Hymn 771, the tune is Deep Harmony, 869. To know my Jesus crucified by far excels all things beside. All earthly good I count but loss and triumph in my Saviour's cross.

Hymn 771, tune deep harmony 869.

let us read together from the holy word of god in the first epistle of john and chapter five

The first epistle of John, chapter five. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. And everyone that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous.

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ, not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood, and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. For this is the witness of God, which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. He that believeth not God hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will he hear with us and if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, I do not say that we shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not unto death.

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not. But he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

May the Lord bless the reading of his own precious word and grant unto us a spirit of real prayer. Holy, holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which is an art, an art to come. We desire to bow before thy glorious majesty, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We pray that we may be led and taught by the Spirit of God and that we may feel his heavenly influence in our hearts.

that we may be enlightened by his presence and the power of his grace in our hearts. Blessed Holy Spirit of God, we pray that thou wouldst teach us and lead us and guide us and direct us. We pray that we may know the divine drawings of our Heavenly Father, that we may be drawn unto the Lord Jesus Christ. And we know, Lord, from thy word that the Spirit of God leads us to Jesus Christ. He takes up of the things of Jesus and reveals them unto us. And we pray that as we gather around thy word this afternoon, that thou wouldst do that for us, take of the things of Jesus and reveal them unto us.

And Lord, we read in thy word that we know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. We pray that the love of Christ may be shed abroad in our hearts, that we may love thee and serve thee and follow thee in our day and in our generation. We pray for grace to lay aside every weight and the sin that does so easily beset us, and that we might run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame thereof, and is now set down at the right hand of the majesty on high.

Lord Jesus, we thank Thee for that glorious example that Thou has given us to follow. We pray for grace to follow Thee, and that Thou has said in Thy word, my sheep, they know my voice and they follow me, and a stranger will they not follow. Oh, we do pray that we may hear Thy voice, hear this afternoon, that would speak into our hearts. We pray that thou wouldst unstop the deaf ears and open the blind eyes. We read of thee, Lord Jesus, in the word of God, how thou didst do these things. Thou didst cause the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the lame to walk.

Lord, we pray that it may be so among us here as a church and congregation. Let thy work appear unto thy servants and thy glory unto their children. Thou hast promised in thy word, I will work and who shall let it? And we pray that thou wouldst work among us here and that it may be to the great glory of thy holy name. O Lord, we do thank Thee for our little house of prayer. We do thank Thee for the open Bible, the Word of God in our own language. And Lord, we would render thanksgiving unto Thee for Thy Word. This is the Word by which the Gospel is preached unto us.

But we thank Thee above all for Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of the Father. as we read in thy holy word and the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth all that we might behold our lord jesus christ this afternoon and that our hearts may be full of gratitude and thanksgiving for that holy life that he lived for the holy law that he fulfilled, for the holy sacrifice that he offered on the cross of Calvary. We thank thee for that precious sacrifice, for by one offering he hath perfected forever all them that are sanctified. We thank thee for that one offering of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank thee for his precious blood. And we think of those wonderful words of grace. The blood of Jesus Christ, God's son, cleanseth us from all sin. Lord, we do thank thee for the wonderful glory of Christ. We thank thee that he died for our sins and rose again for our justification.

sin has been put away and divine justice has been satisfied and God and sinners are reconciled in that glorious sacrifice, the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Death has been swallowed up in victory and that Lord we thank thee that our Lord Jesus led the disciples out as far as unto Bethany He lifted up his hands and blessed them, and was received up into heaven. We thank thee that the Lord Jesus has bodily ascended into heaven. He has made a new and living way into the holy place. Oh, we do thank thee, most gracious Lord, that such an high priest have we, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God.

We do pray, most gracious Lord, that thou wouldst fill our hearts with gratitude, with thanksgiving. We thank thee that in him we know the love of our heavenly Father, and through him we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Lord, we pray that we may be favoured this afternoon to know those divine drawings of our Heavenly Father, drawing us unto His Son, Jesus Christ. We pray that we may feel the divine power and unction of the Holy Ghost in leading us unto Jesus Christ, bringing us as poor sinners to the feet of Jesus.

And we thank Thee that Thou hast said in Thy Word, if ye confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Oh, we do thank Thee for the glory of Christ, for the fullness of that salvation that He has wrought out for His people. We thank Thee that He is the eternal Son of God that was manifest in the flesh. Lord, we do pray that Thou would look upon us as a church and as a congregation that thou wast worked mightily and powerful and effectually among us by thy blessed spirit, and that the word of the Lord may have free course and thy name may be honoured and glorified.

We thank thee that thou art God over all and blessed for evermore. We think of those beautiful words, Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Oh, we do thank thee. that thou art God over all, blessed for evermore, that thou art able to do abundantly more than we can even ask or think. We thank thee that we can approach unto thee in prayer. We think of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Oh, we thank thee for prayer. for the throne of grace where Jesus sits and waits to answer prayer.

Lord, we pray that thou would remember our brethren, the deacons, and give grace, wisdom, and help. Remember each one of our brethren and sisters in church fellowship. And graciously remember the little ones and the children. We thank thee for them. We pray that thou would bless them, that thou hast put the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, into their hearts, in their young and in their tender years. Remember each one of our young friends, and O graciously bring each one to living faith in Jesus Christ, that they may become true followers of thee, and of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises we think of that precious word, instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. Be with our young friends in all the paths of providence, guide and direct them in all matters, and supply their every need according to thy riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Lord, we pray that thou wouldst remember the prodigals that have wandered away and stretch out thy almighty arm and cause them to return. There's nothing too hard for thee. None can go beyond thy glorious arm. We pray, O Lord, that thou wouldst help us to watch unto prayer, to see those prodigals returning,

We pray that the wonderful glory and light of gospel truth may shine into this village and in the surrounding villages and hamlets. Precious souls may be converted unto thee and the strongholds of Satan pulled down and the kingdom of our Lord Jesus set up in the hearts of sinners. Lord, let thy work appear unto thy servants and thy glory Unto their children we do humbly beseech thee.

We pray for those that are in darkness, that they may be brought into light. Those that are in bondage may be brought into liberty. Those that are far off may be made nigh. Make bare thine holy arm, O Lord, in the gospel. We do humbly beseech thee.

Pray for Parents, that they may be given wisdom to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We pray, most gracious Lord, for wisdom and guidance and direction to be given, and that thou wouldst grant that thy word may be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

Lord, we pray that we may search the scriptures Even as our Lord Jesus Christ said, search the scriptures, for these are they that testify of me. Help us to search the word of God and guide us by thy blessed spirit. O Lord, we do beseech thee.

We pray, most gracious Lord, that thou wouldst remember all in the midst of the journey of life and undertake for them and knowest where they are, Thou knowest the needs of each one, for all is known to Thee, for Thou art God over all and blessed for evermore.

We pray for those that have difficulties, that have seemingly great mountains before them. We read in Thy word, who art Thou, O great mountain, before the rubble thou shalt become a plain. Lord, we pray that thou wouldst make the crooked things straight and the rough places plain.

And there are those of us here, O Lord, that are now in the evening time of life's journey. We pray to be prepared for that great change that must come when we shall soar through tracks unknown and see thee on thy judgment throne. We pray to be prepared And now, my God, prepare my soul for that great day and wash me in thy precious blood. Take all my sins away.

Lord, we do pray that thou would remember all thy servants today as they labour in word and doctrine on the walls of Zion. Set them free. Set them at liberty. Grant us that Gracious determination that the dear Apostle speaks of, for I determined to know nothing among men, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Grant us that determination, O Lord, we pray Thee, and send out Thy light and Thy truth.

Lord, we pray for the little houses of prayer up and down the nation, and all thy servants as they labour in word and doctrine. Gird them with all sufficient grace. Help us to preach the word, to be instant in season and out of season. And oh Lord, we do pray that they always remember those that labour in the nations of the earth, especially we think of those that go forth from among us and pray that they may have good success Oh, do hear us, Lord, we humbly pray for thy great namesake. We pray that thou wouldst crown thy gospel with success, that thou wouldst return to Jerusalem with mercies, give wisdom to our leaders and guidance and direction in all matters.

We pray that where there is war, thou wouldst bring peace, and bring to naught the counsels of the ungodly. It grieves us much, O Lord, to hear of tens of thousands being launched from time into eternity. O, we do pray that thou wouldst hear prayer and put a stop to war. We do humbly beseech of thee.

We pray for our own little group of churches, that thou wouldst work mightily, that thou wouldst return that thou wilt make bare thine holy arm. We pray for the societies to which we affiliate and pray for wisdom to be given to the various committees, the editors of our magazines. Lord, do hear us, we humbly pray thee, and graciously return and make bare thine holy arm in the gospel, that instead of a decline, we shall see an increase, Instead of a pulling down, we shall see a building up. Oh, do hear us, Lord, we humbly beseech thee.

Be with us as we turn to thy holy word. Come and touch one's lips with a live coal from off the heavenly altar. Grant that it may be with us as it was with the dear apostle at Thessalonica when he could witness, for our gospel came unto you not in word only, but in power, in the Holy Ghost, and with much assurance. Lord, be with us now, as we ask with the forgiveness of all our many, many sins, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

Let us now sing together hymn number 1116. The tune is Shalmoni 631.

Stricken, smitten and afflicted,

see the dying, him dying on the tree.

Tis the Christ by man rejected.

Yes, my soul, tis he, tis he.

Tis the long-expected profit,

David's son, yet David's lord.

Proofs I see sufficient of it,

tis a true and faithful word.

Hymn 1116, tune Shimoni 631.

Greatly feeling to need the Lord's gracious help, I would direct your attention to the chapter that we read the fifth chapter of the first epistle of john and we'll read verse 20 for our text the first epistle of john chapter 5 verse 20 and we know that the son of god is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

And we know, you notice in this first epistle of John in particular, how it constantly uses this expression and we know in the third chapter he says and we know that we are passed from death unto life because we love the brethren there's a when it says we know it means we have a knowledge we have an understanding And he says we know that the Son of God is come. Of course he was writing to Christian churches, he was writing to Christian believers. We know that the Son of God is come. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And that is a fundamental doctrine of our most holy faith. Some would deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Some would deny that he was a real man. Some say that he only half partook of human nature.

But you know, friends, when the Son of God was born of the Virgin Mary, it was necessary that that had to be so. We just touched this morning on the fall of man and how in Adam all die and because Adam fell into sin then were all born sinners. The reason for the virgin birth of Jesus Christ is that the human nature that he assumed in the womb of the Virgin Mary was a true human nature, but it was holy. It wasn't stained with original sin. And that is another fundamental doctrine of our most holy faith, that the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Not just a man, not just a good man, not just a righteous man, but the Holy God man.

In the Paul's Epistle to Timothy, he says, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh. God was manifest in the flesh. Or as it says in another place, he became bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. And we know that the Son of God is come.

In the previous chapter, we often point out to you, it says in chapter four and verses two and three, hereby know ye the Spirit of God, every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God. And this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof we have heard that it should come and even now already is it in the world.

You see, my beloved friends, there are some things that are so fundamental to the doctrine of truth that a denial of those precious doctrines is a denying of the truth itself. There are some things in religion that we can agree to differ on, but there are some things that are so fundamental, we cannot agree to differ on them. And this is one of them, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. If you look there, we just quoted from verses two and three, But then look at verse 15, whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God.

You see, for human nature to try and understand how the divine can become human and the human can become divine, there's no change made in the Godhead. And there's no change made in the human nature. The Son of God assumed and took into union with his divine nature, a holy human nature. And he lived a holy life.

I love the way that the Apostle Paul puts it in the fourth chapter of the Galatians. And verse four, he says, made of a woman, he's speaking of Jesus Christ, made of a woman, made under the law that he might redeem them that are under the law. The son of God took human nature, lived as a man here upon earth under the law of God. Each one of us is born under the law of God. The law was made for man. That holy law of the Ten Commandments was made for man. And when the Son of God became a man and lived here on earth as a man, he was under the law. The law that you have broken, that I have broken. The apostle calls it the law of sin and death. Because under that holy law of God, there is a sentence of death. Under that holy law of God of the Ten Commandments, the Word of God says, Cursed is every man that doeth not all things that is written in the book of the law to do them. And as lawbreakers, we come under a solemn curse.

We know that the Son of God has come have given us an understanding it flows from what we were speaking of this morning you must be born again and that is how the Holy Spirit gives us an understanding that the eyes of our understanding are enlightened as it says in Ephesians 1 but what did what did Jesus Christ What did he accomplish? What did he come to do? You know, we just come past Christmas, which we keep and we rejoice in the fact of the birth of Jesus Christ. And the fact that the Son of God was made of a woman, made under the law, and he lived under that holy law. We read in the Word of God that concerning Jesus Christ, he did no sin. And again, this is another fundamental doctrine of our most holy faith. He did no sin. Jesus, the Son of God, lived a holy life, a pure and spotless life. And that perfect obedience of Jesus, the Son of God, by faith becomes the obedience or the righteousness when we read of the righteousness of Christ. What it is speaking of is that the church is made righteous in Christ and it's his righteousness. In Jeremiah chapter 31, sorry, Jeremiah chapter 23, the Lord Jesus Christ is called Jehovah Sidkenu and that Hebrew word Sidkenu it means Jehovah, the Lord, our righteousness.

You see what we prove by the inward teaching of the Spirit is that we're sinners. We're the fallen sons and daughters of Adam. We are born in sin, we are shaped in iniquity. And we cannot cease from sin. We cannot fulfill God's holy law. But there is one that did. And that one is Jesus Christ. When he lived that holy sinless life as a man here on earth, he fulfilled, he honored, he magnified the holy law of God. He did no sin. Neither was guile found in his mouth. And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding. The Son of God. Not only did he fulfill the law, he lived a life that was righteous. I remember when my son was at school, at primary school, and the local vicar he used to take the school assembly and my son was only about six at the time and he came home one day and he said Mr whatever his name was the vicar had taken the assembly that morning and he said he said of course the Lord Jesus Christ did do some wrong things and you know I was so struck, he looked at me, my son looked at me and he said, that's not right dad, he said. You see, even a little child, he knew that was not right.

Jesus Christ lived a perfect life. It's the only man born of a woman that lived a holy life, is the glorious person of Jesus Christ. and that holiness or that righteousness of Jesus Christ, the church receives by faith. The church is made righteous by faith in Jesus Christ. The pure, perfect obedience of the holy God man to the law is the righteousness of the believer. I love that hymn. Speaking of the righteousness of Christ, unless the shadow of a spot should on my soul be found, he took the garment he had brought and cast it all around. In scripture, the righteousness of Christ is portrayed as a robe. One hymn writer says, a royal robe to cover thee. The church is clothed upon with that glorious everlasting robe the righteousness of Christ and it's a wonderful thing but I remember in a time of great trial and affliction and I was about my daily work as many years ago now and the Lord drew near to me in that great trial and no words were spoken I just felt the presence of the Lord and the Sacred feelings of my soul at that time were expressed by a hymn.

I'm blessed, I'm blessed, forever blessed. My rags are gone, that's the rags of our self-righteousness. My rags are gone and I am dressed in garments white as snow. I felt to be clothed upon with that glorious everlasting robe of the righteousness of I looked for my sins, and my sins could not be found. None, covered.

But so much for the wonderful life of Jesus Christ, and what it means to the believer, the perfect righteousness of Christ. But let us look at the sacrifice of Christ. read in the Hebrews that by one offering he has perfected forever all them that are sanctified perfected forever in that holy sacrifice just previous to the crucifixion of Christ there was the garden of Gethsemane and it's a very significant thing that happened in the garden of Gethsemane

It is expressed in Isaiah 53 which speaks of the sufferings of Christ. He laid upon him the iniquity of us all. This is the glory of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He, that's our Heavenly Father, laid upon him, that's his only begotten Son that was manifest in the flesh. He laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. And that is why the Lord Jesus Christ suffered and bled and died on the cross of Calvary. Because the Father laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

The Apostle puts it in this way, He took our sins and He nailed them to His cross. Jesus did. He took our sins, those sins that would have damned our souls forever, Jesus took them. And the father laid them upon him. It's what is called in scripture the doctrine of imputation. The father imputed the sin of the church. So he lifted the sin off the church and he laid it on his son. His son was the substitute. He lifted the sin off the church and he imputed it to his son.

What a profound thing. He took the righteousness of his son and he imputed it onto the church so that the church is made holy and righteous in Jesus Christ. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ and we know that the son of God is come and has given us an understanding so that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. The true God and eternal life. What a profound thing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is isn't it? I always feel that the Apostle in the epistle to the Colossians He's so in that first chapter. He's so beautifully speaks of this glorious sacrifice of Jesus Christ He says giving thanks unto the Father which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light and who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

That's where the forgiveness of sins is. It's in Jesus Christ. Even the forgiveness of sins. He goes to speak of the person of Christ and he says, who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature, for by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, principality or powers, all things were created by him and for him.

Harry exalts the glorious person of Jesus Christ. the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, that's what Jesus Christ is. You see, for by Him were all things created, this is speaking of Christ, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or power all things were created by him and for him this speaks of his divinity and he is before all things you know we read in the hebrews jesus christ the same yesterday and today and forever that that Verse is a paraphrase of the name Jehovah.

He's the same yesterday, that's yesterday eternal, and today, and forever. He's eternally the same. He's the eternal Son of God. He always has been. Says in scripture, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. That's what Jesus Christ is. eternal Son of God from all eternity.

In Proverbs chapter 8 the person of Christ is speaking there and it says I was set up from everlasting or ever the earth was. That was a word that was so wonderful to me in my very early spiritual days when I was really tempted that Jesus was not the Son of God. The devil tempted me I didn't realise it was a temptation of the devil until the Lord delivered me. And one night, in the early hours of the morning, I was still single, I was sitting up reading my Bible, and I was reading in Proverbs, and I came to that verse, and I had such a revelation of the eternal Son of God, that he is from everlasting. And it says there, I was set up from everlasting, wherever the earth was.

You see, it's a wonderful thing when we have a clear revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created by him and for him, and he is before all things. And by him all things consist. and he is the head of the body the church which who is the beginning the firstborn from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence for it pleased the father that in him should all fullness dwell and have he made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him i say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven.

You know, it's quite striking when you read through the epistles. And I think it probably stands out more prominently in the epistle to the Ephesians. But the apostle, he speaks of the person of Christ. He speaks of the salvation of the believer. And he constantly uses these terms. It doesn't matter whether he's speaking of doctrine, experience or practice. He says, in him. Who? Christ. Through him, by him, unto him. Everything is in Christ. Everything is in Christ.

Poor trembling sinner, everything is in Christ. Everything you stand in need of for time and for eternity is all in Christ. Him hath God exalted as a Prince and as a Saviour for to give faith and repentance and remission of sins, this glorious person of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in that holy sacrifice of the cross of Calvary and the shedding of his precious blood and entering into death itself, he did that as a substitute for his people. He suffered and bled and died in the room and place instead of his people. He delivered them from condemnation. We're all under the law. We all come under its condemning sentence. But there's that lovely word in Romans chapter eight. There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. No condemnation. What a precious thing that is and we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding that we may know Him that is true and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. There's eternal life in Jesus Christ. He that hath the Son, I believe it's in the third chapter of John, he that hath the Son hath life. He that hath not the Son of God hath not life. It's essential, a belief in Jesus Christ, a belief in his divinity, a belief in his humanity, a belief in his holiness. belief in that glorious holy sacrifice that sin has been put away and Divine justice has been satisfied and and God and sinners are reconciled

My mind it just goes to the I often draw your attention to the closing verses of Micah the prophet Micah chapter 7 and the last three verses who is a God like unto thee and that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage, he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us, he will subdue our iniquities, and they will

cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

What does it mean? Never to be seen again. It says in another place in scripture, their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Why? Because they've been put away in Christ. The Lord Jesus offered a sin atoning sacrifice. See divine justice. demands the soul that sinneth it shall die but that sword of divine justice found a substitute we read in the prophet Zechariah a Waco sword against my shepherd and the man that is my fellow it means the sword of divine justice that should have swept the whole election of grace to eternal perdition it found a substitute and that glorious substitute was the person of the Son of God that was manifest in the flesh. He saved his people with an everlasting salvation. He died for our sins and rose again for our justification. What does it mean? What does justification mean? It's a long word, isn't it? Well, put it really simply, it means to be declared to be without sin. That's what justification means. And when Jesus rose from the dead, he left all the sins of his people in the grave. And that is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He rose again for our justification. Sin has been put away. Divine justice has been satisfied. God and sinners are reconciled. Peace is made between God and man.

And we know that the Son of God is come. have given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his son Jesus Christ this is the true God and eternal life and eternal life. You know, when the Lord Jesus, after the resurrection, he led the disciples, we read in Luke chapter 24, he led the disciples out as far as unto Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them, and was bodily received up into heaven. And as he ascended into heaven, the pearly gates of heaven opened. Those gates were shut when Adam fell into sin. But when the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the law, offered that sin atoning sacrifice, then he ascended up into heaven. I love it the way the apostle puts it in the Hebrews, for such an high priest hath with, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the son of God, our great high priest.

My beloved friends, we do not need an earthly priest. We have a heavenly priest. There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself an offering for sin. That's our hope. It's in the finished work of Jesus, the Son of God. It's an accomplished work. When Christ said on the cross of Calvary, it is finished, The work of salvation was finished. There was one thing left to do, to destroy death. And so he that did not, now we read in the word of God that the wages of sin is death. The wages of sin is death. So Jesus being sinless, death had no claim on him at all. But it was a voluntary act. Jesus the Son of God. He said, I lay down my life for my friends. I have power to lay my life down and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my father. So he entered into death itself to destroy death.

In Hosea, the prophet Hosea prophesies of it. Oh death, I will be thy plagues. Oh grave, I will be thy victory. And that's what Christ has done. He's destroyed death and him that had the power of death, that is the devil. And he's brought life and immortality to life. And this glorious person of Jesus, the son of God, he says to poor wretched sinners, come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. A yoke joins together. And Christ says, take my yoke upon you and learn of me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

You know, poor sinner, you won't find rest anywhere else but in the finished work of Jesus Christ. And there is a perfect rest there, and there is an eternal rest there. The gospel, my beloved friends, is profoundly glorious, it really is. And we know that the Son of God is come and has given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true, even in his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal love. And this is where the Holy Spirit leads. We spoke this morning of the new birth We spoke of conviction of sin. This is where the Holy Spirit leads a poor sinner unto Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. It says in Hebrews, wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth. And we know that the Son of God is come. and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

May the Lord add his blessings. Let us now sing together hymn number 473. The tune is Duke Street 326.

Lord, I am thine, but thou wilt prove my faith, my patience and my love. When men of spite against me join, they are the sword, the hand is thine.

Hymn 473 Tune Duke Street 326

Now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, the sacred fellowship of the Holy Spirit, rest and abide with us each both now and for evermore. Amen.