Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / New Year's Day Service - God's Promised Presence

Transcript

New Year's Day Service - God's Promised Presence · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

0:00
We begin our worship this morning by singing to God's praise.
0:04
We will be standing for our singings apart from the second one.
0:07
The second singing is a Gaelic singing and the words are on the notice sheet.
0:11
But the first singing, Psalm 90.
0:16
We're singing Psalm 90 in the Scottish Psalter, page 350 of the Psalm book.
0:21
Singing from verse 13 down to the end of the Psalm.
0:24
Turn yet again to us, O Lord, how long thus shall it be?
0:28
Let it repent thee now for those that servants are to thee.
0:32
With thy tender mercies, Lord, as early satisfy.
0:36
So we rejoice shall all our days and still be glad in thee.
0:40
We'll sing from verse 13 to the end of the Psalm to God's praise.
0:43
Turn yet again to us, O Lord, how long thus shall it be?
1:06
Let him repent thee now for those that servants are to thee.
1:24
O with thy tender mercies, Lord, as early satisfy.
1:30
And then hence be born, as early satisfy.
1:32
So we rejoice shall all our days and still be glad.
2:00
and then hence be upon us, O Lord, how long thus shall we?
2:30
O let thy work and power appear,
2:52
thy servants face before,
3:01
and show unto their children dear,
3:11
thy glory evermore.
3:19
And let the beauty of the Lord
3:30
our holy us upon,
3:38
our mighty works,
3:44
established now,
3:49
established in the Lord.
3:57
Amen.
4:02
Let's come to God in prayer.
4:04
Let us pray.
4:04
Amen.
4:05
Amen.
4:06
Amen.
4:07
Amen.
4:08
Our Father in heaven,
4:09
as we come to worship you this day,
4:12
we thank you that you are the God of all our days and all our years.
4:17
Even as the psalmist reminds us here,
4:20
he speaks of the sorrows that we may have experienced in the past,
4:24
the days wherein we have had grief,
4:27
the years wherein we have seen ill.
4:29
But yet, O Lord, he reminds us that we can look to you and seek your face,
4:35
and that we may know your glory upon us,
4:38
the beauty of the Lord shining upon his people.
4:41
And we thank you for your promise to meet with us anew,
4:46
that as we come into your presence, Lord,
4:48
we come to magnify and praise your name.
4:52
And so we ask, O Lord, today that we will come in through reverence and fear of you,
4:58
but come with a sense of thanksgiving and rejoicing that you are God.
5:03
And so help us, Lord, as we begin a new year,
5:07
to commit our ways to you,
5:09
to seek your face, O Lord,
5:11
and to seek your blessing upon us, young and old alike,
5:15
that we will know, Lord, your leading and your guiding every step that we take,
5:20
that we would know, Lord, your establishing of your works in our midst,
5:25
that all that we do as a people, that you will bless our work, Lord,
5:31
for it is your work.
5:33
And so we ask, O Lord, that you will be with us all,
5:36
families, friends, loved ones, and all our community at this time,
5:40
that we will know, Lord, your blessing and your peace with us.
5:44
We thank you for all our young folks here today.
5:47
We thank you for a time of holiday for them from school.
5:50
We pray that you will bless them and watch over them even in these days
5:54
and as they return to school in the coming days as well.
5:58
May they be glad, O Lord, in their young years.
6:01
May they delight in you.
6:02
May they know you as their Lord and as their shepherd.
6:06
May you direct their steps and their paths, O Lord,
6:09
that they will seek to walk with you.
6:12
We ask, Lord, that for us all together as a people,
6:15
that you will show us your ways and teach us your paths,
6:19
and lead us in them.
6:21
So, Lord, we commit ourselves into your care and keeping
6:25
in our service of worship today and throughout this day.
6:28
May we give glory and praise to you.
6:31
Go before us, we ask, O Lord, and pardon all our sins,
6:35
as we ask it in Jesus' precious name. Amen.
6:40
That was good to have a number of young folks here today.
6:42
I hope you're enjoying your holidays.
6:44
I hope you're having a good time.
6:46
You'll be looking forward to going back to school this week.
6:49
I'm going to read a verse to you just now.
6:51
Just listen to what these verses say.
6:54
It's verses from the New Testament, Mark's Gospel,
6:58
reading in chapter 13 and at verse 35.
7:02
It's often a time of waiting for many different things just now.
7:16
And did anybody last night think to themselves,
7:31
I'm going to stay awake until the bells come, until midnight comes,
7:35
and we say Happy New Year to everyone.
7:37
Did anyone manage to stay up until midnight?
7:40
Yeah, a few people nodding their heads.
7:43
Did anybody fall asleep waiting?
7:47
Maybe a few parents will put, oh, there's one hand going up at least.
7:51
Maybe a few others as well.
7:52
You decide you're going to stay up and hear the bells coming in
7:56
and say Happy New Year to everyone.
7:58
But by the time maybe 10 o'clock or half past 10 comes,
8:01
you just fall asleep.
8:03
And what happens if you fall asleep?
8:06
Well, you miss everything, don't you?
8:08
You miss out on what's happening all around you.
8:11
And that's what these verses are telling us about here.
8:14
They're saying we have to stay awake,
8:16
but not for the bells coming at midnight,
8:19
but for the Lord's coming.
8:21
Do you know how long you will spend waiting in your lifetime?
8:26
It's said that if you live to the age of 70,
8:30
you'll have spent three years of your life waiting.
8:35
That might be waiting for someone to come.
8:39
It might be waiting in a waiting room like at a doctor's.
8:43
It might be waiting in a queue in the shop.
8:46
It might be putting on hold on the phone
8:48
when you're trying to phone through to a company.
8:51
It might be waiting on the plane or waiting on the ferry
8:54
because they're late.
8:55
We spend so much time waiting.
8:58
And someone said that if we live to the age of 70,
9:01
we spend three years waiting.
9:03
Can you imagine that?
9:04
If you look at it like this, on New Year's Day 2020,
9:08
if you'd started waiting then,
9:10
you'd have been waiting until today.
9:13
Sitting, doing nothing.
9:16
Just waiting.
9:17
Sounds crazy, doesn't it?
9:19
But waiting doesn't mean we do nothing.
9:21
And that's what the gospel here is telling us.
9:25
We're not just to wait for the Lord to come and do nothing.
9:29
We are to wait on the Lord, looking to Him, trusting in Him,
9:34
and doing everything for Him.
9:36
Believing in Him and then serving Him with all our heart.
9:41
Not knowing when He's going to come, but we wait.
9:44
We stay awake.
9:46
And that means that we stay awake.
9:47
We do work for Him.
9:49
We keep active.
9:50
We keep busy for Him.
9:52
Because He promises He's going to come.
9:54
Just like the bells of midnight came last night,
9:57
the Lord is going to come.
9:59
We don't know when, but He's saying to us all,
10:02
stay awake.
10:04
So let's not fall asleep today.
10:06
Let's stay awake, looking to and trusting in the Lord Jesus.
10:11
Well, we're going to say the Lord's Prayer together now.
10:16
So we'll say the Lord's Prayer.
10:18
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
10:23
Thy kingdom come.
10:25
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
10:28
Give us this day our daily bread.
10:31
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
10:35
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
10:40
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.
10:44
Amen.
10:47
We're going to sing to God's praise again.
10:50
This time we're singing in Gaelic from Psalm 73.
10:53
Two verses from verse 23.
10:56
We're going to sing verse 23 and 24.
11:09
I'll read them in English as well.
11:11
Nevertheless, continually, O Lord, I am with thee.
11:14
Thou dost me hold by my right hand and still upholdest me.
11:18
Thou with thy counsel while I live, wilt me conduct and guide.
11:22
And to thy glory afterward receive me to abide.
11:27
In English as well.
11:29
Dean Tiesel low.
11:30
Can I sing sing?
11:31
wievend на jackets
11:32
autographed
11:33
Squishaw
11:34
ca?
11:39
Влад산
11:49
stuh
11:50
ура
11:51
Aw.
11:52
trials
11:55
Spikeert hyder
11:59
The peace.
12:06
The peace.
12:08
O rei e serivai o�� e więcej
12:20
kom kumele suoscach imagine
12:28
CHOIR SINGS
12:58
CHOIR SINGS
13:28
CHOIR SINGS
13:30
CHOIR SINGS
13:32
CHOIR SINGS
13:34
CHOIR SINGS
13:36
CHOIR SINGS
13:38
CHOIR SINGS
13:40
CHOIR SINGS
13:42
CHOIR SINGS
13:44
CHOIR SINGS
13:46
CHOIR SINGS
13:50
CHOIR SINGS
13:52
CHOIR SINGS
13:53
In your hand, and our hearts, and our God of King.
14:14
We're going to turn to read God's Word together now.
14:18
Matthew's Gospel.
14:23
The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 28.
14:28
We can read the whole of this chapter together.
14:31
Matthew 28, from the beginning.
14:36
Now after the Sabbath, towards the dawn of the first day of the week,
14:41
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
14:45
Behold, there was a great earthquake,
14:47
for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven
14:50
and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
14:55
His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow.
15:00
And for fear of him, the guards trembled and became like dead men.
15:06
But the angel said to the woman,
15:07
Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
15:14
He is not here, for he has risen as he said.
15:17
Come, see the place where he lay.
15:20
Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead.
15:25
And behold, he is going before you to Galilee.
15:28
There you will see him.
15:30
See, I have told you.
15:33
So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy
15:37
and ran to tell his disciples.
15:39
And behold, Jesus met them and said, Greetings.
15:44
And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him.
15:48
Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid.
15:52
Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee.
15:55
There they will see me.
15:58
While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city
16:02
and told the chief priests all that had taken place.
16:05
When they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel,
16:09
they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said,
16:13
Tell people.
16:14
His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.
16:19
And if this comes to the governor's ears,
16:22
we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.
16:26
So they took the money and did as they were directed.
16:30
This story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
16:33
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee,
16:37
to the mountain which Jesus had directed them.
16:40
And when they saw him, they worshipped him.
16:43
But some doubted.
16:45
And Jesus came and said to them,
16:47
All authority in heaven and on earth is being given to me.
16:51
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
16:54
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
16:57
and of the Holy Spirit,
17:00
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you,
17:03
and behold,
17:05
I am with you always to the end of the age.
17:10
Amen.
17:10
And may God bless that reading from his word.
17:13
Let's again join our hearts together in prayer.
17:15
Let us pray.
17:15
Our Father in heaven,
17:21
as we read in these passages before us, Lord,
17:25
that we are a people who so often stumble along the way,
17:30
a people who so often have maybe many doubts and fears and anxieties.
17:34
We thank you that we are reminded that we come to our Lord and Savior,
17:40
Jesus Christ, who is risen,
17:44
who is ever living,
17:46
to make intercession for his people.
17:49
That even today as we come and offer up our prayers together at the beginning of a new year,
17:55
we have that great assurance and that great hope that we are heard through him.
18:02
For we come to the one whose name is above every name.
18:06
We come to the one who is eternal,
18:09
the Alpha and the Omega,
18:11
the beginning and the end.
18:12
And we thank you that just as all things were made by him and through him and for him,
18:18
that you continue to uphold us through him,
18:22
that in him we live, move and have our being.
18:25
And today as we worship and praise your name,
18:28
as we seek your face anew,
18:31
we ask, O Lord, that we may see you and worship you.
18:36
Take away any distractions that are in our minds today.
18:39
Take away the thoughts maybe pressing upon us for the week ahead.
18:44
That in this time together,
18:46
our attention, our focus will be upon you.
18:49
And that your spirit will be with us
18:51
to bless your word to us,
18:54
to bless us in our hearts and in our souls.
18:57
We do thank you, Lord,
18:59
that at the beginning of a new year,
19:01
when we see so many things that can be new for us,
19:05
and we maybe, Lord, pray for change in our world
19:10
and in our nation
19:11
and in our own personal lives as well.
19:15
We see so many things that we want to be different.
19:18
We pray for our world and its chaos
19:21
with the many events going on around us
19:25
in so many different parts of the world.
19:28
And we think of the natural disasters over this past year,
19:32
even over these past days,
19:34
as we've seen the severe storms in America,
19:38
the snowstorms there,
19:40
as we've seen and heard over these past months
19:43
of earthquakes and natural disasters of different kinds,
19:49
as we've seen, O Lord,
19:50
the terror of war in our world,
19:53
the fear it's brought not just to one nation
19:56
but to many nations,
19:57
the fear of escalation of it,
20:00
the fear of the world in which we live
20:03
and the power that belongs to so few in it.
20:06
But yet, O Lord, we look to you,
20:09
the one who has all power and authority
20:11
in heaven and in earth.
20:12
And we pray, Lord,
20:13
that in this coming year,
20:15
we will see your hand upon us as a people,
20:19
as nations of this world,
20:21
that we will see your hand in power,
20:23
turning us from the ways in which we are going
20:26
and turning us towards you.
20:29
O Lord, how we pray for you to come
20:31
in a day of your mighty power,
20:34
in a day of your reviving power,
20:36
in reviving your people,
20:38
that we will worship you
20:39
and trust in you with all our hearts.
20:42
We pray that for our nation too, O Lord,
20:45
which has seen so much change in our midst as well.
20:49
As we think of the passing of our queen earlier this year
20:53
and a new king being installed,
20:55
we pray for him, Lord,
20:57
that you will guide him,
20:58
that you will uphold him,
20:59
that you will bless him,
21:01
that you will use him, Lord,
21:02
for your glory,
21:04
that you will turn his heart towards you,
21:07
that he will honor you with his words,
21:09
that he will honor you with his actions,
21:11
and that all he would do
21:12
would be to glory in your name.
21:15
Lord, how we pray
21:16
that you will do that for our king
21:18
and also our prime minister
21:20
and first minister
21:21
and all who rule over us.
21:23
O Lord,
21:24
that you would make these places of power and authority,
21:27
places of praise and worship,
21:30
that we would even,
21:31
as we look back in our land,
21:33
as we have seen and heard of days
21:35
when prayer was called for,
21:38
that we would see these days once again,
21:41
when our nation would be still
21:42
and to know that you are God.
21:45
We pray for our own homes
21:46
and our families
21:47
and our communities too.
21:49
In the year that's gone,
21:51
O Lord,
21:51
we've maybe seen
21:52
so much personal change as well.
21:55
And we know that today
21:56
is often a day of much emotion,
22:00
looking back
22:01
and all the grief and sorrows
22:03
that so many have had,
22:05
looking back
22:05
and the joys
22:06
and the high points too,
22:08
but giving thanks
22:09
for your constancy in it all,
22:11
that you are the God
22:12
who is with his people,
22:14
that you will never leave us
22:15
or forsake us.
22:17
And so may you bless
22:18
all our people,
22:20
bless our communities,
22:21
we pray, Lord.
22:23
Comfort those who need you,
22:25
comfort those who are cast down
22:27
in their hearts
22:27
and their minds
22:28
and in their souls.
22:30
We pray, O Lord,
22:31
that you will lift them up,
22:33
that they will come
22:34
to praise your name
22:36
as the God who is good.
22:38
We pray, Lord,
22:39
for our ministry here
22:40
as well as a people,
22:42
that you will bless
22:43
the preaching of your word
22:44
in this coming year,
22:46
that it will build us up,
22:47
O Lord,
22:48
that it will encourage us
22:49
and strengthen us
22:50
as a people
22:51
to stand up
22:51
to the challenges
22:53
that we face
22:54
and to be a people
22:55
who will stand up
22:56
for the name of Christ
22:57
and offer a prayer
22:59
constantly to you,
23:01
that you will turn the tide
23:03
once more against us,
23:06
that we will see,
23:06
O Lord,
23:07
your name praised.
23:08
Help us in our outreach,
23:10
that you will bless
23:11
our every endeavour
23:12
to go out with your word,
23:14
that we will be a people
23:15
who seek to do
23:16
and to seek to do
23:18
to your glory
23:19
all things.
23:21
May you continue with us,
23:22
we pray,
23:23
throughout this day
23:24
and as we commit all to you,
23:26
may you guide us, Lord,
23:27
and be our Lord
23:28
and our shepherd
23:29
each and every step
23:30
of the way,
23:31
guiding us
23:32
by your light
23:33
and by your spirit
23:35
as we ask all things
23:36
for the forgiveness
23:37
of our sins,
23:39
looking to you,
23:40
the one who is able
23:41
to pardon,
23:42
the one to whom
23:43
we give all glory
23:44
and praise,
23:45
looking to the name
23:46
above all names,
23:47
the name of our Lord
23:48
and Saviour,
23:49
Jesus Christ,
23:50
for his sake.
23:51
Amen.
23:55
Well, again,
23:56
we'll sing
23:56
to God's praise.
23:58
This time,
23:59
we're singing
23:59
in Psalm 71
24:01
in the Scottish Psalter.
24:04
Psalm 71,
24:05
page 311
24:07
of the psalm books,
24:08
we're singing
24:08
at verse 14
24:10
down to verse 18.
24:17
These words remind us
24:18
again of looking
24:20
to the Lord
24:21
and trusting in him
24:22
for all that lies ahead.
24:24
But I with expectation
24:26
will hope continually
24:27
and yet with praises
24:29
more and more
24:30
I will thee magnify.
24:32
Thy justice and salvation
24:34
my mouth abroad
24:35
shall show
24:35
even all the day
24:37
for either of the numbers
24:39
do not know.
24:40
From verse 14 to 18
24:42
to God's praise.
24:44
Amen.
24:44
But I with expectation
24:55
will hope continually
25:02
and yet with praises
25:09
more and more
25:13
I will be magnified.
25:20
thy justice and salvation
25:30
my mouth and watch
25:36
shall show
25:38
and I will constantly
25:45
go on
25:52
and I will constantly
25:59
go on
26:06
instead of all
26:10
the Lord
26:12
and thine
26:16
your righteousness
26:19
divine
26:20
alone
26:21
I will
26:22
record
26:29
for even
26:35
from
26:36
my
26:38
years
26:39
so far
26:41
by thee
26:43
I have
26:45
been
26:47
taught
26:48
taught
26:49
and
26:51
hither
26:53
to
26:54
I
26:55
have
26:56
declared
26:58
the
27:00
wonders
27:02
thou
27:03
hast
27:05
taught
27:06
and
27:08
the
27:09
glory
27:10
be
27:13
be
27:14
not
27:15
when I
27:16
whole
27:18
land
27:19
be
27:20
headed
27:21
grow
27:22
till
27:25
to
27:26
this age
27:29
thy strength
27:31
and power
27:33
to
27:35
all
27:36
to
27:37
come
27:38
my
27:39
show
27:40
my
27:41
show
27:42
can we turn back to our reading in Matthew's Gospel
27:52
chapter 28 we're going to look at the last few words of this chapter
27:57
just to set in its context we see here the account of the resurrection of Jesus
28:04
something that we're hearing a study on in our Lord's Day evening services
28:09
the wonder of the resurrection and the hope that it gives to God's people
28:14
and it was something that brought much fear to the people even then to think that Jesus is risen
28:22
but he is and we thank God that he is and as he rose he gave this great commission to the disciples and indeed to his church at verse 16
28:33
verse 16
28:34
now the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them
28:39
and when they saw him they worshipped him
28:41
but some doubted
28:43
and Jesus came and said to them
28:45
all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me
28:48
go therefore and make disciples of all nations
28:52
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
28:55
and of the Holy Spirit
28:57
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you
29:01
behold I am with you always to the end of the age
29:07
particularly these words at the end
29:09
and behold I am with you always to the end of the age
29:15
these are words that you have maybe heard many a time before
29:21
maybe even just now in the last evening or so you've heard these words repeated
29:26
or read them again online
29:27
not the words we've read there but the words that were spoken
29:31
at the turn of the year in the Christmas broadcast of 1939
29:37
by King George VI
29:39
in that broadcast he said this
29:43
or he said these words that he was quoting
29:47
and I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year
29:50
give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown
29:55
and he replied
29:57
go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God
30:01
that shall be to you better than light
30:03
and safer than a known way
30:05
so I went forth and finding the hand of God
30:08
throgged gladly into the night
30:10
and he led me towards the hills
30:13
and the breaking of the day in the lone east
30:16
he quoted these words
30:18
that were from a poem by Minnie Haskins
30:21
and this was a time when our nation was on the cusp of the second world war
30:28
things were taking hold in our world at that time
30:32
that would bring much terror and fear to so many over a number of years
30:37
yet these words were spoken to give hope to a people
30:42
in the midst of all that was taking place
30:45
that as they were going forward at that time
30:48
that they would see that there was much that was unknown to them
30:51
but that they were trusted
30:53
that they were to entrust it all to a God who was known
30:57
and who knew all that was to come
31:00
and as we begin a new year ourselves just now
31:03
there's much that is unknown for us
31:06
be it in a personal level
31:08
there's maybe much uncertainty in our own lives at this time
31:12
be it as a church, as a denomination
31:16
again there's so much that we do not know
31:19
just what lies ahead for us
31:21
as a nation as we've seen so much change over these past years
31:26
and the great uncertainties that there are around us all the time
31:29
there's much that is unknown to us
31:32
and in our world that is in constant chaos
31:35
there's much that's unknown to us
31:38
but it is known unto God
31:41
God knows everything that lies ahead of us
31:45
and so we look to him
31:48
and we seek his face as we go forward into this new year
31:54
and it's going forward seeking to know this promise
31:57
that he gave to his disciples long ago
32:00
that we go forward as a people
32:03
who are seeking to worship and honour his name
32:06
in our worship that we give
32:08
and in our worship as we do
32:11
as we go out among the people of our towns and villages
32:15
as we seek to share the gospel with all around us
32:20
that we'll be bold for it
32:22
because we have this promise
32:25
behold I am with you always
32:28
even to the end of the age
32:31
New Year's Day is often an emotional day for so many people
32:36
I'm sure we have all maybe shed or will shed a tear at some point
32:41
last night or during this day
32:43
because looking back it often brings back many different emotions to us
32:48
some recent some maybe from more distant past
32:52
even today as we think again of the reminder of January 1919
32:59
and the great disaster that struck our island with the sinking of the Islay
33:04
or something that's been remembered today again
33:07
we can look in a near past and a near distant past
33:11
there's so much that brings so much emotion to us
33:15
things that have changed and are always changing
33:19
so we go in this sense of uncertainty
33:24
but are we going forward looking and wanting someone to lead us
33:29
even as these words that King George offered up to a nation so long ago
33:36
do we have that desire in our own hearts today
33:40
that as we go into the uncertainty into the unknown
33:43
that we will put our hand in the hand of God
33:47
and that we will go forward with him
33:50
we have one who is the light of the world
33:54
and we have the one who we are to go forward looking to and seeking to know his blessing
34:00
and his grace with us as we go forward
34:04
remembering that he is with us even to the end of the age
34:09
God with us
34:11
that is the heart of encouragement that we have in these words before us
34:18
and they were a people who needed so much encouragement
34:24
as you think of the disciples
34:26
as you think of the women who were at the tomb
34:29
as we read in this chapter as well
34:31
they were a people who needed encouragement
34:34
they had been through so much in following the Lord Jesus
34:39
they had seen many times of great blessing
34:42
and they had seen many times of great trial as well
34:47
culminating in seeing their Lord crucified
34:51
the most horrendous end to our Lord's life as in our eyes
34:56
and yet all planned by God
34:59
all with a purpose for God
35:02
the lowest point in their eyes
35:04
is really what we see as the highest point
35:07
that Christ died for our sins
35:10
but that he is risen
35:13
and as they met with the risen Christ
35:16
we see here in verse 17 that they met with him
35:19
and they worshipped him
35:21
on the mountain on which he had directed them to
35:24
but it says there too that some doubted
35:28
some doubted
35:30
they were still wondering what's going on
35:33
what's happening
35:34
what is the purpose in all of this
35:37
and again it reminds us of our own hearts as well
35:42
even as we come to worship God today
35:44
there could be an element of doubt in our own hearts
35:47
what is God's purpose in this world just now
35:50
what is his plans and purposes for us as a people
35:54
in this world when so many things don't seem to make sense
35:58
but he gives them these words
36:01
words and words with great authority
36:04
Jesus came and said to them
36:05
all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me
36:10
he has all authority in heaven and earth
36:13
and that is still true to this day
36:16
and this authority is the highest authority of all
36:21
and as we see here this authority it leads to a command
36:27
go therefore and make disciples of all nations
36:32
go into this world in the darkness of it
36:36
go and make disciples of all nations
36:39
show my name abroad far and wide
36:42
that my name will be glorified and praised
36:45
teach them to observe all that I had commanded
36:48
and then he gives them this promise
36:51
I am with you always
36:54
even to the end of the age
36:57
and so for a short time
36:58
I want us to think of this promise that he gives
37:01
the promise of his presence
37:04
and that this is the presence
37:06
that we would seek and look for going forward ourselves
37:09
into this new year
37:11
and the first thing about this promise is
37:14
the who of this promise
37:17
who is it that is giving this promise
37:20
when Jesus says
37:23
I am with you
37:26
what does he actually say
37:28
who is it that's actually going to be with them
37:32
it is a wonderful promise
37:35
and one that we have to see the great power
37:37
that's behind it
37:39
the authority that's behind it
37:41
the great I am
37:43
I am
37:44
I am with you always
37:47
we have to look at the name that is here
37:51
there is a name there before us
37:54
in the words
37:55
I am
37:57
it's a name that is powerful
38:00
and when you look at the names given in scripture
38:04
whether it's in the Old Testament or the New Testament
38:07
you often find that names had great significance
38:12
names told us a lot
38:15
not just about the person
38:17
but about the one who was giving the name as well
38:21
and so often throughout scripture you see a name given
38:25
and then the name explained
38:27
now we all have a name ourselves
38:31
but what does our name mean?
38:32
we all have a name given to us at birth
38:36
and if I was to say to you
38:38
my name is Calamurdo Smith
38:40
what does that mean to you?
38:43
maybe it doesn't mean much
38:45
maybe it doesn't explain much about me
38:49
and as people come to us
38:51
and we are meeting new people
38:53
we are often asking questions of one another
38:56
but the most common question
38:58
isn't just what is your name?
39:00
we will often ask as well
39:02
ko asa hau?
39:04
where are you from?
39:05
ko na dunyai?
39:07
who are your people?
39:09
because that tells us more
39:12
and I could tell you so much more about my name
39:15
by explaining where I am from
39:17
and who my people are
39:19
then you might know so much more about me
39:22
and be recognized as belonging to a certain place
39:25
and a certain people
39:27
and when you look in the names in scripture as well
39:30
you find so often that names given by God
39:33
have so much meaning behind them
39:36
you think of Abraham
39:38
whose name was changed by God
39:41
in his covenant with him
39:43
in Genesis 17 verse 5 it says
39:46
no longer shall your name be called Abraham
39:49
but you shall be called Abraham
39:51
for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations
39:57
his name has great purpose
39:59
God gave him a new name
40:01
because he will be the father of a multitude of nations
40:05
so many as the stars in the sky
40:07
and the grains of sand on the seashore
40:10
would be the people of God
40:13
Moses was given a name
40:16
Exodus 2 verse 10 it says
40:19
she named to Moses saying
40:20
I drew him out of the water
40:23
a name that had a meaning behind it
40:26
purpose behind it
40:28
Peter in the New Testament
40:31
was given a new name
40:32
he was Simon
40:33
but Jesus said to him
40:35
I tell you you are Peter
40:37
which means rock
40:38
and he said
40:39
and on this rock
40:40
I will build my church
40:42
and the gates of hell
40:44
shall not prevail against it
40:47
names have so much meaning in scripture
40:51
and so Jesus himself was given a name as well
40:55
he was given many names
40:57
as we thought in this past week
40:59
of the birth of Christ
41:01
we have seen the name given to our Lord and Saviour
41:04
you see it in Matthew chapter 1 verse 23
41:09
it says the virgin will be with child
41:12
and will give birth to a son
41:15
and they shall call him Emmanuel
41:18
which means God with us
41:23
Emmanuel God with us
41:27
and here as we look at this verse
41:29
verse 20 of chapter 28
41:32
chapter 28
41:33
behold I am
41:35
he is the one who will be with us
41:39
Jesus' name means Emmanuel
41:43
God with us
41:45
that is the promise that we have here
41:49
Jesus' name means God will save
41:53
God is salvation
41:55
God is with us to this end
41:59
that he is a God who will save his people
42:04
I am
42:06
and you see this name begins back in the Old Testament
42:11
when Moses is commanded to go and lead God's people out of Egypt
42:16
Moses asks God
42:18
who will I say has sent me
42:20
and God says tell them
42:23
I am has sent you
42:25
God himself
42:27
God with us
42:29
I am
42:31
and then in the New Testament
42:33
when you see the life of Jesus
42:35
you see how often he says
42:37
I am
42:38
the I am sayings of Jesus
42:41
I am the bread of life
42:44
I am the resurrection
42:46
I am the life
42:47
I am the way
42:49
the truth
42:50
and the life
42:51
he is
42:52
the great I am
42:54
and so here as we look at this passage
42:57
and this verse in particular
42:59
who is it that is going to be with us
43:02
as we put our trust in him
43:04
I am
43:06
God
43:07
with us
43:09
just as he was
43:11
with Moses
43:13
just as he was with Joshua
43:15
who was in fear and trembling as well
43:18
and taking over the leadership from Moses
43:20
but God said to him
43:22
be of good courage
43:23
for I am with you
43:25
I am
43:28
there is so much in that name for us
43:32
God
43:33
with us
43:34
that is the promise
43:36
as we go forward
43:38
trusting in him
43:39
I am
43:40
is with us
43:42
God
43:43
is with us
43:45
the second thing we see here is
43:48
the when
43:49
we have the who
43:51
and then we have the when
43:53
I am with you
43:55
always
43:56
I am with you
43:59
always
44:00
always
44:01
it is good to have friends
44:03
and community around us
44:05
going into a new year
44:07
it is good to be able to share
44:09
with people
44:10
to have people
44:11
we can share so many things with
44:13
and especially at a time of year
44:16
when many feel lonely or sad
44:18
to be able to gather around one another
44:21
and share with one another
44:23
to be there to encourage
44:25
and to help
44:26
to help
44:27
but there is no one
44:29
who can be with us
44:31
always
44:32
there is no one who is always there for us
44:36
even our closest loved ones
44:38
there are times when they just cannot be there with us
44:43
but yet we have this assurance here
44:45
that I am is with us always
44:49
always
44:51
so as well as
44:53
the promise of the presence with us
44:55
there is also the promise
44:56
that he is going to be with us
44:58
always
44:59
every step of the way
45:02
that is a promise the Lord gives
45:04
to his people
45:05
that as we put our trust in him
45:08
he will go with us
45:10
always
45:11
it is a repeated promise
45:13
throughout scripture
45:14
of so often
45:15
never will I leave you
45:17
never will I forsake you
45:19
he says to his people
45:20
again and again
45:21
and this is not
45:24
a promise here
45:26
just for the early church
45:28
he is not saying
45:29
just to the disciples
45:30
I am with you
45:32
always
45:33
just for a short time
45:35
until you get the church established
45:38
until you manage to get things going
45:40
yourselves
45:41
then I will leave you to it
45:43
he is not just saying
45:44
this is for a short period of time
45:47
he is not saying either
45:48
I will come and I will be with you
45:50
now and again
45:51
I will come and be with you
45:53
from time to time
45:54
as I see your need
45:56
he is not saying that at all
45:58
he is not saying
45:59
well I will be with the church
46:01
in certain places
46:03
in certain parts of the world
46:05
at certain times
46:07
this is the great I am
46:09
the one who is able to be always present
46:12
with all his people
46:14
everywhere
46:15
and at all times
46:18
it is always
46:19
and everywhere
46:22
and that is something great for us
46:25
to remember too
46:27
that as we go on
46:29
looking to him
46:30
that he is with us always
46:33
to remember that every time
46:34
that we meet as God's people
46:36
he is with us
46:38
to remember that every time
46:39
even when we are not with others
46:41
as we are seeking him
46:42
he is with us
46:43
that great reminder
46:46
in Matthew 18 verse 20
46:48
for where two or three
46:49
come together in my name
46:51
there am I with them
46:54
he is in the midst
46:57
to bless
46:59
and we see that he speaks
47:01
these words
47:02
to his disciples
47:05
to pass on
47:06
to his people
47:07
down through all the generations
47:10
that he will be with his people
47:14
always
47:16
but you notice this is in the midst
47:17
of a command
47:19
being given as well
47:21
so the when is not just always
47:23
but the when is also
47:25
as we are going forward in his name
47:28
go therefore
47:30
and make disciples of all nations
47:33
go
47:34
be a people
47:36
who do
47:37
in my name
47:39
and then you will know
47:40
in an even greater way
47:41
my presence
47:42
with you
47:44
you see it
47:45
throughout scriptures
47:46
again so often
47:48
you think of
47:49
Moses as he was
47:50
going to the people
47:51
the children of Israel
47:53
and as God said
47:54
I am
47:55
has sent you
47:57
what was he doing
47:58
he was sending
47:59
Moses to lead a people
48:01
Joshua too
48:03
was to be a leader
48:04
of the people
48:05
and he was given
48:06
this promise
48:08
be strong and courageous
48:10
for I am with you
48:12
he is saying go
48:13
and do
48:15
and you maybe say to yourself
48:16
ah yes but they were people
48:18
who were specifically called
48:20
they had a great task
48:22
to do for the Lord
48:24
but so does every believer
48:26
every Christian
48:28
has a task from the Lord
48:29
the Lord
48:30
in Haggai
48:31
later on in the Old Testament
48:33
as the people
48:34
are again
48:35
downcast
48:36
and dismayed
48:37
and all that they are seeing
48:38
around them
48:39
the Lord calls
48:40
on his people
48:41
to work
48:42
in Haggai 2 verse 4
48:44
it says
48:45
be strong
48:46
all you people
48:47
of the land
48:48
declares the Lord
48:50
and work
48:51
for I am with you
48:52
declares the Lord Almighty
48:55
he gives
48:56
his people
48:57
a task
48:58
and he is still giving
49:00
his people
49:01
a task
49:02
today
49:03
he still gives
49:04
his church
49:05
a task today
49:06
to go
49:07
to all the nations
49:08
of the world
49:09
to be his witnesses
49:11
to be the people
49:12
who declare
49:13
his glory
49:14
and they go
49:15
and we go
49:16
with this promise
49:17
that I am with you
49:19
always
49:20
a preacher in America
49:23
was telling a story
49:25
about having been speaking
49:27
to a mailman once
49:29
and the mailman
49:30
was sharing with him
49:32
about how he felt
49:33
such a great sense
49:35
of security
49:36
as he was out
49:37
and about
49:38
delivering the mail
49:40
and the preacher
49:41
asked him
49:42
why do you feel
49:43
so safe
49:45
you are all by yourself
49:46
you are going out
49:47
delivering the mail
49:48
and sometimes
49:49
into very dangerous
49:50
parts of the city
49:52
well the postman
49:53
the postman said to him
49:54
well because I know
49:55
all the resources
49:57
of the government
49:58
are pledged
49:59
to support my work
50:00
even if all I am delivering
50:02
is just a simple postcard
50:04
in my bag
50:05
no one dares touch me
50:08
because of the power
50:09
that is behind
50:10
my protection
50:13
every police force
50:14
will come
50:15
and guard me
50:16
if someone would do so much
50:17
as come near me
50:18
there was this security
50:20
in his work
50:21
there was a protection
50:23
over him
50:24
and one of our greatest fears
50:27
as we go about
50:28
the Lord's work
50:29
is our own natural fear
50:32
how can we do it
50:34
we feel weak
50:35
we feel we have no strength
50:37
of ourselves
50:38
we cannot do it ourselves
50:41
but that story
50:42
with the postman
50:43
reminds me about ourselves
50:44
on the business of God
50:46
that as we deliver
50:48
as we deliver
50:49
this great gospel
50:50
to others
50:51
as we stand up
50:52
for this gospel
50:53
before others
50:54
that we have this promise
50:56
I am with you
50:58
always
51:00
I am with you
51:03
and so may 2023
51:05
be a year
51:06
when we are bold
51:09
when we are bold
51:10
to go
51:11
with the gospel
51:13
when we are bold
51:14
to commit to the gospel
51:15
when we are bold
51:17
to stand up
51:18
for the gospel
51:19
in the midst of
51:20
all the attacks
51:21
that come our way
51:22
in the attacks
51:24
to God's name
51:25
through our governments
51:27
and through so many people
51:28
in this world
51:29
who seek to destroy
51:31
and put away
51:32
the name of God
51:33
and the name of Christ
51:35
may we be bold
51:36
to stand up
51:38
to speak out
51:39
to stand up
51:40
for the truth
51:41
of the word of God
51:43
and why can we be so bold
51:46
because of this promise
51:48
I am with you
51:50
always
51:51
he will never
51:53
leave us
51:54
he will never
51:55
fail us
51:57
God is with us
51:58
whatever we do
52:00
so let us seek
52:02
to be a people
52:03
who do
52:04
who go about
52:06
the Lord's business
52:07
with this great assurance
52:09
that he is with us
52:11
that he is with us
52:13
the third
52:14
and the final thing
52:15
I want us to see here
52:16
is how long
52:18
the how long
52:20
I am with you
52:22
always
52:23
to the end
52:24
of the age
52:26
even
52:31
to the end
52:32
of the age
52:34
the disciples
52:36
themselves
52:37
had spoken about
52:38
the end
52:39
of the age
52:40
when would it come
52:42
so many of them
52:43
felt it was coming
52:44
soon
52:45
but the reality is
52:47
that no one knows
52:49
not even the Lord
52:50
Jesus himself
52:51
was able to tell them
52:53
just when it would come
52:55
Matthew 24 verse 3
52:58
the disciples
52:59
talking to Jesus
53:00
saying tell us
53:01
they said
53:02
when will this happen
53:03
and what will be the sign
53:05
of your coming
53:06
at the end
53:07
of the age
53:08
but Jesus
53:10
goes on to say
53:12
verse 10
53:13
at that time
53:14
many will turn away
53:15
from the faith
53:16
and will betray
53:17
and hate each other
53:20
but he said
53:21
he who stands
53:22
firm to the end
53:23
will be saved
53:26
there is this great uncertainty
53:28
as to when the Lord
53:30
will come
53:31
we don't know
53:32
we don't know
53:33
but just as we were saying
53:34
with the young ones
53:35
earlier
53:36
we are to stay awake
53:37
to stay awake
53:39
to be on our watch
53:40
for when that time
53:41
will come
53:42
and while we have time
53:44
to be about
53:45
the Father's business
53:48
to be a people
53:50
of faith
53:52
because he says
53:53
I am with you always
53:54
even to the end
53:57
of the age
53:58
the Lord's strength
54:01
will never fail us
54:03
the Lord's strength
54:05
will always
54:07
be with us
54:08
as we sang
54:09
in Psalm 71
54:10
we are reminded there
54:11
of our own lives
54:14
verse 17
54:15
for even from my youth
54:16
O God
54:17
by thee I have been taught
54:18
and hitherto
54:19
I have declared
54:20
the wonders
54:21
thou has brought
54:22
when we are young
54:23
when we are vibrant
54:24
whether it is in years
54:25
whether it is in years
54:26
or in faith
54:27
there is a sense
54:28
of strength
54:29
in the Lord
54:30
but as we go on
54:32
we maybe feel
54:33
more weary
54:34
and in verse 18
54:35
of that Psalm
54:36
the Psalmist says
54:37
and now Lord
54:38
leave me not
54:39
when I
54:40
old and grey headed
54:42
grow
54:43
till to this age
54:44
thy strength
54:45
and power
54:46
to all to come
54:47
I show
54:48
there is a sense
54:49
of prayer
54:50
in these words
54:51
Lord
54:52
leave me not
54:53
now when I am
54:54
frail in myself
54:55
weak in myself
54:56
leave me not
54:58
till to this age
55:00
thy strength
55:01
and power
55:02
to all to come
55:03
I show
55:04
there is this longing
55:05
in the Psalmist
55:06
to keep going
55:07
all his days
55:09
in the strength
55:10
of the Lord
55:11
and that is
55:12
not just a promise
55:14
and a desire
55:15
for that Psalmist
55:16
it should be our desire
55:17
too
55:18
that the Lord
55:20
would be with us
55:21
even to the end
55:23
of the age
55:24
when is the end
55:26
of the age
55:27
is there an end
55:30
of the age
55:31
well the word
55:34
reminds us that
55:35
though our time here
55:36
is temporary
55:37
there is eternity
55:38
always before us
55:40
and for God's people
55:42
they would ever sing
55:44
his praise
55:46
to all eternity
55:48
he will be with us
55:51
always
55:52
throughout all the ages
55:54
throughout all of time
55:56
throughout all eternity
56:00
so the question today is
56:02
how are we going forward
56:04
into this new year
56:06
are we going forward
56:08
putting our hand
56:09
into the hand of the Lord
56:10
trusting him
56:12
there is a story
56:14
there is a story about
56:15
a cathedral
56:17
that was built
56:18
in Italy
56:19
and on this cathedral
56:21
back many years ago
56:23
there were three entrances
56:25
into the cathedral
56:26
three great doors
56:28
and above each door
56:30
were words inscribed
56:32
into the stone
56:33
and pictures
56:35
above them as well
56:37
over one door
56:40
the door
56:41
was an ornately
56:42
carved wreath
56:43
of roses
56:44
and the words
56:46
underneath
56:47
said
56:48
all that
56:49
all that which pleases
56:51
is but for a moment
56:55
on the other side
56:56
there was another door
56:57
and above this door
56:59
was sculpted
57:01
a cross
57:02
and below this cross
57:04
were the words
57:05
all that which troubles
57:07
is but for a moment
57:09
a moment
57:10
but then there was
57:12
a third door
57:13
in the middle
57:14
the largest
57:15
of the three doors
57:17
and above this door
57:19
was the inscription
57:20
that only
57:22
is important
57:23
which is eternal
57:25
now for many of us
57:28
will be going through
57:29
one of these three doors
57:31
going into the new year
57:32
we'll be going forward
57:35
through a door
57:36
thinking of all the pleasures
57:38
of this world
57:40
all that we're enjoying
57:42
and it's reminding us
57:44
it's but for a moment
57:47
others are maybe going into this year
57:49
with many troubles
57:52
many sorrows
57:53
many sadness
57:54
in their hearts
57:55
but again
57:56
there is a reminder
57:58
as there isn't God's word
57:59
it's but for a moment
58:01
the best way
58:04
to go forward
58:05
is looking to God
58:07
and trusting
58:09
in Him
58:10
for that
58:11
which is permanent
58:13
is eternal
58:15
and God
58:16
is unchanging
58:18
and unchangeable
58:19
and we are to look
58:21
to that God
58:22
as we go on
58:23
into this new year
58:25
yes there will be joys
58:27
along the way
58:28
along the way
58:29
we make the most of them
58:30
but we don't depend on them
58:32
yes there will be troubles
58:34
along the way as well
58:36
but they are for a moment too
58:38
but with God
58:40
and Christ Jesus
58:42
His Son
58:43
is what is eternal
58:44
and it's to what is eternal
58:46
that we are to look
58:48
and to trust
58:49
and to trust
58:50
the one who is
58:51
the great
58:52
I am
58:53
and the one who has promised
58:56
His people
58:57
and His church
58:58
I am with you
59:00
always
59:01
even to the end
59:03
of the age
59:04
may He be with us
59:06
going forward today
59:08
and always
59:09
that we would seek His face
59:11
and know His blessing with us
59:14
let us pray
59:15
let us pray
59:18
our Father in heaven
59:19
we rejoice
59:20
that you are a God
59:21
of so many promises
59:22
promises of blessings
59:24
in this life
59:25
help us to enjoy them
59:27
not selfishly
59:29
not making them
59:30
our priority in life
59:32
but giving thanks
59:33
to you for them
59:34
we know too Lord
59:36
the many troubles
59:37
of this life
59:38
give us strength
59:40
to endure them
59:41
and to come through them
59:42
by your grace
59:44
and by your mercy
59:46
remembering too
59:47
that they are but for a moment
59:49
but help us above all
59:51
to know Jesus Christ
59:52
our Lord
59:53
the one who is eternal
59:55
and the one who gives the hope
59:57
of eternal life
59:58
through faith in Him
1:00:00
may we look to Him
1:00:02
and go forward
1:00:03
today and always
1:00:05
knowing Him
1:00:06
and seeking to serve Him
1:00:08
and knowing that great promise
1:00:10
that I am with you always
1:00:12
even to the end
1:00:13
even to the end
1:00:14
of the age
1:00:15
guide us and keep us
1:00:16
we pray
1:00:17
and pardon our sins
1:00:18
in Jesus name
1:00:19
Amen
1:00:20
Amen
1:00:24
We are going to conclude
1:00:25
by singing to God's praise
1:00:27
in Psalm 46
1:00:29
in the Scottish Psalter
1:00:31
page 271
1:00:32
I'm going to sing
1:00:36
from verse 7
1:00:37
down to the end
1:00:38
of the psalm
1:00:40
The Lord of hosts
1:00:42
upon our side
1:00:43
doth constantly remain
1:00:44
the God of Jacob's
1:00:46
our refuge
1:00:47
us safely
1:00:48
to maintain
1:00:49
at verse 10
1:00:51
be still and know
1:00:52
that I am God
1:00:53
among the heathen
1:00:54
I will be exalted
1:00:55
I on earth
1:00:56
will be exalted
1:00:57
high
1:00:58
we sing from verse 7
1:01:00
to 11
1:01:01
to God's praise
1:01:02
to God's praise
1:01:03
The Lord of hosts
1:01:13
upon our side
1:01:18
doth constantly be within
1:01:25
O God of Jacob's
1:01:27
our refuge
1:01:28
has saved me
1:01:38
to maintain
1:01:42
come and behold
1:01:45
come and behold
1:01:47
what marvelous words
1:01:52
are high the Lord
1:01:55
ye Lord
1:01:57
come see what
1:01:59
there so is
1:02:00
come see what
1:02:03
there so is
1:02:05
come see what
1:02:07
there so is
1:02:08
come see what
1:02:09
the
1:02:15
還
1:02:17
beyond
1:02:18
the earth
1:02:20
had brought
1:02:22
unto the
1:02:27
ends of
1:02:28
all the earth
1:02:30
of all
1:02:31
the earth
1:02:34
Hai
1:02:35
Till peace eternes
1:02:42
The holy grace
1:02:47
Thus here we pass
1:02:52
Then find the child's heart
1:03:00
Be still and know
1:03:07
That I am God
1:03:12
A God, Marie, the light
1:03:20
Where we exalted
1:03:25
Lord, cannot deny
1:03:29
On earth
1:03:31
Will be exalted
1:03:37
High
1:03:39
Out God, dear
1:03:44
In the intriguing-to- spar.
1:03:53
That Roncharis Kingrezyes.
1:04:03
Come to the refuge, I ever will abide.
1:04:19
After the benediction, I'll go to the main door.
1:04:23
Now may grace, mercy, and peace from God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, rest upon and
1:04:29
abide with you all, now and forevermore. Amen.