Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / Kingdom Faith and Kingdom Formation

Transcript

Kingdom Faith and Kingdom Formation · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

• 0:00
  So we're going to begin our service of worship by praising God from Psalm 149 in the Scottish Psalter.
• 0:05
  ! It's on page 450 and the tune is Gainsborough. Psalm 149 at verse number 1.
• 0:15
  Praise ye the Lord and to him sing a new song and his praise in the assembly of his saints.
• 0:23
  In sweet psalms do ye raise. That this written is maker joy and to him praise his sing.
• 0:29
  That all that Zion's children are be joyful in their king.
• 0:34
  We'll sing from verse 1 to verse 5 and we'll stand to sing to God's praise.
• 0:39
  Praise ye the Lord and to him sing a new song and his praise.
• 1:00
  In the assembly of his saints.
• 1:10
  In sweet psalms do ye raise.
• 1:17
  Let his servant his maker joy and to him praise his sing.
• 1:34
  Let all that Zion's children are be joyful in their king.
• 1:51
  For let them unto his great name.
• 2:02
  He'll praise his singled dance.
• 2:08
  Let them with sin will and with heart.
• 2:18
  In songs his praise and hands.
• 2:26
  For God the pleasure take the rose.
• 2:37
  That is only for thee.
• 2:44
  Let them with sin will and with heart.
• 3:14
  Let them with sin will and with heart.
• 3:44
  Almighty and most gracious God.
• 3:48
  We rejoice in you and in the worship of your name.
• 3:53
  You have called us anew on this morning to draw near to you to hear what you have to say to us.
• 4:00
  We worship you as the God who is our Father in heaven.
• 4:05
  The God who has a family here on earth.
• 4:08
  And we rejoice in heaven.
• 4:14
  Father in heaven who looks down upon us as we worship you together this morning.
• 4:20
  Your word tells us that you are the God who in building a family for yourself.
• 4:28
  God who gave you our son to be our Savior.
• 4:30
  And we give thanks to you today for the Lord Jesus Christ.
• 4:36
  And we pray that as we worship you we may come to you in his name.
• 4:40
  As we worship you may he be at the center of all that we say and all that we hear.
• 4:46
  Lord Jesus Christ.
• 4:47
  And may you be pleased O Lord God to shine upon us.
• 4:51
  And come and be present with us.
• 4:54
  That we may truly hear what you have to say to us.
• 4:58
  Your word tells us that you speak peace to those who are your people.
• 5:02
  And we pray today that you will bless us all in our hearts.
• 5:06
  That we may indeed be your people.
• 5:09
  And that we may indeed know your blessing.
• 5:12
  We do give thanks to you for the families that are part of the family of God here.
• 5:18
  Even in our own congregation.
• 5:21
  We give thanks to you for parents and for children.
• 5:24
  We give thanks to you for their desire to hear what you have to say to them.
• 5:28
  And we pray that you will bless them here today with their young hearts and lives.
• 5:33
  May the children know your hand upon them.
• 5:36
  Your blessing in their hearts.
• 5:38
  The light of your word.
• 5:40
  Helping them every day to live their lives.
• 5:42
  Remembering what you have said to them.
• 5:45
  And bringing them to faith in your son as their saviour.
• 5:50
  And we pray that you will bless every aspect of the teaching that is brought before them.
• 5:54
  Even today in all of the different classes.
• 5:57
  May they know your voice speaking to them.
• 6:00
  And may you bless their young hearts.
• 6:02
  We do ask your thanks to you for those who teach them.
• 6:05
  And we pray that you will bless and guide them.
• 6:07
  And may they learn as they teach.
• 6:10
  And may they teach what they have learned.
• 6:12
  And may those who they teach benefit from those who teach them.
• 6:16
  As those who walk with you.
• 6:18
  And to bring to them the good news of the gospel.
• 6:22
  We pray for your blessing to be upon parents as well.
• 6:24
  That you will continue to guide and uphold them.
• 6:27
  And raising up families.
• 6:29
  And that you will bless them not only on the Lord's Day.
• 6:32
  But also on the weekday.
• 6:34
  In school life.
• 6:35
  And in every area of family life.
• 6:37
  May you bless them together.
• 6:39
  And enrich their lives to the glory of your name.
• 6:42
  For their benefit and blessing day by day.
• 6:45
  And for their hope of everlasting life.
• 6:47
  That they may have that hope of the gospel in their hearts.
• 6:50
  So bless them and bless us as we continue before you.
• 6:53
  Blessing your word to us.
• 6:54
  And guiding us in hearing.
• 6:56
  And singing.
• 6:57
  And praying.
• 6:58
  And reading your word.
• 7:00
  May you draw near to us.
• 7:02
  And speak clearly to us.
• 7:04
  O Lord our God.
• 7:04
  We do pray.
• 7:05
  Hear us.
• 7:06
  And our mercy upon us.
• 7:07
  We pray these things for Jesus' sake.
• 7:10
  Amen.
• 7:10
  Amen.
• 7:13
  Well boys and girls.
• 7:14
  It's good to see you again at church today.
• 7:15
  And it's such an encouragement to see you coming to hear what God has to say to us.
• 7:21
  And I think the worship of God is the most important thing that you can do the whole of the week.
• 7:26
  So it's great to have you here.
• 7:28
  Our Bible story today comes from the Gospel of Matthew.
• 7:32
  Which is the first gospel in the New Testament.
• 7:35
  And it's about God building a church for himself.
• 7:38
  And it's about asking people who do they think Jesus is.
• 7:44
  And I want you to think about that.
• 7:45
  And I want to say three things to you.
• 7:48
  And the three things begin with P.
• 7:50
  And the first is project.
• 7:53
  There is a building project going on.
• 7:56
  And God has promised that he will build a church for himself.
• 8:02
  And Jesus in the Bible today promises that on this rock he will build the church.
• 8:06
  He will build that church on the rock which he is himself.
• 8:11
  And as we come to him and believe in his name.
• 8:14
  We become part of that building project that God is building.
• 8:18
  And that God is working every day of life.
• 8:21
  And so as we do worship God today.
• 8:23
  We want to remember that this is God's project.
• 8:26
  And that by believing in Jesus.
• 8:28
  And not by the things that we do.
• 8:30
  By believing in Jesus that we become part of this great project of God.
• 8:35
  And the second thing is that there is a promise.
• 8:39
  And the promise is to you and to all of us.
• 8:41
  Depending on what we do with what Jesus says to us.
• 8:45
  And Jesus tells us in that great long sermon.
• 8:48
  Perhaps a lot longer than the sermons that we're used to in Matthew chapter 5 to chapter 7.
• 8:53
  It's a long sermon.
• 8:55
  And at the end of that sermon he says to those who are listening to him.
• 8:58
  That those who hear his words and do what Jesus says to them.
• 9:03
  That they will be like a wise person who builds a house on a rock.
• 9:08
  And today that's what God wants you to do.
• 9:11
  And he gives you that promise.
• 9:13
  That if you hear what he says.
• 9:15
  And if you do what he tells you to do.
• 9:17
  Then you will be like that wise person who builds a house on a rock.
• 9:21
  And Jesus tells him that when the storm comes.
• 9:25
  The house that is built on a rock will always stand.
• 9:29
  And that's the promise of Jesus to you.
• 9:31
  If you believe in his name.
• 9:32
  Because he also mentions those who hear his words.
• 9:36
  And do not do them.
• 9:37
  And they are the foolish people who build a house on the sand.
• 9:41
  And we know what happens when the tide comes in.
• 9:44
  And when the winds blow and the seas roar.
• 9:46
  The house that's built on the sand will fall.
• 9:50
  So today there is a promise to you and to all of us.
• 9:53
  If you hear.
• 9:54
  If you believe.
• 9:55
  And if you do.
• 9:56
  Then you will build a house for yourself.
• 9:58
  You will be safe in life.
• 10:00
  As those who believe in Jesus.
• 10:03
  And the third thing is.
• 10:04
  That there is a problem.
• 10:07
  Because if we don't start well.
• 10:10
  Then we cannot finish well.
• 10:13
  And we visited Italy.
• 10:15
  Two or three years back.
• 10:16
  And we visited the Tower of Pisa.
• 10:18
  It's one of the four towers.
• 10:20
  At a cathedral complex.
• 10:22
  In Tuscany.
• 10:23
  On the northwest coast of Italy.
• 10:26
  And it's known as the Leaning Tower.
• 10:29
  It was built in the 12th century.
• 10:32
  And halfway through the building project.
• 10:35
  The tower began to lean over.
• 10:38
  It became the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
• 10:40
  And it became the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
• 10:43
  Because those who planned the job.
• 10:46
  And the project.
• 10:47
  Those who started building.
• 10:49
  Forgot that they needed a foundation under the building.
• 10:53
  So they built on soft ground.
• 10:55
  And the more they built up.
• 10:57
  The more the tower began to lean over.
• 11:00
  So it became the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
• 11:02
  And today it leans over by four degrees.
• 11:06
  Which means at the very.
• 11:08
  Between the ground and the top of it.
• 11:10
  There's about four meters of a difference.
• 11:12
  In the way that the tower is leaning over.
• 11:15
  And the lesson from that is.
• 11:17
  That unless you and I believe in Jesus.
• 11:19
  At the very beginning.
• 11:21
  And put our trust in him.
• 11:22
  Then no matter what else we do.
• 11:25
  Our lives will be just.
• 11:26
  Like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
• 11:29
  Ready to fall over.
• 11:30
  So it's important.
• 11:33
  To start by believing in Jesus.
• 11:35
  And having that foundation.
• 11:37
  For your young lives.
• 11:39
  And the other thing to do with.
• 11:41
  The Tower of Pisa is.
• 11:42
  That they started rebuilding again.
• 11:44
  To try and finish it off.
• 11:46
  And instead of taking the building down.
• 11:48
  And starting with a foundation.
• 11:50
  They started making adjustments.
• 11:52
  Halfway up the building.
• 11:53
  So they tried to straighten it.
• 11:55
  In the rest of the project.
• 11:57
  So the Leaning Tower became the bending tower.
• 11:59
  And actually because of what they did.
• 12:01
  At last.
• 12:02
  It looked worse than it did.
• 12:03
  At the very beginning.
• 12:05
  And the lesson from that is.
• 12:07
  That although your teachers can help you.
• 12:09
  And teach you.
• 12:11
  And though your parents can do the same.
• 12:14
  Unless you start with believing in Jesus.
• 12:17
  No one else can help you to.
• 12:19
  Have your life the way Jesus wants you to do.
• 12:22
  If you put your trust in Jesus.
• 12:24
  And believe in him today.
• 12:24
  Then you're starting in the right place.
• 12:29
  And your parents can help you.
• 12:30
  And your Sunday school teachers can help you.
• 12:32
  And you learn the teaching of Jesus.
• 12:34
  And your house.
• 12:35
  Your life will grow strong in Jesus.
• 12:38
  As you put your trust in him.
• 12:40
  So remember.
• 12:41
  The project.
• 12:42
  Jesus is building his church.
• 12:44
  Made up of people like you and me.
• 12:47
  Remember the promise.
• 12:48
  If you hear and do what he says.
• 12:51
  Then your house will be safe.
• 12:53
  You'll be secure.
• 12:54
  Like a house on a rock.
• 12:55
  But remember the Tower of Pisa.
• 12:57
  Those who started building.
• 12:59
  Started wrong.
• 13:00
  And because of that.
• 13:01
  The building was wrong forever.
• 13:03
  Make sure today.
• 13:04
  You believe in Jesus.
• 13:05
  And then everything else.
• 13:07
  Will work out for you.
• 13:08
  And God himself.
• 13:09
  And Jesus himself.
• 13:10
  Will teach you how.
• 13:11
  To live your life.
• 13:13
  And with trust and prayer.
• 13:13
  God will help you to do that.
• 13:15
  And that God will bless you.
• 13:16
  As we go to your teaching classes.
• 13:19
  This morning.
• 13:20
  Let's now say the Lord's Prayer together.
• 13:23
  Our Father.
• 13:25
  Which art in heaven.
• 13:26
  Hallowed be thy name.
• 13:28
  Thy kingdom come.
• 13:30
  Thy will be done on earth.
• 13:31
  As it is in heaven.
• 13:33
  Give us this day our daily bread.
• 13:35
  And forgive us our debts.
• 13:37
  As we forgive our debtors.
• 13:38
  And lead us not into temptation.
• 13:41
  But deliver us from evil.
• 13:42
  For thine is the kingdom.
• 13:44
  The power and the glory.
• 13:45
  For ever.
• 13:47
  Amen.
• 13:51
  Let's turn now to praise God.
• 13:52
  This time from Psalm number 145.
• 13:54
  The long meter version of the Psalm.
• 13:57
  And at verse number 8.
• 13:58
  It's on page 444.
• 14:01
  Psalm 145.
• 14:03
  The long meter version.
• 14:04
  At verse number 8.
• 14:05
  And the tune is Warrington.
• 14:07
  The Lord our God is gracious.
• 14:12
  Compassionate is he also.
• 14:14
  In mercy he is plenteous.
• 14:16
  But not wrath and anger slow.
• 14:19
  Psalm 145.
• 14:20
  The long meter version.
• 14:21
  From verse 8 to the verse mark 14.
• 14:23
  To God's praise.
• 14:24
  The Lord our God is gracious.
• 14:37
  Of έ voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voy voyque voy voy
• 15:07
  O man is the Lord, for all His mercy is.
• 15:20
  Thy works so great to be afforded.
• 15:29
  Thy saints, O Lord, thy name shall bless.
• 15:39
  The glory of thy kingdom's show shall thee and love thy power tell.
• 15:56
  As soon as I shall shall be its name, O Lord, thy kingdom's grace that God exce.
• 16:14
  Life in the man, the name that all, it doth through ages all remain.
• 16:30
  The Lord, a fuller, fuller, fuller, fuller, the cast and grace that God exce.
• 16:48
  Amen.
• 16:52
  Let's turn now to hear the word of God in the New Testament in the Gospel according to Matthew and in chapter 16.
• 17:00
  The Gospel of Matthew chapter 16 and beginning a reading at verse number 5.
• 17:12
  Let us hear the word of God.
• 17:14
  When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread.
• 17:22
  Jesus said to them, watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
• 17:28
  And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, we brought no bread.
• 17:32
  But Jesus, aware of this, said, O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?
• 17:41
  Do you not yet perceive?
• 17:43
  Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many baskets you gathered?
• 17:48
  Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets you gathered?
• 17:52
  How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread?
• 17:57
  Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
• 18:00
  Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of the bread, but the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
• 18:12
  Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, who do people say that the Son of Man is?
• 18:20
  And they said, some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
• 18:27
  He said to them, but who do you say that I am?
• 18:31
  Simon Peter replied, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
• 18:36
  And Jesus answered him, blessed are you, Simon bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
• 18:45
  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
• 18:53
  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
• 19:03
  Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
• 19:07
  From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
• 19:20
  And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, far be it from you, Lord, this shall never happen to you.
• 19:26
  But he turned and said to Peter, get behind me, Satan, you are a hindrance to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.
• 19:39
  Amen, this is the word of God, we trust that he will bless to us our reading from it.
• 19:44
  Let's once more bow our heads in a word of prayer.
• 19:46
  Our gracious God, rejoice in you and in the way you have breathed out your word that gives us a revelation of the great God that you are.
• 20:01
  And we are thankful to you for the way in which you sent your Son to give us that great final revelation of your glory, of your beauty, and of your purposes for this world.
• 20:17
  We rejoice today in the oppression of your Son that we read off through the pages of the Gospels.
• 20:24
  We are thankful to you for this coming into the world and the marvel and the beauty of it.
• 20:29
  We are thankful to you for the life that you lived.
• 20:33
  We are thankful to you for his teaching, for his example, for every aspect of his ministry.
• 20:39
  We are thankful to you for the death that he died in our place.
• 20:44
  We are thankful to you that you brought him back from the dead.
• 20:48
  And we are thankful to you that today he is at your right hand.
• 20:53
  And so we worship you in his name.
• 20:55
  We give thanks to you for him.
• 20:56
  And as we do consider your word together, may you help us so that we will understand that we are truly in the presence of the only true and living God.
• 21:08
  And every word that you speak to us from your word, may it come into our hearts without authority and without power.
• 21:15
  And may we sense your claim upon our hearts and lives.
• 21:19
  And may we understand something in the depths of our beings.
• 21:24
  That your power brings about a change.
• 21:27
  That it begins a great transformation.
• 21:31
  That it gives direction to us in this world.
• 21:34
  That it gives to us the great prospect of your glory.
• 21:37
  And help us, O Lord God, to experience that anew this day.
• 21:44
  Perhaps experience it for the first time.
• 21:46
  And set our feet in that way.
• 21:49
  On the rock which is Christ.
• 21:51
  And enable us to live our lives as those who stand secure.
• 21:55
  Through faith in his name.
• 21:56
  So that when we do face the storms of life.
• 22:01
  The pains, the sorrows, the afflictions.
• 22:04
  All of the sufferings of life.
• 22:06
  That we do come face to face with them.
• 22:10
  That we know that we are secure in you.
• 22:13
  And secure upon that rock.
• 22:15
  And know that no one can pluck us out of your hands.
• 22:19
  That you will keep us safe.
• 22:21
  Bless every heart before you here today.
• 22:24
  Bless every desire after you.
• 22:26
  And satisfy every need we do ask.
• 22:28
  And give us all to know our satisfaction.
• 22:31
  In Jesus Christ, your son.
• 22:34
  Bless our congregation, our people.
• 22:36
  Be merciful to us we do ask on this day.
• 22:39
  May you bless your word to all those who gather with the people of God.
• 22:44
  May you bless your word to all those who join online.
• 22:49
  May you bless your word to those who are confined in their homes.
• 22:52
  Who are isolated and who are sorrowful perhaps in life.
• 22:57
  May you give to them the comfort of your presence.
• 23:00
  May you come and dwell with them in their isolation.
• 23:03
  And fill their hearts and their homes or wherever they might be.
• 23:08
  With a sense of the reality and the presence of God.
• 23:11
  Encourage them wherever they are before you.
• 23:14
  Comfort the grieving we do ask.
• 23:15
  We pray that you will bind our broken hearts.
• 23:18
  That you will be near to all today.
• 23:20
  Who have an empty place in their home and in their hearts and lives.
• 23:23
  May you give to them a sense of you standing with them.
• 23:27
  Of you being with them as the Lord who is their shepherd.
• 23:31
  And in that valley of the shadow of death.
• 23:34
  May they fear no evil because you are with them.
• 23:37
  May you walk with them and bless them during these days.
• 23:41
  Bless our wider island communities.
• 23:43
  We pray for the blessing of the gospel of the day.
• 23:46
  And of your Holy Spirit to come and to accompany your word.
• 23:51
  Make your name great through the ministry of the gospel.
• 23:54
  Across this whole land today.
• 23:55
  Wherever your word is preached may it be blessed.
• 23:59
  May lives be changed.
• 24:01
  May towns and cities and communities come to take heed to what you have to say.
• 24:06
  And to make you through your word and by your power turn us around to yourself.
• 24:11
  That you may fear your name in every area and level of society.
• 24:16
  In our royal family.
• 24:17
  In our governments.
• 24:18
  In our parliaments.
• 24:19
  In our local authorities.
• 24:21
  Wherever there is authority placed by you.
• 24:23
  May the fear of your name be in people's hearts.
• 24:27
  And may they guide us as people of this nation.
• 24:31
  And of our communities.
• 24:32
  Guide us in the ways of God.
• 24:35
  Bless the wider world.
• 24:36
  We pray for your word to be blessed as it goes forth across the world today.
• 24:41
  We remember the parts of the world where there are pains and sorrows.
• 24:44
  Where lives have been lost here in this past week.
• 24:47
  In tragic circumstances.
• 24:49
  We pray for your comforting presence for those who have lost.
• 24:53
  And we ask that you will sustain and uphold them.
• 24:56
  We pray for the places where there is conflict and strife.
• 24:59
  And war.
• 25:00
  That you will bring all of these things to an end.
• 25:02
  That you will cause your peace to descend.
• 25:06
  And cause lasting peace to be achieved.
• 25:08
  And may the peace of God indeed dwell in all the nations of the earth.
• 25:12
  Even on this day.
• 25:13
  As we commit our world to you.
• 25:16
  And so we pray that you will hear us.
• 25:17
  That you will be merciful to us.
• 25:19
  That you will continue to guide us as we wait upon you in this time of worship.
• 25:23
  Bless your word as we ask.
• 25:24
  And hear our prayer.
• 25:26
  For we ask all these things for Jesus' sake.
• 25:28
  Amen.
• 25:29
  Amen.
• 25:32
  We are now going to turn to praise God once more this time.
• 25:34
  In Psalm number 118.
• 25:36
  In Sing Psalms.
• 25:38
  It is on page 156.
• 25:40
  And we are singing at verse 15.
• 25:43
  Psalm 118 at verse 15.
• 25:47
  And the tune is Duke Street.
• 25:51
  Triumphant shouts of joy resound.
• 25:54
  In places where the righteous dwell.
• 25:56
  The Lord's right hand is lifted high.
• 25:58
  This mighty hand does all things well.
• 26:02
  We stand to sing from verse 15 to the verse 24.
• 26:05
  To God's praise.
• 26:28
  The Lord's right hand is lifted high.
• 26:37
  His mighty hand does all things well.
• 26:45
  I shall not die.
• 26:50
  I shall not die, but I shall bear.
• 26:55
  The Lord's weak marks I will proclaim.
• 27:03
  The Lord's Orth voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voy voyque voyque voy voyque voyque voy voy voyque voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy
• 27:33
  And give thanks to God.
• 27:40
  This is the gate of God through which
• 27:48
  The righteous come before the Lord.
• 27:57
  You answer me, hallelujah, Christ.
• 28:07
  Salvation comes from you alone.
• 28:15
  The stone that they've heard have refused
• 28:23
  Has now begun the glorious hope.
• 28:32
  The Lord himself has done all this.
• 28:41
  It is a marvel in our sight.
• 28:49
  This is the gate the Lord has made.
• 28:58
  In it let us take great delight.
• 29:05
  Let's turn back now to the Gospel of Matthew and chapter 16.
• 29:15
  And we can read at verse 13.
• 29:18
  Matthew 16 at verse 13.
• 29:22
  Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi,
• 29:29
  He asked His disciples,
• 29:31
  Who do people say that the Son of Man is?
• 29:33
  And they said,
• 29:34
  Some say John the Baptist,
• 29:36
  Others say Elijah,
• 29:37
  And others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
• 29:40
  He said to them,
• 29:41
  But who do you say that I am?
• 29:43
  Simon Peter replied,
• 29:45
  You are the Christ,
• 29:46
  The Son of the living God.
• 29:50
  And so on.
• 29:51
  We know that in every area of life,
• 29:57
  Identity is important.
• 29:59
  Our own personal identity and the identity of others.
• 30:04
  And with that identity to establish the relationships
• 30:08
  that help to identify our lives even more clearly.
• 30:13
  When Jesus was teaching the people,
• 30:16
  He knew exactly who He was.
• 30:18
  There was no doubt in His mind that He was the Son of God,
• 30:22
  That He was the Son of Man.
• 30:24
  There was no doubt in His mind why He was here.
• 30:28
  But He wanted others to know and to understand
• 30:31
  that this is who He truly was.
• 30:35
  He wanted others to understand His identity.
• 30:38
  And once they did that,
• 30:41
  Then they had a new identity for themselves.
• 30:44
  And the identity was based and established on their relationship with Him.
• 30:50
  And under the ministry of the gospel today and always,
• 30:56
  These are central to the ways in which God wants to speak to us.
• 31:00
  Who is He?
• 31:01
  Who is Jesus?
• 31:03
  Who are you?
• 31:03
  Who am I?
• 31:05
  And there to firm up on our relationships with God,
• 31:08
  Whether they exist or not.
• 31:10
  And when you read this gospel,
• 31:12
  As we read the other gospels,
• 31:13
  We do understand that Jesus has a developing profile.
• 31:18
  He is the person who heals diseases.
• 31:20
  He is the person who casts out demons.
• 31:23
  He is the person who forgives sins.
• 31:26
  He has a growing profile, a growing reputation.
• 31:30
  And because of that,
• 31:31
  Many people are gathering around Him.
• 31:34
  He is an attractive person
• 31:36
  Because of what He says and what He does.
• 31:41
  But Jesus wants to highlight that
• 31:43
  Finding Jesus attractive is not enough.
• 31:48
  And there are times through the gospels
• 31:50
  That there are junctions and crossroads
• 31:54
  At which Jesus calls upon the people
• 31:57
  To declare their relationship with Him.
• 32:01
  And today we want to take that crossroads
• 32:04
  And place it in our own hearing.
• 32:07
  And understand that today
• 32:09
  Jesus and the gospel
• 32:10
  Is taking us to one of these crossroads
• 32:13
  To help us
• 32:15
  Answer questions.
• 32:19
  And to help us show who we truly are
• 32:22
  And what we really think.
• 32:25
  And so from these verses
• 32:26
  I want to think of kingdom faith
• 32:28
  And kingdom formation.
• 32:31
  And I want you to notice first of all
• 32:33
  The kingdom faith.
• 32:37
  And the kingdom faith
• 32:38
  Comes to light
• 32:40
  In the challenge
• 32:41
  That Jesus gives to His disciples.
• 32:45
  A challenge which He first of all
• 32:47
  Addresses to those
• 32:48
  Who are not the disciples.
• 32:50
  Who do the people in general terms
• 32:52
  Say the Son of Man is?
• 32:55
  There He is.
• 32:56
  There is His identity.
• 32:57
  He is the Son of Man.
• 32:59
  He is that end time figure
• 33:02
  Prophesied by Daniel
• 33:04
  In Daniel 7
• 33:05
  That was going to come
• 33:06
  To save and to judge the world.
• 33:09
  And Jesus identifies him
• 33:10
  With the Son of Man.
• 33:13
  And in the build up of His ministry
• 33:14
  Up until this point
• 33:16
  We see at different stages
• 33:17
  That He makes Himself known
• 33:19
  As the Son of Man.
• 33:22
  We see that in the parables
• 33:23
  In chapter 13
• 33:25
  The Son of Man
• 33:26
  Is the one who sows the seed.
• 33:29
  The Son of Man
• 33:30
  Is the one who
• 33:31
  Sends His angels
• 33:32
  To gather out of the kingdom
• 33:34
  That which is evil
• 33:35
  And the lawbreakers.
• 33:38
  He has built up
• 33:39
  The sense in His ministry
• 33:40
  That He is the Son of Man.
• 33:44
  And here He is
• 33:44
  Asking the question
• 33:46
  With regard to the people
• 33:48
  In general
• 33:48
  Who do the people say
• 33:50
  That the Son of Man is?
• 33:51
  And when we hear the response
• 33:54
  We come to understand
• 33:56
  That their faith
• 33:58
  And their following of Jesus
• 33:59
  Is entirely superficial.
• 34:03
  He's an interesting person.
• 34:04
  That's great.
• 34:06
  He does amazing things.
• 34:08
  That's great.
• 34:09
  He is attractive
• 34:10
  Because of the way
• 34:11
  In which He cares for people.
• 34:13
  That's great.
• 34:15
  He performs great miracles.
• 34:17
  He becomes attractive.
• 34:20
  They are interested.
• 34:20
  The crowds are following Him.
• 34:24
  But who do they really think He is?
• 34:27
  And their response is
• 34:29
  Some say John the Baptist.
• 34:30
  Others say Elijah.
• 34:32
  And others Jeremiah
• 34:32
  Or one of the prophets.
• 34:35
  They recognize
• 34:36
  That He's a messenger of God.
• 34:39
  They recognize
• 34:40
  That He could be
• 34:41
  One of these key figures
• 34:42
  That John the Baptist
• 34:43
  Who has come
• 34:43
  And perhaps
• 34:44
  Who has raised from the dead.
• 34:46
  The Elijah
• 34:47
  That Malachi promised
• 34:48
  Would come
• 34:48
  Before the great
• 34:50
  And terrible day
• 34:50
  Of the Lord.
• 34:52
  The Jeremiah
• 34:53
  Who spoke to the people
• 34:55
  In their distance
• 34:55
  From God
• 34:56
  And preached repentance
• 34:58
  To them
• 34:58
  And asked them
• 34:59
  To come back to God.
• 35:01
  It could be one of these
• 35:03
  Or one of the other prophets
• 35:04
  Who foretold
• 35:05
  About the kingdom of God.
• 35:08
  A general interest
• 35:10
  In the oppression of Jesus.
• 35:12
  And as God asks you
• 35:16
  The same question today
• 35:18
  Who do you say
• 35:20
  That the Son of Man is?
• 35:24
  You are here today
• 35:25
  I'm guessing because
• 35:26
  Of a level of interest.
• 35:28
  Of a level of attraction.
• 35:31
  Of a level of commitment
• 35:33
  To the teaching of Jesus.
• 35:35
  To the claims of Jesus
• 35:37
  In life and in worship.
• 35:38
  And in every area
• 35:40
  In which we live life
• 35:41
  In the world.
• 35:42
  There's a sense
• 35:43
  In which you have
• 35:44
  An interest
• 35:45
  In the gospel.
• 35:47
  An interest in Jesus.
• 35:49
  And a joy perhaps
• 35:50
  In hearing
• 35:51
  The message of Jesus
• 35:53
  In the gospel.
• 35:56
  But today
• 35:57
  Is that as far
• 35:59
  As your understanding
• 36:01
  Of Jesus goes?
• 36:02
  You haven't yet reached
• 36:05
  The point at which
• 36:07
  Genuine faith
• 36:09
  Does come to light.
• 36:11
  The moment towards
• 36:12
  That sense of attraction
• 36:13
  And interest
• 36:14
  To reach the point
• 36:16
  Of personal relationship
• 36:17
  With Jesus.
• 36:21
  Who do you say
• 36:22
  That Jesus is?
• 36:26
  Because genuine disciples
• 36:27
  Make a clear confession.
• 36:30
  And Jesus turns
• 36:32
  To the disciples
• 36:33
  And who do you say
• 36:35
  That I am?
• 36:37
  And instantly
• 36:37
  Simon Peter
• 36:39
  Replies
• 36:40
  You are the Christ
• 36:41
  The son
• 36:42
  Of the living God.
• 36:44
  He recognizes
• 36:45
  Who the person is
• 36:47
  And he recognizes
• 36:48
  Why he is here.
• 36:50
  He is the son
• 36:51
  Of the living God.
• 36:53
  God is working
• 36:54
  In the world
• 36:54
  He is active
• 36:56
  In the world
• 36:56
  Through the passion
• 36:57
  Of the Lord Jesus.
• 36:58
  Jesus is God
• 37:01
  With us.
• 37:01
  He is the son
• 37:02
  Of the living God.
• 37:04
  And he is also
• 37:05
  The Christ.
• 37:07
  That is the
• 37:08
  Anointed one.
• 37:10
  The son of David.
• 37:11
  The God's king
• 37:12
  That he had promised
• 37:13
  To send.
• 37:14
  Who was going to
• 37:15
  Sit on God's throne.
• 37:17
  Who was going to
• 37:18
  Establish peace
• 37:19
  Between God
• 37:20
  And a lost world.
• 37:22
  Who was going to be
• 37:23
  A priest who would
• 37:24
  Sacrifice himself.
• 37:26
  The anointed one
• 37:27
  Is the Christ of God.
• 37:30
  Genuine faith
• 37:31
  Captures both
• 37:33
  Of these elements.
• 37:36
  And it's not that
• 37:37
  Genuine faith
• 37:37
  Knows everything.
• 37:39
  Because as we
• 37:40
  Follow the story
• 37:41
  We will see that
• 37:42
  Peter later on
• 37:43
  Can't understand
• 37:44
  Why Jesus must die.
• 37:47
  Let that be far
• 37:48
  From you.
• 37:50
  Genuine faith
• 37:51
  Makes a confession
• 37:52
  Confession
• 37:53
  A confession
• 37:55
  That needs to be
• 37:56
  Understood more
• 37:57
  And more
• 37:57
  In learning from
• 37:58
  Jesus
• 37:59
  But today
• 38:01
  The key is
• 38:02
  For you and for me
• 38:03
  In the response
• 38:04
  To this challenge
• 38:06
  Is do we truly
• 38:08
  Recognize
• 38:09
  That Jesus
• 38:10
  Is God with us
• 38:12
  And that he is
• 38:13
  God's Messiah
• 38:14
  Whom God has sent
• 38:15
  To save us
• 38:16
  And that today
• 38:17
  He is the anointed one
• 38:18
  At God's throne
• 38:20
  On God's right hand
• 38:21
  And that from there
• 38:23
  He reigns the world
• 38:24
  And from there
• 38:25
  He is working
• 38:26
  In the lives
• 38:27
  Of his people.
• 38:29
  Genuine
• 38:30
  Faith
• 38:31
  Identity
• 38:33
  The key elements
• 38:35
  That set him apart
• 38:37
  Not just as a
• 38:38
  Great teacher
• 38:39
  Not just as a
• 38:41
  Great carer
• 38:42
  A great shepherd
• 38:42
  Of people
• 38:43
  But as someone
• 38:45
  Sent
• 38:46
  By God
• 38:48
  In God's
• 38:49
  Design and plan
• 38:50
  To save
• 38:52
  People like you
• 38:53
  And me
• 38:53
  To save
• 38:55
  Sinners
• 38:56
  The challenge
• 38:58
  What is your
• 38:59
  Response
• 39:00
  And don't
• 39:03
  In answering
• 39:05
  The question
• 39:05
  Today
• 39:06
  Don't think
• 39:08
  That
• 39:08
  The inadequacy
• 39:10
  Of your knowledge
• 39:11
  Of Jesus
• 39:12
  Means that
• 39:13
  You can't
• 39:14
  Have genuine
• 39:14
  Faith
• 39:15
  Because
• 39:17
  When we come
• 39:18
  To faith
• 39:18
  In the Lord
• 39:19
  Jesus
• 39:19
  It's then
• 39:20
  We begin
• 39:21
  The journey
• 39:21
  Of learning
• 39:22
  From Jesus
• 39:23
  He is our
• 39:24
  Teacher
• 39:24
  And we become
• 39:25
  The pupils
• 39:25
  We become
• 39:26
  The disciples
• 39:27
  We are on
• 39:29
  A steep
• 39:29
  Learning curve
• 39:30
  From the time
• 39:31
  That we come
• 39:31
  To believe
• 39:32
  In the Lord
• 39:33
  Jesus
• 39:33
  So don't
• 39:35
  Let the fact
• 39:36
  That you don't
• 39:36
  Know everything
• 39:37
  About Jesus
• 39:37
  Make you decide
• 39:39
  That you can't
• 39:40
  Have genuine
• 39:40
  Faith
• 39:41
  The question
• 39:43
  Is
• 39:43
  Who do you
• 39:45
  Think
• 39:45
  Jesus is
• 39:46
  Do you see
• 39:48
  Him
• 39:48
  In this way
• 39:49
  God with us
• 39:50
  Do you see
• 39:51
  Him
• 39:52
  As God's
• 39:53
  Anointed
• 39:53
  One
• 39:53
  Who is
• 39:54
  Saviour
• 39:55
  Of the world
• 39:56
  The kingdom
• 39:58
  Faith
• 39:59
  And remarkably
• 40:01
  As soon
• 40:03
  As Peter
• 40:05
  Makes that
• 40:05
  Confession
• 40:06
  Jesus
• 40:09
  Comes to
• 40:10
  Affirm him
• 40:11
  In his
• 40:11
  Faith
• 40:12
  The very
• 40:14
  Thing that
• 40:14
  Perhaps you
• 40:15
  And I
• 40:15
  Are looking
• 40:16
  For today
• 40:16
  You want
• 40:17
  Jesus to
• 40:18
  Confirm that
• 40:18
  You are
• 40:19
  A believer
• 40:20
  That you
• 40:20
  Are a
• 40:21
  Child of
• 40:21
  God
• 40:22
  And get
• 40:23
  Here
• 40:23
  The role
• 40:24
  Is reversed
• 40:25
  The responsibilities
• 40:27
  On the disciples
• 40:28
  First of all
• 40:30
  To say
• 40:30
  Who they think
• 40:31
  Jesus is
• 40:32
  And then
• 40:32
  Comes Jesus
• 40:33
  To Peter
• 40:34
  And says to
• 40:36
  Him
• 40:36
  In verse
• 40:37
  Number 17
• 40:37
  Blessed are
• 40:40
  You
• 40:40
  Simon
• 40:40
  Bar
• 40:41
  Jonah
• 40:41
  For flesh
• 40:42
  And blood
• 40:43
  Has not revealed
• 40:43
  This to you
• 40:44
  But my
• 40:45
  Father who
• 40:45
  Is in
• 40:46
  Heaven
• 40:47
  Blessed
• 40:49
  Are you
• 40:50
  Blessed
• 40:52
  In the sense
• 40:53
  Of being
• 40:54
  Deeply happy
• 40:55
  Because
• 40:56
  God's
• 40:57
  End time
• 40:58
  Salvation
• 40:59
  Has come
• 40:59
  To dwell
• 41:00
  In your
• 41:00
  Heart
• 41:01
  And by
• 41:02
  The confession
• 41:02
  That you
• 41:03
  Have made
• 41:03
  You have
• 41:04
  Confirmed
• 41:04
  That you
• 41:05
  Are in
• 41:06
  Possession
• 41:06
  Of that
• 41:07
  Very
• 41:07
  Salvation
• 41:07
  That God
• 41:08
  Has promised
• 41:09
  For his
• 41:09
  People
• 41:10
  Blessed
• 41:12
  Happy
• 41:13
  Joyous
• 41:14
  A deep
• 41:16
  Seated
• 41:16
  Contentment
• 41:18
  And in
• 41:20
  The affirmation
• 41:22
  He reminds
• 41:23
  Peter
• 41:23
  That it
• 41:24
  Was not
• 41:25
  Possible
• 41:25
  That he
• 41:26
  Could have
• 41:26
  Discovered
• 41:27
  This for
• 41:27
  Himself
• 41:28
  Throwing
• 41:30
  Attention
• 41:30
  To the
• 41:31
  Fact that
• 41:31
  Salvation
• 41:32
  Is by
• 41:32
  Grace
• 41:33
  Alone
• 41:33
  What does
• 41:35
  Jesus say
• 41:36
  To Peter
• 41:36
  Flesh
• 41:38
  And blood
• 41:39
  In other
• 41:40
  Words
• 41:40
  Not you
• 41:41
  Or anyone
• 41:42
  Else
• 41:42
  Flesh
• 41:43
  And blood
• 41:43
  Has not
• 41:44
  Revealed
• 41:45
  This to
• 41:45
  You
• 41:45
  But my
• 41:45
  Father
• 41:46
  Who is
• 41:46
  In
• 41:47
  Heaven
• 41:47
  A
• 41:50
  Revelation
• 41:50
  From God
• 41:52
  I
• 41:54
  Has not
• 41:54
  Seen
• 41:55
  Nor
• 41:55
  You
• 41:55
  Heard
• 41:55
  Neither
• 41:56
  Has it
• 41:57
  Come
• 41:57
  Into
• 41:57
  The
• 41:57
  Heart
• 41:58
  Of
• 41:58
  Man
• 41:58
  Paul
• 41:58
  Says
• 41:59
  The
• 41:59
  Things
• 42:00
  That God
• 42:00
  Has
• 42:00
  Prepared
• 42:01
  For
• 42:01
  Those
• 42:01
  Who
• 42:01
  Love
• 42:02
  Him
• 42:02
  But
• 42:02
  God
• 42:03
  Has
• 42:03
  Revealed
• 42:04
  Them
• 42:04
  To
• 42:04
  Us
• 42:04
  By
• 42:05
  His
• 42:05
  Spirit
• 42:06
  It
• 42:06
  Is
• 42:07
  A
• 42:07
  Revelation
• 42:08
  You
• 42:11
  Are
• 42:11
  Happy
• 42:11
  Because
• 42:13
  God
• 42:13
  Has
• 42:13
  Revealed
• 42:13
  This
• 42:14
  To
• 42:14
  You
• 42:14
  And
• 42:15
  Now
• 42:15
  Let
• 42:16
  Me
• 42:16
  Tell
• 42:16
  You
• 42:16
  You
• 42:17
  Have
• 42:17
  Said
• 42:17
  That
• 42:17
  I
• 42:18
  Am
• 42:18
  The
• 42:19
  Christ
• 42:19
  The
• 42:19
  Son
• 42:20
  Of
• 42:20
  The
• 42:20
  Living
• 42:20
  God
• 42:20
  And
• 42:21
  In
• 42:21
  The
• 42:22
  End
• 42:22
  Of
• 42:22
  That
• 42:23
  Verse
• 42:23
  I
• 42:25
  Tell
• 42:25
  You
• 42:25
  You
• 42:27
  Are
• 42:27
  Peter
• 42:28
  Peter
• 42:31
  In
• 42:31
  His
• 42:31
  Confession
• 42:32
  Has
• 42:32
  Identified
• 42:33
  The
• 42:33
  Lord
• 42:33
  Jesus
• 42:34
  And
• 42:36
  Jesus
• 42:36
  In
• 42:36
  Response
• 42:37
  Has
• 42:38
  Identified
• 42:38
  Simon
• 42:40
  Son
• 42:40
  Of
• 42:40
  Jonah
• 42:41
  As
• 42:41
  Peter
• 42:42
  The
• 42:43
  One
• 42:43
  Who
• 42:43
  Is
• 42:43
  Sernoned
• 42:44
  Peter
• 42:44
  Later
• 42:45
  On
• 42:45
  In
• 42:45
  The
• 42:45
  Gospel
• 42:45
  Of
• 42:46
  Mark
• 42:47
  In
• 42:47
  The
• 42:47
  Bible
• 42:47
  He
• 42:49
  Identifies
• 42:50
  Simon
• 42:51
  As
• 42:52
  Peter
• 42:52
  A
• 42:53
  New
• 42:53
  Name
• 42:54
  A
• 42:54
  New
• 42:55
  Life
• 42:55
  A
• 42:56
  New
• 42:56
  Beginning
• 42:57
  A
• 42:58
  New
• 42:58
  Name
• 42:58
  Given
• 42:58
  By
• 42:59
  The
• 42:59
  Person
• 42:59
  Who
• 43:00
  Has
• 43:00
  Authority
• 43:00
  And
• 43:02
  The
• 43:02
  Person
• 43:02
  Who
• 43:02
  Has
• 43:02
  The
• 43:02
  Authority
• 43:03
  Which
• 43:03
  Demands
• 43:04
  The
• 43:04
  New
• 43:04
  Life
• 43:05
  Of
• 43:05
  The
• 43:05
  Person
• 43:06
  Who
• 43:06
  Has
• 43:06
  The
• 43:06
  New
• 43:06
  Name
• 43:06
  The
• 43:09
  Kingdom
• 43:10
  Faith
• 43:11
  And let
• 43:14
  Me
• 43:14
  Tell
• 43:14
  You
• 43:14
  Today
• 43:15
  That there
• 43:17
  Is
• 43:17
  Nothing
• 43:18
  More
• 43:18
  Powerfully
• 43:20
  Life
• 43:20
  Transforming
• 43:21
  And
• 43:22
  Self
• 43:23
  Satisfying
• 43:24
  Than
• 43:25
  To
• 43:25
  Hear
• 43:26
  Jesus
• 43:27
  Christ
• 43:28
  Affirming
• 43:29
  Our
• 43:29
  Discipleship
• 43:30
  In
• 43:30
  This
• 43:30
  Way
• 43:31
  Coming
• 43:32
  Into
• 43:33
  Our
• 43:33
  Very
• 43:33
  Hearts
• 43:34
  And
• 43:34
  Saying
• 43:34
  I
• 43:35
  Tell
• 43:35
  You
• 43:36
  Who
• 43:36
  You
• 43:36
  Are
• 43:37
  I
• 43:39
  Tell
• 43:39
  You
• 43:39
  That
• 43:39
  My
• 43:40
  Father
• 43:40
  Has
• 43:40
  Revealed
• 43:40
  This
• 43:41
  To
• 43:41
  You
• 43:41
  And
• 43:42
  I
• 43:43
  Tell
• 43:43
  You
• 43:43
  That
• 43:44
  You
• 43:44
  Are
• 43:44
  Blessed
• 43:44
  And
• 43:47
  That's
• 43:47
  Where
• 43:47
  Jesus
• 43:47
  Wants
• 43:48
  To
• 43:48
  Take
• 43:48
  Us
• 43:48
  All
• 43:49
  Today
• 43:49
  And
• 43:51
  Challenging
• 43:51
  Us
• 43:51
  With
• 43:52
  This
• 43:52
  Question
• 43:52
  Asking
• 43:54
  Us
• 43:54
  To
• 43:54
  Examine
• 43:55
  Our
• 43:55
  Hearts
• 43:55
  And
• 43:56
  Our
• 43:56
  Lives
• 43:56
  And
• 43:57
  To
• 43:57
  Bring
• 43:57
  Us
• 43:57
  To
• 43:57
  That
• 43:58
  Place
• 43:58
  Where
• 43:58
  We
• 43:58
  Will
• 43:59
  Put
• 43:59
  Our
• 43:59
  Trust
• 43:59
  In
• 44:00
  Him
• 44:00
  And
• 44:01
  Discover
• 44:02
  The
• 44:02
  Blessedness
• 44:02
  Discover
• 44:03
  The
• 44:04
  Joy
• 44:04
  Discover
• 44:05
  The
• 44:05
  Relationship
• 44:06
  And
• 44:07
  Find
• 44:07
  Our
• 44:08
  Contentment
• 44:10
  In
• 44:11
  Him
• 44:11
  Kingdom
• 44:13
  Faith
• 44:14
  Do
• 44:16
  You
• 44:16
  Have
• 44:17
  It
• 44:17
  Today
• 44:17
  And
• 44:19
  As
• 44:19
  Jesus
• 44:19
  Now
• 44:19
  Saying
• 44:20
  To
• 44:20
  You
• 44:21
  I
• 44:21
  Tell
• 44:22
  You
• 44:22
  You're
• 44:22
  Mine
• 44:22
  I
• 44:24
  Tell
• 44:24
  You're
• 44:24
  Mine
• 44:24
  To
• 44:24
  Follow
• 44:25
  Me
• 44:25
  To
• 44:26
  Be
• 44:26
  My
• 44:26
  Disciple
• 44:27
  I
• 44:28
  Tell
• 44:28
  You
• 44:28
  You're
• 44:29
  Precious
• 44:29
  To
• 44:29
  Me
• 44:29
  I
• 44:31
  Tell
• 44:31
  You
• 44:31
  I
• 44:32
  Will
• 44:32
  Be
• 44:32
  With
• 44:32
  You
• 44:32
  The
• 44:34
  Kingdom
• 44:34
  Faith
• 44:35
  Secondly
• 44:38
  We
• 44:40
  See
• 44:40
  In
• 44:40
  The
• 44:40
  Passage
• 44:41
  Kingdom
• 44:42
  Formation
• 44:43
  Verse
• 44:46
  Number
• 44:46
  18
• 44:46
  I
• 44:48
  Tell
• 44:48
  You
• 44:48
  You
• 44:48
  Are
• 44:49
  Peter
• 44:49
  And
• 44:50
  On
• 44:50
  This
• 44:50
  Rock
• 44:50
  I
• 44:51
  Will
• 44:51
  Build
• 44:52
  My
• 44:53
  Church
• 44:54
  On
• 44:56
  This
• 44:56
  Rock
• 44:58
  Rock
• 45:00
  What
• 45:00
  Is
• 45:00
  This
• 45:00
  Referring
• 45:01
  To
• 45:01
  Referring
• 45:02
  Back
• 45:02
  To
• 45:02
  What
• 45:03
  I
• 45:03
  Want
• 45:03
  Us
• 45:04
  To
• 45:04
  Think
• 45:04
  Today
• 45:04
  That
• 45:04
  There
• 45:05
  Is
• 45:05
  A
• 45:05
  Multi
• 45:06
  Layered
• 45:06
  Foundation
• 45:07
  On
• 45:07
  On
• 45:07
  The
• 45:08
  House
• 45:08
  That
• 45:09
  Jesus
• 45:09
  Building
• 45:09
  And
• 45:11
  The
• 45:11
  First
• 45:11
  Part
• 45:12
  Of
• 45:12
  That
• 45:12
  Foundation
• 45:12
  Is
• 45:13
  The
• 45:14
  Fact
• 45:14
  That
• 45:14
  The
• 45:14
  Rock
• 45:15
  Is
• 45:15
  Christ
• 45:15
  That
• 45:17
  Is
• 45:17
  What
• 45:17
  We
• 45:18
  Saw
• 45:18
  From
• 45:18
  Matthew
• 45:18
  17
• 45:19
  In
• 45:20
  The
• 45:20
  Children's
• 45:21
  Address
• 45:21
  If
• 45:22
  You
• 45:22
  Hear
• 45:23
  My
• 45:23
  Words
• 45:23
  And
• 45:23
  Do
• 45:24
  Them
• 45:24
  You
• 45:24
  Will
• 45:24
  Be
• 45:25
  Like
• 45:25
  A
• 45:25
  Wise
• 45:26
  Person
• 45:26
  Who
• 45:26
  Builds
• 45:27
  His
• 45:27
  House
• 45:27
  On
• 45:28
  The
• 45:28
  Rock
• 45:28
  The
• 45:30
  Rock
• 45:30
  Which
• 45:31
  Is
• 45:31
  Christ
• 45:31
  The
• 45:32
  Rock
• 45:33
  That
• 45:33
  Peter
• 45:33
  Speaks
• 45:34
  Of
• 45:34
  In
• 45:34
  His
• 45:34
  First
• 45:34
  Epistle
• 45:35
  The
• 45:35
  Very
• 45:35
  Peter
• 45:36
  Who
• 45:36
  Was
• 45:36
  Here
• 45:36
  Speaks
• 45:37
  About
• 45:37
  The
• 45:38
  Church
• 45:38
  Being
• 45:39
  Built
• 45:39
  On
• 45:39
  The
• 45:39
  Foundation
• 45:40
  Stone
• 45:40
  Which
• 45:41
  Is
• 45:41
  Christ
• 45:41
  Christ
• 45:42
  Himself
• 45:43
  Is
• 45:43
  The
• 45:43
  Rock
• 45:44
  There
• 45:46
  Is
• 45:46
  No
• 45:46
  Church
• 45:46
  Apart
• 45:47
  From
• 45:47
  The
• 45:48
  Rock
• 45:48
  Which
• 45:49
  Is
• 45:49
  Christ
• 45:49
  There
• 45:51
  Is
• 45:51
  No
• 45:51
  Leaning
• 45:52
  Tower
• 45:52
  Of
• 45:52
  Pisa
• 45:52
  There
• 45:54
  Is
• 45:54
  No
• 45:54
  House
• 45:54
  Built
• 45:55
  On
• 45:56
  Sinking
• 45:56
  Sands
• 45:57
  Or
• 45:57
  On
• 45:57
  Soft
• 45:58
  Mud
• 45:58
  It
• 45:59
  Is
• 45:59
  Built
• 45:59
  On
• 45:59
  The
• 45:59
  Unshakable
• 46:00
  Rock
• 46:01
  Which
• 46:01
  Is
• 46:02
  Christ
• 46:02
  As
• 46:02
  The
• 46:02
  Eternal
• 46:03
  Son
• 46:03
  Of
• 46:03
  God
• 46:04
  Unbreakable
• 46:07
  Immovable
• 46:08
  Who
• 46:09
  Stands
• 46:09
  Forever
• 46:10
  Sure
• 46:11
  But
• 46:12
  Along
• 46:13
  With
• 46:13
  That
• 46:13
  The
• 46:14
  Second
• 46:14
  Layer
• 46:14
  Is
• 46:14
  The
• 46:15
  Rock
• 46:15
  Of
• 46:15
  Peter's
• 46:16
  Confession
• 46:17
  Where
• 46:18
  And
• 46:19
  How
• 46:19
  Is
• 46:19
  Jesus
• 46:20
  Going
• 46:20
  To
• 46:20
  Build
• 46:20
  This
• 46:21
  Church
• 46:21
  He
• 46:22
  Is
• 46:22
  Going
• 46:22
  To
• 46:23
  Build
• 46:23
  It
• 46:23
  With
• 46:23
  Those
• 46:23
  Who
• 46:23
  Make
• 46:24
  The
• 46:24
  Same
• 46:24
  Confession
• 46:25
  As
• 46:25
  Peter
• 46:25
  And
• 46:26
  Place
• 46:27
  Them
• 46:27
  On
• 46:28
  The
• 46:28
  Rock
• 46:28
  Which
• 46:28
  Is
• 46:28
  Christ
• 46:29
  And
• 46:30
  We
• 46:30
  Have
• 46:30
  Multi
• 46:31
  Layers
• 46:32
  In
• 46:32
  The
• 46:32
  Super
• 46:33
  Structure
• 46:33
  That
• 46:34
  We
• 46:34
  See
• 46:34
  The
• 46:35
  People
• 46:35
  Of
• 46:35
  God
• 46:36
  Make
• 46:36
  The
• 46:36
  Same
• 46:36
  Confession
• 46:37
  And
• 46:37
  We
• 46:37
  See
• 46:37
  The
• 46:38
  Sub
• 46:38
  Structure
• 46:38
  Which
• 46:39
  Is
• 46:39
  Jesus
• 46:40
  Who
• 46:40
  Is
• 46:40
  The
• 46:41
  Rock
• 46:41
  Of
• 46:41
  Our
• 46:41
  Salvation
• 46:42
  And
• 46:44
  Jesus
• 46:45
  Is
• 46:45
  Saying
• 46:45
  On
• 46:46
  This
• 46:46
  Rock
• 46:46
  On
• 46:47
  This
• 46:48
  Multi
• 46:48
  Double
• 46:48
  Layered
• 46:49
  Rock
• 46:49
  On
• 46:49
  This
• 46:50
  Rock
• 46:50
  I
• 46:51
  Will
• 46:51
  Build
• 47:22
  On
• 47:22
  This
• 47:23
  Rock
• 47:23
  I
• 47:23
  Will
• 47:23
  Build
• 47:24
  My
• 47:24
  Church
• 47:24
  And
• 47:26
  The
• 47:27
  Church
• 47:27
  The
• 47:27
  Are
• 47:28
  The
• 47:28
  Called
• 47:29
  Out
• 47:30
  Ones
• 47:30
  The
• 47:30
  Ecclesia
• 47:31
  Called
• 47:32
  Out
• 47:33
  From
• 47:33
  Amongst
• 47:33
  Others
• 47:34
  And
• 47:35
  That
• 47:35
  That
• 47:35
  Is
• 47:36
  What
• 47:36
  Jesus
• 47:36
  Is
• 47:36
  Doing
• 47:36
  Always
• 47:37
  Through
• 47:37
  The
• 47:38
  Gospel
• 47:38
  Calling
• 47:39
  People
• 47:40
  Out
• 47:40
  Of
• 47:40
  The
• 47:41
  Darkness
• 47:41
  In
• 47:41
  Which
• 47:41
  They
• 47:42
  Live
• 47:42
  Calling
• 47:43
  Them
• 47:44
  Into
• 47:44
  His
• 47:44
  Kingdom
• 47:45
  Coming
• 47:46
  With
• 47:46
  His
• 47:46
  Power
• 47:47
  And
• 47:47
  Making
• 47:48
  Them
• 47:48
  Willing
• 47:48
  In
• 47:48
  A
• 47:48
  Day
• 47:48
  Of
• 47:49
  His
• 47:49
  Power
• 47:49
  Building
• 47:51
  His
• 47:52
  Church
• 47:52
  With
• 47:52
  These
• 47:52
  Very
• 47:53
  Living
• 47:54
  Stones
• 47:54
  !
• 47:54
  As
• 47:54
  Peter
• 47:55
  Describes
• 47:55
  Them
• 47:55
  In
• 47:56
  1
• 47:56
  Peter
• 47:56
  Chapter
• 47:57
  2
• 47:57
  That
• 47:58
  We
• 47:58
  Are
• 47:58
  Built
• 47:59
  !
• 47:59
  Up
• 47:59
  As
• 47:59
  We
• 47:59
  Come
• 48:00
  To
• 48:00
  Him
• 48:00
  We
• 48:01
  Are
• 48:04
  Built
• 48:05
  On
• 48:06
  The
• 48:06
  Corner
• 48:07
  Stone
• 48:07
  On
• 48:07
  The
• 48:07
  Foundation
• 48:08
  Stone
• 48:08
  Which
• 48:09
  Is
• 48:10
  Christ
• 48:10
  Built
• 48:11
  Up
• 48:11
  As
• 48:11
  A
• 48:11
  Spiritual
• 48:12
  House
• 48:12
  And
• 48:16
  Today
• 48:16
  Jesus
• 48:16
  Continues
• 48:17
  That
• 48:17
  Building
• 48:18
  Project
• 48:18
  It's
• 48:20
  According
• 48:21
  To
• 48:21
  God's
• 48:21
  Design
• 48:22
  It's
• 48:23
  Forming
• 48:24
  His
• 48:24
  Family
• 48:25
  That's
• 48:25
  What
• 48:25
  His
• 48:26
  Kingdom
• 48:26
  Is
• 48:26
  Like
• 48:26
  It's
• 48:28
  Not
• 48:29
  A
• 48:29
  Building
• 48:29
  As
• 48:30
  We
• 48:30
  Worship
• 48:30
  In
• 48:31
  A
• 48:31
  Building
• 48:31
  Today
• 48:31
  It's
• 48:32
  A
• 48:32
  Building
• 48:33
  With
• 48:33
  Living
• 48:33
  Stone
• 48:34
  Says
• 48:34
  Peter
• 48:34
  People
• 48:36
  Like
• 48:36
  You
• 48:36
  And
• 48:36
  Me
• 48:37
  Who
• 48:37
  Have
• 48:37
  The
• 48:38
  Spirit
• 48:38
  Of
• 48:39
  God
• 48:40
  In
• 48:40
  Our
• 48:40
  Hearts
• 48:40
  The
• 48:41
  Spirit
• 48:41
  That
• 48:41
  Has
• 48:42
  Made
• 48:42
  Us
• 48:42
  The
• 48:43
  Living
• 48:43
  Children
• 48:44
  Of
• 48:44
  God
• 48:45
  On
• 48:47
  This
• 48:47
  Rock
• 48:47
  I
• 48:48
  Will
• 48:48
  Build
• 48:49
  My
• 48:51
  House
• 48:51
  I
• 48:54
  Wonder
• 48:54
  Today
• 48:55
  If
• 48:55
  You're
• 48:57
  Part
• 48:57
  Of
• 48:57
  This
• 48:58
  Great
• 48:58
  Building
• 48:59
  Project
• 48:59
  I
• 49:01
  Wonder
• 49:01
  Today
• 49:02
  If
• 49:02
  If
• 49:02
  You
• 49:03
  Responded
• 49:03
  To
• 49:04
  The
• 49:04
  Powerful
• 49:05
  Irresistible
• 49:06
  Call
• 49:06
  Of
• 49:06
  Jesus
• 49:06
  In
• 49:07
  The
• 49:07
  Gospel
• 49:07
  Come
• 49:08
  To
• 49:08
  Me
• 49:09
  Believe
• 49:10
  In
• 49:11
  The
• 49:11
  Lord
• 49:11
  Jesus
• 49:11
  Christ
• 49:11
  And
• 49:12
  You'll
• 49:12
  Be
• 49:12
  Saved
• 49:13
  The
• 49:13
  Powerful
• 49:14
  Claim
• 49:14
  Of
• 49:14
  God
• 49:14
  Which
• 49:15
  Is
• 49:15
  Irresistible
• 49:16
  Not
• 49:17
  In
• 49:17
  The
• 49:18
  Sense
• 49:18
  That
• 49:18
  It's
• 49:18
  More
• 49:19
  Powerful
• 49:20
  Than
• 49:20
  You
• 49:20
  But
• 49:21
  Irresistible
• 49:22
  In
• 49:22
  The
• 49:22
  Sense
• 49:23
  That
• 49:23
  It's
• 49:23
  The
• 49:23
  Most
• 49:24
  Attractive
• 49:24
  Thing
• 49:25
  That
• 49:25
  You'll
• 49:25
  Ever
• 49:25
  Hear
• 49:26
  !
• 49:33
  Together
• 49:33
  To
• 49:34
  Come
• 49:34
  From
• 49:34
  Where
• 49:35
  You
• 49:35
  Were
• 49:35
  Without
• 49:36
  Christ
• 49:36
  As
• 49:36
  Your
• 49:37
  Saviour
• 49:37
  To
• 49:37
  Be
• 49:38
  In
• 49:38
  A
• 49:38
  Place
• 49:38
  Where
• 49:38
  Christ
• 49:39
  Is
• 49:39
  Your
• 49:39
  Saviour
• 49:39
  It's
• 49:40
  The
• 49:40
  Easiest
• 49:41
  The
• 49:42
  Best
• 49:43
  The
• 49:44
  Most
• 49:44
  Blessed
• 49:45
  Step
• 49:45
  That
• 49:45
  You
• 49:45
  Can
• 49:46
  Ever
• 49:46
  Take
• 49:46
  Have
• 49:48
  You
• 49:48
  Heard
• 49:50
  The
• 49:50
  Call
• 49:50
  Have
• 49:53
  You
• 49:53
  Come
• 49:54
  To
• 49:55
  Make
• 49:55
  The
• 49:55
  Same
• 49:55
  Confession
• 49:56
  Giving
• 49:58
  Expression
• 49:59
  To
• 49:59
  The
• 50:00
  Genuineness
• 50:00
  Of
• 50:01
  Your
• 50:01
  Faith
• 50:01
  And
• 50:03
  Giving
• 50:04
  Expression
• 50:05
  To
• 50:05
  The
• 50:05
  Very
• 50:05
  Fact
• 50:06
  That
• 50:06
  Jesus
• 50:07
  Christ
• 50:07
  Is
• 50:08
  Indeed
• 50:08
  Precious
• 50:09
  And
• 50:11
  That
• 50:11
  In
• 50:11
  Accord
• 50:12
  With
• 50:12
  God's
• 50:12
  Design
• 50:13
  Your
• 50:14
  Heart
• 50:14
  Has
• 50:15
  Been
• 50:15
  Changed
• 50:15
  Your
• 50:17
  Eyes
• 50:17
  Have
• 50:18
  Been
• 50:18
  Opened
• 50:19
  Your
• 50:19
  Mind
• 50:20
  Has
• 50:20
  Been
• 50:21
  Enlightened
• 50:21
  And
• 50:22
  You
• 50:23
  See
• 50:23
  Jesus
• 50:23
  As
• 50:24
  The
• 50:24
  Light
• 50:24
  Of
• 50:24
  The
• 50:25
  World
• 50:25
  In
• 50:26
  Whom
• 50:26
  You
• 50:26
  Trust
• 50:27
  Wholeheartedly
• 50:28
  And
• 50:28
  Completely
• 50:29
  The
• 50:33
  Kingdom
• 50:34
  Formation
• 50:35
  And
• 50:37
  As
• 50:37
  We
• 50:37
  Move
• 50:37
  On
• 50:37
  Jesus
• 50:38
  Wants
• 50:39
  Them
• 50:39
  To
• 50:40
  Know
• 50:40
  That
• 50:40
  They
• 50:41
  Are
• 50:41
  Secure
• 50:41
  They
• 50:43
  Felt
• 50:43
  In
• 50:43
  Secure
• 50:44
  In
• 50:44
  The
• 50:44
  Days
• 50:44
  Of
• 50:45
  Jesus
• 50:45
  Because
• 50:46
  Of
• 50:46
  The
• 50:46
  Growing
• 50:47
  Enmity
• 50:47
  Around
• 50:47
  Jesus
• 50:48
  We
• 50:49
  Feel
• 50:49
  Insecure
• 50:50
  Ourselves
• 50:51
  In
• 50:51
  The
• 50:51
  World
• 50:51
  Which
• 50:52
  Is
• 50:52
  So
• 50:53
  Much
• 50:53
  Against
• 50:53
  The
• 50:54
  Gospel
• 50:54
  And
• 50:55
  Wants
• 50:55
  To
• 50:55
  Silence
• 50:56
  And
• 50:56
  Exclude
• 50:57
  Us
• 50:57
  In
• 50:57
  Life
• 50:57
  And
• 50:57
  Wants
• 50:58
  To
• 50:58
  Persecute
• 50:59
  Us
• 50:59
  For
• 50:59
  Holding
• 51:00
  On
• 51:00
  To
• 51:00
  The
• 51:00
  Truth
• 51:01
  It's
• 51:02
  A
• 51:02
  Place
• 51:03
  Where
• 51:03
  We
• 51:03
  Can
• 51:03
  Be
• 51:03
  Fearful
• 51:04
  And
• 51:06
  Where
• 51:06
  That
• 51:06
  Fear
• 51:06
  Can
• 51:06
  Cause
• 51:07
  Us
• 51:07
  To
• 51:07
  Stumble
• 51:08
  And
• 51:09
  Paralyse
• 51:09
  Our
• 51:10
  Faith
• 51:10
  So
• 51:11
  That
• 51:11
  We
• 51:11
  Keep
• 51:12
  Our
• 51:12
  Faith
• 51:12
  Privately
• 51:13
  In
• 51:13
  Our
• 51:13
  Hearts
• 51:14
  Jesus
• 51:15
  Wants
• 51:16
  To
• 51:16
  Tell
• 51:16
  Them
• 51:16
  The
• 51:19
  Gates
• 51:20
  Of
• 51:20
  Hell
• 51:20
  Shall
• 51:21
  Not
• 51:22
  Prevail
• 51:23
  Against
• 51:23
  It
• 51:23
  There
• 51:27
  Are
• 51:27
  Two
• 51:27
  Cities
• 51:28
  With
• 51:30
  Two
• 51:30
  Powers
• 51:31
  With
• 51:32
  Two
• 51:32
  Gates
• 51:33
  Access
• 51:34
  For
• 51:35
  The
• 51:35
  People
• 51:36
  Of
• 51:36
  The
• 51:36
  City
• 51:36
  And
• 51:38
  The
• 51:38
  Doors
• 51:38
  Shut
• 51:38
  So
• 51:39
  The
• 51:39
  Enemy
• 51:39
  Doesn't
• 51:39
  Come
• 51:40
  In
• 51:40
  The
• 51:41
  Gates
• 51:41
  Of
• 51:42
  Hell
• 51:42
  The
• 51:42
  Gates
• 51:42
  Of
• 51:42
  Death
• 51:43
  Will
• 51:44
  Not
• 51:44
  Prevail
• 51:45
  Because
• 51:47
  Jesus
• 51:47
  As
• 51:48
  We
• 51:48
  See
• 51:48
  Going
• 51:49
  Forward
• 51:50
  In
• 51:50
  The
• 51:50
  Gospels
• 51:50
  He
• 51:51
  Dies
• 51:53
  For
• 51:53
  Our
• 51:53
  Sins
• 51:53
  He
• 51:53
  Gives
• 51:54
  Himself
• 51:54
  Over
• 51:54
  To
• 51:55
  Death
• 51:55
  He
• 51:56
  Is
• 51:56
  Raised
• 51:56
  From
• 51:56
  The
• 51:56
  Death
• 51:57
  Says
• 51:57
  The
• 51:57
  Same
• 51:57
  Peter
• 51:58
  In
• 51:58
  Acts
• 51:58
  Two
• 51:58
  Because
• 51:59
  It
• 51:59
  Was
• 51:59
  Impossible
• 52:00
  For
• 52:00
  Death
• 52:01
  To
• 52:01
  Hold
• 52:01
  Him
• 52:01
  And
• 52:03
  Now
• 52:03
  The
• 52:03
  Gates
• 52:03
  Of
• 52:03
  Death
• 52:04
  Will
• 52:05
  Not
• 52:05
  Have
• 52:05
  The
• 52:05
  Victory
• 52:06
  Or
• 52:07
  Prevail
• 52:07
  Against
• 52:08
  The
• 52:08
  Church
• 52:09
  Of
• 52:09
  Christ
• 52:10
  The
• 52:11
  Church
• 52:11
  Of
• 52:11
  Christ
• 52:11
  As
• 52:12
  A
• 52:12
  Whole
• 52:13
  And
• 52:14
  The
• 52:15
  Christian
• 52:15
  As
• 52:16
  An
• 52:17
  Individual
• 52:17
  The
• 52:19
  Kingdom
• 52:20
  Formation
• 52:21
  There
• 52:23
  Is
• 52:23
  No
• 52:23
  Better
• 52:24
  Place
• 52:24
  To
• 52:25
  Be
• 52:25
  Found
• 52:25
  In
• 52:26
  Today
• 52:26
  There
• 52:27
  Is
• 52:27
  No
• 52:27
  Saver
• 52:28
  Place
• 52:28
  To
• 52:29
  Be
• 52:29
  Found
• 52:29
  In
• 52:29
  Today
• 52:30
  And
• 52:31
  There
• 52:31
  Is
• 52:31
  No
• 52:31
  More
• 52:31
  Blessed
• 52:32
  And
• 52:32
  Happy
• 52:32
  Place
• 52:33
  To
• 52:33
  Be
• 52:33
  Found
• 52:34
  In
• 52:34
  Today
• 52:34
  Than
• 52:35
  To
• 52:35
  Be
• 52:44
  We
• 52:46
  Have
• 52:47
  Kingdom
• 52:48
  Faith
• 52:48
  We
• 52:48
  Have
• 52:48
  Kingdom
• 52:49
  Formation
• 52:49
  And
• 52:50
  Finally
• 52:50
  We
• 52:51
  Have
• 52:51
  Kingdom
• 52:52
  Function
• 52:53
  How
• 52:54
  Does
• 52:54
  This
• 52:55
  Kingdom
• 52:55
  Work
• 52:55
  How
• 52:56
  Does
• 52:56
  The
• 52:56
  Church
• 52:56
  Work
• 52:57
  In
• 52:57
  The
• 52:57
  World
• 52:57
  Well
• 52:59
  We
• 52:59
  Learned
• 52:59
  Something
• 53:00
  About
• 53:00
  That
• 53:00
  From
• 53:00
  Verse
• 53:01
  Number
• 53:01
  Nineteen
• 53:02
  I will give you the keys of the kingdom.
• 53:09
  It's a great statement.
• 53:12
  It's a mysterious statement.
• 53:14
  We know that keys are for letting people in
• 53:16
  and for letting people out
• 53:18
  and for locking the door for safety and for security.
• 53:21
  It is about going in and coming out the keys of the kingdom.
• 53:26
  In the Old Testament,
• 53:28
  we see that in the prophecy of Isaiah,
• 53:32
  that Eliakim is over the house of David,
• 53:34
  that he has the keys and that he has the authority
• 53:36
  to keep out and to let in those who are around.
• 53:41
  And we read the Gospels,
• 53:43
  and we see in chapter 23 of this Gospel itself
• 53:46
  that Jesus is accusing the scribes and Pharisees
• 53:51
  to whom he's referring here.
• 53:53
  He is accusing them of shutting the kingdom of heaven
• 53:56
  in people's faces,
• 53:59
  so that neither you enter your cells
• 54:01
  nor allow those who would enter to go in.
• 54:06
  They had the keys of the kingdom, they thought.
• 54:09
  And they had their own standards,
• 54:11
  and they claimed to be the ones
• 54:13
  who allowed access into the kingdom
• 54:15
  and who said,
• 54:16
  no, you can't be in the kingdom.
• 54:18
  And having the keys of the kingdom
• 54:20
  is further defined by Jesus.
• 54:22
  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
• 54:27
  and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
• 54:32
  And without expanding too much on that,
• 54:36
  we can think of the understanding of the rabbis
• 54:40
  in the days of Jesus as to what that meant.
• 54:43
  And it meant simply that they were the ones
• 54:46
  who allowed or disallowed conduct.
• 54:50
  They were the ones who allowed or disallowed
• 54:52
  people to come in or to go out.
• 54:55
  And they did so based on the Old Testament law
• 54:58
  and what they added to it.
• 54:59
  So there is the function.
• 55:03
  Allowed to come in
• 55:04
  or not allowed to come in.
• 55:07
  Allowed to come back in
• 55:08
  or not allowed to come back in.
• 55:11
  That's the way in which
• 55:12
  the people in the days of Jesus
• 55:14
  would understand.
• 55:17
  And so today we're thinking of kingdom function.
• 55:21
  What does that function look like
• 55:22
  for the church of Jesus Christ
• 55:25
  in the world
• 55:26
  and wherever we are ourselves?
• 55:28
  It looks like it has three elements that define it.
• 55:33
  It looks like there is a mission.
• 55:36
  There is a message to be proclaimed.
• 55:39
  There is the going to all nations
• 55:41
  and to make disciples of them,
• 55:43
  teaching them to observe the things
• 55:45
  that Jesus has commanded.
• 55:48
  The church functions by proclaiming the gospel,
• 55:51
  by following on to the mission of Jesus.
• 55:53
  The church functions by admitting people
• 55:58
  into the church of Christ
• 56:00
  based on their confession.
• 56:03
  If people make the same confession
• 56:05
  that Peter has made,
• 56:06
  then they come into the church of Jesus.
• 56:09
  They are admitted by the church
• 56:11
  to be part of this great building project.
• 56:14
  It is a case of admission.
• 56:16
  It is a case of excluding and of including.
• 56:20
  The church has the duty and the right
• 56:23
  and the authority to do exactly that.
• 56:26
  And the Kirk sessions do that for us.
• 56:28
  And the different courts of the church
• 56:30
  do that for us.
• 56:32
  And thirdly, there is the sense of looking after,
• 56:35
  of pastoring, of shepherding.
• 56:36
  And Jesus says to Peter in John 20,
• 56:41
  in examining him and questioning him,
• 56:43
  if he had love for him,
• 56:47
  Jesus said to him,
• 56:48
  go and tend my sheep.
• 56:51
  Go and feed my sheep.
• 56:52
  Go and pasture my sheep.
• 56:55
  And so that the kingdom functioned
• 56:58
  with regard to the church itself
• 56:59
  is to fulfill that ministry
• 57:01
  on the part of Jesus.
• 57:03
  to preach, to pastor,
• 57:07
  and to recognize genuine faith
• 57:11
  where it arises because of the grace of God
• 57:14
  and to embrace such people
• 57:16
  with genuine faith
• 57:17
  into the kingdom,
• 57:19
  into the church of Jesus,
• 57:20
  to grow up with the people of God
• 57:22
  so that the church develops and grows.
• 57:27
  And that's what the church does
• 57:28
  in every generation.
• 57:30
  that is the church's responsibility
• 57:34
  to fulfill its kingdom function.
• 57:39
  But I want to close by saying
• 57:41
  that the Christian also has a responsibility
• 57:45
  in fulfilling a kingdom function.
• 57:48
  and is based on this very principle
• 57:51
  on having the keys of the kingdom
• 57:53
  on whatever you bind on earth
• 57:57
  be bound in heaven
• 57:58
  and loose on earth
• 57:59
  shall be loosed in heaven.
• 58:01
  That principle Jesus applies
• 58:02
  to all of the disciples
• 58:04
  in John chapter 20
• 58:06
  when he sends them out into the world
• 58:09
  and he tells them in similar words
• 58:12
  that as the Father has sent me
• 58:14
  so I send you.
• 58:16
  They are to go out
• 58:18
  and to live their life of discipleship
• 58:21
  to continue the work of Jesus
• 58:23
  to continue the work of Peter
• 58:25
  to continue the work of all of the apostles
• 58:28
  to continue the work of every succeeding generation
• 58:32
  of the church.
• 58:33
  The Christian has a responsibility.
• 58:37
  And for all of us here today
• 58:39
  we recognize the responsibility of the church.
• 58:43
  But Jesus wants us to recognize
• 58:46
  our own personal responsibility.
• 58:50
  That as surely as Peter
• 58:52
  embraced the mission
• 58:53
  and ministry of the church
• 58:55
  when he made this confession
• 58:57
  that so you and I
• 58:59
  are to embrace that same mission
• 59:02
  and that same ministry
• 59:04
  according to the way
• 59:05
  in which the Lord Jesus
• 59:07
  has appointed us so to do.
• 59:08
  And we do so in three ways.
• 59:12
  We do so as the light of the world.
• 59:14
  You are the light of the world
• 59:15
  says Jesus.
• 59:17
  You don't hide your light
• 59:19
  under a lampshade
• 59:21
  under a bushel.
• 59:22
  You let it shine
• 59:23
  so that people will see
• 59:25
  your good works.
• 59:27
  There is no place
• 59:28
  in the function of the church
• 59:30
  of Jesus
• 59:31
  for people to have their faith
• 59:33
  in the quietness of a corner,
• 59:34
  a tomb.
• 59:35
  It is the responsibility
• 59:36
  to live that life of faith
• 59:39
  in the public domain
• 59:41
  and to be the light
• 59:43
  that people will see
• 59:44
  that is connected to Jesus
• 59:46
  who is the light of the world.
• 59:50
  The Christian has the important function also
• 59:53
  to be an influence for good
• 59:55
  in the sense that Jesus says
• 59:56
  you are the salt of the earth.
• 1:00:00
  You are to influence behavior
• 1:00:02
  not only within the church
• 1:00:04
  and within our homes
• 1:00:04
  but within our community
• 1:00:06
  and within the nation
• 1:00:07
  to which we belong
• 1:00:08
  and in our world.
• 1:00:09
  We are to be the salt of the earth.
• 1:00:13
  Our lifestyle
• 1:00:13
  confirms our discipleship.
• 1:00:16
  It confirms also
• 1:00:18
  that we belong to Jesus
• 1:00:20
  and makes that clearly known
• 1:00:22
  in the world.
• 1:00:24
  And that's the third thing
• 1:00:25
  that we have a responsibility for
• 1:00:27
  that kind of proclamation
• 1:00:30
  making known.
• 1:00:32
  And Peter says to his readers
• 1:00:35
  in 1 Peter chapter 2
• 1:00:38
  you are a people
• 1:00:41
  for his own possession.
• 1:00:44
  That's your identity.
• 1:00:45
  That's the Christian's identity.
• 1:00:48
  So that you may proclaim
• 1:00:50
  the excellencies
• 1:00:51
  of whom we called you
• 1:00:53
  from darkness into light.
• 1:00:55
  that's our functional responsibility.
• 1:01:02
  And God calls us today
• 1:01:04
  as the new Christian community
• 1:01:06
  or as the New Testament
• 1:01:08
  Christian community
• 1:01:08
  to fulfill our responsibility
• 1:01:11
  to be the light
• 1:01:13
  to be the salt
• 1:01:14
  and to be that influence
• 1:01:16
  that we may speak out
• 1:01:18
  the excellencies of our Savior.
• 1:01:20
  It should be
• 1:01:21
  the most natural
• 1:01:23
  and easiest thing
• 1:01:24
  in the world
• 1:01:25
  to tell about the beauty
• 1:01:27
  of the Savior
• 1:01:28
  that we have loved
• 1:01:31
  and who has loved us.
• 1:01:33
  And God,
• 1:01:34
  Jesus commands us today
• 1:01:36
  that we
• 1:01:37
  fulfill our responsibility
• 1:01:39
  and be the children of light
• 1:01:41
  as he has commanded.
• 1:01:43
  And in closing,
• 1:01:45
  those who belong to my generation
• 1:01:47
  at least will know
• 1:01:48
  Brian Clough,
• 1:01:50
  who was perhaps
• 1:01:51
  one of the greatest
• 1:01:52
  football managers
• 1:01:53
  in the last century
• 1:01:54
  in the 1970s
• 1:01:56
  and the 1980s.
• 1:01:58
  And after losing
• 1:01:59
  a football match,
• 1:01:59
  he said this,
• 1:02:01
  we had a good football team
• 1:02:02
  on paper.
• 1:02:04
  And fortunately,
• 1:02:06
  the game of football
• 1:02:06
  is played on grass.
• 1:02:10
  And I think that
• 1:02:10
  in some ways
• 1:02:11
  captures sometimes
• 1:02:12
  the way we are
• 1:02:13
  as a church.
• 1:02:15
  We have a list
• 1:02:16
  of great names.
• 1:02:16
  but Jesus wants us
• 1:02:18
  to pray the gospel
• 1:02:20
  out on grass.
• 1:02:22
  And that's where we fail.
• 1:02:24
  And so the faith
• 1:02:25
  that we profess
• 1:02:25
  and the grace
• 1:02:27
  that shines in our lives
• 1:02:28
  in the confession of faith
• 1:02:31
  is something
• 1:02:33
  that must work out
• 1:02:35
  on the playing field
• 1:02:36
  of the witness
• 1:02:37
  of the church
• 1:02:37
  and in the service
• 1:02:38
  of Christ.
• 1:02:40
  And once we do that,
• 1:02:41
  the church is functioning
• 1:02:43
  the way that
• 1:02:44
  the great architect
• 1:02:45
  designed it
• 1:02:46
  and what a powerful
• 1:02:48
  influence
• 1:02:49
  the church is then
• 1:02:51
  when it's functioning
• 1:02:52
  as it should.
• 1:02:54
  And so may God
• 1:02:55
  help us with
• 1:02:55
  kingdom faith,
• 1:02:57
  may help us
• 1:02:58
  with kingdom formation,
• 1:03:00
  and may help us
• 1:03:01
  with our
• 1:03:02
  kingdom responsibility
• 1:03:03
  as the quotes
• 1:03:05
  of the church
• 1:03:06
  of Christ
• 1:03:06
  in the world
• 1:03:07
  and as individual believers
• 1:03:09
  who are called
• 1:03:10
  to serve
• 1:03:11
  and to follow
• 1:03:11
  the Lord Jesus.
• 1:03:13
  May God bless
• 1:03:13
  his word to us.
• 1:03:14
  Let us pray.
• 1:03:16
  Most gracious God,
• 1:03:17
  we do rejoice in you
• 1:03:18
  as the God
• 1:03:20
  who is our saviour,
• 1:03:21
  who by your power
• 1:03:23
  has redeemed us
• 1:03:23
  and reconciled us
• 1:03:25
  to yourself.
• 1:03:26
  Give thanks to you
• 1:03:27
  that you have done
• 1:03:28
  the work that we
• 1:03:29
  could never do.
• 1:03:30
  And help us today
• 1:03:31
  to stand on that foundation.
• 1:03:34
  Help us to live
• 1:03:34
  as those who are
• 1:03:35
  your children.
• 1:03:36
  Help us to show forth
• 1:03:38
  your excellencies,
• 1:03:40
  your salvation,
• 1:03:41
  your grace.
• 1:03:41
  Help us to be
• 1:03:42
  practical
• 1:03:43
  and living witnesses
• 1:03:45
  for you
• 1:03:46
  and servants
• 1:03:46
  in whatever area
• 1:03:48
  of service
• 1:03:49
  you called us
• 1:03:49
  to work in.
• 1:03:50
  May you move
• 1:03:51
  our hearts and lives
• 1:03:52
  and enable us
• 1:03:53
  to serve you
• 1:03:54
  with joy
• 1:03:54
  for the glory
• 1:03:55
  of your name
• 1:03:56
  and for the good
• 1:03:56
  of your kingdom.
• 1:03:57
  So hear a prayer
• 1:03:58
  and accept us
• 1:03:59
  for Jesus' sake.
• 1:04:00
  Amen.
• 1:04:05
  Chloe's Psalm
• 1:04:05
  is Psalm number 48a
• 1:04:07
  in St. Psalms.
• 1:04:08
  It's on page 63.
• 1:04:11
  And we're singing
• 1:04:14
  at verse number 9.
• 1:04:17
  Psalm 48a
• 1:04:18
  at verse number 9
• 1:04:20
  on page 63
• 1:04:22
  on the Tunis Free Church.
• 1:04:28
  We contemplate
• 1:04:29
  your steadfast love
• 1:04:30
  within your house,
• 1:04:31
  O God,
• 1:04:32
  for like your name,
• 1:04:33
  your praise
• 1:04:34
  extends
• 1:04:35
  through all the earth
• 1:04:36
  abroad.
• 1:04:38
  We stand to sing
• 1:04:39
  and after singing
• 1:04:40
  I'll go to the main door.
• 1:04:41
  After benediction
• 1:04:41
  I'll go to the main door.
• 1:04:42
  Amen.
• 1:05:09
  The praise extends
• 1:05:12
  through all the earth
• 1:05:17
  above.
• 1:05:18
  All that you do
• 1:05:24
  is righteous, Lord,
• 1:05:29
  and Zion's joy is great.
• 1:05:36
  and voy voy
• 1:05:57
  voy
• 1:05:59
  !
• 1:05:57
  voy
• 1:05:59
  !
• 1:05:57
  voy
• 1:05:59
  Thank you.
• 1:06:29
  To his circle forever new abides.
• 1:06:41
  Be his circle forever more.
• 1:06:50
  And to the end of time.
• 1:06:55
  Amen.
• 1:06:58
  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all now and forevermore.
• 1:07:06
  Amen.
• 1:07:06
  Amen.
• 1:07:06
  Amen.
• 1:07:07
  Amen.
• 1:07:36
  Thank you.