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A Kingdom of Confidence · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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Let us join our hearts together in praising God
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by singing to His praise from Psalm 93 of the Sing Psalms version of the Blue Book.
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Psalm 93, Sing Psalms, you'll find that on page 1, 2, 3 of the Blue Book.
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We'll sing from the beginning of that psalm, we'll sing the whole psalm.
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The Lord is King, His throne endures majestic in His height.
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The Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength and might.
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The world is founded firm and sure, removed it cannot be.
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Your throne is strong and You are God from all eternity.
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The seas, O Lord, have lifted up, they lifted up their voice.
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The seas have lifted up their waves and made a mighty noise.
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The Lord enthroned on high is strong, more powerful is He
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than thunder of the ocean's waves or breakers of the sea.
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Your royal statues, Lord, stand firm.
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Unchanging is Your Word and holiness adorns Your house
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for endless days, O Lord.
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We'll stand together and sing these verses to God's praise.
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The Lord is King.
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The Lord is King.
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The Lord is King.
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The heart is king, his throne endures,
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a chest in his height.
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The Lord is full in majesty,
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an arm with strength and light.
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The world is found in firm and sure,
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we would it have a be.
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Your throne is strong,
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and you are God of all eternity.
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The seas, O Lord, have lifted up,
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lifted up their voice.
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The seas have lifted up their weight,
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and made a mighty voice.
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The Lord, in throne of highest,
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strong or powerful is he,
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that land that all the oceans wave,
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are raiders of the sea.
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Your voice, O Lord, have lifted up,
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and heard of changing his pure word,
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and holyness,
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and Lord to rise,
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O'er the saints, O Lord.
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May we draw near to God in prayer.
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Let us bow in prayer.
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Our Father in heaven,
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as we come to you in this evening hour on your day,
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we pray that we would direct our minds and our hearts
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towards you and your word,
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and that we would have a focus upon what is set before us,
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and the beauty and wonder of your unchanging word,
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and in it may we see the unchanging promises of God,
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that we can take hold of,
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and embrace within our hearts,
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and we can lay hold of your word,
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as one that is a sure foundation for our souls,
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and that when we look at the world around us,
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and the changeableness of it,
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and the uncertainty of it,
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we then see the reassurance that we have,
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and the certainty and trusting in you.
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Let our minds be heavenward,
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and let us consider who you are,
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who you are as God,
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and Christ as our King,
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and we think on that kingship that is set before us,
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that will endure forever,
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and that we would love and abide,
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expecting to be received into the kingdom of God,
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and the kingdom of heaven.
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May your kingdom come,
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and may you gather all your people,
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in your due time,
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according to your ways,
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mysterious to our understanding.
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We pray that your spirit would be at work,
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within the hearts of us this night,
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and the desires of our heart would be towards you,
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and to know you,
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and you would reveal yourself to us in a greater sense than ever before,
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and that we may behold you with reverence and awe in our hearts,
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and consider all that we are receivers of through Christ Jesus.
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We thank you for all we have through him,
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and that he such so loved us,
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that he would go to the cross and die for us,
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and yet he gives us a great hope and assurance,
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for he did not remain in the grave,
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but ascended into heaven.
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And there he is preparing a place for his people,
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who trust in him and have faith in him.
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May we be those people that draw near to you,
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and cast aside all other loves of our hearts that we see in this world.
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And may the love of Christ Jesus grow and flourish,
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the seeds that is planted within us,
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abundantly grow and bear fruit in each of our lives,
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and as a church united.
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And the great phrase of Hebrews where he says,
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let us, may we rejoice together
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in that provision and inheritance
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that the Christian receives in Christ.
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We pray this night
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for the work that we do in this congregation.
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Varied and different people in whom we meet,
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we remember the work that the cruise ships
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that Martin Walker leads.
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We pray the blessing upon that
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as visitors come into this building
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and see the simplicity of it.
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May the word be highlighted and set before them,
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that they may see within those who speak with them
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the beauty of Christ Jesus.
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We pray for the Sunday school.
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We pray that a time of rest for the teachers in that.
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We remember Twinnies.
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We remember the team in Cresce.
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We pray for David Chisholm
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and his working road to recovery.
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And we pray over those who are suffering with addictions.
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That you would draw them from these things
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that bind them
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and that you would set them free.
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Lord, we pray for those who visit
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and that we would be mindful of those
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who are at home,
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even listening to us this night.
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That they too are part of us
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and are joined with us in worshipping you.
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Pray that we would be mindful of them.
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And that we would give that great consideration
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of each other
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and have that great concern for one another
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and how to stir up each other
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to love and good works.
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And yet,
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as we have that concern for one another,
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may that concern be also set within our hearts
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for those who are lost.
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And those who do not know of the glorious
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and immeasurable riches
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that they can receive in Christ Jesus.
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We pray
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that you would guide us in wisdom.
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That the words that we speak
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would be as fresh as a flowing stream
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and to those who do not know you.
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And speak to their hearts and souls.
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And may they see within the hearts of the believer
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a reassured hope and confidence
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in what they believe.
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Though trialed and afflicted in many ways,
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they stand firm upon the rock
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that is Jesus Christ and his promises.
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We pray
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for those who are afflicted.
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We pray
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for those who are suffering.
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We pray
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for those who are laid aside
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in illness.
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We pray
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that you would comfort them
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and be with them.
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We also acknowledge
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the anxieties
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people have
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in awaiting
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procedures in hospital.
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We pray
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also for them.
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That you would give them
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your peace
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and reassurance.
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That they would come
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and trust in you.
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Lord,
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we just pray
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that we
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would be
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living
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lights
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that go about
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in a dark world
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setting forth
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the beauty
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of Christ
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and illuminating
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that great
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pressure
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and riches
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of his word.
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Be with us.
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We pray
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in our time
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together
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as we come
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and consider
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what we are
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receivers of
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by being part
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of the kingdom
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of heaven.
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Be with us
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in minds
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our thoughts
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bodies
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and souls
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so that we
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would not be
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distracted
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nor turn away
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from your word.
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Help us
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to have that
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focus
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upon you
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a heavenward
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focus.
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May you
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grant us
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your blessing.
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May your spirit
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be your guide
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in these things
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and these matters.
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May your word
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be to us
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greatest treasure
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of all
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sweeter than honey
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and richer than gold.
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So be with us
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in our worship
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of you
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and all this
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we ask
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in the confession
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and forgiveness
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of our sins
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we ask
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in Jesus' name.
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Amen.
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I would like us
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to turn
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to your Bibles
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for our reading
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and we'll find
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that first reading
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in Exodus
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chapter 19.
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Exodus
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chapter 19.
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We'll break up
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our readings
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we'll read in Exodus
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and then afterwards
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we'll read in Hebrews
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after us singing.
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Exodus
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chapter 19.
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I'm reading
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at verse 7.
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This is Israel
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at Mount Sinai
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and Moses
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being called
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to meet
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with God.
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Let us hear
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God's word.
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So Moses
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came and called
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the elders
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of the people
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and set
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before them
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all these words
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that the Lord
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had commanded him
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and the people
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answered together
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and said
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all that the Lord
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has spoken
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we will do.
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And Moses
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reported the words
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of the people
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to the Lord
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and the Lord
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said to Moses
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behold
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I am coming
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to you
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in a thick cloud
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that the people
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may hear
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when I speak
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with you
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and may also
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believe you
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forever.
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When Moses
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told the words
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of the people
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to the Lord
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the Lord
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said to Moses
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go to the people
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and consecrate them
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today and tomorrow
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and let them
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wash their garments
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and be ready
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for the third day
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for on the third day
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the Lord
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will come down
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on Mount Sinai
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in the sight
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of all the people
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and you shall
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set limits
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for the people
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all around
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saying
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take care
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not to go
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into the mountain
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or touch
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the edge of it
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whoever touches
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the mountain
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shall be put
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to death
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no hand
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shall touch him
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but he shall
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be stoned
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or shot
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whether beast
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or man
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he shall
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not live
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when the trumpet
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sounds
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a long blast
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they shall
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come up
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to the mountain
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so Moses
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went down
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from the mountain
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to the people
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and consecrated
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the people
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and they washed
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their garments
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and he said
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to the people
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be ready
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for the third day
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do not go near
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a woman
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on the morning
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of the third day
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there were thunder
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and lightnings
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and a thick cloud
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on the mountain
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and a very loud
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trumpet blast
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so that all the people
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in the camp
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trembled
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then Moses
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brought the people
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out of the camp
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to meet God
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and they took
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their stand
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at the foot
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of the mountain
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now Mount Sinai
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was wrapped
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in smoke
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because the Lord
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had descended
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on it in fire
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the smoke
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of it went up
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like the smoke
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of Achilles
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and the whole
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mountain
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trembled
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greatly
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and as the sound
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of the trumpet
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grew louder
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and louder
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Moses spoke
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and God
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answered him
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in the thunder
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the Lord
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came down
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on Mount Sinai
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to the top
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of the mountain
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and the Lord
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called Moses
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to the top
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of the mountain
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and Moses
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went up
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and the Lord
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said to Moses
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go down
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and warn the people
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lest they break
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through to the Lord
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to look
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and many of them
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perish
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also let the priests
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who come near
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the Lord
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consecrate themselves
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lest the Lord
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break out
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against them
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and Moses
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said to the Lord
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the people
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cannot
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come up
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to Mount Sinai
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for you
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yourself
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warned us
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saying
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set limits
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around the mountain
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and consecrate it
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and the Lord
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said to him
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go down
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and come up
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bringing Aaron
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with you
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but do not
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let the priests
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and the people
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break through
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to come up
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to the Lord
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lest he break out
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against them
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so Moses
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went down
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to the people
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and told them
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Amen
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I'll continue
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in our praise
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of God
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by singing
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there in Psalm 110
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of the Scottish
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Psalter version
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find that
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on page 390
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Psalm 110
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Scottish
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Psalter version
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page 390
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we sing
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from the beginning
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of that Psalm
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down to the end
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of verse Mark 5
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the Lord
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the Lord
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did say unto
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my Lord
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sit thou
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at my right hand
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until I make
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thy force a stool
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where on thy feet
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may stand
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the Lord
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shall out of Zion
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send
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thy rod
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of thy great power
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in midst of all
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thy enemies
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be thou
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the governor
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down to verse 5
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the glorious
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and mighty Lord
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that sits
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at thy right hand
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shall in this
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his day
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of wrath
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strike through
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kings
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that do
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whom
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withstand
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we'll stand
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and sing
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these words
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together
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the Lord
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did say
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unto my Lord
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sit thou
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at my right hand
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this
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unto
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とう
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asters
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my Lord
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serve
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high
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anto
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to
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shall
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on
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return
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and
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till
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I
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af
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Thy boat's astool, where not thy feet they stand?
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The heart shall have the sky ascend,
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where shore the life
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is heard.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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We turn now to our Bibles in the second portion of
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reading from Scripture in the book of Hebrews, Hebrews chapter 12.
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We'll read there at verse 18.
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Hebrews chapter 12, verse 18.
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For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom, and
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a tempest and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that
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no further messages be spoken to them.
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For they could not endure the order that was given.
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If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.
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Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, I tremble with fear.
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But you have come, rather, to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly
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Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the first-born
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who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous
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made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood
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that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
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See that you do not refuse him who is speaking.
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For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will
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we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.
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At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, yet once more I will shake
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not only the earth, but also the heavens.
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This phrase, yet once more, indicates the removal of things that are shaken, that is, things that
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have been made, in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
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Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let
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us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
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Amen.
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May the reading of God's word be blessed to us as always.
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Amen.
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We continue in our praise to God before considering this passage, and we'll do so in Psalm 48a of
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the Sing Psalms Version.
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You'll find that on page 63 of the Blue Book.
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We'll also conclude with this psalm after our considerations of Scripture, if you just might
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want to keep that page.
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We'll sing the whole psalm over them two singings.
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Our first singing will take us down to verse marked 8.
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Psalm 48a.
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Sing down to verse marked 8.
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as we have heard, so we have seen, God's city will endure.
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The Lord Almighty evermore, his city keeps secure.
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A psalm that speaks of the security of Mount Zion
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and the king's great city that will endure forever.
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May we stand and sing these verses.
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Great is the Lord who rules on high, with praise his temple full.
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The Lord who rules on high, with praise his temple full.
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Within the city of our God and on his holy hill.
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Thanks, I long with his graceful heart, his joy to all the earth.
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The great is the Lord who rules on high, with praise his temple full.
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Within her city of our God and on his holy hill.
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God's presence is revealed.
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For he has told himself to be a fortress of mercy.
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God's presence is revealed.
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When kings join forces to attack,
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As one they march away.
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They saw her and they wear a mist.
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They all in terror play.
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Like women giving burdened pain,
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They tremble in his shame.
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You wrecked them like a merchant tree,
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By temples and stone away.
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But we are so happy seeing,
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God's city will endure.
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The Lord almighty evermore.
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His city is secure.
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Amen.
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I'll come now and consider the words from the book of Hebrews.
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And for our text tonight,
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Read there at verse 28.
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Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
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And thus, let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe.
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For our God is a consuming fire.
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Over the last few weeks,
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We have looked at some of the great Bible similes that we find in the Bible.
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And although we don't have one set before us tonight,
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In the morning we consider what the kingdom of heaven was like,
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As Jesus spoke of in the parables.
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And we consider what was the kingdom.
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And how that kingdom was all set in place by the gathering of the people.
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And how that kingdom would come in the gathering of the people.
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And I thought that this section here that speaks of a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
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Would be a fitting conclusion to these Bible similes.
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And I've tied them all together.
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The outworking of Christ's kingdom.
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And the gathering of the people as we considered in the morning.
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And the riches of it.
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We looked at and considered.
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And tonight I really want to give our minds to the greatness of that kingdom.
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That it is sure and steadfast like the man who built his house on the rock.
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It is a place where the king's blessing pours down,
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Like the oil on Aaron's head and the dew of Mount Hermon.
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It is a place where the people in the kingdom of heaven are washed whiter than snow.
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And it is a place where the gathering of that kingdom rejoice in saying together,
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Let us.
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The greatness of Christ's kingdom is set before us in this passage.
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As a great provision and a great inheritance that we receive.
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But is it so great to you as you consider it,
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That you are stirred to that thankfulness spoken in verse 28,
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With a gratefulness in your heart,
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For receiving such a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
31:25
And is this thought on this great kingdom so wondrous to you,
31:30
That you cannot but draw near to him in worship with reverence and awe.
31:39
If we do, that's great.
31:42
But if not, then we have all the more reason to consider how great this kingdom is,
31:49
So that we too would be stirred in such a way.
31:53
That we are called by the king to come into this kingdom and receive the king's favour.
32:05
I pray that each of us would be found in the kingdom of heaven.
32:11
And this kingdom here is represented by two mountains from our passage.
32:17
One greater than the other.
32:20
And in the final section from verse 25.
32:25
There is a comparison made between two kingdoms.
32:30
The kingdom of the world that will be shaken and the kingdom of God that will stand forever.
32:36
So let us give our mind to those differences that are set before us.
32:41
Of two parts, considering two mountains,
32:45
And considering the greater mountain.
32:47
And considering the greater kingdom.
32:50
So let's look at the greater mountain that is set before us.
32:56
It says there in verse 18.
33:01
For you have not come to what may be touched a blazing fire, darkness and gloom, and a tempest,
33:08
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice whose words made the hearer beg that no further messages would be spoken to them.
33:16
For they could not endure the order that was given.
33:20
If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.
33:24
And so on.
33:26
Oh, this passage takes us back to Mount Sinai.
33:32
And the section that we read there in Exodus together.
33:35
But there is a contrast set before Mount Sinai.
33:41
With Mount Zion.
33:43
You'll see that in verse 22.
33:46
Whereas we come to the Mount Sinai at first in verse 18.
33:51
In verse 22, the writer of the Hebrews says,
33:54
But you have come to Mount Zion.
33:57
There are two mountains set before us.
34:00
And if we consider Mount Sinai.
34:03
And God's almighty approach that he made to his people there.
34:08
And the representative Moses going on behalf of them to meet with God.
34:15
God asked for their preparation.
34:18
To consecrate themselves.
34:20
To wash themselves.
34:22
And we read that they came with fear and trembling.
34:28
In verse 16 of that chapter.
34:31
And as we read through the descriptions of all that happened on Mount Sinai.
34:36
We kind of get a picture.
34:38
But we don't grasp really the effect of what was going on at that time.
34:43
The fear of anyone going near the mountain.
34:48
God commanded that they should be stoned or shot.
34:52
They were to die.
34:53
They were to die.
34:54
Man or beast.
34:55
They were to stay back.
35:00
Until the trumpet sounded.
35:03
Then they could draw closer.
35:05
But even only so far.
35:08
For Moses had to go back.
35:11
And restrain them.
35:13
From drawing into the presence of God.
35:16
They could not endure.
35:18
The order that was given.
35:20
To draw near to God.
35:22
And to come to him.
35:23
And we could see that.
35:25
When we consider this Old Testament account.
35:28
We see in it the great display of God's power.
35:31
His might.
35:32
His authority.
35:33
Really emphasized at Mount Sinai.
35:37
This is the obvious revealing of God's character at Sinai.
35:43
Such that it produces within the heart of man.
35:48
Fear and trembling.
35:50
Even in the heart of Moses.
35:52
Verse 21.
35:53
Yet under this great display of fear.
35:58
This great display of might and power.
36:01
That provoked such fear.
36:03
Underneath that.
36:05
There is a loving, forgiving, patient and long-suffering God.
36:12
It's not obvious to us.
36:15
But we don't even need to leave Mount Sinai to see it.
36:18
For if you remember.
36:20
While Moses was up on that mountain.
36:22
The people of God were building a golden calf.
36:26
And making an idol of that calf.
36:29
God did not destroy them for such an action.
36:33
But God in his patience, forgiveness, long-suffering.
36:39
With the people that were so stiff-necked.
36:42
He allowed them to be builders of the tabernacle.
36:47
Where he would come and dwell with them.
36:51
Although when we consider Sinai.
36:55
The might and power of God.
36:58
Is really set before us.
37:00
And the writer is saying there in verse 18.
37:06
We have not come to a place like that.
37:09
We have not come to the place of things that may be touched.
37:13
We have come to far superior things than Mount Sinai.
37:19
The Hebrew writer is saying this is the way things were in the old covenant.
37:23
In the old ways.
37:25
But now consider the ways that we have now.
37:30
And the riches of it.
37:32
You have come to Mount Zion.
37:36
Mount Zion, a mountain that represented the presence of God.
37:40
Before Jerusalem.
37:42
Mount Zion's mountain stood over Jerusalem.
37:47
And it was considered as that seat and throne of God.
37:51
That watched over his precious people of Jerusalem.
37:55
As we saw in Psalm 133.
37:57
And from that throne.
38:00
The blessings of God poured down.
38:03
And yet it is to this mountain that we come, Mount Zion, not to a place where we are arrested by the fear and terror of God,
38:15
but where the immeasurable riches of this king pour down upon his people by the one that went before us,
38:29
by our representative, by the blood of Christ, we receive spiritual treasure of surpassing value in the kingdom of heaven that is set before us.
38:48
Mount Zion, in a sense, reverses the emphasis of Mount Sinai.
38:54
Love is emphasized and not wrath.
38:59
The new covenant and the new ways openly display the love of God in the giving of his son at Calvary.
39:09
And yet under that great display of love, and no greater display of love can anyone make than to give their life.
39:17
Underneath that is the power and might of God, the sovereignty of God.
39:25
And you can see, well, on both mountains, there is a God which loves us and is patient and long-suffering with us,
39:37
but also a God that causes fear and trembling in our heart.
39:43
Such is God, such is God, and such he will be.
39:51
We are not to pluck God's attributes as we see fit.
39:59
For if we do that, we lose the character of God.
40:03
And it will directly influence how we draw near to him and how we worship him.
40:12
And if we consider the riches of Mount Zion,
40:16
look there what we read of about this mountain in verse 22.
40:21
It is so rich of what we receive.
40:25
But you have come to Mount Zion,
40:28
and to the city of the living God,
40:31
the heavenly Jerusalem,
40:33
to the innumerable angels and festal gathering,
40:36
and to the assembly of the firstborn who are ruled in heaven,
40:40
and to God, the judge of all,
40:41
and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
40:45
and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
40:47
and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
40:53
The writer's building upon himself as he speaks about this kingdom,
41:01
about this heavenly kingdom that has been prepared for us.
41:05
The privileges of it are set forth for us to consider.
41:09
You can come to the city of the living God.
41:15
You are not restricted from his dwelling place.
41:23
You are not restricted like the people were in Mount Sinai,
41:28
nor are you restricted like the people were by the curtain of the tabernacle.
41:35
We have come into the city of the living God.
41:40
We are welcomed into that city,
41:44
not restrained,
41:47
even to be with the innumerable angels in the worship of God,
41:54
to that festal gathering.
41:57
And that word to describe that gathering
42:00
is a word that is not used anywhere else in Scripture,
42:04
and maybe rightly so,
42:06
for it is a gathering like no other.
42:12
We are come to this adjoining with the innumerable angels
42:19
in the worship of God
42:21
as receivers of the kingdom of heaven.
42:25
And you have come to be included in the assembly in heaven,
42:36
enrolled in heaven,
42:40
written with your name registered in this place.
42:45
You have citizenship in this heavenly kingdom.
42:49
Your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
42:51
And it is not just to the city,
42:55
nor the angels,
42:56
nor the assembly,
42:58
but you have come unto God,
43:01
the judge of all,
43:04
and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.
43:09
For it is only those
43:11
who are made perfect in righteousness,
43:15
and the righteousness of Christ,
43:19
that are judged as pure.
43:20
Those who have washed their garments
43:24
in the blood of Christ,
43:27
made perfect in his righteousness,
43:30
and it is to the one
43:34
who gives us his righteousness
43:37
that we also come.
43:40
It says there,
43:41
to Jesus,
43:43
our Savior,
43:44
our mediator,
43:45
our representative,
43:47
the one who went into the place
43:51
where we could not go,
43:54
nor the place where we could endure.
43:58
He went to satisfy the justice of God
44:01
by his unblemished,
44:05
perfect sacrifice,
44:07
so that we may enter
44:11
into his presence
44:14
by the blood that cleansed us
44:17
from all our unrighteousness.
44:19
and it is a blood spilt
44:23
that speaks.
44:25
And it speaks a better word
44:29
than the blood of Abel.
44:31
It says there in verse 24.
44:35
Both men were killed unjustly.
44:40
Both offered a willing sacrifice
44:45
with blood.
44:48
Abel brought a lamb
44:50
as an offering,
44:52
but also his own blood
44:54
spoke,
44:58
though separately.
45:01
Christ's sacrifice
45:03
and life is such
45:05
that they are both his own.
45:09
And while Abel's blood
45:11
is a blood
45:11
that spoke of vengeance
45:13
against his offender,
45:18
and a punishment
45:20
that God made upon Cain
45:23
that it says
45:24
he could not bear,
45:27
the wrath and curse of God
45:30
that was so great for him,
45:33
Christ's blood
45:36
does not speak
45:37
in such a way.
45:39
Christ's blood
45:41
speaks with forgiveness
45:42
to those
45:44
who have offended him.
45:46
Christ's blood
45:48
was so like that
45:50
willing sacrifice offered.
45:53
And it was such a sacrifice
45:55
that was likewise
45:56
received and regarded
45:58
by God.
46:01
And it was a sacrifice
46:02
that bore the punishment
46:05
that we could not bear.
46:09
The blood of Christ
46:10
is a far better word.
46:16
And though Christ,
46:18
and though through this blood
46:21
and through Christ,
46:23
we come to Mount Zion
46:25
through this man.
46:27
not in the old ways
46:31
of Mount Zion
46:31
with fear and trembling,
46:34
but a new and living way
46:36
is opened up for us.
46:40
Unto the heavenly kingdom,
46:43
unto the glory of God.
46:47
The curtain that kept us back
46:49
has been torn.
46:52
The way has been opened
46:53
by the blood of the Lamb,
46:56
allowing us to go
46:58
to the places
46:59
where we are restricted
47:01
from going
47:01
into the presence of God.
47:05
We enter into
47:07
far superior things
47:09
and far greater blessings
47:12
as the people of God.
47:14
We are so privileged
47:16
to receive these things.
47:20
It is like the words
47:21
of Psalm 89.
47:23
O greatly blessed
47:24
the people are
47:25
the joyful sound
47:27
that know
47:27
in brightness
47:28
of thy face,
47:29
O Lord,
47:30
they ever on shall go.
47:33
They in thy name
47:34
shall all the day
47:35
rejoice exceedingly
47:37
and in thy righteousness
47:39
they shall
47:40
be exalted,
47:43
exalted be on high.
47:45
And it is to the heights
47:48
of Zion
47:49
that we will be exalted
47:52
to be with God
47:54
and to be in the presence
47:56
of God
47:57
for Christ has opened up
47:59
the way
47:59
to be in such a place.
48:03
And it is a great kingdom
48:05
that is set before
48:06
the one who trusts in Christ.
48:11
Verse 25
48:13
makes a call
48:15
to each of us.
48:17
See that you do not
48:18
refuse him
48:19
who is speaking.
48:21
For if they did not escape
48:22
when they refused him
48:24
who warned them on earth,
48:25
much less will we escape
48:27
if we reject him
48:28
who warns from heaven.
48:30
At that time
48:31
his voice shook the earth,
48:33
but now he has promised,
48:35
yet once more
48:36
I will shake
48:37
not only the earth,
48:39
but also the heavens.
48:41
This phrase
48:43
yet once more
48:44
indicates the removal
48:45
of things that are shaken,
48:47
that is,
48:47
the things that have been made
48:48
in order that the things
48:50
that cannot be shaken
48:52
may remain.
48:55
He's calling
48:55
to each of us
48:56
to understand
48:58
what has been said here.
49:01
That we do not
49:02
reject
49:03
the provision
49:04
and inheritance
49:06
that we have
49:07
through Christ Jesus.
49:08
the sacrifice
49:10
for our sins.
49:15
The king
49:16
is asking you
49:18
to come
49:18
into his kingdom
49:20
and receive
49:22
these riches.
49:25
Do you know
49:26
the value
49:26
of the treasure
49:27
that is set
49:28
before you tonight
49:29
in his word?
49:33
Here is a warning
49:34
not to refuse it,
49:35
for by the power
49:37
that shook Sinai
49:39
it says
49:39
that he will also
49:40
shake this world
49:41
and destroy
49:43
all things
49:45
that have been made
49:46
so the things
49:47
that cannot be shaken
49:49
will remain.
49:51
The things
49:51
not made
49:52
with hands,
49:54
the things
49:54
that are eternal
49:55
in the heavens,
49:57
only what cannot
49:59
be shaken,
50:00
what God
50:01
has made
50:02
and provided
50:03
shall remain.
50:04
Mount Zion
50:06
will stand
50:08
forever.
50:10
This kingdom
50:11
is such
50:11
that it is
50:12
so secure
50:13
it will not
50:15
be shaken.
50:17
The kingdom
50:17
in which the believer
50:18
in Christ
50:20
is a part of
50:21
today
50:23
gives you
50:25
the greatest
50:26
security
50:26
for tomorrow.
50:28
For even
50:29
our lives
50:30
shall be shaken,
50:31
our bodies
50:32
shall be shaken,
50:34
and removed.
50:38
But the kingdom
50:39
of heaven
50:39
and those
50:41
who are part
50:42
of the kingdom
50:43
of heaven
50:43
and welcome
50:44
into the kingdom
50:45
of heaven
50:46
shall endure.
50:51
Is there an excuse
50:52
for those
50:53
who have heard
50:54
these things
50:54
of such
50:57
a provision
50:58
of wonder
50:59
that it is
51:00
made for those
51:01
through Christ
51:03
Jesus?
51:05
We are not
51:06
to come
51:06
with fear
51:07
and trembling.
51:09
We are to come
51:10
and rejoice
51:11
in all
51:12
that has been
51:12
done for us.
51:15
And as the trumpet
51:16
sounded at Mount
51:17
Sinai for the people
51:18
to come,
51:20
so the trumpet
51:21
sounds
51:23
tonight.
51:24
The gospel
51:25
has been
51:26
sounded
51:26
throughout
51:27
our land
51:28
and it has
51:29
been made
51:29
known
51:30
to the hearer
51:31
of it
51:31
and you
51:33
tonight
51:33
that it is
51:35
time
51:35
to come
51:36
and receive
51:37
these riches,
51:40
to receive
51:41
the blessing
51:42
and favour
51:43
of the King,
51:44
to come
51:46
to this
51:47
blessed
51:48
Mount
51:49
Zion.
51:49
let us
51:52
rejoice
51:53
as we
51:53
consider
51:54
the provision
51:55
that has been
51:56
made for us.
51:58
Where abundant
51:59
blessings flow
52:00
down to the
52:01
people,
52:03
the trumpet
52:04
sounds
52:04
the favour
52:05
of the King,
52:08
but yet
52:09
another
52:09
trumpet
52:10
shall sound,
52:13
a trumpet
52:14
that will
52:15
sound the
52:15
coming
52:16
of that
52:17
kingdom
52:17
and completeness.
52:19
as we pray
52:21
and call
52:22
for his
52:22
kingdom
52:23
to come,
52:25
a prayer
52:25
that will
52:26
with surety
52:28
be answered.
52:30
It's just
52:31
like the
52:31
parable of the
52:32
night that we
52:32
considered this
52:33
morning,
52:35
where those
52:35
will be
52:36
gathered
52:36
and those
52:37
will be
52:38
separated,
52:39
the good
52:40
from the bad,
52:41
those who
52:41
believe in
52:42
Christ
52:43
and are
52:43
part of
52:44
the kingdom
52:44
of heaven
52:45
shall be
52:46
safe
52:47
and secure.
52:48
Christ's
52:50
own appeal
52:51
to the
52:52
people
52:52
was,
52:54
repent,
52:55
turn from
52:56
the ways
52:56
in which
52:57
you are
52:57
living,
52:58
turn from
52:59
the desires
53:00
of your
53:00
heart,
53:01
repent,
53:01
for the
53:02
kingdom of
53:03
heaven
53:03
is at
53:04
hand.
53:06
The
53:06
King
53:07
is calling
53:08
to you
53:10
tonight,
53:11
the trumpet
53:11
is being
53:12
sounded,
53:13
that you
53:14
may come.
53:15
And what
53:17
is the
53:17
writer of
53:18
the Hebrews
53:19
conclusion to
53:20
all these
53:21
things?
53:22
He says,
53:23
therefore,
53:25
let us
53:26
be grateful
53:27
for receiving
53:28
a kingdom
53:28
that cannot
53:29
be shaken
53:30
and thus
53:32
let us
53:33
offer to
53:34
God
53:35
acceptable
53:35
worship
53:36
with reverence
53:37
and awe
53:37
for our
53:38
God is a
53:39
consuming
53:39
fire.
53:42
When
53:42
someone gives
53:43
you a gift
53:44
of abundance,
53:45
you're not
53:45
quite sure
53:46
what to
53:46
do.
53:50
And it
53:50
is the
53:51
abundance
53:51
of God's
53:53
grace,
53:54
the
53:55
forgiveness
53:55
of your
53:56
sins,
53:57
the
53:58
washings
53:58
of your
53:58
garments,
54:00
a solid
54:01
rock in
54:01
which to
54:02
build your
54:02
life upon,
54:05
and the
54:05
receiving
54:06
of God's
54:07
favour.
54:10
It's
54:11
sometimes
54:11
hard to
54:13
grasp.
54:14
and to
54:14
receive
54:15
them.
54:17
But they
54:18
are set
54:18
before you
54:19
tonight.
54:22
The
54:22
believer in
54:23
Christ
54:23
has
54:25
received
54:25
all this
54:26
already.
54:28
The
54:28
believer in
54:30
Christ is
54:31
already part
54:32
of this
54:32
kingdom.
54:33
His name
54:34
is already
54:34
written in
54:35
the Lamb's
54:36
Book of
54:37
Life.
54:37
Christ is
54:39
He is
54:40
already
54:41
welcomed
54:42
into the
54:43
king's
54:44
city to
54:45
join in
54:46
the praise
54:47
of God
54:48
and enrolled
54:49
in that
54:50
great
54:50
assembly.
54:53
They can
54:53
come to
54:53
God,
54:55
they can
54:55
come to
54:56
Jesus
54:56
through that
54:58
blood that
54:58
was poured
54:59
out for
55:00
you.
55:00
we have
55:03
received
55:04
these
55:04
things
55:05
already.
55:06
We are
55:07
one and
55:08
the same
55:09
in the
55:09
kingdom of
55:10
heaven.
55:11
We are
55:12
included in
55:13
all these
55:13
things.
55:15
The
55:15
kingdom
55:15
has been
55:17
prepared for
55:18
you.
55:19
The king
55:20
is waiting
55:20
to gather
55:21
the people
55:22
of his
55:22
kingdom
55:23
which are
55:24
set before
55:25
us here
55:26
tonight.
55:27
the king's
55:30
kingdom
55:30
will come
55:32
in
55:32
completion
55:33
and he
55:34
is calling
55:35
you to
55:35
come to
55:36
it.
55:38
And I
55:38
admit in
55:39
all these
55:39
things we
55:40
can only
55:41
really touch
55:42
on it
55:42
and probably
55:44
rightly so.
55:45
We cannot
55:46
grasp them
55:47
in full.
55:48
They are
55:48
inconceivable
55:49
to us
55:50
of what
55:51
these riches
55:52
really are.
55:54
We see
55:55
through our
55:55
glass dimly
55:56
we have
55:58
tastes of
55:59
this heavenly
56:00
experience
56:01
but we
56:03
fail to
56:03
convey
56:04
the full
56:05
measure
56:06
what it
56:06
will mean
56:07
for us.
56:09
Even
56:09
the outworking
56:10
of God's
56:11
grace in
56:11
our lives
56:12
we can
56:13
explain it
56:13
so far
56:14
but then
56:15
we are
56:16
left without
56:16
words.
56:19
There's
56:19
just some
56:20
point that
56:20
comes where
56:21
we are
56:21
just lost
56:22
to explain
56:23
the riches
56:25
have been
56:25
part of
56:26
the kingdom
56:27
of heaven
56:27
and knowing
56:29
that the
56:30
blood of
56:30
Christ
56:30
has redeemed
56:32
me and
56:33
opened up
56:34
a way for
56:35
me in
56:36
which I
56:36
can draw
56:37
near to
56:38
God.
56:39
So great
56:40
are these
56:41
things.
56:43
Let us
56:44
give thanks
56:44
thanks for
56:45
the kingdom
56:46
of heaven
56:47
that is
56:48
prepared for
56:49
us, the
56:50
kingdom of
56:50
heaven that
56:51
we are
56:52
part of, the
56:53
believer in
56:54
Christ Jesus.
56:58
And thus
56:59
do so
57:02
offer
57:03
worship in
57:04
a manner
57:05
that is
57:06
fitting for
57:07
the honour
57:07
of the
57:08
King.
57:09
King
57:11
Jesus and
57:13
the glory
57:13
of God
57:14
that we
57:16
worship him
57:16
with reverence
57:17
and awe.
57:19
There's a
57:20
sermon in
57:20
this itself
57:21
but I
57:22
must conclude.
57:24
The
57:24
reverence
57:25
of God
57:26
equates
57:28
to the
57:28
shame in
57:29
a sense
57:29
of knowing
57:30
the abundance
57:32
of what we
57:33
have received,
57:35
the
57:35
unworthiness
57:36
of our
57:36
receiving
57:37
it,
57:38
whether it
57:39
is that
57:40
we are
57:40
spared his
57:41
anger or
57:43
that we
57:43
are receiving
57:44
such an
57:45
abundance of
57:45
things.
57:48
A.W.
57:49
Pink
57:49
says,
57:50
Though God
57:52
has taken
57:53
his redeemed
57:53
into intimate
57:55
nearness
57:56
with himself,
57:58
yet he
57:58
requires that
57:59
they always
58:00
retain a
58:01
due apprehension
58:02
of the
58:03
majesty of
58:04
his person
58:04
and the
58:06
holiness of
58:07
his nature,
58:08
the severity
58:09
of his
58:10
justice,
58:11
and the
58:12
ardent or
58:12
passionate
58:13
jealousy
58:14
of his
58:15
worship.
58:18
You see,
58:19
we cannot
58:22
pluck at
58:23
the preferable
58:24
attributes of
58:25
God,
58:27
or it will
58:27
affect our
58:28
worship of
58:29
him and
58:30
how we
58:31
draw near
58:32
to him.
58:32
if we
58:34
only consider
58:35
his love,
58:36
we will
58:36
have no
58:37
reverence
58:37
to draw
58:38
near to
58:39
him.
58:40
Our
58:41
awe will
58:42
not be
58:42
complete
58:43
if we
58:44
forget the
58:45
almighty
58:45
power that
58:46
was shown
58:47
at
58:47
Sinai.
58:50
Our
58:50
worship
58:50
must be
58:52
in honour
58:52
of God
58:54
and to
58:54
the glory
58:55
of God,
58:56
and that's
58:56
why he
58:57
concludes
58:57
by saying,
58:58
for our
58:59
God is a
58:59
consuming
59:00
fire.
59:00
That
59:02
comes from
59:02
Deuteronomy
59:03
where God
59:03
himself
59:04
directed the
59:05
people of
59:06
Israel on
59:07
how to
59:07
worship him,
59:09
that they
59:09
were not to
59:10
worship him
59:10
in ways that
59:11
they thought
59:12
fit themselves,
59:14
they were
59:14
worshipped him
59:15
in ways in
59:15
which he
59:16
had appointed,
59:18
not to
59:18
use images
59:19
or idolatry
59:20
in any
59:21
sense.
59:23
Our
59:23
worship,
59:25
as we
59:25
draw near
59:25
to God,
59:26
should have
59:26
a holy
59:27
fear and
59:29
a captivating
59:30
love.
59:30
intertwined
59:32
with one
59:32
another,
59:33
and finding
59:34
that balance
59:34
can be
59:35
difficult at
59:35
times,
59:36
we must
59:37
confess.
59:39
Though amid
59:39
these difficulties
59:40
and differences,
59:42
the greater
59:44
God is to
59:45
you,
59:46
and the
59:47
more that
59:47
we know
59:47
of God
59:48
and understand
59:49
of the
59:50
greatest
59:50
riches
59:52
that we
59:52
receive in
59:53
Christ Jesus,
59:54
the greater
59:55
our desire
59:56
will be to
59:56
come to
59:57
him.
59:57
I hope
1:00:00
we see
1:00:00
the
1:00:01
surpassing
1:00:02
glory
1:00:02
of his
1:00:03
kingdom.
1:00:05
The
1:00:06
King is
1:00:06
calling you
1:00:07
to come
1:00:08
tonight.
1:00:09
The
1:00:10
promise of
1:00:10
his rest
1:00:11
still stands.
1:00:15
Let us
1:00:15
fear,
1:00:16
lest any
1:00:17
of you
1:00:18
should seem
1:00:18
to fail
1:00:19
to reach
1:00:20
it.
1:00:22
Without
1:00:22
the gospel,
1:00:24
we have
1:00:24
only fear
1:00:25
and
1:00:26
trembling.
1:00:27
The
1:00:28
law of
1:00:28
Sinai
1:00:29
condemns
1:00:29
us.
1:00:31
It is
1:00:31
a mountain
1:00:32
that we
1:00:33
will come
1:00:34
to in
1:00:34
fear.
1:00:36
But with
1:00:37
the gospel,
1:00:38
we have
1:00:39
the greatest
1:00:40
provision,
1:00:42
the greatest
1:00:42
inheritance,
1:00:44
the greatest
1:00:45
security,
1:00:46
the way
1:00:47
has been
1:00:48
opened for
1:00:49
us.
1:00:49
We are
1:00:50
not held
1:00:50
back.
1:00:51
we are
1:00:52
welcomed
1:00:53
into the
1:00:54
presence of
1:00:54
the King.
1:00:57
It is a
1:00:57
kingdom that
1:00:58
gives us
1:00:58
confidence
1:00:59
because it
1:01:01
shall not
1:01:02
be shaken.
1:01:05
It is a
1:01:05
great
1:01:06
kingdom,
1:01:08
greater
1:01:08
than any
1:01:09
kingdom
1:01:09
in this
1:01:11
world.
1:01:13
As we
1:01:13
consider it,
1:01:14
may we
1:01:15
draw near
1:01:15
to him
1:01:16
with reverence
1:01:18
and awe
1:01:19
of a
1:01:20
God
1:01:20
that is
1:01:21
mighty
1:01:22
and good.
1:01:24
May these
1:01:24
thoughts be
1:01:25
blessed to
1:01:26
us.
1:01:27
We'll
1:01:27
conclude by
1:01:28
singing in
1:01:29
the psalm
1:01:30
that we
1:01:30
left off
1:01:32
with,
1:01:32
Psalm 48a.
1:01:35
Sing
1:01:35
Psalms,
1:01:36
page 63.
1:01:42
We'll
1:01:42
sing the
1:01:43
remainder of
1:01:44
the verses
1:01:45
there from
1:01:45
verse 9
1:01:46
to 14.
1:01:49
Again,
1:01:54
the
1:01:54
considerations
1:01:55
of the
1:01:55
city of
1:01:57
our God.
1:02:00
We
1:02:01
contemplate
1:02:02
your
1:02:02
steadfast
1:02:03
love
1:02:03
within
1:02:04
your
1:02:04
house,
1:02:04
O God,
1:02:06
for like
1:02:07
your name,
1:02:07
your praise
1:02:08
extends
1:02:08
throughout
1:02:09
the earth
1:02:09
abroad.
1:02:11
All that
1:02:12
you do
1:02:12
is right
1:02:13
as Lord,
1:02:14
Mount Zion's
1:02:15
joy is
1:02:15
great,
1:02:16
and Judah's
1:02:17
towns rejoice
1:02:18
as you,
1:02:19
your judgment
1:02:19
celebrate.
1:02:21
Round Zion
1:02:22
walk and
1:02:23
count her
1:02:23
towers,
1:02:24
view every
1:02:25
citadel,
1:02:26
so that the
1:02:27
children yet
1:02:28
are born,
1:02:28
her story
1:02:29
you may
1:02:29
tell.
1:02:30
For God
1:02:31
the Lord
1:02:31
who is
1:02:32
her God,
1:02:33
forever
1:02:33
will abide,
1:02:35
he is her
1:02:35
God forevermore,
1:02:37
and to
1:02:38
the end
1:02:38
her guide.
1:02:39
The confidence
1:02:40
that the
1:02:40
psalmist
1:02:41
had when
1:02:43
he came
1:02:43
to contemplate
1:02:44
God,
1:02:45
and as
1:02:46
he
1:02:47
round Zion
1:02:48
walked and
1:02:49
counted the
1:02:50
blessings that
1:02:51
he received.
1:02:53
Let us stand
1:02:54
and sing these
1:02:54
verses.
1:02:55
We
1:02:55
contemplate
1:02:56
your steadfast
1:02:57
love within
1:02:58
your house,
1:02:58
O God.
1:02:59
God,
1:03:00
we contemplate
1:03:08
your steadfast
1:03:10
love within
1:03:14
your eyes,
1:03:17
O God,
1:03:19
your eyes,
1:03:20
O God,
1:03:21
for thy
1:03:22
pure
1:03:24
influence
1:03:24
your
1:03:25
grace
1:03:26
makes
1:03:28
faint
1:03:29
through all
1:03:31
the
1:03:33
end
1:03:34
the
1:03:35
pride.
1:03:37
All
1:03:39
that
1:03:40
you
1:03:41
do
1:03:42
is
1:03:44
righteous
1:03:46
for
1:03:47
your
1:03:49
joy
1:03:50
is
1:03:54
great,
1:03:55
and
1:03:57
to
1:03:58
the
1:03:59
time
1:04:00
rejoice
1:04:01
as
1:04:04
may
1:04:05
your
1:04:07
judges
1:04:08
celebrate.
1:04:10
celebrate.
1:04:12
Round
1:04:14
Zion
1:04:16
walk
1:04:18
and
1:04:20
crown
1:04:22
her
1:04:23
heart
1:04:24
you
1:04:25
every
1:04:27
sin
1:04:28
at
1:04:30
end,
1:04:31
so
1:04:32
that
1:04:33
to
1:04:34
children
1:04:36
and
1:04:38
to
1:04:40
children
1:04:41
may
1:04:42
get
1:04:43
apart
1:04:44
their
1:04:45
story
1:04:46
you
1:04:47
may
1:04:48
tell.
1:04:49
For
1:04:51
God,
1:04:52
the
1:04:53
Lord,
1:04:54
who
1:04:55
is
1:04:56
their
1:04:57
God,
1:04:58
forever
1:04:59
and
1:05:00
will
1:05:01
abide,
1:05:02
forever
1:05:03
will
1:05:04
abide,
1:05:06
he
1:05:07
is
1:05:08
our
1:05:09
God,
1:05:10
forever
1:05:11
more,
1:05:12
and
1:05:13
to
1:05:14
the
1:05:15
end
1:05:16
our
1:05:17
night.
1:05:18
just
1:05:19
conclude with a word of prayer.
1:05:30
Our Father in heaven, when we consider your great love shown towards us in Christ Jesus,
1:05:37
and the privilege we receive from him, that we can enter into your presence,
1:05:43
and we receive our show of your glory and great inheritance.
1:05:47
He is the one that went to the places where we could not endure,
1:05:53
and he is the one that calls to us tonight.
1:05:57
May we receive your kingdom with joy.
1:06:02
May it be a treasure to us unspeakable and inconceivable,
1:06:07
and unexplainable in many ways.
1:06:09
May we know what it is to stand firm upon the solid rock that is Jesus Christ,
1:06:19
and a kingdom that shall not be shaken, and in a place where we can find security and confidence in our life.
1:06:29
Be with us as we part, and the week ahead watch over us, we pray in Jesus' name.
1:06:34
May we ask these things. Amen.