WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.000 The words of the Lord are pure words like silver refined in a furnace on the ground purified seven times. 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:17.000 ! You, O Lord, will keep them. You will guard us from this generation forever. 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:29.000 I read somewhere that there is a jeweller's shop in Edinburgh called Fabulous Fakes. 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:36.000 When you walk into it, you're surrounded by an array of different items of jewellery that look stunning, 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:43.000 shining and glistening in the light, but every one of them is just a cheap imitation. 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:49.000 Now, you know you're going in there and that's what you're getting because that's the way it's advertised. 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:55.000 What you get is cheap because it's just a fake imitation. 00:00:55.000 --> 00:01:02.000 And it got me thinking as to how often we can be caught out by something that we think is actually real, 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:06.000 but is actually fake and worthless. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:10.000 There's a difference between fake and cheap. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:16.000 Sometimes you can try and buy things cheap because we can't afford a higher quality item. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:21.000 For example, there's been a few times when I've bought some tools just for a job. 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:27.000 I just needed a certain maybe spanner and I only needed for that one thing so you don't spend too much on it. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:28.000 You buy cheap. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:33.000 But then you go and try and put a bit of exertion into it and it snaps almost immediately. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:36.000 You're caught out because it's cheap. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:41.000 But there's other things that you can come across and you think you're getting the real thing, 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:45.000 only to be deceived and find that it's fake. 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:51.000 Fake looks like the real thing, but you pay dearly. 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:53.000 Sometimes it doesn't cost too much. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:56.000 Other times it can be an expensive mistake. 00:01:56.000 --> 00:02:01.000 I once bought razor blades online thinking I was getting the real thing. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:03.000 Tried them, they wouldn't shave. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:04.000 No chance. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:06.000 In the bin they went. 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:09.000 They looked just like the real thing, but they were fake. 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:13.000 Others can be caught out by buying things they believe are real. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:18.000 Diamonds and jewels or even cars that are expensive. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:23.000 But either the diamonds or the jewels have been faked or maybe the car has been in a crash 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:26.000 and has been done up and is actually worthless. 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:29.000 You're caught out and you're conned. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:32.000 Well, what's that trying to say to us tonight? 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:40.000 Where we find, as we read here in Psalm 12, that David is reminding us that in life there are many different things 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:46.000 that we are looking at that seem so attractive and glisten in our eyes. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:54.000 And they speak to us of giving us fulfillment and joy and satisfaction and all of these things. 00:02:54.000 --> 00:03:00.000 But David is warning us that there are so many things, although they glisten, they're fake. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:06.000 But that there is something that we have that is real and true. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:09.000 And that is what he's talking about here in verse 6. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:13.000 He's looking around in this Psalm as you see. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:16.000 The godly are gone, he says in verse 1. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:19.000 The faithful have vanished. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:22.000 It's almost like the people of God are disappearing. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:28.000 And then you see there are those who have flattering lips, the tongues that make great boasts. 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:32.000 There are those who are telling lies. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:37.000 But then he comes to verse 6 and he's saying, but there is the word of God. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:40.000 And that this word is truth. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:43.000 And that this word is real. 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:47.000 And that's not just something for David's day. 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:49.000 It's for every day of life. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:04:03.000 So that as we think of looking back to the weekend that we enjoyed under the word of God, was there anything about it that was fake or cheap or an imitation? 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:06.000 People would say it's lies. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:07.000 It's not truth. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:09.000 It's just made up stories. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:18.000 But everything that we heard and everything that we partook in was truth, was real. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:22.000 The word of God is living and active. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:27.000 The sacraments remind us of what Jesus has done for us. 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:32.000 Whether we think of the baptism that he came that we might have forgiveness of sin. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:36.000 Or whether we think of the Lord's Supper as we see how that sin was paid for. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:41.000 There was nothing cheap, nothing fake in what Jesus did for us. 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:44.000 He paid the greatest price. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:48.000 He paid the price in full. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:51.000 There was truth and reality there for us. 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:54.000 And it was all founded on the word of God. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:56.000 The word of the Lord. 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:58.000 The words of the Lord are pure words. 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:05.000 Like silver we find in a furnace on the ground purified seven times. 00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:09.000 So here we are reminded that we have truth. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:13.000 Just as Timothy was in Paul's entrusting. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:16.000 In Timothy as we read in 2 Timothy 1. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:18.000 Or as you read in Romans 1. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:23.000 There you read of how the people exchanged the truth for a lie. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:27.000 There's a difference between what is fake and what is real. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:30.000 And it's God's word that is real. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:33.000 And so that as we go on, as we come here tonight. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:36.000 And as we go on from here and from a communion season. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:40.000 We do so looking to this word to be blessed to us. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:43.000 And to all who we see around us. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:47.000 And there's two things I just want us to think about briefly this evening. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:49.000 And the first thing is this. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:52.000 Whose truth is it? 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:57.000 And then secondly, what are we to do with this truth? 00:05:57.000 --> 00:06:00.000 So first, whose truth is this? 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:04.000 When you have the Bible in front of you. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:07.000 Whose truth is it? 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:12.000 Is it David's truth as we're reading here in Psalm 12? 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:15.000 Is it Paul's truth to Timothy? 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:20.000 Or as you look throughout the scriptures, whose truth is it? 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:25.000 I'm sure you would answer that the word is God's. 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:30.000 It belongs to him. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:32.000 But not everyone would answer like that. 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:38.000 Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy chapter 3. 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:39.000 These great words. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:40.000 He says, 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:43.000 All scripture is God breathed. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:45.000 Breathed out by God. 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:48.000 God spoke through his people. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:51.000 But it's God's word. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:54.000 But some people see this as just something. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:56.000 A fairy tale. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:59.000 Some kind of made up story just there to brainwash people. 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:02.000 But what they have is fake. 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:04.000 These ideas are false. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:07.000 But we have the word of God. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:10.000 And that's the very point that David is making here. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:13.000 And everything that's changing as he's seeing around him. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:15.000 As godly ones are gone. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:16.000 As faithful ones have vanished. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:20.000 It would seem like things are in decline around David. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:24.000 And the liars with flattering lips are increasing. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:27.000 But what is David's hope? 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:30.000 It is the word of God. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:33.000 Words of the Lord that are pure. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:36.000 That is where his hope is found. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:41.000 And scripture always reminds us of this truth. 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:45.000 That God's word will endure. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:48.000 And that God's word will build. 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:51.000 Even when it seems like things are in decline. 00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:55.000 When the cause of Christ is going backwards as we would see it. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:57.000 Instead of going forwards. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:00.000 God's word is constant there to remind us. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:02.000 He is at work. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:05.000 And that his word is powerful. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:10.000 You have so many scriptures that remind us of that truth. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:12.000 Other psalms speak about it. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:15.000 For example, Psalm 89 verse 34. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:16.000 You read there, 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:22.000 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that has gone out of my lips. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:24.000 God's promises. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:25.000 There is truth. 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:27.000 There is something that is real. 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:29.000 There's nothing fake about it. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:32.000 Every promise fulfilled in Christ. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:37.000 The already and the ones that are still to come. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:40.000 Isaiah speaks about it in chapter 40 verse 8. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.000 He says, 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:46.000 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:47.000 Forever. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:51.000 And he's talking there in the midst of great challenges. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:54.000 But the word of God stands forever. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:56.000 Psalm 119 verse 89. 00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:00.000 Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:03.000 Again, it's just this constants. 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:06.000 Matthew 24 verse 35. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:11.000 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:14.000 Verse Peter 1 verse 25. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:17.000 But the word of the Lord remains forever. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:19.000 You see it again and again. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:21.000 And Peter goes on in that verse to say, 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:26.000 And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:37.000 So there's that powerful reminder, just as David is doing here, reminding the people that God's word is pure, like silver refined in a furnace. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:40.000 Peter is reminding too that this is the good news. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:42.000 This is the truth. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:45.000 This is nothing fake about this. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:47.000 God's word declares it. 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:50.000 But so does history. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:55.000 History shows us that the word of God will endure forever. 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:59.000 That there is nothing that will defeat God's word. 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:04.000 You go back to the year 303 after Christ. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:09.000 And there was a Roman emperor by the name Diocletian. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:17.000 And he was one who ordered that all scripture would be confiscated and destroyed. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:21.000 He wanted rid of God's word. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:23.000 And it was happening. 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:28.000 Thousands of copies of God's word were burned. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:33.000 However, God's word still remained. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:36.000 There were those believers who protected God's word. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:39.000 There were those who hid God's word. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:44.000 When you go outside of Rome, there's a place called the catacombs. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:51.000 There caves underground and in them is where the Christians would often hide and where they hid the word of God. 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:56.000 So that God's word endured and came through that experience. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:11:03.000 We often ask, and we've seen it in our own culture here, Bibles being buried. 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:08.000 Sometimes inside the walls of houses, old houses. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:11.000 If you're knocking them down, you'd often find a Bible inside them. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:14.000 Bibles have been hidden and buried in different places. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:17.000 And you wonder, is it just with that in mind? 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:24.000 If the day ever came, a day maybe we don't see just now where God's word would be banned in our island, 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:27.000 that somebody would come across it. 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:30.000 That God's word would still endure. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:33.000 There is always that. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:35.000 God's word will remain. 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:42.000 William Tyndale in the 1500s, he had the same experience during the reign of King Henry VIII. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:49.000 Again, King Henry didn't want God's word in the language that people could understand. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:57.000 But William Tyndale was determined that everyone, as he once described it, from the princes to the ploughboys, 00:11:57.000 --> 00:12:01.000 would have the word of God in their own language. 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:07.000 But the rulers wanted the Bible kept away from the people to control them. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:10.000 They wanted them kept in darkness. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:15.000 But William Tyndale produced the English Bible. 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:17.000 They tried to destroy it. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:23.000 But even that original copy that said that at least three remain to this day. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:30.000 They couldn't get rid of the word of God because the word of God will stand forever. 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:33.000 It is God's word. 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:42.000 And he will keep it and use it in many ways to spread throughout the ends of the earth. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:46.000 Because it is this word that the world needs. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:51.000 And it is this word that he still uses powerfully. 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:57.000 Everyone here tonight, you have heard the word of God. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:13:00.000 And you have known its power. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:04.000 And you have known it in many different experiences. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:08.000 From that first moment when your eyes were opened by God's grace. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:10.000 When you heard maybe a preacher preach it. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:15.000 Or when a friend shared it with you, you realized God is active. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:16.000 God is powerful. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:19.000 But you didn't forget it. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:21.000 I hope. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:25.000 It is still that word that is still powerful today. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:30.000 That word that still reminds you that you are his and he is yours. 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:33.000 That Christ died for sinners. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:36.000 That we are one of those sinners that he died for. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:39.000 God's word is powerful. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:42.000 It is his word. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:44.000 But it is also yours. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:48.000 Because he has given it to you. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:51.000 Psalm 12 here. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:54.000 David is claiming this word for himself. 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:58.000 The words of the Lord are pure words. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:00.000 This is what David knew. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:03.000 This is what David grasped hold of. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:06.000 In Psalm 119. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:08.000 Verse 105. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:10.000 That famous verse. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:11.000 It speaks about your words. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:14.000 A lamp to my feet. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:17.000 And a light to my path. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:20.000 It is your word. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:23.000 It is the word that leads us and guides us. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:25.000 Hebrews again. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:26.000 It speaks of it in this way. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:31.000 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope. 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:33.000 Without wavering. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:36.000 For he you promised is faithful. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.000 So you see there. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.000 God's word. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.000 It is promised. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.000 It is faithful. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:43.000 But it is a confession of our hope. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.000 Your hope. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:47.000 It is the word of God. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:49.000 And Timothy as he writes. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.000 Paul as he writes to Timothy. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:53.000 In chapter 1 verse 12. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:54.000 He says. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:55.000 I am not ashamed. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:57.000 For I know whom I have believed. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:58.000 And I am convinced. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:15:01.000 That he is able to guard until that day. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:04.000 What has been entrusted to me. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:06.000 Do you own. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:08.000 That truth yourself. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:11.000 I am not ashamed. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.000 For I know. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:14.000 Whom I have believed. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:16.000 It is that that we were doing at the weekend. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:19.000 And seeing people doing it for the first time. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:20.000 Confessing. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:21.000 Confessing. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:23.000 The Lord as our savior. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:25.000 Because the word of God. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:27.000 Has been powerful and active. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.000 In our lives. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.000 We are not. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.000 Ashamed. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:33.000 Do you own. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:34.000 The word of God. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:36.000 Not just in the sense of having. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.000 A bible. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.000 In front of you. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.000 A physical bible. 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:40.000 Or a bible on your phone. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.000 That you are able to read. 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.000 You own it. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:44.000 In many different ways like that. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.000 But do you own the word of God. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:47.000 In the sense. 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:49.000 I am not ashamed. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.000 Of it. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:53.000 Because it is the power of God. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:54.000 To salvation. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:58.000 This is God's word. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.000 And this is. 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:01.000 Your word. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:02.000 From God. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.000 So that you may use it. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.000 On a daily basis. 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:07.000 To build yourself up in the faith. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:09.000 To seek guidance from him. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:11.000 To see what he is. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:12.000 Going to do. 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:14.000 To see what he has done. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:16.000 To see all his promises. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:17.000 That are faithful. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:19.000 In Christ. 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:21.000 Whose truth is it? 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:23.000 It is God's. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:25.000 And he has spoken it. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.000 To us. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:29.000 Then the second thing we see here is. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:30.000 What do we do. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:32.000 With this truth. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:35.000 What do we do. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:36.000 With this truth. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:39.000 Well we see. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:41.000 As David is speaking in this psalm. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.000 He is. 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:43.000 He is. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.000 He is. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.000 He is showing. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.000 Just what's going on. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.000 Around him here. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.000 How there are those. 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.000 Who are. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.000 Vanished. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:51.000 And. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:52.000 Those. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.000 Godly ones. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.000 Who are gone. 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.000 And the lies. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.000 That are being spoken. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.000 So what's he saying. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.000 To himself. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.000 And to others. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.000 As he says. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.000 The words of the Lord. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:02.000 Are pure. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.000 Like silver. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.000 Refined. 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:05.000 In a furnace. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:06.000 Well there's a reminder there. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.000 That. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:08.000 God's truth. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.000 Endures. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:11.000 Through all kinds of trials. 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:12.000 Refined. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:13.000 In a furnace. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.000 Purified. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.000 Seven times. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:18.000 But the words of the Lord. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:20.000 Are pure words. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:24.000 They come through all the different experiences. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:27.000 But they remind us of what we are to do with them. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:30.000 That we can stand firm for them. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:32.000 And stand firm. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.000 In them. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:36.000 And that is what we are to do. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:38.000 With God's word. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:41.000 It is God's word. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:44.000 And so then it's our responsibility. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:47.000 To do the right thing with it. 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.000 To listen to it. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.000 To preach it. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:50.000 To study it. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:52.000 To make it known. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:54.000 All of these things. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.000 That we are to have. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:58.000 The more we are in the truth. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.000 The more we realize. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:01.000 Just how precious. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.000 It is. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:05.000 Because there's no other truth in the world. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.000 Like it. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:07.000 Nothing. 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.000 Compares to it. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.000 And again. 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:11.000 You look through history. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.000 And you see. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:14.000 How in the midst of oppression. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.000 And. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.000 Persecution. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:19.000 How people have stood firmly. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:21.000 On the word of God. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:24.000 Maybe the most famous is Martin Luther. 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:26.000 We looked at Martin Luther. 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.000 And the reformation. 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.000 In our. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.000 In our. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.000 Bible study. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.000 In the hall. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.000 The last few months. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.000 Before the summer holidays. 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.000 The great truths. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.000 That he gave. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:37.000 To the church. 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:39.000 But the foundation. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.000 Of them. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.000 Was making us stand. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.000 On the word. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.000 Of God. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:46.000 The time of the reformation. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:48.000 Martin Luther. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.000 Stood up. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.000 And stood out. 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.000 Against. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:53.000 Those who were trying to keep. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.000 The word of God. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.000 From others. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:56.000 And he said this. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:58.000 And he's speaking here. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:00.000 To the powers of the time. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.000 And it's hard just to imagine. 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.000 Just what. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.000 He was doing. 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:04.000 Putting his. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.000 Life in danger. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:07.000 But he stood and said. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.000 Since your most serene. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.000 Majesty. 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.000 And your high. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.000 Mightinesses. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.000 Require of me. 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.000 A simple. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.000 Clear. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.000 And direct answer. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:16.000 To the. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:17.000 One. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.000 And it is this. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.000 I cannot submit. 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.000 My faith. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.000 Either to the. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:22.000 Pope. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.000 Or to the council. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.000 Because it is. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.000 Clear. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.000 As noonday. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.000 That they have fallen. 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.000 Into error. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.000 And even. 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:30.000 Into glaring. 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.000 Inconsistency. 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.000 With themselves. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.000 If. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.000 Then. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:35.000 I am not. 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.000 Convinced. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.000 By proof. 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:38.000 From holy. 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.000 Scripture. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.000 And if my. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.000 Judgment. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.000 Is not. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.000 In this way. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.000 Brought. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.000 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.000 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.000 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.000 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.000 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.000 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:45.000 Retract. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.000 Anything. 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.000 For it. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.000 Cannot be. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.000 Either. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.000 Safe. 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:51.000 Or honest. 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:52.000 For a. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.000 Christian. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.000 To speak. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.000 Against. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.000 His. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.000 Conscience. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.000 Here. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.000 I. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.000 Stand. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.000 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.000 Cannot. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:02.000 Do. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:03.000 Otherwise. 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:04.000 So. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.000 Help. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.000 Me. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:07.000 God. 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:08.000 They were. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.000 Trying. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.000 To. 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:11.000 To. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:12.000 To. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.000 To. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:14.000 For. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.000 And. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:16.000 By. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:17.000 The word. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:18.000 Of. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.000 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.000 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.000 We're. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.000 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.000 Martin. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.000 Luther. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.000 We're. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.000 Not living. 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.000 Maybe. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.000 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:25.000 That day. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.000 As it is. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.000 Just now. 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.000 But. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.000 We. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.000 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.000 We. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:31.000 We. 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.000 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:32.000 We. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.000 We. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.000 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.000 By. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.000 The. 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.000 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.000 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:36.000 God. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.000 David. 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:38.000 In. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.000 This. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:40.000 Sam. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.000 And. 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:42.000 Paul. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.000 In. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.000 They. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.000 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.000 They. 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.000 Are. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.000 Indicating. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.000 That. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:49.000 This. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:50.000 Is. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.000 What. 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.000 Is. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.000 Around. 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.000 Them. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.000 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.000 Other. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.000 Teachings. 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.000 That. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.000 Are. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.000 And. 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.000 Will. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.000 I. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.000 A. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:03.000 Preacher. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.000 Quite. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.000 Reasonly. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:06.000 Was. 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:07.000 A. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:08.000 Truth. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.000 Wrong. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.000 And. 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:11.000 Doesn't. 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.000 Become. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.000 Good. 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:14.000 Just. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.000 Because. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.000 It. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.000 Is. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.000 Accepted. 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.000 By. 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:20.000 The. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.000 Majority. 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.000 And. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:23.000 That's. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:24.000 The. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.000 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:25.000 The. 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.000 The. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.000 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.000 The. 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.000 The. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:29.000 The. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:30.000 The. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:31.000 The. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.000 The. 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:33.000 The. 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.000 The. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.000 The. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.000 The. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.000 The. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.000 The. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:39.000 The. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.000 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.000 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.000 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.000 The. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.000 The. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:42.000 The. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:43.000 The. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:44.000 The. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:45.000 The. 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.000 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.000 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.000 The. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.000 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.880 The. 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:46.880 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:55.620 and say Jesus was just a man he was not the Son of God would you just accept it 00:21:55.620 --> 00:22:04.960 and go out or would you I hope stand for the truth and say column you were wrong 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:09.560 we need to talk about this we need to you need to see that what you've said 00:22:09.560 --> 00:22:15.800 is not true you're deceiving the people and even to take it further to to the 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:19.799 elders to the presbytery to challenge and say you cannot be saying that you would 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:27.500 stand on the Word of God but then that the challenge comes what about when we 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:34.819 see it around us in society when we see the wrong that there is around us will we 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:41.639 challenge those who believe a lie or those who proclaim a lie would we stand up or 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:50.740 do we stand up for the Word of God Paul is saying that I am NOT ashamed of the 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:59.820 gospel I'm not ashamed of what Christ has done for me are we we we identify 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:05.640 ourselves with Jesus we identify ourselves with the cross the cross that purchased 00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:15.000 our salvation let us stand for and in the Word of God that speaks of these things 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:20.820 as Romans 1 verse 16 says I am NOT ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God 00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:29.860 to salvation for salvation to everyone who believes let us not be ashamed but let us 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:39.099 stand for and in the truth that we have the Word of God that is before us when you 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:44.439 think of what people have suffered like William Tyndale himself who was later 00:23:44.439 --> 00:23:51.279 executed not long after producing the Word of God in English and so many others 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:55.419 who have suffered in order to bring it to all different parts of the world to 00:23:55.420 --> 00:24:03.759 ourselves here those who have stood firm in the truth will we stand with them we 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:13.580 stand for the Word of God just as Paul warns Timothy just as David is warning the 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:23.480 people here so we are warned whose word is it it is the Word of God what are we to do 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:33.740 with it we are to stand on it and for it we should never be ashamed to identify 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:40.160 ourselves with the Lord Jesus and also to identify ourselves with one another that 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:45.860 we are the group of God's people that God has placed us in and that we have others 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:51.620 around us who are the Lord's people as well as writing an article for the the 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:57.179 newsletter that will go out this week about about being church family and I read 00:24:57.179 --> 00:25:03.439 this quote after I'd I'd put it in but I thought it was quite and tied in quite 00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:09.059 well as well when we think of being together as I was speaking about the 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:14.179 familial nature that the togetherness is a family of God somebody else wants put it 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:24.840 like this they may be strange they may be odd but if they are saved they are family it 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:29.660 means we're all different somebody will look at me and say I'm strange or odd I 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:33.259 might look at someone else and I think they're a little strange or odd we've all 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:42.620 got our differences but they are family and together we stand on the Word of God 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:53.299 do you believe that God has kept his word and passed it on to us here is the Word of God 00:25:53.299 --> 00:26:01.339 for us the Word of the Lord is pure word it has been refined in a furnace on the 00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:06.199 ground purified seven times David is saying here the words of the Lord will 00:26:06.199 --> 00:26:12.439 endure well let us come to God's Word on a daily basis he must we come away from 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:18.660 a communion weekend me the Word of God be what we stand in and stand for being 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:24.880 encouraged in our faith strengthened in our faith and assured that God's Word will 00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:35.059 endure that God's Word is truth there is nothing fake about this it is more 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:43.500 precious than gold and silver and anything else that we can have in this world the 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:50.779 world appeals to so many but there's so much that is fake but the Word of God 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:58.559 endures forever and that is what is truth and that is what is real and let us listen 00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:09.899 because God has given it and let us stand in and for the Word of God let us pray Lord our 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:16.419 gracious God we do thank you for your word for all that it teaches us we thank you for 00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:22.720 its enduring power even as we read off in the Old and New Testament as we see so many 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:28.059 reminders to us that the Word of God will endure forever we thank you even for our 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:33.660 history and the history of the world in which we see that your word has come under 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:39.579 attack so many times and yet oh Lord there is still that powerful reminder that 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:45.700 your word still stands to this day and always will the grass withers the flower 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:52.180 falls but the Word of God stands forever and may we oh Lord be blessed by it to 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:59.100 stand in it and on it and for it that all that we have would be founded on your 00:27:59.100 --> 00:28:05.720 truth help us Lord remain faithful to it and be blessed under it as we hear your 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:13.120 voice speaking to us we ask all in Jesus name Amen