Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / Friday Evening Service
Transcript
- 0:00Reverend David McLeod. And it's my pleasure to welcome David to the pulpit this evening and over this weekend.
- 0:07! It's good to have him with us. We look forward to his ministry and his fellowship with us over these days.
- 0:12And we do pray the Lord's blessing on him now as he comes to minister to us.
- 0:17So I'll hand over to David to lead us in worship.
- 0:24Thank you, Callum. It's good to be with you over this weekend.
- 0:28We're going to begin this time of worship as we hear the words that we will come back to a number of times over the course of this weekend from Matthew chapter 11.
- 0:40The words of Jesus. He says,
- 0:43Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- 0:49Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- 0:57For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
- 1:04We'll worship God and we'll sing together to his praise from Psalm 95, the Scottish Psalter, page 357 of the books.
- 1:15357 in the book, and we sing Psalm 95 from verses 1 to verse 6 of the psalm.
- 1:28O come, let us sing to the Lord.
- 1:30Come, let us, everyone, a joyful noise make to the rock of our salvation.
- 1:36We'll sing down to the end of verse 6 to God's praise.
- 1:39O come, let us sing to the Lord.
- 1:52Come, let us, everyone, a joyful noise make to the rock of our salvation.
- 2:14Let us sing to the Lord.
- 2:44A joyful noise.
- 2:49For God, a great God and great King, above all gods he is.
- 3:06There's love, the earth, and in his hand, the strength of hell's distance.
- 3:21To him the spacious seat belongs.
- 3:23To him the spacious seat belongs.
- 3:32For he the same did make.
- 3:39The cry of God, the cry of God, so from his hand, his form and first did take.
- 3:56O come, let us worship him.
- 4:05Let us bow down with all.
- 4:12And on our knees before the Lord, our maker, let us fall.
- 4:29Let us unite our hearts in prayer together.
- 4:39Let's pray.
- 4:41Our heavenly Father, we thank you that we are able to gather together in this place this evening.
- 4:51And we are able to call you our Father because we come in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior.
- 5:00And we thank you that it's through his name and through his finished work that we have a way through into the presence of the God who is almighty.
- 5:12We praise you for who you are, even as you have revealed yourself to us in the psalm that we have sang.
- 5:21We thank you that as we reflect on the words that we have taken upon our lips, we are reminded of the fact that you are the God who is the Lord, the God who is over all.
- 5:33You are our creator, the one who has brought everything that we see in this world and everything that we are in our being.
- 5:43You have brought that into being with a word from nothing.
- 5:49Such is the power of your creative word.
- 5:55And we thank you, Lord, for the majesty of your creation.
- 6:00Even as we look around in the place that we come from, we see the vastness and the beauty of creation, which points us to the wonder and the majesty of who you are.
- 6:14And we ask, Lord, that as we lift our eyes to see the hills, as we are aware of the power of the sea, as we look up and see the stars which you have placed in space, we pray that our eyes would be opened to see that you are the God who has brought everything into being.
- 6:39And we pray that day by day, we would worship you for who you are as our creator.
- 6:49We thank you that you are our sustainer.
- 6:53We have breath in our lungs.
- 6:56We have the measure of health and strength that enables us to be here because you are the God who sustains us.
- 7:04And we praise you, Lord, for your sustaining grace.
- 7:09We thank you that morning by morning, you grant to us new mercies.
- 7:15Even the food that we eat and the water that we drink.
- 7:20The health and strength that we enjoy.
- 7:24We confess that often we take it for granted.
- 7:29But we pray that you would forgive us for doing so.
- 7:32Help us to remember with every day that you give to us that this is the day that the Lord has made.
- 7:39Enable us to rejoice and to be glad in it and to redeem the time.
- 7:45To remember that our days in this world are short.
- 7:50So help us, we pray, whilst we have opportunity in this world to look to you, to trust you.
- 7:58And as your people, we pray that we would serve you.
- 8:03That we would live not for self.
- 8:06But that we would remember, as the catechum says to us, that man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.
- 8:17We thank you also, Lord, as we think about the words that we have sang that you are our Savior.
- 8:24We hear the phrase, the rock of our salvation.
- 8:29And we are pointed to Jesus.
- 8:32And we ask, Lord, that over this weekend, we would have our eyes fixed upon Jesus.
- 8:40We thank you, Father, for the vastness of your love.
- 8:44That you would send your only begotten Son into this world to be our Savior, to be the Good Shepherd.
- 8:52The one who would lay down his life for the sheep.
- 8:56We thank you for the cross that we are called to gather around over these days.
- 9:03We thank you for the institution of the Sacrament of Communion.
- 9:11Where we gather around the Lord's table to remember his death until he comes.
- 9:18We pray, Lord, you've forgiven us that we would be so distracted by the things of this world that we would forget.
- 9:28And yet we confess that often our minds drift.
- 9:33Often our lives are so taken up with the things of this world that we lose focus on the cross.
- 9:41But as we drift from the cross, we are in all manner of danger.
- 9:48And so we pray, Lord, that over these days that we would remember the death of Jesus.
- 9:54And as we do so, we would do so with great reverence.
- 10:00Remembering the greatness of who you are.
- 10:04We pray that we would do so with that sense of contrition.
- 10:10That we would be confessing our sin.
- 10:13That we would have that posture of continual repentance.
- 10:18Turning away from sin.
- 10:21Confessing our falls and failures.
- 10:25And seeking fresh cleansing in the blood of Jesus.
- 10:30And we pray that as we remember the Lord Jesus over this weekend, we would do so with joy in our hearts.
- 10:38Remembering that because he died, we are forgiven if we are trusting in him.
- 10:45And remembering that on the third day, just as he promised, he rose from the dead.
- 10:54He reigns, he lives.
- 10:57And he has promised that one day he will return.
- 11:01And until that day, we remember his death until he comes.
- 11:07And we pray that these days would be a time for us where we wait upon the Lord.
- 11:16And we know renewed strength.
- 11:18And we know the blessing of meeting together as your people and your presence.
- 11:23We pray that we would have fresh perspective.
- 11:27That we would see with even more wonder the depths of your grace.
- 11:34The wonder of all that you have done for us to make us your children.
- 11:39And we pray that we would respond in worship.
- 11:43Not just as we gather here in the building for an hour or two each day.
- 11:48We pray that over these days, as we go about the different things that we have to do,
- 11:54our minds would come back to remember all that you have done for us.
- 11:59That we would be in the spirit of worship over these days.
- 12:04We ask, Lord, that you would be with those who are absent tonight from this place who would desire to be here.
- 12:13We are conscious always of those who are struggling with ill health.
- 12:18And as we think of them, Lord, whether they are in hospital or at home,
- 12:23we pray that you would draw near to them.
- 12:26That you would lay your hands of healing upon them where that is your will.
- 12:30And that they would know your grace, which is sufficient for each day that you give to them in time.
- 12:38We pray for those who are sorrowing.
- 12:40Those who struggle with grief.
- 12:43Those who may be bewildered even at the perplexing things that often happen in this world.
- 12:50And as we think of them, we pray for your comfort.
- 12:53We pray that you, the God of all comfort, would draw near to them.
- 12:57And give to them that peace that comes not from this world, but that comes from heaven.
- 13:03We pray for any who may be struggling in grief and who may feel distant from you at this time.
- 13:10And we ask, Father, that they would know your loving touch upon them.
- 13:15That they would know the comfort of God, the Holy Spirit drawing near to them.
- 13:20We think especially of the Mitchell family in Braggar.
- 13:25And with the tragedy of all that we have heard of, we pray that they would know your peace.
- 13:32That they would know your presence.
- 13:34That you would uphold them.
- 13:36That you would strengthen them.
- 13:38That you would be in that community in a special way over these days.
- 13:45We pray for those who may struggle with darkness that affects their minds.
- 13:52Those who may feel cast down in their souls.
- 13:55Who may battle with depression.
- 13:58And we ask, Lord, that you would minister to them where often we cannot get through with words.
- 14:03We thank you that you are able to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- 14:08And as we think of those who may feel that darkness engulfing them.
- 14:13We pray that the light of Christ would break through.
- 14:16And that they would know that you are God and that you are with them.
- 14:20We pray for those who battle with addictions.
- 14:23Those who may come here week by week for road to recovery.
- 14:27And many others who may not.
- 14:30And as our minds go to such, we ask, Lord, that you would help them.
- 14:35And that they would desire the help, the strength that comes from calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus.
- 14:43And we pray for those who may be healthy and who may be comfortable.
- 14:48And who may be at ease in their minds.
- 14:51And may have everything that they need in this world.
- 14:55But have no sense of a need of Christ.
- 14:58We pray for those who do not realize the danger that there is in remaining in sin.
- 15:06We can think of family members and friends and people we work with.
- 15:11Who may be interested in many things, but have no desire for the things of God.
- 15:17And we know that without the moving of your spirit, there is nothing that we can do to change that.
- 15:26And so we know that we can carry them to you in prayer.
- 15:31And as we think of names and as we think of faces.
- 15:35And we ask, Lord, that you would awaken souls in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- 15:41That they may feel the weight of sin.
- 15:44And that they may look to Jesus, who is the Savior.
- 15:48The one who is able to give rest.
- 15:51True rest and eternal rest.
- 15:54To all who will come to him.
- 15:56So hear our prayers.
- 15:58Bless our time together.
- 16:00Help us, we pray.
- 16:02As we read your word.
- 16:03As we meditate upon your word.
- 16:05As we sing.
- 16:07We know, Lord, that we can do nothing apart from you.
- 16:11And so we ask that you would draw near to us.
- 16:15And as we sing, we would sing from our hearts.
- 16:18As we read, we would recognize that this is the word of God.
- 16:22And not the word of man.
- 16:24And as we meditate upon the word, we pray, Lord.
- 16:28That you would illuminate our minds.
- 16:31That you would help us in speaking and listening and responding.
- 16:36So that all we do would be to the glory of God.
- 16:40Hear our prayers.
- 16:41Cleanse us from our sin as we confess it.
- 16:45And lead us in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- 16:48And we pray these things in Jesus' name.
- 16:50Amen.
- 16:53We'll sing again to God's praise.
- 16:55We'll sing this time from Psalm 42.
- 16:58Sing Psalms 42.
- 17:00Found on page 53.
- 17:03Sing Psalms 42.
- 17:09And we sing from verse 1 to verse 5.
- 17:14As pants the deer for flowing streams, so longs my soul, O God, for you.
- 17:20I thirst for God, the living God.
- 17:23When can I meet with God and you?
- 17:26And we'll sing down to verse 5 to God's praise.
- 17:29And we sing down to verse 5 to God's praise.
- 17:31singing voyque
- 17:52For God, the living God, when can I meet with God anew?
- 18:07My tears have been my constant hurt, both in the night and in the day.
- 18:25While all day long insistently, where is this God of new to sing?
- 18:42As I pour out my soul in grief, these things I do remember still.
- 19:00And with the multitude I went up to God's hands on Zion Hill.
- 19:18In their procession I would lead, as we approach with cheerful song.
- 19:36And shouts of joy and thankfulness, rejoicing with the festive throng.
- 19:54Why are you downcast, O my soul?
- 20:04Why are you so disturbed in me?
- 20:12Just thought, for I will praise him yet.
- 20:21My Saviour and my God is he.
- 20:35If you could turn with me now in your Bibles, please, to Matthew chapter 11.
- 20:42Matthew chapter 11, it's on page 983 of the Bible in the pulpit.
- 20:52I don't know if that corresponds with Bibles in the pew.
- 21:12Matthew chapter 11, and we'll read from verse 1 to verse 24.
- 21:18This is God's Word.
- 21:19When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
- 21:29Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him,
- 21:37Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?
- 21:42And Jesus answered them, Go and tell John what you hear and see.
- 21:46The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk.
- 21:51Lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear.
- 21:53And the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
- 21:57And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.
- 22:03As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John.
- 22:08What did you go out into the wilderness to see?
- 22:11A reed shaken by the wind?
- 22:14What then did you go out to see?
- 22:16A man dressed in soft clothing?
- 22:19Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king's houses.
- 22:23What then did you go out to see?
- 22:26A prophet?
- 22:27Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
- 22:30This is he of whom it is written,
- 22:33Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
- 22:36who will prepare your way before you.
- 22:40Truly I say to you, among those born of woman,
- 22:43there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.
- 22:46Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
- 22:51From the days of John the Baptist until now,
- 22:54the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,
- 22:57and the violent take it by force.
- 22:59For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
- 23:04And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.
- 23:08He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
- 23:13But to what shall I compare this generation?
- 23:15It is like children sitting in marketplaces and calling to their playmates.
- 23:21We played the flute for you, and you did not dance.
- 23:25We sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.
- 23:29For John came neither eating nor drinking,
- 23:32and they say he is a demon.
- 23:34The Son of Man came eating and drinking,
- 23:37and they say, look at him, a glutton and a drunkard,
- 23:40a friend of tax collectors and sinners.
- 23:43Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.
- 23:48Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done,
- 23:58because they did not repent.
- 24:00Woe to you, Kerasim!
- 24:02Woe to you, Bethsaida!
- 24:04For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
- 24:08they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
- 24:13But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
- 24:20And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?
- 24:24You will be brought down to Hades.
- 24:27For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom,
- 24:30it would have remained until this day.
- 24:32But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.
- 24:42And I'm going to read on just to the end of the chapter.
- 24:45At that time, Jesus declared,
- 24:47Come to me,
- 25:14All who labor and are heavy laden,
- 25:18And I will give you rest.
- 25:20Take my yoke upon you,
- 25:22And learn from me,
- 25:24For I am gentle and lowly in heart,
- 25:27And you will find rest for your souls.
- 25:30For my yoke is easy,
- 25:33And my burden is light.
- 25:38Amen.
- 25:39And may God bless that reading of his word to us.
- 25:42We're going to sing again now to God's praise
- 25:45From Psalm 43,
- 25:47The Scottish Psalter,
- 25:49Page 264.
- 25:55Psalm 43,
- 25:57And we'll sing from verses 3
- 25:59To verse 5 of the psalm.
- 26:02O send thy light forth,
- 26:03And thy truth,
- 26:05Let them be guides to me,
- 26:06And bring me to thine holy hill,
- 26:09Even where thy dwellings be.
- 26:11Then will I to God's altar go,
- 26:13To God my chiefest joy,
- 26:15Yea,
- 26:15God my God,
- 26:16Thy name to praise,
- 26:18My harp I will employ.
- 26:19Down to the end of the psalm,
- 26:23To God's praise.
- 26:23O send thy light,
- 26:31For time thy truth,
- 26:36Let them be guides to me,
- 26:43And bring me to thy holy hill,
- 26:53In where thy dwellings be.
- 27:00Then will I to God's altar go,
- 27:10To God my chiefest joy,
- 27:17In where thy dwellings be.
- 27:22In where thy dwellings be.
- 27:26In where thy dwellings be.
- 27:27My heart I will employ.
- 27:35Why art thou then,
- 27:40Hast thou my soul,
- 27:45What should discourage thee,
- 27:52And why with vexing thoughts,
- 27:59Are thou disquieted in me,
- 28:10Still trust in God,
- 28:15For him to praise,
- 28:20Good thoughts I yet shall bow,
- 28:27Be all my 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
- 28:57chapter 11.
- 29:10And as we do so, let's pray again.
- 29:16Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word, and we thank you for the opportunity
- 29:21and for the desire that you've given us to come to this place in worship.
- 29:27We pray once more that you would help us, that we would know the help of the Holy Spirit
- 29:32in all that we do at this time.
- 29:35We ask that you would open blind eyes, that you would unblock our ears, that you would
- 29:41stir our hearts, that we would be like those on the road to Emmaus, whose hearts burned
- 29:46within them, because we know that we have the promise that you are here with us.
- 29:53So we ask, Lord, for your help at this time.
- 29:56And we're conscious also, as we meet together, that there are many other congregations, different
- 30:02denominations in this time, who meet, as we do, around your word.
- 30:07And what we pray for ourselves, we pray for them.
- 30:10We ask that whatever Christ crucified is preached, that you would be working, Lord God, in the
- 30:16power of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus would be lifted up.
- 30:19And over this weekend, many would be drawn in worship to him, perhaps some for the first
- 30:25time.
- 30:27We have heard of stories, and some may have even tasted something of the experience of
- 30:33awakening and revivals in the past.
- 30:36And we ask, Lord, that once more you would move in the power of the Holy Spirit, that
- 30:42we would know showers of refreshing at this time.
- 30:46Hear our prayers.
- 30:47Help us, we ask.
- 30:48In Jesus' name.
- 30:49Amen.
- 30:49Amen.
- 30:56Matthew chapter 11, and we're looking this evening at verses 1 to verse 24.
- 31:07When Callum told me that the time of the service was at half past seven, it's later than I'm
- 31:12usually used to when it comes to preaching.
- 31:15I was wondering how you would manage to keep everybody awake at that time.
- 31:19But I see that he's disabled the boiler.
- 31:22So no one will sleep tonight, but hopefully nobody will get to a state of hypothermia.
- 31:27We've got a doctor in the front row if that happens.
- 31:30Just raise your hand.
- 31:34Matthew chapter 11, and verses 1 to 24.
- 31:43I don't need to tell any of you that in our lives, in our experience,
- 31:48we are constantly being given offers.
- 31:58So we get letters, and we get phone calls, cold calls.
- 32:02We get text messages.
- 32:05We get emails from companies who are making us offers.
- 32:09Cheaper broadband, or new mobile phones, or a new bank account, or a new bank, or a new credit card.
- 32:20There's no shortage of offers.
- 32:23Fashion garments, new holidays when the weather is bad.
- 32:27There's a continuous stream of offers that come into our inboxes, and every offer is looking for a response.
- 32:37Now, the gospel is an offer.
- 32:41God reaches out to us in the gospel with the most amazing offer that we can ever hear or receive.
- 32:53Theologians talk about the free offer of the gospel, and the offer of the gospel is the offer of Jesus.
- 33:01Yes, in the gospel, we are offered forgiveness of sin.
- 33:08As we feel the weight of our sin, we are offered forgiveness as we hear the good news of the gospel.
- 33:14We are offered eternal life.
- 33:17But at the heart of the message of the gospel,
- 33:20we have the offer of Jesus.
- 33:26God's Son.
- 33:28God the Son, our Savior.
- 33:31John chapter 3, verse 16, probably the most well-known message in all of the Bible.
- 33:39For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.
- 33:45And the question I'd like to think about tonight in the time that we have is,
- 33:53how are we responding to Jesus?
- 33:58How are we responding to the offer of Jesus?
- 34:02How are we responding to all that Jesus has done for us?
- 34:07All that we are called this weekend to remember.
- 34:11Now, in the passage that we read,
- 34:17we can note at least four responses.
- 34:21And I want to take time to go through each of the four responses to Jesus that we see in the verses.
- 34:30The first response that we see to Jesus is the response of doubt.
- 34:37So four points.
- 34:38Number one is doubt.
- 34:39We see John the Baptist wrestling with doubts as he speaks with Jesus.
- 34:49The second response that we see is the response of disbelief.
- 34:56Those who brazenly do not believe.
- 34:59The third response we see is in those cities who dismiss Jesus.
- 35:09They just don't respond to him.
- 35:12And the final response that we finish with is to look at the disciples and see briefly how they are devoted to Jesus.
- 35:23Their lives are devoted to Jesus.
- 35:26So first of all, as we work through the verses, we see doubt on the part of John the Baptist.
- 35:32Look at verses 1 and 2.
- 35:34When Jesus had finished instructing his 12 disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
- 35:47Now, when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ,
- 35:51he sent word by his disciples and said to him,
- 35:55Are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another?
- 36:03So what's going on here in these verses?
- 36:06Well, what's going on is we see John.
- 36:09That's John the Baptist.
- 36:11And he's in prison.
- 36:13Why is John in prison?
- 36:14Well, John is in prison because he had been uncompromising in his preaching of the truth.
- 36:21And as John preached the truth, he clashed with Herod.
- 36:26He was an authority and he clashed with Herod's wife in particular,
- 36:31who didn't like the message that John was bringing.
- 36:33And you can read the story of that in Luke chapter 2 at the end of that chapter.
- 36:39And what we see is that John, having clashed with Herod and his wife,
- 36:44John ends up in prison.
- 36:45So life is difficult for John, as we pick up at the beginning of chapter 11.
- 36:53And if we think ourselves into John's experience,
- 36:58not so long ago, there were vast crowds.
- 37:01Whenever John preached, there were vast crowds that gathered to hear him preach.
- 37:07He was the man of the moment.
- 37:09And he was a man who was free.
- 37:11And John the Baptist, we know, was a man who liked to settle out in the wilderness,
- 37:16in the wide open spaces.
- 37:18And yet here we see John, and he's isolated.
- 37:22He's locked away in a prison cell.
- 37:26And in this dark time, in John's experience,
- 37:33it seems that he has a crisis of doubt.
- 37:37One commentator, Green, says,
- 37:43everything tends to get out of proportion
- 37:45when you are suffering for a long time in a confined space alone.
- 37:52Doubts grow in such a soil.
- 37:55So if we pause there just for a moment
- 38:01and try to draw some application.
- 38:07The application is not complicated.
- 38:10And I think the application that flows from this is,
- 38:13if John the Baptist can struggle with doubts,
- 38:16any of us can struggle with doubt.
- 38:22Especially when we're suffering.
- 38:28And we can't understand what's going on in life.
- 38:34Especially when we're isolated.
- 38:37And we're not much in Christian fellowship.
- 38:40Doubts can creep in.
- 38:41And that's what seems to be happening
- 38:46in John's experience.
- 38:50John is struggling with doubts.
- 38:52Some of the commentators, if you read them,
- 38:54will say, well, John didn't struggle with doubts.
- 38:56It's his disciples that struggled with doubts.
- 38:58John's just sending the disciples to Jesus
- 39:01so that they can have their doubts dealt with.
- 39:03But I don't see that in the text.
- 39:07That doesn't seem to me to be an assumption
- 39:09that we have license to take.
- 39:12I think the most obvious application here
- 39:16is that John, in that dark prison cell,
- 39:21is wrestling with doubts.
- 39:23But the question to consider as we move on
- 39:28is how are John's doubts overcome?
- 39:31John's doubts are overcome
- 39:44when he takes them to Jesus.
- 39:49John doesn't do
- 39:51the thing that lots of people do
- 39:54when doubts crash in.
- 39:56He doesn't withdraw
- 39:58and turn away from Jesus
- 40:01and turn away from the Lord's people.
- 40:05John takes the doubts
- 40:07that are plaguing him
- 40:08and he takes them directly to Jesus.
- 40:13And Jesus deals with the doubts
- 40:15and lifts him from that place.
- 40:20And how does Jesus do that?
- 40:24Well, he does that
- 40:25by reminding John
- 40:28of what the Bible says
- 40:30about the Messiah,
- 40:32about the one who was to come.
- 40:35Jesus answered them,
- 40:36that's the disciples
- 40:37who've been sent as messengers.
- 40:39Jesus answered them,
- 40:40go and tell John
- 40:41what you hear and see.
- 40:43The blind receive their sight
- 40:45and the lame walk.
- 40:47Lepers are cleansed
- 40:48and the deaf hear
- 40:49and the dead are raised up
- 40:51and the poor have good news
- 40:53preached to them
- 40:54and blessed is the one
- 40:56who is not offended by me.
- 41:00So what Jesus does here
- 41:02is he quotes from
- 41:05Isaiah chapter 35
- 41:07and Isaiah chapter 61
- 41:09and in the quotes
- 41:12that Jesus lifts,
- 41:13he reminds John
- 41:15of what the one,
- 41:17what the Messiah
- 41:18would do,
- 41:20was prophesied to do.
- 41:23He would heal,
- 41:24he would preach good news.
- 41:29And what was Jesus doing?
- 41:32He was doing exactly
- 41:34what had been prophesied.
- 41:37Everything that was found
- 41:39in Isaiah
- 41:40that prophesied,
- 41:43that painted this picture
- 41:44of who the Messiah would be.
- 41:46Jesus was doing these things.
- 41:48So Jesus says to the messengers
- 41:51who'd come,
- 41:52go back to John
- 41:53and tell him Isaiah 35,
- 41:57tell him Isaiah 61.
- 42:00And as they marry together
- 42:02with the accounts
- 42:03of what Jesus was doing,
- 42:05he's able to see
- 42:07with no doubt
- 42:10but crystal clarity,
- 42:12this is the Christ.
- 42:14this is the Savior.
- 42:19So John's doubts
- 42:20are overcome
- 42:21by taking them to Jesus.
- 42:24John's doubts
- 42:25are overcome
- 42:26by being
- 42:27in the Word of God.
- 42:35How are our doubts overcome?
- 42:36exactly the same way.
- 42:43I don't know
- 42:43many of you
- 42:44personally,
- 42:46I don't know
- 42:46the congregation here well,
- 42:48but my,
- 42:50I would be surprised
- 42:51if there isn't
- 42:53at least somebody
- 42:54whether here
- 42:57or watching
- 42:57at a distance
- 42:58who is wrestling
- 43:01with some measure
- 43:04of doubt.
- 43:07And these doubts
- 43:08are overcome
- 43:10as we take them
- 43:12to Jesus
- 43:13in prayer
- 43:14and tell him
- 43:17what's in our mind,
- 43:18tell him what's
- 43:18assaulting us.
- 43:22And these doubts
- 43:23are overcome
- 43:23as we listen
- 43:25to what God says
- 43:26by being in the Bible.
- 43:33So maybe this is a word
- 43:34for a struggling
- 43:35Christian tonight.
- 43:39Maybe doubts
- 43:40have been crashing in.
- 43:41Maybe there's someone here
- 43:44who's saying,
- 43:46you know,
- 43:46with all the thoughts
- 43:47I've been having
- 43:48and the battles
- 43:50in my mind,
- 43:52I wonder if I,
- 43:54I should even come
- 43:55to the table
- 43:55when I feel so,
- 43:59so low
- 43:59and unsettled,
- 44:00do I have warrant
- 44:01to come?
- 44:05Now what does
- 44:06the old hymn say?
- 44:09Just as I am,
- 44:11though tossed about
- 44:13with many a conflict,
- 44:16many a doubt,
- 44:18fightings within
- 44:19and fears without,
- 44:24O Lamb of God,
- 44:27I come.
- 44:29I come.
- 44:32And that's what we see
- 44:33John doing.
- 44:34He comes,
- 44:35he comes to Jesus
- 44:36even with his doubts.
- 44:38And Jesus does not
- 44:41reject him,
- 44:43Jesus receives him.
- 44:46And in verses 7
- 44:48through to verse 15,
- 44:50which I'm not going to
- 44:51drill down into,
- 44:53Jesus speaks
- 44:56in such a manner
- 44:57about John
- 44:58where John
- 44:59is able to receive
- 45:00the reassurance
- 45:02that he needs.
- 45:04There's such words
- 45:05of commendation
- 45:06about John
- 45:08if we were to step
- 45:10through these verses.
- 45:12But this is always
- 45:13the way.
- 45:16As we trust Jesus,
- 45:18as we obey Jesus,
- 45:19as we come to him,
- 45:21or as we come back
- 45:22to him if we've drifted,
- 45:24he receives us.
- 45:29He reassures us
- 45:31as we come.
- 45:36So the first thing
- 45:37that we see
- 45:38in terms of a response
- 45:39to Jesus
- 45:40is a doubt.
- 45:42The second,
- 45:43and that doubt
- 45:44is overcome.
- 45:45The second response
- 45:46as we move into
- 45:47verse 16
- 45:48is disbelief.
- 45:51So more briefly,
- 45:54Jesus says
- 45:55in verse 16,
- 45:56but to what shall I
- 45:57compare this generation?
- 45:58It is like children
- 45:59sitting in the marketplaces
- 46:01and calling
- 46:01to their playmates.
- 46:04We played the flute
- 46:04for you
- 46:05and you did not dance.
- 46:07We sang a dirge
- 46:08and you did not mourn.
- 46:12And what Jesus
- 46:12is doing here
- 46:13in these two verses
- 46:15is he's doing
- 46:16what he often did.
- 46:17He would take
- 46:18an everyday illustration,
- 46:21the illustration
- 46:21of the children
- 46:22as they played,
- 46:23and he makes
- 46:24it a teaching point.
- 46:27So in Jesus' day,
- 46:29just as in our day,
- 46:30the children
- 46:31would play at
- 46:31being grown-ups.
- 46:33And the children
- 46:34would do what they
- 46:35saw the grown-ups
- 46:36doing.
- 46:37And as the grown-ups
- 46:38came together,
- 46:39the children
- 46:40would see them
- 46:40sometimes dancing
- 46:42at weddings
- 46:43and sometimes mourning
- 46:46as they came together
- 46:48at funerals.
- 46:50That's what they saw
- 46:51in everyday life.
- 46:53And so that's
- 46:53what the children,
- 46:55maybe to us
- 46:56seems strange,
- 46:56but that's what
- 46:57they would play at.
- 46:59I suppose it's no more
- 47:00strange than
- 47:01what we used to play at,
- 47:02playing housework
- 47:03and playing schools
- 47:04when we were
- 47:04six and seven years old.
- 47:06You'd be the teacher,
- 47:07you'd be the mum,
- 47:07you'd be the dad.
- 47:08That's the kind of thing
- 47:09that was going on here.
- 47:11The children
- 47:12would play at
- 47:13being grown-ups.
- 47:14But
- 47:14just as it
- 47:17is with us,
- 47:19it was back then
- 47:20that there was
- 47:21always one
- 47:22disgruntled child
- 47:23that didn't want
- 47:25to play.
- 47:28We played
- 47:28the flute for you,
- 47:30say the children,
- 47:31and you didn't dance.
- 47:34We played a dirge
- 47:35that you didn't mourn.
- 47:37There's always one
- 47:38child that could
- 47:38never be pleased.
- 47:39I was thinking back
- 47:40to school days
- 47:42in Aberdeen.
- 47:42I remember
- 47:43a boy
- 47:44in my class
- 47:45called Brian.
- 47:48He always had
- 47:49the best
- 47:49of the greatest trainers.
- 47:50I always wanted them.
- 47:51He always brought
- 47:53the leather football
- 47:54to school.
- 47:55He had the most money
- 47:56or his family did.
- 47:57And so
- 47:58we would play
- 47:58with the mitre
- 47:59leather football
- 48:00or the umbral leather football
- 48:01that Brian would bring.
- 48:03But invariably
- 48:04we'd be halfway
- 48:04through a game
- 48:05and if somebody
- 48:06tackled Brian hard
- 48:07or his team
- 48:08started to lose,
- 48:10he would take a huff.
- 48:12And he would take
- 48:12hold of the ball
- 48:13and go off on a huff
- 48:14and that was the game
- 48:15all over.
- 48:16Acting like a
- 48:18spoiled child.
- 48:19And Jesus
- 48:19is saying to the people
- 48:20who are listening,
- 48:21that's like you.
- 48:23You're like
- 48:23spoiled children.
- 48:26You can never
- 48:26be pleased.
- 48:28Verse 18,
- 48:29For John came
- 48:30neither eating
- 48:31or drinking
- 48:31and they say
- 48:32he has a demon.
- 48:35They don't want
- 48:35to listen to John.
- 48:37The son of man
- 48:39came eating
- 48:39and drinking
- 48:40and they say
- 48:40look at him
- 48:41a glutton
- 48:42and a drunkard
- 48:43a friend of tax collectors
- 48:45and sinners
- 48:45yet wisdom
- 48:47is justified
- 48:48by her deeds.
- 48:50didn't matter
- 48:54what was done.
- 48:59They wouldn't believe.
- 49:01That was the picture
- 49:02that Jesus was painting.
- 49:05And it was a word
- 49:06for that generation
- 49:07in verse 16.
- 49:10But it's a word
- 49:11for every generation.
- 49:12there are always
- 49:16people
- 49:16who will find
- 49:18reasons
- 49:19not to believe
- 49:20in Jesus.
- 49:23They exist
- 49:24in Harris.
- 49:26I expect
- 49:27they exist
- 49:28in Lewis
- 49:29as well.
- 49:31People who say
- 49:32I don't feel enough.
- 49:34If I could just
- 49:35feel a bit more.
- 49:38If I had more feelings
- 49:39a bit more conviction
- 49:40then I could believe.
- 49:42or I don't know
- 49:44enough to believe.
- 49:47I need to do more study
- 49:48I need to read more books
- 49:49and maybe when I get
- 49:50to a higher
- 49:52academic
- 49:52grasp
- 49:53of the things
- 49:54of God
- 49:55then I can believe
- 49:56but not yet.
- 50:01Then there's so many
- 50:01people who say
- 50:02you know
- 50:02I'm not good enough.
- 50:06I'm not good enough
- 50:07to be a believer.
- 50:08And the list
- 50:13can go on.
- 50:16Every
- 50:16generation
- 50:17every congregation
- 50:18will have
- 50:21some people
- 50:22who are
- 50:22experts
- 50:23in giving
- 50:25reason
- 50:26after reason
- 50:27for disbelief.
- 50:30unbelief.
- 50:32And Jesus
- 50:32saw it back then
- 50:33and he called
- 50:34them out on it
- 50:35and he sees
- 50:38it still today.
- 50:42And I wonder
- 50:43does he see
- 50:43any
- 50:44of that
- 50:45in you
- 50:46or in me?
- 50:53Disbelief
- 50:53is a
- 50:54serious thing.
- 50:55unbelief
- 50:56is a
- 50:58serious
- 50:58thing
- 50:59because
- 51:02it leads
- 51:03to eternal
- 51:04death
- 51:04and Jesus
- 51:07will make
- 51:08that crystal
- 51:08clear in the
- 51:09next section.
- 51:11That's the
- 51:12bad news.
- 51:15But the
- 51:16good news
- 51:17is that
- 51:19whoever
- 51:19believes
- 51:20in Jesus
- 51:22John 3
- 51:2416
- 51:24shall
- 51:27not
- 51:27perish
- 51:28but
- 51:29shall
- 51:30have
- 51:30eternal
- 51:31life.
- 51:35What do
- 51:36we come
- 51:36to the
- 51:36table
- 51:37to say?
- 51:39We come
- 51:40to the
- 51:41table
- 51:41to say
- 51:42that we
- 51:43believe
- 51:44in Jesus.
- 51:46We're not
- 51:47coming to
- 51:48speak about
- 51:48ourselves.
- 51:50We're not
- 51:51coming because
- 51:52of the
- 51:52feelings
- 51:54that we
- 51:54have.
- 51:56We're not
- 51:56coming because
- 51:57we've reached
- 51:58a certain
- 51:58level of
- 51:59intellectual
- 52:00stature.
- 52:04We come
- 52:05in that
- 52:06simple
- 52:06childlike
- 52:07way
- 52:08to say
- 52:09that we
- 52:10believe
- 52:10in Jesus.
- 52:13That he is
- 52:14our
- 52:14savior.
- 52:15That he is
- 52:15our
- 52:16Lord.
- 52:17That we are
- 52:19trusting
- 52:19in his
- 52:20finished
- 52:21work.
- 52:21that we
- 52:22are
- 52:22remembering
- 52:22him.
- 52:27Doubt
- 52:28that has
- 52:30overcome
- 52:30disbelief
- 52:31that Jesus
- 52:32identifies
- 52:33and calls
- 52:35out.
- 52:35The third
- 52:36response that
- 52:37we see
- 52:37here is to
- 52:37dismiss
- 52:38Jesus.
- 52:40And we
- 52:41see that
- 52:41in verse
- 52:4220 down
- 52:44to verse
- 52:4424.
- 52:45Jesus
- 52:47addresses
- 52:47cities that
- 52:48were
- 52:49unrepentant,
- 52:50cities that
- 52:51had dismissed
- 52:51them.
- 52:52Then he
- 52:53began to
- 52:53denounce the
- 52:54cities where
- 52:54most of his
- 52:55mighty works
- 52:56had been
- 52:56done,
- 52:56because they
- 52:57did not
- 52:58repent.
- 52:59Woe to
- 52:59you,
- 52:59Chorazin.
- 53:00This is
- 53:00verse 21.
- 53:01Woe to
- 53:01you,
- 53:02Bethsaida,
- 53:03for if the
- 53:03mighty works
- 53:04done in you
- 53:04had been
- 53:05done in Tyre
- 53:05and Sidon,
- 53:06they would
- 53:06have repented
- 53:07long ago
- 53:08in sackcloth
- 53:09and ashes.
- 53:09But I tell
- 53:10you it would
- 53:10be more
- 53:11bearable in
- 53:12the day of
- 53:12judgment for
- 53:13Tyre and
- 53:13Sidon than
- 53:14for you.
- 53:14And so
- 53:16the words
- 53:17go on.
- 53:20And I
- 53:20think that
- 53:22these words
- 53:22that Jesus
- 53:23speaks in
- 53:25this section
- 53:26are some of
- 53:28the strongest
- 53:28words that
- 53:29are recorded
- 53:29anywhere in
- 53:30the Bible
- 53:31that we
- 53:32hear Jesus
- 53:32speak.
- 53:34He speaks
- 53:35words of
- 53:35woe,
- 53:36he speaks
- 53:37words of
- 53:37judgment,
- 53:38he speaks
- 53:39words that
- 53:40warn of
- 53:41being brought
- 53:41down to
- 53:42Hades,
- 53:43brought down
- 53:43to hell.
- 53:44Jesus talks
- 53:48about
- 53:49Sodom
- 53:50in verse
- 53:5223.
- 53:56And we're
- 53:57not going
- 53:57there tonight
- 53:57but you can
- 53:58take a tour
- 53:59back to
- 53:59Genesis 19
- 54:01in your own
- 54:02time and
- 54:03see the
- 54:04darkness and
- 54:05the immorality
- 54:06of that
- 54:07place Sodom
- 54:08and we can
- 54:09read about
- 54:10the judgment
- 54:10of God
- 54:12that fell
- 54:12upon that
- 54:13city.
- 54:14And yet
- 54:14alarmingly
- 54:15Jesus says
- 54:17in verse
- 54:1724,
- 54:19it will be
- 54:19more tolerable
- 54:20on the
- 54:21day of
- 54:21judgment
- 54:22for the
- 54:23land of
- 54:23Sodom
- 54:24than for
- 54:25you,
- 54:26Capernaum.
- 54:29And for
- 54:30Chorazin
- 54:30and Bethsaida,
- 54:32Jesus warns
- 54:34them of
- 54:35incoming woe,
- 54:38literally grief.
- 54:42So we have
- 54:43to ask the
- 54:44question,
- 54:44what did
- 54:45these cities
- 54:46do?
- 54:49What is it
- 54:49that Chorazin
- 54:50and Bethsaida
- 54:52and Capernaum
- 54:53did that
- 54:55prompted such
- 54:56serious
- 54:57words
- 54:59from Jesus?
- 55:03How did
- 55:03they respond
- 55:04to Jesus
- 55:05that caused
- 55:06Jesus to
- 55:06speak to
- 55:07them in
- 55:07such terms?
- 55:09And the
- 55:10answer to
- 55:10that question
- 55:11is their
- 55:12response to
- 55:13Jesus,
- 55:14what they
- 55:14did in
- 55:15terms of
- 55:16responding to
- 55:16Jesus is
- 55:17they did
- 55:17nothing.
- 55:24They
- 55:24dismissed
- 55:25Jesus.
- 55:27they just
- 55:30ignored
- 55:31him.
- 55:34Jesus
- 55:34performed
- 55:36mighty
- 55:37works
- 55:38in these
- 55:39cities
- 55:39and he
- 55:42preached
- 55:42the most
- 55:44amazing
- 55:44sermons
- 55:45that have
- 55:45ever been
- 55:46preached
- 55:46and he
- 55:47pled with
- 55:48them
- 55:48to repent
- 55:50and yet
- 55:54they would
- 55:54not repent
- 55:55they walked
- 55:58out the
- 55:58door
- 55:59unrepentant
- 56:02unmoved
- 56:03they'd
- 56:06heard the
- 56:06gospel
- 56:07plea
- 56:07they'd
- 56:09heard the
- 56:10voice of
- 56:10the
- 56:10saviour
- 56:11and they
- 56:15looked at
- 56:15their watches
- 56:16and they
- 56:18headed home
- 56:18and they
- 56:20did
- 56:20nothing.
- 56:24And Jesus
- 56:25mentions Tyre
- 56:26and Sidon.
- 56:29Now the
- 56:29people in
- 56:30Chorazin
- 56:30and Bethsaida
- 56:31and Capernaum
- 56:33they would
- 56:34have looked
- 56:34down their
- 56:35noses
- 56:36at Tyre
- 56:37and Sidon
- 56:38because they
- 56:40were Gentiles.
- 56:42They were
- 56:43non-Jews.
- 56:44They hadn't
- 56:45had the
- 56:46kind of
- 56:46background
- 56:46and the
- 56:47upbringing
- 56:47that these
- 56:48cities had
- 56:49had.
- 56:51But Jesus
- 56:52says if
- 56:55they in
- 56:56Tyre and
- 56:56Sidon
- 56:57had seen
- 56:59and heard
- 57:00what you've
- 57:01seen and
- 57:01heard
- 57:02they would
- 57:05have taken
- 57:05notice.
- 57:07They would
- 57:08have repented
- 57:09but not
- 57:10you.
- 57:11there were
- 57:16so many
- 57:17in these
- 57:19privileged
- 57:20cities
- 57:20who
- 57:22ignored
- 57:23Jesus.
- 57:26They
- 57:27rejected
- 57:27Jesus.
- 57:28Not with
- 57:29any kind
- 57:29of violence.
- 57:31There was
- 57:31no heat
- 57:32and violence
- 57:33in their
- 57:34rejection.
- 57:36They just
- 57:37seemed to
- 57:38be too
- 57:38busy.
- 57:38that they
- 57:42weren't
- 57:42that
- 57:43interested.
- 57:47Their
- 57:48lives were
- 57:48cluttered.
- 57:50Lots of
- 57:51conflicting
- 57:51priorities.
- 57:56So they
- 57:57dismissed
- 57:57Jesus
- 57:58and his
- 58:01gospel.
- 58:01and to
- 58:04treat
- 58:04Jesus
- 58:05that way
- 58:06causes
- 58:09woe.
- 58:12Jesus
- 58:13teaches
- 58:13us
- 58:13that to
- 58:14treat
- 58:15Jesus
- 58:15that way
- 58:16by
- 58:16dismissing
- 58:17him
- 58:17it
- 58:20leads
- 58:21down
- 58:21to
- 58:21hell.
- 58:21Charles
- 58:29Price
- 58:29says
- 58:31the
- 58:31more
- 58:32we
- 58:32know
- 58:32of
- 58:33Christ
- 58:34the
- 58:36more
- 58:36responsible
- 58:37we
- 58:38become.
- 58:44So how
- 58:45much do
- 58:45we know
- 58:46of
- 58:47Jesus?
- 58:48Jesus
- 58:48well we
- 58:53know
- 58:53significantly
- 58:54more
- 58:55than
- 58:57Chorazin
- 58:58and
- 58:59Bethsaida
- 59:00and
- 59:01Capernaum
- 59:02did
- 59:02because we
- 59:05have a
- 59:06New
- 59:06Testament
- 59:06and they
- 59:08didn't.
- 59:12And we
- 59:13know about
- 59:13the cross.
- 59:14we
- 59:16remember
- 59:17that
- 59:18Jesus
- 59:19went to
- 59:19the cross
- 59:20to die
- 59:21to pay
- 59:21for our
- 59:22sin
- 59:23and they
- 59:24didn't have
- 59:24that knowledge.
- 59:28They
- 59:28couldn't yet
- 59:29see that.
- 59:33We know
- 59:33about the
- 59:34resurrection.
- 59:37Of course
- 59:37they didn't.
- 59:41And we
- 59:42have had
- 59:42generations
- 59:43of our
- 59:45forefathers
- 59:46teaching us
- 59:47the good
- 59:48news
- 59:48about
- 59:49Jesus.
- 59:53We
- 59:53have
- 59:54enjoyed
- 59:55great
- 59:57privilege.
- 1:00:00The
- 1:00:00vast
- 1:00:00majority
- 1:00:01of us
- 1:00:01although
- 1:00:02I don't
- 1:00:02know many
- 1:00:03of you
- 1:00:03the vast
- 1:00:04majority
- 1:00:04of us
- 1:00:04here
- 1:00:05I assume
- 1:00:05we have
- 1:00:08known
- 1:00:09great
- 1:00:09privilege.
- 1:00:10privilege.
- 1:00:15So let
- 1:00:16me
- 1:00:16leave the
- 1:00:17application
- 1:00:17with one
- 1:00:18of the
- 1:00:18commentators
- 1:00:19leg.
- 1:00:21He
- 1:00:22says this
- 1:00:23great
- 1:00:23privilege
- 1:00:23brings
- 1:00:25great
- 1:00:25responsibility.
- 1:00:28Hearing the
- 1:00:29gospel
- 1:00:30week in
- 1:00:30week out
- 1:00:31knowing
- 1:00:32the word
- 1:00:33of God
- 1:00:33being taught
- 1:00:34the truth
- 1:00:35from my
- 1:00:35youth
- 1:00:36or hearing
- 1:00:37it regularly
- 1:00:38in church
- 1:00:38these are
- 1:00:39great
- 1:00:40privileges
- 1:00:40but salvation
- 1:00:42cannot be
- 1:00:43taken for
- 1:00:43granted.
- 1:00:46Here is a
- 1:00:46warning says
- 1:00:47leg to
- 1:00:49children brought
- 1:00:50up in
- 1:00:50Christian
- 1:00:51homes to
- 1:00:53those who
- 1:00:53attend church
- 1:00:54and who are
- 1:00:55members of the
- 1:00:56congregation
- 1:00:56they must not
- 1:00:57despise their
- 1:00:58privileges but
- 1:01:00must make sure
- 1:01:01that they respond
- 1:01:02in repentance
- 1:01:03and faith.
- 1:01:07Otherwise
- 1:01:07there will
- 1:01:09simply be a
- 1:01:10greater and
- 1:01:11more unbearable
- 1:01:12punishment on
- 1:01:14the day of
- 1:01:15judgment.
- 1:01:24Let none of
- 1:01:25us this
- 1:01:27evening walk
- 1:01:28out the
- 1:01:28door dismissing
- 1:01:31Jesus.
- 1:01:34Too busy.
- 1:01:37Too
- 1:01:38distracted.
- 1:01:40Too much
- 1:01:41going on.
- 1:01:45Let none
- 1:01:46of us
- 1:01:47follow the
- 1:01:49example of
- 1:01:51these cities
- 1:01:53that Jesus
- 1:01:53warned
- 1:01:54who heard
- 1:01:57the gospel
- 1:01:57who experienced
- 1:02:00great privileges
- 1:02:01but failed
- 1:02:04to repent
- 1:02:05and to
- 1:02:07believe.
- 1:02:09Maybe
- 1:02:09there is
- 1:02:10someone here
- 1:02:10who knows
- 1:02:13so much
- 1:02:13who sat
- 1:02:16in the
- 1:02:16pews for
- 1:02:17year after
- 1:02:18year
- 1:02:18who has
- 1:02:20been through
- 1:02:20Sunday
- 1:02:20school and
- 1:02:21YF and
- 1:02:22all these
- 1:02:22things but
- 1:02:23hasn't yet
- 1:02:23repented.
- 1:02:27Don't
- 1:02:28delay another
- 1:02:29moment.
- 1:02:30do not
- 1:02:31dismiss
- 1:02:32Jesus.
- 1:02:33Repent.
- 1:02:36Ask for
- 1:02:36forgiveness.
- 1:02:39Ask for
- 1:02:40him to be
- 1:02:40Savior and
- 1:02:42Lord of
- 1:02:43your life.
- 1:02:45Everyone
- 1:02:45who calls
- 1:02:46on the
- 1:02:47name of
- 1:02:48the Lord
- 1:02:48Jesus
- 1:02:48will be
- 1:02:50saved.
- 1:02:50God
- 1:02:55So we
- 1:02:55see John
- 1:02:56the Baptist
- 1:02:56who
- 1:02:58wrestles
- 1:02:58with
- 1:02:58doubts
- 1:02:59and
- 1:02:59they're
- 1:02:59overcome.
- 1:03:01We see
- 1:03:02those that
- 1:03:03Jesus
- 1:03:03identifies
- 1:03:04almost like
- 1:03:05spoiled
- 1:03:06children who
- 1:03:06have every
- 1:03:07reason not
- 1:03:07to believe.
- 1:03:09They're
- 1:03:10disbelievers.
- 1:03:12Jesus
- 1:03:13challenges
- 1:03:13them.
- 1:03:14We see
- 1:03:15cities who
- 1:03:16are warned
- 1:03:16of incoming
- 1:03:18judgment
- 1:03:18because of
- 1:03:20the great
- 1:03:20privileges that
- 1:03:21they've
- 1:03:22enjoyed and
- 1:03:22yet they
- 1:03:23dismiss
- 1:03:23Jesus.
- 1:03:24They're
- 1:03:24too busy.
- 1:03:27And the
- 1:03:28final thing
- 1:03:29we see
- 1:03:29here is a
- 1:03:31small group
- 1:03:31of disciples
- 1:03:32who are
- 1:03:35devoted
- 1:03:35to Jesus.
- 1:03:39And just
- 1:03:39as we
- 1:03:39finish,
- 1:03:40this is
- 1:03:44what we're
- 1:03:44taught
- 1:03:44right running
- 1:03:46through the
- 1:03:46gospel.
- 1:03:48This is
- 1:03:48how we're
- 1:03:49taught
- 1:03:49how to
- 1:03:51respond to
- 1:03:52Jesus.
- 1:03:53How are we
- 1:03:53to respond
- 1:03:54to Jesus?
- 1:03:54We're to
- 1:03:55respond to
- 1:03:56Jesus
- 1:03:56by devoting
- 1:03:59our lives
- 1:04:00to Him.
- 1:04:03Not
- 1:04:03dismissing
- 1:04:04Him,
- 1:04:05not doubting
- 1:04:05His words,
- 1:04:06not disbelieving,
- 1:04:07but repenting
- 1:04:10and believing
- 1:04:11and devoting
- 1:04:12our lives
- 1:04:14to Him,
- 1:04:17to the
- 1:04:18one who
- 1:04:18paid for
- 1:04:19our salvation
- 1:04:20with His
- 1:04:22blood at
- 1:04:22Calvary.
- 1:04:24We are to
- 1:04:25devote our
- 1:04:25lives to
- 1:04:26Him.
- 1:04:26We see
- 1:04:27at the
- 1:04:27beginning of
- 1:04:28the chapter
- 1:04:28just a
- 1:04:29small note.
- 1:04:32At the
- 1:04:32beginning of
- 1:04:32this chapter
- 1:04:33we see
- 1:04:34the disciples
- 1:04:35and we
- 1:04:37can see
- 1:04:38them in
- 1:04:38our mind's
- 1:04:39eye.
- 1:04:39Jesus,
- 1:04:40He's
- 1:04:40instructing
- 1:04:41these 12
- 1:04:42disciples,
- 1:04:42they're
- 1:04:43gathered
- 1:04:43around Him.
- 1:04:45And what
- 1:04:45were the
- 1:04:46disciples
- 1:04:46called to?
- 1:04:47They were
- 1:04:47called to
- 1:04:48a life
- 1:04:49of being
- 1:04:49with
- 1:04:50Jesus,
- 1:04:51of being
- 1:04:54instructed
- 1:04:54by Jesus,
- 1:04:56of being
- 1:04:58devoted
- 1:04:58to Jesus.
- 1:05:02And that's
- 1:05:03what we're
- 1:05:04called to.
- 1:05:05the gospel
- 1:05:08went out
- 1:05:08so that
- 1:05:12all who
- 1:05:13hear and
- 1:05:14believe
- 1:05:15will be
- 1:05:17disciples,
- 1:05:19those whose
- 1:05:20lives are
- 1:05:21devoted to
- 1:05:22Jesus.
- 1:05:24Mark
- 1:05:24chapter 3
- 1:05:24verse 14.
- 1:05:27It's one of
- 1:05:27my favorite
- 1:05:27verses and
- 1:05:28it's so
- 1:05:28simple.
- 1:05:31Jesus
- 1:05:32appointed
- 1:05:3212,
- 1:05:34whom He
- 1:05:34named also
- 1:05:35apostles,
- 1:05:36that they
- 1:05:37might be
- 1:05:37with Him.
- 1:05:41And that
- 1:05:41is our
- 1:05:42calling
- 1:05:43tonight.
- 1:05:46That's the
- 1:05:47calling of a
- 1:05:47disciple.
- 1:05:50If I was to
- 1:05:51ask you,
- 1:05:52tell me about a
- 1:05:53disciple,
- 1:05:53what's a
- 1:05:54disciple?
- 1:05:54I think the
- 1:05:56majority of
- 1:05:56us would
- 1:05:57probably say,
- 1:05:57well,
- 1:05:57a disciple
- 1:05:58is someone
- 1:05:58who does
- 1:05:59this and
- 1:05:59does that
- 1:06:00and does
- 1:06:00the next
- 1:06:00thing.
- 1:06:03They're
- 1:06:03called to
- 1:06:04serve Jesus
- 1:06:04and they're
- 1:06:05called to
- 1:06:05do this
- 1:06:06and all
- 1:06:06that,
- 1:06:06and all
- 1:06:07that's
- 1:06:07true.
- 1:06:09But the
- 1:06:09primary call
- 1:06:10for the
- 1:06:10disciples back
- 1:06:11then,
- 1:06:12and the
- 1:06:12primary call
- 1:06:13for disciples
- 1:06:14here and
- 1:06:14now,
- 1:06:15is a
- 1:06:16call to
- 1:06:17be with
- 1:06:18Jesus.
- 1:06:25So are
- 1:06:26we with
- 1:06:26Him?
- 1:06:27That's how
- 1:06:28we finish.
- 1:06:30Are we
- 1:06:31with Him?
- 1:06:33Are we
- 1:06:33trusting
- 1:06:34Jesus as
- 1:06:35our Savior?
- 1:06:38Are we
- 1:06:39following
- 1:06:39Jesus as
- 1:06:40our Lord
- 1:06:41and our
- 1:06:43King?
- 1:06:44if not,
- 1:06:49that's
- 1:06:50what He
- 1:06:51calls us
- 1:06:51to tonight,
- 1:06:53to devote
- 1:06:54our lives
- 1:06:55to Him.
- 1:06:58And if
- 1:06:59there are
- 1:07:00any of us
- 1:07:00this evening
- 1:07:01who are
- 1:07:02Christians but
- 1:07:02we are
- 1:07:03drifting,
- 1:07:05as we
- 1:07:06are prone
- 1:07:07to,
- 1:07:09then as
- 1:07:10we approach
- 1:07:11the table,
- 1:07:11let us
- 1:07:14take this
- 1:07:16opportunity
- 1:07:16once more
- 1:07:17to confess
- 1:07:20the distance
- 1:07:21if there's
- 1:07:22drift
- 1:07:23and to
- 1:07:26devote
- 1:07:27our lives
- 1:07:28to Christ
- 1:07:29afresh.
- 1:07:32That we
- 1:07:33may be
- 1:07:33with Him,
- 1:07:34that we
- 1:07:34may abide
- 1:07:36in Him,
- 1:07:37that we
- 1:07:38may remain
- 1:07:39in Him.
- 1:07:41and know
- 1:07:42the blessing
- 1:07:43and the
- 1:07:44fruit that
- 1:07:45comes from
- 1:07:46being in
- 1:07:46that place.
- 1:07:47And if
- 1:07:48we are
- 1:07:48with Him,
- 1:07:50then what
- 1:07:51does He
- 1:07:52call us
- 1:07:52to do?
- 1:07:52Where does
- 1:07:53He call
- 1:07:53us to be
- 1:07:54this
- 1:07:54Lord's
- 1:07:55day?
- 1:07:56He calls
- 1:07:57us to
- 1:07:58be at
- 1:07:59the table.
- 1:08:03Maybe
- 1:08:03there's
- 1:08:04someone here
- 1:08:04tonight who
- 1:08:05is a
- 1:08:06secret
- 1:08:06believer.
- 1:08:09You've
- 1:08:10asked for
- 1:08:10forgiveness.
- 1:08:11you've
- 1:08:13asked Jesus
- 1:08:14to be
- 1:08:14Lord.
- 1:08:19But
- 1:08:20communion
- 1:08:20season by
- 1:08:20communion
- 1:08:21season,
- 1:08:22the profession
- 1:08:23that you
- 1:08:23make from
- 1:08:24the place
- 1:08:24that you
- 1:08:24sit is
- 1:08:26that you
- 1:08:27are not
- 1:08:27with Him.
- 1:08:31Hear the
- 1:08:31call once
- 1:08:32more,
- 1:08:33the command
- 1:08:34that comes
- 1:08:34from Jesus.
- 1:08:35if you
- 1:08:36are trusting
- 1:08:37Him,
- 1:08:38if you
- 1:08:39are saved
- 1:08:40by His
- 1:08:41blood.
- 1:08:44And hear
- 1:08:45His command
- 1:08:46to do
- 1:08:46this,
- 1:08:47to come
- 1:08:49to the
- 1:08:49table,
- 1:08:50to be
- 1:08:52with Him
- 1:08:53openly,
- 1:08:55and to
- 1:08:56remember
- 1:08:57all that
- 1:08:58He has
- 1:08:58done for
- 1:09:00our salvation.
- 1:09:00let's
- 1:09:03pray.
- 1:09:06Heavenly
- 1:09:06Father,
- 1:09:07we thank
- 1:09:07You for
- 1:09:07Your Word.
- 1:09:09We pray
- 1:09:09that You
- 1:09:10would help
- 1:09:10us as
- 1:09:12we face
- 1:09:14the challenge
- 1:09:15of it,
- 1:09:17as we
- 1:09:18take time
- 1:09:19to meditate
- 1:09:20upon it.
- 1:09:21We thank
- 1:09:21You for
- 1:09:21the encouragement
- 1:09:22that there
- 1:09:23is as we
- 1:09:24hear the
- 1:09:26words of
- 1:09:26Jesus.
- 1:09:26us,
- 1:09:27and we
- 1:09:27pray that
- 1:09:28as You
- 1:09:29search our
- 1:09:29hearts,
- 1:09:30that You
- 1:09:31would work
- 1:09:32in each
- 1:09:33one of our
- 1:09:33hearts and
- 1:09:34lives,
- 1:09:35that we
- 1:09:36may hear
- 1:09:37the call
- 1:09:38of Christ,
- 1:09:39and that we
- 1:09:39may come
- 1:09:40in repentance,
- 1:09:42in faith,
- 1:09:42in obedience.
- 1:09:44We pray this
- 1:09:45in Jesus.
- 1:09:45From Psalm
- 1:09:4663,
- 1:09:48sing Psalm
- 1:09:4863,
- 1:09:49page number
- 1:09:5080.
- 1:09:56Psalm 63,
- 1:09:58verses 1
- 1:09:59to verse
- 1:10:008.
- 1:10:02O God,
- 1:10:03You are
- 1:10:03my God
- 1:10:04alone.
- 1:10:04I seek
- 1:10:04Your face
- 1:10:05with eagerness.
- 1:10:06My soul
- 1:10:06and body
- 1:10:07thirst for
- 1:10:08You in
- 1:10:08this dry
- 1:10:09weary
- 1:10:09wilderness.
- 1:10:10Down to
- 1:10:10the end
- 1:10:11of verse
- 1:10:118 to
- 1:10:12God's
- 1:10:12praise.
- 1:10:13O God,
- 1:10:19You are
- 1:10:21my God
- 1:10:23alone.
- 1:10:25I seek
- 1:10:27Your grace
- 1:10:29with eagerness.
- 1:10:34My soul
- 1:10:36and body
- 1:10:38thirst for
- 1:10:40You
- 1:10:41in this
- 1:10:44Thy
- 1:10:45weary
- 1:10:46wilderness.
- 1:10:51I've seen
- 1:10:53you in
- 1:10:55your holy
- 1:10:57place,
- 1:10:59your power
- 1:11:01and glory
- 1:11:03held my gaze.
- 1:11:08Far better
- 1:11:10is
- 1:11:11your love
- 1:11:14and life
- 1:11:15and so
- 1:11:17my lips
- 1:11:20will sing
- 1:11:22your praise.
- 1:11:25I'll bless
- 1:11:27you, Lord,
- 1:11:30throughout
- 1:11:30my life
- 1:11:33and raise
- 1:11:36my heart
- 1:11:38to You
- 1:11:40in prayer.
- 1:11:42my joy
- 1:11:44to live
- 1:11:46with
- 1:11:47senior
- 1:11:48praise.
- 1:11:50My soul
- 1:11:52is
- 1:11:54fed
- 1:11:55with
- 1:11:56riches
- 1:11:57clear.
- 1:11:59upon
- 1:12:01upon
- 1:12:01my bed
- 1:12:04I
- 1:12:05lie
- 1:12:06awake
- 1:12:08and
- 1:12:09in
- 1:12:11my
- 1:12:11thoughts
- 1:12:13remember
- 1:12:14you.
- 1:12:16I
- 1:12:18meditate
- 1:12:20throughout
- 1:12:22the
- 1:12:24night
- 1:12:25and keep
- 1:12:27your
- 1:12:28constant
- 1:12:30love
- 1:12:32in
- 1:12:32you.
- 1:12:34Because
- 1:12:36You
- 1:12:37are
- 1:12:38my
- 1:12:39help
- 1:12:41alone,
- 1:12:43in
- 1:12:43shadow
- 1:12:45all
- 1:12:47Your
- 1:12:48wings
- 1:12:49I
- 1:12:50sing.
- 1:12:51You
- 1:12:52hold
- 1:12:53me
- 1:12:53up
- 1:12:55with
- 1:12:56Your
- 1:12:57right
- 1:12:58hand
- 1:12:59to
- 1:13:00You
- 1:13:01O
- 1:13:02God
- 1:13:03my
- 1:13:04soul
- 1:13:05will
- 1:13:06clean.
- 1:13:09And now
- 1:13:10may the
- 1:13:10grace of
- 1:13:11our Lord
- 1:13:11Jesus
- 1:13:11Christ,
- 1:13:12the love
- 1:13:13of God
- 1:13:13the Father
- 1:13:14and the
- 1:13:14fellowship
- 1:13:14of God
- 1:13:15the Holy
- 1:13:15Spirit
- 1:13:16be with us
- 1:13:16all now
- 1:13:17and forever
- 1:13:18more.
- 1:13:19Amen.
- 1:13:21Amen.
- 1:13:51Amen.