Sitting & Dying

[0:00] If there was ever a question that we all need to ask ourselves. It would be this question. Why are we sitting here. Until we die.

[0:11] If there was ever a question that is applicable to us. And to our condition before God. It would be this question. Why are we sitting here. Until we die.

[0:23] If there was ever a question that we all need to take seriously. It would be this question. Why are we sitting here. Until we die. And my friend if there was ever a question that the Bible needs us.

[0:38] And wants us to answer. It is this question. Why are we sitting here. Until we die. Why are we sitting in church.

[0:50] Until we die. Why are we sitting here on yet another Lord's Day morning. Still unconverted. Still uncommitted. Still out of Christ.

[1:03] Why are we sitting here. Until we die. But I am sure that I would be right in saying. That the fact that you are sitting here. And that you keep sitting here.

[1:15] And that you keep coming back to church. Lord's Day by Lord's Day. It indicates at the very least. That you have a concern for your soul. It indicates at the very least. That you know that eternity is looming.

[1:28] And that you won't live forever. And when it comes to God. And the things of church. And the things of Jesus Christ. The fact that you are here again today. It indicates that there is an interest there.

[1:41] It might not be a strong interest. Your soul might not be your greatest concern. And all your list of concerns. You know it should be. But if you were to be honest.

[1:52] Well that's not the case. And because it's not the case. You're not ready to commit your life. To following Jesus Christ. Just yet. But I hope that by the end of the sermon.

[2:04] That will change. Because. The question we are being asked today. Is why are we sitting here. Until we die. Why are we sitting here. If we don't want that change.

[2:16] To take place in our life. Why are we sitting here. For another hour. On a Lord's Day. If we don't really want the Lord. In our life. Why are we sitting here.

[2:27] Reading the Bible. And praying. And listening. To a preacher. If we don't really want it. To affect our heart. Why are we sitting here. If our sitting here.

[2:38] Is only to ease our conscience. Until we die. Why are we sitting here. Until we die. And you know my friend.

[2:49] If these pews could speak. They would tell us. How long you have actually been sitting here. If these pews could speak. They would tell us.

[3:00] Of all the times. That you have sat. In this place. Whether it was on the Lord's Day. Or for a wake. Or for a funeral. Of someone from this community.

[3:11] If these pews could speak. They would tell us. How often you have heard. The word of God being read to you. They would tell us. How many sermons. You have heard in your lifetime.

[3:23] They would tell us. How many preachers. Have spoken to you. Throughout the years. But these pews. Would also tell us. How often you have chosen. To ignore the call.

[3:34] To come to Christ. For your salvation. My friend. If these pews could speak. They would ask you. Why are you sitting here.

[3:46] Until you die. If there was ever a question. That we need to answer. It's this question. Why are we sitting here.

[3:57] Until we die. But this question. It was asked in a discussion. Between four lepers. And they were sitting at the gate. To the city of Samaria. And you know.

[4:08] This morning. I just like us to. Listen in. To their conversation. And see what conclusion. They came to. When they ask the question. That we all need to answer. Why are we sitting here.

[4:20] Until we die. And I'd like us just to consider. This conversation. Between the lepers. Under three headings. The context. The conversation.

[4:31] And the conclusion. The context. The conversation. And the conclusion. So if we look first of all. At the context. If you look again. At verse one. It says.

[4:42] But Elisha said. Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord. Tomorrow about this time. A seah of fine flour. Shall be sold for a shekel. And two seahs of barley. For a shekel.

[4:53] At the gate of Samaria. Then the captain. On whose hand. The king leaned. Said to the man of God. That is Elisha. If the Lord himself. Should make windows in heaven. Could this thing be.

[5:05] But he said. You shall see it. With your own eyes. But you shall not eat of it. And so in order for us. To understand. This question. Why are we sitting here. Until we die.

[5:15] In order for us. To understand. Where it came from. And why it was asked. We need to understand. The context of this passage. And we need. To understand.

[5:25] The context of the book. Because well. As you know. Context is important. And it helps us. To understand. The content. Of the book. And what's going on. And you know.

[5:36] When we come to the book. Of books of kings. As you can guess. First and second kings. They are. A historical account. About the kings. Of Israel. And Judah.

[5:47] First kings. Begins with the death. Of. Of. King David. Who was. The man after God's own heart. The greatest king. In Israel. And David's successor. Was his son.

[5:58] Solomon. And for many years. Solomon followed. In his father's footsteps. But Solomon. Solomon. He married women. Who were from. Foreign nations. And these women.

[6:09] They worshipped. False gods. And they bowed down. To idols. And the Lord. Had specifically. Told his people. That they were not to do that. Because it would turn them. Away from himself.

[6:19] And it would cause them. To worship. Other gods. And that's what happened. Solomon's. Many marriages. They caused. Israel. To be infiltrated. With all these false gods.

[6:30] And these false religions. And over time. The people. They turned away. From worshipping the Lord. To worshipping. All these false gods. But when Solomon died.

[6:41] He left his kingdom. To two sons. Rehoboam. And Jeroboam. And they were nothing. Like their father Solomon. Or their grandfather David. Because they wanted.

[6:52] To do their own thing. And live their own lives. They wanted to break free. From the shackles. Of being brought up. In a God-fearing home. And being made. To worship the Lord. And so.

[7:02] Like many of us did. In our own youth. They rebelled. But the rebellion. Of Rehoboam. And Jeroboam. It led to the division. Of the nation of Israel. Where the nation of Israel.

[7:14] It became. Two kingdoms. Israel. And Judah. With Israel. Was in the north. And Judah. Was down in the south. But that division. Of the nation. It marked this.

[7:25] Downward spiral. Of both kingdoms. Where almost every. Succeeding king. Was worse than the last. There were some kings. That were faithful. Jehoshaphat.

[7:37] Josiah. Hezekiah. They sought to bring. Honor to the Lord. And lead. His people back. To worshiping the Lord. But. As soon as the king died. The people would return.

[7:47] To their idols. And to their false gods. And throughout the books. Of kings. There is this. Spiritual decay. This spiritual. Decline. And this. Turning away. From the Lord.

[7:58] Until the Lord. Finally moves. In judgment. At the end of second kings. And the people. Are invaded. And brought. Into other. Into other foreign lands.

[8:08] The northern kingdom of Israel. Was invaded. And destroyed. The people were taken captive. Into Assyria. The southern kingdom of Judah. Was invaded. And destroyed.

[8:19] And the people were taken. Into the land. Of Babylon. But even though. Both kingdoms. Were always going. Headlong. Towards this. Catastrophic end.

[8:30] Under the hand. Of the Lord's judgment. The Lord didn't leave them. The Lord didn't leave them. Because throughout their years. Of disobedience. And doing what they wanted to do.

[8:42] And being so far away. From the Lord. And this spiritual. Decline in their life. Despite all that. The Lord continued. To speak to his people. Through prophets. The Lord raised up many.

[8:54] Prophets. To remind his people. That they were only to serve. The living and through God. And out of his grace. And his love. And his mercy. The Lord sent prophet. After prophet.

[9:05] After prophet. To warn the people. To warn them. That if they refused to repent. And turn from their sin. And turn back to the Lord. The Lord would bring judgment.

[9:16] And the message. That the prophets preached. Again. And again. And again. Was the solemn message. Judgment is coming. Judgment is coming.

[9:27] You need to repent. Because judgment. Is coming. And that was the role of the prophets. Their role was. To proclaim God's truth. And to herald.

[9:37] God's covenant. And to challenge any. Who worshipped. False gods. Or bow down to idols. The role of the prophets. Was to call the people. To repent.

[9:49] To realize the error of their ways. And turn to the Lord. And seek him with all their heart. And to commit their lives. To loving. Honoring. And worshipping. The Lord.

[10:02] But when you look through. The books of Kings. Didn't matter how many prophets. The Lord sent. Didn't matter how many prophets. Proclaimed the truth. Didn't matter.

[10:12] How often they preached. About God's judgment. The people. Weren't. Listening. They were ignoring. All the warnings. Of judgment.

[10:24] The Lord had sent. Them. Again and again. But they were ignoring it. Ignoring all the warnings. And you know. The same is true today.

[10:36] The Lord has sent. Many preachers. To this pulpit. And he sent them down. Throughout the year. And like the prophets of old. They have. Proclaimed God's truth.

[10:47] They have heralded. God's covenant. They have challenged. You. As to where you stand. With Jesus Christ. They have reminded you. Again and again. That judgment is coming.

[10:58] There is a day. Coming. When. We will be called. To the bar. Of God's judgment. To give. An account. But before then. You need to repent. And turn. To the Lord.

[11:09] You need to repent. Of your sins. And turn. To the Lord. You need to seek the Lord. While he is to be found. And call upon him. While he is near. That you need to. Commit your life. To loving. Honoring.

[11:20] And worshipping the Lord. But it seems that. Despite all that you are told. And the fact that you are pleaded with. You refuse to listen.

[11:32] Listen. You ignore. What is said. Despite everything you have heard. You are still going. Headlong. Towards a lost eternity. In hell. You are still going.

[11:44] On that same. Trajectory. Towards a lost eternity. My friend. Why. Are you sitting here. Until you die. Why are you sitting here. And letting all these opportunities.

[11:57] Pass you by. Why are you wasting your life. Chasing these things. That will not last. And will never. Satisfy. Why are you trying to hold. On to all these things.

[12:09] That will only be taken from you. They will only be taken from you. They will just fall through your fingers. And you know.

[12:20] That is what Israel was doing. In the context of this chapter. Israel was continually at war. With Syria. And you know. It is frightening to think. That these nations. They are still at war.

[12:32] They are still fighting. With one another. And they are also fighting. Internally. With their own people. We have seen that. On the news this week. All the devastation. But what we see here.

[12:44] In the previous chapter. In chapter 6. Is that Israel was trying. To hold on to. The city of Samaria. But the Syrians. They were constantly. Trying to capture it. And take it from them.

[12:55] And in the previous chapter. The Syrians. They succeeded. In taking. The city of Samaria. And as you would expect. The king of Israel. He wasn't. Happy with the. This Syrian invasion.

[13:06] But what angered the king most. Wasn't just the Syrian invasion. It was the fact. That there was a famine. In the land. And famine. The famine had become.

[13:18] So severe. If you read. Just the end of chapter 6. The people were cannibals. They were eating one another. They had no food. And this angered the king. But the truth was.

[13:29] Their invasion from Syria. And the famine in the land. It was because of God's judgment upon them. Because invasion. And famine. They were expressions of God's judgment.

[13:39] And displeasure against the king. For leading the people away. From worshipping the Lord. And so who do people blame. When something goes wrong in their lives.

[13:50] They blame God. When everything is fine. God doesn't exist. But when things go wrong. God is responsible. For all these bad things. And that's what the king did. He blamed God.

[14:01] For the Syrian's invasion. Of Samaria. And he blamed God. For the famine in the land. And in order to take out. His frustration. And anger.

[14:12] With the Lord. The king wanted. The Lord's prophet. Dead. He wanted. Elisha. Dead. And so the king. Sends this captain. Of his guard.

[14:23] The captain of his guard. He sends him. To Elisha. To tell him. This trouble. That we have. This famine. This invasion. This is from the Lord. And the king wants you dead.

[14:36] But Elisha says to the king's captain. That's where we come into chapter 7. Elisha says. Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord. Tomorrow about this time.

[14:47] A seah of fine flour. Shall be sold for a shekel. Two seahs of barley. For a shekel. At the gate of Samaria. Then the captain. On whose hand the king leaned. Said to the man of God.

[14:57] If the Lord himself. Should make windows in heaven. He's been sarcastic. Could this thing be. But he said. You shall see it. With your own eyes. But you shall not eat of it.

[15:09] You shall not eat of it. Elisha promised. That within 24 hours. Everything will change. Elisha promised. Good news. They didn't deserve good news.

[15:19] But Elisha promised. Good news. Because in 24 hours. The famine. Will be over. And the people. Will be able to eat again. But because of the unbelief.

[15:30] Of the king's captain. Elisha told him. That in 24 hours. You will be dead. Your life will be over. And that's what's reaffirmed to us.

[15:40] At the end of the chapter. It's mentioned at the beginning. Then it's restated. It says in verse 18. For when the man of God. Had sent to the king. Two sails of barley.

[15:51] Shall be sold for a shekel. And a sails of fine flour. For a shekel. About this time tomorrow. In the gate of Samaria. The captain had answered. The man of God. If the Lord himself.

[16:01] Should make windows in heaven. Could such a thing be. And he had said. You shall see it. With your own eyes. But you shall not eat of it. And so it happened to him. For the people.

[16:11] Trampled him in the gate. And he died. The king's captain. Didn't even think about his own death. And yet he died within 24 hours.

[16:25] But in contrast to the king's captain. We have four lepers. Who are conversing about their own death. And yet. They experience the good news.

[16:37] That the Lord's prophet Elisha had promised. And you know it's a reminder that. We don't know what's around the corner. For any of us. We often say it.

[16:48] We don't know what a day. Nor an hour may bring. Because we might be like the king's captain. Not concerned about death. Or our own death.

[16:59] Not ready if it comes. But you know the truth is. We all need to be like these four lepers. Because they were prepared for death. And they experienced good news before they saw it.

[17:12] They were prepared for death. And they experienced good news before they saw it. And so that's the context to these four lepers.

[17:22] But secondly. Let's consider the conversation. Between these four lepers. The conversation. Look at verse 3. Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate.

[17:34] And they said to one another. Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say let us enter the city. The famine is in the city. And we shall die there. And if we sit here.

[17:44] We die also. So now come. Let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives. We shall live. And if they kill us. We shall but die.

[17:54] And as those listening to this conversation. Between four lepers. We might think that it's a pretty morbid conversation. To be talking about death.

[18:06] And to be talking in particular about their own death. But you know the truth was. These four men were realistic. They all knew that there was something wrong with them. And they were all aware that they were dying.

[18:19] Because as lepers. They knew that their lifespan. Had been shortened dramatically. And their illness reminded them. That their days were now numbered. But more than that. The famine in the land.

[18:30] It increased the likelihood of their death. If they didn't act immediately. And so sitting outside the entrance. To the city of Samaria. These four lepers. They began a conversation.

[18:41] About their future. But the reason they're sitting outside. The gate of Samaria. Was because they were lepers. They were unclean. And they lived in isolation. They lived separate lives.

[18:53] To the rest of society. They were outside. You could say sitting outside the kingdom. They were isolated. Outside the city. And if they were to ever move near the city.

[19:05] If they were to ever see somebody who's clean. They would always have to shout. Unclean. Unclean. Unclean. And so these lepers. They're sitting outside. The kingdom of Samaria.

[19:15] The city of Samaria. They're holding this conversation. With one another. About their future. And they're asking. The question that we all need to ask ourselves. Why are we sitting here.

[19:27] Until we die. And you know. These lepers. They were aware that time was passing. And life was short. Every day.

[19:39] Was a day less of life. And a day closer to death. And as every day passed. Their leprosy was. Taking more and more of a hold.

[19:50] Upon their bodies. And they knew that things. Weren't ever going to get. Any better. It was only going to get worse. And their illness. It was taking over. And it was bringing with it.

[20:00] New weaknesses. And greater tiredness. And more frailties. And acute pains. Their bodies were. Were slowly decaying. And fading. Because of the disease.

[20:11] That possessed them. And each of these four lepers. They knew that their disease. Would eventually take over. Their life. And take their life completely.

[20:27] And it's no wonder that they're asking. Why are we sitting here. Until we die. But as you know. The Bible. It often. Likens the disease of leprosy.

[20:38] To our sin. Where sin has a grip of us. Sin has taken hold. Of our mind. Our bodies. It's infecting. And affecting.

[20:49] Every area. Of our lives. And sin. It's that hereditary disease. Which has been. Passed on. From generation. To generation. We were conceived.

[20:59] In guiltiness. And sin. We were all born. With this disease. And even in our innocence. As a child. We possessed this disease. Of sin. But in our younger days.

[21:12] In our youth. Growing up in our youth. We never really felt. The physical effects. Of sin. We were told. We were told. That we were a sinner. We got ill sometimes.

[21:22] But. We never saw. The physical effect. That sin has upon us. But as time goes by. And the days are rolled into years. And the years have.

[21:34] Gathered into decades. The physical effects. Of sin. Are beginning. To become more. And more. Apart. Because when. We look at ourselves.

[21:47] Those grey hairs. They're increasing in number. Or for some. Their hair. It's already died. Those wrinkles.

[21:58] They spread. They're starting to spread further. The eyesight. It's not as perceptive. As it once used to be. The hearing. It's not as good. As it once was.

[22:08] The body. It's not as strong. And it's not as fit. As it had been in the past. When we were working. And because of that. Taking medication.

[22:20] Is the norm. But with every passing year. It brings with it. New weaknesses. Greater tiredness. More frailties. Acute pains. And each and every one of them.

[22:32] Are evidences. That this disease. Of sin. Is slowly. Taking over. And we're all. Moving closer. And closer.

[22:43] And closer. To the grave. We're all moving. And every time. We sit here. We're being reminded. Of the truth.

[22:53] Of scripture. The wages. Of sin. Is death. And maybe for you. My friend. You've been denying. The obvious. Or putting off.

[23:04] The inevitable. But like these lepers. When you consider yourself. You start. To realize. That what the bible. Is actually saying. Is true. You're dying.

[23:17] We're all dying. You're dying. And there's. You know. There's no getting away. From this. We can't. We can put it off. As much as we like.

[23:28] We can fill our minds. With things. And fill our minds. With all these. Distractions. All these. Entertainments. That we can find. But that doesn't change. The fact. That this. Disease.

[23:39] Of sin. Is slowly. Taking over. Our life. And one day. Soon. It will take it. It will just. Take it. My friend.

[23:51] We are all. In the waiting room. Waiting. To see. Who will be called. Next. But why are we. Sitting here. Until we die. Why are we.

[24:03] Sitting in church. Wasting. Away. To a lost. Eternity. Why are we. Sitting here. Until we die. When we have. The opportunity. To experience.

[24:13] The good news. Of eternal life. Why are we. Sitting here. Until we die. But you know. This conversation. Between these.

[24:24] Four lepers. As it progressed. They came to the conclusion. That if they stayed. Where they were. They would certainly die. But if they went. Into the city.

[24:34] There was this. Possibility. That they might die. They weren't sure. What would happen. If they went into the city. But they were sure. That if they stayed. Exactly where they are.

[24:45] They would certainly die. And so it was better. For them. To make a move. And to commit themselves. To going. And seeing. What would happen. But to sit and wait.

[24:57] That would just be fatal. And you know. There are some people. Who have a fatalistic view. Of salvation. They excuse themselves.

[25:08] From committing. Their life to the Lord. And becoming a Christian. By hiding behind. The doctrine of election. They have this perverted view. Of God's sovereignty.

[25:18] In salvation. And I've heard it so often. If I'm going to be saved. I will be saved. There's nothing I can do about it. Nothing at all. Because if I'm in the elect. I will be saved.

[25:30] And sad to say. Those who think like that. And those who sit. And those who stay where they are. And those who die. In that condition.

[25:42] When they die. When they die. They go to hell. And they go to hell. Because the Bible. Never ever tells us.

[25:53] To sit. And stay. Where we are. The Bible never says. Sit and do nothing. No my friend. The Bible is. It's full of divine imperatives. Because if you go to that.

[26:05] Great gospel chapter. In Isaiah 55. Maybe. Many of you learned it as a child. You know it off pat. Isaiah 55. The Lord is. Is speaking directly to you.

[26:16] And he's saying. Everyone who's thirsty. Come. Come to the waters. And drink. And if you have no money. Still come. Buy and eat. Yes. Come he says.

[26:27] Come without money. Come without price. Because why are you going to spend your money. On that which is not bread. Why are you going to work. And labor for that. Which does not satisfy.

[26:38] Listen diligently to me. Says the Lord. Incline your ear. And come to me. Hear. And your soul shall live. And the Lord says to us. Do it now. Do it now.

[26:50] While you have time. While you're on mercy's ground. While you still have breath in your lungs. While you still have all your faculties. Before you are too late. Seek the Lord.

[27:01] While he's to be found. And call upon him. While he is near. Remember. My friend. Isaiah 55. It's this divine invitation. And it's full of divine imperatives.

[27:13] Come. Take. Learn. Come. Come. Come. Listen. Incline. Hear. Seek. Call. Come.

[27:23] Come. And not one of these divine imperatives says. If you're in the elect. Stay where you are. Not one of them says.

[27:35] If you're in the elect. Sit and do nothing. Not one of them says. If you're in the elect. Wait for something to happen. No my friend.

[27:46] They all invoke. They all encourage. They all appeal. They all plead. Plead for you to respond. To the divine invitation of Jesus.

[27:56] To come. And find rest. For your soul. And so my friend. I want to ask you today.

[28:09] If Jesus is calling you to come to him. For eternal life. Why are you sitting here. Until you die. We've considered the context to these lepers.

[28:25] We've considered the conversation between the lepers. And lastly we see the conclusion. Of these four lepers. The conclusion. Look at verse five.

[28:37] So they arose at twilight. To go to the camp of the Syrians. But when they came to the edge of the camp of the Syrians. Behold. There was no one there. After a lot of conversation about death.

[28:51] And the inevitability of their own death. The four lepers concluded. That it was better to make a commitment. And to go into the city. Than to die without trying.

[29:03] And so. As we read. They arose at twilight. And made their way into the city. As the sun was going down. And darkness was falling over the land.

[29:13] These four lepers. They got up. Out of their seats of death. And they committed themselves. To going forward. Into the city of Samaria. They weren't completely sure.

[29:24] Of what it would be like. When they entered the city. But what they were sure of. Was that they couldn't stay. Where they were and die. They couldn't stay where they are.

[29:35] And you know. Isn't it interesting. That they waited until twilight. To go into the city. They waited until the darkness. Began to fall. So that they could keep.

[29:46] Their identity hidden. They didn't want anyone. To find out who they were. And they certainly didn't want anyone. To know that they were making. Steps to ensure that they would live. And is that not often the case.

[29:59] When we're seeking the Lord. We're not completely sure. Of what it will be like. When we become a Christian. We don't really know. How we will feel. Or what to expect.

[30:10] Or what will happen. But what we do know. Is that we can't stay where we are. We can't stay where we are. We can't stay where we are. And die in our condition.

[30:22] Therefore the only option. Is to make a move. And commit to the Lord. But like these lepers. When we're making that commitment. When we're seeking the Lord. We don't want anyone to know.

[30:34] We don't want anyone to know. What's going on in our heart. So we come in the twilight. We come under the shadow of darkness. Just like Nicodemus did.

[30:46] In the night. Seeking Jesus. And when we're seeking the Lord. It's so personal. It's so private. It's just between you and the Lord. You don't want anyone to know.

[30:58] What's going on in your heart. Not even those closest to you. But like these lepers. When you rise out of your seat. The seat that you've been dying in. For so many years.

[31:09] And when you make that commitment. To actively. And openly seeking the Lord. You know that there's no going back. There's no going back. And in some way. Like these lepers. You may be apprehensive.

[31:20] Of what the future may hold. For you. If you commit your life to the Lord. You may be scared. You might be worried. About what others will say. You might be afraid. Of what people will think of you.

[31:31] If you became a Christian. But despite all these things. You know that the truth is. You know that you can't stay where you are. And die in your lost condition.

[31:43] You know that you can't stay where you are. But what's so beautiful about this passage. It seems in one sense so morbid. But what's so beautiful about it. Is that when these lepers.

[31:55] Made the commitment to go into the city. It wasn't at all what they expected. It wasn't at all what they expected. They were apprehensive. They were scared. They were afraid.

[32:05] Of what would happen to them. But that's not what they were met with in the city. Because when they entered the city. They were met. As it says. With good news. They were met with good news.

[32:18] And they could see that the Lord. Had made their path straight. The Syrians. As it says. They had fled the city. They deserted it. Fearing this attack.

[32:28] Coming upon them. But all the time. It was the Lord. Making a path. For these lepers. To go into the city. And find treasures. Beyond all imagination. And is that not the promise of scripture.

[32:41] We are to trust in the Lord. With all our heart. To lean not upon our own understanding. But in all our ways. To acknowledge him. And he shall direct our paths.

[32:54] And when these lepers. When they entered the city. They found. What they desperately needed. And a lot more. Because they found an abundance of food. And drink. And clothing.

[33:05] And gold. And silver. They found treasure. In abundance. And my unconverted friend. That's the promise. Of the gospel. That's the good news. Of Jesus Christ. That when you rise.

[33:16] Out of your seat of death. And come seeking. Eternal life. In Jesus Christ. He promises. To do in you. And for you. Far above.

[33:27] And beyond. Your asking. Or your thinking. Because when you come. To this Jesus. You will find in him. Treasures. Treasures. Treasures. That is like. Full store.

[33:38] As the psalmist says. Because in Jesus. There is everlasting love. In Jesus. There is the promise. Of forgiveness of sins. In Jesus.

[33:48] There is peace with God. In Jesus. There is assurance. Of salvation. Eternal life. Adoption into God's family. Justification. Before the righteous judge.

[33:59] The beauty of holiness. In Jesus. There is God's protection. God's care. God's compassion. God's keeping. Grace by the way. Glory in the end.

[34:10] And it is all in Jesus. My friend. This is what is promised. To you. When you rise. Out of your seat of death. And flee to Christ. That is what is promised.

[34:21] To you. That is what is promised. That is what is promised. When you come. Seeking salvation. In Jesus. You receive. Far above.

[34:32] And beyond. You are asking. Or your thinking. But I must warn you. That is my responsibility.

[34:45] I must warn you. That if you stay where you are. And you sit there until you die. The opposite will be true.

[34:56] And the outcome of what you will receive. For not coming to Christ. For the forgiveness of your sin. It will be awful. Beyond imagination.

[35:09] The Bible never warns us. About the horrors of physical death. As we said. That is inevitable. The Bible. The Bible only warns us.

[35:19] About the horrors. Of eternal death. In hell. And during his life. And ministry. Jesus spoke more about. Hell than he did about heaven.

[35:32] And Jesus did that. Because he knew the seriousness. Of telling people the truth. The truth. That hell is a real place. And real people go there. The truth. That hell is a place of unending pain.

[35:45] And unstoppable torment. The truth. That hell is the place. Where you cannot die. You are dying. But never dead. It's eternal sorrow.

[35:55] And Jesus wants us. To know the truth. About hell. So that we will flee. To him for salvation. He wants us to know. That hell is the place. Where the fire is not quenched.

[36:07] Hell is the place. Where there is wailing. And grinding of teeth. Because of the severity. Of the pain. Hell is the place. Of outer darkness. Hell is the place. Of great separation.

[36:19] Separation from life. Separation from blessing. Separation from family. Separation from friends. Hell is the place. Of eternal death. And when we hear Jesus.

[36:32] Talking about hell. We have to ask. Well. Why is he talking like this? Why would he speak. About the awfulness of hell. More than the wonder. And glory of heaven. My friend.

[36:44] Surely it's because. He wants us to know the truth. Surely. It's a loving warning. Surely it's because. Jesus loves us. And he doesn't want us. To go to hell. And the truth is.

[36:56] He loves us. So much. That he has already. Demonstrated. His love. For us. By dying. On the cross. On our behalf. My friend. Jesus doesn't want us.

[37:07] To go to hell. He wants us. To be saved. I want you. To be saved. I don't want you. To go to hell. But the only person. Who can change.

[37:18] That. Is you. The only one. Because. You have to cry. Out to Jesus. For mercy. You have to go down. On bended knee.

[37:29] And seek the Lord. With all your heart. You have to commit your life to him. Before you're too late. You have to rise. Out of your seat of death. And flee to Christ. No one else.

[37:40] Can do it for you. You have to do it. Why do you think. I speak to you. About hell and death. It's so that you will see.

[37:50] That sitting. And dying. In your sin. It's not an option. It's not an option. And it's so that you'll know. How bad this bad news. Really is.

[38:02] In order for you to embrace. The goodness. The goodness. Of this good news. In Jesus Christ. You know. That's what the lepers discovered.

[38:12] They rose out of their seats. Of death. And they. They ran into the city. And they found this. Abundance of treasure. And they said. We can't keep this to ourselves.

[38:25] We have to tell others. We're told in verse 9. They said to one another. We are not doing right. This is a day of good news. If we're silent. And wait. Until the morning.

[38:35] Punishment. Will overtake us. Now therefore. Come. Let us go. And tell the king's. Household. They didn't want to keep this good news. To themselves. Because they saw that.

[38:47] Well if they didn't tell other people. The other people. Would die. Where they're sitting. My friend. This is a day. Of good news.

[38:59] We are in a day of good news. And we are being told. In God's word. Not to sit here. Until we die. We are not to wait. Even until. As it says.

[39:09] The morning light. We are not to wait. Until the morning. To come to Christ. We are not to wait. Until tomorrow. To come to Christ. We are not to wait.

[39:20] Until a more convenient season. To come to Christ. No. It says. This is a day of good news. This is a day of good news. And now.

[39:30] Is the accepted time. To come. Because today. Is the day of salvation. And so. If there is good news.

[39:44] In Jesus Christ. Why. Are we sitting here. Until we die. May the Lord bless.

[39:56] These thoughts to us. Let us pray. O Lord. Our gracious God. We thank thee. And we praise thee. For. The loving warnings.

[40:07] In thy word. That remind us. That we need. To do something. And that today. Is the day of salvation. Help us Lord. Not to.

[40:18] Continue sitting. And to continue. Dying. Without Christ. But help us. To flee to him. Help us. To see. Who he is. And the beauty of him.

[40:31] Help us to run. To Jesus. To hear his voice. And know that. As he says. Of his sheep. My sheep. Hear my voice. And I know them.

[40:41] And they follow me. And I give to them. Eternal life. And they shall never perish. And they shall never be plucked. Out of my hand. O bless us.

[40:52] We pray. Bless thy truth. To our hearts. For we ask it. In Jesus name. And for his sake. Amen. We shall conclude by singing in Psalm 143.

[41:06] Psalm 143 in the Scottish Psalter. Page 439. Psalm 143. Psalm 143.

[41:26] We're singing from verse 6. Down. The second version of the psalm. Singing from verse 6. Down to the verse marked 8. Lord. Lo I do stretch my hands.

[41:37] To thee my help alone. For thou well understands all my complaint and moan. My thirsting soul desires and longeth after thee. As thirsty ground requires. With rain refreshed to be.

[41:50] Lord let my prayer prevail. To answer it make speed. For lo my spirit doth fail. Hide not thy face in need. Lest I be like to those that do in darkness sit. Or him that downward goes.

[42:02] Into the dreadful pit. Down to the verse marked 8 of Psalm 143. To God's praise. Lord. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[42:12] Lord. I do stretch my hands. To thee my help alone.

[42:25] For thou well understand. All my complaints and moan.

[42:37] My thirsting soul desire. A longeth after thee.

[42:50] As a sinner required. With great refresh to thee.

[43:02] Lord. Lord let my prayer prevail. To answer it make speed.

[43:15] For lo my spirit doth fail. I know thy face in need.

[43:29] Lest I be like to know. The dew in darkness sit.

[43:42] Or in the downward goes. Into the dreadful pit.

[43:55] In all thy trust in thee. O Lord cause me to hear.

[44:08] Thy loving kindness free. When morning doth appear.

[44:21] When morning doth appear. Cause me to know the way. When it my path should be.

[44:35] For why my soul on high. I do it up to thee.

[44:49] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The love of God the Father. And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Be with you all. Now and forevermore. Amen.