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[0:00] seeking the help of the Lord and trusting the word we have been led to is of the Lord I would ask you to turn into the prophecy of Isaiah chapter 3 and verse 10 10 and 11 Isaiah chapter 3 verses 10 and 11 Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with them for they shall eat the fruit of their doing woe unto the wicked it shall be ill with them for the reward of his hands shall be given him this is the word of God do you believe that the word of God is an unchanging word that everything that's contained in this holy book will be fulfilled in God's own time according to his eternal purpose do you believe that this word is of the blessed spirits indicted and under his anointing will be made the satisfaction of living souls but also will be the solemn condemnation of the unbeliever we need to come to this place of heart searching because many would say yes they believe that the Bible is the word of God they will accept that which is acceptable to them and turn from that which condemns them the child of God is not so he's brought to tremble at every word of God which is wholly pure

[2:25] I say it's a mercy if by the grace of God and under the Holy Spirit's teaching we have been brought into such a condition of heart and mind and spirit that we confess before a heart searching God thy word is true not everyone will but how about you and I and how shall we know whether it be so rightly before God how do we know whether the words of our mouth are truth or whether they are but hypocrisy because we can easily say words we can give expression to those things which are right but they are not from their heart oh there will be

[3:29] I believe a deep exercise whene'er we approach the holy things of God especially as we turn to his word we know that he has said of it that it shall not return to him void it shall accomplish that where to he senses and it will prosper who will it prosper those who receive it and in humble faith believe it and live upon it feel the need of it walk in the light of it and in all things confess that this is the word of the Lord that endure it forever we have such a word before us in our text it won't change and we are reminded as we venture with this word we have had to try and speak from it before now but you know we shall never wear it out and when the holy spirit brings a word and lays it in the heart under the application of that word there is profit even if it spreads even if it brings us to tremble before God as to whether we are possessors of that faith and that grace to whom the word spoken is made good ah it is a mercy to have an interest it's a blessing word the servant of God here the prophet

[5:28] Isaiah as with all the servants of God was placed under a very solemn responsibility he was to preach the word that was given he was to speak of that which God would have him speak and oh I do humbly and earnestly pray that we may be kept in that spirit as we attempt in our poor ministry to preach the gospel oh it would be a good thing if everyone that went upon the walls of Zion or was there continually how easily we fall how we have to learn that that which is of the flesh is flesh and that which is of the spirit is spirit and how we find to our sorrow oftentimes that our thoughts are not

[6:34] God's thoughts and those things expressed that spring but from our own mind and carnal heart are not honouring to God we need to be delivered from an unrighteous spirit that would seek to please man at all times for God is not so declared his word shall go forth here the prophet Isaiah had a very solemn message very blessed to one very solemn to the other say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him but woe unto the wicked not to keep quiet to the wicked not to cover it up not to make excuses not to set them on a false hope and say well it may be that you're not so bad after all you know the word of God you've only got to attend to those things that declared therein and you have no fear a very solemn thing to come before God as a worshipper and your hearts not known again

[8:11] I say we can say many things with our lips but God searcheth the heart now in relation to this a word before us what a mercy what a blessing for us if we have a true interest in this word there are blessings and there are curses and each will in their due season be fulfilled and thus you and I come under one or the other we shall be found amongst those whose hearts the Lord has wrought upon chains given that new heart a heart that will believe all that he has said a heart that will cleave to the living

[9:11] God a heart that will mourn over sin and after Jesus Christ ah if that be so then this word will be a blessing to us what a mercy I say if we can enter into the comforts that such a word do give to sweetly realize that the Lord in mercy has looked upon us in our sad and sorrowful state and has therefore given command that there shall be comfort for your soul say to the righteous it shall be well with them for they shall eat the fruit of their doings but you know there's no comfort realized from any one word of the truth of God except the Holy

[10:15] Ghost applying that's the only way you will realize any comfort spiritually I might ease a troubled natural conscience and I speak that we know how many times have we in the years that we have been spared sought the word of the Lord to ease a troubled conscience but only naturally that when the Holy Ghost applies a word to a troubled conscience spiritually then it's bound of Gilead then it's the word of the Lord with power and it's sent for the express purpose of healing that's all oh if you know what it is to come burdened and cast down to come in the language of the psalmist as we have read this evening trouble burden sorrowing crying

[11:21] I sought the Lord and he heard me oh that's not a natural word this is the fruit of the spirit within it's the mark and evidence of divine life I sought the Lord I didn't just go with those that do seek him I sought him wonderful mercy to be a seeker a true seeker feeling your need of him and then through that felt need feeling your way along Zion's path oh you do not find an easy path many obstacles to be overcome but you are feeling your way for needy yes they are but the word of God informs such that they have a good guide and a saviour one who saves to the uttermost and one who delivers and so these seeking ones missed all their fears and weakness find within an exercise of faith that looks to one who has promised say ye to the righteous it shall be well oh what a word when it's applied it shall be well but what is the other side of this picture even concerning the children of God it's the exercise in this as to whether you can be numbered amongst these whom God has said are righteous we need to heed the exhortations of the scriptures and I believe the

[13:30] Holy Spirit will bring you to heed the exhortations of the scriptures the apostle Paul was led by the spirit to write many for our instruction for our learning and to bring us into the right spot and place where we shall worship God and write one place in his writing he exhorts believers to make your calling and election sure oh he would say to such don't be careless in this matter it concerns the eternal welfare of your never dying soul don't be careless about it give heed search earnestly write on the Lord in this matter until he bring you the answer of peace yes it is so necessary that we make our calling and election sure now if those two things are sealed you'll come in with this character in our text with whom it shall be well the righteous are but am I amongst this have I this witness that my calling is right am I amongst the election of grace our little remnant whom the

[15:15] Lord has everlastingly chosen to set his eternal love upon how can I know that I'm amongst them is this the exercise and burden of your soul are these the exercises of the righteous to whom this promise is given that they shall be well with them and that the reward of his hands shall be given him they shall eat the fruit of their doings yes full of fears it was very true I was talking on Saturday evening for a little while to our old friend Mrs.

[16:00] Willis and she reminded me of years ago we were talking of the older days as we looked at some old magazines concerning Oxford when they worshipped there before the present chapel was built when they worshipped in what was called Higgins Room and a man came one day to speak there to preach there couldn't find it so he inquired did they know if there was a place of worship in the area no and they said they were called a strip baptist no we don't know them but there are a few people meeting in that room up there who think they're the only people that are going to heaven oh he said that's the place you said but you got it wrong he said they're the only people who are afraid they won't get to heaven but he said that's the place on one and I thought well that's still true today the children of God the righteous who shall obtain that eternal inheritance are the most fearing amongst the sons of men and why is this because they've been brought by the grace of God to know the evil that indwells their own heart and that's quite sufficient to bring them as fearing ones to his feet they don't need to look at others ah the dear apostle was an example of this oh he mourned the sin that indwelled him oh wretched man I am he declared what this wondrous creature of the everlasting gospel of the grace of Jesus

[17:55] Christ he was used to build up the churches in their most holy faith wretched man he said oh this body of sin and death who shall deliver me from it how shall I escape from the bonds of it how shall I know that when the time of my sojourn here is finished I shall be found in eternal glory with the Lord Jesus Christ whom my soul love is I want to witness and that's the same experience in the family of God tried troubled burdened you want to know well I say when for this exercise lays upon you when you are brought to examine yourselves before a heart searching God as to your state and standing this is what you want you want to hear his voice and you want to hear him speak personally effectually powerfully to your own heart and what a mercy that the

[19:11] Lord does so he makes it an urgent pressing case and then this soul presses close after him implores pleads importunes oh it's not without reason the Lord left that parable in the word of the important widow why couldn't let him go nor will you till you have heard from his own that he has chosen me does that need a case this night oh I pray it might and I would earnestly pray that the answer may be given but that may not be according to his will but is the exercise there there be a trial of that faith in your heart if the exercise is there but pray on plead still for here is the witness that you are seeking for that the

[20:22] Lord has begun his work in your soul cry on for he will all explain nor shall they seek his place in life siren to the righteous it shall be well but we must just press on a little further to describe in some measure who are these characters who are the first part of our tax the righteous now the same holy word of truth said there's none righteous no not one and I say the word is true he cannot love none righteous no not one not amongst all the sons of man born in sin and shapen and iniquity and sin did our mother conceive us our very nature our hearts all all is sin where then is this righteousness to be found who are righteous in

[21:38] God's sight there's nothing can be found at all on nature's ground that can be pleaded no all that we can find no matter how hard we search is that which is vile and that's where the wonder of the gospel comes in that's where the wonder of salvation by Christ is made known and revealed by the blessed spirit of truth to these anxious burdened troubled seekers look here the Lord declares thy beauty is all in me every bit of it some of our hymn writers have taken this subject up concerning that righteousness which is imputed to the believer it's a wonderful mercy to be able to enter into such language as these hymns express metrics but it cannot be until stripped of every fancied meekness we approach the dread

[22:58] I am and cry I sought the Lord and he heard me I sought him with all my heart an urgent blessing case.

[23:10] The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him that hope in his mercy that have come with a case unable in themselves to do any one thing for their salvation for their comfort for the honour of God.

[23:35] Nothing. Nothing in my hand I bring. That's how they come. And then the Blessed Spirit having brought them there makes it known that this is the beginning of his work of grace in their soul.

[23:56] How have they come there? What has brought them to that spot? What has turned them aside from their own thoughts and the things of the world?

[24:08] From the death that prevailed within them. What has brought them? The power of God. The voice. Oh we said just now to make our calling and election sure.

[24:27] Here's the calling. Rightly called. The righteous are rightly called. Not the voice of man.

[24:38] Not all the blandishments of the flesh. However spiritual seemingly they may be. However religious they may be.

[24:50] That's not the call that brings a sinner to know his need of a saviour and brings him to hope in the mercy of God through the atonement of his well beloved son the Lamb of God.

[25:03] No it's a right call. The Holy Ghost quickens and makes a life. Causes the voice to go forth from heaven and enter into that heart.

[25:20] Convinces of sin and then they're brought to seek. Oh do you know something of this? Do I know anything of it?

[25:30] that we can testify even before our God Lord this is thy doing. It's marvelous in my eyes.

[25:41] Why has thou so dealt with me? Why has thou so wrought upon my heart to bring me a guilty lost and ruined sinner to a place of hope?

[25:56] Ah rightly called and what does that call a bring about? Why by grace in exercise that grace imparted it reveals called chosen of God called by grace then where does it lead?

[26:22] Why to him who is needful to fulfill all that grace in the heart desires even Jesus Christ here is the righteousness and here alone is the righteousness to which this word of our text applies for to the righteous it shall be well and it shall be well in everything in every state and condition because this is Christ's righteousness and what does the apostle say when he writes to Corinthians all things are yours and ye are Christ's and Christ is God that's the fullness there's the fullness of what should be well for the righteous but it's all centered in Christ so how vital that we have a saving knowledge and interest in him who provides this righteousness

[27:34] I'll just turn to one hymn on this subject that's come upon the mind the hymn writer here Mr.

[27:45] Barry says imputed righteousness in strange nor will with human fancies range we guess the lurking motive well and pull the hateful truth shall tell nature can't enter into this blessed nature will never receive that it needs a covering not its own proud nature cries with loathing eyes this imputation I despise well let's ask ourselves does it offend us or does it make that ache in void rejoice tell me saviour can there be amongst thy children clothed with this righteousness room for me hungering and thirsting after his righteousness they shall be satisfied filled bless all that can say

[28:47] Christ Christ only I see and so Mr. Barry's goes on and from it she will partly start till grace has broken down her heart now how does this last verse suit your case concerning this righteousness of Christ oh give me Lord thy righteousness to be my peace and wedding dress my sores it heals my ranks it hides and makes me dutiful beside to see all you need in Jesus dwells do you wonder then that there's a comfort for these poor seeking ones when the word declares to them come unto me come unto me he burdened needy heavy laden ones come unto me I will give you rest and that rest will be a spiritual rest and it will be an eternal rest it will be a rest that when time things are done with all the battle finished a rest perfect peace all to be a subject of this calling now we sung in our opening in our hymn concerning those sheep of

[30:16] God sheep of Christ fall whom the good shepherd calls and he calls them by their name it comes very close this text does there's no generalities here he's not just speaking the word of God he's not speaking here denominationally no the good shepherd calls his own sheep by name every one of them and they hear and they respond makes me dutiful beside oh is there in us by the grace of God under this calling a heart submissive me the great redeemer shrown why if this be the case the word of our text is blessed indeed say ye to these it shall be well with thee they shall eat the fruit of their doings and all the fruits of the spirit are love oh there is so much that could be spoken concerning those blessings to which the righteous shall enter into but the question remains is it my portion it will bring this anxious inquiry lord tell me that I am thine speak to my inmost soul and say thy sins are forgiven thee go in peace or to know and feel that this blessed sacred robe of imputed righteousness is cast around us yes when rightly called the holy spirit will lead on in every needful teaching rightly taught the soul that waits upon the

[32:26] Lord waits for instruction waits to hear the voice behind them say this is the way walk in it rightly taught they will not go astride this is another evidence if you find the influences of the spirit at work in your heart amidst your fears that's directing you and it will always direct you to one way one place and one blessed object and that's his dear son if you find there's a drawing out of your desire after Christ then you have this witness a good hope that the holy spirit is teaching you and you're amongst the righteous none desire him but those in whom this work is begun and as he begins it he'll continue yes there will be this teaching and as he teaches he makes them know their need of a

[33:36] God this good shepherd of the sheep who calls his own sheep by name he leads them forth in a right way so they're rightly led the hundred and seventh psalm declares he led them forth by a right way that they should come to a city of habitation he wouldn't lead them any other way oh trust in him he will not fail thee nor forsake thee what though the storms arise what though there are mountains to be overcome what about those stumbling blocks that so often bring us in much fear and to wonder where we are are we in the way still or have we turned aside no he'll lead thee sweet loin he'll lead them on fair

[34:40] Zion's road though weary we can find but they shall never lose their God and God will never lose his sight no not those whom he's clothed with the righteousness of his own beloved son but that tremendous cost of time now he'll lead them forth is he leading us have we some evidence of this we must have the answer in our own heart and conscience we must have it sealed if we're to find comfort indeed or we may come again and again to the services of God's house are there times when you have some sweet witness some seal some token for good then you'll bless God you'll come with the psalmist I will bless the Lord for he remembered me in my lowest age for he heard my prayer lead forth but we shall have to leave it very much unfinished say ye to the righteous it shall be well with it and we'll close with just this brief thought that when the storms of life are done they shall know the blessing of the righteous for they will be rightly gathered in the harvest gathered home there'll be no mistake there no all the rubbish will have been destroyed when that harvest is gathered rightly gathered as proved fully right he doth all things well say ye to the righteous it shall be well fear not fear not poor trembling troubled anxious soul it shall be well on jesus adrian or pray for faith and hope and patience to be given to you the same one who's given you the desire the same one who's put in your heart those drawings after him he will fulfill the desire of the righteous that's his pleasure that's what he's designed to do and when in this time state you receive some word by the way some gracious promise fulfilled something that caused you to look beyond the earthly scene to an inheritance prepared then your heart will bless the

[37:47]  Lord for his goodness and you'll say Lord keep me near guard me well on every hand suffer me not to depart from thy precepts make me jealous for thy honor these are the thoughts that will spring forth from the heart they must if they're from God because the righteous with them it shall be well we must leave it my pardon and the things said amiss bless his word for his name sight amen amen