Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / Light Over Darkness

Transcript

Light Over Darkness · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

0:00
To the ending of the ending of the ending of the ending of the ending of ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending
0:30
Thank you.
1:00
CONGREGATIONS
1:30
Let me tell a story.
1:32
Let me tell a story.
1:33
Let me tell a story.
2:00
Thank you.
2:30
Thank you.
3:00
Thank you.
3:30
Thank you.
4:00
Thank you.
4:30
Thank you.
5:00
Thank you.
5:30
Thank you.
6:00
Thank you.
6:29
Thank you.
6:59
Thank you.
7:30
He's got meetings coming up where he'll be able to address people that we wouldn't normally
7:35
be able to address.
7:36
He'll be speaking in the Parliament, Scottish Parliament in just over a week's time.
7:40
So remember him in that role as well and pray for him.
7:44
We'll hear maybe a little bit more about what that role entails in the fellowship afterwards.
7:50
Thanks too to all who have supported the communion weekend in many different ways
7:54
and opening up your homes for fellowship and attending the services and supporting in the months as well
8:00
in so many different ways.
8:01
Very thankful to all who have provided in any way over the weekend.
8:06
We're also delighted to welcome into membership nine new members,
8:11
four by certificate and five by profession.
8:14
We do pray for them that they will settle into the congregation here and be a blessing to us.
8:20
We have Murdo and Maddie Morrison and Angus and Isbell MacDonald joining by certificate.
8:26
And we also have by profession Chrissy Murray, Levi Morrison, Aaron Smith, Fraser and Amy Lipock.
8:34
So please do continue to remember them in prayer.
8:37
We give thanks to God.
8:38
And I know that there are many others who would desire that as well.
8:43
And our desire for you is that you will come and put your trust in the Lord.
8:48
And we give thanks to God for his continual reminders to us that he is a gracious God,
8:53
a generous God, a faithful God.
8:56
And we look to him in these days.
8:58
So I'm going to ask Alistair now to lead us in our worship.
9:01
Again, to have our eyes fixed on Jesus and the wonder of all that he has done for us.
9:11
Again, thank you, Calamurto, for your kind welcome and introduction this evening.
9:16
We're going to cast our eyes heavenwards as we take to our lips the words of Psalm 36.
9:22
Psalm 36 on page 44.
9:25
We're going to begin our worship with the words,
9:27
Your steadfast love is great, O Lord.
9:29
It reaches heaven high.
9:31
Your faithfulness is wonderful, extending to the sky.
9:34
Singing on to the end of the verse, Mark 10.
9:36
To those who know you as their God, your steadfast love impart.
9:41
Maintain your righteousness to those of pure and upright heart.
9:45
Psalm 36 from verse 5 to the verse Mark 10, five stanzas.
9:49
And we'll stand to praise God.
9:51
Amen.
10:15
Amen.
10:45
Amen.
10:46
CHOIR SINGS
11:16
CHOIR SINGS
11:46
CHOIR SINGS
11:48
CHOIR SINGS
11:50
CHOIR SINGS
11:52
CHOIR SINGS
11:54
CHOIR SINGS
11:56
CHOIR SINGS
11:58
CHOIR SINGS
12:00
CHOIR SINGS
12:02
CHOIR SINGS
12:04
CHOIR SINGS
12:06
CHOIR SINGS
12:10
CHOIR SINGS
12:12
CHOIR SINGS
12:14
CHOIR SINGS
12:16
CHOIR SINGS
12:18
CHOIR SINGS
12:20
to those
12:23
of good
12:25
and of
12:28
right heart.
12:36
We're going to bow our heads
12:37
and we're going to join our hearts together
12:38
as we approach our Heavenly Father
12:41
in prayer.
12:48
Lord our God,
12:49
Father, Son and Holy
12:51
Spirit, we bow
12:53
before you as we seek
12:55
to offer this evening sacrifice
12:57
of worship to you,
12:59
conscious that you are God
13:01
and we are not.
13:03
We pray that it would be with
13:05
a sense of deep reverence
13:07
that we would approach
13:09
your holy throne this evening
13:11
and yet simultaneously
13:13
with a holy boldness,
13:16
recognising that you have
13:17
given to us this great
13:19
invitation to draw near to you.
13:22
And not simply have you given
13:23
to us that invitation,
13:25
you've given to us a promise
13:26
that those who draw near to you,
13:28
you will in turn
13:29
draw near to us.
13:32
And we recognise that
13:33
the fulfilment of that promise
13:35
transforms our gathering
13:37
this evening.
13:38
because it means that we're not
13:40
simply here in the presence
13:42
of family and friends,
13:45
perhaps regulars and visitors
13:46
to this congregation.
13:48
But as we seek to draw near to you
13:50
and you in turn have promised
13:51
to draw near to us,
13:53
then we are in the presence
13:54
of the living, almighty God.
13:57
We pray therefore that we would have
13:58
that stillness that comes
14:01
from recognising that you are here
14:03
watching,
14:05
that you are here listening,
14:06
that you are the one who walks
14:08
among the golden candlesticks,
14:10
you walk among the congregations
14:12
that bear your name,
14:13
you know all the different
14:15
matters that are unfolding,
14:17
all the different undercurrents
14:18
that may be present,
14:20
you know everything.
14:22
And so we pray that this evening
14:23
we would have that sense
14:25
of humility
14:26
and yet boldness,
14:28
that sense of recognition
14:30
of our unworthiness
14:31
to have this privilege
14:33
and yet simultaneously
14:34
a genuine sense of joy
14:36
that we can come before
14:38
the living and true God
14:39
and offer this sacrifice
14:41
of worship to you.
14:44
We pray, Heavenly Father,
14:46
that you would grant to us
14:47
the very real leading
14:49
of your own Holy Spirit
14:50
this evening
14:51
through all the different
14:52
component parts of our service.
14:55
As we sing your praises,
14:56
we ask that we would be kept
14:58
from merely articulating words,
15:01
but that our focus would be
15:03
on the one whose name
15:06
we are praising.
15:07
As we have thought
15:08
of your steadfast love,
15:10
your covenant commitment
15:11
to your people,
15:12
the fact that you are the God
15:13
who keeps your word,
15:15
that we can absolutely
15:17
depend upon you.
15:18
We thank you
15:18
that we can praise you
15:19
in such a way
15:20
for your steadfast love
15:21
and we pray that
15:22
as we praise this evening,
15:24
we would do so
15:24
with our eyes fixed upon you
15:27
as the one who is worthy
15:28
of our praise
15:29
and of our adoration.
15:31
We pray that your Holy Spirit
15:33
would enable us
15:33
as we pray,
15:35
as we seek to know
15:36
how to approach
15:37
the living and true God
15:39
and how we seek
15:40
to ask from you
15:41
what we do not deserve,
15:44
but yet what you are
15:44
so willing to give,
15:46
that you would do us good
15:47
this evening,
15:48
that we would know
15:48
a sense of your favour,
15:50
of your smile
15:51
resting over us
15:52
as we seek you
15:54
above all else.
15:56
We thank you
15:57
for your word
15:57
and we pray,
15:58
Father,
15:59
that as we read
16:00
and study
16:01
and submit ourselves
16:03
to the teaching
16:03
of your word
16:04
this evening,
16:06
we pray that we would
16:06
do so with an eagerness
16:08
to hear what you have
16:09
to say to us
16:10
and that we would do so
16:12
recognising that
16:13
your word
16:14
is the food
16:15
for our souls,
16:16
it is the direction
16:17
for our lives,
16:19
it is the way
16:20
in which we hear
16:21
what you have to say
16:21
to us
16:22
and we pray,
16:23
therefore,
16:23
that we would be
16:24
eagerly anticipating
16:25
what we may learn
16:27
of our Saviour
16:28
as we open
16:29
your word tonight.
16:30
We thank you
16:31
that your word
16:31
reminds us
16:32
that all of Scripture
16:33
points to our Saviour
16:35
and so we pray
16:36
that we may be
16:37
able to see
16:38
and to savour again
16:40
our precious dear Lord.
16:42
As we have thought
16:43
much of him
16:44
in these days,
16:45
we pray that that would be
16:46
what we will do
16:47
for the rest of our days,
16:48
that we will think
16:49
much of our Saviour.
16:50
Thank you for the opportunity
16:52
to be able to focus in
16:55
through word and sacrament
16:56
on that great cost
16:58
of our salvation
16:59
this morning
17:00
and we pray,
17:01
Father,
17:01
that it would be
17:02
even now
17:03
still
17:04
our souls
17:05
being fed
17:06
from the privileges
17:07
that have been ours.
17:10
Father,
17:10
we confess
17:11
before you
17:12
that
17:12
as we
17:13
see our Saviour,
17:15
we realise
17:17
that
17:17
in comparison
17:18
to him,
17:19
we are flawed
17:21
and we are
17:22
individuals
17:23
who are polluted
17:25
in every different way.
17:27
As we think
17:28
of what your word says
17:29
when Isaiah recognised
17:31
that he was a man
17:32
of unclean lips
17:33
as Peter recognised
17:36
before
17:36
the Lord himself
17:38
that he was
17:39
a sinful man
17:40
that he didn't deserve
17:42
to be there,
17:42
we realise
17:43
that that is us,
17:45
we do not deserve
17:46
your goodness
17:48
your mercy,
17:50
your grace
17:50
toward us.
17:52
We do not deserve it
17:53
because not simply
17:54
of the sins
17:55
that we committed
17:55
before we came
17:56
to a living knowledge
17:57
of Jesus Christ
17:58
but even the sins
17:59
that we have committed
17:59
since.
18:01
And Father,
18:01
we cannot help
18:03
but be grieved
18:04
by them
18:04
because we know
18:05
that it is possible
18:06
for us to grieve
18:07
your spirit
18:07
by the way
18:08
in which we live.
18:09
And so we pray,
18:10
that we would know
18:11
real,
18:12
true confession
18:13
again this evening
18:14
and we pray
18:16
that again
18:16
we would know
18:17
the delight
18:18
that you are faithful,
18:19
you are just,
18:20
you will forgive
18:21
and cleanse
18:22
from all of our
18:23
unrighteousness
18:24
when we come
18:25
confessing our sins.
18:27
Father,
18:28
thank you
18:28
that your knowledge
18:29
of each person
18:30
in here
18:30
is encyclopedic.
18:32
There is nothing
18:33
about any one of us
18:34
that you don't know.
18:35
You know those
18:36
who have been eagerly
18:37
anticipating gathering
18:38
tonight
18:39
and you know those
18:40
Father who have come
18:41
to this place
18:42
and they don't want
18:43
to be here
18:44
and yet
18:45
you have brought us
18:46
here
18:46
for this divine
18:48
appointment tonight
18:49
and we pray
18:50
that for each one
18:51
of us
18:51
it would be
18:52
to do us good
18:53
that we might
18:54
see the wonder
18:56
of who the Saviour is
18:57
and that we might
18:59
all be irresistibly
19:00
drawn to him
19:02
as we bow
19:03
before him
19:04
in humble worship
19:05
and adoration.
19:07
Please guide us,
19:08
please lead us
19:09
and please accept us
19:10
for we come
19:10
through that name
19:11
which is most precious
19:13
to you than any other
19:14
in the name of your Son
19:15
and our Saviour.
19:17
Amen.
19:18
We're going to further
19:19
praise God.
19:20
This time we're going to
19:20
sing in Psalm number 27
19:22
singing from the
19:24
sing Psalms version
19:26
Psalm 27
19:27
on page 31
19:29
Psalm 27
19:32
page 31
19:33
we're singing
19:34
from the beginning
19:34
down to the end
19:35
of the verse
19:36
marked 5
19:37
that's 6 stanzas
19:38
Psalm 27
19:40
page 31
19:41
the Lord's my Saviour
19:42
and my light
19:42
who will make me dismayed
19:44
the Lord's the stronghold
19:45
of my life
19:46
why should I
19:47
be afraid
19:48
and so on
19:49
down to the end
19:50
of the verse
19:50
marked 5
19:51
6 stanzas
19:51
and again we'll stand
19:52
to praise God.
19:53
the Lord's my Saviour
20:02
and my light
20:06
who will make me dismayed
20:15
the Lord's the stronghold of my life
20:24
why should I be afraid
20:28
of sin
20:37
You are set to be to take my life away.
20:50
My love, my son, is not my foes, will stumble in my day.
21:07
Although I'm not the end, my heart will feel no pain.
21:25
Oh, what against me is true, the lies I will lift up my hand.
21:43
What against me is true, the lies I will lift up my hand.
21:45
I'll flee before the Lord, and this I'll seek always.
22:00
As I may come within God's house, I'll dwell there all my years.
22:18
Back on the beauty of the Lord, I constantly may gaze.
22:36
I'll flee before the Lord, and this I'll flee before the Lord.
22:50
In His wings
22:55
For in His square
23:00
May He will keep me
23:06
Safe in troubled days
23:13
Within His tent
23:18
He'll shelter me
23:22
And on the Lord
23:27
Me raised
23:36
Our scripture reading this evening
23:38
is taken from the Gospel of John and chapter 12.
23:41
John chapter 12, we're going to take up a reading at verse 20.
23:44
John chapter 12 at verse 20.
23:51
John chapter 12, verse 20.
24:10
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast
24:13
were some Greeks.
24:15
So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee
24:18
and asked him,
24:19
Sir, we wish to see Jesus.
24:23
Philip went and told Andrew.
24:25
Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
24:29
And Jesus answered them,
24:31
The hour has come
24:32
for the Son of Man
24:33
to be glorified.
24:36
Truly, truly, I say to you,
24:38
unless a grain of wheat
24:39
falls into the earth and dies,
24:42
it remains alone.
24:43
But if it dies,
24:45
it bears much fruit.
24:46
Whoever loves his life
24:49
loses it.
24:51
And whoever hates his life
24:52
in this world
24:53
will keep it for eternal life.
24:55
If anyone serves me,
24:57
he must follow me.
24:58
And where I am,
24:59
there will my servant be also.
25:02
If anyone serves me,
25:04
the Father
25:04
will honour him.
25:07
Now
25:08
is my soul
25:09
troubled.
25:10
And what shall I say?
25:12
Father,
25:13
save me from this hour?
25:15
But for this purpose
25:17
I have come
25:18
to this hour.
25:20
Father,
25:21
glorify your name.
25:23
Then a voice
25:24
came from heaven.
25:25
I have glorified it
25:27
and I will glorify it
25:29
again.
25:31
The crowd that had stood there
25:32
and heard it
25:33
said that it thundered.
25:35
Others said,
25:36
An angel
25:37
has spoken to him.
25:39
Jesus answered,
25:40
This voice
25:41
has come
25:42
for your sake,
25:42
not mine.
25:43
Now is the judgment
25:45
of this world.
25:47
Now will the ruler
25:47
of this world
25:48
be cast out.
25:50
And I,
25:51
when I am lifted up
25:52
from the earth,
25:53
will draw all people
25:55
to myself.
25:57
He said this
25:58
to show
25:58
by what kind of death
26:00
he was going to die.
26:02
So the crowd
26:02
answered him,
26:04
We've heard from the law
26:05
that the Christ
26:06
remains forever.
26:07
How can you say
26:08
that the Son of Man
26:10
must be lifted up?
26:11
Who is this
26:12
Son of Man?
26:14
So Jesus said to them,
26:16
The light
26:17
is among you
26:18
for a little while longer.
26:20
Walk
26:20
while you have the light,
26:22
lest darkness
26:23
overtake you.
26:24
The one
26:25
who walks
26:26
in the darkness
26:27
does not know
26:27
what he is going.
26:29
While you have the light,
26:31
believe in the light,
26:32
so that you may become
26:33
sons
26:34
of light.
26:36
The grass withers
26:38
and the flowers fade,
26:40
but the word of our God
26:41
stands
26:42
forever.
26:44
Let's once more
26:45
bow our heads
26:45
as we approach
26:46
our Heavenly Father
26:47
in prayer.
26:48
We pray, Heavenly Father,
27:00
that your
27:00
blessing
27:02
might rest upon
27:03
this congregation
27:04
and its witness
27:05
in the months
27:06
and years
27:07
and decades
27:07
to come.
27:09
We thank you
27:09
for the witness
27:10
of this congregation
27:10
over many, many years.
27:12
We thank you
27:13
for the way
27:14
in which it has
27:15
been used
27:16
by you
27:16
to draw
27:17
many people
27:17
to the Lord Jesus Christ.
27:20
And we pray, Father,
27:21
that what has been done
27:22
in the past
27:23
would be merely
27:25
the beginning
27:25
of what will yet happen
27:26
with more and more people
27:28
coming to hear
27:29
of the Lord Jesus Christ
27:30
and being drawn
27:32
by the Holy Spirit
27:33
into a living relationship
27:34
with him.
27:35
We do thank you
27:36
for Calamurto
27:37
and all who serve
27:39
alongside him
27:39
in either official
27:41
or unofficial capacities,
27:43
all who are willing
27:43
to give
27:44
of their time
27:45
and of the gifts
27:45
that you've provided
27:46
them with.
27:47
To serve
27:48
in whatever capacity
27:49
within the congregation.
27:50
We pray, Father,
27:51
that you would encourage
27:52
all who serve
27:53
in whatever way
27:54
that might be.
27:55
We pray especially, Father,
27:56
for any who may feel
27:57
that at times
27:58
their service
27:59
is overlooked.
28:00
Father,
28:00
we pray that you would
28:01
make it very real
28:02
to them
28:03
that there is no service
28:04
for you
28:05
that is ever overlooked.
28:07
You are the one
28:08
who sees
28:08
and you are the one
28:10
who will reward.
28:12
We pray, Father,
28:12
that as the people
28:13
of God
28:14
in this congregation
28:15
mingle
28:17
mingle within
28:17
the people
28:17
of this town
28:19
and beyond,
28:20
whether that is
28:20
with their neighbours
28:21
or with their work colleagues
28:23
or in whatever other
28:24
front line they may have,
28:26
we pray
28:26
that what might be seen
28:28
from your people
28:29
is more and more
28:30
a reflection
28:31
of the Lord Jesus Christ
28:33
whom your people
28:33
here love.
28:35
We pray that that
28:35
would be what will draw
28:37
men and women,
28:38
boys and girls.
28:39
We pray that that's
28:40
what the people of God
28:41
would be known for
28:42
in this place,
28:43
known for their
28:44
similarity
28:45
and the resemblance
28:46
that they have
28:47
to the Lord Jesus Christ.
28:49
Father,
28:50
we long that that
28:50
would be the case
28:51
not simply here
28:52
but throughout
28:53
every Christian
28:54
congregation
28:56
up and down
28:56
this land
28:57
who holds
28:58
your word
28:59
to be true
28:59
and who seeks
29:01
to portray
29:01
Jesus Christ
29:02
as the crucified
29:03
yet risen
29:04
exalted
29:07
and returning
29:08
Saviour.
29:09
We pray that we
29:10
would see days
29:11
in our country
29:12
once again
29:13
whereby young and old
29:15
would be drawn
29:15
by the power of the Spirit
29:16
to the Lord Jesus Christ.
29:18
We thank you
29:19
for what we are hearing
29:20
of our renewed interest
29:22
with different age groups
29:24
and different demographics
29:27
within the country
29:29
and we pray,
29:30
that as people
29:31
seem to be stirring
29:33
to the sense
29:34
of hopelessness
29:35
that a secular
29:36
humanist outlook
29:38
actually brings,
29:39
we ask Father
29:40
that you would bring
29:41
those who are seeking
29:42
into contact
29:43
with those
29:43
who have a living
29:44
relationship with you
29:45
so that they may seek
29:47
and that they may find
29:48
and that they may bow
29:50
before the Lord Jesus
29:51
as Lord and Saviour.
29:53
Father,
29:54
we've already mentioned
29:54
the fact that you know
29:55
each one of us
29:56
in here tonight
29:57
and so that means
29:58
you know everything
29:58
that's going on
29:59
in our lives
30:00
this evening.
30:01
You know those
30:02
who've come into this place
30:03
tonight with many burdens,
30:05
perhaps burdens
30:05
that are crushing
30:07
in their weight,
30:07
perhaps burdens
30:09
that are so,
30:10
so desperately heavy
30:12
that they wonder
30:12
if they're going
30:13
to survive them.
30:14
Father,
30:14
we thank you
30:15
that you have told us
30:16
that there is
30:16
a great burden bearer
30:17
and that there is
30:18
an invitation to know
30:19
that we can have
30:22
the rest
30:22
that Jesus alone
30:23
can give.
30:25
We thank Father
30:26
of those who perhaps
30:27
have come to this place
30:28
tonight with many
30:29
different fears,
30:30
perhaps those who've come
30:31
with unanswered questions,
30:33
perhaps those who've come
30:34
with doubts and difficulties
30:36
that are causing
30:38
real problems
30:39
in their lives.
30:41
Father,
30:41
we realise that
30:42
we live in a broken world
30:43
and the brokenness
30:44
caused by sin
30:45
manifests itself
30:46
in many different ways
30:47
and yet,
30:48
Father,
30:49
we thank you
30:50
that there is a remedy
30:50
for that brokenness
30:51
and that is found
30:52
in the Lord Jesus Christ
30:54
and so,
30:55
please help me
30:55
this evening
30:56
to communicate
30:57
your truth
30:57
in the power
30:58
of your own Holy Spirit
30:59
and help us all
31:00
to receive
31:01
your word
31:02
as it is,
31:03
not the word
31:04
of any preacher
31:04
but the word
31:05
of the living God
31:06
spoken to us.
31:08
Please enable us
31:09
to be freed
31:11
from all manner
31:12
of distraction
31:12
of things
31:13
that may have happened
31:15
or are happening
31:16
or may yet happen
31:17
in the future.
31:18
Help us
31:18
for the time
31:19
that you have gathered
31:20
us together
31:20
to have our eyes
31:22
focused
31:22
on the Lord Jesus Christ,
31:25
the one in his name
31:26
we pray.
31:27
Amen.
31:28
Well,
31:29
before we study
31:29
some of these words
31:30
we're going to sing
31:31
in Psalm 43
31:32
singing from the
31:33
Scottish Psalter
31:34
Psalm 43
31:35
this is on page
31:37
number 264
31:39
Psalm 43
31:41
O send thy light
31:44
forth
31:44
and thy truth
31:45
let them be guides
31:46
to me
31:46
and bring me
31:47
to thine holy hill
31:48
even where
31:49
thy dwellings be
31:51
and so on
31:51
to the end of the psalm
31:52
Psalm 43
31:53
page 246
31:54
and verse 3
31:55
O send thy light
31:56
forth
31:56
and thy truth
31:58
O send thy light
32:06
forth
32:07
and thy truth
32:10
let them be guides
32:15
to me
32:17
and bring me
32:20
to thy holy hill
32:25
in where
32:27
thy dwelling's
32:30
be
32:32
and where
32:34
I took
32:36
a softer
32:38
road
32:40
to God
32:43
my chief
32:45
and choice
32:47
in God
32:49
in God
32:50
my God
32:51
thy name
32:53
to praise
32:56
my heart
32:58
my will
32:59
and why
33:03
why
33:04
are
33:05
the
33:07
and why
33:09
will
33:10
sing
33:11
thoughts
33:26
are
33:27
now
33:28
disquieted
33:32
in me
33:34
still
33:36
still
33:37
trust
33:38
in God
33:40
for him
33:42
to praise
33:44
good
33:45
cause
33:46
thy
33:47
yet
33:48
shall
33:49
have
33:51
he
33:52
of
33:53
my
33:54
counten
33:56
sister
33:57
held
33:59
my
34:01
God
34:02
that
34:03
doth
34:04
me
34:05
save
34:07
let me invite you to take your Bibles and to have them open at John chapter 12 this evening to words that we read earlier on John chapter 12
34:29
and I want us to read again the words of verse 32 John chapter 12 and the words of verse 32 where Jesus amongst other things says and I when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself
34:54
you may
34:56
you may not know that the scientists in China and in America are having a bit of a competition at present to try and develop the world's strongest magnet
35:13
currently China is a magnet that is 800,000 times stronger than the earth's magnetic field
35:25
so the earth's magnetic field compass always points north
35:27
it's a magnetic field that does that
35:29
China has developed a magnet that's 800,000 times stronger than the earth's magnetic field
35:36
we're assured by both the Chinese and American scientists that these developments are going to help with our understanding of chemistry and physics and materials
35:46
but human nature being what human nature is whatever good discoveries we end up having it tends to be used for things that are less than helpful
35:56
but what we find in these words of verse 32 here is actually something that's got an even stronger pulling power than this magnet that the Chinese have been able to develop
36:14
that's 800,000 times stronger than the earth's magnetic field
36:19
because what we find here in verse 32 is that we've got a drawing power that can draw from thousands of miles away
36:31
that can draw from thousands of years ago
36:36
right back to a particular location where a particular event took place
36:45
whereby outside of Jerusalem the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory
36:50
the one present at the very beginning of time calling into existence all that we see
36:55
the giver of life is about to die
36:59
the light of the world is about to be extinguished
37:02
Jesus says that when he is when he is lifted up from the earth
37:08
that he is going to draw all people to himself
37:12
and that's what we see
37:14
we see people of all ages drawn to Jesus
37:18
we see people from all cultures drawn to Jesus
37:22
we see people from all generations drawn to Jesus
37:26
drawn so that they look to the events of this cross at Calvary
37:34
and not just merely with a casual glance at something that's happened and then they move on
37:40
but drawn in such a way that when they look and see what Jesus has done
37:48
then their lives are transformed
37:52
and so the pulling, drawing, captivating appeal of Jesus Christ
38:00
when he is declared in all of his glory
38:04
it will draw to himself all those whom the Father will call
38:10
and tonight we're going to be thinking about this drawing magnetic power
38:16
of Jesus
38:18
that transforms men, women, boys and girls
38:22
that has the power to transform you this evening
38:26
if you entered this building without a living relationship with Jesus
38:30
as we encounter the power of the gospel
38:32
it is that power that can change your life
38:36
that can change anyone of our lives
38:38
and so this evening we're going to be thinking about this drawing power of Jesus
38:42
let's put this into its context
38:46
however we need to always make sure we do so
38:48
and what we saw on Friday evening
38:52
when we looked at the first part of this section of John chapter 12
38:56
we saw that there was a great request
39:00
those folks had come from far away
39:03
and they had come with a particular desire
39:06
we want to see Jesus
39:08
and when Jesus was given this message
39:11
he took their arrival as the sign that the hour that had always been in the future
39:19
throughout John's gospel as a drum beat
39:21
every so often the hour has not yet come
39:23
the hour has not yet come
39:24
the hour has not yet come
39:25
with these Greek visitors
39:27
with their request to see Jesus
39:29
he now says that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified
39:34
glorified
39:35
the hour has come now for the plan of salvation
39:38
developed in eternity
39:40
enacted in time to move on to its next phase
39:44
and this next phase is going to mean that
39:46
the people from all the nations of the earth
39:48
are going to be
39:49
are going to be welcomed
39:51
and blessed as they look to Jesus
39:54
up until this point Jesus had only been going to the lost sheep of Israel
39:58
but now there's this wider perspective
40:01
because now the plan of salvation has moved on to a new phase
40:07
a critical phase for Jesus
40:09
and so the first thing I want us to point out from this passage this evening
40:13
is the internal impact of this next phase if you like
40:18
of the plan of salvation
40:20
and the impact that that has on Jesus
40:22
and we have that for us described in verse 27 to verse 29
40:28
where it says
40:29
now is my soul troubled
40:31
and what shall I say
40:32
Father save me from this hour
40:34
but for this purpose I've come to this hour
40:37
Father glorify your name
40:40
then a voice came from heaven
40:41
I have glorified it
40:43
and I will glorify it again
40:45
the crowd that stood there and heard it said
40:49
that it had thundered
40:51
others said
40:52
an angel has spoken to him
40:55
the eternal impact of this hour coming upon Jesus
41:02
there was a sequel last year I think it was
41:06
Gladiators 2 movie
41:08
some of you may have seen the original Gladiators film
41:11
in that film the main character played by an actor called Russell Crowe
41:15
in his, in the death scene of the main character
41:19
what stood out in that movie was that over about five minutes
41:23
you saw this main character dying
41:27
and it would go, revert images from him to images of what he's thinking about
41:33
and he's walking through fields and there's all this beautiful sunset
41:36
and it's all so calm and it's so peaceful
41:39
and bit by bit this carries on until eventually death comes
41:44
and you know the movies like to portray what death is going to be like
41:47
and not necessarily particularly accurately
41:51
but that's them
41:52
so there you have the main character
41:54
in that great, that action adventure as it were
41:57
and his death was so calm and so peaceful
42:00
and so pleasant and filled with wonderful images
42:03
and you think what a contrast to the Lord of Glory
42:06
because as the main character of all scripture
42:10
we have recorded for us in all four Gospels
42:14
that when Jesus was approaching his death
42:18
it wasn't nice, calm, relaxing images
42:22
there wasn't warm, soothing music in the background
42:27
to create just the right atmosphere
42:29
there was in the sense of our Saviour
42:32
the horror of what was about to unfold
42:35
that for our Saviour, when he says here
42:38
now is my soul troubled
42:40
he's not exaggerating
42:42
he is communicating the agitation
42:45
that he now experiences
42:47
conscious that the hour has now come
42:50
this is the same terminology that's used in different occasions
42:54
it's used as Jesus saw the impact of death
42:57
and what it's done in the household of Lazarus
43:01
he's going to use similar words
43:04
agitation, trauma as he thinks of the betrayal
43:07
in chapter 13
43:08
the words are going to be used there as well
43:10
but for Jesus, he is now deeply troubled
43:14
words that are associated in the original with trauma
43:18
why is he so troubled?
43:21
because with the hour coming
43:24
the time where he is going to become a curse for sin
43:30
and be before the holy justice of a sin hating God
43:37
well that, instead of being an event well in the future
43:42
is now an event that's right up close
43:47
and the prospect of standing before a sin hating God
43:52
carrying this sin of the world on him
43:55
is something that shook him right to his very core
44:00
this is a different perspective to what we see of Jesus, isn't it?
44:06
because we think of Jesus and the impact of his teaching
44:11
and we think of the impact of his ministry
44:13
people being made whole again
44:14
we think of the control that he's had
44:16
and yet now as he comes to a point
44:20
where this hour is arriving
44:23
for him the full weight of what's about to be unleashed upon him
44:31
is coming into focus
44:32
and it's not something he's shrugging off
44:35
it's something that's leaving him really, really troubled
44:39
because he knows he's going to be in a position
44:42
where he's never been in before
44:45
because not simply the one who had no sin
44:48
is now going to become sin as we thought about
44:51
but the one who has lived that life of intimate connection with his father
44:56
even through his ministry
44:58
reflecting the father's words and will
45:00
and telling people the father's always with him
45:02
he's going to experience
45:04
as he stands before this sin hating God
45:07
bearing your sin and bearing my sin
45:09
he's going to experience a break in that connection
45:12
a break in that communion
45:14
he's going to sense as if that's no longer there
45:17
he's going to cry out
45:18
and he's going to say
45:19
well my God why have you forsaken me?
45:22
he's not even going to have that sense
45:24
as we thought of earlier on today
45:25
of that fatherly presence
45:27
that accompanied him all the way through
45:29
so for Jesus here
45:31
he's conscious of the time
45:33
that he is going to be in a situation
45:35
that he's never been in before
45:37
and the reason he's going to be in that position
45:41
is because of the brokenness of your life
45:44
and the brokenness of my life
45:46
brokenness caused by sin
45:48
caused by our own sin
45:50
caused by other people's sin
45:52
but nonetheless the brokenness
45:54
the sinfulness of our life
45:56
he's going to be in that place
45:58
to deal with our sin once and for all
46:01
he's going to be in that place
46:02
so that he can deal with the worst of our secrets
46:08
the things that we hope people never find out about
46:12
he's going to be in that place
46:15
bearing our sin
46:17
conscious of the attitudes that we have shown
46:22
and the selfishness that's been there
46:24
and the way in which we perhaps have used others
46:27
and the way in which we perhaps have manipulated
46:31
or the way in which we've cruelly dealt with other people
46:34
and the way in which we've had excesses in different ways
46:38
and all of these things that have evidenced
46:43
how we were no longer
46:45
or how we were not living in a right relationship with God
46:48
all of that was going to be condensed
46:52
all of it was going to be concentrated
46:54
and all of it was going to be taken by our Saviour
46:57
and so the very prospect of this unfolding
47:01
was leaving him troubled
47:04
little wonder it left him troubled
47:07
and so his trouble as this hour is approaching
47:12
is a trouble that only he as this infinite being
47:16
who could offer this and pay this infinite price
47:21
was a trouble that only he could take
47:26
and he could deal with for us
47:29
and so he makes it clear that his soul is troubled
47:32
and into that context he speaks and says
47:37
well should I ask the Father to somehow save me from this hour
47:41
and of course there is the recognition that he knew
47:46
that it was for this hour
47:47
he's coming from verse 27
47:49
and then he has this prayer
47:51
Father glorify your name
47:53
and just as Jesus had at the very start of his ministry
47:57
this voice from heaven
48:00
to encourage and to
48:02
and to give to him what he needed at that moment
48:05
as he rose from the river Jordan
48:07
having been baptized
48:09
the Holy Spirit descending upon him
48:11
and this voice thundering from heaven
48:12
this is my beloved son
48:14
in whom I am well pleased
48:16
and just as Jesus in
48:18
in John 17
48:19
as he as he set his face towards Jerusalem
48:23
and all that was about to unfold
48:25
it was now coming closer
48:26
and still there is this word from heaven
48:29
and now here
48:31
as the hour has now struck
48:33
we have this third word from heaven
48:36
when the voice from heaven says
48:38
I have glorified your name
48:40
and I will glorify it again
48:43
and so what we're learning here
48:46
is that the Father is being glorified
48:49
through the ministry of the Son
48:50
and so we learned that at the birth of Jesus didn't we?
48:56
the very arrival of the Creator God into his creation
49:00
to be limited in a time and in a space
49:03
for the first time in his existence
49:04
to be helpless, to be dependent
49:07
well what was the anthem that the angels would sing?
49:11
well glory to God in the highest
49:13
so there was glory given to the Father
49:16
through the very arrival of Jesus into this broken world
49:21
and there was glory given to the Father
49:23
through the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ
49:26
as he taught, as he healed, as he showed back
49:29
as he showed by example how to live
49:31
as he protected, as he rescued
49:34
as he stood up for those who were being mistreated
49:37
all of that was bringing glory to the Heavenly Father
49:42
and yet there is a sense in which
49:44
the ultimate glory to the Father
49:46
is going to be the glory that's going to be
49:48
expressed at the cross at Calvary
49:52
because there at the cross at Calvary
49:54
the Father is going to be glorified
49:56
because there at the cross at Calvary
49:58
we're going to see something about
50:00
of the absolute holiness of God
50:05
we're going to see something of the absolute justice of God
50:09
we're going to see something of the absolute faithfulness of God
50:13
we're going to see something of the depth of the very love of God
50:17
all of these are on display at Calvary's cross
50:22
the holy God who cannot just ignore sin
50:26
the just God who has to ensure that justice is done
50:32
the God who is faithful, the God who has promised
50:34
that someday there would be somebody who would come
50:37
who would undo the damage done and brought into this world by Satan
50:41
and undo the damage caused by sin once and for all
50:45
and on display would be the very love of God
50:48
that how God can simultaneously be the one who punishes
50:51
and the one who saves at the same time
50:53
and so the cross is going to be this great glorification of God the Father
51:00
and here we have the Son being very conscious of that
51:04
and so on the cross what is unfolding?
51:09
well the eternal Son is bringing glory to the Father
51:15
and the Father is being glorified through this work
51:20
we tend to think of glory
51:23
when people are given a platform or put on some podium
51:26
or given some spotlight or whatever
51:30
and somehow they are exalted in one way or another
51:34
whereas here the glory is going to be given
51:39
as Jesus is lifted up
51:42
but lifted up in an entirely different way
51:45
as he's lifted up to die the death that we deserve
51:49
and so this hour has come
51:51
the internal impact of this hour upon Jesus
51:55
is that he's troubled by it
51:57
the external impact of this hour
51:59
is what Jesus goes on to speak about next
52:01
from verse 30 to verse 36
52:04
because Jesus speaks that a number of things
52:08
are now going to happen
52:10
because this hour has come
52:12
and a number of things are going to be learned
52:16
that now that this hour has come
52:19
first of all that judgment is coming
52:22
and Jesus sees
52:24
now is the judgment of this world
52:26
verse 31
52:28
now is the judgment of this world
52:30
because what's going to unfold at Calvary
52:33
is going to make people aware
52:35
that actually the biggest problems in humanity
52:39
they're not external
52:42
and they're not time bound
52:45
but they're actually eternal issues
52:47
that the big problems of humanity
52:50
are not going to be solved by economics
52:52
they're not going to be solved by education
52:54
it's not going to be solved by environmental improvements
52:55
all of which have their place in a particular realm
52:59
but not in this realm
53:01
because the biggest problems that humanity has
53:04
that society has
53:06
that if we take it personally
53:07
the biggest problems that we have by nature
53:09
it's not the problems that are out there
53:10
it's the problems that are in here
53:12
and this is telling us that
53:15
on the cross itself
53:17
judgment for this world is going to be there
53:20
because what's going to happen on this cross
53:22
well the only person who ever walked on this earth
53:24
the only person who perfectly loved God
53:27
with all of his heart, soul, strength and mind
53:30
the only person who perfectly loved his neighbour as himself
53:34
the only one who lived a truly perfect life
53:36
what did we do to him?
53:38
well we killed him didn't we?
53:40
what did we do to the Saviour of the world?
53:43
well we put him to death
53:45
we hung him on a cross
53:46
we nailed him to a cross
53:47
and we left him there to die
53:48
and Jesus is saying that there is no judgment
53:52
judgment is coming
53:54
and judgment is
53:56
it culminates on that work on the cross
54:00
the second thing that Jesus sees
54:01
by way of an external impact of this hour
54:05
now verse 31
54:07
will the ruler of this world be cast out?
54:09
that what's going to happen on this cross at Calvary
54:11
as the Father is glorified
54:14
is that this work will simultaneously be fatal to Satan
54:20
will be fatal to Satan
54:24
that Satan as he thinks
54:28
he finally has the eternal Son of God
54:33
what he wants him to be
54:35
upon a cross
54:36
with the weapon that he thinks
54:41
is the most suitable weapon
54:43
in his arsenal
54:45
to destroy Jesus Christ once and for all
54:48
is going to find out
54:50
that what he thinks is his greatest moment of triumph
54:54
is actually the moment of his ultimate defeat
54:58
because Jesus has told us
55:01
didn't he in John's Gospel a couple of chapters back
55:03
he said no one is going to take my life from me
55:04
I will lay it down
55:07
and I will take it back up again
55:09
so Satan thinking
55:11
this weapon of death
55:13
that is going to somehow extinguish
55:15
the light of the world
55:18
he thinks that this is his moment
55:21
that this is where he is ruling
55:23
and he doesn't seem to appreciate
55:25
that the work that's about to unfold
55:28
will mean that the ruler of this world
55:31
his power broken
55:32
never to be restored again
55:38
and so the defeat of Satan
55:40
is going to be
55:42
so clearly in view in that sense
55:45
Satan is so foolish
55:48
as he sees Jesus
55:50
as he sees him breathe his last
55:52
he's so foolish
55:53
he thinks he's now got his empire established
55:55
and yet his empire is as strong as a sandcastle
55:58
with the tide coming in
55:59
because you know what it's like
56:00
and the tide's coming in
56:02
and slowly but surely
56:03
you know that sandcastle is going to fall over
56:05
and as he sees
56:07
as he sees the Lord of Glory breathe his last
56:10
no doubt he rejoices
56:12
only to realise
56:15
three days later
56:16
that the very Lord of Glory is back
56:18
death defeated
56:20
so the external impact
56:23
of the our coming
56:24
is that there is judgement
56:28
that Satan's power
56:31
once and for all
56:32
that there is a new king in town
56:34
that there is a new king
56:35
who has dealt with the old king
56:39
Revelation tells us
56:40
in chapter 11
56:41
verse 15
56:42
the kingdom of the world
56:43
has become the kingdom
56:44
of our Lord
56:46
and of his Christ
56:48
and he shall reign
56:52
the third
56:54
external impact
56:55
is that Jesus
56:57
will draw all people
56:59
and so now we get back
57:01
to where we started
57:02
this is where Jesus
57:03
will draw all people
57:05
to himself
57:07
this is what he said here
57:08
verse 32
57:09
when I am lifted up
57:11
I will draw all people
57:13
and so we are thinking now
57:15
of outstretched arms
57:18
entreating
57:21
may see
57:25
of this Jesus
57:26
of his identity
57:28
and of his willingness
57:29
to be found
57:30
in such a position
57:31
upon a cross
57:33
to secure our freedom
57:34
that all who will
57:35
who will hear
57:36
and all who will see
57:37
will be welcomed
57:38
that they will be
57:40
that they will be
57:41
that they will be
57:42
that they will be
57:43
that they will be
57:44
something about Jesus
57:45
that will draw them
57:46
to him
57:47
it's not that they are
57:49
that they are driven
57:50
to Jesus
57:51
it's that they will be
57:52
drawn to Jesus
57:53
because as we
57:54
as we think of
57:55
what we are like
57:56
and the gap
57:57
that exists in our lives
57:58
between the people
57:59
that we want to be
58:00
that we really are
58:01
we realize that we are
58:02
not the way we should be
58:03
and that deep down
58:05
that's going to come back
58:06
to haunt us
58:07
and it's going to haunt us
58:09
when we actually stand
58:10
before our maker
58:11
and give an account
58:12
for how we have lived
58:13
and loved in this world
58:14
and so we actually need
58:16
to have somebody
58:17
who's going to stand
58:18
with us
58:19
when we are in that court setting
58:22
and there is nobody better
58:23
to stand with us
58:24
in fact there's nobody
58:26
qualified to stand with us
58:28
other than
58:29
the very Lord of glory himself
58:31
because anybody else
58:32
that we may think of
58:33
our closest friends
58:34
our most loved family
58:36
well they too
58:37
have got this gap
58:38
and they too
58:38
are going to have to stand
58:39
before almighty God
58:40
and answer for themselves
58:42
they can't advocate
58:43
on our behalf
58:43
but there is somebody
58:45
who can
58:45
there's somebody
58:47
who can
58:47
somebody who was
58:48
willing to put himself
58:50
into that place
58:51
of horror
58:52
somebody who was willing
58:54
to put himself
58:55
into that place
58:56
where beforehand
58:57
the very prospect
58:58
almost broke him
58:59
whether we think here
59:00
of his trouble
59:01
or whether we think
59:02
specifically of Gethsemane
59:03
as the sweat pores
59:06
are now tinged with blood
59:08
such was the weight
59:10
the pressure
59:11
upon him
59:12
and he's willing
59:13
to do that
59:14
he's willing to go
59:16
into that place
59:18
for us
59:20
and he's willing
59:22
to go there
59:23
and he says
59:23
listen I have paid
59:25
the penalty for you
59:27
so come to me
59:29
follow me
59:31
know my rest
59:33
and know the fulfillment
59:36
that I can give to you
59:37
and know the love
59:39
that I have for you
59:40
the love I've shown you
59:41
learn of that love
59:43
and keep learning
59:44
of that love
59:45
and whoever will hear
59:46
of that love
59:47
will be drawn
59:49
will be captivated
59:51
because the pulling power
59:54
of the crucified
59:56
yet risen saviour
59:57
is a power
59:59
that can transform
1:00:00
from whatever
1:00:01
starting position
1:00:02
from a starting position
1:00:04
of hardened atheism
1:00:05
from a starting position
1:00:07
of agnosticism
1:00:09
or humanism
1:00:10
or whatever else
1:00:11
it might want to be
1:00:11
it doesn't matter
1:00:12
how firm a starting position
1:00:14
somebody can be
1:00:15
when the pulling power
1:00:16
of the gospel
1:00:17
through the Holy Spirit
1:00:19
starts drawing people
1:00:20
it doesn't matter
1:00:21
how fixed
1:00:22
their position was
1:00:22
become more and more
1:00:24
obsessed
1:00:25
with who is this Jesus
1:00:26
he lived a life
1:00:28
I couldn't live
1:00:29
he cared for people
1:00:31
that other people
1:00:31
were just quite happy
1:00:33
to ignore
1:00:33
he wouldn't walk on by
1:00:36
he would see things
1:00:37
that other people
1:00:38
didn't see
1:00:38
and this Bible
1:00:41
tells us
1:00:41
that he's not changed
1:00:42
and so that he sees me
1:00:43
other people may not see me
1:00:45
other people may not know
1:00:46
what's going on in my life
1:00:47
but this Jesus does
1:00:48
he knows
1:00:49
and he really does care
1:00:51
and he's inviting me
1:00:53
he's inviting me
1:00:54
and saying
1:00:54
whoever you are
1:00:55
I'll never turn you away
1:00:57
you see the drawing power
1:00:59
of Jesus Christ
1:01:00
there is nothing
1:01:02
nothing
1:01:03
that can rival it
1:01:05
and so that's why
1:01:07
the message of the cross
1:01:09
is the message
1:01:10
that we need to keep
1:01:11
communicating
1:01:12
because it's
1:01:14
it's the message
1:01:15
where hope is to be found
1:01:16
isn't it
1:01:17
that all of the mess
1:01:19
that we've made
1:01:20
can be undone
1:01:21
that all of the guilt
1:01:22
that we carry
1:01:24
can be lifted away
1:01:25
and that all of the
1:01:27
all of the wandering
1:01:28
and rejection
1:01:30
that we've had of God
1:01:31
can be transformed
1:01:32
and we can be accepted
1:01:33
and it's all focused
1:01:35
on the cross at Calvary
1:01:36
the cross that is
1:01:38
the message
1:01:39
that we share
1:01:41
is the message
1:01:42
that we give
1:01:42
it's the message
1:01:43
that we don't graduate from
1:01:44
it's a message
1:01:45
we need to keep
1:01:46
coming back to
1:01:47
it is the message
1:01:48
that is the hope
1:01:49
of sinners
1:01:50
it is the message
1:01:51
that is the joy
1:01:51
of saints
1:01:52
it's the message
1:01:53
that is the study
1:01:54
of angels
1:01:54
it is the message
1:01:56
of Christ
1:01:57
and his willingness
1:01:59
to receive all
1:02:01
who will come
1:02:01
to him
1:02:02
who will look
1:02:04
to what he has done
1:02:05
for them
1:02:06
and who will welcome
1:02:08
all who will look
1:02:09
to him
1:02:10
to know his salvation
1:02:12
to know his power
1:02:13
because when he is
1:02:15
lifted up
1:02:15
he will draw
1:02:17
all people
1:02:17
to himself
1:02:18
remember the context
1:02:21
the Greek people
1:02:22
came and want to
1:02:22
see Jesus
1:02:23
and what they're
1:02:24
learning is that
1:02:25
what they're going
1:02:25
to see of Jesus
1:02:26
is not what they
1:02:26
necessarily expect
1:02:27
to see of Jesus
1:02:28
because what
1:02:30
they need to see
1:02:32
of Jesus
1:02:32
is a Jesus
1:02:34
who is crucified
1:02:35
and yet who is
1:02:36
risen
1:02:37
and who is exalted
1:02:38
and so therefore
1:02:39
with these truths
1:02:40
in mind
1:02:41
what applications
1:02:41
do we have
1:02:42
for ourselves
1:02:43
this evening
1:02:44
two or three
1:02:45
and then we're done
1:02:47
first of all
1:02:49
for any of you
1:02:50
who tonight
1:02:50
are troubled
1:02:52
deeply troubled
1:02:55
maybe for different
1:02:57
reasons
1:02:57
but troubled
1:02:59
nonetheless
1:03:00
let me remind you
1:03:02
of a saviour
1:03:03
who can empathise
1:03:05
with you being
1:03:06
troubled
1:03:07
maybe some of you
1:03:09
are carrying
1:03:09
traumas
1:03:10
that are very deep
1:03:11
and very sore
1:03:12
let me remind you
1:03:14
of a saviour
1:03:14
who can empathise
1:03:16
with your traumas
1:03:17
and who can come
1:03:19
to a people
1:03:20
who are troubled
1:03:20
and who are traumatised
1:03:21
and who can say
1:03:23
to them
1:03:23
as he said
1:03:24
to his disciples
1:03:24
in a couple of chapters
1:03:25
he said
1:03:26
don't let your hearts
1:03:27
be troubled
1:03:28
why?
1:03:30
because of who he is
1:03:31
because he is God
1:03:33
and he is the one
1:03:35
who understands
1:03:36
and he is the one
1:03:38
who can help us
1:03:39
and he is the one
1:03:40
who can deliver us
1:03:42
from our troubles
1:03:43
whatever they may be
1:03:45
he is the one
1:03:46
who can deliver us
1:03:47
from our troubles
1:03:48
as we look to him
1:03:50
and for his people
1:03:51
who find themselves
1:03:53
in troubled days
1:03:54
he is the one
1:03:55
who is going to enable us
1:03:57
in these troubles
1:03:58
to follow his pattern
1:03:59
his pattern
1:04:01
of bringing glory
1:04:02
to God
1:04:02
in these troubles
1:04:04
in the difficulties
1:04:06
perhaps with health
1:04:07
in the difficulties
1:04:08
perhaps with relationships
1:04:10
in the difficulties
1:04:11
perhaps at work
1:04:12
in the difficulties
1:04:12
perhaps in community
1:04:14
in congregation
1:04:15
whatever it might be
1:04:16
he is the one
1:04:17
who is going to enable us
1:04:18
to bring glory
1:04:18
to our God
1:04:19
through the troubles
1:04:20
that we face
1:04:21
you know one of the
1:04:23
greatest ways
1:04:25
that people see
1:04:26
the reality of faith
1:04:27
is when they know
1:04:29
somebody has a faith
1:04:31
and they see them
1:04:33
going through
1:04:33
really difficult times
1:04:35
and they see them
1:04:36
holding on to that faith
1:04:38
that gives a credibility
1:04:40
to the gospel
1:04:41
in a way that
1:04:42
few other things do
1:04:44
and so
1:04:45
you may be troubled
1:04:46
this evening
1:04:47
there is one
1:04:48
who understands
1:04:49
and there is one
1:04:50
who cares
1:04:51
and there is one
1:04:51
who helps
1:04:52
and there is one
1:04:53
who can enable you
1:04:54
to follow his example
1:04:56
of bringing glory
1:04:57
to God
1:04:57
through these troubles
1:04:58
as you rest
1:05:00
in him
1:05:01
that only
1:05:03
can happen
1:05:03
however
1:05:04
as our eyes
1:05:05
are fixed
1:05:06
on Jesus
1:05:08
that can only happen
1:05:10
as he has that place
1:05:11
in our perspective
1:05:12
that he really
1:05:13
ought to have
1:05:15
that can only happen
1:05:16
as we look
1:05:18
to the exalted Jesus
1:05:20
and so we do so
1:05:22
ourselves
1:05:22
to remind ourselves
1:05:23
if we want to know
1:05:24
what God is like
1:05:24
we look to Jesus
1:05:25
if we want to know
1:05:28
what it is
1:05:28
to be human
1:05:30
we look to Jesus
1:05:31
if we want to know
1:05:34
what genuine love is
1:05:36
we look to Jesus
1:05:38
and we keep
1:05:40
looking to Jesus
1:05:42
because looking
1:05:43
to the crucified
1:05:44
yet risen
1:05:46
ascended
1:05:47
saviour
1:05:47
who is returning
1:05:48
that is what's
1:05:50
going to enable us
1:05:51
to live the life
1:05:53
that we ought to
1:05:54
to live as his people
1:05:55
but for some of us
1:05:56
I know
1:05:57
it's time to actually
1:05:58
start looking
1:05:58
at this Jesus
1:05:59
isn't it
1:06:00
it's time to
1:06:01
to stop looking
1:06:02
elsewhere
1:06:02
and to start
1:06:03
looking to him
1:06:04
it's time to
1:06:05
stop delaying
1:06:07
any longer
1:06:07
because as Jesus
1:06:09
goes on in this passage
1:06:10
the people
1:06:11
as is frequently
1:06:12
the case
1:06:12
in John's gospel
1:06:13
as he studied
1:06:14
the people
1:06:14
as they hear
1:06:15
what Jesus says
1:06:16
don't quite understand it
1:06:17
and Jesus
1:06:18
brings it round
1:06:19
to the point of fact
1:06:20
that actually
1:06:20
there's a sense
1:06:21
of urgency
1:06:22
to listen to
1:06:23
what he has to say
1:06:23
there's a sense
1:06:25
of urgency
1:06:25
because they have light
1:06:26
but they're only
1:06:27
going to have it
1:06:27
a little bit longer
1:06:28
and then after that
1:06:29
it's going to be darkness
1:06:30
and then that's going
1:06:31
to be major difficulty
1:06:33
and so what Jesus
1:06:33
is saying to them
1:06:34
is that there's an
1:06:35
there's an urgency
1:06:36
to listen to what he says
1:06:37
and what he's saying
1:06:38
to you
1:06:38
is that there's an urgency
1:06:40
to listen
1:06:41
to his invitation
1:06:43
to live
1:06:44
because today
1:06:46
you have that invitation
1:06:48
you're here
1:06:48
however you're here
1:06:50
whether you're
1:06:50
this is your normal
1:06:51
whether you've been invited
1:06:52
whether you've never been here
1:06:53
in your life before
1:06:54
you're here
1:06:54
and he's brought you here
1:06:56
you have this light
1:06:57
but this light
1:06:59
is not guaranteed
1:06:59
to last any longer
1:07:01
because this is a light
1:07:03
that needs to be
1:07:03
responded to now
1:07:04
as you look to Jesus
1:07:06
and as you think
1:07:08
why was he on that cross
1:07:09
well he went to that cross
1:07:11
for me
1:07:12
well how can I possibly
1:07:14
how can I possibly
1:07:15
live ignoring the fact
1:07:16
he went to that cross
1:07:18
for me
1:07:19
but would he want
1:07:20
someone like me
1:07:21
would he want
1:07:22
someone like me
1:07:23
with all of my messed up thinking
1:07:24
and all of my past
1:07:25
with all of my present
1:07:26
would he want
1:07:26
someone like me
1:07:27
and again we go back
1:07:28
to the words of
1:07:29
John chapter 6
1:07:31
that whoever comes to me
1:07:34
he says
1:07:34
I will never
1:07:35
turn you away
1:07:36
you see we started off
1:07:39
talking about magnets
1:07:40
and the strongest magnet
1:07:42
in the world
1:07:42
and how Jesus
1:07:43
has greater
1:07:44
drawing power
1:07:45
but the thing about
1:07:46
Jesus is
1:07:47
like
1:07:49
every
1:07:49
magnet
1:07:50
there are those
1:07:52
who are drawn
1:07:52
and there are those
1:07:53
who are repelled
1:07:54
and the sad reality
1:07:56
is that
1:07:57
some of you
1:07:57
in here tonight
1:07:58
might be being
1:07:59
repelled
1:08:00
by Jesus
1:08:01
let me warn you
1:08:03
as lovingly
1:08:05
and as solemnly
1:08:06
as I can
1:08:07
that that is
1:08:08
the most dangerous
1:08:09
place
1:08:10
you can possibly
1:08:11
be in
1:08:12
because this is
1:08:14
the saviour
1:08:15
the only one
1:08:16
you need him
1:08:18
and he's come
1:08:19
for you
1:08:20
and he's offering
1:08:21
you tonight
1:08:21
life
1:08:22
life lived
1:08:24
to the full
1:08:25
here and now
1:08:25
and life
1:08:26
forevermore
1:08:27
with him
1:08:28
as you bow
1:08:29
the knee
1:08:30
before
1:08:30
King Jesus
1:08:31
why
1:08:32
because Jesus
1:08:34
said
1:08:34
that when I am
1:08:36
lifted from the earth
1:08:37
I will draw
1:08:38
all people
1:08:40
to myself
1:08:41
the invitation
1:08:42
is open
1:08:43
right now
1:08:45
to come to him
1:08:46
let's pray
1:08:48
Father we thank you
1:08:53
for
1:08:54
all that our saviour
1:08:56
was willing to do
1:08:57
for all that our saviour
1:08:59
is currently doing
1:09:01
and for all that our saviour
1:09:03
will yet do
1:09:04
for us
1:09:05
we pray that tonight
1:09:07
you would draw
1:09:08
to yourself
1:09:09
those who
1:09:09
do not have
1:09:11
a living trust
1:09:12
in Jesus
1:09:13
we pray that such
1:09:14
a connection
1:09:15
would be established
1:09:16
and we pray this
1:09:17
for your glory
1:09:18
we pray that you
1:09:20
would be glorified
1:09:20
in the saving of sinners
1:09:22
we pray that there
1:09:23
would be rejoicing
1:09:24
among the angels
1:09:25
in heaven
1:09:26
even this evening
1:09:27
with sinners
1:09:29
repenting
1:09:29
and believing
1:09:30
and turning
1:09:31
and trusting
1:09:32
in the Lord Jesus Christ
1:09:34
bless us we pray
1:09:35
for we ask this all
1:09:36
in his name
1:09:37
Amen
1:09:38
we're going to
1:09:42
conclude
1:09:42
by singing
1:09:43
in Psalm
1:09:44
number 24
1:09:45
Psalm 24
1:09:48
on page
1:09:50
number 28
1:09:51
Psalm 24
1:09:52
on page 28
1:09:53
we're going to sing
1:09:56
from verse 7
1:09:57
down to
1:09:58
the end
1:09:59
of this
1:10:00
psalm
1:10:00
we are singing
1:10:02
of the king
1:10:02
of glory
1:10:03
we're singing
1:10:04
of our saviour
1:10:05
you ancient gates
1:10:07
lift up your heads
1:10:08
you doors
1:10:08
be opened wide
1:10:09
so may the king
1:10:10
of glory come
1:10:11
forever
1:10:11
to abide
1:10:13
and down to
1:10:14
verse 10
1:10:14
but who is this
1:10:15
exalted king
1:10:16
who can this
1:10:17
sovereign be
1:10:18
the Lord almighty
1:10:19
he is king
1:10:20
of glory
1:10:21
none but he
1:10:22
we're going to stand
1:10:23
as we praise God
1:10:24
you ancient gates
1:10:33
lift up your heads
1:10:38
your doors be open wide
1:10:43
so may the king
1:10:46
of glory come
1:10:49
forever
1:10:50
forever
1:10:51
to the
1:10:53
mine
1:10:54
but who
1:10:56
is this
1:10:59
exalted
1:11:00
king
1:11:01
what
1:11:03
glorious
1:11:04
king
1:11:05
is he
1:11:07
it is
1:11:09
the Lord
1:11:10
of strength
1:11:11
and might
1:11:13
the Lord
1:11:15
of victory
1:11:16
it is
1:11:20
the Lord
1:11:21
of strength
1:11:23
and might
1:11:24
the Lord
1:11:26
of victory
1:11:28
you
1:11:31
ancient gates
1:11:34
lift up
1:11:36
your heads
1:11:39
your doors be open wide
1:11:44
so may the king
1:11:47
of glory
1:11:49
come
1:11:50
forever
1:11:51
to the
1:11:53
light
1:11:55
but who
1:11:57
is this
1:12:00
exalted
1:12:01
king
1:12:03
who
1:12:04
can this
1:12:05
sovereign
1:12:06
be
1:12:08
the Lord
1:12:10
almighty
1:12:11
he is king
1:12:14
!
1:12:14
of glory
1:12:16
and might
1:12:18
be
1:12:19
the Lord
1:12:21
almighty
1:12:23
he is king
1:12:26
of glory
1:12:28
and might
1:12:30
be
1:12:30
alleluia
1:12:36
alleluia
1:12:40
alleluia
1:12:44
alleluia
1:12:48
alleluia
1:12:53
amen
1:12:57
amen
1:13:01
amen
1:13:02
amen
1:13:05
until the
1:13:10
Lord returns
1:13:11
calls us
1:13:12
home
1:13:12
now to him
1:13:14
is able to
1:13:14
keep you
1:13:14
from falling
1:13:15
and to
1:13:16
present you
1:13:16
blameless
1:13:17
before the
1:13:17
presence of
1:13:18
his glory
1:13:18
with great
1:13:19
joy
1:13:19
to the
1:13:20
only God
1:13:21
our saviour
1:13:21
through Jesus Christ our Lord
1:13:23
be glory, majesty, dominion and authority
1:13:26
before all time, now and forevermore.
1:13:30
And the people of God said, Amen.
1:13:51
Amen.