Discerning the Shepherd’s Voice in a Noisy World

• Heidelberg Catechism Review [00:14:35 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor leads the congregation in a review of key questions from the Heidelberg Catechism, including our comfort in life and death, the requirements of God's law, the origin of depravity, and God's mercy and justice.
• The Cost of Salvation [00:30:06 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor debunks the cultural trope that salvation is a 'free gift,' arguing instead that it is an 'expensive gift' paid for by Jesus' blood, establishing that believers are purchased property.
• Discerning God's Voice [00:31:35 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor explains that those who belong to Jesus know His voice and can distinguish it from the distractions and noise of the world.
• Discernment of Divine Voice [00:31:37 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor argues that those belonging to Christ can distinguish His calling from the 'noise of the world,' using the analogy of a wrestler hearing his coach's whistle amidst chaos.
• Separation from the World [00:37:02 ▶️ 📄]
  > Citing 2 Corinthians 6, the pastor emphasizes that believers must not be 'yoked' with unbelievers, highlighting a real separation between the kingdom of God and the flesh, while clarifying this does not preclude mission work.
• Eternal vs. Temporal Treasures [00:39:16 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor contrasts laying up earthly treasures, which are lost at death, with laying up treasures in heaven, urging the congregation to prioritize spiritual wealth over material accumulation.
• Grace and Identity [00:47:20 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor concludes that the only difference between a sinner and a saint is the grace of Christ, calling believers to extend that same grace and mercy to others.
• Christian Service and Mercy [00:48:39 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor urges the congregation to do good to all mankind, especially the household of faith, and to follow the shepherd's voice.
• Stewardship and Giving [00:49:06 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor contrasts laying up earthly treasures with laying up treasures in heaven, calling the congregation to bring gifts to the throne of God.
• Intercessory Prayer [00:51:56 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor leads a prayer for specific individuals, the church, ministers, and civil authorities, asking for God's mercy, wisdom, and provision.
• Confession and Absolution [00:56:10 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor invites the congregation to confess their sins and receives the assurance of forgiveness through the blood of Christ.
• The Lord's Prayer and Benediction [00:58:18 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor leads the congregation in reciting the Lord's Prayer together, followed by a final blessing and peace.

• Sermon Illustration [00:31:53 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor shares a story told by a congregant named Jeff, a wrestler and coach. During a noisy wrestling tournament, Jeff was able to identify his coach's specific whistle and instructions amidst the chaos, illustrating how believers can distinguish God's voice from the world's noise.
• Sermon Illustration [00:31:53 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor recounts a story from Jeff, a wrestling coach, about how his son could identify his coach's specific whistle commands amidst the loud, distracting chaos of a wrestling tournament, illustrating how believers should recognize God's voice.
• Sermon Illustration [00:33:20 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor describes sheep in a pen mostly looking at each other's butts, yet still knowing their shepherd's voice, and shares an anecdote from Africa where shepherds separated a mixed herd of sheep and goats simply by making distinct calls, demonstrating the sheep's ability to recognize their specific shepherd.
• Sermon Illustration [00:47:20 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor humorously notes that the church would be perfect if it weren't for all the sinners in the pews and pulpits, using this to highlight that grace is the sole differentiator between sinners and saints.

• Pastoral Charge [00:49:43 ▶️ 📄]
  > Bring gifts and offerings to the altar/throne of God.
• Pastoral Charge [00:49:43 ▶️ 📄]
  > Bring financial gifts and offerings to God.
• Pastoral Charge [00:51:56 ▶️ 📄]
  > Physically approach the altar or designated area to pray for specific named individuals.
• Pastoral Charge [00:55:51 ▶️ 📄]
  > Engage in self-examination and spiritual redirection towards God.

[00:00:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:00:03] Hey, if she's got a drink and you're going to spill it on her yourself, chill out.
[00:00:08] I've had three.
[00:00:10] I'm here.

[00:00:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]
[00:00:12] Oh, yeah, you did what?
[00:00:14] I'm here.

[00:00:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:00:30] ...the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your most holy name, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
[00:06:31] God spoke these words and he said, I am the Lord your God.
[00:06:35] You shall have no other gods but me.
[00:06:38] You shall not make to yourself any graven image nor the likeness of anything in heaven above or the earth beneath or in the waters that are under the earth.
[00:06:45] You shall not bow down to them and you shall not worship them.
[00:06:49] You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
[00:06:57] Remember that you shall keep holy the Sabbath day.
[00:07:00] Six days shall you labor and do all that you have to do.
[00:07:04] But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.
[00:07:08] Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the language the Lord your God has given you.
[00:07:14] You shall not commit murder.
[00:07:16] You shall not commit adultery.
[00:07:18] You shall not steal.
[00:07:20] You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
[00:07:23] You shall not covet.
[00:07:25] Lord, have mercy upon us.
[00:07:27] Christ, have mercy upon us.
[00:07:30] Lord, have mercy upon us.
[00:07:32] Almighty Lord and God, you did first deliver your commandments from a mountain which burned with fire amid darkness and the storm.
[00:07:40] We give you thanks that this law is now published unto us from Mount Zion.
[00:07:45] Through the mediation of a new and a better covenant, we humbly beseech you to put these words in our minds and to inscribe them upon the walls of our hearts.
[00:07:55] that we may always take delight in your law and serve you in unison spirit through jesus christ our lord amen please be seated well good morning good morning a couple announcements

[00:08:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:08:19] the uh excuse me the problem cameras is killing here the singing saints chorus uh free mother's day concert sunday may 3rd at 3 p.m at the forest hills united methodist church If anyone wants to hear a beautiful singing, if you'll look at the back of your bulletin you'll see all our normal meetings, and if anyone wants to participate in the Mount Pleasant Independence Day Parade, please let Dr. John know the parade will be June 27, and it will start at 5 p.m.
[00:08:52] Just a couple of announcements for some things here.
[00:08:55] The little church business, we were going to be getting the Fellowship Hall floor stripped and waxed.
[00:09:01] And we're going to do that after the hot dog sale, so we're going to shoot for the 27th.
[00:09:05] We try to do that every year just because of all the traffic in there and it's kind of nasty.
[00:09:09] So that's on the docket, so just keep that in mind if you have any plans at the hall.
[00:09:13] And that's this month, not except for this month.
[00:09:16] we're also trying to get all of our committee membership and guidelines lined out so what we're asking is if you are heading the committee just let jeff know or meredith know we're going to try and get the list of what the committees are doing because we're possibly going to expand
[00:09:35] committees and we just want to make sure we understand who does what on which committee so that we can get some more help for things that need to be done around here just the business of
[00:09:44] the church and then don't forget this friday is the hot dog sales the desserts help with the hot dog sale always always welcome lots of desserts that help and let teresa know about the desserts
[00:09:56] and debbie and kathy know about the health are there more announcements yes miss angela

[00:10:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:10:07] okay this week i'm going to be sending a donation and the Lord's Mercy Foundation Children's Home in Uganda.
[00:10:18] If you are willing, you are interested, he needs help.
[00:10:23] They've got the chickens going, but now you know you gotta feed the chicken.
[00:10:27] So now it's not just money for food for the kids, it's also you gotta take care of the chicken to keep this process going.
[00:10:37] So if you would like to donate, come see me after church, let me know.
[00:10:45] Let's pool our money together and send a nice gift to Dennis if we can this month.
[00:10:52] Just see me after church.

[00:10:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:10:54] Thank you, Angela.
[00:10:55] A little bit of clarification on that.
[00:10:58] There are some legal technicalities in Uganda that have prevented the Lord's Mercy Child foundation and home from becoming a full member of the Ugandan classes of the Senate because of his status as a non
[00:11:17] government organization over there. So there have been some technicalities that have prevented him from bringing that orphanage under the Senate's umbrella. And that is the reason that that money is being sent to him separate from the Senate as
[00:11:33] a whole. I just want to make sure that everybody's aware that That's not a, the Senate is sending money, and we're doing an outside thing as well.
[00:11:42] There are some technicalities that are being considered and looked at, and that's why I've asked Angela to sort of handle directing things to that orphanage.
[00:11:52] It is one of the, about a half a dozen all over the world that we support as a Senate, but again, there are some legal technicalities dealing with the government of Uganda that have made difficulties but we are committed to working around them and to
[00:12:12] supporting the people, the friends that we have made and the people we serve.

[00:12:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:12:18] And I would be happy, I mean, $5, $10, $20, whatever, I would be happy to break it all down in a report and come back to you and whoever donates towards it give you a report of how much i put in and how much i sent and this is how much you gave

[00:12:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:12:35] and i'll report it so please consider it thank you angela thank you dr john are there any more announcements well let us have all the children come forward for children's service before we get

[00:13:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:13:14] started miss kathy gave me this announcement this morning that i am super stoked and excited about this year's vacation bible school is rome and those of you who know me i every day think about
[00:13:30] the roman empire so rome and it's about paul and the underground church so go ahead and make plans for that first week in june is going to be super exciting and super fun we're going to do all kinds
[00:13:43] of cool things cool crafts ridiculous costumes particularly this guy to be prepared for that I just want to make sure I put in a plug for that so that everybody can prepare and be here and you can make this a huge, huge success because I've been waiting for the Rome-themed VBS for a couple years now.
[00:14:02] So, go ahead and make your plans to be here and to support this because it's going to be super, super awesome.
[00:14:09] And we'll get that posted somewhere else as well.
[00:14:13] Alright, now, yes, Mike?

[00:14:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:14:15] Is Paul the worst?

[00:14:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:14:17] No, Paul is not the worst.
[00:14:19] No. We'll talk about Paul a little bit. The whole like changed his name sort of thing. But we'll save that for another day. Today we're going to get back to, remember at the beginning of the year we started talking about, did everybody say

[00:14:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]
[00:14:32] Heidelberg? Heidelberg. Catechism. Catechism.

[00:14:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:14:35] The Heidelberg Catechism is a confessional document, a confessional statement that we at Boga Reformed Church have used since the very beginning. In 1905 the Bible and the Heidelberg Catechism is how we interpret and work through the
[00:14:52] Bible is our confessional document or confessional standard or formula there we go we can go through this all day I could teach you an hour and a half long class on this but I will spare you so we went through a couple and we're gonna do
[00:15:15] a quick review and I'm going to give you a new question, okay? What is your only comfort in life and in death? Do we remember this one? No? Everybody repeat after me. That I am not my own. But I belong to Jesus. That's right. And we have our reference which comes
[00:15:40] from Romans 14 for that.
[00:15:43] We'll talk about that a little bit more.
[00:15:45] We'll go back and do a review in a couple of weeks and read through all of those passages, okay?
[00:15:50] The next one we have is what does the law of God require of us?
[00:15:56] Repeat after me.
[00:15:57] You shall love the Lord

[00:15:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:15:58] your God

[00:16:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:16:01] with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
[00:16:17] Very good.
[00:16:18] You know, I alternate between reading that and the Ten Commandments at the beginning of the service is done.
[00:16:24] Yep, so you guys should remember that one.
[00:16:26] The next one that we've already gone over is where does the depraved nature of man come from?
[00:16:35] What is depraved?
[00:16:37] Who knows what the word depraved means?
[00:16:40] Everybody say, not good.

[00:16:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:16:42] Not good.

[00:16:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:16:43] That's right.
[00:16:44] It is the opposite of good.
[00:16:46] Remember in the beginning, God created everything, and he said it was good.
[00:16:51] It was good.
[00:16:52] And then these pesky things called people got involved.
[00:16:56] Right?
[00:16:57] These pesky things called people got involved, and we made a mess of it.
[00:17:02] So, everybody repeat after me.
[00:17:05] from the disobedience of our first parents.
[00:17:13] We are all conceived and born in sin.
[00:17:21] That's right.
[00:17:24] But, we have our next question.
[00:17:30] And that question, is God merciful?
[00:17:33] Everybody say, is God merciful?
[00:17:34] Everyone repeat after me.
[00:17:38] God is indeed merciful.
[00:17:43] I love that inflection. Let's do that again.
[00:17:45] God is indeed merciful.
[00:17:50] But he is also just.
[00:17:56] His justice requires that sin be punished.
[00:18:04] Alright, and that reference, we're going to reference Exodus chapter 34, verses 6 and 7.
[00:18:13] We're going to go way back to the Old Testament.
[00:18:17] And that says, and he, that's God, passed in front of Moses proclaiming, the Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God.
[00:18:30] compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger abounding in, everybody say love. Abounding in love and faithfulness. Maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
[00:18:52] Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished.
[00:18:55] He punishes the children of their children the children and their children for the sins of the fathers to the third and the fourth generations.
[00:19:06] That sounds kind of scary, doesn't it?
[00:19:09] But at the same time, we also know that the wages of sin is death.
[00:19:15] And we also know that we have a comfort in knowing that the wages for our sin have been paid for already, right?
[00:19:25] Who knows who paid the wages for our sin?
[00:19:29] God.
[00:19:29] God, yes, but God who?
[00:19:31] God the Son, and his name is?
[00:19:35] Jesus.
[00:19:35] That's right.
[00:19:36] Jesus, you know, we did the whole Good Friday thing, and he died, right?
[00:19:41] We commemorate the death of Jesus, and that was the day that Jesus paid the debt and suffered the punishment for our what?
[00:19:51] Sins.
[00:19:52] God is merciful, but God is also just, and His justice requires that sins be punished.
[00:20:02] And Jesus, I've done good.
[00:20:12] And Jesus took the punishment so that we didn't have to, okay?
[00:20:19] Very good.
[00:20:19] All right, let's say a prayer.
[00:20:21] Blessed Lord, we give You thanks for the offering, for the present, for the gift, for the blessing of Your Son, Jesus Christ, God with us, who came into the world so that He might suffer in our place
[00:20:33] so that he might atone for our sins and that he might be a satisfactory sacrifice so that we could rise and live with him in glory so that we might become like him.
[00:20:48] We pray these things in his precious name, that is the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
[00:20:53] Amen.
[00:20:55] All right, let's go through our lives.
[00:21:37] Let's pray.
[00:21:38] Blessed Lord, we give you thanks that you sent your son, Jesus Christ, into the world, to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins and our wickedness, but also to be for us a shepherd, a guide, and an example of holiness and love.
[00:22:00] We ask, O Lord, that you would incline our hearts always to follow that example, to hear the voice of our shepherd and to know his call, to distinguish it from the call of the flesh and the call of the world, that we might always obey the joyful sound of his
[00:22:19] word and follow his beautiful voice. We pray these things in his precious name, that is Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, O Father, and the Holy Ghost, now in prayer. Amen.

[00:22:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:22:33] The first lesson comes from Peter's first general epistle, chapter 2, verses 21 through 25. For even here unto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in
[00:23:02] his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. When he suffered, he threatened not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sins should live unto righteousness by whose
[00:23:25] stripes ye were healed for ye were sheep going astray but are now returned unto the shepherd and the bishop of your souls here ends the first lesson please stand to sing the gradual hymn

[00:23:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]
[00:23:40] number 410 the solid rock beginning of the jesus says and the good shepherd the good shepherd lays

[00:26:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:26:51] down his life for the sheep his higher hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep so when he sees the wolf coming he abandons the sheep and runs away then the wolf attacks the flock and
[00:27:03] scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired man and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me just as the father knows me and I know
[00:27:18] the father and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep and they are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice and there will be one flock and there
[00:27:32] be one check the gospel of the lord praise be to thee o christ let us take time down and profess our faith together in the words of the apostles creed family inside that covered your blueprint
[00:28:12] i believe in god the father almighty creator of heaven and earth and in jesus christ who was conceived by the holy spirit born of the birth of your name suffering under mosh pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended to hell the third day he arose again from the dead
[00:28:32] he ascended into heaven and assisted the right hand of god the father from there he will come to judge the living dead i believe in the holy spirit the holy right of the church the community
[00:28:45] may the saints, the priests, the saints, the good of the body, the life everlasting.
[00:28:51] Please be seated.
[00:28:55] Christ, the good shepherd.
[00:28:58] It's an image that we have, it's an image, it's something that we can envision, it's something that we, for the most part, understand.
[00:29:08] Because we understand, especially in a world, in a farming community, we understand this relationship between shepherd and sheep, between livestock and their owner.
[00:29:20] We understand this care, the provision that is given by a master, by an owner, to invest in his property, to invest in these animals, these creatures that belong to him.
[00:29:41] Of course, sometimes we like to gloss over the reality that we as the sheep We are the property.
[00:29:48] We are the belongings of our shepherd.
[00:29:53] And why is that?
[00:29:54] Because we have been purchased.
[00:29:57] We have been bought and paid for.
[00:30:01] And it was not an inexpensive price.
[00:30:03] It was not a cheap price.
[00:30:06] You know, there's a saying that makes my skin crawl.
[00:30:10] I hear it all the time.
[00:30:11] And people go, oh, well, salvation is a free gift.
[00:30:14] And it does, it makes my skin crawl because it's just not true.
[00:30:19] The reality is that our salvation is a very, very expensive gift.
[00:30:25] And if you don't believe me, just ask the guy on the cross who paid for it.
[00:30:31] It was a very pricey, a very expensive gift that he purchased in his own blood, with his own life.
[00:30:40] Now, it is true to say that our salvation is a very expensive gift freely given, but our salvation is far, far from a free gift.
[00:30:55] We've been purchased, we've been bought, we belong body and soul to Jesus.
[00:31:03] That's Heidelberg numero uno.
[00:31:05] Number one, I belong body and soul to Jesus.
[00:31:11] I am his property.
[00:31:12] I have been purchased.
[00:31:13] And that is an assurance to those of us who are in his mercy, in his grace, who have been bought by his blood.
[00:31:25] Jesus goes on and he says that his sheep know his voice because he is our shepherd.
[00:31:35] We know his voice.
[00:31:37] Those who belong to him hear his voice.
[00:31:39] They hear his calling, and we can distinguish it from the noise of the world.
[00:31:47] I'm going to go ahead and call them out because I've told this story before, but I don't think I've ever said Jeff's name from up here.
[00:31:53] There's a story that Jeff tells me.
[00:31:54] For those of y'all who don't know, Jeff was a wrestler and a wrestling coach, and his boys were wrestlers, and now his grandsons are wrestlers.
[00:32:01] And he tells me this story about how in the midst of a wrestling tournament, He was on the mat, wrestling, bending, getting here and there and everywhere.
[00:32:12] And there's noise.
[00:32:13] There's shouting.
[00:32:14] There's busyness.
[00:32:16] There's craziness going on.
[00:32:18] There are distractions.
[00:32:21] But he knew his coach's voice.
[00:32:24] And his coach sat by the mat and just whistled.
[00:32:27] Just said, all right, Jeff, do this.
[00:32:29] All right, Jeff, do that.
[00:32:30] And amid the noise, amid the busyness, amid the ruckus, he identified that voice, that comfortable voice, that trusted voice.
[00:32:45] And through all the noise, he recognized that direction, that guidance, that shiver.
[00:32:52] In our lives, through this world, and it's through, it's not in, because we're only here for a little while.
[00:33:02] In our lives, in and among this world, there is noise, there is busyness, there is distraction.
[00:33:10] There are things here and there and everywhere that try to get us to look this way and look that way.
[00:33:15] That try to get us to take our eyes off the cross.
[00:33:20] Here's one of the great things about sheep, or interesting, maybe not great.
[00:33:25] But sheep spend a lot of time not looking at their shepherd.
[00:33:30] You put a lot of sheep in a pen, the vast majority of the time they're looking at the butt of another sheep. It's not a very pleasant life, it's not a very pleasant smelling life,
[00:33:41] it's not a great view. But amid the distraction, amid the unpleasantness of their existence, they know the voice of their shepherd. I'll tell you one of the cool things while Anthony and I were in Africa, there was a group of sheep and goats going down the
[00:34:00] side of the road, there were probably four or five different shepherds, but the two of them, the shepherds were in two groups on opposite ends of the herd. And one of them made one sound and the other one
[00:34:14] made a different sound, and the herd just separated.
[00:34:20] They didn't have to go into the herd and start tapping sheep. They just separated. They knew the call of their shepherd. They knew the one who they were meant to respond to now there's always the one unruly woman typically
[00:34:39] smaller than the rest of them that starts going towards the road and the shepherd pulls out a stick and waxing so it doesn't go in the road and people go well that's not very nice well guess
[00:34:49] what i'd rather be whacked by a stick than by a truck just say it just say it there's a whole lot of reality to that commandment number five honor your father and your mother that your days
[00:34:59] may belong in the land that the Lord your God has given you. The practicality

[00:35:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:35:03] of it is listen to mama, because when

[00:35:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:35:05] mama says don't play in the road, there's a reason for it. Know the voice of your shepherd.
[00:35:12] Know the voice of good counsel.
[00:35:15] Know the voice of righteousness.
[00:35:18] We live in a world that's full of different voices, that's full of distractions, that's full of wickedness.
[00:35:27] We live in a world that tries to tie us to the here and now.
[00:35:32] that tries to tie us to the physical, that tries to yoke us to time and space and matter.
[00:35:42] Here's the thing about that.
[00:35:44] Our Lord, our Jesus, our Emmanuel, tells us in no uncertain terms, my kingdom is not of this world.
[00:35:55] He says it ain't here and now.
[00:35:59] We are in his kingdom.
[00:36:00] We are of his kingdom.
[00:36:01] But this physicality and it, we know from the very beginning.
[00:36:09] In the beginning, God created everything that is.
[00:36:15] The sun set and rose, and that was the first day.
[00:36:19] God created time.
[00:36:22] God created space.
[00:36:23] God created matter.
[00:36:25] And therefore, God is beyond those things.
[00:36:32] Because he can't be confined to them.
[00:36:34] He created them.
[00:36:35] He made them. They are the work of his hands.
[00:36:40] And if we are called to be of his kingdom, if we are part of his body, his kingdom, his realm, his flock, we cannot be yoked, we cannot be bound to the physicality of this world.
[00:36:58] Flip with me to 2 Corinthians. We're going to go to chapter 6.
[00:37:02] I said that word yoked. Half of you know exactly where I'm going.
[00:37:05] we're going to jump to 614 where the apostle writes do not be yoked together with unbelievers for what do the righteous and the wicked have in common or what fellowship can light have with darkness
[00:37:19] what harmony is there between Christ and Belial what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever what agreement is there between the temple of God and idols for we are the temple of the living
[00:37:34] God. As God has said I will live with them and walk among them and I will be their God and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate says the Lord.
[00:37:51] Touch no unclean thing and I will receive you.
[00:37:55] I will be a father to you and you will be my sons and daughters says the Lord God Almighty. There is a separation. There is a very real separation between those who belong to Christ, those who belong to
[00:38:14] the good shepherd, and those who do not. As we're told in the scriptures, as we're told in the scriptures, God is just. God will punish sin. God is merciful.
[00:38:33] And God has sent a sacrifice, an atonement, a sufficiency to cover the sins of those, to purchase those who belong to Him.
[00:38:50] There is no unity, there is no communion between the kingdom of God and the flesh.
[00:39:00] We have to separate ourselves.
[00:39:03] We have to separate ourselves from wickedness.
[00:39:07] We have to separate ourselves from our connection, our reliance, our dedication to this world.
[00:39:16] Whenever I read the offertory sentences, there's one that I almost always read, and it talks about treasures and where we lay them up.
[00:39:30] So many people focus on laying up treasures, on accumulating wealth here in this world, here in this life.
[00:39:40] And the reality is, there will come a day when you leave that wealth behind.
[00:39:47] It doesn't matter how high you pile up your treasures.
[00:39:51] It doesn't matter how thick the walls of your safe are.
[00:39:55] It doesn't matter how secure your bank lockbox might be.
[00:40:01] Death will separate you from your treasures on earth, full stop.
[00:40:08] That is the reality.
[00:40:09] death is going to get between you and your cash eventually but instead we are called to lay up for ourselves treasures in the kingdom of God treasures in heaven where no moth and dust will or rust will ever corrupt and where thieves
[00:40:29] will never break through and steal now that is not to say that we are never ever ever ever in order to interact with people who do not share exactly the same faith as us.
[00:40:43] That is not what we're saying.
[00:40:44] That is not what the apostle teaches.
[00:40:47] That's not what Jesus teaches.
[00:40:50] He teaches us not to be tied to it, not to be bound.
[00:40:55] We have a command to go into the world to make disciples, to teach, to demonstrate the love, the compassion, the mercy of Christ so that others might see the light, others might hear the voice of the shepherd
[00:41:14] and come to know it.
[00:41:17] So that, as Jesus says, those who are not of this sheep pen can be gathered together.
[00:41:24] Yes, there are differences, but there's also a distinction between mission work, between going out sharing, building relationships, and teaching others about the goodness of Christ.
[00:41:41] There's a distinction between that and joining them in their wickedness.
[00:41:47] That's a careful distinction that we have to make.
[00:41:50] To go into the world to spend time with sinners so that they might see the image of Christ, yes.
[00:42:00] We're not just encouraged, but we're commanded to carry his life into the world.
[00:42:09] But at the same time, we're warned not to be yoked to them.
[00:42:12] Not to be tied to them because we will be dragged into their uncleanliness.
[00:42:20] We will be dragged into their pen.
[00:42:23] When the good shepherd calls out, there will be a separation.
[00:42:29] The sheep from the goats, his flock from those who are not.
[00:42:34] The flock will part.
[00:42:38] The redeemed and the damned will be separate.
[00:42:42] The saved and the condemned will part.
[00:42:45] And those who belong to the good shepherd will follow his, those who are elect, dare I use a phrase from the catechism, those who are called, those who are set apart, those who are purchased.
[00:43:07] Now, there are plenty who call upon the name of the Lord vainly and without truly having known him, without truly understanding, without truly knowing, without having been part of that faith, that body.
[00:43:26] The Lord also tells us, not all of those who call unto me, Lord, Lord, are of my name.
[00:43:33] Not everyone who says, oh, I know Jesus, is a part of that body.
[00:43:39] Not everyone who invokes the name of Jesus is part of that community, is part of that election.
[00:43:49] There are voices everywhere that say, oh, well, I just feel like God would this.
[00:43:54] I just think that God would that.
[00:43:57] There are voices who distract us from the voice of Christ, from his truth, from his unchangeable reality.
[00:44:09] There are always distractions, and we must know the difference.
[00:44:15] We must be able to distinguish.
[00:44:20] Just like those wrestlers on the map, we must be able to shut out the noise and hear that, dare I say, a still, small voice.
[00:44:35] We're surrounded by storms and fires and earthquakes.
[00:44:39] We're distracted by crushing waves and roaring winds.
[00:44:49] But through it all, our shepherd's voice is pure and crisp.
[00:44:57] We must focus on him.
[00:45:01] We must focus on his word, on his call, on his love, on his promise and assurance.
[00:45:10] because there is no salvation in the noise of the world.
[00:45:18] There is no salvation in temporal peace.
[00:45:23] There is no goodness in I just feel.
[00:45:28] But there is grace.
[00:45:35] There is peace.
[00:45:36] There is truth in the word of God.
[00:45:46] There is life-changing, life-giving truth.
[00:45:51] compassion, love, grace, and mercy in His Word, in His example, in His promise.
[00:46:07] Now I'm going to go back to it.
[00:46:08] In the beginning was the Word.
[00:46:15] The Word was with God and the Word was God.
[00:46:20] The Word came into the world.
[00:46:25] Christ became incarnate so that we could read the Word.
[00:46:31] We could hear the Word.
[00:46:35] We could witness the example of the Word made flesh, the Word put into action.
[00:46:44] That is the voice of our shepherd.
[00:46:49] That is the call we must heed, that we must hear, that we must listen to and listen for.
[00:46:58] The Lord is merciful.
[00:47:01] The Lord is good.
[00:47:07] And He has made good things.
[00:47:16] That disobedience.
[00:47:20] I was talking to some people the other day and I said, you know, the church would be a great place if it wasn't for all them sinners.
[00:47:27] Every pew, just full of them.
[00:47:29] Pulpits too.
[00:47:30] Sinners here and sinners there.
[00:47:32] Sinners absolutely everywhere.
[00:47:37] It does, doesn't it?
[00:47:38] The beautiful thing is there's only one difference between a sinner and a saint.
[00:47:46] And that is the grace of Christ.
[00:47:47] There is only one difference between the restoration and condemnation.
[00:47:58] And that is His perfect grace.
[00:48:03] We are called to live it.
[00:48:06] We are called to extend it.
[00:48:07] We are called to be His grace, His love, His mercy.
[00:48:13] We are called to be separate from the peace of the world.
[00:48:18] And to rest in the peace that the world cannot.
[00:48:23] That is the peace that He gives us.
[00:48:27] That is the peace that He leaves us.
[00:48:32] As the Father sent Him to us.
[00:48:34] he can send us likewise into the world.
[00:48:39] Follow the voice of your shepherd.
[00:48:40] While we have time, let us do good unto all mankind, especially those who are of this household of faith.
[00:49:06] Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, how he says it is more blessed to give than to receive.
[00:49:13] The king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I tell you, inasmuch as you have done to the least of these my brethren, likewise you have done unto me.
[00:49:25] And he calls us not to lay up for ourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust corrupt and where thieves break through and steal.
[00:49:32] But instead, let us lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust will never corrupt and where thieves will never break through and steal.
[00:49:43] Bring your gifts and your offerings unto the throne of God where He should use them for His purpose.
[00:49:49] Thank you for all sorts and all positions.
[00:51:56] Are you pleased to make your way in mercy to fulfill the will of those whose names we call out before you at this time.
[00:52:26] Shelby, Rachel, Teresa, Karen, David.
[00:52:37] O Lord, we ask that you would fulfill their needs and necessities in the way that is most expedient to them according to your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[00:52:46] We bless your holy name for all the blessings of this life, the miracles, the graces and the mercies that you bestow upon us every day, but especially we give you thanks for those that we
[00:52:59] take time now to claim before your divine majesty.
[00:53:25] Fulfill, O Lord, our hearts with all your mercies and graces. Open our hearts always to see your blessings so that we might give you thanks and praise at all times and in all places.
[00:53:40] Remembering your mercy, O Lord, your church militant throughout the whole world, Clothe her ministers with righteousness and her priests with salvation.
[00:53:48] Build her up where she is desolate, restore her where she is disordered, heal her where she is divided, and grant unto your church prosperity, safety, unity, and peace.
[00:53:59] We commend unto you this particular church and this congregation, this pastor and these people.
[00:54:05] We beseech you to accept our piety and our faith, and to increase towards us your heavenly grace, that we should abound more and more in knowledge and love of Thee under the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in glory.
[00:54:19] Blessed Lord, we ask Your continued blessing and provision for the ministers and the members of this, our Evangelical and Reformed Synod around the world.
[00:54:26] Increase these congregations by the power of Your Holy Spirit, both in number and in the depth of our commitment to Your service.
[00:54:35] Today we pray especially for Holy Root Anglican Church in Smithfield, North Carolina, and for Jackson, their pastor.
[00:54:43] Enable your faithful servants continually to do your will.
[00:54:49] We pray for the rulers of all lands and all nations and for the people committed to their charge.
[00:54:56] Look with favor upon your servants, the presidents of these United States, the governors of this state, and all others who are in authority in this land and all the nations of the world.
[00:55:06] Enrich them with your wisdom and your grace so that under their governance and leadership we might lead quiet and peaceful lives and that we should live in all godliness and honesty through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
[00:55:21] Send forth, O Lord, your light and your truth to the ends of the earth and cause the glorious gospel of your grace to be proclaimed among all the nations of the world and powerfully incline the hearts of mankind everywhere
[00:55:35] to hear and to obey the same joyful sound.
[00:55:40] We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives with you, O Father, and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
[00:55:51] I invite you now to search your hearts, to search your hearts and turn your eyes, your hearts and your voices unto God, to follow after Christ in Christian holiness.
[00:56:10] let us approach together the throne of all grace and mercy and join our voices together in a humble confession.

[00:56:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:56:20] Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men, we acknowledge that you have forgiven our manifold sins and wickedness which we from time to time have committed by thought, word, and deed
[00:56:39] and by divine majesty for that he must rest in our abode in the nation of Israel.

[00:56:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:56:45] Hearken now to the comforting assurance of the grace of God that is promised and assured in the gospel to all those who repent and believe.
[00:57:30] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and he is just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness by the blood of Christ.
[00:57:40] Wherefore, beloved brethren, those of you who have truly turned to God with hearty repentance and sincere faith, rest assured and believe that your sins have been forgiven. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Christ.
[00:57:55] Amen.
[00:57:57] Hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as he says Come unto me all you who tremble and are belated and I will refresh you.
[00:58:06] Here also St. John tells us saying if any man sins, we have an advocate with the Father.
[00:58:12] Jesus Christ the righteous.
[00:58:14] He is the propitiation for our sins.
[00:58:18] Once again let us join our voices together and join them together with the voice of Christ and call upon the Lord God as he taught us to call him, our Father.
[00:58:27] Who art in heaven,

[00:58:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:58:29] hallowed be thy name.
[00:58:31] Thy kingdom come, as it is in heaven.
[00:58:37] Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
[00:58:45] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

[00:58:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:58:49] The Lord bless you and keep you.
[00:59:04] The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
[00:59:09] The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace today.
[00:59:16] Let us stand together and sing our closing hymn, number 311, Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.
[00:59:25] Salvation from day to day.
[01:02:18] Clear His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.
[01:02:24] For great is the glory of the Lord.
[01:02:27] and greatly is he to be praised.
[01:02:30] He is to be revered above all gods for all the gods of the peoples are idols but the Lord made the heavens.
[01:02:40] Honor and majesty are before you, O God.
[01:02:44] Strength and beauty are in your sanctuary.
[01:02:49] Go with us, O Lord.
[01:02:51] Let us hear always the voice with which you call that we might hear, we might know, and we might follow.
[01:03:02] Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, O Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
[01:03:12] Amen.