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Our minister’s sermons and Sunday morning worship are now posted in ‘Minister’s Messages’ on the website.

JESUS DECLARED, “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. HE WHO COMES TO ME WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL NEVER BE THIRSTY.”   (John 6: 35)

WELCOME TO OUR SUNDAY COMMUNION WORSHIP

INTIMATIONS: –

OPENING HYMN: – (CH-585): – ACCORDING TO THY GRACIOUS WORD, in meek humility, this will I do, my dying Lord, I will remember Thee.

Thy body, broken for my sake, my bread from heaven shall be; Thy testamental cup I take, and thus remember Thee.

Gethsemane can I forget?  Or there Thy conflict see, Thine agony and bloody sweat, and not remember Thee?

When to the cross I turn mine eyes, and rest on Calvary, O Lamb of God, my sacrifice, I must remember Thee, –

Remember Thee, and all Thine pains, and all Thy love to me; yea, while a breath, a pulse remains, will I remember Thee.

And when these failing lips grow dumb, and mind and memory flee, when Thou shalt in Thy Kingdom come, Jesus remember me.

LET US PRAY:

ALMIGHTY GOD, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden; we come to You and ask to cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name this morning. We confess that we have sinned, in thought, word, and deed, through our own fault and in common with others. We are truly sorry and turn humbly from our sins. Lord, have mercy, and forgive our sinfulness. Merciful God, You have prepared for those who love You such good things as pass human understanding. God of life and truth, You have taught us that we cannot live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Feed us with the Word of Life, and by the power of Your Spirit lead us into Your Truth. Pour into our hearts such awe towards the Sacrifice of Your Son that we, loving You above all things, may obtain Your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord.                                    AMEN.

OLD TESTAMENT READING: – PSALM 116: 12 – 14.

HOW CAN I REPAY THE LORD FOR ALL HIS GOODNESS TO ME?  I WILL LIFT UP THE CUP OF SALVATION AND CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD.  I WILL FULFIL MY VOWS TO THE LORD IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL HIS PEOPLE.

NEW TESTAMENT READING: – JOHN 1: 14, 29, 34.

THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND MADE HIS DWELLING AMONG US. WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY, THE GLORY OF THE ONE AND ONLY, WHO CAME FROM THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. …JOHN SAW JESUS COMING TOWARD HIM AND SAID, “LOOK, THE LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD! … I HAVE SEEN AND TESTIFY THAT THIS IS THE SON OF GOD.”

The HOLY COMMUNION is a Godly Revelation of our Christian Faith. It unmistakeably unites into one religious act the threefold LOVE of  God for us, His creatures. Creating it by His WORD, the Creator-God still loves His World, and, although we became deformed by sin, out of His love offers salvation for all those who believe in His sacrificed Son, the Lamb of God. This Anointed Saviour, who takes away the sins of world is the Creator Word of God that became flesh, to be human, but without sin. The Holy Communion with Christ not only commemorates Jesus’ sacrificial death, but also makes us partakers of His Righteousness, won for us through His death and Resurrection. Instituted at His Last Supper before His death on the Cross, it shows Jesus’ clear intention to make His Atoning Sacrifice not only better understood, but also more personal both for His disciples and for us. Breaking the bread and raising the cup with the words: – This is my body, which is broken for you, and: – This cup is the New Covenant sealed in my blood, – Jesus wants to offer us God’s HOLINESS, to assure  us, that there is no other WAY back to God but only through Him. During the centuries the Christian Church created creeds of faith, Confessions, to associate more easily with the teachings of the Gospels about our Saviour Anointed (=JESUS CHRIST), and after prolonged Church Council debates in Nicaea, THE NICENE CREED, was agreed ecumenically (= the entire world), – including our Church of  Scotland – to be the basis of the Christian faith.

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit, and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.     AMEN.         (Adopted at the First Council of Nicaea, – 325 A.D.)

In our New Testament reading from the first chapter of the Gospel of John we have three references on the way of Salvation, preparing us  for the Holy Communion in the second part of this worship.

1. – JESUS IS THE WORD MADE FLESH. The meaning of these words is that our divine Saviour really took human nature upon Himself in order to save sinners. He really became a man like us in all things, except sin. Like ourselves, he was born of a woman, though born in a miraculous manner. Like ourselves, he grew from infancy to boyhood, then becoming an adult in wisdom and stature. He hungered, thirsted, ate, drank, slept, was tired, felt pain, wept, rejoiced, marvelled, was moved to anger and to compassion. Having become flesh and taken a body, He prayed, read the Scriptures, suffered being tempted, and submitted His human will to the will of God the Father. And finally, in the same body, He really suffered and shed His blood on the Cross, really died, was really buried, really rose again, and really ascended up into heaven. And yet all this time He was God as well as man. This union of the two natures in Christ’s one Person is one of the greatest mysteries and blessings of our Christian Faith. It needs to be carefully stated. It is one of those great truths which are not meant to be curiously debated, but reverently believed by Christians. This constantly undivided union of two perfect natures in Christ’s Person is exactly that which qualifies Him to be the Mediator that sinners need. Our Mediator is One who can sympathize with us, because He is also man. And yet, at the same time, He is One who can deal with God the Father for us on equal terms, because He is very God. It is the same union which gives the value of His/our Righteousness, to the blood of One who was God and man even on the Cross, and when He rose again, He rose not only as mere man but also as God. God’s Word became flesh. What an honour to our undervalued, weak and mortal selves to live in a body which the Eternal Son of God was not ashamed to take upon Himself, in order to take it up to heaven. What an assurance this is to the Promise that the Lord will raise our mortal bodies and glorify them with His own for all eternity!

2. – JESUS IS THE LAMB OF GOD. Jesus, the Lamb does not mean that Christ was meek and gentle as lambs are known to be. This would be true no doubt but, in this name, given by John the Baptist,  it means that Christ was the Greatest Sacrifice For Sin, Who came to make atonement for the sins of the world by His death on the Cross of Calvary. He was the Lamb, Abraham told Isaac at Moriah that God will provide (Genesis 22: 8), and the Passover Lamb in Egypt that opened the free journey of God’s people to the Promised Land. He was the Lamb of whom Isaiah had prophesied being led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53: 7). Jesus did not come into the world to be a conqueror king, a religion-founder philosopher, or a teacher of  mere morality. He came to save sinners. He came to take away the sins of the world. He didn’t make loud proclamations of pardon, mercy, and forgiveness. He took our sins upon Himself, and carried them away. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed (1.Peter 2: 24). The sins of everyone who believes in Jesus are made as though they had never have sinned at all. The Lamb of God  took their sins away. Christ is the Almighty Saviour for all mankind. He takes away the sins of the world. He did not die for a few Jews only, He did not suffer for some minorities only, but for the whole of mankind. The payment He made on the Cross was more than enough for the debts of all. His Atonement on the Cross was sufficient for all mankind, though efficient only to those who believe in Him. But nevertheless, the sin that He took and bore on the Cross was the sin of the whole world.

3. – JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD. Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.” (Mark 1: 9 – 11)  What John the Baptist was saying here is something like this: -“I saw perfectly, and from that time have unhesitatingly testified that the person whom you now see before you is the Christ, the Son of the living God. From the day I baptized Him in the Jordan, and I saw the Holy Spirit descending on Him, and I heard the Word of God from heaven, I have been fully convinced that He is the Messiah!” As we are about to take part in the Holy Communion with our Lord, I hope and pray that the same confession is to be raised from our hearts also as John the Baptist  gave testimony about Jesus as The Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, and as the Psalmist did in Psalm 116, verses 12–14, through HYMN: – CH 565 :

I’ll of salvation take the cup, on God’s name will I call: I’ll pay my vows now to the Lord before His people all.

Thank-offerings I to Thee will give, and on God’s name will call. I’ll pay my vows now to the Lord before His people all.

Within the courts of God’s own house, within the midst of Thee, O city of Jerusalem, praise to the Lord give ye.

HOLY COMMUNION

We are here to look back, here to look forward. We are here to remember One who died, here to greet One who lives. We are here to share Bread and Wine, here to share fellowship together. We are here in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who invites us, as He invited His first disciples, to take Supper with Him.

He shared bread and wine, with the one who would betray Him, the one who would deny Him, and those who would abandon Him in His hour of need.

He invites us to share bread and wine, you and I who are weak and sinful, who daily fail Him, who prefer our way to His, who have barely begun to understand the true meaning of discipleship. Though our faith is frail, and our faults are many, though we have many questions, and much to learn, come now and let us share Bread and Wine, COME AND FIND LIFE FOR OUR SOULS.  AMEN.

NARRATIVE OF THE INSTITUTION: –

Hear the Words of the institution of the Lord’s Supper:

FOR I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD WHAT I ALSO PASSED ON TO YOU: THE LORD JESUS, ON THE NIGHT HE WAS BERTAYED, TOOK BREAD, AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS, HE BROKE IT AND SAID, “THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH IS BROKEN FOR YOU; DO THIS IN REMEMBRACE OF ME.” IN THE SAME WAY, AFTER SUPPER HE TOOK THE CUP, SAYING, “THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD; DO THIS, WHENEVER YOU DRINK IT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.” FOR WHENEVER YOU EAT THIS BREAD AND DRINK THIS CUP, YOU PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH UNTIL HE COMES.                                                             (1.Corinthians 11: 23-26).

(The Minister): – As the Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread, I take these elements of bread and wine, to be set apart from all common uses to this holy use and mystery; and as He gave thanks and blessed, let us draw near to God and offer Him our prayers and thanksgiving.

LET US PRAY:

Father, we come to You conscious of the things within ourselves we hate to remember, yet cannot forget and fear to renounce: our self-indulgences, our prejudices, our resentments, our hypocrisies, our selfishness. Save us from self-contempt as we acknowledge these things and as we remember Your love for us in spite of all that we are and do. Give us the assurance of pardon, the release and relief of those who know that the past is forgiven, and the zest and joy of those who know that the future is still to make. So may we live in that fullness and freedom of life, which You have promised that we can share through Jesus Christ our Lord. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed. We have not wholeheartedly loved You; we have not loved others as we have loved ourselves. In Your mercy, forgive our past sins, amend what we are, and direct what we shall be. So shall we delight in Your will, and go Your way, with Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hear God’s Word of Grace and the Assurance of Pardon: –         CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS.          YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN FOR HIS SAKE!     AMEN.

TAKING THE ELEMENTS OF BREAD AND WINE: – According to the holy institution, example, and command of our Lord Jesus Christ, and as a memorial of Him, we do this: – WHO, ON THE SAME NIGHT WHEN HE WAS BETRAYED, TOOK BREAD AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS HE BROKE IT AND SAID, “THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS BROKEN FOR YOU; DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME” – PLEASE, TAKE THE PIECE OF BREAD, YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU FROM HOME DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, AND LET US ALL TAKE AND EAT TOGETHER: –          NOW…                                                                           IN THE SAME WAY HE TOOK THE CUP SAYING, “THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT SEALED IN MY BLOOD. WHENEVER YOU DRINK IT, DO IT IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME” – SO, PLEASE, TAKE THE SEALED CUP FROM THE HOLDER BEFORE YOU, OPEN IT, AND LET US DRINK OUR CUPS TOGETHER: –         NOW …

THE PEACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH US ALL!     AMEN.   (Because of Pandemic-restrictions, we won’t greet one another, this time, with the handshake of THE PEACE OF CHRIST).

LET US PRAY:

GRACIOUS LORD GOD, we thank You for the love which brings us – as food from heaven – the life of Your dear Son, and assures us that we belong to the company of all His faithful people in heaven and on earth. Grant, that being strengthened by this fellowship and by the power of Your Holy Spirit, we may continue His work in the world, until we come to the glory of Your eternal kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Saviour and Lord. And here we offer and present to You our very selves, to be a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for Your acceptance: – through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are Yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Remember, O Lord, Your holy Church throughout the world and reveal Your glory among the nations. Save Your people and bless those who belong to You, shepherd them and carry them forever. Remember, O Lord, our families and friends, and surround them with Your steadfast love. Remember, O Lord, those who are sick, those who suffer pain, loneliness, or grief, those who draw near to death, and those whom we name now in our hearts, before You . . .  Comfort them with Your presence, sustain them by Your promises, grant them Your peace. Keep us in unbroken fellowship with Your whole Church in heaven and on earth, and bring us at the last to the joy of Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.       AMEN.

THE LORD’S PRAYER: – OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN …

CLOSING HYMN: – (CH-351): – O THOU MY SOUL, BLESS GOD the Lord; and all that in me is. Be stirrèd up His Holy Name to magnify  and bless.

Bless, O my soul, the Lord thy God, and not forgetful be of all His gracious benefits He hath bestowed on thee.

All thine iniquities who doth most graciously forgive: Who thy diseases all and pains doth heal, and thee relieve.

Who doth redeem thy life, that thou to death mayest not go down; Who thee with loving-kindness doth and tender mercies crown.

Who with abundance of good things doth satisfy thy mouth; so that, even as the eagle’s age, renewèd is thy youth.

TO FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST, THE GOD WHOM WE ADORE, BE GLORY, AS IT WAS, AND IS, AND SHALL BE EVERMORE.       Amen.

GO IN PEACE.THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH IS BEYOND ALL HUMAN UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR THOUGHTS IN CHRIST JESUS.

AND THE BLESSING OF GOD ALMIGHTY, THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE, ETERNAL GOD, BE WITH YOU AND REMAIN WITH YOU BOTH NOW AND FOREVERMORE, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.

Sandor, your Minister.

GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, AND EVER-PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. (Psalm 46:1)     THOSE WHO HOPE IN THE LORD WILL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH. THEY WILL SOAR ON WINGS LIKE EAGLES; THEY WILL RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY, THEY WILL WALK AND NOT BE FAINT.  (Isaiah 40:31)

We are met this day to glorify God whose power sustains the world; to remember with thanksgiving those who lived and died in the service of our country; and ask for God’s help and blessing, that we may be worthy of their sacrifice each day of our life. Let us worship God, and … Welcome to our service!

INTIMATIONS: – Preparatory Service on Tuesday 10 November, 7pm, and Communion next Sunday the 15 November 2020, 11am.

OPENING HYMN: – (CH-611) – O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!

Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame, from everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight are like an evening gone; short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away; they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be Thou our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home.

LET US PRAY:

ETERNAL GOD, You are the Shepherd of our souls, the giver of life everlasting. On this day when  we commemorate and commend to You those who lived and died in the service of others, we are glad to remember that Your purposes for us are good, that You gave Jesus Christ for the life of the world, and that You lead us by His Holy Spirit into the paths of righteousness and peace.  Merciful and faithful God, Your purpose is to fold both earth and heaven in a single peace. With sorrow we confess that in our hearts we keep alive the passions and pride that lead to hatred and to war. We are not worthy of Your love, nor of the sacrifice made by others on our behalf. Almighty God, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in life eternal. God of unbounded grace, You declared Your reconciling love and power in the death and resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Teach us, who live only in Your forgiveness, to forgive one another.  Heal our divisions, cast out our fears, renew our faith in Your unchanging purpose of goodwill and peace on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.               AMEN.

Let us now, bow our heads and remember the kindness of God, and His favour to us in our time of need:

LET US REMEMBER the courage, devotion to duty, and the self-sacrifice of the men and women in our armed forces; the toil, endurance, and suffering of those who were not in uniform; the support of those who sent us help from afar, or came and stood by our side. Let us remember those who were wounded in the fight; those who perished in air-raids at home; those who fell in battle, and are buried at sea or in some corner of a foreign field; and especially those whom we have known and loved, whose place is for ever in our hearts. Let us remember those who were our enemies, whose homes and hearts are as bereft as ours, whose dead lie also in a living tomb of everlasting remembrance. Let us remember those who came back; those whose lives still bear the scars of war; those who lost sight or limb or reason; those who lost faith in God and hope in humanity. Let us remember the continuing grace of God, whose love holds all souls in life, and to whom none is dead but alive for ever.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.                                 

   – WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!                   + SILENCE …

IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO DIED, MAY WE BE BETTER MEN AND WOMEN; AND IN GRATITUDE TO GOD, MAY WE LIVE AS THOSE WHO ARE NOT THEIR OWN BUT WHO ARE BOUGHT WITH PRICE.    AMEN.

OLD TESTAMENT READING: – DEUTERONOMY 30: 19 – 20.

THIS DAY I CALL HEAVEN AND EARTH AS WITNESSES AGAINST YOU THAT I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSINGS AND CURSES. NOW CHOOSE LIFE, SO THAT YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN MAY LIVE AND THAT YOU MAY LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, LISTEN TO HIS VOICE, AND HOLD FAST TO HIM. FOR THE LORD IS YOUR LIFE, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU MANY YEARS IN THE LAND HE SWORE TO GIVE TO YOUR FATHERS …

NEW TESTAMENT READING: – JOHN 14: 27.

(JESUS SAID:) – PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU; MY PEACE I GIVE YOU. I DO NOT GIVE TO YOU AS THE WORLD GIVES. DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED AND DO NOT BE AFRAID.

SO HERE WE STAND AGAIN. A YEAR HAS PASSED. ONCE MORE OUR SORROW TURNS TO MILLIONS KILLED. WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? WHAT DO YOU SAY TO US, SOLDIER FROM YOUR ETERNAL SILENCE? DO YOU IMPLORE US TO IMPROVE OUR KILLING EFFICIENCY, TO MAKE BIGGER AND BETTER BOMBS, CONDEMNING MILLIONS MORE TO YOUR SAD FATE?  NO – I HEAR YOU PLEAD NOW. I HEAR YOU CRY TO US ACROSS THE YEARS: – “WEEP NOT FOR ME BUT FOR THOSE YET UNBORN! … WHEN YOU STAND HERE AGAIN, WHEN THIS NEXT YEAR HAS PASSED, COME HERE IN CERTAINTY THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN SOME SMALL STEP ALONG A DIFFERENT ROAD… (from: — The Veteran’s Lament – by Bill, World War Two Veteran).

DEATH TOLL in WW1 = 40 million, WW2 = 85 million. During 1918-1919 over 50 million people died of Spanish Flu, or Influenza. In the moment, we are being terrorized by the Coronavirus. We live in what seems to be, at least occasionally, a terrifying AGE OF WARS. Individual acts of bravery and self-sacrifice during a war can be good, but war itself is evil. This is why through the Bible we are urged to choose life with the blessings of God, and not the curse of war, holding fast to Him, and live (Deuteronomy 30: 19-20). Once a war has started, Christian values are pretty much given up: gentleness, generosity, forgiveness, love of enemy, and turning the other cheek are not applicable any longer. In times of war forgiveness of the enemy is not permitted, for it is seen as treason. In this, and many other ways, war is an evil that is much bigger than all of us. War almost never ends in peace: at least, not in the kind of peace where two former enemies embrace one another and sincerely wish one another well. No, war must end in defeat for one and victory for the other. Even ceasefires are usually only a chance to regroup and rearm; to fight again another day, until eventually one of the sides gives up, falls apart, or can no longer defend itself. A war might end when both sides lose, being too exhausted to continue fighting. I would love to hear of a case where both sides WIN, but I know of none. Jesus speaks of His PEACE as where human hearts are not being troubled and people are not afraid (John 14: 27). He knows that His PEACE is not how the world understands peace. Jesus’ PEACE must begin to be developed on an individual and very personal level. Maybe, we cannot make peace with the enemies of our nation, but a Christian definitely can make peace in the individual and personal conflicts. A Christ-like person is one who practices peace that the people around him or her may “catch” peacefulness and become people of peace themselves. Jesus teaches us that when someone offends us, we should pray for them, and call down God’s blessing upon them. Well, it is hard to ask God to bless a person unless we ourselves wish good things for that person, so this is a very good exercise for a Christian.

Christians are first and foremost a people of faith and peace. If caught up in a war, the Christian must choose the side which has the least evil, and then must act with courage and faith. The best of these are celebrated on Remembrance Day: those who gave their lives for the benefit of others; who struggled to uphold the greater good and resisted the greater evil, and deserving the greatest honour both from God and man. But our calling is to be people of faith and peace, turning the other cheek, loving our neighbour as ourselves and loving the Lord our God with all our heart and all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength (Matthew 22: 37- 40). In the brokenness of our world, God is there. In the cry of the hungry, the suffering of the sick, and the sorrow of the bereaved, He is calling our name. In the misery of the lonely, the despair of the oppressed and the helplessness of the weak He is seeking our help, asking for our response. The world is bleeding, and God is bleeding with it, waiting for our hands, our care and our love to help heal the wound. And then, as a miracle, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 7).                      AMEN.

Sorley MacLean (Somhairle MacGill-Eain), (1911-1996), our Scottish-Gaelic poet from Raasay, in one of his poems immortalized the tragic moment when, in Portree School, children were privately told about the death of their loved ones at the Battle of Festubert, on the 22 July 1915, and then, the children being graciously sent home to grieve.

FESTUBERT      by Sorley MacLean

Rattle of the little guns

And clangour of the big guns

Heavy doors being shut

With the blast and crash of tempest;

Whizz and whine of the shells

About Festubert and the mud and bloodshed;

Big heavy doors are shutting

On many a brave strong man.

Doors opening quietly

And shut as they were opened:

Boy or girl, or two or three,

taken out of the schoolrooms,

having to go home

down by the Big Bridge,

to the middle of the town,

or south to Lots,

or north to Sluggans,

down to the Pier,

or down to Sligneach,

east to Stormyhill,

or over to Black Street:

to every house where sorrow was,

brothers or fathers dead:

thirteen on one day

in the little town of Portree,

thirteen men in Portree

and many another man

between Trotternish and Sleat,

between Duirinish and Strath,

between Bracadale and Raasay,

between Minginish and Rona,

between Uist, Harris and Inverness.

Doors opened and closed

Quietly in many a house,

And the children going home

To weeping or to silence.

Clangour of the big guns,

Blast of heavy doors being shut

About other towns in France

And throughout Europe,

And doors opening quietly

To dwellings of the broken heart.

LET US PRAY:

GOD OF POWER AND LOVE, bless our country and commonwealth. Give wisdom and strength to the Queen, govern those who make the laws, guide those who direct our common life, and grant that together we may fulfil our service for the welfare of the whole people and for Your praise and glory. Bless all members of the armed forces. Defend them in danger. Give them courage to meet all occasions with discipline and loyalty. So may they serve the cause of justice and peace, to the honour of Your name. Bless our young people. May they never see the flames of war, or know the depths of cruelty to which men and women can sink. Grant that in their generation they may be faithful soldiers and servants of Jesus. Bless our friends and those who were our enemies, who suffered or are still suffering from war. Grant that Your love may reach out to the wounded, the disabled, the mentally distressed, and those whose faith has been shaken by what they have seen and endured. Comfort all who mourn the death of loved ones. Bless those who are homeless, those who are refugees, those who are hungry, those who have lost their livelihood or security. Bless those in authority in every land, and give them wisdom to know and courage to do what is right. Encourage those who work for peace, who strive to improve international relations, who seek new ways of reconciling people of different race, colour, and creed. Bless Your Church throughout the world. By Your Holy Spirit, draw the scattered flock of Christ into a visible unity, and make Your Church a sign of hope to our divided world. Grant that we who bear Your Son’s name may be instruments of Your peace, bringing that peace to our homes, our nation, and our world, through Jesus Christ our Lord.   AMEN.

THE LORD’S PRAYER: – OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN …

Every night, in the town of Ypres in Belgium, there is a ceremony of the Last Post at a monument to the thousands of soldiers killed in 1915 in the Battle of Ypres-Salient, but with no known graves.  Their names are inscribed on the Menin Gate monument.

Yet the battle is not over, though the war may long be past, the fighting may have halted but the cause is only masked. Unless we come together, until we learn to share, until we love more widely and think in ways more fair; until we build so bravely that all we say and do gives our hope of breaking barriers some hope of coming true, then the Last Post may be sounded in the future just the same, but the thousands who it heralds will all have died in vain.

(Nick Fawcett: In Ypres, at the 8 o’clock Last Post)

CLOSING HYMN: (CH-527) ETERNAL FATHER, STRONG TO SAVE, whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep: – O hear us when we cry to Thee for those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, whose voice the waters heard, and hushed their raging at Thy word, who walkedst on the foaming deep, and calm amid the storm didst sleep: – O hear us when we cry to Thee for those who peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit, who didst brood upon the waters dark and rude, and bid their angry tumult cease, and give, for wild confusion peace: – O hear us when we cry to Thee for those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power, our brethren shield in danger’s hour; from rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them wheresoe’er they go: – Thus evermore shall rise to Thee glad hymns of praise from land and sea

.

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM: – GOD SAVE OUR GRACIOUS QUEEN, long live our noble Queen; God save the Queen! Send her victorious, happy and glorious, long to reign over us: God save the Queen!

Thy choicest gifts in store on her be pleased to pour; long may she reign; may she defend our laws, and ever give us cause to sing with heart and voice, “God save the Queen!”  

MAY THE ALMIGHTY LORD GOD, GRANT TO THE LIVING, GRACE; TO THE DEPARTED, REST; TO THE CHURCH, THE QUEEN, THE COMMONWEALTH, AND ALL PEOPLE, PEACE AND CONCORD; AND TO US AND ALL HIS SERVANTS LIFE EVERLASTING.

AND THE BLESSING OF GOD ALMIGHTY, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT, BE WITH YOU ALL.

AMEN.

Sandor, your Minister.

The Kirk Session have put in place measures to allow Sunday morning worship to resume with social distancing in place, taking on board guidance from the national Church. Click on this article to see what you can expect if you are able and wish to attend weekly morning services again.

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GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.   AMEN.               

(2 Corinthians 1: 2)

WELCOME TO OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP!

INTIMATIONS: –

OPENING HYMN (CH-46)THIS IS THE DAY of light: let there be light today; O Dayspring, rise upon our night, and chase its gloom away.

This is the day of prayer: let earth to heaven draw near; lift up our hearts to seek Thee there, come down to meet us here.

This is the first of days: send forth Thy quickening breath, and wake dead souls to love and praise, O Vanquisher of death!

LET US PRAY:

ETERNAL AND GRACIOUS GOD, we come before You in the name of Christ, setting aside time and space in our lives to reflect on Your greatness, to rejoice in Your goodness, and to respond to You with gladness. Receive our worship. We come with praise, with thanksgiving, joy, and celebration. We come to share fellowship, to make our confession to You and one another, to pray for ourselves, our world, and our loved ones, to offer our gifts and our service. We come seeking Your presence, Your guidance, Your strength, and Your mercy. Loving God, we are here before You in the name of Christ. Receive our worship. Receive our faith. Receive ourselves and help us to receive all You would give us through Your Word, Jesus Christ our Lord.      AMEN.

OLD TESTAMENT READING: – JOSHUA 3: 14 – 17.                   

SO WHEN THE PEOPLE BROKE CAMP TO CROSS THE JORDAN, THE PRIESTS CARRYING THE ARK OF COVENANT WENT AHEAD OF THEM. NOW THE JORDAN IS IN FLOOD STAGE ALL DURING HARVEST. YET AS SOON AS THE PRIESTS WHO CARRIED THE ARK REACHED THE JORDAN AND THEIR FEET TOUCHED THE WATER’S EDGE, THE WATER FROM UPSTREAM STOPPED FLOWING. IT PILED UP IN A HEAP A GREAT DISTANCE AWAY, AT A TOWN CALLED ADAM IN THE VICINITY OF ZARETHAN, WHILE THE WATER FLOWING DOWN TO THE SEA OF THE ARABAH (THE SALT SEA) WAS COMPLETELY CUT OFF. SO THE PEOPLE CROSSED OVER OPPOSITE JERICHO. THE PRIESTS WHO CARRIED THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD STOOD FIRM ON DRY GROUND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JORDAN, WHILE ALL ISRAEL PASSED BY UNTIL THE WHOLE NATION HAD COMPLETED THE CROSSING ON DRY GROUND.

NEW TESTAMENT READING: – MATTHEW 14: 26 – 31.

 WHEN THE DISCIPLES SAW (JESUS) WALKING ON THE LAKE, THEY WERE TERRIFIED. “IT’S A GHOST,” THEY SAID, AND CRIED OUT IN FEAR. BUT JESUS IMMEDIATELY SAID TO THEM: “TAKE COURAGE! IT IS I. DON’T BE AFRAID.” “LORD, IF IT’S YOU,” PETER REPLIED, “TELL ME TO COME TO YOU ON THE WATER.” “COME,” HE SAID. THEN PETER GOT DOWN OUT OF THE BOAT, WALKED ON THE WATER AND CAME TOWARD JESUS. BUT WHEN HE SAW THE WIND, HE WAS AFRAID AND, BEGINNING TO SINK, CRIED OUT, “LORD SAVE ME!” IMMEDIATELY JESUS REACHED OUR HIS HAND AND CAUGHT HIM. “YOU OF LITTLE FAITH,” HE SAID, “WHY DID YOU DOUBT?”

Some days are forever etched into people’s memories: births, weddings, deaths, end of world wars or great tragedies, and we will never be able to forget Coronavirus and how has had changed our lives. Whenever in unfamiliar times or places, the natural reaction of faithful people in all ages was to look for God’s familiar presence; uncertain times always revived trust in the certain God. Each generation must overcome its own challenges. This is what happened to God’s People at the River Jordan, and the message sent  is that God is able to take care of us even in the most imperfect of situations and conditions, that everyone of us may cross the river.

The context begins with the call of Abram, – The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you (Genesis 12:1). Abram travelled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites  were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” In the story of Exodus, the Israelites accused Moses of leading them to slaughter, but Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today … Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left (Exodus 14: 13, 21-22). Miracles accompanied God’s People all the way to the Promised Land as the Prophet Isaiah said: – “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you …”  (Isaiah 43: 1-2). Both Joshua, and later Peter, strongly believed that.

1. – CROSSING THE JORDAN RIVER INTO THE PROMISED LAND. Water is not the environment for humans to live in; but to die. Therefore, from the very beginning people feared the waters and believed that were the home of the Evil, the Leviathan, or the Beast. After 40 years in the desert, Israel was about to have a memorable day. They were arriving at the God-Promised Land. This was the second time waters parted for Israel and the second time they walked across on dry ground. The Jordan was at flood stage; these were not perfect conditions. Someone had to put their feet in the water. This group of people were not present at the Red Sea. They had heard the stories, but this was their moment. And again, their God took care of them. This kind of reassurance was especially important following the death of Moses, who had led Israel so powerfully during the forty years of the Exodus. God wanted to demonstrate again, that He was with Joshua as He was with Moses. Just as the Israelites were able to cross the Red Sea in the midst of the waters, so here the people were able to cross the Jordan River to enter the Promised land, sworn by God to give to Abram’s offspring. The moment came, the miracle has happened. The priests carried the Ark of the Covenant at the front of the procession, and the people followed behind. When the priests stepped into the flooded river, the flow of the water stopped, and the water piled up in a heap. “Dry ground” is mentioned twice. Israel crossed on dry ground, and the priests stood on dry ground. This was in the middle of the Jordan River, and it was like the dry ground that the Israelites experienced at the crossing of the Red Sea. The Ark of the Covenant was a chest made of acacia wood overlaid with gold ( 45 by 27 by    27 inches, or 114/ 69/ 69 cm), and contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments as well as Aaron’s rod and a golden cup filled with manna. On the top of the Ark, two cherubim guarded a gold mercy seat – God’s Throne. The Ark was the symbol of the Presence of God. When Joshua led the people of Israel across the Jordan River, it was as if God was saying: – “I don’t want you only to see a miracle; I want you to be a part of a miracle. God’s Plan remains ever the same. He wants His people to be part of the miracle of Salvation, and enter His Eternal Kingdom, being saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

Joshua 3 and 4 belong together. In Joshua 4, the twelve men selected in 3:12 set up twelve stones to be forever a memorial to the people, and when the priests came out of the Jordan after the crossing of the people, and set their feet on dry ground, the Jordan returned to its place and ran in flood as before (Joshua 4:18). The great Reformer, John Calvin, said that this wonderful sight must have been received with feelings of fear, leading the Israelites more distinctly to acknowledge that they were saved in the midst of death. For what was that collected heap but a grave in which the whole multitude would have been buried, had the waters resumed their naturally liquid state? If they would have walked upon the waters their faith might have served them as a kind of bridge(reference to Peter’s walk). But now, while mountains of water hung over their heads, it is just as if they had found an open and level path beneath them. The locality is marked out as situated between two cities, that the remembrance of it might never be lost; and, in like manner, God ordered stones to be set up as a memorial, that this distinguished mercy might be celebrated by posterity in all ages(Calvin: On Joshua).

The good news (Gospel) for us is that when we step out in faith, and maybe things still look hopeless, and it looks like the promises of God aren’t being fulfilled, somewhere upstream, or maybe just out of sight around the corner, God is at work. God has already performed a miracle, and we are about to see the results. And little by little, as we continue to step out in obedience, God begins to reveal the miracles and the amazing tomorrows that He has in store for our lives. God is calling us to prepare ourselves because He wants to do amazing things for us. The miracle of the parting of the Jordan started when the People stepped out into the water. God does not only want us to see a miracle; He wants us to be part of His Miracle.

1. – PETER WALKED WITH JESUS ON THE WATER, IN A STORM.

This was one of those few times when the disciples were not with Jesus. After feeding the Five Thousand, Jesus told the disciples to get in a boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, to Gennesaret, while he went to pray and rest. The Sea of Galilee, as locals call it, or the Lake of Gennesaret, is eight miles wide and thirteen miles long. Eight miles is a long way to row in a storm. As fishermen, the disciples endured hundreds of windy rainstorms, but this wasn’t just an ordinary storm, this was enough to scare these veterans of the sea. As they struggled to bring the boat across the waters, they fought at the same time a spiritual battle: – fear vs. faith. Jesus even said at one point, that they are of “little faith.” The story invites us to confront our fears during the dark, stormy times. It is about our human weakness whenever we face life threatening danger, like drowning into the sea or struggling against Coronavirus. And Jesus just takes the dangerous situation and uses it to teach us a hard lesson about FAITH, with three very important aspects of it.

1. – Faith requires Perseverance. There was a massive storm over the sea. Why did Jesus not instantly rescue the disciples? He chose to leave them in danger, allowing them to persist in their struggle. We just wonder … Did any of them become angry with Jesus? Did they start blaming Him for not being there when needed? Did they pray to God? Humans, we are masters at creating terrible events in our minds and worrying ourselves to death. How often are we being tempted to ask: – Where is God in these difficult, life threatening moments? Yes, we understand the disciples all too well! …and like them, we easily accept that all that was needed there was to not give up, just continue to row with persistence and …fearing the worst but still trying to hope for the best. But also,
2. – Faith requires Trust. The disciples noticed a silhouette, but they could not make it out through the rain. They said to themselves: – “It seems that it might be a man, but how could a man be out there; so it must be a ghost!” They also remembered that there was a highly respected old superstition among sailors that right before they die in a storm, the ghosts of other sailors will guide them into the afterlife. If that was the case, it is understandable how terrified the disciples were. It makes me wonder … what are our boats? What are the things that we assume can keep us safe, and if overconfidence arises, what might even hold us back from getting to Christ? Too much trust in the circumstances, in others, or is it self-sufficiency? When it comes to trusting in Jesus, what keeps us from getting out of the boat? Only one, Peter, dared to trust in the coming Lord and decided to go to Him as soon as he could. The rest of the disciples were simply short of memory. They had just assisted Jesus earlier on, in His miracle of feeding the Five Thousand, but could not apply faith to the next situation they were in. Without real trust in God, faith remains passive. To really trust in the Lord, we need to know Him in the deepest personal sense possible. Only as we grow to know Christ more deeply will we be able to recognise Him when he shows up in our lives’ dark, stormy moments. It is not easy to understand Peter’s request to be allowed to go to Jesus. Was he testing Jesus, trying to get Jesus to prove that He is who He says He is, by enabling him to do the impossible? Or is it an act of faithful confession? The words “It is I” that Jesus said are the very same words that God gave for His own name to Moses. By saying this, Jesus made clear Who He is and what power He has. Peter’s request, then, can be interpreted as a way of stepping into Jesus’ promises and claiming his identity as a trustful follower of Christ. Whatever his motivation was, once on the water, Peter failed and begun to sink, as he realized the danger of the high waves around him. Therefore:
3. – Faith requires Focus. Jesus didn’t lift Peter out of the boat. It was Peter’s courage and TRUST that moved him, but his eyes were not informed by faith, and he lost his FOCUS on Jesus. His fear overcame him and suddenly his faith and trust were at risk. Peter anxiously cried out for Christ to save him, and he soon found himself caught in the strong hands of the Lord. Together they returned to the boat as the wind and the waves had ceased. In all this, the disciples realize that the words spoken by Jesus – It is I – we true, and that Christ truly is the Son of God. On that stormy sea, the disciples, including Peter, went from fear to faith. This was the first time that they recognized Jesus as the Son of God, but it will take a little longer to fully focus themselves on to what it really means to live through Him.

That is what happened to God’s People at the River Jordan and to Jesus’ disciples – especially to Peter – on the Sea of Galilee. In both cases the water – this alien environment for human life – had a key role, spiritually strengthening those believing in Him, to not perish but have eternal life, by crossing the river or walking on the water. To be able to achieve it, we have to know the Lord personally, to trust Him and to be focused always on Him. When we do these three things, He looks at us and says, follow me and you will cross the river, come and you will safely walk through the storms of life.

I wonder what effect these two spectacular biblical stories had on you, this morning? Did they inspire your faith for the future? Did they make you long for Jesus to calm the storms of your life right now? Did they enable you to look back and see where dangerous, flooded rivers parted to give you a safe crossing, and seas have been calmed and wind has ceased in your journey of faith towards the other side? Or do you, perhaps, see yourself in them, in the fear of the disciples or the faithful impatience of Peter? These lyrical thoughts may help you in your meditation: – When God wants to drill a man, and thrill a man, and skill a man, when God wants to mould a man, to play the noblest part, when He yearns with all His heart to build so great and bold a man that all the world shall be amazed, then watch God’s method, watch His ways! God always bends but never brakes when man’s good he undertakes; when He uses whom He chooses, and with every purpose fuses man to act, and act to man as it was when He began; when God tries His splendour out, man will know what He’s about!   (D. Stone: If God is for us).

LET US PRAY:

LORD GOD, FATHER OF US ALL, we thank You for all the good things that surround us – our homes, our families, our friends, our church, the vastness of the universe, the beauty of the natural world, the sights and sounds of daily life. For all You have given, we praise and worship You. We thank You for the love of Christ encircling us, His Spirit guiding us, and Your eternal purpose constantly inspiring us. We thank You for this day set aside so that we might praise You, bringing our lives before You, and consecrate every day to Your service. Loving God, we bring You our praise. Gladly and reverently we worship You: – we declare Your greatness, we acknowledge Your faithfulness, we rejoice in Your goodness, and we marvel at Your holiness. All we have and all that is we owe to You. You are ever at work in our lives and our world, striving to help and strengthen, heal, and comfort, forgive, and restore, undo wrongs, and establish right. Have mercy on us, cleanse us from all our weaknesses, pardon our sins, renew our faith, and restore us to Your side, that we may be enabled to live more faithfully as Your children. Loving God, there is so much despair in our world, and for many there seems little reason to hope. Reach out, we pray, to all whose belief in the future has been destroyed, and grant support where there seems to be nothing left to hold on to. Rekindle purpose where confidence has been undermined, and hope that we will overcome this Pandemic. We pray for the sick and suffering, the poor, the oppressed, the lonely and unloved, the aged and infirm, the frightened and anxious, the sorrowful and the bereaved, the helpless and the hopeless. Living and loving God, there is so much need around us, in our Church, in our neighbourhood, our town, our country, our world – so many people are crying out for help. Reach out to us and to all in Your love. You came to us through Christ to help, to heal, and to save. So now we pray for our loved ones and ourselves, and in quiet faith, name all those whom we know to be in any kind of need or danger… Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Saviour.    AMEN.

THE LORD’S PRAYER: – OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN …

CLOSING HYMN (CH-279) – THINE BE THE GLORY, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won; angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave-clothes, where Thy body lay. CHORUS: – Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.

Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb; lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom; let the Church with gladness hymns of triumph sing, for her Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting. – CHORUS: –

No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of Life; life is naught without Thee: aid us in our strife; make us more than conquerors, through Thy deathless love: bring us safe through Jordan to Thy home above. CHORUS: –

MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL.                                                       (2 Corinthians 13:14)

AMEN.

Sandor, your Minister.

LORD, YOU HAVE BEEN OUR DWELLING – PLACE THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS. BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS WERE BORN OR YOU BROUGHT FORTH THE EARTH AND THE WORLD, FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING YOU ARE GOD.         (Psalm 90: 1-2)

WELCOME TO OUR SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP!

INTIMATIONS –

OPENING HYMN (CH-32) – IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might; Thy justice like mountains high soaring above Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest – to both great and small; in all life Thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish – but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light, Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render: O help us to see ‘tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.

LET US PRAY:

ALMIGHTY LORD GOD, we come again to You with thanksgiving for all the blessings received and for all the signs of Your unfailing grace. We humbly confess our faults and sins before You, knowing that You are always merciful and ready to forgive, and to accept us as we are. We thank You again for Jesus Christ, Your Son, who came to be our Saviour and fulfil Your eternal plan to redeem us. Once again, Lord God, we want to affirm our dependency on Your power, and the great need we have to stay connected with You, as a condition for the blessings You have in store for us. Thank You for Your Word that teaches us to abide in You as You abide in us by Your Holy Spirit. It is in that Spirit that we come to You this morning. Enable us to be not only hearers of Your message but also to be true witnesses of the Gospel, wherever we find ourselves. Revive us by the power of Your Spirit, bless our worship and bless our fellowship with You and one another, through Jesus Christ our Lord.      AMEN.

OLD TESTAMENT READING: – NUMBERS 13: 27-28, 32-33.

THEY GAVE MOSES THIS ACCOUNT: “WE WENT INTO THE LAND TO WHICH YOU SENT US, AND IT DOES FLOW WITH MILK AND HONEY! BUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE ARE POWERFUL, AND THE CITIES ARE FORTIFIED AND VERY LARGE. WE EVEN SAW DESCENDANTS OF ANAK THERE…  WE SAW THE NEPHILIM THERE (THE DESCENDANTS OF ANAK COME FROM THE NEPHILIM). WE SEEMED LIKE GRASSHOPPERS IN OUR OWN EYES, AND WE LOOKED THE SAME TO THEM.”

NEW TESTAMENT READING: – ROMANS 8: 31-32.

WHAT, THEN, SHALL WE SAY IN RESPONSE TO THIS? IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? HE WHO DID NOT SPARE HIS OWN SON, BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL – HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO, ALONG WITH HIM, GRACIOUSLY GIVE US ALL THINGS?

In 1516, Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar, was sent to Germany by the Roman Catholic Church to sell indulgences (=remission of God’s punishment for sin, by the signature of the Pope on a piece of paper), – to raise money in order to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. On 31 October 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian friar himself, and Theological Professor at the University of Wittenberg, nailed to the door of All Saints’ Church-Wittenberg, a document entitled “Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences,” known later as The Ninety-five Theses. In this document he openly attacked Pope Leo X by saying that only God can forgive sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Being ordered to appear before Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms to deny his statements he said, – Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason, I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I fight the battle of the Lord, and I am strong, therefore. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? May God help me. Amen. The Edict of Worms declared Luther an “outlaw”, and on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope excommunicated him in the same year. Translating the Bible, and publishing catechisms of biblical faith, Martin Luther started the spread and growth of a new Church based on the Bible and Salvation through Jesus Christ. Continued by others like Calvin, Zwingli, John Knox, the World Communion of Reformed Churches has AT present 233 member denominations in 110 countries, with over 100 million Protestant Presbyterian Reformed Christians, our Church of Scotland included. As a symbol of respect towards Martin Luther’s contribution, the 31^st of October is commemorated annually as REFORMATION DAY.

1. – IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? (Romans 8: 31b) – is one of the most encouraging and affirming passages in all of God’s Word. Romans, Chapter 8, begins and ends with declarations of the Christian’s security before God. There is no condemnation for those in Christ, and nothing will ever be able to separate us from His love. Having believed in the Gospel, we now live in the Spirit of God. That allows us to call God “Abba Father”. We suffer with Christ, and we suffer along with all creation while we wait for God to reveal us as His sons. With the help of the Spirit, we are confident that God is for us and loves us in Christ. Paul says that God is for all of us who are in Christ; for those who have been saved by their faith. No charge or accusation made against us can stand, because God has provided for our justification, and Christ is interceding for us. Paul makes a long list of all the things in the universe that cannot separate us from God’s love for us in Christ. Hard things will happen, but none of them will cause the Father to stop loving us, nor are any of them signs that He has abandoned us. Our salvation is entirely secure on account of His great love. In light of the fact that God foreknew us, predestined us, called us, justified us, and will glorify us (Romans 8: 30), Paul comes to an undeniable conclusion: – God must be for us. God must be for all of us who are in Christ by faith. Paul’s question is who of any consequence could ever be against us? What could anyone against us ever hope to accomplish by evil, if God Himself is for us?  What chance is there that someone or something can thwart God’s intent to save those justified by faith in His Son? The question is whether we believe that God is truly for us. The reason that all things work together for the good of God’s people is that our salvation from first to last is from the Lord. He originated it before the foundation of the world by choosing to set His love on us and by predestining us to be conformed to His image. Being de-formed by falling into sin, God offered us the chance to be RE-FORMED on the image of Christ. As God’s purpose to glorify His Son is sure, then our salvation is secure. This is the central teaching of God through Paul.
2. – OVERCOMING GRASSHOPPER MENTALITY. The Book of Exodus tells us how God delivered His People from the captivity in Egypt and promised them a land of their own. Led by God, they had to wander in the desert for 40 years, anticipating entering into a Promised Land, which the Bible describes as flowing with milk and honey. They had seen God bring plague and hardship on the nation of Egypt to let them go. They walked on dry ground through the Red Sea, and were fed with manna and quail from heaven, given water from a rock, and above all, God’s Law on stone tablets, to obey. Finally, they got to the southern edge of the Promised Land, getting a glimpse of it and of its inhabitants. Moses sent out spies into the land to check it out, and then, as they returned, Caleb, their leader, gave a report and showed the People the fruit of the land. He said, – We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it (Numbers 13: 30). But the men who had gone up with him said, – We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are … We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them (v. 33). They lacked the faith to enter the Promised Land. They looked at the size of the obstacles instead of focusing on their God, who promised to take them there. This kind of attitude can be defined as Grasshopper Mentality.

Grasshoppers and locusts are of the same insect order. They rub their legs together to make chirping sounds and having ears on their bellies they feel the vibrations of other grasshoppers, and a result, they respond to the chirps of other grasshoppers and do what they do. They have the ability to jump away from any kind of predator. Grasshoppers can eat half their body weight in a day, causing huge damage to vegetation and crops. While they may be able to do all that, they are not known for their ability to think. The group of the spies heard their leader’s report, and they began to make remarks that did not have much faithful thought, and that chirping spread quickly throughout the people. Have you ever noticed that before? One or two people start some type of negativity, and before long, the whole group becomes negative. As a well know proverb says: – One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. According to our text this can be called Grasshopper Mentality. Grasshopper Mentality is demonstrated through our text in three ways. First, there are the NAYSAYERS. People who do not believe anything good can come out of a situation. They will always say NO and have a pessimistic or negative view of the whole outcome. A naysayer sees only a part of the picture instead of the whole thing. Here they looked at the powerful people instead of God Almighty, perceiving only the obstacles instead of the God Omnipotent. Then, are the DOUBT-CASTERS. A doubt-caster takes “naysaying” to a whole new level. The doubt-caster is the one who insists that his way is the right way, and there is no other way of seeing things. In verse 32, we see the doubt-casters spreading doubts into the faith in God. One of the most damaging things that can ever happen in a church is for one or two people to start casting doubt. When that happens, division happens. When division happens, the devil is tickled because he is fulfilling his mission of killing, stealing and destroying, as Jesus is warning His disciples. We can all be guilty of this if we allow it to happen. Then, there are those who convincingly always feel that:       – “I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH”. For whatever reason they believe the lies and get self-inflicted with this Grasshopper Mentality. They have to learn by heart Psalm 139, confessing: – How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! (Psalm 139: 17)

What, then, is the purpose of this strange story? God’s promise was also a firm mission given to His People: –The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance … Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore He would give to your fathers – to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – and to their descendants after them (Deuteronomy 1: 6-8). This is why the Jewish People still believe in their Godly inheritance.

3. – GOD, WHO DID NOT SPARE HIS OWN SON, BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL – HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO, ALONG WITH HIM, GRACIOUSLY GIVE US ALL THINGS? asked Apostle Paul in conclusion. God has done the greatest thing imaginable for us by sacrificing His Own Son. Ultimately, Christ’s death was not a human caused tragedy, but a divinely ordained solution to our sin and guilt. Christ’s death was substitutionary. Because Jesus paid the penalty, we can justly be declared righteous at His expense. Christ’s death was the supreme demonstration of God’s love and grace for us sinners. Once,                            to a question about salvation, Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18: 27). Paul is firmly based on this when asking, – If God is for us, who can be against us? He believes that God will graciously supply us with all that is needed for life and godliness. If God did the unimaginably greatest thing possible for us, then will He not do that which is far less demanding? What Paul means here are not the physical-material everyday needs we are tempted so often to ask for, but giving us all that we need to get rid of the “grasshopper mentality, “and to be able to conquer “the promise land” of forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Sometimes we may wander from the way, but the Father’s response is to give the grace of repentance; at other times we may be assaulted to force us off the road, but the Father’s response is to give us grace of resistance; on occasions we might lose the practice of brotherly love, but the response of the Father will always be to give us the grace of forgiveness and reconciliation. These examples could be detailed in long lists. But however long, they would not extend beyond God’s capability to meet the NEED. This promise is a great basis for assurance. God has already given us the BEST, so He will surely give the rest as well. It is also a marvelous encouragement for prayer: to express gratitude for all God’s blessings, guidance and salvation given to us, and to intercede on behalf of others for these same things so important to us. And these prayers are to be addressed to the God who constantly wishes to meet the needs of all His people.
4. – GOD’S WAYS ARE NOR OUR WAYS, HIS THOUGHTS ARE NOT OUR THOUGHTS (Isaiah 55: 8-9). God works in mysterious ways.

GEORGE MATHESON (1842-1906) was only fifteen when he was told that he was losing what little eyesight he had. Instead of giving up, he continued with his plan to enroll in the University of Glasgow and graduated at age nineteen. But, as he continued graduate studies in Theology for Christian Ministry, he finally lost his sight. His sisters faithfully helped him in his learning and completing his studies. But Matheson’s spirit collapsed when his fiancée, unwilling to be married to a blind man, broke their engagement and returned his ring. He never married, and the pain of that rejection never totally left him. Years later, as a well-known preacher in Scotland, his sister came to him, announcing her engagement. He rejoiced with her, but his mind went back to his own heartache. He consoled himself in thinking of God’s love which is never limited, never conditional, never withdrawn, and never uncertain. Out of this experience he wrote the hymn, O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go:

O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO,

I REST MY WEARY SOUL IN THEE;

I GIVE THEE BACK THE LIFE I OWE,

THAT IN THINE OCEAN DEPTHS IT FLOW

MAY RICHER, FULLER BE.

Human love is very uncertain, and surely all of us here today have experienced rejection at some point in our lives. Like George Matheson we need to learn to lean on and trust God’s perfect love, and if God is with us, who can be against us?  NODODY and NOTHING, becoming exempt from the Grasshopper Mentality.

LET US PRAY:

LIVING AND LOVING GOD, we thank You for Your promise that when we come together in the name of Christ, You are always there for us. IF YOU ARE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? -we confess with Paul. Free us Lord, from the Grasshopper Mentality, not trusting enough Your support, Your guidance, and Your plan for us. You have shown us grace throughout our lives, forgiving and re-forming us on to the likeness of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Loving Father of us all, we thank You for Your protection and healing during these difficult days, weeks, and months, for leading us safely through a time when the future seems dark and the present uncertain. Whenever we needed You, You have been there always for us. May all we experience a renewal of our trust in Your continuing purpose for us. May it give us food for faith in times of difficulty yet to come. May it inspire us to stay with You just as You are with us always. We thank You that You are a God who is constantly at work – in our day-to-day lives, in our fellowship, in the Church, and in the world. For all Your mercies, we praise You. Day by day, week by week, year by year, You are working out Your purpose. Seen or unseen, recognised or unrecognised, appreciated or just taken for granted, You are moving through Your Spirit, striving to build Your Kingdom and fulfil Your will. We do not claim to be a perfect family, for we are all too conscious of our weaknesses as individuals and as Your Family. But we praise You that You have called us here as one people, in fellowship with You and one another, through Jesus Christ our Lord. In His name we pray for all those who are not here with us for different reasons, for Your healing touch on all those who are not well, or suffering of Coronavirus. Comfort those who are mourning, accompany those who are alone, be with our children and youth during their holiday, and support all who become unemployed because of the economic difficulties of our time. Bless Her Majesty our Queen and the Royal family with the leaders of the world, and hear our prayers for all those whom we love and are concerned of, quietly naming in our hearts… through Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

THE LORD’S PRAYER: – OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN …

CLOSING HYMN (CH- 677) – O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO, I rest my weary soul in The:; I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.

O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee: My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day may brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee:  I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from Thee: I lay in dust life’s glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red life that shall endless be.

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH. THE LORD ALMIGHTY IS WITH US; THE GOD OF JACOB IS OUR FORTRESS.         (Psalm 46:10)                                 

MAY THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL.     (2 Corinthians 13: 14)

AMEN.

Sandor, your Minister.

GOD WILL MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS RICHES IN CHRIST JESUS. TO OUR GOD AND FATHER BE GLORY FOR EVER AND EVER … AND THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOUR SPIRIT. AMEN. 

                                                                     (Philippians 4: 19, 20, 23)

WELCOME TO OUR SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP.

INTIMATIONS: –

OPENING HYMN (CH-24):- GOD IS OUR REFUGE and our strength, in straits of present aid; therefore, although the earth remove, we will not be afraid:

Though hills amidst the seas be cast; though waters roaring make, and troubled be; yea, though the hills by swelling seas do shake.

A river is, whose streams make glad the city of our God, the holy place, wherein the Lord Most High hath His abode.

God in the midst of her doth dwell; nothing shall her remove: God unto her an helper will and that right early, prove.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the God whom we adore, be glory, as it was, and is, and shall be evermore. Amen.

LET US PRAY:

SOVEREIGN LORD GOD, we praise You that You are able to do more than we can ever ask or imagine – where we can do so little, You can do so much, when we can do nothing, You can do everything. Teach us to believe that, not just with our heads but in our hearts. When life seems dark, the future frightening, and our resources to meet them all too few, we praise You that You are able to see us through. When hopes seem dashed, dreams lie broken and visions have faded, we praise You that You are able to bring new purpose. Sovereign Lord God, in these abnormal times, You are able not simply to meet our needs but to transform our lives – able to bless us beyond words. Receive our praise, give us Your Word and teach us that whatever we face, whether good or bad, whether we feel able to meet it or not, You are able to do more than we can ever ask or think of, – through Jesus Christ our Lord.   AMEN.

OLD TESTAMENT READING: – GENESIS 32: 22 – 30.

THAT NIGHT JACOB GOT UP AND TOOK HIS TWO WIFES, HIS TWO MAIDSERVANTS AND HIS ELEVEN SONS AND CROSSED THE FORD OF THE JABBOK. AFTER HE HAD SENT THEM ACROSS THE STREAM, HE SENT OVER ALL HIS POSSESSIONS. SO JACOB WAS LEFT ALONE, AND A MAN WRESTLED WITH HIM TILL DAYBREAK. WHEN THE MAN SAW THAT HE COULD NOT OVERPOWER HIM, HE TOUCHED THE SOCKET OF JACOB’S HIP SO THAT HIS HIP WAS WRENCHED AS HE WRESTLED WITH THE MAN. THEN THE MAN SAID, – “LET ME GO, FOR IT IS DAYBREAK”. BUT JACOB REPLIED, – “I WILL NOT LET YOU GO UNLESS YOU BLESS ME.” THE MAN ASKED HIM, – “WHAT IS YOUR NAME?” “JACOB”, HE ANSWERED. THEN THE MAN SAID, – “YOUR NAME WILL NO LONGER BE JACOB, BUT ISRAEL, BECAUSE YOU HAVE STRUGGLED WITH GOD AND WITH MEN AND HAVE OVERCOME”. JACOB SAID, – “PLEASE TELL ME YOUR NAME.” BUT HE REPLIED, – “WHY DO YOU ASK MY NAME?” THEN HE BLESSED HIM THERE. SO JACOB CALLED THE PLACE PENIEL, SAYING, – “IT IS BECAUSE I SAW GOD FACE TO FACE, AND YET MY LIFE WAS SPARED.”

NEW TESTAMENT READING: – 2. TIMOTHY 4: 6 – 8.

… I AM ALREADY POURED OUT LIKE A DRINK OFFERING, AND THE TIME HAS COME FOR MY DEPARTURE. I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH. NOW THERE IS IN STORE FOR ME THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, WILL AWARD TO ME ON THAT DAY – AND NOT ONLY TO ME, BUT ALSO TO ALL WHO HAVE LONGED FOR HIS APPEARING.

There is no such thing as the Perfect Church or a Sinless Christian. All those who come to Christ are conscious of their need to be SAVED and made CHRISTLIKE by God’s GRACE, THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. This is how the Bible defines CHRISTIANITY as a way of REFORMED LIFE from sinful deformation. Christian life is a spiritual battle and a continuous struggle, so relevantly described in our Old and New Testament readings, through two prominent sinners, JACOB and SAUL, whose names finally were changed into ISRAEL and PAUL.

1. – JACOB’S ENCOUNTER WITH GOD is a strange story, having its roots in the relationship between him and his older brother Esau. They were twins, and Esau, the first to be born, came out red all over, like a hairy garment (Genesis 25: 25). Jacob, the second to be born, came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel (25: 26), – Jacob’s name meaning “he takes the heel”. Esau enjoyed the privileges of the firstborn – the birth-right and the blessing. Taking the birth-right casually, Esau sold it to Jacob for a bowl of lentil-stew but then he was deceived as Jacob – with his mother’s assistance – tricked Isaac – their father – and got Esau’s blessing as well (Genesis 27: 1 – 29). When Esau discovered the treachery and decided to kill his brother, Jacob fled in time to his mother’s brother, Laban, and saved his life. Laban tricked him by marrying both his daughters to him. In return Jacob cheated Laban, becoming rich at his expense (Genesis 30: 25 – 43), so he had to run away again, and decided to risk a return home. At that point, Jacob sent messengers to Esau in an attempt at reconciliation. Esau came to meet him with four hundred men. Fearing that Esau would kill him, Jacob prayed to God, Whom he had encountered during the night before this meeting…

The whole event is shrouded in mystery. Jacob was wrestling with a man – but we are not told who this man was. We are just left with the assumption that the person Jacob was wrestling with is either God or a messenger from God. God is always surrounded by mystery, but His message remains crystal clear even in the darkness of fear and struggle, even in the shadowy nature of emotional suffering, God is still there with us. It is equally important that there is a conversation going on between Jacob and the man whom he wrestles. Even in the midst of dark struggles we can talk with God, and God is talking to us too. And then, the most wonderful message is at the end: – even through the most bitter experiences in life, God transforms us and gives us real hope for the future. We know that names were more than just names – they were also given to tell something about the character of the person. Jacob, “the deceiver” had his name changed into Israel, which means “God protects”. Jacob has been transformed by the struggle and he is now a person who sits under the protection of God. Through the struggle, he has changed and his relationship with God has been totally transformed.

Jacob wrestled with God. He questioned God. He showed passion and anger and even ferocity towards God as they wrestled. But he kept talking to Him and kept his face turned towards God and in that act, he was re-formed for the better. So we realise from this passage that God is with us in the dark mystery of fear and struggle; that even though we might feel alone, God hears us and speaks to us. We can know that there is hope, even in the darkest moments of our lives. Our Lord is a GOD WHO PROTECTS and leads us into a new future. Jacob’s victory in this insistent struggle was that finally he managed to convince God of his vital need to be protected and to be blessed by Him. AND GOD BLESSED HIM THERE (Genesis 32: 29b).

2. – SAUL’S ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS. Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(Acts 9: 1-6). From that moment Saul became a devoted disciple of Jesus. He was taken into Damascus by a disciple of Jesus called Ananias and something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength (Acts 9: 18-19). Later, his name was changed into PAUL (Paulus means, “humble” or “small”) and he was turned to be the Lord’s “chosen instrument to carry Jesus’ Name before the Gentiles” (Acts 9: 15). This is the biblical story of Paul’s conversion. This is in fact what happened to Jacob/ Israel at the ford of Jabbok, and the same is true of the Christian life. Becoming a Christian is relatively easy: acknowledge to God that you are a sinner and receive by faith the free gift of eternal life that Christ provided by His shed blood. But then comes the hard part – hanging in there as a Christian in a world that is hostile towards God and His people. The real test of faith is to endure the struggle. Genuine faith perseveres to the end of the wrestling, and ends up being blessed as God’s chosen child. From the moment Paul met Jesus he was “humbled” by the encounter, recognizing the grace of God that had been extended to him. He had learned that living a spiritual life and maturing in the Christian faith did not depend on his own ability, wisdom, intelligence, or efforts, but on the indwelling Spirit of Christ, working in him and living through him.
3. – I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH. NOW THERE IS IN STORE FOR ME THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS… Paul wrote these words of encouragement to his fellow disciple, Timothy, from Tullianum, the main prison in Rome. There, Christians were kept imprisoned for no longer than ten days, before being executed for their faith by crucifixion (Peter), killed by lions in the Colosseum, or decapitated as Roman citizens, like Paul. Sitting on the hard floor in a dark cell of a damp dungeon, with the clear prospect of being executed soon, Paul’s words are not those of a discouraged, broken man. There is no despair, no defeat, no cynicism, and no fear in his faithful confession. Paul’s view of death is just a DEPARTURE. He was able to look back on his past and say confidently that he had done well. He was not implying that there had not been in his life mistakes or times of discouragement, but through all of the problems and trials he had stayed in the exhausting long race, and in the good fight of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

MARATHON is the field where a decisive battle took place between Greece and Persia in 490 B.C. ending with the victory of the Greeks. The legend says that after that battle, a Greek soldier, called Philippides, or Pheidippides, ran the distance from Marathon to Athens – 26 miles and 385 yards – with the news of the victory. Arriving at the Areopagus – Athens’ main square – he shouted: – NENIKEKAMEN (WE HAVE WON), then he fell dead. The marathon at the Olympic Games commemorates this achievement.

There is no such thing as an easy marathon. We need to get out of our heads the idea that Christian life is all glory and effortless bliss. There is joy, but there also are many trials and temptations that require endurance, to be able then to look back on our lives and say, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

 In the ancient Olympic Games there were no gold, silver, or bronze medals. There was only one winner per event, crowned with an olive wreath made of wild-olive leaves from a sacred tree near the temple of Zeus at Olympia. It is not easy to interpret what Paul means by the crown of righteousness. The Bible teaches us that while salvation is a free gift, God wants to reward us on the basis of our service for Him (Romans 14: 10; 2 Corinthians 5: 10). The crown of righteousness has to be won by committed Christians, who have been justified already by faith. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air (1 Corinthians 9: 24-26). Perhaps Paul’s meaning here is simply that even though his earthly judge (the evil Caesar Nero) had wrongly condemned him, he knows that the Righteous Judge would vindicate him when he stood before Him. Clearly, Paul lived in view of that day when he would stand before Christ. So should we, being motivated to live faithfully on this day.

I read of a journalist who was in charge of the obituaries. One day when he did not have any deaths to record, he put a sheet of blank paper in his typewriter and wrote his own name on the top. He then found himself writing his own obituary: – “I have been a good husband and a fine father. I have contributed to a number of worthy causes. I have left a reputation of absolute integrity. My friends are many, and the whole population of the city is very grateful for my contributions to our common life”. By the time he had finished the page, he had already committed himself to the task of living up to his own obituary.

Paul viewed his life as a sacrifice to God. His death would be a departure to be with Christ. He looked back and he did not think of himself as going to be executed; he thought of himself as going to offer his life to God. Ever since his conversion, he had offered everything to God – his money, his time, his physical strength, the acuteness of his mind and the faithfulness of his heart. Only life itself was left to be offered, and he was ready to lay it gratefully down.   For Christians, death is laying down the burden in order to rest; it is dismantling a temporary campsite in order to take up residence in the heavenly places; it is casting off the ropes which bind us to this world in order to set sail on the voyage which ends in the presence of God. Who then shall fear it? (William Barclay: New Daily Study Bible).

Whether we may still be in the struggle, whether we continue fighting in the darkness, whether we are currently asking questions of God in this earthly race, trying hard to keep our faith in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have just receiving a wonderful promise from God’s Word to us this morning. A Message that we may know afresh the transforming and healing love of the God Who protects and leads each one of us into a new future, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Its proof is in both Jacob and Paul.    AMEN.

NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD, with heart and hand, and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom His world rejoices – Who, from our mothers’ arms, hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today….

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given, the Son, and Him who reigns with Them in highest heaven – the One, Eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore; for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.         (Church Hymnary – 368)

LET US PRAY:

ALMIGHTY LORD GOD, You are the author of life and the giver of victory. You deliver our eyes from tears, our feet from falling, and our souls from death. In Your love for the world You gave Your Son to be our Saviour, to live our life, to face our struggles, to bear our burdens, our pains, our fears, our griefs, and to die our death upon the cross. You brought Him back from death with power and glory, and gave Him full authority in heaven and on earth. We thank You that He conquered sin and death for us and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. God and Father of us all, by all Your dealing with us, whether of joy or sorrow, bring us closer to one another and to You. Help us to walk amid the things of this world with our eyes wide open to Your glory. Make us sure in every struggle, suffering, and despair that You are still loving us, sure in every darkness that You are still supporting, protecting, and guiding us, sure in death that You are giving us life for evermore. Go with us, Lord, in our hearts, our minds, our souls, so that what we think, and say, and do, points to You – so that who and what we are speaks of Your goodness, Your peace, Your grace – a testimony to Your love. Show us Your way, and help us to walk it, through our faith in Christ. We bring before You our world – Your world Lord God – with all the expanding fear of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Give us compassion to be supportive to those around us, helping and protecting each other. Guide the universal struggle to find the appropriate vaccine, and finally contain the virus. Shine into the darkness of this world. Brighten the lives of those who wrestle with illness, pain and disaster; those who mourn loved ones or face the prospect of their passing; those who are poor, homeless or hungry; those who are depressed, troubled or weary, and shine into the hearts of those who do not know You, those who reject You or even oppose Your way. Be with Christians everywhere, with our sisters and brothers of our congregation , in Portree, and in the neighbouring parishes. Bless our loved ones near to us or far away, and all those whom we now name quietly in our hearts . . . through Jesus Christ our Lord.   AMEN.

THE LORD’S PRAYER: – OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN …

CLOSING HYMN (CH-689). – NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE, nearer to Thee! Ev’n though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song would be, “Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Nearer to Thee”

Though, like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone, yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Nearer to Thee

There let the way appear steps unto heaven, all that Thou send’st to me in mercy given, angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Nearer to Thee

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise, out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise, so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Nearer to Thee

Or if on joyful wing cleaving the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, upwards I fly, still all my song shall be, “Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Nearer to Thee”

MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL.  (2 Corinthians 13: 14)           AMEN.

Sandor, your Minister.