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God's Treasured Hidden Ones · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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Well, seeking the Lord's help, please turn with me back to the passage we read in the Old Testament, in the Book of Psalms, and in Psalm 83.
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And for our text and for our thoughts, we shall consider verse 3.
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Psalm 83, verse 3, where it says,
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They lay crafty plans against your people. They consult together against your treasured ones.
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Thinking especially about those words at the end, your treasured ones.
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Psalm 83, most people would agree, is a little red psalm.
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It's not as well known as the other psalms that we find in the Psalter.
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Its neighboring psalms, Psalm 84 and Psalm 82, are quite well known.
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Psalm 84, for its familiarity,
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How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts to me, etc.
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And Psalm 82, because it is quoted by our Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament,
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where he is affirming his divinity, where he is defending it.
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But then, sandwiched in between these two psalms is this little red psalm, Psalm 83.
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But this psalm, although it is little red by many,
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it does have a special interest of its own.
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It is actually the completion of Asaph's collection of psalms.
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In the title of this psalm, we read that it was a psalm of Asaph.
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Now Asaph, much like David, was a skilled musician.
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He was one of the men responsible for ministering with song
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before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting
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until Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem.
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He was responsible for writing 12 of the psalms that we find today in the Psalter.
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Psalm 50 and Psalm 73 to 83 here.
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The children of Israel were commanded to sing praises to the Lord
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with the words of David and of Asaph the seer in 2 Chronicles 29.
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He was indeed a very important figure.
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And Psalm 83 was the completion, the climax of the psalms that he wrote.
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This psalm also, as we mentioned before we sung it,
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happens to be an imprecatory psalm.
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Those psalms which many people don't like to read or to sing
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because in it the psalmist is asking God to judge
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or even to curse his enemies.
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Why is this the climax or culmination of Asaph's collection of psalms?
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Well, friends, could it be because this will also be our own end also?
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For it is appointed for men to once die
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and after that comes the judgment
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where we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ
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and give an account for everything that we have done, good or bad.
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Perhaps this is what Asaph is showing us here
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with the culmination of this collection of psalms.
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But what is it that we find in this psalm itself?
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Well, in this psalm, the enemies of God are pursuing the people of God.
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The enemies are saying in verse 4
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that they are going to wipe out the people of God.
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In verse 12, they say that they are going to take possession of them.
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This is the background as we come into this psalm.
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And Asaph begins in verse 1
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by asking God not to ignore what is happening
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but for him to look down
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and to act against the enemies of the people of God.
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Now, the enemies of the people of God
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are described as the enemies of God themselves.
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As we see in verse 2
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where it says,
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For behold, your enemies,
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God's enemies.
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Now, the enemies are listed in verse 7, 8, and 9
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where we read of 10 nations that are spoken of.
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And commentators are unsure
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if this is speaking about a particular time in Israel's history
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or whether it's referring to their entire history collectively.
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Those who think it's referring to a specific time
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believe it's speaking about the victory won
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during Jehoshaphat's time in 2 Chronicles 20.
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But we're unsure what time exactly it may be referring to.
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The psalmist, after listing the enemies of God,
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he then looks back
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and he looks back to times
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where God delivered his people from the enemies.
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In verse 9 and 10,
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the psalmist's mind is drawn back to the Canaanites
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with Tabora and Barak
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with the help of Jael also
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where God used them
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to destroy the enemies of God.
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And then in verse 11 and 12,
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he's brought to that of the Midianites
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where Gideon this time,
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where the Lord through Gideon
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brought deliverance for the people of Israel.
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He's remembering what God did in times past.
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And as one writer said,
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recalling these events,
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these events of God delivering his people,
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gave Asaph fresh boldness
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to ask something similar
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in this dire situation.
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The psalm concludes with Asaph
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asking God that all the enemies of God
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may know that the Lord,
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Yahweh, Jehovah,
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is the most high over all the earth.
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The psalmist takes comfort in knowing
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that God will judge his enemies
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and deliver his enemies
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and deliver his people, sorry.
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And the reason he knows
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that God will deliver his people
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lies in the fact that he knows
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that the people of God
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are God's treasured hidden ones.
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Take a look again at our text in verse 3
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at the end of that
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where we read that
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we, the people of God,
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are said to be your treasured ones.
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God's treasured ones.
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In the Psalter
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and in the authorised version,
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it says thy hidden ones.
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In the New King James,
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it says your sheltered ones.
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In the NIV,
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it says those you cherish.
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They are all trying to convey
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what this word means.
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You see,
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in the Hebrew,
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it's actually only one word.
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It's the word
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tzafan.
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And what this word essentially means
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is how we,
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the people of God,
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are tucked away
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and hidden away by God,
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as it were,
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as his most prized possession,
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his most treasured possession.
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I wonder if you've ever toured
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around a football stadium before.
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As you enter into their trophy room,
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you can see all the trophies
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that they've won in their history.
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But you know,
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don't you,
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that these trophies
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aren't the real trophies themselves.
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They're just a replica.
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However,
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if a team has recently won a trophy,
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where they actually have possession
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of the real thing itself,
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oftentimes it's locked in a cabinet.
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And people are often even
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prevented to not even touch it.
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Well,
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similarly,
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that is how we are described
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here.
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As God's
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treasured,
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hidden
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ones.
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Locked away
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and prevented
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from being touched
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by anyone
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else.
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We are said to be
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God's treasured,
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hidden ones.
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But what more
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do these three words
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in English
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and one word
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in Hebrew
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tell us?
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Well,
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with the time
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we have remaining,
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using Strong's definition,
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I want us to consider
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three definitions
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that we find this word
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to safan,
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to mean.
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Firstly,
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as God's
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treasured,
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hidden ones,
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we are
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reserved.
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Reserved.
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And what I mean by that
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is that we are reserved
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in Christ
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from all eternity.
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Just like a parking space
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might be reserved
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for a very special person,
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we are reserved
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in a very
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special
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person.
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The Lord
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Jesus
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Christ.
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Before the wheels
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of time
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were set
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in motion,
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in eternity
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past,
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God chose us
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in Christ.
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And he chose us
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not based on any
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foreseen faith
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or foreseen
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merit.
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It's not as though
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God looked into
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the future
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and see who would be
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good enough
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and then he chose
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them.
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No,
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friends.
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He chose a people
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simply out of his
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mere good pleasure.
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as the confession
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of faith
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tells us,
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those of mankind
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that are
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predestinated
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unto life,
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God,
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before the
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foundation of the
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world was laid
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according to his
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eternal and
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immutable purpose
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and the secret
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counsel and good
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pleasure of his
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will,
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have chosen
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in Christ
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unto everlasting
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glory
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out of his mere
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free grace
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and love
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without any
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foresight
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of faith
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or good works
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or perseverance
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in either of them
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or of any other
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thing in the
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creature
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as conditions
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or causes
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moving him
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thereunto
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and all to the
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praise of his
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glorious grace.
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We are reserved
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in Christ,
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being chosen
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in Christ
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according to the
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secret counsel
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of his will.
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This is one
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aspect of what
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it means to be
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one of those
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who are treasured
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by God,
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his treasured
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hidden ones.
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And friends,
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this doctrine
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of election,
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yes it can be
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hard for our
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heads to wrap
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around it,
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but this doctrine
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was revealed
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to be a comfort
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to the church.
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You'll remember
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how St. Paul
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encourages the
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churches in
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Ephesus in his
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first chapter
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to the Ephesians.
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He gives God
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the glory for
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the Trinitarian
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work of salvation.
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He speaks of
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how the Father
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chose us,
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the Son
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purchased us
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and the Spirit
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seals us.
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I remember
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hearing one
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speaker
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speaking of
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that chapter
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about the
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ABCs
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of our
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salvation.
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How we are
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A,
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adopted,
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B,
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blessed,
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C,
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chosen.
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How the Spirit
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has been given
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to us as a
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deposit.
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Deposit.
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How we have
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received E,
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every spiritual
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blessing in the
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heavenly places.
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How we are
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F,
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forgiven.
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How we have
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received G,
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grace upon
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grace.
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And the list
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goes on.
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It's a very
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comforting chapter
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to the church.
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The doctrine
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of election
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is comforting
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because it
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truly shows us
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that salvation
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belongs unto
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the Lord.
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It deprives us
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of any glory
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or any honour
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or any praise
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and instead
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gives all glory,
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honour and praise
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to the most
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high God.
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It shows us
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that he is
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truly sovereign.
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And this
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doctrine,
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it actually
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also gives us
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confidence
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in our
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evangelism.
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Lots of
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people ask,
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if election
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is true,
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why bother
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evangelise?
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What's the
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point?
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If God
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has reserved
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a people
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in Christ,
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they'll come
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no matter
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what.
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Well,
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friends,
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it's actually
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the case
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that we
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evangelise
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because
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of
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election.
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If it
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was left
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to the
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freedom
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of our
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own
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wills,
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we who
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are dead
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in our
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sins,
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we who
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are God
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haters,
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what's the
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point of
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evangelism?
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We have
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no care
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for God
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naturally.
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Our God
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is a God
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who accomplishes
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his purposes
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through means,
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through instruments,
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even through
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sinful human
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beings.
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And as faith
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comes by
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hearing,
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and hearing
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by the
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word of
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Christ,
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God is
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pleased,
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even through
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the foolishness
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of preaching,
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to bring souls
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from darkness
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into his
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most marvellous
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light.
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Oh,
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dear friends,
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keep praying
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for those
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family members
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that are still
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strangers to
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grace and
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to God.
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Keep praying
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for those
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friends
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who
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might appear
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that they
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want nothing
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to do with
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the things
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of God.
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Keep praying
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for those
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who are
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God
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haters,
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because our
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God is
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able to
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turn even
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the murderous
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heart of
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Saul to
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come to
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know him
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in an
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instant.
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Our God
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is able
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to change
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hearts.
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No matter
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how far
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your loved
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one may
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be,
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in this
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day of
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mercy,
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they are
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never too
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far for
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the
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almighty,
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all
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powerful,
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God to
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work in
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them.
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The Lord
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can intervene,
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for salvation
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belongs,
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as we've
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mentioned,
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not unto
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us,
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but to
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the Lord.
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Not unto
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us,
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Lord,
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not to
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us,
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but do
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thou glory
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take unto
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thy name,
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even for
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thy truth
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and for
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thy mercy's
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sake,
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says the
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psalmist.
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God has
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reserved a
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people in
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Christ.
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So then
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the question
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arises,
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how can
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we make
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sure,
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how can
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we know
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our calling
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and our
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election?
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How can
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we know
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that we
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are the
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people of
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God?
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Well,
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John Calvin
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spoke about
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how Christ
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was like
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a mirror
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that we
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look into
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to make
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our election
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sure.
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We know
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we are
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elect
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by looking
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to the
15:19
elect
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one
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of God,
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the Lord
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Jesus
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Christ.
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We see
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our election
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in him.
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Look to
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him,
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friends,
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tonight.
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Look to
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the Lord
15:37
Jesus
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Christ.
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Isaiah
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writes,
15:41
look unto
15:42
me,
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all ye
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ends of
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the earth
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and be
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ye saved
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for I
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am God
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and there
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is none
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else.
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There is
15:52
none else
15:53
we can go
15:53
to,
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friends.
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There is
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none else
15:55
where we
15:55
can find
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hope.
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We can
15:57
be certain
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that we
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are safe
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in the
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arms of
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Christ
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for all
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time
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because this
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reservation,
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this being
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chosen in
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Christ,
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happened in
16:05
eternity
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before the
16:06
very
16:07
foundations
16:07
of the
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world
16:08
were laid.
16:09
God
16:10
chose us
16:10
in
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Christ.
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Christ.
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But
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however,
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just as
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we find
16:15
in this
16:16
psalm,
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we have
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enemies
16:17
and we
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have an
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enemy
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looking to
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take possession
16:21
of us
16:21
and looking
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to wipe
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us
16:23
out.
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We have
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him who
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prowls
16:29
around like
16:30
a roaring
16:30
lion seeking
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whom he
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may devour.
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Those false
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Christs,
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those false
16:35
prophets
16:36
looking to
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deceive,
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if it were
16:39
possible,
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even the
16:40
elect of
16:41
God.
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Satan
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hates
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that which
16:47
belongs to
16:48
God and
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he especially
16:49
hates God's
16:50
most prized
16:51
possession.
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He tries
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to find
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them
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and so
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as he's
16:58
looking for
16:59
them,
16:59
he's looking
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to take
17:00
possession of
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them and
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he's looking
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to destroy
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them.
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And so
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as he tries
17:05
to find
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these chosen
17:07
hidden ones
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of God,
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he cannot
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go far
17:10
back into
17:11
the councils
17:12
of eternity
17:13
because he
17:13
is a creature
17:14
made in
17:15
time.
17:17
And so
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as he's
17:18
looking for
17:19
these hidden
17:19
ones of
17:20
God,
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he tempts
17:23
mankind to
17:24
sin.
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He tries
17:26
to find
17:26
if there's
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a secret
17:27
in them.
17:29
He tempts
17:30
mankind to
17:30
sin and
17:31
he influences
17:32
them to
17:32
go against
17:33
God.
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God,
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in his
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searching of
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the hidden
17:39
ones of
17:40
God,
17:40
he knows
17:40
that he
17:41
cannot find
17:42
where God
17:44
has hidden
17:44
them.
17:45
And so
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he thinks
17:46
in himself,
17:47
if I
17:48
but tempt
17:48
them to
17:49
sin against
17:50
God,
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to make
17:51
them God
17:52
haters,
17:53
to make
17:53
them filthy
17:54
in sin
17:55
and misery,
17:56
to make
17:57
them deserving
17:58
of his
17:58
eternal
17:59
wrath,
18:00
then surely,
18:03
surely God
18:04
would cancel
18:05
his reservation
18:06
of them.
18:08
Surely they
18:09
would no
18:09
longer be
18:10
his most
18:10
prized
18:11
possession.
18:14
Surely they
18:15
would no
18:15
longer be
18:16
his treasured
18:18
hidden
18:18
ones.
18:20
Surely I
18:21
will take
18:21
possession of
18:23
what God
18:23
says are
18:24
his.
18:28
Well,
18:29
does God
18:29
cancel his
18:30
reservation
18:30
then?
18:32
The enemy
18:33
managed to
18:33
tempt mankind
18:34
into sin.
18:37
Did he
18:37
take possession
18:38
of them?
18:40
Did he
18:40
wipe out
18:41
the people
18:41
of God,
18:43
those who
18:44
are reserved
18:45
in
18:46
Christ?
18:49
No,
18:50
brethren.
18:51
We,
18:52
as God's
18:53
treasured
18:53
hidden ones,
18:54
are not
18:54
only reserved
18:55
in Christ,
18:56
but secondly,
18:58
we are
18:58
hidden
18:59
by a
19:00
covering.
19:02
To
19:02
saphan
19:03
also means
19:04
that we
19:05
are hidden
19:05
by a
19:07
covering.
19:09
As those
19:10
who are
19:10
God's
19:10
treasured
19:11
ones,
19:12
as God's
19:12
hidden
19:12
ones,
19:14
we are
19:14
hidden,
19:15
as it
19:16
were,
19:16
in the
19:17
side of
19:17
Christ's
19:18
pierced
19:19
side.
19:21
Just as
19:21
Adam's
19:22
bride came
19:23
from his
19:24
side,
19:24
so to
19:25
we,
19:27
the
19:27
church
19:27
of God,
19:29
as God's
19:29
treasured
19:30
hidden
19:30
ones,
19:31
we find
19:31
ourselves
19:32
hidden
19:32
in
19:33
Christ's
19:34
side,
19:34
as
19:35
blood and
19:36
water pour
19:36
forth,
19:37
covering
19:38
them.
19:40
Even after
19:41
we sinned
19:41
against the
19:42
Most High
19:42
God,
19:43
after we
19:44
essentially
19:45
spat in
19:46
his face,
19:47
wanting
19:47
nothing to
19:48
do with
19:48
him,
19:49
after through
19:50
the temptation
19:50
of the
19:51
enemy,
19:51
we were
19:51
polluted
19:52
and covered
19:53
with sin,
19:55
having no
19:55
good within
19:56
ourselves,
19:58
being so
19:58
unlovable,
20:00
he continued
20:00
to love
20:01
us.
20:04
He
20:04
continued
20:05
to love
20:06
us with
20:06
that everlasting
20:07
love,
20:09
and he
20:09
continued to
20:10
value us
20:10
as his
20:11
most prized
20:12
possession.
20:14
He was
20:15
not letting
20:15
the enemy
20:16
have his
20:16
most prized
20:17
possession.
20:21
He was
20:21
not letting
20:22
the enemy
20:22
have those
20:23
who are
20:23
reserved
20:24
in
20:24
Christ.
20:27
He would
20:28
not,
20:28
and he
20:28
could not
20:29
let them
20:29
go.
20:31
And so
20:31
again,
20:32
in the
20:32
councils of
20:33
eternity,
20:34
the most
20:35
holy trinity,
20:36
the three
20:36
persons within
20:37
the Godhead,
20:39
they make a
20:39
covenant,
20:40
one with
20:41
another,
20:42
with their
20:43
perfect,
20:44
united
20:44
will.
20:46
And as
20:46
the Father
20:47
reserved a
20:48
people in
20:49
Christ,
20:50
Christ
20:50
agreed,
20:51
to
20:51
willingly
20:52
redeem
20:52
them.
20:55
The people
20:56
of God,
20:57
he willingly
20:57
agreed to
20:58
redeem them
20:59
through his
21:00
life,
21:01
through his
21:01
death,
21:02
through his
21:02
burial,
21:03
and through
21:03
his
21:03
resurrection
21:04
and ascension
21:06
up on
21:07
high.
21:09
As those
21:09
who are
21:09
God's
21:10
treasured
21:10
hidden ones,
21:12
we who
21:12
had fallen
21:13
from the
21:13
estate in
21:15
which we
21:15
were created,
21:17
we see that
21:17
the Son of
21:18
God would
21:18
not let us
21:19
go.
21:20
God
21:20
and so
21:20
he embodies
21:21
human flesh,
21:22
he becomes
21:23
a man,
21:24
and he
21:24
gives his
21:25
own life
21:26
as a ransom
21:27
for many.
21:29
As the
21:30
Son of
21:30
God gives
21:31
his own
21:32
life,
21:32
we see that
21:33
the demands
21:33
of justice
21:34
has been
21:36
met.
21:37
Through the
21:38
temptation of
21:39
the evil
21:40
one,
21:40
we who
21:41
sinned
21:41
against God
21:42
have an
21:43
infinite price
21:43
to pay
21:44
because we
21:45
sinned
21:45
against an
21:45
infinitely
21:46
holy
21:47
God.
21:49
And we
21:49
cannot pay
21:50
that price.
21:51
That's why
21:52
hell is
21:52
eternal,
21:53
because we
21:54
cannot pay
21:55
an infinite
21:56
price that
21:56
we owe.
21:58
But Christ,
22:00
friends,
22:01
he who is
22:02
of himself
22:03
of infinite
22:04
value,
22:04
because he
22:05
himself is
22:06
divine,
22:07
took that
22:08
punishment
22:08
upon himself.
22:11
An infinite
22:11
price paid
22:12
by an infinite
22:13
person.
22:16
He met
22:17
the demands
22:17
that was
22:18
due to us
22:18
in himself.
22:20
He took
22:21
our punishment,
22:22
that curse
22:23
that was ours,
22:24
he took
22:24
upon himself.
22:26
That hell
22:27
that awaited
22:28
us for our
22:29
many sins,
22:30
he poured
22:31
upon himself
22:32
willingly
22:32
for his
22:34
most prized
22:35
possession.
22:39
Oh,
22:39
dear brethren,
22:41
as God
22:42
treasured
22:42
hidden ones,
22:43
we are
22:44
hidden by
22:44
a covering
22:45
of his
22:46
blood.
22:48
It's like
22:48
the Passover
22:49
as we see
22:50
in the Old
22:51
Testament.
22:53
It's what
22:54
the Passover
22:54
lamb was
22:55
looking ahead
22:56
to,
22:56
what he was
22:57
pointing to.
22:58
When the
22:58
angel of the
22:59
Lord was
23:00
sent to
23:00
bring death
23:01
upon the
23:02
firstborn of
23:03
all those
23:04
who were in
23:04
Egypt,
23:05
he would
23:06
pass by
23:07
and not
23:08
kill anyone
23:09
in the
23:09
house which
23:10
had the
23:11
blood on
23:12
the door,
23:14
those homes
23:14
that were
23:15
covered by
23:16
the blood.
23:19
And you
23:19
know,
23:19
friends,
23:20
in that
23:21
time,
23:22
I'm sure
23:22
many of
23:22
the Israelites
23:23
probably had
23:24
weak faith.
23:26
Many of
23:27
them probably
23:27
struggled with
23:28
many sins.
23:30
But we
23:31
find that
23:31
the reason
23:32
why the
23:32
angel of
23:33
the Lord
23:33
doesn't
23:34
smite them
23:34
is not
23:35
because they
23:35
had a
23:36
great,
23:36
bold faith.
23:37
It's not
23:38
because they
23:38
were seen
23:39
to be
23:39
sinless,
23:40
but it
23:40
is only
23:41
because there
23:41
was blood
23:42
on the
23:43
door.
23:45
Friends,
23:45
we are
23:45
forgiven,
23:46
not for
23:46
any efforts
23:47
we make
23:47
on our
23:48
own,
23:49
not for
23:49
any great
23:50
acts of
23:51
faith,
23:51
but only
23:52
by the
23:53
blood of
23:53
Jesus
23:54
Christ are
23:55
we covered
23:55
in the
23:57
sight of
23:58
God.
24:00
As the
24:01
late
24:01
Jonathan
24:02
Edwards
24:02
said,
24:04
you contribute
24:05
nothing to
24:06
your salvation
24:07
except the
24:08
sin that
24:09
made it
24:10
necessary.
24:12
Nothing
24:13
except the
24:14
sin that
24:15
made it
24:16
necessary.
24:18
By his
24:19
blood,
24:19
through the
24:20
blood of
24:20
the Son,
24:21
we find
24:21
forgiveness.
24:23
We find
24:24
ourselves
24:24
under the
24:25
shadow of
24:26
his wing,
24:27
hidden from
24:27
any harm
24:28
that may
24:28
befall us.
24:30
If we
24:31
continued to
24:32
sing our
24:32
opening
24:33
psalm,
24:34
we would
24:34
have sung
24:34
there,
24:35
no ill,
24:36
that no
24:38
plague shall
24:39
near thy
24:39
dwelling
24:40
come,
24:40
no ill
24:41
shall thee
24:42
befall,
24:42
for thee
24:43
to keep
24:43
in all
24:44
thy ways
24:45
his angels
24:46
charge,
24:47
he shall.
24:48
Hidden
24:49
from all
24:50
harm,
24:51
forgiven
24:52
and covered
24:53
by his
24:55
blood.
24:56
We are
24:57
cleansed and
24:58
covered by
24:59
his blood.
25:00
We are
25:00
also cleansed
25:01
with water,
25:03
I mentioned
25:03
at the start,
25:04
how we
25:05
are hidden
25:06
as it
25:06
were in
25:07
Christ's
25:07
side,
25:07
where both
25:08
blood and
25:08
water poured
25:10
out.
25:10
This water
25:11
can show
25:12
us the
25:13
water which
25:14
Christ said
25:15
when he
25:15
said,
25:16
whoever drinks
25:16
of that
25:17
water,
25:18
I will
25:19
give him,
25:20
sorry,
25:20
whoever drinks
25:21
of the
25:21
water that
25:22
I will
25:22
give him
25:22
will become
25:23
in him
25:23
a spring
25:24
of water
25:24
welling up
25:25
to eternal
25:26
life.
25:29
In Christ
25:29
we have
25:30
new life,
25:31
we are
25:32
given a
25:32
new identity,
25:34
and oh
25:36
how much
25:36
the world
25:36
today,
25:37
in a world
25:38
filled with
25:38
such confusion
25:40
and such
25:41
lies,
25:42
struggles
25:42
with
25:43
identity.
25:46
Beloved
25:46
of God,
25:47
as God's
25:48
treasured
25:49
ones,
25:50
our identity
25:50
is in
25:52
Christ.
25:53
Our identity
25:54
is not in
25:54
ourselves.
25:56
When we
25:57
come to
25:58
faith,
25:58
our past
25:58
self is
25:59
dead.
26:02
Our sins
26:02
do not
26:03
define us.
26:04
we are
26:05
a new
26:05
creature,
26:06
a new
26:06
creation.
26:09
Is that
26:09
not what
26:09
St. Paul
26:10
said in
26:10
our New
26:11
Testament
26:11
reading,
26:12
in Colossians
26:13
chapter 3,
26:14
but we
26:15
read there,
26:16
for you
26:16
have died
26:17
and your
26:18
life is
26:19
hidden with
26:19
Christ
26:20
in God.
26:22
Our old
26:23
selves have
26:23
died.
26:25
Those sins
26:25
which severed
26:26
our communion
26:27
with God
26:27
have now
26:28
been hidden
26:29
and thrown
26:30
into the
26:30
sea of
26:31
his forgetfulness,
26:32
has
26:33
given us.
26:34
He
26:35
has
26:36
been
26:37
!
26:37
He
26:38
has
26:39
removed
26:39
in his
26:42
love
26:42
all our
26:44
iniquity.
26:46
All our
26:47
iniquity,
26:48
brothers and
26:49
sisters,
26:50
those very
26:50
regrettable
26:51
sins of
26:52
our youth
26:53
and of our
26:54
past,
26:55
God has
26:55
removed in
26:56
his love.
26:56
love.
26:58
Those
26:58
present
26:59
darling
27:00
sins
27:00
that we
27:01
struggle
27:02
with today,
27:03
God has
27:03
removed in
27:04
his love.
27:05
Those sins
27:06
that we
27:07
shall commit
27:07
in the
27:08
future,
27:09
for there
27:09
is none
27:09
that sins
27:10
not,
27:11
God has
27:11
removed
27:12
in his
27:13
love
27:13
for God's
27:15
treasured
27:16
hidden
27:16
ones.
27:19
In
27:20
Christ we
27:20
have a
27:21
covering,
27:23
and if we
27:23
have been
27:24
covered,
27:24
friends,
27:25
by he
27:26
who is
27:26
the light
27:27
of the
27:28
world,
27:29
should we
27:29
not also
27:30
let our
27:31
light so
27:31
shine before
27:32
men,
27:33
that others
27:33
may see
27:34
your good
27:34
works,
27:35
and glorify
27:36
your Father
27:37
who is
27:38
in heaven.
27:40
Let our
27:41
light shine
27:41
in our
27:41
homes,
27:43
in our
27:43
workplaces,
27:44
in our
27:45
communities,
27:46
that they
27:46
may see
27:47
our good
27:47
works,
27:48
good works
27:48
that we
27:48
do not
27:49
to get
27:50
saved,
27:50
but because
27:51
we are
27:52
saved,
27:53
and that
27:53
they might
27:53
see him
27:54
who is
27:54
the light
27:55
of the
27:55
world,
27:56
oh,
27:56
that they
27:56
would see
27:57
him,
27:57
and that
27:57
they would
27:58
honour,
27:58
and praise
27:59
him,
27:59
for he
28:00
is worthy
28:00
of all
28:01
glory,
28:01
honour,
28:02
and praise,
28:02
friends.
28:04
We,
28:05
as God's
28:06
treasured
28:07
hidden ones,
28:09
friends,
28:09
should we
28:10
not be
28:10
encouraged,
28:11
and motivated,
28:13
to serve,
28:14
and to
28:15
live,
28:16
for him,
28:17
who is our
28:18
great,
28:18
sovereign
28:19
Lord,
28:20
and who
28:20
has done
28:20
all things
28:21
necessary for
28:22
our
28:22
salvation.
28:25
we have
28:28
been
28:28
reserved
28:28
in
28:28
Christ,
28:30
chosen
28:30
in
28:30
him
28:31
before
28:31
the
28:31
foundation
28:31
of
28:32
the
28:32
world.
28:33
We
28:33
have
28:34
been
28:34
hidden
28:34
by a
28:35
covering
28:35
of
28:35
his
28:35
blood.
28:37
And
28:37
lastly,
28:38
friends,
28:39
very briefly,
28:40
moving on to a
28:41
third and
28:42
final heading,
28:43
we are
28:44
protected.
28:47
To
28:47
Safan also
28:48
means we
28:48
are
28:49
protected.
28:50
You know,
28:51
this word,
28:52
Safan,
28:53
is the
28:53
same word
28:54
used for
28:54
when Moses'
28:55
family hid
28:57
him.
28:58
They hid
28:59
him because
28:59
the Pharaoh
29:00
saw that
29:00
the Israelites
29:01
were growing
29:02
in might
29:02
and in
29:03
number.
29:04
And so
29:04
the Pharaoh
29:05
made a
29:05
decree.
29:06
He made
29:07
a decree
29:07
that all
29:08
the baby
29:09
boys of
29:09
Israel
29:10
should be
29:10
murdered.
29:12
But
29:13
Moses'
29:13
family
29:14
chose
29:15
rather to
29:15
serve God
29:16
than men,
29:17
and they
29:18
hid him.
29:20
they hid
29:24
him to
29:24
try and
29:24
stop
29:25
the
29:26
Pharaohs
29:27
from
29:27
killing
29:28
them.
29:29
And
29:29
this
29:29
same
29:30
Moses,
29:31
who was
29:31
hidden
29:32
by his
29:33
parents,
29:35
he was
29:35
one who
29:36
could not
29:36
be overcome
29:37
by the
29:38
Egyptians,
29:39
but rather
29:40
he was the
29:40
one who
29:41
led the
29:42
children of
29:42
Israel out
29:43
of Egypt,
29:44
out of the
29:45
land of
29:45
bondage,
29:47
and even
29:47
through the
29:47
Red Sea.
29:50
he was
29:50
one who
29:51
brought
29:51
them out
29:53
of bondage,
29:55
out of
29:56
slavery.
29:59
Just as
30:00
Moses was
30:01
protected from
30:02
being murdered
30:02
by the
30:03
evil one,
30:04
so we
30:05
too in
30:06
Christ,
30:06
as God's
30:07
treasured
30:08
hidden ones,
30:09
are protected
30:10
from leaving
30:11
Christ.
30:14
Or perhaps
30:14
I should say
30:15
that we are
30:15
protected from
30:16
Christ leaving
30:18
us,
30:19
because it
30:20
is him
30:20
who works
30:21
in us.
30:23
This is
30:24
often a
30:24
worry that
30:25
some people
30:25
have.
30:27
In fact,
30:27
there are
30:27
some those,
30:28
perhaps they
30:29
may be here
30:29
tonight,
30:30
that don't
30:31
want to
30:32
profess their
30:32
faith in
30:34
the fear
30:34
that in
30:35
the future
30:36
they might
30:36
fall away.
30:39
They're
30:39
scared that
30:40
they might
30:41
bring shame
30:42
upon the
30:42
name of
30:43
Christ,
30:43
and so
30:45
they refuse
30:46
to profess
30:47
faith.
30:51
Oh,
30:51
friends,
30:52
we do not
30:53
persevere in
30:53
the faith
30:54
because of
30:55
our own
30:55
efforts or
30:56
because of
30:56
anything we
30:57
do.
30:58
We only
30:59
preserve in
30:59
the faith
31:00
because he
31:00
which began
31:01
a good work
31:01
in us
31:02
will bring
31:03
it to
31:03
completion.
31:06
He
31:06
produces
31:07
in us,
31:08
he performs
31:09
in us,
31:10
he works
31:11
in us.
31:13
it is
31:15
Christ who
31:16
said,
31:17
I give
31:17
them eternal
31:18
life and
31:18
they will
31:19
never perish
31:19
and no one
31:20
will snatch
31:21
them out of
31:21
my hand,
31:23
no one.
31:24
My Father
31:24
who has
31:24
given them
31:25
to me is
31:26
greater than
31:26
all and
31:27
no one is
31:28
able to
31:28
snatch them
31:29
out of
31:29
the Father's
31:30
hand.
31:32
But we
31:32
are secure
31:33
in the
31:34
hands of
31:34
Christ and
31:36
of the
31:36
Father.
31:37
There is
31:38
none who
31:38
is able to
31:38
snatch us
31:39
out,
31:40
friends.
31:40
As one
31:41
writer of
31:42
old said,
31:42
we are
31:43
secure,
31:44
not because
31:45
we hold
31:45
tightly to
31:46
Jesus,
31:47
but because
31:47
he holds
31:48
tightly to
31:49
us.
31:51
He who
31:52
called you
31:53
is faithful
31:53
friends.
31:55
He will
31:56
lead you
31:56
by the
31:56
hand until
31:58
in Zion
31:58
you appear
31:59
before the
32:00
Lord at
32:01
length.
32:03
As well
32:04
as
32:04
saphan
32:05
being the
32:05
word used
32:06
for how
32:06
Moses was
32:07
hidden.
32:08
It's also
32:09
the same
32:09
word used
32:10
for when
32:11
the prostitute
32:11
Rahab
32:12
hid the
32:14
spies.
32:15
She hid
32:16
them and
32:17
their lives
32:17
were preserved.
32:19
And then
32:20
the children
32:20
of Israel
32:20
eventually
32:21
went on
32:21
to conquer
32:22
and enter
32:23
into the
32:24
promised land,
32:25
bringing
32:25
Rahab and
32:26
all who
32:27
were found
32:27
in her
32:28
household
32:29
with them.
32:32
In like
32:33
manner then,
32:34
we as
32:35
God's
32:35
treasured
32:36
ones,
32:37
as we
32:37
journey this
32:38
wilderness of
32:39
life,
32:39
going from
32:40
strength
32:41
to strength
32:42
until we
32:43
reach the
32:43
promised land
32:44
of glory.
32:45
We are
32:46
protected from
32:46
the Lord,
32:47
from the
32:48
enemies who
32:49
seek for
32:49
our eternal
32:50
life.
32:52
Christ has
32:53
conquered all
32:54
the enemies,
32:54
friends,
32:55
even death
32:56
itself.
32:59
O death,
33:00
where is
33:00
thy sting?
33:02
O grave,
33:03
where is
33:04
thy victory?
33:06
Thanks be
33:07
to God,
33:09
which
33:09
giveth us
33:10
the victory
33:10
through our
33:11
Lord Jesus
33:12
Christ,
33:14
says the
33:15
Apostle Paul.
33:17
In Christ,
33:18
friends,
33:18
we are
33:19
protected.
33:20
The
33:20
Pharaohs,
33:21
they cannot
33:21
take us
33:22
away.
33:23
The Lord
33:23
provides a
33:24
way for
33:24
us out
33:25
of Egypt,
33:25
the land
33:25
of bondage,
33:26
and he
33:27
also provides
33:28
a way for
33:28
us through
33:29
the waters
33:29
of judgment.
33:31
You'll
33:31
remember as
33:31
the children
33:32
of Israel
33:32
were exiting
33:34
the land
33:34
of Egypt,
33:35
how the
33:36
Egyptians
33:36
followed
33:37
them,
33:37
they pursued
33:38
them,
33:38
they were
33:39
going to
33:39
take possession
33:40
of them,
33:40
they were
33:40
going to
33:41
destroy
33:41
them,
33:42
but the
33:42
Lord
33:42
provided a
33:43
way for
33:43
the Israelites
33:44
to walk
33:45
through the
33:45
Red Sea.
33:46
And what
33:47
happened to
33:47
the Egyptians,
33:48
friends?
33:48
What happened
33:49
to the
33:50
Pharaohs?
33:50
What happened
33:51
to the
33:51
enemies of
33:52
God?
33:53
Well,
33:53
the waters
33:53
closed in
33:54
and they
33:55
perished.
33:56
They were
33:57
consumed by
33:58
the waters
33:58
of God's
33:59
judgment,
34:01
but not
34:02
his people,
34:03
friends,
34:03
not his
34:04
treasured
34:06
ones.
34:07
As God's
34:08
hidden ones,
34:09
he also
34:09
provides a
34:10
way for
34:10
us to
34:11
enter into
34:11
the promised
34:12
land,
34:13
since he
34:13
has conquered
34:14
over all
34:15
of his
34:15
enemies.
34:16
He has
34:16
nobody else
34:17
to face.
34:19
He has
34:19
faced them
34:20
all and
34:20
he has
34:21
conquered
34:21
them all,
34:22
and so he
34:22
will lead
34:23
us to
34:23
the promised
34:24
land.
34:25
God's
34:31
God's
34:31
people,
34:32
his
34:33
treasured
34:33
ones,
34:34
his
34:34
hidden
34:35
ones,
34:35
his
34:35
most
34:35
prized
34:37
possession.
34:40
And as
34:41
the enemy
34:42
has been
34:43
trying to
34:44
find these
34:45
hidden ones
34:46
of God,
34:48
he saw
34:48
that he
34:49
could not
34:50
find them.
34:50
he
34:52
couldn't
34:52
find where
34:53
they were
34:53
hidden.
34:55
And then
34:56
he began
34:56
to try
34:58
through his
34:59
temptations
35:00
and flew
35:00
his
35:00
influences
35:01
to cause
35:02
these people
35:03
to no
35:03
longer be
35:04
God's
35:04
most
35:05
treasured
35:06
possession,
35:07
his
35:07
most
35:07
prized
35:08
possession,
35:10
to instead
35:11
be his
35:12
own
35:13
possession,
35:13
the enemy's
35:13
possession.
35:15
But he
35:15
could not,
35:16
friends.
35:18
And he
35:18
continues
35:18
today,
35:20
trying to
35:21
cause doubt
35:21
and deception
35:23
to deceive
35:24
even the
35:25
elect,
35:28
trying to
35:29
prevent them
35:29
from getting
35:30
into glory.
35:32
But friends,
35:32
he cannot.
35:34
Our salvation
35:35
is secure
35:35
in Christ.
35:37
We have
35:37
been reserved,
35:39
we have
35:40
been covered,
35:42
and we
35:42
were and
35:43
we are
35:43
protected
35:44
from any
35:46
harm that
35:46
may prevent
35:47
us from
35:48
entering
35:48
into glory.
35:52
We are
35:52
God's hidden
35:53
ones,
35:53
God's
35:54
treasured
35:55
ones.
35:58
As we
35:58
close tonight,
35:59
friends,
36:00
I want to
36:01
ask you a
36:01
question.
36:01
question,
36:03
how does
36:04
God view
36:04
you?
36:07
How does
36:08
God view
36:09
you?
36:10
We are
36:11
often asked
36:11
the question,
36:12
what do you
36:13
think about
36:13
God?
36:14
Or what do
36:15
you think
36:15
about Jesus
36:16
Christ?
36:18
But how is
36:19
it that the
36:20
Lord views
36:21
you?
36:23
Can you say
36:24
with one of
36:24
old,
36:25
I am my
36:26
beloved,
36:27
it,
36:27
and my
36:28
beloved
36:29
is mine?
36:31
Can you
36:32
say that
36:32
despite your
36:33
many
36:34
shortcomings,
36:36
despite your
36:36
inability to
36:37
do any
36:38
good,
36:40
despite your
36:40
utter pollution
36:41
in sin
36:43
and in
36:44
misery,
36:45
that you
36:45
are God's
36:46
treasured,
36:48
hidden
36:48
one.
36:50
One he has
36:51
reserved,
36:52
one he has
36:53
covered,
36:54
and one
36:55
he protects.
36:58
You can
36:59
know,
36:59
friends,
37:00
you can
37:01
know you
37:01
have eternal
37:01
life by
37:02
believing on
37:03
the name
37:03
of the
37:04
Son of
37:05
God.
37:07
You can
37:08
be in awe
37:09
and wonder
37:10
at his
37:10
marvelous
37:11
grace,
37:12
grace which
37:13
brought us
37:14
from darkness
37:15
into his
37:15
most marvelous
37:16
light.
37:19
How could
37:20
we not
37:20
but turn
37:21
to him,
37:21
friends?
37:23
How shall
37:23
we escape
37:24
if we
37:24
neglect
37:25
so great
37:25
a salvation?
37:28
God has
37:29
revealed
37:29
through his
37:29
word that
37:30
Christ has
37:31
done everything
37:32
necessary for
37:32
us.
37:34
Christ is
37:35
enough.
37:39
May the
37:39
Lord be
37:40
pleased to
37:40
show these
37:41
truths to
37:43
you.
37:45
I may be
37:45
pleased to
37:46
bless our
37:46
meditations.
37:48
Amen.
37:50
Let us
37:50
conclude by
37:51
singing to
37:52
God's
37:52
praise.
37:53
In
37:54
Sing
37:54
Psalms
37:55
and in
37:55
Psalm 31.
38:00
This is on
38:01
page 37
38:02
of the
38:03
blue
38:03
psalm
38:04
books.
38:06
Psalm 31
38:06
we shall
38:07
sing from
38:07
verse 19
38:08
to the
38:10
verse 24
38:10
to the
38:11
end.
38:13
The tune
38:14
is rocking
38:15
him.
38:15
psalm.
38:21
In this
38:21
psalm,
38:22
the
38:22
psalmist
38:23
after
38:23
acknowledging
38:24
God's
38:24
goodness
38:25
to
38:25
himself
38:25
and to
38:26
others,
38:27
he
38:28
encourages
38:28
himself
38:29
and others
38:30
to firmly
38:31
trust in
38:32
the Lord.
38:34
And that
38:34
is indeed
38:35
what we
38:36
are to do
38:36
also.
38:37
We all
38:38
have a
38:38
duty here
38:39
tonight
38:39
as you
38:41
hear the
38:42
word of
38:42
God to
38:43
trust in
38:44
the Lord.
38:45
We shall
38:45
sing from
38:45
verse 19.
38:46
Your
38:47
goodness,
38:48
Lord,
38:48
is very
38:49
great,
38:49
prepared for
38:50
those who
38:50
fear your
38:51
name.
38:52
You show
38:52
your goodness
38:53
openly to
38:53
all who
38:54
your protection
38:55
claim.
38:56
Your presence
38:57
hides and
38:58
shelters them
38:59
from those
39:00
who plot to
39:01
take their
39:01
life, as we
39:02
considered in
39:03
the sermon.
39:03
And in
39:04
your tent
39:05
you keep
39:05
them safe
39:06
from evil
39:07
tongues that
39:08
stir up
39:09
strife.
39:09
The Lord
39:10
be praised
39:11
because he
39:12
showed the
39:12
wonder of
39:13
his love
39:13
to me
39:14
when in
39:15
a city
39:15
I was
39:15
trapped,
39:16
surrounded
39:17
by the
39:17
enemy.
39:18
In my
39:19
alarm I
39:19
rashly
39:20
said that
39:20
I was
39:21
hidden
39:21
from your
39:21
eyes.
39:22
But when
39:23
I called
39:24
to you
39:24
for help
39:25
in grace
39:26
you listened
39:27
to my
39:28
cries.
39:28
O love
39:29
the Lord
39:29
all you
39:30
his saints,
39:31
the faithful
39:32
will be
39:32
kept by
39:33
God,
39:34
but he
39:34
will give
39:35
the proud
39:35
their
39:35
true.
39:37
Be strong,
39:38
take heart,
39:39
hope in
39:40
the Lord.
39:42
And that
39:42
is indeed
39:42
what we
39:43
are to
39:43
do,
39:43
friends.
39:44
Be strong,
39:45
take heart,
39:46
hope in
39:47
the Lord.
39:48
We shall
39:48
stand with
39:48
Abel as
39:49
we sing
39:49
these
39:49
verses of
39:50
Psalm 31
39:50
19 to
39:51
the end
39:51
to God's
39:52
praise.
40:03
God's
40:04
praise.
40:05
Prepare for
40:07
those who
40:09
hear your
40:11
name,
40:13
to show
40:15
your goodness
40:18
openly,
40:21
to honor
40:25
your protection
40:29
name.
40:32
Good
40:33
presence
40:35
hides
40:37
such
40:37
shelters
40:39
men,
40:41
from
40:42
those who
40:44
fought
40:45
to take
40:48
their
40:49
life,
40:50
and in
40:52
your
40:54
hand
40:55
you
40:56
gave
40:57
them
40:58
safe,
41:00
from
41:01
evil
41:02
times
41:04
that
41:05
stir
41:07
us
41:07
try.
41:10
Our
41:10
Lord
41:12
be
41:13
praised
41:14
because
41:15
he
41:17
showed
41:18
the
41:20
wonder
41:21
of
41:23
his
41:24
love
41:26
to
41:26
me.
41:28
When
41:29
in
41:31
a
41:32
city
41:33
I
41:35
was
41:36
not
41:37
surrounded
41:39
by
41:42
the
41:43
enemy,
41:47
and
41:48
I
41:50
alone
41:51
I
41:53
must
41:53
be
41:55
said
41:56
that
41:57
I
41:59
was
42:00
hidden
42:01
from
42:03
your
42:04
eyes,
42:06
but
42:07
when
42:08
I
42:09
call
42:11
to
42:11
you
42:13
for
42:14
help,
42:15
in
42:16
grace
42:18
you
42:18
listen
42:20
to
42:21
my
42:22
kind.
42:24
O
42:26
love
42:27
the
42:28
Lord,
42:29
all
42:30
you
42:31
best
42:32
saints,
42:35
the
42:35
faithful
42:36
wealth
42:39
he
42:39
kept
42:40
by
42:41
God,
42:44
but
42:44
he
42:45
will
42:46
give
42:47
a
42:49
brother
42:50
who
42:51
dares
42:52
you,
42:53
his
42:54
strong
42:55
take
42:56
heart,
42:57
open
42:58
in
43:00
the
43:01
Lord.
43:03
Let us
43:03
conclude
43:04
with a
43:04
word of
43:04
prayer.
43:06
Our
43:06
gracious
43:07
Father,
43:07
we give
43:08
thanks
43:08
that
43:09
thou
43:10
indeed
43:10
has
43:11
a
43:11
most
43:11
prized
43:12
possession,
43:13
and we
43:13
give
43:13
thanks
43:14
that thou
43:15
has
43:15
been
43:15
pleased
43:15
to
43:16
reserve
43:16
us,
43:17
to
43:17
cover
43:17
us,
43:18
and to
43:18
protect
43:18
us.
43:19
And so
43:20
help us
43:20
then,
43:21
as we
43:21
have
43:21
just
43:21
sung,
43:23
to
43:23
be
43:24
strong,
43:25
to
43:25
take
43:25
heart,
43:26
and to
43:26
hope
43:27
in
43:27
the
43:27
Lord.
43:28
To
43:28
hope
43:29
in
43:29
thee,
43:30
for
43:30
there
43:30
is
43:30
plenteous
43:31
redemption,
43:32
ever
43:32
found in
43:33
him whom
43:33
thou
43:33
hast
43:34
given,
43:35
to be
43:35
our
43:35
surety.
43:37
And so
43:37
be
43:37
pleased to
43:38
bless our
43:38
meditations
43:39
here
43:39
tonight,
43:40
be
43:40
pleased to
43:40
!
43:47
go
43:48
forth
43:48
with
43:48
thy
43:48
blessing
43:49
with
43:49
us,
43:50
going
43:51
before
43:51
us
43:52
in
43:52
the
43:52
week
43:52
that
43:52
lies
43:52
ahead,
43:53
and be
43:54
pleased to
43:54
forgive anything that was said amiss,
43:57
and take us to our homes in safety,
43:59
and all this we ask in Christ's name,
44:00
and for his sake,
44:02
Amen.
44:17
Thank you.