give you all a very warm welcome to this evening's worship service. We're again grateful to our own pastor who will be leading this time and bringing to us God's word. Just a reminder to everyone we meet in the middle of the week on Wednesday at 7.30 for prayer and Bible study. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doth wondrous things, and blessed be his glorious name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. Let us pray. O gracious God, we have been reminded of thy great mystery, As we thought around the table earlier, His name is Wonderful and He does it wondrously. We have been reminded of Thee that Thou only doest wondrous things. O Lord, we thank Thee. We thank Thee for Thy mercy and Thy grace, and we approach Thee mindful of it, and we were come to bless Thee. We have been reminded there in that cool of worship, and we were blessed. We have been blessed in Thee. We come to bless Thee tonight. Help us to do so. Help us to magnify Thee. Help us to give Thee the glory, for Thou art worthy. Praise is fitting for the people of God. O Lord, help us now. Help us to rejoice in thee. Help us to be lost in wonder of our Saviour, for his name is wonderful. Help us to think much on Christ this evening and hear our prayer. Lord, we come and we ask again for the forgiveness of our sins, not out of vain repetition, because we need to do it, Lord. O Lord, help us now, forgive us our many sins, and have the glory for Christ's sake. Amen. Amen. If you would turn with me to our first phrase, number 47 in the Psalter, and we're going to sing from verse 1 down to verse 8. We've concluded verse 8. Number 47, verses 1 through to verse 8. Verse 9, the first half of verse 9, I just remembered, is the double stanza of the Ching. So we'll conclude with the words, they who the people are. Number 47, we think much here, the Lord Jesus Christ, his ascension up into heaven. Notice when he comes again, it will be in the same manner. Verse 5, God is with shouts gone up. The Lord with trumpet sounding high, there be the shout and the sound of the trumpet. He went up and so he will come in like man. Number 47 verses 1 to the first half of verse 9 and the tune is Evangelion. O people, clap your hands, dear God, with voice of triumph shout. For dreadful is the Lord God's might, great in the earth throughout. The heathen people under us, he surely shall subdue. and he shall make the nations under our feet to bow. The lords of our inheritance to tower for us shall be. of Jacob, whom he loved well in the excellency. God is with shouts on high, the Lord with trumpet sounding high. Sing praise to God, sing praise, sing praise, praise to our King, sing ye. For God is King of all the earth, with knowledge praise express. God rules the nations, God sits on His throne of holiness. The princes of the people are assembled willingly. In offer God of Abraham, they who the people need. For our consecutive reading tonight, we turn to Proverbs, we come to chapter 6, and we're reading from verse 1 down to verse 19. Proverbs 6 and verse 1. Let us hear God's Word. My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, thou art snared with the works of thy mouth, thou art taken with the works of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself. When thou art coming to the hand of thy friend, go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. Go to the aunt, thou sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise, which having though guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer. and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard, when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty come as one that travaileth, and thy want as an armed man. A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth, he winketh with his eyes, he ticketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers. Frowardness is in his heart, he devises serve discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly, suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things that the Lord hate, yea, seven are abomination unto him, the proud look, the lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, the hard device of wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that serveth discord among brethren. Amen. May the Lord add the blessing to the reading of his precious word. We thought there in Proverbs much of humility and so we're going to sing of that now in our next praise, number 131 in the Sorte, the whole of the Psalm, to the tune Humility. My heart not haughty is, O Lord, my eyes not lofty be. 131st Psalm, I'm going to sing to the tune Humility. My heart not holds the age of God, My nights of love he be, Nor do I live in matters great, or things to hide for me. I surely have myself behaved with quiet straight and mild. As the hope of knowing my soul is like a winged child. Upon the Lord, let all the world on this day ever rely, in from the time and present days, unto eternity. The final testament reading is to be found in 1 Peter chapter 2, and we're going to read from verse 1 through to verse 12, particularly noting tonight verse 12. having your conversation honest among the Gentiles. Well let's read then 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 1 to 12. Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may glow thereby. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious. You also, as lightly stones, have built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I name Zion a chief cornerstone, elect precious, and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. And you therefore which believe, he is precious. But unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and the stone of stumbling, and the rock of a fence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light, which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God, which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that, whereas they speak evil against you as evil doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Amen. May the Lord add the blessing to the reading of His precious Word. Let us come now to the Lord in prayer. Let us pray. Almighty and ever-blessed God, we thank Thee again for our Saviour. He is the stone, He is the support. Everything lines up with Him. Oh, what a precious Saviour we have. We thank Thee for Him, for He came and shed His precious blood. We thank thee for his ongoing work for us, O Lord, making intercession at thy right hand, keeping us, protecting us. O Lord, we thank thee for these things, and we would say afresh, he is precious, Lord, to us, or that he would be more precious. As we grow in grace, as we live in this world, may Christ be more precious to us. O we thank thee for thy word, thou dost speak to us. And as we fall to round the table, our blessed Saviour is the counsellor. How he counsels us, how he advises us. Help us to listen to the counsel of thee tonight. As we hear these things, help us to be concerned. Help us to so live in a way that is befitting of thee. Help us to shine forth for thee. Nor does we think that living in a way that glorifies Thee may be used, that men in this world in turn are brought to Thee and found glorifying Thee as well. May we reflect something in our lives, Lord, that points men and women, boys and girls, to Thee. Help us in these things, O Lord. Help us as we run the race to lay aside that which doth so easily beset us in every way, O Lord. Help us to put it down and run focused on Christ, looking unto Jesus. Oh, may we look a little longer to that and to Lauren. O Lord, help us to look in every situation. Help us to lift up our hearts and our eyes to heaven and look unto Jesus, what a Saviour he is. Wonderful Lord, warm our hearts further that we would be overwhelmed with his wonder. O Lord, we thank thee he is the mighty God who supports, the everlasting Father who leads and cares, and the Prince of Peace. Such a legacy, and therefore we know there is more peace in store. Bring that peace to our hearts, Lord. May we lay down tonight, as we see in Psalm 4, in peace, knowing that we are in thy way, loved by thee, and a Saviour near to us. O Lord, may we all lie down with our last thoughts on Jesus tonight, the Prince of Peace. Lord, when we come to the storm, when we come to the valley, may he stretch out his hand and give more peace to us. O Lord, we thank thee for this title. He is the Prince of Peace. None like our Saviour. How thankful we are that thou dost send him, that thou dost give him. O, we thank thee that he drew near. O, to know more of Christ. For any without Christ here or listening online, Oh, may the Prince of Peace come near to their hearts, we pray. Do go with us as we go into a new week. Bless those in the workplace, undertake, O Lord. Maybe some are facing perplexing situations in the workplace. Perhaps some are knowing what it is to be in the midst of those who do not love thee. O Lord, give them much strength and grace. For those who are in the home, in the community, be with them, O Lord. For those in the places of education, whether at home or in the school, be with them, O Lord. May they be helped, O Lord, in these earlier years. O Lord, we pray for those who, no frown to the flesh, maybe through old age or through other circumstances, illness or condition, we pray for them. We thank Thee, O Lord, as we read that Thou art the One who knows our frame. O Lord, meet the needs of Thy people who struggle in the flesh at this time. We do pray that Thou go before us, O Lord, lead us and guide us. We thank Thee for guidance, divine guidance. Show us Thy way, O Lord, that is our prayer. and help us to walk humbly with thee, O for that closer walk with thee, as we think of walking humbly, O make us more like Christ as we walk with thee, for he is meek and lowly in heart. May we be that shining light in this world. May men know there is something different about us by the things we don't say. There's so much blasphemy in this world. There's so much foul language. Lord, our hearts go out to those, particularly the young ones, who have to put up with such a deal of it. But Lord, may they see in us there's something different. We don't speak like them. May they be drawn to thee, Lord, by the things we don't say, the things we don't laugh at, the things we don't do. O may they behold the good we do and be found glorifying thee. Help us in this, Lord, and we will pray for this as we consider thy words of life. May there be people saved, having considered our testimony. Lord, that humbles us. But Lord, it encourages us to be perfect in holiness. It encourages us to be walking in a way that glorifies thee. Help us, O Lord, in our walk in this world. to be with the Trinitarian Bible Society, bless the committee gathering tomorrow, lead and guide in all things, and further bless that work and other organisations, we thank thee for that which is done in the military by SASRA, we give thee thanks for that, O Lord. We pray for missionaries tonight, those we know of, in Cyprus, in Africa, in other places, bless their labours, O Lord, encourage them, Lord, we pray for this. We thank thee that thou dost send forth labourers. Be with thy servants serving thee. Lord, we would pray to thee, the Lord of the harvest, to send forth more labourers into the harvest. Go with them and bless them, encourage them. For any who are serving thee tonight and discourage, because the way is hard, be no fruit. O Lord, we pray, encourage them with thy word. And if it please thee, encourage them with fruit before thy house. Bless the testimony here, O Lord. Use it for thy glory. May many be drawn to this place. We thank thee for those that have been brought in. Draw many more. May this just be the beginning, Lord. Lord, thou art able. Draw a people in. Lord, we do remember our fellowships. We pray for thy servant in Salzburg. Be with him, O Lord, in Southampton and Tottenham, in Cardiff, be thy servant in Cardiff. O Lord, we pray for all we know, we were faithful to thee, for thy servant in Chippenham and Le Havre, be with them, O Lord, and entertain for them. So, Lord, hear us now. We love thee, we adore thee, we ascribe unto thee the greatness, the blessing, and the honour So out we'll be. Amen. If you would turn with me to our third praise, Psalm 34, and you'll note these words here, we consider them Peter, if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, we're here in Psalm 40, rather Psalm 34, we had Psalm 40 this morning, Psalm 34, we're going to commence with verse seven, but you'll notice verse eight, oh taste and see that God is good. Psalm 34, verses 7 to 13, the tune is St. Gregory, the angel of the Lord encamps, and we can think the city of the Lord Jesus Christ, the angel of the covenant, and round encampeth all those about that do him fear, and them deliver wrath. And that's a comfort, isn't it? As we face a new week, with its encouragements, but also its challenges, the angel of the Lord is all around us. Psalm 24, verses 7 to 13, and the tune is St. Gregory. The angel of the Lord came down, and crowned her loveless head. ♪ O come, O come, O come, Emmanuel ♪ ♪ O come, O come, Emmanuel ♪ ♪ O come, O come, Emmanuel ♪ Precious in Him is blest. Fear not, ye saints, of that in fear, Shall ye who in wonder rest. The lion's young, they are greedy, and they may lack their food. But they that truly sing the Lord shall not lack any good. O children, hither do ye come, and on to me give ear. I shall you teach to understand how ye the Lord should fear. What man is he that like his eyes to see good would live long. Thy lips refrain from speaking dull, and from ill words thy tongue. Well, let's return to our series on Peter. Tonight we come to 1 Peter chapter 10 and verse 12. Now you notice how the Apostle Peter follows on from what we considered last week, where strangers and pilgrims were to abstain from fleshly lusts which wore into the soul, having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they may speak evil, as speak against you as evil does, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Dear congregation, what a blessing it is to walk in the light and to walk with Christ. He is the faithful friend who will never leave nor forsake. Now we who love him, Are we not concerned about how we're walking with him? None of us want to let him down, do we? Yet sadly the believer can often be found quickly letting him down. Now as we considered last week, we are strangers and pilgrims. We do not belong to the people of the world and we do not belong to this world. And further, we are on our way to the heavenly country for that is our home. We're pilgrims, we're strangers, and we're pilgrims. Having this in mind, as we saw last week, we are to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, and further in light of our text tonight, we are to have a good witness in this world for God's glory. And as we so walk, seeking to glorify the Lord, our prayer is that others would behold our testimony, and that the Lord would use it, and they too would be found glorifying Him. Just note these words here. Familiar words, but they're very humbling actually. As we also consider those words in Matthew 5 verse 16, having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that where else they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Now remember those words of the Lord Jesus Christ in his Sermon on the Mount. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5 verse 16. They will glorify the Father. And that's one of the reasons, are we not concerned with walking in a way that glorifies heaven? in a way that is in accordance to His Word. We don't belong to ourselves. We're bought with a price. Oh, how costly was that price. The precious blood of Jesus. Oh, we're to remember that. We don't belong to ourselves. We're to live, we're to walk in a way that glorifies Him for His glory and for the benefit of others. Make it your prayer that this week, Somebody would behold your testimony and say, what is it about that man, that woman? I must know. Oh, they're a Bible believer. They believe in a great God, and that they in turn will be found worshipping him. Very practical, it seems here to Michael. Let's come directly to our text. 1 Peter 2 verse 12, having your conversation honest amongst the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of dissertation. And just pause again. They shall behold. They're watching you. They're watching you. Will they see something in you tomorrow that points them to the Saviour? Well, as we come to these words tonight, first of all, an honest conversation, and then secondly, God glorified. An honest conversation, and then God glorified. Look at these words here. Having your conversation honest amongst the Gentiles. We're reminded the world looks on. They observe the Christian. We need to be aware of that. Sometimes we don't think about it, do we? They're looking on to see what you're going to do in this situation. To see if you're going to laugh at their joke. If you're going to join in. The world looks on. They observe the Christian. Sadly, the believer can stumble and let down the name of Christ. You remember Jonah? He ran away, didn't he? And there was a storm. And what do we read in Jonah 1 verse 5? Then the mariners were afraid and cried at the man unto his God and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship and he lay and was fast asleep. So that the ship master came to him and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God. That's interesting, isn't it? They knew who Jonah was, to some degree. Here, inform them a little more. O sleeper, arise, call upon thy God. If so be that God will think on us, that we perish not. And they said, every one to his fellow, come and let us cast lots. that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and a lot fell upon Jonah. Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray, for whose cause this evil is upon us. What is thine occupation, and whence comest thou? What is thy country, and of what people thou art? How humbling that must have been for Jonah! He had fled, He'd run away from the presence of the Lord. What does that mean? For God is everywhere. Well, the presence of the Lord in that close and special way was known in the land of Israel. He had run away and he was picked up by the world. Well, it's a humbling thing, isn't it, when we're picked up by the world. I remember a dear friend, I saw him earlier in the week, And when I was a boy, he gave a testimony and he gave his testimony not for any glory because he was humbled by it, but to try and help others. And he said this, I said something in the workplace. And somebody said, I didn't think Christians said that. But Jonah was picked up and it's a humbling thing if we're picked up by the world. They're watching us, aren't they? And we need to be careful. and we need to take action. You remember those words in Hebrews 12, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. So easily, and it's true isn't it? We're honest here, it so easily besets us. And sadly sin can present itself, and instead of resisting we can yield, and we can let the name of Jesus down in this world. We'll be so careful. They will pick up the Christian, they will say something, if the Christian stumbles, but you notice also here, they will speak evil against you for no cause. Just notice verse 12, having your conversation honest amongst the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works which they shall behold glorify God in the day of visitation. They speak evil. They say you've done wrong in light of their law, but then further falsely accuse in light of God's law. Was not Jesus falsely accused? We read about it in Mark 14 verses 57 through to verse 58. And there arose certain and bare false witness against him. They lie, they made up things. they will do it about they will make up things about you you see there was hatred in the heart towards christ and there was hatred in their hearts towards you what did jesus say in john 15 verse 18 if the world hates you You know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." And we need to remember those words of the Savior. Now some in the world can be very pleasant, can't they? Very kind. But we need to remember those words of the Savior. There can be hatred within, and why? because they're in opposition to Jesus and those opposed to Jesus at times will make up things about you which are wrong false they speak against you as evil doers they did wrong they say when you didn't oh this is the background here we're strangers we're pilgrims and we need to be concerned yes they will speak evil against us but we're to be concerned about how we are walking, that we will point them to the Lord, that we will show them the better way. We're to have an honest conversation. They may speak evil against you, but we're to be concerned about an honest conversation that glorifies God and that which can be used by Him. Now we have here the words honest, having your conversation honest among the Gentiles. First of all, the word honest. Karos, the root means beautiful, but chiefly and figuratively good, valuable, virtuous, honest, worthy, a valuable, a virtuous testimony, an honest conversation. A conversation which is worthy of the Lord. Do not we want to please Him? Even if the world falsely accuses us, do not we want to please Him? We want to glorify Him in the way we live. Honest, worthy. 1 Thessalonians 2 verse 12, that ye walk worthy of God. That ye would walk in a way which is worthy, honest, befitting for the Lord. who have called you unto his kingdom and glory. So you have the word honest, virtuous, worthy, valuable. Just pause. You consider seeking to live for the Lord is a precious thing. and can be used by the Lord. It helps other brethren and it can be used to point someone to the Lord. So we have here the word honest, let's now consider this word conversation. In today's language we think of what we speak when it's more than that. It includes what we speak, but it also includes what we do and think. The word conversation in biblical usage speaks of the manner of life, behavior, conduct, and honest, good behavior. Honest in the way we live. Now as we come to this, think of our old conversation. Remember Paul's testimony. Galatians 1 verse 13. For ye have heard my conversation in time past. In the Jews' religion held up beyond measure, I persecuted the church of God and wasted it. His old conversation. His conversation, the way he lived, he was religious. But he didn't know the Savior. And you know, there's so many in this country, they're religious. but they don't know the Savior. They just go through the motions. They think, well, they're doing good, that will merit me heaven. It's an outward form of godliness. It's an outward form of religion. Paul was very religious, but he was blind. Well, he thinks of his conversation in time past. Oh dear brothers and sisters in Christ, are we not thankful we can think of our conversation in the past, but it's not now the way we're living. Think also of the conversation of the ungodly in 2 Peter 2 verse 7, and delivered lot, just lot vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. But Paul thinks of his past conversation We think there is an ungodly conversation, but for we who love the Lord, things have changed now. We have an honest conversation. 2 Corinthians 5, verse 17, Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new. We're not perfect, but we're a new creature. Old things, the past conversation is passed away now. We're not in bondage, are we? Living for the world? Yes, sadly, we yield to sin. And we need to do. We need to go quickly to our heavenly Father. Go quickly. Don't delay when you fail Him. He's a God of mercy. He's waiting for you. He's justly angry, but He's waiting for you. And you humble yourself and you look to Him by faith, you will know fatherly forgiveness. or be concerned about how you walk, your mode of life. Now Peter reminds us of how we're to walk in light of the great day to come. Just turn over to 2 Peter 3 in verse 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the air fall soon, the works that are therein shall be burned up, seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of person you want to be in all holy conversation and godliness, an honest conversation, a holy conversation. At the table we look back but also we look up and we're to be meeting another table till he comes again. We look forward, well he's coming, our blessed redeemer is coming, our savior, one day we're going to see him in view of his coming again. All were to live a godly life. The minute the Lord mocked, where is he? But we know he's coming. All to live in light of his coming. Remember those words from the parable, occupy till I come. There's some Christians so taken up with the Second Coming, they're not living for Him. We're to be mindful of it, but also we're to live for Him, occupy, and we're to be concerned about how we live. And just pause, didn't we desire that there would be those who would behold our testimony, and they are pointed to the Lord, and they with us are ready for the coming of the Lord. The Lord's servants are to be examples. 1 Timothy 4 verse 12. Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Lead by example. The way one lives. When we think of this conversation and on it, a conversation, a life that glorifies the Lord. And that's our desire, isn't it? We want to glorify Him. We want to be doing that which is right. And in everything we do in light of Scripture, which is good, to be glorifying Him. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 10 verse 31. Whether therefore you eat or drink or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. The way we eat our food, the way we drink, we're to be mindful of the Lord. That's why it's good to give thanks, isn't it? To focus on the Lord. And the way we eat, the way we drink, Whatsoever we do, do all to the glory of God. Oh, to think them more of God. You see what I'm saying? To think more of God. Each hour, each day, each week, that we would be found glorifying Him. Eating, drinking in the workplace, in the canteen, in a way that glorifies the Lord. Sitting down with friends, having a time of Laughter and fun, having coffee. We're to be focused on the Lord. We're to be so drinking for his glory. When we think of our conversation, the mode of life, the manner of life, the behavior, the conduct. We're to be so living in a way that is befitting. Remember those words on Wednesday, as we began to consider our duty in Micah 6 verse 8, To love mercy, to do justly, to walk humbly. Yes, we think of walking humbly with the Lord, we're to be concerned about our walk then. How are we walking with God? What a blessing to walk with God, to have Him there as our portion, the Lord at our side, to have Him before to lead us and guide us, to encompass round about us. What a blessing if we walk, we walk with God. All we're to be concerned is how we're walking with God. Does it glorify Him? having your conversation honest among the Gentiles. We're concerned about how we're walking before the Lord, but also further how we're walking before the world. Now as we think of our honest conversation, you notice how Peter goes on, that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works which they shall behold. As the Lord's people conduct themselves, they are to be doing good, good works. Now at this point, turn back to Matthew 5 verse 16, the Sermon on the Mount. What did Jesus say? Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. The light shining, by the way we conduct ourselves. I remember a couple of years ago I worked in a firm and I was in a home on the other side of the forest near a place called Ashurst. And there was a particular lady there, a manager. She never swore. She never said filthy things. She was kind. I found out she loved the Lord. You see how she walked in the workplace, there were others there. And it's not easy, is it? Some people can be so disgusting in their talk. And their conversation is full of blasphemy. It's not easy, is it? And if you're in that situation, I pray for you. But what a contrast, this lady. I knew something was different about her. She was shining in the way she lived by the things she wasn't saying. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works. We're to be doing good. It's revealed in the Word, as we considered on Wednesday. It's what the Lord would have us do. As we live in this world, as we consider our manner of life, our behaviour, we're to be doing good. That's what glorifies him. The Apostle Paul wrote in the Church of Rome in Romans 12 verse 2 and be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Oh for our thoughts to be turned to him who loved us. Oh for our hearts to be set on above, set your reflections on things above, that we would think of him, that we would be focused, and then we would consider, what does he want me to do today? How does he want me to respond in this situation? How does he want me to be doing that manual work? How does he want me to be doing what I must do on the computer? Oh, we're to be considering. all for a close walk with the Lord, that we might so walk on before men in this world, that we will be doing good, that men might behold our good works. As we think of the good, it comes under the Ten Commandments, isn't it? It's good in view of God. Good works are done in view of our neighbour. There's love, is there not? We're to be doing good. were to so live our lives in a way that glorifies him, in a way that others can look on, ah, look at the good they're doing. Have we need the Lord? Remember those words in John 15, verse 5. That we shouldn't give good works, doing good. We're reminded by the Lord in John 15, verse 5. Without me, ye can do nothing. Without me, ye can do nothing. The Lord reminds us that we need him. And are we not thankful for that? He reminds us, you need me today. Therefore, let's turn to each day. I need him in this situation. I need him as I go to the office. I need him as I live in the home, as I walk down the street, as I mix with others. I need the Lord. We know our duty, but how we need the Lord. Without me, ye can do nothing. but consider the Lord working in us and helping us to do. Philippians 2 verse 13, for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. He's working in me and you. The Spirit comes, He cultivates the graces, He applies the Word, we see what our duty is, we know what we're to do and we're helped when it's not the Spirit. We want the Lord to be still working in our hearts tonight, and in our hearts tomorrow. It's the Lord we need, isn't it? As we live in this world, as we conduct ourselves, as we go around doing good, it's the Lord we need. And He comes, and He helps. What do we read in Philippians 4, verse 13? I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I can be found doing the good because of my Saviour. I can be found perfect in holiness because of Christ. I can be found shining in this dark world because of Christ. I can do all things, that is, for His glory in accordance to His words. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. You can be living a life for God's glory. Ask the Lord to help you. We need help, don't we? He's reminded us we can do nothing without Him and we know our weakness, don't we? We know that some days we're just brought to a point, we just know we're weak and we cry out, we cry out to the Lord, Lord strengthen me, help me, help me to be doing good, help me to be showing love, kindness, favour, pity, compassion. He's able. What do we read in 2 Corinthians 3 verse 5? Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God. He wants me and He wants you to be living in such a way that glorifies Him, where He can help you. He's more than able. Remember around the table we thought of our Saviour, what's one of the titles? The Mighty God. In light of Psalm 89 verse 19, the help we needed was laid on one that was mighty. Oh, what help was laid on Him, we're saved. were carried in life and were helped to walk in a way that glorifies Him. When you say something loving and kind, when you help someone, when you draw alongside someone, think this, how mighty your Saviour is. He's helped me to do this. Our sufficiency is of God. An honest conversation. We pray for help and help we will receive. Sadly we stumble and sadly we yield to temptation. But there is fatherly forgiveness and there is further help at hand. Let's do good. That which is noticed by the Lord. Now we note here in our text it's noticed by the world. What do we read here? Well as they speak against you as evil doers they may by your good works We'll come back to this as we draw to a close, but consider the good you do is taken note of by the Lord. We have that in Matthew 25. We haven't got time to look into this, but remember the great account there. Now the mentioning of the good is to show to them, yes, you truly are saved. For I was a hungred, and he gave me meat. I was thirsty, and he gave me drink. I was a stranger, and he took me in. Naked, and he clothed me. I was sick, and he visited me. I was in prison, and he came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when shall we be a hungred and fed thee? So on and so forth. And what do we read in verse 14? The king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Serving the Lord, helping someone else. And it's noted by the Lord. The Lord wants you to so live your life in a way which glorifies him, which is worthy, the fitting of the Christian, and he takes note of the good you did. You're noted by the Lord, a kind, a good deed, for his glory done in accordance to his will is noted by the Lord. All of whom think more of Jesus. If we are, we live in this world. It's a big subject here, isn't it? Concerned about Godly living, an onerous conversation for God's glory, noting that the good we do to others from a genuine heart is doing it as unto Christ. But as we draw to a close, God glorify it. God glorify it. We fought for holy conversation as we close, God glorify it. having your conversation honest and on the Gentiles that whereas they speak against you as evildoers they may by your good works which they shall behold glorify God in the day of visitation just now briefly the day of visitation we could consider a day when God visits in a just way of his wrath and I say this there have been those in such a day They've taken note of the kindness of a Christian and have been pointed to the Lord. But then particularly a day, a visitation of God's mercy. He has visited us in his mercy. Just read in your own time Luke chapter one. When God so blesses, he will use the testimony of his people in a most wonderful way. In a day of visitation, God draws near to his people in a most precious way, and the world is aware that God is in the midst of his people, and they take note of the conduct, how they are conducting themselves. Well, we pray that in a day of dissertation, but also on an ordinary day as well, that they would behold us. You see, this is a day of small things, isn't it? Oh, that they would too behold us in these days as well, and that they would be found glorifying God. It's humbling, these words, isn't it? If you said anything wrong in your life as a believer, you let down the name of Jesus. Have you done something wrong in the workplace? You have let down the name of Jesus. You've done something right. You've done something good. From your heart you are kind. You glorify God. And you may meet that person this week and they come and tell you, why are you kind? Why are you like this to me? Well, you go to church, you believe the Bible, tell me about your Savior. That's what we long for, isn't it? That God would use our testimony, the way we conduct ourselves, that they would be found glorifying Him. Now good works are for the glory of God. What we read in Philippians 1 verse 11, Be filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. Our Lord said in John 15 verse 8, Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. The Father is glorified when you speak in love. when you show kindness, when you do good, the God of heaven, he who is infinitely holy, is glorified through an honest conversation. But there's more here. Men in the world can suddenly take note, and the Lord draws near and opens their heart, and they glorify the Lord. You know, there's been testimony over and over again where someone's been converted, that person, they were so kind to me. They told me of the saving. I dismissed it for years. But then, these things came real to me. We were here in a camp yesterday. A Bible was put into a prison many, many years ago, and it stayed there. someone did wrong and entered the prison 20 years later and picked up that Bible and read it and the Lord opened their heart. The good you did 10 years ago may be remembered tomorrow and the Lord opens a heart. I remember that man That woman, what they said to me 10 years ago, how they were kind to me, they didn't despise me. I'm now believing in Jesus. God can use your testimony, but think forward, the good you do today or tomorrow might be used by God in 30 years time. After I am not here, you may say, God can use it. Be doing good for his glory. And remember this, God can use your testimony. Maybe your father or mother, they're witnessing to their child and there's no response. Five years time, they may remember. And God calls to mind the honest conversation. Be living for God's glory. Be living that the Lord may use your testimony. We don't want to let the Lord down, do we? With one word. Oh, seek not to let the Lord down with one word. Glorify him. And think like this, I want to so conduct myself in my life this week, this year, that it may be God uses my testimony and points someone to the Lord. Turn with me to those words in Matthew 5 verse 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven. Jesus says let the light shine before men. The light within you to shine, the grace to shine, the fruits of the spirit to shine, your love of the word to shine, your testimony. Let the light shine before men. When you're angry, do you think people will be pointed to Jesus? Yeah. But when you show kindness, when you work hard, when you don't cut corners, This could be used to point someone to the Lord. Jesus said, let your light so shine. It's getting darker. I hear many people say that. It's getting darker. Do you know what that means? You have greater opportunity to