Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / The People's Response
Transcript
- 0:00We'll begin our worship by singing to God's praise in Psalm 95 in the Scottish Psalter.
- 0:08We're going to sing from verse 6 down to verse 11.
- 0:14Psalm 95 in the Scottish Psalter at verse 6.
- 0:18O come and let us worship him, let us bow down with all,
- 0:22and on our knees before the Lord our Maker let us fall.
- 0:25For he's our God, the people we of his own pasture are,
- 0:30and of his hand the sheep today, if ye his voice will hear.
- 0:36And so on. We'll sing from verse 6 down to verse 11, and the tune is Gainsborough.
- 0:45O come and let us worship him,
- 0:54Let us plunder with all,
- 1:02And on our knees before the Lord,
- 1:12Our Maker let us fall.
- 1:19For he's our God, the people we of his own pasture are,
- 1:39And of his hand the sheep today,
- 1:49And he his voice will hear.
- 1:57Then harden all due hearts,
- 2:05Our sin and provocation,
- 2:15As in the rest of the day of the temptation,
- 2:17As in the rest of the day of the temptation,
- 2:33When me your Father's strength and crew,
- 2:45How did my work in sin?
- 2:53In mind, the face of forty years,
- 3:03This grace hath beared me.
- 3:14I send this people less in high.
- 3:24My ways they do not know.
- 3:30To whom I slip in wrath, not to my rest they should not go.
- 3:55Let's come to God in prayer.
- 3:57Let us pray.
- 4:00Amen.
- 4:03Our Father in heaven as we continue to worship your name and praise you as our Lord and our maker.
- 4:10We thank you that again we can come in praise and worship for that is your call to us as your people.
- 4:19That is the call that we have sung from this psalm.
- 4:23We as a people are to come and worship you, to bow down before you and on our knees before you fall.
- 4:30For you are our maker and our Lord.
- 4:33And we thank you, Lord, that the way is opened up for us.
- 4:38That we have such a great privilege to be able to worship you in peace and security.
- 4:44But help us, Lord, never to take these things for granted.
- 4:49Help us, even this day, as we have been around your word and around the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
- 4:57Never just to think that this is always going to be what our Lord is.
- 5:03For we know, Lord, that there is much blessing in your word for your people.
- 5:08We are so encouraged through your word that you are a God who has loved us and remembered us and given us your own son as the way to salvation.
- 5:20But your word stands through too.
- 5:23There is a warning in it as well.
- 5:26Even the warning that we have sung from these words before us.
- 5:31That we as a people, we are not to harden our hearts as we hear your word.
- 5:37There was a warning from the psalmist to the people then of their forefathers who had indeed hardened their hearts.
- 5:45And we live in a day and an age when the same is true of so many around us and even so many of ourselves.
- 5:53When our hearts can become hardened.
- 5:56When we do not listen to what your word is saying.
- 6:00When we heed and listen to the wisdom of this world.
- 6:02And to all the things that will lead us astray and lead us away from you.
- 6:08And so we pray anew this night, Lord.
- 6:11That you will speak to us.
- 6:13But that we will have ears to hear.
- 6:16And that your spirit will work in our midst.
- 6:19That your spirit will minister to our hearts.
- 6:22That you will, O Lord, melt our hearts.
- 6:35By your grace.
- 6:37By your mercy.
- 6:38By your love.
- 6:40For we know we cannot do it ourselves.
- 6:43Because only you can.
- 6:44But we thank you that there is so many promises in your word that we can hold on to.
- 6:51That we can remember and even pray over as we come to you as the only way to salvation.
- 6:58We thank you that there is a promise that for all who come you will never cast them away.
- 7:05That there is a promise that all who come to you, you will give them rest.
- 7:10There is a promise that all who come to you, you will hold on to.
- 7:15That you will never forsake them or leave them.
- 7:18And so we pray, Lord, for all your promises.
- 7:21That they will be ours through Christ Jesus.
- 7:23And that we may know them more and more precious in our hearts and in our experiences day by day.
- 7:31The more we go on, the more we learn through the joys of this world.
- 7:36But also through the sorrows that it brings.
- 7:39We experience, O Lord, so often the highs and the lows.
- 7:44We so often feel alone and helpless in these times.
- 7:49And so we thank you, Lord, for your promise to draw near.
- 7:52And the promise and encouragement that we have in your word.
- 7:56That we are indeed to be a people who encourage one another.
- 8:00And pray for one another.
- 8:01Remembering one another in so many different ways.
- 8:05So help us, Lord, that we will be a praying people.
- 8:09An encouraged people.
- 8:10A people with a sense of expectation of what you are doing in us and around us.
- 8:16And in the midst of all that goes on.
- 8:18That we would see that you are the God who does indeed do all things well.
- 8:23Help us to understand these truths, Lord, when they are difficult for us.
- 8:29And so we thank you that you have not left us.
- 8:32That you have spoken and are speaking to us.
- 8:36And that you are reminding us, Lord, of the wonderful gift of your grace.
- 8:41Help us to long for it more and more.
- 8:45And to experience it through that faith that comes from your grace towards us.
- 8:51That faith in Jesus Christ, your Son.
- 8:55We thank you, Lord, for the encouragements your people receive on a day-to-day basis.
- 9:01We thank you that even as we pray in our own quietness of our homes.
- 9:05And in the quietness of our own hearts.
- 9:07That so often we see prayers answered.
- 9:10And we thank you, Lord, that even before us this day, there are prayers answered now and from maybe even many generations past.
- 9:20Prayers offered up by your people maybe long ago.
- 9:25Prayers for children in young years who are now into old age.
- 9:31But who have come and tasted of the goodness of God.
- 9:35We know, Lord, your word teaches us to be patient.
- 9:38And we continue to pray with that sense of urgency.
- 9:42That sense of patience to wait upon you.
- 9:45Praying for those who are still strangers to you.
- 9:49Praying for those who are even in the darkness of this world tonight.
- 9:53Praying for those who are struggling in so many different ways.
- 9:58Those known to us and even those who we do not know.
- 10:01Those who in your plan and purpose.
- 10:04Maybe we are yet to meet.
- 10:06Yet to have opportunity to share a word in season with.
- 10:10But we thank you that in your kingdom.
- 10:13And in your plan and purpose.
- 10:15Everything is foreordained.
- 10:18And so help us to commit ourselves into your hands.
- 10:21And to go forward even from this day.
- 10:24In the knowledge of all that is uncertain for us.
- 10:28Is known unto you.
- 10:29And we pray, Lord, your will be done in all things.
- 10:34We thank you for our Lord and Saviour.
- 10:37The one who we have remembered this day.
- 10:40The one who has done all for us.
- 10:44We pray, Lord, and thank you for the many prayers he offered up.
- 10:48The prayers we read in scripture.
- 10:51The prayer in Gethsemane.
- 10:53Even as he looked ahead to the cross.
- 10:55And saying, nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.
- 11:00We thank you for that great sacrifice.
- 11:04We thank you that he gave his life.
- 11:07We thank you anew this evening.
- 11:09That he is risen.
- 11:11That he has overcome.
- 11:12The power of sin.
- 11:14The power of death.
- 11:15That it could not keep hold of him.
- 11:18But we thank you that he is risen.
- 11:20And has appeared to many.
- 11:22And that he has now ascended.
- 11:24To the right hand.
- 11:26And we await the day of his return.
- 11:29In a world that groans.
- 11:31In a world that has many pains.
- 11:33We do thank you that we look forward to a day.
- 11:36When he will come again.
- 11:38And we pray, Lord, that even those thoughts of the Lord's return.
- 11:43Will stir us up in our mission for God in this world.
- 11:47That it will stir us up as a church.
- 11:49To serve you aright.
- 11:51To long to see many coming to salvation.
- 11:53To long to see many throughout the world.
- 11:58Turning to you.
- 12:00Repenting of their sins.
- 12:02And hearing the great gospel message.
- 12:05We thank you for every way it goes out.
- 12:08We thank you for every means that there is.
- 12:11To share the gospel in this day and this age.
- 12:14We thank you that even as we gather here.
- 12:17This is a service.
- 12:18And a worship that can be heard.
- 12:20To all the ends of the earth.
- 12:22How our world has changed in so many ways.
- 12:26That a voice can be heard in the far corners of the world.
- 12:30Even immediately.
- 12:31But we thank you above all that your voice is heard.
- 12:35That you are a God who knows every person throughout the lands.
- 12:40That you are a God who speaks and ministers to people far and wide.
- 12:44We thank you that your gospel is not contained in any way, shape or form.
- 12:51We do pray Lord for the ongoing ministry of your word.
- 12:55Whether it's the preaching of your word.
- 12:57The translating of your word into the many languages of this world.
- 13:01The ministry of your people in so many different ways.
- 13:04To all ends of the earth.
- 13:06Teaching.
- 13:07Shepherding.
- 13:08Shepherding.
- 13:09Guiding.
- 13:09Helping.
- 13:10Nourishing.
- 13:11Caring.
- 13:11And for so many different people.
- 13:14In so many different places.
- 13:16We ask and plead though Lord your mercy upon us.
- 13:19That our world would see the great emptiness of a desire for self in this world.
- 13:28A selfish heart that longs for the things of this world in a greedy way.
- 13:33We see so much around us that makes us troubled in our hearts and our souls.
- 13:40And we know too Lord that you grieve over the lust of this world.
- 13:45And so we pray Lord that you will come in a day of your power.
- 13:50Remember us as a people Lord.
- 13:51Look down upon us and remember those who we so love and care for in our own homes.
- 13:57And our families and our communities near and far.
- 14:00Remember us Lord and hear our prayers as we ask all things.
- 14:05Acknowledging our sin anew.
- 14:07But thankful for the forgiveness that is ours as we repent and confess.
- 14:12And approach that great throne of your son Christ Jesus.
- 14:17Our great high priest.
- 14:19We thank you for all done for us.
- 14:21And we pray Lord encourage us.
- 14:23Strengthen us on the way.
- 14:25Even into the rest of the week that lies ahead before us.
- 14:28Guard us oh Lord and keep us.
- 14:31And help us to have that great expectation of you.
- 14:34The one who is able to do abundantly more than we ask or imagine.
- 14:39As we commit ourselves into your hands now and always.
- 14:43Go before us.
- 14:44Cleanse us anew.
- 14:46In all we ask.
- 14:47We ask in Jesus name for his sake.
- 14:50Amen.
- 14:50Amen.
- 14:50Let's again sing to God's praise.
- 14:56This time I'm singing in Psalm 5 in the Scottish Psalter.
- 15:02It's on page 203.
- 15:06Psalm 5 on page 203.
- 15:09We're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7.
- 15:12Give ear unto my words.
- 15:16O Lord my meditation way.
- 15:18Hear my loud cry.
- 15:19My King my God.
- 15:21For I to thee will pray.
- 15:23Lord thou shalt early hear my voice.
- 15:25I early will direct.
- 15:27My prayer to thee and looking up.
- 15:29An answer will expect.
- 15:31We'll sing from verse 1 to verse 7.
- 15:34To God's praise on the tune of Spor.
- 15:36Give ear unto my words.
- 15:46O Lord.
- 15:48My meditation way.
- 15:56Hear my loud cry.
- 16:01My King my God.
- 16:06For I to thee will pray.
- 16:13Lord thou shalt early hear my voice.
- 16:24I early will dry head.
- 16:31My prayer to thee and looking up.
- 16:40An answer will expect.
- 16:47For thou art not.
- 16:54God thou art not.
- 16:55God thou art not.
- 16:59In wickedness delight.
- 17:06Neither shall evil dwell with thee.
- 17:17Nor will thou art not.
- 17:18Nor will thou stand in thy sight.
- 17:24All that will do.
- 17:26All that will do.
- 17:30Or shine thy heart.
- 17:35God's love that fire.
- 17:39Lord thou art not.
- 17:40O Valentine shall see.
- 17:42M Gesetzent may andingsbee.
- 17:48Unbeceived woman, a poetess by thee.
- 18:00But I into thy house will come, and thine abundant grace.
- 18:18And I will worship in thy fear, to hold my holy grace.
- 18:42Well, can we turn together to read God's word in the New Testament and in the book of Acts?
- 18:48The book of Acts, chapter 2.
- 18:54Let me take up our reading at verse 14.
- 18:58Acts chapter 2, reading at verse 14.
- 19:08But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them.
- 19:14Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give ear to my words.
- 19:23For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
- 19:29But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel.
- 19:33And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.
- 19:41And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.
- 19:44And your young men shall see visions.
- 19:47And your old men shall dream dreams.
- 19:50Even on my male servants and female servants.
- 19:53To those days I will pour out my spirit.
- 19:56And they shall prophesy.
- 19:58And I will show wonders in the heavens above.
- 20:01And signs on the earth below.
- 20:04Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
- 20:06The sun shall be turned to darkness.
- 20:09And the moon to blood.
- 20:11Before the day of the Lord comes.
- 20:14The great and magnificent day.
- 20:16And shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
- 20:24Men of Israel, hear these words.
- 20:27Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs.
- 20:34That God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.
- 20:39This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.
- 20:44God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death.
- 20:53Because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
- 20:57For David says concerning him,
- 21:00I saw the Lord always before me.
- 21:03For he is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
- 21:07Therefore my heart was glad.
- 21:10And my tongue rejoiced.
- 21:11My flesh also will dwell in hope.
- 21:15For you will not abandon my soul to haze.
- 21:18Or let your holy ones see corruption.
- 21:21You have made known to me the paths of life.
- 21:25You will make me full of gladness with your presence.
- 21:30Brothers, I say to you with confidence about the patriarch David.
- 21:35That he both died and was buried.
- 21:38And his tomb is with us to this day.
- 21:40Being therefore a prophet.
- 21:43And knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would not set one of his descendants on his throne.
- 21:50He foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ.
- 21:54That he was not abandoned to haze.
- 21:57Nor did his flesh see corruption.
- 22:00This Jesus God raised up.
- 22:03And of that we all are witnesses.
- 22:05Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God.
- 22:10And having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit.
- 22:14He has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
- 22:19For David did not ascend into the heavens.
- 22:23But he himself says.
- 22:24The Lord said to my Lord.
- 22:27Sit at my right hand.
- 22:29Until I make your enemies your footstool.
- 22:33Let all of the house of Israel therefore know for certain.
- 22:36That God has made him both Lord and Christ.
- 22:40This Jesus whom you crucified.
- 22:44Now when they heard this.
- 22:46They were cut to the heart.
- 22:48And said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles.
- 22:50Brothers what shall we do?
- 22:55And Peter said to them.
- 22:57Repent.
- 22:58And be baptized.
- 22:59Every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.
- 23:02For the forgiveness of your sins.
- 23:05And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- 23:09For the promise is for you.
- 23:11And for your children.
- 23:12And for all who are far off.
- 23:14Everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
- 23:18And with many other words.
- 23:20He bore witness.
- 23:21And continued to exhort them.
- 23:23Saying.
- 23:24Save yourselves from this crooked generation.
- 23:28So those who received his word.
- 23:30Were baptized.
- 23:32They were added that day.
- 23:34About three thousand souls.
- 23:37And so on.
- 23:38And may God bless.
- 23:39That reading from his word.
- 23:42We'll again sing to God's praise.
- 23:45This time in Psalm 116.
- 23:47In the Scottish Psalter.
- 23:48Page 395 of the Psalm.
- 23:51Book Psalm 116.
- 23:53At the beginning of the Psalm.
- 23:56Singing down to verse 8.
- 23:58I love the Lord.
- 24:01Because my voice and prayers heeded here.
- 24:05I while I live will call on him.
- 24:07Who bowed to me his ear.
- 24:09Of death the cords and sorrows did.
- 24:11About me compass round.
- 24:14Pains of hell took hold on me.
- 24:16I grief and trouble found.
- 24:18Upon the name of God the Lord.
- 24:20Then did I call and say.
- 24:23Deliver thou my soul O Lord.
- 24:25I do thee humbly pray.
- 24:27We'll sing from verse 1.
- 24:28To verse 8.
- 24:30And the tune is Cunningham.
- 24:31I love the Lord.
- 24:38I love the Lord.
- 24:41Because my voice and prayers he did here.
- 24:51I beim on there.
- 25:09Of death the courts and sorrows did,
- 25:17How hard we come was run,
- 25:25The grace of hell to hold on me,
- 25:33I keep my trouble firm.
- 25:42Upon the name of God the Lord,
- 25:50When did I call and say,
- 25:57Give ever love my soul, O Lord,
- 26:07I do Thee humbly pray.
- 26:15God merciful and righteous,
- 26:22O Lord, O Lord,
- 26:31God saves the meek,
- 26:36I was brought home,
- 26:41He did me help, O Lord.
- 26:48O Lord, my soul, do thou return,
- 26:57And to thy quiet rest,
- 27:05For largely know the Lord to Thee,
- 27:14Its bounty hath expressed.
- 27:23For my distress is so from death,
- 27:33Delivered was by Thee,
- 27:40Thou missed my warning,
- 27:45I strong tears,
- 27:49My feet of falling free.
- 27:56Well, we can turn back for our time this evening
- 28:07to the passage we read in Acts chapter 2.
- 28:12Acts chapter 2.
- 28:14And our main focus is going to be in verse 37
- 28:18to the end of verse 41.
- 28:22But as you see,
- 28:24this section is one long section
- 28:26that we read together,
- 28:27the sermon of Peter
- 28:28on the time of Pentecost,
- 28:32where there were people around
- 28:33who had seen the wonders
- 28:34of the coming of the Holy Spirit,
- 28:37the power seen in different ways
- 28:40among the people,
- 28:41and there were those around
- 28:42who were accusing them
- 28:43of being drunk
- 28:45and of being out of their minds
- 28:46and all kinds of accusations
- 28:47being made against them.
- 28:49It was a hostile crowd
- 28:51that Peter was preaching to.
- 28:54But what you see
- 28:55as he preaches God's word,
- 28:58as you see as he takes texts
- 28:59from the Old Testament,
- 29:00you have Joel in the book of Psalms
- 29:03being quoted here, read here,
- 29:05and he's preaching the word to them
- 29:07and it has a powerful impact.
- 29:09And that's what we see in verse 37
- 29:12where it says,
- 29:14Now when they heard this,
- 29:16they were cut to the heart
- 29:17and said to Peter
- 29:19and to the rest of the apostles,
- 29:21Brothers,
- 29:22what shall we do?
- 29:25And as we come away
- 29:26from a communion weekend,
- 29:29as we come away from again
- 29:31hearing God's word preached
- 29:32whether it was last evening
- 29:34or today,
- 29:35during the day,
- 29:36this morning or tonight,
- 29:37as we come away from this weekend,
- 29:39what kind of expectations
- 29:41do we have coming away from it?
- 29:43How are we coming away
- 29:45from hearing the word of God
- 29:47or seeing the sacrament
- 29:49of the Lord's Supper,
- 29:50either having taken it
- 29:51or watched on?
- 29:53What are our thoughts of God?
- 29:57Are we as a people
- 29:58hardening our hearts?
- 30:01Are we just going to go on
- 30:02into the week
- 30:02and carry on
- 30:03just like any other week,
- 30:05forgetting what we've heard?
- 30:07Or is it going to linger with us?
- 30:10Is it going to pierce
- 30:11into our own hearts?
- 30:13Is it going to make us
- 30:15ask questions of ourselves
- 30:17and questions of God?
- 30:21We are reminded constantly
- 30:22through his word
- 30:24that God is a God
- 30:25who is sovereign,
- 30:27a God who is reigning on high
- 30:30as we were thinking of last night.
- 30:33He is a God who is working.
- 30:36He is a God whose spirit
- 30:38moves among us at all times.
- 30:40He is a God we've been encouraged
- 30:42in seeing the work
- 30:44he is doing in our own midst here
- 30:46in calling a people
- 30:47to himself to profess faith.
- 30:51He is a God
- 30:52who promises he will bless.
- 30:55And as we look to him
- 30:56and as we trust in him,
- 30:58that he will bless his people.
- 31:01There are so many promises
- 31:02that we can take from his word.
- 31:05But we have to be faithful to him.
- 31:09And here Peter is addressing a people
- 31:11who in many ways
- 31:13had been in a similar circumstance
- 31:15to ourselves.
- 31:16Gathered around and hearing God's word.
- 31:20But what are they going to do with it?
- 31:24The purpose Jesus had
- 31:25for his church in the book of Acts,
- 31:28as you see,
- 31:29is that the good news of Jesus Christ
- 31:32would be proclaimed.
- 31:34It's wonderful to read
- 31:35through the book of Acts
- 31:36because you see the power
- 31:38of God at work
- 31:39in so many different ways.
- 31:41And in some ways,
- 31:42it can almost make you feel
- 31:44a little discouraged,
- 31:45if you like.
- 31:47For example,
- 31:47that verse,
- 31:48the last verse we read,
- 31:50verse 41,
- 31:51those who received his word
- 31:52were baptized
- 31:52and they were added
- 31:53that day about 3,000 souls.
- 31:57When you read that,
- 31:58you perhaps wish,
- 31:59if only we could see
- 32:01these kinds of days just now.
- 32:02If only here in our midst,
- 32:04today,
- 32:053,000 were added
- 32:06to the number being saved.
- 32:09That doesn't mean
- 32:09we should be discouraged, though.
- 32:12There is rejoicing in heaven
- 32:13over one sinner saved.
- 32:16And so tonight,
- 32:17we rejoice.
- 32:18We rejoice that God
- 32:19is still working,
- 32:20that God is still active
- 32:21in our midst.
- 32:23And not just here,
- 32:24but throughout our islands,
- 32:25throughout our nation,
- 32:27throughout the world.
- 32:27God is still building
- 32:29his church,
- 32:30so we do not lose heart.
- 32:33And when you think
- 32:33of the apostles themselves,
- 32:35Peter and others,
- 32:36you don't have to look far back
- 32:38to see a time
- 32:38when they were discouraged,
- 32:41a time when they thought
- 32:42their hope was gone.
- 32:44Having been with the Lord Jesus
- 32:45for three years
- 32:46during his public ministry,
- 32:48they watched on
- 32:49as he was crucified,
- 32:52not understanding
- 32:53what was happening,
- 32:55thinking that this was
- 32:57the end for them.
- 32:58All their expectations
- 32:59dashed,
- 33:01thinking of all the great things
- 33:02that he was going to do
- 33:03for them and to them.
- 33:05But here he was,
- 33:06their Lord and Savior,
- 33:08crucified,
- 33:09put to death
- 33:10at the hands
- 33:11of lawless men.
- 33:13But their hope
- 33:14was once again realized
- 33:16when they met
- 33:17with the risen Lord,
- 33:19when they saw
- 33:20that he is alive,
- 33:21that the pain of,
- 33:24the power of sin
- 33:25could not contain,
- 33:26the power of death
- 33:27could not have a hold on him.
- 33:28He is risen.
- 33:30And so tonight,
- 33:31as we go on,
- 33:32as we go forward
- 33:33from this communion,
- 33:34we remember too
- 33:35that he is risen for us.
- 33:38He is ascended
- 33:39to the right hand of God,
- 33:40that he is working
- 33:42and sovereign.
- 33:45So how will we come away
- 33:46this evening
- 33:48from this time of communion?
- 33:52There was a great change
- 33:54that took place
- 33:55in the apostles,
- 33:56even Peter himself.
- 33:58You think how he had
- 33:59disowned the Lord,
- 34:01how he had turned away,
- 34:02denied him three times.
- 34:05And yet he was asked
- 34:06that question,
- 34:07Peter,
- 34:08do you love me?
- 34:11You know, Lord,
- 34:12that I love you,
- 34:13was his response.
- 34:15And is that our response today
- 34:17as we were thinking
- 34:18of this morning,
- 34:20the love of Christ,
- 34:22it asks the question of us,
- 34:23do we love him?
- 34:25Do we love him
- 34:26as his people?
- 34:28Do we love him
- 34:29as those who are seeking,
- 34:31even as those
- 34:31who are maybe blind to him?
- 34:34Do we begin to realize
- 34:35the great love
- 34:36that he has shown to us
- 34:37as a people?
- 34:39So it challenges us,
- 34:41it rebukes us,
- 34:42it encourages us,
- 34:43it does all things for us
- 34:45as we see God's word
- 34:46encourage the disciples,
- 34:48the apostles,
- 34:50and all his people together.
- 34:52As we see a word
- 34:53that convicts people,
- 34:55as we see a word
- 34:56that is powerful and active,
- 34:58it reminds us
- 34:59that we continue
- 35:00to proclaim
- 35:01the good news
- 35:02of Jesus Christ.
- 35:04That is a powerful word
- 35:06that is still
- 35:07able to save.
- 35:09So the focus this evening
- 35:11as we see in verse 37
- 35:13is how are we going
- 35:14to respond to this word
- 35:16coming away
- 35:17from this weekend?
- 35:19What kind of response
- 35:20will we have
- 35:21and what kind of expectations
- 35:23will we have
- 35:24of ourselves
- 35:25and of our Lord
- 35:26going forward?
- 35:28Are our expectations
- 35:29of ourselves
- 35:30too high?
- 35:32Do we expect
- 35:33of ourselves
- 35:34to be able
- 35:34to do everything
- 35:35to obtain
- 35:36our own salvation?
- 35:38Do we have to realize
- 35:39that these expectations
- 35:40will never be realized?
- 35:43Are our expectations
- 35:44of our Lord
- 35:46too small?
- 35:48Do we think
- 35:48he's not able
- 35:49to do
- 35:50all that we see
- 35:51him doing here
- 35:52in the word
- 35:52before us?
- 35:54He is still able.
- 35:56In that chapter
- 35:57we read this morning
- 35:58in Ephesians
- 35:59it says
- 36:00that we pray
- 36:01and look to the one
- 36:02who is able
- 36:02to do abundantly
- 36:03more than we ask
- 36:05or imagine.
- 36:07We are to fix
- 36:08our eyes
- 36:09on him.
- 36:11So what's happening
- 36:12here?
- 36:13Well God is at work
- 36:14through the preaching
- 36:16of the word
- 36:16and the power
- 36:17of the spirit
- 36:17and what we pray
- 36:19for is that God
- 36:20will continue
- 36:21to work
- 36:22in this way.
- 36:23The people here
- 36:24are convicted.
- 36:26It says
- 36:26there in verse 37
- 36:28when they heard
- 36:29this
- 36:29were cut
- 36:30to the heart
- 36:31and that's
- 36:32something you've
- 36:33heard this weekend
- 36:34cut to your heart.
- 36:36Has God
- 36:37been piercing
- 36:37you
- 36:38with his word
- 36:39in this way?
- 36:41Ministering to you
- 36:42in a new way
- 36:43and reminding you
- 36:44that when you
- 36:45have Christ
- 36:46you have so much.
- 36:49Don't lose
- 36:49your focus
- 36:50from him.
- 36:51Don't lose
- 36:52your sense
- 36:53of expectation
- 36:53in him.
- 36:54Don't lose
- 36:55your urgency
- 36:56for him
- 36:57or if you
- 36:58are seeking
- 36:59him or even
- 37:00blind to him
- 37:01is he cutting
- 37:01you in the heart
- 37:02and reminding
- 37:03you you are
- 37:04lost without him.
- 37:06This word
- 37:07is a powerful
- 37:08word.
- 37:08When it says
- 37:09there that they
- 37:10were cut
- 37:10to the heart
- 37:11pricked to the
- 37:12heart
- 37:12it means that
- 37:13they were
- 37:13pierced
- 37:14or stabbed.
- 37:17There's a sense
- 37:17of pain
- 37:18in this word.
- 37:19It causes
- 37:20discomfort
- 37:21and as we
- 37:22hear God's
- 37:23word
- 37:23if we are
- 37:24not believing
- 37:24it in its
- 37:25fullness
- 37:26then it
- 37:27causes us
- 37:28pain.
- 37:28It should
- 37:28prick us
- 37:29to our
- 37:30heart.
- 37:32And so
- 37:32God is
- 37:32still speaking
- 37:33and as he
- 37:35speaks
- 37:35it calls
- 37:36for a
- 37:37response.
- 37:38A response
- 37:39from every
- 37:40one of us.
- 37:41Will we go
- 37:42forward
- 37:42in faith?
- 37:44Will we put
- 37:44our trust
- 37:45in him?
- 37:47And the
- 37:47response
- 37:48that we see
- 37:48here
- 37:49we see
- 37:50it in
- 37:50three
- 37:51different
- 37:52ways.
- 37:52First of
- 37:53all we
- 37:54see the
- 37:55inquiry
- 37:55the
- 37:57inquiring
- 37:57nature
- 37:58of the
- 37:59people.
- 38:00A people
- 38:00who had
- 38:01just before
- 38:02this sermon
- 38:03had been
- 38:03mocking and
- 38:04joking about
- 38:05God's people
- 38:06who had the
- 38:07spirit poured
- 38:08out upon
- 38:08them claiming
- 38:09that they
- 38:09were drunk
- 38:10claiming
- 38:11them that
- 38:11they were
- 38:11crazy out
- 38:12of their
- 38:12minds.
- 38:14Well Peter
- 38:15says at the
- 38:15start of
- 38:17this section
- 38:18we read
- 38:19in verse
- 38:1914
- 38:19men of
- 38:20Judea
- 38:20and all
- 38:20who dwell
- 38:21in Jerusalem
- 38:21let this
- 38:22be known
- 38:23to you
- 38:23and give
- 38:23ear to
- 38:24my words
- 38:25these men
- 38:26are not
- 38:26drunk as
- 38:27you suppose.
- 38:29He's giving
- 38:29them a
- 38:30warning.
- 38:31He's saying
- 38:32don't mock
- 38:32them but
- 38:33hear what
- 38:34I have to
- 38:35say.
- 38:36And that's
- 38:37what we are
- 38:37to do as
- 38:37we listen
- 38:38to God's
- 38:38word.
- 38:39We are to
- 38:39hear what
- 38:40he is
- 38:40saying to
- 38:41us.
- 38:42And Peter
- 38:42here preached
- 38:43a powerful
- 38:45sermon.
- 38:46A powerful
- 38:47sermon
- 38:48calling on
- 38:48people to
- 38:49come and
- 38:50see their
- 38:50need of
- 38:51Christ.
- 38:52And to
- 38:52come and
- 38:53see that
- 38:53he is the
- 38:54only way
- 38:55to salvation.
- 38:57And the
- 38:57gospel it
- 38:58always leads
- 38:59to questions.
- 39:01It always
- 39:02leads to us
- 39:02asking questions.
- 39:03Sometimes it's
- 39:05asking questions
- 39:06of us and
- 39:07sometimes we're
- 39:08asking questions
- 39:09of the gospel.
- 39:11And perhaps
- 39:13that's the stage
- 39:14we're in in our
- 39:14lives just now.
- 39:15we're asking
- 39:17these kinds
- 39:18of questions
- 39:18of the
- 39:19gospel.
- 39:20Is it
- 39:21true?
- 39:22Is this
- 39:23really
- 39:23true?
- 39:25This word
- 39:26that I've
- 39:27heard so
- 39:27often, this
- 39:28word that
- 39:28has been
- 39:29around for
- 39:29so long,
- 39:30is it
- 39:31really
- 39:31true?
- 39:32The world
- 39:33tells me
- 39:34it's not.
- 39:35The world
- 39:36tells me we
- 39:36don't need
- 39:37this anymore
- 39:37so can I
- 39:39just leave
- 39:39it aside or
- 39:40is there
- 39:40some truth
- 39:41in here
- 39:42that I need
- 39:43to hear?
- 39:43There is
- 39:45truth here
- 39:45for us
- 39:46all to
- 39:47hear.
- 39:48Do I
- 39:48need it?
- 39:50Maybe you're
- 39:50saying that
- 39:51to yourself.
- 39:52Yes.
- 39:53We all
- 39:54need this
- 39:54word.
- 39:55Every one
- 39:56of us.
- 39:57We need
- 39:57to hear
- 39:58this word
- 39:59and we
- 39:59need to
- 39:59heed
- 40:00this
- 40:00word.
- 40:02Do I
- 40:03believe it?
- 40:04It's the
- 40:05question that
- 40:05it leads
- 40:06to as well.
- 40:06Do I
- 40:07believe
- 40:07what this
- 40:08word is
- 40:09saying?
- 40:10Tonight
- 40:11do you
- 40:11believe what
- 40:12you read
- 40:13in the
- 40:13word of
- 40:14God?
- 40:14Do you
- 40:14believe in
- 40:16the Son
- 40:16of God
- 40:17the Lord
- 40:17Jesus
- 40:17Christ?
- 40:19The fact
- 40:19that he
- 40:20came into
- 40:20this world
- 40:21that he
- 40:21died on
- 40:21the cross
- 40:22that he
- 40:23rose again
- 40:23that he
- 40:24is coming
- 40:24again.
- 40:25Do you
- 40:25believe these
- 40:26things in
- 40:27your heart?
- 40:29This word
- 40:30leads to
- 40:31inquiry.
- 40:32It leads
- 40:32to questions.
- 40:35But what we
- 40:36see here is
- 40:37initially the
- 40:37people had
- 40:38no interest.
- 40:41They had no
- 40:41interest until
- 40:42this word
- 40:43was preached
- 40:44to them.
- 40:45A people
- 40:45who had
- 40:46gathered to
- 40:47remember the
- 40:48Passover.
- 40:50What
- 40:51foreshadowed the
- 40:52Lord's Supper.
- 40:53They had come
- 40:54to remember.
- 40:56But what's
- 40:57amazing about
- 40:57it is they
- 40:58missed the
- 40:59whole point.
- 41:01This Christ
- 41:02who had
- 41:02represented,
- 41:04who they
- 41:04had seen,
- 41:05who they
- 41:05had crucified,
- 41:06he meant
- 41:06nothing to
- 41:07them.
- 41:08They were
- 41:08oblivious to
- 41:09the fact that
- 41:09he was before
- 41:10them, that
- 41:11they had
- 41:12crucified him.
- 41:15And that's
- 41:15the way God's
- 41:17word can
- 41:17sometimes be
- 41:18for us.
- 41:20I pray not,
- 41:21but today did
- 41:22you come and
- 41:23go from here
- 41:23without thinking,
- 41:25what does the
- 41:25bread and the
- 41:26wine mean?
- 41:28Has it just
- 41:29become a ritual
- 41:31that we go
- 41:31through?
- 41:32Has it become
- 41:33something that we
- 41:34don't really think
- 41:35about?
- 41:35What are we
- 41:36actually doing?
- 41:37What are we
- 41:37remembering
- 41:38here?
- 41:40I pray that
- 41:41today, as we
- 41:41are reminded
- 41:42once again,
- 41:43that it would
- 41:44be real to
- 41:44us.
- 41:46That what we
- 41:46would have been
- 41:47thinking wouldn't
- 41:47have been the
- 41:48kind of things
- 41:48that they would
- 41:49have been
- 41:49thinking as they
- 41:50remembered the
- 41:50Passover.
- 41:51Probably just
- 41:52looking ahead to
- 41:53the week that
- 41:53lay before them.
- 41:55Looking ahead to
- 41:55going back to
- 41:56their own homes,
- 41:57going back to
- 41:58their work,
- 41:58going back to
- 41:59their families,
- 42:00carrying on with
- 42:01life, making
- 42:02no impression on
- 42:03them.
- 42:04Is that how
- 42:06we are going
- 42:07to go away
- 42:07from here
- 42:08today?
- 42:09Once again,
- 42:09having seen
- 42:10or taken part
- 42:11in the Lord's
- 42:12suburb, but
- 42:12not realizing
- 42:13or not letting
- 42:14it sink in
- 42:15to us, what
- 42:16we've done,
- 42:17what we've
- 42:17experienced,
- 42:18what we've
- 42:18seen, what
- 42:19God has
- 42:20said.
- 42:23It should
- 42:24lead to us
- 42:25to ask
- 42:26questions.
- 42:26Instead of
- 42:27meaning nothing,
- 42:28it should
- 42:28mean everything.
- 42:29we came to
- 42:32remember the
- 42:34Lord's death
- 42:34until he
- 42:35comes.
- 42:38And the
- 42:38inquiries that
- 42:39that leads
- 42:40to, it
- 42:41leads to us
- 42:42asking questions.
- 42:44When we are
- 42:45dead in our
- 42:46trespasses and
- 42:47sins, as the
- 42:48word says, when
- 42:48we know that we
- 42:49are lost in
- 42:51this world, we
- 42:51have all these
- 42:52questions, where
- 42:54can we turn?
- 42:56Well, the
- 42:56people here, as
- 42:57they heard this
- 42:58word, as they
- 42:59were cut to
- 43:00the heart, they
- 43:00said to Peter
- 43:01and the rest of
- 43:02the apostles,
- 43:03brothers, what
- 43:05shall we do?
- 43:07And is that the
- 43:08question on your
- 43:09heart tonight?
- 43:11What shall I
- 43:12do?
- 43:14There are so
- 43:15many questions
- 43:16in the Bible,
- 43:19but some of the
- 43:19most powerful
- 43:20questions are
- 43:22the personal
- 43:23questions that
- 43:25we have to
- 43:25reply to the
- 43:26Lord Jesus
- 43:27himself.
- 43:29there's two I
- 43:30want to
- 43:31highlight.
- 43:32One is before
- 43:33us here, the
- 43:34other is in
- 43:34Mark chapter
- 43:358 and
- 43:36verse 29.
- 43:38The question
- 43:39that Jesus
- 43:39asks of the
- 43:41disciples there,
- 43:42he's saying in
- 43:42Mark, he's
- 43:43speaking to them
- 43:44about what
- 43:44people are
- 43:45saying about
- 43:46who he is.
- 43:48Some are
- 43:48saying you're a
- 43:49prophet, some
- 43:50are saying you're
- 43:50Elijah.
- 43:51There are all
- 43:52kinds of
- 43:52opinion on who
- 43:53Jesus is, just
- 43:54the same as the
- 43:55world we live in
- 43:56today.
- 43:57All kinds of
- 43:57opinion about
- 43:58Jesus.
- 44:00But Jesus, he
- 44:02boils it down to
- 44:03one question.
- 44:05And he says to
- 44:06them as he says
- 44:07to us, but
- 44:09what about you?
- 44:11He says, who
- 44:14do you say
- 44:16that I am?
- 44:18And that's the
- 44:18question we're
- 44:20asked tonight.
- 44:21Who do you
- 44:22say that
- 44:24Jesus is?
- 44:24And the
- 44:27question that
- 44:27Peter has for
- 44:29them here as
- 44:29well, that they
- 44:30have of Peter
- 44:31is, what
- 44:32shall we
- 44:33do?
- 44:35When Jesus
- 44:36asks that
- 44:36question, who
- 44:37do you say
- 44:38that I am?
- 44:39Surely our
- 44:40response is what
- 44:42should be the
- 44:43same as Peter
- 44:44who answered
- 44:44him, who
- 44:45said, you
- 44:45are the
- 44:46Christ, the
- 44:48Messiah, the
- 44:49chosen one.
- 44:50God
- 44:51has for
- 44:52him.
- 44:53And when we
- 44:54begin to realize who
- 44:54he is and what
- 44:55he's done, it
- 44:56leads to this
- 44:57second question
- 44:57that we have
- 44:58here in verse
- 44:5937.
- 45:00As they ask of
- 45:01him, brothers,
- 45:02what shall we
- 45:04do?
- 45:05The same
- 45:06question that
- 45:07later on in the
- 45:08book of Acts in
- 45:08chapter 16, the
- 45:10Philippian jailer
- 45:11has.
- 45:12What must I do
- 45:13to be saved?
- 45:14That should be
- 45:16the burning
- 45:17question in our
- 45:18hearts tonight.
- 45:20What must I
- 45:21do to be
- 45:23saved?
- 45:24Because it
- 45:25comes from
- 45:25understanding of
- 45:26who Jesus
- 45:28is.
- 45:30And that's
- 45:30what Peter has
- 45:31done for them
- 45:32here.
- 45:33He has laid
- 45:33the word of
- 45:34God bare
- 45:35before them.
- 45:36This Jesus,
- 45:38you crucified,
- 45:40you put him
- 45:41to death.
- 45:42You did all
- 45:43of this.
- 45:44Your sins
- 45:46nailed him
- 45:47to the
- 45:47tree.
- 45:49But God
- 45:50has raised
- 45:52him from
- 45:53the dead.
- 45:54Look at
- 45:54verse 22.
- 45:55He says
- 45:55there,
- 45:56Men of
- 45:56Israel,
- 45:57hear these
- 45:58words.
- 45:58Jesus of
- 45:59Nazareth,
- 46:00a man
- 46:00attested
- 46:01to you by
- 46:01God with
- 46:02mighty works
- 46:03and wonders
- 46:03and signs
- 46:04that God
- 46:05did through
- 46:05him in
- 46:06your midst.
- 46:07As you
- 46:07yourselves
- 46:07know,
- 46:08this Jesus
- 46:09delivered up
- 46:10according to
- 46:11the definite
- 46:11plan and
- 46:12foreknowledge
- 46:13of God,
- 46:13you crucified
- 46:15and killed
- 46:16by the hands
- 46:17of lawless
- 46:18men.
- 46:19But God
- 46:20raised him
- 46:21up.
- 46:23You
- 46:23crucified,
- 46:24he says.
- 46:26And this
- 46:27is what leads
- 46:28them to ask,
- 46:29brothers,
- 46:30what shall
- 46:31we do?
- 46:33In all
- 46:34that we hear
- 46:35from the
- 46:35word of
- 46:36God,
- 46:37is that the
- 46:37burning question
- 46:38in your heart
- 46:39tonight?
- 46:40What shall
- 46:41we do?
- 46:42Well,
- 46:43from inquiry
- 46:44we see
- 46:44here,
- 46:45it leads
- 46:45to the
- 46:46exhortation
- 46:47of Peter.
- 46:49In verse
- 46:5038,
- 46:51Peter said
- 46:52to them,
- 46:53repent
- 46:53and be
- 46:55baptized
- 46:55every one
- 46:56of you
- 46:57in the
- 46:57name of
- 46:57Jesus
- 46:58Christ
- 46:58for the
- 46:59forgiveness
- 47:00of your
- 47:00sins and
- 47:01you will
- 47:01receive the
- 47:02gift of
- 47:03the Holy
- 47:03Spirit for
- 47:04the promises
- 47:05for you
- 47:05and for
- 47:06your children
- 47:07and for
- 47:07all who
- 47:08are far
- 47:08off.
- 47:08everyone
- 47:09whom the
- 47:10Lord,
- 47:10our God
- 47:11calls to
- 47:13himself.
- 47:16This is
- 47:17Peter's
- 47:18response to
- 47:19them,
- 47:20exhortation,
- 47:22what they
- 47:23must do,
- 47:23what we
- 47:24must do.
- 47:26As we
- 47:27come away
- 47:27from this
- 47:28weekend,
- 47:29this is a
- 47:30reminder to
- 47:31us of
- 47:32what we
- 47:32go on
- 47:33doing,
- 47:34coming to
- 47:35the Lord
- 47:36Jesus,
- 47:37fixing our
- 47:38eyes on
- 47:39him,
- 47:40repent,
- 47:41repent,
- 47:42he says.
- 47:43Turn,
- 47:44that means,
- 47:44turn away
- 47:45from the
- 47:46direction
- 47:46you're going,
- 47:47away from
- 47:48God and
- 47:49turn to
- 47:50him.
- 47:53Can you
- 47:54imagine what
- 47:55it would be
- 47:55like if no
- 47:57one listened
- 47:57to a word
- 47:59you said?
- 48:01If anyone
- 48:01you spoke
- 48:02to,
- 48:02anyone you
- 48:03shouted
- 48:03to,
- 48:04they're not
- 48:04listening to
- 48:05a thing
- 48:05that you
- 48:06say.
- 48:07Maybe you
- 48:07think this
- 48:08is your
- 48:08experience
- 48:08even just
- 48:09now.
- 48:10Come to
- 48:10my home
- 48:11for a
- 48:11minute,
- 48:11you think
- 48:11nobody's
- 48:12listening to
- 48:13a word
- 48:14I'm saying
- 48:15anyway.
- 48:16But imagine
- 48:17if that was
- 48:17your situation
- 48:18day after
- 48:19day after
- 48:20day.
- 48:21You're crying
- 48:22out,
- 48:22you're shouting
- 48:23for help,
- 48:24you're asking
- 48:24for help
- 48:25in so many
- 48:26different
- 48:26situations,
- 48:27and no
- 48:28one is
- 48:28listening.
- 48:30Is that
- 48:31the way
- 48:31God is
- 48:32with us?
- 48:34We may
- 48:34feel that
- 48:35no one's
- 48:36listening
- 48:36to us,
- 48:37but there
- 48:38is a
- 48:38God
- 48:38who is.
- 48:40And that's
- 48:41what we're
- 48:41constantly
- 48:42reminded of
- 48:43in his
- 48:43word,
- 48:45that he
- 48:46is a
- 48:46God
- 48:46who
- 48:47listens,
- 48:49and a
- 48:49God who
- 48:50hears
- 48:50the cries
- 48:52of his
- 48:52people.
- 48:53That psalm
- 48:54that we
- 48:54were singing
- 48:55together,
- 48:55Psalm 116,
- 48:57a wonderful
- 48:58reminder there
- 48:59of a love
- 49:01for the
- 49:01Lord.
- 49:01I love
- 49:02the Lord
- 49:03because my
- 49:03voice and
- 49:05prayers
- 49:05heeded
- 49:06here.
- 49:08Even when
- 49:08we feel
- 49:09no one
- 49:09else is
- 49:10listening,
- 49:12God is
- 49:12listening.
- 49:13And that
- 49:14is Peter's
- 49:15exhortation
- 49:16to them
- 49:16here.
- 49:17Repent,
- 49:19be baptized,
- 49:20turn to
- 49:21the Lord
- 49:22Jesus Christ.
- 49:24God
- 49:25listens to
- 49:26the pleas
- 49:26of his
- 49:27people.
- 49:27God
- 49:28listens to
- 49:29the cries
- 49:29of his
- 49:30people.
- 49:30and he
- 49:31will listen
- 49:32to
- 49:32yours.
- 49:34If you
- 49:35are seeking
- 49:36the Lord,
- 49:36the Lord
- 49:37says,
- 49:38seek and
- 49:39you will
- 49:39find.
- 49:40Knock and
- 49:41the door
- 49:41will be
- 49:42opened unto
- 49:43you.
- 49:45And he's
- 49:45saying keep
- 49:46going.
- 49:48He's
- 49:48listening.
- 49:50As a
- 49:51people,
- 49:52as God's
- 49:53people,
- 49:53do we
- 49:53give up in
- 49:54prayer too
- 49:55easily?
- 49:56Or do we
- 49:56keep praying
- 49:58with that
- 49:58prayerful
- 49:59passion?
- 50:01That he
- 50:01will listen,
- 50:02that he
- 50:02will answer
- 50:03our prayers.
- 50:06Again,
- 50:06as we
- 50:06come away
- 50:07from this
- 50:08weekend,
- 50:09is to
- 50:10have that
- 50:10expectation
- 50:11that he
- 50:12will listen,
- 50:13that he
- 50:13will hear
- 50:14my cry.
- 50:16So here
- 50:17in verse
- 50:1738,
- 50:18Peter is
- 50:19exhorting
- 50:20his people.
- 50:21He is
- 50:22exhorting
- 50:22them,
- 50:23repent and
- 50:24be baptized.
- 50:26And if
- 50:27you do,
- 50:27there is
- 50:28this promise
- 50:29for you
- 50:29that you
- 50:29will receive
- 50:30the gift
- 50:31of the
- 50:31Holy Spirit
- 50:32for you
- 50:33and your
- 50:33children
- 50:33and for
- 50:34all who
- 50:34are afar
- 50:35of,
- 50:35everyone
- 50:36whom the
- 50:36Lord calls
- 50:37to himself.
- 50:40And you
- 50:40notice how
- 50:41he keeps
- 50:42going.
- 50:43It says
- 50:43in verse
- 50:4440,
- 50:44with many
- 50:45other words
- 50:46he bore
- 50:46witness and
- 50:47continued to
- 50:47exhort
- 50:48them,
- 50:48saying,
- 50:49save
- 50:50yourselves
- 50:50from this
- 50:52crooked
- 50:52generation.
- 50:55It was
- 50:55the role
- 50:56of the
- 50:57apostles,
- 50:57the early
- 50:58church,
- 50:58to go
- 50:59out and
- 50:59proclaim
- 51:00the word
- 51:01of God.
- 51:01It's the
- 51:02privilege of
- 51:02every preacher
- 51:03to go out
- 51:04with the
- 51:05word of
- 51:05God,
- 51:06to exhort
- 51:06a people,
- 51:08to plead
- 51:09with a
- 51:10people.
- 51:11And it's
- 51:12the same
- 51:12message.
- 51:14Same
- 51:14message you
- 51:15hear from
- 51:16myself,
- 51:16you hear from
- 51:17James,
- 51:17you hear from
- 51:18every preacher
- 51:18who stands
- 51:20in this
- 51:20pulpit,
- 51:22a pleading,
- 51:23an urgency,
- 51:24a crying
- 51:25unto you
- 51:26who are
- 51:26lost,
- 51:27repent
- 51:27and be
- 51:29baptized,
- 51:31every one
- 51:32of you.
- 51:33Listen to
- 51:34what he is
- 51:35saying.
- 51:35He says,
- 51:37save
- 51:38yourselves
- 51:39from this
- 51:40crooked
- 51:41generation.
- 51:42salvation.
- 51:47We live
- 51:48in a
- 51:49world that
- 51:50is
- 51:50perishing.
- 51:51We live
- 51:52as a
- 51:53people who
- 51:54are
- 51:54perishing.
- 51:55We live
- 51:56as a
- 51:56people who
- 51:57have no
- 51:58continuing
- 51:58city here.
- 52:00The day
- 52:01will come
- 52:01when we're
- 52:02called away.
- 52:04Our time
- 52:05will come.
- 52:06And that is
- 52:07the urgency
- 52:08of this
- 52:09message.
- 52:10save
- 52:11yourselves
- 52:12from this
- 52:13crooked
- 52:13generation.
- 52:15Repent
- 52:16and be
- 52:17baptized.
- 52:18Turn
- 52:19to the
- 52:20Lord.
- 52:21Do not
- 52:22harden
- 52:22your
- 52:23hearts.
- 52:25Don't let
- 52:25this become
- 52:26just a
- 52:26ritual,
- 52:27coming into
- 52:28the place
- 52:28of God
- 52:29and going
- 52:29away
- 52:30and thinking
- 52:31nothing of
- 52:32it.
- 52:33Hear
- 52:34what God
- 52:35is saying.
- 52:36Hear
- 52:37that he
- 52:37is crying
- 52:38to his
- 52:38people.
- 52:40Be saved.
- 52:41Repent
- 52:42and turn.
- 52:45The word
- 52:46says here
- 52:47that with
- 52:48many other
- 52:49words he
- 52:50exhorted
- 52:51them.
- 52:52And those
- 52:53who received
- 52:54his word
- 52:55it says
- 52:56in verse
- 52:5741.
- 52:58In other
- 52:59translations
- 53:00it says
- 53:00those who
- 53:01gladly
- 53:01received
- 53:03his word.
- 53:04They were
- 53:04baptized.
- 53:05they
- 53:07believed
- 53:08they
- 53:08turned
- 53:08to
- 53:09God.
- 53:10Oh
- 53:10the joy
- 53:11of hearing
- 53:11the voice
- 53:12of God
- 53:13and turning
- 53:14to him.
- 53:15Listening
- 53:16to him
- 53:16and finding
- 53:17in him
- 53:17the joy
- 53:19of salvation.
- 53:20Finding
- 53:21in him
- 53:21the beauty
- 53:22of this
- 53:23world
- 53:23fulfilled
- 53:24through
- 53:24Christ.
- 53:25Because
- 53:26there is
- 53:26nothing in
- 53:26this world
- 53:27that compares
- 53:28on the
- 53:29love of
- 53:30Christ
- 53:31to us.
- 53:31that is
- 53:33the exhortation
- 53:35that he
- 53:35gives to
- 53:36us again
- 53:37and again.
- 53:39And the
- 53:39exhortation
- 53:40that I
- 53:40give to
- 53:41you tonight
- 53:41to plead
- 53:43with you
- 53:44that if
- 53:45you are
- 53:45lost
- 53:46repent
- 53:47turn
- 53:49save
- 53:50yourselves
- 53:51from this
- 53:52crooked
- 53:52generation
- 53:53by coming
- 53:54to the
- 53:55Lord Jesus.
- 53:56He hears
- 53:58your cries.
- 54:00He will
- 54:01listen.
- 54:01and he
- 54:02will never
- 54:02turn you
- 54:03away.
- 54:05You may
- 54:05find others
- 54:06who won't
- 54:06listen to
- 54:07a word
- 54:07that you
- 54:08say.
- 54:09But the
- 54:09Lord will
- 54:10always listen.
- 54:12And may
- 54:12you come
- 54:13to sing
- 54:13that song
- 54:14anew
- 54:15with more
- 54:16meaning
- 54:16than ever
- 54:16before
- 54:17to say
- 54:18I love
- 54:18the Lord
- 54:19because my
- 54:20voice
- 54:21and prayers
- 54:22heeded
- 54:23here.
- 54:25The final
- 54:26thing we
- 54:27see in
- 54:28this
- 54:28is that
- 54:29sense of
- 54:30expectation.
- 54:31that
- 54:33sense of
- 54:34expectation
- 54:35that we
- 54:35should have
- 54:36in our
- 54:37hearts
- 54:37in two
- 54:38different
- 54:38ways.
- 54:39When you
- 54:39look at
- 54:40Peter
- 54:40preaching
- 54:41this
- 54:41gospel
- 54:42to the
- 54:42people
- 54:43then
- 54:43you
- 54:44wonder
- 54:44what he
- 54:45expected
- 54:45at the
- 54:46end
- 54:46of it.
- 54:47A
- 54:47people
- 54:48who had
- 54:48been
- 54:48shouting
- 54:49abuse
- 54:49one
- 54:50minute
- 54:50you
- 54:51notice
- 54:51what it
- 54:51says
- 54:52in
- 54:52verse
- 54:5241
- 54:53they
- 54:54received
- 54:54the
- 54:55word
- 54:55gladly
- 54:56and
- 54:56were
- 54:56baptized
- 54:57and
- 54:57they
- 54:57were
- 54:57added
- 54:57that
- 54:58day
- 54:58about
- 54:593,000
- 55:00souls.
- 55:02The
- 55:03wonder
- 55:03and beauty
- 55:04of the
- 55:05power of
- 55:05the gospel
- 55:06and we
- 55:07should never
- 55:08lose sight
- 55:09of that.
- 55:11So two
- 55:11expectations
- 55:12that we
- 55:13should have
- 55:14coming away
- 55:14from this
- 55:15weekend.
- 55:16First of
- 55:16all
- 55:16for those
- 55:18who may
- 55:18be seeking
- 55:19the
- 55:19Lord
- 55:20to have
- 55:22your
- 55:22expectations
- 55:23in
- 55:24him
- 55:25and not
- 55:26in
- 55:26yourself.
- 55:28You
- 55:28will never
- 55:29be good
- 55:29enough
- 55:30through
- 55:30anything
- 55:30that you
- 55:31do
- 55:31but you
- 55:33can put
- 55:33your
- 55:33trust
- 55:34in the
- 55:35Lord
- 55:35Jesus
- 55:35Christ.
- 55:39Until
- 55:39we come
- 55:40under this
- 55:41conviction
- 55:42of the
- 55:42word
- 55:42we feel
- 55:43that we
- 55:44are good
- 55:44enough
- 55:45that we
- 55:45are all
- 55:45right as
- 55:46we are
- 55:46but this
- 55:48word
- 55:48that cuts
- 55:49to the
- 55:49heart
- 55:49is
- 55:50you're
- 55:51not.
- 55:52You're
- 55:53not all
- 55:54right
- 55:54without
- 55:54Christ.
- 55:55It's
- 55:56not all
- 55:56well
- 55:57without
- 55:57him
- 55:58far
- 55:58from
- 55:59it.
- 56:00There's
- 56:00a lost
- 56:01eternity
- 56:02before
- 56:03you.
- 56:04But you
- 56:05can expect
- 56:06great things
- 56:07from God.
- 56:09You can
- 56:10have an
- 56:10expectation
- 56:11that he
- 56:12will listen
- 56:13to you.
- 56:14That through
- 56:15his word
- 56:16he is
- 56:16speaking to
- 56:17you.
- 56:17this word
- 56:18that cuts
- 56:19you to
- 56:20the heart.
- 56:21But will
- 56:22you respond?
- 56:24Will you
- 56:24listen?
- 56:26The
- 56:26pleading
- 56:26is to
- 56:27not
- 56:28harden
- 56:28your
- 56:29heart.
- 56:31Listen
- 56:31to what
- 56:32he is
- 56:32saying
- 56:32and repent
- 56:34and believe.
- 56:36Because what
- 56:37is more
- 56:37important to
- 56:38you?
- 56:40A few
- 56:40years in
- 56:41this world
- 56:42with the
- 56:43pleasures that
- 56:44it offers
- 56:45and I
- 56:45lost
- 56:46eternity
- 56:46or years
- 56:49of blessing
- 56:50by him
- 56:51in this
- 56:51world and
- 56:52an eternity
- 56:52with him
- 56:53forever.
- 56:55Nothing
- 56:56compares.
- 56:58So your
- 56:58expectations
- 56:59coming away
- 57:00as a
- 57:01seeker.
- 57:02Keep
- 57:03seeking.
- 57:04Keep asking.
- 57:05Keep knocking.
- 57:06Keep going.
- 57:08Because he
- 57:08will listen.
- 57:09But what
- 57:10about our
- 57:11expectation
- 57:12as believers
- 57:13as well?
- 57:15We come
- 57:16away from
- 57:16this weekend
- 57:17and let us
- 57:18have great
- 57:19expectations
- 57:20of what
- 57:21God can
- 57:21do.
- 57:22Great
- 57:23expectations
- 57:23that God
- 57:24is working.
- 57:25That God
- 57:26is always
- 57:27sovereign and
- 57:28overruling
- 57:28in all
- 57:29things.
- 57:31We may
- 57:31not see
- 57:323,000
- 57:33souls
- 57:34converted
- 57:35here today.
- 57:37But we
- 57:37rejoice
- 57:38in even
- 57:39one.
- 57:40Because
- 57:40remember
- 57:41that there
- 57:41is rejoicing
- 57:42in heaven
- 57:42over one
- 57:44sinner
- 57:44saved.
- 57:46So remember
- 57:47God is
- 57:48at work.
- 57:50God can
- 57:50do abundantly
- 57:51more than
- 57:52we ask
- 57:53or imagine.
- 57:54And may
- 57:54our expectations
- 57:56of him
- 57:56never diminish,
- 57:58never wane.
- 58:00He is
- 58:00able.
- 58:02The
- 58:02psalmist
- 58:02says in
- 58:04Psalm 62
- 58:05My soul
- 58:06wait thou
- 58:07with patience
- 58:07upon thy
- 58:08God
- 58:09alone.
- 58:10On him
- 58:10dependeth
- 58:11all my
- 58:11hope and
- 58:12expectation.
- 58:14He only
- 58:15my salvation
- 58:16is and my
- 58:16strong rock
- 58:17is he.
- 58:18He only
- 58:19is my
- 58:20sure
- 58:20defense.
- 58:22I shall
- 58:22not
- 58:23move it
- 58:24be.
- 58:26As one
- 58:27who believes
- 58:28in the
- 58:29Lord Jesus
- 58:29Christ,
- 58:31he is the
- 58:32rock of
- 58:33your salvation.
- 58:34He is the
- 58:35foundation
- 58:35of your
- 58:37salvation.
- 58:38He will
- 58:38never
- 58:39let you
- 58:40go.
- 58:42Let us
- 58:42always keep
- 58:44the Lord
- 58:45before us.
- 58:47Let us
- 58:47always look
- 58:48unto him
- 58:49and remember
- 58:50the powerful
- 58:51word that
- 58:52Peter preached
- 58:53and that saw
- 58:543,000 souls
- 58:56converted.
- 58:57It's the same
- 58:58word that we
- 58:59have in our
- 59:00hands tonight.
- 59:01The same
- 59:02word we have
- 59:03to share
- 59:04with the
- 59:04world around
- 59:05us.
- 59:06A word
- 59:07that is
- 59:07powerful.
- 59:08A word
- 59:09that we
- 59:09pray many
- 59:10will hear
- 59:11and be
- 59:12cut to the
- 59:13heart by
- 59:13and ask
- 59:14the question
- 59:15what shall
- 59:16we do?
- 59:19And as
- 59:19they ask
- 59:20may we be
- 59:22able to
- 59:22say
- 59:23repent
- 59:24and be
- 59:25baptized
- 59:26every one
- 59:28of you.
- 59:29Save
- 59:29yourselves
- 59:30from this
- 59:31crooked
- 59:31generation by
- 59:32turning to
- 59:34the Lord
- 59:34Jesus
- 59:34Christ
- 59:35the one
- 59:37who saved
- 59:38me
- 59:38the one
- 59:40who can
- 59:40save
- 59:41anyone.
- 59:43He is a
- 59:44precious
- 59:44saviour.
- 59:46Let us
- 59:47set him
- 59:48before us
- 59:49constantly
- 59:50for he
- 59:51will never
- 59:52move.
- 59:53He will
- 59:54never let
- 59:55us down.
- 59:56So let
- 59:56our expectations
- 59:58of him
- 59:59be great.
- 1:00:01May the
- 1:00:01Lord bless
- 1:00:02his word
- 1:00:03to us.
- 1:00:07We're going
- 1:00:08to conclude
- 1:00:10by singing
- 1:00:10to God's
- 1:00:11praise.
- 1:00:12The words
- 1:00:13that we've
- 1:00:13read that
- 1:00:14Peter's quoted
- 1:00:15in his sermon
- 1:00:16there are the
- 1:00:17words of
- 1:00:17Psalm 16.
- 1:00:19We're going
- 1:00:20to sing in
- 1:00:20the Sing
- 1:00:21Psalms
- 1:00:21version.
- 1:00:26Psalm 16
- 1:00:27in the Sing
- 1:00:28Psalms version
- 1:00:29on page 17
- 1:00:30at verse 8
- 1:00:32to the end
- 1:00:32of the
- 1:00:32Psalm.
- 1:00:33Before me
- 1:00:33constantly
- 1:00:34I set
- 1:00:35the Lord
- 1:00:36alone
- 1:00:36because he
- 1:00:38is at my
- 1:00:38right hand
- 1:00:39I'll not
- 1:00:40be overthrown.
- 1:00:41Therefore
- 1:00:42my heart
- 1:00:43is glad
- 1:00:43my tongue
- 1:00:44with joy
- 1:00:45will sing
- 1:00:46my body
- 1:00:47too
- 1:00:47will rest
- 1:00:48secure
- 1:00:48in hope
- 1:00:49unwavering.
- 1:00:50We'll sing
- 1:00:51verse 8
- 1:00:51to 11
- 1:00:52to God's
- 1:00:53praise
- 1:00:53in the
- 1:00:53Tuna's
- 1:00:54Golden
- 1:00:54Hill.
- 1:00:55Amen.
- 1:00:59Before me
- 1:01:01constantly
- 1:01:04I
- 1:01:07send
- 1:01:09the
- 1:01:10Lord
- 1:01:12alone
- 1:01:13because
- 1:01:16he
- 1:01:17is
- 1:01:19at my
- 1:01:22right
- 1:01:24hand
- 1:01:25I'll
- 1:01:27not
- 1:01:29be
- 1:01:30overthrown.
- 1:01:31throne
- 1:01:33The
- 1:01:36fall
- 1:01:38of my
- 1:01:39heart
- 1:01:41is
- 1:01:42glad
- 1:01:43My
- 1:01:46town
- 1:01:48with
- 1:01:49joy
- 1:01:50will
- 1:01:51sing
- 1:01:53My
- 1:01:56body
- 1:01:58too
- 1:01:59be
- 1:02:00open
- 1:02:05for
- 1:02:09forever
- 1:02:10His
- 1:02:11Trip
- 1:02:12and
- 1:02:13will
- 1:02:14leave
- 1:02:14for
- 1:02:16You
- 1:02:18will
- 1:02:19not
- 1:02:20allow
- 1:02:23For
- 1:02:25He
- 1:02:26will
- 1:02:28Thank you.
- 1:02:58Thank you.
- 1:03:28Thank you.
- 1:03:30Your face will shine.
- 1:03:35Amen.
- 1:03:36Amen.
- 1:03:37Amen.
- 1:03:38As we're going through to the hall for food in a time of fellowship, I'm going to close
- 1:03:42with a word of grace and then the benediction, and I'll go to the door to my left.
- 1:03:46Amen.
- 1:03:47Amen.
- 1:03:48Gracious Lord in heaven, we do thank you for every provision that you make for us.
- 1:03:54We thank you for every blessing that is ours in Christ Jesus.
- 1:03:59We thank you for your faithfulness to us, that we are blessed by you, that we have an abundance
- 1:04:05of good things.
- 1:04:06And we thank you, Lord, for the time we've enjoyed together around your word this weekend,
- 1:04:11for the fellowship of your people in different homes.
- 1:04:14And as we go through to the hall for our time just now, we pray you'll continue with us and
- 1:04:20bless all that's been prepared for us and all who have helped in the preparation of food and
- 1:04:25setting up and everything else.
- 1:04:27We do thank you, Lord, for all in Christ Jesus.
- 1:04:32And now may grace, mercy, and peace from God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide
- 1:04:40with us all now and forevermore.
- 1:04:43Amen.
- 1:04:57Thank you very much.
- 1:05:09Amen.
- 1:05:11Amen.
- 1:05:12Amen.
- 1:05:13Amen.
- 1:05:13Amen.
- 1:05:13Amen.
- 1:05:14Amen.
- 1:05:20Amen.