1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:04,220 We come today to the last in our series, Moving in the Right Direction. 2 00:00:04,220 –> 00:00:07,820 We’ve been learning from the Psalms of ascent, 3 00:00:07,820 –> 00:00:11,480 which are really a collection of songs, as we’ve been reminded already, 4 00:00:11,480 –> 00:00:16,920 that Old Testament believers sang as they made their journey to Jerusalem 5 00:00:16,920 –> 00:00:21,620 for the great festivals in which God has said He would meet with His people. 6 00:00:21,620 –> 00:00:24,879 and the relevance of these songs to us today 7 00:00:24,879 –> 00:00:29,860 is of course that we are also on a journey, the Christian life is a journey of faith, 8 00:00:29,879 –> 00:00:37,720 It is a journey we take with the presence of Jesus and it is a journey to the presence of Jesus. 9 00:00:38,259 –> 00:00:41,820 And, we’ve discovered many things about that journey over these last weeks 10 00:00:41,820 –> 00:00:46,799 First, we saw that it begins when a person moves from delaying to deciding. 11 00:00:46,799 –> 00:00:52,660 The Psalms of ascent beginning in Psalm 120 start with one man who says, 12 00:00:52,660 –> 00:00:55,980 Woe to me because I live in Mishech. 13 00:00:56,060 –> 00:00:59,980 One man who says I’ve lived at a distance from God for too long 14 00:01:00,200 –> 00:01:03,340 I can’t stay here apart from God any longer 15 00:01:03,340 –> 00:01:08,919 And he begins his journey and he very soon finds that there are other people on that same journey with him 16 00:01:09,360 –> 00:01:11,360 We’ve seen that the journey is one of faith 17 00:01:11,820 –> 00:01:14,540 It involves moving from seeing to believing 18 00:01:15,339 –> 00:01:22,059 We live on that which is not seen if you live on what you see around you you’ll quickly get discouraged 19 00:01:22,139 –> 00:01:27,779 We live on that. Which is unseen the grace of God the presence of the Holy Spirit our ultimate 20 00:01:28,480 –> 00:01:30,339 destiny in heaven 21 00:01:30,339 –> 00:01:38,300 we’ve seen that it involves moving from asking to receiving learning to pray is a huge part of this Christian journey and 22 00:01:38,419 –> 00:01:41,699 Prayer has two parts essentially asking for what you need 23 00:01:42,459 –> 00:01:44,379 Affirming what you have received 24 00:01:44,379 –> 00:01:46,379 We saw that these are like two 25 00:01:46,699 –> 00:01:51,480 Tracks on which a train will run. The one without the other isn’t a great deal of use 26 00:01:51,480 –> 00:01:55,300 But together they enable us to move in the right direction 27 00:01:56,040 –> 00:02:02,279 Then we’ve seen that Jesus Christ walks with us through life’s journey. Which has all kinds of different 28 00:02:03,300 –> 00:02:04,500 experiences 29 00:02:04,500 –> 00:02:06,320 Sometimes it involves weeping 30 00:02:06,320 –> 00:02:12,880 We saw that there are times when it seems that evil has won the day the scepter of the wicked over the land of the righteous 31 00:02:13,699 –> 00:02:18,960 Sometimes it seems for all our effort. We only get more and more frustrated. We’re not achieving what we wanted 32 00:02:19,940 –> 00:02:25,880 sometimes we experience deep wounds and they cause us to cry out to God and 33 00:02:26,100 –> 00:02:29,100 We need his touch to bring healing to our lives 34 00:02:29,880 –> 00:02:35,940 Now we’ve seen you see that all of these things are a normal part of the Christian life 35 00:02:36,559 –> 00:02:41,440 You experience trials like these Jesus walks with you through them and in them 36 00:02:41,740 –> 00:02:44,500 It’s not that something unusual is happening to you 37 00:02:44,500 –> 00:02:50,119 They are part of the journey the difficulties that we have to overcome and Jesus 38 00:02:50,119 –> 00:02:53,279 Christ is always at work to move you in the right direction 39 00:02:54,139 –> 00:02:59,440 from weeping to rejoicing from frustration to fulfillment from pain to peace 40 00:03:00,119 –> 00:03:04,520 And then we saw last week that the wonderful comfort for God’s people is 41 00:03:05,020 –> 00:03:10,139 That the ultimate outcome of your life does not depend on what you try to do for God 42 00:03:10,500 –> 00:03:14,419 But on what God in Jesus Christ has done for you 43 00:03:14,919 –> 00:03:22,279 And so today we’re coming to the last in our series and the obvious question is simply this 44 00:03:22,679 –> 00:03:29,220 What lies at the end of the journey, and so I’d like you to turn to some 45 00:03:29,839 –> 00:03:31,520 133 and Psalm 46 00:03:31,520 –> 00:03:34,820 134 the last in the songs of ascents 47 00:03:34,820 –> 00:03:41,600 We’re gonna read these two short Psalms and they give to us a picture of what lies at the end of the journey 48 00:03:42,460 –> 00:03:45,839 133 and then 134 49 00:03:46,139 –> 00:03:52,059 The first is a song of David and these are the last in this group called a song of a sense 50 00:03:53,119 –> 00:03:57,000 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity 51 00:03:58,080 –> 00:04:05,600 It is like precious oil poured on the head running down on the beard running down on Aaron’s beard 52 00:04:06,300 –> 00:04:09,419 Running upon down upon the collar of his robes 53 00:04:09,820 –> 00:04:15,380 It is as if the Jew of Herman were falling on Mount Zion 54 00:04:16,579 –> 00:04:19,059 For there the Lord bestows his blessing 55 00:04:20,119 –> 00:04:21,679 even life 56 00:04:21,679 –> 00:04:23,660 for ever more 57 00:04:23,660 –> 00:04:29,899 Praise the Lord all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord 58 00:04:30,700 –> 00:04:34,119 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord 59 00:04:34,700 –> 00:04:37,299 May the Lord the makes of heaven and earth 60 00:04:38,299 –> 00:04:40,200 Bless you 61 00:04:40,200 –> 00:04:42,200 from Zion 62 00:04:42,579 –> 00:04:45,559 Now if you had lived by the Sea of Galilee 63 00:04:45,660 –> 00:04:50,440 Say in Nazareth, for example and you made a journey to Jerusalem 64 00:04:51,459 –> 00:04:56,079 That would be a journey of something like a hundred miles, which is a long way to walk 65 00:04:56,779 –> 00:04:59,859 Can you imagine doing this with an extended family? 66 00:04:59,859 –> 00:05:05,760 I mean bringing the kids bringing grandma a couple of donkeys and it’s only a hundred miles by foot 67 00:05:06,519 –> 00:05:13,480 Now suppose you did 15 or 20 miles a day, you know five six days travel. This is not an easy journey and 68 00:05:14,239 –> 00:05:21,140 so you need to know that what is at the end of the journey is worth the difficulty of getting there and 69 00:05:21,839 –> 00:05:27,980 Obviously that is a big question for us. You don’t need me to tell you it is not easy to be a Christian 70 00:05:28,440 –> 00:05:31,079 It is not easy to sustain a life of 71 00:05:31,880 –> 00:05:35,359 faithfulness and of obedience to Jesus Christ 72 00:05:35,980 –> 00:05:40,859 and if you’re going to sustain the Christian life, you need to know clearly that 73 00:05:41,359 –> 00:05:43,660 What lies at the end of the journey is 74 00:05:44,239 –> 00:05:50,519 Infinitely worth it, it’s worth all the difficulty of getting there now Psalm 75 00:05:51,000 –> 00:05:52,500 133 and 76 00:05:52,500 –> 00:05:57,160 134 give us a picture of what these old testament believers 77 00:05:57,559 –> 00:06:00,359 Experienced at the end of their journey when they went to Jerusalem 78 00:06:01,440 –> 00:06:03,440 But they do much more than that 79 00:06:03,559 –> 00:06:07,000 You see these psalms also shine a light on 80 00:06:07,380 –> 00:06:12,239 What lies at the end of the journey of all believers Old Testament and New Testament? 81 00:06:13,119 –> 00:06:19,839 What lies at the end of our journey when we are gathered in the presence of Jesus you say well? 82 00:06:19,839 –> 00:06:23,760 How do you know that look at the end of Psalm 133? 83 00:06:24,480 –> 00:06:26,660 He talks there about life 84 00:06:27,540 –> 00:06:28,720 forever 85 00:06:28,720 –> 00:06:30,480 more 86 00:06:30,480 –> 00:06:37,760 Now obviously David is talking about something that is beyond anything that we experience in this world life 87 00:06:38,179 –> 00:06:40,179 forever more 88 00:06:40,839 –> 00:06:43,899 These psalms therefore are talking finally 89 00:06:44,640 –> 00:06:45,920 about 90 00:06:45,920 –> 00:06:47,940 your ultimate 91 00:06:47,940 –> 00:06:49,559 ascent 92 00:06:49,559 –> 00:06:56,000 Into the presence of God where you will behold his face 93 00:06:57,399 –> 00:06:59,399 Wow 94 00:07:00,839 –> 00:07:02,839 Now what lies at the end of the journey 95 00:07:04,239 –> 00:07:06,239 What will it be like 96 00:07:07,359 –> 00:07:13,239 Well, there’s one word that ties these two psalms together and that is the word blessing 97 00:07:14,019 –> 00:07:15,760 Some 98 00:07:15,760 –> 00:07:19,000 133 is all about God’s blessing us and 99 00:07:19,799 –> 00:07:20,959 some 100 00:07:20,959 –> 00:07:24,359 134 is all about us blessing the Lord and 101 00:07:24,739 –> 00:07:26,059 And 102 00:07:26,059 –> 00:07:32,880 It’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it? That this group of Psalms begins with one individual at a distance from God and 103 00:07:33,779 –> 00:07:35,779 It ends with a whole community 104 00:07:36,799 –> 00:07:41,700 Rejoicing in the presence of God. That’s moving in the right direction 105 00:07:43,200 –> 00:07:45,000 Now let’s begin with Psalm 106 00:07:45,000 –> 00:07:50,720 133 and ask the question, what does God’s blessing on us look like and I want you to notice three things 107 00:07:51,200 –> 00:07:53,839 first God blesses us by 108 00:07:54,799 –> 00:07:56,799 reconciling us to himself and 109 00:07:57,579 –> 00:08:03,959 To each other God blesses us by reconciling us to himself and to each other 110 00:08:04,820 –> 00:08:09,519 Psalm 133 verse 1 how good and pleasant it is 111 00:08:10,320 –> 00:08:13,179 When brothers live together in unity 112 00:08:14,320 –> 00:08:18,459 now Eugene Peterson points out that the words brothers and 113 00:08:19,339 –> 00:08:20,820 unity 114 00:08:20,820 –> 00:08:22,820 Don’t always 115 00:08:23,019 –> 00:08:26,899 Naturally belong together and I think that’s a pretty good point 116 00:08:27,540 –> 00:08:29,540 brothers often fight 117 00:08:30,380 –> 00:08:32,380 sisters often fight 118 00:08:32,419 –> 00:08:34,099 We talked about 119 00:08:34,099 –> 00:08:36,739 Sibling rivalry now, it’s funny 120 00:08:36,739 –> 00:08:42,200 Sometimes in the congregation people sit like we don’t know anything about that. You know about that at home, don’t you? 121 00:08:43,020 –> 00:08:45,580 And if you don’t you could find it out in the Bible 122 00:08:46,179 –> 00:08:49,859 Full of examples the world’s first brothers 123 00:08:50,820 –> 00:08:52,820 Two dear little chaps 124 00:08:53,440 –> 00:08:55,440 Called Cain and Abel 125 00:08:56,020 –> 00:09:00,840 And a little bit of sibling rivalry that ended up with the one murdering the other 126 00:09:01,299 –> 00:09:05,820 not a very promising start for the world’s first-ever siblings 127 00:09:06,780 –> 00:09:12,500 Then that you remember Jacob and Esau. How well these guys got on together, you know 128 00:09:13,159 –> 00:09:15,640 Then you have Joseph and his brothers 129 00:09:15,659 –> 00:09:20,460 Remember the twelve brothers and Joseph is the one who is receives a revelation from God 130 00:09:20,460 –> 00:09:22,919 So he comes down at breakfast time and over the cornflakes 131 00:09:22,919 –> 00:09:25,020 he tells them what God’s been saying to him and they’re all 132 00:09:25,239 –> 00:09:30,739 Rolling their eyes and saying who in all the world does Joseph think he is will fix him and so they beat him up 133 00:09:30,739 –> 00:09:34,299 They put him in a pit. They sell him as a slave and off he goes to Egypt 134 00:09:34,299 –> 00:09:39,979 Well, how good and pleasant a thing it is when brothers dwell together in unity, right? 135 00:09:39,979 –> 00:09:42,820 and this song was written by David and 136 00:09:44,340 –> 00:09:49,239 You remember his brothers all lined up before the Prophet Samuel to see which one would be King 137 00:09:49,239 –> 00:09:51,700 He was left out in the fields with the sheep 138 00:09:52,679 –> 00:09:55,859 And then when the brothers were sent off to war David was the youngest 139 00:09:55,859 –> 00:09:58,940 So he stayed behind till his father Jesse said well 140 00:09:58,940 –> 00:10:00,299 Why don’t you go take him a sandwich? 141 00:10:00,299 –> 00:10:03,460 So he takes this big hamper gives a picnic to his brothers 142 00:10:03,559 –> 00:10:08,700 When he arrives on the field of battle the brothers look at him and if to say what are you doing on a field of? 143 00:10:08,719 –> 00:10:12,080 Battle you don’t belong here. You just are a little brother 144 00:10:12,799 –> 00:10:17,119 well of course then he slugh goliath and they treated him with a little more respect after that, but 145 00:10:18,419 –> 00:10:24,640 Maybe you know some of these experiences from your intentions of these things from your own experience to 146 00:10:25,320 –> 00:10:27,900 brothers and sisters often know more about rivalry 147 00:10:29,679 –> 00:10:31,679 Than they do about unity 148 00:10:31,900 –> 00:10:37,979 So David says it is a good and a pleasant thing when brothers live together in unity for their 149 00:10:39,159 –> 00:10:41,799 God bestows his blessing 150 00:10:43,460 –> 00:10:49,780 Now of course this was something that they experienced in these great festivals in Jerusalem when God’s people came together 151 00:10:50,739 –> 00:10:56,539 one nation one family in the truest sense descended from Jacob and from Abraham in 152 00:10:56,840 –> 00:11:03,159 these great festivals the unity between them seemed far far greater than the difficulties that had divided them and 153 00:11:03,719 –> 00:11:08,020 Of course this is pointing us forward to the fact that there is coming a great day 154 00:11:08,960 –> 00:11:14,440 When everything that has ever come between brothers and sisters in Christ 155 00:11:15,000 –> 00:11:18,140 Will be fully finally and wonderfully healed 156 00:11:19,080 –> 00:11:24,700 We will be reconciled to one another fully even as we are fully reconciled to God 157 00:11:25,960 –> 00:11:27,960 That will be heaven 158 00:11:28,539 –> 00:11:32,719 And so every time we see it happening among us here and now 159 00:11:33,679 –> 00:11:36,159 We get a little touch of heaven on 160 00:11:36,799 –> 00:11:38,799 on earth 161 00:11:38,859 –> 00:11:41,080 see Jesus Christ has put us in the 162 00:11:41,580 –> 00:11:43,239 reconciliation business 163 00:11:43,239 –> 00:11:49,659 He reconciled us to himself through the cross and he makes his church the body in which the 164 00:11:49,900 –> 00:11:52,000 Reconciliation of people who are very different 165 00:11:52,640 –> 00:11:55,979 Begins to happen what tears our world apart 166 00:11:56,880 –> 00:11:58,880 age 167 00:11:59,359 –> 00:12:01,679 Generation color 168 00:12:03,640 –> 00:12:05,320 Economic status 169 00:12:05,380 –> 00:12:08,000 social background education these things 170 00:12:09,520 –> 00:12:12,380 Compartmentalize us they divide people 171 00:12:13,479 –> 00:12:19,919 But when the Apostle Paul writes about the church, he says listen. You are all one in Christ Jesus 172 00:12:20,919 –> 00:12:22,599 There’s not Jew 173 00:12:22,599 –> 00:12:26,260 Nor Greek the racial divisions are superseded in Christ 174 00:12:26,280 –> 00:12:31,640 There’s not slave or free the economic divisions are superseded in Christ 175 00:12:31,640 –> 00:12:35,900 There’s not even male or female you are all one in Christ Jesus 176 00:12:36,200 –> 00:12:41,500 And what will be complete in Heaven is begone in the church of Jesus Christ now 177 00:12:42,080 –> 00:12:44,080 They’re wonderful vision 178 00:12:44,520 –> 00:12:46,520 now of course 179 00:12:46,640 –> 00:12:48,640 We all struggle with this 180 00:12:49,299 –> 00:12:53,159 the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a 181 00:12:53,479 –> 00:12:58,219 Church in Philippi the letter of Philippians in the New Testament and at the end 182 00:12:58,440 –> 00:13:00,520 He singles out two women 183 00:13:00,940 –> 00:13:07,280 you can imagine turning up on Sunday morning having a letter from the Apostle Paul being read from the Pulpit and 184 00:13:07,500 –> 00:13:15,219 Finding that you were named in it, well, he picks out two women who’d evidently been squabbling their names were Yodia and 185 00:13:16,340 –> 00:13:17,840 Syntyche Dr. 186 00:13:17,840 –> 00:13:25,239 Allen red path used to call them onerous and soon touchy and I rather like that. I find it memorable and 187 00:13:25,280 –> 00:13:32,400 And Paul says at the end of Philippians, he said now you two women they weren’t getting along he said I plead with you 188 00:13:33,219 –> 00:13:36,119 to agree together in the Lord 189 00:13:37,419 –> 00:13:40,940 Look, he’s saying your destiny is to spend eternity 190 00:13:41,500 –> 00:13:46,039 Together in the presence of Jesus Christ can’t you begin by agreeing together now? 191 00:13:47,419 –> 00:13:50,580 Listen the things that make us different the things that pull us apart 192 00:13:51,479 –> 00:13:53,479 exist only in time 193 00:13:54,179 –> 00:13:59,299 The things that unite people in Jesus Christ together will last for eternity 194 00:14:01,200 –> 00:14:07,460 And as reconciliation between God’s people really takes place the psalmist is saying there God’s 195 00:14:08,099 –> 00:14:10,059 Blessing will flow 196 00:14:10,059 –> 00:14:12,780 So you want to see more of God’s blessing in your life 197 00:14:13,460 –> 00:14:17,719 do everything that you can when it comes to this whole area of 198 00:14:18,320 –> 00:14:24,260 Reconciliation as far as it is in you because when brothers and sisters in Christ live together in unity 199 00:14:24,719 –> 00:14:26,359 there God’s 200 00:14:26,359 –> 00:14:27,700 blessing flows in 201 00:14:27,700 –> 00:14:30,340 your church in your business 202 00:14:31,739 –> 00:14:33,739 in every area of your life 203 00:14:35,359 –> 00:14:37,559 God’s put us in the business of reconciliation 204 00:14:39,219 –> 00:14:41,219 Complete then 205 00:14:41,539 –> 00:14:43,599 Begun now 206 00:14:43,599 –> 00:14:47,020 Secondly God blesses us not only by three 207 00:14:47,359 –> 00:14:51,739 Reconciling us to himself and one another but he blesses us by 208 00:14:52,700 –> 00:14:56,020 anointing us for ministry and service 209 00:14:56,520 –> 00:15:00,719 Now the Bible is full of pictures try and imagine this one with me verse two 210 00:15:01,440 –> 00:15:03,520 It is like precious oil 211 00:15:04,539 –> 00:15:06,539 poured on the head 212 00:15:07,179 –> 00:15:09,179 Running down on the beard 213 00:15:09,820 –> 00:15:15,159 Running down on Aaron’s beard down upon the collar of his robes 214 00:15:16,900 –> 00:15:20,260 Now Aaron who was Aaron 215 00:15:21,219 –> 00:15:23,219 Aaron was the brother of Moses 216 00:15:24,099 –> 00:15:27,239 Now talk about sibling rivalry. I 217 00:15:27,760 –> 00:15:32,940 Mean, can you imagine being the brother of one of the greatest men who has ever lived? 218 00:15:32,940 –> 00:15:35,280 I mean talk about being put in the shade 219 00:15:36,239 –> 00:15:40,880 What do you think it would have been like to be the brother of Moses 220 00:15:42,059 –> 00:15:43,080 now 221 00:15:43,080 –> 00:15:46,000 some of us probably know a little bit of what this feels like 222 00:15:46,679 –> 00:15:52,739 You know, if you have a well-known father or mother or husband or wife or even son or daughter 223 00:15:53,619 –> 00:16:00,039 You know what? It’s like you’re always introduced as somebody’s daughter. Somebody’s son somebody’s wife 224 00:16:00,520 –> 00:16:02,520 somebody’s husband 225 00:16:02,760 –> 00:16:04,760 You’re never introduced in your own right 226 00:16:06,000 –> 00:16:11,059 The thing that always gets noticed is who you are in relation to somebody else 227 00:16:12,900 –> 00:16:15,619 Now that’s of course how it was for Aaron 228 00:16:17,080 –> 00:16:19,539 Aaron was Moses brother and 229 00:16:20,520 –> 00:16:22,000 It’s always 230 00:16:22,000 –> 00:16:26,799 Moses and Aaron it’s never Aaron and Moses, right? 231 00:16:28,000 –> 00:16:30,919 Now here’s the wonderful thing that’s being referred to in this verse 232 00:16:30,940 –> 00:16:31,979 Now here’s the wonderful thing that’s being referred to in this verse 233 00:16:32,320 –> 00:16:38,299 The God who called Moses into ministry has a purpose for Aaron too 234 00:16:39,159 –> 00:16:43,679 Aaron was made the high priest and on the day when he was given this particular ministry 235 00:16:43,679 –> 00:16:46,799 It was marked by a vase of oil 236 00:16:47,280 –> 00:16:53,359 Being poured over his head so much oil that it ran down over his beard and over the collar of these 237 00:16:53,440 –> 00:16:56,159 Wonderful robes that he was given for his new position 238 00:16:56,520 –> 00:16:58,359 If you want to read about it more detail 239 00:16:58,359 –> 00:17:06,140 You can read about it in Exodus chapter 29 the anointing off Aaron for ministry and it is a wonderful picture 240 00:17:06,760 –> 00:17:13,140 What it is saying to us is that as the oil is poured over Aaron’s head this ordinary guy 241 00:17:13,880 –> 00:17:17,119 who for years had been in the shadow of his brother is 242 00:17:18,040 –> 00:17:22,300 given a ministry as a priest of God 243 00:17:22,300 –> 00:17:24,300 Now 244 00:17:24,540 –> 00:17:30,599 You say that sounds marvellous that little story about ere and what in all the world has it got to do with me listen 245 00:17:31,680 –> 00:17:34,000 the anointing of Aaron is 246 00:17:34,819 –> 00:17:39,920 a picture of what God does with every believer in Jesus Christ 247 00:17:41,500 –> 00:17:48,119 When you come to faith in Jesus Christ, here’s what God does he pours his Holy Spirit into you 248 00:17:49,060 –> 00:17:50,479 He 249 00:17:50,479 –> 00:17:52,479 Makes you a priest 250 00:17:53,520 –> 00:17:56,959 the New Testament speaks about the priesthood of all 251 00:17:57,819 –> 00:18:05,239 Believers what that means is that God puts every believer in a place where we are able to serve him and minister 252 00:18:05,520 –> 00:18:06,739 in his name 253 00:18:06,739 –> 00:18:12,180 it is a wonderful thing what that means is that is no such thing as an 254 00:18:12,719 –> 00:18:14,619 ordinary Christian 255 00:18:14,719 –> 00:18:19,380 You’ve ever said well, I’m just an ordinary Christian never say that again 256 00:18:20,439 –> 00:18:22,439 How can anyone in? 257 00:18:22,839 –> 00:18:25,839 Whom the Spirit of God dwells? 258 00:18:27,000 –> 00:18:29,000 be described as ordinary 259 00:18:30,640 –> 00:18:33,140 Know the wonderful thing is that no matter how 260 00:18:33,699 –> 00:18:39,239 Overshadowed you may have been by some brother or sister or famous relative or person with a more forceful 261 00:18:39,560 –> 00:18:41,920 Personality or greater success as it seems than you 262 00:18:42,439 –> 00:18:49,859 When you come to Jesus Christ, he pours his spirit into you and there’s a ministry for you as well as for your brother 263 00:18:52,920 –> 00:18:56,819 You are a minister and a servant and a priest of God for all eternity 264 00:18:58,959 –> 00:19:01,640 See it’s not just that you’re gonna live forever 265 00:19:02,760 –> 00:19:07,400 It’s that you’re going to be part of a reconciled community forever with all the joy of that 266 00:19:08,319 –> 00:19:13,880 And that you’re going to be able to serve God forever that your unique 267 00:19:14,160 –> 00:19:22,079 God-given gifts made perfect will be offered and fully expressed for His Glory for all 268 00:19:22,680 –> 00:19:28,540 Eternity, it will be marvelous to behold the full gifting of every member of the body of Christ 269 00:19:28,540 –> 00:19:32,420 And what a wonderful privilege for each one of us to share in that 270 00:19:33,359 –> 00:19:36,300 Now you see that’s what the blessing of God in heaven looks like 271 00:19:36,920 –> 00:19:37,780 and 272 00:19:37,780 –> 00:19:43,160 Every time a believer finds their gifting and calling to serve the Lord 273 00:19:43,160 –> 00:19:48,160 Jesus Christ in this life there is a little touch of heaven on 274 00:19:48,920 –> 00:19:50,920 earth 275 00:19:51,479 –> 00:19:52,760 Third 276 00:19:52,760 –> 00:19:57,199 God blesses us not only by reconciling us to himself and to each other 277 00:19:57,920 –> 00:20:02,959 Not only by anointing each believer for ministry and for service 278 00:20:03,500 –> 00:20:10,140 But certainly by a renewing and refreshing our lives. Now. Here’s another lovely picture look at it in verse 3 279 00:20:11,219 –> 00:20:13,219 It is as if 280 00:20:13,660 –> 00:20:18,199 The Jew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion 281 00:20:19,520 –> 00:20:24,119 For there the Lord bestows His blessing even life 282 00:20:24,560 –> 00:20:26,560 for evermore 283 00:20:26,660 –> 00:20:30,739 Now mount Hermon is the highest mountain in Israel. It rises over 284 00:20:31,439 –> 00:20:35,359 9,000 feet and in fact, it’s easily the highest mountain in the whole region 285 00:20:35,359 –> 00:20:38,319 It is usually snow capped throughout the year 286 00:20:38,319 –> 00:20:42,880 I remember my own sense of surprise the first time I saw it sitting on a tour bus 287 00:20:42,900 –> 00:20:48,260 I said to comment. It looks like snow at the top of that mountain. I couldn’t believe it because we were so hot 288 00:20:49,400 –> 00:20:55,540 But this is such a high mountain that it has normally snow on the top. Just about all the year round 289 00:20:55,540 –> 00:20:59,180 Now I’ve also been to Mount Zion 290 00:20:59,180 –> 00:21:03,459 Mount Zion in comparison with Herman is really just like a little hill 291 00:21:03,459 –> 00:21:10,140 it’s a fair old climb to get up there, but it’s a hill at the kind of height that you could build on the top of it and 292 00:21:11,420 –> 00:21:14,920 When I was on Mount Zion, I remember it vividly it was dry 293 00:21:15,560 –> 00:21:21,300 It was hot blistering hot and it was very very dusty indeed 294 00:21:22,099 –> 00:21:24,099 Now think of the picture 295 00:21:24,800 –> 00:21:28,339 Imagine the Jew of the snow-capped mountain 296 00:21:29,640 –> 00:21:35,000 Falling on the dry dusty ground of this bald-headed little hill 297 00:21:37,540 –> 00:21:38,660 Gods 298 00:21:38,660 –> 00:21:45,479 Abundant supply coming to the dried-up cracked ground of your life 299 00:21:46,660 –> 00:21:48,619 my life 300 00:21:48,619 –> 00:21:51,140 That’s the picture of God 301 00:21:51,859 –> 00:21:53,859 refreshing and renewing 302 00:21:54,339 –> 00:21:56,339 Dried up life 303 00:21:57,140 –> 00:22:01,979 And David says that’s what it’s like when God’s people live together in unity his blessing flows 304 00:22:02,859 –> 00:22:07,479 When God’s people discover they’re gifting and they’re calling for ministry his blessing flows 305 00:22:08,500 –> 00:22:15,780 Gods people gathering together to worship like that you find there’s a renewal or refreshment in your very innermost being 306 00:22:17,040 –> 00:22:19,040 It’s the blessing of God 307 00:22:19,660 –> 00:22:25,300 And that’s a snapshot of what eternity is going to be like life will never get stale nor dull in heaven 308 00:22:25,599 –> 00:22:31,280 will constantly be renewed and refreshed the Jews of Harmon falling 309 00:22:32,199 –> 00:22:34,199 upon Mount Zion 310 00:22:34,920 –> 00:22:38,020 So that’s a snapshot of God’s blessing in eternity 311 00:22:39,119 –> 00:22:42,439 reconciliation anointing for ministry constant renewal and 312 00:22:43,500 –> 00:22:46,819 Every time here and now we see reconciliation take place 313 00:22:46,939 –> 00:22:48,579 that’s a little touch of heaven on earth 314 00:22:48,579 –> 00:22:53,380 Every time we see a believer discovering their place in ministry a little touch of heaven in earth 315 00:22:53,500 –> 00:22:58,339 Every time we renewed and refreshed in the presence of God a little touch of heaven 316 00:22:59,859 –> 00:23:03,000 Here on earth it’s God’s blessing to us 317 00:23:05,579 –> 00:23:12,420 One day it’s going to be complete what we’ve got now the Apostle Paul says is just like a deposit 318 00:23:12,780 –> 00:23:14,920 Guaranteeing what is to come 319 00:23:15,339 –> 00:23:22,160 Boy, I was thinking about when we bought our first house and the deposit that we put down was that much 320 00:23:22,939 –> 00:23:24,739 the mortgage 321 00:23:24,739 –> 00:23:26,739 that much, right 322 00:23:27,560 –> 00:23:34,180 All that you experience of the Holy Spirit now is just a foretaste of what will be complete 323 00:23:34,359 –> 00:23:36,359 in his presence 324 00:23:36,479 –> 00:23:38,479 But it’s a real sample 325 00:23:39,079 –> 00:23:41,079 the taste of 326 00:23:41,160 –> 00:23:43,140 The taster 327 00:23:43,140 –> 00:23:45,140 of what’s to come 328 00:23:45,439 –> 00:23:47,439 God’s blessing to us 329 00:23:47,800 –> 00:23:52,599 Now let’s look secondly at our blessing the Lord and again notice three things 330 00:23:53,280 –> 00:23:58,520 First we bless the Lord by worshipping in response to His blessing 331 00:23:59,040 –> 00:24:03,180 Now there’s an important difference between God blessing us and us blessing the Lord 332 00:24:03,880 –> 00:24:05,880 When God blesses us 333 00:24:06,079 –> 00:24:08,079 He makes us what we’re not 334 00:24:08,119 –> 00:24:10,939 It gives us what we haven’t what we need 335 00:24:11,839 –> 00:24:13,839 when we bless the Lord 336 00:24:14,260 –> 00:24:19,439 we rejoice in what he already is always was and always will be and 337 00:24:20,359 –> 00:24:24,699 Our blessing the Lord is the natural response of 338 00:24:25,339 –> 00:24:28,339 Believing people who have been blessed by the Lord 339 00:24:29,000 –> 00:24:32,040 Here’s today’s really profound point 340 00:24:33,319 –> 00:24:34,800 some 341 00:24:34,800 –> 00:24:36,800 134 comes after 342 00:24:37,119 –> 00:24:38,780 Psalm 343 00:24:38,780 –> 00:24:43,380 133 okay, that’s the profound point of the day but think about its significance 344 00:24:44,479 –> 00:24:48,260 We do not come to worship in order to be blessed 345 00:24:49,680 –> 00:24:52,260 We come to worship because we are blessed 346 00:24:53,839 –> 00:24:57,660 You see if you come to worship think I’ve come to worship in order to be blessed 347 00:24:57,739 –> 00:25:02,500 You’ll come with a score card and you mark the worship out of 10. That’s what a lot of people do 348 00:25:03,219 –> 00:25:05,439 complete misunderstanding of what worship is 349 00:25:06,239 –> 00:25:07,880 I’ve come to worship to be blessed 350 00:25:07,880 –> 00:25:11,760 We come to worship because we are blessed because we have grasped by faith 351 00:25:11,760 –> 00:25:16,140 What God has done for us in Jesus Christ, and we want to declare his praise 352 00:25:20,660 –> 00:25:25,579 Worship is the response of a believing heart to God’s grace already poured in 353 00:25:25,579 –> 00:25:31,079 It is why it is only possible for believers. It is only possible through the Holy Spirit, but listen 354 00:25:32,040 –> 00:25:35,199 God has reconciled you to himself in Christ 355 00:25:36,079 –> 00:25:38,619 God has anointed you by the gift of his Holy Spirit 356 00:25:38,859 –> 00:25:44,000 God has taken you an ordinary person and made you one of his priests God gives you life forevermore 357 00:25:46,420 –> 00:25:50,920 You can’t come to worship in the light of that as a mere duty you come as a delight 358 00:25:51,959 –> 00:25:58,339 Bless the Lord. Oh my soul and all that is within me. Praise his holy name and don’t whatever you do 359 00:25:58,339 –> 00:26:00,680 Oh my soul forget all his 360 00:26:01,119 –> 00:26:02,959 benefits 361 00:26:02,959 –> 00:26:08,359 We bless the Lord by worshiping in response to his blessing 362 00:26:10,280 –> 00:26:16,239 Secondly we bless the Lord by worshiping at all times and in all circumstances 363 00:26:18,160 –> 00:26:22,060 Now look at verse 1 again praise the Lord all 364 00:26:23,079 –> 00:26:25,079 You servants of the Lord 365 00:26:25,660 –> 00:26:28,119 Who minister by night in? 366 00:26:28,420 –> 00:26:32,180 In the house of the Lord now, what’s what’s this the night shift? 367 00:26:33,619 –> 00:26:36,680 God’s temple was never closed 368 00:26:37,839 –> 00:26:40,060 In the Old Testament. It was open 369 00:26:40,839 –> 00:26:42,000 247 370 00:26:42,000 –> 00:26:44,099 one Chronicles chapter 9 in verse 33 371 00:26:44,459 –> 00:26:50,199 Tells us that the musicians they were exempt from other duties because they had to sustain 372 00:26:50,439 –> 00:26:54,459 The ministry of music in the temple day and night 373 00:26:55,380 –> 00:26:58,020 And by the way, that’s pretty tough on the choir. Don’t you think? 374 00:26:59,099 –> 00:27:01,339 24 seven in the temple 375 00:27:02,339 –> 00:27:04,339 now 376 00:27:04,420 –> 00:27:11,619 Presumably they did this as we would do it by organizing it on a roster of people working different shifts 377 00:27:11,900 –> 00:27:15,959 so that God’s temple would always be filled with praise and 378 00:27:16,459 –> 00:27:20,439 So I want you to imagine just for a moment that all of us in this congregation 379 00:27:20,599 –> 00:27:25,420 Right now are the priests and the Levites of God. Okay, and 380 00:27:25,459 –> 00:27:26,760 And 381 00:27:26,760 –> 00:27:31,619 We’ve gathered together here and the high priest has come. He’s got his little clipboard and 382 00:27:32,079 –> 00:27:36,359 He’s giving out the roster for next week’s duties 383 00:27:36,959 –> 00:27:41,459 Now he says it’s great to have all of us Levite’s priests together this morning 384 00:27:41,459 –> 00:27:46,400 and of course, it’s a wonderful privilege for us all to serve the Lord in his temple and 385 00:27:47,119 –> 00:27:52,780 you all know that the Lord has said that from the rising of the Sun to its setting his name is to be praised and 386 00:27:52,780 –> 00:27:57,040 We have the immense privilege of making sure that this happens 387 00:27:57,079 –> 00:28:03,280 and so I want simply to give out the duties for us for this next week, and so the 388 00:28:04,040 –> 00:28:08,099 Early-shift. I want all of you folks here this week to be on the early shift 389 00:28:08,099 –> 00:28:13,800 You’re going to be here report to the temple, please at 6 in the morning and you’ll be on duty till 12 390 00:28:14,339 –> 00:28:16,339 alright and 391 00:28:16,540 –> 00:28:20,079 you folks on here over here, you’re on the afternoon shift and 392 00:28:20,760 –> 00:28:25,380 you’ll come on at 12, and you’ll be ministering in the temple until 6 393 00:28:26,140 –> 00:28:27,520 and 394 00:28:27,520 –> 00:28:28,780 then 395 00:28:28,780 –> 00:28:31,160 folks at the back here behind the cameras 396 00:28:31,920 –> 00:28:34,420 you folks are going to be on the evening shift 397 00:28:34,780 –> 00:28:41,880 you will report at 6 in the evening, and you’ll be responsible for everything going on in the temple until midnight and 398 00:28:43,160 –> 00:28:46,739 Then the night shift course or not so many people coming to the temple during the night 399 00:28:46,739 –> 00:28:51,560 So we don’t need so many on staff there just you folks in these front three roads 400 00:28:52,300 –> 00:28:55,119 You’re on duty every night this week from midnight 401 00:28:55,660 –> 00:29:01,079 Until 6 in the morning you’re the priests and levites who will minister by night in 402 00:29:01,540 –> 00:29:06,520 The house of the Lord now that we’ve just given out all of the instructions for our duties for the next week 403 00:29:06,540 –> 00:29:10,300 How do these folks in the front three rows in the center feel? 404 00:29:11,280 –> 00:29:15,000 They’re probably more spiritual than I am 405 00:29:15,660 –> 00:29:17,660 But I’ll tell you how I would feel 406 00:29:19,359 –> 00:29:21,359 Right 407 00:29:22,260 –> 00:29:24,260 Just my luck 408 00:29:25,739 –> 00:29:32,339 How come I always get a short straw, I mean who really wants to do the night shift I 409 00:29:33,699 –> 00:29:40,099 mean, let’s face it who comes to the temple at three o’clock in the morning anyway, what’s the point in 410 00:29:40,300 –> 00:29:45,699 Singing what’s the point of lighting a candle? Who cares whether we burn the incense, then or not? 411 00:29:47,560 –> 00:29:50,319 How come I get picked to lead the worship when no one’s there 412 00:29:53,160 –> 00:29:58,540 Nobody’s gonna notice my ministry at 4 30 a.m. What difference does it make? 413 00:30:00,420 –> 00:30:02,420 Now listen 414 00:30:03,359 –> 00:30:08,160 Some of us have been called to declare the praise of God in 415 00:30:09,020 –> 00:30:11,020 very dark times and 416 00:30:11,819 –> 00:30:13,819 in very lonely places 417 00:30:15,560 –> 00:30:18,420 Some of us have called been called by God 418 00:30:19,459 –> 00:30:21,479 Right now on the roster 419 00:30:22,739 –> 00:30:28,300 We are lifting the praise of God on a very very difficult path 420 00:30:28,380 –> 00:30:30,380 And 421 00:30:31,979 –> 00:30:36,300 Frankly any Sunday morning when the whole congregation is gathered 422 00:30:37,020 –> 00:30:40,459 That are quite number of us who were in that situation and we know it 423 00:30:42,060 –> 00:30:44,060 We are not singing songs in the daytime 424 00:30:45,579 –> 00:30:49,560 We’re trying our best to sustain singing the song in the night 425 00:30:50,459 –> 00:30:51,859 and 426 00:30:51,859 –> 00:30:55,699 I want you to see what happens in the Psalm. You see what’s happening here 427 00:30:55,699 –> 00:30:59,819 If you look at it, you’ll see that the whole congregation is 428 00:31:00,599 –> 00:31:06,079 Speaking a word of encouragement to the few who happened to be on the night shift 429 00:31:06,979 –> 00:31:11,520 the words are directed by the whole congregation singing this psalm to 430 00:31:11,959 –> 00:31:14,739 The servants of the Lord who minister by night 431 00:31:14,760 –> 00:31:19,699 It’s the night shift crew and they’re trying to encourage them because it’s tough to be on the night shift, right? 432 00:31:20,560 –> 00:31:25,239 Not easy to declare the praise of God in a lonely situation where it’s very dark 433 00:31:26,180 –> 00:31:27,680 nobody 434 00:31:27,680 –> 00:31:29,680 Nobody would choose that 435 00:31:30,140 –> 00:31:31,420 and 436 00:31:31,420 –> 00:31:34,380 So this psalm is an expression of the whole community? 437 00:31:34,760 –> 00:31:40,459 Couraging those who are walking that dark path, you know, I’d like us to hear that right now in this service 438 00:31:40,479 –> 00:31:43,859 Let me ask the simple question as I’ve asked in all the other services 439 00:31:44,540 –> 00:31:46,020 every Sunday 440 00:31:46,020 –> 00:31:51,239 There are folks are just going through a rough time. You would immediately say boy identify with a night shift 441 00:31:51,380 –> 00:31:52,479 I 442 00:31:52,479 –> 00:31:55,180 Identify with these folks who are not finding it 443 00:31:55,300 –> 00:31:59,800 Easy to declare the praise of God’s because right now I’m in a difficultcircumstance of life 444 00:32:00,359 –> 00:32:03,319 Now I’m not going to ask you to do anything else is going to embarrass you 445 00:32:03,319 –> 00:32:08,680 But if that’s where you are today, I want you just to slip up your hand and then slip it down one section at a time 446 00:32:08,959 –> 00:32:13,479 Okay in this section here it’s a number of us that have been in every service both in the gym 447 00:32:13,479 –> 00:32:15,359 Just slip up your hand down 448 00:32:15,359 –> 00:32:16,660 the section over here 449 00:32:16,660 –> 00:32:19,540 Some of us dark time tough time number of us 450 00:32:19,540 –> 00:32:25,459 Good number of us in the center here a number of us a number of us over in these two sections here 451 00:32:25,579 –> 00:32:27,579 Slip up your hand slip it down 452 00:32:27,739 –> 00:32:33,140 Every Sunday’s this is what it’s like. There are always a good number in the company of God’s people and 453 00:32:33,760 –> 00:32:37,420 You see, you know, I’m trying to lift up the name of the Lord, but it’s not easy for me right now 454 00:32:38,219 –> 00:32:41,800 Now what happens in this Psalm? Is that the whole congregation? 455 00:32:42,939 –> 00:32:44,939 speaks a word of encouragement 456 00:32:45,199 –> 00:32:47,119 To the night shift 457 00:32:47,119 –> 00:32:49,459 So if you’ve just raised your hand 458 00:32:50,160 –> 00:32:55,619 In these last moments, I just want you to sit quietly and to listen don’t say anything. Just just listen 459 00:32:56,359 –> 00:33:02,479 And I want the rest of the congregation to minister the encouragement of the word of God to those who are 460 00:33:02,859 –> 00:33:05,420 Struggling at this time the night shift 461 00:33:05,939 –> 00:33:07,939 Look at what you’re going to say in just a moment 462 00:33:08,380 –> 00:33:12,260 You’re going to say at the end there may the Lord the Maker of heaven and earth bless you 463 00:33:12,979 –> 00:33:16,160 We want the blessing of God on the night shift people 464 00:33:17,680 –> 00:33:22,359 We’re gonna say to some brothers and sisters today her servants of the Lord ministering by night 465 00:33:22,540 –> 00:33:25,959 Lift up your hands and praise the Lord. We want to encourage them 466 00:33:26,939 –> 00:33:31,300 So as if you were able to do this eyeball to eyeball with one of your brothers or sisters 467 00:33:31,619 –> 00:33:34,300 Sitting near to you who’s really struggling as 468 00:33:34,699 –> 00:33:41,520 Some listen. I want all the rest of the congregation with strength and conviction to minister the word of God 469 00:33:41,520 –> 00:33:45,160 Will you read it together with me as to these brothers and sisters? 470 00:33:46,239 –> 00:33:48,239 praise the Lord all 471 00:33:48,239 –> 00:33:53,859 You servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord 472 00:33:54,800 –> 00:33:58,880 lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord 473 00:33:59,839 –> 00:34:06,119 May the Lord the maker of heaven and earth bless you from Zion 474 00:34:06,839 –> 00:34:08,800 now listen 475 00:34:08,800 –> 00:34:10,800 your faith 476 00:34:11,080 –> 00:34:13,080 your love for Christ 477 00:34:13,439 –> 00:34:17,340 Your worship in the darkness when it’s tough is 478 00:34:17,879 –> 00:34:20,000 Of great value in the eyes of God 479 00:34:21,199 –> 00:34:25,679 The greatest witness of the Church of Jesus Christ is not her songs in the daytime 480 00:34:26,620 –> 00:34:28,620 but her songs in the night 481 00:34:28,959 –> 00:34:34,979 The greatest witness of the Church of Jesus Christ is from those who suffer for those who’ve been persecuted 482 00:34:35,580 –> 00:34:39,000 for those even who’ve laid down their lives for Jesus Christ and 483 00:34:39,800 –> 00:34:46,500 When you will continue to lift up the name of Jesus and bless the Lord in the darkness of the night 484 00:34:47,580 –> 00:34:49,580 you are doing something of 485 00:34:50,060 –> 00:34:51,699 Inestimable value 486 00:34:51,699 –> 00:34:53,459 for the glory of God 487 00:34:53,459 –> 00:34:59,879 The whole church across the earth is called to declare the praise of Christ in all times and in all 488 00:35:00,439 –> 00:35:01,699 circumstances 489 00:35:01,699 –> 00:35:03,699 Hear this word of encouragement 490 00:35:04,560 –> 00:35:06,560 when God for whatever reason 491 00:35:07,219 –> 00:35:09,219 Has put you on the night shift 492 00:35:10,320 –> 00:35:16,780 Bless the Lord and know that this may be just about the most significant ministry 493 00:35:17,360 –> 00:35:19,360 of your life 494 00:35:20,239 –> 00:35:23,800 We blessed the Lord, then by worshipping in response to his blessing 495 00:35:24,540 –> 00:35:27,540 We bless the Lord by worshipping at all times 496 00:35:27,560 –> 00:35:33,659 Not just in the noonday when it’s very bright and easy not just with the crowds, but in the hard dark lonely places 497 00:35:34,580 –> 00:35:36,500 all times and 498 00:35:36,500 –> 00:35:38,500 at all circumstances 499 00:35:38,659 –> 00:35:44,820 Here’s the last thing we bless the Lord by worshiping in anticipation of the new day now 500 00:35:44,820 –> 00:35:47,899 Here’s just about the most important thing for the night shift people 501 00:35:49,239 –> 00:35:55,060 The Old Testament believer as you know lived in the expectation that one day Messiah would come 502 00:35:56,459 –> 00:36:00,959 God had said he would suddenly come to his temple 503 00:36:01,899 –> 00:36:08,100 And of course that was the reason above everything else as to why the temple was never closed 504 00:36:08,100 –> 00:36:09,879 It was open 505 00:36:09,879 –> 00:36:15,659 24-7 because what if God came to his temple at 3 o’clock in the morning and it was all locked up and shut and dark 506 00:36:15,659 –> 00:36:17,500 Well, you couldn’t have that happen 507 00:36:17,500 –> 00:36:24,699 So you had to leave it and you had the priest 24-7 in the temples sustaining the ministry because Messiah could come at any moment 508 00:36:25,739 –> 00:36:27,739 any day 509 00:36:28,439 –> 00:36:33,520 And those who ministered by night were waiting for the Lord 510 00:36:35,320 –> 00:36:40,159 Now I’m certain that that is the significance of the lifting up of the hands in verse 2 511 00:36:41,620 –> 00:36:48,379 see the lifted hands in the sanctuary are an expression of anticipation of 512 00:36:49,739 –> 00:36:53,540 expectation here are these Levites in the middle of the night and 513 00:36:53,939 –> 00:37:00,820 And they’re lifting up their hands in the darkness of the temple where they’ve lit their candle 514 00:37:00,820 –> 00:37:05,419 And they’re looking for the day when the Lord himself will come 515 00:37:05,899 –> 00:37:10,899 They’re saying in New Testament terms Lord Jesus Christ come quickly 516 00:37:11,979 –> 00:37:14,000 Now you see Jesus spoke about this 517 00:37:14,800 –> 00:37:16,800 when the Son of Man 518 00:37:16,820 –> 00:37:21,500 comes he said will he find faith on the earth and 519 00:37:22,239 –> 00:37:28,879 And every believer wants to say with lifted hands you’ll find faith in me because I believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God 520 00:37:30,939 –> 00:37:34,959 Jesus told the story about a bride and her whole entourage 521 00:37:35,699 –> 00:37:38,040 Who were waiting for the coming of the bridegroom? 522 00:37:38,560 –> 00:37:40,780 They were waiting in the darkness of the night 523 00:37:41,179 –> 00:37:47,340 for the midnight cry when the bridegroom would come and the marriage would begin and 524 00:37:48,120 –> 00:37:50,500 You see that is exactly our position, isn’t it? 525 00:37:51,500 –> 00:37:55,540 Whether it be in the brightness of midday or whether it be in the darkness of the night 526 00:37:56,899 –> 00:38:01,520 We live in anticipation of the coming of the Lord 527 00:38:02,719 –> 00:38:04,719 Our worship is by faith 528 00:38:05,800 –> 00:38:08,100 It is sometimes in the darkness 529 00:38:09,139 –> 00:38:11,780 It is always in the anticipation 530 00:38:12,419 –> 00:38:19,719 That Jesus Christ will come and then faith will be turned to sight and our journey will be over and we shall be forever 531 00:38:20,000 –> 00:38:22,000 with the Lord 532 00:38:23,459 –> 00:38:26,600 That’s where the journey of following Jesus ends 533 00:38:29,199 –> 00:38:31,199 So are you on that journey? 534 00:38:32,800 –> 00:38:34,679 You come to the place 535 00:38:34,679 –> 00:38:38,320 The man who says I’ve lived at a distance from God for too long 536 00:38:38,560 –> 00:38:39,719 You set out in the path 537 00:38:39,719 –> 00:38:46,080 And you’re finding that brothers and sisters will walk with you as you put your trust in Jesus Christ you can do that today 538 00:38:46,840 –> 00:38:48,840 begin that journey 539 00:38:49,199 –> 00:38:53,439 And you will find as you put your faith in Jesus Christ that God blesses you 540 00:38:55,159 –> 00:39:01,580 And as God blesses you you will want to rise in return and to bless the Lord