WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.000 Let us pray. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:11.439 Lord, our gracious God, we thank you for every reason you give us to give thanks to you. 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:26.539 ! We thank you that you are a gracious and loving God towards us and that you enable us even today to gather here as a people to come and offer up our worship to you, singing praise to you and coming to hear your word together. 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:31.759 And we thank you that your word helps us no matter what our situation is. 00:00:32.280 --> 00:00:42.719 Whether we come here today full of joy and happiness, gladness for all your goodness to us, or whether we come here today with heavy and sore hearts, 00:00:43.019 --> 00:00:54.640 we thank you that in any and every circumstance that you are one who is able to provide and that we can indeed rejoice in you because you are God and Lord of all. 00:00:54.640 --> 00:00:58.179 And we ask today that you will bless your word to us. 00:00:58.380 --> 00:01:03.399 We thank you that it is a living word, a word that speaks powerfully to us. 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:11.200 And even as we think of learning it in this past week, as we think of the memory verse, thankful for your grace towards us. 00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:14.379 We thank you that it's a word that stays with us. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:18.099 We will not just have it here today or in the past week at the club, 00:01:18.099 --> 00:01:21.619 but that your word be precious to us each and every day, 00:01:21.919 --> 00:01:25.179 that we would seek to live by it and be guided through it. 00:01:25.479 --> 00:01:30.879 As we learn more of who we are in terms of our sin and what we do wrong so often, 00:01:31.379 --> 00:01:36.459 that we would see to your mercy towards us, your grace through Jesus Christ, 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:42.079 and that we would come to love him with all our hearts and we would come to live for him. 00:01:42.079 --> 00:01:44.679 So we thank you for everything that you do for us. 00:01:44.739 --> 00:01:49.879 We thank you for this past week, for all the children who have come to the club and all the families, 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:54.679 all who are here today, not just for the club, but for this time of worship. 00:01:54.840 --> 00:01:58.659 We thank you that you draw us together from different places and different homes, 00:01:59.420 --> 00:02:00.780 in different countries. 00:02:01.299 --> 00:02:04.739 And we thank you that together we come to praise your name. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:07.060 And may your name be lifted up high. 00:02:07.299 --> 00:02:09.560 May you be glorified in all that we do. 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:12.800 And may we know your presence and your peace with us. 00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:14.039 That's all we ask. 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:16.120 We ask for the forgiveness of our sin. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:17.719 In Jesus' name. 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:18.580 Amen. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:24.800 Well, it's been a great week at the holiday club. 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:30.480 And one thing I was missing today was actually coming in wearing this. 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:35.300 Because all week I had this hat on where I was dressed as a cow, 00:02:35.300 --> 00:02:38.960 but I thought I'd better just maybe leave it off for today. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:45.240 But it's been a great week just looking at not just the Wild West and being dressed as cowboys, 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:50.280 but looking at God's word and what God's word has to say to us. 00:02:50.800 --> 00:02:55.180 And we had a memory verse that we were learning from the book of Ephesians. 00:02:55.500 --> 00:02:59.319 And now what I want you to do is, and I hope you remember the memory verses, 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:01.500 I want you to all say it together. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:05.699 To tell everyone else sitting behind you, the adults who are downstairs and upstairs, 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:08.240 tell them what the memory verse was. 00:03:08.360 --> 00:03:10.020 Let's all say it together. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:11.379 What was it? 00:03:12.180 --> 00:03:12.580 For? 00:03:12.580 --> 00:03:24.580 Excellent. 00:03:29.580 --> 00:03:30.160 Well done. 00:03:30.260 --> 00:03:31.320 You all remembered it. 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:35.379 For by grace you have been saved through faith. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:37.239 And this is not your own doing. 00:03:37.479 --> 00:03:39.759 It is the gift of God. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:42.259 That's what we were looking at this week. 00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:48.060 That verse is such a special verse because grace is such an amazing thing. 00:03:48.139 --> 00:03:50.000 It's a beautiful word, grace. 00:03:50.099 --> 00:03:52.560 And that's why you find some people are called the name grace. 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:53.840 It's a beautiful word. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:57.060 And it reminds us that God loves us. 00:03:57.200 --> 00:03:58.900 That's what's behind the word grace. 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:02.020 It reminds us that God loves us. 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:05.420 There was a man called John Newton. 00:04:05.900 --> 00:04:11.259 I don't know if you've heard of him, but you've maybe heard a song being sung that he wrote. 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:15.020 The song is called Amazing Grace. 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:18.199 We hear it sung very often. 00:04:18.199 --> 00:04:28.079 And what John Newton in his life learned is that even as he tried to run away from God and live a life away from God, 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:33.019 in the midst of a storm, when he was on a boat at sea, in the midst of a storm, 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:35.959 he came to realize that he really needed God's help. 00:04:36.719 --> 00:04:39.539 That he really needed God in his life. 00:04:40.279 --> 00:04:43.719 And as he came through that storm, he was saved in that storm. 00:04:43.720 --> 00:04:47.700 Not just from the storm itself, but God saved him. 00:04:48.060 --> 00:04:51.340 He came to know Jesus there at that time. 00:04:51.400 --> 00:04:55.540 And that's what made him write that song, Amazing Grace. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:04:57.900 But what does grace look like? 00:04:58.840 --> 00:04:59.420 What's this? 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:00.480 Anybody know what this is? 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:02.960 What is it? 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:05.140 Play-Doh, isn't it? 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:07.580 Now, when you have Play-Doh, what do you do with it? 00:05:07.580 --> 00:05:08.640 Just leave it in the tub. 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:11.160 What happens if you leave it in the tub? 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:13.720 It's going to do nothing, isn't it? 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:16.280 And over time, it's just going to go hard. 00:05:16.520 --> 00:05:22.580 So Play-Doh, you're meant to open the tub and take the Play-Doh out and see if it comes out. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:26.380 And what you do with a Play-Doh is you can do all sorts of things with this. 00:05:26.440 --> 00:05:27.260 You can squish it. 00:05:27.320 --> 00:05:29.080 You can squash it into different shapes. 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:30.860 You can make it into a ball. 00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:34.020 And nobody was ready to catch it, were you? 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:35.820 You can make it into a ball. 00:05:35.900 --> 00:05:37.120 You can pass it to each other. 00:05:37.180 --> 00:05:39.160 You can make it into all kinds of different shapes. 00:05:39.160 --> 00:05:40.900 You can punch it into different shapes. 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:43.160 Make it into a plate or a cup. 00:05:43.620 --> 00:05:47.680 Or even put it into little spindly bits and make a little Play-Doh man out of it. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:50.080 You can do all sorts with Play-Doh. 00:05:50.780 --> 00:05:54.660 But the key is you can't just leave it in the tub. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:56.940 Because if you just leave it there, it's going to be useless. 00:05:57.520 --> 00:06:00.140 It's not going to do what it's meant for. 00:06:00.780 --> 00:06:04.060 Well, that's a little like what grace is like. 00:06:04.060 --> 00:06:07.819 You see, we're all like Play-Doh. 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:13.139 And if we just stay in that tub, we're going to be useless. 00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:20.379 But in order for the Play-Doh to be used, someone's got to take it out and do something with it. 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:23.379 And that's what God does with us. 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:29.500 When we see ourselves and our lives and we're not trusting in God, we're just like we're confined. 00:06:29.659 --> 00:06:30.360 We're stuck. 00:06:31.540 --> 00:06:34.879 But God comes to make our lives have purpose. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:37.040 To make us live for Him. 00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:39.699 And He shapes us into different people. 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:43.159 He makes us all different to do different things. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:50.020 But when we trust in Him, by His grace, we are able to do so much. 00:06:50.820 --> 00:06:52.080 And it's all of God. 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:54.420 That's what that memory verse reminds us of. 00:06:54.860 --> 00:06:56.980 By grace you have been saved through faith. 00:06:57.140 --> 00:06:58.700 It's not your own doing. 00:06:59.140 --> 00:07:00.960 It is the gift of God. 00:07:01.660 --> 00:07:04.340 So just like someone has to take the Play-Doh and do something with it, 00:07:04.340 --> 00:07:11.879 the gift of God is that He takes us and works in us and makes us useful for Him. 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:15.519 So grace is an amazing thing. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:20.480 And we're going to look at three different things about grace in a minute. 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:24.779 But before we do, we're going to sing another song. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:27.699 We're going to sing Psalm 103. 00:07:28.339 --> 00:07:32.899 And you'll find this in the middle of your booklet, Psalm 103, 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:37.120 or on page 135 of the blue Psalm books. 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:39.800 We're going to sing from verse 1 to 11, 00:07:39.980 --> 00:07:42.459 and the tune is before the throne. 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:45.139 And if there are any children going out to the tweenies, 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:47.420 they can do so during this singing. 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:49.879 Psalm 103, verse 1 to 11. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:52.699 Praise God, my soul, with all my heart. 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:55.399 Let me exalt His holy name. 00:07:55.459 --> 00:07:57.459 We'll stand to sing these verses. 00:07:57.459 --> 00:08:09.740 Praise God, my soul, with all my heart. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:15.459 Let me exalt His holy name. 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:21.459 Forget what all His benefits. 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:28.459 It's praise my soul in song, no thing. 00:08:28.459 --> 00:08:35.740 The Lord forgives you all your sins, 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:41.460 and gives your sickness and blisses. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:48.460 Your love, your grace, from the grave, 00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:54.460 and crowns you in His tenderness. 00:08:54.460 --> 00:09:01.460 And crowns you in His tenderness. 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:08.460 He satisfies your deep desires 00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:15.460 From this unending source of good, 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:21.460 So that just like the Ego's strength, 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:27.460 Your youth will make a history new. 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:33.460 The Lord is known for righteousness, 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:41.740 And justice to them draw Him white, 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:47.460 To Moses He made your best ways, 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:54.580 His mighty deeds to Israel's sons, 00:09:54.580 --> 00:10:01.580 His mighty deeds to Israel's sons. 00:10:01.580 --> 00:10:08.580 The Lord is merciful and kind, 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:14.580 To anger slow and full of grace, 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:20.580 He will not constantly be moved, 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:27.580 For in His anger hide His face. 00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:34.580 He does not punish our misdeeds, 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:40.580 Or give our sins their just reward. 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:47.580 How great is love as high as dead, 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:53.580 Towards all those who fear the Lord. 00:10:53.580 --> 00:11:01.580 Towards all those who fear the Lord. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:08.580 Well, we're going to look at the first part 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:12.580 Of the holiday club theme we had this week. 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:14.580 We're going to read some verses 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:18.580 In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 11. 00:11:18.580 --> 00:11:21.580 Sorry, chapter 15 at verse 11. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:23.580 Luke chapter 15 at verse 11. 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:25.580 The children, you have it in the middle 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:28.580 Of the order of service. 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:31.580 It's the parable of the prodigal son 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:32.580 That we were looking at. 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:35.580 So we're going to read from verse 11 to verse 20. 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:41.580 This is Jesus telling this parable. 00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:42.580 And He said, 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:44.580 There was a man who had two sons, 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:46.580 And the younger of them said to his father, 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:48.580 Father, give me the share of property 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:50.580 That is coming to me. 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:53.580 And he divided his property between them. 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.580 Not many days later, 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:56.580 The younger son gathered all he had 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:59.580 And took a journey into a far country. 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:01.580 And there he squandered his property 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:03.580 And reckless living. 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:04.580 And when he had spent everything, 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:07.580 A severe famine arose in that country. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:09.580 And he began to be in need. 00:12:09.580 --> 00:12:11.580 So he went and hired himself out 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:13.580 To one of the citizens of that country, 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:16.580 Who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:20.580 And he was longing to be fed with the pods 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.580 That the pigs ate. 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:23.580 And no one gave him anything. 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:26.580 But when he came to himself, he said, 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:29.580 How many of my father's hired servants 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:31.580 Have more than enough bread? 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:33.580 But I perish here with hunger. 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:36.580 I will arise and go to my father 00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:37.580 And will say to him, 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:40.580 Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:43.580 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 00:12:43.580 --> 00:12:46.580 Treat me as one of your hired servants. 00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:49.580 And he arose and came to his father. 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:52.580 But while he was still a long way off, 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:55.580 His father saw him and felt compassion 00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:59.580 And ran and embraced him and kissed him. 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:01.580 And so on. 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:05.580 Wonderful story, the story of the prodigal son. 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:10.580 And it reminds us of the value of grace. 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:13.580 And the love that God shows us. 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:14.580 And to know this grace, 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:18.580 We first have to realize the trouble that we are in. 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:20.580 That's what happened with the prodigal son. 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:24.580 He realized the trouble that he was in. 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:26.580 And what trouble was it? 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:29.580 Well, there were words that we were looking at this week 00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:31.580 As well as grace. 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:33.580 And the other word that we looked at first 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:35.580 Was a word, small word, 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:38.580 That started with the letter S. 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:40.580 Can you remember what that word was? 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:42.580 Shout it out if you remember it. 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:43.580 Sin. 00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:44.580 Yeah. 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:46.580 Sin was that word. 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:48.580 Sin was the word that reminds us 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:50.580 We are in trouble. 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:51.580 And what is sin? 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:55.580 Well, sin is doing wrong against God. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:57.580 Now you remember in the story 00:13:57.580 --> 00:14:00.580 When I was doing the Bible story about it 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:01.580 When we were looking at it 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:02.580 And when Gordon was doing it as well. 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:05.580 We were remembering that sin can first of all 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:07.580 Make us feel comfortable. 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:09.580 As if we come and just sit down comfortably 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:12.580 And have a rest in a chair. 00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:13.580 But then what happens? 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:15.580 What does this do? 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.580 Look at this. 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:18.580 What does this do when you put it around you? 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:20.580 It makes you blind. 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:22.580 You can't see, isn't it? 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:24.580 So sin blinds you. 00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:26.580 And then sin makes you do things 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:29.580 That you wouldn't normally do, doesn't it? 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:32.580 So when you get a man who supports lochs 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:34.580 Putting on a hat that says Westside 00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:36.580 You know there's something wrong. 00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:38.580 And that's what sin does. 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:41.580 It makes you do things that you wouldn't normally do. 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:44.580 And then eventually what you find is 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:46.580 You end up stuck in sin. 00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:48.580 Remember what happened? 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:50.580 We ended up tied to the chair. 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:52.580 Tied to what was first of all comfortable. 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:55.580 You end up tied to it. 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:57.580 And that's what sin is. 00:14:57.580 --> 00:15:00.580 It just can grow and grow in our lives 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:02.580 And we end up stuck in sin. 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:04.580 Just like the prodigal son. 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:08.580 There was a man who visited Niagara Falls. 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:10.580 You ever heard of Niagara Falls? 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:14.580 Big waterfall between Canada and America. 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:18.580 And this man was visiting just as it was coming into springtime. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:21.580 So the winter had just passed 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:24.580 And the snow and the ice was just starting to melt 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:28.580 But there was lots of big chunks of ice floating down the river 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:31.580 And then going over the edge of the waterfall. 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:33.580 And as the man was watching 00:15:33.580 --> 00:15:36.580 He was seeing that there was birds sitting on the ice 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.580 On these chunks of ice 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:39.580 And they were eating fish. 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:41.580 But the birds were also keeping an eye out 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:43.580 What was going on around them. 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:44.580 So as they were enjoying the fish 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:46.580 They were always watching where they were going 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:49.580 And just before it came close to the edge 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.580 The bird would fly away 00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:53.580 So it wouldn't go over the waterfall. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:55.580 But then he noticed one bird 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:59.580 And this bird had obviously been on this ice for a long time. 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:01.580 Much longer than the other ones. 00:16:01.580 --> 00:16:06.580 And it was so busy eating this big fish that it had on the ice 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:08.580 That it wasn't paying attention. 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:12.580 And by the time the bird realized what was coming 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:15.580 That it was coming so close to the edge of the waterfall 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:17.580 And he started to try and fly away 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:19.580 Put out his wings and started to fly away 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:21.580 He started flapping 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:24.580 A bit like Duncan Norman trying to get out of the chair the other day 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.580 But he was stuck 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:27.580 He was stuck in the ice 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:32.580 His claws had been there so long that they had frozen into the ice 00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:34.580 And it was getting more and more in a panic 00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:36.580 Because he was coming close to the edge 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:38.580 And he tried and the ice was coming up a little 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:40.580 But then going back down 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:44.580 And the bird ended up going over the waterfall 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.580 It was too late 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:47.580 It hadn't been paying attention 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:51.580 And that's what sin is like 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:54.580 It just makes us fall into the wrong place 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:57.580 And not pay attention to the danger that's around us 00:16:57.580 --> 00:17:00.580 And we can end up stuck in sin 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:03.580 And if we end up stuck in sin 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:05.579 What do we need to do? 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:09.579 Well we need to think about what the prodigal son did 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:11.579 In this story that Jesus is telling of 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.579 There's two sons 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:14.579 We're thinking of the younger son 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:17.579 And he wanted to just go away from God 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:20.579 It's a story that speaks to many of us who are maybe older 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:23.579 But also to you as you're young as well 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:26.579 Because it reminds you what to look out for as you're growing up 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:31.579 It reminds us that it's easy for us just to turn our back on God 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:33.579 Turn away from God 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:35.579 Have no interest in him 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:38.579 To think that by getting away from church and God 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:41.579 That we're going to be free and just able to do our own thing 00:17:41.579 --> 00:17:43.579 That's what the prodigal son did 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.579 He got his money 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.579 He went away 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.579 Lived a life 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.579 Spent all the money 00:17:48.579 --> 00:17:49.579 He had a good time 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:51.579 But then he ended up in trouble 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:54.579 He was feeding pigs 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:56.579 A dirty job 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.579 A smelly job 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.579 He was feeding pigs 00:17:58.579 --> 00:18:00.579 And he wasn't happy 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.579 He was miserable 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:03.579 He thought that he was going to get away 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.579 And that he was going to be happy 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:06.579 But he wasn't 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:08.579 And if we run away from God 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:11.579 We might think we're going to be happy too 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:13.579 But we're not 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:15.579 Because we just end up miserable 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:17.579 Life doesn't make sense 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:19.579 Nothing goes right for us 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:22.579 And we end up just doing our own thing 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:25.579 And getting stuck in sin 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:28.579 But the amazing thing about the story of the prodigal son 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:30.579 Is the father 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:34.579 And what we see is when the son came to his senses 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:36.579 He said, why don't I go back? 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:40.579 I can even just be a servant in my father's house 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:42.579 I can just have a little job 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.579 But I'll still have food 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:45.579 I'll have a place to live 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:48.579 But he didn't think the father would love him 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:52.579 But what do we read in this story? 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:55.579 When the father saw him coming 00:18:55.579 --> 00:19:00.579 He arose and ran towards him 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:03.579 And put his arms around him 00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:05.579 And welcomed him home 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:09.579 It's amazing that grace 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:11.579 Even when we're stuck in sin 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.579 That the father shows 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:15.579 He is calling us 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:17.579 He's speaking to us 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:19.579 To come to him 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.579 Do we see the danger 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:22.579 That we're in with sin? 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.579 Young and old alike 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:26.579 Do we see the danger of being stuck in sin? 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.579 Are you? 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:29.579 Maybe even stuck in this sin today? 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:33.579 Well, as well as the word sin 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:36.579 There's another word that we're going to look at 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:39.579 And we're going to read another passage of scripture just now 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:42.579 Just to lead us into that word 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:44.579 And we're going to read in Luke again 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:46.579 All our readings are in the Gospel of Luke 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:49.579 But our second reading is in chapter 23 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:53.579 Luke chapter 23 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.579 So in the order of service 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.579 In the booklet you have 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:57.579 It's just the next page over 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:01.579 We're going to read in Luke 23 00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:03.579 And I'm going to read at verse 39 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:08.579 And just a few verses down to verse 43 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:15.579 Luke chapter 23 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.579 Luke chapter 23 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:18.579 At verse 39 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:21.579 Now this is Jesus 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:24.579 At the time when he was put on the cross 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.579 And beside him 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:27.579 On the cross were two others 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.579 Who were criminals 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.579 And one of them said 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:32.579 One of the criminals who were hanged 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.579 Railed at him saying 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:35.579 Are you not the Christ? 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:37.579 Save yourself and us 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:39.579 But the other rebuked him saying 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:41.579 Do you not fear God? 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:45.579 Since you are under the same sentence of condemnation 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.579 And we indeed justly 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:50.579 For we are receiving the due reward for our deeds 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:53.579 But this man has done nothing wrong 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.579 And he said 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:59.579 Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.579 And he said to him 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.579 This is Jesus speaking to him 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:04.579 Truly I say to you 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.579 Today 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.579 You will be with me 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.579 In paradise 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:13.579 Well as well as the word sin 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:16.579 The second word we looked at 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:19.579 Is a word that started with the letter M 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:20.579 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:23.579 Can you all remember what that word was? 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:25.579 Word 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.579 Starting with the letter M 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:29.579 Mercy 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:30.579 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.579 Mercy 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:33.579 Another great word for us 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:34.579 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:38.579 Grace and mercy go together so closely 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.579 When the prodigal son 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.579 As we read in the first story there 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:45.579 When he realized the trouble he was in 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:48.579 That he was stuck in sin 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:51.579 He went back to the father 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:53.579 And what did the father do? 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:56.579 He showed him 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:57.579 00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.579 He showed him mercy 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.579 He didn't deserve it 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.579 He knew he'd done wrong 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:06.579 And just like the criminal here 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.579 Who was saying 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:10.579 We know we have done these wrong things 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.579 We don't 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.579 We deserve this 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.579 Jesus doesn't 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.579 He's done nothing wrong 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:19.579 And yet Jesus showed him 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:20.579 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.579 Mercy 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:24.579 Is a wonderful word 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.579 And where do we see 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.579 This mercy 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:27.579 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.579 Well we see it 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.579 When we look at the cross 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.579 Remember on Wednesday 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.579 What was the craft 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.579 That you were doing? 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.579 It was a picture 00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.579 What was it of? 00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:41.579 The crosses 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.579 Wasn't it? 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.579 You had the crosses 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:44.579 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.579 So there was Jesus on a cross 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.579 And there was two criminals 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.579 On either side 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:50.579 And there Jesus was showing mercy 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:55.579 Not just to the thief who came to him there 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.579 But to us all 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:59.579 Because we couldn't save ourselves 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:01.579 Like our memory verse says 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:03.579 It is the gift of God 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.579 By grace through faith 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:09.579 And the gift of God was giving his son 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.579 To do what we couldn't 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:12.579 But we couldn't 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:14.579 We couldn't save ourselves 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.579 From our sins 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:18.579 God had to send someone 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.579 To do it for us 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:22.579 And so he sent his son 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:23.579 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.579 There's a hymn called 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.579 Our sins 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.579 They are many 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.579 His mercy 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:32.579 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:34.579 Lovely hymn 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.579 And one of the verses says this 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.579 And it kind of ties in with the story 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.579 Of the prodigal son 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.579 What patience would wait 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.579 What patience would wait 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.579 As we constantly roam 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:42.579 What father so tender 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.579 Is calling us home 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.579 He welcomes the weakest 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:47.579 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.579 The poor 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.579 Our sins 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.579 They are many 00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:53.579 His mercy 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.579 Is more 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.579 His mercy 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:56.579 Is greater 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.579 And it's wonderful 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.579 How it puts it in that picture 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.579 What patience would wait 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.579 As we constantly roam 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.579 As we're going away 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.579 From God 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.579 We're roaming away 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:09.579 And yet what father so tender 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:11.579 Is calling us home 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.579 That the father 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.579 Just like in the story 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.579 Of the prodigal son 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.579 Is calling us home 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:19.579 And that's what God is doing 00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.579 As Jesus is in the cross 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.579 He's speaking to us 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:24.579 To say there is mercy 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:26.579 Your sins 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:27.579 They are many 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.579 Our sins 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.579 They are many 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.579 But his mercy 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:32.579 Is more 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.579 Imagine 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:33.579 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.579 Standing 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.579 In a courtroom 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:38.579 And you're being charged 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:41.579 It's a scary place to be 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.579 You're afraid 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.579 Maybe what's up ahead 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.579 What's going to happen 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.579 To me 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.579 And you're standing there 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.579 You know 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.579 You've done something bad 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.579 You know 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.579 That you deserve 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.579 To be punished 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.579 And you are told 00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:59.579 By the judge 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:01.579 That you could go to prison 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:03.579 If you can't pay 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.579 The fines 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.579 You're going to end up 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.579 In prison 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.579 And your future 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.579 Your life 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:09.579 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:10.579 You don't know 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.579 What's ahead of you 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.579 Well that's the scene 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:13.579 That we had on Wednesday 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.579 In the drama 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.579 You remember 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.579 The three outlaws 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.579 Three cowboys 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.579 Were there 00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:21.579 They knew 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.579 They had done wrong 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.579 The sheriff 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.579 Had arrested them 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.579 And he brought them 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.579 To court 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.579 And there was a judge 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.579 The judge 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.579 And the judge 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.579 And the judge heard 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.579 All the charges 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.579 Being read out 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:34.579 Against them 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:36.579 And the judge heard 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:38.579 What they deserved 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:40.579 How much they owed 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:42.579 And there were big fines 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:44.579 But what happened? 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.579 What happened? 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:50.579 Instead of putting the cowboys into prison 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:54.579 Because they couldn't pay the fine 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.579 The judge asked 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:57.579 How much do they owe? 00:25:57.579 --> 00:26:00.579 And the judge was told 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.579 And then the judge said 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.579 I'll pay it 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:07.579 I'll pay every last penny 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:10.579 And they can go free 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.579 Wasn't it wonderful 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:16.579 To think that someone would do that for us? 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:19.579 Because the judge showed mercy 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.579 The judge showed mercy 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:26.579 And that's what Jesus did for his people at the cross 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:29.579 Our sin deserved punishment 00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.579 But he said 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.579 I'll pay 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:37.579 I'll pay every last penny 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:40.579 For all who believe in me 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:43.579 I'll save them by my grace 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:45.579 And by my mercy 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:48.579 The hymn that I quoted just a wee minute ago 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:50.579 Another verse goes on to say this 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:54.579 What riches of kindness he lavished on us 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.579 His blood was the payment 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.579 His life was the cost 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.579 We stood neath a debt 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.579 We could never afford 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.579 Our sins they are many 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:07.579 His mercy is more 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:11.579 The mercy that God shows to us 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.579 When we think of the cross 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:14.579 That Jesus went 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.579 There for us 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.579 That's what this man 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:18.579 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.579 Who was there with Jesus 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.579 Came to see for himself 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:25.579 One just mocked him 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:26.579 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.579 If you are the Christ 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.579 Save yourself and us 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.579 But the other one 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:33.579 Looked at Jesus and said 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.579 Or looked at the criminal 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:35.579 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.579 Do you not fear God 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.579 Since we are under the same sentence of condemnation 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:40.579 We justly 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.579 We deserve this 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.579 But he doesn't 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.579 He has done nothing wrong 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:46.579 But then he said these words 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:47.579 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.579 Remember me 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:51.579 When you come into your kingdom 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.579 And that's what we can say to Jesus 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.579 Remember me 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.579 And what did Jesus say 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.579 Truly I say to you 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.579 Today you will be with me 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:02.579 00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:04.579 He showed him mercy 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.579 Mercy 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.579 He didn't deserve it 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.579 But he received it 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.579 Because he looked to Jesus 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:13.579 And trusted in him 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:16.579 If I do this sign 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.579 You can look at me just for a wee minute 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:19.579 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.579 If I do this sign 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.579 I point up 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.579 And then I do this 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:28.579 What does it mean? 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.579 Point up 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:30.579 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.579 What does that mean? 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.579 Who we point to? 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:35.579 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.579 You 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.579 And what does this mean? 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:42.579 Forgive me 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:43.579 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:44.579 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:46.579 Forgive me 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.579 And so we're reminded there 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.579 That Jesus 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.579 Is the one we look to 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:54.579 When we think of everything that we've done wrong 00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:55.579 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.579 Forgive me 00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.579 That's the wonder 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:00.579 Of his mercy 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.579 What do we do 00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:04.579 With this mercy though? 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.579 What do we do 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.579 With the mercy that he shows? 00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:10.579 Well that's the last thing we want to look at 00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.579 And we're going to read another passage 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.579 In Luke chapter 15 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:17.579 At the beginning of that chapter 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:18.579 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:20.579 To verse 10 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:22.579 Sorry 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.579 Not Luke 15 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:26.579 Luke 19 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.579 Verse 1 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.579 To verse 10 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.579 Luke 19 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:30.579 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:31.579 00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:36.579 We looked at a couple of people 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:37.579 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.579 Were transformed 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:40.579 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.579 And this is one of them 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.579 In chapter 19 00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:46.579 Of Luke's Gospel 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.579 At verse 1 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.579 And there was a man called 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:51.579 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.579 Zacchaeus 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.579 He was a chief tax collector 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:54.579 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.579 And he was seeking to see 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:57.579 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.579 But on account of the crowd 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:00.579 00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:01.579 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:03.579 Small of stature 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.579 So he ran on ahead 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:07.579 And climbed up into a sycamore tree 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:08.579 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:11.579 For he was about to pass that way 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:13.579 And when Jesus came to the place 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.579 He looked up and said to him 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.579 Zacchaeus 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.579 Hurry and come down 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.579 For I must stay at your house today 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:21.579 So he hurried and came down 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:23.579 And received him joyfully 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:25.579 And when they saw it 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.579 They all grumbled 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.579 He has gone to be the guest 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.579 Of a man who is a sinner 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.579 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:33.579 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.579 Half of my goods I give to the poor 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:38.579 And if I have defrauded anyone of anything 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.579 I restore it fourfold 00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:42.579 And Jesus said to him 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:45.579 Today salvation has come to this house 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:48.579 Since he also is a son of Abram 00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:51.579 For the son of man came to seek 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:54.579 And to save the lost 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:58.579 So we have seen over everything is grace 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:02.579 And then we saw grace in the midst of sin 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:05.579 Then we saw how grace and mercy go together 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.579 And the last thing we want to think about 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.579 Just for a few moments 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:10.579 For a few moments is grace to live 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:13.579 Grace to live 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:17.579 You remember the cowboys in the drama 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:19.579 There was three of them 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.579 I think somebody said only one was good looking 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:25.579 I'm not sure which one you can decide for yourselves 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:28.579 But the three outlaws were there 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:32.579 What did they do after the judge had showed mercy? 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:35.579 After the judge had paid all the fines 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:37.579 Did they go back to stealing? 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.579 No 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.579 What did they do? 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.579 They went to do good 00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:44.579 Because their lives were changed 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:49.579 They realized that they had wasted so much of their lives doing wrong 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:53.579 That now they wanted to do good 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:57.579 Jesus going to the cross 00:31:58.579 --> 00:32:00.579 What purpose was in that? 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:03.579 It was that we might have life 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.579 And have it to the full 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.579 That's what he says in John's Gospel 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:10.579 That we might have life in him 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:14.579 But does our life have that purpose? 00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:18.579 Are we living for Jesus today? 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:21.579 How are you spending your life? 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:26.579 How many weeks to go off the holidays before you have to go back to school? 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.579 Anybody know? 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.579 Anybody know? 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.579 Two weeks 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.579 Somebody's counting 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.579 Two weeks to go 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:35.579 Six or seven weeks of holiday 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:38.579 Sounds like such a long time, doesn't it? 00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:41.579 But it goes past so fast 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.579 You think of the holiday club 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.579 Five days on a holiday club 00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:48.579 But it was just such a short time 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:51.579 What are we doing with our time? 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:54.579 Well, someone made some calculations 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:56.579 And they were looking at our lives 00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:59.579 And if we were to live to the age of 70 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.579 What our lives might be like 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:04.579 If you break it down into sections 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:07.579 So they worked it out as an estimate 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:09.579 And said, if you lived to your 70 00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:12.579 How long would you have slept for? 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:15.579 Anybody want to have a guess? 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:19.579 Are we talking days, months or years? 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.579 Everyone have a guess 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.579 If you lived to 70 00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:23.579 How long have you slept for? 00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:25.579 Any guesses? 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.579 No? 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:29.579 Well, I'll have to tell you 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.579 Do you think it's five years? 00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:33.579 That sounds like a long time, doesn't it? 00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.579 To sleep for five years solid 00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:38.579 No, it's not five years 00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:40.579 Thirty? 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:41.579 00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:42.579 00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:45.579 They reckon about 23 years 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:46.579 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.579 Imagine 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.579 Sleeping 00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:49.579 That's if you did it all at once 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:51.579 Twenty-three years 00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:52.579 You would be asleep 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.579 Work 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:56.579 A little less 00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:58.579 Probably about 16 years working 00:33:59.579 --> 00:34:00.579 That's a long shift 00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:03.579 Sixteen years solid working 00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:05.579 Watching TV 00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:07.579 How long? 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.579 Twelve years 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.579 Imagine 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.579 Twelve years 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.579 Watching TV 00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:17.579 They estimated that getting dressed 00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:20.579 Just a simple task of getting dressed 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.579 Two years 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:25.579 I reckon it's a lot longer for a woman 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:28.579 But it's an estimate of two years 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:31.579 Just getting dressed 00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:34.579 So you look at your life like that 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:37.579 How can I spend that much time on these things? 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.579 Twenty-three years sleeping 00:34:39.579 --> 00:34:40.579 If I live to seventy 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:42.579 It seems such a waste 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:48.579 Well, every time we hear about the grace of God 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:51.579 It reminds us and asks us 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:54.579 Well, what are we doing with our life? 00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:57.579 If we're 23 years sleeping 00:34:58.579 --> 00:35:00.579 If we're 16 years working 00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:02.579 If we're 12 years watching the telly 00:35:03.579 --> 00:35:06.579 How much time am I giving to God? 00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:10.579 How much time am I living for Him? 00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:13.579 What are we doing with our life? 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:17.579 Even as we think of the last week of the holiday club 00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:20.579 What are we going to do with it? 00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:24.579 You've heard all about Jesus this last week 00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:27.579 We're hearing about Jesus again here today 00:35:28.579 --> 00:35:29.579 Will we go from church today and say 00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:33.579 Well, I look forward to hearing about Jesus again at the Christmas club 00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:36.579 Or the holiday club next year 00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:38.579 Is that how I would look at it? 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:39.579 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:43.579 Somebody actually put in the holiday club WhatsApp group on Friday 00:35:44.579 --> 00:35:48.579 Only another 136-ish days to the Christmas club 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:51.579 So the countdown is on 00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:53.579 There's excitement already about that 00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:56.579 But what should we do between now and then? 00:35:57.579 --> 00:36:01.579 Do we just leave all these Bible stories that we've learned to one side 00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:03.579 And come back to them at Christmas? 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:04.579 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.579 Where do we go? 00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:08.579 We want to go on learning about Jesus 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:11.579 Because the more we learn about Jesus 00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.579 The more we live for Him 00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:16.579 We plant ourselves 00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:18.579 As one of the songs said 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.579 In the B-I-B-L-E 00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.579 The Bible 00:36:23.579 --> 00:36:24.579 Because that's where we learn 00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:28.579 All about the wonder of more and more of the grace of Jesus to us 00:36:28.579 --> 00:36:31.579 So we looked at two people 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:34.579 We looked at the woman who Jesus met at the well 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:37.579 And her life was totally transformed 00:36:38.579 --> 00:36:41.579 And she became so excited about Jesus 00:36:42.579 --> 00:36:43.579 Realizing who He was 00:36:44.579 --> 00:36:46.579 That she went back to the town which she was from 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.579 Where she didn't have many friends 00:36:49.579 --> 00:36:50.579 But she said to them 00:36:50.579 --> 00:36:51.579 Come 00:36:51.579 --> 00:36:54.579 See a man who told me everything that I ever did 00:36:54.579 --> 00:36:55.579 She knew she had done wrong 00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:57.579 But she said 00:36:57.579 --> 00:36:58.579 Can this be the Christ? 00:36:59.579 --> 00:37:01.579 The one who is able to show mercy 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:04.579 And Zacchaeus here again 00:37:05.579 --> 00:37:07.579 He was someone who had done so much wrong in his life 00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:10.579 He'd stolen money from people 00:37:11.579 --> 00:37:12.579 People didn't like him 00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:15.579 They stood in front of him to stop him seeing Jesus 00:37:15.579 --> 00:37:17.579 Because he was just a small man 00:37:18.579 --> 00:37:19.579 But what did Jesus do? 00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:21.579 He showed him mercy 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.579 And he said 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.579 Come down Zacchaeus from that tree 00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:30.579 Because today salvation has come to your house 00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:35.579 It's amazing what grace does 00:37:36.579 --> 00:37:38.579 It helps us see our sin 00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:41.579 That we're stuck in sin 00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:45.579 But it helps us also to see where we can go with our sin 00:37:46.579 --> 00:37:47.579 To take it to Jesus and take it to Him 00:37:48.579 --> 00:37:52.579 At the cross where He showed mercy to us 00:37:53.579 --> 00:37:55.579 But it also reminds us 00:37:56.579 --> 00:37:57.579 That we need to live 00:37:58.579 --> 00:38:01.579 Not just for a moment or a day or two 00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:03.579 But all our days 00:38:04.579 --> 00:38:08.579 That our lives will be transformed by Him 00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:11.579 Grace is an amazing thing 00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:15.579 Mercy is an amazing thing 00:38:16.579 --> 00:38:19.579 And that's what God has given to us 00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:23.579 So once more can we say the memory verse together 00:38:24.579 --> 00:38:25.579 You ready? 00:38:26.579 --> 00:38:27.579 For 00:38:27.579 --> 00:38:30.579 For 00:38:30.579 --> 00:38:29.579 My grace 00:38:29.579 --> 00:38:30.579 You have been saved 00:38:31.579 --> 00:38:32.579 Through faith 00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:35.579 And this is not your own doing 00:38:36.579 --> 00:38:37.579 It is the gift of God 00:38:38.579 --> 00:38:40.579 Ephesians chapter 2 00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:42.579 Verse 8 00:38:43.579 --> 00:38:44.579 Excellent 00:38:45.579 --> 00:38:45.579 00:38:46.579 --> 00:38:47.579 Forget it 00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:49.579 Keep remembering 00:38:49.579 --> 00:38:50.579 That grace 00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:53.579 And for those of you who haven't memorized it already 00:38:53.579 --> 00:38:55.579 It's a great verse 00:38:56.579 --> 00:38:56.579 00:38:57.579 --> 00:38:58.579 The grace of God 00:38:59.579 --> 00:39:00.579 That by faith we can know 00:39:01.579 --> 00:39:02.579 In Jesus Christ 00:39:03.579 --> 00:39:04.579 And His loving 00:39:05.579 --> 00:39:05.579 00:39:06.579 --> 00:39:06.579 00:39:07.579 --> 00:39:07.579 00:39:08.579 --> 00:39:09.579 More of that grace 00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:10.579 00:39:13.579 --> 00:39:14.579 Our Father in Heaven 00:39:14.579 --> 00:39:15.579 Lord in Heaven 00:39:15.579 --> 00:39:16.579 We thank you 00:39:16.579 --> 00:39:17.579 That despite all that we do wrong 00:39:18.579 --> 00:39:20.579 Despite the many mistakes that we make 00:39:21.579 --> 00:39:23.579 That you are a God who has shown grace 00:39:24.579 --> 00:39:26.579 And that in your mercy you remember us 00:39:27.579 --> 00:39:29.579 That you came to save us from our sin 00:39:30.579 --> 00:39:33.579 And we pray today Lord that you would help us 00:39:34.579 --> 00:39:35.579 To remember these great truths 00:39:36.579 --> 00:39:37.579 Even as we go from here today 00:39:38.579 --> 00:39:39.579 That every day of our lives would be touched 00:39:40.579 --> 00:39:41.579 By the wonder of that grace 00:39:41.579 --> 00:39:43.579 And mercy and love 00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:45.579 That we can have in Jesus Christ 00:39:46.579 --> 00:39:47.579 And so help us 00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:48.579 00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:50.579 And that you would hold on to us 00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:52.579 As we go from here 00:39:53.579 --> 00:39:54.579 As we ask it in His precious name 00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:55.579 00:39:58.579 --> 00:39:59.579 Well we're going to conclude by singing 00:40:00.579 --> 00:40:02.579 To God's praise in Psalm 145 00:40:03.579 --> 00:40:04.579 Sing Psalm's version 00:40:05.579 --> 00:40:08.579 You'll find it on page 190 of the blue books 00:40:08.579 --> 00:40:11.579 Or on the back page of the order of service 00:40:12.579 --> 00:40:13.579 Psalm 145 00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:14.579 00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:17.579 And again this Psalm just speaks to us 00:40:18.579 --> 00:40:20.579 Of this grace that the Lord shows 00:40:21.579 --> 00:40:22.579 The Lord is gracious and compassionate 00:40:23.579 --> 00:40:25.579 He's slow to anger, rich and steadfast love 00:40:26.579 --> 00:40:28.579 The Lord is good to all that He has made 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:31.579 And merciful to all on earth that move 00:40:32.579 --> 00:40:33.579 The tune is even tied 00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:35.579 And we're going to sing from verse 8 to 14 00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:37.579 And in verse 14 we stand to sing 00:40:38.579 --> 00:40:38.579 00:40:38.579 --> 00:40:39.579 The Lord is gracious and compassionate 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:44.579 The Lord is gracious and compassionate 00:40:44.579 --> 00:40:51.579 The Lord is gracious and compassionate 00:40:51.579 --> 00:40:58.579 Peaceful to anger, rich and steadfast love 00:40:59.579 --> 00:41:03.579 The Lord is good to all that He has made 00:41:03.579 --> 00:41:13.579 The Lord is good to all that He has made 00:41:14.579 --> 00:41:24.579 And merciful to all on earth that move 00:41:24.579 --> 00:41:26.579 All you have made 00:41:26.579 --> 00:41:28.579 All you have made 00:41:28.579 --> 00:41:34.579 We'll give you praise, O Lord 00:41:35.579 --> 00:41:40.579 Your saints will all unite 00:41:41.579 --> 00:41:44.579 To bless your name 00:41:44.579 --> 00:41:54.579 The glory of your reign they will declare 00:41:55.579 --> 00:42:05.579 And your surpassing might they will proclaim 00:42:05.579 --> 00:42:09.579 Thus all will hear 00:42:09.579 --> 00:42:16.579 Thou black your mighty eyes 00:42:16.579 --> 00:42:18.579 And know the glorious splendor of your reign 00:42:18.579 --> 00:42:39.880 And know the glorious splendor of your reign, your kingdom will endure forevermore. 00:42:39.880 --> 00:42:49.960 All, O thy pure dominion will remain. 00:42:51.960 --> 00:43:00.820 The Lord is faithful to his promises. 00:43:00.820 --> 00:43:12.820 To all that he has made his love is sure. 00:43:13.480 --> 00:43:22.820 The Lord himself has also to call. 00:43:22.820 --> 00:43:34.019 And lift up everyone who is now down. 00:43:35.600 --> 00:43:37.940 In a moment I'm just going to pronounce the benediction. 00:43:38.080 --> 00:43:39.600 I'm going to go to the main door. 00:43:39.900 --> 00:43:43.460 But if the children, you'll go out the door to my left here through to the hall. 00:43:43.980 --> 00:43:48.740 And again, just a warm invitation to everyone to come through there if you're able to stay. 00:43:48.820 --> 00:43:50.480 We'll close with a benediction. 00:43:50.480 --> 00:44:01.519 Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. 00:44:01.880 --> 00:44:02.380 Amen. 00:44:20.480 --> 00:44:21.480 Amen. 00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:21.480 00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:21.480 00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:21.480 00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:22.480 Amen. 00:44:22.480 --> 00:44:22.480