Let us commence our service this afternoon by singing together hymn 1147 to the tune of Philadelphia 391. The heavens declare thy glory, Lord. In every star thy wisdom shines. But when our eyes behold thy word, we read thy name in fairer lines.

Let us read together from the Holy Word of God in the second epistle to Timothy, chapter 3. The second epistle of Paul to Timothy, chapter 3.

This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truth-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof, from such turn away.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses and leave captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth. Men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith, but they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

but thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, what persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

But evil men and seducers shall act worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them, and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works.

May the Lord bless the reading of his own precious word and grant to 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. Thou art the eternal God. From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in that glorious mystery of the Godhead, one only true God, three divine persons, for we do thank thee for thy word, in which these things are revealed unto us, and that we do pray, most gracious Lord, that the eyes of our understanding may be opened, that we may behold wondrous things in thy holy word, and that the word of truth may be powerfully applied into each one of our hearts by the Holy Ghost.

We pray, most gracious Lord, that we may have that faith which worketh by love, that wonderful gift and grace of thy Holy Spirit, we may have it in our hearts, that we may be given a believing views of the wonderful glory of the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may be given real repentance and godly sorrow for our sin and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

May we endure as seeing him that is invisible. We do thank thee for the wonderful glories of thy word, of thy truth. We thank thee that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable, and we pray that thy word may be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, and that we may be led and taught and guided and directed by the Spirit of God.

We do pray, most gracious Lord, that those wonderful promises that are found in thy word, which are yea and amen in Christ Jesus, that we might know the power and the efficacy of those promises in our hearts and in our souls, that we may taste and handle and feel of the good word of life.

Oh, we do thank thee, most gracious God, for the sending forth of thine only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We thank thee that the word was made flesh dwelt among us, and may we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

We pray, most gracious God, that thou in thy precious mercy would fill our hearts with gratitude, with thanksgiving, for the wonderful glory of Emmanuel, God with us. We thank thee that he was made of a woman, made under the law, that he might redeem them that are under the law.

We thank thee that he lived a holy life under that holy law and thereby bringing in everlasting righteousness for his people. O most gracious Lord, we do thank thee for that holy life and that glorious everlasting robe of the righteousness of Christ.

We do pray that we may be clothed upon with it. And we thank thee for that sacred, holy, precious sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. And in that sacrifice, God and sinners are reconciled peace is made between God and man, and sin has been put away, divine justice has been satisfied.

We thank Thee for that precious blood that our Lord Jesus Christ shed, and that precious blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. Oh, we do thank Thee, most gracious Lord, that he died for our sins, he poured out his soul unto death, he rose again, he destroyed death, and him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and brought life and immortality to light.

We thank thee that he has bodily ascended into heaven and sitteth at thy right hand. Gracious God, do fill our hearts with gratitude that such an high priest hath with, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God.

We do thank thee that through him we have access by one spirit unto the Father. O Lord, we thank thee that we do have a heavenly Father, who has loved us with an everlasting love, who so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should be saved. Oh, we thank thee for that everlasting salvation. We thank thee that through our Lord Jesus Christ we receive that wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost, and we pray that we may know those divine drawings of our Heavenly Father and the divine leadings of the Holy Spirit.

We pray that thou wouldst graciously guide and direct us in life's journey. Teach us to love thee, to serve thee, to follow thee in our day and in our generation. Oh, we pray most gracious Lord that thy word may be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We pray that we might have that spirit that Nehemiah had. So did not I. Because of the fear of the Lord, the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom, we pray that that was granted unto each one of us.

And grant that revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten, of the Father, full of grace and truth. We do pray, most gracious Lord, that thou wouldst come here this afternoon, that thou wouldst open the word of truth, that it may be a living word, a powerful word, an effectual word, this day, as we gather round the word of God, that something may abide, that something may lay hold of us, that thy word may walk up and down in our souls, and that we may be enabled to approach unto thee.

We thank thee for the throne of grace. May we therefore be enabled to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Oh, we do thank thee that these things are revealed in thy holy word. We do pray, most gracious Lord, that thou in thy precious mercy would remember us as a church and as a congregation. Remember our brethren, the deacons, and richly bless them. Remember, Lord, each one of our brethren and sisters in church fellowship. Remember us with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people and visit us with thy great salvation.

Gracious God, what I know not, teach thou me. May we come to thy word humbly and with an inquiring mind, that we may be enabled to see our way forward, that thou would shine on the pathway. We do thank thee for those wonderful promises that are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. We think of those well-known promises. Fear not, I am with thee. Be not dismayed, I am thy God. I will help thee. I will strengthen thee. I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. We do thank thee for these promises.

Fear not, thou worm Jacob. Lord, we thank thee that thy word guides us and directs us. And there are times when we feel that divine enlightening of the Spirit of God. We pray that we might know more of that, and that divine leading and revelation of Jesus Christ. Lord, we pray that we may ever be found in thy word, search in thy word. Hear us, O Lord, we humbly pray thee. Lord Jesus, thou didst say, Whilst here below, search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of me.

Lord, we do pray that thou would remember the little ones and the children as they're brought into the sanctuary. Bless each one of them, guide them. O thou great Jehovah, put the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, into their hearts. an unctuous light to all that's right, a bar to all that's wrong. Lord, we pray for our young friends, that thou wouldst undertake for them and graciously guide and direct and bring them to living, vital, saving faith in Jesus Christ. We pray for all in the midst of the journey of life, that thou wouldst graciously work as promised in thy word, I will work, and who shall let it?

We pray for the prodigals that have wandered away, that thy wonderful power may be seen in turning them again unto the house of God, unto the ways of God, unto the truth of God. Lord, there's nothing too hard for thee. None are beyond thy power. There is a period known to God, when all his sheep redeemed by blood. O most gracious Lord, may that period come, shall leave the hateful ways of sin, turn to the fold, and enter in.

Lord, do hear us, we humbly beseech thee. As promised in thy word, for this will I yet be inquired of the house of Israel, to do this thing for them. I will increase them with men like a flock, And we pray that thou would so do, that thou would let thy work appear, and let thy power be known, and let thy grace be manifested.

May the glory, light, and power of gospel truth shine into this village and the surrounding villages and hamlets, and may those wonderful gospel promises be fulfilled. Arise and shine for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. O most gracious Lord, may it be so. May we see thy work, may we see thy power, may we see thy glory in the gospel, in the ingathering of precious souls, in the pulling down of the strongholds of Satan, in the setting up of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus in the hearts of sinners.

Lord, do hear us, we humbly beseech thee for thy great namesake. Remember those of us that are now in the evening time of life's journey. Graciously prepare us for that great change which must soon come when we shall soar through tracks unknown and see thee on thy judgment throne, gracious God. Prepare us for that day. And now, my God, prepare my soul for that great day and wash me in thy precious blood. Take all my sins away.

Remember all thy servants as they labour in word and doctrine upon the walls of Zion today. Remember them as they minister the word. Remember some of them that have long journeys to make, and be gracious unto them, O Lord, we do beseech thee. And return unto Jerusalem with mercies, and we pray thee, the great Lord of the harvest, to send true labourers into the harvest. Oh, hear us, O Lord, we humbly beseech thee for thy great namesake.

with us as we turn to thy holy word. Open thy word to our heart and to our understanding. Remember all those that are in the path of affliction and sorrow and sadness and graciously undertake for them and bring comfort where distress abounds. We ask all with the forgiveness of all our sins for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

Let us now sing together hymn number 529. The tune is Russell 763.

Sweet Jesus, how great is thy love,

Thy mercy and truth know no end,

And all that are born from above

Shall find thee a permanent friend.

Dear Saviour, enlighten my eyes,

That I may the wonders behold,

Contained in the law of the wise,

Too grand and too great to be told.

Hymn 529 June Russell 763.

feeling to need the Lord's gracious help, direct your attention to the chapter that we read, the third chapter of the second epistle to Timothy, and we'll read verses 14, 15, 16, and 17. Third chapter of the second epistle to Timothy, verses 14 to 17.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them, and that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, truly furnished unto all good works.

was a young disciple of Jesus Christ, called by grace under the ministry of the Apostle Paul and called into the ministry of the Word. And in this chapter, the Apostle warns him, this know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. And if we read, as we read through these lists of the terrible times that have come upon us as the world now, surely we can see here some of the traits that prevail in and among us as a nation. And we're surrounded by this behavior of worldly carnal men of corrupt minds. And he gives some solemn warnings. He says in, he speaks of Jannes and Jambres in verse 8. Withstood Moses, so do these also. Resist the truth. Men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs was.

So he gives Timothy this exhortation. He left Timothy at Ephesus to be the minister of the church at Ephesus, a church which by God's grace he planted through that ministry of the Apostle Paul. And he left him at Ephesus to order things rightly the church at Ephesus the word was abundantly blessed and the exhortation here then in our text is but continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and has been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them to continue in the things that thou hast learned and principally He speaks here of the Word of God, and that lovely hymn we just sung, William Gadsby's, how he speaks there of the law of the wise. He's actually speaking of the Word of God, the Word of Truth, the statutes, the commandments.

If you look through, it's a very profitable chapter to read, the longest chapter in the Bible. Psalm 119 and you'll notice it's broken up into eight verses in what's called a stanza and at the top of each of those stanzas is the Hebrew letter and it's written in what we might call an acrostic form and so the first letter of each verse is the same and Psalm 119 has 22 stanzas because there are 22 letters in the hebrew alphabet and in that psalm what stands out is the the psalmist knowledge and understanding of the word of god and there are 10 10 different words used in psalm 119 which actually refer the Word of God. There's the obvious ones like thy words, thy truth, thy statutes, thy commandments, thy judgments. That's another reference to the Word of God. The judgment of God, not meaning in the sense of being the God sitting as a judge over men, but in the sense that in the Lord's judgment, his word is given to us to inform our judgment. And so we find the judgments of God in the word of God to give us a right judgment and a right understanding of the doctrine of truth. And that's what we find in the word of God.

Another one is ways, thy ways, He's referring to the Word of God. Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And of course, he learned them from the Holy Scriptures of truth. And he says here, you know, we cannot overestimate the privilege that is given to us of being brought up under the Word of God. To brought up to love and revere and respect the Word of God as it is the Word of God. It's God's Word. It's God's truth.

And that from a child thou has known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith. mustn't lose sight of that they're able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith and as we read in the epistle to the Ephesians faith is the gift of God it's God's gift and we cannot believe nor fully understand the Scriptures without faith. The Apostle Paul, he says in the Epistle to the Hebrews, without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh unto God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. How vital is that gift of faith. And we mustn't lose sight of that.

Without this faith given, without spiritual life given, that's what it means, without a spiritual understanding, as the Apostle says in the Ephesians, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, then the Scriptures don't mean anything to us. We need faith. and that from a child there is known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. That spirit and grace of faith which is wrought in the heart of poor sinners so that they believe. the person the glorious person of our Lord Jesus Christ who is revealed in holy scripture when he's revealed then light shines into the heart there's a revelation of Jesus Christ by faith

or that the Lord may impress these things upon you do you have faith Are you a believer? Are you a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ? The hymn writer says, doesn't he, through faith in me the soul receives new life though dead before. And that from a child there has known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith. The vital thing, my beloved friends, is faith, to be given that precious gift of faith. The scriptures in the letter of God's truth, that is just in the written letter, intellectually understood, doesn't profit us. It's when the word is received in power in the soul, when our understanding is enlightened, see that we've broken God's holy law, when we see that we're sinners in God's sight, and then we're brought to see that Jesus is the way to God, and that Jesus can deliver us from sin, and these things are revealed in God's holy word, and the blood of Jesus Christ, God's son, cleanseth us from all sin. These are the things that are revealed in God's holy righteous word. law and gospel the law of the lord is perfect you know that needs a measure of understanding you'll find that and that it's a beautiful psalm on the word of god psalm 19 and in psalm 19 we read the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork. The apostle speaks of this in the first chapter of the epistle to the Romans. How the heavens declare the glory of God and creation speaks of the wonderful glory of God.

Day under day utterance speech and night unto night utterance knowledge. That's the beautiful works of creation. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. That's just looking at creation. Looking at what God has made, what God has created and the wonders and glories of creation.

But then if you go down to verse 7, the law of the Lord. Now if you have a marginal reference, you'll see that for law it says doctrine it doesn't mean the law of the ten commandments it means the word of god and again if you go back to psalm 119 it says about thy law it means the word of god the law of the lord is perfect convert in the soul the testimony of the lord again this is another word that is used for his word the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandments of the Lord is pure, enlightening the soul, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

That Psalm 19 is like a mini Psalm 119. The emphasis is on the Word of God. So when it's speaking there, the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Jeremiah, he says, doesn't he, that thy words were sweet and I did eat them and they were the joy and rejoicing of my heart.

Do you have an appetite for the Word of God? the truth of God. You know, when the fear of the Lord is put in the heart, when life, spiritual life is found in the soul, there's a hungering and a thirsting after Christ, after the Word of God. You begin to read the Word of God with different eyes. and it says here doesn't it, more to be desired other than gold, the much fine gold, sweeter also the honey and the honeycomb, moreover by them is thy servant born, and in keeping of them there is great reward. You see the word of the Lord, there's a great emphasis isn't there.

Now in our text there is a great emphasis, all scripture, given. Notice that. This is God's Word from Genesis to Revelation. This is God's Holy Righteous Word. It's called the Holy Bible, the Word of God. Now modern scholars in particular, they will say, and it's a very subtle argument, they say it contains the Word of God. Of course that is a very subtle ploy of the enemy of souls. No, my beloved friends, it is the Word of God.

The reason that these modern scholars say that it contains the Word of God is then they can choose they can say well that's not the word of God but this is and that's not so they can choose whatever they want out of God's holy word they can reject what they don't like and doesn't fit in with their view and they can accept what they do like but that is not sufficient my beloved friends there are two words that are used in a theological sense concerning the holy scriptures of truth and that is we believe and we firmly believe in what is called the plenary inspiration of God's Word and the verbal inspiration of God's Word. You might say the word plenary apparently comes from a Latin root which means complete. We believe that the Word of God is complete. It is God's Holy Word and it's all to be accepted. It's the plenary and verbal inspiration of God's Holy Word. We can absolutely trust this book, the Word of God.

We believe firmly that the most accurate translation of the Holy Scriptures in the English language is found in the authorised version holy scriptures and the reason being is that the men who translated the authorized version they all believed it was literally the word of god and so when they translated it they the translation was as literal as it could possibly be so that the meaning in the original hebrew and greek was conveyed in the english language because they believed it was the word of God.

All Scripture, this is the emphasis here, what is called the plenary, the complete Word of God, the full Word of God. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, truly furnished unto all good works.

You see the Lord Jesus, he confirms his belief when he was here upon earth in the word of God, in the quotations he made from the Old Testament, confirming that it was the Word of God, not it contained the Word of God, but it is the Word of God. And the Lord has preserved it and he's given it to us in the English language. What a wonderful blessing that is.

When William Tyndale, and I think you'll find nearly 80% of the authorised version is the same as what Tyndale translated it. And he said he prayed and he looked for the day when the plow boy would be able to read the word in his own language and understand the scriptures.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God. You know the Apostle Peter, he himself in his his second epistle. He speaks to us of the Word of God and the truth of the Word of God in the second epistle of Peter in chapter 1. And he makes interesting and very instructive comments. He says in the 15th verse, I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. In other words, he would leave the written word.

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory. And now what he's speaking of here in verse 17, it is the Mount of Transfiguration when Peter, James and John were taken up into the Mount of Transfiguration and the Lord Jesus Christ was transfigured before them.

For he received from God the Father honor and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory As the voice of the Father, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice, which came from heaven, we heard when we were with him in the Holy Mount.

Now, just think and consider what he says here in verse 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy. And what he's speaking of here is the word of God, We have also a more sure word of prophecy. It's quite an astonishing saying. He said this is more sure and more certain than the voice of the father that they heard speaking from heaven. This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. We have also a more sure word of prophecy. Where unto you do well, that you take heed. as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts, knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

And then right in the end of the Holy Scriptures in the last chapter of the book of the Revelation there is a very solemn word that the Lord speaks concerning the Holy Scriptures and how that we're not to take away from Holy Scripture and we're not to add to Holy Scripture. Not to take away and we're not to add from the Holy Scriptures.

And it says in verse 18 of Revelation 22, for I testify unto every man that here is the words of the prophecy of this book. It's not just the revelation, it's the whole of Scripture. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life and out of the holy city and from the things which are written in this book.

You see, my beloved friends, What an emphasis there is. And you think, I think, if I remember correctly, thus saith the Lord, there are 416 places in the word of God where it says, thus saith the Lord. It's literally the words of God are being spoken.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine. Doctrine means the teaching of truth. We should gain all our doctrine from God's Word because we know that God's Word is true. Whatever we preach or teach or in whatever way that we convey It must be in accordance to the word of God, to the law and to the testimony. If they speak not according to my word, it is because there is no light in them.

Everything, my beloved friends, that we say or do, we must draw it from Holy Scripture because it's divinely inspired. It's divinely certain. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. It's all found in God's holy word that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all works from the Word of God.

We're guided and we're directed through the Word of God where the doctrine of truth is set forth. We spoke of it this morning, the doctrine that is found in the Holy Law of God. It discovers our unholiness, discovers our unrighteousness and the Word of God it says very clearly, very plainly concerning the truth of God and the law of God.

The law of God sets out our duties to God. Jesus, he actually puts it in this way, he encapsulates the holy law of God into that short sentences, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and thy neighbour as thyself. This is the law and all the prophets shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and thy neighbour as thyself.

That's the teaching of the holy law of God. It's our duty to God, it's our duty to our fellow creatures, our neighbours. The Lord Jesus in his teachings when he gave the parable of the Samaritan, the good Samaritan, how clearly he opens up there of what it is to do righteous things. How the Levite passed by on the other side, the priest passed by on the other side, wouldn't go near the man because he's a sinner. They were too holy, they were too righteous to be able to do anything. The children of Israel, the Jews, absolutely despised the Samaritan. So you can see the meaning of the parable of the Good Samaritan. He came right where the man was, he bound up his wounds, he took him to an inn, He gave money to the innkeeper to keep them out.

And the Lord Jesus, he asked them, which of these did the right thing? Was it the Levite? Was it the priest? Or was it the Good Samaritan? Of course they said it was the Good Samaritan. He said to them, go and do thou likewise. Go and do thou likewise.

That Good Samaritan, in another clear sense of the word, is Christ himself. He comes right where his people are, he doesn't walk by on the other side, he doesn't say I'm holier than thou, come not near unto me, he had compassion and kindness and our Lord Jesus Christ who is the eternal word that was made flesh, he has compassion, he has kindness and my beloved friends go and do thou like Follow thou me, go and do thou likewise. Have compassion, have kindness on thy neighbour, on anyone that you come into contact with.

You know, the spirit of the priest and the Levite in that parable, they're not something that we should follow. They're not something that we should do, or not having anything to do with him because of this, because of that, or because of something else. That's not the way of our Lord Jesus Christ. The way of our Lord Jesus Christ is if a person is in need, regardless of what they're doing, we're to help them, we're to have compassion on them, we're to show kindness. This is the spirit and mind of Christ. Go and do thou likewise. Go and do thou likewise.

And this is what the Holy Scriptures teach us. That this is how the believer in Jesus Christ, the follower of Jesus Christ is to live. This is how they are to practice their religion. That the man of God may be perfect, truly furnished unto all works and to all good works.

You know in the epistle of James it's very very clearly set before us of how the Christian believer is to live and James he frames it what we might say in a different way and he says in James 2. My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons. It's exactly what the Lord Jesus was teaching in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring and goodly apparel and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place, and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool? Are ye not partial in yourselves? And I become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him? but ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that word, the name by which ye are called? If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Ye do well. You see, this is the inspired word of God. and the practical effect of it in our lives.

But if you have respect to persons you commit sin and are convinced of the law as transgressors. Whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all. He that said do not commit adultery said also do not kill. now if they'll commit no adultery yet they'll kill they'll become a transgressor of the law and he goes on here and he says in verse 14 what does it profit my brethren though a man say he has faith and have not works can faith save him if a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food.

See, this is the mirror image of the power of the Good Samaritan. And one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, doth it profit? Even so, faith, if it have not works, is dead. being alone.

Researching words aren't they? These are the inspired words of the eternal God unto his people. Yea a man may say thou hast faith and I have works, show me thy faith without thy works and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God thou doest well the devils also believe and tremble.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead. Faith without works is dead. O my beloved friends, may we hear the word of the Lord. May we hear the divine direction of Holy Scripture. May we live our religion because that is what Jesus and the apostles are driving at here in God's word, God's inspired word. Do we live our religion?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. See these are righteous things that we should do. James he says in his epistle but the Lord Jesus he says the same thing, let us be doers of the word not hearers only. It's the way we live my beloved friends practically that's the important thing.

If we have true faith If we know the kindness, love and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ to us, then we should have that same love, kindness and compassion to our fellow creatures. We should. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

May the Lord add his blessing. Let us now sing together hymn number 43. The tune is Lord at 677.

Precious Bible, what a treasure,

does the word of God afford?

All I want for life or pleasure,

food or medicine, shield and sword,

is revealed in Jehovah's sacred word.

Hymn 43. tune 677

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 forevermore. Amen.