Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / Rejoicing, Reasonableness, and Requests

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Rejoicing, Reasonableness, and Requests · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

0:00
Welcome to you all this evening. We're pleased to see you. Let me welcome those who are joining us online as well.
0:05
It's always good to see folks joining online. We trust that God will bless to us this time of worship as we meet in His name.
0:13
The Youth Fellowship meets tonight. That's at 7.45. That'll be in the MA Hall.
0:20
And you can see the details for the services throughout the week on the page there as well, on that first page.
0:25
On the other page, the Slavic Gospel Association prayer meeting. Please take note of that.
0:32
There is login details available for those who wish to join by Zoom.
0:37
And they're hoping that in-person meetings can resume soon.
0:41
There's an intermission for Hope Bridge, Coat Bridge.
0:45
The Free Church and Coat Bridge are looking for help to increase the amount they have for raising a sum to increase the accommodation in the church.
0:58
And if you're interested in that, you can actually leave an envelope in the plate.
1:02
Just mark it Hope Church. If you can help with that, any donations will be welcome.
1:06
Thank you.
1:36
Thank you.
1:38
Thank you.
1:39
Thank you.
1:41
Thank you.
1:43
Thanks to all who helped and all those who came to buy materials as well.
1:50
Providence Christian School, as you can see, are holding a prayer meeting tomorrow evening at the Providence Christian School in the Cairns Community.
1:57
That's on Zoom, so you can get details of the Zoom connection on that phone number or else by emailing providenceschool at icloud.com.
2:07
I should have had on the intimations today, and that's my fault for not having given it through to Lizzie.
2:13
As you know, on Wednesday night, there was a congregational meeting, and the congregational meeting was to elect a name to go forward for filling the vacancy in the assistant minister's post in the congregation.
2:27
The outcome of the meeting was that Reverend Callum Murdoch Smith was elected as prospective assistant minister.
2:36
He is in Uist at the moment, North Uist.
2:38
And the next part of the process will be that we will send a request to the presbytery, which meets next Tuesday.
2:47
And the presbytery will be asked to arrange a meeting of the congregation or with the congregation to sign a call to Mr. Smith to become the assistant minister here.
2:56
So that's as far as we can take it at the moment, but we're hoping that the presbytery will agree to arrange a meeting, which would probably be in April at some point, we hope, in order to have that call signed by yourselves as a congregation.
3:09
And then things will just proceed from that, we hope, towards the final settlement, whenever that will be.
3:18
Now, just also just to indicate there is a health and social care bill at the moment going through Parliament in Westminster.
3:25
And at short notice, that's actually being dealt with, I understand, this coming Wednesday.
3:32
And on the back of that bill, there is going to be an attempt by an amendment to seek to legalise home abortions permanently.
3:42
And that's obviously of concern to us as Christians.
3:46
And we're asked to contact our MP.
3:48
You can find details of this online, many places, to contact your MP in order to ask that he vote, request that he vote against that amendment, which is seeking to introduce permanent acceptance of home abortions, pills that will be given to people at home to do this for themselves.
4:11
There are many, many dangers associated with that, quite apart from the moral issue of abortion itself, and places potential mothers pregnant women in considerable risk.
4:24
And especially if that's made permanent, you can see how that's going to lead to problems in the future.
4:30
Incidentally, when we're thinking of those who are escaping from, having to flee from Ukraine, perhaps we don't always remember that amongst those, not just carrying children in their arms, and there are many of those, but there are also pregnant women who are actually having to flee their homes.
4:49
And you can imagine the trauma, especially heavily pregnant, having to leave the country and go to another country, to a strange place, with a very uncertain future ahead of them.
5:03
And unfortunately, there is also, in addition to that, I just learned this yesterday, there are gangs actually preying on young women who have to leave Ukraine and enter into these other countries beside Ukraine.
5:17
But the gangs that are seeking young women for the sex trade, as it's called, are already trying to entice young women, giving them the offer of accommodation and what seems like a bright future.
5:34
But actually, underneath that, it's actually for this horrible sex trade that they're trying to present through these means.
5:43
So again, please pray about that too, that women will be given discernment to see the evil of such practices, and how especially that after, you can imagine just, well, we can't imagine really, we can only just try to imagine, what it's like having to leave your own country, your home destroyed, all of the things that you look to build on for the future,
6:07
and the trauma of having to live your own country, and the trauma of having to leave that to go to a very strange land, and then being met there with what's effectively an evil practice masquerading as help and the offer of a better life.
6:23
What a terrible world we live in, when such evil can ride upon the back of other evil, and make use of it for its own ends.
6:35
Such is our fallen, sinful world.
6:39
Well, these are all the intimations then for the moment.
6:41
Let's turn to worship God.
6:44
Worshiping Him first, singing His praise in Psalm 34, Psalm 34 in the Scottish Psalter.
6:49
We're singing to the tune, Jackson, page 246, and that's verses 1 to 9.
6:56
God will I bless all times, His praise my mouth shall still express.
7:02
My soul shall boast in God, the meek shall hear with joyfulness.
7:07
Extol the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together.
7:11
I sought the Lord, He heard, and did me from all fears deliver.
7:15
Verses 1 to 9 to God's praise.
7:19
What will I bless all times, His praise my mouth shall still express.
7:36
My soul shall boast in God, the meek shall hear with joyfulness.
7:53
Exalt the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together.
8:11
I sought the Lord, He heard, and did me from all fears deliver.
8:27
They looked to Him, and lightened her.
8:37
Not she bid where their kisses.
8:44
This blue man cried, and saved Him from all his distresses.
9:02
The angel of the Lord, He heard, and found them compasses.
9:19
All those that have learned, that do Him fear, and then deliver her.
9:36
O taste and see that God is good, who trust in Him is blessed.
9:53
Fear, God is saved, and that in fear shall be with want oppressed.
10:12
Let's now call upon the Lord in prayer.
10:15
Let's join together in prayer.
10:16
O Lord, most gracious and holy God, we give thanks tonight that we are gathered here to worship You.
10:28
That we do so on the promise that You will be with Your people in all our circumstances,
10:34
and that You take a special delight in meeting with them as they gather together in Your name to worship You.
10:41
Lord, we give thanks tonight for all that You are to us,
10:45
for the way in which we know that You are so dependable,
10:49
and have proved Yourself down through the centuries in the history of Your church,
10:54
to be a God who is always true to His promises,
10:58
a God who does not shirk from bringing about all that You have threatened to do,
11:04
as well as those great promises for Your people in terms of their salvation.
11:08
Lord, we give thanks tonight that our delight is in worshiping You,
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and coming together in this way to extol Your holy name,
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as we have already been saying in our singing of praise.
11:22
We thank You, Lord, for all that makes You glorious and worthy of our praise,
11:27
and for all that makes You, God, as You have revealed to us of Yourself,
11:32
and all the things that lie beyond that,
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that You have chosen not to reveal to us at all.
11:39
We acknowledge, Lord, that much of what You have revealed to us
11:42
lies beyond our full comprehension,
11:46
our ability to understand it all.
11:49
But we do give thanks for the clarity
11:51
with which You have revealed the way of salvation to us.
11:55
There is no doubt whatsoever in what is revealed
11:58
as to the way that leads to eternal life.
12:01
For we give thanks, Lord, that You have specified that it is in Jesus Christ, Your Son,
12:08
that we find the way and the truth and the life,
12:11
and that the way to the Father is through Him.
12:15
Lord, we thank You tonight for all the blessings that we receive from You,
12:19
and we acknowledge we receive blessings from You from day to day.
12:24
We receive blessings in the ordinary course of life.
12:27
We receive the blessings of the Gospel.
12:29
We receive the blessings of companionship and fellowship with Your people
12:34
and with others in this world that we regard as our friends.
12:37
We give thanks for the blessings of peace
12:40
and of the way in which we can enjoy that peace and comfort in our communities
12:45
that many in other parts of the world are denied.
12:49
Lord God, Your graciousness,
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Your regard for us is at times overwhelming,
12:55
and we cannot understand why You should choose to be so kind to us
13:01
with such great benefits and blessings when we don't deserve them.
13:07
And yet, O Lord, in Your mercy, You have provided these for us,
13:11
and You continue to bless us with the Gospel.
13:14
We pray tonight that You'd bless Your Word to us.
13:17
We thank You that we have Your Word so central to our lives
13:21
and so central to our worship too.
13:24
And we thank You for the way You teach us
13:26
of how foundationally important Your Word is
13:29
and for the way that when You come to reveal Yourself to us savingly,
13:35
one of our first responses to that call of Your Spirit
13:40
and that work of Your Spirit is that we acknowledge Your Word
13:44
to be the revealed will of God,
13:47
the Word to which we yield obedience to Yourself through that Word
13:51
as You bless it to us by Your Spirit.
13:54
Lord, we pray that You would take those things of Your Word
13:57
that will be before our mind this evening
13:59
and bless them to us.
14:02
Bless us, we pray, as we come to it
14:04
with Your own authority speaking to us in it.
14:06
And we pray that it may indeed find a place in our hearts tonight
14:10
that will move us inwardly,
14:12
that will stir us up within our souls,
14:15
that will bring us once again to delight in our God
14:19
and to live also in that holy fear
14:23
that we need to have as the beginning of wisdom,
14:27
the very foundation of a wise life.
14:31
We ask Your blessing, Lord, for all whom we love,
14:34
for all who belong to us as a congregation.
14:37
We think of those tonight, Lord,
14:39
who've contracted COVID
14:41
and who have in their homes to deal with isolation.
14:45
We pray that Your blessing will be with them,
14:48
whether young or middle-aged or old.
14:51
We give thanks that You,
14:53
oh Lord, can minister to us
14:55
to prevent us from undue anxiety.
14:58
We pray that in all of these things too,
15:00
we may carry our concerns to You
15:03
and make our requests known to God.
15:06
We pray, Lord, for any reaching old age
15:09
that have anxieties with regard to COVID
15:12
or with other things too.
15:14
We commit to, oh Lord,
15:15
those of our age group,
15:17
of that age group,
15:18
of our congregation.
15:19
We pray for them,
15:21
pray for them especially,
15:22
those of them confined.
15:23
We pray for those in care homes,
15:26
those in hospital,
15:27
those being cared for at home,
15:29
and those who care for them.
15:31
Oh Lord, remember them all, we pray,
15:34
and help us to make use of the time we have
15:36
before such times of confinement reach ourselves.
15:40
Help us especially to close in with You in the gospel
15:44
when You invite us to place our trust
15:47
and our confidence in You.
15:49
Lord, we ask that You would help us
15:51
even tonight to do this.
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If we have not done it yet,
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help us to do it now.
15:56
And if we have done it, Lord,
15:57
before help us again to renew
15:59
our vows and our faith in Your presence
16:02
and to come to renew our confidence in You
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as our God, our covenant God,
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the God of promises,
16:09
the God of salvation,
16:11
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
16:14
Remember us, Lord, we pray,
16:16
as we look forward to having
16:19
the vacancy and the assistantship filled.
16:22
We pray for Reverend Calumurdo Smith.
16:24
We pray for him, O Lord,
16:26
as he has been elected by us
16:28
as a prospective assistant.
16:31
We pray for himself, for Johan,
16:32
and for the family.
16:34
We pray for the congregation in North Uist
16:36
who will know of this news by now
16:38
and who themselves will be thinking
16:40
prayerfully about the matter.
16:43
O Lord, enable us to carry this forward
16:45
in a way that will be honoring to You
16:47
and grant to Calumurdo himself
16:50
that clarity of mind
16:52
that we seek at such occasions,
16:55
that You will lead him and guide him
16:57
in a way to a decision that would honor You
17:00
and that we pray would also be
17:02
of benefit to ourselves.
17:05
But if it doesn't, Lord,
17:07
come about the way we would seek,
17:08
help us nevertheless to acquiesce
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in Your will.
17:12
We pray that You would grant Your blessing
17:15
to His congregation at this time.
17:18
We pray for all congregations, Lord,
17:20
throughout our presbytery
17:21
and who belong to us as a church
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and indeed in the wider sense
17:25
beyond our presbytery
17:27
and the rest of our nation
17:28
and throughout the world.
17:30
Those who faithfully meet to worship You
17:32
in different circumstances.
17:34
Lord, we thank You for the common faith
17:36
that You people hold.
17:37
Lord, whatever differences there may be
17:40
in practices or in backgrounds,
17:43
in racial distinctions or other ways,
17:45
we, Lord, ask that You would help us
17:47
to rejoice in the fact
17:48
that we have brothers and sisters
17:50
throughout the world
17:51
who worship You
17:53
and to claim You as their God.
17:55
Remember Your people again,
17:56
we pray, in Ukraine.
17:58
Oh, Lord, our God,
17:59
we have our hearts truly soared
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as we find so much on our news
18:06
of the devastation
18:07
that has been wrought upon them
18:09
as a people.
18:10
Lord, we pray for them.
18:12
We pray for their president.
18:14
We ask that You would help him
18:16
in his ongoing resolve
18:18
to resist the aggressor
18:19
and to guide his people
18:21
and to give them counsel and advice
18:23
and to strengthen them with resolve.
18:26
We pray that You bless him
18:27
and bless all, oh Lord,
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in that nation
18:30
who seek to resist that aggression.
18:32
And we know that
18:33
although there are some
18:35
that seem to be in support
18:37
of Putin and of the Russian invasion,
18:40
yet we give thanks
18:41
that the many that resisted
18:43
have made this known
18:45
and continue, Lord,
18:47
to seek the release of their country
18:50
from such aggression.
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Remember those who have had to flee
18:53
into other nations.
18:54
Remember those who look after them
18:57
and give them help at this time
19:00
by providing homes for them
19:02
and providing finance and food.
19:05
Oh Lord, oh God,
19:06
we pray for them.
19:07
We pray that You would bring
19:09
the situation to an end.
19:11
We pray that the aggressor himself,
19:15
the president in Russia,
19:17
would himself, Lord,
19:18
be removed from power.
19:20
We pray that whatever means
19:23
are open to You, Lord,
19:24
to do so.
19:24
We pray that this evil
19:26
will come to an end.
19:27
We pray that You would grant,
19:29
Lord,
19:30
freedom and release
19:31
to those people of Ukraine
19:33
from this terrible situation.
19:36
We ask that You would bless
19:37
those who are in dire need
19:40
as they escape from the country,
19:42
those who carry children
19:43
and whose husbands
19:44
have remained behind
19:46
to fight in the war.
19:48
Oh Lord,
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remember these mothers,
19:50
we pray,
19:50
with young children.
19:52
Remember those who are pregnant,
19:53
those who are seeking
19:54
to escape with the difficulties
19:56
that pregnancy itself brings.
19:59
And remember them, Lord,
20:00
we pray,
20:01
as they seek to find comfort
20:03
and alleviation
20:04
from their distress.
20:06
Remember those young women, too,
20:08
faced with what seems to be
20:10
a prospect of a better life
20:13
and yet find, oh Lord,
20:14
that they will,
20:16
if they accept,
20:17
be locked into the terrors
20:19
of sexual trade.
20:21
Lord,
20:22
we pray against this
20:23
and pray that You would
20:24
grant to them
20:26
the discernment.
20:27
We pray that these gangs
20:29
may be overcome
20:29
by those who have
20:32
the betterment
20:33
of people at heart.
20:34
We pray, too,
20:35
for our parliament.
20:37
Lord,
20:37
we pray that You would bless them
20:39
in this coming week
20:40
as they debate this bill
20:42
and we pray that the attempt
20:43
to introduce
20:45
the legalization permanently
20:46
of home abortions
20:48
will be defeated.
20:50
Lord,
20:50
we pray in regard
20:51
to abortion anyway
20:53
and we pray that You would
20:54
grant those who help,
20:56
those with pregnancies,
20:57
especially those
20:58
who have unexpected
20:59
or unwanted pregnancies
21:01
in different parts
21:02
of the country,
21:03
but especially, Lord,
21:04
in our own locality
21:05
who help with
21:07
a pregnancy crisis
21:08
to those affected.
21:10
Oh, Lord,
21:10
our God,
21:11
we commit their work
21:12
to You
21:13
and ask that You'd
21:13
encourage
21:14
those who are seeking
21:15
to bring counsel
21:17
and advice
21:17
and help
21:18
practically
21:19
and spiritually
21:20
to such people.
21:22
And so,
21:23
remember, Lord,
21:23
we pray all of our people
21:25
as we commend them to You
21:26
and we ask tonight,
21:28
oh, Lord,
21:28
that all
21:29
who are watching online
21:30
as well
21:31
and joining us
21:32
and wherever they may be,
21:34
we pray for them
21:35
and ask that You would
21:36
be pleased, Lord,
21:37
to bless them
21:38
in their own homes
21:39
and families
21:39
and localities
21:40
throughout the world,
21:42
wherever it is
21:43
they belong to.
21:44
Grant the gospel tonight.
21:46
may truly come
21:47
to bless us
21:48
and bless us inwardly
21:50
and bless us permanently
21:51
and for we seek
21:52
the extending
21:53
of Your kingdom
21:54
and the glory
21:55
of Your name
21:56
and the furtherance
21:57
of Your cause
21:58
and we ask all of this
21:59
with the pardon
22:00
of how many sins
22:01
for Jesus' sake.
22:03
Amen.
22:07
Let's read now
22:08
from God's Word
22:09
in the epistle
22:10
of Paul
22:11
to the Philippians.
22:13
Paul's letter
22:13
to the Philippians
22:14
and the final chapter
22:16
chapter 4.
22:22
And we'll just read
22:23
from the beginning
22:23
of the chapter
22:24
through to the end
22:25
just to remind ourselves
22:26
of what we've already
22:27
looked at in the chapter
22:28
and tonight
22:30
we're going to be looking
22:31
at the next section
22:33
from verse 4 to 7.
22:34
Amen.
22:38
Therefore,
22:38
my brothers
22:39
whom I love
22:40
and long
22:40
for my joy
22:41
and crown
22:42
stand firm
22:43
thus in the Lord
22:43
my beloved.
22:45
I entreat
22:45
Yodia
22:46
and I entreat
22:47
Syntyche
22:47
to agree
22:48
in the Lord.
22:49
Yes,
22:49
I ask you
22:50
also,
22:50
true companion,
22:52
help these women
22:52
who have labored
22:53
side by side
22:54
with me
22:54
in the gospel
22:55
together with Clement
22:57
and the rest
22:57
of my fellow workers
22:58
whose names
22:59
are in the book
23:00
of life.
23:00
Rejoice in the Lord
23:02
always.
23:04
Again,
23:04
I will say
23:05
rejoice.
23:07
Let your reasonableness
23:08
be known to people.
23:10
The Lord is at hand.
23:12
Do not be anxious
23:12
about anything
23:13
but in everything
23:14
by prayer and supplication
23:16
with thanksgiving
23:17
let your requests
23:18
be made known to God
23:19
and the peace of God
23:21
which passes all understanding
23:22
will guard your hearts
23:24
and minds
23:24
in Christ Jesus.
23:26
Finally,
23:27
brothers,
23:27
whatever is true,
23:29
whatever is honorable,
23:30
whatever is just,
23:31
whatever is pure,
23:32
whatever is lovely,
23:33
whatever is commendable,
23:35
if there is any excellence,
23:36
if there is anything
23:37
worthy of praise,
23:39
think about these things.
23:41
What you have learned
23:42
and received
23:43
and heard
23:43
and seen in me,
23:44
practice these things
23:46
and the God of peace
23:47
will be with you.
23:49
I rejoiced in the Lord
23:50
greatly
23:51
that now at length
23:52
you have revived
23:53
your concern for me.
23:54
You were indeed
23:55
concerned for me
23:56
but you had no opportunity,
23:59
not that I am speaking
24:00
of being in need
24:00
for I have learned
24:02
in whatever situation
24:03
I am to be content.
24:05
I know how to be brought low
24:07
and I know how to abound.
24:09
In any and every circumstance
24:10
I have learned the secret
24:12
of facing plenty
24:13
and hunger,
24:15
abundance and need.
24:16
I can do all things
24:18
through him
24:19
who strengthens me.
24:21
Yet it was kind of you
24:22
to share my trouble
24:23
and you Philippians
24:25
yourselves know
24:25
that in the beginning
24:27
of the gospel
24:27
when I left Macedonia,
24:29
no church entered
24:30
into partnership
24:31
with me in giving
24:32
and receiving
24:33
except you only.
24:36
Even in Thessalonica
24:37
you sent me help
24:38
for my needs
24:39
once and again.
24:41
Not that I seek
24:41
the gift
24:42
but I seek the fruit
24:43
that increases
24:44
to your credit.
24:46
I have received
24:46
full payment
24:47
and more.
24:49
I am well supplied
24:50
having received
24:51
from Epaphroditus
24:52
the gifts you sent.
24:55
A fragrant offering,
24:56
a sacrifice acceptable
24:57
and pleasing to God.
25:00
And my God
25:00
will supply
25:01
every need of yours
25:03
according to his riches
25:04
and glory
25:05
in Christ Jesus.
25:08
To our God
25:08
and Father
25:09
be glory
25:09
forever and ever.
25:11
Amen.
25:12
Greet every saint
25:13
in Christ Jesus.
25:15
The brothers
25:15
who are with me
25:16
greet you.
25:17
All the saints
25:18
greet you,
25:18
especially those
25:19
of Caesar's household.
25:21
The grace of the Lord
25:23
Jesus Christ
25:24
be with your spirit.
25:27
Once again
25:28
we pray for God
25:28
to follow
25:29
a reading of his word
25:30
with his own blessing.
25:32
Let's now sing
25:33
in Psalm number 31
25:34
in the Sing Psalms
25:36
version page 36
25:37
Psalm 31
25:39
verses 1 to 7
25:41
tune this time
25:42
is Heron Gate.
25:45
In you
25:46
I have taken refuge
25:47
Lord
25:47
you are my shelter
25:48
in distress
25:49
O let me
25:50
never be ashamed
25:51
but save me
25:53
in your righteousness.
25:55
Lord turn your ear
25:55
to hear my cry
25:56
come quickly
25:57
to deliver me
25:58
and be my rock
26:00
and firm defence
26:01
my stronghold
26:02
and security.
26:05
Verses 1 to 7
26:06
In you
26:06
I have taken refuge
26:08
Lord.
26:08
In you
26:16
I have taken refuge
26:21
Lord
26:23
You are my shelter
26:28
in distress
26:32
O let me
26:36
O let me
26:37
never be
26:40
ashamed
26:42
but save me
26:46
in your righteousness
26:51
Lord turn your ear
26:58
to hear my cry
27:04
come quickly
27:07
to deliver me
27:14
and be my rock
27:19
and firm defence
27:23
my stronghold
27:25
my stronghold
27:26
and security
27:30
You are my fortress
27:40
and my rock
27:44
for your midst
27:48
be my sure guide
27:55
Reserve me
27:59
from the trap
28:03
that said
28:05
You are the refuge
28:11
where I am
28:13
where I am
28:15
Redeem me
28:19
Lord
28:21
O God of truth
28:25
I stand
28:29
my covenant
28:32
to you
28:35
I hate
28:38
all those
28:41
who trust
28:44
false goals
28:46
I trust
28:49
the Lord
28:51
for He is true
28:56
I will rejoice
29:02
and take delight
29:06
in all the love
29:12
that you have shown
29:16
for my affection
29:22
you have seen
29:26
to you
29:29
my soul
29:32
distress
29:33
is known
29:37
Will you turn with me
29:41
please now
29:41
to Philippians 4
29:43
and we're going to look
29:44
at verses 4 to 7
29:46
as we continue
29:48
and come on
29:48
towards the end
29:49
of the epistle
29:50
there are studies here
29:51
that have been going on
29:53
as you know
29:54
for some time
29:54
rejoice in the Lord
29:56
always
29:56
again I will say
29:57
rejoice
29:58
let your reasonableness
30:00
be known
30:00
to everyone
30:01
the Lord
30:02
is at hand
30:03
do not be anxious
30:04
about anything
30:05
but in everything
30:06
by prayer
30:07
and supplication
30:08
with thanksgiving
30:08
let your request
30:10
be made known
30:10
to God
30:11
and the peace
30:12
of God
30:13
which surpasses
30:14
all understanding
30:15
will guard
30:16
your hearts
30:17
and minds
30:18
in Christ
30:19
Jesus
30:20
well here
30:21
in these verses
30:22
verses 4 to 9
30:23
especially
30:24
you have what you
30:26
might regard
30:27
as a set
30:28
of bullet points
30:29
that the apostle
30:30
is using
30:30
as he comes
30:31
towards the end
30:32
of his letter
30:33
here to this church
30:35
in Philippi
30:35
but they're not
30:36
just randomly
30:37
assembled bullet points
30:39
if you like
30:40
you can see
30:40
the way that
30:41
we have bullet points
30:43
as you know
30:43
nowadays
30:43
when we list things
30:44
in terms of bullet points
30:46
they're not random points
30:48
they're actually
30:49
very closely
30:49
connected together
30:50
and you can see
30:52
some of the ways
30:52
in which they're
30:53
connected together
30:54
for example
30:55
he's saying here
30:56
that the peace of God
30:58
will guard
31:00
your hearts
31:00
and minds
31:01
and then
31:01
he finishes
31:02
in verse 9
31:02
this section
31:03
by saying
31:04
the God of peace
31:05
will be with you
31:06
the peace of God
31:07
and the God of peace
31:08
and all the way through
31:10
in relation to these matters
31:11
he's joining together
31:12
some very important points
31:14
that fit together
31:15
so well
31:15
in the way
31:16
that he's advising
31:17
counselling
31:18
these Christians
31:19
in Philippi
31:20
to meet
31:20
with the difficulties
31:21
that they face
31:22
as they're surrounded
31:23
by those
31:24
who don't share
31:25
in their faith
31:26
and indeed
31:26
are hostile
31:27
to them
31:28
and we can say
31:30
that in verses 4
31:31
to 7
31:32
the apostle
31:33
has assembled
31:34
these points
31:35
under three
31:36
imperatives
31:37
three imperatives
31:39
in the sense
31:40
they're commands
31:40
really
31:41
we call them
31:42
imperatives
31:43
in the way
31:43
that they're set
31:44
out here
31:45
there's rejoicing
31:46
reasonableness
31:47
and requests
31:49
we could take these
31:50
as the heading
31:51
of our study
31:52
this evening
31:52
rejoicing
31:53
reasonableness
31:55
verse 5
31:56
rejoicing
31:57
verse 4
31:57
and requests
31:59
in verses 6
31:59
to 7
32:00
and if we just
32:01
make our way through
32:02
these we'll see
32:03
how the apostle
32:04
joins all this together
32:05
and what we can
32:06
take ourselves
32:07
from this
32:07
to encourage us
32:08
tonight
32:09
and to challenge us
32:10
as well
32:10
with regard to
32:11
living our life
32:12
in the setting
32:13
in which God
32:14
has placed us
32:15
so first of all
32:16
this rejoicing
32:17
verse 4
32:18
rejoice
32:18
in the Lord
32:19
always
32:20
again
32:21
I will say
32:22
rejoice
32:23
it's important
32:24
you see there
32:25
he's saying
32:26
rejoice
32:26
in the Lord
32:28
always
32:29
it's in the Lord
32:31
that he is
32:31
setting out
32:32
the rejoicing
32:33
for them
32:34
and as he sets out
32:35
this imperative
32:36
to rejoice
32:37
always
32:38
and he repeats
32:39
it there
32:39
it's in the Lord
32:41
that they are
32:41
to rejoice
32:42
and that's so
32:42
so important
32:43
because it
32:45
brings before us
32:46
the fact
32:47
that in the apostles
32:47
mind
32:48
these Christians
32:49
in Philippi
32:50
know the Lord
32:52
for themselves
32:52
they have a
32:54
saving relationship
32:55
with the Lord
32:56
as far as the apostle
32:57
is concerned
32:57
they have a live
32:59
relationship with him
33:00
they draw their
33:01
encouragement
33:01
and their strength
33:02
from him
33:03
they live for him
33:04
they worship him
33:05
they commend him
33:07
to those around them
33:08
as they live
33:08
as Christians
33:09
in Philippi
33:10
in the difficulties
33:12
that they faced
33:13
in other words
33:15
he's reminding us
33:16
that our rejoicing
33:18
is very different
33:19
to what we might call
33:20
in worldly terms
33:21
being happy
33:22
because being happy
33:25
in the worldly sense
33:26
of it
33:26
is very much tied
33:28
to your circumstances
33:29
and the circumstances
33:31
that make us happy
33:32
and there's nothing wrong
33:34
of course
33:34
with being happy
33:35
and having happiness
33:37
on that level
33:38
if you like
33:38
there's nothing at all
33:39
in the Bible
33:41
to actually discourage you
33:42
from being happy
33:43
in the proper worldly sense
33:45
but then the things
33:47
on which that happiness
33:48
is based
33:48
can very quickly
33:49
be taken from you
33:51
even in a happy relationship
33:54
and the happiness
33:55
that a loving relationship
33:56
brings
33:57
we're very familiar
33:59
with the fact
33:59
that that
34:00
can very suddenly
34:01
or unexpectedly
34:02
come to an end
34:04
and if the basis
34:05
of the happiness
34:06
is that relationship
34:07
itself
34:08
or whatever else
34:09
circumstances
34:10
make us happy
34:11
then the happiness
34:12
is going to be
34:13
drastically affected
34:14
by the removal
34:16
of what makes us
34:17
happy in a worldly
34:18
or secular sense
34:19
remember
34:20
it may well be
34:21
in fact
34:21
that the apostle
34:22
was thinking of
34:23
the words of the prophet
34:25
Habakkuk
34:25
and other similar passages
34:27
in the Old Testament
34:29
Habakkuk
34:30
it's a very short
34:31
book as you know
34:33
but it was written
34:34
at times of crisis
34:35
in the people
34:36
of Israel
34:38
of Judah
34:38
and Habakkuk
34:40
was a prophet
34:42
in advance
34:43
of the coming
34:44
of the Babylonian
34:46
captivity
34:47
a Babylonian power
34:49
that had overcome
34:50
the Assyrians
34:51
and was now
34:52
making its way
34:53
through to
34:53
where Habakkuk
34:54
lived
34:55
and all the way
34:56
through
34:56
the prophet
34:59
Habakkuk
34:59
talks about
35:01
the difficulties
35:01
the afflictions
35:02
the things
35:03
that are coming
35:03
the threats
35:05
and all the things
35:05
that will be involved
35:06
when the Babylonians
35:07
come
35:07
and yet
35:08
here you see
35:10
how he finishes
35:11
ends his prophecy
35:13
in an absolutely
35:14
wonderful way
35:15
here's what he says
35:17
in chapter 3
35:18
verse 17
35:19
though the fig tree
35:20
should not blossom
35:21
not fruit
35:22
beyond the vines
35:23
the produce
35:24
of the olive fail
35:25
and the fields
35:27
yield no food
35:28
the flock
35:29
be cut off
35:29
from the fold
35:30
and there be no herd
35:31
in the stalls
35:32
now that's a drastic
35:33
situation
35:34
just imagine
35:35
what he's saying
35:36
there
35:36
in a land
35:38
that depends
35:38
so much
35:39
in their daily lives
35:41
on these things
35:42
the fig tree
35:43
the fruit
35:44
and the vines
35:44
the olive trees
35:46
the fields
35:47
yielding food
35:48
and the flocks
35:49
and the herds
35:50
in order for
35:51
their daily sustenance
35:52
all of these
35:53
he says
35:54
they'll be cut off
35:55
and though they
35:56
be cut off
35:57
what happens then
35:58
yet I will rejoice
36:01
in the Lord
36:02
I will take joy
36:04
in the God
36:05
of my salvation
36:06
God the Lord
36:08
is my strength
36:09
he makes my feet
36:10
like the deers
36:11
he makes me tread
36:12
on my high places
36:14
you see what he's saying
36:15
though all of this
36:15
will take place
36:16
or should take place
36:17
yet I will rejoice
36:19
in the Lord
36:19
my God
36:20
in other words
36:20
he's saying
36:21
though the Lord
36:22
should take away
36:23
what effectively
36:24
is a worldly
36:25
or this worldly
36:26
foundation for happiness
36:27
I have something
36:29
better than that
36:30
he's saying
36:30
I have another
36:31
foundation
36:32
I have a better
36:33
foundation
36:33
I have the Lord
36:34
my God
36:35
and though I would
36:36
not be able
36:37
to rejoice
36:37
anymore
36:38
in the ordinary
36:39
things of life
36:40
even though they
36:41
are essential
36:42
in many ways
36:43
yet I will rejoice
36:44
in the Lord
36:45
my God
36:46
and that's really
36:48
what the apostle
36:49
is saying here
36:49
with regard to
36:51
the Philippians
36:51
as well
36:52
that's how he's
36:53
putting it here
36:53
and why he's
36:55
repeating it
36:55
to reinforce
36:56
the point
36:56
he's saying
36:57
to the Philippians
36:58
your rejoicing
37:02
is different
37:02
to just
37:03
the ordinary
37:04
sense of
37:04
being happy
37:05
because being
37:08
happy
37:09
is itself
37:10
largely taken
37:11
up with the
37:12
things of
37:12
this present
37:13
life
37:13
with material
37:15
things
37:16
with financial
37:17
comforts
37:18
but the apostle
37:20
is saying
37:20
rejoice
37:21
in the Lord
37:22
always
37:24
and again
37:25
I say
37:26
rejoice
37:27
Timothy Keller
37:29
in one of his
37:31
books
37:31
American
37:31
pastor
37:33
in his book
37:35
counterfeit
37:36
gods
37:36
the empty
37:37
promises
37:38
of money
37:38
sex
37:39
and power
37:39
and the only
37:40
hope
37:41
that matters
37:41
that's the
37:42
title of the
37:42
book
37:43
he says this
37:44
rejoicing
37:44
in the Bible
37:45
is much
37:47
deeper
37:47
than simply
37:48
being happy
37:48
about something
37:50
Paul directed
37:51
that we should
37:52
rejoice in the
37:53
Lord always
37:54
but this
37:55
cannot mean
37:56
always feel
37:57
happy
37:58
since no one
37:59
can command
37:59
someone to
38:00
always have
38:01
a particular
38:02
emotion
38:02
and he says
38:03
this
38:03
to rejoice
38:04
in the Lord
38:05
is to
38:06
treasure a
38:07
thing
38:07
it is to
38:08
assess
38:09
its value
38:09
for you
38:10
to reflect
38:11
on its
38:12
beauty
38:12
and
38:13
importance
38:14
to reflect
38:14
on its
38:15
beauty
38:15
and importance
38:16
until your
38:17
heart
38:18
rests in
38:18
it
38:18
and tastes
38:19
the sweetness
38:20
of it
38:21
rejoicing
38:22
is a way
38:23
of praising
38:24
God
38:24
until the
38:25
heart
38:25
is sweetened
38:26
and rested
38:27
and until
38:28
it relaxes
38:29
its grip
38:30
on anything
38:31
else
38:31
it thinks
38:32
it needs
38:33
in other
38:35
words rejoicing
38:35
in the Lord
38:36
is something
38:37
you do
38:37
more and
38:38
more
38:38
the more
38:39
you are
38:40
weaned away
38:41
from trusting
38:41
in the things
38:42
of this
38:42
world
38:43
and the more
38:44
you and I
38:45
by God's
38:45
grace
38:46
are weaned
38:47
away from
38:47
trusting
38:48
and having
38:49
our hope
38:49
and confidence
38:50
in the things
38:50
of this
38:51
world
38:51
the more
38:52
that enables
38:52
you to
38:53
rejoice in
38:53
the Lord
38:54
and to
38:54
know what
38:55
that's like
38:55
to have
38:56
himself
38:57
and to
38:57
be able
38:57
to say
38:58
about him
38:58
like
38:59
Habakkuk
38:59
said
39:00
it's not
39:00
easy
39:00
and only
39:01
by grace
39:01
can you
39:02
say it
39:02
but to
39:03
say about
39:03
that
39:04
if all
39:05
of that
39:05
that I
39:05
have
39:06
in a
39:06
worldly
39:06
sense
39:07
would be
39:07
taken
39:07
away
39:08
I
39:08
still
39:08
have
39:08
the
39:09
Lord
39:09
and
39:11
because
39:11
I
39:11
have
39:11
the
39:12
Lord
39:12
I
39:13
can
39:13
continue
39:14
to rejoice
39:14
in him
39:15
in his
39:16
salvation
39:17
and all
39:18
that he
39:18
means to
39:19
and the
39:19
value
39:19
that I
39:20
place
39:20
upon him
39:21
is that
39:22
not how
39:22
it is
39:22
with
39:23
yourself
39:23
it's not
39:26
an easy
39:26
thought
39:27
to have
39:31
in your
39:31
mind
39:32
the removal
39:32
of someone
39:33
or something
39:34
that you
39:35
deeply
39:35
love
39:36
and are
39:37
truly
39:38
happy
39:39
with
39:39
it's
39:40
a very
39:41
difficult
39:41
thing
39:42
to
39:42
contemplate
39:43
the
39:43
removal
39:44
of that
39:44
some
39:45
of you
39:45
have
39:45
already
39:46
had
39:46
that
39:46
removed
39:47
we've
39:47
all
39:47
I'm
39:48
sure
39:48
experienced
39:49
that
39:50
and
39:50
people
39:51
especially
39:51
being
39:52
removed
39:52
by death
39:53
from us
39:53
in an
39:54
unexpected
39:54
way
39:55
but what
39:57
Paul is
39:57
saying to
39:58
us is
39:58
difficult
39:59
though that
40:00
is
40:00
and hard
40:01
though that
40:01
is
40:01
to
40:01
accept
40:03
and to
40:03
live
40:03
with
40:04
and to
40:05
contemplate
40:05
even in
40:06
advance
40:06
of it
40:07
this is
40:08
what he's
40:09
saying
40:09
rejoice
40:09
in
40:10
the
40:11
Lord
40:11
because
40:12
whatever
40:13
is removed
40:13
from you
40:14
in this
40:14
life
40:15
and you
40:16
can see
40:16
it with
40:17
the
40:17
Ukrainian
40:17
Christians
40:18
as they
40:18
give
40:19
interviews
40:19
on television
40:20
what has
40:21
been removed
40:21
from them
40:22
they've
40:22
had most
40:23
if not
40:23
all of
40:24
their
40:24
worldly
40:24
comforts
40:25
removed
40:25
their homes
40:26
are destroyed
40:26
their church
40:27
buildings
40:28
many of
40:28
them
40:28
destroyed
40:29
their
40:30
livelihood
40:30
is
40:30
destroyed
40:31
their
40:31
family
40:32
is
40:33
uprooted
40:33
and some
40:34
of their
40:34
families
40:34
destroyed
40:35
and yet
40:36
they haven't
40:38
lost
40:38
their faith
40:39
those
40:39
Christians
40:39
they're
40:40
still
40:40
saying
40:41
that
40:41
they are
40:42
expressing
40:43
their faith
40:44
in Christ
40:45
their faith
40:45
in the
40:46
Lord
40:46
that's
40:47
exactly
40:47
what you
40:48
find here
40:49
in Paul's
40:49
counsel to
40:50
the
40:50
Philippians
40:51
rejoice
40:52
in the
40:52
Lord
40:52
always
40:53
again
40:53
I will
40:54
say
40:54
rejoice
40:54
and of
40:57
course
40:57
we do
40:59
have so
40:59
much
41:00
even in
41:01
a worldly
41:01
sense
41:01
that we
41:02
can say
41:02
to God
41:03
thank you
41:03
for
41:04
and to
41:05
be happy
41:06
and to
41:06
rejoice
41:06
that we
41:07
have
41:07
these
41:08
as well
41:08
but it's
41:09
himself
41:10
especially
41:10
that you
41:11
need to
41:12
have
41:12
and must
41:12
have
41:13
tonight
41:13
because
41:15
only there
41:15
can you
41:16
have this
41:16
lasting
41:16
through
41:18
joy
41:18
and
41:19
happiness
41:19
so that's
41:21
the first
41:22
thing
41:22
rejoicing
41:23
second
41:24
thing is
41:24
reasonableness
41:25
in verse
41:26
5
41:26
rejoice in
41:27
the Lord
41:27
always
41:28
let your
41:29
reasonableness
41:30
be known
41:31
to everyone
41:32
now you can
41:33
see that this
41:33
is something
41:34
that comes
41:35
into
41:35
relationship
41:36
and comes
41:36
into
41:37
especially
41:38
the way
41:38
that we
41:39
are required
41:39
to treat
41:40
other people
41:41
let your
41:42
reasonableness
41:43
be known
41:44
to everyone
41:45
in other words
41:45
those that you
41:46
meet with
41:47
those that you
41:47
interact with
41:48
let your
41:49
reasonableness
41:49
be known
41:50
to them
41:51
let that be
41:51
what characterizes
41:53
the way
41:53
that you deal
41:54
with them
41:54
what does he
41:55
mean by
41:55
reasonableness
41:56
well it's a
41:58
word which
41:59
can and is
42:01
in other places
42:01
translated
42:02
gentleness
42:04
in fact if
42:05
you go to
42:06
the
42:06
qualifications
42:07
for the
42:09
eldership
42:10
and at
42:12
this point
42:12
elders ears
42:14
should be
42:15
fully
42:15
listening
42:16
including
42:17
my own
42:18
remember the
42:20
first timothy
42:21
chapter 3
42:21
passage
42:22
where he
42:23
says that
42:23
if anyone
42:24
aspires to
42:25
the office
42:26
of overseer
42:26
by which he
42:27
means elder
42:28
he desires a
42:29
noble task
42:30
therefore an
42:30
overseer
42:31
an elder
42:32
must be above
42:32
reproach
42:33
the husband
42:33
of one
42:34
wife
42:34
sober minded
42:35
self-controlled
42:37
respectable
42:38
hospitable
42:39
able to
42:41
teach
42:41
not a
42:42
drunkard
42:42
not violent
42:43
but gentle
42:45
there's the
42:46
word reasonable
42:47
same word
42:48
exactly
42:48
translated
42:49
reasonableness
42:50
in Philippians
42:51
4
42:52
the word
42:52
gentle or
42:53
gentleness
42:54
not quarrelsome
42:55
and so on
42:56
not violent
42:58
but gentle
42:58
not quarrelsome
43:00
that's what's
43:01
meant by Paul
43:02
being reasonable
43:03
let your
43:03
reasonableness
43:04
let your
43:05
gentleness
43:05
be known
43:06
to everyone
43:07
to everybody
43:08
that you meet
43:09
everyone
43:10
he's not
43:10
leaving anybody
43:11
out
43:11
he's not
43:12
saying pick
43:12
and choose
43:13
who you're
43:13
going to be
43:14
gentle with
43:14
or reasonable
43:15
with
43:15
it has to be
43:16
something you
43:16
do to
43:17
everyone
43:18
because a
43:21
lot is at
43:21
stake
43:22
when we're
43:23
otherwise
43:24
not just for
43:25
elders of course
43:26
but if you
43:27
meet somebody
43:27
a man who's
43:28
always quarreling
43:29
with people
43:30
even though he
43:31
may very well
43:32
be a Christian
43:33
that person
43:33
is not fit
43:34
to be an elder
43:34
because he
43:35
doesn't meet
43:36
the qualifications
43:37
for eldership
43:38
that you find
43:38
in the New
43:39
Testament
43:39
and no
43:41
Christian should
43:41
have that
43:42
quarrelsomeness
43:43
that lack
43:44
of gentleness
43:45
that opposite
43:46
of gentleness
43:47
about them
43:47
what he's saying
43:48
here let your
43:49
reasonableness
43:49
let your
43:50
gentleness
43:51
be known
43:51
and of course
43:52
that itself
43:52
goes back
43:53
to Jesus
43:54
as well
43:55
the way that
43:55
he actually
43:56
handled hostility
43:58
and met
43:58
with hostility
43:59
when he was
44:00
reviled
44:00
he did not
44:01
revile back
44:02
he did not
44:03
reply in kind
44:04
to the abuse
44:06
that he received
44:07
and that's so
44:08
important
44:08
for ourselves
44:10
and very difficult
44:11
at times
44:12
especially
44:12
if we're more
44:13
naturally fiery
44:14
type of people
44:15
because for one
44:18
thing
44:19
the credibility
44:20
of the gospel
44:21
is at stake
44:22
that's why
44:23
one of the reasons
44:24
that Paul is so
44:24
concerned with this
44:26
they're facing
44:26
people outside
44:27
of the church
44:28
in Philippi
44:29
that are hostile
44:30
to them
44:31
they need to
44:32
hold out
44:32
the gospel
44:33
message of
44:33
salvation
44:34
in Jesus
44:35
Christ
44:35
just as you
44:36
and I do
44:37
today
44:37
but in many
44:39
ways for that
44:39
world out there
44:41
the credibility
44:41
of the gospel
44:42
is assessed
44:44
in terms of
44:44
your life
44:45
and mine
44:46
it's in terms
44:47
of how you
44:48
speak to them
44:49
how you react
44:50
to them
44:50
how you actually
44:51
deal with the
44:52
hostility that you
44:52
meet within them
44:53
in many ways
44:54
they're going to
44:55
measure your
44:56
Christianity
44:56
by that
44:57
let your
44:59
reasonableness
45:00
let your
45:01
gentleness
45:02
be known
45:03
to everyone
45:05
and for that
45:07
we need God's
45:08
grace
45:08
we need to
45:10
pray for this
45:10
and pray that
45:11
God will
45:11
give us this
45:12
and continue
45:13
to enable us
45:15
to be this
45:16
kind of person
45:17
that's gentle
45:19
and reasonable
45:19
with everyone
45:21
else
45:21
rejoicing
45:23
reasonableness
45:26
and of course
45:28
that too
45:28
as we said
45:29
is reflecting
45:30
what Christ
45:31
himself was
45:32
when Paul wrote
45:32
to the Corinthians
45:33
in 2 Corinthians
45:35
he made an appeal
45:35
to them
45:36
2 Corinthians 10
45:37
verse 1
45:38
there's the apostle
45:39
saying
45:40
I appeal
45:42
to you
45:42
I entreat
45:43
you
45:44
by the
45:45
gentleness
45:45
of Christ
45:48
in other words
45:49
he's saying
45:49
by the gentleness
45:51
that you know
45:52
characterizes
45:53
Jesus
45:53
I'm appealing
45:55
to you
45:55
by that
45:56
and he goes
45:58
on to then
45:58
speak about
45:59
what he is
46:00
seeking from
46:01
them
46:02
well here is
46:02
this reasonableness
46:04
rejoicing
46:05
reasonableness
46:06
and now
46:07
requests
46:08
he's saying
46:10
don't be anxious
46:11
about anything
46:12
of course he's saying
46:12
here the Lord
46:13
is at hand
46:14
now we came across
46:15
a similar
46:15
reference
46:16
this morning
46:17
in James
46:18
chapter 5
46:19
the Lord
46:21
is at hand
46:22
and you'll find
46:23
some people
46:24
suggesting
46:25
that Paul
46:26
and others
46:27
were mistaken
46:28
when they thought
46:29
the Lord
46:29
was near
46:30
the Lord's
46:31
coming
46:31
was near
46:32
and they'll say
46:33
to you
46:34
well there's
46:34
all of these
46:35
hundreds
46:36
thousands
46:36
of years
46:36
more than
46:37
two thousand
46:37
years
46:38
since
46:38
the apostle
46:39
wrote this
46:40
surely he was
46:40
mistaken
46:41
if he was
46:41
saying
46:41
the Lord
46:42
is at hand
46:43
what does
46:43
he mean
46:43
well he means
46:45
for a start
46:46
that for those
46:46
who live
46:47
by faith
46:48
the Lord
46:48
is at hand
46:49
every day
46:50
the coming
46:52
of the Lord
46:52
is a reality
46:53
to them
46:53
every day
46:54
it might not
46:55
be tomorrow
46:56
it might not
46:57
be even
46:57
during their
46:58
lifetime
46:58
but as far
46:59
as they're
46:59
concerned
47:00
in the workings
47:01
of their
47:01
faith
47:01
in the operating
47:02
of their
47:03
faith
47:03
in the exercise
47:04
of their
47:04
faith
47:05
the Lord
47:05
is at hand
47:06
the coming
47:07
of the Lord
47:07
is as near
47:08
to them
47:08
as they think
47:09
about it
47:09
as they require
47:10
it
47:10
as they desire
47:11
it
47:11
as they look
47:12
forward to it
47:13
as if he was
47:14
here personally
47:15
in his
47:16
physical
47:16
presence
47:16
the Lord
47:19
is at hand
47:21
we're aware
47:22
of his coming
47:23
whenever that
47:24
will be
47:25
and he's
47:27
saying
47:27
don't be
47:30
anxious
47:30
about anything
47:32
but in
47:33
everything
47:34
by prayer
47:34
and supplication
47:35
with thanksgiving
47:36
let your
47:37
requests be
47:37
made known
47:38
to God
47:39
well there's
47:39
a number
47:40
of things
47:40
there
47:40
that we
47:41
need to
47:41
just briefly
47:42
go over
47:42
first of all
47:43
the anxiety
47:44
itself
47:45
he says
47:45
do not
47:46
be anxious
47:46
or you might
47:47
say
47:47
over anxious
47:48
he's saying
47:49
about anything
47:50
he loves to
47:51
use this word
47:51
anything
47:52
and everything
47:53
and everyone
47:54
he's saying
47:55
let your
47:55
reasonableness
47:56
be known
47:56
to everyone
47:57
no exceptions
47:58
and he's
47:59
carrying that
48:00
here saying
48:00
don't be
48:01
anxious
48:01
about anything
48:03
but in
48:04
everything
48:04
by prayer
48:05
and supplication
48:06
make your
48:07
requests
48:08
he's not
48:09
leaving
48:10
anything out
48:11
as he says
48:12
this to
48:13
them
48:13
and now
48:14
we're
48:14
facing the
48:15
same
48:15
because
48:16
the word
48:16
of God
48:17
here is
48:17
saying
48:17
this to
48:17
us
48:18
now
48:19
when you
48:19
have
48:19
anxiety
48:20
sometimes
48:21
anxiety
48:22
is very
48:22
understandable
48:23
and there
48:24
are many
48:24
things in
48:25
our lives
48:25
that we
48:26
may be
48:26
anxious
48:27
about
48:27
but anxiety
48:29
always turns
48:31
you in
48:31
on yourself
48:32
to some
48:33
degree or
48:34
other
48:34
anxiety
48:35
this kind
48:36
of worrying
48:36
always turns
48:38
in on
48:39
yourself
48:39
you begin
48:40
to look
48:40
at yourself
48:40
you begin
48:41
to look
48:42
at your
48:42
circumstances
48:43
you begin
48:44
to assess
48:44
things in
48:45
that very
48:46
inward
48:46
personal way
48:47
remember how
48:48
Jesus in
48:49
Matthew chapter
48:49
6 that great
48:50
passage as part
48:52
of the Sermon on
48:52
the Mount
48:53
as he said
48:54
to the
48:54
disciples
48:55
not to be
48:56
anxious about
48:57
what their
48:57
clothing would be
48:58
what they would
48:59
eat what they
48:59
would put on
49:00
because he said
49:02
for a start
49:02
the birds of
49:03
the air
49:03
and those
49:05
animals in
49:05
the creation
49:06
are looked
49:06
after by
49:07
God
49:07
will he not
49:08
actually look
49:09
after you
49:10
more than
49:10
them
49:11
because you
49:11
are his
49:11
disciples
49:12
seek first
49:14
the kingdom
49:14
of God
49:15
and his
49:15
righteousness
49:16
and all
49:17
these things
49:17
will be added
49:18
to you
49:19
we live in a
49:20
world of
49:20
anxiety
49:21
we live in a
49:22
world that's
49:22
just so full
49:23
of anxiety
49:24
we live in a
49:26
world that can
49:26
hardly put
49:27
anxiety behind
49:28
or aside
49:29
taken up
49:31
with so
49:32
much
49:33
materialism
49:34
and so much
49:35
to do with
49:35
financial concern
49:37
and so much
49:38
to do on
49:39
that sort
49:39
of level
49:39
of the
49:40
ordinary
49:41
things of
49:41
life that
49:42
people's lives
49:43
are so crowded
49:44
with various
49:45
ways of
49:45
looking at
49:46
life that
49:46
anxiety is
49:48
the outcome
49:48
stress
49:49
affecting
49:51
families
49:52
affecting
49:52
individuals
49:53
affecting
49:54
work
49:54
affecting all
49:55
sorts of
49:56
things in
49:57
human life
49:58
well Paul
49:59
is saying
49:59
he's very
50:00
aware of
50:01
that of
50:01
course
50:01
and remember
50:04
where he's
50:05
writing from
50:05
he's not
50:07
writing from
50:08
the ease
50:09
of a country
50:10
house somewhere
50:11
where he's
50:11
able to relax
50:12
and take it
50:13
easy
50:13
he's writing
50:14
from a prison
50:15
cell
50:15
he's writing
50:15
from being
50:16
imprisoned
50:17
he's writing
50:17
being chained
50:18
to a Roman
50:19
soldier
50:19
as he writes
50:20
to these
50:21
beloved
50:21
Philippians
50:22
that's the
50:22
situation
50:23
that's his
50:24
context
50:24
and yet he's
50:25
saying in
50:25
that context
50:26
rejoice in
50:27
the Lord
50:28
always
50:28
and in that
50:29
context he's
50:30
saying let
50:30
your reasonableness
50:31
be known to
50:32
all men
50:33
here he is
50:34
with this
50:34
Roman soldier
50:35
chained to
50:35
him
50:36
if this
50:36
soldier asks
50:37
him something
50:37
why is it
50:38
that you're
50:39
so content
50:39
Paul
50:40
why is it
50:40
that you
50:41
have this
50:41
outlook on
50:42
life
50:42
well in a
50:43
reasonable way
50:44
he's going to
50:45
actually explain
50:46
that to him
50:47
now he's saying
50:48
don't be anxious
50:49
about anything
50:51
what a remarkable
50:53
thing for a man
50:54
in prison to say
50:55
to those he's
50:56
writing to
50:56
but that's how
50:57
it is
50:57
now he's saying
50:59
it's not a magic
51:01
formula
51:02
it's not something
51:03
in which
51:05
Paul could
51:07
or anybody
51:08
could actually
51:09
somehow or
51:10
other come up
51:11
with the idea
51:11
well I'm just
51:12
not going to
51:12
worry about
51:13
things anymore
51:14
and that's it
51:15
I'll leave it
51:15
at that
51:15
just don't
51:16
worry
51:16
be happy
51:17
it's far
51:19
from being
51:19
the case
51:20
in prison
51:22
yet he's
51:23
still saying
51:24
in everything
51:25
by prayer
51:26
and supplication
51:27
with thanksgiving
51:28
let your request
51:30
be made known
51:30
to God
51:31
now you could
51:31
fill that out
51:32
we could spend
51:32
a long time
51:33
we haven't got
51:34
the time
51:34
just now to do it
51:36
but these four
51:37
words that he uses
51:38
to describe prayer
51:39
are in themselves
51:40
importance
51:40
the word prayer
51:42
itself which is
51:43
a general word
51:44
expressing pretty much
51:45
everything to do
51:46
with prayer
51:46
and then he uses
51:48
the word supplication
51:49
which is really
51:50
to entreat someone
51:51
to come and to
51:53
specifically
51:55
appeal to God
51:57
and then treat God
51:58
for something
51:59
supplication
52:00
and then there's
52:02
thanksgiving
52:02
if thanksgiving
52:04
is missing
52:05
from our prayers
52:06
we're not praying
52:06
properly
52:07
that's why we always
52:09
seek to
52:09
not just include
52:10
thanksgiving
52:11
actually we should
52:12
try and begin
52:14
with thanksgiving
52:15
we have so much
52:17
to be thankful
52:17
for
52:18
before we come
52:20
to ask
52:20
for anything else
52:21
and Paul is saying
52:23
thanksgiving
52:25
here's a man
52:26
in prison
52:26
saying
52:27
remember to be
52:28
thankful
52:28
when you're bringing
52:30
your concerns
52:30
to God
52:31
in everything
52:32
by prayer
52:33
supplication
52:34
with thanksgiving
52:35
let your request
52:36
be made known
52:37
to God
52:38
a word request
52:38
meaning
52:39
the specific
52:40
items that you're
52:41
setting before
52:42
God in prayer
52:43
and you know
52:44
there is nothing
52:46
too small
52:47
to bring before
52:48
God
52:48
just like there's
52:49
nothing too big
52:50
whatever it is
52:51
you specify
52:52
for yourself
52:53
for your children
52:54
for your relatives
52:55
for your district
52:57
for your neighbors
52:57
whatever it is
52:58
you have
52:59
specific requests
53:00
to put before God
53:01
God is not too big
53:04
to consider these
53:04
God is not saying
53:06
look I am God
53:07
I'm not concerned
53:08
with these things
53:09
as if there were
53:10
trivialities
53:11
make your requests
53:13
known to me
53:13
saying
53:14
as Galick this morning
53:16
we were thinking
53:17
about the patience
53:18
and the long
53:19
suffering of God
53:20
when you come to God
53:22
with your requests
53:23
God is not going to
53:24
turn around and say
53:25
I'm not going to deal
53:26
with that
53:27
that's just far too
53:28
small
53:28
an issue
53:28
to bring before me
53:30
bring me the big
53:31
things in your life
53:32
bring me the big
53:33
concerns
53:33
bring me things
53:34
that affect
53:35
large numbers of people
53:36
or nations in the world
53:37
or big things in your
53:39
own life
53:39
specifically
53:40
that you want to
53:41
major on
53:41
he's not saying that
53:42
he's saying
53:43
make your requests
53:44
known
53:45
whether they're big
53:45
things or small
53:46
nothing's too small
53:47
nothing's too great
53:48
and for the children
53:50
here tonight
53:50
think about this as well
53:52
whatever it is
53:53
that's of concern
53:54
for yourself
53:55
as you grow
53:55
as your life develops
53:57
this is something
53:58
for you as well
53:59
within this wonderful
54:00
passage
54:00
what God is saying
54:02
to you
54:02
rejoice in the Lord
54:03
when Jesus
54:05
is the center
54:06
of your life
54:06
you have a ground
54:07
there of rejoicing
54:08
you have a reason
54:09
to be happy
54:09
above any other
54:11
happiness
54:11
and when it comes
54:13
to asking things
54:14
from God
54:15
whatever it is
54:17
you want to ask him
54:18
as long as it's not
54:20
something that
54:21
would make him
54:23
annoyed
54:23
something that would
54:24
make him
54:25
that's against
54:25
the teaching of the
54:26
Bible to ask for
54:27
you can ask
54:29
for whatever you like
54:31
as long as it's
54:33
according to the
54:33
will of God
54:34
however small
54:35
a thing it might be
54:37
don't ever be
54:38
afraid to go
54:40
to God
54:41
and say
54:41
Lord
54:41
please help me
54:43
with this
54:44
whether it's your
54:46
homework
54:46
or your situation
54:48
in school
54:48
or whatever it is
54:50
with your friends
54:51
if you've fallen out
54:52
or others have fallen
54:53
out with you
54:54
anything at all
54:54
God is saying
54:56
you make your
54:57
requests known
54:58
to me
54:59
bring them
55:00
to me
55:02
and then he
55:04
promises
55:04
and the peace
55:05
of God
55:06
which surpasses
55:07
all understanding
55:08
will guard
55:10
your hearts
55:10
and minds
55:11
in Christ
55:13
Jesus
55:14
so there's
55:15
our anxiety
55:16
there's the
55:17
antidote for it
55:18
in prayer
55:19
the full orb
55:21
prayer
55:21
using all of
55:22
these terms
55:23
and descriptions
55:24
and then comes
55:25
this wonderful
55:26
guardian
55:27
in response
55:28
the guardian
55:29
of our souls
55:30
the peace
55:31
of God
55:32
which passes
55:33
all understanding
55:34
will guard
55:35
your hearts
55:36
and that's exactly
55:36
the word that Paul
55:38
used
55:38
the guardianship
55:39
of our hearts
55:40
and you see
55:41
it's the peace
55:42
of God
55:43
this is not
55:44
some self
55:45
therapy
55:46
that the apostle
55:47
is advising
55:48
these Philippians
55:49
to somehow
55:50
try and
55:50
manufacture
55:51
for themselves
55:52
he's not saying
55:53
if only I had a book
55:54
that I could send you
55:55
as to how to help
55:56
yourself to be happy
55:57
how to help yourself
55:58
to actually
55:59
come to peace
56:00
in your life
56:01
it's the peace
56:03
of God
56:04
it's God
56:06
that creates
56:07
this peace
56:07
in our hearts
56:08
it's a peace
56:09
that comes
56:10
with Jesus
56:11
and with knowing
56:12
Jesus
56:12
that's why
56:12
it's connected
56:13
there
56:14
it's a bullet
56:14
point
56:15
but it's connected
56:15
to the first one
56:16
rejoice
56:17
in the Lord
56:19
because this is
56:20
the peace
56:20
of God
56:21
that will guard
56:23
your hearts
56:23
and mind
56:23
in Christ
56:24
Jesus
56:25
it's not
56:30
some kind
56:32
of
56:32
self therapy
56:34
or just
56:34
persuading yourself
56:35
that you can
56:36
work yourself
56:37
into peace
56:37
it's the peace
56:39
of God
56:39
and you see
56:41
it's not God
56:42
promising
56:43
or Paul saying
56:44
to these Philippians
56:45
you should just
56:46
pray that God
56:47
will take away
56:48
all your troubles
56:48
everything that
56:49
causes you pain
56:50
there's that species
56:52
of theology
56:53
in the world
56:53
today
56:54
that would
56:55
suggest to you
56:55
that actually
56:56
God doesn't want you
56:57
to have any
56:58
difficulties
56:58
in your life
56:59
and that what
57:01
you should pray
57:01
for really
57:02
is that God
57:02
will take away
57:03
all of these
57:03
difficulties
57:04
out of your life
57:05
and then things
57:05
will be well
57:06
and then you'll
57:06
be at peace
57:07
no Paul is saying
57:08
I'm in prison
57:09
I'm writing to you
57:10
from a prison cell
57:11
from my uncomfortableness
57:13
from my pains
57:14
from my own afflictions
57:16
and I'm writing
57:18
to the Philippians
57:18
he's writing
57:19
to these Philippians
57:20
in their circumstances
57:21
of difficulty
57:23
as well
57:23
and he's not saying
57:25
oh God's going
57:26
to take away
57:26
everything that
57:27
causes you pain
57:28
and takes away
57:29
your trials
57:30
and then all
57:30
will be well
57:31
with you
57:31
no he's saying
57:32
in the pain
57:33
in the midst
57:33
of the trials
57:34
as life goes on
57:36
as you come
57:37
to trust in God
57:38
as you come
57:39
to make your concerns
57:40
known to him
57:40
to bring your peace
57:41
to him
57:42
to bring your request
57:43
to him
57:43
that's where his peace
57:45
is going to guard
57:47
your hearts
57:48
as you face
57:50
the difficulties
57:51
as you wrestle
57:53
with the problems
57:54
as you try
57:56
and face up
57:58
to your anxieties
57:59
this he says
58:01
is how to do it
58:02
prayer
58:04
supplication
58:04
thanksgiving
58:05
request to God
58:06
and then the peace
58:08
of God
58:08
which surpasses
58:10
all understanding
58:11
will guard your hearts
58:13
and minds
58:14
through Christ
58:15
Jesus
58:16
isn't it interesting
58:18
that he says
58:18
it passes
58:19
all understanding
58:21
this internal peace
58:23
that God gives
58:24
to his people
58:25
that God gives
58:25
to us
58:26
as an answer
58:27
to prayer
58:28
as an antidote
58:29
to our anxieties
58:30
and a strengthening
58:32
in our toils
58:33
and in our worries
58:34
and our concerns
58:35
and he's saying here
58:39
it passes
58:41
all understanding
58:42
well
58:42
you don't need
58:44
to understand
58:45
every single detail
58:46
or even most
58:47
of the details
58:48
about how
58:49
this peace
58:50
of God
58:51
comes to you
58:52
or how it works
58:53
to guard
58:54
your hearts
58:54
and mind
58:55
you might be able
58:55
to say
58:56
you might be saying
58:56
well I don't understand
58:57
how this peace
58:59
of God
58:59
is able to guard
59:00
my heart
59:01
and mind
59:02
you don't need
59:02
to understand
59:03
that in order
59:03
to have it
59:04
or enjoy it
59:05
or benefit from it
59:06
most of you came
59:09
or many of you
59:10
came here tonight
59:10
in a car
59:13
some of you driving
59:14
some of you in a car
59:15
driven by others
59:16
you don't need
59:18
to understand
59:19
how that engine
59:21
works
59:21
how that engine
59:22
transmits power
59:24
to the wheels
59:25
in order to
59:26
benefit from
59:27
having a car
59:28
you get into it
59:30
you learn to
59:30
drive it
59:31
you don't actually
59:32
have to know
59:33
anything much
59:33
about how the engine
59:34
works
59:35
as long as you
59:35
keep watching
59:36
the warning lights
59:37
and then take it
59:38
to the mechanic
59:38
but you don't need
59:41
to actually know
59:41
how it works
59:42
to benefit from it
59:44
to travel in it
59:45
for it to be
59:46
wonderfully efficient
59:47
for you
59:48
that's what he's
59:50
saying about
59:50
the peace of God
59:51
it surpasses
59:53
all understanding
59:54
you can't possibly
59:55
understand everything
59:56
to do with it
59:57
you can't pack all
59:58
of that into your
59:59
head into your
59:59
heart
1:00:00
because it's the
1:00:01
peace of God
1:00:02
it's the peace
1:00:04
that Jesus
1:00:04
died in order
1:00:05
to achieve
1:00:06
for us
1:00:07
no way we can
1:00:08
understand
1:00:08
every detail
1:00:10
of that
1:00:10
but the thing
1:00:10
is you don't
1:00:11
have to
1:00:11
the wonderful
1:00:13
thing is
1:00:14
you can have
1:00:15
it
1:00:15
and you have
1:00:17
it in Christ
1:00:18
it's yours
1:00:20
when he is yours
1:00:21
and it comes
1:00:24
as an answer
1:00:26
to these
1:00:27
aspects of prayer
1:00:28
that he's dealt
1:00:29
with
1:00:29
to bring out
1:00:31
anxieties
1:00:32
to God
1:00:33
and he's saying
1:00:34
it will guard
1:00:35
your hearts
1:00:37
that's an important
1:00:37
word
1:00:38
it will guard
1:00:39
your hearts
1:00:39
our heart
1:00:40
needs to be
1:00:41
guarded
1:00:41
Paul has
1:00:42
a vision here
1:00:43
almost like
1:00:44
these anxieties
1:00:45
these worries
1:00:46
coming to
1:00:47
invade the
1:00:48
space of our
1:00:49
soul
1:00:50
just like
1:00:50
an invading
1:00:51
army
1:00:51
and what he's
1:00:53
saying
1:00:53
you face
1:00:54
the invasion
1:00:55
that's coming
1:00:55
from these
1:00:55
anxious thoughts
1:00:56
that keep
1:00:57
rising up
1:00:57
in your soul
1:00:58
that come
1:00:59
as you look
1:00:59
at things
1:01:00
around you
1:01:01
or in your
1:01:02
family life
1:01:02
or in your
1:01:03
own life
1:01:03
whatever it
1:01:04
is
1:01:04
very often
1:01:05
the host
1:01:06
of these
1:01:06
anxieties
1:01:07
are just
1:01:08
like an
1:01:08
army
1:01:08
invading
1:01:09
your soul
1:01:09
and Paul
1:01:10
is saying
1:01:11
the peace
1:01:12
of God
1:01:13
is your
1:01:13
guardian
1:01:14
it's
1:01:15
standing
1:01:16
on sentry
1:01:17
duty
1:01:17
in your
1:01:17
heart
1:01:18
and that's
1:01:20
how you
1:01:20
face
1:01:21
the anxieties
1:01:21
you look
1:01:23
to the
1:01:23
peace
1:01:24
of God
1:01:24
and you
1:01:26
bring
1:01:26
yourself
1:01:27
before God
1:01:28
in prayer
1:01:29
and the
1:01:30
peace
1:01:30
of God
1:01:31
as he's
1:01:31
pleased
1:01:32
to bring
1:01:32
it to
1:01:32
you
1:01:33
is the
1:01:34
way God
1:01:34
garrisons
1:01:35
your heart
1:01:35
and gives
1:01:37
you that
1:01:37
peace
1:01:37
remember
1:01:38
wonderful
1:01:38
words
1:01:38
of Isaiah
1:01:39
and I'm
1:01:40
just about
1:01:40
finished
1:01:40
Isaiah
1:01:42
when he
1:01:44
wrote in
1:01:44
chapter
1:01:45
26
1:01:46
words I'm
1:01:47
sure you're
1:01:47
very familiar
1:01:47
with but
1:01:48
they're
1:01:48
wonderful
1:01:49
words
1:01:49
where he
1:01:50
says we
1:01:51
have a
1:01:51
strong
1:01:52
city
1:01:52
this song
1:01:54
will be
1:01:54
sung in
1:01:55
the land
1:01:55
of Judah
1:01:56
this is
1:01:56
words that
1:01:57
he was
1:01:58
setting out
1:01:58
as a
1:01:59
song to
1:01:59
be sung
1:02:00
open the
1:02:01
gates
1:02:01
we have
1:02:01
a strong
1:02:02
city
1:02:02
he sets
1:02:03
up salvation
1:02:04
as walls
1:02:05
and bulwarks
1:02:06
open the
1:02:07
gates
1:02:07
that the
1:02:07
righteous
1:02:07
nation
1:02:08
that keeps
1:02:08
faith
1:02:09
may enter
1:02:09
in
1:02:09
then he
1:02:10
says this
1:02:10
you keep
1:02:12
him in
1:02:13
perfect
1:02:13
peace
1:02:14
whose
1:02:15
mind
1:02:15
has
1:02:16
stayed
1:02:16
on
1:02:16
you
1:02:17
because
1:02:18
he
1:02:18
trusts
1:02:18
in
1:02:19
you
1:02:19
trust
1:02:20
in
1:02:20
the
1:02:20
Lord
1:02:20
forever
1:02:21
for
1:02:22
the
1:02:22
Lord
1:02:22
God
1:02:22
is
1:02:23
an
1:02:23
everlasting
1:02:23
rock
1:02:24
wonderful
1:02:26
combination
1:02:27
of terms
1:02:28
but you
1:02:28
see what
1:02:29
he's
1:02:29
saying
1:02:29
you
1:02:30
will
1:02:30
keep
1:02:30
him
1:02:31
you
1:02:31
Lord
1:02:32
will
1:02:32
keep
1:02:33
him
1:02:33
in
1:02:33
perfect
1:02:34
peace
1:02:34
the
1:02:35
peace
1:02:35
that
1:02:35
is
1:02:35
your
1:02:35
own
1:02:36
you
1:02:37
will
1:02:37
give
1:02:38
that
1:02:38
to
1:02:38
him
1:02:38
who
1:02:39
trusts
1:02:39
in
1:02:40
you
1:02:40
whose
1:02:40
mind
1:02:41
is
1:02:41
stayed
1:02:42
on
1:02:42
you
1:02:42
because
1:02:43
he
1:02:43
trusts
1:02:43
in
1:02:43
you
1:02:44
now
1:02:44
it's
1:02:44
not
1:02:44
the
1:02:44
trust
1:02:45
that
1:02:45
forms
1:02:45
the
1:02:46
basis
1:02:46
of
1:02:46
confidence
1:02:47
for
1:02:47
Isaiah
1:02:47
you could
1:02:48
say
1:02:48
with
1:02:48
if you
1:02:49
wanted
1:02:49
to
1:02:49
emphasize
1:02:50
the
1:02:50
words
1:02:50
you
1:02:51
will
1:02:51
keep
1:02:52
him
1:02:52
in
1:02:52
perfect
1:02:52
peace
1:02:53
whose
1:02:53
mind
1:02:54
is
1:02:54
stayed
1:02:54
on
1:02:55
you
1:02:55
because
1:02:56
it
1:02:56
is
1:02:56
in
1:02:57
you
1:02:57
that
1:02:58
he
1:02:58
trusts
1:02:59
that's
1:03:00
the
1:03:00
secret
1:03:00
of
1:03:01
the
1:03:01
peace
1:03:01
it's
1:03:02
in
1:03:02
you
1:03:03
that
1:03:03
he
1:03:03
trusts
1:03:03
you
1:03:04
Lord
1:03:05
are
1:03:06
the
1:03:06
source
1:03:06
of
1:03:06
the
1:03:06
peace
1:03:07
and
1:03:07
therefore
1:03:07
you
1:03:08
Lord
1:03:08
are
1:03:08
the
1:03:08
one
1:03:09
he
1:03:09
trusts
1:03:10
in
1:03:10
and
1:03:11
as
1:03:11
trusting
1:03:11
in
1:03:12
you
1:03:12
you
1:03:13
will
1:03:13
keep
1:03:13
him
1:03:13
in
1:03:14
your
1:03:14
peace
1:03:15
because
1:03:19
the
1:03:19
Lord
1:03:19
God
1:03:20
is
1:03:20
an
1:03:20
everlasting
1:03:20
rock
1:03:21
that's
1:03:23
essentially
1:03:23
what
1:03:23
Paul
1:03:24
is
1:03:24
saying
1:03:24
Christ
1:03:26
is
1:03:26
your
1:03:27
rock
1:03:27
Jesus
1:03:28
is
1:03:28
your
1:03:29
rock
1:03:29
the
1:03:30
Lord
1:03:31
is
1:03:31
your
1:03:31
rock
1:03:31
and
1:03:33
as
1:03:33
the
1:03:34
rock
1:03:34
your
1:03:35
rock
1:03:35
he
1:03:35
is
1:03:36
the
1:03:36
source
1:03:36
of
1:03:37
your
1:03:37
peace
1:03:37
because
1:03:38
as
1:03:39
he
1:03:39
says
1:03:39
here
1:03:39
it
1:03:40
will
1:03:40
keep
1:03:40
your
1:03:41
hearts
1:03:41
and
1:03:41
minds
1:03:42
in
1:03:43
Christ
1:03:43
Jesus
1:03:44
you
1:03:46
see
1:03:46
the way
1:03:46
he
1:03:47
wonderfully
1:03:47
provides
1:03:48
what you
1:03:48
might say
1:03:49
is a
1:03:49
literary
1:03:50
envelope
1:03:51
where he
1:03:52
says
1:03:53
in the
1:03:53
Lord
1:03:54
in
1:03:54
verse
1:03:54
four
1:03:54
and
1:03:55
he
1:03:55
finishes
1:03:55
verse
1:03:56
seven
1:03:56
in
1:03:57
Christ
1:03:57
Jesus
1:03:58
same
1:03:58
thing
1:03:58
and
1:03:59
within
1:03:59
the
1:04:00
envelope
1:04:02
if you
1:04:03
like
1:04:03
where you
1:04:03
have
1:04:03
these
1:04:04
two
1:04:04
sides
1:04:05
within
1:04:06
the
1:04:06
contents
1:04:06
of
1:04:07
the
1:04:07
envelope
1:04:07
you
1:04:08
have
1:04:08
all
1:04:08
of
1:04:08
these
1:04:08
wonderful
1:04:09
things
1:04:09
the
1:04:09
rejoicing
1:04:10
the
1:04:10
reasonableness
1:04:11
the
1:04:12
peace
1:04:12
of
1:04:13
God
1:04:13
you
1:04:17
make
1:04:17
it
1:04:17
yours
1:04:18
by
1:04:20
having
1:04:20
Jesus
1:04:21
as
1:04:21
yours
1:04:21
you
1:04:23
don't
1:04:24
manufacture
1:04:24
this
1:04:24
peace
1:04:25
but you
1:04:25
don't
1:04:25
have
1:04:26
to
1:04:26
you
1:04:27
and I
1:04:28
couldn't
1:04:28
do it
1:04:28
anyway
1:04:29
what
1:04:30
you
1:04:31
do
1:04:31
need
1:04:31
to
1:04:31
have
1:04:32
is
1:04:33
to
1:04:33
have
1:04:33
your
1:04:33
trust
1:04:34
and
1:04:34
faith
1:04:35
in
1:04:35
the
1:04:35
Lord
1:04:35
Jesus
1:04:35
Christ
1:04:36
and
1:04:38
to
1:04:38
do
1:04:38
that
1:04:38
you
1:04:39
accept
1:04:40
him
1:04:40
as
1:04:41
he's
1:04:41
offered
1:04:41
in
1:04:41
the
1:04:41
gospel
1:04:42
as
1:04:42
a
1:04:42
saviour
1:04:43
to
1:04:43
us
1:04:43
as
1:04:44
the
1:04:44
saviour
1:04:44
as
1:04:45
our
1:04:46
redeemer
1:04:46
the
1:04:48
only
1:04:48
redeemer
1:04:48
do
1:04:53
you
1:04:54
have
1:04:54
something
1:04:54
greater
1:04:56
than
1:04:56
happiness
1:04:57
greater
1:04:59
than
1:04:59
happiness
1:05:00
in
1:05:00
worldly
1:05:00
terms
1:05:01
do
1:05:03
you
1:05:04
have
1:05:04
the
1:05:04
peace
1:05:04
of
1:05:04
God
1:05:05
the
1:05:06
rejoicing
1:05:07
that's
1:05:07
yours
1:05:08
in
1:05:08
Christ
1:05:08
do
1:05:10
you
1:05:10
have
1:05:10
Jesus
1:05:11
himself
1:05:12
do
1:05:13
you
1:05:14
know
1:05:14
him
1:05:14
whom
1:05:17
to
1:05:17
know
1:05:17
is
1:05:17
life
1:05:18
and
1:05:19
peace
1:05:19
friends
1:05:20
there
1:05:21
is
1:05:21
a
1:05:22
lasting
1:05:22
joy
1:05:23
there
1:05:24
is
1:05:25
a
1:05:25
lasting
1:05:25
peace
1:05:26
it
1:05:27
is
1:05:28
yours
1:05:28
in
1:05:28
abundance
1:05:29
in
1:05:30
the
1:05:30
Lord
1:05:30
Jesus
1:05:31
Christ
1:05:31
and
1:05:33
if
1:05:33
he's
1:05:33
not
1:05:33
yours
1:05:34
tonight
1:05:34
don't
1:05:37
you
1:05:37
want
1:05:38
him
1:05:38
and
1:05:40
if
1:05:40
you
1:05:40
want
1:05:40
him
1:05:41
don't
1:05:42
you
1:05:42
want
1:05:42
to
1:05:42
take
1:05:42
him
1:05:42
now
1:05:43
is
1:05:45
this
1:05:45
not
1:05:46
your
1:05:46
opportunity
1:05:46
to
1:05:48
come
1:05:48
to
1:05:49
know
1:05:49
a
1:05:50
joy
1:05:50
and
1:05:50
peace
1:05:51
that
1:05:52
no
1:05:52
power
1:05:53
on
1:05:53
earth
1:05:53
or
1:05:53
in
1:05:53
hell
1:05:54
can
1:05:55
ever
1:05:55
destroy
1:05:56
may
1:05:57
God
1:05:57
bless
1:05:58
these
1:05:58
thoughts
1:05:58
on his
1:05:59
word
1:05:59
to us
1:06:00
let's
1:06:01
conclude
1:06:01
now
1:06:02
by
1:06:03
singing
1:06:03
to
1:06:03
God's
1:06:03
praise
1:06:04
in
1:06:04
psalm
1:06:04
number
1:06:04
four
1:06:05
psalm
1:06:06
four
1:06:06
in
1:06:07
the
1:06:07
sing
1:06:07
psalms
1:06:07
version
1:06:08
on
1:06:09
page
1:06:10
number
1:06:10
four
1:06:10
and
1:06:14
we'll
1:06:14
read
1:06:15
from
1:06:15
verse
1:06:15
four
1:06:15
these
1:06:16
final
1:06:16
four
1:06:16
verses
1:06:16
in
1:06:17
anger
1:06:17
do
1:06:17
not
1:06:18
break
1:06:18
God's
1:06:18
law
1:06:19
consider
1:06:19
and
1:06:19
be
1:06:20
still
1:06:20
present
1:06:21
a
1:06:21
righteous
1:06:22
sacrifice
1:06:22
and
1:06:23
wait
1:06:23
upon
1:06:24
his
1:06:24
will
1:06:24
or
1:06:25
who
1:06:25
can
1:06:26
show
1:06:26
us
1:06:26
any
1:06:26
good
1:06:27
I
1:06:27
hear
1:06:28
so
1:06:28
many
1:06:28
say
1:06:29
O Lord
1:06:30
shine
1:06:30
on us
1:06:31
with
1:06:31
your
1:06:31
light
1:06:31
show
1:06:32
us
1:06:33
your
1:06:33
face
1:06:33
I
1:06:34
pray
1:06:34
and
1:06:34
so
1:06:35
on
1:06:35
to
1:06:35
the
1:06:35
end
1:06:35
of
1:06:35
the
1:06:35
psalm
1:06:36
in
1:06:36
anger
1:06:36
do
1:06:37
not
1:06:37
break
1:06:37
God's
1:06:38
law
1:06:38
in
1:06:45
anger
1:06:47
do
1:06:48
not
1:06:50
break
1:06:51
God's
1:06:52
law
1:06:53
consider
1:06:56
and
1:06:58
he
1:07:00
I
1:07:04
st
1:07:13
god's
1:07:14
will
1:07:17
O who can show us any good
1:07:28
I hear so many say
1:07:36
O Lord, shine up as with your light
1:07:46
Show us your face, I pray
1:07:55
You filled my heart with greater joy
1:08:06
Than others may have found
1:08:14
As they rejoice at harvest time
1:08:24
When green and white abide
1:08:30
I will lie down and sleep in peace
1:08:42
My heart will rest secure
1:08:50
For you alone, O gracious Lord
1:09:01
Will keep me safe and sure
1:09:08
Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
1:09:13
The love of God the Father
1:09:14
And the communion of the Holy Spirit
1:09:16
Be with you now and evermore
1:09:19
Amen