Together with Christ and His church (Quality: Good)

[0:00] May the Lord help us to commence our evening service by singing the hymn 176. The tune is Lydia 177.

[0:11] 1, 7, 6. Now, dearest Lord, to praise thy name, let all our powers agree.

[0:22] Worthy art thou of endless fame, our springs are all in thee. To whom, dear Jesus, oh to whom shall needy sinners flee?

[0:37] But to thyself who bidst us come, our springs are all in thee. 1, 7, 6.

[0:58] 1, 7, 6.

[1:28] 1, 7, 7. 1, 7, 7, 7. 2, 7, 7, 7, 8.

[1:41] 1, 8, 9, 9, 9, 10. 1, 9, 10. 3, 9, 10. 3, 9, 10. Thank you.

[2:21] Thank you.

[2:51] Thank you.

[3:21] Thank you. Thank you.

[4:21] Thank you. Thank you.

[5:21] Thank you. Thank you.

[5:53] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[6:05] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[6:17] Thank you. Thank you. Let us read selected portions from the first epistle to the Thessalonians.

[6:31] The first epistle to the Thessalonians. We commence at chapter 3. Chapter 3.

[6:43] Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone, and send Timotheus, our brother and minister of God, Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith, that no man should be moved by these afflictions.

[7:31] For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before, that we should suffer tribulation, even as it came to pass.

[7:55] And ye know, for this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and her labor be in vain.

[8:20] But now, when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you.

[8:47] Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our afflictions and distress by your faith.

[9:03] For now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you?

[9:15] For all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God. Night and day, night and day, praying exceedingly, that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith.

[9:38] Now God himself, and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

[9:51] And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love, one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.

[10:08] To the end, he may establish your heart, unblameable in holiness, before God, even our Father, and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints.

[10:29] Chapter 4, and we will commence reading at verse 13, and continue into part of chapter 5.

[10:42] Chapter 4, at verse 13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

[11:06] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.

[11:23] For this we say unto you, by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent that he shall not have priority over them which are asleep.

[11:45] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

[12:03] Then we which are alive, and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.

[12:18] And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

[12:30] But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

[12:49] For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, even as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.

[13:07] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

[13:20] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness.

[13:34] Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night, and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

[13:52] But let us, who are of the day, but let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

[14:09] For God hath not appointed us to rule, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

[14:31] Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

[14:43] The Lord bless his holy word, and help us now in prayer. O gracious God, breathe into our souls the breath of prayer, the prayer of faith, wrestling prayer.

[15:14] Deliver us from vain repetition. Keep us from prayerless prayers. Help us to watch in prayer, and wait for the answer to our petitions.

[15:35] We say, O gracious God, poor, nearer, and went with them.

[15:59] We, O gracious God, poor, needy sinners, would seek grace to constrain thee.

[16:11] Abide with us. It is toward evening. The day is fast then. Thou art still this same Jesus, and ever will be.

[16:26] Thou art still the friend of sinners, and we bless thee for it, and pray that thou would condescend to meet with us, a company of sinners in thine earthly courts.

[16:45] We are not worthy that thou should come under the roof of this thy house, but, Lord, we pray, do in thy mercy, rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.

[17:05] Do prepare our hearts to receive thy word, to hear thy voice. Do grant to us that spirit of reverence and godly fear, of humility, sincerity, spirituality of mind, a humbleness of spirit, nothingness of self.

[17:32] O gracious God, dear Saviour, we're made to see more and more of the plague of our own heart.

[17:45] And we do need the Lord Jesus. We do need the cleansing blood. We do need the inward witness of the Holy Spirit, of our interest in that precious blood of the dear Redeemer.

[18:06] Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation, and reverently we will say it, Lord, keep saying it, keep saying it.

[18:20] We're poor and we're needy, that thou did come to seek and to save sinners. To whom, dear Jesus, O to whom shall needy sinners flee, but to thyself who bids us come, our springs are all in thee.

[18:44] Holy Spirit of God, take of the things of Jesus, reveal them to us, take possession of us also, conduct, bless, guide, thy sinner train to Calvary, where the Lamb was slain, and with us thereabay.

[19:06] Let us, our love, redeem, and weep, weep all his pierced hands and feet, and view his wounded side. Lord, we read of the enemies of the cross, sat down and watched thee there on the cross.

[19:24] We too would pray to sit, yes, rather to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear his word, but in one way, as it were, to sit at the cross, humbly viewing by faith the dear Redeemer, with a broken heart, our heart broken, our spirit contrite, mourning over our sin, to behold, and Lord, it's a very solemn sight, it's a personal matter between our soul and God, the view that it was my sin that led thee to the cross.

[20:08] We know that it was the sin of all the people of God, but Lord, it charged upon us personally, and Lord, we pray that it may lead us to repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

[20:26] Oh, there's love and grief, my heart dividing, with my tears his feet are bathed. That's it, Lord. Oh, it's a mingled calm, sorrow for our sin, grief for the sufferings of the dear Redeemer, that our cause was our own sin, and yet rejoicing in all that thou hast done, made known by the Holy Spirit of God, whereby, oh, gracious God, we stand with wonder, amazement, that such love should be to such sinners.

[21:07] On such love, said one, my soul still ponder, love so great, so rich, so free, say whilst lost in holy wonder, why, oh God, such love to me.

[21:25] Hallelujah, grace shall reign, eternally. Now, gracious God, do help us, oh, we pray thee, that we may walk out the exhortations and gracious counsels, and gracious counsels of the word of God, that, Lord, it may not just be in head only, but in heart, and in loving obedience, that we may show forth the praises of him that hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light, and there we stand with wonder, oh, why did Jesus show to me the beauties of his face, why to my soul did he convey the wonders of his grace.

[22:20] But, Lord, we pray for the confirming of thy Holy Spirit, we pray for these blessings to be renewed and deepened, we pray to know thee more, to love thee more, to serve thee better, enabled by thy Spirit to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length, depth and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, and to be filled with the fullness of God.

[22:56] Lord, it seems we're full of sin. Where's grace? Oh, we believe it's there, Lord, that sometimes we're so brought to see greater abominations than these, brought to see more of our sinnership.

[23:15] Oh, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death. I thank God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, oh, the conflict, Lord, oh, the battle between the old man of sin and the new man of grace, and we fear sometimes the old man prevailing.

[23:37] Oh, yet we are reminded of the world, that a troop shall overcome him, but he shall overcome overcome at the last. And verily, Lord, we believe this will be the lot of all thy dear people.

[23:52] They will, though at times, overcome, yet they will overcome at the last. And yet we find such sweetness in the tender love and compassion of our dear Savior, a bruised reed, he will not break, nor the smoking flags, he will not quench until his scent that brought that victory and triumph.

[24:18] So, Lord, we do pray, do help us to plod on the way. It seems so slow sometimes. We feel so backward, we feel so hard, so worldly, so cold, and yet a touch from heaven, a glimpse from Christ, oh, how precious it is to set us free, make us lively in the things of God, spiritually exercise, resting in prayer, continuing in faith, holding fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promise to grant us grace to fight the good fight of faith, to take the whole armor of God, to stand and to withstand.

[25:08] Help us to lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and to run with patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus.

[25:22] At last, Lord, we look at the waves, we feel the wind, we mark the darkness of the night, the loneliness, and down we begin, we begin, Lord, to go, that thou art there, and, oh, how thou dost reach forth, and how thou dost lift up, and support, and bring us out, and bring us through, wherefore didst thou doubt, oh, thou of little faith, that, Lord, that little faith on the other occasion when thou wast in the boat, when to awaken thee, Master, carest thou not that we perish, shame that ever we should think of such a thing, that, Lord, thou knowest the movings of faith to lay hold, and plead with thee to arise, and that thou wilt speak, and speak the word, and it will be done.

[26:11] He commanded, and he stood fast, peace, be still, and it was still such a great calm. Lord, there are a few moments when we are thus blessed, and may we know more of it.

[26:27] No, Lord, we plead thy mercy, thy blessing, at this evening, over this anniversary day. We look back, and with Paul, thank God, and take courage, acknowledge, help hitherto, and plead for that continued help, because thou hast promised it.

[26:48] We come with, Lord, help me, and thou dost ride in the heavens for our help, and, Lord, thou hast promised, I will help thee. Thou hast said in thy word, fear thou not, for I am with thee.

[27:01] Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. Yea, I will help thee. Yea, I will strengthen thee. Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

[27:12] The past, the present, and yet there's the promise for the future, and that future that sometimes we so much dread. Fear as we enter into the cloud, but, Lord, prove, the clouds we so much dread are full of blessing, and will break in, they're full of mercy, and will break in.

[27:33] blessing on our head, and the right way, the way that thou disordest, the right way, is the good way, and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the cause, according to his purpose.

[27:51] Grant, we best see, she's thy blessing this anniversary day, upon this cause of truth, thy dear people, thy beloved friend, and fellow laborer, the beloved pastor here, may his bow abide in strength, the arms of his hands be made strong, by the mighty God of Jacob.

[28:12] And do, Lord, confirm thy word with signs following, and do, we pray thee, sustain and support him under every burden, anxiety, difficulty, perplexity, and do replenish him, do favor him much with the love of Christ, and do grant that grace to go forward, bless him, in the services of the sanctuary, the hour of prayer, at times when they gather at the table of the Lord, may they therefore be blessed.

[28:49] One said of old, I've seen, yon lovely man, and we pray, Lord, others may be constrained to come and declare of their hope in a precious Jesus, their loving obedience to thy commands.

[29:05] And we pray, dear Lord, thy blessing upon the brethren, the deacons, with wisdom, and understanding, and grace. And do, Lord, hear and answer their prayers, and bless each member of the church.

[29:19] May they be faithful to God, and may they dwell in together in love, the unity of the Spirit, the bond of peace. And do gather in, yet others, bless the congregation, manifest thy power in their midst.

[29:35] Oh, that there may be those sinners converted, brought out of darkness into light. Gather in the stranger, the outcast, we beseech thee, whom thou hast appointed unto life eternal, and we do not forget neither Passover, and because thou didst not pass by, even the little children whom thou didst take up in thine arms, thou didst put thy hand upon them, thou didst bless them.

[30:06] Lord, we pray, thy blessing upon them be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay close by me forever, and love may I pray.

[30:18] So, Lord, bless the rising race. We do pray, thy blessing on the aged deacon, unable now to be present in the sanctuary, a brother beloved.

[30:32] Bless him in the eventide of life, and though at times a confusion, but Lord, may there be the penetration of that blessed light, and that visit of the Lord, the voice of Jesus.

[30:47] Bless the dear man, we earnestly pray. So, Lord, we pray to heal the sick, comfort the sad, the drawn near to the lonely, the bereaved, those that may be cast down, depressed, those that may have fears of the future, those that may be beginnings of sync, Lord, work mightily, oh, awaken those as yet without God, without hope, without Christ, who may have the religion of their own making, but, Lord, destitute of the grace of God, oh, deliver them, Lord, we pray thee, work by thy spirit, convince of sin, and lead to the Saviour.

[31:31] So, our gracious God, revive thy Zion, send out more labourers into the vineyard, how great is the need, oh, gracious God, oh, we pray, Holy Spirit, walk in our midst, cleanse the churches of all, and that is displeasing, the spirit of the world, and all prejudice, oh, what a dreadful thing it is, prejudice and pride, and the wrong spirit, false zeal, Lord, preserve us, keep us, deliver us.

[32:05] May the words of my mouth, meditation of our heart, be acceptable in thy sight, oh, Lord, our strength, our Redeemer, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, pleading the pardon of every sin, blessing and praising, and giving thee thanks for every mercy.

[32:25] Amen. May the Lord help us to continue by singing hymn 380, June Waitland 771, 380.

[32:42] O Jesus, thou fountain of grace, enlighten, enliven my heart, and show the sweet smiles of thy face, and from me bid evil depart.

[32:59] Pronounce, oh, pronounce, I am thine, a sinner once purchased by blood, and may I forever recline on the bosom of Jesus, my Lord.

[33:14] 3, 8, O. O düşen or göçar, al�� Gy have known there.

[33:34] Eос traveler an abplat, O sea Pressang, o sea Florian,配 of God. How the people have the name of faith When I tell, when I tell my God That the earth will follow thy name That the people have the name Through the earth, through the earth, Through the earth, through the earth, And the earth will follow thy name

[34:34] And may I forever be thine From the blood of Jesus my Lord How the people have the name Thou great and the man of faith Thou great and the man of faith Thou great and the man of faith Thou great and the man of faith Thiessenよ

[35:41] SONG CONTINUES Thank you.

[36:41] Thank you.

[37:11] Thank you. Thank you.

[38:11] And we will read there verse 9 and 10. Chapter 5 verse 9 and 10.

[38:24] It is in the previous chapter, chapter 4, and we read particularly verses 16 and 17.

[39:03] Shall we ever be with the Lord?

[39:36] The two short clauses, chapter 5 verse 10 and the last three words, together with him.

[39:52] And chapter 4 and middle part of verse 17, together with them.

[40:02] Together with him, together with them. And some here may have heard me attempt to speak from these words in the past.

[40:19] But when taking the reading and prayer in a Bethesda home nearby, reading in Luke chapter 24 of the two on the Emmaus road, we read, And behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about three score furlongs.

[40:42] And they talked together of these things which had happened. And it came to pass that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.

[40:59] And here we see a little of what we find in our text. Jesus with them and they themselves together as one.

[41:11] And we noticed very briefly this morning that when he went in with them and broke the bread, there we read, as he blessed and brayed, their eyes were opened.

[41:26] And it was these words so laid on my mind. And they knew him. Wonderful. Wonderful. So in here we have together with him and together with them.

[41:43] However can it be. You say, why? Well, do you know you're a sinner? Do you know you're lost? Do you know you're lost?

[41:53] Do you know you have no means to make matters right between your soul and God? Do you know that your good works, right as they are in their place, cannot make an atonement for your sin?

[42:08] Do you know that? Do you know that there's nothing on this earth that we can bring, obtain, whether silver or gold or anything in creation whatsoever, to remove the guilt, to satisfy the law and to open the gate of heaven to bring us in?

[42:28] Oh, beloved friend, it says, together with him. Go back to the garden of Eden and hear those solemn words of the Lord and see the result of sin.

[42:42] And yet, before I name the word that's on my mind there, we just go back a step and we'll observe even there, there's the revelation of one yet to come that should bruise the seed of the woman, should bruise the serpent's head.

[43:03] But we read that God crave out the man, out! Solemn word, isn't it? Think of the ark, out!

[43:14] Think of the firstborn of the Egyptian, no blood. Go right through, think of the last day. How solemn to hear that word, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

[43:35] Cherubim, flaming sword. Turning every way, barring the way to the tree of life, no way back.

[43:48] The demand is sinless, atoning blood. Where shall we find it? I said last night, nearby, even the stars are not pure in his sight.

[44:05] Then what about man? What about the beast and the flowing of blood? Never. It gave ceremonial cleansing.

[44:21] The angel from heaven saw the blood and did not destroy the firstborn, but it did not wash away their sin.

[44:32] I said last night that many of the children of Israel perished in open sin against the God that had brought them out of Egypt and had looked after them, guided them, delivered them, preserved them in the Red Sea and so forth.

[44:51] I named the sons of Aaron, the high priest, and Nadab and Abihu, that went up once with Moses to see the glory of God on the mount, and yet offered strange fire.

[45:06] Fire that came down from heaven before that had consumed the burnt offering. Now that same fire was the worst against men that dared to offer some false sacrifice before Almighty God.

[45:20] And there they were consumed in a moment of time. So then we read here, we read here, for God has not appointed us to rot.

[45:34] But you say, how then can it be? Do you know it in the head? Do you know it in your soul? When I say that, I'm not speaking severely.

[45:47] I'm speaking most tenderly to the seeker. You may say, I have no full assurance, but oh my soul long for it. Then you could say amen to the prayer of the hymn that you've just sung.

[46:02] So take courage, my dear friend. Wait for that appointed time of blessing. But are there those here without God?

[46:14] Without hope? Without Christ? You may say you have. Now I'm not stirring up unbelief.

[46:25] I'm seeking that you should examine yourselves whether you'll be in the faith. There's such a thing as head knowledge. And destitute of spiritual life.

[46:38] May the Lord in his mercy confirm the work of his grace. Now how is it that we should be together with him? It is because of the gift of the Father, his own beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

[46:56] And never lose sight of his eternity. That he is the Son of God. Equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. That this is the gift of the Father.

[47:07] To come down to lay down his life for sinners. His blood. Sinless.

[47:18] Holy. Pure. Spotless. To be shed. And here's a fountain open for sin and for uncleanness.

[47:29] The psalmist prayed, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. I love and you do, I hope, to meditate upon the sufferings of Christ.

[47:44] My friend, even there, the natural heart might move with sympathy as you think of the awfulness of those sufferings of the dear Redeemer.

[47:56] When you think of the spitting and the buffeting of the religious leaders. The Roman soldiers crowning him with thorns.

[48:07] And Pilate ordering him to be scourged. And led away. And they nailed those kind hands that did such good. They nailed them to a cross of wood.

[48:18] Yes, we might have that. But I want more than that. If you're a child of God. I'm speaking plainly but lovingly. I want you to feel that.

[48:29] I don't want you to think I'm severe. I'm not. We've got to be clear on the fundamental truths of the word of God. If the Lord, you desire the Lord to wash away your sin.

[48:42] You'll be made to know you're a sinner. And to feel it. And you will be led by the Spirit. Not only to view those sufferings of Christ. You'll see your hand in it.

[48:57] You say, why? Because your sin, dear child of God, was laid upon the dear Redeemer. Remember that. He hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

[49:12] It pleased the Lord to bruise him and to put him to greed. And a sight of the sufferings of Christ. And your sin. Your life of sin.

[49:23] And the love of the Saviour in dying. And that there it meant all that he went through to wash away thy sin, poor sinner. Oh, it will break you down.

[49:35] I quoted in prayer, love and grief. My heart dividing with my tears his feet are bathed. Love to the dear Redeemer.

[49:47] Grief for being such a sinner. And causing the Saviour such depth of suffering. And yet amazing grace to see the wondrous love of God poured forth at Calvary.

[50:02] I just trying to get and you bear with me. In old age my mind is not so clear as it used to be. But I want just to pick up the lines of that well-known hymn.

[50:15] Which leads us to the cross. And views the sufferings of our dear Redeemer. It says, may I sit forever viewing. Mercies.

[50:26] Mercies. That's just what a poor sinner is looking for. Mercy. Mercy streams. But as you say, mercies of God in providence.

[50:38] True. But we're talking about grace. We're talking about your sin. Mercy. Through. It says here. Mercy streams in streams of blood.

[50:51] Precious drops. My soul be doing. Application. Plead and claim. My peace with God. Together with Him.

[51:03] I see then as the dear Saviour. Endured and suffered the hiding through his Father's face. Was made to be sin and dealt with as a sinner. The sinless one.

[51:14] Burdened with our sin. And charged by the Holy Father. Who hid his face from him. And yet the triumph at the end of those hours of darkness. The defeat of the powers of darkness.

[51:28] And ye who were sometime darkness are now light in the Lord. And ye. Oh my dear friends. Lost perishing sinners. Born again. Brought into the light of the gospel.

[51:40] Here we hear the cry. Umpath try. It is finished. It's done. The veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom.

[51:52] A way open for poor vile sinners to enter in. And my friend sealed by the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And from that resurrection springs the spiritual life by the Holy Spirit's work.

[52:08] Into sinners heart has the word. Here says. Ye. God hath not appointed us to wrath. What a solemn word that is. Let's pause on it just a minute.

[52:21] Wrath of God. Remember there's a holy wrath. Sinless. Spotless wrath. But a wrath. That speaks of an endless hell.

[52:33] Banish from the presence of God. Oh my dear friend. To be plucked as a brand. And from the fire. God hath not appointed us to wrath.

[52:44] But to obtain salvation. As the text says. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. We read in the epistle to the Romans.

[52:56] of how there is the. What if God. Willing to show his wrath. To make his power known. Endured with much long suffering.

[53:09] The vessels of wrath. Fitted. Made up. To destruction. A life. And ending in death. And still filled with sin.

[53:21] That's what it means. But here we see the contrast. Make known the riches of his glory. On the vessels of mercy. Vessels filled with the mercy of God.

[53:33] Blood washing away their sin. Which he hath afore. Prepared unto glory. Who hath not appointed us.

[53:46] To wrath but to obtain salvation. By our Lord Jesus Christ. This salvation I've tried to speak of. But no. To obtain it. Is the purpose of God. The devil cannot overthrow this.

[53:59] He cannot. He'll do all his best. But he cannot. How is it obtained? By our good works? By our denominational name? No. Never. By the power of heaven.

[54:12] By the work of the Holy Spirit. That where this sinner is in darkness. A rebel. Carnal mind. Enemity against God. Now this sinner is brought.

[54:22] By grace of God. To see his sin. And cry out for mercy. This is the appointment of heaven.

[54:33] The set time. Not to propose. But to call. By divine grace. Just as much as the jailer. At that set moment. At the past.

[54:44] The midnight hour. The earthquake. And about to kill himself. Now is crying for mercy. A sinner saved by divine grace. Just as much as dear Lydia.

[54:55] Who was gently led. And her heart open. To hear and to receive. The word of God. My friend. Making manifest.

[55:07] That they were to obtain. Because where the Holy Spirit. Begins that work. Being confident of this very thing. That he which hath begun. A good work in you.

[55:18] Will perform it. Unto the day. Of Jesus Christ. That work will be done. And it is done. By the power of the Holy Spirit. Beginning this work.

[55:29] Convincing of sin. And leading you. To Calvary's cross. To obtain it. Obtain it. Not by your merit. Not by your own strength. But by precious faith. By pleading.

[55:42] The Lord. To direct you. Confirm you. By the spirit. Of your interest. In that precious. Sin. Atoning blood. God. He had not appointed us.

[55:52] To draw. But to obtain salvation. By our Lord. Jesus Christ. Mark those words. Our. Just as I said. Those two on the road.

[56:04] To imagine. Two of them. Think of it. Of them. That is the people of God. Those who fear the Lord. Jesus Christ. I can't just get.

[56:17] I'm trying to get a word. The background. It's just gone from the moment. Never mind. We leave it for the moment. And. It is. Our. The family. And it's a family likeness.

[56:29] Unity. Our. Lord. Before. Satan was your master. Sin was your master. Self was your master. The world was your master.

[56:39] Father. But now. Yes. Still there. Still opposing you. Fighting against you now. Because you're possessing. God's work. God's.

[56:50] Great. Mighty work of. Grace in your heart. But it is this. To obtain it. Obtain it. And that will be made known. By the spirit.

[57:00] The witness of the spirit. Confirming the word in your soul. I love that word. Ye who. Who delivered you from the power of darkness. And hath translated you.

[57:11] Into the kingdom of his dear son. In whom ye have redemption. Through his blood. Even the forgiveness of sins. Look at it. You see.

[57:22] You see a chain. You see the links of it. You see God. It's his word. No one's going to break it. No sinner's going to break it. No Satan's going to break it.

[57:33] No war's going to break it. And that is. Delivered from the power of darkness. That's what we've been referring to. The work of the spirit. Secondly. As we think of.

[57:46] This great. Wonderful train. This purpose of God's love. And grace. And mercy. Toward his people. That. This train. Can never be broken. Deliver you from the power of darkness.

[57:57] And translated. You've taken out of. And brought into. Now when I say taken out of. You are still. Not taken out of the world. You are in the world.

[58:08] But now. You're not of the world. Before you were in the world. And of the world. Entirely. Because. You. You. Had no real religion. Brought in your heart.

[58:19] Until God begins at work. And if any man be in Christ. He's a new creature. Old things are passed away. And all things. Are become. New.

[58:30] And then. It leads us on. The new birth. Those cries for mercy. As newborn babies. Desire. The sincere. Milk of the word. That you may grow.

[58:41] Thereby. That's the work of God's grace. There's the hunger. And the thirst. After righteousness. There's the panting soul. For Christ. I felt that hymn. Expresses it beautifully.

[58:52] And you can say. Ah. We can. Those who love Jesus. Can say. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. To it. May it be so Lord. And it will be. If the Lord.

[59:03] Has begun that work. In your heart. He will. It's appointed. That you'll be led. Step by step. Into these rich blessings. Of his grace. And that you. With all saints.

[59:13] May be able to comprehend. What is the breadth. And length. And depth. And height. And to know the love of Christ. Which passeth knowledge. And to be filled. With all the fullness of God.

[59:26] A. To live. Together with him. Who died for us. And. Again. It says. Our Lord. Jesus. Saviour.

[59:37] Thou shall call his name. Jesus. He shall save his people. From their sin. Christ signifies. The Messiah. The promised. Son of God. The dear Redeemer. To come.

[59:48] And to seek. And to save. That which was lost. Who died for us. Who sees. Substitution. Jesus in the sinner's place. Jesus for me.

[59:58] Oh. What love. We see. In the dear Redeemer. Father. And. I remember. I've named it before. But. How that hymn. Was blessed to me.

[60:09] Years ago. Right out in Canada. In the war years. I'm not speaking of the ministry. In the United States. I'm speaking of war. And. Being posted to Canada. For a year.

[60:20] I can't go into the details of that. But at a. Service. New. A new year. Eve. Service. They sung that beautiful hymn.

[60:30] There is a fountain. Filled with blood. Drawn from Emmanuel's veins. And. It was that word. Sinners. The Lord brought it to my very soul.

[60:43] I believe it brought me in. And sinners plunged. Beneath that flood. Lose all. Their guilty stains. To obtain.

[60:56] Salvation. By our Lord Jesus Christ. By precious faith. You see. A born again sinner. Is the possessor. Of the gift of God's grace. Of faith.

[61:08] And faith. Is that which is an active grace. And. An active grace. Has. Food. For it. I've often spoken of it. In this way. You see.

[61:19] The blood of Christ. Is that food for faith. Faith. Lays hold. Upon the blood. And the promises. Again. Food.

[61:29] And the purpose of God. In salvation. As we have in the words of that text. Food for faith. And. Jesus himself. Is the object of faith. He's the author.

[61:40] And finisher of our faith. And our faith goes out to him. Clings to him. Loves him. Holds fast to him. Oh. And I.

[61:51] I don't know. Will you get weary of it. Because I name it so often. But it's so precious to me. It's that dear woman. Ah. I see in the spirit of bonds. I love her. Because I know what she felt like.

[62:02] With the issue of blood. And she can't get rid of it. She tries her best. She spends all her money. And she's worse than ever. She's a cast out. The law condemns her.

[62:13] And there's no hope. But she hears of one. Only one. And there's no other. Neither is there salvation. Any other. It's through Jesus Christ.

[62:25] No other name unto heaven. Given among men. By where we must be saved. It is Jesus only. And so it's him. Filthy as she is. Weak as she is.

[62:36] Weary as she is. You see faith in exercise. You see her eyes fixed on him. You see her hands stretched forth. You see her feet. Tressing to the crown.

[62:47] And to lay hold. And she gets there. And she lays hold upon that garment. Stoops right down. And she knows at once. That virtue has gone out there. And when the Lord Jesus said.

[62:58] And I touch it. You've heard me say it many times. But maybe somebody hasn't. Maybe worth repeating. If you have heard it. As I was visiting. Preaching elsewhere. And dear old deacon.

[63:09] In old age. And affliction. No longer able to go to chapel. But I had tea with him. And he turned to me. And said. Have you ever thought of the beauty of that word. Somebody. And it was in this way.

[63:23] The Lord said. Who touched my clothes? Master. Everybody's thronging. And they were. But they weren't touching him. In the sense of it. There's only this one woman.

[63:34] That had the touch of faith. Now are you that somebody? You may say. Well I do feel to be the somebody. Like the woman. But as yet. I don't feel I have to. Receive the blessing.

[63:45] Pray on. Press on. Look on. To Jesus only. And my pastor. I remember years ago. Said she came. If I may. A vile sinner like me.

[63:57] Touch that robe. What did the Lord say? Daughter. Go in peace. Thy faith. Has made thee whole. You understand. It was not her faith.

[64:09] That the virtue. The faith laid hold. Upon the virtue. That was in. Jesus Christ. Together.

[64:20] With him. So we have the illustration. In the word of God. The sheep. The fold. They shall never perish. Nor shall any man.

[64:31] Pluck them out of my hand. We have them again. In the vine. And the branches. Every branch in me. That is in Christ. Receives that sap.

[64:43] Mind you. There is the pruning. There is the cutting. But not the cutting off. My dear friends. That there may be more fruit. In Christ. And again.

[64:54] I think of the stones. Of the heavenly Jerusalem. They are built. And laid. On one foundation. Neither is there any other. Save Jesus Christ.

[65:05] And built up on Christ. My hope is built. On nothing less. Than Jesus blood. And righteousness. I dare not trust. The sweetest frame. But wholly lean.

[65:15] On Jesus name. On Christ. The solid rock. I stand. All other ground. Is sinking sand. And so it is. My dear friend. These things are real.

[65:27] These things are vital. Now. I want to take another point. Your faith. Little it may be. Is going to be attacked. The devil is after it.

[65:40] Unbelief. Now. I am just going to go back a step here. The apostle. As he went to Thessalonica. We read in the Acts.

[65:50] That he ministered there. For three Sabbath days. Whether that was the only time. It seems a short ministry. But. In that time. Whether longer or not. The work of the spirit. Was seen.

[66:01] And he says. Here he did. He can speak clearly. He could say. That. They themselves. Shows what manner of entering in. We had among you. That we.

[66:12] As we had. How you turned to God. From idols. To serve the living God. And to wait for his son. From heaven. Whom he delivered us. From the wrath to come.

[66:23] Paul. How do you know it. In such a short time as that. He said. Here. Our gospel came not unto you. In word only. Words may be right.

[66:34] And trust they are. But it must be power. Not in word only. But in power. In the Holy Ghost. And with much. Assurance. Because of that.

[66:44] He could speak. Of their faith. Their hope. And their love. And it wasn't just. Nominal faith. Love and hope. It was a work of faith. Don't misunderstand that.

[66:56] Or confuse it with good works. It's faith that I'm speaking about. The activity of faith. The laboring of faith. The work of faith. The pressing through the crowd of faith. The work of faith.

[67:07] And the labor of love. That love isn't just by word only. But is willing to go the extra mile. It is to be. Think of the Lord Jesus. In what he did.

[67:17] The love manifested. To sinners. The labor of love. And the patience of hope. And hope is likened to an anchor. And the anchor. Is called upon to hold fast.

[67:28] Not called to propel the ship. Hold fast. To hold the ship firm. And my friend. Our anchor. Spiritual anchor. Isn't in the sun. It's up in heaven.

[67:39] It's in the finished work of Christ. Sealed by his glorious resurrection. And so Paul was concerned. He said. He said. Well then. As you are so sure.

[67:49] That this work was begun. You are so sure. That faith is indestructible. What are you worried about Paul? He was concerned. Lest these younger believers.

[68:00] Not necessarily in age. But in experience. Would be moved away. By false teachers. By persecution. That were arising. Around them.

[68:11] So. There he is at Athens. It does not seem. The way was for him to go. But he is so concerned. That he sends Timothy. And Timothy is sent there. To Thessalonica.

[68:23] To find out. And he said. Reminds them. Of how that they had said. About tribulation. And he said. We sent Timothy. A brother. Minister of God.

[68:34] A fellow laborer. In the gospel of Christ. To establish you. And to comfort you. Concerning your faith. You see. It is not like some. He said. I believe. And no doubt.

[68:44] No worry. No exercise. No anxiety. What so. I do not find that lay straight with my Bible. I found believers. And you read 11 Romans. Hebrews 11.

[68:56] You see the struggle to glory. But you see the victory. And though. It wasn't always victorious faith. It was. Enduring faith. Whether. They were. Escaped the edge of the sword.

[69:07] Or slain by the edge of the sword. It was still faith. These all died in faith. And faith never died in them. So he said. They came. When Timothy came back.

[69:18] And brought us good tidings. Of your faith and charity. Loving action. And that you have good remembrance of us always. Desiring greatly to see us. As we to see you.

[69:28] Therefore brethren. We were comforted. Over you. In all our affliction and distress. By your faith. Oh believers here. And in the churches of God.

[69:38] May you be a comfort to your minister. Your pastors. By the manifestation. Of the continuing. In the faith. I say.

[69:50] Paul now you must be very satisfied. No. No. He's satisfied with what he'd heard. But he says here.

[70:01] That. Night and day praying exceeding. That we might see your face. And might perfect that. Which is lacking in your faith. Make you to increase. And abound in love.

[70:11] One toward another. Toward all men. And may establish your hearts. Unblameable. In holiness. Before God and our Father. A continual work. A continual preparing.

[70:22] Now this. Then is the first part. And. I must go on to the latter part now. As we've just tried to look at these words. God hath not appointed us to wrath. But to obtain salvation.

[70:33] By our Lord Jesus Christ. Who died for us. That whether we wake or sleep. That word. Wake or sleep. That doesn't mean. Like the believers go to sleep. It means the sleep of death.

[70:45] When we die. Whether we are awake. Or dead. When the Lord Jesus comes. We should live together. With him. We need care.

[70:56] When we consider. The second coming of the Lord. And sometimes. I think. We may rob ourselves. Denominationally. Of neglect. Of this glorious truth.

[71:07] Fearing that we should get out of our depth. Fearing that we should be left. A fanciful interpretation. But I believe here. There's something vividly clear. That faith can feed on.

[71:19] Rest upon. As he says. I would not have you to be ignorant brethren. Concerning the others. Which are asleep. Those who have died. That you sorrow not. Because they feared.

[71:30] That because they died. They wouldn't be. Wouldn't see the coming of the Lord. Wouldn't be taken to heaven. No. He said. That's not the case. If we believe. That Jesus died. And rose again. Even so.

[71:40] Them also. Which sleep in Jesus. Are buried. Will God bring with him. And this we say to you. By the word of the Lord. That we which are alive. And remain.

[71:51] Of the coming of the Lord. Shall not prevent them. Which are asleep. There will be those. Maybe a few. We do not know. Maybe many. We do not know. For some of God's people.

[72:01] Still on the earth. When he comes. That second time. And they shall not prevent. That he shall have priority. Because they're still alive. They won't go to heaven first. No.

[72:11] They will do. Together. With the dead. Who shall be raised. Incorruptible. And these. Who also shall be changed. In a moment. In the drinking of earth. One body. One church.

[72:22] One bride. One flock. One building. Gathered together. In the unity of the spirit. And the Lord himself. Shall descend from heaven. With a shout.

[72:33] With the voice of the archangel. And with the trump of God. And the dead in Christ. Shall rise first. My dear old pastor. I was in a cemetery. Where some of our dear people. Were buried.

[72:44] And I'm sure you have round here. All our churches. Have little spots. Where many of our people. Are buried. And he said. My boy. He always called me that. My boy. He said. There'll be a shout here. There will.

[72:55] Oh. The prospect. The dead in Christ. Shall rise first. In a moment. In a twinkling. In an eye. We shall be changed. Shall fashion our bodies. Like unto his glorious body.

[73:06] With the working. Whereby he is able. To subdue. All things. Unto himself. Therefore. We which are alive. And remain. Shall be caught up together. With them.

[73:18] In the clouds. And to. To meet the Lord. In the air. And so shall we. Ever be with the Lord. So ever. With him. And ever with one another.

[73:29] Now look. This is the. Assured prospect. Of all believers. Now should not. We endeavor. In the fear of God.

[73:39] To maintain that love. And union. Between us. While we are here on earth. We could be together. When we reach glory. I know all differences. Will go and vanish.

[73:50] But my friend. May. There be that unity. Of the spirit. May there be that. Flowing together. To the goodness of the Lord. May there be that. Bearing of one another's burdens. May there be that.

[74:02] Faithful. A profession. Of our faith. May there be a holding. Fast to the truth. A standing in the old paths. A contending for that faith. And yet may be done in love.

[74:13] And may there be a desire. Let brotherly love. Increase. And continue. That there may be a flowing together. To the goodness of the Lord. Oh beloved friend.

[74:24] What a prospect. So here we have. In these short words. Together with him. Think of it. If you have an understanding.

[74:37] Of your sinnership. And the holiness of the Lord. To think that one day. You will be with him. And not to be consumed.

[74:49] By that glory. To see him. With those eyes and body. Prepared for you. That you'll receive such a sight.

[74:59] And not be consumed. With spiritual faculties. To praise him. For a never ending. Eternity. Oh what a.

[75:10] What a glorious prospect. For the Lamb. Which is in the midst of the throne. Shall lead them. And shall feed them. And shall lead them. Unto living fountains of waters.

[75:22] And God shall wipe away. All tears. From their eyes. To bless it. Prospect. These are they. Which have come out of great tribulation.

[75:33] Have washed their robes. And made them white. In the blood. Of the Lamb. And the soul. Will be unto him. That loved us. And washed us.

[75:44] From our sins. In his own. Precious blood. Oh my friends. Then loudest of the crowd. I'll sing. While heaven's resounding. Mansions ring.

[75:55] With shouts. Of sovereign grace. We know not. What yet may come. Upon this nation. One fears.

[76:06] Greatly. I well remember. If you could understand. The last war. I remember. When the king. Called us to prayer. I remember.

[76:17] When high people. Called us to prayer. I remember. In Tunbridge Wells. The leading vicar. In the Church of England. Called firms. I think about once a fortnight.

[76:29] To release. Men. That they could go. And gather in the church. To pray. What's happened to the Bible today? It's set at naught. They want nothing to do with it.

[76:40] They'd rather support other religions. If they do anything at all. I'm not going to go into all that. My friend. We do not know. I fear. That where before.

[76:52] This nation was surrounded. With the protection of God. You may say. But look at the bomb damage. But they never invaded us. Look at Dunkirk. Oh I wish you could read the history.

[77:04] I wish you could think of it more. To see that. See as like a pond. And to see every boat. That we had. Even the smallest. Paddle steamers.

[77:15] That sailed between. In the English Channel. Everything went out. And how many of our men. Were brought back. And then when. There was the desire.

[77:25] Of Germany. To invade. Storms. Rage in the Channel. God fought for us. I'll just name this.

[77:36] I came back from Canada. In a big troop ship. As I went out. In that big troop ship. And the. There weren't many of our men. Because we were over there. I won't go into why we were there.

[77:47] No need to say that. But it was necessary. To look after some of our men. But. The boat was loaded with American soldiers. For battle. For battle.

[77:59] And I don't know how it started. But on board that deck. One afternoon. There was an open air. Testimony meeting. Now some may. Decry it.

[78:11] My friend. If you're faced with death. You won't decry anything like that. You won't search out denominations. When we heard the testimonies of men. And I believe they were real.

[78:23] Who feared God. Believed in the Lord. God. My friend. It was a sacred occasion. Oh. It was wonderful. It was strengthening to faith.

[78:34] I often wondered. How many of those men. May have. Died. In battle. That we must leave. But friend. Here it is. There will be no more sea.

[78:46] No more devil. No more pain. No more temptation. No more. No more. The old Adam nature. Which gives us so much trouble. There will be all glory.

[78:57] In Emmanuel's land. It will. Oh. Friend. What a prospect. There was a dear little girl. And I see we've got children here.

[79:09] But. There was a little girl. Well. I would say girl. I wouldn't be all that young. But young woman then. And. A minister was called to. Visit her.

[79:19] And he went. And didn't know her. Oh. I don't know you my dear. It was obvious she was very very ill. Very ill. But she crept in.

[79:31] Hidden. And she said one day she was so sad. She was a sinner. Taught it. And that remained for some time.

[79:43] Until the Lord blessed her with salvation. And it wasn't a false hope. It wasn't emotionalism. She was in facing death. Remember that.

[79:54] And she's told her ministry. She was not afraid to die. If it was her once or twice. And it was real. It came the last message. She said this will be the last time. She said I'm ready.

[80:06] And she said. And she said. I'm finished with prayer. It's all praises. Praises. And so it will be.

[80:18] In Emmanuel's land. Forever. And ever. May we be found there. Washed in the blood. Clothed in those white robes.

[80:31] Redeemed by the blood. Singing his praise. For never ending. Eternity. Amen. The collections today.

[80:49] Are for the cause of truth. Here. Shall we conclude. Our services today. By singing the hymn. 972. Tune. Regent Square.

[81:01] 684. Following the benediction. We shall sing the doxology. To the praise of God. 972. 972.

[81:11] Look. Look. Ye saints. The sight is glorious. See the exalted. Saviour now. From the fight.

[81:22] Return victorious. Every knee to him shall bow. Crown him. Crown him. Crowns become.

[81:34] The victor's. Brow. 972. 972. contribution. polym Société Radio-Canada Thank you.

[82:41] Thank you.

[83:11] Thank you. Thank you.

[84:11] Thank you. Thank you.

[84:43] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[84:55] Thank you.

[85:27] Thank you. journey homeward. Lord, be with us each. Bring us through to the end to join in the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. Amen.

[86:27] And Holy Ghost. Amen. Praise the Father, in heavenly love. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

[87:19] Amen.