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The Gift and Blessing of Faith · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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  Well, as we join together today to worship, we come together as a people and as a nation,
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  very mindful of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday past.
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  And we do remember her family at this time and her new king, King Charles III, as he
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  takes up that role.
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  And we pray for God's comfort to them as a family and God's blessing on them as a family
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  as they seek, as they mourn her passing, as they seek the way forward.
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  And our focus today is very much going to be on something that was precious to Her Majesty,
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  and that is God's Word.
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  And that's where we will turn today.
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  We will hear about faith and what faith means and the blessing that we have through faith
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  in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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  But as we come, before we begin our worship, we're going to observe a minute's silence.
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  So if you're able to, please do stand.
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  And we'll join together in a minute's silence.
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  Thank you.
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  Thank you.
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  Thank you.
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  Thank you.
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  Thank you.
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  Thank you.
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  Thank you.
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  Now, blessed be the Lord our God, the God of Israel, for he alone doth wondrous works in glory that excel.
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  And blessed be his glorious name to all eternity. The whole earth let his glory fill. Amen. So let it be.
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  Please be seated.
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  Amen.
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  As we come to worship God, we're going to begin by singing to his praise in Psalm 16, the Sing Psalms version.
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  Our first two singings are from this psalm.
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  Psalm 16 on page 16 of the psalm book from the beginning at verse 1.
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  Protect me, O my God, you are my refuge through.
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  I said you are my Lord. I have no good apart from you.
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  We'll sing from verse 1 to verse 6, the Tuna Selma, and we'll stand to sing.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  I said you are my Lord. I have no good apart from you.
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  The glory in the land are holy and extreme.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  O God, you are my refuge through.
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  generation and for all people that we can look to you and put our trust in you and at a time
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  time when there is much sorrow and sadness in our nation and indeed in many nations of the world
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  we think of all that's going on around us Lord there are so many issues that will bring
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  many tears to our eyes we thank you that with you there is one who is able to wipe away every tear
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  so help us Lord that we will draw near to you in our time of worship that you might
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  bless us and keep us and bless your word to us today as we will share from it we do remember
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  the family of her majesty the queen we pray for our new king king charles we pray for
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  his brothers and sister we pray for their children and grandchildren and all who mourn in the passing
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  of the queen in these times we pray oh Lord that as they come together as a family just like we do
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  at times of sorrow that they would be given time to grieve and to mourn her passing we know it can be
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  so difficult in their situation but we pray that you will comfort their hearts that you will uphold
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  them and strengthen them we thank you for the queen's reign over us and for how often she spoke of her
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  king her savior Christ Jesus and we pray that her faith will be reflected in her family passed down to a
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  generation to come and that faith and your word will be at the forefront of all that is done in these days
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  and for our nation and for the nations of the world that the bedrock of our world would be Christ Jesus
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  our Lord so may you bless us together as a people as we worship we thank you for everyone here for
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  every home and family represented thank you for our young people Lord we pray your blessing on them
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  we pray for all that takes place in the sunday school the creche and the twinnies today
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  may you bless them all together look down upon us Lord and guide us in all we do as we ask it all in
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  Jesus name amen
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  just before the young ones go out I'll just say a word to you I'm sure you're very aware of what's
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  happened in these past days when people have been very sad to hear of the passing of her majesty the
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  queen and I'm sure you're very familiar with how she looked and maybe you'll remember all kinds of
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  different things about her and everybody can remember maybe their own different memories about
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  about her some people would be very focused on maybe the clothes that she wore she was often well
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  turned out in different colored clothes that some is very bright clothes she often wore beautiful
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  outfits and people would often comment on that maybe you're familiar with the places that she lived the
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  places that she went it wasn't just ordinary houses she lived in she had Buckingham Palace
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  she had all kinds of places she used to live she was in Windsor she was in Balmoral
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  she was in all kinds of different places she even had a yacht that she used to come
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  even to Stornoway on to visit Stornoway she used to come with her family here on her yacht
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  maybe you're familiar with other things about her her voice her voice was very distinct when you heard
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  her voice you knew it was her and she would give speeches at different times and give maybe a message
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  at Christmas time each Christmas time she'd deliver a message to the nation there's another thing about
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  her though that I want to think about just now just for a wee minute and that's the crown that she wore
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  did you ever see her crown it's a beautiful crown and it's covered in diamonds and all kinds of jewels
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  very precious stones this crown is for whoever is king or queen over our land and for the last
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  70 years as she has ruled over our land the crown has been hers and she's worn it at different points
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  not often but at different points during her life and you wonder to yourself I wonder what kind of
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  what's it like to wear that crown she said herself at one point it's really heavy you have to be so
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  careful when you're wearing it that you can't tilt your head forward just in case it falls off
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  it's really heavy maybe not the most comfortable thing to wear either but it's a very precious thing
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  I wonder if anyone knows how much it's worth if you would have a guess how much it's worth what do you
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  think is it thousands of pounds hundreds of pounds millions of pounds while you keep going up and up and up
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  the the royal family have their precious jewels the crown jewels they're called and they estimate that
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  they're all together worth between three and five billion pounds that's just an estimate so the crown
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  is very precious and I wonder if you'll ever get to wear that crown yourself it's very unlikely isn't it
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  nobody gets to wear it apart from the person who is queen or king of the land so we'll maybe never get
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  to wear it but you know there's another crown and a crown that we receive through faith and we've
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  heard of so much about the queen and the faith that she had in the lord jesus christ and the promise to
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  all who believe in the lord jesus is that they will receive a crown it's spoken about in the bible
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  in different places one is second timothy chapter 4 verse 8 where it says henceforth there is laid up
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  for me the crown of righteousness which the lord the righteous judge will award to me on that day and
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  not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing so there's a crown for all who believe
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  in the lord jesus so maybe one day you won't get to wear the crown of the queen or the king
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  but there's another crown that we can all share and that's the crown of righteousness by faith in the
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  lord jesus if we believe in him the queen will receive her crown and everyone with that will all be equal
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  before god in his sight and we'll all receive that same crown through faith the queen often spoke about
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  being a servant and that's what we are to be she had her own servants but she spoke about being a servant
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  so who was she a servant to she was a servant queen as she said in a book to the king who she serves
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  and who was that king king jesus who she served so may we all come to serve that same king to love him
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  with all our hearts and put our trust in him that we will all receive that crown of righteousness
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  but we're going to say the lord's prayer together now let's say the lord's prayer our father which art in
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  heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven give us
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  this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and lead us not into
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  temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever amen
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  well we'll continue our singing in that psalm psalm 16 and we're going to sing from verse 7 down to the
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  end of the psalm i'll praise the lord my god whose counsel guides my choice and even in the night my heart
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  recalls instructions voice we'll sing from verse 7 to the end of the psalm to the tune golden hill
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  and we stand to sing
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  before me constantly
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  i'll not be over the throne
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  therefore my heart is glad
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  my tongue with joy will sing
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  my body too will receive my body too will receive my body too will receive my hope unweivering
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  for you will receive my soul in death to sing
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  my soul in death to sing
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  my heart will receive my prayer for my heart
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  my heart will receive my heart
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  my heart will receive my heart
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  your holy one to see the tombs decay
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  You have made Lord to me the path of life divine.
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  Lish shall I know that your right hand joy from your face will shine.
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  Let us turn together to God's word.
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  We're going to read in the New Testament and Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians.
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  First Thessalonians, we're going to take it by reading it towards the end of chapter 2 and at verse 17.
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  And then read on into chapter 3 and the whole of that chapter.
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  First Thessalonians chapter 2 and at verse 17.
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  For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction just as it has come to pass.
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  And just as you know, for this reason, when I could bear no longer, I sent to learn about your faith.
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  For fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
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  But now that Timothy has come to us from you and has brought us the good news of your faith and love.
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  And reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us as we long to see you.
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  For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction, we have been comforted.
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  For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.
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  For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you?
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  For all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God.
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  As we pray most earnestly, night and day, that we may see you face to face.
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  And supply what is lacking in your faith.
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  Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.
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  And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.
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  As we do for you.
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  So that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father.
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  At the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
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  Amen.
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  And may God bless that reading from his word.
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  We'll again engage in prayer.
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  Let us bow our heads in prayer.
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  Father, we thank you for your word.
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  That it is a word that is never ending.
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  It will always stand and endure for all time and for all eternity.
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  We thank you that it is a word that you have breathed out for us.
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  That is inspired by you.
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  That it is unchangeable.
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  And there is a truth there for us and for all people down through every generation.
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  And through all the different periods of time.
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  And all the different trials that people face.
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  Individually, collectively, as nations and as a world.
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  We thank you for the enduring strength of your word.
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  We thank you for the first time.
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  We thank you for the first time.
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  We thank you for the first time.
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  We thank you for the first time.
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  We thank you for the first time.
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  We thank you for the first time.
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  And the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.
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  That your word is seen to the forefront so often.
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  It may be a word that our nation has in many ways pushed away at different times.
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  And especially maybe over these last number of years.
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  There has been a great attack upon your word.
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  And upon the Christian faith.
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  But we thank you that your word is still there for us.
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  That it is spoken into our nation at this time.
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  That your praise is heard sung.
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  That great and eternal words such as that wonderful psalm.
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  Psalm 23 where it speaks of the Lord who is our shepherd.
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  We thank you that a people have been heard singing that psalm.
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  A people who maybe would normally not sing these words.
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  And a nation has heard these words sung.
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  And will hear more sung and read in these coming days.
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  And we pray for your spirit to be powerfully working in the midst of it.
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  We know our nation has seen so much change in this past week.
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  With the passing of the Queen.
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  With a new Prime Minister installed.
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  With a new King now in place.
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  And our prayer is that the legacy of Her Majesty the Queen.
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  Will remain long with us.
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  With her family.
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  And with her nation.
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  And indeed with the Commonwealth and the world.
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  That the Saviour she spoke of so lovingly.
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  And so often.
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  That these words will continue to bear much fruit.
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  Within our family we pray.
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  That they will remember her faith.
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  And all the other memories they have.
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  We remember King Charles III.
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  As he takes up his reign as King.
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  May you bless him from on high.
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  May your spirit be with him.
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  May the God that he has spoken of already.
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  Become a God and a Saviour.
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  To him in a very personal way.
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  We pray Lord your blessing on his family.
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  And upon all the wider family at this time.
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  That you will console and comfort.
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  As only you can.
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  We remember too our new Prime Minister.
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  We pray for her.
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  That you will also give her wisdom.
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  The one who has sworn allegiance to a new King.
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  By the authority of God given.
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  And by your word.
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  We pray for the word.
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  To become precious to her also.
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  That our land.
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  Our nation.
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  Would once again return.
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  To be a people.
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  Who put their trust.
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  In the word of God.
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  And in the Saviour.
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  Who is Christ Jesus.
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  Our Lord.
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  So we pray for your guiding hand upon us.
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  That in the days that lie ahead.
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  That your spirit will be poured out upon us.
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  That you may bring days of peace.
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  And days of revival.
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  Days when your name.
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  Will be praised and glorified in our midst.
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  We know that there are many other things going on in our lives as well.
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  And we do continue to remember.
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  Our own needs locally.
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  In our homes.
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  And in our families.
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  Lord we know that.
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  There are those who are grieving in this past week.
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  In our own midst.
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  And in the week ahead Lord.
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  When there are funerals to take place as well.
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  And we pray.
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  For you to draw near to our people.
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  To surround them.
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  To be with them.
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  In all the different needs.
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  Guard our hearts and our minds.
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  In Christ Jesus.
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  We pray.
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  So that those who are unwell.
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  Those who are failing in health.
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  Those who are going through times of great difficulty at this time.
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  And those who are struggling.
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  Maybe even unseen to others.
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  That they will be able to call upon your name.
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  As the one who is able to help.
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  We pray Lord.
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  That we will remember one another.
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  And encourage one another.
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  We pray for our land.
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  And our world at this time.
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  As well as we continue to hear of the conflict in the Ukraine.
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  And all that's going on Lord.
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  We do pray for days of peace to come.
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  We pray for families.
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  And many people who have lost loved ones.
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  In this time of conflict.
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  We know Lord.
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  That it seems so senseless in our eyes.
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  And yet your word tells us.
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  That there is a purpose in all things.
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  So help us to pray in faith.
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  Looking to you as the one.
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  Who is able to do so much more than we ask or imagine.
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  And Lord we pray.
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  That you will give us faith in our own hearts.
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  To go on in your strength.
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  So we pray Lord your blessing on us.
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  To continue with us throughout this day.
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  Lead us into your word.
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  Lead us to see.
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  A saviour who is Christ the Lord.
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  May we have him before us always.
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  That you would direct us.
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  In the paths of life divine.
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  We pray all these things.
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  Confessing our sin anew.
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  How far short we fall oh Lord.
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  In our hearts.
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  In so many different ways.
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  But we thank you.
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  That with you there is forgiveness.
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  And we pray Lord.
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  Have mercy upon us as a people.
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  And as a land.
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  As a world and the nations of it.
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  May you come in a day of your power.
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  We ask it all.
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  For the glory of your name.
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  For our Lord our King.
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  The one who is King of all.
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  And Lord of Lords.
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  In the name of Jesus we ask.
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  Amen.
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  Amen.
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  Before we turn back to our reading in 1 Thessalonians.
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  We're going to sing to God's praise in Psalm 42.
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  Again sing Psalms version.
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  Psalm 42.
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  And we'll sing verse 1 to verse 5.
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  Psalm 42 at verse 1.
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  As pants the deer for flowing streams.
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  So long's my soul.
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  O God for you.
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  I thirst for God the living God.
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  When can I meet with you anew.
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  With God anew.
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  We'll sing from verse 1 to verse 5.
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  In the Tunis Herengate.
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  We stand and sing to God's praise.
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  As pants the deer for flowing streams.
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  So long's my soul.
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  O God for you.
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  I thirst for God the living God.
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  When can I meet with God anew.
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  My tears have been my constant fruit.
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  Both in the night and in the day.
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  While all belong existently.
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  Where is this God of your church's sin?
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  Thus I pour out my soul in thee.
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  These things I do remember still.
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  How with the multitude I went.
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  Up to God's house from Zion Hill.
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  In their possession I would lead.
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  As we approach with cheerful song.
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  And shout of joy and thankfulness.
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  Rejoicing with the festive song.
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  Why are you downcast, O my soul.
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  Why are you so disturbing me?
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  Trust God for I will praise him.
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  My Savior and my God.
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  I will turn back to our reading in 1 Thessalonians chapter 3.
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  1 Thessalonians chapter 3.
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  We can read again at verse 5.
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  1 Thessalonians chapter 3 at verse 5.
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  For this reason when I could bear it.
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  And our labor.
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  And our labor would be in vain.
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  Now that Timothy has come to us from you.
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  And has brought us the good news of your faith and love.
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  And reported that you have.
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  That you always remember us kindly.
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  And long to see us.
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  As we long to see you.
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  For this reason brothers.
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  In all our distress and affliction.
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  We have been comforted.
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  About you.
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  Through your faith.
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  And so on.
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  The last few days have been a momentous time for our nation.
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  For the commonwealth.
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  And in many ways for the world.
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  In which we live.
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  A huge change has taken place.
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  For us with the passing of her majesty.
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  Queen Elizabeth the second.
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  In the midst of a week that had already seen a new prime minister.
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  Installed.
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  There's been a great change.
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  That's come upon us.
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  And after 70 years.
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  Reigning over the nation.
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  There is a new king now.
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  King Charles the third.
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  And all of these things.
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  It will take time to get used to.
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  When there's something that's been.
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  A constant in your life for so long.
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  And a change takes place.
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  As often is the case.
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  It takes a long time to get used.
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  To these kinds of change coming upon us.
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  And any change will bring about it.
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  Questions.
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  What will change in these days for us?
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  What will stay the same?
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  How are things going to be?
• 32:14
  Going forward.
• 32:16
  There will be change.
• 32:18
  No doubt that comes along.
• 32:20
  There is always change in our midst.
• 32:22
  And when you look in God's word.
• 32:25
  Particularly maybe if you look into the Old Testament.
• 32:28
  And you see.
• 32:29
  In the Old Testament times.
• 32:31
  When change came upon a nation.
• 32:33
  Very often when.
• 32:34
  Maybe a king passed away.
• 32:36
  Either in battle.
• 32:37
  Or through ill health.
• 32:39
  And a new king was installed.
• 32:41
  It was a time of great uncertainty.
• 32:43
  For that nation.
• 32:45
  And a time when often.
• 32:46
  The enemy surrounding them.
• 32:48
  Would seek to pounce on any weakness.
• 32:50
  That may be found.
• 32:52
  It was a time when a nation.
• 32:54
  Whose king had changed.
• 32:55
  Would become very vulnerable.
• 32:57
  To many different forms of attack.
• 33:00
  And for ourselves.
• 33:01
  As a nation.
• 33:02
  And as a people.
• 33:04
  This time of change.
• 33:05
  Can maybe feel.
• 33:06
  A little bit uncertain too.
• 33:09
  We give thanks to God.
• 33:10
  For the way.
• 33:11
  The queen ruled over our nation.
• 33:13
  For all these years.
• 33:14
  And for how often.
• 33:16
  She spoke about.
• 33:17
  A God who was very personal.
• 33:19
  To her.
• 33:20
  And the faith that she had.
• 33:22
  And the influence.
• 33:23
  And the calmness.
• 33:24
  That this brought.
• 33:25
  To her land.
• 33:26
  And the question may be now.
• 33:28
  What does the future hold?
• 33:30
  What does it mean.
• 33:31
  For our nation.
• 33:32
  And for our land.
• 33:34
  Are we going to see.
• 33:35
  Many changes.
• 33:37
  Well today.
• 33:38
  We look to the word.
• 33:39
  Of God.
• 33:40
  A word that was precious.
• 33:42
  To her majesty.
• 33:43
  And a word that we seek.
• 33:44
  Will be precious.
• 33:45
  To ourselves.
• 33:46
  And what does it say.
• 33:47
  To us.
• 33:48
  It talks about change.
• 33:50
  In so many different ways.
• 33:52
  But then you have.
• 33:53
  Great verses.
• 33:54
  That remind us.
• 33:55
  That the word of God.
• 33:56
  Will always stand.
• 33:58
  Isaiah 40.
• 33:59
  Verse 8 says.
• 34:00
  The grass withers.
• 34:01
  The flower fades.
• 34:03
  But the word of our God.
• 34:05
  Will stand.
• 34:07
  Forever.
• 34:09
  God's word.
• 34:10
  Will always endure.
• 34:12
  And will always stand.
• 34:14
  There has been much said.
• 34:15
  And written about the queen.
• 34:17
  Since her passing.
• 34:19
  I'm sure you've been tuning in.
• 34:20
  At different points.
• 34:21
  And seeing so many different.
• 34:23
  Reports given about her.
• 34:25
  Two things have stood out for me.
• 34:28
  In all I've heard about her.
• 34:29
  In these past days.
• 34:31
  Two things have struck me.
• 34:32
  One was her servant spirit.
• 34:35
  And the second thing was.
• 34:37
  Her faith.
• 34:39
  We thank God.
• 34:40
  That this faith.
• 34:41
  Has been spoken about.
• 34:43
  It was spoken about.
• 34:45
  In Westminster.
• 34:46
  By Tim Farron.
• 34:48
  He spoke about.
• 34:50
  A personal faith.
• 34:51
  That she had.
• 34:52
  And faith.
• 34:54
  Is such a precious thing.
• 34:56
  And a servant spirit.
• 34:58
  Is such a precious thing.
• 35:00
  Not just.
• 35:01
  For a queen.
• 35:02
  But for every one of us.
• 35:04
  We can have.
• 35:05
  That same servant spirit.
• 35:08
  Prayerful spirit.
• 35:10
  Seeking God's blessing.
• 35:11
  And goodness.
• 35:11
  Over our land.
• 35:13
  Over all of our leaders.
• 35:15
  That we would know.
• 35:16
  His kingdom come.
• 35:18
  In power.
• 35:20
  A book.
• 35:21
  That the queen.
• 35:22
  Allowed to be published.
• 35:23
  By the Bible Society.
• 35:25
  Maybe sums it up.
• 35:26
  With the title.
• 35:27
  Of the book.
• 35:28
  It said.
• 35:29
  And I quoted it earlier.
• 35:30
  To the children.
• 35:31
  The servant queen.
• 35:33
  And the king.
• 35:34
  She serves.
• 35:35
  In her last Christmas speech.
• 35:39
  Last year.
• 35:40
  She spoke of Jesus.
• 35:42
  And said this.
• 35:43
  The one.
• 35:44
  Whose teachings.
• 35:45
  Have been handed down.
• 35:46
  From generation.
• 35:47
  To generation.
• 35:49
  And have been the bedrock.
• 35:50
  Of my faith.
• 35:53
  In this time of change.
• 35:55
  Our prayer is.
• 35:56
  That this generation.
• 35:58
  And generations to come.
• 35:59
  Will still have.
• 36:00
  The word of God.
• 36:02
  As a bedrock.
• 36:03
  Of faith.
• 36:04
  That our nation.
• 36:05
  Our land.
• 36:06
  And our people.
• 36:07
  That we will be built.
• 36:08
  Upon the rock.
• 36:10
  That is Jesus Christ.
• 36:12
  That our nation.
• 36:13
  Would enjoy.
• 36:14
  Much blessing.
• 36:16
  From God.
• 36:18
  And as we turn.
• 36:19
  To God's word.
• 36:20
  And this letter of Paul.
• 36:21
  To the Thessalonians.
• 36:23
  We are reminded here.
• 36:24
  Of the precious.
• 36:25
  Nature.
• 36:26
  Of faith.
• 36:28
  Of what it means.
• 36:31
  And as I.
• 36:32
  A reminder.
• 36:33
  To us.
• 36:34
  That no matter.
• 36:35
  Who we are.
• 36:37
  Whether we're royalty.
• 36:39
  A prime minister.
• 36:40
  Or just common people.
• 36:42
  Such as we are.
• 36:43
  That all of us.
• 36:44
  Can have faith.
• 36:45
  In a king.
• 36:47
  In a king.
• 36:48
  Who wore a crown.
• 36:50
  For his people.
• 36:51
  Not of jewels.
• 36:52
  Of gold.
• 36:53
  Or silver.
• 36:54
  Or diamonds.
• 36:55
  But a crown.
• 36:56
  Of thorns.
• 36:57
  That was pressed down.
• 36:59
  On his head.
• 37:00
  As he bled.
• 37:01
  And died.
• 37:01
  For the sins.
• 37:02
  Of this world.
• 37:04
  It was to that king.
• 37:06
  That she looked.
• 37:07
  And served.
• 37:08
  And it's to that king.
• 37:10
  And faith in him.
• 37:11
  That the word of God.
• 37:13
  Points us.
• 37:14
  To this day.
• 37:15
  To this day.
• 37:16
  Today.
• 37:17
  As we turn.
• 37:18
  To his word.
• 37:20
  So we want us.
• 37:20
  To be encouraged.
• 37:22
  Not just in the faith.
• 37:23
  Of the queen.
• 37:24
  She wouldn't want.
• 37:25
  She wouldn't want.
• 37:25
  A sermon.
• 37:26
  Just about her.
• 37:27
  She would want.
• 37:28
  A sermon.
• 37:29
  About her king.
• 37:30
  The Lord Jesus.
• 37:32
  And for us to come.
• 37:34
  And have faith.
• 37:35
  In him.
• 37:36
  So this letter.
• 37:37
  To the Thessalonians.
• 37:39
  It's a real letter.
• 37:40
  Of encouragement.
• 37:42
  A real letter.
• 37:43
  Of a.
• 37:43
  To a church.
• 37:44
  That was blessed.
• 37:45
  Through God's word.
• 37:47
  But a place.
• 37:48
  And a people.
• 37:48
  Who faced.
• 37:49
  Many different challenges.
• 37:51
  And not least.
• 37:52
  The challenge.
• 37:53
  To their faith.
• 37:54
  And Paul.
• 37:55
  Longs to hear.
• 37:57
  About them.
• 37:58
  How they are going on.
• 37:59
  What is happening.
• 38:00
  In their life.
• 38:01
  And to encourage them.
• 38:03
  To go on.
• 38:04
  In their faith.
• 38:06
  You read.
• 38:07
  In the earlier chapter.
• 38:08
  In chapter 2.
• 38:10
  And at verse 13.
• 38:11
  That they had received.
• 38:13
  The word of God.
• 38:14
  Gladly.
• 38:15
  We also thank God.
• 38:17
  Constantly for this.
• 38:18
  That when you received.
• 38:19
  The word of God.
• 38:20
  Which you heard from us.
• 38:21
  You accepted it.
• 38:22
  Not as a word of men.
• 38:24
  But as what it really is.
• 38:26
  The word of God.
• 38:28
  Which is at work.
• 38:29
  In you believers.
• 38:30
  There was this word.
• 38:31
  That was at work.
• 38:32
  In this place.
• 38:34
  And it's this word.
• 38:35
  That we look to work.
• 38:36
  In this place here.
• 38:38
  In our congregation.
• 38:38
  In our town.
• 38:40
  And far and wide.
• 38:42
  That God's word.
• 38:43
  Would work.
• 38:44
  In our midst.
• 38:45
  Be heard.
• 38:47
  And received.
• 38:48
  Gladly.
• 38:49
  By many.
• 38:49
  But Paul.
• 38:51
  And his fellow servants.
• 38:53
  Sylvanus.
• 38:53
  And Timothy.
• 38:54
  They had been challenged.
• 38:56
  In many ways.
• 38:57
  And they'd been forced.
• 38:58
  To flee.
• 38:59
  From the people.
• 39:00
  Of Thessalonica.
• 39:01
  But as they had been.
• 39:02
  Torn away from them.
• 39:04
  As it says.
• 39:04
  In verse 17.
• 39:05
  Of chapter 2.
• 39:07
  They were so concerned.
• 39:09
  For them.
• 39:10
  To hear of their faith.
• 39:12
  And how things.
• 39:13
  Were going.
• 39:15
  And in some ways.
• 39:16
  We think of.
• 39:17
  The Queen.
• 39:17
  And how she would address.
• 39:18
  The nation.
• 39:20
  And how.
• 39:21
  King Charles III.
• 39:22
  Addressed the nation.
• 39:23
  Just yesterday.
• 39:25
  And these.
• 39:26
  Addresses.
• 39:26
  They go far and wide.
• 39:28
  To all people.
• 39:29
  Well here.
• 39:30
  Paul is writing.
• 39:31
  To a people.
• 39:32
  Far and wide.
• 39:33
  Not just for his time.
• 39:35
  But for every generation.
• 39:36
  That people would come.
• 39:37
  And hear.
• 39:38
  Of this word.
• 39:39
  That is powerful.
• 39:41
  This word.
• 39:41
  That is able to save.
• 39:42
  And this saviour.
• 39:44
  Who is able to save.
• 39:45
  The Lord Jesus Christ.
• 39:47
  And their focus here.
• 39:49
  Is they.
• 39:49
  Address these people.
• 39:51
  And I say.
• 39:51
  Address ourselves.
• 39:52
  Today as well.
• 39:54
  The great question.
• 39:55
  The great concern.
• 39:56
  That they have about them.
• 39:57
  Is.
• 39:58
  Not just how they are going on.
• 40:01
  What is their great concern?
• 40:03
  Their great concern is.
• 40:05
  How is.
• 40:06
  Your faith.
• 40:08
  As you read through.
• 40:09
  These verses.
• 40:10
  In chapter 3.
• 40:12
  How often do you see.
• 40:13
  The word faith.
• 40:14
  Mentioned.
• 40:15
  Verse 2.
• 40:16
  Verse 5.
• 40:17
  Verse 6.
• 40:18
  Verse 7.
• 40:19
  Verse 10.
• 40:20
  They all mention.
• 40:21
  This word.
• 40:22
  Faith.
• 40:24
  And Paul is asking them.
• 40:25
  How is your faith?
• 40:27
  How is your faith growing?
• 40:28
  Is your faith being challenged?
• 40:30
  And they are openly.
• 40:32
  Talking about the subject.
• 40:34
  Faith.
• 40:35
  How is.
• 40:37
  Your faith.
• 40:39
  The queen spoke.
• 40:40
  Of her faith.
• 40:41
  Often.
• 40:42
  How often do we speak.
• 40:44
  Of our faith.
• 40:46
  How often do we encourage one another.
• 40:48
  In our faith.
• 40:50
  How often do we ask one another.
• 40:52
  How is.
• 40:53
  Your faith.
• 40:55
  Well Paul here is addressing that very question.
• 40:59
  He's asking.
• 41:00
  The question.
• 41:01
  How is.
• 41:02
  Your faith.
• 41:03
  Today.
• 41:05
  And when we think about that for ourselves.
• 41:07
  We have to just ponder that question.
• 41:10
  How is.
• 41:12
  Our faith.
• 41:14
  Are we feeling.
• 41:15
  Downcast.
• 41:17
  Are we feeling dismayed.
• 41:18
  Are we feeling.
• 41:19
  Discouraged.
• 41:20
  What can encourage us.
• 41:22
  In the midst.
• 41:23
  Of these times.
• 41:24
  Well Psalm.
• 41:25
  42.
• 41:26
  Gives us that great instruction.
• 41:28
  Its instruction is.
• 41:30
  To come to God.
• 41:31
  I thirst for God.
• 41:33
  The living God.
• 41:34
  When can I meet.
• 41:35
  With you and you.
• 41:36
  The psalmist says.
• 41:38
  My tears.
• 41:39
  Have been my constant food.
• 41:41
  Both in the night.
• 41:42
  And in the day.
• 41:43
  While all day long.
• 41:44
  Insistently.
• 41:45
  Where is this God of yours.
• 41:46
  They say.
• 41:48
  The people around us.
• 41:49
  Are saying.
• 41:50
  What is your faith.
• 41:51
  Going to do for you now.
• 41:53
  Where is.
• 41:54
  Your faith.
• 41:57
  Well the psalmist.
• 41:58
  Gives response to that.
• 41:59
  When he says in verse 5.
• 42:00
  Why are you downcast.
• 42:02
  Oh my soul.
• 42:03
  Why are you so disturbed in me.
• 42:05
  Trust God.
• 42:07
  For I will praise him yet.
• 42:08
  My saviour.
• 42:09
  And my God.
• 42:11
  Is he.
• 42:13
  There is faith in these words.
• 42:16
  And that is the faith.
• 42:17
  That Paul.
• 42:18
  Longs for his people to have.
• 42:20
  And he has this great desire.
• 42:21
  As he writes to them.
• 42:22
  To know.
• 42:23
  How their faith.
• 42:24
  Is.
• 42:26
  In verse 5.
• 42:26
  He says.
• 42:27
  For this reason.
• 42:28
  When I could bear it.
• 42:29
  No longer.
• 42:30
  He was longing to hear.
• 42:32
  How their faith was.
• 42:34
  And he could bear it.
• 42:35
  No longer.
• 42:36
  He wanted to know.
• 42:37
  So he sent.
• 42:38
  To learn about.
• 42:40
  Your faith.
• 42:42
  He sent to learn about.
• 42:43
  How their faith was.
• 42:45
  He had this longing.
• 42:46
  To know.
• 42:47
  How their faith was.
• 42:50
  Imagine.
• 42:51
  And this is a time of year.
• 42:52
  When.
• 42:53
  Many people.
• 42:54
  Will have children.
• 42:54
  Going away to college.
• 42:55
  And university.
• 42:56
  Going away.
• 42:57
  From home.
• 42:58
  For the first time.
• 42:59
  But imagine.
• 43:00
  Your child is gone.
• 43:01
  And you haven't heard.
• 43:03
  From them.
• 43:03
  For a few days.
• 43:05
  You're going to be wondering.
• 43:06
  What's going on?
• 43:07
  Why haven't they phoned?
• 43:09
  Why haven't they been in touch?
• 43:10
  Your concern is only going to increase.
• 43:12
  The more the days go by.
• 43:15
  And you're worried.
• 43:16
  And you're longing to hear.
• 43:18
  What's happening.
• 43:20
  Well this is the way.
• 43:21
  Paul has this concern too.
• 43:23
  He's been torn away.
• 43:24
  From the people of Thessalonica.
• 43:25
  But his concern is to hear.
• 43:28
  How are they?
• 43:30
  And this is God's concern.
• 43:32
  For his people today as well.
• 43:34
  God is speaking through Paul.
• 43:36
  Not just to the church of Thessalonica.
• 43:38
  But through every generation of people.
• 43:42
  And he's asking and longing.
• 43:44
  To hear about our faith.
• 43:47
  How is your faith today?
• 43:52
  Sometimes we can have a general concern.
• 43:54
  For people.
• 43:55
  And that's right.
• 43:57
  How are they keeping in their health?
• 43:59
  How are they keeping in their home?
• 44:01
  How are things going in the workplace?
• 44:02
  We have all these kinds of concern.
• 44:04
  For people.
• 44:06
  But do we ask one another.
• 44:07
  About our faith?
• 44:09
  How is your faith today?
• 44:12
  How is your relationship.
• 44:13
  With the Lord today?
• 44:15
  Are you coming close to God?
• 44:18
  Are you drifting away from God?
• 44:20
  Paul's longing here is to know.
• 44:23
  How their faith is.
• 44:25
  And our concern for one another should be that too.
• 44:29
  How is your faith?
• 44:32
  How is your relationship with the Lord?
• 44:36
  God is a God who has communicated through his word.
• 44:39
  From generation to generation.
• 44:42
  And this communication demands a response.
• 44:47
  This communication as he speaks to us day after day.
• 44:51
  Week after week.
• 44:52
  It's not just a one way.
• 44:55
  A communication.
• 44:57
  God is speaking to us.
• 44:59
  That we might respond to him.
• 45:02
  God is speaking to our nation just now.
• 45:05
  He is communicating to us in so many different ways.
• 45:08
  He has spoken to us in very powerful ways.
• 45:12
  The things that have changed in our midst.
• 45:15
  The things that have changed even in these last few days.
• 45:18
  Things that have been bedrock and foundation to our land.
• 45:22
  God is shaking us.
• 45:24
  But he's communicating to us through his word.
• 45:27
  And still saying to us that he is the God who reigns.
• 45:31
  Even when change comes to our nation.
• 45:34
  He is still God who reigns supreme.
• 45:36
  We have a king.
• 45:39
  Who is Jesus.
• 45:41
  Jesus was the great one who spoke to his people.
• 45:45
  And challenged them about faith.
• 45:47
  So often.
• 45:49
  For example when Jesus.
• 45:51
  Was speaking in Matthew chapter 22.
• 45:54
  The Pharisees had gathered together.
• 45:56
  And Jesus asked them the question.
• 45:58
  What do you think about the Christ?
• 46:01
  Whose son is he?
• 46:03
  They said to him.
• 46:05
  The son of David.
• 46:06
  Jesus would often challenge people about their faith.
• 46:11
  Again.
• 46:12
  In Luke 9 verse 18.
• 46:15
  He said.
• 46:15
  He asked them.
• 46:16
  Who do the crowds say that I am?
• 46:18
  And they answered.
• 46:19
  John the Baptist.
• 46:20
  But others say.
• 46:21
  Elijah and others.
• 46:22
  One of the prophets of old has risen.
• 46:25
  Then he said to them.
• 46:27
  But who do you say that I am?
• 46:30
  And Peter answered.
• 46:32
  The Christ.
• 46:33
  The son of God.
• 46:34
  God's word.
• 46:39
  Convicts.
• 46:40
  A people.
• 46:42
  Doesn't matter who we are.
• 46:44
  Royalty.
• 46:46
  Or common people.
• 46:47
  God's word convicts.
• 46:49
  And it is to this word.
• 46:51
  We are to come.
• 46:52
  And find the bedrock.
• 46:54
  The solid ground.
• 46:55
  The cornerstone.
• 46:56
  That is Christ Jesus.
• 46:59
  Paul is concerned.
• 47:01
  Here.
• 47:01
  That the people.
• 47:02
  Regarding their faith.
• 47:04
  That they would go on learning.
• 47:05
  That they would.
• 47:07
  Stand strong in the midst of affliction.
• 47:09
  That they wouldn't be tempted away.
• 47:11
  By Satan.
• 47:11
  That's what you see in verse 2.
• 47:13
  Through to verse 5.
• 47:14
  These were the very real challenges.
• 47:16
  That were going on.
• 47:17
  Around them.
• 47:21
  He speaks there.
• 47:22
  In verse 5.
• 47:23
  For example.
• 47:23
  To learn about your faith.
• 47:25
  For fear that somehow.
• 47:26
  The tempter.
• 47:27
  Attempted you.
• 47:28
  And our labor.
• 47:29
  Would be in vain.
• 47:31
  There are all these real challenges.
• 47:33
  That go on around us.
• 47:35
  To this day.
• 47:37
  But our faith.
• 47:39
  Is to remain in Christ Jesus.
• 47:41
  To stand strong.
• 47:43
  In him.
• 47:45
  So the question was.
• 47:47
  How is.
• 47:48
  Your faith.
• 47:49
  That was.
• 47:50
  Paul's great concern.
• 47:52
  For Thessalonica.
• 47:53
  That's God's great concern.
• 47:54
  For his people today.
• 47:56
  How is.
• 47:57
  Your faith.
• 47:59
  Don't let your faith.
• 48:00
  Be shaken.
• 48:01
  When change comes.
• 48:03
  Remain strong.
• 48:05
  Stand steadfast.
• 48:06
  With faith.
• 48:07
  In the Lord.
• 48:08
  Jesus Christ.
• 48:10
  So there were all these challenges.
• 48:11
  But look at how.
• 48:13
  Paul hears.
• 48:13
  Back then.
• 48:14
  From Timothy's report.
• 48:15
  In verse 6.
• 48:18
  He's taken action.
• 48:19
  To hear.
• 48:19
  He could bear it no longer.
• 48:20
  To hear about their faith.
• 48:22
  So he sent Timothy.
• 48:25
  And then in verse 6.
• 48:26
  We read these words.
• 48:26
  But now.
• 48:27
  That Timothy has come to us.
• 48:29
  From you.
• 48:29
  And has brought us.
• 48:30
  The good news.
• 48:31
  Of your faith.
• 48:32
  And love.
• 48:33
  There has been good news.
• 48:34
  Heard about their faith.
• 48:36
  And love.
• 48:37
  The time between.
• 48:38
  Paul sending Timothy.
• 48:40
  And hearing back.
• 48:41
  You can sense that change.
• 48:43
  In the words that he writes.
• 48:45
  There in verse 5.
• 48:46
  And then verse 6.
• 48:48
  He could bear it no longer.
• 48:49
  In verse 5.
• 48:51
  But then in verse 6.
• 48:52
  But now.
• 48:53
  That Timothy has come.
• 48:55
  To us.
• 48:55
  From you.
• 48:57
  He has brought.
• 48:58
  Good news.
• 48:59
  About your faith.
• 49:01
  There is great joy.
• 49:03
  As they hear.
• 49:04
  About the faith.
• 49:04
  Of the people.
• 49:07
  And wouldn't it bring us.
• 49:08
  Great joy.
• 49:08
  Today.
• 49:09
  To see our nation.
• 49:10
  And its rulers.
• 49:11
  Turn to God.
• 49:12
  In faith.
• 49:14
  To be led.
• 49:15
  By a new king.
• 49:17
  Who proclaims.
• 49:18
  A faith.
• 49:18
  In Christ Jesus.
• 49:20
  To be led.
• 49:21
  By a new prime minister.
• 49:23
  Who would profess.
• 49:24
  A faith.
• 49:25
  In Christ Jesus.
• 49:27
  To be led.
• 49:27
  By a first minister.
• 49:29
  Who would pledge.
• 49:30
  Her faith.
• 49:31
  To God.
• 49:32
  And to Christ Jesus.
• 49:34
  As her Lord.
• 49:35
  Not just with platitudes.
• 49:37
  And words.
• 49:39
  But with a sincere heart.
• 49:41
  And a reverence.
• 49:42
  And a fear.
• 49:43
  Of the Lord.
• 49:44
  Wouldn't that give us.
• 49:46
  The same great delight.
• 49:49
  The news that Timothy.
• 49:50
  Has brought.
• 49:51
  From Thessalonica.
• 49:52
  Is good news.
• 49:53
  Of your faith.
• 49:55
  And your love.
• 49:56
  May our prayer be.
• 49:58
  That for our king.
• 50:00
  Our prime minister.
• 50:01
  All of our land.
• 50:02
  That there will be good news.
• 50:04
  Of faith.
• 50:05
  And love.
• 50:07
  There was real worry.
• 50:09
  In what might happen.
• 50:10
  In Thessalonica.
• 50:11
  And there's real worry.
• 50:13
  What might happen.
• 50:13
  In our land.
• 50:15
  But may we hear.
• 50:17
  Good news.
• 50:18
  You know.
• 50:19
  This isn't.
• 50:20
  Just a school report.
• 50:22
  That's coming back.
• 50:22
  Through Timothy.
• 50:24
  When you get school reports.
• 50:25
  For your children.
• 50:27
  I can't remember.
• 50:28
  The last time.
• 50:28
  I think.
• 50:29
  We had a negative one.
• 50:31
  Because I think.
• 50:32
  Teachers will always find.
• 50:33
  Something positive.
• 50:34
  To write in a school report.
• 50:36
  No matter what it is.
• 50:38
  There'll always be.
• 50:39
  Something positive.
• 50:40
  That can be said.
• 50:43
  Sometimes we just have to be told.
• 50:45
  We're not good.
• 50:47
  God's word.
• 50:49
  Does that so clearly for us.
• 50:51
  We're reminded.
• 50:51
  That we are all sinners.
• 50:53
  We fall short.
• 50:54
  Of the glory of God.
• 50:56
  But then there can be good found too.
• 51:00
  There can be good found.
• 51:01
  When we see a saviour.
• 51:03
  Who is Christ.
• 51:05
  When we see how precious.
• 51:06
  He is.
• 51:08
  When we come.
• 51:10
  To put our trust.
• 51:11
  In him.
• 51:13
  That is good news.
• 51:15
  And we are thankful.
• 51:16
  That we hear good news.
• 51:18
  Good news.
• 51:19
  That God is working.
• 51:20
  Throughout the world.
• 51:22
  That God is calling our people.
• 51:23
  To himself.
• 51:24
  We hear.
• 51:25
  Bad news.
• 51:26
  So often.
• 51:28
  It's there for us.
• 51:29
  Every day.
• 51:31
  But God brings.
• 51:33
  Good news.
• 51:34
  Good news.
• 51:35
  That there is one.
• 51:36
  Who is able to save.
• 51:39
  Good news.
• 51:40
  That her majesty.
• 51:41
  The queen.
• 51:41
  Would often remind.
• 51:42
  Our nation of.
• 51:44
  In her Christmas address.
• 51:46
  No matter.
• 51:47
  How bad.
• 51:48
  The year had been.
• 51:49
  And she often spoke.
• 51:50
  Of many different challenges.
• 51:51
  That they faced.
• 51:53
  As a family.
• 51:54
  They are families.
• 51:55
  Just like ourselves.
• 51:57
  They had their crises.
• 51:58
  As we have our crises.
• 51:59
  As.
• 52:00
  They had their tragedies.
• 52:01
  As we have our tragedies.
• 52:03
  No one is immune.
• 52:04
  From them.
• 52:06
  And yet.
• 52:06
  In the midst of it all.
• 52:07
  She could still speak.
• 52:09
  Of a savior.
• 52:11
  A savior.
• 52:11
  Who had given strength.
• 52:13
  A savior.
• 52:14
  Who had given help.
• 52:15
  A savior.
• 52:16
  Who was there.
• 52:17
  In many different times.
• 52:19
  Of need.
• 52:20
  And that is the savior.
• 52:22
  That Christ.
• 52:23
  Who is Christ.
• 52:24
  That is the savior.
• 52:25
  Who is Paul.
• 52:26
  Paul is encouraging.
• 52:27
  The people here.
• 52:28
  In Thessalonica.
• 52:30
  To go on in.
• 52:31
  In his strength.
• 52:34
  And that is the savior.
• 52:35
  That we are being encouraged.
• 52:36
  As a people.
• 52:37
  To put our trust.
• 52:39
  In.
• 52:40
  There is a great delight.
• 52:42
  In hearing.
• 52:43
  Good news.
• 52:45
  And what effect.
• 52:46
  Does this good news have?
• 52:48
  Well when you look at verse 8.
• 52:49
  It says.
• 52:49
  For now we live.
• 52:50
  If you are standing fast.
• 52:54
  In the Lord.
• 52:55
  As they are standing fast.
• 52:56
  In the Lord.
• 52:57
  They go on in strength.
• 53:00
  And that is what we need to.
• 53:02
  To go forward.
• 53:03
  To go forward.
• 53:05
  Standing fast.
• 53:06
  In the Lord.
• 53:08
  Seeking his face.
• 53:10
  Seeking his goodness.
• 53:11
  Upon us.
• 53:13
  Rich.
• 53:14
  And poor.
• 53:15
  Royalty.
• 53:16
  And common people.
• 53:17
  What can unite us together?
• 53:20
  Faith.
• 53:20
  In the Lord.
• 53:21
  Jesus Christ.
• 53:23
  Martin Luther.
• 53:24
  Once said.
• 53:25
  God our father.
• 53:27
  Has made all things.
• 53:28
  Depend on faith.
• 53:30
  So that whoever has faith.
• 53:31
  Will have everything.
• 53:33
  And whoever does not have faith.
• 53:35
  Will have nothing.
• 53:37
  No matter how much more.
• 53:39
  Value we maybe think.
• 53:40
  The queen.
• 53:41
  Had than us.
• 53:43
  Without faith.
• 53:45
  She was nothing.
• 53:46
  Just as we are.
• 53:48
  But with faith.
• 53:49
  She had everything.
• 53:51
  Just as we can.
• 53:54
  Faith.
• 53:55
  Is what we need.
• 53:57
  And the third thing.
• 53:58
  And final thing.
• 53:59
  We see here.
• 53:59
  Is this.
• 53:59
  As we go forward.
• 54:01
  In faith.
• 54:02
  It gives us a real sense.
• 54:03
  Of focus.
• 54:04
  And devotion.
• 54:06
  Given the outcome.
• 54:08
  The response here.
• 54:09
  Is prayer.
• 54:11
  And thanksgiving.
• 54:12
  They were delighted.
• 54:14
  To hear.
• 54:14
  That the people.
• 54:15
  Were going on in faith.
• 54:17
  And God seeks.
• 54:19
  For his people.
• 54:20
  To go on in faith.
• 54:22
  And in verse 9.
• 54:23
  Says.
• 54:23
  For what thanksgiving.
• 54:24
  Can we return to God.
• 54:26
  For you.
• 54:26
  For all the joy.
• 54:27
  That we feel.
• 54:28
  For your sake.
• 54:29
  Before God.
• 54:30
  As we pray.
• 54:31
  Most earnestly.
• 54:32
  Night and day.
• 54:33
  That we may see you.
• 54:34
  Face to face.
• 54:36
  And supply.
• 54:36
  What was lacking.
• 54:38
  In your faith.
• 54:39
  They long to come.
• 54:41
  And encourage them.
• 54:42
  In their faith.
• 54:45
  And this is a great reminder.
• 54:47
  To ourselves.
• 54:48
  Of the devotion.
• 54:49
  That we should have.
• 54:50
  To our saviour.
• 54:52
  That we should seek.
• 54:53
  To be a servant people.
• 54:55
  To a king.
• 54:56
  We serve.
• 54:58
  And may we come.
• 55:00
  To have this prayerful devotion.
• 55:02
  For one another.
• 55:03
  For our land.
• 55:04
  And for all its people.
• 55:05
  And for all who rule over us.
• 55:08
  That we will go forward.
• 55:09
  Forward.
• 55:10
  United.
• 55:11
  In faith.
• 55:13
  United.
• 55:13
  United.
• 55:13
  And strengthened.
• 55:15
  By God.
• 55:17
  As verse 11 says.
• 55:18
  Now may our God.
• 55:19
  And Father himself.
• 55:20
  And our Lord Jesus.
• 55:21
  Direct our way to you.
• 55:23
  And may the Lord.
• 55:23
  Make you increase.
• 55:24
  And abound in love.
• 55:26
  For one another.
• 55:27
  And for all.
• 55:28
  As we do for you.
• 55:30
  So that he may establish.
• 55:32
  Your hearts.
• 55:33
  Blameless in holiness.
• 55:34
  Before our God.
• 55:35
  And Father.
• 55:36
  At the coming of our Lord Jesus.
• 55:38
  With all the saints.
• 55:41
  What kind of prayer.
• 55:42
  Is this?
• 55:44
  It's an earnest prayer.
• 55:47
  And today our prayers.
• 55:48
  Are to be earnest.
• 55:50
  Pleading with God.
• 55:52
  Direct us.
• 55:53
  In your paths.
• 55:55
  Show us.
• 55:56
  Your ways.
• 55:57
  That we may delight in them.
• 55:59
  Guide all our steps.
• 56:01
  That they may be steps.
• 56:02
  Of faith.
• 56:03
  And love for God.
• 56:05
  Our saviour.
• 56:07
  And God.
• 56:08
  Who has blessed us.
• 56:10
  May our plea be earnest.
• 56:12
  For our new king.
• 56:14
  For our new prime minister.
• 56:15
  For our land.
• 56:17
  And for the nations.
• 56:18
  Of the world.
• 56:19
  We need healing.
• 56:21
  We need help.
• 56:22
  And he is the one.
• 56:24
  Who can provide it.
• 56:26
  We need all of these things.
• 56:29
  We need to plead.
• 56:30
  With God.
• 56:32
  It is also a persistent prayer.
• 56:36
  Night.
• 56:37
  And day.
• 56:38
  It says in verse 10.
• 56:40
  As we pray most earnestly.
• 56:42
  Night and day.
• 56:43
  There is a real sense of pleading.
• 56:46
  And persistent prayer here.
• 56:48
  May we go on praying persistently.
• 56:51
  Asking God.
• 56:53
  Night and day.
• 56:54
  To pour out his blessing on us.
• 56:56
  Night and day.
• 56:57
  To give blessing to our land.
• 56:59
  To give renewal.
• 57:01
  To our land.
• 57:02
  It is a specific prayer as well.
• 57:06
  We can be specific in our prayers too.
• 57:09
  Paul was saying.
• 57:10
  We pray that we may see you face to face.
• 57:13
  And that you supply.
• 57:14
  To supply what is lacking in your faith.
• 57:17
  May our prayers be specific as well.
• 57:20
  Asking God.
• 57:22
  To bring a people of faith.
• 57:24
  To lead us well.
• 57:25
  And to keep on praying.
• 57:27
  We are commanded to pray for those who rule over us.
• 57:31
  In God's word.
• 57:33
  May we take that prayer seriously.
• 57:36
  No matter what our differences of opinions may be.
• 57:40
  May prayer unite us.
• 57:42
  To ask God to bless.
• 57:44
  And to guide our nation.
• 57:47
  In the days ahead.
• 57:48
  That he would bear much fruit.
• 57:51
  In our land.
• 57:52
  John Newton.
• 57:55
  John Newton.
• 57:55
  Was a great preacher in his day.
• 57:58
  John Newton who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace.
• 58:01
  And he preached.
• 58:02
  Well past his retirement age.
• 58:04
  As I said.
• 58:06
  And very often as he was preaching.
• 58:07
  Towards the end of his days.
• 58:10
  He would have an assistant.
• 58:11
  Standing beside him in the pulpit.
• 58:13
  Who would support him.
• 58:15
  As he was feeling weak.
• 58:16
  He was nearly blind.
• 58:19
  And he spoke in whispers.
• 58:22
  But nothing would keep him from preaching.
• 58:26
  One Sunday.
• 58:27
  While he was delivering a message.
• 58:29
  A sermon.
• 58:31
  He repeated the phrase.
• 58:33
  Jesus Christ.
• 58:35
  Is precious.
• 58:36
  Jesus Christ.
• 58:38
  And his assistant beside him.
• 58:40
  Just whispered to him.
• 58:42
  You've already said that twice.
• 58:46
  John Newton turned.
• 58:48
  To his helper.
• 58:49
  And said.
• 58:51
  Yes.
• 58:53
  I've said it twice.
• 58:55
  And I'm going to say it.
• 58:57
  Again.
• 58:58
  And he lifted up his voice.
• 59:01
  And he shouted at the top of his voice.
• 59:04
  Jesus Christ is precious. That is what he wanted his people to know. Jesus Christ is precious.
• 59:18
  How is your faith today?
• 59:24
  Speaking on the 3rd of August this year, just over a month ago, Her Majesty the Queen said this,
• 59:31
  Throughout my life, the message and teachings of Christ have been my guide, and in them I find hope.
• 59:45
  She was a queen, but more than that, she was a servant, a servant to her king.
• 59:54
  Jesus Christ was precious to her. We pray our new king will rule well and wisely with that same servant spirit.
• 1:00:08
  But above all, we pray that Jesus Christ will be precious to him.
• 1:00:13
  We pray that for our new Prime Minister, that Jesus Christ will be precious to her.
• 1:00:20
  Let us remember too, kings and queens and Prime Ministers, come and go.
• 1:00:29
  That crown of the queen and king may be passed on to others.
• 1:00:34
  But there is a greater crown for all who put their trust in Christ Jesus as a precious Saviour.
• 1:00:44
  May we find in him the crown of the crown of righteousness.
• 1:00:48
  Awarded not just to royalty, but to all of Christ's servants who put their trust in him.
• 1:00:58
  How is your faith?
• 1:01:02
  Is your faith in Jesus Christ who is precious?
• 1:01:06
  May we find in him the one who is our Saviour and our God and find our hope in him.
• 1:01:19
  Let us pray.
• 1:01:22
  Our Father in heaven, we rejoice in our King, the Lord Jesus Christ.
• 1:01:29
  We thank you that he is head over all.
• 1:01:31
  We thank you that we worship a living Saviour.
• 1:01:36
  One who came and bore the crown on the cross for us.
• 1:01:41
  That crown of thorns so that we might receive a crown of righteousness.
• 1:01:46
  We thank you for his sacrifice, for his service.
• 1:01:50
  We thank you, Lord, that he gave all for us.
• 1:01:53
  We pray that no matter our position, whether it's the royalty and rulers of this world,
• 1:01:59
  or ourselves as a common people,
• 1:02:02
  that we would find our hearts serving our King and our Lord,
• 1:02:07
  and putting our trust in him for now and for eternity.
• 1:02:12
  May you bless your word in this day and in the days ahead.
• 1:02:16
  There will be a word that reverberates around our land.
• 1:02:20
  A word that bears much fruit for your glory.
• 1:02:23
  May you continue to comfort and to bless all who need you in different ways,
• 1:02:29
  as we ask it all in Jesus' name.
• 1:02:31
  Amen.
• 1:02:38
  We're going to conclude by singing to God's praise in Psalm 117 in the Scottish Psalter.
• 1:02:47
  Psalm 117, page 397 of the Psalm books.
• 1:02:51
  We'll sing this psalm to God's praise and we stand to sing.
• 1:03:13
  Amen.
• 1:03:14
  O give ye praise unto the Lord,
• 1:03:26
  All nations that be,
• 1:03:34
  Like white sheep people,
• 1:03:39
  throughout our credit card,
• 1:03:40
  The Lord andARD Chris.
• 1:03:41
  One song for me to praise,
• 1:03:44
  While glory is there
• 1:03:57
  Amen Lord our praise and power,
• 1:04:05
  His kindnesses,
• 1:04:09
  His truth endures
• 1:04:13
  forevermore.
• 1:04:18
  The Lord, O doing best.
• 1:04:27
  After the benediction, I'll go to the door to my left.
• 1:04:31
  Close with the benediction.
• 1:04:32
  Now may grace, mercy, and peace from God,
• 1:04:36
  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• 1:04:38
  rest upon and abide with us all
• 1:04:41
  now and forevermore. Amen.