We commence our service this
evening by singing hymn number 906. Tune is Ferndale, number
806. Oh, where shall I find a guide to
direct? Right, skillful, and kind, and
brave to protect. To lovely Mount Zion my heart
is now bound, but many a lion is in the way found. Tis Jesus
can teach the way ye should go. and out His arm reach to help
you on too. The doubts that perplex you,
the fears that distress, the tempers that vex you, His grace
can redress. Oh, say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave ? Christ, beautiful and kind ?
? And greater Godhead ? ? Where love, faith, and triumph ? ?
Are the gifts of God ? ? Amen ? Oh. Jesus, I need you where you should
go, and I will come later when you are still. ? The doubts of perfection ? ?
The desire for strength ? ? The fairness of percumination ? ?
Repent ? O'er the ramparts we watched,
were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the
bombs bursting in air, O say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave O come, O come, Emmanuel, He was made the light of mankind, And there, O Earth, see both shores of ? God rest ye merry, ? ? Ye that
mourn in sorrow, ? ? God give you glory, ? ? And the people
glad. ? Let us read together from the
Holy Word of God in the Gospel according to John, reading chapter
14. The Gospel according to John, the 14th chapter. the 14th chapter of John's Gospel. Let not your heart be troubled.
You believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house and
many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I
go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself. that
where I am, there ye may be also. Whither I go ye know, and the
way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord,
we know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way?
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No man cometh unto the Father but by me. If ye had known me,
ye should have known my Father also. And from henceforth ye
know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord,
show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have
I been so long time with you? And yet hast thou not known me,
Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father. And how
sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that
I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak
unto you I speak not of myself, but the Father that dwelleth
in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father,
and the Father in me, or else believe me for the very work's
sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than
these shall he do, because I go unto my Father, And whatsoever
ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may
be glorified in the Son. If ye ask anything in my name,
I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and
he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for
ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive.
Because he seeth him not, neither knoweth him, But ye know him,
for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave
you comfortless. I will come to you. Yet a little
while, and the world seeth me no more, but ye see me. Because
I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that
I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath
my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.
And he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will
love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, Not Iscariot,
Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and
not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto
him, If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father
will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode
with him, He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings. And the
word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will
send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I
live with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth,
give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid. You have heard how I said unto
you, I go away and come again unto you. If you love me, you
would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father, for my
Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before
he come to pass that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Hereafter I will not talk much with you, for the Prince of his
world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may
know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment,
even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. May the Lord bless his holy word
unto us and help us to approach unto him in prayer. Oh, holy, holy, holy, Lord God
almighty. We plead, Lord, as we've entered
into thy house this evening, that would sanctify our hearts
and our minds. Lord, how affection might be
set upon things above. Lord, that by grace, oh, for
without grace, we will never enter into the fullness of Him.
We might be found seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Lord, may we have come desiring
to worship Thee, desiring that Thou wouldst have all the glory.
Oh, Lord, that Thou wouldst give us fresh supplies of grace, that
Thou wouldst bring us to such a place even now, that Lord,
we have to prove left to ourselves, oh, what wretched creatures we
are. We want a part of that glory, but oh, to be brought down to
nothing, that Jesus might be all in all, to be emptied, that
we might be filled, to be killed to legal hopes, that we might
be taught gospel praise. Oh, that thou wouldst, O Lord,
be working mightily in us this evening. Oh, that we might see
no man save Jesus only, that we might have only one desire,
oh, to know our Jesus crucified. to know that fellowship with
Him in His sufferings, to be made conformable unto His death,
if by any means we might attain unto the resurrection of the
dead. Lord, we plead, Lord, thou wouldst draw us away from all
the busy scenes of life, all the cares and the concerns of
the day, Lord, that for a little while, Lord, we might know Jesus
in the midst, that I, glory in Jesus Christ, might fill this
place. Lord, that the more thy glory strikes our eye, the humbler
we may be. Lord, that we might have one
of those evenings where he increases, we decrease, where the crown
is in the right place. Lord, that we might go out of
thy house satisfied to be nothing, that Jesus might be all in all.
We plead, Lord, that we might know thy communion with us this
evening, where two or three are gathered together in thy name,
Jesus has promised to be in the midst. May we prove the fullness
of his blessed title, Emmanuel, as God with us, he's present
there. That the place of his feet might be glorious, that
his glory might fill the house. Lord, that we might prove that
love, that mercy, that grace, which flows from him, flows from
thee through him. Oh, that of his fullness may
each we receive and grace the grace to prove, Lord, once more
The fullness of the promise, my grace is sufficient for thee,
my strength is made perfect in my weakness. Lord, how weak we
are as we come unto this even. Oh, Lord, we're sinners and thou
art holy. Oh, we cleave to the dust. Lord, thou art in heaven. Oh, we plead, Lord, that thou
wouldst quicken us even now. Oh, that thou wouldst draw us
unto thee. Thou hast opened the blind eyes, unstopped the deaf
ears, that the poor might have the gospel preached unto them,
that we might be bought to rejoice in thee. Give help, Lord, in
the worship of thy house. Oh, keep us from sin, Lord, in
holy things. Keep us from depending on the
armor of flesh, from the wisdom of man. Keep us, Lord, from vain
tradition. Keep us, Lord, from that worship
which has a form but denies the power. O may we not be left to
draw near unto thee with our lips, but our hearts to be found
afar off. But O that thou wouldst, O Lord, truly help us in worship.
O bless us together in pulpit, in desk, and in pew. May we find
that oneness, O through thy blessed Spirit, Jesus Christ, our Lord. We'd ask that thou wouldst give
the dawn of utterance, Lord. O pour in that there might be
that pouring out. But Lord, what are the words? or that they might
be closer to the power of thy spirit, that, Lord, it might
be the word of God. Lord, we'd ask that thou wouldst
feed each hungry soul, where we need correcting, that thou
wouldst correct us in love, where, Lord, we need teaching, oh, may
we prove the patience of the Holy Spirit, line upon line,
precept upon precept, and yet, Lord, may we prove, oh, thy teaching
is certain, he that hath begun a good work or must perform it
to the day of Jesus Christ. Lord, may this evening be one
of those performing hours in our experience, that we might
be taught of those things concerning Jesus, that we might rejoice
in his glorious person, in his blessed name. Lord, we ask that
thou wouldst keep the door of our lips, deliver us right through
any error, from leading any of thy people astray. Oh, may we
not be left, Lord, to settle any of thy people down short
of Christ. Oh, blessed be God, they cannot settle there. Lord,
we plead that thou wouldst not leave us to cut off any of thy
little ones, to cut off little faith and little hope this evening. But, oh, thou wouldst help us
to proclaim a precious Saviour, the friend of sinners. Oh, the
one of whom we read, this man receiveth sinners and eateth
with them. The one who says, if any man thirsts, let him come
unto me and drink. Lord, we'd ask that the gospel
might go forth with power. Oh, the sinners might be saved.
The saints might be built up in their most holy faith. We
might be brought to the feet of Jesus. Lord, we'd ask that
thou wouldst give help in the deaths, give the giving out of
the hymns, give help in the leading of thy praise at the organ. Help each one of us, Lord, Oh,
to rightly praise thee and to worship thee in spirit and in
truth. May we be of one heart, one mind, one voice before thee
this evening. Bless, Lord, thy dear servant,
the pastor of this place. Bless, Lord, the word that he
has gone forth with while he's been away the past few days. Lord, we plead this evening that
he might find rest for his soul, feeding for his soul, Oh, that
thou wouldst be with him in his labours and uphold him. Be with
him, Lord, in the many hours he may feel to spend alone, but
may he prove he's not alone. Oh, may he find thy presence
continually with him. Give him, Lord, here souls for
his hire, signs following the preaching of the word. Encourage
him, Lord, amidst the many discouragements. Bless, Lord, thy course here,
the deacons. The deacon away, Lord, for rest
and change. Bless him and strengthen him.
Bind them together in the unity of the spirit, in the bond of
peace. Lord, as they may know the ups and the downs, the light
and the shadows, that oh, may they feel, Lord, that thou art
with them. Thou has not forsaken them. Thou has not forgotten
them. And Lord, that often as they
gather together here, oh, the season might be sweet because
Jesus is found amongst them. Lord, we'd ask that thou wouldst
go on to bless precious souls here, each one that's gathered
here this evening. Lord, may they not have gathered
in vain, but feed them, instruct them, bless them. Those, Lord,
that feel to be afar off or draw near to them, reveal Jesus to
them. Any, Lord, that have gathered
in darkness, be a light unto them. Lord, we'd ask that thou
wouldst answer the prayer of our first hymn. Oh, that thou
wouldst instruct us and teach us in the way that thou wouldst
have us to go. Thou wouldst give us fresh supplies of grace, Lord,
for the pilgrim journey here below. And oh, give us this evening
the strengthening of that faith, the belief. Oh, hereafter, a
place prepared for us, a mansion in our Father's house. Lord,
we'd ask that thou wouldst remember Zion, wherever thy people are
gathered together this evening, Wherever thy servants labour
in the gospel, send forth more labourers into thy vineyard.
Strengthen, Lord, the things that are made. Heal the breaches,
the solemn divisions, Lord. Oh, break down all that separates.
Oh, Lord, that we might be found more in thy Spirit. Oh, when Christians all agree.
Oh, when nothing in themselves they see and Christ is all in
all. Reign, Lord, in Zion. Reign for Zion in the world.
Lord, the confusion that we see in our land, oh, we wonder where
the sea will end. We often, Lord, think we've seen
the worst of it, and yet we prove it only seems to get worse. But
ah, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Lord, thou hast not changed.
Oh, thy years have no end. Thy power is still the same.
Lord, we plead, oh, in thy mercy and in thy grace. Thou wouldst
yet hear the sighs and the cries of thy people for the abominations
done in our land. Lord, that thou wouldst yet arise.
Oh, could it be thy good pleasure thou wouldst yet revive us. But
Lord, we must not dictate unto thee. Oh, above all else, hasten,
Lord, the day when thou return in thy glory. Oh, hasten, Lord,
the day when the work of grace shall be complete. When the church,
gathered out of every nation, kindred, tribe, and tongue shall
be with thee forever and forever. May we be ready, Lord. May you
be watching and waiting. Prepare us for the great and
the terrible day of the Lord. Prepare us for the article of
death. Ah, Lord, whether we are found once more at the end of
another day, our life swiftly passing away, or that our great
concern as we are found within my house this evening, we might
know that we have a part in the Redeemer's blood. We might have
that sweet consolation that it must be well with us while life
endure, and well when called to die. Grant us, Lord, as we
are found within thy house, a true spirit of praise. For, Lord,
thou art good, thou art faithful, holy in all thy ways, righteous
in all thy dealings with us. O Lord, thou knowest no change.
The keeper of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps, Oh, we have,
Lord, a great God, a gracious God, a God who is love, a God
who is light, a just God and a Savior. Lord, thou hast said,
look unto me, all the ends of the earth, and be ye saved. Oh,
thou hast humbled thyself not only to behold the things that
are in heaven, but to remember poor worms of the earth. Oh,
thou didst look and see there was no intercession. By thine
own right arm hast thou bought salvation. Lord, thy patience
lengthened out. O, thy long-suffering, how great!
The foreness of thy mercy to poor sinners, and, Lord, backslide
us. O, as we have to prove, Lord, of ourselves we'd only get worse,
ourselves we cannot keep, ourselves we cannot save. But, Lord, thy
mercy lengthened out, thy patience not cut off. My goodness, how
immense! Our Lord, we plead this evening
that Thou wouldst touch us. Lord, break our hard hearts with
a sense of that fulness of Thy love which is to us worn in Christ
Jesus. That we, Lord, with a broken
heart and a contrite spirit, might bring the sacrifice of
praise. That Thou wouldst be glorified in our midst. That
Jesus Christ might be first, last, and all in all. Keep us,
Lord, from our sins. Deliver us now from all distracting
thoughts. Oh, draw near to bless us. Help
us to sing thy praise. Be with us as we turn to thy
word. Be with us to do us good, to take away all our sins, to
grant us to know once more our pardon sealed, our peace procured,
a place in heaven prepared for us. We'd ask all these things
for Jesus Christ, Continue our service by singing
hymn number 526 to tune his indulgence number 547. Thrice happy are
the men who know the joyful sound They glory in the Lamb, their
hopes upon Him found. They see how justice, truth,
and grace agree and shine in Jesus' face. A joyful sound indeed
to sinners in distress, who have no works to plead, but what are
will and base, who fill their hearts a dreadful den of every
murderous, hateful sin. Tune Indulgence, 547. ? Your love for me ? ? And all
for one smile ? ? Make for me another smile ? When we are lost in dreamland
bliss, Then we are sure that life is worth living. O'er the land of the free and
the home of the brave? O'er the land of the free and
the home of the brave? Shepherds, shepherds, where art
thou? Where art thou? O say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the
brave ? In confidence all have said ?
? Have faith, have pride, have hope ? ? And as we speak with
truth ? ? We will ever stand ? Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's
early light, So Lord, help me this evening
and grant you peripheral attention, I'll direct you to a text you'll
find in the portion of God's holy word we read together, the
gospel of John chapter 14, and reading again at verse 31. John
14, reading again at verse 31. But the world may know that I
love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so
I do. Arise, let us go hence. but that the world may know that
I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even
so I do. Arise, let us go hence. It is particularly to the last
five words of this chapter that I wish to draw your attention
this evening. Arise, let us go hence. Jesus is about to leave the upper
room for the last time. He goes forth with his disciples.
He goes in a way which he will not return. Our friends, he takes
a one-way journey, if we may put it that way. But as he began
this chapter, I go, I go to repair a place for you. He is coming
again. So Lord, help me this evening
in considering these words. We want firstly to speak to them
as they concern the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. And secondly,
to speak of them as they concern the disciples, and we amongst
those disciples, amongst the Lord's people, arise, let us
go hence. Firstly, concerning the Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ. Oh, friends, he speaks these
words unto his disciples, he's going. These are not idle words. I believe if we are enabled this
evening to come to the fullness of them, oh, what they speak of concerning
our Lord and Savior. Arise, let us go hence. Where
was he going? Where was he going? Oh, friends,
he was going to the cross. Where was he going to? Well,
firstly, we must consider what he'd told them in the previous
chapter. He told them that there was one
that was to betray him, Judas Iscariot. Arise, let us go hence. He goes to be betrayed. Oh, friends,
he knew what was before him. Jesus was not stepping out into
the unknown. He was not stepping out into
darkness. He was stepping out into that. Oh, he knew nothing
was hidden from him. It had been revealed unto him.
He knew that he was about to be betrayed. Oh, the hour has
come when Judas should betray him. And indeed, he told him
that which he had to do. Oh, that that thou doest do quickly. Arise. Let us go hence. He told
them that Peter was to deny him. Or perhaps we may say, chief
among the disciples, we shouldn't put labels. But our friends,
those times when Peter was so enabled by grace to give such
glorious confessions of faith. To whom else can we go without
the words of eternal life? Whom say ye that I am thou? The
Christ, the Son of the living God. Yet Peter, oh Jesus, said
unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not
crow till thou hast denied me thrice. His disciples, that we read of,
that smite the shepherd, the sheep shall be scattered. Oh,
he went forward to desertion. His best friends, those who had
been his followers, The twelve that he gathered within the upper
room, they all forsook him and fled. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, friends, he goes forth to
a pathway he must walk alone. He must trod the winepress alone.
Although he says, let us go hence, he must go alone. He goes into
the garden of Gethsemane. Ah, friends, there, though he
takes those favoured disciples with him. But oh, he went a stone's
throw further. He must go a little further.
Our friends, he must go alone. He must go alone. And although those disciples,
we believe, heard him cry, oh, they recorded it. Father, if
it be possible, let this cut pass from me. Nevertheless, not
my will, but thy will be done. But our friends in his agony,
they slumbered and slept. Their spirit was willing, says
a loving Christ. But the flesh is weak. Oh, friends,
he must go alone. And there, no man stood by him.
Ah, friends, the apostle Paul, knowing fellowship with him in
his sufferings, he says in Timothy, no man stood by him. Ah, friends,
there he stood alone, accused. There he stood alone, condemned.
And there he must be lifted up above his disciples. Ah, he must
tread the winepress alone. Oh, arise, let us go hence. He
goes into a solitary pathway. Oh, friends, he goes forth into
darkness. What a wonder that is, when we
truly have a realization of who it is that says, arise, let us
go hence. He says, I am the light of the
world. I am the light of the world. Gospel begins, speaking
of that light, that the light shone in darkness. Oh, in him
was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth
in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. I am the
light of the world. And yet, there is he, hands upon
the cross, darkness. The sun's eclipse, the darkness
in his soul. My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me? the light of the world in darkness. And he who was the water of the
well of life, as he told the woman of Samaria, oh, he had
water to give from which she would never thirst again. He
who cried on the last great day of the feast, if any man thirsts,
let him come unto me and drink. But there, the water of life
upon the cross of Calvary cries, I thirst, I thirst, as the pains
of hell got hold upon him. Oh, arise, let us go hence. Oh,
friends, he goes forth to suffering. He goes forth to darkness. He
goes forth to know the wrath of God poured out upon him. Oh, this suffering's in his holy
soul, poured out unto death. My God, my God, why arest thou
forsaken? He goes forth to death. Arise,
let us go hence. He goes forth to lie in the grave. Oh, friends, how lightly we may
think of these things, until we come to view the holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate sinners, made higher than the heavens,
He in whom there was never any necessity of death. There was
no sin in Him. The wages of sin is death. Oh,
friends, there was never any necessity of death in Jesus Christ,
because He was never a sinner, but he goes forth to die. He
goes forth to death. Why? Because he who knew no sin,
made sin for his people. Arise, let us go hence. Ah, friends,
these are not empty words. They're not idle words. He knew
what was before him. And he says, arise, let us go
hence. Oh, we cannot enter in to the
fullness of what He says, when he says, arise the dusk of heads,
because, friends, he has suffered for his people that they should
never have to taste of those sufferings. Friends, he has drunk
up the wrath of God that is due unto us. He has died that we
should never die that death, which is the wages of sin. Friends,
he has abhorred The punishment that was due unto the sins of
his people that we should never bear that punishment as a top
lady puts it, payment God cannot twice demand. Once at my bleeding
shirt, his hand, and then again at mine. Oh, friends, a just
God, a righteous God. It must be so. Oh, he trod the
winepress alone. He must drink the cup right up
on behalf of his people. Arise, let us go hence. of his
suffering so intense as a hymn writer angels have no perfect
sense. Ah, friends, neither, neither
do we. Oh, blessed be God if we know
something of what the Apostle Paul desired, fellowship with
him in his sufferings. But oh, as another hymn says,
we do at most but taste the pain. Oh, which he alone has drunk
quite And to that cup, to that cup, he says, arise, let us go
hence. Arise, let us go hence. But oh,
friends, though we must paint the picture in all its blackness,
though we must paint it in all its darkness, ah, friends, it
cannot be anything less. He was our sin bearer, he was
our high priest, our saviour. Arise, let us go hence. Ah, where
did he go? Or what was it that sustained
him? The apostle tells us in writing
to the Hebrews, who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and he sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God. Ah, he said, didn't
he, at the beginning of this chapter, I go, I go to repair
a place for you. Ah friends, where was he going?
To his father's house. I go to my father, your father,
my God, your God. Ah friends, he saw through the
cross, the crown. He saw through the cross, the
crown. And that joy that was set before
him. Oh friends, that prospect sustained him through the hour
of darkness. Ah friends, he could not lie
in the grave. Death could not hold him. He
destroyed death and him that hath the power of death, and
that is the devil, as the Apostle tells us in the Hebrews. Frenzy
was victorious and therefore he must rise. And the third day,
very early, on the morning of the first day of the week, our
Saviour rises, triumphant over death, bursts the bands of the
grave, comes forth. Frenzy showed himself unto his
disciples to confirm them in their faith and then, Ascended
into glory, led them out as far as onto Bethany and lifted up
his hands and blessed them. And as he blessed them, all was
received up into glory. Arise, let us go hence. Our friends, yes, he went to
death, but oh, he went to glory. Yes, our friends, he went to
the cross, but he's gone to a crown. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, you
see, friends, our text speaks of all. All that is bound up
in those words, I go to repair a place for you. Ah, friends,
it speaks of the fullness of that preparation. The preparation
that he made in death. Oh, friends, the preparation
that he made in life. The preparation that he is making
in life. Ah, that life which he has received
from the dead. Because I live, he shall live
also. And oh, as he ever liveth to make intercession for us.
Oh, this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Wherefore he's able to save unto the uttermost all them that come
unto God by him. Ah, friends, he waits. He waits. For as he's ever living to make
intercession for us, he waits for the answer in all his fullness
to that glorious prayer. Father, I will they also now
as give me, be with me where I am. They may behold my glory. Ah, friends, he's gone hench,
you see, to sit at the right hand of the majesty of God on
high, waiting till his enemies be made his footstool. Oh, friends,
waiting till he receives his people unto himself, till he
shall come again the second time without sin unto salvation. Oh,
the fullness of that glorious promise, they shall be mine,
said the Lord of Hosts, in the day that I make up my jaws. If
I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. and receive
you unto myself, the way I am, there ye may be also. Arise,
let us go hence. Ah, friends, yes, he was going
forward to death. He was going forwards to the
cross. He was going forwards to the
grave. But, ah, friends, beyond the cross, beyond the grave,
through death, life, everlasting life, glory. Oh, the glory which
he had with his father before the foundation of the world.
Ah, friends, to that work of intercession, and to that glorious
day, when the second time that sound shall be heard in heaven.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting
doors, that the King of glory shall come in, who is the King
of glory, the Lord of hosts, the Lord of hosts. Ah, friends,
our Saviour, the second time, entering into glory, not alone,
not alone. The first time he comes alone,
I have trod the wine-breast alone. Ah, the first time he comes alone,
the Lord mighty in battle, as he ascended there on that day
when the disciples saw him ascending into glory. But the second time,
he will go into glory with his people with him, the Lord of
hosts, and he will say, I and the children that are with me.
Ah, friends, he will say, I and my bride. my bride, my church,
my portion. His people shall be a diadem
in the hand of their God. Oh, friends, we shall be his
glory. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, friends, yes, he knew us
before him, the darkness, the suffering, but for the joy that
was set before him. Oh, friends, he endured that.
He endured that. He saw the end. He prayed concerning
the end in John 17. Ah, he knew. He lived that life
of faith. Oh, he trusted in God. It was
thrown at his teeth, but oh, friends, a glorious truth. How
many truths have come forth from the wicked? They spake a truth. He trusted in God. Ah, friends,
he did. As we read in Psalm 22, cast
upon him through his mother's breast. Ah, that victory. assured he sings in the midst
of the great congregation he gives the glory unto his father
arise let us go hence well friends that was where he was going but
we want to say something about the way that he went oh friends
the manner of his going because that's really where we see the
glory of the savior in this verse but that the world may know that
i love the father And as the Father gave me commandment, even
so I do. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, friends, our text speaks
of two things concerning the manner in which Jesus went hence. And what are those two things?
Willingness. Willingness, even so I do. And love, that the world may
know I love the Father. I love the Father. And you know,
friends, those two things are brought together in the person
of Jesus Christ. And they're so gloriously set
before us in that law that typified the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
the law of the willing servant. Exodus 21, we read of the law
of the willing servant. And what do we read? Oh, after
seven years, the servant was to go free. But if the servant
loved his master, if the servant loved his master, oh, friends,
it was a loving servant. If the servant loved his master,
he was to be brought to the doorpost. and the oar was to be thrust
through his ear. Ah, friends, his ear was to be
opened. The evidence of a willing servant, the evidence of a servant
that loved his master. And we find that law fulfilled
in the person of Jesus Christ. Oh, the 40th Psalm speaks of
it, doesn't it? Where we read there, concerning
Jesus, oh, in that office, Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire.
Mine ears hast thou opened. Oh, friends, there's the opening
of his ear. Mine ears hast thou opened. Burnt offering and sin
offering hast thou not required. Then said I, lo, I come. In the
volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will.
Oh, my God, yea, thy law is within my heart. Oh, friends, a willing
servant. He delighted to do his father's
will. His ear was opened. we find it
picked up again in the servant songs of Isaiah. Oh, how Isaiah
speaks of him in prophecy, the Father's servant, for hold my
servant, whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my soul delighteth.
But there in that glorious servant song in Isaiah 50, the Lord hath
given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak
a word in season to him that is weary. He wakeneth morning
by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as I learned. "'The
Lord hath opened mine ear. "'I was not rebellious, neither
turned away back, "'a willing servant. "'I gave my backs to
the smiters, "'my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. "'I
hid not my face from shame and spitting, "'for the Lord will
help me. "'Therefore shall I not be confounded. "'Therefore have I set my face
like a flint, "'and I know that I shall not be ashamed.'" Oh,
friends, how was Jesus going forth Oh, as he says, arise,
let us go forth. Well, we know earlier in the
Gospels we read, I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how
am I straitened to be accomplished? Ah, friends, he set his face
aflint to go unto Jerusalem. Oh, in this very Gospel he said,
I came not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent
me. Oh, friends, when the disciples were getting meat and drink,
thinking he was an hungred, he told them, I have meat to eat
that ye know not of. What was it, me? What was his
drink to do the will of my father which is in heaven? Ah, rise,
let us go hence. Here we see the willing servant.
Oh, friends, here we see the loving servant. Here we see the
loving servant. Oh, if the servant loves his
master, then his ear is to be opened. Ah, friends, what is
the evidence of that love that the servant has to his master?
He's a willing servant, he does. what his master asks. He does
what his master requires. His master's will is his delight.
Oh, the evidence of love in children to their parents is willingness.
Willing obedience is the same with the relationship with servants
and masters. Love, oh friends, it brings forth
willingness. Oh, what do we see in Jesus here?
Arise, let us go hence. Oh, friends, these are words
of willing obedience. As the Father gave me commandment,
even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, friends,
it was tried obedience. It was tried obedience. There
we see the reality of the incarnation. Father, if it be possible, let
this cut pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but
thy will be done. Ah, friends, in his human nature
he trembles at what the will of the Father meant. Oh, real mad. a real man. But here we see, ah friends,
that faith in exercise, here we see that trust, that in His
Father arise, let us go hence, oh willingly, as the Father gave
me commandment, even so I do. But oh friends, these words,
they're filled with love. Love is the motive. Oh, but that
the world may know that I love the Father. that the world might know that
I love the Father. Oh, you know, friends, there
is the heart of our salvation. There is the origin of our salvation. If I asked you this evening,
why did Jesus Christ come into this world, would you say because
He loved His people? Or because He loved those that
He came to die for? Friends, that's true. But you
know, we must go a little higher. Why did Jesus Christ come into
this world? Because He loved the Father. because he loved
the Father. And it was the Father's will
that he should come. And because he loved the Father, he willingly
came. Oh, friends, there is the heart of redemption. For God
so loved the world. For God so loved his Son that
he gave unto him a people. And the Son so loved the Father
that he said, Lo, I come. In the volume of the book it
is written of me. I delight to do thy will, O God. I will come.
I will die for them. I will lay down my life for them,
that they All might be for thy glory, Father, for ever and for
ever. Oh, the love that the Son has to the Father. That's the
heart of our salvation. That's the heart of our salvation.
Oh, you know, friends, we speak of a mystery, great is the mystery
of godliness. Oh, how little we know of these
things, how little we understand of them. But you know, I would
encourage you this evening to pray. The Holy Spirit would lead
you into that mystery, the mystery of the Trinity, Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost. because it is in the very nature
of God that our salvation springs forth. Oh, from the very nature
of God, the love that is in God. God is love. There is the origin
of your salvation, poor tri-child of God, this evening, and there
is something that cannot change. Oh, God, immutable, God, unchangeable,
His love, always the same, the very nature of God. Oh, why do
I encourage you to look there? Oh, you know, friends, it's a
wonderful thing, and perhaps you're seeking after it this
evening. Oh, if only I knew that Jesus loved me. Ah, friends,
do seek after a knowledge of that love, the love of Christ
yet abroad in your soul. Ah, friends, it's very precious.
But you know, when you're tried, when you feel utterly unlovable,
ah, friends, when you feel wretched, defiled by sin, when the devil
tells you there's no hope for you, yes you read in john 13
for jesus having loved his own but oh no hope for you how can
he really love you such a wretch such a sinner but all you know
friends if faith can get hold upon that fact that your salvation
doesn't hang upon the love of jesus to you it hangs upon the
love of the eternal son to the father because he loved the father
he came to save Oh, friends, there is love that the devil
cannot touch. There is love that can never
change. That love is God. God is love. God is love. Oh, friends, it's when faith
is enabled to get hold upon that truth. We say with Moses, the
eternal God is our refuge. And underneath are the everlasting
arms. Oh, friends, it's at those moments we can say the Lord of
hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.
See that. but that the world may know that
I love the Father." Ah, friends, would you know the evidence of
the love, that the Son loves the Father, it's in this. He
came to die for His people, nothing less, nothing less, brought Him
from the skies, and that the Son loved the Father. Because
He loved the Father. Ah, friends, a willing servant,
his ear bored to the doorpost, his ear opened, He came to do
the Father's will. And oh, friends, this is to be
made known to the world, but that the world may know, I love
the Father. Oh, John is not speaking there
to the world outside. Or at least, should I say, I
correct myself there, he's not speaking of all men. Oh, friends,
he's not speaking of all mankind upon the earth. Oh, great is
the mystery of Godliness. Oh, friends, these are not given
to all to know. Jesus cried, didn't he? Oh, in
prayer, Father, I thank thee, Lord of heaven and earth. Thou
hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and hast
revealed them unto babes. Oh, there are millions in the
world tonight that will never know that the Son loves the Father. Oh, who is the world that is
spoken of here, the world that John keeps speaking of in his
gospel? And friends, John uses that word
love, uses that word world, sorry, oh, in such a distinct sense,
and we find it in Those beautiful words for Nicodemus, that God
so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Oh,
friends, the context there dictates the meaning of the word world.
Remember Nicodemus was a Pharisee. Remember he was a Pharisee. And
you know, friends, we find the spirit of Nicodemus in our churches
at times. Oh, we come into the Lord's house.
We come like the Pharisees. Oh Lord, I thank you, I'm not
like one of them out there. I'm not a wretched sinner. Ah, friends, Nicodemus spent
all his time looking down on the world. Oh, you know, it's
strict Baptist language, isn't it? We speak of the world. Ah,
we're glad we're not one of the world. Glad we're not like the
world. Oh, what was Jesus saying to
Nicodemus when he said, for God so loved the world? He was saying,
Nicodemus, I came not to call the righteous, but sinners for
repentance. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to
repentance. God has sent his only begotten
son into this world to save vile, wretched sinners. What you look
down upon, what you cast off as the world, oh, but the publicans,
sinners, they shall go into heaven before you. Oh, they are they
to whom I came to reveal the love of God. Oh, the far off
ones. a friend of publicans and sinners,
the ends of the earth, look unto me all the ends of the earth,
and be ye saved." Ah, friends, that is the world that's spoken
of in our text, but that the world may know that I love the
Father. Oh, the vilest of the vile. Those
who feel themselves to be far off, without God, without hope
in the world. Oh, that it may be made known
unto them. Oh, that I came into this world
because I love the Father. I came into this world because
of love. I came to save poor far-off sinners. I came willingly, and I'm still
a willing Saviour. I'm still a willing Saviour.
Full of pity, joined with power, He is able. He is willing, doubt
no more. Oh, friends, that's what poor
sinners need to know, isn't it? Perhaps this evening, oh, you
cannot doubt that he's able to save. No, you have to confess
he is able to save sinners. You read of it in his word, you've
seen it in the lives of others. He is able. But, oh, the question
with you is, is he willing? Is he willing? Well, friends,
here is the evidence of his willingness, and it's to be proclaimed to
poor sinners, to poor far-off ones, Oh, He is a loving Saviour. Jesus having loved His own which
are in the world, far off, as far from God as sheep can run,
most unlike the Lord's people it is possible to believe, that
Jesus having loved His own which are in the world, He loved them
unto the end. Oh, willing Saviour, willing to save unto the uttermost,
not only able, but willing to save. But that the world may
know that I love the Father, And as the Father gave me commandment,
even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, friends, the manner in which
Jesus goes hence. These words, oh, if I may put
it this way, they're saturated, they drip with love. Love to his Father. Ah, friends,
and because he loves his Father, love to his people. Jesus having
loved his own. Oh, friends, he goes out of love.
Arise, let us go hence. Ah, friends, he goes forth full
of love. Arise, let us go hence. Why? Because I've loved. I've
loved. Oh, friends, these are words
that drip with willingness. What a shadow of a turning. Arise,
let us go hence. His face set as aflint. He gave his back to the smiters.
Ah, friends, he turned not back. Laird is a sheep before his shearers.
He's done, so he opened not his mouth. Oh, a willing Saviour. A willing Saviour. Arise, let
us go hence. Oh friends, this is none less
than the proclamation of the Gospel in Jesus Christ to poor
sinners, a Saviour who loves sinners, a Saviour who is willing
to save them, and therefore He says with holy boldness, Arise,
let us go hence. I will not stand on my going,
for this hour came I into the world, all that I might go, and
through the cross, save my people, and that through my life, my
intercession, I might bring them to myself, to where I am. There
they may also be arised, let us go hence." Ah, friends, these
are words of urgency. They're words of desire, all
linked to those words of love Now before the Feast of the Passo,
when Jesus knew that his hour was come, that he should depart
out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own unto the,
which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. I'm sorry,
it's not in John, is it? I think it's in Luke. But he
speaks there of the Feast of the Passo with desire. Have I
desired? Oh, to eat of that, with his
disciples before he should go. Oh, friends, what did the Passover
speak of, but the lamb's slaughter. Ah, friends, it was but an evidence
of that desire, that love towards his people, that love towards
his father, that willingness to do his father's will, that
willingness to save his people, he says, arise, let us go hence. But we must hasten, in second
place, he wanted to come to say something regarding what this
says about the disciples. Ah, friends, he doesn't say,
arise, I'm going hence. He says, arise, let us go hence.
Arise, let us go hence. Oh, these words they speak to
the disciples too. Arise, let us go hence. We want to speak of them in two
senses. The first is that we want to speak of them for a moment
is the mystical sense. The second is the real sense. Oh, the disciples, they went
forth with him physically, but they could not go to Calvary.
But you know, friends, oh, blessed be God, Jesus hung upon the cross,
but oh, he hung there for his people. His people united to
him as Kent takes it up in the 405th hymn to which Jesus and
the chosen race subsist a bond of sovereign grace. The hell
with its infernal train should never end nor break in twain.
Oh, one with him upon the cross, one with him in the grave, one
with him when he rose. Ah, friends, one with him in
glory. That's what's said before us, isn't it, in the high priest,
when he went into the holy place. Oh, he went into the holy place
alone. But ah, friends, he went into the holy place with the
names of the 12 tribes on his breastplate, the names of the
12 tribes on his shoulders. He bore them. He bore them there
before the holy place to make intercession for them. Oh, friends,
the whole of our salvation hangs upon this, one with Jesus, one
with Jesus. You know, you perhaps heard many
answers to the question, what is it to be a Christian? If somebody
asked you this evening, what does it mean to be a Christian?
Oh, friends, how would you answer? Well, I believe William Gatsby
has a fundamental in that hymn, Pause My Soul, and asks the question. Oh, friends, he comes down to
this, have I union? Have I union to the church's
living head? That's what it is to be a Christian, to be one
with Christ, one with Jesus. united to the true vines, you've
sung together in one of your hymns. Oh friends union you see
and that's the union that is in this word us, arise let us
go hence. Our friends he had no need to
go to Calvary of himself, he only went there because he bore
his people's sin there, he who knew no sin made sin for us.
Now friends he only went there as he was his people's high priest,
the mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Our
friends, He goes there because of this us. Arise, let us go
hence. And there, our friends, to see
Him dying for us. Oh, have you ever by faith seen
Jesus dying your death, the death that was due unto you? Oh, that
you should never die, that you should never die. Oh, as Jesus
opens that truth in this gospel, in those glorious words to Martha,
I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth
and believeth in me shall never die, shall never die, believeth
so this. Ah, friends, he died death for
his people. Died death for his people. He
laid in the grave for his people. Oh, friends, to consider that
we've already laid in the grave with Jesus Christ, and he rose. Oh, friends, and now he's ascended
into heaven, and he lives to carry on his people's cause above,
Oh, as Watts puts it, he points to our names upon his breasts
and spreads his wounded hands. Oh, friends, by faith, the seers
are seen. Arise, let us go hence. Ah, he's
represented the cause of his people in glory, the seers. Arise,
let us go hence. Oh, as we were united to him
in the everlasting covenant, as he became our covenant head,
we were numbered to him. Oh, friends, as we were made
one with him, as he comes into this world and takes into union
with his divine person, human nature, is found in fashion of
the man, flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone. Oh, friends,
that union of nature, made one with him in nature. Arise, let
us go hence. Oh, friends, as we are made one
with him, one with him in death, through death, to be one with
him. Oh, in the fullness of it, in
glory to come, the consummation of that union, are to be found
with him, that where he is, there we should also be. Arise, let
us go hence. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, friend,
what a mercy by faith this evening we can see ourselves in this
us. Outside of that, we must have no hope. Oh, salvation is
only as we have union with him, taken with him to the cross,
as he bore our sins, as he died the death that we were due to
die. And as he now lifts to carry
on the cause of his people above, arise, let us go hence. Arise,
let us go hence. Well, friends, we may say that's
the mystical sense. We want to come more particularly
to the natural sense or the physical sense. He says to his disciples,
arise, let us go hence. Three things we want to notice.
The first of them is this. Arise, let us go hence. I haven't
finished teaching you. I haven't finished teaching you.
before this chapter begins let not your heart be troubled the
disciples are in darkness they've just been told i'm going from
you i'm not going to be here i'm going to leave you oh friends
what darkness what trouble they've just been told one of your number
is going to betray me what darkness what trouble they've just been
told peter the natural leader amongst them was going to deny
their lord what trouble what darkness And Jesus begins to
speak comfort to them. Let not your heart be troubled,
ye believe in God, believe also in me. Oh friends, he tells them
he's going to prepare a place for them. It's not final separation. He's going from them, but it's
not final, he's coming again. He begins to tell them, oh that
though he's going from them, he's going to send them another
comfort of the Holy Spirit that he should abide with them. That
he should teach them and lead them in the truth. He begins
to tell them, all the great works that he's done, they'll do even
greater than those than they did. Oh, friends, what a marvel! The scribes, the Pharisees, the
priests, under Jesus' ministry. Oh, friends, they rejected him,
but come to the Acts of the Apostles, and what do we read? Amongst
the thousand that believed were a great company of priests, a
great company of priests. Oh, very, very, I say unto you,
he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also,
and greater works. Oh, Jesus comforted them with
that promise of peace. My peace, I live with you. My
peace, I give up to you. He promises them that the love
of the Father to them on earth is still the same, unchanged. He tells them to ask that the
Father may be glorified in the Son. If you should ask anything
in my name, I will do it. Comfort upon comfort. Comfort
upon comfort. But oh, we get to the end of
this chapter and he says, Arise, let us go hence. I haven't finished
comforting you yet. I haven't finished comforting
you yet. Oh, I've only just begun my sermon. I've only just begun
to pour out the blessings of comfort. Ah, friends, you get
to the end of John 14 and what glorious and blessed things we've
read, but Jesus was only just warming up to the subject. Jesus
had only just begun his sermon. Oh, chapter 15 and chapter 16
yet to come. And then, oh, friends, to crown
it all, the disciples are given the privilege of hearing Jesus
in prayer, praying that the blessings that he's, the comforts that
he's promised to them, will be given to them by the Father.
Ah, friends, He'd only just begun. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, I've
got more consolation for you. I've got more comfort. I've got
more things to teach you. Arise, let us go hence. Ah, you
know, friends, this is where every one of the Lord's people
is in this Texas evening. Oh, day by day, Jesus still says
to His disciples in this sense, Arise, let us go hence. Oh, there's
still more to learn. There's still more comfort. There's
still more blessing. You haven't got to the end of
it yet. You haven't got to the end of it. Oh, friends, is that
what you need this evening? Mercy for tomorrow. Comfort for
tomorrow. To be led more into the fullness
of the blessing there is in Christ. Oh, friends, we need it, don't
we? We need it. We seem to only grow worse. Oh, friends, we seem to only
grow more needy. But he says, arise, let us go in. There's
more comfort. There's more consolation yet.
You haven't got to the end of the fullness there is in Christ.
Arise, let us go hence. Oh, friends, have you proved
this so far in your Christian pilgrimage? Oh, the Lord hasn't
left you. The Holy Spirit has been your
comforter and your teacher. And day by day, oh, the Holy
Spirit has said, Arise, let us go hence. I'm going to lead you
a little more in the truth today. Open up the word. Ah, friends,
it is. Line upon line, precept upon
precept, here a little, there a little. Perhaps at times greater
comforts, greater consolation than in others. But, ah, friends,
looking back, oh, you know more today, don't you, than what you
knew in the beginning. More of that depth of mercy, more of
the fullness of that love, more of the beauty there is in Jesus.
Ah, friends, more of the glories of the prospect which is set
before us in my Father's house of many mansions. Yet, friends,
how little you know. Oh, the little that we know,
which children like we boast. Oh, but he says, arise, let us
go hence. Got more things to teach you, greater comforts,
greater blessings yet to pour out upon you. Arise, let us go
hence. The second sense in which he
says to his disciples, arise, let us go hence, is this. Ah,
friends, he's been telling them all these comforts. But now they've
got to prove the promise. What does he say? Arise, let
us go hence. Let us go forth to that darkness which I've told
you is coming upon you. Let us go forth into the dark
cloud to prove the promise true. Oh, friends, do you know what
I mean when I say a promise is of little worth until you've
proved it? Ah, the Lord may have given you a promise. You've yet
to prove it. Is he calling you this evening?
Arise, let us go hence. The promise that I've given to
you Ah, you now must go forth, you must now get up and go into
the trouble, go into the darkness, go into the fire, to prove the
fullness of the promise. Arise Odesco hence. This is what
the disciples are being called forth to. Oh, you know friends,
Jesus was a very honest master, a very honest teacher. He painted
the picture just right, didn't he? In this world you shall have
tribulation. Our friend, he told his disciples,
as the hymn writer puts it, no less, and he's told you no less.
In this world you shall have tribulation. The days of darkness
are many, and the Lord's people prove it. But our friend's written
over against all the darkness. But be of good cheer, for I have
overcome the world. Our peace I leave with you, my
peace I give unto you. You will not sink, I promise. I promise my grace is sufficient
for thee, my strength is made perfect in thy weakness. I promised
I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. But, oh, we must step into
the tribulation. We must go forth into the hour
of darkness. And, oh, friends, we would not
minimize the seed in the darkness that was before the disciples.
They all forsook him and fled. They all forsook him and fled.
Oh, friends, their faith was shaken to the very core. Their
faith was shaken to the very core. The darkness that Peter
knew. Oh, the desolation when he went
out and wept bitterly. But our friends, the disciples
had to prove, didn't they, the promise was true. Oh, the day
of Pentecost, the Spirit poured out upon them. Our friends, the
blessings that Peter could speak of in his epistles, right into
the tempted and to the tried people of God. A faithful creator
is committing yourselves into the hands of a faithful creator.
The trial of your faith being exceeding precious. Oh, when
he has tried us, we shall come forth as God. Oh, Peter, he could
say, tried, proved, tested. This is what the Lord was calling
him forth to, arise. Let us go hence, Peter, come
forth. I'll prove, prove that the word that I've spoken is
true. You will deny me. Oh, you don't think it's true
at the moment. Lord, I'll go with thee even unto death. Oh,
but you'll have to prove my every word is true. Everything I've
spoken is true. Oh, but you'll have to prove
my grace. My love is more than your sin, more than your backsliding. Oh, you'll have to prove the
fullness of the comfort that I've spoken to you. Arise, let
us go hence. Arise, let us go hence. And oh,
friends, remember it's us. It's us. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, Jesus had already tested
them, hadn't he? When I sent you without person,
without script, Oh, nothing, Lord. Now he'd spoken to them
of greater things. Oh, they must go forth again.
I'm quite sure if we could have been at the deathbed of any one
of the disciples and said to them, oh, has anything failed
of what the Lord spoke to you in the upper room, of what he
spoke to you on the way to Gethsemane? Oh, would they not have had to
say with Joshua, not one word had failed. Of all the good things
that he had spoken to them of, Arise, let us go hence. Ah, you
know, friends, we dread, we dread the cloud, don't we? Ye fearful
saints, fresh courage take, the cloud ye so much dread. They're
big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head, blessings
of proving the fullness of the promise, the strength there is
in Jesus Christ, that the promises are yelled, amen, in Jesus Christ. Our friends is the Lord calling
you forth this evening as he called his disciples. Arise,
let us go hence. Step into the cloud. Step into
the cloud and prove the fullness of the promise. The third thing we want to say
is this. Arise, let us go hence. Our friends, here is the fullness
of the comfort. Arise, let us go hence. You're
not going into the cloud alone. You're not going into the unknown
tomorrow alone. Arise, let us go hence. Ah, friends,
he was to be parted from his disciples, but he didn't leave
them. He sent unto them another comforter. And he could say all
the last words that are recorded of him on this earth, going into
all nations, teaching them, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto
the end of the world. Oh, friends, this is the promise.
that is spoken of by the Apostle at the end of Hebrews. That your
conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things
as ye have. For here said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake
thee. I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee. You know, friends, if you look
up into the commentators on that verse, you'll discover that they
spend a lot of time arguing about what verse Paul is quoting. Oh,
where does the Word of God say those exact words? Our friends,
it's written on every page, isn't it? From Genesis to Revelation.
It's in our text. Arise, let us go hence. Arise,
let us go hence. I am with thee. I am with thee.
I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Arise, let us go hence. There's a fire, there's a flood
before you. Oh, but when thou passest through the waters, I
will be with thee. Through the fire, I will be with thee. Oh, why these fears? Fear not,
I am with thee. I am with thee. I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee. Lo, I am with you always, even
unto the end of the world. Oh, friends, as God with us,
he's present now. Emmanuel. You know, friends, when Jesus
took that glorious title, Emmanuel, he didn't leave that title. As
he left us and ascended into glory, he still bears that glorious
title. Ah, friends, as God with us,
as the hymn writer says, as God with us, he's present now. He
still bears that blessed title of Emmanuel, because he's always
with his people. You are the temple of the Holy
Ghost. Ah, friends, the Holy Spirit dwells in every one of
the Lord's people. I am with thee. Oh, that great mystery
of which Paul speaks. It is not me that liveth, says
the apostle, but Christ that liveth in me. Christ that liveth
in me. Oh, the life that I now live,
I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave
himself for me. I am with thee. Arise, let us
go hence. Ah, friends, he's with the church.
As he says to the church, go forward. Sometimes the church
stands, doesn't it, just like the poor children of Israel in
the wilderness, tempted and tried about going forwards. Jordan
before us. Oh, the wilderness of temptation,
the time of trouble. But arise, let us go hence. Where
two or three are gathered together in minor, there I will be in
the midst of them. He'll never leave his church,
he'll never forsake them. He says, arise, let us go hence. Let us go hence. I am with you.
I am with you. You're not stepping out alone.
You're not stepping into the cloud alone. You're not stepping
into the hour of temptation alone. I am with you. Arise, let us
go hence. Oh, and at last, arise, let us
go hence. Ah, friends, he's with his people
in death, isn't he? It's us in death. Us in death. I go to prepare a place for you.
If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. and receive
you unto myself the way I am, there you may be also." Or in
death, we have to leave everyone else. We have to leave everyone
else. Solemn separation. You cannot
go with a dying person. Ah, friends, they leave you,
you leave them. But you know the Lord's people.
Ah, friends, they don't die alone. Arise, let us go hence. I will
come again and receive you unto myself. Ah, you know, friends,
in that sense. These can be read as the words
of Jesus coming. Oh, to take his people from this
world. Arise, let us go hence. Arise, let us go hence. Arise,
my love, my fair one, and come away. Come away. Oh, leave all
these things below. Enter into the presence of the
Lord. Enter into that mansion which I have prepared for thee
in my Father's house. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, you
see, friends, these words They are in many ways the beginning
of the work of grace. Oh, when Jesus draws near and
says, follow me, and the disciples left all and follow him. Oh,
the first call of grace, arise, let us go hence. He's with us
in the very beginning of grace. And day by day, for instance,
the Spirit teaches us day by day. Every morning he awakens
us with these words, arise, let us go hence. Oh, to be led a
little deeper into the truth, to be led a little more into
the fullness of the promise. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, to
have to prove each day more the fullness of the promise, to find
all those precious streams of mercy from Calvary, more healing,
as the hymn writer puts it. Arise, let us go hence. And to
find day by day, although we may be forsaken and alone, although
father and mother may give up on us, I am with thee, I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee. In death arise, let us
go hence. And ah, you know, friends, the
call to the sleeping dust in the grave also, arise, let us
go hence. Oh, that glorious day, when we
shall be raised. Mortality shall be an immortality,
corruption incorruption. And though we know not what we
shall be, yet we know that when He shall appear, we shall be
like Him, and we shall see And that prayer will be answered
in all its fullness. Father, I will. These also thou
hast given me. Be with me where I am. They may
behold my glory. Now, friends, to this end, Jesus
says, Arise, let us go forth. Arise, let us go hence. Ah, that
my people might be with me. Oh, friends, he goes bearing
his people. He goes taking his people. He
carries us along. Arise, let us go hence. Oh, he
does so willingly. He does so lovingly, and He continues
to say to His people, in the fullness of our tits this evening,
arise, let us go hence, come with me, come with me. But that
the world may know that I love the Father, as the Father gave
me commandment, even so I do, arise, let us go hence. Amen. We conclude our service this
evening by singing hymn number 724, the Juniors Evening Hymn
number 709. How vast the sufferings! Who can tell when Jesus fought
sin, death, and hell, and was in battle slain? How great the
triumph! Who can sing when from the grave
the immortal King triumphant rose again? yet we'll attempt
his name to bless while we pass through the wilderness to Canaan's
happy shore. But when we reach the plains
above and every breath we draw is love, we'll sing his glories
more. Hymn number 724, June evening
hymn number 709. ? O come, O come, O come, O come, O come, O come ? ? O come,
O come, O come, O come, O come ? ? And heaven and host ? ? Are full of grace ? ? And heaven
and host ? ? Are full of grace ? O'er the ramparts we watched,
were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the
bombs bursting in air, ? For we passed through the river ?
? Yes, he came and I'm sure ? ? The friendly bridge, the friendly bridge ?
? And ev'ry betting poet's heart
? ? Will sing his glory evermore ? Lord, forgive all that's been
amiss in the worship of thy house this evening. Oh, speak the word
only, Lord. Speak it with power to our souls
now. Oh, rise, let us go hence. Lord,
may we not step forth from this place, but being in that us,
and finding thee with us, and with us to the journey's end,
lead us more, Lord. Oh, into that hence to which
Jesus went forth, has gone forth. Oh, in the fullness which is
yet to come, Lord, may we be made partakers this evening of
all those blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Bless
us, Lord, with journey and mercies as we go on our way, take us
to our homes in peace and safety, grant rest and sleep through
the night, throughout the remainder, Lord, of our short and uncertain
lives. Oh, give grace day by day, and hereafter, Lord, oh,
may we have that prospect of glory. Forgive us our every sin,
we ask it for Jesus Christ's sake. Now may the grace of the
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, the
fellowship and the communion of the Holy Spirit, remain and
abide with us each, both now and for evermore. Amen.