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Love at Christ's Cross · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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to nations then let's begin our worship this evening and we're going to sing first of all
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from psalm 65 psalm 65 using the traditional scottish psalter version page 299 the tune is
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harris field we're singing verses 1 to 5 all lands to god and joyful sounds aloft your voices raise
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sing forth the honor of his name and glorious make his praise say unto god how terrible in
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all thy works art thou through thy great power thy foes to thee shall be constrained to bow so through
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to verse 5 come and the works that god has done with admiration see in his working to the sons of men
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most terrible is he and of course terrible in these verses is used in the old sense of awesome
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the awesomeness of god as he declares himself and shows himself through his work so these verses
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all lands to god
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six
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six
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uh it's psalm 65
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so it's verses 1 to 5 of psalm 65 thank you to the presenter who's alert more than i am
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um so praise waits for thee in zion lord to thee vows paid shall be without that here at art of prayer
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all flesh shall come to thee so it's page 297 and it's psalm 65 praise waits for thee in zion lord
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in zion lord to thee vows paid shall be with which for thee in zion lord to thee vows paid shall be
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o love that here at art of prayer all flesh shall come to thee
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jiffel
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In the Christ Jesus I must confess,
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Reveal against me too,
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But us for our transgressions
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Then perch away shall flow.
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He blessed the man whom love us choose,
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And is supposed to be,
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That he within thy courts, O Lord,
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May still and forever be.
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We surely shall be satisfied
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With thy abundant grace,
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And with the goodness of thy heart,
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In all thy holy grace.
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God of our salvation,
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Thou live in thy righteousness,
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Thy fearful words unto our faith,
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Thy answer does justice.
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For the ends of all the earth,
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And those that are not free,
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Upon the sea their consequences,
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O Lord will bless them thee.
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Now let's once more call upon the Lord in prayer.
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Let's join together in prayer.
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Our gracious and blessed God,
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As we give thanks for these great words we have sung,
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We give thanks for the many truths contained in them,
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And for the way that they bear upon the experience
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Of your believing people.
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And we thank you, Lord,
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That our salvation is in your hand.
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We thank you for the way that it contains so much
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That we ourselves appreciate and benefit from,
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From day to day.
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We thank you especially for the emphasis in these words
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Of your forgiveness of sin,
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And for the way that you hear those who come
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With their cry in repentance,
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Seeking that you would forgive their sin
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And cover their sin from your sight.
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And we, Lord, confess as a congregation
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That this is an important element
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In our congregational worship too,
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As well as in our own private confession of sin.
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And so, Lord,
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Tonight we pray that you would forgive and pardon our iniquity.
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For we bring our transgressions to you,
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Confessing, O Lord,
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That they exceed our ability to number them or describe them.
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But we give thanks that they are all known to thee.
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And we give thanks that they are all known to the God
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Who has made such provision for them,
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Against them,
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In the Lord Jesus Christ.
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And so we give thanks, Lord,
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Tonight that we can come to you,
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That we can draw near to you,
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That we are not in a position where our sin
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Is marked against us
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For our everlasting condemnation.
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We give thanks that as we come,
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We are confident
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That you will receive us in the Lord Jesus Christ
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And for his sake.
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We thank you for all that
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We experienced already today
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On this Lord's day.
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And especially we give thanks
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For seeing a baptism
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And partaking of the Lord's Supper
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And being witnesses of it.
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And we pray that that will be blessed to us
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As we continue to dwell our mind
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Upon the great realities
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That are set out therein.
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Our being washed from our sin.
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Our communion with Christ.
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Our partaking of the benefits
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Of his atoning death.
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O Lord, our God,
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Make us thankful increasingly
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That we have such privileges given to us.
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Make us thankful that you did not leave us
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In the darkness of our own minds.
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That you gave us to be
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Recipients of such grace
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And of such benefits.
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We pray tonight again, Lord,
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For your Holy Spirit to work among us.
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And we give thanks, O Lord,
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For the evidences we have
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From time to time
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That you are actively working
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In people's hearts.
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That you are bringing them
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To know yourself.
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And bringing them to confess this
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Before their fellow human beings.
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We give thanks that you are active
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In adding to the number
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Of your confessing church.
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And we pray, Lord,
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That as we have witnessed that
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Already in these past few days.
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So we give thanks
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And give thanks for the encouragement
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That this gives us.
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That your word
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Does not return to you empty.
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But that as you send it forth
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With the power of your spirit.
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And so you come
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To change people inwardly.
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And you come
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To draw them to yourself.
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And you come
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To constrain them
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And to persuade them.
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To make it known
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To others as well
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That they are your people.
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That you are their God.
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We pray, Lord,
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For those
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Who were first-time
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Recipients
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Of the Lord's Supper
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Today.
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We ask, O Lord,
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Your blessing
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For each and all of them.
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We pray for Catherine
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And Yendon
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And Myrdo
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We thank you
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For the encouragement
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It gives us
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To see them
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Taking this step.
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We pray that you
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Would keep them
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That you would guide them
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That they may know
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Your protective care.
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And when the evil one
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Comes at times
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To attack them
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To seek to draw them
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Aside and away
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From being obedient
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To you
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And following you.
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Lord, grant them
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The strength
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To resist and overcome.
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And help them
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To continue
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To depend
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Upon the Lord
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Who is faithful
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To all his people.
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And we thank you
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That as they have
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Shown their faith
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And their hope
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In action,
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Lord, so that you
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Would continue
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To watch over them
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And graciously bless
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Them from day to day.
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Bless all others,
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O Lord,
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Who also sat
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At your table today.
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We ask that you
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Would continue
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To bless us
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Through these means
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Of grace
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In word and sacrament.
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We ask, O God,
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That it may prove
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To be for our
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Furtherance
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As a congregation
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That you would
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Grant your blessing
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To us as a people
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In whatever ways,
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O Lord,
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You have gifted us
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And we thank you
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For the many gifts
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That are found
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Within this congregation
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And for the way
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That you persuade
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So many people
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To use them
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To the furtherance
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Of your great name
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Of your great name
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And cause.
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And we pray
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That you bless
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All the work
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That is done
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From week to week
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And throughout each week
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Along with the worship
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Services of the congregation.
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And Lord,
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Bless them,
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We pray,
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And continue
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To bless those
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Who give of their time
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So freely
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And do so
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So selflessly
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In particular
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In regard to the teaching
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Of our young people
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And their care
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And their welfare
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To those who arrange
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Other meetings
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Throughout each week
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From time to time
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We pray,
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O Lord,
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That all of these
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May prove to be
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A further blessing
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To us as a people.
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We pray too,
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Lord,
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For those others
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Tonight
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Who meet as we do
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Throughout this town
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Throughout our islands
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Throughout our nation
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And we pray
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That your people
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May be encouraged
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And that we may see
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Movements of your Holy Spirit
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Bringing many others
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To know you
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And to follow you
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And to testify for you
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And we pray
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For those today
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In places of influence
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And importance
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In our land
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And Lord,
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When we face another
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General election
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To elect a government
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Over us
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We pray
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That you would guide us
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We pray
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That we may have
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The light
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Of your truth
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As we come to choose
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The government
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And we pray
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That you would
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Direct us,
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Lord,
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As to who to choose
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And where to cast
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Our votes
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We thank you
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For the liberty
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We have in doing this
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Help us,
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Lord,
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Whatever temptations
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We may have
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To withdraw
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From that process
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Even if we find
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That those who
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May not be
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To our liking
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Are brought before us
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As candidates
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Nevertheless,
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Lord,
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Help us,
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We pray,
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To exercise
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Our great privilege
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And freedom
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In coming to
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Elect those
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Who would be
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In government
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Over us
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We pray
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That you would
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Grant your blessing
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To us
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As we seek
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Your guidance
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As your people
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During this time
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We pray your blessing
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Tonight for
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All who can't be
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With us
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Especially those
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Who are ill
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Be near to them
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Lord,
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We pray
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And those who
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Mourn
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The passing
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Of loved ones
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We commend them
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To you
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Asking your comfort
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Lord,
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To be their portion
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Asking that you
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Would draw near
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To them
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And that you
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Would give them
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That stillness
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Of mind
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That would reflect
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Upon matters
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And bring them
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To yourself
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Remember,
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We pray
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All today
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Throughout the world
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Who have
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Such different
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Circumstances to ours
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Oh Lord
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We think of the
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Many places
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In the world
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Where war
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Continues to
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Blight the experience
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Of people
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Where many people
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Continue to
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Lose their lives
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And homes
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And other goods
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As well
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We pray
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For the situation
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Ongoing in Ukraine
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And for the dangers
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That exist there
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And for the further
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Encroachment
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Of oppression
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Upon the Ukrainian people
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Oh Lord
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We pray
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That you would
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Grant your own
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Intervention
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Grant that you would
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Stay the hands
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Of the aggressor
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We pray such as well
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In other parts
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Of the world
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Where violence
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Whether in the
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Middle East
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Or in other places
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Where violence
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Blights the lives
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Of so many people
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Lord send forth
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Your light
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And your truth
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Bring people
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To peace
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With one another
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And especially
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Bring them
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The peace
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Of the gospel
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And we ask
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That that may be so
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To the furtherance
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Of your own kingdom
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Be with us then
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Now we pray
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As we wait upon you
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Be with us later
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In the fellowship
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To grant us there
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The sense of your presence
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And the blessing
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Of your spirit
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Hear us
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We pray now
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In Jesus name
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And for his sake
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Amen
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Well we'll sing again
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To God's praise
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This time we're singing
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From Psalm 9
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Psalm number 9
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9a
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That's on page
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Number 9
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And we'll sing
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Verses 7 to 12
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And we're singing
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To a tune
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Martyrs
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The Lord forever reigns
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On high
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His throne
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For judgment
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Stands
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He'll judge
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The world
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In righteousness
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With justice
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Rule the lands
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The Lord will be
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A hiding place
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For those
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Who are oppressed
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And he will be
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A strong defense
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For those
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Who are distressed
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All those
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Who know your name
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O Lord
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In you
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Their trust
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Will place
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For you do not
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Abandon those
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Who seek
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Your gracious face
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So on to verse 12
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From verse 7
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The Lord forever
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Reigns on high
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His throne
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For justice
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He'll judge
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The world
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In righteousness
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Let justice
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Rule the lands
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Of course
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The Lord
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Will be
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A hiding place
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For those
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Who are oppressed
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And he will be
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For those
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Who are oppressed
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For those
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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For those
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For those
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Who are oppressed
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Procure what he has done
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In avenger Roman's blood
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Remember haste evermore
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I cry, O Thee Ungrated One, Thee never will be more.
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Now we turn to read God's Word in the Gospel of John.
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The Gospel according to John, reading chapter 19, and beginning at verse 17.
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So we'll read from 17 right through down to verse 42.
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So John 19 at verse 17.
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So they took Jesus and he went out bearing his own cross to the place called the place of a skull,
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which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.
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There they crucified him and with him two others, one on either side and Jesus between them.
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Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross.
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It read, Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.
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Many of the Jews read this inscription for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city
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and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin and in Greek.
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So the chief priest of the Jews said to Pilate, do not write the king of the Jews,
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but rather this man said, I am king of the Jews.
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Pilate answered, what I have written, I have written.
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When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts,
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one part for each soldier, also his tunic.
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But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
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So they said to one another, let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.
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This was to fulfill the scripture which says, they divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
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So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister,
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Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
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When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby,
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he said to his mother, woman, behold your son.
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Then he said to the disciple, behold your mother.
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And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own home.
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After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said, to fulfill the scripture, I thirst.
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A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.
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When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, it is finished.
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And he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
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Since it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath,
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for the Sabbath was a high day,
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the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken,
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and that they might be taken away.
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So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him.
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But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
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they did not break his legs.
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But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear,
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and at once there came out blood and water.
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He who saw it has borne witness.
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His testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth.
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That you also may believe.
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For these things took place, that the scripture might be fulfilled.
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Not one of his bones will be broken.
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And again another scripture says,
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They will look on him whom they have pierced.
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After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus,
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but secretly for fear of the Jews,
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asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus,
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and Pilate gave him permission.
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So he came and took away his body.
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Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night,
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came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes,
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about 75 pounds in weight.
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So they took the body of Jesus,
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and bound it in linen cloths with the spices,
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as is the burial custom of the Jews.
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Now in the place where he was crucified,
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there was a garden,
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and in the garden a new tomb,
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in which no one had yet been laid.
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So because of the Jewish day of preparation,
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since the tomb was close at hand,
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they laid Jesus there.
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Amen again.
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May God bless to us reading that portion of his word.
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Let's now sing from Psalm 25.
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That's on page 29.
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Psalm 25 and verses 8 to 15.
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Let's sing into a tune this time as Finart.
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Psalm 25 and verse 8.
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And so on down to verse 15.
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Because the Lord is just and good.
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He shows his heart to all his game.
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He guides the weak in what is right,
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and teaches them this holy way.
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And so to keep his calm and loss,
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he shows his love consistently.
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For he is so and good.
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For he is so and good.
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For he is so and good.
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For he is so and good.
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Oh, Lord, my God,
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forgive my gate in equity.
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Then not those to fear the Lord,
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he'll teach to them the choice.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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This morning we looked at those who sat down in the vicinity of the cross and kept watch,
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and we considered some of the things that they would have seen, some of the things that
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they would have heard as they passed the time there while Jesus was being crucified up
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to the time that he died.
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And tonight we're going to look at love in relation to the cross.
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Because what you find happening here in the care that's taken over the body of Jesus by
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Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea is indicative of the love that they had for him.
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And love indeed that showed itself in going to Pilate, asking that he would release the
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body of Jesus now that they knew that Jesus was dead.
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And so they carefully took the body from the cross.
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They carefully treated it in the manner of the Jews for burial.
26:37
And they dealt with it in a way that showed great love and affection for these remains
26:44
of Jesus, humanly speaking.
26:46
And so that love in relation to the cross is another important aspect of how that cross
26:54
bears upon our own experience, how the death of Jesus relates to our love for him, and how
27:03
that is something which we also seek to commend to others from time to time.
27:09
And we need to consider something of the background to these verses, something of the background indeed
27:15
to these two people as they came here to take the body of Jesus and treat it with respect
27:22
and with love.
27:24
And we call that love becoming public.
27:29
Love becoming public.
27:32
Because both of these men were disciples of Jesus, but up to now they were that secretly.
27:40
They hadn't made it known that they were actually believers in Christ.
27:45
That they were trusting in Christ.
27:48
That they were actually disciples of Jesus.
27:52
You can see the reason secretly for fear of the Jews.
27:56
That's why they had kept it previously hidden.
28:00
Nobody knew apart from themselves that they were, as far as we can see, that they were actually
28:05
disciples of Jesus.
28:06
And you can understand that because the persecution they would face from the members of the Sanhedrin
28:13
that they belonged to would have been intense.
28:17
And that had been made known even to other people as time went on, as they followed Jesus,
28:23
that anybody who came to confess them would be thrown out of the synagogue.
28:27
And so you see that the way in which they kept that hidden is, in fact, very understandable.
28:37
Very understandable because of the situation that they were in.
28:40
And because of the relative danger as well that would come from making known that they
28:45
were disciples of this Jesus that the scribes and Pharisees wanted to be rid of.
28:50
And as far as they were concerned was an imposter who blasphemed and took to himself the title
28:57
of the Son of God, which they did not see he was entitled to.
29:02
And although you understand where they were coming from and understand the reference that
29:09
they were doing this secretly for fear of the Jews, there's nothing at all in any of the
29:14
passages dealing with this that suggest for a moment that this really actually was quite
29:19
a commendable thing.
29:20
It's understandable, but it's not actually commendable.
29:24
Because nowhere in the Bible do you find anything to suggest that when we come to know the Lord,
29:30
we really should just keep that to ourselves and go about our own business and not make it
29:35
public and not actually have to face whatever we need to face in coming out publicly to say
29:41
that he's our savior, that we are his people.
29:44
And so here is love that previously was real, but didn't come into public light because they
29:52
were afraid of the Jews, afraid of the ruling authorities.
29:56
Both of these men were in the ruling council of the temple, members of the Sanhedrin.
30:02
And so they were afraid of their fellow council members that this would really make trouble
30:07
for them if it became known that they were disciples of Jesus.
30:10
But nowhere do you find that that's actually something commendable.
30:15
God doesn't praise that, although it's understandable why they were like that.
30:21
And so tonight, you may be a secret disciple of Jesus.
30:27
You may be a true believer in Christ.
30:30
But for whatever reason, you've not yet made it known, such as those today who came and sat
30:35
at the table, some for the first time have made it known, this is my Lord, this is my savior.
30:42
I want to serve him.
30:44
I want to make it clear that I am his, that he is mine.
30:48
So if you are here tonight and your trust is in Jesus, but you haven't yet made that known,
30:55
think about what that means to him.
30:58
Think about all that he's done for you so as to save you from your sins.
31:04
Think of the love that has gone towards the death that he died as we saw this morning.
31:12
Think of his commitment as we saw it to his death, despite everything that was tempting him
31:18
to draw aside from that, to turn back from that.
31:22
And as you think of the commitment of Jesus, the love of Jesus,
31:27
the way that Jesus saw it through right to the end,
31:30
even refusing what might indeed have dulled his pain.
31:36
Think tonight if you're here and you're not yet openly following Christ.
31:43
Think of how he sees that.
31:46
Why should you keep it hidden when he did all this for you?
31:51
Why should you not make it known?
31:52
Why should you not be at the next communion, God willing,
31:57
and sitting with the Lord's people at his table?
32:01
Love needs to be made known.
32:04
Love indeed will at some point make itself known.
32:07
And for whatever good reason they had to keep it hidden,
32:11
there's nothing there that would say this is actually a good thing.
32:14
And so for all of you today who are here and have not yet come to take communion
32:21
or taken the step of making known that you are Christ's,
32:25
please consider what that means.
32:29
And if you're here tonight and you've not yet accepted Jesus,
32:33
if you know the gospel as you do,
32:35
and I've heard many times of Jesus actually being offered to us in the gospel,
32:40
offering himself to us in the gospel,
32:42
why should you be amongst those who have not accepted him?
32:47
Why should you be left out of salvation through Jesus and in Jesus?
32:52
Why should you go on to live and go on living without him
32:56
when you know that God in his word commends him
33:01
as one to love, one to serve, one to trust in,
33:06
one to look forward to meeting in heaven?
33:09
This is love previously hidden and love actually now revealed.
33:15
And when you go to Mark's gospel, Mark chapter 15 and verse 43,
33:20
you read there that they took courage.
33:24
He actually went and took courage to demand or to request really of Pontius Pilate,
33:31
the governor, that he would release the body of Jesus.
33:34
Joseph himself, a respected member of the council,
33:38
who was himself looking for the kingdom of God, as Mark puts it,
33:41
he took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
33:47
Now, there's one thing that's going to give you courage,
33:49
is to actually contemplate the death of Jesus, the cross of Jesus,
33:54
and to contemplate for yourself what that means to you,
33:58
what he's done for you.
34:00
And that really surely brings courage to the fore
34:04
so that you come out as well,
34:06
even if you would not say of yourself,
34:09
well, this is a very courageous thing to do.
34:11
It's the right thing to do.
34:12
And certainly in that context, it was a courageous thing to do
34:16
because it was difficult for them knowing what might result in consequence.
34:21
And there are many people tonight in the world
34:24
who have far more difficult circumstances than any of us have,
34:28
or most of us at least have.
34:30
Places in the world where coming out on the side of Christ
34:34
will almost inevitably lead to your death,
34:38
especially where there are authorities that have either
34:43
an antipathy to the gospel one way or the other,
34:47
or follow other different religions that are in antipathy
34:50
and indeed at times a hatred of the gospel and a hatred of Jesus.
34:55
These people actually have to come as they believe in Christ
34:58
and come to make it known that they are Christ's people
35:01
and make it known that they follow him,
35:03
that they are indeed disciples of Christ.
35:06
We have the privilege of the freedoms that we have
35:09
and our difficulties are relatively small
35:12
compared to the difficulties of other disciples in the world
35:15
who have come out and said,
35:17
no, this is where we stand.
35:18
We love him.
35:19
We want to serve him.
35:21
He is our Lord.
35:23
And we want to make it plain
35:24
that we are a believing people
35:27
who follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
35:31
Faith takes courage from the death of Christ,
35:35
from contemplating what that death has meant
35:38
to the person who is a disciple.
35:41
You can go to chapter 12 here, for example,
35:45
and find another example of that,
35:48
a real difficulty outwardly.
35:50
And for this woman, in chapter 12,
35:52
Mary, who anointed Jesus at Bethany.
35:55
This is how the chapter begins,
35:57
six days before the Passover.
35:59
He came to Bethany where Lazarus was,
36:01
whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
36:04
And they gave a dinner for him there.
36:06
Martha served.
36:07
Lazarus was one of those reclining at a table with him.
36:11
Now just think of the context.
36:13
Very, very public thing.
36:15
Here was Lazarus, who'd been raised from the dead,
36:19
gathering, grabbing the notice, if you like,
36:21
of so many people around
36:22
who knew that he had been buried,
36:25
that he had in fact died.
36:26
And yet here he was,
36:28
sharing a table with the Lord, with Jesus.
36:32
Mary, therefore,
36:33
took a pound of expensive ointment
36:35
made from pure nard
36:37
and anointed the feet of Jesus
36:39
and wiped his feet with her hair.
36:42
And she's saying about him,
36:44
I can't let this opportunity go
36:46
without showing my love for him,
36:49
without showing what he means to me,
36:52
without showing that he is just so special,
36:55
that although this is a very costly ointment,
36:57
I have to use it
36:59
and I have to spend it
37:01
and I have to pour it out for him.
37:04
And of course, Judas Iscariot said,
37:07
why was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii
37:10
and given to the poor?
37:12
He said this not because he cared about the poor,
37:14
but because he was a thief
37:15
and having charge of the money bag.
37:18
He used to help himself to what was put in it.
37:20
And Jesus said,
37:21
leave her alone
37:23
so that she may keep it
37:25
or she has kept it
37:26
for the day of my burial.
37:29
You see, she saw in Jesus
37:31
the one who was going to die for her sins.
37:35
And here she is showing her affection
37:38
for the cross,
37:39
for the death of Jesus,
37:40
for the Jesus who is about to die.
37:43
And this is what she does.
37:45
It's not too costly for her
37:47
to spend this on him,
37:48
to pour this out on him.
37:51
You know, sometimes we think about
37:53
the cost of following Jesus.
37:56
And in a sense, of course,
37:57
there is a cost to following Jesus.
38:00
You attract attention.
38:02
There's difficulties and challenges
38:04
facing you in confessing your faith in Christ
38:07
in a world that largely doesn't want to know him.
38:11
But what is cost
38:12
compared to the cost for him?
38:15
What is the cost of this very expensive ointment
38:19
compared to the Jesus
38:21
on whose body this was poured out?
38:26
You see, for Mary,
38:28
it's not costly at all.
38:30
It's the least she can do.
38:31
For Judas Iscariot,
38:33
hypocrite as he was,
38:34
this is far too much to spend on Jesus.
38:37
And you'll find so many people in the world
38:38
that will say to you tonight,
38:40
you surely don't want to give your life to him.
38:42
You surely don't want to spend that much of time with him
38:45
or energy for him.
38:47
Surely that's just a bit of a waste, really.
38:49
Think of all else you could do with your life
38:50
instead of coming openly to be one of Jesus' disciples.
38:56
Well, it's not too much
38:58
when you consider what he has done for his people.
39:02
And we've come from the Lord's table today.
39:05
And now here at the cross,
39:08
we find Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
39:13
coming into the open,
39:15
showing their love for Jesus
39:17
and love for his body now,
39:19
hanging on the cross.
39:21
Surely you're saying,
39:23
I have to do that as well.
39:25
I can't let this moment pass
39:27
and just let the world go on
39:29
thinking that I don't belong to him.
39:31
I will do what they did.
39:34
I'll come out
39:35
and I'll show
39:37
that I love him
39:39
and I love what he's done for me.
39:42
So there's love becoming public.
39:46
But secondly, let's look at
39:47
love's action
39:48
towards this Jesus.
39:51
And the first thing you notice here
39:52
is that Joseph
39:54
had a tomb,
39:56
which actually was his own tomb.
39:57
It was taken
39:58
and created for himself
40:00
a garden,
40:02
in the garden,
40:02
a new tomb
40:03
in which no one had yet been laid.
40:05
And from Matthew's Gospel,
40:06
chapter 27
40:07
and verse 60,
40:09
you find this was actually
40:10
for Joseph himself.
40:12
He had prepared this tomb
40:14
for himself
40:15
long before this
40:16
or sometime
40:17
before this,
40:18
before he ever came
40:20
to carry the body of Jesus
40:23
and place it there.
40:24
And so,
40:26
that was for himself
40:28
to begin with.
40:30
But here he is saying,
40:31
no,
40:32
actually I'm going to give this
40:33
to Christ.
40:35
I'm going to give this
40:36
for his body.
40:39
This is not going to be
40:40
for me after all.
40:41
It'll be for him.
40:43
It'll be for him
40:44
who did
40:45
this for me
40:46
to die the death
40:47
that he died on the cross.
40:49
And it was a new tomb.
40:50
It was significant
40:51
that nobody had ever been
40:53
an occupant
40:54
of that chamber.
40:56
Nobody had ever been
40:57
in that tomb.
40:57
It was for Joseph himself.
40:59
And that's significant too
41:00
because it's set apart
41:01
exclusively
41:02
for Jesus himself.
41:05
Now,
41:05
when you think of that
41:06
and go to
41:06
the Old Testament,
41:08
let me just
41:09
turn your minds
41:10
to Psalm 45.
41:12
Psalm 45
41:13
is a royal psalm.
41:15
A psalm
41:15
that anticipates Jesus.
41:17
A psalm
41:17
that's prophetic
41:18
of Jesus.
41:19
And all the way
41:21
through that wonderful psalm,
41:23
you'll find the psalmist
41:24
expressing his love.
41:26
My heart overflows
41:27
with a pleasing thing.
41:29
My address,
41:30
my verses
41:30
to the king.
41:32
You are the most handsome
41:33
of the sons of men.
41:35
Grace is poured
41:36
upon your lips.
41:38
And then he appeals
41:39
to him
41:40
to ride out
41:41
victoriously
41:42
to conquer
41:43
his enemies.
41:44
And then he comes
41:45
to verse 6.
41:45
Your throne,
41:47
O God,
41:47
is forever and ever.
41:49
The scepter
41:50
of your kingdom
41:51
is a scepter
41:52
of righteousness.
41:53
The kingliness
41:54
of Jesus.
41:55
Remember this tomb
41:56
that Joseph had,
41:58
which was for himself
41:59
originally,
42:00
is now coming
42:01
to be provided
42:02
for Jesus,
42:03
who is,
42:04
as we saw this morning,
42:05
the king,
42:06
despite the fact
42:07
that he was mocked
42:08
for claiming
42:09
to be such.
42:11
Therefore,
42:11
God,
42:12
your God,
42:13
has anointed you.
42:13
You have loved
42:14
righteousness
42:15
and hated wickedness.
42:17
Your robes
42:18
are all fragrant
42:19
with myrrh
42:20
and aloes.
42:21
Who would have thought
42:21
that these items
42:23
would have been seen
42:24
in the anointing
42:25
of Jesus' dead body
42:27
prior to his burial?
42:29
How wonderful
42:30
the scripture is,
42:31
just as we find
42:32
in Psalm 22,
42:33
such a reference
42:35
minutely to
42:36
the way that his body
42:37
was pierced
42:38
and his hands
42:39
and his feet.
42:41
So here you find
42:42
a reference
42:43
to the kingliness
42:43
of Jesus.
42:44
And all the way
42:46
through,
42:46
you follow it
42:47
through,
42:49
and you can see
42:50
that it says
42:50
that all glorious
42:52
is the princess
42:53
in her chamber.
42:54
You can take that
42:55
as an emblem
42:57
or a picture
42:57
of God's people
42:58
as the church
42:59
that are married
43:00
to Jesus.
43:01
What does he say?
43:02
With joy
43:03
and gladness
43:04
they are led along
43:06
as they enter
43:07
the palace
43:07
of the king
43:09
and so on.
43:10
But what I'm saying
43:10
is that here
43:11
is an example
43:12
of Jesus,
43:13
the royal king,
43:14
that he is.
43:15
And you go to
43:16
John's gospel there
43:17
and you'll find
43:18
that this tomb
43:21
that's given
43:21
specially for him
43:23
is really amounting
43:25
to a royal burial.
43:27
It amounts to
43:28
the burial
43:28
of a king.
43:30
It's the least
43:31
he deserves
43:32
to have a tomb
43:33
in which no one
43:34
was ever yet laid.
43:37
And there
43:38
they laid
43:39
Jesus.
43:41
Now notice that.
43:42
Since the tomb
43:44
was at hand
43:45
because of the
43:46
Jewish day of preparation,
43:48
since the tomb
43:48
was close at hand,
43:50
they laid
43:51
Jesus there.
43:53
Now you go to
43:54
the other gospels
43:55
that speak mostly
43:56
about his body.
43:57
That's not absent
43:58
obviously from this passage.
44:00
But why does it say
44:01
here in the final words
44:02
they laid
44:03
Jesus there?
44:06
It doesn't say
44:07
they laid his body there
44:08
although that of course
44:09
is what was happening.
44:10
but John saw fit
44:11
to say
44:12
they laid
44:13
Jesus there.
44:14
Why is that?
44:16
What makes the difference?
44:17
Why is he saying this?
44:18
Well because I think
44:19
we're led into
44:20
how
44:22
the burial
44:23
of the body
44:24
of Jesus
44:25
was something
44:26
that was
44:27
attached
44:27
so closely
44:29
so intimately
44:29
to his person.
44:31
Remember when you think
44:32
of the person
44:33
of Jesus
44:33
who is this Jesus?
44:36
You don't think
44:36
of his human nature
44:37
to answer the question
44:39
who is he?
44:41
You go to his divine nature
44:42
as the son of God.
44:43
He is
44:44
the son of God.
44:45
That's his identity.
44:47
The son of God
44:48
who has taken
44:48
human nature
44:49
to himself
44:50
but he is
44:51
the son of God
44:52
and that's what
44:53
identifies him.
44:55
And when it says here
44:56
that they laid
44:57
Jesus there
44:58
the experience
44:59
of death
45:00
the experience
45:01
of being buried
45:02
was something
45:04
that was experienced
45:05
by the son of God.
45:07
We're not saying
45:08
that God
45:09
in his divine nature
45:10
died
45:11
which could not be
45:13
but it is the son of God
45:15
the divine son of God
45:16
the second person
45:18
of the Trinity
45:18
that God is
45:19
who comes here
45:21
to experience
45:22
his being buried
45:24
bodily.
45:26
And that's so important
45:27
too for us
45:28
because
45:28
Jesus
45:29
experienced
45:31
every aspect
45:33
of death
45:34
that belongs
45:35
to death.
45:36
We saw this morning
45:37
spiritual death
45:39
the death he experienced
45:40
in his soul
45:40
which was
45:42
something
45:44
of the greatest
45:46
possible pain
45:47
separation
45:49
from God.
45:51
And if you go to
45:52
the likes of
45:53
1 Corinthians 15
45:54
and verse 4
45:55
where Paul says
45:56
I delivered to you
45:57
what I received
45:58
from the Lord.
46:00
It's so significant
46:01
that in terms
46:02
of that summary
46:03
of the gospel
46:04
what Jesus
46:05
had given to Paul
46:08
to then deliver
46:09
in the message
46:10
of the gospel
46:10
it actually
46:12
involves
46:12
also includes
46:14
that he was
46:15
buried
46:16
because the apostles
46:18
saw this
46:18
as an important
46:19
emphasis
46:20
and element
46:21
in thinking
46:22
about the death
46:23
of Jesus
46:23
and what followed.
46:26
They specifically
46:26
mentioned
46:27
that he was buried
46:29
and in our own
46:30
catechism
46:31
in our own
46:32
confession
46:34
of faith
46:35
as well
46:35
these documents
46:36
those who drew up
46:37
these
46:38
followed the scriptures
46:39
which referred
46:41
to him being
46:42
buried
46:42
that that was part
46:44
of his humiliation
46:45
he died on the cross
46:46
and he was
46:48
buried.
46:53
And
46:53
in other words
46:54
it's part of what
46:56
1 Corinthians 15
46:57
puts of first
46:59
importance
46:59
Paul says
47:00
that's what I
47:01
delivered to you
47:02
that which is of
47:03
first importance
47:04
how that Jesus
47:05
died for our sins
47:07
according to the
47:08
scripture
47:08
that he was buried
47:10
that he was raised
47:11
again the third
47:12
day.
47:15
Now there's
47:16
understandably
47:17
a fear
47:18
on our part
47:19
to some extent
47:19
at least
47:20
of the grave
47:21
when you stand
47:24
at an open
47:25
graveside
47:26
a dot
47:27
to give us
47:28
a chill
47:28
I've done that
47:31
nearly 300 times
47:32
even since I came
47:33
here to Stornoway
47:34
and every time
47:36
you stand there
47:37
which should
47:39
actually have
47:40
that impact
47:40
upon us
47:41
you're seeing
47:43
death
47:44
in that body
47:45
being laid
47:46
to rest
47:46
in the tomb
47:47
separated from
47:49
the soul
47:49
that has gone
47:50
to eternity
47:50
very solemn
47:53
sight
47:54
something that
47:55
really
47:56
in some sense
47:57
fills us
47:57
with a sense
47:58
of dread
47:59
and it's
48:01
understandable
48:01
that we would
48:02
fear the grave
48:04
but you know
48:05
as a believer
48:06
in Christ
48:06
if you're
48:07
tonight
48:07
a believer
48:08
in Christ
48:08
you need
48:09
not fear
48:10
the grave
48:11
you need
48:11
not fear
48:12
your body
48:12
being laid
48:13
into the earth
48:14
and returning
48:15
to dust
48:15
why?
48:16
because he's
48:17
been there
48:18
before you
48:18
because he
48:20
the pioneer
48:21
who has
48:22
defeated death
48:23
has actually
48:24
experienced
48:25
even that
48:26
aspect of death
48:27
so that as he
48:28
comes to be
48:29
raised from
48:29
the dead
48:30
bodily
48:30
so that says
48:32
to you
48:32
and to me
48:33
I can see
48:34
now that death
48:35
in all its
48:37
completeness
48:38
has been
48:38
completely
48:39
vanquished
48:40
that spiritually
48:42
and physically
48:43
death is
48:44
swallowed up
48:45
by him
48:45
and therefore
48:47
why should I
48:48
fear
48:48
what happens
48:50
to my body
48:51
when I know
48:53
that Jesus
48:53
in terms of
48:55
his body
48:55
was laid
48:56
in the tomb
48:58
there
48:59
they laid
49:00
Jesus
49:01
he's been
49:04
there
49:04
ahead of us
49:06
already
49:06
so love's
49:08
action
49:09
in providing
49:10
this new
49:11
tomb
49:11
love's
49:13
action
49:14
in taking
49:15
the body
49:16
of Jesus
49:16
lovingly
49:17
and carefully
49:18
and laying
49:19
Jesus
49:20
in that
49:21
tomb
49:21
and love's
49:23
action
49:23
finally
49:24
in the fact
49:25
that here
49:26
you have
49:26
a garden
49:27
and it's
49:29
interesting how
49:30
the Bible
49:31
sometimes presents
49:32
us
49:32
with certain
49:34
teachings
49:35
involving
49:35
a garden
49:36
when God
49:38
created us
49:39
in the beginning
49:40
as you find
49:41
in the opening
49:41
chapters of
49:42
Genesis
49:42
he placed
49:44
Adam
49:44
and Eve
49:45
our first
49:46
parents
49:46
in the
49:47
garden
49:48
of Eden
49:48
they were
49:49
surrounded
49:50
by plenty
49:51
they were
49:52
surrounded
49:52
by everything
49:53
that was good
49:54
to see
49:54
and good
49:55
for them
49:56
they were
49:57
surrounded
49:57
by God's
49:58
provision
49:59
they had
50:01
access
50:01
to everything
50:02
there except
50:03
the one
50:03
tree
50:04
that God
50:05
had forbidden
50:05
which of course
50:07
sadly they came
50:08
to partake of
50:10
with devastating
50:10
results
50:11
and in each
50:13
of these gardens
50:14
here's a garden
50:14
as well
50:15
verse 41
50:16
in the place
50:17
where he was
50:17
crucified
50:17
there was a
50:19
garden
50:19
and in the
50:19
garden
50:20
a new
50:20
tomb
50:20
in the
50:22
garden
50:22
of Eden
50:23
sin
50:25
led
50:26
to death
50:27
and death
50:29
always involves
50:30
a grave
50:31
or most of
50:32
the time
50:32
apart from
50:33
those who
50:34
were taken
50:35
away from
50:35
this world
50:36
without seeing
50:36
death
50:37
such as
50:38
in the
50:39
Old Testament
50:40
you find
50:40
Enoch
50:41
but here is
50:42
by and large
50:43
what happens
50:44
to every
50:44
human being
50:45
we die
50:47
our body
50:49
is then
50:49
laid
50:50
into the
50:51
dust
50:51
in our
50:52
tradition
50:52
and practice
50:53
that happened
50:58
in the
50:58
garden of
50:59
Eden
50:59
what led
51:01
to that
51:02
grave
51:02
you could
51:03
say that
51:03
the grave
51:04
for human
51:05
beings
51:05
was created
51:06
in the
51:07
garden of
51:07
Eden
51:08
in consequence
51:08
of human
51:10
sin
51:10
a rebellion
51:11
against God
51:12
in the day
51:13
in which he
51:13
said to Adam
51:14
in the day
51:15
in which you
51:15
eat of it
51:16
you shall
51:17
surely die
51:18
that's what
51:20
happened
51:20
and here is
51:22
another garden
51:23
and while it is
51:25
indeed the case
51:26
that the grave
51:27
was created
51:29
in Eden
51:30
the grave
51:31
was consecrated
51:33
in this
51:34
garden
51:34
near the
51:36
cross
51:36
Jesus
51:38
his body
51:39
laid there
51:40
went into
51:42
death
51:42
went into
51:43
the tomb
51:43
you might
51:44
say
51:45
to prepare
51:46
it for
51:46
his people
51:47
because every
51:49
Christian can
51:50
say as
51:51
they come to
51:51
lay down
51:52
their life
51:52
as their
51:53
life ebbs
51:54
away
51:54
in whatever
51:55
circumstances
51:56
as they think
51:57
of dying
51:57
in this
51:58
world
51:58
every Christian
51:59
can say
52:00
and has the
52:00
right to
52:01
say
52:01
though my
52:03
body is
52:03
going to be
52:04
laid into
52:04
the grave
52:05
though my
52:06
body maybe
52:06
for many
52:07
many years
52:08
will be
52:08
laid there
52:09
and return
52:09
to the
52:10
dust
52:10
from which
52:11
I was
52:11
created
52:12
in the
52:12
beginning
52:12
that grave
52:16
has been
52:16
prepared
52:17
by the
52:19
Lord Jesus
52:19
Christ
52:20
and I
52:22
shall arise
52:22
out of that
52:23
grave
52:23
triumphantly
52:24
because he's
52:26
done that
52:26
for me
52:27
and before
52:27
me
52:27
so why
52:29
should we
52:29
fear the
52:30
grave
52:30
here's the
52:32
wonderful
52:32
emphasis
52:33
in the
52:33
gospel
52:34
that Jesus
52:34
has been
52:35
through every
52:36
phase of
52:37
life and
52:37
even of
52:38
death
52:38
itself
52:39
and every
52:40
single
52:40
aspect
52:41
of that
52:42
process
52:42
of that
52:43
journey
52:43
has actually
52:44
been prepared
52:45
by him
52:46
for his
52:47
people
52:48
and when
52:50
you come
52:50
to
52:50
Revelation
52:51
chapter 21
52:52
let me
52:53
just read
52:53
these four
52:53
verses
52:54
as we
52:55
come towards
52:55
the end
52:56
of our
52:56
study
52:56
this
52:57
evening
52:57
Revelation
52:59
chapter 21
53:00
which really
53:01
brings us
53:01
the account
53:02
we have
53:02
there of
53:03
heaven
53:03
heaven
53:04
after all
53:05
things have
53:05
been dealt
53:06
with
53:06
the judgment
53:07
is passed
53:07
he says
53:08
I saw
53:08
a new
53:09
heaven
53:09
and a new
53:10
earth
53:10
for the
53:11
first heaven
53:11
and the
53:12
first earth
53:12
had passed
53:13
away
53:13
and the
53:14
sea was
53:14
no more
53:15
and I
53:16
saw the
53:16
holy city
53:17
the new
53:17
Jerusalem
53:18
coming down
53:18
out of heaven
53:19
from God
53:19
prepared as a
53:21
bride adorned
53:21
for her husband
53:22
and I heard
53:23
a loud voice
53:23
from the
53:24
throne
53:24
saying
53:25
behold the
53:26
dwelling place
53:26
of God
53:27
is with
53:27
man
53:27
he will
53:28
dwell with
53:29
them
53:29
and they
53:30
will be
53:30
his people
53:31
and God
53:32
himself will
53:32
be with
53:33
them as
53:33
their God
53:34
he will
53:35
wipe away
53:35
every tear
53:36
from their
53:36
eyes
53:37
and death
53:38
shall be
53:39
no more
53:40
neither
53:41
shall there
53:42
be mourning
53:42
nor crying
53:44
nor pain
53:44
anymore
53:45
for the
53:46
former things
53:47
have passed
53:48
away
53:49
and as
53:52
you describe
53:52
as you
53:53
find the
53:54
new
53:54
Jerusalem
53:54
described
53:55
in the
53:55
following
53:55
parts
53:56
of the
53:57
chapter
53:57
the one
53:59
thing
53:59
that's
54:00
prominently
54:01
noticeable
54:02
is
54:02
there is
54:03
no reference
54:04
to a
54:04
cemetery
54:05
no reference
54:07
to a
54:07
grave
54:08
there are
54:09
no graves
54:10
there is
54:11
no death
54:12
there is
54:12
no cemetery
54:13
in the city
54:14
of the
54:14
new
54:15
Jerusalem
54:15
the death
54:17
has been
54:17
overcome
54:18
death
54:19
stands
54:20
defeated
54:20
beneath
54:21
the feet
54:21
of God's
54:22
people
54:22
in Christ
54:23
they have
54:24
overcome
54:24
in him
54:25
what a
54:27
prospect
54:27
what a
54:29
glorious
54:30
outlook
54:31
you have
54:31
as a
54:32
Christian
54:32
in this
54:32
world
54:33
that this
54:34
is actually
54:35
what lies
54:35
ahead of
54:36
you
54:36
and that
54:37
even though
54:37
the grave
54:38
lies in
54:39
between
54:39
it's a
54:40
defeated
54:40
grave
54:41
it's a
54:41
prepared
54:42
grave
54:42
it's a
54:43
grave
54:43
in which
54:43
the Lord
54:44
has already
54:44
been laid
54:45
it's a
54:46
grave that
54:46
he occupied
54:47
it's a
54:48
grave that
54:49
he rose
54:49
out of
54:50
it's a
54:50
grave that
54:51
he defeated
54:51
for his
54:52
people
54:52
and it's
54:53
a grave
54:54
therefore that
54:55
you need
54:56
not fear
54:56
there is
54:59
no more
54:59
death
55:00
it's gone
55:01
forever
55:02
my friend
55:04
tonight
55:04
is your
55:05
trust in
55:06
Christ
55:07
are you
55:11
looking forward
55:11
to a life
55:12
with no
55:13
death
55:13
death
55:13
because
55:16
remember
55:17
the opposite
55:17
is also
55:18
true
55:18
there is
55:20
nothing in
55:21
hell but
55:21
death
55:22
there is
55:24
no prospect
55:25
of being
55:26
delivered from
55:27
death
55:27
eternal
55:28
death
55:28
lasting
55:29
death
55:30
there is
55:32
no voice
55:32
that says
55:33
come to
55:34
me and
55:34
I will
55:34
give you
55:35
rest
55:35
there is
55:37
no assurance
55:37
that will
55:38
say this
55:39
is only for
55:39
a short
55:40
time and
55:40
it will
55:40
end
55:41
just put
55:42
up with
55:42
it
55:42
and it
55:43
will be
55:43
alright
55:43
in the
55:44
end
55:44
remember
55:46
the opposite
55:47
of heaven
55:47
is hell
55:48
in every
55:49
sense
55:49
and you
55:52
don't want
55:53
to go
55:53
there
55:53
that's not
55:56
what you
55:56
want your
55:57
eternity
55:57
to be
55:58
you want
56:00
your eternity
56:00
to be
56:00
without
56:01
death
56:01
without
56:03
a grave
56:03
without
56:05
anything
56:06
associated
56:06
with death
56:07
you want
56:07
it to be
56:08
gone
56:08
how does
56:10
that come
56:10
about
56:11
comes
56:13
about
56:13
by giving
56:14
your life
56:14
to Jesus
56:15
by trusting
56:17
in the one
56:17
who has
56:18
overcome
56:18
death
56:19
if you
56:21
like
56:21
being
56:22
like
56:22
Nicodemus
56:23
and Joseph
56:24
of Arimathea
56:25
they went
56:26
and asked
56:27
Pilate
56:27
boldly
56:28
for the
56:29
body
56:29
of Jesus
56:29
what did
56:30
they then
56:31
do with
56:31
it
56:31
they took
56:32
it down
56:32
from the
56:33
cross
56:33
they treated
56:34
it respectfully
56:35
they covered
56:36
it with a
56:36
linen shroud
56:37
they then
56:39
buried
56:40
Jesus
56:40
in this
56:42
new
56:42
tomb
56:42
and
56:45
figuratively
56:46
is that
56:48
not something
56:48
for you
56:49
as well
56:49
do you
56:51
not want
56:52
tonight
56:52
to take
56:53
this
56:53
Jesus
56:54
into your
56:54
arms
56:55
to take
56:56
this
56:56
death
56:57
of Jesus
56:58
the Jesus
56:59
who now
56:59
lives
57:00
and make
57:02
that the
57:02
basis
57:02
of your
57:04
hopes
57:04
love
57:05
so that
57:07
your love
57:07
too
57:08
will come
57:08
to be
57:09
seen
57:09
as a
57:10
love
57:11
that
57:11
comes
57:11
into
57:12
the
57:13
open
57:13
and
57:13
public
57:14
a love
57:15
whose
57:16
action
57:16
towards
57:17
the
57:17
Lord
57:18
is made
57:19
known
57:20
to those
57:20
around
57:20
you
57:21
so that
57:23
you value
57:23
him
57:24
and in
57:25
valuing
57:25
him
57:26
you give
57:27
him in
57:27
your heart
57:28
the reception
57:30
that they
57:31
gave to
57:32
his body
57:32
as they
57:34
came to
57:34
treat it
57:35
with respect
57:36
after all
57:38
he said
57:39
in contrast
57:41
to the
57:42
false
57:42
shepherds
57:42
in John
57:43
chapter 10
57:44
I have
57:46
come
57:46
that they
57:48
might have
57:49
life
57:49
and have
57:51
it
57:51
the more
57:52
abundantly
57:54
that's the
57:56
life that
57:57
you want
57:57
the life
57:58
that you
57:58
need
57:59
the
57:59
spiritual
57:59
life
58:00
you have
58:02
it in
58:02
Jesus
58:03
and in
58:04
receiving
58:05
him as
58:06
your
58:06
savior
58:06
and you
58:08
cannot
58:08
have it
58:09
and you
58:10
will not
58:10
have it
58:11
any other
58:12
way
58:13
let's
58:14
pray
58:14
oh
58:18
gracious
58:18
and eternal
58:19
God
58:19
we marvel
58:21
at what
58:21
you
58:22
willingly
58:22
took to
58:24
yourself
58:24
in the
58:25
place of
58:26
your people
58:26
we marvel
58:28
that you
58:28
took even
58:29
the death
58:29
we deserved
58:30
even though
58:31
it was
58:32
something that
58:32
took you
58:33
into the
58:34
depths and
58:36
the darkness
58:36
of Calvary's
58:38
cry
58:38
in the
58:39
forsakenness
58:40
that you
58:41
experienced
58:41
we thank you
58:42
tonight
58:42
that you are
58:43
risen from
58:44
the dead
58:44
that you have
58:45
been exalted
58:45
to glory
58:46
we thank you
58:47
gracious and
58:48
glorious Lord
58:49
that you
58:50
stand over
58:51
death
58:51
triumphantly
58:52
that you
58:53
invite your
58:53
people to
58:54
share with
58:54
you in
58:55
that glorious
58:56
victory over
58:57
death
58:57
that you
58:58
call upon us
58:58
tonight through
58:59
the gospel
58:59
to come to
59:01
you and to
59:01
give ourselves
59:02
to you
59:03
to trust in
59:04
you and to
59:05
realize oh
59:05
Lord that
59:06
this indeed is
59:07
the way the
59:08
truth and
59:09
the life
59:10
and we ask
59:11
that you
59:11
bless your
59:12
word to us
59:12
once again
59:13
be pleased to
59:14
bless us in
59:15
the fellowship
59:15
bless to us
59:16
the food
59:16
prepared also
59:18
for us there
59:18
in all of
59:19
these ways oh
59:20
Lord we pray
59:21
your blessing
59:22
for Jesus
59:23
sake amen
59:24
our final
59:28
singing tonight
59:28
is Psalm
59:29
22
59:29
Psalm 22
59:31
we associate
59:32
the first part
59:33
of the psalm
59:34
very often
59:34
with what we
59:35
do in
59:35
remembering
59:36
the Lord's
59:36
death and
59:37
the Lord's
59:37
supper
59:37
indeed we
59:38
almost always
59:39
sing from
59:40
this psalm
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in that
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context but
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tonight we're
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singing verses
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28 to 31
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and that's on
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page 229
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the tune is
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Bethesda
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which speaks
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about the
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way in which
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the Lord
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will have a
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people to
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serve him
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as the
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result and
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the fruit
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of his
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labor for
59:59
them because
1:00:00
the kingdom
1:00:01
to the Lord
1:00:01
doth appertain
1:00:03
as his
1:00:03
likewise among
1:00:05
the nations
1:00:05
the governor
1:00:06
he is
1:00:07
and verse 31
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they shall
1:00:09
come and
1:00:10
they shall
1:00:10
declare his
1:00:11
truth and
1:00:12
righteousness
1:00:12
unto a
1:00:14
people yet
1:00:15
unborn
1:00:15
and that he
1:00:17
hath done
1:00:18
this
1:00:19
so these
1:00:20
verses then
1:00:21
to God's
1:00:21
praise and
1:00:22
conclusion
1:00:22
well
1:00:24
God
1:00:25
means
1:00:28
come and
1:00:28
come and
1:00:29
he
1:00:30
망ed
1:00:31
us
1:00:31
in
1:00:32
the
1:00:33
trag dismissal
1:00:43
Writes among the nations
1:00:50
That gather on the is
1:00:59
That that one's deep
1:01:04
That worship shall
1:01:09
All who do us descend
1:01:16
Shall walk to them
1:01:21
One of them come
1:01:26
Restore from the end of the end
1:01:34
As he shall serve
1:01:39
This true to him
1:01:44
Unto the Lord
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Is shall
1:01:52
Before a tender nation
1:02:01
Reckoned in ages
1:02:07
To the Lord
1:02:08
Is shall
1:02:09
Is shall
1:02:10
Come out
1:02:14
They shall
1:02:16
Declare
1:02:19
This truth
1:02:21
And righteousness
1:02:25
And to a people
1:02:32
Yet am
1:02:35
Born
1:02:37
And that he
1:02:41
Have done
1:02:43
Is
1:02:45
Well
1:02:47
Colin Mordor and myself
1:02:48
Will take the front doors again
1:02:49
This evening I'll go to the door to my left
1:02:51
And he can go to the other side
1:02:53
Let's conclude now with a benediction
1:02:56
Now may grace and mercy and peace
1:02:58
From God the Father
1:03:00
The Son and the Holy Spirit
1:03:02
Rest and abide with you now and evermore
1:03:05
Amen
1:03:11
Thank you
1:03:41
Thank you
1:03:48
!