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

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We join together in the worship of God by singing to his praise in Psalm 25 of the Scottish Psalter version.
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Psalm 25, find that in the blue book on page 231.
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We'll sing there from verse mark 4 down to verse mark 10.
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A psalm that speaks of the individual, the psalmist himself, and we can also likewise echo what he says in our call for help as we gather to worship his name.
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Show me thy ways, O Lord, thy paths, O teach thou me, and do thou lead me in thy truth, that in it my teacher be.
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For thou art God that dost, to me salvation send, and I upon thee all the day expecting to attend.
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We'll sing Psalm 25 from verse mark 4 down to the end of verse mark 10 there, when we'll stand to sing.
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Show me thy ways, O Lord.
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Amen.
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Show me thy ways, O Lord.
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Thy paths, O teach thou me,
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And do thou lead me in thy truth, that in my teacher be.
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For thou art God that dost, to me salvation send, and I upon thee all the day expecting you.
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Thy tender mercy, O Lord.
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Thy tender mercy, O Lord.
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Thy tender mercy, O Lord.
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I pray thee to remember,
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And thy loving kindness is for thee, I'll be noble forever.
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My sins and faults of truth,
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My sins and faults of truth,
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Do thou, O Lord, forget,
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After thy mercy, O Lord.
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After thy mercy, think on me, And for thy goodness claim.
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God good and how bright is The way he'll sin and show,
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God good and how bright is The way he'll sin and show,
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The way he'll sin and show,
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The way he'll sin and show, The way he'll sin and show,
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The whole mass of the Lord are truth and mercy sure
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To those that do his covenant keep and testimonies due
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May we join together in prayer. Let us pray.
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Our Father in heaven, it is to you this day that we come
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And it is to you that we give thanks. You are one that does not leave us.
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You are one who is that loving fatherly figure whom we can call to
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And in the distress of our souls you hear our cry
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And when we don't know the path to walk upon you show us the way
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So as we come and draw near to you
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Individually and as a gathered people
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May we know the blessing of being here
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And may you pour down by the power of your spirit
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The riches known in Christ Jesus
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And how we can be forgiven of our sins
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And that we may walk following his example
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A sure path to walk upon
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And we pray for each that is gathered here
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From the youngest to the oldest
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We pray for the young that will go through next door
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We pray for those who will be leading them
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Bless them as they gather together likewise
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That they in their young lives may understand and grasp
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The wonder and glory and beauty
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Of the man Jesus that died on the cross for them
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And following him and his ways, his word and his paths
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Will lead them upon sure ground and level ways
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And though it may be difficult as we grow older
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And it is difficult to hold fast
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To the confession that we make in Christ Jesus
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You are there to uphold us and sustain us
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And so it is in that place we come
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Looking for your upholding grace and guidance
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As we gather together
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To offer our worship to you
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May it be acceptable and pleasing in your eyes
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And may you bless us as we gather in your name
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So be with us we pray
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Watch over us and guide us at hearts and minds
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In this short time that we meet together
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Asking the forgiveness and confession of our sins
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In Jesus Christ's name, Amen
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Just like to say a short word to the young ones
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That are here gathered with us
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Before you go through and those who will stay with us
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On Friday I was at a wedding at the castle
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And we were standing outside
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Myself and Fiona
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We were waiting for
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I think it was the bridesmaids to come out
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She was always waiting for the bridesmaids to get ready
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And I was driving them
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Just to make that clear
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And you were standing outside
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And Fiona looked up
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And she said
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I've never noticed that before
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Above the front door of the castle
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I wonder does anyone know
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What is written
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There's three words written
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Above the door
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The main door of the castle
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Does any young ones know what it is?
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I've seen any hands go up
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I didn't know
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But when you look above the main porch of the castle
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It is there written
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In the sandstone
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It is heart and hand
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That's what's written
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Heart and hand
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It turns out
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That's the motto of James Matheson
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The Adams
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Don't understand what it means entirely
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That's what he had
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Heart and hand
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And when you think about that
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Heart and hand
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We love things with our heart
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And we do things with our hands
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And the things that we love with our heart
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Are the things that we do
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We love playing football
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And that's what we do
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We use our feet
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Don't use our hands for football
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If you're playing games
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You might love playing different games
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And that's what you do
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You use your hands
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To play different games
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But you're standing there
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And you think
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Well
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I wonder
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Why that man
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Put that there
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He built that great castle
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And he put
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Heart and hand
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Above the front door
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I was thinking
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Well it's usually kings
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That live in castles
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It wasn't a king that lived in that castle
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But usually it is kings
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That live in castles
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And the greatest king that ever lived
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Had a heart and hand
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To do
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And his heart
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And great love
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That he had
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Was for his people
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And that great love
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And that great heart
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That he had for his people
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Meant that he came
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And he did
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Something great
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For all of the people
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That he had
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A love for
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And what Christ's
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Greatest love
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And the greatest display
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Of his heart
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Towards the people
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That he loved
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Was that he died
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On the cross
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Jesus
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Our king
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Has a heart
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Has a heart
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Of love
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And that he
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Brought himself
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To do
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The greatest
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Display
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Of love
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That any man
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Can do
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John 15
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Is a verse
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That says
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No greater love
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Has anyone
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That he would
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Die for them
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Or give his life
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For them
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Jesus
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Is a man
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That has
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That great
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Love
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For each of us
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Every single one of us
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And he is
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Our king
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And he
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Has a heart
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And hand
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To do
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Abundantly
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Good
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And loving
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Things
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For us
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So when you go to the castle
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Next time
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Above the porch
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Look right up
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It's right above
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On the wall
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High up
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It's his heart
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And hand
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And remember
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The heart
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That Jesus Christ
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Has for you
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And what he
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Did
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Because of that
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Great love
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That he has
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May that be
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Blessed to you
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Let us say
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The Lord's prayer
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Together
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Our Father
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Which art in heaven
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Hallowed
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Be thy name
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Thy kingdom
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Come
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Thy will be done
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On earth
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As it is in heaven
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Give us this day
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Our daily bread
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And forgive us
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Our debts
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As we forgive
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Our debtors
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And lead us not
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Into temptation
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But deliver us
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From evil
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For thine
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Is your kingdom
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The power
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And the glory
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Forever
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Amen
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Well thank you all
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For listening
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Now we'll continue
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In our praise
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Of God
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By singing
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In Psalm
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145
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Of the Scottish
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Psalter version
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Again
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Psalm 145
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The first version
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You'll find that
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On page 442
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Of the blue book
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Page 442
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At the very bottom
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Of that page
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Verse mark 8
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Psalm 145
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Verse mark 8
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The Lord is very gracious
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In whom
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Compassions flow
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In mercy
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He is very great
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And is to anger
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Slow
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The Lord
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Jehovah
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Unto all
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His goodness
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Doth declare
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And over all
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His other works
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His tender
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Mercies are
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We'll sing
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Down to verse
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Mark 14
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Thy kingdom
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Shall forever
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Stand
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Thy reign
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Through ages
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All
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God raises
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All that are
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Bowed down
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And upholdeth
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All that fall
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We'll sing
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These verses
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To God's praise
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From verse mark 8
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Down to verse mark 14
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We'll stand to sing
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The Lord
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Is very gracious
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In whom
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Compassions flow
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The Lord
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Is very gracious
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In him
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All Compassions flow
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In mercy
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Is very great
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And is to honor
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His love
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The Lord
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Behold
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The Lord
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Jehovah
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Unto all
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His goodness
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I'll declare
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And over all
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His other words
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His tender
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Mercies are
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The all
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Thy works
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Shall praise
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O Lord
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And in thy
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Saints
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Shall bless
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They shall
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Thy kingdom's
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Glory show
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Thy power
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Thy speech
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To make
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To make
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The sons
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Of men
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To know
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His acts
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All nightly
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And all
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His kingdom
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And all
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His kingdom
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Excellent
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And all
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His majesty
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Thy kingdom
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Shall
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Johns
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beaten
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John
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Try
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Wake
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language
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Hung
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wieder
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upon earth all, upon.
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We'll turn now to the Word of God,
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and if we could turn to the Gospel of Matthew.
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Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13.
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And we'll read there from verse Mark 25.
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The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13.
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I'm reading from verse 25 down to the end of that chapter.
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A passage that sets before us a number of parables
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that speak about the kingdom of God.
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May we hear God's Word.
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Verse 24.
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He put another parable before them, saying,
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The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man
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who sowed good seed in his field.
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But while his men were sleeping,
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the enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat
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and went away.
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So when the plants came up and bore grain,
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then the weeds appeared also.
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And the servants of the master of the house
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came and said to him,
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Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
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How then does it have weeds?
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He said to them,
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An enemy has done this.
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So the servants said to him,
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Then do you want us to go and gather them?
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But he said, No,
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lest in gathering the weeds
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you root up the wheat along with them.
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Let both grow together until the harvest.
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And at harvest time I will tell the reapers,
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Gather the weeds first
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and bind them in bundles to be burned.
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But gather the wheat into my barn.
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He put another parable before them saying,
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The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed
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that a man took and sowed in his field.
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It is the smallest of all seeds,
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but when it has grown it is larger
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than all the garden plants
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and becomes a tree
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so that the birds of the air
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come and make nests in its branches.
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He told them another parable,
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The kingdom of heaven is like leaven
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that a woman took and hid
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in three measures of flour
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until it was all eleven.
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All these things Jesus said
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to the crowds in parables.
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Indeed, he said nothing to them
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without a parable.
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This was to fulfill
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what was spoken by the prophet.
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I will open my mouth in parables.
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I will utter what has been hidden
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since the foundation of the world.
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Then he left the crowds
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and went into the house.
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And his disciples came with him saying,
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Explain to us the parable
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of the weeds of the field.
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He answered,
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The one who sows good seed
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is the son of man.
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The field is the world
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and the good seed
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is the children of the kingdom.
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The weeds are the sons
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of the evil one
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and the enemy who sowed them
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is the devil.
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The harvest is the clothes of the age
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and the reapers are the angels.
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Just as the weeds are gathered
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and burned with fire,
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so it will be at the close of the age.
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The son of man
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will send his angels
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and they will gather
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out of his kingdom
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all causes of sin
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and all lawbreakers
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and throw them
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into the fiery furnace.
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In that place
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there will be weeping
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and gnashing of teeth.
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Then the righteous
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will shine like the sun
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in the kingdom of their father.
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He who has ears,
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let him hear.
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The kingdom of heaven
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is like treasure
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hidden in a field
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which a man found
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and covered up.
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Then in his joy
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he goes and sells
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all that he has
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and buys in that field.
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Again,
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the kingdom of heaven
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is like a merchant
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in search of fine pearls
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who on finding one pearl
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of great value
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went and sold
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all that he had
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and bought it.
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Again,
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the kingdom of heaven
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is like a net
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that was thrown
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into the sea
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and gathered fish
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of every kind.
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When it was full
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men drew it ashore
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and sat down
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and sorted the good
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into containers
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but threw away the bad.
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So it will be
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at the close of the age.
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The angels will come out
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and separate the evil
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from the righteous
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and throw them
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into the fiery furnace.
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In that place
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there will be weeping
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and gnashing of teeth.
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Have you understood
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all these things?
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They said to him,
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Yes.
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And he said to them,
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Therefore,
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every scribe
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who has been trained
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for the kingdom of heaven
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is like a master
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of a house
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who brings out
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of his treasure
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what is new
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and what is old.
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And when Jesus
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had finished these parables
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he went away from there
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and coming to his hometown
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he taught them
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in their synagogue
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so that they were astonished
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and said,
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Where did this man
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get his wisdom
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and these mighty works?
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Is not this
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the carpenter's son?
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Is not this
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mother called Mary?
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And are not
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his brothers
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James and Joseph
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and Simon and Judas?
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And are not
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all his sisters with us?
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Where then
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did this man
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get all these things?
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And they took
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offence at him
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but Jesus said to them,
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A prophet
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is not without honour
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except in his hometown
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and in his own household.
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And he did not
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do many mighty works there
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because of their unbelief.
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Amen.
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May the reading of God's word
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speak to us
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and be blessed to us.
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May we draw again
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to God in prayer.
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Let us pray.
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Our Father in heaven,
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we give thanks
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for the words
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that we have read
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and words
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that portray
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the beauty
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of your kingdom
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of heaven,
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the riches of it,
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the outworking of it,
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but also
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set before us
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a stark warning
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that there will be
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a separation
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of the kingdoms
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and that
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there is a place
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where we fear
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and tremble at.
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And Lord,
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we pray
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that we would hear
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and understand
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these things
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this morning.
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That you would speak
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to the heart
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of everyone
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that is gathered here
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and everyone
22:58
that is listening online.
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That your word
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would go with power
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and a great effect
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convincing
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and converting
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souls that lie
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in sin
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to see the folly
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of their ways
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and how
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futile and vain
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the things
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of the world are
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and the things
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which our heart,
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if we are honest,
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hold on to.
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But we are inclined
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to seek after
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the riches
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of this world.
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We are inclined
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to love them.
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We are inclined
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to set our hands
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upon them.
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But Lord,
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set us apart
23:36
this morning
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as your people.
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People
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adhere
23:42
of the
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measurable
23:43
riches
23:44
of Christ Jesus
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and what
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the kingdom
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that is prepared
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for those
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that believe
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in him.
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We pray
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and thank you
23:54
for what you
23:55
have done
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for us.
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Things that are
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inconceivable
23:59
in our minds
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and understanding
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yet such
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is revealed
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so that we
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are not
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ignorant
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of it.
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That we
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may set
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our hearts
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towards you
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and draw
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near to you
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and hold
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fast
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to you
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confessing
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our trust
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and belief
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in all
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that Christ
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has done
24:26
for us.
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And it is
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nothing of
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ourselves
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that we
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bring
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but it is
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to the
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glory of
24:34
God
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and that
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we glorify
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God
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as we
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come
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and worship
24:40
you.
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May your
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spirit
24:43
be active
24:44
amongst us
24:45
as the wind
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that pathes
24:47
over the land
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and we see
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the trees
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blow.
24:52
May it
24:52
have the
24:53
effect in our
24:54
hearts
24:54
that sways
24:55
us towards
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you and
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inclines us
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in your
24:59
direction
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and paths
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that should be
25:02
followed that
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are sure
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and steady.
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Lord,
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we pray
25:06
that your
25:08
spirit would
25:09
come with
25:09
power today
25:10
in the
25:11
gatherings of
25:12
your people
25:13
and across
25:14
our nation
25:14
and the
25:16
proclamation
25:16
of your word
25:17
may be
25:18
faithful
25:18
by your
25:19
servants
25:20
to reveal
25:21
treasures of
25:22
old and
25:23
treasures that
25:24
are new
25:24
and reveal
25:26
the kingdom
25:27
of heaven
25:28
that has
25:28
been prepared
25:29
for the
25:30
people.
25:31
May we
25:32
seek after
25:34
this kingdom
25:35
the riches
25:36
of it
25:37
to be a
25:38
part of
25:39
it
25:39
that we
25:41
would be
25:41
welcomed
25:41
into it
25:42
we would
25:44
respond
25:45
to the
25:46
call
25:47
that is
25:48
set before
25:48
each of us
25:49
this morning
25:50
to come
25:51
unto Christ
25:53
to set
25:54
aside
25:55
the loves
25:55
and the
25:56
desires
25:56
of our
25:57
heart
25:57
to forsake
25:59
all other
26:00
loves
26:00
and cling
26:01
to him
26:02
we pray
26:04
that the
26:05
beauty of
26:06
Christ
26:06
would be
26:06
revealed
26:07
across our
26:08
nation
26:08
and that
26:10
we as a
26:11
nation
26:11
would not
26:13
leave
26:13
this great
26:14
treasure
26:15
forgotten
26:15
but that
26:17
we would
26:18
uplift it
26:19
and elevate
26:20
it and
26:21
share in
26:21
its riches
26:22
those that
26:24
seek and
26:25
find joy
26:26
in it
26:26
and others
26:28
can likewise
26:29
do so
26:29
we pray
26:31
for our
26:32
nation
26:32
and we pray
26:33
for those
26:34
who rule
26:34
us and
26:35
govern us
26:35
that they
26:36
may seek
26:37
after your
26:38
wisdom
26:38
and that
26:39
they may
26:40
read your
26:41
word
26:42
and come
26:43
under the
26:44
means of
26:44
your grace
26:45
and may
26:46
know the
26:47
grace
26:48
and love
26:49
of the
26:50
Lord Jesus
26:51
Christ
26:52
and that
26:53
they would
26:53
be people
26:54
to lead
26:55
us in
26:55
your ways
26:56
and direct
26:57
us in
26:58
your paths
26:59
as they
27:01
themselves
27:01
look unto
27:02
you and
27:03
keep their
27:03
focus upon
27:05
Christ
27:05
we pray
27:07
and ask
27:07
these things
27:08
and it
27:08
seems such
27:09
a great
27:10
ask
27:10
but you
27:11
are a
27:12
great God
27:12
who answers
27:15
people's
27:17
prayer
27:17
may we
27:19
as a
27:19
people
27:20
pray
27:21
great
27:22
things
27:22
holding
27:23
with great
27:24
expectation
27:25
that you
27:25
can do
27:26
them
27:26
faithfully
27:28
holding
27:28
on to
27:29
your
27:29
promises
27:29
faithfully
27:31
holding
27:32
on to
27:32
your
27:32
kingdom
27:33
Lord we
27:35
pray this
27:36
day
27:36
for those
27:38
those who
27:41
are in
27:41
turmoil
27:42
of heart
27:43
those
27:44
who are
27:44
uncertain
27:46
of what
27:46
lies ahead
27:47
the hearts
27:48
of many
27:49
gathered even
27:50
in this
27:51
building and
27:51
listening online
27:52
so vast
27:53
they are
27:54
but you
27:56
know every
27:56
one of
27:57
them
27:57
you know
27:58
the hairs
27:58
upon their
27:59
heads
28:00
and we
28:01
ask that you
28:02
would meet
28:02
us at our
28:03
needs
28:03
that we
28:04
would come
28:04
to you
28:05
us that
28:05
fatherly
28:06
figure who
28:07
knows what
28:07
is best
28:08
for us
28:08
confessing
28:10
the cries
28:12
of our
28:12
hearts
28:13
and the
28:14
groanings
28:14
of our
28:15
own
28:15
spirit
28:15
we pray
28:17
that you
28:17
would be
28:18
an aid
28:18
and a
28:19
strength
28:19
to those
28:21
who are
28:21
in need
28:21
those
28:23
who are
28:24
laid
28:24
aside
28:25
those
28:27
who do
28:27
not have
28:27
strength
28:28
of body
28:28
we pray
28:29
that you
28:29
would give
28:30
them strength
28:30
of mind
28:31
and soul
28:31
pray for
28:33
those that
28:33
look after
28:34
them
28:34
pray for
28:35
those also
28:36
who are
28:38
mourning the
28:38
loss of
28:39
loved ones
28:39
we pray
28:41
that you
28:41
would be
28:41
their comfort
28:42
and guide
28:43
pray the
28:44
memory of
28:45
those who
28:46
they have
28:46
lost
28:47
be blessed
28:48
to them
28:49
and that
28:50
the memories
28:51
that do not
28:51
part from
28:52
us
28:52
but leave
28:53
scars in
28:54
our hearts
28:54
bind them
28:56
in your
28:56
love we
28:57
pray and
28:58
uphold them
28:58
by your
29:00
hands
29:01
we just
29:03
ask that
29:04
you would
29:04
bless
29:04
the works
29:06
of our
29:06
church
29:07
and all
29:07
that we
29:08
do
29:08
here
29:09
locally
29:10
and
29:11
in our
29:12
nation
29:14
we pray
29:16
that you
29:18
would bless
29:18
every effort
29:19
that we put
29:20
our hands
29:20
to
29:20
that it
29:21
would be
29:22
for your
29:22
glory
29:22
we remember
29:23
the work
29:24
of the
29:24
camps
29:24
we pray
29:25
your special
29:26
blessing
29:26
upon them
29:27
and the
29:27
young that
29:28
gather
29:28
they
29:29
that they
29:30
may
29:30
leave
29:31
that place
29:34
that has
29:35
been set
29:36
aside
29:36
and see
29:37
what it
29:38
means to
29:39
be a
29:39
Christian
29:40
what it
29:41
means to
29:41
trust in
29:42
Christ
29:42
what it
29:42
means to
29:43
follow your
29:43
path
29:44
to go in
29:44
your ways
29:45
we pray
29:46
for the
29:47
young of
29:47
our
29:47
nation
29:48
and so
29:49
we just
29:49
ask as we
29:50
gather here
29:51
in your
29:51
name
29:52
that you
29:52
would be
29:53
pleased to
29:53
bless us
29:54
speak to
29:55
us we
29:56
pray
29:56
open our
29:57
eyes to
29:58
see
29:59
the ears
29:59
so we
30:00
may
30:00
understand
30:01
set our
30:03
minds upon
30:03
your word
30:04
without
30:04
distraction
30:05
keep the
30:07
evil one
30:07
from us
30:08
keep the
30:09
evil one
30:09
from the
30:10
seeds
30:10
sprouting
30:11
within
30:11
our
30:12
hearts
30:12
and yet
30:14
just
30:15
ask
30:15
and come
30:17
to you
30:18
confessing
30:19
all our
30:20
sins
30:20
and our
30:21
knowledge
30:22
that we
30:23
have drawn
30:24
away from
30:24
you so
30:25
often in
30:26
our lives
30:27
that you
30:28
are so
30:28
kind and
30:29
loving to
30:30
welcome and
30:31
to call us
30:32
back and
30:32
to redeem
30:33
us as your
30:34
people so
30:35
be with us
30:36
we pray
30:36
watch over
30:37
us guide
30:38
us and
30:38
keep us
30:39
in Jesus
30:39
name
30:40
amen
30:41
we'll
30:44
continue in
30:45
praise by
30:46
singing in
30:46
psalm 84
30:47
find out on
30:50
page 338
30:51
of the
30:53
blue book
30:53
sing from
30:58
the beginning
30:58
of that
30:59
psalm
30:59
scottish
31:00
psalter
31:00
version
31:00
familiar
31:05
words to
31:05
us
31:06
how lovely
31:07
is thy
31:08
dwelling
31:08
place
31:09
o lord
31:09
of hosts
31:10
to me
31:11
the
31:11
tabernacles
31:12
of thy
31:13
grace
31:13
how pleasant
31:15
lord they
31:16
be
31:16
we'll sing
31:17
from verse
31:18
and if we
31:18
could just
31:19
sing down
31:20
to the
31:21
3b
31:23
the end
31:24
of 3b
31:25
even
31:26
thine own
31:26
altar
31:27
where she
31:28
is safe
31:28
a young
31:29
one's
31:29
forth may
31:30
bring
31:30
o thou
31:31
almighty
31:32
lord of
31:33
hosts
31:33
who art
31:34
my god
31:35
and king
31:36
will just
31:36
sing down
31:36
to that
31:37
verse
31:37
there
31:37
3b
31:38
let us
31:39
praise god
31:40
and stand
31:41
and sing
31:41
this
31:42
together
31:42
how lovely
31:43
is thy
31:44
dwelling
31:44
place
31:44
how lovely
31:47
is thy
31:50
dwelling
31:51
place
31:52
o lord
31:55
of hosts
31:56
to me
31:59
the
32:01
tabernacles
32:03
of thy
32:06
grace
32:07
how
32:08
blessed
32:10
lord
32:11
may be
32:13
my
32:16
thirst
32:17
is
32:18
so
32:19
long
32:20
dim
32:21
and
32:22
he
32:23
gave
32:24
his
32:25
thy
32:26
court
32:27
scurge
32:28
my
32:30
very
32:32
heart
32:35
and
32:35
flesh
32:37
triumph
32:37
some
32:39
yang
32:42
h
32:53
and
32:59
The soul who also for herself hath purchased in Thine rest.
33:17
In Thine own altar, where she's saved, Thy young ones for favoring.
33:33
O Thou Almighty, Lord of hosts, who art my God and King.
33:51
If you turn back with me to the passage that we read together in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13.
33:57
And here in this passage is set before us images that explain and show forth the kingdom of heaven.
34:11
And we don't have time to dwell on the whole passage or every image that is set here.
34:16
So what I would like to do is take the smaller of these images and set aside the parable of the weeds,
34:25
if it is titled such in your Bible.
34:28
We'll take the mustard seeds and the leaven.
34:31
We'll take the treasure and the pearl.
34:33
And we'll take the parable of the net.
34:35
And we'll put these together, these five short Bible similes that show us what the kingdom of heaven is like.
34:46
And now if you are there listening to Jesus speaking these words,
34:50
I'm sure we'd all be excited to hear what he was going to say when he said the kingdom of heaven is like.
34:59
But we're not presented for the image as we might expect.
35:04
He does not describe a place.
35:07
When we describe for someone as some place as like,
35:11
if you were to describe this church, you'd say, well, it's full.
35:14
It's got wooden pews.
35:15
It's got a red carpet.
35:18
It's got blue walls and a pink ceiling.
35:21
And you may not quite have the image that is before you.
35:27
But the images that is presented by Christ here, they're kind of obscure.
35:33
They don't tell us really what the kingdom of heaven is like as a place.
35:37
It's not John's revelations that we have before us.
35:40
And yet it is an interesting point that we ask, well, why has he not explained it like that?
35:47
Why has he not explained the kingdom of heaven as a place?
35:50
It seems like there's more to it.
35:53
Does he mean, well, what does he mean when he speaks of the kingdom of heaven?
35:59
Initially we think, well, it's heaven in the heavenly realm.
36:04
But is it that or is it something else?
36:07
Funnily enough, when you read through these things, we get very little of what heaven is like as a place.
36:15
And we actually hear more of what hell is like as a place.
36:21
But as we look at these few parables and we put them together,
36:25
we must primarily keep in mind that they are all representing the kingdom of heaven.
36:30
What does a kingdom consist of in its most basic form?
36:45
Well, usually you have a king or a royal seat, a leader as such.
36:51
And the kingdom is of a certain territory, a certain area.
36:57
It is a place where the king sets out certain rules, certain ways in which the people are to live.
37:06
But the essence of the kingdom really is the people.
37:09
The people are the strength of the kingdom.
37:12
The people who abide by the rules of the king are the completing of the kingdom.
37:19
The kingdom of heaven has Christ as its king.
37:27
And these parables reveal the outworking of that kingdom.
37:33
And the coming of that kingdom, as we pray together in the Lord's Prayer.
37:38
Thy kingdom come.
37:40
The kingdom of heaven, then, is there not a descriptive sense of what the place is like.
37:45
But how this kingdom is outworked and the privileges that contribute to the gathering of the people of this kingdom.
37:57
That great effect that the gospel has upon the people.
38:03
And the spiritual outworking of that effect of the people that are set aside to be gathered into the kingdom of heaven.
38:13
By the work of the gospel.
38:16
And the effectual application of that Holy Spirit.
38:21
You see, the kingdom of heaven, it has a king.
38:25
We said that.
38:26
It has king.
38:27
Christ is its king.
38:29
It has a kingly order.
38:32
And means by which the king sets out for the people to live by.
38:37
We have that in the word of God.
38:38
And there is a place set aside that the king has set aside for the people.
38:48
All these things are in place already.
38:52
It is just the people that need to be gathered into the kingdom of heaven.
38:59
All those who are Christ's are the kings.
39:06
The Christian is a son of the king.
39:10
And a partaker of that kingdom of heaven.
39:15
Each of us are receivers of the kingdom of heaven.
39:20
If we believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
39:23
And it is hard to get our head around these things.
39:26
And hard to grasp these things.
39:28
But we have before us these images.
39:31
That likens it to something else.
39:33
That aids our understanding of it.
39:36
And we'll fittingly pair them together.
39:38
Although we have five.
39:40
The last one, the parable of the net.
39:42
There are really two divisions in it.
39:44
A parable of the mustard seed.
39:46
And the leaven.
39:47
Can be paired together.
39:48
To give us a title of two sizes.
39:52
And the following images of the treasure and the pearl.
39:56
Sets before us two treasures.
39:58
And finally the parable of the net.
40:01
Sets before us two gatherings.
40:03
Or two separations that are made.
40:06
So we have here set before us.
40:07
As the kingdom of heaven.
40:09
Two sizes.
40:11
Two treasures.
40:13
And two gatherings.
40:15
So we begin with the two sizes.
40:16
We look at the grain.
40:18
The grain of mustard seed.
40:20
And the leaven.
40:22
If you look at that section there.
40:24
From verse 31.
40:26
These two pictures present a great contrast.
40:29
And a great impact.
40:30
That this kingdom will make.
40:32
The mustard seed was a fairly small seed.
40:35
About one or two millimeters.
40:36
And it would grow into this tree.
40:38
That I believe would grow to three or four meters.
40:42
As the small quantity of leaven.
40:44
That we worked into the dough.
40:46
Would have the significance.
40:47
Of impacting the whole amount.
40:49
And change and convert.
40:52
The dough in its entirety.
40:55
The seed.
40:55
In the first instance.
40:57
Is so small and insignificant.
40:58
That it could be dismissed.
41:00
As invaluable.
41:02
If you did not know.
41:03
What it was.
41:05
Something that could be easily rejected.
41:08
But the seed.
41:09
In its nature.
41:11
Is something.
41:11
That grows.
41:13
As is.
41:14
The kingdom.
41:15
The kingdom of heaven.
41:19
And it becomes.
41:20
The greatest.
41:21
Within the whole.
41:23
Garden.
41:23
The kingdom of heaven.
41:25
Becomes the greatest kingdom.
41:27
That we could know.
41:29
And becomes that safe refuge.
41:31
Where the birds of the air.
41:33
Take home.
41:34
In its branches.
41:36
As we sung.
41:37
There in Psalm 40.
41:38
Of the bird.
41:39
That rests.
41:40
In the security.
41:41
Of the dwelling place.
41:42
Of the kingdom.
41:44
Such is the kingdom.
41:45
Of heaven.
41:47
In some man's eyes.
41:49
That it is so small.
41:50
And insignificant.
41:52
The person of Christ.
41:53
The word of God.
41:55
So despised.
41:57
By many.
41:57
And rejected.
41:58
As being worthless.
42:00
And has been trampled upon.
42:02
Throughout the ages.
42:04
And yet.
42:06
The seed of the gospel.
42:08
Is a seed.
42:08
Which by its nature.
42:11
Grows.
42:13
Many have viewed it.
42:14
As insignificant.
42:16
Even those.
42:17
In whom that seed.
42:18
Has been planted.
42:21
And the growth.
42:22
That comes with.
42:24
The strength.
42:25
Of that kinder.
42:28
What is weak.
42:29
Before men.
42:31
Is strong.
42:33
And some of the most unlikely.
42:35
Seeds.
42:36
Have sprouted.
42:37
In lives.
42:39
The gospel.
42:40
Has taken root.
42:42
The kingdom.
42:42
Of heaven.
42:44
Has welcomed.
42:45
The most.
42:47
Surprising.
42:48
People.
42:48
In our eyes.
42:52
But they are great.
42:53
In God's eyes.
42:56
And also.
42:57
When we speak.
42:58
Of Christ.
42:59
He was a stone.
43:00
That was rejected.
43:01
By men.
43:02
But he has become.
43:03
The corner stone.
43:04
Christ.
43:07
Christ.
43:07
When he lived.
43:09
Was seen as such an insignificant.
43:11
Man.
43:14
Such an insignificant.
43:16
Seed.
43:17
But from that.
43:19
Seed.
43:20
And the apostles.
43:22
The few.
43:23
The little.
43:24
The weak.
43:25
That went out.
43:27
A great kingdom.
43:29
Has come.
43:30
A great kingdom.
43:32
That is secure.
43:32
A great kingdom.
43:35
That we ourselves.
43:35
Have come.
43:36
To rest in.
43:38
That seed.
43:40
That was.
43:41
Ready.
43:43
Christ.
43:44
That people.
43:45
Were ready.
43:45
To throw on the rubbish heap.
43:47
When he was crucified.
43:49
Two men.
43:50
Took that.
43:51
Body.
43:54
And it's as if.
43:55
They planted it.
43:56
That seed.
43:58
And that.
43:59
Seed.
43:59
The most amazing.
44:03
And greatest.
44:04
Of all.
44:04
Seeds.
44:05
That could ever be planted.
44:07
That kingdom.
44:08
That has come.
44:09
From.
44:10
Christ.
44:11
Also.
44:12
Despised.
44:13
By men.
44:14
Has become.
44:15
The greatest.
44:15
Of all.
44:16
Kingdoms.
44:18
Likewise.
44:18
The leaven.
44:20
The woman.
44:21
Took her leaven.
44:22
And hides it.
44:23
In great quantity.
44:24
Of flour.
44:24
And dough.
44:25
Until the whole.
44:27
Mixture.
44:28
Is leavened.
44:29
And the quantity.
44:30
Is said.
44:31
To be here.
44:32
Enough bread.
44:33
To feed.
44:34
A hundred people.
44:36
The three measure.
44:37
It's an abundant.
44:38
Amount.
44:39
Of dough.
44:40
And the sour dough.
44:42
The leaven.
44:42
I believe.
44:43
They would keep.
44:44
Keep it aside.
44:45
And they would tear.
44:46
A bit of it.
44:47
And mix it in.
44:47
With the dough.
44:49
I'm not.
44:49
A hundred percent.
44:50
Sure on it.
44:51
But they would mix it in.
44:52
With the dough.
44:52
And thus.
44:53
That fermented flour.
44:55
Would work.
44:57
Silently.
44:58
Throughout the whole dough.
44:59
Changing it into.
45:01
A dough.
45:02
That would rise.
45:02
Into bread.
45:04
When baked.
45:06
It gives us.
45:07
An image.
45:08
Of something.
45:09
Silent.
45:11
Working.
45:12
Underneath the skin.
45:13
An unstoppable.
45:15
Food.
45:16
That converts.
45:19
The whole mixture.
45:22
The kingdom of God.
45:24
Works in such a way.
45:25
To grow.
45:26
To change.
45:27
In size.
45:29
To gather.
45:30
The people.
45:32
To draw them in.
45:35
And change.
45:36
And even.
45:37
To change.
45:38
Ourselves.
45:40
The dough.
45:41
The fleaven.
45:42
That is.
45:43
Mixed in.
45:44
With our heart.
45:47
Changes us.
45:48
Slowly.
45:49
And works.
45:51
Within us.
45:52
That kingdom.
45:53
To filter.
45:57
Into.
45:57
Into.
45:57
Every.
45:58
Every.
45:58
Extremity.
45:59
Of our lives.
46:01
That we may.
46:03
Reflect.
46:04
His.
46:04
Glory.
46:07
It is.
46:08
In each of us.
46:10
But.
46:10
Who is it.
46:11
That needs.
46:12
That.
46:13
Into.
46:14
Our hearts.
46:16
It's as if.
46:16
Christ's hands.
46:18
Are needing it.
46:19
Into.
46:20
Our being.
46:21
And into.
46:22
The church.
46:23
You could extend.
46:24
That.
46:24
That.
46:24
That.
46:24
That.
46:24
That.
46:24
That.
46:25
From ourselves.
46:25
Into the church.
46:27
And the strength.
46:28
Of that.
46:28
Kingdom.
46:30
Has been mixed in.
46:31
And needed in.
46:34
And the needing.
46:35
May.
46:35
Unsettle us.
46:37
In our lives.
46:38
The uncertainty.
46:39
Of our lives.
46:41
As Christ.
46:42
Outworks.
46:43
That kingdom.
46:44
In it.
46:44
We're left.
46:45
Confused.
46:46
Of.
46:46
Why.
46:48
He does.
46:48
Such a thing.
46:50
And why.
46:50
He outworks it.
46:51
In such a manner.
46:53
But it is so.
46:55
That the whole.
46:56
Of us.
46:57
And the whole.
46:58
Of the church.
46:59
Will be affected.
47:00
By the strength.
47:01
Of that kingdom.
47:04
He changes.
47:04
Our whole being.
47:06
He knows best.
47:08
He is the loving.
47:09
Father.
47:10
And we have comfort.
47:12
In the uncertainties.
47:13
Of life.
47:14
And the things.
47:14
That turn us.
47:15
Upside down.
47:17
That it is the hands.
47:18
Of God.
47:19
That are doing it.
47:21
And it will.
47:23
Come.
47:24
To be the greatest.
47:25
Of all things.
47:27
So let us turn.
47:28
To the two.
47:28
Treasures.
47:29
From verse 44.
47:31
To 46.
47:33
We have two treasures.
47:34
Set before us there.
47:36
Treasures that are of immense value.
47:38
Treasures.
47:38
That have been found.
47:39
And sought out.
47:42
The man who dug.
47:43
The field.
47:44
Seems to give the impression.
47:46
That he stumbles across it.
47:49
So it was common then.
47:50
To bury your treasure.
47:51
There was no banks.
47:52
To store your valuables.
47:54
And it has become.
47:55
A forgotten treasure.
47:56
By the one who buried it.
47:59
The man who dug.
48:01
Seems to be surprised.
48:02
By its find.
48:04
And what a find.
48:06
He instantly.
48:08
He recognizes.
48:09
The value.
48:10
Of this treasure.
48:11
He knows.
48:12
What it is.
48:14
And so.
48:14
Sets himself.
48:16
To sell everything.
48:17
That he has.
48:18
In order to gain it.
48:20
And only by the purchase.
48:22
Of the field.
48:22
Can he attain.
48:23
The treasure.
48:25
And say that the treasure.
48:26
Is hers.
48:27
Of everything.
48:31
That he gave.
48:33
It is incomparable.
48:34
To the treasure.
48:36
That is set before.
48:38
Such is the kingdom of heaven.
48:41
He is full of joy.
48:42
At his find.
48:47
And by the eternal providence.
48:48
Of God.
48:49
Some stumble.
48:50
Across it.
48:51
By surprise.
48:52
The power of the gospel.
48:54
Is revealed to men.
48:54
And women.
48:55
By surprise.
48:56
Surprise.
48:58
And they realize it.
48:59
And they grasp it.
49:00
And they say.
49:00
How was I not told this before?
49:05
And they become receivers.
49:06
Of the greatest riches.
49:08
And treasures.
49:08
That they have.
49:09
In knowledge.
49:10
Righteousness.
49:11
Wisdom.
49:11
Peace.
49:12
And joy.
49:14
The gospel is.
49:16
The revealed.
49:17
Spiritual.
49:18
Treasure.
49:20
And people.
49:21
Who see it.
49:22
And know it.
49:23
And understand it.
49:26
Are possessed.
49:26
The treasures.
49:26
Of great things.
49:29
Supposing.
49:29
They forsake.
49:30
All other treasures.
49:32
That they have.
49:35
Some.
49:36
It is true.
49:38
It is revealed to them.
49:40
And it is a surprise.
49:41
To them.
49:41
That the gospel.
49:42
Is such.
49:44
But to others.
49:45
They seek it out.
49:46
With diligence.
49:48
And it is much like.
49:49
The man.
49:50
The pearl.
49:50
The merchant.
49:51
Who found.
49:52
That pearl.
49:54
He worked.
49:55
With pearls.
49:55
He knew.
49:56
The value.
49:56
Of the pearls.
49:58
He had a treasure.
50:00
He knew.
50:01
The treasure.
50:02
Of them.
50:04
But there comes.
50:05
To him.
50:06
One.
50:07
Immeasurable.
50:08
One.
50:09
Greater.
50:11
One.
50:12
That he forsakes.
50:13
All other pearls.
50:15
In order.
50:15
To gain it.
50:17
And I suppose.
50:18
We could say.
50:19
That it is like.
50:19
The man.
50:20
Who wants.
50:21
To live.
50:21
To live.
50:21
His life.
50:22
Well.
50:23
And has a multiple.
50:24
Of good qualities.
50:25
And good pearls.
50:26
In his life.
50:28
And while they may be.
50:29
Admired by others.
50:31
And all that he has done.
50:32
And all that he has gained.
50:33
And all that he has worked for.
50:35
He is always dealing.
50:36
Back and forth.
50:37
With these qualities.
50:38
To find his satisfaction.
50:40
But never quite.
50:41
Gains it.
50:44
Until.
50:45
He understands.
50:46
The gospel.
50:47
Until the kingdom.
50:48
Of heaven.
50:49
Is set before him.
50:50
And then all his desires.
50:53
Are met.
50:54
In this kingdom.
50:55
Are met.
50:56
In Christ Jesus.
50:57
Like the man.
50:58
That we found.
50:58
This great pearl.
51:01
Casts aside.
51:03
All other treasures.
51:04
As worthless.
51:06
To invest.
51:07
In this one pearl.
51:09
And in this.
51:10
He invests.
51:11
This is the great treasure.
51:12
Set before him.
51:14
He knows.
51:14
It's value.
51:16
He understands.
51:17
What is set.
51:18
Before.
51:19
He knows.
51:20
There's no other pearl.
51:22
Like the kingdom.
51:23
Of heaven.
51:24
Do we.
51:25
Understand that.
51:27
Do we.
51:28
Have our.
51:29
Desires.
51:30
Satisfied.
51:32
Like what is set.
51:33
Before us.
51:34
In the kingdom.
51:34
Of heaven.
51:36
The man.
51:37
Would have secured.
51:37
His inheritance.
51:39
Selling all.
51:40
That he had.
51:41
And placed it all.
51:43
In this pearl.
51:44
Are we.
51:45
Such people.
51:46
That forsake.
51:47
All worldly.
51:48
Inheritances.
51:49
To receive.
51:51
The kingdom.
51:51
Of God.
51:53
What would it mean.
51:54
For you.
51:55
To set.
51:57
To sell everything.
51:59
To gain.
52:00
Christ.
52:02
If you added up.
52:03
The treasures.
52:04
And accumulation.
52:05
Of your life.
52:07
What value.
52:08
Does it come to.
52:10
Is it enough.
52:12
To sell.
52:14
To forsake.
52:18
The riches.
52:18
Of this world.
52:20
To receive.
52:21
The heavenly.
52:22
Kingdom.
52:25
Does the kingdom.
52:26
Of heaven.
52:27
Have such a value.
52:28
To you.
52:29
More than these things.
52:31
And it's not really.
52:32
As to us.
52:32
To sell everything.
52:34
That we have.
52:36
In measure.
52:37
In measure.
52:38
I suppose.
52:39
It does.
52:41
But not.
52:42
Entirely.
52:42
Everything.
52:44
Physically.
52:44
Materially.
52:46
It asks for that heart.
52:48
Of first place.
52:50
And that if we have.
52:52
That heart.
52:53
That forsakes all other.
52:55
Loves.
52:55
And treasures.
52:56
That our heart.
52:57
Inclines itself to.
52:59
In this world.
53:01
And we place our hearts.
53:03
And our lives.
53:03
Entirely.
53:05
Upon what is set.
53:06
Before you.
53:07
In the kingdom of heaven.
53:09
What Christ.
53:10
Has done.
53:10
For you.
53:11
It is that image.
53:14
Of the heart.
53:15
And the hand.
53:17
That I said.
53:17
To the kids.
53:19
That at heart.
53:21
Knows.
53:22
And understands.
53:23
This love.
53:24
Forsaking.
53:25
All other loves.
53:27
And the resulting.
53:28
Thing.
53:28
Is that at hand.
53:29
Is set to do.
53:30
And react.
53:32
To how that.
53:33
Love.
53:33
Is implanted.
53:34
In our hearts.
53:34
So the man here.
53:39
Who knows.
53:40
And loves.
53:40
This pearl.
53:42
Forsakes all.
53:44
To gain.
53:45
What he has.
53:47
The two treasures.
53:50
Let us look at the two.
53:52
Gatherings.
53:52
Very briefly.
53:54
In the night.
53:56
The parable of the night.
53:58
Sets before us.
53:59
A kingdom.
54:00
That gathers.
54:01
A kingdom.
54:03
That sifts.
54:05
All that is good.
54:06
And all that is bad.
54:08
And it is.
54:09
A simple picture.
54:10
Maybe simpler.
54:11
And more common.
54:12
To many of you.
54:14
Who are fishermen.
54:16
You keep.
54:16
What is worth.
54:18
And you throw away.
54:19
What is worthless.
54:20
And it is compared.
54:22
To the gathering.
54:22
Of the church.
54:24
And to the gathering.
54:25
Of eternity.
54:26
And the judgment.
54:28
Ultimately.
54:28
Of all men.
54:30
The good.
54:31
Are safe.
54:32
And the evil.
54:33
Are cast aside.
54:35
And it really needs.
54:36
Little of my explanation.
54:39
To set before you.
54:40
What the kingdom.
54:41
Of heaven means.
54:43
There are.
54:44
Two gatherings.
54:46
In this parable.
54:48
You can see.
54:49
That like a net.
54:50
It was thrown out.
54:51
Into the sea.
54:52
And gathered.
54:53
The fish.
54:53
Of every kind.
54:55
And while it was full.
54:56
The men drew it ashore.
54:58
And sat down.
54:59
And sorted it.
55:00
Into containers.
55:01
But threw away.
55:02
The bad.
55:03
There is first.
55:04
The gathering.
55:05
Of all that was in the sea.
55:07
And then.
55:08
The gathering.
55:09
Of the good.
55:11
Likewise.
55:12
There are separations.
55:14
Equally represented.
55:15
By each.
55:18
The first.
55:19
The net.
55:20
Into the sea.
55:21
It's like the gathering.
55:22
Of the.
55:23
People of God.
55:25
The gathering.
55:26
Of this worldly.
55:27
Church.
55:27
Church.
55:29
And it is.
55:30
The kingdom.
55:32
The king's.
55:33
Call.
55:35
To everyone.
55:36
Today.
55:39
Christ's.
55:39
Call.
55:40
To each of us.
55:41
To come.
55:43
Into.
55:44
The body.
55:45
Of the church.
55:47
To understand.
55:49
And to gain.
55:50
Understanding.
55:51
To grow.
55:52
In wisdom.
55:52
Knowledge.
55:53
Righteousness.
55:53
Peace.
55:54
And joy.
55:54
But there is a second.
55:59
That.
55:59
That gathering.
56:00
Is made of.
56:01
So many.
56:02
Varied.
56:03
Fish.
56:04
Varied.
56:04
People.
56:06
And there are such.
56:07
Amongst it.
56:08
That have used.
56:09
The church.
56:10
For their own.
56:11
Satisfactions.
56:12
And gratifying.
56:13
The evils.
56:14
Of their hearts.
56:15
Though they are.
56:16
Within the body.
56:18
But they will be.
56:19
Separated.
56:20
The good.
56:20
Will be gathered.
56:22
The evil.
56:22
Will be gathered.
56:23
Together.
56:23
And it is the divine hands.
56:25
That will sift.
56:26
Such.
56:27
The good.
56:28
And the bad.
56:29
To bring.
56:30
Into completion.
56:32
The kingdom.
56:34
Of heaven.
56:35
To gather.
56:36
The people.
56:38
That has been outworked.
56:40
And ultimately.
56:41
These divine hands.
56:44
At the.
56:44
Close of time.
56:46
Will gather.
56:47
The kingdom.
56:48
Of heaven.
56:49
Together.
56:51
May your kingdom.
56:52
Come.
56:57
The kingdom.
56:57
Of heaven.
56:58
Is set.
56:59
Before you.
57:00
Today.
57:03
Do not.
57:04
Despise it.
57:07
It is.
57:07
Within it.
57:09
The greatest.
57:10
Hope.
57:11
That you can have.
57:12
And the greatest.
57:13
Treasure.
57:14
That you could know.
57:16
And the greatest.
57:17
Security.
57:18
For your life.
57:19
Have you received.
57:22
This kingdom.
57:23
Are you part of this kingdom.
57:26
Have you understood.
57:27
What has been set.
57:28
Before you.
57:30
Do you see.
57:31
The value.
57:32
Of the kingdom.
57:33
Of heaven.
57:36
It is.
57:37
To ask ourselves.
57:38
To whom.
57:39
Will we be gathered.
57:41
To where.
57:43
Shall we be gathered.
57:44
From what.
57:47
Shall we be separated.
57:47
From.
57:51
Are we with the Lord's people.
57:54
Are we in the Lord's place.
57:57
In the Lord's ways.
57:59
And under the Lord's command.
58:02
The kingdom of heaven.
58:04
Is at work.
58:06
Today.
58:08
To gather its citizens.
58:09
The small.
58:13
And the weak.
58:14
Shall be great.
58:17
The kingdom of heaven.
58:18
The forgotten.
58:19
Treasure.
58:22
Becomes.
58:22
The greatest.
58:23
The greatest.
58:23
The greatest.
58:23
The greatest.
58:23
The greatest.
58:24
To those who know it.
58:26
And to those who find it.
58:29
And as they find it.
58:30
They receive.
58:31
The greatest.
58:32
Joy.
58:32
In Christ.
58:33
Jesus.
58:35
The kingdom.
58:36
Of heaven.
58:37
It's a kingdom.
58:38
That gathers.
58:39
And separates.
58:42
Under the divine.
58:43
Authority.
58:45
To whom.
58:47
Are we gathered.
58:49
Pray these thoughts.
58:50
Be blessed to us.
58:51
This morning.
58:54
We'll conclude.
58:55
In praise of God.
58:56
By.
58:57
Singing in Psalm 72.
59:01
Scottish Psalter.
59:02
Version again.
59:06
Page 314.
59:07
Concluding words of Psalm 72.
59:12
Page 314.
59:15
Midway through.
59:17
Verse 16.
59:19
Familiar words again.
59:20
And the blessing of the kingdom.
59:24
That'll come.
59:25
The city shall be flourishing.
59:27
Her citizens abound.
59:29
A number shall like to the grass.
59:30
That grows upon the ground.
59:32
His name forever shall endure.
59:34
Last like the sun it shall.
59:36
And shall be blessed in him.
59:37
And blessed.
59:38
All nason shall him call.
59:40
Now blessed be the Lord our God.
59:42
The God of Israel.
59:43
For he alone does wondrous works.
59:46
In glory that excel.
59:48
And blessed be his glorious name.
59:50
To all eternity.
59:52
The whole earth let his glory fill.
59:54
Amen.
59:55
So let it be.
59:56
Let us stand together.
59:57
And sing these words.
59:58
The city shall be flourishing.
59:59
Our citizens abound.
1:00:19
In number shall lie to the grass.
1:00:29
That grows upon the ground.
1:00:37
It's him forever shall endure.
1:00:47
Thus like the sun it shall.
1:00:56
Men shall be blessed.
1:01:02
In heaven and blessed.
1:01:06
All nations shall be born.
1:01:14
Now blessed be the Lord our God.
1:01:26
And God of Israel.
1:01:32
For he alone does wondrous works.
1:01:44
In glory that excel.
1:01:51
And blessed be his glorious name.
1:02:04
To all eternity.
1:02:10
The whole earth let his glory fill.
1:02:22
Amen.
1:02:23
Amen.
1:02:23
So let it be.
1:02:31
Close with a word of prayer.
1:02:34
Our Father in heaven, help us to understand these things that we have set our mind to this morning.
1:02:39
And as we part, we pray your blessing upon us.
1:02:42
That we may be received into the kingdom of heaven.
1:02:45
And know through Christ Jesus the security of such a blessing.
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And the immeasurable riches of such a place.
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May we set our hearts upon you.
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And be changed to our heart.
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And the love of Christ Jesus that dwells within the believer.
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Be with us as we part.
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Go forth and go with us.
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Be with us in the service in the evening.
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We ask God willing.
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In Jesus name.
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Amen.
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Amen.
1:03:20
Amen.
1:03:21
Amen.
1:03:21
Amen.
1:03:22
Amen.
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Amen.
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Look when you see them.
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Good.
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I think the love's Dennling.
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Amen.