Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / Saturday Evening Service
Transcript
- 0:00We'll begin this time of worship with some words from Isaiah chapter 40. Isaiah chapter 40.
- 0:07! I'm reading from verse 28.
- 0:11!
- 0:30We'll sing to God's praise now from the Scottish Psalter, from Psalm 40, verses 1 to
- 0:59verse 5. You'll find that on page 259 of the book. Psalm 40, and we sing from verse 1 to
- 1:11verse 5 of the Psalm.
- 1:13I waited for the Lord my God and patiently did bear. At length to me he did incline my
- 1:19voice and cry to hear. He took me from a fearful pit and from the miry clay, and on a rock he
- 1:26set my feet establishing my way. He put a new song in my mouth, our God to magnify. Many
- 1:33shall see it and shall fear, and on the Lord rely. And we'll sing down to the end of verse
- 1:41verse 5 to God's praise.
- 1:42I waited for the Lord my Lord, a nation he did bear. A word to me he did.
- 2:11I waited for the Lord my heart and patiently did bear. He took me from the fearful pit and
- 2:30he took me from the mighty clay, and on the war he set my feet establishing my way. He put a new song in my heart, and on the
- 3:00voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy
- 3:30The man whose trust
- 3:33And of all the Lord provides
- 3:40Please pray not the blood
- 3:47Or such as turn aside tonight
- 3:56O Lord, my God, who may be not
- 4:06The waters of Christ come
- 4:13My gracious Lord to us, Lord God
- 4:22How all those are gone
- 4:29Enorms are none
- 4:34And there on the air
- 4:38To be in the air
- 4:43Deep in air
- 4:45That's the stream of death
- 4:50That I voy voy voy
- 4:53That I voy voy
- 5:06Let's unite our hearts together in prayer
- 5:11Let's pray
- 5:12Heavenly Father we thank you
- 5:23that once more you have called us to come
- 5:26into this place and we have the privilege of knowing
- 5:30that we are in your presence
- 5:32because we have the promise that we're
- 5:35even two or three of us meet together
- 5:38in the name of Jesus you are here with us
- 5:41in the power of the Holy Spirit
- 5:42we thank you Lord that that is a promise
- 5:47that is something that we can depend on
- 5:51we can lean on
- 5:52that you are here with us
- 5:54and we pray that we would know
- 5:57that not only is a promise that we can grasp with our minds
- 6:02but we pray that we would experience
- 6:05that sense of your presence
- 6:08as we gather in this place this evening
- 6:12even as Callum has spoken
- 6:15of our hearts burning within us
- 6:18we pray that we would have that experience
- 6:21that we are in the presence of God
- 6:24we pray that as we wait upon you
- 6:28that you would indeed meet with us
- 6:32and renew our strength
- 6:35we thank you for the psalm that we have sang
- 6:40that psalm that is so familiar to us
- 6:43a psalm that speaks out as the testimony
- 6:48of a man who was saved by God
- 6:51and we praise you that even though
- 6:55that psalm was written many thousands of years ago
- 6:59in a place far from here
- 7:03these words can be taken by each one of us
- 7:08and we can identify with all that the psalmist speaks of
- 7:13if we are your people
- 7:15just as he confessed his sin
- 7:19that sense of the miry clay and the pit
- 7:24that experience
- 7:28that conviction of sin
- 7:29that comes over us
- 7:32when God the Holy Spirit begins to work
- 7:35as he confessed sin
- 7:38Lord we confess our sin this evening
- 7:40we must examine self
- 7:43not others
- 7:44but we are called to examine self
- 7:48as we prepare to come to the table
- 7:50and as we do so Lord
- 7:53we confess that we are sinners
- 7:55and we pray that you would forgive us
- 7:59we think of the things that we have said
- 8:02that we wish we hadn't said
- 8:04maybe even in the last few days
- 8:06we think of the silences
- 8:09that we have allowed to stretch on
- 8:11when we should have spoken up
- 8:13a word in season
- 8:14we think of the times
- 8:18when we have acted and reacted
- 8:20in a way that is more of selfish impulse
- 8:25than a response that is molded by your spirit
- 8:32we think about even the thoughts
- 8:36that are hidden from others
- 8:39but are seen by you
- 8:41the motivation sometimes
- 8:43of our hearts
- 8:44and Lord as we examine self
- 8:48we confess that we are sinners
- 8:51in thought and word
- 8:52in deed
- 8:53and we cry out with one of old
- 8:57God have mercy on me
- 8:59the sinner
- 9:00we thank you that as we do so
- 9:04we have the promise
- 9:05that we are forgiven
- 9:07we thank you that we can
- 9:10enter into the joy
- 9:12that comes through this psalm also
- 9:14we can sing of the salvation
- 9:17that is promised to all
- 9:19who look to the Lord
- 9:21look unto me
- 9:23and be ye saved
- 9:24believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
- 9:29we are told
- 9:30and you will be saved
- 9:32call upon the name of the Lord
- 9:36and you will be saved
- 9:39and so Lord we do that even
- 9:42this evening
- 9:43afresh
- 9:44perhaps there are some
- 9:47who have come under
- 9:48a conviction of sin
- 9:50in past years
- 9:51and have never actually
- 9:53cried out with
- 9:54the tax collector
- 9:57God have mercy on me
- 9:59and we pray that even
- 10:01in these moments
- 10:02in this hour tonight
- 10:03there would be none
- 10:06who feels the weight of sin
- 10:09and leaves under that weight
- 10:10but we pray that each one of us
- 10:13would cry out for mercy
- 10:15that we would seek
- 10:17and receive the grace
- 10:18that is offered to us in Christ
- 10:20and that we would be enabled
- 10:23to sing that new song
- 10:25of praise to God
- 10:27that song where we want
- 10:30with our voices
- 10:32and in our hearts
- 10:33and through our lives
- 10:34to lift up the name of Jesus
- 10:36our Saviour
- 10:37and we thank you Lord Jesus
- 10:41for all that you have done for us
- 10:44as we prepare to come to the table
- 10:48we think of the bread
- 10:50and the wine
- 10:51these elements
- 10:52that speak of the body
- 10:54of Christ given for us
- 10:56and the blood
- 10:57of Christ shed for us
- 10:59we thank you that for us
- 11:01the offer of salvation
- 11:04the offer of grace
- 11:05it is the free offer
- 11:07all we have to do
- 11:09is confess our sin
- 11:10and receive
- 11:12the grace
- 11:13that is
- 11:13that is gifted to us
- 11:15but this weekend
- 11:18as we gather
- 11:19around the table
- 11:20once more
- 11:20we are reminded
- 11:21of the great cost
- 11:23at which
- 11:25our salvation came
- 11:26the death
- 11:29father
- 11:30of your son
- 11:30your only
- 11:32begotten son
- 11:33we thank you
- 11:36that he
- 11:37laid down
- 11:38his life
- 11:38so that we might live
- 11:40we thank you that
- 11:43the Lord Jesus
- 11:44came into this world
- 11:45knowing
- 11:46that he would be
- 11:47despised
- 11:48and
- 11:48rejected
- 11:49that he would be
- 11:50forsaken
- 11:51that he would suffer
- 11:54the man of sorrows
- 11:57that he would die
- 11:59to pay the penalty
- 12:01for our sin
- 12:02and we thank you
- 12:04that we remember
- 12:05that death
- 12:06over these days
- 12:08so grant to us
- 12:10Lord we pray
- 12:11a clear vision
- 12:13of the cross
- 12:14that we might
- 12:16be even more amazed
- 12:18by the grace
- 12:20that is outstretched
- 12:22to us
- 12:23and that we would be
- 12:25even more
- 12:26worshipful
- 12:27and filled with love
- 12:29in our hearts
- 12:30for the God
- 12:31who first loved us
- 12:32so bless
- 12:35these days
- 12:36to us
- 12:37we pray
- 12:37bless
- 12:39your word
- 12:39to us
- 12:40meet with us
- 12:42we ask
- 12:43and renew
- 12:44our strength
- 12:45as we come
- 12:46together
- 12:46as your people
- 12:47we thank you
- 12:49for those
- 12:50who
- 12:51have come
- 12:52forward
- 12:52into the
- 12:54membership
- 12:54of this
- 12:55congregation
- 12:55over these
- 12:56last
- 12:57couple of
- 12:58days
- 12:58for some
- 13:00who have
- 13:00transferred
- 13:01here
- 13:01for the
- 13:03McCritchies
- 13:03Lord
- 13:04we pray
- 13:04that you
- 13:05would bless
- 13:05them
- 13:05and that
- 13:07your hand
- 13:08would be
- 13:08upon them
- 13:09and as we
- 13:09remember
- 13:10them
- 13:11we remember
- 13:12Ian
- 13:12in Greyfriars
- 13:13as he continues
- 13:14to serve you
- 13:15in Inverness
- 13:16and we pray
- 13:17your blessing
- 13:17on his
- 13:19ministry there
- 13:20that you would
- 13:20continue to use
- 13:21him
- 13:21to lift up
- 13:23the name of
- 13:23Jesus
- 13:23that you would
- 13:25sustain him
- 13:26through the
- 13:27days
- 13:27that you have
- 13:28ordained for him
- 13:30as he
- 13:30continues to
- 13:31serve you
- 13:32and we pray
- 13:34for others
- 13:34who have
- 13:35come forward
- 13:36for one
- 13:37who came
- 13:37forward
- 13:38today
- 13:38and we
- 13:39ask Lord
- 13:39that you
- 13:40would bless
- 13:40her
- 13:40and that
- 13:42she would
- 13:42know your
- 13:42presence
- 13:43that she
- 13:43would know
- 13:44your peace
- 13:45that she
- 13:47would know
- 13:47the joy
- 13:48that each
- 13:49one of us
- 13:50would know
- 13:50the joy
- 13:50of your
- 13:52salvation
- 13:52as we
- 13:54take the
- 13:54bread and
- 13:55we take
- 13:55the wine
- 13:55and we
- 13:57remember
- 13:57all that
- 13:58Christ has
- 13:59done for
- 13:59us
- 13:59and we
- 14:00pray
- 14:01Holy Spirit
- 14:01that you
- 14:02would continue
- 14:03to strive
- 14:04with others
- 14:05this evening
- 14:05for any
- 14:07in this
- 14:07building
- 14:07who have
- 14:08not yet
- 14:08trusted
- 14:08Christ
- 14:09we ask
- 14:11Lord
- 14:11that you
- 14:11would be
- 14:12drawing near
- 14:13to them
- 14:13that you
- 14:14would open
- 14:15their eyes
- 14:15as we
- 14:16pray that
- 14:16you would
- 14:16open our
- 14:17eyes
- 14:17that we
- 14:18would see
- 14:18that we
- 14:19are great
- 14:19sinners
- 14:20but Christ
- 14:20is the
- 14:21great
- 14:21Savior
- 14:21and we
- 14:23pray for
- 14:24those who
- 14:24are outside
- 14:24of the
- 14:25building
- 14:25as well
- 14:26many who
- 14:27will pass
- 14:28going to
- 14:30different
- 14:30things this
- 14:31evening
- 14:31with no
- 14:32thought
- 14:32of the
- 14:33things of
- 14:34God
- 14:34and yet
- 14:35in a
- 14:35moment
- 14:35Lord
- 14:36you are
- 14:36able
- 14:36to
- 14:37change
- 14:37your
- 14:37heart
- 14:38and to
- 14:38awaken
- 14:39a soul
- 14:39and so
- 14:40we pray
- 14:41as we
- 14:42did
- 14:42yesterday
- 14:43evening
- 14:43for
- 14:43awakenings
- 14:44in these
- 14:45islands
- 14:45as we
- 14:46have known
- 14:47of in
- 14:47the past
- 14:48we pray
- 14:49that you
- 14:49would revive
- 14:50your work
- 14:51Lord
- 14:51God
- 14:52in the
- 14:52midst
- 14:52of the
- 14:53years
- 14:53we pray
- 14:55for any
- 14:55who are
- 14:56your people
- 14:56any who
- 14:57may be
- 14:58here tonight
- 14:59and who
- 14:59are trusting
- 15:00in Christ
- 15:01who are
- 15:01forgiven
- 15:02who have
- 15:03been
- 15:03cleansed
- 15:04who are
- 15:04saved
- 15:05who are
- 15:05secure
- 15:06and who
- 15:09have not
- 15:09yet come
- 15:09forward
- 15:10we think
- 15:12of the
- 15:12woman
- 15:12with the
- 15:13issue
- 15:14of blood
- 15:14who was
- 15:15healed
- 15:16and who
- 15:17felt that
- 15:18healing
- 15:18and the
- 15:18joy
- 15:19of that
- 15:20but
- 15:21hid back
- 15:23in the
- 15:23shadows
- 15:24we thank you
- 15:26that as she
- 15:27heard the
- 15:27call of
- 15:28Jesus
- 15:28eventually
- 15:29she came
- 15:29forward
- 15:30to profess
- 15:32that Christ
- 15:33had healed
- 15:34her
- 15:34and if
- 15:36there are
- 15:36any hearts
- 15:37that have
- 15:37been healed
- 15:38and cleansed
- 15:39tonight
- 15:40but still
- 15:42the voice
- 15:43is silent
- 15:44we pray
- 15:45that you
- 15:45would give
- 15:46courage
- 15:46and clarity
- 15:47that every
- 15:48one of your
- 15:48people
- 15:49would come
- 15:50forward
- 15:51and profess
- 15:52that Jesus
- 15:53is their
- 15:54Lord and
- 15:55Saviour
- 15:55so bless
- 15:57us
- 15:57we pray
- 15:58be amongst
- 15:59us we pray
- 15:59we pray
- 16:00for Calum
- 16:01as he continues
- 16:02to serve you
- 16:03here
- 16:03we pray
- 16:04for all
- 16:05the office
- 16:05bearers
- 16:06for the
- 16:06members
- 16:07for the
- 16:07adherents
- 16:08we ask
- 16:10that in
- 16:10everything
- 16:10that is
- 16:10done
- 16:11that Christ
- 16:12would be
- 16:12lifted up
- 16:13that each
- 16:15one would
- 16:16know the
- 16:17joy of
- 16:18worship
- 16:18as we come
- 16:20together as
- 16:20your people
- 16:21and we pray
- 16:22on Lord
- 16:23that this
- 16:24congregation
- 16:24as all
- 16:25the
- 16:25congregations
- 16:26in this
- 16:27place
- 16:27would be
- 16:28helped
- 16:28as your
- 16:30people seek
- 16:31to reach
- 16:31out with
- 16:32the good
- 16:33news of
- 16:33the gospel
- 16:34give us
- 16:35opportunities
- 16:35we pray
- 16:36give us
- 16:37courage
- 16:37we pray
- 16:37and as
- 16:39the seed
- 16:39of the
- 16:40gospel
- 16:41is sown
- 16:42in this
- 16:42community
- 16:43we ask
- 16:44that it
- 16:45would bear
- 16:45fruit
- 16:45as we
- 16:47hear our
- 16:47prayers
- 16:47cleanse us
- 16:48from our
- 16:49sin
- 16:49and go
- 16:50before us
- 16:51we ask
- 16:51we pray
- 16:52all this
- 16:52in Jesus
- 16:53name
- 16:53Amen
- 16:54we'll sing
- 16:57again now
- 16:58to God's
- 16:58praise
- 16:59we'll sing
- 16:59this time
- 17:00from
- 17:00Psalm
- 17:01121
- 17:03again the
- 17:03Scottish
- 17:04Psalter
- 17:04page
- 17:05416
- 17:07Psalm
- 17:09121
- 17:10I to
- 17:13the hills
- 17:13will lift
- 17:14mine eyes
- 17:15from whence
- 17:16doth come
- 17:16my need
- 17:17my safety
- 17:18cometh
- 17:19from the
- 17:19Lord
- 17:20who heaven
- 17:21and earth
- 17:22hath made
- 17:24we'll sing
- 17:24the whole
- 17:25of this
- 17:25Psalm
- 17:25to God's
- 17:26praise
- 17:27I to
- 17:33the hills
- 17:34will lift
- 17:36mine eyes
- 17:37from whence
- 17:38doth
- 17:39come
- 17:40my
- 17:40name
- 17:42my
- 17:43safety
- 17:44cometh
- 17:45from the
- 17:46Lord
- 17:47who heaven
- 17:49and earth
- 17:50hath
- 17:51made
- 17:52my
- 17:53safety
- 17:54cometh
- 17:55from the
- 17:56Lord
- 17:57who heaven
- 17:58and earth
- 18:00hath
- 18:01made
- 18:02I
- 18:03who
- 18:04till not
- 18:05bless
- 18:06life
- 18:07nor will
- 18:08be
- 18:09summer
- 18:09that
- 18:10he
- 18:11is
- 18:13behold
- 18:14he
- 18:15that
- 18:16he
- 18:16exists
- 18:17voy
- 18:38voy
- 18:40!
- 18:38voy
- 18:40!
- 18:38voy
- 18:40!
- 18:38voy
- 18:40!
- 18:47He shall not smite, nor yet the sun by day.
- 18:54The moon by night, he shall not smite, nor yet the sun by day.
- 19:04The Lord shall keep thy soul, he shall preserve me from all ill.
- 19:14Hence for thy going, I'll stand in, God keep forever will.
- 19:24Hence for thy going, I'll stand in, God keep forever will.
- 19:35If I could ask you to turn with me now please to Matthew chapter 11.
- 19:52Matthew chapter 11, page 984 in the Bible here.
- 19:58Matthew chapter 11, page 984 in the Bible here.
- 20:08And we looked at the first part of the chapter yesterday evening down to verse 24.
- 20:17And I want this evening and into tomorrow morning also to look at the verses from 25 through to the end of the chapter.
- 20:29So Matthew chapter 11 and we're reading from verse 25 to verse 30.
- 20:36At that time, Jesus declared, and think about the context actually here as we looked at it last evening.
- 20:47Jesus has just spoken some of the strongest words of judgment on these cities that he had preached to,
- 20:57that he had performed amazing, miraculous works in, and they dismissed him.
- 21:04They rejected him.
- 21:05And so there's really strong words of warning in the verses immediately preceding this section.
- 21:14That's the time that Matthew is speaking of.
- 21:18And now we have the contrast that comes through.
- 21:21At that time, Jesus declared,
- 21:23I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.
- 21:35Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
- 21:38All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
- 21:53Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- 22:00Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- 22:11For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
- 22:20Amen.
- 22:20And may God bless that reading of his word to us.
- 22:23We're going to sing again now to God's praise.
- 22:27Again, the Scottish Psalter.
- 22:29Psalm 116, page 395.
- 22:35Psalm 116.
- 22:38And we'll sing from verse 1 to verse 7 of the psalm.
- 22:43I love the Lord, because my voice and prayers he did hear.
- 22:47I, while I live, will call on him who bowed to me his ear.
- 22:51Of death the courts and sorrows that about me compass round.
- 22:55The pains of hell took hold on me.
- 22:57I grief and trouble found upon the name of God the Lord.
- 23:02Then did I call and say, Deliver thou my soul, O Lord.
- 23:06I do thee humbly pray, God merciful and righteous as ye gracious as our Lord.
- 23:12God saves the meek.
- 23:14I was brought low.
- 23:15He did me help afford.
- 23:18O thou, my soul, do thou return unto thy quiet rest.
- 23:23For largely, lo, the Lord to thee his bounty hath expressed.
- 23:28These verses of Psalm 116 we sing to God's praise.
- 23:32I love the Lord, because my voice and prayers he did hear.
- 23:52I, while I live, will call on him who bowed to me this year.
- 24:07Of death the courts and sorrows that about me compass round.
- 24:24The grace of heaven to hold on me.
- 24:33I, while I live, will call on him.
- 24:40I, while I live, will call on him.
- 24:45I, while I live, will call on him.
- 24:47I, while I live, will call on him.
- 25:08singing in singing
- 25:38Amen.
- 26:08If you could turn back, please, with me to Matthew chapter 11.
- 26:38And as we come back to these verses, once more, let's pray.
- 26:45Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word that we have sung.
- 26:49We thank you for the bounty that is found, that we are able to meditate upon and receive
- 26:57as we take time to listen to your voice and to think once more upon the wonder of the
- 27:06gospel, the good news about Jesus.
- 27:09We thank you that every salvation story, even as we sing the Psalms and as we hear these
- 27:17accounts of crying out for salvation.
- 27:19We thank you that every experience, every answered prayer for salvation that was received and
- 27:29known leads us to the cross where we see Jesus.
- 27:34And we thank you that we hear in the verses that we have read the words of God the Son who
- 27:41says, come to me.
- 27:44And so we ask that you would enable us, Lord God, in this time to come, to come afresh to
- 27:53Jesus.
- 27:54That we may know the blessing, the rest, the peace, the joy, the contentment that is found
- 28:05only in him.
- 28:07So clear our minds, we pray, of all that would distract us, all that has preoccupied us over
- 28:15these days and perhaps over the last week.
- 28:20Cleanse us from sin, the sin that weighs us down.
- 28:26Bind the evil one, we pray, that he may not be able to assault us and attack us.
- 28:33And fill us with the Holy Spirit, that the Spirit who inspired Matthew to record these words
- 28:45as we have them written down, that he would be our teacher, that the Holy Spirit himself
- 28:52would illuminate our minds and touch our hearts and spotlight Jesus, that we may fix our eyes
- 29:01upon him.
- 29:03And we ask all this in Jesus' name.
- 29:06Amen.
- 29:19Matthew chapter 11 and looking at verse 25 down to verse 30.
- 29:26And where I'd like to begin this evening is with the idea, the doctrine, the words that guide
- 29:39us here into thinking about God's will.
- 29:44We often talk about God's will.
- 29:47We often wonder about God's will.
- 29:51Sometimes, even in our every good day conversation, we will answer in terms of God's will for our lives.
- 30:03Something maybe as ordinary as an invitation to go and join friends for dinner in six weeks' time
- 30:10or six months' time, we check the diary.
- 30:12And if it's free, we'll come back in our response and we'll say, I'd be delighted to meet you.
- 30:19I'll see you at this place at this time, DV, Dio Valenti, which means God willing.
- 30:26And when we pray, as we come together as God's people to pray, as we attend prayer meetings,
- 30:36we draw near in worship and we bring our petitions in prayer as we are taught to,
- 30:43we ask for things.
- 30:45But often we add rightly as we ask for things, if it be thy will.
- 30:54And so God's will, God's ways are often mysterious to us.
- 31:03His ways are higher than our ways.
- 31:07Often God's will is obscured from our view and our understanding.
- 31:12But sometimes God's will is revealed to us.
- 31:19There are aspects of God's will that are shared with us.
- 31:25And Jesus speaks in this passage about the will of God, the will of the Father.
- 31:35And that's where we begin this evening.
- 31:37Three points in the time that we have.
- 31:40We'll think first of all about the will of the Father.
- 31:44God, the Son, Jesus, he tells us about the will of the Father.
- 31:49The second thing we'll see is the way to the Father.
- 31:53We're taught how we can know the Father, how the Father can be revealed to us.
- 31:58And the final thing we see or we hear is this amazing call.
- 32:04The call of the Son.
- 32:06The will of the Father, the way to the Father, and the call of the Son.
- 32:11So first of all, the will of the Father.
- 32:13Verse 25 as we pick this up.
- 32:16At that time, Jesus declared,
- 32:20I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
- 32:23that you have hidden these things, these gospel things,
- 32:28from the wise and understanding,
- 32:31and revealed them to little children.
- 32:34Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
- 32:38Now, in Jesus' ministry,
- 32:44in this world, as it's recorded for us in the Gospels,
- 32:48it's very clear for us to see that Jesus,
- 32:50he met a lot of resistance.
- 32:53And the majority of the resistance that Jesus met with
- 32:56was concentrated in people who were wise
- 33:02and understanding in their own estimation.
- 33:08Jesus clashed most regularly
- 33:10with people who had a very high opinion of themselves.
- 33:14I was reminded when I was preparing
- 33:18of a story that came back to my mind from Loch Caron,
- 33:25the first place I had a charge.
- 33:28And we'd, as a family, just moved to Loch Caron.
- 33:31We were getting our boxes unpacked and getting organized.
- 33:35And our next-door neighbor was a Highland gentleman
- 33:38called Donnie Colonel,
- 33:41a wise, witty, warm character.
- 33:43A character.
- 33:45And he would be in and out most days
- 33:47asking how we were getting on.
- 33:48And I remember one day he said to me,
- 33:51have you met this one?
- 33:53Have you met that one?
- 33:54Have you met the next person?
- 33:55And I said, yes, I've met this one.
- 33:56I haven't met that one next.
- 33:58And then he said, he says, have you met,
- 34:00I'll change the guy's name,
- 34:01but he says, have you met Jim?
- 34:04And I said, well, as a matter of fact,
- 34:06I have met Jim.
- 34:09I could remember Jim.
- 34:10He was a very confident character.
- 34:12I said, yes, I have met Jim.
- 34:16And Donnie paused.
- 34:18And he says, Jim is a very, very, very important man.
- 34:25And then Donnie paused with a half a smirk on his face.
- 34:33And he said, by the way, Jim told me that himself.
- 34:35Now, Jesus met a lot of Jims.
- 34:44We have a record in the gospel of Jesus encountering lots of people
- 34:52who thought that they were very, very important.
- 34:57And sadly, the majority of these people were religious people.
- 35:01They were scribes and Pharisees.
- 35:06And in their own view, in their own estimation,
- 35:10they were wise and they had great understanding.
- 35:16They were very, very proud people.
- 35:18And it's true that many of these people would have been able to recite large sections of the Old Testament.
- 35:27They had a good grasp of the scriptures in terms of recall.
- 35:34They may have had an excellent understanding of church law.
- 35:38They may have been religious experts and had their names in many of the institutions of theology.
- 35:51But when it came to the gospel, when it came to the good news about Jesus,
- 35:58these things, these gospel things were hidden from them.
- 36:09They couldn't see.
- 36:12They would not see Jesus.
- 36:17They were filled with spiritual pride.
- 36:22And spiritual pride is the biggest obstacle to seeing Jesus.
- 36:34If we are wise and understanding in our own eyes,
- 36:40we won't be able to see Jesus clearly.
- 36:44If we are wise and understanding in our own eyes and think that we are something,
- 36:53the cross will make no sense to us.
- 36:58It will be of no relevance to us.
- 37:02And the good news that Jesus preaches will be hidden from us.
- 37:09J.C. Ryle says this.
- 37:16Those to whom the gospel is revealed are generally humble,
- 37:23simple-minded, and willing to learn.
- 37:28Let us watch against pride.
- 37:31In every shape, pride of intellect,
- 37:36pride of wealth,
- 37:37pride in our own goodness.
- 37:41Nothing is so likely, says Ryle,
- 37:43to keep a man out of heaven
- 37:45and prevent him seeing Christ as pride.
- 37:50So long as we think we are something,
- 37:54we shall never be saved.
- 37:58Let us pray for
- 37:59and cultivate humility.
- 38:02And so Jesus,
- 38:07as he teaches the disciples here,
- 38:11and as we have this record from Matthew,
- 38:14we are given a negative example.
- 38:16We are given an example of what we are not to be.
- 38:20We are not to be those who are wise
- 38:22and understanding in our own eyes.
- 38:25We are to fight against any creeping spiritual pride.
- 38:36And then we have the positive
- 38:38from verse 25.
- 38:40Jesus, having illustrated what we're not to be,
- 38:45he teaches us what we are to be like.
- 38:49He teaches us what the Father would will us to be like in our approach.
- 38:56And he says in verse 25,
- 38:58we need to become like little children.
- 39:02Now, in that day, much more so than in our day,
- 39:06little children had very low position.
- 39:12Little children didn't have money or power or influence.
- 39:16Little children in that stage,
- 39:21in that age,
- 39:22they couldn't stamp their feet and demand rights.
- 39:28And little children,
- 39:30they hadn't become cynical
- 39:33and hard-hearted.
- 39:37We don't read in the Gospels of little children
- 39:40clashing with Jesus
- 39:42and resisting and pushing Jesus away
- 39:47like the wise and the understanding were.
- 39:52Little children, we are told in the Gospels,
- 39:54they were coming to Jesus.
- 39:59And Jesus says,
- 40:01it is the will of the Father
- 40:05to hide salvation
- 40:07from the spiritually proud
- 40:09and to reveal salvation,
- 40:13to reveal the Savior
- 40:14to the humble,
- 40:18to the lowly,
- 40:20to those who come like little children.
- 40:24Augustus,
- 40:30this top lady in the hymn,
- 40:32Rock of Ages,
- 40:33has a great line
- 40:34and it says in that hymn,
- 40:37nothing in my hands I bring,
- 40:41simply to
- 40:42thy cross
- 40:44I cling.
- 40:46and that's the way
- 40:50that we are to come to Jesus.
- 40:55We come like little children.
- 40:58Whether it's the first time
- 41:00or whether it's the thousandth time,
- 41:06this is how we come.
- 41:09We come like little children.
- 41:12Nothing in our hands we bring.
- 41:16We come with empty hands.
- 41:18We come with hearts
- 41:19that we pray that the Spirit has opened.
- 41:22We come ready to receive
- 41:23the salvation,
- 41:26the grace that Jesus offers.
- 41:32And as we approach the Lord's table,
- 41:36let's ask the question,
- 41:38who comes to the table?
- 41:41Who is it that is called
- 41:45to come to the table?
- 41:48And the answer is
- 41:49only those who see that
- 41:51they are not worthy.
- 41:57Only those who see
- 41:59that we have nothing good
- 42:02in ourselves
- 42:04that we can offer God.
- 42:08we don't come with
- 42:11a spiritual portfolio.
- 42:16We come with empty hands.
- 42:19We come acknowledging
- 42:21the fact that
- 42:22there is nothing
- 42:23that we can trade in.
- 42:27You know,
- 42:28when it comes to
- 42:28the stage where we want
- 42:30to buy a new car,
- 42:32we see the car
- 42:33that we want
- 42:33and we go to the salesman
- 42:35at the garage.
- 42:35and we ask about the price.
- 42:39But in the conversation,
- 42:41we're saying,
- 42:41I have another car
- 42:42parked out the back
- 42:43and it's just four years old
- 42:46and I've looked after it
- 42:47and it's only got
- 42:4750,000 miles on it.
- 42:50So what will you give me for it?
- 42:52I want to do a trade-in.
- 42:54Let's come to a deal.
- 42:56Let's negotiate.
- 42:58Let's bargain here.
- 42:59Let's trade.
- 43:00And that's the way
- 43:03we approach
- 43:04a salesman
- 43:06in a garage.
- 43:07But
- 43:07when we come to Jesus,
- 43:12let's remember
- 43:15that
- 43:16we have nothing
- 43:19that we can negotiate with.
- 43:24There's nothing
- 43:25that we can come
- 43:26and bring
- 43:27to trade in.
- 43:28as we prepare
- 43:31to come
- 43:32to the Lord's table.
- 43:35Jonathan Edwards said,
- 43:38you contribute nothing
- 43:39to your salvation
- 43:41except the sin
- 43:43that made it necessary.
- 43:48It's a very humbling
- 43:50truth that is pressed in on us.
- 43:53You contribute nothing.
- 43:54I contribute nothing
- 43:56to my salvation
- 43:59except the sin
- 44:00that made it necessary.
- 44:03And so
- 44:04as we come
- 44:04to the Lord's table,
- 44:06as we come
- 44:06to Jesus,
- 44:07we come
- 44:08not like the wise
- 44:09and understanding.
- 44:10That's the lesson.
- 44:11we come
- 44:14telling Jesus
- 44:15about the
- 44:16good religious
- 44:17things we do.
- 44:20We don't come
- 44:21showboating
- 44:22the great
- 44:23theological truths
- 44:24we have grasped.
- 44:27We come
- 44:28in humility
- 44:29with reverence
- 44:31and simple
- 44:34faith
- 44:35like little
- 44:37children.
- 44:40This is the will
- 44:41of the Father.
- 44:45The second point,
- 44:46the will of the Father
- 44:47is the first thing
- 44:48that we are taught
- 44:49by Jesus
- 44:50as we listen in
- 44:51to this
- 44:52lesson.
- 44:54The second thing
- 44:55we see here
- 44:56is the way
- 44:56to the Father.
- 44:59Jesus says
- 45:00in verse 27,
- 45:02all things
- 45:03have been handed
- 45:04over to me
- 45:05by my Father.
- 45:07So that's
- 45:08where we start.
- 45:09So what's Jesus
- 45:10saying in that
- 45:12statement?
- 45:12Well,
- 45:13Jesus is saying
- 45:14in that statement
- 45:14what Matthew
- 45:16is teaching
- 45:17so clearly
- 45:17right throughout
- 45:18the Gospel.
- 45:20Jesus is saying
- 45:20that he is king.
- 45:24All things,
- 45:25says Jesus,
- 45:26all authority
- 45:26has been handed
- 45:28over to me
- 45:29by my Father.
- 45:30Jesus is making
- 45:34clear that he
- 45:36has authority,
- 45:37that he has
- 45:37kingly authority.
- 45:41And we see
- 45:41that kingly authority
- 45:43illustrated in
- 45:44lots of ways.
- 45:45We could just
- 45:46glance back
- 45:47through a few
- 45:47chapters.
- 45:48You can do that
- 45:48yourself later
- 45:49in the evening.
- 45:51And as we scan
- 45:52over the past
- 45:53few chapters,
- 45:54we can see
- 45:55where the
- 45:56authority of Jesus
- 45:58is so clearly
- 45:59demonstrated.
- 45:59when Jesus
- 46:00preaches,
- 46:01people listen.
- 46:05Matthew 7
- 46:05and at verse 29
- 46:07says,
- 46:08he was teaching
- 46:09them as one
- 46:10who had
- 46:11authority,
- 46:13not as the
- 46:14scribes.
- 46:14he's teaching
- 46:18them like the
- 46:19king,
- 46:20but he was
- 46:22and is.
- 46:25And then
- 46:25there's the
- 46:25miracles.
- 46:26We see all
- 46:27these records
- 46:28of miracles
- 46:28in Matthew's
- 46:30Gospel.
- 46:31Jesus is healing
- 46:32the sick.
- 46:33He is
- 46:34casting out
- 46:35demons.
- 46:37He's raising
- 46:38the dead.
- 46:38And through
- 46:41these miracles,
- 46:42through these
- 46:42signs and
- 46:43wonders,
- 46:44we see the
- 46:46authority of
- 46:47Jesus.
- 46:50And even if we
- 46:51rewind a few
- 46:52verses to the
- 46:54section that we
- 46:54were in last
- 46:56night,
- 46:57we listen to
- 46:58Jesus as he
- 46:59pronounces
- 47:00woe on
- 47:01Carazin and
- 47:03Bethsaida and
- 47:04Capernaum.
- 47:05And as he
- 47:06pronounces these
- 47:08woes, he is
- 47:09showing that he
- 47:10has authority
- 47:11to judge.
- 47:14He is judge
- 47:15and king.
- 47:19And now
- 47:20Jesus goes on
- 47:21to teach that he
- 47:24has authority
- 47:24to save.
- 47:28Verse 27.
- 47:31Jesus says,
- 47:32no one knows
- 47:33the Son
- 47:33except the
- 47:35Father.
- 47:38And Jesus is
- 47:38teaching in
- 47:39these verses
- 47:40that he is
- 47:41God the Son.
- 47:44He calls
- 47:45God his
- 47:46Father,
- 47:48which to
- 47:49us doesn't
- 47:50surprise us,
- 47:51but to those
- 47:52who are listening
- 47:52on this day,
- 47:53they would have
- 47:54been shocked
- 47:55and appalled
- 47:56to hear such
- 47:57language.
- 48:00And yet
- 48:01Jesus is just
- 48:02teaching the
- 48:03truth.
- 48:03of who he
- 48:05was and
- 48:05is.
- 48:08No one
- 48:09knows the
- 48:10Father
- 48:10except the
- 48:11Son.
- 48:12Verse 27,
- 48:13if I continue,
- 48:13no one knows
- 48:14the Son
- 48:14except the
- 48:15Father,
- 48:15and no one
- 48:16knows the
- 48:16Father except
- 48:17the Son,
- 48:18and anyone
- 48:19to whom the
- 48:19Son chooses
- 48:20to reveal
- 48:21him.
- 48:21And with
- 48:21that statement,
- 48:23Jesus,
- 48:23he emphasizes,
- 48:24he gives
- 48:25us
- 48:25something of
- 48:27a window in
- 48:28to the
- 48:29Trinity.
- 48:29there's
- 48:32something of
- 48:32the intimacy
- 48:33of the
- 48:34Trinity
- 48:35revealed to
- 48:36us as
- 48:36Jesus speaks
- 48:37of his
- 48:38Father and
- 48:38the relationship
- 48:39between
- 48:39Father and
- 48:40Son.
- 48:44But then
- 48:44Jesus goes
- 48:46on, you
- 48:47could say,
- 48:47to open the
- 48:48door further
- 48:49to show
- 48:51us
- 48:52that we
- 48:54can know
- 48:55the
- 48:55Father.
- 48:57Something
- 48:58that would
- 48:58have shocked
- 48:59the people
- 49:00as they
- 49:01heard him
- 49:02speak.
- 49:09So how
- 49:09can we
- 49:10know the
- 49:10Father?
- 49:13How can
- 49:14the Father
- 49:15be revealed
- 49:16to us?
- 49:17How can
- 49:18we be
- 49:18brought
- 49:19into
- 49:19relationship
- 49:20with
- 49:20God?
- 49:23The most
- 49:24important
- 49:25question any
- 49:25of us will
- 49:26ever grapple
- 49:27with, how
- 49:28can we be
- 49:29brought into
- 49:30relationship
- 49:31with God?
- 49:32How can
- 49:32we know
- 49:33the Father?
- 49:34How can
- 49:35we gain
- 49:36access to
- 49:37heaven where
- 49:37the Father
- 49:38is?
- 49:41And the
- 49:42answer is
- 49:45through
- 49:45Jesus.
- 49:46Jesus.
- 49:48And
- 49:49only
- 49:49through
- 49:50Jesus.
- 49:52No
- 49:53other way,
- 49:54no other
- 49:54name,
- 49:55no other
- 49:56route,
- 49:56no other
- 49:57religion,
- 49:58no other
- 49:58man.
- 50:01Only
- 50:02Jesus.
- 50:05The only
- 50:06way that we
- 50:06can know
- 50:07God, the
- 50:07only way that
- 50:08the Father
- 50:08can be
- 50:09revealed to
- 50:10us is
- 50:10through
- 50:11Jesus.
- 50:11this
- 50:11connects
- 50:12with
- 50:12John 14
- 50:136,
- 50:13these
- 50:13familiar
- 50:14verses
- 50:14that we
- 50:15know so
- 50:15well.
- 50:16Jesus
- 50:16says,
- 50:17I am
- 50:17the way,
- 50:19the way,
- 50:20singular,
- 50:21full stop.
- 50:24No one
- 50:25comes to
- 50:25the Father
- 50:26except
- 50:27through me,
- 50:28says Jesus.
- 50:29Jesus.
- 50:31Or
- 50:31John
- 50:32chapter 10
- 50:32and verse
- 50:339,
- 50:34Jesus
- 50:34says,
- 50:35I am
- 50:35the
- 50:35door.
- 50:41The
- 50:42way to
- 50:42the
- 50:42Father
- 50:43is
- 50:45through
- 50:45Jesus,
- 50:46the
- 50:47Son.
- 50:48One
- 50:49commentator,
- 50:50again,
- 50:50it's
- 50:50Ryle,
- 50:51says,
- 50:51Jesus
- 50:52bears
- 50:52the
- 50:53keys.
- 50:54To
- 50:54him,
- 50:55we
- 50:55must
- 50:56go for
- 50:56admission
- 50:57into
- 50:57heaven.
- 50:58He is
- 50:59the
- 50:59door.
- 51:00Through
- 51:00him,
- 51:01we
- 51:01must
- 51:01enter.
- 51:02He
- 51:02is
- 51:02the
- 51:02shepherd.
- 51:03We
- 51:03must
- 51:04hear
- 51:04his
- 51:04voice
- 51:04and
- 51:05follow
- 51:05him.
- 51:05If
- 51:06we
- 51:06would
- 51:06not
- 51:06perish
- 51:07in
- 51:07the
- 51:07wilderness,
- 51:08he
- 51:08is
- 51:08the
- 51:08physician.
- 51:09We
- 51:09must
- 51:09apply
- 51:10to
- 51:10him.
- 51:10If
- 51:11we
- 51:11would
- 51:11be
- 51:11healed
- 51:12of
- 51:12the
- 51:12plague
- 51:12of
- 51:12sin,
- 51:13he
- 51:13is
- 51:13the
- 51:13bread
- 51:14of
- 51:14life.
- 51:14We
- 51:14must
- 51:15feed
- 51:15on
- 51:16him.
- 51:16If
- 51:16we
- 51:17would
- 51:17have
- 51:17our
- 51:17soul
- 51:17satisfied.
- 51:18!
- 51:19He
- 51:19is
- 51:19the
- 51:19light.
- 51:20We
- 51:20must
- 51:20walk
- 51:20after
- 51:21him.
- 51:21If
- 51:21we
- 51:22would
- 51:22not
- 51:22wander
- 51:22into
- 51:23darkness,
- 51:23he
- 51:24is
- 51:24the
- 51:24fountain.
- 51:25We
- 51:25must
- 51:25wash
- 51:26in
- 51:26his
- 51:27blood
- 51:27if
- 51:28we
- 51:28would
- 51:28be
- 51:28cleansed
- 51:29and
- 51:29made
- 51:30ready
- 51:30for
- 51:31the
- 51:31great
- 51:31day
- 51:32of
- 51:32account.
- 51:38The
- 51:39so-called
- 51:40wise
- 51:40and
- 51:42understanding
- 51:43who
- 51:44were
- 51:44rejecting
- 51:45Jesus,
- 51:47they
- 51:48were
- 51:48choosing
- 51:49woe,
- 51:51they
- 51:51were
- 51:51choosing
- 51:51judgment,
- 51:52they
- 51:52were
- 51:52choosing
- 51:54hell.
- 51:57But
- 51:58those
- 51:58who
- 51:58came
- 51:59like
- 51:59little
- 52:00children
- 52:00to
- 52:01Jesus
- 52:01were
- 52:03being
- 52:04assured
- 52:04that
- 52:06this
- 52:06was
- 52:06the
- 52:07way
- 52:07to
- 52:08the
- 52:08Father.
- 52:12So
- 52:13the
- 52:13will
- 52:13of
- 52:14the
- 52:14Father
- 52:14is
- 52:15that
- 52:15we
- 52:15will
- 52:15come
- 52:15to
- 52:15Jesus
- 52:16like
- 52:18little
- 52:18children.
- 52:21The
- 52:22way
- 52:22to
- 52:22the
- 52:23Father
- 52:23is
- 52:24through
- 52:25Jesus
- 52:25the
- 52:25Son,
- 52:26the
- 52:26Savior.
- 52:28And we
- 52:29finish
- 52:29with the
- 52:31call
- 52:31of the
- 52:32Son.
- 52:35Verse 28
- 52:36is as
- 52:37far as
- 52:38we'll
- 52:38get.
- 52:40Jesus
- 52:40says,
- 52:41come
- 52:42to
- 52:42me,
- 52:43all
- 52:43who
- 52:44labor
- 52:44and
- 52:45are
- 52:45heavy
- 52:45laden,
- 52:46and I
- 52:47will
- 52:48give
- 52:48you
- 52:49rest.
- 52:54Weerspe,
- 52:55the
- 52:55commentator,
- 52:56says,
- 52:56the
- 52:57Pharisees
- 52:57all
- 52:57said
- 52:58do
- 52:58and
- 52:59tried
- 53:00to
- 53:00make
- 53:00the
- 53:00people
- 53:01follow
- 53:01Moses
- 53:01and
- 53:02the
- 53:02traditions,
- 53:03but
- 53:04true
- 53:04salvation
- 53:05is
- 53:06found
- 53:06only
- 53:06in
- 53:06a
- 53:07person,
- 53:09Jesus
- 53:09Christ.
- 53:12And
- 53:13that
- 53:13person,
- 53:15Jesus
- 53:16Christ,
- 53:17God
- 53:17the
- 53:17Son,
- 53:19the
- 53:19Savior,
- 53:20the
- 53:20King
- 53:20of
- 53:20Kings,
- 53:22he
- 53:23says
- 53:23to
- 53:24us,
- 53:26come,
- 53:26come
- 53:29to
- 53:29me.
- 53:32And
- 53:33just
- 53:33think
- 53:33about
- 53:33the
- 53:34privilege
- 53:34of
- 53:34that
- 53:35and
- 53:36the
- 53:36wonder
- 53:36of
- 53:36that.
- 53:39The
- 53:39magnitude
- 53:40of
- 53:40the
- 53:40goodness
- 53:41of
- 53:42the
- 53:42news
- 53:42that
- 53:42is
- 53:43communicated
- 53:44to
- 53:44us
- 53:44in
- 53:44that
- 53:45God
- 53:45the
- 53:45Son,
- 53:46the
- 53:46Savior,
- 53:49the
- 53:49one
- 53:49who
- 53:50promises
- 53:50access
- 53:51into
- 53:51heaven,
- 53:52eternal
- 53:52life,
- 53:53forgiveness
- 53:54of
- 53:54sin.
- 53:57He
- 53:57doesn't
- 53:57push us
- 53:58away.
- 53:59He
- 53:59doesn't
- 53:59hold us
- 54:00at a
- 54:00distance.
- 54:03He
- 54:03says
- 54:04come.
- 54:09I was
- 54:10watching
- 54:10a
- 54:10video
- 54:11on
- 54:11the
- 54:13computer
- 54:13the
- 54:13other
- 54:14day
- 54:14and
- 54:15there
- 54:15was
- 54:15a
- 54:16concert
- 54:16and
- 54:17the
- 54:17lead
- 54:17singer
- 54:18was
- 54:18singing
- 54:19and
- 54:19at
- 54:19one
- 54:19point
- 54:20he
- 54:20extends
- 54:21his
- 54:21hand
- 54:21and
- 54:22this
- 54:22girl
- 54:24in her
- 54:2420s
- 54:25or 30s
- 54:25is
- 54:26invited
- 54:26onto
- 54:26the
- 54:27stage
- 54:27and
- 54:27she
- 54:27sings
- 54:28along
- 54:28with
- 54:28this
- 54:28singer
- 54:29and
- 54:30all
- 54:30these
- 54:30comments
- 54:31underneath
- 54:31are
- 54:31saying
- 54:31how
- 54:32amazing
- 54:32that
- 54:33she's
- 54:33not
- 54:33pushed
- 54:33back
- 54:34by
- 54:34security,
- 54:35how
- 54:35amazing
- 54:35that
- 54:35she
- 54:36gets
- 54:36to
- 54:36come.
- 54:36This
- 54:36is a
- 54:37life
- 54:37changing
- 54:38experience.
- 54:40It's
- 54:40only a
- 54:40singer.
- 54:42It's
- 54:42only a
- 54:42moment.
- 54:45But
- 54:46there's
- 54:46such
- 54:46amazement
- 54:47that
- 54:47this
- 54:47singer
- 54:49who's
- 54:49got
- 54:49some
- 54:50degree
- 54:51of
- 54:51importance
- 54:51says
- 54:52come.
- 54:55And
- 54:55yet
- 54:55here
- 54:56the
- 54:58King
- 54:58of
- 54:59Kings
- 54:59the
- 55:00Lord
- 55:00of
- 55:01Lords
- 55:01the
- 55:02Saviour
- 55:02the
- 55:03Son
- 55:03of
- 55:04God
- 55:04says
- 55:05come
- 55:05to
- 55:05me.
- 55:06Who
- 55:10can
- 55:10come?
- 55:13Well,
- 55:14those
- 55:14to
- 55:14whom
- 55:14the
- 55:15Father
- 55:15has
- 55:16revealed
- 55:16the
- 55:16Son.
- 55:17Verse
- 55:1725.
- 55:21If we
- 55:21think
- 55:22back to
- 55:22the day
- 55:23that
- 55:23Jesus
- 55:23first
- 55:24spoke
- 55:24these
- 55:25words,
- 55:25there
- 55:25were
- 55:26many
- 55:26who
- 55:26heard
- 55:26the
- 55:26call,
- 55:28but
- 55:29they
- 55:29wouldn't
- 55:30come.
- 55:32They
- 55:33could
- 55:33see no
- 55:33reason
- 55:33to
- 55:34come
- 55:34to
- 55:35Jesus.
- 55:35The
- 55:35beauty,
- 55:36the
- 55:36glory,
- 55:36of
- 55:37Jesus
- 55:37was
- 55:37hidden
- 55:38from
- 55:39them.
- 55:43So how
- 55:44do we
- 55:44know
- 55:44tonight
- 55:45if the
- 55:48Father
- 55:48is
- 55:49revealing
- 55:49the
- 55:49Son
- 55:50to
- 55:50us?
- 55:51How
- 55:52do we
- 55:52know
- 55:53if this
- 55:53call
- 55:54is for
- 55:54us?
- 55:57Well,
- 55:58we
- 55:58know
- 55:59because
- 56:01we feel
- 56:01weary
- 56:02and
- 56:04heavy
- 56:04laden.
- 56:07And we
- 56:08know
- 56:08that the
- 56:09reason
- 56:09for the
- 56:10weight
- 56:11that makes
- 56:12us weary
- 56:13and weighs
- 56:14us down
- 56:15and leaves
- 56:16us restless
- 56:17is sin.
- 56:20sin.
- 56:23And when
- 56:24we see
- 56:25that,
- 56:25when we
- 56:26feel that
- 56:27God
- 56:28is working
- 56:29in us,
- 56:31Jesus told
- 56:35us in
- 56:35John
- 56:36chapter 16
- 56:37and verse
- 56:378 that
- 56:38when the
- 56:38Spirit
- 56:38comes,
- 56:40He
- 56:41convicts
- 56:41us of
- 56:41sin.
- 56:42And we're
- 56:47told in
- 56:48verse 25
- 56:49that the
- 56:51Father
- 56:51reveals
- 56:52Jesus
- 56:52to us
- 56:54as the
- 56:54Savior of
- 56:55sinners.
- 56:58And when
- 56:59these things,
- 57:00these things
- 57:00come together,
- 57:01when we
- 57:02see,
- 57:04as I pray
- 57:04that we
- 57:05see tonight,
- 57:06that we
- 57:07are great
- 57:07sinners
- 57:08and that
- 57:10Christ
- 57:10is the
- 57:11great
- 57:11Savior,
- 57:13we are
- 57:13to come
- 57:13to Him
- 57:14in
- 57:17response
- 57:18to His
- 57:18call,
- 57:19to us.
- 57:23And we're
- 57:23to confess
- 57:24our sin.
- 57:27We're
- 57:27to ask
- 57:28Him to
- 57:28take the
- 57:29weight of
- 57:30that sin
- 57:31from us.
- 57:31And that's
- 57:32what the
- 57:33cross is
- 57:33all about.
- 57:36The
- 57:36weight of
- 57:37our sin
- 57:38at Calvary
- 57:39is transferred
- 57:42from us
- 57:43to Jesus.
- 57:47We
- 57:48often sing
- 57:49a line
- 57:50in a hymn,
- 57:51Behold
- 57:52the man
- 57:52upon
- 57:54the cross,
- 57:56my sin
- 57:57upon
- 57:59His
- 57:59shoulders.
- 58:04And yet
- 58:05when we
- 58:06come to
- 58:06Jesus,
- 58:08He takes
- 58:10our sin
- 58:11away from
- 58:11us.
- 58:12That's
- 58:12His
- 58:12promise.
- 58:13And He
- 58:18gives us
- 58:18rest.
- 58:24So the
- 58:25call of
- 58:25the Son
- 58:26is come
- 58:28to me.
- 58:32Come
- 58:32to me,
- 58:33says
- 58:33Jesus.
- 58:36If you
- 58:37feel weary,
- 58:37if you
- 58:38feel burdened,
- 58:39if you
- 58:39know that
- 58:40you're a
- 58:40sinner,
- 58:40come to
- 58:44me,
- 58:44says
- 58:44Jesus,
- 58:45and keep
- 58:45on coming
- 58:46to me.
- 58:50So will
- 58:51we do
- 58:51that
- 58:51tonight?
- 58:55Will we
- 58:55come to
- 58:56Jesus?
- 58:59Maybe
- 59:00there's
- 59:00someone
- 59:00who's
- 59:02come into
- 59:02this church
- 59:03a thousand
- 59:04times,
- 59:06but still
- 59:08you haven't
- 59:08come to
- 59:09Jesus.
- 59:10come to
- 59:13Him.
- 59:14Tonight,
- 59:14maybe there's
- 59:15someone watching
- 59:16at a distance
- 59:16who never
- 59:17comes into
- 59:18the church,
- 59:20and yet
- 59:21is beginning
- 59:22to feel
- 59:23the weight
- 59:23of sin,
- 59:24and beginning
- 59:25to understand
- 59:26the restlessness
- 59:27of heart.
- 59:30Come to
- 59:31Jesus.
- 59:36And then
- 59:37come to
- 59:37the table.
- 59:40like little
- 59:42children,
- 59:43like little
- 59:42children,
- 59:43to remember
- 59:45with gratitude
- 59:46all that
- 59:49Jesus has
- 59:50done
- 59:50in and
- 59:53through
- 59:53His death
- 59:54to secure
- 59:57our salvation
- 59:58and to
- 1:00:01promise us
- 1:00:02eternal
- 1:00:03rest.
- 1:00:04come to
- 1:00:11me,
- 1:00:12all who
- 1:00:13labor
- 1:00:13and are
- 1:00:15heavy laden,
- 1:00:17and I
- 1:00:18will give
- 1:00:19you rest.
- 1:00:21The call
- 1:00:21of the
- 1:00:22Son.
- 1:00:25Let's
- 1:00:26pray.
- 1:00:26Our
- 1:00:35Heavenly
- 1:00:36Father,
- 1:00:36we thank
- 1:00:37you for
- 1:00:37your word,
- 1:00:38and we
- 1:00:39thank you
- 1:00:39for your
- 1:00:39will that
- 1:00:42is revealed
- 1:00:42to us in
- 1:00:43the verses
- 1:00:43that we've
- 1:00:44read this
- 1:00:44evening.
- 1:00:46We thank
- 1:00:47you that
- 1:00:47it is your
- 1:00:48will to
- 1:00:48hide from
- 1:00:51those who
- 1:00:51are full
- 1:00:52of pride
- 1:00:52the wonder
- 1:00:54and glory
- 1:00:55of your
- 1:00:55Son,
- 1:00:57and to
- 1:00:58reveal
- 1:00:58the
- 1:01:00wonder
- 1:01:02and the
- 1:01:03salvation
- 1:01:03that is
- 1:01:04promised in
- 1:01:05Jesus to
- 1:01:06those who
- 1:01:07are
- 1:01:08recognizing
- 1:01:10that we
- 1:01:10are sinners.
- 1:01:13We thank
- 1:01:14you that
- 1:01:14when we
- 1:01:15see that
- 1:01:16we are
- 1:01:16sinners,
- 1:01:17God,
- 1:01:17the Holy
- 1:01:17Spirit,
- 1:01:19is at
- 1:01:19work.
- 1:01:21We cannot
- 1:01:21see this
- 1:01:22on our
- 1:01:22own.
- 1:01:23It's a
- 1:01:23work of
- 1:01:24the Spirit.
- 1:01:24And we
- 1:01:27thank you
- 1:01:27that when
- 1:01:27we see
- 1:01:28that we
- 1:01:28are sinners,
- 1:01:31we also
- 1:01:31are shown
- 1:01:33that Jesus
- 1:01:34is the
- 1:01:35Savior.
- 1:01:37He is
- 1:01:37the way
- 1:01:38to the
- 1:01:39Father.
- 1:01:41O come
- 1:01:42to the
- 1:01:42Father
- 1:01:43through
- 1:01:43Jesus the
- 1:01:44Son and
- 1:01:44give him
- 1:01:45the glory.
- 1:01:46Great
- 1:01:47things he
- 1:01:48hath done.
- 1:01:49Help us,
- 1:01:49we pray,
- 1:01:50as we
- 1:01:51prepare to
- 1:01:51come to
- 1:01:52the table,
- 1:01:53as we
- 1:01:53prepare for
- 1:01:54your day,
- 1:01:54to remember
- 1:01:55and to
- 1:01:56rejoice in
- 1:01:58the great
- 1:01:58things that
- 1:01:59Jesus has
- 1:02:00done for
- 1:02:01us.
- 1:02:03And help
- 1:02:03each one of
- 1:02:04us, we
- 1:02:04pray, to
- 1:02:05come in
- 1:02:07response to
- 1:02:07the call,
- 1:02:09to trust
- 1:02:09Christ,
- 1:02:11in response
- 1:02:11to the
- 1:02:12command to
- 1:02:13do these
- 1:02:14things,
- 1:02:15to remember
- 1:02:16him.
- 1:02:18Help us,
- 1:02:19we ask,
- 1:02:19in Jesus'
- 1:02:20name.
- 1:02:20Amen.
- 1:02:23We'll sing
- 1:02:24to conclude
- 1:02:24from
- 1:02:27Psalm,
- 1:02:28sing
- 1:02:28Psalms 116,
- 1:02:30page 154,
- 1:02:32from verse
- 1:02:3312 to
- 1:02:34verse 19.
- 1:02:35How can I
- 1:02:36thank the
- 1:02:37Lord for
- 1:02:38all he's
- 1:02:38done.
- 1:02:39With
- 1:02:39gratitude,
- 1:02:40salvation's
- 1:02:41cup I'll
- 1:02:41raise.
- 1:02:42I'll call
- 1:02:43upon his
- 1:02:44name and
- 1:02:44will
- 1:02:45fulfill my
- 1:02:46vows to
- 1:02:47him before
- 1:02:47his people's
- 1:02:48face.
- 1:02:49Down to
- 1:02:49the end
- 1:02:50of the
- 1:02:50Psalm,
- 1:02:51to God's
- 1:02:52praise.
- 1:02:53Psalm 116,
- 1:02:54verse 12 to
- 1:02:56verse 19,
- 1:02:58page 154 of
- 1:02:59the Psalter.
- 1:03:06Oh,
- 1:03:07can I
- 1:03:08thank the
- 1:03:09Lord for
- 1:03:10all he's
- 1:03:12done,
- 1:03:13with
- 1:03:15gratitude,
- 1:03:16salvation,
- 1:03:18cup I
- 1:03:20raise.
- 1:03:21I'll
- 1:03:23walk
- 1:03:23upon
- 1:03:24his
- 1:03:24name and
- 1:03:26will
- 1:03:27fulfill
- 1:03:28my
- 1:03:30love to
- 1:03:31him before
- 1:03:33his
- 1:03:33people's
- 1:03:35face.
- 1:03:38The
- 1:03:38Lord,
- 1:03:39don't
- 1:03:40hear the
- 1:03:41death of
- 1:03:42all
- 1:03:43his
- 1:03:44face.
- 1:03:45Hear
- 1:03:46me,
- 1:03:47O
- 1:03:47Lord,
- 1:03:48I am
- 1:03:49your
- 1:03:49servant
- 1:03:51too.
- 1:03:53I
- 1:03:54am
- 1:03:55your
- 1:03:55servant
- 1:03:56and
- 1:03:57your
- 1:03:57son.
- 1:03:59And
- 1:04:01what
- 1:04:02change
- 1:04:03I
- 1:04:04have
- 1:04:04been
- 1:04:05free
- 1:04:06by
- 1:04:07you.
- 1:04:09And
- 1:04:10what
- 1:04:11means
- 1:04:11I
- 1:04:11will
- 1:04:12sacrifice
- 1:04:13to
- 1:04:15you.
- 1:04:17And
- 1:04:18call
- 1:04:18upon
- 1:04:19the
- 1:04:20name
- 1:04:20of
- 1:04:21God
- 1:04:22the
- 1:04:23Lord,
- 1:04:24!
- 1:04:24When
- 1:04:25our
- 1:04:26people
- 1:04:27live
- 1:04:28not
- 1:04:28set
- 1:04:29me
- 1:04:30eat,
- 1:04:31which
- 1:04:33I
- 1:04:34have
- 1:04:34fulfilled
- 1:04:35my
- 1:04:36solemn
- 1:04:37word.
- 1:04:39Before
- 1:04:41his
- 1:04:42people
- 1:04:43I
- 1:04:43will
- 1:04:44keep
- 1:04:45my
- 1:04:46blood
- 1:04:47love
- 1:04:48within
- 1:04:49the
- 1:04:50of
- 1:04:51our
- 1:04:51God's
- 1:04:52holy
- 1:04:53place,
- 1:04:55within
- 1:04:56the
- 1:04:57city
- 1:04:58of
- 1:04:59Jerusalem,
- 1:05:03to
- 1:05:04the
- 1:05:04Lord
- 1:05:05alone
- 1:05:06be
- 1:05:07all
- 1:05:08the
- 1:05:08place.
- 1:05:10Now
- 1:05:12may
- 1:05:12the
- 1:05:12grace
- 1:05:13of
- 1:05:13our
- 1:05:13Lord
- 1:05:13Jesus
- 1:05:13Christ,
- 1:05:14the
- 1:05:14love
- 1:05:15of
- 1:05:15God
- 1:05:15the
- 1:05:15Father,
- 1:05:16and
- 1:05:16the
- 1:05:16fellowship
- 1:05:16of
- 1:05:17God
- 1:05:17the
- 1:05:17Holy
- 1:05:17Spirit
- 1:05:18be
- 1:05:18with
- 1:05:18us
- 1:05:18all
- 1:05:19now
- 1:05:19and
- 1:05:20forever
- 1:05:20more.
- 1:05:21Amen.