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Faith and the Danger of Finishing Badly · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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We're going to begin our worship by singing to God's praise from Psalm 95 in the Scottish
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! It's on page 357 and we're singing at verse number 6. Psalm 95 at verse number 6 and we're going to sing to the end of the psalm.
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O come and let us worship him. Let us bow down with all and on our knees before the Lord our maker let us fall.
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We stand to sing from verse 6 to the end of the psalm.
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Our maker let us fall.
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For he's our God, the people we, of his own pasture and hand, and of his hand, the sheep, today if he is born.
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Then harden not your hearts as in the provocation, as in the desert on the day,
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of the temptation.
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When me, your father, stepped and grew, and did my working see,
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He lived for the space of forty years, the traits that beeth me.
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I said,
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I said,
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I said,
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I said,
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I said,
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I said,
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I said,
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I said,
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I said,
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I said,
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I said,
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I said,
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But to my rest they should not go
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Let us bow our heads in prayer. Let us pray.
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Almighty and most gracious God,
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we rejoice in you this evening as the only true and living God.
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As we come to worship you, we give thanks to you
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that you are the sovereign God who rules and who reigns
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in every aspect of this world in which we live.
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We give thanks to you that you are the God of the storm
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and the God of the calm,
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and that whatever changes take place around us
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that affect our everyday lives,
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that you are the God who sits on your throne
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and to seize everything from the beginning to the end
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and to direct the course of this world
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for the glory of your name,
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to fulfill your purposes and to save your people.
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And we are thankful to you for your word
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that once more we sing as we begin this time of worship,
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a word that reminds us of the history of your people,
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a word that reminds us of their waywardness
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and their falling away from the paths
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that you set out for them.
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We pray you, O Lord our God,
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to help us to hear these words
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and to give thanks to you
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that you are the great shepherd of your people
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and that you call those who do go astray,
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that you claim them for yourself anew,
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that you bring them back,
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that you heal them and that you restore them,
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and that you give them once more
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that sense of spiritual health and well-being,
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living as the children of God
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in this dark world in which we live.
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And we pray, O Lord our God,
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that we may sense always
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such a shepherding hand upon our lives,
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guiding us and steering us,
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supplying our need,
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giving us comfort in the trials
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and the sufferings of this life,
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and giving us a sense of believing
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and understanding
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that everything that takes place
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in the lives of your people
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works together for their good
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in accordance with your purpose.
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We pray your blessing to be upon all of us
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as we do worship you together here.
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We pray for your blessing to be upon those
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who are joining us online as well.
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We give thanks to you
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for the many different ways
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in which the gospel reaches
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the hearts and minds
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of people in this world
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today and this evening.
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And we pray that your Holy Spirit,
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that breath of life,
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that alone will bring about change,
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will make your word
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the living word
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in the hearts and minds
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of all who do here,
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and so that we may see
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and know
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and see evidence
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of your work
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going on
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in this world
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in which we live.
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As we reflect on
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the wider Christian community
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in our own nation
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and across the nations
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of the earth,
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we do give thanks to you
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that you are the God
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who is working,
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the God who is building
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your church.
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And we pray that you help us
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to be aware
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of such encouragements,
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help us to be aware
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of your great work
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in the midst of
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different corners
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of our own land
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and the different nations
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of the earth.
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And help us to be encouraged
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in our hearts
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that you are indeed
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building your church.
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And as we reflect
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on your word
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and see the different ways
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in which
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your people
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turned their backs
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upon you
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and you turned
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your backs
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upon them,
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help us to be encouraged,
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O Lord,
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because of the fact
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that you are working
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and that you continue
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to build
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and to save
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those who are lost.
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Continue to build up
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your children
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into the maturity
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of faith
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and giving all
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of your people
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to grow in appreciation
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of the preciousness
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of your grace,
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of the supreme cost
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of their salvation
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and rejoicing
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and marvelling
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day by day
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in the gift
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of your Son
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and in every way
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in which
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the riches
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that come to us
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as your people
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are because of
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the poverty
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that he endured.
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And help us,
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O Lord our God,
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to truly sense
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that we are rich
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in the grace of God
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and help us,
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therefore,
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to ensure
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that day by day
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our treasure
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is in heaven
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where Christ is.
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We pray for your
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blessing to be upon
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the homes
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of our congregation.
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We pray that you will
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remember all of your people,
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remember all of those
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who are in need
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this evening.
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We pray for your
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comforting presence
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for those who continue
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to mourn the loss
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of loved ones
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and to have that sense
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of emptiness
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in their hearts
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and that sense
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of emptiness
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in their homes.
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We pray you
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that you will
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draw near to them,
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that you will
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comfort them
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with your gracious
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presence,
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that you will give
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peace to them
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and strength
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to them
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and give them
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to lift up
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their heads
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in the knowledge
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that you are
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their God,
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the God who promises
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to be present
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with your people
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in every situation
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and in every trial
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of life.
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We pray also
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for those who are
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unwell
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and especially
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those who are
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seriously ill.
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We ask for your
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blessing to be upon
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them in the midst
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of the trauma
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that comes into
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people's lives
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through serious
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illness.
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Help them,
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O Lord our God,
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to cope with
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such trauma,
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to cope with
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such change
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in their lives
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and even
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in the storms
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of the trauma
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of serious
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illness.
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May they sense
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that inner peace,
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the knowledge
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that you are
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with them,
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your gracious
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hand upon them,
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giving strength
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to them each day
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to face whatever
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each day brings
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to them
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and to do so
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in the strength
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of our God
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to know your
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grace and the
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sufficiency
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you offered.
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Bless them
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in their illnesses,
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bless them
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in their treatment
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that they receive
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and may you
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grant your healing
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hand to be upon
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them and to
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may you give
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to them and to
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all of their
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families a sense
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of your love
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and your presence
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with them,
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carrying them
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through such
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trials in life
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and giving them
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together strength
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day by day
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in the knowledge
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that God is
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a refuge
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and their strength
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and in straits
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a present aid.
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we pray for
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your blessing
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to be upon
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the church
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to which we
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belong,
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that you will
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bless our
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witness,
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that you will
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bless the
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ministry of
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the gospel,
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that you will
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bless all of
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our congregations
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and all of
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our ministers
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and all of
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our people,
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that you will
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bless the
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seminary in
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Edinburgh,
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that you will
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bless those
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who are training
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for ministry,
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pray that you
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will bless those
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who are already
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working in their
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studies and we
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do pray that
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you will also
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call others
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to yourself
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to serve you
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and to serve
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you in the
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gospel across
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our land and
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beyond.
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We are thankful
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to you that you
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are the God
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who does indeed
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prepare workers
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for the harvest
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which is yours
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and we pray that
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you will lay your
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claims on the
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hearts and minds
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of men here
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and elsewhere
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even this evening
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to lay upon
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their shoulders
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the burden of
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your calling
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and to give
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them a sense
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of their need
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to respond
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in obedience
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to your claims
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upon them
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and to may
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they be truly
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equipped and
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gifted and
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prepared by you
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to be mighty
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instruments in
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your hand
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in the preaching
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of your word
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and in the
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advancement of
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your kingdom
11:03
in the days
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that are to
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come.
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Have mercy upon
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us we do
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pray and
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we pray for
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ourselves we
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pray for the
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wider church
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across the
11:11
world blessing
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upon her
11:13
ministry blessing
11:14
upon your
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people that
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you will give
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to us all
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across the
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world lives
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that are
11:20
honouring to
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you that are
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faithful to
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the gospel
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and lives
11:24
that are
11:25
lived in
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this world
11:26
where there
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are so many
11:28
distractions
11:28
so many
11:30
things to
11:30
take our
11:31
minds away
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from you
11:33
so many
11:34
things to
11:34
invade our
11:35
thinking and
11:36
to displace
11:37
the glory of
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your truth
11:38
we pray that
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you will help
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us oh lord
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god in
11:41
these days
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to know
11:44
your protection
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and to
11:46
know what
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it is to
11:47
remain in
11:48
your paths
11:49
and to
11:49
walk in
11:50
your truth
11:51
as you have
11:52
called us
11:52
so to be
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help us to
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be wise in
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the day in
11:55
which we
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live and
11:56
give to us
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that wisdom
11:57
day by day
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to understand
11:59
to know
12:00
to put your
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word into
12:02
practice and
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to know what
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it is to
12:04
have your
12:05
strength in
12:06
our hearts
12:07
day by day
12:08
to continue
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to live
12:10
faithfully
12:11
as you have
12:11
called us to
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be as your
12:13
people here in
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this world
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we pray for
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your blessing
12:17
upon the
12:17
parts of the
12:18
world tonight
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and you
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where there
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is conflict
12:20
and strife
12:21
and war
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there is so
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much destruction
12:24
of innocent
12:25
life
12:25
lord our
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god we do
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pray that
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you will
12:28
stretch out
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your hand
12:29
and that
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you will
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bless those
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who are in
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leadership in
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these parts of
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the world
12:34
and elsewhere
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those who
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have influence
12:36
on these
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parts of the
12:38
world
12:38
we do pray
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oh lord
12:39
our god
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for your
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hand to
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be upon
12:41
them
12:42
that they
12:42
may have
12:43
the wisdom
12:44
to lead
12:45
to these
12:45
parts of
12:46
the world
12:46
to a
12:47
peace that
12:48
will be
12:49
maintained in
12:49
the future
12:50
a peace which
12:51
will be embraced
12:52
by all
12:53
involved
12:53
and a peace
12:54
which will
12:55
show your
12:56
peace as
12:57
the god
12:57
who is the
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god of
12:58
peace
12:59
who lays
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your hand
13:00
upon the
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hearts of
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kings and
13:03
of leaders
13:03
and who
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directs them
13:05
and turns
13:06
them around
13:07
to follow
13:07
in your
13:07
paths
13:08
we pray
13:09
for your
13:09
intervention
13:10
we pray
13:11
for peace
13:11
to be
13:11
restored
13:12
and we
13:13
pray for
13:13
your
13:13
people
13:14
to
13:14
continue
13:15
to have
13:15
strength
13:16
and grace
13:16
to remain
13:17
faithful to
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you
13:18
in the midst
13:19
of such
13:19
suffering
13:20
and also
13:21
in the midst
13:21
of persecution
13:22
bless your
13:23
people
13:23
we do pray
13:24
and to make
13:25
your own
13:26
name great
13:26
in this
13:27
world in
13:27
which we
13:28
live
13:28
we pray
13:29
by your
13:29
blessing
13:29
to be
13:30
upon
13:30
your word
13:30
to us
13:30
this evening
13:31
as we
13:31
share in
13:32
it together
13:33
once more
13:33
may you
13:34
guide us
13:35
and help
13:35
us
13:36
and bless
13:37
us in
13:37
our reading
13:37
and in
13:37
your study
13:38
offered
13:38
and as
13:39
we reflect
13:41
on our
13:42
being here
13:42
and reflect
13:43
upon the
13:44
ministry of
13:44
your word
13:45
we do pray
13:46
for your
13:46
blessing to
13:47
be upon
13:47
your servant
13:48
round
13:49
Calamurdo
13:49
at this time
13:50
of holiday
13:51
at this time
13:51
may you
13:52
grant him
13:53
to be
13:53
strengthened
13:53
and to
13:54
be refreshed
13:55
and to
13:55
return in
13:56
the strength
13:57
of your
13:58
grace
13:58
to continue
13:59
his work
14:00
of ministry
14:01
here in
14:02
our congregation
14:02
be with
14:03
himself
14:03
and with
14:04
his family
14:04
and bless
14:06
your
14:06
servant
14:06
and call
14:07
him a
14:07
clear as
14:08
well as
14:08
responsibility
14:09
for the
14:10
congregation
14:10
also at
14:11
this time
14:12
we pray
14:12
for strength
14:13
and grace
14:13
and blessing
14:14
upon him
14:15
in his own
14:16
congregation
14:16
and his
14:17
home and in
14:17
his family
14:18
and in his
14:19
work with
14:20
the congregation
14:20
here
14:21
so bless
14:21
them and
14:22
bless us
14:22
all and
14:23
hear our
14:23
prayer and
14:24
go before
14:25
us having
14:25
mercy upon
14:26
us for
14:26
we pray
14:27
these things
14:27
for Jesus
14:28
sake
14:28
amen
14:29
it's not
14:33
going to
14:33
turn to
14:34
praise God
14:34
this time
14:35
from sing
14:35
psalms
14:36
psalm
14:37
number 56
14:38
on page
14:39
73
14:40
psalm 56
14:42
at verse
14:44
number 9
14:45
and sing it
14:46
to the end
14:47
of the psalm
14:48
psalm 56
14:51
at verse
14:52
9
14:53
when I
14:56
call on
14:56
you to
14:57
help me
14:57
then my
14:59
foes will
14:59
turn aside
15:00
this is how
15:01
I will be
15:02
certain
15:02
that my
15:03
God is
15:04
on my
15:05
side
15:05
from
15:06
verse 9
15:07
to the end
15:08
of the psalm
15:08
to God's
15:08
praise
15:09
when I
15:16
call on
15:18
you to
15:18
help me
15:20
then my
15:21
foes will
15:23
turn aside
15:26
this is
15:27
I will
15:29
be
15:30
certain
15:31
that my
15:32
God
15:33
is
15:34
on my
15:35
side
15:36
in the
15:38
Lord
15:39
his word
15:40
I
15:41
honor
15:41
in my
15:43
God
15:44
I
15:45
praise
15:46
his word
15:48
I
15:49
will
15:49
I
15:49
will
15:49
trust
15:50
and
15:51
not
15:51
be
15:52
fearful
15:53
what
15:54
can
15:55
man
15:55
do
15:56
to
15:57
the
15:57
Lord
15:58
I
16:00
have
16:01
taken
16:02
vows
16:03
before
16:04
you
16:05
to
16:06
my
16:07
God
16:08
I
16:08
will
16:09
be
16:09
true
16:11
sacrifices
16:13
!
16:14
of
16:14
thanksgiving
16:16
!
16:16
I
16:17
will
16:18
gladly
16:18
give
16:20
to
16:20
you
16:21
for
16:23
you
16:23
kept
16:24
my
16:25
feet
16:25
from
16:26
stumbling
16:27
and
16:28
from
16:29
death
16:30
you
16:30
set
16:31
me
16:31
free
16:32
so
16:34
that
16:34
I
16:35
may
16:36
walk
16:36
before
16:37
you
16:38
and
16:39
the
16:40
light
16:41
of
16:42
life
16:42
receive
16:43
me
16:44
I
16:48
turn
16:48
again
16:49
now
16:49
to
16:49
hear
16:49
the
16:50
word
16:50
of
16:50
God
16:50
from
16:50
the
16:50
New
16:51
Testament
16:51
from
16:52
the
16:52
letter
16:52
to
16:53
Hebrews
16:53
and
16:53
chapter
16:54
number
16:54
3
16:55
Hebrews
16:56
chapter
16:57
3
16:58
I'm
17:00
going
17:00
to
17:00
read
17:00
the
17:00
whole
17:00
of
17:01
this
17:01
chapter
17:01
Hebrews
17:05
3
17:06
let
17:07
us
17:07
hear
17:07
the
17:08
word
17:08
of
17:08
God
17:08
therefore
17:11
holy
17:11
brothers
17:12
you
17:13
who share
17:13
in a
17:13
heavenly
17:14
calling
17:14
consider
17:15
Jesus
17:16
the
17:16
apostle
17:17
and
17:17
high
17:17
priest
17:17
of
17:18
our
17:18
confession
17:18
who
17:19
was
17:19
faithful
17:20
to
17:20
him
17:20
who
17:20
appointed
17:21
him
17:21
just
17:22
as
17:22
Moses
17:23
also
17:23
was
17:23
faithful
17:24
in
17:25
all
17:25
God's
17:25
house
17:26
for
17:27
Jesus
17:27
has
17:27
been
17:28
counted
17:28
worthy
17:28
of
17:28
more
17:29
glory
17:29
than
17:29
Moses
17:29
as
17:30
much
17:31
more
17:31
glory
17:31
as
17:32
the
17:32
builder
17:32
of
17:32
a
17:32
house
17:33
has
17:33
more
17:33
honor
17:34
than
17:34
a
17:34
house
17:34
itself
17:35
for
17:36
every
17:36
house
17:36
is
17:36
built
17:37
by
17:37
someone
17:37
but
17:38
the
17:38
builder
17:38
of
17:39
all
17:39
things
17:43
house
17:43
as
17:43
a
17:44
servant
17:44
to
17:45
testify
17:45
to
17:45
the
17:46
things
17:46
that
17:46
were
17:47
to
17:47
be
17:47
spoken
17:47
later
17:48
but
17:49
Christ
17:49
is
17:49
faithful
17:50
over
17:50
God's
17:50
house
17:51
as
17:51
a
17:51
son
17:51
and
17:52
we
17:53
are
17:53
his
17:53
house
17:53
if
17:54
indeed
17:54
we
17:55
hold
17:55
fast
17:55
our
17:55
confidence
17:56
and
17:57
our
17:57
boasting
17:57
in
17:58
our
17:58
hope
17:58
therefore
18:00
as
18:00
the
18:00
Holy
18:00
Spirit
18:01
says
18:01
today
18:02
if
18:02
you
18:02
hear
18:03
his
18:03
voice
18:03
do
18:04
not
18:04
harden
18:04
your
18:04
hearts
18:05
as
18:05
in
18:05
the
18:06
rebellion
18:06
on
18:07
the
18:07
day
18:07
of
18:07
resting
18:08
in
18:08
the
18:08
wilderness
18:08
where
18:09
your
18:10
fathers
18:10
put
18:10
me
18:10
to
18:10
the
18:11
test
18:11
and
18:12
saw
18:12
my
18:12
works
18:12
for
18:13
forty
18:13
years
18:13
therefore
18:15
I
18:15
was
18:15
provoked
18:15
with
18:16
that
18:16
generation
18:16
and
18:17
said
18:17
they
18:18
always
18:18
go
18:19
astray
18:19
in
18:19
their
18:19
heart
18:20
they
18:20
have
18:21
not
18:21
known
18:21
my
18:22
ways
18:22
as
18:23
I
18:23
swore
18:23
in
18:23
my
18:23
wrath
18:24
they
18:24
shall
18:25
not
18:25
enter
18:25
my
18:26
rest
18:26
take
18:27
care
18:28
brothers
18:28
lest
18:29
there
18:29
have
18:29
been
18:29
in
18:29
any
18:30
of
18:30
you
18:30
an
18:30
evil
18:31
unbelieving
18:39
today
18:40
that
18:41
none
18:41
of
18:41
you
18:41
may
18:41
be
18:41
hardened
18:42
by
18:42
the
18:43
deceitfulness
18:43
of
18:43
sin
18:44
for
18:45
we
18:45
share
18:45
in
18:45
Christ
18:46
if
18:47
indeed
18:47
we
18:47
hold
18:47
our
18:48
original
18:48
confidence
18:49
firm
18:50
to
18:50
the
18:50
end
18:50
as
18:51
it
18:52
is
18:52
said
18:52
today
18:53
if
18:53
you
18:53
hear
18:53
his
18:53
voice
18:54
do
18:54
not
18:55
harden
18:55
your
18:55
hearts
18:55
as
18:56
in
18:56
the
18:56
rebellion
18:56
for
18:58
who
18:58
were
18:58
those
18:58
who
18:59
heard
18:59
and
18:59
yet
18:59
rebelled
19:00
was
19:01
it
19:01
not
19:01
all
19:01
those
19:01
who
19:02
left
19:02
Egypt
19:02
led
19:03
by
19:03
Moses
19:03
and
19:04
with
19:05
whom
19:05
was
19:05
he
19:05
provoked
19:05
for
19:06
forty
19:06
years
19:06
was
19:07
it
19:07
not
19:08
with
19:08
those
19:08
who
19:08
sinned
19:08
whose
19:09
bodies
19:10
fell
19:10
in
19:10
the
19:10
wilderness
19:11
and
19:12
to
19:12
whom
19:12
did
19:12
he
19:12
swear
19:13
that
19:13
they
19:13
would
19:13
not
19:13
enter
19:14
his
19:14
rest
19:14
but
19:15
to
19:15
those
19:16
who
19:16
are
19:16
disobedient
19:17
so
19:17
we
19:18
say
19:18
that
19:19
they
19:19
were
19:19
unable
19:19
to
19:20
enter
19:20
because
19:21
of
19:22
unbelief
19:24
I
19:25
mean
19:25
this
19:25
God's
19:25
word
19:26
we
19:26
trust
19:26
they
19:27
were
19:27
blessed
19:27
to
19:27
us
19:27
that
19:28
reading
19:28
from
19:29
it
19:29
we
19:32
turn
19:32
to
19:33
praise
19:33
God
19:33
this
19:33
time
19:33
in
19:34
the
19:34
Scottish
19:34
Psalter
19:34
and
19:35
in
19:35
Psalm
19:35
number
19:35
37
19:36
Psalm
19:38
37
19:39
on
19:39
page
19:39
254
19:41
and
19:42
we're
19:43
singing
19:43
at
19:43
verse
19:43
23
19:44
Psalm
19:46
37
19:47
at
19:48
verse
19:48
23
19:49
a
19:52
good
19:52
man's
19:53
footsteps
19:53
by the
19:54
Lord
19:54
are
19:55
ordered
19:55
aright
19:56
and
19:56
in
19:57
the
19:57
way
19:57
wherein
19:57
he
19:57
walks
19:58
he
19:58
greatly
19:59
doth
19:59
delight
20:00
we
20:01
stand
20:01
to
20:01
sing
20:01
from
20:02
verse
20:02
23
20:02
to
20:02
the
20:03
verse
20:03
mark
20:03
30
20:04
to
20:04
God's
20:04
praise
20:05
a
20:13
good
20:13
man's
20:14
footsteps
20:15
by
20:16
the
20:17
Lord
20:18
and
20:20
ordered
20:20
aright
20:25
and
20:26
in
20:27
the
20:27
way
20:28
wherein
20:29
he
20:31
walks
20:32
!
20:33
he
20:33
greatly
20:34
doth
20:36
delight
20:37
!
20:39
although
20:40
he
20:41
fall
20:43
yet
20:44
shall
20:45
he
20:46
not
20:46
be
20:47
cast
20:48
down
20:49
utterly
20:51
because
20:54
the
20:56
Lord
20:56
with
20:58
his
20:59
own
20:59
hand
21:00
up
21:00
hand
21:00
up
21:01
also
21:02
!
21:03
might
21:04
!
21:05
he
21:05
he
21:07
I
21:08
have
21:09
been
21:10
young
21:11
and
21:12
never
21:13
old
21:14
yet
21:16
have
21:17
I
21:17
never
21:18
seen
21:21
!
21:21
the
21:22
just
21:23
man
21:24
left
21:25
!
21:25
he
21:25
is
21:37
ever
21:38
merciful
21:40
and
21:42
blessed
21:44
his
21:45
seed
21:46
is
21:47
blessed
21:48
therefore
21:49
!
21:50
he
21:50
is
21:52
many
21:53
days
21:54
depart
21:55
from
21:56
evil
21:58
good
21:59
dwell
22:00
forever
22:01
more
22:02
!
22:03
For
22:04
God
22:05
loves
22:06
and
22:07
his
22:08
sins
22:09
!
22:10
not
22:11
in
22:12
days
22:14
not
22:15
in
22:16
many
22:17
days
22:19
they
22:20
are
22:21
kept
22:22
ever
22:24
but
22:25
God
22:26
all
22:27
shall
22:28
be
22:29
the
22:30
sinner's
22:31
grace
22:32
the
22:33
just
22:34
inherited
22:35
shall
22:36
belong
22:38
and
22:39
ever
22:40
in
22:41
his
22:42
heart
22:43
and
22:44
ever
22:45
in
22:46
it
22:47
dwell
22:48
the
22:50
just
22:51
man's
22:52
mouth
22:53
doth
22:54
wisdom
22:55
speak
22:56
his
22:57
tongue
22:58
doth
22:59
judgment
23:00
tell
23:02
hell
23:08
let's turn together now to the end to Hebrews and chapter number three and we can read once more at verse number 12
23:16
Hebrews 3 at verse 12
23:19
take care brothers
23:23
lest there be in any of you an evil and believing heart leading you to fall away from the living God
23:31
but exhort one another every day as long as it is called today that enough you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin
23:39
for we share in Christ if indeed we hold our original confidence for him to the end and so on
23:46
and so on
23:48
i guess when we reflect on this letter and think of the hearers of it we can think of our people who faced perhaps the same difficulties as we do ourselves
24:05
the same challenges in the world in which we live of course they lived in a different age to us in the sense of science and technology and all of the other advancements
24:17
nevertheless
24:19
the crisis that they faced in life were similar to our own and when we do read the letter there are three particular crises that we can see highlighted
24:30
and the first of these is that there is a hearing crisis
24:35
they are not good at listening to what God has to say to them and that causes great difficulties for them
24:45
there is a hearing crisis
24:47
secondly there is
24:49
a faith crisis
24:52
their faith is at times it seems ready to begin to fail
24:56
they are not hearing well
24:57
they are not hearing well
24:59
and because of that their faith is in trouble
25:03
and the third aspect of the crisis is that there is a worship crisis
25:08
they are falling back into the religion the worship practice of the Old Testament
25:15
and losing sight of where they should be
25:18
and i guess these three things will impact our own lives from time to time
25:22
we are not hearing well
25:25
our faith is
25:27
stuttering and trembling
25:29
and our worship
25:31
may not be the way that God wants our worship to be
25:34
and the writer's response to that
25:37
is to highlight for them
25:39
the significance and the supremacy
25:42
of the Lord Jesus Christ
25:44
that's how the letter begins
25:46
Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God
25:49
the express imprint of his nature
25:53
he is the son of God
25:55
and the work that the son of God has taken on
25:58
is explained through the letter
26:01
to the beginning of the letter
26:03
and in the chapters that do follow
26:05
that's the answer
26:07
to all of their problems
26:09
that they do understand the passion and work of Jesus
26:13
alongside of that
26:14
we can see two other things
26:18
that are mingled in
26:20
that whole purpose
26:22
in showing the importance of the Lord Jesus
26:26
the emphasis on faith itself
26:28
and how that faith works
26:30
and along with that
26:32
we see list
26:34
five times in this letter
26:36
warning passages
26:39
key passages
26:41
that highlight to them
26:42
the danger that they are in
26:43
because of the crisis
26:45
and because they fail to appreciate
26:47
the importance of the passion and work of the Lord Jesus
26:51
and when we come into this chapter this evening
26:54
we are looking at the second of these warning passages
26:58
and we do want to look at the words especially in verses 12 to 14
27:03
and see what the writer has to say to the hearers
27:06
and see what these words have to say to ourselves
27:09
as the word of God together this evening
27:13
and we want to think of these verses
27:16
under the title
27:18
faith and the danger of finishing badly
27:22
you want to think first of all
27:25
that we see regard in the passage
27:28
that is to say
27:30
there are things that they need to consider carefully
27:33
and that's how verse 12 begins
27:35
take care
27:38
now if
27:40
I hear anybody saying that to me
27:42
I think immediately
27:44
the person that is saying this
27:46
is interested in my well-being
27:49
it usually comes from somebody
27:52
who is concerned for me
27:54
somebody who has love for me
27:56
in a particular way
27:58
they want me to take care
28:00
and when the writer is saying that
28:01
he wants first of all
28:04
to address them as who they are
28:06
it's really important that
28:08
the person who is going to
28:10
ask me to take care about something
28:12
that he recognizes who I am first of all
28:18
he is addressing them here as those
28:21
brothers
28:23
in the Lord
28:25
at the beginning of the chapter
28:27
they are holy brothers
28:28
and they are set apart
28:29
by God himself
28:31
in the life of the church of God
28:33
in the place where these people lived
28:35
that's where they belong
28:38
they are the people of God
28:40
that's who we are ourselves together this evening
28:42
we are under the banner of the gospel
28:44
we are under the ministry of the word of God
28:46
we are the people of God
28:48
and when he is addressing them
28:51
there is a particular characteristic
28:53
that he draws attention to
28:54
at the beginning of the chapter
28:58
the kind of people
29:01
and especially the direction of their lives
29:03
there are people in verse 1
29:06
who share in
29:08
a heavenly calling
29:10
they are doing something together
29:13
they are participating in something together
29:16
and it is not so much a thing
29:20
as a journey
29:21
they are sharing a journey together
29:24
it is a heavenly calling
29:27
and we hear the words of Paul
29:30
in Philippians chapter 3
29:32
and he is being driven by this
29:35
sense of the upward heavenly call of Jesus Christ
29:39
God's claims upon him
29:41
and he gives the image of a journey
29:45
on which he has embarked
29:47
from a particular time in his life
29:48
and a journey that carries him
29:49
nearer and nearer to where Jesus is
29:53
and that's the image that we have here
29:56
they are sharing in a heavenly calling
30:01
they are going in the direction of the people of God
30:04
they know what the outcome is
30:07
we see it in chapter 11
30:09
as those who have faith
30:11
they desire a better country
30:13
even a heavenly one
30:14
in this world
30:15
in this world
30:16
they are exiles and strangers
30:18
they know that this world is not their home
30:21
they are on a journey together
30:23
and they have the hope
30:25
and the expectation
30:27
that when that journey ends
30:29
they will be in heaven
30:31
where Jesus is at God's right hand
30:33
and where God is gathering his church
30:36
and tonight that's the hope that we share in ourselves
30:40
we are participating in the same thing
30:44
we are on the same journey
30:47
and to a greater or lesser degree
30:50
this evening we are here because
30:52
heaven is a place
30:54
to which God is calling his people
30:57
and to which he is gathering them
30:59
and we are journeying on those who are around us
31:02
because they are going to that place
31:04
we are sharing that moment with them
31:06
we are on a journey with them
31:10
we don't think of our life
31:14
in the church of Jesus Christ
31:16
as simply events dotted along life's way
31:20
it includes that
31:22
but they are events on our journey
31:25
and tonight we are going forward on that journey together
31:29
a step closer, a step further
31:31
to where we expect to be
31:34
the journey
31:36
and it is
31:38
to these people
31:40
on that journey
31:42
that the writer asks them
31:44
to take care
31:46
to consider something keenly
31:51
to see something
31:54
and to let what they see
31:57
impact upon their thinking
31:59
in such a way as to impact on their lives
32:02
and to take care
32:03
and what they are to take care of
32:04
and to consider is
32:05
that there is something they want to avoid
32:09
and surely anybody who has got
32:10
or interests in view
32:12
if there are things in life that should be avoided
32:16
the person who loves us most
32:17
will make sure that they will make us aware of the things
32:22
that we want to avoid
32:23
and what is the danger
32:30
for those who are on this journey to heaven to be where Jesus is
32:34
the danger is
32:36
that there be in any of you
32:39
an evil heart
32:41
an evil unbelieving heart
32:42
believing heart
32:43
it's all about
32:46
what our heart is really
32:48
we are driven by
32:54
we make these decisions in life
32:57
and we journey on in the light of
33:00
that makes us who we are
33:02
but here is
33:04
what they are to be concerned about
33:07
another movement
33:08
that could take place
33:09
it's a movement
33:12
that could take them away
33:14
from the direction of travel
33:16
and the destination to which they are going
33:24
and when you think of the people of God
33:28
the particular evil that they are guilty of
33:31
is turning their backs upon God
33:34
forsaking me the living God
33:37
says God
33:38
says God in Jeremiah chapter 2
33:40
that was the first great evil
33:43
they forsook him
33:45
they turned away from him
33:47
and the turning away
33:49
here is
33:51
is the evil
33:53
unbelieving heart
33:57
the heart
33:59
that reaches the point
34:01
of stopping to believe
34:03
and when we understand that these people are not
34:06
we are looking at people
34:07
we are looking at people
34:09
and considering people
34:11
who are moved from a position of
34:14
to a position of
34:17
it is not as if
34:19
they were always characterized by unbelief
34:22
!
34:22
this is something
34:24
that they are to be aware of
34:26
that could
34:28
come in
34:30
something that could develop in their lives
34:32
the heart of unbelief
34:33
and for us
34:36
together this evening
34:37
as we
34:39
think of that journey
34:41
here is one of
34:42
the greatest dangers in life
34:45
that we can go from
34:47
a life of believing
34:50
to a life of unbelief
34:53
and perhaps you are saying to me
34:56
surely that's not possible
34:58
God tells us
35:01
that's what he highlights
35:03
in these chapters
35:04
about the people of the Old Testament
35:06
it can surely happen
35:08
and God wants us to
35:10
to consider
35:12
such a development
35:14
taking place in our own lives
35:17
that
35:19
there is
35:20
that side road
35:21
that we are going away from
35:22
the main direction of travel
35:23
and it is a side road
35:25
that is bringing us to a place
35:27
of
35:28
unbelief
35:30
in God
35:33
there is a loving concern
35:37
who is writing on behalf of a loving God
35:40
and he is asking them to take care
35:43
about this great danger
35:45
and the danger
35:47
is the outcome
35:49
it's the unbelieving heart
35:50
it's the unbelieving heart
35:51
in falling away
35:54
from the living
35:57
it's
36:01
place of standing
36:03
it's to be removed from one place
36:07
it's to lose their status
36:09
and be given a new status
36:11
it's the unbelieving heart
36:13
of unbelief
36:15
that takes them where they are
36:17
a journey
36:18
a journey
36:19
that they did not expect
36:20
to be on
36:22
a journey of
36:23
departing from God
36:25
a journey
36:27
that leaves them
36:28
departing from the way
36:30
to the rest
36:32
that is set before
36:35
and that
36:37
falling away
36:39
is exactly that
36:41
that they fall away from
36:43
the prospect
36:45
and the destination
36:46
of being
36:47
in heaven
36:48
where
36:49
Christ is
36:52
heart
36:54
is it a possibility
37:01
that kind of development
37:04
this evening
37:06
we may
37:07
ask
37:08
come from
37:12
because of
37:14
the kind of individuals
37:15
we are
37:16
because of our culture
37:17
that there may be blind spots
37:18
in our lives
37:21
and these blind spots
37:22
leave us
37:23
making mistakes
37:24
from time to time
37:25
and going down
37:26
a road that we
37:27
should not be on
37:28
and never intended
37:29
on being on
37:30
perhaps
37:33
their developments
37:34
because of the
37:35
busyness of life
37:37
that they take over
37:38
our thinking
37:40
perhaps their developments
37:41
simply because of
37:42
of the world
37:43
around us
37:44
the developments
37:45
that take us
37:47
down this road
37:48
and there's a book
37:51
written by
37:52
Susan Scott
37:53
it's called
37:55
Fierce Conversations
37:58
having conversations
37:59
that ensure that we
38:01
have a successful
38:02
career and life
38:03
and so on and so forth
38:05
and there's a sentence
38:06
in that book
38:07
which says this
38:08
our lives succeed
38:10
or fall gradually
38:11
then suddenly
38:14
one conversation
38:15
at a time
38:17
and you see
38:18
what she's saying
38:20
there's the gradual
38:23
from our
38:25
belief of faith
38:27
and it's one
38:29
conversation
38:30
at a time
38:31
influences that
38:32
bear upon our thinking
38:33
and step by step
38:34
we go gradually
38:35
we go gradually
38:36
away
38:37
and we don't realize
38:38
that we have gone
38:39
away until
38:40
suddenly there is
38:41
that drop
38:42
and there is that fall
38:45
life
38:47
and all of its influences
38:49
faith
38:50
and all of the
38:51
external influences
38:53
and all of the
38:54
external pressures
38:56
and every way
38:58
tonight we need to
38:59
take good heed
39:01
to regard
39:02
the danger
39:03
of
39:04
unbelief
39:06
and losing
39:08
not just our
39:09
sense of direction
39:11
but losing
39:12
our sense
39:14
of God
39:15
and of Christ
39:16
in our lives
39:18
the regard
39:21
secondly
39:23
we want to think of
39:24
the responsibility
39:26
in verse 13
39:28
we read
39:29
but exhort
39:30
every day
39:31
as long as it is
39:32
is called today
39:33
that none of you
39:34
be hardened
39:35
by the deceitfulness
39:36
of sin
39:37
every day
39:40
exhort
39:41
one another
39:43
it's the
39:45
responsibility
39:47
that they had
39:48
for each other
39:50
it's the responsibility
39:52
that you and I have
39:53
for one another
39:54
and for everybody
39:55
it is the responsibility
39:57
that arises
39:59
from being part
40:00
part of the church
40:01
of Jesus Christ
40:02
in the world
40:03
we are the body
40:04
of Christ
40:05
we are members
40:06
of his body
40:07
we are united
40:08
in him
40:09
we have a responsibility
40:10
for one another
40:11
and to one another
40:14
exhort
40:15
one another
40:17
every day
40:19
it's the image of
40:23
coming alongside
40:24
somebody
40:25
to help them
40:26
it's paracallio
40:27
paracallio
40:28
that's what it means
40:29
come alongside
40:30
to help
40:31
Jesus told the disciples
40:33
that the Holy Spirit
40:34
the paracallios
40:35
the helper
40:36
would come
40:37
and be with them
40:38
come alongside them
40:39
when he's no longer there
40:40
the writer
40:42
wants them
40:44
to come alongside
40:46
other people
40:48
to come alongside
40:50
to help them
40:52
and to help them
40:53
in the crisis
40:54
the crisis
40:55
that they are facing
40:56
to be an influence
40:57
for good
40:58
to show that
41:00
the love that comes
41:01
with your exhortation
41:02
is a love that works
41:04
through the people of God
41:05
to the rest of the people of God
41:08
it's a love that comes from
41:10
the loving heart of God himself
41:13
that filters through
41:15
and that should touch your life
41:17
from my life
41:18
that should touch the life of the next person
41:19
from your life
41:20
it's a love that filters through
41:22
that comes
41:25
to help
41:27
and of course
41:28
for us
41:29
to do that
41:30
we need to have
41:31
some knowledge
41:32
of the person
41:33
who needs help
41:36
and very often
41:37
when there is this
41:39
kind of development
41:40
in anyone's life
41:42
it begins to become obvious
41:45
if you or I tonight
41:46
were going to start drifting
41:47
from our faith
41:49
then eyes would see
41:50
that the people of God
41:51
who are alert
41:52
to the church of Jesus
41:54
will recognize that
41:57
and instead of
42:01
reflecting upon that
42:03
the exhortation here is
42:05
for the person
42:07
to go and help that person
42:09
who is in need
42:11
because the time is short
42:14
every day
42:16
as long as it is called
42:18
today
42:19
and today
42:21
the Bible is
42:22
God's favorable time
42:24
it's the day of salvation
42:26
we are in the world for
42:28
a limited amount of time
42:31
we know that the world will come
42:34
that this day
42:35
which is the day of salvation
42:37
will be overtaken by the day of the Lord
42:39
when Jesus will return
42:40
and then the opportunity
42:41
to help anyone
42:42
will be lost
42:45
there is an urgency
42:48
on two counts
42:50
there is the urgency because of the person
42:51
who has the need
42:53
and there is the urgency because of
42:56
the limited time
42:58
available to us
43:00
the responsibility
43:03
the responsibility
43:05
that God gives
43:09
to be sensitive
43:11
to the needs of others
43:13
to recognize those who are around us
43:16
to see changes in their lives
43:19
that suggest certain things to us
43:21
and to come alongside them
43:25
and to encourage and to help
43:28
I quoted that verse from the
43:32
the book
43:33
Fierce Conversation
43:35
the next sentence goes
43:38
while no single conversation
43:41
is guaranteed to change the trajectory
43:44
of a career
43:45
a business
43:46
a marriage
43:47
or a life
43:48
any single conversation
43:49
can
43:51
there are conversations
43:53
which influence our lives
43:55
or thinking
43:56
that lead us away from the Lord Jesus
43:58
the crisis is there
43:59
but it is through conversations
44:02
from the people of God
44:04
and the fellowship of the church of Jesus Christ
44:07
it is through these conversations
44:09
that we are brought back
44:11
and placed back in the groove
44:13
and walking
44:14
continuing our journey
44:16
with the people of God
44:18
it's a conversation
44:20
it includes prayer
44:21
it includes sharing the gospel
44:24
but it's your responsibility
44:26
and mine
44:27
to ensure
44:28
we help through our conversation
44:31
to ensure that
44:33
anyone in danger
44:34
may be rescued from it
44:36
because we don't want to see anyone
44:39
falling into a state of unbelief
44:42
and forsaking their God and their Savior
44:46
the responsibility
44:48
and the conversation is important
44:54
because
44:56
the second half of that verse
44:59
that none of you may be hardened
45:01
by the deceitfulness
45:03
of sin
45:05
something that's rock hard
45:08
it doesn't hear anything
45:09
God said to
45:11
the people in the Old Testament
45:12
and the book of Ezekiel
45:13
Ezekiel
45:14
that his work would be to
45:15
take away the heart of stone
45:17
doesn't feel anything
45:18
doesn't receive anything
45:19
doesn't respond to anything
45:20
he will take away that heart of stone
45:23
and give a living heart
45:25
a heart that is pumping with
45:27
with his own love and with his grace
45:30
and here there is the image of
45:33
of going back to that sense of hardness
45:35
that the person who loved the gospel
45:40
who loved to hear the word of God
45:42
whose heart responded positively to that word
45:46
can reach the stage in life
45:48
where the heart has once more become hardened
45:51
the gospel is dry
45:56
the minister had nothing to say to me
45:59
there is no attraction in the message of Jesus Christ
46:02
it's anyone else's fault
46:05
and my heart becomes harder and harder
46:07
and I go on my way
46:09
continuing to reject the gospel
46:12
which I previously loved
46:14
and arriving at that place
46:17
because of the deceitfulness of sin
46:22
in other words
46:26
the person who has been distracted from
46:31
following the proper path
46:34
on the journey to heaven
46:36
that person has taken a conscious decision
46:39
this person that has gone down that path
46:43
has not done so against their will
46:46
they have been deceived into thinking
46:50
that the path that they are following
46:52
is the right path
46:54
they wouldn't be on it otherwise
46:56
if we allow ourselves to
46:58
to think of the kind of person
46:59
the person that is on this path
47:00
they are happy to be journeying on it
47:03
they don't see their lives as having changed in any way
47:07
they continue to be satisfied in the life that they are living
47:11
they are deceived into thinking
47:13
that the path that they are on
47:15
is still the right path
47:17
they are persuaded
47:19
because of the wrong conversations
47:22
and the wrong information that floods their minds
47:25
that floods their minds
47:26
and they continue on their way
47:30
and that makes the conversation
47:35
even more important
47:37
your conversation with them and mine
47:40
because
47:42
with the blessing of God
47:44
and with the help of the Spirit of God
47:47
we must prayerfully persuade the person
47:50
who is on that path
47:51
that they are on the wrong path
47:54
and it takes God to
47:57
to switch something in their minds
48:00
to help them realize
48:04
where they ought to be
48:07
because they are there firmly persuaded
48:11
that they are still okay
48:13
when we have done wrong
48:17
and we realize it
48:19
it's bad enough doing the wrong
48:23
but if we realize we have done the wrong
48:26
then there is hope
48:29
there is light there
48:31
but when we have done the wrong
48:33
and we don't understand that we have done the wrong
48:35
and are persuaded that we have done the right thing
48:37
then that's challenging
48:38
and ultimately
48:41
only God can turn the person around
48:44
but God does it through his people
48:48
God sent Nathan to David
48:51
God uses his people
48:54
to bring his people back
48:56
the exhortation
48:58
what a wonderful
49:01
powerful witness it would be
49:05
of all of us this evening
49:06
we are able to show God's love
49:10
to any who are in need
49:12
and to any who may be distracted by this world
49:15
and to need to be restored to faithfulness
49:19
what a blessing
49:21
that we could help them
49:23
how honoring to God
49:25
that we are showing his love to them
49:27
as part of his process of recovery
49:32
don't let's forget
49:34
let's forget
49:35
our responsibility
49:37
your conversation
49:39
can change a person
49:41
can change the path that they are taking
49:44
and can change their path for the good
49:48
the regard
49:50
the responsibility
49:52
and finally the reassurance
49:56
he has addressed them
50:00
as those who are on their journey
50:03
and now in verse 14
50:08
he reminds them of
50:10
why they are on that journey
50:13
for
50:15
the explanation
50:19
in
50:22
we are not on this journey
50:25
simply
50:26
simply
50:27
or because
50:28
we know that
50:29
it has a good ending
50:31
we are not on this journey
50:33
heaven is a great place
50:35
we are on this journey
50:38
because
50:40
we share in Christ
50:42
!
50:44
because the day came
50:47
and in the mercy of God
50:49
when Jesus Christ met with us
50:50
and when
50:52
we sensed
50:53
the call of God
50:54
upon our lives
50:56
when we woke up
50:58
God's choice of us
50:59
as we referred to this morning
51:01
when we came to
51:03
to sense and to feel in our hearts
51:05
all of the love of God
51:07
through the passion of Jesus Christ
51:10
to me and my lostness
51:12
arrested along life's way
51:15
come to participate
51:17
to share in Christ
51:18
the Christ
51:20
the Christ who is
51:21
in the pages of this
51:22
the Christ who is
51:24
in the pages of
51:25
the whole of the New Testament
51:28
the one who was rich
51:31
for our sakes became poor
51:33
that we through his poverty
51:35
might be made rich
51:37
the unsearchable riches
51:41
the connection
51:43
the live link
51:45
that brings me into this relationship
51:47
with the Lord Jesus
51:51
the love of God
51:52
and the peace of God
51:54
and knowing God
51:57
and knowing that
51:59
through all of these things
52:01
that he who has
52:03
begun that work
52:05
will bring it on
52:06
to the day of Christ
52:08
why tonight
52:11
are we here?
52:13
why are we on this journey?
52:15
why do we expect
52:18
to be in heaven
52:21
and the people of God?
52:23
only because
52:25
Christ came into our lives
52:28
and in the day of our conversion
52:31
the day of our new birth
52:33
the day when life was changed forever
52:35
we came to know
52:37
the Lord Jesus
52:38
I know
52:39
I know
52:40
whom I have believed
52:41
says Paul
52:43
the one who came to
52:46
to help us in our need
52:48
and
52:50
had the gospel conversation
52:51
with us
52:53
when our minds were open
52:54
to the truths of salvation
52:56
he spoke to us
53:00
the living word of God
53:02
and he changed us forever
53:04
written
53:08
Jeremiah and Ezekiel
53:10
writing his laws
53:11
in our hearts
53:13
engraving them
53:14
on our minds
53:16
never to be erased
53:19
we share
53:21
in Christ
53:23
and the reassurance
53:25
tonight comes
53:27
to you
53:29
if you go
53:30
to a time in your life
53:31
or to a stage
53:32
in your life
53:33
when that great change
53:35
took place
53:37
a change
53:39
that gave you
53:41
Christ in you
53:44
that because
53:45
he lives
53:46
you shall live also
53:50
and united to him
53:52
that you will be
53:54
united with him
53:55
in the glory
53:56
which he now enjoys
53:58
the moment
53:59
the conversation
54:00
the new beginning
54:01
the intervention
54:02
of God
54:04
the new life
54:06
through faith
54:07
in Christ Jesus
54:09
the reassurance
54:11
the
54:16
that we ask ourselves
54:18
do we know that moment
54:20
do we know that stage
54:21
do we know that time
54:23
do we know what it means
54:25
to begin
54:26
our walk
54:27
to heaven
54:28
with Jesus
54:29
by the power
54:31
of the Holy Spirit
54:32
of God
54:34
and the reassurance
54:38
is conditional
54:40
we share in Christ
54:42
if indeed
54:44
we hold our
54:45
religion
54:46
our confidence
54:48
firm
54:49
to the end
54:51
there was a danger
54:52
the
54:55
there was a danger
54:58
the reassurance
54:59
for us this evening
55:00
is
55:03
lay hold
55:05
tightly
55:07
on Jesus Christ
55:09
as our Savior
55:11
to hold him
55:12
firmly in our
55:14
to embrace him
55:16
when it comes to
55:20
When it comes to holding Jesus fast in our hands,
55:25
we cannot juggle any balls.
55:28
We can try and juggle balls in life
55:30
and we can never keep a firm hold of any of them.
55:34
They're all over the place
55:35
and no matter how much we master juggling the balls,
55:38
they're still all over the place.
55:40
We cannot use that image
55:42
when it comes to our faith in Jesus.
55:44
We have to throw everything else away
55:46
so that our hands,
55:48
the hands with which we embrace him,
55:49
so that they're empty
55:51
and that we use all of our strength
55:54
and all of our energy
55:55
in embracing the Lord Jesus
55:57
and in holding him firm in our lives.
56:01
That will ensure
56:02
what the writer is saying here.
56:09
We hold fast our original confidence
56:12
firm to the end.
56:16
There's a firm foundation
56:18
that there's the reality of being part of the foundation
56:24
which is Christ himself.
56:25
There is that sense of the firmness
56:28
and the steadfastness
56:29
that comes into our lives
56:31
by laying hold firmly
56:34
upon Jesus Christ.
56:37
and that's our greatest need
56:40
this evening
56:41
as we come to our close.
56:44
We may have our blind spots.
56:47
We may be tempted
56:48
by the busyness of life.
56:51
We may be tempted
56:52
by the pressures of the world around us
56:54
and the age
56:56
and the society
56:56
in which we live.
56:59
Our responsibility.
57:00
the urgency is that we
57:04
keep hold firmly
57:06
of Jesus Christ.
57:10
To go from this time of worship together
57:13
and to sense
57:17
in our hearts
57:19
the sheer importance
57:21
of ensuring
57:23
that our grip
57:25
upon the Lord Jesus
57:26
is always strong.
57:29
And we know that it is
57:30
his grip
57:30
that keeps us safe.
57:34
Nevertheless,
57:36
our grasp of him
57:37
is key to the relationship.
57:40
It's key to us living
57:41
the life that he calls us to live
57:45
and is certainly key
57:46
to us arriving at last
57:48
to the place
57:50
that he has prepared for us.
57:53
There is the regard then.
57:54
There's the responsibility
57:56
and there's the reassurance.
57:59
And let us journey on
58:00
along life's way together.
58:03
Having your conversations.
58:05
Encouraging each other.
58:07
Building each other up.
58:08
And ensuring that we don't
58:10
fall into this trap.
58:13
And I close with the words
58:14
of a hymn called
58:15
Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord.
58:18
And it summarizes
58:19
what we want to take with us
58:22
from God's Word
58:22
as we leave or serve us this evening.
58:25
Long as my life shall last,
58:28
teach me thy way.
58:30
Wherever my lot be cast,
58:32
teach me thy way.
58:34
Until the race is run,
58:36
until the journey is done,
58:37
until the crown is won,
58:40
teach me thy way.
58:42
Let's ensure
58:43
we get the crown.
58:45
Let's ensure
58:46
we finish our course.
58:48
And let's ensure
58:49
that at last
58:50
we shall be summoned in
58:52
to the everlasting joy
58:54
of our God.
58:55
The place
58:55
where Christ is in glory
58:57
awaiting for
58:58
his faithful people.
59:00
May God bless his Word to us.
59:01
Let us pray.
59:03
Most gracious God,
59:04
we give thanks to you
59:06
for your grace
59:07
and for your love
59:09
and for the way
59:09
in which
59:10
your love
59:11
will not let us go.
59:13
We are conscious
59:13
of the different ways
59:15
in life
59:15
in which our hearts
59:17
become called
59:18
to your Word
59:19
and we sometimes
59:21
lose our way
59:22
as we journey on
59:24
through life.
59:25
We are thankful to you
59:26
that you are the God
59:27
who lays hold of us
59:28
and who restores
59:29
and does recover.
59:31
Bless your Word to us
59:32
tonight.
59:32
Help us
59:32
to live in constant
59:34
awareness of
59:35
the dangers
59:36
that surround us
59:37
in life.
59:39
Help us to be
59:39
constantly aware
59:40
of the need
59:41
of walking
59:42
closely with you.
59:44
Help us to be aware
59:45
of the needs
59:46
of those who are
59:47
around us
59:47
that together
59:48
we may be
59:49
built up in the faith
59:50
and strengthened
59:51
and encouraged
59:52
as we share
59:53
this journey together.
59:54
So bless your Word
59:55
as we pray
59:55
and hear us
59:56
for we ask these things
59:57
for Jesus' sake.
59:59
Amen.
1:00:06
Our closing psalm
1:00:07
is psalm number 28
1:00:08
and sing psalms.
1:00:10
Psalm 28
1:00:11
it's on page 33
1:00:13
and we're singing
1:00:15
at verse number 5
1:00:16
down to the end
1:00:18
of the psalm.
1:00:20
Psalm 28
1:00:21
at verse 5
1:00:22
on page 33.
1:00:26
Because the Lord's works
1:00:27
they despise
1:00:28
and treat his actions
1:00:30
with disdain
1:00:31
and just as he will
1:00:32
tear them down
1:00:33
and never build them
1:00:34
up again.
1:00:36
We stand to sing
1:00:37
from verse 5
1:00:38
to verse 9
1:00:38
and after the benediction
1:00:39
I'll go to the main door.
1:00:41
Amen.
1:00:46
Because the Lord's works
1:00:52
they despise
1:00:55
and treat his actions
1:01:00
with disdain
1:01:04
injustice he will tear
1:01:10
them down
1:01:12
and never build
1:01:16
them up again.
1:01:20
praise to the Lord
1:01:25
for he has served
1:01:29
the plea for mercy
1:01:34
which I made
1:01:38
my heart uplifted
1:01:59
lifted leaps
1:02:01
for joy
1:02:03
my thanks
1:02:07
to him
1:02:09
I gladly
1:02:11
sing
1:02:13
the Lord
1:02:16
God is
1:02:18
his people's
1:02:20
strength
1:02:22
a saving
1:02:24
fortress
1:02:26
fortress
1:02:27
for his king
1:02:30
Lord
1:02:32
Savior
1:02:34
be
1:02:35
a
1:02:36
your own
1:02:38
flock
1:02:39
be
1:02:40
pleased
1:02:42
to
1:02:42
heritage
1:02:44
to
1:02:46
bless
1:02:48
be
1:02:49
their
1:02:50
good
1:02:51
shepherd
1:02:53
glory
1:02:55
forever
1:02:58
in
1:03:00
your
1:03:01
faithfulness
1:03:05
the grace
1:03:07
of the Lord
1:03:08
Jesus Christ
1:03:08
the love of God
1:03:10
the Father
1:03:10
and the fellowship
1:03:11
of the Holy Spirit
1:03:12
be with you all
1:03:13
now and forevermore
1:03:14
Amen
1:03:24
your
1:03:44
voy
1:03:46
!