Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / Doubt, Deliverance and Declaration

Transcript

Doubt, Deliverance and Declaration · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

0:00
And also there's a notice there about the vacancy and the appointment of a vacancy committee and I'll just read that notice through.
0:09
The Kirk session met on Monday the 15th of July and agreed to follow the practice previously adopted during a vacancy by taking on the role of the vacancy committee.
0:20
The purpose of the vacancy committee is to arrange for the pulpit to be supplied with ministers who are considered suitable to fill the vacancy.
0:30
But the final choice belongs to your communicant membership.
0:34
The vacancy committee would like to stress that they are seeking to secure the full scope of congregational interest so that the process of contacting ministers and arranging dates for them to preach can begin.
0:49
The initial meeting of the vacancy committee is scheduled for Monday the 26th of August.
0:56
And over the next five weeks as we pray to the Lord for guidance, the elders would like to encourage everyone in the congregation to speak to their own elder or any elders or any of the elders and inform them of who you would like to be invited to preach in Stornoway.
1:15
Please bear in mind that certain procedural steps are required, namely the completion of a financial schedule as well as a congregational development plan.
1:28
It is hoped that both these items will be presented to the congregation in September before being sent to the Presbytery and the Mission Board for approval.
1:39
All these intimations are, of course, God willing.
1:44
We'll now join together in our worship of God by singing to his praise in Psalm 1 in the Scottish Psalter version that you'll find on page 200.
1:54
Psalm 1.
2:03
The opening psalm to the book of Psalms, a psalm that speaks about two ways to live.
2:09
The words there are,
2:10
And that man has perfect blessedness, who walketh not astray, in counsel of ungodly men, nor stands in sinners' way, nor sitteth in the scornish chair, but platheth his delight upon God's law, and meditates on his law day and night.
2:30
He shall be like a tree that grows near planted by a river, which in his season yields his fruit, and his leaf fadeth never, and all he doth shall prosper well.
2:44
The wicked are not so, but like they are unto the chaff, which wind drives to and fro.
2:52
We'll sing this whole psalm down to the end, verse Mark 6, to God's praise, and the tune is Denfield.
3:00
We'll stand to sing,
3:01
That Man Has Perfect Blessedness.
3:03
That man has perfect blessedness.
3:15
The man has perfect blessedness.
3:45
That man has perfect blessedness.
3:48
It was the man that God has perfect blessedness.
3:50
That man has perfect blessedness.
3:53
It was always a love.
3:54
The man has perfect blessedness.
3:58
The man has perfect blessedness.
4:01
The man has perfect blessedness.
4:14
信 R winger
4:44
crawly
5:02
Dutchmen therefore shall not stand
5:08
such as the God we are.
5:14
Glory to the Savior of the just
5:21
shall we give in the year.
5:28
For by the way of God we may
5:36
come to the Lord his throne.
5:43
Great as the way of wicked name
5:49
shall quite be overcome.
5:58
Let us now join together in prayer.
6:03
Let us pray.
6:07
Our Father in heaven, we thank you that we can be joined again this evening now to return
6:13
praise and thanks to you.
6:15
And as we sing these words we are mindful of the separation that is made, of the divisions that is made between the chaff and the wheat, between the righteous and the wicked, between the believer and the unbeliever.
6:31
So Lord, we pray as we gather that we would be set before your feet this evening.
6:38
That we would see ourselves in light of your word.
6:43
That you would illuminate who we are before God.
6:48
That we would draw near to you with reverence and fear.
6:54
Saying and announcing, proclaiming that you are holy, holy, holy.
7:01
Lord, our God, we pray that you would have mercy upon us.
7:07
That we would know the full extent of your everlasting mercy and love that has been shown to us in Christ Jesus.
7:18
And it is in Christ Jesus that we have confidence to draw near to you.
7:23
For we look at ourselves and we see so many failures.
7:28
We see the sinfulness of our hearts.
7:30
We see the desires of the flesh.
7:33
Leading us in ways contrary to your word.
7:39
But Christ saw us in our affliction.
7:45
In our great need of a saviour.
7:49
And Christ chose us before we chose him.
7:52
Christ loved us before we loved him.
7:55
And so Christ came in his abundance of compassion.
8:01
To alleviate us from our great suffering of sin.
8:06
To take that burden of condemnation away from our backs.
8:11
A burden that we cannot carry.
8:14
A burden that leaves us guilty before God.
8:17
You take it from us.
8:19
You part us.
8:21
You part us from the sins.
8:23
So that those who believe in you have no more condemnation before God.
8:31
We wonder that Christ would ever love us.
8:36
But let us stand with all that he does.
8:40
Let us come before the cross and see the riches that are immeasurable.
8:46
In his love that he died for his friends.
8:50
No greater love is this that anyone can show to another.
8:55
That he would give up his life.
8:58
And so he did for all his people.
9:02
So let us have understanding of this.
9:06
Let us see Christ.
9:10
In a way that we have never seen him before.
9:12
In his beauty.
9:14
In his beauty.
9:16
In wonder.
9:19
In ways that we cannot fully comprehend.
9:26
Lord, by the power of your spirit.
9:29
Open our eyes and unblock our ears.
9:33
To see Christ.
9:35
To understand the gospel.
9:36
To receive Jesus Christ.
9:39
And to believe in him.
9:41
To trust in the resurrected and risen Lord Jesus.
9:45
And we pray that this gospel message would go out with power across our nation.
9:50
To all lands and all countries.
9:54
And we pray for Labourish to go with it.
9:58
We pray that you would raise up people to bring your message to the world.
10:03
To our nation.
10:06
To our towns.
10:07
To our villages.
10:09
To the people that have no word of Jesus Christ.
10:13
Who have forgotten Jesus Christ.
10:16
Who do not know what the cross means.
10:21
Lord, we pray that you would bring understanding to our people.
10:26
And that we would have a concern for souls that are lost.
10:31
Whether they be in our nation or in our families.
10:35
We pray that you would give us wisdom in these things that are so difficult.
10:41
We wish that we could make them understand.
10:46
We wish that we could open their eyes to see Christ Jesus in all his beauty.
10:51
But we pray that you would give us words according to your will and according to your ways.
11:03
Aligned with your providence.
11:07
That you may open their eyes to the power of your spirit.
11:12
And Lord, we give thanks for faithful ministries from this pulpit.
11:17
We give thanks for the ministry of James McKeever.
11:20
We thank you for him and Donna being here.
11:26
We pray that we would be mindful of him in his retirement.
11:30
And likewise, Kenny I.
11:34
We pray that we would be mindful of him also.
11:37
And we pray for Calum Mordo.
11:39
We pray for Johan and the family.
11:42
We pray that you would uphold them and strengthen them for the time ahead.
11:46
The time of vacancy.
11:47
Time of uncertainty.
11:48
A time of changes.
11:50
Lord, we pray that we would be prayerful as a people.
11:54
That we would be considerate of one another.
11:57
That we would be asking you to show us and direct us in your ways.
12:02
And lead us to someone whom you have chosen.
12:07
To be our under-shepherd.
12:09
To direct us and to guide us.
12:11
Lord, we pray for the Lord.
12:12
We pray for congregations who are likewise in vacancy.
12:16
We pray for Graver.
12:18
We pray for Shobost.
12:20
We remember the two congregations in use.
12:23
We pray likewise that you would give them one mind together.
12:28
Lead them to a man that is suitable for them.
12:32
To teach and instruct them.
12:34
To show them Jesus Christ.
12:36
Lord, we acknowledge that it is not of our own strength.
12:44
Nor any man's strength.
12:47
That we can open eyes.
12:49
But we fully rely upon the power of your spirit.
12:53
God, we pray for the Lord.
12:54
God, we pray for the Lord.
12:55
God, we pray for the Lord.
12:56
God, we pray for the Lord.
12:57
So as we turn to your words this evening.
12:59
As we sing your praises.
13:02
As we consider it.
13:04
Instruct us.
13:06
Guide us.
13:08
Teach us.
13:09
Forgive us if we say anything on this.
13:13
Lord, just turn us towards you.
13:19
Show us your paths, we pray.
13:21
Meet us at our own need.
13:25
Whatever it is.
13:26
For you are a God that hears our prayers.
13:30
You are a God that hears the cries of our souls.
13:34
The anxieties and anguish that we feel.
13:39
The cries and pains of life.
13:42
You know them.
13:44
But you are a loving heavenly Father that knows what is best to give to his children.
13:48
And so we wait faithfully upon you.
13:54
To instruct us and guide us.
13:57
We pray for those who do have worries.
14:00
We pray that you would be a wonderful counsellor to them.
14:05
We pray for those who are born.
14:07
We pray that you would be their comfort.
14:10
For you are the God of all comfort.
14:12
We pray that you would be near to those that are broken hearted.
14:17
For we know that the scars of loss can last many years.
14:22
And often never go away.
14:25
And remain with us.
14:27
Comfort your people, we pray.
14:31
Lord, we ask that you would feed our souls.
14:36
Enrich us as we join together here.
14:39
May we know the blessing of being together as your people.
14:45
Speak to us through your word.
14:48
Encourage us.
14:51
Enrich us.
14:53
Guide us.
14:55
And keep us.
14:57
We pray in Jesus' name.
15:00
Amen.
15:01
We'll continue in our praise of God by singing in Psalm 4.
15:08
Psalm 4 in the Sing Psalms version.
15:14
Find that on page 4.
15:20
Singing from verse 3.
15:24
Down to the end of that psalm again.
15:26
Psalm 4.
15:30
Sing Psalms.
15:31
Singing from verse 3.
15:33
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly as his own.
15:39
The Lord will hear me when I call.
15:42
And my request make known.
15:46
In anger do not break God's law.
15:49
Consider and be still.
15:52
Present a righteous sacrifice.
15:54
And wait upon his will.
15:57
Oh, who can show us any good?
15:59
I hear so many say.
16:01
Oh, Lord, shine on us with your light.
16:04
Show us your face, I pray.
16:08
You filled my heart with greater joy than others may have found.
16:13
As they rejoiced at harvest time.
16:15
When grain and wine abound.
16:17
I will lie down and sleep in peace.
16:22
My heart will rest secure.
16:25
For you alone, oh gracious Lord.
16:27
Will keep me safe and sure.
16:31
We'll sing these words to the tune.
16:33
We'll stand to sing.
16:36
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly as his own.
16:39
The Lord will hear me when I call.
17:09
And my request may know.
17:16
In anger do not break God's law.
17:26
Consider and be still.
17:34
Present and be still.
17:36
Present and be still.
17:41
Present and be still.
17:45
And wait upon his will.
17:51
Or who can show us any good?
18:02
I hear so many say.
18:08
O Lord, shine on us with your light, show us your grace, I pray.
18:26
You fill my heart with greater joy, another may have found.
18:45
As they rejoice at harvest time, when rain and wine are.
19:03
I will lie down and sleep in peace, my heart will rest, Savior.
19:19
Are you alone, O gracious Lord, will keep me safe and sure.
19:43
Let us turn now to a reading in Scripture, and we'll find that in the Gospel of John.
19:49
John chapter 11, from the beginning of that chapter.
19:54
And again this evening we'll have two readings from the Gospel of John.
20:01
After reading in John 11, we'll turn to John chapter 20.
20:09
John chapter 11, the beginning, down to verse 27.
20:16
The account of Lazarus' death.
20:19
Let us hear God's word.
20:22
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
20:32
It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother
20:38
Lazarus was ill.
20:40
So the sister sent to him, saying, Lord, he whom you love is ill.
20:46
But when Jesus heard it, he said, this illness does not lead to death.
20:53
It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.
21:00
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
21:06
So when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
21:13
Then after this, he said to the disciples, let us go to Judea again.
21:19
The disciples said to him, Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?
21:30
Jesus answered, are there not twelve hours in the day?
21:34
If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
21:41
But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.
21:47
After saying these things, he said to them, our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.
21:57
The disciples said to him, Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.
22:03
Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest and sleep.
22:11
Then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.
22:23
But let us go to him.
22:26
So Thomas called the twin, said to his fellow disciples,
22:31
Let us also go, that we may die with him.
22:38
Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.
22:43
Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off,
22:47
and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
22:52
So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.
23:00
Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
23:06
But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.
23:12
Jesus said to her, your brother will rise again.
23:17
Martha said to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.
23:24
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life.
23:29
Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.
23:34
And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.
23:39
Do you believe this?
23:42
She said to him, yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.
23:52
Now, we turn to John chapter 20.
23:56
And we read there from verse 24.
24:00
This is Jesus' resurrection appearance to Thomas.
24:09
We'll read down to the end of the chapter.
24:12
Now, Thomas, one of the twelve called the twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
24:19
So the other disciples told him, we have seen the Lord.
24:23
But he said to them, unless I see his hands, the mark of the nails,
24:30
and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.
24:39
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them.
24:46
Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, peace be with you.
24:52
Then he said to Thomas, put your finger here, and see my hands, and put out your hand and place it in my side.
25:03
Do not disbelieve, but believe.
25:07
Thomas answered him, my Lord and my God.
25:11
Jesus said to him, have you believed because you have seen me?
25:17
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
25:22
Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book.
25:29
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
25:37
and that by believing you may have life in his name.
25:45
Amen.
25:46
May the reading of God's word be a blessing to those who have heard it.
25:50
We'll continue in our praise now by singing in Psalm 147 in the Sing Psalms version.
26:00
You'll find that on page 193 of the Blue Praise Book, singing from verse 14.
26:16
Sing down to verse marked 18.
26:20
Psalm 147 in verse 14.
26:24
The Lord will grant you peace within the borders of your land,
26:30
and finest wheat will fill your fields from his sustaining hand.
26:36
To all the corners of the earth the Lord's commands proceeds,
26:41
for when he speaks his word goes forth through all the world with speed.
26:46
He spreads the snow as wool, the frost like ashes on the land.
26:52
He hurls forth icy hail like stones.
26:56
Who can such cold withstand?
26:59
But when he sends his mighty word and makes the warm winds blow,
27:05
the frozen waters start to melt and once again to flow.
27:10
May the Lord break down the coldness of our heart and make the warmth of his spirit flow in us.
27:20
Let us stand to sing this Psalm 14 to 18, the tune is Torwood.
27:26
The Lord will grant you peace within the borders of your land.
27:31
The Lord will grant you peace within the borders of your land,
27:51
and kindness we will fill your fields from his casting hand.
28:07
To all the corners of the earth the Lord's commands proceed.
28:23
For when he speaks his word goes forth through all the world with speed.
28:40
He spreads the snow as wool, the frost like ashes on the land.
28:57
He earns for price in him like stones.
29:06
Who can such cold withstand?
29:12
He earns for price in him like stones.
29:14
But when he sends his mighty word and makes the warm wind blow,
29:30
the frozen waters start to melt and once again to the wind.
29:42
Let us stand back.
29:45
To всю life.
29:55
Now we turn back to the passage that we read there in John chapter 20.
30:01
As you read it, verse 29.
30:03
Jesus said to him,
30:08
Have you believed because you have seen me?
30:11
Blessed are those who have not seen
30:15
and yet have believed.
30:21
Now if you were with us in the morning,
30:24
we thought about Jesus' resurrection appearance
30:27
to the fearful disciples within the locked room.
30:32
Now it took place on the evening
30:35
of Jesus' first appearance to Mary.
30:38
Jesus appeared to Mary at sunrise.
30:42
He appears to the disciples at the evening hour.
30:46
And now we come to this account with Thomas.
30:49
We're eight days later in the storyline,
30:53
but it doesn't seem like we've progressed very far, does it?
30:57
We're still in a locked room,
30:59
which we believe is the same.
31:02
Locked room.
31:04
And this third resurrection appearance,
31:07
it seems to be the subsequent resurrection appearance
31:11
that Christ has made.
31:12
We noted in the morning that John didn't include
31:15
every resurrection appearance,
31:18
but when we consider all that we have,
31:21
it seems like this is the next appearance of Christ.
31:24
But there is a focus here in this appearance.
31:29
There is a significance in this appearance
31:31
because it is focused on one man, Thomas.
31:36
And this appearance tells us that Thomas was not present with them
31:40
on the first day of the week with the rest of the disciples.
31:44
Why we're not sure?
31:47
I wish we did know.
31:49
It would fill out the story for us with more detail.
31:53
But we don't know.
31:55
Thomas wasn't there.
31:57
Thomas missed out on the appearance of Jesus Christ.
32:02
And I'm sure that's a feeling that we can all relate to,
32:07
that we've missed out on something.
32:10
There's surely some point in our lives
32:12
where we've missed out on something
32:14
that we really wanted to see.
32:16
And it can be made all the worse
32:19
by our friends and our families
32:21
telling us how amazing it was,
32:23
how inspiring it was,
32:25
how special it was
32:26
to see this thing take place.
32:31
I suppose in many ways it's been lost
32:33
with the advances in technology.
32:35
Things can be captured in video.
32:38
Things can be photographed.
32:39
You can re-watch TV programs you've missed.
32:42
You can see goals that you've missed.
32:44
You can see pictures of the northern lights that you missed.
32:49
In fact, it's swung so far now
32:51
that technology has advanced.
32:54
When you see these things,
32:56
you're not actually sure if it's true now
32:58
because they can be recreated and edited in such a way.
33:03
And I believe that if there was that sort of evidence of Jesus
33:08
in his resurrected state,
33:10
I don't think it would help us much.
33:13
There would still be doubted.
33:15
There would still be people sceptical of it.
33:19
And you can have these moments replayed.
33:23
You can have these photos to re-look at.
33:27
But it doesn't quite capture
33:29
what people call the magic of the moment.
33:33
You feel it like you've missed out
33:35
by not being there.
33:37
And it leaves you saying,
33:39
I wish I had been there.
33:41
I wish I had seen it.
33:43
I wish I had that experience
33:45
that my friends and family are telling me about it.
33:49
And I believe Thomas would have been saying
33:51
the exact same words.
33:53
I wish I had seen the Lord.
33:56
I wish I had seen him appear.
34:01
All his friends as the ten disciples were telling him,
34:06
we have seen the Lord.
34:08
Jesus is alive.
34:10
But it doesn't quite capture the magic of the moment for him.
34:18
He doesn't believe them fully.
34:22
And you know yourself
34:23
that when we experience something in our lives,
34:26
it's not quite the same
34:28
as someone telling us about it.
34:31
Now there are many people in this building,
34:36
there are many believers in this world
34:39
that have had amazing experiences
34:43
where the Lord Jesus has revealed himself to them.
34:49
And they want to tell people about it.
34:52
It's a natural thing for you to tell someone
34:55
about something spectacular that has happened in your life.
34:59
Something unbelievable.
35:00
You want to tell them about it.
35:03
You want them to believe.
35:04
You wish that they would have experienced it as well.
35:09
But it's often true
35:10
that when the believer tries to express
35:14
their new understanding of who Jesus Christ is,
35:20
that Jesus has revealed himself to them,
35:24
when they tell their testimony
35:26
about why they believe in Jesus Christ,
35:28
doesn't quite have the same impact on people.
35:33
They can tell it with passion.
35:35
They can tell it with excitement.
35:39
They just...
35:40
Something just doesn't click.
35:43
Just don't get it.
35:45
The disciples here are telling Thomas,
35:48
we've seen the Lord.
35:49
He's alive.
35:50
But it doesn't have an effect until he experiences it himself.
35:57
We can be told something a hundred times over.
36:01
It doesn't quite hit home until we experience it.
36:05
And you hear people who have recently been converted
36:11
echo something like,
36:13
why did no one tell me?
36:16
And it's like, we did.
36:18
We did tell you.
36:19
It just...
36:19
You didn't get it.
36:20
It just didn't...
36:21
It just didn't...
36:22
Your eyes hadn't been opened to understand.
36:24
You didn't see Jesus fully when I spoke.
36:26
Jesus had to reveal himself to you.
36:29
And we can have doubts.
36:33
We can feel like we've missed out on things.
36:38
And I believe there are many of us here
36:40
who are just like Thomas,
36:43
who see what the Christian has.
36:48
And they say in the secrecy of their own hearts,
36:52
I wish I had what they have.
36:55
I wish I could say the same thing
36:59
that the believer says.
37:02
I wish the Lord would show himself to me
37:05
so that I could say to everyone,
37:09
I am a Christian.
37:10
So that I could have the assurance
37:12
to give my life to Jesus Christ.
37:16
But I just don't have it.
37:22
I hope as we continue looking through
37:24
the resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ.
37:27
And as we turn to Thomas,
37:29
the man that doubted,
37:31
I hope that we will get to see Jesus,
37:33
that he will reveal himself to us,
37:36
that he would displace all our doubts,
37:38
that we would not miss out on Christ.
37:43
And as we look at Thomas,
37:46
I firstly want to consider
37:48
Thomas and his doubt.
37:52
Thomas and his doubt.
37:54
Thomas has become known as Doubting Thomas.
38:01
It may not be the most fairest name to give him.
38:07
I don't know if we can build
38:10
a true character of Thomas
38:13
by what we have from him in Scripture.
38:16
We don't have a lot about him in Scripture.
38:18
There's a few occurrences where he appears.
38:24
He actually appeared in the first reading that we had.
38:29
Jesus is there.
38:31
He hears about Lazarus having died,
38:34
well, having been ill.
38:35
He waits two days.
38:37
He knows that Lazarus has died.
38:40
He says,
38:40
we must return to Judea.
38:43
We must return because
38:44
I will give him life.
38:46
And the disciples are going,
38:48
no, no, no, hold on.
38:51
You can't go there.
38:52
The Jews are ready to kill you.
38:54
They're going to stone you.
38:55
Why are we going to go there?
38:56
Jesus says,
38:59
we must go.
39:02
The disciples see a problem with it.
39:07
Jesus' account there is that
39:09
Jesus tells him plainly,
39:12
Lazarus has died.
39:14
And for your sake,
39:14
I am glad that I was not there
39:16
so that you may believe.
39:19
Let us go to him.
39:21
And then Thomas comes in
39:22
and he says to his disciples,
39:25
let us also go
39:28
that we may die with him.
39:32
Thomas is ready to die with Christ.
39:36
He's ready to go with Christ,
39:39
whatever it means.
39:41
And he encourages all the other disciples
39:43
to be of the same mind.
39:46
But obviously,
39:47
obviously highlights a zeal
39:48
and a passion within Thomas
39:50
to do what is right,
39:52
to go with Jesus
39:53
and to follow him wherever he goes.
39:55
To encourage his friends
39:56
to come as well.
39:59
But when the rubber hit the road
40:01
and Jesus is captured,
40:04
the threat of death comes to them.
40:08
When Jesus has been taken
40:09
to be crucified,
40:11
they're nowhere to be seen.
40:13
They're displaced.
40:14
They're dispersed.
40:15
The only other time we come across Thomas
40:20
is actually in the chapter
40:21
that we read in the morning as well,
40:24
in John 14,
40:25
though we didn't read this part.
40:29
Thomas said to Jesus
40:31
when he says that,
40:32
I am the way,
40:33
the truth,
40:33
and the life.
40:34
When he says that,
40:35
I have gone to prepare
40:36
a place for you.
40:38
Thomas asks,
40:39
how do we know
40:40
where you are going?
40:41
How can we know the way?
40:42
Thomas wants to be with Jesus.
40:46
Thomas wants to know
40:47
where Jesus is going.
40:52
And although we look at these
40:54
few comments that we have,
40:58
we can say,
40:58
well,
40:59
there's a bit of doubt
41:01
in his comments.
41:03
He's doubting that,
41:05
he's not saying that
41:06
Jesus will resurrect Lazarus.
41:09
He's questioning
41:11
where Jesus is going
41:13
and how can we know the way.
41:16
It's more pessimistic
41:17
than doubtful.
41:20
There's a negative
41:21
sort of outlook
41:22
in his life.
41:25
But he's seeking an answer.
41:27
He's asking,
41:29
how can we know the way?
41:30
Where are you going?
41:32
Are you leaving us?
41:33
It's hard to form
41:37
a true character of Thomas
41:39
to say for sure
41:40
that we can call him
41:42
doubting Thomas.
41:44
But it is worth noting
41:46
that Thomas was not
41:47
the only doubter
41:48
in the Gospels.
41:51
You go to Luke's Gospel
41:52
and you read the account
41:54
where Mary returns
41:55
saying,
41:55
I have seen
41:56
the risen Lord Jesus.
41:59
She says these things
42:00
to the apostles
42:01
and Luke's Gospel
42:03
tells us
42:03
that all the apostles
42:05
thought
42:05
what she said
42:07
was an idle tale.
42:09
A story that was
42:11
made up.
42:13
And it says
42:13
that they did
42:14
not believe him.
42:19
Luke goes on
42:20
to say that
42:20
when they did
42:21
see Jesus,
42:23
the disciples
42:24
disbelieved for joy
42:26
and were marvelling.
42:28
They disbelieved.
42:30
They couldn't believe
42:31
that Jesus
42:32
was actually alive.
42:34
They couldn't believe it.
42:36
They were marvelling
42:38
that Jesus
42:40
appeared before them
42:42
in his resurrected body.
42:46
So you can see,
42:47
well,
42:47
the disciples
42:48
had doubts.
42:50
Thomas
42:51
had doubts.
42:53
And it is true
42:54
surely that
42:55
we have our
42:56
doubts as well
42:57
in our experience.
42:58
we question
43:01
the resurrected
43:03
Lord Jesus.
43:04
It's hard
43:05
to grasp.
43:06
It's difficult
43:06
to understand.
43:09
Thomas
43:09
couldn't believe it.
43:12
And he said,
43:12
unless I see
43:13
his hands,
43:14
the mark of his nails,
43:15
I put my finger
43:16
into these marks,
43:18
place my hand
43:20
in his side,
43:21
I will never
43:22
believe.
43:23
John's gospel,
43:27
it's largely
43:28
based on signs
43:30
of Jesus Christ.
43:33
But it's wrong
43:35
to ask
43:36
Jesus Christ
43:37
and to
43:38
place our salvation
43:40
on a sign
43:42
that we request
43:43
of him.
43:44
because it's not
43:49
signs,
43:50
really.
43:52
We see this
43:53
account of Thomas.
43:56
Jesus stands
43:56
before him.
43:58
He asks him
43:59
to put his hand
44:00
into his scars,
44:02
but I don't think
44:03
he did.
44:04
It doesn't quite
44:05
tell us if he did
44:06
or not.
44:08
Seeing was enough
44:09
for Thomas.
44:10
And to see
44:12
Jesus Christ
44:14
is enough
44:14
for us too.
44:17
We ask
44:17
for signs.
44:19
Sometimes
44:20
the Lord
44:20
can use signs.
44:23
And sometimes
44:23
the Lord
44:24
will answer
44:24
our requests.
44:27
But
44:27
it's not
44:29
a good way,
44:31
I don't think.
44:32
It's not
44:33
a way
44:34
in which
44:35
we should
44:37
be seeking
44:38
the Lord Jesus.
44:40
We should
44:40
be seeking
44:41
to see
44:41
him.
44:44
Seeking
44:44
that he
44:45
would reveal
44:45
himself to
44:46
us in
44:47
his way,
44:48
in his
44:48
timing.
44:51
But anyway,
44:53
we're in the
44:53
locked room
44:54
with the
44:54
disciples here.
44:56
Eight days
44:57
later.
44:59
And that
44:59
period carries
45:00
some significance
45:01
about this
45:02
so-called
45:03
doubter.
45:05
He wasn't
45:06
there for
45:06
the first
45:07
revealing.
45:08
And I'm
45:10
sure he
45:10
heard about
45:11
it straight
45:11
away.
45:13
That first
45:13
day,
45:14
Jesus was
45:14
there in
45:15
the morning,
45:15
Jesus was
45:16
there in
45:16
the afternoon
45:16
with the
45:17
two on
45:17
the road
45:18
to the
45:18
mails.
45:18
Jesus
45:19
appeared to
45:19
the
45:19
disciples
45:20
at night.
45:24
And I
45:25
believe when
45:25
he heard
45:26
all of
45:26
these
45:27
accounts,
45:29
he
45:29
wouldn't
45:30
dare
45:30
depart
45:31
from being
45:32
with the
45:32
people.
45:32
You can
45:36
imagine him
45:36
waiting the
45:37
next day.
45:40
Comes and
45:41
goes.
45:42
Nothing
45:42
happens.
45:44
Third day,
45:45
nothing.
45:47
Fourth day,
45:48
nothing.
45:49
Fifth,
45:51
sixth,
45:52
nothing.
45:54
Seventh,
45:55
nothing.
45:56
But what
45:59
he did
45:59
do was
46:00
he remained
46:01
with the
46:02
people.
46:03
He remained
46:04
with the
46:04
disciples.
46:05
He remained
46:06
with the
46:07
early church,
46:09
expecting to
46:10
see Jesus,
46:11
that Jesus
46:12
would reveal
46:13
himself to
46:14
him,
46:15
faithfully,
46:16
holding on,
46:19
expecting to
46:21
see Jesus.
46:21
and he
46:22
missed out,
46:23
yes,
46:23
in the
46:24
first place.
46:25
But he
46:25
came back
46:26
to where
46:27
Jesus had
46:27
revealed
46:28
himself to
46:28
the people.
46:30
And that
46:31
is true
46:32
of all of
46:33
everyone that
46:34
is here
46:34
today.
46:36
If you
46:37
want to
46:38
see Jesus,
46:39
if you
46:39
feel like
46:40
you've
46:40
missed out
46:41
on what
46:42
the Christian
46:43
has,
46:44
if you
46:45
wanted to
46:45
believe,
46:47
come to
46:49
where the
46:49
Lord Jesus
46:50
reveals himself
46:51
to his
46:52
people,
46:53
come to
46:54
the gathering
46:55
of the
46:56
church,
46:56
to the
46:57
believers.
47:01
This is
47:02
the place
47:02
where he
47:02
pours out
47:03
his blessings
47:04
upon the
47:05
people.
47:06
And it
47:07
is often
47:07
the place
47:08
where he
47:10
has awakened
47:11
many souls
47:12
that have
47:13
been in
47:13
darkness.
47:15
Many of
47:15
you here
47:16
who are
47:16
believers
47:17
will have
47:17
memories
47:17
of sitting
47:18
in pews
47:19
and being
47:21
awakened
47:21
by the
47:22
reading of
47:23
scripture,
47:25
feeling
47:25
condemned
47:26
by the
47:26
words that
47:27
were preached,
47:29
feeling the
47:30
psalms
47:31
speaking to
47:32
you as
47:33
they were
47:33
sung.
47:35
This is a
47:36
place where
47:37
Jesus meets
47:38
with his
47:38
people.
47:40
If we
47:41
isolate
47:42
ourselves
47:43
from the
47:44
church,
47:45
we cannot
47:47
expect that
47:48
Jesus will
47:49
reveal himself
47:50
to us.
47:52
And I
47:53
believe that
47:53
if we are
47:54
duly diligent
47:55
in attending
47:56
the means
47:57
of grace
47:57
and gathering
47:59
with the
47:59
Lord's
48:00
people,
48:01
he will
48:01
reveal
48:03
himself to
48:03
us.
48:06
But it
48:07
is true
48:08
that the
48:09
believer can
48:10
also have
48:10
many doubts
48:11
as well.
48:13
We can
48:14
doubt whether
48:15
he loves
48:16
us, we
48:17
can doubt
48:17
at times
48:18
whether we
48:19
are truly
48:19
saved, and
48:21
the devil
48:22
will play
48:22
havoc with
48:24
your doubts.
48:27
But you
48:27
know that we
48:28
are really
48:29
filled with
48:29
doubts when
48:30
we look at
48:30
ourselves.
48:33
There is
48:34
nothing within
48:34
us that
48:35
deserves
48:35
salvation.
48:38
There is
48:38
nothing within
48:39
us that
48:39
deserves the
48:41
redeeming power
48:42
of Jesus
48:42
Christ in
48:43
our lives.
48:44
We look
48:45
inwardly and
48:45
we plague
48:46
ourselves
48:46
with
48:47
doubts.
48:52
It is
48:53
said that
48:54
never doubt
48:56
in the dark
48:56
what God
48:58
told you
48:58
in the
48:59
light.
49:01
Never doubt
49:02
in the dark
49:02
what God
49:03
told you
49:04
in the
49:04
light.
49:05
What God
49:06
says to
49:07
you in
49:07
scripture,
49:09
we can
49:09
go away
49:10
with it
49:10
and we
49:11
can doubt
49:13
it.
49:15
when we
49:15
are isolated
49:16
from it.
49:17
When we
49:18
are in
49:18
the dark
49:19
we can
49:20
doubt
49:20
these
49:20
things.
49:21
We must
49:22
come back
49:22
to Christ.
49:24
We must
49:25
change our
49:26
vision from
49:27
looking at
49:28
ourselves when
49:28
we are
49:29
doubting to
49:30
looking at
49:31
the Lord
49:31
Jesus Christ.
49:33
As we
49:33
are saying
49:34
to the
49:34
children to
49:35
keep our
49:35
eye on
49:35
him, to
49:36
keep our
49:37
eye on
49:37
the word.
49:39
And if
49:39
we do
49:40
that we
49:40
will be
49:41
delivered from
49:41
doubts.
49:42
We will
49:42
look at
49:43
the love
49:43
of Christ.
49:44
we will
49:44
look at
49:44
his
49:45
compassion.
49:46
We will
49:46
look at
49:46
his death.
49:48
We will
49:48
look at
49:48
his eternal
49:49
promises to
49:50
his people
49:51
and it
49:51
will give
49:51
us a
49:52
hope.
49:54
To
49:54
displace
49:55
the doubt
49:55
the believer
49:56
must turn
49:57
from looking
49:58
at himself
49:59
and focus
50:01
upon the
50:01
Lord Jesus
50:02
and his
50:04
love for
50:05
them.
50:09
We find
50:10
here that
50:11
we can be
50:12
plagued with
50:13
doubts.
50:14
But also
50:16
there is a
50:17
deliverance
50:18
from these
50:19
doubts.
50:21
We have
50:22
doubts but
50:22
there is a
50:23
deliverance.
50:25
The radical
50:26
difference in
50:27
this man's
50:28
life is the
50:29
appearance of
50:29
Christ again.
50:31
Every
50:31
appearance of
50:32
Christ has
50:33
made a
50:33
radical difference
50:34
of those who
50:35
witnessed him.
50:36
And he
50:37
comes into
50:37
this room
50:38
and he
50:38
says,
50:38
peace be
50:39
with you.
50:44
Jesus
50:45
speaks
50:46
addressing
50:47
Thomas
50:48
in the
50:50
words that
50:50
he spoke
50:51
to his
50:51
disciples.
50:52
meaning that
50:54
Christ
50:55
hears
50:56
every word
50:57
that we
50:58
utter.
50:58
He did
50:59
not have to
50:59
be physically
51:00
present to
51:01
hear the
51:01
doubts of
51:02
Thomas.
51:03
He heard
51:04
them.
51:05
And when he
51:05
appeared he
51:06
addressed Thomas
51:08
personally.
51:08
said he
51:27
needed to
51:28
put his
51:28
fingers into
51:29
the scars
51:30
of Jesus'
51:31
hands which
51:31
would have
51:32
been more
51:33
so his
51:33
wrists.
51:34
then he
51:39
says to
51:39
touch him.
51:41
But we
51:41
don't know
51:42
if he
51:42
did or
51:42
not.
51:43
But Jesus
51:44
adds there
51:44
do not
51:46
disbelieve
51:47
but believe.
51:50
And we
51:51
can struggle
51:51
to believe
51:53
at times.
51:54
The
51:54
resurrection
51:54
is hard
51:55
to grasp.
51:56
The
51:56
disciples
51:57
struggle to
51:58
understand it.
51:59
We
51:59
struggle to
52:00
understand it.
52:02
But we
52:03
look at the
52:03
evidence that
52:04
we have
52:04
here.
52:05
We look at
52:05
the gospel
52:06
that John
52:06
has written
52:07
here.
52:08
And we
52:08
come to
52:09
it again.
52:09
The purpose
52:10
was that we
52:11
would believe.
52:12
We have
52:12
seen lives
52:13
radically
52:14
changed by
52:15
the appearance
52:15
of Christ.
52:18
And he
52:18
wishes, he
52:19
prays, he
52:20
writes that
52:21
you too
52:23
would believe
52:24
that when
52:25
you come and
52:26
consider the
52:27
resurrected Lord
52:28
Jesus Christ
52:28
he would
52:29
reveal himself
52:30
to you.
52:32
The
52:32
resurrection
52:32
appearance as we
52:33
said motivated
52:34
them like
52:35
nothing else
52:36
could have.
52:38
It was the
52:39
match to
52:40
the fire
52:40
that ignited
52:41
their hearts
52:42
for the
52:43
Lord Jesus,
52:44
ignited them
52:45
to turn the
52:45
world upside
52:46
down.
52:50
They went
52:50
out with
52:51
their own
52:51
testimony.
52:53
We have
52:54
seen the
52:55
Lord Jesus.
52:56
Thomas could
52:56
say the
52:57
same thing
52:57
in his life.
52:59
I have
52:59
seen the
53:00
Lord Jesus.
53:01
and he
53:01
declared it
53:02
amongst the
53:03
people.
53:05
He had
53:06
his doubts.
53:07
He was
53:07
delivered when
53:08
he saw
53:08
Jesus Christ
53:09
but he
53:11
went out
53:11
declaring
53:12
what he
53:14
had seen.
53:16
When you
53:17
see Jesus,
53:18
when Jesus
53:19
reveals himself
53:20
to you,
53:22
it changes
53:26
everything.
53:26
Thomas here
53:29
had his
53:30
own
53:30
declaration.
53:32
He says
53:33
there,
53:35
my Lord
53:36
and my
53:37
God
53:37
in verse
53:38
28.
53:40
A
53:40
personal
53:41
declaration
53:42
that Jesus
53:44
Christ is
53:45
his Lord
53:46
and his
53:46
God.
53:48
In many
53:49
ways it
53:49
is so
53:50
personal
53:51
that Jesus
53:53
speaks
53:54
directly
53:55
into
53:56
his
53:57
circumstance,
53:58
directly
53:59
to his
54:00
heart,
54:00
to his
54:01
need,
54:02
and yet
54:03
it is so
54:03
public.
54:05
Because he
54:06
has been
54:06
transformed.
54:08
He has
54:09
a new
54:09
testimony
54:10
to speak
54:11
about.
54:12
Something
54:13
exceptional
54:14
has happened
54:14
in his
54:15
life.
54:17
And he
54:18
wants to
54:18
tell people
54:19
about it.
54:19
He has
54:20
to tell
54:20
people
54:21
about it.
54:23
Jesus
54:24
Christ is
54:25
my Lord
54:25
and my
54:26
God.
54:28
And that
54:29
phrase
54:30
highlights
54:31
the divine
54:32
deity
54:33
of Jesus
54:34
Christ.
54:36
The
54:37
title
54:37
of God
54:38
his
54:40
Lord.
54:42
And
54:43
Jesus
54:43
receives
54:45
it
54:45
because
54:46
it is
54:46
right.
54:47
If it
54:47
was wrong
54:48
Jesus
54:48
would have
54:48
said
54:49
do not
54:50
worship
54:50
me.
54:50
with such
54:51
words.
54:53
But
54:53
Thomas
54:53
is
54:54
entirely
54:54
right.
54:56
And
54:57
Jesus
54:57
receives
54:58
that
54:59
declaration
55:00
from
55:00
Thomas.
55:04
The
55:05
change
55:05
that
55:05
Christ
55:06
brings
55:06
to us
55:07
is
55:08
personal
55:09
and
55:11
public.
55:11
God
55:12
will
55:13
God
55:14
will
55:14
speak.
55:14
He
55:17
speaks
55:17
to the
55:17
depths
55:18
of
55:18
our
55:18
needs.
55:20
Yet
55:20
we
55:22
cannot
55:23
but
55:23
speak
55:23
about it.
55:25
We
55:25
wish that
55:26
others
55:26
would
55:26
likewise
55:27
know
55:27
who
55:28
Jesus
55:28
Christ
55:28
is
55:29
and
55:29
the
55:29
change
55:30
that
55:30
he
55:30
has
55:30
made
55:30
in
55:31
their
55:31
lives.
56:01
It's a
56:02
true
56:02
feeling
56:02
that we
56:03
too
56:04
can't
56:05
doubt.
56:08
Thomas
56:09
was set
56:10
never
56:11
to believe.
56:12
That's what his words
56:12
unless he had
56:14
seen him
56:15
himself
56:16
which adds
56:18
a huge
56:18
credibility
56:19
to the
56:21
fact that
56:22
Jesus
56:22
appeared
56:23
to him.
56:24
the
56:27
one
56:27
that
56:27
said
56:27
never
56:28
turns
56:30
around
56:31
and
56:31
says
56:32
my
56:32
Lord
56:33
and
56:34
my
56:34
God.
56:36
Thomas'
56:37
experience
56:38
delivered him
56:39
from all
56:39
doubts
56:40
and I
56:41
pray that
56:41
the Lord
56:42
Jesus
56:42
would
56:43
reveal
56:43
himself
56:43
to
56:44
you
56:44
in
56:46
scripture
56:46
in
56:47
his
56:48
word
56:48
in
56:49
the
56:49
singing
56:49
of
56:49
his
56:50
psalms
56:50
in
56:50
the
56:50
proclamation
56:51
of
56:51
his
56:51
word
56:52
whether
56:53
it's
56:53
in
56:56
three
56:56
days
56:56
time
56:57
and
56:57
eight
56:57
days
56:57
time
56:58
and
56:58
three
56:58
years
56:59
time
56:59
and
56:59
eight
57:00
years
57:00
times
57:01
do
57:02
not
57:03
disbelieve
57:04
that he
57:04
can do
57:05
it.
57:06
Believe
57:07
in the
57:08
Lord
57:08
Jesus
57:09
Christ.
57:11
Believe
57:12
that he
57:12
will reveal
57:13
himself
57:14
to you.
57:16
Do
57:16
not
57:17
doubt
57:17
the
57:18
resurrection.
57:21
Thomas
57:22
went on
57:23
with his
57:23
declaration
57:24
and
57:25
tradition
57:26
suggests
57:27
that
57:27
Thomas
57:27
travelled
57:28
as far
57:29
as
57:29
India
57:29
with
57:29
the
57:30
gospel
57:30
where
57:31
it
57:31
is
57:32
reported
57:32
that
57:33
he
57:33
was
57:33
martyred
57:34
with
57:34
a
57:34
spear
57:35
killed
57:36
by
57:36
someone
57:37
with
57:37
a
57:37
spear.
57:39
With
57:40
the
57:40
assurance
57:41
of
57:41
Christ's
57:42
resurrection
57:42
in
57:43
his
57:43
life
57:43
he
57:44
went
57:44
out
57:44
declaring
57:45
the
57:45
wonderful
57:46
gospel
57:47
of
57:48
Jesus.
57:48
and
57:52
his
57:52
earlier
57:53
declaration
57:53
where
57:54
he
57:54
said
57:55
to
57:56
his
57:56
disciples
57:56
let
57:57
us
57:57
go
57:58
so
57:59
that
57:59
we
57:59
may
58:00
die
58:01
with
58:01
him
58:02
became
58:03
a
58:03
truthful
58:04
reality
58:04
in
58:05
his
58:05
life.
58:07
He
58:07
put
58:08
his
58:08
life
58:08
on
58:08
his
58:09
line
58:09
this
58:10
time.
58:12
He
58:12
didn't
58:12
run
58:12
away.
58:14
He
58:14
put
58:15
his
58:15
life
58:15
on
58:15
his
58:16
line
58:16
on
58:17
the
58:18
line
58:18
because
58:18
he
58:19
had
58:19
absolutely
58:20
no
58:21
doubts
58:21
that
58:23
Jesus
58:24
was
58:24
alive.
58:28
Thomas
58:29
makes a
58:29
declaration
58:30
but there
58:31
is another
58:32
declaration
58:32
made here
58:33
in this
58:34
passage.
58:35
The
58:35
risen
58:36
Lord
58:37
Jesus
58:37
pronounces
58:38
a
58:38
blessing
58:39
upon
58:40
everyone
58:41
who
58:41
believes
58:42
in
58:42
Jesus
58:42
Christ
58:43
without
58:44
having
58:45
to see
58:45
him.
58:46
And it
58:47
is a
58:47
blessing
58:48
because
58:48
it was
58:49
the
58:49
Lord
58:49
delights
58:50
to see
58:52
men,
58:54
women,
58:55
boys and
58:56
girls
58:56
turning
58:58
to the
58:58
Lord
58:59
Jesus
58:59
and
59:00
trusting
59:00
in
59:01
the
59:01
resurrected
59:02
Lord.
59:03
Believing
59:04
what the
59:05
gospel of
59:05
John
59:06
has written
59:06
about
59:07
him.
59:09
With
59:09
the result
59:10
is
59:10
that you
59:12
may have
59:13
life
59:13
in his
59:15
name.
59:16
God
59:17
yes
59:19
doubting
59:20
Thomas
59:21
is a
59:22
lesson
59:22
to each
59:23
of us
59:23
to
59:26
faithfully
59:27
trust in
59:28
the Lord
59:28
Jesus
59:29
Christ
59:29
but it's
59:31
maybe
59:31
significant
59:31
that it
59:32
follows
59:32
after what
59:34
we
59:34
consider
59:34
in the
59:34
morning.
59:36
Jesus
59:36
came to
59:38
them
59:38
with
59:38
a
59:38
work
59:40
he was
59:41
handing
59:41
over his
59:42
work
59:42
to them
59:43
and it's
59:45
funny
59:46
that they're
59:47
still in
59:47
the locked
59:48
room
59:48
at this
59:49
point.
59:50
Eight days
59:51
later they
59:51
haven't
59:51
moved
59:52
even after
59:54
Jesus
59:55
came with
59:55
his peace
59:56
his purpose
59:57
and his
59:57
power to
59:58
them.
1:00:00
I think
1:00:01
the disciples
1:00:03
see themselves
1:00:04
in Thomas.
1:00:05
they haven't
1:00:07
moved from
1:00:08
where they
1:00:09
have been
1:00:09
after Jesus
1:00:11
has said
1:00:12
to them
1:00:12
I'm
1:00:12
sending
1:00:13
you.
1:00:14
Are they
1:00:15
doubting
1:00:15
that they
1:00:16
are able
1:00:17
to do
1:00:17
the work
1:00:18
and continue
1:00:19
the work
1:00:19
that Jesus
1:00:20
has asked
1:00:20
of them
1:00:21
that we
1:00:21
considered
1:00:22
in the
1:00:22
morning?
1:00:22
It's
1:00:24
hard to
1:00:24
see
1:00:25
but I
1:00:27
think
1:00:27
there's
1:00:27
a measure
1:00:28
of
1:00:28
something
1:00:28
there
1:00:29
a lesson
1:00:31
for the
1:00:32
disciples
1:00:32
also
1:00:33
not to
1:00:34
doubt
1:00:35
believe
1:00:37
what the
1:00:38
Lord Jesus
1:00:39
has said
1:00:39
to them
1:00:40
that he
1:00:42
has sent
1:00:43
them
1:00:43
and that
1:00:44
he has
1:00:45
sent them
1:00:45
with a
1:00:46
helper
1:00:46
to go
1:00:47
with them
1:00:48
into this
1:00:49
world.
1:00:51
So what
1:00:51
about us
1:00:52
tonight?
1:00:53
What about
1:00:53
each or
1:00:54
one of
1:00:55
us
1:00:55
tonight?
1:00:56
Do we
1:00:57
feel like
1:00:57
we've
1:00:57
missed out
1:00:58
on the
1:01:01
proclamation
1:01:01
of the
1:01:02
gospel?
1:01:03
Do we
1:01:04
feel like
1:01:04
we've
1:01:04
missed out
1:01:05
on seeing
1:01:06
Jesus?
1:01:08
Well if
1:01:08
we do
1:01:09
come to
1:01:11
where he
1:01:11
reveals himself
1:01:12
with the
1:01:12
people and
1:01:13
keep coming
1:01:14
faithfully.
1:01:16
Do not
1:01:17
disbelieve.
1:01:18
Believe that
1:01:19
he will
1:01:20
show himself
1:01:20
to you
1:01:21
and I
1:01:23
believe that
1:01:23
he will
1:01:24
if you
1:01:25
do it
1:01:25
with
1:01:25
diligence
1:01:26
and a
1:01:27
heart that
1:01:28
is seeking
1:01:29
and longing
1:01:29
to know
1:01:30
him.
1:01:32
What will
1:01:32
you be
1:01:33
declaring
1:01:33
for all
1:01:34
eternity?
1:01:36
Yes we
1:01:37
have doubts.
1:01:39
Jesus
1:01:40
promises to
1:01:41
deliver us
1:01:41
but what
1:01:43
will be
1:01:43
our
1:01:43
declaration?
1:01:45
Will it
1:01:45
be my
1:01:47
Lord and
1:01:47
my God?
1:01:48
will it
1:01:50
be I
1:01:52
wish I
1:01:53
had
1:01:53
received
1:01:54
what the
1:01:55
Christian
1:01:55
has.
1:01:56
I wish
1:01:57
I had
1:01:58
joined
1:01:59
with the
1:01:59
people of
1:02:00
God.
1:02:02
I wish
1:02:03
I had
1:02:03
received
1:02:03
his blessing.
1:02:06
I pray
1:02:07
that we
1:02:07
have
1:02:07
understanding
1:02:08
of these
1:02:09
things
1:02:09
and that
1:02:11
he would
1:02:11
help us
1:02:12
in our
1:02:13
doubts
1:02:14
and help
1:02:15
us in
1:02:15
our
1:02:16
disbelief.
1:02:17
I pray
1:02:17
these
1:02:18
thoughts
1:02:18
blessed
1:02:19
to each
1:02:20
of us.
1:02:21
We'll
1:02:22
conclude by
1:02:23
singing in
1:02:23
Psalm 133
1:02:25
in the
1:02:26
Scottish
1:02:27
Psalter
1:02:27
version
1:02:28
that you'll
1:02:28
find on
1:02:29
page
1:02:29
424.
1:02:35
Psalm
1:02:36
133
1:02:37
you'll
1:02:40
find out
1:02:41
on page
1:02:41
424
1:02:42
of the
1:02:43
blue
1:02:43
praise
1:02:43
book.
1:02:46
A
1:02:46
psalm
1:02:46
that
1:02:46
speaks
1:02:47
about
1:02:47
the
1:02:47
blessing
1:02:48
of the
1:02:49
Lord
1:02:49
pouring
1:02:50
down
1:02:51
upon
1:02:52
the
1:02:53
people
1:02:53
as they
1:02:54
gather
1:02:54
together.
1:02:55
The
1:02:56
Lord's
1:02:56
people,
1:02:57
the
1:02:57
brethren,
1:02:58
behold
1:02:59
how good
1:02:59
a thing
1:03:00
it is
1:03:00
and how
1:03:01
becoming
1:03:01
well.
1:03:02
Together
1:03:02
such as
1:03:03
brethren
1:03:03
are in
1:03:04
unity
1:03:04
to dwell.
1:03:06
Like
1:03:06
precious
1:03:06
ointment
1:03:07
on the
1:03:07
head
1:03:07
that down
1:03:08
the beard
1:03:08
did flow,
1:03:09
even
1:03:10
Aaron's
1:03:10
beard
1:03:10
and to
1:03:11
the
1:03:11
skirts
1:03:11
did
1:03:12
off his
1:03:12
garments
1:03:13
go,
1:03:14
as
1:03:14
Herman's
1:03:14
Jew,
1:03:15
the Jew
1:03:15
that
1:03:15
doth
1:03:15
on Zion
1:03:16
hill
1:03:16
descends,
1:03:17
for
1:03:18
there
1:03:18
the
1:03:18
blessing
1:03:18
God
1:03:19
commands,
1:03:20
life
1:03:20
that
1:03:21
shall
1:03:21
never
1:03:21
end.
1:03:22
We'll
1:03:23
stand to
1:03:24
sing
1:03:24
these
1:03:24
words
1:03:24
to
1:03:25
God's
1:03:25
praise,
1:03:25
behold
1:03:26
how
1:03:26
good
1:03:26
thing
1:03:26
thing
1:03:26
it is
1:03:27
and
1:03:27
how
1:03:28
becoming
1:03:28
well.
1:03:32
Behold
1:03:34
how
1:03:35
good
1:03:36
a
1:03:37
thing
1:03:39
is
1:03:41
and
1:03:42
how
1:03:44
become
1:03:45
we
1:03:47
well
1:03:48
he
1:04:04
joy
1:04:06
Like precious ointment on the head, that devil here did go.
1:04:24
He made us dear and to the stars, give up his charred soul.
1:04:42
How terrible to the dew that dove, on side of hills we sang.
1:05:00
For there the blessing of all man, my path shall never end.
1:05:20
We conclude with prayer.
1:05:23
Our Lord and our God, we pray that we would keep our focus on you.
1:05:28
That we would not be distracted by the doubts of our hearts.
1:05:32
That you would help us in our doubts and unbelief.
1:05:36
And that we would see the risen Lord Jesus.
1:05:39
That you would reveal yourself to us.
1:05:42
And that we may proclaim, my Lord and my God.
1:05:47
Be with us as we part.
1:05:49
Watch over us in the wake ahead.
1:05:51
Go before us, we pray.
1:05:53
In Jesus' name.
1:05:54
Amen.
1:05:58
Amen.
1:05:59
Amen.
1:06:00
Amen.
1:06:01
Amen.
1:06:02
Amen.
1:06:03
Amen.
1:06:04
Amen.
1:06:05
Amen.
1:06:05
Amen.
1:06:15
Amen.
1:06:19
Amen.