invite somebody

00:49:16.059 --> 00:49:18.000
 to come to church

00:49:18.000 --> 00:49:18.500
 with you?

00:49:18.819 --> 00:49:19.619
 See, if we're thinking

00:49:19.619 --> 00:49:20.480
 as we should be

00:49:20.480 --> 00:49:22.199
 of how important

00:49:22.199 --> 00:49:23.259
 an occasion it is

00:49:23.259 --> 00:49:24.099
 that God speaks

00:49:24.099 --> 00:49:24.819
 to His people,

00:49:25.299 --> 00:49:26.059
 how important

00:49:26.059 --> 00:49:27.380
 an occasion it is

00:49:27.380 --> 00:49:28.539
 where we're in

00:49:28.539 --> 00:49:29.920
 the presence of God,

00:49:30.319 --> 00:49:30.900
 that our hearts

00:49:30.900 --> 00:49:32.579
 should surely be burdened

00:49:32.579 --> 00:49:33.920
 that others would come

00:49:33.920 --> 00:49:34.740
 and share that

00:49:34.740 --> 00:49:36.180
 and share that experience

00:49:36.180 --> 00:49:36.820
 and know that

00:49:36.820 --> 00:49:37.519
 for themselves.

00:49:38.660 --> 00:49:39.059
 And that's why

00:49:39.059 --> 00:49:39.800
 we invite them,

00:49:39.840 --> 00:49:40.760
 because it's important

00:49:40.760 --> 00:49:41.340
 to us

00:49:41.340 --> 00:49:43.320
 that God is here,

00:49:43.740 --> 00:49:44.639
 that God is speaking,

00:49:45.639 --> 00:49:46.380
 and we want others

00:49:46.380 --> 00:49:46.960
 to benefit

00:49:46.960 --> 00:49:48.860
 from that with us.

00:49:49.820 --> 00:49:50.559
 And he says here,

00:49:51.059 --> 00:49:51.940
 we are all

00:49:51.940 --> 00:49:53.360
 in the presence

00:49:53.360 --> 00:49:54.240
 of God here.

00:49:54.239 --> 00:49:55.059
 And that word

00:49:55.059 --> 00:49:55.819
 all actually

00:49:55.819 --> 00:49:56.799
 is very emphatic

00:49:56.799 --> 00:49:58.000
 in the Greek text

00:49:58.000 --> 00:49:58.779
 of that verse.

00:49:59.379 --> 00:50:00.519
 Now, therefore,

00:50:00.619 --> 00:50:02.079
 we are all here.

00:50:02.519 --> 00:50:03.079
 Cornelius said,

00:50:03.279 --> 00:50:04.459
 all of us are here.

00:50:04.959 --> 00:50:05.979
 Everybody that I invited

00:50:05.979 --> 00:50:06.519
 is here,

00:50:06.799 --> 00:50:07.359
 and we're here

00:50:07.359 --> 00:50:08.679
 to hear what God

00:50:08.679 --> 00:50:09.379
 has to say to us

00:50:09.379 --> 00:50:09.939
 through you.

00:50:11.639 --> 00:50:12.259
 And that makes it

00:50:12.259 --> 00:50:12.899
 important too,

00:50:12.959 --> 00:50:14.299
 because we can say

00:50:14.299 --> 00:50:15.219
 that of ourselves today,

00:50:15.279 --> 00:50:16.599
 we are all here.

00:50:17.479 --> 00:50:18.000
 In other words,

00:50:18.259 --> 00:50:20.039
 you say of yourself,

00:50:20.339 --> 00:50:20.979
 well, I'm here

00:50:20.979 --> 00:50:21.379
 and I'm here

00:50:21.379 --> 00:50:22.619
 with a lot of other people,

00:50:22.619 --> 00:50:23.420
 and we're here

00:50:23.420 --> 00:50:24.259
 to hear what God

00:50:24.259 --> 00:50:24.759
 is saying,

00:50:25.039 --> 00:50:25.639
 and that's where

00:50:25.639 --> 00:50:26.420
 I want to be,

00:50:26.639 --> 00:50:27.079
 and that's what

00:50:27.079 --> 00:50:28.719
 I really love to be.

00:50:29.119 --> 00:50:29.579
 It doesn't matter

00:50:29.579 --> 00:50:30.440
 what others say.

00:50:30.739 --> 00:50:31.159
 It doesn't matter

00:50:31.159 --> 00:50:31.819
 what others

00:50:31.819 --> 00:50:32.940
 outside the all

00:50:32.940 --> 00:50:33.440
 have to say.

00:50:33.599 --> 00:50:34.420
 This is for us.

00:50:34.500 --> 00:50:34.920
 This is where

00:50:34.920 --> 00:50:35.759
 I want to be.

00:50:36.139 --> 00:50:37.059
 This is what's meaningful.

00:50:37.319 --> 00:50:38.139
 This is what's important

00:50:38.139 --> 00:50:38.799
 to me.

00:50:39.599 --> 00:50:40.699
 And we are all here.

00:50:41.219 --> 00:50:42.299
 Nobody's left out.

00:50:43.779 --> 00:50:44.400
 Those who are here

00:50:44.400 --> 00:50:44.739
 are here

00:50:44.739 --> 00:50:45.500
 because they want

00:50:45.500 --> 00:50:46.199
 to be here,

00:50:47.199 --> 00:50:50.920
 because they know

00:50:50.920 --> 00:50:51.779
 that it's an important

00:50:51.779 --> 00:50:52.339
 occasion.

00:50:52.619 --> 00:50:54.519
 for themselves.

00:50:56.519 --> 00:50:57.599
 And it's to hear

00:50:57.599 --> 00:51:00.039
 all that you have been

00:51:00.039 --> 00:51:01.880
 commanded by the Lord.

00:51:02.259 --> 00:51:02.980
 That's interesting

00:51:02.980 --> 00:51:04.279
 because the beginning

00:51:04.279 --> 00:51:05.719
 of the chapter,

00:51:05.880 --> 00:51:06.440
 we read that

00:51:06.440 --> 00:51:07.299
 this man,

00:51:07.500 --> 00:51:08.119
 Cornelius,

00:51:08.359 --> 00:51:09.739
 was a centurion

00:51:09.739 --> 00:51:11.480
 of a certain group

00:51:11.480 --> 00:51:12.960
 of soldiers

00:51:12.960 --> 00:51:14.839
 called the Italian Corps.

00:51:15.039 --> 00:51:15.799
 You might say

00:51:15.799 --> 00:51:17.699
 that was his group.

00:51:17.779 --> 00:51:18.500
 That was the group

00:51:18.500 --> 00:51:20.299
 he was in charge of.

00:51:20.300 --> 00:51:21.920
 And as a centurion

00:51:21.920 --> 00:51:22.980
 in charge of

00:51:22.980 --> 00:51:23.780
 a hundred soldiers,

00:51:23.920 --> 00:51:24.600
 this man would be

00:51:24.600 --> 00:51:25.660
 well used to giving

00:51:25.660 --> 00:51:26.140
 orders.

00:51:26.860 --> 00:51:27.800
 And not only would be

00:51:27.800 --> 00:51:28.920
 well used to giving

00:51:28.920 --> 00:51:29.280
 orders,

00:51:29.400 --> 00:51:31.300
 but well used to expect

00:51:31.300 --> 00:51:32.000
 that the orders

00:51:32.000 --> 00:51:32.940
 he gave would be

00:51:32.940 --> 00:51:33.600
 obeyed.

00:51:34.420 --> 00:51:35.260
 That people would

00:51:35.260 --> 00:51:36.460
 actually do the things

00:51:36.460 --> 00:51:37.740
 that he was ordering

00:51:37.740 --> 00:51:38.420
 and that he often

00:51:38.420 --> 00:51:39.280
 would be for their own

00:51:39.280 --> 00:51:40.700
 safety as well.

00:51:41.700 --> 00:51:43.039
 And as he gave the orders,

00:51:43.620 --> 00:51:44.880
 he expected those

00:51:44.880 --> 00:51:45.660
 who were hearing him

00:51:45.660 --> 00:51:46.900
 to carry out these orders

00:51:46.900 --> 00:51:48.260
 to the best of their ability.

00:51:48.260 --> 00:51:49.700
 And that's what God,

00:51:49.800 --> 00:51:50.380
 our commander,

00:51:50.500 --> 00:51:51.640
 is saying to us today.

00:51:55.780 --> 00:51:58.100
 The things that you have

00:51:58.100 --> 00:51:59.240
 been commanded

00:51:59.240 --> 00:52:00.620
 by the Lord,

00:52:02.620 --> 00:52:04.600
 there's no ordinary task

00:52:04.600 --> 00:52:05.880
 to preach the gospel.

00:52:06.640 --> 00:52:07.920
 I'm not highlighting myself

00:52:07.920 --> 00:52:08.760
 when I say that.

00:52:10.020 --> 00:52:10.900
 Others who are preachers

00:52:10.900 --> 00:52:11.360
 of the gospel

00:52:11.360 --> 00:52:12.140
 will say exactly

00:52:12.140 --> 00:52:12.960
 the same thing.

00:52:13.440 --> 00:52:14.820
 It's no ordinary task

00:52:14.820 --> 00:52:15.680
 to preach the gospel.

00:52:15.679 --> 00:52:17.379
 It's the greatest privilege

00:52:17.379 --> 00:52:18.879
 given to human beings

00:52:18.879 --> 00:52:20.460
 to actually be

00:52:20.460 --> 00:52:22.099
 the mouthpiece for God,

00:52:22.919 --> 00:52:24.079
 to actually be someone

00:52:24.079 --> 00:52:25.239
 that God is using

00:52:25.239 --> 00:52:26.619
 to convey His truth

00:52:26.619 --> 00:52:27.919
 or to seek to explain

00:52:27.919 --> 00:52:29.879
 or expound His truth.

00:52:30.839 --> 00:52:32.679
 That's why it's commanded

00:52:32.679 --> 00:52:33.480
 by God.

00:52:33.699 --> 00:52:35.480
 That's why it lies upon us

00:52:35.480 --> 00:52:37.960
 as something that God Himself

00:52:37.960 --> 00:52:39.079
 places upon us

00:52:39.079 --> 00:52:39.859
 as a burden.

00:52:41.059 --> 00:52:42.019
 He commands us

00:52:42.019 --> 00:52:43.179
 to preach the gospel.

00:52:43.179 --> 00:52:45.359
 It's not a burdensome command

00:52:45.359 --> 00:52:46.519
 in the sense

00:52:46.519 --> 00:52:47.419
 in which we don't want

00:52:47.419 --> 00:52:48.079
 to do it.

00:52:49.019 --> 00:52:49.839
 It's burdensome

00:52:49.839 --> 00:52:50.599
 because it carries

00:52:50.599 --> 00:52:51.359
 responsibility.

00:52:54.359 --> 00:52:55.059
 But you see,

00:52:55.119 --> 00:52:56.079
 the thing for you today

00:52:56.079 --> 00:52:57.519
 as hearers of the gospel,

00:52:58.099 --> 00:53:00.000
 hearers of the gospel

00:53:00.000 --> 00:53:01.079
 preached is this.

00:53:01.980 --> 00:53:03.159
 All the things,

00:53:03.440 --> 00:53:05.019
 I trust in speaking the truth,

00:53:05.079 --> 00:53:05.659
 all the things

00:53:05.659 --> 00:53:06.919
 that you will be hearing

00:53:06.919 --> 00:53:08.079
 today in this sermon

00:53:08.079 --> 00:53:09.980
 are things commanded

00:53:09.980 --> 00:53:11.079
 by the Lord.

00:53:11.079 --> 00:53:12.179
 You're not here

00:53:12.179 --> 00:53:13.319
 to listen to me.

00:53:13.659 --> 00:53:14.219
 You're not here

00:53:14.219 --> 00:53:16.039
 because I have something

00:53:16.039 --> 00:53:18.019
 that I am commanding you to do.

00:53:18.319 --> 00:53:18.880
 You're not here

00:53:18.880 --> 00:53:20.619
 because I am instructing

00:53:20.619 --> 00:53:21.340
 or pointing

00:53:21.340 --> 00:53:22.480
 or doing something

00:53:22.480 --> 00:53:24.799
 that draws your mind

00:53:24.799 --> 00:53:25.840
 to certain activity

00:53:25.840 --> 00:53:27.880
 that you're hearing

00:53:27.880 --> 00:53:28.639
 you should be doing

00:53:28.639 --> 00:53:29.460
 or ought to be doing.

00:53:29.900 --> 00:53:30.739
 You are here

00:53:30.739 --> 00:53:33.179
 because God has commanded

00:53:33.179 --> 00:53:35.159
 His message to go forth.

00:53:35.159 --> 00:53:39.039
 And as He has commanded it,

00:53:39.119 --> 00:53:41.219
 so it's incumbent upon you

00:53:41.219 --> 00:53:42.819
 and it's incumbent upon me too

00:53:42.819 --> 00:53:45.159
 as a preacher of the gospel

00:53:45.159 --> 00:53:46.059
 to first of all

00:53:46.059 --> 00:53:47.599
 listen to God for myself.

00:53:49.199 --> 00:53:51.059
 And if I'm not listening to God

00:53:51.059 --> 00:53:53.940
 for myself,

00:53:54.059 --> 00:53:55.619
 then I'm not going to be serving you

00:53:55.619 --> 00:53:58.299
 as you minister in the gospel.

00:53:58.300 --> 00:54:00.700
 Now therefore,

00:54:00.820 --> 00:54:01.180
 He said,

00:54:01.539 --> 00:54:03.300
 we are all here

00:54:03.300 --> 00:54:05.560
 in the presence of God.

00:54:05.640 --> 00:54:06.460
 What is the purpose

00:54:06.460 --> 00:54:07.960
 of the church

00:54:07.960 --> 00:54:08.980
 gathered together?

00:54:09.220 --> 00:54:09.720
 Well, as I said

00:54:09.720 --> 00:54:10.220
 at the beginning,

00:54:10.720 --> 00:54:11.840
 there are many aspects

00:54:11.840 --> 00:54:12.500
 to that.

00:54:13.080 --> 00:54:14.060
 But we're narrowing

00:54:14.060 --> 00:54:14.580
 our focus

00:54:14.580 --> 00:54:16.400
 to this very important aspect.

00:54:16.980 --> 00:54:18.140
 We are gathered together

00:54:18.140 --> 00:54:18.760
 as a church

00:54:18.760 --> 00:54:19.480
 to hear

00:54:19.480 --> 00:54:20.720
 what God

00:54:20.720 --> 00:54:21.980
 is saying to us.

00:54:22.880 --> 00:54:23.700
 You can go to

00:54:23.700 --> 00:54:24.640
 many places today

00:54:24.640 --> 00:54:26.660
 where the sermon

00:54:26.659 --> 00:54:27.859
 will be just five minutes,

00:54:28.119 --> 00:54:28.679
 ten minutes,

00:54:28.960 --> 00:54:29.839
 where the sermon

00:54:29.839 --> 00:54:30.940
 will not be an exposition

00:54:30.940 --> 00:54:31.539
 of Scripture,

00:54:32.899 --> 00:54:33.920
 where people are not used

00:54:33.920 --> 00:54:34.619
 to listening

00:54:34.619 --> 00:54:36.399
 to a sermon,

00:54:36.559 --> 00:54:36.940
 what is it,

00:54:36.960 --> 00:54:38.059
 about half an hour or so

00:54:38.059 --> 00:54:39.159
 since I began preaching.

00:54:39.819 --> 00:54:41.239
 Many places in the world today

00:54:41.239 --> 00:54:43.019
 will be absolutely appalled

00:54:43.019 --> 00:54:43.500
 at the fact

00:54:43.500 --> 00:54:44.259
 that people would come

00:54:44.259 --> 00:54:45.579
 to listen for half an hour

00:54:45.579 --> 00:54:46.179
 to somebody

00:54:46.179 --> 00:54:47.239
 in a pulpit spouting.

00:54:49.819 --> 00:54:51.299
 This is God's truth.

00:54:53.199 --> 00:54:54.000
 The things that have been

00:54:54.000 --> 00:54:55.019
 commanded by God

00:54:55.019 --> 00:54:55.940
 for us to believe

00:54:55.940 --> 00:54:58.820
 and you are here

00:54:58.820 --> 00:55:00.400
 in the presence of God

00:55:00.400 --> 00:55:01.360
 to listen,

00:55:01.460 --> 00:55:02.039
 to hear,

00:55:02.200 --> 00:55:02.900
 not to hear

00:55:02.900 --> 00:55:03.940
 the voice of a minister,

00:55:04.300 --> 00:55:05.360
 though that's the medium,

00:55:05.500 --> 00:55:06.360
 that's the agent

00:55:06.360 --> 00:55:08.000
 by which the message

00:55:08.000 --> 00:55:08.539
 goes forth.

00:55:08.599 --> 00:55:08.920
 You are here

00:55:08.920 --> 00:55:10.039
 to listen to God.

00:55:11.079 --> 00:55:11.679
 You are here

00:55:11.679 --> 00:55:12.659
 to say to the Lord,

00:55:12.740 --> 00:55:12.900
 Lord,

00:55:13.000 --> 00:55:14.019
 speak to me

00:55:14.019 --> 00:55:15.599
 through this man.

00:55:15.720 --> 00:55:16.179
 Speak to me

00:55:16.179 --> 00:55:16.760
 through the preaching

00:55:16.760 --> 00:55:17.500
 of the gospel.

00:55:19.460 --> 00:55:20.740
 Stir up my soul

00:55:20.740 --> 00:55:22.260
 from your word.

00:55:23.179 --> 00:55:23.700
 Teach me,

00:55:23.820 --> 00:55:24.639
 edify me,

00:55:24.639 --> 00:55:26.139
 sanctify me,

00:55:26.879 --> 00:55:27.559
 guide me,

00:55:27.799 --> 00:55:28.219
 lead me,

00:55:28.379 --> 00:55:29.239
 comfort me,

00:55:30.199 --> 00:55:31.019
 convict me.

00:55:32.099 --> 00:55:33.659
 It all comes to the same

00:55:33.659 --> 00:55:34.619
 that you are here

00:55:34.619 --> 00:55:35.299
 to listen

00:55:35.299 --> 00:55:37.259
 to God,

00:55:37.980 --> 00:55:39.779
 to what you have been commanded,

00:55:40.579 --> 00:55:41.179
 he said,

00:55:41.299 --> 00:55:42.099
 by the Lord.

00:55:43.099 --> 00:55:44.379
 Now I've got a wee exercise

00:55:44.379 --> 00:55:45.359
 for you to finish with.

00:55:45.980 --> 00:55:46.500
 You can do it

00:55:46.500 --> 00:55:47.199
 when you get home,

00:55:47.559 --> 00:55:47.859
 please.

00:55:47.860 --> 00:55:49.940
 James chapter 1,

00:55:50.519 --> 00:55:52.800
 verses 21 to 25.

00:55:53.920 --> 00:55:55.200
 I'd like you to

00:55:55.200 --> 00:55:57.559
 just spend some time

00:55:57.559 --> 00:55:58.559
 looking at these verses

00:55:58.559 --> 00:56:00.700
 because you could call them

00:56:00.700 --> 00:56:03.599
 the before and during

00:56:03.599 --> 00:56:04.700
 and after

00:56:04.700 --> 00:56:07.000
 the word being preached.

00:56:07.640 --> 00:56:08.380
 The before,

00:56:08.860 --> 00:56:09.460
 the during,

00:56:09.960 --> 00:56:10.559
 the after,

00:56:11.059 --> 00:56:12.200
 the word being preached.

00:56:12.280 --> 00:56:14.340
 Verses 21 to 25.

00:56:14.519 --> 00:56:15.220
 I'll just read them

00:56:15.219 --> 00:56:16.279
 and leave you to do

00:56:16.279 --> 00:56:17.419
 the exercise yourselves

00:56:17.419 --> 00:56:19.059
 whenever you have a moment.

00:56:20.659 --> 00:56:21.459
 Epistle of James

00:56:21.459 --> 00:56:22.500
 chapter 1,

00:56:22.939 --> 00:56:23.919
 verse 21.

00:56:24.719 --> 00:56:25.319
 Therefore,

00:56:25.819 --> 00:56:27.339
 put away all filthiness

00:56:27.339 --> 00:56:28.659
 and rampant wickedness

00:56:28.659 --> 00:56:30.879
 and receive with meekness

00:56:30.879 --> 00:56:31.799
 the implanted

00:56:31.799 --> 00:56:33.059
 or engrafted word

00:56:33.059 --> 00:56:34.259
 which is able

00:56:34.259 --> 00:56:35.500
 to save your souls.

00:56:36.159 --> 00:56:37.980
 But be doers of the word

00:56:37.980 --> 00:56:40.119
 and not hearers only,

00:56:40.679 --> 00:56:41.659
 deceiving yourselves.

00:56:41.659 --> 00:56:43.839
 For if anyone is a hearer

00:56:43.839 --> 00:56:44.279
 of the word

00:56:44.279 --> 00:56:45.159
 and not a doer,

00:56:45.799 --> 00:56:46.559
 he's like a man

00:56:46.559 --> 00:56:47.399
 who looks intently

00:56:47.399 --> 00:56:48.420
 at his natural face

00:56:48.420 --> 00:56:48.899
 in a mirror.

00:56:49.879 --> 00:56:50.920
 For he looks at himself

00:56:50.920 --> 00:56:51.699
 and goes away

00:56:51.699 --> 00:56:53.359
 and at once forgets

00:56:53.359 --> 00:56:54.139
 what he was like.

00:56:54.960 --> 00:56:55.759
 But the one who looks

00:56:55.759 --> 00:56:56.940
 into the perfect law,

00:56:57.019 --> 00:56:57.819
 the law of liberty,

00:56:58.539 --> 00:56:59.739
 and perseveres,

00:57:00.500 --> 00:57:01.619
 being no hearer

00:57:01.619 --> 00:57:02.639
 who forgets

00:57:02.639 --> 00:57:04.599
 but a doer who acts,

00:57:05.239 --> 00:57:06.319
 he will be blessed

00:57:06.319 --> 00:57:07.940
 in his doing.

00:57:08.899 --> 00:57:09.659
 See, there's things

00:57:09.659 --> 00:57:10.440
 you do before,

00:57:10.599 --> 00:57:11.679
 there's due preparation,

00:57:12.719 --> 00:57:13.359
 the things we do

00:57:13.359 --> 00:57:14.339
 during the preaching

00:57:14.339 --> 00:57:15.039
 of the word.

00:57:15.420 --> 00:57:16.559
 We're looking at ourselves

00:57:16.559 --> 00:57:18.379
 through what the word

00:57:18.379 --> 00:57:19.480
 of God shows ourselves

00:57:19.480 --> 00:57:19.980
 to be

00:57:19.980 --> 00:57:21.239
 and we're hearing

00:57:21.239 --> 00:57:22.039
 about God

00:57:22.039 --> 00:57:23.559
 and what God

00:57:23.559 --> 00:57:24.420
 is saying to us.

00:57:25.420 --> 00:57:26.299
 And we don't leave it

00:57:26.299 --> 00:57:26.779
 at that.

00:57:27.039 --> 00:57:27.739
 We then become

00:57:27.739 --> 00:57:28.960
 doers of the word.

00:57:29.819 --> 00:57:30.699
 We carry out

00:57:30.699 --> 00:57:32.019
 what God is saying

00:57:32.019 --> 00:57:32.420
 to us

00:57:32.420 --> 00:57:33.319
 to do

00:57:33.319 --> 00:57:34.059
 as his people

00:57:34.059 --> 00:57:35.559
 in the world

00:57:35.559 --> 00:57:36.219
 as Christians,

00:57:36.659 --> 00:57:37.639
 as followers,

00:57:38.219 --> 00:57:38.879
 as disciples.

00:57:39.659 --> 00:57:40.440
 of the Lord.

00:57:40.539 --> 00:57:41.319
 Well, may God bless

00:57:41.319 --> 00:57:42.500
 his word to us.

00:57:42.559 --> 00:57:43.000
 Let's pray.

00:57:46.399 --> 00:57:47.139
 Our gracious

00:57:47.139 --> 00:57:48.299
 and eternal God,

00:57:49.179 --> 00:57:51.299
 we give thanks

00:57:51.299 --> 00:57:52.199
 to your name today

00:57:52.199 --> 00:57:52.940
 that you continue

00:57:52.940 --> 00:57:53.980
 to speak to us,

00:57:54.559 --> 00:57:55.799
 that you have not

00:57:55.799 --> 00:57:57.099
 turned your back on us,

00:57:57.719 --> 00:57:58.960
 that you have not

00:57:58.960 --> 00:58:00.239
 turned us away from you.

00:58:01.299 --> 00:58:02.319
 And we give thanks,

00:58:02.480 --> 00:58:02.599
 Lord,

00:58:02.659 --> 00:58:03.259
 that you continue

00:58:03.259 --> 00:58:04.000
 to address us

00:58:04.000 --> 00:58:04.759
 through your word

00:58:04.759 --> 00:58:06.500
 and through the preaching

00:58:06.500 --> 00:58:07.299
 of the gospel.

00:58:07.300 --> 00:58:08.560
 your people

00:58:08.560 --> 00:58:09.140
 are edified

00:58:09.140 --> 00:58:10.039
 and others called

00:58:10.039 --> 00:58:11.440
 to join the number

00:58:11.440 --> 00:58:12.660
 of your believing people.

00:58:13.800 --> 00:58:14.240
 Oh, Lord,

00:58:14.320 --> 00:58:15.120
 today we pray

00:58:15.120 --> 00:58:17.000
 that you would enable us

00:58:17.000 --> 00:58:18.160
 as each day goes by

00:58:18.160 --> 00:58:19.640
 to be more keen

00:58:19.640 --> 00:58:20.680
 to hear what you say

00:58:20.680 --> 00:58:21.280
 to us,

00:58:21.820 --> 00:58:23.560
 that we will be glad

00:58:23.560 --> 00:58:24.400
 to gather together

00:58:24.400 --> 00:58:25.420
 as we do today

00:58:25.420 --> 00:58:27.060
 so as to hear

00:58:27.060 --> 00:58:27.580
 what God,

00:58:27.680 --> 00:58:28.019
 the Lord,

00:58:28.080 --> 00:58:29.160
 will speak to us.

00:58:30.180 --> 00:58:31.100
 Help us to receive

00:58:31.100 --> 00:58:31.680
 your word.

00:58:32.519 --> 00:58:33.140
 Help us, Lord,

00:58:33.220 --> 00:58:33.940
 as James said,

00:58:33.940 --> 00:58:34.519
 to receive

00:58:34.519 --> 00:58:36.659
 that engrafted word,

00:58:37.300 --> 00:58:38.079
 that our hearts

00:58:38.079 --> 00:58:39.820
 may be spliced open

00:58:39.820 --> 00:58:41.320
 so as to receive

00:58:41.320 --> 00:58:42.079
 your word

00:58:42.079 --> 00:58:43.200
 and thereby

00:58:43.200 --> 00:58:44.320
 that we will grow

00:58:44.320 --> 00:58:46.519
 into the kind of people

00:58:46.519 --> 00:58:47.860
 that we ought to be

00:58:47.860 --> 00:58:48.539
 in your presence.

00:58:49.619 --> 00:58:50.539
 Help us, Lord,

00:58:50.619 --> 00:58:51.840
 to honor your presence.

00:58:52.940 --> 00:58:54.000
 Help us to realize

00:58:54.000 --> 00:58:55.599
 as we come together

00:58:55.599 --> 00:58:57.059
 into the presence of God

00:58:57.059 --> 00:58:58.559
 that we are to be

00:58:58.559 --> 00:58:59.860
 like Moses long ago

00:58:59.860 --> 00:59:02.059
 who came to draw near

00:59:02.059 --> 00:59:03.239
 to the burning bush,

00:59:04.320 --> 00:59:05.179
 having heard God

00:59:05.179 --> 00:59:05.900
 say to him

00:59:05.900 --> 00:59:07.679
 that he was to take

00:59:07.679 --> 00:59:08.639
 his shoes from off

00:59:08.639 --> 00:59:09.159
 his feet

00:59:09.159 --> 00:59:10.719
 for the place

00:59:10.719 --> 00:59:11.779
 on which he was standing

00:59:11.779 --> 00:59:13.539
 was holy ground.

00:59:14.480 --> 00:59:15.299
 And we pray today,

00:59:15.420 --> 00:59:15.539
 Lord,

00:59:15.579 --> 00:59:16.460
 for a sense of

00:59:16.460 --> 00:59:17.139
 your holiness,

00:59:18.360 --> 00:59:19.400
 a sense of our own

00:59:19.400 --> 00:59:20.599
 need and relation

00:59:20.599 --> 00:59:21.199
 to that.

00:59:21.980 --> 00:59:22.739
 We pray that you'd

00:59:22.739 --> 00:59:24.139
 continue to own

00:59:24.139 --> 00:59:25.179
 and bless your word

00:59:25.179 --> 00:59:25.900
 amongst us

00:59:25.900 --> 00:59:27.259
 as we continue

00:59:27.259 --> 00:59:28.099
 as your people.

00:59:28.840 --> 00:59:29.159
 Hear us,

00:59:29.259 --> 00:59:29.639
 we pray,

00:59:29.799 --> 00:59:30.699
 for Jesus' sake.

00:59:31.239 --> 00:59:31.539
 Amen.

00:59:32.059 --> 00:59:35.179
 Well, our final psalm

00:59:35.179 --> 00:59:36.119
 this morning

00:59:36.119 --> 00:59:38.599
 is in Psalm 85.

00:59:40.199 --> 00:59:42.199
 It's 85 in the Scottish Psalter,

00:59:42.299 --> 00:59:44.159
 verses 8 to 13.

00:59:44.279 --> 00:59:45.079
 The tune is Newington.

00:59:46.119 --> 00:59:47.320
 I'll hear what God

00:59:47.320 --> 00:59:48.400
 the Lord will speak.

00:59:48.860 --> 00:59:49.719
 To his folk

00:59:49.719 --> 00:59:50.719
 he'll speak peace

00:59:50.719 --> 00:59:51.579
 unto his saints,

00:59:52.059 --> 00:59:53.980
 but let them not return

00:59:53.980 --> 00:59:54.920
 to foolishness.

00:59:55.659 --> 00:59:56.739
 To them that fear him

00:59:56.739 --> 00:59:58.400
 surely near is his salvation,

00:59:59.199 --> 01:00:00.639
 that glory in our land

01:00:00.639 --> 01:00:02.639
 may have her habitation.

01:00:02.639 --> 01:00:07.299
 Page 340 in Psalm 85,

01:00:07.859 --> 01:00:09.719
 that I'll hear what God

01:00:09.719 --> 01:00:11.420
 the Lord will speak.

01:00:11.420 --> 01:00:20.500
 I'll hear what God

01:00:20.500 --> 01:00:23.800
 the Lord will speak.

01:00:23.800 --> 01:00:26.579
 To his folk

01:00:26.579 --> 01:00:29.740
 he'll speak peace.

01:00:29.739 --> 01:00:30.739
 unto his saints,

01:00:30.739 --> 01:00:32.739
 unto his saints,

01:00:32.739 --> 01:00:33.459
 unto his saints,

01:00:33.459 --> 01:00:37.739
 but let them not return

01:00:37.739 --> 01:00:42.739
 to foolishness.

01:00:42.739 --> 01:00:47.639
 To them that fear him

01:00:47.639 --> 01:00:54.739
 surely near is his salvation.

01:00:54.739 --> 01:01:02.959
 and glory in her land may have

01:01:02.959 --> 01:01:07.579
 her habitation.

01:01:07.579 --> 01:01:13.579
 truth met with mercy,

01:01:13.579 --> 01:01:15.579
 righteousness,

01:01:15.579 --> 01:01:20.579
 and peace is mutually.

01:01:22.579 --> 01:01:26.039
 Truth springs from air

01:01:26.039 --> 01:01:28.579
 and righteousness,

01:01:29.860 --> 01:01:34.579
 truth's down from heaven high.

01:01:34.579 --> 01:01:40.039
 If what is good

01:01:40.039 --> 01:01:43.299
 the Lord shall give,

01:01:43.659 --> 01:01:49.360
 our wrath shall yield in peace.

01:01:49.739 --> 01:01:54.159
 Justice who sent us

01:01:54.159 --> 01:01:56.579
 in his steps

01:01:56.579 --> 01:02:02.799
 shall go before his face.

01:02:02.800 --> 01:02:04.800
 I'll go to the main door

01:02:04.800 --> 01:02:05.680
 after the benediction.

01:02:07.460 --> 01:02:08.420
 Now may the grace

01:02:08.420 --> 01:02:09.700
 of the Lord Jesus Christ,

01:02:09.800 --> 01:02:10.560
 the love of God,

01:02:10.640 --> 01:02:11.080
 the Father,

01:02:11.500 --> 01:02:12.080
 and the communion

01:02:12.080 --> 01:02:13.060
 of the Holy Spirit

01:02:13.060 --> 01:02:14.100
 be with you now

01:02:14.100 --> 01:02:14.800
 and evermore.

01:02:14.800 --> 01:02:16.039
 Amen.

01:02:32.800 --> 01:02:35.220
 and both Him

01:02:35.220 --> 01:02:37.420
 africa

01:02:37.420 --> 01:02:39.880
 of God

01:02:39.960 --> 01:02:43.300
 will pergunta