Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / The Believer's Benefits(2)
Transcript
- 0:00Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer. Let us pray.
- 0:07Our Father in heaven, as we gather in your name this evening hour, we thank you for the shelter of this place.
- 0:14We thank you for the peace that we can have, the calm that we enjoy in the midst of coming round your word when all around us there seems to be the storms of life as well as the natural storms.
- 0:27We thank you for the great joy that there is in coming among your people and together to worship you, whether it's hearing the word and the presence of one another here or whether we tune in online at home.
- 0:42We do pray to know your peace with us and to know that you are near, that you are speaking to us.
- 0:49And we thank you for these words that we have sung together, the words that speak about the enduring nature of your city and the citadels, the towers that surround it.
- 1:02And speaking of the great wonder of the strength of your place and where your people gather, for it is a city that will always endure, the city of the Lord.
- 1:14And we thank you that you are the one who keeps it secure, that you keep your people secure down through all the generations.
- 1:23We thank you that we can, with the psalmist, reflect and look back and contemplate your steadfast love, the steadfast love that the psalmist was able to see in his own experience and that God's people saw in so many different ways,
- 1:39that enduring steadfast love that you have surrounded your people with.
- 1:44And we thank you that that is an unchanging love, that your steadfast love is towards us this day,
- 1:51that the same strength and security that you gave your people then, that you give to your people today,
- 1:58and that we have that great assurance that whatever rocks this world, whatever shakes the world that we live in,
- 2:06and knowing ultimately that the great shaking that will come in the day of judgment,
- 2:12that there is a security in you, and that all who believe and trust in you, they will never be taken from you.
- 2:19And so we thank you for your great steadfast love in that way.
- 2:24And we pray that so many others would come to know and experience it for themselves,
- 2:30that even this evening as we read your word together, as we are reminded of the great benefits that you show towards us,
- 2:39all that is ours in Christ, that it would become fresh and anew to us all,
- 2:45and especially to those who have never tasted it before,
- 2:48that it would become a moment that would open their hearts to receive your word,
- 2:55and to enjoy the warmth and the blessing of it.
- 3:00Our hearts that are hard, Lord, we know that you are able to melt them.
- 3:04We know that, for you have done it to your people.
- 3:07You have done it to us in the past.
- 3:10You have done it to people down through all the generations.
- 3:12We think even of the Apostle Paul and how strong he was in his opposition.
- 3:18He was persecuting the church, putting your people to the sword,
- 3:24bringing them so much cruelty, breathing out cruelties, as the word says.
- 3:29And yet in a moment, you brought him to see the power of God,
- 3:35and to see the wonder of Christ, and to know your spirit working in him.
- 3:40And we thank you that they marveled at Paul,
- 3:43in the same way as they marvel at, we can marvel at the people that you bring to faith to this day.
- 3:48We see so many lives transformed, even when we look at ourselves, Lord,
- 3:52the things that were impossible for us to do because of the sinful nature that we have,
- 3:58and how you brought us to know your grace, your mercy.
- 4:02And we do thank you for that, and help us to always have that before us,
- 4:07in order to lose our wonder at the precious nature of your covenant promises,
- 4:12of all your steadfast promises towards your people,
- 4:17that we will keep them always in mind, and long to know them more and more,
- 4:22not just for ourselves, but for all around us.
- 4:25In the midst of troubles, anxieties, fears, and worries that so many people have,
- 4:30we pray for the peace of God that passes understanding to surround your people in so many different ways.
- 4:37And we do thank you again for the church that you are building, that we are part of.
- 4:43We are not just a congregation here, but we thank you, Lord,
- 4:46that today is a day of worship to you, a day that has been put aside for that very purpose from the very beginning of time,
- 4:55a day set aside when we put everything else to one side and come to worship you,
- 5:01to fellowship with your people, to look to you, to refresh ourselves in you,
- 5:06in all our activities of the day, that we would find our rest in you and refreshment for today,
- 5:12and also as we go into the week ahead, that it would be an encouragement to us to feel and know your presence here
- 5:20and to go out into the working week ahead, or school week, or whatever we are involved in,
- 5:26whatever we are doing, to know that refreshing power of your Spirit with us,
- 5:30to know the joy of the Lord as our strength, and to know the wonder of your grace and salvation.
- 5:36And we pray, Lord, that your people near and far would know and experience that day after day.
- 5:45For your people are to all ends of the earth, as the Word describes the great vastness of the world in which we live,
- 5:53and we see it so much ourselves as we see the wonder of satellite images and the enormity of the world,
- 6:03and yet the enormity of the number of people, yet the wonder of your knowledge towards us,
- 6:09that there is no one and nothing hidden from you,
- 6:12but that when the sun rises from the east to the west throughout your days,
- 6:18that you have that knowledge of your people.
- 6:20And even as the sun sets and as people go to sleep, as they lay down in the watches of the night,
- 6:26we know that you never slumber or sleep, as the Word reminds us,
- 6:30and that you are one who is constantly watching over.
- 6:34And so we pray, Lord, for all your people, near and far, that you would bless them,
- 6:39that you would encourage, that you would remember those who are persecuted,
- 6:43that you remember those who are in very difficult situations and circumstances,
- 6:49whether it's in times of fear or worry or natural disaster, war or famine.
- 6:56There are so many things going on, O Lord, in this world,
- 6:58and we just pray for your goodness and mercy to be over us.
- 7:03We do remember the cause of your church here.
- 7:07We thank you for all our people and for all the endeavors to reach out with your Word.
- 7:12Again, we commit the vacancy at this time to you and the committee that meet on Tuesday evening
- 7:18for your blessing and wisdom and guidance towards them.
- 7:22We pray, Lord, for patience as we wait upon you in these things
- 7:26and that you would ultimately guide us, Lord, that you would show us your will
- 7:31and that your will be done.
- 7:33We remember, too, the prayer meetings through the week,
- 7:37thankful for all that takes place where people gather in your name,
- 7:41whether it's in Laxdale on Tuesday evening,
- 7:44in the Seminary on Wednesday and Thursday for English and Gaelic,
- 7:48we thank you for that unity in prayer.
- 7:51We pray that you will build us up in that way
- 7:53and help us always to be a praying people,
- 7:56coming together to worship you and to wait upon you,
- 8:00to look to you in dependence for all things.
- 8:04We thank you, too, for being able to pray for so many different matters going on around us
- 8:09and as we think of that response that we see on our bulletin that was involved with Tesco
- 8:15and just the wider issue of the Lord's Day in our islands and far and wide.
- 8:21Lord, we do pray for blessing and peace to reign over your day and over your people
- 8:28and that you would bring people to see the wisdom that there is in rest.
- 8:33It is not just something that Christians seek to demand of people,
- 8:38but it's something that you and your wisdom have given from the very creation of the world,
- 8:42an appointment that the more people try to do, the more they see that there is no end to work,
- 8:49there is no end to tiredness or frustrations or no end to the life and the wheel that we seem to be so often caught up in.
- 8:59But yet, O Lord, we thank you that you give a break in the week
- 9:02and it's a wise day to use for your glory and ultimately for rest for all things.
- 9:10And so we pray, Lord, for people to see and know the wisdom of God in all of that.
- 9:17And we pray too, Lord, for our young people.
- 9:20We thank you for them, for the Sunday school, the creche, the tweenies,
- 9:24for the explorers, the YF and all that goes on with all our young people.
- 9:28We ask your blessing on all that is done for them and upon them in school as well,
- 9:33with the teachers and staff and primary schools and the high school.
- 9:38And we pray for protection, for blessing, for help for those who will soon be sitting prelims in these coming weeks.
- 9:44As we prepare for them, Lord, take away anxieties, fears and worries that they might have.
- 9:50I help them to lean upon you and to trust on you and to pray to you for help in the midst of it.
- 9:56We do pray for students away from home as well.
- 10:00We remember them, Lord, and ask your blessing over them,
- 10:03many as they go back to universities and colleges in these coming weeks,
- 10:07that you would bless them and watch over them.
- 10:09We remember those belonging to the congregation here in the past
- 10:15who have gone on to serve you in ministry in different ways.
- 10:21Remember Muriel, thankful for her, for her ministry in Cambodia.
- 10:25Remember Scott and Fiona and the girls as they are in North Harris now.
- 10:31Bless them, Lord, be with them.
- 10:33Remember Muriel Campbell as he has moved away to Enoch Bain and awaits an induction there.
- 10:40We pray for your blessing over him and the family.
- 10:42And as they settle there, as the induction comes around, Lord,
- 10:46that your blessing be on the congregation.
- 10:48Think of Roddy Barvis.
- 10:50He's been connected to this congregation in the past.
- 10:53And as he comes to us in a few weeks' time, Lord,
- 10:55we pray for encouragement together as he springs to us the work of international mission too.
- 11:01And just ask your blessing on him in that work.
- 11:04And so in all these things, Lord, we look to you,
- 11:07thankful for the gift of prayer and yet so much that we could still pray for,
- 11:12that you know our hearts, Lord.
- 11:14You know our desires.
- 11:15You know our needs.
- 11:16And so we lay them before you and ask in all things that you will hear us,
- 11:21you will pardon us for our sin,
- 11:23and that your will be done in all things.
- 11:25So go with us now.
- 11:27Bless your word as we sing it,
- 11:28as we open it up, reading it together and sharing from it,
- 11:32that you would guide us in all of our thoughts.
- 11:34For we ask it all in Jesus' name and for his sake.
- 11:38Amen.
- 11:39Sing.
- 11:39Sing.
- 11:39O God, what time thou didst go forth
- 11:52before thy people's face,
- 11:59and when through the great wilderness,
- 12:07thy glorious marching was.
- 12:15Then at God's presence shook the earth,
- 12:24and drops from heaven fell,
- 12:31the sign I shook before the Lord,
- 12:41the God of Israel.
- 12:46O God, how to thine heritage
- 12:56did send a plenteous rain,
- 13:04whereby thou went and weary was,
- 13:13didst it refresh again.
- 13:20Thy congregation then
- 13:28did make their habitation there,
- 13:37of thine own goodness for the poor.
- 13:46O God, thou didst prepare,
- 13:52the Lord himself did give the word,
- 14:03the word abroad did spread.
- 14:10Great was the company of them,
- 14:19the same who published it.
- 14:31We'll turn and read God's word together now.
- 14:34We're going to read first of all
- 14:35in the Gospel of John, chapter 1.
- 14:40Gospel of John, chapter 1,
- 14:42we're going to read from the beginning
- 14:44down to verse 18,
- 14:46and then we'll turn to the book of Psalms
- 14:49and Psalm 103.
- 14:51So our first reading is in the Gospel of John,
- 14:53chapter 1.
- 14:55In the beginning was the Word,
- 14:57and the Word was with God,
- 14:59and the Word was God.
- 15:01He was in the beginning with God.
- 15:03All things were made through him,
- 15:06and without him was not anything made
- 15:08that was made.
- 15:10In him was life,
- 15:11and the life was the light of men.
- 15:14The light shines in the darkness,
- 15:15and the darkness has not overcome it.
- 15:18There was a man sent from God
- 15:21whose name was John.
- 15:22He came as a witness
- 15:23to bear witness about the light
- 15:26that all might believe through him.
- 15:29He was not the light,
- 15:31but came to bear witness about the light.
- 15:34The true light which enlightens everyone
- 15:36was coming into the world.
- 15:38He was in the world,
- 15:39and the world was made through him.
- 15:41Yet the world did not know him.
- 15:43He came to his own,
- 15:46and his own people did not receive him.
- 15:48But to all who did receive him,
- 15:51who believed in his name,
- 15:53he gave the right to become children of God,
- 15:56who were born not of blood,
- 15:58not of the will of the flesh,
- 16:00not of the will of man,
- 16:02but of God.
- 16:03And the Word became flesh,
- 16:05and dwelt among us.
- 16:06And we have seen his glory,
- 16:08glorious of the only Son,
- 16:10from the Father,
- 16:11full of grace and truth.
- 16:14John bore witness about him,
- 16:16and cried out,
- 16:17This was he of whom I said,
- 16:19He who comes after me ranks before me,
- 16:22because he was before me.
- 16:25And from his fullness
- 16:26we have all received grace upon grace.
- 16:30For the law was given through Moses.
- 16:32Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- 16:37No one has ever seen God.
- 16:39The only God,
- 16:40who is at the Father's side,
- 16:42he has made him known.
- 16:46Then we'll turn to a reading in Psalm 103,
- 16:50in the book of Psalms.
- 16:51And we can read from the beginning of the Psalm,
- 16:55down to verse 13.
- 16:58Psalm 103.
- 17:01You'll find this around page 602.
- 17:05We read from the beginning,
- 17:06down to verse 13.
- 17:10Bless the Lord, O my soul,
- 17:12and all that is within me.
- 17:14Bless his holy name.
- 17:16Bless the Lord, O my soul,
- 17:18and forget not all his benefits.
- 17:20Who forgives all your iniquities.
- 17:23Who heals all your diseases.
- 17:25Who redeems your life from the pit.
- 17:27Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
- 17:31Who satisfies you with good,
- 17:34so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.
- 17:37The Lord works righteousness and justice
- 17:40for all who are oppressed.
- 17:42He made known his ways to Moses,
- 17:45his acts to the people of Israel.
- 17:47The Lord is merciful and gracious,
- 17:50slow to anger,
- 17:52and abounding in steadfast love.
- 17:55He will not always chide,
- 17:56nor will he keep his anger forever.
- 17:59He does not deal with us according to our sins,
- 18:02nor repay us according to our iniquities.
- 18:06For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
- 18:08so great is his steadfast love
- 18:10towards those who fear him.
- 18:12As far as east is from the west,
- 18:15so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
- 18:19As our Father shows compassion to his children,
- 18:23so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
- 18:28And so on.
- 18:29And may God bless these readings from his word.
- 18:33Before we come and look at this passage together,
- 18:36we'll sing again in Psalm 147.
- 18:38The Sing Psalms Version, page 193.
- 18:43We're singing from verse 14 down to the end of the psalm.
- 18:50Psalm 147, page 193.
- 18:54At verse 14,
- 18:55We'll sing from verse 14 down to the end of the psalm.
- 19:17The Lord will grant you peace within
- 19:31The borders of your land,
- 19:38And finest wheat will fill your fields
- 19:47From his sustaining hand
- 19:55To all the corners of the earth,
- 20:04The Lord's commands proceed
- 20:12For when he speaks,
- 20:17His word goes forth
- 20:21Through all the world with speed
- 20:29He spreads the snow
- 20:34As wool the frost
- 20:39Like ashes on the land
- 20:47He hurls forth, I say
- 20:52Hail like stones
- 20:56Who can such gold withstand
- 21:03But when he sends
- 21:09His mighty word
- 21:13And makes the warm wind
- 21:20The frozen waters
- 21:25Start to melt
- 21:31And once again
- 21:35To flow
- 21:37To Jacob
- 21:42God
- 21:43Declares
- 21:46His word
- 21:48And makes
- 21:51His doctrines
- 21:54Known
- 21:56His ordinances
- 22:00He reveals
- 22:05He reveals
- 22:05To Israel
- 22:09Alone
- 22:11He has not dealt
- 22:18In such a way
- 22:22With any other race
- 22:29To us
- 22:31To us
- 22:33Alone
- 22:34He shows
- 22:36His laws
- 22:39O praise
- 22:42The Lord
- 22:44Of grace
- 22:47We can turn back
- 22:52Together
- 22:52To our second reading
- 22:54In the book of Psalms
- 22:55In Psalm 103
- 22:56This evening
- 22:59We're going to look
- 23:00At the section
- 23:01From verse 6
- 23:02Down to verse 13
- 23:04But just
- 23:05Bear in mind
- 23:06Verse 2
- 23:07Which is the theme
- 23:08Of the psalm
- 23:09That we started
- 23:10Looking at a couple
- 23:11Of weeks ago
- 23:12In verse 2
- 23:13It says
- 23:14Bless the Lord
- 23:14O my soul
- 23:15And forget
- 23:16Not all his benefits
- 23:18Forget not all his benefits
- 23:19And then in the psalm
- 23:21It goes on to outline
- 23:22The benefits
- 23:23That are ours
- 23:24Through God
- 23:26And so we continue
- 23:27That theme
- 23:28In verse 6
- 23:28To verse 13
- 23:30This evening
- 23:30We're going to look
- 23:31At some of the benefits
- 23:33That we find here
- 23:34In verse 6
- 23:36It says
- 23:36The Lord
- 23:37Works righteousness
- 23:38And justice
- 23:39For all who are oppressed
- 23:40He made known
- 23:42His ways
- 23:43To Moses
- 23:44His acts
- 23:45To the people
- 23:46Of Israel
- 23:47And so it goes on
- 23:49We all experience
- 23:51Times of reflection
- 23:53In our lives
- 23:54In different ways
- 23:55We come to points
- 23:56And experiences
- 23:57Sometimes it can be
- 23:59Because of appointed days
- 24:01Or special days
- 24:02That come our way
- 24:03Rememberance day
- 24:05Is always a time
- 24:06Of reflection
- 24:06When we look back
- 24:08And remember
- 24:08Great sacrifice
- 24:10Made for us
- 24:11Our new year's day
- 24:13It's always a time
- 24:14When we reflect
- 24:15We've just had that
- 24:16And I'm sure
- 24:17Many of us
- 24:17Spent some time
- 24:18There reflecting
- 24:19And looking back
- 24:20On our own lives
- 24:21Or on the past year
- 24:23The lives of others
- 24:24It's a time
- 24:25Of just looking
- 24:26And seeing
- 24:26What's going on
- 24:27Around us
- 24:28So we can see it
- 24:29In a broad way
- 24:30We can also see it
- 24:31In a narrow way
- 24:33In our own lives too
- 24:34When we think of
- 24:35Our own personal
- 24:36Reflections
- 24:37Or remembrances
- 24:38It can be
- 24:39Maybe a significant date
- 24:41In our own experience
- 24:43In life
- 24:43It might be a special occasion
- 24:45A happy occasion
- 24:46It could also be
- 24:48A sad occasion
- 24:49That brings to mind
- 24:50Things from the past
- 24:51Or even things
- 24:52In the present
- 24:53That we reflect on
- 24:54So we have them
- 24:55In a personal way
- 24:56And in a broad way
- 24:57In a general sense too
- 24:59But we also have
- 25:00Moments of remembrance
- 25:01When we see
- 25:02In the scriptures too
- 25:03When you look
- 25:05Through God's word
- 25:05You find
- 25:06That God
- 25:07God has always
- 25:08Put that significance
- 25:09Of remembrance
- 25:10Into the hearts
- 25:12Of his people
- 25:12You think of
- 25:13The Old Testament
- 25:14And the remembrance
- 25:16Of the deliverance
- 25:17The exodus
- 25:18From Egypt
- 25:20He gave them
- 25:21The Passover
- 25:21Something that they
- 25:23Were to remember
- 25:24In all the generations
- 25:25Afterwards
- 25:26To remember
- 25:27The deliverance
- 25:28That God
- 25:29Had given to them
- 25:30And then you see
- 25:31In the New Testament
- 25:32As we see the Passover
- 25:33Being replaced
- 25:34By the Lord's Supper
- 25:35And the deliverance
- 25:37From sin
- 25:37For God's people
- 25:39Through the sacrifice
- 25:40Made by Jesus Christ
- 25:42So we have the Lord's Supper
- 25:43That we continue
- 25:44To remember
- 25:45And it's a time
- 25:45Of reflection
- 25:47Personal reflection
- 25:48Congregational reflection
- 25:50And just reflection
- 25:51In general
- 25:52As to the benefits
- 25:53That we read of
- 25:54Here in Psalm 103
- 25:56For example
- 25:56We reflect on
- 25:58God's goodness
- 25:59To us
- 26:00And in many ways
- 26:02We're seeing in this
- 26:04Psalm
- 26:04David reflecting
- 26:06And looking back
- 26:07In his own experience
- 26:08And also
- 26:09Looking forward
- 26:10In his own experience
- 26:12Too
- 26:12And in his reflection
- 26:14You see
- 26:15Sometimes it's a very
- 26:16Personal reflection
- 26:17Very intimate to himself
- 26:19Other times
- 26:20It's looking in a broader
- 26:21Sense as well
- 26:22But what he's doing
- 26:23For us
- 26:23Is showing us
- 26:24The benefits
- 26:25That are ours
- 26:26In Christ
- 26:27And for ourselves
- 26:29This evening
- 26:29We're thinking of it
- 26:30Under that heading
- 26:31The believer's benefits
- 26:33To know
- 26:34The benefits
- 26:35That he's speaking of here
- 26:37We must as a people
- 26:38Have faith
- 26:39In the Lord Jesus Christ
- 26:41To enjoy
- 26:42These benefits
- 26:43In their fullness
- 26:44And David here
- 26:47Is just looking at
- 26:48In this sense
- 26:49And from his very soul
- 26:51It begins with that sense
- 26:52In the Psalm
- 26:53In verse 1
- 26:54Bless the Lord
- 26:55Oh my soul
- 26:56And all that is within me
- 26:58There's a sense
- 27:00Of everything that I am
- 27:01Everything that I have
- 27:02I want to praise it
- 27:04I want to give praise
- 27:06To you Lord
- 27:06For all of your benefits
- 27:08To me
- 27:09And so we began
- 27:11Looking at this Psalm
- 27:12A couple of weeks ago
- 27:13Looking at the benefits
- 27:15And we saw
- 27:16In verse 1 to 5
- 27:17The benefits
- 27:18That David
- 27:19Outlines for us
- 27:20We saw forgiveness
- 27:21Healing
- 27:22Redemption
- 27:22Crowning
- 27:24And satisfying
- 27:25And we went into
- 27:26The details
- 27:27Of just what
- 27:27These benefits
- 27:29Mean
- 27:29And meant
- 27:30And we want to
- 27:31Continue that theme
- 27:32This evening
- 27:33By looking at this
- 27:35Psalm
- 27:35And see the benefits
- 27:36That we see
- 27:37In verse 6 to 13
- 27:39And there's four
- 27:39I want to highlight
- 27:40To us this evening
- 27:42But before we
- 27:43Before we do come
- 27:44Into the details
- 27:45Of it
- 27:45Before we look
- 27:45At it some more
- 27:46I want to first
- 27:47Share something
- 27:47That Charles Spurgeon
- 27:49Said about this
- 27:51Psalm
- 27:51It's like a chord
- 27:53With me
- 27:54And it just
- 27:54Helps us to see
- 27:55Just the wonder
- 27:56Of these words
- 27:57As we look at them
- 27:59He's got away
- 28:00With words
- 28:01Charles Spurgeon
- 28:02So I don't mind
- 28:03Quoting him
- 28:03His words
- 28:04Are more eloquent
- 28:05Than mine
- 28:06But he says this
- 28:07As in the lofty Alps
- 28:10Some peaks
- 28:11Rise above all others
- 28:13So among even
- 28:14The inspired psalms
- 28:16There are heights
- 28:17Of song
- 28:17Which overtop
- 28:19The rest
- 28:19This 103rd Psalm
- 28:22Has ever seemed
- 28:24To us
- 28:24To be the Mount Rosa
- 28:26Of the divine chain
- 28:28Of mountains
- 28:28Of praise
- 28:29Glowing with
- 28:31A ruddier light
- 28:32Than any of the rest
- 28:33It is as the apple tree
- 28:35Among the trees
- 28:38Of the wood
- 28:39And its golden fruit
- 28:40Has a flavour
- 28:41Such as no fruit
- 28:43Ever bears
- 28:44Unless it has been
- 28:45Ripened
- 28:46In the full sunshine
- 28:48Of marshy
- 28:49He's got away
- 28:51With words
- 28:52All right
- 28:53But what you see
- 28:54Him saying there
- 28:55Is basically that
- 28:56Although all the word
- 28:57Of God
- 28:58Is precious
- 28:59We're not
- 28:59Putting it on
- 29:01A pedestal
- 29:01In that sense
- 29:02Every word
- 29:03Is God breathed
- 29:04But yet he says
- 29:05There are these ones
- 29:07That just seem to
- 29:07Rise higher
- 29:08Than the others
- 29:09The mountaintops
- 29:11Mount Rosa
- 29:12Is one of the highest
- 29:13Peaks
- 29:14In the Alps
- 29:15And he's saying
- 29:15On its pinnacle
- 29:16You're just seeing
- 29:17The height
- 29:18The wonder
- 29:19The glory of it
- 29:19And that Psalm
- 29:20103
- 29:21In the midst of others
- 29:22It rises above
- 29:24And just shows us
- 29:25The wonder
- 29:25Of God's mercies
- 29:27And God's benefits
- 29:28Towards us
- 29:29And so this evening
- 29:30We want to continue
- 29:31To climb this mountain
- 29:33To see
- 29:33What David is saying
- 29:35To us
- 29:36About these benefits
- 29:37And just see
- 29:38The wonder
- 29:39Of these benefits
- 29:40To all who believe
- 29:41In the Lord Jesus
- 29:43And so like I said
- 29:44There's four
- 29:45I want to look at
- 29:46This evening
- 29:46Four benefits
- 29:47From verse 6
- 29:49To verse 13
- 29:50The first one
- 29:51Is this
- 29:51God acts
- 29:53For us
- 29:54That's one of our benefits
- 29:55The second one
- 29:56Is he is merciful
- 29:58And patient
- 29:59The third one
- 30:00Is he is gracious
- 30:02And the fourth
- 30:04He is compassionate
- 30:05So we want to go
- 30:07Through these four
- 30:08First of all
- 30:08God acts
- 30:09For us
- 30:10We see this
- 30:11In verse 6
- 30:11And verse 7
- 30:13I'm sure
- 30:15You've either
- 30:17Said it
- 30:18Or you've heard
- 30:19This said
- 30:19Maybe you've said it
- 30:21Today
- 30:21Maybe you've said it
- 30:22More than once today
- 30:23Do I have to do
- 30:25Everything myself
- 30:26Maybe you've just said it
- 30:28In the last hour
- 30:29Before coming out
- 30:30To church
- 30:31Do I have to do
- 30:31Everything myself
- 30:32You've asked someone
- 30:33To do something
- 30:34And the usual reply
- 30:36Is in a minute
- 30:37And a couple of hours
- 30:39Later you come back
- 30:40Nothing's done
- 30:40Do I have to do
- 30:42Everything myself
- 30:44As David reflects
- 30:47On the benefits here
- 30:49It's almost like
- 30:50He's being reminded
- 30:52Of God
- 30:53Who's saying
- 30:53Do I have to do
- 30:54Everything myself
- 30:55For you
- 30:56But not in a way
- 30:58Of having a goal
- 30:59But in a sense
- 31:01Of just realising
- 31:02As David would
- 31:03And we should
- 31:04Our own helplessness
- 31:07That we cannot act
- 31:09In the ways that God can
- 31:11And the way God has
- 31:13For his people
- 31:15That we realise
- 31:16That our cause
- 31:18Is hopeless
- 31:19Except the Lord
- 31:21Act on our behalf
- 31:23He says there in verse 6
- 31:25The Lord works
- 31:26Righteousness and justice
- 31:28For all who are oppressed
- 31:30He has made known
- 31:31His ways to Moses
- 31:32His acts
- 31:34To the people
- 31:35Of Israel
- 31:36And what we see here
- 31:38Is left to our own devices
- 31:41We stumble
- 31:43And we fall
- 31:44Left to our own devices
- 31:46We would say to the Lord
- 31:47In a minute
- 31:49I'll sort it
- 31:51And yet we leave things
- 31:53We leave things undone
- 31:54But the great benefit
- 31:56That we see here
- 31:57Is that the Lord
- 31:58Acts for us
- 32:00And we see He acts here
- 32:02In two different ways
- 32:04He acts in His actions
- 32:06In what He does
- 32:08But also in what He says
- 32:10In His words
- 32:11The Lord acts for us
- 32:15How do you deal
- 32:16With the sin
- 32:17In this world
- 32:18How do you make things right
- 32:20We would love
- 32:22To put everything right
- 32:23In this world
- 32:24We would love
- 32:25To have justice
- 32:26In this world
- 32:27To those who are oppressed
- 32:28We would love
- 32:30To be able to take them
- 32:32Out of that oppression
- 32:33To right every wrong
- 32:35In this world
- 32:36But we can't
- 32:38We can't do it
- 32:41And when we look
- 32:43At ourselves
- 32:44Our own righteousness
- 32:47Our own actions
- 32:48They're just like
- 32:49Filthy rags
- 32:50Before the Lord
- 32:51There is nothing
- 32:52That we can put right
- 32:53In this world
- 32:54By ourselves
- 32:56Because we are spoiled
- 32:58We are marred
- 32:59By sin
- 33:00But what we find here
- 33:03Is that the Lord
- 33:04Works
- 33:05The Lord
- 33:06Acts
- 33:07He acts righteously
- 33:09And He acts on justice
- 33:10To all who are oppressed
- 33:12And He speaks
- 33:13He has made known
- 33:16His way to Moses
- 33:17His acts
- 33:17To the people of Israel
- 33:19He has continued
- 33:19To speak
- 33:20To His people
- 33:22And that's what we sang of
- 33:23In Psalm 147
- 33:26The last psalm
- 33:27That we just sung
- 33:28In verse 18
- 33:29It says
- 33:30But when He sends
- 33:31His mighty word
- 33:32And makes the warm winds blow
- 33:34The frozen waters
- 33:35Start to melt
- 33:36And once again
- 33:37To flow
- 33:38It's this image
- 33:40Just like what we've seen
- 33:41Overnight
- 33:42Last night
- 33:42How the snow
- 33:44And the ice
- 33:45Was there
- 33:45But when that warm wind
- 33:46Comes
- 33:47It disappears
- 33:48How quickly
- 33:49It's gone today
- 33:51And that's
- 33:52The way we can see
- 33:53That God acts
- 33:54That in the same way
- 33:56That as He speaks
- 33:57And as He acts
- 33:58He is able to do things
- 34:00That we could never do
- 34:01Ourselves
- 34:02It's impossible
- 34:03If we were to think
- 34:05Of this for ourselves
- 34:06And think
- 34:07Well
- 34:08We have to sort
- 34:09These problems
- 34:10We have to sort
- 34:11The injustice
- 34:12To people
- 34:13We have to sort
- 34:14Our own righteousness
- 34:15We have to be right
- 34:17With God
- 34:17By ourselves
- 34:18It would be such
- 34:19A burden
- 34:20That we could never
- 34:22Carry it
- 34:23We could never manage it
- 34:24We could never do it
- 34:26But the benefit
- 34:27That we have
- 34:28Is that the Lord
- 34:29Works
- 34:29And the Lord
- 34:31Acts
- 34:32God has acted
- 34:34On our behalf
- 34:35There is no justice
- 34:37That we could achieve
- 34:38Ourselves
- 34:39There is no salvation
- 34:41That we could achieve
- 34:42Ourselves
- 34:43It is He
- 34:45That acts
- 34:46And we thank God
- 34:48That He does
- 34:49The Lord has
- 34:51Acted on our behalf
- 34:53The Lord has showed
- 34:54This towards us
- 34:55We saw it
- 34:56In the last time
- 34:57We were looking at it
- 34:58How He redeems
- 34:59Our life
- 35:00How He
- 35:00All these benefits
- 35:02He forgives
- 35:02In our iniquities
- 35:03He heals our diseases
- 35:04We can't do it
- 35:06Ourselves
- 35:07But yet we are
- 35:09Precious
- 35:10To Him
- 35:11He crowns you
- 35:12With steadfast love
- 35:13And mercy
- 35:14It says in verse 4
- 35:16And we see this again
- 35:17In verse 6 and 7
- 35:18How He acts
- 35:19In His steadfast love
- 35:20And mercy
- 35:21Towards us
- 35:22We hear the wind
- 35:26This evening
- 35:26Going up again
- 35:28And bad forecast
- 35:29Again overnight
- 35:30We see storms
- 35:31Coming
- 35:32And so often
- 35:33Storms bring damage
- 35:35With them
- 35:35A few years ago
- 35:37During one storm
- 35:39That came our way
- 35:40There was a barge
- 35:41It was a salmon feed barge
- 35:43That was moored
- 35:44And it broke
- 35:45Its mooring
- 35:46I can't remember
- 35:47Exactly where it was
- 35:48But it ended up
- 35:48Drifting in the minch
- 35:49And it ended up
- 35:51Being sunk
- 35:52Because it had drifted
- 35:54It had been damaged
- 35:55It went on the rocks
- 35:55It wasn't old
- 35:57It had just been
- 35:58Fairly newly built
- 36:00Cost a million pounds
- 36:01But after I'd been
- 36:03Raked
- 36:03On the rocks
- 36:04The question was being asked
- 36:05Is it worth salvaging?
- 36:08Is it worth doing anything
- 36:09To try and
- 36:10Get it back?
- 36:11Something that cost
- 36:12A million pounds
- 36:13You're thinking
- 36:13Surely
- 36:14There's got to be
- 36:15Some benefit
- 36:16In getting it back
- 36:17Something can be done
- 36:18But even the question
- 36:20Being asked
- 36:21Is it worth it?
- 36:23And you think to God
- 36:24Well
- 36:25The way God acts
- 36:27The way God works
- 36:28Does he act in that way?
- 36:29Does he look on us
- 36:30And say
- 36:31Is it worth
- 36:32Saving these people?
- 36:34Is it worth
- 36:35The difficulty?
- 36:37Is it worth
- 36:38The hassle?
- 36:40Is it worth
- 36:40That what he says
- 36:41Yes
- 36:41We know that God
- 36:44Didn't count up a cost
- 36:45For our salvation
- 36:47And say
- 36:47I'm not sure
- 36:48Is it worth it?
- 36:50Because as we see
- 36:51The words that are used here
- 36:53Who redeems your life
- 36:54From the pit?
- 36:55He's saying
- 36:56It is worth it
- 36:57My action is worth it
- 36:59He took action
- 37:01He acted on our behalf
- 37:03Because what was impossible
- 37:05For us
- 37:05He did
- 37:06He did in his son
- 37:08Christ Jesus
- 37:09He acted
- 37:11For us
- 37:13So we have the benefit
- 37:15There
- 37:16Of God's action
- 37:17And God's
- 37:19Word
- 37:20To us
- 37:21As we read
- 37:22In John 1
- 37:23We read of the word
- 37:24Who became flesh
- 37:26And dwelt among us
- 37:27And we have seen
- 37:27His glory
- 37:28Glory of the only son
- 37:30From the father
- 37:30Full of grace
- 37:32And truth
- 37:33The Lord
- 37:35Has acted
- 37:35And the Lord
- 37:36Has spoken
- 37:37And so he continues
- 37:38To give us
- 37:39This benefit
- 37:40He communicates
- 37:42To us
- 37:43He speaks
- 37:43To us
- 37:44He acts
- 37:45For us
- 37:47The second benefit
- 37:49We see here
- 37:50Is he is
- 37:51Merciful
- 37:52And kind
- 37:54He is
- 37:55Merciful
- 37:56And kind
- 37:57The Lord
- 37:58Is merciful
- 37:59And gracious
- 38:00Slow to anger
- 38:01And abounding
- 38:02In steadfast
- 38:04Love
- 38:05Patience
- 38:07It's something
- 38:08That we don't
- 38:09Always have
- 38:09Again you think of
- 38:11Do I have to do
- 38:13Everything myself?
- 38:14You're asking that
- 38:14Out of impatience
- 38:16Have you ever had
- 38:18Your patience
- 38:18Tested?
- 38:21It's not so much
- 38:22A question to ask us
- 38:23How many times
- 38:24Have you had
- 38:25Your patience
- 38:26Tested?
- 38:26I'm sure we could say
- 38:27Many times
- 38:28And we've tested
- 38:30People's patience
- 38:31Ourselves
- 38:32Many times
- 38:33But have you ever
- 38:35Asked yourself
- 38:36I wonder
- 38:36Have I tested
- 38:37God's patience?
- 38:39Are my actions
- 38:41Are what I'm doing
- 38:41The way I'm living
- 38:42Is it testing
- 38:43God's patience?
- 38:45Patience
- 38:45The question again
- 38:46Should be
- 38:47Have I tested
- 38:48It shouldn't be
- 38:49Have I tested
- 38:49God's patience
- 38:50But how many times
- 38:51Have I tested
- 38:53God's patience?
- 38:55You see it with
- 38:56The children of Israel
- 38:57In the Exodus
- 38:57Testing God's patience
- 39:00Again and again
- 39:01With the way that
- 39:02They were treating him
- 39:03The way that
- 39:03They were acting
- 39:04No matter what he did
- 39:05For them
- 39:06They seemed to just
- 39:06Do their own thing
- 39:08And we're the same
- 39:09I just have to look
- 39:12At my own life
- 39:13And examine
- 39:13How many times
- 39:14Have I grumbled
- 39:15Or complained to God
- 39:17How many times
- 39:19Have I said
- 39:19God
- 39:19You don't know
- 39:20What you're doing
- 39:21I'll do it my way
- 39:22We do it all the time
- 39:24We're testing his patience
- 39:26And yet here we read
- 39:27The benefit that we have
- 39:29That he doesn't act
- 39:30As he should
- 39:31Towards us
- 39:32Or that he could
- 39:33Towards us
- 39:34The Lord is merciful
- 39:36And gracious
- 39:37Slow to anger
- 39:38And abounding
- 39:40In steadfast love
- 39:42How do you know
- 39:44When someone's angry
- 39:46Against you?
- 39:49If it's getting serious
- 39:51If it's getting to a point
- 39:53Of rage
- 39:54Quite often
- 39:55It's the nostrils
- 39:56That give it away
- 39:57They start flaring
- 39:59There's a real anger
- 40:02And we're not here
- 40:03Talking just
- 40:03In a bad mood
- 40:05With someone
- 40:06We're not talking about
- 40:07I'm not talking to you
- 40:09At the moment
- 40:09We're talking
- 40:10A serious kind of anger
- 40:12That the Lord
- 40:13Restrains from
- 40:15Because you see
- 40:16The words that are used there
- 40:18The Lord is
- 40:18Merciful and gracious
- 40:20And especially
- 40:20The Lord is slow
- 40:22To anger
- 40:23The literal translation
- 40:25Of slow
- 40:26To anger
- 40:27There is
- 40:27His nostrils
- 40:29Don't flare
- 40:30In anger
- 40:31That's the literal
- 40:33Translation
- 40:34It doesn't
- 40:35Go to the point
- 40:36Where his nostrils
- 40:37Flare
- 40:38Because if it did
- 40:39We could never stand
- 40:41We could never stand
- 40:43Against God's anger
- 40:44And God's wrath
- 40:46We could never
- 40:48Stand
- 40:49Psalm 130
- 40:50Speaks of that
- 40:51Who could stand?
- 40:52Who could stand
- 40:53Before you Lord?
- 40:55We couldn't
- 40:55But the benefit
- 40:57That we see here
- 40:58Is he is merciful
- 41:00He is gracious
- 41:01He is slow
- 41:02To anger
- 41:03And abounding
- 41:03In steadfast love
- 41:06His ways
- 41:08Are not our ways
- 41:09His thoughts
- 41:10Are not our thoughts
- 41:11He doesn't act
- 41:12Like we do
- 41:13He has a greater
- 41:14Patience
- 41:15Than we do
- 41:16The Lord
- 41:18In other words
- 41:20God's mercy
- 41:21It's relentless
- 41:22It's unending
- 41:24He wants his people
- 41:27To be saved
- 41:28That is his longing
- 41:30That is his desire
- 41:31Because a day is coming
- 41:32When that wrath
- 41:33Will come
- 41:34But in his mercy
- 41:37Just now
- 41:37He is gracious
- 41:39And slow
- 41:40To anger
- 41:41It is not never ending
- 41:44Because there is a warning
- 41:46There is a warning
- 41:47There for us as well
- 41:48It will not always
- 41:50Be so
- 41:51He will not leave
- 41:53The guilty unpunished
- 41:55He will bring justice
- 41:57As it says
- 41:58To the oppressed
- 41:59But he will bring
- 42:00Judgment upon
- 42:01All who reject
- 42:02And all who
- 42:03Put him away
- 42:04All who ignore him
- 42:05You ignore him
- 42:06At your peril
- 42:07But today
- 42:09We live
- 42:11In a day
- 42:11Of his mercy
- 42:12He is slow
- 42:14To anger
- 42:15And so it is a day
- 42:17To respond
- 42:18This is one of the
- 42:19Great benefits
- 42:20For you
- 42:21If you are not
- 42:22Believing this evening
- 42:23That he is patient
- 42:25That he is slow
- 42:27To anger
- 42:27But it is a warning
- 42:29It is a warning
- 42:31Of the serious nature
- 42:32Of who God is
- 42:34That he will
- 42:36On the day of judgment
- 42:38Pour out
- 42:39That anger
- 42:40And we cannot stand
- 42:42Then
- 42:43The Lord is merciful
- 42:45And gracious
- 42:46Slow to anger
- 42:50And abounding
- 42:51In steadfast love
- 42:52But he will not
- 42:53Always
- 42:53Chide
- 42:54Nor will he
- 42:55Keep his anger
- 42:56Forever
- 42:57We also see
- 43:00It is closely
- 43:01Linked to this
- 43:02As well
- 43:02His gracious
- 43:03Nature
- 43:04As well
- 43:04We mentioned
- 43:05The word
- 43:06Gracious
- 43:06There
- 43:07But it goes on
- 43:07In this psalm
- 43:08As well
- 43:09In verse 10
- 43:10He does not
- 43:11Deal with us
- 43:12According to our sins
- 43:13Nor repay us
- 43:14According to our
- 43:16Iniquities
- 43:17As we come in
- 43:21To worship
- 43:22God
- 43:23As we come
- 43:25We realise
- 43:27Our sin
- 43:28We realise
- 43:30Our sins
- 43:30That are many
- 43:32And worse
- 43:33Than we want
- 43:33To believe
- 43:34And it sounds
- 43:36A strange benefit
- 43:38That that's one of
- 43:38The benefits
- 43:39We have
- 43:39When we come
- 43:40In to worship
- 43:41God
- 43:42But God shows us
- 43:44As we are
- 43:46He is merciful
- 43:47He is gracious
- 43:48He is slow
- 43:49To anger
- 43:49But when he shows us
- 43:52Our sin
- 43:53It's in a benefit
- 43:54Way as well
- 43:55Because it helps us
- 43:57To understand
- 43:58That in our sins
- 44:00That are many
- 44:01His mercy is more
- 44:02As the hymn says
- 44:03We realise
- 44:06How much
- 44:07We have
- 44:07Fallen short
- 44:09Of his glory
- 44:09We realise
- 44:10How far away
- 44:11We are
- 44:11From where we
- 44:12Should be
- 44:12As we come in
- 44:14To worship
- 44:14A holy God
- 44:15As we come
- 44:16Before his word
- 44:17We realise
- 44:18He does not
- 44:19Deal with us
- 44:20According to our sins
- 44:21Nor repay us
- 44:22According to our
- 44:23Iniquities
- 44:24What's he talking about?
- 44:26Are we not good people?
- 44:27No
- 44:28We're not
- 44:29But he is
- 44:31Gracious
- 44:32He is gracious
- 44:34And we should
- 44:36Never lose sight
- 44:37Of that
- 44:37The great cost
- 44:39Involved for our sins
- 44:41To be forgiven
- 44:42The great cost
- 44:43If he was to deal
- 44:45With us
- 44:45According to our sins
- 44:46We would be lost
- 44:47But what did he do
- 44:49To deal with our sins?
- 44:50He sent Christ
- 44:52He sent Christ
- 44:54That he would take
- 44:55Our sins
- 44:55For us
- 44:56Because we couldn't
- 44:57Do it ourselves
- 44:58We see there
- 44:59His action
- 45:00Towards his people
- 45:01That he might
- 45:01Save them
- 45:02From their sins
- 45:04He sent his son
- 45:06Martin Luther
- 45:08Described it
- 45:09In this way
- 45:09He said
- 45:09Although out of pure grace
- 45:11God does not
- 45:13Impute our sins
- 45:14To us
- 45:14He nonetheless
- 45:16Did not want
- 45:17To do this
- 45:18Until complete
- 45:19And ample
- 45:20Satisfaction
- 45:21Of his law
- 45:21And his righteousness
- 45:23Had been made
- 45:24Since this
- 45:26Was impossible
- 45:27For us
- 45:27God ordained
- 45:29For us
- 45:30In our place
- 45:30One
- 45:31Who took upon himself
- 45:32All the punishment
- 45:33We deserve
- 45:34He fulfilled
- 45:36The law
- 45:37For us
- 45:37He averted
- 45:39The judgment
- 45:39Of God
- 45:40From us
- 45:40And appeased
- 45:41God's wrath
- 45:42Grace
- 45:43Therefore
- 45:44Cost us
- 45:46Nothing
- 45:46But it cost
- 45:48Another much
- 45:49To get it
- 45:50For us
- 45:50Grace
- 45:52Was purchased
- 45:53With an incalculable
- 45:54Infinite
- 45:55Treasure
- 45:56The son
- 45:57Of God
- 45:58Himself
- 45:59The wonder
- 46:01Of God's
- 46:03Grace
- 46:03So as we read
- 46:06Here in verse 10
- 46:06He does not
- 46:07Deal with us
- 46:07According
- 46:08To our sins
- 46:09That is
- 46:10The wonder
- 46:11Of his grace
- 46:12Now when you think
- 46:15Of that grace
- 46:16It's not just
- 46:17For a moment
- 46:18When you think
- 46:19Of the hymn
- 46:20Amazing Grace
- 46:21You think of the author
- 46:22Who wrote it
- 46:23John Newton
- 46:24And the wonder
- 46:25Of that grace
- 46:26That saved him
- 46:27That grace
- 46:27That saved
- 46:28A wretch
- 46:29Like me
- 46:30But he's not just
- 46:31Talking about
- 46:32A moment's grace
- 46:33Because he goes on
- 46:35To express it
- 46:36In that way
- 46:37It's much more
- 46:37Than just about
- 46:38The grace
- 46:39Of conversion
- 46:39Because he says
- 46:40Through many dangers
- 46:42Toils
- 46:43And snares
- 46:44We have already
- 46:45Come
- 46:45It's this
- 46:47Ongoing grace
- 46:48It was grace
- 46:50That brought us
- 46:51Safe thus far
- 46:52And grace
- 46:54Will lead us
- 46:55Home
- 46:55So it's not just
- 46:57Grace
- 46:58For a moment
- 46:59But grace
- 47:00That keeps us
- 47:01Day by day
- 47:02Grace
- 47:02That will see us
- 47:04Home
- 47:05Is that not
- 47:06A wonderful benefit
- 47:07Is that not
- 47:08Something that we
- 47:09Should be so
- 47:10Thankful to God
- 47:11For
- 47:11That as we
- 47:12Believe in him
- 47:13We have that grace
- 47:14Not just for a moment
- 47:15But for every moment
- 47:17Of every day
- 47:17And the grace
- 47:19That will sustain us
- 47:20And see us
- 47:22Home
- 47:22Give thanks to God
- 47:27If you know this grace
- 47:28And if you don't
- 47:30Pray
- 47:31Pray to know
- 47:33That wonder
- 47:34Amazing grace
- 47:36That is able to save
- 47:38Saved a wretch
- 47:41Like me
- 47:41Not just John Newton
- 47:43Would say that
- 47:44Any sinner
- 47:45Could say that
- 47:46We are saved
- 47:47As wretches
- 47:49By the grace
- 47:50Of God
- 47:51He is gracious
- 47:53The fourth
- 47:55And final
- 47:56Benefit
- 47:57We see here
- 47:57He is compassionate
- 47:59He is compassionate
- 48:04When you look at
- 48:05Verse
- 48:0511
- 48:08Through to
- 48:08Verse 13
- 48:09For as high as the heavens
- 48:11Are above the earth
- 48:12So great
- 48:12Is his steadfast love
- 48:14Towards those
- 48:15Who fear him
- 48:16As far as east
- 48:16Is from the west
- 48:17So far does he
- 48:19Remove our
- 48:20Transgressions
- 48:21From us
- 48:21Then you have
- 48:22These words
- 48:23In verse
- 48:23As a father
- 48:24Shows compassion
- 48:25To his children
- 48:27So the Lord
- 48:28Shows compassion
- 48:29To those
- 48:31Who fear him
- 48:32The benefit
- 48:34Of a compassionate
- 48:35God
- 48:36He doesn't deal
- 48:38With our sins
- 48:39According
- 48:40To our sins
- 48:42But instead
- 48:44As far as
- 48:44East is from
- 48:45The west
- 48:46He has removed
- 48:46Our transgressions
- 48:48From us
- 48:49Why
- 48:50Because he has
- 48:52This relationship
- 48:53Of compassion
- 48:54As a father
- 48:55To his children
- 48:56We have
- 48:58We have this
- 48:58Great benefit
- 48:59Of being
- 48:59In the family
- 49:00Of God
- 49:01We read it
- 49:03Throughout the scriptures
- 49:04We read it
- 49:05In
- 49:06John chapter 1
- 49:09Of how we are
- 49:09Children of God
- 49:11He describes
- 49:11In the letter
- 49:12Of 1st John
- 49:13We see it there
- 49:14In chapter 3
- 49:15As well
- 49:16See what kind of love
- 49:17The father has given
- 49:19To us
- 49:19That we should be called
- 49:20Children of God
- 49:22And so we are
- 49:23The reason why
- 49:24The world does not
- 49:25Know us is that
- 49:26It did not
- 49:28Know him
- 49:29Beloved
- 49:30We are God's
- 49:31Children
- 49:32Now
- 49:33There is this
- 49:34Relationship
- 49:35That we have
- 49:37Through faith
- 49:37In Christ
- 49:38We are God's
- 49:39Children
- 49:40And there are
- 49:41Benefits in us
- 49:42In us
- 49:43For us
- 49:44In that
- 49:44We know God
- 49:45As our father
- 49:47As far as
- 49:50East is from
- 49:51The west
- 49:51He has removed
- 49:52Our transgressions
- 49:53Why as a father
- 49:54Shows
- 49:55Compassion
- 49:56To his children
- 49:57And what a benefit
- 49:59We have
- 49:59To know him
- 50:01As our father
- 50:02We all have
- 50:06Different experiences
- 50:08In life
- 50:08Of when we were
- 50:09Children
- 50:10And I remember
- 50:11Growing up
- 50:12Myself
- 50:13When I was young
- 50:14If I did
- 50:14Something wrong
- 50:15The first instinct
- 50:18Was to try and
- 50:19Hide that wrong
- 50:20From my parents
- 50:21I don't know
- 50:23How much
- 50:23Super glue
- 50:24I went through
- 50:25Trying to hide
- 50:27My faults
- 50:27From my parents
- 50:28Because it would
- 50:28So often happen
- 50:29If I was playing
- 50:30With my sister
- 50:31It seemed to be
- 50:31That something
- 50:32Would bounce off me
- 50:34And I would
- 50:34Kick something
- 50:34And would always
- 50:35Knock over
- 50:35An ornament
- 50:36And you were
- 50:38There trying to
- 50:39Glue it back
- 50:39Together before
- 50:40They would see
- 50:40It was
- 50:41Far too obvious
- 50:42When they came
- 50:43Home that
- 50:43Something was
- 50:44Wrong
- 50:44We cannot
- 50:46Hide it
- 50:46But it's
- 50:47Our natural
- 50:48Instinct
- 50:48To try and
- 50:49Hide it
- 50:50From our
- 50:50Parents
- 50:51And we see
- 50:51It's an instinct
- 50:52That is in man
- 50:53From the very
- 50:54Beginning
- 50:54Because as soon
- 50:56As Adam and Eve
- 50:56Had done wrong
- 50:57In the garden
- 50:58Their first instinct
- 50:59Was to hide
- 51:00To hide away
- 51:02It's just
- 51:03In us
- 51:04And yet
- 51:07When we see
- 51:07A compassionate
- 51:09Father here
- 51:09We see
- 51:10He's not out
- 51:11Just to punish
- 51:12Us
- 51:12He's out
- 51:14To heal us
- 51:15To restore
- 51:16Us
- 51:16In right
- 51:17Relationship
- 51:18With him
- 51:19As a father
- 51:20Shows compassion
- 51:21To his children
- 51:22So the Lord
- 51:23Shows compassion
- 51:24To those
- 51:25Who fear him
- 51:26That when
- 51:28There's a right
- 51:29Fear
- 51:30When there's a
- 51:31Right fear
- 51:32It is
- 51:33Knowing that
- 51:34We have
- 51:34Let someone
- 51:35Down
- 51:36That we have
- 51:37Failed someone
- 51:38And we're afraid
- 51:40Of those
- 51:40Consequences
- 51:41But the Lord
- 51:43Shows us
- 51:44This compassion
- 51:46Shows us
- 51:47This steadfast
- 51:48Love
- 51:49Compassion
- 51:50Towards those
- 51:51Who fear him
- 51:53In the great
- 51:54Distances
- 51:55That we see
- 51:56Mentioned here
- 51:56As high as the
- 51:58Heavens are above
- 51:58The earth
- 51:59So great
- 52:00Is this steadfast
- 52:01Love towards
- 52:02Those who fear him
- 52:03And then we see
- 52:03It was sin
- 52:04As far as east
- 52:05Is from the west
- 52:06So far as he
- 52:07Removed our
- 52:08Transgressions
- 52:08From us
- 52:09There's love
- 52:10And there's
- 52:11Transgressions
- 52:11And there's
- 52:12This great
- 52:12Distance
- 52:13But there are
- 52:15So many
- 52:15Verses that
- 52:15Remind us
- 52:16That God
- 52:17Is gathering
- 52:18His people
- 52:19From a distance
- 52:20And one of
- 52:21Them is in
- 52:21Deuteronomy
- 52:2230 verse 3
- 52:23And it really
- 52:25Speaks about
- 52:26This relationship
- 52:27Of the father
- 52:28Towards his
- 52:29Children
- 52:29Showing compassion
- 52:30And it says
- 52:31Then the Lord
- 52:32Your God
- 52:33Will restore
- 52:33Your fortunes
- 52:34And have
- 52:35Compassion on
- 52:36You
- 52:36And he will
- 52:37Gather you again
- 52:38From all the
- 52:39Peoples
- 52:39Where the Lord
- 52:40Your God
- 52:41Has scattered
- 52:42You
- 52:42He is bringing
- 52:44His people
- 52:44In
- 52:45He is bringing
- 52:45His children
- 52:46In
- 52:47He is bringing
- 52:47His children
- 52:48Home
- 52:48It's like the
- 52:50Parable of the
- 52:51Prodigal son
- 52:51That speaks of
- 52:53That compassion
- 52:54Of the father
- 52:55Who saw his son
- 52:56Coming back
- 52:56From a distance
- 52:57And he ran
- 52:58Towards him
- 52:59He showed him
- 53:01Not what he
- 53:01Deserved
- 53:02But he showed
- 53:03Him mercy
- 53:04He showed him
- 53:05His steadfast
- 53:06Love
- 53:07He showed his
- 53:08Compassion
- 53:09And God
- 53:10Has that
- 53:11Compassion
- 53:12Still
- 53:12Towards those
- 53:14Who fear him
- 53:15And it's
- 53:16Always in the
- 53:17Midst of
- 53:17Everything
- 53:18Going right
- 53:19We are so
- 53:21Often taught
- 53:21The compassion
- 53:23Of God
- 53:23When things
- 53:24Are not going
- 53:25Our way
- 53:26The way that
- 53:27We would want
- 53:27Them to go
- 53:28And in great
- 53:28Difficulty
- 53:29Sometimes
- 53:30We see the
- 53:31Steadfast love
- 53:32Of God
- 53:32That is
- 53:33Unchanging
- 53:34There was a
- 53:35Missionary called
- 53:36Alan Gardner
- 53:38And he
- 53:39Spent many
- 53:40Of his
- 53:40Years
- 53:40As a
- 53:41Missionary
- 53:41To different
- 53:42Parts of
- 53:43South America
- 53:43And he
- 53:46Suffered
- 53:47Many
- 53:47Troubles
- 53:48During his
- 53:49Years as a
- 53:50Missionary
- 53:51And ultimately
- 53:53During his
- 53:54Mission
- 53:54He lost
- 53:55His life
- 53:56In 1851
- 53:59At the age
- 54:00Of 57
- 54:01He died
- 54:03Of starvation
- 54:04And disease
- 54:05Having become
- 54:05Drifted away
- 54:07From where
- 54:08He'd been
- 54:08Staying
- 54:09And ministering
- 54:10In
- 54:10He was
- 54:11Abandoned
- 54:11In a
- 54:12Shipwreck
- 54:12Almost
- 54:12And he
- 54:13Was left
- 54:13By himself
- 54:14He starved
- 54:14To death
- 54:15And it
- 54:17Wasn't a
- 54:17Quick death
- 54:18It was
- 54:18Something he
- 54:19Suffered a
- 54:19Lot in
- 54:20And it
- 54:21Took time
- 54:21But he
- 54:22Had kept
- 54:22A journal
- 54:23Even in
- 54:23Those latter
- 54:24Days
- 54:25A journal
- 54:25That you
- 54:26Can still
- 54:26See to
- 54:27This
- 54:27Day
- 54:27And in
- 54:28It he
- 54:28Was writing
- 54:29Down his
- 54:29Own thoughts
- 54:30And quotes
- 54:31From the
- 54:32Psalms
- 54:32And different
- 54:32Things
- 54:33One point
- 54:34He wrote
- 54:34Down the
- 54:35Verse
- 54:35From
- 54:36Psalm 34
- 54:37Verse 10
- 54:37The young
- 54:38Lions
- 54:38Do lack
- 54:39And suffer
- 54:40Hunger
- 54:40But they
- 54:40That seek
- 54:41The Lord
- 54:42Shall not
- 54:43Lack
- 54:43Any good
- 54:44Thing
- 54:44In the
- 54:45Midst of
- 54:45His
- 54:46Starving
- 54:47He was able
- 54:48To write
- 54:48These words
- 54:49Although
- 54:50We're hungry
- 54:51Those who
- 54:52Trust the
- 54:53Lord
- 54:53Those who
- 54:53Seek the
- 54:54Lord
- 54:54Shall not
- 54:55Lack
- 54:55Anything
- 54:56Good
- 54:56What a
- 54:57Testimony
- 54:58And the
- 55:00Last words
- 55:01That he
- 55:02Wrote
- 55:02Before he
- 55:02Passed away
- 55:03That they
- 55:03Found in
- 55:04His diary
- 55:04Was I
- 55:05Am
- 55:05Overwhelmed
- 55:07With a
- 55:07Sense of
- 55:08The
- 55:08Goodness
- 55:09Of God
- 55:10The
- 55:12Compassion
- 55:13Of God
- 55:14That in
- 55:14The midst
- 55:15Of such
- 55:16Difficulty
- 55:16And trials
- 55:17And sorrow
- 55:18Knowing his
- 55:19Life was
- 55:19Coming to
- 55:20An end
- 55:20He was
- 55:21Overwhelmed
- 55:22With a
- 55:23Sense
- 55:23Of the
- 55:24Goodness
- 55:25Of God
- 55:25What a
- 55:27Benefit
- 55:28We have
- 55:28In knowing
- 55:29Christ
- 55:30What benefits
- 55:31Are ours
- 55:32Through faith
- 55:33In him
- 55:34We have
- 55:35So many
- 55:36We could
- 55:36Unpack so
- 55:37Many more
- 55:38Even in
- 55:38These few
- 55:39Verses
- 55:39We'll come
- 55:39Back to the
- 55:40Last few
- 55:41Verses
- 55:41Another time
- 55:42But the
- 55:43More that you
- 55:44Look at this
- 55:44Psalm
- 55:45The more
- 55:45You look at
- 55:46The word
- 55:46Of God
- 55:47You realise
- 55:48The benefits
- 55:49That are ours
- 55:50In Christ
- 55:51The benefits
- 55:52That we have
- 55:53Through faith
- 55:55May we
- 55:56Long for
- 55:57Them more
- 55:57May we
- 55:59Thank God
- 55:59For them
- 56:00More
- 56:01That he
- 56:02Doesn't act
- 56:03Towards us
- 56:03As we
- 56:04Deserve
- 56:05But that he
- 56:07Is merciful
- 56:07Gracious
- 56:09Slow to
- 56:10Anger
- 56:11All of
- 56:12These things
- 56:12That we
- 56:14Might find
- 56:14Hope
- 56:15In him
- 56:16Let us
- 56:17Pray
- 56:18Our
- 56:20Father in
- 56:21Heaven
- 56:21We do
- 56:22Thank you
- 56:22For all
- 56:23Your
- 56:23Gracious
- 56:23Benefits
- 56:24Towards us
- 56:25They are
- 56:25More than
- 56:26We can
- 56:26Number
- 56:26And the
- 56:27More that
- 56:28We see
- 56:28The more
- 56:28That we
- 56:29Seek to
- 56:30Understand
- 56:30How
- 56:31Little we
- 56:32Know of
- 56:33Them
- 56:33And yet
- 56:34The wonder
- 56:34Of them
- 56:35Lord
- 56:35We thank
- 56:35You for
- 56:36Your
- 56:36Grace
- 56:36Your
- 56:37Mercy
- 56:37Your
- 56:38Slow to
- 56:39Anger
- 56:39All of
- 56:39These
- 56:40Things
- 56:40You do
- 56:41Not
- 56:41Deal with
- 56:41Us
- 56:41As we
- 56:42Deserve
- 56:43We
- 56:43Thank
- 56:43You
- 56:43For
- 56:44That
- 56:44And we
- 56:45Pray to
- 56:45Know
- 56:45Your
- 56:46Grace
- 56:47More and
- 56:47More
- 56:48Lord
- 56:48Pardon
- 56:49Our
- 56:49Sins
- 56:49Pardon
- 56:50Our
- 56:50Forgetfulness
- 56:51Of
- 56:52You
- 56:52And all
- 56:52Of
- 56:52These
- 56:53Things
- 56:53As we
- 56:53Ask it
- 56:54In
- 56:54Jesus
- 56:54Name
- 56:55Amen
- 56:56Amen
- 56:56We'll
- 57:00Bring our
- 57:01Worship
- 57:01To
- 57:01Our
- 57:01Close
- 57:02By
- 57:02Singing
- 57:02In
- 57:03Psalm
- 57:0332
- 57:04In
- 57:05The
- 57:05Scottish
- 57:06Psalter
- 57:06Page
- 57:07244
- 57:08Psalm
- 57:1532
- 57:15We'll
- 57:16Sing
- 57:16From
- 57:16Verse
- 57:176
- 57:17To
- 57:17Verse
- 57:188
- 57:49For
- 57:53!
- 57:53For
- 57:53This
- 57:54Shall
- 57:55Every
- 57:56Godly
- 57:57One
- 57:58His
- 57:59Prayer
- 58:00Make
- 58:02To
- 58:02Thee
- 58:04In
- 58:05Such
- 58:06A
- 58:07Time
- 58:07He
- 58:08Shall
- 58:09Thee
- 58:10Seek
- 58:10As
- 58:11Found
- 58:12Thou
- 58:13Mayest
- 58:14Be
- 58:15As
- 58:17Found
- 58:18Thou
- 58:18Mayest
- 58:20Be
- 58:21As
- 58:23Found
- 58:24Thou
- 58:24Mayest
- 58:26Be
- 58:27In
- 58:28Such
- 58:29A
- 58:30Time
- 58:31He
- 58:32Shall
- 58:32Thee
- 58:33Seek
- 58:34As
- 58:35Found
- 58:35Thou
- 58:36Mayest
- 58:38Be
- 58:38Surely
- 58:41When
- 58:42Floods
- 58:43Of
- 58:44Waters
- 58:45Great
- 58:46Do
- 58:47Swell
- 58:48Up
- 58:48To
- 58:49The
- 58:50Prim
- 58:51They
- 58:52Shall
- 58:53Not
- 58:54Overwhelm
- 58:57His
- 58:57Soul
- 58:58Nor
- 58:59Once
- 59:00Come
- 59:00Near
- 59:01To
- 59:02Him
- 59:03Nor
- 59:05Once
- 59:05Come
- 59:06Near
- 59:07To
- 59:07Him
- 59:09They
- 59:12Shall
- 59:17Not
- 59:18Overwhelm
- 59:21His
- 59:21Soul
- 59:22Nor
- 59:23Once
- 59:24Come
- 59:25Near
- 59:25To
- 59:26Him
- 59:28Thou
- 59:29Art
- 59:30My
- 59:31Hiding
- 59:32Place
- 59:33Thou
- 59:34Shalt
- 59:35From
- 59:36Trouble
- 59:37Keep
- 59:38Me
- 59:39Free
- 59:39Thou
- 59:41With
- 59:42Songs
- 59:43Of
- 59:44Deliberance
- 59:47About
- 59:48Shall
- 59:49Come
- 59:50Pass
- 59:51Me
- 59:52About
- 59:54Shall
- 59:55Come
- 59:56Pass
- 59:57Me
- 59:58About
- 1:00:00Shall
- 1:00:01Come
- 1:00:02Pass
- 1:00:03Me
- 1:00:04Thou
- 1:00:06With
- 1:00:07Songs
- 1:00:07Of
- 1:00:08Deliberance
- 1:00:11About
- 1:00:12Shall
- 1:00:13Come
- 1:00:14Pass
- 1:00:15Me
- 1:00:16I
- 1:00:18Will
- 1:00:19Instruct
- 1:00:20The
- 1:00:21And
- 1:00:22The
- 1:00:22Teach
- 1:00:23The
- 1:00:24Way
- 1:00:25That
- 1:00:26Thou
- 1:00:26Shall
- 1:00:27Go
- 1:00:28And
- 1:00:30With
- 1:00:31Mine
- 1:00:32Eye
- 1:00:32Upon
- 1:00:33The
- 1:00:34Set
- 1:00:35I
- 1:00:36Will
- 1:00:37Direction
- 1:00:39Show
- 1:00:40I
- 1:00:42Will
- 1:00:43Direction
- 1:00:44Show
- 1:00:46I
- 1:00:48Will
- 1:00:49Direction
- 1:00:51Show
- 1:00:52And
- 1:00:54With
- 1:00:55Mine
- 1:00:56Eye
- 1:00:56Upon
- 1:00:57Me
- 1:00:58Set
- 1:00:59I
- 1:01:00Will
- 1:01:01Thy
- 1:01:02Direction
- 1:01:03Show
- 1:01:04After the
- 1:01:07benediction I'll go to the door to my left.
- 1:01:09We'll close with the benediction.
- 1:01:11Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore.
- 1:01:20! Amen.
- 1:01:22Thank you.
- 1:01:52Thank you.