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Receiving Jesus · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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Our first item of worship is Psalm 65. We sing to his praise in Psalm 65, and that's on page 82.
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And Zion praise awaits you, Lord, to you our vows will pay. To you all people will come near,
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do you hear us when we pray? When we were overwhelmed by sins and guilt upon us lay,
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you pardoned all our trespasses and washed our guilt away. Psalm 65, these verses 1 to 5,
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the tune is done firmly to God's praise.
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Amen.
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In Zion praise awaits you, Lord, to you our vows will pay.
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To you all people will come near, you hear us when we pray.
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When we were overwhelmed by sins and guilt upon us lay, you pardoned all our trespasses and washed our guilt away.
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We are blessed, our love, to you to the rain, with a new force of grace.
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We're filled with blessings in your heart, in your most holy place.
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With awesome deeds of righteousness, you answered us, O God, our Savior, hope of earth's ease, and of the earth abroad.
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Amen.
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Once again, let's join together in prayer to God.
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O Lord, our God, our gracious and eternal God, we thank you again that we can gather here this
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evening as worshipers around your Word, and that we can engage in these aspects of worship
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that we are so familiar with. We pray, Lord, that you would keep us from a mere familiarity
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or a mere sense of routine. Give us, we pray, Lord, when we call upon your name that we may do so,
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conscious that we are speaking with the God of whom we have been singing,
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and conscious that you have reminded us in these words of your readiness to answer us.
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We ask, O Lord, that you would help us as we study your Word and as we come to sing your praises,
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that we will do so with a thinking heart, the mind ready to receive these aspects of your truth,
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and to use your Word as we sing your praise. We give thanks, Lord, tonight that we are reminded
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once again of your greatness, of your claim over the whole of your creation,
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for you are the God of the whole universe, the God who has reminded us that you uphold all things by
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the Word of your power, and that it is to you that all human beings are answerable ultimately.
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Help us, Lord, we pray, to come in that holy fear by which we would, with awe and reverence and love
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for you, fall down before you now in the quiet of our hearts, and come, Lord, to give ourselves anew to you
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in a willing service. We thank you that your Word has already guided us today
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to those issues to do with the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, to that which he accomplished
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by his death at Calvary. And we do give thanks, O Lord, for your presence with us, for the way in which
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you use both word and sacrament to edify your people. We pray that we may carry these things
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with us from this Lord's day, both then and now, so that they may indeed form in our minds throughout
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this coming week, the basis of our thoughts. We thank you, O Lord, for all the goodness we receive
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from you. Lord, we come before you each Lord's day at the beginning of each week, reflecting upon the
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many aspects of your goodness, and yet we confess that throughout each week we fail to take account
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properly and tellingly of these aspects of your goodness that meet us in our daily living.
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For your goodness extends to us not only in the gospel, but in the course of life that you provide
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us with so much that we are given to enjoy and benefit from throughout each day. And we thank you
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that you remember us with plenty for our bodily needs, that you remember us in such a favorable
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situation as you've placed us in, so that we have access to medical resources, access to good
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education, access to so many things down through the years, O Lord, that you have provided us with
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in your providence and kindness. And we give thanks for that, and we pray that these may continue with
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us. For by our own neglect, O Lord, it would be all too easy for you to withdraw them and to teach us
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of our dependability, of our dependence upon yourself and on your dependability as our God.
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We pray tonight, Lord, as we consider aspects of your Word anew, that you might draw us to yourself
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as we do so, and that we may be conscious that you are here. Lord, we remember Solomon's great
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declaration as the dedication of the temple took place, that the heavens of heavens could not contain
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you, much less this building that he had erected. And so it is, O Lord, with this building, this place of
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worship, this place we are so familiar with and so precious to us. We confess that it is but small,
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tiny in your own presence compared to your greatness. Yet we thank you that you're pleased
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at times to fill it with your presence, that you're pleased to use it in such a way as to gather us
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together so that we experience more of your blessing. We pray that you would enable us to speak and to
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hear in a way that we truly be aware that you are speaking to us, that you are giving us the ability
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to speak and to hear. We ask your blessing to be with us as a congregation following our communion this
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morning. We thank you, Lord, for every occasion when the death of the Lord is remembered by us,
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and when you enable us to gather in such a fashion. We pray for all today who were at your table.
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We ask that you would bless us as we seek your strengthening for that journey of life through
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which you take us. And we pray that you would strengthen us to be your own living and consistent
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disciples in the world. We pray that you would protect us and keep us, that you would direct our
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steps each day in the ways of your truth. We pray especially, Lord, for Anna, who was there at the
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table for the first time today. We pray for Anna, and we ask that you would bless her as she begins
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her life as a professing Christian. We thank you for her presence with us. We pray that you would
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encourage her, O Lord, as she has taken this step. We pray for any who may have been at your table today
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for the last time. We know not, Lord, what a day or a week or months may actually bring to us.
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We have already, Lord, come through years when things happened that we were not expectant of,
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and yet you brought us safely through, and you enabled us, Lord, to look to you. We pray that that
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will be the case in these days and weeks and months to come. We pray that you bless again our children,
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those who are witnesses of the sacrament today, and those who are not, or those who were at home.
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We pray that you bless them, bless those, and bless them as they receive the teaching of your word and
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those who teach them. We thank you, Lord, for every encouragement you give us with regard to our
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young people. Bless us in the fellowship again this evening. Help us, Lord, as we take an interest in
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the work of camps, that you would enable us, Lord, to do so prayerfully and meaningfully as we remember
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the young people that anticipate being at camps this coming summer. And we pray for those who have
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given of themselves to help with camps as leaders, those who are giving practical help as cooks,
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those who are helping with transport. In every way, Lord, those who help with the running of our camps.
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We thank you for the encouragement it gives us to see so many children and young people coming
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to attend the summer camps. We pray that they will return much blessed in their souls,
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and that you would encourage, oh, Lord, those who seek to teach them and to give them guidance
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during that time. We ask your blessing, Lord, to be with us in all the activities that are listed for
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this week in our bulletin. We pray that you would bless these, whether they be formal times of worship
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or fellowships or times when we meet with others informally. Bless everything that's done in your
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name, we pray, and help us as we seek to go on serving you as a congregation, that you would continue,
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Lord, to encourage us and to provide us with further evidence that you are blessing your word amongst us
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and that you are taking us as your people as we take you as our God. Bless the world in which we live.
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Lord, we are so conscious of so many different aspects of need in our own society and throughout
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the world. We pray, Lord, for those who are seeking to uphold your truth in different contexts
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in our own land, whether it be in our schools, other aspects of our community life.
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We pray that you would bless every effort made to show the love of God and the authority of God
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and the gospel of God in our society. We pray for those who rule over us in Parliament.
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We ask that you would bless them, and we pray that our prayer and our remembrance of them may not
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simply be a matter of form, but that in our hearts we will sincerely seek their good and seek for them
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the wisdom that you alone are able to impart. We pray that that may be their portion during such
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difficult times as we face. We pray tonight for those who are ill, those of our own number especially,
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and commend them to you again, as well as those who mourn the passing of loved ones who are always with
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us from week to week. Grant them your comfort. Grant them your upholding and your strengthening.
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And graciously bless throughout the world, O Lord, people in such diversity and sometimes in such great
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need. We pray tonight again for those facing the terror of war and terrorism of different kinds,
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those who are fearful for their lives as they declare their faith in the Lord, those who face such
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opposition for having turned to the Lord and left whatever religions or lack of religion they had.
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We ask, Lord, that you would be pleased to bless them and encourage them in the way.
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We pray too for those who have come to face the difficulties of disaster. We pray again for those
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in India who have lost loved ones in this terrible train crash. O Lord God, we commend them to you and to
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your grace and to your own compassion. And we pray that you would remember them from your throne on high
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and give to them the way with all that they need to deal with such a calamity. And so, Lord, we ask that
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you'd continue to bless us as we live out our lives in this world. And Lord, whatever we may think of
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ourselves, help us at all times to be concerned to present you to the world as a God who is faithful,
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a God who is just, a God who is loving and kind, but will by no means clear the guilty.
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Hear us, we pray, forgiving your sin for Jesus' sake. Amen.
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We'll sing again to God's praise this time, Psalm 63. Once again, let's sing Psalms in Psalm 63.
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Tune is Cresselius, verses 1-8. That's on page 80.
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So, verses 1-8.
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O God, you are my God alone. I seek your face with eagerness.
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My soul and body thirst for you in this dry, weary wilderness.
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Psalm 63, and verses 1-8.
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O God, you are my God alone. I seek your face with eagerness.
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My soul and body thirst for you in this dry, weary wilderness.
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I seek your face with eagerness.
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I seek your face with eagerness.
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I seek your face with eagerness.
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I seek your face with eagerness.
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I seek your face with eagerness.
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I seek your face with eagerness.
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I seek your face with eagerness.
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Upon my bed I lie away, and in my thoughts remember you.
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I meditated throughout the night, and he knew constant love in view.
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Because you are my help alone, in shadow of your wings I'll sing.
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You hold me up with your bright hand, to you, O God, my soul will gain.
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Amen.
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Son of David, have mercy on me.
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And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him.
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And when he came near, he asked him, What do you want me to do for you?
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He said, Lord, let me recover my sight.
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And Jesus said to him, Recover your sight.
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Your faith has made you well.
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And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God.
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And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
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He entered Jericho and was passing through, and there was a man named Zacchaeus.
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He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.
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And he was seeking to see who Jesus was.
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But on account of the crowd, he could not, because he was small of stature.
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So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him,
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for he was about to pass that way.
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And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him,
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Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.
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So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.
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And when they saw it, they all grumbled,
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He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.
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And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord,
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Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor.
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And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.
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Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house,
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since he also is a son of Abraham.
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For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
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Amen. May God bless again a reading of his word.
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Once again, we'll praise him this time from Psalm 51.
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Psalm number 51 in the Scottish Psalter,
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and singing verses 6 to 10.
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And the tune is St. Kilda.
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Behold thou in the inward parts, with truth delighted art.
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In wisdom thou shalt make me know within the hidden part.
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Do thou with hyssop sprinkle me, I shall be cleansed so.
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Yea, wash thou me, and then I shall be whiter than the snow.
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Of gladness and of joyfulness make me to hear the voice,
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that so these very bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
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All mine iniquities blot out.
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Thy face hide from my sin.
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Create a clean heart.
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Lord, renew a right spirit.
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Me within.
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Singing these verses 6 to 10 on page 281,
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and the tune is St. Kilda.
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Behold thou in the inward parts.
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With truth delighted art.
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Behold thou in the inward parts, with truth delighted art.
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And wisdom thou shalt make me know within the hidden part.
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Do thou with hyssop.
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Do thou with hyssop.
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Hear ye may know within the inside.
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耳
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and of joyfulness
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make me to hear
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the voice
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that's all these
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very poems
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which thou
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hast broken
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Mary
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rejoice
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all my
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iniquities
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slaughter
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thy face
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I
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from my
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shame
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create
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a
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in
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our
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for
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we
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you
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arise
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let
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me
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with
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him
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now please turn with me to Luke chapter 19
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Luke chapter 19 the first part of the chapter there that we read a minute ago
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where we find the account here of change in the life of Zacchaeus
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a very well known Bible incident I'm sure to most of us but one of continuing interest
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as we look to ourselves and our relationship to the Lord
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well we're told here that Zacchaeus was small of stature he was a little man and I'm sure as would have been the case in most of these instances and still the case as a little man and he was obviously quite small he couldn't see over the crowd
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that he would have been
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Zacchaeus would have been the case in the case in the case in the case in the case in the case in the case of the Lord and Zacchaeus would have met with that sort of comment many times in the history in his own history in his own experience
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but we're told here not only was he small in stature
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but he was big in terms of
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his riches
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he was rich he had plenty
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of money
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he was a chief
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tax collector
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and Jericho
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was a very lucrative place for tax collectors especially for the chief tax collector
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because I'm sure you know that chief tax collectors especially
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not only could gather in the taxes that were set by the government of the time
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but they very very often extorted extra money
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from the people just to fill their own pockets
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and for many reasons but that especially was a reason why they were hated by the public
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because that's the kind of ruthless attitude they had to people's lives
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and to people's money
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they were there to just make a packet
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they were there to fill their own pockets to make themselves rich
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and undoubtedly
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Zacchaeus fell into that sort of thinking
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and practice in his own life
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because as we'll see after the change
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that had come on him
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was made obvious
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he said to the Lord
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if I've defrauded anyone of anything I restored it
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fourfold
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and you certainly get the impression from that
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that Zacchaeus knew very well
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that he had defrauded people previously
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and was now making restitution
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as something that followed on
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from the change in his life
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but however rich he was in monetary terms
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this was a day that made him rich beyond measure
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made him rich spiritually
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a day that he could look back upon and say
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that's the day that I came really to possess
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true and lasting treasure
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that's the day I came to know Jesus
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that's the day I met him
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that's the day he changed my life
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that's the day when I realized
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that all my riches
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were of no avail to me
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if I didn't have the treasure of eternal life
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and that's where he was made rich beyond measure
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through what happened to him
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on this occasion
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and I want to just take the fact
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that he was a little man
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small of stature
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and just use that in our headings tonight
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to just work our way through this passage
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and we'll look first of all
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at the little man's big effort
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the effort he went to
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in order to come to see Jesus for himself
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secondly the little man's big change
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because the change that came over him
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is obvious from the way that he then speaks
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about himself
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and the way that he now sees things
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compared to how he once lived
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the little man's big change
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and thirdly the little man's big heart
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because the change that Jesus brought about
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in his life
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meant that it opened his heart
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to remember the needs of others
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and instead of lining his pockets
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he was actually opening up his pockets
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and saying Lord
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here is what I give
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I give half of my goods to the poor
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and if I have defrauded anyone
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I restore it fourfold
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in other words
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he was going beyond
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the accepted level of restitution
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that was in society there at the time
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and he was saying
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yes I'm going beyond that
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I want to restore it fourfold
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not just twofold
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so these are the three points
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that we want to follow out briefly tonight
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the little man's big effort
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the little man's big change
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and the little man's big heart
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now the effort he made was
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very clear from the passage
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his interest in Jesus
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is itself of significance to us
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there was a man named Zacchaeus
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he was chief tax collector
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he was rich
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and he was seeking to see
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who Jesus was
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he had a certain curiosity about Jesus
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he'd heard about him no doubt
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he maybe had seen him
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or heard about his miracles
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or his teaching beforehand
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but for whatever reason
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he was keen to see him
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he was seeking to see
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who Jesus was
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maybe he had heard about him
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maybe he had heard some of the remarkable things
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that Jesus had done
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and that had quickened his interest
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and quickened his curiosity
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so when he heard that
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Jesus was on this journey
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and that he came through Jericho
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he actually made a point
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of going to see who he was
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despite the handicap
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of his littleness of stature
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and many people begin
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their spiritual journey
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from an interest in Jesus
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because Jesus evokes your interest
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you can hardly read the gospels
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especially
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without being taken up
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in some way or other
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by how remarkable this person is
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and was at the time
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when you actually read through the gospels
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and you begin to realize
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just what a unique person Jesus was then
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and is
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it surely piques your interest
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to actually find out more about him
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and to come to know him for yourself
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it certainly was for this man Zacchaeus
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he was seeking to see who he was
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so he went to a great effort
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to actually find a vantage point
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where he could see him
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and you see the description there
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that Luke gives is quite detailed
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he was too small to look over the crowd
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so what did he do
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he ran on the head
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and climbed up into a sycamore tree
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to see him
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for he was about to pass that way
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he made that sycamore tree
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his vantage point
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that he could see over the crowd then
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and see Jesus
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and see who he was
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and finally catch a glimpse
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if he had not before
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of this remarkable person
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and that was a considerable effort
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for a little man
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to actually make his way
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into a sycamore tree
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to see Jesus
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and he was not embarrassed
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to read
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to run on ahead
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of the crowd
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to climb up into this tree
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not necessarily
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the most dignified thing to do
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but that's what he did
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because he was determined
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to see this Jesus for himself
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and surely that
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impresses us
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with the question
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that we have to put to ourselves
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what sort of effort
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are we making to see Jesus
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because our vantage point
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you really might say
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is the gospel
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the tree
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if you like
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from which we see Jesus
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is the gospel
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and the accounts we have
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in the gospel
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about this Jesus
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that's our vantage point
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that's the point
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from which we look down
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and see Jesus
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if you like
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as he's described for us
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in the gospel
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in the Bible
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the point is tonight
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for you and for me
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how much of an effort
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how much of a concern
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was it on our part
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to come here tonight
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and to see Jesus
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for ourselves
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to see him spiritually
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I mean
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to see him in the gospel
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to see him passing by us
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in the gospel
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as it were
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has it been of such significance
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to us
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that we really
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like this man
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would go to every possible effort
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to see Jesus for ourselves
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or are we just here
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because it's something
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we're used to be doing
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we're used to doing
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something that we're familiar with
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something of a ritual for us
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something of a habit
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well it's a very good habit
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I don't want to decry that
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but are we not here
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making every effort
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to see the Lord
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and concerned above everything else
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to meet with Jesus
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to see him
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for ourselves
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are we happy
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tonight just to stay put
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where we are in our lives
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and not make an effort
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to use every means
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that God has given us
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and made available to us
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whether it's in the word preached
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or in the sacrament
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that we had this morning
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which are themselves
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as we say
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vantage points
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from which to see Jesus
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I'm not suggesting
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that it's by your effort
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or by my effort
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that we come to be saved
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that we somehow gain
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or build up a store
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of merit
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by which God is then
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obliged to bless us
33:11
that's not what I'm saying
33:12
but I'm saying
33:13
that it's so important
33:15
to know Jesus
33:16
for yourself
33:17
to actually see him
33:19
with the eyes of your soul
33:20
with the eyes of faith
33:21
that's important
33:22
to see him
33:23
from the eyes of trust
33:24
to see him
33:25
from the vantage point
33:26
of the gospel
33:27
and say yes
33:27
now I see him
33:29
now I know who he is
33:30
is that your burden
33:33
is that your concern
33:34
tonight
33:34
to actually see Jesus
33:38
for yourself
33:39
Zacchaeus
33:42
used this opportunity
33:44
and despite
33:45
the handicap he had
33:47
he made every effort
33:49
to overcome that
33:50
in order to come
33:52
to see Jesus
33:54
for himself
33:55
the little man's
33:57
big effort
33:59
secondly
34:01
the little man's
34:02
big change
34:03
and the first thing
34:05
you find in that
34:06
is the way that
34:07
he was addressed
34:08
by Jesus
34:10
and it's so significant
34:12
that when Jesus
34:13
came to the place
34:15
he looked up
34:15
and said
34:16
Zacchaeus
34:17
hurry and come down
34:18
for I must
34:18
I must stay
34:19
at your house today
34:21
it becomes obvious
34:22
straight away
34:23
as you read that
34:24
that the Lord
34:25
knew this
34:26
this man
34:26
and he knew his name
34:28
and he knew all about him
34:29
and he knew
34:30
what was going to
34:30
what was going to happen
34:31
to him that day
34:32
and he knew his situation
34:35
and he was calling him
34:36
to do something about it
34:38
he gave him
34:41
his individual attention
34:44
and that's one of the most
34:46
remarkable things
34:48
about the Lord
34:49
that through the gospel
34:52
the Lord deals with us
34:54
so personally
34:55
so individually
34:57
so much concern
34:59
with our individual
35:00
personal needs
35:02
that it's as if
35:03
nobody else exists
35:04
in the world
35:04
but ourselves
35:05
because when Jesus
35:08
speaks into your soul
35:09
you're very conscious
35:10
that he's focusing
35:12
on you
35:12
and he's focusing
35:13
on you
35:14
with an intent
35:15
and a concern
35:16
that really is all
35:18
about your well-being
35:19
it's not something
35:21
in which he takes
35:22
a passing interest
35:23
it's not something
35:24
that he does
35:25
just because he thinks
35:26
there's a need to do it
35:27
he does it because
35:29
his concern is
35:30
to do you good
35:32
to actually come
35:33
and bless you
35:34
and for you to come
35:36
and receive him
35:37
as this man did
35:38
it's interesting isn't it
35:42
the previous
35:43
incident as well
35:45
the blind beggar
35:47
Bartimaeus
35:48
we're told
35:49
his name is elsewhere
35:50
very similarly
35:52
to Zacchaeus
35:53
when Jesus came
35:54
and when he was told
35:56
that it was Jesus
35:57
who was passing by
35:58
he cried out
35:59
Jesus son of David
36:00
have mercy on me
36:02
and then you find
36:04
that Jesus
36:06
stopped
36:08
and commanded him
36:10
to be brought to him
36:11
and so
36:13
he was brought to him
36:14
and there's so much
36:16
theology
36:17
and so much
36:18
spiritual importance
36:19
attached to these words
36:21
Jesus stopped
36:22
he did the same
36:23
here with Zacchaeus
36:25
he looked up
36:25
into the sycamore tree
36:27
where Zacchaeus
36:28
had placed himself
36:29
in order to see Jesus
36:30
and as soon as Jesus
36:31
reached the spot
36:32
he actually stopped
36:33
and looked up
36:34
into that tree
36:34
and called Zacchaeus
36:36
where he was
36:37
aren't you amazed
36:40
at these words
36:43
aren't you amazed
36:43
that the son of God
36:45
would actually make
36:48
the time
36:49
to stop over
36:50
a human life
36:51
in order to do
36:52
that life good
36:53
aren't you amazed
36:54
as you read that
36:55
that such a person
36:56
as you know yourself
36:57
to be
36:58
a needy sinner
36:59
who has rebelled
37:00
against God
37:01
who doesn't deserve
37:03
the eternal life
37:04
that Jesus died
37:05
to secure
37:06
that as he comes
37:07
to speak to you
37:08
through the gospel
37:09
not only does he speak
37:10
to you
37:10
as if you're the only
37:11
person in the world
37:13
but he stops
37:15
over you
37:16
he makes it known
37:18
to you
37:19
and makes it clear
37:19
to you
37:20
I am really
37:22
intensely interested
37:23
in you
37:24
and in your salvation
37:25
and in your well-being
37:27
and where you will
37:28
spend eternity
37:29
he stopped
37:34
and looked up
37:35
to where Zacchaeus
37:37
was
37:37
he gave him
37:39
his individual
37:40
attention
37:42
and divided
37:43
attention
37:43
as if nobody else
37:44
existed in the world
37:46
but then you see
37:48
he called him
37:49
he looked up
37:51
and said to him
37:51
Zacchaeus
37:53
hurry
37:53
and come down
37:55
for I must stay
37:57
at your house
37:58
today
37:59
and you can see
38:00
that that's in the form
38:01
of a summons
38:02
the authority
38:05
of Jesus
38:06
is packed
38:07
into these words
38:08
the way Luke
38:09
records them
38:10
for us
38:10
he didn't just
38:12
come to Zacchaeus
38:13
and look up
38:13
and say
38:14
would you like
38:14
to come
38:15
down from the tree
38:16
please
38:17
I've got something
38:18
to say to you
38:19
he said Zacchaeus
38:20
hurry and come down
38:22
it's a summons
38:23
it's a command
38:24
it's an imperative
38:25
because when Jesus
38:28
speaks
38:28
he speaks
38:29
with the authority
38:30
of God
38:30
the God
38:31
he is
38:32
it's no ordinary
38:34
man
38:34
and when God
38:36
has a dealing
38:37
with your soul
38:38
and with mine
38:39
you very soon
38:41
become conscious
38:41
that he's speaking
38:42
to you in a way
38:43
that no one else
38:44
can
38:45
and he's not
38:47
speaking here
38:47
to condemn him
38:48
he's speaking here
38:50
towards his salvation
38:51
but he's speaking
38:53
towards his salvation
38:54
to draw him
38:55
into that knowledge
38:56
of himself
38:57
by showing Zacchaeus
38:58
I am the king
39:00
I am the Lord
39:02
I'm the one
39:04
who has authority
39:04
over your life
39:05
I'm the one
39:06
that's calling you
39:07
now
39:08
to come down
39:09
from where you are
39:10
and come and see me
39:11
and it's the same
39:15
exactly the same
39:17
in the gospel
39:18
the call of Jesus
39:21
in the gospel
39:22
for you to come
39:23
and to know him
39:24
if you're here tonight
39:25
and you haven't yet
39:26
closed in
39:27
in your heart
39:28
with him
39:28
and received him
39:29
as Zacchaeus did
39:30
that call
39:33
is coming to you
39:34
with the full
39:35
authority of heaven
39:37
with all the authority
39:39
of the son of God
39:40
that's why it's such
39:43
a really serious thing
39:45
to actually not comply
39:48
with that summons
39:49
from God
39:50
that summons
39:52
where God is calling you
39:53
to himself
39:55
it's such a deep
39:58
and serious sin
40:00
just to bypass that
40:02
or let it go
40:03
and not reckon
40:05
with it seriously
40:06
because that's really
40:08
what's happening
40:09
in this building tonight
40:10
I'm being addressed
40:12
by God
40:12
you're being addressed
40:14
by God
40:14
I know you're hearing
40:16
a human voice
40:16
in this pulpit
40:17
but it's not the human voice
40:19
you're listening out for
40:20
though you're listening
40:21
to it
40:22
it's the voice
40:24
of God
40:25
in his word
40:26
the voice of God
40:27
in the exposition
40:28
of his word
40:29
the voice of Jesus
40:30
as he looks up
40:31
up to your vantage point
40:32
and as you look down
40:34
on him
40:34
as it were in the gospel
40:35
with the authority
40:37
of God himself
40:39
he is saying
40:40
hurry up
40:41
and come down
40:43
respond
40:44
to the fact
40:46
that I'm here
40:46
and you see
40:48
he's saying
40:49
hurry
40:50
go to it now
40:51
he's saying to Zacchaeus
40:52
Zacchaeus
40:53
hurry and come down
40:55
Jesus didn't come
40:56
to this sycamore tree
40:58
and look up
40:58
at Zacchaeus
41:01
and say there
41:02
look Zacchaeus
41:03
you really ought to
41:03
come down from there
41:04
and if you want to do that
41:06
that's fine
41:07
but you can leave it
41:07
until tomorrow
41:08
if you like
41:10
Zacchaeus
41:12
hurry
41:13
and come down
41:14
for today
41:15
I must abide
41:17
at your house
41:18
Jesus is saying
41:22
I must abide
41:24
at your house
41:25
not just saying
41:27
I'd like to do it
41:28
if you actually
41:30
will have me
41:31
I'd like to do it
41:33
if you feel
41:34
it's right
41:34
for me to come
41:35
and spend time
41:37
in your house
41:37
no this is
41:38
the same Jesus
41:39
the same authority
41:40
the same summons
41:41
the same voice
41:42
saying
41:42
I must abide
41:44
at your house
41:45
and because I must
41:46
abide at your house
41:47
hurry and come down
41:48
because I must do it
41:49
today
41:50
and so it is
41:56
the way he's addressing
41:59
you and I tonight
42:00
and especially
42:05
those of you
42:05
who have not yet
42:07
responded positively
42:08
to his call
42:09
on the gospel
42:10
who are still not saved
42:12
who have still not come
42:14
to yield obedience
42:16
to Christ
42:17
and he's saying
42:20
to you tonight
42:21
today
42:23
I require of you
42:26
to do this
42:26
today I need
42:29
to spend
42:29
time in your house
42:31
today I must
42:33
stay at your house
42:35
really rich again
42:38
in spiritual imagery
42:39
that isn't it
42:40
because
42:41
when he says here
42:43
I must stay
42:44
at your house
42:45
today
42:46
as you turn that
42:46
into what the gospel
42:48
is saying to you
42:48
what Jesus is saying
42:49
through the gospel
42:50
what he's really saying
42:51
amounts to the same thing
42:52
I actually need
42:54
I am
42:55
I'm calling on you
42:57
to respond
42:57
so that I can make
42:59
a home for myself
43:00
in your soul
43:01
Jesus is not asking us
43:05
to actually give ourselves
43:06
to him
43:07
in a part time fashion
43:09
as if
43:10
his living in your life
43:11
was just on a
43:12
B&B basis
43:13
Jesus doesn't do
43:16
B&B
43:17
in a spiritual sense
43:19
when he comes to
43:20
call us in the gospel
43:22
to open up our heart to him
43:24
to give him a home
43:24
in our hearts
43:25
he's saying
43:27
that's where I want to be
43:28
that's where I want to live
43:30
that's where I want you
43:32
to know me
43:33
as the occupant
43:34
of your soul
43:35
not just now and again
43:36
not just part time
43:38
but all the time
43:39
and forevermore
43:40
today
43:42
I must abide
43:45
I must stay
43:46
at your house
43:48
and what's the next thing
43:51
you read
43:51
so he hurried
43:53
and came down
43:55
and received him
43:57
joyfully
43:57
see the correspondence
43:59
with the manner
44:01
in which Zacchaeus
44:02
responded
44:03
and the call
44:04
of Jesus
44:05
the summons
44:06
that Jesus gave him
44:07
the summons said
44:08
hurry and come down
44:10
the response was
44:11
he hurried
44:12
and came down
44:13
he didn't say to Jesus
44:15
I'd like to
44:16
but can I leave it
44:17
till tomorrow
44:17
can I leave it
44:18
until I feel better
44:19
about it
44:20
can I feel
44:21
can I leave it
44:21
until I feel sure
44:23
about my bearings
44:24
he said
44:27
he hurried
44:29
and came down
44:30
and received him
44:31
joyfully
44:32
there is no delay
44:36
on the part
44:37
of Zacchaeus
44:38
the kind of delay
44:40
that you and I
44:41
know of in our own lives
44:42
the kind of delay
44:45
that perhaps is
44:46
right now
44:47
in your mind
44:47
in your exercise
44:48
where you're saying
44:51
well I hear the call
44:52
of Jesus
44:53
in the gospel
44:54
I know what he's saying
44:55
to me
44:55
but I'm not ready yet
44:57
no Jesus is saying
44:59
today
44:59
it's so important
45:02
that you don't say
45:03
tomorrow about it
45:05
it's so important
45:07
that you don't put it off
45:08
it's so important
45:10
that you respond now
45:11
while you hear
45:12
his voice
45:13
echoing in your heart
45:14
while you're aware
45:15
of his summons
45:16
calling you
45:17
to himself
45:17
you may not hear
45:20
that tomorrow
45:20
you may find
45:22
tomorrow
45:23
that it's gone
45:23
you may find
45:26
tomorrow
45:26
that there is
45:27
no sense
45:28
of his summons
45:28
left in your soul
45:29
and you go on
45:30
with your life
45:31
and you die
45:32
without him
45:32
today I must
45:36
so he hurried
45:38
and came down
45:39
and you see
45:40
he received him
45:42
joyfully
45:43
if you are delaying
45:48
tonight
45:49
and coming
45:49
to know the Lord
45:50
and you're saying
45:52
well it's
45:53
it's my intention
45:54
to come
45:55
I do want to come
45:58
it is my intention
45:59
I will do it
46:00
well it's not
46:03
just the case
46:03
that you may
46:05
never have
46:05
the opportunity
46:06
again to do it
46:07
but just think
46:07
of what you're
46:08
doing in that
46:09
very moment
46:11
of saying
46:12
yes I intend
46:13
to do it
46:13
because intention
46:14
by itself
46:16
means present
46:17
delay
46:18
and present
46:19
delay
46:20
equals
46:21
refusal
46:22
have you
46:25
have you ever
46:25
thought about
46:25
delaying
46:27
and coming
46:27
to Christ
46:28
is actually
46:29
a refusal
46:30
of him
46:31
of his summons
46:32
on your life
46:34
but that's
46:36
what it is
46:36
what is
46:40
your reason
46:41
if you're
46:42
delaying
46:43
tonight
46:43
coming to
46:44
the Lord
46:44
what is
46:46
your reason
46:47
why are you
46:50
doing that
46:51
would you go
46:54
to himself
46:55
tonight
46:55
and say
46:56
Lord
46:56
I hear
46:58
your summons
46:58
I know
47:00
that I
47:01
ought to do
47:02
it
47:02
that it's
47:02
my intention
47:03
to do it
47:03
but here is
47:04
why I cannot
47:05
do it now
47:06
though you're
47:06
calling me
47:07
to do it
47:07
now
47:08
can you
47:08
say that
47:08
to the Lord
47:09
of course
47:10
you can't
47:11
because you
47:13
know he
47:13
knows better
47:13
than that
47:14
and that as
47:16
he's calling
47:16
you to
47:17
himself
47:17
and as
47:18
he's calling
47:19
you to
47:19
himself
47:19
today
47:20
here and
47:21
now
47:21
so he's
47:23
impressing
47:24
upon you
47:24
you cannot
47:25
afford to
47:27
leave this
47:27
beyond today
47:28
because the
47:30
delay is
47:32
equal to
47:33
a refusal
47:33
and a
47:35
refusal
47:36
to the
47:38
offer of
47:39
the king
47:39
to the
47:40
claim of
47:40
the king
47:41
to the
47:42
summons of
47:42
the king
47:43
is the
47:44
most serious
47:45
thing you
47:45
can do
47:46
it's the
47:48
most serious
47:48
thing you
47:50
can do
47:50
in your
47:51
life
47:52
and you
47:54
see he
47:54
received him
47:55
joyfully
47:57
I love that
47:59
word and
48:00
you love
48:00
that those
48:01
of us who
48:02
know the
48:02
Lord love
48:03
that emphasis
48:04
there we
48:04
can relate
48:05
to it
48:05
he received
48:06
him joyfully
48:08
Zacchaeus
48:08
didn't climb
48:09
down from
48:09
that tree
48:10
and hurry
48:11
down to
48:11
meet Jesus
48:12
reluctantly
48:13
he didn't
48:14
come down
48:14
from that
48:14
tree and
48:15
said well
48:15
I have
48:15
to do
48:16
it I
48:16
suppose I
48:16
have to
48:17
do it
48:17
so I'll
48:18
just go
48:18
through with
48:18
it he
48:19
came down
48:19
from that
48:20
tree and
48:21
received
48:22
Jesus you
48:22
see that's
48:23
what it's
48:23
saying he
48:24
came down
48:24
and received
48:25
him joyfully
48:26
there's such
48:27
an emphasis
48:28
there on an
48:29
embrace by
48:30
Zacchaeus of
48:31
Jesus the
48:32
person of
48:32
Jesus and
48:33
all that came
48:34
to him in
48:34
Jesus he
48:35
received
48:36
Jesus the
48:38
summons was
48:39
really a
48:39
call to
48:40
receive Jesus
48:41
as his
48:42
savior and
48:42
he came
48:43
down and
48:43
he hurried
48:44
and came
48:44
down and
48:45
he received
48:45
him joyfully
48:46
you had
48:49
asked Zacchaeus
48:50
years after
48:52
this if he
48:52
was still
48:52
living
48:53
Zacchaeus if
48:56
you look back
48:56
over your
48:57
life what
48:58
was the most
48:59
important day
49:00
in your life
49:00
what was the
49:02
thing that gave
49:03
you the greatest
49:03
joy there
49:06
might have
49:06
been many
49:06
things that
49:07
gave Zacchaeus
49:07
great joy in
49:09
his life
49:09
much satisfaction
49:11
but he would
49:12
undoubtedly have
49:12
said oh I
49:13
can tell you
49:14
easily what
49:16
day is the
49:16
most important
49:17
in my life
49:17
and I can
49:18
tell you
49:18
equally easily
49:19
what it is
49:20
that gives me
49:21
and gave me
49:22
the most joy
49:23
and it is this
49:24
to have Jesus
49:25
as my savior
49:25
to have come
49:29
to receive him
49:30
as he offered
49:30
himself to me
49:32
the most joyful
49:34
day for me
49:34
Zacchaeus would
49:35
say is the
49:36
day I did
49:36
not let Jesus
49:37
stand and
49:39
just go away
49:40
without me
49:40
responding
49:41
the most joyful
49:42
day for me
49:43
was the day
49:44
that Jesus
49:44
summoned me
49:45
and I responded
49:46
and gladly came
49:48
to receive him
49:49
and surely
49:53
that's how it
49:53
will be for
49:54
yourself
49:54
surely
49:55
to look back
49:58
over your
49:59
life
49:59
and even
50:01
tomorrow to
50:01
look back
50:02
and say well
50:02
I know now
50:04
what happiness
50:06
really is
50:07
because I
50:09
received Jesus
50:10
I responded
50:14
as he called
50:15
upon me to do
50:16
and hurried
50:17
to take him
50:18
to myself
50:19
I received
50:22
him
50:23
joyfully
50:25
gladly
50:26
with relief
50:28
that's what
50:30
this teaches
50:30
us friends
50:31
the little
50:33
man's big
50:34
effort
50:34
and the
50:36
little man's
50:37
big change
50:38
he was addressed
50:39
by Jesus
50:40
and he
50:42
accepted Jesus
50:43
and you can
50:44
see before
50:45
your eyes
50:46
the change
50:47
taking place
50:48
Jesus
50:50
is addressing
50:51
you and
50:52
addressing me
50:52
tonight
50:53
will we
50:55
also add
50:56
the sub
50:56
paragraph
50:57
subheading
50:58
that's true
50:59
of Zacchaeus
51:00
not only was
51:01
addressed by
51:02
Jesus
51:02
but he
51:03
accepted
51:04
Jesus
51:05
he received
51:07
him
51:07
joyfully
51:09
and so
51:10
thirdly
51:11
you see
51:12
the little
51:12
man's
51:13
big heart
51:14
now it's
51:16
important
51:16
that you
51:17
actually see
51:18
that as soon
51:19
as he received
51:20
Jesus
51:20
joyfully
51:21
they all
51:22
saw it
51:23
and grumbled
51:24
he has
51:24
gone in
51:25
to be
51:25
the guest
51:25
of a man
51:26
who is a
51:26
sinner
51:27
because
51:28
receiving
51:28
Jesus
51:29
doesn't
51:30
make for
51:30
an easy
51:31
life
51:32
and the
51:33
Lord is
51:33
not saying
51:34
this to
51:35
us so
51:35
that it
51:35
will put
51:35
you off
51:36
receiving
51:36
him
51:37
or responding
51:38
gladly
51:38
to his
51:39
call
51:40
his summons
51:41
to come
51:41
to receive
51:42
him
51:42
to accept
51:43
him
51:43
but he's
51:46
putting this
51:47
in here
51:48
for us
51:48
so that
51:48
we will
51:50
have that
51:50
realism
51:51
that realizes
51:52
that the
51:55
world is
51:56
going to
51:56
be in
51:56
many ways
51:56
a different
51:57
place for
51:58
us
51:58
when we've
52:00
come to
52:00
receive Jesus
52:01
and people
52:01
have come to
52:03
realize that
52:03
he has
52:04
changed our
52:04
lives
52:05
that we've
52:05
become his
52:06
disciples
52:07
his followers
52:07
that we've
52:09
become people
52:09
who love
52:10
him and
52:11
follow him
52:11
and want
52:12
to obey
52:12
him and
52:13
commend him
52:14
to the
52:14
world around
52:14
us
52:15
but then you
52:18
see you have
52:18
to say well
52:19
yes that
52:20
makes me
52:21
question whether
52:21
I should
52:22
do it or
52:22
not
52:22
that's going
52:23
to be a
52:23
real challenge
52:24
for you
52:24
yes of course
52:25
it's going to
52:26
be a real
52:26
challenge
52:27
but who's
52:27
going to be
52:27
beside you
52:28
who's going
52:30
to strengthen
52:30
you
52:31
who's going
52:32
to assure
52:32
you as you
52:33
go through
52:33
with life
52:34
from that
52:34
point on
52:35
that you
52:35
receive Jesus
52:36
that all is
52:37
well with
52:38
your soul
52:38
he is
52:39
he's going
52:42
to be the
52:42
one beside
52:43
you
52:43
and you
52:44
can have
52:44
the whole
52:45
of the
52:45
world beside
52:46
you
52:46
and in
52:47
your support
52:47
but if
52:48
Jesus is
52:49
against you
52:49
what good
52:50
will it do
52:50
and if
52:52
you have
52:52
Jesus
52:52
with you
52:53
what harm
52:54
is it
52:54
going to
52:55
do
52:55
if the
52:56
whole world
52:56
is against
52:57
you
52:57
because it's
53:00
all about
53:00
being true
53:01
to him
53:01
and coming
53:03
to know
53:04
that he
53:05
will never
53:05
leave you
53:06
he will
53:06
never forsake
53:07
you
53:07
he'll never
53:08
be untrue
53:09
to his
53:09
promises
53:10
he'll never
53:11
do anything
53:11
other than
53:12
what he's
53:12
promised to
53:13
do and to
53:13
be for
53:14
you
53:14
so as
53:16
he received
53:17
him gladly
53:17
he met
53:18
with this
53:19
opposition
53:19
but he
53:21
was not
53:21
diverted
53:22
and he
53:22
was not
53:23
intimidated
53:24
into undoing
53:26
what he
53:26
had just
53:26
done
53:27
he came
53:29
and the
53:30
proof of
53:31
change
53:31
is in
53:32
the words
53:32
that he
53:33
said
53:33
Lord
53:35
Lord
53:37
behold
53:38
Lord
53:38
I
53:39
half of
53:40
my goods
53:40
I give
53:41
to the
53:41
poor
53:42
and if
53:43
I have
53:43
defrauded
53:44
anyone of
53:44
anything
53:44
I restore
53:46
it
53:46
fourfold
53:48
there's the
53:49
proof of
53:50
the change
53:50
just see
53:52
the way
53:52
the passage
53:52
began
53:53
he was a
53:54
tax collector
53:55
he was
53:56
rich
53:56
he gleaned
53:59
from people
54:00
as much as
54:00
he could
54:01
for his
54:01
own benefit
54:02
but he's
54:04
a different
54:04
man now
54:05
Christ has
54:07
changed him
54:07
inwardly
54:08
and what
54:10
he's saying
54:10
here about
54:11
what he's
54:11
going to
54:12
do
54:12
outwardly
54:12
in giving
54:13
away
54:13
half of
54:14
his goods
54:14
to feed
54:16
the poor
54:16
and
54:18
restoring
54:20
fourfold
54:20
to anyone
54:21
that he has
54:22
defrauded
54:22
he would
54:23
never have
54:24
said that
54:24
before he
54:25
ran up
54:25
the sycamore
54:26
tree
54:26
what's
54:28
happened
54:28
to this
54:29
man
54:29
well
54:31
Jesus
54:31
has given
54:33
him the
54:33
kind of
54:33
heart
54:34
we were
54:34
singing
54:34
about
54:35
and praying
54:36
for in
54:36
the prayer
54:36
of
54:37
Psalm
54:37
51
54:38
create
54:40
Lord
54:41
in me
54:41
a clean
54:43
heart
54:43
change
54:45
my heart
54:46
make it a
54:48
generous
54:48
heart
54:48
make it a
54:50
heart that
54:50
reflects your
54:51
generosity
54:52
to me
54:53
he showed
54:55
that the
54:56
change was
54:57
real
54:57
because of
54:59
his vow
55:00
to be
55:00
generous to
55:01
the poor
55:01
and make
55:02
restoration
55:03
the change
55:05
that Jesus
55:06
brings
55:07
is a
55:08
total
55:08
change
55:09
not just
55:10
a change
55:10
of mind
55:11
not just
55:12
a change
55:13
in the
55:13
resolutions
55:14
you make
55:15
to yourself
55:15
it's a
55:16
change
55:16
of heart
55:17
it's a
55:17
new
55:17
view
55:18
of life
55:19
it's a
55:19
new
55:19
way
55:20
of living
55:20
it's a
55:21
new
55:21
way
55:21
of
55:21
ordering
55:21
your
55:22
life
55:22
it's
55:22
an
55:22
entirely
55:23
new
55:23
behavior
55:24
because
55:26
even if
55:26
we were
55:27
very
55:27
civil
55:27
and
55:28
decent
55:29
people
55:29
all the
55:30
way
55:30
through
55:31
our
55:31
lives
55:31
that
55:33
doesn't
55:33
mean
55:34
we
55:34
don't
55:34
need
55:34
a
55:34
new
55:34
heart
55:35
when
55:36
God
55:37
gives
55:37
us
55:37
that
55:38
new
55:38
heart
55:39
takes
55:40
on a
55:40
whole
55:40
new
55:41
perspective
55:41
the way
55:42
it
55:42
looks
55:42
at
55:42
the
55:42
world
55:42
the
55:44
way
55:44
it
55:44
looks
55:44
at
55:44
the
55:44
poor
55:45
the
55:46
way
55:46
it
55:46
looks
55:46
at
55:46
the
55:46
disadvantaged
55:47
the
55:48
way
55:48
it
55:49
looks
55:49
at
55:49
people
55:49
with
55:50
a
55:50
desire
55:50
to
55:51
support
55:51
them
55:52
the
55:52
way
55:53
it
55:53
doesn't
55:53
belittle
55:54
people
55:54
the
55:55
way
55:55
it
55:55
doesn't
55:55
disparage
55:56
people
55:56
who
55:57
are
55:57
not
55:57
so
55:57
well
55:57
off
55:57
us
55:58
ourselves
55:58
the
56:00
way
56:00
it
56:00
refuses
56:00
to
56:01
look
56:02
down
56:02
upon
56:02
people
56:03
thinking
56:03
that
56:04
we
56:04
somehow
56:04
are
56:04
best
56:05
these
56:07
are
56:07
the
56:07
evidences
56:07
of
56:08
a
56:08
new
56:08
heart
56:08
that
56:10
shows
56:10
itself
56:11
outwardly
56:12
in
56:13
behavior
56:13
the
56:15
faith
56:15
that
56:17
does
56:17
not
56:17
lead
56:18
to
56:18
our
56:18
doing
56:18
good
56:19
really
56:20
isn't
56:20
faith
56:21
the
56:22
whole
56:22
epistle
56:23
of
56:23
James
56:23
is
56:25
an
56:25
exposition
56:25
of
56:26
that
56:26
great
56:26
principle
56:27
that
56:27
point
56:27
faith
56:29
without
56:30
works
56:31
is
56:32
dead
56:32
if
56:34
Zacchaeus
56:34
had
56:34
come
56:34
down
56:35
from
56:35
that
56:35
tree
56:35
gone
56:37
back
56:37
into
56:37
the
56:37
house
56:38
and
56:38
entertained
56:38
Jesus
56:39
and
56:40
said
56:40
well
56:41
it's
56:41
been
56:41
good
56:42
having
56:42
you
56:42
thank
56:43
you
56:43
for
56:43
your
56:43
attention
56:44
but
56:45
I'm
56:45
just
56:45
going
56:45
to
56:45
go
56:46
on
56:46
the
56:46
way
56:46
that
56:47
I've
56:47
always
56:47
lived
56:48
I'm
56:49
still
56:49
going
56:49
to
56:49
rake
56:49
in
56:50
the
56:50
taxes
56:50
I'm
56:51
going
56:51
to
56:51
be
56:52
an
56:52
extortioner
56:53
I'm
56:53
going
56:54
to
56:54
take
56:54
as
56:54
much
56:54
as
56:54
I
56:54
can
56:55
for
56:55
myself
56:55
it's
56:56
a
56:56
complete
56:57
opposite
56:57
it's
56:57
a
56:57
turnaround
56:58
isn't
56:58
it
56:59
if
57:00
he
57:00
had
57:00
come
57:00
and
57:00
still
57:02
been
57:02
determined
57:03
to
57:03
live
57:03
as
57:03
he
57:03
lived
57:04
it
57:05
was
57:06
a
57:06
sign
57:06
that
57:06
he
57:06
had
57:06
never
57:06
given
57:07
his
57:07
heart
57:07
to
57:07
the
57:08
Lord
57:08
but
57:09
he
57:09
did
57:10
the
57:11
little
57:11
man
57:12
who
57:13
made
57:13
the
57:13
big
57:13
effort
57:14
the
57:15
little
57:15
man
57:16
who
57:17
experienced
57:18
the
57:18
big
57:18
change
57:19
and
57:20
the
57:21
little
57:21
man
57:21
who
57:22
had
57:22
come
57:23
now
57:23
to
57:24
have
57:24
the
57:25
big
57:25
heart
57:26
today
57:28
Jesus
57:30
is
57:30
saying
57:30
today
57:31
I
57:32
must
57:32
abide
57:33
at
57:34
your
57:34
house
57:35
hurry
57:36
don't
57:38
waste
57:38
time
57:38
come
57:40
down
57:40
let's
57:41
pray
57:41
Lord we
57:46
thank you
57:46
for the
57:47
way in
57:47
which you
57:47
address us
57:48
in your
57:48
word
57:48
forgive us
57:50
we pray
57:51
any
57:52
mishandling
57:52
of your
57:53
word that
57:53
takes
57:53
place
57:54
in our
57:55
attempt
57:55
to
57:56
give an
57:57
exposition
57:57
of its
57:58
teaching
57:58
forgive us
58:00
Lord we
58:00
pray for
58:01
the many
58:02
times that
58:02
we do
58:03
refuse to
58:04
hear your
58:04
voice
58:04
and although
58:06
we hear it
58:06
refuse to
58:07
comply
58:07
forgive us
58:09
Lord for
58:09
our delays
58:10
forgive us
58:12
for the many
58:12
times that
58:13
we have
58:13
heard your
58:14
voice and
58:15
not
58:15
complied
58:16
forgive us
58:18
Lord even
58:18
tonight
58:19
if we have
58:20
not been as
58:21
we should be
58:21
in your
58:22
presence and
58:23
responded as
58:24
we should
58:24
to your
58:25
claim upon
58:26
us
58:26
make us
58:28
thankful
58:28
Lord that
58:29
we heard
58:30
your voice
58:30
make us
58:31
thankful for
58:32
your promises
58:33
that are
58:33
true
58:33
make us
58:35
thankful for
58:35
the provision
58:36
you make
58:36
for us
58:37
in the
58:38
abundance of
58:38
life that
58:39
we have
58:39
in knowing
58:41
our Lord
58:41
Jesus Christ
58:42
and we
58:43
ask that you
58:44
would bless
58:44
this word
58:45
to us
58:45
and enable
58:46
us Lord
58:47
from this
58:47
day forth
58:48
to go
58:49
forth with
58:50
that new
58:50
resolve
58:50
to be
58:52
your people
58:52
to be
58:53
known as
58:54
your people
58:54
to make
58:55
you known
58:56
to those
58:57
around us
58:58
and to
58:59
walk
58:59
closely
58:59
with you
59:01
as our
59:01
God
59:01
hear us
59:02
we pray
59:03
for Jesus
59:04
sake
59:04
Amen
59:05
well our
59:09
final psalm
59:10
this evening
59:10
is Psalm
59:10
119
59:12
119
59:14
the Scottish
59:15
Psalter
59:15
version
59:16
that's on
59:17
page 404
59:18
we're singing
59:19
four verses
59:19
from verse 57
59:21
down to
59:23
verse 60
59:24
tune is
59:25
Belmont
59:25
now my
59:28
sure portion
59:29
art alone
59:29
which I
59:30
did choose
59:30
O Lord
59:31
I have
59:32
resolved
59:32
and said
59:33
that I
59:33
would keep
59:34
thy holy
59:35
word
59:35
with my
59:36
whole heart
59:37
I did
59:37
entreat
59:37
thy face
59:38
and favour
59:39
free
59:39
according
59:40
to thy
59:40
gracious
59:41
word
59:41
be
59:42
merciful
59:42
to me
59:43
I
59:44
thought
59:45
upon
59:45
my
59:45
former
59:46
ways
59:46
and
59:47
did
59:47
my
59:47
life
59:48
well
59:48
try
59:49
and
59:50
to
59:50
thy
59:50
testimonies
59:51
pure
59:51
my
59:52
feet
59:52
then
59:53
turned
59:53
I
59:54
I
59:55
did
59:55
not
59:55
stay
59:56
nor
59:56
linger
59:57
long
59:57
as
59:58
those
59:58
that
59:58
slothful
59:59
are
59:59
but
1:00:00
hastily
1:00:01
thy
1:00:02
laws
1:00:02
to
1:00:02
keep
1:00:03
myself
1:00:03
I
1:00:04
did
1:00:04
prepare
1:00:05
these
1:00:05
four
1:00:05
verses
1:00:06
in
1:00:06
conclusion
1:00:07
are
1:00:24
iph
1:00:29
oh
1:00:30
oh
1:00:31
The Lord is home, and set the time to give Thy holy word.
1:00:46
With my whole heart I descend thee, Thy grace and favor free.
1:01:03
According to Thy gracious word, He menscheeful to me.
1:01:21
I thought upon my former ways, And did my life well die?
1:01:39
Until Thy testimonies pure, My feet then turneth I.
1:01:56
I did not sin nor linger long, As those that sorrowful are.
1:02:14
But history I lost to keep, Myself I did prepare.
1:02:34
We'll give thanks for the food prepared at the fellowship,
1:02:36
and then after the benediction I'll go to the side door here to my left.
1:02:40
Lord our God, we give thanks for all the provision You make for us.
1:02:45
And at this time we thank You for the food prepared.
1:02:49
We thank You for those who have prepared it for us.
1:02:51
And we pray that You would bless it to us,
1:02:54
and help us, Lord, to wait upon You,
1:02:56
even for our ordinary course in this life,
1:03:00
that we may live and move and depend on You with our being.
1:03:04
We ask that Your blessing from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God,
1:03:09
may be our portion now and evermore.
1:03:12
Amen.
1:03:13
Amen.
1:03:39
Amen.