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Opportunities, Opposition and Optimism · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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We're going to begin our worship of God now, singing firstly tonight, today in Psalm 46,
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in the Scottish Psalter, Psalm 46.
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We're going to be focusing later on in the service on the supremacy, a rule of Jesus,
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or God through Jesus Christ. So we'll sing these well-known words, I'm sure for most of us,
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in Psalm 46, the tune of Stroudwater, God is our refuge and our strength, in straits a present aid.
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Therefore, although the earth remove, we will not be afraid.
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Though hills amidst the seas be cast, though waters roaring make and troubled be,
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yea, though the hills by swelling seas do shake.
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We'll sing to the end of verse 7, God is our refuge and our strength.
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If you're able to stand, please stand to sing.
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What is our refuge and our strength, in straits a present aid?
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Therefore, although the earth we have, we will not be afraid.
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For the flames of the best we will not be afraid,
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For the hills amidst the sea be cast,
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While waters falling make and troubled be,
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by swearing seeds to shake.
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And when the desert streams to die,
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the city of the God,
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the holy place where the Lord
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most high hath is the Lord.
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In the midst of heart doth dwell,
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nothing shall the re-boot.
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The Lord to die on Elmeroo,
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on that right air he knew.
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The evil bridge to outrust thee,
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the kingdom's new let dwell.
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The Lord your love, the lax is born,
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the earth did melt for thee.
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The Lord of hosts upon our side,
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the hope shall thee remain.
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The God of thee,
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the God of the rest of the rest,
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the Lord have still thee to maintain.
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Well, let's now pray.
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The prayer is going to focus mostly on the children and young folks just now.
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Lord, our God, we thank you for the truth of these great words that we have been singing,
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that you have given us to sing.
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For they are part of the record of your word,
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that God is our refuge and our strength,
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in our straits of very present help in our times of need.
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And we give thanks, Lord, today that we can sing these words
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with the conviction that we know from our own experience as you people that they are true.
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For you have proved yourself down through the generations
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to be one who is utterly trustworthy and dependable.
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And we give thanks that you are the God today whom we worship.
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Bless then, we pray today, our young people.
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Bless our children.
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Grant them your blessing in all their activities,
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in all that they learn of your word and of the gospel.
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Lord, we pray that your Holy Spirit will lay these things to their heart
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and that as they learn them, they will apply them in their own lives day by day
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and realize more and more the importance of being related to God in a saving way
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and of placing God first in their lives.
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So bless them today and bless all who teach them.
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Help them, Lord, at this time of holiday as well,
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that they will know of your blessing to enable them to relax and rest.
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And give us, we pray, to value those things that we have at times
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when we are able to turn aside from a normal course of life
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into a time of rest and recovery.
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Bless us then now in the remainder of the service and throughout this day.
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We ask it all with the pardon of our sin for Jesus' sake.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Well, children, since I retired, since I left and went to live in Tongue,
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and you're welcome to come and see me anytime, come and see us there.
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But one of the pleasures is taking Roscoe for a walk every morning.
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Everybody knows who Roscoe is, I'm sure.
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Those are our visitors.
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Roscoe's our wee Jack Russell.
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He's 14 now, still quite lively, keeps you on your toes.
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But I take him for a walk every morning, usually around 7 in the morning or so,
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down to the beach nearby.
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And last week, it wasn't quite fully light when I went down with him.
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And I looked out on a large area of rock jutting up above the sea level.
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I thought what I saw was a seal.
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I'd seen a seal there some weeks before that.
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And I thought, this is definitely a seal.
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It's pulled itself up out of the water.
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It's lying on this rock.
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And I was sure, even though I couldn't see because it wasn't quite daylight properly,
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I was sure I saw it move.
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So I went down, and I thought, it'd be good to get a photograph.
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I had my phone in my pocket.
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So I crept out with Roscoe on the lead across an area of seaweed.
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Tide was quite far out.
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And then as I reached closer and closer, I thought, no, it's not actually moving.
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And it turned out it was just a huge rock sitting on top of this area of rock.
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And as I'd pulled Roscoe along on his lead, I turned around, and he looked at me as if to say,
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you stupid man.
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You should have been dragging me all this way just to see a large rock.
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Well, it looked like a seal from a distance.
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And it reminded me of how the Bible teaches us or warns us against something that looks like being a Christian,
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but not really a Christian.
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Or something that looks really like the gospel or the teachings of the Bible,
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but isn't really true to the Bible.
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There are many ways of belief that you can actually follow.
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And sometimes, as the Bible tells us, there's a belief which has Christian things in it or attached to it,
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but isn't really the true gospel.
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And salvation is not really found except in the true gospel and in a saving relationship with Jesus.
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Now, Paul, when he was writing to Timothy, he said there would be a time
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when people would have a form of godliness, but lacking or denying the power.
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And so for you children today, and for us as adults too,
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it's important to realize that salvation includes, very much includes, a proper relationship to Jesus.
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If somebody looks like a Christian and acts like a Christian,
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somebody will say, well, I live a good life.
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I don't use bad language.
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I don't abuse other people.
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I don't do the bad things that I see in the world.
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So is that not enough to be a Christian?
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Well, you ask them, well, what's your relationship with Jesus?
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Oh, I don't want to know Jesus.
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I don't want to be that religious.
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But I think I'm okay as I am.
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Well, the Bible is saying to us, that looks like what a Christian is.
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That looks like Christianity, but it's not.
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Because you have to have this personal relationship with Jesus as your Savior in order to actually know eternal life in him.
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And so when the Bible tells us to be aware of that, how do we actually ensure, how do we make sure that what we've got is not just something that looks like Christianity or looks like what being a Christian is about, but isn't really?
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Well, as I say, the first thing is, how do you relate to Jesus?
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What place does Jesus have in your life?
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Is Jesus the most important person in your whole life?
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And if you can say that he is, that's what it's like to be a Christian.
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No Christian is perfect.
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I'm not perfect.
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Nobody in here is perfect.
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But Jesus is, and as a perfect Savior, he is always dependable for us.
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So remember, being a Christian is not to be like what the Bible describes a Christian to be.
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Having a Savior is not something that looks like Jesus, someone who appears like Jesus, making up your own mind of what the Bible teaches.
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It has to be a proper, saving, believing relationship with Jesus.
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All the things the Bible tells us belong to a Christian life must be found in our life too, rather than just something that looks like it.
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So be sure, children, that you're following Jesus, that you're trusting in Jesus, that the Jesus of the Bible is your Savior,
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and that you're following him so that you have in him eternal life, whatever happens in this world.
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Well, we're going to say the Lord's Prayer again together.
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Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
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Thy kingdom come.
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Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
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And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
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For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
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Amen.
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We're going to sing again now some verses to God's praise this time in Psalm 115.
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Psalm 115.
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That's on page 395.
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Tune is St. Thomas.
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We're singing from verse 12, page 395, Psalm 115.
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The Lord of us hath mindful been, and he will bless us still.
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He will the house of Israel bless.
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Bless Aaron's house he will.
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Both small and great that fear the Lord, he will them surely bless.
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The Lord will you, you and your seed, a more and more increase.
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His wonderful words of promise that when God's people are faithful to himself, they can indeed
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rightly expect his blessing, and his blessing to continue with them according to his own
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great promises.
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We'll sing these verses 12 to 18.
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The Lord of us hath mindful been.
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The Lord of us hath mindful been, and he will bless us still.
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He will the house of Israel bless.
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Blessed are God's hearts he will.
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the Lord of us hath mindful been, and he will be, and he will be, and he will be, and he will be, and he will be.
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Blessed be blessed, the Lord the Lord, and you see thy more and more increase.
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Blessed are ye all the Lord, the mighty earth of heaven.
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Blessed be blessed, the Lord, and you see thy more and more.
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Blessed be blessed, the Lord, and you see thy more and more.
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Blessed be blessed, the Lord, and you see thy more and more.
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Blessed be blessed, the Lord, and you see thy more and more.
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Blessed be blessed, the Lord, and you see thy more and more.
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Blessed be blessed, the Lord, and you see thy more and more.
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Blessed be blessed, the Lord, and you see thy more and more.
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Blessed be blessed, the Lord, and you see thy more and more.
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Blessed be blessed, the Lord, and you see thy more and more.
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Yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
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Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not, but
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lie.
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Behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have
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loved you.
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Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world,
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to try those who dwell on the earth.
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I am coming soon.
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Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
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The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.
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Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God,
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and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem,
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which comes down from my God out of heaven,
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and my own new name.
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He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
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And to the angel of the church in Laodicea,
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write the words of the Amen,
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the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
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I know your works.
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You are neither hot nor cold.
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Would that you were either cold or hot.
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So because you are lukewarm,
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and neither hot nor cold,
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I will spit you out of my mouth.
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For you say,
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I am rich,
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I have prospered,
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and I need nothing,
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not realizing that you are wretched,
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pitiable,
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poor,
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blind,
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and naked.
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I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire,
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so that you may be rich,
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and white garments,
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so that you may clothe yourself,
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and the shame of your nakedness be not seen,
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and salve to anoint your eyes,
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so that you may see.
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Those whom I love,
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I reprove and discipline,
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so be zealous and repent.
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Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
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If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
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I will come in to him and eat with him,
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and he with me.
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The one who conquers,
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I will grant him to sit with me on my throne,
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as I also conquered,
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and sat down with my father on his throne.
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He who is anear,
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let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
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Again, we pray that God will bless this reading of his word to us.
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Let's join together once again in prayer.
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Lord, our gracious God,
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we are conscious from these readings in your word,
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that we come to the one who is described here
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as above all things and presiding
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over all the events that ever happened in history.
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We thank you today for the privilege of drawing near to you,
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of coming before your throne,
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of worshipping you as we seek to do in spirit and in truth.
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We thank you, Lord,
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for the many promises that come to meet us
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as we come to you through your word,
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and through especially the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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We thank you today for the way that he is our access to you,
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that he is the way, the truth, and the life,
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and that no one comes to the Father except through him.
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We bless you for the way that he is the way,
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the truth, and the life is so abundant in grace
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and in love and in mercy.
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We thank you that even as we contemplate,
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as we read in these words of the final judgment of all,
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we know that he will do all things right.
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We pray, Lord, today that your blessing will reach us here
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as we meet in your name.
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We thank you once again for the privilege
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of being together to worship you,
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and we pray that all the privileges we have in this life
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will be blessed to us
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and will be appreciated by us,
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and that we will treasure them in our hearts.
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For it is in your kindness and your goodness,
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O Lord,
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that you have dispensed so many good things to us,
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and we know as a people how we can look back over many years
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and realize that in this place in which we live,
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in common with many other places in the world,
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there are so many good things to enjoy.
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And we thank you today for your day,
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for this Lord's day,
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for this day that you have set apart
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so that we would keep it holy to yourself,
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that we might enjoy its benefits,
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that these might come each successive week
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to remind us, O Lord,
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that your goodness in providing this for us
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is a goodness that dispenses to us
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so many good things.
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Bless your day to us, we pray,
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and grant that we may in every endeavor
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we have to maintain it,
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and that we would know your own blessing
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and help in doing so.
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And we pray, Lord,
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when we face so many other views of this day
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and so many activities
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that are not conducive to our right advance
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in holiness and grace.
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Lord, we pray today
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that every attempt to undermine,
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to overthrow your holy day
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might indeed be thwarted by yourself.
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Lord, you know how our hearts crave
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that everybody should enjoy
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the good things of life
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and that we should seek, O Lord,
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that all around us would enjoy
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the benefits of a Lord's day,
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the benefits of rest,
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the benefits of rest for mind and for body,
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the benefits of worshipping together
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in the name of Christ.
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And we pray, gracious one,
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that all attempts in the present day
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that we're so aware of,
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that you would come, O Lord,
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and show how this day has been so beneficial
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in our history,
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in our society,
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and in our own culture locally.
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And we ask that you would enable us,
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as we appreciate your day,
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to take our stand meaningfully
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and tactfully and lovingly
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against all attempts
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that would seek to overthrow
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those things that are precious to us.
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And so we ask that you would hear us
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in our prayers
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as we address these matters to you.
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We pray, Lord,
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that you would give us
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in reaching out with the gospel
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into our neighborhoods
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and throughout our whole country
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at this time.
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We pray, gracious one,
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that you would bless the gospel,
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that you would help us
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in an unashamed stand for it,
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to know your blessing following,
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and give us the kind of life, O Lord,
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that would commend your gospel,
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that would commend your word,
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so that we ourselves
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may not act contrary
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to those things
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that we recommend to others.
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We pray for a spirit of love
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to continue to pervade us
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in our dealings one with another.
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And we ask, O Lord,
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that you would continue
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to own and bless your word
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amongst us especially.
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Hide your face, we pray,
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from our sins,
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for we all individually
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have sins to confess.
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And as we confess them, Lord,
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we pray that you would be pleased
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to forgive,
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to restore,
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to lift us up in righteousness,
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and to enable us
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to progress as a people,
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not in the things
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which we ourselves
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might imagine
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are the basis
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of a true prosperity,
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but give us, Lord,
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we pray,
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to prosper in the things
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of the gospel,
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to prosper in holiness
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and righteousness of life,
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and to prosper in a way
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that would commend
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the things of God
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in a knowledge
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that they are
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above all else
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the things
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that you have provided
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for us to enjoy.
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Bless this congregation.
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Continue, Lord,
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to be with them
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each and every week
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that goes by.
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Bless them in all
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their endeavors
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in the gospel
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to reach out
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with the message
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of Christ
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and of salvation
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in him.
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We ask that you'd bless
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each and every activity
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in the congregation
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along with the regular
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services of worship.
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We pray your blessing
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for those today, Lord,
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who come to avail themselves
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of the advantages
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that we have
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in the congregation here.
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We ask that you would
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bless these times
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of meeting together
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in different ways,
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and we pray that they'd be
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blessed to young
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and old alike.
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Bless, we pray,
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our generation.
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Bless our young people.
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Continue to provide for them.
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We pray those things
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that are wholesome,
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those things that,
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in the gospel especially,
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will give them
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to thrive spiritually
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and mentally and physically.
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And help us, we pray,
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to be living examples
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to them.
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Remember our nation
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at this time, we pray.
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And remember the nations
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of the world
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in times of great turmoil.
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Remember the places
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where war and terror
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and persecution
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and such a drastic loss
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of life is so evident,
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Lord, as we see
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in our news items
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day by day.
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Bring peace, we pray,
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where there is war.
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Bring people to lay down
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their opposition
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and hostility
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to one another.
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And grant that you would
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create through the advance
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of your kingdom
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that situation
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and these conditions
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that will prove to be
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of benefit to us all.
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Lord, continue with us
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now, we pray.
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Hear us in this prayer
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and pardon our many sins
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for Jesus' sake.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Well, before we turn back
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to that passage
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in Revelation,
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let's sing once again.
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Singing in the
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Sing Psalms version
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this time.
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Psalm 103.
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The tune is
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before the throne.
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We're singing
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verses 1 to 11.
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That's on page 135
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of the Psalm books.
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Praise God, my soul.
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With all my heart,
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let me exalt
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his holy name.
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Forget not all
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his benefits,
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his praise,
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my soul,
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and song proclaim.
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The Lord forgives you
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all your sins
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and heals your sickness
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and distress.
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Your life he rescues
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from the grave
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and crowns you
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in his tenderness.
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Psalm 103,
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verses 1 to 11.
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Amen.
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Psalm 103,
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verse 1.
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Let me exalt
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his holy name.
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Forget not all
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his benefits,
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his praise,
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my soul,
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and crowns you
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in song proclaim.
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The Lord forgives you
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all your sins
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and heals your sickness
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and distress.
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Your life he rescues
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from the grave
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and drowns you
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in his tenderness.
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and crowns you
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in his tenderness.
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And bless you
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in his tenderness.
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Father,
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I swear to you
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decide
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from his
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amending
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stores of good
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so that just like
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the eagle's strength
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your youth will make
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a lift
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renewed.
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The Lord has zoned
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for righteous act
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and justice
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to down-throught
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and wards.
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To Moses he made
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no choice
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his mighty deeds
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to his
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well-sons.
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His mighty deeds
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to his
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well-sons.
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For his merciful
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and kind
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to hunger
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slow
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and full
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of grace
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he will not
29:31
thoughts
29:32
and fleeting
29:34
prove
29:34
or in his
29:37
anger
29:38
hide his face.
29:41
He does not
29:43
punish
29:44
our misdeeds
29:47
or kill
29:49
our sins
29:50
their just reward.
29:54
How great
29:55
is love
29:56
as high
29:58
as
29:58
heaven
29:59
towards
30:01
all those
30:02
who fear
30:03
the Lord.
30:06
Towards
30:07
all those
30:08
who fear
30:09
the Lord.
30:14
Well,
30:14
please turn with me
30:15
now to the passage
30:16
we read in Revelation
30:17
chapter 3.
30:21
We're going to look
30:22
for a short time
30:23
at verses 7
30:24
to 13.
30:26
this letter
30:27
that's headed
30:28
the letter
30:28
to the church
30:30
in Philadelphia.
30:31
Not to Philadelphia
30:32
of course.
30:33
We know nowadays
30:33
in the USA
30:34
but Philadelphia
30:35
and that area
30:36
where these other
30:37
churches were
30:38
situated
30:39
and about the
30:40
Ephesus
30:40
area there
30:42
in Laodicea.
30:44
So from verse 7
30:46
until the angel
30:47
of the church
30:47
in Philadelphia
30:48
write
30:49
the words
30:50
of the Holy One
30:51
the True One
30:52
who has the key
30:53
of David
30:53
who opens
30:54
and no one
30:55
will shut
30:55
who shuts
30:56
and no one
30:57
opens.
31:00
Well,
31:01
you might say
31:01
the whole of the book
31:02
of the Revelation
31:03
is about the supremacy
31:05
of Jesus.
31:07
It's about the way
31:08
that he and his people
31:10
will ultimately prevail
31:11
through his grace,
31:13
through his power,
31:14
through his rule
31:15
not by anything
31:17
in which they themselves
31:19
are qualified
31:19
to have such
31:21
a status.
31:22
and as you look
31:24
at these two chapters
31:25
the letters
31:26
to the seven churches
31:27
I think we can take it
31:28
that because
31:29
they're seven churches
31:30
not that they weren't
31:31
through historical churches
31:33
they were in fact
31:34
actual churches
31:36
at the time
31:36
but because
31:38
the number seven
31:39
in many ways
31:40
in the Bible
31:40
in many places
31:41
is a number
31:42
that has to do
31:43
with completeness
31:44
or wholeness
31:45
we can take
31:46
these seven letters
31:48
as indicative
31:49
of God's message
31:51
to the church
31:52
at all times.
31:54
In other words
31:54
when you take
31:55
these letters
31:56
to the seven churches
31:57
there
31:58
that applies
31:59
then to the church
32:01
wherever the church
32:02
is placed
32:02
because there are
32:03
things in them
32:04
not that every detail
32:05
is applicable
32:06
to every church
32:07
but the principles
32:09
in it
32:10
and the basic message
32:12
in these letters
32:15
really applies
32:16
to the whole church
32:18
in every age.
32:21
It deals with things
32:22
like decline
32:22
life
32:24
recovery
32:25
service
32:26
and the relationship
32:28
with God
32:29
especially
32:29
is at the heart
32:31
of each of these letters
32:32
and the message
32:33
they bring.
32:34
Philadelphia
32:35
was a true church
32:37
as we said
32:38
like the others mentioned
32:39
but it wasn't
32:40
a very strong church
32:41
they needed actually
32:42
a building
32:43
they needed
32:45
to have strengthening
32:46
and so the letter
32:47
is designed itself
32:49
at that particular time
32:51
to bring
32:51
that strengthening
32:52
to them
32:53
all the things
32:55
that the Lord
32:55
mentions here
32:56
as his letter
32:57
effectively to them
32:58
are designed
33:00
to actually give them
33:01
further strength
33:02
and encouragement
33:03
in the service
33:04
that they are
33:05
carrying out
33:06
for Jesus
33:07
himself.
33:09
that itself
33:09
is important
33:10
to us here
33:11
because we need
33:12
that strengthening
33:13
we need that encouragement
33:14
we need the Lord's
33:16
own word
33:17
to encourage us
33:18
we need more
33:19
than the encouragement
33:20
we can
33:20
and are able
33:21
to give to each other
33:22
because as we sang
33:24
in Psalm 46
33:25
for example
33:26
it is God
33:27
who is our refuge
33:28
and our strength
33:29
and in difficult times
33:31
in challenging times
33:32
whether they're challenging
33:33
to us as people
33:34
as a congregation
33:35
as congregations
33:36
our individual
33:37
our families
33:38
the encouragement
33:39
we need
33:40
the strengthening
33:41
we need
33:41
is from God
33:43
directly
33:44
from himself
33:45
through whatever
33:46
agency he uses
33:47
but these words
33:49
remind us
33:50
this is where
33:51
our strength
33:52
our security
33:53
our hope
33:53
really lies
33:55
so what is this church
33:57
what is it saying
33:58
about this church
33:59
what was Jesus
34:00
in his message
34:01
to this church
34:02
saying to them
34:03
first of all
34:04
he reminds them
34:05
they are a church
34:06
under his stewardship
34:08
under the stewardship
34:10
or control
34:10
or guidance
34:11
of Jesus himself
34:13
secondly
34:15
he reminds them
34:15
they are actually
34:16
engaged
34:17
in Christ's service
34:19
in his own service
34:20
despite the fact
34:21
he says
34:22
they're weak
34:23
yet they've been faithful
34:25
and he's
34:26
writing to them
34:27
to continue
34:28
to do what
34:30
they're doing
34:30
and he will actually
34:32
look after them
34:33
thirdly
34:34
they are
34:36
ultimately secure
34:37
in Christ
34:38
they have in fact
34:40
the prospect
34:41
of greater security
34:42
to come
34:43
of course
34:44
in eternity
34:44
and you could say
34:46
the letter
34:46
is really about
34:47
opportunity
34:48
opposition
34:49
and optimism
34:51
in looking
34:52
to Jesus
34:52
and I hope
34:54
that these
34:54
will be
34:55
useful for yourselves
34:56
as a congregation
34:57
in your own
34:58
situation
34:59
and that you
35:00
will find
35:01
even from
35:02
the likes
35:02
of this letter
35:03
further evidence
35:04
of opportunities
35:06
given to you
35:06
to serve the Lord
35:08
opposition
35:09
and how to face it
35:11
and optimism
35:13
in grasping
35:15
the promises
35:16
of God
35:17
and applying
35:18
them to yourselves
35:19
so what is he saying
35:20
about Christ's
35:21
stewardship
35:22
well you notice
35:22
how he begins
35:23
in describing himself
35:25
the words
35:26
of the holy one
35:27
the true one
35:28
who has the key
35:30
of David
35:30
who opens
35:31
and no one
35:32
will shut
35:32
and shuts
35:33
and no one
35:34
opens
35:34
under Christ's
35:35
stewardship
35:36
he describes
35:37
himself as
35:38
the holy one
35:39
the true one
35:40
in other words
35:41
he's guiding them
35:42
immediately
35:43
to his own
35:44
perfections
35:45
he's guiding them
35:46
to trust
35:47
in him
35:48
as one who is
35:49
utterly dependable
35:50
and true
35:51
and holy
35:52
and faithful
35:53
there is nothing
35:53
imperfect
35:54
about this
35:56
Lord
35:56
that is
35:57
presiding
35:58
over the
35:58
issues
35:59
of the church
36:00
he guides
36:01
them to
36:01
think of himself
36:02
and that's
36:03
itself
36:04
an important
36:04
matter
36:05
for you
36:05
and for me
36:06
as individuals
36:06
for you
36:07
as a congregation
36:08
as well
36:09
who do you
36:09
look to
36:10
when do you
36:11
look to
36:11
it's this
36:12
Jesus
36:12
who presides
36:13
over your
36:13
life today
36:14
and mine
36:15
over the life
36:16
of this
36:16
congregation
36:16
of his whole
36:17
church
36:18
who is he
36:18
he is
36:19
the true
36:20
one
36:20
he is
36:21
the holy
36:21
one
36:22
he's the one
36:23
who's always
36:23
dependable
36:24
he's the one
36:25
who's never
36:26
short of
36:26
fulfilling
36:27
his promises
36:27
he's the one
36:29
whose word
36:29
you can trust
36:30
he's the one
36:31
that you have
36:32
to place
36:32
above all
36:33
others
36:33
whatever your
36:35
relationship
36:35
with him
36:36
is
36:36
so is this
36:38
the one
36:40
who's controlling
36:40
your own
36:41
life today
36:42
is it to
36:44
this Jesus
36:44
you're looking
36:45
or just
36:47
some other
36:48
description of him
36:49
in the word
36:50
in a loose
36:51
or a formal
36:52
sort of way
36:53
do you know
36:54
him in your
36:54
own life
36:55
personally
36:56
as one
36:57
who is
36:58
holy
36:58
and true
36:59
one who
37:00
has proved
37:01
himself to
37:01
you
37:02
and will
37:03
never
37:03
actually let
37:04
go of you
37:05
or let
37:06
you down
37:06
ah the
37:07
holy one
37:08
the true
37:10
one
37:10
and then he
37:11
says who
37:12
has the
37:12
key of
37:12
David
37:13
who opens
37:14
and no
37:15
one will
37:16
shut
37:16
why does he
37:18
say he
37:19
has the
37:19
key of
37:20
David
37:20
well you
37:21
know David
37:22
in the old
37:22
testament
37:23
the king
37:23
David
37:24
was someone
37:25
who ruled
37:26
over
37:27
Israel
37:28
for
37:29
a
37:30
fair long
37:32
time
37:32
and
37:34
he is
37:34
brought out
37:36
in the bible
37:36
as one
37:37
who is
37:38
in many ways
37:38
the ideal
37:39
king
37:40
it wasn't
37:40
perfect
37:41
but the bible
37:42
talks about
37:43
Jesus as
37:44
the son
37:44
of David
37:45
because promises
37:46
were that
37:47
from David
37:48
himself
37:48
eventually
37:49
would come
37:49
one
37:50
who would
37:51
roll over
37:51
God's
37:52
people
37:52
and that
37:53
happened
37:53
when Jesus
37:54
was born
37:55
and came
37:55
into the
37:55
world
37:56
and lived
37:57
the life
37:57
he lived
37:58
and died
37:58
on the cross
37:59
and rose
37:59
from the dead
38:00
and ascended
38:00
to heaven
38:01
he is
38:02
himself
38:03
the son
38:03
of David
38:04
in that
38:04
way of
38:05
lineage
38:05
but also
38:06
in terms
38:07
of promises
38:07
that spiritually
38:08
this is the
38:09
ideal king
38:10
this is the
38:12
one who
38:12
could be said
38:13
to be the
38:13
king
38:14
par excellence
38:15
but why
38:18
does he say
38:19
he has the
38:19
key of
38:20
David
38:20
who opens
38:22
and no one
38:22
will shut
38:23
and shuts
38:23
and no one
38:24
opens
38:25
well of course
38:26
to give somebody
38:27
a key
38:27
is a sign
38:30
of trusting
38:30
in that
38:31
person
38:31
for somebody
38:33
to have a
38:34
key
38:34
to a safe
38:35
means that
38:37
that person
38:38
is dependable
38:38
not only
38:40
dependable
38:41
but has
38:42
actually been
38:43
given authority
38:44
to open
38:45
that safe
38:45
or that
38:46
door
38:46
or whatever
38:47
it is
38:47
he has a
38:47
key to
38:48
or she
38:48
has a
38:49
key to
38:49
the possession
38:51
of keys
38:51
is indicative
38:53
of having
38:54
authority
38:54
to use
38:55
them
38:55
the right
38:56
to use
38:57
them
38:57
the ability
38:58
to use
38:59
them
38:59
the knowledge
38:59
to use
39:00
them
39:00
the wisdom
39:01
to use
39:02
them
39:02
whether they're
39:03
opening things
39:04
or shutting
39:05
things
39:06
the possession
39:07
of the keys
39:08
is a mark
39:09
of status
39:10
and here is
39:11
Jesus saying
39:12
I have
39:12
the key
39:13
of David
39:14
I have
39:14
the key
39:14
of supreme
39:15
kingship
39:16
I have
39:17
that which
39:18
belongs to
39:19
the ideal
39:19
sovereign
39:20
who opens
39:22
and no one
39:23
will shut
39:23
who shuts
39:24
and no one
39:25
opens
39:25
and that's
39:26
true of him
39:27
in many respects
39:28
you go back
39:29
to the very
39:31
beginning of
39:32
the revelation
39:33
and you find
39:34
someone there
39:34
described in
39:35
these wonderful
39:36
terms
39:37
from verse
39:38
12
39:39
onwards in the
39:41
first chapter
39:41
all the way
39:42
through there
39:42
he stands
39:43
in the midst
39:44
of the church
39:44
or the churches
39:45
and he says
39:46
fear not
39:46
I am the
39:47
first and
39:47
the last
39:47
I am the
39:48
living one
39:49
I died
39:49
behold I am
39:50
alive forevermore
39:51
and I have
39:52
the keys
39:52
of death
39:53
and of
39:54
hades
39:54
the keys
39:55
to death
39:56
itself
39:57
and to life
39:57
beyond death
39:58
the keys
39:59
of heaven
39:59
the keys
40:00
of hell
40:00
whose hand
40:01
are they
40:02
in the hand
40:02
of this
40:03
Jesus
40:03
who today
40:04
presides
40:05
over eternity
40:06
who presides
40:08
over the things
40:08
of time
40:09
who presides
40:10
over the
40:11
development
40:11
of events
40:12
in the history
40:13
of the world
40:13
in whose hands
40:15
are the keys
40:16
to the destiny
40:17
of human beings
40:18
they are in the
40:18
hands of this
40:19
Jesus
40:19
whatever people
40:22
may think of him
40:23
whatever people
40:23
may think of this
40:24
Bible
40:25
as Christians
40:26
that is what
40:26
you believe
40:27
and as you
40:28
believe them
40:29
you are thankful
40:30
today
40:30
that the destiny
40:32
of this world
40:33
the advance
40:34
of the course
40:35
of this world
40:36
whatever it will be
40:37
is not in the hands
40:38
of human beings
40:39
human beings
40:40
have a part in it
40:41
human beings
40:42
very often
40:42
make a disaster
40:43
of it
40:43
and yet
40:45
all of that
40:45
comes under
40:46
the overall rule
40:47
and kingship
40:48
and sovereignty
40:49
and the key
40:51
possession
40:52
if you like
40:52
of David
40:53
of the son
40:54
of David
40:55
of Jesus
40:56
you know
40:58
when Jesus
40:58
opens
41:00
no one can shut it
41:02
that's what he's saying
41:03
to us
41:03
as we'll see
41:04
in a minute
41:04
when Jesus
41:05
opens something up
41:07
opportunities
41:08
events
41:10
great things
41:11
in history
41:12
no one can shut
41:13
these
41:14
when Jesus shuts
41:15
nobody can open it
41:17
and Jesus
41:19
brings something
41:20
to an end
41:20
then that's an end
41:22
of it
41:22
unless he opens it
41:23
again
41:23
that's the kind
41:24
of person
41:25
he is
41:26
not a despot
41:28
not a tyrant
41:29
but the ideal king
41:31
the one who has
41:33
the authority
41:33
over all things
41:35
ultimately
41:36
that's what he says
41:38
about himself
41:39
even death
41:40
itself
41:41
he has the keys
41:42
to it
41:43
I have the keys
41:45
of death
41:45
and of Hades
41:47
it's a solemn
41:50
thing to say
41:51
but we have to
41:52
say it in keeping
41:53
with the message
41:54
of the Bible
41:55
death is something
41:56
we all face
41:57
death is something
41:59
we're so familiar
42:01
with
42:01
and in a society
42:04
in a community
42:05
like we live in
42:06
it's quite common
42:07
to attend
42:08
funerals
42:09
of friends
42:09
of relatives
42:10
of neighbours
42:11
to show support
42:13
and that
42:15
frequency
42:16
with which we do
42:17
that reminds us
42:18
of the frequency
42:19
of death
42:19
and reminds us
42:20
especially
42:21
of our own death
42:22
and what's lying
42:23
in front of us
42:23
that that death
42:24
is going to be
42:25
our death
42:26
one of these days
42:27
in whose hands
42:29
are we
42:29
how are we
42:31
facing that
42:32
prospect
42:32
that inevitability
42:34
are we
42:37
in the hands
42:37
of the one
42:38
who has the keys
42:39
to it
42:39
who can open
42:41
out death
42:41
for us
42:42
so that we
42:42
live beyond it
42:43
that we live
42:44
above it
42:45
that we conquer it
42:46
that's who Jesus
42:47
is
42:48
the one who is
42:50
himself
42:51
the way
42:51
the truth
42:52
and the life
42:54
remember he said
42:55
at the grave
42:56
of Lazarus
42:57
before he raised
42:58
him from the dead
42:58
I am the resurrection
43:01
and the life
43:02
whoever lives
43:04
and believes
43:05
in me
43:05
shall never die
43:07
and then he said
43:08
to Martha
43:09
do you believe this
43:10
she said
43:10
yes I do Lord
43:11
do you believe it today
43:13
are you living
43:14
by this conviction
43:15
today
43:16
that your life
43:17
is directed
43:19
by the one
43:20
who has the keys
43:21
of death
43:21
that death
43:22
is not going
43:22
to claim
43:23
yes you're going
43:24
to die
43:24
I'm going
43:25
to die
43:25
what's beyond
43:27
it though
43:27
will be ushered
43:29
into
43:30
the eternal
43:31
life
43:32
that Jesus
43:33
gives to his
43:35
people
43:35
or will it be
43:37
the opposite
43:38
of that
43:39
what the Bible
43:40
calls death
43:41
or hell
43:42
these are the
43:45
issues
43:46
when you think
43:48
about the one
43:48
who has the key
43:49
and who opens
43:50
and no one
43:51
will shut
43:52
well that's
43:52
Jesus
43:53
a church
43:54
under his
43:55
stewardship
43:55
but they're
43:56
engaged
43:57
in Christ's
43:58
service
43:59
he says
43:59
I have set
44:00
before you
44:01
an open
44:02
door
44:02
which no one
44:03
is able
44:03
to shut
44:04
I know
44:05
that you
44:05
have but
44:06
little power
44:06
and yet
44:07
you have
44:08
kept my
44:08
word
44:09
and have
44:09
not denied
44:10
my name
44:11
now very
44:12
often in the
44:13
Bible
44:13
you find this
44:14
description
44:15
Paul for
44:15
example
44:16
writing to
44:16
the Corinthians
44:17
spoke in
44:18
chapter 16
44:19
of his first
44:19
letter
44:20
that an
44:22
open door
44:23
was set
44:23
before him
44:24
but there
44:25
is much
44:25
opposition
44:26
there are
44:27
many enemies
44:28
but he spoke
44:29
about this
44:30
open door
44:31
this open
44:32
door of
44:33
opportunity
44:34
for the
44:34
gospel
44:35
and that's
44:35
what he's
44:35
saying to
44:36
us today
44:36
that's why
44:37
you and I
44:38
are here
44:38
today
44:38
to make
44:39
the best
44:40
possible use
44:41
of the
44:42
opportunities
44:42
God gives
44:43
us to
44:43
serve him
44:44
and he's
44:45
saying to
44:45
you today
44:46
as a
44:46
congregation
44:46
I've set
44:48
before you
44:48
an open
44:49
door
44:49
yes there
44:49
are
44:50
just like
44:50
Paul said
44:51
there are
44:51
many opponents
44:52
there's much
44:52
opposition
44:53
but if
44:54
Jesus has
44:54
opened a
44:55
door of
44:55
opportunity
44:56
nobody's
44:57
going to
44:57
shut that
44:57
until he
44:58
shuts it
44:59
see that
44:59
you're making
45:00
the most
45:00
of that
45:01
open door
45:01
use that
45:03
opportunity
45:03
while you've
45:04
got it
45:04
to serve
45:05
him
45:05
to love
45:06
him
45:06
to commend
45:07
him
45:08
to be
45:09
his people
45:09
in this
45:10
world
45:10
that's why
45:11
he saved
45:11
you
45:11
that's why
45:12
he's given
45:12
you the
45:13
gospel
45:13
not so that
45:14
you'll hide
45:14
it and keep
45:15
it to
45:15
yourself
45:15
but go out
45:16
with it
45:17
tell people
45:18
about this
45:19
Jesus
45:19
and he's
45:22
saying here
45:22
I have set
45:23
before you
45:24
this open
45:25
door
45:26
that's important
45:27
to the
45:29
Philadelphians
45:29
it wasn't an
45:30
easy place
45:31
in which to
45:32
witness to
45:33
Jesus
45:34
and then he
45:35
says you have
45:36
a little
45:36
power and
45:38
yet you have
45:38
kept my
45:39
word and
45:40
have not
45:40
denied my
45:41
name
45:42
you see he's
45:43
describing them
45:44
the reality
45:45
of what
45:46
they are
45:46
and who
45:46
they are
45:47
and the
45:48
circumstances
45:48
in which
45:49
they're
45:49
placed
45:49
and that
45:49
itself
45:50
is really
45:51
a wonderfully
45:52
encouraging
45:55
note
45:55
for us to
45:57
actually see
45:58
that Jesus
45:58
knows today
46:00
our exact
46:01
circumstances
46:02
and therefore
46:02
our exact
46:03
needs
46:04
and he's
46:05
able to
46:05
provide for
46:06
us
46:06
exactly as
46:07
we require
46:08
and here
46:10
he is saying
46:10
to them
46:11
I know
46:11
your works
46:12
I know
46:13
that you
46:14
have but
46:14
little power
46:15
and I know
46:16
that you have
46:16
kept my
46:17
word and
46:18
have not
46:18
denied my
46:19
name
46:19
you might
46:20
think today
46:20
that you're
46:21
doing all
46:21
too little
46:22
for Jesus
46:22
nothing like
46:23
as much
46:24
as you'd
46:24
like to
46:25
or as much
46:25
as you might
46:26
think others
46:26
are doing
46:27
he knows
46:28
and he knows
46:30
exactly what
46:31
you're able
46:32
and not able
46:32
to contribute
46:33
be encouraged
46:35
today that
46:35
whatever you're
46:36
doing for
46:37
Jesus
46:37
he has
46:38
registered it
46:39
he knows
46:40
it
46:40
he's taken
46:41
note of
46:42
it
46:42
it's in
46:43
his book
46:44
it's in
46:44
his record
46:44
book
46:45
and you see
46:49
what he's
46:49
saying
46:49
I know
46:51
that you
46:51
have but
46:52
little power
46:52
and yet
46:53
you have
46:53
kept my
46:54
word
46:54
and have
46:55
not denied
46:56
my name
46:57
you have
46:58
kept my
46:59
word
46:59
have not
47:00
denied
47:00
my name
47:00
despite the
47:01
fact that
47:02
they have
47:02
little power
47:02
and are
47:03
weak
47:04
spiritually
47:05
perhaps morally
47:06
too
47:06
but he's
47:07
saying
47:07
you have
47:08
kept
47:08
my
47:09
word
47:10
and have
47:10
not denied
47:11
my name
47:12
remember Paul
47:13
writing to
47:14
Timothy
47:15
he wrote to
47:17
Romans as well
47:18
saying that he
47:19
wasn't ashamed
47:20
of the gospel
47:21
he wrote to
47:22
Timothy in
47:22
1 Timothy
47:23
in 2 Timothy
47:25
chapter 1
47:25
verse 8
47:26
not to be ashamed
47:28
of him
47:29
Paul the apostle
47:30
as a prisoner
47:31
for Jesus
47:32
and not to be
47:33
ashamed of
47:34
of this message
47:35
this gospel
47:36
but he says
47:37
take your own
47:38
share of the
47:39
afflictions of
47:40
the gospel
47:40
now that gives
47:41
us a key
47:41
into understanding
47:43
what the Bible
47:43
means by being
47:44
ashamed of
47:45
Jesus
47:45
when you've
47:46
got something
47:46
you're ashamed
47:47
of you don't
47:48
bring it out
47:49
into the open
47:49
well
47:50
sometimes
47:51
nowadays
47:52
that's actually
47:53
commended
47:54
things that people
47:55
ought to be ashamed
47:56
of that's another
47:57
issue
47:57
but if there's
48:00
something you know
48:00
you're deeply
48:01
ashamed of
48:02
you don't go
48:03
around broadcasting
48:04
it to the world
48:05
you keep it hidden
48:06
or you keep it
48:07
to yourself
48:07
and to be ashamed
48:11
of the gospel
48:11
really means
48:12
essentially that
48:13
it's not just a
48:15
feeling
48:15
it's not just a
48:17
conviction
48:17
it's an action
48:20
it's a hiding
48:22
of things which
48:23
ought to be brought
48:24
into the open
48:24
to be ashamed
48:26
of the gospel
48:27
to be ashamed
48:28
of Jesus
48:28
means to keep
48:30
him hidden
48:31
to keep him
48:32
well to keep him
48:33
to yourself
48:33
or to keep him
48:34
so that he's not
48:35
at all made known
48:37
through your life
48:38
now you're not
48:39
going to be like
48:40
that I'm sure
48:40
because if this
48:43
Jesus means
48:43
anything at all
48:44
to you
48:45
as I hope he does
48:46
to everyone here
48:47
you're not going
48:49
to keep him hidden
48:49
you're not going
48:51
to be ashamed
48:51
of him
48:52
you're not going
48:53
to say well
48:54
I think I am
48:55
a Christian
48:55
but I really
48:56
I don't want
48:57
to make that
48:57
known to the
48:58
world
48:58
what will others
49:00
say
49:00
what will my
49:01
family say
49:02
what will my
49:02
friends say
49:03
what will my
49:04
work colleagues
49:05
say
49:05
don't be ashamed
49:08
he says to
49:09
Timothy
49:09
of me his
49:11
prisoner
49:11
of the gospel's
49:13
teaching
49:13
but take your
49:15
share
49:15
of the afflictions
49:17
of the gospel
49:18
following Jesus
49:20
brings difficulties
49:21
following Jesus
49:24
doesn't make
49:24
many times
49:25
for an easy
49:25
life
49:26
but the
49:27
comforts that
49:28
Jesus brings
49:29
far outweigh
49:31
any of the
49:32
difficulties
49:32
or the afflictions
49:34
or the troubles
49:35
that accompany
49:35
following him
49:37
being true to him
49:38
making him known
49:39
and facing the
49:40
world's hostility
49:41
because of that
49:42
what he's saying
49:43
is I know
49:45
your works
49:46
I know that you
49:47
have little power
49:48
yet you have
49:49
kept my word
49:50
and have not
49:51
denied my name
49:52
you have not
49:53
been ashamed
49:53
of me
49:54
and Jesus
49:55
is saying
49:56
I know that
49:57
and I know
49:59
that and it
50:00
will not go
50:00
unnoticed
50:01
in eternity
50:02
and he goes
50:04
on to say
50:04
I will make
50:06
because you
50:07
have kept
50:08
my word
50:09
about patient
50:09
endurance
50:10
I will keep
50:10
you from
50:11
the hour
50:11
of trial
50:12
that is
50:12
coming
50:13
on the
50:13
whole world
50:15
and that
50:17
hour of
50:17
trial
50:18
seems to be
50:19
referring to
50:19
the final
50:20
judgment
50:20
where he is
50:22
saying that's
50:22
coming on
50:23
the whole
50:23
world
50:24
to try
50:25
those who
50:25
dwell on
50:26
the earth
50:26
behold I'm
50:27
coming
50:28
soon
50:28
and that's
50:29
not so much
50:30
in terms of
50:30
time or span
50:32
of years
50:32
it's just that
50:33
in the whole
50:34
scheme of things
50:35
it's not that
50:36
far away
50:36
and here he is
50:39
giving us this
50:40
great promise
50:40
too
50:41
because you
50:42
have kept
50:42
my word
50:43
I will keep
50:44
you
50:44
you see the
50:45
correlation
50:46
between the
50:46
two
50:47
when you're
50:48
faithful to
50:48
Jesus
50:49
you'll find
50:49
that he is
50:50
always faithful
50:51
to you
50:51
that he will
50:52
be faithful
50:53
to his
50:53
promise
50:53
in that
50:54
great day
50:55
of judgment
50:55
if you've
50:57
been faithful
50:57
to him
50:58
doesn't mean
50:58
your eternity
50:59
and your
51:00
salvation is
51:01
dependent
51:01
on your
51:03
faithfulness
51:04
or the
51:04
level of
51:05
your
51:05
faithfulness
51:06
it's
51:06
dependent
51:07
ultimately
51:07
on him
51:08
but there
51:09
is a
51:09
correlation
51:09
there is
51:10
a relationship
51:10
between
51:11
faithfulness
51:12
on your
51:12
part to
51:13
God
51:13
to Jesus
51:14
here
51:14
and his
51:15
faithfulness
51:16
to his
51:16
promise
51:16
that he
51:16
will keep
51:17
you
51:17
that he
51:18
will look
51:18
after you
51:18
that he'll
51:19
bring you
51:19
safely
51:20
into eternity
51:21
and he's
51:24
also saying
51:24
that their
51:25
opponents
51:26
will actually
51:27
come to
51:27
bow
51:28
he will
51:30
bring them
51:30
to bow
51:31
before you
51:32
and before
51:32
your feet
51:33
and will
51:34
learn that
51:34
I have
51:36
loved
51:36
you
51:37
well that
51:38
may be
51:39
that they
51:40
will come
51:40
themselves to
51:41
acknowledge the
51:41
gospel and
51:42
come to be
51:43
converted
51:43
and therefore
51:44
come to
51:45
join those
51:46
Christians in
51:47
Philadelphia to
51:48
whom he's
51:48
writing
51:49
it may be
51:51
you can take it
51:52
in another way
51:52
as well that
51:53
they will
51:55
actually come
51:55
to succumb to
51:56
the power of
51:57
this church
51:57
if Jesus
51:58
comes with
51:59
his power to
52:00
multiply them
52:01
whatever
52:01
the point
52:02
above all
52:03
else is that
52:04
it's still
52:04
dealing with
52:05
the supremacy
52:06
of Jesus
52:07
I will do
52:08
it
52:08
doesn't matter
52:10
what they
52:11
think of you
52:11
now
52:11
doesn't matter
52:12
their actions
52:13
now
52:14
it doesn't
52:14
matter how
52:15
it will be
52:15
from now
52:16
to the end
52:16
of the world
52:17
or the end
52:18
of the history
52:19
of this church
52:19
in Philadelphia
52:20
I will make
52:22
this happen
52:23
there's a word
52:26
for you and
52:26
for me today
52:27
whatever you
52:27
think of
52:29
opinions about
52:30
the Bible
52:30
of opinions
52:31
about the
52:31
Lord's Day
52:32
of opinions
52:33
about your
52:34
Christian life
52:35
opinions about
52:36
the church
52:36
opinions about
52:37
this and that
52:38
what Jesus
52:39
is saying
52:39
in his word
52:40
in its entirety
52:41
in this whole
52:42
Bible
52:42
when he
52:43
says I
52:44
will do
52:44
it
52:44
he will
52:45
do it
52:46
where he
52:48
opens the
52:48
door
52:48
no one
52:49
will shut
52:49
it
52:49
where he
52:50
shuts the
52:50
door
52:51
no one
52:51
will close
52:52
it
52:52
it will
52:53
open
52:53
it
52:54
and they
52:58
are very
52:58
important
52:59
principles
52:59
for us
53:00
to take
53:00
with us
53:01
the supremacy
53:03
of Jesus
53:04
the overall
53:05
rule of
53:06
Jesus
53:07
is such a
53:09
huge huge
53:10
feature
53:10
not only in
53:11
this letter
53:12
to Philadelphia
53:14
and the other
53:14
letters
53:15
and this whole
53:16
book of the
53:16
Revelation
53:17
it's a hugely
53:19
important feature
53:19
in the whole
53:20
span of teaching
53:21
in the Bible
53:22
that God
53:24
is God
53:26
that the
53:28
Lord is
53:28
the Lord
53:29
how many
53:31
times you
53:31
find through
53:32
the writings
53:33
of the
53:33
prophets
53:33
in the Old
53:34
Testament
53:34
where the
53:35
Lord very
53:36
often is
53:36
calling his
53:37
people back
53:38
to repentance
53:39
back to a
53:40
relationship with
53:41
himself that
53:41
they have to
53:42
some extent
53:43
gone away
53:43
from
53:44
this is the
53:46
word he says
53:47
of the Lord
53:48
I have
53:49
spoken
53:50
and I
53:51
will do
53:52
it
53:52
and today
53:54
it's a great
53:55
privilege and a
53:56
great blessing
53:56
and a great
53:57
honor to say
53:58
in your heart
53:59
of hearts
54:00
I believe
54:01
in the supreme
54:02
rule of
54:03
Jesus
54:03
I believe
54:05
in the supreme
54:06
power of his
54:06
love
54:07
I believe
54:08
in his
54:08
justice
54:09
I believe
54:10
in his
54:11
righteousness
54:11
I believe
54:13
in his
54:14
authority
54:14
I believe
54:15
that he has
54:15
the right
54:16
to have
54:17
the keys
54:17
of death
54:18
and of
54:18
Hades
54:18
and of
54:19
eternity
54:19
and of
54:20
history
54:20
I believe
54:22
he has
54:23
the right
54:23
as chapter
54:23
5 goes
54:24
on to speak
54:25
about
54:25
following the
54:26
great throne
54:27
description
54:29
in chapter
54:29
4
54:30
where the
54:31
scroll
54:31
is taken
54:33
by this
54:33
same
54:34
lamb
54:35
this fruit
54:35
of David
54:36
the lion
54:37
of the tribe
54:38
of Judah
54:38
this Jesus
54:39
this lamb
54:40
who died
54:40
who takes
54:41
the scroll
54:42
what is
54:43
the scroll
54:43
it's the
54:44
scroll
54:44
of history
54:44
it's the
54:45
scroll
54:45
of all
54:46
the events
54:46
and the
54:47
destiny
54:47
of the
54:47
whole
54:48
world
54:48
and
54:49
for a
54:50
while
54:50
there was
54:51
weeping
54:51
nobody was
54:51
found worthy
54:52
to open
54:53
it until
54:53
this person
54:54
came and
54:55
took the
54:55
scroll
54:55
and then
54:56
he began
54:57
to open
54:57
it
54:57
you see
54:58
he's got
54:58
the keys
54:58
and that's
55:03
the Jesus
55:03
whose love
55:05
today is
55:06
so precious
55:07
I don't
55:08
mistake
55:09
the supremacy
55:10
of Jesus
55:11
for that
55:11
of a
55:11
tyrant
55:12
for that
55:13
of somebody
55:14
cold
55:15
and unfeeling
55:16
and just
55:17
ruling
55:17
with a rod
55:19
of iron
55:19
that has
55:19
absolutely
55:20
no emotion
55:21
or whatever
55:21
towards his
55:22
people
55:22
that's not
55:24
this king
55:24
that's not
55:25
this Jesus
55:25
and that's
55:28
not your
55:28
Jesus
55:29
when you
55:29
know him
55:29
today
55:30
as your
55:31
own saviour
55:32
so they're
55:34
engaged in
55:34
Christ's
55:35
service
55:35
they have
55:36
an open
55:37
door set
55:37
before them
55:38
they have
55:39
a little
55:39
power
55:40
and yet
55:40
he is
55:41
keeping
55:42
them
55:42
and he
55:44
is assuring
55:45
them
55:45
of ultimate
55:46
victory
55:47
that he
55:47
would keep
55:47
them
55:48
even in
55:49
the hour
55:49
of trial
55:50
that's coming
55:51
on the whole
55:51
world
55:52
and he
55:52
finishes
55:53
by saying
55:54
to the one
55:55
who conquers
55:55
that's a
55:56
feature of
55:56
each of
55:56
these letters
55:57
as I'm sure
55:58
you know
55:58
he always
55:59
says to
55:59
the one
55:59
who conquers
56:00
and then
56:01
something is
56:01
promised them
56:02
well to the
56:03
one who
56:03
conquers
56:03
I will
56:04
make him
56:05
a pillar
56:05
in the
56:06
temple
56:07
of my
56:07
God
56:07
in other
56:09
words
56:09
he's talking
56:09
here about
56:10
being
56:11
established
56:12
the temple
56:14
in the old
56:15
temple days
56:16
of the Old
56:16
Testament
56:17
had pillars
56:18
very
56:19
strong
56:21
pillars
56:21
to uphold
56:23
everything
56:23
that was
56:23
attached to
56:24
them
56:24
but there
56:25
were also
56:25
pillars
56:26
that needed
56:26
themselves
56:27
because of
56:27
what they
56:28
were holding
56:28
up
56:28
they needed
56:29
themselves
56:30
to be
56:30
firmly
56:30
established
56:31
these
56:31
pillars
56:31
that you
56:32
see here
56:32
today
56:32
upholding
56:33
this
56:33
galley
56:34
that's
56:34
going
56:34
all
56:34
around
56:35
these
56:35
pillars
56:35
that
56:35
uphold
56:36
the
56:36
roof
56:36
they have
56:38
to be
56:38
themselves
56:38
well
56:39
grounded
56:39
well
56:40
established
56:41
properly
56:43
founded
56:43
on a good
56:45
foundation
56:46
otherwise
56:46
they're going
56:47
to collapse
56:47
eventually
56:48
and what
56:50
Jesus is
56:50
saying
56:50
about his
56:52
people is
56:52
I will
56:52
make him
56:53
to the
56:53
one who
56:54
conquers
56:54
I will
56:54
make him
56:55
a pillar
56:55
in the
56:56
temple
56:56
of my
56:57
God
56:57
I will
56:57
set you
56:58
securely
56:59
in my
57:01
kingdom
57:01
so that
57:03
you will
57:03
never
57:04
fall
57:04
that no
57:06
one will
57:06
ever
57:06
destroy
57:07
your
57:08
relationship
57:08
with me
57:09
and you
57:10
see how
57:10
the thing
57:10
has changed
57:11
it's changed
57:13
from a
57:14
collective
57:14
reference
57:16
to this
57:16
church
57:17
now to
57:18
the one
57:19
who conquers
57:20
and Jesus
57:21
is reminding
57:22
us in that
57:23
that however
57:24
precious it is
57:25
and it is
57:25
precious to
57:26
belong to a
57:26
people of
57:27
God
57:27
to belong
57:29
to that
57:29
whole number
57:30
who worship
57:30
God
57:31
who serve
57:32
the Lord
57:32
still at the
57:33
end of the
57:34
day it does
57:35
come down
57:35
to my
57:36
relationship
57:37
to him
57:37
to your
57:38
relationship
57:39
to him
57:39
to that
57:40
personal
57:40
individual
57:41
relationship
57:42
with Christ
57:43
where are you
57:45
with that
57:46
today
57:46
to the one
57:51
who conquers
57:52
to you
57:54
to me
57:55
how does
57:58
that stand
57:58
with how
58:00
you see
58:00
him
58:01
how you
58:02
relate to
58:03
him
58:03
how you
58:05
view
58:05
eternity
58:06
with him
58:07
or without
58:07
him
58:08
it's to
58:09
the one
58:10
who conquers
58:11
I will
58:13
give
58:13
to be a
58:16
pillar in
58:16
the temple
58:16
of my
58:17
God
58:17
never shall
58:18
he go
58:19
out of
58:19
it and
58:19
I will
58:19
write on
58:20
him
58:20
the name
58:21
of my
58:21
God
58:22
the name
58:23
of the
58:23
city of
58:23
my God
58:24
the new
58:25
Jerusalem
58:26
which comes
58:27
down from
58:27
God
58:28
my God
58:28
out of
58:29
heaven
58:29
and my
58:30
own
58:30
new
58:30
name
58:30
in other
58:31
words
58:31
there are
58:32
so many
58:32
things there
58:33
that we
58:33
really need
58:34
to make
58:34
have more
58:35
time to
58:36
go into
58:36
but let me
58:37
just say
58:37
in closing
58:38
something of
58:39
what is
58:40
brought before
58:40
us there
58:41
I will
58:42
write on
58:43
him
58:43
the name
58:44
of my
58:44
God
58:45
numbers
58:46
chapter
58:46
six
58:47
people of
58:48
Israel
58:49
were to
58:49
pronounce
58:50
the name
58:51
of God
58:52
upon
58:53
the people
58:54
the Lord
58:55
bless you
58:56
and keep
58:57
you
58:57
the Lord
58:58
make his
58:59
face to
58:59
shine upon
59:00
you
59:00
and be
59:01
gracious
59:01
to you
59:02
the Lord
59:02
lift up
59:03
his
59:03
countenance
59:04
upon you
59:04
and give
59:05
you peace
59:05
so you
59:06
shall put
59:07
my name
59:08
on the
59:09
children of
59:09
Israel
59:10
what did
59:11
that indicate
59:12
well it
59:13
indicated they
59:13
belonged to
59:14
God
59:14
they were
59:15
his family
59:15
and this
59:16
is what
59:17
Jesus is
59:17
saying
59:17
I will
59:18
write on
59:19
him
59:19
the name
59:20
of my
59:20
God
59:21
he belongs
59:22
to me
59:22
and he'll
59:23
belong to
59:23
me forever
59:24
and in
59:25
eternity
59:25
he and
59:26
others will
59:26
know
59:27
he is
59:28
mine
59:28
he belongs
59:29
to me
59:29
he's my
59:29
precious
59:30
possession
59:30
Jesus saying
59:32
this about
59:33
his people
59:33
isn't that
59:36
humbling
59:36
that Jesus
59:39
would put
59:39
that on
59:40
any of us
59:41
individually
59:41
and the
59:43
name of
59:43
the city
59:43
of my
59:44
God
59:44
the new
59:44
Jerusalem
59:45
go to
59:45
the end
59:46
of Revelation
59:46
chapters 22
59:48
21
59:48
22
59:49
you'll see
59:49
this new
59:50
Jerusalem
59:51
this final
59:52
order and
59:53
state of
59:54
the church
59:55
of God's
59:55
redeemed
59:56
people
59:56
and in
59:59
that spiritual
1:00:00
city if you
1:00:01
like it's
1:00:01
described
1:00:02
that's their
1:00:03
final place
1:00:03
of residence
1:00:04
this wonderful
1:00:07
ultimate
1:00:09
place of
1:00:10
residence
1:00:10
the new
1:00:11
Jerusalem
1:00:12
the city
1:00:13
of God
1:00:13
the place
1:00:15
of the
1:00:15
redeemed
1:00:16
under the
1:00:17
kingship
1:00:18
of Jesus
1:00:19
I will
1:00:21
write that
1:00:21
on them
1:00:22
and also
1:00:23
I will
1:00:24
write my
1:00:25
own
1:00:26
new
1:00:27
name
1:00:28
my
1:00:30
own
1:00:30
new
1:00:31
name
1:00:32
what you
1:00:34
might
1:00:35
say
1:00:36
is the
1:00:37
new
1:00:37
name
1:00:37
that
1:00:38
Jesus
1:00:38
has
1:00:39
well he's
1:00:42
got the
1:00:42
same name
1:00:43
Jesus
1:00:43
the
1:00:44
Christ
1:00:45
the son
1:00:45
of God
1:00:46
all of
1:00:46
these titles
1:00:47
given to
1:00:47
him
1:00:47
but this
1:00:49
my new
1:00:50
name
1:00:50
that seems
1:00:52
to indicate
1:00:53
what was
1:00:54
proper to
1:00:56
Jesus
1:00:56
after his
1:00:57
resurrection
1:00:58
especially
1:00:58
after his
1:00:59
ascension to
1:01:00
glory
1:01:01
he now has
1:01:03
the name
1:01:03
of the one
1:01:04
who has
1:01:04
conquered
1:01:05
all
1:01:05
who has
1:01:07
everything
1:01:08
placed under
1:01:08
his feet
1:01:09
who sits
1:01:11
upon his
1:01:11
throne
1:01:12
in majestic
1:01:14
holiness
1:01:15
and sovereignty
1:01:17
and I
1:01:19
will give
1:01:19
him
1:01:19
my own
1:01:21
new name
1:01:22
they're going
1:01:24
to be placed
1:01:25
in a final
1:01:26
relationship
1:01:27
with Jesus
1:01:27
where the
1:01:29
name of
1:01:30
Christ
1:01:30
will cover
1:01:32
them
1:01:32
will be
1:01:33
theirs
1:01:34
forever
1:01:34
and they
1:01:36
will value
1:01:36
the name
1:01:37
of Jesus
1:01:38
throughout
1:01:39
all
1:01:40
eternity
1:01:40
they will
1:01:42
say
1:01:42
I live
1:01:43
now
1:01:44
because of
1:01:45
him
1:01:45
and for
1:01:46
him
1:01:47
he is
1:01:48
mine
1:01:48
and I
1:01:49
am his
1:01:50
friends
1:01:52
what great
1:01:52
privileges
1:01:53
are offered
1:01:54
to us
1:01:55
and held
1:01:55
out to us
1:01:56
in the
1:01:56
gospel
1:01:56
what wonderful
1:01:58
privileges
1:01:58
to be
1:01:59
servants
1:02:00
of Jesus
1:02:01
to know
1:02:03
Christ as
1:02:03
the king
1:02:04
of our
1:02:04
lives
1:02:04
to place
1:02:06
all things
1:02:07
in his
1:02:07
hand
1:02:07
to leave
1:02:09
all things
1:02:10
with him
1:02:10
because we
1:02:12
know that
1:02:12
in doing
1:02:13
so
1:02:13
the assurance
1:02:15
we have
1:02:15
from him
1:02:16
he will
1:02:17
never fail
1:02:18
us
1:02:18
he will
1:02:20
always look
1:02:20
after us
1:02:21
he will
1:02:22
bring us
1:02:22
safely into
1:02:23
the new
1:02:25
Jerusalem
1:02:26
may God
1:02:27
bless
1:02:27
these thoughts
1:02:28
on his
1:02:29
word
1:02:29
we're going
1:02:29
to conclude
1:02:30
now by
1:02:30
singing
1:02:31
to his
1:02:31
praise
1:02:32
in
1:02:32
psalm 67
1:02:33
psalm 67
1:02:36
from St.
1:02:36
Psalms
1:02:37
that's
1:02:37
page
1:02:37
84
1:02:38
a short
1:02:46
psalm
1:02:46
which
1:02:46
expresses
1:02:47
the
1:02:47
desire
1:02:48
of God's
1:02:49
people
1:02:49
that the
1:02:50
whole
1:02:50
earth
1:02:50
will
1:02:51
come
1:02:51
to know
1:02:53
the
1:02:53
Lord
1:02:53
to know
1:02:54
his
1:02:54
blessing
1:02:55
and so
1:02:56
it's a
1:02:56
call out
1:02:57
to both
1:02:58
the church
1:02:58
and the
1:02:58
nations
1:02:59
to come
1:02:59
to know
1:03:01
this
1:03:01
sovereign
1:03:02
God
1:03:02
God
1:03:03
be merciful
1:03:04
and bless
1:03:05
us
1:03:05
shine
1:03:06
upon
1:03:06
us
1:03:06
with
1:03:07
your
1:03:07
face
1:03:07
that
1:03:08
the
1:03:08
earth
1:03:08
may
1:03:08
know
1:03:09
your
1:03:09
actions
1:03:09
and all
1:03:10
lands
1:03:11
your
1:03:11
saving
1:03:11
grace
1:03:12
singing to
1:03:13
the tune
1:03:13
high for
1:03:13
doll
1:03:14
whole of
1:03:14
psalm 67
1:03:15
Next
1:03:24
roll
1:03:32
Things
1:03:33
The mighty earth may know your actions and all lands your saving grace.
1:03:44
O God, may the peoples praise you, may all peoples sing your praise.
1:03:57
For you judge the nations justly, ruling over every race.
1:04:12
They sing with joy and gladness, may they all rejoice as one.
1:04:23
O God, may the peoples praise you, as they all unite in song.
1:04:36
Then the land will yield its harvest, God will pour its gifts and throats.
1:04:48
God, our God, will surely bless us.
1:04:56
All the earth will fill our hearts.
1:05:03
I'll go to the main door after the benediction.
1:05:07
Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore.
1:05:15
Amen.
1:05:15
Amen.
1:05:18
Amen.
1:05:32
Amen.
1:05:33
Amen.
1:05:35
Amen.
1:05:40
Amen.
1:05:40
Amen.
1:05:45
Thank you.