[0:00] Good evening. A warm welcome. A warm welcome to those who are watching online.! A warm welcome to those who are visiting with us.! We pray the Lord's blessing on our time together.
[0:13] Tonight, we don't have a laptop at the moment. So we'll do our Gaelic praise first. And then the Mussian praise books should be scattered throughout the church.
[0:25] So we'll use the books tonight. I'm missing a laptop. I'm missing a button. There's a thread hanging out in my suit and I pulled it and the button came off.
[0:39] So two things missing tonight. But as long as we're not missing the Lord's presence, we'll be blessed. Intimations have been on the screen in the morning.
[0:55] And they'll be in the email as well. So please familiarize yourself with these intimations and they're all God willing. So let us begin our time of worship.
[1:07] We'll sing in Gaelic first and we'll sing in Psalm 90. We'll sing the last two verses from Psalm 90. So the presenter in Gaelic, if those are visiting the presenter in Gaelic, will read out the line and then we sing it back.
[1:27] So the words there are, I'll read them in English. So let's sing.
[2:00] And Gaelic. Thank you, Alec. Thank you.
[3:00] Thank you.
[3:30] Thank you.
[4:00] Thank you. Thank you.
[5:00] Thank you. Thank you.
[6:00] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[6:36] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[7:10] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[7:22] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[7:34] Thank you. Basically a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot Basically a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot of times a lot Si aws a tar nya aws gak drene bagwsยย
[8:40] Si aws gak drene bagwsย Si aws gak drene bagwsย Si aws gak drene bagwsย Si aws gak drene bagwsย Basically a group of brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers To a story ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending
[9:47] Basically a group of brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothers brothersยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยยย
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[13:46] Thank you, John.
[14:00] So we'll continue in our praise. This time we'll sing in Mission Praise 738. So Mission Praise 738. It's also, if you don't have enough books, it's also in the red.
[14:14] Oh, we're up and running. Mission Praise 738. We sing the praise of him who died. Our computer's going. We sing the praise of him who died, of him who died upon the cross.
[14:30] The sinner's hope that men deride. For this we count the world but lost. So we'll stand to sing this hymn to God's praise in a moment.
[14:45] We sing the praise of him who died, of him who died upon the cross.
[15:08] The sinner's hope that men deride. For this we count the world but lost.
[15:24] Inside upon the cross we see, His shining lanterns for his love.
[15:39] He bears our sins upon the tree. He brings us a smash sheep from above.
[15:53] The cross it takes a build a way.
[16:03] It was a fitting sweat day. It cheers with hope that the day he did.
[16:18] And sweet and deadly bitter cow. It makes a cow or sick game.
[16:33] And bless the people hard for fight. It takes its heaven from the grave.
[16:47] And builds the death of death with light. The one of life, the cure of all.
[17:02] The measure and the pledge of love. The sinner's hope that the sinner's hope that the Lord is in heaven above.
[17:25] The sinner's hope that the Lord is in heaven above.
[17:52] You can often get a wee sort of panic when you mention one of these minor prophets. I'm trying to remember which order they're in. But Zechariah is the second last one so it's quite easy to find. I will turn to chapter 9.
[18:04] And we'll read at verse 9. So Zechariah 9. Reading at verse 9. So let us hear God's word.
[18:16] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your king is coming to you.
[18:28] Righteous and having salvation is he. Humble and mounted on a donkey. On a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim.
[18:41] And the war horse from Jerusalem. And the battle bow shall be cut off. And he shall speak peace to the nations. His rule shall be from sea to sea.
[18:53] And from the river to the ends of the earth. As for you also. Because of the blood of my covenant with you. I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
[19:07] Declare that I will restore to you double. For I have bent Judah as my bow. I have made Ephraim its arrow.
[19:18] I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece. And wield you like a warrior's sword. Then the Lord will appear over them.
[19:31] And his arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord will sound the trumpet. And will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.
[19:42] The Lord of hosts will protect them. And they shall devour and tread down the sling stones. And they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine.
[19:57] And be full like a bowl. Drenched like the corners of the altar. On that day the Lord their God will save them.
[20:08] As a flock of his people. For like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. For how great is his goodness.
[20:20] And how great is his beauty. Grain shall make the young men flourish. And new wine the young women.
[20:32] Amen. We pray the reading of God's word to be a blessing to us. Before we come back to that passage. We'll sing once more in Psalm 100.
[20:45] Scottish Psalter Version. Psalm 100. All people that on earth do dwell. Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
[20:56] And saith with mirth. His praise forth tell. Come ye before him. And rejoice. So we'll stand to sing these words to God's praise.
[21:08] Psalm 100. All people that on earth do dwell.
[21:20] Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde desde Without a rain he did us pay.
[22:07] We are his rock, he doth us be. And for his sheep he doth us stay.
[22:24] O enter then his gates with praise. Approach with joy his courts unto.
[22:42] Praise God and bless his name always. For it is simply so to do.
[23:00] On why the Lord our God is good. His mercy is forever sure.
[23:17] His truth at all times firmly stood. And shall promise to it end you.
[23:36] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. So we'll turn back to the passage we read in Zechariah chapter 9.
[23:48] And we'll read again at verse 16. It says there, So the idea that we're going to look at tonight is to take that.
[24:27] That image that is presented there of the jewels and the crown. So as we come to this passage we'll just join together in a word of prayer. Father in heaven.
[24:39] Father in heaven. We ask for help now as we turn to your word. We pray that you would bless it to us. We pray that you would speak to us.
[24:51] As we gather as your people. Collected together intently with a mind to praise and worship you. That we may sit at your feet.
[25:04] And hear what you shall speak to us. We pray that you would speak a word in season to our hearts and to our minds. We pray that you would address us as sinners in need of a saviour.
[25:18] But that we too would respond to the free offer of the gospel. To sing the praise of him who died. And that we may be born again through the inner working of your Holy Spirit.
[25:35] So we pray your spirit to help us. To guide us. To be with us. We pray. In Jesus name. Amen.
[25:49] So we turn to this prophet tonight. Maybe not a book that you would often turn to. It's a prophecy. It's full of sort of strange visions.
[26:02] And they're probably not the easiest of visions to understand. Now we're not going to delve into these visions. But we're just going to, as I said, take that picture that is presented here.
[26:14] That image of that crown and the gems. As a gem really. That sticks out. Amongst the words of this prophecy.
[26:27] And you will see in this verse that it talks about. Second half of 16. Talks about crown. Talks about jewels. That are contained in it.
[26:39] But it's important to remember it's a picture. The jewels of this crown are the Lord's people. Now, when you think about crowns.
[26:54] All of us, we can imagine a crown. They're kind of funny things really, aren't they? They're very ornate hats. If you describe them simply.
[27:05] They're fancy hats. They're shiny. Lots of gems and stones in them. But you know that when you see a crown, it's something that's important.
[27:18] You can see the value in it. You see it's made of gold or silver. You can see the jewels that are shining in it. All the different colors of it.
[27:29] And immediately, you'd probably respond by going, wow. Look at the crown. They're quite fascinating things really. The crown jewels are on display in London.
[27:41] And they record 15,000 people going to look at them every single day. They're that fascinating to look at.
[27:53] But is that what crowns are for? Are crowns just ornaments? No, they're not. But a crown is, as the youngest could probably tell us here, crowns are for wearing.
[28:12] The crowns are for going on someone's head. But you know that when you see someone wearing a crown, it makes all the difference.
[28:25] Because immediately, you know, they're important. They're someone special. And most likely, a royal figure, like a king or a queen. So as we think about this image of a crown and the jewels that are referencing to the people of God, we're going to say that these jewels we can take from it is that they are most precious.
[28:55] You don't put any stones in a crown. The jewels that are often placed in this crown carefully.
[29:08] And they're delicate things. So they're placed with precision also. And lastly, when you take the whole crown together, there's a meaning in it.
[29:24] The crown is not there just as an ornament. The crown is there to praise the one who wears it.
[29:38] To lift up the name of the one who wears it. To show him who he really is. So we have there three points to hang our thoughts on.
[29:49] Firstly, people of God are precious. Secondly, we'll say they're perfectly placed. Second point. And thirdly, when they're together, they praise and give glory to the king.
[30:06] So we've got precious, placed, and praise. So what can we say about the preciousness of these jewels that we have here in the passage?
[30:20] For like jewels of a crown. Now we've been talking about kings. And you might have noticed that this passage is actually all about a king.
[30:33] Have you noticed it when we started reading? And I'm pretty sure you realize which king we're talking about it. I'll read again at verse 9.
[30:43] Who is the king it's talking about?
[31:03] Well, we know it's Jesus. This is a picture of Jesus entering into Jerusalem, riding on the donkey. But Zechariah, he's a prophet, and he's announcing this 500 years before that actually happened.
[31:20] Telling them what the king would be like. Now this isn't the only prophecy about Jesus. You go through the last few chapters in Zechariah in your own time, and you'll maybe find more specific words that'll describe this great king, Jesus, that'll come.
[31:39] So you can look them out in your own time. So we have a king in the passage. A king who is Jesus, who incidentally is the only king worth having.
[31:54] But if you think about a king, a king's not a king on his own, is he? And it's helpful, I think, I find it helpful when you read about a king in Scripture.
[32:07] And you think about a king and who he is. There's certain things associated with a king. First of all, you realize that he's an authority. He's essentially in charge.
[32:19] And the second thing, when you think about a king, is that he's in charge of something. Mainly people. So when you think about the king, he rules over people.
[32:32] And the third thing about a king is that he is a king over, normally, a kingdom, which assumes a land. So that king, he's in charge, he has authority.
[32:44] Kings ruling over people. And a king is the king of a kingdom. And the whole role of a king is to protect and provide for the people.
[32:58] To protect the land. That's what's been happening in this passage. Zechariah's been saying, this king will provide for you a land. This king will look after you.
[33:09] He'll protect you. He'll defend his people. And he'll provide for them a place of blessing. That's what you have at the very end of the chapter.
[33:21] Where he speaks about grain and wine abounding. Where he speaks about young men and young women. It's a place and a land of great blessing.
[33:31] So the rule of this king is pictured as being perfect and good. A king that perfectly provides and serves his people.
[33:48] So why does the king do all this? I was enrooted on Friday night. And the young ones are thinking about why the king came. Why did Jesus come?
[33:59] That's a good question to ask. Why did Jesus come? And if you're thinking about jewels in a crown. And you're thinking about how precious these jewels are.
[34:15] Why did Jesus come to save? Well it's because these jewels are precious. These jewels are valuable to him.
[34:30] This king in verse 16. The Lord their God will save them. Because they're of immense value to him.
[34:44] Such as a value of the picture of jewels in a crown. And he wouldn't save them otherwise if they weren't precious. If the people of God weren't precious. You picture yourself walking across the beach.
[34:58] On a stony beach. And you see a jewel amongst the stones. Which one are you going to pick up? Which one are you going to put in your pocket? The one that's most valuable, isn't it?
[35:10] The one that has value. You'll pick up the gem. You'll pick up the jewel. You'll stick it in your pocket. It's precious. It's worth saving, isn't it?
[35:26] Now when we come to this passage here. Speaks about jewels in a crown. But the Hebrew word for the jewels is actually stone. It's stones in a crown.
[35:43] But you don't put any stone in a crown. We can assume from what's been written here. That the stones is the most precious stones. The most valuable stones. And we wouldn't be wrong.
[35:53] I don't think. To say that these stones could be diamonds. The most precious of stones. So how do you know.
[36:07] That you are valued in such a way. Well the word tells us in Isaiah 43. Straight to the point.
[36:18] You are precious in my eyes. And honoured. And I love you. Now.
[36:35] How do you know something's precious? Well. Normally it's determined by what you'd pay for it. Isn't it? So if you're precious.
[36:52] What did he pay for you? How many millions. Are you worth. To the king. We heard about this in the morning.
[37:08] You can't. Put a price on it. The king. Bought. His people. With his own blood. He gave.
[37:18] His own life. He paid. The greatest. Price. That he could pay. For his people. For you.
[37:30] And for me. And the question is. Are you part of these precious jewels? Do you think that the Lord thinks of you.
[37:43] As someone so precious. As a jewel. In a crown. Well I don't think. I would be here.
[37:54] Telling you. If he did not. Think so. I don't think. You'd be here tonight. To hear this message. If he didn't want to tell you.
[38:09] And what Jesus is wanting to say to you. Through his word. Is that you. Are precious. First Peter tells us.
[38:21] That the price. Was not paid with silver or gold. Of the greatest. Of worldly treasures. But with the blood. Of Jesus.
[38:35] And is it not all boiled down. To saying Jesus loves you. This I know. For the Bible tells me so. We heard that. Last weekend. We see the love of Jesus.
[38:48] Coming through. In pain. In pain. The price. That was required. To save. His people.
[39:01] But as I mentioned. These jewels. They're described as stones. In the crown. And that word stone. Has appeared.
[39:12] In verse. 15. If you can see there. It says. The Lord of hosts. Will protect them. And they shall. Devour. And tread.
[39:23] Down. The sling stones. And the picture. That the commentators say here. Is. There's a comparison being made. Between stones. That are precious. And stones. That are not.
[39:35] The sling stones. Are the enemy stones. That will be slung. Towards. The enemy. That will be slung. From the enemy. To cause havoc.
[39:46] To wreak havoc. To cause injury. But when the king comes. These sling stones. Will be tread down.
[39:57] The king. Will stump. All these attacks. Attacks. The precious stones. Will be saved. The worthless stones. Will be destroyed.
[40:10] But in the meantime. It doesn't stop. The worthless. Stones. The enemy. Stones. Making attack. On the precious ones. For the Lord's people.
[40:26] There will be attacks made. Especially if you have a value. Attached to you. The devil. The devil. Will make us attack. On you.
[40:37] Something with values. Worth stealing. Or if you really want to rile someone up. And you know something. That they treasure. And value. You'd.
[40:49] If you had an evil heart. You'd spoil. The thing that they treasure. You'd try and ruin it. You'd try and destroy it.
[41:01] You'd try and defeat it. Or something. In your hatred. For the person. It's almost like what the devil tries to do. Attack. The ones who are valuable.
[41:13] To spoil them in certain ways. Attack the Lord's people. Something with values. Worth stealing. You may remember.
[41:23] In October last year. The crown jewels. Were stolen from the Louvre. In Paris. Items stolen.
[41:34] Account. Collectively. Came to 76 million pounds. And the thing that. Kind of grabbed everyone's attention. Was that it happened in broad daylight.
[41:46] Happened. Even at Russia. I understand. There was alarms going off. In the building. But I believe. They just silenced the alarms. Because there was work.
[41:57] Getting done. In the museum. And the alarms. Had been going off. Frequently. That week. So they just ignored it. The alarm. When it went off. And so it gave the robbers.
[42:07] Opportunity. To go in. Wreak havoc. Take. What they wanted. And get out there. Why do I tell that story?
[42:18] Well the enemy. The devil. Will make us attack. On the Lord's people. He can be crafty.
[42:29] Like a lion. That prowls about. But he can be bold. And brazen. And make us attack. Upon us. And we think.
[42:42] All is well. And then. Bang. Attack's made. The devil's been in and out. Before we realise.
[42:52] What's happened. He's caused injury. As it were. When we see ourselves. It's like. We've said something. We shouldn't have said.
[43:03] Just come say. He's been in and out. We've done something. Or we shouldn't have done. And. The devil's coming in. Caused injury to us.
[43:17] Wreaked havoc. In our lives. Breaks into us. We become greedy. Don't want to give our money.
[43:28] We don't want to make time. For someone else. Become selfish. Again. We heard that. In the morning. In the danger of it. That's quite often.
[43:39] A warning sign for us. When we think. We're getting on well. When we think. We deserve. Something. The devil's.
[43:51] Keeping an eye. The lion. That prowls. Waiting for the right. Time to attack. Time when we least expect it. Comes in and wreaks havoc.
[44:02] We're injured. We've said something. And we're injured. We've said something. We've done something. I thought I was okay.
[44:17] I didn't hear the alarm bell. And sometimes we're guilty of even silencing the alarm bells. When they're going off all around us. And we carry on anyway.
[44:32] The Christian needs to be aware. That the enemy. Will attack those that the Lord values. But for the Christian.
[44:45] Will not be stolen. Like the crown jewels out of the louvre. Will not be taken away. Because this word tells us. Will not be snatched out of his hands.
[44:56] In John 10. So precious. Like that button that came off my suit. Straight in my pocket. Don't want to risk losing it.
[45:12] You are precious. To the Lord. And he keeps you in his hand. Safe. The devil.
[45:23] Try and spoil. What is precious to the Lord. But ultimately. We're safe in his hand. And that's a huge comfort.
[45:35] And assurance. To the believer. When the devil attacks us. So we're precious. As the Lord's people. But that hand.
[45:46] Will also place. The Lord's people. That's our second point. Placed. You think about jewels. And a crown. Again. They're not.
[45:57] Crowns aren't made with carelessness. Crowns aren't made with lack of skill. If someone was going to make the crown. You'd want the best. Most precise person. With a steady hand.
[46:08] That you could get. They're made with precision. They're made with workmanship. And we can assume. That crowns. Are made with perfection.
[46:19] And the greatest of care. But that's jewels in a crown. What's the image that we have here? It's that the Lord's people are like jewels in a crown.
[46:33] But where did the passage say? Where the Lord would place his people? For like the jewels of a crown. They shall shine on his land.
[46:46] Precious stones. Precious stones. Perfectly placed.
[46:57] Placed. To shine. On his land. Or upon his land. And even I think that word. On or upon. In the Hebrew.
[47:08] Can be translated. On behalf of. In the land. Which kind of. Brings a difference to it. Because you're there. On behalf of someone. Shining like a jewel in a crown.
[47:20] With value. So what he's saying here. As a Christian. Has the value of a jewel in a crown. But they're not actually.
[47:30] Placed in the crown. They're placed in his land. So the value isn't taken away. From the jewel of a person.
[47:43] The value is. Maintained. But he's placing it somewhere. Where you wouldn't expect. The jewel of a crown. To be placed. And the Christian.
[47:57] Is placed in this world. And he's placed with perfection. By the king.
[48:11] But if you're a jewel. You're going to stand out. Especially among stones. The word of God tells us.
[48:22] You should shine like a light on a hill. Because you belong to the king. You're the king's treasure. You're precious to the king.
[48:35] You don't belong to the world. You're going to stick out. You're going to be different. So these jewels of a crown. They're not together.
[48:45] As it were. In the picture of a crown. I wouldn't use the word scattered. But I'd use the word distributed. Across the land. They're not like monks.
[48:57] Huddled together. Isolated from the world. But they're sent out. Into the world. Perfectly placed.
[49:09] By the king. But not so much to be separated. Either. From one another. Now it's always good to ask ourselves.
[49:27] Is this. Where the Lord. Wants me to be. Might not be a. Comfortable question to ask us.
[49:38] Ourselves. But one thing. I know for sure. Is that. If you know. You're in the place. Where the Lord. Wants you. To be.
[49:49] It's an assuring thing. You know. You're meant to be there. Even if everything else. Is telling you.
[50:01] You don't know why. And if you're looking at the situation. I think. I don't know why I'm here. But one thing. I know for sure. Is the Lord. Wants me here.
[50:12] If you have a word. That makes it clear. Where you're meant to be. For a purpose. And it's an assuring thing. Because after all.
[50:23] The best place to be. Is where the Lord. Wants you. You're placed here.
[50:34] And tonight. You're placed here. In God's providence. You're here. To listen to this message.
[50:47] And to his word. Maybe it's because. You need to hear. That you're precious. Or is it. That you need to hear. That he has a purpose.
[50:58] For you. By placing you somewhere. Or is it. That you need to hear. That. Even as. So sinful. As you are. When you look at your heart.
[51:08] And you see. All the impurities. And stains. You can be considered. With the value. Of a jewel. In a crown. You might look at your own.
[51:27] Circumstances. And wonder. Why the Lord. Has placed you. Where you are. Has he placed you. In your workplace. As the only Christian.
[51:38] To show. Everyone else. What it's like. To be a diligent. Servant. To your master. To show. A different. Worth.
[51:48] Pathetic. From the world. Have you been placed. In the classroom. That you're in. To show. What it's like. To be obedient.
[52:01] Or to show. What it's like. Amongst. Your friends. To show. What real friendship. Looks like. And care. Maybe you're placed.
[52:14] In the house. That you're in. To be an encouragement. To your neighbor. And the Lord. Will place us. In different places. For different purposes.
[52:25] Even at different times. In our lives. The Lord. He knows. Where to place you. And he will use you.
[52:39] And he will use you. For his glory. When he does. But are you willing to listen to him?
[52:50] Are you willing to listen to his words? When he directs you? Are you willing to have him as your king? To rule over you? When we do. When we do. When we do. When we do. When we do.
[53:01] When we do. When we do. When we do. When we do. Have him. As our king. We will find. A purpose in our lives. That the world cannot.
[53:12] Offer to us. We will truly understand. What it is. To glorify God. And to enjoy him forever. And that's a truth.
[53:29] For whatever we can be placed. Today. And tomorrow. And next week. And next year. The question is.
[53:40] Are you in the right place? And are you doing the right thing? Where you are. Ephesians 2.
[53:54] Tells us that. We are his workmanship. So. If we're placed. As part of his work. Created in Christ Jesus.
[54:07] It tells us. You're precious. For. Good works. We're placed in his workmanship. In Christ Jesus.
[54:19] For good works. To do good works. To be a jewel. In a crown. Wherever he has placed you.
[54:30] To shine. In. The. Land. And that takes us. To our last point. Which is praise. So we've had.
[54:41] Precious. To the king. We've had. Placed. By the king. And the last point. Is. Praise. To the king. Again.
[54:52] Present the image. Of. A crown. With its jewels. What does the placing. Of these jewels. In a crown. Do? When they all do.
[55:04] Come together. They form something. Beautiful. Don't they? The purpose. The purpose. Of a crown. Is not. To say. Look at me. The purpose.
[55:16] Of the crown. Is not. To say. Look at my beauty. It's not. So thousands of people. Can come. And look. At the crown. Where is the crown.
[55:32] Meant to be placed. Makes a fundamental difference. The crown. Is meant to be worn. By the king.
[55:45] And when the king. Wears the crown. All the jewels. That are in it. And everything. That forms that crown. Is pointing. To the person. This is.
[55:59] The king. The crown. And its jewels. Are declaring. The honour. And beauty.
[56:10] Of the king. It's almost. As if they come together. In and of themselves. To praise. That figure. That's what the jewels.
[56:23] And the crown do. And that's what the people. Of God. In the land. Should do. It says.
[56:34] They shall shine. On his land. They shall shine. As jewels in a crown. Pointing.
[56:45] Those. Around. To Jesus. Are you doing that. As a Christian. We know we.
[56:57] Probably don't do it. As we would like to. It's a daily challenge. To us. It's an early. An early. Challenge. To us. To us. But where do we start.
[57:12] With these things. If we're to help ourselves. To. Be jewels. In a crown. People of God. That show. Forth. His glory.
[57:23] And his honour. Where do we start? I think. A good place to start. Is prayer. We come to the king.
[57:37] And we prayerfully. Think about the king. We think about all the things. That we have received. From this king. We think about everything. That this king. Has done for us. We think of this king. That has died for us.
[57:49] And how precious. We are to this king. And think about. Why he has placed me. Where he wants me to be. And when we think about this king.
[58:03] We then. Find ourselves. Almost instinctively. Thinking.
[58:14] Praising the words of verse 17. For how great is his goodness. And how great is his beauty. It's almost like it comes out of us. When we are prayerfully.
[58:25] Attention. Seeking. And thinking about. What Jesus has done. For us. We are turning thanks to him. It almost turns our heart.
[58:38] In praise and glory. To everything that he has done for us. How great is his goodness. And how great is his beauty. To see. And. To see. And.
[58:51] It's almost as if. We cannot. But help say. Look at my king. And even if we can't say it with words.
[59:02] We say it. With the things that we do. The way we treat others in school. Things that we do with our money. The words that we speak. Actions that we show to one another.
[59:17] All that we do should be. Saying to everyone. Look at the king. Like jewels in a crown.
[59:28] Shining in this land. Pointing to the king. And together. When we come together.
[59:42] So we point each other. To the king as well. We're created to glorify God. Isaiah 43 again. And we're created to glorify God.
[59:57] 1 Corinthians 10.31. In all that we do. To glorify the king. In everything that we do.
[60:07] As we live in this land. As we are perfectly placed. We should be praising our king. So it is no wonder.
[60:22] When the people of God. Come together. As they do. To worship. When the church gathers.
[60:36] You know it's a special thing. It must be. When these. Precious wands. Precious jewels. Come together.
[60:47] It's almost as if. There's an increased intensity. To say. Look at Jesus. Look at the king. Look at what he has done.
[61:00] Psalm 133. 33 says. How good and how precious it is. When the Lord's people gather together. But surely it's a precious thing too.
[61:12] In the Lord's sight. When his people come together. And give praise. To their king.
[61:23] And in it. We're almost taught a lesson. A lesson that shows us.
[61:36] What it will be like. In everlasting glory. Where the precious ones. Will be secured.
[61:47] And where they will live. In a most perfect land. And where they will shine. Like they've never.
[62:00] Shone. Shone. Before. The king.
[62:13] The king. Provides. For his people. Abundantly. Grain. Shall make the young men flourish. A new wine.
[62:25] The young. That is a sign. Of the king. Making the people. Prosper. That great blessings. Been poured down. And the great blessing.
[62:37] Will be. The Lord's. People's. Reward. In. Everlasting. Glory. When they have.
[62:48] Christ. As. Their. King. They will be. Eternally blessed. So today.
[63:01] The Lord. Is telling you. In conclusion. That you're precious. And the Lord. Is telling you. That he has placed you here.
[63:12] Tonight. To hear. This. Word. And he has placed you. In this land. To glorify. His name.
[63:23] To the praise. Of God. And as it is a truth. For today. And tonight. It's a truth.
[63:34] For all eternity. For the believer. What an assurance. The believer has. Precious enough. Never. To be lost. Having a place.
[63:45] Prepared. For them. To ultimately. Enter. Into the joy. Of the Lord. And in the light.
[63:57] Of all these. Promises. That are the believers. I can say to you tonight. As it's said.
[64:08] In verse 9. Rejoice. Greatly. Behold. Your king.
[64:19] Is coming. To you. Rejoice. Greatly. You'll never be lost.
[64:34] You'll be perfectly placed. And you'll ever. Praise. God. What a king.
[64:45] We have. That provides. That protects us. And provides. For us. So we rejoice.
[65:00] That the king. Is coming. So I pray. These thoughts. Be a blessing. To us. So we'll sing.
[65:11] And then. I'll conclude. And we'll sing. In mission. Praise 59. Blessed. Assurance. Blessed assurance.
[65:24] Jesus is mine. Oh what a fortress. Of glory divine. Heir of salvation. Purchase of God. Born of the spirit.
[65:35] Washed in his blood. So we'll stand to sing. This item. In a moment. Let's sing. Propulsion, purchase of God, part of this spirit, worship His blood.
[66:22] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
[66:36] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
[66:49] Have faith submission, have faith delight, bishops of rapture burst on my sight.
[67:03] Angels descending, bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers on love.
[67:16] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
[67:28] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
[67:42] Herodic submission, all is at rest. I am my Savior, I'm happy and blessed.
[67:56] Watching and waiting, looking above. Filled with His goodness, lost in His heart.
[68:08] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
[68:21] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
[68:34] I conclude in a word of prayer. That we would realize that we are precious in your sight. That you are not a God that will leave us nor forsake us.
[68:47] That you hold us securely in your hand for all time. If we are willing to have you as our King. Knowing that you place us perfectly. And not knowing even why the reason is.
[69:01] But we pray that we would trust you in all circumstances. Never mind that where we are placed. Or working out why we are there.
[69:13] But to live as ones. As jewels in a crown. Praising my Savior all the day long. So be with us as we part. Bless us, we ask in Jesus' name.
[69:24] Amen.