The foundation of God standeth sure (Quality: Very good)

[0:00] As the Lord may be pleased to help me, I would direct you prayerfully to 2 Timothy, chapter 2, and reading verse 19.

[0:15] Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his.

[0:30] And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. We then read this morning about this message by Paul to Timothy in his venturing into the preaching of the gospel.

[0:51] As a son, spiritual son to Paul. And that love of Paul to Timothy because of them both being born of God and their treasures above.

[1:12] And solemnly he was being warned to be constant in word and in doctrine.

[1:22] And so, you see that we need that grace to honour him, to serve him.

[1:33] Whether believers and also the solemn work of the preaching of the gospel.

[1:47] Which we have fully experienced, we believe, in our little pathway. And find the work of the devil very powerful.

[2:00] And almost, we might say at times, soul-destroying. Because of the trials of our faith. And what a mercy to know that this is the pathway.

[2:17] Wherefore, he says, I endure all things for the elect's sake that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus.

[2:27] We need that grace to honour him. And so, as he says, shun, provain, and vain babblins. For they will increase unto more ungodliness.

[2:40] And their word will eat as doth a canker of whom is Hymenaeus. And Philetus, who concerning the truth, have heard saying that the resurrection is past already.

[2:54] And they will throw the faith of some. But nevertheless, without question, to know this foundation of God. And believe it, standish sure.

[3:09] That I am the Lord, I change not. Therefore, ye sons of Jacob, are not consumed. And so we need, dear friends, to realise that we need, not only of wood and earth, but gold and silver.

[3:26] Vessels of gold and silver. Gold, dear friends. In the furnace tried, now loses all but dross. So is the Christian purified and strengthened by the cross.

[3:40] To be delivered from the enemies of the truth. Which are described in the next chapter that we hope to read this afternoon.

[3:51] Oh, how we do need the Lord to grant us that flowing together of the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

[4:05] To buy the truth and sell it not. And how do we buy? Praying unto God in a time when darkness seems to cloud over you and me.

[4:22] The sun of righteousness is hidden to that appointed time. But this foundation. And the foundation of God's standish sure.

[4:34] And it's Jesus Christ and him crucified. And what a refuge. We have the open Bible in our homes. In the house of God.

[4:45] Thankfully, to this present moment of time. There are those that despise us. And laugh us to scorn. They speak about the love of God.

[4:56] And they know nothing of it by experience. They know nothing of the trial of faith. But the foundation of God standeth sure.

[5:08] And we have that witness and sealing of the Spirit. When Jesus touches your heart. When he softens your heart. When he comforts you. With those deliverances.

[5:22] And that peace of God. That passeth all knowledge and understanding. He goes to the end of the law. As only he could. Goes to the end of the law and magnifies it.

[5:35] By laying down his life for his friends. And you are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you. This foundation. This bedrock.

[5:47] Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. Lord let not my soul be lost. On this false foundation.

[6:01] But to be led to this rock. The witness and sealing of the Spirit. That I am born of God. Because after all. The Lord knows them that he is.

[6:13] He knows them that he is in the world. In an unregenerate state. He knows that he. Those that he is eternally saved. And will come in due time.

[6:24] And change their heart. And renew their will. And return their feet to Zion's hill. And he bids them come. And his voice is irresistible to two seekers.

[6:36] He pricks them in the conscience. They begin to be in one. Are there any of my hearers. A note of that today. Do they feel to be.

[6:47] Upon the balance as it were. Between the world. And Christ. He bring you out. He teach you to do his fear. And he certainly calls you and me.

[7:02] To know him. The Lord knoweth them. That are his. And in knowing them to hear. That they are his. A time will come. When he quicken them.

[7:12] And make them cry. Give me Christ. Or else I die. How solemn to live and die. With a form of godliness. Without the power. And I fear there's many religious bodies today.

[7:26] Like that. They talk of love. Without conviction. They talk of love. Without. It affecting their walk. And their conduct.

[7:36] In this present evil world. But when Jesus works. Who can hinder it. Who can let it. And we bless God. If we look back a little. In our lives. And realize.

[7:47] There has been a change war. There has been an exercise. In your mind. And mine. To know the truth. To have this seal. And how does he.

[7:59] Call you and me. To be a witness to these things. This seal. The word of grace. The word. That the Lord takes. And seals upon your soul.

[8:12] And oh. He rend the heart. And marble your heart. When he does speak to your soul. You'll realize. Nothing less than Jesus. Blood and righteousness. Can cleanse me.

[8:23] From all my sins. And prepare me. For those prepared mansions. In the sky. And you feel very much. Your humility. Because you're not worthy. Of his notice.

[8:33] Not worthy. Of his. Of his love. But you know. You're tremble. To think the Lord. Has loved you. And you'll have doubts. And fears.

[8:44] Maybe. Because we're in the enemy's land. And can soon undermine. What you and I believe in. But you know. That you'll never be removed. From that seal.

[8:55] The witness. And sealing. Of the spirit. That you're born of God. And that your treasure is above. And so. You seek that grace. That you.

[9:06] That you. That you. Are one of these. Some to honor. And some to dishonor. Searching.

[9:17] Isn't it? The word of God. From Paul. To Timothy. And so. To you and me. As believers. And you ask the Lord. To give you that living faith.

[9:29] To trust him. For his faithfulness. And you look to Jesus. And you see those around you. That are connected with you. In nature. The bone of your bone.

[9:40] And flesh of your flesh. And you see no signs. And you see no evidences. Is. But you see. The secret of the Lord. Is with them. That fear him. And so.

[9:52] There's always a humble hope. In your prayers. You lay. Listen. That one. Before you. They're laid upon your mind. They're laid upon your mind. That they might know.

[10:03] The foundation of truth. That truth. That's burnt. Into your soul and mind. That one thing. Is needful. That is the Lord Jesus Christ.

[10:15] To favor you and me. With a token. With a token of his love. And you know. You will know it when it comes. Oh. Well truly dear.

[10:27] Friends. Realize. That the Lord. Is good. A stronghold in the day of trouble. And he knoweth them. That trust in him. What a privilege.

[10:38] To have that trust. In a living God. A living power. The power. That he gives to the faint. To them that have no might. He increases strength.

[10:50] You sometimes feel your. Little faith. Is so. Tried. And so troubled. That you wonder. Whether you are. Really built. Upon.

[11:00] This. Foundation. Is that being. Wrought upon. By the spirit. Being. Brought to fear. His name.

[11:11] And seek those tokens. Of his love. Lord. Grant me. To know then. That I have had. This seal. And being able.

[11:22] To bear witness. Of when Jesus. Revealed the truth. To you. You say. You should know the truth. And the truth.

[11:33] Should make you free. And to live the truth. And to walk the truth. Because. You'll be following. In the footsteps. Of the flock of God.

[11:44] To live the truth. Walk in the truth. He said. You should know the truth. And the truth. Should make you free. From the condemnation. Of the broken law.

[11:56] And so. Though the enemies. Of the truth. Will do their utmost. To drive in. That wedge of unbelief. For your. Life and mine. But blessed.

[12:07] Be the Lord. This seal. What he has revealed. To you. From his word. He's taken it. And sealed it. You know. You're a sinner.

[12:19] He's convinced you. Of yet. You want more than that. You don't want to live. And die. Just under conviction. You want to know. That he has. Saved you. With an everlasting salvation.

[12:32] What a mighty saviour he is. Able to save unto the uttermost. You might have been at the uttermost. Ends of the earth. You may feel it now. Today. In your trial of faith.

[12:45] Uttermost ends of the earth. But even there. Jesus comes. And revisits your soul. And though.

[12:57] You have this witness. Within yourself. Lord. Do grant. That they'll confirm the word. With signs following. In my pathway.

[13:09] A true believer. That steps are ordered. By the Lord. And he delights. To do the will of God. And out of love. To him. He keeps his commandments. And that's not necessarily.

[13:23] An open profession. It's living that life. Of faith. By prayer. Without prayer. Dear friends. Our faith will sink. And will lose.

[13:34] Its effect. Upon us. And so. We have to. Pray to the Lord. To keep us. From the love of sinning. We're in the world. And not of it.

[13:45] But all to honour God. In your steps. And mine. To prove that they're. Ordered of the Lord. Some of you. Older friends. Can look back. And see. All the way.

[13:55] The Lord your God. Has led you. To prove you. To know. Whether you'll keep his commandments. And still. You see. You're able to come. You're still a hunger. Still a thirst. For the righteousness of Christ.

[14:07] Is your refuge. And your strength. A very present help. In trouble. Therefore. Will not we fear. But if I know.

[14:18] A little of it. You'll probably. Do fear. Fear. You've made a mistake. Fear. That you've not got. The root of the matter. In you. But surely.

[14:29] The Lord. Has been better. To you and me. Than all our fears. His providential blessings. Have been a witness. To you.

[14:40] That. He has made a way. For you at times. Where there seemed to be no way. And. You've proved the goodness. Of the Lord. In searching. The scriptures.

[14:52] And not. Earned saying. That the resurrection. Is passed already. And overthrow. The faith of some. No. But to realize. Though he had suffered.

[15:03] Bled and died. He was raised. From the dead. Therefore. We have. Instead of a Sabbath day. We have. We have.

[15:14] The day. The Lord. Was raised. From the dead. And he's ascended. On high. And he's led. Captivity. Captive. Of many. And will still.

[15:24] Lead. Many. Captivity. Dear friend. Lead their. Captivity. Captive. Captive. Because. He still. Manifesting. That he said.

[15:36] If I. If I be lifted up. Will draw all men. Unto me. And he will draw. Those that are in the covenant. Because the Lord. Knoweth them. That he is. And will do. To the end of time. There'll be a.

[15:46] A remnant. According to the election. Of grace. And they'll walk. In his fear. And they want the word. To be. Applied. With power.

[15:57] To their souls. The Lord. Knoweth. He knows. He knows. The. The. The. The. The. The. The sinner. Out there. Dear friends. And we have. Be called.

[16:07] By grace. And it isn't. Dear friends. A fleshly. Excitable. Religion. It's the work. Of the spirit. And it'll be.

[16:18] A secret work. Dear friends. But the Lord. Applies. To the. Soul. And mind. And you'll know. The truth. Oh what a mercy.

[16:28] To be attracted. To the truth. You may. You know. We have to realize. That men are liars. Men are liars. And oh.

[16:39] They're deceitful. Above everything. They're deceitful. Above everything. And deceive. One another. In this world. To get gain.

[16:49] In the things. Of this world. But they're never. Being able. To buy the truth. It's those. That are humbled. In the dust. By the truth. By what the Lord.

[17:01] Has favoured them. To look to Christ. Look to Jesus. Kind and strong. Mercy. Join with power. Here govern.

[17:13] Your ways. And mine. Here make. Crooked things. Straight. Rough places. Plain. Darkness. Light for you. And me. He knoweth them. The eye of the Lord.

[17:24] Is upon the righteous. And his ear. Is open unto their crime. What a mercy. And so you won't. You won't.

[17:35] Be brought to. Withstand Moses. His law condemns. But it doesn't save. But Jesus saves. He has magnified the law.

[17:47] Made it honourable. By shedding his blood. The blood of the covenant. Ordered in all things. And sure. For you and me. To be building our hopes upon. Nothing less than Jesus. Blood and righteousness.

[17:59] Can be the foundation. Of your religion. Jesus Christ. And him crucified. Having this seal. The Lord knoweth. He touches your heart.

[18:10] It's a mysterious work. Upon your soul and mind. He says you should know it. And the freedom. Dear friends. From the captivity. Is because Christ.

[18:22] Has taken all your sins. And blotted them out. As a thick cloud. And says return unto me. For I redeem thee. What a privilege. To know the redeemer.

[18:33] The seal. The witness and seal. Of this spirit. And spirit of truth. Come down. And the things of God. And make to us salvation known.

[18:44] And witness with the blood. What a saviour. This is. Having the. Law magnified by Jesus. Gone to the end of the law.

[18:55] Magnified it. Made it honourable. Rest. Blessed Jesus. The only begotten son of God. Full of grace. And full of truth. His grace sufficient.

[19:07] His strength made perfect in weakness. You glory in his infirmities. Your infirmities. And mine. And we have many. But blessed the Lord Jesus Christ.

[19:20] And so he says. Let everyone that nameth. The name of Christ. Depart from iniquity. You cannot break the snare. But Jesus can and does.

[19:32] And ultimately. You will get the victory. Through the merits of Jesus. And so you bless the Lord. And pray Lord.

[19:43] May I be given grace. To honour thee. May I have that simple. Faith of God's elect. That though troubled on every hand.

[19:53] The Lord leads you. And guides you into all truth. And he says. Ye shall know the truth. And the truth shall make you free. O blessed soul. That can honour him.

[20:06] Because. As I say. That gold. As we said. Tried in the fire. And O you bless the Lord. That he'll bring you through. Bring you through.

[20:18] And you need to purge yourself. From these. He shall be a vessel unto honour. Sanctified. And what a mercy. When the Lord sanctifies.

[20:29] Your afflictions. And your trials. And makes you more meat. For the master's use. As he. Truly draws you. By the cords of man.

[20:39] By the bands of his love. And you. Certainly receive these. Tokens. Says. Says. Paul. Was it purge me with hissep.

[20:49] Wash me. And I shall be whiter than snow. That's impossible. Without the work of the spirit. Could lead. Creating you. Creating you.

[21:02] A cleaner. A new heart. And a righteous spirit. That seeks the Lord. While he may be found. That calls upon him. While he's near. Blessed Jesus.

[21:15] Nevertheless. In spite of those saying. The resurrection is past already. You are raised from the dead. Born in sin. Shape and iniquity.

[21:26] But Jesus touches your heart. Because. The Lord knoweth. Your pathway and mine. He knoweth that you.

[21:37] Change rule. He knoweth your seeking desires. To win Christ. And be known. In him. To be unable.

[21:48] To walk worthy. Of the vocation. Where we you have been called. Looking unto Jesus. Who for the joy. For the set before him. Endured the cross. Despised in the shape.

[21:59] Oh what a mercy to be. The Lord is preparing you. And me. For those. Mansions in the sky. You know. Not how long. We should be spared. Upon the earth.

[22:10] But what a mercy. If he's quickened you. And made you cry. Give me Christ. Or else I die. And when we hear. Of these tragedies.

[22:21] In the world. Cut down in a moment. Are they prepared? Enjoying something. That man has created.

[22:33] In the earth. And then cut down. In a moment of time. Where is their soul? If they've not been born again. By the spirit. Their souls.

[22:44] Will go into hell. The word will back me up in that. And there's a solemn thing. All that I knew. Where I might find him.

[22:55] Is an exercise. In their early days. All that I could really have. Some confirming word of truth. Sealed upon myself. That I know. That thou dost live.

[23:07] That thou dost make intercession. For my unworthy soul. Because I've begun. To be in want. For more than providential things.

[23:17] Which I know. Are the necessities of life. That he says. Seek ye first. The kingdom of God. And his righteousness. And all these other things. Shall be added unto you. And you prove.

[23:29] They will be added unto you. As and when the Lord. Sees fit. For you and me. To receive these blessings. That do not fully go. To your head and mine.

[23:41] And lose you. You lose sight. Of this knowledge. Of salvation. To escape. The wrath of God. But it's standing sure.

[23:52] This is that true religion. Something must be known. And felt in yourself. And you crave for it. At times. Or that I knew.

[24:04] Where I could find him. That he be my guardian. Be my guide. That he would support me. In the pathway.

[24:14] That I believe in. That he alone. Can satisfy the demands. Of my sinful soul. To be washed. In the blood of Christ.

[24:26] And to know the truth. And to watch. Be watchful unto prayer. That the Lord will yet appear. And heal me. And restore unto me. The joy of salvation.

[24:37] For how shall I escape. If I neglect it. You see. You and I are prone to wander. From the God we love. But here's my heart Lord.

[24:48] Take and seal it. Seal it from thy courts above. Oh don't leave me. To keep coming and going. To hear the gospel truths. But to truly be favoured.

[25:00] To know it. To be able to have a living testimony. That is preparing my soul. For the redemption. And deliverance of the curse.

[25:13] The curse is everyone that continues. Not in the whole book of the Lord. To do the things that are contained in it. How can I then deliver myself from Moses' broken law.

[25:25] No. That Jesus only. Has satisfied the broken law. And he has gone to the end of the law and righteousness. And magnified the name of Christ.

[25:38] As we are born again under water of the spirit. And we look to him. To favour us. To be a vessel of honour. And not of dishonour.

[25:50] Oh how vital then. That our religions are the work of the spirit. He says you shall know the truth. And free you and me from the condemnation of the broken law.

[26:02] What an object of faith is Jesus. He's the one thing needful. He's the majesty of heaven. And all power is given unto him in heaven and in earth.

[26:13] How can you do anything. In and of ourselves. To save ourselves. No. Salvation. Is all of his free.

[26:24] And sovereign grace. As he tells us. By grace he is saved through faith. And not of yourselves. Is the gift of God. Not of works. And many rely upon works.

[26:37] Not on works. Lest any man boast. We have to go to full details. Of what the text might say. Dear friends. By grace.

[26:50] The unmerited mercy and favour and love of God. To your soul and mine. Or to be a vessel of gold or silver. And not of wood or stubble.

[27:01] Because it will all be burnt up. All be burnt up. Dear friends. But gold in the furnace trial now loses all but dross. So is the Christian purified.

[27:13] And bettered by the cross. We shrink from the cross. We shrink from affliction. We shrink dear friends from trials.

[27:24] Don't we? No smooth passage to heaven. But. You go in the strength of the Lord. You make mention of his righteousness.

[27:35] His only. It's less the shadow of a spot. You're not my soul. He takes the robe of the Saviour's word. And casts it all around. What a Saviour.

[27:47] What love he reveals to poor sinners. And all here. Melt them down with his love. He softens your heart. You've come with weeping and supplication. To the throne of death.

[27:58] Why was I made to hear thy voice. And enter while there's room. When thousands make a wretched choice. And rather starve and come. Oh Lord.

[28:09] Do give me a thankful heart. Do speak peace to me. That I might know this sure foundation. Other foundation can know that.

[28:22] And they save that as in Christ Jesus my Lord. What a Saviour. And what a mercy dear friends. You're not beyond the limits of his love.

[28:34] You come with repentance. You come with Godly sorrow for your sin. And. He will give. God will. Peradventure.

[28:44] Will give them repentance. To the acknowledging of the truth. And that they may recover themselves. Out of the snare of the devil. Oh we do need to recover.

[28:55] That recovery. Don't we? From the snare of the devil. Who are taken captive by him. At his will. What a mercy.

[29:06] There's one mightier than. Satan. Mightier than the devil. We know the works of the devil dear friends. And we have witnessed much of it.

[29:19] But the Lord you know. Can recover themselves. From the devil. That's an encouragement friends. Go on praying. Wait upon the Lord. To renew your strength. To fight the good fight of faith.

[29:30] And lay hold on eternal life. He will come. He tells off to men of faith. And comes at evening late. Oh you say. When is this trial. When am I going to be lifted out of this trial.

[29:45] Or may we reflect upon the promises. The foundation of God. Stand is sure. The promises. Yea and Amen to Christ. He will come.

[29:56] We need patience. After you have done the patience. After you have the patience of God. That you might know the promise.

[30:08] He does tarry off to men of faint. And comes at evening late. But oh you'll be unable to name Christ. Then. You bless the Lord. Oh my soul. Let all within me.

[30:19] Let all me. My tongue aid. And bless his holy name. He cometh. He cometh to seek you out. He cometh to. Convince you of sin.

[30:32] And lead you to this fountain. Fountain open. Sin and unclean. The dying thief rejoiced. To see that fountain in his life. And why not you. And why not me.

[30:43] I know you'll say. There were two of them. One was lost. What long will say. That shows you two destinations. Heaven and hell.

[30:55] Oh Lord do redeem me. Do save me for thy mercy. Do bring my soul out of prison. Paul could write some wonderful language to Timothy.

[31:07] Out of the prison. And oh how he had. Been brought through many a trial. Now he is warning Timothy. And Timothy's language can warn you and me.

[31:21] Dear friends. The foundation of God. As revealed by Paul's writings to him. And the solemn charge to him.

[31:33] And to walk worthy of the vocation. Where he has been called. And to you and me. Not all how to preach the gospel. But oh how.

[31:44] It is a burden. But he says. Bring thy hard things to me. Whatever they are. In your pathway. The difficulties you encounter.

[31:56] Amongst the world. Amongst those enemies of the truth. All he says. Hold fast to the things that thou has learned. And has heard. And has read of.

[32:07] Because I will never leave thee. Not forsake thee. Boldly say the Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man should do unto me. Because there is a time.

[32:18] He was told. The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. I believe that's very much. The day that we live in. Few want the solemn feasts.

[32:31] Few want to know that they are sinners in God's sight. But you know. He comes. And searches you. And tries you. And sees any wicked way.

[32:41] And he leads you in the way of a lasting to his people. You want this foundation. Built upon nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. Dare not trust the sweetest frame.

[32:53] But wholly lean on Jesus' name. What a name it is. He is despised and rejected of many. Who think that they are Christians.

[33:04] But a true Christian. You know. Is washed in the dear Redeemer's blood. And has his union. With the living head. The foundation. That were never moved.

[33:17] Being never moved. Other foundation can no man lay. Than that is laid. In Jesus Christ. And his real religion.

[33:28] It's more than notion. Something known and felt. Or to have a real testimony. Of what the Lord has spoken to you of. And me. A real evidence.

[33:40] That you're born of God. And that your treasure is above. We're hastening on. By the time he has set to heal up your woes. The season most is his love to disclose.

[33:51] In spite of they saying. And heard. That they have heard dear friends. In the pathway. The Lord Jesus Christ. Is the same yesterday.

[34:02] Today and forever. And what he has promised you. He will cause it to come. And so he was talking here. About. Their word will eat.

[34:13] The shun profane and vain babblings. For they will increase. Unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat. As doth a canker. Of whom is Hymenaeus.

[34:24] And Philetus. Who concern the truth. Have erred. There's plenty of error today. Dear friends. What true religion is more than notion.

[34:36] Something must be known. About. Yes. We know Christ has suffered. Bled and died. But he's ascended on high. They say.

[34:46] That the resurrection is past already. And overthrow the faith of some. But he'll raise you and me from the dead. He'll quicken you and make you cry.

[34:56] Give me Christ. Or else I die. And lead you to this fountain. The bedrock is. Of true religion. Christ and him crucified. And now ascended on high.

[35:08] And this is that. Revealing power of the spirit. To your soul and mine. Christ revealed. And you'll be looking to Jesus.

[35:21] And all that the Father giveth me. Shall come to me. And him that cometh unto me. I will in no wise cast out. Coming sinner. Heavy laden.

[35:31] Burden cast down. Hope thou in God. For I shall yet praise him. Who's the health of my countenance. And my God. Nevertheless. The foundation of God.

[35:43] Stand is sure. Having this seal. But I must leave it there friends. May the Lord bless his own word. And manifest his love to you and me. In due season.

[35:55] We ask it for Christ's sake. Amen. Let us conclude with hymn 348.

[36:08] The tune is St. Peter 227. Thy purchased people. Gracious lamb. Thou never cans forget.

[36:20] The piercing nails. Have wrote their name. Upon thy hands and feet. Satan in vain. With rage assails. Thy dear peculiar ones.

[36:31] For them the righteousness avails. For them thy blood atones. 3, 4, 8.

[36:56] Thou never canst olvidate. The piercing nails. Theult heavenly daher. Theyาม. The unto you.

[37:21] hymn TIES For they might attend They lead against the sheep he strides

[38:27] And wars with their members high Their glorious name forever live Nor can his members die Jesus still gives me A terrible inch Nor from his own reboot Nor can serve his decree Nor change

[39:27] His everlasting love May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ The love of God the Father The fellowship of the Holy Spirit Rest and abide with us each Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen