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Keeping On · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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We'll begin our worship by singing to God's praise.
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We're going to sing in Psalm 20, in the Scottish Psalter.
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Psalm 20, we're singing verse 1 to verse 7, the tune is Kilmarnock.
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Jehovah, hear thee in the day when trouble he does send,
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and let the name of Jacob's God thee from all ill defend.
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Psalm speaks about the help we get from the Lord,
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and in verse 7 we're reminded of how some people put confidence in horses.
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In chariots, some put confidence in some horses thrust upon.
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That speaks of a time when people looked to the help of nations and armies around them,
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that they would support them in their time of need.
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But it says, but we remember, will the name of our Lord God alone.
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We're reminded there to put our hope and our trust and confidence in God alone.
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So let's sing verse 1 to verse 7 to God's praise.
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Jehovah, hear thee in the day when trouble he does send,
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And let the name of Jacob's God
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The prophet will defend
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O let him help send the mother
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Out of his sanctuary
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From Zion his own glory
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Let him give strength to thee
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Let him be ever all I give
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I'll set thy sacrifice
2:29
Grant me thy heart's wish
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And fulfill thy thoughts
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And counsel wise
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In thy salvation we will join
2:56
In our cross name we will
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His play of others
3:11
And the Lord thy players all fulfill
3:21
Now know why God his kingdom say
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He from his holy hand
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Will hear him when the saving strength
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By his own right hand
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In the chariot some good confidence
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Some horses trust upon
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That we remember
4:17
Will the name
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Of our Lord God alone
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Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer
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Let us pray
4:37
Lord our gracious God
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We do thank you for your word
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And for the great privilege it is
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To be able to sing praise to you
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That you are the one who we can come
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And call upon at this time
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And indeed any time
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Be it day or night Lord
4:57
We thank you that you are the one
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Who is able to hear us
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When we cry in our trouble
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And we thank you that it is under your name
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That we are able to find refuge
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That we are able to find protection
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And we know Lord that we all need you
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We are all a people who are
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Perishing as your word says
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We are all a people who have
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Within us Lord that knowledge
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That our time in this world
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Is but passing by so quickly
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You are reminded to us Lord
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So often
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When we hear of people passing
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In young age
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When we hear of so many things
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That happen around us
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In our own lives and experience
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When we see what is taking place
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Throughout the world
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We are reminded of
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A people perishing always
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But we thank you that your word
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Reminds us too
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That there is life through you
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That although our time in this world
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May be short
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That for each of us
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There is a reminder of an eternity
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Before us
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An unending age
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An experience for which
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We all must prepare
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For your word reminds us
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To be ready
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To be prepared for that day
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A day when the Lord is coming
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To judge a people
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To judge all people
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And we know that it is only
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Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
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That we are ready for that day
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And so we pray Lord
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That you will help us
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To find our refuge in you
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To find in the Lord Jesus Christ
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The one who is able
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To take away our sin
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The one who is able to cleanse us
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The one who is able
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To keep us from stumbling
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And we pray Lord
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That even this night
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As we come together
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As we think of ourselves
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And as we think of all
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That's going on around us
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That you will help us
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All to see Jesus
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Help us all to know him
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And through your word
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And by your spirit
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As we once again come and hear
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Your word speaking to us
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Help us that it will not
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Pass over us
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Or not just pass through us
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But that it will take root
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That it will take root
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In our hearts
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And that it will help us
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To come
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And know what it is
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To be a people of faith
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And to be built up
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In the faith
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And so may you be with us
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In our time of worship
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And be with all
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Who gather as we do
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To praise your name
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And we do thank you
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As always Lord
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That from the rising of the sun
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To its setting
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That your name is praised
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Throughout the world
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We marvel at the situations
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Where your name is praised
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We thank you Lord
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For so many nations
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Of the world
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So many people
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So many tribes
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And tongues
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All connected by your name
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The name that is above
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Every name
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We thank you for brothers
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And sisters around the world
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We thank you that we are one
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In Christ Jesus
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And we pray Lord
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That you will help us
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To be united
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And bound together as one
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That all our differences
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All our different ways
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Of looking at things
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All the differences of opinion
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That might exist
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Even among your own people
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That we will be all agreed
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In one thing
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That salvation belongs to God
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And that salvation is found
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In the Lord Jesus Christ
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And so may your name
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Be glorified far and wide
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May you draw sinners to you
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Even anew this day
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May they be rejoicing in heaven
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Over sinners being saved
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We pray that even for ourselves here
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Lord that the heavens
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Would rejoice this night
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As people's hearts would be opened
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As they would receive by grace
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The Lord Jesus Christ
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As they would know him
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As only he can be known
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Through your word
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And by your spirit
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That we would come to know him
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Even more personally
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And even more intimately
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That we would weep over our sins
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That then we would rejoice
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In the goodness of God
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And in the forgiveness of our sins
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Through faith
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And so Lord
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May you bless us in our time
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And hear our prayers
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As we offer them up
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Hear our prayers
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For our people here
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And belonging to us
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We know Lord
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That the troubles of this world
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Are many
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And how many need you
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In different ways this night
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How many need your help
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In times of illness
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How many people need you
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In times of grief and sorrow
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How many people who need you
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In times of fear
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And anxiety and worry
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We know all around us
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That the troubles of this world
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Are many
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But we thank you
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For the great gift
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And the power of prayer
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And so may you surround our people
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May you be with them
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In all their different needs
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Young, old, middle-aged alike
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That all of our needs
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Would be met by you
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For you know them each one
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You know every home
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Where there are tears being wept
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Even at this time
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You know every home
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Where there is sorrow and sadness
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You know every home
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Where there is longing
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Longing to know you
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Longing to be among your people
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Longing for help and support
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In so many different ways
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And Lord, teach us and help us
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To love one another
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Teach us to get to know one another
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To pray for one another as we should
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To encourage one another
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To help one another
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Lord, we pray that you will surround us
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And build us up together
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As a people
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For as your word says
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We are one body
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Of many parts
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And when one part hurts
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The rest of the body
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Is affected as well
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And so we pray, Lord
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For all our pains
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And all our sorrows
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Oh Lord, that you will comfort and help
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But we thank you too
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That there is reason
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For rejoicing in you
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That you are the God
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Who is at work
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That you are the God
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Who is building his church
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That you are the God
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Who will not be overcome
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And so we rejoice, Lord
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In your kingdom
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A kingdom that is coming with power
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And we thank you
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That throughout the world
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That you are bearing fruit
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And we pray for our own nation
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At this time
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That in the troubles
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That we see around us
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You would turn us towards you
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That our nation would again
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Bear fruit for you
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Bear fruit from the top
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Top of our society
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All the way down
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From those who rule
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And govern over us, Lord
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To our councils
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To our homes
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And our families
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All around us
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To our workplaces
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And throughout our communities
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Far and wide
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Oh Lord, that your spirit
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Will be upon us
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To bring a day of your power
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Into our midst
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So we pray, Lord
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For leaders over us
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And for potential leaders
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Over us
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And for all that goes on
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In our land
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We pray for your wisdom
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And for your guidance
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We pray for your peace
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Throughout the world
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Peace in the nations
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Of conflict and troubles
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That are many
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Peace in the midst
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Of terror and fear
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And so many other things
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We pray, Lord
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For your healing hand
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To be upon us
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To bring conflicts
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To an end
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To turn war into peace
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To bring a renewal
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Into our lands, oh Lord
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Where we see evil
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That we would see good
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Oh Lord, we ask these things
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Acknowledging our own weakness
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We can do nothing
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Apart from you
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And so we ask
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Independence upon you
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Asking, knowing
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That you are Lord
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And God of all
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And so we pray, Lord
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That you will help us
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To have faith
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And to pray with that faith
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We thank you
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For all our people here
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And we pray
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Your blessing
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On all that's been done
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This day
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For our young people
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In our services of worship
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And in the fellowship
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To come this evening as well
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We pray, Lord
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That your blessing
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Will follow all things
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We thank you
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For the youth fellowship
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To take place
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And may it be blessed
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To all who attend
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We thank you
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For Muriel, Lord
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For the time
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She has enjoyed
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At home with us
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And for her preparations
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For going away, Lord
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We pray for everything
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That needs to be done
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To enable her
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To go back to Cambodia
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And as she looks forward
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To returning to that work
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God willing
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We pray
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Your protection
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And your blessing on her
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And upon all
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The work that she does
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There with so many others
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We pray, Lord
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That your blessing
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Will follow it
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And for all your people
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Who serve you
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Near and far, Lord
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We pray for strength
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For encouragement
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And for your help
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In persevering
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And keeping on
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In all that we do
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So bless us now
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And go before us
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Pardoning all our sin
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As we ask it all
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In Jesus' name
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Amen
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Well again, sing to God's praise
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This time in Psalm 27
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In the Sing Psalms version
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Page 32 of the Psalm books
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We're going to sing
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From verse 9
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To verse 14
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The end of the Psalm
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Psalm 27
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At verse 9
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Do not hide your face from me
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And do not turn aside
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Your servant in your righteous wrath
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For you have been my guide
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O God, my Saviour
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Leave me not
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Do not reject my plea
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My parents may forsake me, Lord
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But you will welcome me
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We'll sing from verse 9
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To the end of the Psalm
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And the tune is Belmont
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Oh, do not hide your face from me
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And do not turn aside
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Your servant in your righteous wrath
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For you have been my guide
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O God, my Saviour
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Leave me not
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Do not reject my plea
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My valence may forsake me, Lord
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But you will welcome me
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Teach me, O Lord
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How I should live
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And lead me in your way
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Make straight my path
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In all time falls
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Oppress me every day
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Give me not over to the will
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Of David Gentiles
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For my heart
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For my heart
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To slander me
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For my heart
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To slander me
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And greet the cruelty
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Yet I am sure
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Yet I am sure
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That in this time
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God's goodness
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I will see
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Wait for the Lord
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Lord
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He strong
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He strong
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Take heart
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For him
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Wake
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Wait patiently
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Wait patiently
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Wait patiently
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Wait for the Lord
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I am sure
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I am sure
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I am sure
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I am sure
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I am sure
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We are going to take
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To the second
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To the second
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Book of the Bible
18:20
Before Revelation
18:21
The letter of Jude
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Read the whole of this letter together
18:30
The letter of Jude
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From the beginning
18:36
Jude
18:38
A servant of Jesus Christ
18:40
And brother of James
18:41
To those who are called beloved in God
18:45
The father and kept for Jesus Christ
18:48
May mercy
18:50
Peace
18:51
And love
18:52
Be multiplied to you
18:53
Beloved
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Although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation
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I found it necessary to write appealing to you
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To contend
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For the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints
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For certain people have crept in unnoticed
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Who long ago were designated for this condemnation
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And godly people
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Who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality
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And deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ
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Now I want to remind you
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Although you once fully knew it
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That Jesus who saved a people out of the land of Egypt
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Afterwards destroyed those who did not believe
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And the angels who did not stay within their own position
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Of authority
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But left their proper dwelling
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He has kept in eternal chains
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Under gloomy darkness
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Until the judgment of the great day
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Just as Sodom and Gomorrah
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And the surrounding cities
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Which likewise indulged in sexual immorality
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And pursued unnatural desire
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Serve as an example by undergoing a punishment
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Of eternal fire
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Yet in like manner these people also
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Relying on their dreams
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Defile the flesh
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Reject authority
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And blaspheme the glorious ones
20:19
But when the archangel Michael
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Contending with the devil
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Was disputing about the body of Moses
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He did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment
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But said
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The Lord rebuke you
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But these people blaspheme
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All that they do not understand
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And they are destroyed by all that they
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Like unreasoning animals
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Understand instinctively
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Woe to them
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For they walked in the way of Cain
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And abandoned themselves
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For the sake of gain to Balaam's error
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And perished in Korah's rebellion
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These are blemishes on your love feasts
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As they feast with you without fear
21:02
Looking after themselves
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Waterless clouds
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Swept along by winds
21:08
Fruitless trees
21:10
In late autumn
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Twice dead
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Uprooted
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Wild waves of the sea
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Casting up the foam
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Of their own shame
21:18
Wandering stars
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For whom the gloom of utter darkness
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Has been reserved forever
21:25
It's also about these
21:27
That Enoch the seventh from Adam
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Prophesied saying
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Behold the Lord came with ten thousands
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Of his holy ones
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To execute judgment on all
21:38
And to convict all the ungodly
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Of all their deeds of ungodliness
21:42
That they have committed
21:44
In such an ungodly way
21:46
And of all the harsh things
21:49
That ungodly sinners have spoken against him
21:53
These are grumblers
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Grumblers
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Malcontents
21:57
Following their own sinful desires
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They are loud mouth boasters
22:03
Showing favoritism to gain advantage
22:07
But you must remember beloved
22:11
The predictions of the apostles
22:13
Of our Lord Jesus Christ
22:15
They said to you
22:17
In the last time
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There will be scoffers
22:20
Following their own ungodly passions
22:23
It is these who cause divisions
22:26
Worldly people
22:28
Devoid of the spirit
22:29
But you beloved
22:31
Build yourselves up
22:33
In your most holy faith
22:34
Pray in the Holy Spirit
22:37
Keep yourselves in the love of God
22:40
Waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
22:44
That leads to eternal life
22:46
And have mercy on those who doubt
22:49
Save others by snatching them out of the fire
22:52
To others show mercy
22:54
With fear hating even the garment
22:57
Stained by the flesh
22:59
Now to him who is able
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To keep you from stumbling
23:04
And to present you blameless
23:06
Before the presence of his glory
23:08
With great joy
23:10
To the only God our Saviour
23:12
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
23:15
Be glory, majesty, dominion and authority
23:19
Before all time and now and forever
23:23
Amen
23:25
May God bless that reading from his word
23:28
Before we turn back to that passage
23:30
We'll again sing to God's praise in Psalm 62
23:33
Again we're in the sing psalms
23:35
On page 79
23:38
Psalm 62
23:44
On page 79
23:47
We're going to sing from verse 1
23:49
To verse 8
23:50
And the tune is Herringate
23:52
My soul finds rest in God alone
23:56
From him comes my salvation sure
23:59
My safety, fortress, sheltering rock
24:02
In him alone I am secure
24:06
We'll sing from verse 1
24:08
To verse 8
24:09
To God's praise
24:11
My soul finds rest in God alone
24:26
From him comes my salvation sure
24:35
My safety, fortress, sheltering rock
24:40
In him alone I am secure
24:54
How long will you assault a man?
25:02
Do you all seek to lay in love?
25:12
This meany wall, this taunting face
25:21
And bring our albis overgrown
25:30
They plough his whole promises
25:37
They take delight in spreading light
25:49
With force and ploughing, bounding legs
25:58
But in their hearts
26:03
Curse and despise
26:08
Find praise my soul
26:13
In God alone
26:17
In him my hope is ever sure
26:26
My safety, fortress, sheltering rock
26:27
In him alone I am secure
26:29
My honor and salvation praise
26:30
My honor and salvation praise
26:32
On God my hope
26:33
My honor and salvation praise
26:34
On God my hope
26:38
My honor and salvation praise
26:39
On God my hope
26:40
My honor and salvation praise
26:41
On God my hope
26:45
My honor and salvation praise
26:46
On God my hope
26:47
My honor and salvation praise
26:48
On God my hope
26:52
On God my hope
26:54
My glory
26:55
On God my hope
26:59
My honor and salvation praise
27:00
On God my glory
27:02
On God my glory
27:04
On God my glory
27:05
On God my glory
27:06
On God my glory
27:07
All God my glory
27:08
Christ in him always, to him alone for a pure heart.
27:30
Well, we can turn back together to our reading in the letter of Jude.
27:34
And we're going to look at the end of this letter, verse 17 onwards in particular.
27:43
And just to note three things in these verses that we're going to focus in on particularly.
27:50
Verse 17, verse 20, and verse 24.
27:55
And twice it says there in verse 17 and 20,
27:58
But you, but you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
28:06
Then at verse 20,
28:07
But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith.
28:13
And then in verse 24 it says,
28:15
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling.
28:20
And so on.
28:21
So we see there there's two, but you.
28:25
And then at the end, now to him.
28:29
That's what we're going to be looking at in particular this evening, these verses.
28:35
I'm sure many of you from time to time you'll receive a brown envelope through the post.
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And that envelope will be marked, well marked now, on his majesty's service.
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In the past it used to be on her majesty's service.
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There's an element of importance attached to this envelope.
28:56
And maybe for some people you see it arriving and it fills you maybe with a sense of dread.
29:03
What am I going to see when I open this envelope?
29:06
For other people there may be a sense of anticipation.
29:11
I wonder if there's anything good coming inside this envelope.
29:15
Sometimes it's good where you maybe get tax back or something like that.
29:21
You get a rebate.
29:23
Other times and maybe more often, it's asking you to make payment.
29:28
That you owe something.
29:31
But whatever comes in this envelope, whenever that envelope arrives on his majesty's service,
29:38
there's one thing that you mustn't do with it.
29:41
And that is to ignore it.
29:44
Just to put it away somewhere and forget all about and say,
29:48
I'll deal with that later.
29:50
I'm just not interested on what's inside it.
29:54
We cannot ignore these kinds of letters.
29:59
And so as we turn to this letter of Jude this evening,
30:03
you see the way Jude describes himself in the opening verse of this letter.
30:08
And there is a reminder to us of the importance of this letter.
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Indeed, the importance of all of God's word.
30:18
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ.
30:22
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ.
30:27
So this letter, it comes with a stamp of authority.
30:32
This is an important letter.
30:34
This is truly on his majesty's service.
30:39
Our king is speaking to us through his word.
30:43
And above all, as with all scripture, this is something that we cannot ignore.
30:51
Maybe for some of us, we look forward to hearing what this letter,
30:57
what God's word has to say to us.
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Maybe for others, we're a little fearful coming to God's word
31:03
and hearing what is going to be in God's word for us.
31:07
Because we're always challenged, we're always convicted by God's word.
31:13
But one thing none of us can do is just choose to ignore it
31:19
and choose to put it away and maybe deal with it another time.
31:24
Because every time we hear this word, the king is speaking to us.
31:29
And so we want to hear what God the Lord is saying to us together
31:33
this evening through his word here.
31:38
And this is a letter that is maybe difficult to just figure out
31:42
who it's being written to.
31:45
Some have speculated whether it's written to Gentiles.
31:49
Some have said it's written more towards the Jewish people,
31:51
the two main kinds of people in Jude's day.
31:55
But most have come down on the side that it's written to both.
31:58
It's written to Christians, both Jews and Gentiles,
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who, as we see in this letter,
32:05
are having to contend with having to deal with
32:07
false teaching coming into their midst.
32:11
They're living very much in the midst of a pagan society.
32:16
Society that really wants little to do with God.
32:20
And similar to what we were hearing together this morning
32:22
of Daniel and his days in Babylon.
32:26
Days when people were trying to pull them away from God
32:31
and bring them into their own ways of thinking.
32:35
And that's exactly what's happening here in Jude's day as well.
32:40
And as you look at this letter, you see in the opening verses,
32:44
in verse 3 and 4, we are told this congregation of Christians
32:48
that Jude is writing to, he's writing to encourage them
32:52
to contend for the faith.
32:55
It says that in verse 3.
32:57
I found it necessary to write appealing to you
33:00
to contend for the faith
33:02
that was once for all delivered to the saints.
33:06
So there's this purpose in his writing to the Christians
33:12
to contend with the faith, to keep going in the faith,
33:16
to remain strong in the faith.
33:18
And then he tells the reason why he has to write,
33:20
for certain people have crept in unnoticed,
33:24
who long ago were designated for this condemnation.
33:28
ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God.
33:33
So they were perverting the truth.
33:35
They were giving them this false teaching.
33:39
And so Jude is writing to them to encourage them
33:42
to contend in the faith, to keep going in the faith.
33:48
And from verse 5 to verse 16,
33:51
he outlines a number of the problems that they are facing,
33:55
a number of the challenges that they are facing,
33:58
what they are to beware of,
34:00
of all of these false teachers who have come.
34:05
And again, just like this morning with Daniel,
34:07
and as we look around our world today,
34:09
we're surrounded by false teaching,
34:11
by teaching that in many ways is crazy in our eyes.
34:17
But yet we find that even in the midst of all of this,
34:21
the word of God is so timely to us.
34:26
For every situation, for every circumstance
34:29
that we find ourselves in,
34:31
there's nothing new under the sun.
34:34
That's what God's words reminds us
34:36
in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament,
34:39
that there's nothing new under the sun.
34:42
And so as generations pass and as time goes on,
34:45
we find ourselves coming against the same issues
34:48
time and time again.
34:52
But then in verse 17 to verse 25,
34:56
Jude outlines the response that God's people are to have
34:59
in every generation, in every set of circumstances.
35:05
And that is to always look to God.
35:09
How to deal with these situations,
35:12
how to keep on,
35:13
it is always to look to God.
35:17
Because just as there's nothing new under the sun,
35:20
God is a constant in it all as well.
35:24
He is the one who has brought his people
35:26
through every occasion,
35:28
whether it's Daniel and his compatriots there in Babylon,
35:32
whether it's going back to the days of God's people in Egypt,
35:36
whether it's going into the New Testament
35:37
and the disciples going out with the Lord.
35:40
All of these things,
35:42
the constant is that God is faithful to his people.
35:47
And in this letter,
35:48
Jude gives us encouragement,
35:50
how to keep on.
35:52
The encouragement that people needed then
35:54
and that maybe we need today as well.
35:57
To keep going and to keep looking and trusting in God,
36:01
no matter what is going on around us.
36:05
And you see it in three parts,
36:07
as I was saying there in this letter to Jude.
36:09
Under these beginnings where he says,
36:12
but you, but you,
36:14
and now to him who is able.
36:16
And we're going to break it down into these three sections.
36:20
In verse 17 to 19,
36:21
he gives us a call to remembrance.
36:26
In verse 20 and 23,
36:28
he gives us an exhortation to grow,
36:32
to build ourselves up in the faith.
36:35
And then at the end of the letter,
36:37
verse 24 to 25,
36:39
we see we are to remember that God is the one
36:42
who is able to keep us.
36:45
That is what we have to do on the one hand,
36:48
and that what God is doing for his people
36:51
on the other hand,
36:52
and both go together.
36:54
And so in the midst of the variety of false teaching
36:59
that Jude is writing about in these opening verses,
37:02
he comes back to conclude the letter in a positive way,
37:06
giving instructions so we not only
37:08
see the challenges around us,
37:11
and the reality of God is over them,
37:14
but we also see that God is the one
37:15
who is able to bring us through them,
37:17
and that we can grow in our knowledge
37:21
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
37:23
So there's these two sides
37:25
to this Christian perseverance.
37:29
Our part to keep on,
37:32
and God's part in his keeping of us.
37:37
So the first thing we want to see
37:38
is the remembering side of things.
37:43
But just before we come to that,
37:45
I want us to think of these words
37:47
that it begins with in verse 17.
37:50
But you.
37:53
There's a change in the letter here with Jude.
37:57
After going through all that is wrong
38:00
in the false teaching that has come into their midst,
38:03
now he begins a new section in verse 17
38:05
saying, but you.
38:08
There's an indication here
38:10
that there are people who are to be different.
38:15
As we were hearing the children's address this morning,
38:17
it's this free from.
38:20
We are to be different as God's people.
38:23
And that's what these words mean at the start,
38:25
but you.
38:27
There's a challenge to God's people.
38:30
And that asks the question immediately of us,
38:34
what side are we on?
38:37
There's a contrast in the opening verses
38:54
of all that is wrong with the world of Jude's day,
38:58
where people are being pulled into this way of thinking,
39:03
this way of living.
39:06
You can read through it again
39:07
when you go home this evening.
39:09
But you see the manner of these people,
39:12
as he says in verse 8.
39:14
The manner of these people relying on their dreams,
39:17
defile the flesh,
39:18
reject authority,
39:20
blaspheme the glorious one.
39:22
All that is wrong with the people
39:25
is outlined almost in these words.
39:29
They put away authority,
39:30
they blaspheme the glorious one.
39:34
There is you who is on that side.
39:38
But as Jude goes on there in verse 17,
39:41
he says,
39:42
but you are different.
39:44
And so the question as we start is,
39:48
is that the side that you are on?
39:52
Are you on the side that is blaspheming the glorious one?
39:57
Going along with the pull of this world
40:00
and the way of this world
40:01
that's going further and further away from God?
40:04
Or are you like Daniel,
40:06
standing on the other side?
40:09
Standing for the Lord.
40:12
And maybe it's a question,
40:14
you're afraid to be asked.
40:17
It's a question you maybe want to avoid
40:20
at certain times.
40:22
Maybe it's a question you maybe dread a minister
40:24
coming to ask you.
40:26
But what about you?
40:29
But it's an unavoidable question.
40:33
And it's a question I put to you all tonight.
40:36
But you, this evening,
40:39
what side are you on?
40:41
Are we on the side that blasphemes?
40:46
Or are we on the side that is going on
40:49
in the strength of the Lord?
40:52
And as we move on,
40:53
we're going to see that the you that he is talking to here
40:56
is the side we must be on.
40:59
The side of faith.
41:01
The side of trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ
41:04
and growing in our knowledge of him.
41:07
But that question remains,
41:09
but you, what side are you on?
41:14
So then we go on to see what he's saying to these people.
41:18
And he says, first of all,
41:20
but you must remember, beloved,
41:24
the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
41:29
He has warned that false teachers have come in.
41:35
But now he's saying to them,
41:37
there is this challenge.
41:39
But you, are you going to be different?
41:42
Are you going to remember the word of God?
41:45
Are you going to remember the predictions
41:47
of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ?
41:50
They said to you,
41:52
in the last time there will be scoffers
41:55
following their own ungodly passions.
41:57
So here he's challenging the people in us,
42:01
he's challenging ourselves
42:02
to remember these things,
42:05
to remember these warnings
42:07
that are come into our midst.
42:09
People speak about the last days
42:12
and if we're in the last days,
42:14
well here it's made clear for us
42:16
that even in Jude's day,
42:18
this was the last days.
42:20
Because scoffers had come into their midst.
42:23
And so in these days that we are living in today,
42:28
we are still seeing the same thing.
42:31
Scoffers following their own ungodly passions.
42:36
And how do we keep going in the midst of this?
42:40
How do we keep on?
42:41
How do we remain faithful?
42:43
We remember the predictions of the apostles
42:46
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
42:48
So as we see so much around us
42:52
that doesn't make sense,
42:54
as we see so much that is a going away from God,
42:57
how do we respond?
43:00
Well there's certain kinds of reactions
43:02
that we could have.
43:04
Certain reactions that God's people in Jude's day,
43:07
in the day of our Lord Jesus,
43:09
in the days of the Old Testament,
43:11
that they would have had.
43:12
Reactions such as discouragement.
43:14
It can be so discouraging
43:17
when we see all of these things.
43:20
Worry can come in.
43:21
Where is our world going?
43:23
What direction are we going in?
43:25
And it's natural for us to feel these things.
43:29
Anger is a reaction we could have as well.
43:33
All of these things are reactions
43:35
that we could go through.
43:36
But Jude directs us here
43:38
in what our reaction should be.
43:40
to remember the predictions
43:44
of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
43:48
Because that reminds us
43:50
that nothing should take us by surprise.
43:53
Nothing happens unknown to God.
43:58
All you have to do is look back
43:59
to the teaching of the Lord Jesus himself.
44:02
How he predicted these days himself.
44:05
In Matthew chapter 24,
44:08
Jesus gave these kinds of warnings
44:10
to his disciples
44:12
before his death and resurrection
44:14
and his ascension.
44:16
What did he say to them?
44:18
Matthew 24 verse 11,
44:21
Jesus tells his disciples,
44:23
and many false prophets
44:24
will arise and lead many astray.
44:28
This is what's going to happen.
44:31
This is the predictions
44:32
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
44:34
This is the prediction
44:35
of the apostles.
44:37
Paul in the book of Acts chapter 20,
44:41
verse 29, he says,
44:42
I know that after my departure,
44:45
fierce wolves will come in among you,
44:48
not sparing the flock.
44:51
And he warns them
44:52
that even from among your own selves
44:54
will arise men speaking twisted things
44:58
to draw away the disciples after them.
45:04
So what's he saying here?
45:05
He's saying,
45:06
remember the predictions
45:08
of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
45:11
They have told us
45:12
that these things will happen.
45:15
And so as we hear that they will happen,
45:17
we are to be on our guard.
45:20
To be on our guard,
45:22
ready against them.
45:25
Jude is telling us
45:26
not to be discouraged,
45:28
not to be dismayed at all of this.
45:30
This is part of the outworking
45:32
of the last days.
45:35
We may expect things to go
45:38
from strength to strength
45:39
for the cause of God.
45:41
We may expect blessing after blessing.
45:43
We pray for it.
45:45
But it's not always the case.
45:49
There are challenges.
45:50
There are persecutions.
45:51
There are trials of all different kinds.
45:53
Even when we have faith.
45:59
It's a bit like getting a medicine.
46:01
Taking a tablet.
46:03
And on the tablet,
46:04
it will tell you
46:04
what you're to take this tablet for.
46:06
It's going to help you
46:08
with a certain kind of illness
46:10
that you have.
46:12
But if you don't read the tablet,
46:14
if you don't read the instructions,
46:16
you might start to feel
46:17
even more unwell for a time.
46:20
You might start to feel unwell
46:21
in a different way
46:23
for a time.
46:24
And you're thinking,
46:24
this isn't right.
46:26
This shouldn't be.
46:27
This tablet is meant to help me.
46:30
But with so much medication,
46:32
it tells you
46:33
that there are side effects.
46:36
And if you don't read them,
46:37
you don't know
46:38
that they're going to come.
46:39
And it can catch you off guard.
46:40
But if you've read them,
46:42
you'll know that they'll come
46:43
at some point.
46:44
And it won't catch you off guard.
46:47
And so,
46:49
Jude is saying here,
46:50
just like that,
46:52
although you have blessings
46:53
in Christ Jesus,
46:55
remember that there are those
46:57
who will come,
46:58
scoffers following their own
47:00
ungodly passions.
47:01
There are those who will seek
47:03
to lead people astray.
47:05
And as you remember these things,
47:08
then you are prepared for them.
47:10
Paul's charge to Timothy,
47:15
to his young friend Timothy,
47:19
was to remain faithful
47:21
to the Word of God.
47:24
Because he warned them,
47:26
holding faith and a good conscience.
47:29
Because by rejecting this,
47:30
some have made a shipwreck
47:33
of their faith.
47:34
Some who have forgotten
47:37
the predictions of the apostles.
47:39
Some who have forgotten
47:40
what God's Word says.
47:42
Some who have not been prepared
47:43
for the attacks
47:44
that have come their way.
47:46
They've made a shipwreck
47:47
of their faith.
47:51
And how easy it is for us
47:52
to lose heart,
47:55
not remembering
47:56
what the Word of God says.
47:58
And in that,
47:59
we can end up
48:00
in a shipwreck
48:01
or a car crash
48:03
of our own faith too.
48:06
In the early 90s,
48:08
going back about 30 years now,
48:10
there was a commercial,
48:12
an advert on the telly
48:13
for two different kinds of cars.
48:17
And the advert began
48:19
with a car heading
48:21
towards this wall.
48:24
And the brakes being applied,
48:25
but the car crashes
48:26
into the wall
48:27
and it's a wreck.
48:29
But yet,
48:31
because of the way
48:31
the car has been designed,
48:34
the people inside
48:34
are kept safe
48:36
by airbags
48:37
and the strength
48:38
of the structure
48:39
around them.
48:42
I think that's
48:42
quite impressive.
48:45
But then,
48:46
there was another car
48:47
showing
48:47
in the same kind of situation,
48:49
heading for the wall.
48:50
But when the person
48:51
applies the brakes,
48:52
the brakes are so good
48:54
that before the car crashes,
48:56
it comes to a stop.
48:57
And at this point,
49:00
the man speaking
49:01
in the advert cuts in
49:03
and he says,
49:05
cuts in to ask,
49:06
would you prefer
49:07
to live through wrecks
49:09
or not get in wrecks
49:12
in the first place?
49:15
And that's what God's Word
49:17
is so often doing for us.
49:19
It's helping us
49:21
that we don't end up
49:22
in this shipwreck,
49:23
in this car crash
49:25
of our faith
49:26
because we're forgetting
49:27
the things
49:28
that God has told us.
49:32
And so,
49:32
we are told here,
49:34
but you
49:34
must remember,
49:36
beloved,
49:37
the predictions
49:37
of the apostles
49:39
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
49:41
that these scoffers,
49:43
these people
49:43
who will seek
49:44
to lead us astray,
49:46
they will come in.
49:47
But he's saying,
49:48
you keep on.
49:50
Keep on
49:51
by remembering
49:52
the Word of God.
49:55
And then he goes on
49:56
secondly to say
49:57
to them here,
49:58
but you, beloved,
50:00
so there's more
50:01
to come here as well.
50:03
It's not just
50:03
remembering
50:05
and holding on to that,
50:06
but now he's saying,
50:08
beloved,
50:08
build yourselves up
50:10
in your most
50:11
holy faith.
50:12
Pray
50:12
in the Holy Spirit.
50:14
Keep yourselves
50:15
in the love of God,
50:17
waiting
50:17
for the mercy
50:18
of our Lord Jesus Christ
50:20
that leads
50:21
to eternal
50:23
life.
50:25
So,
50:26
here we are again,
50:27
but you.
50:29
And we ask ourselves
50:30
again,
50:31
is this what you
50:32
are like?
50:33
Is this the side
50:34
that you come down on?
50:37
You have heard
50:38
the phrase,
50:39
the best form
50:40
of defense
50:42
is attack.
50:44
And so,
50:45
Jude is here
50:45
saying,
50:46
not just to defend
50:47
ourselves
50:48
by remembering
50:49
the predictions,
50:50
but to go
50:51
on the offensive
50:52
here as well,
50:53
to build yourselves
50:55
up in your
50:56
most holy faith,
50:57
to do this
50:59
as we all must,
51:01
to build ourselves
51:02
up in the holy faith,
51:03
praying in the Holy Spirit,
51:05
keeping yourself
51:06
in the love of God.
51:07
And so,
51:08
it goes on.
51:09
So,
51:10
Jude is giving
51:10
this direction
51:12
to us
51:12
for growth,
51:14
building ourselves
51:15
up in the faith,
51:17
the building blocks
51:18
of our faith,
51:20
the things
51:20
that we are
51:21
to put
51:22
into practice.
51:26
And it boils down
51:27
to these four things,
51:30
four basics
51:31
of the Christian faith,
51:34
but you
51:35
must do this.
51:36
Build yourselves
51:37
up
51:38
in your most
51:39
holy faith.
51:41
faith.
51:42
Be devoted
51:43
to the Word
51:44
of God.
51:46
Believe
51:47
the Word
51:48
of God.
51:49
Hold fast
51:50
the Word
51:51
of God.
51:53
Just like he was saying
51:54
to remember
51:55
the predictions
51:56
of the apostles
51:56
that scoffers
51:57
would come,
51:58
we add to this
51:59
everything else
52:00
that the Word
52:01
of God
52:02
sees.
52:04
Everything else
52:05
that the Word
52:05
of God
52:06
teaches us,
52:08
that we are
52:08
sinners,
52:09
that we have
52:10
fallen short
52:11
of the glory
52:11
of God,
52:12
but that Jesus
52:13
came to save
52:14
us from
52:15
our sin.
52:17
And that through
52:18
faith and repentance
52:19
we have this
52:21
hope of
52:22
eternal life.
52:24
Be devoted
52:25
to the Word
52:26
of God
52:27
to make it
52:28
your daily
52:29
portion
52:30
day by day,
52:32
not to neglect
52:33
what this
52:34
Word of God
52:35
is saying,
52:36
not to see it
52:37
as a letter
52:37
that can just
52:38
be put away
52:39
and forgotten
52:40
about and
52:41
ignored,
52:42
but that this
52:42
is God
52:43
himself,
52:43
our Lord
52:44
and King
52:44
speaking to
52:46
us.
52:47
And he's
52:47
saying,
52:47
build yourselves
52:48
up in your
52:50
most holy
52:50
faith.
52:54
And then he
52:54
says as well,
52:56
pray in the
52:57
Holy Spirit.
53:00
Again,
53:01
it's a part
53:02
of our lives
53:03
that we must
53:03
never neglect,
53:05
reminding ourselves
53:06
how dependent
53:07
we are on
53:09
God as we
53:09
seek to
53:10
persevere.
53:10
We are
53:11
dependent on
53:12
him to
53:13
persevere,
53:14
to keep
53:14
going.
53:15
Pray in
53:16
the Holy
53:17
Spirit.
53:19
Pray in
53:20
the one who
53:20
is called
53:21
alongside us,
53:22
the one who
53:23
Jesus promised
53:24
would come
53:25
and be our
53:26
comforter.
53:27
Be the one
53:28
called alongside
53:29
us to help
53:30
us and to
53:31
remind us that
53:32
he is with
53:33
us.
53:35
And so we
53:35
pray in
53:37
his name.
53:39
And then he
53:40
speaks about
53:41
our experience.
53:43
Keep
53:43
yourselves in
53:45
the love
53:46
of God.
53:48
It's not
53:49
just about
53:49
reminding
53:50
ourselves that
53:51
we love
53:52
God and
53:53
leaving it
53:54
at that,
53:54
but it's
53:55
living in
53:55
the knowledge
53:56
of God's
53:57
love for
53:57
us and
53:59
how that
53:59
affects all
54:01
that we
54:01
do.
54:01
Because to
54:03
feel unloved
54:04
by God
54:04
paralyzes us.
54:06
To feel a
54:07
failure before
54:08
God as we
54:08
so often
54:09
do, it
54:10
paralyzes us
54:11
and our
54:12
service is
54:13
hindered.
54:14
But here
54:15
he says,
54:16
keep
54:16
yourselves
54:17
in the
54:19
love of
54:20
God.
54:21
And
54:22
especially as
54:22
we think of
54:23
everything else
54:24
that seeks to
54:25
pull us back
54:26
into the
54:27
world.
54:27
If we
54:27
think,
54:28
there's no
54:29
way God
54:30
can love
54:31
me.
54:32
And the
54:32
things of
54:33
this world
54:33
we think,
54:34
well, we
54:34
might as
54:34
well just
54:34
go back.
54:36
But he's
54:37
saying here,
54:38
keep yourselves
54:39
in the
54:40
love of
54:40
God.
54:41
Remind
54:42
yourself,
54:43
what does
54:43
any false
54:44
teacher have
54:45
to offer
54:45
me that
54:46
compares to
54:47
the love
54:48
of God?
54:50
There is
54:50
nothing that
54:51
this world
54:52
can give
54:53
me that
54:53
will improve
54:54
my life
54:55
compared to
54:56
knowing the
54:57
love of
54:58
God.
54:59
The love
55:00
of God
55:00
that gave
55:01
his own
55:02
son for
55:03
our sins.
55:04
The love
55:05
of God
55:05
that is
55:06
able to
55:07
preserve us
55:07
and to
55:08
keep us
55:08
on in
55:09
this world.
55:11
A love
55:11
of God
55:12
that's not
55:12
dependent on
55:13
our perfectly
55:14
loving him
55:15
because we
55:16
so often
55:17
don't.
55:18
But remembering
55:19
the steadfast
55:20
love of
55:21
God that
55:21
never changes.
55:23
His love
55:24
love towards
55:25
us.
55:27
That we
55:28
have been
55:29
made a
55:29
son and
55:30
daughter of
55:31
the Most
55:32
High.
55:33
That we
55:34
have been
55:34
brought into
55:35
his family.
55:37
That we
55:37
are precious
55:38
to him
55:39
keeping
55:40
ourselves
55:41
in the
55:42
love of
55:43
God.
55:45
And then he
55:45
says too,
55:46
waiting for
55:47
the mercy
55:47
of our
55:48
Lord Jesus
55:49
Christ that
55:50
leads to
55:51
eternal life.
55:52
Again, that
55:53
ties into
55:54
how Jude is
55:55
speaking about
55:55
in these
55:57
last times.
56:00
When everything
56:01
seems to be
56:01
descending into
56:02
chaos, when
56:04
everything seems
56:04
to be going
56:05
away from
56:06
the glory of
56:07
God, we
56:08
remind ourselves
56:09
of this.
56:10
We are
56:10
waiting for
56:11
the mercy
56:12
of our
56:12
Lord Jesus
56:13
Christ.
56:14
That he
56:15
is coming.
56:17
And that he
56:17
will restore
56:18
all things
56:20
for his
56:21
people.
56:21
a people
56:22
who are
56:23
led to
56:24
eternal
56:24
life through
56:25
faith in
56:26
him.
56:27
And as we
56:27
hold on to
56:28
these things,
56:29
build ourselves
56:30
up in
56:31
these things,
56:32
it reminds
56:32
us to
56:33
have mercy,
56:35
as he
56:35
says, on
56:36
those who
56:36
doubt.
56:37
To save
56:38
others by
56:38
snatching
56:39
them out
56:40
of the
56:40
fire.
56:41
To others
56:43
show mercy
56:44
with fear,
56:45
hating even
56:46
the garments
56:47
stained by
56:47
the flesh.
56:49
The more
56:49
we see
56:50
the love
56:50
of God,
56:51
the more
56:51
we see
56:52
the fact
56:53
that he
56:53
is coming
56:54
and that
56:55
there is
56:55
eternal
56:55
life for
56:56
those who
56:56
believe,
56:57
we also
56:58
see that
56:58
there are
56:59
people who
56:59
are perishing.
57:01
Perishing in
57:02
their ignorance
57:03
as he speaks
57:03
and describes
57:05
them off in
57:05
the earlier
57:06
verses.
57:07
So much of
57:08
what they
57:08
are doing
57:09
is out of
57:10
ignorance.
57:12
And so
57:13
he reminds
57:14
us here
57:15
that we
57:15
are a
57:15
people who,
57:17
as we know
57:17
the love
57:18
of God,
57:19
are to
57:19
share
57:20
that love
57:21
of God
57:22
as well.
57:23
Build
57:24
yourselves
57:25
up,
57:26
he says.
57:28
When you
57:28
see young
57:30
children,
57:30
whether it's
57:30
your own
57:31
children or
57:31
maybe helping
57:33
in creche and
57:34
tweenies and
57:34
these things,
57:35
whenever you
57:36
see children,
57:36
they're so
57:37
often attracted
57:38
to building
57:39
blocks,
57:40
whether it's
57:40
Lego or
57:41
blocks,
57:42
they just
57:42
love to
57:43
build things.
57:44
And only
57:44
often is to
57:45
build as
57:45
high as
57:46
they can.
57:49
And well,
57:49
as children
57:50
of God,
57:51
we too are
57:52
deciding,
57:53
or should
57:53
decide,
57:54
to build
57:55
ourselves
57:56
to,
57:57
to build
57:57
ourselves
57:58
in our
58:00
most holy
58:01
faith,
58:02
putting all
58:03
these building
58:04
blocks together
58:05
to make
58:06
sure that
58:07
we are
58:08
doing our
58:08
part,
58:09
that our
58:10
love for
58:11
our Lord
58:12
is showing
58:13
itself in
58:14
all of
58:15
these ways.
58:16
A love
58:17
for the
58:17
word,
58:18
a love
58:19
for prayer,
58:21
keeping
58:23
yourselves
58:24
in the
58:25
love of
58:25
God,
58:26
reminding
58:26
ourselves
58:27
of that,
58:28
waiting
58:28
for the
58:29
mercy of
58:29
our Lord
58:30
Jesus
58:30
Christ,
58:31
and having
58:32
mercy on
58:33
those who
58:34
we see
58:34
around us
58:35
as lost.
58:37
Build
58:37
yourselves
58:38
up in
58:40
the most
58:40
holy
58:41
faith.
58:42
faith.
58:44
Then we
58:44
move from
58:45
this.
58:45
You think
58:46
it's all
58:47
about us
58:48
and what
58:49
we do,
58:51
and we
58:51
know it's
58:51
not,
58:53
and that's
58:53
how Jude
58:54
closes his
58:56
letter.
58:57
We are
58:57
reminded of
58:58
the things
58:58
that we
58:59
are to
58:59
do.
58:59
You,
59:00
but you
59:00
must remember
59:01
the predictions,
59:02
but you
59:03
build yourselves
59:04
up in the
59:05
faith,
59:05
but then we
59:06
are reminded
59:06
finally that
59:07
it is the
59:08
Lord who
59:09
keeps us.
59:10
Now to
59:12
him who
59:13
is able
59:13
to keep
59:14
you from
59:14
stumbling
59:15
and to
59:16
present you
59:17
blameless
59:18
before the
59:19
presence of
59:20
his glory
59:20
with great
59:21
joy.
59:22
So it
59:22
is him
59:23
who is
59:24
able to
59:25
keep us.
59:27
And we
59:28
are reminded
59:28
of that,
59:30
and there's
59:30
great comfort
59:31
to us
59:32
here.
59:33
How are
59:34
we going
59:34
to keep
59:35
on?
59:36
Well,
59:36
if it's
59:37
all about
59:37
ourselves,
59:39
we'll fall
59:40
short.
59:41
But you
59:42
remember the
59:43
teachings of
59:44
the apostles,
59:44
we'll forget
59:45
certain things.
59:47
We'll worry
59:48
about certain
59:49
things.
59:50
But you,
59:51
beloved,
59:51
build yourselves
59:52
up.
59:53
So often
59:54
we'll fail
59:55
in that area
59:55
too.
59:57
But God
59:58
knows.
59:59
And that's
1:00:00
why it is
1:00:00
him who
1:00:01
is able
1:00:02
to keep
1:00:02
you from
1:00:03
stumbling
1:00:04
and to
1:00:05
present you
1:00:05
blameless.
1:00:07
it's not
1:00:08
ourselves
1:00:08
coming and
1:00:09
saying,
1:00:10
here is
1:00:10
what I've
1:00:11
done.
1:00:12
But we
1:00:13
can say,
1:00:13
Lord,
1:00:14
in my
1:00:15
imperfect
1:00:15
love for
1:00:16
you,
1:00:17
in all
1:00:17
my
1:00:18
failings
1:00:19
before you,
1:00:21
I come
1:00:21
not through
1:00:22
myself,
1:00:24
but presented
1:00:25
blameless
1:00:26
through you.
1:00:28
For you
1:00:29
have promised
1:00:29
to keep
1:00:31
me,
1:00:31
that you
1:00:32
will keep
1:00:32
all who
1:00:33
put their
1:00:34
trust in
1:00:35
you.
1:00:37
And there's
1:00:37
much power
1:00:38
and there's
1:00:39
much comfort
1:00:40
in these
1:00:41
words.
1:00:41
It's a
1:00:42
benediction.
1:00:43
It's a
1:00:43
blessing on
1:00:44
God's
1:00:44
people.
1:00:46
And that's
1:00:46
the way
1:00:46
Jude concludes
1:00:48
this letter,
1:00:49
with these
1:00:50
powerful
1:00:51
words.
1:00:53
It's a
1:00:54
letter of
1:00:54
urgent
1:00:55
warnings
1:00:56
about our
1:00:57
own
1:00:57
responsibilities,
1:01:00
but it's a
1:01:00
letter too
1:01:01
reminding us
1:01:02
that it is
1:01:03
him who
1:01:04
keeps us.
1:01:05
And when
1:01:06
you think
1:01:07
of these
1:01:07
words,
1:01:08
now to
1:01:09
him who
1:01:09
is able
1:01:10
to keep
1:01:11
you from
1:01:11
stumbling.
1:01:13
Stumbling,
1:01:14
again,
1:01:15
we come
1:01:15
back to
1:01:16
thinking about
1:01:16
a child.
1:01:18
And so
1:01:19
often when I
1:01:19
think of
1:01:20
these words,
1:01:20
it reminds
1:01:21
me of a
1:01:21
child learning
1:01:23
to ride
1:01:23
their bike.
1:01:25
How little
1:01:26
by little
1:01:26
they learn
1:01:27
to ride,
1:01:28
first maybe
1:01:29
with both
1:01:29
stabilizers
1:01:30
on,
1:01:31
a little
1:01:31
bit wobbly.
1:01:32
then one
1:01:34
stabilizer
1:01:35
is taken
1:01:35
off and
1:01:36
they'll be
1:01:36
stumbling
1:01:37
then.
1:01:38
And then
1:01:38
the time
1:01:38
will come
1:01:39
when both
1:01:39
stabilizers
1:01:40
come off
1:01:41
and the
1:01:42
child is
1:01:42
wobbling
1:01:43
from side
1:01:44
to side.
1:01:45
But as a
1:01:46
parent,
1:01:46
as a
1:01:47
father or
1:01:47
a mother,
1:01:48
you take
1:01:48
hold of
1:01:49
the seat
1:01:49
or you
1:01:49
go alongside
1:01:50
them,
1:01:51
you keep
1:01:52
them from
1:01:52
stumbling.
1:01:54
It's almost
1:01:55
like that is
1:01:55
the image
1:01:56
that we have
1:01:56
here.
1:01:58
Him who
1:01:58
is able
1:01:59
to keep
1:02:00
you from
1:02:00
stumbling.
1:02:01
Him who
1:02:02
is with
1:02:02
you always.
1:02:05
The one
1:02:06
who is able
1:02:06
to keep
1:02:08
you.
1:02:08
The one
1:02:08
who we
1:02:09
see described
1:02:10
as having
1:02:11
his everlasting
1:02:12
arms underneath.
1:02:15
The one
1:02:15
who keeps
1:02:16
his people.
1:02:20
And so
1:02:20
we are to
1:02:20
follow the
1:02:22
example of
1:02:23
Jude himself
1:02:24
here.
1:02:24
The one
1:02:25
who persevered
1:02:26
in the
1:02:27
faith and
1:02:28
the hard
1:02:28
work of
1:02:29
the Christian
1:02:30
life.
1:02:31
But the
1:02:31
one who
1:02:32
is able
1:02:33
to praise
1:02:34
God in
1:02:35
the midst
1:02:35
of it
1:02:36
all.
1:02:37
So how
1:02:38
do we
1:02:39
persevere?
1:02:40
How then
1:02:41
do we
1:02:42
keep on?
1:02:44
We
1:02:44
remember,
1:02:46
beloved,
1:02:46
the predictions.
1:02:49
We remember,
1:02:50
beloved,
1:02:51
that we are
1:02:51
to build
1:02:52
ourselves up
1:02:53
in the
1:02:54
most holy
1:02:55
faith.
1:02:55
But above
1:02:56
all,
1:02:57
we remember
1:02:58
him,
1:02:59
who is
1:03:00
able to
1:03:01
keep you
1:03:02
from
1:03:02
stumbling
1:03:03
and to
1:03:03
present you
1:03:04
blameless
1:03:05
before the
1:03:06
presence of
1:03:07
his glory
1:03:08
with great
1:03:09
joy.
1:03:10
We have a
1:03:11
God who
1:03:12
is able
1:03:13
to keep
1:03:14
us.
1:03:15
Here,
1:03:16
before us
1:03:17
this night,
1:03:18
we have a
1:03:19
letter.
1:03:20
And on this
1:03:21
letter,
1:03:22
it says,
1:03:22
this is on
1:03:23
his majesty's
1:03:24
service.
1:03:25
verse,
1:03:25
it's not
1:03:27
to be
1:03:28
ignored.
1:03:29
So the
1:03:30
question is,
1:03:31
but you.
1:03:34
What will
1:03:34
you do
1:03:35
with this
1:03:36
word?
1:03:37
Will you
1:03:38
ignore it
1:03:38
and put it
1:03:39
away?
1:03:40
Or will you
1:03:41
open your
1:03:41
heart to
1:03:43
receive this
1:03:43
word and
1:03:45
see as a
1:03:46
people what
1:03:47
we are to
1:03:48
do to keep
1:03:49
ourselves,
1:03:50
us,
1:03:50
but above
1:03:51
all to
1:03:52
see what
1:03:53
God has
1:03:54
done to
1:03:55
keep us
1:03:55
from stumbling
1:03:56
and that he
1:03:57
is able to
1:03:58
keep us
1:03:59
for all
1:04:00
eternity.
1:04:02
May we
1:04:03
hear what
1:04:04
God the
1:04:05
Lord is
1:04:05
saying and
1:04:06
put our
1:04:07
trust in
1:04:08
him.
1:04:08
Let us
1:04:09
pray.
1:04:11
Our
1:04:12
Father in
1:04:13
heaven,
1:04:13
we rejoice
1:04:14
that you
1:04:14
are a
1:04:15
God who
1:04:15
speaks and
1:04:16
who has
1:04:16
not kept
1:04:17
silent,
1:04:18
that you
1:04:18
have not
1:04:19
turned away
1:04:19
from us,
1:04:21
but that
1:04:21
you are a
1:04:21
God who
1:04:22
is calling
1:04:22
his people
1:04:23
to heed
1:04:24
your word,
1:04:25
to hear what
1:04:26
you are
1:04:26
saying as
1:04:27
our Lord
1:04:28
and as
1:04:28
our King.
1:04:30
And so
1:04:30
help us to
1:04:31
hear that
1:04:32
you are
1:04:32
calling to
1:04:33
us as a
1:04:34
people,
1:04:34
every one
1:04:35
of us,
1:04:36
but you
1:04:36
this evening.
1:04:38
What will
1:04:38
you do?
1:04:39
So Lord,
1:04:40
bless us,
1:04:40
we pray,
1:04:41
and guide us
1:04:42
in all of
1:04:42
these things,
1:04:43
forgiving our
1:04:44
sins,
1:04:45
in Jesus'
1:04:45
name.
1:04:46
Amen.
1:04:49
We're going
1:04:51
to conclude
1:04:52
by singing
1:04:53
to God's
1:04:54
praise in
1:04:54
Psalm 139,
1:04:57
page 433,
1:05:03
Psalm 139,
1:05:06
at verse 16
1:05:07
down to
1:05:07
verse 18,
1:05:08
the tune is
1:05:09
Weatherby.
1:05:11
This is Psalm
1:05:11
reminds us
1:05:12
that the Lord
1:05:13
knows that
1:05:14
every circumstance,
1:05:15
even as we
1:05:16
see in these
1:05:17
verses that
1:05:18
we are formed
1:05:19
in the innermost
1:05:20
part, we are
1:05:21
formed in
1:05:22
his knowledge
1:05:23
of us.
1:05:24
Thine eyes
1:05:24
my substance
1:05:25
did behold,
1:05:27
yet being
1:05:27
unperfect,
1:05:29
and in the
1:05:29
volume of
1:05:30
thy book
1:05:30
my members
1:05:31
all were
1:05:32
writh,
1:05:32
which after
1:05:33
incontinuance
1:05:34
were fashioned
1:05:35
every one,
1:05:36
when as
1:05:37
they yet
1:05:37
as shapeless
1:05:38
were,
1:05:38
and of them
1:05:39
there was
1:05:40
none.
1:05:41
But yet
1:05:42
we see
1:05:42
how precious
1:05:43
also are
1:05:44
your thoughts,
1:05:44
O gracious
1:05:45
God,
1:05:46
to me,
1:05:47
and in
1:05:48
their sum
1:05:48
how passing
1:05:49
great and
1:05:50
numberless
1:05:51
they be.
1:05:52
So we'll sing
1:05:53
from verse 16
1:05:54
to 18
1:05:55
to God's
1:05:55
praise.
1:05:56
Amen.
1:06:01
Thy night
1:06:05
my substance
1:06:07
still
1:06:09
behold,
1:06:12
yet
1:06:13
and he
1:06:13
added,
1:06:20
and in
1:06:21
his
1:06:22
의 order
1:06:22
hold
1:06:26
high
1:06:27
of
1:06:29
my
1:06:30
members
1:06:31
of
1:06:33
wherein
1:06:35
chacun
1:06:36
We chapter in continuous
1:06:45
Where passion gave me war
1:06:54
When us created all shameless were
1:07:04
And nothing there was none
1:07:13
How precious also I thought
1:07:23
O gracious God to me
1:07:31
And in their song
1:07:36
How vows sing great
1:07:40
How dumb their heads believe
1:07:48
If I should count the path
1:07:57
The sound they would
1:08:01
Lord in number be
1:08:06
What time so ever
1:08:12
Nigh away
1:08:16
I am the one with thee
1:08:25
After the benediction I'll go to the door to my left
1:08:29
We'll close with the benediction
1:08:30
Now may grace, mercy and peace from God
1:08:34
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
1:08:36
Rest upon and abide with you all
1:08:39
Now and forever more
1:08:40
Amen
1:08:41
Amen
1:08:42
Amen
1:08:56
Amen
1:09:00
Amen
1:09:02
Thank you.