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Convinced! · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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James, thank you for your warm welcome. It's good to be with you, a privilege to share in worship
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and praise this evening. Before singing to God's praise, let me read just these few verses from
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the scriptures, where in Psalm 30 we're told, sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
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and give thanks to his holy name. Let us worship him together. Singing from the Psalter in Psalm 111,
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Psalm 111 from the Psalter, and we'll sing from the beginning to the tune Amazing Grace to verse 4.
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Praise ye the Lord, with my whole heart I will God's praise declare, where the assemblies of the
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just and congregations are. The whole works of the Lord our God are great above all measure,
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sought out they are of everyone that doth therein take pleasure. Psalm 111, and we'll sing from the
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beginning to verse 4, to God's praise.
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Praise ye the Lord, with my whole heart I will God's praise declare,
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where the assemblies of the just and congregations are. The whole works of the Lord our God is.
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Our God is. The whole works of the Lord our God. Our great above all measure,
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our great above all measure, sought out they are of everyone that doth therein take pleasure.
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In this work most honor, our great above all measure,
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In this work most honor, our great above all measure,
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most glorious and pure, and this untinted righteousness,
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and this untinted righteousness forever doth endure.
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His works most wonderful we have, may to be thought upon,
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The Lord is gracious and he is, full of compassion,
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The Lord is gracious and he is, full of compassion.
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Let us pray together.
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Let us pray together.
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Praise ye the Lord, with my whole heart I will God's praise declare.
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Lord, these words resonate within our very souls.
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They speak of what it is to gather together, brother and sister in Christ,
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Before the throne of grace in worship and in praise.
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Lord, we would draw near to you with a spirit that would please and honor you.
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We would long to know your presence and seek your face.
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And may it please you, Lord, to come in among us and do us good this evening.
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As we seek your presence and study together the glorious gospel of God,
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May it please you to draw near to us, to bless us, to edify us and to nourish us.
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Lord, we ask these things for you are a God of wonderful provision.
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You are a God of who is compassionate and full of grace toward us.
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And we bless you that this is the case and it has been declared as such through Jesus Christ,
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your son, our savior, the one who came into this world to seek and to save the lost.
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And so we gather together this evening in the name of Jesus.
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We lift up his name, we glorify his name, we acknowledge him to be our king, our shepherd.
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We profess our faith and hope to be in him, the one who is altogether lovely,
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the one who came into this world and gave himself.
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And so we, Lord, join with our brothers and sisters across our island and nation and world.
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And we see that the life we now live, we live by faith in the son of God,
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God loved us and gave himself for us.
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What testimony, what profession, what hope.
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And we pray, Lord, tonight that that hope would burn brightly
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as we spend time this evening in worship and in fellowship over these days.
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And that as we go into the week ahead, fortified by word and sacrament,
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may it please you, Lord, to bless our witness and our service of the gospel to those around us.
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For we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus would shine brightly through each one of our lives.
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That in our hearts, in our conversations, in our conduct,
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and how we hold ourselves in what we do and what we don't do,
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and how, Lord, we conduct our business and make our decisions,
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and how we behave at home, at the workplace, in private and in public.
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Lord, we pray that you would take the glory to yourself.
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And we thank you, Lord, that we would ask this to be the case.
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And we do humbly in dependence upon you, for the scripture tells us we are a chosen generation,
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a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people special to God,
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that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you from darkness into his marvellous light.
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Lord, may each one of us, according to opportunity and your gifts and grace,
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in our own way, in our own homes, in our own circumstance, be as a city on a hill that cannot be hid.
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And so, Lord, we thank you tonight for this opportunity to study the scripture together
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in anticipation of meeting at the Lord's table tomorrow on the beginning of a new week.
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Lord, we gather this evening humbled at the teaching of the Bible that reveals to us that place known as Golgotha,
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the place where Jesus Christ gave himself to death, even death on a cross,
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where there he breathed his last, where there he suffered the agony of separation and judgment as the sin bearer of the world.
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We can scarce take in that scene.
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How can we begin to comprehend in our hearts when we come to the foot of the cross?
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But Lord, as we do so, we do so in faith and trust.
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We look there in awe and wonder.
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We look there at times, Lord, broken, conscious of our own sin, conscious of our weakness, conscious of our need.
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Lord, in Jesus, these things are met to their fullest.
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And so we say in our hearts, too, that when we survey that wondrous cross in which the Prince of Glory died,
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that we do so, Lord, through a sense of wonder, a sense of thankfulness, a sense, Lord, that there is the hope of the world.
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It was not that someone died on the cross that amazes us.
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It's who died.
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It's not that blood was shed on the cross, but whose blood?
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And there he became a curse for us.
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A lifetime of theological study and reflection and worship is not long enough to plumb the depths of that reality.
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The Son of God, the very Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world by becoming a curse for us.
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And so, Lord, we gather this evening humbled, dependent, grateful.
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We meet, Lord, in anticipation also.
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For you tell us that where two or three gather in your name, you are there in the midst and there to bless.
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And so, Lord, we ask that the Holy Spirit would be amongst us here, ministering to us and amongst us in our hearts,
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shining his light of understanding and insight onto the person and work of Jesus, your Son.
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That there we would glorify him and worship him and lift up his name and praise him
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and give thanks for his saving work upon the cross, where there he gave himself in perfection and took upon himself our sin.
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And we bless you, Lord, that at the heart of the gospel there is a transaction,
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and that that transaction continues to happen around the world.
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That when sinners come to Jesus in repentance and faith, he takes our guilt and gives us his goodness.
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Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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And so help us, Lord, this evening to further understand and appreciate and glory in this good news.
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And that we would go from here, Lord, encouraged and nourished, built up in our faith and deepened in our understanding of the deep things of God.
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That we would say, day by day, I am not ashamed of the testimony of my Saviour.
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And I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.
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What a wondrous declaration that is, that all who believe are saved.
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Bless, Lord, that message this evening amongst ourselves.
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As we study this evening your word in preparation to share together at the table of the Lord tomorrow,
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we ask that you would draw near to us, Lord, and that we would have a teachable spirit and a listening ear.
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That our souls, Lord, would be edified.
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That we would know something of the fullness of God in our time of worship together this evening.
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Lord, we pray that you would bless your cause here on our island, across our communities and across our nation.
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We long for the day when we will see the gospel taking root in hearts and lives around us.
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We long for the day where men and women and boys and girls will come to know Jesus Christ for themselves,
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professing their faith in him and acknowledging him as Saviour, living for him day by day.
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Remember us, Lord, in Scotland at this time.
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And may it please you to raise up men and women who will take their place in the public square
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and be unashamed of their testimony, unashamed of their Saviour,
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and clear in their conviction that Jesus Christ is Lord.
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So, Lord, this evening we pray that you would come in among us,
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that we would know your word to be all the more precious to us,
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for it is the word of life.
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And here we have the promise of life in Christ Jesus.
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And may it please you, Lord, that as together we worship,
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we would do so in humility and dependence, looking unto Jesus,
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the author and finisher of our faith.
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And so we pray for ourselves this evening.
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We pray for your cause across our land.
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We remember our nation.
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And we pray, Lord God, that you would remember us at this time,
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where it seems that secularism and atheism and humanism are running rampant.
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And it seems that at times our nation, Lord, is hurtling full speed away from the cross,
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away from Christ and away from any concept of our nation being a nation that has a Christian heritage.
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And so, Lord, there is a great task,
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for the darkness seems to be extending and deepening.
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But we know, we know that that darkness is presided over by a defeated prince,
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who rages and is in terror of Christ at the same time.
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And so he takes out his rage on the church of Christ and the people of Christ and the cause of Christ.
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And we pray, Lord God, tonight that we would be conscious of this roaring lion,
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seeking to be in amongst us, seeking to devour and scatter,
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seeking to inhibit and terrorise the Lord's people.
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May we resist him.
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May we resist him in the name of Christ.
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And may we, Lord, resist him in reliance on the grace and peace that you promise as we wait upon you.
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And we bless you, Lord, for that great promise,
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that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
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So be with us this evening.
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Draw near to us.
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Cleanse us and renew us.
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Forgive our sin, we pray.
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In Jesus' name.
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Amen.
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Well, we'll sing again to God's praise from Sing Psalms
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in Psalm 119, verse 9.
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Psalm 119, singing from verse 9,
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page 157 in our Blue Psalm books.
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And we'll sing this section to the tune,
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Herringate.
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Psalm 119 from Sing Psalms, page 157.
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The second section.
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How can the young keep their life pure?
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By doing what your word demands.
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I seek you with my heart and soul.
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Let me not stray from your commands.
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Your word I've hidden in my heart to keep me from offending you.
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Praise be to you, O Lord my God.
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Teach me your statutes, firm and true.
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And true.
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We'll sing this whole section to God's praise.
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Praise.
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Praise be to you, O Lord.
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O come the young keep their life pure.
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I take what your word demands.
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I seek you with my heart and soul.
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Let me not stray from your commands.
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I seek you with my heart and soul.
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Let me not stray from your commands.
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I seek you with my heart and soul.
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Let me not stray from your commands.
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You are my faith in my heart.
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I seek you with my heart and soul.
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Let me not stray from your commands.
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You are my faith in my heart.
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I seek you with my heart and soul.
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Let me not stray from your commands.
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You are my faith in my heart.
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To keep me from offending you.
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I seek you with my heart.
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I seek you with my heart.
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I seek you with my heart.
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I seek you with my heart and soul.
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Let me not stray from your commands.
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You are my faith in my heart.
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You are my faith in my heart.
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You are my faith in my heart.
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You are my faith in my heart.
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To keep me from offending you.
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Praise be to you, O Lord my God.
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Teach me your statutes firm and truth.
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Each law proceeding from your mouth.
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I O Lord my heart.
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I grant you with my heart and soul.
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I plan thee with my lips.
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I attend your heart.
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I bend you with my lips and soul.
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I love to follow your commands.
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You are my faith in my heart.
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I love to follow your commands.
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A salvage love to kind their gold.
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and their gold.
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I meditate upon your ways,
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and on your peace
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and timey flag.
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I take delight
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in your decrease.
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Your word I never will neglect.
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Wonderful words that speak of a tenacity
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and a determination to live wholeheartedly
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for the Lord.
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Verse 10 there says,
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I seek you with my heart and soul.
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Let me not stray from your commands.
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Words of commitment
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that come from deep-seated conviction.
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And we're going to be thinking about that this evening
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as we turn to the second letter of Paul
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to Timothy and chapter 1.
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2 Timothy and chapter 1,
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where the apostle writes
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to his young brother in the Lord,
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indeed his son in the Lord.
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He was someone who Paul was deeply affectionate towards,
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who had served as a right-hand man
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for many a long year in the work of the gospel.
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And from what we can tell,
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this is Paul's final word and testimony.
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It is, in many ways,
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his will,
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his last will and testimony
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written to the church
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from a prison cell,
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incarcerated because of his gospel service
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and his love for Christ.
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And so he writes to encourage Timothy
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and prepare him for leadership in his time.
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Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus
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by the will of God,
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according to the promise of the life
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that is in Christ Jesus,
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to Timothy, my beloved child,
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grace, mercy, and peace
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from God the Father
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and Christ Jesus our Lord.
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I thank God whom I serve,
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as did my ancestors,
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with a clear conscience,
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as I remember you constantly
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in my prayers night and day.
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As I remember your tears,
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I long to see you,
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that I may be filled with joy.
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I am reminded of your sincere faith,
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a faith that dwelled first
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in your grandmother, Lois,
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and your mother, Eunice,
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and now I am sure dwells in you as well.
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For this reason,
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I remind you to fan into flame
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the gift of God which is in you
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through the laying on of my hands.
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For God gave us a spirit,
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not of fear,
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but of power and of love
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and self-control.
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Therefore, do not be ashamed
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of the testimony about our Lord,
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nor of me, his prisoner,
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but share in suffering for the gospel
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by the power of God,
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who saved us and called us
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to a holy calling,
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not because of our works,
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but because of his own purpose
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and grace which he gave us
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in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
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and which now has been manifested
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through the appearing of our Savior,
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Christ Jesus,
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who abolished death
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and brought life and immortality
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to light through the gospel,
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for which I was appointed a preacher
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and apostle and teacher,
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which is why I suffer as I do.
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But I am not ashamed,
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for I know whom I have believed,
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and I am convinced
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that he is able to guard
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until that day
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what has been entrusted to me.
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Follow the pattern
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of the sound words
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that you have heard from me
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in the faith and love
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that are in Christ Jesus
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by the Holy Spirit
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who dwells within us.
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Guard the good deposit
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entrusted to you.
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You are aware
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that all who were in Asia
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turned away from me,
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among whom are Phygelus
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and Hermogenes.
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May the Lord grant mercy
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to the household
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of Onesiphorus,
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for he often refreshed me
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and was not ashamed
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of my chains.
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But when he arrived in Rome,
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he searched for me
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earnestly and found me.
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May the Lord grant him
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to find mercy
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from the Lord
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on that day.
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And you well know
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all the service he rendered
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at Ephesus.
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Amen.
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May God bless his word
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to our hearts.
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To his name be the praise.
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Well, before we spend
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some time together
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looking at that chapter,
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we'll sing again
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to the praise of God
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from the Psalter,
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Psalm 89.
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Psalm 89,
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singing from verse 13
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in the Psalter.
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Page 3, 4, 5
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in our Blue Psalm books.
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Page 3, 4, 5.
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Singing Psalm 89
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from verse 13.
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We'll sing to verse 16
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to the tune Newington.
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Thou hast an arm
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that's full of power.
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Thy hand is great in might.
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Thy right hand
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exceedingly exalted
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is in height.
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Justice and judgment
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of thy throne
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are made the dwelling place.
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Mercy,
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accompanied with truth,
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shall go before thy face.
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We'll sing from verse 13
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to 16
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to God's praise.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Thy hand is great in might.
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On thy right hand
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exceedingly
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exalted is in height.
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justice and judgment
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of thy throne
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are made the dwelling place.
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Mercy,
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accompanied with truth,
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shall go before thy face.
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O greatly blessed
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O greatly blessed
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the people are,
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the joyful Son
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that know.
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In brightness
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of thy face,
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O Lord,
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they ever on
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shall grow,
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of glory,
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shall she have the editor
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Let's all take me on high.
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Let's bow in prayer for a moment together.
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Lord, may it please you this evening
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to draw near to us.
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We seek above all, Lord,
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that everything done and said here
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would be pleasing and acceptable before you.
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We acknowledge you to be holy,
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holy, holy, almighty God,
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wondrous in power, glorious in might,
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amazing in grace.
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And so, Lord, as we would hear you speak
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through your word this evening,
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we ask that you would lead
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and you would teach
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and you would mold and you would guide,
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that we might heed the scriptures
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and take these,
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your precious truths,
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into our hearts
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and from here
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into our lives
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and into our homes.
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We ask, Lord,
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that we would be effective witnesses
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and go on by your grace and peace
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to be the good soldiers of Christ Jesus
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that we are urged to become.
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We remain, Lord,
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works in progress,
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set apart,
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but ongoing in our sanctification.
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And may it please you, Lord,
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tonight
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to help us along that path
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by teaching us in you
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something
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of the conviction of heart
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that you call men and women
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to exhibit
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through faith
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in Jesus Christ,
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our Lord and Savior.
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Hear us, we pray in his name.
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In these things we ask
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as we turn together to your word.
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Amen.
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Well, in 2 Timothy
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and chapter 1
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we have
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deeply personal words,
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words that are
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full of teaching
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and the deep things
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of God are here.
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There is real
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depth in the theology
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while at the same time
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there is a personal feel
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and touch
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from the very beginning
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of this letter
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to the very end.
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We remember well
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the circumstance.
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Paul is in prison.
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He is now
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under the sentence
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of death.
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It seems the Roman
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judicial system
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is working its way
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towards its final conclusion
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which will be
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a summary execution
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having been found guilty
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of insurrection
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and atheism
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and all sorts of charges
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that were brought against
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the Christian church
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at this time.
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Paul knows
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his time is short
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and so he writes this letter
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and gets right to the heart
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of things
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as quickly as he can
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and as we pick up
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on things
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in chapter 4
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I am already being poured out
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as a drink offering.
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The time of my departure
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has come
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and that urgency
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is here from beginning
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to end
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in 2 Timothy
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and chapter 1
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and through that urgency
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we see conviction.
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Conviction of heart
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and commitment
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to the Lord Jesus Christ.
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And that's where
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we're going to go
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this evening
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and particularly
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taking note of the words
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in verse 12
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where Paul utters words
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that have become
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so famous
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down through the generations
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in the Christian church.
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I am not ashamed
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for I know
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whom I have believed
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and I am convinced
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that he is able to guard
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until that day
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what has been entrusted
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to me.
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I know
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whom
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I have believed.
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I want to read
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to you first of all
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an interview
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that caught my eye
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some time ago
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a Hollywood A-lister
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who was being interviewed
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and was asked
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this question
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do you believe in God?
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Here is the A-lister's answer.
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I believe
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there are forces
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at work in the universe
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that science can't explain
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and I think
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there's an end
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to human knowledge.
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let's call it
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the unknown
27:56
the higher power.
27:58
Let's just agree
27:59
there is something
28:00
beyond
28:00
what we know.
28:02
There are things
28:03
like karma.
28:05
There are things
28:05
beyond
28:06
what we understand.
28:07
So yes
28:08
I believe
28:08
there's an energy
28:09
and I try
28:11
to use it
28:12
and be in the good
28:13
graces
28:13
of that energy
28:15
so things
28:16
in my life
28:17
go the way
28:18
I want them to.
28:19
I want you
28:22
to compare
28:23
that
28:23
to the words
28:25
of verse 12
28:26
I know
28:27
whom I
28:29
have believed.
28:32
Paul the apostle
28:33
is writing
28:33
from a prison cell
28:35
and he writes
28:36
with a whole
28:37
hearted
28:38
focus
28:39
on the gospel
28:40
and on his
28:41
saviour
28:42
Jesus Christ.
28:44
Verse 8
28:45
in chapter 1
28:46
therefore do not
28:46
be ashamed
28:47
of the testimony
28:48
about our Lord
28:49
not of me as prisoner
28:50
but share in suffering
28:51
for the gospel
28:53
by the power of God
28:55
who saved us
28:56
and called us
28:57
to a holy calling
28:59
not because of our works
29:01
but because of his own
29:03
purpose
29:03
and grace
29:04
which he gave us
29:06
in Christ Jesus
29:07
before the ages began.
29:09
You see
29:09
the Roman judicial system
29:11
his sufferings
29:12
the persecution
29:13
and agonies
29:14
he'd gone through
29:15
personally in his life
29:16
the heartache
29:17
the bitter
29:18
letdowns
29:20
the disappointments
29:20
the abandonment
29:21
it's all
29:22
caught up in this letter
29:23
none of these things
29:25
took from Paul
29:26
what he held
29:27
to be most precious
29:28
a close relationship
29:31
and communion
29:31
with the Lord
29:33
Jesus Christ.
29:35
Do not be ashamed
29:36
of the testimony
29:37
about our Lord.
29:39
So I want us
29:39
to think about this
29:41
this evening
29:41
bearing in mind
29:42
the setting
29:43
and examine
29:45
this conviction
29:46
which leads to commitment
29:47
and what it means
29:48
for you and I
29:49
this evening
29:49
as we prepare
29:50
our hearts
29:51
to meet together
29:52
at the Lord's table
29:53
God willing
29:53
tomorrow.
29:55
This focus
29:55
this conviction
29:56
remains steadfastly
29:58
cross-centered.
30:00
Look at the very
30:00
first sentence
30:01
where he begins
30:02
before we get
30:03
to the wonderful words
30:04
of verse 12
30:05
Paul an apostle
30:06
of Christ Jesus
30:06
by the will of God
30:07
according to the promise
30:10
of life
30:11
that is in Christ Jesus.
30:13
He's under the sentence
30:14
of death.
30:16
It seems time is short
30:17
he knows that
30:18
soon he will be taken
30:19
from his cell
30:21
out with the city limits
30:22
as was his right
30:24
afforded to a Roman citizen
30:25
and rather than being
30:26
crucified
30:26
he would be beheaded
30:28
and that was coming
30:29
to him
30:30
and yet
30:31
here we find him
30:32
in the very first sentence
30:34
of his final letter
30:36
exulting in the promise
30:37
of life
30:38
while being under
30:39
the sentence
30:40
of death.
30:41
This is conviction
30:42
this is commitment
30:44
this is the reality
30:46
of certainty
30:47
in the gospel
30:49
of Jesus
30:50
this is grace
30:51
which leads
30:52
to these wonderful words
30:53
I know
30:54
whom I
30:56
have
30:56
believed
30:57
and I am
30:59
persuaded
31:00
that he is able
31:02
to guard
31:03
until that day
31:05
what has been entrusted
31:07
to me.
31:09
It's a wonderful
31:10
example
31:11
and encouragement
31:12
to us
31:13
to wait
31:15
on the Lord
31:16
and
31:16
to maintain
31:18
our closeness
31:19
and communion
31:20
with him
31:20
despite
31:21
circumstances
31:23
and despite
31:24
what we go through
31:26
we must stay
31:28
close to Jesus.
31:30
There's a story
31:31
told of Martin Luther
31:32
who at only
31:33
38 years of age
31:35
was summoned
31:35
to one of these
31:37
great synods
31:38
where he was being
31:39
called to give
31:40
an account
31:40
for the teachings
31:41
that had become
31:42
public knowledge
31:43
in his name
31:44
and it seemed
31:45
that he was taking
31:46
a great risk
31:48
in going there
31:48
he could face arrest
31:50
and being burnt
31:50
at the stake
31:51
as a heretic
31:51
and that was known
31:53
and they discussed
31:54
should he go
31:55
should he not
31:56
and eventually
31:56
he was given
31:57
a guarantee
31:58
of safe passage
32:00
but he wrote
32:01
this letter
32:01
to a fellow leader
32:02
and wrote these words
32:04
before going
32:04
to that synod
32:06
my dear brother
32:07
if I do not
32:08
come back
32:09
you will go on
32:10
teaching
32:11
and standing
32:12
fast
32:13
in the truth
32:14
I know
32:16
and am certain
32:17
that our Lord
32:18
Jesus Christ
32:19
lives
32:20
and rules
32:21
upon this knowledge
32:23
and assurance
32:24
I rely
32:25
he who is with me
32:27
is greater
32:29
than he
32:30
who is in the world
32:31
it's the exact
32:34
sentiment
32:34
we find here
32:35
in 2nd Timothy
32:36
and chapter 1
32:38
a wonderful
32:39
conviction
32:40
of heart
32:41
a tenacity
32:42
a strength
32:44
of faith
32:44
a clarity
32:45
and purpose
32:46
a desire
32:47
not to
32:48
let the Lord
32:50
down
32:50
and not to
32:51
abandon the cause
32:52
and not to turn
32:52
tail
32:53
and not to
32:53
clower before
32:54
the world
32:55
because he knew
32:56
whom
32:57
he had believed
32:59
so we find
33:00
first of all
33:01
then
33:01
a burning
33:03
conviction
33:03
a burning
33:05
conviction
33:06
I know
33:06
whom I have
33:07
believed
33:08
in this
33:09
sentiment
33:10
in these words
33:11
in this letter
33:11
in his life
33:12
in his teaching
33:13
and in all his writings
33:14
Paul's commitment
33:16
to Jesus
33:17
was absolute
33:18
in him we see
33:19
a clear example
33:21
of what
33:21
John Stott
33:23
would write
33:23
when he was asked
33:24
what is a Christian
33:25
John Stott
33:27
would summarize it
33:28
in this way
33:29
a Christian
33:29
is someone
33:30
who must
33:30
commit themselves
33:31
heart and mind
33:32
soul and will
33:33
home and life
33:34
personally
33:35
and unreservedly
33:37
to Jesus Christ
33:38
that's a Christian
33:40
that's clarity
33:42
that's an expression
33:44
and summary
33:45
of the gospel
33:46
of what the Bible
33:47
teaches
33:48
of what God
33:49
wants us to know
33:50
tonight here
33:50
and what God
33:51
wants us to share
33:52
out there
33:53
every opportunity
33:54
we get
33:55
to tell people
33:57
when they ask us
33:58
well what's it
33:58
all about
33:59
let's tell them
34:00
it's about
34:01
committing ourselves
34:02
heart and mind
34:03
soul and will
34:04
home and life
34:05
personally
34:06
and unreservedly
34:08
to Jesus Christ
34:09
that's what Paul did
34:11
he believed
34:13
in the saviour
34:14
who lived
34:14
a perfect
34:15
sinless life
34:16
and gave himself
34:17
for lost sinners
34:18
15 years or so
34:21
before he wrote
34:22
this letter
34:23
he wrote the letter
34:24
to the Galatian Christians
34:25
and in there
34:26
he said
34:27
I have been
34:27
crucified with Christ
34:29
it is no longer
34:30
I who live
34:30
but Christ
34:31
who lives in me
34:32
and the life
34:33
I now live
34:33
in the flesh
34:34
I live by faith
34:35
in the son of God
34:36
who loved me
34:37
and gave himself
34:38
for me
34:39
and perhaps
34:41
that's where
34:41
people around us
34:42
just don't get it
34:44
so many people
34:46
in our community
34:47
on our island
34:48
in our country
34:49
tonight
34:49
think
34:51
that the Bible
34:52
is a book
34:53
about religion
34:54
they think
34:55
the free church
34:56
is a denomination
34:57
it's just all
34:58
about religion
34:59
that our message
35:00
is about religion
35:01
how wrong are they
35:03
they couldn't be
35:05
more wrong
35:05
this is not a book
35:06
about religion
35:07
it's a book
35:08
about salvation
35:09
that's why we find
35:11
the apostle
35:12
so fool hearted
35:14
and whole hearted
35:15
despite being
35:16
in a prison cell
35:17
despite being
35:18
under the sentence
35:19
of death
35:19
he would say
35:20
I know
35:21
whom I
35:23
have believed
35:24
and twice
35:25
already
35:26
before he even
35:27
gets there
35:27
I am not ashamed
35:29
and that
35:31
Christian friend
35:31
as you know
35:32
is a constant
35:33
source of attack
35:35
by the devil
35:35
against us
35:37
that we would
35:38
feel ashamed
35:39
that we would
35:39
feel awkward
35:40
that we would
35:41
feel embarrassed
35:42
and that we would
35:42
be conscious
35:43
of our sin
35:44
and our weakness
35:45
and our failings
35:45
and our faults
35:46
and he uses it
35:47
he uses it
35:48
against the Lord's
35:49
people
35:49
he uses it
35:50
against Christian
35:51
men
35:52
women
35:52
boys and girls
35:53
to keep us
35:54
from the table
35:55
to make us
35:56
think and feel
35:57
I can't go there
35:58
I'm a sinner
36:00
and he trips us up
36:02
with false theology
36:04
and empty lies
36:06
and deceit
36:07
because you and I
36:08
know tonight
36:09
that we go to the table
36:11
because we're sinners
36:12
we don't go to the table
36:14
to be saved
36:16
we go there
36:17
because we have
36:17
been saved
36:19
we go there
36:20
to say
36:21
in our hearts
36:22
I know
36:23
whom I have
36:25
believed
36:26
that's why it's
36:27
wonderful to remember
36:28
that the table
36:29
is a place of
36:30
profession
36:31
and proclamation
36:32
we proclaim
36:34
our Lord's death
36:36
till he come again
36:38
Christian friend
36:40
in Christ
36:41
we go together
36:43
to his table
36:45
Paul then has
36:48
this burning
36:48
conviction
36:49
despite the prison
36:51
the imprisonment
36:51
despite the setbacks
36:53
despite the abandonments
36:54
despite his pressure
36:56
read 2nd Corinthians
36:57
I think it's chapter 11
36:59
or is it 13
37:00
where he lists
37:01
the persecution
37:02
the hardship
37:03
the nakedness
37:04
the hunger
37:04
the thirst
37:05
the beatings
37:06
the imprisonment
37:06
being stoned
37:07
half to death
37:07
and he went through
37:08
all that
37:09
because of his love
37:09
for Jesus
37:10
and he didn't count it
37:12
something that
37:13
he shouldn't go through
37:14
because Christ
37:16
lived
37:17
and died
37:19
for him
37:20
I live by faith
37:21
in the son of God
37:22
who loved me
37:23
and gave himself
37:24
for me
37:25
and what about
37:27
this death
37:28
what about this
37:29
Lord and our saviour
37:31
what was it that
37:31
was at the heart
37:33
of this burning
37:33
conviction
37:34
that the apostle
37:35
shows here
37:35
you see of all
37:37
humanity
37:38
Christ
37:39
the son of God
37:40
was without sin
37:41
that he took our place
37:42
and paid our price
37:43
that's the gospel declaration
37:45
that he was declared
37:46
the sin bearer
37:48
of the world
37:48
behold
37:49
the lamb of God
37:50
who takes away
37:51
the sin of the world
37:53
and how did he do that
37:55
by dying
37:56
on that cross
37:58
at that time
38:00
the bible tells us
38:01
the wages of sin
38:02
is death
38:03
and so we dig in
38:04
a little bit further
38:05
we say
38:05
but he was without sin
38:07
so in the death
38:08
of Christ
38:09
we have an anomaly
38:10
he did not deserve
38:12
to die
38:13
and so the question
38:14
we raised is
38:15
why
38:16
why did Christ die
38:17
why is there a table
38:18
to anticipate tomorrow
38:20
why do we look
38:21
at the bread
38:22
and the wine
38:22
and remember
38:23
his broken body
38:24
and shed blood
38:25
why did Jesus die
38:27
he died
38:29
because that's
38:31
what he came to do
38:32
to seek and to save
38:34
the lost
38:35
Christ Jesus
38:37
came into the world
38:39
to save sinners
38:40
you may know
38:42
that
38:43
as Spurgeon
38:45
lay on his deathbed
38:46
he was asked
38:48
about his
38:48
theology
38:49
and he answered this
38:51
my theology
38:52
is very simple
38:53
I can express it
38:55
in a few words
38:56
they are enough
38:57
to die by
38:58
Jesus
38:59
died
39:00
for me
39:01
Christian friend
39:03
if you're struggling
39:05
with the concept
39:06
of coming to the table
39:08
here tomorrow
39:09
take these words
39:11
and repeat them
39:13
in your heart
39:13
again
39:14
and again
39:15
Jesus
39:16
died
39:17
for me
39:18
and so we come
39:20
to the table
39:21
in faith
39:22
looking to Jesus
39:23
the author
39:24
and finisher
39:25
of our faith
39:26
we come to the table
39:27
with this burning
39:27
conviction
39:28
that we too know
39:29
whom we have
39:30
believed
39:31
Christians
39:31
we don't believe
39:32
in a concept
39:33
or an idea
39:34
we're not defined
39:36
by a strand
39:37
of theology
39:37
or a specific
39:38
historical denomination
39:40
we are defined
39:41
with a burning
39:42
conviction
39:43
in the substitutionary
39:45
death
39:45
of the son
39:46
of God
39:47
that's what
39:48
defined Paul
39:49
and it's what
39:50
has gone on
39:51
to define
39:51
every Christian
39:53
man and woman
39:54
since
39:54
there's a burning
39:56
conviction
39:56
in these words
39:57
I know
39:59
whom
40:00
I have
40:01
believed
40:03
it's the opposite
40:04
of that
40:06
A-lister quote
40:06
I mentioned
40:07
to you earlier
40:08
there was all
40:10
what ifs
40:11
buts
40:11
maybes
40:12
and a great
40:12
big giant
40:13
question mark
40:14
there might be
40:15
something out there
40:16
there's an energy
40:17
or something
40:18
I'm sure
40:19
there might
40:20
well be
40:20
if maybe
40:21
it's the opposite
40:22
of the Christian
40:23
gospel
40:24
behold
40:25
the Lamb
40:26
of God
40:27
who takes
40:29
away
40:29
the sin
40:30
of the world
40:30
a burning
40:32
conviction
40:33
secondly
40:33
there's this
40:34
there's from
40:35
this
40:35
a crucial
40:37
confidence
40:38
because look
40:38
what he goes
40:38
on to say
40:39
he's not
40:40
ashamed
40:41
for I know
40:42
whom I have
40:43
believed
40:44
and I
40:45
am
40:46
convinced
40:47
I am
40:49
convinced
40:50
here then
40:51
is a crucial
40:52
confidence
40:53
who's
40:54
railed
40:55
against him
40:55
the state
40:56
all the power
40:58
and might
40:58
of the Roman
40:58
Empire
40:59
the Roman
41:00
judicial system
41:01
the Jewish
41:01
legal system
41:02
all the legalists
41:04
all the Pharisees
41:04
and the scribes
41:05
they've had their
41:06
day with Paul
41:06
they've had their
41:07
pound of flesh
41:08
they've got him
41:08
right where they
41:09
want him
41:09
he's crushed
41:11
and broken
41:11
and incarcerated
41:12
under the
41:13
sentence of death
41:14
as far as
41:15
they're concerned
41:15
they've won
41:16
the day
41:17
the battle
41:19
and the war
41:19
is over
41:20
Paul saw
41:22
things very
41:22
differently
41:23
he saw
41:24
around him
41:24
a culture
41:25
a city
41:26
an empire
41:26
a people
41:27
drowning
41:28
in atheism
41:29
lost
41:30
and floundering
41:31
about
41:32
in polytheism
41:33
worshipping
41:34
the emperor
41:35
lining up
41:36
in their droves
41:37
to sprinkle
41:38
incense
41:39
on the altar
41:39
and say
41:40
Caesar is Lord
41:41
Caesar is Lord
41:42
Caesar is Lord
41:44
it's still
41:45
going on today
41:46
men and women
41:47
around us
41:48
worship the world
41:49
they're
41:50
enthralled
41:51
to the world
41:52
they're dancing
41:53
to the tune
41:53
of the world
41:54
engrossed
41:55
with the culture
41:55
of the world
41:56
and we are called
41:57
to say there's a
41:58
different path
41:59
to take
41:59
there's a different
42:01
model to build
42:03
your life upon
42:04
and the model
42:05
is not what the
42:06
world holds up
42:07
as glorious
42:08
and pure
42:09
and true
42:09
it's what
42:11
the gospel
42:11
holds out
42:12
to be the truth
42:14
and that is
42:15
Christ
42:16
I am
42:18
the way
42:19
the truth
42:19
and the life
42:20
remember
42:21
see how
42:21
personal
42:22
these words
42:23
are
42:23
I know
42:24
whom
42:25
I have
42:26
believed
42:26
it reflects
42:28
his burning
42:28
conviction
42:29
and his
42:29
close communion
42:30
with a living
42:31
saviour
42:31
in whom he had
42:32
come to know
42:33
and one he
42:34
had come to
42:35
trust
42:35
unreservedly
42:36
the Lord
42:37
who he loved
42:38
that's who
42:39
he has trusted
42:40
in
42:40
the one who
42:41
the scripture
42:42
describes as
42:43
the Lord
42:43
of creation
42:44
the Lord
42:44
of all
42:45
the Lord
42:45
of glory
42:46
the Lord
42:47
of lords
42:47
that's our
42:48
Jesus
42:49
Christian friends
42:50
this evening
42:51
and in that
42:52
Paul's
42:53
crucial confidence
42:55
is unshakable
42:56
I am
42:57
convinced
42:58
he's convinced
43:00
Psalm 2
43:02
tells us
43:02
that
43:03
the kings
43:04
of the earth
43:05
set themselves
43:06
and the rulers
43:06
take counsel
43:07
together against
43:08
the Lord
43:08
and against
43:09
his anointed
43:10
saying
43:10
that has
43:11
burst their
43:12
bonds
43:13
apart
43:14
and cast
43:15
away
43:15
their cords
43:16
from us
43:18
the world
43:20
exalts
43:21
and glories
43:23
over the church
43:24
all too often
43:25
the church
43:25
assumes
43:26
you see
43:26
that the world
43:27
assumes that
43:28
the world
43:29
is one
43:29
the world
43:31
tonight
43:31
around us
43:32
thinks that
43:32
the church
43:34
is marginalized
43:36
and an
43:38
insignificant
43:38
blip
43:39
in the history
43:40
and story
43:40
of Scotland
43:41
maybe all too
43:42
often
43:42
they're right
43:43
but it's up
43:44
to us
43:45
to challenge
43:45
that thinking
43:47
and mindset
43:48
to take on
43:49
that darkness
43:51
and that
43:51
worldliness
43:52
and that
43:53
lawlessness
43:54
and to expose
43:55
it as false
43:56
and we can only
43:57
do that
43:58
by coming to
43:59
the gospel
44:00
and speaking
44:01
of the Lord
44:01
Jesus
44:02
chapter 2
44:03
and verse 8
44:03
puts it this way
44:04
remember Jesus
44:05
Christ
44:06
risen from the
44:06
dead
44:07
the offspring
44:07
of David
44:08
is preached
44:09
in my gospel
44:10
for which I
44:10
am suffering
44:11
bound with change
44:12
is a criminal
44:13
but the word
44:14
of God
44:15
is not bound
44:16
there's something
44:17
else the world
44:18
just doesn't get
44:19
the world thinks
44:20
if it can dominate
44:21
and control
44:22
a denomination
44:24
as we see
44:25
quite often
44:26
happening at
44:26
national levels
44:27
they think
44:28
they've got us
44:28
they've got that
44:29
Christian church
44:30
right where they
44:31
want them
44:31
on the side
44:32
they let us in
44:33
at Easter
44:33
they let us in
44:34
at Christmas
44:34
they let us in
44:36
at baptism
44:36
they let us in
44:37
at weddings
44:38
and we can have
44:38
our seat at funerals
44:39
that's it
44:39
that's it
44:41
away you go
44:42
don't want to hear
44:43
you anymore
44:43
the world is happy
44:45
with the babe
44:45
in the manger
44:46
the world cannot
44:48
bear to hear
44:49
about the babe
44:50
who grew up
44:50
to be a man
44:51
and died
44:51
in a cross
44:52
that's what drives
44:54
Paul here
44:55
and what's wonderful
44:57
about this crucial
44:58
confidence
44:58
is that he knew
44:59
the gospel
45:00
and the church
45:01
was not dependent
45:01
on his efforts
45:02
or on him
45:03
as Paul the apostle
45:04
things weren't
45:05
going to fall apart
45:06
because he
45:06
had come to the
45:07
end of his course
45:08
no
45:09
Jesus Christ
45:11
who was made
45:12
the sin bearer
45:12
for his people
45:13
and had abolished
45:14
death
45:15
was building
45:17
his church
45:19
do not be ashamed
45:21
of me
45:22
or the testimony
45:23
about our Lord
45:23
the end of verse 8
45:25
he uses that
45:26
wonderful phrase
45:27
share in suffering
45:29
for the gospel
45:30
by the power
45:31
of God
45:32
isn't that amazing
45:33
share in suffering
45:35
for the gospel
45:36
by the power
45:38
of God
45:39
so we have
45:41
this crucial
45:41
confidence
45:42
that the Lord
45:43
Jesus Christ
45:44
is building
45:46
his church
45:46
and that brings us
45:47
to a third thing
45:48
we have a
45:49
burning conviction
45:51
and we have
45:52
a crucial confidence
45:53
and that confidence
45:55
flourishes
45:56
and displays
45:58
a humble
45:59
awareness
46:00
see he goes on
46:02
to say here
46:02
I am convinced
46:04
that
46:05
he
46:06
is
46:07
able
46:08
he
46:10
is
46:11
able
46:12
it's not all about
46:13
Paul
46:13
it's not all about
46:14
the apostle
46:15
it's not about
46:16
his missionary
46:16
journeys
46:17
and his wonderful
46:18
oration
46:19
and his preaching
46:19
and his writing
46:20
and his teaching
46:21
all of these things
46:22
which were amazing
46:23
but he knew that
46:24
in these things
46:26
he was just
46:26
what he goes on
46:27
to describe
46:27
in chapter 2
46:28
he was just being
46:29
the good soldier
46:30
he was just being
46:31
an honest athlete
46:32
he was just being
46:33
the hard working
46:33
farmer
46:34
pictures he uses
46:35
to illustrate
46:36
Christian life
46:37
and Christian service
46:38
Christian ministry
46:39
things we are all
46:41
called to
46:42
through our Lord
46:43
and through our Saviour
46:44
so there's a humble
46:45
awareness
46:46
he says here
46:46
he is able
46:50
this word here
46:50
able
46:51
in the Greek
46:52
is dunatos
46:53
it's from the word
46:54
group for power
46:54
and Paul knew
46:56
that he was able
46:57
because of who he is
46:59
and who is he
47:00
the son of God
47:02
the Lord of glory
47:04
the Lord of creation
47:05
the Lord of all
47:07
the Lord of lords
47:08
he is able
47:11
and so friends
47:12
prior to a communion
47:13
service
47:15
what do we do
47:16
we look up
47:18
we look to him
47:19
we put our faith
47:21
and our trust
47:22
in him
47:22
we too seek
47:23
to nourish
47:24
and nurture
47:25
and develop
47:26
this humble
47:27
awareness
47:28
here am I
47:29
Lord
47:30
send me
47:32
but what is it
47:33
the devil wants us
47:33
to do
47:34
and what is the world
47:35
trying to make us do
47:36
not look up
47:37
but look down
47:39
and be conscious
47:40
of our weakness
47:41
and our sins
47:42
and our failings
47:43
and our faults
47:44
I remember often
47:45
to share a story
47:46
with you
47:47
a number of years ago
47:48
in my chaplaincy days
47:50
of going into
47:52
a headquarter building
47:53
which was very unusual
47:54
for me
47:55
I tended to stay away
47:56
from places like that
47:57
it was full of brass
47:58
and red tabs
47:59
and that meant
47:59
colonels and above
48:01
which was brigadiers
48:02
generals and the like
48:03
they just made me nervous
48:04
but they were people
48:05
to be spoken to
48:06
and they were very often
48:07
supportive and welcoming
48:08
to chaplaincy
48:09
and I was told by this general
48:11
one day
48:11
come and see me
48:12
and as I made my way
48:13
to the front door
48:14
of the headquarters
48:15
about to go in
48:15
I glanced down
48:16
and noticed my boots
48:18
were dirty
48:18
and I stopped
48:21
at my tracks
48:22
I thought I can't
48:23
I can't go into
48:24
the headquarters
48:25
to see the general
48:26
I've got muddy boots
48:27
and I had to find
48:29
a spot somewhere
48:30
off to the side
48:31
and get a rag
48:32
and just try
48:33
and get rid of the mud
48:34
because the last thing
48:34
I wanted to do
48:35
was go into the headquarters
48:36
with muddy boots on
48:37
because where there are generals
48:39
there are regimental
48:40
that aren't majors
48:40
and these are guys
48:42
who live to spot people
48:43
turning up
48:44
in dress order
48:45
that's less than perfect
48:46
and I didn't want to
48:47
hand them the opportunity
48:48
so I had to get out of there
48:50
and clean my boots
48:50
but I've thought about it
48:52
time and again since
48:53
and I've thought
48:54
sometimes when it comes
48:55
to the communion table
48:56
particularly in our
48:58
denominational mindset
49:00
and the way we do things
49:02
the devil succeeds
49:04
in getting Christians
49:06
to look down
49:07
and be conscious
49:08
of their own muddy boots
49:10
and to think
49:11
I can't go there
49:13
I can't go to that table
49:16
I've got muddy boots
49:17
but friends
49:19
we all
49:21
had
49:23
muddy boots
49:24
what is it
49:26
that the gospel
49:26
tells us
49:27
Christ does
49:28
look Isaiah chapter 1
49:30
he makes us
49:32
whiter than the snow
49:33
he takes away
49:35
the stains
49:36
of sin
49:37
he makes us
49:39
as white
49:39
as wool
49:40
as fresh
49:41
fallen snow
49:42
do we achieve that?
49:43
no
49:44
Christ does
49:45
so don't look down
49:47
at your muddy boots
49:48
look up
49:49
look up to your saviour
49:51
because that's what we find
49:52
Paul doing here
49:53
that's where his burning
49:54
conviction leads us
49:55
this evening
49:56
and that's where
49:57
we see now thirdly
49:58
this humble awareness
49:59
he is able
50:01
Paul knew
50:02
that the progress
50:04
of the gospel
50:04
the security
50:07
of the church
50:08
lay not on him
50:09
or on Peter
50:10
or on James
50:11
or on John
50:12
but in Christ
50:14
I will build
50:18
my church
50:19
and the gates
50:21
of hell
50:21
will not prevail
50:22
against it
50:22
and how does
50:24
Christ do that
50:25
by his spirit
50:26
through his people
50:28
it is ordained
50:31
from eternity
50:32
that God
50:33
fulfills
50:33
his purposes
50:34
through our prayers
50:35
and by our witnessing
50:37
isn't that amazing
50:39
that tonight
50:40
we can think
50:40
of a conversation
50:41
we may have had
50:42
recently
50:42
or are about to have
50:43
that we know nothing about
50:44
and through that conversation
50:46
God may lead a sinner
50:47
to salvation
50:48
from darkness
50:49
to light
50:50
from alienation
50:51
and being far off
50:52
right up
50:53
to Jesus
50:54
to be turned
50:56
from being an enemy
50:57
of God
50:58
to being a child
50:59
of God
51:00
that's grace
51:01
that's amazing grace
51:03
that's why
51:05
Paul speaks
51:06
here in verse 9
51:07
he saved us
51:08
and called us
51:09
to a holy calling
51:10
not because of our works
51:11
that's muddy boots
51:13
you see
51:13
but because of his
51:15
own purpose
51:16
and grace
51:17
which takes away
51:18
the mud
51:19
and says come
51:21
all things are now ready
51:23
and so we go to his table
51:25
in a humble awareness
51:27
of our forgiveness
51:28
of our salvation
51:30
of our dependence
51:31
when totally
51:32
and utterly
51:32
reliant on Christ
51:34
Jesus
51:37
expressed
51:38
this
51:39
ultimate reality
51:40
here in chapter 10
51:42
of John's gospel
51:43
in verses 17
51:45
and 18
51:45
where he spoke
51:46
of what he was about to do
51:47
for this reason
51:48
the father loves me
51:49
because I lay down
51:50
my life
51:51
that I may take it up again
51:53
no one takes it from me
51:54
but I lay it down
51:56
of my own accord
51:57
I have authority
51:58
to lay it down
51:59
and I have authority
52:00
to take it up again
52:01
this charge
52:03
I have received
52:04
from my father
52:05
there's power
52:07
divine power
52:09
and in his power
52:11
he holds the church
52:12
in his hand
52:13
he says to us
52:14
follow me
52:15
he says to us
52:17
come
52:17
for all things
52:19
are now ready
52:20
do this
52:22
in remembrance
52:23
of me
52:25
death itself
52:26
has been
52:27
abolished
52:28
God willing
52:29
we'll think about that
52:30
tomorrow morning
52:31
and so let's just
52:33
deflect on this
52:34
tonight
52:35
that his burning
52:36
conviction
52:37
and his crucial
52:38
confidence
52:39
that combined
52:40
and flourished
52:41
into this humble
52:42
awareness
52:43
it was not diminished
52:45
because of what
52:45
he went through
52:46
the providence
52:47
of imprisonment
52:48
again
52:49
and hardship
52:50
and suffering
52:51
and difficult
52:52
circumstances
52:53
it did not diminish
52:55
his trust in Jesus
52:56
it seemed to
52:57
in some way
52:58
feed and nourish
52:59
his trust
53:00
in Jesus
53:01
the gospel
53:02
had been entrusted
53:03
to him
53:04
but under the care
53:06
of the Lord
53:07
he says to Timothy
53:09
I am convinced
53:11
he is able
53:13
to guard
53:14
until that day
53:15
what has been
53:16
entrusted to me
53:17
it's a very
53:18
technical
53:20
Greek
53:20
phrase
53:21
used here
53:22
commentators are
53:23
split
53:24
to what he's
53:25
actually referring to
53:27
it's either his soul
53:28
or the gospel
53:29
I understand
53:30
that the ESV
53:31
has got it
53:31
absolutely right
53:32
in making the
53:33
emphasis here
53:33
upon the gospel
53:34
that had been
53:35
entrusted to him
53:36
to work
53:36
toward as an
53:37
apostle
53:38
because he goes
53:39
on there in
53:39
verse 14
53:40
to say
53:40
exactly the same
53:41
thing
53:42
by the Holy
53:42
Spirit
53:43
it dwells
53:43
within us
53:43
guard the good
53:44
deposit
53:45
entrusted to you
53:46
Timothy
53:46
and remember
53:47
these letters
53:48
are addressed
53:49
in the first
53:50
instance to Timothy
53:51
but to you
53:52
and I this evening
53:52
and what's
53:53
interesting here
53:54
is that
53:56
he says
53:56
that we are
53:57
to guard
53:59
until
53:59
he speaks
54:00
in verse 12
54:01
there of
54:02
that the Lord
54:03
is able to guard
54:04
and then down
54:05
there in 14
54:05
he's saying
54:06
Timothy
54:06
guard the good
54:07
deposit
54:08
entrusted to you
54:09
it's the same
54:09
word
54:10
it's the same
54:11
word
54:11
reflecting the
54:12
same activity
54:13
of constant
54:14
vigilance
54:15
and so we need
54:16
to be aware
54:18
and savvy
54:20
when it comes
54:21
to the gospel
54:22
and false
54:23
teachers
54:23
and false
54:24
hope
54:24
and false
54:25
religion
54:25
and we must
54:26
assert
54:27
maintain
54:27
and defend
54:28
what we know
54:29
to be true
54:29
of the gospel
54:30
that has been
54:31
revealed to us
54:31
in Christ
54:32
Jesus
54:33
our Lord
54:34
and Saviour
54:34
we need to
54:35
like Paul
54:37
and Timothy
54:38
and everyone else
54:38
has come before us
54:39
exhibit a humble
54:41
awareness
54:41
as we
54:43
stick to our
54:45
guns
54:45
Martin Luther
54:47
put it this way
54:47
as he
54:48
formulated
54:49
and clarified
54:50
what the
54:50
Protestant church
54:51
is beginning
54:51
to adhere
54:52
to
54:52
faith alone
54:53
makes you
54:54
good and
54:55
righteous
54:55
faith alone
54:56
makes you
54:57
a member
54:57
of Christ
54:58
an inheritor
54:59
of heaven
54:59
and a servant
55:00
of God
55:01
behold what manner
55:04
of love the
55:05
Father has bestowed
55:06
on us
55:06
that we are
55:07
children of God
55:08
and so we
55:10
are
55:10
by
55:11
grace
55:13
which he gave
55:14
us in Christ
55:15
Jesus
55:15
before the
55:16
ages began
55:17
that's the
55:19
focus
55:20
for when
55:21
times get
55:21
tough
55:22
when
55:23
providence
55:24
deals us
55:25
with a
55:26
difficult
55:26
blow
55:27
and we're
55:28
knocked
55:28
sideways
55:28
when the
55:29
phone rings
55:30
and a text
55:30
comes
55:31
and a
55:31
door
55:31
and our
55:32
world
55:32
turns upside
55:33
down
55:33
and we're
55:34
buffeted
55:35
by shocks
55:35
and setbacks
55:36
and bereavement
55:37
and ill health
55:38
and unemployment
55:39
and financial
55:39
stress
55:40
and pressure
55:40
and we can
55:41
be consumed
55:42
with worry
55:43
and eat
55:43
ourselves
55:43
alive
55:44
remember
55:45
these words
55:47
we have
55:49
been saved
55:49
by grace
55:51
which has
55:51
been given
55:52
us in
55:52
Christ
55:53
Jesus
55:53
before the
55:54
ages
55:54
began
55:55
verse 9
55:56
God
55:57
knows
55:58
what he's
55:59
doing
56:00
if you ever
56:02
visit St.
56:02
Andrew's
56:03
I'm sure
56:03
many of you
56:03
have
56:04
and if you
56:05
go to
56:05
the top
56:06
end of
56:06
the town
56:06
to where
56:07
St.
56:08
Salvatore's
56:09
College
56:09
used to
56:09
stand
56:10
you'll find
56:10
in the
56:10
cobbled
56:11
streets
56:11
there
56:11
the letters
56:12
P.
56:12
H
56:13
which marks
56:14
the spot
56:14
or near
56:15
enough
56:15
where
56:16
Patrick
56:16
Hamilton
56:17
at the
56:17
age
56:17
of 24
56:18
was
56:18
burnt
56:19
at the
56:19
stake
56:19
in
56:20
1528
56:22
19
56:23
years
56:24
later
56:24
if you
56:25
go down
56:26
you'll find
56:27
if you go
56:27
down
56:27
toward
56:28
where
56:28
the
56:28
castle
56:29
of St.
56:29
Andrew's
56:30
stands
56:30
around
56:30
half a
56:31
mile
56:31
away
56:31
you'll
56:31
find
56:32
the
56:32
letters
56:32
GW
56:33
on
56:34
the
56:34
pavement
56:34
opposite
56:35
where
56:35
the
56:35
castle
56:36
stood
56:36
which
56:37
marks
56:37
the
56:37
spot
56:38
where
56:38
George
56:38
Wishart
56:39
was
56:40
also
56:40
burned
56:40
at the
56:40
stake
56:41
for his
56:42
adherence
56:43
to the
56:44
gospel
56:44
of Jesus
56:45
Christ
56:46
Patrick
56:46
Hamilton
56:47
George
56:47
Wishart
56:48
they are
56:48
part of the
56:50
DNA
56:50
of who we
56:51
are and
56:52
what we
56:52
believe
56:53
we give
56:53
thanks to
56:54
God that
56:54
we don't
56:55
face the
56:55
circumstance
56:56
providence
56:57
and providence
56:57
that
56:57
face
56:58
them
56:58
to deny
56:59
Christ
57:00
or be
57:00
burnt
57:00
alive
57:01
and let
57:02
their
57:02
records
57:04
their
57:04
initials
57:05
PH and
57:05
GW
57:06
stand as
57:07
a
57:07
monument
57:08
to their
57:09
faithfulness
57:10
of what
57:11
God called
57:11
them to
57:12
do
57:12
and in
57:12
their
57:12
humble
57:13
awareness
57:13
they in
57:14
their way
57:15
never give
57:16
up
57:16
their belief
57:17
that he
57:18
is
57:18
able
57:19
so let's
57:21
just think
57:21
of one
57:22
last thing
57:22
one last
57:23
thing this
57:24
evening
57:24
that comes
57:25
through this
57:26
verse
57:26
Paul has
57:27
said I am
57:28
not ashamed
57:28
for I know
57:30
whom I have
57:30
believed
57:31
I am
57:31
convinced he
57:32
is able
57:33
to guard
57:34
until that
57:35
day
57:35
what has
57:36
been entrusted
57:36
to me
57:37
just think
57:38
in closing
57:38
about that
57:39
phrase
57:39
that
57:40
day
57:41
because here
57:44
fourthly
57:45
finally
57:45
there is
57:46
great
57:47
anticipation
57:48
great
57:50
anticipation
57:50
but he's
57:51
in chains
57:52
he's facing
57:53
death
57:53
what's
57:54
he got
57:55
to
57:55
anticipate
57:55
a new
57:57
beginning
57:57
the time
57:59
of his
57:59
departure
58:00
has come
58:01
I have
58:02
fought the
58:03
good fight
58:03
I have
58:03
finished
58:04
the race
58:04
there is
58:05
henceforth
58:05
laid up
58:06
for me
58:06
a crown
58:07
of
58:07
righteousness
58:08
as he
58:09
goes on
58:10
to say
58:11
three times
58:11
you find
58:12
him in
58:12
verses
58:13
12
58:14
18
58:14
and then
58:15
again
58:15
chapter 4
58:16
in verse
58:16
8 he
58:17
refers to
58:17
that day
58:18
what day
58:19
the day
58:21
when time
58:22
will come
58:22
to an
58:22
end
58:23
the day
58:24
when time
58:24
will cease
58:25
and eternity
58:27
is ushered
58:28
in
58:28
that's where
58:29
his focus
58:30
is
58:30
he's looking
58:31
forward
58:32
he's anticipating
58:33
that day
58:34
Paul had
58:36
played an
58:36
exceptional role
58:38
in the work
58:38
of the gospel
58:38
he had been
58:39
a foundation
58:40
stone
58:41
in the spread
58:41
of the gospel
58:42
into the
58:43
non-jewish
58:44
nations
58:44
he had
58:44
planted
58:45
churches
58:46
all around
58:47
south-west
58:47
turkey
58:48
into
58:49
Macedonia
58:50
and southern
58:51
greece
58:51
he had
58:52
preached
58:53
the gospel
58:53
in cyprus
58:54
he had
58:55
gone round
58:56
the then
58:56
known world
58:58
from Antioch
58:59
to Jerusalem
58:59
and declared
59:00
the good news
59:01
of Jesus
59:02
Christ
59:02
but he knew
59:03
eventually
59:04
inexorably
59:04
time will be
59:05
no more
59:06
he knew
59:07
that none
59:07
of us
59:08
have forever
59:08
none of us
59:10
the god of wonders
59:12
through whom
59:13
the world
59:13
came into being
59:14
at one point
59:15
will announce
59:16
the end of time
59:17
as we know
59:18
it
59:18
and that
59:19
will be
59:20
on
59:20
that day
59:22
so Paul
59:25
turns to
59:25
that day
59:26
speaks
59:28
in other
59:29
letters
59:29
of the day
59:30
of judgment
59:31
and an
59:32
account being
59:33
taken
59:33
he speaks
59:34
of books
59:34
being opened
59:35
and all
59:36
being held
59:37
to account
59:38
that's the
59:39
truth of the
59:40
gospel
59:41
and it's
59:41
wonderful
59:41
that the
59:42
gospel doesn't
59:43
hide from
59:44
these things
59:45
and neither
59:46
must we
59:46
we must
59:48
gently
59:48
and persuasively
59:49
and often
59:50
as we can
59:51
with patience
59:52
and love
59:52
speak the
59:54
truth
59:55
in righteousness
59:57
we must
59:57
speak the
59:58
truth
59:58
there was a
1:00:00
incident back
1:00:01
in the 80s
1:00:02
when
1:00:02
Brezhnev
1:00:04
the Russian
1:00:05
president I guess
1:00:07
he was at the
1:00:07
time of the
1:00:08
old USSR
1:00:08
he died
1:00:09
and in a
1:00:10
state controlled
1:00:11
effort to keep
1:00:12
the news from
1:00:13
getting out
1:00:13
the moment he
1:00:14
died
1:00:15
he switched
1:00:16
every TZV
1:00:17
station in
1:00:18
the USSR
1:00:18
to the same
1:00:19
program
1:00:20
every channel
1:00:21
available was
1:00:23
playing Swan
1:00:23
Lake
1:00:24
so in an
1:00:25
instant
1:00:25
everyone in
1:00:27
Russia knew
1:00:27
something was
1:00:28
up
1:00:28
something was
1:00:29
going on
1:00:30
something was
1:00:30
going down
1:00:31
and the
1:00:31
state was
1:00:32
trying to
1:00:32
keep it
1:00:33
in and
1:00:33
hidden
1:00:34
and to
1:00:34
themselves
1:00:35
and years
1:00:36
since then
1:00:37
a commentator
1:00:39
on Russian
1:00:40
affairs said
1:00:41
in the Soviet
1:00:42
Union the
1:00:43
relationship with
1:00:44
the truth
1:00:44
was complicated
1:00:46
complicated
1:00:47
sometimes
1:00:50
if we're
1:00:51
honest
1:00:52
we would be
1:00:53
guilty
1:00:54
as charged
1:00:56
of something
1:00:58
similar
1:00:59
if we are
1:01:01
not sharing
1:01:02
the whole
1:01:03
counsel of
1:01:04
God and
1:01:04
the truth
1:01:05
of the
1:01:05
gospel with
1:01:06
those around
1:01:08
us
1:01:08
which is why
1:01:09
we have twice
1:01:10
in chapter 1
1:01:10
this phrase
1:01:11
do not be
1:01:12
ashamed
1:01:12
don't be
1:01:14
ashamed
1:01:14
and don't
1:01:16
allow your
1:01:17
relationship with
1:01:17
the truth to
1:01:18
become complicated
1:01:19
don't avoid
1:01:22
telling people
1:01:23
what they need
1:01:23
to know
1:01:23
most of all
1:01:24
to be ready
1:01:26
for that
1:01:27
day
1:01:27
four qualities
1:01:29
then stand
1:01:30
out in this
1:01:31
incredible letter
1:01:32
and in these
1:01:33
verses
1:01:33
we have a
1:01:34
burning conviction
1:01:35
a crucial
1:01:37
confidence
1:01:38
a humble
1:01:39
awareness
1:01:40
and a
1:01:41
great
1:01:41
anticipation
1:01:42
and I think
1:01:44
Christian friends
1:01:45
we should find
1:01:46
all these
1:01:47
qualities
1:01:48
in our hearts
1:01:49
as we gather
1:01:50
tomorrow at the
1:01:50
Lord's table
1:01:51
we gather
1:01:53
with a burning
1:01:55
conviction
1:01:55
I know
1:01:57
whom I have
1:01:58
believed
1:01:59
and that burning
1:02:01
conviction
1:02:02
draws us
1:02:04
with a crucial
1:02:06
confidence
1:02:06
to his
1:02:08
table
1:02:08
and we sit
1:02:10
there
1:02:11
in humble
1:02:12
awareness
1:02:13
that he is
1:02:14
able
1:02:15
and we eat
1:02:17
and we drink
1:02:18
together
1:02:18
the great
1:02:19
anticipation
1:02:20
of receiving
1:02:22
his grace
1:02:23
in a special
1:02:24
measure
1:02:25
the same
1:02:26
grace
1:02:26
but in a
1:02:28
special way
1:02:29
we remember
1:02:30
the body
1:02:30
and blood
1:02:31
we remember
1:02:32
the cost
1:02:33
of our
1:02:33
salvation
1:02:34
we remember
1:02:35
our saviour
1:02:36
we do so
1:02:37
humbly
1:02:37
and obediently
1:02:39
do this
1:02:40
in remembrance
1:02:42
of me
1:02:44
let me finish
1:02:45
with the words
1:02:46
of Daniel
1:02:47
Whittle's
1:02:47
hymn
1:02:48
I know
1:02:49
not why
1:02:50
God's
1:02:50
wondrous
1:02:51
grace
1:02:51
to me
1:02:52
he has
1:02:53
made known
1:02:54
nor why
1:02:55
unworthy
1:02:56
Christ
1:02:57
in love
1:02:58
redeemed
1:02:59
me
1:03:00
for his
1:03:01
own
1:03:01
but I
1:03:03
know
1:03:03
whom I
1:03:05
have
1:03:05
believed
1:03:05
let's pray
1:03:06
for a
1:03:07
moment
1:03:07
together
1:03:07
Lord our
1:03:09
God we
1:03:10
bless and
1:03:11
praise you
1:03:11
for the
1:03:12
wonder of
1:03:12
the gospel
1:03:12
for the
1:03:13
invitation
1:03:13
and summons
1:03:14
that comes
1:03:16
from Christ
1:03:17
to sinners
1:03:18
come to
1:03:20
me
1:03:20
Lord part us
1:03:22
with your
1:03:22
blessing this
1:03:23
evening
1:03:23
and may we
1:03:24
go from
1:03:25
here conscious
1:03:26
of these
1:03:27
qualities in
1:03:28
our hearts
1:03:29
that tomorrow
1:03:30
we would
1:03:30
come in
1:03:31
simple
1:03:32
obedience
1:03:32
and gather
1:03:34
there in
1:03:34
anticipation
1:03:35
with conviction
1:03:37
and clarity
1:03:38
of thought
1:03:39
in confidence
1:03:41
and humble
1:03:42
awareness
1:03:43
that we
1:03:44
remember the
1:03:44
death of our
1:03:45
Lord till he
1:03:46
come again
1:03:46
bless Lord your
1:03:48
gospel to our
1:03:49
hearts we pray
1:03:50
in Jesus name
1:03:51
Amen
1:03:52
we'll close our
1:04:01
service this
1:04:02
evening and
1:04:03
we'll turn to
1:04:04
Psalm 36 and
1:04:05
sing Psalms
1:04:06
Psalm 36
1:04:08
singing from
1:04:09
verse 5
1:04:10
page 44
1:04:12
in our blue
1:04:13
psalm books
1:04:14
Psalm 36
1:04:18
singing from
1:04:19
verse 5
1:04:20
your steadfast
1:04:21
love is great
1:04:22
O Lord
1:04:23
it reaches
1:04:24
heaven high
1:04:24
your faithfulness
1:04:26
is wonderful
1:04:26
extending to
1:04:27
the sky
1:04:28
your righteousness
1:04:29
is very great
1:04:30
like mountains
1:04:31
high and steep
1:04:32
your justice
1:04:33
is like ocean
1:04:34
depths both
1:04:35
man and beast
1:04:36
you keep
1:04:37
Psalm 36
1:04:38
we'll sing from
1:04:39
verse 5 to
1:04:40
9 to the tune
1:04:41
Land of Rest
1:04:42
your steadfast
1:04:49
love is great
1:04:53
O Lord
1:04:55
it reaches
1:04:57
heaven high
1:05:02
your faithfulness
1:05:06
is wonderful
1:05:08
your righteousness
1:05:10
is wonderful
1:05:12
and standing
1:05:13
to the sky
1:05:16
your righteousness
1:05:21
is very big
1:05:27
like mountains
1:05:30
high on sea
1:05:33
your righteousness
1:05:37
is like ocean
1:05:40
that's
1:05:42
O Father
1:05:44
and peace
1:05:46
to be
1:05:48
I precious
1:05:52
is your steadfast
1:05:56
love
1:05:58
what confidence
1:06:01
it brings
1:06:05
O
1:06:06
thy
1:06:07
aloof
1:06:08
and shelter
1:06:11
in
1:06:13
the
1:06:14
shadow
1:06:15
of
1:06:17
your
1:06:19
wings
1:06:21
the
1:06:22
peace
1:06:24
within
1:06:24
your
1:06:26
hearts
1:06:28
and
1:06:29
drink
1:06:30
from
1:06:31
streams
1:06:32
of
1:06:33
your
1:06:34
delight
1:06:36
for
1:06:38
when
1:06:39
you
1:06:40
is
1:06:41
the
1:06:42
source
1:06:43
of
1:06:44
life
1:06:45
in
1:06:46
your
1:06:47
might
1:06:48
we
1:06:49
see
1:06:50
light
1:06:51
if you
1:06:54
give me a
1:06:55
moment to reach
1:06:55
the door before
1:06:56
leaving
1:06:56
peace this evening
1:06:57
let us pray together
1:06:58
the blessing of God
1:07:01
almighty
1:07:01
father son
1:07:03
and holy spirit
1:07:04
rest on you
1:07:05
and be with you now
1:07:06
and those
1:07:06
whom you love
1:07:07
forever and ever
1:07:09
amen
1:07:26
een
1:07:35
men
1:07:36
нее
1:07:37
you