1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:07,080 So, but maybe the congregation will praise me 2 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:07,600 for it. 3 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:11,100 So, we're very glad they were able to 4 00:00:11,100 --> 00:00:14,080 sing that beautiful song which is a favourite 5 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:14,960 of us all. 6 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:16,040 Thank you very much. 7 00:00:16,140 --> 00:00:19,240 So beautifully done, but no notice at all. 8 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:20,000 How about that? 9 00:00:20,140 --> 00:00:21,360 Very, very good. 10 00:00:23,710 --> 00:00:26,290 It's been my privilege through the years to 11 00:00:26,290 --> 00:00:30,730 go to various conference centres in different parts 12 00:00:30,730 --> 00:00:31,509 of the world. 13 00:00:32,710 --> 00:00:36,750 And indeed to conduct a conference centre for 14 00:00:36,750 --> 00:00:40,790 about eight years, years ago. 15 00:00:42,650 --> 00:00:46,070 But there's nothing just like part of the 16 00:00:46,070 --> 00:00:46,630 palms. 17 00:00:47,290 --> 00:00:49,350 Kind of unique. 18 00:00:50,370 --> 00:00:52,590 The atmosphere is always beautiful. 19 00:00:55,410 --> 00:01:00,150 And the fellowship is so good that we 20 00:01:00,150 --> 00:01:02,630 are loathe to leave. 21 00:01:03,910 --> 00:01:05,690 But of course we've come to the end 22 00:01:05,690 --> 00:01:08,210 now and we must go. 23 00:01:08,570 --> 00:01:10,150 I was thinking today, I think one of 24 00:01:10,150 --> 00:01:11,810 these years I'm coming for three and a 25 00:01:11,810 --> 00:01:12,770 half months. 26 00:01:12,870 --> 00:01:14,030 So that I can get it all in 27 00:01:14,030 --> 00:01:16,410 and listen to some of the ministry that 28 00:01:16,410 --> 00:01:17,050 we've had. 29 00:01:18,250 --> 00:01:21,390 Now some complaining that their memories are failing. 30 00:01:21,550 --> 00:01:23,990 I hope their memories don't fail them so 31 00:01:23,990 --> 00:01:25,850 much that they can only remember the last 32 00:01:25,850 --> 00:01:26,250 week. 33 00:01:26,510 --> 00:01:28,050 That's the only week I can remember. 34 00:01:28,490 --> 00:01:29,890 But you'll remember them all. 35 00:01:30,330 --> 00:01:31,710 It'll be a bad thing if you can 36 00:01:31,710 --> 00:01:33,090 only remember the last week. 37 00:01:34,770 --> 00:01:39,230 And somebody will probably say to you, well 38 00:01:39,230 --> 00:01:44,090 what did you think of Brother Clifford? 39 00:01:45,810 --> 00:01:48,410 Well he didn't hold me like some of 40 00:01:48,410 --> 00:01:49,830 the other priests did. 41 00:01:50,630 --> 00:01:52,630 They'd be saying things like that. 42 00:01:53,730 --> 00:01:55,630 Somebody will say, well he was all right 43 00:01:55,630 --> 00:02:00,450 but his messages were like the horns of 44 00:02:00,450 --> 00:02:01,090 a spear. 45 00:02:01,630 --> 00:02:03,570 A point here and a point there and 46 00:02:03,570 --> 00:02:05,010 a lot of bull in between. 47 00:02:06,790 --> 00:02:09,330 Well that might be so occasionally but I 48 00:02:09,330 --> 00:02:12,490 do trust there's been something from the Lord 49 00:02:13,750 --> 00:02:17,470 about the Lord to draw us nearer to 50 00:02:17,470 --> 00:02:18,050 the Lord. 51 00:02:20,090 --> 00:02:23,270 And of course our whole idea, as I'm 52 00:02:23,270 --> 00:02:25,190 sure is yours, is that the Lord Jesus 53 00:02:25,190 --> 00:02:27,950 should be exalted in the meeting in talk 54 00:02:27,950 --> 00:02:30,950 of the palms and in our individual hearts 55 00:02:30,950 --> 00:02:32,610 and lives and experiences. 56 00:02:33,870 --> 00:02:39,070 One of your American preachers came to England 57 00:02:39,070 --> 00:02:43,170 some years ago and he thought he would 58 00:02:43,170 --> 00:02:46,270 go and hear two of our famous preachers. 59 00:02:47,430 --> 00:02:50,390 He wanted to hear Dr. Parker and Spurgeon. 60 00:02:51,570 --> 00:02:53,470 So he went on Sunday morning. 61 00:02:54,190 --> 00:02:56,270 I think it was the Metropolitan Tabernacle to 62 00:02:56,270 --> 00:02:57,390 hear Dr. Parker. 63 00:02:58,050 --> 00:03:00,830 And Sunday evening he went to hear Charles 64 00:03:00,830 --> 00:03:02,030 Haddon Spurgeon. 65 00:03:02,290 --> 00:03:03,530 So he said, well what do you think? 66 00:03:04,310 --> 00:03:07,270 Well he said, it's like this. 67 00:03:07,350 --> 00:03:11,390 He said, Dr. Parker is a great preacher. 68 00:03:13,150 --> 00:03:17,730 But Spurgeon has a great preacher. 69 00:03:18,890 --> 00:03:21,930 Well of course I'm sure Dr. Parker was 70 00:03:21,930 --> 00:03:23,270 talking about the praises. 71 00:03:23,450 --> 00:03:26,330 But the thing that impressed him about Spurgeon's 72 00:03:26,330 --> 00:03:29,550 message was he was exalting the Lord Jesus 73 00:03:29,550 --> 00:03:30,930 all the time. 74 00:03:30,930 --> 00:03:33,490 Oh for the tongue of an angel to 75 00:03:33,490 --> 00:03:37,050 do just this thing, to magnify our Lord 76 00:03:37,050 --> 00:03:38,090 Jesus Christ. 77 00:03:38,390 --> 00:03:43,250 Wonderful grace of Jesus, praise his name. 78 00:03:43,970 --> 00:03:46,230 Well it's been a wonderful experience for us 79 00:03:46,230 --> 00:03:47,790 and we should be glad of your prayers, 80 00:03:47,930 --> 00:03:48,210 please. 81 00:03:48,930 --> 00:03:50,430 We should be thinking of you and praying 82 00:03:50,430 --> 00:03:52,150 for you all from time to time. 83 00:03:52,770 --> 00:03:55,990 And if you can share a little prayer 84 00:03:55,990 --> 00:03:59,070 sometimes for the Lord's work in Bermuda. 85 00:03:59,070 --> 00:04:03,270 Bible school, we're starting there this week on 86 00:04:03,270 --> 00:04:04,390 Thursday, God willing. 87 00:04:05,390 --> 00:04:08,190 And the end of September we go back 88 00:04:08,190 --> 00:04:11,190 to the Bahamas to continue where we left 89 00:04:11,190 --> 00:04:12,370 off there. 90 00:04:12,610 --> 00:04:14,890 Maybe a little more difficult, we don't know. 91 00:04:15,170 --> 00:04:16,910 When we get to the Bahamas then, because 92 00:04:16,910 --> 00:04:19,130 they'll have independence then. 93 00:04:19,230 --> 00:04:21,170 It's coming to the Bahamas on July the 94 00:04:21,170 --> 00:04:22,670 10th, as you know. 95 00:04:23,010 --> 00:04:25,270 And we can make some special prayer maybe. 96 00:04:25,750 --> 00:04:27,610 So think of us from time to time. 97 00:04:27,610 --> 00:04:31,950 And if the Lord hasn't come between now 98 00:04:31,950 --> 00:04:32,770 and next September. 99 00:04:32,910 --> 00:04:35,490 We should begin to see the answers to 100 00:04:35,490 --> 00:04:37,990 your many prayers, I'm sure. 101 00:04:38,990 --> 00:04:41,650 Let's bring together a beautiful psalm of worship 102 00:04:41,650 --> 00:04:42,450 and praise. 103 00:04:43,230 --> 00:04:51,190 Psalm 116, Psalm 116. 104 00:04:57,750 --> 00:05:00,690 I love the Lord, because he hath heard 105 00:05:00,690 --> 00:05:02,710 my voice and my supplication. 106 00:05:03,910 --> 00:05:06,090 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, 107 00:05:06,190 --> 00:05:09,790 therefore will I call upon him as long 108 00:05:09,790 --> 00:05:10,470 as I live. 109 00:05:11,850 --> 00:05:13,870 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the 110 00:05:13,870 --> 00:05:15,710 pains of hell got hold upon me. 111 00:05:16,150 --> 00:05:17,830 I found trouble and sorrow. 112 00:05:19,070 --> 00:05:21,250 Then called I upon the name of the 113 00:05:21,250 --> 00:05:21,510 Lord. 114 00:05:21,590 --> 00:05:25,090 O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 115 00:05:26,550 --> 00:05:28,650 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous. 116 00:05:29,350 --> 00:05:31,230 Yea, our God is merciful. 117 00:05:32,570 --> 00:05:35,270 The Lord preserveth the simple, that is the 118 00:05:35,270 --> 00:05:35,870 lowly. 119 00:05:36,510 --> 00:05:40,070 I was brought low, and he helped me. 120 00:05:41,310 --> 00:05:43,730 Return unto thy rest, O my soul. 121 00:05:43,730 --> 00:05:47,110 For the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. 122 00:05:48,090 --> 00:05:50,710 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, 123 00:05:51,670 --> 00:05:55,410 mine eyes from tears, and my feet from 124 00:05:55,410 --> 00:05:55,810 falling. 125 00:05:56,750 --> 00:05:59,690 I will walk before the Lord in the 126 00:05:59,690 --> 00:06:00,570 land of the living. 127 00:06:01,990 --> 00:06:04,250 I believe, therefore have I spoken. 128 00:06:04,950 --> 00:06:06,830 I was greatly afflicted. 129 00:06:06,930 --> 00:06:08,730 I said in my haste, all men are 130 00:06:08,730 --> 00:06:09,190 liars. 131 00:06:10,090 --> 00:06:12,790 What shall I render unto the Lord for 132 00:06:12,790 --> 00:06:14,610 all his benefits toward me? 133 00:06:15,110 --> 00:06:18,330 I will take the cup of salvation, and 134 00:06:18,330 --> 00:06:20,170 call upon the name of the Lord. 135 00:06:21,110 --> 00:06:23,530 I will pay my vows unto the Lord 136 00:06:23,530 --> 00:06:25,830 now in the presence of all his people. 137 00:06:27,090 --> 00:06:29,610 Precious in the sight of the Lord is 138 00:06:29,610 --> 00:06:31,070 the death of his saints. 139 00:06:32,190 --> 00:06:36,550 O Lord, truly I am thy bond-servant, 140 00:06:36,630 --> 00:06:37,750 thy bond-slave. 141 00:06:37,750 --> 00:06:40,070 I am thy servant and the son of 142 00:06:40,070 --> 00:06:41,150 thine handmaid. 143 00:06:41,550 --> 00:06:43,410 Thou hast loosed my bond. 144 00:06:44,150 --> 00:06:46,630 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of 145 00:06:46,630 --> 00:06:50,030 thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of 146 00:06:50,030 --> 00:06:50,410 the Lord. 147 00:06:51,090 --> 00:06:53,790 I will pay my vows unto the Lord 148 00:06:53,790 --> 00:06:56,270 now in the presence of all his people. 149 00:06:57,370 --> 00:07:00,270 In the courts of the Lord's house, in 150 00:07:00,270 --> 00:07:04,990 the midst of thee, O Jerusalem, praise ye 151 00:07:04,990 --> 00:07:05,510 the Lord. 152 00:07:06,530 --> 00:07:09,370 My ways, saith the Lord, are not as 153 00:07:09,370 --> 00:07:10,130 your ways. 154 00:07:10,510 --> 00:07:12,770 As the heavens are high above the earth, 155 00:07:13,070 --> 00:07:15,710 so are my ways higher than your ways, 156 00:07:16,030 --> 00:07:18,650 and my thoughts than your thoughts. 157 00:07:18,690 --> 00:07:21,370 In this psalm we see something of the 158 00:07:21,370 --> 00:07:25,070 ways in which God himself deals with his 159 00:07:25,070 --> 00:07:28,850 creatures, and is quite different from the way 160 00:07:28,850 --> 00:07:31,370 that we deal with one another. 161 00:07:31,370 --> 00:07:33,610 As a matter of fact, the psalm itself 162 00:07:33,610 --> 00:07:35,150 is full of paradoxes. 163 00:07:35,330 --> 00:07:37,970 We were talking a little bit about paradoxes 164 00:07:37,970 --> 00:07:40,490 this morning, and saying that the Christian life 165 00:07:40,490 --> 00:07:42,390 itself is a paradox. 166 00:07:43,690 --> 00:07:48,210 God's ways of gain are seeming lost. 167 00:07:48,950 --> 00:07:52,770 We die to live, but his life comes 168 00:07:52,770 --> 00:07:56,550 after the cross our lives we give. 169 00:07:56,770 --> 00:07:59,730 Now this psalm is full of paradoxes like 170 00:07:59,730 --> 00:08:00,130 that. 171 00:08:00,130 --> 00:08:02,530 For instance, in verse 3 he says, The 172 00:08:02,530 --> 00:08:05,630 pains of hell get hold upon me, I've 173 00:08:05,630 --> 00:08:06,850 found trouble and sorrow. 174 00:08:07,330 --> 00:08:09,310 And then he says in verse 7, Return 175 00:08:09,310 --> 00:08:11,790 unto thy rest, O my soul, for the 176 00:08:11,790 --> 00:08:14,510 Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. 177 00:08:14,990 --> 00:08:17,230 In verse 5 he says, Greatest is the 178 00:08:17,230 --> 00:08:18,630 Lord, and righteous. 179 00:08:18,850 --> 00:08:19,590 Think of that. 180 00:08:19,910 --> 00:08:21,530 And then he says, Righteous is the Lord, 181 00:08:21,670 --> 00:08:22,550 and merciful. 182 00:08:23,070 --> 00:08:25,250 I'll explain that a little later on, I 183 00:08:25,250 --> 00:08:25,610 hope. 184 00:08:26,130 --> 00:08:28,870 In verse 8 he says, Thou hast delivered 185 00:08:28,870 --> 00:08:31,230 my soul from death, and I'm going to 186 00:08:31,230 --> 00:08:32,970 walk before the Lord in the land of 187 00:08:32,970 --> 00:08:33,409 the living. 188 00:08:33,890 --> 00:08:36,030 And in verse 15 he says, Precious in 189 00:08:36,030 --> 00:08:38,130 the sight of the Lord is the death 190 00:08:38,130 --> 00:08:38,890 of his saints. 191 00:08:39,730 --> 00:08:41,950 And in verse 12, which is the outstanding 192 00:08:41,950 --> 00:08:44,550 one, he says, What shall I render unto 193 00:08:44,550 --> 00:08:45,330 the Lord? 194 00:08:45,630 --> 00:08:47,350 What shall I give to the Lord? 195 00:08:47,530 --> 00:08:48,850 I will take. 196 00:08:49,710 --> 00:08:50,610 What shall I give? 197 00:08:50,610 --> 00:08:53,810 I will take a cup of salvation, and 198 00:08:53,810 --> 00:08:57,170 call upon the name of the Lord. 199 00:08:57,870 --> 00:09:00,050 This, of course, is a divine principle. 200 00:09:00,470 --> 00:09:02,850 Before we can give anything to God at 201 00:09:02,850 --> 00:09:06,210 all which is acceptable to him, we must 202 00:09:06,210 --> 00:09:09,470 take the salvation he is offering through Jesus 203 00:09:09,470 --> 00:09:12,110 Christ our Lord. 204 00:09:14,010 --> 00:09:16,330 And there is a great principle here. 205 00:09:16,330 --> 00:09:19,170 God will not be satisfied with anything we 206 00:09:19,170 --> 00:09:21,570 can do for him or give to him 207 00:09:21,570 --> 00:09:25,270 until first of all we take the salvation 208 00:09:25,270 --> 00:09:28,910 which he at such great cost through his 209 00:09:28,910 --> 00:09:34,070 son at Calvary has procured and purchased for 210 00:09:34,070 --> 00:09:34,270 us. 211 00:09:34,890 --> 00:09:35,950 What shall I render? 212 00:09:36,150 --> 00:09:40,590 I will first of all take thy salvation. 213 00:09:44,460 --> 00:09:47,600 During the war there was a special meeting 214 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:51,800 being held in Liverpool, and there were 200 215 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:55,380 merchant seamen there, and all of them had 216 00:09:55,380 --> 00:09:57,100 been rescued from the Atlantic. 217 00:09:57,900 --> 00:10:00,760 Their ships had gone down, had been torpedoed, 218 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:02,720 and they had been saved. 219 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:05,820 Some of them had had dreadful experiences. 220 00:10:06,760 --> 00:10:09,580 Now they'd been invited to gather together for 221 00:10:09,580 --> 00:10:12,660 a thanksgiving service as well as a special 222 00:10:12,660 --> 00:10:14,580 kind of banquet meal. 223 00:10:15,420 --> 00:10:17,440 And when the meal was over, they gathered 224 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:21,200 together in the chapel for a song service 225 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:23,620 and an informal time. 226 00:10:24,620 --> 00:10:27,960 And they sang, "'For those in peril on 227 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:30,520 the sea' and they sang, "'Throw out the 228 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:33,960 lifeline, across the dark waves "'there is a 229 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:37,320 brother whom someone could save' And they'd all 230 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:39,980 been saved themselves in the last few days 231 00:10:39,980 --> 00:10:43,080 from the Atlantic Ocean. 232 00:10:44,340 --> 00:10:47,440 And then before the actual meeting began, one 233 00:10:47,440 --> 00:10:50,420 young fellow came up to the preacher and 234 00:10:50,420 --> 00:10:52,780 said to him, "'Excuse me, sir, but are 235 00:10:52,780 --> 00:10:55,580 you the minister?' "'Well,' he said, "'yes, if 236 00:10:55,580 --> 00:10:58,640 you like, I'm preaching here anyway today.' "'Well,' 237 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:00,960 he said, "'that'll do fine.' They said to 238 00:11:00,960 --> 00:11:04,660 him, "'Now would you mind taking this envelope 239 00:11:04,660 --> 00:11:08,360 here "'for your church funds. 240 00:11:09,100 --> 00:11:12,720 "'It's from five of us.' "'Well,' he said, 241 00:11:12,740 --> 00:11:14,780 "'what do you mean?' "'Well,' he said, "'we 242 00:11:14,780 --> 00:11:17,620 are making a contribution to your church funds. 243 00:11:17,660 --> 00:11:20,460 "'Will you please take that?' "'Well,' he said, 244 00:11:20,460 --> 00:11:22,280 "'I haven't told you what church I belong 245 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:24,840 to.' "'Well,' he said, "'that doesn't matter at 246 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:25,300 all. 247 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:27,580 "'You take that to your church funds. 248 00:11:27,700 --> 00:11:30,740 "'There's money in there.' "'So,' he said, "'well, 249 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:33,020 what's all this about?' "'Well,' he said, "'in 250 00:11:33,020 --> 00:11:34,840 by this time the others had joined him. 251 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:36,700 "'There were five young men talking to the 252 00:11:36,700 --> 00:11:37,020 preacher. 253 00:11:37,900 --> 00:11:40,360 "'And they said to him, "'George, who was 254 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:42,880 speaking for the party, "'they said, "'Well, we 255 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:47,280 were saved from the Atlantic "'and we promised 256 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:48,460 to pay God back. 257 00:11:48,820 --> 00:11:51,600 "'So will you please have this envelope "'towards 258 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:54,880 your church funds?' "'Well,' he said, "'I'm not 259 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:56,300 sure whether I ought to take it. 260 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:58,980 "'You see, I'm not quite sure "'whether this 261 00:11:58,980 --> 00:12:03,830 is the way to pay God back.' "'He 262 00:12:03,830 --> 00:12:05,750 said, "'What happened to you anyway?' "'Well,' they 263 00:12:05,750 --> 00:12:08,970 said, "'we were torpedoed, "'and at least our 264 00:12:08,970 --> 00:12:10,650 ship was, "'and we were in an open 265 00:12:10,650 --> 00:12:13,670 boat "'for thirteen days and thirteen nights "'and 266 00:12:13,670 --> 00:12:16,470 were given our hope of ever being saved.' 267 00:12:17,390 --> 00:12:19,270 "'And then,' he said, "'Bill said to me, 268 00:12:19,410 --> 00:12:22,070 "'he said, "'George, we haven't prayed yet. 269 00:12:22,230 --> 00:12:25,030 "'We haven't cried prayer yet.' "'So I said 270 00:12:25,030 --> 00:12:27,310 to Bill, "'Well, you pray then.' "'But he 271 00:12:27,310 --> 00:12:29,670 wouldn't pray "'and none of the others would. 272 00:12:29,670 --> 00:12:31,850 "'They said they didn't know how to.' "'And 273 00:12:31,850 --> 00:12:33,210 I said to them, "'Well, I don't know 274 00:12:33,210 --> 00:12:35,270 how to pray either, "'but I'll tell you 275 00:12:35,270 --> 00:12:37,170 what, "'if you'll close your eyes, "'I'll have 276 00:12:37,170 --> 00:12:40,330 a go.' "'So he said, "'We all closed 277 00:12:40,330 --> 00:12:42,250 our eyes "'and this is what I prayed. 278 00:12:42,570 --> 00:12:45,450 "'Oh God, "'get us out of this strife 279 00:12:45,450 --> 00:12:47,090 "'and we'll pray your best. 280 00:12:48,470 --> 00:12:50,650 "'Amen.' "'Now,' he said, "'it was a miracle.' 281 00:12:50,650 --> 00:12:53,230 "'We all think it was a miracle "'because 282 00:12:53,230 --> 00:12:54,950 we opened our eyes "'and we saw the 283 00:12:54,950 --> 00:12:56,390 Spanish ship on the horizon. 284 00:12:56,810 --> 00:12:59,310 "'Now we've seen ships on the horizon before, 285 00:12:59,310 --> 00:13:01,250 "'none of them had ever come anywhere near 286 00:13:01,250 --> 00:13:03,410 us, "'but this one did, "'came right to 287 00:13:03,410 --> 00:13:04,110 where we were. 288 00:13:04,350 --> 00:13:06,150 "'And of course we were picked up "'and 289 00:13:06,150 --> 00:13:08,430 we are here today "'and we promised to 290 00:13:08,430 --> 00:13:10,770 pay God back.' "'And God answered our prayer.' 291 00:13:10,770 --> 00:13:12,650 "'So they said, "'Now you'll take that "'towards 292 00:13:12,650 --> 00:13:15,730 your church, son.' "'Wasn't it half a minute 293 00:13:15,730 --> 00:13:19,590 before, "'I must explain to you "'the way 294 00:13:19,590 --> 00:13:23,310 to pay God back.' "'And just as it 295 00:13:23,310 --> 00:13:25,830 was about to start, "'the bell rang "'and 296 00:13:25,830 --> 00:13:27,990 it was time for the service to begin.' 297 00:13:27,990 --> 00:13:30,770 "'So they took their seats "'and they had 298 00:13:30,770 --> 00:13:34,250 a prayer and another hymn, "'one of those 299 00:13:34,250 --> 00:13:36,170 peace songs "'that we all love so very 300 00:13:36,170 --> 00:13:36,550 much. 301 00:13:36,870 --> 00:13:39,410 "'And then my friend started to preach "'and 302 00:13:39,410 --> 00:13:42,090 I'm sure that in his sermon "'here came 303 00:13:42,090 --> 00:13:45,350 the way of paying God back, "'of really 304 00:13:45,350 --> 00:13:49,050 showing thanksgiving "'and gratitude to God "'for his 305 00:13:49,050 --> 00:13:52,530 deliverance from a watery grave "'and for all 306 00:13:52,530 --> 00:13:55,870 the blessings of this life.' "'And I'm not 307 00:13:55,870 --> 00:13:57,790 sure whether he used this text "'but this 308 00:13:57,790 --> 00:13:59,090 was his idea anyway. 309 00:13:59,310 --> 00:14:01,790 "'What shall I render unto the Lord "'for 310 00:14:01,790 --> 00:14:03,650 all his benefits toward me? 311 00:14:03,930 --> 00:14:08,910 "'I will take thy salvation "'and call upon 312 00:14:08,910 --> 00:14:12,890 the name of the Lord.'" And so towards 313 00:14:12,890 --> 00:14:14,570 the end he said, "'Now is there anybody 314 00:14:14,570 --> 00:14:16,990 here "'who would like to pay God back 315 00:14:16,990 --> 00:14:17,730 like that? 316 00:14:17,850 --> 00:14:21,170 "'Instead of offering him something, "'take what he's 317 00:14:21,170 --> 00:14:22,250 offering to you. 318 00:14:22,570 --> 00:14:26,210 "'Don't despise his overtures of mercy "'and love 319 00:14:26,210 --> 00:14:27,710 and salvation in Christ. 320 00:14:28,030 --> 00:14:29,230 "'Take his salvation. 321 00:14:29,630 --> 00:14:32,270 "'Take his son "'to be your own personal 322 00:14:32,270 --> 00:14:32,830 saviour. 323 00:14:32,970 --> 00:14:34,970 "'Is there anybody here "'like to pay God 324 00:14:34,970 --> 00:14:37,250 back like that?' "'And George stood up. 325 00:14:37,290 --> 00:14:39,490 "'He said, I will, sir.' "'He said, come 326 00:14:39,490 --> 00:14:39,810 out. 327 00:14:40,570 --> 00:14:41,630 "'Come to the front. 328 00:14:42,050 --> 00:14:44,090 "'Is there anybody else "'like to pay God 329 00:14:44,090 --> 00:14:44,970 back like that? 330 00:14:45,250 --> 00:14:47,710 "'Take his salvation.' "'And Bill stood up. 331 00:14:47,750 --> 00:14:49,510 "'He said, I will, sir.' "'He said, you 332 00:14:49,510 --> 00:14:51,870 come out as well.' "'And they sat around 333 00:14:51,870 --> 00:14:54,390 a round table "'just in the front of 334 00:14:54,390 --> 00:14:54,870 the portrait. 335 00:14:54,870 --> 00:14:55,930 "'Now he said, wait a minute. 336 00:14:55,990 --> 00:14:58,250 "'Anybody else?' "'And the other three came out. 337 00:14:58,310 --> 00:14:59,710 "'That made five of them. 338 00:14:59,770 --> 00:15:02,570 "'The five who were in that boat "'for 339 00:15:02,570 --> 00:15:05,410 thirteen days and thirteen nights "'and prayed that 340 00:15:05,410 --> 00:15:06,270 prayer together. 341 00:15:07,010 --> 00:15:08,950 "'And now they were going to pay God 342 00:15:08,950 --> 00:15:13,450 back "'in God's way.' "'And he stopped the 343 00:15:13,450 --> 00:15:15,910 meeting "'while he led them to the saviour. 344 00:15:16,230 --> 00:15:19,830 "'And they each for themselves "'received Christ Jesus, 345 00:15:20,090 --> 00:15:23,430 "'who is God's salvation for anybody and everybody, 346 00:15:23,430 --> 00:15:26,590 "'received him into their hearts and lives "'as 347 00:15:26,590 --> 00:15:28,450 their own personal saviour. 348 00:15:28,550 --> 00:15:31,890 "'I will take my salvation,' they said. 349 00:15:32,110 --> 00:15:33,690 "'And they received Jesus. 350 00:15:34,250 --> 00:15:37,550 "'And then the meeting was concluded "'in a 351 00:15:37,550 --> 00:15:39,790 proper and orderly manner. 352 00:15:40,450 --> 00:15:42,110 "'What shall I render? 353 00:15:42,650 --> 00:15:53,750 "'I will take.'" Imagine a young fellow being 354 00:15:53,750 --> 00:15:58,410 caught in the grounds of Lord Snowdon, shall 355 00:15:58,410 --> 00:15:59,070 we say. 356 00:16:00,170 --> 00:16:02,110 The grounds of his home. 357 00:16:02,850 --> 00:16:04,890 He's evidently out to see what he can 358 00:16:04,890 --> 00:16:05,410 steal. 359 00:16:06,470 --> 00:16:09,990 But he's caught red-handed by Lord Snowdon 360 00:16:09,990 --> 00:16:10,690 himself. 361 00:16:12,490 --> 00:16:14,110 He takes him inside. 362 00:16:14,570 --> 00:16:16,610 And of course the young fellow is trembling 363 00:16:16,610 --> 00:16:17,710 from head to foot. 364 00:16:19,410 --> 00:16:21,610 And he said to him, "'Now what were 365 00:16:21,610 --> 00:16:23,850 you doing?' And the boy is speechless. 366 00:16:25,150 --> 00:16:26,870 And he says, "'Why were you trying to 367 00:16:26,870 --> 00:16:28,930 steal something from me?' And the boy is 368 00:16:28,930 --> 00:16:29,390 speechless. 369 00:16:30,790 --> 00:16:33,270 And finally Lord Snowdon gets it out of 370 00:16:33,270 --> 00:16:35,410 this chap that he's unemployed, he hasn't got 371 00:16:35,410 --> 00:16:36,990 a job, he has certain commitments. 372 00:16:37,630 --> 00:16:39,310 And that's why he's doing this. 373 00:16:41,790 --> 00:16:45,270 And so Lord Snowdon says, "'Well now, I'm 374 00:16:45,270 --> 00:16:46,690 going to give you a new start. 375 00:16:48,890 --> 00:16:50,630 "'I'm not going to condemn you,' he said. 376 00:16:50,630 --> 00:16:52,990 "'I'm going to buy you a kit of 377 00:16:52,990 --> 00:16:53,410 tools. 378 00:16:54,310 --> 00:16:56,110 "'And I'm going to introduce you to a 379 00:16:56,110 --> 00:16:56,890 friend of mine. 380 00:16:58,430 --> 00:17:02,070 "'I'm going to give you a real new 381 00:17:02,070 --> 00:17:06,460 start in life.'" And this young fellow said, 382 00:17:06,500 --> 00:17:08,119 "'Oh well, sir, very, very kind of you, 383 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:10,800 "'but I'll have to do something for that. 384 00:17:10,980 --> 00:17:11,819 "'What can I do? 385 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,319 "'I'll come round tomorrow morning and mow your 386 00:17:14,319 --> 00:17:17,880 lawn for you.'" Lord Snowdon says, "'Now look 387 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:19,839 here, I don't want you to mow my 388 00:17:19,839 --> 00:17:20,839 lawn for me. 389 00:17:20,839 --> 00:17:23,160 "'I've got a better lawn mower than you 390 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:23,540 are. 391 00:17:23,819 --> 00:17:25,579 "'Now I want you to take what I'm 392 00:17:25,579 --> 00:17:26,960 offering and be thankful. 393 00:17:28,260 --> 00:17:31,680 "'Nothing that you can do for me "'will 394 00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:34,800 be acceptable to me "'until you first take 395 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:40,340 the salvation that I'm offering.'" God has procured 396 00:17:40,340 --> 00:17:42,760 for us a wonderful salvation from all our 397 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:45,400 sins, and from the consequences of our sins 398 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:47,340 in the person of his dear son. 399 00:17:47,340 --> 00:17:51,900 Let us receive them, and take God's salvation 400 00:17:51,900 --> 00:17:52,720 by faith. 401 00:17:53,820 --> 00:17:56,680 And then of course we can live for 402 00:17:56,680 --> 00:17:59,840 his praise and for his glory, and render 403 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:00,840 unto the Lord. 404 00:18:01,660 --> 00:18:03,980 And although we can offer nothing to God 405 00:18:03,980 --> 00:18:06,940 for our salvation, when once we are saved, 406 00:18:07,020 --> 00:18:10,020 there are many present day sacrifices that we 407 00:18:10,020 --> 00:18:11,140 can make to God. 408 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:14,820 We never sacrifice to get salvation because of 409 00:18:14,820 --> 00:18:17,940 Christ's once for all sacrifice. 410 00:18:18,620 --> 00:18:21,960 Sufficient sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. 411 00:18:22,260 --> 00:18:25,060 If you can work your salvation today, why 412 00:18:25,060 --> 00:18:26,380 did Jesus die? 413 00:18:27,360 --> 00:18:30,000 And he died because you couldn't save yourself. 414 00:18:30,300 --> 00:18:32,500 You must accept God's salvation. 415 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:36,480 But then you will work like any slave 416 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:40,060 for love of God's dear son, I'm quite 417 00:18:40,060 --> 00:18:40,560 sure. 418 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:43,940 And there's quite a list of scriptural present 419 00:18:43,940 --> 00:18:47,480 day sacrifices that we believers can make to 420 00:18:47,480 --> 00:18:49,560 God for all that he's done for us 421 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:52,060 in his son, and the salvation he's given 422 00:18:52,060 --> 00:18:55,140 to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. 423 00:18:55,220 --> 00:18:58,560 Now there are really three special main ideas 424 00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:01,320 in this psalm that I wanted to bring 425 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:02,560 before you this evening. 426 00:19:03,680 --> 00:19:08,860 First of all, notice how this man David, 427 00:19:09,060 --> 00:19:15,320 in his experience recited here, was condemned and 428 00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:16,200 convicted. 429 00:19:17,390 --> 00:19:20,500 But the result of it was his soul 430 00:19:20,500 --> 00:19:21,880 was saved. 431 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:27,700 And then notice how he was defeated and 432 00:19:27,700 --> 00:19:29,280 brought very low. 433 00:19:30,060 --> 00:19:32,500 But the result of it was he was 434 00:19:32,500 --> 00:19:35,700 lifted up and blessed abundantly. 435 00:19:36,660 --> 00:19:39,440 And then notice later on how that he 436 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:42,900 was bound in a certain way. 437 00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:46,900 But in that bondage he found real liberty 438 00:19:46,900 --> 00:19:48,340 and freedom. 439 00:19:49,180 --> 00:19:52,160 Now this is where these paradoxes come in. 440 00:19:53,140 --> 00:19:55,680 Applying it to ourselves, this is the message 441 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:56,180 tonight. 442 00:19:57,160 --> 00:19:59,780 From the first part of the psalm, God 443 00:19:59,780 --> 00:20:04,100 condemns us that he might save us. 444 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:07,860 And a few verses lower down, God defeats 445 00:20:07,860 --> 00:20:11,120 us that he might deliver us. 446 00:20:12,100 --> 00:20:14,600 And then finally, I think it's verse 16 447 00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:19,920 he says, God binds us that he might 448 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:21,460 set us free. 449 00:20:21,780 --> 00:20:25,280 My ways are not your ways, saith the 450 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:25,640 Lord. 451 00:20:26,340 --> 00:20:28,680 Now God condemns us first of all. 452 00:20:28,980 --> 00:20:30,960 Now we must do this of course, as 453 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:32,800 he did in the case of the psalmist. 454 00:20:32,900 --> 00:20:35,000 He comes to say we are guilty sinners 455 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:37,680 and he's a holy God and he knows 456 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,180 exactly what we are and how we've come 457 00:20:40,180 --> 00:20:41,300 short in his glory. 458 00:20:41,620 --> 00:20:43,820 In his holiness he must condemn us. 459 00:20:45,510 --> 00:20:47,890 But his whole idea is that he might 460 00:20:47,890 --> 00:20:48,610 save us. 461 00:20:48,990 --> 00:20:52,290 He condemns us to save us. 462 00:20:52,370 --> 00:20:55,710 The psalmist says here, the sorrows of death 463 00:20:55,710 --> 00:20:58,770 comfort me, the pains of hell get hold 464 00:20:58,770 --> 00:21:01,870 upon me, I've found trouble and sorrow. 465 00:21:02,190 --> 00:21:04,710 There he is under the condemning hand of 466 00:21:04,710 --> 00:21:08,550 God, brought very low with conviction of sin. 467 00:21:11,190 --> 00:21:12,370 And God has done it. 468 00:21:13,210 --> 00:21:15,010 He's shown me his knees as a saviour. 469 00:21:15,930 --> 00:21:18,670 Remember he says, Save us, I call upon 470 00:21:18,670 --> 00:21:19,750 the name of the Lord. 471 00:21:20,190 --> 00:21:25,070 O Lord I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 472 00:21:29,770 --> 00:21:31,450 He was under conviction of sin. 473 00:21:32,110 --> 00:21:34,410 The pains of hell get hold upon him. 474 00:21:34,410 --> 00:21:38,090 This conviction of sin is a working of 475 00:21:38,090 --> 00:21:41,350 the Holy Spirit in the human heart. 476 00:21:42,030 --> 00:21:44,070 When a man is not born again, is 477 00:21:44,070 --> 00:21:47,230 not a committed Christian, is not really the 478 00:21:47,230 --> 00:21:51,030 Lord, the Holy Spirit often from time to 479 00:21:51,030 --> 00:21:54,170 time moves in the heart, very often through 480 00:21:54,170 --> 00:21:56,670 the preaching of the gospel, showing the man 481 00:21:56,670 --> 00:21:59,070 what a guilty sinner he is and how 482 00:21:59,070 --> 00:22:00,230 he needs a saviour. 483 00:22:00,410 --> 00:22:04,330 I remember Jim Boswell and I were conducting 484 00:22:04,330 --> 00:22:09,850 a mission in Eversham in Worcester a few 485 00:22:09,850 --> 00:22:10,590 years ago. 486 00:22:10,730 --> 00:22:13,510 It was a tent crusade and there was 487 00:22:13,510 --> 00:22:16,270 a certain lady, Mrs. Tender, who came to 488 00:22:16,270 --> 00:22:17,070 every meeting. 489 00:22:17,670 --> 00:22:18,790 But she was not saved. 490 00:22:18,890 --> 00:22:20,250 As a matter of fact, all through the 491 00:22:20,250 --> 00:22:23,390 crusade she was under deep conviction of sin. 492 00:22:24,710 --> 00:22:27,750 She was quite a student in many ways. 493 00:22:27,930 --> 00:22:30,530 She studied many of the arts and sciences, 494 00:22:30,690 --> 00:22:32,930 was a worshipper of the sun god Ra, 495 00:22:32,930 --> 00:22:35,990 and was genuinely mixed up with philosophy. 496 00:22:38,050 --> 00:22:40,750 But she was really under conviction during these 497 00:22:40,750 --> 00:22:41,150 meetings. 498 00:22:41,710 --> 00:22:44,130 She told me, she said, I'm not sleeping 499 00:22:44,130 --> 00:22:44,650 at night. 500 00:22:44,990 --> 00:22:47,090 She said, I'm so concerned, I'm praying all 501 00:22:47,090 --> 00:22:47,610 night long. 502 00:22:47,710 --> 00:22:49,650 She said, at five o'clock I stop 503 00:22:49,650 --> 00:22:51,350 and I go to bed for an hour, 504 00:22:51,650 --> 00:22:53,190 then I have to get up to get 505 00:22:53,190 --> 00:22:54,810 the breakfast to get the others off to 506 00:22:54,810 --> 00:22:55,210 work. 507 00:22:57,990 --> 00:23:01,270 We had talk after talk and argument after 508 00:23:01,270 --> 00:23:04,090 argument and debate after debate and she seemed 509 00:23:04,090 --> 00:23:05,230 to be no nearer. 510 00:23:05,330 --> 00:23:08,050 But she was really troubled in her soul. 511 00:23:08,310 --> 00:23:10,610 The pains of hell got hold upon her. 512 00:23:10,870 --> 00:23:13,130 She found trouble and she found sorrow. 513 00:23:13,910 --> 00:23:16,170 And I remember her coming the last morning 514 00:23:16,170 --> 00:23:18,130 prayer meeting at ten o'clock in the 515 00:23:18,130 --> 00:23:19,730 morning to the martyr. 516 00:23:20,390 --> 00:23:21,750 When it was over I went to her 517 00:23:21,750 --> 00:23:22,970 and I said, Mrs. Tender, how are you 518 00:23:22,970 --> 00:23:23,810 feeling today? 519 00:23:24,790 --> 00:23:26,270 Well, she said, I'm no nearer. 520 00:23:26,910 --> 00:23:29,170 I said, listen, give up all your sciences 521 00:23:29,170 --> 00:23:31,950 and all your philosophies and all your reasonings 522 00:23:31,950 --> 00:23:34,870 and debates and tell me this, you do 523 00:23:34,870 --> 00:23:38,930 not project in your heart and life Jesus 524 00:23:38,930 --> 00:23:40,950 Christ, the Son of God as your own 525 00:23:40,950 --> 00:23:41,990 saviour, do you? 526 00:23:42,350 --> 00:23:43,750 She said, no I don't. 527 00:23:43,970 --> 00:23:46,190 I said, he's the one you need, he 528 00:23:46,190 --> 00:23:47,550 is your only saviour. 529 00:23:48,370 --> 00:23:50,770 Now I said, don't pray anything wonderful but 530 00:23:50,770 --> 00:23:52,110 something very simple. 531 00:23:52,370 --> 00:23:54,110 Ask him to come into your heart and 532 00:23:54,110 --> 00:23:54,630 life now. 533 00:23:55,410 --> 00:23:57,070 And she closed her eyes and said, Lord 534 00:23:57,070 --> 00:23:59,790 Jesus, Son of God, come into my life. 535 00:24:00,410 --> 00:24:00,790 Amen. 536 00:24:01,450 --> 00:24:05,770 And the burden went, the conviction departed and 537 00:24:05,770 --> 00:24:07,430 she was the Lord. 538 00:24:07,490 --> 00:24:11,190 If you feel tonight or any time that 539 00:24:11,190 --> 00:24:13,990 the Holy Spirit of God is cutting your 540 00:24:13,990 --> 00:24:18,370 heart, pulling at your heartstrings, telling you you 541 00:24:18,370 --> 00:24:21,630 need a saviour, suggesting to you that you 542 00:24:21,630 --> 00:24:24,510 ought to get right with God, reminding you 543 00:24:24,510 --> 00:24:26,070 you're not going to last on this earth 544 00:24:26,070 --> 00:24:28,410 forever and there's eternity beyond. 545 00:24:28,410 --> 00:24:30,950 And when the Holy Spirit through the words, 546 00:24:31,110 --> 00:24:34,030 through the teacher or on his own, apart 547 00:24:34,030 --> 00:24:36,690 from anything at all sometimes, he speaks to 548 00:24:36,690 --> 00:24:39,050 your heart that you'll need a saviour. 549 00:24:39,510 --> 00:24:42,530 Respond to the Holy Spirit of God and 550 00:24:42,530 --> 00:24:45,110 the conviction will depart and the joy of 551 00:24:45,110 --> 00:24:48,330 the Lord will be your strength and Christ 552 00:24:48,330 --> 00:24:49,770 will be your saviour. 553 00:24:51,010 --> 00:24:54,170 God always condemns us first because he's holy 554 00:24:54,170 --> 00:24:57,890 and he saves us next because he is 555 00:24:57,890 --> 00:24:58,290 love. 556 00:24:58,810 --> 00:25:00,870 What's the good of me teaching the love 557 00:25:00,870 --> 00:25:03,770 of Christ, the love of God and his 558 00:25:03,770 --> 00:25:06,710 son if I don't preach to you your 559 00:25:06,710 --> 00:25:08,830 sinnership and need of a saviour? 560 00:25:13,780 --> 00:25:17,440 And God that always condemns us first, he 561 00:25:17,440 --> 00:25:20,200 sent the law to condemn people. 562 00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:24,940 God's law, God's pandem, it came to none, 563 00:25:24,980 --> 00:25:26,140 it never saved a thing. 564 00:25:28,620 --> 00:25:32,480 But it showed many people, many souls that 565 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:33,660 they needed a saviour. 566 00:25:35,120 --> 00:25:37,380 When they saw God's standards and they said, 567 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:39,120 oh wretched man that I am, I've come 568 00:25:39,120 --> 00:25:40,100 short of all this. 569 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:42,440 I'm a guilty sinner, I am, I'm a 570 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:44,060 transgressor of God's law. 571 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:47,500 So God condemns us first that he might 572 00:25:47,500 --> 00:25:48,220 save us next. 573 00:25:50,900 --> 00:25:52,380 I think in one sense it's true to 574 00:25:52,380 --> 00:25:54,340 say that God sent his son to condemn 575 00:25:54,340 --> 00:25:56,260 us as well as to save us. 576 00:25:56,920 --> 00:25:58,780 You know that he was the standard of 577 00:25:58,780 --> 00:26:02,120 righteousness, God's standard, when he appeared upon earth. 578 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:05,520 And people in his presence were condemned very 579 00:26:05,520 --> 00:26:05,920 often. 580 00:26:06,600 --> 00:26:09,080 Peter said, depart from me for I am 581 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:10,460 a sinful man, O Lord. 582 00:26:10,660 --> 00:26:12,500 You are the most holy one. 583 00:26:14,780 --> 00:26:16,580 Now he said, I'm going to the Father 584 00:26:16,580 --> 00:26:19,060 when the Holy Spirit comes, he will convince 585 00:26:19,060 --> 00:26:21,820 you of sin of righteousness and of judgment 586 00:26:21,820 --> 00:26:24,220 of righteousness because I go to the Father. 587 00:26:24,380 --> 00:26:29,220 The Holy Spirit will tell you what God's 588 00:26:29,220 --> 00:26:32,000 standard of righteousness is when I go but 589 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:34,140 while I am here I am God's standard 590 00:26:34,140 --> 00:26:34,660 of righteousness. 591 00:26:36,960 --> 00:26:38,920 And when they were in his presence they 592 00:26:38,920 --> 00:26:42,120 shriveled up and they got away and they 593 00:26:42,120 --> 00:26:42,900 walked away. 594 00:26:43,140 --> 00:26:44,900 One by one they departed. 595 00:26:45,280 --> 00:26:48,040 They felt their sinfulness in the presence of 596 00:26:48,040 --> 00:26:52,280 God's standard of righteousness, the holy, holy spotless 597 00:26:52,280 --> 00:26:53,740 son of God. 598 00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:56,760 So in one sense it's true that Jesus 599 00:26:56,760 --> 00:26:59,700 came to condemn men because of his absolute 600 00:26:59,700 --> 00:27:01,680 holiness and their lack of it. 601 00:27:02,060 --> 00:27:04,240 But of course he came to save men 602 00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:07,460 from their lack of holiness and to impart 603 00:27:07,460 --> 00:27:08,420 to them his own. 604 00:27:08,740 --> 00:27:09,900 Blessed be his name. 605 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:12,180 On the cross he died to take away 606 00:27:12,180 --> 00:27:14,760 us and today he lives to give us 607 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:18,200 his own personal holiness the moment we trust 608 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:19,940 him as our savior. 609 00:27:21,340 --> 00:27:23,260 And so he says here, the pains of 610 00:27:23,260 --> 00:27:24,660 hell got hold upon me. 611 00:27:24,940 --> 00:27:26,400 I found trouble and sorrow. 612 00:27:26,660 --> 00:27:28,280 God always condemns us first. 613 00:27:28,340 --> 00:27:29,980 That's what he sent the Holy Spirit for. 614 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:33,400 He will convince you of your sins and 615 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:37,300 of God's standard of righteousness and of judgment 616 00:27:37,300 --> 00:27:38,080 as well. 617 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:40,120 Thank God for the work of the Holy 618 00:27:40,120 --> 00:27:43,560 Spirit in the world today, condemning men to 619 00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:44,460 our sinners. 620 00:27:44,740 --> 00:27:46,460 But of course he doesn't leave his work 621 00:27:46,460 --> 00:27:47,700 finished at that point. 622 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:50,620 He goes on to reveal to men the 623 00:27:50,620 --> 00:27:53,580 law of Jesus Christ and to unite them 624 00:27:53,580 --> 00:27:57,020 to him in a wonderful union. 625 00:27:57,640 --> 00:28:01,460 Now faith is the marriage bond between Christ 626 00:28:01,460 --> 00:28:04,200 and the believer or the other way around, 627 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:05,580 the believer and Christ. 628 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:08,100 And when I say I will to the 629 00:28:08,100 --> 00:28:12,440 Lord Jesus Christ, then all his blessings and 630 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:17,380 his full salvation become my personal possession. 631 00:28:17,980 --> 00:28:21,160 And of course all my debts were chargeable 632 00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:22,560 to him as well. 633 00:28:22,560 --> 00:28:24,720 When I say that, I'm thinking of an 634 00:28:24,720 --> 00:28:30,040 old English law an old English law where 635 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:32,700 two people, when they were joined in matrimony, 636 00:28:32,700 --> 00:28:36,380 the moment he said I will, then legally 637 00:28:36,380 --> 00:28:40,640 at that moment, all her debts became chargeable 638 00:28:40,640 --> 00:28:45,420 to him and all his possessions became hers 639 00:28:45,420 --> 00:28:46,240 to share. 640 00:28:46,860 --> 00:28:48,880 Now the men didn't like this because they 641 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:50,000 had the law changed. 642 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:53,200 So it's not like that today ladies, I'm 643 00:28:53,200 --> 00:28:54,100 sorry to say. 644 00:28:54,480 --> 00:28:57,060 But it is like that in the spiritual 645 00:28:57,060 --> 00:28:57,500 sense. 646 00:28:57,960 --> 00:29:00,260 Because the moment I say I will to 647 00:29:00,260 --> 00:29:04,240 the Saviour and trust him, then all his 648 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:05,860 blessings become mine. 649 00:29:06,180 --> 00:29:09,980 Blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. 650 00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:14,040 And of course all my debts become his 651 00:29:14,040 --> 00:29:15,160 responsibility. 652 00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:19,000 That he with his fierce vision and prophets 653 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:21,500 I foresaw this, and he came a long 654 00:29:21,500 --> 00:29:23,680 time ago to pay my debt. 655 00:29:23,760 --> 00:29:25,400 And it cost him so much to do 656 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:26,040 it as well. 657 00:29:26,420 --> 00:29:29,140 His life he gave, his precious blood he 658 00:29:29,140 --> 00:29:32,400 shed, that my debt might be cleared her 659 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:32,780 forever. 660 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:37,280 The old account was settled, praise God, long 661 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:37,620 ago. 662 00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:42,220 Well now here in verse 5, the psalmist 663 00:29:42,220 --> 00:29:44,320 says, gracious is the Lord and righteous. 664 00:29:45,420 --> 00:29:47,120 And then he says, righteous is the Lord 665 00:29:47,120 --> 00:29:47,860 and merciful. 666 00:29:49,360 --> 00:29:51,580 Now in God's grace he gives to us 667 00:29:51,580 --> 00:29:52,600 what we don't deserve. 668 00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:55,240 In his mercy he withholds from us what 669 00:29:55,240 --> 00:29:57,080 we do deserve because of our sin. 670 00:29:57,300 --> 00:29:57,840 That's gentleness. 671 00:29:58,860 --> 00:30:00,160 You see the difference don't you? 672 00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:02,700 In his grace he gives us what we 673 00:30:02,700 --> 00:30:03,340 don't deserve. 674 00:30:04,620 --> 00:30:06,760 In his mercy he keeps from us what 675 00:30:06,760 --> 00:30:07,540 we do deserve. 676 00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:08,220 Doesn't he? 677 00:30:09,020 --> 00:30:11,100 And it says here that God is gracious 678 00:30:11,100 --> 00:30:12,100 and God is merciful. 679 00:30:12,260 --> 00:30:15,240 Now in between the two God is righteous. 680 00:30:15,740 --> 00:30:21,160 Now how on earth can God be gracious 681 00:30:21,160 --> 00:30:24,180 and righteous at the same time? 682 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:29,660 How can he on a righteous correct basis 683 00:30:30,880 --> 00:30:35,360 give to us what we do not deserve? 684 00:30:37,040 --> 00:30:39,780 And the same question arises, how on earth 685 00:30:39,780 --> 00:30:43,480 can almighty God who is righteous in all 686 00:30:43,480 --> 00:30:46,800 his works and ways keep from us the 687 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:49,300 judgment that we do deserve because of our 688 00:30:49,300 --> 00:30:49,520 sin? 689 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:51,400 How can he do it? 690 00:30:52,580 --> 00:30:56,000 Now your judges in this country can't do 691 00:30:56,000 --> 00:30:56,240 that. 692 00:30:57,340 --> 00:30:59,240 They might attempt to do it occasionally, but 693 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:00,560 they're not supposed to do that. 694 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:06,420 They have to dispense righteous judgment. 695 00:31:09,220 --> 00:31:10,600 And if a man is guilty they just 696 00:31:10,600 --> 00:31:12,700 stand in their mercy, keep them back. 697 00:31:13,400 --> 00:31:14,120 But God can. 698 00:31:15,420 --> 00:31:18,100 God can give us a full salvation and 699 00:31:18,100 --> 00:31:19,740 we don't deserve it, and he can do 700 00:31:19,740 --> 00:31:20,460 it righteously. 701 00:31:20,540 --> 00:31:21,260 You know why? 702 00:31:21,580 --> 00:31:25,120 Because Christ died to pay for it for 703 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:25,400 us. 704 00:31:27,820 --> 00:31:29,940 And he can save us from our sin. 705 00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:32,680 And we don't deserve to be saved eternally 706 00:31:32,680 --> 00:31:34,420 from our sin, but God can do it 707 00:31:34,420 --> 00:31:35,080 righteously. 708 00:31:35,200 --> 00:31:35,860 You know why? 709 00:31:36,040 --> 00:31:38,600 Because Christ paid the debt on the cross 710 00:31:38,600 --> 00:31:38,980 itself. 711 00:31:39,700 --> 00:31:41,760 And now through this man is preached unto 712 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:44,520 you the forgiveness of sin. 713 00:31:46,300 --> 00:31:49,720 You see Romans 1 16 is the favorite 714 00:31:49,720 --> 00:31:52,140 verse of ours which says, I am not 715 00:31:52,140 --> 00:31:54,500 ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it 716 00:31:54,500 --> 00:31:56,460 is the power of God unto salvation to 717 00:31:56,460 --> 00:31:57,300 those that believe. 718 00:31:57,900 --> 00:32:00,380 But there's another reason why Paul was not 719 00:32:00,380 --> 00:32:02,240 ashamed of the gospel of Christ and it's 720 00:32:02,240 --> 00:32:03,160 in the next verse. 721 00:32:03,720 --> 00:32:06,000 And it's the most important reason, it's the 722 00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:08,020 subject of the whole of his epistle to 723 00:32:08,020 --> 00:32:10,420 Romans, the righteousness of God. 724 00:32:10,900 --> 00:32:13,500 Because he says in verse 17, I am 725 00:32:13,500 --> 00:32:15,560 not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because 726 00:32:15,560 --> 00:32:19,280 in it is the righteousness of God unto 727 00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:19,760 you. 728 00:32:20,840 --> 00:32:24,580 And God he gives us the whole salvation 729 00:32:24,580 --> 00:32:25,480 righteously. 730 00:32:26,140 --> 00:32:28,920 And he keeps us from the consequences of 731 00:32:28,920 --> 00:32:31,980 our sin when we pass his son on 732 00:32:31,980 --> 00:32:33,060 the righteous way. 733 00:32:33,700 --> 00:32:34,880 He is merciful. 734 00:32:35,680 --> 00:32:38,440 Therefore if ever you are saved by the 735 00:32:38,440 --> 00:32:40,880 grace of God and you are delivered from 736 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:43,600 hell you will owe it all to the 737 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:46,700 Lord Jesus to die to pay the price 738 00:32:46,700 --> 00:32:50,240 and to bring to you eternal blessings. 739 00:32:52,180 --> 00:32:54,140 And that's why tonight we're inviting you to 740 00:32:54,140 --> 00:32:56,380 put your faith and trust in the Lord 741 00:32:56,380 --> 00:32:59,460 Jesus Christ for he is your only salvation 742 00:32:59,460 --> 00:33:01,300 with him there is no hope. 743 00:33:01,680 --> 00:33:02,960 Without him there is no hope. 744 00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:08,040 Now imagine in Britain one of our magistrates 745 00:33:08,040 --> 00:33:11,600 or judges having a young fellow there in 746 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:12,720 front of him in the dock. 747 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:18,560 And the crime according to the book here 748 00:33:18,560 --> 00:33:22,500 is that this man has been caught entering 749 00:33:22,500 --> 00:33:25,940 and stealing whatever is the correct term for 750 00:33:25,940 --> 00:33:26,100 that. 751 00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:29,640 And when the judge comes and sees this 752 00:33:29,640 --> 00:33:32,120 young man he recognizes him. 753 00:33:32,440 --> 00:33:33,600 He knows his father. 754 00:33:33,960 --> 00:33:36,700 As a matter of fact this young fellow's 755 00:33:36,700 --> 00:33:39,740 father is the judge's personal friend in the 756 00:33:39,740 --> 00:33:40,080 city. 757 00:33:41,120 --> 00:33:43,200 And he has a great desire to let 758 00:33:43,200 --> 00:33:45,760 him off because of his friendship with his 759 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:46,140 father. 760 00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:46,760 But he can't. 761 00:33:46,820 --> 00:33:48,120 He says I'm a righteous judge. 762 00:33:48,660 --> 00:33:50,840 I have to dispense righteousness I can't let 763 00:33:50,840 --> 00:33:51,140 him off. 764 00:33:52,060 --> 00:33:54,220 And the young fellow is found guilty. 765 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:58,380 And the judge he pronounces the verdict and 766 00:33:58,380 --> 00:34:00,520 he tells him what the fine is to 767 00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:00,780 do. 768 00:34:02,020 --> 00:34:04,100 The fine or else so many months down 769 00:34:04,100 --> 00:34:04,380 below. 770 00:34:06,440 --> 00:34:08,920 And then he himself when the case is 771 00:34:08,920 --> 00:34:12,840 over he goes round the back gets out 772 00:34:12,840 --> 00:34:16,699 the car drives home or as a chauffeur 773 00:34:16,699 --> 00:34:17,739 to drive him home. 774 00:34:18,380 --> 00:34:20,940 And then he gets to his desk and 775 00:34:20,940 --> 00:34:23,620 he writes out a cheque for the amount 776 00:34:23,620 --> 00:34:26,639 that he has imposed on this young fellow. 777 00:34:27,080 --> 00:34:29,780 And he sends his son back to the 778 00:34:29,780 --> 00:34:32,780 court office to pay the fine. 779 00:34:33,699 --> 00:34:35,239 And so the man is free. 780 00:34:36,739 --> 00:34:38,719 And thank God for all that he has 781 00:34:38,719 --> 00:34:39,000 done. 782 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:40,840 We have sinned against him. 783 00:34:41,440 --> 00:34:45,860 This young fellow had we should have said, 784 00:34:46,420 --> 00:34:49,060 broken into the judge's home itself. 785 00:34:50,460 --> 00:34:52,560 And we've sinned against God himself. 786 00:34:53,940 --> 00:34:56,600 He himself in his righteousness has imposed the 787 00:34:56,600 --> 00:34:57,020 fine. 788 00:34:57,440 --> 00:34:57,880 Yes. 789 00:34:59,440 --> 00:35:01,580 But he himself has sent his son to 790 00:35:01,580 --> 00:35:04,260 pay the fine by his death and the 791 00:35:04,260 --> 00:35:05,320 shedding of his blood. 792 00:35:06,040 --> 00:35:08,400 And now we receiving what has been done 793 00:35:08,830 --> 00:35:10,000 find a full salvation. 794 00:35:10,620 --> 00:35:13,080 You see God condemns us first because he's 795 00:35:13,080 --> 00:35:13,420 righteous. 796 00:35:14,280 --> 00:35:17,980 And then he saves us next because he 797 00:35:17,980 --> 00:35:18,480 is loved. 798 00:35:19,220 --> 00:35:20,500 God hates the sinner. 799 00:35:21,480 --> 00:35:23,740 God hates the sin because he's righteous. 800 00:35:24,220 --> 00:35:27,000 But he loves the sinner because he is 801 00:35:27,000 --> 00:35:27,320 loved. 802 00:35:27,980 --> 00:35:29,860 And for God so loved the world he 803 00:35:29,860 --> 00:35:32,220 gave his only begotten son. 804 00:35:33,180 --> 00:35:35,600 But whosoever believeth in him in him should 805 00:35:35,600 --> 00:35:38,300 not perish but have everlasting life. 806 00:35:38,740 --> 00:35:40,560 Not only does God condemn us for slavery 807 00:35:40,560 --> 00:35:42,840 but God defeats us to deliver us. 808 00:35:43,880 --> 00:35:45,820 Notice in verse six he said, the Lord 809 00:35:45,820 --> 00:35:47,200 preserveth the lowly. 810 00:35:47,620 --> 00:35:51,360 I was brought low and he helped me. 811 00:35:52,100 --> 00:35:55,740 Now God cannot bring a man into the 812 00:35:55,740 --> 00:35:59,080 blessings which he has for him until he 813 00:35:59,080 --> 00:36:01,960 has first of all defeated him. 814 00:36:02,340 --> 00:36:05,420 Until he has first of all conquered him. 815 00:36:05,840 --> 00:36:08,980 The psalmist says here, I was brought low 816 00:36:08,980 --> 00:36:12,880 and then it was he helped me. 817 00:36:13,780 --> 00:36:15,660 Now there are many examples of this in 818 00:36:15,660 --> 00:36:16,180 the word. 819 00:36:17,800 --> 00:36:23,140 Jacob Princeton was touched and crippled by God 820 00:36:23,140 --> 00:36:27,980 at the brook Javok and it was in 821 00:36:27,980 --> 00:36:31,200 that very attitude that he became a prince 822 00:36:31,200 --> 00:36:32,380 with God. 823 00:36:33,320 --> 00:36:35,800 Saul the passer on the way to Damascus 824 00:36:35,960 --> 00:36:39,340 was blinded and broken and bent. 825 00:36:40,880 --> 00:36:44,140 And in that very attitude he became a 826 00:36:44,140 --> 00:36:47,300 chosen vessel for the Lord to declare his 827 00:36:47,300 --> 00:36:49,920 word among the Gentiles. 828 00:36:52,520 --> 00:36:54,960 Asaph in experience. 829 00:36:56,240 --> 00:36:58,840 It is my heart and my flesh faileth. 830 00:37:00,280 --> 00:37:01,920 And when you read it up the first 831 00:37:01,920 --> 00:37:03,200 time you say what a shame. 832 00:37:03,760 --> 00:37:05,420 Asaph must have been in a bad way. 833 00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:07,580 But there he goes on to say, my 834 00:37:07,580 --> 00:37:10,140 heart and my flesh faileth but now God 835 00:37:10,140 --> 00:37:12,380 is the strength of my heart and my 836 00:37:12,380 --> 00:37:13,240 portion forever. 837 00:37:13,580 --> 00:37:16,420 God defeats us, God brings us low, God 838 00:37:16,420 --> 00:37:18,820 makes us weak, God robs us of our 839 00:37:18,820 --> 00:37:21,640 own self will so that he might bring 840 00:37:21,640 --> 00:37:23,780 up his blessings and lift us up. 841 00:37:23,980 --> 00:37:27,000 God defeats us to deliver us. 842 00:37:27,660 --> 00:37:28,880 Why does he do this? 843 00:37:29,640 --> 00:37:31,980 Well I suppose we are so self-willed. 844 00:37:32,920 --> 00:37:35,280 We think we can do it ourselves. 845 00:37:36,420 --> 00:37:39,020 I suppose that we feel sometimes of ourselves 846 00:37:39,020 --> 00:37:42,160 we are strong enough we are too strong 847 00:37:42,160 --> 00:37:44,260 for God to bless us. 848 00:37:44,560 --> 00:37:48,440 I was brought low and then he helped 849 00:37:48,440 --> 00:37:49,460 me. 850 00:37:50,300 --> 00:37:51,780 And that is often the case. 851 00:37:51,860 --> 00:37:53,340 Look at Gideon for instance. 852 00:37:55,720 --> 00:37:59,760 The Lord tells Gideon and Gideon said how 853 00:37:59,760 --> 00:38:01,180 can I deliver Israel? 854 00:38:02,720 --> 00:38:07,120 He said listen my father's house is the 855 00:38:08,200 --> 00:38:10,520 poorest house in the whole of the tribe 856 00:38:10,520 --> 00:38:11,620 of Manasseh. 857 00:38:12,380 --> 00:38:13,900 Just what I wanted for this. 858 00:38:15,220 --> 00:38:18,940 And he says and I'm the most insignificant 859 00:38:18,940 --> 00:38:19,760 in the whole. 860 00:38:20,240 --> 00:38:21,720 Just what I want said the Lord. 861 00:38:22,700 --> 00:38:24,160 How can I save Israel? 862 00:38:24,860 --> 00:38:26,240 I will be with thee. 863 00:38:26,680 --> 00:38:29,360 Go and this I might have not I 864 00:38:29,360 --> 00:38:30,440 send through. 865 00:38:31,640 --> 00:38:34,380 And then you remember he blew his trumpet 866 00:38:34,380 --> 00:38:37,560 and he sounded who is on the Lord's 867 00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:37,920 side. 868 00:38:38,540 --> 00:38:41,740 And various tribes came and stood with him 869 00:38:41,740 --> 00:38:44,260 to fight the Lord's battles against the Midianites. 870 00:38:46,200 --> 00:38:48,380 And then it was that God said there's 871 00:38:48,380 --> 00:38:50,920 too many people there to fight my battles. 872 00:38:51,320 --> 00:38:54,740 Let Israel go and tell them so. 873 00:38:55,020 --> 00:38:57,800 Mine own hand has saved me. 874 00:38:58,360 --> 00:39:01,100 You see no flesh of glory in God's 875 00:39:01,100 --> 00:39:01,520 presence. 876 00:39:02,020 --> 00:39:03,800 That is eternal principle. 877 00:39:04,380 --> 00:39:07,200 If it's going to be glorified through mankind 878 00:39:07,200 --> 00:39:10,200 it will be by its own mighty power 879 00:39:10,200 --> 00:39:13,340 and not by the struggling of their flesh. 880 00:39:15,320 --> 00:39:17,180 So it wasn't God said send them home. 881 00:39:17,180 --> 00:39:19,920 Just a mere 300 left. 882 00:39:20,480 --> 00:39:24,160 And 300 and Gideon against the hosts of 883 00:39:24,160 --> 00:39:26,400 Midian was just nothing at all. 884 00:39:26,660 --> 00:39:28,320 And God said that's what I want just 885 00:39:28,320 --> 00:39:29,420 nothing at all. 886 00:39:29,680 --> 00:39:32,700 And nothing at all plus almighty God always 887 00:39:32,700 --> 00:39:33,960 fails this way. 888 00:39:34,180 --> 00:39:37,280 I was brought low and then he helped 889 00:39:37,280 --> 00:39:37,580 me. 890 00:39:37,840 --> 00:39:39,280 We're too strong sometimes. 891 00:39:40,500 --> 00:39:43,380 Because you see his strength is only made 892 00:39:43,380 --> 00:39:44,980 perfect in weakness. 893 00:39:44,980 --> 00:39:47,020 When we come to an end of ourselves. 894 00:39:47,140 --> 00:39:48,320 To which end corner? 895 00:39:48,580 --> 00:39:50,920 When we get right to the limit and 896 00:39:50,920 --> 00:39:51,600 give up. 897 00:39:51,740 --> 00:39:54,540 Then God can come in with his all 898 00:39:54,540 --> 00:39:57,240 mightiness and do a new thing in us 899 00:39:57,240 --> 00:39:58,600 and for us and for us. 900 00:39:58,880 --> 00:40:01,840 God not only condemns us to favour but 901 00:40:01,840 --> 00:40:05,500 he he hates us to deliver us. 902 00:40:06,640 --> 00:40:10,740 I was telling a crusade Dr Alan Redpath 903 00:40:10,740 --> 00:40:12,820 in a Birmingham town hall some years ago 904 00:40:12,820 --> 00:40:13,880 during the war. 905 00:40:15,540 --> 00:40:18,320 And I remember on a Sunday afternoon we 906 00:40:18,320 --> 00:40:20,860 had a mass women's rally. 907 00:40:21,540 --> 00:40:23,280 And there were hundreds and hundreds and hundreds 908 00:40:23,280 --> 00:40:24,060 of women there. 909 00:40:24,340 --> 00:40:25,380 Very very good meeting. 910 00:40:25,880 --> 00:40:28,200 And at the end Alan Redpath made an 911 00:40:28,720 --> 00:40:28,960 invitation. 912 00:40:29,820 --> 00:40:31,500 And there was a lady sitting not far 913 00:40:31,500 --> 00:40:34,060 from me who was responding to the invitation 914 00:40:34,060 --> 00:40:34,720 with others. 915 00:40:35,460 --> 00:40:37,540 And I had a little conversation with her 916 00:40:37,540 --> 00:40:38,100 afterwards. 917 00:40:38,160 --> 00:40:40,580 And I said glad to see you responded 918 00:40:40,580 --> 00:40:41,480 to the invitation. 919 00:40:41,620 --> 00:40:42,500 Can I help you? 920 00:40:43,500 --> 00:40:45,040 I said how far have you got? 921 00:40:45,120 --> 00:40:46,300 How do you feel about things? 922 00:40:47,640 --> 00:40:49,360 Well she said young man I'd like you 923 00:40:49,360 --> 00:40:54,460 to know that I've lost everything in the 924 00:40:54,460 --> 00:40:57,200 recent blitz on Birmingham. 925 00:40:58,940 --> 00:41:00,560 Well I said I'm very sorry to hear 926 00:41:00,560 --> 00:41:00,880 that. 927 00:41:01,440 --> 00:41:02,820 I said did you lose everything? 928 00:41:03,700 --> 00:41:06,600 She said listen I've lost everything in the 929 00:41:06,600 --> 00:41:06,860 blitz. 930 00:41:09,170 --> 00:41:13,070 I said well now tell me madam you've 931 00:41:13,070 --> 00:41:14,310 lost everything in the blitz. 932 00:41:14,690 --> 00:41:15,890 What do you want now? 933 00:41:16,730 --> 00:41:18,710 She said now I feel I want to 934 00:41:18,710 --> 00:41:19,530 save you. 935 00:41:19,950 --> 00:41:21,670 And I never felt that before. 936 00:41:22,750 --> 00:41:26,310 And sometimes God has to defeat us to 937 00:41:26,310 --> 00:41:26,990 deliver us. 938 00:41:27,870 --> 00:41:30,890 As well as condemn us to save us. 939 00:41:31,650 --> 00:41:33,950 And not only so but God binds us 940 00:41:33,950 --> 00:41:35,630 to set us free. 941 00:41:36,190 --> 00:41:38,830 This is toward the end of the Psalm 942 00:41:38,830 --> 00:41:41,790 where he says Oh Lord truly I am 943 00:41:41,790 --> 00:41:43,210 thy bond slave. 944 00:41:43,790 --> 00:41:45,690 I am thy bond slave and the son 945 00:41:45,690 --> 00:41:46,690 of thine hand made. 946 00:41:47,190 --> 00:41:50,170 Thou hast loosed my bonds. 947 00:41:50,490 --> 00:41:52,990 What is the interpretation of this lovely verse? 948 00:41:53,430 --> 00:41:57,730 It may be this Lord you have loosed 949 00:41:57,730 --> 00:42:00,570 my bonds and set me free and given 950 00:42:00,570 --> 00:42:01,290 me liberty. 951 00:42:02,110 --> 00:42:05,710 So now I am binding myself up again 952 00:42:05,710 --> 00:42:09,250 to you to be your slave all my 953 00:42:09,250 --> 00:42:09,690 days. 954 00:42:10,790 --> 00:42:12,390 Now that would be good wouldn't it? 955 00:42:12,770 --> 00:42:15,430 And I think it's a very scriptural idea 956 00:42:15,430 --> 00:42:17,330 and it's a very happy thought. 957 00:42:17,610 --> 00:42:20,030 Lord you set me free so I'll be 958 00:42:20,030 --> 00:42:21,930 your slave all my days. 959 00:42:22,050 --> 00:42:24,870 Like the slave girl in the auction mart 960 00:42:24,870 --> 00:42:25,630 in the Middle East. 961 00:42:26,850 --> 00:42:29,270 She was being auctioned and there was a 962 00:42:29,270 --> 00:42:33,410 British colleague who was standing watching this because 963 00:42:33,410 --> 00:42:35,710 he'd never seen one of these auctions before. 964 00:42:36,210 --> 00:42:37,770 And he thought it was rather sad. 965 00:42:38,070 --> 00:42:39,650 And before he knew what he was doing 966 00:42:39,650 --> 00:42:41,390 he started bidding for this girl. 967 00:42:41,450 --> 00:42:43,010 She was only about 17 or 18. 968 00:42:43,890 --> 00:42:46,470 And the hammer went down and he'd bid 969 00:42:46,470 --> 00:42:47,490 the highest price. 970 00:42:47,630 --> 00:42:48,910 So we went down to the office and 971 00:42:48,910 --> 00:42:50,190 paid the money and then he didn't know 972 00:42:50,190 --> 00:42:50,870 what to do. 973 00:42:51,350 --> 00:42:52,790 But they gave him the girl. 974 00:42:53,570 --> 00:42:56,230 So he said now look he said I've 975 00:42:56,230 --> 00:42:57,930 paid for you to set you free. 976 00:42:59,050 --> 00:43:00,950 But she didn't understand she'd been a slave 977 00:43:00,950 --> 00:43:03,070 for years and she didn't understand what freedom 978 00:43:03,070 --> 00:43:03,530 was. 979 00:43:03,730 --> 00:43:05,650 He said now you're free to do what 980 00:43:05,650 --> 00:43:05,990 you like. 981 00:43:06,110 --> 00:43:06,770 Go where you go. 982 00:43:06,830 --> 00:43:08,130 Try and find your mum and dad. 983 00:43:08,310 --> 00:43:09,910 You're free to do what you like. 984 00:43:09,970 --> 00:43:10,390 You're free. 985 00:43:10,530 --> 00:43:12,170 He said I've paid the money so that 986 00:43:12,170 --> 00:43:12,990 you can be free. 987 00:43:13,650 --> 00:43:15,450 And when the truth dawned upon her poor 988 00:43:15,450 --> 00:43:18,650 benighted brain she flung herself at his feet 989 00:43:18,650 --> 00:43:21,470 and said oh sir if you've brought me 990 00:43:21,470 --> 00:43:24,210 to set me free I'll be your slave 991 00:43:24,210 --> 00:43:24,550 forever. 992 00:43:26,030 --> 00:43:27,930 Now is that the idea here? 993 00:43:28,250 --> 00:43:28,690 Maybe. 994 00:43:29,250 --> 00:43:30,950 Well it was Peter's idea anyway. 995 00:43:31,050 --> 00:43:33,030 He says now use your liberty which you 996 00:43:33,030 --> 00:43:35,690 Christians have got in Christ use your liberty 997 00:43:35,690 --> 00:43:38,150 not for your own selfish ends as a 998 00:43:38,150 --> 00:43:41,490 cloak of maliciousness but as the bondmen, the 999 00:43:41,490 --> 00:43:44,070 bond slaves of God. 1000 00:43:44,610 --> 00:43:48,610 Thou hast loose bonds I am thy bond 1001 00:43:48,610 --> 00:43:49,170 slave. 1002 00:43:49,830 --> 00:43:54,450 Well I prefer to take the the correct 1003 00:43:54,450 --> 00:43:57,010 way as it's stated here and not the 1004 00:43:57,010 --> 00:43:57,950 other way around. 1005 00:43:57,950 --> 00:44:01,670 Oh Lord truly I am thy bond slave. 1006 00:44:02,210 --> 00:44:05,310 Thou hast loose my bonds. 1007 00:44:05,470 --> 00:44:09,390 In other words Lord I am binding myself 1008 00:44:09,390 --> 00:44:15,770 to you your will for my life my 1009 00:44:15,770 --> 00:44:18,790 service for you all my days. 1010 00:44:19,670 --> 00:44:21,690 I am your bond slave Lord. 1011 00:44:22,030 --> 00:44:24,930 I bind myself of my own volition to 1012 00:44:24,930 --> 00:44:27,870 you and to your perfect will and in 1013 00:44:27,870 --> 00:44:31,910 so doing I am beginning to find glorious 1014 00:44:31,910 --> 00:44:34,070 spiritual liberty. 1015 00:44:34,750 --> 00:44:38,070 There is no freedom like the freedom that 1016 00:44:38,070 --> 00:44:38,990 is in Christ. 1017 00:44:39,630 --> 00:44:42,270 There's no liberty like the liberty of the 1018 00:44:42,270 --> 00:44:46,270 sons of God and there's nothing like being 1019 00:44:46,270 --> 00:44:49,470 bound to the Lord and to his perfect 1020 00:44:49,470 --> 00:44:51,470 will for our lives. 1021 00:44:52,790 --> 00:44:54,850 He not only condemns us to slavery but 1022 00:44:54,850 --> 00:44:57,730 defeats us to deliver us but he binds 1023 00:44:57,730 --> 00:45:01,230 us to his perfect will. 1024 00:45:02,070 --> 00:45:05,070 You know we're finding this in England in 1025 00:45:05,070 --> 00:45:08,310 our smaller towns now that a one-way 1026 00:45:08,310 --> 00:45:10,930 system has been forced upon us. 1027 00:45:11,650 --> 00:45:13,550 Because we've been trying to get through some 1028 00:45:13,550 --> 00:45:16,430 of these little towns with our cars you 1029 00:45:16,430 --> 00:45:18,590 know he's coming this way and I'm going 1030 00:45:18,590 --> 00:45:20,570 that way and we get stuck and somebody 1031 00:45:20,570 --> 00:45:23,410 wants to park and it's an absolute impossibility. 1032 00:45:24,410 --> 00:45:26,110 So they have developed in most of the 1033 00:45:26,110 --> 00:45:28,350 towns a one-way system you know you 1034 00:45:28,350 --> 00:45:31,010 can't go through that way but if you 1035 00:45:31,010 --> 00:45:32,530 come back that way you have to go 1036 00:45:32,530 --> 00:45:34,910 round that way to get to the other 1037 00:45:34,910 --> 00:45:35,430 side. 1038 00:45:36,130 --> 00:45:39,030 And we have seen the sense and the 1039 00:45:39,030 --> 00:45:42,750 wisdom of accepting the discipline of one-way 1040 00:45:42,750 --> 00:45:45,850 traffic so that we can keep moving. 1041 00:45:46,450 --> 00:45:49,270 It's a kind of bondage which gives us 1042 00:45:49,270 --> 00:45:53,130 perfect liberty and liberty in Christ is like 1043 00:45:53,130 --> 00:45:56,130 that by being bound to his perfect will. 1044 00:45:56,390 --> 00:46:00,510 My freedom says the hymn writer is thy 1045 00:46:00,510 --> 00:46:02,090 grand control. 1046 00:46:02,470 --> 00:46:06,170 Make me a captive Lord and then I 1047 00:46:06,170 --> 00:46:08,230 shall be free. 1048 00:46:08,830 --> 00:46:11,010 May the Lord keep us the way of 1049 00:46:11,010 --> 00:46:11,630 blessings. 1050 00:46:12,690 --> 00:46:15,210 If you're going to be really free you 1051 00:46:15,210 --> 00:46:18,930 must be bound to God and Christ in 1052 00:46:18,930 --> 00:46:19,610 his will. 1053 00:46:20,470 --> 00:46:23,790 And if you're going to be exalted then 1054 00:46:23,790 --> 00:46:26,310 you must allow the Lord to bring you 1055 00:46:26,310 --> 00:46:28,970 low and then he will lift you up. 1056 00:46:29,030 --> 00:46:31,670 He defeats us but he might deliver us. 1057 00:46:32,070 --> 00:46:34,130 And if you're going to be saved you 1058 00:46:34,130 --> 00:46:38,170 must accept his condemnation because we're all sinners 1059 00:46:38,170 --> 00:46:39,630 in his sight. 1060 00:46:40,010 --> 00:46:43,810 Thank God for his natural salvation he sent 1061 00:46:43,810 --> 00:46:46,570 his son to deliver us off ruin not 1062 00:46:46,570 --> 00:46:48,550 only by the poor but by our own 1063 00:46:48,550 --> 00:46:48,950 sinners. 1064 00:46:48,950 --> 00:46:51,790 Well and he loved us not withstanding all 1065 00:46:51,790 --> 00:46:54,930 our guilt and shame the Saviour died for 1066 00:46:54,930 --> 00:46:58,150 us blessed be his name and as though 1067 00:46:58,150 --> 00:47:00,610 there was no one else to save he 1068 00:47:00,610 --> 00:47:03,750 came in his love to die to save 1069 00:47:03,750 --> 00:47:04,130 you. 1070 00:47:04,330 --> 00:47:07,530 I suggest that you tonight respond to his 1071 00:47:07,530 --> 00:47:10,330 love and say from the heart Lord Jesus 1072 00:47:10,330 --> 00:47:12,330 I receive you. 1073 00:47:12,330 --> 00:47:15,830 And say oh God I receive your salvation 1074 00:47:15,830 --> 00:47:16,490 indeed. 1075 00:47:17,750 --> 00:47:21,050 I own my sins and I own Jesus 1076 00:47:21,050 --> 00:47:29,010 as my saviour and let us let us 1077 00:47:29,010 --> 00:47:31,190 take a moment of silent prayer. 1078 00:47:36,080 --> 00:47:37,840 Not only have we come to the end 1079 00:47:37,840 --> 00:47:41,040 of this meeting we've come to the end 1080 00:47:41,040 --> 00:47:44,910 of this conference and I think we should 1081 00:47:44,910 --> 00:47:48,610 be making some spiritual decisions before the Lord. 1082 00:47:48,610 --> 00:47:54,170 The Holy Spirit is tugging at our heartstrings 1083 00:47:54,170 --> 00:47:54,790 now. 1084 00:47:56,010 --> 00:47:57,130 Shall I yield? 1085 00:47:58,150 --> 00:47:59,610 Shall I respond? 1086 00:48:01,370 --> 00:48:04,310 Will I yield to Christ and his will? 1087 00:48:06,760 --> 00:48:10,520 Will I humble myself before him that he 1088 00:48:10,520 --> 00:48:12,720 might exalt me in due time? 1089 00:48:14,120 --> 00:48:17,640 Will I make the decision now to receive 1090 00:48:17,640 --> 00:48:18,840 God's salvation? 1091 00:48:22,640 --> 00:48:25,260 Oh God work on and on and on 1092 00:48:25,260 --> 00:48:26,120 in our hearts. 1093 00:48:28,520 --> 00:48:30,540 Give us the grace at this moment to 1094 00:48:30,540 --> 00:48:31,020 yield. 1095 00:48:33,000 --> 00:48:35,040 And as we yield to thee and thy 1096 00:48:35,040 --> 00:48:38,920 holiest time to be our saviour our hearts 1097 00:48:38,920 --> 00:48:41,820 are finding peace long before. 1098 00:48:43,380 --> 00:48:46,980 Search our hearts see if there be any 1099 00:48:46,980 --> 00:48:50,060 wicked way in us and lead us in 1100 00:48:50,060 --> 00:48:51,900 the way of peace everlasting. 1101 00:48:54,080 --> 00:48:57,260 Let thy salvation come to this house tonight. 1102 00:48:58,660 --> 00:49:03,620 May there be decisions spiritual decisions for time 1103 00:49:04,540 --> 00:49:09,620 and final decisions for eternity as we trust 1104 00:49:09,620 --> 00:49:10,680 the saviour now. 1105 00:49:13,110 --> 00:49:15,490 Let us continue in prayer for one moment. 1106 00:49:18,880 --> 00:49:21,340 While we are praying you pray for yourself 1107 00:49:21,340 --> 00:49:26,640 and something like this from your heart to 1108 00:49:26,640 --> 00:49:27,700 the Lord Jesus. 1109 00:49:30,860 --> 00:49:37,700 Lord Jesus Son of God thank you very 1110 00:49:37,700 --> 00:49:42,020 much indeed for dying for my sin to 1111 00:49:42,020 --> 00:49:43,000 take it away. 1112 00:49:45,360 --> 00:49:49,220 Thank you Lord Jesus very much indeed for 1113 00:49:49,220 --> 00:49:50,760 taking my place. 1114 00:49:54,400 --> 00:49:56,560 Thank you for dying to save me from 1115 00:49:56,560 --> 00:49:57,220 sin. 1116 00:49:59,120 --> 00:50:01,320 Lord Jesus I thank you. 1117 00:50:02,200 --> 00:50:04,380 Lord Jesus I trust you. 1118 00:50:05,620 --> 00:50:07,900 Lord Jesus I love you. 1119 00:50:09,400 --> 00:50:13,860 Lord Jesus I receive you as my Lord 1120 00:50:13,860 --> 00:50:16,500 and my saviour now. 1121 00:50:17,280 --> 00:50:23,900 At this very moment Lord Jesus I receive 1122 00:50:23,900 --> 00:50:25,160 you as my saviour. 1123 00:50:25,780 --> 00:50:26,680 Pray that prayer. 1124 00:50:27,880 --> 00:50:32,740 At this very moment Lord Jesus I receive 1125 00:50:32,740 --> 00:50:38,580 you as my own personal saviour. 1126 00:50:42,960 --> 00:50:46,040 So Lord Jesus hear our many prayers in 1127 00:50:46,040 --> 00:50:48,420 heaven thy dwelling place. 1128 00:50:50,420 --> 00:50:52,440 Accept of our thanks for all thy goodness 1129 00:50:52,440 --> 00:50:54,860 to us during these three months and more. 1130 00:50:55,740 --> 00:50:58,940 For whatever has been to thy servants who 1131 00:50:58,940 --> 00:51:00,200 conduct this place. 1132 00:51:01,260 --> 00:51:03,800 And to all the helpers and all the 1133 00:51:03,800 --> 00:51:04,800 grace given. 1134 00:51:05,880 --> 00:51:08,580 And all the ministries of thy servant whom 1135 00:51:08,580 --> 00:51:10,760 thou hast sent from time to time. 1136 00:51:11,260 --> 00:51:14,500 We acknowledge thy good hands O God. 1137 00:51:15,840 --> 00:51:19,820 Make us very thankful and very responsive to 1138 00:51:19,820 --> 00:51:20,880 thy call. 1139 00:51:21,840 --> 00:51:24,500 Let thy benediction and blessing rest upon this 1140 00:51:24,500 --> 00:51:27,040 work in the coming days. 1141 00:51:28,280 --> 00:51:30,740 We pray that those tonight who've made a 1142 00:51:30,740 --> 00:51:33,900 spiritual decision will be able to make a 1143 00:51:33,900 --> 00:51:36,860 confession of it openly to the glory of 1144 00:51:36,860 --> 00:51:37,600 thy name. 1145 00:51:38,340 --> 00:51:41,180 Those who tonight have decided to receive the 1146 00:51:41,180 --> 00:51:45,780 Lord Jesus help them to make it known 1147 00:51:45,780 --> 00:51:47,640 and witness a good confession. 1148 00:51:49,000 --> 00:51:51,020 So we come to thee with our evening 1149 00:51:51,020 --> 00:51:53,460 worship and praise for Christ Jesus. 1150 00:51:54,480 --> 00:51:56,860 The one that thou hast insulted in whom 1151 00:51:56,860 --> 00:51:58,160 thou art well pleased. 1152 00:51:58,260 --> 00:52:00,160 The one that thou delightest to honour. 1153 00:52:00,680 --> 00:52:03,000 We thank thee thou hast honoured him during 1154 00:52:03,000 --> 00:52:04,260 these conferences. 1155 00:52:05,180 --> 00:52:09,040 Now honour him in every single life before 1156 00:52:09,040 --> 00:52:09,500 thee. 1157 00:52:10,520 --> 00:52:12,340 Now unto him who is able to keep 1158 00:52:12,340 --> 00:52:13,360 us from falling. 1159 00:52:14,060 --> 00:52:16,840 To present us faultless before thy presence with 1160 00:52:16,840 --> 00:52:17,980 exceeding joy. 1161 00:52:18,580 --> 00:52:21,280 To the only wise God our Saviour. 1162 00:52:21,800 --> 00:52:23,820 To all the honour and the glory and 1163 00:52:23,820 --> 00:52:26,700 the might and the majesty and power and 1164 00:52:26,700 --> 00:52:31,560 dominion and blessings both now tonight and evermore. 1165 00:52:32,500 --> 00:52:34,920 In his name Amen.