WEBVTT 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:04.780 Well, we're going to begin our worship, and now we're singing, first of all, from Psalm 34. 00:00:05.379 --> 00:00:07.640 Psalm 34 on page 40. 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:12.740 The tune is Jackson. We're singing verses 1 to 10. 00:00:14.019 --> 00:00:18.059 At all times I will bless the Lord, I'll praise him with my voice. 00:00:18.780 --> 00:00:21.719 Because I glory in the Lord, let troubled souls rejoice. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:25.800 Together let us praise the Lord, exalt his name with me. 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:31.420 I sought the Lord, his answer came, from fears he set me free. 00:00:31.560 --> 00:00:33.600 And so on, down as far as verse 10. 00:00:33.660 --> 00:00:35.840 At all times I will bless the Lord. 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:38.159 And if you're able to stand, please stand for the singing. 00:00:38.159 --> 00:00:55.540 At all times I will bless the Lord, I'll praise him with my voice. 00:00:55.799 --> 00:01:09.659 In God's glory in the Lord, let troubled souls rejoice. 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:25.819 Together let us praise the Lord, exalt his name with me. 00:01:25.819 --> 00:01:39.819 I sought the Lord, his answer came, from fears he set me free. 00:01:39.819 --> 00:01:55.819 Say, look to him and shine with joy, they are not good to share. 00:01:55.819 --> 00:02:11.759 This suffering man cried to the Lord, from him deliverance came. 00:02:11.759 --> 00:02:13.759 Angel of the Lord, his name is God. 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:18.759 Angel of the Lord, his name is God. 00:02:18.759 --> 00:02:25.759 And our God's mountain valley, 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:35.139 All those who fear and honor him, 00:02:35.139 --> 00:02:41.739 He sets his people free. 00:02:41.740 --> 00:02:50.960 Come, taste and see the Lord, his good, 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:57.820 Who trusted him, his friends. 00:02:57.819 --> 00:03:06.039 O fear the Lord, his saints with me, 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:11.819 You will not be oppressed. 00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:21.039 Young lions, they grow weak and faint, 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:27.819 And have kept for their food. 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:42.819 But those who wait upon the Lord, will not have any good. 00:03:46.819 --> 00:03:48.099 Let's unite together in heaven prayer. 00:03:48.099 --> 00:03:49.680 Let's call upon the Lord in prayer. 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:58.900 Our gracious and eternal God, 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:00.900 We thank you for the privilege of drawing near to you in worship. 00:04:00.900 --> 00:04:11.120 We give thanks for your word, your word that guides us and illumines our mind as we come to worship the living God. 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:13.120 And we thank you for the Lord. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:14.120 Thank you for the Lord, your name is God. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:16.120 It's what you have chosen to reveal to us. 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:21.240 Revealing to us not only about ourselves, but about you as our God. 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:24.560 about the knowledge that you have of yourself 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:27.240 and of the creation that you have formed 00:04:27.240 --> 00:04:31.480 so that we ourselves, Lord, can apply our minds 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:37.139 and seek to have your Spirit give us an understanding of those things. 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:42.160 And we thank you that as you speak to us from your Word 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:45.439 so we join so many people in ages past 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:47.780 down through the years of history 00:04:47.779 --> 00:04:52.079 to whom the Lord has spoken in his grace and mercy. 00:04:53.259 --> 00:04:56.259 We thank you that you continue to speak to us through your Word. 00:04:57.119 --> 00:05:01.219 We bless you that your Word is reliable in all aspects of it. 00:05:02.159 --> 00:05:05.519 We praise you, Lord, that you have combined in your Word 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:07.479 the commandments that we need, 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:10.299 the encouragement we need, the promises we need, 00:05:11.099 --> 00:05:14.099 the facts of redemption as they are laid out before us, 00:05:14.100 --> 00:05:19.260 those great truths that form such a foundation for your people 00:05:19.260 --> 00:05:21.540 on which their lives are built. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:24.160 And we thank you tonight, O Lord, 00:05:24.260 --> 00:05:27.900 that as we look to your Word and look to your Word being blessed, 00:05:28.760 --> 00:05:32.840 that the reality of your Holy Spirit is made known to your people. 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:35.480 And we pray that your Holy Spirit, Lord, 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:37.260 will take your Word tonight 00:05:37.260 --> 00:05:39.900 and make it effective in our own experience. 00:05:39.899 --> 00:05:45.139 We thank you that your Word instructs us about our own limitations. 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:48.319 Indeed, O Lord, about our inability 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:51.359 to come and make that use of your Word 00:05:51.359 --> 00:05:54.459 that would be towards our salvation. 00:05:55.419 --> 00:05:58.879 But we thank you that you have done all things for us already 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:02.599 that require to be accomplished in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:03.599 --> 00:06:04.879 And that through his work, 00:06:04.979 --> 00:06:07.959 the Holy Spirit has come to inhabit your people. 00:06:07.959 --> 00:06:09.739 And we bless you, Lord, 00:06:09.799 --> 00:06:12.919 for the teaching that we receive from your Spirit. 00:06:13.939 --> 00:06:16.079 We pray that you would tonight, Lord, 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:19.159 apply your Word savingly again to our hearts. 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:21.659 Increase, we pray, our knowledge 00:06:21.659 --> 00:06:23.919 and help us in the exercise of our mind, 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:27.399 indeed in the whole expanse of our souls, O Lord, 00:06:27.859 --> 00:06:30.019 that we may grow in the grace and knowledge 00:06:30.019 --> 00:06:32.019 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:34.259 Speak to us, we pray, 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:35.919 when we need that encouragement. 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:39.840 Speak to us as we need to be taken down 00:06:39.840 --> 00:06:41.520 from that level of pride 00:06:41.520 --> 00:06:44.740 that we so often find characterizing ourselves. 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:47.720 From that sense of our own worth, 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:50.319 that sense of our own ability 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:52.020 and self-sufficiency. 00:06:52.700 --> 00:06:54.080 Lord, deliver us, we pray, 00:06:54.400 --> 00:06:55.480 from these things. 00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:59.160 And give us that we may gladly rest upon you, 00:06:59.160 --> 00:07:04.000 even as John long ago rested upon your breast 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:06.020 when you lived in this world. 00:07:06.820 --> 00:07:11.740 Help us, Lord, we come to rest ourselves upon you, 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:14.200 to find our rest in you. 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:16.360 For we confess, O Lord, 00:07:16.440 --> 00:07:20.160 we cannot find a satisfactory rest anywhere else. 00:07:20.840 --> 00:07:22.940 We have tried the things of this world, 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:25.740 and many of us have come now to testify 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:29.719 that they have been so disappointing for us. 00:07:30.219 --> 00:07:32.500 But we give thanks that you never disappoint, 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:34.860 and that your provision for us 00:07:34.860 --> 00:07:36.519 in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:39.019 is always sufficient for us, 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:44.879 always conditioned to our need as sinners. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:47.100 And we bless you, O Lord, 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:48.719 that tonight we can draw from you 00:07:48.719 --> 00:07:50.339 all that we require. 00:07:51.159 --> 00:07:52.659 We thank you for these words 00:07:52.659 --> 00:07:54.680 that we have sung in your praise, 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:56.439 reminding us, O Lord, 00:07:56.519 --> 00:07:58.360 that you hear the cry of your people, 00:07:59.019 --> 00:08:01.279 that you take note of their distresses, 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:04.899 that your providence has incorporated these things 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:08.879 that cause them anxiety and hurt and pain and stress, 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:13.180 not so that they would actually have these 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:15.100 and nothing else besides. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:17.459 But we know, O Lord, 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:19.180 that all things do work together 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:21.199 for good to your people. 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:23.019 And we pray that tonight 00:08:23.019 --> 00:08:26.160 we may avail ourselves further of that teaching, 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:28.699 lest we be carried away with the thought 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:31.420 that there is nothing good at all 00:08:31.420 --> 00:08:33.379 in the sufferings of your people, 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:35.240 no benefit at all, 00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:36.639 no end in view. 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:40.560 We thank you that your comfort reaches us too 00:08:40.560 --> 00:08:41.279 in this world. 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:44.139 Lord, we pray tonight for those whose hearts are broken, 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:46.120 for those here, O Lord, 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:48.959 who can look back upon in recent times 00:08:48.959 --> 00:08:50.100 or times gone by, 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:51.799 times of struggle, 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:54.500 times of bereavement and sorrow 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:56.059 and stress and partings. 00:08:56.779 --> 00:08:57.860 We pray for them 00:08:57.860 --> 00:09:00.379 and we pray for each and all tonight 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:02.000 in our troubled world, O Lord, 00:09:02.439 --> 00:09:04.279 for whom this is a present reality. 00:09:05.179 --> 00:09:07.860 We pray for the families in Ireland 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:10.639 who have lost loved ones in these past days 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:12.039 in this tragedy in Donegal. 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:14.940 Lord, our God, we pray that 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:17.000 you would bring them your comfort 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:18.759 and they would look to you 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:20.320 as the man of sorrows 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:22.659 who is acquainted with our grief. 00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:25.279 That you would bind up their broken hearts, 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:25.779 we pray, 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:28.980 and help them as they mourn their loss individually 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:30.379 and as families 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:31.779 and together as a community. 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:33.199 that, Lord, 00:09:33.299 --> 00:09:34.220 you would visit them 00:09:34.220 --> 00:09:36.319 from on high with your comfort 00:09:36.319 --> 00:09:38.059 and give them the guidance 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:39.579 of your truth and your spirit 00:09:39.579 --> 00:09:42.039 at this difficult time for them. 00:09:42.899 --> 00:09:45.539 Remember all who have troubles 00:09:45.539 --> 00:09:46.980 in other parts of the world 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:49.059 beyond what we ourselves 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:50.759 can see in our own lives. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:53.000 We continue to pray for those 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.319 beset with war, 00:09:54.860 --> 00:09:55.699 with terrorism. 00:09:56.459 --> 00:09:58.199 Remember your people in Ukraine. 00:09:58.839 --> 00:10:00.379 Remember those who have had to flee 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:01.360 from that country. 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:03.939 We pray that the hand of the oppressor 00:10:03.939 --> 00:10:04.860 might be stayed, 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:07.360 that you would give to your people 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:09.679 and to that nation of Ukraine 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:12.159 that they may make advancements, Lord, 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:14.480 against those who have invaded them. 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:16.539 We pray that the oppressor, 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:17.299 the invader, 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:20.759 might more and more be overcome 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:22.639 and pushed back in their efforts 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.720 to overtake that country. 00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:27.100 We pray for all other nations 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:27.740 in the world 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:30.059 where warfare is real, 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:31.639 where from day to day 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:33.519 people live in terror of their lives. 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:35.159 And we pray too 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:36.659 for these nations of the world 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:38.620 where the plight of hunger 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:39.799 is all too obvious, 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:42.259 those beset with poverty 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:43.879 and all the distress 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:45.100 associated with it. 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:47.000 And so remember, Lord, 00:10:47.539 --> 00:10:48.679 places like Yemen, 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:50.279 places like Pakistan. 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:52.860 Remember them in the aftermath 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:54.379 of the great disasters 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:55.580 and floods 00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:57.980 that have recently affected them. 00:10:57.980 --> 00:10:59.300 Lord, our God, 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:00.480 we pray for them. 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:02.980 And we pray that they may look to you 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:03.860 as God, 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:05.360 that you would deliver them 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:07.960 from all the false gods 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:08.720 and idols 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:12.180 that beset so many of these lives 00:11:12.180 --> 00:11:13.480 in these parts of the world. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:16.080 Lord, we pray that you would deliver them 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:17.820 through the power of the gospel. 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:20.000 And remember your people 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:21.879 in these situations also. 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:24.580 We pray for ourselves 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:26.080 as a nation at this time. 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:27.799 We ask, O Lord, 00:11:27.899 --> 00:11:29.480 that you would bring to us 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:30.919 stability and government. 00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:33.240 And we ask that you would bless us 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:33.860 in times, 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:36.259 these times of anxiety, 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:39.019 times when the cost of living 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:40.840 has risen so dramatically. 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:42.860 Remember those, Lord, 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:44.740 who have to deal with the issues 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.439 of poverty, 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:47.700 who depend on food banks 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:48.539 from day to day. 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:50.819 Remember them in our own locality 00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:51.839 as well as elsewhere. 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:53.799 And bless us, Lord, 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:54.319 we pray, 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.259 and deliver us 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.919 from the circumstances 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:58.419 in which we find ourselves. 00:11:58.539 --> 00:11:59.059 For we know 00:11:59.059 --> 00:12:00.759 that all of these things 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:01.779 are traceable back 00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:03.299 to our spiritual condition. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.459 Have mercy upon us, Lord, 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:05.939 we pray. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.679 Visit us from on high 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:08.980 with your blessed spirit. 00:12:09.719 --> 00:12:10.819 Come, Lord, we pray, 00:12:10.959 --> 00:12:12.659 and give to us 00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:13.179 the power, 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:14.480 the breath of your spirit 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:16.279 so that we may be turned 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:16.980 to yourself 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:17.759 and to wisdom 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:19.299 and to those things 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:20.019 that your Bible, 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:21.819 our Bible commends to us, 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:22.379 your word, 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:24.179 those things that are wholesome 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:25.240 and clean 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:26.139 and God-honoring. 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:28.120 Remember our schools, 00:12:28.299 --> 00:12:29.000 our young people, 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:29.639 our children, 00:12:30.319 --> 00:12:31.059 our teachers, 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:31.779 those, Lord, 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:33.340 who give up their time 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:34.779 and of their effort 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:36.720 to instruct our young folks. 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:38.259 We pray for them 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.159 and ask that you would 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:40.519 be pleased, O Lord, 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:41.419 to help them 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:43.259 in these difficult times 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:44.100 for them too. 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.700 O Lord, our God, 00:12:45.700 --> 00:12:47.400 we pray that those 00:12:47.400 --> 00:12:49.740 who seek to introduce 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:51.220 materials to our schools 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.920 that are contrary 00:12:52.920 --> 00:12:53.740 to your will 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.300 and contrary 00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:57.200 to the well-being 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.120 of our young people 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:59.379 morally and spiritually, 00:13:00.180 --> 00:13:00.840 bless them, 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:01.360 we pray, 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.640 who are seeking 00:13:02.640 --> 00:13:04.460 to work amongst 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:05.259 such conditions 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.060 at this time. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.720 Grant you blessing 00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:08.759 to our council, 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:09.860 to our councillors, 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:11.080 to the officers 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:11.940 of the council. 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:13.720 we pray for them too, 00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:14.160 O Lord, 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:15.100 when they themselves 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:17.100 wrestle with such difficulties 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:19.300 as we find in these days. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:21.300 We pray for our government 00:13:21.300 --> 00:13:21.980 in Scotland 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:22.540 who seek 00:13:22.540 --> 00:13:24.860 to introduce 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:25.720 these issues 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:26.460 forcibly 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:28.020 and seek 00:13:28.020 --> 00:13:29.440 to have them 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:31.420 imposed upon us. 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:31.940 O Lord, 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:33.140 help us, 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:33.540 we pray, 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.580 as we pray to you 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:36.060 that we may know 00:13:36.060 --> 00:13:37.340 your own guidance, 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.800 your own strength, 00:13:38.940 --> 00:13:39.960 your own blessing, 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:42.040 so that in the power 00:13:42.040 --> 00:13:42.740 of the gospel 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:44.379 we may find ourselves 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.600 advanced as a people 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:47.680 and being uplifted 00:13:47.680 --> 00:13:48.519 in righteousness 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.019 for our sin 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:51.620 is indeed a reproach to us. 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:52.879 And help us, 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:53.120 Lord, 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:53.560 we pray, 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:54.860 as a congregation 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.879 and as you people 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:57.600 to seek daily 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:58.540 that we may know 00:13:58.540 --> 00:13:59.600 the strength 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:00.220 of your grace 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:00.980 and of your spirit 00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.780 working in us, 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:03.980 that we may be living examples 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:05.180 to those around us 00:14:05.180 --> 00:14:06.480 so that we may, 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.540 in following the ways 00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:08.160 of the Lord, 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:10.600 so shine as bright lights 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.219 in the world 00:14:11.219 --> 00:14:13.319 to shine in the darkness 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:14.019 for you. 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:15.000 Hear us, 00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:15.659 we pray now, 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.959 and pardon our sins 00:14:16.959 --> 00:14:17.779 and cleanse us 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:19.319 for Jesus' sake. 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:19.659 Amen. 00:14:22.079 --> 00:14:23.179 Let's now continue 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:23.939 to praise God 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:25.500 this time in Psalm 86, 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:27.639 Psalm number 86 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:30.679 and verses 12 to 17. 00:14:31.319 --> 00:14:34.360 That's on page 341. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:39.580 86 at verse 12. 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:40.860 The tune this time is Evan. 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:42.300 O Lord my God, 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.320 with all my heart, 00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:45.180 to thee I will give praise 00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:46.879 and I the glory 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.740 will ascribe 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:50.000 unto thy name always 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:51.480 because thy mercy 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:52.100 toward me 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.659 in greatness 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.580 doth excel 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:55.159 and thou delivered 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:56.259 hast my soul 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:58.600 out from the lowest hell. 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.060 Psalm 86 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:01.220 from verse 12 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:02.500 again we'll stand to sing. 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:08.700 O Lord my God, 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:12.539 with all thine heart, 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:19.300 to thee I will give praise, 00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:23.800 and thy glory 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:27.580 will ascribe 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:34.580 come to thy name always. 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:40.040 Because thy mercy 00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:43.639 toward thee 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:46.220 in greatness 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:50.000 doth excel 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:54.340 and thou delivered 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.419 and thou delivered 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:59.340 as my soul 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:06.419 out from the lowest hell. 00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:09.799 O God, 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.960 the fire 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:14.419 against thee 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:15.980 rise 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:19.320 and thy land 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:20.399 and thy land 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:20.440 and thy land 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:23.240 have led 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:27.899 and for my soul 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:30.139 have sought 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.840 and thee 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:35.240 before them 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:38.980 have not said. 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:43.820 but thou art 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:45.399 full of pity, 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:47.399 O Lord, 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:49.320 and God 00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:53.399 most gracious 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:59.399 and suffering 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:03.399 and enlightened 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.740 and mercy 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:06.819 and mercy 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.819 and mercy 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:10.819 plentious 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:17.619 O turn to me 00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:21.660 thy congenus 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:23.819 and mercy 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:27.819 on behalf 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:32.240 thy servant 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:36.299 and stead 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.899 thy promet nut 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:39.200 and mercy 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:41.119 and mercy 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:42.159 andoke 00:17:42.159 --> 00:17:43.539 of thy abundance 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:43.819 that time 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:43.919 Spirit 00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:45.359 and mercy 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:46.960 and mercy 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.619 And mercy 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:49.799 be a sign 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:51.539 for good 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:53.399 that-day 00:17:53.400 --> 00:18:22.060 Let's read now from the New Testament Scriptures. 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:25.799 Tonight we're reading from 2 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:32.779 The second letter of Paul to the Corinthians and chapter 4, we'll read through the whole chapter. 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:46.579 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:51.659 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:55.859 We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's Word. 00:18:56.659 --> 00:19:03.500 But by the open statement of the truth, we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:08.839 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:21.920 In their case, the God of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:31.039 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:42.800 For God, who said, let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:50.579 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:54.639 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed. 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:57.819 Perplexed, but not driven to despair. 00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:00.519 Persecuted, but not forsaken. 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.960 Struck down, but not destroyed. 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:11.119 Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:21.299 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:24.959 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:30.159 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:32.679 I believed and so I spoke. 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:35.459 We also believe and so we speak. 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:43.680 Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:55.160 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people, it may increase thanksgiving to the glory of God. 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:57.740 So we do not lose heart. 00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:04.079 Though out our nature is wasting away, out in our nature is being renewed day by day. 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:12.759 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 00:21:13.639 --> 00:21:18.039 As we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:26.119 For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:32.339 And may God follow with this blessing again, a reading of his word. 00:21:33.439 --> 00:21:40.119 Before we turn to some verses in this passage, let's sing again to his praise in Psalm 119. 00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:45.719 Psalm 119 in the Scottish Psalter, page 414. 00:21:46.939 --> 00:21:49.539 And from verse 161. 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:53.899 Singing that section down to 168. 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:57.080 Princes have persecuted me. 00:21:57.080 --> 00:21:59.519 Although no cause they saw. 00:22:00.300 --> 00:22:04.660 But still of thy most holy word, my heart does stand in awe. 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:07.060 I at thy word rejoice. 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:10.120 As one of spoil that finds great store. 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:12.019 Thy law I love. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:14.400 But lying all I hate. 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:16.340 And do abhor. 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.759 We're singing to the tune, Talis. 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:20.660 The whole of that section at verse 161. 00:22:20.780 --> 00:22:23.220 Princes have persecuted me. 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:32.600 Princes have persecuted me. 00:22:32.600 --> 00:22:38.880 Although no cause they saw. 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:51.460 But still of thy most holy word, my heart does stand in awe. 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.460 I at thy word rejoice. 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:59.559 I at thy word rejoice as one. 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:05.279 Of spoiled love, thy grace get store. 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:09.900 Thy law I love. 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:15.440 But lying all I hate. 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.440 And do abhor. 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.440 And do abhor. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.440 And do abhor. 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.440 And do abhor. 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:27.380 Ten times that it is my care. 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:33.759 To give true praise to thee. 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:40.759 Because of all thy judgments, Lord. 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:46.759 Which I just never be. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.759 Great peace of God. 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:55.140 Great peace of they who love thy law. 00:23:55.140 --> 00:24:00.759 O offense they shall have none. 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:07.759 I hope for thy salvation, Lord. 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:13.759 And thy commands have done. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:22.759 My soul, my soul, my testimony's pure. 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.759 Observe it carefully. 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:29.759 Observe it carefully. 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:42.759 On them my heart is set, and then I love exceed in thee. 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:56.759 Thy tested bodies and thy laws, thy care with special care. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:25:09.759 For all my works and ways each one, before thee open I. 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:12.759 Amen. 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:16.759 Now please turn with me to 2 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:25.759 2 Corinthians chapter 4, we're reading again at verse 7. 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:31.759 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:36.759 God and not to us. 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:43.759 Well, you'll find throughout Paul's letters frequently an emphasis on the visibility of 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:45.759 the Christian life. 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:52.759 That the life that God creates in the soul of his people is something that is visible to 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:54.759 the world as well as to themselves. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:59.759 And that, of course, is in keeping with what you find in the Bible elsewhere. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:07.759 And we ourselves build on that so that we make every effort ourselves to use every means of 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:13.759 showing the world the life of Jesus, the life that Jesus has given to us. 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:18.759 Just as Jesus himself in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, you remember he emphasized that. 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:21.759 You are the light of the world. 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:24.759 You are a city set on a hill. 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:30.759 People don't light a candle to put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick so it gives light to the world. 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:40.759 Let your life therefore so shine before men, before people, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:47.759 The visibility of the Christian life is something that comes indeed as a burden to us. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:55.759 When God comes into our lives to change our lives, when God brings us the salvation that we require, 00:26:55.759 --> 00:27:02.759 and when that is something that we are brought into by the mercy of God, by the grace and the power of Christ, 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:14.759 it becomes then a burden to us to make that visible as much as we can to the world around us to show the world that Christ indeed is our Savior 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:18.759 and that he is able to save others as well. 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:27.759 And in line with that, you'll find in the Bible, you'll find in Paul also, especially in Paul in times and places, 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:35.759 that Christian suffering, Christian affliction, the difficulties, the trials of living as a Christian, 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:40.759 are themselves a vehicle for exhibiting Jesus. 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:52.759 They become a means by which Jesus is shown forth, is revealed, is manifested to ourselves and to others beside ourselves. 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:55.759 And you'll find that, of course, in different places. 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:59.759 Not so long ago, we went through the letter to the Philippians. 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:04.759 Remember there in chapter 1, verse 13, that Paul is saying he is there in prison. 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:10.759 He is actually held captive for the sake of the gospel, for the sake of Jesus. 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:20.759 But it says it's become manifest, it's become obvious throughout all of the imperial palace that my chains are for Christ. 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:25.759 People came to understand why this man was actually enchained, 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:30.759 and one of the reasons they came to understand that was the kind of life they saw him live. 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:38.759 The way that they actually saw how he dealt with sufferings, the spirit in which he dealt with his sufferings, 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:43.759 the way in which he revealed Christ in his life, even through his sufferings. 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:48.759 And you'll find this in this chapter we're looking at tonight as well, 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:55.759 because Paul emphasizes there that we actually have this treasure in jars of clay 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:58.759 to show the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:07.759 And then he gives us a number of ways in which he himself experienced and continues to experience sufferings. 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:19.759 And he has said earlier in the chapter that this is something that the light of Jesus is actually made manifest through him 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:22.759 and through the sufferings that he entails. 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:32.759 In verse 11, we are given over to death for Jesus' sake so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:39.759 So, the theme of our study this evening, based on this verse 7 and the surrounding or the following verses especially, 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:44.759 is really to do with what he calls treasure in jars of clay, 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:51.759 how the present life for the Christian is one even through the sufferings of that life, 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:57.759 through that Jesus is actually being revealed to the world. 00:29:57.759 --> 00:30:06.759 And there is therefore a very positive emphasis on the sufferings of the Christian in a way that you don't find anywhere else in any other writings, 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:09.759 in any other philosophies, in any other religions. 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:17.759 It is unique to the Christian life that the sufferings of God's people, sufferings of followers of Christ, 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:24.759 whatever kind they may be, have a particular purpose in the mind of God, in the plan of God, 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:28.759 and indeed in the development of the lives of his people. 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:37.759 And they also have, they also prove, as we say, to be a means by which the light of Christ is shown to the world. 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:45.759 So, I want to deal first of all with the two things Paul mentions here, the treasure and the jars of clay. 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:49.759 We have this treasure. What is the treasure? What's he talking about? 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:51.759 What does he mean by this treasure? 00:30:51.759 --> 00:31:02.759 And what does he mean that this treasure is actually in jars of clay, that it's been deposited in what he calls jars of clay? 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:11.759 And then we'll look at the purpose for that, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:19.759 And then we'll look at how that is expanded further in the verses down to verse 12 especially, 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:27.759 where he speaks about the jars of clay and the life that is deposited in them, 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:38.759 how it actually shows the life of Jesus through the ways in which Paul actually lives out his life as a suffering Christian. 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:41.759 So, tonight that's really the theme of our study. 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:51.759 And if you, as you are undoubtedly to some extent as a Christian, all of those who are Christians here tonight know what it is to meet with some difficulty or trials 00:31:51.759 --> 00:32:01.759 or sometimes very perplexing things in your experience as you follow the Lord, as you experience difficulties in this life as a Christian, 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:10.759 even from within yourself and also outside yourself, from the world, from the devil, from various experiences that you go through in this life. 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:24.759 And here is one passage that really shows the very positive nature of those sufferings and afflictions in order to advance us as Christians in this world. 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:27.759 Well, here's the treasure and the jars. 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.759 And what does he mean? 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:31.759 We have this treasure in jars of clay. 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:33.759 Well, you can see in verse 6, 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.759 God's who said, 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:43.759 let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:56.960 Of course, he is talking here about himself as an apostle and his fellow apostles, the sufferings that they endure for the sake of Jesus as they've carried the gospel into different parts of the world. 00:32:57.759 --> 00:33:06.200 And although this is dealing with Paul as an apostle, it also follows that the principle of this is actually active in the life of every Christian. 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:14.200 God has come into your life tonight, if you are a Christian, if you are in Christ, if you've come to know salvation. 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:16.200 How has that come about? 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:23.200 God has come into your life and ignited this light, created this light. 00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:24.200 What is this light? 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:35.200 It's the light of the knowledge of Jesus, the light of knowing Christ, the light of having such a relationship with Christ that forms a light in your soul. 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:45.200 And it's the light not just of the knowledge of Jesus, it's the light of the glory of God, the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:54.200 You see, you cannot really separate the life that you have as a Christian from the knowledge that you have of Jesus, 00:33:54.200 --> 00:34:00.200 and the knowledge that you have of Jesus is also the knowledge of the glory of God in Him. 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:02.200 What a wonderful thing that is. 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:07.200 As he puts it there, there are so many sermons you could take on that verse itself. 00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:15.199 And you can see how it's very much in parallel with the way in which God created light in the beginning. 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:16.199 This is what he's saying. 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:17.199 What he's saying? 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:20.199 God who said, let light shine out of darkness. 00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:21.199 Back to Genesis 1. 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:24.199 God said, let there be light. 00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:25.199 There was no light. 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:31.199 There was nothing but God Himself before He began the work of His creation. 00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:33.199 God existed. 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:34.199 Nothing else existed. 00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:37.199 The creation didn't exist on its own accord. 00:34:37.199 --> 00:34:40.199 It wasn't there from all eternity. 00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:44.199 God brought it into being. 00:34:44.199 --> 00:34:47.199 He brought it into being by His creative word. 00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:50.199 He said, let there be light. 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:56.199 And there was light in the creation that He had already begun to form before that. 00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:59.199 The heavens and the earth. 00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:03.199 In the beginning, God created. 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:06.199 And this is what he's saying. 00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:12.199 In a parallel way, spiritually, just as God said, let there be light and there was light, 00:35:12.199 --> 00:35:23.199 God says in a human soul that He has chosen for Himself to be a lamp, to be a saved human being, 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:28.199 He says in the darkness of that soul, let there be light. 00:35:28.199 --> 00:35:30.199 Let there be life. 00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:38.199 And this is not just saying that light has come, like it were, from the gospel, although the gospel is not detached from it. 00:35:38.199 --> 00:35:43.199 Not so much the light of the gospel shining into our hearts that He has in mind here, 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:51.199 but the light of life that God creates in our darkness, in the darkness of our lostness. 00:35:51.199 --> 00:35:56.199 God said, let there be life. 00:35:56.199 --> 00:36:02.199 That's what you owe your Christian salvation, your Christian life to. 00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:06.199 And that's where the life comes from. 00:36:06.199 --> 00:36:13.199 The personal salvation of knowing Jesus, of the knowledge of Jesus. 00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:17.199 We have this treasure, he says. 00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:18.199 This is our treasure. 00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:21.199 This is what God has deposited in us. 00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:29.199 We'll see in a minute that in us means in our human frame, in our human persons, as we are jars of clay. 00:36:29.199 --> 00:36:34.199 But it's there that this light has been created by God. 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:38.199 This treasure we have in jars of clay. 00:36:38.199 --> 00:36:42.199 Is that the light of your own life tonight? 00:36:42.199 --> 00:36:46.199 What is it that's guiding your thoughts? 00:36:46.199 --> 00:36:49.199 What is it that's guiding your life onwards? 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:58.199 On what are you relying from day to day to advance your life, to bring you forwards? 00:36:58.199 --> 00:37:06.199 On what are you relying to advance in your understanding of yourself and of God? 00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:15.199 On what are you relying in order that your life and my life might be the kind of lives they should be in this dark, wicked world? 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:19.199 Is it your own knowledge, your own understanding, your own ability? 00:37:19.199 --> 00:37:21.199 Hopefully not. 00:37:21.199 --> 00:37:34.199 Surely you're relying on God's creative power to create in you this light of the knowledge of the glory of God in Jesus Christ. 00:37:34.199 --> 00:37:36.199 This is what it boils down to. 00:37:36.199 --> 00:37:39.199 Do I know Jesus for myself? 00:37:39.199 --> 00:37:42.199 Do I know him personally? 00:37:42.199 --> 00:37:44.199 Is he really my best friend? 00:37:44.199 --> 00:37:48.199 Do I share with him every day the things of my life? 00:37:48.199 --> 00:37:51.199 Do I roll over my life to him each day? 00:37:51.199 --> 00:37:52.199 Do I pray to him? 00:37:52.199 --> 00:37:54.199 Do I commune with him? 00:37:54.199 --> 00:37:55.199 Do I value his word? 00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:57.199 Do I listen out for his word? 00:37:57.199 --> 00:38:07.199 See, these are the things of a personal relationship with Jesus and a relationship that begins the moment God creates this life in your soul. 00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:09.199 Well, there's the treasure. 00:38:09.199 --> 00:38:13.199 There's knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:38:13.199 --> 00:38:16.199 But he says we have this treasure in jars of clay. 00:38:16.199 --> 00:38:18.199 What does he mean by jars of clay? 00:38:18.199 --> 00:38:26.199 Well, in Corinth, in Paul's time, you could actually buy some fairly small clay pots. 00:38:26.199 --> 00:38:29.199 They were very cheap to buy and very common. 00:38:29.199 --> 00:38:32.199 People could buy them and just have them, but they were very fragile. 00:38:32.199 --> 00:38:34.199 They were very easily broken. 00:38:34.199 --> 00:38:36.199 And, of course, you then had to replace them. 00:38:36.199 --> 00:38:39.199 But this may have been in Paul's mind. 00:38:39.199 --> 00:38:41.199 We can't be sure as he's given us this description. 00:38:41.199 --> 00:38:44.199 We have this treasure in jars of clay. 00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:54.199 What he really means is that he himself, along with every other Christian, as human beings in this world, but our lives are fragile. 00:38:54.199 --> 00:38:55.199 We face difficulties. 00:38:55.199 --> 00:38:58.199 We face perplexing situations. 00:38:58.199 --> 00:38:59.199 We face persecutions. 00:38:59.199 --> 00:39:01.199 We face all sorts of things. 00:39:01.199 --> 00:39:05.199 We'll see a list of them in a moment as we come later through our study. 00:39:05.199 --> 00:39:08.199 But this is what he says of himself. 00:39:08.199 --> 00:39:12.199 Paul, in his present state, yes, he knows the Lord. 00:39:12.199 --> 00:39:14.199 He's so thankful. 00:39:14.199 --> 00:39:16.199 It's a thrill to him to know the Lord. 00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:18.199 Nothing's going to change that. 00:39:18.199 --> 00:39:29.199 But the life he presently lives is a life that's subjected to all kinds of pressures, all kinds of influences, all kinds of evil doings on the part of his enemies. 00:39:29.199 --> 00:39:33.199 He's very much a jar of clay. 00:39:33.199 --> 00:39:47.199 And he doesn't have the resources in himself any more than you and I have to cope with these, to surmount these, to take advantage of these, to use these things for our improvement. 00:39:47.199 --> 00:39:49.199 He relies on God. 00:39:49.199 --> 00:39:52.199 He has to rely on the power of God within him. 00:39:52.199 --> 00:40:02.199 He has this treasure, this knowledge of Christ, this salvation, this Savior, in his heart and in his life as a jar of clay. 00:40:02.199 --> 00:40:07.199 That's an image of the followers of Jesus. 00:40:07.199 --> 00:40:14.199 And you know it's good for you, and it's good for me, to see that you're not naturally a vessel of gold. 00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:19.199 That you're not spectacular in your human being. 00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:22.199 That you are a jar of clay. 00:40:22.199 --> 00:40:25.199 That you live in dependence on God. 00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:28.199 That without God you'd fall to pieces. 00:40:28.199 --> 00:40:32.199 Your fragility would lead to your destruction. 00:40:32.199 --> 00:40:34.199 That is what God is saying. 00:40:34.199 --> 00:40:37.199 This is what our humanity is like. 00:40:37.199 --> 00:40:43.199 This is why we cannot cope and surmount the things of life by ourselves or in our own strength. 00:40:43.199 --> 00:40:45.199 But he says this is our treasure. 00:40:45.199 --> 00:40:46.199 We know Jesus. 00:40:46.199 --> 00:40:48.199 We have salvation. 00:40:48.199 --> 00:40:53.199 But presently it's deposited, it's situated in jars of clay. 00:40:53.199 --> 00:40:54.199 That's what we are. 00:40:54.199 --> 00:40:55.199 But why is that? 00:40:55.199 --> 00:40:56.199 Well, he goes on. 00:40:56.199 --> 00:41:05.199 The second point is the purpose of that to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 00:41:05.199 --> 00:41:12.199 I ask the question, where is the most exquisite treasure best displayed? 00:41:12.199 --> 00:41:24.199 You might say and be tempted to say, and I might be tempted to say in answer to that question, surely the most exquisite treasure requires and deserves the most exquisite box, 00:41:24.199 --> 00:41:28.199 the most exquisite tray or setting in which to display it. 00:41:28.199 --> 00:41:29.199 Well, not so. 00:41:29.199 --> 00:41:37.199 The most exquisite treasure is best displayed in the most ordinary box, in the most ordinary settings. 00:41:37.199 --> 00:41:42.199 You don't want your eyes to go and start admiring the box rather than the treasure. 00:41:42.199 --> 00:41:49.199 You want the treasure to be shown in all its brilliance and all its worth, in all its preciousness. 00:41:49.199 --> 00:41:56.199 So, you place it in a setting where the setting will not take up your view, where the setting will not take up your mind and your thoughts. 00:41:56.199 --> 00:41:59.199 You want your mind to be focused on that treasure. 00:41:59.199 --> 00:42:01.199 That's what Paul is really saying. 00:42:01.199 --> 00:42:05.199 God's treasure, the treasure he's given us, this life we have in Jesus. 00:42:05.199 --> 00:42:06.199 It's in jars of clay. 00:42:06.199 --> 00:42:07.199 Why? 00:42:07.199 --> 00:42:12.199 To show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 00:42:12.199 --> 00:42:26.199 In other words, he's really saying what is displayed in my life through these sufferings that I need to endure and overcome is the power of God. 00:42:26.199 --> 00:42:34.339 It's to show the surpassing power, the power that overcomes, the power that's above all powers, 00:42:34.980 --> 00:42:41.419 the power of God. How is it shown in his life? It's through the life he lives as a suffering 00:42:41.419 --> 00:42:52.719 Christian, upheld by God, blessed by God, sanctified by God. It's so that this power of God 00:42:52.719 --> 00:42:58.719 will be seen through his life, that the power that sustains him, that enables him to go on, 00:42:58.779 --> 00:43:04.500 that enables him to persevere. You know, if you look at the verses there from verse 8 downwards, 00:43:04.939 --> 00:43:09.199 let's just read through them again. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, 00:43:09.980 --> 00:43:17.059 perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed. 00:43:17.219 --> 00:43:22.219 How come? How is it that all of these things, all of these sufferings, these afflictions, 00:43:22.219 --> 00:43:30.899 the perplexities, the persecutions, the striking down? How is it that they have not broken this 00:43:30.899 --> 00:43:36.459 man, that he still goes on living as a Christian, that he still wants to make Christ known, even 00:43:36.459 --> 00:43:41.519 though he's suffering these things for his sake? How has he not been deflected from the life he lives? 00:43:41.519 --> 00:43:49.839 How can he still say, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain? Because he's persuaded that even 00:43:49.840 --> 00:43:57.400 through his sufferings, the beauty of Christ, the power of God shines through to be seen by others. 00:44:00.500 --> 00:44:08.039 It's a greater power than any power that's against him. And this is the point that it actually is shown, 00:44:08.039 --> 00:44:14.340 this power of God is shown, it's displayed. You might say it's put on display for all to see 00:44:14.340 --> 00:44:23.880 through these very frailties of the apostle. If you take up the image again of his life being a jar of 00:44:23.880 --> 00:44:31.220 clay in which this treasure of knowing Christ and of God's salvation has been deposited, you might say 00:44:31.220 --> 00:44:37.160 there are many cracks in that jar. Look at the things he's suffering. Look at the heat of the persecutions, 00:44:37.159 --> 00:44:44.920 just like these little cheap jars crushed, these little jars in Corinth that were for sale. Here's a 00:44:44.920 --> 00:44:54.559 man who is actually in some ways afflicted, perplexed, despair as a jar of clay, causing many cracks to 00:44:54.559 --> 00:45:04.019 appear in his life. But he's not broken. He's not forsaken. He's not driven to despair. He's not 00:45:04.019 --> 00:45:10.159 crushed out of existence. He hasn't given up on following Jesus. He's all the more determined to 00:45:10.159 --> 00:45:19.900 follow him. Why? Because the power of God is the power that overcomes. And through his life as a jar 00:45:19.900 --> 00:45:28.159 of clay, through the cracks that have appeared, God's power is being displayed. You know, I'm sure there 00:45:28.159 --> 00:45:34.219 were many people that wondered about this man. There were many things about this man that would 00:45:34.219 --> 00:45:39.359 cause you to just stop and reflect. But one of the things that would actually be obvious and cause 00:45:39.359 --> 00:45:44.899 you, I'm sure, to stop and reflect if you came to know even a little bit about this man is, how does 00:45:44.899 --> 00:45:52.239 this man go on living the life he lives? How has he not been utterly crushed? How has he not been in 00:45:52.239 --> 00:46:01.199 despair? Why has he not given up? Let me just take you to chapter 11. If you flip over to chapter 11, 00:46:01.599 --> 00:46:05.219 and we'll read through some verses there from verse 23. 00:46:08.819 --> 00:46:14.979 Here, what he's really doing is defending his apostleship against those who accused him 00:46:14.979 --> 00:46:21.539 frequently of being a false apostle. Well, he's saying, verse 23, are they servants of Christ? 00:46:21.539 --> 00:46:27.300 I am a better one. I am talking like a madman with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, 00:46:27.519 --> 00:46:33.860 with countless beatings, and offer near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews 00:46:33.860 --> 00:46:41.420 the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was 00:46:41.420 --> 00:46:49.019 shipwrecked for a night and a day. I was adrift at sea on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, 00:46:49.019 --> 00:46:55.739 danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from the Gentiles, danger in the city, 00:46:56.000 --> 00:47:03.139 danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers, in toil and hardship, through 00:47:03.139 --> 00:47:10.780 many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And apart from 00:47:10.780 --> 00:47:19.380 other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Wow, what a list. 00:47:21.860 --> 00:47:31.080 And he is still saying, I'm not in despair. Yes, I'm afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, 00:47:31.079 --> 00:47:40.059 but I still live my life for Jesus. He still perseveres in his faith and his trust in Christ. 00:47:41.360 --> 00:47:47.019 And you know, in chapter 12, you find something very similar, this thorn in the flesh that 00:47:47.019 --> 00:47:52.159 God gave him to keep him, he said, from being 00:47:52.159 --> 00:48:01.739 exalted above measure. There in chapter 12, verses 8 to 10, you'll find three times I pleaded with the 00:48:01.739 --> 00:48:07.420 Lord that this messenger of Satan to buffet me, three times I pleaded with the Lord that it should 00:48:07.420 --> 00:48:14.420 leave me. But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness. 00:48:14.420 --> 00:48:19.859 Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest 00:48:19.860 --> 00:48:26.680 upon me. For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, 00:48:27.260 --> 00:48:35.820 persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. You'll find some people suggesting 00:48:35.820 --> 00:48:42.099 now in some types of theology that what you should do with your sufferings is ask God to take them away. 00:48:43.220 --> 00:48:47.960 And God doesn't really intend you as a Christian to have sufferings in your life to that extent. 00:48:47.960 --> 00:48:52.559 That the best thing for you is to pray over them and ask God to take them away. 00:48:53.400 --> 00:48:58.139 That the best thing for you would be to see that you could serve God far better if you didn't have 00:48:58.139 --> 00:49:05.559 as much suffering in your life. Paul wouldn't agree with that at all. In fact, he says the opposite. 00:49:06.639 --> 00:49:13.440 None of us seek suffering deliberately from God. That would be foolish. But the suffering that he has 00:49:13.440 --> 00:49:19.119 placed in our lives as Christians, the difficulties, the trials that we meet with daily, whatever walk 00:49:19.119 --> 00:49:26.360 of life we're in, whatever work we have, whatever challenges we face in these, however much we 00:49:26.360 --> 00:49:33.059 sometimes and always confess that we struggle at times to live the Christian life in this world. 00:49:33.059 --> 00:49:44.980 Paul is saying, as a jar of clay, you're best placed to display the glory of Christ and the power 00:49:44.980 --> 00:49:52.059 of God. Not through getting rid of your sufferings, but through them to show what Christ means to you, 00:49:53.059 --> 00:50:00.860 what the Lord himself is in your life. And tonight, if you're suffering as a Christian or because 00:50:00.860 --> 00:50:07.820 of your faith. Remember that God is effectively, we might put it this way with reverence, God is 00:50:07.820 --> 00:50:14.160 effectively saying to you, as he's saying about Paul here in chapter 12 and 11 and here in chapter 4, 00:50:14.660 --> 00:50:20.660 God is saying about you as well as a Christian, I need you to be a jar of clay 00:50:20.660 --> 00:50:24.880 so that my power will be exhibited. 00:50:24.880 --> 00:50:32.180 I don't need you to think he's saying that it would be better for you if there were no sufferings 00:50:32.180 --> 00:50:38.880 in your life at all. Sometimes, you know, we may think, well, I accept that, but why do there have 00:50:38.880 --> 00:50:44.860 to be so much of suffering? And why do my suffering seem to be so different to those of other people? 00:50:45.900 --> 00:50:52.840 Well, God is saying, I have fashioned you as a jar of clay in your particular setting. 00:50:52.840 --> 00:51:01.220 And you're set there so that through this, the surpassing power that belongs to me, God, 00:51:01.980 --> 00:51:09.260 will be shown through your life, through the cracks in the jar, and the fact, the amazing fact, 00:51:09.980 --> 00:51:14.860 that the jar is not destroyed. This is what they would have been asking about the apostle. 00:51:15.059 --> 00:51:21.180 How does he go on? How has he not given up? How has he not been destroyed? 00:51:21.179 --> 00:51:29.500 How is he still determined to serve this Jesus when all of these things come upon him for the sake of Jesus? 00:51:31.379 --> 00:51:36.079 Well, Paul is saying it's all about the surpassing power that belongs to God, 00:51:36.879 --> 00:51:39.859 that that will be displayed through my life. 00:51:39.860 --> 00:51:45.599 And that goes on, finally, it's the treasure and the jars. 00:51:46.019 --> 00:51:48.420 It's to show the surpassing power of God, 00:51:49.140 --> 00:51:52.079 but it's also to exhibit the life of Jesus, 00:51:52.680 --> 00:51:54.019 as he says from verse 10, 00:51:54.660 --> 00:51:57.860 we are always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, 00:51:58.360 --> 00:52:02.200 so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. 00:52:02.199 --> 00:52:11.279 So, the translation there in the ESV is perhaps not as good as the authorized version in that instance, 00:52:11.759 --> 00:52:14.460 always carrying in the body the dying of Jesus, 00:52:14.619 --> 00:52:16.659 because that's literally what it says. 00:52:18.259 --> 00:52:22.639 Always bearing about or carrying in the body the dying of Jesus. 00:52:22.639 --> 00:52:28.379 And what Paul has in mind is that his life and lifestyle as a suffering Christian 00:52:28.379 --> 00:52:34.699 has a very close parallel in the way that Jesus himself suffered up to and prior to his death. 00:52:35.460 --> 00:52:39.000 There was a process of suffering, a process of testing, 00:52:39.519 --> 00:52:43.859 through which Jesus went, culminating in his death on the cross. 00:52:44.359 --> 00:52:48.460 He was carrying, as it were, a dying in his own person daily, 00:52:48.460 --> 00:52:52.440 until finally death occurred on the cross. 00:52:52.500 --> 00:52:55.099 And Paul is saying, as he's joined to Jesus, 00:52:55.240 --> 00:52:57.139 this is what my life is like as well. 00:52:57.980 --> 00:53:02.000 We're carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus. 00:53:03.179 --> 00:53:06.619 Similar to the process Jesus himself went through. 00:53:07.480 --> 00:53:07.800 Why? 00:53:07.800 --> 00:53:13.840 So that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 00:53:13.840 --> 00:53:20.620 That the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh, he says in verse 11. 00:53:21.660 --> 00:53:22.900 That's an amazing thing. 00:53:23.440 --> 00:53:24.800 It's a precious thing. 00:53:26.280 --> 00:53:32.620 That's why this is emphasizing for us that there are benefits for us in the Christian suffering. 00:53:32.620 --> 00:53:37.400 There are benefits to the cause of Christ in our Christian suffering. 00:53:37.400 --> 00:53:43.300 And the Jesus that is revealed is the Jesus who now lives. 00:53:43.380 --> 00:53:44.180 Do you see what he's saying? 00:53:44.700 --> 00:53:48.460 We're carrying about in our bodies the dying of the Lord Jesus, 00:53:48.780 --> 00:53:53.200 the process that's similar to what Jesus went through prior to his death. 00:53:53.260 --> 00:53:53.900 But why is it? 00:53:54.119 --> 00:53:57.260 So that the life of Jesus, the resurrected Jesus, 00:53:57.780 --> 00:53:59.960 the risen Christ, the glorified Christ, 00:53:59.960 --> 00:54:04.240 the living Christ may be made manifest in our mortal bodies. 00:54:04.239 --> 00:54:14.579 Where is it best to show Jesus to the world as well as to yourself? 00:54:16.219 --> 00:54:22.519 What is the best context in which to show this life of Jesus to the world? 00:54:23.639 --> 00:54:26.359 Well, he's saying it's the context of suffering for him. 00:54:27.599 --> 00:54:30.359 The context where you don't want the sufferings put aside 00:54:30.359 --> 00:54:33.279 as you would perhaps yourself prefer in one sense. 00:54:34.239 --> 00:54:37.139 But the context which follows this teaching and says, 00:54:37.279 --> 00:54:38.599 well, this is what God has chosen 00:54:38.599 --> 00:54:44.699 as the means by which the life of Jesus will be made manifest. 00:54:46.079 --> 00:54:49.179 There are many people who are Christians today 00:54:49.179 --> 00:54:53.059 who began thinking about themselves positively 00:54:53.059 --> 00:54:57.279 in seeing other people as Christians 00:54:57.279 --> 00:55:01.539 actually living a life in suffering 00:55:01.539 --> 00:55:04.940 where the life of Jesus was made manifest. 00:55:06.739 --> 00:55:08.940 Where how they dealt with their sufferings 00:55:08.940 --> 00:55:11.279 was impressive enough 00:55:11.279 --> 00:55:14.480 to draw minds to that person 00:55:14.480 --> 00:55:16.699 and to asking questions, 00:55:17.099 --> 00:55:18.559 what is there in this life? 00:55:19.519 --> 00:55:22.219 What is there in that person's life that causes this? 00:55:22.639 --> 00:55:24.400 How is this person going on 00:55:24.400 --> 00:55:27.420 and yet there's so much suffering in their life? 00:55:28.720 --> 00:55:30.119 The answer is this. 00:55:31.119 --> 00:55:33.079 So that the life of Jesus 00:55:33.079 --> 00:55:36.960 may be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 00:55:38.639 --> 00:55:39.940 Through afflictions, 00:55:40.300 --> 00:55:42.039 by endurance, 00:55:43.000 --> 00:55:45.320 the cracked jar is not destroyed. 00:55:45.320 --> 00:55:48.680 And people, by God's blessing, 00:55:49.320 --> 00:55:50.580 come to the conviction, 00:55:51.180 --> 00:55:53.700 there's something about that life that puzzles me 00:55:53.700 --> 00:55:56.220 and I've got to find out what it is. 00:55:57.380 --> 00:55:58.780 And by God's blessing, 00:55:58.880 --> 00:55:59.980 they come to understand 00:55:59.980 --> 00:56:02.580 it's actually the power of God. 00:56:03.519 --> 00:56:05.280 It's the life of Jesus 00:56:05.280 --> 00:56:07.200 in that person. 00:56:07.199 --> 00:56:10.919 It's not how you and I want to be ourselves. 00:56:11.799 --> 00:56:13.579 It's not how we want to view 00:56:13.579 --> 00:56:14.980 our sufferings as well. 00:56:15.659 --> 00:56:16.239 The difficulties, 00:56:16.379 --> 00:56:18.539 the trials of following Jesus. 00:56:19.699 --> 00:56:21.019 Not meaningless things, 00:56:22.000 --> 00:56:23.759 not things that we would want to put aside 00:56:23.759 --> 00:56:26.439 and just have something of comfort in their place, 00:56:27.579 --> 00:56:29.039 but the vehicle by which 00:56:29.039 --> 00:56:31.000 Christ would be shown 00:56:31.000 --> 00:56:32.899 in our lives too. 00:56:32.900 --> 00:56:38.039 The Japanese have a process of repair 00:56:38.039 --> 00:56:39.800 called kintsukuroi. 00:56:39.860 --> 00:56:41.480 I'm not sure if that's the way they pronounce it, 00:56:41.539 --> 00:56:44.039 but kintsukuroi is a description 00:56:44.039 --> 00:56:46.840 of the way that Japanese take 00:56:46.840 --> 00:56:49.340 usually ceramic that's been broken, 00:56:49.539 --> 00:56:50.720 especially if it's been precious, 00:56:50.800 --> 00:56:52.160 precious vase or something, 00:56:52.860 --> 00:56:54.579 and they fix it 00:56:54.579 --> 00:56:57.039 in this process of kintsukuroi. 00:56:57.039 --> 00:56:58.480 They make a substance 00:56:58.480 --> 00:57:02.800 into which is blended gold dust. 00:57:03.200 --> 00:57:04.019 It's a substance, 00:57:04.539 --> 00:57:05.660 gluey type substance, 00:57:05.880 --> 00:57:08.720 but it has a gold dust added to it 00:57:08.720 --> 00:57:11.119 so that it becomes gold in its appearance. 00:57:12.079 --> 00:57:12.639 And the vase, 00:57:12.740 --> 00:57:14.800 let's say it's a vase that's been broken. 00:57:15.320 --> 00:57:16.500 The vase is then repaired. 00:57:16.619 --> 00:57:18.300 It's put together again with this paste. 00:57:18.960 --> 00:57:20.059 And what happens then is 00:57:20.059 --> 00:57:22.260 they don't actually allow 00:57:22.260 --> 00:57:25.480 the veins of the substance 00:57:25.480 --> 00:57:27.720 that sticks it all together again 00:57:27.720 --> 00:57:29.599 to be wiped so you can't see the join. 00:57:29.740 --> 00:57:31.860 That's how most of us maybe would prefer 00:57:31.860 --> 00:57:34.660 a joined-up broken vessel to be repaired. 00:57:35.180 --> 00:57:36.460 No, no, they'd actually leave this 00:57:36.460 --> 00:57:40.180 so that the veins of gold 00:57:40.180 --> 00:57:42.900 along what were the cracks in the vase 00:57:42.900 --> 00:57:44.740 are so plainly dismayed, 00:57:44.880 --> 00:57:45.980 usually very thickly, 00:57:46.480 --> 00:57:48.000 as thick veins of gold. 00:57:48.940 --> 00:57:50.980 It's called kintsukuroi. 00:57:51.099 --> 00:57:52.880 It really means golden repair. 00:57:53.900 --> 00:57:55.780 Now, there's a philosophy in that as well. 00:57:55.780 --> 00:57:59.540 It's not just a means of doing something 00:57:59.540 --> 00:58:01.800 with ceramic as an art form. 00:58:02.700 --> 00:58:04.500 There is actually a philosophy 00:58:04.500 --> 00:58:05.880 in the Japanese mind 00:58:05.880 --> 00:58:07.940 in relation to kintsukuroi. 00:58:08.000 --> 00:58:10.120 It is itself a form of philosophy 00:58:10.120 --> 00:58:11.980 because the philosophy is this. 00:58:12.780 --> 00:58:14.780 You don't throw away what's been broken. 00:58:15.660 --> 00:58:16.920 You embrace it. 00:58:17.560 --> 00:58:19.140 And you embrace it with a view 00:58:19.140 --> 00:58:20.420 to improving it. 00:58:20.420 --> 00:58:22.440 And you embrace it in a way 00:58:22.440 --> 00:58:24.659 that joins it together 00:58:24.659 --> 00:58:27.159 in a way that enhances it 00:58:27.159 --> 00:58:29.480 even over and above what it was before. 00:58:30.780 --> 00:58:32.740 I know if you Google kintsukuroi, 00:58:33.619 --> 00:58:36.320 you'll find various types of ceramic, 00:58:36.720 --> 00:58:40.320 especially if you think of a black vase or vessel 00:58:40.320 --> 00:58:42.360 that's been broken 00:58:42.360 --> 00:58:44.780 and mended with this substance 00:58:44.780 --> 00:58:45.639 with the gold dust. 00:58:45.639 --> 00:58:48.219 You'll find this wonderful contrast 00:58:48.219 --> 00:58:51.059 as the gold dust throughout all the joins 00:58:51.059 --> 00:58:53.679 shows itself in the outside of the vessel. 00:58:54.619 --> 00:58:56.000 And you have to reach the conclusion, 00:58:56.159 --> 00:58:56.299 you know, 00:58:56.519 --> 00:58:58.900 that actually looks better than it was before. 00:59:00.500 --> 00:59:03.940 And that's God's kintsukuroi in Christ. 00:59:05.299 --> 00:59:06.559 He takes what's broken. 00:59:07.639 --> 00:59:09.279 He takes out broken lives. 00:59:10.619 --> 00:59:12.159 He puts them together 00:59:12.159 --> 00:59:13.819 and changing the imagery 00:59:13.820 --> 00:59:15.800 a little bit from the jars of clay. 00:59:16.460 --> 00:59:17.380 He puts them together 00:59:17.380 --> 00:59:20.019 with the gold dust of His grace 00:59:20.019 --> 00:59:23.240 into the paste 00:59:23.240 --> 00:59:24.160 in which He puts 00:59:24.160 --> 00:59:25.860 the parts of our lives 00:59:25.860 --> 00:59:27.400 that are broken back together again. 00:59:29.640 --> 00:59:31.300 And you then reach the conclusion 00:59:31.300 --> 00:59:34.559 that's so much better than it ever was. 00:59:35.440 --> 00:59:37.740 So much better than its broken state. 00:59:38.800 --> 00:59:40.840 Maybe even so much better 00:59:40.840 --> 00:59:42.300 than it was even before that. 00:59:43.820 --> 00:59:45.300 That is what Paul is saying. 00:59:46.800 --> 00:59:49.340 God's kintsukuroi work of grace 00:59:49.340 --> 00:59:52.300 exhibits the gold of Jesus, 00:59:53.640 --> 00:59:55.220 the gold of Christ, 00:59:56.660 --> 00:59:58.360 the surpassing power 00:59:58.360 --> 01:00:00.200 that belongs to God 01:00:00.200 --> 01:00:02.500 and not to us. 01:00:03.940 --> 01:00:05.880 There's so much attached 01:00:05.880 --> 01:00:09.039 to how we regard our afflictions 01:00:09.039 --> 01:00:11.000 and what use we make 01:00:11.000 --> 01:00:12.159 of our afflictions, 01:00:12.599 --> 01:00:14.259 which is why Paul himself 01:00:14.259 --> 01:00:15.639 finishes the chapter 01:00:15.639 --> 01:00:16.420 the way he does. 01:00:17.380 --> 01:00:18.179 This slight, 01:00:18.460 --> 01:00:19.440 just imagine, 01:00:20.539 --> 01:00:21.679 just think of what we read 01:00:21.679 --> 01:00:22.820 about him in chapter 11, 01:00:23.380 --> 01:00:24.199 but here he is. 01:00:24.900 --> 01:00:26.800 This slight momentary affliction. 01:00:27.059 --> 01:00:28.199 How can he say it's slight 01:00:28.199 --> 01:00:28.900 and momentary? 01:00:29.400 --> 01:00:30.619 Because he has in view 01:00:30.619 --> 01:00:31.320 the end 01:00:31.320 --> 01:00:33.639 that God has purposed for him. 01:00:34.639 --> 01:00:36.360 This slight momentary affliction 01:00:36.360 --> 01:00:38.620 is preparing for us 01:00:38.620 --> 01:00:40.039 or working for us 01:00:40.039 --> 01:00:41.400 an eternal weight of glory 01:00:41.400 --> 01:00:43.559 beyond all comparison 01:00:43.559 --> 01:00:45.059 as we look not 01:00:45.059 --> 01:00:46.120 to the things that are seen 01:00:46.120 --> 01:00:47.460 but to the things 01:00:47.460 --> 01:00:48.160 that are unseen 01:00:48.160 --> 01:00:49.260 for the things that are seen 01:00:49.260 --> 01:00:49.900 are transient, 01:00:50.900 --> 01:00:52.079 the things that are unseen 01:00:52.079 --> 01:00:54.340 are eternal. 01:00:56.880 --> 01:00:58.480 God's people will praise God 01:00:58.480 --> 01:00:59.140 in eternity 01:00:59.139 --> 01:01:02.159 for his work of grace. 01:01:03.359 --> 01:01:04.420 They will admire 01:01:04.420 --> 01:01:05.460 what he's put together 01:01:05.460 --> 01:01:08.759 but that will also involve, 01:01:09.000 --> 01:01:09.559 I'm sure, 01:01:10.879 --> 01:01:11.739 praising God 01:01:11.739 --> 01:01:12.819 for the sufferings 01:01:12.819 --> 01:01:14.559 through which 01:01:14.559 --> 01:01:16.019 they came to be sanctified 01:01:16.019 --> 01:01:18.219 in this life 01:01:18.219 --> 01:01:20.599 where the gold of Christ 01:01:20.599 --> 01:01:23.420 was shown to the world. 01:01:23.779 --> 01:01:24.480 Let's pray. 01:01:24.480 --> 01:01:28.340 Lord our God, 01:01:28.420 --> 01:01:29.740 we find it so difficult 01:01:29.740 --> 01:01:31.460 to understand 01:01:31.460 --> 01:01:32.039 the benefit 01:01:32.039 --> 01:01:33.199 of our sufferings. 01:01:33.980 --> 01:01:35.360 We find it so difficult 01:01:35.360 --> 01:01:36.159 to thank you 01:01:36.159 --> 01:01:37.300 for the way 01:01:37.300 --> 01:01:38.340 in which you use 01:01:38.340 --> 01:01:38.980 the sufferings 01:01:38.980 --> 01:01:39.659 of your people 01:01:39.659 --> 01:01:42.019 not only to show 01:01:42.019 --> 01:01:42.920 Jesus Christ 01:01:42.920 --> 01:01:43.460 through them 01:01:43.460 --> 01:01:45.139 but also for 01:01:45.139 --> 01:01:46.380 your people themselves 01:01:46.380 --> 01:01:48.860 to be put forward 01:01:48.860 --> 01:01:49.760 in their advancement 01:01:49.760 --> 01:01:51.079 in grace 01:01:51.079 --> 01:01:52.019 toward glory. 01:01:53.099 --> 01:01:54.039 We thank you tonight 01:01:54.039 --> 01:01:54.679 for your own 01:01:54.679 --> 01:01:55.860 great work, 01:01:56.039 --> 01:01:56.360 O Lord, 01:01:56.420 --> 01:01:57.019 in your people 01:01:57.019 --> 01:02:00.039 that uses such afflictions 01:02:00.039 --> 01:02:00.880 as we find 01:02:00.880 --> 01:02:02.719 described by the Apostle. 01:02:03.519 --> 01:02:04.219 Help us, 01:02:04.360 --> 01:02:04.480 Lord, 01:02:04.539 --> 01:02:04.960 we pray, 01:02:05.480 --> 01:02:07.000 to learn from these things, 01:02:07.659 --> 01:02:08.860 to learn from your Word 01:02:08.860 --> 01:02:11.659 that we have suffering 01:02:11.659 --> 01:02:12.539 for a purpose 01:02:12.539 --> 01:02:14.400 and however difficult, 01:02:14.639 --> 01:02:14.719 Lord, 01:02:14.800 --> 01:02:15.480 we find it 01:02:15.480 --> 01:02:16.539 at times 01:02:16.539 --> 01:02:17.619 to struggle through them. 01:02:18.599 --> 01:02:19.279 Never let us, 01:02:19.480 --> 01:02:19.519 Lord, 01:02:19.599 --> 01:02:20.019 forget 01:02:20.019 --> 01:02:21.800 that we 01:02:21.800 --> 01:02:22.980 have suffering 01:02:22.980 --> 01:02:24.659 placed deliberately 01:02:24.659 --> 01:02:26.719 by the hand of God. 01:02:27.659 --> 01:02:28.019 Hear us, 01:02:28.099 --> 01:02:28.480 we pray, 01:02:29.000 --> 01:02:30.380 for your glory's sake. 01:02:30.960 --> 01:02:31.260 Amen. 01:02:35.260 --> 01:02:35.980 Let's sing now 01:02:35.980 --> 01:02:36.539 in conclusion, 01:02:37.280 --> 01:02:38.960 singing in Psalm 34, 01:02:39.460 --> 01:02:40.840 Psalm 34 01:02:40.840 --> 01:02:41.940 on page 41. 01:02:43.260 --> 01:02:43.960 The tune this time 01:02:43.960 --> 01:02:44.740 is Saint David. 01:02:44.739 --> 01:02:48.079 And we'll sing 01:02:48.079 --> 01:02:48.899 verses 15 01:02:48.899 --> 01:02:49.519 to the end 01:02:49.519 --> 01:02:50.139 of the psalm. 01:02:50.259 --> 01:02:51.259 Psalm 34, 01:02:51.539 --> 01:02:52.259 page 41. 01:02:52.419 --> 01:02:53.059 The Lord's eyes 01:02:53.059 --> 01:02:54.000 are upon the just. 01:02:54.559 --> 01:02:55.119 He listens 01:02:55.119 --> 01:02:55.819 to their plea. 01:02:56.219 --> 01:02:56.539 The wicked 01:02:56.539 --> 01:02:57.419 he rejects 01:02:57.419 --> 01:02:58.500 and blots 01:02:58.500 --> 01:02:59.019 from earth 01:02:59.019 --> 01:02:59.599 their memory. 01:03:00.239 --> 01:03:00.699 The righteous 01:03:00.699 --> 01:03:01.139 cry, 01:03:01.259 --> 01:03:02.159 the Lord responds 01:03:02.159 --> 01:03:03.459 and frees them 01:03:03.459 --> 01:03:04.239 when distressed. 01:03:04.779 --> 01:03:05.319 The Lord 01:03:05.319 --> 01:03:06.019 draws near 01:03:06.019 --> 01:03:06.919 the broken heart 01:03:06.919 --> 01:03:08.399 and rescues 01:03:08.399 --> 01:03:09.639 the depressed. 01:03:09.839 --> 01:03:10.279 And so on 01:03:10.279 --> 01:03:10.659 to the end 01:03:10.659 --> 01:03:11.119 of the psalm. 01:03:11.179 --> 01:03:11.979 The Lord's eyes 01:03:11.979 --> 01:03:13.379 are upon the just. 01:03:13.380 --> 01:03:22.059 The Lord's eyes 01:03:22.059 --> 01:03:24.119 are upon 01:03:24.119 --> 01:03:26.740 the just. 01:03:27.140 --> 01:03:29.119 He listens 01:03:29.119 --> 01:03:32.460 to their plea. 01:03:32.460 --> 01:03:35.460 The wicked 01:03:35.460 --> 01:03:38.460 he rejects 01:03:39.660 --> 01:03:40.460 and blots 01:03:41.240 --> 01:03:42.460 from earth 01:03:42.460 --> 01:03:46.460 and their memory. 01:03:46.460 --> 01:03:50.940 The righteous 01:03:50.940 --> 01:03:52.199 guide, 01:03:53.039 --> 01:03:56.659 the Lord responds 01:03:56.659 --> 01:03:59.780 and flees them 01:03:59.780 --> 01:04:02.460 when distressed. 01:04:03.940 --> 01:04:06.039 The Lord 01:04:06.039 --> 01:04:07.199 draws near 01:04:07.199 --> 01:04:11.619 the broken heart 01:04:11.619 --> 01:04:14.199 and rescues 01:04:14.199 --> 01:04:18.199 the deep airs. 01:04:18.199 --> 01:04:23.199 From all the troubles 01:04:23.199 --> 01:04:27.179 of the just, 01:04:27.619 --> 01:04:33.199 the Lord will set him free. 01:04:33.199 --> 01:04:35.199 The Lord 01:04:35.199 --> 01:04:36.199 the Lord 01:04:36.199 --> 01:04:37.199 protects 01:04:37.199 --> 01:04:38.199 his 01:04:38.199 --> 01:04:39.199 death 01:04:39.199 --> 01:04:40.199 be 01:04:40.199 --> 01:04:41.199 born 01:04:41.199 --> 01:04:43.199 and broken 01:04:43.199 --> 01:04:47.199 and will be. 01:04:47.199 --> 01:04:51.199 The wicked 01:04:51.199 --> 01:04:54.199 are condemned 01:04:54.199 --> 01:04:56.199 to death, 01:04:56.199 --> 01:04:58.199 all those 01:04:58.199 --> 01:05:00.199 who hate 01:05:00.199 --> 01:05:03.199 the just. 01:05:03.199 --> 01:05:04.199 God 01:05:04.199 --> 01:05:06.199 saves 01:05:06.199 --> 01:05:07.199 his 01:05:07.199 --> 01:05:08.199 own 01:05:08.199 --> 01:05:09.199 they're 01:05:09.199 --> 01:05:10.199 not 01:05:10.199 --> 01:05:11.199 condemned 01:05:11.199 --> 01:05:12.199 for 01:05:12.199 --> 01:05:13.199 in 01:05:13.199 --> 01:05:14.199 the 01:05:14.199 --> 01:05:15.199 Lord 01:05:16.199 --> 01:05:17.199 they 01:05:17.199 --> 01:05:18.199 trust. 01:05:18.199 --> 01:05:20.619 I'll go to the main door 01:05:20.619 --> 01:05:21.460 after the benediction. 01:05:23.059 --> 01:05:24.179 And now may grace 01:05:24.179 --> 01:05:24.779 and mercy 01:05:24.779 --> 01:05:25.439 and peace 01:05:25.439 --> 01:05:26.599 from God the Father, 01:05:27.099 --> 01:05:27.439 the Son, 01:05:27.519 --> 01:05:28.299 and the Holy Spirit 01:05:28.299 --> 01:05:29.679 be with you now 01:05:29.679 --> 01:05:30.639 and evermore. 01:05:31.059 --> 01:05:31.439 Amen. 01:05:32.440 --> 01:05:34.300 . 01:05:34.840 --> 01:05:35.200 . 01:05:35.260 --> 01:05:36.260 . 01:05:36.260 --> 01:05:36.300 . 01:05:36.300 --> 01:05:36.380 . 01:05:36.380 --> 01:05:37.179 . 01:05:37.179 --> 01:05:39.480 . 01:05:39.480 --> 01:05:42.700 . 01:05:42.700 --> 01:05:44.760 . 01:05:44.760 --> 01:05:45.119 . 01:05:45.119 --> 01:05:46.900 . 01:05:49.400 --> 01:05:53.700 . 01:05:53.700 --> 01:05:54.320 . 01:05:54.320 --> 01:05:55.480 . 01:05:55.480 --> 01:05:56.300 . 01:05:56.300 --> 01:05:56.840 . 01:05:56.840 --> 01:05:57.380 . 01:05:57.380 --> 01:05:58.340 . 01:05:58.340 --> 01:06:00.220 .